Genshin Impact's Incense Burner Of Liyue [277]

"Bringing me a gift?"

Gu Sanqiu gestured toward the group of people he had just beaten to the ground.

"You're not saying these guys are supposed to be my subordinates, are you? I don't need lackeys this useless. They'd just be more trouble than they're worth."

"Uh, while they aren't part of the gift, I must say this in their defense: my companions aren't weak. It's just that your strength is... exceptional."

The shadowy figure produced a longsword. "Your current weapon doesn't seem to be of the highest quality. This blade was specially chosen by my lord as a gift for you."

"So that fight earlier—was that also your lord's doing?"

"Precisely."

The figure's tone was blunt. "If you couldn't defeat them, then there wouldn't be any gift to give."

"How amusing," Gu Sanqiu muttered, squinting his eyes. "When you were sent here, did your lord happen to tell you their name or title?"

"No, they did not."

"Then I guess I'll just have to use you as a bargaining chip," Gu Sanqiu said sharply, lunging toward the shadow. "Come here!"

A swirling vortex of dark crimson flames appeared in Gu Sanqiu's palm. The powerful suction altered the surrounding force field, pulling the figure directly toward him.

"That won't do," the figure said with a faint smile. "But this was within my lord's expectations."

After tossing the weapon toward Gu Sanqiu, the figure spun gracefully, transforming into something like a curtain. The ethereal shroud wrapped around their companions, and in the blink of an eye, they all vanished from sight.

Boom!

Gu Sanqiu detonated the flames in his hand, but it was too late. The shadow's speed exceeded his expectations. Truly impressive for someone who had dedicated all their abilities to escape tactics.

"That move... could they be some kind of Inazuman yokai?"

Frowning, Gu Sanqiu pondered. The ability to suddenly transform into a curtain didn't seem like something an ordinary person could achieve.

Never mind that. Let's see what this so-called gift is all about.

Unsheathing the blade, he inspected it. The weapon's darkened surface resembled an ancient artifact that had been sealed away for years. But Gu Sanqiu, who had seen his share of fine armaments, recognized this as a restrained form—similar to a low-power mode.

Clang!

He flicked the blade with his finger, producing a crisp sound that sent faint vibrations along the edge. As the patterns on the weapon began to brighten, faint streaks of violet lightning emerged, dancing across its surface.

"Hm? A weapon imbued with elemental power?"

Gu Sanqiu paused, surprised. This wasn't the typical case where elemental power could be infused into a weapon during combat. Instead, it seemed forged with advanced techniques that allowed it to absorb and store elemental energy on its own.

For someone with a Vision, this might seem redundant, but for ordinary fighters, a weapon like this was a top-tier treasure. Properly maintained, it could function without needing a Vision wielder to "recharge" it.

"The quality is impressive, no doubt. But what's the point of this feature? Am I supposed to use lightning to cut down that recluse of a Shogun?"

It's no different than Keqing using her abilities to attack an Electro Slime.

Gu Sanqiu twirled the blade, noting how its non-reflective finish made it suitable even for assassins.

"Well, I was in need of a good weapon anyway. If the Shogun recognizes it, maybe she'll show me a little mercy."

Though… that seems unlikely. A being consumed by lifeless eternity, unmoved by anything—could such an existence really spare him?

"I've been away for some time now. By now, the Tenryou Commission should have come up with a workable policy. Time to see if there's any room to maneuver."

---

"My lord, you're finally back!"

Takahashi Haruto burst into the room as soon as he heard of Gu Sanqiu's return, his excitement as intense as if he were seeing his long-lost parents.

"What happened? Come in and tell me."

Gu Sanqiu ushered him inside, but Haruto's face remained uneasy, as though some unseen demon was lurking, ready to claim his life.

"My lord, I need to confirm… no one can overhear us, right?"

"Don't worry, we're secure."

Gu Sanqiu poured him a cup of tea. "Take your time. The sky isn't falling."

Haruto gave a wry smile. "For you, maybe not, my lord. But for me, it really feels like the sky has collapsed."

Gu Sanqiu raised an eyebrow, but before he could speak, Haruto pulled out a gemstone devoid of any embellishments. Its icy blue core bore the faint emblem of a snowflake.

"This is…?"

Gu Sanqiu stared in shock. "When did you get this?"

"Not long after you left, my lord. I presented the suggestions you gave me to the Tenryou Commission. They appreciated them, and then this appeared."

Haruto tried to describe the moment.

"All I know is, I suddenly felt this overwhelming sense of hope—a belief that I could stand tall, protect my family, and change our fate. That's when this Vision appeared."

Forgive me for burdening you all with the weight of the world's sorrow. If you can endure my cold resolve, then your hearts must burn with desire.

So, ignite the old world in my stead.

"Burning desire, huh?"

Gu Sanqiu gazed at the Vision in Haruto's hand. An ice-element Vision—perhaps this was how one earned such a gift.

The world doesn't revolve around you, but your world is yours to build.

If you refuse to accept a tragic fate, you must light the flames of revolution and turn the old era to ash.

"You haven't bonded with the Vision yet, have you?"

Haruto gave a nervous laugh. "Of course not, my lord. Working for the Tenryou Commission, I'd be courting disaster if I dared to attune myself to it."

"Fair enough."

Attuning to a Vision required a private interaction, akin to a personal handshake. This process allowed it to become an extension of the user, like an elemental organ.

A clever design. Without it, Haruto would have likely been seized by the Vision Hunt Decree enforcers already.

Worse, if Haruto had bonded with the Vision, he might have become just another pawn without memory of why he received it in the first place.

"So, do you want the Vision's power?"

Gu Sanqiu's gaze sharpened. "Using it could earn you recognition from above, rather than having it forcibly taken.

"At this stage, they aren't targeting public servants yet. The risk is low—but it's still there."

"The choice is yours."

---

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