Hearing that form of address again,
seeing Lin Mo put on that familiar mask once more—
For a moment, Ningguang felt as if they had returned to that time in the dream.
"…All right. I agree." Ningguang nodded.
But in the next instant, she lifted her head and looked up at the sky, her tone shifting.
"Before that, though, I want to make plans for rebuilding the Jade Chamber."
"Mm, no problem. I'll help you with that too."
Lin Mo smiled and nodded.
"You're not even going to ask why I want to rebuild the Jade Chamber?" Ningguang frowned slightly, clearly dissatisfied with his reaction.
"Why? That's simple."
Lin Mo smiled, speaking as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"Because the Jade Chamber carries memories that belong to the two of us. It's our home—our '923.'"
"So you do understand."
Ningguang lifted her chin lightly.
The Jade Chamber—she would rebuild it as quickly as possible.
Because in her view,
only within the Jade Chamber, where no one else could intrude,
would Lin Mo belong to her alone.
"Alright, then let's head back. Tianqiu Valley should still need some work," Lin Mo said with a smile, urging her gently.
But Ningguang turned away instead of leaving with him.
"Hm? What's wrong?" Lin Mo asked, puzzled.
"I still have to handle the disaster's aftermath,"
Ningguang said calmly, her back to him.
"And make arrangements for the Jade Chamber's reconstruction. So I won't disturb you and your other companions reuniting."
"Uh… alright."
Lin Mo gave a wry smile and nodded.
Perhaps it was better if Ningguang didn't go.
After all, what woman would be willing to watch her man surrounded by other women?
"Then… I'll head over first?" Lin Mo asked tentatively.
"Go on. Before you leave for Inazuma, remember to come see me at the Ministry of Civil Affairs."
Ningguang still didn't turn around.
That tone—
it was as if she had once again become the lofty Tianquan, standing above all else.
Lin Mo nodded and turned toward the office door.
But just as he reached it, he stopped.
"I… have inherited the Geo Archon's power."
He turned back with a smile.
"If you miss me, just lightly kiss your Vision. I'll appear by your side as fast as I can."
Inherited the Geo Archon's power?!
Ningguang's eyes widened in disbelief.
She hurriedly removed the Vision at her waist and held it in her hand.
As she looked at the Vision glowing faintly in her palm,
she could clearly feel its elemental resonance growing stronger.
There even seemed to be a trace of warmth.
The Vision resting in her hand felt as though Lin Mo were gently kissing her palm.
"You fool…"
A trace of emotion flashed through Ningguang's eyes.
The change in her Vision must have come from Lin Mo.
Among all the women in Liyue,
she was the only one with a Geo Vision—
the only one who could let Lin Mo sense her longing anytime, anywhere.
A warm current flowed quietly through Ningguang's heart.
By now, Lin Mo had already left the Ministry of Civil Affairs.
He headed straight toward the main gate.
As soon as he stepped outside,
his gaze instinctively turned toward the Guyun Stone Forest.
"Hm?"
Lin Mo felt a bit confused.
The vast ice field that had covered the area for several kilometers was slowly melting under the blazing sun.
Meltwater flowed gently through the canyon he had carved—hundreds of meters wide—with a single strike.
The massive army of Geovishaps had vanished without a trace.
What puzzled Lin Mo was that he couldn't see his companions anywhere in the Guyun Stone Forest either.
Just then, a voice came from behind him.
"I told them you were discussing Liyue's post-disaster reconstruction with Ningguang, and that you probably wouldn't be back anytime soon.
So I suggested they go rest at Mt. Aocang for now and wait for you to bring everyone over once you're free.
They're planning a dinner banquet there to welcome you."
"Only Rosalyne didn't go. She said she had matters to handle at the Northland Bank."
…
The unfamiliar female voice made Lin Mo turn around in curiosity.
The moment he did, his pupils contracted slightly.
Pink hair.
A short witch-like dress.
The少女 standing behind him was dazzlingly beautiful.
In that instant, only one word came to Lin Mo's mind—
Stunning.
Well…
if only the look in her eyes weren't filled with such disdain.
"Yae… Miko?" Lin Mo asked quietly.
Though he already knew this was the Grand Narukami Shrine's Guuji from Inazuma,
in this parallel world of the Hundred Lifetimes' Promise,
this was the first time he had seen her in human form.
More importantly,
the way she looked at him—
there was a hint of resentment, mixed with contempt.
It reminded Lin Mo that over the past few days,
all his "warm and considerate" behavior had been completely seen through by her.
That made him feel inexplicably guilty, like a thief caught in the act.
"My Lord Sasayuri,"
Yae Miko's gaze carried a teasing depth.
"Shall we find somewhere private to reminisce about old times?"
From her expression, Lin Mo could tell she definitely had something she wanted to say.
He nodded and glanced toward the Liuli Pavilion across from the Ministry of Civil Affairs.
"Let's talk there," Lin Mo said.
The two walked side by side to the Liuli Pavilion and requested a private room.
Inside the spacious room,
Yae Miko didn't sit beside him.
Instead, she chose a seat directly across from him.
She said nothing—
only stared at him with a gaze that was equal parts scornful and mocking.
"Ahem… Yae…"
Lin Mo cleared his throat and broke the silence, asking awkwardly,
"Well, you already know all my secrets. Is there… anything else you want to ask?"
"Hm… many, many things."
Yae Miko looked at him coldly.
"Since you can use ninjutsu, that means you must have been to Inazuma in a later life."
"In my view, you must have had at least one passionate romance there."
"If that's the case—"
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"Why is it that you never once came to look for me?"
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T/N:
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