Meanwhile, across the sea.
Inazuma, Ritou Wharf.
The sea breeze blew gently, and following the wind, the waves softly patted against the wharf and the wooden pilings driven into the seabed, making a rushing sound of water.
The ships of The Crux Fleet were docked at the pier.
At this moment, however, the Ritou Wharf was not quiet.
Large numbers of dock workers were moving cargo onto The Crux Fleet's ships, batch by batch.
Soldiers of the Tenryou Commission stood guard around the perimeter, weapons in hand.
A short-haired woman with a heroic air, wearing a Tengu mask and form-fitting black combat attire, was holding a roster as thick as a book, personally inspecting the cargo.
"Qualified. Next box," the short-haired woman said with a nod after inspecting the goods in the crate.
Hearing that it passed, the porter exerted force to lift the wooden crate.
However, just as it was lifted, the stress point of the wooden crate gave way due to the excessive weight, snapping open with a loud crack.
The wooden crate smashed viciously toward the porter's leg.
The porter's expression changed instantly. Seeing it was too late to dodge, the short-haired young woman frowned slightly and was about to intervene, when a hand reached out from the side and grabbed the wooden crate.
"Watch out, little brother. It doesn't matter if the cargo breaks, just don't get yourself hurt," a hearty voice rang out.
The short-haired woman looked up, only to see a woman wearing a black and red combat outfit and a pirate's eyepatch, gently holding the other corner of the wooden crate with one hand.
The wooden crate, which required the porter to use both hands and full strength to move, was actually lifted by her with a single hand, and without any effort at all.
For an ordinary woman, let alone one hand, even with two hands, it would be uncertain if she could budge this crate.
"So strong..." the porter swallowed hard and murmured, only then remembering to give thanks.
"Keep moving it," the woman with the eyepatch said, waving her hand.
"Many thanks for stepping in, Captain Beidou," the short-haired woman said, thanking her as she looked at the woman before her.
"No need," Beidou smiled, narrowing her eyes slightly. "Speaking of which, it is truly an honor for my Crux Fleet that the dignified General of the Tenryou Commission, Kujou Sara, has come personally to help tally the cargo."
"After all, this trade with Liyue is of great importance; no errors can be tolerated," Kujou Sara said calmly.
"That is true," Beidou smiled and said. "However, since Miss Kujou is working so hard, would you like to come aboard for a drink with me?"
"No need. Once the cargo is tallied, I still have to return to report on my mission," Kujou Sara refused.
"Then I'll be going first; the ship is still waiting for me to start the banquet."
Beidou was not the least bit surprised by Kujou Sara's refusal. After taking two steps, she turned her head to look at Kujou Sara again, a smile curling up the corners of her mouth.
"Since you're unwilling to drink together, let me give you a small gift then," Beidou smiled, took out two books from her person, handed them to Kujou Sara, and spoke.
"Books?" Kujou Sara was slightly stunned.
When Beidou first reached for something, she couldn't help but be vigilant for a moment.
After all, although she hadn't clashed directly with Beidou on the battlefield before, Beidou's terrifying strength had undoubtedly been revealed there.
She was a formidable enemy not to be underestimated.
Although she had heard that Beidou was an upright person who disdained sneak attacks, as the General of the Tenryou Commission who had been fighting for years, how could she easily trust others based on mere rumors?
Moreover, facing such a situation, vigilance was already a subconscious behavior.
However, seeing that what Beidou took out were two books, Kujou Sara couldn't help but be dazed.
"These are books I brought over from Liyue this time, and they've been revised by your Inazuma's Yae Publishing House. They were written by a friend of mine. I personally like reading them very much. When I passed by Yae Publishing House, I specially bought a few copies, intending to bring them back to that friend of mine. I'll give you two copies in passing. When you have nothing to do, you can take a look; maybe you'll like them," Beidou said.
After speaking, without waiting for Kujou Sara to speak, she directly stuffed them into her hands.
"See you next time." With that, Beidou waved her hand and spoke.
Kujou Sara frowned. Just as she was about to casually set the two books aside, she suddenly saw that the book titles were somewhat familiar.
"Hm? Aren't these two books the ones that the Eldest Miss of the Kamisato family went to Yae Publishing House to buy some time ago?" Kujou Sara frowned slightly and muttered to herself.
Although she was not familiar with the Eldest Miss of the Kamisato family, Kujou Sara knew quite a bit about her.
She had long heard that the Eldest Miss of the Kamisato family had excellent chess skills and had long wanted to pay a visit.
It was just that every time she passed by the Kamisato Estate, she would always hear the sounds of frolicking, music, and laughter coming from inside. She worried that a serious person like herself would be out of place in that kind of atmosphere.
Therefore, every time such a thought arose, she would drop it.
Regarding the matter of Miss Kamisato buying these two books, she had also heard it from her subordinates.
It was said that a few days ago, the Kamisato Estate and the Grand Narukami Shrine jointly announced that they would hold a grand music competition.
After the announcement, they began preparations in full swing. It was quite the spectacle.
And this music competition was organized precisely because of this book, Your Lie in April...
It was also precisely because of the announcement of this concert that a long queue formed in front of Yae Publishing House for a whole day, causing the Tenryou Commission to have to send troops to maintain order.
"Fang Qiu? Is this a pen name or a real name? Does this person really write that well?"
Looking at the author's name on the book cover, Kujou Sara frowned and spoke.
The Eldest Miss of the Kamisato family and Lady Guuji Yae had both personally stepped in to promote her books, and now even Captain Beidou had given her two copies.
"Fine, I'll take a look when I have time. Perhaps if I encounter that Eldest Miss of the Kamisato family in the future, I can use this as a topic to chat with her. After all, harmony among the Tri-Commission will help the Shogun Almighty in her management, and it will also help me in carrying out my work."
Kujou Sara pondered for a moment, then put the books away.
"Next one," Kujou Sara beckoned and said.
"Yes, Lady Kujou Sara."
...
Aboard The Alcor, it was extremely lively at this moment.
Several cooks were setting up barbecue grills on the deck to roast fish.
"You don't say, Sister Xiangling's method is really quite good. Even the smell is so fragrant; my drool is about to flow out."
"I wonder if Sister Xiangling has come up with any new dishes during the time we were away. I want to return to Liyue quickly."
"However, compared to Sister Xiangling's dishes, I want to read Miss Fang Qiu's new book even more. Say, by the time we get back, Miss Fang Qiu should already have a new work out, right?"
"Given Miss Fang Qiu's speed in writing books, there should be. I'm really looking forward to it."
"Wait, weren't the first two books heart-wrenching enough? I remember after you finished reading back then, you drank so much wine. I was still the one who carried you to bed, and you kept calling out 'Juan'er' with every breath. Luckily I dodged fast, otherwise, I would have definitely been kissed by you."
"Cough, cough, wasn't that because memories were stirred up? Back then, I also met a girl on a ship."
"Shut up, you. You've told this story many times. That girl didn't like you at all."
"Don't you feel that the fact she didn't like me makes it even more sorrowful?"
"What you said... seems to make a bit of sense."
The sailors discussed spiritedly.
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