Genshin Impact's Incense Burner Of Liyue [287]

"Ahhhhh—"

Buyu Raimei's scream echoed in the air as Kazuha and Gu Sanqiu ascended steadily, arms crossed and calm expressions on their faces.

If one ignored the scorched earth beneath them, as though it had been bombarded with incendiary shells, the scene might even pass as impressive. At least for now, they looked like characters from a war movie, narrowly escaping a fiery explosion.

Though, it was undeniably awkward.

"We could have just used the power of Visions to travel faster, couldn't we?" Buyu Raimei turned toward Gu Sanqiu, the mastermind behind the plan. "Even if you don't have a Vision, onmyodo should let you do something similar, right?"

"Something's off about you," Gu Sanqiu shot back. "You've never used Electro for movement?"

Whether it was short-distance dashes or large-scale teleportation, Electro energy, while not as versatile as Anemo, was supposed to be one of the best for speed.

Yet here he was, undermining Electro's reputation. What a disgrace.

"Of course not! We're not adventurers. In daily life, we rarely face terrain that can't be crossed on foot. Besides, Kazuha's Anemo Vision is way more convenient."

Gu Sanqiu glanced at Kazuha. "See that? Overreliance on others leads to a loss of basic survival skills. Classic bad example."

"Couldn't agree more," Kazuha replied.

"Using this kind of method to travel isn't exactly a basic skill!"

"I think it counts."

Gu Sanqiu mentally referenced a certain adeptus in Liyue who always showed up when summoned.

"Alright, ditch the protective gear. Time for the main event."

Gu Sanqiu looked ahead at the neat and silent formation waiting for them.

"These guys look way stronger than the guards we've faced so far."

Kazuha nodded. "Judging by their attire, they're likely private guards for high-ranking officials. Definitely not the Tenshukaku's regular troops."

"Private guards, huh? No wonder they're tougher than standard soldiers."

Gu Sanqiu rested a hand on his weapon's hilt. "What's the plan? Charge through like before?"

"No need."

Buyu Raimei nodded toward the parting formation ahead. "It seems someone important wants to talk to us."

"Who are you?"

A wary-looking woman holding a longbow stepped forward from the center of the formation.

"Why are you trespassing in the Tenshukaku?"

"We wish to meet the Shogun," Kazuha stated firmly.

"How absurd. The Shogun is not someone you can meet on a whim. Surrender your weapons and Visions now, and the Tenryou Commission may show leniency for your crimes."

Gu Sanqiu chuckled softly. "General Kujou Sara, 'leniency' doesn't sound very credible coming from you."

He drew his weapon slightly from its sheath. "If we can't talk this out, please step aside. Otherwise, we'll have to try our earlier method again."

"How dare you resist?"

Lightning crackled in Kujou Sara's hand, and dark wings flickered faintly at her back.

"It's not about daring—we've already begun resisting."

Gu Sanqiu unsheathed his weapon. "No point in wasting words!"

Boom!

Lightning flashed across the sky, a massive bolt crashing down toward Gu Sanqiu.

"Genzawa!"

Kazuha and Buyu Raimei's faces twisted in shock as the thunderclap's repulsive force pushed everyone—Sara's troops included—away. The target of this attack was unmistakable: Gu Sanqiu.

"Bring it on!"

Gu Sanqiu roared as dark red flames and the Pyro apparition behind him surged into his blade. The weapon, originally infused with Electro, now bristled with explosive power.

"Slash!"

The dark red blade cut skyward, but the overwhelming lightning quickly consumed it, smothering even the sound of an Overload explosion beneath the roar of thunder.

Roar!

When the lightning faded, a furious cry echoed from the crater it had left behind. Gu Sanqiu emerged, cloaked in fiery armor, his blade pulsing with molten energy. He unleashed a searing slash toward the source of the lightning.

A strike toward the heavens.

Every pair of eyes, friend and foe alike, locked onto Gu Sanqiu in stunned silence.

Everyone knew who had summoned that lightning and marveled at the audacity of a mere warrior daring to strike back.

A flash of violet lit the sky. Gu Sanqiu's fiery slash was effortlessly erased by a surge of immense Electro energy.

"Bring them to me."

The calm voice from above made Kujou Sara's body tremble. She turned to Gu Sanqiu and his companions, her eyes still wide with lingering shock.

"Follow me. The Shogun will see you now."

"Genzawa, are you alright?"

"Do I look alright?" Gu Sanqiu's flames dissipated, revealing tattered clothes beneath.

"If it weren't for a few life-saving talismans in my arsenal, I'd probably be cooked medium-rare by now."

The first strike had overwhelmed his pyro delusion almost instantly, forcing Gu Sanqiu to layer shield upon shield around himself. Thankfully, the lightning was pure Electro energy—though absurd in quantity. If it had carried the will of a blade or martial techniques, even his shields wouldn't have spared him serious harm.

As for his second strike, well... that was just a moment of frustration. Best left unmentioned.

"Good to see you're okay," Buyu Raimei sighed. "That earlier attack—was it..."

"No, just a regular elemental assault. Even apprentice mages could manage something similar. It was nowhere near that strike's level."

Gu Sanqiu's lips twitched. He couldn't shake the feeling that this blade of his was going to change the course of their mission—whether for better or worse, he couldn't yet tell.

Still, the moment he unsheathed it, the Shogun's lightning had descended. He'd bet anything that wasn't a coincidence.

"What is the fox trying to achieve by giving me this sword?"

There was no doubt now—the fox had sent him this blade. No other weapon could elicit such a direct response from that person.

"Why have you come here?"

Beneath the Tenshukaku, Kujou Sara and her troops bowed respectfully as a voice rang out from the steps above.

The faint yet oppressive aura, combined with the rumble of distant thunder, weighed heavily on the trio. Even Gu Sanqiu, despite his defiance, could feel the suffocating pressure of facing this figure.

Drawing one's blade against the Shogun required immeasurable courage and an unyielding will.

Gu Sanqiu grinned, tilting his head toward Buyu Raimei. Your turn to speak.

"Shogun, I, Buyu Raimei, a samurai of Inazuma, humbly beseech you to rescind the Draft Decree. While it may seem a short-term solution, in the long run, this policy brings countless harms to Inazuma."

Buyu Raimei stood firm under the immense pressure.

"This is nothing but a feast where the aristocracy slices the power pie for themselves. It might not affect ordinary people, but for wandering samurai, it forces them into opposition against Inazuma itself, leaving no path for reconciliation!"

"This is internal strife—a shameful waste incited by the ambitions of the elite!"

"I implore you, Shogun, Inazuma's radiant ruler, to rescind this decree!"