Genshin Impact's Incense Burner Of Liyue.

"Oh, now you're just picking a fight."

Tartaglia jabbed a fork into a slice of fish and popped it in his mouth. "Unless you're someone who completely ignores rules, shouldn't the things you want to do follow a little law and order?"

"You're probably right, but I'm not listening."

They clinked glasses. "So, once you're back, there shouldn't be any trouble waiting for you, right?"

"What, don't tell me you're about to start your grand plan already."

"Actually… not quite. We did put in an application to go on an archaeological expedition in Liyue, which should be approved once I'm back. I doubt we'll run into much resistance."

"An archaeological expedition? Where to?"

"Places like Tianqiu Valley or Dunyu Ruins. Mostly places that are almost deserted."

With a casual air, Tartaglia divulged Fatui plans. "And that's exactly why I don't think there will be many obstacles."

Gu Sanqiu twirled a pair of unused chopsticks between his fingers, clearly unimpressed.

"No, no. Now that you've told me, what was once unobstructed is now going to have some obstacles."

"Hey, come on, don't be like that."

Tartaglia shot a squinty look at him. "We're not doing anything destructive. Even if we run into monsters and end up hitting the ruins by accident, that's not the same as 'destroying historical artifacts,' right?"

"Those ruins have gone undeveloped for years. Don't tell me you're the type who never cared about something until someone else shows interest in it."

"That can be classified as a disorder, yes, but clearly, that's not what's going on here. I'm just having a bit of fun blocking you."

Gu Sanqiu stopped spinning the chopsticks and placed them right in front of Tartaglia with a mischievous grin.

"If you eat your whole dinner with these chopsticks, I won't interfere with your little expedition. Deal?"

"Haha, you're giving me a real challenge here."

Tartaglia sighed, setting his fork down and awkwardly picking up the chopsticks.

Snap.

Gu Sanqiu looked at the chopsticks, which Tartaglia had promptly snapped in half. He raised his hand to have a new set brought over.

"Stay calm, stay calm. Just think of these as a new type of weapon, alright?"

Gu Sanqiu offered a helpful reminder. Though chopsticks were cheap enough, Tartaglia's nervous grip was intense enough to give him pause. He didn't want him getting riled up and turning this peaceful dinner into a brawl.

"Using a weapon at its highest level makes it an extension of your body. Try adapting to the chopsticks as if they were that."

Tartaglia, intrigued, closed his eyes and tried to embrace the feeling, holding the chopsticks as though they were a natural extension of his hands.

Swish!

A flash of cold light appeared. Gu Sanqiu swiftly summoned a small shield to block the shining energy that extended from Tartaglia's chopsticks.

The table between them had been sliced neatly in half by the chopstick's icy glow, sending the food crashing to the floor.

After a pause, the chopsticks in Tartaglia's hand disintegrated into splinters, unable to withstand the force he'd inadvertently channeled.

"…Forget it. Just use a fork and knife."

Gu Sanqiu sighed. "I'll even give you a list of local bandits outside the city. When you're out there, consider clearing those troublemakers as your payment for me not getting in your way."

"And also—hurry up and order us another table full of food, you idiot!"

"I said treat it as a weapon; I didn't mean literally use it as one!"

The door opened as Gu Sanqiu arrived home. Closing it behind him, he headed straight for the incense room instead of his bed.

Some time later, Gu Sanqiu reappeared, shut the door, and let out a deep yawn.

"Tired, aren't you, kid?"

A cat emerged in the courtyard, perched on an apple tree, staring intently at him.

"Did you have an encounter during this trip?"

"Well, I guess you could say that."

Gu Sanqiu nodded. "I ran into an ancient god. He thought I was too handsome and decided to pass all his powers on to me."

"A god, you say?"

The cat looked at him seriously. "Come here; let me examine you."

"Uh, is that really necessary?"

"Necessary? Get over here!"

The cat shook its head, disgruntled. "In my prime, only those with remarkable achievements could get treatment from me. You're getting a rare privilege today."

"Back in the day, one of your ancestors even asked me if we could open a clinic after the war to make a fortune together. Truly, the Gu family's mind works in strange ways."

Gu Sanqiu obediently extended his right hand.

This creature was a venerable adeptus with ties to his ancestors, so it was safe to assume he'd be in good hands.

"Hmm. Your pulse seems steady enough. Even if you did receive an ancient god's power, it doesn't appear to be harming you."

Gu Sanqiu watched as the cat balanced on one back paw, holding his wrist with its forelegs.

"Uh… Senior, you're using your back leg to check my pulse?"

"What? Is there a problem with that?"

"No, no. It's amazing."

"Hmph. Glad you noticed."

"Well, if I can't detect anything wrong, it means there's likely nothing wrong."

"That statement feels a bit redundant."

"Shows what you know. If I detected an issue, it would imply that the power you acquired conflicts with your body, and I'd need to cast a spell to correct it."

"But if I can't find any issue, that suggests this power harmonizes perfectly with your body. As long as you don't overdo it, there won't be any problems."

"And as you grow stronger, you'll eventually have full control over it."

"Seems like all of this is based on the assumption that I did, in fact, gain some sort of power."

Gu Sanqiu couldn't resist. "And you just took my word for it, Senior? What if I was only joking?"

"Ha! I know the Gu family too well."

The cat looked up at him. "Your family has a knack for taking the truth, adding some flair, and leaving most people unsure whether to believe it. The phrase 'typical Gu family antics' has practically become a saying."

"It's the way you lot avoid a mountain of problems."

"Wait… a Senior who knows so much about the Gu family and can diagnose ailments… Are you the Medicine Furnace Elder?"

The cat jumped up and swiped at Gu Sanqiu.

"Alright, kid. I know what you're going to say. I'm old, I'm tired, and I'm lazy. That's why I look like this, and I'm nothing like I used to be. Satisfied with that answer?"

The Medicine Furnace Elder flashed his claws.

"…Completely satisfied. Please, continue, Senior. I promise I won't interrupt."

---

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