Genshin Impact: The Beginning of the Wind

The young man's voice that had just appeared carried a strange vitality, and his personality of directly interrupting other people's conversations without caring about awkwardness left people at a loss for words.

"This is the executor of the Winter Fools—the young master."

Zhongli paused slightly when Tartaglia suddenly appeared at this moment, but quickly recovered and introduced Tartaglia to Su Feng and Wendy.

"These two are my good friends in Mondstadt—the bards Wendy and Sufeng."

With Zhongli's introduction, the two parties officially became acquainted.

While that's true, it's actually only the young master who knows these three people. These three people are perfectly clear about Dadalia's identity and purpose.

But this kid is much better than the other executives. Compared to the likes of the Doctor and the Scatterers, the three of them actually prefer someone as pure as Tartaglia.

"Since you two are friends of Zhongli Keqing, you must be quite capable people. I also hope to become friends with you."

"Whether you call me 'Young Master' or Tartaglia, it's fine. If you encounter any trouble in Liyue, you can let me know. Although we can't compare to the Seven Stars of Liyue, the Fatui can still do many things."

“Some things that are difficult for the authorities to handle are better suited to be handed over to us, the Fools.”

D'Artagnan did not underestimate Wendy and Sue Fong, who seemed unconventional.

If possible, D'Artagnan would like to forge a good relationship with these two, since he might need their help someday.

Moreover, it would be even more worthwhile if it could bring me closer to Zhongli.

"The 'Prince' of the Fatui? You look much better than those executives who ran to Mondstadt before. At least I find you quite pleasing to the eye."

Wendy didn't pay much attention to D'Artagnan's overtures, but Su Feng became interested and started chatting with D'Artagnan.

"Oh? You've met my colleagues?"

After talking about his colleagues, Tartaglia couldn't help but ask a question. He knew that some major events had indeed happened in Mondstadt recently, but because he was mainly focused on obtaining the Heart of the Geo Archon in Liyue, he hadn't paid much attention to information about Mondstadt.

"Yes, your colleagues have caused quite a bit of trouble. Whether it's the lady, the skirmisher, or that doctor, none of them are good people. Those guys have caused a lot of trouble in Mondstadt. If it weren't for the intervention of the Anemo Archon and his Familia, who knows how much more trouble they would have caused."

"Recently, they've even started inciting the Lawrence family to rebel. Do you think that's big enough trouble?"

"If it weren't for the lack of conclusive evidence, the Fools of Mondstadt would probably have been thrown into jail by now, instead of running around like this."

"Since you are the executor of the Fatui, can you please keep the Fatui in Mondstadt in line? Most of the things in Mondstadt involving Daedric Princes and secrets have already been dealt with. Even if they wanted to find them, they wouldn't be able to. Don't bother with this futile effort."

“Some things are troublesome to clean up, and Mondstadt is short-handed right now, so don’t let those guys cause any more trouble.”

Perhaps he had hit a nerve, because Su Feng couldn’t help but complain that the Fatui in Mondstadt were causing too much trouble these days. Upon hearing this, D'Artagnan felt a little embarrassed.

"Ahem, my colleagues are sometimes... a bit rough in their work."

"I can express my apologies on their behalf, but there is no subordinate relationship between the Fatui Executors. The Fatui within Mondstadt are subordinate to other Executors, and I have no command authority, so I'm afraid I can't help with this."

"But I can pass this message on to their superiors, and hopefully they will receive orders to be withdrawn or to stay put."

When D'Artagnan said this, his face was filled with embarrassment. He knew very well that the Fatui had a bad reputation in many countries, but he never expected that the Fatui in Mondstadt would do so many things. What was worse was that these things had been discovered!

At this point, D'Artagnan was already cursing the group of people who had gone to Mondstadt to death in his mind.

Chapter Four: Wallets Aren't Stupid

D'Artagnan knew his colleagues very well; it was almost impossible to expect them to do anything good, especially since the three who were going to Mondstadt this time all had rather bad personalities.

Considering that these individuals were scheming to seize the Heart of the Wind God, it was already a sign of mercy that Winterfell and Mondstadt didn't come to blows—in fact, when Tartaglia heard that the Lady had sacrificed herself for the Heart of the Wind God, he felt it was only natural and couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

With one executor's life as the price, at least Winter and Mondstadt won't directly come to blows, right?

Perhaps this is the interest that the Wind God received for handing over the Heart of God?

In fact, after learning that the celestial anomaly in Mondstadt, which could be seen even from Liyue Harbor, was caused by the clash of the Anemo Families, Tartaglia had temporarily given up the idea of ​​fighting the gods. If the Families were already this powerful, then what could the gods who gave them power do?

It turns out that the gods' ability to move mountains and fill seas in mythology was not an exaggeration, but a realistic depiction!

Having confirmed this, Tartaglia finally understood the difference between humans and gods, and based on this, he realized that the actions of the executors in trying to obtain the hearts of the gods were probably just a cover.

The true terms of the exchange probably only exist among the gods, and they are merely a tool or excuse to transport the heart of the gods.

Tartaglia was simply a fanatical fighter, but he wasn't a fool. Once he realized just how exaggerated the superhumans in this world were, he clearly understood that even as a strongman among mortals, he was still limited to the level of a mortal.

But that's what makes it more interesting, isn't it?

Putting aside his thoughts, Tartaglia looked at Su Feng with great interest. He could sense the powerful force hidden within Su Feng—a force he had also sensed from Zhongli and Wendy.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have made a special trip here.

Once he awoke from his arrogance of challenging the gods, D'Artagnan keenly realized things he had previously overlooked.

Take, for example, Zhongli Keqing, who is right beside me.

Given the other party's extensive knowledge, his formidable strength that he could not unleash, and even his appearance that had remained unchanged despite having been in Liyue Harbor for over a decade, it was clear that this Zhongli guest was likely a special product of Liyue—a celestial being or a demigod.

He had also heard that there were indeed demigods or even immortals in Liyue Harbor. Legend has it that the secretary of Moonsea Pavilion was a demigod who had been in Liyue Harbor for thousands of years.

Venti and Su Feng, who are friends with Zhongli, who is suspected to be an immortal, must hold a high position in Mondstadt. However, for Tartaglia, the more important question is why these two would appear in Liyue at this time.

But we can discuss those thought-provoking questions later; for now...

"You seem very strong. Would you like to fight me? I'd love to challenge the best fighters in all of Teyvat!"

"I can sense that I am no match for you, so I will challenge you even more!"

Tartaglia didn't care that Su Feng was suspected to be a transcendent being from Mondstadt, nor did she care whether she was a match for him. Since arriving in Liyue, Tartaglia had only been able to vent her fighting desires on enemies like treasure hunters or monsters. Finally, she felt that she had found a suitable opponent and trembled with excitement.

"?"

Su Feng, who had only wanted to get to know the wallet he would be using for the next period of time, was completely stunned after hearing this.

Was this guy really such a battle maniac?

"I thought it was a bit too much to invite someone to fight right after meeting them?"

Su Feng couldn't help but complain to D'Artagnan, but D'Artagnan just laughed heartily at Su Feng's complaint.

"Isn't there a saying in Liyue, 'No fight, no friendship'? I think it would be good for both sides to get to know each other after meeting, since moves and fighting methods are the best reflection of a person's personality."

"That shouldn't be interpreted that way, right? Someone is distorting Liyue's traditions in front of you, and you're not going to do anything about it?"

If Su Feng was confused at first, then Wendy next to him was also confused after hearing this explanation. He never thought that the sentence could be used like this, and more importantly, the old-fashioned person next to him didn't care.

Doesn't this person care a lot about so-called tradition?

"The saying 'no fight, no friendship' is just a folk saying. It's not a tradition. Besides, his explanation does make some sense. For a martial arts fanatic like him, a fight is indeed the best way to communicate."

When faced with Wendy's questioning, Zhongli gave his answer without changing his expression. Wendy just gave the old man beside her a deep look. She always felt that the old man had been worn down by the wear and tear, otherwise why would he say such a thing?

Wear and tear is truly terrifying!

The once serious and rigid old man has now learned to stir up trouble. He just wants to see Su Feng and Tartaglia fight!

"Phew~ Fighting is something... We're in Liyue Harbor right now, I don't think the Thousand Rock Army will let us turn Liyue Harbor upside down like this."

Su Feng glanced at the two guys beside him who seemed ready to watch the show and couldn't help but feel a headache coming on. He really wanted to decline Dadalia's challenge, but considering that he also wanted to get the money, he couldn't refuse the other party so obviously.

"It's nothing. Just report to the Thousand Rock Army and find a deserted place. As for the location, do you think Lonely Cloud Pavilion or Heavenly Valley would be better?"

"You can choose any location."

Faced with the excuse Su Feng came up with, D'Artagnan simply waved his hand and offered his own solution. It seems that this guy had planned this all along, but it's unclear who his original target was.

But in any case, it seems he was used as a scapegoat.

But this guy doesn't even want to give us the option to refuse?

Thinking about this gave Su Feng a headache.

"..."

"Then you can make your own arrangements, but neither Tianqiu Valley nor Guyun Pavilion are places we can go today, right? After all, the sun is already setting."

After some deliberation, Su Feng, still reluctant to part with the generous sum of money in front of him, reluctantly nodded in agreement, but also wanted to postpone the matter further.

"Of course. I will arrange for someone to report to the Thousand Rock Army and prepare transportation. We just heard that the legendary Ancient Rock Dragon Lizard seems to have reappeared in Tianqiu Valley. How about we go there?"

"If we're lucky, we might even get to see the legendary dragon that once shook mountains alongside the Dragon King!"

After Su Feng agreed, the group could clearly see that Tartaglia became even more excited. In fact, the elemental energy around him became much more active after the Ancient Rock Dragon Lizard was mentioned, making him look like a beginner who couldn't control his own power.

"Then I'll wait for your arrangements."

Seeing how excited this guy was, Su Feng nodded helplessly.

"Okay, in that case, I'll take care of the rest of the schedule for today!"

Upon receiving an affirmative answer, Tartaglia excitedly took on the task, and Su Feng felt a little better after seeing that the wallet had taken the initiative to assume its responsibilities—at least someone was taking care of the expenses in Liyue.

Chapter Five: Zhongli's Retirement Method Has Changed

Once someone pays the bill, life in Liyue becomes quite carefree—browsing various antique shops, listening to Mr. Yun's opera, listening to storytelling at Sanwanbugugang... and then choosing a famous restaurant in the evening to enjoy a delicious meal.

Since you already have a wallet to pay for it, you can naturally choose whatever is good.

"The old man really lives a carefree life, unlike us who have to go around busking to earn some money to drink. It's truly enviable!"

After indulging in a lavish lifestyle and ruthlessly dismissing Tartaglia, Venti finally uttered this thought: As expected of the oldest of the seven gods, the Geo Archon knows how to enjoy life. This is a life Venti could never have had in Mondstadt.

It's even more enjoyable when the person paying doesn't even care how much they spent!

"When watching a play, you must choose the most famous actress; when walking your bird, you must buy the most expensive thrush—that is life."

Faced with Wendy's sentiments, Zhongli spoke of his current life motto without any change in expression. He seemed to genuinely agree with this motto. However, even Wendy, who could go anywhere with just a bottle of wine, couldn't help but twitch her lips upon hearing this.

"Forget it, I'm not going to argue with you about this kind of thing."

Feeling that he and the old man had absolutely no common ground on this matter, Wendy quickly gave up on arguing about it. Of course, it's also possible that Wendy was envious of the old man—he also wanted someone in Mondstadt to support his reckless lifestyle like that. It's just a pity that if he dared to do what Zhongli did and send the bill directly to the Knights of Favonius, he would probably be severely lectured by Jean the next day and have the bill returned to him to settle it himself.

As for the Fools... alas, he has already given away the Heart of God, so the Fools probably don't want to see him at all now.

I should have asked for more Mora when I gave the Heart of God. That Fatui executor paid without batting an eye. Fatui really do have money!

Then, as the three chatted idly, they unknowingly followed Zhongli to Mount Tianheng. He gazed at Liyue Harbor, which was brightly lit in the darkness.

"No matter how many times I see it, I am always attracted by its prosperity. I rarely see such a scene in Mondstadt."

Venti, gazing at Liyue Harbor before him, couldn't help but utter such a sentiment.

Mondstadt can't compare to Liyue in terms of commerce and prosperity, which issues Mora and is personally guided by the Geo Archon every year—after all, after thousands of years, it is the most prosperous port in Teyvat, where thousands of ships gather.

"That's why Liyue is the gem I value most and cherish the most. It is because of this prosperity and vibrancy that I have persisted in this land for so many years."