With Tartaglia joining in, breakfast ended hastily.
After all, he was an outsider.
There were things that didn't need to be discussed in front of him.
Both Huerlia and Yingda wore expressions that were less than kind.
A perfectly good breakfast had been ruined by this guy — they'd definitely have to find an opportunity to "teach him a lesson" later.
"Let's go, have you picked the place yet?"
Wiping his hands with a napkin, Taro glanced at Tartaglia.
"Of course I have!" Tartaglia replied with a grin:
"Things are tense right now, so we can't fight inside Liyue Harbor. That's why I chose Guyun Stone Forest."
"The boat's already prepared. We can set off anytime."
For the chance to spar with Taro properly, he had considered every possible factor.
Guyun Stone Forest was undoubtedly the best choice.
After all, the inland of Liyue was filled with Millelith guards. Any disturbance would immediately draw their attention.
As for Jueyun Karst, that was Adepti territory — before he understood those immortals' bottom line, he wasn't going to stir up trouble there.
So the options were few, but Guyun was perfect — a place he could unleash his full power without causing unnecessary problems.
"Alright~"
"Go settle the bill, I'll wait at the door."
Since Tartaglia had even chosen the spot to get beaten up, Taro simply smiled and agreed.
If he wanted a fight, sure — a bit of warm-up wouldn't hurt.
"I won't join in this fight," Huerlia said with a faint smile.
"Boss, I'll head over to Feiyun Slope and tend to the shop. I'll also pick up some kitchen supplies before noon."
"Don't forget to come back tonight for dinner."
She personally disliked combat.
If she hadn't had subjects to protect in the past, she would've hidden away somewhere until the Archon War ended.
Watching a fight?
How boring.
Better to admire flowers.
"Alright," Taro nodded, watching her leave.
"A pretty, gentle, capable, house-managing, kitchen-skilled partner who looks after everything… life is truly beautiful."
Resurrecting Huerlia had definitely been the right decision.
…Mainly because she was beautiful.
Just looking at her was pleasing to the eyes and uplifting to the heart.
"Sir," Yingda clenched her fists. "For such a disrespectful man, there's no need for you to dirty your hands."
"Shall I drive him away instead?"
Right now, every glance she gave Tartaglia made her want to punch him.
She imagined a flaming fist smashing straight into that falsely smiling face of his.
Daring to challenge Sir, and even ruining their breakfast?
Who needed his money?
Who cared about his "treat"?
Shameless.
Utterly detestable.
"No rush, just play along with him."
Taro shook his head with a laugh:
"Leave him for now — Zhongli still has use for him."
"If you really can't stand him, pick a time and beat him up later. Just don't kill him."
This guy was still a chess piece on Zhongli's board, one meant to ignite Liyue's long-simmering conflicts.
That made him somewhat useful.
And honestly, there wasn't anyone in the Fatui more exploitable than Tartaglia.
As for whether Yingda could beat him… Taro didn't even question it.
The real danger wasn't the whale.
It was the Primordial Sea itself.
"Hey, buddy! All done here. Shall we set off?"
Tartaglia came hurrying out after paying the bill, almost as if afraid Taro would ditch him.
"Let's go~"
Taro smiled faintly and waved his hand.
Group Teleportation — activate!
A faint magic circle flashed, and in the blink of an eye, the three figures vanished.
Guyun Stone Forest, along the coast.
Three silhouettes appeared without a sound.
"This…" Tartaglia blinked, staring at the sea nearby and Liyue Harbor in the distance.
"Impressive, my friend."
Spatial transference? Truly surprising.
Yingda, however, wasn't shocked. She'd already experienced it.
There were Adepti skilled in such arts, and even her younger brother Xiao could manipulate space.
And besides, whatever Taro did — wasn't that just natural?
"Good, good… now I'm even more eager for this fight."
"My friend, can we begin?"
Grinning widely, Tartaglia twirled his hands.
Twin blades of condensed Hydro formed instantly.
He didn't draw his bow — that was a mark of respect.
The bow was something he still hadn't fully mastered.
Against Taro, using it would feel almost insulting.
"We can begin."
Taro nodded calmly, raising his hand empty-handed.
No weapon.
Yingda drifted back into the air, watching from a distance.
"Buddy, you're not using a weapon?" Tartaglia arched a brow.
"Are you… underestimating me?"
"My fists and feet are adequate," Taro replied serenely, signaling for him to attack.
Weapons? What for?
If he used weapons and skills against Tartaglia, that'd be bullying.
This was just for fun.
"Alright then."
Tartaglia's eyes hardened. His mask dropped down, covering his face.
Streams of water swirled as he lunged forward, right-hand blade slashing toward Taro's neck while the left, hidden behind, prepared to strike.
"Too slow."
Without haste, Taro raised his hand.
Holy light sparkled at his fingertips as he flicked.
Bang!
The force shattered the Hydro blade instantly.
Can't clash head-on.
Tartaglia's expression changed beneath the mask.
Spinning his body, he deflected the force and used the momentum — his hidden left-hand blade thrust straight for Taro's torso.
But Taro's right hand snapped back, two fingers pinching the blade in place.
It could move no further.
A sharp twist —
Crack!
The blade disintegrated.
Taro pressed his fingers together, fire gathering at the tips, and jabbed toward Tartaglia's brow.
His face darkened. Elemental power surged as he sprang backward.
"Impressive, buddy!"
Landing, he shook his tingling hands.
"Not fair though, eh?"
"You call that 'just fists and feet'?"
"Lying isn't nice."
One exchange.
Both blades broken.
Forced to retreat.
This was "just adequate"?
What did that make him, then?
Trash?
"It really is just adequate. I wasn't lying."
Taro smiled, shaking his head.
If he only considered unarmed combat, he wasn't sure he could beat Zhongli.
After all, his main build was battle-mage.
Most of his skills and stats were invested into Knight and Cleric classes — not martial arts.
As a pure martial artist, he was only "adequate."
But against Tartaglia?
More than enough.
"Ha, I knew it — Zhongli isn't weak."
Battle spirit blazing, Tartaglia's body crackled with purple sparks.
"My friend, now I'll get serious!"
…
Even the Delusion?
You really are a battle maniac.
Fine.
Today, I'll indulge you.
(End of Chapter)
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