Guizhong looked at Jiang Chen with eager anticipation.
"I'm coming with you!"
Jiang Chen was clearly going to stir up trouble—and Guizhong loved trouble.
She had to tag along.
If Jiang Chen was heading to Inazuma, something fun was bound to happen.
Hearing this, Cloud Retainer immediately objected.
"What are you going to Inazuma for?"
"To cause trouble?"
"A god waltzing into another nation's territory?"
"Aren't you afraid the Raiden Shogun will slice you in half?"
Guizhong wanted to go too?
Absolutely not.
Did she not realize how dangerous that was?
A god casually appearing in another region could spark war.
Guizhong just huffed.
"I'm not scared!"
"Do I even look like a god right now?"
She'd mastered concealing her aura.
And honestly, nothing about her screamed "god" anymore.
Cloud Retainer's worries were completely unfounded.
Frustrated by Guizhong's rebuttal, Cloud Retainer opened her mouth—then froze.
She couldn't argue.
Guizhong didn't have a trace of divine energy left.
If not for their familiarity with her, no one would even suspect she was once a god.
Tch. So there was no stopping her?
"Why are you going to Inazuma?"
Cloud Retainer glared.
What kind of nonsense was this?
Guizhong answered matter-of-factly:
"To exchange techniques with the Raiden Shogun, of course."
"She's a master of forging and craftsmanship."
"I want to learn from her."
Aside from spectating Jiang Chen's chaos, this was her real goal.
Jiang Chen couldn't resist adding:
"She's also really good at making puppets!"
"Like, scary lifelike ones!"
Case in point: The Shogun.
Ei had literally crafted a body for herself.
What a genius.
Though now, technically…
Ei didn't even have her own body anymore, did she?
She'd given it to the Shogun.
Right now, she was just… consciousness floating around.
Hmm.
Could Jiang Chen turn her into a Heroic Spirit too?
Would she agree?
Actually—of course she would.
Once her sister was a Heroic Spirit, Ei would jump at the chance.
He was certain of it.
Guizhong's eyes sparkled even brighter.
"Take me with you!"
She stared at Jiang Chen pleadingly.
He nodded.
"Fine, you can come."
"Doesn't matter to me."
Guizhong beamed.
It was settled.
Seeing this, Cloud Retainer could only sigh in defeat.
"Just… be careful!"
If she couldn't stop them, so be it.
When Keqing returned, Jiang Chen informed her of his plans.
"Huh?!"
"You're going to Inazuma?"
So sudden?
"Yep."
"Heading there with Lumine."
"Got some business to handle."
He didn't elaborate.
"Alright."
"Do you need an official diplomatic document?"
Given Inazuma's current isolation, traveling without credentials might invite trouble.
An official letter would ensure smooth passage.
Jiang Chen waved her off.
"Nah, no need."
"Actually, it's better without one."
Without formal ties, he could act freely.
Otherwise, everything he did would reflect on Liyue.
No thanks.
Keqing's expression turned suspicious.
Was he planning something shady?
But after a moment's thought, she shrugged.
Whatever. With his power, he could handle himself.
"Cloud Retainer."
Keqing suddenly turned to the adeptus.
Cloud Retainer hmph'd.
"This one does not wish to speak with you."
She was still salty about yesterday.
Keqing sighed.
"I… want to apologize."
"I was too harsh yesterday."
Her tone was sincere.
After reflection, she had been overly aggressive.
Cloud Retainer blinked, surprised.
She was apologizing?
After a pause, Cloud Retainer lifted her chin.
"This one magnanimously forgives you."
"Now, what do you want?"
"You didn't come just to apologize, did you?"
Since Keqing had humbled herself, Cloud Retainer could afford to be gracious.
As a noble adeptus, she could overlook past slights.
Keqing shook her head.
"No, I really did come just to apologize."
...
Huh?
That wasn't how this was supposed to go.
Shouldn't she apologize, then ask for a favor, and then this one graciously agrees?
Why was she just apologizing?
Didn't that make this one look… silly?
Jiang Chen and Guizhong burst out laughing.
This was gold.
Time passed quickly.
As promised, Lumine returned to Guili Plains.
Jiang Chen could feel the surge in her power—far stronger than when she'd left.
But Paimon?
She looked miserable.
"Paimon, what's wrong?"
"Why so listless?"
Jiang Chen was genuinely curious.
What happened?
She looked like she'd been through the wringer.
"She wanted to eat Sumeru's food in Sumeru, Qiaoying Village's snacks in Qiaoying, Fontaine's delicacies in Fontaine—"
"But I didn't stop for any of it!"
"Grabbed Hydro and rushed straight back!"
"So now she's like this."
Lumine shot Paimon a disdainful look.
This was all because of food?
"Ah, I see."
"Then tonight, we feast!"
"Welcome back."
Paimon jolted to life.
"REALLY?!"
"YAY!!"
"Jiang Chen, you're the best!"
She zoomed over, eyes sparkling.
Jiang Chen was so much nicer than Lumine.
Maybe… she should switch sides?
Following Lumine meant constant hunger.
But Jiang Chen?
Feasts every day!
For the first time, Paimon considered changing masters.
"I didn't starve you!"
"You ate most of the food on the way!"
"Quit faking it, you glutton!"
Lumine scowled at Paimon's dramatics.
Some travel companion she was.