Didn't you go to Teyvat to earn money to support me?

His thoughts were suddenly diverted from speculating about Raiden, and he actually subconsciously considered it for a moment before quickly refusing.

"Being a puppet is not a problem. The general is also a puppet. If the general develops any feelings for her one day, I will allow her to pursue him in the same way."

"Dolls are born without feelings, as am I, and so is the General. General, please do not forget this."

Raiden smiled slightly, "In my opinion, what about Mitsuyo? She is the daughter of Reizenbo, the Tengu clan chief. Although she may be a bit older than you, youkai have long lifespans and she is still a young girl, waiting to be married. Kokubun is not young either, and the Kikage-no-kan is desolate and lonely with only one person living there. Why not arrange a marriage for her first? I am really interested in arranging a marriage for you with the prestigious family of Inazuma."

Lei Dian Guo Pang shuddered.

This is so absurd! Why are we suddenly talking about this? And "arranging a marriage first"? Do I need something like that?

I have to say, Lei Dian is acting really strange today. Why is she talking so much? Does she need to tell me these trivial things? According to your gods' style, you should just give me orders to do them! Why are you suddenly putting on this kind of heartwarming family drama with me? Do you really think I'm Lei Dian's son? Are you making fun of me like an ordinary relative or friend?

Don't talk to me in this trivial, family-oriented tone!

Thunder Kingdom collapsed, feeling suppressed. He thought he should be furious, but within that fury... he actually felt a little happy.

There were some things he had always been unwilling to think about. For example, he knew he really wished Lei Dianying would speak to him in a gentle or loving tone. He also envied Shen Liang. Not his status or abilities, but the fact that he could laugh and play with his mother without restraint, get a slap on the hand from Lei Dianzhen when he made a mistake, and seek comfort from Lei Dianzhen when he was wronged. The way Lei Dianzhen looked at Shen Liang was the kind of look he most wanted to see in Lei Dianying's eyes.

But never. Lei Yingdian wouldn't even look at him, let alone give him a glance. He just unilaterally believed that this "mother" treated him like dirt, but in reality, she never considered herself a mother. She just created a puppet and then abandoned it.

Rather, it's more accurate to say that Lei's films didn't destroy him but gave him the right to live, even allowing him to live well—a freedom he no longer dared to hope for.

But people are prone to having desires, and when they can't have them, they feel resentment.

So he didn't want to think about these things. Anyway, he would escape Inazuma one day. All he needed to do was hate Inazuma. Hate was the purest power.

Don't use that elder's tone, don't bother me!

"General, I truly have no intention of getting married," Lei Dian Guo Beng had no choice but to continue.

He then thought of the girl named Mitsuyo and couldn't help but chuckle. Yingxiang Mountain was full of valleys and waterfalls; he had once seen Shen Liang and several young girls practicing swordsmanship under a very secluded waterfall while strolling through the valley. Sensing something amiss, he concealed himself and peeked. Shen Liang's swordsmanship wasn't particularly outstanding at that time, and after being defeated by Mitsuyo in a few strikes, the tengu girl gleefully declared victory and demanded her spoils from the white-haired wildcat.

This was quite in line with the competitive spirit of samurai ronin, but then he was dumbfounded to discover that Mitsuyo had swallowed his spoils.

This one... she's old enough to be a young woman, still unmarried?

"There's a young woman in the Onmyōryō (Bureau of Yin and Yang), gentle and beautiful, who is also an expert archer. She comes from a family of shrine maidens and will inherit the Edge Shrine in the future. Look, this is her picture." Raiden Shin didn't give up. "Asase Hibiki, the Onmyōryō's star student this year."

"General, please don't discuss this kind of issue!"

Lei Dian Guo Beng almost laughed, because he saw that girl among the girls who had spent the whole day playing games with Shen Liang! The seemingly quiet and gentle black-haired shrine maiden, in front of your most beloved white-haired wildcat, was completely unlike a shrine maiden! Her archery skills were superb? They were indeed superb; she won all three of her matches against Shen Liang, never losing a single one! Making your little wildcat howl in anger!

Lei Dian was surprised by his strong refusal and frowned slightly. "Guo Nai is of age, and while it's best for him to be free to choose his own marriage, I am your elder and have some right to judge."

elder?

The Thunder Kingdom collapsed for a moment, momentarily dazed.

"I……"

"Or is it that the country is collapsing and looks down on these girls' appearances? Or do you think that the daughter of the Great Tengu and the shrine maiden of Narukami Shrine are not worthy of being called a noble lady? Or do you think this person is deliberately making fun of you?" Raiden looked at him calmly.

Fear gripped him, and he immediately lowered his head.

"I dare not!"

"Of course, I know that since you are the Shadow's prized creation, your standards are naturally quite high. However, if you have never married, how can you join the Shogunate and take over the Shadow's position, given your isolated status outside the Shogunate?" Seeing his fear, Raiden's tone softened slightly. "You know that you and Ryo are like the Shadow and me. But Ryo can take his time; he is ultimately the Crown Prince. You, however, need to prove yourself. Therefore, you'd better integrate into the Shogunate as soon as possible and start paving your way. One day you can rise to the highest ranks of the court because you are special. You can even call Ryo a younger brother; you deserve Ryo and our trust. From now on, make some changes, such as starting a family and career—and then, everything you deserve will come to you."

Looking down at his feet, Lei Dian Guo Beng felt his brain slightly overloaded by those words. He had never even considered that Lei Dian was truly giving him a serious lecture.

Suddenly... things are about to change, and then it all begins? Settle down, join the shogunate, rise to the highest ranks as a divine creation, assist Shen Liang, and become the new generation's "True and Shadow".

Suddenly... he had a goal, a family, a career, a life. Lightning had truly shown him the way, a path that seemed promising, a path that would bring him closer to Lei Yingdian... Perhaps by becoming Shen Liang's close advisor, he could gain Lei Yingdian's approval?

Thunder Kingdom almost got tempted.

He was thinking about all of that.

The young people in the shogunate always gossiped about him, saying that Raiden Kunihiro was not favored by the Thunder God at all, that he was just an exiled puppet, and that they didn't know why Prince Ryo was so close to him, or what was so special about him that made him worth befriending. While these people were gossiping, they never noticed that Raiden Kunihiro, being a creation of the gods, could hear them even from several meters away. But at this moment, Raiden Kunihiro remained expressionless, silently gazing at the third building from the left in the inner palace of the castle tower.

Because of the collapse of the Thunder Kingdom, he often thought of such a scene: the eaves of the pavilion were reflected in a fiery cloud, and a bright young man with white hair swung his legs to admire the huge sunset. He sat next to that young man.

If you walk this path, you can see that white-haired figure with an eternally carefree smile. People surround them and shout "Wakamiya no Kami!" He can always watch his back, just like the shadow to the real one, protecting him forever.

so good.

"Allow me to refuse."

But no, Lei Dian Guo Pang said, pausing between each word.

He is not anyone's shadow. Looking at his back is indeed beautiful, but it doesn't fit his personality.

What he wants is not a peaceful and orderly life.

Shen Liang wasn't the most important one either.

Raiden stared at his cold, silent face for a long time, until Raiden Kingdom collapsed and she took her leave, only then did she watch the sinister young man's steps.

He walked alone towards the outside of the castle tower, his back view lonely and frail.

Lei Dianzhen looked at the fact that he and Shen Liang were almost the same height and sighed inwardly.

“Now that things have come to this, there’s no need to say anything more. I should have told you this myself, but… I think it’s better if I do it.” Raiden Shin said to his back, “From this day forward, you will no longer hold any office or power in the Shogunate, nor will you be allowed to enter or leave the castle tower. The Kakei-no-kan will be entirely yours from now on, and from this day forward, you will no longer be allowed to use the surname ‘Raiden’.”

At this moment, Lei Dian Guo Beng paused in his steps and suddenly turned around.

“Yes, you’ve chosen this path, so you’re free.” Raiden Shin closed the main hall door.

Chapter 80 Hold onto your sister's horn

Guo Ke had imagined countless times the day he would be banished. In this dimly lit castle tower, he had never received any recognition. A failed attempt at making dolls, a divine creation in name only, a lowly one begging for even a glance of pity from his mother. But when that day finally arrived, he found himself completely unprepared. He hadn't considered what he would do if he were to leave Inazuma completely.

Lei Yingdian's indifference and aloofness were terrifying, but ultimately, she was still there. He could look up at the castle tower countless times, yearning for this sublime and noble woman with a burning, agonizing longing. But now he was being driven away. Inazuma would never tolerate him. There was no reason. He suddenly felt as if he had returned to his very early childhood, when Lei Yingdian's figure was incredibly tall compared to him, standing in a blinding light, head bowed.

He tried to reach out from the box to hold her hand, his mother's warm hand. But he grasped nothing; the box closed, and before all was darkness, he saw only his "mother's" disappointed face.

A mournful cry of a wild goose echoed in the sky.

Suddenly, images flashed through her mind: the boy who liked to sit on the rooftop, swaying back and forth, watching the scenery, wasn't as lonely as he was. Lei Yingdian could always find Shen Liang, then tuck him into her arms when he tried to escape, taking him back as punishment for skipping class. The evenings at the castle tower were always filled with Lei Yingdian's merciless scolding and Shen Liang's loud arguments. Or, when Shen Liang wasn't running away but was exhausted from training, she would put the limp boy on her lap, feeding him snacks and fruit while keeping him company and watching the sunset and cooking smoke in his rare quiet moment.

It turns out everyone else is living happily, while you're the only one wallowing in loneliness and resentment.

Guo Beng felt a strong, sweet, and fishy smell well up in his heart, making him unsteady on his feet. He wiped his mouth and saw a filthy red stain.

He chuckled, then staggered away.

------------

Raiden remained by the door; as a deity, her view was not obstructed by the wooden door. Only after Guo Ke's figure had completely disappeared did she return to the inner palace and enter the study.

In the imperial study, a person dressed in a smart purple kimono had been waiting for a long time. Her fair face had the same features as Raiden Shinichi. She was kneeling in front of the desk, her eyes closed in deep thought. It was her sister Raiden Shinichi.

“If you ask me, I’d rather deal with him myself.” Lei Yingdian opened her eyes, her beautiful eyes filled with indifference. “Exile is even a form of mercy. Daring to take the initiative to attack the Crown Prince is a capital offense.”

Raiden looked into his sister's eyes and said, "He is your creation, who sees you as his mother, Shadow."

Lei Yingdong waved his hand and said in a deep voice, "Absurd, sister. So-called feelings are only true feelings when both are present. I have no maternal feelings for him. Rather, his hidden admiration is what troubles me quite a bit. But that's not important. I brought him into this world, and I didn't skimp on his food, clothing, or daily necessities, nor did I neglect his studies. Treating him like 'trash' is enough for me. If I have to say I've failed in my duty, it's that letting him harm your child is the real dereliction of duty I have as Liang'er's master."

“When a child is born, he is just a blank sheet of paper, and his only heart is to seek his mother’s approval. Shadow, everyone needs a place to belong. If you don’t approve of him, you leave him with no place to belong, and he will willingly become a lonely ghost.” Raiden said calmly, “Ghosts always want to harm people because they are naked. When they see people living in palaces, they want to burn them, throw stones at them, or even bite them to death because they feel that they should also be a member of that palace. They should also enjoy the warm glow, but they can’t go back to that place.”

“I am not his final destination, sister. I am not a merciful god who grants a child’s wish for a mother by performing a miracle.” Lei Yingdong retorted sharply, her voice clear and resonant. “I owe him nothing. He was born free and enjoyed the riches and honors of a noble family. There are millions of ordinary people like him, but how many children have his privileges? Many are born without ever having seen their parents, without relatives or joy. How many widows, orphans, and lonely people are there in the world? And yet, he alone chooses not to be a human being but a ghost!?”

Lei Dianzhen was somewhat surprised to hear his sister's angry voice, as he rarely saw Lei Dianying argue so forcefully.

“Sister, after Liang’er came into your life, you became weak. You see everyone as a child, tolerant and kind, but frankly, it’s just the weakness of a mother.” Lei Yingdong lowered his voice and became solemn. “But Liang’er is Liang’er, not everyone is Liang’er. You should let him die here today.”

Raiden sighed helplessly, "Shadow, you're so cruel to people you don't care about..."

"I'm just cruel to those who are delusional."

Raiden knew her younger sister's stubborn nature; she didn't think she was wrong, and nothing she said would make a difference. In fact, Raiden knew she hadn't done anything wrong. The only thing she could criticize was Raiden's failure as a mother in raising her child. But Raiden wasn't anyone's mother; she had no obligation, let alone responsibility.

"Guo Beng always thought he had done it perfectly, but who could hide such a little trick from him? It's certainly not easy to investigate the Fools, but he doesn't even have a friend in Inazuma City. If there are any changes in his travel records, the Ministry of Justice will definitely be watching him. Besides, he has always been a person highly suspected by the Ministry of Justice."

"Highly suspicious?" Raiden was silent for a moment, then understood what his sister meant.

How could the people of the shogunate dare to doubt the collapse of the country? It was a creation of the gods. But if they have always been highly skeptical, it can only be said that Lei's film has always maintained the attitude of "remaining skeptical".

She never trusted the collapse of the nation.

"But I don't quite understand why you wasted so much breath arguing with him, and then let him go in the end."

"Given his long-held thoughts about the collapse of the kingdom, I think it's worth giving him a chance. So I hope he turns back before he causes any more disasters. With his abilities, he deserves to be on par with the General. If we sisters decline in the future, it's uncertain whether Liang'er will be willing to take over this mess. At least someone needs to truly protect Daozhi, and that requires a leader. Don't worry about usurping the throne. With Liang'er's current reputation, power, and demon god strength, he won't find an opportunity. So if Liang'er inherits from you or me, he can only reach the top rank of a minister, on par with the General. If Liang'er is unwilling to ascend the throne, he can control the country but will be restrained by the General, and can only guard Daozhi until Liang'er comes to his senses and takes it over—of course, this vision requires that his affection for Daozhi be at least greater than his hatred."

"Affection outweighs hatred?" Lei Yingdong's eyes were icy as he sneered, "You mean the grand vision your sister painted for him?"

“But he still refused,” Raiden Shin said calmly. “I couldn’t change his mind.”

"His backing is undoubtedly from the Kingdom of Zhidong. Although I disdain to know why he harbors such deep hatred, his threat cannot be ignored," Lei Yingdian said. "In that case, why let him go?"

"The fools of Zhidong Kingdom have always been troublesome, but not too troublesome," Raiden Shin said with a faint smile. "Rather, it's more accurate to say that he will go into hiding from now on, and trip us up at crucial moments to retaliate against our ruthlessness. Of course, the most likely target isn't us, but Liang'er, who he sees as having usurped his mother's place. But Guo Beng is a sinister child. He has hidden himself for more than ten years, and during those ten years, he and Liang'er have built up trust. But he may not be without sincerity. Even if he isn't, he will at least weigh the pros and cons. After all, it's clearly not wise to target Liang'er, who is being protected in Liyue."

Lei Yingdian was silent for a moment, then said, "You want him to be Liang'er's whetstone in the future."

“Yes!” Raiden said frankly, “Ryo’er needs some baptism. He’s had it too easy, so much so that he still has the mentality of a child. In the future, when he takes over Inazuma, it won’t be enough if he doesn’t know what cruelty is. As for Kokubun, all he wants is revenge, and his goal is probably nothing more than to become a god. He is a puppet created to replace the gods in ruling. If he loses everything, his only remaining meaning of existence will be to become a god. I think the envoy from the Winter Kingdom has already contacted Kokubun. They will continue to offer him a price and give him a chance to fight Ryo’er. In this way, once the Kanria War breaks out, if we are not there, Kokubun will definitely target Ryo’er and seize his divinity! It just so happens that now he can leave Inazuma, and no one will restrict his actions.”

Lei Dianzhen smiled slightly, his tone softening somewhat. "However, Liang'er is in Liyue. It's not so easy to make a move against him. Guo Beng is impatient and greedy, and he will inevitably fail under the schemes of the immortals. Liang'er will also realize the cruelty of becoming a god... It's worth accepting to exchange someone who has already betrayed him for Liang'er's maturity."

Lei Yingdian was stunned for a moment, then her eyes widened. "Sister, you're amazing!"

Raiden accepted the astonishment of the martial arts sister and simply smiled, "Of course, if he is willing to repent at any time after the collapse of the country, this path can actually allow him to get back on track at any time. He is, after all, a woman from Inazuma, and a boy. Compared to those monsters, I would rather Ryo have a good teacher and friend who can help him."

“That’s settled then! But… according to my sister’s plan, if the immortals of Liyue can’t handle the sudden attack from Guobeng, you know that Guobeng must have something to offer to dare to attack Liang’er, who has the power of a demon god. Liang’er has a special constitution, so she might not be a match for the prepared Guobeng.”

Raiden Shin waved his hand with a smile, "My stupid and good-for-nothing Liang'er, no matter how naive she is, is not stupid. If a puppet raised in the deep palace for the past few years can be released to see the world, he would have wasted my blood, Raiden Shin's blood... well, it seems that he really can't, then he would have failed to live up to the genes of Mebius and even that Dr. Mebius."