Chapter 80: The crisis of Wild People

"If something seems unusual, there must be something fishy about it. Who in their right mind would willingly share power with someone they just met? Reality isn't some novel where people see you and are instantly awestruck, willing to give you everything.

In one word: weird!

Li Mo didn't want to play the repeater game with them. He decisively raised his fist: "If you keep spouting nonsense, I'll knock all of you down. I have a few questions for you!"

"Yes, sir!"

The dynamics had shifted. Originally, Li Mo wanted to get a boat from them to go to Narukami Island—he was the one in need. But now, the other party was making requests, even pleading. The one in need had become them.

Li Mo felt like he was pushing his luck, which went against his upbringing. But the other party just wouldn't listen.

—He hated two types of people the most: those who acted like repeaters, and those who wouldn't let him act like one.

Next came the Q&A session. Li Mo gradually extracted information from them. The most important question was why they wanted him to be their leader.

The other party spilled the entire story. As Ronin, they were different from their peers—they weren't willing to engage in bloody work. The most extreme thing they did was raid merchant caravans, taking their goods but sparing lives. Most of the time, they survived by foraging in the wild. They banded together for safety, as Hilichurls in the wild often appeared in large groups. It was hard for wandering Ronin to survive alone unless they were exceptionally strong.

They originally operated on Narukami Island, a small and insignificant part of it. But they had to flee after encountering a group of oddly dressed individuals—both fat and thin—forcing the Ronin in the wild to scatter.

Hearing this, Li Mo interrupted: "Wait, aren't Ronin supposed to be a unified group? Why did you have to run?"

"Sir, how could we be the same as those meat-eating guys?" the other party said with grievance. "We usually eat nothing but Violetgrass and fish. How could we compare to them, who eat meat all the time?"

Li Mo wanted to say, isn't fish meat too? But considering the different customs and perceptions across worlds...

So, why bother arguing?

"And what does this have to do with me?" Li Mo asked. The other party had been talking about their situation, but none of it seemed relevant to their request for him to be their leader.

The other party explained: "But, boss, we can't beat those Ronin. They clearly have a proper school of swordsmanship, while we're just self-taught. They're much stronger than us."

"Are they planning to attack you? Wait, were you chased here? Then what's the deal with these structures?"

Li Mo could clearly see that the wooden platform hadn't been weathered by rain or time. If they were chased here, how did they have the time to build anything?

The other party answered Li Mo's questions one by one. They had indeed been forced to Renren Island after clashing with the other Ronin. They had even killed one of their scouts. The enemy might send a larger force soon, so they were pleading for Li Mo's help.

They likely wouldn't survive the next attack. Their original plan was to flee to Watatsumi Island to lay low. But now that Li Mo was here, things were different.

"Aren't you worried I might be one of them?"

"Sir, if you were with them, we'd already be dead."

True, this group only had about a dozen people. Li Mo could easily kill them if he went all out.

—But he just didn't want to kill.

Still, there was another issue: how could he be sure they weren't lying? And they were definitely holding something back. If this was true, what had they discovered that made the other Ronin attack them?

For now, he'd cooperate. At least there was a basis for cooperation.

"First, I'm not going to be your leader. Second, after I help you, you'll give me a boat and supplies."

"Yes, boss! No problem, boss!"

The Kairagi clearly hadn't listened to Li Mo's conditions.

...

These people were undoubtedly small fry. Renren Island, isolated in the sea, wasn't rich in resources. Violetgrass was one of their staple foods. They were clearly down on their luck.

Li Mo continued to extract information from them, and they were more than willing to share.

Later, while the group rested, Li Mo found a quiet corner to organize his thoughts and reflect on the situation.

First, about those Ronin—or perhaps they shouldn't even be called Ronin. They were well-equipped and resource-rich, rarely seen raiding at sea, living in seclusion—clearly backed by someone.

In other words, they were supported by a hidden faction in Inazuma—essentially, a private army.

What was most interesting was that this group also had ties to the Fatui.

Li Mo glanced at the sleeping Ronin, thinking how carefree they were to sleep with a stranger like him around.

In fact, the moment they started talking, Li Mo had deduced it was the Fatui.

And the current timeline—the Vision Hunt Decree hadn't even started yet.

But the Sakoku Decree was already in effect. The Shogun's will loomed over the islands of Inazuma, her terrifying lightning representing the power of an Archon.

From Renren Island, Li Mo could see the storm-covered sea in the distance. To him now, the power of an Archon was incomprehensible.

But still...

From his conversation with the Kairagi, Li Mo learned that they had once entered a domain and gained some knowledge of talismans. The flames on their blades came from this knowledge.

—Li Mo vaguely remembered that this might be something passed down from a Inazuman who had gone to Liyue to study the arts of the adepti.

Perhaps it could be called Onmyōdō?

"Tomorrow, I'll be able to access that knowledge," Li Mo murmured.

The door to the mystical was opening for him. Although Li Mo's combat prowess was superhuman—his peak human physique combined with exquisite techniques gave him extraordinary strength—he himself wasn't supernatural.

In the world of Teyvat, there was a clear path to the supernatural: Visions. But from all indications, Visions carried significant implications, possibly even pitfalls.

Those who lost their Visions also lost their corresponding ambitions.

"Never mind Visions for now. The key is whether I can access the Kairagi's talisman knowledge and imbue flames. What about the Electro Kairagi? Did they find another type of talisman knowledge?

I wonder if there are any Electro Kairagi among the incoming attackers."

And...

Will I have to kill?

Li Mo narrowed his eyes, deep in thought.