Kitsune Saiguu was somewhat different from the one Su Han had met before.
Mature.
Steady.
With a bit of sly cleverness from time to time.
This was the current master of the immortal foxes.
She did not come every day. Whenever she had matters to attend to, the little fox named Miko would take her place and apply medicine to the man lying in bed.
For Su Han,
Miko was far too mischievous.
Applying medicine was one thing.
But why put two Onikabuto on someone while doing it? (TL/N: Onikabuto is a strange beetle that could be found in inazuma.)
Most importantly,
She did not do it just once or twice.
Basically, whenever Kitsune Saiguu left, Yae Miko would use him for amusement.
Such days continued for an entire month.
During this period,
Su Han's consciousness became increasingly clear.
Especially the power of space-time. Ever since he had been backstabbed by his brother-in-law, it had completely fused into his body.
This continued for quite some time.
One morning,
Kitsune Saiguu pushed open the door, wearing a bamboo hat and carrying medicinal herbs and food in her arms.
When she saw that the man could sit up,
A trace of delight flashed through her golden eyes.
"You're awake?"
"Mm."
Su Han nodded lightly.
His gaze swept across Kitsune Saiguu. If Hanachirusato's body was already beautiful, then the true form of the immortal fox was at least ten times more stunning.
The little fox hiding outside the door sneered inwardly.
Stupid man, your good days are finally over.
Hurry up and reveal your ugly nature before Lady Saiguu.
Then she can drive you away.
But what shocked the little fox was that the man on the sickbed easily broke free from her lady's charm. His gaze instead landed on her.
That ill-intentioned look startled the little fox.
Whoosh.
Yae Miko quickly pulled her head back.
Her heart began pounding.
Could it be that he had been conscious the whole time?
This was bad.
The little fox felt somewhat frightened.
But then she thought about it. She was Lady Saiguu's subordinate. Why should she be afraid of a human?
Still, that look just now had truly been terrifying.
As if it could see straight through a person's heart.
While Yae Miko was lost in thought,
The conversation inside the room continued.
"What is your name? To recover from such severe injuries, you must be quite extraordinary."
"Su Han."
"Su? You're from Liyue."
Kitsune Saiguu looked puzzled.
When she had checked his belongings before, there had been many items from Inazuma.
Su Han nodded and explained,
"Yes, I'm from Liyue."
"Then what happened to you?"
Kitsune Saiguu was very curious.
Anyone capable of injuring someone to this extent
Must be extraordinary as well.
Su Han raised an eyebrow and smiled.
"I was merely ambushed by an incompetent fellow. By the way, how is Inazuma doing these days?"
Incompetent?
Kitsune Saiguu became even more puzzled.
However, as an immortal fox who respected others' privacy, she did not pursue the matter.
Instead, she answered Su Han's question.
The immortal fox smiled charmingly and began speaking.
"Things are quite peaceful here. Recently, we've even taken in a group of shrine maidens. There's a little one named Asase Hibiki whom I've become especially fond of..."
"Then congratulations."
Heh.
Su Han smiled without warmth.
He doubted she would feel the same way in the future.
Still, this was five hundred years in the past.
For the sake of preserving history,
He had no intention of revealing spoilers.
The two chatted pleasantly.
Kitsune Saiguu found herself becoming somewhat interested in this man who was immune to her charm.
When the conversation ended,
She set down the herbs and food before leaving.
She also mentioned that she would return again that evening.
Kitsune Saiguu left with Yae Miko.
Su Han, meanwhile, straightened his back and began examining his body.
After a thorough inspection,
There did not seem to be any major problems.
After all, Su Han now possessed the body of a Qilin and various powerful treasures.
His slow recovery before had only been because he had not awakened.
Just as he was preparing to go outside for a stroll,
A figure entered from outside.
Su Han looked up and froze.
The newcomer was actually Raiden Makoto.
Seeing his reaction, she smiled lightly.
"What is it? Is there something on my face?"
"No."
Su Han shook his head gently.
At the same time, he was filled with confusion.
Why was Makoto here?
The dream had never shown this.
Raiden Makoto surveyed the room, her pretty face filled with gossip-loving curiosity.
Then she sat beside Su Han's bed and looked at him with a smile.
"Can you answer a question for me? Why do you possess a power with the same origin as mine? Are you one of the people from Takamagahara?"
"I'm not."
"Oh, that's good."
Raiden Makoto visibly relaxed.
If he had been from the Second World, she would have had to consider eliminating him.
Seeing her relieved expression, Su Han asked curiously,
"You don't suspect that I'm lying?"
Raiden Makoto shook her head.
Pointing at his chest, she said confidently,
"If you were lying, I would be able to sense it. That's a talent unique to me. Besides..."
She paused.
Then she looked at Su Han meaningfully and continued,
"You seem to know me. There are only two explanations for someone who knows a god."
"First, you're from Takamagahara."
"But that place should have been completely destroyed. Even if someone came from there, I would usually sense their aura."
"Apart from that, there is only one other possibility."
"You're someone from the future."
Su Han's pupils contracted.
What terrifying perception.
Had she discovered him the moment he arrived in this era?
Makoto understood his expression and quickly reassured him.
"Don't be afraid. I've been observing you in secret ever since you arrived in Inazuma."
"Although I gave most of my nourishment to my younger sister, the power of space-time is my origin."
"So regardless of which god uses the power of space-time, I will definitely notice."
"So now, can you answer my question?"
"Who are you really?"
If possible,
Su Han truly did not want to tell her everything.
But in order to prove his innocence,
He had no choice but to be honest.
"I come from Inazuma five hundred years in the future. I came here accidentally while investigating something."
"Mm-hmm. And then you got ambushed?"
"That's right."
Su Han's honesty greatly pleased the God of Space-Time.
Raiden Makoto's smile became dazzling.
"I like honest people. So from now on, you're free to move about Inazuma. During this period, I won't interfere. I'll also keep Ei in check."
Those words startled Su Han.
Why restrict Ei for no reason?
Could she have guessed his intentions?
After thinking for a moment, he cautiously asked,
"You aren't going to ask about my objective?"
Raiden Makoto shook her head gently.
Standing up, she looked outside at the azure sky and smiled leisurely.
"There's no need."
"What you want to do is your own business. Matters involving space-time require caution from all of us."
"And even if you don't say anything, your eyes have already revealed everything."
Suddenly,
The gentle woman spun around and winked at him.
Lowering her voice, she asked,
"Kitsune Saiguu is your woman, isn't she?"
"!!!"
Su Han froze once again.
This woman was far too perceptive.
Seeing his stunned expression, Raiden Makoto burst into laughter.
"Looks like I guessed correctly!"
"I never expected that little fox to find such a good home."
"Since you're a friend, let me give you a gift. I hope you recover soon."
As she spoke,
She tossed over a pink glow.
Before Su Han could even see what it was, the light entered his body.
The silver particles that had been accelerating through his body suddenly became viscous under the guidance of the spiritual light.
They fused together into a silver river.
Boom.
Su Han's mind trembled.
He had comprehended the power of space-time!
Its origin had solidified.
Looking at the man whose entire body now radiated the aura of space-time, Raiden Makoto sighed inwardly.
Just as she had thought.
Su Han was one of her own.
Perhaps,
She could rely on him to avoid the fatal calamity that was approaching.
Raiden Makoto slowly departed.
Before leaving,
She erased all traces of her visit and left a Sacred Sakura petal beside Su Han's pillow.
It was a communication item.
As long as he held it,
He could speak with her from anywhere in Inazuma.
As for what Su Han intended to do,
Raiden Makoto had no intention of interfering.
Everyone had things they needed to do.
And some things could not be stopped no matter how hard one tried.
This was fate.
Returning to Tenshukaku,
Raiden Makoto opened her eyes from meditation and saw her sister's returning figure. She smiled sweetly.
"Sister, I want some sweets."
"Of course. I've prepared some for you."
Raiden Makoto smiled fondly.
Then she took out a box of sweet pastries from her pocket.
Watching her younger sister enjoy them,
She smiled as well.
Several hours later,
Su Han awoke from cultivation.
When he opened his eyes,
He discovered that the room was completely filled with foxes.
"What is going on?"
Su Han was utterly bewildered.
If he remembered correctly,
This place was on the edge of Araumi.
How had so many foxes gathered here?
His aura immediately locked onto the pink-haired fox outside.
"So it was you!"
Su Han laughed in exasperation.
With a flick of his finger,
A streak of golden light pierced through the wall.
A fox's miserable cry immediately sounded from outside.
"Ouch, that hurts!"
The foxes inside the room lit up with excitement when they saw Su Han's methods.
Some of the younger foxes immediately bowed to him.
Judging by their actions,
They seemed to be asking for guidance.
Su Han withdrew his gaze.
Seeing the sincere expressions in the foxes' eyes, he thought for a moment before asking,
"You want to learn and become stronger?"
Swish.
Swish.
Swish.
The little foxes all nodded.
Seeing this, Su Han smiled and sat down cross-legged.
"Since you wish to learn, I'll teach you a few things. How much you can learn depends entirely on yourselves."
The little foxes nodded repeatedly again.
Outside, however, Yae Miko wore an annoyed expression.
She wanted to see exactly what this arrogant human could teach.
Originally, Miko had told her friends that a human here could teach them things.
Her intention had been to cause trouble.
Yet the man actually intended to teach them.
Su Han cleared his throat and prepared to impart some unusual knowledge.
"Do you understand what a human is? And what a beast is...?"
The foxes looked confused.
Then they all shook their heads.
Su Han smiled gently.
"In truth, there isn't much difference."
"Humans call creatures beasts because they possess beastly instincts and cannot restrain their desires."
"For example, a beast will eat spoiled flesh when hungry. A human will choose a better way to fill their stomach."
"You may ask whether there's any difference."
"The difference is enormous."
"A human is a being that has restrained all of its beastly instincts."
"Walking on four legs would be faster, yet we choose to straighten our backs and stand upright."
"And that is the difference between humans and beasts."
What Su Han taught had a tremendous impact on them.
What is a human?
What is a beast?
What is dignity?
What is beastly instinct?
The foxes stood frozen in place.
Outside, even Yae Miko was shaken by the lecture.
Everyone knew that beastly instincts were difficult to suppress.
Fish bite bait.
Wild animals eat meat.
These were all instincts.
But if one could overcome them,
Then one was no longer merely a beast.
Su Han's theory earned the respect of the young foxes.
When the lesson ended,
All the little foxes bowed to him, just like human students bowing to a teacher.
That afternoon,
Many foxes even brought fruit and fish they had caught themselves.
The next day,
Su Han continued teaching.
Even more foxes arrived.
This time, he did not speak of grand principles.
Instead, he taught cultivation of the heart and mind.
At the end of the lesson,
He taught the Golden Light Mantra for the first time.
On the third day,
Kitsune Saiguu finally returned.
However, when she saw the clansmen gathered across the clearing before the house, she was stunned.
Meanwhile, Su Han was still teaching.
"Cultivation is the cultivation of the heart."
"If your spirit is strong, then there is nothing to fear."
"The way of the sword, martial arts, and true mastery all revolve around a single thing."
"The heart."
Just as Su Han was speaking passionately,
An unwelcome guest arrived.
"Hey, you fellow spreading heretical nonsense. Who gave you permission to stand here and spout such rubbish?"
Su Han looked up and immediately smiled.
A sword hung at the man's waist, and his fox-like charming face was unforgettable.
Who else could it be but Takeno?
"Hey, I'm talking to you. Why are you silent? Are you scared?"
Takeno swaggered over to Su Han.
Before he could do anything else,
Su Han picked up a wooden stick from the ground and assumed a sword-drawing stance.
Takeno raised an eyebrow and laughed.
"Don't tell me you want to duel me?"
"I'm the most handsome swordsman in the clan."
"Aren't you afraid of dying?"
"I'll only use one move. Just don't interrupt my lesson."
"Such a big mouth."
"Come on, I'll stand here and let you hit me."
Takeno was confident.
It was only a wooden stick.
What was there to fear?
Su Han laughed as well.
He had truly never seen such a chuunibyou young man.
"Very well. Students, watch carefully."
"Do not imitate him. Carelessness is often the cause of death."
As he spoke,
The wooden stick turned black.
Armament Haki coated it.
Takeno had no idea why the stick had changed color.
But in the next instant,
Terror appeared on his face.
The sickly-looking man before him suddenly released an unimaginable aura.
This could kill him.
Was this man the Raiden Shogun herself?
The clouds in the sky exploded apart.
Yae Miko froze.
Kitsune Saiguu froze as well.
As for Takeno,
He no longer wanted to keep up his act.
But at that moment,
The sword aura had already arrived.
"Slash."