Genshin Impact: My Villain System Isn't Working Properly

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[Hey hey, Host, I'm back! Happy Lantern Rite!]

After a long absence, the System spoke on the first morning after Lantern Rite.

"You're back? How was your vacation?"

Jiang Ning asked while continuing his sword practice.

[Mm-hmm, Host, let me tell you, all my classmates and friends were so envious, saying I got a good host.]

The System sounded very happy.

At the gathering, when it showed its achievement record, it instantly dazzled its classmates.

And hearing that it openly took leave from its host to attend the gathering made the System extra proud.

Even its sister, who had latched onto a female lead protagonist, praised it endlessly and told it to serve this master well.

For some reason, its sister's New Year's gift was strange - things her host didn't want.

Something about materials needed for System manifestation?

She told it to save up and exchange for the materials on the list soon, to be able to stay by its host's side.

The System rubbed its currently non-existent head, feeling uncomfortable about having to grow a brain.

"Alright, in a few days we'll go farm some achievements."

Jiang Ning said.

After practicing swordsmanship and showing some talent, he was eager to test his skills against the Fatui.

[By the way, Host, could you give me some achievement points from now on? I need to save up for something.]

"What do you need achievement points for?"

[To manifest! Sister gave me something, said I could buy materials to manifest after saving enough points.]

[Besides, Host, you don't really use your points much, just for strengthening. Systems from Cathead System Academy don't have shops, we can only farm points and strengthen, and so on.]

"...Fine."

Jiang Ning didn't mind - a few points more or less didn't matter.

Overall, the current System just gave some tasks, helped him slowly grow stronger, and provided some survival skills during the newbie period.

FL systems could dominate everything, QD systems rushed to power up...

As for this Cathead System... honestly, it was just a big shot's accessory, the protagonist's partner.

[Hehe, when I manifest, you have to treat me to dinner, Host.]

The System giggled.

Jiang Ning couldn't help but hold his head. Wait, shouldn't it be using his resources to manifest, then coming to repay him like a little fox?

How did it turn into him having to treat it to dinner?

Oh well...

"Jiang Ning."

Zhongli's voice rang out. Jiang Ning ended his chat with the System and looked over:

"Master."

"Mm, I've observed your swordsmanship. You've made good progress, very good..."

More than good - in all his years, Zhongli had never seen someone with such talent.

"Recently, there's been some activity at the Domain of Salt. They say Fatui have been lurking there. If you have time, go take a look."

Zhongli said calmly, hands behind his back.

"Weren't you wondering about your sword skills? Try them out."

"Yes, Master!"

[Mission issued: The Fatui dare cause trouble in my territory? Deal with them! Eliminate the Fatui at Domain of Salt. Reward: Increased Anemo control... Explore Domain of Salt, rewards based on exploration progress. No penalty for failure.]

Perfect - just what he needed. Complete Master's task, get some rewards, and farm achievements. Perfect.

"When you go, there are some stories about the former Salt God you might want to look at."

Zhongli suggested.

He took out an ancient-looking scroll: "This scroll records the Salt God's story, still bearing her divine power. It was written by her last priest, recording her final moments."

Zhongli had gone to great lengths to prepare his disciple for this trial without leading him astray.

"Oh... the Salt God? I've heard she was killed by our Rex Lapis?"

Zhongli didn't answer, only saying: "All truths are in the scroll..."

"Read it when you return. Depart tomorrow."

By his calculations, it should be time for the Fatui to make their move.

"Oh, understood."

Jiang Ning nodded.

The next morning, Ganyu took Shenhe out job hunting, while Jiang Ning went alone.

Hidden behind a thick tree, Jiang Ning saw massive seals formed by several ancient stone tablets.

Near these tablets were several Fatui members, fiddling with something.

Hmm, two Cicin Mages, one Cryo, one Electro. One Cryo Fatty, one Electro Hammer... one versus four, advantage is mine.

Jiang Ning instinctively reached for Skyward Spine, but thought better of it and pulled out Summit Shaper instead.

Use Liyue weapons on Liyue soil, Mondstadt weapons on Mondstadt soil.

Too bad he didn't have any Inazuman weapons.

"Brr... is it getting colder?" 

The Cryo Fatty rubbed his arms, shivering.

"What are you thinking? You use Cryo - since when are you afraid of cold?" The Electro Hammer sneered, resting his huge hammer on the ground.

"Really, it is getting cold..." the Electro Cicin Mage suddenly spoke.

"Yes, yes, it is cold." The Electro Hammer immediately changed his tune.

"Heh, bootlicker." The Cryo Fatty looked disdainful.

The Cryo Cicin Mage said: "Hurry up, stop talking."

These would be the Fatui elites' final words.

Cold snow combined with bone-chilling wind swept through, instantly freezing them all into ice sculptures.

Looking at his handiwork, Jiang Ning walked out satisfied:

"I'm really amazing."

Before he had to maneuver a bit, now it was instant.

[...Though, Host, didn't you say you wanted to practice swordsmanship?]

The System couldn't help saying.

"I forgot, and this is really convenient."

Jiang Ning justified shamelessly. For clearing minions, efficiency is key.

Looking at the text on the stone tablets, Jiang Ning sighed.

"Havria, the Salt God, was both a pitiful and tragic deity."

He'd read the scroll last night. If not for the Salt God's divine power and the priest's words on it, he wouldn't have believed a deity could be so weak.

Kindness isn't a sin, but excessive kindness and constant yielding becomes weakness.

Especially during the Archon War.

"Well, let's see what's in this Salt God's tomb."

Jiang Ning skillfully removed the seal and prepared to jump down.

"Please- please wait!"

An anxious voice called out. Jiang Ning turned back puzzled to see a woman with a single ponytail, wearing Liyue clothing and glasses, running over.

"Hm? What is it?"

"Hello, could you take me down with you?"

"Huh?"

Jiang Ning looked confused.

Wait, who are you, lady? Why should I take you?

"I-I'm Wanyan, from the Eight Trades under the Qixing... I'm very interested in the Salt God's history, so..."

"...How did you know about this place? You seem very suspicious..."

Jiang Ning stroked his chin, examining her.

Wanyan said: "This is my work ID..."

Jiang Ning took it and checked - it wasn't fake.

"Why is a Liyue citizen so interested in the Salt God's history?"

"Um, I'm interested in history, and I found this place by chance. I wanted to go down and look, but there was a seal. I was going to report it, then saw the Fatui, and then you."

Wanyan's gaze flickered as she spoke.

How could there be such coincidences...

And Wanyan's manner made it obvious she was lying.

But Jiang Ning didn't mind. This person seemed genuinely helpless, so taking her down would be fine.

"Let me be clear - I don't know what's down there, and I might not have energy to protect you. Don't blame me if you die."

Jiang Ning said.

"Mm-hmm, don't worry, there won't be any danger."

Wanyan's face lit up.

Jiang Ning grew more suspicious. No danger... how did she know?

"Let's go down."

Jiang Ning went first. He could fly down, but Wanyan had to use a rope ladder to climb down slowly.

Jiang Ning just glanced at her without helping - he wasn't a babysitter...

[Mission issued: Make Wanyan feel despair. Reward: Power enhancement.]

"Hm?"

Jiang Ning was startled. What kind of strange mission was this? Make her feel despair? What counts as despair?

The reward was tempting, but how should he do it?

Jiang Ning could only take it step by step.

Below the mountain was an unexpected paradise - flowing streams, lush plants, moss growing on stone steps, and even the chirping of birds.

It seemed more like a peach garden than a secret realm.

Was this really Havria's place of death? Are you sure?

Jiang Ning had his doubts.

As they walked, Wanyan probed:

"Are you from Liyue? I haven't seen you before."

Jiang Ning said: "Sort of..."

Probably wasn't before, but after sleeping with Senior Sister, he should be, at least half a Liyue citizen.

"Feel like I've never seen you before?"

"My family lived in the mountains near Mondstadt. Parents were Mondstadt immigrants. Recently came to Liyue Harbor to stay with distant relatives."

Jiang Ning made up randomly.

"I see..."

Wanyan's face brightened for some reason: "Since your parents are from Mondstadt, do you worship Barbatos or Morax?"

She felt today was definitely worth coming.

Jiang Ning keenly noticed something off about her terminology - what Liyue citizen would call Rex Lapis "Morax"?

They usually said "Rex Lapis" or "Lord of Geo."

Combining this with her credentials from the Eight Trades' salt division and her curiosity about Havria...

Could she be a devotee of Havria? Apparently many in the Eight Trades had ancestors who worshipped other gods, only changing their faith after defeat and assimilation.

Seems some weren't fully assimilated? After all these years, it must have been hard for them.

"Well... no strong feelings, but our family doesn't specifically worship any god. We pray to Anemo Archon when sailing's dangerous, to Electro Archon during thunderstorms, to Dendro Archon during exams..."

Jiang Ning rambled nonsense.

"Is that so... I think that's right. By the way, since we're in the Salt God's domain, have you heard this theory? Back then, the Salt God was bas- ambushed and killed by Morax, and her followers were forcibly assimilated."

Wanyan thought she had figured something out and revealed her true intentions directly.

Lady, are you brainless? You believe everything I say? We've known each other for what, ten minutes?

And you're making it obvious you have issues with Rex Lapis.

Right, confirmed - probably a fanatic brainwashed by legends who's hated Rex Lapis for years.

"Hmm... not sure, but doesn't seem right... wasn't the Salt God supposed to be weak? Rex Lapis is said to be very powerful, so why would he need an ambush?"

Jiang Ning said.

Like a cat whose tail was stepped on, Wanyan became agitated:

"Impossible! The Salt God, the Salt God was a mighty deity! It must have been Morax who ambushed her!"

"Why are you so worked up?" Jiang Ning feigned suspicion.

"I-I'm just surprised. This differs from my family's records."

"Well, since we're here, let's keep looking. Maybe we'll find some records."

Jiang Ning said.

"Yes, yes, I'll reveal the truth, make it public, and slap their faces hard."

Wanyan's eyes grew dark.

Wow, fanatics are really scary.

Jiang Ning rolled his eyes while leading the way.

After so many years, long after the Archon War ended, you're still here trying to restore the Salt God and oppose Geo? Wouldn't a peaceful life be better?

But Jiang Ning realized - there were so many time bombs in the Eight Trades?

After returning, he should have Senior Sister Ganyu investigate thoroughly. Otherwise, who knows if these people might backstab at crucial moments.

Along the way, there were many monsters.

But they were just weak hilichurls or slimes.

However, the atmosphere and elemental energy here were surprisingly harmonious.

Shouldn't a god's death site be filled with divine remnants or resentment?

Why hadn't he seen any of these yet?

Could Xiao and other yaksha have been here? But the outer seal was intact, and Xiao said he'd never been here...

Puzzled, Jiang Ning led Wanyan to a ruined gate.

"We're here..."

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