Chapter 402: I'm not your father

In recent days, Yashiori Island has been experiencing light rain. The continuous drizzle inevitably brings a chill, making it easy to catch a cold if one ventures outside. Even with rain gear, the gloomy weather makes it uncertain whether the rain will turn into a downpour.

The shrine maidens, along with Li Mo, have been granted some rest time, staying indoors, listening to the sound of raindrops, and engaging in their own activities, enjoying a rare moment of leisure.

Li Mo held the Gnosis, feeling the energy contained within and analyzing its mysteries. Compared to the elaborate methods required in Sumeru to utilize the power of the Gnosis, Li Mo could analyze it effortlessly.

His research method was simple and crude: he would extract a tiny bit of energy from the Gnosis and absorb it into his body for analysis. The technique given to him by Koyanskaya was incredibly powerful—so much so that Li Mo felt it shouldn't be something she would possess.

Is the "Beast" really this strong?

Perhaps only in the future, when he could ask Koyanskaya directly, would he find out.

Sitting in his room, Li Mo looked up as a familiar figure appeared at the door.

Yae Miko stood there, her shrine maiden outfit accentuating her perfect curves. It had to be admitted—among the women Li Mo had encountered, Yae Miko had the best figure.

Kanae's figure was well-developed, but it paled in comparison to Yae Miko's flawless curves.

Then again, she was a fox, after all.

Isn't it natural for a fox to be beautiful in every way?

"Why are you carrying sake... Wait. Don't tell me you used the Fatui to deliver supplies, did you?"

During the Sakoku Decree, Inazuma prohibited unauthorized ships from sailing, and even fishing boats were affected. According to records, before the Sakoku Decree, Watatsumi Island's fishing boats would sail around Narukami Island to fish. Now, not only were Watatsumi's boats affected, but even Narukami's ships were impacted.

The Raiden Shogun's thunderstorm enveloped all of Inazuma, making it nearly impossible for small boats to pass through the storm zone. Even Beidou's "Crux Fleet" had difficulty entering Inazuma.

However, officially authorized ships could navigate the storm zone with ease. For example, the ship that brought Li Mo and his group from Narukami Island to Yashiori Island, or the Fatui's ships.

The Yashiro Commission's records didn't detail the specifics of the transactions between the Fatui and the Tenryou Commission. Kujou Takayuki, that old fox, was certainly capable. Deceiving superiors and subordinates alike was a skill in itself. In any case, the Fatui had access to more places than the average Inazuman, including Yashiori Island.

"Exactly. Why not take advantage of a willing scapegoat?"

Li Mo said, "Is that so? So, in your eyes, the Fatui don't really matter."

Thinking about it, it made sense. While the top Fatui Harbingers possessed god-like combat power, there were distinctions even among gods. The Raiden Shogun might not match the governing prowess of Morax, but she was undoubtedly one of the strongest among the gods when it came to power.

He could understand the mindset of the Inazumans: if the sky fell, Raiden Ei would be there to hold it up.

But did Yae Miko share this sentiment?

"Hey, little guy, aren't you tired? Why overthink these things? The Fatui's arrival merely exposed Inazuma's existing problems. Those problems were there regardless—would they have been solved if the Fatui hadn't come?"

Yae Miko smiled and said, "Instead, let's fry some peanuts and have a drink."

"Are you really the Guuji of the Grand Narukami Shrine?"

"Indeed. Little guy, if you're unhappy with it, you're welcome to take my place. I don't mind," Yae Miko said with a laugh, treating the position of Guuji as if it were nothing.

Li Mo waved his hand, ending the familiar topic. "Let's just drink, but I'll warm the sake first."

Magic, or magecraft, could be considered omnipotent.

For example, in daily life, there was no need to search for energy sources—he himself was the best mobile energy source. After warming the sake Yae Miko had tossed over, he casually retrieved the peanuts he had fried a few days ago from his system inventory.

"How much did you get the Fatui to bring this time?"

"About a ship's worth."

"?"

Is this still freeloading? This is outright robbery! Even the Fatui's resources aren't limitless.

The two hadn't been drinking and eating peanuts for long when Inagi Hitomi appeared at the door.

Li Mo glanced at Yae Miko and said, "Speak of the devil."

The Fatui had arrived.

The Fatui are an unavoidable presence in Teyvat. Mondstadt, Liyue, Inazuma, Sumeru—wherever humans live on the continent of Teyvat, the Fatui are there. This organization from Snezhnaya operates across Teyvat for some unknown purpose.

The Fatui Harbingers are the leaders of this organization. Each Harbinger possesses formidable strength, with some even rivaling the power of gods.

Clearly, the Harbinger who arrived at the shrine today didn't have god-like combat power.

The meeting with Scaramouche was uneventful.

In the wooden house Li Mo had built a few days ago, Scaramouche sat there, wearing a wide-brimmed hat. Despite the rain outside, he was spotless, as if he hadn't walked through the downpour.

Li Mo and Yae Miko entered the room one after the other.

Of course, Yae Miko took the lead.

"It's been a while, Guuji Yae."

"Oh my, if it isn't Kunikuzushi? What's this? After wreaking havoc on the Raiden Gokaden, are you here to cause trouble for the Grand Narukami Shrine now?"

Yae Miko smiled.

But those familiar with her knew that this smile was almost always fake.

Not the kind of forced smile that barely conceals disdain, but a lifeless, hollow smile.

It was clear that she had no goodwill toward Scaramouche.

"Oh, I wouldn't mind doing that. Do you think the Grand Narukami Shrine would decline for another few hundred years if I destroyed it?"

"You're welcome to try. Our priest has returned—do you really think you can go that far?"

"Priest." Scaramouche's gaze shifted to Li Mo.

Then, he frowned. "Another fox? The stench of fox is so strong."

"Oh, Kunikuzushi, what are you saying? Are you saying something rude? Little guy, teach him a lesson," Yae Miko said.

Li Mo: "This time, it's not me who provoked you. Why are you stirring the pot?"

As the two exchanged words, Scaramouche impatiently interrupted, "I'm not here to listen to your chit-chat, Yae Miko. The Gnosis is in your hands, isn't it?"

"Oh, how did you know? But the Gnosis isn't in my hands anymore."

"Then where... I see. In the hands of this so-called priest?" Scaramouche's attention turned fully to Li Mo. "Hey, hand over the Gnosis."

Li Mo raised an eyebrow, then smiled. "Are you a child? Do you think people will just give you whatever you want? I'm not your father."