Genshin Impact's Incense Burner Of Liyue.

The sound of crackling electricity echoed sharply from within Keqing's office, yet the patrolling guards inside Yuehai Pavilion didn't even bat an eye. Their focus remained firmly ahead, as if nothing unusual had happened.

After all, whenever Gu Xiangjun entered Keqing's office, it never took more than three exchanges of words before the sounds of combat began.

Divine beings clashing? That was well above their pay grade. Best to assume it was just their "unique way of communicating" and stay out of it.

"You shameless scoundrel, stop beating around the bush and tell me exactly what you need that money for!"

"I already told you, didn't I?" Gu Sanqiu said, completely straight-faced. "It's an idea from a friend of mine. You can call him Scrooge, or Old McDuck. I'm going to build my very own Mora Paradise."

Keqing's expression darkened, but Gu Sanqiu continued, undeterred. "The walls of Mora Paradise will be crafted from refined metal fused with magical ores, engraved with powerful enchantments. I'll source the finest materials from all over Liyue—nothing but the best and the most expensive."

"Once Mora Paradise is complete, it'll be a new landmark for all of Liyue. Not only will it elevate Liyue Harbor's reputation, but it'll also attract Treasure Hoarders looking to steal from me—giving you all plenty of criminals to apprehend. Look how considerate I am of your work!"

"If necessary, I can even collaborate with Floating Stone artisans to make my Mora Paradise levitate in the sky. But if I do that, I won't get to enjoy the envious, bitter stares of all the would-be thieves on the ground below. Such a tough choice!"

"Sword as swift as my will—"

"Stop! This is your office, you know. If you destroy it, I'm not paying for the repairs!"

Reacting swiftly, Gu Sanqiu reached out and grabbed Keqing's sword hand, pressing down gently but firmly.

"Let's keep it civil, Yuheng Star. We're adults, aren't we? Can't we discuss this calmly?"

"You're the one who refuses to have a proper discussion!"

Keqing struggled briefly but quickly realized she couldn't overpower his absurd strength. With a frustrated sigh, she dismissed her weapon, and Gu Sanqiu tactfully released her wrist.

"Now, tell me what you really plan to do with the money!"

"Mora Paradise—"

"If you bring that up again, I'll kill you!"

"But it's my dream... or at least, one of them."

For a moment, Keqing froze. Her sharp gaze softened almost imperceptibly.

"Then why not set that dream aside for now and focus on achieving your other aspirations first?"

Perhaps even Keqing didn't notice the sudden gentleness in her tone.

"No can do. This is the most achievable dream I've had in a long time," Gu Sanqiu replied, his pout so childish it made Keqing question her approach.

Compared to Ningguang, Keqing realized she still had much to learn. Beyond her role as an elder sister, how exactly did Ningguang manage to keep this unruly man in line?

"Fine. Maybe I shouldn't have even brought this up with you," Keqing muttered, waving him off dismissively. "Go do whatever it is you need to. But before that, didn't someone from Snezhnaya come looking for you? Try not to cause any trouble."

"Relax. With me around, they won't do anything to harm Liyue."

"Heh, that's exactly what worries me the most," Keqing retorted.

Her concern wasn't for the Fatui—despite their shady nature, their actions in Liyue were relatively contained. It was Gu Sanqiu who posed the real danger. The Gu family's archives contained far too many dangerous relics, and with his unpredictable personality, the odds of him colluding with the Fatui for some reckless scheme were alarmingly high.

After Gu Sanqiu left, Keqing sipped her tea and found her thoughts drifting back to a heated argument they'd once had in the Gu family estate.

Had he actually taken her words to heart back then?

Dreams... The kind unique to each person...

---

At Northland Bank, Childe raised an eyebrow as he watched Gu Sanqiu chug water from a kettle.

"You've been talking a lot, haven't you?"

"Of course."

Gu Sanqiu wiped his mouth and set the kettle down. "So, are your matters wrapped up?"

"Almost. A few members of the Sanxuan Society refused to surrender. They've since had an unfortunate accident and fallen into some ruins. Tragically, none survived."

"Well done."

Gu Sanqiu smirked. "It's about time we establish our organization."

"You mean that... Ten Pull Society thing?"

"Exactly. The Ten Pull Society."

Sinking into the plush sofa, Gu Sanqiu continued, "But we're not going to operate like the Sanxuan Society. If we follow their shady methods, we'll just end up on the Qixing's blacklist."

"Oh? And if it comes to that, won't you just clean house yourself?"

"Of course not. As your partner, I'd make sure to tip you off early so you can run for it. Trust in my integrity."

"Integrity?" Childe snorted, shaking his head.

"When we returned, we saw the Millelith escorting a large group of prisoners out of the city. Not five minutes later, those prisoners suddenly dissolved into pools of blood. The Millelith didn't even flinch—kept their formation perfectly."

Childe sighed. "Honestly, if I didn't know better, I'd think the Qixing staged it deliberately, timing it to intimidate us."

"Oh, great. Now I'll have to cover the dry-cleaning costs for their uniforms."

Escorting Sanxuan Society members required elite Millelith squads, so it was no small affair. Yet to those soldiers, such incidents were nothing more than a fleeting horror scene—one they'd soon forget.

"Back on topic," Gu Sanqiu said, leaning back. "What's our main focus for the Ten Pull Society? Got any ideas?"

"Let me think..."

Childe frowned in thought.

Then promptly gave up.

"You decide."

"Information brokerage," Gu Sanqiu declared. "We'll specialize in intelligence, covering everything from Liyue's policy trends to which sailor secretly met which girl."

"As for the shadier stuff, the Sanxuan Society may be gone, but their information networks remain intact. We can seamlessly take over those operations. Manpower is the only real obstacle."

Childe nodded. "If it's just intelligence work—and with you and me at the helm—the Qixing shouldn't have much to complain about."

"Oh, they won't complain."

Gu Sanqiu sneered. If his guess was correct, Keqing might already be planning to bring Ningguang into this. Their likely goal? Quietly absorb the massive wealth left behind by the Sanxuan Society.

Considering how many people he'd eliminated this time—approaching what could be called a small massacre—it wasn't easy for the Qixing to keep the matter quiet. Letting him take a share of the spoils seemed a small price to pay.

And if all else failed, before the annual Jade Chamber banquet, he could always throw himself on Ningguang's mercy—pleading shamelessly for policy "adjustments" in his favor.

---

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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