Returning to Inazuma City.
After a brief rest, Luo Qing headed back to Tenshukaku.
It was the same old routine: Time Zero, flipping over the balcony rail.
“I’ve told you before—stop climbing up the balcony and use the front entrance!”
The moment she heard footsteps on the balcony, the Raiden Shogun’s brows furrowed.
She didn’t even need to turn around to know it was Luo Qing, up to his antics again.
After all, she was the acting leader of an entire nation.
Couldn’t Luo Qing show her just a little bit of the respect she deserved?!
“Your guards downstairs wouldn’t let me in, so what choice did I have?”
Luo Qing chuckled as he casually seated himself before the Raiden Shogun.
“Speak. What do you want?”
The Raiden Shogun closed her eyes, replying in a detached voice.
The best way to maintain her composure around Luo Qing was to avoid looking at that infuriatingly smug face of his.
Looking at him was just asking for frustration.
“Didn’t Ei ask me to teach you all a breathing technique? I came here the moment I got back to talk to you about it.”
“…”
The Raiden Shogun slowly opened her eyes and said in a low voice, “She told me to warn you—if you call her Ei one more time, I’m to cut off a certain part of your anatomy.”
“…”
For some reason, Luo Qing suddenly felt a chill below his waist.
“Ahem, that’s not important. What matters is that I’m here to keep my promise. So, have you decided who’s going to receive my guidance… uh, I mean, training?”
“…”
For reasons unknown, the Raiden Shogun couldn’t shake the feeling that Luo Qing was oddly eager.
“Why are you in such a hurry?”
“What are you saying?”
Luo Qing waved his hand nonchalantly, playing the role of an old friend.
“It’s not about being in a rush. I just want to honor Miss Ei’s request!”
“…”
The Raiden Shogun’s gaze turned distant, as if she were conversing with Ei in the Plane of Euthymia.
After a moment, she spoke.
“We need to select the candidates. I’ll inform you once the decision is made.”
“You’re holding a selection?”
Luo Qing was puzzled. He didn’t realize the process would be so stringent.
“How long will it take?”
“We need to gather the best swordsmen from all over Inazuma. It will take at least half a month.”
“Half a month?! That long?!”
“Hmph, you seem eager.”
The Raiden Shogun’s cold snort was full of sarcasm.
She knew Luo Qing had ulterior motives, but Ei’s command prevented her from intervening.
Luo Qing nodded. “Of course, I’m eager to prove my loyalty to Miss Ei.”
“…”
“Gathering the young elite swordsmen of Inazuma takes time. That’s just how it is, no matter how urgent you feel.”
With that, the Raiden Shogun closed her eyes once more.
“If you have nothing else to say, you may leave.”
“Hey, come on,” Luo Qing slapped his thigh, continuing, “Can’t I at least stay and chat, get to know you better, build a bit of rapport?!”
“…”
【+1 Frustration Value from the Raiden Shogun】
…
Seeing the Raiden Shogun’s anger on the verge of erupting, Luo Qing knew there was no point in pushing it. He left Tenshukaku.
He figured he could make up for the delay by being extra attentive when training those so-called young and talented swordsmen.
As he passed by the Komore Teahouse…
Just like before, the hostess, Konda Kuro, spotted him before he even got close.
Though she greeted him with a smile, Luo Qing could tell—even with his limited social skills—that Kamisato Ayaka still had no desire to see him.
So, he returned to his residence instead.
Back in his room…
Luo Qing couldn’t even be bothered to look at the mess of blankets and tatami mats.
He’d been away for a while, and who knew what Teresa had been doing to ruin the place.
For a moment, he regretted the impulsive decision to bring Teresa into his team.
What kind of subordinate spends their time messing with their boss’s bedding?!
…
“Explain to me—why are you constantly messing with my bed?”
Luo Qing sat at the tea table, his tone calm.
Across from him, Teresa sat on her knees, head bowed low to the floor.
“Um… well… Lord Luo Qing, I… I just couldn’t help myself…”
Teresa stammered, avoiding eye contact with Luo Qing.
“You’ve been here for a while. Haven’t you heard stories from Natalia about what happens to people who irritate me?”
“Ah… um…”
Teresa’s face went blank as she remembered.
Natalia and the others had indeed shared tales of how Lord Luo Qing had tormented them in the past.
Hiss…
Ah…
“S-Sorry, Lord Luo Qing, I won’t do it again…”
But I totally will.
Teresa thought to herself.
“Fine. If it happens again, you’ll see what I’ll do to you.”
Seeing Teresa’s seemingly sincere apology, Luo Qing decided to let it go.
Teresa had been kneeling there for most of the afternoon; any longer, and it would count as punishment.
“Did anything happen while I was away?”
“Thank you, Lord Luo Qing!”
Teresa sprang to her feet, ignoring her sore knees, and hurried to report.
“Lord Luo Qing, I had my little ones keep an eye on her while you were away. She stayed in Inazuma City the whole time, visiting Tenshukaku twice, only to leave disappointed both times. According to reliable sources, she proposed abolishing the Vision Hunt Decree, but her suggestions were rejected by the Tenryou Commission!”
Teresa’s voice was loud and clear.
“She went twice?”
Luo Qing was a bit surprised.
“Yes! Other than that, she hasn’t done anything significant!”
Teresa added enthusiastically, clearly fishing for praise.
“…”
“Tell me, do you like her or something, Lord Luo Qing?”
Teresa leaned forward, eyes full of curiosity.
“…”
Luo Qing looked up and smiled.
“If you keep prying into my business, you’ll find yourself back in the wilderness, playing with those Shogunate soldiers~.”
…
The Next Day at the Komore Teahouse.
It had been nearly a month since Luo Qing’s brief conversation with Kamisato Ayaka from across the street.
Last night, Kuro had mentioned seeing him pass by the teahouse again, reminding Ayaka that it had been a long time since she last saw Luo Qing.
He was the first boy she had ever found so easy to talk to.
If it weren’t for her brother’s orders, she might have often invited Luo Qing to the teahouse for chats over tea.
Unfortunately, Luo Qing was a Snezhnayan—and a Fatui at that.
She knew the Fatui had a hand in the recent turmoil in Inazuma.
That meant no matter what, there was no way she could get closer to him.
Sigh. If only Luo Qing were from Inazuma.
Then, she could’ve had tea parties with him, shared secrets, and even rebelled against the Vision Hunt Decree… Though maybe that last part was something she should handle alone.
Kamisato Ayaka gazed out the window, feeling a pang of sadness.
Suddenly, hurried footsteps echoed from downstairs. She turned to see Kuro rushing up to her.
“What’s wrong? Did something happen?”
“Miss, it’s about the Shogunate…”
“The Shogunate? What now?”
Ayaka’s brow furrowed. Whenever the Shogunate was involved, it usually wasn’t good news.
Kuro hesitated, then said seriously, “A mysterious swordsman has appeared in the Shogunate’s ranks. He can perform elemental sword techniques without using a Vision. The General wants to select a group of young swordsmen to learn those techniques from him, and you’ve been invited to participate…”
“Huh?”
—
T/N: Bro how many fucking names does this bitch from the Teahouse have? Everytime its a new fucking name.
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