Genshin Impact's Incense Burner Of Liyue.

Gu Sanqiu watched the little fox return to its group. It wasn't that he was unwilling to escort it himself—he had already pinpointed their habitat from the map.

The foxes' den was near an abandoned shrine, which happened to be one of the key locations in the Sacred Sakura Cleansing Ritual. Gu Sanqiu would have to be out of his mind to head there now.

If he ran into anyone significant, things could quickly spiral out of control.

That said, in the days that followed, the ghosts and malevolent spirits of Byakko Plain suffered a calamity, as if some catastrophic disaster had befallen them.

The reason? Gu Sanqiu was hunting to see if he could trigger a loot-dropping mechanic while dealing with them.

Most of the spirits, however, lacked distinct vessels, barely holding on by sheer willpower or corrupted energy. Some had absorbed just enough malice to manifest into harm-inducing spirits.

These days, though, spirits had it pretty rough.

On the Raiden Shogun's turf, they risked being struck by lightning or tossed into the Mikage Furnace as fuel.

In Liyue, a swarm of Adepti disciples and the Vigilant Yaksha constantly competed to exorcise them, with Gu Sanqiu and Xiao recently teaming up to purge the region using incense, divine arrays, and spirit-cleansing tools.

As for Mondstadt? The most likely candidate for an apex spirit had chosen to remain neutral, observing whether freedom truly could guide the land.

For ghosts that sought to stir trouble, self-burial might be a kinder fate.

"Bones, bells, charms… These really are quintessential Inazuma relics."

Gu Sanqiu packed the items into a small pouch.

To the untrained eye, they might seem like ordinary trinkets. But to those familiar with their significance, these objects, much like the powerful talismans Xingqiu once used to stabilize Chongyun's pure yang constitution, were invaluable.

His plan? Sell these items through the Adventurers' Guild in Inazuma City for a clean profit.

After all, he couldn't camp outdoors forever. While he could endure such survival conditions, he wasn't about to turn down better accommodations when they were within reach.

With this mindset, every spirit seeking him out—or being sought out by him—was reduced to nothing more than a pile of Mora in Gu Sanqiu's eyes.

"Inazuma City, huh? With my current identity and salary, I'll probably only be able to afford a place in Hanamizaka."

He stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Or should I find work at the Naganohara Fireworks Shop? They do provide food and lodging…"

With the Gu family's artistic sensibilities, fireworks shouldn't pose much of a challenge.

And who said fireworks couldn't double as weapons? They could light up the skies for festivities or, with a pull of a string, ignite a battlefield against beasts or monsters—a textbook combination of entertainment and combat.

"Then again," he muttered, "that sounds risky. Yoimiya's fireworks are flashy enough to warrant public warnings from the authorities. If I go overboard, I'll be jailed in no time."

"Tch. Why does everything I think of involve ending up in a cell? This trend is concerning."

Even the idea of lodging seemed unlikely. While Ryunosuke's hearing wasn't great, his judgment was sharp. Letting someone stay temporarily was one thing, but allowing a stranger like Gu Sanqiu to move in was a stretch.

"Guess I still don't have enough Mora," Gu Sanqiu mused, weighing the bag of cursed items in his hand.

Truth be told, being unfamiliar with the local scene meant he'd need to grease a few wheels at the Adventurers' Guild to get these items sold. The final payout was anyone's guess.

"Cutting expenses? Impossible. I'd rather brainstorm ways to earn more."

A gleam flashed in his eyes. "Wait, since I'm registering at the Guild anyway, why not take on more commissions while I'm at it?"

For instance, dealing with the remaining Kairagi and Wandering Ronin.

While there weren't many life-skill tasks available, there were likely plenty of bounties for taking down enemies.

If nothing else, he could knock them out, strip them of their weapons and armor, and deliver them alive. If the payout didn't meet his expectations, he could always sell the loot on the black market.

Thanks to a certain naval officer's meticulous teachings, Gu Sanqiu had learned the lingo and tactics of the underworld quite well.

As long as he got some leads, finding a small black market shouldn't be an issue.

Like Liyue, Inazuma's black markets were probably under the surveillance of the Kanjobugyo or the Tenryou Commission. But as long as he stayed within bounds—just selling weapons—they wouldn't interfere.

"All right, let's get to it."

He cracked his neck with a satisfying "pop," then leapt onto a tall tree. Using his vantage point and the map's marked danger zones, he began plotting a route for optimal monster farming.

---

"Mercy!"

The last Wandering Ronin fell unconscious as Gu Sanqiu struck him with the blunt side of his blade. With practiced efficiency, he stripped the man of his gear and grabbed a rope to start tying up his captives.

"Perfect. Everything's coming together nicely."

Once everyone was secured, Gu Sanqiu grabbed the other end of the rope and began dragging them out of their hideout.

As for whether the dragging would result in scrapes, bruises, or even bleeding? That wasn't his concern.

All he cared about was delivering them to the Adventurers' Guild for payment. Whether they were alive and kicking or half-dead didn't matter—the latter was even easier to manage.

Honestly, if public perception weren't an issue, Gu Sanqiu would have tied them into a single line, pulling one person while the rest trailed behind.

The reasoning was simple—he had captured nearly a hundred people. Luckily, the hideout had plenty of rope. Otherwise, he'd have had to fashion bindings from their clothes, which might've made him look like a complete deviant.

"Hmm, on second thought…"

Gu Sanqiu glanced at the bandits bound together like an amusement park's spinning teacup ride.

"This already kind of crosses into deviant territory."

"Eh, doesn't matter. When it comes to Mora, as long as it's stored safely, that's what counts. Human rights? Not their concern."

With a firm tug, he yanked the rope, causing the "passengers" to meet the ground with an uncomfortable thud. The sound alone made him shudder at the thought of enduring such treatment himself.

The grass rustled nearby.

A small fox emerged, crossing a stream and stopping to watch the unusual procession. Recognizing the familiar figure leading the way, it tilted its head back and let out a curious yip-yip.

---

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 ✨