The Embers of King's Teyvat Journey

"Haha, Lord Tanimura, how have you been these days?"

……

A corner beneath the main hall of the castle tower was already bustling with activity. Various distinguished figures in luxurious attire had gathered there, preparing to step into Inazuma's only private hot spring.

"Hey, when do you think you can get in?" The guard watching the gate of the castle tower caught a glimpse of this scene from afar and asked his companion, half teasing and half envious.

"Ha, you're overthinking things. It would be more practical to think about what to eat after our night shift," another guard scoffed.

Ottoman has a great reputation, but in the end he is still just a common soldier with no distinguished background. He has already achieved this level of success because his ancestors were blessed.

As for taking it a step further, one would have to consider becoming the live-in son-in-law of some minor noble families.

"Sigh—you're right, we're both unlucky today, it's our turn to be on duty at the festival, what bad luck!" The guard shook his head, his tone full of regret.

I heard that the food and drink club will be paying for everything at this festival, and Princess Egret will also be there.

Such a great thing, and now they can only watch it slip away from their eyes. How can they not feel regret?

"..."

"Hey! What's wrong with you, kid? Are you mute?" The guard asked, somewhat puzzled, when his companion hadn't responded for a while.

He turned his head and saw that his companion was lying on the ground. At the same time, a pale purple arrow had struck his left shoulder.

"Enemy..." The guard instantly realized it might be an enemy attack, but before he could utter a sound, he collapsed.

On the guard's right shoulder, a purple arrow was still trembling.

At the same time, in the bushes on both sides of the tall steps of the castle tower, Ember gave Dankiroku a hard knock on the head.

"How did you learn archery? Do you want to become a master archer?"

The arrow that Tuan Guiliu just shot almost went astray. If it hadn't been a hypnotic arrow, the two guards would probably be screaming all over the sky by now.

"It's too far, and we had to shoot from concealed positions, so don't blame me," Tuan Gui Liu muttered in defense, then turned to Yu Jin with curiosity and asked:

"If you're so capable, why don't you come?"

“Me?” Yu Jin glanced at the motionless main hall of the castle tower and waved his hand, saying, “I only act when there are conditions. It’s not time for me to act yet.”

“Not only that, they are too!” Ember said, pointing to the equally concealed Forge Knights.

"Strange." Tuan Gui Liu didn't know what Yu Jin was thinking, but since Yu Jin was with them, there was no way he could escape.

"What's so strange? I'll give you some off-site guidance!" Yu Jin leaned out and made a few gestures.

Meanwhile, several hand gestures were made from the bushes on the other side. Ember then knew that the other guards had also been dealt with.

"Alright! Hurry up and go in!" Yu Jin was the first to climb over the steps. After him, a large group of people followed suit and climbed out from the shadows.

"Our target is the Imperial Soup Commissioner. Capture him first! Then settle any scores and grievances! Understand?"

Everyone nodded, and then rushed towards the Imperial Bath Magistrate's quarters, where mist was constantly rising from the side of the castle tower.

Meanwhile, Akane Mikawa was completely unaware of the arrival of Yu Jin and the others.

"Have all the officials, big and small, arrived?" Mikawa Akane asked the maid in front of her.

Today is different from usual. Taking advantage of the festival, many important figures have gathered at the Imperial Bath Magistrate's residence, including even a prominent figure like the head of the Kujo family.

With such a luxurious staff, Mikawa Akane could not afford to be negligent in the slightest.

Unfortunately, upon hearing Mikawa Akane's words, the maid could only tremble and open her mouth wide, unable to utter a single word.

"What? Am I that scary?" Mikawa Akane frowned slightly. Could it be that this maid just arrived today and was too frightened by her?

"Of course not, beautiful lady. You're even more beautiful if you could move aside a bit." A voice appeared behind Mikawa Akane.

She turned around and saw a menacing crowd, armed with weapons and clad in armor.

What terrified Mikawa Akane even more was that the armor they wore did not belong to any faction.

"I...I'll move aside right away." Seeing that the person hadn't stabbed her to death immediately, Mikawa Akane wisely covered her mouth and quietly retreated to a corner with the maid beside her.

"Brothers! Charge!"

Seeing that Mikawa Akane had made way, Yu Jin waved his hand and led everyone into the Imperial Bath Bureau.

Chapter 518 Soaking in a hot spring? A cold wind is blowing!

2024-03-01

Inside the Imperial Bathhouse, rising steam drifted over the rows of partitions, enveloping the entire bathhouse.

If you look closely, you'll notice that in addition to the usual dampness, the rising mist also carries a faint medicinal scent.

What makes the Imperial Hot Springs of the Imperial Hot Springs so different is precisely this. With the addition of various rare and precious medicinal herbs, the hot springs of the Imperial Hot Springs are not only comfortable but also have many health benefits, making them a must-visit place for officials of all ranks in the shogunate to relax.

"Lord Shiraishi, a while ago..."

Although the bathhouse was large, it was quiet enough. Because the Imperial Bathing Commissioner's Office was also a good place for shogunate officials to discuss matters, its private rooms were strictly allocated according to the rank of the officials and the best soundproofing materials were used.

Even if you scream inside, no one will hear you.

However, it is obvious that each private room can only isolate sounds coming from inside the room, but not sounds coming from outside.

"They really know how to enjoy themselves, soaking in a hot spring here." As soon as Yu Jin rushed into the Imperial Bath House, he saw a field of steam.

"Where did this ill-mannered maid come from? Doesn't she know the adults are discussing important matters?!"

As soon as Yu Jin finished speaking, the door to a private room opened. A man wrapped in a bath towel leaned out and, without even looking, began to hurl insults.

"Talk about important matters? Talk about them naked?" Yu Jin crossed his arms and glanced at the soaking wet man from head to toe.

Upon hearing Yu Jin's voice again, the man suddenly realized what was happening. The servants in the Imperial Bath Service were all women; why would a man be shouting outside?

He looked up and saw shadows looming in the mist and the glint of blades.

"Sorry, I didn't see anything!" Upon seeing this, the man immediately closed the door. In the dim light, one hand could be seen above the other on the outer wall of the private room.

"A private room?" Yu Jin looked at the closed doors on both sides of the corridor and nodded thoughtfully.

Then, with a wave of his hand, he shouted to the crowd behind him, "What are you all standing there for? Drag them all out! Soaking in the hot springs? Throw them into the water tank to sober them up!"

Without further ado, the group behind Yu Jin immediately formed groups of three to five and began kicking the door to the private room.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

"How rude! Do you even know who I am?!"

"Enough with the nonsense! We'll find out who you are by checking the roster later!"

……

The sound of the door being kicked open rang out one after another, and at the same time, the once quiet Imperial Bath Magistrate suddenly became noisy.

Soon, amidst shouts of panic and curses, a large group of naked people were pulled out of the hot spring.

"Who is Kujo Takayuki? Step forward!" Washizu shouted, staring at the white expanse before him.

"Where did this country bumpkin come from, daring to act so presumptuously under the castle tower!" A silver-haired old man wrapped in a bath towel stepped forward and retorted defiantly.

"That's Kujo Takayuki!" Yu Jin leaned closer and pointed to Kujo Takayuki across from Washizu. Then he glanced at the towel on Kujo Takayuki's body and said, as if to remind him:

"Insolence? You just went for a walk with me dressed like that? Let's see who's more insolent!"

"All you do is talk big!" Kujo Takayuki tightened his scarf, almost jumping up in anger.

"Why waste words with this old bastard? Just hack him to death!" Recalling his teammates who had died tragically and were ignored, Tuan Gui Liu rushed forward without saying a word.

"You old bastard, prepare to die!" With his spear raised, Tuan Guiliu thrust straight at him.

The spear tip, gleaming with a cold light, hurtled toward Kujo Takayuki's face, about to pierce through his brow and go right through him.

But at this critical moment, Kujo Takayuki suddenly shifted his body and barely dodged Dan Oniroku's attack, which was full of killing intent.

Touching the bright red bloodstains before his eyes, the usually composed Kujo Takayuki finally felt a pang of panic.

Since he took over as the head of the Kujo family, there has been very little bloodshed, let alone any discontent.

No matter what, others would show him deference whenever they saw his status.

Apart from Raiden General, Kujo Takayuki never took anyone seriously from beginning to end.

Even when faced with the group of Hikimura who dragged them out wielding weapons, this was the case.

But Oniroku's thrust completely knocked him off the platform. Feeling the burning pain in his eye, Kujo Takayuki knew these people were truly willing to take his life!

"What are you standing there for? Don't you want revenge? Get up and charge!" After a brief moment of surprise at his failed attack, Tuan Gui Liu immediately called out to the others.

Now is not the time to talk about martial virtues. If we can resolve the nine filial piety rules that the leader of the Heavenly Regime follows, we can reduce the trouble by more than half.

"Go on!"

"Wait! There must be some misunderstanding between us!"

"slow!"

Just as everyone was about to rush forward and hack Kujo Takayuki to death, Washizu raised his hand and stopped them.

"No way, bro? What are you still hesitating about at this point?!" When Tuan Guiliu saw Washizu stop everyone, he almost stabbed him in the butt.

“Don’t forget the banner we raised.” Washizu glanced at Dan Oniroku, then took a few steps forward and looked at Kujo Takayuki, saying:

"You just said there was a misunderstanding?"

"He wouldn't actually take the 'serving the emperor' slogan seriously, would he?" Seeing Washizu's appearance, Tuan Guiliu couldn't help but run to Yu Jin's side and complain.

"You're asking me? How would I know? This is my first time rebelling, I don't know anything either." Yu Jin shrugged, showing no sign of urgency.

"Haha, of course there's a misunderstanding! Kujo Takayuki is devoted to Inatsume, but he has never..."

"Who dares to trespass into the heavily guarded Tenshukaku area!"

Just as Kujo Takayuki was about to ramble on with his eyes darting around, a loud shout suddenly came from afar.

The sound of synchronized footsteps echoed in unison.

"Get out of my way!" Seeing that Washizu was attracted by the voice from afar, Kujo Takayuki slapped Washizu hard on the chest with lightning speed.

Its force was so great that it even caused the surrounding mist to tremble. This one move alone shows that even without the Eye of God, Kujo Takayuki's strength should not be underestimated.

"Ugh..." Caught off guard, Washizu felt as if a heavy hammer had struck his chest, leaving a dull ache.

"Are you alright?!" Oniroku immediately ran over and helped Washizu up.