Today, Liyue Harbor—and indeed the whole of Teyvat—was filled with flowing streaks of immortal light.
The traces of countless cultivators scattered across the land.
On this day, the grand spectacle of cultivation spread to every corner of the world.
Yet cultivation was ultimately reserved for the few. For every family celebrating, another was steeped in sorrow.
Whenever a streak of light descended into some household—whether the disciple who returned was an outer sect disciple or even just a servant disciple—the scene was the same: gongs and drums, firecrackers booming, neighbors rushing in to share the joy.
For that household, such glory would never fade.
And the nations of Teyvat paid close attention to such homes.
For within them, a cultivator had been born.
And now, with the world on the brink of upheaval, cultivators would be the ones who could guard a nation against collapse.
On the Alcor, Beidou returned with Kaedehara Kazuha.
Two great figures of the crew had entered Mount Shu as inner disciples—it was cause for celebration.
Beidou, wine jar in hand, spoke with grand flourish to the sailors, describing the splendor of Mount Shu.
Kazuha, however, stood quietly at the ship's rail, an ancient flying sword cradled in his arms. His gaze fixed anxiously on the distant skies.
To be precise—toward Inazuma.
"Oi, Kazuha, come drink!" Beidou called out, tilting her head toward him.
Kazuha started slightly, then shook his head with a faint smile.
"No need, Captain Beidou. A swordsman must keep a clear head."
"Bah! Don't give me that."
With a great leap, Beidou landed beside him, her strength like that of a divine elephant. Draping a heavy arm around his shoulders, she grinned:
"When I first met you, you always carried a sword in one hand and wine in the other. Since when did you start preaching about staying clear-headed?"
"You're just thinking about Inazuma, aren't you?"
Kazuha gave a wry laugh, bowing slightly.
"I cannot hide it from you, Captain Beidou. But the past is ash now. The Kaedehara Kazuha of Inazuma died at sea.
The man standing here today is but a sailor of the Alcor, and an inner disciple of Mount Shu."
Beidou snorted, taking a long swig of wine.
"You really expect yourself to believe that?"
Kazuha fell silent, sorrow flickering in his eyes.
After a long pause, he whispered:
"Believe it or not… I must believe it."
"The bonds of homeland are the hardest to sever," Beidou remarked knowingly.
Kazuha shook his head.
"I am but a fugitive of Inazuma. I wandered the seas, escaping death by a thread. Had you not saved me, Captain Beidou, I would already lie beneath the waves, buried with my friend's dreams.
The Alcor is my home. Mount Shu is my home.
I am only a warrior, and I should repay the kindness shown to me."
Beidou clicked her tongue and clapped his back with a force that made him wince.
"Enough with the act."
She turned, striding back toward the crew with a grin.
"Go do what you must. After this, settle down as a disciple of Mount Shu. Live as one of us."
Kazuha froze, deeply moved, before bowing his head.
"…Thank you, Captain Beidou."
His gaze sharpened. With a palm pressed to his chest, he summoned his sword.
A streak of light rose beneath his feet. Hands clasped behind his back, he stared firmly toward Inazuma.
This time…
As a son of the Kaedehara clan, and for the sake of his departed friend—
he would do one last thing for Inazuma.
He could not end the Vision Hunt Decree nor the Sakoku Decree…
But he could win his people a brief peace.
This was the only thing a cultivator at the early stage of Refining Essence into Qi could do.
No matter how perilous—
as a disciple of Mount Shu, he would face it sword in hand.
With the Sword Control Art, his Soaring Heaven Sword Style!
A streak of emerald light shot forth toward Inazuma.
Among all the countless streaks across the skies that day—
this was the only one flying east.
In no time, it pierced into the roiling thunderclouds above the nation.
But the lightning storm did not swallow it.
Instead, it gleamed like a shard of hope, rending the endless darkness.
Beidou glanced toward the fading streak and shook her head.
If a heart's knot remained untied, it would only grow into a demon of the mind.
Kazuha's talent was undeniable. One day, he would return to the Alcor's fold, belonging wholly to Liyue.
For his spiritual root was of the supreme wind element.
A talent so rare that Liyue would gladly nurture more of his kind.
Perhaps Beidou acted on her own… or perhaps with Ningguang's tacit blessing.
But between the two of them, no words were needed.
Within Mount Shu, disciples had no nationality.
But once they walked outside… they did.
And as Mount Shu lay nearest to Liyue, Ningguang naturally sought to make Liyue the foremost cultivation nation under its shadow.
That required prodigies—many of them.
By now, Ningguang was even in talks with Lumine and Paimon, offering them riches beyond imagination if they would accept the post of Liyue's Honorary Guests.
For the future of two divine physiques was destined, at the very least, to reach Union of Void one day.
"Captain, and then? What happened next? Tell us—we're dying of suspense here!"
A sailor's shout pulled Beidou back from her thoughts. She roared with laughter and lifted her jar.
"What happened? Ha! I smashed that Refining Essence into Qi beast with a single punch. And that same beast became the fine meat we're feasting on today!"
"Hahaha! The Captain is unbeatable! But really, Captain—you're hopeless at storytelling. If it were that old chatterbox Tian Tiezui, he'd spin your beast-slaying into nine parts, eighteen arcs, twenty-seven cliffhangers!"
"Yeah, let's find Tian Tiezui tomorrow and have him make a proper story out of it!"
"Enough talk—drink! Drink to our Captain, now an inner disciple of Mount Shu, her immortal path boundless!"
"And don't forget Brother Kazuha too!"
"Ah, right—that's on me! I'll punish myself with a cup!"
"One cup? Not enough! Today calls for bottles!"
"Bottles it is! We won't shame the Captain tonight!"
Laughter and cheer swept across the Alcor.
Beidou raised her jar high, voice booming:
"Brothers, sisters! So long as you're aboard the Alcor, you are family!
If I eat, you will never starve!
When Mount Shu opens its gates again, I'll bring each of you there myself. In a few days, I'll fetch martial arts techniques from the General Affairs Bureau. And beast meat—don't worry, there'll be no shortage!"
The crew roared their approval, crowding around her with overflowing cups.
Such joy was not limited to the Alcor.
Scenes like this were unfolding all across Teyvat.
Inazuma, Kannazuka.
On the beaches, the armies of the Resistance and the Shogunate stood in grim formation, facing one another.
Beneath the Resistance's great banner, Sangonomiya Kokomi gazed across at the Shogunate forces, unease clouding her eyes.
Today marked the third battle of the week.
It seemed every other day, they were forced to fight anew.
And each time, Kujou Sara led the charge like a woman possessed.
Why? Kokomi could not fathom it.
Had the Shogun herself ordered a blitz, to break the Resistance's spirit in the shortest time possible?
If so… Kokomi's heart sank into despair.
The Resistance had scant resources to begin with.
Their occupied territories were barren lands, unfit for farming or habitation.
Food had always been their greatest burden.
The Alcor once brought supplies, but it had been more than half a month since their last visit.
Their stores were nearly empty.
Kokomi looked at her soldiers. Faces pale and gaunt, exhaustion written in every movement. They still stood tall, weapons clenched, but she knew… they were spent arrows.
The Shogunate troops were weary too, but they at least had food.
The Shogunate bled its people dry with higher taxes, scraping enough resources to keep its army fed.
And they had numbers.
At this rate, defeat was only a matter of time.
"Lady Sangonomiya."
Gorou strode into the command tent, dark circles under his eyes. Bowing, he reported grimly:
"The enemy has rallied under General Kujou Sara once more. They are already mustering for attack."
Kokomi swayed, her vision dimming.
"Does General Kujou truly mean to drive us to the grave? Does she not see that we are Inazumans too?
We only seek the right to resist the Vision Hunt Decree. Why must she press us so relentlessly?
Is it a crime… to want to reclaim our dreams?"
Her fists clenched, nails biting into flesh until blood trickled down her palms.
Why had Kujou Sara suddenly gone mad with war?
"Lady Sangonomiya," Gorou said, teeth gritted, "allow me to lead a squad to assassinate Kujou Sara!"
"What use would that be?" Kokomi snapped.
"Even if you could overcome her strength, the Shogunate has other generals. The Shogun will always have someone to send.
And if, against all odds, you killed her—how would you ever retreat alive?"
Gorou opened his mouth, but Kokomi raised her hand sharply.
"Enough. I will not hear another word of this 'sacrifice myself to buy time' talk.
We lack the numbers already. If you fall, we will only collapse faster."
Gorou froze, then bowed deeply.
"…Yes, my lady."
He turned and left swiftly, leaving Kokomi to step out of the tent.
All around, the Resistance stirred, preparing for the inevitable clash.
Kokomi lifted her eyes. Across the field, the Shogunate army bristled with spears, and at their fore stood Kujou Sara, silent and unyielding.
Her heart wavered. She closed her eyes, whispering brokenly:
"Shogun… I do not understand.
We only wish to reclaim our dreams, to defend our hopes.
Is that so wrong?
Must 'eternity' be bought with the sacrifice of every future?
Shogun… do you truly love your people?"
No answer came. Only the endless thunder overhead.
Kokomi exhaled heavily, steadying herself.
Weakness could not be shown. Not now.
She was their general. Their strategist.
Countless warriors still looked to her.
And so she stood tall, her face calm once more.
Ready to lead them into battle.
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