Genshin Impact's Incense Burner Of Liyue.

"Ugh, I knew it! She called you here, didn't she?"

Gu Sanqiu rolled his eyes dramatically. "Here I was hoping for some touching scene where my ever-diligent elder sister finally remembered her poor, lonesome younger brother. Guess not."

"Come now, you're an adult. Stop sulking," Ningguang said with a soft smile.

"By the way, how do you plan to design that amusement park of yours? If it interests me, I might even provide you with some extra Mora."

"Nah," Gu Sanqiu shook his head. "If I'm going to do this, I'd rather fund it myself. Though, if I can scrape some of the Sanxuan Society's money, that'd be the perfect scenario."

"Good boy."

Ningguang stepped closer and pinched his cheeks affectionately. "So, are you planning to collaborate with that Harbinger to formally take over some of the Sanxuan Society's shady businesses?"

"Wait, don't tell me you have spies in the Fatui—or even worse, a mole right in my operation!"

Gu Sanqiu's eyes widened in mock horror. "Only three people know about this, tops. Amir isn't secretly your agent, is he? Or is he just another loyal follower bowing at your feet?"

"Do I really need spies to figure you out? You're my brother. I know exactly how your mind works," Ningguang replied, a knowing smirk on her face. "An opportunity this tempting? There's no way you'd let it slip."

"Heh, you got me," Gu Sanqiu admitted with a grin. "So, you probably also know what I'm planning, right?"

"Yes," Ningguang said, settling back into her seat. "But while the Fatui may have many operatives, using this scheme to slow their activities in Liyue will only achieve marginal results."

"That's fine by me. Marginal results are better than none. These things take time. Besides, that Harbinger isn't an ordinary person. If I push too hard, I'll only make him suspicious."

"That's one way to look at it," Ningguang mused. "At least it'll restrict some of their personnel and force a portion of their operations into the open."

"This wasn't something you just thought up while taking down the Sanxuan Society, was it? What else have you done?"

"Hmm, let me think..." Gu Sanqiu rested his chin on his hand. "Telling him where to find a Geo Dragon Lizard counts, right?"

Ningguang's hand froze midair, spilling a drop of tea onto the table. "A Geo Dragon Lizard? That massive thing?"

"Yep. Official records say it once shook mountains alongside the Dragon King. I told him its location and mentioned its multi-layered seal and tendency to hibernate."

Ningguang gave her brother a long, appraising look. "Someone once told me you and that Harbinger had a bond beyond mere friendship. I didn't believe it then, but now... I'm starting to wonder."

"What?! Sis, slander is a crime! Who told you that? Tell me their name so I can have a little... conversation with them."

"I'm sure you're already plotting your revenge as we speak. No thanks," Ningguang replied, rubbing her temples. "If you weren't my brother, leaking classified information like this would've landed you in jail for a very long time."

"And if you hadn't asked, I wouldn't have told him anything!"

Gu Sanqiu grimaced. "Seriously, though. If I told someone like that crazy woman about this, she'd probably drag me off to prison herself. Our little chat would be happening in a cell—with you visiting as my concerned relative."

"Watch your words. Keqing was your childhood friend. Don't call her a 'crazy woman,' even if you're joking."

Ningguang shook her head. "Aside from the Geo Dragon Lizard incident, anything else?"

"Nope. I figured one dragon was enough to keep him busy for a while, but it turns out he didn't take the bait. A failed attempt at borrowing trouble, I guess."

"That makes sense. Unlike the mythical Dragon King, the Geo Dragon Lizard has kin—a whole clan, even. Both folklore and official records have plenty to say about it. A Harbinger wouldn't risk provoking it without preparation."

"Do you want him dead that badly?" Ningguang asked, raising an eyebrow. "I thought you two were friends."

"We are. From a purely personal perspective, we're friends. But the Geo Dragon Lizard thing was more of a test than an actual assassination attempt," Gu Sanqiu explained. "That guy still has hidden cards, and I don't think a brainless lizard could take down a Snezhnayan Harbinger."

"Clearly, the plan failed, so now I'm working on limiting his ability to deploy manpower."

Spreading his hands, Gu Sanqiu added, "I don't believe the Fatui are playing around in other nations or holding speed-dating events for their Tsaritsa. If I can obstruct them, I will."

"Well, in that case, you're the right person for the job. It's convenient, too," Ningguang said, rising from her seat. "I'll leave you to it. Try not to stay up too late, alright?"

"Yes, ma'am. Your orders are my command," Gu Sanqiu replied, tossing two small bottles her way. "Here, I prepared these for you. They'll help detoxify your system, improve your skin, and relieve fatigue. Don't skimp on them, okay? If you get sick when you're older, I'm the one who'll have to deal with it."

"Brat," Ningguang said with a chuckle, catching the bottles before exiting through the main door.

Oddly, not a single passerby—or even the animals in the street—seemed to notice her presence.

"Wow. Still as impressive as ever," Gu Sanqiu murmured, clicking his tongue in admiration. "With skills like that, I wouldn't be surprised if she found some weird time domain that lets her stretch a single moment into ten."

How else could she manage to hone such techniques under her workload?

---

"Huh. Why are there so many people outside today?"

Gu Sanqiu frowned as he peeked through the window. This wasn't rush hour, yet the number of pedestrians and carriages seemed unusually high.

"Hmm. Could someone important be visiting?"

He quickly dismissed the thought. If a VIP were coming, he'd surely have been conscripted as a helper. There was no way he wouldn't know.

"So, who are these people...?"

"Excuse me, are you Mr. Gu Sanqiu?"

...

Gu Sanqiu turned his gaze to the masked man approaching his front door.

"Seriously? A Fatui member in Liyue doesn't know who I am?"

"No, we were recently reassigned here."

The masked man bowed slightly. "During our security checks, things got a bit noisy. Please accept our apologies for any disturbance, Mr. Gu."

"Uh... Honestly, you're the most polite Fatui I've ever met. Not sure why, though."

"It's out of respect for an esteemed guest."

Straightening up, the masked man gestured for his subordinate to step forward with a blue box in hand.

"This comes directly from Lord 'The Doctor.'"

"He instructed us to show you the utmost respect."

---

T/N: Gu x Childe is still my ship...Maybe I should change the cover

Hello! Thank you so much for reading this chapter. WiseTL has worked hard to bring these wonderful stories to you, and I'm so happy we could share this moment together! Don't you think stories are a little like dreams? Each one has its own colors and shapes, and they grow even brighter when shared with others.

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