Genshin Impact: My Villain System Isn't Working Properly

At night, Jade Chamber.

Following Zhongli's instructions, Jiang Ning only brought his master, leaving Shenhe and Ganyu behind.

Shenhe was obedient, agreeing to whatever he said.

Ganyu asked a few more questions, but Jiang Ning convinced her.

One phrase was enough: Rex Lapis's orders...

At the Jade Chamber, master and disciple found Zhongli and Madame Ping sitting at a table.

Xianyun said: "Mr. Zhongli, long time no see. How are you?"

Zhongli pursed his lips: "Fine..."

"Master, no need to pretend in front of me. I know Master Zhongli is Rex Lapis."

Jiang Ning couldn't help saying.

Looking back at his master's interactions with Zhongli after knowing the truth, the stiffness was obvious - deep respect trying to appear as familiar friendship.

His master wasn't a great actor.

"How did you know? Well, since you do, I'll drop the act. Greetings, Rex Lapis."

Xianyun bowed.

Madame Ping said: "Sit down, let's talk. We have privacy here."

She had asked Baiwen to tell Ningguang to clear the area for the evening, even removing the Millelith patrols.

Ningguang had arranged it immediately on the adeptus's request.

Zhongli explained: "As it happens, Havria accidentally revealed my identity to Jiang Ning."

"Havria? Rex Lapis, you jest. Havria died ages ago."

"How rude, Cloud Retainer. Even the dead can rise from their coffins. Remember me? You once came to the Domain of Salt for trade on behalf of your Rex Lapis, back when it was still Guili Plains."

Havria's voice emerged from within Jiang Ning.

"That voice?!"

Xianyun and Madame Ping's expressions changed, looking at Jiang Ning.

Xianyun barely restrained herself from examining her disciple, but seeing Zhongli's calmness and understanding why they were called here, she held back.

"Rex Lapis, what's happening?"

Madame Ping asked.

Zhongli explained his conversation with Jiang Ning.

Xianyun's expression shifted before deflating: "I admit, I don't understand this... but it's good for Jiang Ning, right?"

"Yes, not just for him, but perhaps for all of us..."

Zhongli said.

"You want us to find our old companions' relics?"

Madame Ping's eyes seemed tearful, remembering a certain silhouette.

"Yes, but we must be discreet. Especially you, Xianyun. This is significant - the fewer who know, the better."

Zhongli looked serious.

Xianyun matched his seriousness: "Rest assured, Rex Lapis."

Though usually talkative, she was reliable regarding her disciple's safety.

The possibility of gods returning through their original authority was unprecedented. While theoretically possible, most simply dispersed into the world. 

Even with new authority, they became new gods - like the current Dendro Archon, Lesser Lord Kusanali, who wasn't Greater Lord Rukkhadevata despite having wisdom and dreams authority.

"I'll handle finding relics," Madame Ping said. 

"Xianyun, you and Xiao find god remnants and resentment to help Havria fully revive with a physical form."

"We'll need to experiment with the process. Havria, please bear with us."

"It's fine. I'm happy to help repay your kindness through my revival."

Havria was a god who repaid debts, and being kind-hearted, would have offered anyway.

Xianyun, excited about possibly recovering old friends, said: "I must search for Guizhong's things... Maybe her essence remains?"

Zhongli shook his head: "Leave that to me. Follow Moon-Carver's plan."

"Yes, Rex Lapis..."

Xianyun contained her excitement.

She looked at her disciple with increasing satisfaction, partly like a mother-in-law approving a son-in-law, but mostly feeling like she'd found a treasure.

Good thing she'd kept him for his other-world knowledge back at Mt. Aozang...

Good deeds bring good returns.

Xianyun felt triumphant looking at Madame Ping, who just smiled and poured more tea.

They spent the rest of the evening reminiscing and planning, with Havria joining the conversation. Jiang Ning learned many secrets about the gods, broadening his horizons.

The next morning, Shenhe dragged Ganyu from bed for breakfast and work.

Since Shenhe started working, she'd taken over waking Ganyu up.

Sleepy-eyed Ganyu noticed her junior brother's absence and asked about him.

Shenhe explained he'd been taken out early by their master, and wouldn't be at Yuehai Pavilion for a while - Rex Lapis's orders.

Ganyu tilted her head: "?"

How did everything change after just one night's sleep?

But since it was master and Rex Lapis's word... Ganyu happily ate her breakfast of soy milk, fried breadsticks, buns, and shrimp dumplings - things she'd long craved but couldn't eat before.

Now with her junior brother, she needn't worry about gaining weight.

They'd crossed that line anyway, and with the Serenitea Pot he carried, she could always release energy there when needed.

But who could have imagined Jiang Ning would be gone for a month.

For an entire month, Jiang Ning hadn't returned home.

If not for the Serenitea Pot allowing them to meet anytime, Ganyu and Shenhe couldn't have endured it.

They couldn't just be cut off after getting a taste, could they?

Especially with Ganyu, a celestial beast who'd rediscovered her love of food.

So Jiang Ning's days became: training with various adepti during daytime, absorbing god remnants and resentment, and at night, plowing two fields like an old ox.

If not for his special constitution making him stronger during these nighttime activities, Jiang Ning felt he would have collapsed.

What kind of master only knew how to use their disciple without maintaining them?

But the benefits were clear - under this hellish training, his strength increased dramatically. While he couldn't dominate Dvalin, he could at least defeat him one-on-one now.

Poor Dvalin, reduced to a unit of measurement.

Moreover, his spear techniques, swordsmanship, and soul-pacifying arts had all integrated perfectly. 

Now he was learning about catalysts from his master.

Who wouldn't want to be a close-combat battle mage?

Today, Jiang Ning finally couldn't take it anymore, lying on the ground throwing a tantrum about striking, and only then did Xianyun and Zhongli agree to let him go.

His first act upon returning home was to sleep.

Do you understand the value of only getting three days of sleep in a month?

He slept through day and night, not waking until the next morning.

"Morning, Senior Sisters..."

Jiang Ning had changed clothes, his white hair casually tied, red eyes full of spirit.

A full day's rest had made up for all his previous exhaustion.

"Morning, have some noodles."

Shenhe said.

Sitting down slurping noodles, looking at the familiar yet strange main hall decorations, Jiang Ning sighed:

"It feels like I've been away for ages..."

"Who told you to stay in the wilderness for over a month? And whatever were you thinking, not even staying in the Serenitea Pot unless Shenhe and I came to find you?"

Ganyu gave Jiang Ning a reproachful look. 

After this period of Jiang Ning's nurturing, the little cocogoat's figure had become more alluring. Though her height hadn't changed, her curves seemed to have developed further under Jiang Ning's efforts...

Ganyu was overjoyed.

"It was Master who said I couldn't seek pleasure, had to cultivate..."

Jiang Ning protested his innocence.

Ganyu said: "Master's words... honestly, sometimes it's best to just listen without following."

Having been fooled since childhood until growing up and understanding society's dangers, Ganyu now understood her master's "persuasion."

Shenhe nodded: "Yes, Master told me cultivators should watch their diet and not indulge in food pleasures, but since seeing Master enjoy all sorts of delicacies after coming to Liyue Harbor, I've started doubting her words..."

Jiang Ning strongly agreed.

As the saying goes, Xianyun was just like his father from his previous life.

Safest by her side in dangerous times, most dangerous by her side in safe times.

Jiang Ning had finally figured out the pattern.

"Will you have to leave again?"

Ganyu asked.

"Yes..." At this topic, Jiang Ning's face turned bitter, "Master said she'd give me a short break, then I need to continue clearing out divine remnants, aiming to remove most of the visible ones within Liyue's borders."

"What? That's a huge project! Why are Master and Rex Lapis...?"

Ganyu was puzzled.

Jiang Ning froze: "Master Zhongli didn't tell you?"

Ganyu shook her head: "No, Mr. Zhongli hasn't mentioned anything."

Jiang Ning considered - though his master said not to tell others, Ganyu and Shenhe were family, so he explained everything.

"I see... That's wonderful news."

Ganyu's gaze softened, though she felt sorry for Jiang Ning.

"You've worked hard, Junior Brother."

"It's fine, I'm getting stronger too."

Jiang Ning smiled happily. This period had been satisfying - happy with the farming, strength growth, and the System happily buying materials with his achievement points.

If not for his master making him suffer in various ways, this month would've been perfect.

Shenhe pondered: "Still, Mr. Zhongli being Rex Lapis... hard to believe..."

"Yeah, but let's keep this quiet."

Jiang Ning said.

Ganyu nodded: "I understand."

Though it seemed many knew, they were all adepti-related. Even the Qixing didn't know - this was a secret known only to the innermost circle.

"By the way, Chongyun has been visiting frequently, inviting me to his family... I'm not sure how to refuse. Could you accompany me when you have time?"

Shenhe asked.

"Sure, no problem." Jiang Ning readily agreed.

Ganyu pondered: "For a son-in-law and daughter visiting family, what gifts should we bring..."

Shenhe quickly said: "That won't be necessary."

Somehow, she felt letting Senior Sister prepare gifts would be mortifying.

"When are we going?"

Shenhe thought: "Tomorrow? Their family should be home then."

"Alright."

Jiang Ning nodded.

"Any plans for today? Want to come to Yuehai Pavilion?"

Ganyu invited.

"No, no, let me rest... I don't want to work... I'll just wander around."

Jiang Ning looked terrified.

"That's fine... but you can still visit. We won't give you work if you come."

Ganyu patted Jiang Ning's head.

"Mm, okay."

Jiang Ning nodded.

After Ganyu and Shenhe left for work, Jiang Ning cleaned the dishes and practiced using catalysts.

Master had given him a four-star catalyst, something-heart - he didn't bother remembering. Master Zhongli said he'd get something better later.

He'd have to return it eventually, so he treated it as a starter weapon.

Such wealth, using four-star catalysts as starter items, destined to gather dust in storage...

Unlike his master's teachings, Jiang Ning creatively used mage-style techniques, living up to his gaming background

.

Most familiar with Cryo, he borrowed ice mage playstyles from another game.

After practicing all morning, he grew hungry.

Not wanting to cook, he remembered Shenhe worked at Wanmin Restaurant and decided to eat there.

He could check on Shenhe's work situation too.

With anticipation, Jiang Ning left home, heading straight for Wanmin Restaurant.

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