Higi Village
Like its name suggested, Higi Village was surrounded by lush red maple trees, with the most massive one standing at its center—so thick that it would take five grown men linking arms to encircle its trunk. The entire village seemed to have been built around that ancient tree.
This maple held special significance for the villagers. A shimenawa rope was tied around its trunk, symbolizing the boundary between the divine and the mortal realm. The white paper streamers hanging from it implied that the gods would protect this place and its people.
But whether the gods had truly granted their blessings was... debatable.
Standing atop a nearby hill with Gorou, Bai Luo surveyed the village, his brow furrowing.
Desolation.
That was the only word that came to mind.
Abandoned carts littered the roadside, buried under fallen maple leaves. Water jars, once used for storage, were left carelessly scattered—some still holding water, but most seemingly untouched for ages. Moss crept over the stone walls, a clear sign of neglect.
The houses were all thatched-roof cottages, many of which had partially collapsed under the relentless rain. Yet no one had bothered to repair them.
If this had been an abandoned settlement, none of this would have been strange.
But... people still lived here.
From this distance, Bai Luo couldn't see inside the houses, but the villagers themselves were unmistakable.
Under the endless drizzle, they wandered like lost souls—some huddled beneath trees, others slumped against walls. A few stared blankly at the sky, lost in thought. Some muttered prayers, repeatedly bowing toward the great maple at the village center.
And then there were those who, like the madmen in Musoujin Gorge, clutched their ears in terror, as if tormented by whispers only they could hear.
"What... happened here?"
Gorou's ears instinctively pricked up—a sign of unease.
He had visited Higi Village before. In his memories, the people had lived simply, but never in such ruin.
"This is the Tatarigami's doing."
Having witnessed the horrors in the gorge, Bai Luo was strangely calm.
Gorou's reaction made it clear—while the resistance spoke of "resolving" the Tatarigami issue, they had no idea just how devastating its effects could be.
To them, the Tatarigami might have just meant oppressive weather and a gloomy atmosphere.
But for Higi Village, right next to Musoujin Gorge?
This was hell.
"We should scout ahead. At least confirm if there are still sane people left."
The water jars showed signs of recent use. The vegetable patches nearby had been freshly harvested.
This meant that, despite appearances, some villagers were still functioning normally.
And those people might be the key to solving this.
"M-Me?"
Gorou blinked.
It wasn't fear—as the resistance's general, he was far from a coward. But his distinctive dog ears and tail made him instantly recognizable.
If he walked in now, the furious villagers might swarm him.
Not that he couldn't handle them. As a seasoned commander, taking down an entire village wouldn't be an issue.
If he could bring himself to do it.
"With my abilities, anyone hiding in the shadows would sense me immediately. That would... complicate things."
Bai Luo was lying through his teeth.
Yes, he was strong. Back in Liyue, his overwhelming sword intent would have been impossible to conceal.
But Beater made him seem like an ordinary man. Even the Maguu Kenki, a construct that only responded to swordsmanship, hadn't recognized his prowess until their blades crossed.
(Passive Skill: [Beater]
The Black Swordsman excels at concealing his own strength, making it impossible for any unit to detect any of his information.)
Fooling these villagers? Easy.
"You're right, Mr. Himura, but... I'd stand out just as much. Maybe we should retreat and send an ordinary soldier instead?"
Gorou didn't doubt him.
Not because he was suddenly dumb—but because he'd grown too used to Bai Luo's strength.
Beater might as well not exist to him.
It was like tasting a sour Sunsettia—even if someone swore it was sweet now, you'd still expect it to be sour.
"The state of this village means the Tatarigami's influence runs deep. An ordinary soldier wouldn't stand a chance. Besides..."
Bai Luo tilted his umbrella slightly, his voice low.
"This place is on the brink of collapse. We don't have time to waste."
He already had a plan.
"Then... what do we do? Should I just risk it?"
Gorou's tail wagged anxiously—not from excitement, but worry. He genuinely cared.
Just as he steeled himself to charge in, Bai Luo spoke again, leisurely.
"That's why I brought my secret weapon."
With a meaningful glance, he motioned for Gorou to follow as they stepped onto the maple-covered path leading into Higi Village.
At the village outskirts stood a dilapidated thatched hut, long abandoned. Normally, such a place would have been seized by refugees, yet no one had come near it.
Though the roof leaked, it was still better than staying outside.
Finding a dry spot inside, Bai Luo unwrapped his bundle.
Gorou peered in—and froze.
Inside was an elaborate set of clothing.
The design was strikingly similar to his own uniform—same colors, same accessories.
But compared to his rugged combat attire, this outfit looked...
Well...
Feminine?
When Bai Luo pulled it out fully, Gorou's suspicions were confirmed.
This was a modified version of his outfit—as a dress.
Even the included wig matched his hair color and style perfectly.
"M-Mr. Himura... what's this for?"
As Gorou struggled to process this, Bai Luo turned to him with a smile that sent chills down his spine.
Gorou: "...Why are you looking at me like that?"
Bai Luo: "Take a wild guess."