A full day had passed.
Though he didn't go through each move one-on-one, Luo Qing still took the time to carefully explain the core concepts of Thunder Breathing to each student. He wasn't going to be like the teachers from his past life, constantly watching over them. His job was to lead them to the path, but they had to walk it themselves. He'd only offer occasional pointers, leaving the bulk of the training up to them.
By evening, when the students thought the day's training was over, Luo Qing gathered them in front of the Tenshukaku, by the statue of the Thousand-Armed, Hundred-Eyed God, for another hour of group dancing. This caught the attention of quite a few curious passersby.
Of course, it was mainly because the Kamisato Clan's eldest daughter, Ayaka, stood in the center, drawing the gaze of anyone who walked by.
Earlier, when they had danced in the training grounds of the Tenryou Commission, the students had simply found the dancing pointless. But now, with people stopping to watch, their sense of embarrassment shot up to new heights.
That day alone, Luo Qing gained 319 points of Frustration Value.
Even if the novelty wore off and the students' embarrassment dwindled, he calculated that the total points he'd gather in a month should still be enough to secure that revival item from the lottery.
After the dance session, he finally gave them permission to rest. Those students from outside Inazuma City would stay in the Tenryou Commission's dormitories, while the locals were allowed to go home.
Though Ayaka's home was with the Yashiro Commission, the Komore Teahouse was nearby, so she chose to leave the Tenryou Commission grounds.
At dusk, just as Luo Qing was about to leave the Commission grounds with Teresa, who was packing up the large gramophone, he spotted Ayaka standing alone by the statue, gazing up with a distant look.
Noticing Luo Qing's approach, she turned around with a gentle smile and walked towards him.
When she reached him, Luo Qing chuckled, "Ayaka, were you waiting for me?"
"Yes... M-Master..." Ayaka's eyes flickered to Teresa at his side before she nodded and bowed her head slightly.
"I'm sorry for avoiding you before..."
With that, Ayaka leaned down and offered a formal bow.
She had stood there for a long while, thinking.
No matter how she looked at it, Luo Qing didn't seem dangerous as her brother had suggested. He didn't pose a threat to her.
He had gained the trust of the Shogun, and was teaching swordsmanship at the Tenshukaku itself. He even had the authority to make them dance beneath the solemn gaze of the Thousand-Armed, Hundred-Eyed God statue...
A statue meant to symbolize eternity—a place where the people of Inazuma wouldn't dare raise their voices or act disrespectfully.
If Luo Qing was truly a spy from Snezhnaya, how could he wield such power?
She had a gut feeling that Luo Qing might just be the key to ending the Vision Hunt Decree.
So, for the first time, she chose to trust her instincts and defy her brother's warnings. She decided to keep seeing Luo Qing...
"Therefore, to express my apology, would you... would you join me for tea at the Komore Teahouse tonight?" Ayaka asked, her cute face filled with anticipation.
"Hmm..."
Luo Qing's curiosity piqued at Ayaka's sudden change in attitude. This girl, who had once avoided him as if he were some monster, was now so bold?
"Well, since Ayaka invited me, it would be rude to refuse," Luo Qing said with a light smile, casting a sideways glance at Teresa.
"Ah, ahem! You go ahead, Lord Luo Qing. I... I just remembered I have something to take care of! You don't need to hurry back... or, you know, don't come back at all!"
Teresa quickly picked up the gramophone, hoisting it over her shoulder, and bolted off without looking back.
She knew her master's flirtatious tendencies all too well. If she got in the way, she'd only be inviting trouble.
"Is she alright...?"
Ayaka asked, watching Teresa's hasty departure with some confusion.
She had considered inviting Teresa to join them at the teahouse. Why had she fled so suddenly?
"It's nothing. She forgot to turn off the gas at home. She's going back to take care of it," Luo Qing said nonchalantly, waving a hand. "But enough about that. The day's getting late. Let's head to the teahouse."
"Huh...? Oh... A-Alright. This way, Master," Ayaka replied, feeling a bit bewildered. She wasn't quite sure what he meant by "gas," but seeing that Luo Qing didn't plan on explaining, she quietly nodded and led him to the teahouse.
It had been over a month since the two of them had shared a tea chat at the Komore Teahouse.
As they approached the entrance, the teahouse's hostess, Kayo, gave them a surprised look. She remembered Ayaka's strict instructions to keep Luo Qing out.
So why was Ayaka now leading him inside?
But Ayaka said nothing, so Kayo had no reason to question it. She greeted Luo Qing with a polite smile and opened the door for them.
Inside, they sat in the same private room as before, facing each other across the table, enveloped by an awkward silence.
Ayaka, as the host, was the first to break the quiet, nervously asking, "Is there anything you'd like to eat, Master?"
"The same as last time would be fine. If I recall, you're fond of sakura mochi, right?" Luo Qing replied.
"Yes..."
"Then that's what we'll have," Luo Qing said with a soft smile. "Ayaka, if you have any questions for me, feel free to ask. It's alright."
Luo Qing's experience as a spy had honed his ability to read people. Ayaka's inner thoughts were practically written across her face when he first saw her waiting for him.
He knew exactly why she had brought him to the teahouse.
"W-Well..." Ayaka hesitated, blushing slightly before finally speaking.
"Master... you're acquainted with the Shogun, aren't you?"
"Yes, quite well. Why do you ask?"
"Then... could you... help me arrange a meeting with her?"
In the past, every proposal she made to repeal the Vision Hunt Decree had been shot down by the Tenryou and Kanjou Commissions before it could even reach the Shogun. Her requests to meet the Shogun directly had been flat-out rejected.
But if she could have a direct audience with the Shogun, she felt she might just have a chance to change her mind.
"Oh? You want to discuss repealing the Vision Hunt Decree face-to-face with her?" Luo Qing asked, genuinely surprised. He hadn't expected Ayaka to still be so committed to the cause.
"Yes," Ayaka affirmed, nodding. "The Vision Hunt Decree has already caused so much pain. I believe that if I could just speak to her directly, she might see reason..."
"But you do realize, Ayaka, if I help you with this, you'll owe me a favor," Luo Qing said with a sly grin.
"You must know it won't be easy to persuade the Shogun. A favor like that... how do you intend to repay me~?"
"I..." Ayaka began, but was suddenly interrupted.
"Alright, it's a deal," Luo Qing cut in with a mischievous smile.
"...What?" Ayaka blinked in confusion.
---
T/N: I actually can't thats another NEW name for the teahouse bitch... is it the author...?
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