"I don't really care whether he's easy to get along with or not. To be honest, people at his level always seem courteous, approachable, and easy to deal with, no matter who they're interacting with."
Gu Sanqiu shook his head. What concerned him was that the kitsune had somehow roped Kamisato Ayato into handling a matter for the Arataki Gang, only to then dump Arataki Itto onto him.
His worry deepened—what kind of big secret were these folks from Inazuma hiding?
Deciding not to linger, Gu Sanqiu grabbed Arataki Itto by the collar and made a swift exit. After all, he'd already done his part; this musclehead was an Inazuman, and not just any Inazuman, but an employee of a new department under the Narukami Shrine.
Does he even understand what 'plausible deniability' means?
"Itto, no one from the Narukami Shrine brought anything weird to give away as gifts, did they?"
Arataki Itto was too mesmerized by the bustling streets of Liyue to answer, his head swiveling as he soaked in the sights.
Not that it was surprising. Despite the Arataki Gang's fame—or perhaps infamy—and his oni heritage standing out in Inazuma City, Itto was, at heart, a small-time delinquent scraping by on the margins of society.
The grandeur of Inazuma's upper echelons was tightly held by the elite. A lively place like Liyue Harbor, where smiles seemed to bloom on every face, was a sight entirely new to him.
"Boss, do you actually live in a place like this? This is amazing!"
Itto's eyes sparkled. "Let's find somewhere to have a proper feast!"
"Sure, we can grab a good meal, but only if you first tell me why you're here."
"Eh? How would I know anything about that?"
Itto shook his head decisively. "Lady Yae Miko just told me I'd get to meet you, Boss. All the other details were passed to that Sakura Kai Seven-whatever lady."
"You're practically an afterthought, aren't you?"
Gu Sanqiu chuckled. "Well, whatever. It's not like it's a huge deal. We're definitely attending that banquet later, so how about I take you around to grab some street food in the meantime?"
"Hehe, you're the best, Boss!"
From the northern part of the city to the southern edge, Gu Sanqiu led Arataki Itto on a culinary tour. When they passed Wanmin Restaurant, Xiangling happened to be helping out. She lit up the moment she saw Itto—or rather, after Gu Sanqiu introduced him.
An oni? That means there must be unique culinary traditions among their kind. And their sense of taste is probably a bit different from ordinary people, right?
Maybe he could be my taste tester...
Noticing Xiangling's overly eager gaze, Gu Sanqiu quickly slipped away, leaving Itto chomping on skewers as they arrived at the other end of the port. There, Itto sat on the ground, staring dumbstruck at the scenic blend of sunlit mountains and waters.
"Boss, living here must be amazing."
As he bit into half a grilled fish, Itto added, "A lot of people complain about how tough life is, and sure, this city is massive, but it's still the place where I've seen the most smiles."
"When I was in Inazuma… sigh, there's just no comparison."
"Inazuma will get better. There's no doubt about that. You've gotta have faith in the future, kid."
Gu Sanqiu stuffed his hands in his pockets, a freshly picked mint sprig between his teeth.
"Liyue's peace wasn't brought by the wind. Countless heroes gave their lives, and some paid even greater prices to safeguard this land."
The sacrifices of the Millelith soldiers, the retreat of the Adepti to Jueyun Karst, the losses and disappearances of the Yaksha, the fall of immortals…
The countless ships and traders that now filled Liyue Harbor stood atop a history of pain and perseverance.
"Inazuma will change, too. Don't you think?"
Gu Sanqiu sat down beside Itto. "Have a little faith in your Shogun, kid. She's the Radiant Ruler of Inazuma. There's not much in this world that can truly challenge her."
"Hehe, if you say so, Boss, then I'll believe it."
Itto scratched the back of his head and gave his signature goofy grin.
"Oh, right, I almost forgot!"
Reaching into his coat, Itto pulled out a beautifully crafted box and handed it to Gu Sanqiu.
"Boss, Lady Yae Miko told me to give you this. She said to treat it as payment."
Gu Sanqiu's eye twitched. "Let me guess—she also told you to make sure it gets into my hands no matter what, right?"
"Huh? Boss, how'd you know?"
"I'd rather not."
With a sigh, Gu Sanqiu took the box. "Fine, I'll take it. I'll find someone to show you around, and if I have time tonight, I'll join you for dinner."
He called over a Millelith soldier to inform Yuehai Pavilion to send a secretary, leaving Itto to wait while he headed home with the "gift."
When Gu Sanqiu opened the box, it revealed an oval-shaped, multi-faceted purple gemstone teeming with rich Electro energy.
"This is the payment?"
Instead of putting the gemstone away, Gu Sanqiu studied it curiously.
"Come out, Yae Miko. I know you're in there."
Shing—
A blinding blade of light slashed at Gu Sanqiu, but an invisible force in his incense chamber deflected the strike, shielding him.
"Not the kitsune… It's you!"
Gu Sanqiu stepped back, his expression grim.
"I never thought you'd set foot outside Inazuma. What is this—are you finally abolishing the Sakoku Decree?"
The figure before him was none other than the Raiden Shogun herself.
"This body is but a shadow, not the true vessel. Otherwise, you wouldn't have survived that strike."
Raiden's cold gaze fixed on Gu Sanqiu. "Dispel that flame's influence on me, or you die."
"Die? You might want to take a closer look at where you are."
Gu Sanqiu smirked and sat on the ground. "Whatever he did to you, I don't fully understand. If I did, he wouldn't have had to save my life just now."
"It's not that I fear meeting you—I just think the time isn't right."
With a wry smile, Gu Sanqiu added, "I've been careful for years. A major butterfly effect would ruin everything I've worked for."
The situation with Dvalin was already precarious. Frequent contact with Inazuma during the Sakoku Decree could spiral into who knows what.
"So, you can't undo it?"
The Raiden Shogun's eyes grew cold. "Then you shall face annihilation."
Boom!
A flash of pink lightning transformed into a playful fox spirit, blocking the strike of a naginata. A pink-haired, barefoot woman with a sly smile emerged from the amethyst.
"My, my. Fancy seeing an old friend. Face to face, thigh to thigh, snuggled up together… and you go ahead of me to meet this handsome man? Even sealing me away? How cruel!"
"Yae Miko."
Raiden turned to her familiar. "You're protecting him?"
Yae Miko giggled, sticking out her tongue before switching back to her enigmatic smile.
"Don't mind her, little one. Don't undo the flame's effects. With me here, my dear Shogun can't harm you."
Gu Sanqiu froze for half a minute before recalling the situation.
"Actually, I need to remind you two: this place is—"
"This is Liyue."
The door to Gu's house swung open as Ningguang entered.
"And what happens to my brother is not something outsiders can dictate."
"Big Sis?"
Ningguang walked over to Gu Sanqiu's side. "When someone told me you reacted strangely to receiving the box, I had a hunch."
"And these two are the ones who scared you?" She chuckled lightly. "Quite beautiful, I must admit."
Yae Miko smiled. "Oh my, and you are…?"
"The sister of this madman. Also, the Tianquan of the Qixing, Ningguang."
Ningguang casually revealed an object, her gaze steady. "Neither of you is truly here, correct? Though I may be no match for your power, I too have things I am willing to fight for. Will you relent?"
"Is that a God-Bane Seal? Didn't think you had something like that, sis."
Ningguang shot Gu Sanqiu a sharp look before addressing the pair again, completely unafraid.
"My brother's mind might be unstable, but I know he's plotting for the sake of people he holds dear."
"He's tired. Please, let him have his peace. Take his little tagalong to grab some food and leave the rest. It's not a burden he should bear at his age."
Flames danced in Ningguang's hand. "I may be a mere mortal, but if you touch what I cherish, I will make you pay dearly."
---
T/N: damn ningguang, youre so cool
...
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