"Perfect, I'll make preparations and set off."
Gu Sanqiu soared back toward Liyue Harbor. As for the array set up by the Qixing?
What a joke. Just because he couldn't destroy it didn't mean he couldn't find a backdoor. If he couldn't even manage that much, it'd be downright embarrassing.
If Gu Shaochong was truly in the Chasm, it would have to be in the underground mines. The surface area was large, but with miners and patrolling Millelith keeping watch, it was impossible for someone to hide without rumors spreading—at least whispers about strange sightings.
"Plenty of food and water," he mused. "Food can be less of a concern—that useless cheat ability of mine may fail at everything else, but when it comes to conjuring meals, it's unbeatable."
Gu Sanqiu clicked his tongue in mild irritation. Bringing his own water was non-negotiable. The underground water system might be extensive, but there's no way I'd drink it.
As the site of a past disaster, any leftover filth hidden in some obscure corner of the mines could spell trouble. Even boiling the water wouldn't make it safe.
If he were stronger, he might have brought the Traveler along as a personal purifier.
Encounter corruption?
Skill activated: Golden-Haired Projectile!
Effect: Complete purification of the corrupted area!
Gu Sanqiu chuckled at his own thought before shaking his head. Better not. If I brought him back to Liyue again, the plot would spiral out of control for real this time.
What if it turned out like Mondstadt, where after defeating Osial, a second one suddenly appeared? His sister would have no choice but to throw the Jade Chamber down again.
Upon returning home, Gu Sanqiu headed for the storage room to grab some toys that would make Klee's eyes sparkle. Explosives were part of his plan too.
As the former dwelling of Azhdaha, the area had suffered intense seismic activity. Many of the weaker mine shafts had surely collapsed, so precise, controlled explosives would be necessary.
Using Geo magic was out of the question, and smashing through with brute force seemed far too crude. Bombs would be much more efficient.
"Sanqiu! Over here!"
At the stone table in the courtyard, a girl with a black hat was enthusiastically waving at the sky.
What now? Gu Sanqiu felt a growing sense of dread. Could Morax still possess some form of mind-reading ability? Did he somehow send Hu Tao to stop me the moment I decided to head to the Chasm?
"What are you doing here?"
"Hey, what kind of attitude is that? Your favorite boss personally came to visit you, and this is how you react?"
Hu Tao grinned, baring her teeth. Gu Sanqiu responded by firmly pressing her hat down over her head.
"Fine, fine. You're kind, beautiful, and full of charm, Boss Hu. I even helped you advertise. Go to the Northland Bank and promote Wangsheng's discount offer to Childe again. He'll love it."
Gu Sanqiu smirked internally, already imagining Childe's exasperated expression as Hu Tao bombarded him with "special deals."
"Huh? That's rare, Sanqiu! You're actually helping advertise Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's promotions?"
Hu Tao playfully patted Gu Sanqiu's waist. "Not bad, oh holy West Wind Saint! You really are my best friend!"
"How do you know about that?" Gu Sanqiu asked, pouring her a glass of juice.
"Why? Thinking of heading to Mondstadt to earn yourself a title too?"
"Tch, with my natural beauty, I wouldn't settle for some 'Saint' title," Hu Tao declared, puffing out her chest. "If anything, I'd be the West Wind Poet!"
"Your hesitation while coming up with that title speaks volumes about how 'vast' your poetic knowledge truly is," Gu Sanqiu teased. He poked her cheek with the straw's other end before sliding the juice over.
"Seriously though. I've been back for nearly two weeks now—why show up here all of a sudden?"
"Well," Hu Tao rested her head on her hands, pouting as she sipped her juice. "I observed the heavens last night and realized today is a perfect day to eat out. So here I am!"
She placed her head on the table, lazily sipping her drink, and gave Gu Sanqiu a mischievous wink.
"Treat me to a meal, Sanqiu!"
Gu Sanqiu groaned, rubbing his forehead. "If you said it was a perfect day for treating someone, I might've agreed. But now you want me to treat you?"
"Come on, come on! It's been ages since I went to Xinyue Kiosk. I'm craving their spicy fish and shrimp dumplings!"
Hu Tao paused, holding out her half-empty juice.
"Don't say I never treat you—I'm offering this juice."
"That's the juice I just poured for you!" Gu Sanqiu sighed in exasperation. "Fine, fine. Let's see what nonsense you want to talk about over dinner."
"Let's go!"
Before he could react, Hu Tao's figure blurred into a flurry of butterfly-shaped shadows. She landed squarely on his back, gleefully patting his head.
"Your agility hasn't slipped! That's good news!"
"Of course not," Hu Tao said smugly. "For someone as talented as me, learning a mere movement technique is child's play. If I put in some real effort, I'd surpass your level in no time."
"Right, right. You're the most talented. You're a genius," Gu Sanqiu replied flatly.
"But since you're so talented, I'll order you some Stir-Fried Slime Condensate at Xinyue Kiosk. If they can't make it, I'll get Wanmin Restaurant to do takeout—or even buy ingredients from the Adventurers' Guild."
"Ugh!"
Hu Tao clung to him, mock-pouting. "You jerk! Why would you make me eat something like that?"
"It's good for you. Didn't you say you're smart and talented? That dish could make you even smarter."
"I don't need it! If I got any smarter, people like you would feel too inferior!" Hu Tao leaned closer, smirking. "For your self-esteem, I'll stay as I am."
"Oh, you're eating it, alright."
"Ha! As if! Take this!" Hu Tao ruffled his hair with a laugh, and the playful bickering continued all the way to Xinyue Kiosk.
After ordering the food, Gu Sanqiu watched as Hu Tao gleefully turned her snack into a makeshift house, only to devour the roof with a single bite.
"So? Now that you've ordered food and had your fun, what do you need from me?"
"Nothing big," Hu Tao said, wiping her mouth. "But I do have a favor to ask."
"Of course," Gu Sanqiu muttered, exhaling. "Let's hear it."
Hu Tao clasped her hands together, looking unusually serious.
"Introduce me to some proper young ladies, will you?"
"…What?"
"Come on, ask Ningguang for me. She'd know the best candidates. I'm not picky—someone around my age, give or take a few years, is fine."
Gu Sanqiu blinked. "Did you let some rogue spirit escape your grasp or something?"
"Of course not!" Hu Tao pouted. "It's for our guest consultant, Zhongli. I think it's high time we find him a nice, well-mannered lady to manage him."
CRACK.
The tea cup in Gu Sanqiu's hand shattered, spilling tea all over his lap. For once, he failed to react in time to block it with his elemental powers.
"What did you just say?"
"Zhongli's always idle and spends money like it's going out of style. And when you're not around, he's dipping into Wangsheng's budget to buy all sorts of useless stuff!" Hu Tao huffed.
"That's why I want to find a proper lady to keep him in check. His financial habits are beyond terrible!"
Gu Sanqiu coughed, regaining composure. "With Zhongli's charisma, you're sure this proper young lady won't just end up handing him more money to spend?"
Hu Tao froze, clearly not having considered that.
"…Anyway, I'm not helping with this."
"Why not?!"
Gu Sanqiu resisted the urge to roll his eyes. The answer was obvious.
If you meddle and fail, you'll get a chuckle. If I meddle and fail, it'll be "Heavenly Principles" all over my head. Anyone with half a brain would know the smart choice here!
Hu Tao suddenly squinted, her expression sharp.
"Wait a second… That tea-cup-crushing move just now looked just like Zhongli's! You've seen him recently, haven't you?"
"Nope."
Seen him? Sure. But seen him recently? Let's say no.
"Sanqiu! You traitor! You're secretly working with him, aren't you?!"
Hu Tao leaped forward, grabbing his collar and shaking him violently. "Tell me! Did you two go somewhere with secret handshake signals and everything?!"
"It's a coincidence! Just a coincidence! I haven't seen Zhongli in ages!"
---
T/N: can i volunteer