Now, this was entertaining.
Many Inazumans despised these corrupt soldiers.
Seeing them humiliated was delightful.
"Mr. Jiang Chen?"
Just as the soldiers cowered, a clear female voice rang out.
Turning, Jiang Chen saw a shrine maiden approaching.
She eyed their group—uncertain.
The Guuji had instructed her to watch for:
A handsome white-haired man.
A floating child.
A blonde.
This had to be them, right?
"Yae Miko's subordinate?"
"Perfect—handle these idiots."
"Make it thorough."
"Honestly, Inazumans are so rude."
"See a foreigner and immediately try to extort them?"
The shrine maiden's attire confirmed her allegiance.
Hearing this, she nodded—their identities verified.
"Understood, Lord Jiang Chen."
"You'll have justice."
With a gesture, her escort dragged the disgraced soldiers away.
Fools.
To dare harass the Guuji's honored guest?
Unforgivable.
Where they were taken? Irrelevant.
"I'll visit later."
"For now, we're exploring."
The shrine maiden hesitated, then bowed.
"As you wish."
"But Inazuma is… unstable at present."
"Please accept this omamori."
She produced a charm from her robes—Yae Miko's personal sigil.
With this, none would dare obstruct Jiang Chen.
The Guuji's authority was absolute—second only to the Shogun.
Jiang Chen accepted it without fuss.
Convenient.
"I'll take it."
"Tell her no rush."
"We'll head over tonight."
"After all… we do need lodging."
With that, he led the others away.
Onlookers memorized their faces—
—warning their bosses: Do NOT provoke these people.
They're the Guuji's guests.
And that fox? Not to be trifled with.
Meanwhile, news raced through Inazuma's upper echelons.
The Guuji's VIPs had arrived.
Nobles scrambled to rein in their underlings.
One misstep = Yae Miko's wrath.
And that was not a fate anyone wanted.
Beneath her playful demeanor lurked a ruthless schemer.
Best avoid her ire.
But more concerning?
Why were they here now?
What was happening?
Witnesses described the man as overwhelmingly powerful.
…Was the Guuji plotting a coup?
Had she finally had enough of the Shogun?
The thought terrified many.
…Could it be true?
At the Kamisato Estate, Ayato froze upon receiving the news.
But before he could ponder, a second message arrived:
The Guuji summoned his sister.
"Ayaka?"
What was Yae Miko planning?
He immediately sent for her.
Soon, Ayaka arrived.
"Brother, you needed me?"
She was puzzled by the urgency.
"The Guuji requests your presence."
"She's hosting esteemed guests tonight—you're to accompany her."
Ayaka blinked.
"…Accompany?"
Surely not that kind of—
"As her social partner."
Ayato clarified swiftly.
The shrine maiden had explained the context.
This was formal hospitality.
Relieved, Ayaka nodded.
"I'll depart at once."
She was curious—who were these guests?
"Good. Also… learn what's happening."
"Something big is brewing."
Ayato's brow furrowed.
No way Yae Miko was rebelling.
That fox was too cunning for reckless moves.
Whatever she planned would reshape Inazuma.
He needed details.
Ayaka understood.
With a bow, she set off for the Grand Narukami Shrine.
Upon arrival, she found the mountain sealed.
No visitors allowed.
Only a designated shrine maiden escorted her up.
This level of secrecy…
Even the Shogun didn't warrant such measures.