"A thief?"
The Millelith patrol frowned at Tartaglia's explanation.
They glanced up at the damaged wall and building. That area was the residential quarters for Northland Bank staff. Judging by the scale of the damage, it wasn't minor.
Since when did Liyue have thieves capable of causing structural collapse?
And targeting the Northland Bank of all places?
Tartaglia's story was full of holes.
"Yes, a thief," Tartaglia nodded, smiling smoothly. "He injured my employee. I think the Millelith need to step up their patrols. This time it was Northland Bank; next time, it might be Liyue Bank."
"I hope you can catch this criminal quickly. As for the damage to the building, Northland Bank will cover the repairs. Even though we are the victims, for the sake of Liyue's peace, we are willing to pay."
"You don't need to worry about Liyue Bank," the Millelith guard replied expressionlessly. "Since you say so, wait for the craftsmen tomorrow. Someone will come to collect the payment. I will also report this incident."
With that, the Millelith led his squad away.
If Tartaglia didn't want to pursue it, why should they care?
Northland Bank was paying for the repairs anyway.
As for Liyue Bank... let a thief try. The security arrays there would turn them into dust.
The Millelith captain had a gut feeling this wasn't a simple burglary.
Tartaglia was clearly hiding something. But since he wouldn't talk and was willing to pay, they couldn't force an investigation.
He would file a report and let the higher-ups deal with it.
"Lord Tartaglia."
As the Millelith disappeared, Andrei walked over, looking disheveled and submissive. He kept his head lowered. "I know I was wrong."
"As long as you understand your mistake," Tartaglia said, beaming at him. "I hope you won't make such a low-level error again."
"I understand," Andrei whispered.
"Since you've gained this strange ability, tell me about it," Tartaglia said, turning to face him. "Once Ekaterina recovers, go apologize to her. We are all Fatui, serving Her Majesty the Tsaritsa. In Liyue, we only have each other. I don't like disunity among us. Understand?"
"You know Liyue is suppressing Northland Bank. We are walking on thin ice. Dishonesty like yours is unacceptable."
"I understand," Andrei nodded respectfully. "My thinking was narrow before."
Andrei then explained his Shikotsumyaku bloodline in detail, holding nothing back.
Tartaglia listened, his eyes narrowing with interest. Fascinating.
Il Dottore would love this.
That magical Jar Shop...
And its mysterious owner...
Very interesting.
"That's enough for tonight," Tartaglia said after chatting with Andrei for a while. He picked up the unconscious Ekaterina. "Adjust your state tonight. Come to work tomorrow. If I have time, I'll teach you some combat techniques."
"Thank you, Lord Tartaglia!" Andrei exclaimed, his face flushing with excitement.
Tartaglia teaching him personally? That was incredible.
He had no combat experience. Even with the bloodline limit, he could only use it crudely.
With a Harbinger's training, he would become truly strong. He was no longer just an ordinary man.
Andrei returned to his room, exhilarated.
The night passed without further incident.
...
The next day.
Dawn broke over Liyue Harbor.
At Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
Lao Meng opened the main doors with vigor, looking completely different from his depressed self the night before.
"Morning, Uncle Meng," the ferrylady yawned as she came downstairs.
"Morning, Xiao Du," Lao Meng replied cheerfully.
"Uh."
The ferrylady paused, surprised by his beaming smile.
Based on Mona's divination last night, shouldn't he be heartbroken?
Why did he look like a new man?
"Uncle Meng, are you okay?" she asked hesitantly.
"Huh? I'm fine," Lao Meng looked surprised. "Why wouldn't I be?"
Ferrylady: "..."
Weird.
Whatever. If he was fine, she wouldn't pry. She headed to the kitchen to prepare breakfast.
"Divination is just metaphysics," Lao Meng muttered to himself with a smile as she left. "It's just a reference. No need to take it too seriously."
After sleeping on it, he decided Mona's divination might not be accurate.
He adjusted his mindset quickly.
He walked to a table and laid out two sets of new clothes: one blue, one grey.
"Morning, Lao Meng."
Hu Tao walked downstairs carrying Charmander. "What are you doing? Folding clothes in the lobby?"
"Director! You're up!" Lao Meng rushed over. "Help me choose! Which one looks better on me? Which one will make me more popular with the ladies? Blue or grey?"
Hu Tao: "..."
Her mouth twitched.
What nonsense is he spouting this early?
Is he still not giving up?
Didn't Mona's divination settle this?
"I don't know," Hu Tao shook her head, not even glancing at the clothes. She walked toward the door. "By the way, don't make breakfast or lunch for me. You guys eat. I'll be back tonight."
She had a plan: go to Wanmin Restaurant, see Xiangling, eat a delicious breakfast, buy one for the Shopkeeper, and then spend the morning chatting at his shop.
Perfect!
"Director! Director!"
Lao Meng looked anxious as she ignored him.
He trusted Hu Tao's taste. He needed her advice!
"Morning."
Mona walked down the stairs.
She greeted Lao Meng, then looked at the departing Hu Tao. "Hu Tao, where are you going?"
"Mona! You're up?"
Hu Tao turned around, grinning. "I thought you were still sleeping. I'm going to Wanmin Restaurant for breakfast. Want to come?"
"Sure!"
Mona's eyes lit up. Following the Director meant free food.
Plus, she needed to visit the Liyue branch of The Steambird to ask about submissions.
"Miss Mona! Miss Mona!"
Lao Meng called out desperately. "Do you have a moment? Can you help me decide which clothes to wear today?"
"Uh."
Mona paused.
She looked at the clothes on the table. "Just wear whatever you want. As long as you're happy. Does it really matter?"
"I don't know!" Lao Meng looked frantic. "I have something important to do today. I need to know which one is best!"
"Wait a second."
Seeing his anxiety, Mona pulled the Item Fortune Mirror from her pocket.
She walked over to the clothes and peered at them through the lens.
Lao Meng was confused.
I asked for fashion advice, why are you using a magnifying glass?
Hu Tao, seeing this, immediately ran back with interest.
Mona was using the item!
"Hmm."
Mona looked at the grey outfit. No words appeared.
Then she looked at the blue outfit. The words "Water Calamity" appeared clearly in the lens.
Remembering Felix's explanation, Mona put the mirror away.
"Wear the grey one. If you wear the blue one, you will encounter a water calamity today—falling into a river, drowning, falling into the sea, something like that. The grey one has no bad omens."
"It's that magical?"
Hu Tao grabbed the mirror from Mona and checked for herself.
Sure enough, "Water Calamity" floated over the blue clothes. The grey ones were clean.
"Clothes are related to disasters?"
Lao Meng was dumbfounded.
I just wanted to know which one looked better. How did we get to drowning?
She just looked at it with a magnifying glass?
Is this astrologist a scammer?
Lao Meng wanted to ask more, but Hu Tao and Mona had already left the parlor.
"I don't believe it."
Lao Meng huffed as he watched them leave.
Without hesitation, he grabbed the blue outfit.
He went to his room, changed into the blue clothes, and looked in the mirror with satisfaction.
Then, he walked out of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
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