**Chapter 39: Yoimiya Meets Columbina**
Dressed in the deputy priestess robes of the Grand Narukami Shrine, Jing Chen stood outside Yae Publishing House, holding the third volume of *Eiri's Paradise of Bygone Days*.
A crowd had once again gathered around him.
Whether in Liyue or Inazuma, people loved a spectacle.
A female assistant editor from Yae Publishing House emerged.
"Lord Jing Chen, have you come to—?!"
"I'm here to submit a manuscript."
The editor's face was a mask of shock as she stared intently at the manuscript in Jing Chen's hand.
"Submit a manuscript?! Is it *Eiri's Paradise of Bygone Days*?!"
"Yes."
"Wait here, I'll fetch Chief Editor Yae immediately."
The assistant editor hurried inside Yae Publishing House and knelt outside the screen adorned with crimson cherry blossoms.
"Chief Editor Yae, Lord Jing Chen—no, the Cloud Retainer Sword Sovereign has returned!"
Yae Miko, who was reading a light novel while snacking on fried tofu, flashed a faint yet pleased smile.
*He's been in Inazuma for so long, and only now comes to see me?! I've been too lenient with him in the past.*
*Oh dear, I'd love to see that expression of his again. But perhaps I shouldn't push things too far for now.*
*Those two girls, Ayaka and Yoimiya, have grown up too.*
What if my impulsive actions end up benefiting those two, giving me two more wives and sisters? That would be quite a predicament.
(Yae Miko was still unaware of Columbina's existence. At this moment, she remained confident in her absolute certainty of obtaining Jing Chen.)
Yae Miko yawned slightly, stretched languidly, and said with nonchalant ease, "Let him wait. I have other light novels to review."
"Chief Editor Yae, he's the legendary author who took Inazuma by storm ten years ago—a literary god of our Yae Publishing House!"
"Oh? Do you think I've forgotten? Tell him to wait properly outside."
"This... Very well."
The female deputy editor hurried out, her face apologetic as she offered a strained smile.
"Sword Sovereign, Chief Editor Yae has encountered a slight issue. Please wait a moment while I prepare some refreshments for you."
Jing Chen sat in the Yae Publishing House, gazing at the vibrant array of light novels surrounding him.
*That Yae Miko has certainly built this place into an even more prosperous enterprise.*
"Aya, would you like to read any of these light novels? I'll buy you some if you want."
"Do they have any written by you?"
"Huh?!"
Jing Chen looked up and saw his own *Eiri's Paradise of Bygone Days* and Xingqiu's *The Collected Swords of Fallen Autumn* prominently displayed in the center.
They were immediately noticeable.
Columbina asked, "By the way, did you only write one book?"
"I think so. Why don't you check out Xingqiu's *The Collected Swords of Fallen Autumn*? It's quite popular right now too."
"No interest."
Outside Yae Publishing House, Kamisato Ayaka and Yoimiya hid in the distance, continuing to observe Jing Chen's every move.
"Ayaka, I feel like what we're doing isn't right," Yoimiya said hesitantly.
"What's wrong with it? Do you want us to just walk up and confront him openly? Stand in front of Jing Chen, then have Columbina appear and leave us with no way out?!" Ayaka retorted, her voice tinged with agitation.
Yoimiya gazed at Ayaka, who seemed unusually agitated, and said softly, "Ayaka, you've changed a bit."
Ayaka paused, startled.
It was true. Ever since Columbina had provoked her last time, she had gradually lost the composed elegance of the White Heron Princess.
But what truly broke her heart was realizing that there was no longer a place for her in Jing Chen's life.
"Sigh, Yoimiya, let's just keep watching for now."
Growing impatient after waiting a long time for Yae Miko to appear, Columbina yawned.
"A-Chen, I'm sleepy."
"Maybe we should head back for today. I have a feeling Chief Editor Yae is just playing games with us. This is one of her favorite tactics."
Just as Jing Chen was about to leave, the female assistant editor hurriedly stopped him.
"Sword Sovereign, Chief Editor Yae will be out soon! Please wait a little longer for her!"
"Give her *Eiri's Paradise of Bygone Days* and tell her this for me."
"Huh?! What is it?"
"I won't be staying in Inazuma for long, Yae Miko. Handle this yourself."
"Ah?! Okay."
As Jing Chen turned around, he noticed Yoimiya and Ayaka observing him.
Yoimiya smiled and waved at him.
Jing Chen returned the gesture, waving back at them.
After an awkward, brief pause, Ayaka abruptly dragged Yoimiya away, disappearing into the street.
Columbina's voice instantly echoed in Jing Chen's mind.
"Jing Chen! Chase after them immediately!"
"Huh?! Chase after them? You mean Ayaka and Yoimiya?"
"Don't forget, Ayaka likely knows of my existence. If she tells Yae Miko I'm with you, that fox will cause trouble. We might have to resort to force to obtain the Thunder Manifestation's Heart. If the Thunder Manifestation intervenes, things will become much more complicated. In short, we can't let Ayaka ruin our plans! Chase after them now!"
"Oh, okay."
***
Ayaka grabbed Yoimiya's hand and hurriedly fled to the Guardian Forest.
"Yoimiya! Did you just wave at Jing Chen?!"
Yoimiya lowered her gaze, constantly dodging Ayaka's eyes, unable to meet her gaze directly.
"Ah... I think so..."
"You... *sigh*... Let's stick together for the next few days and dismantle the Fatui's remaining plots with the Kanjōbugyō."
"Ayaka, you really want to raid their base?"
Jing Chen emerged from behind a tree, and Ayaka instantly tried to drag Yoimiya away.
But Columbina blocked their path from the other side.
"What do you two think you're doing?!"
Kamisato Ayaka glared at Columbina with extreme caution, while Yoimiya, looking delighted, stood on tiptoe and waved at Jing Chen.
Jing Chen took a single step forward, and Ayaka frantically pulled Yoimiya back three steps.
"Ayaka... After investigating for so long, you should know better than anyone that the Five Transmissions of the Raiden have nothing to do with me or Columbina."
Kamisato Ayaka stared at Columbina, her usual courage faltering, and stammered, trying to convince herself.
"I... but... but you're both Fatui Harbingers!"
In an instant, Columbina appeared behind Ayaka and whispered in her ear.
"If it were any other Fatui Harbinger, we'd probably be fighting by now, or you two might already be... unable to speak."
Kamisato Ayaka froze, utterly unable to perceive Columbina's speed, let alone comprehend her true power.
*What exactly is the extent of this terrifying, enigmatic Columbina's abilities?*
"You... I... What do you want?!"
Jing Chen stepped forward and pulled Columbina back.
"Alright, Aya, don't scare Ayaka."
He reached out and returned the talisman to Ayaka.
Ayaka stared in disbelief. The talisman she had thought lost forever was now back in her hands.
"Ayaka, don't lose it again."
Kamisato Ayaka clutched the talisman tightly in her palm.
*Yes... I've already lost Jing Chen. If I lose this too...*
Tears welled up in the corners of Ayaka's eyes once more.
"Th-thank you."
"Brother Jing Chen, you... you didn't chase after us just to return this talisman to Ayaka, did you?"
"This... Columbina, why don't you explain?"
Jing Chen turned aside, allowing Columbina to step forward.
"Why don't you two come visit Jing Chen's Serenitea Pot?"
....
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(End of Chapter)