Chapter 406: Heading into Inuzuma

Lady Saiguu played a pivotal role in Inazuma's history. In the past, when the Raiden Shogun was still shared between the twin sisters, she served as the Guuji of the Grand Narukami Shrine, assisting the Raiden Shogun. The Grand Narukami Shrine, an organization that commanded the youkai and held the authority over rituals, was undoubtedly the most powerful entity at the time.

Her past achievements need no elaboration. The days when hundreds of youkai roamed Mount Yougou at night can no longer be recreated. This brings us to five hundred years ago, when the Raiden Shogun left for Khaenri'ah, and Lady Saiguu single-handedly took charge of the Tri-Commission and the Grand Narukami Shrine, using Narukami Island as her base to resist the chaos. During that time, the skies over Narukami Island were shrouded in dark clouds.

The appointment letter in Li Mo's hands was a product of that era.

Before Raiden Ei departed, she entrusted all of Inazuma to Lady Saiguu. Lady Saiguu became the supreme leader of Inazuma. Clearly, the position of Guuji of the Grand Narukami Shrine was insufficient to bear such a responsibility.

However, if the Guuji of the Grand Narukami Shrine was appointed to wield the Raiden Shogun's authority during special times, surpassing the Tri-Commission, it would be logically sound in terms of procedure.

"Actually, this is Lady Saiguu's handwriting," Yae Miko said slowly. "At that time, Lady Makoto had already left for Khaenri'ah, and the Shogun followed later. Given the Shogun's personality, she wouldn't have left behind such an appointment letter. It's likely that Lady Saiguu, who had received a verbal appointment, wrote this herself to ensure procedural legitimacy."

Li Mo quipped, "Is that even allowed?"

"Why not? At least everyone accepted it back then," Yae Miko replied. "In reality, everyone followed Lady Saiguu's orders at the time. Even without this appointment letter, couldn't Lady Saiguu have commanded the Tri-Commission? She probably did this to uphold the rules established by Lady Makoto."

After a pause, Yae Miko added, "Ah, how time flies. It's already been five hundred years. I didn't expect to remember the past so clearly. That shouldn't be the case."

"Why shouldn't it?"

"I'm supposed to be enjoying life. How can I dwell on the sorrows of the past?"

Li Mo gave Yae Miko a helpless look and then said, "Actually, I've been thinking about it these past few days. I can understand the Shogun's perspective. She couldn't save her sister, and when she returned, she found that her old friends in Inazuma had either died or disappeared. It's hard to bear, and it's natural to doubt one's abilities."

Yae Miko said, "That's why she locked herself in the Plane of Euthymia. I'll tell you, the Shogun used to love going on picnics. She was the type who loved wandering outside, but now she's shut herself away. Isn't that self-torture?

But... from another perspective, isn't it kind of adorable?"

Li Mo understood what Yae Miko was implying.

But he couldn't respond.

No matter why the Raiden Shogun entered the Plane of Euthymia, the current state of Inazuma couldn't accept this situation.

Reality was right in front of them, and the only thing they could do was face it.

As for Yae Miko's schadenfreude...

Perhaps in her eyes, the current situation in Inazuma wasn't that dire. After all, could it be worse than what Inazuma faced five hundred years ago? Even across five centuries, he could sense the magnitude of the past from the records in the ancient texts.

It was a war that devastated the middle and upper echelons of society.

Inazuma might have been the nation that suffered the most five hundred years ago.

The nostalgic reminiscing ended, and Li Mo accompanied a cheerful Yae Miko for a meal. The Grand Narukami Shrine's food had always been excellent, and the Guuji certainly knew how to enjoy life.

It even made Li Mo wonder if Yae Miko had aided the Kamisato Clan just to secure the shrine's supplies.

Time flew by.

Li Mo no longer distracted himself with reading the ancient texts. The appointment letter had been unearthed. Even now, it still held validity. Whether Lady Saiguu had done this intentionally or not, the appointment letter had no expiration date.

Perhaps she had assumed that once the Raiden Shogun returned, the authority would naturally end.

But it had indeed helped those who came after.

With this appointment letter, there was enough backing. When the time came for Li Mo to confront the Tenryou Commission, he would have ample room to maneuver.

Time continued to fly.

Li Mo's research had reached its final stages. He couldn't claim to have fully unraveled the mysteries of the Gnosis, but he had grasped about ten to twenty percent of it. However, that was enough for Li Mo to borrow the concept of the "Raiden Shogun" through the Gnosis.

Mysteries—why bother understanding them completely? As long as they could be used, that was enough. Who cared about the underlying principles?

Things like "Spiritual Tripping"—Li Mo still couldn't even use that.

With the Gnosis sorted, the only thing left was a trip to Inazuma City to examine the Statue of the Omnipresent God and complete the final piece of the technique.

It was time to set out.

Before heading to Inazuma City, Yae Miko, seemingly aware that Li Mo wouldn't return until the matter was resolved, asked him to visit the Yashiro Commission.

Following the path down the mountain, Li Mo retraced the route he had taken when he first arrived at the Grand Narukami Shrine with Hanachirusato to complete the Sacred Sakura Cleansing Ritual.

Though not much time had passed, the passage of time was always the most feeling.

Unknowingly, so many memories had been made.

Inazuma, Inazuma...

Walking along the mountain path, he occasionally caught the gaze of a fox or a tanuki.

Li Mo paid them no mind. As he looked at the familiar surroundings, a complex emotion welled up in his heart.

"Once I've dealt with Tenshukaku, I'll wash my hands of it."

The current problems in Inazuma were easy to solve. As long as the Raiden Shogun emerged from the Plane of Euthymia, everything would be resolved.

As for the follow-up issues, the Tri-Commission wasn't lacking in capability. It was just that the Yashiro Commission had been suppressed, and the leaders of the Tenryou Commission and the Kanjou Commission had made ideological errors.

Relying on the Raiden Shogun's immense force, they had acted recklessly. What did they see the Raiden Shogun as? A mere enforcer? A deity who would protect them if they begged?

They were too naive.

Such people needed to be dealt with decisively.

Li Mo carried the five-hundred-year-old appointment letter with him, planning to visit the Tenryou Commission after examining the Statue of the Omnipresent God.

But before that, he needed to complete his inspection of the statue.

However...

As the buildings of the Kamisato Estate came into view, he vaguely noticed someone waiting at the entrance. The figure seemed familiar.

Thinking back, before leaving, Yae Miko had mentioned that the Kamisato Clan would send someone to assist him.

Li Mo felt reassured.

When he reached the entrance of the Kamisato Estate, he saw who had been sent to help him.

"Kamisato Ayaka, at your service, Priest."