Genshin Impact: My Villain System Isn't Working Properly

Everyone except for Zhongli and Xiao stayed overnight at Xianyun's dwelling.

Yaoyao wanted to stay up with Madame Ping to keep her company, but Madame Ping convinced her to go to bed. After all, children should maintain good sleeping habits for their health.

The same went for Jiang Ning, while Hu Tao and Xiangling simply couldn't fall asleep. Shenhe, being an adult, could stay up with Xianyun.

Taking the opportunity, Xianyun pulled Shenhe aside to chat about how she managed to win over Jiang Ning. As a master, wasn't it normal to be... concerned about her two disciples?

As for Yanfei and Ganyu... one aged slowly, so one night didn't matter much. The other was a three-thousand-year-old "young lady." So they both stayed up as well.

Ganyu was awkwardly pulled into the conversation by Xianyun, who asked Shenhe to share some details. Meanwhile, Yanfei sat beside Madame Ping, writing furiously as she prepared to revise some laws.

After experiencing the bustling Lantern Rite festivities in Liyue Harbor, enjoying the mountain's tranquility while watching the distant city lights had its own charm.

The night passed quickly, and a new day - a new year - had arrived. Clouds rolled across the sky as sunlight bathed Mt. Aozang, marking another hopeful day.

Jiang Ning washed up with his water cup, got dressed, and after finishing everything, walked to the cave entrance. The New Year's money gifts had already been prepared early.

However, for them, Mora seemed too ordinary, so Xiangling received what was said to be an ancient cookbook written by the Stove God.

As for Hu Tao... something more mundane. All of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's outstanding bills from Zhongli would be covered by Yuehai Pavilion.

Yanfei received a new legal codex with the Geo Archon's essence on it, essentially a law book with his signature.

Then there was Jiang Ning's gift.

Jiang Ning received a one-handed sword jointly given by Madame Ping and Master Xianyun.

With black and yellow coloring, it looked ancient and dignified, exuding both historical weight and the heaviness of Geo element.

"Is this..." Jiang Ning was surprised.

"The Summit Shaper? Madam, you're actually giving this away?" Yanfei was extremely surprised, clearly recognizing this sword.

Sensing her friends' curiosity, Yanfei quickly explained:

"The Summit Shaper was reportedly forged by Rex Lapis himself, symbolizing a specific contract. It's said to have once cut off mountain peaks..."

"Without doubt, this is a divine weapon."

"Is it really that precious?" Jiang Ning was shocked, especially since it was personally forged by Rex Lapis. In Liyue, this could be considered a national treasure.

"Take it, consider it our heartfelt gift," said Madame Ping.

"But I use polearms," Jiang Ning scratched his head.

Among Liyue's divine weapons, Calamity Queller was used by Senior Sister, Primordial Jade Winged-Spear was Xiao's signature weapon, and Staff of Homa was the divine weapon passed down through Wangsheng Funeral Parlor directors. The remaining Vortex Vanquisher was said to be Rex Lapis's personal weapon.

"That's not an issue, my disciple. You should master all eight martial arts. Ask Ganyu - she's proficient in every weapon from swords to spears," Xianyun said.

Jiang Ning looked at Ganyu, who seemed still embarrassed from yesterday's events, and said quietly:

"Yes, I've trained with all kinds of weapons."

At over three thousand years old, Ganyu was even older than Liyue itself. It wasn't surprising that she had mastered all weapons over such a long time.

"What about Senior Sister Shenhe?"

Shenhe shook her head: "I'm not very interested in other weapons..."

Xianyun explained: "This child Shenhe, let me tell you, she just clings to her Calamity Queller and won't practice other weapons. Though she does put effort into studying adeptal arts and talismans."

"I see..." Jiang Ning pondered.

"Later, I'll find you some sword manuals to practice with. If needed, you can seek guidance from Mr. Zhongli - he's a martial arts master. For daily training, Ganyu can help guide you."

Xianyun seemed determined to create a second weapon master disciple.

"Then I'll trouble you, Senior Sister," Jiang Ning blinked at Ganyu.

Ganyu nodded slightly: "No problem."

Jiang Ning happily accepted the Summit Shaper: "Thank you, Master and Madam."

Yanfei protested: "Madam, you've never given me such a good weapon..."

"But this old woman doesn't have any other divine weapons... though Rex Lapis has one."

Yanfei shrunk back. Better not - she'd heard from her father about Rex Lapis's weapon, the Memory of Dust, left behind by his old friend Guizhong...

It was said to be a divine weapon with special meaning, containing all of Guizhong's wisdom.

There was no way to get that one.

Hu Tao said: "Oh my, Jiang Ning, you're impressive. Now your weapon collection is even better than our Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's."

For work and important occasions, Hu Tao would use Staff of Homa, but normally, the best weapon Wangsheng Funeral Parlor could provide was just a four-star polearm.

"Hehe, just be jealous," said Jiang Ning.

"The Summit Shaper is indeed Morax's work. I hope you can inherit the symbolic meaning of this sword - to protect Liyue and uphold contracts."

Jiang Ning said: "Yes, I definitely will... Master Zhongli, you're here."

Hearing that magnetic voice, Jiang Ning knew who had arrived.

As for protecting Liyue, of course he would - after usurping power, wouldn't he become the Geo Archon?

However, why would betraying Master Xianyun and usurping Morax's position be considered beneficial to his chosen Liyue faction?

Regarding this matter, both Jiang Ning and the system were completely puzzled.

Zhongli looked at the Summit Shaper, pondered for a moment, then said: "After the Lantern Rite ends, come to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. I will teach you swordsmanship."

Hu Tao said: "Zhongli, you have so many good things but never give them to me. I'm also very interested in swordsmanship."

Zhongli calmly replied: "Oh? Then why did you refuse when I offered to teach you swordsmanship last year, saying it was too troublesome?"

"That's because spear techniques suit me better! You're no fun, just saying."

Hu Tao put her hands on her hips.

"Have you mastered the spear techniques I taught you before?"

Zhongli asked.

"Yes, yes, and you know what? The spear techniques you taught me complement perfectly with what Jiang Ning learned from you. Back then, against the Fatui, we were unstoppable."

Hu Tao gestured excitedly.

"Oh? Is that so?"

Regarding this complementary spear technique, Madame Ping and Xianyun both knew about it, but this technique seemed to be...

They both gave Zhongli meaningful looks.

Zhongli felt somewhat embarrassed and coughed to cover it up.

Xianyun stroked her chin, looking at Hu Tao with a different expression.

As for Madame Ping...

Honestly, she looked at Shenhe and Ganyu, then at Hu Tao, and started thinking.

These two are already helping, should I also...

Never mind, let the young ones find their own happiness. Besides, perhaps her disciple didn't have such intentions?

But seeing Xiangling happier than when she won the cooking competition, Madame Ping hesitated.

Wait, cooking competition?

Madame Ping suddenly asked: "Xiangling, weren't you participating in the cooking competition? Why didn't you go?"

Xiangling, suddenly addressed, was startled, then said: "Ah, this is just the first one. I was hoping to compete with chefs from other nations and Liyue's best."

"But since it's the first time, few foreigners came. As for local chefs, apparently, the Tianquan and Yuheng are hosting guests, so the master chefs from Xinyue Kiosk and Liuli Pavilion went to help. The head chef from Wangshu Inn, Yanxiao, reportedly injured his hand. Only ordinary restaurant cooks came to participate."

"If I went, wouldn't I be bullying them? Besides, it wouldn't achieve the goal of exchange and improvement, so I didn't go."

"However, I heard the next competition will be sponsored by the Tianquan, which should attract more people."

Xiangling seemed excited about that prospect.

"I see..." everyone nodded in understanding.

"True Lord, are you planning to pack up the cave and move to Liyue Harbor?"

Ganyu suddenly asked.

"I am planning to, though the things that need packing are already prepared."

Madame Ping teased: "Looks like you had this planned all along, Xianyun."

Xianyun said: "So what if I did? Living alone in the cave is too lonely. By the way, Ganyu, help me sell some of my mechanisms, inventions, and antique collections."

"We'll need Mora to live in Liyue Harbor."

Ganyu quickly said: "I have plenty of Mora from all these years, definitely enough, True Lord doesn't need to worry..."

"Enough, how could I use my disciple's Mora? I have my own capabilities... Also, once in Liyue Harbor, don't call me True Lord anymore. I've already changed my self-address, Ganyu, you should change too."

Xianyun pondered for a moment, then continued: "Call me Master."

Ganyu nodded: "Yes, Master..."

Everyone then figured that Xianyun's adeptus identity would probably be exposed within days.

Ganyu's adeptus identity was semi-public, Jiang Ning and Shenhe's identities as adeptus disciples weren't hidden, so their master...

Hu Tao stroked her chin, estimating that whoever became the first buyer of these antiques and mechanisms would make a fortune.

Once Xianyun's adeptus identity spread among the upper class, the resale price would increase at least tenfold.

Thinking this, Hu Tao felt the urge to buy everything first.

Ah, such misfortune to have an adeptus consultant who spends money freely.

Look at others, contributing to household expenses right away.

Life is hard, Hu Tao sighed.

They had said they'd spend Lantern Rite at Mt. Aozang, and now one night had passed.

The people of Liyue are always full of ceremony, all for that one night of gathering.

After the night, it's a new year, a new life.

When Jiang Ning and others returned to Liyue Harbor, some merchants had already opened for business.

Of course, these merchants lived nearby, and entire families came to welcome customers.

The streets were filled with children playing happily and adults in new clothes, looking festive.

People exchanged greetings and blessings with familiar faces, laughter and joy everywhere.

Zhongli and Hu Tao returned to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. As for Wanmin Restaurant, since Xiangling's parents went out to play and the restaurant was closed, she went to visit Yaoyao's home.

Only Yanfei accompanied Madame Ping, while Xianyun's whole family went to Ganyu's home.

"Ganyu, after all these years, your home hasn't changed much, though it has gained some liveliness."

Xianyun looked around Ganyu's residence.

Ganyu smiled: "Thanks to little brother and sister, otherwise it would still be cold and empty."

Xianyun said: "See? My decision to send Shenhe and Jiang Ning to you was very correct."

After chatting briefly, Xianyun eagerly said to Jiang Ning:

"Look, I'm settling in Liyue Harbor, don't have many acquaintances, and met the few old friends I know last night... Can I see the knowledge from the other world now?"

But Jiang Ning shook his head: "No, Master, we agreed to wait until after Lantern Rite."

Xianyun became anxious: "But Lantern Rite still has seven days..."

Jiang Ning ignored this: "Besides, Master, there are other things to do. Didn't you say you wanted to sell some antiques? I think we should keep the mechanisms..."

"Fine... Ganyu, can you contact buyers?"

Ganyu nodded slightly: "Yes, no problem."

Although Lantern Rite was a time for family reunions and rest, the large merchant associations, while not actively seeking big deals, wouldn't refuse business that came to them. Especially with Ganyu involved, those merchants had no reason to refuse.

However, after visiting several trading companies, they found that, coincidentally, all the big merchants had gone out to visit relatives or entertain business partners.

It wasn't until the fifth company that they found the owner actually at home.

Hearing that Ganyu had come with business, the owner hurried out to welcome them personally.

No joke - the Qixing's general secretary, an adeptus, visiting on the first day of Lantern Rite? That truly brought prosperity to the house, and perhaps the whole coming year would be profitable.

Jiang Ning rubbed his head: "Really, really what a coincidence, this merchant is quite destined with us, deserving to prosper."

Ganyu couldn't help but laugh: "You believe in such things, little brother?"

"It's a good omen anyway, and... isn't this just the Liyue people's custom? Besides Rex Lapis and our adeptus seniors, which other gods do people truly believe in? If they don't work out, people just scoff at them, right?"

After all, Jiang Ning had seen ship captains suddenly believing in the Anemo Archon when facing stormy seas, and exam candidates suddenly believing in the Dendro Archon during Yuehai Pavilion's recruitment tests...

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