"Sister, you should try some too. I promise nothing will go wrong while I'm here—I can protect everyone."
Ningguang pinched Gu Sanqiu's cheek. "Well, you'd better stay alert. If something really does go wrong, Liyue Harbor would be in for an earthquake."
"Don't jinx it. Relax," Gu Sanqiu said, pulling out his shield. "With this baby, I'd like to see anyone foolish enough to challenge me."
Even though he had struggled against the malice of Azhdaha, that was only because they weren't on the same level of cultivation. Gu Sanqiu's strength, despite the odds, was not to be underestimated.
Unless some reclusive ancient ancestor emerged from secluded training, protecting a few people was well within his capabilities.
Clearing his throat, Gu Sanqiu dragged over a chair and sat down, watching the three undergoing the trial before him.
"Hmm, if Uncle Tian gets too excited and awakens some bizarre hobby... would Huixin kill me for it later?"
Wait a second.
Gu Sanqiu suddenly relaxed. Why should he even worry about Huixin coming after him?
Someone working in Yuehai Pavilion would hardly have time to hunt him down for revenge, right? What a joke!
...
"Gu brat, prepare to die!"
Once Ningguang and Keqing awoke from their trials and confirmed that they wouldn't be disturbed, Uncle Tian bellowed loudly, grabbed a large kitchen knife from the cutting board, and swung it straight at Gu Sanqiu's head!
Gu Sanqiu, however, didn't dodge. He calmly activated his shield and even added a layer to protect Uncle Tian from any potential recoil injury.
"Calm down, Master Tian. Now, think carefully—isn't your mind sharper than ever? Don't you feel a refreshing sense of youth returning?"
"Refreshing my—!"
The dignified Tianquan of the Qixing cursed openly, glancing at his two colleagues in despair.
"I've worked so hard all my life, only to end up losing all dignity thanks to this brat!"
To make matters worse, not only had he lost face, but it had happened right in front of his two esteemed colleagues. How could an old man live with that?
"Ahem, come on now, Uncle Tian. You've always pursued freedom, haven't you? Think of what you just experienced as another form of freedom."
Gu Sanqiu grinned, trying to sweet-talk his way out. "A unique experience like that—couldn't it be seen as a memorable highlight in your journey to freedom?"
"What freedom?! I'm cutting you down, brat!"
"Alright, alright, no more nonsense. It's time to eat! Skipping meals is an affront to the body."
"Let's see, we've got steamed bear leg, hearty bear bone soup with white radish, stir-fried minced pork with Jueyun chilis, braised bear paw in Buddha's Jumps Over the Wall, honey-glazed roast meat, and of course, golden shrimp balls..."
"These are all home-cooked dishes, so let's keep it casual—no need for formalities."
As Gu Sanqiu rattled off the dish names, Uncle Tian shot pleading looks at Ningguang and Keqing for help.
"Ahem, colleagues, we're all in this together. Surely, no one would spread word of what just happened, right?"
"Spread what? I didn't see a thing," Keqing said with a perfectly straight face, clearly lying to save the old man some dignity.
"Indeed, I saw nothing either," Ningguang added with a soft smile. "However, I may need your help next year with some commercial planning and agricultural management issues in Liyue Harbor, Uncle Tian."
...
(╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻
This was a threat, wasn't it? It was definitely a threat!
The subtext was clear: if you don't help, I'll make sure everyone hears about today!
How infuriating—someone had dared to blackmail a government official! He should report this to the Millelith!
Wait, aren't we all part of the Qixing?
Never mind, then...
Keqing, meanwhile, looked at Ningguang with admiration. Why hadn't she thought of that? Clearly, she still had a lot to learn.
"Alright, alright. Can we leave the official talk out of my house? Let's enjoy the meal and talk about something fun for a change," Gu Sanqiu interrupted, placing the last dish on the table. "This is my Double Extreme Bear Soup—made by boiling down a good portion of bear meat and bones, filtering out all elemental energy for a pure, nourishing broth."
"Beep, beep—"
A strange noise echoed in Gu Sanqiu's mind, but he didn't let it show on his face. Instead, he sat down, inviting everyone to dig in.
"Not bad, kid. Do you always eat like this? This meal's better than what most private chefs can manage," Uncle Tian said, thoroughly impressed.
"Well, the quality of the ingredients does play a huge part. But I suppose it's impressive that I managed to get my hands on them."
"That's not entirely true," Uncle Tian replied earnestly. "Even the rarest ingredients are wasted without a skilled chef to bring out their potential."
After popping open the fine liquor that Uncle Tian had brought, Gu Sanqiu poured him a drink while enduring Ningguang's scrutinizing gaze.
Ningguang: Stare—
"Three drinks?"
"One drink."
"Two?"
"If you negotiate any more, you won't be drinking at all."
"Alright, alright."
Gu Sanqiu instantly caved, switching out his regular cup for the larger tea-drinking cup.
[](￣▽￣)*
"I'm only having one drink, okay~"
"Hahahaha!"
The courtyard filled with laughter, the sound mingling with the delicious aromas of the meal, reaching the ears of passersby and making them wish they could join in.
...
"I assume everyone's had their fill?" Gu Sanqiu said after a while, noticing that Uncle Tian was about to go for the soup. "Uncle Tian, I'd suggest waiting a bit before drinking the soup. Let your body digest the energy from the other dishes first."
"No wonder I feel stronger than usual—it's because of the food," Uncle Tian leaned back, satisfied. "Alright, I'll wait a bit. Now that we've eaten, why don't you tell us why you gathered us here?"
"I met the Geo Archon. And the legendary Azhdaha."
The eyes of the three Qixing sharpened immediately. "You saw the Archon?"
"Yes, though he was in a possessed state. But it was undeniably him. It was the Archon who subdued the malice of Azhdaha."
Uncle Tian rubbed his temples. "While we were somewhat prepared for Azhdaha's return after receiving reports, we never anticipated the Archon himself would descend."
Ningguang nodded. "Keqing told us that the disturbances in Huaguang Stone Forest were caused by you fighting at full strength. We suspected Azhdaha might have manifested, but to hear that the Archon intervened..."
"Well, I suppose this is the benefit of Liyue's continued legacy. At least we're never short on ancient records for situations like this," Gu Sanqiu shrugged. "Not only that, but both the Archon and Azhdaha bestowed gifts upon me. That shield over there is made from the Dragon King's scales."
"A tremendous stroke of fortune!" Uncle Tian laughed heartily. "I always said this kid was destined for great things. Looks like I was right."
"Uncle Tian," Keqing interrupted calmly, "that sounded exactly like something a fraudulent fortune-teller would say."
---
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