Afternoon.
The sunlight was gentle and warm.
Gu Chen lay back in a rocking chair, basking in the sun, with Paimon curled up in his arms.
One big, one small—swaying together, both nearly drifting off to sleep.
Gu Chen enjoyed the leisurely afternoon, but his mind was also occupied with a problem.
It wasn't appropriate for Raiden Ei to stay in the Gu Residence forever.
Inazuma wasn't Liyue. Clearly, it still wasn't ready to fully enter an era of human governance.
She had to return to Inazuma eventually, and Narukami Shrine also couldn't do without Lady Guuji Yae Miko.
With a vast ocean separating Liyue and Inazuma, how to ensure they could meet anytime was something Gu Chen needed to think carefully about.
After some deliberation—
Gu Chen turned his head to look toward the moon gate in the distance.
That moon gate, after his previous modification, could already connect—via a simple mechanism—to Guizhong's Glaze Lily Sea, as well as other similar subrealms, like the one Ganyu used to pick Qingxin.
Could the moon gate be modified further, to connect directly to Tenshukaku?
Gu Chen began to ponder.
"Ha~"
Paimon yawned in Gu Chen's arms. Her small body wriggled against him as she adjusted her position, then she said contentedly,
"This sunshine feels sooo nice…"
It was winter now, and there was a chill in the air, but the warm sunlight made the afternoon especially comfortable.
Not hearing Gu Chen reply, Paimon turned her head and saw him deep in thought.
"Boss Gu, what are you thinking about?" she asked curiously.
"I'm thinking…"
Gu Chen came back to himself and said, "About modifying that moon gate over there so it connects to Tenshukaku. That way, it'll be much more convenient for Ei to go back and work."
"Why bother with that?"
Paimon looked puzzled. "Can't you just send the work to her by private message?"
"That works in the short term," Gu Chen replied. "Kamisato Ayato and the others wouldn't mind. But over time, people below might start getting ideas… Think about it—when the Raiden Shogun was still at Tenshukaku, Kujou Takayuki dared to collude with the Fatui for his clan's benefit. If the Raiden Shogun isn't even in Inazuma… wouldn't it be worse?"
Paimon thought seriously for a moment, then nodded deeply in agreement. Tilting her head, she looked at the moon gate.
"Using that to connect to Tenshukaku… that's crossing tens of thousands of miles of ocean. Can it really be done?"
"What do you think?"
Gu Chen smiled faintly.
Seeing that expression, Paimon nodded. "Got it—so it definitely can, right?"
"Of course."
Gu Chen had more than one way to make it happen.
"Then what are you waiting for? Let's get to work!" Paimon's eyes sparkled with excitement. "That way I can go to Inazuma anytime to shop for yummy food!"
"Alright, alright."
Gu Chen stood up, holding Paimon with one arm. With the other, he ruffled her hair thoroughly before setting her back down on the rocking chair.
"Hey!"
Paimon hurriedly smoothed her hair, stomping her foot in protest, then flew up to follow Gu Chen.
They arrived at the moon gate.
Having already run countless simulations in his mind, Gu Chen began working immediately.
Paimon watched with curiosity, but quickly realized she couldn't really understand what he was doing.
Gu Chen added another mechanism to the side, and an additional symbol appeared on the moon gate.
Paimon had used this magical moon gate before. It had symbols for flower seas and the like—so long as the symbol matched, passing through the gate would take you to the corresponding destination.
"So can we go to Tenshukaku now?" Paimon asked.
"Not yet."
Gu Chen shook his head. "I need to make a trip to Tenshukaku first. That side needs some modifications too. You can wait here—I'll come straight back through here when I'm done."
Paimon nodded. "Alright, go ahead."
"Mm."
Gu Chen nodded in return. Just then, a breeze passed by, and his body scattered like smoke in the wind, vanishing into nothingness.
Paimon clasped her hands behind her back and waited for a bit. After thinking it over, she flew toward the bedrooms.
The mistresses of the house had very regular daily routines.
At such a comfortable time, in such a cozy environment, they were all taking their afternoon naps.
Paimon decided to tell them the news.
Before long—
"Why do I have to go back to work…"
Raiden Ei hung her head, completely dispirited.
If she could help it, she really didn't want to return to Tenshukaku at all.
The Gu Residence was perfect—her sister was here, her husband was here, and she could eat her favorite sweets whenever she wanted.
What did Tenshukaku have that compared to this?!
"Not ambitious at all."
Raiden Ei's expression suddenly shifted—becoming flat, with a hint of disdain in her eyes.
Paimon watched as Raiden Ei changed faces.
Because of the one-body-two-souls situation, sometimes it was Raiden Ei, sometimes it was the Raiden Shogun.
Watching her seem to act out a scene where she despised herself was incredibly entertaining.
"According to little Paimon, once the Shogun finishes work and clocks out, you'll be able to come straight over through that device—just like little sister Ganyu," Raiden Makoto said with a smile, gently comforting her.
"Mm."
Raiden Ei nodded. That at least made it easier to accept.
She'd already planned out her future.
During the day, while the Shogun was working, she'd just stay in the Plane of Euthymia reading light novels.
Once the Shogun got off work and returned to the Gu Residence, she'd take over and go serve A-Chen.
Thinking about it… actually didn't sound bad at all!
"Stop dreaming in broad daylight."
The Shogun chuckled coldly. "Why should I work myself to exhaustion all day, and then when it's time for pleasure, you get to take over? Where does that logic come from?"
Raiden Ei: "..."
Can't a shut-in girl have happiness too?!
Damn it, damn it, damn it!
Seeing Raiden Ei bickering with the Shogun, Raiden Makoto and the others couldn't stop smiling.
…
Inazuma, Tenshukaku.
Kamisato Ayato, seated in the hall reviewing documents, seemed to sense something.
He set the papers down and looked toward the hall entrance.
The air there rippled like the surface of calm water.
A figure emerged from the ripples, gradually becoming clear.
Kamisato Ayato immediately rose and bowed. "Shogun-sama."
Gu Chen nodded slightly with a smile when he saw Ayato. "You've worked hard."
Although the title of "Regent Shogun" only existed in the videos, it was widely accepted in Inazuma. Nine out of ten Inazumans believed that the Regent Shogun leading Inazuma was a very good thing—one that allowed them to clearly see a hopeful future. The remaining one was an outright fanatic, convinced that Inazuma in any world should be ruled by the Regent Shogun.
Unfortunately, Gu Chen himself had no such intentions.
Knowing Gu Chen wasn't overly strict by nature, Kamisato Ayato smiled.
"These past days have indeed been dizzyingly busy."
"It's all a mess left behind."
Gu Chen sighed.
"Indeed…"
Ayato nodded in deep agreement.
"But now that you're here, and with the Raiden Shogun as well, things should improve after a while. Once Inazuma returns to the right track, I'll be able to relax a bit too."
Gu Chen nodded.
After looking around, he found a suitable spot.
Though curious, Kamisato Ayato didn't ask any questions.
After working for a while, Gu Chen said,
"This door leads directly to the Gu Residence. From now on, it'll be much more convenient for Ei to travel between Tenshukaku and home."
Ayato thought briefly, then nodded.
"It saves crossing thousands of miles of ocean. Being able to hold down Tenshukaku while still returning home—this really is a good thing."
"Oh right—these are for you."
The Regent Shogun had always been fair in rewards and punishments.
They worked for Raiden Ei, so Gu Chen wasn't about to be stingy.
"These are…?"
Kamisato Ayato stared at the pile of items before him, stunned.
How should he put it—there was too much variety.
There were cultivation resources from the Tai Xuan Cult era, several million Mora, and various strange items that were hard to identify but were clearly valuable.
"For you, I think this is more valuable."
Gu Chen smiled, handing him a piece of paper. "Recipes for all kinds of milk tea."
"Huh?!"
Kamisato Ayato's eyes lit up.
This really was the Regent Shogun being considerate of his subordinates!
If it were the Raiden Shogun or Raiden Ei, they'd never give out something so delightfully practical.
Ayato accepted it as if it were a priceless treasure.
"Thank you, Shogun-sama! I'll distribute these rewards shortly."
"Good work. I'm leaving."
Gu Chen nodded and turned toward the door.
The doorway rippled like unseen water.
Once he stepped into it, his figure vanished.
Kamisato Ayato was in an excellent mood. After contacting others via private messages, he studied the paper again and again, growing happier the more he read.
…
Gu Residence.
A faint light glowed from the moon gate.
Under the eager gazes of Paimon and the others, Gu Chen walked out at an unhurried pace.
"Well?" Paimon asked impatiently.
"It's all done."
Gu Chen nodded.
"I wanna try it!"
Paimon said excitedly.
"Go ahead. Just remember, Inazuma isn't like Liyue. Don't wander around the wilderness. If you run into some Nobushi or something… and get kidnapped and sold, I won't pay Mora to ransom you."
Gu Chen nodded seriously.
Kidnapped and sold?
Who would be stupid enough to kidnap Paimon?
Besides, Gu Chen didn't seem like the type to pay ransom—he'd probably just wipe out all the kidnappers with a single thought.
Knowing he was joking, Paimon giggled and dashed straight into the moon gate, disappearing.
"I'll go take a look too."
Raiden Makoto was interested.
With this, traveling back and forth would be easy, and there were many old places she wanted to revisit.
"I've never been to Inazuma before," Buyel said with interest as well.
The women set off chatting and laughing, heading to Inazuma for a little trip.
By the time Gu Chen reacted, the vast Gu Residence was left with just him.
He smiled wryly, lay back down on the rocking chair, and continued basking in the sun.
Time passed.
Night fell.
With nothing else to do, Gu Chen had already prepared dinner.
Lumine and the others returned from Inazuma in high spirits.
"How was it?"
Gu Chen asked Raiden Ei while holding the milk tea Kamisato Ayato had sent over.
"…It was okay."
After thinking it over, Raiden Ei could only give such a vague answer.
She herself couldn't quite describe how she felt.
Most of the time, she resided within the Musou Isshin. Raiden Makoto had taken the sword with her, which meant she'd taken Ei along, while leaving the Shogun at Tenshukaku to work. The rest of them went shopping around Inazuma.
After the Shogun gained emotions, her sense of grievance transmitted itself clearly to Raiden Ei.
Ei had a premonition—tonight, she might end up being a spectator again.
"…I'll generously give you a bit of participation,"
the Raiden Shogun said flatly.
Raiden Ei: "..."
Well, thank you very much for that.
"As long as it's okay."
Gu Chen nodded. "Then let's eat."
"Food time!"
Paimon was already raring to go.
"You ate so many snacks—do you still have room for dinner?"
Buyel poked Paimon's little belly.
"Hehe."
Paimon grinned proudly. "I knew he was cooking, so I specially saved lots of space in my stomach!"
"Looks like you planned ahead."
Gu Chen laughed. "Alright, let's eat."
While they were eating—
Lumine felt someone contacting her via private message.
"Hm?"
She was a bit surprised.
"What's wrong?" Gu Chen asked.
"Aether asked if I'm free tomorrow morning. He wants to come see us," Lumine replied.
"Oh? Boss Gu's big brother-in-law is coming?"
Paimon looked up mid-bite. "Should we prepare a proper reception? Want me to have someone buy better ingredients?"
Lumine thought for a moment.
"Since he's coming, we should treat him properly," Gu Chen said.
Lumine nodded. "True. Though it took him this long to come see me… he'd better have prepared a gift I'm satisfied with."
The videos had been exposed for so long, and only now was Aether coming to see her. Lumine still felt a little resentment.
But after living in the Gu Residence, seeing her sisters and her husband, she didn't really mind anymore.
With a few exchanges, the arrangements for Aether's visit the next day were settled.
…
After dinner, they rested a bit—it was time for digestion.
Since Raiden Ei had just arrived at the Gu Residence, everyone decided to give her some space.
Tonight, Lumine, Guizhong, and Paimon slept together—Guizhong especially loved teasing Paimon.
Raiden Makoto slept with Buyel and Ganyu.
The two sharp-minded women could listen to Ganyu talk about her experiences at work and help her strategize.
Raiden Ei also got her wish—the Shogun really did give her a bit of participation.
It wasn't much, but considering the Shogun had worked all afternoon, Ei accepted it.
…
The next day.
Since Aether was coming over, Gu Chen got up early.
Close to nine in the morning—
Ganyu left for work, and the Shogun returned to Tenshukaku.
The Musou Isshin was in Raiden Makoto's hands, so Raiden Ei didn't follow the Shogun. Instead, she stood there as a consciousness, full of envy, watching Paimon drink milk tea.
"Want some, huh?"
Paimon giggled, spreading her hands. "What a shame—you can't drink it!"
Raiden Ei sighed. She really wanted to possess Paimon, drink the milk tea, then let her go.
Unfortunately, she couldn't—so all she could do was watch Paimon enjoy it and rub it in her face.
"He's almost here."
Gu Chen said, walking toward the front gate of the Gu Residence.
He pushed open the door and saw a figure approaching from the distance.
The same short blond hair as Lumine's.
Aether's build was somewhat slender. Though he'd lived a long time, he still looked like a young man, which was fairly normal.
Light-element energy flowed faintly around his garments.
Clearly, Aether wielded power of a level higher than the seven elements.
There was also a trace of an upper-ruler's bearing between his brows.
"Big brother-in-law."
Gu Chen raised a hand in greeting.
Aether looked at Gu Chen with a complicated expression. After sighing inwardly, he nodded.
"Hello."
"Oh my!"
Behind Gu Chen, Lumine stared at Aether in shock, then spoke with exaggerated politeness:
"Well, if it isn't His Highness the Prince of the Abyss Order! What an honor, what an honor—welcome to the Gu Residence!"
Gu Chen: "..."
Makoto, Ei, Buyel, Guizhong, Paimon: "..."
Aether's mouth twitched.
So what if, when she first woke up and began searching for him, he chose not to meet her and only watched from the shadows?
So what if, after everything was exposed, he waited a whole month before coming to see her?
Did she really have to start with sarcasm the moment they met?
…Alright. Aether admitted he was in the wrong.
Gu Chen laughed helplessly. "Come inside first."
Once inside the Gu Residence—
Aether sighed and lowered his head. "Lumine… I'm sorry."
"And the practical expression of that apology?"
Lumine raised her hand, rubbing her thumb and index finger together.
"…I searched the Abyss Order for a long time and couldn't find a suitable gift,"
Aether said. "So I figured I'd just give Mora instead."
He raised his hand.
Immediately, the sound of metal clashing like flowing water rang out.
Paimon's eyes widened, pupils turning into Mora symbols.
In the blink of an eye, more than half of the Gu Residence was buried under Mora.
"Good grief—big brother-in-law's got some serious resources,"
even Gu Chen was stunned.
"Paimon, have some awareness!"
Lumine scolded, then hurried off.
Before everyone's astonished eyes, she dragged over a chair, pressed Aether down to sit, then started massaging his shoulders and pounding his legs, her face full of radiant smiles.
"Big brother traveled such a long way from the Abyss Order—must've been exhausting, right?"
Aether: "6."
Just a moment ago she was all sarcasm.
The Mora came out, and her face changed faster than flipping a book!
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