"Waaah~ Itto, you are bullying me! I am going to tell my mom~"
"What? You clearly lost the bet to me, and now you are crying and looking for your mom? You are not being a man at all."
A child left the festival in tears. Itto, who had successfully won two lollipops from a bet with the kid, proudly stuffed one into his mouth. He planned to save the other for Shinobu once she finished her work.
"Wow, this guy with horns on his head is actually stealing a kid's lollipop. This Director is going up there to reason with him."
Full of a sense of justice, Hu Tao rolled up her sleeves and went up to reason with Itto. Meanwhile, in the group chat, as Zhongtuo successfully uploaded the photo of Itto, it sparked a lively discussion. Seeing the photo, Kuki Shinobu hurried toward the festival without a moment's delay.
[Kujou Sara: I have always felt that dealing with Inazuma's thugs in front of delegations from other nations is embarrassing for Inazuma. But it seems that if I do not teach him a lesson now, Arataki Itto will never calm down.]
[Kuki Shinobu: Sara, calm down, calm down. I will educate my boss. Since you are so busy, leave this small matter to me.]
[Kujou Sara: Fine. For your sake, Shinobu, I do not want us to lose face all the way in Liyue.]
[Kuki Shinobu: Thank you, Sara. I happen to have some intelligence regarding the Resistance here. Once I finish dealing with my boss, I will send it to you in a private message.]
[Yae Miko, Embodiment of Wisdom and Beauty: Oh my, oh my, little Sara. I heard the leader of the Resistance is a very cute shrine maiden. If your Shogun's Army catches her, could you...]
[Kujou Sara: Guuji Yae, Sangonomiya Kokomi, as a major criminal of the Resistance against the Shogun, must be handed over to the Shogun for judgment. If you truly wish to protect her, you will need to speak with the Shogun herself. I have no authority to make that decision.]
[Yae Miko, Embodiment of Wisdom and Beauty: Alright, alright. I really do not know why Ei has such a loyal subordinate. If I had known this, I would have made my move early and kept you at the Grand Narukami Shrine.]
...
Grand Narukami Shrine? Narukami? Hearing such a familiar name, Azhdaha could not help but feel curious. During her many days in Inazuma, she had only heard the people of Inazuma talking about an Electro Archon named the Raiden Shogun. No one mentioned the Narukami who had previously attended the gathering of the Seven. During the years she spent sealed away, what exactly had happened in the outside world?
"Zhongli, that Narukami did not perish, did she?"
Azhdaha's words carried a hint of incredulity. Even though that shadow warrior's strength was not very strong a thousand years ago, it was enough to suppress Inazuma's native gods in this remote place.
"That is correct. That Narukami has indeed perished, falling in that great battle years ago."
Years ago? What exactly happened years ago? Morax, you bastard, just tell me!
Azhdaha jumped up and grabbed Zhongli's collar to question him. Previously, whenever she asked Zhongli about that war years ago, he would always brush it off by saying nothing major happened. At that time, she thought it really was nothing major and stopped asking.
But looking at it now, one of the Electro Archons died in that war. Damn it, how is that "nothing major"? Does he really think she is as stupid as that white-haired idiot over there?
"I am sorry, Azhdaha. The events that happened years ago involved too many people and matters. It is enough for me to bear these things alone."
Zhongli patted Azhdaha's head, his face revealing a rare, doting smile. At this moment, no one could guess what Zhongli was really thinking. Only Azhdaha could feel his protection and care for her. The grievances of being sealed away for a thousand years completely vanished in this instant.
"Hmph, if you will not tell me, then fine. Anyway, if you are in any danger, I can still save you. I am very strong."
"When the time comes, you just need to obediently stay behind me and cheer me on."
Azhdaha tsundere-ly turned her head away, no longer looking at Zhongli. Perhaps feeling a bit shy, she punched Zhongli and then ran toward Hu Tao, ignoring him. Zhongli stood stunned for a moment, then silently smoothed out the punch mark on his clothes.
"Witnesses come to witness, and the rememberer is born to remember."
"If one day that person truly decides to make a move against Liyue, then when my soul returns to the high heavens, I will leave Liyue to you to protect, Azhdaha."
Watching Azhdaha playing around with Hu Tao, Zhongli's gaze became deep and resolute. Having witnessed the destruction of Khaenri'ah, he neither hoped nor allowed Liyue to disappear into the long river of history. Even if it meant becoming enemies with the one high above, he would still ensure Liyue's safety.
"Wishing to buy osmanthus and share a pot of wine..."
"Arataki Itto, Number One Under Heaven!"
Interrupted, Zhongli looked at Arataki Itto. His previously calm state of mind shifted slightly. He sensed Itto's affinity for the Geo element. This was something only those who possessed a Geo Vision could do. But why would someone with a Geo Vision be this kind of guy?
Over the years, Zhongli had seen plenty of people with Geo Visions. They were all representatives of steadiness and reliability. Could this guy's Vision have strayed?
"Hey, hey, hey. That old man over there, hurry up and take your two kids away so you do not ruin my good mood. Wait, where did you get those phones in your hands?"
"You did not steal them from Su Bai's house, did you? Great, I finally ran into some thieves."
"Since I ran into you, and considering you are still young, if you obediently hand over the phones, I will not bully the young as the strong."
Seeing that Hu Tao and the others each had a phone, Itto bit the lollipop in his mouth to crush it, stretched his body, and showed off his muscles to Hu Tao and Azhdaha.
"See my muscles? Getting beaten up by me is going to hurt a lot. Besides, if you get caught by the Kujou tengu, she will definitely teach you a lesson."
"So, obediently hand over the phones. Later, I will just send your old man to jail. You two can be my underlings, and I will have Shinobu educate you."
Watching Itto continuously show off his muscles and talk to himself, Azhdaha took out a few Mora from her pocket and threw them at Itto. Seeing the Mora, Itto immediately stopped his movements, grabbed the coins, and stuffed them into his pocket. His speed was no less than a master pastry chef in Liyue Harbor using chopsticks to catch a fly.
Meanwhile, Hu Tao, who had already taken photos of Itto showing off his muscles, directly sent all the pictures to the group chat. At the end, she did not forget to ask a question.
[Hu Tao: Is this some Inazuma-style street performance? To be honest, it is pretty boring...]
[Kujou Sara: This embarrassing fool, I should just throw him in jail!]
[Kuki Shinobu: Miss Hu Tao, I am truly sorry. Wait for me, I am almost there.]
[Hu Tao: It is fine, it is fine. This Director is not a stingy person. I feel this big idiot is quite interesting. Let me throw a few Mora to tease him.]
[Kuki Shinobu: ...]
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New fanfic out:
Honkai Star Rail: Cosplaying as Caelus Actually Causes Transmigration