Genshin Impact: My villain system is a little different.

"This matter isn't urgent. Let's discuss payment first."

Jiang Ning smiled.

Yae Miko paused, then stopped walking, saying helplessly:

"As expected of someone from Liyue, already thinking about payment? What do you want?"

Jiang Ning said: "I want all of Inazuma's information about divine remains and their locations."

Yae Miko frowned: "What do you want that for? It's not something good."

Though divine remains didn't scare her, too much contact was troublesome. She didn't even want to touch them, only dealing with escaped ones during annual purification, otherwise staying far away.

But he wanted to learn about them, and from his attitude, even touch them?

"Don't worry about that, just say if you agree or not."

Yae Miko said: "I need to know what you're doing. What if you want to break the seals to harm Inazuma..."

"Don't worry, it will only benefit Inazuma. Besides, don't you think Inazuma has too many divine remains?" Jiang Ning said.

Yae Miko looked at Jiang Ning: "You want to help us suppress divine remains? Like Liyue's Yaksha Guardian?"

What kind of good person would harm themselves to help Inazuma? What's the motive?

Unless Liyue found a way to deal with divine remains? Or they were useful to him?

A thought flashed through Yae Miko's mind, and she stared at Jiang Ning:

"The incident at Tatarasuna days ago, the missing furnace core - was that you?"

"Yes," Jiang Ning frankly admitted. "You couldn't use it anyway, and I checked - someone tampered with it. Probably would've exploded within a year. You know what would happen then..."

Yae Miko shuddered imagining it.

At least Tatarasuna would be gone, cutting the road between Inazuma and Watatsumi Island, effectively splitting them.

"Who tampered with it?"

Jiang Ning shook his head: "I don't know, and I don't want to know... Anyway, just say if you agree."

Yae Miko thought quickly, finally nodding:

"Alright, I agree. I'll get the map and token now..."

Jiang Ning said: "By the way, can my expenses in Inazuma be charged to the Grand Narukami Shrine?"

Yae Miko rolled her eyes alluringly:

"Didn't Liyue send a delegation? You dare spend my Mora? Your wealthy Liyue won't miss this small amount, unlike our shrine with just meager offerings."

"Why not? It's payment for my work. Saving Liyue any amount is good. Besides, as Inazuma's only shrine, how could you not have Mora?"

Jiang Ning was righteous.

Yae Miko chuckled:

"Fine, I'll give you a withdrawal note. Just get it from the Yae Publishing House... Wait a moment..."

...

Watching Jiang Ning fly down, Yae Miko suddenly smiled.

"This little one led me around a bit? How... interesting. But foxes hold grudges."

Though saying this, Yae Miko's tone was light. She wanted to trap him, but hadn't he also wanted to use his status in Inazuma?

"Oh well, let the little one have his fun... Since Sister Ganyu asked me to look after you."

Holding Ganyu's letter, Yae Miko returned to the shrine.

Then she issued a series of orders:

"Investigate what happened to Tatarasuna's furnace core back then, and who was behind it."

Meanwhile, Jiang Ning leisurely returned to the inn, stopping by the Yae Publishing House.

He withdrew his earnings - a considerable sum.

"Free stuff really feels good."

Jiang Ning muttered.

Havria said: "Yes... so can you buy me that? I'm curious what it is, kind of interested."

"Okay..."

Jiang Ning wasn't using his own money anyway, just helping Inazuma's Mora circulation, increasing GDP.

"Tomorrow we're going to the wild again. Let's eat well today."

"Yay."

...

The next day, Jiang Ning started his farming journey.

He brought many good things for this trip, all charged to Yae Publishing House.

Whether the items were necessary, Jiang Ning didn't know.

But seeing the shopkeeper's troubled face, scratching his head at the bills, was quite interesting.

"Halt! Please state your reason for leaving Inazuma City."

Last time to Tatarasuna, Jiang Ning snuck out. Now going openly, he was stopped.

Jiang Ning was surprised: "Need to report just to leave the city?"

The shogunate soldier said sternly:

"By order of the Tenryou Commission, to prevent rebel spies entering and leaving Inazuma City, all traffic must be verified."

Jiang Ning said: "Fine... Here, this should prove my identity, right?"

He showed an omamori with the Grand Narukami Shrine's mark and Yae Miko's fox seal.

The soldier's expression changed, his stern face suddenly becoming friendly:

"So you're the shrine's honored guest, my apologies..."

Jiang Ning said: "Aren't you afraid I'm an impostor?"

The soldier said: "In Inazuma City, under the gods' feet, no one dares forge divine items... Besides, the shrine ordered us to expect an honored guest with an omamori frequently passing through."

"I see... Can I go now?"

"Please proceed, be careful."

The soldier was fawning.

Jiang Ning felt uncomfortable, nodded, and quickly headed to the wild.

Nearby, someone dressed as a commoner watched Jiang Ning, then hurried away.

Judging by the direction, towards the Kujou clan of the Tenryou Commission.

...

"Oh? You're saying this youth is Lady Guuji's honored guest?"

At the Tenryou Commission, Kujou clan, a white-haired elder pondered.

"Yes, I saw clearly. It's the guest you asked me to watch."

The elder was Kujou Takayuki, current head of the Kujou clan and Tenryou Commissioner.

Though appearing dignified, his harsh profile and shadowed eyes gave him a cruel look.

"Mm, I understand. You may go..."

His eyes hid something as he spoke calmly.

"Yes, sir."

After the messenger left, several advisor-like retainers discussed puzzledly:

"Why would Lady Guuji give such a permit to a Liyue person now?"

"Yes, even with Liyue coming strongly, we have the Shogun. No need for such courtesy?"

Kujou Takayuki's eyes showed understanding:

"It's normal, for show to Liyue. Those Kanjou Commission fools offended Liyue. Though the Shogun is invincible, we needn't make unnecessary enemies."

"This is for Liyue's benefit... Hiiragi Shinsuke only cares for immediate gains, not knowing offending Liyue will greatly affect food supplies."

"Though we won't be affected, many commoners will die. Then who will labor for us?"

"Besides, one youth alone won't affect us..."

He convinced himself with many words, proud of his surface understanding without deeper thought.

Truly, privilege breeds arrogance and foolishness.

"Master is right."

"As expected of Master."

Flattery rang out.

"Enough, just put on a show for Liyue, the Hiiragi clan takes the loss... No need to mind Lady Guuji, the Shogun hasn't seen her in ages, and even in rare past meetings, she never mentioned Inazuma's true state... Don't worry."

"Now we should consider how to deepen..."

Before finishing, commotion came from the door.

Kujou Takayuki became displeased, scolding:

"Such noise, where's the dignity?"

"Master, the Fatui Harbinger is visiting," a servant stammered.

"Hmph, show her in."

Kujou Takayuki signaled everyone to leave.

Soon, a voluptuous woman with alluring movements entered.

"Heh, is this Inazuma's hospitality? Making guests wait outside?"

The Fatui Harbinger, Signora, spoke arrogantly upon entering.

Kujou Takayuki calmly said:

"Patiently waiting for the host's welcome is also proper guest behavior, especially for unexpected visits."

"Hmph..."

Signora snorted disdainfully, sitting down uninvited.

Kujou Takayuki showed displeasure - this woman was too rude. If not for current cooperation...

"Why are you here so openly? We should minimize contact. The Fatui and Tenryou Commission being linked looks bad."

Kujou Takayuki said.

Signora carelessly said: "That's your problem. Besides, I'm now Snezhnaya's envoy. Official discussions with any commission are perfectly normal diplomatic exchanges, what's wrong with that?"

Pausing, Signora said: "Enough small talk, is what Snezhnaya wants ready?"

Kujou Takayuki said: "You demand too much Crystal Marrow. Can't produce it quickly, need more time. Why did you suddenly increase the amount? What for?"

Signora said indifferently: "You don't need to know. Money for goods, why care how buyers use them?"

Seeing Signora's careless attitude, Kujou Takayuki suppressed his displeasure:

"As Tenryou Commissioner managing Inazuma's military, I must understand these materials' use. Crystal Marrow is a strategic resource."

Signora sneered: "I said, that's Inazuma's business, not Snezhnaya's. Besides, for a strategic resource, the Commissioner is quite generous selling it."

Taking deep breaths, Kujou Takayuki said coldly:

"Anything else? If not, I'm busy, excuse me."

Signora, not wanting to stay with this brainless man, stood:

"Three days. You have three days. If you can't provide what we want, we might buy from the Kanjou Commission."

Kujou Takayuki's gaze darkened: "Understood, I'll hurry..."

Glancing at him, Signora left.

After all Fatui left, Kujou Takayuki angrily swept everything off the table.

Breathing heavily, red-eyed, mouth trembling angrily:

"How dare she speak to me like that!"

A strategist emerged from behind a screen.

He quickly said: "Master, calm down. She's just our tool, not worth anger. Besides, after this cooperation, without diplomatic status, just a Fatui - we can watch and control her as we like."

Calmed by the advisor, Kujou Takayuki felt better, slowly saying:

"Yes, with the Shogun's divine might, the Fatui are just profit-making pawns... Go, tell them to increase Crystal Marrow mining. If short on workers, catch more. Extend work hours. Must have goods in three days."

"I won't let the Kanjou Commission profit freely."

"Yes, Master... but longer mining hours will cause problems."

The advisor hesitated.

"Those miners are just consumables, replaceable. I want goods, understand?"

"Understood."

...

"Lady Signora, Liyue's next Geo Archon, current candidate, has reached Inazuma..."

At Snezhnaya's embassy, a Debt Collector reported.

"Mm, noted. Doesn't affect our plans, probably just supporting Liyue..."

Signora said casually.

To her, gods were just like this. Barbatos got beaten, Morax got scolded, neither did anything. With her authority from Her Majesty plus diplomatic status, Signora felt untouchable in Inazuma.

A mere archon candidate wasn't worth noting.

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