Chapter 373

Friends and family fell one after another, and in the end, only her lonely self remained.

If her state of mind were strong, it would be fine, and she could barely accept looking forward.

But it's easy to say; experiencing all this for real is another matter entirely.

【Paimon】: I suddenly understand Ei better; it's just that the whole "getting stuck in a rut" thing is a bit hard to accept. (Paimon: Shocked)

【Raiden Makoto】: Ei was never good at these things; it's expected that she would be hit hard enough to become reclusive. Fortunately, she has Miko in this life, otherwise, she might have become unimaginably paranoid. (Paimon: Shocked)

【Yae Miko】: Mhm~ That's right. Every time she's sad, Ei comes to find the Guuji for comfort~ The Guuji carries so much on her shoulders~ (Yae Miko: Evil grin)

【Raiden Ei】: (Raiden Ei: Take my blade)

Gu Chen and the others returned to Narukami Island.

The Shogunate held a funeral for Sasayuri.

The members of the Tengu clan were filled with sorrow, but they also knew that all of this could not be changed.

In the blink of an eye, half a month passed.

Raiden Ei, having regained her composure, came to the Grand Narukami Shrine.

Gu Chen was practicing swordplay, and after watching for a while, Raiden Ei suddenly said: "You need to continue practicing."

"Hmm?"

Gu Chen didn't understand Raiden Ei's meaning for a moment.

After the last time, Raiden Ei was already satisfied with his swordplay, to the point where he could even graduate.

Now, suddenly saying he needed to continue practicing, what did that mean?

"I mean, you're still not strong enough," Raiden Ei explained.

Gu Chen was slightly stunned.

In terms of martial arts, he couldn't compare to Raiden Ei, but in terms of strength, the gap between him and Raiden Ei wasn't particularly large.

But Raiden Ei wasn't wrong; Gu Chen was indeed not strong enough.

"From now on, I will be even stricter," Raiden Ei said.

Gu Chen nodded after a brief moment of thought: "Okay."

After practicing for the day and Raiden Ei left, Kitsune Saigu sighed: "It seems Sasayuri's fall has stimulated her."

"How so?"

Gu Chen didn't understand.

"Sasayuri fell because she wasn't strong enough to resist Orobashi. She doesn't want you to fall either, so of course, she has to urge you to become stronger," Kitsune Saigu said with a chuckle while brewing tea.

"So that's it."

Gu Chen realized, then added: "It seems the coming years won't be easy."

"To be personally guided by Ei, you brat should be secretly happy," Kitsune Saigu said with a smile.

"Every day is just eating, sleeping, and practicing swordplay; the days are boring," Gu Chen laughed.

Although he was complaining, Kitsune Saigu saw that Gu Chen didn't mean to refuse, and immediately teased: "Is it boring even when you're stuck together every day?"

Gu Chen shrugged and didn't speak.

The following days entered a period of calm.

Not long after, Gu Chen heard from Kitsune Saigu that Raiden Makoto had received a decree from the heavens and had already gone to Celestia.

She returned a few days later, bringing back something called a Gnosis, and at the same time, brought back intelligence on the seven nations of the mortal world.

The continent of Teyvat was slowly moving from constant strife into calm.

How long this calm would last, no one knew.

But from the current perspective, the days ahead were beautiful.

This day.

Kitsune Saigu sat to the side, stretching her legs onto the tea table, not looking like the Matriarch of the Hakushin at all.

She smoked, watching with a smile as Raiden Ei taught Gu Chen swordplay.

Raiden Ei's requirements for Gu Chen were becoming stricter, with every sword-swinging movement required to reach the ultimate synchronization.

"This is so that in the future, your hands won't shake every time you swing your sword, and you can perfectly complete the purpose you want to achieve with that sword!"

The days of practicing swordplay were painful.

Gu Chen's talent in this area was not high.

Fortunately, these days also had joy amidst the bitterness.

At least Raiden Ei was very easy to talk to during rest times.

She only needed desserts to make her beam with joy.

【Nilou】: Let there be more days like this! (Klee: Please)

【Collei】: Don't be in a hurry! There are still some years left! I hope that in these years, Mr. Gu Chen and Miss Ei's relationship can advance by leaps and bounds! (Collei: Longing)

【Raiden Ei】: (Shenhe: Stare)

【Dainsleif】: Even with Mr. Gu Chen's influence, will Khaenri'ah eventually perish? (Sigh)

【Prince】: My assessment is that Gu Chen's influence is not big enough. (Pick nose)

【Gu Chen】: Big brother-in-law, don't treat every issue as if I'm the Tai Xuan Sect Leader. (Facepalm)

【Zhongli】: Generally speaking, if every issue were the Tai Xuan Sect Leader, then there would be nothing for anyone else to do. (Furina: Happy)

【Venti】: The Tai Xuan Sect Leader has already swept across all directions; if there were another issue... G, do you think there would be anything different? The Tai Xuan Sect Leader wasn't prepared after taking down the Heavenly Principles; if there were an issue where he took down the Heavenly Principles and was prepared... Hehe! (Funny)

【Maintainer of Heavenly Principles】: Why, must you take me down? (Annoyed)

【Furina】: Yes! (Funny)

【Nahida】: (Shivering)

This day.

Gu Chen was walking in the mountains.

In this era, Inazuma had many great Yokai.

Gu Chen wasn't familiar with them, but the great Yokai knew of Gu Chen at the Grand Narukami Shrine.

Walking in the mountains, Gu Chen stopped on a hillside.

Today was a day off Raiden Ei gave Gu Chen, which was exchanged for a meal of desserts.

Gu Chen was in a very good mood.

Movement came from not far away, and Gu Chen looked over curiously.

A few Tanuki were teasing a small pink thing.

It seemed to be a small fox, ignorant and naive.

The Tanuki would occasionally transform to scare it.

Seeing the small fox's pitiful appearance, Gu Chen couldn't help but laugh for a moment.

He stepped forward to drive away the Tanuki, and after reaching out to pick up the small fox, he discovered that the small fox was trembling all over.

"What a poor little thing."

Gu Chen reached out to touch it; the small fox was very thin, as if it hadn't eaten for some time.

Glancing at the bit of food the Tanuki had left behind, Gu Chen nodded slightly.

Although these Tanuki liked to tease other creatures, their hearts weren't bad.

After thinking for a moment, Gu Chen carried the small fox back to the Grand Narukami Shrine.

"Eh, what kind of thing did you pick up?" Kitsune Saigu was curious.

"A fox."

After Gu Chen answered, he added: "It's still hungry; do you have anything to eat?"

"I do, wait."

Kitsune Saigu went to get some food.

The starving small fox looked at the two of them vigilantly; it seemed to be starving, and after struggling for a moment, it decided that even if it were to die, it would die as a well-fed ghost.

Watching the small fox devour the food, Kitsune Saigu said thoughtfully: "Hakushin bloodline... how strange, how could you pick it up?"

"That's just luck."

Gu Chen laughed.

"Then your luck is really good," Kitsune Saigu laughed and said: "Take it to wash up later; look at how dirty its fur is in so many places."

"Just leave it to me." Gu Chen nodded.

After the small fox was full, Gu Chen washed it with hot water.