As Jiang Ning's divine power flowed into her, Hanachirusato felt herself being filled to the brim.
However, it was also a long-missed feeling of comfort and warmth, as the whispers of resentment and howls seemed to dissipate like smoke.
Her body's former power gradually returned, and her impure essence began to transform.
Finally, she became Jiang Ning's shikigami.
At the moment of complete transformation, the mask Hanachirusato had always worn shattered piece by piece, revealing an extraordinarily beautiful face beneath.
As if washed clean of impurity, her black hair gradually turned pure white, and two fox ears appeared atop her head.
Beneath her shrine maiden attire, a fluffy large tail unconsciously revealed itself, looking so tempting to pat.
"Miko..."
Hanachirusato, or rather Kitsune Saiguu, looked at Yae Miko with a complex expression.
Yae Miko's eyes instantly reddened, her voice becoming tremulous:
"I knew you would come back... but why? Why were you gone for so long... I was still so young then, you were basically employing child labor..."
Kitsune Saiguu sighed: "At that time... the Dark Tide was surging, there was no choice... But thankfully now, I'm back."
Yae Miko stepped forward and tightly embraced Kitsune Saiguu. After their long separation, the familiar yet strange presence was deeply reassuring.
As bearers of the Hakushin bloodline, they could feel the excitement coursing through each other's veins.
"Welcome back, Kitsune Saiguu."
Yae Miko forced a smile.
"Everyone is gradually coming back now..."
Though it was a shame that Torachiyo's whereabouts were unknown, and the Sasayuri of those years had already reincarnated, not being a god after all.
But still, Makoto was back, Kitsune Saiguu was back, and Yae Miko was overjoyed.
Looking up again, her gaze toward Jiang Ning grew even softer.
All of this was thanks to him.
"Hanachirusato, this is wonderful! You can continue living!"
Paimon danced with joy.
Lumine also smiled and said: "As expected, a happy ending suits us best."
"But should we call you Hanachirusato or Kitsune Saiguu from now on?"
Paimon scratched her head and asked.
Kitsune Saiguu said: "Hanachirusato, Kitsune Saiguu, either is fine. After all, they're both experiences from my past life."
"Then let's call you Kitsune Saiguu, since Hanachirusato is also you," Paimon said with a grin.
"Oh right, we really must thank Jiang Ning for this," Lumine said.
Kitsune Saiguu nodded slightly, walking gracefully to stand before Jiang Ning and bowing respectfully, every movement elegant - truly befitting the head of the Hakushin clan.
"Kitsune Saiguu thanks you deeply for your kindness..."
Jiang Ning said: "It's nothing, but from now on you'll be my shikigami. Is that alright?"
Kitsune Saiguu said: "Of course. Since you have saved my life, I will surely serve at your side."
Her eyes carried a hint of allure, as being a shikigami naturally gave her an initial fondness for Jiang Ning, not to mention his life-saving grace and the favor he had done for present-day Inazuma.
Well well, a little fox showing gratitude...
Jiang Ning thought this had potential.
Meanwhile, Lumine's gaze grew sharp.
I saved you, and now you're thinking about stealing my man?
Is everyone in Inazuma poisoned or something, trying to cut in line and steal men as soon as you meet them?
Yae Miko said: "Hey, you're just going to follow him now? I was hoping you could take on some of the Grand Shrine's Guuji duties - I'm about to work myself to death here."
Kitsune Saiguu smiled charmingly: "Miko, but I've already retired. You're the Guuji now, so don't think about getting my help."
Paimon spread her hands: "Besides, Guuji Yae, don't you usually just read light novels, drink tea, and eat snacks?"
"Oh?"
Yae Miko shot Paimon a threatening look, making Paimon shrink her neck and hide behind Lumine.
"Alright, Kitsune Saiguu is my shikigami now, so she definitely can't be too far from me for too long. Stop dreaming," Jiang Ning said.
"Ah, how pitiful, back to the dark days of endless work," Yae Miko squeezed out a few tears and said.
"Enough, stop pretending. How did that little fox grow up so crooked... Never mind, let's head back first. I miss them," Kitsune Saiguu said with anticipation and longing in her eyes.
"But hasn't the Grand Shrine purification not finished yet?" Paimon said.
Lumine responded: "It's fine, there won't be any problems for now, and isn't Kitsune Saiguu's situation more important?"
Jiang Ning also smiled and said: "Yes, I think Lumine is right, and besides, I'll help you purify the remaining Tatarigami later."
"Really? That's wonderful!" Paimon was overjoyed.
"Then, let's go home, to Tenshukaku."
"Yay!"
...
"Ei, stop pacing back and forth, you're making me dizzy."
Raiden Makoto floated in Tenshukaku, saying.
"But I'm still worried," Raiden Ei hesitated before saying.
Raiden Makoto said: "Don't worry, Jiang Ning promised he would bring Kitsune Saiguu back. You should trust him. Besides, didn't he bring me back too?"
Before Raiden Ei could say more, they heard the sound of Tenshukaku's main doors opening.
Yae Miko led the way: "Ei, mission accomplished, I..."
Before she could finish, Raiden Ei's eyes were fixed on the white figure behind Yae Miko.
Though her eyes were somewhat red, her smile was just like in years past.
So she completely ignored Yae Miko, rushing straight toward Kitsune Saiguu and embracing her.
"You're back, you're really back..."
Raiden Makoto also looked softly at her sister and her good friend.
"Really now, what kind of deity still cries like this... Stop crying, you're losing your divine dignity."
Kitsune Saiguu gently patted Raiden Ei's back, comforting her.
Meanwhile, Yae Miko stood frozen. Wait, is this really how it is - forgetting your familiar as soon as old friends return?
Just completely ignoring me?
Jiang Ning came to Yae Miko's side, doing his best to pat her shoulder:
"Get used to it, your deity is an airhead, you know that."
Yae Miko gritted her teeth, saying viciously: "I'm going to eat all that airhead's sweets later."
Jiang Ning walked to the throne in Tenshukaku, sitting casually beside Raiden Makoto: "I've brought Kitsune Saiguu back, but considering the situation with reviving you all, it was still dangerous. Since she's not a god, she can only exist as a shikigami."
Raiden Makoto shook her head: "This is already an unexpected blessing..."
Jiang Ning said: "Now that everything's resolved, I'll start secluding myself to create your bodies. After it's all done, I'll have to return... We'll meet in the Realm Within next time."
Though Raiden Makoto felt some reluctance, she nodded. With the Realm Within, they could meet every day.
Besides, once she officially revived, Inazuma still had a mess of problems to deal with, and she wouldn't have time to stay with Jiang Ning anyway.
Might as well let him go back - they should also inform Morax anyway.
Watching Raiden Ei still crying like a child, clinging to Kitsune Saiguu until even the dramatically curved shrine maiden outfit at Saiguu's chest was getting wet.
Yae Miko was truly furious, speaking sarcastically:
"Hasn't someone completely forgotten their old friends for new ones? Sister Makoto is still waiting for her body to be made, where are your materials?"
Raiden Ei finally came to her senses, wiping her tears and saying:
"Everything's prepared. Are you sure you don't need this puppet-making technique?"
Jiang Ning shook his head: "No need, I have more advanced methods."
After all, it was system-produced. Though usually unreliable, at critical moments... well, its reliability still depended on luck.
At least this time, it should be reliable.
Raiden Ei's eyes lit up: "Can I watch and learn?"
"Of course... though I don't know how much you'll be able to learn," Jiang Ning scratched his head.
"You still want to learn? Don't forget, Scaramouche will be coming during this time. If he sees Makoto alone here, don't you think that puppet might have evil intentions? You know he hates you deeply, aren't you afraid something might happen?"
Yae Miko was exasperated.
"He wouldn't dare!" Raiden Ei's aura suddenly turned sharp.
"If he dares, I'll strike him to ashes!"
"But if something really happens to Sister Makoto then, you can just cry about it..." Yae Miko said.
Kitsune Saiguu also said: "This is a crucial time, Inazuma cannot be without divine oversight. Besides, Jiang Ning is already your consort. Once things settle down, you can learn whenever you want."
Raiden Ei said: "Mm, alright."
Sister's safety was most important.
"Then, everyone rest for today. Tomorrow, I'll begin my seclusion."
Jiang Ning said.
"No problem," Raiden Makoto said.
"Kitsune Saiguu, come with me tonight, I have so much to tell you."
Raiden Ei said.
"Alright... would my divine lady like to join us too? Let's make it a reunion of old friends."
Kitsune Saiguu invited Raiden Makoto.
"Of course I'll join."
Raiden Makoto's expression showed a hint of nostalgia.
It was just like in the old days, all sleeping together on one large bed, chatting like human girlfriends.
"What about me? I want to come too."
Yae Miko was truly curious about what they would discuss.
"You can come, just turn into a pink fox like when you were little, warming our hands or being our scarf."
Kitsune Saiguu teased.
"Ugh, you old woman, you're too much!" Yae Miko rolled her eyes.
"Who are you calling an old woman!"
Kitsune Saiguu exploded in anger.
The entire Tenshukaku was filled with joyful atmosphere... for the first time in hundreds of years, it felt so relaxed and happy.
...
Inazuma began to prosper, with Keqing handling various transitions with Inazuma.
Yesterday evening, Keqing, Ningguang, and Ganyu had discussed for an entire night in the Realm Within, finally drafting a series of measures.
In short, Inazuma would receive preferential treatment, after all, they were practically family now.
Raiden Makoto, Yae Miko, and the others were very happy, though due to severe understaffing.
Kitsune Saiguu had just been revived and had no time to rest before being drafted to help with work.
At least Jiang Ning was still in Inazuma, so there was no worry about distance issues.
As for Jiang Ning and Raiden Ei... one was in seclusion, the other acting as a guard.
Creating bodies was truly a technical task, far more complex than making puppets.
So the consumption of materials was particularly high.
During this period, under Raiden Ei's direct supervision, materials like Sakura Bloom and Naku Weed were constantly being transported to Tenshukaku.
While other places might not know, the Sacred Sakura tree was definitely worth harvesting.
In just a few days, a section of the Sacred Sakura's trunk had been completely stripped.
However, the results were promising - they had finally created a decent prototype.
The next step was to have Raiden Ei try it first.
This was everyone's consensus, after all, if the body wasn't satisfactory, Raiden Ei could return to her own body, but as souls, Havria and Raiden Makoto couldn't - simply put, it was about error tolerance.
"Is everything ready?"
Jiang Ning looked seriously at the humanoid form before him, which lacked any details, and spoke gravely.
After all, no matter how exquisite the body creation was, there would always be differences from one's original body, so Jiang Ning used a different method.
The soul would enter, and then the body would automatically adjust according to the soul, truly becoming a body that belonged to oneself.
"Yes, no problem," Raiden Ei also expressed seriously.
This concerned her sister, so she took it very seriously.
Raiden Ei separated from the Raiden Shogun, and the former directly entered the body.
Under everyone's watchful eyes, the body began to glow gradually, covering it completely, then watching the play of light and shadow, as if witnessing the birth and transformation of life.
Slowly, the outline approached infinitely close to Raiden Ei's original appearance. As the light gradually dimmed, a goddess almost identical to the Raiden Shogun appeared there.
Only at the joints unique to puppets was there any difference - she was a living deity.
However... Jiang Ning sniffed.
So his wife's figure was this impressive? He'd been too busy lately to properly appreciate it.
Because the body needed to reform completely, Raiden Ei was currently unclothed, her flawless white skin and shapely figure, taut yet elastic from long years of martial arts practice.
The unique purple shade of Raiden Ei was even more eye-catching.
Kitsune Saiguu quickly stepped forward to help Raiden Ei get dressed.
Yae Miko called out in disappointment - she had wanted to see how Raiden Ei would react to Jiang Ning in this state.
Then, under everyone's gaze, Raiden Ei opened her eyes.
----
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"Ei, how do you feel?" Kitsune Saiguu stepped forward to support Raiden Ei, asking with concern.
Looking at her own hands and making a fist, Ei replied excitedly, "I feel great, and this body feels just like my original one, maybe even stronger."
"That's wonderful," Kitsune Saiguu said with gentle eyes, equally happy. Now Raiden Shogun could also have her own body.
Makoto said, "Now that Ei has her own body, the Shogun can act independently from her."
Yae Miko chuckled, "Roughly speaking, Inazuma now has three deities. Hehe, doesn't that mean we can do whatever we want outside?"
"You shouldn't use power to bully others," Kitsune Saiguu lightly tapped Yae Miko's head.
Yae Miko snorted, "The Fatui used to bully Inazuma so blatantly. What's wrong with getting a little payback now?"
Kitsune Saiguu asked, "By the way, has the compensation and trade agreement from Snezhnaya arrived?"
"It arrived long ago," Makoto replied. "Otherwise, how could I have given the Gnosis to that puppet?"
Speaking of the puppet, Makoto felt regretful. If Ei hadn't abandoned her and instead kept her close and properly guided her, perhaps Inazuma would now have another warrior as powerful as Kitsune Saiguu.
But that was impossible now. Even the merciful Makoto felt that the puppet's crimes against others were unforgivable. If they truly allowed her to return to Inazuma and pretended nothing had happened, it would be irresponsible to Inazuma's people...
Jiang Ning was confused: "Wait, when was the Gnosis handed over? I didn't know about this."
"It was during your period of seclusion," Makoto explained. "Besides, it wasn't important enough to disturb you about."
Jiang Ning nodded. He didn't know much about the Gnosis's origins anyway, and it didn't seem particularly useful to him, so he was fine with giving it away.
Yae Miko looked very pleased: "With this compensation and trade agreement, Inazuma can recover quickly, and my Yae Publishing House can expand well into other nations."
"Alright, enough talk. We still have Havria and Makoto's bodies to deal with," Kitsune Saiguu clapped her hands.
"Will this take a long time?" Ei looked at Jiang Ning.
Jiang Ning shook his head: "Not at all. I'm familiar with the process now, it'll be quick."
He began his work while Ei finally had a chance to watch and learn from the side. But she soon gave up. While her eyes told her she understood and her mind seemed to grasp it, her hands...
She temporarily abandoned the idea. After all, this was just for reviving her sister.
As for Inazuma's fighting power... The marriage alliance between Liyue and Inazuma now had five deity-level beings: Morax, herself and her sister, Jiang Ning, and the Raiden Shogun.
After Havria and Guizhong were revived, plus treating Azhdaha's wear and tear, they'd have eight deities. Four of them were incredibly powerful fighters, while Jiang Ning's combat ability was unknown but seemed to scale with his opponents.
Even Snezhnaya would have to kneel before them now.
Ei was overjoyed. This was another step closer to eternity.
The process continued similarly for Makoto and Havria, who were successfully revived.
However, while working, Jiang Ning suddenly felt like someone was watching him. He looked up quickly but only saw the ceiling.
Was it just his imagination?
Jiang Ning scratched his head and decided to ignore it - it was time for reunion now.
The moment Makoto was revived, Ei shot toward her sister like an arrow released from a bow.
The familiar embrace, the familiar presence.
"Sister..." Ei started crying again.
"You're still such a child..." Makoto's eyes also turned red.
After so many years, holding her sister again, this feeling of security was wonderful.
Yae Miko gritted her teeth: Damn it, hurry up and put on some clothes, dear Makoto! How am I supposed to use my kamera to capture Ei's embarrassing crying face when you're not dressed?
Kitsune Saiguu glanced at Yae Miko and shook her head silently. This little fox never learned her lesson. Had she not learned from being struck by lightning? Was she some kind of masochist?
"Although... maybe you should save the emotional reunion for after you're dressed?" Havria said helplessly as she finished putting on her own clothes. Her face was still flushed red because Jiang Ning had whistled at her when she was revived.
That was clearly flirting! Though she was the older sister figure, Havria was only a master of theory when it came to such matters - in practice, she was still quite shy.
Makoto's face also turned red as she gently patted her sister. After Ei let go, Kitsune Saiguu quickly handed over a set of clothes.
After they were dressed, Kitsune Saiguu looked at Jiang Ning with an amused expression: "How was the view, my little benefactor?"
Jiang Ning pondered: "First, I'm not little. Second... I can only say, thanks for the treat."
"You really don't have any shame, do you?" Yae Miko rolled her eyes.
Jiang Ning was unapologetic - with so many beautiful women in his household, he'd lose his position as head of the family if he got flustered over just this much.
Jiang Ning had a dream and a goal: First, to complete his conquest of teasing Yelan, then to see if he could withstand Lisa's flirting.
As for Yae Miko... Well, he had General Kitsune Saiguu and his wife Makoto on his side. Hmph, Yae Miko was just a personal maid in comparison.
"Jiang Ning, come here for a moment," Makoto beckoned to him.
Jiang Ning walked over: "What is it?"
The next moment, Makoto pulled him into her embrace, giving him a face full of softness. The gentle fragrance and softness made Jiang Ning momentarily entranced.
"Sister?!" Ei was startled, seeing this harmonious yet somewhat sensual scene, she became flustered again.
"Dear Makoto?" Jiang Ning struggled to look up from between the peaks, confused as he looked at Makoto.
Makoto smiled and said softly, "I should at least check how my little husband feels, shouldn't I?"
Kitsune Saiguu immediately caught on and deliberately asked, "How does he feel?"
Makoto replied seriously, "Very nice indeed, worth it. And also..." She lowered her head to sniff Jiang Ning before smiling, "Why do you smell so nice for a boy?"
You really smell good.
"What are you talking about? That's not true!" Jiang Ning's face turned red.
He had thought Makoto was just a gentle older figure, but who knew she could be so mischievous?
Just like Havria - beneath that gentle exterior, she had the heart of a young girl.
Perhaps this was the gap moe of older figures.
...
After the " you smell nice" incident, Jiang Ning had some doubts about life and tried to smell himself.
But as everyone knows, you can't smell your own scent.
So Jiang Ning could only let his wives hug and smell him.
Especially that Kitsune Saiguu - he wasn't catnip, and she wasn't even a cat, so why did she have such an indescribable expression when smelling him?
Yae Miko mocked Kitsune Saiguu at first, but then Saiguu forced her to smell Jiang Ning too, and she ended up with the same expression.
Jiang Ning was very uncomfortable. What about his opinion? He wasn't some man to be shared by all.
However, thinking back to every time in the Realm, when his senior disciples or Ningguang would climb out of his bed...
They always had that "I'm very satisfied with last night" expression, then would get dressed and go to work, while also giving him money...
Meanwhile, he had nothing to do all day.
Oh no, he had become the kept man.
Jiang Ning suddenly realized.
Now that they had their bodies, Raiden Makoto and Ei were always out and about, going deep into the community to understand public sentiment and establish new regulations.
Keqing was also busy running back and forth, as Liyue's ships had already reached Inazuma's waters, led by Captain Beidou with her cargo.
This time, however, they came through officially and openly.
Along the way, he had gained two more wives in Inazuma, with two foxes likely to become personal maids, and Keqing had also confirmed their relationship.
But...
Could someone explain why he ended up being the one left alone at home?
Jiang Ning couldn't figure it out.
He could only say it was all the will of the Gate of Steiner.
With nothing to do, Jiang Ning wandered around Inazuma City.
First, he saw the ornamental Kokomi working enthusiastically in Tenshukaku, along with Gorou who had already started cooperating with Kujou Sara.
On Watatsumi Island, after the separatists were executed and the Fatui spies were rooted out, everyone realized that most of Watatsumi's people just wanted to live good lives, with fewer actually supporting war.
So, Watatsumi Island was now thriving, and Jiang Ning's rather aggressive approach had proven correct.
The day of Watatsumi's return was approaching.
"The Fukuuchi Udon here is very delicious, try some."
At a street-side ramen shop, Yae Miko took Jiang Ning to eat ramen.
Jiang Ning looked at the udon in his bowl, arranged to look like a fox, and couldn't help but ask:
"Isn't this just fried tofu ramen?"
"Fried tofu is the world's most delicious food," Yae Miko declared.
Jiang Ning pursed his lips: "Is that so? Well, I don't like it."
Yae Miko began her moral education: "How can you be like this? As a deity, you shouldn't be picky about food."
"Never mind that you sound like an adult lecturing a child... how dare you lecture me when you're sneaking all your cilantro into my bowl?"
Jiang Ning complained.
"Oh my, you noticed!" Yae Miko didn't show any embarrassment as she laughed.
Jiang Ning said: "I'm not blind, of course I can see it."
Yae Miko said seriously: "Eating cilantro helps you grow taller."
"That might work on children, but do you really think I won't hit you?" Jiang Ning smirked.
Yae Miko mumbled: "No fun at all, can't even tease you..."
Jiang Ning stayed silent. He understood now - you couldn't give this fox any leeway, or she'd take a mile.
This was what Ei had taught him - if this fox really teases or mocks you too much, just take a swing at her. She can dodge it anyway.
After finishing the ramen, Yae Miko said: "Miyuki, pay the bill."
A shrine maiden named Kuki Miyuki stood behind them. In the Kuki family, the men worked in the Shogunate while the women often served as shrine maidens at the Grand Narukami Shrine for some time.
Kuki Miyuki was one of them.
Recently, she had been responsible for carrying money when Yae Miko went out.
Kuki Miyuki's charm was not to be underestimated - while she couldn't compare to Yae Miko or Ei, her beauty far surpassed ordinary people. According to Yae Miko, Miyuki had an amazing figure under those loose shrine maiden robes, and she had even joked about letting Miyuki keep Jiang Ning company.
Jiang Ning had just rolled his eyes at that.
Kuki Miyuki said: "Lady Guuji, you've been out playing for many days now, there are still many matters at the Grand Shrine that need attention..."
Yae Miko remained unmoved: "It's fine, we still have Hotaru and the others, right? Besides, Lady Saiguu will come if things get too busy."
Kuki Miyuki wore a bitter expression, wondering why she had to serve under such a Guuji. When the Sakoku Decree was in effect, Hotaru handled everything, and now that it was lifted, Lady Yae managed even fewer matters...
Help! She hadn't had a vacation to go home in ages.
Jiang Ning said: "Miyuki, don't worry, we'll head back soon. I don't need Miko to accompany me anymore... I'll tell Lady Makoto and the others not to let her slack off."
Yae Miko's eyes widened: "After I've been taking you around eating and drinking, not even charging you money, you're going to sell me out? Are you even human?"
Jiang Ning said: "Sorry, I'm a deity... And are you sure you weren't just wanting to eat and drink yourself?"
Yae Miko tried playing on emotions: "Look, we have a pretty good relationship, right? Besides, if I leave, who's going to pay for you?"
Jiang Ning said: "Hmm, our relationship is just so-so, you try to trick me every time we meet... And who gave you the impression I don't have Mora?"
Unlike that good-for-nothing old man Zhongli who goes out without Mora, when Jiang Ning goes out, his wallet is always stuffed full by Ningguang, his senior disciples, and the others.
It's the same now that he's in Inazuma.
He has Keqing and Lady Makoto.
Just as the two were staring at each other, an exaggerated laugh rang out.
"Hahahahaha! Shinobu, today let's eat here to celebrate the return of my Vision!"
----
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