"Lady Guuji, and this esteemed guest, please take care on your way!"
Outside the shop, a couple in kimono smiled and waved at Qiu Nian and Yae Miko as they left.
"Not bad. Quite a unique flavor," Qiu Nian said with a light smile, holding a skewer of grilled bird meat.
"I come here often," Yae Miko said, holding a skewer of fried tofu.
"Come often… and never pay?" Qiu Nian teased as he chewed.
"The great Guuji visiting frequently is the best advertisement this shop could ask for, isn't it?" Yae Miko chuckled and took a bite.
As she chewed, a satisfied smile appeared on her face, and even her fox ears perked up slightly.
"Haha…" Qiu Nian laughed.
He naturally understood what she meant. Still, it was rare for a grilled meat shop to make fried tofu this well.
"I'm heading back to the Grand Narukami Shrine. Do you want to come along? The scenery there is among the best in Inazuma," Yae Miko asked.
"Sure. Let's walk there," Qiu Nian nodded with a smile and began strolling toward the city outskirts.
"Walk… there?" Yae Miko froze for a moment. "Is he joking?"
"Do you know how far it is from here to the shrine?" she asked, catching up to him.
"I want to see how the people here live, and also enjoy the scenery along the way. It's worth the walk," Qiu Nian said indifferently.
"How long has it been since you last walked from Inazuma City to the shrine like this?" he asked suddenly.
Yae Miko froze.
"Let's walk together. We're not short on time," Qiu Nian said with a light chuckle before continuing ahead.
Yae Miko sighed helplessly and followed behind this ancient god.
Before they knew it, dawn began to break.
By a dirt road, Qiu Nian sat on a large rock, looking toward a nearby village. Yae Miko stood beside him, following his gaze.
Most of the buildings were made of mud, with only a few wooden houses. It was completely different from the city.
Many of the houses were worn down, with smoke rising from them. Because it was close to Inazuma City, the area was relatively peaceful.
Some men carried hoes out to the fields to work. Others gathered in groups to go mining.
A carriage passed by on the dirt road, heading toward Inazuma City, carrying sakura melons and fruit.
At that moment, one sakura melon fell from the cart and landed in the dirt.
Qiu Nian stood up, walked over, picked it up, wiped it with his sleeve, and took a bite.
"You…" Yae Miko stared at him, stunned. "Can't you act a bit more like a god?"
"What should a god look like?" Qiu Nian paused, clearly confused.
Then he laughed.
"So tell me, what do you think a god should be like? Like Beelzebul?"
Yae Miko's pupils shrank slightly.
That single question left her speechless.
"Time to go. It's still a long way to the shrine," Qiu Nian said, patting her shoulder before continuing forward.
Yae Miko watched his back, gradually coming back to her senses.
As if realizing something, she gave a self-deprecating smile, shook her head, and walked beside him.
At the same time, Xuehua was playing through Version 2.0's Archon Quest "The Immovable God and the Eternal Euthymia."
"I am Hiiragi Shinsuke, head of the Kanjou Commission. It is an honor to meet you both."
An elderly man with white hair and dressed in brown clothing spoke slowly as he introduced himself to Lumine and Paimon.
"Guys, how much longer until I can see my husband?!"
"I can't take it anymore! I want Qiu Nian! I want Qiu Nian!"
Xuehua, cosplaying as Lumine, stared at the screen in frustration.
[ The streamer's gone crazy again ]
[ Not the first time ]
The chat was completely unfazed.
[ Lord Hiiragi Shinsuke, what a great honor to meet you ]
[ That line gave me a whole mental image ]
[ Is that voice actor Uncle Niu? ]
[ But seriously, that Lumine cosplay is insanely accurate ]
[ Do you think Huazi might secretly be a pro chef? ]
[ Xuehua: Don't make your sis laugh ]
"It's an honor for me as well," Lumine said politely, placing a hand on her chest.
"Nice to meet you!" Paimon smiled with her hands behind her back.
"We came here to—"
"Ah, no need to rush," Shinsuke interrupted. "It's not often I meet such renowned travelers. Why hurry into business?"
"Hehe, so we really are famous?" Paimon grinned.
"To defeat Stormterror and suppress the Overlord of the Vortex—how many mortals could achieve such feats?" Shinsuke praised.
"That's right! Mm-hmm!" Paimon nodded proudly.
"And… in Liyue Harbor, you foiled the Fatui's plans and defeated one of their Harbingers in a duel. Is that true?" Shinsuke continued.
"Uh…" Paimon scratched her head. "Well, we didn't actually defeat Childe ourselves, but we could beat him!"
Then she leaned toward Lumine and whispered, "Right… Traveler?"
Lumine smiled and nodded.
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