Genshin Impact: I Became The Son Of Greater Lord Rukkhadevata

"The purpose of our academic excursion this time is to observe the living habits of island residents, learn about their culture, and study their knowledge." Yu lounged lazily on Little Blue, who was still a shade of pink, as they traveled across the sea towards Inazuma. Unlike their previous ventures, this journey wasn't a grand mission nor did it require any intense combat skills. Thus, the students participating were mostly literary types, a relatively normal group for once.

With several dozen students in tow, Yu relied on Little Blue's kin as transportation to sail eastward. Meanwhile, Rhinedottir remained in Sumeru, working on a potion to restore Little Blue to her original form. Since her ability to create chaos was far less potent than Alice's, it was safer to leave her behind.

Hopefully, by the time Yu returned, he wouldn't be greeted by a blue biohazard disaster.

Due to Alice's past mischief, none of Little Blue's kin were willing to carry her, leaving her no choice but to ride alongside Yu. Together, they perched atop Little Blue.

Little Blue's transformation hadn't just affected her color—her voice had also changed. Once dignified and commanding, it was now reduced to a constant whimpering "yip-yip-yip" sound, much to her own frustration.

"Wow! Flying fish!" one of the students exclaimed in awe.

Yu watched the scene unfold and thought it was good for the students to broaden their horizons.

But as expected, when things seemed normal, something unexpected always happened. Yu took out a map, scrutinizing it closely.

"Something's off… By this time, we should have reached Narukami Island. Little Blue, what's going on?"

"Yip-yip-yip. (I don't know, maybe my senses are off due to the potion.)"

"That damned Khaenri'ah brat! Alright, listen up, everyone! We've gone off course. But don't panic—this is Teyvat, and as long as I'm here, we'll manage. Deep-sea drakes have ways of locating their kin, so let's split up and explore. Stay safe."

"Yip-yip-yip! (Protect the cargo on your backs at all costs!)"

Suddenly, a loud explosion echoed from the distance.

"Alright, forget splitting up. Wherever there's noise, there's land. Let's head there."

---

Seirai Island

"Sasayuri, I should have listened to Yu and ended Orobashi sooner… If I had, you wouldn't have died." Tears rolled down Ei's cheeks.

The great tengu Sasayuri lay dead, slain by the serpent's maw. An enraged Beelzebul had struck with such force that the resulting shockwave attracted Yu and his group.

"You all stay here and don't move. Little Blue, protect them," Yu instructed before heading towards the source of the commotion.

Surveying the battlefield littered with remnants of the fight, Yu felt a pang of regret. Having witnessed countless Archon Wars in Liyue and Sumeru, he was no stranger to such carnage, but it never became easier to see. Among the debris, he spotted a familiar violet figure, trembling with grief.

"Did you lose a close friend?" he asked softly.

Ei looked up and saw Yu.

"Why are you here?"

"We got lost at sea. Heard some noise, so we came over."

Ei: ...…

She had thought he came specifically for her.

"My friend is gone… I should have acted sooner. I should have listened to you."

"May they rest in peace. Life and death are inevitable for all beings, even us. He's merely waiting for you in another world."

Ei glanced at Yu, his words striking a chord that left an ache in her heart—an ache that only deepened the more she pondered it.

But he was right. Even gods couldn't achieve true immortality, which was why she pursued eternity. Yet standing before her was someone who seemed completely at ease with the concept of mortality.

Sensing that he might have said something inappropriate, Yu quickly added, "Don't worry, I'll die after you do."

"I seek eternity. Are you sure about that?"

"Aren't there things older than eternity? The world is vast, full of wonders. Besides, I have a feeling you won't outlive me." Yu's tone was lighthearted, almost teasing.

Ei didn't feel like responding.

"I didn't come alone," Yu continued. "I brought students along to study. Could you help find them a place to stay? Nothing fancy is needed."

"There are plenty of vacant houses on Seirai Island. They can stay there."

"Thanks."

Yu stayed behind to keep Ei company, hoping to comfort her in her grief. He entrusted the students to Little Blue, confident that nothing in present-day Inazuma posed a threat to her. Before leaving, he assigned them an academic task, thinking it would be helpful for Ei's domain if they could gather some intelligence on Watatsumi Island. After all, helping Ei's people integrate more smoothly into Inazuma would spare her further heartache.

The students, now staring at the daunting task before them, glanced at the book in their hands—The Art of Persuasion—and fell into deep thought. They were all scholarly types, and this book was something Yu had written out of boredom, compiling knowledge from his mind into a guide.

Yu had completely underestimated his students.

Take the current situation, for instance: One student, well-versed in The Art of Persuasion, arrived at a village on Watatsumi Island, gathered the villagers with the help of a Shogunate samurai, and addressed them from the center of the village.

The student began by asking a villager, "Where do you work?"

"I fish on Watatsumi Island."

"Where are you from?"

"I'm from Sangonomiya. I'm a Watatsumi native!" The villager's voice carried a hint of indignation.

"You all heard that, right? He works on Watatsumi Island because he's from here. But who decided that?"

Turning to the samurai, the student asked, "And where are you from?"

"I'm from Narukami Island," the samurai answered, unsure where this was going but playing along.

"Now, ask me where I'm from."

"Uh… where are you from?"

"I'm from Teyvat."

Silence.

"Why are you laughing? Am I wrong? The greatest weakness of any god lies in binding their people to the concept of homeland. You know why Khaenri'ah was so formidable? Because wherever they dug became their home! Now, let's hear some applause!"

Scattered clapping began, growing louder and more enthusiastic. Even the Shogunate samurai joined in.

~~~

Advance Chapters!

P@treon: [email protected]/JustaPasserby