"Childe's treat?"
The moment the words reached their ears, Kuki Shinobu and Aila exchanged a glance—
a trap, their instincts declared without hesitation.
"Oh~ and he even picked Xinyue Kiosk." Hu Tao folded her arms with a low whistle. "That's a pretty extravagant choice. Dining there burns through mora like wildfire."
Despite her curiosity, she quickly dismissed the idea of danger. After all, this was Liyue Harbor. Under the watch of the Qixing, the Rite of Descension's god, and the Millelith patrols, even a Fatui Harbinger wouldn't dare stir up trouble lightly.
Just as Zhongli once said: If a battle truly erupted in Liyue Harbor, even a Snezhnayan envoy would not walk away unscathed.
Peace between Liyue and Snezhnaya didn't give Childe a free pass to cause chaos.
But Aila and Kuki Shinobu—having witnessed the Fatui's handiwork in Inazuma—thought very differently. The memory of Tenryou and Kanjou Commissions manipulated like puppets still lingered sharply. Scaramouche brazenly ambushing Yae Miko; La Signora challenging someone holding authority akin to the Electro Archon herself.
Those acts were enough to show that while the Harbingers possessed terrifying strength, their recklessness was even more astounding. So with that impression carved into them, neither Aila nor Kuki Shinobu had the slightest goodwill toward the Fatui—much less the Harbingers.
"If they come again, just say we're busy." Futsu Mitama, however, seemed unbothered. In his view, Childe might genuinely be inviting them out of courtesy.
After all, the story recorded plenty of times he treated the Traveler to dinner—and even spent mountains of mora on Zhongli without blinking. And Zhongli, undoubtedly aware of Childe's intentions, accepted every treat with serene calm.
Childe didn't mind either. It wasn't his bank, after all. Worrying about mora was Regrator's burden, not his.
"Eh?" Hu Tao slumped, suddenly crestfallen. "That's Xinyue Kiosk! I have to think ten times before treating myself there. But Zhongli goes there all the time and never pays—honestly, I'm jealous."
Her understanding of Zhongli's legendary track record of "free meals" was firsthand—
ever since he joined Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, he'd wandered around Liyue enjoying life, visiting Xinyue Kiosk and even Liuli Pavilion always as an honored guest, never as a paying customer.
"With Mr. Zhongli's breadth of knowledge, it's perfectly normal for people to invite him."
Kuki Shinobu nodded thoughtfully. She hadn't known him long, but his wisdom was undeniable—far beyond the ordinary.
Someone with insight spanning so many fields would surely be revered in Inazuma as well.
He might even be summoned to Tenshukaku by the Shogun herself.
"That's true" Hu Tao sighed. Dusting herself off, she waved and turned to leave. "I'll have to grab something simple to eat tonight. You all rest early!"
Her muttering faded into the night: "Strange—what went wrong? I swear I cooked it like this before…Was the fire too strong? Too much oil…?"
The three watched her go with matching looks of sympathy. Futsu Mitama's decisive escape earlier suddenly seemed like divine wisdom to Kuki Shinobu. After all—Hu Tao's cooking was dangerous.
"Let's go home." Futsu Mitama shook off thoughts of Fatui trouble and focused instead on resting. Tomorrow he planned to visit South Gate and Tianqiu Valley with Xiangling and Guoba.
"Mm." Both girls responded in unison.
They were concerned, yes—but if Futsu Mitama wasn't going, then the Fatui could be ignored entirely. After returning home, Aila led him to his room. While she fetched hot water, Futsu Mitama entered the Chat Group.
[Azhdaha]: So that's it, Zhongli. Your knowledge truly runs deep.
[Raiden Makoto]: Admirable indeed. To think Liyue holds such talent today.
[Zhongli]: I merely know a little. These matters were recorded in ancient texts.
[Yae Miko]: To grasp the secret histories of the Archon War—Liyue's scholars are far more impressive than I expected.
[Yae Miko]: In comparison, Inazuma has regressed rather than progressed.
[Kokomi]: The Shogun has her struggles. She is currently misled by traitors.
[Ayaka]: Once the Shogun steps out of the Plane of Euthymia, all will be resolved.
[Raiden Makoto]: It isn't so simple. Ei is stubborn by nature. If she could awaken so easily, she wouldn't have secluded herself for so long.
[Raiden Makoto]: And with the uncertain stance of the Commissions and the rise the Resistance may be need another year before true actions can begin.
[Raiden Makoto]: And at such a crucial time, the Group Leader is not in Inazuma…sigh.
Scrolling through the lively debate, Futsu Mitama could sense the genuine admiration Azhdaha and Makoto held for Zhongli—even through a screen. Azhdaha, especially, seemed practically glowing with pride. To see such a brilliant figure rise in Liyue under Morax's guidance was, to the ancient dragon, a source of great joy.
In contrast, Yae Miko and Makoto's helplessness over Inazuma's stagnant state was almost painful.
It wasn't that Inazuma lacked talent—but its suffocating policies crushed potential. Merchants suppressed by the Kanjou Commission; Martial artists suppressed by the Tenryou Commission; The Yashiro Commission only recently recovering from internal sabotage. And above all—the fear of having one's Vision, one's wish, taken away.
The Sakoku Decree closed off the nation even further, stifling growth at every turn.
Even so, Futsu Mitama remained steady. None of them could rush Inazuma's recovery. Ei herself was the greatest obstacle—and overcoming that would take time, no matter how clever Makoto and Miko's plans were. Eventually, he joined the conversation:
[Futsu Mitama]: @Raiden Makoto It's still early. I haven't gathered the materials yet.
[Futsu Mitama]: @Zhongli Mr. Zhongli, I'd like to ask about South Gate and Tianqiu Valley.
[Zhongli]: South Gate and Tianqiu Valley. I see. Are you targeting the Primo Geovishap?
[Futsu Mitama]: Yes. As expected of you, Mr. Zhongli.
[Kokomi]: He guessed instantly?! How incredible—
[Azhdaha]: Geovishap? That little lizard? Is he still around?
[Kuki Shinobu]: Umm…Little lizard???
[Azhdaha]: Yes, a little lizard. Looks big but feels malnourished. Not as strong as the Stove God was.
[Yae Miko]: If that's "little" to you… I can't imagine your full size.
[Makoto]: Azhdaha's true form is vast—a mountain in itself. The Dragon King is no ordinary being. Even I likely couldn't defeat him, unlike Ei.
[Azhdaha]: Strength means nothing when wear and tear rots it away
[Azhdaha]: But Group Leader, why seek the little lizard? I thought it died.
[Futsu Mitama]: There are reports of Geovishap Hatchlings and full-grown Geovishaps near South Gate and Tianqiu Valley. Some suspect it's awakening.
[Futsu Mitama]: Its blood may be able to cultivate a bloodjade branch.
[Zhongli]: During Liyue's Dragon Crisis, the Geovishap was defeated, but not slain.
[Zhongli]: It is said to sleep underground, recovering its strength.
[Zhongli]: Travelers have reported strange breathing sounds from the depths…and the Geovishaps have grown increasingly aggressive.
[Zhongli]: Do be cautious if you go.
[Futsu Mitama]: Understood.
Just then, Aila entered with steaming water.
"Young Master, the foot bath is ready."
He dipped his feet into the warmth with a relaxed sigh.
"If nothing unexpected happens," he said quietly, "we'll likely encounter the Geovishap soon."
"Because of Mr. Zhongli's words?" Aila asked, already aware of the chat's contents.
"Mm." Futsu Mitama nodded. Having Zhongli in the group was invaluable—his knowledge surpassed even Keqing's understanding of local threats. And Zhongli hadn't denied the possibility of using Primo Geovishap blood to forge a bloodjade branch. That alone spoke volumes.
"Then we must be cautious." Aila's tone hardened with resolve.
"Yes." Futsu Mitama agreed. "I'm curious how strong the Primo Geovishap truly is."
Azhdaha called it a little lizard. Yae Miko described it as a small mountain.
Whatever the truth, the upcoming battle would not be easy.
"Speaking of which…how is your new technique progressing?" he asked.
Aila hesitated for a moment, frustration flickering in her eyes.
"It's almost complete. Just one final step left."
That last barrier—no matter how many times she tried—refused to yield. Even with the Raiden Shogun's "Raiden Style · Martial Arts" as guidance, she couldn't break through.