Genshin Impact's Incense Burner Of Liyue.

Packing up their belongings—or rather, there wasn't really anything to pack—he set off empty-handed without hesitation.

Gu Sanqiu left Inazuma City openly and confidently, even waving casually at the spies trailing behind him.

Inside the Tenryou Commission, the news of Gu Sanqiu's departure plunged everyone into a stunned silence.

What was this supposed to be?

They had only just submitted his identity information a short while ago. First, the Yashiro Commission made things awkward for them, and now the guy had simply up and left Inazuma City?

What about all the plans and strategies they had painstakingly prepared for Gu Sanqiu? Was all that effort for nothing? Days of work, rendered useless in an instant?

The usually composed officials found this development difficult to accept.

"That guy even opened a dojo here. Couldn't he just stay put in Inazuma City and stop running around?"

One senior official muttered with a trace of frustration, "Out in the wild, our spies can't possibly track him effectively. They lack his kind of skill and mobility."

"He's a samurai—free as the wind, guided by his own heart."

Another official spoke slowly, "This is what a true samurai is like. Things like dojos or what we call property mean little to such people—they can abandon them at any moment without a second thought."

"Let's just drop it. Now that he's left Inazuma City, there's no need to dwell on him anymore. Why not focus our time and energy on other tasks instead?"

"After all, Ryukai Genzawa hasn't caused any real harm so far. Picking a fight with him without reason isn't a smart move."

---

Meanwhile, at the Komore Teahouse.

Across from Thoma sat a young woman of unmistakable elegance. He spread out a map and pointed to the direction of Chinju Forest.

"My lady, judging by the direction he took, it seems likely that he's heading through Chinju Forest, passing by the Kamisato Estate, and moving toward Yashiori Island."

"Alternatively, if he truly is hiding his strength as you suggested, he might avoid the usual routes and opt to climb straight up Yashiori Island instead."

"There's no need for formalities here—just call me Ayaka."

The "Frostbearing Crossing Adeptus," Kamisato Ayaka, smiled lightly. "You only just returned from his dojo, and the next day he's already headed in the direction of Chinju Forest. A samurai's intuition, perhaps?"

"Lady Ayaka, this is why I advised against revealing my identity to approach and talk to him."

Thoma explained, "Ryukai Genzawa only needs to think for a moment to notice inconsistencies, and from there, deduce exactly who might be orchestrating everything."

"And yet, what does that matter to us?"

Kamisato Ayaka shook her head. "Whatever Ryukai Genzawa thinks or does, none of it concerns us anymore."

"Thoma, there's something you may not fully understand. In this operation—or scheme, if you will—our Kamisato Clan is nothing more than a messenger."

"And the choice to use you, someone with a modest reputation both within the Kamisato Clan and across Inazuma, was not made by my brother or me—it was specifically requested by someone else."

Thoma's expression turned serious. "Requested? Could it be… the Grand Narukami Shrine?"

"Exactly. It was their request."

Kamisato Ayaka nodded. "To outsiders, this may look like a simple recruitment effort—a minor clash between the Yashiro Commission and the Tenryou Commission.

"But only I, my brother, and now you—only the three of us—know that engaging with Ryukai Genzawa was actually their decision, not ours."

"So if he's heading for the Grand Narukami Shrine, does that mean there's something off about him?"

"Whether there's something off or not, we don't know."

"That's something only the people at the Grand Narukami Shrine might understand, and perhaps not even all of them."

Thoma frowned. "Not all of them? What do you mean?"

Kamisato Ayaka set down her folding fan and sipped her tea thoughtfully.

"The person who contacted us from the Grand Narukami Shrine wasn't one of their regular staff based in Inazuma City—it was someone who came directly from Yashiori Island."

"I see."

Thoma's demeanor grew more solemn. "In that case, we really shouldn't interfere further. But should we at least maintain basic contact with him? Is that what you're suggesting?"

"Precisely. Judging from the Grand Narukami Shrine's attitude, even if there's something strange about him, he's someone they deem valuable."

Kamisato Ayaka spoke softly. "A wandering samurai returning from the wild? Such an identity is undeniably peculiar. No family, no attachments—based on the intelligence we've gathered, his strength is likely extraordinary."

Thoma thought back to the burly man at the dojo entrance. "Lady Ayaka, he's not entirely without attachments—he's brought the Arataki Gang under his wing. That gang of oni youths."

"Oh? Is that so?"

"If that's the case, then some of the information begins to align."

Ayaka unfolded her fan, covering half her delicate face.

"Recently, there was a fierce battle outside the city. The ground bore traces of Geo energy and signs of intense fire damage."

"I've heard of Arataki Itto. With his personality, there's no way he would relinquish his gang's leadership without a fight."

"Are you saying that fight was between them?"

Thoma was taken aback.

"But according to our information, Arataki Itto is the only one in his gang with a Geo Vision. Doesn't that mean Ryukai Genzawa possesses a Pyro Vision?"

"That's one possibility. Another is that he's inherited a form of onmyodo from the wild."

Kamisato Ayaka elaborated, "Ancient onmyodo techniques are said to incorporate elements of adeptal arts from Liyue. Even without a Vision, they can harness elemental powers."

"From the Grand Narukami Shrine's perspective, this scenario seems more likely."

"Onmyodo techniques are often hidden in places infested with filth and malevolent forces. To acquire such knowledge, one must not only have exceptional talent and combat ability but also immense willpower to withstand the corrupting effects of these dark influences."

"Failing that critical step would lead to one's mind being overtaken by inner demons, ultimately turning them into mindless husks like the Wrecked Ghosts."

Kamisato Ayaka smiled faintly. "If I weren't pressed for time, I'd almost want to head out myself, just to see if I could run into him."

"It's been so long since the Kamisato style of swordsmanship has faced a worthy opponent outside the noble clans."

Thoma asked quickly, "Lady Ayaka, are you considering a duel with him?"

When Gu Sanqiu had spoken of his devotion to martial arts, Thoma had thought of using the prospect of sparring with Lady Ayaka as leverage during their negotiations.

But he refrained. As a retainer, he couldn't decide his master's actions for her, nor did he want Kamisato Ayaka to confront Gu Sanqiu directly.

He didn't want his friend to take such a risk.

If what Gu Sanqiu claimed about his past was true, then surviving the wild, amassing resources, and returning to human society without succumbing to savagery was already incredible.

What horrors might he unleash if he ever abandoned restraint and let the beast of bloodlust run free?