Genshin Impact's Incense Burner Of Liyue [573]

Gu Sanqiu turned to look at Childe, whose face was frozen in shock. The Harbinger, his right arm fully encased in armor, stared at his limb in disbelief.

Gu Sanqiu helpfully suggested, “What if it’s broken? Need me to run a performance test for you? See if anything’s malfunctioning?”

The moment he spoke, Childe’s gaze snapped to him like a hawk locking onto prey.

“This was your doing?”

Given that the lunatic standing before him had once pulled off stealing the Anemo Archon’s Gnosis, Childe felt like he’d already grasped the key point.

“You didn’t—what, take the Gnosis before I even got here?”

“Come on, do I look like one of you Fatui?” Gu Sanqiu scoffed. “You guys cling to the Gnosis like some desperate fanboy thirsting over a goddess.”

Childe didn’t quite get the last part, but he did understand the sarcasm dripping from it.

“Heh. Funny thing—when I arrived, there wasn’t a single Millelith in sight. At first, I figured Liyue Harbor was just stretched too thin. But now…”

His expression darkened. “Now, I see. They weren’t needed—because you were here.”

“Well, that was a flattering compliment.” Gu Sanqiu chuckled. “Too bad you’re not a storyteller—I’d tip you for that.”

“So what now?” He tilted his head. “No Gnosis in sight. You just gonna pack up and leave?”

“Not a chance. This is just some elaborate trick you pulled. The Gnosis must still be here—I just haven’t found it yet.”

Childe’s eyes sharpened, his stance shifting subtly. “And the fact that you’re so determined to get me out of here? That’s all the proof I need.”

Tsk.

This was why workplace harmony was so important in a big organization. Poor guy—completely left in the dark.

Just look at how far his imagination had spiraled. All Gu Sanqiu had done was state a simple fact in a normal tone, and here Childe was, spinning conspiracy theories.

“Oh, right. Sanqiu, I don’t suppose you’ve heard what’s happening in Liyue Harbor right now?”

Childe’s smile took on a taunting edge. “We’ve successfully replicated the Sigils Of Permission. The city’s already in chaos—because of us.”

“I had a feeling you’d be lurking somewhere, waiting to clean up the battlefield. That’s why I ignored my subordinates’ suggestions and changed our battle plan.”

“I’ll admit it—I don’t know if I can beat you. So I made sure to prepare accordingly.”

“The Rite of Prohibition is already in effect. From here on, more and more monsters will surge from Guyun Stone Forest toward Liyue Harbor.”

“Now, tell me…” Childe laughed wildly. “What kind of nightmare do you think will appear in the end?”

“In the final moments, the sealed Archon beneath Guyun Stone Forest will be released.”

Childe’s gaze bore into Gu Sanqiu. “So—what’s it gonna be? Your clan’s ancestral Exuvia, the god you’ve served for millennia… or the people of Liyue?”

“Choose, my friend. The time for your decision has come.”

“The Vortex God, Osial.”

“A Liyue without its god… will it be swallowed by an ancient, malevolent force once again?”

“And you—when the moment comes, will you be where you should be?”

Gu Sanqiu was silent for a moment. Then, he ran a hand through his hair, sighing.

“Why are you telling me all this? Do you think I’ll fall for cheap taunts? That kind of thing is so outdated.”

“Even if you do manage to temporarily release an Archon… so what?”

“What, you think Liyue can’t survive without me?”

“Don’t underestimate Liyue. And don’t underestimate the will that Morax has forged over millennia.”

“Solid as the Millelith, unshaken as the mountains. Our shields and blades stand ever vigilant against demons and darkness.”

“These are the laws etched into the hearts of all Liyue’s people. The sheer cliffs and lurking beasts of the forests have tempered our souls and bloodlines.”

“We are the children of the mountains and stone. When danger looms, we stand firm—and when the need arises, we rise like dragons to shatter the abyss.”

“The god Morax has guarded for thousands of years was never the Gu Clan.”

“He protected a thriving Liyue—a Liyue where its people would fight to the very end for their homeland.”

“For the Glaze Lilies blooming on cliff faces, for the Qingxin that grow atop misty peaks—Liyue has never known fear.”

“The form of a dragon, the vessel of an Archon—it embodies the benevolence of a ruler, and his hope for us.”

“When the dragon ascends, the world shall know its name.”

“A god who broke free for but a fleeting moment?”

Gu Sanqiu smirked. “A failed contender for the throne of a bygone era. And now? He’s here to lose—again.”

---

While the Golden House was filled with heated words (cough psychological warfare cough), Zhongli was enjoying a quiet cup of tea in the VIP room of the Northland Bank.

Seated across from him was Rosalyne, the Fatui Harbinger known as “La Signora.”

“You seem to enjoy tea.”

Zhongli glanced at her. “Enjoy is too strong a word. The tea they serve here is hardly exceptional—I was simply thirsty.”

He had just returned from the Chasm. Naturally, he’d felt like drinking something.

It couldn’t be helped—he’d lived as a mortal for so long that some habits had become second nature.

The black-robed figure beside him, however, exuded nothing but hostility—pure, unfiltered malice, as if antagonizing others was his default setting.

Like some overgrown wild boar, always itching for a fight.

“And you are?” Rosalyne’s gaze shifted to the black-robed man.

“Just an ordinary worker.” The man waved dismissively. “No need to concern yourself with me, miss.”

He’d immediately pegged her as strange—possibly even something else entirely. There wasn’t the slightest trace of respect in his tone.

If anything, calling her “miss” was already a stretch. Based on actual age, “little girl” would’ve been more accurate.

Or, if he really wanted to be petty—“infant.”

“What did you just say?”

Flames flickered in Rosalyne’s eyes, a reaction to the sheer disrespect in his voice. But before she could act, Zhongli calmly gestured for her to stop.

“He’s stronger than Sanqiu.”

Rosalyne took a deep breath. The flames in her eyes dimmed.

She endured.

Her temper was short, but she knew when to back down. No need to get herself killed.

One Gu Sanqiu had already nearly beaten her to death.

And now there was someone even stronger just sitting here?!

“…Is he your subordinate?”

“No. Just a worker.”

Zhongli’s voice was calm. “As per our contract, once the time comes, I will hand over the Gnosis to you.”

“Until then, whatever you do is none of my concern.”

Rosalyne studied him. “So this isn’t a warning?”

“No.” Zhongli stood, the black-robed man following suit. “I merely came to confirm the contract’s progress. Nothing more.”

“What you do is your nation’s business. I have no interest in getting involved.”

After leaving the bank, the black-robed man glanced at Zhongli, then up at the sky.

Fortunately, the civilians had already been evacuated. Otherwise, their duo would’ve drawn quite the crowd.

“…Don’t.” Zhongli shot him a look. “Don’t get any ideas.”

Just by looking at him, he could tell the man was itching for a fight with the one stirring up the storm.

---

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!