In Teyvat.
Mu Yang, having thoroughly satisfied Ei, the shut-in treasure, went to find Lumine, the shining treasure. (Mist)
Back on Ritou, he saw Lumine discussing something with Kamisato Ayato.
Mu Yang didn't approach.
He didn't want to arouse Kamisato Ayato's suspicion or unnecessary speculation.
Besides, he already knew what they were talking about.
He was aware that Kamisato Ayato knew the answer.
But that answer involved the Shogun, and he didn't want to spill.
Players, of course, knew too, since it was clearly depicted in the portrait.
Even so, though Mu Yang kept his distance, Kamisato Ayato still glanced his way before leaving.
Mu Yang frowned. You little punk, I'm already steering clear, and you're asking for a beating?
After Kamisato Ayato left, Mu Yang approached.
[Festival Journey, Part Five: Swordsmanship, Tea Ceremony, and Gifts] continued from here.
Little Paimon seemed to have been tamed by Mu Yang's feeding.
She'd developed a radar, instantly locking onto him.
"Lumine, look, Mu Yang's finally back!"
She crossed her arms. "You said you had limits, but that lightning nearly scared everyone to death."
Mu Yang said calmly, "Paimon, were you worried I'd get hurt?"
"Of course I was worried! What kind of question is that?"
Lumine put her hands on her hips, giving a cat-like scowl. "You're just worried you won't get to eat good stuff back in Liyue, aren't you?"
"Hmph, mind your own business." Paimon turned away, pretending to sulk.
Mu Yang always felt happy hanging out with these two.
He asked Lumine, "Are you done with the Kōsai Festival stuff?"
Lumine nodded, a hint of regret on her face.
"Too bad, you missed a lot of fun stuff."
Mu Yang shrugged it off as just a festival, no big deal.
Besides, he'd achieved his goal in Inazuma.
[Mu Yang was definitely here to deal with that bird.]
[Any big shots out there summarizing all the plot threads on Mu Yang so far?]
Paimon was indignant.
"The worst part is that Lingyuan Xianyu didn't show up. He's definitely scared, hmph."
Lumine checked Mu Yang's condition.
His aura was stable, no obvious wounds.
Though the commotion that day was huge, at least he was fine.
Since she was done with her work and Mu Yang had handled his business, wasn't this the perfect time to have him to herself?
Lumine thought the timing was just right—no need for excuses.
She said, "I've been busy guiding people these past few days and haven't had a chance to relax."
"Mu Yang, you just went through a big fight. You should unwind too."
Lumine extended her hand. "Wanna join us?"
Mu Yang smiled faintly. "I'd be honored."
— — — — — —
Guinaifen was stunned.
What was this?
"Family, is this an invitation quest?"
"Did I see that right?"
Guinaifen couldn't believe this was just a side quest.
Mu Yang, awesome!
[Can we ditch Paimon?]
[Paimon, the biggest lightbulb ever.]
[Hold up, the past few days had multiple characters together.]
Seeing this comment, Guinaifen calmed down and analyzed.
"It does seem like it. Look at the title—it's kinda like the Kamisato siblings."
— — — — — —
Under Lumine's lead, Mu Yang explored Ritou's sights.
Eating, drinking, and relaxing.
These leisurely moments were Paimon's favorite.
It wasn't until evening that Lumine asked what else Mu Yang wanted to do in Inazuma.
Paimon, stuffed and satisfied, chimed in.
"We've been dragging Mu Yang around. Now it's our turn to go with him for something he wants to do."
Mu Yang pretended to think it over, but he'd already made up his mind.
He said that last time he came to challenge, the Kamisato Clan didn't respond.
It was a small regret.
He wondered if Lumine could introduce him.
Lumine patted her chest, full of confidence.
"Leave it to me. I'll make it happen."
The next morning, the trio arrived at the Kamisato Estate.
The guards, seeing a stranger, stopped Mu Yang out of duty.
But with Lumine's assurance, they let him pass.
After all, it was under the orders of the clan head and the young lady.
At this point, the player perspective shifted to a short cutscene.
Morning, the courtyard, dew.
The clan head, Kamisato Ayato, was practicing his sword swings.
(Bet you readers can imagine it—filters, shoujo manga effects, the works.)
[Haha, Little Gui called it!]
[They're really going all out to sell this character.]
[I'll pull, I'll pull, alright?! Sluuurp]
[Surrendering already? Show some spine and then talk to me.]
The group entered the courtyard.
"Ayato, we're here to hang out!"
Kamisato Ayato stopped his sword practice upon hearing them.
"Oh, it's you all. Morning."
Ayato assumed they were looking for Ayaka, saying she was probably getting ready.
Lumine brought up Mu Yang's wish to spar with the Kamisato School.
Kamisato Ayato looked thoughtful.
He'd received a challenge letter before.
But back then, Inazuma was in turmoil.
With national unrest, he had no time to deal with it.
Besides, neither he nor his sister were the type to seek victory.
So he ignored it.
This Liyue swordsman was quite persistent.
Ayato had heard about the recent events.
Mu Yang's terrifying strength was witnessed by all of Inazuma.
Half the sky above Narukami Island was snowing.
Sparring with someone like that…
Plus, as the head of the Kamisato Clan, he had too many concerns.
But Mu Yang was a friend of the Shogun. How could he make use of this?
Seeing Ayato hesitate for so long, Mu Yang knew he was scheming again.
So he spoke up, saying it would just be a pure sword technique spar, no Visions or elemental powers.
And the match would remain private.
Only then did Ayato agree to spar with Mu Yang…
[What, private includes the players too?]
[Black screen… Mihoyo, you've mastered it.]
[If you don't wanna do it, just say so.]
No fight scene.
But afterward, Kamisato Ayato still thanked Mu Yang.
After all, Mu Yang had sparred using the Shogun's martial techniques.
Such an opportunity was rare unless you lost a duel before the throne…
After the swordsmanship spar, Mu Yang also had a tea ceremony match with Kamisato Ayaka.
Then, at the invitation of the Kamisato clan head, the player perspective went black again.
[Enjoyed the Kamisato Clan's hot spring service…]
[Mihoyo, screw you!]
[Show me Mu Yang's body! The streamer will do anything!]
[No one's allowed to look! Waaah, my Mu Yang is for my eyes only!]
[Damn it! I wanted to see Lumine and Ayaka's side!]
[Ugh, playing dirty, huh?]
Afterward, the trio bid farewell to the Kamisato Estate.
With Lumine's introduction, Mu Yang bought plenty of Inazuma goods to bring back to his Liyue friends.
The quest ended here.
Players felt unsatisfied but had no choice. They'd wait for the next version.
In Teyvat, Lumine didn't stay in Inazuma any longer.
Instead, she returned to Liyue Harbor with Mu Yang…