Chapter 183: Finally Arrived at Inazuma City

The old man smiled and sized up the two’s attire and appearance.

"You two must be heading to Inazuma City, right?"

Paimon nodded hurriedly: "That’s right, old man, do you know where the Komore Teahouse is?"

"Komore Teahouse?"

The old man was somewhat surprised; this was not a place an ordinary person could visit.

It was a high-end establishment of great renown in Inazuma, and one had to have permission to enter.

"Are you two guests of the Kamisato Clan of the Yashiro Commission?"

The old man looked at them with a new perspective, paused, and said: "The Komore Teahouse is located in the place with the best view in Inazuma City. You only need to ask around once you’re in the city, and someone will surely point it out for you."

"Whoa, that sounds like an incredible place."

Paimon couldn't wait to see this so-called luxurious establishment of Inazuma.

Back in Liyue, there had been the Yanshang Teahouse, but unfortunately, she had been shooed away the moment she got close, which was a great pity.

"Hehe, to get to Inazuma City, you must pass through Konda Village. I am a villager here. Seeing that you are unfamiliar with this place, why not walk with me? I can tell you a bit about Inazuma along the way."

After Luo Li politely thanked him, he followed the old man along the cleared path.

The scenery by the roadside was beautiful, with wind blowing through the grass and golden wheat crops, among which various scarecrows stood.

Before long, the number of pedestrians on the road increased.

During their casual chat, Luo Li learned that the old man was named Yasuda. He used to work for the Tenryou Commission, but after retiring with nothing to do, he would go out every day to wander, listen to birds, tease cats, walk dogs, and look at the scenery everywhere.

"When I was young, I didn't understand the beauty of the scenery and was always in a rush. Now that I’m old, I just want to enjoy life and spend my twilight years in peace."

Sighing, Yasuda told the two who were listening quietly: "If you take the road north from Konda Village, that is the path to the Grand Narukami Shrine on Mount Yougou. Many outsiders like you go there to draw fortune slips. You can try it too; it’s very accurate."

"The other road leads to the Chinju Forest. There are many bake-danuki there. If you pass by, be careful. Of course, they won't hurt people, but just be vigilant so you don't get pranked."

"You ask why the fortune slips at the shrine are accurate? Hehe, those were set up by the current Guuji of the Hakushin Kitsune bloodline, inherited from the current Saiguu, so naturally, they are accurate."

Chatting with old man Yasuda all the way, even when they left Konda Village, Luo Li was gifted a bag of fruit by this enthusiastic old man.

At the same time, he had gained a certain understanding of Inazuma.

Passing through Konda Village like this, after about another hour, a vast and magnificent city appeared before their eyes.

Because it was located on an island, the city planning was completely different from Mondstadt and Liyue.

Before even entering the city, what came into view were many huge Sakura trees, surrounded by farmland planted with vegetables and fruits, as well as large guardian stones wrapped in shimenawa ropes by the roadside.

Looking up, wooden houses were scattered everywhere, and the waterwheel rotating slowly in the center exuded an unusual charm, dotted with clusters of hydrangeas.

Accompanied by the sound of barking dogs, Luo Li and Paimon passed through the outskirts and entered Inazuma City.

According to what old man Yasuda said, they asked a few people and found the location of the Komore Teahouse.

"This must be it."

Staring at the classically elegant teahouse, which could be called the most beautiful shop on the street, Paimon couldn't help but mutter softly.

People coming and going stared at them, seemingly waiting to see a joke.

Because there had often been such ignorant people who tried to enter, only for many who thought highly of themselves to be "politely" shown the door.

It made people gasp at the capability of the teahouse owner.

Discovering two people sneaking around outside and looking in, Kozue, the teahouse attendant, walked out and said coldly: "We do not serve ordinary guests here. You two should return."

"Wait, we have an invitation letter!"

Shouting at this beautiful young girl wearing a kimono with a snowflake pattern, Paimon urged Luo Li to hurry up and take out the invitation.

The attendant Kozue took the invitation and examined it, discovering that it actually bore the seal of the Yashiro Commission, and her expression changed slightly.

"So you are guests of Mr. Thoma. Then please come in. Welcome to the Komore Teahouse, the small sanctuary of the Yashiro Commission."

Under her guidance, which saw a change in attitude, the two entered the Komore Teahouse amidst the surprised gazes of passersby.

Not knowing if it was because they knew they would come or what, Thoma was actually inside.

"You two, we meet again. To my surprise, you left Ritou quite quickly."

Seeing Thoma again after a day, Paimon couldn't help but pout and complain: "You guy, you were actually staying here leisurely, letting us find our own way to leave Ritou. If you don't have a reason, I won't forgive you!"

"Uh, regarding this, please allow me to solemnly apologize to you both. The various trials before were a necessary form; this determines whether we can become partners facing the lightning together."

Speaking of this, Thoma's expression was somewhat serious.

And Luo Li’s expression became subtle; as expected, they had to stand in opposition to the Raiden Shogun.

With such an important matter, no wonder that White Heron Princess was so cautious.

Thinking that he had now passed the test, he had become an extremely important role in the other party's plan.

"Is that so? Then you should be able to take me to see that so-called White Heron Princess now, right?"

Since he had passed the test, it meant he had the qualifications to see the person behind the scenes; Luo Li understood this point very clearly.

"Of course, but before that, I hope you can go to a place with me first."

"A place?"

"The Statue of the Thousand-Armed, Hundred-Eyed God. Let’s go first."

Luo Li’s gaze sharpened. Back in Ritou, he had already heard of the existence of this thing. Because of the Vision Hunt Decree, the Visions that were confiscated were all embedded in the statue.

Just as Mondstadt represented freedom and Liyue was the city of contracts, Inazuma was the nation of eternity.

Because she wanted an eternity that would last for thousands of generations and never change, the Shogun wanted Inazuma to maintain a static state, letting the river of time flow past on both sides, while Inazuma alone remained unmoved.

To this end, the Shogun relied on the Tri-Commission to stabilize the national government and relied on the Sakoku Decree to cut off the flow of people.

According to the speculation of the people of Inazuma, the reason for issuing the Vision Hunt Decree was probably that Visions provided the power for change, and the eternity in the Shogun's eyes could not tolerate the existence of instability.

Therefore, the Statue of the Thousand-Armed, Hundred-Eyed God, located near the Tenryou Commission headquarters, could also be seen as a symbol of Inazuma's eternity.