manifesto
Here is my attempt at compiling the small pieces of albeqiu that exist in canon. It ain't much, and some of it is only tangentially relevant, but that just means there's more to fill in.
The Scraps
- Albedo serves as an illustrator for his writings and knows Xingqiu's real identity. Most others who know of A Legend of Sword seem to only know Xingqiu's pennames (Chenqiu/Zhenyu).
- Xingqiu refers to Albedo as Mr. Kreideprinz multiple times. Which is sexy.
- Both of them think highly of each other's abilities.Though Xingqiu's book received poor reviews, Albedo only wishes to work with him (though he has received offers to work for others for more money).
Quotes
Oh, Xingqiu? I find his written works quite interesting. The Yae Publishing House in Inazuma has been asking that I cooperate with a different author for greater royalties. Hmph, do I seem the type to be swayed by a few extra Mora?
Albedo, about Xingqiu
I've thought of all the illustrations I want for each of the major event in the next three volumes! I should write my thoughts down before I forget them, and send them to Mr. Kreideprinz...
Xingqiu, about Albedo
I have friends who write novels. If they wrote this story, it would probably be even more complex.
Albedo, during the Shadows Amidst The Snowstorms event
Hmm... Just going by the brushwork, I would have to say that Mr. Kreideprinz's craft is superior
Xingqiu, about the Unusual Portrait for the Hilidream Camp event
What a mysterious work of art... The artist? It wasn't me, that's for sure.
Albedo, about the Unusual Portrait for the Hilidream Camp event
A Legend of Sword
Xingqiu once wrote a martial arts novel named A Legend of Sword based on his own experiences, intending to publish it in Liyue Harbor.
To his surprise, his manuscript was rejected by local publishing houses, who believed that no one would have any interest in a story with "a setting as wildly unrealistic as the plot is banal."
Undeterred, Xingqiu had a few copies printed privately, and sneakily placed them on the shelves of Wanwen Bookhouse during one of his many trips there. But just as the publishers had suspected, it failed to garner much interest from readers. This was quite a blow to Xingqiu's confidence.
Unbeknownst to him, however, a passing merchant from Inazuma did purchase a copy to bring home, where it received rave reviews. Writers the region over attempted to copy the success of A Legend of Sword, but none succeeded — it maintains permanent residency in the number one bestseller spot to this day.
All information taken from the Genshin Impact Wikia.