Genshin Impact: My villain system is a little different.

"Hello, Lady Havria."

Seeing Havria appear, Keqing quickly greeted her.

She held great respect for this god.

"I told you, just call me Sister Havria."

Havria said.

Keqing felt awkward, not knowing what to say. Call her sister? They were generations apart.

Jiang Ning couldn't help saying: "Why do you always listen to Master Zhongli? Honestly, I want to minimize contact with the Raiden Shogun."

After all, she seemed like a cold and heartless god... What normal god would think of a Sakoku Decree? And your country doesn't even produce much food - your people are starving.

The last one who issued a lockdown decree had been gone for who knows how long.

Though his puppet-making skills weren't great, he could improve with practice. Worst case, he could have the System help.

[...]

"You think you can escape? Your authority as the Precious God and Wind God stands out like a bonfire in the night. As soon as you enter Inazuma, the Raiden Shogun will probably seek you out," Havria continued chattering.

"But don't worry too much. Since you're not an official god yet, after explaining your purpose, the Raiden Shogun shouldn't say anything."

As one of the Seven Archons, gods should avoid visiting other territories to prevent friction.

As for the original story's Venti and Zhongli meeting at Wangsheng...

Venti wasn't a god anymore, and Zhongli had faked his death, so it was basically just ordinary people visiting each other.

No big deal.

Jiang Ning nodded: "Hope so... I don't want to fight right now."

"I think you're overthinking that. How can you avoid fighting when you're absorbing archon remnants and resentment?" Havria smiled.

"Unless you don't want Guizhong to be revived."

Jiang Ning pursed his lips: "Really born to labor."

Though Keqing didn't understand what they were talking about, it seemed impressive, and... Guizhong? Wasn't that the Dust God's name? Revive?

Keqing was startled. If true, wouldn't Liyue have three gods? And this Dust God was reportedly unparalleled in mechanisms and civilian technology.

Liyue was going to take off.

Keqing was very happy.

"After reaching Inazuma, let's explore. I want to see foreign sights... We've checked off Mondstadt, now it's Inazuma time!"

Havria said.

Jiang Ning nodded: "Got it."

Havria said: "Alright, I'll go rest then... see you."

With that, she vanished.

Keqing and Jiang Ning began discussing Liyue's development and future ideas, exchanging thoughts.

Listening to Jiang Ning, Keqing didn't notice her smile becoming sweeter, her gaze at him seemingly able to form strings.

Ah, Jiang Ning, you really are heaven's gift to me, helping realize my dreams and being so patient with me... wonderful.

Nearby, the sailors were taking their leisure time breaks.

The male sailors gathered in small groups playing cards, while the female sailors clustered together gossiping.

Occasionally their eyes would sparkle looking towards Jiang Ning's direction.

"See, I told you Jiang Ning and Lady Keqing are a couple! Look at that atmosphere, how harmonious. Sister Lan didn't lie to me!"

One female sailor looked like she'd found her ship.

Another disagreed: "What are you talking about, they're just friends having a normal conversation. What couple? Lady Ningguang and Lord Jiang Ning are the real couple!"

"What if Lord Jiang Ning, Lady Ningguang, and Lady Keqing are all together?"

One offered her bold guess.

But this guess wasn't ridiculed by others, instead making them thoughtful.

"Indeed... that's very possible. And given Lord Jiang Ning's current status, one could say Lady Keqing and Lady Ningguang are marrying up."

The female sailors felt dazed. Once upon a time, the Tianquan and Yuheng were lofty Qixing.

People would gossip about who could receive their favor and marry in.

Now... they'd think the two Qixing were marrying up?

How times change.

But honestly, looking at Jiang Ning's appearance and background, it was undoubtedly marrying up.

After settling their stock market debate, the sailors began worrying.

"I heard Inazuma has many excellent ladies too... They say the Kamisato Princess from the Kanjou Commission is graceful in every move, not inferior to Lady Ningguang and Lady Keqing. What if..."

"Why worry needlessly? Are you afraid Lord Jiang Ning will be seduced away? Don't worry, don't we still have Miss Shenhe and Miss Ganyu?"

"That's true... but there's also the Guuji of the Grand Narukami Shrine..."

"If they're not gods, they're all marrying up, and Lord Jiang Ning will bring them back to Liyue. Look at Lady Eula, isn't she proof?"

"Yeah yeah, if they want an equal marriage alliance with Liyue, they'd need the Raiden Shogun herself. They say she's peerlessly beautiful too."

These children of the sea were truly bold.

Their private gossip dared to discuss even gods.

Partly because life at sea was dangerous - you might die any day - so they'd say anything. Also, they learned from Beidou, who feared neither heaven nor land.

Jiang Ning's ears were much better than Keqing's, and his expression became strange. Keqing was confused:

"What's wrong?"

Jiang Ning said: "Nothing... By the way, Keqing, do your parents live with you?"

"No, I live alone... You've been to my home, why?"

Keqing asked.

Jiang Ning said: "Nothing, just thinking about visiting your father and mother someday..."

Keqing was bewildered: "Huh?"

...

In Inazuma, at the Grand Narukami Shrine.

This was a shrine dedicated to gods, and here resided Yae Miko, the Raiden Shogun's shrine maiden and attendant.

Legend said Yae Miko had a thousand fox faces, a divine fox with Hakushin blood.

Speaking of the Grand Narukami Shrine, its most classic sight was the cherry blossom tree within.

The Sacred Sakura had stood in Inazuma since unknown times, and over these hundreds of years, it had grown to resemble a pink fox shape.

According to unnamed rumors, this was the current Guuji's personal preference.

Today, under the cherry tree sat a pink-haired woman.

Wearing white and pink shrine maiden attire that revealed smooth white shoulders and long jade legs.

Her aura was alluring and mysterious, every gesture naturally seductive.

Her pink hair moved with the wind, accompanied by falling cherry petals, like a beautiful painting.

Most notably, this woman seemed to have two long drooping ears, decorated with an Electro Vision.

This was the current Grand Narukami Shrine's Guuji, the Raiden Shogun's attendant, Yae Miko.

Before her stood a nervous-looking shrine maiden with a pleasant appearance.

"These light novels have been so boring lately. Aren't there any more interesting authors?"

A lazy voice with seductive undertones rang out, like feathers brushing the heart, tickling one's soul.

"In reply to Lady Guuji, recently... due to special circumstances, fewer people are submitting manuscripts... Currently at Yae Publishing House, only Teacher Shenhe from Liyue maintains stable updates."

The shrine maiden's voice revealed some fear.

Yae Miko raised her pink eyes with interest, looking at the shrine maiden:

"Didn't I tell you, Hotami, what to call me at this time?"

The shrine maiden called Hotami immediately corrected herself: "Ch-Chief Editor!"

Yae Miko nodded satisfactorily: "Mm, that's better..."

Then, putting on a worried expression: "Ah, this Sakoku Decree, really, it's even affecting my publishing house."

This shrine maiden named Inagi Hotami often followed Yae Miko around the shrine and helped manage publishing house affairs.

The Yae Publishing House was Inazuma's largest bookstore and publisher, one of Yae Miko's enterprises.

However, facing Yae Miko's complaints about the Sakoku Decree, Hotami dared not speak much. As a divine attendant, Yae Miko could say such things, but for a mere shrine maiden like herself...

She probably wouldn't live long.

"Don't be so nervous, little Hotami. Go tell Editor Kuroda to cancel the upcoming writing competition. Not many would participate anyway... Just ensure our current contracted novels keep updating."

Yae Miko said.

"Yes, Chief Editor."

"Lady Guuji, the Kamisato Commission's young lady, Kamisato Ayaka, requests an audience."

A shrine maiden hurried over to report.

Yae Miko was somewhat surprised: "Little Ayaka has time to visit? Bring her over. Hotami, you may leave, just do as I said."

"Yes, Chief Editor."

Hotami quickly left. Though the Guuji always seemed casual, one felt the need to be extremely alert around her.

The clear sound of wooden sandals on the floor was somewhat hurried, yet trying to contain that urgency.

Soon, a young lady like a proper family's daughter approached.

Her light blue hair was tied in a high ponytail, swaying slightly as she walked. Her straight bangs and princess-like ornaments made her look very proper.

Wearing what seemed both a long dress and battle dress bearing the Kamisato Commission's crest, moving with the wind, her flawless delicate face showed a trace of anxiety.

Below the dress hem were clean calves, her lotus feet wrapped in white silk socks.

This proper young lady was the Kamisato Commission's daughter, known by Inazuma's people as the "Shirasagi Princess" for her gentleness and accessibility - Kamisato Ayaka.

Arriving before Yae Miko, Kamisato Ayaka performed a perfect ceremonial bow.

"Kamisato Ayaka of the Kamisato Commission greets Lady Guuji... Lady Guuji, I have matters to discuss."

Yae Miko remained languid: "Oh? Haven't seen you in so long, you've grown so much... Elegant bearing, lovely appearance, no wonder they call you princess, little Ayaka~"

Kamisato Ayaka was both helpless and shy: "Lady Guuji, I have important matters to discuss, please don't..."

"Alright, really, still so easily embarrassed. Let me guess, is it about Liyue's arrival?"

Yae Miko said.

Kamisato Ayaka nodded: "Yes, this time it's said the Yuheng of the Qixing is leading the delegation. The Yuheng is reportedly decisive and hates evil. Considering the Kanjou Commission's recent actions, I'm worried..."

"The visitors aren't friendly, is that it?" Yae Miko said, "This should be the Kanjou Commission's headache, they caused this."

"But traditionally, the Kamisato Commission is also responsible for receiving foreign guests. I think we should be prepared. I heard Lady Guuji has been to Liyue before, so I came to ask for advice on how to handle this."

Yae Miko said: "Ah, that was long ago. I don't know what Liyue is like now."

"Besides, you don't need to receive foreign guests anymore, do you?"

Yae Miko hinted.

Kamisato Ayaka's face turned bitter: "Yes..."

The Kamisato clan had declined in recent years, the Kamisato Commission suppressed by the other two commissions. 

If not for her brother supporting the clan, they might have ceased to exist.

Unfortunately, receiving foreign guests had been gradually taken over by the other two houses. The Shogun didn't interfere, seemingly approving this.

Now, the Tenryou Commission received Snezhnayan delegations, and other nations' merchants dealt directly with the Kanjou Commission. 

The Kamisato Commission, originally also responsible for diplomacy, could no longer receive guests.

But facing Liyue's forceful approach, Kamisato Ayaka, concerned for Inazuma, still needed to inquire.

"Don't worry, perhaps the winds of change and the stabilizing geo will descend upon Inazuma. Whether that's good or bad remains to be seen..."

Yae Miko, sensing the approaching presence through something left by her god, glanced at where the Raiden Shogun was, the Tenshukaku, silently questioning.

What are you thinking? What will you do? My dear god.

Yae Miko withdrew her gaze and looked at Kamisato Ayaka:

"But little Ayaka, you're right, we should prepare... Let's get ready. In a few days, we'll go to the harbor together to meet these Liyue visitors."

"But the other two commissions..." Kamisato Ayaka hesitated.

Yae Miko sneered, her vertical pupils showing a hint of danger:

"I'd like to see if they dare interfere with my affairs."

----

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