Genshin Impact: My Villain System Isn't Working Properly

Jiang Ning looked at the newly received rewards with great satisfaction.

The Anemo enhancement from killing the Fatui was received, but why was the power enhancement in a "pending activation" state and currently unable to activate?

Jiang Ning frowned.

He had hoped to strengthen his death authority...

"Also, you all can come out now. You've been following us the whole way."

Jiang Ning glanced at the palace entrance dismissively.

"As expected of a Liyue adeptus disciple... When did you notice us?"

A large group emerged from the shadows at the entrance, all wearing Fatui uniforms.

"I smelled you long ago. Besides, with so many people, you can't really hide. Do you think others are as brainless as you?"

Jiang Ning looked at the Fatui with contempt.

He had no good feelings toward the Fatui, given their years of scamming and grave-robbing in Liyue.

Apart from those legitimately supporting operations in The Chasm, the rest were reportedly sent by the Doctor to collect gods remnants and resentment, even experimenting on Liyue citizens.

When encountering such Fatui, capture was the solution - if they resisted strongly, elimination.

"Hmph, sharp-tongued. Hand over the Salt God's relics if you know what's good for you, or else..."

The Fatui smiled maliciously. Their target was these Salt God remnants. 

He'd just mentioned they contained some of the Salt God's power - bringing these back would surely earn the Doctor's reward.

Jiang Ning stroked his chin. 

Twenty people, ten with elemental energy fluctuations - either modified or bearing Visions or Delusions...

Are you really this stupid, coming after someone with god-blessed combat power with just these numbers?

Or are the Fatui's intelligence agencies completely useless?

Still, since they'd delivered themselves, Jiang Ning would accept.

Glancing at the still-dazed Wanyan, he drew Summit Shaper.

"Come at me all at once."

These Fatui would make good whetstones.

Several Fatui soldiers had already vanished from sight. Seeing their various weapons, Jiang Ning took stock.

Three Debt Collectors, three Mirror Maidens, two Anemo Boxers and two Hydro Fatui...

"Die!"

Electro Hammers attacked simultaneously from three directions, leaping high to smash down at Jiang Ning. He simply jumped lightly, stepping on a massive hammer, sword sweeping horizontally to kill one.

The hidden Debt Collectors struck from different angles, but Jiang Ning handled them easily, even using them as sword practice partners.

Amid his flowing movements, he killed a Hydro Fatui.

The surrounding grunts couldn't even join in, only able to make noise or attempt sneak attacks with guns and crossbows.

Still not quite familiar enough...

Jiang Ning clearly felt more awkward fighting with a sword compared to a spear. 

Frowning, he decided to practice more combat with Shenhe and Ganyu after returning.

After just ten minutes or so, the Fatui were dead or wounded. 

The last remaining Debt Collector, their leader, seeing the situation turn bad, grabbed Wanyan as a hostage.

"Don't come closer, or I'll kill this woman... ugh."

Before he finished speaking, Jiang Ning's sword thrust out, extending with Cryo energy to pierce through Wanyan's shoulder into the Debt Collector's heart.

"You..."

The Debt Collector's eyes widened before he died.

Jiang Ning withdrew his sword with contempt. Did they really think he was stupid?

Never mind that Wanyan wasn't on his side - he wasn't a good person anyway. Using hostages? Dreaming.

If there were witnesses, he might have been more cautious, but here with no one around...

Hostage? What hostage?.

Dusting off his hands after dealing with these suicidal Fatui, Jiang Ning looked at Wanyan, stroking his chin, deciding to take her back.

Raising his hand, he used Cryo energy imbued with qilin adeptal arts to freeze the wound and slowly heal it.

"Time to go home."

Jiang Ning created an ice platform, placed Wanyan on it, and lifted it with Anemo power, leisurely leaving the domain toward Liyue Harbor.

On the way, he quietly asked: "System, weren't rewards supposed to be based on exploration progress? Where are they?"

[Oh, that? Here it is - a miracle pill that prevents weight gain no matter what you eat.]

Jiang Ning fell silent. What use did he have for this?

Quoting a certain pink fatty from elsewhere, he had the "unfortunate side effect" of perfect appearance, unable to gain weight no matter what he ate...

And couldn't grow taller either.

"Um, don't you have anything more practical?"

[Nope, this is what I got from the gacha.]

The System said.

"Wait... Senior Sister could use this."

Jiang Ning suddenly remembered Master mentioning that Ganyu liked dieting.

She usually only ate vegetarian food.

Yes, he'd give this to Senior Sister, though he was very curious why Ganyu was so obsessed with dieting.

He'd ask Master later.

Returning to Liyue Harbor, Jiang Ning handed Wanyan to the Millelith for custody, then went straight to find Keqing and Ningguang.

After reporting the situation, Keqing grimly stated she'd handle it seriously.

They'd also secretly investigate everyone in the Eight Trades.

Anyone like Wanyan would be expelled from Liyue Harbor.

They'd been too lenient - these people lived off Liyue while plotting "restoration."

As someone who appeared disrespectful to Rex Lapis but was secretly his fan, Keqing rolled up her sleeves, ready for major reforms.

Ningguang fully supported this.

However, before that, Keqing sincerely invited Jiang Ning:

"Jiang Ning, based on that constitutional monarchy you mentioned, I've developed a divine constitution. Would you like to review it with me tonight?"

"No, no... I think that's a bit too much..."

Jiang Ning immediately refused - even the name sounded ridiculous.

Watching Jiang Ning quickly leave, Keqing wondered: "I thought it was quite good..."

Ningguang just smiled without speaking.

As Jiang Ning descended from Yuehai Pavilion, he was spotted by a group of gossip-loving onlookers.

"Did you see? That adeptus disciple came down from Yuehai Pavilion again..."

"Yes, yes. What do you think - will Lady Keqing or Lady Ningguang win his heart?"

"Huh? Is that phrase used like that?"

"Close enough, as long as everyone understands."

People discussed enthusiastically, already imagining the love triangle between the Yuheng and Tianquan.

Can't be helped - Jiang Ning was good-looking, had noble status, and was capable. Most importantly...

Keqing often chased after Jiang Ning with questions - in others' eyes, wasn't this pursuit?

As for Ningguang's side, he was the only male who could enter Yuehai Pavilion without announcement anytime.

That said plenty. With Adventure Guild's Sister Lan constantly gossiping and stirring things up, Liyue had basically started underground stock trading, betting on which Qixing member would win his heart.

Of course, there were other "stocks" listed - First Senior Sister shares, Second Senior Sister shares, and some even dared to disrespect the adepti by opening "Master shares"...

The Director, Chef, and Lawyer all had their supporters. More ridiculously, some even shipped Jiang Ning with Guoba.

By the way, Ningguang's shares were sky-high, followed by the two senior sisters.

Keqing's stock price wasn't even as high as Guoba's, which was pretty absurd - perhaps related to her rigid workaholic image.

Leaving Yuehai Pavilion, Jiang Ning went straight to find Zhongli.

Zhongli was leisurely drinking tea in the courtyard.

Jiang Ning placed the scroll before Zhongli: "Master Zhongli, I'm done with this, returning it to you."

Zhongli silently took it back and asked: "How was your expedition?"

Jiang Ning took a sip of tea and said: "Not bad. It's an opportunity to reorganize the Eight Trades. It is under scrutiny now, since Wanyan came from there."

"I meant your thoughts on Havria after reading the history and seeing the site."

Jiang Ning said: "A tragic god, deserving pity but not sympathy. Also, strength is what truly matters."

"If it were me, I'd cultivate power. Whatever the opponent, just fight them, like Rex Lapis - sweep away all threats and protect our peace."

After all, he was a conservative from his previous life in China, always feeling there wasn't enough firepower, thinking the radicals were too conservative.

Zhongli wore an expression of "this student can be taught."

So similar, truly similar, this explosive temper and readiness to fight.

Back then, he too was outwardly steady but actually quite hot-tempered... just ask the gods pinned down by his stone spears.

Jiang Ning had his schemes but knew power was the strongest capital... good, very good.

Zhongli grew increasingly satisfied with his chosen successor.

In future training, he could provide more Geo energy containing his authority...

Though he found Jiang Ning's special talent quite interesting.

After absorbing elemental power containing his Geo authority, Jiang Ning would manifest Geo authority, but Zhongli's own authority wouldn't be damaged - only consuming minimal energy that recovered in moments.

Over time, wouldn't this mean his Geo authority wouldn't diminish while Jiang Ning gained another Geo authority?

Interesting, very interesting.

Zhongli pondered briefly, then said: "Show me those Salt God relics you mentioned finding in Domain of Salt."

Jiang Ning brought out the vessel and broken ruler, placing them before Zhongli.

Zhongli sensed them carefully, then said: "Even gods become past clouds... Besides these traces of divine power and Havria's essence, nothing remains."

"Back then, Salt in the Teyvat was quite a prosperous nation."

Zhongli initially planned to reseal these divine relics to accompany the god beneath Gunyun Stone Forest.

But thinking of his disciple's special ability, he said: "You should absorb them. Though only a fragment, the Salt God's power is still useful - at least you'll need to pack less for wilderness trips."

Rare for him, Zhongli made a joke.

Jiang Ning nodded and closed his eyes to begin absorption.

Soon, the vessel and ruler lost their luster, Havria's essence and salt authority disappearing.

[Host, your power enhancement activated.]

The System reminded.

Jiang Ning nodded: "Then help me strengthen the Salt God's authority."

The System was practically telling him directly to enhance the salt authority.

After strengthening, Jiang Ning felt something new in his body but didn't dwell on it - he'd explore it in detail later.

Seeing Jiang Ning's satisfaction, Zhongli said: "You've gained much this time. Your swordsmanship can handle ordinary opponents now, but be careful with stronger ones. Practice more with Ganyu and Shenhe when you return."

Jiang Ning looked suspicious: "Master, did you secretly follow me?"

Zhongli's expression unchanged: "No, but nothing in Liyue can hide from me if I wish to know."

Jiang Ning nodded, not thinking much of it - just assuming it was adeptal ability.

Zhongli drank tea, smiling silently.

If Mondstadt's winds tell Barbatos everything in Mondstadt, wouldn't Liyue's land tell me, Morax?

Sitting in Liyue Harbor, I can watch my little disciple's activities over tea.

Only for now though - once he fully masters the same authority as mine, I won't be able to watch anymore.

[Host, there's something I'm not sure whether to mention.]

"Just say it."

[Well, the Geo energy your master gives you feels different from normal Geo energy - like the difference between superior and inferior.]

"Isn't that normal? Master is an adeptus specializing in Geo, of course his Geo energy would be stronger than normal."

Oh, I see... The easy-going System found its host's explanation reasonable and happily went to spend its accumulated achievement points on materials.

It needed to collect materials early.

After bidding farewell to Zhongli, Jiang Ning headed home.

He bought many things along the way to bring back for Master and Senior Sisters.

Arriving home, seeing Xianyun and taking advantage of Ganyu's absence, Jiang Ning couldn't resist asking:

"Master, why is Senior Sister Ganyu so obsessed with dieting?"

At these words, Xianyun immediately perked up.

Finally, a conversation topic!

Xianyun sat up straight, one hand under her chest highlighting her figure, and began:

"Let me tell you about Ganyu, this child..."

----

Read 30+ chapters ahead on my patreon.com/rivyura

Next target 500 Powerstones :) only 20 left :)