"That figure… was that the Raiden Makoto?"
"She looked angry just now…"
"Yes… Lord Shogun is always gentle. I've never seen her like that."
People murmured in confusion.
Makoto was usually the one appearing in public—her gentle demeanor was known across the land.
"Was that… A-Ei just now?"
Kitsune Saiguu entered the hall in time to see Raiden Ei taking Jiang Yan away, frowning in confusion.
"What business does A-Ei have with Liyue's Heavenly Authority…?"
She muttered to herself, thought briefly, and followed.
…
Outside, Jiang Yan asked calmly:
"So, Miss Ei, what business do you have with me?"
Raiden Ei stopped walking and turned her gaze toward him.
"I want to spar with you."
Her words were so brief—
Jiang Yan froze.
"Huh?"
"Miss Raiden Ei, you're not joking, are you?"
He thought he misheard and asked again.
"No. I want to spar with you."
Ei's tone was firm.
"Ah… but I'm just a weak, scholarly Heavenly Authority of Liyue. How can I compare to a master like you?"
Jiang Yan didn't want to fight.
Ever since he obtained the Binary Star State, he'd grown lazy.
Aside from occasionally stretching his limbs, he rarely sought combat anymore.
Long gone were the days when he fought aggressively upon first gaining Wood Release.
"Don't pretend. You're strong."
Ei summoned her naginata, pointing it straight at him.
"I can feel it."
"You are my equal."
As a warrior of the highest level, Ei hadn't forgotten the abyss-like aura she felt from Jiang Yan.
This was the opponent she sought—
an equal.
Equal, huh…
He was being underestimated.
Jiang Yan chuckled softly.
Then he spoke:
"The fox lady behind you, and the Raiden Makoto—
Do you two agree to this?"
"After all, it's your person issuing the challenge…"
From behind him, Raiden Makoto and Kitsune Saiguu stepped out of the shadows.
"Ei, do you truly wish to spar with Lord Heavenly Authority?" Makoto asked with hesitation.
Jiang Yan was a guest from Liyue.
A reckless duel might disrupt diplomatic negotiations.
Ei nodded.
To her, not sparring with a strong opponent would leave her sleepless.
"My apologies, Lord Heavenly Authority. I didn't consider this carefully.
What do you think?" Makoto asked.
"If you wish not to fight, you may refuse."
"Hehe, I don't mind."
Jiang Yan smiled lightly, though his eyes were unfathomably deep.
"I'm only afraid of hurting Miss Ei. That would be difficult for you to explain."
Makoto didn't take his words seriously.
She had full confidence in her sister's strength.
"In that case—
let's begin!"
Ei's figure flickered into lightning as she swung her naginata.
In nearly an instant, a blade of thunder crashed down toward Jiang Yan—
But he simply raised two fingers—
And effortlessly caught the strike.
The razor-sharp blade met his fingers and stopped as though striking an unbreakable wall.
No matter how much strength Ei poured in—
she couldn't move the blade even a hair.
Her expression changed—and behind Jiang Yan, Makoto and Kitsune Saiguu froze in shock.
At that moment, all three understood:
They had underestimated the silver-haired, sharp-eared man before them.
"There's some strength… but not much."
Jiang Yan's calm voice sounded by Ei's ear.
He released the blade—
and vanished.
A split second later—
agony burst from Ei's abdomen.
Jiang Yan's fist was buried in her stomach.
BOOM!!!
Ei shot backward like a cannonball, crashing straight into a mountainside outside Inazuma City.
Even in his normal state—without Dual-Star—
Jiang Yan was terrifying.
"Ei!!"
Makoto and Saiguu paled with shock.
This Liyue Heavenly Authority—
His power was monstrous?!
He sent Ei flying in one hit!
As Ei's sister, Makoto naturally knew exactly how strong Ei was.
"Kh…"
Ei coughed blood lightly, eyes filled with fierce excitement.
Jiang Yan slowly descended before her.
"Shall we continue?"
He asked softly.
Makoto and Saiguu hurried to her side.
"Stop, Ei!"
"Fight!"
Ei's excited shout cut through the air.
Jiang Yan laughed.
Makoto and Saiguu both looked horrified.
"…Very well. I'll let you strike first," Jiang Yan said calmly.
"Otherwise you'll say I bullied you."
"Use your strongest move."
"The one they call… Musou no Hitachi."
A flicker of hesitation crossed Ei's gaze—
but vanished immediately.
He was strong.
Only that technique could match him.
"No, Lord Heavenly Authority—it's only a spar! There's no need to go that far!" Makoto and Saiguu protested desperately.
"It's fine," Jiang Yan replied flatly.
"If we're going to spar—
we may as well enjoy it."
"Come, Miss Ei."
"Show me…"
"Your Musou no Hitachi."
Ei staggered to her feet.
Looking at Jiang Yan's calm, effortless posture, she nodded.
"…Very well!"
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