Genshin Impact: My villain system is a little different.

Jiang Ning and Diluc were quietly plotting downstairs when they saw the three coming down looking dejected.

"Failed?"

Jiang Ning couldn't help asking.

Amber nodded: "Yeah, Barbatos said he can't control Mondstadt citizens' freedom of opinion..."

Eula said: "It's fine, Amber. It's basically the same as before. At worst, I'll just visit Mondstadt less often."

Barbara worried: "But it's not just about visiting less anymore..."

It had become a situation where they wouldn't tolerate any Lawrence clan member.

Diluc snorted coldly: "Freedom, how ridiculous..."

In the past, Barbara would have objected to Diluc's words, but given the current situation, she wasn't in the mood.

"So what do we do now?"

Amber looked at Jiang Ning hopefully - surely the future Geo Archon had a good solution?

Jiang Ning found it rather strange: "Wait, this is Mondstadt's internal affair, you want an outsider to interfere? Do you think I'm the Fatui?"

Besides, as someone wanting to recruit her, why would he help solve your problems? He wasn't that foolish.

"There's no choice then, let's go find Acting Grand Master Jean."

Amber decided.

Then she pulled Barbara and Eula along with her.

Watching the three women leave, Jiang Ning said: "Master Diluc, I'll head upstairs then."

Diluc continued wiping glasses, not looking up: "Please do."

Upstairs, Venti appeared sober, looking at Jiang Ning with a smile: "You're here."

"You were waiting for me?"

Jiang Ning was surprised.

"Yes, the old man sent me a message. How could I not listen?"

"Master?" Jiang Ning was stunned.

Venti said: "Yes. If the old man hadn't sent me word, I wouldn't have known that you could absorb others' powers while letting them retain their abilities. I thought the old man was giving you all his power and preparing to retire."

Jiang Ning said: "Well, Master has indeed retired, but he's still the strongest right now."

"That's true..." Venti deeply agreed.

"Have you encountered the Abyss recently?" Venti hinted.

Jiang Ning said: "Yes, secretly cleared some Abyss bases within Liyue's borders."

"The Abyss didn't notice?"

Venti was surprised.

Jiang Ning said: "Not sure, Master said he handled everything for me."

Venti pondered, guessing that the old man had taken the blame for Jiang Ning, while pretending to temporarily suppress the Abyss with formations...

"The old man told me to let you absorb a portion of the Anemo Archon's power too... but I think there should be some compensation, right? I can't give it away for free?"

Venti's eyes flickered as he spoke.

Jiang Ning didn't fall for it: "Come on, you think I don't know? Whatever Master discussed with you is already settled, including compensation."

Venti was disappointed: "Fine..."

What a pity, he thought he could get some extra benefits.

"What did Master offer?" 

Jiang Ning was curious.

Venti said: "Well, when your strength can handle the Abyss alone without fear of exposure, you'll help clear some Abyss-related issues in Mondstadt for us."

Honestly, if not for holding back the northern blizzards and suppressing the Abyss, Venti would have given up his powers long ago and retired like the old man.

Jiang Ning said: "That's no problem for me... But since it's a contract between you and Master, how about this - I'll also help pay for your drinks for a year, billed to Sister Ningguang's account."

Jiang Ning had become quite adept at mooching off others now.

And he wasn't embarrassed about it at all.

His previous words about being self-reliant and not using others' resources - let's just chalk that up to youthful impulsiveness.

Mainly because he really hadn't had time to work lately, and when short on Mora, he could only charge it to Ningguang's account.

Then he understood his master's feeling - freeloading feels great.

Besides, he and Sister Ningguang were already intimately close, so what's wrong with using some Mora?

As for being kept being shameful...

Come on, in real life, if someone truly cares for you, respects you, treasures you, and more importantly, is a beautiful woman with fair skin and long legs - who could resist?

Moreover, as the future Geo Archon, Liyue was basically his home too, so using some Mora was perfectly justified. (righteous.jpg)

Jiang Ning continued: "For Mondstadt's merchant guilds, just look for those with the Tianquan's mark and bill them. I'll let them know later."

Right, he still needed to explain this to Sister Ningguang.

Hearing this, Venti's eyes lit up:

"It's a deal!"

Jiang Ning said: "It's a deal."

Venti looked blissful: "You really are a good person. Don't worry, when you leave, I'll bestow a portion of the Anemo Archon's power to you."

After chatting a bit more, Jiang Ning prepared to leave.

As he went downstairs, Venti's light voice drifted over: "If Eula really can't stay in Mondstadt this time, take her with you to Liyue. And, help me tell her I'm sorry."

Looking back, he found Venti already drunk, sprawled on the table.

Jiang Ning smiled: "Got it."

...

Returning home, Jiang Ning saw Eula and Amber looking grave, but Barbara was nowhere to be seen.

"How did it go?"

Jiang Ning casually asked.

"Jean said I can only wait at home for now."

Eula was also troubled.

"How did I end up on forced leave from the Knights?"

Amber was indignant.

"Yeah, Jean said it was to let Eula lay low for a while, and this forced leave wasn't even her decision - it came from other high-ranking Knights."

"But strangely, when Kaeya and Lisa heard about Eula's forced leave, they looked troubled and seemed dissatisfied with Jean's decision."

Jiang Ning thought that Jean was really being too indecisive.

Though she was decisive against enemies - like the recent Fatui purge after confirming their move against the Anemo Archon - when it came to Knights she saw as colleagues and people worth protecting, she became hesitant.

But in Jiang Ning's view, they were all parasites.

As observers, Kaeya and Lisa saw things more clearly than Jean, who was too involved.

Moreover, if those people were making the decisions... it meant Eula wasn't far from leaving the Knights.

Now Jiang Ning was just waiting - if Jean was convinced by Lisa and Kaeya to wake up and deal with these parasites as decisively as she did with enemies, then congratulations, Eula would keep her position.

But if she remained hesitant and these parasites seized the initiative, then congratulations again - Liyue would gain a reconnaissance team captain.

"This is so annoying, all these issues of yours..." Jiang Ning pretended to be impatient, "Eula, you're my friend. If Mondstadt really can't accept you, come to Liyue with me."

Eula felt somewhat better: "Hmph, don't worry. I think this is just a small matter. Once it blows over, everything will be fine. But still, thank you."

Jiang Ning was surprised: "The Spindrift Knight actually knows how to say thanks?"

"..."

Eula opened her mouth but was too tired from the day's events to retort, though her heart felt much lighter.

Jiang Ning didn't continue trying to persuade Eula to come to Liyue, as that would seem too deliberate.

A simple mention was enough to plant the seed - whether it would sprout depended on Jean's decision.

...

"I do not agree to strip Eula Lawrence of her title as Spindrift Knight. And regarding her forced leave and removal from the reconnaissance team captain position that you mentioned earlier - I knew nothing about it. By what authority did you spread such news?"

In Jean's office, she was visibly angry, facing several elderly knights and nobles.

These people represented the families who wanted to force Eula out of the Knights.

"This isn't your decision alone, Jean. For Mondstadt's stability and freedom, Eula must leave the Knights,"

one elder said.

"Yes, who knows if Eula is a spy planted by the Fatui and Lawrence clan? Perhaps she was even behind the defense map leak."

Jean was incredulous: "I had Kaeya leak those defense plans deliberately as a trap. Besides, Eula was in Liyue during this time, not even in Mondstadt. What you're saying is completely baseless."

"Then how do you explain that before Eula joined the Knights, while the Lawrence clan was detestable, they remained quiet. But after she joined, those talking about restoration and returning to glory became active again?"

"And here are witness testimonies we collected from residents outside Mondstadt city."

"Eula Lawrence is always fierce with people, constantly making enemies. Many people think her actions are too overbearing and damage Mondstadt citizens' property."

They placed statement after statement in front of Jean, who continued glaring at them angrily.

"This is just Eula's protective facade. Her position in Mondstadt is already awkward enough - she has to act tough to avoid being bullied. As for making enemies, that's just her catchphrase. When has she ever actually taken revenge?"

"And when facing monsters, Eula steps forward, often fighting alone, having to deal with both monsters and ensuring people's safety. How could she also protect property at the same time?"

"In my view, what you're saying..." Jean took a deep breath, her eyes sharp, "is all prejudiced nonsense!"

"Jean Gunnhildr, mind your attitude and position."

The "parasites" on the other side wouldn't back down. They finally had a chance to remove Eula and replace her with their own "elite" younger generation.

"Back then, Varka advocated for Eula Lawrence - we opposed it then, and now it seems we were right to oppose it. During Eula's time as a knight, complaints and dissatisfaction far outweigh satisfaction. So even by majority rule, she should leave."

"Moreover, you're just an Acting Grand Master, not the Grand Master. We have the right to impeach you. When Grand Master Varka left, he didn't say you could have absolute authority. We're not here to discuss with you today, but to inform you."

"Eula Lawrence must leave the Knights."

After speaking, they left Jean's office like victorious roosters.

Jean supported herself on the desk, breathing heavily, her prominent chest rising and falling with each breath.

"Jean, I told you these people are just troublemakers who only know how to fight internally... Where were they when the Fatui were here?"

Lisa and Kaeya emerged from the inner room, sneering at what they'd just heard.

"And they talk about how the Grand Master didn't give you absolute authority - why didn't they object when the Grand Master made his announcement? Now that he's not in Mondstadt, they start throwing their weight around..."

Kaeya added.

"If you ask me, Jean, you should issue a statement as Acting Grand Master supporting Eula. Otherwise, these people will really succeed in their plan,"

Lisa said seriously, without her usual lazy smile.

"But when the Knights of Favonius make decisions, we need everyone's discussion..."

Jean was still sticking to protocol, which was why in the original story she secretly helped the Traveler steal the Holy Lyre rather than lending it officially in the Knights' name.

The Knights weren't controlled just by Jean, Lisa, Kaeya, and their faction.

"Stop that - did they discuss with you before announcing Eula's forced leave and other measures?"

"You're still thinking about discussion? If you back down this time, they might try to force you out of the Acting Grand Master position next."

Lisa exaggerated the situation.

But she only did so to wake Jean up. As for forcing her to step down... that was impossible.

Not only because of the Gunnhildr clan, Mondstadt's most deeply-rooted and powerful noble family behind Jean.

Even without family backing, Grand Master Varka wasn't dead yet. As long as Jean didn't try to oppress and restore power like the Lawrence clan did, no one else could take the Acting Grand Master position.

"I, I know, but..."

Jean felt her head growing heavier, the documents before her becoming blurry. Finally, her vision went black and she collapsed.

"Jean!"

Lisa and Kaeya's faces changed drastically. Lisa quickly went to Jean's side, supporting her. Feeling Jean's burning forehead and seeing the unhealthy flush on her face, Lisa instantly understood.

She thought Jean had been angered by those people, but it turned out she had a fever?

Damn it.

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