Genshin Impact's Incense Burner Of Liyue [574]

“Oh? Old man, how’d you know what I was about to do?”

The black-robed man sounded surprised. “It’s an Archon, after all. Even if it’s only half-unsealed, in this day and age, that’s a rare breed. Opportunities to fight something like that don’t come around often.”

Zhongli felt a headache coming on. “Haven’t I told you already? Right now, you’re our strongest combat asset. You can’t just go charging in recklessly.”

“Tch, I just want to see what an Archon’s combat strength is like.”

The black-robed man sounded indifferent. “The Old Patriarch of the Gu Clan fought in the Archon War, but by the time it got to my generation and Old Sage’s, things had gone awfully quiet.”

“You won’t spar with me. You won’t let me provoke the idiots down there. Now, a perfect target’s right in front of me—how could I not be excited?”

“Quit messing around. Focus on your task.”

Zhongli shot him a glance. “Save your strength. Stronger enemies are bound to appear, and who knows? You might end up fighting so much you get sick of it.”

“Yeah, no thanks on that last part. I enjoy fighting—I don’t actually want to disgust myself to death.”

The black-robed man shrugged and faded into the shadows of the street.

“I’m heading to Guili Plains. Best to make sure that thing’s influence doesn’t spread any further. You’ve got things handled here, right?”

“Rest easy.”

Zhongli’s voice was deep, resolute. “I’ve held onto the Gnosis until now precisely to prepare for the worst-case scenario.”

“If Liyue truly reaches its breaking point, I’ll take care of everything.”

“We’ll just find some excuse afterward. Sanqiu can tell the public it was the last safeguard left behind by the Geo Archon. That should be enough to settle the matter.”

Retirement—Zhongli was serious about it.

No one was stopping him from retiring.

The beauty of having retainers and an heir was that whenever he did something that shouldn’t be linked to his identity, he could just shove the blame onto them and walk away scot-free.

Yes… Sanqiu had grown up. It was about time to gently ease more responsibilities onto his shoulders.

If the moment came, Gu Sanqiu would have no choice but to take the fall. For the sake of Liyue’s stability, someone had to act as a pillar of reassurance.

Perfect.

---

Meanwhile, the soon-to-be-framed (or at least, the potential future scapegoat) Gu Sanqiu stood inside the Golden House, shoulder to shoulder with Aether, both of them staring Childe down.

Childe, in turn, was staring back at the two of them, suddenly regretting his decision to act alone.

If Rosalyne had come with him, they still wouldn’t have been a match for Sanqiu, but at least they could’ve escaped unscathed.

Fighting this lunatic was dangerous, but he’d done it before—he was confident he could run if he had to.

Boom!

The ground trembled violently.

Childe froze, then a slow, uncontrollable grin spread across his face.

“Sanqiu, looks like the seal at Guyun Stone Forest really is coming undone. You sure you don’t need to head back?”

“No need. I’ve got another reason for being here.”

Gu Sanqiu turned to Aether. “Go fight him.”

“…?”

Both Aether and Childe blinked in confusion.

Paimon immediately flew over, yanking at Gu Sanqiu’s hair.

“Hey, Sanqiu, have you lost it?! That sneaky guy’s aura is terrifying! If Aether fights him, he’ll get torn apart!”

“It’s fine. I’ll guide you through it. Go test yourself—just like back on Dragonspine. Do you have the confidence?”

Aether looked at Childe, then inhaled deeply.

“I do.”

“Good.”

Gu Sanqiu clapped a hand on Aether’s shoulder, flooding his body with elemental energy.

“Go. Wipe the floor with him.”

Aether swung his sword, sending countless whirlwinds surging toward Childe, forming a prison of wind that locked him at the center.

“[Ride the wind]!”

Childe raised an eyebrow. “This feels like you’re underestimating me.”

Calmly, he drew his bow. “If it’s just elemental attacks like this, I can shatter them with a single strike.”

The moment his Hydro arrow hit, however, it didn’t instantly dissipate the tornadoes. Instead, the water infused into the gales, dyeing them with streaks of blue.

“Each cyclone may look independent, but they’re all connected by elemental energy and mental focus. You can’t tear through them so easily.”

Gu Sanqiu chuckled. “Never underestimate an opponent, Childe. Isn’t that the lesson all you battle-hungry types should have burned into your skulls?”

Aether seized the opportunity—he descended from above, sword in hand.

The tornadoes compressed inward, like the closing fingers of a massive hand. The elemental energy surged into his blade—

Boom!

Gu Sanqiu raised a barrier to block the shockwave, then glanced at Paimon.

Durin, that time… was it really a coincidence?

If it wasn’t—then was this battle in the Golden House also being recorded?

Was it Celestial power at play? Or some other force?

If that were the case…

Could all the mysterious domains scattered across Teyvat be echoes of past events, shaped by lingering energies?

In the battle, the tide was turning.

Childe, having unleashed his Delusion, was pummeling Aether.

If not for the energy boost Gu Sanqiu had given him, Aether would’ve already lost.

Tch. Disrupting the timeline had weakened him—he wasn’t as strong as he should have been, not yet at the level to match Childe.

Paimon flailed in distress. “Sanqiu! You’re supposed to be guiding him! Aether’s about to lose—why aren’t you saying anything?!”

“I’m thinking.”

Boom!

Another tremor.

Gu Sanqiu attuned himself to the environment—

Osial was awakening.

The storm clouds grew heavier. The rain, more relentless.

“The show’s over.”

Whether his theory was correct…

He’d find out once this incident ended.

“It’s time to turn the cards.”

A golden glow flared as Gu Sanqiu’s Geo shield surged. He forced himself between the two combatants, grabbed Childe’s weapon, and drove a fist into his chest.

With one blow, he sent him flying into the piles of Mora.

“Hm. The Golden House’s walls are sturdy.”

Gu Sanqiu’s aura surged again, his already vast strength climbing even higher.

“Can you still stand?”

“Hah… Of course!”

Childe staggered up, wiping his mouth.

“Actually, there’s one last form I haven’t shown you yet. Now’s a good time, don’t you think?”

“Sanqiu, let me tell you a secret.”

“I’ve never once fought you at full power. What you’ve seen so far—just pieces of my true weapon.”

Water and Electro swirled around him. His armor and cloak materialized as his body lifted off the ground.

“I call this—[Foul Legacy: The Devouring Deep].”

Gu Sanqiu smirked. “Then how about I tell you a secret?”

“Go ahead. Friends should trade secrets.”

“I’m about to ascend.”

“…Hah?”

“If not for you lot stirring up trouble, it would’ve been difficult. In a way, I should thank you.”

Gu Sanqiu tightened his grip on his clan’s Vision.

“You know how to obtain a Vision, don’t you? The most common method?”

“When one’s desire burns bright enough, the gods take notice. That’s how a Vision is bestowed—an external vessel for wielding the elements.”

Childe frowned. “What’s your point?”

Gu Sanqiu’s grin widened.

“You’ve read ancient records, haven’t you?”

“Ever wonder why my family’s Vision has been passed down for generations, never fading?”

Childe’s expression shifted.

“…No way.”

Gu Sanqiu laughed.

“Oh, yes.”

“A power as unyielding as the Geo itself—never eroded, never broken.”

“May Liyue flourish eternal. May adepti and mortals forever share peace.”

“This… is the Gu Clan’s millennia-old wish.”

---

T/N: HES ABOUT TO ASCEND????

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!