Genshin Impact's Incense Burner Of Liyue.

"Alright, you make a fair point—throwing out snarky comments is only fun when the person's right in front of you to hear it."

Gu Sanqiu nodded thoughtfully. "Still, I'm curious about this 'secret unit' you mentioned. What exactly do they look like? Don't tell me Uncle Feng Yan's one of them?"

"That's something you don't need to know. Unless you officially join one of our 'relevant departments,' then maybe you'll learn all about it."

Keqing leaned back in her chair. "So, what did you think of Mondstadt?"

"It was fine. Not much out of the ordinary. Didn't you visit once yourself?"

"Yes, but that was some time ago. A mountain range separates us, but the sights we see from here are quite different. It's rather interesting, in its own way."

Gu Sanqiu placed the file on the table. "Everything seems in order. Feels like this whole report is just to have something on record. Doesn't seem all that practical beyond that."

"Far from it."

Keqing's tone turned serious. "Dekarabian's reappearance has huge implications, both for theories on the 'undying nature of gods' and for our overall strategic response."

"Whoa, whoa. Just because some things from the Treasury Division are getting riskier, that doesn't mean you're actually planning to take down an ancient god, right?"

He raised an eyebrow at her. "From the way you're talking, it sounds like Dekarabian has been marked as a potential 'engagement target.'"

"Even without Dekarabian, there are other threats—corrupted gods and remnants from the past—that we need to address."

Keqing spoke calmly. "Whether it's for your South-North economic plans, or simply to ensure peace and security for Liyue's people, these threats need to be dealt with for the good of everyone."

"Alright, fine. I won't debate you on this. But have the Treasury guys keep an eye on their inventions; that Thunder Arrow they sent out ends up paralyzing the user too. Definitely not something to bring to the battlefield."

"Couldn't you go tell them yourself?"

"Oh, I'd rather not. They've got a mountain of unresolved issues in front of them and still have the nerve to ask me for higher-level resources. I can't condone that sort of haphazard approach."

"Don't worry; it's not your problem. Uncle Feng Yan's already submitted all his weapons reports. He's nothing like you—lazy to the core."

"Then so be it. I'm thick-skinned."

Gu Sanqiu got up. "By the way, if I'm occupied over the next few days, could you make sure nobody comes knocking?"

"You're planning to make a move against those Sanxuan Association people?"

Gu Sanqiu paused mid-step. "You're not about to tell me any of them are related to you, are you?"

"Impossible. My family wouldn't produce that kind of trash."

Keqing watched his back. "Just be careful. It's not worth getting hurt dealing with such insignificant people."

"No worries, I'm solid as a rock. Here I thought you'd offer me a few soldiers or command tokens or something."

"That I can't lend."

Keqing shook her head. "But you're right; you're hardly one to maintain a force. All you've got are those 'business partners' of yours. How are you planning to stand against those types?"

"If you don't finish off people like that in one fell swoop, they'll only dig deeper in the shadows, and things will get messier."

"Have you forgotten the time I helped you catch a few of those fools?"

Gu Sanqiu turned back with a grin, pointing to the ground and then the sky.

"I've got support everywhere. Here, there—up and down."

That night, back at home, Gu Sanqiu retrieved his fishing rod, stuck it into his storage space, and was met once again with the familiar glow of blue light.

A quick glance told him it was just another standard ingredient—not the sort of item that could be of real use.

"These pests in the shadows… it's about time to clean house."

Stacks of paper talismans lay on the table before him. With a wave of his hand, each talisman absorbed elemental energy and transformed into life-sized figures, each hovering momentarily before settling into a lifelike stance.

With their simple faces and orderly formation, armed with various makeshift weapons, even Gu Sanqiu couldn't help but wonder if this whole setup might be a bit excessive.

If an outsider saw this, they might just drop dead from shock. Anyone with the guts to report it to the Millelith would deserve some commendation.

"Go!"

With a single command, each paper figure drifted through the cracks in the door, silent and sinister. Within moments, every surveillance post around his home was swarmed by these emotionless, ghostly paper soldiers.

As the observers found themselves surrounded, their bravado quickly crumbled.

"What's happening? Is this… could it be that those forces sealed by the Gu family are finally breaking loose after all this time?"

"Damn it! We have to fight our way out. Maybe we can grab something valuable from the Gu estate in the chaos!"

"Right! Fight!"

The rallying cry had some spirit, but as each team scattered in panic, it was clear they had every intention of leaving each other to fend for themselves.

These pseudo-associates, barely on the fringes of the Sanxuan Association, didn't even know the organization's real name; Mora alone motivated their loyalty.

But the moment they scattered, the area around each post was sealed off by the endless circle of paper figures. Even the sound of their cries for help was swallowed in the eerie silence.

The paper soldiers, stacked layer upon layer, formed a tightening ring. Despite their fragile appearance, the encirclement shrank with relentless precision, and those on the front line raised their weapons.

Schlink!

Schlink!

The sound of blades piercing flesh filled the air. Blood, final gasps, and the trembling of bodies were all swallowed into the pale ball of paper.

A long while later, the paper soldiers returned to Gu Sanqiu, carrying trembling souls in their hands.

"Well, hello there, everyone. I can't say I bothered to remember your faces, but surely you must've remembered mine?"

"You…"

"Save it. I don't care to understand why you do what you do, and I'm not interested in listening."

Gu Sanqiu gripped each soul tightly, then selected a lineup of clean paper figures, standing them in a row and stuffing the souls into them.

A bone-white brush appeared in his hand, and he began etching intricate designs across each soul-possessed figure.

Splat!

Basin after basin of blood—each victim's own—was splashed over the paper soldiers. The blood-red talismans crawled over the figures like twisting serpents.

At last, those who had tasted agony and understood the price of life and flesh swarmed around their fellow soldiers, shielding those embedded with souls within their embrace.

These now fleshed-out, soul-bearing "living bodies" stood motionless, staring blankly at Gu Sanqiu, awaiting his orders.

---

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