Genshin Impact's Incense Burner Of Liyue [502]

Gu Sanqiu left the Knights of Favonius headquarters, pondering where he could accurately locate that notorious slacker, Venti.

Should he stage a free-drinks event at Angel’s Share?

Forget it. That would be far too conspicuous. If Diluc caught wind of it, he could probably deduce the Anemo Archon’s mortal identity just by checking the guest list.

After all, it wasn’t exactly a secret that he and "the bard Venti" were well acquainted. Even that drinking license—wrapped neatly in a Favonius-certified "freedom seal"—had been something the two of them had gone to obtain together.

If they met in private, it could still pass as friends catching up. But arriving in Mondstadt, throwing a massive event right at this critical time, and then seeking out Venti? That would paint an entirely different picture.

Of course, this all assumed that, in the time since Gu Sanqiu had last left Mondstadt, Venti hadn’t already blown his cover by pestering the blond for cash out of sheer desperation.

Gu Sanqiu arrived at the Statue of the Seven. Besides the church’s sisters bringing children here to sing, this was also one of the city’s unofficial performance spots for bards.

With the steady flow of people and the statue’s prominence as a Mondstadt landmark, any bard worth their salt would be doing themselves a disservice if they didn’t perform here to earn a few Mora.

People often assumed that bards were just stuffy scholars trapped in outdated traditions. But in reality, as a profession thriving under Mondstadt’s ideals of freedom, a bard who lacked quick thinking and creativity simply wouldn’t survive.

In fact, you could put it this way—after years of study, a famous Mondstadt bard could probably pass the academic exams in Sumeru. But a Sumeru scholar could never become a proper Mondstadt bard.

Take Venti, for example. He’d concocted all sorts of outrageous tales about himself over the years, an ingenious strategy to boost his audience and revenue.

When the Church of Favonius questioned him, he’d simply countered: "It’s been so long—how do you know Barbatos didn’t actually do those things?"

And the worst part? He actually won that argument. The church wouldn’t strip a bard of their creative freedom over something so trivial, and Venti even ended up gaining a dedicated fanbase because of it, securing a modest but steady income.

Using novel perspectives and impeccable storytelling to generate buzz and rake in profits—Venti had mastered the art.

Sometimes, Gu Sanqiu even suspected that when Alice brought Barbara that book about idols from beyond this world, Venti had secretly read it. Otherwise, where did he pick up all these ridiculous promotional tactics?

The bardic community had its own form of cutthroat competition, and Venti had managed to rise above it by solidifying his unique brand. Sure, he was a slacker, but damn, was he resourceful.

By contrast, Diluc was... well, not so much. When it came to making others foot the bill, the man certainly had a level of shamelessness rivaling the fortress walls of Tianqiu Valley. But outside of that? Not so much.

If Venti’s antics were comparable to launching an idol career, then if Diluc tried the same thing...?

Well, his idea of "debuting" would probably be telling old folktales at a tavern. If someone suggested stirring up controversy for publicity?

That person would be receiving a one-way ticket to an isolated retreat at Guyun Stone Forest.

A person with no shame could, at best, achieve world domination.

But if a god abandoned their shame?

Perhaps their wallet would be just a little bit heavier.

---

"Ten Mora. Just ten Mora."

A weak voice sounded behind Gu Sanqiu.

A lopsided green hat. A familiar scent of alcohol.

Venti draped himself over Gu Sanqiu’s shoulder like a lifeless rag, sighing dramatically.

"Oh, kind sir, please spare a mere ten Mora for a poor, starving bard to buy a meal."

Gu Sanqiu instinctively shrugged him off. "Ten Mora? That’s not even enough for a fried egg at Good Hunter. And what, exactly, did you do to burn through all your savings? Didn’t you and Dvalin just retrieve a trove of ancient offerings meant for you?"

Venti flopped onto the ground in a defeated heap. "I refused to take them," he groaned. "Dvalin said that stealing my own offerings to cash them in would be too disgraceful. If I chose this lifestyle, then I should earn my keep myself."

Gu Sanqiu guessed that if not for the public setting, this god would probably be rolling around on the ground in frustration.

"So?"

"So... I’m broke," Venti lamented.

He looked up at Gu Sanqiu with pitiful eyes. "It’s all Mondstadt’s wine’s fault! I wasn’t even planning to indulge, but the temptation! It came for me first!"

"In Liyue, people caught at illicit establishments tell the Millelith the exact same excuse," Gu Sanqiu deadpanned. "You know that blond of yours, right? If someone as important as him can lower himself to bricklaying for cash, what’s stopping you?"

"Exactly! Dvalin made it clear—I chose this path, so I should be the one to figure out how to fund my own drinking habits."

Venti latched onto Gu Sanqiu’s arm. "But you’re my dear nephew! Your uncle is practically starving, and yet you stand here lecturing me instead of helping? Does that seem right to you?"

"Relax. I’ve never seen a god starve to death. If anything, you’ll probably die of alcohol withdrawal first."

Gu Sanqiu sighed, prying Venti off. "And even if you are my uncle, when an elder spends recklessly, isn’t it the duty of the younger generation to rein them in? Otherwise, you’ll squander the entire family fortune."

"You think you could actually blow through wealth that’s been accumulating for millennia?"

"You say that like my family only earns and never spends. Sometimes, the expenses outweigh the income. But I’ll tell you what—I’ll strike you a deal."

Gu Sanqiu smiled. "I have a location in mind. If you can get me and Albedo there, I might just sponsor you."

"And since you’re broke, why not work for your money? Instead of just extending your hand every time you see me!"

"Wait. You haven’t been borrowing from the blond while I was gone, have you?"

Venti straightened up, looking scandalized. "How could you accuse me of such a thing? No matter how desperate, I would never ask him for money."

Gu Sanqiu stared at him, deadpan. "Oh, but asking me is perfectly fine? You’re very selective with your mooching targets, aren’t you?"

Venti stuck out his tongue sheepishly. "Actually, I... may have asked that floating little one a few too many times. Now she says she’s never lending to me again. Something about working hard to earn her own living or whatever."

"...Heh."

Gu Sanqiu was speechless.

His mistake.

He should’ve known better than to expect Venti to feel shame about anything. Or to believe, for even a second, that Mondstadt’s Archon had boundaries.

If he had managed to push even those two to their limit...

Was this divine robbery? Was this extortion?

"You’re loaded, aren’t you?" Venti grinned, clasping his hands together. "How about this—just one million Mora. One little banknote exchangeable for a million Mora at Liyue’s treasury. After that, I swear, I’ll never ask you for money again."

Gu Sanqiu bellowed, "You actually expect me to believe that?! You probably said the exact same thing to them!"

Do some actual work, Barbatos!

---

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!