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

Being a teacher was actually a very casual job for her. She had never really taught any students at Jigong Palace. Rosalin lived close by and was one of the few girls she had taken on as a teacher for a long time. So she knew very well what a fragile heart this stubborn girl had.

She was the lowest in status among them all, and this inevitable inferiority complex made her repeatedly emphasize to herself that she was equal to everyone, even Shen Liang. Shen Liang's betrayal of her trust and even his possession of her wasn't worthy of hatred; the real hatred stemmed from the realization that she wasn't an equal in Shen Liang's eyes… He had used this to rob her of her dignity, and there was no way to make up for it.

But Alice thought to herself, "Darling, you've really misunderstood. That little wildcat definitely didn't look at you unfairly. He definitely didn't single you out for disrespect... He treats everyone the same and disrespects them all equally, tormenting every girl he considers to have joined his harem!"

The master and apprentice looked at each other and sighed.

“But there’s no need to worry for now. Although my talent was awakened by Liang’er’s power, Liang’er’s self-healing ability can help me get through this. The Order Academy will also help; after all, I am an outstanding graduate of the Order Academy.” Rosalin smiled wearily. “But Teacher Ai, why did you come to Sumeru…?”

"Hmm! I came to talk to you!"

“I don’t believe you would actually come looking for me, teacher. You’re a real ‘witch,’ aren’t you? Witches are free-spirited, or to put it bluntly, cold-hearted by nature. You won’t bother with me unless something comes to you. You probably wouldn’t even know I was here if you hadn’t come to Sumeru.” Rosalin looked at her.

"Hmm..." Alice tapped her chin, as if she was thinking, but it was obvious to everyone that she was avoiding the topic.

"In fact, teacher, you've always had a core question, which is... why do you insist on following Liang'er around at all times?" Rosalin suddenly asked. "Senior Gan Yu came with Liang'er because she was also a witness to the end of the Demon God War. She even met the Flower Goddess and the Tree King, so it's convenient to have her with us. And you? What are you doing in Sumeru? You could even say... why have you been following Liang'er from the very beginning?"

Extremely sharp.

"I don't understand what you're asking." Alice was taken aback.

“Teacher, you’re being strange. We all have our own purposes when it comes to Liang’er. I was able to see so many worlds because I followed Liang’er. Senior Fanan and Senior Yingda were after Liang’er’s body and her fighting power. Senior Ganyu could tell at a glance that he and Liang’er had a past connection and were favored by each other. Even when True Monarch Liuyun occasionally came over, I noticed that she often subconsciously stared at Liang’er, and I could guess that it was because Liang’er resembled an old friend of hers… But what is your reason, Teacher?”

"What nonsense! Of course I'm attracted to that little wolf's body!" Alice said matter-of-factly. "I was lured onto this pirate ship by Liang'er in the first place! Everything I've done is for this simple and righteous purpose. I don't think you understand how attractive that little dog's waist and strength are to an old lady who's thousands of years old!"

"Don't change the subject!" Rosalyn's face flushed. "Teacher, you don't have a good enough reason to spend time with Liang'er, especially now that he has his own career. I don't really believe that you, as a witch, can go to such lengths to serve him... You're not that kind of person. At most, you'll stay in the Ji Palace and continue your research until he comes back after he finishes his business!"

"Couldn't it be that I couldn't resist the forbidden fruit after my first taste and had to pester Liang'er all the way to Sumeru?" Alice said with a smile.

"Alright, stop teasing me! It's not like I don't know this!" Rosalyn snapped. "Tell me the truth!"

Alice tilted her head to look at her, her laughter growing even wider. "Hmm...you're questioning me? Hmm? Little Rosalyn, you're questioning me to protect Liang'er? Oh...so this is your hatred~"

“One thing at a time, whatever you think, teacher, but I really have to ask.” Rosalyn tried to control her temper, staring intently at her teacher. “After all, the ‘witch’ does have a bad reputation and isn’t very trustworthy.”

"I knew it! Little Rosalyn, you have a prejudice against witches. I was even thinking of introducing you to the Witches' Guild."

“It’s not prejudice. I’ve been with you for a year, and I know what kind of people ‘witches’ are. Witches may be lawful, friendly, or gentle, but they are definitely not kind people,” Rosalyn said in a low voice. “Teacher, what do you want to do? You can’t possibly have any improper thoughts about the son of the demon god, can you?”

Alice shrugged.

"Looks like I can't get past you without giving a reason?"

“I know that you’re not some great villain, so what’s the big deal about talking to your student?” Rosalyn said. “But I do need to know that you don’t have any feelings for Liang’er.”

"It's not that I don't have any ideas, it depends on what kind of ideas I have. For example, I want Liang'er's child, preferably a fire-type child who can use big fire blast and Earth throw."

"Ok?"

“But I have the same idea you mentioned.” Alice’s quick response caught Rosalin off guard. “I do have my own selfish reasons for following Liang’er. I want to at least save the life of one… a truly wicked person from Liang’er’s clutches.”

"..."

Rosalyn hadn't expected this answer. "Who?"

“It’s better if Liang’er doesn’t run into her, but if she does, she will definitely not show any mercy.” Alice sighed deeply. “She is also my good friend, my close friend, the woman who orchestrated this grand war that has swept across all nations.”

Rosalind guessed it.

“Member of the Witches’ Guild, ‘Gold,’ Rhinedoth.” She fell silent. “Chief Alchemist of Kanria, the bastard who orchestrated this war.”

“Of course you guys are jerks, but to me… well.” Alice pouted and stopped talking.

Witches are like that; they are used to being free and easy, seemingly friendly, but actually cold-hearted by nature. They have no concept of nation or race. Even if a country is invaded and killed, and countless people cry out in her ear, she will not be moved. She acts only according to her interests.

The witch council is full of wicked and evil people, yet Alice can still become close friends with them. Rather than saying that witches condone evil, it's more accurate to say that witches lack a sense of good and evil.

Alice's doting on Shen Liang doesn't mean she approves of everything about him; she simply chooses not to interfere.

“You can also choose not to interfere in the affairs of other witches and Liang’er,” Rosalin said. “Even if she dies, it has nothing to do with you, teacher. As a witch, you should be detached from worldly affairs. You have not interfered in worldly disputes for so many years, so you don’t necessarily have to make an exception for Rhinedot now.”

“That’s why I have to stop them from meeting. Besides, you don’t understand. I still need her to take care of my child.” Alice looked up at the sky and stood up. “Alright, it’s almost dawn. I won’t talk to you about this anymore. Now that you’ve left the center of the incident, be a recorder. Please record what Liang’er will experience, all the way to… that peaceful world five hundred years from now.”

Chapter Six: How does that lightning compare to me?

"What's your name?"

"Akhmar, the Red King Akhmar. Son of the sky, ruler of the sun's authority, god Amun who controls life and death, eternal conqueror of the red earth."

"I don't remember many names, where do you come from?"

"You came from a very far place."

Why such a long journey?

"For the sake of divine rule, I am willing to follow the princess and serve as her vanguard."

"What good will it do to stay by my side? You are far more powerful than me."

"To learn from the princess how to rebel against the heavens."

"Then you can go back. I've already forgotten about it."

"Then I will wait until the princess remembers."

"You don't want to leave?"

"Neither you nor the King of Trees are my match. Will you allow me to stay by your side, or will you draw your sword against me right now... it's up to you, Princess."

"……Ah."

The pine branches overhead rustled, and Ahmar opened his eyes to find himself in a bustling flower garden filled with the sounds of clinking glasses and the clamor of voices. The princes from various regions were making a ruckus in the garden, only lowering their voices slightly when they saw that he was awake.

He stared at the scene in a daze, realizing he was dreaming.

Perhaps due to exhaustion from days of battle, he fell into a deep sleep upon returning to the Juewang Palace, only to dream of his encounter with the Flower Goddess Nabu years ago. He instinctively looked over and saw the princess with long golden-red hair wrapped in white silk, smiling as she sat among the fairy maidens, talking to the boy opposite her.

The boy was dressed in spotless white, with a face as beautiful as the moon. He remembered who he was: Inazuma from the distant Land of Lightning, the child of the ruler of lightning.

He's still a child who hasn't grown up yet.

Before Ahmar could fully recover from his dream, he saw Nabu smilingly take the boy's hand and look at him, seemingly introducing him, saying, "You haven't met this one yet, have you? Pandora, call her 'Uncle Amon.'"

"Uncle Amon."

Obedient, sensible, and devoid of the arrogance one would expect from a god. Ahmar was somewhat stunned; in his thousand-year history of military conquest, this was the first time he had ever heard someone call him "uncle" in such a soft voice. For a demon god, kinship was extremely rare, so rare that he had only ever seen enemies kneel at his feet and call him "father."

But upon closer reflection, it is indeed true; according to conventional logic, Baal's child could indeed be called his uncle.

Ahmar took a moment to react before noticing Nabu's slightly furrowed brow. He immediately contorted his face, trying his best to mimic a kind smile from his cold expression: "Okay, okay, Pandora... what's your human name?"

"Lightning is cool."

"Oh? That's rare. Does she take her mother's surname?" Ahmar instinctively tried to start a conversation, but immediately realized his mistake. Seeing the Flower Goddess, whom he had been pursuing, looking deeply helpless, he could only manage a forced smile.

“I don’t have a father, I am…adopted,” Shen Liang explained.

"Oh, I'm so sorry to have touched on something that's sad for you. Please accept my condolences."

"..." Shen Liang said calmly, "This is not a sad thing, and there is nothing to grieve over."

"Oh, is this something that doesn't require condolences?" Ahmar responded quickly as always.

The beautiful goddess of flowers glared at Ahmar, who was so embarrassed he wanted to slap his mouth shut. How could he be so bad at speaking normally, and now even in diplomacy between two countries? Did he have absolutely no talent for negotiation? What if he made the true son of the Thunder God cry? This wasn't me deliberately bullying a junior!

Ahmar himself doesn't know why he's sometimes so tongue-tied.

However, he was indeed tired. A banquet to welcome Shen Liang had lasted all afternoon. He shrugged, didn't say much, raised his glass and drank the remaining wine. Then he turned over, stretched, and without saying a word, casually closed his eyes again, leaning against his throne and falling asleep on his side.

Rather than staying here inexplicably to enjoy the song and dance, it's better to go back to sleep as soon as possible. His job has never been in diplomatic communication, and it's definitely not him who's here to visit relatives like Shen Liang; he's a man and can't stay for long anyway.

Nabu glanced at the sleeping Crimson King, but didn't mind. She poured Shen Liang another cup of aged wine. The wine was in a crystal-clear, thin porcelain cup. She looked at Shen Liang and smiled slightly: "Amon has always been like this. All he has in his heart is surging fighting spirit. He leaves everything else to others, like me. Liang'er, please don't take offense."

"I see."

“Buyer doesn’t like socializing, so she won’t be there for this kind of occasion. Please don’t worry about it. Once we’ve finished discussing things, I’ll take you to meet Sister Buyer.”

"Aunt Nabu calls herself aunt, yet she says Aunt Buyer is 'older sister'?" Shen Liang took a sip of his drink, his gaze moving from Nabu's slender waist to her breasts, which were wrapped in white cotton and linen several times, before settling on her face, which was undeniably beautiful.

"What a clever child," Nabu laughed.

The ninth day of the ninth lunar month is a day when frost-covered flowers and red leaves bloom.

For the princes and ministers of the Jue Wang Palace, apart from the annual audience, they were only invited to see the private garden within the Jue Wang Palace during the "Spring Outing Parade" held by the gods in April and at banquets for distinguished guests. This flower garden was said to have been created by the divine power of the Flower Goddess, surrounding the temples of the Flower Goddess and the Tree King, two princesses. On ordinary days, the Flower Goddess and the Tree King would rest and live in this garden, accompanied only by the maidens of the fairy clan.

Even the Red King is not qualified to step into this daughter's garden.

Therefore, today we are hosting a banquet for our ministers, and all are in high spirits. The golden chrysanthemum garden is filled with the sounds of singing birds and dancing butterflies, and the clinking of cups. However, the area around the deities' seats is slightly quieter, not because of any request from the deities, but because there is also singing and dancing at Nabu's place.

Shen Liang admired the graceful, slender waists of the fairy maidens as they swayed. A dozen beautiful fairy maidens danced around him and Nabu, accompanied by the crisp sound of golden bells and sweet flower drums. Every now and then, a fairy maiden would pass by him, playfully tossing his hair, gently stepping on his toes as he knelt obediently behind her, or brushing her flowing gauze across his cheek as she danced.

All in all...

"Ladies and gentlemen, please stop teasing Young Lord." Gan Yu, sitting beside Shen Liang, voiced a small protest. These little fairy girls are merely the Flower Goddess's attendants, yet they dare to flirt with another deity so brazenly in front of so many people? Shen Liang is, after all, a dignified demon god; isn't this... a bit disrespectful?

She also glanced at Alice beside her, who was only focused on devouring the Sumeru Man's honey-fried lamb chops.

The princess with long, golden-red hair simply leaned back on her throne with a smile. She was surrounded by numerous celestial maidens; while only two or three attended Shen Liang, more than a dozen surrounded her. Some maidens carefully combed her long hair; others carried fruit platters; some knelt beneath her table, passionately massaging her delicate legs; and still others were lying on her knees. Because she was dressed only in a form similar to that of the ancient Greeks, wrapped in cloth, she shyly covered her chest to prevent any accidental exposure after the cloth was pulled back, yet still allowed Nabu to freely stroke her smooth, soft back.

In Gan Yu's view, this kind of extravagance and debauchery... treating his own immortal clan as maids and servants, making them sing and dance and obeying their every whim, is nothing short of extravagance and debauchery!

Moreover, these fairy maidens didn't feel there was anything wrong with being treated this way. They didn't feel aggrieved at all; they were simply serving the Flower Goddess with fervor. Every maiden who approached the Flower Goddess had eyes full of infatuation. Like the one who crawled under the table, Gan Yu saw her touching the Flower Goddess's calf and almost drooled!

These fairy maidens have been very well-trained by the Flower Goddess! They do whatever she tells them to do! It's like they have no human rights at all!

Nabu tapped the table with her slender white fingers, noticing the little Qilin's slightly displeased expression. She dismissed the fairy maidens from Shen Liang's side and smiled, "Little Gan Yu, it was my oversight. Last time we met, you hadn't even developed any intelligence yet. I didn't expect that in just three thousand years, you would have grown into such a graceful young woman. I forgot that according to the Qilin clan's age for choosing a mate, this child is probably already the master you've chosen."