Chapter 79: Day 3 of being caught wandering
Inazuma's sacred cherry tree blooms beautiful cherry blossoms at all times and in all seasons. What Raiden left behind was not only hope and the future, but also these seemingly fragile but everlasting flowers. This is also her [eternity].
"Hey~ Isn't this our teacher Yueya who has been missing for almost two months?"
The chief priest of Narukami Taisha Shrine crossed her arms and looked at Shui Qingli with a smile. There was no trace of anxiety or anger on her face, as if it was not her who had directly commissioned the Adventurer's Association to lure Kong to capture people.
With just ten stones, a blond traveler will travel all over the continent of Teyvat for you, haha.
"Oh my, thank goodness we have our capable travelers to help us, otherwise we would have no idea where Teacher Yueya is, not to mention the readers who were cruelly left out by him. It's so pitiful~"
She pretended to wipe away the non-existent tears from the corners of her eyes and looked heartbroken, but in fact, no one present would buy her trick.
"Okay Shenzi, stop pretending."
Paimeng pinched his waist speechlessly and said, how could someone love acting so much.
"We have brought the people back, but where is our reward?"
"Don't worry, little ones. You will definitely get a lot of rewards."
Yae Shinko returned to normal and smiled softly.
"However, you have to go to Yaedo to collect your reward. The Mora of Narugami Taisha Shrine was all dedicated to the gods by the devout people of Inazuma."
"Teacher Yueya, please come along. Kuroda misses you very much."
She just let them go so easily, but...
"As expected of a famous traveler, your ability to take action is really not just talk."
Editor Kuroda also looked like he wasn't angry at all, but for some reason, Shui Qingli suddenly felt uneasy when she saw his smile that was exactly like Yae Kamiko's.
"Hey wait, Sora."
When Kong accepted the reward and was about to leave, he hurriedly called out to them.
"Well, I have no place to stay after leaving Mulou Teahouse, so why not stay with you? Isn't your Chen Ge pot..."
"Teacher~"
Editor Kuroda appeared behind him out of nowhere, and Sora and Paimon's eyes widened in fear as they saw something on their faces.
"We have other tasks to do, so don't bother us for now!"
The silver-white elf and the blond traveler quickened their pace and left without looking back, not daring to look back once.
"Uh... Mr. Kuroda, please listen to my explanation... No, explain."
Shui Qingli smiled awkwardly and looked back. Kuroda had a smile on his face again. He stood there without any movement, but a dangerous aura continued to emanate from him.
"It's okay, Teacher Yueya."
Unexpectedly, Editor Kuroda had no intention of blaming him at all, but instead smiled in a friendly manner.
"Just now I heard you say that you have no place to live, right? It just so happens that Yaedo has accommodations specially provided for teachers, and also provides food and daily necessities. How about I take you there?"
Although there is no place in the world that can trap water, for some reason, Shui Qingli heard from his words that once you get out of here, don't think about it anymore.
"...No, that's not necessary. I already have a place I like."
His own cave can be inhabited by people, he was just looking for an excuse to slip away.
"Really don't force yourself, teacher. After all, you can only produce better works if you live comfortably. Oh, by the way... two months have passed. The new work you mentioned before must have been written, right?"
He clasped his hands together, looked over expectantly and asked.
Reaching out his hand weakly and touching his forehead, Shui Qingli reluctantly admitted defeat.
"I understand. I won't leave Inazuma Castle until the new work is finished."
This damn sense of morality that I developed in such a prosperous era has really screwed me this time.
Time passed quickly, and a month later, when Kong passed by Yaedo again, a new notice had been posted.
"A new work by new light novel writer Yueya, [She Will Take on Your Color]... Uh, this name doesn't sound like a light novel."
Paimon stared at the notice for a moment and said in confusion.
"There is also a recommendation from Yaedo's editor, an unprecedented setting, absolute control and a soul chasing freedom, and an unparalleled sadomasochistic love story..."
Sora read out the following line of text, which felt similar to Paimon's.
All in all, I'm a bit confused.
"Chasing freedom... Is this the story of Mond this time?"
Speaking of freedom, the first thing that comes to mind is the city-state that represents wind and dandelions.
"This time it's still based on Inazuma, but it tells the story of a puppet who can't control himself. Speaking of puppets, isn't Raijin a great puppeteer?"
Suddenly, a faint voice came from behind him. Kong turned around and saw a familiar face standing behind him.
He was wearing a traditional Inazuma costume with a light blue pattern, and a large dark blue haori on his shoulders, hanging loosely on his shoulders like a cape. (Similar to the haori worn by the protagonist in Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan, it looks very handsome. If you are interested, you can search it yourself.)
This was the nth set of clothes Kong had seen him change into. Compared to the travelers who wore the same clothes until now, Shui Qingli seemed to be more adept at adapting to the different traditional costumes of different countries.
He stretched out his hand and yawned, still looking a little confused.
"That's true. The general created by Ying looks exactly like her. If we hadn't entered the Pure Land of One Mind, we wouldn't be able to see any flaws at all."
Paimon nodded in agreement.
That’s because she had already made a failed product, Shui Qingli complained in her heart.
The scattered soldiers have probably already arrived at Xumi by now. The plan to create a god does not seem like something that can be completed in just a few days. It is estimated that the sages had already made preparations for a long time before the travelers entered Xumi.
"You don't look well."
Kong observed carefully and said, although there were no signs of staying up late or feeling uncomfortable on his face, the sleepiness in Shui Qingli's eyes could not be concealed.
"Yes, Shen Zi said that I have already published two issues of the monthly magazine, and there must be no gap this time. He forced me to finish the manuscript within a month."
Shui Qingli drooped his eyelids. Although he didn't really need to sleep, the flower-growing soul in him was still accustomed to resting and soothing his nerves through sleep when night came. He had very little sleep in the past month and it was really hard to endure.
"I talked to her once. After the new work is finished, she won't keep asking me about it like before. After leaving Inazuma, just remember to send the manuscript back once a month."
After all, he was not a real native of Inazuma, and Yae Kamiko knew in her heart that Inazuma could not keep him, a... [Demon God]-like existence.
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I can't help yawning myself, it's contagious.