Genshin Impact: My Villain System Isn't Working Properly

Outside the cave dwelling, four Adeptus/Immortals were seated at a stone table.

Zhongli, Xiao, Granny Ping, and Xianyun.

The younger generation looked over curiously.

"What's going on? Why are Mr. Zhongli and Xiao here as well?" 

Yanfei asked Ganyu in a low voice.

Moreover, Xiao seems to be extremely respectful towards Mr. Zhongli.

This made them even more curious.

Ganyu said, "I... I'm not really sure..."

Ganyu's gaze was somewhat evasive. She knew Zhongli's true identity, but because of Zhongli's orders, she couldn't speak about it.

Especially not in front of her junior brother.

"I didn't expect Zhongli to have such a high status. Even the immortal Xiao seems so restrained, and Xianyun's demeanor also seems strange," 

Hu Tao thought carefully and concluded.

"He must be a very high-ranking immortal."

Xiangling said with some envy, "Hu Tao, you've really struck gold. Even your casual guest is so powerful."

"Hmph hmph, that's because I have discerning eyes... Do you really not want me to help cook?"

"Please, absolutely not!" Xiangling's expression changed instantly.

Yanfei asked Jiang Ning again, "Junior brother, Mr. Zhongli should be your master, right? Don't you know his immortal name?"

"No idea. Master never mentioned it," Jiang Ning looked bewildered.

But he felt that people like Xianyun and Zhongli, with their attractive appearances, high status, and distinctive clothing, looked like they were definitely going to be added to a character pool.

If he had known he was going to transmigrate, he would have started playing earlier. Maybe he could have planned ahead with his foreknowledge.

Look how much fun he had in Mondstadt? Although things almost went south, if Ganyu hadn't come to his rescue, he would have been seriously injured.

"I'll ask about it later, or I'll ask my dad," 

Yanfei said this, but then felt somewhat discouraged.

"Forget it, you ask. My parents are probably off wandering somewhere."

"Enough about that... Let's start cooking. Junior brother, don't slack off today. It's rare for you to be back. Let your masters taste your cooking. Both of your masters are here," 

 Ganyu quickly said.

"Okay... Shenhe, will you help me?"

Shenhe nodded, "Okay."

Xiangling thought that while Yaoyao knew how to cook, letting such a small child cook felt wrong. So she approached Yanfei.

As for Hu Tao... no one dared to let her help. Ganyu... if she could cook, she wouldn't have been eating at the Wanmin Restaurant all these years.

Oh, except for a cold-dressed Qingxin salad she was somewhat skilled at.

While they were bustling about here, the conversation on the other side was slightly awkward.

"Well, Em- Mr. Zhongli..." Xianyun coughed.

Zhongli sighed and said, "Speak freely. I've already set up a barrier here. They won't be able to hear us."

Xianyun said, "I'll be direct. When you were teaching Jiang Ning how to use a spear, you only let him call you Mr. Zhongli. So why does he now call you master?"

Zhongli looked somewhat surprised, "You don't know?"

Xianyun was puzzled, "Ah?"

Granny Ping laughed, "Xianyun has definitely been immersed in mechanical arts recently and hasn't been paying attention to outside affairs. But as his master, you should care more about these children... Otherwise, you'll lose the opportunity later."

Xianyun was dissatisfied, "I... How am I not caring? And even when they grow up, they're still my disciples."

Granny Ping slowly said, "That child might become our superior in the future."

"Superior? What do you mean?" Xianyun frowned, but quickly realized something, his expression changing, looking incredulously at Zhongli, "Lord, you can't mean..."

Zhongli slightly nodded, "A part of my authority has been absorbed by that child without his knowledge. Currently, it's a kind of assessment."

Xianyun frowned, "But why..."

Zhongli's amber-colored gaze seemed to see through the river of time, reminiscing about the past and seemingly looking towards the future:

"For thousands of years, I've protected Liyue, guided Liyue's direction. Liyue is like my child. But sometimes I wonder if the child has grown up, and as the Geo Archon, whether I've properly fulfilled my responsibilities..."

Granny Ping sighed, "Even solid rock can grow weary one day. The Lord seems to want to rest and find a successor."

Zhongli didn't confirm or deny: "I've observed my disciple. Decisive in killing, not brainless, with some small thoughts, but ultimately family. If he passes the exam I've set up - Jiang Ning, the Seven Stars, Liyue - then I can rest assured, return Liyue to human governance, and let that child succeed my position."

"I see..." Xianyun still looked somewhat dazed.

How could his disciple suddenly...

"Don't spread this around, especially you, Xianyun," Zhongli said.

"Me? My mouth is very tight," Xianyun said.

At this, Granny Ping smiled, and Xiao turned his head away.

Zhongli chuckled softly and shook his head, "The specific decisions and matters will be explained at the divine invitation ceremony when the dust settles..."

"Also, not just you, but Li Shan and Die Yue will also enter Liyue Harbor in the future, living under aliases. Immortals and humans are all part of Liyue. This is something Jiang Ning taught me."

Xianyun lowered his head, seemingly deep in thought.

"Alright, let's stop the small talk. Just call me Zhongli. The children are waving to us," Zhongli said finally.

 ...

"Master, what were you talking about? The food is ready."

Jiang Ning said.

"Nothing, just catching up after not seeing each other for many years," Zhongli replied.

Xianyun crossed her arms, which further emphasized her chest.

"Look, we've prepared many delicious dishes. The Calla Lily Seafood Soup we prepared is extremely delicious," 

Xiangling eagerly showed off all the dishes they had made, which were varied and numerous.

"Calla Lily Seafood Soup? I remember this dish requires long-term stewing," Xianyun said.

Jiang Ning said, "Hehe, I started stewing it early in the Pot that Granny Ping gave me. I just took it out."

"I see..."

Everyone sat down. Drinks and beverages were all prepared. Jiang Ning looked at Xianyun and said:

"Master, would you like to say a few words?"

Xianyun coughed and said, "Let Mr. Zhongli speak. Although I'm good at chatting, I'm not very skilled at festival greetings."

"Is that so? Then, Master Zhongli?"

Jiang Ning turned his gaze to Zhongli.

Zhongli raised his wine cup, pondered for a moment, and said: "At this moment of family reunion..."

Zhongli's words were quite literary, but Jiang Ning felt a sense of déjà vu, like the company year-end speeches he'd seen on TV.

Only, Zhongli's literary skills were far more profound.

After finishing his speech, everyone raised their cups in celebration and began to enjoy the meal.

Midway, Hu Tao suddenly started giggling.

Hmm hmm hmm, Zhongli, you didn't tell me you're an immortal. Hmm hmm hmm, then don't blame me.

Hu Tao directly brought her fruit juice to Xiao's side:

"Immortal Xiao, I've long heard of your fame. It's better to see you once than to hear about you a hundred times. How come I haven't seen you during the Lantern Rite all these years? The other immortals would more or less make an appearance."

Xiao was somewhat uncomfortable with Hu Tao's enthusiasm: "I carry karmic burdens, so I shouldn't appear among everyone, therefore..."

"Is that so? What a pity," Hu Tao said regretfully.

Zhongli also said at the right moment: "The Demon-Quelling Great Sage's karmic burdens have been significantly reduced by Jiang Ning, so he can now experience Liyue's thousands of lights."

"But there are still places that need guarding..." 

Xiao hesitated. During the festival, ghosts and demons wouldn't rest, so he needed to personally clear them out. Being able to come today was thanks to the Archon helping to clear demon creatures and reinforcing some seals.

Zhongli said, "It's fine. There will be a way."

He could always work overtime for a year if needed, letting the immortal night guards rest.

Hu Tao said, "The Demon-Quelling Great Sage is truly a model and exemplar of Liyue's protection... Zhongli, you have no eye for the occasion. Shouldn't you toast the Demon-Quelling Great Sage?"

Xiangling and Yanfei looked at Hu Tao like she was crazy. How dare she tease an immortal like this, especially her own guest of honor?

Xiao quickly said, "This is my duty. Mr. Zhongli need not..."

But Zhongli thoughtfully nodded: "The Hall Master speaks correctly. The Demon-Quelling Great Sage has been meritorious to Liyue for many years. This cup of wine should indeed be toasted."

Seeing Xiao looking like ants were crawling all over him, sitting uncomfortably, Granny Ping finally intervened:

"Alright, Hu Tao, you child. Now that you know Zhongli's identity, don't play around. Zhongli is considered Xiao's senior, you're making Xiao uncomfortable."

"Ah? My guest of honor's status is so high?"

Hu Tao was stunned, and the others were also curious.

Although they knew he was an immortal, hearing it from Granny Ping's mouth was still surprising.

Xiao's senior, that means his status is very high. No wonder Xianyun and the others respect Zhongli so much.

He must be one of the first immortals to follow the Archon.

Zhongli remained calm. His ordinary person's mask falling was something he had long expected.

As long as the adeptus's mask didn't fall, it was fine.

As for exposing his identity... 

After all these years, look at Ganyu and Granny Ping. They've been staying there unchanged.

Perceptive people could basically tell their immortal status.

But no one has been constantly seeking immortal guidance.

Partly because they're afraid of angering immortal dignity, and partly because the Liyue Qixing would secretly prevent such approaches.

So Granny Ping and Ganyu have lived quite peacefully all these years.

"Alright, let's not talk about this. You young ones go play. We old folks will have some tea over there," 

Granny Ping's gaze was kind.

But this made Xianyun's face darken:

"Jiang Ning, come here."

Jiang Ning walked over quickly.

"Am I very old?" 

Xianyun asked. It seems whether human or immortal, if they're female, they're sensitive about age.

Jiang Ning quickly said, "Master, you're not old at all. In fact, if you walk outside, you'd look like my sister. Young, beautiful, and gorgeous."

Just praise however you can.

Xianyun was very satisfied with Jiang Ning's words, then looked at Granny Ping: "See, I'm not old at all."

Granny Ping laughed, Xianyun was still the same.

"Xianyun, you're using 'this immortal' again."

Xianyun was stunned, then turned her head: "I'll change. I won't do this anymore after arriving in Liyue Harbor."

The adeptus went to one side, seemingly discussing something.

Among the youngsters, Ganyu finished eating and wanted to sleep, but before sleeping, she changed the talisman on her chest.

Yes, she changed it while her master wasn't looking.

Yaoyao played with Guoba and Yanfei. Xiangling prepared to make some late-night snacks, but Guoba wasn't around, so she kept pestering Jiang Ning to breathe fire.

Jiang Ning was helpless. Guoba's flames were somewhat unusual, so he couldn't just get a free pass. So he went "Jiang Ning, breathe fire!"

Shenhe sat quietly, looking at Jiang Ning with loving eyes, like the most beautiful sculpture in the world.

As for Hu Tao...

Honestly, while no one was watching, she secretly went to the stove where Jiang Ning had been cooking and started tinkering with something.

"It's the Lantern Rite. Didn't someone say someone from Mondstadt was coming to play?" 

Xiangling said.

Jiang Ning stopped breathing fire and said, "Eula and Barbara? They couldn't come due to some unfinished business, but they might have time after the Lantern Rite."

"What a pity. I was hoping to entertain guests from another nation. I wanted to show off my skills."

Regarding Barbara and Eula, Xiangling felt goodwill, especially towards Eula. After hearing about her experiences in Mondstadt, she felt indignant.

Even Yanfei wanted to slam a legal tome on those people's heads.

So angry.

Jiang Ning said, "There will be opportunities."

At this moment, Hu Tao approached and said:

"Are you hungry after breathing fire? Here, eat something."

She directly brought food to Jiang Ning's mouth with her chopsticks.

Jiang Ning, who was focused on the fire, didn't notice and ate it directly.

But soon he felt something was wrong. Why was his head dizzy, and his limbs weak?

"What did you feed me?!" 

Jiang Ning's eyes widened, looking at what Hu Tao held.

Seeing the food emitting a purple mist, Jiang Ning's vision went black, and he collapsed.

Damn it, Hu Tao, you schemed against me.

The Ghostly March?!