"Cut it out."
Greater Lord Rukkhadevata clearly wasn't buying Jiang Yan's act.
Jiang Yan only chuckled, blinking innocently at her.
Rukkhadevata thought quietly for a moment, then finally sighed.
"Forget it. I agree."
"Sumeru can recognize Mora as its primary currency—but how you plan to get Mora circulating among the populace will depend on you."
Sumeru was a nation of scholars; money had never been something its people valued highly.
Thus, the introduction of Mora brought more benefit than harm in Rukkhadevata's eyes.
During the era of the Seven Archons' rule, peace had long surpassed wartime conditions.
The Seven were all bound by Celestia, and rarely clashed with one another.
Unifying the currency could allow other nations to influence Sumeru's economy—
but Sumeru's people hardly cared for wealth to begin with.
Compared to money, they valued academic research far more.
If someone was willing to help Rukkhadevata manage the economic side of things, she would welcome it.
Besides—she and Jiang Yan were friends.
He had helped her greatly in cleansing the Scarlet King's Forbidden Knowledge.
Offering him a favor in return was only natural.
"Really?!"
Jiang Yan's eyes lit up.
He had expected to have to wear her down like he had in Inazuma…
yet Rukkhadevata agreed instantly!
"What? You almost sound like you didn't want me to agree."
Rukkhadevata looked at him with a smiling gaze.
"How could that be? Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, you truly live up to your name as a benevolent and wise deity. Under your brilliant and enlightened—"
Jiang Yan launched into a stream of praises.
Even Morax, his own Geo Archon, had never received flattery this dense from him.
"Enough!"
Rukkhadevata quickly cut him off.
"You little rascal—do you feel no shame saying things like that?"
Her fair cheeks had turned faintly red.
But as the God of Wisdom, she could clearly sense every hidden implication behind Jiang Yan's words.
Seeing that she wasn't buying his flattery, Jiang Yan shut his mouth obediently.
Women…
So hard to please, he grumbled inwardly.
"Hm? What are you muttering in your heart?"
Rukkhadevata narrowed her eyes.
Jiang Yan froze, instantly stopping his internal rant.
Crap—
he forgot this woman could read minds!
He had learned about this back when they were cleansing the Forbidden Knowledge in the desert.
It had shocked him back then too.
He had known that Nahida in his previous life could read minds—
but Rukkhadevata too?!
Did all Sumeru Archons come with mind-reading as standard equipment?!
"Nope, how could I possibly be muttering anything?"
Jiang Yan grinned, wearing the purest, most harmless smile he could muster.
He had definitely been muttering just now.
Rukkhadevata narrowed her eyes again—
his tiny movements couldn't fool her at all.
"Well… it's getting late. I'll take you around Sumeru City."
After glancing at the time, Rukkhadevata made her decision.
The Grand Sage was handling state affairs, so she had some free time.
Jiang Yan was visiting Sumeru as Liyue's representative.
If she neglected him because of political duties, it would harm Sumeru's image,
and even create friction with Liyue, with whom they had only just established relations.
Besides—he was her friend.
If she didn't properly host him on her own turf, what kind of friend would she be?
So, both publicly and privately, Rukkhadevata naturally needed to show him around.
"Sure, no objections from me."
Jiang Yan had no reason to refuse.
Even if she didn't guide him, he'd wander around anyway.
But having a beautiful guide?
Absolutely yes.
And so, Jiang Yan and Rukkhadevata left the Akademiya.
Under her lead, Jiang Yan gazed around the rainforest city with interest.
To be fair, every nation had its own identity.
Liyue had its unique style.
Inazuma had its distinct character.
And Sumeru was no exception.
This city—built atop a massive tree—
even Jiang Yan couldn't help but marvel.
Its design was truly one of a kind.
After touring Sumeru City and having dinner together that evening, Jiang Yan bid farewell to Rukkhadevata and returned to the residence arranged for him by the Grand Sage.
"Lord Tianquan!"
Upon seeing Jiang Yan, the officials from Liyue's General Affairs Office greeted him and reported the status of their trade negotiations with Sumeru.
"Ah, I've already discussed the currency issue with the God of Wisdom."
Although the Grand Sage had not directly promised anything,
Rukkhadevata had already agreed.
Since the nation's Archon had approved, the Grand Sage naturally had no reason to resist.
Jiang Yan briefly explained to the General Affairs officials what he and Rukkhadevata had agreed upon, leaving the rest for them to handle.
He had already solved the hardest part.
The remaining details were for the General Affairs Office to manage.
…
The next day, after receiving Rukkhadevata's directive,
the Grand Sage no longer quibbled over the currency matter.
Rukkhadevata was not the little Dendro Archon Nahida of the future.
As the first-generation Archon, she held true authority over Sumeru.
Her orders were to be followed unconditionally.
With the General Affairs Office handling coordination with the Akademiya, Jiang Yan found himself completely free.
Bored, he wandered around hunting for treasure chests,
or went to the Akademiya just to pester Rukkhadevata.
Sometimes he even sought out fungal beasts, using them as makeshift soccer balls.
Not only did Jiang Yan succeed in annoying Rukkhadevata,
he threw the entire fungal ecosystem of Sumeru into misery.
The poor creatures wanted to resist—
but once Jiang Yan summoned the nearly kilometer-tall Buddha phantom behind him,
they curled up obediently and rolled to his feet.
Submission, absolute and total.
A few days later, while Jiang Yan was once again kicking fungal beasts for fun, he suddenly sensed something off in the surrounding atmosphere.
"That place is…"
Jiang Yan narrowed his eyes, his expression turning serious.
To read 30+ future chapters, head over to patreon:
patreon.com/ToastWizard