Side Story 19: The Beginnings of an Empire

One Ningguang was absently staring outside the window as she had just finished her workload for the day. "Hah, Ein's inventions are really efficient and helpful. But I'm turning lazy and the boredom is gonna kill me." Ningguang sighed as she heard a knock on her door.

"Come in, what is it?" She asked the servant that entered. "Lady Tianquan, captain Beidou would like to speak with you." Ningguang raised a brow, but she thought that it was about something interesting.

"Let her in, next time. Don't ask for my permission when Beidou comes." Ningguang ordered and the servant quickly went to get Beidou. Remembering the rumors about their unfriendly relationship.

After a few minutes, Beidou entered her chambers and greeted her. "Yo, Ningguang. How are you doing?" Beidou then sat down in front of her, but she was a bit awkward. Ningguang noticed it and raised a brow.

"Beidou, what's bothering you? The famous captain is anxious?" Ningguang teased her and Beidou gave a dry laugh.

"Ahhh, it's because you know... Apparently, our lover is the same man. I didn't really expect that." Beidou gave a chuckle and scratched her cheek a bit sheepishly.

Ningguang laughed at her and Beidou pouted. "Hey! That's a pretty valid concern if you ask me!" Beidou huffed and Ningguang wiped a tear that formed from laughing too much.

"Ahhh, hah. That was a nice laugh, thanks Beidou. Anyways, you shouldn't really worry about that." Ningguang snickered at her and Beidou gave her the stink eye.

"So? What is the real reason you are here anyway?" Ningguang crossed her legs and asked the real question.

"Hah, you know the ship that Ein sold me? It's too good. My crew has sailed the seas in record time. We didn't have any troubles whatsoever. Even with waves that would have destroyed our previous ship is nothing." Beidou sighed and Ningguang nodded in understanding.

"So you guys have basically explored almost everything, haven't you? And you don't have any reason to sail anymore." Ningguang concluded.

"Right in one, I mean. We can still sail and go farther. But that's an expedition already that would take months or even years." Beidou shrugged.

"Sadly, I do not have anything to entertain you with Beidou. I am also having problems amusing myself." Ningguang sighed and Beidou was surprised.

"What? But aren't you always buried deep in your paperwork? I actually thought you'll shoo me away because of it." Beidou observed the room and didn't see any stack of paper that indicated work.

"Ahh, it's because of Ein's little gift for me here. These things make me finish work at record time as well. And it has left me bored as I now have free time like never before. I was busier when I was a kid trying to sell my wares." Ningguang shrugged.

"Ahhh, well. Do you know anyone that can help with our little problem?" Beidou asked and Ningguang thought about it, but she shook her head.

"None, at least nobody that I think will give us some entertainment." Ningguang frowned and Beidou suddenly had an idea.

"Ahh! I know, why are we even looking far away?" Beidou focused really hard and Ningguang was confused about what she was trying to do.

"Nyahallo, Beidou." Ein appeared and gave her two buttons on her chest a little tweak. Making Beidou squeak like a little girl. And she saw Ningguang staring at her with a smirk.

"Ahhh! Ein! You bastard, what the hell did you do that for?" Beidou glared at him and he shrugged. "Well, you were thinking really hard about me and saying things in your head like I really want to see you. I thought you wanted to be attacked." Ein chuckled and Beidou pouted at him.

"So? What's up? Why did you girls call for me?" Ein took out a sofa and sat in the middle, he then lifted up Beidou and Ningguang so they would sit beside him.

"Hah, as amusing your antics are Ein. We actually have a little problem. We don't have work to do and it's really boring you see?" Ningguang yawned, her lack of motivation and energy, apparent.

"Ahhh, it seems that my little tools were a bit too effective. Hmm, I have a great idea." He exclaimed and Ningguang was curious. But Beidou just ignored him, still upset.

"How about we go on a little adventure?" Ein gave Beidou and Ningguang maps. Ningguang was confused about where it was, but Beidou analyzed hers intensely.

"Ein, what is this place?" Ningguang decided to ask as she didn't really know. "That my dear Ning, is the milky way Galaxy at the 40th millennium." Ein smirked and kissed her forehead. Giving her an idea and a sense of scale.

"Ahh, and? What are we going to do to this place?" Ningguang was amazed that living beings were able to do what they did there. Realizing how much more the world has to offer.

"You, will be creating an empire that spans the whole galaxy. Hehe~ it would be quite fun, no?" Ein dropped a bomb on her and she choked on her tea as she took a sip. Coughing violently as she looked at him with wide eyes.

"What the hell!? You want me to conquer multiple planets?" Ningguang was shocked to her core.

"Umu, how about it? Haven't you thought about doing more? I know you, Ningguang. You must be thinking that Liyue is too small now, you're the most influential person in it except Morax." Ein gave a smirk and Ningguang started to think really hard.

"You're testing me... Fine, I accept your challenge." Ningguang smiled at him and burned with determination.

"That's my girl, don't worry though. We'll be doing it with some help of course." Ein gave her a list of the people coming and Ningguang started strategizing immediately.

"How about you, Beidou? Any guesses?" Ein patted Beidou's head to soothe her and she looked at him.

"This is a nautical map, isn't it?" Beidou answered confidently and he nodded. "It is, but it's no ordinary map and seas. It's called the grand line." He kissed her forehead as well and she got information about the one piece world.

Beidou got stars in her eyes immediately and gave a beaming smile at him. "Did I tell you that I really love you?" She kissed him and clung onto him.

"Tche, you only say that because I'll give you a really nice adventure." Ein pouted at her and Beidou clung harder while purring.

"But what about my position as Tianquan? Beidou can explain it as an expedition, but what about me?" Ningguang waited for him to explain as he must have a solution for that already.

"Ahhh, Morax owes me. He could take care of Liyue for some time. And I'll also slow down time, pretty neat no? I'm amazing after all." He boasted and Ningguang gave a defeated sigh.

"You're pretty amazing alright." Ningguang leaned onto him as she got a little bit jealous that Beidou hogged him all to herself.

"Yosh! I'll go and pick up our other participants for this little project okay? Toodles." Ein peaced out and Beidou started making plans on how she will sail, to conquer the seas of that world.

"Hah, he never ceases to amaze me. I've never been reminded of my mortality as much as now." Ningguang sipped some tea and started strategizing as well.

"Un, he's the best. We're pretty lucky don't you think? Now shut up, I need to think of how I'll do this." Beidou went back to her map and Ningguang chuckled.

"Hmmm, now let us see." Ningguang scanned the hive worlds of the Imperium. Thinking that their first priority should be manpower. And there were tons of them, just waiting to be stolen. As she licked her lips and thanked the heavens for her fortune of meeting someone that would make her improve even further.

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Ein went to Liyue first as he was already there anyways. Rounding up the other party members for their expedition. Which were Childe, Shenhe, and Yelan as part of the guards for Ningguang.

While Ganyu would be the mascot and be responsible for bureaucracy. And most importantly, diplomacy.

"So, let me get this straight. We're gonna help Tianquan to conquer that place?" Childe was flabbergasted that a side project for him would be to conquer millions of worlds while being surrounded by hostiles.

"Of course! This is a perfect playground for Ningguang. And it would be pretty fun too, speaking of that place. Shenhe and Ganyu are okay already in terms of strength and power. As only certain psykers would be their match. But you and Yelan need a little boost." Ein poked Yelan's forehead.

"W-woahhh. That feels awesome, Ein." Yelan's body started to change and she immediately felt almost invincible. Clenching her fists as she felt that she could crush mountains with it.

Ein proceeded with Childe and she groaned, kneeling on the ground as he didn't really make it instant and painless.

"Ugh, what the hell did you do?" Childe whined weakly as she moaned in pain. "I told you already, I'm giving you a boost." Ein rolled his eyes and Childe gritted her teeth.

Her bones broke and her muscles got torn. Her body is transforming to the same specs as Shenhe.

"You and Yelan are basically as strong as Shenhe now, meaning you can yeet thousands of metric tons without a sweat." Ein gave them a thumbs up.

Shenhe could carry boulders with the weight of entire ships. While still having enough agility to run around like a ninja. She was that strong. (canon btw)

"Heya nii-chan, I can see that your friend is having trouble over there? Care to buy this amazing steal!?" A brunette girl with unique pupils went up to them and gave Ein a flyer. Buy one take one coffin. (pic)

"Ahhh, Hu Tao. Childe isn't really dying you know? So, unfortunately. We have to decline your generous offer." Ganyu chuckled at Hu Tao's antics and she deflated.

"Awww, shucks. It's such a good deal too, anyways. Adios!" Hu Tao was about to leave, but Ein stopped her in her tracks.

"Hmmm, how about I interest you with some work? Hu Tao is it, call me Ein. I'm the owner of Walmart ya know?" Ein gave a smile and Hu Tao looked at him with interest.

"Ahhh, that would be wonderful. Yes." Hu Tao was receptive for a collaboration immediately and thought that she would definitely get a lot of business when people knew that Wangsheng Funeral Parlor was in cahoots with Walmart.

"You're Zhongli's boss, right? How about you guide us to your establishment?" Ein gestured for her to lead and Hu Tao nodded.

"Umu, a real uptight one, that Zhongli. It wouldn't kill him to relax a bit. But he's dying to be in the funeral business. Ha! Get it? Cuz he's working in a funeral parlor?" Hu Tao cracked a joke and Ein laughed at her antics. While the peanut gallery cringed.

"That's a good one. Well, the funeral parlor has to urn their business." Ein joked back and Hu Tao stared at him for quite some time.

"Ein... Have I finally found my soulmate!?" Hu Tao was really happy that Ein appreciated her humor as nobody has ever done that. Even bantering with her.

"Hmmm, I don't know. But let's get in first and iron out that deal?" Ein pointed at the building in front of them and Hu Tao cleared her throat.

"Welcome, to the humble Wangsheng Funeral Parlor! Come on, let's go inside." Hu Tao gestured for them to enter and they went in.

"Ahh, wait a second Ein. I'm thinking that this would be quite an extensive deal. So I'll call for an acquaintance okay?" Ganyu separated from them.

"Ganyu, go and call Yuheng as well okay?" Ein thought that an expert in real estate and handling land would be beneficial for their little expedition.

"Alright, Tao. Read this, it would be our contract and only you can see it. This is very secretive and the Tianquan along with Yuheng are going to be in it." Ein explained.

He just decided to give her a hand as Wangsheng Funeral Parlor was infamous in Liyue and struggled. Besides, she was a riot. He could tell with just their earlier interaction.

Hu Tao read the fine print and after a few minutes, her hand started shaking at the scale. "E-Ein... I can't do this you know? This is insane!" Hu Tao shouted out and that surprised Yelan along with Childe. As they knew that the girl was a bit crazy.

"Heh, don't worry. Walmart will take care of logistics. And we'll hire employees there, god knows that people there need jobs." Ein shrugged and Hu Tao thought about it.

"T-thank you... For trusting me with this." Hu Tao couldn't believe it as the job was huge. Astronomical even.

"Heh, don't worry about it Tao. You're my friend now too." Ein patted her head as Hu Tao took off her hat when they went inside the parlor.

"Wow, he's good huh? Damn." Yelan thought that he even made the weird ass Hu Tao get embarrassed and he was for sure, a legend.

Ganyu returned and she got a girl with her that had antlers. Showcasing her illuminated beast blood in her veins. (pic)

"Hi guys, I'm back. Let me introduce you, this is Yanfei. An acquaintance of mine." Ganyu greeted and looked at the girl.

"Hello everyone, I am Yanfei. The premiere legal expert of Liyue." Yanfei introduced herself succinctly and with pride.

"What's up, Yanfei. Call me Ein, you must know me by now." Ein smiled at her and Yanfei looked at him with interest.

"Why yes, you are rumored to be an illuminated beast that have come here in Liyue for only a short time. But you already have enough sway that the Qixing cannot handle you without dire consequences. Interesting, indeed." Yanfei mused.

"Then things will be much easier, come on then. Let's iron out this deal with Hu Tao." Ein gestured for her to sit and made some tea for her as well.

Before they could start though, Keqing appeared and was sussy of Ein being there along with Yanfei.

"Ein-san. You must be planning something nefarious again just like those labyrinths aren't you?" Keqing squinted her eyes at him and he shrugged.

"Whatever are you talking about, Keqing? I'm just an honest businessman here. Want me to take it out of Liyue?" He smirked and Keqing panicked, as the labyrinths made the economy skyrocket. People would riot if it disappeared.

"Ahem... So what is our agenda for today?" Keqing sat down as her cat ears flopped. Feeling defeated once again.

"Heh, that's what I thought. Anyways, I would like to involve the Yuheng and Tianquan about a little something." Ein grinned and Keqing gulped, thinking that something big was going to go down again.

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Thanks for reading everyone, anyways. Ciao.