The crouching Yae Miko was displeased.
This wasn't how the script was supposed to go.
How could this person not understand the slightest bit of chivalry toward women?
If she were truly an ordinary human with slightly slower reflexes,
she would have been buried alongside these bandits.
As the young man approached, Yae Miko expected him to say something—
perhaps comfort her, then escort her home, or the like.
To her surprise, he simply retrieved his thrown dagger from the bandit's body
and walked away without even glancing back.
Yae Miko: ???
He just left like that???
Wait, no—this was where the fun began!
She quickly caught up to him. "Hey, wait a moment..."
What followed was the content of the novel Ruthless Sword.
——————
Back to the present.
Chinju Forest.
Yae Miko found herself restrained by Withering Glory: Snow Burial Over a Thousand Peaks.
With a smile, she said, "Long time no see."
Mu Yang didn't respond.
With this cunning fox, the more you said, the more mistakes you'd make.
His past self had likely seen through her true nature as well,
which was why he had refused to engage with her entirely.
Hearing no reply, Yae Miko chuckled.
"My, my, still the same as ever."
She seemed certain Mu Yang wouldn't harm her,
turning around casually to face him directly.
Mu Yang's blade pressed closer to her neck.
Ignoring the threat, Yae Miko suddenly shifted her form,
transforming into an ordinary Inazuman woman.
"Ah, I almost forgot—you're more familiar with this version of me..."
Of course, she hadn't "almost forgotten."
She had come prepared, deliberately staging this sudden shift, to observe Mu Yang's reaction and inform her next move.
Yet, all she saw in Mu Yang's eyes was confusion.
Naturally, he was confused—he'd never seen this form of Yae Miko before,
nor could he fathom why she'd suddenly take this appearance.
Still, based on her words, he deduced that
during their past acquaintance, she had used this mortal guise.
Yae Miko's plan failed.
She couldn't extract the reaction she wanted from his expression or gaze.
Reverting to her true form, she sighed.
"It seems that strike was too heavy-handed. Ah, what a hassle..."
"You and Ei are the same—two martial fanatics who never know when to hold back."
She spread her hands, signaling she meant no harm.
Now, Mu Yang pieced it together.
He had visited Inazuma and challenged the Raiden Shogun—
with the Raiden Shogun herself personally taking action.
He sheathed his sword, indicating he wanted to hear the story.
"Haven't you already read it? Ruthless Sword."
"You're the protagonist. That novel was personally written by me, the editor-in-chief."
This shocked Mu Yang.
Kokomi's resistance camp has a spy!
Damn it, does that mean Yae overheard everything I made up that day?
After a brief moment of surprise, he reconsidered.
This… wasn't surprising at all.
The resistance camp wasn't just made up of Watatsumi Island soldiers.
It also housed all sorts of fugitives and desperate souls seeking refuge.
"What happened at Tenshukaku?"
Instead of answering directly, Yae Miko flashed her trademark smile.
"I'll tell you when I feel like writing a sequel. Or perhaps—"
Mu Yang turned and walked away.
If he stayed, she'd start making demands.
Her intentions were far from pure.
Seeing this, Yae Miko covered her mouth with a sleeve and laughed, following him.
"Don't you want to recover your memories?"
Mu Yang stopped and looked at her, waiting to hear her proposal.
Yet what she suggested was simply
revisiting their past dueling grounds together, as they once had.
This, she claimed, would help restore his memory.
"I know you don't trust me now, but once you remember everything,
you'll understand my good intentions. Ah..."
Mu Yang studied her half-smiling expression.
Could you at least pretend to sigh convincingly? Who'd believe this act?
He was certain the cunning fox was plotting something—
likely trying to trap him with the story he'd fabricated for Kokomi.
He refused outright.
"No need. I was merely curious earlier. What's past is past."
"All I seek is the pinnacle of swordsmanship."
Hearing this, Yae Miko's smile faded.
"You haven't changed at all."
"Glad you noticed."
"Where are you going?"
"None of your business."
Yae Miko reminded him,
"You're currently a wanted fugitive—the 'Swordsman Slayer'..."
"So what?"
From her expression, Mu Yang caught a glimpse of something unfamiliar—
a hint of resignation, as if she'd long grown accustomed to his reckless defiance.
"Come with me."
She then led Mu Yang
to a small shrine near Byakko Plain.
The aura here was clearly abnormal.
Sure enough, as they approached,
a monster took on Mu Yang's form.
However, this creature was pathetically weak.
It could mimic appearances but not abilities,
and its imitation wasn't even convincing—
not only butchering his likeness but also fleeing in terror
from two disciples of the Meikyou Shisui style.
Yae Miko exorcised it effortlessly.
"I'll have someone inform the Tenryou Commission," she told Mu Yang.
"For now, return with me to the Grand Narukami Shrine.
Lifting a warrant requires bureaucratic procedures."
Mu Yang had expected her to demand something in return, yet she didn't.
She was genuinely helping.
Had he misjudged her?
From Ruthless Sword's plot, their bond didn't seem particularly deep.
Regardless, he'd play along for now.
After all, his current identity was just an ordinary Liyue traveler.
Being branded a murderer would be hard to shake off.
This was a significant favor.
One step at a time.
It's just Yae Miko—what's the worst she could do to me?
"Thanks. Lead the way."
Along the journey, Yae Miko intermittently struck up conversation.
Only then did Mu Yang realize neither had addressed the other by name,
yet their communication felt seamless.
He hadn't even asked for hers...
In the days that followed, Mu Yang remained at the Grand Narukami Shrine.
The warrant took far too long to rescind—
he began suspecting the shrine maidens and Tenryou Commission's efficiency.
When he finally prepared to leave,
Yae Miko mentioned she could arrange another duel with the Shogun,
but they'd need to await the latter's response.
All he had to do was stay put.
Now, Mu Yang understood.
She was keeping him under her thumb
as a card to play.
What are you waiting for?
The Traveler?
——————
Meanwhile, on parallel Earth.
Version 2.0, Genshin Impact! Start!