Let's All Play a Game

"Very good, a very reasonable operation."

Liu Bai nodded. "Getting back to the point, so in other words, a Judgment-Class Honkai Beast or a Demon God couldn't create an anomaly of this magnitude, right?"

"That's right," Shadow nodded. "Not to mention for a long time."

"... Things are getting more and more complicated." Bai scratched his head, then looked at Fu Hua, "Among you immortals, how strong are you?"

Liu Bai wanted to see if the immortals had made any improvements.

"...I'm probably one of the strongest." Fu Hua pondered for a moment. "The immortals are all strong too, but...I'd say I'm about two-thirds Rita, though with more functional abilities."

"Don't suddenly persecute Rita at this time!"

Liu Bai protested on behalf of Rita, who wasn't there.

They then lost much of their expectations for the immortals' fighting prowess.

Okay, you can't say that. At least for now, Rita isn't at the point of being phased out. Two-thirds of Rita are still usable.

Why are you suddenly asking about this?

"Ah, because there's only one Acheron." Bai shrugged. The dividing line of strength below the Acheron wasn't very obvious. "It would be very troublesome if multiple powerful monsters appeared in multiple places at the same time."

"Deploying defenses along the coast? That's a very good idea."

A female voice, both cool and stern, rang out from the side.

"I apologize, I did not mean to eavesdrop. I am Keqing from Yuheng Star, and I have come to invite you all on the orders of Ningguang."

The purple-haired girl, Keqing, glanced at Raiden Makoto and Raiden Ei, suppressing the surprise in her eyes.

"Hello, Keqing..."

Ah, I really want to call him "Master"!

The woman most vulnerable to persecution...

"Hello." Keqing shook hands with Liu Bai. "Please follow me, everyone."

Just like her appearance, Keqing's actions are also quite swift and decisive.

"I thought Ningguang would be lazy and let Yelan do it."

"..."

Keqing's lips twitched slightly as she thought of Yelan's swollen face.

How did that person fall and get their face so swollen?

Even if it's just a superficial injury, it's impossible for it to heal overnight.

"Yelan... has her own mission."

Keqing concealed the truth.

Liu Bai didn't continue to have any doubts about this matter.

A short while later, Keqing led Liu Bai to the reception room of Jade Chamber.

"Private reception?" Bai looked at the tea room's decor and belatedly realized.

"That's right." Keqing opened the door. Ningguang looked like she had been waiting for a long time, and there were several people Liu Bai knew beside her.

Like Sanbai, Ganyu Yu, Su Mei...

"I am the Tianquan of this generation, Ningguang."

Ningguang stood up and introduced herself, then personally led Liu Bai and the others to their seats.

However, at the same time, Liu Bai also felt the subtle scrutinizing gazes from Ningguang's three secretaries.

"I heard about your deeds from Yelan, and I hope you don't mind."

Ningguang adopted a very humble attitude towards Liu Bai.

Liu Bai nodded politely in agreement with Ningguang's words.

Ningguang was also observing the seating arrangement of these people.

(... That's really surprising.)

Liu Bai sat down first, followed by the Raiden sisters, then Fu Hua, and finally the woman with burgundy hair and the woman in Shenzhou attire.

Especially the Raiden sisters, Raiden Makoto waited until Liu Bai was seated before sitting down herself, and her gaze was mostly focused on Liu Bai, as if waiting for Liu Bai to speak.

This gave Ningguang a feeling that... this was a harmonious couple working together.

"The Shogun, is this our first time facing each other?"

After greeting Liu Bai, Ningguang naturally turned her attention to Raiden Makoto, the lord of Inazuma.

But Raiden Makoto shook his head. "Lord Tianquan, you can just call me by my name—I am no longer Raiden Shogun."

"... Huh?"

"Lord Liu Bai is our Inazuma's newly appointed Raiden Shogun." Raiden Makoto nodded to Liu Bai. "The Shogun."

Upon hearing this, even Su Mei from Ningguang's side was slightly taken aback, and Fu Hua's gaze towards Liu Bai even seemed to challenge her worldview.

—The Taixu family didn't enter the pot, so they naturally didn't know about Liu Bai and Inazuma's situation.

(When did this happen?)

Ningguang didn't easily blame Yelan —because it was obvious that Raiden Makoto wanted to marry Liu Bai.

Liu Bai didn't even marry into the family; he directly took over.

If Yelan really knew about this, would she still be so enthusiastic about chatting with Beidou?

... No, it's better not to think about Yelan's comical face right now.

Ningguang's control over her emotions is top-notch; even when she imagines the defeated Yelan in her mind, she remains outwardly calm.

"I'm sorry, General... The Shogun."

Ningguang hesitated for a moment before deciding on the title "My Lord".

She addressed Raiden Makoto as "Your Excellency" primarily out of respect for his status as a deity; otherwise, she would have addressed him as "Your Excellency."

But upon closer reflection, since she now needs someone's help, there's no need to be so concerned about how to address them—and in the end, she might still have to call them Lord Liu Bai.

(But the fact that these two have this kind of relationship is so unexpected...)

It slightly disrupted Ningguang's rhythm.

With such a powerful figure looming over her head... humbling herself is not her style.

When Ningguang was formulating her strategy for dealing with Liu Bai, she never considered the possibility that "Raiden Shogun would submit to Liu Bai."

If things proceed as originally planned... I'll actually face Raiden Shogun Yelan does?

Are you kidding me?

Ningguang took a deep breath and regrouped.

"This news is so shocking, I lost my composure."

"It's alright. After all, my matter hasn't been officially announced yet, and the general is genuinely helping me with my affairs. I can understand your surprise."

Liu Bai didn't care.

In fact, Ningguang wasn't the only one who lost her composure; in fact, it could be said that Ningguang, who simply took a deep breath, was the best-behaved among them.

Keqing and Ganyu next to them had mouths so full they could practically fit an egg.

Fortunately, Ningguang's words helped Keqing and Ganyu adjust their mindset.

"Thank you for your understanding, the Shogun." Ningguang touched her chest in gratitude. "Let's get down to business. I'm sure you're already aware of Liyue's the Shogun."

"Hmm, something's amiss at sea... It seems La Signora. Ningguang's voyage has ended in failure?"

"Just as you said." Ningguang nodded helplessly, "Moreover, the concentration of Honkai energy in the sea is still increasing. Given the current situation, a disaster could erupt at any moment."

"This is really one bad news after another."

"...What do you mean by that?" Ningguang frowned, a sense of foreboding creeping into her heart.

Liu Bai recounted his discussion with Zhen to Ningguang.

After listening, Ningguang's gaze darkened noticeably, and the expressions of Ganyu and Keqing beside her were also unpleasant.

A mutation surpassing the Judgment-Class Honkai Beast, personally certified by Raiden Shogun.

To put it bluntly, if war were to break out suddenly now, Liyue's current combat strength would only be able to barely defeat a Judgment-Class Honkai Beast.

Benares was crippled by the Heavenly Fire back then, was that shameful? That thing could have wreaked havoc on the battlefield without any strong opponents of the same level stopping it.

It's not shameful at all, okay? It's already quite remarkable that you survived taking that Judgment of Shamash head-on.

"... It should still be possible to prepare now."

Ningguang thought for a moment and realized it wasn't too late to call for reinforcements.

The gods made a move, and all the special weapons in the warehouse were pulled out.

The problem is that the Judgment-Class Honkai Beast are "at least".

"The Shogun, please lend a helping hand to Liyue no matter what. Liyue is willing to pay any price for this. Everything in Liyue Harbor is at your disposal."

—If the Raiden Makoto disrupted Ningguang's plans, the story would now be, "If you do not abandon me, I am willing to exchange my humble appearance for the peace of Liyue."

But now it's not so easy to act according to the original script.

You can't exactly seduce someone's husband in front of them, can you...?

Chapter 247 Let's Play Games Together!

Ningguang's Affection Level: 27

Although some changes caught Ningguang off guard, the matter was ultimately resolved successfully.

The price Liyue paid... can be considered a fair trade.

A whole bunch of secrets, various resources and funds.

Of course, the transaction is only a small part; the main part needs to be taken by Liu Bai himself—specifically, his performance during times of disaster.

However, it's not a difficult task; with Raiden Shogun around, it's a piece of cake.

"...I thought you were really going to sell yourself." Keqing looked at Ningguang, who was drinking tea.

After the meeting ended, only she and Ningguang remained.

"..."

Ningguang was speechless.

Can she say that she is really prepared to sell herself?

However, the sudden appearance of Raiden Shogun made her abandon this idea.

There was no other way; it was really difficult for her to compete with Raiden Shogun for someone, and she wasn't exactly willing to humble herself.

Well, at least I don't have to worry like I did at the beginning?

"...What a pity." Ningguang suddenly sighed.

"Hmm?" Keqing looked at Ningguang with a puzzled expression. "What's a pity?"

"Of course it's Liu Bai." Ningguang said without any pretense, "We were a step too late in investing."

"It's enough that we didn't lose money." Keqing wasn't very interested in political marriages, so she wasn't impressed by Ningguang's words.

"But... why General Thunder?"

Keqing was slightly puzzled.

"Huh? What do you mean, why?" Ningguang's attention was drawn to Keqing's words.

Keqing looked somewhat conflicted. "How should I put it... I feel that Raiden Shogun is a strong contender in our eyes, but as for the others... you've also noticed Mr. Liu Bai's secretary, haven't you?"

"Hmm... that Miss Kafka?"

Ningguang's mind flashed to Kafka's smiling face.

"Yes, she and Liu Bai also have a sense of intimacy, right?" Keqing rested her chin on her hand, revealing a very serious expression of thought.