Genshin Impact: Watch me turn the tables and kill my servants at the start!

When Fanes entered the Naganohara fireworks shop, the afternoon sun was shining obliquely through the half-open wooden door, casting a warm patch of light on the old wooden counter.

The shop was filled with the smell of gunpowder and pulp, a unique odor of fireworks artisans that Fanes had grown accustomed to over the years.

Just as he was about to speak, he felt a slight shift of weight above his head—Xiao Hei had shrunk into a small black dragon the size of a palm and was perched on his crown, its scales clinging to his hair, and its tail hanging down from the back of his head and swaying on his shoulder.

After several years of practice, it has become adept at shrinking its body to a suitable size, although occasionally when it yawns, it will still accidentally spit out a very thin wisp of black flame that burns the tip of Fanes' bangs.

A rustling sound came from behind the counter, and then a golden head peeked out from behind a row of stacked firework tubes.

Xiaogong, clutching a half-finished fuse and a thin bamboo skewer for securing the paper tube in his mouth, brightened up upon seeing Fanes. He placed the fuse and skewer on the counter, leaned forward, and said, "Oh! A big customer has arrived! What would you like to order this time?"

Fanes leaned against the counter, pulled a list from his pocket containing the names of several types of fireworks, placed it on the counter, and pushed it across: "Pack them according to this list. The quantity of each type is marked. Same as usual, not the loud kind, but the kind that explodes in a large area after taking off."

Xiaogong picked up the list and glanced at it. The more she looked down, the more her eyebrows lifted. Finally, she placed the list on the counter, rested her hands on the counter, and looked at Fanes with a smile in her golden eyes that said, "You never give me a moment's peace."

"Boss, you buy so many fireworks, but I've never seen you set them off in Inazuma. Every time you buy them, you disappear for a while, and when you come back, the fireworks are like they've evaporated. What do you do with them? Nobody in Inazuma has ever seen you set off fireworks."

Fanes reached out and patted the black creature's scales on its head. The black creature let out a very soft purr from its throat, turned over, and continued sleeping: "Ready to send someone to heaven."

Xiaogong's expression froze for a moment upon hearing those four words: "...What do you mean?"

"Don't worry about that, just pack it according to the order. You won't be shortchanged, the usual rule, any extra is a tip."

Fanes took a money bag out of his pocket and placed it on the counter. The bag was loosened, revealing a corner of neatly stacked Mora coins.

Xiaogong glanced down at the money pouch, then looked up at his smiling face. After a moment of silence, she reached out and pressed the edge of the money pouch back, her tone more serious than before.

"Boss, you've bought so many fireworks—and they're all the kind that go up into the air and have a wide coverage area—if you're planning to do something dangerous, I have to tell you, while Naganohara fireworks are beautiful, using them for anything else could cause serious problems."

Fañez looked into her earnest golden eyes, the corners of his mouth still curved in a smile, but his tone carried a certainty that said, "You really don't need to worry about this."

"It's alright, that drunkard will be fine. I've sent him flying with fireworks several times already; he's tough as nails, he won't get burned."

When Xiaogong heard the words "drunkard," a clear look of understanding flashed across his face: "...You're not talking about Venti, are you? The Anemo Archon of Mondstadt?"

Xiaogong put down the money pouch, lowering his voice slightly, "Are you going to use fireworks to blow up the Wind God?"

(You ask why? Just kidding, Fanes has already distributed the flyers all over Teyvat. Now only Barbara doesn't believe it, and of course, the others just think it's a joke too, but Venti has successfully earned the nickname of the Anemo Archon.)

"It's not for bombing, it's to celebrate his birthday."

Fanes pushed the money bag back into her hands. "He has to make up a birthday date every year, I don't know when it starts, and then he searches the world for people to give him gifts. It's the easiest way for me to give him fireworks. They go off and explode, he's happy, and I don't have to worry about it."

Xiaogong stared at him for two seconds, then chuckled. She took the purse, opened a drawer, put it inside, and turned to pick out fireworks from the shelf according to the list, turning back to talk to him as she did so.

"By the way, how long are you staying in Inazuma this time? Aren't you going to see Ayaka? I heard someone talking about her a few days ago, and they even asked you what you've been up to lately."

Fanes leaned against the counter and thought for a moment: "Indeed, there's also Brother Yidou. I should tell them before I leave."

Xiaogong neatly stacked the last bundle of fireworks and handed it to him: "Okay. Let me know when you're done, and I'll save you a portion when the new formula fireworks are ready next time."

Fanes came out of the Naganohara fireworks shop carrying a large bundle of fireworks. Xiao Hei rolled over on his head and yawned slightly. A wisp of black flame brushed past the tip of his bangs and scorched him. He reached out and patted its back to signal it to calm down.

After walking halfway down the street of Hanamizaka, I heard a commotion in the distance—someone was shouting something like "three, two, one," followed by a series of clapping and cheers.

Fanes squeezed through the gaps in the crowd and peeked inside—Arataki Ichito was squatting on a rock by the roadside, with a crystal-panel recording device in front of him, striking a powerful pose for the camera. Behind him, several Arataki gang henchmen held up wooden signs that read "Arataki Gang is the best in the world," and they blocked most of the alley.

Fanes, holding fireworks, stood outside the crowd and called out, "Brother Ichidou!"

Araki Ichito jumped down from the rock, his signature white hair standing out in the sunlight, and the demon horns on his head gleaming with a faint dark luster in the afternoon light.

When Araki Ichito turned around and saw Fanes, he was taken aback for a moment, then strode over, his voice loud and cheerful: "Hey! When did you get back? You didn't even tell me! Perfect timing, perfect timing, you've just finished recording a new video, give me your opinion—if this is released, will it make Kujo Sara furious?"

Fanes shifted his position while holding the bundle of fireworks, tilted his head, and said with a knowing tone that said, "You're not playing by the rules again, are you filming this just to annoy Miss Kujo?"

"Of course!"

Araki Kazuto stood with his hands on his hips, righteously assertive, "The angrier she gets, the happier I am! Last time I recorded a video of myself eating kebabs on the street and sent it to her, and she didn't come on patrol for three days! Three days! Do you know how comfortable we Araki-ha have been these past three days?"

Fanes nodded, then glanced at the recording equipment on the crystal panel: "Your equipment is quite complete. Do you want me to send you a copy of the video of the sea monster we filmed in the New World last time? Releasing it would probably delay Miss Kujo's patrol plan for another half month."

Araki Ichito's eyes lit up, but he immediately waved his hand: "Forget it, it's too conspicuous to release that kind of thing. How long are you staying this time? Do you want to join our Araki Clan's dinner party tonight? I'll have my underlings prepare a few extra portions of barbecue."

Fanes shook his head: "I'm leaving tonight, I have some business to attend to in Liyue. I just wanted to let you know I was passing by, let's meet again next time I'm back."

Araki Ichito didn't try to stop him, but simply patted him on the shoulder with such force that Fanes swayed forward slightly: "Alright! Be careful on your journey! Let me know next time you're coming back, and I'll have my underlings save you a good spot!"

After bidding farewell to Araki Ichito and his gang of underlings who were still holding up signs and chanting slogans on the street, Fanes walked towards the Kamisato Yashiki with fireworks in his arms.

The gatekeeper at the Kamisato residence already recognized him, and after being announced, someone quickly led him through the courtyard. Ayaka was sitting on the veranda, a half-open book beside her. Seeing Fanes enter carrying a large bundle of fireworks, her gaze first fell on the fireworks, then she looked up at him: "Are you going to celebrate the wind god's birthday again?"

Fanes found an empty spot in the corridor and sat down, placing the bundle of fireworks beside him against a pillar. "How did you know?"

"Yoshimiya mentioned to me a few days ago that you buy a large batch of fireworks every year and then disappear for a few days."

Linghua closed the book, turned slightly to look at him, and asked, "Going to Liyue?"

"Hmm. I'll take care of something else while I'm at it."

Fanes looked up at the sky in the courtyard. "This trip might take a while. I've arranged everything here in Inazuma. The granary's inventory and supply schedule have been written down and given to the manager at Narukami Shrine. If there are any supply issues, just contact him."

Linghua listened quietly without asking any questions, simply nodding slightly: "Take care on your journey. If you need any help in Liyue, you can write back."

Fanes stood up and dusted off his clothes. "Okay. I'm leaving now. Let's talk again next time I come back."