"Lady Signora, Lady Columbina, this is the wanted notice just issued by the Tenryou Commission. It is said to have been personally drafted by the Raiden Shogun." A Pyro Agent in plain attire handed over the wanted notice to Signora, then stood respectfully to the side, awaiting further instructions from the two Harbingers.
"Is this... Scaramouche?" Looking at the portrait on the wanted notice, Signora narrowed her eyes, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Hmph, even on a wanted notice, he still looks as punchable as ever, that brat."
"Kidnapping the General of the Tenryou Commission and provoking the Raiden Shogun? When did he do these things? Why didn't we hear anything about it?" Signora looked puzzled as she read the crimes listed on the notice. Had Scaramouche already accomplished so many 'great deeds' in Inazuma?
"Well, it's quite amusing, isn't it?" Columbina's sweet and innocent voice came from behind Signora, who nodded slightly in agreement. After all, the Harbingers were not exactly a tightly-knit group.
Moreover, Scaramouche had a habit of running his mouth, picking fights with anyone he crossed paths with. Even a dog passing by on the street would get a kick from him if he was in a bad mood.
Thus, among the Harbingers, he had made many enemies. It was almost to the point where every living creature wanted to see him suffer. If it weren't for the Tsaritsa's decree that Harbingers must not harm each other, he might have already been beaten to a pulp.
"Hmph, what a troublemaker." Signora tore the wanted notice into pieces and tossed it to the ground. Thanks to 'Scaramouche,' she would have to be more cautious with her plans to avoid ruining everything at the last moment.
Meanwhile...
"Who dares impersonate me?!" The actual subject of the wanted notice, our dear Kunikuzushi, was glaring at the notice his subordinates had just handed him. His teeth ground together in anger, and his eyes burned with hatred.
He, Kunikuzushi, had always lived a life of 'honor' and 'accountability.' He was the one who schemed and impersonated others, never the other way around. Who would have thought that after a lifetime of kicking dogs, he would end up being bitten by one?
Now, with this wanted notice out, the entire Inazuma—no, the entire Teyvat—would know about him, Kunikuzushi. How was he supposed to carry out his plans now?
"Don't let me find out who you are, or I'll make sure you're ground to dust!"
——————
As dusk fell, Yun Fan, Kokomi, and Gorou returned to the Sangonomiya Shrine after a day of sightseeing. The shrine maidens promptly served them a meal.
Unagi Chazuke, Sakura Shrimp Crackers, Five-Treasure Pickles, Mixed Stir-Fried Noodles, Fragrant Grilled Fish...
"Mr. Yun Fan, may I ask what your plans are next?" Kokomi tentatively inquired. Knowing that people from Liyue preferred discussing matters over meals, she had instructed her subordinates to prepare a lavish spread of Watatsumi Island specialties for this very purpose.
"Haha, my journey to Inazuma is guided by my heart. I have no fixed destination, and I simply go with the flow. My stay on Watatsumi Island is just a brief one."
"Is that so?" A hint of disappointment flashed in Kokomi's eyes, but she quickly regained her composure. Although the adeptus before her had not expressed any intention to stay, he hadn't outright refused either. There might still be a chance for Watatsumi Island. How could she not try?
With this in mind, Kokomi stood up from her seat and bowed deeply to Yun Fan. "I have an impertinent request. I hope the adeptus will take pity on us and lend a hand to the people of Watatsumi Island!"
'Finally, she speaks.' Yun Fan chuckled inwardly, a faint smile tugging at his lips. During their afternoon tour, he had noticed that the five-star "ornamental fish" had something on her mind. Perhaps due to her reserved nature or other reasons, she hadn't brought it up until now.
"Hmm... I understand your request."
Yun Fan pondered for a moment, then, under Kokomi's hopeful gaze—shook his head.
"Huh?" Kokomi was taken aback, having expected him to agree. Under her puzzled gaze, Yun Fan explained, "Forgive my bluntness, but Watatsumi is not part of Liyue, and its people are not Liyue's subjects. I have no reason to intervene. If I were to help you oppose the Raiden Shogun, it would be tantamount to Liyue meddling in Inazuma's internal affairs. I cannot justify that to the Divine Lord."
"My apologies, I was careless."
Kokomi slapped her forehead, a look of frustration on her face. Indeed, she had overlooked this obvious point. How could she, a strategist, have missed something so basic?
"However, this matter is not entirely without room for discussion." Just as Kokomi thought the matter was settled, Yun Fan spoke again, reigniting her hope.
"Please, go on!" Kokomi looked up, her eyes fixed intently on the silver-haired youth before her.
"It's simple." Yun Fan smiled. In the next moment, his deep golden eyes suddenly glowed, and a divine pressure emanated from him, enveloping all of Watatsumi Island. In an instant, clouds gathered, thunder rumbled, and the sky seemed to mirror the wrath of a god, surpassing even the Raiden Shogun's fury.
"Equivalent exchange." Yun Fan, now fully embodying his divine authority, spoke indifferently. "I can represent the Divine Lord and help you oppose the Raiden Shogun, protecting the people of Watatsumi Island. But on the other side of the scale, what can you offer in return?"
The divine pressure was overwhelming. Yun Fan's words were soft, but they carried an immense weight, like a towering mountain pressing down on Kokomi and Gorou.
"We... we..." Kokomi had never experienced such overwhelming power before. Although the resistance army often spoke of overthrowing the Raiden Shogun, few had truly witnessed her divine might. As a reclusive strategist, Kokomi had rarely ventured outside, let alone faced the Raiden Shogun's wrath.
As the Divine Priestess, Kokomi could easily sense the state of Watatsumi Island. When she realized that nearly all living beings on the island were prostrating under Yun Fan's divine pressure, she couldn't help but think, 'Are all the adepti of Liyue this powerful?'