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Chapter 455 - Genshin Impact's Incense Burner Of Liyue [455]

Gu Sanqiu landed on the ground, casually flicking away the elemental crystals scattered around him before turning his attention to the group before him.

"Honestly, you people are something else. After dealing with such a massive ordeal, you immediately rush off to stir up more trouble?"

"Sanqiu!"

Paimon zipped out from behind Venti, flying straight to Gu Sanqiu's ear and whispering furiously, spilling everything she had just pieced together.

Wait... so Venti moved this group out of Mondstadt because he noticed I was coming back?

What for?

Surely Venti knew by now that the title of West Wind Saint was something invented by that elderly matron for her followers, and that all Gu Sanqiu cared about was gathering some confidential intel—not interfering in Venti's schemes.

The Gu family liked to flirt with danger, but they didn't outright court death. Gu Sanqiu knew his own limits and wouldn't overstep.

It was just that, when dealing with someone like Venti—an easygoing, generous elder who let others eat and drink on his dime—there was plenty of room for negotiation.

But to have him flying here at full speed in the middle of the night? That was pushing it.

Gu Sanqiu clapped his hands. "Well done! Look at all of you, so energetic at this hour. I'm impressed, truly impressed."

"Since everyone's in such high spirits, should I hire a bard troupe from Mondstadt to liven things up with a few songs?"

Here he goes again.

Childe felt a headache brewing. Anyone with common sense could tell Gu Sanqiu was being sarcastic—essentially saying that being dragged out here at this hour was highly unpleasant.

Venti rolled his eyes. "Tch. Don't act like I asked you to come. You could've stayed in the inn, sleeping like a log, couldn't you?"

"True," Gu Sanqiu nodded seriously. "I could've been lounging in the soft bed of the Goethe Grand Hotel, while you, penniless, were forced to camp outside—or maybe fight Dvalin for a place to sleep."

Venti facepalmed and pointed back toward Mondstadt. "Leave. Go. Right now. If I see you again tonight, I'll really kill you. Is this how you speak to your elders?"

Childe and Rosalyne exchanged glances, considering whether they could use this chaotic moment to postpone their mission.

Claiming a Gnosis in the presence of an Archon's kin—even if Gu Sanqiu wasn't directly related to Venti—was still taboo.

More importantly, they both knew they couldn't win against Gu Sanqiu. If they could, they would've finished their mission already.

"Hey, what are you two just standing around for?"

Gu Sanqiu glanced at Childe. "Aren't you here to snatch a Gnosis? Or do you think you can grab it by standing idly?"

What?

The two Harbingers stared at him in surprise as Gu Sanqiu leisurely walked over, sat down, and pulled out a Kamera from his bag.

"I'd like to get back to my beauty sleep, so if you're going to rip his Gnosis out, do it quickly. Oh, and slow down when you actually pull it out—I'll need a good close-up shot."

Childe twitched visibly, while Venti silently grabbed his bow and swung it like a club, smacking Gu Sanqiu squarely on the forehead.

"Whose side are you even on, you brat?!"

Gu Sanqiu tilted his head in thought, then replied earnestly, "I'm on my old man's side."

"If you're on his side, you should be helping me! Why are you sitting there like a spectator with a Kamera?!"

"Alright, if I'm being honest... maybe I just want to see someone rip your heart out."

Venti clutched his chest dramatically, thankful that Archons couldn't suffer mortal heart conditions. Otherwise, he'd have been dead from stress long ago.

The Gu family had never been this difficult to deal with in the past. Was Gu Sanqiu sent by Celestia to torment him?

As Gu Sanqiu flashed him a harmless smile, eyes gleaming with playful malice, Venti had a sudden realization.

This guy knows I plan to hand over the Gnosis.

But how? Where had he gotten that information?

From his old man?

Impossible. Venti shook his head. To his knowledge, Gu Sanqiu's family guarded their secrets fiercely, treating even their own kin with suspicion.

There was no way his old friend would casually leak information about the Gnosis.

So how did Gu Sanqiu figure it out?

Glancing at Paimon, Venti wondered if his decision to relocate the group had tipped the kid off.

No way... was his train of thought really that absurd?

Oh well. If he knew, he knew.

Venti shrugged mentally. He was going to hand over the Gnosis anyway, whether Gu Sanqiu was present or not.

And if he wants to mock me? Dream on.

Venti silently flipped Gu Sanqiu the middle finger in his mind.

"The Gnosis is yours," Venti declared.

Wait—what?!

Gu Sanqiu's eyes widened. Oh no.

Rosalyne's frown deepened, her icy aura intensifying.

"I don't need your pity. What I desire must be earned by my own hands!"

"Agreed," Gu Sanqiu nodded seriously. "An Archon giving up their Gnosis so easily? Won't you get reprimanded during your annual performance review?"

Gu Sanqiu clapped his hands. "This isn't just slacking off—it's outright negligence!"

Venti shot him a sideways glare. "Last I checked, it's mine to give away. Since when do you get a say in what I do with it?"

This conniving brat. Did you really think I'd let you collect dirt on me so easily?

I'm the wise and clever Anemo Archon, thank you very much.

"Take it. Now get lost," Venti said flatly, pulling the Gnosis from his pocket—a smooth, chess piece-like object—and tossing it to Rosalyne.

She caught it but immediately scowled, staring at the Archon.

"Is this a fake?"

"Fake, my ass. Take it and leave."

Venti waved her off impatiently. "Go on, shoo. Dealing with my nephew is already exhausting enough. Stick around any longer, and I might change my mind and blow you all into the Abyss."

Gu Sanqiu looked crestfallen. He'd hoped for something dramatic—a desperate bargaining scene, maybe even a bit of "Barbatos, you wouldn't want all of Teyvat knowing about this, would you?"

But no, Venti had casually handed over his Gnosis without batting an eye.

Where's the drama? The insults? The banter?

You're killing us investigative types here, you know that?!

Rosalyne studied Venti closely. "I thought you'd have something to say."

"I've never given up on any of Mondstadt's people, so what's left to say?"

Venti's hand glowed as he conjured a swirling orb of Anemo energy.

"Now leave before I really do blow you to the Abyss. You might have someone backing you, but trust me—surviving won't be easy."

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T/N: LMAOOO HE JUST GIVES IT AWAY?

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