Genshin Impact's Incense Burner Of Liyue.

Behold, a gift from the Hydro Archon herself—bonus chapters, born of your devotion and my boundless generosity! Bask in this rare blessing!

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Being on the Tenryou Commission's turf, there was no way anyone would throw in a provocative "bodyguard testing his luck" act in such a serious setting. That would just be asking for trouble.

The slight delay offered here was simply a pretext. In reality, it gave the person a moment to process the intelligence they'd received from outside the city, weigh their options, and devise a response.

Capturing nearly a hundred bandits single-handedly and marching them to Inazuma City without anyone daring to resist spoke volumes about the kind of power this samurai wielded.

The measures taken just now included not only routine procedures that required reporting and documentation but also a handwritten order personally signed by the official, instructing the logistics department not to get any ideas about embezzling.

If such a samurai wasn't a rogue outlaw and their safety was confirmed over time, it was highly likely they would attract the attention of some high-ranking figure and be inducted into a secretive elite unit.

As for the logistics department's well-being, the official couldn't care less. What mattered was not provoking someone like this during their shift.

Worst-case scenario, if the verification didn't pass and the samurai discovered their goods had been quietly pilfered, they wouldn't play by the usual bureaucratic rules. Someone would still end up dead.

Caution—survival first!

The slender staff member repeatedly reminded himself of this in his mind.

"These two—five kilograms of top-grade jade steel and a copy of The Essentials of the Kamisato Sword Style. When can I expect them?"

"Please wait a moment. However, Lord Longhai, have you applied for a temporary residence permit and other necessary documents?"

The staff member smiled politely. "I am not particularly skilled, but I have a few friends within the Shogunate. If you require assistance, those documents can be ready for you today."

"Of course, there might be additional inquiries or verifications from other departments regarding your identity afterward. I ask for your understanding."

"I'll leave it to you, then."

Gu Sanqiu pulled a small orb from his robe and tossed it to the staff member.

"A purified artifact from one of the cursed beings. Carrying it helps relieve fatigue and enhances mental clarity."

"Thank you, my lord."

The staff member's eyes lit up. He had suspected that wandering samurai like this often carried valuable treasures, but he hadn't expected such a minor request to earn him something so precious!

This isn't just a sheep to fleece—it's a hidden tycoon!

Gu Sanqiu was respectfully escorted out of the Tenryou Commission's office, accompanied by a bespectacled young man named Jiliang.

"Sir Samurai, if you plan to stay in Inazuma City long-term, I'd recommend renting a place in Hanamizaka for now," Jiliang suggested with a smile. "Once you have a steady income, you can consider buying a house or moving to the inner city."

Tch, even in Teyvat, there are plenty of house slaves.

Gu Sanqiu sighed and said, "Got any recommendations? The place needs to be good and the process quick. If you can get it done efficiently, there'll be something in it for you."

"You're very generous, my lord, but my uncle has already taken care of my needs. I couldn't possibly ask for more from you."

"That thin staff member is your uncle?"

"Yes, thanks to him, someone like me—a frail scholar with no combat ability—can intern at the Tenryou Commission."

Jiliang chuckled awkwardly. "Otherwise, I'd probably have been eliminated in the first round of selections due to my health."

"That's why I set high standards for myself in my work. Since I lack in other areas, I focus on excelling where I can."

"A commendable mindset."

Gu Sanqiu managed a faint smile. "Keep that attitude, and you'll achieve great things someday."

"Thank you, my lord."

Jiliang smiled back. His uncle had sent him to assist precisely for this reason: to know where Gu Sanqiu settled down so that documents and other necessities could be promptly delivered to him.

The second reason was to build rapport. Making connections was vital, and a strong samurai was highly valued and respected within the Tenryou Commission.

Gu Sanqiu's arrival had aligned perfectly with Jiliang's goals.

Whether they could establish a lasting connection would depend on how capable the weaker party proved to be.

"Who are those people?"

Gu Sanqiu gestured toward a group squatting by the roadside, their eyes fixed on the waists of passing pedestrians.

They immediately reminded him of petty thugs and loafers he'd seen before, their shabby demeanor a universal constant across times and places.

"Oh, them? They belong to one of Hanamizaka's gangs. I'm not sure which; there are too many of them."

Jiliang explained, "As you can see, they're likely waiting to pick targets and extort protection money."

"You don't deal with them?"

"It's not up to me. But if it were, I'd send them to the most dangerous posts in Tatarasuna to replace the hardworking and honest laborers there."

Jiliang's disdain for these petty criminals was evident, though he spoke with tact.

"Oh, that makes it simple."

Gu Sanqiu clenched his fists and walked over.

"Ow!"

"Ah!"

"Stop hitting us!"

Jiliang stood frozen as Gu Sanqiu effortlessly dispatched the thugs with a single punch each. Even patrolling soldiers, though they said nothing, clearly didn't disapprove. While they couldn't openly applaud, they could certainly pretend not to see.

"From today until I've finished my errands, you all work for me. If you have any objections, feel free to challenge me anytime."

Gu Sanqiu picked a short dagger from one thug's waist and nonchalantly crushed it into a ball of metal.

"Like this. Got it?"

"Understood! Yes, sir!"

"We'll do whatever you say!"

After securing a rental and confirming the location, Jiliang excused himself. The rest was Gu Sanqiu's personal business, and even building rapport required a balance of closeness and restraint.

"Right, just like that. Move carefully. If anything breaks, I won't mind you paying with your lives."

Gu Sanqiu stood nearby, calmly sharpening his longsword. The rhythmic scraping sound served as excellent motivation for the thug-turned-workers.

He had heard of Hanamizaka's gangs before. In these times, gangs brought no real benefits, existing solely to disrupt public order.

Well, perhaps not all of them. Hanamizaka did have an odd gang that was harmless, though its leader was a bit of a fool.

Beating these thugs publicly and turning their dagger into a lump of iron would save him a lot of trouble in the future, deterring any wannabe troublemakers from bothering him.

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Ah-ha! So you mortals truly have outdone yourselves this time, haven't you? To think your offerings could summon forth these bonus chapters—what a feat worthy of my recognition! You've brought glory to Fontaine, and naturally, to me.

But do not think for a moment that your work is complete! This is but a single step on the journey to greatness, and there are still many more chapters, many more stages, and of course, many more opportunities to bask in my brilliance.

So, continue your efforts, loyal followers! Shower this endeavor with your support, and who knows? Perhaps I shall reward your dedication with even grander displays of my magnificence.

For now, savor these bonus chapters. And remember, this is your moment to shine... because I allowed it.

With admiration and just a dash of benevolence,

Furina ✨