Genshin Impact's Incense Burner Of Liyue [556]

"Thank you all for gathering here today."

Standing beside Ningguang were her three secretaries, all maintaining solemn expressions as they carried out the Rite of Descension in accordance with tradition.

With Gu Sanqiu’s help, a certain troublemaking duo had managed to secure a good viewing spot. They curiously surveyed their surroundings but gradually fell silent, subdued by the growing solemnity of the atmosphere, watching the ceremonial proceedings atop the Jade Chamber.

"May the Lord of Geo bestow His decree."

Ningguang, along with all the officials presiding over the ceremony, bowed in unison. High above, golden clouds swirled, shifting gently as the massive form of a dragon flickered in and out of sight within them.

"Look! Liyue’s Archon is about to descend to the mortal realm!"

Paimon leaned close to the Traveler’s ear, whispering excitedly, "Did you bring the letter? We're about to have a chance to speak with the Archon! Have you decided what reward you’re going to ask for?"

The Traveler furrowed his brows and instinctively pulled Paimon behind him, shielding her.

Something felt off. He couldn’t quite put his finger on it, but the unease gnawed at him. Regardless, ensuring the safety of a non-combatant companion was always the right choice.

"He’s coming! He’s coming!"

Gu Sanqiu leapt to his feet, waving a hand as he scattered an entire array of blackmail-worthy recording devices that he had recently improved.

Just you wait, old man—your embarrassing moments are about to be added to the collection!

If you ever try to bury me in the ground again, I’ll make sure all your acquaintances see this!

And don’t worry about damage! As long as I’m alive, free replacements are guaranteed!

Grinning from ear to ear, Gu Sanqiu raised the kamera in his hands and aimed it at the golden clouds.

BOOM!

CRASH!

A bolt of lightning tore through the sky. In an instant, the golden clouds shattered, and the massive form of the dragon plummeted downward, striking a ceremonial cauldron and sending dust billowing into the air.

"Lady Ningguang!"

Her three secretaries reacted in perfect sync, swiftly pulling her back. Aside from the deafening sound of the dragon’s impact and the cauldron toppling, the entire area fell into stunned silence.

Everyone stared in shock at the scene before them.

The figure lying on the ground… Was that Liyue’s Archon?

The same deity who had once led the people of Liyue in slaying demons and forging the land of a thousand ships and sails?

What had just happened!?

Ningguang had no time to care about her own disheveled state. She immediately swung her arm and issued a sharp order to the surrounding Millelith soldiers.

"The Lord of Geo has been assassinated—seal off the area!"

She turned to Fengyan, who stood tensely beside her. "Send word—tell Yuheng not to come here yet! Instead, have her find Gu Xiangjun!"

A terrible premonition gripped her heart.

If the Lord of Geo had been assassinated—what about her younger brother?

At that moment, no one noticed a faint, muffled noise echoing from within the Gu family estate, coinciding precisely with the dragon’s fall.

"Tch, that brat really sensed something was off ahead of time."

Zhongli gazed at the neatly arranged pile of kamera devices he had just retrieved from the ground, his expression unreadable. He sighed, rubbing his fingers together absentmindedly.

I suddenly feel the urge to bury that troublesome child in the dirt again. What should I do?

Forget it. I didn’t inform my own people of my plans in advance either. I suppose that makes us even.

A father should be indulgent toward his son—

—as long as said son isn’t acting like a complete lunatic.

A shadowy figure stood silently behind Zhongli. Without a word, they extended their right hand, sweeping all the kamera devices into Gu Sanqiu’s room before stepping forward.

BANG!

The figure struck Gu Sanqiu hard on the back of the head—though, judging by their reaction, they had already noticed something unusual about the current Incense Burnerr’s physical resilience. That final blow seemed to be more of a precaution than anything else.

Yes, it was this shadowy figure who had delivered the first punch.

By the time Gu Sanqiu had activated his kamera array, Zhongli and his companion had already been inside the courtyard.

"This brat…"

Zhongli glanced at the figure. "Look at him—this is the descendant of your family. He spends all his time scheming against me."

The figure tilted their head slightly before pointing toward the Jade Chamber, then back at Zhongli.

And you’re any better? You’re just as childish when you start causing trouble.

"This is called strategy—do you understand?"

Zhongli sighed. "If I hadn’t come to check in person, this brat might have actually pulled it off."

For all his composure, Zhongli had to admit—when he saw that entire swarm of kamera devices flying up earlier, he had been this close to sealing Gu Sanqiu underground for a few hundred years.

It was a moment of genuine mental breakdown.

"Still, this works better in the long run. It'll keep certain individuals from getting suspicious."

The Archon has been assassinated—if the Incense Burner were still sitting at home, sipping tea without a scratch, would anyone really believe it?

Of course not.

…Now, whether Zhongli was merely using this as an excuse to ambush his own son and erase future blackmail material—only he knew the answer to that.

Sensing movement, Zhongli turned to the shadowy figure. "Someone’s coming. They’re here for Sanqiu. Handle the cleanup—I need to leave first."

"In the coming days, Liyue Harbor will be crawling with all sorts of restless elements. Stay hidden. Understood?"

The figure nodded, then tilted their head slightly before walking over to Gu Sanqiu. They reached out, patted him down, retrieved a polearm, and casually tossed it aside.

"I see. You want to forge some evidence."

Zhongli’s gaze swept over a nearby Sunsettia tree, where an awakened spirit tree trembled under his scrutiny. With a faint shudder, the tree unleashed its power, unleashing devastating structural damage across the courtyard.

The figure gave Zhongli a glance before lifting Gu Sanqiu by the collar and dragging him over, extending their other hand.

"I’m not hitting him. If anyone should do it, it’s you."

Zhongli was momentarily speechless. Seriously? This guy was willing to knock out his own descendant just to make the scene more convincing?

And now you’re handing him over to me, like I’m supposed to do it?

Do I look like that kind of person!?

Then Zhongli remembered the pile of kamera devices in Gu Sanqiu’s room.

…His blood pressure spiked.

Is this… the erosion of Celestia’s decree?

Zhongli clenched his fist. "One punch. You handle the rest."

The figure gave a thumbs-up and nodded.

"Sanqiu! Are you in there!? Something’s happened!"

Keqing stood before the still-closed Gu family estate, glancing up at the sky before pushing the doors open.

"Something happened at the Jade Chamber—the Archon was assa—"

The Millelith soldiers accompanying her froze.

A devastated courtyard. A severely wounded, unconscious Incense Burner sprawled on the ground, his weapon cast aside.

Given what had just occurred at the Jade Chamber, their minds went blank.

The Lord of Geo, assassinated.

And Gu Xiangjun—also struck down?

Had the Archon used his last strength to shield his follower?

A tragic yet noble sacrifice.

Was this part of a dark conspiracy against the Archon and his people?

"Why are you all standing around!?"

Keqing steadied herself, gritting her teeth as she lifted Gu Sanqiu. "Get him to Bubu Pharmacy—immediately! Doctor Baizhu must do everything in his power to save him!"

She turned to her soldiers. "Liyue Harbor is in crisis!"

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T/N: poor Sanqiu... getting bullied by his father...

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!