Lu Bu, the Thunder General, is my adoptive father in Genshin Impact.

“A nail?” Ying, standing behind the interrogation chair, crossed her arms and fell into deep thought. “I once saw a particularly large, frigid nail on Dragon Ridge Snow Mountain.”

“I’ve heard of that thing too. Its appearance is quite similar to the Nail of Frost, but whether its function is the same is debatable.” D'Artagnan smiled slightly. “The nail incorporates the latest energy technology of the Winter Kingdom and can draw power from the earth’s veins.”

"So that's how it is. The mystery of the fog and the elemental forces within it has been solved," Xiao Yi said.

D'Artagnan shook his head:

"Human creations have their limits, and the elemental power of the ley lines in some areas also has its limits. Unless those guys buy thousands of nails and plant one every ten thousand meters, making the mountains and fields full of nails, even if they drain the local ley lines, they cannot make the elemental power cover Liyue."

"That's the problem..."

"The other party only ordered one nail, right?" Xiao Yi had already guessed what the young master wanted to say.

In other words, besides the technology of the Fatui, the mastermind also used another method to expand the influence of the nails, extract a large amount of ley line energy, transform the energy into a certain rule, and spread it throughout Liyue using the fog as a medium.

D'Artagnan nodded, confirming Xiao Yi's guess.

Now that some of the secrets shrouding Liyue in fog have been revealed, it's time to delve into the key question—what kind of madman would do something so thankless and tedious?

"What kind of person is the mastermind behind this?" Xiao Yi changed the subject and asked, "Don't tell me that you, as the local leader of the Fools, have never met him."

The young master was silent for a moment, then described: "It's very strange. That guy's temperament is not like that of a human, but more like some kind of profound, indescribable ancient monster. I like to fight with strong human beings. When I saw him, I felt that he was ridiculously strong, but I had no fighting spirit at all."

"And what about his appearance?" Xiao Yi asked.

D'Artagnan shook his head: "He manipulated water elements to form a thick fog that enveloped himself. Only his tall, three-meter-tall figure and the guards in black robes outside the fog could be seen."

“I don’t like people who pretend to be mysterious.” Xiao Yi frowned slightly and commented, “A shadow is just a projection of a body. Depending on the changes in light, that guy might be a weak little guy who is all show and no substance, using his shadow to show his greatness.”

If Paimon were there, he would surely make some unfounded connections and say something like, "Sometimes, under the moonlight, Xiao's figure can be very tall."

"Why did the Fools fall out with the Great Righteous Heavenly Venerable?" Xiao Yi directly used the abbreviation of the name.

Without hesitation, D'Artagnan said, "He told us that we could make a lot of Mora by manufacturing and selling the Merit Machine and then selling it after the fog covered Liyue. He also spent a lot of money to customize high-tech steel nails that run through the ley lines. But when it came time to exchange money for goods, they played tricks on us."

"When I arrived at the trading site, the Firefly sorcerers and soldiers in charge of the transaction had all been wiped out—they had only paid the deposit, but had stolen the goods and killed the transporters."

The young master's calm expression finally showed a slight change, and his teeth made a soft grinding sound.

"Those guys betrayed the Fools, so why are you still selling the Meritless Machine?" Ying asked, tilting her head. "I thought you were still in cahoots."

"Probably to cut their losses," Gan Yu guessed.

“That’s right, to cut our losses,” D'Artagnan said helplessly. “Even though the cooperation has ended, we’ve already built the 'Meritorious Machine,' so we have to make some money to make up for the previous losses.”

Everything that needed to be said had been said, and the room suddenly fell silent.

Ying knew that the young master was an honest person who could lie, but the lies he made up were rather clumsy. He was the kind of brute who was good at being lied to rather than lying to others.

Xiao Yi's barrage of questions was swift as lightning, but Dadalia responded methodically and fluently, proving that the probability of her lying was not very high.

“Alright, we’ll believe you for now.” After thinking for a long time, Xiao Yi decided, “However, we will not set you free for the time being until we find evidence that the Fools and the Celestial Venerable have broken ties.”

“It’s up to you, and I don’t really have a choice,” D’Artagnan said with a self-deprecating laugh, then asked, “If what I’m saying is true, what do you want to do?”

"The enemy of my enemy is my friend," Xiao Yi replied decisively. "Let's cooperate to fight against the mastermind behind the scenes."

"Cooperating with the Fools?" Gan Yu asked in surprise.

From her perspective, she disliked the Winterborn people stationed in Liyue, and even though it was for the sake of saving Liyue, she still couldn't accept it deep down.

“No, Tartaglia has temporarily broken away from the Fools and is cooperating with us.” Xiao Yi said succinctly, “Among us, Paimon is a taunter and cannot fight, so we need to add new combat power.”

"You want to imprison me, but you also want me to fight for you?" the young master asked in surprise.

Xiao Yi smirked and replied cheerfully, "You just said it yourself, you have no choice."

Considering that D'Artagnan could not be removed from the interrogation chair before the investigation was completed, and that keeping him tied to the chair would take up too much space and be inconvenient to move, Xiao Yi had just made a wooden wheel from the leftover materials from making the chair, which was then fitted into both sides of the interrogation chair.

That turns it into a wheelchair.

"Okay, okay, I really don't have a choice." D'Artagnan looked up at Luminous behind him. "Partner, can't you at least give me some food? I'm a reserve member after all."

Before Ying could respond, Xiao Yi said generously, "Of course, no problem. We're at Qingce Village, and the blacksmith just happened to send some cakes—someone, feed the young master some cakes."

Gan Yu and Ying each took a piece of cake and forced it into Dadalia's mouth. The Kirin Girl did this to vent her disgust for the Fools, while Ying did it to retaliate for calling her a "fool" earlier.

Meanwhile, Xiao Yi installed and adjusted the wooden wheels.

"I'll take you out for some fresh air and to help you digest your food." Before D'Artagnan could even swallow the biscuit, Xiao Yi pushed the chair and quickly left the temple.

Gan Yu tilted her head in confusion, and Ying immediately guessed what he wanted to do: Naruto was going to use the same tactics he had used on her before to manipulate the new lord, Tartaglia.

Chapter 122 Xiao Yi Wants to Be a Fool, Thor Is Overjoyed

Xiao Yi pushed the wheelchair and ran wildly, pushing the young master, who was strapped to the wheelchair, all the way to the edge of the barrier. After confirming that no one would disturb him, he was ready to deceive him.

At this moment, the young master swallowed the biscuit in his mouth, raised his head in confusion, and stared at the strange young man behind the wheelchair.

Xiao Yi cleared his throat and said seriously, "Actually, Mr. D'Artagnan, I've had a dream since I was a child: to join the Fools of the Winter Kingdom and become an executive officer."

Young Master: ? ? ?

He clearly remembered that not long ago the other party had said that the Fools were enemies. Why had they suddenly changed their tune? Were they trying to trick him into revealing information again?

Before D'Artagnan could even speak, Miss Shadow couldn't sit still any longer.

(Video: Are you going to switch jobs?)

(Xiao Yi: I already have 77's trust, Lord Thor, don't doubt me so easily! The reason I'm doing this is, of course, because I'm after your power, young master.)

(Video: It's a bit of a shame...)

(Xiao Yi: Why are you feeling regretful again? You can't wait for me to leave?)

(Shadow: I was actually quite happy to hear that you were going to join the Fools of Winter's End.)

Xiao Yi was full of questions.

He simply couldn't understand the way a god thought. If a capable assistant went to a foreign land, what reason would she, as a god and ruler, have to be happy?

(Voiceover: I've heard that Winter's Land is a land of ice, where it's freezing cold all year round. If you could get some top-quality chilled watermelon from there, that would be wonderful.)

A million alpacas galloped through Xiao Yi's mind.

(Xiao Yi: Don't assume that top-quality watermelons can be found everywhere except in Inazuma!!!)

And why do you want chilled watermelon, sir? Is it to restrain Gargantuar?

(Video: Seven Stars and the Immortal have something to discuss with me again, so let's not talk about the watermelon for now.)

With the general no longer making a fuss, Xiao Yi finally had a chance to get back to the point, and he continued to deceive people.

“Actually, I’ve always thought the uniforms of the Fools were very cool since I was a child. They’re practical yet elegant and gorgeous, and I’ve always wanted to wear one,” Xiao Yi said, feigning cheerfulness. “Assuming this matter is resolved satisfactorily, how about you help me with some introductions, young master? You’ve seen my strength and ability to get things done.”

Because Xiao Yi's mood changed faster than flipping through a book, D'Artagnan was skeptical, but he couldn't deny that the Fatui's uniforms were very nice.

Xiao Yi proceeded step by step: "Of course, I can give up the position of executive officer and serve as your deputy first. I will be promoted after I have accumulated enough prestige and trust."

Xiao Yi definitely wouldn't do that then. He just wanted to temporarily deceive the young master and the system, get the power first, and deal with this crisis.

After all, according to the system's functions, the more power the better, and the more lords and such, the better.

If it weren't for the current circumstances, he would have liked to go to Wanmintang to become the little cook's apprentice and cook for a few days; then go to Bubulu to work for the little zombie Qiqi or Dr. Baishu for a few days; or go to Wangshengtang to help the head of the hall carry coffins for a few days—the head of the hall seems to have gone to chase after the chair seller.

In this way, you can be proficient in all kinds of abilities, including output, control, healing, and offensive capabilities, and can use the current skill cooldown time to fill gaps and seamlessly connect skills.

Speaking of control, Gan Yu must take control as soon as possible, so she can also use her combo skills with the young master.

On the other side, after hearing Xiao Yi's words, D'Artagnan's not-so-bright brain started working at high speed.

He remembered that he was the lowest-ranking executive officer, and now the Fools only had nine executive officers. The one codenamed Lady had died during her mission, and the one codenamed Scatterer had gone missing. In order for the Winter Kingdom to make smooth progress in its operations in other countries, it was indeed necessary to replenish manpower.

The Fools have accepted foreigners before, and the lady is the best example. Xiao Yi is also capable, but the only problem is that his identity is unknown, so he cannot be trusted easily.

D'Artagnan then remembered that the blue-haired woman next to Xiao Yi looked familiar, but something about her seemed off.

These past few days, he has been doing his best to investigate the traitor "Great Righteousness Celestial Venerable," and has not paid much attention to the changes in Liyue Harbor. He knows about the situation of Narutoko but has not gone into depth. His understanding is still based on the collapse of the Jade Pavilion and the arrest of Narutoko, so he has not connected Xiao Yi with the general's adopted son.

As for Gan Yu, she was a workaholic who was good at making things simple. With her two horns removed, she had no other distinctive features besides being pretty, so it's normal that the young master couldn't see it.

He looked up again at Xiao Yi's sincere face.

“Alright, we’ve fought, so we’re partners now,” D'Artagnan said frankly. “Once this is over, you’ll start as my second-in-command and work your way up to the position of executive officer.”

Xiao Yi: I ran away long ago after everything was over.

As long as you give D'Artagnan an false alarm about faking your own death before parting ways, your trust level won't decrease, and you can continue to use his power in the future.

“No need for the matter to be over, I am now your adjutant.” Xiao Yi took out a flatbread and stuffed it into the other man’s mouth. “Here, young master, have some flatbread, don’t go hungry.”

(New Lord: Tartaglia; Trust Value: 50.)

He thought to himself: "So many surprises! This young master is truly an honest man."

Xiao Yi could no longer imagine how lively the chat room would become if he continued collecting lords at this rate, after most of them had passed away a hundred years later...

D'Artagnan swallowed the food in her mouth: "In that case, could you untie me?"

"Hey, I'll untie you right away." Xiao Yi pretended to help, but actually deliberately tried to get information out of you. "Speaking of which, you just mentioned that the Fools and the Great Righteousness Boundless Heavenly Venerable had a falling out. Is that true, or a lie to pass interrogation?"

Tartaglia replied without hesitation, "It's true. Unfortunately, Liyue is short-handed. I'm the only executive in charge of this matter, so it's not easy to do."

Xiao Yi suddenly stopped what he was doing.

“Now that things have come to this, we can take advantage of the Traveler and use him to eliminate the Fools’ enemies.” Xiao Yi led the young master into the trap. “Therefore, I cannot untie the chains for now. I will continue to act and deceive the guys in the temple.”

This way, the young master can be tricked into behaving himself, and when it's time to fight, his chains can be removed.

However, Xiao Yi suspected that Tartaglia had other plans and wanted to use Gan Yu and Ying to achieve his goals. After all, as one of the eleven strongest members of the Fools, it was impossible for him to be bound by a single chain. If the person monitoring him relaxed his guard, it wouldn't be difficult to remove the restraints.

Just as the two were deep in thought, something strange flew out of the thick fog.

Clang clang clang!!

A round object rolled to Xiao Yi's feet.

The young master blinked and explained quickly, "This is a new invention from the logistics department of the Fools, I think it's called a grenade or something."

Xiao Yi immediately jumped to the side, using the young master's wheelchair as cover, and the next moment the circular object exploded violently.

boom!!!

Chapter 123 The Halberd Reappears, Divine Power Returns