"Mr. Zhongli, you really understand these things!"
"It's merely rational analysis," Zhongli replied calmly.
Hu Tao propped her chin in one hand, grumbling under her breath. "Politics are such a pain…"
All these twists and turns were seriously annoying. Not just anyone could handle such complexity.
Zhongli gave a gentle reminder. "Just keep this information to yourselves. Don't spread it around."
"Of course, I wouldn't blabber about something like this!"
After leaving Zhongli's courtyard, Jiang Bai earnestly warned Hu Tao again, "Director, please keep your distance from those Fatui agents. None of them have good intentions."
Hu Tao leisurely pushed his wheelchair, sighing thoughtfully. "Everyone knows they're up to no good, but what they did in Mondstadt won't reach here. Until we openly break relations, Snezhnaya remains our ally."
"I'm acquainted with Ningguang, at least. Something this serious should definitely be passed on to the Qixing. I'll find a chance to warn her."
Then she turned around, gently advising Jiang Bai instead. "That Childe guy is still an envoy from Snezhnaya. Don't show your hostility so obviously. Until the Fatui do something openly aggressive in Liyue, we have to maintain at least a façade of friendliness."
"Oh…" Jiang Bai sighed, feeling a bit dejected.
Right now, he was just an injured person. Even if he wanted to deal with Childe, what could he realistically do?
Even in perfect health, he couldn't handle La Signora. What chance would he have against another Harbinger?
"Director, am I really that weak?"
Life had become too comfortable—comfortable enough to dull his motivation.
Hu Tao glanced at him. "Do you think I'm strong, then? Compared to that Harbinger who hurt you."
"I don't know if there's a precise scale for strength," Jiang Bai admitted. "I haven't seen you fight at full strength, but my gut says you wouldn't be able to defeat La Signora either."
To Jiang Bai, La Signora felt like a level-100 boss, empowered by divine authority. Hu Tao was definitely stronger than him, but not by a huge margin—maybe level 50 or 60 at best.
After all, Hu Tao was young, not primarily a fighter. Though skilled and a [Vision]-holder, fighting a Fatui Harbinger would probably push her limits.
"She was incredibly powerful. I couldn't even last one round against her," Jiang Bai sighed bitterly.
"Is she really that strong?" Hearing this harsh reality, Hu Tao's expression dimmed.
Although she hadn't openly said anything, she secretly wanted to avenge Jiang Bai's injuries.
Even though Jiang Bai had gotten hurt on a personal trip, making it technically not work-related, he was still her employee. How could she not be angry when someone bullied him?
Unfortunately, the reality was cruel. She lacked both the strength and means to take revenge.
Still, Hu Tao wasn't one to lose heart. Not being strong enough now didn't mean it would always be that way!
She slapped Jiang Bai's shoulder encouragingly, determined to even the score someday.
"Members of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor can't suffer in vain! We'll settle this eventually! Once you're healed, you'll start running laps around Liyue Harbor every morning, train your combat skills in the mornings, and fight monsters every afternoon! Someday, you'll beat that Signora!"
"Eh?" Jiang Bai's jaw dropped in disbelief.
No way!
He didn't want to torture himself!
"You need some backbone! You have to rise from wherever you fell! With consistent training, that Harbinger lady will definitely fall under your blade one day!"
Hu Tao seemed invigorated, enthusiastically painting a picture of Jiang Bai's future.
Jiang Bai trembled nervously. Could he just… not seek revenge?
"Director, what about you?" Jiang Bai asked weakly.
Hu Tao confidently thumped her chest. "Don't worry! I've already devised a training plan for myself, and I'll supervise your training personally!"
Jiang Bai suddenly felt his future days turning bleak.
Maybe it would be better if his injuries never healed…
---
Meanwhile, at Northland Bank…
Returning to his office, Childe activated his communicator to contact Signora. He wanted to confirm Jiang Bai's claims—and if she had actually succeeded in acquiring the [Gnosis].
Removing the mask on his head, he examined it carefully. The mask symbolized both his identity and served as a communication device.
The Eleven Fatui Harbingers were scattered across Teyvat's nations. Without reliable communication, coordination would be impossible.
By wearing the mask and channeling energy into it, the Harbingers' projections could meet in a unique, secretive space.
However, as conversations there were always monitored by Pierro, the First Harbinger, and given the personality clashes among the Harbingers, they rarely contacted each other unless directed by Pierro or the Tsaritsa herself.
Putting on the mask, Childe sent power through it, manifesting briefly in the projection space. He directed his power towards the seat representing Signora.
Shortly afterward, Signora's mask resonated, and her projection appeared.
"What do you want?" she asked bluntly, though her mood seemed pleasant—perhaps because she had successfully acquired the [Gnosis].
Childe disliked dealing with the arrogant woman, but given the importance of the [Gnosis], he had no choice but to confirm.
"Nothing major. Just wanted to check your progress in Mondstadt, Rosalyne."
"Hmm, do you want me to come and lend you a hand?" Signora teased mockingly.
With one hand casually on her chest, Signora raised the other, displaying the shimmering silhouette of a [Gnosis]—the queen chess piece lazily tossed up and down, clearly showing off.
"So, you really got it…" Childe murmured quietly.
Though he'd guessed as much, hearing it confirmed heightened his urgency.
Signora caught the [Gnosis] mid-air, smirking at him mockingly. "You've been in Liyue for a while now, haven't you? I haven't heard of any progress there."
Childe sighed helplessly. "Liyue isn't like Mondstadt. The Geo Archon is the strongest warrior among the Seven. He hasn't relinquished his rule for thousands of years. His [Gnosis] isn't something we can forcibly take—and he only appears once a year during the Rite of Descension. Besides, Liyue's adepti and the Yakshas guarding the land aren't weaker than either of us."
Childe felt genuinely frustrated.
Taking the Geo Archon's [Gnosis] was far harder than Signora's task had been.
Frankly, he'd happily trade places with Rosalyne—at least fighting was something he excelled at.
"Hah." Signora sneered coldly. "Typical. A battle-obsessed brute can only think of using brute force."
"Then what should I do?" Childe asked sincerely, ignoring her mockery.
"Figure it out yourself," she replied dismissively.