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Chapter 120 - Chapter 119: The Crux

On the pier, wooden cranes, operated by several strong laborers, were moving cargo onto the ship one by one.

The sailors were also inspecting the condition of the hull. After all, they would be living on this ship for a long time, and if anything happened to it, the sailors would also be buried at sea with it. No one wanted to joke with their own lives.

Beside the harbor was a small market. Initially, only a few fishermen sold their catch here after fishing.

As the foot traffic increased, vegetables, fruits, and other goods also began to be peddled here, clearly turning into a small market.

Because some goods needed to be purchased in person, Beidou had started registering at her desk early, selecting items that absolutely had to be brought along.

However, she would occasionally look up towards Chihu Rock, as today was Kazuha's last day of vacation, and she wondered if he had found the person who called himself Battousai.

Both she and Ningguang attached great importance to this person named Battousai. It wasn't just Kazuha; they had also secretly and openly sent people to search for Battousai.

They had indeed heard about the Ronin from Inazuma and knew that he seemed to have had some conflict with the Fatui, and even the Fatui were looking for him, but no one had been able to find out where he was.

Battousai was definitely a very dangerous individual. If he were in Inazuma, Beidou and Ningguang naturally wouldn't worry. After all, even if he possessed the ability to slay gods, it wouldn't concern Liyue.

Beidou might even respect him as a true man. But in Liyue... this guy was definitely a potential threat.

This special god-slaying power had to be in their own hands to be safe. Liyue was in a tumultuous period recently; not only had the Fatui instructor traveled across the ocean to the mainland, but that Battousai from Inazuma had also arrived.

Coupled with the inexplicable sky-piercing pillar of light, it seemed all sorts of strange and dangerous characters had gathered in Liyue, which was truly a headache.

Speaking of which, Battousai seemed to have appeared with the Instructor; could they have come from Inazuma together? Then... could there be some connection between them?

"Hmm?"

Another casual glance, but this time she saw that familiar figure, and the red-robed Inazuman following behind him.

The red-robed Inazuman was not as serious and mature as Beidou had imagined. On the contrary... judging by his slightly brisk steps and the lower half of his face visible outside the mask, he was actually younger than everyone had imagined.

Could such a person truly be the Battousai who injured the Raiden Shogun?

"Kazuha, if you had returned one day later, we might have left you behind." Beidou first greeted Kazuha jokingly, then looked at Battousai who had been following him. "Is this truly..."

"Captain, this is Battousai, whom I mentioned to you. He is currently also considered a hero in the Resistance." Kazuha's words were perfectly accurate.

Even though Bai Luo had never said he would join the Resistance, among the Resistance, his renown had once even surpassed that of the Divine Priestess, becoming a hero in everyone's eyes.

Even when rumors later emerged that he had died under the Shogun's blade, his reputation remained high, even becoming a spiritual pillar for many.

Because if the rumors were not mistaken, this person had injured the Raiden Shogun purely through swordsmanship, not elemental power. His appearance also gave hope to those not gazed upon by a god. However, whether this was hope or another kind of despair, remained unknown.

"Mr. Himura, this is the head of the Crux Fleet and the captain of the Alcor, Captain Beidou." When introducing Beidou, Kazuha showed both respect and a hint of pride.

It seemed that after spending time together, he had already considered himself a member of the Alcor. No wonder he didn't return to Inazuma after the Sakoku Decree was lifted; perhaps for him, the Alcor was his only home?

"I am Himura Kenshin, a swordsman who wanders the world." Bai Luo held his reversed-blade katana and bowed slightly, greeting Beidou in the Inazuman style.

"Kenshin? That truly is a name suited for sword practice." Beidou took a deep look at the reversed-blade katana held in Bai Luo's arms, speaking as if in admiration.

In truth, both she and Ningguang had suspected whether this guy could injure a god because of the weapon in his hand.

A reversed-blade katana, a sword with its edge facing towards oneself—how could such a weapon appear in the hands of a peerless swordsman? There was only one possibility: it possessed effects unattainable by ordinary blades.

Most importantly... she always felt that Himura Kenshin's voice sounded familiar, as if she had heard it somewhere before. But trying to recall specifically, she couldn't pinpoint where.

Perhaps this guy had interacted with her when he took off his mask, or perhaps she had heard his voice somewhere before.

"I used to be called Shinta, but my sword master said that name was too gentle, so he changed it to Kenshin."

[A/N: Shinta was the previous name of the protagonist of Kenshin Himura anime]

"He sounds like a strict master. Would you like to come aboard and sit?"

"Sure." Bai Luo had intended to get on the ship anyway, so how could he refuse Beidou's invitation?

At Beidou's order, the crew and the dockhands began to move the purchased goods onto the ship together.

Among this group of helpers, a thin figure was very conspicuous. He seemed to have some illness; he was much thinner and shorter than others.

But he was still struggling to carry the goods. The dockhands were quite considerate of him, not giving him heavy cargo to transport, but letting him carry the lightest and smallest boxes. Even so, it was still a bit too heavy for him.

As he stepped onto the gangplank connecting to the Alcor, his body tilted, and the box he was carrying on his back almost fell. Fortunately, Bai Luo, who was nearby, instinctively gave him a steadying hand.

"What are you doing! Steady yourself! I told you not to come if you can't handle it! Isn't it better to guard the gate at the Ministry of Civil Affairs?!" This scene happened to be seen by the passing foreman, who rushed over frantically and gave the man a fierce scolding.

Though he looked menacing, his eyes subtly revealed concern. It seemed he was afraid Bai Luo would blame the man and wanted to get ahead of it by giving him some harmless scolding.

The man nodded submissively, straightened his back as much as possible, and transported the goods onto the ship.

Where there is light, there will be shadow. Even in a prosperous place like Liyue, there would be similar impoverished families.

Fortunately, there were quite a few good people among the dockhands, otherwise it would be another dark fairy tale. However, Bai Luo had just noticed that the box he helped steady seemed to be a fruit box. *Hiss*... Could it be Sunsettias?

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