The next morning.
When Luo Li woke in his residence near Tenshukaku, the first rays of dawn were just spilling over Inazuma. Dew glimmered on the rooftops as he prepared to fulfill Saiguu's request and head for the Grand Narukami Shrine.
Passing the Tenryou Commission, Shogunate officials greeted him respectfully one after another.
Luo Li only nodded occasionally.
For now, the upper ranks of the Shogunate still held their original hearts—loyal to the people, loyal to their god—not yet corroded by ambition or greed.
"A pity… even the noblest bloodlines erode with time. Even gods are no exception."
As that thought surfaced, another example came to mind—
The Gunnhildr Clan.
A noble lineage stretching back 2,600 years to the founding of Mondstadt.
Through countless upheavals, they maintained the same purpose—to guard Mondstadt.
Not even Vanessa's rebellion, the fall of the Lawrence Clan, or the exile of the minor nobility affected their standing.
"Wonder what generation they're at now…"
With so many old friends lost to time, Luo Li had long grown accustomed to restraining his emotions. Watching familiar faces die was… unpleasant, no matter how many centuries one lived.
He passed through the Tenryou Commission and stepped onto the bustling streets.
Compared to the game's map, Inazuma City was hundreds of times larger—stretching across half the island. Shops lined the roads: food stalls, clothiers, craftsmen. Though the variety wasn't as broad as later eras, it was more than enough to meet the people's needs.
"Oh? Isn't that Lord Luo Li?"
"Lord Luo Li! I just returned from training in Liyue cuisine! My culinary skills are at their peak—would you honor my shop? Free of charge!"
"Oh, stop it. Lord Luo Li, don't listen to him! I've traveled across six nations gathering rare gems—please deliver these to the Shogun as a token of our humble respect!"
Merchants smiled and called out to him, sometimes bickering among themselves. Luo Li smiled back, declining any gifts.
Just as Narukami had crossed the sea to shelter the people—
The people now returned that warmth to the man who brought prosperity to Inazuma.
Rumors of his closeness with the Shogun occasionally drifted through the streets. Even when he was standing right there, people would whisper behind cupped hands.
As Luo Li walked away, he heard the murmurs grow faint:
"Every time I see Lord Luo Li, I feel unworthy… How can someone be so perfect?"
"Right? Don't you think he and the Shogun look amazing together?"
"Absolutely! At the ceremony yesterday, I got a glimpse of the Shogun. She was so dignified and stunning… I nearly forgot how to breathe."
The speaker shuddered at the memory, but no one mocked him—everyone agreed wholeheartedly.
"Sigh… The Shogun has given so much for Inazuma—centuries upon centuries. I wish she'd think more about herself."
Hearing their voices fade away, Luo Li felt his mood brighten considerably.
Even the citizens are cheering for me to win over the Raiden Shogun.
This… is what they call the will of the people!
Leaving the city, he walked past the lively town streets until children's voices reached his ears.
"Mr. Ootogi King! Ootogi King! There's a monster in the village! Come help us!"
Luo Li looked over and saw a group of children swarming around a large, eccentric man.
"Call me Ootogi Steel Lion King!"
The towering man corrected them loudly, waving his oversized golden-black twin-handled weapon like a heroic warrior.
"Let's go! Today I'll snap the horns off that monster and show you my strength!"
"Liar! Last time we saw you get tossed into the sky by that oni woman who's way shorter than you!"
"The last time was because I had too much to drink! Doesn't count! And listen well, even the great tengu of Mt. Yougou—Lady Lingzanfang—doesn't dare show herself before me!"
Boasting proudly, he marched toward the village with the children, showing off his weapon—he claimed it was forged from demon-hardened oni horns.
Its official name:
"Redhorn Stone-Seeing, Stone-Splitting, Gold-Inlaid, Gold-Gnawing Lion King Club."
Naturally, the children didn't believe a word.
But Luo Li… figured the guy might actually be telling the truth.
Because the weapon in his hand was indeed the legendary five-star artifact — the Redhorn Stone-Thresher.
And the "oni woman who tossed him with one hand"?
None other than Oni-Chiyo, a banner officer of the Shogunate's elite guard.
She had complained about the incident before—how that big idiot bragged about exorcising demons only to be launched into the sky with casual ease.
Watching the scene now, Luo Li couldn't help but think—
This man's personality is almost identical to Arataki Itto's in the future.
Not similar.
Identical.
He didn't follow them.
He wasn't worried about the so-called "monster."
At worst, it would be a mischievous bake-danuki caught playing pranks.
As for true horrors and wicked creatures—those had long been purged from Narukami Island.
Inazuma was as safe as it had ever been
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