"W-what toy?"
"H-how much did you say?!"
Wu Lao-Qi stared blankly at Tartaglia, thinking he must have misheard.
"You trying to use that money to fix your brain or something?"
Wu Lao-Er mocked.
"Hahahahahaha!"
The three Treasure Hoarders burst into laughter.
"See? Whenever the toy salesman is around, he brings joy to everyone!"
Teucer turned to Qiu Nian and the others happily.
Qiu Nian nodded in agreement.
The livestream chat exploded.
[Not gonna lie, I'm pretty happy too]
[I can't hold it in anymore LOL]
[The air is filled with happiness]
[Childe: I'll beat the three of them up later when nobody's around]
[Qiu Nian looks like he's about to lose it]
"…Let me say it again."
"Snezhnayan toys."
"Produced three months ago."
"Six hundred thousand Mora."
"Full payment."
Tartaglia crossed his arms and repeated the line with a serious expression.
"Hahaha…"
Wu Lao-Er couldn't help laughing again.
"Mr… salesman."
"A joke isn't funny the second time."
"So what—you came here just to get beaten up?"
He looked at Tartaglia threateningly.
"…Sigh."
Tartaglia sighed.
Then he suddenly said he wanted to join the Treasure Hoarders.
The three men exchanged looks.
After some discussion, they decided to test him.
They pointed toward a distant cliff.
"If you can grab that treasure chest over there and bring it back, we'll let you join."
"No problem."
"But keep your eyes open. Don't blink."
Tartaglia ran toward the cliff.
Not long after—
he returned with the treasure chest and tossed it to them.
"Got it."
"So? Not bad, right?"
He asked casually.
"Second brother… what do we do?"
"That guy doesn't look ordinary…"
Wu Lao-Wu whispered nervously.
"…Sir, please wait a moment."
"Let us discuss it."
Wu Lao-Er said politely.
The three of them stepped aside.
They whispered intensely.
After a series of wild guesses—
they reached a shocking conclusion.
Tartaglia wasn't selling toys at all.
He was speaking in code.
He was actually here to collect a debt.
And the reason he used such roundabout wording—
was to preserve the debtor's dignity.
After all, being chased for money was embarrassing.
So in their minds—
this man was extremely professional.
The livestream chat erupted.
[Three geniuses]
[Their brains are evolving]
[Perfect reading comprehension]
[But Childe is the one who lost face the most]
[Wrong method, correct answer]
"Mr… salesman."
"I'm very sorry, but we can't allow you to join the Treasure Hoarders."
Wu Lao-Er said apologetically.
"…I failed the test?"
"You Treasure Hoarders… are stricter than I thought."
Tartaglia looked genuinely surprised.
The chat exploded again.
[Why are you taking this seriously, Childe]
[Fatui Harbinger → Treasure Hoarder Wu Lao-Six]
[I'm dying]
"No no!"
"Our little group is far too small for someone like you."
"But we understand the toy situation."
"We'll send the 600,000 Mora over soon."
Wu Lao-Er explained respectfully.
"Hmm… I see."
"Very well then."
"Pleasure doing business."
"As long as the payment arrives… everyone will be happy, right?"
Tartaglia smiled.
"Right! Exactly!"
Wu Lao-Er nodded immediately.
Chat continued roasting them.
[Their comprehension skills are impressive]
[This is actually a pretty gentle way to collect debt]
[If they don't pay, the debt collectors will come next]
"I remember loans from Northland Bank don't even have interest."
"That means when the deadline arrives, you only need to repay what you borrowed."
"If you still can't repay it…"
"Then getting chased for debt is completely understandable."
Qiu Nian thought quietly.
"Wow! Big brother is amazing!"
"Being a toy salesman is so cool!"
Teucer shouted with admiration.
"Normally toy salesmen aren't quite this impressive…"
"But things went smoother than expected."
Lumine said with a grin.
"Oh?"
"So Mr. Tartaglia has another identity—"
"Snezhnaya's greatest toy salesman."
"If I have time, I'll definitely stop by and support your business."
"I might even buy some toys."
Qiu Nian said casually.
"Pfft—"
Paimon covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.
"Yes! Yes!"
"Big brother sells the best toys!"
"Brother Qiu Nian should definitely buy some!"
Teucer nodded enthusiastically.
"…Uh…"
Tartaglia's face froze in embarrassment.
He's mocking me.
He's definitely mocking me.
Of all people—
Qiu Nian had to witness this scene.
Xuehua laughed so hard her face hurt.
["Support your business" killed me]
[Qiu Nian is 100% doing this on purpose]
Just then—
a familiar figure approached.
It was Felix, the Fatui envoy who had been wearing a mask at the gates of Liyue Harbor.
"Lord Harbinger."
"So this is where you were."
"Ah, and Mr. Qiu Nian as well. Long time no see."
Felix greeted them.
"Recently, a group of new recruits—"
He began speaking as he walked closer.
"Hey! Lower your voice."
"Can't you see I'm entertaining clients here?"
Tartaglia hurriedly pulled him aside.
"Ah—right."
"A batch of new recruits from Snezhnaya just arrived in Liyue."
"They require your training."
Felix explained.
Every group of Fatui recruits had to receive a lecture from a Harbinger.
A ritual meant to instill the will of the Tsaritsa.
And currently—
the only Harbinger stationed in Liyue was Tartaglia.
"So it has to be you."
Felix finished.
"…Fine, fine."
"I'll go."
"Let me talk to my brother first."
"I'll head over afterward."
Tartaglia sighed and agreed.
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