Genshin x Minecraft: Building the Temple of Virtue

Qingyun Pavilion –

Jean and her group were led by Baiwen into Ningguang’s guest hall.

But someone else had already arrived before them.

Diluc and Jean recognized the newcomer instantly — after all, she was none other than the infamous Captain of the Crux Fleet, the legendary Beidou of the Alcor.

The very same who had slain the sea beast Haishan with a single strike.

She was also no stranger to Mondstadt’s waters, frequently conducting business in the nearby seas.

To Lumine, the moment she saw this woman, she felt a surge of boldness and danger radiating from her.

Beidou appeared to be in the middle of a heated argument with Ningguang. Neither looked particularly pleased.

Which, frankly, was no surprise. In the entirety of Liyue — no, all of Teyvat — the number of people bold enough to argue face-to-face with Ningguang could probably be counted on one hand.

And Beidou was certainly one of them.

Ningguang looked genuinely troubled.

Beidou wasn’t a merchant — or rather, not the typical kind.

She was loyal, blunt, and daring. More pirate queen than port trader.

Which meant she had no intention of negotiating with Ningguang by the book like others did.

On top of that, Beidou was one of the few true friends Ningguang had.

And when it came to Beidou — especially a Beidou asking for a favor — Ningguang often found her hard to deal with.

Beidou glanced at Jean and the others and gave a slight nod before turning back to Ningguang, fixing her with a look.

”I’m telling you, stop skirting around it. Just give me a straight answer, Ningguang.”

”…About the alchemy potions—”

Ningguang shot her a look of disapproval and replied in a low voice:

”The alchemical potions are a state secret of Liyue. Absolutely confidential. Your request is impossible.”

”Hah?” Beidou scoffed, clearly annoyed. ”State secret? Aren’t you the one who issued them directly?”

”If they’re so precious, would you really be selling them to me at such a low price?”

Ningguang glared at her, signaling for her to watch what she was saying — especially with guests like Jean around.

Beidou rolled her eyes.

”Don’t play dumb with me. What, you’re gonna run this by the Geo Archon?”

Ningguang shook her head.

”Even the Archon doesn’t interfere in such matters. And besides, he would never permit the use of alchemical potions to meddle in Inazuma’s internal affairs.”

”Beidou, you do understand that the Archon forbids us from profiting off war, right?”

Beidou, seemingly expecting this response, leisurely took a sip of her drink.

Hmm…

She didn’t like tea — even in the prestigious Jade Chamber, she always brought her own liquor.

After all, the Jade Chamber had no wine — no one had the right to ask Ningguang to serve it.

”This isn’t about interfering in internal affairs. I’m helping friends. Personally. And I never said I was making war profits,” Beidou argued casually. ”It’s just transport fees. Nothing extravagant.”

Ningguang rubbed her temples.

”Friends? You warm up quick. Who is it — that little girl from the Kamisato clan, or the shrine maiden from Sangonomiya?”

”Have you thought about what would happen if Raiden Shogun found out the resistance was receiving Liyue’s support?”

”Hah?”

Beidou laughed in disbelief.

”That Shogun’s been holed up in Tenshukaku all this time. Inazuma’s a mess, and she hasn’t stepped out once. Her people can barely survive under the weight of the Tri-Commission.”

”I’ve never seen her lift a finger. But she keeps enforcing the Vision Hunt Decree, empowering the corrupt.”

”And like I said — this is personal. What’s it got to do with Liyue?”

Ningguang tapped the table lightly.

”It’s not personal just because you say it is. The Alcor is part of Liyue. Wherever it sails, it represents us. Do you think others will see it that way?”

”So what?” Beidou replied with a smirk.

”No matter what, I’ll take full responsibility. Even if Raiden Shogun and Inazuma have the nerve to challenge Liyue and the Archon himself — let them try.”

”Beidou!”

Ningguang’s expression turned icy. She slammed the table with her palm, her tone growing sharper.

”I don’t care what the Kamisato clan or Sangonomiya told you. Some lines must never be crossed!”

”The divine must not be slandered. We do not interfere in other nations’ politics!”

”If you’re selling things like iron ore, I can turn a blind eye.”

”But alchemical potions — something that can sway the tide of battle — absolutely not!”

”And hurting yourself to help others… is that how a Liyue merchant should act?”

Seeing that Ningguang was dead set on refusing, Beidou sighed inwardly.

Truth be told, it wasn’t about Kamisato Ayaka or Sangonomiya Kokomi sweet-talking her.

Beidou had seen Inazuma’s people with her own eyes.

To put it simply — they were suffering.

Children were pale and thin from hunger.

It reminded her of her own childhood.

And someone who had once weathered the rain… would want to hold an umbrella for someone else.

That’s why Beidou held such strong resentment toward the Raiden Shogun.

No matter what, a god’s will shouldn’t doom her people to such misery.

”…Heh.”

Beidou let out a bitter chuckle and said softly,

”You’ve always said I’m not much of a merchant, right? Ningguang, you and I both clawed our way out of hardship — you should know better than anyone how hard life is in that kind of world.”

”I’m not trying to meddle in Inazuma’s politics. But those people… they’re innocent.”

Ningguang’s eyes flickered. After a moment of silence, she replied calmly:

”That’s not our concern. I am Tianquan of Liyue. My duty is to ensure this nation thrives, that our people prosper.”

”What happens in Inazuma has nothing to do with us. Or with you. In the end, what’s happening is the result of their ruler’s command — divine will, shaping the direction of their nation.”

”Beidou, don’t let old memories cloud your judgment.”

”You are the captain of the Alcor, a ship of Liyue.”

Seeing the sorrow in Beidou’s expression, Ningguang sighed internally.

”Alchemical potions relate to the very foundation of Liyue’s stability. It’s not something I can decide alone.”

”If you insist — go speak with the Archon. Or the adepti. If they give permission, I’ll take you where you need to go.”

”But do not do anything reckless. Without proper authority, distributing alchemical potions is a breach of divine law — and the adepti have the right to strike you down.”

”If not for yourself, then at least think of the people who follow you aboard the Alcor.”

Beidou didn’t respond. She simply stood in silence and left the room.

The atmosphere turned a bit delicate—Jean and the others didn’t dare to speak for a moment.

After a while, Ningguang sighed softly in her heart.

”So quick to act on emotion... perhaps that’s why the Crux is willing to follow her.”

Shaking her head slightly, Ningguang composed herself, restoring her graceful and dignified demeanor.

”Apologies for making you wait so long.”

Jean replied softly, ”It’s quite alright…”

She hesitated for a moment, then cautiously asked,

”Is the situation in Inazuma... really that dire?”

”You don’t know?” Ningguang seemed slightly surprised. Given their experience, even with the dragon disaster, they should have their own means of gathering intelligence.

”Inazuma is closed off. The Grand Master took most of our forces on an expedition. The information we receive is... very limited,” Jean explained.

Hearing this, Ningguang understood. She now had a clearer idea of how much strength Mondstadt had sent away.

”Inazuma’s Raiden Shogun has locked down the nation for a long time. The Vision Hunt Decree was enforced, and the Shogun herself remains secluded, refusing to meet anyone.”

”The Tri-Commission is riddled with corruption, exploiting the people. On top of that, the resistance on Watatsumi Island and the shogunate army continue their clashes. The land is too close to the Abyssal seas.”

”Monsters, Fatui, roving Abyss creatures, war, crushing taxes, crippled crops, and the Tri-Commission’s exploitation...”

”Inazuma right now? Saying the people live in misery wouldn’t be an exaggeration.”

Jean and the others sighed with heavy hearts upon hearing that.

They thought Mondstadt had it bad... but now?

One nation worse than the next.

In that moment, Diluc found himself thinking that perhaps the Knights of Favonius weren’t as corrupt as he once believed.

”I’ve even received word,” Ningguang added lightly, ”that the Tri-Commission may be collaborating with the Fatui...”

That immediately caught Diluc’s attention.

”With all that suffering, Raiden Shogun still does nothing?” he asked sternly.

”Who knows?” Ningguang shook her head.

”Matters of the divine are not ours to meddle in. The Lord of Geo’s edict is clear—do not interfere in the internal affairs of other nations.”

She then turned her gaze toward the window, her tone quiet but meaningful.

”The whole of Teyvat is unsettled... it’s chaos everywhere.”

”So... Sumeru as well?” Lisa asked thoughtfully.

Ningguang’s eyes shifted sharply to Lisa.

After a moment’s pause, she spoke softly.

”Sumeru’s situation is worse, only better hidden under a facade of peace.”

”But since Mondstadt and Liyue have now entered into a formal pact... I can share this with you—”

”If Sumeru continues to deteriorate, the Geo Archon will convene a meeting of the Seven. The immortals and the Millelith will be summoned to march on Sumeru. In the best case scenario, only the Akademiya will be destroyed.”

”If things go poorly... Sumeru may fall entirely.”

”That is the Geo Archon’s own decree. So... Miss Lisa, I advise you sever all ties with the Akademiya as soon as possible.”

Ningguang wasn’t exaggerating.

The ”God-Creation Project” was no longer a secret on the surface—there’s no way the Seven would allow it.

If the Seven were to intervene, the damage might stop at the Akademiya.

But if Celestia caught wind of it...

Khaenri’ah was the price paid for that kind of ambition.

That single statement sent a chill down everyone’s spine.

Even with Inazuma in turmoil, the Geo Archon had said nothing, choosing not to intervene.

But now... something the Akademiya was doing had angered him enough to call for a meeting of the Seven?

For Morax—silent for centuries—to be ready to act... this was a world-shaking revelation.

Lisa lowered her head in deep thought. Remembering Nahida nestled in Ryen’s arms, and the Akademiya’s increasingly insistent letters urging her to participate in various experiments...

She had a strong suspicion now.

Whatever was happening in Sumeru—it wasn’t just politics.

It involved the divine. And that was never good.

No wonder they were so angry.

Even Venti, that carefree bard, would probably raise both hands in agreement if he found out.

”Last night... the man named Ryen. Was he carrying the Lesser Lord Kusanali?” Lisa asked in a quiet voice.

Ningguang offered a subtle smile, saying nothing.

”I understand,” Lisa nodded.

”Would it be possible for us to meet with Ryen?”

Ningguang knew Lisa was clever—she had already anticipated this question would come.

But...

She shook her head and replied gently, ”It’s not the right time yet. We won’t interfere with Ryen’s decisions. Whether or not he chooses to meet anyone is up to him.”

”At the moment, Ryen hasn’t said anything about meeting with you.”

Jean and the others let out a sigh of resignation at those words.

But then Lisa unexpectedly smiled.

”But... Ryen already met with us last night. And didn’t he say he was planning to invite me for tea?”

Ningguang couldn’t help but admire Lisa’s sharp intuition once again.

Her tone softened, warm with a hint of admiration.

”Which is why I said—it’s not the right time yet.”

”Miss Ningguang, there’s no need to keep us guessing,” Lisa said with a sigh, clearly tired of this verbal fencing.

”Jean has already signed the contract in the name of the Knights of Favonius. Mondstadt can no longer afford to wait.”

”Mondstadt and Liyue now sail the same ship. Whatever contract remains—please, let us sign it now.”

Ningguang’s lips curled into a graceful smile. She rose to her feet and summoned a radiant gemstone forged purely from elemental energy.

The gemstone soared into the sky. With her head slightly lowered, Ningguang spoke solemnly:

”May the decree of the Lord of Geo descend.”

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