It turns out there wasn't much to be caught up on. After leaving the commerce guild, Zhongli spent the rest of the day at the funeral parlor. It wasn't until sunset that he skimmed through the documents and found what he needed in order to trace the camp's location.

"Okay. What about Tartaglia? Where does he come in?" The two of them now investigated the supply boxes dotting the camp's perimeter; Xingqiu used his vision to illuminate what he found.

"Ah, right. How much do you know about the guild's financial situation?" Behind him, Zhongli popped the lid to a wine barrel and wrinkled his nose.

"Did you learn more than me? I mean, it isn't as if I haven't been contributing. It's just, since Osial I've had more opportunities to work with Lumine. I don't know how I did it, but I convinced my father that she ran an internship program. When I worked alongside her he didn't assign me as much."

"An internship program? Ha, you'll have to tell me more about that. I might be interested."

"Yeah, yeah I know." Beneath the vision's sapphire glow, Xingqiu spotted some text printed along the inner side of his chosen box. He attempted to shift some of the food rations aside before he gave up and dumped it all. Zhongli similarly dumped the contents of the wine barrel. It turns out there was nothing hidden inside, but now he was sure.

"Apparently, the months before Osial's attack, Tartaglia threatened the guild. At first Feiyun didn't respond, and he retaliated by using scare tactics to reduce demand. No one was buying silk, because they were convinced Fatui activity would cause a recession."

"That makes sense. I remember the inflation at Wanmin because of that. No one wanted to go out to eat either."

"Right. Well, it turns out, " Zhongli lifted what he knew to be a heavy crate with ease, "he did cause a recession and Feiyun lost significant revenue. They began selling weapons to the Fatui to keep aloft, and then after the Battle of Osial Tartaglia continued his hold on the market. He immediately bought out Feiyun's reserves under different names, using disguised Fatui agents to broker as necessary. Just when things seemed to be looking up, he revealed that he flooded the market, and then he forced Feiyun to become a fulfillment center. Not only have they participated in the manufacture of delusions for months now, they've also started weapons manufacturing, from swords to longbows."

"Archons. I can't believe I didn't realize until now."

"Well, the few invoices you saw would have been completely innocuous. Tartaglia planned it that way, since he knew of your relations with the Traveler."

"Stupid harbingers." Xingqiu sighed. He tilted his head and began to read the print within the crate. "Hey, do you think this could be important? This crate says it's from the Dawn Winery. It also hasn't been marked properly for shipment...but Mondstadt might have different requirements. I don't know."

"Interesting, can I take a look?" Xingqiu handed him his vision, as the fire only flickered now, and Zhongli began to investigate, a look of concentration on his face.

"You're correct. This crate isn't marked properly for shipment, meaning it was likely stolen." Zhongli stood and returned his borrowed light source, "The wine was also taken from the Dawn Winery. I recognize the smell."

"Really? That's impressive. All liquor smells the same to me."

"It's the same to me as well. I just happen to have a friend who enjoys this particular brew."

"I see." The two continued their search in silence, while occasionally leaning over the other's shoulder for light. The camp wasn't particularly packed, so it didn't take much time to comb through it all. His stomach grumbling, Xingqiu picked a spare sunsettia from the ground and rinsed it. He attempted to summon a small formless blob of water, and instead created a full sized Guhua sword.

His socks were now very wet.

"It's a work in progress, okay?"

"Clearly. I'll let you know how my garden turns out." Zhongli paced past him and crouched, inspecting the form of his unconscious brother. Swallowing, Xingqiu joined him and discarded his fruit, suddenly not very hungry.

"The elemental energy from my vision should prevent any further bleeding, but this is only a temporary solution. Your blade pierced the space between the first and second rib, medial to the shoulder blade. I removed the blade to prevent any pain during our investigation, but this is not standard practice. He'll need medical attention before morning."

"I can-"

"I'll take him. I know the doctor at Bubu pharmacy well, and I need to take a trip there anyway."

"What about the investigation? All we know is that the Dawn Winery is involved. What if there's a present danger?"

"The friend from earlier, I'll contact him to determine what he knows. In the meantime we can interrogate your brother. We may be able to learn something." Zhongli hoisted him over his shoulder, and Xingqiu hesitantly followed.

"I'm continuing this investigation with you, right?"

"Something tells me you would continue even without me, and besides, this does immediately concern your family."

"..."

"I'll lend you my shield. I have the connections, and regardless you shouldn't face this alone."

"Thank you. Zhongli."

"You're quite welcome."


The view of the sky from the harbor would never tire him, as the world stretched awake in a gradient of gentle oranges and reds. Zhongli took a deep breath, allowed himself one last lingering gaze and set off, securing Xiao's medicine within his coat pocket.

The scent of tea, and mostly of coffee, was carried on the breeze as he passed familiar and unfamiliar faces alike. A stray, spring-green leaf was held by the wind, arching and twirling in a spontaneous dance, and he focused his attention on it as he crossed Liyue's scenic northern bridge. Ensuring he was alone as he continued his plight, he extended his thoughts to Barbatos, praying that in the event he didn't hear the wind would carry his message.

After all, he was nowhere near as attentive as Xiao.

Barbatos, there is a matter that requires your assistance. I will be arriving in Mondstadt within the next day. The Dawn Winery, please contact the owner and determine what they know about stolen wine. The Fatui are involved, and they have been circulating delusions. Your walls, like mine, are not safe.

As expected he didn't receive an immediate response. He sighed and instead attended to his concerns regarding the previous day.

The investigation, escorting Xingqiu home, and visiting the pharmacy all spent considerable time, and time was a valuable commodity. Especially during hardship. The impact Tartaglia had on his city irritated him to no end, to the point that Xiao had offered to kill him on sight. In retrospect, the adeptus probably wanted the revenge for himself. At the time he reminded Xiao that they were not in fact, bloodthirsty hitmen.

Though it still hurt to see his people suffer.

Xingqiu didn't deserve the strife, and he knew things would surely get worse before they got better. He didn't know how to support him, and at times like these he desperately missed Guizhong and her emotional capacity. When it came to feelings and support he was as dull as the rocks he bent to his will.

"Master Zhongli." Xiao's voice called him to attention.

"Close," he smirked, "my name is Zhongli." In response, Xiao only deadpanned while leaning on his spear. He wondered if the roof of Wangshu Inn was still warm as it dangled above them.

"What brings you here?"

"This." He retrieved the thermos from his pocket, holding it between them with expectation.

Dr. Baizhu had recently altered the formula, apparently under direction from an alchemist in Mondstadt. Dissolving the same components in this new, bioalchemical solvent apparently created an additional analgesic effect. While Xiao didn't look particularly different after the first dose, he trusted Baizhu's judgement, and apparently Lumine could also tell a difference.

Apparently he was funnier now.

"Surely that isn't all."

"Can I not simply desire to see one of my eldest companions?"

"You have that look."

"I still have no idea what you think tips me off-"

"What does 'tip you off.'" Xiao held up air quotes, teasing his use of the mortal vernacular. "What is it?"

He sighed, admitting defeat. "Barbatos, have you seen him?" The faintest of blushes bloomed beneath Xiao's cheeks,

"Why would I know?"

"For no particular reason. If you happen to come across him, please remind him about the message I sent. It's nothing for you to concern yourself with." For a moment, he watched unease cross his face.

"You're certain? If I can be of assistance-"

"If it comes to that I will request your aid, but you are now like myself. You are free to live a peaceful life. You aren't simply a tool of war." Xiao tapped the surface of his polearm, his nails clinking against the viridescent metallic surface. "Now, I believe it is you who has 'that look.'"

"I'd like to visit the Chasm. To learn what happened with Bosacius. Before you arrived I was going to request permission." Of course this felt spontaneous, but he couldn't claim it was unanticipated.

"The terms of your contract have ceased. You are free now to do as you please, as I'm sure Barbatos has reminded you." Suddenly, a strong breeze forced itself between them, almost as if the archon had summoned it. Xiao continued to wait, no doubt a long withstanding habit passed down from the God of Dreams.

"You have my permission Xiao, although you do not require it. I hope you find the answers you seek."

"Thank you."


Xingqiu woke to the sun in his eyes and an ache in the arm that was punctured. More than anything, he wanted to stay in bed. He wanted to sleep past noon, stroll over to Wanmin Restaurant where Xiangling and Chongyun would be waiting, and then cry into a bowl of Jueyun Chili. He would tell them all about his woes, and they wouldn't be able to tell if he cried from the spice or the baggage.

Instead he forced himself into a sitting position, and stood, ready to greet an entirely new, hellish day. Think positive, he told himself, what would Chongyun say?

...

Nooo! Xingqiu! The traveler put mayonnaise in my sandwich! It's too spicy! He snorted and pulled his usual uniform back on. He kept the tassel.

If he was about to go to the Millelith, the least he could do was prove that not every member of his family was maleficent. That said he wasn't going without a bit of comfort. Even if he really wanted to move to a different state and change his name, never to be seen again. Except by some friendly mountain goats maybe. He could feed them qingxin flowers and in return they would fetch him new books from Wanwen.

Now if only he knew how to train goats...

As he considered the logistics, he made the mistake of entering the common space. The thing about mornings was that you should never, under any circumstance, enter the common space. Usually customers wanted help, and that's where they showed up if they were persistent enough to stay without an appointment. Worst of all, his family showed up there, and there was his father.

He immediately turned back the way he came, and flattened himself against the corner. He willed himself to disappear into the ether, and he waited. He waited a bit longer. Just a little longer. His careless, clackity shoes swept further away. Xingqiu cried, only a little, and then he headed out the backdoor and into the street.

The Millelith headquarters were located within the Yuehai Pavilion, and so he headed north. He fidgeted with Chongyun's tassle as he walked. In all his life he never thought he would turn himself into the police, but here he was, doing just that.

As he stepped through the rounded front door, eager to relieve his family's itching conscience, he was immediately handcuffed on the spot. A familiar calloused hand snatched the vision from his hip, and suddenly restrained he got his first real look at his father.

"What-"

"Xingqiu, Xingqiu, Xingqiu..." he tsked, tossing his vision like a freshly minted coin, "I'm so disappointed in you. How could you betray your people like that? Aligning with the Fatui? Trafficking illegal delusions to foreign countries? You're the traveler's intern! The Guhua Geek!"

"I didn't!" He tried and failed to turn towards the Millelith guard restraining him, "I'm being framed-"

"Are you now? Because it seems like you signed off on the very first order, a sample from the Dawn Winery. Isn't that right?" He held up a paper with a very poor rendition of his signature. Usually, it looked far shittier. Archons. This was going to take a long time to prove his innocence. A long time that he really didn't have.

Leaning forward his father whispered in his ear, his spit splattering across his cheek, "Your brother told me everything I need to know." He nodded to the guard, "Go on, you should take him in for questioning. Ah, but one more thing-" He raised his hand, and instinctively Xingqiu flinched.

"HOW DARE YOU! DISHONOR-" he slapped him, hard, between every word, "OUR. FAMILY. LIKE. THI-" A gloved hand caught his father's wrist.

"That's enough."