"Five hundred years?"
Both Arataki Itto and Xingqiu gasped in unison, their eyes fixating on the scroll in Sakurae Shichiryu's hands.
"Hmm, it seems the Grand Narukami Shrine takes meticulous care of its books. After five centuries, this scroll doesn't show any signs of damage."
Xingqiu clicked his tongue in amazement. Maintaining his personal library cost a fortune every year, and over time, he had become something of an expert in book preservation.
For a five-hundred-year-old letter that should have crumbled to dust by now to remain pristine, even sturdy enough to be handled barehanded, was nothing short of extraordinary.
This speaks volumes about the depth of the Grand Narukami Shrine's resources.
"Whose letter is it, and why is it being given to me?"
Sakurae Shichiryu tilted her head slightly. "That... I don't know. But the Guuji instructed that as long as a descendant of the Gu Clan reads it, they'll understand who wrote it."
Seinosuke?
If we're talking about someone from Inazuma who interacted with the Gu Clan about five hundred years ago, it could only be Seinosuke, the practitioner of Adepti arts who journeyed across the sea.
"Thank you. I'll keep it safe."
Gu Sanqiu tucked the scroll away. This wasn't the time to delve into its contents.
"The Guuji mentioned that some of the records in the scroll might prove helpful to you, Xiangjun," Sakurae Shichiryu added after a moment of thought. "Her exact words, if I recall, were something like, 'This is an advance payment.'"
Advance payment?
Gu Sanqiu's mouth twitched. Since when could a five-hundred-year-old letter from a friend of the Gu Clan's ancestors be treated as payment? Even middlemen don't skim off the top this blatantly!
Besides, the whole concept of payment implied compensation within legal and ethical bounds for services rendered.
It was blatantly obvious what Yae Miko wanted from him.
The pink-haired kitsune had even patted his shoulder and subtly gestured toward their nation's leader standing opposite her.
"Go on, give her a slap."
So, she wants me to deliver it, huh?
Expressionless, Gu Sanqiu waited for the gathering to conclude.
The Grand Narukami Shrine entourage planned to visit various places in Liyue over the coming days. Thankfully, that was a purely official endeavor he wouldn't have to get involved in.
The scroll was his now. As for the errand Yae Miko wanted him to run?
Next time, definitely. Or maybe not even then.
With the official event over, Gu Sanqiu declined Xingqiu's invitation to check out the nightlife. That guy was clearly looking for someone to take the fall for him if things went south.
Gu Sanqiu had more pressing matters to attend to.
He opened the scroll. The handwriting was steady and elegant, exuding a sense of refinement. Yet the sharpness in the strokes betrayed a certain edge.
"Shaochong, long time no see—or rather, we'll probably never meet again in this lifetime. I wonder how you're doing, you bastard."
"Shaochong... Gu Shaochong?"
Gu Sanqiu froze for a moment, then calmly accepted the implication.
Funny how everyone in this world seems to know some ancestor of mine, while I had to piece together their names on my own.
"It's been a while. I debated whether or not to write this letter. Gratitude too deep for words—perhaps this letter might never make it to Liyue."
"Think of it as something I scribbled down on a whim. Maybe it'll help me feel like I still have a friend by my side. Haha."
Ah, another sob story, Gu Sanqiu thought, his expression blank as he read on.
"The dark calamity—destruction so overwhelming it nearly obliterated everything. I could only hide beneath the Abyssal Sea, helpless as my homeland was ravaged. I remember mentioning this to you before."
"The calamity is over now. The Shogun, wielding divine light, led Inazuma's forces to quell the chaos."
"I should've written this letter sooner, but as a shadow envoy, I've been too busy. I hope you'll forgive me."
"Actually, why should I seek your forgiveness? You haven't written me a single letter either, you shameless scoundrel!"
"My idea worked in the end. Inspired by Liyue's Adepti techniques, I created the Juelu Yin-Yang Bureau. Our warriors have grown much stronger, though cleaning up the smoke and smell of grilled fish afterward has been a hassle."
Grilled fish?
If memory served, that referred to the practice of samurai gathering around a fire to roast fish after training. Cooking directly on the floor like that was indeed impressive.
"The success of the Juelu Yin-Yang Bureau wouldn't have been possible without your help. Aside from trying to set me up on blind dates to disrupt my research, you were a true friend."
"What a pity. If it were a time of peace, I would've visited Liyue. We could've shared wine in the mountains at dawn, sailed across the sea at night, and sung loudly to the moon about my homeland."
"My friend, the Juelu Yin-Yang Bureau is no longer needed. No matter how much we elevate human strength, it will always fall short compared to the gods."
"You warned me about this before—not to equate mortal efforts with divine power. I'm sorry. Amid the dark calamity, it was too difficult to rely solely on human strength to protect an entire nation."
"I tried desperately to enhance the Bureau's abilities, but I couldn't change the outcome. There wasn't enough time. Perhaps, if I had five more years... no, just five years..."
Gu Sanqiu fell silent. Through the letter, he could feel Seinosuke's helplessness. But in times of chaos, who could afford five more years?
"I personally sealed the Bureau, taking my loyal commander with me. By the way, I used the self-exile technique you taught me. The Bureau will only reappear if Inazuma faces another crisis."
"I have nothing left."
"My friends are gone, my homeland ruined, and the Bureau I poured my heart into has lost its purpose. My life, my dream of saving my country—they've all vanished."
"At the very end, I thought of you, my long-lost friend. Perhaps Liyue still records the tale of an Inazuman who crossed the sea and befriended the Xiang Clan."
"My life has become shallow, perhaps unworthy of even a scrap of paper to remember it. But I have no regrets. This was the only way I could give my all for my country."
"Shaochong, I'm going to die. Consider this letter my final words. As for you, you lunatic, who knows how long you'll live."
"Didn't you brag about an ancestor of yours living nearly a thousand years? If you can, keep living. Maybe one day, you'll remember an Inazuman who couldn't talk to women and was obsessed with his research."
"I wanted to fall in love, to find someone I could entrust my life to. But I chose this path, leaving no room for youth or dreams."
"For Inazuma, for my homeland, for everything I hold dear."
The writing was plain, even awkward in places. Yet the resolve and defiance radiating from the words leapt off the page, piercing Gu Sanqiu's heart.
"Haha, I'm closing the Bureau. I can't think of anything else to say. I'll toss this scroll into the ether with a bit of magic—maybe it'll find someone worthy, or maybe it'll just land in the hands of my pallbearers."
"Still, I hope you or your descendants find this. Otherwise, it might as well vanish with me."
"Your plans are crazier and riskier than mine. Perhaps history's burdens have driven you and your clan to madness. But I still wish you well. May the gods above grant my friend their deepest wish."
"P.S. I've included an updated guide to creating the Juelu Yin-Yang Bureau, along with my improvements and notes."
"My journey as Seinosuke, Shadow Envoy, ends here. Yours does not. May this be of help to you."
"My friend, whether through mastering elemental power or creating the Bureau, never forget—these are proofs of our existence."
"Or perhaps there's no need to prove anything to anyone. We simply pursued the dreams in our hearts."
"—Seinosuke, to my distant friend Gu Shaochong. Written upon the closing of the Juelu Yin-Yang Bureau."
---
...
Huh. You really stuck it out all the way to the end.
Didn't think you had the patience. Guess I was wrong.
WiseTL's the one who actually made all this come together. I'm just here putting a bow on it... or, well, shoving it in a backpack and calling it a day. Same thing.
If you had fun, you know what to do:
👉 [patreon.com/WiseTL]
And if you're the social type, there's a Discord too. Pretty decent spot to hang out—no battles required.
👉 [discord.gg/wisetl]
Alright. That's enough standing around. Go on—before you make it weird.
—Leaf