Genshin Impact: The Sharpshooter of Teyvat

Chapter 1250 The High and Mighty Tianquan Star Ningguang is Dead

Listening to Ningguang's bewildered sobs, Shao Yun calmly retorted, "Hey, don't think so much. You've been in Liyue's political arena for so many years, you must have seen just as much of the dark side as I have, right?"

In his view, Ningguang shouldn't be so surprised by this; the cruelty of the power arena is the norm.

"As the saying goes, 'If you don't cut the weeds at the root, they will grow back in the spring breeze.' How many times throughout history have rulers exterminated the remnants of the previous dynasty?"

“Keqing has just taken power. Although you have escaped to Nata, your secretaries are still in Liyue. Their loyalty to you is a ‘hidden danger.’ Any new leader would probably not leave this hidden danger behind.”

Ningguang lowered her eyes, her fingers gripping the blanket tightly, and choked out:

"But Baiwen, Baishi, and Baixiao, even though they are my personal secretaries... they have never gotten involved in power struggles, they have only done their jobs well..."

She knew in her heart that what Shao Yun said was true, but she just couldn't accept this cruel outcome. Just because she had followed her, she ended up like this.

Looking at her stubborn expression, Shao Yun helplessly pursed his lips and commented with his political intuition, which lacked much theoretical support but was exceptionally straightforward:

"Are you sure Ke Qing would dare to use your people?"

He paused, and seeing Ningguang remain silent, he continued, "Moreover, Keqing's rise to power was illegitimate; she came to power through a coup, and there are bound to be many people who are dissatisfied with her."

"Killing someone to establish authority at this time would both eliminate your remaining forces and deter those who are watching. At first glance, it seems quite normal, right?"

“That doesn’t warrant killing them…” Ningguang’s voice grew softer and softer, but her eyes grew redder and redder. Her words were full of regret for the three secretaries, like a child who had been wronged but had nowhere to confide in, timid and hesitant.

Seeing that she was about to cry, Shao Yun's heart softened, and his tone softened as he helplessly comforted her:

"At least, that girl Hu Tao will definitely give your three secretaries a proper burial. She takes funeral procedures very seriously and will surely give them a dignified end. Don't cry, crying won't bring them back."

Since ancient times, those who manage weddings and funerals should not be easily offended. If they really cause you trouble, whether they are alive or dead, they can make you very upset!

Moreover, the Hall of Rebirth monopolizes the entire funeral industry in Liyue. Even Ningguang at her peak has to give Hu Tao some face. Even if Keqing is stubborn, she should understand this basic principle, right?

She certainly wouldn't dare to cause trouble at the funeral, otherwise, if she offended the Funeral Home, she herself would also face death one day.

Two streams of clear tears silently slid down Ningguang's face. She lowered her head slightly, her shoulders trembling gently, and choked out:

"I... I just feel like all of this is unreal..."

He was interrupted halfway through his sentence by a heavy nasal tone.

She originally thought that escaping to Nata would completely sever all ties with Liyue, and allow her to live out the rest of her life quietly as an ordinary maid in this ranch.

But it wasn't until she heard the news of the deaths of her three secretaries that she realized that those past experiences were not so easily severed.

At this moment, she even had an impulse to rush back to Liyue immediately, even if it was just to see them one last time, even if it would put her in danger.

The clock in the basement ticked away, and after about half an hour, Shao Yun decided that this wasn't a big deal.

He wasn't good at saying sweet things to Ningguang, so he could only scratch his head and soothe her in his own unique, slightly teasing way:

"Okay, stop crying. Besides, even if you cry until dawn, I won't give you more allowance!"

Although these words didn't sound very warm, they carried a strange sense of comfort.

When Ningguang heard "an increase in pocket money," she paused for a moment, then subconsciously raised her hand to wipe away her tears, her tense emotions easing slightly.

She sniffed, lifted her tear-streaked face, looked at Shao Yun, and asked another question.

"I have a question, Mr. Shao Yun, what is your opinion on Ke Qing?"

When Shao Yun saw that she suddenly asked about Ke Qing, she did not answer immediately. Instead, she leaned back in her chair, gently stroking her chin with her fingers, and pondered for a moment.

In his eyes, Keqing's image was actually quite distinct, so he answered truthfully:

"Keqing is a very idealistic person. She wholeheartedly wants to make Liyue a better place, and she has indeed done a lot of practical things for the people. She can be considered a good person who speaks up for the people."

"But she was too impulsive, eager to prove that she could lead Liyue in a new direction. Sometimes she would overlook the complexities and hidden dangers of the power arena. That's pretty much it."

After hearing this assessment, Ningguang's eyes gradually became unfocused as she drifted into memories of the past.

"Heh, tell me, if I hadn't borrowed your reputation and used Keqing as a shield, would I still be the Tianquan Star in Liyue?"

In order to stabilize Liyue, she deliberately used Shao Yun's formidable strength to intimidate all forces, and intentionally or unintentionally let Keqing share some of the pressure with her.

Looking back now, perhaps it was precisely these choices that sowed the seeds for the later coup.

What would have happened if I had chosen to abandon Keqing as a shield?

Upon hearing this question, Shao Yun actually began to think about it seriously.

The main reason Ningguang ended up like this was because Zhongli broke off their relationship, causing Ningguang, who had been using his reputation, to suffer the consequences.

If Ningguang had truly abandoned Keqing back then, she wouldn't have needed to use her own reputation... and might have been able to avoid the current situation.

But then I thought, at this point, what's the point of dwelling on the past that can't be changed?

He looked at Ningguang's expectant yet disappointed eyes and asked calmly, "What's the point of saying all that?"

Ningguang looked into Shao Yun's calm eyes, wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes, and revealed a self-deprecating smile, having completely accepted her current identity.

"Yes, I've become your slave. What's the point of dwelling on the past?"

The moment she finished speaking, she suddenly felt as if a heavy weight had been lifted from her heart.

Since one's destiny is no longer in one's own hands, and since the past of Liyue has been completely severed, then reminiscing about those unchangeable times is nothing but adding to one's troubles.

Everything is in the past. The high and mighty Tianquan Star Ningguang is dead. Now, she is just a servant or "slave" who needs protection by Shao Yun's side.

Thinking of this, Ningguang took a deep breath and suddenly threw off the blanket covering her.

The loose-fitting underwear outlined her full figure, but without any seductive meaning; instead, it conveyed a sense of resolute determination.

She knelt on the bed, her body slowly leaning forward, until finally she placed her hands on the ground and her forehead pressed tightly against the bed, performing a standard Inatsuma "dogeza" bow.

With an almost devout submission, he said, "Now, my last connection with Liyue has also disappeared."

"Thank you for your protection, my master."

The system then displays a prompt.

[You may choose to take advantage of Ningguang's body and brand her as a slave without being detected.]

Shao Yun didn't even lift an eyelid at the prompt, choosing to ignore it outright.

Looking at Ningguang's humble posture, he frowned and waved his hand.

"Alright, enough of this nonsense. Just rest these next couple of days and don't think about working. I'll have Yuan Shang take over your work; that's an order!"

If he really wanted to possess her, why wait until now? This recent piece of code is a bit strange.

Ningguang, whose forehead was still pressed against the bed, stiffened slightly upon hearing the word "command," and her voice trembled with apology.

"Okay, thank you, Master. I'm sorry, I'm an incompetent slave. Not only have I failed to work properly, but I've also caused you so much trouble taking care of me."

She humbled herself greatly, as if only in this way could she make up for her mistake of "causing trouble".

Looking at her deliberately pitiful appearance, Shao Yun couldn't help but roll her eyes and bluntly criticize her:

"Alright, stop playing the victim here. Get some rest and recover your health. You'll have plenty of opportunities to work in the future. Don't come back later saying I'm exploiting you."

Despite his complaints, he still pulled out a regular version of the miracle supplement from his pocket.

He placed the bottle on Ningguang's bedside table and instructed her, "Remember to drink this once a day; it will help you recover faster."

After saying that, he turned to leave, but stopped abruptly at the door. He looked back at Ningguang, who was still in the "dogeza" posture, and his tone softened.

"By the way, don't change how you address me when you're desperate. Just call me by my name."

……