Genshin Impact: My villain system is a little different.

"As for me, I won't be going. Didn't I say that night that I've been by your side for quite some time, and Ei still doesn't know you well enough? So…" 

Raiden Makoto chuckled softly and shook her head. 

Jiang Ning understood: "Got it. What about you, Master?" 

"This one won't be going either. The art of mechanisms in Liyue still requires my guidance. Besides, in the past, there's nowhere I haven't been. Those rivers and mountains… none compare to Liyue." 

Xianyun spoke up. 

Truthfully, she just didn't want to leave home, preferring to stay as a quiet tech nerd. 

Jiang Ning didn't press her and started counting on his fingers: "So, for the trip to Sumeru, it'll be me, Lumine, Paimon, Senior Shenhe, Eula, Ei, Kitsune Saiguu, and Havria, right?" 

"That should be it." Kitsune Saiguu smiled slyly, feeling that this trip to Sumeru was going to be quite interesting. 

A whole group of people, all with some kind of interest in Jiang Ning—some with established relationships, some without, and then there's the clueless country girl. 

Kitsune Saiguu could hardly wait. 

Though, if Lumine found out, she'd probably faint from frustration. 

She thought she had managed to fend off Hu Tao and others, planning to stuff Paimon into her backpack at the last minute so she could have some alone time with Jiang Ning. 

But the good news was, she could have alone time with Jiang Ning. 

The bad news? It'd be Jiang Ning, one guy, and his entire harem… turning it into a full-blown group gathering. 

Who knows how Lumine would react. 

"When are we setting off?" 

Eula was already eager. 

Ganyu said, "Let's wait a bit longer. I'll arrange for you all to have official Liyue diplomatic envoy status. The diplomat there will handle everything, so you can just focus on traveling." 

"As for food, clothing, and expenses, just use Ningguang's funds." 

Ganyu now spoke of these things without any hesitation. 

After all, they were all family. Seeing her sisters and loved ones using her Mora brought Ningguang great joy and pride. 

She had earned so much Mora; it was meant to be spent. 

And Ningguang had discovered a new source of happiness: seeing her family's genuine smiles and happiness when using her resources. 

"Oh, by the way, Jiang Ning, Ningguang wanted to ask Rex Lapis if there are any more Starsilver ores… She's planning to expand the Jade Chamber…" 

"And Makoto has already agreed to place a branch of the Jade Chamber near Inazuma City. Everyone can treat it as a summer retreat when they have free time." 

Ganyu added. 

This shocked not only Jiang Ning but everyone present. 

How did Raiden Makoto agree to this? And near Inazuma City? That would make it taller than Tenshukaku! 

Everyone turned to look at Raiden Makoto. 

Makoto smiled and said, "Oh, aren't we all family? I heard Ningguang's dream is to one day have the Jade Chamber's shadow cover all seven nations… I just wanted to help out." 

This was also a little scheme of Makoto's. 

She had stayed in the Jade Chamber before and thought it was a wonderful creation—perfect for living and working, and during wartime, it could serve as an aerial fortress and command center… 

So Makoto wanted one too. As for who it belonged to, it didn't matter, since Jiang Ning, the head of the family, was here. 

Since Makoto had agreed, no one else had any objections… 

As for Raiden Ei? She'd probably just say, "Whatever my sister decides." 

So the proposal was unanimously approved. 

"However, considering you're heading to Sumeru, I'll report this matter to Rex Lapis," Ganyu said. 

Jiang Ning nodded: "Then I'll leave it to you, Senior Ganyu." 

"It's nothing… Though, the Vigilant Yaksha is getting impatient. When will General Menogias awaken?" Ganyu asked. 

Jiang Ning thought for a moment: "Probably in the next couple of days?" 

Ganyu's heart was filled with joy: "If Xiao hears this news, he'll be overjoyed." 

… 

Three days passed in a flash. At the top floor of Wangshu Inn, the surrounding guests had long been cleared out. 

This was on Ningguang's orders, and the inn's owner and manager had cooperated fully. 

Now, on the terrace, only a few adepti, Zhongli, and Jiang Ning remained. 

"Is it today?" 

Moon Carver's gaze was filled with excitement and nostalgia. Finally, his old friend was returning. 

Mountain Shaper, on the other hand, was calmer. He nudged Moon Carver and said, 

"Calm down a bit. Xiao hasn't even said much, and you're already getting worked up." 

Moon Carver was a bit annoyed but kept his mouth shut. 

Zhongli stood with his hands behind his back, facing the distance with his eyes closed. He seemed relaxed, yet there was an undercurrent of tension. 

Xiao's expression was stoic, but his tightly clenched fists around the Primordial Jade Winged-Spear betrayed his nervousness. 

Madame Ping and Xianyun were the least tense among them, happily brewing tea and enjoying snacks. 

Jiang Ning stood in the center of the group, his eyes closed as he channeled divine energy into a yellow mask. 

This was the relic left behind by Menogias. 

When Jiang Ning first received the mask, it was shattered and in tatters. 

But after being nurtured over time, the mask had gradually become whole again, even looking as good as new. 

After an unknown amount of time, Jiang Ning slowly opened his eyes. 

Xiao asked nervously, "How is it?" 

Jiang Ning smiled and didn't keep them in suspense: 

"Mission accomplished… Where's the prepared body?" 

Before the final restoration, Jiang Ning had already prepared the body. 

He had also completed and prepared bodies for the others. 

Xiao quickly brought out the prepared body, matching Menogias' height and build from his lifetime. However, like with Ei, Makoto, and Havria, the face was still blurry, and the form was just an outline. 

Jiang Ning took a deep breath and activated the final soul authority, repairing the damaged soul. 

The mask gradually transformed into a palm-sized, curled-up humanoid figure, and a familiar aura burst forth. 

This was Menogias' presence! 

The usually stoic Xiao managed a smile, though his mixed expression of joy and tears looked a bit awkward. 

But no one minded, because Xiao's sibling had returned. This reaction only showed how deep the bond between them was. 

Jiang Ning gently placed the soul into the prepared body. 

Then he exhaled and said, "Now we just have to wait. It'll probably take about a day and night… Given Menogias' current state, it'll take some time to fully recover." 

Previously, Makoto, Ei, and Havria had recovered quickly because they each possessed a complete portion of divine authority, which made "accelerating" their recovery easier. 

But Menogias had no divine authority, so his recovery would take longer, relying on gradual nurturing and self-repair. 

Xiao nodded firmly: "I'll stand guard here… No one will get close." 

"Master, and everyone else, you can go rest…" 

Xiao felt it wouldn't be right to trouble the other adepti further. 

"What are you saying, kid? He's our old friend too… I'll stay here as well." 

Mountain Shaper said. 

Moon Carver also nodded, expressing his agreement. 

Zhongli slowly opened his eyes: "If you're tired, go rest. If not, stay here for a while… Jiang Ning, let's taste your cooking." 

Jiang Ning sighed helplessly: "Master Zhongli, you really know how to put people to work… I just finished such a tiring task, and now you want me to cook… Master, come help me." 

Jiang Ning turned to Xianyun. 

Xianyun silently stood up and followed Jiang Ning to the kitchen downstairs. 

Her obedient demeanor left Madame Ping amazed, while Moon Carver and Mountain Shaper exchanged looks of disbelief. 

"Wait, is that really Xianyun?" Moon Carver whispered. 

"No way… Since when has Xianyun ever been this quiet and obedient?" 

Mountain Shaper was equally shocked. 

In their memories, Xianyun was the type to explode at the slightest provocation. 

Especially in recent years, she seemed like a lonely old bird, giving off a menopausal vibe. 

But now, this Xianyun seemed more like the quiet tech nerd they had first met. 

Madame Ping chuckled: "Perhaps this is the power of love? Xianyun has finally found her place, so of course she's changed." 

"And you two, stop talking about Xianyun. What about yourselves? You're both so old, yet you haven't found partners or even taken on disciples… Always wandering around aimlessly." 

Madame Ping looked at the two bachelors with disdain. 

Hanging out all day, what kind of behavior was that? 

As one of the most respected among the adepti, Madame Ping's words left the two with no room to argue. 

So they could only turn back to discussing Xianyun: 

"Though I never thought Xianyun would find her own happiness one day…" 

"Yeah, and with her own disciple at that… An old bird catching a young worm?" 

Moon Carver blinked: "Wait, isn't the saying 'an old cow eating young grass'?" 

Mountain Shaper scratched his head: "But Xianyun's a crane, not a cow…" 

The two old bachelor adepti stared at each other, momentarily confused. 

But before they could dwell on it too long, 

Two kitchen knives flew up from downstairs like precision-guided missiles, heading straight for them. 

Accompanied by Xianyun's furious voice: 

"If you two don't shut up, no one will think you're mute!" 

The two adepti were startled and quickly caught the knives: 

"Hey, Xianyun, are you serious?!" 

Xianyun didn't respond further, clearly done with them. 

But her reaction reassured the two: 

"See, this is the Xianyun we know, always ready to throw hands…" 

Ignoring the two grumbling old men, Jiang Ning quickly prepared some snacks and brought them upstairs. 

Paired with Madame Ping's excellent tea, everyone sat down to enjoy the treats. 

"Xiao, come join us. No need to stay so tense…" 

Zhongli swirled his teacup as he spoke. 

Xiao hesitated but said, "Thank you, Rex Lapis, but I'll stay here and keep watch. Otherwise, I won't feel at ease." 

Zhongli nodded and didn't press further. Moon Carver wanted to persuade him, but Madame Ping stopped him: 

"Everyone has their own way of doing things. No need to force it. Xiao, we'll leave it to you." 

Xiao silently shook his head, holding the Primordial Jade Winged-Spear as he stood guard by the body. 

A day and night passed in the blink of an eye. 

The aura emanating from Menogias' body grew stronger and stronger. 

Finally, with a burst of golden light, Menogias returned to this world. 

Thanks to Jiang Ning's warning, the female adepti had already stepped aside, leaving only the men to watch over Menogias. 

Menogias' closed eyes twitched a few times before finally opening, filled with confusion. 

"I… didn't I die?" 

Menogias' last memory was of losing control due to karmic debt, fighting Bonanus to the death, and ultimately perishing. 

"Menogias…" 

A trembling voice called out. Menogias looked over and saw Xiao, his eyes red. 

Menogias was startled, then smiled bitterly: "Xiao, you've passed on too… Is this the underworld?" 

Xiao shook his head: "No, this is Liyue… Dihua Marsh. You've been resurrected." 

"Resurrected? You're joking, right?" Menogias was stunned, then laughed and shook his head. 

He thought Xiao must be teasing him. 

Menogias had accepted his death calmly and said, "You're not the type to lie. I can tell… So, where are Indarias and Bonanus? And Bosacius? Are they here? I hope they're not…" 

"But Bonanus… it was her idea, right? Let her out. I need to apologize to her." 

"What if the Vigilant Yaksha isn't lying?" 

Mountain Shaper's voice rang out. Menogias was shocked and quickly looked around, seeing familiar faces—and the young man in the center… 

"Rex Lapis?! You've passed on too?!" 

Menogias was utterly bewildered. 

What in the world had happened? Even Rex Lapis had fallen? 

Moon Carver sighed: "We told you, you've been resurrected. It's not that we've died. After all these years, can't you wish us well?" 

Zhongli also spoke calmly: "Indeed." 

After everyone explained, Menogias finally understood—he had truly been resurrected. 

Feeling his body, now free of karmic debt, Menogias murmured: 

"This is… unbelievable. Thank you, Rex Lapis." 

Zhongli said, "This was all thanks to Jiang Ning. You should thank him… Also, I suggest you put some clothes on." 

Menogias: "…" ( pic plz )

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