"Haha, my apologies, a slip of the tongue." Realizing he had called out the wrong name, Yun Fan laughed awkwardly, trying to brush it off with an apologetic smile.
"Hmm." Gorou nodded slightly, not suspecting much. He had heard of Miss Hina before—a gentle and caring older sister figure who had provided comfort and warmth to many soldiers in the resistance. How wonderful it would be to meet her someday.
If Yun Fan knew what Gorou was thinking at that moment, he would have burst out laughing.
The real "Miss Hina" is actually me!
"Sir, may I ask who you are and why you are here? This area is the front line between the resistance and the Shogunate forces, and it's usually very dangerous. If you've accidentally wandered into this area, we can arrange for someone to escort you out." General Gorou spoke earnestly, his sincerity evident. It was clear he had the makings of a great general, skilled in both strategy and diplomacy.
However, before Yun Fan could respond, one of Gorou's soldiers stepped forward and urgently interjected, "General Gorou, please reconsider! This man is clearly a spy sent by the Shogunate. Please think carefully!"
"Hmm?" Hearing the voice behind him, Gorou frowned slightly before sternly rebuking, "Are you the general, or am I? Step back!"
"But..." The soldier wanted to say more but was quickly pulled back by his comrades. After all, disobeying orders on the battlefield was a serious offense, punishable by death!
"Sigh!" After the soldier was pulled away, Gorou turned his gaze to Yun Fan, who was also frowning slightly, and let out a helpless sigh. He had hoped to establish a friendly rapport with the man to gather useful information, but it seemed that plan had failed.
"My apologies, sir, for the disturbance," Gorou said, scratching his head with a look of embarrassment.
"Just call me Yun Fan. 'Sir' is too formal," Yun Fan replied, shaking his head. Then, with a wave of his hand, the chair and parasol beside him vanished into thin air, right before everyone's eyes.
"This is..." Gorou silently observed the scene, his eyes filled with shock. While it was true that Vision holders could store items temporarily, they were usually limited to one or two weapons. What Yun Fan had just done was far beyond that.
"Huff~" Gorou's mind raced as he searched his memory for an explanation. Eventually, he came up with two possibilities.
First, in Inazuma, there were legends of certain powerful yokai who could perform similar feats, such as the Guuji of the Grand Narukami Shrine, the centuries-old fox. Second, in the ancient land of Liyue far across the sea, it was said that the adepti practiced the art of creating pocket dimensions, allowing them to store vast spaces within small objects like teacups.
But regardless of which it was, the resistance could not afford to offend someone of such power.
Gorou turned his attention back to Yun Fan. 'Judging by his attire, he doesn't seem to be from Inazuma. Could he be an adeptus from Liyue?'
"General Gorou of the resistance pays his respects to the Liyue adeptus. Please forgive any offense caused earlier," Gorou said, clasping his hands in the Liyue style and bowing respectfully to the silver-haired young man before him.
"No need for formalities. I'm just a wanderer enjoying the sights," Yun Fan replied, waving his hand dismissively. Since Gorou had mistaken him for an adeptus, he decided to play along.
"Might I ask for the adeptus's name?" Seeing that Yun Fan truly bore no ill will, Gorou felt slightly reassured and cautiously inquired.
"Immortal Phoenix," Yun Fan stated calmly, using the name of the Immortal Phoenix. After all, there was no "Herrscher of Sentience" in this world. If one day he managed to summon Fu Hua through the gacha system and she heard tales of the "Immortal Phoenix" spreading across the world, she might even thank him for it.
"Immortal Phoenix!"
"Yes, but there's no need to be nervous. I'm just here on vacation. You can call me Yun Fan. No need for all the formalities."
"Understood," Gorou replied. He wasn't one for excessive flattery, and since the adeptus himself didn't seem to mind, there was no need for him to overdo it.
"Mr. Yun Fan, since you're here in Inazuma on vacation, why not visit Watatsumi Island? When it comes to beautiful scenery and majestic landscapes, Watatsumi Island is second to none in all of Inazuma!" Gorou's face showed a hint of nervousness as he spoke. He had his own reasons for extending the invitation. The resistance was currently locked in a fierce battle with the Shogunate.
On the surface, the two sides seemed evenly matched, but in reality, only the higher-ups knew that the resistance's resources were nearly depleted. Even with supplies from the Crux Fleet, it was barely enough to keep them going.
If it weren't for a recent anonymous donation of a large sum of money, the resistance might have already been defeated by the Shogunate. In such critical times, having the support of a Liyue adeptus would greatly boost the morale of the resistance soldiers!
"Watatsumi Island, huh? I've heard of it. They say the scenery there is breathtaking, with the first rays of the morning sun shining on the waterfalls, making it look like a paradise on earth," Yun Fan mused, stroking his chin with a look of admiration.
"Since General Gorou has extended the invitation, I'll gladly accept. Please lead the way," Yun Fan said, clasping his hands in a polite gesture. Gorou quickly returned the gesture, saying, "It's our honor, Mr. Yun Fan. Please, this way."
——————
Tenshukaku...
The Raiden Shogun knelt on a soft cushion made of goose down, her hands resting naturally at her sides. Her eyes were closed, and her breathing was even. Before her lay the Musou Isshin, the blade that had slain countless demons, resting on the table. The purple lightning coursing through it flickered in rhythm with her breathing.
"Your Excellency, General Kujou requests an audience," a Tenryou Commission soldier stationed outside the door quietly entered and reported with utmost respect.
Hearing the report, the Raiden Shogun opened her eyes, and for a moment, lightning flashed within them.
"Kujou Sara? Let her in," the Shogun's cold voice echoed in the soldier's ears, soft but clear.
"Understood!"
The soldier respectfully withdrew, and soon after, the sound of footsteps echoed through the hall.
Tap, tap, tap...
The rhythmic sound grew closer until it stopped just a few dozen meters away from the Shogun. Then came Kujou Sara's cool yet reverent voice.
"General Kujou Sara of the Tenryou Commission, paying my respects to Your Excellency!"
"Hmm." The Raiden Shogun nodded slightly. "General Kujou, what brings you here?"