Seeing that Yun Fan didn't seem to be lying, Kujou Sara raised an eyebrow, then recalled what the Shogun had told her that day. Scaramouche was known for his cunning and rarely showed his true face. It was likely that when he kidnapped her, he had disguised himself as the Immortal Phoenix before her, trying to shift the blame onto someone else.
Thinking this through, Kujou Sara shook her head and said with a hint of apology, "Immortal Phoenix, I was a bit too sensitive earlier. Please don't take it to heart."
"No harm done," Yun Fan waved his hand, indicating that he didn't mind.
"Thank you for your magnanimity." Seeing that Yun Fan didn't press the issue, Kujou Sara's opinion of him improved slightly—though only slightly. For someone who sought to divide Inazuma, Kujou Sara would never show leniency.
"By the way, Mr. Yun Fan, where is Miss Kokomi? Why don't I see her?" Ayaka asked after waiting for a while and noticing Kokomi's absence. Could it be that the Divine Priestess didn't come with Yun Fan?
"Ah, it's a long story. Kokomi had already boarded the ship, but just as we were about to depart, a minor issue arose on Watatsumi Island. Unfortunately, she had to stay behind to handle it," Yun Fan sighed, expressing his regret over Kokomi's absence. Then he patted his chest and assured them, "But rest assured, I have full authority to represent Watatsumi Island. I can make all decisions on their behalf."
"Hmph! It's laughable that a land of Inazuma has now fallen to the point where a Liyue native is making decisions," Kujou Sara sneered, her tone dripping with disdain for the people of Watatsumi Island and their Divine Priestess, Kokomi.
"Haha, General Kujou, don't get too worked up. If you get so angry that you ruin your looks and no one wants you in the future, don't blame me," Yun Fan said with a pointed tone.
"Hmph, no need for your concern."
"Haha, true. You're the adopted daughter of the Kujou Clan's head, the general of the Tenryou Commission. Even if you were as ugly as a dumpling, someone would still want you."
"You…"
Kujou Sara's veins bulged on her forehead. Yun Fan's words weren't particularly hurtful, but they were deeply insulting. While Kujou Sara didn't care much about her appearance, she was still a woman. Being mocked like this, how could she not be angry?
Seeing the situation heading in a bad direction, Ayaka felt that as the mediator, she had to do something, or things would get out of hand:
"Ahem, let's not linger here any longer. The Shogun, Lady Yae, and the representatives of the Tri-Commission are waiting for us at Tenshukaku. We shouldn't keep the Shogun waiting."
"Hmph!" Seeing the logic in Ayaka's words, Kujou Sara didn't say more. She could only let out a cold snort and storm off.
"Mr. Yun Fan, this way," Ayaka smiled wryly and gestured for Yun Fan to follow. In a way, this Immortal Phoenix was truly impressive. With just a few words, he had managed to infuriate General Kujou to such an extent. It was a first for her.
---
Tenshukaku…
'Yae, are you sure this Immortal Phoenix is the current ruler of Liyue—the Divine Sovereign?'
Seated on the main throne of Tenshukaku, Raiden Ei silently pondered for a moment before using telepathy to ask Yae Miko, who stood beside her.
After receiving Ei's message, Yae Miko glanced at the representatives of the Tri-Commission seated below and replied, 'Based on my investigations and the information Ayaka brought back, I can't say with absolute certainty. However, the probability that this Immortal Phoenix is the Divine Sovereign is very high.'
'Hmm.' Ei nodded, which left the heads of the Kanjou and Tenryou Commissions, who had been observing their deity, utterly confused. Only Kamisato Ayato's eyes gleamed with understanding as he glanced between Ei and Yae Miko, as if confirming something.
'How confident are you?' Ei pressed.
'Hmm… about 99.99%.'
Ei: '…'
Yae Miko's response left Ei speechless. Her fists clenched tightly. If it weren't for the presence of the Tri-Commission and the fact that the suspected Divine Sovereign was about to arrive, she would have stood up and slashed this fox spirit on the spot.
"It's about time they arrived. Why aren't they here yet…?" Kujou Takayuki, who had been sitting for nearly two hours, couldn't help but complain.
Of course, complaining was all he could do. He couldn't take any action, so he could only grow more dissatisfied with the yet-to-be-seen Immortal Phoenix.
Hiiragi Shinsuke was in a similar situation. His backside was growing numb from sitting for so long. He had drunk two bowls of miso soup for breakfast and had been sitting for nearly two hours. He desperately needed to relieve himself.
As for Kamisato Ayato, he was worried about his sister. He didn't know what kind of temper this Immortal Phoenix had. What if his sister was mistreated by him?
Just as everyone was growing impatient, an Omatsuri guard responsible for security respectfully entered.
"Your Excellency, Miss Kamisato and General Kujou have arrived with the envoy from Watatsumi Island. They are waiting outside."
"Let them in," Ei waved her hand, instructing the guard.
"Yes!"
After the guard left, it wasn't long before three figures—one man and two women—slowly appeared before everyone. The leader was the silver-haired, golden-eyed young man.
"Your Excellency! Lady Yae!" x2
Ayaka and Kujou Sara bowed respectfully to Ei and Yae Miko, then stood upright, awaiting further instructions.
"Hmm, go and sit with the Tri-Commission," Ei said, her eyes never leaving Yun Fan.
"Yes!" x2
Kujou Sara and Ayaka walked to the left side of the Tenshukaku hall. Ayaka gracefully knelt beside her brother, Ayato, while Kujou Sara sat behind her adoptive father, Kujou Takayuki.
The only ones still standing were Yun Fan and Yae Miko. Yun Fan stood in the center of the hall, while Yae Miko stood beside Ei.