At the Liuli Pavilion.
In an elegantly decorated and refined private room, Tartaglia, Zhongli, the Traveler, and Paimon sat around a lavish dining table laden with a variety of delicious and beautifully presented dishes.
Tartaglia took the initiative to make introductions. "This is my friend from the business, Mr. Zhongli, a consultant for the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. He has a way to help you see the Exuvia."
A nervous look appeared on Paimon's face as she whispered, "A friend from the business? Wangsheng Funeral Parlor? That name sounds like an assassin organization..."
Hearing this, the corner of Zhongli's mouth couldn't help but twitch slightly.
He patiently explained, "Our Wangsheng Funeral Parlor is exclusively responsible for the affairs of the deceased after their passing. Sending off the living is not within our scope of business."
Paimon was relieved and her face lit up with understanding. "Oh, so you specialize in funeral services!" She sized up Zhongli curiously, then teased, "You look so calm and steady, your suona-playing skills must be incredible, right?"
Zhongli smiled faintly, maintaining his composure. "They are acceptable. Barely passable."
At this point, the Traveler steered the conversation back on track. "Consultant Zhongli, can you really help us see Rex Lapis?"
Zhongli nodded. "In Liyue, whenever an adeptus passes away, we hold a solemn Rite of Parting. Rex Lapis was not only a god but also the first of the adepti. His passing naturally requires a grand Rite of Parting to commemorate him. At such a ceremony, you will see the Exuvia of Rex Lapis with your own eyes."
He paused for a moment, his gaze shifting between the Traveler and Paimon, before continuing, "I wonder if the two of you would be willing to join me in preparing for this momentous Rite of Parting?"
The Traveler thought for a moment and agreed.
Afterward, in a harmonious and cheerful atmosphere, the group began to enjoy the delicious feast on the table.
After the meal, Zhongli, the Traveler, and Paimon left first, leaving Tartaglia alone in the room. Confirming that Zhongli and the others were gone, Tartaglia immediately asked the waiter for takeout boxes and began packing up the leftover food on the table.
The Fatui's budget was tight, and this sumptuous lunch had already consumed most of his funds. If he didn't start saving now, for the next few days he'd be left saying, "Brothers, time to beg for food again! Her Majesty the Tsaritsa has already paid Rex Lapis!"
Just as he was engrossed in packing, Lin Yide walked in with a leisurely stride and casually pulled out a chair to sit down. "I never would have thought that you, a distinguished Fatui Harbinger, would be reduced to this," Lin Yide said with a teasing tone.
Tartaglia felt both ashamed and annoyed. Unwilling to lose his composure in front of Lin Yide, he retorted, "This is food for the little puppy we keep at the Northland Bank. I'm taking it back for it to enjoy."
Lin Yide didn't expose his flimsy excuse. Instead, he took out a thick stack of talismans from his system space and tossed them to Tartaglia.
Tartaglia caught the talismans and took a closer look, surprised to find they were precious Sigils of Permission, and all of them were authentic.
"What's the meaning of this?" he asked in confusion.
Lin Yide gave him a meaningful smile. "Didn't you boast that you were going to stage an unprecedentedly spectacular show in Liyue? These Sigils of Permission are to make your performance even more dazzling."
Tartaglia's eyes widened in disbelief. "Are you crazy? This many authentic Sigils of Permission is enough to completely release that big guy."
Lin Yide said calmly, "Wouldn't that be even better? Fishing in troubled waters and seizing the Gnosis in the chaos—isn't that the Fatui's specialty?"
A flash of displeasure crossed Tartaglia's face. "Don't lump me in with people like Rosalyne. I prefer to obtain what I want through a direct confrontation, fair and square."
"Oh, is that so?" Lin Yide chuckled softly, then slowly rose from his chair. "In that case, keep these talismans as your backup. They might come in handy if you encounter an opponent you can't match."
Tartaglia said conceitedly, "In this land of Liyue, there are very few who can contend with me. You should take these talismans back."
But Lin Yide simply shook his head. "As of right now, you are no match for the Traveler."
This statement infuriated Tartaglia, and a flash of anger appeared in his eyes. "You underestimate me too much. Back in Mondstadt, the Traveler was sent flying by a Debt Collector with a single elbow strike. I, on the other hand, can take on ten Debt Collectors by myself."
Lin Yide didn't argue with him, only stating calmly, "Time will prove my words. In your future battle with the Traveler, I hope you'll give it your all and not lose too badly."
After saying this, Lin Yide turned and left.
Tartaglia stared at his retreating back. "Yide, you look down on me that much? One day, I will show you my true strength."
...
Several days later.
Under Zhongli's guidance, the Traveler and Paimon successfully completed all the preparations for the Rite of Parting. Just then, they received very bad news from a member of the Fatui: the adepti from Jueyun Karst had come to Liyue Harbor to demand answers and were blocked outside the city by Ningguang and Keqing. The two sides were in a tense standoff.
This news made the Traveler come to a complete realization. He understood that he had been used by Tartaglia all along. First, Tartaglia used him to stir up conflict between the adepti and the Qixing, attempting to plunge Liyue into the abyss of civil strife. Then, he used the Traveler to find the hiding place of the Exuvia.
Connecting this to what La Signora had done in Mondstadt, he was certain that Tartaglia's goal was to seize Rex Lapis's Gnosis.
After a brief moment of contemplation, the Traveler quickly rushed towards the Golden House with Paimon, desperate to stop Tartaglia's plot.
When they hurriedly arrived at the Golden House, the scene before them was startling: the guards, who should have been standing by in full force, were all collapsed on the ground, unconscious.
Flames of fury burned in the Traveler's eyes. He had once considered Tartaglia a friend, and because of him, his impression of the Fatui had even improved. But reality had dealt him a cruel blow. This trust and friendship had ultimately been exchanged for deception and betrayal.
He walked into the Golden House with firm steps. Under the bright lights, he saw the solemn Exuvia. And standing just below it was that familiar figure—Tartaglia.
Tartaglia keenly sensed the arrival of the Traveler and Paimon. He turned around slowly to face them, a hint of confusion and provocation in his eyes. "You've already completed your task as 'guides.' Why come here to look for trouble?"
The Traveler didn't answer. Instead, he silently summoned the Dull Blade into his hand, its tip pointed directly at Tartaglia, his gaze firm and resolute. "Tartaglia, I will not let your scheme succeed."
Hearing this, Tartaglia laughed scornfully, his laughter filled with disdain. "Heh heh, how interesting. Not long ago, someone told me that I would be no match for you. Well then, today, let me see for myself what you're made of. Let's see if your strength is as he claimed."
As he spoke, a bow radiating blue light suddenly appeared in his hands. Its body was gracefully streamlined, and its arrows glinted with a cold light.
The Traveler and Tartaglia faced off. A fierce battle was about to erupt!