Genshin Impact's Incense Burner Of Liyue [497]

Seeing Arataki Itto still struggling to recall the message, Gu Sanqiu immediately understood why the Kamisato heir would rather take the time to train the three Arataki Gang underlings than waste energy improving Itto’s problem-solving skills.

This question is too hard! I don’t know the answer!

Gu Sanqiu lightly tapped Itto’s solid abs with his fist. "Take your time, but make sure you remember every detail and repeat it to me exactly as it was said. Understood?"

That pink-haired fox was a master of cryptic speech. When dealing with people like her—or rather, foxes like her—even the slightest error in relaying a message could completely change its meaning.

"Mm… Mm…"

Itto still looked constipated.

Gu Sanqiu sighed and found a place to sit, thinking to himself that Yae Miko was being particularly unreliable this time. She could have sent one of the shrine maidens from the Grand Narukami Shrine, but no—she just had to send this blockheaded oni.

"I remember now!"

Itto’s eyes lit up, and he confidently planted his hands on his hips. That look of relief instantly transformed into smug satisfaction.

"Heh! When I put my mind to it, even brainy stuff like this isn’t a problem for the great Arataki Itto!"

If this were a business negotiation, the other party would have already stripped you down to your last Mora.

Gu Sanqiu kept a straight face, though he was honestly tempted to laugh.

"Boss, that fox said she’s done everything she could. The rest is up to you."

"Alright."

"The second part, though, I don’t really get. She said, ‘The deal is sealed. The moment you set foot in Inazuma, you’ll be Yae Miko’s man. No backing out.’"

A deal?

Who the hell made a deal with that pink-haired fox?

Gu Sanqiu’s expression stiffened as a very improbable yet terrifying possibility crossed his mind.

It’s not you, is it, old man?!

"Hold on. What does she mean by ‘she’s done everything she could’? Explain it in detail."

Someone like her saying I’ve done my best couldn’t be taken at face value. That was about as believable as I am but a humble consultant named Zhongli.

Even without thinking too hard, it was obviously nonsense.

Itto scratched his head. "I don’t really get the specifics, but it seems like the bounty on you guys has been lifted."

"Some Tenryou Commission guy named Jirou Kiragi sent a confidential letter. He said the official story is that it was all part of a large-scale military exercise and that the three of you were ‘invited’ to assist."

"The bounty’s been canceled?"

Gu Sanqiu’s mind sharpened instantly. "Tell me everything that’s happened in Inazuma lately—details, now."

"Hold on a sec."

Itto clutched his stomach. "Boss, you got any food on you? I’m starving."

"Come with me."

At Wanmin Restaurant, after stopping Xiangling for the fourth time from adding beans to the dishes—her latest experiment to test the oni tribe’s digestive system—Gu Sanqiu finally saw a full table of food prepared.

While Itto devoured his meal, Gu Sanqiu subtly guided the conversation, piecing together what had been happening in Inazuma.

In short, the last time that pink-haired fox had created a duplicate of herself to sneak into Liyue with the Most Noble Purple Crystal, it had apparently crossed the Raiden Shogun’s bottom line.

As a result, Yae Miko’s Vision had been confiscated.

With such a high-profile case as precedent, the Vision Hunt Decree became even easier to enforce. After all, if even the Shogun’s own companion had to surrender her Vision, how could anyone else claim to be above the decree?

Construction of the Statue of a Thousand Arms and a Hundred Eyes had also begun. Aside from minor details, it seemed that events were aligning with their original course.

"Using her own companion as an example to force the people into submission to the Vision Hunt Decree? Strengthening her stance against Nahida’s influence through sheer force?"

"No… this feels more like a trade. A transaction where a Vision was the price paid."

Gu Sanqiu’s furrowed brows eased slightly. If that was the case, it explained a lot. The Raiden Shogun had likely negotiated the terms with Yae Miko, and in return, the fox had seized the opportunity to ask for something she wanted.

"A complete, unwavering gamble, huh? Now that is interesting."

Itto, still chewing, looked puzzled. "Boss, but losing her Vision… isn’t that a huge price to pay?"

"A price? You call that a price?"

Gu Sanqiu shot Itto a glance. "Tell me, if someone took away your Vision, would it change your life?"

"Of course not!"

Itto declared confidently, "A Vision’s just a fancy trinket! With or without it, I’m still the one and only Arataki Itto!"

"Good. Keep that attitude."

Gu Sanqiu nodded. "That fox is an adeptus, a descendant of Hakushin blood. One of the oldest bloodlines in Inazuma. With her lineage and years of cultivation, a Vision doesn’t mean much to her."

On the surface, Yae Miko seemed obsessed with expanding the Yae Publishing House’s business. But for someone as cunning as her, there was no way she’d neglect more important matters.

"Anyway, I think I get what she’s after. And don’t worry—your boss is fine. In fact, she’s probably watching the Shogun from the shadows, smirking to herself."

Ah, my dear old friend… working so hard to erase the influence of a certain little boy, sulking and throwing tantrums in the Plane of Euthymia whenever things don’t go her way…

Of course, that last part was pure imagination.

Still, Gu Sanqiu was curious about the exact deal Yae Miko and Zhongli had struck.

With that fox’s nature, she’d definitely make some cryptic, suggestive remarks about the Raiden Shogun—but that wouldn’t be the real story.

Yae Miko genuinely wanted her friend to return to her old self. She would never put Ei on the bargaining table as a mere transaction.

This wasn’t some outdated, cliché "Whoever wins gets the girl" nonsense. When you truly cared for someone, you wouldn’t gamble with them like that.

So the question remained: What exactly did this dragon and fox trade?

Gu Sanqiu had no answer.

Whatever. It’s not like Inazuma’s only issue is the Vision Hunt Decree—there are plenty of other messes over there. There’s no way I can go just yet.

Besides, if I leave now and Yelan suddenly decides to copy my unrestricted talisman and mass-produce it, that would be a real headache.

If Inazuma were as close as Mondstadt, he might already be drawing up a plan. But as an isolated island nation, it was simply too far away.

Still, if Jirou Kiragi could send a confidential letter, that meant his influence within the Tenryou Commission was growing. It seemed Gu Sanqiu’s investment in him was paying off.

For now, though, he had to take care of the hungry fool in front of him.

Watching Itto continue to pile food onto his plate, Gu Sanqiu decided not to press for more details.

The Tenryou Commission and Watatsumi Island were still clashing fiercely. Everything in Inazuma seemed to be returning to its original course.

The only unknown factor… was himself.

"Am I the variable?"

Gu Sanqiu chuckled.

He didn’t believe for a second that fox hadn’t left herself a backup plan.

After all, even the Golden Boy had built his reputation in Mondstadt and Liyue before earning his title as "The Wind from Afar."

If not him, then who would Yae Miko have chosen?

Because while not everyone wanted to be the Golden Boy—everyone could become him.

---

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!