After finalizing matters with Ningguang, Jiang Chen headed to Ganyu's office.
Since Yae Miko had contacted her, it was only polite to inform Ganyu of his trip to Inazuma.
When Jiang Chen and the others arrived, Ganyu had just received a message from Yae Miko via talisman.
The reply had arrived faster than expected.
She was about to respond when Jiang Chen walked in.
"Jiang Chen? What brings you here?"
Ganyu set down her brush, puzzled.
Weren't they supposed to be in Guili Plains?
Why had they returned so suddenly?
"I'm heading to Inazuma soon."
"Has Yae Miko contacted you?"
Jiang Chen took a seat and cut straight to the point.
Ganyu nodded.
"Just now, actually."
"I sent her some communication talismans—she just reached out."
"She said she's coming to Liyue."
"Though now, it seems you're going to Inazuma instead."
She couldn't help but find the timing ironic.
"Tell her not to bother."
"We'll handle it on our end."
If Yae Miko was planning a trip, there was no need—they were going to her.
"Understood."
Without further questions, Ganyu picked up a talisman and relayed Jiang Chen's message.
"Jiang Chen is coming to Inazuma. Stand by."
Once that was done, Jiang Chen asked:
"Anything you want us to bring back from Inazuma?"
"Or deliver there?"
Ganyu hesitated, then smiled softly.
"Could you bring some sea ganoderma?"
She'd been craving it for ages.
Since Inazuma's lockdown, Yae Miko hadn't been able to send any.
If there was one thing she missed, it was that.
"Sure."
"I'll pack some for you."
Jiang Chen agreed easily.
How hard could it be to grab a few mushrooms?
With that settled, it was time to depart.
He ushered Guizhong, Lumine, and Paimon into the Heroic Spirit Temple, then spiritronized himself, shooting toward Inazuma at full speed.
Meanwhile, at the Grand Narukami Shrine—
Yae Miko's ears perked up as she read Ganyu's latest message.
Jiang Chen was coming here?
What a delightful surprise.
Now she wouldn't have to make the trip to Liyue.
The thought sent a thrill through her.
She could finally meet the man who'd mastered resurrection.
Only through him could Makoto and the others return.
"Relics… right!"
"I need relics!"
"Saiguu's will be easy, but Makoto's…"
Her fox-like eyes gleamed with mischief.
Makoto's belongings were all in Ei's possession.
The most iconic? Musou Isshin.
To obtain it, she'd have to trick Ei.
But she wasn't ready to reveal the resurrection plan yet.
So how to proceed?
Hmm.
What about Makoto's oil-paper umbrella?
Would that count as a relic?
The idea had potential.
But Ei had stored that away too.
Every trace of Makoto was under lock and key.
The umbrella might be easier to retrieve—she did have access to those archives.
The real challenge was Musou Isshin.
Could she really drag Ei out of her meditation just to ask for it?
Sure, she could dodge the inevitable slash, but… what a hassle.
Then it hit her.
"Ah—I forgot to ask Ganyu what he looks like!"
How careless.
If Jiang Chen arrived, how would she even recognize him?
Quickly, she burned another talisman.
"Sister Ganyu, describe Jiang Chen for me."
The reply came swiftly:
"Very handsome. Travels with two companions and a floating white-haired child."
"One has ash-gray hair, the other is blonde."
"Jiang Chen himself has white hair."
"If you see this group, that's him."
Yae Miko blinked.
That… straightforward?
Well then.
All she had to do was keep an eye out for newcomers.
Immediately, she summoned a shrine maiden.
"Watch Ritou's docks closely."
"Don't miss Jiang Chen's group."
She didn't know when they'd arrive, but given their abilities…
It wouldn't take long.
Probably within days.
By now, Jiang Chen was already en route.
Spiritronized, he streaked across the ocean at breakneck speed.
Along the way, he spotted numerous ships—some heading to Liyue, others departing.
Passing Guyun Stone Forest, he suddenly remembered:
Two gods were still sealed beneath those peaks.
Sensing their presence, he was surprised.
Osial wasn't causing trouble?
Had reuniting with his wife calmed him down?
Tch. Who knew he'd done them a favor?
…Wait.
Would this lead to baby gods someday?
The thought made his expression twist.
Let's… not think about that.
Shaking his head, he accelerated toward Inazuma.
Oddly, he didn't cross paths with the Crux Fleet.
Given the vastness of the sea, their routes likely just didn't overlap.
No matter.
Where ships took weeks, Jiang Chen needed mere hours.
By sunset, Inazuma's silhouette loomed on the horizon—
—along with the eternal storm surrounding it.
The Raiden Shogun's divine barrier, impervious to ordinary vessels.
But Jiang Chen wasn't ordinary.
Without slowing, he plunged straight through the lightning.
At Tenshukaku, the Shogun's eyes snapped open.
Her brow furrowed.
Something had just… slipped past her senses.
A flicker of something—
But when she focused, there was nothing.
Had she imagined it?