Inazuma, Tenshukaku.
This was the Raiden Shogun's residence. Its interior was spacious, and Duels Before the Throne and audiences with foreign envoys were also held here.
Li Qiuzhi pushed open the door and walked inside.
He noticed that although there were hardly any windows, the standing lamp cabinets on either side cast brilliant white light onto the pale purple walls, keeping the place from feeling gloomy.
Instead, it gave off an air of dignity and majesty.
Li Qiuzhi looked ahead and saw a woman with long, deep purple hair standing on the steps at the far end of the room, her arms folded and her back to him.
"..."
As he slowly approached, he struggled inwardly with how to address her.
Should I say, "This humble subject greets the Shogun," or "This humble one greets the Shogun"? Or should I just call her "Your Excellency"?
With the first, he was not one of the Shogun's subjects, so referring to himself that way seemed inappropriate. The second sounded rather affected.
As expected, the third was best. Keeping things casual was fine; the Raiden Shogun would not mind such things.
Li Qiuzhi reached the foot of the steps and greeted her politely.
"Um... greetings, Your Excellency."
The Raiden Shogun turned around without a word, looked quietly at Li Qiuzhi, then spoke in a cool voice.
"Will you be an enemy who stands in the way of eternity?"
"Of course not. My companions and I only came to Inazuma to travel and adventure. Why would we become your enemies out of nowhere?"
Li Qiuzhi hurriedly denied it.
He really feared that if he said yes, the Shogun would immediately draw her sword from her chest.
"Then all is well."
The Raiden Shogun said only that, then raised her right hand above her partially