Shao Yun slowly closed the book in his hands, inwardly sighing, 'As expected of a work personally guided by Yae Miko!'
It truly portrayed Beelzebul's image so perfectly, without a single flaw. The events in Inazuma had absolutely nothing to do with this book at all! Everything was wiped clean!
No wonder they weren't selling any figurines of the Statue of Her Excellency, the Almighty Narukami Ogosho, God of Thunder anymore—so this was what they had been waiting for!
However, he also knew very well that this was, in the end, just a light novel. Like Romance of the Three Kingdoms compared to the actual historical record Records of the Three Kingdoms, there was no need to get hung up over it.
What's more, even the Raiden Shogun was already dead and had become a thing of the past.
So, for such a fictional story, Shao Yun would never be foolish enough to treat it as an actual historical biography.
It was just like that Western novel "Kid" Calloway—wasn't that also heavily adapted and fictionalized?
However, what troubled Shao Yun the most throughout the book was the emotional relationship between the protagonist "Huoyun" and the White Heron Princess.
To outsiders, it might just seem like the most ordinary kind of romantic subplot.
But as the real-life model for the novel's protagonist, Shao Yun felt more and more that something was off!
Especially when he thought about Yae Miko personally being involved in guiding the writing—he couldn't help but suspect that perhaps Junkichi and Yae Miko had made some kind of shady deal.
Given the way Junkichi had written Kamisato Ayaka's storyline, could this book really have been published so smoothly? This whole romance subplot was obviously Junkichi's own private agenda!
The strange feeling grew stronger and stronger, leading Shao Yun to a suspicion.
Maybe Junkichi's original draft had intended for the novel's protagonist and the White Heron Princess to truly end up together and get married!
But because the Kamisato Clan still existed, it had been changed to this version instead…
...
Overall, the work was excellent, and Junkichi's writing skill was impeccable.
However, for someone who was the story's real-life model, it was inevitable to feel some discomfort while reading—especially regarding Beelzebul's ending, which had clearly been subject to artistic liberties…
Shao Yun gave this calm evaluation.
"Perfect for readers to enjoy, but for me personally, some parts just feel… a bit strange."
"But well, considering Junkichi gave me thirty percent of his book profits before, I'll just take it as him having paid the copyright fee."
Yae Miko looked at Shao Yun's completely emotionless face and couldn't help but scratch her cheek.
"I was actually worried you'd be upset about it. I even thought about giving you part of the book's sales as compensation."
Shao Yun's tone remained calm as water. He was in a good mood now, and there was no need to fuss over money.
"Junkichi already paid me. But if you really want to give me something…"
Here, Shao Yun lightly shook the light novel in his hand.
"You could give me the first three published volumes of The Gunslinger Butcher from Fontaine. I've only gotten a rough idea of the first and second volumes from Thoma."
Yae Miko's lips twitched slightly as she muttered inwardly, 'This guy still can't let go of the idea of getting free books…'
However, seeing that Shao Yun wasn't angry over the book's contents, she relaxed a little and agreed.
"Once the Irodori Festival concludes, I'll have Yae Publishing House prepare a unique deluxe edition just for you."
Shao Yun's eyes lit up. "That's great."
...
Soon after, Shao Yun and Yae Miko continued chatting. Somehow, the topic shifted to Yae Miko acquiring the Raiden Shogun's authority.
Yae Miko lightly clapped her hands and smiled. "Strange as it is, after I acquired the Shogun's authority, some rather interesting changes happened to my body."
Hearing this, Shao Yun carefully observed her.
Her hair was still pink, her hairstyle unchanged.
Her eyes were the same color, her figure hadn't gotten heavier, and she was still wearing her unique shrine maiden outfit.
As for her, well… certain noticeable features—they were indeed larger than Lumine's… but Lumine had her own charms!
Shao Yun finished his quick appraisal and couldn't spot any difference, so he shrugged helplessly.
"I don't see any changes."
Yae Miko gracefully turned around, gently sweeping aside the hair down her back, revealing her flawless, jade-like skin.
Shao Yun focused and saw, right below her slender nape, a soft pink Electro sigil.
Her gentle, melodic voice sounded.
"Since I gained the Raiden Shogun's authority, this mark appeared—just like Ei's. But Ei's is a mysterious, deep purple, while mine is a unique pink."
Shao Yun had been expecting some shocking transformation, but it turned out to be just a mark on her back…
He stroked his chin and replied lightly, "Mm, not bad. It definitely suits your style."
After all, it was just an extra mark—not like she'd grown wings.
His eyes were drawn to the sigil, and his mind began to wander.
He wasn't mesmerized by her beautiful back—he was wondering: if the Electro Archon had such a mark, would the Anemo Archon and Geo Archon have similar ones?
And if so, where would theirs be?
The question made him even more curious…
...
After showing the sigil, Yae Miko turned back and their conversation naturally shifted toward their next destination—Sumeru.
In her melodious voice, Yae Miko briefly explained Sumeru's current state.
For example, that knowledge was considered a form of wealth…
In the end, she offered the best route to get there.
"Aether and Paimon talked to me a few days ago about Sumeru. Since The Chasm in Liyue is sealed by the Liyue Qixing…"
"My suggestion is that you sail from Ritou to Port Ormos in southern Sumeru, then head north to reach Sumeru City and meet the Lesser Lord Kusanali."
Yae Miko didn't know about Liyue's plan to reopen The Chasm, and Shao Yun wisely kept quiet about future events.
(When Shao Yun left Liyue and bid farewell to the Liyue high officials at Yujing Terrace, he passed the time by reading Liyue's confidential documents.)
"Thanks for the advice, but I'm afraid all plans will have to wait until after the Irodori Festival… you know how it is."
...
Shao Yun thought the conversation was wrapping up, but Yae Miko suddenly brought up Arataki Itto.
"By the way, there's something I need to tell you—about that oni youth, Arataki Itto. He went to the Grand Narukami Shrine a few days ago."
At first, Shao Yun thought he went there to learn some skill, but then he realized—what could an oni possibly learn from shrine maidens?
Bean-throwing to exorcise demons? That would take him out before his opponent.
An exorcism dance? Shao Yun wasn't a spirit—Itto could dance all day and it wouldn't matter.
After some thought, Shao Yun remembered the shrine's prayer offerings.
A sly look came into his eyes.
"Let me guess—did he rush to the shrine to wish for my death?"
Hearing this, Yae Miko's beautiful eyes widened slightly. "My, my, you do think fast!"
"Indeed, he poured his heart out to the shrine maidens, hoping to learn some earth-shattering technique like in the light novels, just so he could settle the score with you."
Shao Yun froze for a moment, then burst out laughing. "Hahaha! As expected, that does sound exactly like something Itto would do!"
But Yae Miko's expression grew serious. "Once the Irodori Festival ends, you should leave Inazuma and head for the next nation as soon as possible."
"Not because I doubt your ability to kill… but… the Red Oni tribe…"
Shao Yun's smile faded, replaced by a serious look.
"It all depends on what Lumine and Paimon think. As for Itto, while he's not the sharpest tool in the shed, he's straightforward and honest."
"As long as he doesn't target Lumine and Paimon, and only comes after me, I won't hold a grudge against someone that simple-minded."
Yae Miko felt relieved that Shao Yun wouldn't kill Itto outright.
"Well, I've said my piece. Enjoy the Irodori Festival. I'll be here at the Overseer's Office reading light novels—come see me if you need anything."
Shao Yun stroked his chin. "I don't have anything else to say. Maybe I'll come back later and read light novels with you to pass the time."
That was the truth—he had no interest in playing doorman to greet visitors. As long as Lumine and Paimon were having fun, that was enough.
...
Shao Yun left the Overseer's Office, and as soon as he stepped outside, he ran into Teppei, carrying a Kitain Cross Spear and patrolling with the resistance forces.
Teppei's eyes lit up when he saw him. "General Shao Yun, hello!"
Seeing Teppei in a resistance uniform, Shao Yun asked curiously, "Teppei? What are you doing on Ritou? You don't look like you're here for the Irodori Festival."
Teppei glanced at his outfit and explained, "Well, General Gorou said our Watatsumi Army is responsible for Ritou's security. I'm patrolling with the Sardine Squad." (Teppei is currently the captain of the Sardine Squad.)
Shao Yun remembered what Gorou had told him at the Tenryou Commission—the Watatsumi "resistance" was now in charge of Narukami Island's security.
Something seemed off, though. Teppei had said "Watatsumi Army"?
"Right, so you don't call yourselves the 'resistance' anymore?"
Teppei nodded happily. "That's right. Now that the war's over, Lady Sangonomiya and General Gorou told us to use the name 'Watatsumi Army' again."
Shao Yun thought it felt like they'd been officially absorbed into the government's army.
"Alright then, keep up the patrol. I won't keep you."
Teppei gave him a Watatsumi Army salute. "Yes, General Shao Yun. We'll be on our way."
With that, Teppei led the Sardine Squad off to continue patrolling.
It was worth noting that Teppei never brought up the Vision issue again.
Maybe the answer had already been given by "Uncle Yun," the victor of The Crux Clash Tournament.
'Even without a Vision, my life can still be just as fulfilling.'