Genshin Impact's Incense Burner Of Liyue.

Gu Sanqiu was honing his strength at the rear of the dojo, while Arataki Itto gained some insights of his own, making strides toward becoming a more responsible adult.

Meanwhile, the upper echelons of the Tenryou Commission—those wielding the reins of power—were grappling with the growing problem of Gu Sanqiu.

"Lord Tada, are you saying that under Ryukai-sama's attack, you couldn't last a single move?"

Tada Tomokichi wore an embarrassed expression. "Strictly speaking, from the moment he drew his blade to the point I was utterly dazed… I suppose you could say I did withstand one strike… maybe?"

Listening to his desperate attempt to salvage his pride, even the members of the Tenryou Commission could detect the hollowness in his voice.

"Lord Tada is the head of the Shingoryu school and its most skilled practitioner. Shingoryu itself is one of the more advanced schools in Inazuma," one of the higher-ups remarked while tapping the table. "Could it be that Ryukai-sama has already reached the pinnacle of mastery—the level of Menkyo Kaiden?"

The difference between Menkyo Kaiden (complete transmission) and regular certification was akin to the gap between barely passing a test and acing it with a perfect score.

To simplify further, it was like clearing an event challenge just enough to claim the rewards versus achieving a high score as a speedrunner.

What they were deliberating now was whether Gu Sanqiu possessed a level of swordsmanship comparable to the Menkyo Kaiden of the highest schools.

If that were true, combined with the killing intent and tenacity he had honed in the wilds, there would be almost no one in Inazuma capable of suppressing him—at least not anyone willing to heed the Tenryou Commission's orders for a duel.

"Could we invite General Kujou Sara to test his skills?"

"No, that won't work. If we suggest that, what will General Sara think of us? Are we trying to label ourselves as useless in her eyes?"

"Then what about the Kamisato Clan?"

"The Yashiro Commission is constantly at odds with us. With Kamisato Ayato in charge, I don't even want to imagine the price we'd have to pay to borrow one of their experts."

"Then… maintain basic surveillance. As long as he doesn't do anything outrageous, we'll turn a blind eye."

"I heard there's a junior official who can speak with that samurai. How about letting him handle the contact?"

The officials exchanged glances. "For now, let's report his information up the chain and hold off on any action until General Kujou Sara gives her decision."

"Agreed."

"Agreed."

...

Watching this unfold, Tada Tomokichi felt a sense of certainty. The situation was playing out almost exactly as he had anticipated.

Without absolute confidence, the Tenryou Commission would avoid making any rash moves, instead waiting for higher authorities to resolve the matter.

After all, this wasn't exactly a major issue—just a wandering samurai settling in Inazuma City.

But if one dug deeper, this was a potential "significant public security threat." The Tenryou Commission didn't know what Gu Sanqiu was thinking or whether this war-weary wanderer harbored resentment toward Inazuma.

For various reasons, they decided to dial down their vigilance and opt for ongoing monitoring, which was precisely the window Tada Tomokichi needed.

"Perhaps I'm no longer worthy of being called a samurai, but even so, I'm willing to contribute what I can to the way of the sword."

Emerging from the Tenryou Commission's office, Tada Tomokichi gazed at the sky in quiet contemplation.

The world of samurai had sunk to the bottom of society's hierarchy. The Shogunate's soldiers looked down on these dojo-bound fools, while wandering samurai dismissed rigid techniques and outdated philosophies.

But lacking strength, the dojo heads had no choice but to endure whatever scorn came their way.

Now, however, Tada saw an opportunity.

"Ryukai-sama, I hope your presence can bring a new vitality to the samurai of Inazuma City."

As night fell, the visitors to Ryukai Dojo returned home, and rumors began spreading across Inazuma City about a powerful samurai establishing a new dojo.

Ryukai Dojo had no specific school name, nor did it openly advertise or recruit disciples.

If not for the fact that prominent members from various schools were involved—and some of their disciples had deliberately "leaked" details—the people of Inazuma City might have dismissed the whole affair as a joke.

But now that the story was circulating, curiosity about this dojo began to grow.

A dojo admired by so many esteemed samurai—what kind of place could it be?

"Heh, looks like I've made the headlines," Gu Sanqiu muttered, disguised as a janitor while restoring the terrain of the dojo's back courtyard to its original state.

For him, those fights with the so-called samurai were nothing more than dull sparring matches.

Even Xingqiu could put up a better fight!

Still, the reason he'd set up this dojo in the first place was to gather these people. No matter how boring it was, he had to endure it.

"Though… it wasn't entirely without gains."

During his idle chats with them, Gu Sanqiu had gleaned insights into the current state of the war. Both sides seemed to have tacitly agreed not to commit their full forces, instead treating the conflict as a way to train their troops.

Or perhaps the Shogunate intended to use the resistance army on Watatsumi Island to reignite the martial spirit of its soldiers, while Watatsumi Island treated the war as its own training ground.

The Shogunate army's stagnant frontlines provided the perfect opportunity for internal reforms and governance.

Besides cracking down on wandering samurai, the Kanjou Commission was also working to improve internal affairs during this period of isolation, seizing every chance to generate revenue—war and bandit suppression were, after all, costly endeavors.

Under Gu Sanqiu's careful guidance, he also managed to gather information about Beidou.

While he was causing a stir in Inazuma City, the Crux Fleet had already completed their trade exchange and set sail for Liyue a day earlier.

Learning they'd departed safely, Gu Sanqiu felt a wave of relief. He had his own means of escape, but his concern was that Beidou might find an excuse to linger in Inazuma—or worse, leave behind messages or supplies.

Thankfully, she was decisive, trusting that Gu Sanqiu wouldn't act recklessly. Her safe departure with the fleet was the best support she could offer him.

"Kazuha, if the work of suppressing bandits and wandering samurai continues, sooner or later, they'll all show up in Inazuma City."

He had considered skipping the start of the Tenshukaku mission and simply rescuing his friend outright, but such a plan would clearly go against his comrade's intentions.

He valued these two greatly, and to avoid any future conflicts, he decided to take some risks.

Tossing the broom aside, Gu Sanqiu murmured, "Hmm, there should still be some room to maneuver."

The next day.

"My lord, if I hadn't confirmed this multiple times, I wouldn't have believed you accomplished all this in such a short time."

"What, are you surprised about the dojo?"

"No, this isn't surprise—it's disbelief."

Takahashi Haruto chuckled respectfully. "You've taught me a vivid lesson on what it means to do as one pleases when you're truly powerful."

"This isn't doing as I please. If I really had that kind of freedom, I wouldn't be stuck here right now."

Gu Sanqiu glanced at him. "So, the Tenryou Commission instructed you to keep an eye on me—or should I say, monitor me?"

---

T/N: Jing Lianghui is changed to Takahashi Haruto