Genshin Impact's Incense Burner Of Liyue [622]

So that’s what he meant.

Gu Sanqiu understood now. It was a fair question, really.

Your parents letting you play video games was one thing—but being able to decide on your own when to play? That was entirely different.

Even the most open-minded parents who didn’t set many rules were still fundamentally different from true autonomy.

“To be commanded by a god to be free—can that really be called freedom? If I declare that Mondstadt is a land of freedom, are they really pursuing it on their own, or just walking down the path I laid for them?”

Venti poured himself another drink.

“That’s the question. A very serious one.”

“I honestly don’t have a good answer for you,” Gu Sanqiu said with a shrug. “My homeland is one built on contracts. Governing philosophies were never the same to begin with.”

“But maybe… you could ask Decarabian about this. As Mondstadt’s ruler in ancient times, he probably had some deep insights into the matter.”

“That windbag idiot?”

Venti’s expression twisted in open disdain. “He was nothing more than a fool. A fool who treated freedom as the price to be paid.”

Gu Sanqiu frowned. “By your logic, if humanity once traded freedom for safety, then everything that’s happening in Mondstadt now… is just the price they’re paying for choosing freedom?”

Venti paused.

Then he gave Gu Sanqiu a long look, walked over, and ruffled his hair.

“Kiddo, excessive modesty is just another form of arrogance. Don’t go picking up your old man’s bad habits. Do you know how many Archons that guy conned back in the day?”

“One second it’s ‘Oh, I’m not very skilled,’ the next thing you know, he’s pulling off feats that’d scare the gods themselves.”

“I’ll admit I don’t have a great win rate against your old man, but beating you? That, I can manage just fine.”

Gu Sanqiu rolled his eyes. “Why are we suddenly escalating to physical threats?”

“No reason,” Venti said with a grin. “You just made a really good point.”

“Choice and consequence—those two things transcend time and space. They’re the governing laws that even gods must obey.”

“Freedom comes with a price.”

His grin turned sly. “Just like our dear old friend—he had to make certain arrangements to bring things to this point. Same principle.”

Gu Sanqiu’s eyes narrowed sharply. “What arrangements?”

“Oops, that slipped out.”

Venti went back to his usual carefree tone. “Dunno, don’t care, I’m just a humble bard~”

Gu Sanqiu lightly gripped his glass, already calculating the odds of winning in a fight against Venti.

“In any case, this god has no intention of stooping down to discuss things with that swirling idiot. If anything, why hasn’t he come to me for answers?!”

Venti puffed up proudly. “When he does, I’ll be more than happy to enlighten him—as an educator and senior Archon, of course!”

Why don’t the two of you duke it out first? Whoever survives, I’ll come collect the body and recycle the parts.

Gu Sanqiu shook his head. It was clear he wasn’t getting any real information out of Venti today.

“Oh, and by the way,” he said. “I know I said earlier I didn’t need any reward for this commission from my old man—but I’ve changed my mind.”

He stared at Venti. “Give me a divine-grade talisman. Like the kind the immortals back home craft—massive power, high-tier stuff. A life-saving type would be fine too. Ideally something I can activate with Anemo and get blown back to Liyue in an instant.”

“What do you need that for?” Venti asked, puzzled—then his expression shifted into something like horror.

“Wait… don’t tell me you’re thinking of going after her again. If that one comes at you with her blade again, no one’s going to save you this time.”

Gu Sanqiu looked pointedly at him. “Isn’t that what you’re for?”

“No way, not happening,” Venti said quickly, hands waving in refusal. “That little lady is a master of combat, you know? Fighting her takes effort. I don’t have the patience.”

He leaned in, voice serious. “Just some advice—Inazuma’s situation isn’t like Liyue’s. If you rush in unprepared, it’s as good as suicide.”

“You mean the aftereffects of what happened five hundred years ago? That has nothing to do with me.”

Gu Sanqiu shook his head. “I’m going to Inazuma to verify a few suspicions. Maybe bring Kazuha and Raiden along for a visit. I won’t get involved in anything dangerous.”

Venti gave him a deadpan look. “Coming from you, that’s not convincing. Everyone knows your family’s a walking disaster magnet.”

“Look,” he continued, “if you really like that dessert-loving girl, why not convince your old man to escort you there?”

He gestured exaggeratedly. “You get what I mean, right? You Liyue folks love this trope in your novels—just storm in and carry her off to be your bride!”

“Having a nation’s Archon as your daughter-in-law? Your old man’s reputation would shoot through the roof.”

“This has nothing to do with liking her.”

Gu Sanqiu said quietly, recalling what he’d realized during the battle with Osial:

“I suspect there’s a hidden force in Inazuma—something left behind by the first Electro Archon. Something meant specifically for the Raiden Shogun.”

Venti’s eyes widened. “Oh? So even that little trick was noticed by you already. What’s next, finishing each other’s sentences like an old married couple?”

“Try pulling that ‘Stone Lance of Stability’ move here in Mondstadt and see what happens.”

“All right, all right, I’ll stop teasing.”

Venti chuckled. “In any case, now’s not the time to reveal that. The General’s current state is… off. It’s not yet the right moment for you to stir things up.”

“Inazuma’s problems go beyond just the Archon. Even that outlying place, Watatsumi Island, isn’t simple. Even with your immortal power, you won’t be absolutely safe there.”

“Absolute safety? When has that ever existed?”

Gu Sanqiu fixed him with a steady look. “I need to see this through. At least far enough to feel at peace about it.”

“Wait a sec—kiddo, your state of mind is a little off, isn’t it?”

Venti frowned and placed a hand on Gu Sanqiu’s head.

“Ohh… so that’s what’s going on. Looks like the seal in your mind is starting to weaken.”

“Yeah. I noticed it a while back,” Gu Sanqiu admitted, his expression grim. “Not sure if it’s because I’ve broken too many of them lately, but the power inside keeps getting more unstable.”

“It feels like a storm’s about to break. To put it plainly… I’ve got a bad feeling.”

“I need to finish the tasks I’ve set for myself. If something does happen and I lose control… I’ll have to ask my old man to help seal me beneath Yunlai Sea.”

“Until then, if I get everything in order, I can at least face that outcome without regret.”

Venti gave his shoulder a firm pat. “Relax, relax. That’s exactly why your old man told you to get out and travel for a bit. Don’t push yourself so hard. Take a break once in a while—like me!”

“Don’t you mean you rarely work and always take breaks?”

Venti narrowed his eyes and promptly ruined Gu Sanqiu’s hair into a full-on bird’s nest.

“Stay in Mondstadt a few more days. That seal will settle down if you give it time~”

“As your wonderful uncle, how could I not help my dear nephew in need?”

“If you stick around a bit longer, I might not be able to give you a powerful talisman—but as a gesture of elderly concern, I can add another seal to stabilize the one in your head. Sound good?”

Before Gu Sanqiu could respond, Venti slapped his shoulder again.

“Then it’s decided! As the junior, you’ve got to listen to your elders sometimes. I’m issuing a direct order in your old man’s name—stay and enjoy Mondstadt for two full days!”

“And if you don’t listen, I’m telling your dad you’re trying to marry into Inazuma! I don’t care if he believes me or not—you’re getting smacked either way!”

“…Thanks.”

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This is a fan translation of 原神之璃月奉香人 by 淡白蛋清. All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!