Using her control and a bit of alchemy to transform a branch into wooden swords was as simple for Lucas as eating or drinking.
Yet Shinobu's eyes widened, and she muttered, "What… what are you doing?!"
Lucas wore an expression of complete normalcy. "Making swords."
Shinobu stared at him as if he were crazy. Although unlike other shrine maidens at Grand Narukami Shrine, she didn't hold strong faith in the Sacred Sakura tree, she understood just how important this divine tree was to Inazuma.
And here he was, daring to break off its branch!
Thankfully, no one else was around. If any other shrine maiden, especially her older sister Ayaka, had seen this, they'd probably have choked on their own blood.
"Here!" Lucas jumped down from the tree and tossed one of the wooden swords to Shinobu, smiling. "Let's start."
Shinobu instinctively gripped the wooden sword. She noticed the hilt was textured for better grip, and couldn't help but wonder what technique Lucas had used to create such a finely crafted wooden sword instantly.
Of course, there was one thing even Shinobu hadn't realized.
The Sacred Sakura wasn't ordinary wood. In theory, even someone with a Dendro Vision shouldn't be able to control it. Yet Lucas not only broke off the branch with ease but reshaped it freely.
The reason behind this was linked to Istaroth, the "Unknown Time Archon," whose existence few knew about.
In the simulator, Lucas had once asked Istaroth to reverse time and help him defeat the Will of Calamity. The Sacred Sakura's seeds were a gift from Istaroth herself. This mysterious connection gave the tree an inexplicable closeness to Lucas.
If anyone else dared do what he did, divine punishment might have already struck them down.
Naturally, Lucas didn't know the full story—he just felt an odd affinity toward the Sacred Sakura, even the wooden sword in his hand radiated a faint warmth toward his palm.
[Sacred Sakura Wooden Sword]
[Level: ?]
[Effect: Unknown]
[Description: A wooden sword made from a branch of the Sacred Sakura. At first glance, it doesn't seem particularly special.]
Wait, this was even considered a weapon with a description?
Lucas hadn't expected that, but for now, it seemed the sword's special effects weren't meant for combat.
"Ready?" Shinobu grasped the wooden sword with her other hand and said calmly, "You said you'd fight blindfolded, right?"
Lucas smiled and casually pulled out a handkerchief, covering his eyes. Then he switched the sword from his right hand to his left. "Bring it on!"
Shinobu had thought he was just bluffing. She never expected him to actually blindfold himself and wield the sword left-handed. For a swordsman, fighting blind and giving up the dominant hand was like a professional Go player handicapping himself by giving the opponent three moves in advance.
Unless it was a match like Ke Jie versus an eagle—where skill gaps are absurdly wide—this was basically asking to lose.
Lucas expected Shinobu to shout "Ready!" before attacking, but she gave him no such courtesy. With a quick step, she leapt into the air.
Shinobu guessed his confidence to fight blind came from excellent hearing.
An airborne surprise attack should disorient him, making it impossible to pinpoint her position.
She silently swung her sword downward, aiming right for Lucas's chest.
Just as Shinobu suspected, Lucas showed no sign of moving and couldn't tell where she was—like a target waiting to be hit.
But just as her blade was about to strike his chest, Lucas suddenly shifted half a step to the side, barely avoiding the attack by a hair.
Shinobu was startled and tried to create distance. Just as she lifted her head, she felt a chill on the back of her neck.
She was shocked to discover the wooden sword pressed lightly against her nape.
The strike was so fast Shinobu hadn't sensed it coming. Yet it was so gentle she barely felt a thing. That alone proved how exquisitely skilled Lucas's swordsmanship had become.
And all this while blindfolded and fighting left-handed.
"How was it?" Lucas removed the blindfold and smiled. "Is the winner decided?"
"I lost," Shinobu admitted. Though not sore about losing, she asked with some doubt, "But I barely made any sound. How did you know where I were?"
"Sounds can lie, but air currents don't," Lucas grinned. "By feeling the flow of the wind, you can trace the path of an attack. It's just a little trick to fool people though—if it were a real fight, the result would be uncertain."
Shinobu knew he was just comforting her. With their skill gap, a life-or-death duel would probably end badly for her.
"Enough talk," Shinobu said coolly. "So, what do you want me to do?"
"It's nothing too important," Lucas smiled. "But can you tell me who sent you to watch me?"
Though he knew Shinobu likely meant no harm, being monitored like this made him uncomfortable.
At least, he wanted to know who found him so interesting before her mission ended.
A gust of wind blew, scattering cherry blossoms like a gentle rain.
After a moment of silence, Shinobu said flatly, "I don't know what you're talking about. I'm not spying on you. I'm just an ordinary shrine maiden."
"If that's true," Lucas pointed at her with a smile, "then let me see what's written in that notebook you carry. Maybe you'll remember your real identity."
Looks like he came prepared.
"Fine, I admit it—I am watching you," Shinobu finally confessed. "But I can't tell you who sent me. That's professional ethics. If I broke that, I'd never be able to work in Inazuma again."
Lucas nodded. Shinobu's words made sense, and more than that, he quite admired her personality.
She was exactly the same as the Shinobu in the simulator!
"But…" Lucas shrugged with a mischievous grin. "You already made a bet with me earlier. Are you planning to break our agreement?"
Of course, Lucas didn't actually want Shinobu to break her principles—he was just teasing this serious woman, curious to see how she'd respond.
"Well… if you stop digging for details…" Shinobu bit her lip. "I… I can agree to other things."
"It seems I can't get anything else I want from you," Lucas shook his head. "Forget it, I'm not about to quarrel with a little girl. Let's just pretend that bet never happened."
His tactic of "playing hard to get" was subtle and well-executed.
With anyone else, this might have been enough to smooth things over.
But Shinobu was not just anyone. She took her professional ethics seriously and wouldn't break a promise. Seeing Lucas's sarcastic smirk, she could barely stand it.
"Wait!" Shinobu suddenly grabbed Lucas's shoulder. "I… I can do something else for you!"
"Oh?" Lucas narrowed his eyes. "What kind of thing?"
"It's something valuable enough to match the identity of whoever hired me," Shinobu blushed faintly. "I may not have any valuable possessions, but my skills… those are worth a lot."
Skills?
Lucas blinked. "What skills?"
"Massage skills," Shinobu pulled out a stack of certificates and flipped through them, pointing to one. "Look closely—this is quite hard to get. In all of Inazuma, the number of people qualified with this certificate wouldn't exceed two handfuls."
Lucas inspected the certificate, which looked impressively ornate, stamped with the title "Inazuma Special-Class Masseur." It was clearly a high-class credential.
If this were embroidered on a sleeve, Lucas wondered if it might even sparkle like in those flashy cooking shows.
"Although I haven't actually practiced after getting the certificate," Shinobu said seriously, "based on the market value of a special-class masseur, even the most basic massage service would cost at least 200,000 Mora an hour. And if it's the highest-end full-service treatment, the price could reach over a million Mora."
Good grief, a million Mora for a massage? Not even the king of luxury spas, Qiao Shan, could handle that.
Still, it wasn't impossible. Inazuma loved flashy titles and over-the-top stuff. If good ramen chefs were called "Ramen Sages" and sushi chefs "Sushi Sages," then having a "Massage Sage" wouldn't surprise Lucas one bit.
"So I'm curious…" Lucas stroked his chin. "How full-on is the highest-end full-service treatment, exactly?"
"You… you'll only find out if you try," Shinobu shot him a glare. "If you're not satisfied, we can negotiate. But… I don't think you'll be disappointed."
Honestly, putting aside the special-class thing, just being close to a beauty like Shinobu already made the price worth it.
It was way more cost-effective than those tens of millions per session with that bunny brat... although in the end, Lucas still got dumped.
...
Lucas's room, bathroom.
Although Grand Narukami Shrine had the Sacred Cleansing Pool, its purpose was to purify body and soul rather than to serve as a proper bath. For daily washing, rooms had their own bathrooms.
Lucas's guest room was top-notch, with a bathroom significantly larger than others.
Now he was comfortably lounging on a bench beside the bathtub, covered only by a white towel.
"I… I'm coming in."
A hesitant voice announced itself as the bathroom door slowly opened—Shinobu, now out of her shrine maiden outfit, wore only a light, thin yukata.
The steam hanging in the air made the fabric slightly translucent from the dampness, subtly revealing vague curves beneath the gauzy mist.
"I say…" Lucas looked up. "Do you really need to wear that for a massage?"
"I… I don't have a dedicated uniform," Shinobu frowned. "I can't wear my shrine maiden robes, it would be… inconvenient."
"Inconvenient how?" Lucas asked, puzzled.
"Taking… them off is inconvenient," Shinobu whispered.
"Huh?" Lucas looked surprised. "You have to take those off too?"
At this point, there was barely anything left. If she took off the rest, there'd only be skin.
"I told you, this is the highest-end service," Shinobu pulled out a soft wet cloth, blindfolded Lucas again, and whispered, "It's also called 'Phoenix Playing with the Dragon.'"
Honestly, just hearing that name was enough to ignite the imagination.
"Why the blindfold?" Lucas asked.
"Because the service only includes massage," Shinobu replied coolly. "Watching costs extra."
"How much extra?" Lucas blurted out. "I'll pay."
"Really?" Shinobu began slipping off the yukata while casually adding, "Ten million Mora—for unlimited viewing."
Of course, that was just a joke from Shinobu. The massage service was at most a million Mora; charging ten million just to watch was absurd.
It was like ordering a bowl of noodles where the noodles cost one Mora and the sauce ten—totally backwards.
"Alright, ten million Mora it is. You pay after it's done," Lucas grinned, removing the blindfold. "It's a deal."
Shinobu didn't expect him to actually agree to such an outrageous demand. As she slipped off her yukata, Lucas caught her reflection in the bathroom mirror. Though blurred by steam, the hazy image revealed a beauty all its own.
"D-don't keep staring at me."
Shinobu lightly pressed down on Lucas's head, trying to push it down, but his neck felt like it was welded in place—no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't budge it an inch.
"Why not?" Lucas protested stubbornly. "I paid for this—100,000 Mora a minute. Every second you don't look is a loss for me."
Shinobu was beginning to regret her earlier words but had no choice but to sigh, "Fine, do as you please."
Normally, being ogled like this by a man she'd only just met—no, barely exchanged a few words with—would make Shinobu extremely uncomfortable. Yet, for some reason, Lucas's gaze didn't bother her much.
Could it be... because of that strange dream?
Of course, none of that mattered now. The real show was the massage itself.
Shinobu pulled out a delicate little bottle and squeezed out some thick-looking liquid. Seeing this, Lucas couldn't help but ask with curiosity, "For the so-called highest-end service, the tools are this simple?"
From his experience watching Tanhua's videos in real life, wasn't it typical for masseuses to bring a little box of tools?
Back then, naive Lucas thought it was a snack box for replenishing energy, with all those popping candies and jellies inside.
Only later did he realize those things weren't meant for eating at all.
Shinobu then applied the essential oil to Lucas's back. He felt a chill at first, but soon her fingers spread the oil with exquisite technique. The coolness turned into a pleasant warmth, seeping deep into his back muscles and even his bones.
So comfortable!
"This essential oil is blended from a secret recipe, and every masseuse has their own formula," Shinobu seemed unimpressed by Lucas's "know-it-all" attitude. "The highest-end massages usually require only the simplest tools—after all, the most important tool is the masseuse themselves."
Soon Lucas understood what she meant.
And finally, he grasped the true meaning of "Phoenix Plays with the Dragon."
In short, the essence lies in the words "plays" and "glides."
Shinobu herself was the perfect massage tool. With the help of the essential oil, Lucas's skin became incredibly sensitive, amplifying every touch several times over.
At that moment, he felt like the protagonist of "Journey West," but even more intense.
After at least twenty minutes of Shinobu's skilled double-handed massage, Lucas finally reached the first peak of pleasure.
"By the way, is this really your first time doing this?" Lucas asked, enjoying the lingering sensation. "It doesn't feel like it at all."
"If you think the special-class masseur certificate was earned for nothing, you're wrong," Shinobu snorted, frowning as she rubbed her sore hands. "But you're completely different from any training dummy—I should charge you double."
"Speaking of which, I'm really curious," Lucas smiled. "Why did you get such a certificate? With your personality, I doubt you'd ever want a matching job."
Though the title "Inazuma Special-Class Masseur" sounded impressive, it was, at its core, just a high-level technician's certification. In Inazuma's gray-area customs industry, it wasn't something to brag about.
Still, it was a lucrative line of work.
Lucas guessed that if Shinobu really pursued this, with her looks and skills, she'd easily become the top star, making millions per day without breaking a sweat.
"I never intended to use these skills professionally," Shinobu said, her voice carrying a faint bitterness. "Actually, I learned this to... to serve my future husband."
"Really?" Lucas chuckled. "You seem like a strong woman on the outside, but deep down, you're a tender Yamato Nadeshiko?"
A wife who goes through the trouble of earning such a difficult certification just to pamper her future husband—that was a rare gem, even harder to find than the blue lantern.
"It's not that I want my future husband to enjoy it," Shinobu shook her head, sighing. "It's because... my body has a defect."
"A defect?" Lucas blinked. "What kind of defect? Afraid you'll pass on green hair to the kids?"
"Smack!"
Shinobu slapped him without hesitation, leaving a neat, small red handprint on his back.
"I'm just kidding…" Lucas winced in pain. "You're beautiful, smart, and talented. If that counts as a defect, no man deserves you."
"Actually, I'm a congenital stone woman," Shinobu said with a bitter smile. "If a man married me, we'd never consummate the marriage. That's why I learned massage—to make up for it in another way."
A "stone woman" refers to a female born with physiological defects making sexual intercourse impossible. It's an extremely rare condition. Lucas never expected Shinobu to have such a hidden backstory.
Even more surprising was her choice to "compensate" through massage.
That's also why Shinobu cared so much about that dream—because in the dream, when she and Lucas were intimate, everything went smoothly, with no obstacles.
"True love wouldn't care about such things. You don't need to use this as a way to win someone over," Lucas said seriously, a rare earnest look on his face. "Besides, you said you wanted to save this for your future husband. Yet you gave it to me first. Are you really okay with that?"
"I've come to terms with it. You're right, it's ridiculous to compensate this way," Shinobu smiled softly. "Besides, I can live without a man. I've long prepared myself to grow old alone."
Though it was just a massage, there was still physical contact involved. In a sense, Lucas had indeed taken away another important "first."
"You're still young—don't speak so prematurely," Lucas smiled with a hint of meaning. "Besides, don't you know the old Liyue saying: 'Sincerity can move even metal and stone'? If metal and stone can be moved, what's stopping you?"
Shinobu had studied in Liyue and was quite familiar with its proverbs and sayings. Still, it took her a moment to grasp the implication behind Lucas's words. Blushing, she raised her hand again, ready to slap his back—but this time in anger.
"Go to hell!" she snapped.
"Stop, stop!" Lucas hurriedly said. "That huge handprint—you know you're massaging me, right? Anyone else might think you're doing scraping therapy."
Shinobu couldn't help but chuckle, lowering her hand. Lucas looked at her smiling face and said, "You look much better when you smile than when you wear that serious face."
Her cheeks flushed again as she replied grumpily, "Are you done now?"
"Done," Lucas answered casually, but then seemed to realize something. He shook his head. "No, no, not done yet."
To be precise, he was "done" just now, but if he said that outright, Shinobu might have taken it as the end.
For a massage costing eleven million Mora a session, Lucas certainly wasn't about to call it quits so quickly.
"You idiot…" Shinobu rolled her eyes. "I wasn't asking if you were done before. I'm asking if you've recovered yet. The second half is about to start."
Lucas looked down and pursed his lips. "If I'm recovered or not, can't you just tell by looking?"
Shinobu blinked in surprise, following his gaze to the figure she had just pummeled into vomiting on the floor.
To her shock, the opponent had gotten up again, veins bulging, looking even fiercer than before—like a warrior ready for revenge.
The girl was startled, thinking to herself that even if she weren't a stone woman, she probably still wouldn't be able to handle such a muscular foe.
No worries…
Shinobu patted her chest, encouraging herself silently:
No hard work, only brave!
That was a line she'd borrowed and modified from a childhood manga. Somehow, it became her motto, helping her pass many ridiculously difficult certifications. Without it, she probably wouldn't have made it.
"Well... I'll get started," she said without hesitation.
Shinobu casually pulled two black objects from behind her back, which made Lucas blink in surprise.
She revealed two black kunai, their sharp blades gleaming faintly, clearly razor-sharp.
"W-what are you doing?" Lucas asked in confusion.
"Just props," Shinobu said, tossing the kunai casually onto the ceiling beam.
Lucas then noticed that each kunai had a long, tough rope tied to its end. The ropes wrapped tightly around the beams, securing the kunai firmly.
Next, Shinobu moved gracefully up the ropes, as agile as a professional gymnast, reminding Lucas of Xiao Longnu's flying rope bed technique from the Ancient Tomb sect.
Of course, not the Xiaolongbao version.
Suspended upside down in midair, Shinobu's figure was elegant. With steam swirling around, she looked like a celestial fairy descending to earth, momentarily captivating Lucas's gaze.
"I know this move!" Lucas suddenly slapped his thigh, eyes lighting up. "It's called the Flying Acrobat, right?"
"Shut up!" Shinobu swung in midair, sensing something was off, and said, "Move down a bit."
Lucas then realized that although Shinobu's rope throwing, climbing, and inversion were perfect, she had misjudged the distance. When she finally lowered herself, her mouth was still a few centimeters away from Lucas's face.
A few centimeters might sound trivial, but in situations like this, it's the difference between precision and disaster. Lucas hurriedly moved down slightly to find the right spot.
The air still carried the faint scent of gunpowder residue from the first half, causing Shinobu to furrow her brow. What troubled her more, however, was how to face the formidable opponent before her.
But for Shinobu, challenging difficulty was a kind of joy.
Up to this point, Lucas had encountered many women, but none as "professional" as Shinobu.
As for flirtations and sweet talk, most refined ladies—except for gifted ones like Yelan—rarely made Lucas feel comfortable, let alone enjoy it.
But Shinobu? She really was trained. A true "academy type," in contrast to Yelan's "wild genius" style, making the experience entirely different.
Moreover, being suspended upside down was a dual feast for both sight and touch!
"Ready?" Shinobu took a deep breath and said, "I'm going to use my final secret move."
Final secret move?
So all those previous actions were just charging energy?
If Lucas had been skeptical about Shinobu's skills before the massage, now he was willing to call her a true "Massage Immortal."
Suspended midair, Shinobu used the power of her ankles to swing herself in a circle. Just as Lucas was curious about what trick she'd pull next, she whispered, "Secret Technique: High-Speed Spinning Triple Strike!"
That move?!
Though the styles vary, the core principle is the same.
Using rapid body rotation, it swiftly and continuously attacks three vital points on a man's body, inflicting massive "damage." It's said to be a lost secret technique.
Rumor has it no man has lasted more than a minute against it.
As for how to do it, every massage school supposedly has its own tricks, but all demand high physical fitness from the user. Shinobu's "Flying Acrobat to High-Speed Spinning Triple Strike" alone was enough to secure her legendary status.
And the results proved the technique's destructive power was no joke.
Striking three points simultaneously, even Lucas couldn't withstand it for long.
Molten lava surged fiercely from the volcano's crater, giving the green-haired Inazuman girl a tiny taste of Liyue's grandeur.
The dust had settled.
Lucas stretched his arms out, gazing blankly at the water droplets condensed on the ceiling, his thoughts drifting—from why the dinosaurs went extinct to the Ohio leak incident.
He hadn't experienced such a pure "sage time" in ages.
A one-million Mora massage service truly lived up to its reputation.
It was a shame that Shinobu's hard-earned Special-Class Massage Therapist certificate would probably only ever be enjoyed by Lucas alone.
He was barely pulled back to reality when Shinobu spoke, breaking his reverie.
"Hey…" she tapped his lower abdomen, frowning slightly. "Stop spacing out and give me a hand."
"Oh…"
Lucas instinctively reached out, aimlessly groping Shinobu who was hanging upside down.
"Not that kind of help!" Shinobu blushed. "Wake up!"
"Huh?" Lucas finally came to, puzzled. "What?"
"What do you think?" Shinobu said with a bit of irritation. "Help me untie the ropes and let me down."
Lucas then realized Shinobu had tied her ankle ropes tightly to keep her steady during the massage. Plus, after the intense session just now, she had little strength left to untie herself.
After all, it was her first practical session. Although she'd done excellently overall, a few minor details were still imperfect.
"Got it."
Lucas stood and reached up to untie the ropes around Shinobu's ankles, but instinctively glanced down—and caught sight of a flash of green.
Whoa, so it wasn't just her hair.
He'd always thought Shinobu's green hair was a rebellious choice. Now it seemed she was naturally born with it.
This was a true "lush green meadow."
"Where… where are you looking?!" Shinobu seemed to notice his gaze wandering to an improper place and struggled lightly. "N-no peeking!"
"I don't want to look either," Lucas shamelessly admitted, "but it's just too beautiful."
"What's so beautiful about it…" Shinobu shyly replied, "After all, I'm a stone woman. It's just decoration."
If normal girls were blooming petals, then a stone woman was a flower bud tightly closed—comparatively, blooming flowers were far more beautiful.
"By the way, are you really sure you're a stone woman?" Lucas asked again.
"Nonsense…" Shinobu snorted. "I know my own body better than anyone."
"But," Lucas glanced down at her with a teasing smile, "your flower has already bloomed."
Shinobu was momentarily stunned. After a while, she realized what he meant and murmured, "How… how is that possible?"
Lucas smiled softly and flicked a finger with near-invisible speed across her flower's center. Shinobu immediately shuddered as if electrified.
This was… a feeling she had never experienced before.
At least, not in real life.
"Don't… don't move around!" Shinobu covered her mouth and struggled. "Put me down now!"
"With such fine wine ahead, how could I not savor it?" Lucas smiled without heeding her pleas. "You served me so well; now it's my turn to repay."
"W-wait!"
Thirty minutes later.
Lucas wiped the corner of his mouth with a tissue, smiling. "Thank you for the hospitality."
Behind him, Shinobu had completely lost her strength and collapsed into a heap, her body's gentle rise and fall the only sign she was still breathing.
This little episode added plenty of excitement to Lucas's otherwise boring day.
Exhausted as well, Lucas left the bath and lay down on the bed, soon drifting into a deep sleep.
Who knew how long had passed before he woke up to find the sky outside darkened. He thought of something and hurried into the bathroom, only to see the once chaotic room now tidy and spotless—as if nothing had happened.
Could what happened earlier have just been a dream?
Of course not.
Lucas stepped out of the bathroom and noticed a porcelain bowl on the table. It seemed to hold some soup, steaming and fragrant, with a neat note underneath in flowing handwriting:
"Do not tell anyone about today's events."
"The nourishing soup on the table replenishes energy; drink it all—advice from a special-class nutritionist."
"Also, you still owe me ten million Mora. Remember that."
Beneath the text was a simple but expressive doodle of Shinobu herself—quite adorable.
Apparently, behind that icy exterior, she had many other sides to her personality.
Lucas picked up the soup and sniffed it. Though not a nutritionist, as a genuine Medical Sage, he could sense how many herbs went into the broth just by smell.
There were indeed many nourishing ingredients, well balanced for someone like him who had just "depleted" a lot of energy.
Of course, if you were full of energy, it was best not to drink it. Men can't handle it, women can't handle it, and if both drink it… well, the bed probably can't handle it either.
Fortunately, Lucas wasn't the type to reject supplements. He gulped down the entire bowl.
Just then, with a creak, the bedroom door slowly opened. A pink-haired girl peeked in, smiling brightly.
"Still not asleep, huh?"
"Ah!" Lucas was startled by the sudden appearance of Yae Miko, quickly patting his chest and grumbling, "You scared me to death!"
"You're not that easy to kill," the sharp-eyed Yae Miko noticed the note in his hand and squinted. "What's that you're holding?"
"This is… I…"
Before Lucas could think up a cover story, Yae Miko cast a spell, and as if an invisible hand had plucked the note from him, it landed in her palm.
"Let me see…"
Yae Miko casually unfolded the note. But after reading the three lines and seeing Shinobu's chibi doodle on it, her expression shifted slightly.
"Don't tell anyone what happened today…"
"The nourishing energy soup…"
"And the ten million Mora debt…"
Putting these three things together, Yae Miko immediately jumped to a surprising yet "logical" conclusion.
"You…" Yae Miko murmured, "You didn't just buy Shinobu's first time, did you?"
Though ten million Mora seemed absurd, considering Lucas's wealth, it wasn't completely impossible.
"Don't be ridiculous!" Lucas laughed helplessly. "Do you really think she would… sell her dignity like that?"
"Tsk tsk. Since when did you two become so close that you know about her like that?" Yae Miko smiled faintly. "You do have a point though. But if that's the case, then what's with this note?"
Yae Miko honestly couldn't believe Kuki Shinobu would sell her body. A driven and constantly improving woman like her wasn't the type to use her looks for profit.
Yae Miko had seen plenty of beautiful girls, but few stayed true to themselves without getting lost in their own beauty. Kuki Shinobu was one of those rare few—and that's why Yae Miko admired her so much.
"It's… a contract," Lucas, ever the quick thinker, hastily came up with an explanation. "The ten million Mora is Kuki Shinobu's hiring fee. I want to leverage her connections to help me gather intel on the opponents in the Transmission of Heart Tournament."
Yae Miko's eyes flickered, sensing some truth and some bluff in his words. But she wasn't interested in digging deeper, instead she just smiled.
"Surprisingly cunning of you. But your concerns aren't unfounded—the Transmission of Heart Tournament this time… it's not going to be simple."
"Oh?" Lucas looked puzzled. "What do you mean?"
"This Transmission of Heart Tournament may involve multiple factions," Yae Miko's smile faded, and she grew serious. "Besides the Three Great Clans, you have youkai forces, the Fatui, and there are rumors that even the resistance from Watatsumi Island will send representatives."
"Why?" Lucas was confused. "Isn't this just a normal martial arts tournament?"
"Because the winner of Martial Heart gets to have one wish granted by the Raiden Shogun herself," Yae Miko explained with a smile. "There's plenty of room for scheming. You know how strict she is—every faction will have their own demands and try to use this to their advantage."
"I can understand that," Lucas nodded, "But isn't the Watatsumi resistance at odds with the Shogunate? Would they really dare to participate?"
He knew that most of the capable figures from Watatsumi were already on the Shogunate's wanted list. If they sent strong fighters, wouldn't they basically be walking into a death trap?
"By logic, it's unlikely…" Yae Miko stroked her chin thoughtfully. "But the current leader of the resistance, the 'living shrine maiden,' is unpredictable. Who knows what crazy decisions she might make?"
Sangonomiya Kokomi?
Lucas had yet to meet this woman in reality or in the simulator, and wasn't sure if the legend of her being a brilliant strategist was true.
"So that's why I'm coming to see you so late," Yae Miko shrugged with a smile. "Just wanted to remind you not to underestimate this tournament. You'd better prepare well."
"I understand," Lucas nodded. "Thanks for the warning."
"Oh? You're just going to say thank you?" Behind Yae Miko, several fluffy tails suddenly appeared, wagging cutely yet seductively. "I'm so disappointed."
Though Lucas wasn't exactly a fur fan, seeing those pink tails stirred something strange in him—his body began to heat up slightly.
Right! That nourishing soup Kuki Shinobu prepared for him!
For an ordinary person just recovering, that soup's dose would be perfect. But for Lucas, whose body's regenerative power was extraordinary, it was like pouring gasoline on an already roaring fire.
"Not just words," Lucas said as he grabbed Yae Miko's wrist, gently tossing her onto the bed with a smile.
Now that he'd accepted his identity as Kamuna Harunosuke, he no longer needed to hide it.
Of course, this meant he could fully indulge in rekindling the "past life romance" with Yae Miko that had begun five hundred years ago.
Meanwhile, in Shinobu and her sister's room…
"Hehe…" For some reason, Shinobu, who had been reading quietly, suddenly broke into a smile.
"What are you smiling at?" Miyuki asked curiously.
"Nothing," Shinobu immediately returned to her usual cold demeanor. "Just suddenly thought of something funny."
Lucas, the fool, probably didn't realize she'd spiked his nourishing soup with a little extra ingredient. While it replenished energy, it also made him a bit restless and overheated.
Tomorrow morning, his hands were definitely going to be sore.
Shinobu had expected her little "prank" would give Lucas a bit of trouble, but she never guessed that Yae Miko was already in his room, helping him solve his "problem."
"Lately, you seem different," Miyuki murmured, sensing something. "Wait, could it be… you've found someone you like?"
"N-no way!" Shinobu blushed furiously and quickly denied it. "I'm busy studying and working—I don't have time for such silly things."
"That's good," Miyuki sighed in relief. "Most of the men you meet aren't suitable marriage material anyway. Especially Arataki Itto—he's totally unreliable. But…"
"But what?" Shinobu asked.
Miyuki's eyes sparkled with a hint of longing.
"If only you could marry a good man like Mr. Lucas someday."
"Mr. Lucas?" Shinobu was slightly taken aback, then asked in surprise, "Are you talking about Lucas? What's so great about him?"
"Isn't he good enough?" Miyuki's eyes shone with admiration. "Young, talented, handsome, polite, kind to others… It's just a pity he's from Liyue and will leave sooner or later. Otherwise, I might have tried to play matchmaker for you."
"N-no way!" Shinobu turned her head away. "If you like him, why don't you go for it yourself? You could always marry into Liyue."
"Until I finish my duties as a shrine maiden, I'm not thinking about marriage," Miyuki glanced at Shinobu and smiled. "But you, free and unburdened, can leave whenever you want. Honestly… I'm a little jealous of you sometimes."
Life is limited; choosing one path means giving up another. Shinobu was momentarily speechless, but couldn't help feeling a bit wistful.
Indeed, once Lucas left Inazuma and returned to Liyue, what would she do?
That night, neither Lucas nor Shinobu would find it easy to sleep.
…
At the same moment, far away on Watatsumi Island, in the heart of the coral palace.
The Sangonomiya Palace lay nestled in the center of Watatsumi Island, surrounded by mountains and waterfalls. It also served as the main base for the resistance against the Eye Hunt Decree army.
But now, among the rebels, there were three and a half new faces.
They were Beidou, captain of The Crux from Liyue; one of her crew, Kaedehara Kazuha; and the traveler Lumine, who had come to Inazuma seeking her brother.
As for the remaining half, of course, it was Paimon.
Not long ago, Lucas boarded The Crux heading to Inazuma but was attacked mid-voyage by the Beisht. To protect the ship, Lucas challenged the Beisht alone, was thrown into the sea, and lost contact.
Beidou and the others came to Watatsumi Island seeking help from the resistance. They sent ships to the site of the incident, but found no trace of Lucas.
"Sangonomiya-sama, thank you for your help these past days," Kazuha said with a hint of helplessness, looking at the woman before him. "After discussing with Beidou and Lumine, we've decided to go to Inazuma and see if we can find any new leads."
Standing before Kazuha was a sweet-faced girl with rare pink-blue gradient eyes and long hair. Dressed in light, flowing, elegant clothes, she gave off an ethereal, almost fairy-like vibe.
She was Sangonomiya Kokomi, leader of the resistance. Though she appeared to be a naïve natural girl, she was quite cunning. Otherwise, with the rebels' numerical and talent disadvantages, they couldn't have held their ground against the Shogunate for so long.
"Sorry we couldn't be more help," Kokomi sighed. "But are you really going to Inazuma City? Kazuha, your name is still on the bounty list, and Beidou, as an Electro Vision holder, you might attract the attention of the Vision Hunt search teams."
"No choice," Beidou smiled heartily. "We have to find that man. Don't worry—we're skilled enough that, as long as we stay alert, we'll be fine."
"Kokomi, don't blame yourself," Lumine comforted. "Once we find Brother Lucas, we'll come back to see you."
At that moment, footsteps sounded outside. A slender, refined youth entered respectfully.
"Sangonomiya-sama, everyone, our informants in Inazuma have brought back some intelligence."
Kokomi hurriedly asked, "Gorou, any news of young master Lucas?"
This brown-haired boy with dog ears was Gorou, general of the Watatsumi army. Despite his youth, his combat skills and experience fighting while ill were extensive. He was a capable general under Kokomi's command.
Gorou glanced at Kazuha and the others, understanding the situation somewhat. He nodded.
"According to our informants, there's recently been a sighting in Inazuma City of a Liyue merchant named Lucas. His appearance and age match Lucas very closely."
At this, excitement showed on Beidou and the others' faces. Lumine immediately asked, "Where is he now?"
"That…I don't know. But he should still be within Inazuma City," Gorou explained. "However, there's something even more important—the Transmission of Heart Tournament is about to begin."
Kokomi considered this. "The Transmission of Heart Tournament has been held before. Is there anything special about this time?"
"This Transmission of Heart Tournament is probably meant to build momentum for the completion of the Thousand-Handed, Thousand-Eyed Statue," Gorou said seriously. "The Shogunate's official announcement says the champion can make any request to the Raiden Shogun."
"Any request?" Paimon clapped her hands excitedly. "Then if we ask the Raiden Shogun to help us find Lucas, that'd be okay, right?"
"Of course," Kokomi mused. "But with such a rare opportunity, if we could make other requests, it might greatly benefit the resistance."
"But aren't you and the Raiden Shogun enemies?" Paimon tilted her head, puzzled. "Why would she agree to your requests?"
"For a ruler, if their word can't be trusted, their authority crumbles," Kokomi explained. "If our people win and make demands, and the Raiden Shogun agrees, that's great. But if she refuses or reneges, she'll lose the people's trust, morale will drop. Either way, it's good for the resistance."
"As expected of you, thinking so far ahead," Beidou nodded with a smile. "In that case, I'm joining the Transmission of Heart Tournament too. If we win, we can ask the Raiden Shogun for help finding people."
"Sorry, Kokomi-sama, normally I would join for the resistance," Kazuha hesitated. "But this time, I think I have to side with Beidou."
Gorou's expression grew complicated. After a moment, he seemed to make a decision.
"Sangonomiya-sama, such a good opportunity can't be missed. Let me represent Watatsumi Island in the Transmission of Heart Tournament!"
"Gorou, I understand how you feel, but…" Sangonomiya Kokomi shook her head. "I can't approve your request."
"Why not?" Gorou asked hastily.
"First, you are a prime target of the Shogunate's bounty. Even if you manage to register, you can't conceal your identity in such a high-profile tournament," Kokomi explained patiently. "Second, the competitors are all top-tier fighters. Given your current strength, winning the championship is unlikely. Considering all factors, I just can't agree."
"No, Sangonomiya-sama…" Gorou's expression was firm. "If I use that method, I can both hide my identity and improve my strength. I… I can do it."
Kokomi seemed to understand what Gorou meant and shook her head. "No. Using that method could completely change your life. I won't allow you to make such a sacrifice."
"But…"
Gorou looked like he wanted to say more, but Kokomi cut him off. "There's no room for negotiation. Using the Transmission of Heart Tournament to influence the battle is a risky gamble. During the tournament, you are forbidden from leaving Watatsumi Island. That is an order."
Gorou frowned but knew he couldn't disobey. He nodded reluctantly. "Understood. I will withdraw for now."
Watching Gorou leave, Paimon couldn't help but ask, "What exactly is this 'method' Gorou mentioned? I'm so curious…"
"It's related to the Gorou family bloodline," Kokomi explained. "Gorou isn't an ordinary beastman. Among his ancestors is a spiritual beast called the 'Kitsune Inu,' which means his bloodline still carries that Kitsune Inu heritage."
"I know that!" Paimon raised her hand. "Like how Ganyu has Qilin blood, right?"
"The envoy of the Liyue Qixing? I've heard of her," Kokomi said. "But Gorou's bloodline, in both purity and strength, can't compare to hers." She smiled ruefully. "Gorou's clan can use special potions to unlock the Kitsune Inu blood within and boost their power."
"Isn't that a good thing?" Beidou scoffed. "People with special bloodlines are really enviable."
"Beidou, I think…" Kazuha deadpanned. "You can take care of monsters like Umiumi, maybe you've got some strange bloodline too."
"There's no free lunch in this world," Kokomi sighed. "Unlocking the Kitsune Inu blood does increase strength, but it also causes many negative effects. The worst is it changes your appearance and body. One of Gorou's distant cousins gained fifty pounds instantly after unlocking it. Scary, isn't it?"
"Fifty pounds?" Beidou and Lumine exclaimed in unison. "That's terrifying!"
"Yeah, who knows what worse changes could happen?" Kokomi smiled bitterly. "Enough about that. Tomorrow I'll send someone to take you off Watatsumi Island. The rest is up to you."
…
Midnight at Narukami Shrine.
The battle between Lucas and Yae Miko had just ended. Miko originally only wanted to tease him a bit and get some fun, but thanks to the special tonic Kujou Shinobu prepared, Lucas's energy exploded. They fought for two hours straight before Miko finally relented.
Exhausted, Miko lost her human form midway as her consciousness blurred, revealing her fox form.
By the end, this worn-out Guuji of Narukami Shrine had transformed into a pink-furred little fox, curled up sound asleep in Lucas's arms.
However, Lucas, having just woken from a nap, felt no sleepiness.
On nights like this, when he wasn't tired, that voice would soon appear.
[What a fulfilling day.]
The system's sarcastic comment came just as Lucas had predicted.
"Cut the sarcasm," he yawned. "Start the simulator."
[You've been pretty proactive lately, initiating the simulator yourself.]
"Can't help it. Miko said the Transmission of Heart Tournament might have some tough opponents," Lucas looked at the Heartstealer Ring—almost a part of him now—and sighed, "I have to make sure I win flawlessly. So improving my strength is necessary."
[Power, wealth, authority… the pursuit of these is never-ending.]
Lucas sneered. "Is this a morality class now? Too late for lectures. Let's get started."
[As you wish.]
[Command received. Life simulator activating.]
[Please choose any three talents from the list below. After simulation, one will be retained as an innate talent.]
[Original-flavor Nine-times Boiled Intestines (Green): You have exceptional cooking talent, but can never clean ingredients thoroughly.]
[Sweet Air (White): You have one chance to change your nationality, but the new country will suffer a toxic gas leak years later.]
[Sunny and Cheerful Boy (Green): You have a bright personality and always wear a sunny smile, making others drop their guard easily.]
[Flower Charm Expert (Blue): You naturally know how to win girls' hearts. All opposite-sex characters' initial affection increases by 30%, and it's easier to raise affection.]
[Mood Rider (Green): You easily influence others' emotions. Any team you're in gets a 30% morale boost.]
[Frozen Fish Killer (Green): When holding a frozen fish, you can treat it as a weapon and randomly gain an attribute of a C-tier weapon.]
[Commoner (Green): You were born in the city and understand its rules well.]
[What's the Difference Between Me and That Scoundrel? (Green): You have no resistance to others' partners.]
[Mad Villager Driver (Green): You're skilled at driving any vehicle, but any vehicle you drive loses its brakes (including living creatures).]
[My Sister Can't Be This Cute (Purple): You have a sister absolutely loyal to you and only sees you.]
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