Genshin Impact: I, the Winter's Executor, am forced to work.

I wish you could be with Gui Zhong every day.

"Yes, indeed. After all, things happened too suddenly, and we'll have to trouble Brother Zhongli then."

Despite his inner complaints, Qin Ye never neglected to maintain appearances.

"Yes, so I'm prepared. I wonder if Brother Qin has any good plans for this matter?"

Zhongli crossed his arms, his gaze sharp, clearly prepared for seven incursions and seven exits, just waiting for the strategist's order.

"I don't know much about Maxius's situation. He's struggling to hold on alone now, and I wonder if he's on the verge of collapse?"

Being surrounded isn't a major problem, unless the demons launch a full-scale attack regardless of the consequences. Otherwise, apart from the Rock Demon, no one else has the ability to quickly annihilate the other demons.

Moreover, the surrounding demons must all have their own ulterior motives. After all, how could the Demon God of the Furnace divide such a good territory into several pieces for them to distribute harmoniously?

"Judging from the current situation, Maxius should be able to hold out for a while longer. He told Liu Yun that Gui Zhong can ally with the Rock King Emperor, and so can he, as long as he can protect the people under his command."

It seems our reputation has truly taken off.

However, one should always be cautious. Since the Stove Demon isn't in such a hurry...

“Zhongli, you wait here in Guili Town. I will head north and infiltrate their territory to meet Maxius in person.”

The saying goes, "It's better to offer help in times of need than to add flowers to brocade." Once Maxius is in a worse situation, Qin Ye can then demand an exorbitant price.

Columbia took two steps closer to Qin Ye, looking somewhat awkward.

"Would you like to come with me, Columbia?"

The girl's expression brightened noticeably: "Mhm!"

Qin Ye had previously been reluctant to involve her in these kinds of matters, but this time he unexpectedly received permission.

Do you want to secure the greatest possible benefit?

Gui Zhong finally arrived and joined the conversation.

"Well, Maxius probably expected that I would try to blackmail him, but he probably trusts the Rock King Emperor more, which is why he sent out a distress call."

This is the benefit of fame, and such benefits will only increase in the future.

Zhongli closed his eyes and pondered, and finally approved the plan: "I will guard the border. If any problems arise, you only need to use your power, and I will know immediately."

"Okay, I'll be right back."

Chapter 282 Influence

"Speaking of the Demon God Maxius... that name sounds like an old man."

Columbia and Qin Ye used the ley lines to adjust their auras to the lowest level and headed north into Maxius's territory.

"...Actually, Morax also sounds like an uncle. I suspect that the reason Gui Zhong doesn't reveal her real name is because she's afraid people will call her aunt."

Qin Ye joked, seemingly not taking the fact that they were in enemy territory to heart at all.

"Aren't you afraid I'll go back and tell Gui Zhong on you?"

"..."

My urge to roast someone is burning fiercely, but unfortunately, the person in front of me is my girlfriend, so I can't roast her.

Go back and relax with Yixiao.

The girl saw Qin Ye pout, covered her mouth and chuckled, then twirled around lightly and took Qin Ye's arm: "Why are you willing to take me on this mission this time?"

In the past, Qin Ye would always set off alone, personally investigating all the problems before letting Morax take action, always fearing that Colombia might be in danger.

Although she had some complaints, the girl knew that the other person's intentions were for her sake, so she had no choice but to agree, albeit with a bittersweet feeling.

"I have basically mastered the power during this period, and as long as I don't use it recklessly, I won't attract that person's attention."

Liyue is indeed a retirement paradise... although Qin Ye is probably incredibly busy.

"Do you think I'm not strong enough?"

The girl frowned, pouted, and looked a little angry.

"Haha...How could that be?" Qin Ye quickly waved his hand. The girl rarely got angry, so whenever this happened, she had him completely under her thumb.

Moreover, it is true that many things were kept from the other party before, and even the hundred-year wait was as if Columbia had never experienced it. She never mentioned it, nor did she use it as a means of blackmail or moral coercion.

She just wanted more time to rely on Qin Ye.

"why?"

"Let me explain..."

Qin Ye straightened his back, as if he were giving a report: "Mainly, there are many things I can't handle alone, so I need you to help me share some of the burden. Um... I wasn't strong enough before, and I was afraid of holding you back..."

Oh no, I can't keep making this up.

"Just kidding~"

Columbia patted Qin Ye's arm and smiled happily.

Based on her understanding of Qin Ye, the more nervous he was, the more he cared about the matter; the more relaxed he was... the more someone was about to be tricked.

A good friend is tricked, but in the end, both of them benefit; an enemy is tricked and killed.

I only feel nervous when I'm with her.

"Are we here to see Maxius or for our honeymoon...?"

Qin Ye rubbed the back of his head. The girl was much better now than when she had just suffered the blow, so he was relieved.

But when will Maxius get completely destroyed? He's already figured out how to make an outrageous demand.

The two traveled north along the river and finally came across a human settlement. Although the war between the demons and gods was quite fierce, the people below were well protected.

Of course, not all demons are benevolent; some only love their own people and have no qualms about harming others.

There are also those who think they are doing what is best for the people, but whose actions are despicable, such as protecting land, which is akin to imprisonment.

The problem is that not all people will rebel like the group under Descarabian who called it freedom, but in reality... well, they simply rebelled outright.

Not all demons listen to the people's advice like Dekalapian.

The attitudes of the people and the demons will greatly affect the organizational structure.

So don't say that Qin Ye is trying to trick this or that demon god, or that he's trying to consolidate power for the Rock King Emperor. Special times call for special measures.

"Hey~" A little panda held out its palm to Qin Ye, holding a flatbread in its hand.

"Is this for me?"

"Hey!" The little panda beamed and nodded quickly, bobbing its feet on the ground, its flesh trembling slightly.

"So cute." Columbia picked up the little panda and hugged it tightly, squeezing it hard; it felt so soft.

"Is this Maxius's servant?"

"...Is it possible that it was Maxius himself?"

"Hey?"

The girl paused, looked down at the little panda in her arms, and pinched its cheek uncertainly.

"New?"

"..."

He doesn't seem to speak human language, so he's probably a clone of Maxius.

Qin Ye's eyes darted around: "Looks like I guessed wrong. Columbia, hold it in your arms, let's go for a walk together."

As Qin Ye continued on his journey, he saw several nearly identical red pandas on the street. They were distributing food to humans, and there seemed to be doctors who specifically cared about people's health.

Look at her, and then look at you, you're a disgrace, Morax. Why don't you hurry up and become a mature woman and come to my house for tutoring?

Qin Ye shook his head helplessly. The current Zhong Li is not the all-knowing Mr. Omnipotent he will become in the future. Although he is still unparalleled in his knowledge of "rock", he is still much more naive than his future self.

However, people eventually have to grow up. If Qin Ye had been born on the continent of Teyvat and did not have advanced knowledge and understanding, he would probably have become just another ordinary person.

"You asked me to hold it because you didn't want it to run around, right?"

Columbia's voice echoed in my mind.

"Yes, I'm afraid that after it goes back, Maxius can share its memories with it. That way, we won't be able to catch it off guard. We absolutely cannot give the negotiating partner any chance to react. If we just stab them with a sharp knife, no matter how powerful they are, it won't matter."

Qin Ye didn't intend to hide it; deep down, he didn't plan to teach Columbia these complicated things. She just needed to be cute...

However, she will eventually become independent, and he doesn't want to spoil her into becoming a useless person.

"Understood. The same applies to combat. Don't give the opponent any chance to react; attack directly."

"..."

"It doesn't seem like there's anything wrong with what you're saying."

I feel like Columbia might have misunderstood what I said.

"Understood, I'll go talk to Maxius right away."

"Put your weapons away first, they'll scare people."

Those who knew them were there to discuss cooperation, while those who didn't might have thought they were there to assassinate Maxius and seize territory before the other gods invaded.

Later, we must tell Columbia that violence cannot solve all problems, and that persuasion should always be the priority, with violence merely being a process and means of persuasion.

For example... this sword in my hand.

For example, I recently learned some swordsmanship from Gui Zhong.

For example, Maxius is in this building right in front of me.

I now have two options in front of me.

1. To influence and transform.

2. Responding to violence.

Which one should we choose?

Chapter 283 Rain of Stone Spears