**Chapter 29: Checkmate, Brother Jingchen**
Within the Kamisato Estate, Ayaka sat alone, playing Shogi against herself. Her gaze drifted to a talisman glowing with the power of the Ice Element.
It was a talisman she had won over a decade ago, when she was still a child, during a Shogi match against Jingchen.
Seeing the talisman brought back vivid memories of that time.
Jingchen had taken Ayaka and Ayato to the Summer Festival before returning to the Kamisato Estate.
"Checkmate."
"Wait! Wait! Little Ayaka, give me one more chance!"
"Hmm."
After a moment, Ayaka smiled innocently and declared, "Checkmate."
"Ah, Little Ayaka, I'll never beat you at Shogi in this lifetime."
"But Brother Jingchen, I always lose to you at Xiangqi too!"
Jingchen waved his hand helplessly, a gentle smile on his face. "Little Ayaka, what do you want this time?"
Ayaka pondered for a moment before asking, "Brother Jingchen, you're an Immortal Disciple from Liyue, right?"
"Cloud Retainer's youngest disciple."
"Then can you inscribe talismans from Liyue's legends?"
"Easily. My senior sister and master taught me. Just wait a moment."
Jingchen directly condensed a brand-new Ice Element talisman using his elemental power.
"Little Ayaka, this talisman will enhance your Ice Element abilities."
"Are there any other effects?"
"Other effects? Does summer heat relief count?"
Little Ayaka couldn't help but giggle.
"Aren't talismans supposed to ward off evil spirits and demons?"
Jingchen scratched his head awkwardly.
"Oh, right, they can. But Ayaka-sama's room is right below Mt. Yougou. With that fox here, no demonic creatures would dare to trespass on her territory."
Ayaka covered her smile with her fan, her eyes crinkling with amusement as she clutched the talisman tightly in her palm.
This Vice Priest of the Grand Narukami Shrine often took Ayaka and Naganohara Yoimiya out to play when their parents were busy with work.
Sometimes, they would sneak into Tenshukaku to secretly set off fireworks. Other times, they would steal peeks at Yae Publishing House's light novel manuscripts, have picnics on the beach, or play hide-and-seek on Ritou Island.
She remembered one particular night when she thought she knew the Guardian Forest well enough. Yet, she still managed to get lost alone in its depths. Even with the blue-glowing Lumine grass, the surrounding darkness and solitude filled her with overwhelming fear.
She wept alone beneath the tree, clutching the Ice Element talisman tightly in her hand, lost in despair. How long had she been there?
His voice suddenly echoed in her ear.
"Little Ayaka?"
Ayaka looked up and saw Jingchen, his face bruised and sweaty, yet still smiling gently.
"Jingchen... Brother?"
Jingchen bent down and lifted her onto his back, his tone carrying a hint of sternness.
"Ayaka, don't wander into the Guardian Forest alone at night. Understand?"
Tears welled in Ayaka's eyes. Jingchen knew that as the young lady of the Kamisato Clan, she bore an immense burden: the endless formalities of noble etiquette, tea ceremonies, flower arranging, swordsmanship, calligraphy, music, and more.
The pressure on Ayaka was overwhelming. He often took her out to play games, hoping to ease her burden.
His voice softened instantly.
"It's natural for children to want to play. Little Ayaka, next time you want to explore, remember to ask Brother Jingchen to come along. Don't worry your family so much."
Ayaka nodded weakly.
As they walked back to the Kamisato Estate, she wished the path could stretch on forever, and time could slow to a crawl.
***
The next morning, as her mother brushed Ayaka's hair, she gently scolded her.
"Ayaka, oh dear, why did you go to the Guardian Forest alone last night?"
"Mother... I..."
"The Vice Priest searched every inch of Narukami Island for you, leaving no stone unturned. He even..."
"Even? Mother... Brother Jingchen, he...?"
"Even. He even faced the Majesty of Thunder alone, forcing the Great Shogun herself to intervene and search for you."
"Ah?! Brother Jingchen..."
"Remember this kindness. When you grow up, Ayaka, you must treat him well."
Ayaka clutched the talisman tightly in her palm, secretly vowing in her heart to stay with Jingchen forever.
To wear a wedding gown and become his wife.
***
After weathering the thunderstorm, the sea had calmed to a tranquil stillness.
Jingchen leaned against Columbine, who remained sound asleep, her soft snores filling the air.
Liudashika approached quietly and whispered to Jingchen, "Vice Priest, we've reached Inazuma's waters."
Jingchen nodded slightly, drew back the curtains, and gazed at the Grand Narukami Shrine in the distance.
Atop Mt. Yougou, the Sacred Sakura Tree seemed almost sentient, its branches reaching skyward like spiritual tendrils.
As for what this "spiritual energy" truly was—whether elemental power or something else entirely—Jingchen remained uncertain.
The drifting Scarlet Cherry Blossoms reminded him of that silver-haired girl he hadn't seen in over a decade. He wondered how she was faring now, if she had grown up well.
Yet, the Grand Narukami Shrine had looked the same ten years ago, and he suspected it would remain unchanged even a century from now.
The word "eternity" stirred his memories once more.
He had once served as the Vice Priest of the Grand Narukami Shrine, concurrently holding the position of Deputy Editor-in-Chief at Yae Publishing House. He had assisted Yae Miko, that sly fox, in managing affairs and collaborating with the Shogunate to organize festivals.
*Sigh...* I always felt Yae Miko was so approachable, yet why did she constantly bully and tease me?
I'm truly fed up with this one-sided effort.
But this time, I have Columbine. I no longer need to dance to her tune.
I wonder if she'll feel even a shred of regret. After all, even Ningguang of Liyue regretted her actions.
The two women share some similarities, particularly in their voices.
Both have voices that feel deeply familiar yet are impossible to recall.
Wait a minute! I came to Inazuma for the Raiden Shogun's Gnosis, and that fox has it.
Obtaining the Raiden Shogun's Gnosis from Yae Miko will be incredibly difficult—truly, incredibly difficult.
According to the original storyline, Scaramouche acquired the Gnosis because Yae Miko wanted to "exchange" it with him.
She saved the unconscious Lumine, but I always suspected she deliberately handed the Gnosis to Scaramouche.
Then she let him become a "false god" in Sumeru.
So, what would happen if I went to her and demanded the Raiden Shogun's Gnosis?
There were probably three possibilities.
First, she might lie to me.
"Oh my, little Jingchen, the Raiden Shogun's Gnosis has 'Raiden Shogun' right in its name! Naturally, it should be with the Raiden Shogun herself. Why are you coming to me?"
Second, she might dangle false promises before me.
"Jingchen, continue serving as my Vice Priest. Don't worry, I'll treat you much better this time..."
And then she'd exploit my labor for ten, twenty, or even more years without compensation.
Third, she might appeal to my supposed eternal boredom.
"Jingchen, I'm so bored. After living for centuries, I've seen every facet of this fleeting world and every mask of its illusions. Ah, I'm truly bored.
But you understand me.
I love hearing other people's stories most of all, and I adore watching the expressions on their faces when they're troubled. If you could perfectly blend those two together...
Haha, I might even consider giving you the Gnosis."
Jingchen could even imagine fourth, fifth, or even more possibilities in Yae Miko's words.
*Sigh, I still can't confront her directly.*
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(End of Chapter)