Genshin Impact's Incense Burner Of Liyue.

"Excuse me, young man. Could you tell me where your village chief is?"

Gu Sanqiu had arrived in Konda Village and greeted a boy sitting under a tree, his nose running.

"Huh? You're an outsider?"

The boy looked up, tears still visible on his face.

"That's right. I'm here to speak with your village chief about something."

Gu Sanqiu walked over and sat under the tree. "Can you tell me what the village chief is doing right now?"

In games, NPCs tend to stay in one place, but reality is rarely so simple.

As the village head—especially with the Sakoku Decree and the Vision Hunt Decree in effect—Konda Denjiro, an elderly man who couldn't even handle cleaning mushrooms, often had to run around to keep Konda Village safe and stable.

Of course, it's worth noting that he also had to cover up for the mischief of the village's younger residents—a practice borne from neighborly bonds but not exactly commendable.

"The village chief is probably out gathering herbs with the others," the boy said, wiping his tear-streaked face. "In a few days, some important people from Inazuma City will come to collect medicinal materials. The adults say it's one of the village's major sources of income."

"Big brother, do you know what 'income' means?"

"Uh, you can think of it as making money."

"Oh, I see."

Gu Sanqiu handed the boy a handkerchief. "But why are you out here by yourself, little guy? Don't you know it's dangerous out here with so many bad people around?"

"I'm not scared!"

The boy suddenly puffed out his chest with pride. "Uncle Shoutou is a famous samurai in our village. As long as he's here, no bad people would dare come to our village!"

Shoutou?

The guy who lost his Vision?

Wait, the timing doesn't match. Who knows if he still has his Vision now?

"Well, even so, it's still dangerous for a kid to wander around alone. Didn't your parents teach you that?"

In this world, the wilderness was full of monsters, treasure hoarders, and even local menaces. Adults had to tread carefully, let alone children.

"I… I don't want to go back."

The boy hugged his knees and lowered his head. "Mom and Dad are always busy working. They don't have time for me."

"Are you feeling lonely? Do you want a friend?"

"No, not a friend. I just want to have a proper meal with them and talk to them," the boy said. "Why do they work so hard? I'm not one of those spoiled kids from the big city. I could help out and contribute to the household. Why won't they let me?"

"Your parents are doing it for you. You know that, right?"

"Yes, but… I don't care about expensive things. All I want is to have a nice meal and talk with them."

"That's how parents are. You seem like a thoughtful kid, so they probably think what they're doing is reassuring you."

Gu Sanqiu ruffled the boy's hair. "And who says you're not spoiled?"

"Huh? I'm spoiled? But I don't ask for expensive toys or clothes, and I don't bug my parents to take me to Inazuma City. Everyone says I'm a sensible kid."

The boy looked up at Gu Sanqiu. "Big brother, am I not doing enough?"

"No, you've done very well."

Gu Sanqiu smiled. "That term means living in wealth and privilege. Simply put, it refers to being surrounded by luxury."

"But for your family, your parents are giving you the best conditions they can. Everything they do is for you."

"When you eat fish, they give you the part with no bones, the best portion. When there are new clothes, they think of you first."

"Even if your life doesn't include clothes encrusted with jewels or servants at your beck and call…"

"To your parents, you're as precious as a king."

Gu Sanqiu chuckled and stood, extending his hand to the boy.

"Sorry if this is a bit heavy for a kid to understand. Why don't you come back to the village with me?"

"If you're unsure where to start, start by going home on time so your parents won't worry. How about that?"

"The more they worry about you, the harder it is for them to concentrate, and they'll be even more exhausted at work."

"Okay, I'll do that!"

The boy grabbed Gu Sanqiu's hand and stood up. "Thank you, big brother. I'll wash your handkerchief and return it to you."

"Keep it. Consider it a keepsake."

Gu Sanqiu patted the boy's head. "Remember, it's a promise to yourself."

"Got it!"

"So that's the situation," Gu Sanqiu said, sipping tea. "That's why I decided to wait in the village until you returned, Chief."

"I see. But for you to say such things, you're clearly not an ordinary wanderer," Konda Denjiro said.

Two strong young men stood behind the village chief, clearly there to back him up.

Though the stranger had done nothing suspicious after arriving in the village—in fact, he'd even gone out to hunt wild boars and brought them back to prepare a feast for the villagers—years of experience had made the old man wary.

"To be fair, even if you didn't investigate what I told the boy, you could've figured something out just by looking at my outfit."

"My apologies. Recently, there have been reports of unidentified intruders spreading strange ideas to the children."

"Is that so?"

Gu Sanqiu nodded. "Then I'll get straight to the point. I came to the village to trade for a few things."

"Trade?"

Konda Denjiro looked puzzled. What could this young man want? Manpower? Loyalty?

"Judging by your expression, it seems I wasn't clear."

Gu Sanqiu opened a large bag he carried. "This is what I've brought to trade."

The sound of clattering metal filled the room as long blades, bows, and even a set of half-armor spilled out of the bag.

"These… these are weapons from those wandering samurai!"

Konda Denjiro's eyes widened in shock. "Young man—no, sir—did you defeat them?"

"Defeat them? You could say that," Gu Sanqiu replied casually.

A chill ran down Konda Denjiro's spine. He understood what the stranger meant and realized this was not someone to trifle with.

"To appear kind and ruthless in equal measure… Such contradictions make you hard to trust," the old man thought.

"I need food, clean clothes, and a map that will get me safely through the Byakko Plain to Inazuma City," Gu Sanqiu said.

"In return, these weapons are yours. Whether you keep them for yourselves or hand them over to the Shogunate army for a reward is up to you."

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Ahem! Gather close, esteemed audience! Do you comprehend the privilege of basking in my radiance? Truly, you're witnessing history in the making—a performance unparalleled in the annals of Fontaine!

Ah, but don't get distracted! Let me be clear: this brilliance isn't conjured from thin air. No, no, no! It requires effort, dedication, and… well, a touch of your generosity. If you fancy being part of something truly extraordinary, do step forward here: [patreon.com/WiseTL].

Oh, but wait! You're probably wondering, "Furina, how can someone as magnificent as you need assistance?" To that, I say: why deny mortals the honor of contributing to such greatness? Supporting me is supporting art, and who doesn't want to say they were instrumental in a legend's rise?

Now, off you go. Make your offerings, and perhaps, perhaps, I'll acknowledge you in my next soliloquy!

— Furina ✨