Genshin Impact's Incense Burner Of Liyue [613]

“Do they really have any other option besides an armed uprising?”

Venti gave a sly laugh. “Then why do you think I had you bring back the Thousand Winds Divine Stone?”

Gu Sanqiu raised an eyebrow. “Divine right of kings?”

“Bingo.”

Venti snapped his fingers. “That’s exactly it. Seems the idiots from the Lawrence Clan dug up some old scriptures from somewhere and got the Fatui to forge a replica of the Thousand Winds Divine Stone.”

“If I’m right, they’re planning to make a move with that. The armed rebellion? Just their backup plan. You see what I’m getting at?”

“Hmph. Now it makes sense why you had me deliver a rock. I was wondering why you didn’t just send Kong. He knows who you and my old man really are.”

Gu Sanqiu let out a soft chuckle. “You two are quite the pair—one disappears from worldly affairs, the other fakes his death and vanishes—and yet you both chose to reveal your identities to the same outlander.”

“My dear uncle, would you mind satisfying your nephew’s curiosity? Why did you both do that?”

Venti answered with full confidence, “Obviously because Xiao Kong is cute and handsome!”

Gu Sanqiu: Excuse me?

“Say that properly. Is that really a reason a nation's Archon would give? You sound like a thirsty old lady who’s got a thing for young boys.”

“Who are you calling an old lady?!”

Venti smacked the table in protest. “Your uncle here might not be able to hide his age from people in the know, but I’m still a dashing, elegant older heartthrob!”

“Right, except ‘elegant older charm’ isn’t exactly a compliment people use on guys.”

Gu Sanqiu sighed and rubbed his forehead. “You’ve still got a lot to learn from my old man when it comes to keeping up appearances. Every time I ask a question like that, he just deflects without leaving a trace.”

Venti gave him a look of disdain. “Are you sure it wasn’t just intimidation? Knowing how crazy your old man is, I bet he’s knocked you around more times than you can count.”

Gu Sanqiu was at a loss for words—because Venti was right. He couldn’t argue with a single part of that.

Zhongli was always patient with everyone else, but with him? Let’s just say “talking with fists” might’ve been a little too literal.

“Don’t blame the old guy. Everyone envies him for having such a reckless brat for a dependent.”

“In this day and age, someone who dares to spout nonsense and pull stunts in front of Archons is practically an endangered species. You’re one of a kind.”

Venti clapped him on the back. “Not long ago, the one from Natlan even reached out—asked if your old man would lend her his kid for a while. She even promised to grant you a title: General of Molten Flame. He turned her down.”

Gu Sanqiu blinked. “What would she want with me?”

“‘The defeated become embers, the victors ignite anew. But if war loses its meaning and passion, how can embers spark the light of triumph?’”

“Even hearts grow tired. And so do people.”

Venti chuckled. “Know what your old man said to turn her down? He claimed you were spoiled and delicate, unfit for Natlan’s harsh heat. Politely refused.”

Spoiled?

He was abandoned, okay?!

Gu Sanqiu’s mouth twitched at the sheer laziness of the excuse. The Archon of Natlan probably rolled her eyes too.

Rescuing the East Wind, facing Durin’s remains in Dragonspine, drawing his blade on the Raiden Shogun in Inazuma, dueling Osial over the open sea—that was spoiled?

Could they try to be a little less obvious?

“Anyway, back to the point. If there’s no need, don’t show your face around town for the next couple days. I know your relationship with the Fatui is complicated—no need to alert them just yet.”

Venti waved a hand. “In a day or two, just leave Mondstadt through the main gates like you’ve got nothing to hide. They need to believe this ‘immortal traveler’ is really just here for sightseeing.”

Gu Sanqiu nodded. He hadn’t exactly been subtle when he arrived—plenty of people must’ve seen him enter the city.

Shame, really. That meant he couldn’t skim a few expenses off the Fatui’s coffers this time. He’d been looking forward to staying at the Goth Grand Hotel.

After finalizing a few more details, Gu Sanqiu spent the next two or three days making appearances around the city. He gathered his friends for a meal, wandered through Mondstadt’s streets, and made sure plenty of eyes saw him. Only once all that was done did he depart under clear skies and calm wind.

Those tailing him from the shadows waited from a distance, using alchemical devices to confirm he had truly taken flight. Only when he disappeared over the horizon did they collectively breathe a sigh of relief.

Just to be safe, the hidden factions waited another two days. Once they confirmed no mysterious figures had come calling, they finally began to set their plans in motion.

---

Springvale. Hunter's Cabin.

Draff frowned at the extravagantly dressed man chattering in front of him, eyes darkening with increasing irritation.

This man had blocked the hunting squad and, in an almost coercive tone, dumped a mountain of Mora on the table—insisting they “must” listen to his speech.

For the money’s sake, Draff had calmed his companions and decided to hear the guy out.

The first few lines actually startled him.

The speaker painted a vivid picture of Mondstadt’s history under the Wind Archon, claiming their “leader” had received a divine revelation and obtained the long-lost Thousand Winds Divine Stone.

Draff was no scholar, but he’d heard tales of the Wind God. As a gruff, hard-drinking man frequently scolded by his daughter, he’d even forced himself to read a few books to better connect with her.

Even when the words made his head ache and he wanted to whack himself with the squad’s heaviest longbow, he pushed through and read several volumes.

But as the speech went on, it began to feel… off.

The man claimed to bear divine orders, and went on to fiercely denounce the Knights of Favonius for their “arbitrary rule.” Putting a young girl in charge as Acting Grand Master, he said, was nothing short of negligence—toward both the people and the land of a thousand winds.

They had brought the will of the Wind Archon and called for a democratic vote to elect a new Acting Grand Master. A leader who would breathe fresh life into Mondstadt.

Draff’s daughter worked at the Cat’s Tail tavern, and he wasn’t unfamiliar with city affairs. When he asked who their “leader” was, the speaker solemnly shook his head.

“Our leader has received divine guidance, but seeks no authority. Their only wish is to see the true will of Mondstadt’s people realized.”

They didn’t deny Jean’s accomplishments. But claimed she was better at maintaining order than blazing new paths.

And so, the “great leader” would gather public support and nominate several candidates to compete for the Acting Grand Master’s role.

Anyone could talk big—Draff knew that much. But the moment the speaker mentioned a certain “Lawrence” as a candidate, along with a bunch of names no one had ever heard of, Draff instantly saw through him.

“Get lost. Springvale doesn’t welcome scum like you!”

Draff and the other hunters grabbed their weapons and drove the man out without hesitation.

---

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!