The Shogunate forces were caught off guard and were forced to retreat steadily.
"Well, if it isn't Mr. Qiu Bai."
"We meet again!"
Beidou called out with a smile to Qiu Bai who stood not far away.
"Captain, watch behind you!"
Kazuha struck down a Shogunate soldier attempting to ambush Beidou, then positioned himself with his sword ready, looking around as he warned her.
Gripping his Fillet Blade, he charged toward another Shogunate soldier.
"Hehe, we meet again indeed."
Qiu Bai dropped the wooden staff in his hand, smiling as he watched the retreating Shogunate forces.
"Kazuha!"
Gorou exclaimed with delight at the sight of Kazuha charging out.
"It's been a while, old friend."
Kazuha smiled at Gorou who was in the midst of battle.
"Tch... Retreat!"
Kujou Sara shot a few arrows at the ambush troops that had suddenly appeared, then looked at the surrounding Shogunate forces in steady retreat, shouting reluctantly.
Upon hearing this command, the Shogunate forces hastily followed Kujou Sara, withdrawing to the rear.
"Everyone, stop the pursuit!"
"Form a line and stand by!"
Gorou shouted to the resistance fighters who were giving chase.
"Yes, sir!"
The resistance fighters stopped their pursuit and assembled into a formation.
Qiu Bai, Beidou, Kazuha, Gorou, the Traveler, Paimon, and Kokomi and Teppei all gathered together, forming a circle.
"Hello, Traveler and Mr. Qiu Bai. This is our first formal meeting."
"Please allow me to briefly introduce myself."
Sangonomiya Kokomi addressed Qiu Bai and the Traveler.
"My name is Sangonomiya Kokomi, the organizer of the resistance."
"I am also the Divine Priestess of Watatsumi Island."
Kokomi explained with a smile to Qiu Bai and the Traveler.
"Perhaps you're hearing this title for the first time..."
"Simply put, I am currently managing Watatsumi Island, which serves as the rear base for the entire resistance."
Kokomi continued to explain to everyone.
"I've heard much about you."
Qiu Bai nodded with a smile at Kokomi.
"I've heard much about you too, Mr. Qiu Bai."
"I actually heard about you from Beidou and Kazuha, but I didn't expect you to join the resistance."
Sangonomiya Kokomi smiled at the strikingly handsome Qiu Bai.
"Mr. Qiu Bai, Ningguang asked me to inquire..."
"How have you been lately?"
Beidou asked Qiu Bai.
"Well... apart from being wanted in Inazuma and having been stabbed through the chest by the Raiden Shogun..."
"I've been doing quite well."
Qiu Bai replied with a smile to Beidou.
"Stabbed by the Raiden Shogun?!"
"And wanted by Inazuma authorities—how can you call that 'well'?"
Beidou exclaimed in surprise at Qiu Bai calm demeanor and pleasant smile.
"Hehe."
"For me, it's neither bad nor good, I suppose."
Qiu Bai gave a light chuckle, arms crossed over his chest.
"Mr. Qiu Bai, you're too calm about this."
Beidou looked at Qiu Bai, covering her forehead in exasperation.
Being wanted in Inazuma and stabbed by the Raiden Shogun, yet he could speak of it so lightly.
"And what about you, heroic Traveler?"
"How has your time in Inazuma been?"
Beidou smiled, turning to the Traveler beside her.
"My experience hasn't been much better than Qiu Bai."
"I'm also wanted."
The Traveler nodded at Beidou.
"Did you two come to Inazuma just to suffer?"
Beidou commented sarcastically, looking at the pair.
"But speaking of which, Mr. Qiu Bai and the Traveler were really amazing just now!"
"Taking down so many Shogunate soldiers single-handedly."
Teppei looked at the Traveler and Qiu Bai beside him with admiration.
"It's nothing. I practiced some martial arts in my early years."
"I can only engage with these Shogunate troops to a limited extent."
Qiu Bai smiled and explained to Teppei.
"So then."
"What are your plans now?"
Sangonomiya Kokomi asked Qiu Bai and the Traveler.
"I have none for the moment."
Qiu Bai replied, arms crossed over his chest.
"In that case, why not visit Sangonomiya Palace?"
"Although the Shogunate forces have temporarily retreated, the war is far from over."
"The Vision Hunt Decree hasn't been abolished, and the Tenryou Commission and the Raiden Shogun show no signs of stopping. The issue remains unresolved."
Kokomi explained to the two.
"I suggest we go to Sangonomiya Palace to discuss our next steps."
"What do you think?"
Sangonomiya Kokomi looked at Qiu Bai, then at the Traveler, asking for their opinion.
"Sounds good."
The Traveler nodded with a smile at Kokomi.
"Hmm... I'll go too."
Qiu Bai stroked his chin in thought for a moment, then smiled at Kokomi.
"Can... can I come too?"
"I'm also very familiar with Watatsumi Island and can continue to serve as your guide."
Teppei looked nervously at Sangonomiya Kokomi, then at Qiu Bai and the Traveler beside him.
"Of course you can."
Qiu Bai smiled at Teppei.
"Guide? Isn't that my job?"
Paimon spread her hands, looking at the Traveler beside her with a strange expression.
"Gorou, thank you for your hard work during this time."
"The resistance strength is inherently weaker than the Shogunate. During my absence, you must have endured many hardships."
Kokomi, seeing that Qiu Bai and the Traveler had agreed, nodded with a smile. Then she turned to Gorou and said.
"I'll have to trouble you to stay a while longer, both to guard against the Shogunate forces and to tend to the wounded."
"I will ask the mercenaries to station here, and with Kazuha present as well, your burden should be significantly reduced."
Kokomi looked at Gorou beside her, then at the wounded fighters being supported by their comrades.
"Rest assured, Lady Sangonomiya."
"But speaking of which... there's something I'd like to discuss with you, Lady Sangonomiya."
Gorou replied, glancing at Qiu Bai and stroking his chin thoughtfully.
"Alright."
"After Gorou speaks with me, I need to return to Sangonomiya Palace first."
"When you're ready, please find Teppei. He will guide you to the palace."
Kokomi nodded to Gorou, then turned to look at Qiu Bai and the Traveler with a smile.
"Yes, I will definitely bring them safely to Sangonomiya Palace."
Teppei nodded with a smile at Kokomi.
"Thank you for all your efforts thus far."
"From today onward, I will fight alongside you."
Kokomi placed a hand over her chest, looking at Qiu Bai and the Traveler with determination.
She then followed Gorou to a grassy area not far away, seemingly discussing something.
"On my way here, I saw wanted posters for both of you."
"But I suspect you're not so easily caught."
Kazuha smiled as he spoke to Qiu Bai and the Traveler.
(T/N: Like the story fellow daoist? Now you can read 30 chapters ahead on my P@treon [[email protected]/DaoistRongyi] Thanks for your support! 😊)