Genshin Impact's Incense Burner Of Liyue [551]

The preparations for the Rite of Descension were nearing completion.

Gu Sanqiu could personally feel it.

Several waves of people had already come to ask if he wanted to serve as the main officiant, including his older sister and Keqing.

But without exception, he turned them all down.

Come on, being the main officiant? How would I get to slack off and enjoy myself if I took that position?

Being the main officiant meant he’d have to watch the old man descend from the sky with his own eyes and possibly even adjust the script on the fly depending on any unexpected developments.

Way too much trouble.

So Gu Sanqiu didn’t even think twice before refusing. He simply told his sister to go ahead with whatever arrangements the Liyue Qixing had planned.

After all, that’s how it had always been. It’s not like his family held some special status that meant this duty had to fall on them.

As far as Gu Sanqiu was concerned, chatting with the Geo Archon was the easiest thing in the world. Just step outside, take a few turns—at his level, it was barely a couple of steps away.

The Rite of Descension?

Nah, this young master would rather wait around to take some pictures. Please excuse me from this utterly boring task.

Of course, he would never say that out loud. Not only would someone like Keqing—who was secretly an Archon fan—lose her mind, but even the clueless onlookers wouldn’t be able to accept it.

These past few days, Gu Sanqiu had been particularly idle, strolling around with a mint sprig in his mouth and frequently heading to the docks to fish with Uncle Tian.

One amusing thing was that the young man Uncle Tian had mentioned—who had dinner with Sister Huixin—seemed incredibly anxious. He even specifically ran over to where the old man and the young man were fishing to dig for information, thinking Gu Sanqiu had suddenly appeared as a rival.

Considering this was a lifelong matter for Sister Huixin—and that it was something the old man had been worrying about for ages—Gu Sanqiu chose not to mess with the guy. Instead, he gave him some reassuring words.

But judging by Uncle Tian’s demeanor, after dealing with Huixin’s marriage, his next concern would probably be when he’d get to hold his grandchildren.

Take it easy?

Not a chance.

Besides that, Gu Sanqiu had also been hanging around the reception bridge leading into Liyue Harbor, playing the role of "king of the kids" and leading a group of children in games.

The Rite of Descension wasn’t just a festival for the people of Liyue. Many foreigners, despite the long journey, came just to experience its unique cultural charm.

Naturally, among them were Sumeru scholars using the Rite of Descension as their graduation thesis topic. Upon learning this, Gu Sanqiu could only offer them a moment of silent sympathy.

After this festival, who knew how many of those scholars would end up mentally shattered?

Hopefully, Sumeru doesn’t have any tall buildings.

As for the foreign visitors with distinct clothing and appearances, they became perfect subjects for the children to expand their horizons. Occasionally, passing merchant caravans would even hand out snacks to the kids.

After all, with so many energetic children gathered at the reception bridge for the Rite of Descension, wasn’t that a good omen?

A few treats were nothing—it was a great way to soak up Liyue’s festive spirit and make a good impression in front of the townsfolk.

Some parents had initially been concerned about safety around the reception bridge, but upon seeing Gu Sanqiu there, their worries vanished.

With this big guy standing around, there was no way their kids—tiny limbs and all—would manage to jump off even if they tried.

Of course, there were also some straightforward parents who simply said, "If they misbehave, just give ‘em a smack." That immediately gave visiting foreign tourists a taste of Liyue’s unique family discipline culture.

"Tsk, why hasn’t that guy shown up yet?"

As evening approached, Gu Sanqiu placed fire-infused talismans into small fireworks tubes, distributing them among the children.

Nearby, Granny Lin from the orphanage sat watching with a warm smile as the kids grinned ear to ear after receiving their fireworks.

For the past couple of days, Liyue Harbor had lifted its nighttime firework restrictions in most areas. Apart from some specific zones, even the Millelith had accepted the festive atmosphere—though their spirits took a hit when they saw Gu Xiangjun crafting fireworks out of fire-infused talismans.

"Little Sanqiu, are you waiting for someone?"

Granny Lin slowly made her way over to him. "I've seen you hanging around here these past few days. Did you invite some girl you like to the Rite of Descension?"

"No, not at all."

Gu Sanqiu shook his head.

Although he had been going back and forth between the docks and the reception bridge these past few days, besides using it as a way to relax before the coming storm, he did have another reason.

He was searching for someone—the black-robed figure who had "flirted" with him during the send-off ceremony for fallen warriors.

Judging by that person's actions and what followed, they were definitely one of the old man’s hidden subordinates. His frequent visits to these areas weren’t just for security checks—he was trying to intercept them.

If possible, he wanted this black-robed figure stationed at the Golden House when things went down.

The Dragon Form of the Geo Archon. The molting of an ancient deity.

Far too tempting.

The Fatui harbored ambitions for the Gnosis, but was it really possible that no one else had designs on "the Geo Archon’s remains"?

Even a dog wouldn’t believe that.

Gu Sanqiu hadn’t forgotten his mission. Leading the adepti and the Millelith to battle Osial was his top priority.

The Golden House was important, but once Osial broke free, he had to rush to the front lines immediately.

At the very least, he wouldn’t let the old patriarch defend the shore alone, wouldn’t let Brother Xiao fight to the death on the final front, and wouldn’t let his sister’s Jade Chamber fall from the sky.

He couldn’t be everywhere at once.

He needed allies.

As for that golden-haired traveler… To be honest, he wasn’t sure how to make use of someone as unpredictable as Aether. Gu Sanqiu had never placed too much trust in uncertainties when making serious plans.

"I'm just looking for someone. Someone who could be of great help to me."

Someone capable of striking down an evil god’s statue in a single blow. Someone who had escaped unscathed from both Brother Xiao and the master of the Alcor’s encirclement. Someone who was a hidden agent of the Geo Archon.

They had to be at least adeptus-level in strength.

And judging by their ruthlessness, they were definitely a combat-focused adeptus—one with very reliable combat abilities.

"For you to wait so patiently, it must be someone quite significant," the old woman mused.

She didn’t say much more. She was just an old caretaker from an orphanage. Deep, complicated matters weren’t her concern.

For her, protecting the children's smiles and childhood was all that mattered.

Gu Sanqiu closed his eyes, spreading his spiritual energy outward. His divinations hadn’t revealed the calamity that Liyue was about to face.

But that was understandable. Liyue had no shortage of cultivators skilled in such arts. If an event of this magnitude could be foreseen so easily, it wouldn’t be much of a calamity.

"The one obscuring fate might not just be the old man."

---

Far away, in a hidden cave in the Guili Plains, a black-robed figure sitting upon a stone throne suddenly opened their eyes.

Placing both hands on the armrests, they struggled to rise, their gaze locking onto the distant Liyue Harbor.

"Heh… heh… Is this… an internal Gu family mental transmission?"

The black-robed figure coughed twice, forcing a strained smile.

"That old geezer… It seems my identity has been exposed. If the one at home is calling for help in this manner, he must be certain I’m a Gu."

"Should I answer the call?"

"Sit back down. Your health is poor—don’t get up and wander around."

A calm, gentle voice rang out.

"This isn’t something you need to concern yourself with. If the situation becomes truly irreversible, I will summon you."

"Take care of yourself. The time is not yet right."

---

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!