"But that shouldn't be possible."
Gu Sanqiu paced in thought, muttering to himself. "Mora's unique nature makes it irreplaceable. What could the Fatui possibly use as an equivalent substitute? Without such a substitute, even someone as brilliant as Pantalone isn't qualified to take control of its authority."
Mora wasn't just a common medium of exchange—it was far more than that. As a universal catalyst, it could measure nearly everything in the world. Even ancient alchemy required Mora as an essential component for synthesis; without it, even multiples of the required materials would be useless.
Think of it as a catalyst—or a universal key. Whatever's easier for you to grasp.
"Unless the Tsaritsa already has a plan in place, something devised to replace Mora entirely. Perhaps the idea even came from Morax himself."
The thought sent a shiver down Gu Sanqiu's spine. If that were true, killing Pantalone might indeed jeopardize Morax's grander schemes for retirement, and that was a line he didn't dare cross.
"Replacing Mora entirely isn't something that can be done overnight," he reasoned aloud.
This wasn't some game where a patch could fix the problem overnight, compensating everyone into complacency. As the currency accepted across the Seven Nations, dethroning Mora would be almost impossible—especially without Liyue's approval. Even if Morax himself endorsed such a move, the political and economic fallout would be staggering.
"What are the old schemers up to? Can't they leak a bit of info for us younger folks to gossip about?"
Technically, Mora was in a state of constant consumption. Even though some could be extracted from ley lines, the growing population and economic demands would eventually cause issues if the Golden House ceased to function.
Gu Sanqiu sighed. Killing Pantalone will have to wait. For one, he couldn't defeat the Harbinger yet. For another, keeping Pantalone alive might reveal the deeper schemes at play.
If it came down to pure business acumen, my sister could take him on any day. She had single-handedly ushered in an era of prosperity under the Tianquan's leadership—a feat comparable to a cultivator achieving greatness without divine blessings or shortcuts.
Pantalone's brilliance, while undeniable, was bolstered by the Tsaritsa's unwavering support and trust. As the Ninth Harbinger and her personal emissary, his resources and influence were unparalleled.
On the other hand, Ningguang had to navigate the intricate web of balance among the Qixing, where no single star could dominate. Even Morax refrained from overtly backing any one member, maintaining a delicate equilibrium that couldn't easily be disrupted.
Still, if economic warfare were to erupt, Gu Sanqiu wouldn't hesitate to back Ningguang publicly, even if it meant shattering that balance. After all, defeating foreign threats was far more important than adhering to outdated traditions.
And if diplomacy failed? Well, there were always anonymous vigilantes.
It's perfectly reasonable for unknown benefactors to lend a hand during a dispute, right?
Gu Sanqiu raised a thumb, chuckling at the thought.
"Let's just hope it doesn't come to that."
Even if Mora's system faced challenges, Liyue Harbor wouldn't crumble overnight. His concern wasn't about Snezhnaya's antics—it was the Abyss Order's potential involvement that unsettled him.
Minor chaos could be dealt with by pinning the blame on the Fatui. Escalate the blame if needed, frame them for larger conspiracies. But if the Abyss Order orchestrated the chaos? That was a far graver issue.
Even if the Fatui managed to extract a method for creating Mora from Morax's Gnosis, Snezhnaya wouldn't be able to make significant moves immediately.
However, if someone manipulated cash flow to siphon Mora reserves from Liyue, and an economic trap was laid... a severed cash flow could signal the beginning of a transformation.
Of course, such a strategy would leave traces, and Liyue's resilience wasn't built on Morax's power alone. The port city had weathered both divine and human catastrophes, emerging stronger each time.
"Not that it matters. If they got Sumeru's Gnosis, who would even be compatible with it? The Doctor?"
Gu Sanqiu snorted. "Imagine if Morax's Gnosis was too much for them to handle and Childe had to carry some of the burden. He really would become a full-fledged wallet."
"Still, all this feels too distant. My real headache is what's lurking in the sea."
Uncle Tian's comments about the lack of fish near the harbor might be connected. But it couldn't be Orobashi—or anything related to Osial—causing the issue.
Fishing was a significant source of Liyue's income. If the fishermen consistently returned empty-handed, the matter would've been reported already. The Qianyan Army would've likely taken action.
If it were a supernatural threat, his old friend—the one aspiring to become Liyue's protector spirit—would've already confronted him about it.
"Honestly, I wouldn't mind if Osial made an appearance."
When chaos arose, it often brought unusual opportunities. Gu Sanqiu began mulling over whether to contact Xiao and set up a "fishing enforcement" scheme to bait their target.
With little else to do, Gu Sanqiu considered his next destination.
"Should I head to Wuwang Hill or the Chasm?"
Both were problem areas he was familiar with. The former was under Hu Tao's watchful eye, often accompanied by a peculiar guest consultant. He didn't worry much about that.
But the Chasm was different.
Even though mining operations there were still limited to areas outside the sealing formations, the potential for trouble remained high. No ordinary miner dared to breach the formations, but a certain ambitious traveler might.
"By the time that guy digs his way to Liyue, who knows how long it'll take," he muttered, frowning.
"No, I need to check the Chasm myself."
According to an old contact in Mondstadt, Gu Shaochong had fought in the Chasm's infamous battle before mysteriously disappearing. Gu Sanqiu suspected he'd returned there.
With the adepti, including Xiao, on watch over Liyue's greater threats, and the Archons maintaining balance across Teyvat, Gu Shaochong might've taken this chance to pursue something more significant.
"The Chasm, it is."
Gu Shaochong was the only other Gu family member from a relatively recent generation. If Gu Sanqiu could track him down, it might open the door to knowledge beyond what even the Seven Archons understood.