Seeing Lu Heng lost in thought, the Puppet Shogun turned to Yae Miko.
"Is there anything I can help with?" she asked.
Yae Miko's smile blossomed. She knew it—if the Puppet Shogun came, it would be willingly, even eagerly.
Without hesitation, she replied, "Lu Heng needs to perform the Great Sacred Sakura Cleansing Ritual. But how could we let him trouble himself with something so minor? That's why…" She tilted her head with mock innocence. "We need a helper~"
Her words carried a strange tone.
What did she mean by 'such a small thing shouldn't trouble Lu Heng'? In plain words—Lu Heng was too lazy, and he needed someone to play the role of his tool.
The Puppet Shogun understood that perfectly.
Yet without a second thought, without the slightest hesitation, she nodded firmly.
"I'll do it!"
"What do you mean, you'll do it?!" Ei's voice exploded within the Plane of Euthymia.
"You are the Electro Archon! And before the actual Raiden Shogun even speaks, you're rushing to volunteer? Can you not keep a shred of dignity? A shred of pride?"
"Stay out of this." The Puppet Shogun's voice was cold. "We agreed, remember? Don't break your promise."
"This isn't about promises!" Ei fumed. "This is about face! About honor!"
But no matter how furious she became, she had no way of stopping her counterpart.
"Ugh… you simp!" Ei groaned, torn between fury and helplessness.
The Puppet Shogun couldn't care less. If she wanted to cling to someone's leg, she knew exactly whose.
"Are you sure about this?" Lu Heng finally asked, his voice a touch odd.
Really… this was absurd.
She was the Raiden Shogun. Normally, such trivial tasks would never warrant her personal attention. Yet here she was, practically glowing with enthusiasm to help.
Even Hanachirusato was stunned.
The Raiden Shogun herself, cleansing the Sacred Sakura? That was like a nation's leader personally coming to fix potholes. Was she dreaming?
The Puppet Shogun nodded solemnly. "I am willing."
"…Alright." Lu Heng couldn't think of a reason to refuse.
It wasn't a bad deal—someone else handled the legwork while he took care of the critical part.
"Then begin the ritual. I'll join you at the very end."
"You're not coming with us?" she asked, disappointment flashing in her eyes.
"I still have business to take care of. I'll return shortly."
"…You'll really come back?"
"Yes, I promise," Lu Heng sighed, rubbing his forehead. "The sooner I leave, the sooner I'll return." And with that, he stepped away and vanished.
"Shall we?" Yae Miko turned with a sly smile.
"This was your task to begin with," the Puppet Shogun said flatly, crossing her arms.
"But I asked him to help me, didn't I?~" Yae's smile was mischievous. "Surely you won't quit halfway?"
"Humph." The Puppet Shogun chose silence. She knew well she'd lose in a battle of words with Yae, so she buried her irritation and got to work.
Liyue Harbor.
When he received Lu Heng's message, Zhongli was already waiting at the shop—with a bag of fine tea leaves in hand.
As Lu Heng stepped inside, Zhongli sighed deeply.
Lu Heng grinned, stretching out his hand.
Zhongli passed him both the tea and the card imbued with the Art of Giving Form.
"Thanks, old friend!" Lu Heng's smile was dazzling.
Zhongli only sighed again. Not only had Lu Heng borrowed a powerful card from him, he'd even wrung a bag of tea out of him!
When people come to borrow, aren't they supposed to bring gifts, not take them?
"You really are shameless," Zhongli muttered.
"We're brothers!" Lu Heng laughed. He poured tea from the newly claimed leaves, savoring the taste. "Not bad. Quality stuff."
"Of course." Zhongli straightened. He wasn't about to show up with something from a random street stall.
Yet he deliberately filled a massive cup for himself, nearly draining the pot, as though he could reclaim what was stolen.
"Was that necessary?" Lu Heng chuckled.
"Entirely necessary," Zhongli replied gravely.
Lu Heng shook his head. "No pamphlet duty today?"
"Hu Tao has commissioned some mechanical puppets to hand out flyers," Zhongli explained. "Word has reached Fontaine, and some are already interested in trying Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's services."
"Already? Surprising," Lu Heng said.
"There are always those who meet… untimely ends," Zhongli answered solemnly.
After a few more sips, Lu Heng rose. "Time's about up. I'll return the card later."
Zhongli only nodded.
Beneath Mt. Yougou.
The Puppet Shogun was unleashing thunder upon the foul creatures that had surfaced during the cleansing. The last corrupted tumor remained.
Lu Heng emerged from the void, gazing up at the grotesque mass.
"Leave this part to me. Hanachirusato, be ready."
She obeyed at once.
Lu Heng pressed a finger to the fox mask on her forehead, drawing forth a thread of pale light from within. Her body collapsed, drained of spirit.
In his palm, the light turned gold, taking the shape of an ancient character.
With a flick, he shattered it.
A surge of power swept through the cavern. The massive tumor was purified in an instant, along with Hanachirusato's vessel. The desolate cave bloomed with cherry blossoms.
Lu Heng placed Hanachirusato's spirit into Yae Miko's hands. Then he activated the Art of Giving Form, enhanced by his ninth-tier artifact.
Interesting… Lu Heng thought, conjuring a white jade brush that glowed with creation's essence.
The Puppet Shogun stared, eyes wide with longing. The energy at that brush's tip surpassed even the gods.
"Does Hanachirusato have any requests for her new body?" Lu Heng asked.
"…Eh?" She hadn't realized she could even choose. After a beat of hesitation, she said shyly, "I'll leave it to your judgment."
"That makes it harder," Lu Heng mused. Still, he began.
With steady strokes, flesh and blood took form.
"A human body?" Yae Miko asked curiously.
"Of course." Lu Heng nodded.
Yae's sharp gaze lingered on one particular detail, and her lips curved. "That seems a little… generous, doesn't it?"
Lu Heng coughed lightly. "Just… average proportions."
"Looks bigger than average to me," Yae teased, smirking.
The Puppet Shogun lowered her gaze, comparing herself with the forming body. Once satisfied they were similar, she allowed herself a secret smile.
Perfect. He already likes this kind of figure—and I'm exactly that.
"Pathetic simp!" Ei roared within the Plane of Euthymia, exasperated beyond words.
"Thank you," the Puppet Shogun suddenly said aloud.
"…Are you insane?" Ei sputtered.
"Thank you for giving me such a perfect body," the Puppet Shogun said sincerely. For the first time, she admitted Ei had one advantage over her—her figure.
Hanachirusato's spirit quivered with shame.
This was mortifying.
She wanted to disappear.
"Relax," Yae whispered in her ear. "You'll have to face it sooner or later."
"W-what?!" Hanachirusato stammered, her consciousness flickering in embarrassment.
Meanwhile, Lu Heng finished the final stroke. A flawless body awaited. Dressed in shrine maiden robes, Hanachirusato's spirit merged into it.
Moments later, she opened her eyes. Her pale cheeks flushed crimson as she immediately crouched down, covering her face in shame.
"It's done," Lu Heng said calmly, though his heart was far from tranquil. "I'll return what I borrowed. Meet me at the shop later." With that, he vanished.
Yae Miko couldn't contain her laughter.
"Oh, he's not nearly as calm as he pretends. He reacted, all right."
She lifted Hanachirusato's chin gently.
"Mmm~ A flawless face, and a body to match. Truly enviable."
"Lady Miko…" Hanachirusato's blush deepened until it looked like it might drip blood.
"Come now, up you get. Let's head to the shop." Yae pulled her to her feet, then glanced at the Puppet Shogun. "And you?"
"Of course I'm coming." Her eyes, however, darted coldly to Hanachirusato.
She seems to please Lu Heng more than me. Damn it… I want to get rid of her. But he wouldn't forgive me for that…
"Hopeless case," Ei sighed.
The Puppet Shogun smirked faintly. "Can't cut her down… but maybe I can push her aside."
"…What?" Ei was left speechless, but she had no strength to argue anymore.
Ten minutes later.
At the card shop in Inazuma, Yae raised her brows when Lu Heng appeared so quickly.
"Back already?"
"…What's that supposed to mean?" He caught the implication, scowling.
Yae only smiled slyly. "Nothing wrong with a little… indulgence, is there?"
"Just make sure you don't shy away when it's your turn," he shot back with a grin.
Her confident façade cracked ever so slightly, but she lifted her chin, pretending not to falter.
Hanachirusato still bore a rosy blush. She knelt gracefully at the low table, pouring tea.
"Please, Master, have some tea."
Already so composed? Lu Heng raised a brow at Yae.
Her smug look seemed to say: See how well I trained her?
Lu Heng gave her a silent thumbs-up.
When he sat, Hanachirusato slipped off her sandals, padding over in white socks. Face flushed, she began massaging his shoulders gently.
"Is the pressure alright, Master?"
Lu Heng blinked in surprise, then, impressed, gave Yae another thumbs-up. "A bit light—harder, please."
The Puppet Shogun's expression soured. At once, she stood and declared, "Then I'll do it! My strength is unmatched!" She clenched a fist, the air crackling with pressure.
Lu Heng nearly choked. Do you want to massage me or kill me?!
"I'll pass, thanks," he said firmly. "Shouldn't you be drilling the troops anyway?"
"No need!" she said quickly, shaking her head. What was military duty compared to staying at Lu Heng's side?
She shot Hanachirusato a murderous glare. I want your place beside him…
But she dared not act.
Inside the Plane of Euthymia, Ei was doubled over with laughter.
"Yes, yes! Reject her, harder!"
And so, with Yae Miko's mischief, the Puppet Shogun's obsession, and Hanachirusato's embarrassment, Lu Heng's life in Inazuma grew ever more… complicated.
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T/N:
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