Chapter 83: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [83]
Not even Luo Qing, with all his hacks, had a way to leave this place.
His freedom was entirely dependent on Ei's whims.
And right now...
She didn't seem in the best mood.
Luo Qing sat cross-legged on the ground.
In front of him, Ei held a light novel in both hands, her eyes slightly red as if she were on the verge of bursting into tears.
He glanced at the cover.
Ah, it's The Stoic Samurai Falls for the Wild Heiress.
That tear-jerker Yae Miko had recommended.
Feeling bored, Luo Qing took out two of his copper coins (originally three) and started tossing them in the air, thinking he might as well do a fortune-telling to predict when Ei would start crying. If she did, he'd lend her a broad shoulder to cry on and let her sob her heart out in his arms.
But even after a long wait...
Ei's eyes were like a dam about to overflow—filled with tears, but none spilled.
Luo Qing was getting bored out of his mind in the Plane of Euthymia.
Any time he tried to disturb this bookworm, she'd immediately point her naginata at his throat and command him to stay quiet—like a bristling, purple-haired kitten.
It seemed that to leave the Plane of Euthymia, he would have to wait for Ei to finish the book in her hands.
Noticing the dilapidated katanas stuck in the ground beneath the shattered torii gates around the platform, Luo Qing, seeing that Ei was preoccupied with her novel and ignoring him, walked over to the broken katanas and casually pulled out two of them, gripping one in each hand.
Among the rewards he'd received from the system, he had learned both Thunder Breathing and Water Breathing techniques, and even a dual-blade manual known as Niten Ichi-ryū.
He hadn't drawn any new weapons in a long time, so he had never tested these katana techniques.
Now, he finally had a place to practice without worrying about being seen by others.
Holding a katana in each hand, Luo Qing took a deep breath, recalling the secrets of the Thunder Breathing and Water Breathing techniques.
"First Form: Thunderclap and Flash."
"First Form: Water Surface Slash."
He executed the two breathing techniques in succession. Despite being in the Plane of Euthymia where he couldn't use elemental energy, faint traces of lightning and water appeared on the katanas he held.
This display caught the attention of Ei, who had been engrossed in her light novel.
As the master of the Plane of Euthymia, she could sense even the faintest fluctuations of elemental energy within it.
Despite sealing off all elemental powers here, how could Luo Qing's blades still channel such forces?
"Where did you learn that sword technique?"
She asked, her voice cool.
"Why don't you wipe those tears off your face before asking me questions?"
Luo Qing replied cheekily.
"..."
[Frustration Value from Ei +1]
What nerve, daring to criticize me!
Despite her annoyance, Ei still covered her face with the book and discreetly wiped the corners of her eyes with her sleeve.
She couldn't help it—the novel was just too heart-wrenching.
Folding the corner of the page she was on, Ei rose to her feet and walked over to Luo Qing.
"Show me that sword technique again."
She hadn't detected any Vision on Luo Qing, yet he had still managed to wield elemental power with his blades. That meant the techniques he used could draw in surrounding elements without needing a Vision.
Most of the sword and blade techniques practiced in Inazuma had descended from her teachings, then developed by later generations. Since the Cataclysm, the most profound sword arts required elemental assistance, and only those with Visions could master them.
Even she, the god of Inazuma, had never devised a way for non-Vision wielders to manipulate elements with advanced sword techniques.
But now, Luo Qing had done just that.
"Do you want to see it?" Luo Qing grinned.
"If you promise to let me go, I'll show it to you again."
"Hmph."
Ei didn't bother responding with words. She simply raised her naginata, its blade resting threateningly against Luo Qing's throat.
"..."
"Alright, alright. If you really want to see it that badly..."
Luo Qing sighed, feeling exasperated. Why does this woman always put a blade to my throat at the slightest provocation?
Can't we just talk this out calmly?
Intimidated by her imposing presence, Luo Qing had no choice but to pick up the katanas again and focus his breathing.
"Ei, watch closely. I'm only showing this once!"
"First Form: Thunderclap and Flash."
"First Form: Water Surface Slash."
This time, with the dual-blade style, Luo Qing performed the full repertoire of Thunder Breathing and Water Breathing techniques.
As the difficulty of the techniques increased, the lightning and water that coated his blades grew more intense, ebbing and flowing with each slash in the Plane of Euthymia.
Soon, Luo Qing finished his demonstration.
"Amazing..."
There was a hint of admiration in Ei's eyes.
Throughout the performance, she had been closely monitoring the elemental flow around Luo Qing.
Even without a Vision, he could manipulate the surrounding elements by using a specialized breathing technique, channeling them through his body, and releasing them with his strikes.
He could even briefly command these elements, using them to empower his attacks.
If such a technique could be taught, it would represent a major breakthrough for the swordsmanship of Inazuma.
"Who taught you this swordsmanship?" Ei asked, still astonished.
Luo Qing kept a straight face. "I created it myself. Want me to teach you?"
"..."
"Come on, we can discuss this civilly. There's no need to keep pointing a blade at me!"
Seeing Ei lower her weapon, Luo Qing finally relaxed.
One day, when he had grown strong enough to surpass this shut-in woman, he swore he would put his spear to her throat.
And then he'd ask if she thought his spear was fast enough.
"Your sword technique doesn't rely on a Vision, yet it can control elemental power. If it could be widely taught, it would elevate Inazuma's swordsmanship to a new level."
Ei pointed at the katanas Luo Qing held.
"Are you suggesting I should go teach them?"
Luo Qing chuckled, testing her reaction. "But haven't you already retreated into the Plane of Euthymia, leaving Inazuma's affairs to the Shogun? Why suddenly the interest in Inazuma's swordsmanship?"
"I..."
"I was merely curious. Whether you teach them or not is none of my concern."
Ei turned away, returning to her reading spot and reopening her book to the page she had marked. She began to read once more, as if their conversation had never happened.
"What do you think of those light novels?"
Luo Qing put down the katanas and walked up to Ei, observing her focused expression. There was a cute, almost dazed look about her when she was reading.
When she didn't respond, he continued his line of baiting.
"After all, it was your old friend who popularized these novels. Aren't you curious to visit Yae Publishing House in person?"
"And there are plenty more delicious sweets like these dumplings and milk tea available in Hanamizaka. Don't you want to try them for yourself...?"
After a long silence, clearly annoyed by his pestering, Ei waved her hand and expelled Luo Qing from the Plane of Euthymia.
"Annoying man, interrupting my reading!"
---
T/N: Shes so me
Thanks for reading! Let me know if you spot any mistakes or inconsistencies!
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Chapter 84: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [84]
"When will that tsundere stop being so stubborn..."
Kicked out of the Plane of Euthymia, Luo Qing found himself once more inside the high tower of the Tenshukaku, locking eyes with the silent Raiden Shogun.
They were linked, her and Ei. Whatever Ei sensed, the Shogun could also perceive. She could clearly feel Ei's emotional state within the Plane of Euthymia.
She had no idea why Ei would be so absorbed by those light novels that Luo Qing had brought. But ever since she kicked Luo Qing out of the Plane of Euthymia, Ei had been in tears, sobbing uncontrollably.
The reason?
She didn't know.
But there was no need to think too deeply—it must have been Luo Qing's fault.
"If there's nothing else, you may leave."
The Raiden Shogun closed her eyes, unwilling to look at him any longer.
Men only slow my blade.
If she could harden her heart, she would have already cut Luo Qing down.
"Oh? The Shogun doesn't want to chat with me for a bit?"
Luo Qing leaned forward, watching the Raiden Shogun who remained sitting in meditative stillness, pretending she hadn't heard a thing.
"Well, can you at least give me a token or something? The samurai downstairs keep treating me like some delivery guy and won't let me in."
No response from the Shogun.
"Ah, playing the cool and silent type again, huh?"
Seeing that the Shogun had no intention of engaging, Luo Qing decided to stop trying to warm up to her cold demeanor. He activated Time Zero and jumped from the balcony, leaving Tenshukaku behind.
After spending the whole day with Ei reading light novels, it was already late afternoon when Luo Qing was allowed to leave.
As he passed by Komore Teahouse, he spotted Kozue watching him warily from a distance, as if he were some kind of dangerous monster.
No need to ask—Ayaka probably still didn't want to see him.
With a polite nod and a smile to Kozue, Luo Qing returned to his resting place.
Upon entering his quarters, he discovered Theresa rolling around on his tatami mat, clutching his blanket and wriggling on the floor.
"Theresa, are you having a seizure?"
"Ah?!... Ahem, ahem."
Theresa quickly jumped to her feet, flustered and red-faced, standing awkwardly by the wall. She was so embarrassed she even forgot to wipe the drool at the corner of her mouth.
"Why are you back at this hour, Lord Luo Qing... I... I've been waiting for you all day..."
"I'm not asking when you got here."
"..."
"Well... I haven't seen you for a while, and since you were away, I just..."
Theresa muttered, her head down like a child caught doing something naughty.
"Alright, get out."
Luo Qing didn't bother to listen to more of her excuses and walked out of the room.
Seeing him leave, Theresa could only follow, sneaking quietly behind him, her head still bowed, like a guilty schoolgirl.
"Where are the others?"
"Those samurai were being difficult, always plotting to escape, so the others stayed behind to keep an eye on them."
"Then why did you come?"
"I won in rock-paper-scissors! And I won at cards! So I got to come here!"
Theresa puffed out her chest with a proud smile, as if she'd just boasted about an impressive achievement.
But when she saw Luo Qing's expression remain unchanged, her pride quickly faded. She tried to appear pitiful.
"I missed you, Lord Luo Qing. I've been waiting so long to be by your side, and now you don't even seem happy to see me..."
"Cut the act."
"..."
[Frustration Value from Theresa +1]
"You're so annoying! I can't even get a rise out of you!"
Seeing that she'd been seen through, Theresa dropped the pretense and plopped down in front of Luo Qing, sitting cross-legged.
"Lord Luo Qing, those samurai aren't very smart. Just a bunch of low-level grunts. Why keep them around? You even have to feed them every day. What a waste of Mora."
"Are you questioning my decisions?" Luo Qing asked coolly.
"..."
"No, Lord. I didn't mean it like that. It's just... living with them in some cave in the middle of nowhere, making sure they don't starve... I feel like I've turned into some kind of cook..."
Theresa's shoulders drooped, her expression pitifully downcast. It was hard to tell if she was genuinely upset or just acting.
But Luo Qing wasn't fooled.
"Did Natalia bring back the signed testimonies I asked for?"
Originally, he'd sent Natalia to retrieve written confessions from the samurai, yet somehow, it was Theresa who returned instead.
Compared to this slightly unhinged Electro Cicin Mage, the more straightforward and fujoshi-inclined Natalia was easier to manage.
"Um... I did bring them."
Theresa nodded, then, right in front of Luo Qing, she pulled down the collar of her robe and started fishing around inside.
She let out a few odd noises as she searched.
Finally, she produced the testimonies, which now smelled distinctly like Theresa's perfume.
They were... a little damp.
Where the hell did she stash these?!
Noticing Luo Qing's gaze, Theresa mischievously pulled her collar down a bit further, exposing her pale neck. She pretended to be bashful.
"Don't misunderstand, Lord. These Electro Mage outfits don't have pockets, so... I didn't have anywhere else to put them..."
"..."
Luo Qing felt he was still too naive.
Theresa was not someone who could be understood with normal logic.
Deciding to ignore her antics, Luo Qing grabbed the slightly crumpled and perfumed documents from the table and began to read.
Everything seemed in order—mostly confessions detailing Kujo Takayuki's inhumane actions and the chaos within the Shogunate's ranks.
"Alright, stay here and don't go wandering around. I need to head out."
Luo Qing folded the documents, tucked them into his pocket, and gave Theresa a quick reminder before leaving the resting quarters again.
The documents were for Kujo Takayuki's eyes only. But the real evidence lay with the testimonies of those samurai.
The sound of Luo Qing shutting the door echoed from below.
Theresa tiptoed to the entrance, peeking out to make sure he was gone and wouldn't be returning soon.
Then, she turned back to the bedding in Luo Qing's room.
Ziiip...
Tenryou Commission
Late into the night, Kujo Takayuki's office was still lit.
As the head of the Kujo Clan and the leader of the Tenryou Commission, his duties were endless, and many of them were not fit for public view.
Ever since receiving secret support from the Fatui, the Kujo Clan's influence within the Tenryou Commission had solidified, and the Commission's standing among the Tri-Commission had risen as a result.
It seemed everything was progressing steadily.
But right now, staring at the documents in his hand, Kujo Takayuki's face was tense.
Not long ago, reports from the front lines of the Shogunate forces had reached him, detailing how the samurai sent to escort refugees back to Narukami Island had vanished without a trace, while the refugees arrived safely and began spreading word of the Commission's "heroic deeds."
Under normal circumstances, the disappearance of a few samurai wouldn't trouble him so.
But those samurai had orders—orders he had personally given—to drown those refugees at sea.
The samurai had vanished, yet the refugees had survived.
Someone is meddling in the shadows.
If word of his orders to eliminate the refugees reached the ears of the Raiden Shogun...
It would spell disaster for him and the entire Kujo Clan.
---
T/N: IT'S KOZUE NOW? FOR FUCK SAKE GIVE ME A BREAKKKk whatever shes just an npc anyway
<( •̀ᴖ•́)>
Thanks for reading! Let me know if you spot any mistakes or inconsistencies!
If you wish to support me or read ahead here's a link! [patreon.com/WiseTL]
Kazuha -> Kusa -> Kozue
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