Gorou smiled gratefully at Qiu Bai.
"Hehe, it's nothing."
Qiu Bai said, turning to look at everyone as he slowly continued.
"However, every power comes with its price."
"The price is that I won't heal your injuries again."
He explained to everyone.
"Remember, you must be careful on the battlefield."
"That's perfectly fine, my lord."
Gorou smiled at Qiu Bai.
"We're already extremely grateful to you. If you were to help us again, we would feel embarrassed."
"Lord Gorou is right!"
The formerly wounded soldiers exclaimed gratefully.
"Thank you, my lord!!!"
"Mm."
Qiu Bai nodded with a smile.
"No need to call me 'lord.' Just call me Qiu Bai."
This was for the best, he thought. If he helped the resistance too much, the Shogunate forces might be weakened.
Besides, this war was a scheme by the Fatui to weaken Inazuma power.
"Look at him showing off."
Paimon said mockingly to the Traveler beside her, hands on her hips.
"Qiu Bai is truly a benevolent god."
The Traveler smiled at Paimon.
"Well, there's nothing to argue about there."
Paimon nodded in agreement.
"Come to think of it, Qiu Bai really is a kind and approachable god."
Paimon and the Traveler voices were very quiet, and no one else heard them.
"Well, well, I didn't expect little Paimon to speak so highly of me."
Qiu Bai turned around, smiling at the Traveler and Paimon.
"Hmph, you must have misheard."
Paimon turned her head away haughtily with a light snort.
"Terrible news! The main force of the Shogunate army has crossed Tatarasuna!"
A messenger ran over, shouting loudly.
"The front line can't hold much longer. Lord Gorou, what should we do now?"
"What... what's going on?"
The messenger looked bewildered at the wounded soldiers standing outside, noticing that all their injuries had healed.
"We can't retreat any further."
Gorou waved his hand, gathering his troops.
"Everyone, assemble before me!"
The former wounded soldiers also picked up weapons and put on armor.
Many resistance soldiers stood neatly in front of Gorou, waiting for the next order.
"Let's go support the front line!"
Gorou said, leading many soldiers out of the camp toward Tatarasuna.
"Let's go to the front line too."
Teppei said to Qiu Bai and the others.
"Since we have the ability to fight, we can't just sit here and do nothing."
"We can't let the Shogunate army pass through Tatarasuna!"
With that, Teppei took up his weapon and followed after the others.
Qiu Bai watched Teppei departing figure, stroking his chin in thought.
"Let's follow them."
Qiu Bai turned to look at the Traveler and Paimon.
"Mm!"
The Traveler and Paimon nodded, and then the group also headed toward Tatarasuna.
Finally, after hurrying for a while, they arrived at the scene.
Behind Gorou stood more than six hundred resistance soldiers.
Across from them, behind Kujou Sara, stood at least twice as many Shogunate soldiers.
"So it's just you..."
Kujou Sara said calmly, arms crossed as she looked at Gorou in the distance.
"I thought I might see your strategist this time."
"After all, she has indeed caused a great deal of trouble for our Shogunate forces."
Kujou Sara continued slowly.
"The resistance's ability to hold out until now is partly due to her efforts."
"But it's time to end this. With such a disparity in troop numbers."
Kujou Sara lowered her hands, looking confidently at the resistance forces.
"Strategies... are now meaningless."
"I believe in Lady Sangonomiya, and I believe in our resistance soldiers."
Gorou frowned, looking at the Shogunate forces behind Kujou.
"The Vision Hunt Decree is not the right path. We will not give up our resistance!"
"...No matter. There's one more thing—you should have received the latest wanted posters."
Kujou Sara said.
"That blonde traveler and the scholarly young man should be with you now, right?"
"If you're willing to hand them over, I can give you some time to catch your breath."
Kujou Sara continued.
"After all, seeking a decisive battle at this point is not beneficial for either of us."
"So that's why you suddenly increased your troops..."
Gorou frowned.
"That blonde traveler is important to Her Excellency."
Kujou Sara crossed her arms.
"But I think they should be dispensable to the resistance."
"You're wrong. The Traveler is equally important to the resistance."
Gorou said firmly.
"She has already joined the resistance and is now under my command. I won't hand her over."
"And as for Mr. Qiu Bai..."
Gorou frowned, looking at the Shogunate forces.
"We will never hand them over."
"That's right, we will absolutely never hand over Lord Qiu Bai!"
Several resistance soldiers behind Gorou shouted loudly.
"Lord Qiu Bai..."
Kujou Sara frowned, thinking to herself.
"So that scholarly-looking young man is truly something special?"
She thought about how he had been pierced through by the Shogun blade, yet somehow managed to travel this far from Inazuma City.
And he had effortlessly carried five million Mora, earning respect even from the Tenryou Commission.
"And yet... he's so highly respected by the resistance."
She muttered, stroking her chin with a frown.
"Who exactly is he?"
"The resistance will never betray any of our comrades."
Gorou called out firmly.
"This is the rule that Lady Sangonomiya established long ago!"
"Lord Gorou!"
Teppei, Qiu Bai, and the others ran toward Gorou.
"Teppei... and the Traveler, and Mr. Qiu Bai."
"Why have you come?"
Gorou said in surprise.
"To help!"
"I'm also a member of the resistance."
The Traveler smiled.
"Hmm..."
"I don't possess combat abilities, but I imagine I can still be of considerable help to you."
Qiu Bai said thoughtfully.
"Good, then we'll fight side by side this time!"
Gorou smiled at them.
(T/N: Like the story fellow daoist? Now you can read 30 chapters ahead on my P@treon [p@treon.com/DaoistRongyi] Thanks for your support! 😊)