Paimon and The Traveler listened to Qiu Bai explanation.
"That sounds so sad."
"Her sister and many friends have all perished."
Paimon stroked her head, speaking with sympathy.
"Sympathy is certainly understandable."
"But right now, she's leading Inazuma into eternal darkness."
Qiu Bai smiled at the sympathetic Paimon.
"However, she has secluded herself in that plane for so long, with the puppet managing the outside world."
"And the Tenryou Commission and Kanjou Commission, deceived by the Fatui, have been providing incorrect information, causing her to misunderstand the harm of the Vision Hunt Decree."
Qiu Bai explained with his arms crossed.
"You're saying the Tenryou Commission and Kanjou Commission provided false documents!"
"Making the real Raiden Shogun issue incorrect orders?"
Paimon widened her eyes, looking at Qiu Bai in shock.
Colluding with the Fatui—isn't that essentially betrayal?
"Exactly."
Qiu Bai smiled at Paimon.
"But the Tenryou Commission is too arrogant, thinking they can turn around and use the Fatui to their advantage."
"In reality, the Fatui goal is to weaken Inazuma national power."
Qiu Bai turned to face the sea and the approaching Watatsumi Island as he explained.
"This war sparked by the Vision Hunt Decree..."
"Could it also be the Fatui doing?"
The Traveler frowned, looking at Qiu Bai's back.
"What do you think, Traveler?"
Qiu Bai turned around to face The Traveler, smiling.
"I fear it is indeed the Fatui doing."
The Traveler looked at Qiu Bai, affirming her inner thoughts.
"We've arrived!"
"Let's disembark. We've reached Watatsumi Island."
Teppei came out and smiled at everyone.
"Wow! Is this Watatsumi Island?"
"It's so beautiful, like something from a dream!"
Paimon flew to the edge of Watatsumi Island, looking down at the environment in amazement.
"Hmm... it is indeed beautiful."
Qiu Bai also examined Watatsumi Island, noting a palace-like structure below.
Below the building were waterfalls, giant shells, coral, and other features that made it look dreamlike.
With a hint of mist and rising bubbles, it appeared incredibly beautiful.
"Let's go find Sangonomiya-sama."
Teppei smiled at the group.
"Yes, let's go find Kokomi."
Paimon nodded with a smile.
The group walked along the paths of Watatsumi Island, heading towards Sangonomiya Shrine.
After walking for some time, they finally reached the main entrance of Sangonomiya Shrine.
Above the gate was a large pearl, with pools of continuously flowing water on either side.
Around them stood several graceful shrine maidens of Sangonomiya, dressed in blue and white attire.
The Traveler and Paimon curiously observed their surroundings.
Qiu Bai also walked with his hands behind his back, smiling as he took in the environment of Watatsumi Island.
Teppei led Qiu Bai and the others towards the palace ahead.
"In any case, provisions are of the utmost importance and cannot be compromised."
"The conflicts between us and the Shogunate forces are intensifying daily. We must prioritize stability in our rear areas."
Just as Qiu Bai group was about to approach Kokomi, they heard her discussing something with a soldier.
"Yes, I'll think of another way..."
The resistance soldier nodded to Kokomi.
"Don't worry. With the previous batch of supplies, I'm also working on expanding our forces."
"It's hard on all of you when we're shorthanded, but the situation should improve soon."
Kokomi smiled and nodded at the soldier.
"Expanding our forces? That's great."
"Although we don't know who's supporting us behind the scenes this time, they've been a tremendous help."
The soldier excitedly told Kokomi.
"Hey, isn't that Teppei?"
"You've returned to Watatsumi Island?"
The soldier noticed Teppei and the others approaching and greeted him with a smile.
"And who might these people be?"
The soldier looked at Qiu Bai and The Traveler with confusion.
"Hehe, they're Sangonomiya-sama guests."
"I was responsible for bringing them back to Watatsumi Island."
Teppei scratched his head and explained to the soldier with a smile.
"Could this be Mr. Qiu Bai?!"
"The rumored godlike figure who regrew arm and restored the weather!"
The soldier exclaimed excitedly, looking at Qiu Bai.
"And this one must be the person already spoken of in our army..."
"With immense strength!"
"Perfect aim at a hundred paces!"
"The invulnerable newcomer!"
The soldier looked at The Traveler with surprise.
The Traveler, hearing this, rubbed her forehead in embarrassment.
"It's just techniques passed down from my ancestors."
"I am no god, just an ordinary person like all of you."
Qiu Bai mouth twitched as he explained to the soldier.
"Why are there such rumors anyway?!"
Paimon looked at the soldier, complaining in disbelief.
"Uh..."
Teppei, standing to the side, scratched his head and then looked up at the sky, pretending nothing had happened.
"The three of you have come from afar, likely on important business."
"I won't disturb you further. If you have time later, feel free to visit me."
The soldier smiled at Qiu Bai, The Traveler, and Paimon.
"Sangonomiya-sama, I'll take my leave now."
With that, the soldier walked towards the exit of Sangonomiya Shrine.
"Sangonomiya-sama, I just heard..."
"Brother Okubo mentioned something about support. What did he mean?"
Teppei looked at Kokomi curiously, covering the back of his head.
"Not long ago, someone sent me a letter."
"They said they were willing to support Watatsumi Island resistance and sent a large amount of supplies."
Sangonomiya Kokomi pondered for a moment before explaining.
"Thanks to this, we can finally operate freely, recruiting soldiers and buying equipment."
"We can now confront the Shogunate forces on the frontlines."
Kokomi told the group.
"Is it really reliable?"
The Traveler frowned, looking at Kokomi.
"I have my doubts about this as well..."
"But Watatsumi Island isn't prosperous, and these supplies are truly a godsend."
After a moment of silence, Kokomi explained.
She had also inspected these supplies of unknown origin and hadn't found anything suspicious.
"The other party requests aren't excessive either."
"They only asked us to do our utmost to resist the Shogunate forces."
Kokomi explained to the group.
"Hehe, supplies sent by the Fatui?"
"They truly stop at nothing to weaken Inazuma national power."
Qiu Bai stroked his chin, thinking to himself with a smile.
(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! 😊)