"Fierce and terrifying?"
Hearing Lisa's description, Jia Changjiang couldn't help but raise a hand and touch his own face.
Was that… really meant to describe him?
"Lisa?!"
Amber hadn't expected Lisa to drag her into this at all. The fierce expression she had just put on collapsed instantly.
Wasn't this basically telling Jia Changjiang outright that she'd been tailing him these past few days?!
You might as well read my ID number out loud!
After rubbing his face, Jia Changjiang glanced at the slightly flustered Amber—and suddenly realized something.
"Wait. You're that red shadow I kept mistaking for a Pyro Hilichurl these past few days?!"
He slapped his thigh hard.
"I knew it! I was wondering when Hilichurls learned how to fly!"
"Who are you calling a Hilichurl?!"
Amber puffed out her cheeks angrily.
"I'm a reconnaissance knight of the Knights of Favonius!"
"Hey, don't look down on Hilichurls," Jia Changjiang said seriously.
"Pyro Hilichurls can fire five, six, seven, eight flaming arrows in one go! They're actually pretty hard to deal with!"
"I can fire two arrows at once too!"
Amber shot back.
Lisa pinched the bridge of her nose, helpless.
"Amber… the moment you compare yourself to a Pyro Hilichurl, you've already lost, dear."
"Haha… sorry, sorry. I didn't mean it like that."
Jia Changjiang laughed openly and explained, then turned to Amber with a sincere expression.
"Amber—I know you. I've heard a lot about you in the tavern."
"The only Outrider of Mondstadt. People there sing your praises all the time."
He didn't hold back his admiration at all.
"They call you the Scarlet Knight. From the look of it, you're someone who takes responsibility seriously."
"So… because my challenge to Acting Grand Master Jean looked suspicious, you've been scouting me these past few days, right?"
Jia Changjiang nodded to himself.
"Yeah, that direct challenge really wasn't the best move. I should've waited for a more suitable opportunity."
The praise made Amber scratch her cheek shyly.
"R-really? Hehe…"
"Ahem."
Kaeya cleared his throat at just the right moment, signaling Amber to rein it in.
"Focus! This is an interrogation!"
Amber snapped back to attention, glaring fiercely at Jia Changjiang.
"You caused a huge mess tonight! Explain yourself!"
"Explain what? You haven't even asked yet."
Jia Changjiang looked at the three of them calmly, subtly sizing them up.
Most of the experience granted by the Weapon Mastery was related to combat techniques—but even so, it gave him a rough sense for judging strength.
Among the three:
Amber wasn't weak—far stronger than an ordinary person—but still young, lacking depth.
Kaeya… his strength was probably on par with Diluc, someone Jia Changjiang very much wanted to fight someday.
And the strongest one here…
Jia Changjiang narrowed his eyes, focusing on Lisa, who was sitting with her legs crossed behind Kaeya.
She looked lazy and unmotivated—but if she ever got serious…
She'd be terrifyingly strong.
(PS: This assessment is based on story portrayal, not in-game strength.)
"Staring at a lady like that is terribly rude, you know?"
Lisa smiled lazily.
"Don't tell me you're thinking of challenging me too? How greedy."
"That was rude of me."
Jia Changjiang nodded apologetically, then added honestly,
"But if you got serious, you really would be strong."
"Alright, let's get back on track."
Before Jia Changjiang could start another round of challenges, Kaeya cut him off cleanly.
"Name."
"Jia Changjiang. You can call me Jax."
"Gender."
"Male."
…
After a painfully mundane opening, Kaeya finally asked the key question.
"Why did you come to Mondstadt?"
Jia Changjiang thought for a moment.
"I don't really have a purpose. I just… happened to arrive here."
"Like traveling?"
"Something like that," he said, half shrugging.
Fortunately, the three didn't press him too hard.
After clarifying a few details about the fight with Diluc, they let him go.
Stepping out of the Knights of Favonius headquarters, Jia Changjiang paused instead of heading straight back to the inn.
Being brought in tonight had made one thing clear.
Somehow, his challenge to Jean had been badly misunderstood.
"So that's why Diluc came looking for me?"
He stroked his chin, thinking.
Jia Changjiang vaguely remembered that besides being the Darknight Hero, Diluc also went by another nickname…
After wracking his brain, he snapped his fingers.
"Right! Man of Justice!"
"No wonder he came after me. He thought I was a threat to Mondstadt?"
Decision made, Jia Changjiang turned away from the inn and headed straight for Angel's Share.
By the time he arrived, a Closed sign hung on the door.
He knocked lightly.
No response.
"Anyone there?"
He knocked again.
Inside, Diluc frowned.
At this hour? Who could it be?
The Knights of Favonius? Had the fight drawn too much attention?
Keeping his composure, Diluc stood and walked to the door.
He had already prepared himself to face the Knights—but the moment he opened it, he was met with Jia Changjiang's overly cheerful grin.
"Hiii~"
For a split second, Diluc really wanted to slam the door shut.
Instead, he spoke coolly.
"Sir, the tavern is already closed."
"I know, I'm not here to drink—Master Dil… uh, Lord Dil."
Before Diluc could close the door, Jia Changjiang jammed his foot into the gap.
"Winning one exchange and running off isn't a great habit."
"I don't know what you're talking about," Diluc replied evenly.
"It's late. You should head back and rest."
Clearly, his mental fortitude was exceptional—Jia Changjiang's words didn't shake him at all.
"Relax, I'm not here to pick a fight."
Jia Changjiang met his gaze seriously.
"I'm here to talk."
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