Genshin Impact's Incense Burner Of Liyue [352]

"Safety concerns in Liyue Harbor?"

Gu Sanqiu paused, then silently scrutinized the servant once more, verifying the authenticity of the Feiyun Commerce Guild insignia on his clothing.

He couldn't help but wonder if this person might be some kind of impostor. After all, why would someone bring up "safety concerns in Liyue" to a self-proclaimed idle wanderer like him?

"Are you sure this is exactly what Xingqiu told you?"

The servant scratched his head. "These are the young master's exact words. As mere servants, we don't question his instructions too much."

"From the way the young master spoke, it seemed this matter was urgent. When we couldn't find you before, he had us take turns waiting outside your house, just so we could inform you as soon as possible."

"That serious?"

Gu Sanqiu frowned. Could it be the golden-haired traveler respawned nearby and Xingqiu happened to run into them? Otherwise, why would he go to such lengths to stake out my place?

The last time someone had camped outside his house, it was the undertaker from Wangsheng Funeral Parlor with a bill in hand. And that was definitely bad news.

"The young master has already contacted a few friends, including Kazuha and Buyu from the Ten Pull Society, and even Childe, the Fatui Harbinger. They're already handling some of the preliminary work."

Gu Sanqiu nodded. It seemed Xingqiu was thinking clearly—rather than waiting for him to return, he'd called on familiar allies to act.

"Lead the way. Take me to Xingqiu."

---

"Hey, Sanqiu! What took you so long?"

Buyu Raimei waved as Gu Sanqiu approached. He turned back to the large bamboo skewer in his hand, rotating it to grill a plump, juicy fish.

"What are you guys doing? I thought there was some serious safety issue to deal with."

"If I'd known you were camping out here, I'd have flown straight over. Xingqiu, couldn't you just leave me a note?"

Gu Sanqiu glanced at the group: Buyu Raimei and Kazuha grilling fish, Chongyun silently meditating, and Xiangling working at a makeshift stove with Guoba's help. A few question marks popped up in his mind.

"Is the so-called 'safety issue' that you're all at risk of committing arson while camping?"

"Do you think we're as insane as you?"

Xingqiu shot him a glare. "Of course not. Can't you see I'm injured?"

He rolled up his sleeve to reveal a savage wound.

"Here. High-grade scar remover. It'll heal the wound and match your skin tone perfectly. Bonus points for pain relief."

"Shouldn't pain relief be the priority?"

Gu Sanqiu tossed him a pill, then turned his attention to Chongyun, still deep in meditation.

"What's his deal?"

Kazuha spoke up. "Allow me to explain. This young man stayed behind to cover our retreat. He seems to have used a method to unlock a great power hidden within him and is now recovering."

"Covering a retreat? What kind of enemy forced your group into such a situation?"

Gu Sanqiu frowned deeply. Sitting down behind Chongyun, he took out several medicinal pills and pressed them against the young exorcist's back, arranging them into a formation to accelerate his recovery.

Their lineup was stacked: a former Archon, Madame Ping's apprentice, the inheritor of the Gu Hua Arts, an absurdly durable Yaksha, two "blessed children of fate" from Inazuma, and—according to the servant—a Fatui Harbinger.

If even this team needed someone to cover their retreat, what kind of monster were they fighting?

"Where's Childe? Don't tell me he nobly sacrificed himself for you all."

"Cough, don't say nonsense—I'm still alive."

Childe emerged from the shadows. "I was just scouting the enemy's movements."

"What a shame. I was hoping it was time to leave flowers on your grave."

"Don't worry. If you die before me, I'll make sure to leave some flowers for you."

The moment they saw each other, the two started bickering, leaving Buyu Raimei and Kazuha staring blankly. Xingqiu sighed and walked over to explain.

"Let me give you a heads-up: no matter how Gu Sanqiu behaves, just assume his brain isn't wired correctly."

"These two? That's just how they talk. Normal people can't get a word in edgewise."

Kazuha and Buyu Raimei immediately understood.

It's not our problem—they're just uniquely chaotic.

"Why are you badmouthing me, Xingqiu? Are you asking to be tossed into the ley lines with some ancient relics?"

Gu Sanqiu glanced around. "Everyone keeps popping out of nowhere. Where's Xinyan? Is she planning to jump out and scare me?"

"Mr. Yun had some rare free time, so the two of them went exploring. I couldn't contact them."

Xingqiu explained, "Besides, with Yun Jin's temperament, I doubt she'd let Xinyan join us for something this dangerous."

"Stop looking at her through rose-colored glasses. Xinyan's faced her fair share of danger while traveling. She's handled herself just fine, instruments and all."

Xingqiu muttered under his breath, "That's exactly why Yun Jin doesn't like you. Sure, she appreciates what you do in principle, but sending Xinyan off to distant places is another matter entirely."

Gu Sanqiu shot him a look. "Whose side are you even on?"

"The side of the arts, obviously. Artists like Yun Jin need the support of promising young swordsmen like me."

"You're overdue for a good beating."

Buyu Raimei and Kazuha exchanged another glance.

Xingqiu, who normally came across as polite and scholarly, was clearly a different person around Gu Sanqiu.

"Sanqiu's like a walking contamination source," Buyu Raimei remarked, earning a nod from Kazuha.

"Forget it. I won't stoop to your level, fanboy."

Gu Sanqiu lightly tapped several pressure points on Chongyun's back. "Done. He should wake up in 10 or 20 minutes. Where's Hu Tao? I figured she'd jump at the chance to stir up trouble."

Xingqiu shook his head. "Hu Tao and the rest of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor are still investigating. This team I put together? We're just auxiliary personnel."

"What exactly are you investigating?"

"Ley line stagnation."

"Huh?"

Gu Sanqiu raised an eyebrow. "Ley line stagnation? What, did a few dozen Geo Hypostases spawn? Or maybe a couple hundred Treasure Hoarders showed up to steal things? Why would you need this many people for that?"

"Or let me put it another way: how bad is this 'stagnation' if it requires you to summon a task force?"

Xingqiu's expression grew serious. "It's not ordinary stagnation. A few days ago, ley line energy spiked dramatically across multiple regions. This isn't normal—it's what Mr. Zhongli referred to as a 'ley line eruption.'"

The old man?

Hearing that Zhongli had weighed in, Gu Sanqiu sat up straighter. Anything requiring Zhongli's commentary was never simple.

"Tell me everything."