Bonus Chapter!
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"You're undressing me again!"A crisp slap echoed through the Tenshukaku.
The servants outside heard the commotion from within the room and froze, bewildered.
Was that the Shogun's voice? Did someone actually dare to undress the Shogun?!
"Shogun, is everything alright?"
One servant knocked hesitantly on the door, not daring to enter without permission. They feared seeing something they shouldn't and facing the Shogun's wrath.
"It's nothing. Leave us."
The Raiden Shogun held both hands over her chest, desperately trying to prevent her neckline from slipping.
At her feet, her deep red obi, tied with a delicate knot, lay in a crumpled heap.
They had been so engrossed in the kiss that Luo Qing had managed to untie her belt without her noticing. If not for her quick reaction to grab her clothes, she might have been completely exposed to him.
"Understood..."
The servant's voice trailed off as they retreated.
After the servant left, the Raiden Shogun turned back, glaring coldly at Luo Qing.
This man had now pulled off his tricks twice in a row. He definitely needed to be taught a lesson!
Without hesitation, she clutched her collar with one hand while summoning her blade with the other, slashing it at Luo Qing.
But, with her kimono loosened and no true intent to kill, the slash seemed more like a shy girl's awkward gesture than a lethal attack.
"I'm sorry, Shogun!"
Luo Qing dodged the strike, hastily pressing his palms together in a gesture of apology.
"I promise I won't undress you next time!"
"Next time?!"
The Shogun swung her blade at him again, but he managed to evade it once more.
"Ahem, Shogun, aren't you tired holding your clothes with one hand while swinging your sword?"
Luo Qing quickly shifted the topic. After two consecutive slashes, her kimono, now without the support of a belt, had slipped slightly.
The lavender fabric sagged, exposing her bare shoulders and back, barely covering her front. Her pale skin peeked through with each movement, creating an entrancing sight.
The Raiden Shogun glanced down at her attire, realizing just how unseemly it had become. She froze, caught between embarrassment and indecision.
As the ruler of Inazuma, she couldn't allow her servants to enter and assist her in dressing—it would be far too humiliating.
But she couldn't re-tie the belt by herself...
"Shogun, you don't know how to tie an obi?"
Luo Qing leaned forward, his voice curious.
"..."
[Frustration Value from the Raiden Shogun +1]
"You should have said so."
Seeing her embarrassed silence, Luo Qing was sure—she genuinely didn't know how to tie it!
Tying the sash of a woman's kimono was indeed a tricky task, requiring a certain level of skill if done alone. Given that her creator couldn't even cook, it was no wonder she lacked this particular skill.
"How about I help you with it, Shogun?"
Luo Qing offered, picking up the belt from the floor and waving it teasingly.
His unspoken threat was clear: refuse, and he'd walk off with her obi.
"..."
The Raiden Shogun furrowed her brow, weighing her options.
Luo Qing's hands were anything but trustworthy, and he might try something inappropriate again.
"Only the belt. You're not allowed to touch anywhere else."
She held her sword in front of him, her tone low and firm.
"Of course."
Luo Qing smiled, nodding in agreement.
But tying a belt without touching? That would be quite a challenge...
"Alright, Shogun, turn around. I'm going to tie the obi now."
"..."
"Hm..."
The Raiden Shogun hesitated for a moment before complying, still watching him warily. She reluctantly turned her back to him.
"Okay, now raise both arms."
"?"
She shot him a sharp look over her shoulder.
If she raised both arms, the kimono would fall to the floor!
"Ahem, just one arm will do."
Luo Qing corrected himself, a little embarrassed.
"Hmph..."
The Raiden Shogun huffed, turning away and raising her right hand.
With a deft motion, Luo Qing draped one end of the sash over her waist, wrapping it around and threading it back through the other side.
"Hold still, Shogun. I need to pull it tight."
"?"
She turned again, eyebrows raised.
"I mean, I need to tie the belt. What else did you think I meant?"
Luo Qing asked, feigning innocence.
The Raiden Shogun's face betrayed her confusion—wasn't he the one who had been taking liberties just moments ago?
Having spent enough time in Inazuma, Luo Qing had learned the basics of the culture. He had practiced tying obis on Teresa back in the safe house, so by now, his skill was impeccable. In just a few smooth motions, he had tied the Shogun's sash, finishing with a neat bow.
Yet, with such a rare opportunity to be so close, Luo Qing couldn't resist prolonging the moment.
He carefully moved her deep violet hair to one side, revealing her smooth back. Her skin was soft and unblemished, almost like porcelain, with the faint markings of her Electro tattoos trailing down from her neck. Coupled with her unique fragrance, it was all too tempting.
"Mm~"
The Raiden Shogun gasped in surprise as she felt Luo Qing's hands press gently against her waist and back.
"What do you think you're doing?!"
"Just measuring your waist, Shogun."
"?"
Who measured waistlines like that?
Before she could react further, Luo Qing rested his chin on her shoulder and blew softly into her ear.
A shudder ran through the Shogun's body, a sensation like a jolt of electricity spreading from her neck down her spine.
Savoring the fragrance at her neck, Luo Qing felt a sense of pure satisfaction.
It really was better from behind!
After holding her close for a while, he finally released her with a reluctant sigh.
Today, he had only intended to have a quick chat with the Shogun, but he ended up with far more than he'd anticipated. A truly unexpected gain.
"Do you have any other business? If not... then... you should leave..."
The Raiden Shogun's face was still flushed from his touch. Her body, merely a puppet, wasn't designed to handle such stimuli.
If Luo Qing stayed much longer, she feared she might lose her focus, abandoning her pursuit of eternity.
"Oh, is the Shogun trying to kick me out already?"
Luo Qing teased, settling himself casually at her desk and pulling out the war report from Tatarasuna.
The Raiden Shogun sat beside him, watching as he scanned the report, and asked,
"Why are you reading that?"
"It's nothing. I'm just curious about that Traveler."
"Oh..."
A hint of displeasure colored her voice.
"By the way,"
Luo Qing continued, "How about giving me a small official role? I could go check out the frontlines at Tatarasuna."
He figured he might as well join in on the action at Watatsumi Island. Perhaps he could earn some extra Frustration Value from the clashes between the resistance and the Shogunate's forces.
"You want to go to Tatarasuna?"
The Raiden Shogun's brows furrowed.
If Luo Qing went to the frontlines, that meant she wouldn't see him for quite some time... not that she cared... of course...
"Well, Shogun~?"
Luo Qing leaned closer, his tone teasing.
"..."
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