An Invitation from Liyue

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Morning light streamed through Tenshukaku's paper windows, casting dappled patterns of light and shadow across the tatami.

Baichen slowly opened his eyes and felt a faint prickling pain in his chest.

He looked down. The blue of the ice markings had faded until it was almost invisible, leaving only a few faint traces, like the last thin ice melting on a winter lake. The Thunder Sakura ointment Ei had given him was indeed highly effective.

Over the past three days, whenever the ointment was applied to his skin, Baichen could feel a warm Electro power seep into his body and counteract the Cryo left by Bronya.

The bone-deep chill gradually faded, and his nightmares became much less frequent as well.

Last night, he had even dreamed of Narukami Island's cherry blossoms instead of Snezhnaya's endless blizzards.

[System notification]

[Time remaining on Emblem of Ice: 8 hours]

[Raiden Shogun's affection: 59% (stable)]

It's finally almost gone...

Baichen let out a long breath and reached up to touch the markings on his chest.

The temperature beneath his fingertips was nearly normal again, no longer as bone-chillingly cold as it had been at first.

Just as he was basking in the joy of his release, a warning suddenly popped up from the system:

[Don't celebrate too early!]

[Bronya's snowflake pendant is still with Kujou!]

The reminder made Baichen sit bolt upright.

That was right. The pendant Ei had confiscated that day-that delicate snowflake-shaped ornament-was probably locked in a secret room somewhere in Tenshukaku now.

Compared with the ice markings on his chest, an ornament he couldn't wear seemed less urgent, but it was a token Bronya had personally given Baichen...

A gentle knock at the door interrupted his thoughts.

The maid outside bowed respectfully. "Lord Baichen, the Shogun ordered me to bring you breakfast and clothes."

The breakfast on the maid's tray was much more lavish than usual: a fresh sashimi platter, steaming miso soup, freshly steamed rice, and a small dish of pickled plums.

Beside it lay a brand-new set of casual clothes. The pale purple kimono was lined with soft silk, and delicate lightning patterns embroidered along the hem shimmered faintly in the morning light.

"The Shogun said you may go where you please all day today."

As the maid hung the clothes on the screen, she added, "But please be sure to return before sunset, or else..."

Her gaze lingered for a moment on the ice markings on Baichen's chest before she quickly looked away. "Would you like help changing your dressing?"

"No, thank you. I can do it myself." Baichen politely declined her offer.

The arrangement surprised him somewhat. Ever since Baichen had returned from Snezhnaya, Ei had clearly loosened her control over him considerably.

She no longer required him to train every day and even allowed him to walk around the city alone-though he knew the Okuzumeshuu, or perhaps even Kujou herself, had to be watching from the shadows.

[Raiden Shogun's trust +5%]

[Note: Appropriate freedom granted]

After changing, Baichen stood before the bronze mirror and examined himself.

The kimono was well tailored, without being so splendid as to attract attention.

The collar had been cleverly designed to sit slightly higher, just enough to cover the traces of the ice markings on his chest.

Inazuma City was livelier in the morning than in the afternoon.

As he stepped out of Tenshukaku, fresh air washed over him, carrying the distinctive saltiness of the sea breeze and the aroma of food drifting from afar.

Street vendors had already set up their stalls and were calling out to advertise their fresh ingredients;

Housewives moved from stall to stall with bamboo baskets on their arms, bargaining skillfully;

Samurai patrolled in groups of two or three, their armor gleaming in the sunlight.

As he passed the tricolor dango shop, the proprietress recognized Baichen at once and enthusiastically waved the dango skewer in her hand. "Lord Baichen!

"We have freshly made strawberry daifuku today. Would you like some?"

Her voice was loud enough to make the pedestrians around them turn and look.

With no Kujou there to stop him this time, Baichen gladly accepted the invitation.

The proprietress immediately took an exquisite lacquered box from beneath the counter. Inside were four snow-white daifuku, neatly arranged and topped with bright red strawberry slices.

"I saved these especially for you," she said with a mysterious wink. "The fresh strawberries were shipped over from Ritou just this morning."

The soft, chewy exterior wrapped around a strawberry filling that was sweet without being cloying. When Baichen took a bite, sweet and tart juice burst in his mouth, and a feeling of happiness welled up inside him.

The proprietress leaned closer and lowered her voice. "I heard you went to Snezhnaya?

"What were the desserts like there?"

Baichen recalled the exquisite pastries he had tasted in the palace in Snezhnaya. "They were beautiful, with very elaborate carvings and shapes, but..." He frowned. "

"Too sweet. A couple of bites were enough to make them cloying. Inazuma gets the sweetness just right-you can taste the ingredients themselves."

The proprietress was so pleased that her eyes narrowed to slits, and she pressed an exquisite wooden box into Baichen's hands:

"Try this freshly made dorayaki! There's a little salt in the red bean filling. It's a new flavor that's become very popular with young people lately!"

[Status gained: Culinary satisfaction]

[Effect: Mood +20% for 2 hours]

The dorayaki in the wooden box still held the warmth of the oven, its surface golden and crisp.

The moment Baichen bit into it, the sweet-and-salty red bean filling did indeed give him an unexpectedly delicious experience.

After thanking the proprietress, he continued strolling down the street, enjoying a sense of ease he hadn't felt in a long time.

There was no signing event at Yae Publishing House today, and with the queue outside gone, it seemed much quieter.

When he pushed the door open, the wind chime rang clearly. The clerk behind the counter looked up, saw Baichen, and immediately smiled knowingly:

"Lord Baichen, the Guuji said you might come by and left a message especially for you-

"Little one, feel free to browse her treasured original manuscript of Reborn as the Raiden Shogun~."

Baichen hesitated, but his curiosity got the better of him, and he walked toward the inner room.

The cabinet where Miko kept her treasured manuscripts was made of fine cherrywood and gave off a faint fragrance.

He opened the doors to find a thick stack of manuscripts neatly arranged inside, each volume carefully bound with ribbon.

The title at the top of the stack was plainly written: "Volume Twenty: The Tsaritsa's Temptation." He turned to the first page, which described scenes of Bronya teasing "Baichen" in all sorts of ways in Snezhnaya:

"Bronya's slender fingers, like fine white jade, gently stroked Baichen's porcelain-smooth cheek, as though touching a rare treasure.

"Her movements were soft and delicate, as if she were afraid of hurting the young man.

"Yet in stark contrast to her gentle movements was the dangerous light flickering in her ice-blue eyes.

"It was like the North Star on a frigid night, cold and dazzling, enough to send a chill down one's spine.

"'How could a blockhead like Raiden Ei possibly appreciate such an adorable familiar?'

"Bronya murmured softly, a trace of disdain and regret in her voice.

"Her words brushed past Baichen's ear like a cold wind, making him shiver.

"Bronya slowly pressed Baichen into a corner, drawing closer and closer until he could even feel the chill of her breath condensing into frost by his ear.

"'The chill spread down his neck, making his body tremble involuntarily.'"

The details were so rich it was as though the author had seen everything firsthand, and Baichen felt his ears grow hot. More unsettling still, at least a third of the events had actually happened to him...

"The Guuji said this was necessary artistic embellishment~," the clerk explained with a beaming smile, having appeared behind him at some point. "The next installment will be even more exciting! I hear there'll be a scene where you bathe together in a hot spring..."

[Yae Miko's affection +1%, currently 28%]

Baichen quickly shut the manuscript and fled Yae Publishing House.

It felt far too strange to be the model for a character in Miko's novel, especially when some of the events in the story had really happened.

Standing in the street, he took several deep breaths before the heat in his face finally subsided.

The cherry blossoms in Hanamizaka had begun to fall, their pink and white petals dancing on the wind and spreading a soft carpet over the stone pavement.

As he strolled along, Baichen suddenly spotted a familiar figure standing beneath a Thunder Sakura in full bloom-

Was Ganyu still in Inazuma?

Today, Ganyu had changed into a pale blue Liyue-style dress, with an exquisite jade pendant tied at her waist and pearl ornaments decorating her qilin horns, sparkling in the sunlight.

She gazed up at the cherry blossoms with a focused, gentle expression, occasionally jotting something down in a small notebook she held.

"Miss Ganyu?" Baichen greeted her in surprise. "You haven't returned to Liyue yet?"

"Oh, Mr. Baichen!"

Ganyu turned around, her coral-colored eyes widening slightly as a faint blush appeared on her face. "Lady Ningguang sent me to stay a few extra days... to examine the progress of Inazuma's reconstruction." She took a more formal document folder from her bag. "Since I've run into you... may I ask you a few questions?"

Ganyu's questions were detailed and professional, ranging from the living conditions of Inazuma's people to the progress of its commercial recovery, and even down to the extent of recent fluctuations in grain prices.

She took notes so attentively that she didn't even notice her blue hair falling onto the page.

Partway through her notes, she suddenly lowered her voice:

"Actually... Lady Ningguang would like to invite you to visit Liyue."

She took a gold-stamped invitation from her sleeve and offered it to Baichen with both hands. "Next month is the 'travel season.' We hope you can attend as Inazuma's representative."

The invitation was made of fine silk paper, smooth and delicate to the touch. A faint scent of agarwood wafted out when he opened it, and the words inside, written in gold powder, gleamed in the sunlight.

The wording was respectful and appropriate. It bore the personal signature of "Ningguang, the Tianquan," with a vermilion seal beside it.

[Item obtained: Liyue invitation]

"This..." Baichen hesitantly closed the invitation. "I'll need to ask the Raiden Shogun..."

"Of course, I understand." Ganyu smiled and nodded, the tips of her ears reddening slightly. "Lady Ningguang has already sent someone to deliver the formal diplomatic documents."

She suddenly remembered something and took a small jade box from the brocade pouch at her waist. "This is a gift in advance... Lady Ningguang said to please accept it whether or not you can make the trip."

Inside the jade box was an exquisite jade thumb ring, green throughout, with what looked like rippling water flowing within it, refracting a captivating luster in the sunlight.

Baichen was just about to thank her when Ganyu suddenly raised a finger to her lips. "Don't let Miss Kujou see... She seems especially wary of me."

[Ganyu's affection +2%, currently 24%]

[Note: A delicate balance between official duties and personal desires]

Sure enough, Kujou Sara had appeared not far away at some point, her sharp gaze fixed directly on them.

Ganyu immediately resumed her businesslike expression, politely excused herself, and departed. Kujou strode over, eyeing Ganyu's retreating figure suspiciously:

"What did that secretary give you this time?"

"Just... some information about Liyue." Baichen gave a vague answer and quietly hid the jade thumb ring in his sleeve.

Kujou didn't press him, merely reminding him that it was time for lunch.

The two went to Uyuu Restaurant, where the proprietress immediately greeted them warmly. "Lady Kujou, Lord Baichen, your private room is ready!"

The room was on the second floor, with an unobstructed view of Inazuma City's main street through the window. The dishes had just all been served-

A fresh sashimi platter, charcoal-grilled sweetfish, and oden simmered to perfection-

When a familiar voice suddenly came from behind the screen:

"Oh my, isn't that little Baichen?"

Miko had appeared in the neighboring private room at some point, with Sangonomiya Kokomi seated beside her.

A flask of sake and several small dishes sat before them, and they looked as though they had been chatting for a long time.

Miko was dressed in casual clothes today, and the kagura bells in her hair rang clearly as she moved;

Kokomi wore a pale pink kimono, the pearls on her hair ornaments glittering in the sunlight.

"Lady Guuji and Lady Sangonomiya?" Kujou stood up in surprise, her hand moving to her sword hilt without her noticing. "You two..."

"Just a little get-together between girls~" Miko swirled her cup, sending the pink liquid spinning inside. "Would you like to join us? There are only two of you, after all. How boring."

Kokomi smiled and nodded in greeting. "We were discussing cultural exchange between Watatsumi Island and Inazuma City." Her gaze fell on Baichen, and a trace of concern flashed through her blue eyes. "Mr. Baichen, you look much better than you did a few days ago. It seems the Shogun's medicine is very effective."

[Sangonomiya Kokomi's affection +1%, currently 22%]

[Yae Miko's affection +1%, currently 29%]

Kujou firmly declined the invitation, insisting they eat as originally planned.

But Miko still took the opportunity to slip a small paper packet through the gap in the screen. "Try this, my special 'Sakura Intoxication'... It works best when you use it in your bath at night~"

The packet contained several flakes of pink bath salt, which gave off the sweet fragrance of cherry blossoms mixed with a hint of mellow fermented rice wine.

Baichen quickly put it away so Kujou wouldn't notice.

[Item obtained: Miko's Sakura Intoxication bath salts]

[Effect: Relieves fatigue and mildly calms the mind]

The afternoon's plan was to visit Naganohara Fireworks and help Yoimiya test a new formula.

From a distance, he could see Yoimiya with her trademark orange twin tails, her work clothes covered in traces of gunpowder of various colors.

She was standing on tiptoe, searching for something on a shelf.

When she saw them, Yoimiya immediately waved excitedly:

"You're just in time! Help me test this 'Lightning Firework'! It's a new product I spent three whole nights developing!"

Several unusually shaped firework tubes stood in the backyard, their surfaces coated in sparkling purple paint.

Yoimiya deftly lit the fuse, and a firework shot into the sky with a whoosh. It successfully burst into a chibi portrait of the Raiden Shogun, accompanied by the crackling sound of Electro, and lasted a full five seconds before fading.

"Well?" Yoimiya leaned closer expectantly, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I'm planning to set it off at the next festival!

"I can make versions with different expressions too!"

"It's... very creative," Baichen answered with an awkward laugh, imagining Ei's expression when she saw the firework. "But does the Shogun know?"

Yoimiya stuck out her tongue and made a face. "It's a surprise! A festival's supposed to be lively!"

She took a small handheld firework from under the workbench. "This is for you, an improved version of the 'cold-light firework.' It changes through seven colors now!

"And it's completely soundless and lightless, so you can play with it under the covers at night without anyone finding out!"

[Yoimiya's affection +2%, currently 37%]

[Item obtained: Rainbow Cold-Light Firework]

[Effect: Soundless and lightless, gradually changes through seven colors]

By the time they left the fireworks shop, the sun was sinking in the west, dyeing Inazuma City's rooftops gold.

Kujou urged Baichen to return to Tenshukaku, but as they passed Komore Teahouse, Taroumaru suddenly ran out and blocked their path:

"Woof, woof!" (Lady Kamisato is waiting for you inside!)

Sure enough, Ayaka was sitting by the window, with two cups of matcha set before her.

The setting sun cast dappled shadows over her through the window lattice, making her look like someone from a painting. When she saw them enter, she bowed gracefully:

"Sorry to bother you so suddenly... I just wanted to ask if you still liked the sachet from last time."

Her voice was as gentle as a spring breeze. "I added a few new ingredients to the recipe."

"It's very effective, thank you," Baichen answered honestly. "After I put it by my pillow, I've been sleeping much better, and I've had fewer nightmares."

Ayaka's eyes lit up, and a gentle smile appeared on her lips. "That's wonderful."

She took a small cloth pouch from her sleeve, the Kamisato Clan's crest embroidered on the fabric. "This is some extra incense powder... You can put it under your pillow.

"I added a little mint to the recipe this time. It can help relieve fatigue."

The pouch contained dried camellia petals mixed with some kind of calming herb, giving off a cool fragrance.

Kujou didn't stop her this time. She simply stood guard at the side, her gaze moving back and forth between Ayaka and Baichen.

[Kamisato Ayaka affection +1%, current: 39%]

[Item obtained: calming incense powder]

[Effect: extends the sachet's effectiveness]

When they returned to Tenshukaku, Ei was practicing swordsmanship in the courtyard.

Her long purple hair traced graceful arcs through the air as she moved, and her tachi flashed coldly in the setting sun.

When she saw them, Ei sheathed her sword. The loose strands of hair on her forehead were damp with sweat, clinging to her fair skin.

The front of her clothes had also come slightly open from the strenuous exercise, revealing her delicate collarbones.

"Did you have fun?" she asked casually, taking a towel from a maid and gently wiping the sweat from her neck.

"Yes, we went to lots of places." Baichen hesitated, then took out the invitation from Liyue. "Miss Ganyu gave me this..."

Ei glanced at the invitation, her expression unchanged. "Ningguang has already sent an official document."

She handed her tachi to an attendant and walked toward the tea room. "Come inside. We'll talk."

The tea room was filled with the delicate fragrance of fine tea.

Ei read the invitation carefully, then picked up the jade thumb ring Ningguang had sent and held it up to the light for inspection. Finally, she nodded.

"You may go," she said unexpectedly. "But there are a few conditions."

Ei's conditions were clear: Baichen had to be accompanied by Tenryou Commission guards, stay no longer than two weeks, and report on his situation every day using special talismans.

As she spoke, she took out a stack of talisman papers, the electro patterns on them glowing faintly.

[Raiden Shogun affection +2%, current: 61%]

[Note: wary of a rival]

After dinner, Ei suddenly suggested going up to the roof to watch the stars.

The two made their way up a hidden staircase in Tenshukaku and finally sat down on the highest upturned eave.

From this vantage point, all of Inazuma City lay before them, its countless lights like stars fallen to earth.

The night breeze brushed past, carrying the scent of the sea and the fragrance of distant cherry blossoms.

"When do we leave?" Baichen asked.

"In five days." Ei gazed into the distance, moonlight casting a silvery glow over her profile. "You'll travel on a Liyue merchant ship."

She paused. "Ganyu will accompany you the whole way to make sure nothing happens to you."

The night breeze stirred her long hair, strands occasionally brushing Baichen's cheek, carrying the faint scent of thunder sakura and a trace of sweat from her earlier exertion.

In this quiet moment, Ei looked less imposing and more like an ordinary, beautiful woman, the star-filled sky reflected in her purple eyes.

"What are you thinking about?" she suddenly asked, her voice much gentler than usual.

"I was thinking... about what Liyue would be like," Baichen answered honestly. "I've heard the Jade Chamber towers into the clouds, and there's a huge statue of the Geo Archon..."

Ei gave a soft snort, the corners of her lips lifting slightly. "It's not as good as Inazuma." Her childish assessment made Baichen laugh.

[Raiden Shogun affection +1%, current: 62%]

[Note: a rare state of relaxation]

Back in his room, Baichen took out the various gifts he had received that day: Ningguang's jade thumb ring glowed softly in the candlelight;

Miko's bath salts gave off a sweet fragrance;

Yoimiya's firework felt intricately constructed in his hand;

and Ayaka's incense powder brought a sense of calm...

Each represented a unique bond.

The system displayed a prompt at just the right moment:

[New map about to unlock: "Liyue Harbor"]

[Current conquest progress:

Raiden Shogun: 62% (stable)

Bronya: 64% (following from afar)]

What will be waiting for me in Liyue...?

[According to database analysis...]

[At least three members of the Liyue Qixing meet the conquest conditions]

[Special notice: Tianquan Ningguang's danger level: extremely high]

[We recommend preparing yourself mentally]

Moonlight streamed in through the window, bathing the room in a silvery glow.

Baichen rubbed the electro-patterned magatama against his chest, but his thoughts drifted to that unfamiliar port city far away...

It was said that at night, countless lights illuminated the entire harbor, like stars fallen into the mortal world.

More unsettling still, Bronya's snowflake pendant remained missing. Would the empress who had given him the ice pattern in Snezhnaya really be content to leave things like this?

Tonight would be another sleepless night...