Raiden Makoto was Gu Chen's benefactor—she was the one who saved him.
But clearly, Gu Chen was much closer to Kitsune Saiguu.
This sly fox lady not only taught Gu Chen the language of Teyvat,
she also taught him how to use desserts to control Raiden Ei.
Bit by bit, Gu Chen began to lean toward Kitsune Saiguu's cunning side as well.
This left Raiden Makoto feeling both helpless and amused.
As the days passed, Gu Chen's recovery steadily improved.
"By the way," Kitsune Saiguu asked, unable to suppress her curiosity,
"how exactly did you get injured back then?"
Gu Chen still looked weak, but there was no doubt about it—
the power in his right arm was terrifyingly strong.
Gu Chen had even stated outright that, relying on that power alone, he could probably live for countless years.
That alone made Kitsune Saiguu fully aware of how formidable he was.
Yet someone that strong had still drifted in the sea and taken so many days to recover.
So just how powerful was the enemy he had encountered?
"You guess,"
Gu Chen raised an eyebrow.
"Hah, you brat!"
Kitsune Saiguu choked, rolled her eyes, and snapped,
"Hurry up and tell me!"
"That'll probably disappoint you,"
Gu Chen chuckled.
"I didn't get like this from fighting anyone. I just… stepped into empty space, fell into a spatial-temporal turbulence, got tossed around for who knows how long… and when I woke up, I was already at the Narukami Shrine."
"Spatial-temporal turbulence?"
Kitsune Saiguu pondered for a moment, then exclaimed in amazement,
"You've got one tough life!"
"Of course!"
Gu Chen said smugly.
"If my life weren't tough, how could I drift all the way here?"
Kitsune Saiguu wholeheartedly agreed.
With Gu Chen's level of strength, even if Raiden Makoto hadn't discovered him,
he probably wouldn't have drowned anyway.
Then Kitsune Saiguu asked curiously,
"Between you and Ei, who's stronger?"
Gu Chen paused, thought seriously for a moment, then shook his head.
"Never fought her. Hard to say."
"How about I set you two up for a match?"
Kitsune Saiguu asked with a smile.
Gu Chen looked up at her and noticed the sly glint in her eyes—
this fox was clearly plotting something fun.
Gu Chen shook his head.
"I'm not fully recovered yet. Even at my peak, I probably wouldn't be able to withstand the Musou no Hitotachi, right?"
"You won't know unless you try, will you?"
Kitsune Saiguu said.
"Let's talk after I'm fully healed,"
Gu Chen agreed.
"It'll be a good chance to test whether my strength is enough to protect myself in this world."
Time flew by.
Gu Chen's injuries didn't heal quickly, but they weren't slow either.
The damage from such an experience left Raiden Makoto and the others with no way to accelerate his recovery.
All they could do was let him recuperate naturally.
Fortunately, Gu Chen had now mostly recovered.
"I may not be back to my absolute peak,"
Gu Chen said with a smile,
"but it's enough. After all, no one can stay at their peak all the time."
"Are you sure?"
Raiden Ei asked thoughtfully.
The power within Gu Chen fascinated her.
At the same time, as a martial artist devoted to combat, Raiden Ei was also deeply interested in fighting itself.
Now that someone who might rival her had finally appeared,
it was hard to hide the excitement on her face.
Her hands itched—she was eager for a spar.
"I'm sure,"
Gu Chen replied with a grin.
"But go easy on me, alright? Otherwise, you won't get any desserts afterward."
Hearing this, Raiden Ei solemnly nodded and promised,
"Don't worry. I'll be careful with my strength. I definitely won't break you!"
A life without desserts—could that even be called living?
Balancing her love of sweets with a warrior's competitive spirit,
Raiden Ei made a difficult decision.
She planned to win by just a bit—
so she wouldn't hit too hard and accidentally get Gu Chen killed.
Gu Chen and Raiden Ei agreed to spar above the sea.
Previously, Gu Chen's arm had been pitch-black because its power was protecting his body.
As he recovered, its color gradually returned to normal.
Now, as he activated his power again,
his right arm turned jet black, wisps of dark mist coiling around his skin.
With every movement, black wind surged forth,
as if ghostly wails echoed within it, striking fear into the heart.
"Careful now!"
Gu Chen clenched his right fist, black energy surging violently as his figure blurred into an afterimage, rushing toward Raiden Ei.
Raiden Ei gripped her tachi, bracing herself.
The two clashed midair, their figures weaving and crossing.
On the distant shoreline stood Kitsune Saiguu and Raiden Makoto.
The oni girl Mikoshi Chiyo and the tengu general G. Hyakuri were there as well.
"This level of combat power is truly astonishing,"
G. Hyakuri remarked.
"The power is strange and extremely strong,"
Mikoshi Chiyo commented,
"but it's obvious his combat technique is rather ordinary."
"Then Ei will have something to do in the future~"
Kitsune Saiguu chuckled softly.
Raiden Makoto's eyes shimmered as she smiled.
"Then let Ei teach him martial arts when she has time. It'll help him better control his power."
"That won't trouble Lady Ei,"
Mikoshi Chiyo said.
"I could teach him myself."
"No—you don't understand,"
Kitsune Saiguu shook her head.
"Hm?"
Mikoshi Chiyo was confused.
"You're trying to matchmake them, aren't you?"
G. Hyakuri asked strangely.
"Yes,"
Kitsune Saiguu admitted openly.
Mikoshi Chiyo suddenly understood.
"In that case, Lady Ei really is the most suitable choice. It'll deepen their bond."
"When did the White-Chen Matriarch start playing matchmaker?"
G. Hyakuri teased.
"Isn't it interesting?"
Kitsune Saiguu shot back.
Hyakuri paused.
Indeed—given Kitsune Saiguu's personality,
if something was interesting, she would absolutely do it.
"But Ei…"
G. Hyakuri said with a strange expression.
"With her head full of martial arts, would she even realize any of this?
In other words—can you really succeed?"
Kitsune Saiguu's smile stiffened.
"Who knows?"
The conversation ended there.
Because Gu Chen and Raiden Ei had finished sparring.
Gu Chen's strength surprised Raiden Ei.
He was very strong, but still weaker than her.
Raiden Ei guessed that if Gu Chen went all out,
he could probably reach her level.
However, his martial technique was far inferior.
As a result, Raiden Ei won with ease.
"I win!"
As a warrior, the glory of victory filled Raiden Ei with joy.
"Mhm. Then make time to teach him martial arts in the future,"
Raiden Makoto said, seizing the moment while Ei was in high spirits.
Raiden Ei froze for a second, then nodded.
"Alright!"
"Many thanks,"
Gu Chen said cheerfully, aware of his own shortcomings.
"They say great teachers produce great students. When my martial skills improve, let's spar again! And don't hold back on me."
"Rest assured—I won't hold back!"
Raiden Ei said proudly.
A warrior's pride would never allow her to do so.
She would teach Gu Chen everything she knew—
and then defeat him fair and square.
That was Raiden Ei:
a woman whose mind was filled entirely with martial prowess.
[Kaeya]: I have a question—at this rate, what if Miss Ei ends up committing domestic violence? (LOL)
[Collei]: What then? Obviously Mr. Gu Chen would go crying to Lady Makoto! (Hu Tao · mischievous grin)
[Nilou]: Why would Miss Ei ever abuse Mr. Gu Chen? Your train of thought is so abstract! (Paimon · shocked)
[Raiden Ei]: I wouldn't hit my brother-in-law. (nod)
[Yae Miko]: Didn't expect this episode to be Kitsune Saiguu's handiwork.
[Raiden Makoto]: Looks like she's worried Ei would get bored training all day, so she found her a companion. (Ei · light smile)
[Nilou]: Pay attention! Miss Ei is teaching Mr. Gu Chen martial arts—hands-on teaching! (Venti · starry-eyed anticipation)
[Collei]: Charge!!
Gu Chen's talent in martial arts might truly be lacking.
After Raiden Ei demonstrated several times,
Gu Chen remembered the movements—but still couldn't grasp the feel.
He was quite satisfied with his own simple sword swing.
But in Raiden Ei's eyes,
he couldn't even hold the blade steady.
"Your force application is wrong!"
Raiden Ei corrected him.
Gu Chen tried again but still couldn't find the right sensation.
Growing impatient, Raiden Ei immediately stepped up behind him.
The two were nearly pressed together as she reached out and grasped his wrist.
"Hold it like this. Keep your lower body steady,"
she said.
"Otherwise, when facing an enemy, your blade will be knocked away—and you won't even be able to stand."
"Mm."
Gu Chen nodded.
"Focus and feel it."
Raiden Ei lifted Gu Chen's wrist, guiding the tachi forward in a slash,
then instantly twisted and cut to the side.
"In high-level combat, attacks come extremely fast. You must always be on guard."
She turned again—another slash forward.
As the movements continued, Raiden Ei unconsciously moved closer.
With every breath, Gu Chen could feel her presence behind him.
His back could even sense a softness that made his mind waver.
Gu Chen paused and said,
"Uh… maybe you could just explain it verbally?"
"Hm?"
Raiden Ei froze, frowned slightly, and asked,
"You still can't learn it?"
A martial arts idiot?
Looks like she'd have to spend more time teaching him in the future.
"That's not it…"
Gu Chen grinned helplessly.
"I just… can't focus."
What cadre could withstand a test like this?
At least, Gu Chen couldn't.
"What do you mean?"
Raiden Ei didn't understand.
"Obviously, it's because you're standing too close~"
Kitsune Saiguu suddenly popped out of nowhere,
her eyes brimming with sly amusement as she teased,
"At this distance, is he supposed to think about practicing martial arts—or about you?"
"Ah?!"
Raiden Ei's violet pupils widened slightly.
Recalling her earlier actions, even she felt flustered.
She hurriedly said,
"You practice on your own! I'm going to get something to eat!"
With that, Raiden Ei quickly fled.
"Hahahaha~~"
Kitsune Saiguu laughed so hard she nearly doubled over.
Gu Chen sheathed the tachi and looked at her.
"What's so funny? You're laughing hard enough to cry."
"Hahaha~"
Kitsune Saiguu couldn't stop.
"That blockhead finally had a chance to get embarrassed—I had to laugh at her!"
Gu Chen clicked his tongue.
As expected of a wicked fox—
she would never miss an opportunity to mock someone.
Fortunately, he was the same type of person!
Gu Chen laughed along with her without a shred of decency.
"Damn it…"
From a short distance away, Raiden Ei peeked out.
Her cheeks were puffed up—whether from stuffing sweets into her mouth
or from embarrassment and frustration, no one could tell.
Days passed.
After that incident, Raiden Ei became very restrained.
When she came to teach Gu Chen, her face was expressionless.
But dealing with this version of Raiden Ei was child's play for Gu Chen.
All he needed to do was prepare a serving of desserts for the shadow warrior,
and she would happily teach him martial arts.
At first, Raiden Ei felt uncomfortable with the occasional close contact,
but slowly, she began to get used to it.
[Nilou]: I'm watching Miss Ei fall step by step with my own eyes! (Klee · yay!)
[Collei]: Warm and happy daily life is the best! (Klee · yay!)
[Yae Miko]: She's already getting used to it. Once she's even more used to it, she won't be able to leave~ (mischievous grin)
As the saying goes, great teachers produce great students.
In Inazuma, Raiden Ei represented the pinnacle of martial arts.
Even across the entire world, she stood among the very top.
Under her personal instruction,
Gu Chen's progress could only be described as leaps and bounds.
Without using any other powers and relying solely on martial skill,
G. Hyakuri went from easily defeating Gu Chen,
to fighting him evenly,
to now being defeated by Gu Chen within a few dozen moves—
all in less than twenty years.
"Twenty years… this kind of progress,"
G. Hyakuri sighed.
"If your talent were any stronger, I'd have had no chance at all ten years ago."
"With my dull talent, reaching this level is all thanks to Ei's teaching,"
Gu Chen said with a smile.
Watching from the side, Raiden Ei immediately lifted her chin proudly.
Raiden Makoto smiled and praised them both.
"Ah Chen has done well, and Ei has taught excellently.
G. Hyakuri, you should work harder lately too."
"Heh."
G. Hyakuri shrugged.
"Alright, alright."
"Ah Chen,"
Raiden Makoto said meaningfully, her gaze falling on him,
"Ei has taught you so much. Shouldn't you show some appreciation?"
"I understand,"
Gu Chen nodded.
"I've been experimenting with new dessert recipes lately.
Today, I'll use them as a gift to thank Ei for her hard work!"
"Hm~ looks like we'll be benefiting from Ei's efforts,"
Raiden Makoto said, turning to Kitsune Saiguu.
Kitsune Saiguu nodded.
"For this, we really should thank Ei!"
"Looks like I'm in for a treat,"
G. Hyakuri laughed.
Raiden Ei crossed her arms, barely suppressing her delight as she pretended to remain calm.
"You're too kind."
Thus began another pleasant afternoon tea.
A few days later.
Hyakuri left Inazuma to inspect the territory on behalf of the Raiden Shogun.
Gu Chen practiced swordsmanship at Mt. Yougou while also refining his culinary skills.
Whenever he grew tired, cooking something delicious helped soothe his mood.
But such leisurely days were broken on this day.
That day.
Gu Chen was practicing swordplay as usual when he suddenly sensed a terrifying surge of Electro energy coming from the west.
It was Ei's aura—he couldn't mistake it.
In addition to the violent Electro power,
there seemed to be faint, distant hissing cries.
"What happened?"
Gu Chen went to ask Kitsune Saiguu.
"I don't know either,"
Kitsune Saiguu shook her head gravely.
Just as the two were about to investigate,
a shrine maiden rushed in to report—
Orobashi had launched an eastern campaign.
G. Hyakuri had fallen in battle!
Hearing this, both Gu Chen and Kitsune Saiguu were filled with rage.
[Venti]: How many times has this been now? Orobashi is gone again! (LOL)
[Kaeya]: Shaking with rage—when will Orobashi finally stand up?! (LOL)
[Tartaglia]: At this point, what Orobashi wants most is probably for the world to forget him. Every time he appears, he dies. (facepalm)
[Sangonomiya Kokomi]: (Qiqi · faint)
[Zhongli]: Orobashi's fall is an ominous sign. It means the carefree days are over—the coming times will likely grow tense.
[Nilou]: Nooo~ I want the peaceful days to last longer! (Klee · aggrieved)
[Shikanoin Heizou]: With Orobashi slain, it seems the Khaenri'ah war isn't far off. That means Lady Makoto's fall is approaching… and after that, Kitsune Saiguu and the others…
[Collei]: Lady Ei's loved ones are beginning to pass away. G. Hyakuri is just the beginning… I can already understand her obsession. (Klee · sad)
[Kamisato Ayaka]: Without a strong state of mind, it would be very hard to accept such outcomes… (pat pat)
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