章 101: Genshin Impact's Incense Burner Of Liyue [101]
"'A living aura?' You're joking, right?"
Gu Sanqiu's face went slack with disbelief as he looked at Tartaglia. "Do you realize what this would mean?"
If this thing was genuine, then maybe he really had seen a ghost.
"Ah, so you do know something about that existence." Tartaglia's expression was one of smug satisfaction, like everything was falling into place.
"The former ruler of Mondstadt, the Lone King of the Tower—the fierce Wind Archon Decarabian."
"You're messing with me." Gu Sanqiu downed the rest of his tea in one gulp. "The Archon War was over ages ago; Decarabian's rule has been gone for who knows how many years, and now you show me something like this?"
He raised an eyebrow. "The Seven govern the world now. Are you saying Barbatos doesn't count as a god anymore?"
"I never joke about matters like these," Tartaglia replied with a smile. "Maybe that's why the Knights had to cook up some excuse to seek outside help."
"And we both know Archons don't just disappear. So, if artifacts carrying this sort of aura have begun showing up, it's no wonder the Knights suddenly want Liyue to join this so-called symposium."
Tartaglia pointed to the piece in front of them. "We both know that these things carry leylines' aura. But if this one also carries an elemental resonance—one laced with a fierce, almost emotional wind—you know what that implies."
Gu Sanqiu chuckled dryly. "And you don't think the Geo Archon would catch wind of this? You think the title 'Warrior God' is just something other people stuck onto him?"
"You know, Archons are called Archons for a reason. Raw power is one thing, but it's not the only thing. Besides, could the Geo Archon really protect everything in Liyue?"
"Yes, I know that all too well." Gu Sanqiu ran a hand through his hair and scribbled another pill recipe onto a scrap of paper, passing it to Tartaglia. "Since that intel turned out to be useful, here's another formula—consider it a little tip."
He stood to leave. "I'm heading out. See you in Mondstadt. Maybe we'll even have time for another match."
Tartaglia's eyes gleamed. "I'm looking forward to it."
"Let's hope not. Fighting you is exhausting, and they're already on my case about 'keeping it under control' this time around."
With a wave, Gu Sanqiu hurried home.
"Seeking to learn the ways of destiny, one must read the Journey to the West… Not copper nor iron nor steel, yet hidden under Mount Sumeru… Monkey King, oh Monkey King…"
At home, Gu Sanqiu pulled out the best pen and ink he had, using his calligraphy skills to write out some cryptic phrases that even Liyue natives would find incomprehensible.
Then he shoved the paper into his Goldfinger—
No reaction.
"Are you kidding me?"
When the familiar trade screen failed to appear, Gu Sanqiu flung his brush down in frustration and collapsed onto the floor, staring up at the ceiling.
"Maybe cutting corners wasn't the best strategy. Guess that means I won't be finding any mysterious 'helpers' for this trip."
The mention of potential encounters with Archon-level entities made Gu Sanqiu feel uneasy. His attempt to trick the Goldfinger into giving him something truly powerful had clearly flopped.
"Calm down. Calm down… Even if this thing has Decarabian's aura, it doesn't prove anything on its own."
Gu Sanqiu sat up, propping his chin in his hands as he thought it over. "Maybe it's just an old artifact that's held onto its elemental signature, barely touched by the leylines for all these years?"
Completely impossible.
The fact that Tartaglia had it at all meant it couldn't be rare in Mondstadt. If there were only one of them, he could chalk it up to chance, maybe even fate—but if there were a lot of them, then it was clear Mondstadt was up to something.
"And if this is some fragment of the God of Storms, Mondstadt might see an upgrade to its usual hilichurl lineup—frost armors, rock plating, you name it."
Just because you can clear a level 70 dungeon doesn't mean you're ready to waltz into a level 90 one. One swipe from the local boss might be enough to end him.
"Decarabian… Decarabian…" Gu Sanqiu suddenly felt like skipping Mondstadt altogether. Let someone else handle it.
Even if Barbatos re-sealed Decarabian's tomb with a single shot, a lot could still go wrong before then.
But if he didn't go, who would?
His sister had to stay in Liyue. Sending the Tianquan herself over a mere competition? Absolutely out of the question.
Keqing? She had her own ambitions, but her power might not be enough to hold down the fort. Plus, her sharp tongue could stir up chaos if she muttered something about "change being inevitable" in front of Barbara or something.
The God of Freedom might forgive her… but the local guards with Thompson SMGs would not.
And the other Qixing… Tian Shu had just been threatened by his sister and was currently buried under a mountain of work, and the others were putting in extra hours to match his pace.
"So… it's looking like I'm the best option," Gu Sanqiu sighed.
As for the other notable figures, such as Ganyu, Beidou, or Yanfei, none of them had the kind of status to officially represent Liyue.
And the family's ancestors? Best not even think about them. Baizhu's tendency to work his assistants to the bone was something he'd have to address later.
"Looks like it's up to me. I'd better bring a hefty stack of mora. Worst-case scenario, I'll buy out Dawn Winery's entire stock and hold an endless drink-fest to win people over."
He cleared his throat, turned, and made his way to the basement.
"I used to think that stuff like 'Broken Number One' was just a bit of fun. When would a civil servant like me ever need weapons like that? Turns out that might've been shortsighted."
With a faintly uneasy smile, Gu Sanqiu muttered to himself, "I guess I see now. The world isn't exactly safe; I've just been hunkering down in Liyue Harbor, out of reach of anything too wild."
He returned to the courtyard, carrying a heavy case, his expression growing more resolute.
"The blessings of our forebears gave us this era of peace…"
His voice softened as he looked toward the distance.
"But now it's time to face the dangers of the world myself, to safeguard that peace with my own hands."
---
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