Yae Miko looked at Paimon and couldn't help but laugh.
"Hmph, of course."
"Qiu Bai is our good friend."
Paimon said, hands on hips.
"Speaking of which."
"Qiu Bai feels different from Zhongli. Sometimes he's quite mischievous and likes to trick us, but other times he's like a steady teacher."
Lumine said, a hand on her chest.
Teppei, the Vision Hunt Decree, the war caused by the Fatui, the resentment of the Abyss Order god - these experiences had taught her much.
Although Qiu Bai hadn't saved Teppei, she understood that he had done everything he could.
He had helped the resistance army recover over twenty injured members and had said he wouldn't intervene further.
But Lumine had seen the complex expression on Qiu Bai face when confronting Teppei.
In the end, Qiu Bai had even allowed the dying Teppei to see a Vision.
"What was Qiu Bai thinking back then?"
"I've never seen him with such an expression before."
She murmured.
"A teacher?"
"There's one thing he said that I remember deeply."
Yae Miko laughed.
"The old guard never dies, the flame of hope passes on."
"Ei should hear this."
She recited, looking up at the bright moon.
"Qiu Bai?"
"The old guard never dies, the flame of hope passes on..."
Kujou Sara repeated, looking at the moon.
She had secretly questioned the Vision Hunt Decree many times.
Whenever she saw the expressions of those who lost their dreams and the people of Inazuma, her feelings were complicated.
Would the Vision Hunt Decree truly make Inazuma citizens happy?
"I'm back."
"It took some time, but I didn't alert anyone."
Qiu Bai suddenly appeared before them, smiling.
He held a stack of documents.
"These are the evidence."
"I haven't looked through them. I've brought everything I could find. You can check them yourself."
He said, handing the papers to Kujou Sara.
"The clan head official seal is indeed here. It doesn't look forged."
"Not a word about the resistance army, Sangonomiya, or the frontline..."
Kujou Sara thought, examining the documents.
"The soldiers who died on the front lines, the suffering of the people - are they all insignificant?"
"Why such concealment..."
she thought, feeling devastated.
"Of course, to ensure the smooth implementation of the Vision Hunt Decree."
"Otherwise, what if the Shogun changes her mind?"
Yae Miko said, as if reading her mind.
"Is the Tenryou Commission deliberately deceiving the Shogun?"
Kujou Sara asked, her eyes closed in disappointment.
"Indeed."
"Who would benefit most from the Vision Hunt Decree?"
Yae Miko prompted.
"Ah."
"Keep looking. There are some sealed letters as well."
Qiu Bai sighed.
"This letter took me an extra minute to find."
"It was so well hidden. It seems important."
He said, arms crossed.
Kujou Sara frown deepened as she read.
"Well?"
"Everything you wanted to see, and everything you didn't want to see, is right in front of you."
Yae Miko asked.
"Don't tell me you're going to escape from this."
She challenged.
"Everything I've believed until now..."
"They actually... Damn!"
Kujou Sara closed her eyes, clenching her fists.
"This betrayal is unforgivable. I'm going to confront the clan head directly!"
She shouted, a mix of disappointment, sadness, anger, and disbelief.
Kujou Sara then ran towards the shrine exit.
"Kujou Sara is truly righteous."
"But her righteousness has been manipulated."
Qiu Bai said flatly.
"Kujou Sara is really angry."
"Looks like the plan to turn her worked."
Paimon observed.
"We should follow her."
"We might have a chance to see the Raiden Shogun."
Lumine said, frowning.
Just as she was about to follow, Yae Miko stopped her.
"Wait, Traveler. I have something to tell you."
"Your first entry into the Plane of Euthymia with Qiu Bai was before the Statue of the Hundred Arms, right?"
She said.
"Yes."
Lumine nodded, recalling the scene.
"You need to recreate that moment."
"If you can open the Raiden Shogun heart again before the Statue of the Hundred Arms, you'll have a chance..."
Yae Miko advised.
"I'll do my best."
Lumine responded.
"Take this."
Yae Miko said, holding out a pink omamori.
"What's this?"
Paimon asked, puzzled.
"An omamori from the Grand Naganaki Shrine. They're always quite effective."
"I've prepared one for you too."
Yae Miko explained.
"Thank you, I'll treasure it."
Lumine said.
"Hehe, when you encounter an unsolvable crisis, take a look. The crisis might just resolve itself."
"And if you want to see me, take it out. I might just pop up!"
Yae Miko laughed.
"Stop teasing the Traveler, Miss Fox."
Paimon said, hands on hips.
"Hehe, sorry."
"I'll leave my foolish friend in your care."
Yae Miko apologized.
"Why not give Qiu Bai an omamori?"
Paimon asked.
"Little one, are you kidding?"
Yae Miko laughed.
"Do you really think he needs something like this?"
(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! 😊)