Mt. Yougou.
The Grand Narukami Shrine.
Once the home of the tengu, it became a shared sanctuary after the Hakushin fox clan moved in. Anyone who came to pray might suddenly see a streak of light cutting across the sky—
Yet when they turned to look for it, nothing remained.
Those who knew simply smiled.
The tengu were playing.
It was said that if one could keep pace with a tengu's blade-light, they would be worthy of founding their own sword school.
When Luo Li reached the summit of Mt. Yougou, he was greeted by a sea of falling cherry blossoms. Rows of crimson torii spiraled up the mountainside. From this highest point on Narukami Island, all of Inazuma stretched beneath him, Tenshukaku gleaming in the far distance.
Perhaps he had arrived too early.
The shrine grounds were quiet—empty except for a small shrine maiden sweeping fallen petals.
Upon noticing him, the girl—about thirteen or fourteen—hurried over.
Her face still carried a trace of childish roundness; her movements were light and earnest. Her shrine garments were clearly a few sizes too large, hanging loosely on her petite frame.
"Are you here to pray? Or to draw a fortune slip?" she asked politely.
But the moment she got a clear look at Luo Li, her eyes widened.
This person… is so handsome!
"Oh? Looks like there's still someone in Inazuma who doesn't recognize me."
Luo Li examined her delicate features. Still young, but already showing signs of future beauty.
He mentally compared her face to the shrine maidens he knew—none matched.
Then he recalled Saiguu's words.
Ah. So this must be the new trainee shrine maiden—Asase Hibiki.
Sure enough, the girl panicked and bowed repeatedly.
"I—I'm sorry! I'm new here… um… are you perhaps someone important?"
Her flustered behavior was so adorable that Luo Li couldn't resist teasing her.
"I came here because your Lady Saiguu personally invited me. And yet she sends an untrained girl who knows nothing to greet me. What is the meaning of this?"
His deliberately stern tone terrified her. The girl bowed again and again.
"I'm sorry! Please don't be angry, I'll go call the shrine's—"
Before she could finish, a familiar voice sounded behind her.
"Lord Luo Li? You're here quite early."
The little maiden turned to see one of the senior shrine maidens greeting him with a respectful bow.
Wait—
He's THAT Lord Luo Li?!
The country girl from Ritou froze.
Back on Seirai Island, she had heard countless legends from the previous shrine maidens:
The man who transformed the barren Inazuma into the prosperous nation it was today.
The one who reformed the land, revitalized the economy, built ports second only to Liyue Harbor—
People even erected statues of him in secret.
And when the remnants of the slain god Orobashi launched their revenge…
Rumor said he parted the sea with a single strike, destroying a tide of sea beasts so vast the ocean ran red for a hundred li.
A man unmatched in both governance and martial might.
And she… was standing right in front of him.
Her eyes sparkled with reverence—pure, dreamlike admiration.
Having been exposed so quickly, Luo Li dropped the act.
"Got bored, so I came early. That fox woman explained everything to you, I assume?"
The senior shrine maiden pretended not to hear him call Saiguu "that fox woman," and replied:
"Yes. During Lady Saiguu's absence, the entire shrine is under your authority."
"So readily? Aren't you afraid I'll cause trouble?"
She only smiled.
"Alright, go handle your duties. Leave this little one to me."
He pointed casually at Hibiki.
"Yes, my lord."
The senior maiden departed gracefully, leaving Hibiki standing there, mortified.
"I'm… truly sorry for not recognizing you earlier, I—"
Luo Li chuckled.
"I was teasing you. Hibiki, right? Come walk with me."
The girl blinked.
"Eh? But… I never said my name…"
Before she could question further, Luo Li had already walked off, forcing her to scurry after him with a head full of questions.
They circled the shrine in no time.
Throughout the walk, Luo Li behaved completely unlike someone temporarily entrusted with the entire domain—more like a man out enjoying the spring breeze.
Hibiki kept sneaking glances at him. So many times she wanted to ask whether the legends about him were true… but every time, the words stuck in her throat.
Meeting a figure she had admired since childhood—
Her heart was still too overwhelmed.
Finally, when Luo Li left the shrine and wandered toward a secluded direction on Mt. Yougou, Hibiki couldn't hold back.
"Lord Luo Li… that area is unknown terrain. It's outside the shrine grounds."
"No need to fret." Luo Li waved lazily. "Haven't visited in a while. I'm going to see an old friend."
"An… old friend? But the shrine—"
Hibiki hesitated.
She believed Luo Li should remain in the shrine to oversee everything—not wander around.
But she was only a trainee. She dared not argue, only follow obediently.
Is he as unreliable as Lady Saiguu…?
She pouted internally and hurried behind him.
As they descended deeper into the wooded path, the trees thickened, sunlight fading until the trail felt narrow and shadowed.
Hibiki had never gone this far before. Instinctively, she walked closer to Luo Li, as if his presence alone could keep the darkness away.
Before long, however, the gloom lifted.
The path widened, and soft, otherworldly lights shimmered ahead.
Clusters of Naku Weed, glowing purple and blue, illuminated the clearing like a page from a painting.
"It's beautiful…"
Hibiki stood frozen, lost in wonder.
Good thing Luo Li stopped at the same moment, gazing forward with a nostalgic expression.
"We're here."
◇ I'll be dropping one bonus chapters for every 10 reviews. comment
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ You can read 60 chapter ahead on P@treon if you're interested: patreon.com/PixelAero