At this moment, Yae Miko approached Kujou Sara.
"What a pity... such pure loyalty, ultimately betrayed by the times."
She said, crossing her arms and turning to look at Kujou Sara with a light smile.
"Should I say you're confused, or the only one who's clear-headed?"
"Please speak plainly, Lady Miko. What do you mean?"
Kujou Sara looked at Qiu Bai beside her, then back at Yae Miko, frowning.
"The Vision Hunt Decree is nothing more than a manipulation by the Fatui."
Yae Miko explained.
"A foolish policy that causes Inazuma citizens to cripple themselves."
"And the one deceiving the Shogun ears is none other than your own master."
"The Tenryou Commission, the Kujou clan."
She continued, turning her back to Kujou Sara.
"Are you saying the Kujou clan has betrayed the Shogunate?"
Kujou Sara asked, unable to believe it.
"Precisely. You understand correctly."
Yae Miko turned back, smiling and nodding.
"Lady Miko, your accusation is not only dangerous but ridiculous."
Kujou Sara retorted.
"The Three Commissions have always served the Shogun with unwavering loyalty."
"Since I was adopted by the Kujou clan, the Tenryou Commission has been completely loyal to the Shogun, especially the clan head, Lord Kujou Takayuki."
She continued.
"His reverence for the Musou no Hitotachi surpasses everyone else. My respect for the Shogun is but a mere fraction of his."
"How could the clan head possibly do anything detrimental to the Shogun?"
Kujou Sara challenged, frowning.
"In three days come back here, and I'll provide you with evidence."
Yae Miko said, her eyes slightly closed.
"As a shrine maiden, I'm well aware that people prefer to believe what they want to believe. Some things might just be what you're unwilling to see."
"I'll have to be the villain and carefully unravel this for you."
She opened her eyes, looking directly at Kujou Sara.
"Hmph... three days, is it?"
Kujou Sara responded.
"I'll return. But if I don't see evidence, I expect an apology for slandering the Kujou clan. And..."
She looked at Qiu Bai and Lumine.
"I'll take them all back with me."
"Mm."
Qiu Bai sighed, looking at Yae Miko and then Kujou Sara.
"We don't need three days. The war, the Vision Hunt Decree, the Sakoku Decree - these things that have caused so much suffering to the people of Inazuma must end."
"What do you mean?"
Kujou Sara asked, surprised.
"Are you saying you can show me evidence right now?"
She had always felt that this seemingly frail scholar had a composure beyond his years.
As if the person standing before her wasn't a peer, but someone who would remain unafraid even if the sky were to fall.
Most people would be terrified of being a national fugitive and opposing the Raiden Shogun, but Qiu Bai remained remarkably composed.
"Yes, I can show you evidence now."
Qiu Bai nodded.
"Just a moment..."
Suddenly, he vanished completely from in front of Kujou Sara.
"This..."
Kujou Sara pupils contracted as she looked around frantically.
"How did he disappear in an instant?"
"Stop looking."
She heard Yae Miko laugh.
"He's probably already in the core area of the Tenryou Commission by now."
"How is that possible?"
Kujou Sara challenged.
"Are you saying he teleported from here to Inazuma City, to a heavily guarded position in the Tenryou Commission?"
"This is absurd."
She shook her head.
If Qiu Bai could truly move anywhere by mere thought, what secrets could possibly exist in this world for him?
Why would he need to gather intelligence when he could simply go anywhere and see everything?
"If he could truly do this, there would be no secrets in this world for him."
Kujou Sara mused.
"The secrets of any nation would be completely transparent to him."
"Ah."
Yae Miko sighed, arms crossed.
"People are always confused by the unknown. The fundamental difference between humans and gods is that they don't think so superficially."
"For him, these things may have long since ceased to matter."
She continued, reflecting on Qiu Bai demeanor.
She felt that this deity treated her as if she were a junior.
No matter how she teased or challenged Qiu Bai, he remained unchanged, his composure unshakeable.
"He sees me as a junior?"
"How annoying. It's like being looked down upon."
She muttered, rubbing her head.
"A fundamental difference between humans and gods?"
"Are you saying Qiu Bai is a deity?"
Kujou Sara frowned.
"Hehe~"
"Just some idle thoughts. I'm simply interested in him."
Yae Miko laughed.
"Qiu Bai actually sees you as a junior."
"Hmp! He sees us as equal friends!"
Paimon chimed in proudly.
"Hahaha."
Yae Miko laughed.
"Do you really think he sees you as equals?"
(T/N: Like the story fellow daoist? Now you can read 30 chapters ahead on my P@treon [p@treon.com/DaoistRongyi] Thanks for your support! 😊)