I became a heart-stealing thief in Azure Files

While eating candied hawthorns, Amamiya followed in Hime's footsteps, assuming the role of a "mature adult," and strolled around the activity area near Genryumon.

As she wandered around, Amamiya discovered a rather interesting fact.

Xuanlong Gate... or rather, the girls who formed the Xuanlong Gate.

They seem to be an organization built around the kind of "gangster" structure that Amamiya is familiar with, similar to those in Hong Kong gangster movies.

While his professional demeanor made Amamiya feel a sense of "somewhat out of place and out of place".

They strolled at a leisurely pace with the girl beside them until noon. Seemingly a little tired, Hisaki led Amamiya to a nearby place that was called a 'teahouse' but actually had the functions of a modern coffee shop, and even had private rooms, to rest for a while.

After we were seated in the private room, a waiter quickly brought out a tea table and served us fragrant tea.

Amidst the wisps of smoke and the wafting aroma of tea, the young girl gently stroked her cheek with one hand, turning her head to look at the street scene reflected through the carved window lattice.

After a few seconds of silence, she remained in that position and spoke softly: "It is said that 'the warmth and human touch of the heart are what soothe the human heart the most.'"

After gradually withdrawing her gaze, the girl, who had enjoyed herself all morning, turned her attention to the curly-haired young man who had also spent the morning with her.

Does it feel like 'dependence'...?

With her free hand, she played with strands of hair, her misty gray-blue eyes brimming with a tenderness so subtle it was almost imperceptible.

"Sensei... During this rare moment of rest, may I ask you some questions concerning the 'philosophy of life'?"

Amamiya picked up her teacup and took a sip, ignoring the thick fog that obscured her non-prescription glasses.

He calmly replied, "Of course."

"Then let me ask...Sensei. Can you tell me, what kind of 'life' attitude do you hold?"

Amamiya thought for a moment, then quoted a poem by a famous pastoral poet he had heard before coming to Chiwatos as his reply: "I built my hut in the midst of human habitation, yet there is no noise of carriages and horses."

The girl across the table trembled slightly with her long, narrow eyelashes, and then looked at Amamiya with great interest.

【~???~】(from Hisaki)

【~???~】(From the South)

"Never heard of it before, yet it carries the wisdom of a pastoral life... Interesting."

Amamiya smiled and said, "This poem is one I know, written by a famous pastoral poet from outside Kivotos, and it's called 'Drinking Wine'."

Hisaki squinted thoughtfully, not asking about the following lines of poetry, but after a moment of silence, she nodded gently.

"Hmph... The true meaning behind this is indeed worth exploring in depth. However, now is not the time."

Fei Xiao composed herself and said meaningfully, "Right now... the Classic of Mountains and Seas is at a critical juncture, facing both challenges and uncertainties."

“Sensei…” The girl’s eyes were deep. “Tell me… should I take a gamble at this critical moment?”

Amamiya put down her teacup, slightly puzzled: "...A high-stakes gamble?"

"Um……"

"A gamble that completely entrusts the future of the Classic of Mountains and Seas to you...

Chapter Fifty-Four: Valentine's Day Chocolate from Hisaki

Hime Saki's rather unusual words surprised Amamiya for a moment.

Is entrusting the future of the Classic of Mountains and Seas to oneself... a high-stakes gamble?

"I asked you that question before, didn't I?"

As the girl's expression softened, her youthful face gradually gained a more thoughtful and calculating look, as profound as that of a chess player.

With her index finger, she tossed and turned her long hair that fell over her shoulders. Hisaki spoke earnestly, even with an unprecedented seriousness: "Now… let me ask again. 'What are your thoughts on this academy… on this land?'"

After a moment's thought, Amamiya gave a slightly different answer than when she was asked the same question last time.

"It looks mysterious and rich... but it's not that simple in reality."

Looking at the "Emperor" tarot card above Hizaki's head, Amamiya pondered for a moment before replying with the title he had seen on the tarot card.

"Dragons are trapped in water, while fish leap in the abyss."

【~???~】(from Hisaki)

"good……"

Slightly surprised, the girl nodded slightly in satisfaction: "I never imagined that Sensei would have some knowledge of the I Ching and divination, which are now obscured by the times."

After a pause, she chuckled softly, "Truly worthy of the name 'Phantom Thief'."

After offering her praise, the young woman casually picked up her cooled teacup amidst the lingering aroma of tea and poured the remaining tea into a tea bowl.

"However, Sensei's description is not entirely accurate."

She lightly lifted what was probably a purple clay teapot, poured herself a cup of tea, and then sat back down. She seemed to subconsciously want to cross her legs, but then immediately realized that this action was somewhat 'indecent'.

After a slight pause, she continued casually, "To say 'fish leaping from the abyss' is indeed a fitting description of the current state of things in the Classic of Mountains and Seas. A hundred boats race, a hundred flowers bloom—but as Sensei said, fish leap from the abyss."

"The key lies in 'the abyss'..."

After a soft sigh, a sense of emptiness and uncertainty filled the girl's misty blue eyes: "When a hundred boats race, one must observe the current; when a hundred flowers bloom, one should cherish the spring. If one does not know when to advance and retreat, even with a thousand sails competing, one may still be defeated and sink to the bottom of the sand."

"Clinging to the old and sticking to the old ways; being bound by rules and regulations; innovating... [Classic of Mountains and Seas] How can one 'stop the flying boat from the waves' under the 'frosty sky where all things compete freely'? This is a question I have been pondering ever since you came to Kivotos."

"After racking my brains and searching day and night... I have finally found a few opportunities."

At this point, Fei Xiao's gaze suddenly became gentler than ever before, even carrying a warmth as sweet as honey, as if she were looking at her beloved.

"That opportunity... is yours."

“Do you remember what you said before, ‘A dragon trapped in water’? That’s what I’m trying to say. In my opinion… it’s wrong.”

After a pause, the mist in Fei Xiao's eyes cleared instantly, as if the clouds had parted to reveal the sun, her blue pupils becoming clearer and brighter than ever before: "It shouldn't be said that 'the dragon is trapped in water'... it should be said, 'the trapped dragon finds water.'"

"If I am like a so-called 'trapped dragon,' then you are the pool of water I have found to break free from its confinement."

Amamiya Suan'er Jiu Qi Liu Jiu Ba Liu understood.

Hisaki is extending an olive branch to him, seeking "cooperation".

"Sensei... your arrival is a 'major upheaval' for the entire Giwatos, for the many academies within this Academy City... and for the Classic of Mountains and Seas."

"In such a 'trend,' those who follow it prosper, and those who oppose it perish."

"If the Classic of Mountains and Seas wants to gain the upper hand in this competitive landscape..."

"Naturally, we need to seize the initiative as soon as possible."

At this point, Hisaki leaned forward slightly, her calm eyes holding a hint of anticipation.

She looked at Amamiya and asked softly, "How...Sensei?"

"If you could help with the situation of the Classic of Mountains and Seas in the future..."

"On behalf of the entire Shan Hai Jing region, I can make a promise to you—if you need it, Shan Hai Jing will be your unwavering support."

What else could Amamiya say?

After finishing his tea in one gulp, Amamiya nodded earnestly: "Mutual help, mutual benefit... win-win cooperation is indeed the best choice. Then I will accept the olive branch extended by Master Himaki."

【~???~】(from Hisaki)

【~??~】(From the South)

"...There's no need to be so formal. Just call me Princess Saki."

Fei Xiao squinted her eyes in relief and chuckled softly: "Then... from now on, I... as well as Xuanlongmen and the Classic of Mountains and Seas... will need your help, Sensei."

[...a promise was made with Hisaki.]

Coopation is now unblocked!

[Title Change! 'The Hidden Dragon Trapped in the Waters of the Classic of Mountains and Seas' → 'The Black Monarch of the Classic of Mountains and Seas']

【Ryūka Hisaki (Emperor) ★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

……

After the meeting with Hime Saki, the afternoon... Amamiya spent it in the unusual state of being "clung to by Hime Saki the whole time".

Seemingly having confirmed their 'cooperative' relationship, or perhaps simply wanting to get to know Amamiya better—a somewhat special 'outsider' to the academy city of Giwatos—Hizaki used 'traditional hospitality methods from the Classic of Mountains and Seas' to persistently pester her until dusk.

The entire afternoon was spent mostly on Hisaki 'sightseeing' around.

It wasn't until dusk, after passing by the plum garden with Amamiya, that she gradually slowed her pace.

With her eyes fixed on the setting sun, the girl, who had been running around all day, finally showed signs of exhaustion.

"Today's enjoyment was not enough... However, time does not allow me to continue."

She casually unbuttoned the long suit jacket with a slightly gangster-style hem, revealing her petite and delicate figure, which was barely visible beneath the black off-shoulder cheongsam and perfectly proportioned to be just over 1.4 meters tall.

After a slight stretch, Himeaki seemed reluctant to leave and waved to Amamiya: "It's very close to the station, less than a quarter of an hour's walk from here, so I won't see you off any further..."

Suddenly, as if remembering something, she reached into the pocket of the hem of her suit jacket and quickly pulled out a small black matte box with a zip tie.

"...I almost forgot about that."

After jogging a few steps to Amamiya, Hisaki placed the small box in Amamiya's hand and gave him a smile that was somewhere between mischievous and teasing.

"I don't know if this festival is celebrated in the world outside of Kiwatos... However, at least within Kiwatos, a considerable number of residents in self-governing areas who are 'couples' [animal residents] do celebrate this festival..."

"On this day, there is a custom that the woman gives the man chocolates... Well, let's consider this my farewell gift."

Amamiya: "..."

He truly never expected that he would receive Valentine's Day chocolates while in Kivotos...

Moreover, this chocolate was given to me by Fei Xiao, the sect leader of Xuanlong Sect, whom I had only recently met and who was the highest authority in all aspects of the Classic of Mountains and Seas.

With a slight twitch of her lips, Amamiya then became serious and sincerely expressed her gratitude: "Then thank you very much for the parting gift, Hime-saki."

【~???~】

"So……"

Having confirmed that she had nothing else to do, Himeki waved goodbye to Amamiya and then turned around.

"Until we meet again, Sensei."

Chapter 55 A Premonition of a Valentine's Day Showdown

When Amamiya returned to Trinity’s self-governing territory on the train from the Classic of Mountains and Seas, it was already close to dusk.

As soon as he got off the train, Amamiya "coincidentally" encountered the blonde fox-eared girl standing in the sunset at the station. She had deliberately chosen a particular angle, and her beauty could be described as "the marks of the sunset."

"Hehe... Sorry to keep you waiting."

The moment Amamiya glanced at her, the girl slightly raised her hand, which was hidden in her white long-sleeved dress, and waved her sleeve at Amamiya like a little ghost, as if to say hello.

Amamiya: "..."

Does having precognitive abilities mean you can act so recklessly?

With a shoulder bag slung over his shoulder, Amamiya left the station and arrived beside the blonde fox-eared girl who had been waiting for him for about an hour or two. He lowered his head slightly, his gaze meeting the girl's upward gaze.

After a brief silence and eye contact, seeing that Amamiya didn't seem inclined to speak, Seiya let out a soft sigh, and murmured to herself with a touch of melancholy, "The Trinity 'incident' has come to an end."

"The journey from 'The Fool' to 'The World'... is this it? Truly... a wondrous journey of 'rebirth'."

With a flick of her long, lily-like dress sleeves, the girl produced a small white box tied with a chocolate-colored ribbon as if by magic: "This is... no, this is a thank-you gift I prepared for this 'special journey.' Please accept it."

Amamiya reached out and took it: "Valentine's Day chocolate?"

【~???~】

"Hehe...you can understand it that way."

With a slightly playful wink, the girl finally maintained her composure and mystery by remaining silent.

Amamiya said nothing more and carefully put the Valentine's Day chocolate given to her by Seiya back into her shoulder bag.

[...I sensed the expectation emanating from Saintia.]

【coopation↑↑】