"Ah, so she's angry after all."
Gu Sanqiu adjusted his posture, sitting cross-legged, arms folded, as he continued his free fall.
"But at least this way, I'm not stuck in the Jade Chamber, dealing with paperwork."
He clenched his fists. "The Three Secrets Society... just wait until I get the chance to take you all down."
The Three Secrets Society—an organization that had emerged in Liyue, mysterious and influential. Its members, methods, and secrecy made up the "Three Mysteries," and its reach extended throughout Liyue. In a way, they were the largest and most dangerous underworld faction in the region.
Back then, when Gu Sanqiu took out the Fire Vein Golden Stone to perform some sort of ritual, two men dressed in dark attire barged in, stealing the stone and slashing his throat as they left.
The guardian of the family was caught off-guard—or perhaps never expected an attack at night within the Gu residence. It was a humiliating way to die, especially since the intruders were no pushovers.
If they truly had a Forbidden Seal, it might explain why they could rampage so recklessly.
"But for the Fire Vein Golden Stone to end up in the hands of some dim-witted treasure thieves later... that means they never turned it over?"
The fierce wind howled, and Gu Sanqiu pondered deeply.
"Maybe their real target was me. They might have intended to keep the stone for themselves, or they encountered some unexpected event that killed them off."
"Unexpected, huh... According to the records, the Three Secrets Society isn't known for such blunders. So what went wrong?"
Gu Sanqiu shook his head. "Whatever, it doesn't matter. No one else in Liyue would have the guts to pull something like that. When the time comes, I'll take them out myself."
"Even if I kill the wrong people, at least Liyue would be rid of one more shady organization. I'll install our own men to maintain order; it's bound to improve the security."
"Going to Yuehai Pavilion to report... I wonder if they'll detain me for a while."
As it turned out, Gu Sanqiu's guess was spot on.
When he gently landed with his Wind Glider, the Millelith waiting at the entrance to Yuehai Pavilion promptly escorted him away, demonstrating what seamless bureaucratic efficiency truly meant.
...
"So... you were thrown down from the Jade Chamber by her?"
Xingqiu and Chongyun stared at Gu Sanqiu in astonishment. "How are you still alive?"
"You two have Wind Gliders as well, right? What, you wanted me to die?"
"No, I mean, coming down from that height, the wind pressure would've been insane. It's kind of incredible your glider didn't get torn apart."
"Hah, you want to know what my Wind Glider's made of?"
Gu Sanqiu chuckled nonchalantly. "Dragon Lizard bone fragments—the finest ones. Coated in Slime Extract for smoothness, and soaked in high-grade Wind Core oil bought at a steep price from an alchemist in Mondstadt. It's super flexible~"
"I'm not even mentioning the other premium materials. These few should be enough to broaden your horizons."
"...That Wind Glider of yours is probably worth a house in Yujing Terrace."
"Close enough. And not just any house, a luxury one."
Gu Sanqiu stretched his arms behind his head. "So, what did the Millelith ask when they interrogated you?"
"Well, nothing major. They mainly asked about why we went to Guyun Stone Forest. Pretty basic stuff."
"As for me," Chongyun scratched his head, "the Millelith re-registered my identity information. They also told me I need to report to an official institution once every month or two to verify that 'thing' I'm carrying isn't causing any problems."
"You told them about what we found?"
"Yeah, I taught him that," Xingqiu said with a nod. "Better not risk getting charged for hiding information. We're already in a sensitive position; it's best not to mess with the Millelith over something trivial."
"Hm, that was the right decision."
Gu Sanqiu nodded approvingly. Suddenly, he shot out several dull yellow chains, binding Xingqiu in an instant.
"Wha—what are you doing?!"
"Didn't I say I'd make sure you understood the true 'delight' of a carrot feast after we got back?"
Gu Sanqiu stood, gesturing for Chongyun to step aside.
"Considering you merchants probably have hidden routes and safehouses all over Liyue Harbor, making it difficult for me to track you down, I've decided to act now."
"Uh, Old Gu, isn't this... a bit much?"
"Carrots are good for your eyes. You wouldn't want Xingqiu to get hit by a monster's arrow because he couldn't see it coming, would you?"
"Hmm, you've got a point."
Chongyun, seeing Xingqiu's dumbfounded face, gave him a thumbs-up. "Good luck, Xingqiu! This is a great chance to overcome your difficulties!"
"I..."
Xingqiu took a deep breath, reminding himself he was a cultured, righteous young hero. He couldn't lose his temper at a friend in a moment like this.
But he was so mad!
Chongyun, why are you being so oblivious now? Can't you see he's just using an excuse to mess with me?!
At this rate, how could I ever come to like carrots? I'll just end up hating them even more!
He's just trying to torment me!
Wake up already, my dear friend!
Gu Sanqiu calmly continued to pull out dish after dish. "I'm not entirely sure what's going through your head, but I can guess from your expression."
"Give up. Considering your stomach's capacity, I won't force you to eat all the carrots you owe, but I will make sure you're completely full."
"Gu Sanqiu, this is malicious abuse! I'm reporting you!"
"Be my guest."
Gu Sanqiu shrugged. "Even if it reaches your older brother, I'm still in the right. Don't believe me?"
...
It actually made a lot of sense, but did he think that would make me submit? No way!
Xingqiu kept his mouth shut tight, fixing Gu Sanqiu with a determined stare that said he would never give in.
Snap.
With a single snap of Gu Sanqiu's fingers, Xingqiu felt his body go even stiffer, the chains tightening. His mouth was forced open, moving on its own!
"Oh, that technique. It's a minor spell some older healers developed because it's troublesome when wounded people thrash around too much."
Chongyun looked at Gu Sanqiu with admiration. "I didn't expect you to know such niche magic. Impressive!"
Inside, Xingqiu was crying.
o(╥﹏╥)o
Thanks, but he really didn't need the commentary right now.
"As the only heir of the Gu family, I'm personally feeding you, Xingqiu. Remember my kindness. I'm not asking you to kowtow fifty times when this is over, but at least keep a part of you grateful—remember the man who helped cure your picky eating."
As the carrot loomed closer and closer, Xingqiu's eyes widened in horror. But there was no escaping the magical hold or the binding chains. Resigned and sulky, he bit into the carrot.
For the record, that chewing was also guided by the spell. It's clear how exasperated the spell's original creator must have been.
Xingqiu's world faded to black...
---
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