Lumine's whisper was like the murmuring of a devil, full of temptation.
Perhaps others would have nodded in agreement, but for Ye Xi, there was only calmness in his heart.
He wanted to know what this cheeky Lumine was up to.
So, he asked in return, "What do you want?"
"Mora! And Dehya!"
Lumine wore a mischievous grin, her stomach full of bad ideas.
Right now, she needed a massive amount of Mora for everything, like upgrading weapons and enhancing her strength. Mora was indispensable.
As long as she had endless Mora, her power would increase rapidly.
As for Dehya, as well as Keqing and Ganyu, she naturally wanted them all.
She had agreed to help handle Keqing and Ganyu, but she never said when.
Lumine's astonishing words made Ye Xi exclaim inwardly, 'Good lord.'
"You city people really know how to play wild. You're trying to pull a wife-swap, aren't you?"
"Did you secretly watch the 'Adult Section' behind your brother's back? How are you so skilled at this?"
Seeing Lumine playing dumb, Ye Xi smiled. "Then, how do you plan to help?"
"Hehehe..."
Seeing Ye Xi take the bait, Lumine immediately put her hands on her hips. "That depends on whether the funding from you, Master, is sufficient!"
"How about you advance me 500 million Mora first?"
As she spoke, Lumine rubbed her small hands together, wearing the expression of a profiteering merchant.
Ye Xi rolled his eyes at her. "Trying to glove a white wolf with empty hands—getting something for nothing, are we?"
"Do you take me for a fool like your brother?"
Lumine: ? ? ?
"Eh? Why are you insulting people?"
At this moment, in Fontaine, Aether sneezed several times in a row.
Achoo— Achoo— Achoo!
...
Night fell.
Wrapped in a pure white bath towel, Keqing slowly sat into the pool.
The moment she was enveloped by the warmth, she couldn't help but let out a soft moan. "Mmn~"
She felt the fatigue in her body vanish completely.
In truth, she had been busy working in Liyue Harbor recently, rushing about everywhere.
Once overtime started, she often had no time to sleep all night.
Although she would make up for the sleep afterward, the accumulated exhaustion made her feel weak from time to time.
And all these hidden ailments were being washed away by the hot water at this very moment.
Watching Keqing's alluring body slowly relax in the water, and the bath towel gradually slipping off to reveal her snow-white skin, Lumine let out a lewd, mischievous laugh.
"Hehehe... Ah-Qing, I'm coming for you—!"
"Eh—?!"
"Traveler! Don't come over!"
A streak of purple lightning shot up into the sky, and Lumine instantly convulsed from the electric shock. "Aiyaya aiyaya— numb, numb, numb!"
"I was wrong, I was wrong...! Ah-Qing!"
As the lightning faded, Lumine floated on the water's surface, looking like a fish stunned by electricity.
Keqing sighed helplessly, crossing her arms. "I really can't do anything with you."
Paimon supported Lumine's arm and dragged her to the shore. "Traveler, before you fished me out, now I've fished you out. Paimon and you are even."
Lumine's eyes were spinning with spirals, seeing stars. "The world... chewed me up..."
Seeing this scene, Dehya, who was at the side, couldn't help but laugh out loud.
"Keqing, you're too cruel."
"Sigh, the Traveler is always like this, shameless and brazen."
She and Ganyu had already gotten to know Dehya, as well as Dunyarzad and the others.
During the afternoon.
Keqing and Ganyu discovered that beautiful girls returned to the courtyard one after another.
When they heard that these beauties coming home in succession were all Ye Xi's concubines, they were truly startled.
These girls were one more beautiful than the next, and without exception, every single one possessed an Eye of God!
It was their first time seeing so many Eye of God holders in a single family!
Placed in Liyue, this would absolutely be a major, major, major noble family!
What they couldn't understand the most was why, when everyone had an Eye of God, they would choose to be Ye Xi's concubines.
Through the casual chat in the afternoon, Keqing and Ganyu gradually learned about everyone's experiences and became friends.
Ganyu slowly entered the pool at this time as well. Even this illuminated beast couldn't help but let out a soft gasp of admiration.
"Mmn~"
"How is it, Ganyu, Keqing? My Master's hot spring isn't bad, right?"
Dehya grinned, her face full of pride.
"Mmn!"
Keqing's face was full of enjoyment, and she responded subconsciously.
However, a sense of guilt from relaxing suddenly arose in her heart, and she hurriedly said, "Balancing work and rest is good... but one cannot relax too much! The people of Liyue are very industrious! We won't covet pleasure!"
"Is that so?"
"But Ganyu looks so comfortable she's about to fall asleep."
Dehya pointed to Ganyu, who had already closed her eyes at the side, her face full of smiles.
Keqing looked back, only to see that behind the water mist, Ganyu was already nodding off with her head lowered.
Now, she felt so ashamed she wanted to find a crack in the ground to crawl into. "Ganyu! Wake up! Ganyu—!"
Too embarrassing!
She hadn't even finished her sentence, and this fellow Ganyu had already slapped her in the face with her actions.
"Hahahaha."
"Keqing, since you are a guest in our home, just relax properly."
"Master specially instructed me, saying that you are usually serious about work and vigorous in action, so I should take good care of you."
"Eh?!"
Hearing Dehya's words, Keqing was a bit puzzled.
'How would Ye Xi know these things?'
Clearly, it was their first day meeting, yet she felt Ye Xi understood her very well.
However, since she was here, she might as well be at ease. Anyway, she couldn't work right now, so she might as well focus on enjoying the leisure.
After a short while, with clouds of beauties around, the pool instantly became lively.
"Everyone, I brought quite a lot of newly brewed wine from the village. Does anyone want to taste it?"
Ayexia held a wine barrel, poking her head out at the entrance to ask.
"Oh? I can take advantage of this too! I'll have a taste!"
Dehya raised her hand. When she was a mercenary before, she often went to the taverns in Caravan Ribat to drink.
She hadn't satisfied her craving for a long time recently.
"Coming right up~"
Ayexia poured several cups in one breath, placed the wine cups into a wooden basin, and pushed it into the pool.
Paimon watched the drifting wine cups and couldn't help but swallow her saliva.
"Mmn~ Ayexia, this wine tastes not bad at all!"
Just by smelling it, Dehya was full of praise.
"Indeed, it's much stronger than the ones over at Caravan Ribat!"
"Having a cup after work is so comfortable!"
Seeing Alusha, Setaria, and the others enjoying it so much, Paimon became even more greedy.
"I... I want to taste it too!"
Dehya gave Paimon a sip.
"Ooh wah—! It's so delicious!"
Paimon held the wine cup, unable to stop her feet from kicking in excitement.
"Traveler, you come taste it too!"
Lumine gulped down two mouthfuls and instantly widened her eyes. "It has the refreshing sweetness of grapes, and the woody fragrance of oak barrels! So great!"
"Right?"
Ayexia said triumphantly, "Brewing wine in the village is very particular. Even the wine barrels must be wooden barrels that have been used for brewing year-round."
"The wine brewed this way not only has the taste of the wooden barrel, but the wine stains accumulated in the barrel over the years also have a fragrance, which gives the new wine an even more mellow taste!"
Lumine nodded. After drinking a cup or two, her cheeks became visibly redder to the naked eye.
Before long, she felt her vision becoming a bit dizzy.
"Dehya, I'm so sad..."
"We are friends, right?"
"Hmm?"
Hearing Lumine's intermittent words, Dehya nodded. "Of course, everyone is a good friend!"
"Then can you help me... think of a way?"
"What is it?"
Lumine took a sip of the fine wine and sighed. "How can I be like Ye Xi, having so many wives and so much Mora!"
Dehya: ...
Seeing Dehya's concerned gaze that seemed to say 'Are you okay?', Lumine's eyes were full of mist. "Wuwuwu... I want to be a Harem King too! Dehya, how can I possess you guys~"
Saying that, Lumine threw herself into Dehya's embrace, burying her head and nuzzling.
"It's very simple."
Dehya smiled and said, " wouldn't it be fine if you just became Master's concubine too?"
"Eh?!"
"No need to be surprised. Master treats us all very well and never lacks Mora."
Dehya continued to explain, "Besides, if you join us, everyone will be one family, and we can be together forever in the future."
Lumine instantly fell into deep thought, feeling that it seemed to make a lot of sense.
To the side, Alusha put down her wine cup, lying on the edge of the pool with a face full of satisfaction. "Sure enough, soaking in a hot spring makes it easy to get drunk."
"Usually I can drink several cups!"
Dehya laughed and said, "Because hot water speeds up blood circulation, wine can easily intoxicate people. If your alcohol tolerance isn't high normally, you should drink less."
"Eh?!"
Hearing this, Keqing hurriedly put down her wine cup. "Then I can't drink too much. Although the taste is good, I can't delay tomorrow's official business!"
"It's fine, it's fine. Even if you get drunk at home, we can take care of you!"
Dehya patted her proud chest, looking full of confidence.
.....
On the other side.
Ye Xi sat on the sofa. In front of him was the Abyss Lector, Enjou, who had just returned from Fontaine.
"My King, this subordinate has completed all the tasks the King assigned in Fontaine."
"First, this subordinate informed His Highness the Prince of the King's recent situation. Hearing of the King's deeds, His Highness the Prince was very joyful!"
Ye Xi nodded. "Then, did you mention my subsequent plans?"
"Oh King, your magnificent grand vision is naturally etched in this subordinate's heart; I dare not forget it until death—!"
Enjou spoke with emotion, "His Highness the Prince and the warriors over there, after hearing the King's plan, were all moved to tears and raised their fists in cheers!"
"'For the restoration of Khaenri'ah! We offer! All our strength!' 'The King's ambition lies in the Four Nations; he will surely make the glory of Khaenri'ah bloom again!' 'Do not hide anymore! Come into the sunlight! Offer to the King! Loyalty!'"
"——Everyone swore an oath like this! It was exactly like that!"
"Now, the proud warriors of Khaenri'ah are high in fighting spirit, swearing to offer their loyalty to you to the death!"
"Hmm?"
Seeing Enjou's exaggerated performance, Ye Xi felt something was a bit off.
Ambition lies in the Four Nations?
What Four Nations?
? ? ?
"Never mind. Does Aether have any words to convey?"
Enjou recalled for a moment and nodded. "My King, His Highness the Prince said that he is very reassured handing his blood kin over to you for protection!"
"Moreover, hearing that you healed the injuries of the Prince's blood kin, he wanted me to thank you properly!"
"By the way!"
Enjou took out a bottle of potion from his pocket, raising it high with both hands and presenting it before Ye Xi.
"This is?"
"My King! His Highness the Prince knows you toil day and night for the great cause of 'Branching and Scattering Leaves', so he specially instructed this subordinate to deliver this medicine."
"This is Fontaine's most famous tonic! It nourishes your body and has very significant medicinal effects!"
Hearing this, Ye Xi picked up the potion.
[Appraise]
He used the [Appraise] skill.
This skill was a reward released by the system after he and Greater Lord Rukkhadevata woke up last time.
Both he and Greater Lord Rukkhadevata possessed this skill, which could be used to appraise various things.
[Ding~]
[Appraisal Complete!]
[Qi and Blood Replenishing Potion: Can nourish the body, strengthen the foundation and cultivate vitality, and build up spirit! Non-toxic! Potable!]
Hearing the system's voice, Ye Xi nodded. "...Help me thank Aether."
After speaking, he opened the medicine bottle and drank it all in one gulp.
The potion was sweet. After flowing down his throat, it turned into a flood of heat.
In an instant, Ye Xi felt his essence, energy, and spirit improve significantly, and his whole body felt warm.
These past days, he had been satisfying the girls properly, so he was a bit tired, as if his body had been hollowed out.
But after taking the potion, he instantly felt full of status, as if all his energy had returned!
"It is indeed a very effective potion."
Enjou was very clever and hurriedly spoke, "Then this subordinate will take his leave, so as not to disturb Your Majesty's evening itinerary."
"Wait."
"My King, are there other instructions?"
Ye Xi nodded slightly.
He intended to use Enjou to try out the [Bestow] skill.
To bestow Abyss Power upon the Abyss Lector and observe if it could enhance his strength.
If it was feasible, then he could greatly increase the power of the subordinates around him.
Just as he was about to speak, a noisy sound suddenly came from outside the door.
Bang bang bang—
"Ye Xi...! Open the door—!"
"Lumine?"
Hearing this familiar voice, Ye Xi couldn't help but think, 'Is this brat up to some mischief again?'
"You withdraw for now."
"Yes!"
Enjou hurriedly escaped into a rift and left the Ye Family Compound.
Ye Xi opened the door. Before he could react, a soft, delicate body threw itself into his arms.
Rushing over with it was a rich scent of alcohol.
"Ye Xi, I unilaterally declare..."
"Starting from today... your wives are all mine!"
Lumine's face was flushed red, her watery eyes full of laziness, her figure swaying so much she couldn't even stand steadily.
"What nonsense are you spouting? Did you drink too much?"
"Who drank too much... I'm sober!"
Lumine huffed, speaking indistinctly, "Cut the crap...! Go... come to my woom..."
"What do you want to do? I'm warning you, don't get handsy!"
However, Ye Xi's words had absolutely no effect.
Lumine pulled at his sleeve, swaying east and west, not knowing where she was going, just mouthing something.
He leaned in close to listen, only then hearing some intermittent sounds.
"Dehya was right... as long as I collect you...! Your wives are all mine! The Mora is also mine..."
Ye Xi: ? ? ?
Good lord.
What kind of messy stuff did Dehya instill in this fellow?
He, the dignified master of the harem, was actually going to be 'collected' by a brat?
How was that possible?
Thinking of this, he cast [Undying Grip] on Lumine and grabbed her small head.
[Forced Calm]
He activated the calming skill.
He originally thought Lumine would sober up, but there was no change in her at all.
This made Ye Xi very strange.
[Notice: The effect of 'Forced Calm' is used to calm emotions; it cannot remove the paralyzing effects of alcohol.]
Hearing the system's notification, Ye Xi was at a bit of a loss.
Just as he was thinking about how to handle this drunk girl, Lumine's hands and feet became increasingly restless.
Suddenly, the white bath towel slipped down along her porcelain-white skin, and that wonderful, alluring body was presented before his eyes.
The moonlight spilled through the cross-shaped window, illuminating Lumine and making her look even more lovely and moving.
That rosy little face was full of the flush of intoxication, and a pair of beautiful eyes were filled with mist, looking extremely adorable under the moonlight.
"Ye Xi... Dehya is mine... you are also mine..."
Lumine mumbled, tearing at Ye Xi's collar.
Ye Xi grabbed that hand, his gaze full of helplessness. "Are you sure you won't regret this?"
"Regretting makes one a puppy...! Tomorrow... from now on, I want Dehya to sleep with me..."
"Fine, I'll satisfy you then!"
Ye Xi picked Lumine up.
It was just the right time to test the effects of the tonic he just took.
....
Fontaine.
Aether, who had just returned to his resting place, looked at the moon in the sky, thinking of Ye Xi far away in Sumeru.
"Xi, tonight you must also be working hard for 'Branching and Scattering Leaves'..."
"I hope that bottle of tonic works..."
.......
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