Hearing Jiang Yan's words, Raiden Makoto and the others paused for a moment.
What was he planning to do?
But after a brief thought, Raiden Makoto still led everyone a few steps back.
"Thank you."
Jiang Yan smiled and nodded, then pressed his palms together.
"Wood Release — Column House Technique!"
With a slap of his hand against the ground, the surrounding seawater trembled as countless trees burst upward from the ocean.
In no time, a brand-new, massive harbor took shape before Jiang Yan.
After all, the original Liyue Harbor was built from Jiang Yan's Wood Release. Recreating another harbor was hardly a challenge.
Wood grew from his jutsu, and with vector manipulation he reshaped the timber.
Simple and effortless.
"A-amazing!"
Chiyo stared wide-eyed, shocked that he created a harbor so easily.
"Just from the construction aspect alone… with this Immortal Lord around, it's hard to imagine Liyue not becoming prosperous."
A faint hint of envy colored Kitsune Saiguu's tone.
When Inazuma City was built back then, it had taken over a full year.
Raiden Makoto silently observed the completed harbor, her eyes flickering with unknown thoughts.
As for Raiden Ei… she was spaced out as usual, not realizing anything at all.
"All done."
Jiang Yan clapped his hands and stood up, then waved toward the fleet in the distance:
"Bring the ships in!"
Then he turned back toward Raiden Makoto and the others, tone apologetic.
"My apologies. I made some slight modifications to your harbor."
"I'll restore it to its original state when I leave."
Raiden Makoto shook her head with a gentle smile.
"Heavenly-Authority Lord building such a massive harbor for us—
we should be thanking you, not apologizing to you."
As they spoke, the warships slowly docked next to the harbor Jiang Yan created.
One by one, the sailors disembarked, forming neat formations.
They stood perfectly straight, their Cold-Iron Spears glinting with deadly light.
A faint aura of killing intent surrounded them.
Since the navy's founding, Jiang Yan had frequently sent them to practice at sea, hunting the sea-beasts around Liyue Harbor.
It could be said that the combat strength of Liyue's navy matched that of its army.
The sailors stood silently—no movement, no words.
The oppressive sharpness in their presence made the nearby Tenryou Commission troops uneasy.
Was this truly a human-established army?
And the Tenryou Commission troops now were nothing like the hollowed-out forces of later years—they were Inazuma's elite soldiers.
But compared to an army forged by martial-arts manuals and modernized training… they still fell short.
"Alright, you're dismissed. Go unload the gifts we brought to Inazuma."
Jiang Yan clapped loudly and addressed the soldiers behind him.
"Yes, sir!"
The navy slammed their spears against the ground with a heavy thud, shouting in unison.
This was Liyue's official visit to Inazuma.
The soldiers had to display Liyue's military strength.
Naturally, such a display had an intimidating effect on the Inazuman side.
Raiden Makoto and Kitsune Saiguu both wore tense expressions.
Liyue had delivered a greeting gift—
A show of force.
It was… not pleasant.
Seeing Jiang Yan smiling so casually at them, Raiden Makoto could only show a wry smile.
"Truly… an unfriendly arrival…"
Liyue's navy and the Tenryou Commission soldiers worked together to unload the cargo, while Raiden Makoto led Jiang Yan toward Inazuma City.
A moment later, the strongly Japanese-styled scenery unfolded before Jiang Yan's eyes.
Though somewhat similar to Liyue's architecture, the buildings here were generally lower.
Upon arriving at Tenshukaku, Jiang Yan sat opposite Raiden Makoto and the others.
They knelt formally—
while Jiang Yan sat cross-legged.
It wasn't that he didn't want to follow local customs—
He simply couldn't get used to kneeling like that.
Fortunately, Raiden Makoto and the others didn't mind.
Every nation had its own customs, and they couldn't force him to follow theirs.
The conversation between Jiang Yan and Raiden Makoto went smoothly.
There wasn't much—
mainly discussions on establishing diplomatic relations and opening trade.
But when Jiang Yan raised the matter of using Mora as the unified currency, Raiden Makoto hesitated.
Everything else benefited Inazuma—
but adopting Mora was a major economic issue.
Raiden Makoto wouldn't agree lightly.
Jiang Yan wasn't in a hurry.
He had only just arrived—
If everything were solved this easily, they wouldn't need him here.
The negotiations regarding currency didn't succeed, but Raiden Makoto still warmly hosted Jiang Yan's delegation that evening.
During the banquet—
as wine cups exchanged—
a figure with purple braided hair walked toward him.
"Lord Raiden, do you need something?"
Jiang Yan set down his cup and smiled.
"You… come outside with me."
Raiden Ei's usually expressionless face tightened slightly as she spoke softly.
"Mm… from that tone, this must be Raiden Ei."
Jiang Yan looked at her exquisite face with interest.
"And what business does Miss Raiden Ei have with me?"
"You know who I am?"
Ei's eyes widened. She remembered never disclosing her name.
"Heh. I noticed your presence during our earlier conversation in Tenshukaku."
Since Ei was the shadow warrior, the only publicly known deity of Inazuma was Makoto.
As Makoto's twin, Ei existed as her shadow, fighting in her place.
"Since you know, that makes things easier."
Ei stepped closer. A faint, soft fragrance drifted from her.
Jiang Yan's eyes flickered slightly, but his expression remained calm as he waited for her next words.
"Come with me. This isn't a place to talk."
She frowned slightly at the gazes people kept sneaking toward them.
"Alright. I'm curious what you want."
Jiang Yan didn't refuse.
Under everyone's eyes, he rose and followed Raiden Ei out—
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