Genshin Impact's Incense Burner Of Liyue [547]

Splash—

The sound of water rippling echoed around them. Gu Sanqiu squinted as he sank into the water, leaving only his head above the surface.

"So relaxing—"

Xingqiu, also floating with just his head exposed, drifted over.

"Soaking in a hot spring after a full-blown cake war—this is the pinnacle of human enjoyment."

"Can’t argue with that."

Buyu Raimei and Kaedehara Kazuha were more composed, simply stretching their shoulders and resting their arms against the edge of the pool, silently savoring the warmth of the spring.

Even Chongyun could finally enjoy a hot spring now. After undergoing a long period of both traditional and alternative treatments, the young exorcist had gained enough control over his pure yang constitution.

The only question left was whether he could still suppress it when faced with a bold confession from a girl. That was something Xingqiu—who was always scheming—had been itching to test, though he hadn’t yet found the right opportunity.

After all, even in a game, when you keep getting targeted at the same spot, a counter-strategy is bound to develop.

Chongyun’s life experiences perfectly exemplified this principle. No matter how much Xingqiu racked his brain to set up a trap, the battle-hardened Chongyun always managed to avoid it with ease.

Who knows? Maybe, in some way, it was a kind of personal growth.

"This is really nice, though. I had no idea Sanqiu’s family had a place like this."

Buyu Raimei clicked his tongue in amazement. "A hot spring this size, in the middle of Liyue Harbor where land is worth a fortune—and it’s naturally heated, too? That’s some real luxury."

"Of course. This is a completely natural hot spring—great for your health."

Of course, the fact that it sat atop a subterranean river of molten rock, which served as Gu Family’s last line of defense for Liyue, was a different matter altogether.

Gu Sanqiu’s thoughts wandered. If he told them right now that they were casually soaking in what was essentially a colossal bomb, would they be so shocked that they’d leap out of the water?

Xingqiu turned to Chongyun. "I bet you’re curious about what’s happening on the girls’ side, huh? Too bad, no peeking. Even though, for someone your age, I suppose the temptation is understandable."

"W-What do you mean ‘someone my age’?! You guys are the same age as me!"

Chongyun’s face turned red with indignation. "Why am I always the one getting singled out, you jerks?!"

By the pool’s edge, Buyu Raimei and Kazuha, along with the two floating heads in the water, spoke in unison.

"Because you’re easy to tease."

For a moment, Chongyun seriously considered using all his talismans and exorcist techniques to freeze these bastards solid.

But he thought better of it—his idol was still present, after all.

"From a rational standpoint, it is normal for young men to be curious about their female peers while bathing. It’s simply a natural part of adolescence," Zhongli said with a small smile. "Chongyun, feeling flustered is an expected reaction. Simply acknowledge your emotions and move on—there’s no need to dwell on unnecessary thoughts."

Based on his memory—or rather, assuming his recollection was accurate—Gu Family’s two hot springs were designed to make it physically impossible for the men’s side to peek into the women’s.

For one, the area was surrounded by countless layers of enchantments. Furthermore, his own lineage was known for their extreme paranoia. And if that weren’t enough, there were even weapons stationed by the women’s hot spring.

Under normal circumstances, these so-called "weapons" were just water toys meant for playful water fights.

But if anyone dared to entertain improper thoughts and take action, they would be reduced to a fine mesh of regret.

He vaguely recalled that one of the previous Incense Burners had even approached him to complain, arguing that if there were women out there with ill intentions toward men, then the men’s side should be armed as well.

Weak boys should learn early on how to defend themselves from aggressive women!

Since this hot spring wasn’t exclusive to the Gu Family, it had been used for gatherings before. And back then, that Incense Burner had a fair number of admirers—including one particularly fiery and battle-hardened girl.

In hindsight, maybe his concerns weren’t entirely unwarranted?

Regardless, that little guy had been swiftly buried in the ground for his complaints.

…Wait.

Zhongli paused, suddenly feeling exasperated.

Why was he even thinking about that lunatic?

Meanwhile, Gu Sanqiu floated over to Xiao. "Hey, Brother Xiao, aren’t you tired sitting there like a javelin stuck in the ground? You should try floating with just your head above water—it’s fun."

The hot spring had submerged steps built into it. While Buyu Raimei and Kazuha were also sitting on them, they had adopted a relaxed posture, arms spread out like seasoned veterans enjoying their soak.

But Xiao and Zhongli?

They sat stiffly upright, their postures so rigid it was as if they were soldiers awaiting deployment—or students forced to sit properly in a strict classroom.

"I’m not used to it."

Xiao shot Gu Sanqiu a glance but refused to be lured into his antics.

This was his first time in a hot spring. Acting as shamelessly as Gu Sanqiu and Xingqiu was simply out of the question.

Or rather, he had never lived a life that allowed for such carefree behavior.

Gu Sanqiu, finding Xiao’s response dull, floated away. Looks like there was no chance of seeing an amusing side of Brother Xiao today.

As for Zhongli? He didn’t even consider trying.

Convincing him to relax in the water with just his head poking out—like him and Xingqiu, their faces melting into pure bliss—was absolutely impossible.

Because Zhongli would definitely launch into an ancient philosophical debate about it for a thousand years.

That raised a question.

Gu Sanqiu glanced at Zhongli.

If he bottled up a few drops of this six-thousand-year-old dragon’s bathwater and sold it to Keqing, would it fetch a high price? (crossed out)

It’s common knowledge that if a ginseng spirit managed to cultivate for ten thousand years, even its bathwater would become a potent tonic.

Never mind the taste—surely it would have some effect, right? (crossed out again)

No, no. That’s way too reckless. Even if there was an opportunity to try, it must never be done.

It would be fatal!

Gu Sanqiu mentally strangled the absurd thought and instead started seriously considering the idea of turning Liyue into a "tourism capital."

Although Liyue had plenty of coastal areas, most of them were grassy spots fit for picnics rather than actual beaches like Mondstadt’s Starsnatch Cliff.

The few areas that could be called "beaches" were too close to the harbor to serve as proper tourist attractions.

Wouldn’t it be interesting to create a large-scale, dedicated seaside resort in Liyue?

Of course, the ones most excited about that would be certain kinds of adults.

Still, before that could happen, he needed to resolve the situation at Yunlai Sea. The last thing he wanted was for his carefully planned beach paradise to turn into the setting for a horror film or a kaiju battle.

"Everyone, it’s about time to get out. Even a beneficial hot spring should not be soaked in for too long."

Zhongli stood up and draped on a bathrobe. Despite his youthful appearance, his words reeked of seasoned wisdom.

It was these small details that reminded everyone—though he might look young, his actual age far exceeded most of theirs.

Then again, in a place like Liyue, having a "permanently youthful" old man wasn’t even that strange.

Gu Sanqiu drifted lazily in the water, making no effort to move, looking as if he intended to soak there forever.

"Sanqiu, we’re leaving."

"Yeah, yeah. There are drinks outside if you want some—help yourselves."

His tone was lazy.

Because once he got out, it would be back to business.

---

T/N: hehuehuehueheuhuehu

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!