Genshin Impact: My villain system is a little different.

As Lumine was praising Jiang Ning's status, Paimon said:

"Speaking of which, Lumine, you keep talking about Jiang Ning, why not consider yourself? Being hunted by the Raiden Shogun, why not find your brother? I just remembered, if it's Aether, he probably wouldn't fear the Raiden Shogun, right?"

Aether?

Jiang Ning silently perked up his ears - seems the Traveler's brother was also formidable.

Lumine glared at Paimon irritably: "Who asked you to talk? That Aether, I don't want to care about him, speaking in riddles... Besides, he definitely wouldn't care about me."

Paimon grinned: "Don't say that! After all, you're Aether's sister. If something happened to you in Inazuma, something would surely happen to Inazuma."

"Lumine's brother seems to be someone important? What does he do?"

Kokomi quickly asked.

If they couldn't get Jiang Ning, maybe Lumine's family could help?

After all, Lumine was an otherworldly traveler, without national stance issues.

Lumine covered her face, embarrassed: "If Aether really acted, Inazuma would still be finished..."

"Huh?"

Kokomi was confused.

Paimon awkwardly said: "Because Lumine's brother Aether is the Abyss Order's Prince. Those Abyss Mages, Abyss Lectors, they're all Aether's subordinates..."

"Oh..."

Though Kokomi didn't understand fully, she was shocked.

Was she having terrible luck today?

Finally finding someone who could solve Inazuma's chaos, but what happened? One was Liyue's god, couldn't be asked.

Another who could match the Raiden Shogun? The Abyss Prince, daren't ask.

Both could accidentally destroy Inazuma.

Why did Inazuma seem so weak?

Life is hard, Kokomi sighed.

How frustrating, so tired.

Kokomi's energy -1, -1.

"Never mind, Lumine, why were you looking for me?"

Both tactfully avoided mentioning the diary.

Lumine quickly said: "Gorou and others said they hadn't seen you for long, worried something happened, so asked me to find you."

Kokomi nodded: "Alright, I'll return with you immediately. Then this... um, Lord God?"

Jiang Ning said: "Just call me by name, don't mind my divine status."

Kokomi could only say: "Then, Mr. Jiang Ning, since you say you'll follow Lumine, please come back with us."

Jiang Ning nodded: "Mm, okay."

Walking toward the resistance camp, Paimon floated to Jiang Ning's side, asking flatteringly:

"Jiang Ning, got anything good to eat? For so long, just grilled lavender melons and hard rations, Paimon's starved thin."

Lumine disdainfully pouted - starved thin? Yeah right, how could that be? Yesterday you were shouting "delicious" and tearfully devoured three huge bowls of rice.

Almost bankrupted the resistance, finally had to go hunting to feed you...

Kokomi's small face looked dejected, sorry we couldn't satisfy your appetite, but the resistance members can barely eat enough...

Kokomi's energy -1, -1.

Jiang Ning said: "I do. If you're really hungry, go to the Serenitea Pot. Senior Ganyu and Senior Shenhe are always there. Tell them to have Xiangling make you something."

Mentioning this just made Paimon angrier:

"Now I have to complain! Lumine said we must share hardships with the resistance, so made me eat this stuff too, hmph."

Lumine said: "We're here as refugees, we can't eat well while others watch, right? But that much food - Xiangling isn't running a charity, we don't have that much Mora."

Perhaps because Jiang Ning was here, Paimon stamped her foot:

"I don't care, I want good food tonight."

Jiang Ning said: "Fine, let's have something good tonight. If needed, you can eat in your room, don't need to eat outside with everyone."

Kokomi also said: "Yes, Lumine, don't worry about us."

Lumine hesitated, then nodded: "O-okay then."

Paimon cheered: "Yay! I want boiled black bass, sweet madame, and also Tianshu meat, Mora meat!"

"All meat, right?" Lumine said irritably.

Jiang Ning said: "Fine, no problem, I'll tell Senior Sister later."

"Yay! Jiang Ning you're the best! Better than Lumine!"

Lumine raged: "Oh really, following whoever feeds you? I raised you for nothing!"

Paimon giggled, going to cozy up to Lumine again - after all, she was her long-term meal ticket.

Arriving at the resistance camp, they saw patrolling resistance soldiers with mismatched armor and weapons.

Adding their spirit and walking posture, honestly, calling them a ragtag bunch would be flattering.

However, some people's weapons and equipment... why did they look so familiar?

"Aren't these Liyue's decommissioned arms? Where did you get these?"

Jiang Ning's expression became serious, asking somewhat hostilely.

Though these items were decommissioned by the Millelith, they should be sealed or reforged.

Why were they here?

Kokomi said: "This... this..."

Jiang Ning looked seriously at Kokomi: "I hope you give me a satisfactory explanation."

Facing a god's pressure, Kokomi broke into cold sweat.

Finally Lumine explained: "Beidou sold them. Didn't Sister Beidou have some Millelith weapons as ship armaments? Then the extras, the decommissioned ones, she sold here..."

Jiang Ning was troubled - this must be Beidou's compassion acting up.

But Beidou, this is completely reckless, selling decommissioned weapons to a civil war nation, with clearly visible former Millelith markings... trying to drag Liyue in too?

If they really pursued this, it could become a serious diplomatic issue.

Must talk to Beidou after returning.

And why weren't Ningguang and Keqing managing this?

Jiang Ning took a deep breath, then looked seriously at Kokomi, saying:

"Miss Kokomi, these items weren't sold by Liyue, but found on a sunken Liyue merchant ship, understand?"

"And this sunken ship was carrying decommissioned weapons for reforging, unfortunately met disaster during Osial's invasion, swept away by waves somewhere, understand? Otherwise, I'd have to reclaim these weapons."

Seeing Jiang Ning's serious manner and meaning, Kokomi fell silent - he was completely separating Liyue from this, cleaning thoroughly.

Kokomi had her own thoughts when buying these weapons - using Liyue weapons, would Inazuma react? If they mistakenly thought Liyue backed them, even borrowing tiger's might temporarily would be great success.

So though honestly explaining the situation, she had used Beidou's sympathy.

But now, their god had spoken, so she could only nod:

"I understand, I'll spread the word."

This matter was thus concluded.

However, during their conversation, Gorou walked over excitedly, saying:

"Lady Kokomi, you're finally back! I thought something happened, was so worried... You?!"

Gorou saw Jiang Ning, looking unfriendly.

"Gorou, don't be rude, this is Watatsumi Island's honored guest."

Kokomi startled, quickly saying.

She feared her people offending him and getting slaughtered, leaving her nowhere to cry.

Gorou could only say: "Yes, Lady Kokomi... By the way, Lady Kokomi..."

Gorou hesitated, looking at Jiang Ning.

Kokomi said: "Don't worry, he's not with the shogunate, he's Lumine's friend, from Liyue."

Gorou knew Jiang Ning was from Liyue, but with Kokomi's confirmation, he spoke:

"Lady Kokomi, Captain Beidou and Kazuha have arrived, with some Alcor crew members. They're willing to accept our employment in the upcoming battle with shogunate forces..."

Before finishing, his youkai senses made him feel the atmosphere change.

The frozen atmosphere seemed like giant hands choking his throat, making speech impossible.

"Who did you say... accepted your employment?"

Jiang Ning's voice was soft but made everyone present feel chilled.

Kokomi internally cried disaster - Jiang Ning was already very displeased about the arms dealing, now learning about Captain Beidou accepting employment...

Lumine quickly said: "Well, actually, Sister Beidou has reasons..."

Jiang Ning's expression remained calm: "Just compassion acting up, empathizing from past experience? But this isn't allowed."

Jiang Ning looked at Gorou and Kokomi, eyes calm as ancient waves: "Take me to them."

Kokomi quickly said: "Yes, I understand."

Speaking, before Gorou could talk, she hurriedly led the way.

Seeing Jiang Ning so angry, Lumine and Paimon dared not speak or plead, only following behind.

Gorou bit his lip, also following Kokomi.

...

At Watatsumi Island's reception hall, Beidou and her crew, plus the wanted Kaedehara Kazuha, all gathered.

Hailong asked Beidou:

"Big Sis, isn't accepting this employment too risky?"

"We should have finished business and returned yesterday. Bringing so many weapons to sell already violated our original purpose."

Beidou said: "What's wrong with that? Just business, that's all. As for employment, call it my compassion acting up, can't bear seeing common people suffer. Besides, it's just one battle. We come secretly, leave secretly, the shogunate can't prove anything."

"If brothers are really worried, those who agreed can stay, those who didn't can wait on the ship to support us."

Beidou didn't force anyone. During normal business, if people were unwilling, they could stay on the ship watching it. This time was the same.

Hailong said helplessly: "Big Sis, you know me - I unconditionally support your decisions. Just that Lady Yuheng and Lord Jiang Ning are also in Inazuma. If they find out, punishment is inevitable."

"That's why I said, come secretly, leave secretly. Besides, Keqing and others are in Inazuma City, and where are we? Watatsumi Island, thousands of miles away. Could they come here?"

Beidou was confident.

But the next second, the door burst open, cold wind rushed in, and a stern voice said:

"Oh? Then may I ask Captain Beidou, now that I know... do you still plan to continue?"

"Uh..."

Beidou's expression froze, then she laughed awkwardly:

"Haha, Jiang Ning, why are you here..."

Jiang Ning said: "If I hadn't come, I wouldn't know Captain Beidou was so bold - selling weapons, interfering in another nation's internal affairs. What were you thinking?"

Beidou bit her lip: "But the shogunate's actions are too extreme. Inazuma's people are starving skin and bones. The civilians and children are innocent."

Jiang Ning said: "So, it triggered memories of your childhood? Compassion overflowing? To say coldly, what business is Inazuman lives to you?"

"You!" Beidou suddenly looked up, eyes blazing at Jiang Ning.

Jiang Ning's expression didn't change: "What? Am I wrong? You're Liyue people. Your current actions oppose the Raiden Shogun, a nation's god. Think of your crew behind you - some things can't be done."

"Don't look at me like that. If you were helping the shogunate, accepting the three commissions' employment, I wouldn't say anything. That would be formal nation-to-nation aid, official interaction. But now you're supporting illegitimate rebels. I ask you, who rules Inazuma - the rebels or the Raiden Shogun?"

"...The Raiden Shogun, but I'm doing this in the Alcor's name, my own name. It won't escalate to international level." Beidou said.

Jiang Ning said: "Fine, then from now on the Alcor's taxes will be charged as regular merchant rates. Also, if the Alcor has any violations in Liyue, they'll be treated equally - all the Alcor's privileges and conveniences in Liyue, all revoked... Okay?"

"Remember, Ningguang's tolerance and privileges for you are, to some degree, treating your ship as Liyue's most flexible official naval force. Ask the other six nations - in their eyes, isn't the Alcor linked to Liyue's government?"

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