Chapter 182

As the feast ended, everyone returned to their respective homes.

For some reason, Zhongli seemed deeply worried when he left.

Havria went with Ningguang to the Jade Chamber. After all this time, Havria was quite interested in seeing the Jade Chamber's night view. Previously, she would rarely visit except when Jiang Ning went there. And when Jiang Ning did visit the Jade Chamber, it was either during the day with no night view, or at night... well, Havria felt she would have been an enormous third wheel if she stayed then.

But tonight was different. Jiang Ning would definitely spend his first night back with his senior disciples, and Ningguang graciously mentioned she had work to do tonight. Anyone with eyes could see through this excuse.

Back at the mansion, Ganyu and Shenhe went to freshen up, seemingly hinting something to Jiang Ning.

Xianyun originally wanted to continue her research work.

However, Jiang Ning directly pulled Xianyun back to her room, insisting on watching her fall asleep. Otherwise, he was genuinely worried that his master, who taught during the day and researched at night without rest, might suddenly collapse one day.

He was planning to be a rebellious disciple in the future, so how could he let anything happen to Xianyun?

Besides, planning to usurp the old Rex Lapis and be rebellious towards Xianyun... ah, he really was too bad.

Jiang Ning thought to himself.

"This immortal won't collapse, and besides, it's really not that serious," Xianyun said as her disciple forcefully made her lie down on the bed and tucked her in.

Though it felt strange, surprisingly, Xianyun didn't dislike Jiang Ning's forceful manner. In fact, she felt somewhat happy.

However, as a crane adeptus, she still had to maintain some stubbornness: "What needs to be hard should stay hard."

Jiang Ning shook his head and said, "That won't do, Master. You must rest. Even Keqing has said that balancing work and rest leads to better work efficiency."

"Besides, it's better to be safe than sorry... you wouldn't want to be the first immortal to die from overwork, right? If that happened, your fellow adepti would laugh themselves to death."

Xianyun fell silent. Knowing her few troublemaker friends' personalities, if that really happened... They might properly mourn her after a few years, but they'd definitely spend those years mercilessly teasing her about it.

Just imagining that scene made Xianyun feel like she had ten thousand cocogoats crawling on her.

"This immortal understands, I'll rest now..." Xianyun said.

"That's good. Master... Ganyu mentioned that you want to hold a grandchild? And you're so anxious that you want to enter the field yourself? If it's you, Master, I don't mind," Jiang Ning said with a smile.

"Child, how dare you speak to your master like this! How can you say such things?" Xianyun glared at Jiang Ning, but she didn't seem angry. Instead, there was a hint of coquettish blame in her voice.

"Hehe, rest well, Master. I'll take my leave now." Jiang Ning had a moment of realization, seeming to understand something.

He left with a grin - tonight, he still had a great battle ahead with his two senior disciples.

Back in his room, the system spoke up:

[Host, your master's heartbeat increased.]

"I noticed that too. There's potential here." Jiang Ning smiled, "Master is a big tsundere. What she says and what she thinks are different, so after some time passes, I'll be a bit more forceful."

[I told you, after looking at Host's face for so long, and with Host being so caring towards her, what woman could resist?]

"Keep talking if you're going to say nice things like that."

Although the system didn't have a physical form yet, Jiang Ning still wanted to give it an approving look.

"Enough talk, tonight is going to be a tough battle!" Jiang Ning said with mock seriousness as he saw the bulging blankets and the exposed white and blue hair.

About two hours later, the room was in complete disarray. Ganyu and Shenhe were unconscious, their bodies still occasionally trembling.

The bed was soaked through, with pillows half on the bed and half hanging off, water even dripping down.

Ah, these seniors really were careless. They said they were thirsty, and when he went to pour them water, his hand shook and it all spilled on the bed. How could they sleep like this?

And because his seniors were too tired, they fell asleep...

Having no choice, Jiang Ning used wind elements to lift the two women while changing the bedsheets.

After finishing all this, he stroked his chin in thought.

Originally, the two women's combat power wasn't this weak.

But...

He had a sudden inspiration - didn't he now possess electro elements? And then...

With his weapon infused with electro, even when his two seniors joined forces, they were completely helpless against him in their sparring match.

To the point where both seniors had been defeated by his masterful martial arts.

But Jiang Ning felt that today's martial arts practice wasn't enough.

So... he sneaked into Eula's room.

"Hey? What are you doing... mmph?!"

Before Eula could finish speaking, her mouth was covered, but feeling the familiar presence, she gradually relaxed and gave in.

Jiang Ning continued to practice his martial arts.

As Master Zhongli said well, the path of martial arts is like rowing upstream - if you don't advance, you retreat.

Jiang Ning really was a very diligent person.

In the neighboring courtyard lived Raiden Makoto and Kitsune.

Hearing the sounds from next door, Kitsune giggled:

"My little benefactor is really hardworking. Even late at night, he's still practicing his martial arts. No wonder they say Ei hasn't even fought him yet but already feels she's no match for him."

Unlike the coquettish and charming fox spirit, Raiden Makoto was more traditional at heart.

Her face slightly red, she said: "Eavesdropping isn't good, is it?"

Kitsune said: "What's wrong with that? It'll be your turn sooner or later too. When the time is right, maybe the Miko could even serve as side chamber maid."

"Besides, come here..." 

Kitsune beckoned to Raiden Makoto, who curiously came closer.

Kitsune whispered something in Raiden Makoto's ear.

The more she spoke, the redder Raiden Makoto's face became, until she almost seemed ready to let off steam like a machine.

"You're terrible, how can you say such things..."

In private, Raiden Makoto and Kitsune were close friends who could talk about anything, so their attitude was very casual.

"So, my dear deity, would you like me to buy some books later for you to study properly?" Kitsune teased.

"Mind your own business! Go to sleep!" 

Raiden Makoto glared at Kitsune, directly set up a sound-blocking barrier, and turned over to sleep.

Kitsune quietly laughed and lay down too.

However, even with the barrier, Eula's plaintive sounds seemed to stick like a bone-gnawing maggot, constantly echoing in Raiden Makoto's ears.

Tonight, Raiden Makoto couldn't sleep.

The next morning, Jiang Ning went out feeling refreshed, while Eula, Ganyu, and Shenhe all had a dewy glow about them.

Just somehow, Raiden Makoto didn't look too well. She kept yawning and seemed to be avoiding Jiang Ning.

"What's wrong, Lady Makoto? Are you homesick for Inazuma?" Jiang Ning asked with concern.

"When I left, I promised Ei I would take good care of you."

Raiden Makoto shook her head and said: "No, I'm just not used to the bed..."

She could hardly say that she had barely slept all night, and when she finally dozed off hazily, she had to get up early in the morning to wash the bedsheets, could she?

If such things got out, her career as an Archon would probably be over.

Kitsune giggled on the side and teased: "What do you mean not used to the bed? You're just lovesick. It's natural, after all, our dear deity has reached that age."

"Kitsune, don't talk like you're my elder," Raiden Makoto pursed her lips, her face blushing.

Jiang Ning had a sudden realization. He smiled at Raiden Makoto and said: "Lady Makoto, if you're lonely, you can come find me. After all, I am your fiancé, right?"

Raiden Makoto, who usually acted like a senior, now seemed somewhat evasive: "We'll... we'll see about that..."

Seeing Raiden Makoto like this, Jiang Ning found it quite amusing.

But he had other things to do today, so he stopped teasing Raiden Makoto.

"I'll head out first then. Come to Wanmin Restaurant at noon, my treat," Jiang Ning said.

"You mean Ningguang will pay, right?" Kitsune knew that in Liyue, Jiang Ning used to take commissions from the Adventurers' Guild.

But then, he never paid for anything again.

After all, with rich ladies like Ningguang and Ganyu competing to pay for him behind his back.

And now, although he was the next Rex Lapis, Jiang Ning still got Mora, but Ningguang still paid.

Back in Liyue, Jiang Ning wanted to see Madame Ping. The Serenitea Pot was really too useful, and he had quite a few good things that could be added to it.

It was quite strange - last time in Tenshukaku, Jiang Ning felt someone watching him from above, but the feeling disappeared in an instant.

However, after that, Jiang Ning found that he seemed to have gained partial access to control over Teyvat's ley lines.

At least, he could now bring people with him when using teleport waypoints.

This was an unexpected bonus.

So, Jiang Ning wanted to ask Madame Ping to try and see if she could turn these travel permits into small teleport waypoints.

This way, people holding these permits could freely use the waypoints.

That would make traveling to Inazuma much more convenient.

Raiden Ei would probably have to stay in Inazuma to guard it, but they couldn't live separately after marriage, could they?

"Madam!"

Jiang Ning smiled as he looked towards Yujing Terrace at the Streetward Rambler, who was tending to flowers and plants.

Seeing Jiang Ning return, Madame Ping revealed a kindly smile:

"You're back! I already heard from Rex Lapis, but I didn't expect you to come see this old woman the very next day?"

Jiang Ning grinned: "Yes, but I also have something I'd like to trouble you with, Madam."

"I knew you must have something to ask of me... Go ahead, if this old woman can help, I certainly will."

Madame Ping said.

Jiang Ning explained his idea, and Madame Ping became interested - perhaps it really could work?

She fell silent for a moment, then said: "Leave your Serenitea Pot with me, and give me two travel permits. I'll try to see what I can do."

"Then I'll trouble you with this, Madam! Thank you!"

Jiang Ning was very happy.

"It's nothing. It's just a pity that Yanfei and Xiangling aren't in Liyue, otherwise you young people could have gathered together."

Madame Ping said.

Jiang Ning asked: "Xiangling and Senior Yanfei aren't here? Where did they go?"

"These two children can't sit still. They both went to Mondstadt - one for an academic exchange conference, the other because she used up all the Mondstadt ingredients you brought back last time. This time she wanted to go look for more herself, and travel while she's at it."

"I see... That's really unfortunate, but it's fine, we can wait until they return."

Jiang Ning said.

As they were talking, a gust of wind blew past, bringing a familiar presence. Jiang Ning looked at the handsome youth about his height before him with surprise.

Madame Ping was also surprised and said: "Conqueror of Demons, what brings you here today... Are you here for Jiang Ning?"

The person before them was none other than the long-unseen Conqueror of Demons, Guardian Yaksha, Golden Winged King, Xiao.

"Long dwelling in Dihua Marsh... during this time, I have absorbed most of the newly formed demon remnants. Bearing this karma, I thought it might benefit Jiang Ning, so I came specially to ask his help in absorbing the karma on my body..."

Xiao spoke haltingly, clearly still not used to speaking at such length with others.

Jiang Ning said: "Oh, that? That's simple, I can handle it."

Saying this, he placed his hand on Xiao's shoulder, and in no time at all, he had absorbed all the karma from Xiao's body.

Xiao let out a relieved sigh.

He looked at Jiang Ning and continued: "There is one more thing... I found these."

Xiao took out half of a broken red mask, a blue shell, and then produced an amber-colored jade pendant.

"These are..."

Madame Ping was somewhat surprised - the aura of old friends.

"These are the relics of Rex Lapis's former Guardian Yakshas, my brothers and sisters. I searched for a long time before finding these items bearing their aura," Xiao explained, a trace of reminiscence in his eyes.

"Indarias, Bonanus, and Menogias..." Madame Ping smiled.

"I haven't found Bosacius's relics yet, I might need to go to The Chasm..."

Xiao said.

Jiang Ning thought for a moment: "These are the Yakshas' relics... Let me see, yes, no problem. The amount of demon remnants needed for resurrection is far less than what Guizhong needs. Store them with me for now, I'll use some divine power to maintain their aura."

"Then I'll trouble you with this... Thank you."

Xiao breathed a sigh of relief.

"You're welcome, we're all family, just helping each other out."

Jiang Ning smiled.

"...Then I won't stay longer. Dihua Marsh still needs my guardianship. Farewell."

After speaking, he disappeared like the wind.

Madame Ping shook her head: "Still not good at interacting with people... When they return, we should encourage the Golden Winged King to enter society more."

"Madam, the Yaksha Adepti... do they have any stories?"

"Them? Ah..." There was a trace of reminiscence in Madame Ping's eyes as she began to tell their story.

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