Genshin Impact: My villain system is a little different.

"Now that we have Ai-chan in Liyue, you can all travel with peace of mind." 

Rex Lapis looked at the little cabbage in front of him. Initially, he hadn't believed that such a small creature could be so powerful. 

But when Jiang Ning took Ai-chan to a place where Abyssal energy was leaking and had her purify it, Zhongli was convinced. 

Jiang Ning nodded, "Yes, Master. I'll leave Ai-chan in Liyue for now. Plus, she can act as a teleport waypoint, so we can come and go freely." 

Zhongli nodded slightly, "Don't worry, I'll ensure her safety." 

Jiang Ning thought to himself that Ai-chan, being the system, had a higher status than even the Heavenly Principles. 

Though she was just a mascot, harming her would be impossible, even if the entire Abyss tried. 

But since it was his master's kind offer, Jiang Ning accepted it graciously. 

Zhongli continued, "For this trip to Sumeru, Shenhe and Eula will accompany you. As for Guizhong, Indarias, and Bonanus, you'll need to handle their matters carefully." 

Jiang Ning replied, "Don't worry, I'll be cautious." 

"Hey, hey, hey! Don't forget about me!" Havria interjected, clearly displeased. 

Zhongli glanced at her, the once gentle goddess who had now become a mix of elegance and eccentricity, and said calmly: 

"But your combat abilities aren't particularly strong. Even some powerful familiars of gods could defeat you…" 

Azhdaha: coughs That would be me. 

Havria was both amused and annoyed, "What's wrong with you, old dragon? Why are you comparing me to Azhdaha?" 

Though Azhdaha was technically a familiar, he was practically a god in his own right. 

Zhongli stopped joking, "Be careful on this journey… By the way, Baal, isn't your sister, Beelzebul, entering Sumeru a violation of the Seven Archons' agreement?" 

Raiden Makoto smiled gently, "Morax, you're too rigid. The contract was signed by the original Seven Archons… What does that have to do with the second generation?" 

"Besides, Inazuma has always claimed that the Electro Archon has never changed. If the Electro Archon is Baal, then what does Beelzebul have to do with it?" 

Zhongli fell silent. While this was technically exploiting a loophole in the contract, he couldn't help but think… 

If he handed his position over to Jiang Ning, he could retire completely and enjoy life. 

The thought was tempting. 

After all… could this really be called exploiting a loophole? 

No, it couldn't. This was just normal communication and experience-sharing. 

With this experience, future contracts could be drafted more carefully, right? 

Zhongli convinced himself. As the God of Contracts, he valued the sanctity of agreements. 

But if a contract was unfair or exploited maliciously, the violator would face the Wrath of the Rock. 

Therefore… 

Zhongli didn't consider this malicious exploitation. 

It was just that after retiring, with Azhdaha's return and the erosion being cured, Zhongli had become less rigid. 

"This time, I just hope my sister can make me proud. But with Saiguu around, it should be fine, right?" 

Raiden Makoto sighed. 

"By the way, let Jiang Ning know that I've returned to Inazuma. Ei will join him on the day of departure." 

Zhongli nodded slightly, "Understood." 

With that, a clap of thunder echoed, and Raiden Makoto vanished. 

Havria called out, "Hey, why did you leave like that? Don't you remember the teleport waypoints?" 

The thunder in the sky paused for a moment before disappearing completely. 

But it definitely looked like she was fleeing in embarrassment. 

"She really forgot…" Azhdaha chuckled. 

Then he started muttering to himself. 

"They say pregnancy makes you forgetful for three years, but Baal isn't even pregnant. Hey, old man, if a god had a child, would the child also be a god?" 

Zhongli's blood pressure spiked, "I don't know." 

Azhdaha continued, "But Baal is definitely a woman in love. They say women in love lose their intelligence… Today proves it." 

Zhongli sighed, unable to tolerate Azhdaha's rambling any longer, and left. 

Before, he had wanted to enjoy life with old friends… but now… 

It was just too noisy. 

Seeing Zhongli leave, Azhdaha muttered, "How rude. He didn't even say goodbye… Wait for me!" 

With that, Azhdaha also left. 

Havria looked around and decided to enjoy her afternoon tea in peace. 

… 

"So, you're saying that Shenhe, Eula, Ei, and Kitsune Saiguu are all coming with us?" 

Lumine looked like the sky had fallen. 

Paimon, on the other hand, didn't mind. In fact, she was thrilled. With so many people, food and lodging would be free again. 

But Lumine? What about their romantic getaway? What about their solo adventures? 

Gone, all gone! 

Wuwu. 

Jiang Ning said, "Well, strictly speaking, you're not entirely correct…" 

A glimmer of hope appeared in Lumine's eyes. Did this mean that once they reached Sumeru, she and Jiang Ning would have their own adventures while the others handled diplomatic matters? 

Please don't lie to me… 

There was no way Ei and Kitsune Saiguu would handle Liyue's diplomacy. 

Jiang Ning continued, "Well, there's also Havria. And since we're going as tourists, we won't be spending much time in the wilderness with you…" 

Lumine turned pale. This was even worse. 

For a moment, she even considered giving up on adventuring altogether and just traveling as a tourist. 

But she held back. After all, as the Traveler, she had a duty to explore this world… 

"Then I'll come back at night using the teleport waypoint," Lumine said. 

Jiang Ning nodded, "Sure, we'll save a room for you." 

Lumine finally felt somewhat satisfied. 

The Serenitea Pot was truly convenient. 

… 

In Inazuma, Raiden Makoto quickly returned to Tenshukaku using the teleport waypoint. 

Without delay, she entered the Tenshukaku, which, though quiet, no longer felt as lifeless as before. 

Raiden Ei was struggling with paperwork, a look of frustration on her face. 

Beside her stood Kujou Sara, holding scrolls with a respectful demeanor. 

Meanwhile, Yae Miko was lounging comfortably below the throne, a small table in front of her with fried tofu and tea. 

Of course, she also had her indispensable light novel in hand. 

Next to the fried tofu was Ei's favorite tri-colored dango. 

Kujou Sara was the first to notice Raiden Makoto's return and immediately knelt on one knee with a look of reverence. 

Ei also noticed her sister's return and, with a flash of joy, appeared in front of her. 

"Makoto, you're back." 

Raiden Makoto patted her sister's head, "Yes, I'm back… Sara, you can rise. No need for such formalities." 

Kujou Sara stood up respectfully, "Understood." 

"Sister Makoto, I've been keeping a close eye on Ei," Yae Miko said with a sly smile, stretching lazily and showcasing her graceful figure. 

Truly, she was a fox spirit through and through, every gesture exuding charm. 

Raiden Makoto sighed, "You say that, but the moment I returned, I saw Ei looking pitiful while a certain little fox was lounging around." 

Yae Miko feigned innocence, "Sister Makoto, you don't understand. Ei is such a blockhead. If I weren't here to supervise, she'd issue all sorts of absurd decrees…" 

"Take the last time, for example. The repairs in Village only needed a small budget, but Ei insisted on tearing everything down and rebuilding from scratch." 

"Do you know how much that would cost? And if I were really slacking off, I wouldn't be here drinking tea and reading novels. I'd be back at the Grand Narukami Shrine, my own territory, where I'd be much more comfortable." 

Her words were so dramatic that they could move anyone to tears. 

But Raiden Makoto wasn't fooled. 

The way Ei looked flustered but didn't know how to respond said it all. 

After all, Ei was terrible at lying. 

Clearly, Yae Miko had been half-truthing, perhaps even constantly teasing and criticizing Ei. 

Ei had probably been bullied by Yae Miko quite a bit during this time. 

Yae Miko was the type to keep pulling the same wool over and over. 

Thankfully, Makoto had returned, or Ei would have been completely at Yae Miko's mercy. 

But for a familiar to have such control over her god… it was truly unprecedented. 

Ei, you're really embarrassing. Just leave the Seven Archons' group chat. 

"Where's that old fox, Kitsune Saiguu?" Yae Miko looked around, puzzled. 

Raiden Makoto replied, "She's still in Liyue. After all, Kitsune Saiguu can't stay away from Jiang Ning for too long." 

When she mentioned Jiang Ning, Raiden Makoto's face flushed slightly. 

Yae Miko's eyes lit up as if she'd discovered something incredible, "Did it work?" 

Though embarrassed, Raiden Makoto nodded softly, "Yes." 

Yae Miko circled around Raiden Makoto, "Ohoho, I knew it. No one can resist our Sister Makoto's charm." 

"Stop teasing me!" 

Raiden Makoto glared at the little fox. 

"Hehe, but it seems you're back to stay? Did that guy lose interest after getting what he wanted? Did he abandon you?" 

Yae Miko tried to stir the pot. 

Raiden Makoto sighed, but Ei, being the straightforward one, took it seriously. 

Her brows furrowed, and a murderous aura surrounded her, "He dares?!" 

She was about to grab her naginata and head to Liyue to demand justice for her sister. 

"Hey, don't listen to her nonsense, Ei. You're still so impulsive…" 

Makoto quickly calmed Ei down and then tapped Yae Miko's head, 

"It's not like that. Since I've already succeeded, I thought it would be good for you to get closer to Jiang Ning. He's heading to Sumeru in three days. You'll go with him, and he can help cure your erosion." 

Ei was reluctant, "But, Makoto, I want to stay by your side…" 

Raiden Makoto sighed, "I understand how you feel, but sisters have to marry eventually. Consider this a chance to get to know him. I'm back now, and we have plenty of time together." 

Ei wanted to argue, but Makoto patted her head, 

"Be good." 

Ei could only nod. 

"Where's the Shogun?" Raiden Makoto looked around but didn't see the puppet. 

"The Shogun…" Ei also forgot and looked at Kujou Sara. 

Kujou Sara quickly replied, "The Shogun is currently on Watatsumi Island, dealing with the Sacred Soil issue. She said it required the attention of a god." 

"I see… You really should keep better track of your puppet," Raiden Makoto tapped Ei's head. 

Ei rubbed her head, looking pitiful. 

Yae Miko said, "Now that Makoto's back, can I go home? Or maybe I can go out and explore? After being locked in Inazuma for so long, I'm curious about the outside world. I heard Liyue has changed a lot? They have electric lights and running water now? I'd love to visit Sister Ganyu." 

Seeing Yae Miko's eager expression, Raiden Makoto knew she couldn't let such a capable worker go, so she said, 

"No, you'll stay in Inazuma with me. There's still a lot I don't know about recent events, so you'll need to report to Tenshukaku daily." 

Yae Miko was not pleased. What? She had to keep working? She'd already been dealing with Ei's reclusiveness for over 500 years. 

And… with Makoto around, bullying Ei wouldn't be as fun. 

"Sister Makoto, I have duties at the Grand Narukami Shrine too. I can't be reporting here every day… Even a workhorse needs a break." 

Raiden Makoto replied, "Don't think I don't know you've been delegating most of your shrine duties to the other priestesses, except for major festivals." 

"And that's final. Sara, you'll continue your current duties. Yae Miko, you'll report here daily. As for the Shogun… we'll discuss her role when she returns." 

"Ei, remember, in three days, use the teleport waypoint to go to Liyue and depart with Jiang Ning." 

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