"Kujou Sara?"
Jiang Ning was startled. Why was she here?
He then turned to Yae Miko. "Did you call her?"
Yae Miko smiled mischievously. "Oh, how could we leave out the little tengu when it comes to such an interesting matter of cleansing the court?"
Kamisato Ayato also spoke gently, "General Kujou is a crucial part of our plan. We've also agreed to present the evidence we've gathered to her today."
Jiang Ning glanced at Lumine, who whispered, "When we were reporting to Lady Yae earlier, we ran into Sangonomiya Kokomi, and then Kujou Sara showed up..."
"Yae Miko told her that the Kujou Clan had colluded with the Fatui, betraying Inazuma and deceiving the Shogun."
"Of course, General Kujou didn't believe it, so she gave us a few days to gather evidence. Today is the final day..."
Jiang Ning nodded slightly. "Got it."
A moment later, a tall, sharp figure walked in. Kujou Sara's expression was stern, and she didn't seem surprised by the people present. However, her face looked troubled.
Yae Miko sensed something. "It seems you've already found some answers on your own?"
Kujou Sara replied, "Yes, but I still can't believe that my father would betray Inazuma."
After all, the man had taught her since childhood to be absolutely loyal to the Shogun and Inazuma.
Yae Miko said, "Whether you believe it or not, it doesn't matter. Hey, Kamisato, show her the evidence you've gathered."
Kamisato Ayato smiled and pulled a scroll from his wide sleeve, handing it to Kujou Sara.
"This is evidence taken from Kujou Takayuki's study. His handwriting and the Kujou Clan's private seal are things you should recognize, right?"
Kujou Sara took the scroll.
The more she read, the worse her expression became.
Her body, which had been as straight as a spear, began to tremble.
"How could this be... Father... No, it can't be! I need to ask him myself!"
Kujou Sara's eyes turned red, and her aura became unstable. She turned and left.
The contents of the letter detailed one betrayal after another.
Enough to doom the Kujou Clan many times over.
Trafficking Inazuman children to the Fatui, embezzling Inazuma's wealth for personal gain, oppressing the people.
Even deceiving the Shogun, inciting rebellion, and manipulating information to push for the Vision Hunt Decree and the Sakoku Decree...
The list of atrocities was endless.
Seeing Kujou Sara on the verge of breaking down, Yae Miko sighed.
"Lumine, you should follow her. We'll meet at Tenshukaku."
Lumine hesitated but nodded. She was worried about Kujou Sara in this state.
After Lumine left, Jiang Ning, who had been sitting calmly, caught Yae Miko's attention.
"Aren't you worried at all? Lumine is about to face the Raiden Shogun."
Jiang Ning sipped his tea leisurely. "Why worry? Tell me, who is Raiden Ei most afraid of?"
Yae Miko said, "Ei? She's not afraid of anyone."
"What about Raiden Makoto?"
Jiang Ning asked.
Yae Miko's expression darkened, but she replied, "If it's Lady Makoto, then Ei would definitely be afraid... After all, Ei never contradicts Lady Makoto. She's just a stubborn fool."
Jiang Ning said, "Then it's settled. If there's someone she's afraid of, isn't that easy to handle?"
"What do you mean?" Yae Miko was confused by Jiang Ning's words.
Jiang Ning grinned. "Sister Havria, would you like to come out and meet the Guuji of Inazuma?"
With that, Havria slowly materialized. She hadn't planned to show herself, but since Raiden Makoto had been revived, the plan needed some adjustments.
It was time to give the country bumpkin of Inazuma a little Liyue-style shock.
"Hello, Yae Miko. I am Havria, or rather... the Goddess of Salt from the depths of the earth."
Havria spoke with a gentle smile.
"Havria... the depths of the earth... the Goddess of Salt... Wait?!"
Yae Miko's expression changed dramatically. Although she wasn't entirely familiar with Liyue's history, the Goddess of Salt was recorded in Liyue's annals.
Wasn't she supposed to have perished in the depths of the earth?
The divine authority emanating from her soul wasn't fake.
So, the Goddess of Salt had truly been resurrected?
And Jiang Ning had mentioned Lady Makoto earlier...
Yae Miko's heart began to race.
Earlier, at the Sacred Sakura... had there been some disturbance? Was that when it happened?
Yae Miko stared at Jiang Ning, a mix of disbelief, fear, and anticipation in her eyes.
Her voice trembled as she spoke.
"You... don't tell me..."
Yae Miko stammered. This god before her seemed to truly have the power to resurrect others!
Beside them, Kamisato Ayato and Kamisato Ayaka, who had never seen Yae Miko like this, stayed silent, not daring to speak.
Jiang Ning propped his chin on his hand. "Hehe, I won't tease you anymore... You're about to cry, and people might think I did something to you. That would be a misunderstanding... Lady Makoto, come out and meet the little fox you used to warm your hands with. Oh, and we're about to go bully Inazuma's country bumpkin."
Raiden Makoto's voice, tinged with reproach, sounded.
"Ei isn't a country bumpkin... Well, that braid of hers does give off that vibe..."
However, when she saw Yae Miko, her gaze softened. Seeing Yae Miko's stunned expression, her reddened eyes, and the tears streaming down her face, Raiden Makoto's eyes also filled with tenderness.
"Little Yae, you've worked hard all these years..."
Raiden Makoto's words were like the final straw that broke the camel's back. Yae Miko burst into tears, her vision blurred as she rushed toward Raiden Makoto.
But she passed right through Raiden Makoto's body, touching nothing.
"What's going on?"
Yae Miko was stunned for a moment before quickly asking.
Raiden Makoto explained, "Right now, I'm still in a soul state. I don't have a physical body yet, so you can't touch me, little Yae."
Yae Miko felt a pang of disappointment. She had truly missed the warmth of Lady Makoto's hands.
But now that Lady Makoto had returned, that was more than enough...
Soon, Yae Miko's mood lifted. With Lady Makoto back, someone could finally deal with that blockhead Ei.
Yae Miko was overjoyed. All these years, the Raiden Shogun had ignored her, her best friend and confidante.
She had worked hard to support Inazuma's economy, only to be constantly hindered in the name of eternity...
Even a clay figure has a temper, let alone a vengeful fox like her.
So, brace yourself, Ei~
Seeing Yae Miko's tears turn to laughter, the Kamisato siblings finally understood the situation.
So, this woman who looked exactly like the Raiden Shogun but was much gentler...
Was she the Raiden Shogun's sister?
Had Inazuma originally had two gods?
Kamisato Ayato and Kamisato Ayaka felt like they had stumbled upon a great secret, but they were also filled with dread.
Question: If their plan to cleanse the court failed, it would be considered treason. And now they had been discovered by the Raiden Shogun's sister. What should they do? Asking for a friend, it's urgent.
"You two... are the current heads of the Kamisato Clan, right? The Kamisato children?"
Raiden Makoto turned her gaze to Kamisato Ayaka and Kamisato Ayato, her tone gentle.
"Yes, Lady Makoto."
Kamisato Ayato replied respectfully, without a hint of subservience.
Kamisato Ayaka, however, was a bit nervous. "Greetings, Lady Makoto..."
Raiden Makoto smiled. "No need to be so tense. I'm different from Ei. You've done well. Ei is indeed a bit too stubborn. How can she shut herself in Tenshukaku and ignore the people of Inazuma? She needs to come out and see them."
Kamisato Ayato felt a surge of joy. It seemed this god was a kind and benevolent one...
Inazuma might yet be saved.
"Alright, let's get moving. After all these years, Inazuma hasn't progressed... In fact, it's regressed."
"Back then, the Tri-Commission all worked for the people. Now, only the Yashiro Commission remains? How times have changed."
Raiden Makoto sighed, her voice filled with self-reproach.
"It can't be helped. Long-standing hereditary systems breed corruption. In the short span of a human lifetime, so many undesirable thoughts have taken root... Power corrupts."
Yae Miko said with a smile.
Raiden Makoto turned to Jiang Ning. "Although I can persuade Ei from behind the scenes, given her stubborn nature, she'll need to be shaken awake. Otherwise, even if I intervene, she'll only comply on the surface."
"Once this is over, Inazuma will stand with Liyue."
In fact, Raiden Makoto was even considering the possibility of an alliance through marriage.
After all, knowing that Jiang Ning could resurrect others and even purify the Tatarigami and the Abyss...
That was simply too valuable. Raiden Makoto was shocked.
But there was no way to compete with Morax for his disciple. Thus, she had to resort to some subtle tactics.
As for Jiang Ning having multiple wives and concubines... Was that even an issue?
No. During the Archon War, Raiden Makoto and Raiden Ei had seen all sorts of depraved gods. They were used to it.
Jiang Ning nodded. "Leave it to me. I also want to see how powerful the legendary Musou no Hitotachi really is."
---
When Jiang Ning and the others arrived at Tenshukaku, dark clouds churned above, and thunder rumbled ominously. The atmosphere was oppressive.
A flash of lightning illuminated the sky, and a presence within Tenshukaku vanished.
Jiang Ning's expression turned strange.
That presence... was it La Signora? The Fatui Harbinger?
Huh? What did she do? Did the Raiden Shogun kill her?
What's going on?
But Jiang Ning didn't dwell on it. As for this voluptuous but not-too-bright lady, his only thought was:
Could she be captured and put to work as a servant? Otherwise, she wasn't particularly useful.
If she's dead, she's dead. She's just an insignificant figure.
Fortunately, Lumine and Paimon's presences were still there. Kujou Sara's presence, though faint, was also detectable.
That's good.
What Jiang Ning was most concerned about now was...
He glanced at the "ornamental fish" and the "little dog" beside him and chuckled.
Wow, Inazuma is really on the brink of collapse. The resistance has reached Tenshukaku?
Jiang Ning looked at Yae Miko. "Did you do this?"
Yae Miko smiled. "Yes, don't you think it's lively?"
Jiang Ning said, "Tell me the truth."
Yae Miko pouted. "People these days have lost their reverence for the gods. So, I gave these overconfident fools a glimmer of hope."
"And then, when they witness the might of a god, the despair on their faces will be priceless."
"You're really something... Aren't you afraid the resistance will anger Raiden Ei and she'll just cleave Watatsumi Island in half?"
Yae Miko played with her hand. "What does that have to do with me?"
The fox of a thousand faces. Despite her usual cheerful demeanor, as a great youkai, Yae Miko was no pushover.
She only cared about those close to her. As for Inazuma, it was merely an extension of that care.
So, if the people of Watatsumi died, so be it.
In her opinion, they should have been wiped out long ago. Orobashi had invaded Inazuma and killed their tengu general. They were the invaders.
After their defeat and death, Yae Miko believed it was only natural. Their god had spared the islanders and even allowed them to continue worshiping Orobashi. That was already an act of great mercy.
And now, they wanted to rebel? Destroy the Grand Narukami Shrine? Raiden Ei might not care, but did they think Yae Miko had no temper?
If they were truly dissatisfied with the Raiden Shogun's rule, they should just return to Enkanomiya and stop occupying Watatsumi Island.
It was just a matter of perspective. To the people of Watatsumi, this was their rightful struggle. But to Yae Miko, it was sheer hypocrisy.
Jiang Ning turned to Sangonomiya Kokomi.
"Did you hear that, Ornamental Fish Strategist? Don't act recklessly. If you truly anger the gods, no one can save you."
Kokomi remained silent, and Gorou hesitated.
As for Kaedehara Kazuha, he was staring at the sky, lost in the faint glow of the lightning.
But some members of the resistance, clearly dissatisfied, spoke rudely to Jiang Ning.
"Who do you think you are? How dare you give orders? If you've got nothing to do, get lost! We're just one step away from overthrowing the damn Shogunate!"
"Shut up!"
Kokomi's expression changed, but it was too late.
----
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