Bab 33: Genshin Impact's Incense Burner Of Liyue. [33]
Gu Sanqiu remained silent. From a cat's perspective, this fellow was definitely overweight. But if he were a human, he might just be a slim, well-proportioned guy?
"This midnight snack was quite satisfactory, so go ahead—ask me any cultivation questions you have," the black-robed cat grinned. "Of course, if you expect me to pay, forget it. Obviously, I'm broke—well, the cat version of broke."
"Hmm, if we're talking about money, aside from the basic labor cost, food ingredients, overnight surcharge, and mental compensation fees, it does add up to quite a bit."
The black-robed cat's face stiffened.
Wait, you're seriously asking for money? Where did all these bizarre charges even come from?
Surely not all Liyue folks are like this, right?
"Hmm, there's something else I'm curious about."
Gu Sanqiu gazed thoughtfully at the cat. "If you weren't coming to my family's place, where do you usually go for food and shelter?"
"Hmm?"
The black-robed cat froze, looking confused. Gu Sanqiu raised an eyebrow and began speculating.
"Let's see, the most logical and reasonable guess is that you transform into a regular-sized cat and go around begging for treats. Or maybe you sneak into kitchens to grab a bite?"
"After all, with your skills, those would be ridiculously easy feats."
"Hey, hey, hey! Don't make me sound so low-class, meow!" The black-robed cat flashed his claws. "I'm part of the immortal ranks, okay? There's no way I'd stoop to what ordinary cats do!"
"Fair enough."
Gu Sanqiu nodded in agreement. "So, maybe you raid Liyue Harbor's strategic food reserves, or sneak into the kitchens of wealthy families? That would fit your status better, right?"
"I'm not talking about who I steal from! I'm saying this whole idea is absurd!" The black-robed cat was so frustrated that both paws flashed out, swiping harmlessly in the air near Gu Sanqiu's head.
"What's wrong with this generation of Fengxiang heirs? Don't you think your reasoning is absolutely outlandish?"
"Disrespect to an immortal," Gu Sanqiu noted seriously. "Yes, Liyue Harbor has lost much of its respect for these matters."
"Or rather, many people think these things are nothing but superstition. They prefer the tangible—like Mora."
The black-robed cat blinked, then shook his head sadly. "Maybe you're right. This isn't our time anymore."
"In this age, you'd likely be considered part of outdated, feudal beliefs," Gu Sanqiu chuckled. "For example, most young people who come to Liyue Harbor nowadays think Fengxiang practitioners are just fortune-tellers swindling money."
"Fortune-tellers? Swindlers?" The black-robed cat scoffed. "That's kind of amusing. But it's also a sign of the times. Maybe it really is time for beings like us to step back."
"There's actually a very simple and direct way to make people remember your contributions," Gu Sanqiu offered with a smirk.
"What way?"
The cat's ears perked up. While immortals might say they had accepted their diminished role, no being of their stature would ever give up so easily.
"A massive catastrophe."
Gu Sanqiu's smile deepened. "All it takes is one big disaster—something beyond human control—and people will start praying for help. And at that moment, it will be your time to shine."
"Kid, are you really a Fengxiang practitioner?"
The black-robed cat's eyes turned cold, staring intently at Gu Sanqiu. "I don't understand how someone like you could inherit the Fengxiang mantle."
"The Lord of Geo has no desire to conquer, yet he knows the suffering of the people. That's why he led the immortals to cleanse the land, seeking peace and stability. And you wish for a great disaster?"
"Do you even know what you're saying?"
"Of course, I do," Gu Sanqiu shrugged. "From an immortal's perspective, it's the fastest and most effective method."
"I'm human, so I understand human nature and its flaws."
"These days, the Rite of Descension has become a grand commercial festival. It's a time for all of Liyue to celebrate and for us greedy humans to seize more profits."
"But before that, what was the Rite of Descension about?"
Gu Sanqiu's tone became more serious. "The Geo Lord gave divine guidance to pave the way forward, to remember the past, and to honor the sacrifices of the immortals and soldiers in the Archon War."
"The incense smoke curling from the great tripod was a tribute from the people of Liyue to their ancestors, as well as a message of peace and gratitude."
"But now, it's not like that anymore."
"You've seen the changes in this era—the flourishing lights of Liyue, and how the red dust of the mortal world leaves less and less room for immortals."
"And human hearts have changed too. Perhaps that's something you immortals would rather not think about, or you deliberately avoid mentioning."
"Your view is one-sided, even extreme," the black-robed cat interjected.
"I know my views are extreme and even radical, which is why I don't interfere in Liyue's official affairs," Gu Sanqiu replied calmly. "I believe in the goodness of humanity, but I also believe that human goodness can easily be buried by the distractions and hardships of the world."
"My Gu family obeyed the Lord of Geo and rallied the Daoist sects to descend from the mountains because we believed in the light of humanity."
"Now, the Daoist sects still exist, and the Gu family has become the Fengxiang lineage. Liyue has been revived and is now the land of a thousand ships and sails."
"We can protect the incense of the immortals, but we can't safeguard the chaos in people's hearts."
Gu Sanqiu gazed deeply at the black-robed cat, then solemnly bowed to him.
"This is a prosperous era, but also a fragile one. The two great groups that have shaped Liyue throughout history seem to have reached a point of separation."
"I was merely expressing my thoughts. If I've spoken out of turn, please forgive me."
"What you said could all be considered disrespectful," the black-robed cat sighed. Then, with a wave of his hand, he tossed a glowing object at Gu Sanqiu's feet.
"That's your payment for tonight's meal and lodging. As for offering you guidance, I've lost the mood. Go to bed early, kid. Thinking about all this isn't for someone your age."
"Go witness the world, experience the mortal realm..."
With that, the black-robed cat's voice faded as his figure disappeared into the night, leaving Gu Sanqiu alone with the lingering stench in the courtyard and the softly glowing flowers in the night.
"Witness the world, experience the mortal realm..."
Gu Sanqiu looked up at the clear, starry sky of Teyvat, quietly clutching the Vision at his waist.
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