The docks in reality are not as clean as they are in games, because this is not only a commercial port but also where many fishing boats unload their cargo.
As the saying goes, those who live by the mountains live off the mountains, and those who live by the sea live off the sea. Liyue Harbor is a port city, so it must develop its fishing industry; otherwise, wouldn't that be a waste of resources?
But correspondingly, the smell in the unloading area is truly not to be complimented. Even before arriving, one can smell these odors, so one can imagine how foul the smell in the unloading area truly is.
And unfortunately, their destination was near the unloading area.
Shiki was quite clear about Atsuko's location; there were also two unscrupulous fishmongers there.
One would mindlessly inflate prices with a bad attitude, while the other offered normal market prices with a good attitude. A normal person would go to the merchant with the good attitude to buy things.
However, little did they know that all of this was pre-arranged by the two of them. If you were to set the time to night, at Tian Tiezhui's place, you would hear phrases like "how much money was made today."
Though it was strange that the storyteller was still there at two or three in the morning.
The appearance of two gorgeously dressed Young Misss in a dirty and messy place like the dock was very eye-catching, but this also indirectly saved them a lot of trouble.
Due to the repetitive modeling of game NPCs, Shiki didn't know what Atsuko, who had managed to cross a thunderstorm by relying on a small sampan, actually looked like.
So, it was simpler for Atsuko to find them than for them to find Atsuko.
Don't forget what clothes they were wearing today: furisode kimonos! Inazuma's classic traditional attire. Atsuko couldn't possibly not recognize them!
"Shiki… what are we doing standing here?"
Ayaka looked around, a little surprised; she didn't seem to feel uncomfortable with the environment here.
Unlike Shiki, who had been frowning ever since she stepped into the dock area.
"Waiting for someone," Shiki said.
"Do you remember Saburou? I once promised him a condition: to find Atsuko, who left Inazuma."
"She's at Liyue Harbor's dock now. It won't be long before she should come looking for us herself."
Speak of the devil, no sooner had Shiki finished speaking than her powerful perception detected a girl approaching them.
"Mm, she's here."
Ayaka looked in the direction of Shiki's gaze and immediately saw a slightly agitated girl.
"Is she Atsuko?"
"Looking at her excited demeanor, it must be her."
Shiki nodded gently. A moment later, the girl came before them and asked excitedly:
"You guys…" The girl hadn't finished speaking when she noticed Ayaka beside Shiki.
"Shiratsuyu Princess!?"
"Could it be that Inazuma has lifted its Sakoku Decree?"
"Not yet, we snuck out with the help of the Traveler." Ayaka chuckled.
Indeed, as soon as Atsuko heard this, her initial excitement immediately faded. She had thought she could go home, but it turned out she still couldn't.
Of course, she knew the blond Traveler, and the Traveler had even helped her before.
It was strange to think that twenty unwanted stones could bring such a powerful helper.
"So that's how it is… I thought I could go back…"
"Of course, you can go back. The Traveler can sneak us out, and naturally, she can sneak us back in."
"It's no problem to take you along the way."
"Eh?! Really?!"
Atsuko's eyes widened. She had thought she would never be able to go back in her lifetime!
The Raiden Shogun's eternal existence meant the Sakoku Decree would also be endless. Atsuko disliked that sealed atmosphere, so she ran away from Inazuma.
But crossing the Thunderstorm was already an extremely lucky feat. To ask her to paddle a sampan back like that, let alone the success rate, even having the courage to do so was a question.
"Of course. The Traveler can teleport via Waypoints. It's just taking one more person; it's not difficult at all."
Shiki said earnestly, without mentioning that she could also teleport.
"Also, do you know Saburou? Part of the reason we came to Liyue Harbor to find you was because of him."
"Uncle Saburou? Is he doing well now?" Atsuko asked.
"He's doing very well. He rendered a great service to the Shogunate and is now enjoying his twilight years. One of his requests was to find you."
"As for what that service was, I think it's better if you ask him yourself."
"Uncle Saburou…"
A pang of guilt suddenly welled up in Atsuko's heart. Her family and friends must be very worried about her now, she thought.
Leaving only a single message and then paddling a sampan into the Thunderstorm—such behavior was simply too irresponsible.
And although Liyue was not in Sakoku and its port was prosperous, her hometown was ultimately more important.
"Um… could you please ask the Traveler to take me back to Inazuma? I can give you all my savings from the past two years as a Reward." Atsuko said earnestly.
But Shiki shook her head: "No need. Instead of giving it to us, it's better to post a commission at the Adventurers' Guild and have the Traveler take you back directly."
"Also, remember to add twenty Primogems, or she won't accept it."
"Okay, okay!" Atsuko nodded quickly, then suddenly asked as if she had thought of something, "Young Miss, how should I address you?"
Although Atsuko didn't know who Shiki was, seeing the exquisite furisode kimono she wore, she knew the other party's status in Inazuma was not low.
And most importantly, she was close to the Young Miss of the Kamisato Clan. The two girls shared a single paper umbrella; even a fool could tell they had a good relationship.
"Me?… You'll know when we return to Inazuma. I just hope you won't be too surprised then."
Shiki winked at Atsuko, causing two red blushes to appear on the pure girl's face.
There was nothing she could do; the person before her was simply too beautiful. Her exquisitely carved features were almost too much to bear, even for a woman like herself.
If it were a boy who hadn't seen much of the world, he'd probably be having a nosebleed by now, right?
"Oh…"
Atsuko responded softly, then scurried back to her post; her work for the day wasn't finished yet.
Although she could go home soon, giving up halfway was not her style, and besides, she had signed a contract.
"Hmm~ done. Let's go back and listen to the storyteller. Maybe the Traveler and her companions will be back soon." Shiki said.
The distance between Chi Hu Rock and the dock was not short. With their textbook-like elegant strides, a round trip would take at least an hour.
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