Genshin Impact's Incense Burner of Liyue [482]

Despite Hu Tao’s endless persuasion—nearly to the point of wanting to drag Xiao along to exorcise demons—Gu Sanqiu successfully slipped away. His first instinct was to flee to the wilderness and lay low.

Although matchmaking for the Old Man sounded entertaining, it was the kind of "fun" you could help set up but wouldn’t live to enjoy. Running away was clearly the wisest choice.

“Thank goodness.”

Patting his chest, Gu Sanqiu let out a sigh of relief. If the Old Man ever revealed his true identity—or if Gu Sanqiu found out—there’d be no way he could keep indulging Hu Tao’s nonsense like this.

For now, they were still in the “we don’t know who you really are” phase. At least that ignorance provided a layer of protection—what one might call innocence by ignorance.

But if he stuck around after learning the truth and continued aiding Hu Tao’s antics, Gu Sanqiu could already imagine the Old Man’s reaction:

You’re not a child anymore, yet you indulge Hu Tao’s whims? Even joining in her madness? Off to Guyun Stone Forest to stand guard!

Everyone knew how it worked. When unsure what mistakes had been made by the household troublemakers, start by punishing the eldest.

What a pain.

Sitting in a tree, Gu Sanqiu gazed out at Liyue Harbor, his thoughts too restless to consider sleeping on the Jade Chamber. The coming days were bound to be hectic, and going up there now would just sap his motivation.

Even though his older sister would undoubtedly rope him into handling administrative duties under the guise of “training,” she’d still pamper him along the way.

For instance, while managing paperwork, he’d have access to late-night snacks, tea, and desserts. At home, if he wanted to eat, he’d have to make it himself.

His sister would also insist he get proper rest, likely nagging him about not kicking off his blanket at night.

“Nothing fun to do. Yaya probably doesn’t have the energy to spar with me lately either.”

Maybe I’ll chat with Old Lord Azhdaha?

Gu Sanqiu instinctively shook his head. One careless comment around Azhdaha and he’d end up as the old dragon’s eternal sparring partner, getting beaten day and night under the Dragon-Queller Tree.

“Let’s go. Time to check out The Chasm.”

Standing up, Gu Sanqiu transformed into a streak of azure light, shooting off toward The Chasm.

---

Back in Liyue Harbor, Zhongli, freshly “tormented” by Hu Tao, frowned as he sensed the direction of Gu Sanqiu’s flight. His expression darkened.

“Why is he heading there?”

Rising to his feet, Zhongli muttered, “It’s too soon. That place is still off-limits.”

The Chasm held too many secrets—be it the chaos wrought by Azhdaha millennia ago or the Beast of Disaster five centuries past. None of this was something Gu Sanqiu should confront right now.

Closing his eyes, Zhongli extended his spiritual energy toward Yao Luweng, who was playfully wrestling with cats on a rooftop.

“Yaolu, follow the path I’ve set and intercept Xiaoshanqiu. He’s heading to The Chasm.”

“Rex Lapis?”

Caught off guard, Yao Luweng froze, a kitten’s paw landing squarely on his face.

“Go immediately. No delays. And if—”

“Understood.”

Yao Luweng stood upright, bowed toward the air, and then leapt skyward, flying in pursuit of Gu Sanqiu.

---

“Whoa, what intense elemental pressure. The Chasm lives up to its name.”

As he neared The Chasm, Gu Sanqiu could feel the overwhelming waves of elemental energy mixed with a pulsating flow of leyline currents. The sensation was like a steaming bowl of thick soup spilling over.

“Feels a lot like the ruins around Stormterror’s Lair,” he murmured, furrowing his brow. It made sense now why workers in The Chasm had such strict time regulations. Without a Vision, working in this environment would be hazardous.

Teyvat didn’t have a “spiritual energy” system for ordinary people to absorb. Prolonged exposure to elemental energy here wouldn’t strengthen their bodies—it would strain their organs instead.

“Luckily, it doesn’t affect me.”

Hiding in a corner, Gu Sanqiu scrutinized the barrier array over The Chasm.

“The protective core is at the underground mine’s rift. Looks like I’ll need to use some tricks to get down there.”

He remained calm. With his family’s techniques, he could bypass most barriers at will. If needed, he could even cloak himself with leyline energy and Geo elements, pretending to be a sentient boulder to sneak past the array.

“I knew you’d be here,” a familiar voice rang out.

Yao Luweng had tracked him down. Before Gu Sanqiu could make any excuses, a paw imbued with immense strength descended on him.

“You’re coming back with me. This isn’t a place you can explore yet.”

“Tch. I expected someone to try and stop me.”

Gu Sanqiu smirked. With a quick palm strike, he redirected Yao Luweng’s force, propelling himself toward the underground mine’s rift.

“Sorry, Yao Luweng, but there’s something down there I need to see. I can’t let you stop me.”

“By the order of Rex Lapis, I must bring you back. Will you defy him?”

Gu Sanqiu chuckled. “During the Archon War? No, I wouldn’t have. But now? Times are different. I just want to take a quick look. No harm done.”

“Looks like talking won’t work.”

Yao Luweng summoned a massive cauldron reeking of medicinal herbs. As its lid flew open, an overwhelming suction force locked onto Gu Sanqiu.

“I’m not some wandering spirit or monster. Shoving me in there seems a bit inhumane.”

Gu Sanqiu unleashed his elemental power. A spear materialized in his hands and clashed with the cauldron. With his free hand, he drew a blade and slashed at Yao Luweng’s incoming paw.

“Don’t underestimate me.”

Yao Luweng effortlessly shattered the blade with a swipe, his follow-up strike landing squarely on Gu Sanqiu’s chest.

Coughing up blood, Gu Sanqiu grinned. His blood seemed to move with intent, tracing crimson runes that formed a Geo-elemental shadow, temporarily obscuring Yao Luweng’s vision.

“See you around.”

With a wave, Gu Sanqiu transformed into a massive golden rock, slipping through the array’s defenses and vanishing into The Chasm.

“Tch. Liyue’s arrays always have traces of the Gu family’s handiwork. That brat got lucky.”

Retracting his cauldron, Yao Luweng bowed toward the sky.

“Rex Lapis, your prediction was correct. He was determined to enter no matter what. Preparations have been made.”

“Leave him,” Zhongli replied. “If this is the path he’s chosen, he must be ready to face the consequences.”

He gazed skyward. “The truth itself may well be part of that price.”

“The Gu family has all but disappeared. And now, even he walks this path.”

“Is this Xiaoshanqiu’s true intent, or have you been silently guiding him all along?”

“When did the Gu family become yet another casualty of attrition? Was it my doing?”

“For a lineage lasting millennia to endure such erosion... or perhaps...

“To be a god in solitude is the ultimate toll of attrition upon us all?”

In the domain of Rex Lapis, Zhongli raised his head and whispered two words:

“Tianli.”

---

T/N: it seems the author finally gave the cat adeptus a name Yao Luweng YAO LUWENG SAY IT WITH MEEE YAO LUWENG

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!