Raiden Makoto and the others were stunned for a moment.
Just now, the momentum in Jiang Yan's words had been so overwhelming
that they almost believed he really intended to do it.
But when they heard his follow-up, they finally let out a breath of relief.
Fortunately… he was only trying to snap Ei out of it.
Seeing Ei regain her normal expression—no longer trapped in self-imposed isolation—Raiden Makoto rushed forward and wrapped her in a tight embrace.
"A-Ei, you finally woke up."
Ei blinked, looking around in confusion.
"I… what happened?"
"It seems I beat you into self-isolation. So everyone's been here trying to talk sense into you,"
Jiang Yan said lightly—though his words were anything but.
Sure enough, the moment he finished speaking, Makoto and the others glared sharply at him.
Ei had just barely recovered—what, was he planning to trigger her again?!
"…Sorry."
Ei also seemed to realize that her previous breakdown had worried Makoto and the others.
"But can I really still…"
As she spoke, her gaze dimmed again.
If she could be defeated this badly by just Liyue's Tianquan, did she still have the right to protect Inazuma?
"Why not?"
Jiang Yan's sudden voice drew everyone's eyes.
"You were able to force me into my Dual-Star state. That alone proves how terrifying your blade was."
"You should know—not even the Geo Archon has ever made me use that."
This was indeed true.
When Jiang Yan sparred with Morax back then, he hadn't yet awakened Dual-Star.
If Ei and Morax fought now…
Hmm… maybe a 60–40 split at worst.
After all, Morax had the vast faith of Liyue's people supporting him.
Thinking about that meteor-like Starfall of Morax's, Jiang Yan himself wasn't sure which of them was actually stronger.
But it didn't matter—they weren't going to fight anyway.
Hearing his words, light finally returned to Ei's eyes.
"Really?"
She looked at him.
Jiang Yan gave her a confident nod.
Ei regained a bit of her lost confidence.
"Alright, since you've recovered, then…"
Jiang Yan turned toward Raiden Makoto.
"What we need to talk about now… is the matter between our two nations."
"I wonder how the Raiden Shogun feels about my proposal?"
Naturally, he was referring to introducing Mora as the universal currency within Inazuma.
For days, both sides had been stuck deadlocked over this issue.
Makoto had refused to give an answer, preventing any progress in the negotiations.
"Sigh… Lord Tianquan, do you think I even have the right to choose?"
Makoto exhaled helplessly. Her tone finally softened.
Jiang Yan's overwhelming personal strength, combined with Liyue's flourishing military power, gave Makoto an unavoidable sense of powerlessness.
Add in the defeat of their strongest warrior, and Inazuma was now positioned firmly on the weaker side.
Whether comparing national strength, military, economy, or top-tier combatants, Inazuma could not match Liyue, which had grown steadily for over 300 years.
Even if Makoto refused to agree, Jiang Yan could still force Mora into Inazuma's economy.
They couldn't possibly implement isolationism the moment the nation was re-established…
This was the living proof of the saying:
the weak have no diplomacy.
"Mm… after thinking it over carefully, it seems you really don't."
Jiang Yan laughed, looking as annoyingly smug as humanly possible.
"Sigh…"
Makoto looked at him with a complex expression.
If only this Tianquan from Liyue were one of theirs…
At that moment, she even felt a ridiculous impulse to somehow keep him in Inazuma.
But alas—Jiang Yan was born in Liyue.
"…I will agree to your proposal in tomorrow's negotiations."
Makoto finally forced the words out.
The moment she said it, it was as if all her strength drained away. Her shoulders slumped slightly.
She understood very clearly: her concession meant that Inazuma's economy would fall under Liyue's influence.
Mora flowing into Inazuma wasn't merely a matter of trade convenience.
Once Inazuma fully adopted Mora,
Liyue would be able to impose economic sanctions with ease.
And that—
was exactly what Jiang Yan wanted.
"Heh. The Raiden Shogun truly is a sensible person."
At this moment, in the eyes of Makoto, Kitsune Saiguu, and the others, Jiang Yan was nothing short of a detestable demon king.
They wanted to resist,
but could not.
Because Ei's own experience had already shown them—
the man standing before them was not someone Inazuma could oppose.
Jiang Yan suddenly leaned in close to Makoto.
His warm breath, mixed faintly with the fragrance of Glaze Lilies, drifted to her nose.
Makoto's cheeks reddened slightly—this was the closest any man had ever come to her. Jiang Yan, meanwhile, simply grinned.
"Then, Raiden Shogun, I believe our cooperation will help Inazuma flourish even more."
He extended his hand.
Makoto, face still tinged pink, clasped it. Her gaze was filled with complicated emotions.
"Well then—my work here is finished~"
After shaking hands, Jiang Yan gave a light chuckle and headed for the door.
"Oh, right. My name is Jiang Yan. Feel free to call me by name from now on."
Before stepping out, he turned to the group behind him with a bright smile.
"After all, starting tomorrow, Liyue and Inazuma will formally begin friendly trade cooperation."
"And that makes us friends… doesn't it?"
Without waiting for any response, he closed the door and left.
Only Makoto, Ei, Kitsune Saiguu, and Chiyo remained.
"Ugh—who wants to be friends with him?!"
Chiyo puffed up only after Jiang Yan had left.
"Doesn't matter if you want to or not… it's decided."
Kitsune Saiguu sighed as she soothed Chiyo's bristled fur, looking utterly exhausted.
Ei said nothing the entire time. She simply stared in the direction Jiang Yan had left, lost in thought.
Makoto, meanwhile, looked down at the hand that had shaken Jiang Yan's.
Softly, she murmured:
"…Jiang Yan…"
...
Unlike the group sitting in the Tenshukaku with mixed feelings, once Jiang Yan walked out—
He suddenly spread his arms wide, excitement lighting up his face.
"Ah—finally finished!"
"Time to begin my long-awaited…"
"Treasure Chest Purge Plan!!"
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