Genshin Impact : Joining the Genius Club

Resentment

"This isn't much different from Inazuma when I left," Raiden Zhen said, holding Yae Shenzi in her arms as she walked through Inazuma Castle with Ying.

She felt a sense of relief.

Zhen had worried that under Ying's governance, Inazuma might regress. Seeing it remain stable was already a pleasant surprise—she couldn't ask for more.

Yae Shenzi, cradled in Zhen's arms, rolled her eyes.

"This is just a façade," she thought.

If Su Ran hadn't directly dealt with Kujo Takayuki and Hiiragi Shinsuke yesterday, Inazuma might have descended into chaos. The Tenryou Commission was now leaderless, and Hiiragi Shinsuke of the Kanjou Commission was terrified into compliance, choosing to pay his way out of trouble rather than stir up more. For the time being, he wouldn't dare act recklessly.

Zhen, unaware of these details, saw only the surface. If she ventured to the front lines and witnessed the carnage, it would surely unsettle her.

"Yes, it does seem peaceful," Ying replied, guilt flickering in her eyes.

Zhen noticed immediately. They had been sisters for centuries; how could she not see through Ying's thoughts?

"But this is just Inazuma in a dream, isn't it?" Zhen asked knowingly.

Yae Shenzi wasn't surprised—she had already known that this Raiden Zhen was the real one. But Ying froze in disbelief.

How could someone in a dream be aware of it? Even Inazuma's citizens didn't realize they were trapped in an illusion.

"Did Su Ran tell you?" Ying blurted, her mind racing.

Was it Su Ran's doing? Did he tell Zhen the truth about this dream world? Even if it was just a fabricated reality, why would he reveal such a cruel truth?

"Ying! I've been dead for 500 years. The fact that I can be here now, walking like a normal person, is all thanks to Su Ran's arrangement. Do you still intend to blame him?"

Zhen couldn't harbor resentment toward Su Ran. Even if she knew the truth—that this dream confined Inazuma's people—it also gave her an opportunity to walk alongside her sister once more.

"No… I'm not blaming him. I just don't understand why he would tell you all this," Ying admitted, her frustration softening.

Zhen sighed, understanding her sister's emotions.

For all its flaws, Zhen couldn't hate Su Ran. This dream allowed her and Ying to reunite and share precious moments. Yet Ying couldn't help but wonder—why tarnish the perfection of this dream with the knowledge of its falseness?

"What a fool…" Zhen murmured.

Zhen knew this dream wasn't eternal peace. She'd already met Su Ran and understood the deeper implications.

"But… isn't this eternity you're pursuing too cruel for the people of Inazuma?" Zhen asked.

She had learned the truth from Su Ran: this dream stripped Inazuma's people of their freedom. There was no death, no illness, no aging—but also no births, no new consciousness, no natural cycle of life.

Could humans truly bear an eternity of stagnant existence, burdened by memories spanning centuries?

To Zhen, this dream felt like her own self-isolation in the past—except this time, everyone in Inazuma was imprisoned alongside her.

Still, she chose not to argue with Ying. Instead, she decided to accompany her sister, cherishing their time together and making up for years of loneliness.

Their conversation shifted away from the dream, and Ying visibly relaxed. She led Zhen to explore Inazuma Castle, trying new things—like dango milk.

"Two… two generals?" The snack vendor, Tomoki, stammered in confusion, staring at the two identical figures before him. "Am… am I dreaming?"

Ying cast him a glance but refrained from answering.

"Two bottles of dango milk," she ordered.

"Y-Yes, right away!" Tomoki exclaimed, hurrying to prepare the drinks. Dream or not, having the Raiden Shogun taste his snacks was a great honor—and a fantastic advertisement.

When Tomoki handed over the bottles, Ying froze. She'd forgotten she didn't have any Mora. Yesterday, Su Ran had been there to pay, but now… she glanced at Yae Shenzi, who was nestled comfortably in Zhen's arms.

"Time to step up, Yae Shenzi," Ying muttered, but upon closer inspection, realized the fox couldn't possibly carry Mora in her current form.

"The payment will go on the account of the Tenshukaku," Zhen interjected.

Tomoki shook his head frantically. "No, no! It's an honor that the general would try my snacks. How could I charge you?"

"Rules are rules," Ying replied firmly. "Put it on the tab of the man who came here yesterday with a child who looks like me."

Tomoki blinked, confused. Then it dawned on him. If even the Raiden Shogun knew that man, did it mean that child…?

Tomoki gasped, realizing he might have stumbled upon an incredible secret.