Zhongli: "..."
Ningguang: "..."
Keqing: "Sure enough, the power of gods is beyond our imagination. @Smith, by the way, can you read human thoughts?"
Smith: "No, I can't. Don't talk nonsense! Although I am also a Grass God, I am different from Nahida. Nahida also controls the power of dreams, which might be related to that."
Nahida: "This is my ability, something I have had since birth. Maybe it comes from being a Grass God, or perhaps it's tied to the power of dreams or even the World Tree."
Smith: "That's already an incredibly powerful ability."
Nahida: "But out of respect for humans, I almost never pry into their thoughts."
Smith: "You should observe humans more closely. There are both good and bad people in Liyue, just like anywhere else."
Nahida: "I understand. I will observe carefully. @Zhongli, senior, I still want to ask for your guidance."
Zhongli: "Smith knows where I am. I can't teach you how to be a good god, as I don't consider myself an exceptional one. However, I can share my experiences and hope they help you."
Nahida: "I am truly grateful."
Nahida felt incredibly fortunate today. She had been saved and freed from the cage that had imprisoned her for five hundred years. She had also entered an extraordinary place and met Morax, the God of Contracts himself. She vowed to become an excellent god in the future.
"Alright, let's go. I'll treat you to some delicious food. You probably haven't had much of that in Sumeru, right?" Smith rubbed Nahida's head gently. "But do you plan to let the people of Sumeru know you're in Liyue?"
"Me?" Nahida hesitated. "If the Akademiya learns that I'm in Liyue, it might cause trouble. Maybe Liyue doesn't care, but I don't want to bring unnecessary problems here. Please wait a moment."
As Smith watched, Nahida's body slowly changed, growing from a child of seven or eight years old into a girl of about fourteen or fifteen. The transformation was remarkable, making it unlikely that anyone from the Akademiya would recognize her. Of course, if someone compared Nahida with the late Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, they might notice a strong resemblance. However, this wasn't a significant issue.
"Let's go. I'll take you to buy some food first." Smith could tell that Nahida had deliberately transformed her appearance. In time, when she gathered enough divine power, she would naturally grow up, just like Rukkhadevata once had.
"Okay!" Nahida agreed eagerly. As a god, she didn't need food, but she was still fascinated by it.
---
When Smith walked through Liyue with a stunning young girl, it caused an uproar.
Rumors spread like wildfire, and soon, the people of Liyue were furious. Nahida's delicate beauty was undeniable, but that wasn't the issue. The problem was that an outsider had seemingly betrayed Yuhengxing, Keqing! How could this be tolerated?
Keqing was known as a radical in Liyue. After last year's Rite of Parting, she had almost lost her position as one of the Qixing. Despite this, the people of Liyue shared a strong sense of unity. Even if Keqing was a controversial figure, she was still one of their own.
If Smith wanted to marry Keqing, that was one thing, but now he was seen walking with another beautiful girl! This was unacceptable unless he could also seduce General Raiden or the Hydro Archon Furina.
"Is this the Little Lord Kusanali?"
When Smith brought Nahida to his residence, Keqing and Ningguang were already waiting.
Seeing the young girl holding a pile of snacks, they sighed. As expected of a god, she had an otherworldly beauty that few mortals could match.
"Hello, you can just call me Nahida." Nahida reverted to her childlike form in front of them. She still wasn't used to the older appearance.
Keqing and Ningguang exchanged glances. What an adorable Grass God! The fools at the Akademiya must have been blind to imprison such a being. If it were up to them, they would never have allowed it.
"Is that so? Then we won't be formal, Nahida!" Keqing, having spent so much time around Smith, was no longer easily intimidated by gods.
Smith himself was a Grass God, though he often had less-than-holy thoughts and had made more than a few flirtatious remarks toward her.
"Nice to meet you." Nahida smiled warmly. She had never had many friends before, but perhaps this visit to Liyue would change that.
"By the way, why are you two here?" Smith set the snacks on the table and grabbed a skewer of grilled beef.
"Since Nahida is here, we naturally had to come and greet her." Keqing rolled her eyes at Smith.
"At the same time, there's another matter we need to discuss with you," Ningguang added, her expression serious.
"Oh? What is it?" Smith asked curiously.
Ningguang glanced at Nahida before responding. "Acting Grandmaster Jean came to Liyue to seek our help against the Fatui. If not direct military support, then at least diplomatic backing.
Rex Lapis has left the decision to us, but we don't want to act rashly. The Fatui have done nothing but harm other nations, but we also fear retaliation."
"The Fatui?" Smith frowned. "Honestly, aside from a few individuals, I despise the Fatui as well. I told you about La Signora before. Do you think what she's doing now is right?"
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