Chapter 87

"Shenhe, honestly, you have the best figure I've ever seen. Even Lady Ningguang's figure falls slightly short in comparison," Huixin remarked while appraising Shenhe's figure, unable to hide a trace of envy.

This was truly a perfect figure...

"So, although it might be impolite to say, Barbara, Lady Keqing, and Lady Ganyu all have more girlish figures. In this aspect, you have an absolute advantage, which is why you don't feel threatened by them."

"However, Lisa is different. Her figure is also very graceful—the typical mature woman's figure. From my interactions with her lately, I know she's a very charming woman who knows how to flirt."

"That's why you feel threatened. You're afraid Lisa might steal Jiang Ning away."

Huixin's analysis cleared the fog in Shenhe's mind, and she eagerly sought more advice:

"What should I do then?"

Huixin smiled: "It's simple..."

Sometimes, it's best to keep your boyfriend too preoccupied to think about such things.

Huixin decided to teach Shenhe some of her secret techniques.

Though she felt somewhat guilty towards Lady Ganyu, right now, preventing young Jiang Ning from being tempted by other women was the right path.

Back in the day, she had used these bedroom arts to repeatedly shut down all sorts of thoughts her current husband might have had.

The method was simple and direct—there's no broken field, only exhausted oxen, so...

Shenhe listened earnestly, ready to learn.

It was truly a case of one bold enough to teach, and one willing to learn.

...

Jiang Ning arrived at Angel's Share and immediately spotted the green-clad bard Venti among the crowd.

However, he didn't see Lumine or Paimon.

Venti was thoroughly enjoying his drinks at the moment, so Jiang Ning didn't plan to approach him immediately.

Today, Diluc happened to be in Mondstadt as well, so Jiang Ning went to chat with him instead.

"Welcome to Angel's Share," Diluc said expressionlessly.

"Charles, you can go elsewhere. I'll handle this."

Charles understood and quickly walked away.

"Good afternoon, Grandmaster Diluc. It's chaos outside, yet the atmosphere remains the same in here."

Diluc snorted: "Just a bunch of people living in their dreams."

His words were filled with dissatisfaction towards Mondstadt.

"So, what brings you here?"

"Just casual chat. I heard you were once a member of the Knights of Favonius? Never thought about helping them out?"

The atmosphere around Diluc seemed to grow even colder:

"Did Jean send you to convince me?"

"No, just personal curiosity," Jiang Ning blinked.

Diluc said: "The Knights of Favonius... hmp, we're not on the same path. Besides, I'm just a merchant. How could I help solve their problems?"

"Oh, a merchant..."

Jiang Ning nodded in realization, but internally, he was looking forward to the show.

A merchant? Then who was that fighting Stormterror in the story?

Seems even Master Diluc couldn't escape the law of "true love."

"By the way, I'll settle the bard's tab today," Jiang Ning said.

"Oh? You know him?"

Diluc seemed surprised.

"Since he's your friend, as I said before, I can cover your expenses in Mondstadt..."

"No need, I'll pay. We're not actually that close."

Jiang Ning said.

It was mainly an investment—trying to get something out of this old fellow was worth the necessary sacrifice.

Just a few mora, after all. Sister Ningguang, Senior Sister Ganyu, and Keqing had given him plenty.

Diluc fell silent for a moment, then asked: "Then why do you..."

Could there be something special about this bard?

Jiang Ning suddenly thought it might be interesting to let Diluc know the truth while Venti was drunk.

So he whispered: "If that bard's true identity were revealed, no one in Mondstadt would dare take his mora. By the way, this guy has lived for who knows how many years."

One sentence left Diluc in silence.

Then, his usually expressionless face showed disbelief, followed by gloom and exasperation.

Yes, yes, yes! This is exactly the expression I wanted to see—Master Diluc's face-changing act!

Jiang Ning was thoroughly satisfied.

"You said... no one would dare take his mora?"

Diluc suddenly asked.

Jiang Ning said: "Yeah, would you dare to charge mora from your Anemo Archon?"

Diluc pursed his lips, then looked at Venti, who now resembled nothing more than a drunk...

After all these years, Diluc suddenly felt a weary desire to sigh.

Diluc called out: "Charles, come here."

Charles hurried over, saying in a muffled voice:

"Master Diluc, what is it?"

Diluc said: "That bard, do you see him?"

"Yes, what about him?"

Charles asked.

Diluc said: "I've noticed that bard seems underage. Let it slide this time, but from now on, don't sell him any alcoholic drinks, understood?"

Charles said: "I apologize, Master Diluc. This was my oversight, perhaps because it's been especially busy tonight... I'll be more careful."

Diluc said: "Mm, go back to work. Don't charge him for today's drinks. Jiang Ning knows him, let Jiang Ning pay."

Jiang Ning also said: "Yes, yes, your master is right."

After Charles understood, he apologized again and returned to his duties.

Jiang Ning looked oddly at Diluc: "This... is even more cruel than charging him money."

Diluc crossed his arms and snorted:

"When the beam is crooked, the rafters will be slanted. If the Wind Snake were slightly more competent, the Knights of Favonius wouldn't be so weak now, and the Fatui wouldn't dare act so arrogantly here... And Mondstadt wouldn't have so many giant babies and drunks."

Jiang Ning said: "Mm, well said, Master Diluc. I've had the same feeling since I came here."

Jiang Ning saw that Venti seemed to have drunk enough and was preparing to leave, so he also bid farewell to Diluc.

As he was leaving, Diluc said: "Although I dislike working with the Knights of Favonius, if it's about dealing with the Fatui, I, Diluc, will definitely help, no matter who asks."

Jiang Ning turned back oddly: "Master Diluc, tell me, did your family have an ancestor called Chu Yunfei?"

"Hmm? That should be a Liyue name, right? Although our family has a long history, we've never had an ancestor from Liyue... Why do you ask?"

Diluc was confused.

"Nothing, just curious."

Jiang Ning waved his hand and turned to follow Venti out.

Not long after leaving Angel's Share, Jiang Ning found Venti in a patch of grass.

Venti was sound asleep, hugging a wine bottle.

Jiang Ning suddenly thought of Barbara.

If Barbara, that devout sister, knew how unreliable her god really was, wouldn't her faith be shattered?

Jiang Ning expressionlessly splashed some Cryo element on Venti's face to wake him up properly.

"Who?! What happened?"

Feeling the bone-chilling cold, Venti immediately jumped up, looking confused.

Jiang Ning said: "Dvalin is suffering now, and Mondstadt is being infiltrated by the Fatui... You're quite comfortable sitting around as the Anemo Archon."

Honestly, even Jiang Ning himself knew that the Fatui were now smuggling weapons into Mondstadt.

If this were in Liyue, these weapons wouldn't even get close to Liyue Harbor—it would mean Ningguang's intelligence chief, seems to be called Yelan, was doing nothing at all.

Not to mention they're now trying to control Mondstadt's city defenses.

Venti said: "Hehe, that's the Knights of Favonius' business. I'm very weak now."

Jiang Ning sighed: "You gods probably get stronger with faith, right? In Mondstadt, even dogs say 'May the Anemo Archon protect you'... You... never mind, pretend to be weak if you want, but remember, you promised to back me up."

Because of his involvement, the Abyss seemed more rampant, and Dvalin had grown stronger too. Jiang Ning even suspected that facing Dvalin now, he would only be able to run away.

"Hehe, don't worry, everything is going according to plan."

Venti chuckled.

After all, he had already brought Lumine into this. If things really got out of hand, Venti didn't believe that Aether would just watch his sister get hurt.

This was evident from when Lumine fainted, and then Dvalin, controlled by the Abyss, left.

Jiang Ning said: "As long as you know what you're doing. We Liyue people can always run away if needed, this is your Mondstadt after all..."

"Alright, alright, I got it. But your sense of responsibility makes me think you care more about Mondstadt than some Knights. Why not join us in Mondstadt?"

Venti said.

"Stop that, I can't handle your Mondstadt freedom... If you need my help, just ask, but remember, everything has a price—make sure you have something of equal value ready."

Having said his piece, Jiang Ning didn't linger.

Watching Jiang Ning's back, Venti said: "By the way, thanks for treating me to drinks."

Jiang Ning just waved without looking back.

After Jiang Ning left, Venti let out a breath, the Anemo element at his fingertips gradually dissipating.

His gaze discreetly swept across a corner before naturally returning.

He continued pretending to be a drunk with unsteady steps as he left the area.

A while later, a Fatui member finally sneaked away.

Venti thought to himself.

Really, it took quite some effort to prevent this little one from discovering the Fatui's surveillance...

But at least he had said everything he wanted La Signora to know.

Now, she should have no reservations about coming to take his Gnosis, right?

This also fulfilled the contract with the Cryo Archon.

Venti felt light and appeared very happy.

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