Didn't you go to Teyvat to earn money to support me?

Shen Liang figured that this memory was probably too... well, he didn't really remember it. He had met Gan Yu a few times afterward. Because he grew so fast, practically growing with the wind, he had already developed to his current physique by eight or nine years old. So the price he paid was that his impressions of people changed rapidly.

Gan Yu only comes back to see him every few years. This time, Shen Liang could only hug her knees and look up at her. Next time, he might have to hug her waist. Every time he sees Gan Yu, she is different, so Shen Liang's impression of her is always fresh. Although Gan Yu's appearance never changes, he often doesn't recognize her when they meet.

When asked about their first meeting "after growing up," Shen Liang thought for a moment and guessed which time it was.

Because the memory is still very clear, even very vivid.

Gan Yu came to Inazuma during the rainy season that year. It rained for several days in a row on Narugami Island. Shen Liang was forced to study in the castle tower for several days, but he couldn't suppress his love of playing and secretly slipped out to play.

But he kept in mind the prohibition against lightning and was determined not to appear in the city or be discovered by ordinary people. So he chose a place in the mountains where white foxes roamed.

He thought it was a deserted wilderness, but later he learned that White Fox Field was a necessary route for people traveling from the outlying island to Inazuma Castle, and that carriages and horses frequently passed through it. But at that time, he simply chose a clear, flowing pond, stripped naked, and jumped into it when no one was around.

In truth, Shen Liang loved the outdoors. He was constantly confined to the castle tower, feeling stifled. Only the demons of Shadow Mountain would take him out to play; the lush forests and fragrant grasses were his usual playground. However, as he grew older, the demons who used to take him out gradually became somewhat strange. Before, it was just sightseeing, picking fruit, and chasing fallen leaves, but later the demons were unwilling to play these childish games with him anymore, instead seeming to prefer what they called "adult games."

They even argued that since you grew up drinking our blood and we feed you with such precious things, shouldn't Your Highness repay your sister with something even more delicious?

Shen Liang thought that made sense.

However, this time he sneaked out without contacting anyone, so he could only lie on the water with Mistelin and watch the sky and the clouds.

It wasn't until they discovered their clothes had been stolen.

Chapter 87 Do you really understand what it means to have a child?

Gan Yu leaned against the door of Shen Liang's bedroom and felt a little embarrassed and annoyed when she heard Shen Liang recount the scene so accurately.

To be honest, Gan Yu was not very willing to recall that day.

"I didn't know at the time... I didn't know what kind of material it was, but it smelled very nice, and there was no one around, so I couldn't resist..." Gan Yu said in a low voice.

Shen Liang is a bit of a germaphobe, and this was already evident when he was a child. When he jumped into the pond to bathe, he would deliberately place his white clothes on a flat stone far away from the pond to avoid getting them dirty from the damp grass and mud by the water.

However, this action led to disaster.

The straitjacket was very different from the usual clothing on the Teyvat continent. Ordinary people could not tell at a glance that it was clothing. So, after traveling for many days and still being hungry, the Qilin, a mythical beast, did not think about the reason and began to eat it with great interest.

"My clothes are extremely durable; they can withstand being chopped by knives and burned to a certain extent. Sister Gan Yu, you have really good teeth; you managed to bite off half of it."

"Woo..."

When the young demon god crawled out of the water, he stared at the little Qilin, who was still shaking its head and trying to eat. The moonlight filled the pond, and also filled Gan Yu's astonished gaze and the boy's naked body.

Unlike the three-thousand-year-old Qilin, the newly ascended demon god ultimately did not understand human shame and selfish desires. Perhaps to compensate for his reckless behavior, or perhaps because he recognized Shen Liang, the little Qilin ultimately dared not transform into human form, and could only be ridden around as a celestial beast by the enthusiastic boy. Under the cool moonlight, in the firefly-lit forests, amidst fragrant grasses and secluded bamboo groves, amidst birdsong and insect chirps.

When the Qilin and the boy, still captivated by the beautiful scenery, awoke in each other's arms in the cool morning drizzle, Shen Liang saw that he was not holding a fluffy, adorable beast, but a soft, white body. Their eyes met so close, their hair intertwined, their breaths mingling, and he could even feel the boy's vibrant energy—and the little Qilin knew then that it was too late.

The rest of the story is best left untold. In any case, the elegant fairy beast has remained undetected by Raiden to this day, and has returned to Liyue Harbor to await the boy's arrival. What she is thinking remains unknown, but occasionally, when she strolls through the streets of Liyue Harbor with an umbrella, she can't help but recall the experience of that day in the light drizzle, and her legs feel slightly weak.

"Can you tell me the truth, Sister Gan Yu? Do all members of your Qilin clan have this trait?" Shen Liang asked curiously. "I've read some folk tales before, and there are stories of Qilin eating the clothes of herb gatherers by the pond, and then inexplicably marrying them..."

Gan Yu's expression darkened. "It's not absurd at all, that's my mother."

“Oh right, so that’s why you only have half the bloodline.” Shen Liang nodded. “As expected, your family’s bloodline inheritance is that they like to eat other people’s clothes, but I can eat as many clothes as I want and they can all be restored to their original state. Nanotechnology, sister.”

"Stop talking!" Gan Yu stomped her foot, unusually embarrassed and annoyed. "You clearly heard me explaining that day, you know who I am, so why... why did you still bully me like that! I didn't mean to take advantage of Liang Jun..."

"I don't feel like Sister Gan Yu is taking advantage of me," Shen Liang tilted her head.

Gan Yu was so angry that her eyes widened, but she couldn't say a word.

Yes, she knew that Shen Liang didn't see anything wrong with a three-thousand-year-old girl and a teenage boy being so intimate under those circumstances. He had long been taught by the Inazuma demons to not see anything wrong with it. The Inazuma demons were training Shen Liang to be like this so that they could make their move, but ultimately it would allow the fool Gan Yu to escape the punishment of being called to the police by Shen Liang.

However, everything is relative. Shen Liang didn't feel that Gan Yu was taking advantage of him, so he also didn't think that what he did to Gan Yu later was excessive. The Qilin girl, who had never experienced human affairs, unlocked the game that Fox Palace and others had spent years training in just one day. She couldn't even run away, and not only was her body about to break down, but her brain was also about to be burned out.

It was only now that Gan Yu realized boys and girls were different, and that you couldn't judge a boy by his appearance alone. Although Shen Liang, who wasn't even as tall as her, looked like a half-grown loli, it didn't stop Gan Yu from being completely captivated by him. However, so many years had passed, and now Shen Liang was the beloved and subservient "Demon Lord" of Inazuma. Gan Yu thought he would have forgotten all these things, but she was surprised to find he still remembered.

Gan Yu felt a little emotional. She saw Shen Liang looking her up and down with a calm gaze, from the girl's budding chest down to her long, slender, and beautiful legs in stockings, which looked exceptionally delicate even among a group of beautiful girls.

Gan Yu noticed that Shen Liang's gaze hadn't left her at all. She couldn't help but want to pull her skirt down a little, but she held back, a slight smile curving her lips.

There's no need to pull it down further; the black stockings are actually a one-piece suit up to the chest, so there's no way they could expose her. And if Shen Liang wants to see, why would she have any reason to hide?

The boy's gaze wasn't fiery; it was more like the calm gaze one has when looking at something they own. Gan Yu thought helplessly that Shen Liang, with that kind of look, setting aside his values, truly had a pure heart. If he harbored any thoughts of taking advantage or being lewd, he wouldn't dare look at her so calmly and for so long. Only a gaze purely appreciating a girl's beauty could have such confidence.

Such boys are very rare these days. Of course, this doesn't mean there's a lack of clean boys in the world, but rather that those boys with clean hearts are less likely to stare at girls like that. They're not lewd, but they're timid and unlikely to truly "appreciate" someone's beauty.

However, after thinking about it, Gan Yu realized that she was just being hypocritical. She couldn't help but laugh. It seemed that she didn't need to think about these things. As long as the person looking at her was Shen Liang, whether he looked at her unrestrainedly, looked at her with a calm smile, or looked at her shyly with his face covered, Gan Yu knew that she would like him no matter what.

When someone you like looks at someone they like, no matter what, you'll laugh like a fool.

"Liang Jun".

"Ok?"

"When..." Gan Yu smiled, then suddenly changed the subject, "When will we marry Fanan?"

"what?"

“The bloodline of the Yakshas is similar to that of mortals, so your children won’t lose much power due to the dissipation of their bloodline. Therefore, the Yaksha clan doesn’t care much about unauthorized marriages. Fanan likes you, so you should hurry up and… um… have a child. The Yaksha clan has declined to such a state that a newborn is very important,” Gan Yu said. “Or is it that Liang Jun is unwilling?”

“We can add her,” Shen Liang nodded. “However, my mother said my first marriage must be held at Tian Shou Ge.”

“After all, you are the god of Inazuma. Even if you are one of the few gods who get married, you would definitely prioritize Inazuma girls.” Gan Yu expressed her understanding, put her hand on the doorknob, and was about to leave when she couldn’t help but turn back to look at the general.

"Gan Yu has one more question. Could the General please enlighten me?"

The general was nestled obediently in Shen Liang's arms like a pillow. Upon hearing this, he raised his head and stared at her blankly with his dull, gray eyes.

"Nearly half a year has passed. The internal injuries Liang Jun sustained in his battle with Ausel at Guyun Pavilion should have been completely healed by now, thanks to the treatment of you all, and...me, Teacher Alice, Fanan, and so many others." Gan Yu was somewhat embarrassed, but she still mustered her courage to say this. "General, there's really no need for you to..."

She dared not continue. The 1.4-meter-tall doll-like girl continued to stare at him with her gray eyes. Although her face was expressionless, Gan Yu instantly felt the murderous aura that filled the entire bedroom. The doll had no feelings, the doll showed no pity, and the doll's murderous aura was genuine!

That chilling, menacing tone that says, "I advise you not to meddle in other people's business!"

After understanding the situation, Gan Yu decisively left.

—What kind of child do you Inatsumi people want to raise Ryo-kun to be?!

--------------

Shen Liang woke up in the carriage. It was pitch black outside the window; it was night.

This large carriage, requiring three horses to pull, was usually provided for wealthy merchants and nobles of Liyue for long journeys. It even had a large bed, enough for several people to rest. Shen Liang, after all, was a princess of Inazuma, so he would still observe such basic etiquette. He glanced at the sleeping Fanan, picked up her pocket watch; it was at least another six hours' journey, and they had just left the Jueyun Mountains.

Shen Liang opened the curtain and looked out the window for a long time. He discovered that someone on a mountain peak was shouting "Yah hello!" and then jumped off the mountain!

Shen Liang was shocked. He subconsciously raised his hand and used his power of "Momentary Power" to increase the speed of the person relative to the rest of the world. During the fall, the person was able to control his body. After falling several times, he finally crashed halfway down the mountain and groaned miserably.

But Shen Liang knew he was definitely not dead.

“That’s a madman from the Gewu Academy who’s obsessed with flying, known as the ‘Sword-Wielding Prince.’” There was someone still awake in the carriage running alongside on the right. Alice also pulled back the curtain, and the two of them were in complete darkness, illuminated only by the faint light of the carriage’s oil lamp. She lazily leaned against the window and said, “This time it’s another sword test.”

"What do you mean?"

"He believes that without relying on the Eye of God or the path of cultivation, humans can fly on their own. He thinks that flying on a sword is definitely possible, so he has been researching how to fly on a sword and has made many swords. But it seems that he has been researching this topic for several years and has not succeeded yet, so he has not graduated." Alice laughed, "Many students who repeat a year in the Gewu Academy are obsessed with researching some kind of tool. They are all very interesting. No matter how others laugh at their ideals for being unrealistic, they just won't repent."

"Flying on a sword is the privilege of immortals. How can mortals fly by their own strength?"

“I heard he’s currently loading various gunpowders onto flying swords for propulsion. Hmm, he’s asked me for advice several times, but unfortunately I don’t really understand it either. Gunpowder without power is just fireworks, isn’t it?” Alice shrugged.

Shen Liang watched for a while longer. Flying on his sword was actually quite easy for him, because he could stand on thin air without a sword. When he got serious, his speed was comparable to that of a lightning movie, as the saying goes, "Where the thunder is reflected, there is nothing but the hand and eye of the god of thunder." He had the power of lightning, and although he couldn't transform into lightning and travel thousands of miles in an instant like the god of thunder, with the buffs and debuffs of the two powers of "moment" and "eternity," his speed was no less than that of a lightning movie.

But for some reason, he actually quite liked these overconfident fools. Perhaps it was because Jigong could afford to support such students, or perhaps it was because innovation was always more valuable than conservatism; Jigong really did have many such overconfident fools. Equipment that would allow ordinary people to fly—it was both laughable and grandiose an ideal.

"[Humanity took three million years to finally fulfill its long-cherished dream of setting foot in the sky.]" Mistelin's words were always so profound, leaving Shen Liang unable to fathom them. "[His ideal is countless times greater than the demons, gods, immortals, monsters, and all the endless wars and power struggles of this continent.]"

At this moment, the sword-wielding young master who had fallen miserably finally spoke. He seemed to be alright, and his voice remained loud and clear: "Many thanks to the immortal in Jueyun for his help. I will remember your great kindness!"

"You said he fell hard this time, will you still investigate?" Shen Liang asked.

"Guess how many times he fell?" Alice laughed.

"You can't always be lucky. If you don't cause trouble, you won't die."

“Yes, but what can we do about him?” Alice suddenly lowered her voice. “Honey, do you want to come over here? Rosalyn is already asleep.”

Shen Liang hesitated for a moment and looked at the person next to him.

Because he was going to the battlefield, he could only bring a few people. The general would definitely come with him, as this was his military guarantee, but the little fox was not brought along. Now, Fa Nan and the general were in the same carriage with him. The general was still awake and was sitting behind him with a blank expression. In fact, the general hadn't slept at all on the way. She didn't need to sleep anyway, so she simply let Shen Liang sleep on her lap to save some bed space.

"I have people here."

"Hmm? You're not listening to your teacher? Be careful, or I'll give you a zero on your final exam." Alice stretched her hands out of the carriage and shook them. "I'm so bored, so bored. I can't do experiments or anything in the carriage. Liang'er, can't you come and keep me company? We could chat."

"Chatting here is the same, and shouldn't you go to sleep if you're bored?"

"I'm the Great Witch, my time is extremely valuable. I only sleep eight hours every seven days on average. I'm not as weak as a human," Alice said lazily. "You just used your supernatural abilities again, didn't you? Why don't you come over and let me nourish you?"

"It's not that serious from just one moment."

"Looks like your focus isn't on me right now, honey. Let me think... could it be that Fa Nan is getting impatient? Is she afraid things might get complicated and wants to get married first and have a baby with you first?" Alice rested her chin on her hand and started chatting with Shen Liang from two meters away. "Hmm, although Liang'er, you're a seasoned womanizer, I really want to ask you... do you really understand what 'having a baby' means?"

Chapter 88 Who Tasted the Forbidden Fruit?

"Perhaps I know."

Alice became interested. "Perhaps? Did your mother tell you about it?"

“I did,” Shen Liang said casually, “Regarding how the child was born, the first person to tell me wasn’t my mother, but Sister Ying. She said, ‘You are a messenger from heaven. Heaven believes your mother is the most beautiful woman in the world, so it sent you down to protect her.’”

"Oh, that's a very romantic answer." Alice smiled, but hesitated for a moment. "You don't really think that, do you?"

"Of course not. I asked Sister Ying back then, and she said that mortal children not only have mothers, but also fathers. Shouldn't protecting the mother be the father's job?" Shen Liang recalled, a slight smile playing on her lips. "You can't fool me with that."