“Oh, right. Let’s continue our earlier conversation—why don’t you want me using the power of a Delusion?”
Childe glanced at Gu Sanqiu, who looked as if nothing had happened, and quickly regained his composure. This guy is definitely not normal!
“Well, honestly speaking, or from the perspective of our respective factions, you’re someone with formidable strength, and who knows how many dangerous items are hidden in your home. If you died early, I’d honestly be thrilled.”
Childe chuckled. “But purely from a friend’s perspective, I wouldn’t want you to mess around with something like a Delusion.”
“If you died too soon, things would be far less interesting for me in Liyue.”
“First of all, I appreciate the declaration of friendship, but you just revealed something odd. So, the Fatui really do plan on doing something earth-shattering in Liyue, huh?”
Gu Sanqiu rolled his eyes. “Get your facts straight. I’m just a powerless guy. Even though my personal combat abilities are strong, how much can individual valor really matter in the grand scheme of things?”
“The problem is, your strength has already reached a level where personal prowess can shift the big picture. For example, leading by example, inspiring morale, that sort of thing.”
“Like when you charge ahead in battle and mow down enemies as if you’re chopping firewood. Do you think the soldiers following you wouldn’t feel fired up and fight harder?”
“So, you really do intend to pull something big in Liyue, don’t you!”
“How could that be? We Fatui are a law-abiding diplomatic corps.”
“Say that again with a hand on your heart.”
Gu Sanqiu gave Childe a suspicious look. “And another thing, why do you suddenly think my home is hiding something dangerous? You didn’t stumble on something while doing your archaeological work, did you?”
“Well, I did come across something, but it has nothing to do with your home. Or maybe it does.”
Childe’s gaze was full of intrigue. “So, what do you think I found?”
Gu Sanqiu remained calm. “You’re fishing for information?”
“Exactly. This is what we call baiting the hook. Let’s see if you take it.”
“Oh, don’t worry about that. I’m confident you didn’t find anything.”
Gu Sanqiu let out a light scoff. “Any relics or texts related to my family have either been erased or outright destroyed. Even if they were recorded on ancient ruins, all traces have been meticulously removed.”
“Think you can dig up secrets about my family from ruins?
“Ha!”
Childe looked at him, stunned. “Wait… say that again?”
“Exactly what it sounds like. Some ancestor of mine did this generations ago. It’s not a big deal to tell you because it’s been so long that there’s no way to verify anything now.”
“Certain events back then involved some unspeakable secrets. So, our ancestors decided to erase all unreasonable records to leave future generations with the impression of ‘an ordinary Fengxiang Clan.’”
Gu Sanqiu shrugged. “Unfortunately, most of the events connected to my family in those times were too strange, so they erased them thoroughly.”
“In short, if you thought you could use this level of bait to trick me, all I can say is you’re too young. Outsiders just don’t understand certain local nuances. That’s all there is to it.”
Childe burst out laughing. “I see now! I did notice some signs of erasure on the relics those archaeologists found. Turns out it was your family’s doing.”
“Oh, you saw that? Some things were simply destroyed on-site. But for carvings on stone walls, even if you erase them, traces remain. So, they just decided to scratch up the whole surface.”
Gu Sanqiu shifted his gaze to the Delusion in his hand, which now glowed brilliantly, even more dazzling than a Vision.
“How do you even use this thing?”
“There’s nothing special about it. Just think of it as another elemental power with a unique activation method. The downside is that it’s harmful to the user. That’s how you can think of it.”
“Once you master it, it’s like swapping out your fighting style for a new element. The power is far more violent than a typical Vision, though, and much harder to control.”
Childe waved dismissively. “That’s how we internalize it among the Harbingers.”
“But, if as you say, your family has some kind of inheritance that might be incompatible with a Delusion, I’d recommend experimenting cautiously.”
“Got it.”
Gu Sanqiu understood. If his Vision were akin to a primary class, the Delusion was like a high-maintenance subclass requiring material resources and long, grueling tasks to unlock—one that could rival the primary class in power.
If such a grind-heavy subclass appeared in a game, the development team would have to worry about vigilante players jumping out of the bushes, screaming about justice.
But in real life, aside from the time it takes to adapt, the Delusion clearly had immense potential!
Gu Sanqiu opened his right hand, and a mass of black and red flames flickered to life in his palm. The eerie hue gave the fire an unsettling beauty under the dark sky.
“The temperature feels about the same as normal Vision flames. But given a Delusion’s life-draining traits, its attacks seem to have a life-stealing effect on the target.”
Childe’s bow gleamed gold as he notched an arrow, aiming directly at Gu Sanqiu’s head.
“I know why you dragged me out here. Aside from asking about how to use a Delusion, you’re hoping to use me as a sparring partner, aren’t you?”
“Even though I can use one too, I don’t particularly enjoy getting hit by it.”
“So, you figured it out, huh?”
Gu Sanqiu lightly waved his hand, and the black and red flames shifted into shapes—a carriage, a Glaze Lily, even a meticulously detailed Jade Chamber.
Then, after some thought, he conjured several orbs of fire. The black and red flames sketched cloud patterns in the air as the “fireballs” floated behind him like an ominous magical ring.
“I think I could use this to fool people. Let them assume I’m some long-range caster, then, when they charge in to attack me up close, I’ll knock them flat with a punch. What do you think?”
“Not bad. But I think your level of control is the strangest part. Do all Liyueans have some innate advantage when it comes to mastering power?”
“It’s not an innate advantage. With systematic training, anyone from any nation could reach my level. It’s just a matter of how much time it takes.”
Gu Sanqiu glanced at Childe. “But to gain combat experience and techniques at your level would take even longer.”
“Long? I don’t think so.”
Childe smirked. “Back in the day, I rose to prominence as a soldier after just a few wars.”
“Other than the survival instincts from life-or-death battles, combat talent mostly comes down to natural ability.”
“You’re bragging, aren’t you?”
Reader discussion
0 Comments
Be the first reader to share a thought about this chapter.