Chapter 234: Kujou Takayuki

"Hmm..."

Paimon scratched her head awkwardly at these words.

"Qiu Bai, let's follow Kujou Sara." 

Said Lumine with a smile as she looked at Qiu Bai standing before her.

"Yes, let's go." 

Qiu Bai nodded.

The group then followed Sara silhouette as they headed toward Inazuma City.

After a while, they finally arrived at the entrance of the Tenryou Commission.

By now, the sky had gradually brightened, with the sun slowly rising.

"So you followed me here? You're quite bold." 

Kujou Sara said.

"As witnesses, I can ensure you won't be arrested on the spot—at least until I confirm things with the Commissioner."

"Tengu woman!"

"I heard someone say you rushed over here in a hurry. Are you facing some difficulty? Do you need the great me to help you?"

Arataki Itto had appeared behind Kujou Sara at some point, shouting loudly.

"Boss, mind your words."

"She is the Shogunate general. Please speak more politely."

Kuki Shinobu, wearing a mask and appearing like a ninja, looked up at Arataki Itto with a warning tone.

"Don't worry, Shinobu."

"I'm just showing some concern for the Tengu woman, that's all." 

Arataki Itto said, waving his hand as he looked down at Shinobu.

"Hey, Tengu woman, do you remember what you wrote back to me in that magazine?"

"You promised to duel me when you returned alive from the battlefield."

Itto asked with furrowed brows, looking at the silent Kujou Sara.

"Stupid red oni, we'll discuss the duel later."

"If you don't want to get into trouble, stay away from here..."

Kujou Sara turned her head slightly and said with a frown to Arataki Itto behind her.

"You're in trouble, aren't you..."

"Although the great me doesn't have a Vision, I should still be able to help out."

Itto said with a frown, noticing Sara unusual concern for him.

"Hmm..."

"Brother Itto, leave this matter to me, don't worry." 

Qiu Bai said as he looked at Arataki Itto beside him.

"Brother Qiu Bai, honestly, I didn't expect you to be wanted..."

"But if you run into any trouble, come find me. I'll help as much as I can." 

Arataki Itto said, patting his chest as he looked at Qiu Bai beside him.

"Boss, since when did you start making friends with intellectuals?"

"I heard about Mr. Qiu Bai reputation even when I was in Liyue."

Shinobu asked with confusion as she looked at Arataki Itto in front of her.

"Hahaha~"

"Shinobu, I, Arataki Itto, have brothers all over the world!"

Itto proudly declared as he looked at Shinobu.

"He doesn't look very smart..."

Paimon said, examining Arataki Itto and spreading her hands.

"Huh?"

"Who's saying I'm not smart? Oh~ It's the flying dwarf lavender melon."

Arataki Itto looked around and then at the ground, pretending not to know who was talking about him.

Then he suddenly shifted his gaze to the floating Paimon with an expression of sudden realization.

"Mmm~!"

"Darn it! What kind of name is 'flying dwarf lavender melon'?!"

Paimon stomped her feet angrily as she looked at Arataki Itto.

"Enough!"

"Stupid red oni, this doesn't concern you. Leave now."

Kujou Sara turned around and said with a frown to Arataki Itto.

"Then I'll take my leave."

"Seems I really can't be of any help here."

Arataki Itto nodded as he looked at the serious Kujou Sara.

"Boss, being self-aware is a good thing."

"Looks like you've grown a lot." 

Shinobu said with satisfaction as she looked at Arataki Itto beside her.

"Let's go." 

Qiu Bai nodded to Arataki Itto before following Kujou Sara inside.

The group then pushed open the doors of the Tenryou Commission and walked in.

"Lady Kujou Sara, the Commissioner has ordered—"

"No one is allowed to enter without permission!"

Warned a dozen or so Tenryou Commission guards as they saw Kujou Sara intrude.

"Out of my way. I need to see the Commissioner. Don't make me get rough!"

Kujou Sara commanded with authority as she faced the dozen guards with weapons in their hands.

A bow then appeared in her hand as she charged toward the guards.

In just a moment, Sara had taken down all the guards.

"Stop!"

"Sara, have you gone mad? You dare to disregard my orders!"

Kujou Takayuki, the head of the Kujou Clan, angrily said as he looked at Kujou Sara.

"Commissioner..."

Kujou Sara hesitated for a moment as she looked at Kujou Takayuki.

"Ask him! Don't let his imposing manner intimidate you!"

Paimon encouraged the hesitating Kujou Sara.

"Hmph... Lord Takayuki, I've seen those so-called confidential letters."

"Please give me an explanation!"

Kujou Sara asked with a frown as she looked at Kujou Takayuki.

"So it was you who took those missing documents and letters?"

"Hmph..."

Kujou Takayuki pointed at Sara and snorted lightly.

"Can I take your words to mean..."

"That those documents were truly written by you, and not forgeries?"

Kujou Sara stepped forward and asked in disbelief as she looked up at Kujou Takayuki on the platform.

"Please tell me, Commissioner, tell me that the Tenryou Commission..."

"Has not betrayed the Shogunate?!"

Kujou Sara demanded angrily.

"All it took was assisting with the promulgation and implementation of the Vision Hunt Decree."

"And in return, we would receive the benefits promised by the Fatui envoy..."

Kujou Takayuki said slowly with his arms crossed and eyes half-closed.

"I considered it a profitable deal, but there was no need to inform you about it."

"Sara."

Kujou Takayuki opened his eyes and addressed the stunned Kujou Sara.

"You... you've always respected the Shogun so deeply."

"How can you speak of betrayal so casually?!"

Kujou Sara said in disbelief as she looked up at Kujou Takayuki, with feelings of disappointment and anger intertwining in her heart.

"Betrayal? Can this even be called betrayal?!"

"Those Fatui are merely being used by me in return. What can they possibly accomplish?"

Kujou Takayuki challenged as he looked at the group before him.

"Once thunder strikes on Inazuman soil, they are nothing but trembling insects, not daring to cause trouble!"

"After all we have the unrivaled Raiden Shogun, possessor of that peerless Musou no Hitotachi!"

Kujou Takayuki spread his arms and looked up at the ceiling in reverence.

"Hmm..."

"Although you still revere the Electro Archon, your selfish actions have already tainted that reverence." 

Qiu Bai said slowly as he looked up at Kujou Takayuki.

(T/N: Like the story fellow daoist? Now you can read 30 chapters ahead on my P@treon [p@treon.com/DaoistRongyi] Thanks for your support! 😊)