Chapter 48

"Jiang Ning, are you free today? Come with me to clear out some monsters!" 

Keqing walked straight in while Jiang Ning was wrapping up his day's work assignments.

Ganyu glanced at Keqing from the side, feeling somewhat helpless.

This Yuheng was truly persistent despite repeated failures...

She had already rejected this Yuheng's attempts to poach her junior disciple multiple times.

But the woman was relentless, coming by every day with various questions and requests.

It seemed her junior disciple's private interactions with Keqing had made her determined to recruit him.

"Sorry, Lady Keqing, I'm busy..." Jiang Ning said.

He had recently obtained part of the powers from the Lich Archon, along with the divine artifact Skyspine.

But the next day had been packed – busy mornings, afternoons spent shopping with his senior disciple.

Or they would go out to the wilderness to bully some Fatui and hilichurls.

In the evenings, Shenhe would dutifully drag him to bed to keep warm.

Truthfully, his schedule was completely full – he could be considered a master of time management.

He couldn't even familiarize himself with his new powers, let alone accompany Keqing... Besides, Jiang Ning had no interest in working "996" hours.

"Is that so? Well, maybe next time then," Keqing said with some disappointment.

With that, she hurried away as quickly as she had come.

Ganyu breathed a sigh of relief, then advised Jiang Ning: "Junior disciple, you must not be deceived by this woman. When going out to clear monsters with her, you need to consider Shenhe's feelings."

If you really ran off with Keqing... Ganyu couldn't help but imagine her junior sister as a suffering wife.

Working hard at home doing housework, learning to be a good wife, and occasionally going out to clear monsters for extra income to support the family.

But then her husband goes gallivanting in the wilderness with another woman...

Ganyu quickly shook her head. No, how could she have such improper thoughts?

"I know, Senior Sister Ganyu, I'll be careful..." Jiang Ning said. "But I wanted to ask – are there any places in Liyue where spirits gather?"

Ganyu was taken aback: "Why do you ask?"

"I want to familiarize myself with what I absorbed from the Lich Archon," Jiang Ning explained.

"Ah, right, I remember now..." Ganyu realized. "Hmm, regarding spirits, I wouldn't recommend trying with those – most are just harmless beings lingering in the mortal realm. You could go to Wuwang Hill, where there are malevolent spirits, or find some Archon remnants."

"Of course, Archon resentment would work too, but if you go, you must inform me first so I can accompany you, just in case."

As a half-adeptus, while Ganyu wasn't as powerful as her master or other adepti, she was still stronger than Shenhe and Jiang Ning.

Having lived for so many years and experienced the Archon War, she had various techniques at her disposal – even if she couldn't win a fight, she could at least escape.

Jiang Ning nodded: "Understood. Then I'll try Wuwang Hill tonight..."

Ganyu said: "Alright, I'll inform Shenhe."

Jiang Ning nodded: "Thanks then."

Thinking about how he'd spent these days in warm blankets with Shenhe, indulging in passion, Jiang Ning felt like slapping himself.

Jiang Ning, oh Jiang Ning, how could you become so decadent?

So tonight, Jiang Ning prepared to get moving.

...

Night fell quickly.

Following Ganyu's map, Jiang Ning arrived at Wuwang Hill.

"So this is Wuwang Hill..."

Jiang Ning looked with interest at the immediately eerie-looking Wuwang Hill before him.

Young people are always interested in ghosts and monsters, finding them thrilling – even Jiang Ning, despite his considerable strength now, was no exception.

So, he was quite looking forward to tonight's Wuwang Hill expedition.

"Stop playing dead, System. Time to work – scan for ghosts, preferably vengeful spirits."

Jiang Ning commanded.

As for vengeful spirits, they definitely needed to be purified, so Jiang Ning wouldn't have any psychological burden.

[Ah, wait... Almost fell asleep... *cough*... Head east about fifty meters, there's a vengeful spirit.]

Jiang Ning's expression was blank: "You were about to say you almost fell asleep, right?"

I'm working myself to death getting achievements for you, and you're just sleeping?

"Whatever, I'm used to it..."

Jiang Ning muttered as he headed in the direction the System indicated.

When he saw the vengeful spirit, it wasn't like the grotesque skulls or zombies from movies, but rather a mass of black mist – aside from its aura, it looked identical to other spirits.

Jiang Ning wondered if miHoYo had been lazy with the modeling, making them all look the same.

However, what mattered now was testing his powers.

Jiang Ning directly channeled the partial Archon powers within him. After these days of refinement and adaptation, the Lich Archon's aura had gradually dissipated, replaced by Jiang Ning's own essence.

The vengeful spirit noticed Jiang Ning's presence and shrieked, charging toward him.

But when Jiang Ning activated his powers, it immediately reacted like a mouse seeing a cat, retreating in terror, attempting to flee.

Under the enhancement of his powers, Jiang Ning saw through the spirit before him like a blank piece of paper, instantly knowing its origin, experiences, and with just a thought, he could tear it apart.

Although he knew the Lich Archon's powers would naturally counter such soul-based entities, Jiang Ning was still surprised.

Heavens, this was terrifying.

However, this vengeful spirit... before death, he had indulged in gambling, drinking, and debauchery, stealing his elderly parents' funeral savings, losing it all, then getting beaten to death by loan sharks.

Full of resentment, he became a vengeful spirit.

While those gambling dens and loan sharks weren't good people either, Jiang Ning felt this spirit had brought it upon himself – how dare he blame others?

He just felt sorry for the two elderly parents.

Jiang Ning casually waved his hand, disposing of the spirit.

The vengeful spirit transformed into black light, gradually dissipating as if it had never existed.

Jiang Ning felt he should properly strengthen this ability – perhaps in the future it wouldn't just be effective against souls, but he could command the dead like an Archon.

Then he could wield a greatsword with cryo elements flowing, becoming a true Lich King.

Too bad he had no parents, so he couldn't become a filial son – somehow Frostmourne seemed a bit misnamed.

Jiang Ning said: "System, are there any more? I want to experiment further..."

Just as he finished speaking, a voice came from nearby, along with dense pyro energy.

"Eat well, drink well, rest in peace!"