Bang!
In an instant, their weapons clashed.
The Raiden Shogun struck with blinding speed, like a flash of thunder, her every move too fast for the eye to follow.
Gu Chen, who had beaten Osel without breaking a sweat, was no weakling either. For the moment, he held his own against the Raiden Shogun without falling behind.
As their figures intertwined, the streets and houses on Ritou crumbled in their wake.
Seeming to realize the fight might endanger Inazuma's people, the Raiden Shogun deliberately guided Gu Chen toward a different area.
Gu Chen showed no fear and followed without hesitation.
Ritou wasn't small, and Lumine and Paimon were hiding in one spot under Thoma's lead.
Paimon said worriedly, "T-That's the Raiden Shogun? But why come after us the moment we arrive? It looks like she wants to kill us!"
Paimon couldn't make sense of it. Gazing at the roiling black clouds and flashing lightning outside, the little one trembled slightly in fear.
Lumine shook her head gravely. "No idea. I just hope Gu Chen can shake her off..."
"I'm afraid that's not easy..."
Thoma shook his head, his face etched with confusion and fear. "The Shogun pursues eternity, and given Inazuma's current state... she might see Mr. Gu Chen and you all as variables outside of eternity that must be erased. Under those circumstances, she won't let you off—unless you never set foot in Inazuma!"
"T-Then..."
Paimon was stunned, at a loss for words.
Lumine had just found her brother, and now she was supposed to travel the Seven Nations with Gu Chen.
Kicked out the moment they stepped onto Inazuma's soil?
Who could accept that?
Hunted for no reason, when they hadn't even done anything wrong.
"Sigh."
Thoma let out a long sigh, helpless. "The Vision Hunt Decree and Sakoku Decree are truly... Never mind. In my guess, the Tenryou Commission bears even greater blame."
"Tenryou Commission?"
"Not the time to get into that now. We need to figure out how to leave Ritou. If Mr. Gu Chen escapes but we're still stuck here, we'll be found eventually during the searches. We can't cause him more trouble!" Thoma said.
"Got it!"
Lumine nodded decisively.
"Wait here. I'll go scout first." Thoma signaled for them to stay hidden, then threw on a dark robe and messed up his hair. From a distance, he looked like someone vaguely resembling Thoma.
With skills like that, no wonder he was the local fixer!
[Yae Miko]: The Shogun's so hot-tempered? Shouting fight the moment guests arrive?
[Kaeya]: What did Gu Chen do to you? (Nahida · Pointing)
[Hu Tao]: Totally can't figure out the Raiden Shogun's move. If she didn't want them in Inazuma, just say so! Why start swinging right away? (Keqing · Questioning)
[Kujou Sara]: Smuggling is a crime in itself! It's not targeted at Mr. Gu Chen—it's Inazuma's current laws! (Sakoku Decree Article)
[Zhongli]: By general reason, yes, it violates Inazuma's Sakoku Decree, but the punishment shouldn't be death, right?
[Furina]: I'm not that tyrannical! Everything needs to be by the book!
[Raiden Ei]: Makes sense! (Nodding)
Inazuma.
Plane of Euthymia.
Raiden Ei's face was puzzled.
She didn't quite understand what her past self as the Shogun had been thinking.
Charging at them the moment they hit Ritou, like she couldn't wait to take out Gu Chen.
Why?
Even for eternity's sake, expulsion would suffice, right?
No grudge between them, no major crimes committed—death penalty doesn't fit!
"Could something be wrong with the Shogun?" Raiden Ei pondered.
The video didn't show Gu Chen's perspective; it stayed with Lumine.
Soon, Thoma returned, and Lumine anxiously asked about the situation.
"Don't worry. The Shogun hasn't issued any divine decree, and we're not wanted. The only bad news is we don't know where the Shogun and Mr. Gu Chen are—just that they're no longer in Ritou," Thoma said.
"I see..."
Lumine looked worried.
"Lumine, what do we do now?" Paimon asked, flustered.
After thinking it over, Lumine said, "We can't be sure if the Raiden Shogun will issue follow-up orders. We have to leave Ritou first!"
"That's what I think too." Thoma nodded.
"Then let's go. Only by leaving Ritou can we slowly gather news on Gu Chen!"
[Kaeya]: Found brother, now hunting for the boyfriend? (Grinning)
[Paimon]: That's right! (Nodding)
[Lumine]: (Qiqi · Faceplant)
[Cyno]: Doesn't anyone care about Mr. Gu Chen?
[Kamisato Ayaka]: I hope Mr. Gu Chen is safe! (Praying)
[Yae Miko]: By that logic, you want the Shogun in trouble? (Yae Miko · Sly Grin)
[Kamisato Ayaka]: (Kamisato Ayaka · Blanking)
[Kujou Sara]: (Watching Closely)
[Ayato]: (Facepalm) Palace Priestess, please don't tease my sister. If the Shogun takes offense, it'll be trouble.
[Yae Miko]: Brat, do you think the Shogun's that petty? (Yae Miko · Sly Grin)
[Kaeya]: Hard to say—she charged in the moment they hit Ritou. (Grinning)
[Venti]: Can't say much else, but reasoning with her? Tough. (Nodding)
[Your Highness]: Support the Raiden Shogun—slay the evil Gu Chen!
[Lyney]: I can tell, Your Highness has big issues with his sister's man.
[Your Highness]: Heh, if you had a sister, how'd you feel?
[Lyney]: I do have a sister... If it were me... Uh, hard to say. Complicated feelings!
[Lynette]: (Tap Tap)
[Your Highness]: @[Ayato] What about you?
[Ayato]: Heh, if it's Mr. Gu Chen, I wouldn't mind. Depends on my sister's wishes. (Ayato · Sipping Milk Tea)
[Paimon]: Ayaka's brother is so open-minded! (Hu Tao · Cute Pose)
[Yae Miko]: You sure you won't send the Shuumatsuban to assassinate Gu Chen? (Yae Miko · Sneer)
[Ayato]: Haha, of course not. (Smiling)
[Gu Chen]: (Shivering)
[Rahu Dragon King]: Told ya, brother Gu Chen's got real strength. Look, even the Raiden Shogun can't do a thing to him! (Thumbs Up)
[Tartaglia]: Damn, does that mean Mr. Gu Chen has Seven Archons-level power?! (Tartaglia · Chomping Whale)
In the video.
After helping Hiiragi Chisato, Lumine and the others successfully escaped Ritou.
They inquired about Gu Chen in Konda Village.
Locals said they'd seen two beams of light clashing nonstop by the sea, heading toward Inazuma City along the coast.
The trio hurried toward Inazuma City.
Soon, Thoma said, "Got news. Mr. Gu Chen was injured and left. The Shogun held back due to the city folk and didn't pursue!"
"But we can't find where Mr. Gu Chen is. Eyewitnesses say he was badly hurt!" Thoma added.
Lumine's face filled with deep worry at those words.
"We can be sure the Shogun can't find him for now either. Miss Lumine, maybe we start with the Sakoku Decree and Vision Hunt Decree! Lifting those bans might create some leeway," Thoma suggested.
"Alright!" Lumine agreed immediately.
As the trio set off, the camera shifted. High up in the distance behind them, Gu Chen watched their backs.
A terrifying wound ran from his right shoulder to his left abdomen, crackling with thunderous light and soaked in blood!