Genshin Impact's Incense Burner Of Liyue [562]

Defending the Knights of Favonius?

For Master Diluc, not openly disparaging every single knight was already an impressive display of self-restraint.

And now? The Knights lacked intelligence reports, yet here he was, offering excuses on their behalf!

The world has changed. The world has changed.

Kaeya’s expression remained blank. At this point, the fact that Liyue’s ruling Archon was in trouble was nothing compared to the existential crisis he was experiencing. His entire worldview had just collapsed, and worse yet—there was no chance of rebuilding it.

If he were a little more dramatic, he’d already be screaming, “Give me back my brother!”

“…Wait. The Geo Archon was assassinated?”

At last, Kaeya’s brain caught up to reality—more accurately, his intelligence finally kicked back in.

“…He actually did it?”

Diluc and Jean’s mouths twitched in unison.

“…Are you out of your mind?”

Diluc had no patience for his adopted brother’s nonsense. “Sanqiu is a retainer of the Archon. There’s no way that would happen.”

An imperial relative assassinating the reigning emperor?

Would someone really be that eager to self-destruct?

“Isn’t it possible, though? You both know that guy is an absolute lunatic. It’s not that far-fetched.”

Kaeya muttered indignantly, “Back when he asked how to truly kill a god, I already thought something was off.”

Fair point.

Even the higher-ups of Mondstadt had to admit that their friend in Liyue had always had a way of saying the most outrageous things.

And now, hearing that the ruling Archon had been assassinated, it was no surprise that their minds immediately jumped to that possibility.

Still… something didn’t feel quite right.

---

In the alchemy workshop, Albedo swirled a vial of liquid between his fingers. Next to him, Timaeus and Sucrose listened attentively.

“Master, the Liyue Alchemy Association contacted us through a secret channel. They said the situation there is growing more turbulent and asked if we could help transport some of their rare materials and delicate instruments out of the region.”

“The Geo Archon is dead, hmm… That is quite the shocking development.”

Albedo set down the vial. “Any word on Sanqiu? I doubt it.”

Timaeus blinked in surprise. “Master, how did you know?”

“Naturally. In times of crisis, those scrambling to protect themselves won’t spare a thought for such matters.”

But because he is my dear friend, I will.

A god’s retainer meant little in the face of a fallen deity.

“Forget about them. Liyue isn’t going to fall into chaos.”

Deep down, Albedo even felt a spark of anticipation.

The overlooked key player—that was the part he found most interesting.

Sanqiu had either met with misfortune or was lying low, preparing for something big. And knowing that lunatic… it was almost certainly the latter.

I look forward to your next move, my friend.

Albedo smiled. “With your abilities, plus the allies you can summon with your unique status, how could you possibly lose?”

“If I had the time, I’d love to head to Liyue myself and join in on the fun.”

…On second thought, better not. If he left, he’d have to bring his little red-hooded shadow along. Taking Klee into such a dangerous situation was not the action of a responsible older brother.

Besides, considering Klee’s destructive tendencies, he’d probably end up causing Sanqiu even more trouble.

“As for the Alchemy Association, ignore them. If they insist, have them trade intelligence and classified techniques in exchange.”

Albedo had a peculiar feeling about this.

Whatever was happening in Liyue… it was going to be very interesting.

---

A few days later, the representatives of the Cultivation Sect arrived in Liyue.

An entire group of high-level elders from Canglong Mountain—seasoned warriors, every one of them. Their reasoning? The situation in Liyue Harbor remained unclear, and they wouldn’t allow the younger generation to risk themselves in such dangerous times.

Their leader’s prophecy had come true, much to the exasperation of Canglong’s so-called “retirement home.” Enraged by the unfolding events, they had stormed out of seclusion, eager to offer their remaining years in service to Liyue—and, if necessary, to clear the thorns from the path of those who would come after them.

As the mountain lord passed by Bubu Pharmacy, he couldn’t help but glance inside.

Was this truly just a sign of greater things to come?

If such an event was only a harbinger in their leader’s eyes, then when true disaster struck… what kind of nightmare would it bring?

For the first time in ages, the battle-hardened elder felt a chill deep in his soul.

Bubu Pharmacy had already been requisitioned by the adepti—not for any grand purpose, simply as a quiet place for Gu Sanqiu to rest and recover. Only a select few people, along with Baizhu, were permitted entry.

No one knew what kind of deal the adepti had struck with the elusive physician, but Baizhu had agreed to the arrangement without hesitation. He had even gone so far as to ask if they needed him to set up an outdoor clinic.

Utterly absurd.

“Raimei, Kazuha—thanks for your hard work.”

Xingqiu approached, carrying a stack of food boxes. The two brothers had been standing guard here the whole time, so even their meals had to be delivered by Xingqiu and the others on a rotating schedule.

“It’s fine. It’s peaceful here—not exactly the most exhausting job.”

Takeshi no Raimei lifted the lid of one of the boxes. “Let’s see what’s for lunch. By the way, have those adepti figured out how to wake Sanqiu yet? How long are they going to let him stay unconscious?”

“They’ve had no time to deal with that.”

Xingqiu sat down beside them. “Things outside are a mess. That traveler, Aether, seems to have become the go-between for mortals and adepti, running around nonstop. If it were me, I would’ve lost my patience and smacked Sanqiu awake already.”

As the official errand boy of Barbatos, Aether himself likely had no idea just how unique his position in Liyue had become.

A messenger of a ruling god and a friend of the Incense Burner—those two titles combined made for quite the special status.

It wasn’t as if both sides were desperately trying to win him over, but his presence alone granted him a certain weight in Liyue’s affairs.

Some might dismiss him as nothing more than a glorified errand boy, but they overlooked one crucial detail—

Even an errand boy’s status depended on where he was running errands.

The same could be said of Gu Sanqiu.

Sure, he wasn’t as strong as Xiao, and he’d get absolutely demolished by Azhdaha or his own father—but put him in a lower-tier battle?

An absolute massacre.

Aether’s situation was somewhat similar. His position wasn’t exactly high, but it wasn’t low either.

Of course, Aether himself probably hadn’t realized this yet. He had just wanted to relax in Liyue during the Rite of Descension, only to find himself thrown into yet another round of exhausting work.

If not for the very generous rewards being offered, Paimon would have had a complete mental breakdown by now.

Amidst the chaos of Liyue Harbor, Bubu Pharmacy had become the one peaceful sanctuary.

At least here, Xingqiu could deliver meals and chat idly with the Wind and Thunder duo for a while.

Once he stepped outside, he would once again become the second young master of the Feiyun Commerce Guild, forced to navigate the ever-shifting tides of a volatile situation—doing things he had no desire to do, yet had no choice but to complete.

Inside the intensive care ward, elemental fluctuations were growing more intense.

Then, either by chance or due to the adepti’s treatments finally taking effect, the elemental energy began to settle.

A powerful surge of energy flowed into Gu Sanqiu’s body, but thanks to the protective formations in place, those outside remained unaware.

“Hah… The old man sure didn’t hold back.”

Gu Sanqiu sat up, his expression complicated.

All this, just to cover up his embarrassing moment? Really?

He wasn’t stupid.

The shadow in his family was strong enough to take on Madame Ping’s clone and win.

There was no way anyone could have attacked him so easily—

Unless the one who had knocked him out was fully aware of that shadow’s existence.

And most likely… its direct superior.

“…The formation is well-placed. Looks like the adepti are all here.”

Gu Sanqiu scanned his surroundings and smirked.

“In that case… I suppose I’d better stay ‘unconscious’ a little longer.”

---

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!