Chapter 119

Thank you for 100 Powerstones guys :) 4 chapters uploaded ;)

----

Jiang Ning was once again living a nomadic life with his master.

Of course, this drew strong protests from Shenhe and Ganyu, plus Madame Ping criticized Xianyun's actions as rather inhumane.

So they compromised - returning to the Serenitea Pot each night for family gatherings.

Overall, Jiang Ning had gained much experience from his recent "farming." He'd even captured some treasure hoarders and acquired many of their tools.

These tools were specifically used for digging up archon graves, and even Xianyun had to admit that while crudely made, the treasure hoarders' equipment showed some cleverness when not using adepti arts.

Today, Jiang Ning successfully excavated the grave of an archon called "Chi" and picked up quite a few good items.

Then he received a message from Zhongli, telling him to rest where he was while Xianyun had matters to discuss.

Xianyun arrived at a mountaintop where Zhongli stood with his hands behind his back.

"Greetings, Lord Rex Lapis. Why have you summoned me?"

Xianyun asked.

Zhongli replied: "Nothing much, just watch from here. The assessment is about to begin, and it's time for Jiang Ning to enter the game."

Xianyun was surprised: "At this time... could it be the Rite of Descension?"

Zhongli's expression remained calm: "During this time, Jiang Ning's progress has been enormous. Although his physical strength still can't match a regular archon, his various abilities give him the power to fight one. Perhaps after some more time, he can officially ascend to godhood."

Xianyun sighed in agreement: "Yes, I didn't expect it to be so fast... little Jiang Ning truly has extraordinary talent."

"Zhongli, isn't it a bit rushed to have Jiang Ning inherit your position now?" 

Havria's gentle voice rang out. A woman of stunning beauty appeared beside them, though her form was slightly transparent.

She wore a snow-white dress, with jade-like feet visible beneath the hem. Her waist was accentuated by a corseted waistline, and her full bosom stretched the chest of her dress. She had salt-white hair reaching her ankles, fan-like eyelashes, and ice-blue eyes, emanating a gentle aura.

Thanks to Jiang Ning's recent efforts, although she still needed to nurture herself within his body normally, she could now separate from him and move freely in soul form for short periods.

While the archon resentment and remnants provided much energy, more important was Jiang Ning's Necromancer Archon power.

Though incomplete, it had developed in an unusual direction - from controlling corpses and tormenting non-archon souls, it gradually evolved into controlling and comforting souls, even repairing them.

It could even mend archon souls.

Under the influence of soul-pacifying secret arts and seemingly misplaced skill points, necromancy had transformed into soul manipulation.

"Too rushed? I don't think so," Zhongli shook his head and explained, "I have a contract with the Tsaritsa of Snezhnaya, which is also a test for both Jiang Ning and Liyue."

"Moreover, I haven't fallen - I'm just retiring to the background as an observer, so there's no rush."

Havria looked at Zhongli suspiciously before saying: "Haven't you been wanting to retire for a long time? Is that why you're so eager to push your successor onto the stage?"

"You're overthinking it. It's just that Liyue might find it hard to accept a sudden change in divine position. Therefore, if Jiang Ning passes the test I've arranged, I'll announce him as my successor, and gradually transfer the powers and divine position over time."

"After sufficient time, Jiang Ning will naturally become the second Geo Archon."

Zhongli's eyes flickered: "Moreover, if we want to find the relics of those old friends, just the archon remnants in Liyue's territory aren't enough. Mondstadt, Inazuma, Sumeru - we need to visit all six other nations. It's fine for an archon's successor, but if Jiang Ning fully becomes the Geo Archon, entering other nations would violate the contract."

"Well, Liyue is yours, do as you please..." Havria didn't object, and even agreed.

Because she too was secretly looking forward to seeing the sights of other lands.

Looking at Jiang Ning below and someone approaching him, Zhongli's gaze remained calm: "The person who will bring Jiang Ning into the game has arrived."

...

Jiang Ning was tending to a campfire when he sensed someone approaching. He raised his head and asked:

"Who's there?"

His hand moved to the sword beside him.

"Don't misunderstand, I mean no harm."

A young man walked out. Jiang Ning squinted - this man had considerable strength.

"Who are you?"

Jiang Ning asked.

The man said: "Just a passerby. My name is Tartaglia, I'm..."

"The Fatui Harbinger, Number Eleven?"

Jiang Ning suddenly recalled hearing this name from Keqing.

He looked at Tartaglia with hostility and said: "What does a Fatui Harbinger want with me? We haven't even settled accounts for what happened in Mondstadt."

Although they had indirectly helped him obtain the Thousand Winds, business was business.

Tartaglia quickly waved his hands saying: "Don't misunderstand, I truly mean no harm. I just want to get to know you. The Mondstadt incident was Signora's doing - what does that have to do with me, Childe?"

Jiang Ning continued to eye Tartaglia coldly but finally relented: "Sit."

He wanted to see what the Fatui were planning this time.

Wait... considering his master's retirement plot... could the original storyline be that the Fatui tried to cause trouble in Liyue to obtain the Gnosis?

And it just happened to coincide with the old man wanting to retire, so it was used as a test for Liyue?

But that test seems too simple - using the Fatui as a test for transitioning to human governance?

Though Jiang Ning found it absurd, he figured he was roughly on the right track.

One could say Jiang Ning was clever, but even if his brain was washed clean, he probably wouldn't guess that not only was it about retirement - Morax had planned something bigger: faking his own death by falling from the sky.

"Well then, if you insist..." Tartaglia's face lit up with joy. "You know, Signora is just a madwoman. I don't get along with her at all. Besides, this time I've been officially dispatched by Her Majesty to come to Liyue. The diplomatic mission is one thing, but the Northland Bank also needs an audit."

As Jiang Ning listened to Tartaglia's endless chatter, he had his own thoughts.

He should talk to Sister Ningguang about this later. How could a nation with minting rights only have these so-called money houses? And only locals would deposit money there?

Meanwhile, the Northland Bank was making a fortune?

This wouldn't do. It was time to show the Northland Bank some thuggish tactics from a currency-minting nation. Also, he would likely be pushed into the spotlight soon.

As the saying goes, new officials light three fires. Although he might only be a god with supervisory powers, he should at least light one fire, right?

The Northland Bank would make excellent kindling.

One had to wonder if the wealthy Fatui were ready to face advanced banking concepts from the 21st century?

While his mind was full of thoughts, his expression remained unchanged, just going along with Tartaglia's assertions that he meant no harm to Liyue and this was purely normal international relations.

Jiang Ning's gaze softened somewhat, then he said: "If you come to Liyue with friendly intentions, then naturally we welcome you. I've always held the belief that for guests, we have good wine; for enemies, we have long spears. That's how I view other nations."

Near-explicit words made Tartaglia smile:

"Yes, yes, well said. So, let's interact more in Liyue Harbor. Being new here, I don't know what interesting places there are. Also, I have many people at home waiting for me to bring back souvenirs."

"You can ask me more about it later."

Jiang Ning wanted to see what Tartaglia was planning. Since he wanted to get closer, Jiang Ning would play along.

A hint of amusement flashed in Tartaglia's eyes: "Great, it's settled then. When we're in Liyue Harbor, I'll host. We can have a meal together, just as new friends getting to know each other."

"If it's for dining, Xinyue Kiosk and Liuli Pavilion are Liyue's most upscale places. Of course, if you want good value for money, Wanmin Restaurant's craftsmanship is also quite competitive."

"Alright, I'll make arrangements then," Tartaglia agreed readily.

The rest of their time was spent in casual conversation, having both gotten what they wanted, and they parted with feigned reluctance.

After Tartaglia left, Jiang Ning's smile faded.

He could see that this guy was just a battle maniac - did he think Jiang Ning couldn't see the fighting spirit in his eyes?

But honestly, Jiang Ning was very confident now. These past couple months of "farming" and dealing with the Abyss Order had brought him many benefits.

Things were different now - his power had skyrocketed, and more importantly, he had Sister Coconut Milk's support and assistance.

Although he wasn't sure of Tartaglia's exact strength, from the aura he emitted, Jiang Ning was genuinely worried about accidentally killing him.

"What? Did someone just visit?" 

Xianyun made a timely appearance and asked.

Jiang Ning smiled: "Master, you don't need to pretend. I sensed you and Master Zhongli watching me from the mountain."

"Hm? Not at all." Xianyun tried to play dumb.

Jiang Ning said: "My sensing ability is very strong, and besides, Master didn't deliberately hide from me, probably because you didn't mind me knowing. Although it's not complete, I've already received part of the Geo Archon's authority from Master."

"While I haven't reached the point where I can know everything happening in Liyue at will, the nearby geo elements still tell me many things."

"Moreover, didn't Havria leave too? This was clearly intentional to leave me alone here, just to let me interact with Tartaglia, right?"

"You're quite perceptive." At this point, Xianyun couldn't help but laugh and dropped the act.

Havria returned and said: "See? I told you we couldn't hide it from him."

Xianyun snorted without responding.

During this time, Xianyun and Havria had grown closer, after all, they had been neighboring trade partners from before.

"Master's test should be coming soon, right... Um, will we be staying in Liyue Harbor soon?"

Jiang Ning asked.

"Don't ask me about such things, I don't know."

Xianyun's gaze remained calm.

Jiang Ning didn't press further; Xianyun's reaction had already said enough.

He smiled and offered the roasted rabbit to Xianyun: "Please eat, Master."

It was seasoned with the finest salt particles created using his Salt power.

Havria was used to this by now. Initially, she had protested, "You're using my power just for barbecue?"

Now she'd given up - whatever, at least it was being put to good use.

After all, compared to the other two powers Jiang Ning possessed, her power was truly insignificant in combat.

Xianyun was very satisfied and started eating.

As the fragrance and flavor danced on her taste buds, she couldn't help but reflect.

"Child, to taste your cooking, I had to bring you out here. I forbade Ganyu and Shenhe from bringing you food in the Serenitea Pot, finally making you cook for yourself."

Jiang Ning was helpless - his master really knew how to pull rank.

At home, when he didn't want to cook, Shenhe and Ganyu would let him be, but once Master arrived and said something, he had to obediently cook...

Great, a chef forced into employment.

"Alright, rest a bit more, then let's continue. That archon burial ground isn't far now."

"Mm okay, it's just a shame that after so long, we haven't found any remnants or resentment with complete powers."

"These things aren't easy to find. Meeting Havria and that Necromancer Archon was already extremely fortunate."

"Fine."

...

Meanwhile, Tartaglia returned looking triumphant, feeling he'd made a good start.

A nearby Fatui member congratulated him: "Congratulations, Sir Childe, on making initial contact with Liyue and gaining their trust."

Tartaglia played with the dagger in his hand and said:

"It's not that easy. Just now we were mostly making small talk and testing each other. If trust was gained so easily, Liyue would be just like Mondstadt by now."

"However, it has laid the groundwork for future interactions. We'll need to continue making contact..."

"Those restaurants he mentioned in Liyue... seemed to be Xinyue Kiosk, Wanmin Restaurant, and Liuli Pavilion? When we get to Liyue Harbor, ask the Northland Bank people which restaurant is the most upscale and best for hosting guests. Book the best private room, don't worry about the cost."

"Yes..."

"Also, find out if there's a gentleman called Zhongli in Liyue Harbor. Remember, the attitude must be good - Her Majesty said this Mr. Zhongli is someone we can win over."

"As you command, Sir Childe."

----

Read 30+ chapters ahead on my patreon.com/rivyura