The Infinite Journey of a Certain Flame

Kiana, would you... like me to come along?

"Of course! Anytime, anywhere."

"Phew, such an opportunity is rare. Why don't we travel together? Perhaps I can introduce you to an old friend... no, someone you've crossed paths with before. If you don't want to, then... I won't force you."

Kiana was slightly taken aback when she heard Ying's frank words.

People who have had contact with Ying?

That seems to be quite a lot.

But if it's in the Liyue region... maybe he's the only one?

"Sure, although we won't have much interaction. But if we visit someone's home and don't greet them, wouldn't it seem very impolite?"

"very good."

Seeing that Ying readily agreed, Kiana released her somewhat embarrassedly, then scratched the back of her head and smiled sheepishly.

"Speaking of which... during the time I was away..."

She turned her gaze to Kujo Sara, who stood kneeling like a statue, leading the Tenryo magistrates, and began to inquire about the recent situation of Kage and Inazuma...

The Battle Between Flame and Lightning and the Abyss (Genshin Impact): Chapter 3 - The time for departure has come, the journey to Liyue begins!

"Oh, I see. It seems a lot has happened while I was away."

Although she already knew what had happened during this period under the Shogunate with the help of the system, Kiana didn't meddle. She simply expressed her admiration:

"It seems you've managed Inazuma very well, Kage."

“...a baseless joke,” Ying glanced sideways. “I merely withdrew the Eye Hunt order and reprimanded those who deserved severe punishment.”

"This is already pretty good. At least your decision has made those guys behave themselves, hasn't it?"

"Huh? Well, strictly speaking, that's true."

"whee."

On the castle tower, Kiana sat cross-legged opposite Kage, chatting with him about Inazuma's recent events.

Below, Kujo Sara and many other shogunate samurai awaited orders.

Time passed little by little.

Forced to kneel on one knee and wait, they were slightly overwhelmed.

"Lord Kujo Sora..."

A relatively young samurai spoke slowly, his tone filled with confusion and doubt.

Who exactly is this white-haired girl?

Upon hearing this, the samurai beside him turned their heads in surprise:

"Huh? You just arrived recently? You don't even know her?"

"Um, she was indeed recently transferred here. So, I wonder if she... has any advice for her seniors?"

"There are so many things I can teach you, let me tell you..."

Through the veteran samurai's gradual explanation, the new recruit finally understood.

The white-haired girl who was chatting happily with the general was a true god who, though not yet holding a divine position, was comparable to a deity!

"...You? Where did you hear this rumor?"

Kujo Sara thought that with these veteran samurai explaining things for her, she could keep quiet and wait patiently.

But who would have thought that these guys were unreliable too!

Who exactly spread this lie?

Why does it sound so...

Reasonable?

"Is she... a god?"

Kujo Sara still had many questions about Kiana's identity.

But as a general of the shogunate and the most loyal bodyguard under the Kage, she had no right to question him.

Therefore, all Kujo Sara could do was turn around and glare fiercely at the samurai:

"No noise allowed in the main hall! I really don't know who taught you that—!"

"Kujou Sara? Kujou Sara? Kujou Sara!" The sudden call snapped Kujou Sara back to reality, and she turned her gaze to Kiana, who was smiling at her...

At the same time, his general also cast a stern glance his way.

This is clearly an unforgivable act of negligence!

"Uh... I'm so sorry! I was spacing out. Is there anything I can help you with?"

Kujo Sara felt a sense of fear when facing Kiana.

It's more accurate to call it awe than fear.

She deeply respected this girl who was able to defeat the general; such martial arts skills were a level she could never reach in her lifetime.

Beyond her martial arts skills, Kujo Sara valued her character even more.

That is why she respected this highly skilled young woman from the bottom of her heart; it would not be an exaggeration to say that she was the second most respected person after the General.

"Um... is there something on my face? Staring like that... makes me feel really embarrassed."

"Ahem! No, it's just that I greatly admire you, Kiana-sama, so I couldn't help myself..."

As soon as she finished speaking her words of admiration, Ying frowned.

Why does this sentence make me inexplicably angry?

However, before Ying could even ask a question, Kiana scratched the back of her head sheepishly and said modestly:

"Oh, you don't need to be so polite. You're making me a little embarrassed. Come on in!"

She patted the spot next to her and invited her in a very enthusiastic tone:

"Please sit down. It's been a long time. I have so much to say to you."

"Huh? What's on your mind?"

Kujo Sara and Kage asked in unison.

"Yeah, hey... is there a problem? Ying, your eyes looked really fierce just now..."

"It's nothing. If you have something you want to say to her, then say it."

Ying crossed her arms and stated in a very calm tone.

Seeing this, Kujo Sara understood that she had no choice but to go up, whether she wanted to or not.

So she had no choice but to slowly rise and then bow in greeting:

"Excuse me."

After speaking, the general of the Shogunate army slowly stepped forward and sat down properly beside Kiana.

She closed her eyes in fear, worried that she might offend these two extraordinary beings.

but...

"Don't worry about it so much."

Seeing her so reserved, Kiana suddenly hooked her arm around her neck and asked with genuine concern:

"How was it? Did you get along well with the residents of Haizhi Island while I was away?"

"Umijima? Oh, those people... Well, a few days ago, those Umijima children came all the way here to ask for archery lessons. I saw that they were learning quite well, so I let them stay here for a few more days. But this morning, the adults from Umijima came to take them away."

As Kujo Sara recounted her story, Kiana suddenly heard the system's mission reward notification:

[Ding! It has been detected that the host has facilitated the growth of the story character Kujo Sara. Due to the minor impact of her actions on causality, the host is hereby awarded 1000 Herrscher Points!]

"Hehe, not bad, not bad."

Kiana was in a good mood.

Kujo Sara has honestly recounted her experiences spending time with the children of Umijima these past few days.

After she finished speaking, she looked at her general with some fear.

I completely don't understand why the General would care so much about simply letting the children stay home to play for a few days...

I imagine the General's attitude towards Haiqi Island is quite stern...

However, Kujo Sara misunderstood.

The reason why Shadow was staring at her so intently was simply because she was so close to Kiana at that moment.

The more Ying saw this scene, the more aggrieved she felt.

"Well!"

Finally, unable to bear it any longer, she slammed her hand on the table.

"Eh? General!?"

He watched as the general rose with murderous intent, seemingly about to deal with him.

Kujo Sara was so frightened that she almost knelt down and begged for mercy on the spot.

Fortunately, Ying had to sit back down not long after she got up.

Of course, the general's actions were not without reason.

The reason for this was that Kiana asked:

"Hey, Ying? What's wrong?"

"Ahem, it's nothing. I'm just really eager to set off. So... shouldn't we get going?"

Shadow stared at Kiana and slowly urged her on.