Yes, Lady Funina!

And you still say you're just lusting after her body? You're despicable!

"See, he's not even arguing anymore." Yae no Miko sighed. "Kage, you should realize the seriousness of the problem now, right?"

Ying hesitated for a moment, then couldn't help but ask, "But weren't you and Richard at the shrine that day...?"

"Oh dear, you saw it?" Yae no Miko smiled shyly, even though she had deliberately done it for Kage's benefit.

Trashy fox.

“Our Mr. Richard has not only grown stronger in the past hundred years, but his appetite has also increased considerably. He wants it all.” Yae no Miko pointed to himself and then to Kage.

“I, you, and that water god, he doesn’t even intend to spare the little cat beside him.”

"A kitten?" Ying's mind was a bit confused. Who was this?

Seeing that Yae no Miko was going on and on with increasingly outrageous statements, Richard finally couldn't help but ask, "Where has my appetite gotten bigger?"

It's always been like this, okay?

Everyone likes beautiful things. Even when he first came to Inazuma, didn't he have the audacity to simultaneously set his sights on Yae no Kamiko and Kage?

He had to leave Inazuma only because of the mystery surrounding his own origins, wanting to have some peace and quiet, and also because he didn't want to be a burden to them.

In summary, he's a jerk, but not a complete jerk.

"So..." After hearing Yae no Miko's words, Ying also had a guess in his heart.

“He never intended to let us go from the very beginning,” Yae no Miko said in a cryptic tone. “What he did to me, he’ll do to you sooner or later, and he might even drag me down with him…”

"Why are you getting more and more outrageous?" Richard's forehead creased with a few black lines. Even if you're going to say bad things, can't you at least do it in a way that avoids the person in question?

What does it mean to do the same things to you, to do them to Shadow, and to drag you along with them?

So, it's a group of three!

You fox spirit are way too chaotic! What are you thinking about all day long?!

"Then tell me, have you ever thought about that? Putting me and Shadow on the same bed, and then doing this and that..." Yae no Miko sneered.

Richard replied calmly, "No, not at all."

"Really not?" Yae no Miko asked suspiciously.

“Really not,” Richard affirmed.

He had previously stated that he would not have any relationship with any of the girls until he had determined the nature of his own problems.

So Richard never even considered the idea of ​​putting her and Kage on the same bed, as Yae no Miko had suggested.

"That sounds nice, but you still made me sleep with that little kitten that day, didn't you?" Yae no Miko muttered.

Then, as if realizing something, a look of surprise appeared on her alluring face as she said, "Wait, Richard, you're not still a virgin, are you?"

Richard: ...

"Hiss... I'm a virgin, so what? Why did you hit me? Can't I even talk about it?" Yae no Miko rubbed her plump buttocks and gently inhaled the cool air.

Although he was complaining of pain, his fox-like eyes seemed to be filled with a strange, unreadable expression, as if he hadn't been hit but had been subjected to something else.

"Stop fooling around, Divine Child." Watching the two bickering, Shadow felt as if time had turned back, and a slight smile appeared on her lips as she habitually took on the role of mediator.

As for what Yae no Miko said about Richard wanting everything, and about the water goddess Funina, Kage decided... let's leave it at that for now.

Besides, there's nothing wrong with being a little greedy. Maybe I can be even more greedy then? Ying thought to herself.

P.S.: Happy Lunar New Year's Eve! I'll start updating like crazy after visiting all my relatives! (●'?'●)

Volume 1: Chapter 142 Ying: It feels like living in someone's shadow

"Captain Hokuto, weren't you told that there would be thunderstorms blocking the way to Inazuma?" Paimon looked at the calm sea and the coastline that could be faintly seen in the distance, and shrugged. "But why has it been sunny the whole way?"

"I don't know either. It's strange. Logically speaking, there should be a long period of thunderstorms... Oh well, isn't it good to have a smooth journey?" Beidou said with a smile, standing at the bow of the ship with his arms crossed.

“Indeed, sunny days are much more pleasant than thunderstorms, which sound terrifying,” Paimon nodded and said.

She flew to Ying's side and fulfilled her role as a guide, saying to Ying, "This time we're going to Inazuma, we'll sneak over. Once we get there, we'll act according to the situation. It would be bad if we were wanted again."

“Speaking of wanted criminals, I also have one on my ship. Perhaps you could exchange experiences?” They knew Ying, the wanted criminal Beidou was referring to.

“We know Manyo, so exchanging experiences is probably out of the question. But we could ask him about the local customs and traditions of Inazuma, and what we should be aware of,” Paimon said.

"Then you two can chat for now. When we get there, I'll introduce you to someone. He's a local bigwig in Inazuma. Although he can't let you meet Inazuma's Thunder General directly, he can at least help you avoid some unnecessary trouble."

“Thank you, Captain Beidou,” Paimon replied politely.

Ying also expressed her gratitude to Beidou, while gazing at the island whose outline was gradually becoming clearer in the distance. Could she find news of her brother here?

Because of the good weather along the way, the Southern Cross fleet arrived at the island ahead of schedule.

However, since it was a smuggling ship and there were wanted criminals and illegal immigrants on board, even though Beidou had some connections with local officials, he could not stay on the island for long. After unloading all the cargo from the ship and arranging for people to replenish supplies as soon as possible, he was able to stay.

Beidou found the local tyrant she mentioned, who was also a recent business partner: Thomas, a retainer of the Kamisato family.

Although the remote islands are the territory of the Kansei Magistrate, and the Kamisato family has recently had some unpleasantness with the other two magistrate families, as three magistrates, they will at least give each other some face in front of outsiders.

“Thoma, who is this…”

"[The leader of Liyue], no need for introduction. I've long heard of her reputation as a traveler from afar, even the storms on the outer seas... oh, there are no more storms now." Thomas said, then turned to Beidou.

"Big Sister Beidou arrived at just the right time. The General has already lifted the lockdown order, so there's no need to rush or sneak around unloading the goods this time."

"Oh? I was wondering why the sky had been so clear the whole way. Has the lockdown order been lifted?" Hokuto exclaimed in surprise, then asked curiously, "That's strange. I received news before we set off that the situation in Inazuma was quite turbulent recently, and it's said that a resistance army has even emerged..."

“There is indeed a resistance, because of the Eye Hunt Order… Speaking of which, Big Sister Hokuto’s information network is really impressive.” Thomas gave Hokuto a meaningful look as he said this.

Although this news is generally known within Inazuma, due to the long-standing policy of national isolation, it is not so easy for foreigners like Hokuto to learn about news from within Inazuma.

Especially considering that Beidou was in such a state before the departure, and that the time period was not long after the uprising of the resistance army, the news delay in between would not have exceeded one day at most.

Could an ordinary fleet captain have such an intelligence network?

"For those of us in this line of work, intelligence is the most important thing, after all, this industry is quite dangerous." Beidou didn't elaborate further, and simply chuckled as he changed the subject.

Thomas didn't pursue the matter further. Regardless of Beidou's true identity or its motives, at least there was no conflict of interest between them at the moment.

Therefore, after Beidou left, Thomas said to Ying, "Although the isolation order has been lifted, having a local as a guide can still avoid a lot of unnecessary trouble."

“You are Big Sister Beidou’s friends, so naturally you are my friends too, Thomas. So if there’s anything I can help you with, just let me know. Don’t be shy.” Thomas said, then checked the time.

"It's getting late. I'll take you to register your identities. The Yuan Kingdom's supervisory office has been in chaos lately. If you don't know someone to help you, it'll probably take a while to complete your residency procedures."

"Uh, wasn't the lockdown order supposed to be over? Why is there still chaos?" Paimon asked, puzzled.

“Yes, although the isolation edict and the eye-hunting edict have ended, the problems left over from these two policies are not so easy to solve. In fact, not only is the governor of the distant country in complete disarray, but the remote islands and even the entire Inazuma government have experienced considerable turmoil,” Thomas explained.

Ever since the head of the Kujo family, Kujo Takayuki, deceived the emperor and colluded with the foolish people, the shogun ordered the abolition of the Eye Hunting Edict and the Seclusion Edict, and at the same time, thoroughly investigated the entire Inazuma clan.

Not only Kujo Takayuki, who was already detained in the shogun's mansion awaiting his fate, but also the magistrate of the Kansei-buchi-san-do-sai-lai.

Of the three magistrates who are considered the three cornerstones of Inazuma, two of them have been found to have serious problems. It would be strange if the entire Inazuma political arena didn't experience some turmoil.

"Of course, this turmoil did not affect our Kamisato family, or rather, the Kamisato family is also a victor this time." Thomas said as he led Ying and Paimon to the Far Kingdom Supervisory Office.

The clerk in the distant country's supervisory office immediately lit up when he saw Thomas, and changed his lazy and indolent nature, and came forward to greet him very attentively.

In the past, this clerk from the Far Kingdom Supervisory Office might not have given Thomas any face, but things are different now. The local tyrant on the outlying island, their superior department—the Investigation and Appraisal Bureau—is already in trouble. Even if they manage to pull through, they will never regain their former glory.

Compared to the currently sought-after executive director, he, as a clerk, naturally needs to make plans early.

Although fluctuations at the top level would not significantly affect lower-level officials like them, he was simply too eager to advance.

In the past, Inazuma's social hierarchy was highly rigid, but now, with the downfall of the Kujo family, the Tenryō Magistrate, and the Otsuya family, the Kanjō Magistrate, many positions in the upper echelons of Inazuma have become vacant.

The previously narrow path to advancement suddenly became much wider, and any official with even a modicum of ambition and a clean record was now putting all their effort into climbing the ranks.

It is a case of one whale fall giving rise to all things.

The clerk quickly completed the entry procedures for Ying and Paimon, and personally escorted the three of them out of the Far Kingdom's jurisdiction, practically shouting "Grandpa, come visit us anytime!" at the door.

The most outstanding feature is the excellent service.

Paimon flew over to Ying's side and whispered to her, "So Thomas wasn't bragging after all. That clerk just now seemed really obsequious... uh, I should say fawning?"

Paimon felt it was a bit impolite to describe the other person as a lackey, even though the clerk's attitude had indeed been a bit too enthusiastic.

Ying nodded, agreeing with Paimon's opinion, and also became interested in the Kamisato family behind Thomas.

I wonder if this family of gods can introduce her to the God of Thunder.

Since Ying met Paimon, they have traveled together through two kingdoms. Although there were some hardships along the way, they eventually met the gods of both kingdoms and even met the water god ahead of time.

Unfortunately, even after meeting three gods with very different personalities, she still did not receive any news about her brother.

Hopefully, this trip to Inazuma will be fruitful.

With that in mind, when Thomas asked if there was anything else she could help with, Ying directly stated her request.

"How can I possibly meet General Thunder?"

"To pay homage to General Thunder?" Thomas's eye twitched involuntarily. Although he was told to come to him with any difficulties, this was not the way to do it.

Let alone the fact that he was merely a retainer of the Kamisato family, even the head of the Kamisato family, Ayato, would have to go through a very complicated process if he wanted to have a private audience with the Shogun, let alone introduce a stranger to the Shogun.

"Is it difficult?" Ying asked, noticing the troubled look on Thomas's face.

“Yes…” Thomas nodded. “May I ask what the reason is for your audience with the General?”

"I want to ask the God of Thunder if he knows anything about my brother."

"Your brother?" A big question mark appeared on Thomas's forehead. If he was looking for his brother, why was he asking the general?

“Yes, we had already asked the Anemo Archon of Mondstadt, the Hydro Archon of Fontainebleau, and the Geo Archon of Liyue, but we didn’t get any definite information…” Paimon said.

Strong network of connections.

After hearing Paimon's words, Thomas couldn't help but look at them with new respect. The fact that they could meet three gods and speak with them was enough to show their special nature.

“But given your current status, to have an audience with the General… is indeed a very ambitious goal,” Thomas said.

"After all, General Thunder is the most supreme and noble being, a god that all living beings can only look up to..."

"Even so, we must find a way," Ying said firmly.

"Encounters in this world are always unpredictable; you might just bump into General Thunder on a leisurely afternoon after a good meal..."

"Hmm, just how low is the probability of something like this happening?" Paimon retorted.

However, such a possibility cannot be ruled out. After all, you can encounter Barbatos in a tavern in Mondstadt and Morax in a teahouse in Liyue. So it is not impossible to encounter Balzebub on Inazuma Street.

“Alright, I can tell you frankly, I did have a way to introduce you to General Thunder before, but now… I’m afraid it’s not possible.” Thomas shook his head regretfully.

"Why?" Paimon asked, puzzled. "If it can't be done, it can't be done, but why say it can't be done now?"

"Because I heard from the head of the family that the general is currently with a very important guest. Unless it's something that threatens Inazuma's life, it's best not to disturb her," Thomas said, spreading his hands.

This is why Thomas is not optimistic that Ying will be able to meet the General. After all, even if the head of the family wanted to meet the Thunder General, he could probably only do so during work reports, and would not be able to find the General at other times.

"What kind of guest could make General Thunder so attentive?" Paimon clicked his tongue in amazement.

After all, just from Thomas's tone, she could tell how prestigious General Raiden was in Inazuma. For such a noble woman to set aside her affairs of state to accompany him... what an important guest he must be!

"Well, I do know a little about that guest, but it's just hearsay."

"Elaborate."

Seeing Ying's serious expression, Thomas thought for a moment and decided not to charge her for the information, considering it a small investment in this traveler who was famous in both countries.

After all, a traveler who has made a great name for himself in Mondstadt and Liyue shouldn't just fade into obscurity in Inazuma, right?

"Regarding that guest, he is said to be an old acquaintance of the General, and also has a close relationship with Lord Yaeguchi of Narukami Shrine. He initially came to Inazuma as a special envoy of Fontaine for a state visit."

"Wait... why does this sound so familiar?" Paimon scratched his head and looked at Ying, wanting to ask her if she had also seen this episode.

"Is the guest you mentioned named Richard?" Ying asked directly.

"Huh? You know that person?" Thomas looked at Ying in surprise.

“We know each other. We took down a dragon together in Mondstadt, so we should be considered friends,” Paimon said, hands on his hips.

Although she and Yingdu could only be considered spectators in dealing with the dragon.

However, after hearing Paimon's words, Thomas also had the same feeling Paimon had when he came out of the distant country's supervisory office: the other party really had connections, it wasn't just talk.

Indeed, a great reputation is well-deserved.

I think I made the right investment!

“If Lord Richard could introduce us, meeting the General shouldn’t be too difficult, right?” Thomas said.