Genshin Impact: My villain system is a little different.

"Inazuma, we've arrived."

After several days of sailing, they finally saw Inazuma's harbor.

Paimon looked at the Inazuma harbor with a lingering fear:

"Really, this Sakoku Decree is too extreme! We just entered Inazuma's waters and lightning already struck!"

Beidou's expression was also unpleasant: "Indeed, if not for Jiang Ning, we might have suffered heavy damage."

Although the Alcor's lightning rod and her own skills could keep the ship alive in a thunderstorm, other casual ships might not be so lucky.

Keqing also frowned: "Is the Raiden Shogun really so unreasonable? Even if she doesn't appear personally, she should know about Liyue's delegation arriving. Or did the three commissions not present our documents?"

This was very puzzling. Though not deliberately targeting Liyue's delegation, even the residual effects of the Sakoku Decree's lightning clouds injuring delegation members would mean a god attacking mortals.

If pursued, their Rex Lapis would have full reason to visit Inazuma and demand an explanation.

"Forget it, let's not talk about this. We've arrived anyway," Beidou shook her head. "This time, we've brought a lot of food. Looks like we can make some money."

But a crew member said: "Big Sis Beidou, every time we sell food in Inazuma, we don't profit. At most we break even. Big Sis Beidou is kind-hearted and can't bear to see civilians starve."

"Hey! Shut up!" Beidou glared at the sailor.

"Haha, we know."

The crew laughed.

"You lot are getting out of hand... Jiang Ning, I can only send you this far. After finishing business, I need to leave quickly. Who knows what mood the Raiden Shogun is in."

Beidou said.

Jiang Ning nodded: "Got it, don't worry, Sister Beidou. I left something on your ship that can withstand three lightning strikes."

"That's great, thanks." Beidou laughed heartily.

As they approached the dock, Lumine saw Inazuma harbor's condition. Seeing many emaciated dock workers, she frowned:

"This Inazuma... why does it look so lifeless? It's so desolate. Sister Beidou, are you sure this is Inazuma's largest, most prosperous harbor?"

"Yes, I'm sure. It's just been declining badly these years since the Sakoku Decree. Nothing we can do about it," Beidou said.

Keqing narrowed her eyes, looking at the shogunate troops waiting at the dock:

"I feel like these people don't have good intentions..."

Jiang Ning suddenly spoke: "These troops, some are big and strong, others small and weak... With the army in this state, Inazuma hasn't fallen only because the Raiden Shogun is holding it together."

"Never mind them... Men, we're docking! Get ready!"

"Yes, Big Sis Beidou!"

...

"Hmph, what brings the Kamisato Commission here?"

An elderly-looking man with an unfriendly expression spoke to the quietly standing Kamisato Ayaka.

Ayaka calmly said: "Just coming to receive the honored guests from Liyue. This is the Kamisato Commission's duty, no need for the Kanjou Commissioner to worry."

The unfriendly man before her was the current Kanjou Commissioner, head of the Hiiragi clan, Hiiragi Shinsuke.

"Hmph." Hiiragi Shinsuke snorted, "Since the Sakoku Decree, foreigners coming to Inazuma must land on the outlying islands and register. The Shogun surely meant for the Kanjou Commission to handle foreign affairs. No need for the Kamisato Commission to trouble themselves."

Ayaka remained calm, ignoring Hiiragi Shinsuke. In the past, she might have retreated, but not today.

"Oh? Is that so? I haven't heard about this. When did the Shogun issue an edict changing the three commissions' duties? Should I visit Tenshukaku?"

A seductive yet frivolous voice rang out, causing everyone present to change expression.

"Lady Guuji..."

Hiiragi Shinsuke immediately adopted a respectful manner, but inwardly cursed. Damn it, why did this woman come? Doesn't she usually not interfere? Why is she standing up for the Kamisato clan today?

Having lived for hundreds of years, Yae Miko understood Hiiragi Shinsuke's thoughts with just a glance. She didn't dwell on the topic, just snorted lightly:

"I'll handle the Liyue reception. No need for you Kanjou Commission gentlemen. Ayaka, is everything arranged for the reception?"

"All arrangements are in place, Lady Guuji," Kamisato Ayaka said.

"Good... What are you all still standing here for? There will surely be many goods unloaded. Are so many people here to take up space?"

Yae Miko was blunt with the Kanjou Commission people.

"...Yes, Lady Guuji. However, as per custom, we need a manifest of goods entering Inazuma and must inspect them," Hiiragi Shinsuke quickly changed his tune.

"Then leave a few people. Everyone else, withdraw," Yae Miko said.

Others might not sense it, but she clearly felt an archon's presence on the Alcor. With so many people here, did they think others were fools?

They wanted to show Liyue their strength. Though Liyue was great, this was Inazuma's territory...

But for mortals to try intimidating an archon, whose temperament was unknown...

If the archon had a bad temper, how many heads and clans did they have for the archon to cut down?

Even if their stubborn god later demanded an explanation, their entire families would be long gone.

In this less than harmonious atmosphere, the Alcor docked.

Looking at the Alcor, which seemed unchanged but gave Yae Miko a sense of threat from its defensive weapons...

Yae Miko narrowed her eyes, inwardly extremely surprised.

Were those Terminus mechanisms? Adeptal items? Had Liyue become so wealthy? Or was this to pressure Inazuma, showing how seriously they took their detained merchants?

On the Alcor, the first to disembark was Captain Beidou, most familiar to Inazumans, followed by some impressive-looking Liyue people.

Why couldn't she sense the archon's aura anymore? Was it her imagination? Impossible...

Not seeing the expected archon, Yae Miko frowned.

"Captain Beidou, long time no see."

Kamisato Ayaka had a decent relationship with Beidou. One was the Shirasagi Princess who often paid out of pocket to aid disaster victims, the other the Alcor's captain who frequently brought food to Inazuma.

Beidou said: "Miss Ayaka, this time we've brought plenty of food. I just don't know how much your Kamisato Commission can buy."

Ayaka said: "Don't worry, the Kamisato Commission's Mora reserves are quite sufficient to buy all the food Captain Beidou has brought."

The Kamisato clan basically started saving Mora as soon as the Alcor left each time, then spent it all at once to buy most of the food when it returned, distributing it afterwards.

"Good. Honestly, if not for my crew needing to eat, I'd consider paying out of pocket to help you," Beidou said.

Ayaka sighed: "I appreciate Captain Beidou's kindness, but I must still thank you."

Beidou smiled: "Not at all. I'm kind-hearted, unlike some who can't see the people's suffering."

This statement openly disparaged the other two commissions, but secretly also mocked Inazuma's Raiden Shogun.

"Let's not talk about this. Captain Beidou, this is Lady Yae Miko, Guuji of our Grand Narukami Shrine," Ayaka quickly changed the subject.

Beidou noticed Yae Miko and sobered: "Seeing is believing. Lady Guuji, pleased to meet you."

"Hello, Captain Beidou. I've heard many stories about you," Yae Miko said.

"Haha, seems I have some reputation... This is Keqing, our Liyue Qixing's Yuheng. And this is our Liyue friend, also an honorary Knight of Favonius, the Traveler Lumine, and her guide Paimon."

Introducing Lumine and Paimon, the two proudly put their hands on their hips, looking silly.

Yae Miko's eyes flickered. For some reason, seeing these two, she wanted to trick them into helping her.

"Hello, Lady Guuji. I'm Keqing. I've come with some Liyue matters to discuss. I hope we can find a quiet place to talk."

As soon as she disembarked, Keqing entered work mode, her delicate face full of seriousness.

Yae Miko was startled, then understood Keqing's personality and smiled:

"Alright. Ayaka, let's go to your place."

Ayaka immediately said: "Of course. The Komore Teahouse is ready to welcome you all anytime."

She prepared to lead the way.

"I won't join you. I want to look around Inazuma," Jiang Ning spoke up.

Only then did Ayaka notice Jiang Ning in the crowd. Seeing him, her heart rate increased.

What a handsome young man... I wonder how old he is, if he's married... Ahem.

Ayaka immediately caught herself having improper thoughts, lightly shaking her head to cool her warming face.

Unlike Ayaka's concern with appearance, Yae Miko felt her hair standing on end.

Her usually well-hidden tail almost bristled out.

She clearly hadn't noticed this young man before, as if he appeared out of thin air.

Moreover, her youkai instincts told her to stay away from this seemingly harmless youth. But when she carefully probed with her power, the answer was just an ordinary person.

Ordinary to the point of having no distinguishing features besides his looks.

"This... this is...?"

Yae Miko didn't even notice the hint of caution in her own voice.

Jiang Ning smiled: "Jiang Ning. Mm, from Liyue, here to play."

As Keqing was about to speak, Jiang Ning continued:

"Mm, my family has some small influence, so they stuffed me into Keqing's delegation for a self-funded tour. I have a good relationship with Keqing, so she lets me do as I please."

"Right, Keqing?"

Saying this, Jiang Ning winked at Keqing, who coughed and said:

"Ahem... Yes, this guy and I are, uh... childhood friends?"

Ayaka realized: "I see... Do you need me to find you a guide?"

Jiang Ning said: "No need, don't worry. I like the kind of travel where I go wherever I end up."

Ayaka worried: "But Inazuma isn't very peaceful now. There are some Nobushi and monsters in the wild..."

Jiang Ning said: "Well, though I'm not very strong, my skills are enough for self-protection."

Keqing also said: "Let him be. He'll be fine."

Ayaka hesitated, then said: "Alright then..."

Yae Miko remained silent, just observing Jiang Ning. She could tell at a glance that what he just said was completely made up, but not knowing what this young man was up to, she could only let it be for now. The most important thing at hand was Liyue's attitude.

"Let's go."

"Mm, okay."

While they chatted animatedly, the ignored Hiiragi Shinsuke looked very displeased. Though his men were checking the cargo, Yae Miko's occasional glances prevented him from going too far.

But why did Liyue's delegation act this way? This was Inazuma!

In Hiiragi Shinsuke's eyes, the Raiden Shogun was invincible. Even if Rex Lapis himself came to Inazuma, he'd have to be respectful to the Shogun.

This blind confidence made him increasingly arrogant, thinking even Liyue's Qixing should bow their proud heads to him.

As for compensation and explanations, those were nonsense. They came to do business in Inazuma, what reason was there to detain their people and goods? It was Inazuma's prerogative!

But reality gave him a harsh slap - no one paid him any attention.

Fine, very well. You'll all pay for your actions!

Hiiragi Shinsuke glared hatefully at the departing group, then stormed off towards the Hiiragi residence.

"Sir."

As he left, a lackey noticed Jiang Ning leaving alone and gave a meaningful look.

Hiiragi Shinsuke sneered: "Hmph, this is the outlying island. To leave and enter Inazuma proper, one needs our travel permit."

"This foreigner doesn't have a permit, right? And he seems either rich or noble... You understand my meaning."

"Understood, Clan Head. Don't worry, I'll teach this Liyue person a good lesson."

----

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