Chapter 50

Encountering the Fatui and being forced to counterattack, accidentally destroying all the set-up barriers in the process.

This was Jiang Ning's script.

However, these Fatui members seemed to recognize him, and upon seeing him, they ran away as if they'd seen a ghost.

Of course, Jiang Ning wouldn't let them have their way. In the heat of the moment, he shouted:

"Stop running! What are you sneaking around here for? Stop and submit to inspection!"

Then he shot forward like an arrow released from its bow.

"*Snezhnayan curse*! How did we run into this plague god here of all places?!"

The ice-wielding Fatui cursed. Despite his bulk, his speed wasn't slow at all... being slow meant death.

"Who knows! Just endure it for now. Once Her Excellency the Harbinger arrives in Liyue, she'll definitely avenge us!"

The other water-wielding Fatui wheezed.

"Hey, you two, don't run! Do me a favor and run in a different direction."

Jiang Ning said with a smile.

"Who... who'd listen to you?"

The water Fatui said, gasping for breath.

"Then don't blame me. This will hurt a bit, bear with it."

Jiang Ning smiled and kicked them both back the way they came, conveniently destroying the plum-marked wooden talismans in the process.

Jiang Ning feigned anger and said: "Oh my, you've destroyed these items? As expected, you Fatui are up to no good, destroying these spirit-binding talismans!"

Ice Fatui: "???"

Wait, you're the one who kicked us here! Are you even listening to yourself?

Jiang Ning said: "Damn, looks like I'll have to teach you a lesson. Will you tell me who ordered you to come here and cause trouble?"

What followed was a merciless beating, with screams so terrifying that people passing by Wuwang Hill shuddered and took detours, fearing some evil presence.

Looking at the two badly beaten Fatui members, Jiang Ning nodded with satisfaction.

Standing on the moral high ground, he'd beaten them up while achieving his goal of destroying the binding talismans.

Maybe he'd even get a commendation when he returned~

After all, he was Ganyu's junior, Keqing's friend, and a disciple of the adepti.

With this string of identities, even if the Fatui told the truth, the people of Liyue would only think they were making excuses.

"This way, I can learn more about the Secret Rite tomorrow..."

Jiang Ning felt that the Secret Rite could complement his own powers.

"Now, it's time to take these two Fatui back..."

...

"What?! The Fatui again?!"

Hu Tao slammed the table as she stood up, extremely angry.

"All the talismans that I, the Director, worked so hard to set up, completely destroyed?!"

Early the next morning, Jiang Ning came to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, looking innocent as he faced Hu Tao.

"Yeah, last night I sensed someone there and went to check. Then, these two Fatui were sneaking around, up to something suspicious."

"They ran as soon as they saw me. After I spent a lot of effort subduing them, I found your wooden talismans scattered and broken everywhere."

"Those Fatui must be trying to ruin my business... I mean, releasing vengeful spirits to cause chaos!"

Hu Tao was furious.

"Now I have to work overtime for several nights to fix everything! Aah! This is so annoying!"

Hu Tao was becoming frantic. Those spirit-binding talismans had taken her a lot of effort to make.

"How about I go with you these next few days?"

Jiang Ning suggested.

"It'll help me get more familiar with my abilities."

"Really? That would be great! Ah, if only the Yuehai Pavilion hadn't snatched you up first, I really wanted you to work for our Funeral Parlor."

Hu Tao patted Jiang Ning's shoulder.

"If I can't be an employee, can I be a friend? I'm very interested in the Funeral Parlor."

Jiang Ning said.

Well, interested in the Secret Rite of Resurrection, specifically.

"Hehe, you have good taste! From now on, feel free to drop my name as the Funeral Parlor Director wherever you go!"

Hu Tao wrapped an arm around Jiang Ning's shoulders in a friendly manner.

Jiang Ning said: "Sure."

Hu Tao sniffed the air, what was that fragrance...

But she didn't think much of it, releasing Jiang Ning and saying: "See you tonight then!"

"Mm-hmm, see you tonight."

Jiang Ning said with a smile.

[System: Host, you're really something.]

The system admired.

Jiang Ning said: "See? I told you she'd end up thanking us."

[System: Your smile looks quite evil.]

"Weren't you the one who told me to do bad things... Anyway, let's rest up and wait for tonight."

...

After dinner, when Ganyu learned that Jiang Ning was going out with Hu Tao again, she couldn't help but say:

"Junior brother, the Fatui have been more active in Liyue lately. Be careful. Although the Fatui you captured haven't confessed anything, there might be some plot brewing at Wuwang Hill."

Jiang Ning said: "I know, Senior Sister, I'll be careful."

The biggest plot is me though.

But he was really trusted, wasn't he? Having these identities was truly advantageous.

Arriving at Wuwang Hill at the arranged time, Hu Tao was already waiting.

Seeing Jiang Ning, she smiled and said: "Well well, you're here! Time to work. I've patrolled the area, fortunately no passersby around, and spirits don't come out in the morning, so we can work without worry!"

"As agreed, you take that side, I'll take this side, and we'll meet back here later."

"Alright..."

Shortly after they separated, Jiang Ning secretly turned back and began following Hu Tao.

"The Secret Rite..." Jiang Ning watched Hu Tao's movements and the flow of elements.

"I see... it really does complement my powers."

The Secret Rite wasn't particularly complex, but that was only for someone like him. For ordinary people, without diligent practice, they couldn't even begin to grasp it.

Jiang Ning figured he'd learn it after watching a few more times...

Of course, perhaps it was because of his authority over the God of Death that gave him a basic understanding of souls.

That's why he could understand the flow of elemental power.

Jiang Ning pursed his lips, then raised his hand, circulating the elemental power within him.

Hu Tao used Pyro butterflies in her Secret Rite, so the butterflies at Jiang Ning's fingertips were made of ice.

"Who's there?"

Sensing other elemental power nearby, Hu Tao became alert.

"It's me, don't worry."

Jiang Ning walked out.

Hu Tao said: "Why are you here? Didn't we agree to each take a different direction?"

Jiang Ning said: "Did you forget? I still can't distinguish between souls that can be saved and those that need to be sent away directly. What if I happily dispatch a soul that could have been saved? Wouldn't that disrupt the order of life and death?"

Hu Tao thought about it and realized he had a point.