Genshin Impact's Incense Burner Of Liyue [367]

"Let's go. Time to have a little chat about dreams and life."

Gu Sanqiu cast a glance back at the decapitated evil god fountain statue, frowning.

That man's attitude was off. But once opened, the statue revealed nothing but an ordinary puppet—completely unremarkable.

The contradiction unsettled him, nagging at him like a forgotten thought just out of reach.

"The entrance we came through is gone now, thanks to your bombs. How are we supposed to find another way out?"

"Relax."

Gu Sanqiu placed a reassuring hand on Xingqiu's shoulder. "With me here, I could carve out a path even if there isn't one. Besides, we're underground. Do you think my Vision is just for show?"

The two disappeared from the casino, leaving the panicked guests in a chaotic rush toward the exits.

Boom!

Despair filled their faces as they realized the exits were also blocked by bombs Gu Sanqiu had somehow placed earlier.

"Quick! Move everything out! Someone's infiltrated!"

Elsewhere, cloaked figures were hurriedly coordinating a retreat, frantically loading evil god statues onto carts.

"Damn it! How were we discovered? Every single person who entered was subjected to psychological conditioning. Exposure was impossible!"

"Could it be... some higher-level existence? But why would someone of that caliber go out of their way to sabotage us?"

One of the cloaked figures paced angrily. "We were so close! Just a little longer, and this plan would've shown real results. Damn it!"

"What's so damnable?"

The wall twisted, revealing a circular opening. Gu Sanqiu and Xingqiu emerged, stepping through with casual confidence.

"To be fair, for Liyue, people like you pulling stunts like this are indeed a bit of a nuisance."

"Who are you?!"

"If I said I was your father, would you bow and pay your respects? If not, then let's skip the introductions."

Gu Sanqiu vanished in a blur and delivered a solid punch to the man's gut, flooring him instantly.

Xingqiu dashed toward the workers, intercepting those attempting to transport the remaining statues, leaving the interrogation to Gu Sanqiu.

"Now, spill. What are these statues for? Speak honestly, and I'll consider letting you live a bit longer."

Gu Sanqiu crushed the man's right hand under his foot. "If you don't talk, I'll break each of your joints one by one. Complete dislocation and destruction—it might even be fun to watch. What do you think?"

"The god... the god will avenge me, you filthy mortal!"

The cloaked man managed to grit out these words before his head lolled to the side, black blood dripping from his lips.

"Hiding poison in your mouth? Bold, but not exactly bright."

Gu Sanqiu released the lifeless body, stowing his dragon-scale shield and forming a hand seal with his left hand.

"Come forth, soul."

In the next moment, a translucent, spectral version of the cloaked man appeared, floating in Gu Sanqiu's grasp. Upon realizing its predicament, the soul visibly trembled.

"Spill it. Otherwise, I'll consign you to the elemental cycle, with no chance at reincarnation."

"Filthy mortal..."

Bang!

Gu Sanqiu crushed the soul into fragments with his right hand. Mental energy spread like a net, capturing the shattered remnants.

He closed his eyes, sorting through the extracted memories. When he reopened them, his gaze was icy cold.

"I'm still not entirely sure what you were made of, but at least I know where you came from."

Sumeru.

"So, Sumeru scholars dared to stir up trouble in Liyue? Gutsy."

Gu Sanqiu glanced at the scattered evil god statues. "Even if you refuse to speak, did you really think I couldn't figure it out myself?"

"Xingqiu, we're done here. This is out of our hands now. Time to leave the cleanup to Keqing and the others."

Xingqiu sheathed his weapon. "What a shame. We barely got to enjoy the performance at Jihai Pavilion before you dragged me off to play the hero."

"Still, it wasn't a waste. At least we know what these people were up to."

Gu Sanqiu shook his head. "You saw it too. Every guest here was under the influence of those statues. That's why I blocked the exits with bombs."

"They can't leave. Not a single one. Who knows if we could detect their mental interference once they're outside?"

Xingqiu frowned. "So, this place functions like a contagion? That's why it's gone unnoticed—because every visitor's mind has been suppressed?"

"Exactly. Jihai Pavilion is just a front, a container for selecting their targets."

Gu Sanqiu ruffled his hair in frustration. "Anyway, round everyone up. The Ministry of Civil Affairs has specialists in this field. If they can't handle it, they can call for reinforcements from Minlin."

"Where are we headed now? Did you find out who's behind this?"

"If I did, we'd already be there."

Gu Sanqiu rolled his eyes. "You go back to find Buyu Raimei and Kazuha. Have the Ten Pull Guild take over here. Take everything—except for the evil god statues. Even rip out the floor tiles if you have to, got it?"

"You've got some nerve..."

Gu Sanqiu escorted Xingqiu back to the surface, where they split up—Xingqiu to secure the loot, and Gu Sanqiu to seek reinforcements.

Activating the wind element, Gu Sanqiu flew into the wilderness. Once certain he was alone, he tilted his head back and shouted at the top of his lungs:

"XIAO!"

Whoosh!

A streak of green light descended. The Vigilant Yaksha appeared, long spear in hand, arms crossed as he regarded Gu Sanqiu.

"You called me. What is it?"

Gu Sanqiu exhaled deeply. Success in summoning the powerhouse!

"Long story short, scholars from Sumeru have been experimenting with strange evil god statues, manipulating mental energy and emotions for some kind of research."

Gu Sanqiu retrieved a statue from his spatial storage.

"This one. Can you trace its origin? Let's find whoever's behind it and eliminate them, like we did with the Sanxuan Society."

"Evil god statue..."

Xiao frowned as he studied the object. "I don't recognize it. But tracing its source should be doable."

With his jade spear in hand, Xiao placed its tip against the statue's forehead. Threads of green mental energy flowed into the statue.

Hum.

Waves of green and black rippled outward from the statue, with the black tendrils pointing in a specific direction. Gu Sanqiu's eyes lit up.

"That way! Xiao, this thing has a hierarchy. Let's take out the leader!"

"Very well."

Xiao grabbed Gu Sanqiu by the shoulder, and with a deafening sonic boom, the two surged toward the source of the dark energy.

Deep in the mountains, a man in a scholar's robe opened his eyes, gazing at the black evil god statue soaking in a blood pool.

"Enemies... powerful ones."

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T/N: updates will be sporadic leaving country for 3 weeks

...

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