Genshin Impact's Incense Burner Of Liyue.

"Lord Azhdaha, have you… broken the seal?"

Gu Sanqiu swallowed hard. Had he just done something catastrophic?

"Broken the seal? As if it could be undone so easily. You're overthinking things, boy."

Azhdaha glanced at Gu Sanqiu. "If I could break the seal, you wouldn't just be seeing a tree with your spiritual sight right now."

"If you're here asking me these questions, it means you already have some suspicions. Say what you need to say."

Gu Sanqiu didn't hesitate. "Did the Gu family once have a branch lineage?"

"That's correct."

"Are they all… dead?"

Azhdaha shook his head. "Back then, only part of your family perished in that incident. As for the rest, I don't know. The family head at the time was Gu Sheng. What that guy was thinking, even I couldn't tell. I know your family now has only one surviving line, but why the branch lineage disappeared? That's a mystery."

"Gu Sheng… that guy hid things better than anyone."

…

The trail—or the evidence—was cold. Azhdaha had no idea what happened to the branch family.

Based on what Azhdaha had said, Gu Sanqiu had assumed the branch family had sacrificed themselves in that incident, leaving only the main lineage to carry on.

But now the problem was this: Azhdaha admitted to what had happened back then but claimed ignorance about the branch family's disappearance. That was strange.

Even if someone wanted to hide the truth, Azhdaha had already confessed to far greater things. A missing branch lineage would have been trivial in comparison. There was no reason to omit it.

"You're planning to investigate this?"

Gu Sanqiu nodded. "When I encountered the calamity gods, they became furious when they sensed me using certain powers. They screamed two things: 'Gu Sheng' and 'main lineage.' That's what sparked my curiosity."

"Gu Sheng? Are you sure you didn't mishear?"

Azhdaha stood up and paced, deep in thought over what Gu Sanqiu had said.

"Even if those things—neither truly gods nor ghosts—harbored hatred for your family, it should have been directed at Gu Shen, not Gu Sheng."

"During the Archon War, Gu Shen used every trick in the book to relieve the war's pressures. Ambushes, underhanded tactics—you name it. It doesn't make sense for their anger to target Gu Sheng instead."

"Gu Sheng's era… If I'm being honest, the worst disaster of that time was caused by me."

Tch. Still a mess.

Gu Sanqiu frowned. "You really don't know?"

"Of course not. I've been sealed. Who could possibly know all the secrets?"

Azhdaha scoffed. "If you truly want answers, ask that Morax fellow. He knows more than I do."

"If I ask the Geo Archon, he'll probably just say something cryptic like 'I've sworn an oath,' or 'Children shouldn't meddle in adults' matters.' That's all it'd take to send me packing."

"Hmph. That does sound like him."

Azhdaha's tone softened. "Leave, boy. This isn't a place you should linger."

"That earlier commotion was loud enough. It wouldn't be surprising if someone comes by soon to check on the seal. For now, it's best if you avoid crossing paths with them."

Gu Sanqiu glanced up. "One last question, Lord Azhdaha."

"Speak."

"This multi-elemental prison you constructed—where you claim no one can eavesdrop on us—who are you trying to keep out?"

"Who am I trying to keep out?"

Azhdaha snorted. "That's something you don't need to worry about, brat."

"Alright, get lost. Don't bother me while I'm resting."

Gu Sanqiu chuckled. "If I have the time, I'll drop by often, Lord Azhdaha. Of course, assuming I have the time."

"Things in Liyue are quite busy these days. The next world-shaking upheaval seems to be just around the corner."

"Upheaval? Will it be dangerous?"

"Of course it'll be dangerous. Last time I went to Mondstadt, I ran into an old-era god. Its strength was absurd."

Azhdaha glanced at Gu Sanqiu, then lay back down and closed his eyes.

"If you ever need my help, come find me. Though I'm sealed, dealing with a few second-rate nuisances is no problem."

Gu Sanqiu felt conflicted.

If he brought Azhdaha out to fight something like a hydra, half of Liyue Harbor would probably be reduced to rubble.

"Leave now. Constantly releasing my power is exhausting."

Azhdaha's voice softened. "If you have time, feel free to visit. I could use the opportunity to test your progress on the Mountain Shaking Sutra."

A sphere of Geo energy enveloped Gu Sanqiu, launching him toward Liyue Harbor like a shooting star.

The multi-elemental prison dissipated. Azhdaha's projection cast a glance toward Jueyun Karst but made no further moves.

Ten minutes passed.

"Azhdaha."

A hooded figure approached the core of the seal.

"What did you tell him?"

"Hmph. It's you. Come in if you want to talk."

Azhdaha's true form stirred within the rocky formation, opening its eyes filled with mockery.

"Morax, you've been keeping an eye on that boy, haven't you?"

"But none of that matters. You're just as scheming as Gu Sheng. Whatever the two of you are plotting, I won't let that boy come to harm!"

Azhdaha's tone grew heavy. "He's the last of the Gu family's bloodline."

"What did you tell him?"

"The boy's uncovered bits and pieces. I told him about Gu Shen and Gu Sheng."

"Gu Shen, Gu Sheng…"

Zhongli mulled over the names. "Did you tell him the truth about Gu Sheng's story?"

"Part of it."

Azhdaha's eyes held a sorrowful weight. "Whether or not they hated me, those children died because of me."

"As for the rest of the truth, I'll leave it to the boy to uncover on his own. Gu Sheng wouldn't have left these matters entirely unplanned."

"Gu Sheng once said that for the Gu family's descendants, the truth would come when the time was right. He didn't foresee that the calamity gods would drag it into the light."

"In his words, 'the time isn't yet ripe.'"

Azhdaha fixed Zhongli with a piercing look. "Morax, that boy doesn't know a thing about any of this. Was that your doing?"

"Partially."

Zhongli spoke slowly. "Gu Sheng wasn't simple. Compared to Gu Shen, Gu Sheng wasn't particularly gifted in combat. But in strategy… his talents were unmatched."

"Gu Sheng planned many things for the Gu family, but he only gave me vague hints. His true intentions were deeply buried."

"He was hiding something? Even from me?"

"Hmph. I've read those stiff, inscrutable love letters Gu Sheng wrote to the girl he liked. What else could he possibly hide?"

Azhdaha didn't respond, instead raising his gaze skyward. After a moment, he glanced at Zhongli, who slowly nodded.

"Tch. Gu Sheng… did he know the details—maybe even the truth?"

Even Azhdaha drew a sharp breath. "Was that guy really that crazy?"

"No, perhaps not the entire truth. But for someone as astute as him, even the faintest clue would have been reason enough to investigate further."

Zhongli stepped closer, placing a hand gently against Azhdaha's massive face.

"Azhdaha, do you want to be free?"

"Hmph. Of course I do. This place is driving me mad. Just now, those three little busybodies tried to investigate the seal—I sent them packing."

"And do you care about that boy, Gu Sanqiu?"

"…Of course I do."

"So do I."

Zhongli smiled faintly. "For his sake, please wait a little longer."