Genshin Impact's Incense Burner Of Liyue.

"Yip, yip—"

Gu Sanqiu finished bandaging the fox's wound and lightly patted its head.

"There we go. I'm not sure if you can understand me, but it's best if you stay still and rest. Don't try to 'walk it off.' If the wound starts bleeding again, that'll be a real problem."

The little fox stood on three legs, its injured hind leg raised off the ground. Then, with a few hops, it nestled into Gu Sanqiu's lap, its large, bushy tail wagging back and forth. Before long, it let out a faint purring sound.

"...You little rascal, how long has it been since you had a bath?"

Wait, no—that was a ridiculous question. It's a wild fox. Splashing around in a river is probably the closest it gets to bathing.

"Tch, I bet you're a spy sent by the enemy."

Gu Sanqiu waved his left hand, drawing a gentle breeze infused with a hint of fire from the nearby campfire. The combination formed a makeshift "mystical heater" around the fox.

"Now, let's see what dared to harm a fox out here in the wild."

He tilted his head slightly, releasing his spiritual energy in ripples, searching the surroundings inch by inch.

"There's a trace of malice… but isn't that usually confined to Yashiori Island or Tatarasuna? Why would something like this appear on Narukami Island?"

Wait—it actually wasn't surprising.

Gu Sanqiu sighed, a hint of exasperation in his expression. Don't tell me I've stumbled into a Sacred Sakura Cleansing questline.

Could it be that the absence of certain protective seals has caused localized disruptions?

And that's not even considering the Fatui and Treasure Hoarders skulking around, further damaging Inazuma's delicate balance.

As if the constant threat of lightning wasn't bad enough, now this?

If chaos from malevolent forces spread further, it wouldn't just be the common folk who suffered. Even the bloated bureaucrats of the Tri-Commission would be doomed.

With their physiques, they might not even manage a proper seppuku; the sight of their spilling fat alone would be enough to scar anyone watching.

"Heh, this reckless energy kind of reminds me of my family," Gu Sanqiu mused, glancing at the fox's tail draped over his hand.

At night, young foxes should be sleeping under the protection of their elders. Yet here was this little one, running about on its own. It reminded him of students sneaking out of school to hit the internet café.

The fox likely hadn't sensed his presence. Instead, it must have spotted the firelight and taken a gamble. Once it saw him, it probably cried out to get his attention.

"Tch, as someone in my position, dealing with malevolent entities is my duty. But I'm seriously worried you're a spy, little one."

Gu Sanqiu glanced up at the distant mountain peaks. "Still, what can I say? I'm too soft-hearted."

"Young master, young master~"

A soft, warm voice called out. Soon, a figure in white clothing, carrying a bamboo basket, emerged from the darkness and approached the campfire.

"Stop right there!"

Gu Sanqiu slipped effortlessly into his role, his katana instantly drawn and pointed at the stranger.

"What's your business, wandering alone in Byakko Plain at this hour?"

"Please don't misunderstand, young master. This little one is my lady's pet. Our caravan was attacked by a malevolent force, and it fled in terror. My lady sent us servants to find it."

The woman smiled gently. "Don't be fooled by my appearance—I can hold my own."

She opened the bamboo basket, revealing not an array of delicate dishes but a collection of small, lethal weapons.

It was both a subtle show of force and an assurance that she meant no harm—an attempt to ease Gu Sanqiu's suspicions.

"A pet?" Gu Sanqiu's lips curved into a smile. "I see. May I ask who your lady is? Perhaps I've heard of her in Inazuma City."

"My lady is none other than the White Heron Princess of the Shogunate's Yashiro Commission—"

The woman paused, then changed her tone. "No, my lady is the illustrious Kujou Sara of the Tenryou Commission—"

"Wait, no! My lady is the great five-hundred-year-old tanuki elder of Chinju Forest!"

"You're mocking me!"

Her expression turned icy, the warmth vanishing as she glared at the smirking Gu Sanqiu.

"Malevolent spirits extract information from the spiritual energy radiating off mortals. Beyond creating illusions, they can even glean thoughts from their victims' minds."

Gu Sanqiu's smile remained steady. "When people panic and try to run, they only fall deeper into the trap. Isn't that right?"

"How intriguing. You're no ordinary swordsman," the woman said, her face twisting into a feral snarl. "Hand over the fox, and you may live."

Boom!

A fiery crescent slash erupted, engulfing the woman entirely. Gu Sanqiu watched as the flames consumed the life force sustaining the apparition, leaving nothing but ash. He calmly sheathed his blade.

"Hmm, no physical form. That saves me the trouble of cleaning the blood off my blade. Convenient."

He didn't even bother standing. A minor spirit like this was no match for him. He'd only bothered to send out his spiritual energy earlier to set a trap.

For fun.

"Yip, yip."

The little fox stirred awake. The mystical heater didn't block sound, and the commotion had been quite loud.

"Don't worry, it's gone now. Once the sun rises, I'll return you to your pack. For now, get some rest."

The fox nudged against Gu Sanqiu's stomach, settling back into sleep with ease. Its fearless nature made him wonder if it inherited its heart from its mother or father.

"Tch, I don't even walk around at night that often, yet I still run into spirits. Not great."

Gu Sanqiu unfolded his map. He'd veered off the safe route. It seemed this map wasn't just a local creation from Konda Village but likely sourced from Inazuma's official surveying department.

"Promoting maps like this really is a public service."

He paused, a thought crossing his mind. Wait… did I overdo it just now?

If that ghost could drop loot, perhaps he'd missed an opportunity. If it had valuable items, selling them in Inazuma City could have boosted his reputation.

"Well, too late now. I'll worry about it tomorrow."

Gu Sanqiu closed his eyes to rest. If only the little fox were larger—he could have used both hands to pet its soft fur.

While he didn't need warmth, having a fluffy companion was undeniably comforting.

"Alright, little one. Time to go back home. I won't escort you," Gu Sanqiu said the next morning, placing the reluctant fox on the ground and reapplying medicine to its wound.

"Don't pull stunts like this again. If you want to wander at night, wait until you're as strong as your elders."

As the fox yipped and clung to his leg, radiating reluctance, Gu Sanqiu smiled softly.

"Go on, now. If you don't leave, I'll really start thinking you're a little spy sent to gather intel on me."

---

Ahem! Esteemed audience, gather closer! You stand in the presence of brilliance, the likes of which Fontaine has never seen! Truly, you're witnessing a masterpiece in motion, a living legend in the making, an—

Oh! But wait! Where was I? Right, me! As you all know, such brilliance doesn't manifest from nothing! It takes effort, dedication, and a sprinkling of your… oh, how shall I put it? Generosity! If you desire to be immortalized alongside my unparalleled splendor, do step forward here: [patreon.com/WiseTL].

And yet, I must ask: why do mortals so often hesitate to seize an opportunity like this? I mean, really, supporting me is tantamount to—oh! Imagine if I personally rewrote every law in Fontaine! The brilliance! The upheaval! The dramatic courtroom soliloquies! And naturally, I'd—

"Furina, enough. The audience is here for the translations, not your Fontaine fantasy chronicles."

Wait, Wise! I wasn't done captivating them!

"You've captivated them plenty. Now, mortals, if you wish to contribute to something truly extraordinary, the link is there. Support and bask in the glory of my—"

—our—

"my hard work."

Hmph! Fine! But I'm still the true star of this end note. Obviously.

— Furina ✨ (reluctantly sharing the stage with Wise 👑)