Narukami Island, Tenshukaku.
At this moment, Raiden Makoto, Chiyo, and Kitsune Saiguu were seated together, all looking worriedly at the figure before them—wrapped up like a rice dumpling.
"A-Ei… how are you feeling?"
Raiden Makoto asked cautiously.
Raiden Ei did not answer. Her gaze was blank and unfocused.
Ever since she was utterly crushed by Jiang Yan a few days ago, Ei had remained in this state.
This also left Makoto, Kitsune Saiguu, and the others extremely worried.
Chiyo had exploded on the spot when she found out, shouting about getting revenge for Ei. But Kitsune Saiguu stopped her with one grab.
What a joke—when even the strongest, Raiden Ei, got steamrolled by Jiang Yan, what would you do? Go die?
"Sigh… it's not just Ei. Our trade negotiations with Liyue have also hit a slump."
Kitsune Saiguu sighed.
Because Ei lost, Kitsune Saiguu and the others unconsciously fell into a weaker position during the negotiations with Jiang Yan.
In front of Jiang Yan, they simply couldn't put on a tough front.
Right now, whether in military strength or top-tier combat power, Inazuma had no way to match Liyue.
This was the sorrow of a weak nation.
"A-Ei… it's just one defeat…"
Makoto kept trying to comfort Ei. Seeing her sister like this hurt her too.
But Ei remained motionless, unresponsive, exactly like before.
"No! I'm going to that Liyue Tianquan myself!"
"This is too much!"
"It was just a friendly match, and look at what he did to A-Ei!"
Chiyo slapped the table and stood up, ready to storm out and find Jiang Yan.
"Come back!"
Kitsune Saiguu barked sharply, halting Chiyo mid-stride.
"But—!"
Chiyo turned to say something, but upon seeing Kitsune Saiguu's slightly haggard appearance, the words died in her throat.
If anyone had worked the hardest these days,
it was definitely Kitsune Saiguu.
She had to deal with the pressure from Jiang Yan and Liyue's side,
and also take care of Ei.
As for Raiden Makoto, she had been so focused on looking after Ei that she hadn't been able to pay attention to the negotiations at all.
Knock, knock, knock…
At that moment, sudden knocking sounded from outside.
"Who is it?"
The unexpected sound drew everyone's attention.
Kitsune Saiguu raised her voice in confusion.
"Me."
Outside, Jiang Yan's voice rang out.
Instantly, everyone inside widened their eyes.
Chiyo's gaze flashed with fury.
Makoto and Kitsune Saiguu exchanged a look, worry evident in their eyes.
As for Ei—
in her previously unfocused eyes, a faint ripple suddenly appeared.
Jiang Yan's arrival had caught them all off-guard.
"…Come in."
After a long moment, Raiden Makoto finally spoke.
Creak—
The door opened, and Jiang Yan stepped inside.
"Well, everyone is here."
He grinned as he glanced around—until his eyes fell on the mummy-like figure wrapped up in the corner.
"That's… Ei?"
Jiang Yan froze for a second, then asked in confusion,
"How did she end up like this?"
"Hmph! Why she turned into this—some people should be perfectly aware!"
Chiyo huffed, turning her head away.
"Because of me?"
Jiang Yan pointed at himself. Then, realization dawned.
Oh—right. He had beaten her into self-isolation…
He scratched his hair. Even he hadn't expected that outcome.
"Mm… looks like you're all troubled."
Jiang Yan stepped forward and spoke to Makoto.
"How about I try talking to her?"
Makoto froze.
Even Kitsune Saiguu and Chiyo went momentarily blank.
Let Jiang Yan do it?
Makoto eyed him suspiciously, unable to figure out his intentions.
Seeing their doubtful looks, Jiang Yan gestured toward Ei, speaking calmly:
"You can't let her stay like this forever.
It's been days. Clearly your attempts haven't helped."
"So let me try.
In Liyue, we have an old saying—
the one who tied the knot must be the one to untie it."
Makoto and Kitsune Saiguu exchanged glances.
Then Kitsune Saiguu spoke:
"Since the Tianquan wishes to try, there's no harm."
Makoto also nodded.
Ei was already like this—how could things get any worse?
Seeing their agreement, Jiang Yan said no more and walked up to Raiden Ei.
Ei said nothing, did nothing, simply sat there silently.
Jiang Yan stared at her for a while, then suddenly spoke:
"Look at me."
Ei didn't move.
"What, losing to me hit you that hard?"
"Or is it…"
He paused.
"You're denying yourself because of just one defeat?"
A tiny flicker stirred in Ei's gaze.
But Jiang Yan didn't miss even that subtle change.
A faint smile tugged at his lips.
Faced with someone whose mentality had broken,
one needed to administer a drastic medicine.
"Aiya!"
Jiang Yan suddenly raised his voice.
"Since even Inazuma's strongest—Raiden Ei—was defeated by me,"
"then why not just place Inazuma under Liyue's rule altogether?"
"If you, Raiden Ei, don't wake up soon,"
"I'll destroy everything you've worked so hard to build!"
"Do you think only your sister and your friends in Inazuma can stop me?"
His words shocked not only Ei—
but also Makoto and Kitsune Saiguu, whose faces instantly changed.
"No!"
Before Makoto or the others could speak,
Raiden Ei suddenly shouted.
"Don't!"
Ei's eyes flashed with panic as she grabbed Jiang Yan with both hands.
"You can't do that!"
Jiang Yan looked at her hands tightly gripping him,
then smiled at the others.
"Done."
To read 30+ future chapters, head over to patreon:
patreon.com/ToastWizard