"Such a simple wish, but unfortunately, I cannot tell you."
The dragon's head turned to Yae Miko. "As a divine familiar, you are already part of the game. Knowing these matters now would bring you no benefit."
"But knowing couldn't make things worse, could it?"
Yae Miko's gaze was unwavering. "I want to know what you were plotting."
"You..."
Zhongli scrutinized Yae Miko for a long moment before shaking his head.
"No. Your strength is insufficient. Even with your natural gift for strategy, some things cannot be bridged by intellect alone."
"Even Gu Sheng, unparalleled in strategy, once faltered. Without the power to match your position on the chessboard, the only thing awaiting you is pain and heavy losses."
"Little fox, do not be hasty. The time is not yet ripe."
"Leave. Leave now..."
The dragon's head receded fully into the swirling clouds, leaving Yae Miko standing motionless, lost in thought.
Strategy, is it? Even now, am I not qualified to join their game?
She bit her lip in frustration but bowed respectfully to the retreating dragon before exiting the mysterious space.
"Morax, Barbatos—tsk, just thinking about it makes me a little angry."
Flying through the air, Yae Miko pouted slightly in irritation before clearing her throat, remembering this was not her private sanctuary at the Grand Narukami Shrine. Composing herself, she returned to her refined, elegant demeanor.
"Hmph, if that esteemed gentleman won't tell me, I'll just have to find another way."
Yae Miko spread her hands in mock helplessness, her expression sly in the moments before her projection vanished.
"If you won't share, don't blame me for sending someone to shadow your little protégé when he visits Inazuma."
"You've been planning this for so long. I refuse to believe your little disciple has no part to play. Keeping someone near him will surely yield some of the information I need."
"Or perhaps… your little protégé is part of the plan itself?"
---
The clouds rippled as Zhongli materialized on the ground, his hand brushing over the weathered surface of a rock etched with the passage of time.
"Ha. A clever little fox."
"Staying near that boy would indeed reveal some things. But doesn't she realize that the more one knows, the greater their fear might grow?"
Zhongli clasped his hands behind his back, his gaze shifting toward Liyue Harbor. From afar, he saw Gu Sanqiu leaving his house, likely heading to find Arataki Itto for some mischief before freeloading dinner.
"Sanqiu, keep striving. Those who say you lack Gu Shenfan's unmatched strength or Gu Sheng's strategic genius only see half the truth.
"The day you break your chains will be the day the world recognizes your potential anew. And the day Liyue Harbor undergoes its own metamorphosis."
Zhongli's figure faded into the distance. Today, with Inazuma guests visiting Liyue Harbor, the renowned and learned guest consultant of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor had an invitation.
It's been a while since I've tasted Mechanicus cuisine. It should be a refreshing experience.
Perhaps he should also consider compensating the boy for his troubles. After all, making the kid foot the bill for every meal was hardly befitting of a senior.
But on second thought, with Gu Sanqiu dabbling in the forces of law and principles, giving him anything further might only lead to more chaos.
Better for my blood pressure to let it be.
The fading image of Yae Miko's projection lingered in Zhongli's mind. Her plans to have someone shadow Gu Sanqiu to glean secrets were obviously to avoid interference from the boy's "guardian."
But to Zhongli, these small-scale moves didn't warrant his concern.
"Besides..."
A slight smile—mischievous, almost impish—curved Zhongli's lips. It was the sort of grin that could charm thousands of women in Liyue Harbor.
"Does she really think anyone could keep up with that boy's erratic mind and reckless actions?"
As the Geo Archon, Zhongli could see the flaws in her plan. Yae Miko, who had limited interactions with the Gu family, clearly underestimated their quirks.
In Inazuma's sparse records of Liyue, the Gu family's reputation was remarkably positive, noted for aiding those with noble aspirations.
But such favorable records conveniently obscured the family's… unconventional behavior.
If Yae Miko intended to infiltrate their game through Gu Sanqiu, she'd better brace herself. The mental and spiritual strain alone would be overwhelming.
"Let's see if the little fox ends up stunned. After all, the future belongs to your generation."
Zhongli departed with a knowing smile, leaving his true thoughts a mystery.
---
"Boss, this is delicious! And this one's even better!"
At the banquet, Arataki Itto was enthusiastically devouring his food, occasionally downing a glass of juice, fully embodying his "big eater" persona.
"Slow down. No one's taking it from you," Gu Sanqiu said with a helpless chuckle. "Good thing I asked them to set up a private room. If we were outside, that priestess Sakura Kai Seven-whatever might've killed you for this eating display."
"Eh, Boss, you've got it wrong. Sister Sakura is really nice to me! When she teaches me things like etiquette and swordsmanship, she's super serious."
Arataki Itto paused, emerging briefly from a mountain of plates and bowls. "Way better than that fox woman—uh, I mean Lady Yae Miko!"
Gu Sanqiu rubbed his temple. "What did Yae Miko do to you that made you this afraid of her?"
Honestly, he was starting to suspect the poor oni had undergone some kind of "electric therapy."
Itto's expression turned awkward. "Well, it all started when I asked Sayu the ninja to buy some snacks for me. I made new friends, and we were all having fun eating. But we accidentally got grease stains on one of Lady Yae's novels."
!!!
Gu Sanqiu looked genuinely shocked.
Considering the gravity of such an offense, the fact that Itto was alive and sharing this story was nothing short of miraculous.
Unless… Yae Miko had gone easy on him. Maybe she'd decided to spare the life of this hapless oni.
"So, how did she punish you?"
Itto stopped chewing, his face falling into an expression of deep dread. "Boss, can we not talk about this while I'm eating? If I remember what happened, I'll probably lose my appetite."
"Fine, whatever makes you happy."
It must've been truly traumatic. And if Itto suffered, little Sayu's punishment couldn't have been light either.
Maybe something like a strict enforced sleep schedule? Or worse—denied sleep altogether.
---
T/N: lmao sister sakura seven whatever LMAOO
...
Huh. You really stuck it out all the way to the end.
Didn't think you had the patience. Guess I was wrong.
WiseTL's the one who actually made all this come together. I'm just here putting a bow on it... or, well, shoving it in a backpack and calling it a day. Same thing.
If you had fun, you know what to do:
👉 [patreon.com/WiseTL]
And if you're the social type, there's a Discord too. Pretty decent spot to hang out—no battles required.
👉 [discord.gg/wisetl]
Alright. That's enough standing around. Go on—before you make it weird.
—Leaf