Genshin Impact's Incense Burner Of Liyue [575]

Childe found it hard to believe. “A wish passed down for thousands of years… Does something like that really exist?”

“It does.”

Gu Sanqiu’s aura surged violently. “Though I have no idea what form it truly takes. I even suspect it has become a conceptual entity of sorts.”

“Ever since I accepted the Vision, this vast and almost terrifying wish has been pressing down on me. It’s suffocating, to say the least.”

“The Vision… I don’t know why its inheritance was never broken. Maybe, over generations of incense bearers, this wish developed its own consciousness?”

Logically speaking, after Gu Shaochong’s disappearance, the Vision should have vanished with him. Yet, here it was, still hanging at his waist. That alone spoke volumes.

Either the Vision had gained some degree of awareness…

Or Gu Shaochong, before embarking on whatever mission he’d set out to complete, had knowingly handed it over to someone else.

Because he knew he might never return.

And as for who he entrusted it to—well, Gu Sanqiu had a pretty good guess.

It all came back to the old man.

Childe’s transformation into his Foul Legacy form had completed, but instead of attacking, he simply watched Gu Sanqiu, waiting for him to continue.

A thought had crossed his mind—something vague, uncertain.

Were some of the classified Liyue-related files sealed away in Snezhnaya connected to this Thousand-Year Wish?

Did the Doctor and the Tsaritsa know about it from the very beginning?

The same Doctor who had so graciously gifted Gu Sanqiu the Delusion, even going so far as to stubbornly defend the decision during a Fatui executive meeting.

The Tsaritsa, who, despite having been forced into an unfavorable deal, hadn’t simply executed Gu Sanqiu on the spot—was it really just because of Morax’s protection? Or had she deemed him a rare and valuable anomaly?

If she was the one who had informed the Doctor about it…

Then did that mean this so-called wish wasn’t a secret among the strongest figures of this world?

“The pink-haired fox sure plays a long game.”

Gu Sanqiu had never once thought that Yae Miko’s goodwill toward him was personal interest.

When dealing with greater schemes, one had to eliminate any illusions of flattery or favoritism.

That fox wanted to use this wish—to make Ei reconsider the meaning of eternity and break the mental shackles she had placed upon herself.

So despite how it seemed like Yae Miko was always assisting Gu Sanqiu, she had also kept pushing him toward the Raiden Shogun, forcing him into direct confrontation.

She needed this power for her own ends.

But unfortunately for her, Gu Sanqiu had a trump card prepared.

Her plan had failed.

And even if he had been placed in a life-or-death situation, this Thousand-Year Wish wouldn’t have granted him some explosive power boost.

Because the essence of this wish wasn’t to protect him.

It was to protect Liyue.

Only in the face of a truly powerful threat against Liyue itself would this wish become his greatest shield.

“My clan used to have many members. Spreading the burden out probably made it easier to advance in strength.”

Gu Sanqiu let out a soft laugh. “But now? Even though there are still plenty of scheming men and women lurking in the shadows, on the surface, I’m the only one left. Carrying this wish alone is exhausting.”

“But crisis also brings opportunity. A moment of great change… is a moment for reversal.”

“Today, I finally have the chance to remove my shackles and fight at full strength.”

If an enemy both hostile to Liyue and powerful enough appeared—

Then this wish would become his strongest backing!

“Childe, you’re nothing but an appetizer.”

In an instant, Gu Sanqiu blurred forward.

This time, instead of sending Childe flying with a single palm strike, he grabbed him by the throat, lifting him into the air.

A massive surge of Geo energy erupted, enveloping Childe completely.

“Huh. Interesting.” Childe struggled within the golden energy, frowning. “But why isn’t this an offensive ability? I mean, come on, I’m a reckless brute—shouldn’t it be something more explosive?”

Gu Sanqiu watched Childe squirm, an amused, almost sinister smile creeping onto his face.

“My, my. Looks like I’ve accidentally stumbled upon something very interesting.”

“Hope I don’t get silenced for this.”

---

Ten minutes later—

“HEY! SANQIU, YOU BASTARD! LET ME OUT!”

Sealed completely inside a crystallized mass of Geo energy, Childe roared in fury.

Of course, Gu Sanqiu had thoughtfully left his head exposed so he could breathe.

“Ah, my bad. I am going through the final step of ascension right now. My control over my strength is… a little rough.”

Gu Sanqiu gave the amber-like crystal a pat. It looked disturbingly similar to how a certain type of predatory creature would trap its prey—leaving only the head exposed so the victim could watch themselves get devoured.

Of course, Gu Sanqiu was not that kind of freak.

He just found the visual hilarious.

“Alright, Aether—get the camera. Take a picture of me and this mastermind boy over here.”

Throwing an arm around Amber-Childe, Gu Sanqiu grinned and flashed a peace sign while tossing the Kamera to Aether.

“SANQIU, YOU DAMNED CHEATER! LET ME OUT AND FIGHT ME PROPERLY!”

Childe struggled violently. “We’re both warriors! What kind of humiliation is this? Where’s your fighter’s spirit?!”

“A little friendly reminder—if you keep making exaggerated facial expressions, your photo’s gonna turn out real ugly.”

Gu Sanqiu’s voice was casual. “Like, eyes uneven, nose crooked, mouth wide open with your tongue sticking out. Kind of like… right now.”

“…You sticking your tongue out—is that a subtle plea for a spontaneous French kiss?”

Childe immediately froze.

Because, horrifyingly…

Gu Sanqiu wasn’t wrong.

If he was going to get photographed anyway, he might as well keep a neutral expression.

“Actually, everything I just said was a lie.”

Gu Sanqiu patted the amber crystal.

“While you were busy freaking out, Aether already took the photo.”

…!

Childe’s expression shattered.

“GU SANQIU— I’M GONNA KILL YOU!!!”

Gu Sanqiu ignored the oversized human stress ball.

“Got it? You took multiple shots, right?”

Aether and Paimon gulped in unison.

Paimon, in particular, shrank behind Aether, peeking out with wary eyes.

He calls Childe a schemer, but Sanqiu is definitely the scariest one here!

Too terrifying. We should be careful around him from now on…

Death isn’t the worst thing that could happen—he could make us suffer something even worse!

Childe kept shouting, his voice now completely deranged.

Gu Sanqiu kicked the amber-crystalized Childe, sending him rolling into a mountain of Mora.

Then, to top it off—he personally snapped a few more photos.

“Breaking into the Golden House and causing mass destruction… I could have executed you on the spot, but let’s just call it friendship and spare your life.”

Gu Sanqiu considered his options.

Bringing Childe back was pointless.

Leaving him here was funnier.

Besides, this power wasn’t fully stable—it would wear off soon.

And by the time it did, Liyue Harbor’s crisis would already be over.

---

T/N: SANQIU x CHILDE SHIP IS STILL POSSIBLE!!!! HE EVEN BROUGHJT UP FRENCHKISSING I LOVE yAOIII

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!