Chapter 421: Next Day

When Li Mo opened his eyes again, he saw a familiar ceiling. The grogginess of waking up made him dig through his memories to recall where this ceiling was from.

Oh, it's the ceiling of the Grand Narukami Shrine.

Li Mo thought back to what had happened before he fell asleep. After taking a direct hit from the Raiden Shogun, he had been pulled into the Plane of Euthymia by Ei. After a series of conversations with her, a certain fox had finally arrived.

Then, he had let go and fallen into a deep sleep. The burden of using "The End of the Fourth Night" had completely shut him down. This time was much more taxing than the last.

—The last time he had used it briefly, he had been rescued by Kihara Gensei. In reality, he hadn't expended much energy. But this time, he had pushed himself to the limit.

That final "Musou no Hitotachi" was something Li Mo couldn't replicate now. At that moment, he had felt connected to the land of Inazuma. It had completely exceeded his plans.

Reflecting on this mission, Li Mo felt he had been too reckless. From a results-oriented perspective, the outcome was quite good.

At least, this matter was settled.

Wait... was it really settled? All I did was clash with the Raiden Shogun and have a chat with Ei. But were the Sakoku Decree and the Vision Hunt Decree resolved?

Li Mo focused on the key point. He propped himself up, and even with "Pseudo-Immortality," his body felt sore—likely due to the shockwaves from the clash of "Musou" against "Musou."

If he remembered correctly... he had destroyed Tenshukaku, hadn't he?

After sitting for a moment, Li Mo felt the discomfort in his body fade. "Pseudo-Immortality" was doing its job.

He wasn't sure how much time had passed since that battle. He needed to ask someone.

Just as Li Mo was about to extend his senses, the sound of him getting out of bed seemed to alert someone outside. A shrine maiden's voice came through: "Your Excellency, are you awake?"

"Is that Miyuki?"

"Yes."

"What time is it now?"

"It's been a full day since you ascended Tenshukaku."

"I slept for an entire day?"

Puzzled, Li Mo retracted his tail and ears. His clothes had been changed into a new set of priestly robes. He wasn't sure who had done it.

As he stepped out, he saw Miyuki standing respectfully to the side. "Your Excellency, would you like to go to the kitchen for a meal?"

"Not for now. Where's Yae?"

A day without food wouldn't kill him. Right now, Li Mo was more concerned about what had happened after he passed out.

Yae Miko was undoubtedly the best person to ask.

"Lady Guuji is having tea with the Shogun under the Sacred Sakura."

"The Shogun? Why is the Shogun at the Grand Narukami Shrine?"

"Well, Your Excellency, don't you remember? You destroyed Tenshukaku."

Tenshukaku, the place where the Shogun resided. For centuries, she had sat there, overlooking the joys and sorrows of the world.

Memories from yesterday surfaced.

It seemed... indeed... because of the clash between him and the Shogun, both using "Musou no Hitotachi," the shockwaves had swept through the surroundings.

In his memories, Li Mo recalled the scene before being pulled into the Plane of Euthymia. Tenshukaku looked as if a giant had flipped it over from the middle...

Then, he grasped the key point: "But why settle at the Grand Narukami Shrine? Couldn't the Tri-Commission accommodate the Shogun?"

"That was the Shogun's will," Miyuki replied gently.

Right, how would Miyuki know the Shogun's choices? Who would dare to oppose the Shogun's decisions, especially on such trivial matters?

Thanking Miyuki for her patience in waiting outside, Li Mo left. He walked along the ancient corridor toward the Sacred Sakura. If he wanted to know the future direction of Inazuma, what better source than the Shogun herself?

As he turned the corner, he saw Yae Miko and the Raiden Shogun sitting under the Sacred Sakura, sipping tea and seemingly discussing something.

"Oh, the little one has finally awakened?"

"A day isn't that long, is it? Yae. Good morning, Your Excellency."

"Ah, little one, you should address her as Lady Ei," Yae Miko reminded.

Li Mo then noticed that the Raiden Shogun's expression was gentle.

It was Ei.

"Lady Ei, good morning."

"No need for formalities. Just call me Ei. Please, have a seat. I have some matters I'd like to hear your thoughts on."

"Oh? What matters?"

Li Mo sat down and poured himself some tea. At the Grand Narukami Shrine, he could relax completely. The familiar environment gave him a sense of comfort.

Ei said, "Regarding the recent situation in Inazuma, I've looked over the relevant information. It's worse than I imagined. Now, we need to think about how to fix the mistakes of the past."

After the battle at Tenshukaku, Ei had spoken with Li Mo and Yae Miko in the Plane of Euthymia. She was surprised that someone could achieve such a feat and began seeking verification from various sources.

"Although I am reluctant to believe it, Kujou Takayuki, to some extent, acted against my will. However, this is also my fault. I have ordered the halt of the Vision Hunt Decree, and I have entrusted Kujou Sara with full authority to handle matters in Watatsumi Island. But regarding the Sakoku Decree and the various aspects of Inazuma City, we still need to carefully consider. Do you have any suggestions?"

Ei's approach was clear. Upon realizing the discrepancy between her understanding of Inazuma and reality, she halted the policies that had caused the issue and began thinking about how to make amends.

Knowing that Ei was considering ending the Vision Hunt Decree and the Sakoku Decree, Li Mo breathed a sigh of relief. He then said, "Suggestions? I think the Sakoku Decree can be lifted. We should protect domestic commerce and provide legitimate job opportunities for the wandering samurai and Treasure Hoarders in the wild."

"That makes sense... Oh, right. Regarding the Tenryou Commission and the Kanjou Commission, I have issued preliminary punishments. Kujou Takayuki and Hiiragi Shinsuke have been temporarily removed from their positions, with Kujou Kamaji and Hiiragi Chisato acting in their stead. As for the actual penalties, I need to wait until all evidence is collected before proceeding," Ei said. "I think you'll be pleased with this news?"

"Huh? Ei, I don't think it's my place to know about these matters," Li Mo replied.

"Yae said this news would put your mind at ease. Isn't that right?"

Both of them turned to look at Yae Miko, who smiled and said, "Oh, my memory isn't what it used to be. Don't take it to heart. Here, have some fruit."

Without any shrine maidens nearby, the fox spirits brought over a basket of fruit, allowing Yae Miko to smoothly change the subject.

After a moment, Ei shifted the topic slightly. "I have a more important question for you. Yesterday, you briefly described your experience when using 'Musou no Hitotachi.' You mentioned the Sacred Sakura, right?"

"Yes."

Ei said, "In my memories, the Sacred Sakura appeared suddenly after I returned from Khaenri'ah. Yae... what about you?"

"Huh? The Sacred Sakura has always been there, hasn't it?"