Wanmintang, one of the most famous restaurants in Liyue.
True to its name, it is renowned for its affordable prices and delicious dishes.
And today, since the Qixing's Immortal Summoning Ceremony was being held in the evening, Master Mao's daughter, Xiangling, also stayed in Liyue.
Even Zhongli and Keqing, the experienced food connoisseurs from the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor and Liyue Qixing, respectively, didn't want to miss the day when Xiangling was in charge of the kitchen.
Zhongli sat alone in a chair, sipping tea and eating quietly, clearly out of tune with the noisy environment around him.
At that moment, Zhongli seemed to sense something. He put down his teacup and, without turning his head, said:
"Please sit down, traveler from afar—Fontaine."
Fu Ning removed his coat, folded it neatly, and placed it on the chair before sitting beside Zhongli. He pushed a delicate pastry toward him.
"Proustis—one of Fontaine's most famous desserts. Even Lady Furina, the Hydro Archon, enjoys it. Would you like to try?"
When Fu Ning went out, he naturally didn't wear his luxurious formal attire—just ordinary casual clothes.
He narrowed his eyes slightly. The man before him radiated such a potent Geo aura that it almost overwhelmed his senses.
Aside from Morax, the Geo Archon who presides over the element of stone, Fu Ning couldn't think of anyone else with such overwhelming Geo energy.
Oh—he vaguely remembered hearing that Liyue was home to a Geo Dragon King.
When the Dragon of Fontaine grieves, it rains.
So when the Rock Dragon King is sad—does it rain meteorites?
Zhongli shook his head. "Everyone has their own tastes. As for sweets—I do not particularly favor them."
In truth, aside from seafood, there was little Zhongli truly disliked.
But at the moment—Zhongli was simply full.
Fu Ning nodded. "That's right. I didn't intend to give it to you anyway."
He then began to eat the Proustis, savoring it bite by bite.
"So, my friend from Fontaine, what brings you here to speak with me?" Zhongli turned his head. His eyes shimmered with golden light, as though trying to see through Fu Ning.
Zhongli already knew—if Fu Ning had come to find him, then Fu Ning must have already seen through his identity.
Zhongli frowned. Fu Ning was known as Fontaine's most powerful fighter—Zhongli was naturally well informed.
But now, upon seeing him in person, this Fu Ning…
didn't seem like a demon.
His aura resembled a human's—but elevated. A being unlike any species Zhongli had encountered.
A powerful force surged within him—unfamiliar, incomprehensible.
But… how could a mere human possess such strength—strength that even I might not be confident in defeating?
Could he be from beyond this world? Zhongli pondered.
Fu Ning smiled lightly. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Fu Ning, the Highest Guard of Fontaine."
"As for you, Guest of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, Zhongli… your information is already widely known across Teyvat. No formal introduction is necessary."
"You don't mind an extra pair of chopsticks, do you? Lord Geo, do you have any recommended dishes?" Fu Ning asked, raising an eyebrow with a playful glint.
Zhongli silently sipped his tea and gestured toward the chopstick holder on the table.
Excellent. It appeared someone else would be footing the bill today.
Zhongli had long finished eating, but when he reached for his pouch, he had naturally realized—he hadn't brought any Mora.
After all, he already owed Xiangling several meals and had been stalling here, hoping to run into someone who might help.
"Very good. This meal is on me! Boss!" Fu Ning called out cheerfully.
A girl dashed over in response, followed by a bear-like creature.
"Hey! Coming right up! This guest—oh? A friend of Mr. Zhongli? What would you like to order?"
Xiangling's eyes lit up.
It looked like someone was finally going to settle Mr. Zhongli's debt!
Fu Ning held his chin in thought for a moment, then glanced toward Zhongli for direction.
Zhongli understood and said, "Then, please have Xiangling serve several of Wanmintang's signature dishes—for our esteemed guest who has traveled from Fontaine."
Xiangling nodded. "So you're from Fontaine? Does this gentleman have any dietary restrictions?"
"No," Fu Ning replied casually.
"All right! I'll go prepare some of our best dishes!"
With that, Xiangling hurried off—after all, the restaurant was packed, and even if she ran into familiar faces, there was little time for chatting.
The small bear-like creature—Guoba—stared at Fu Ning curiously, but finding nothing amiss, turned away.
Fu Ning also studied Guoba with interest.
He then turned to Zhongli. "Mr. Zhongli, there are some things I wish to inquire about."
"Please speak. If I know it, I will naturally tell you," Zhongli replied, sipping his tea.
Fu Ning thought, Morax and Leosli would certainly become good friends.
"I wonder, Mr. Zhongli—have you ever heard of… Feng—"
Before Fu Ning could finish, another voice interrupted.
"Hey! Zhongli! Here you are, chatting away—I had to search all over for you!"
A tall figure waved, approaching the table.
Fu Ning turned and looked toward the man.
At a glance, he recognized the Cryo Vision on the man's waist, fashioned in the style of Snezhnaya, and knew who he was.
Tartaglia—the Eleventh Harbinger of the Fatui.
Come to think of it, the Fourth Harbinger, Arlecchino, was also from Fontaine.
Tartaglia met Fu Ning's gaze—and his pupils trembled.
"Wait—you look like… No way!"
"Are you—Fu Ning, Fontaine's strongest fighter?!"
Fu Ning smiled slightly. "If there's no other person named Fu Ning around, then I suppose that's me."
"Nice to meet you. I am Fu Ning, Fontaine's top guard."
Tartaglia was stunned. At the same time, he grew even more suspicious of Zhongli's identity.
Even someone like Fu Ning knows Zhongli? Just how deep does his background go…?
But the moment he saw Fu Ning, Tartaglia's fighting spirit surged uncontrollably.
"Haha! What a surprising encounter! Mr. Fu Ning, allow me to introduce myself—Tartaglia, Harbinger of the Fatui, also known as Childe. How about we find a place to have a fight?"
Fu Ning looked at Zhongli incredulously.
"He does know I'm the strongest fighter in Fontaine, right?"
Zhongli took a sip of tea and said calmly, "Mr. Tartaglia is quite fond of combat. If you don't satisfy his urge to fight now, he may never leave you alone."
"Haha, Zhongli, you say that like we've ever had a proper match!" Tartaglia laughed. "We never get to fight seriously!"
"I am but a humble commoner—not skilled in martial arts," Zhongli deflected, shifting the focus to Fu Ning.
"But the strength of Mr. Fu Ning, Fontaine's highest guard, is recognized across the entire nation."
Fu Ning gave Zhongli a helpless look and sighed. "A martial arts fanatic? He sounds troublesome."
You're not skilled in martial arts?
Then no one else in the world is.
"Mr. Tartaglia, since we are all friends of Mr. Zhongli, why don't we sit down and chat instead?"
"Besides… you can't beat me."
Zhongli glanced subtly at Fu Ning.
They're not friends yet, he thought.
But it doesn't matter.
Yet even after being dismissed so bluntly, Tartaglia's fighting spirit burned on.
"Haha, is that so?" Tartaglia grinned. "All the more reason—fighting someone like Mr. Fu Ning would be thrilling!"
Fu Ning: "…"