"What do you want to ask?"
Lu Heng turned to Raiden Ei, gesturing for her to speak.
Ei's expression was serious, her tone heavy as she asked, "Mr. Lu, how much power can these cards grant a god like me?"
"That's a question…" Lu Heng paused for a moment before continuing, "No one's ever asked me that before. Some have wondered if the card system can work alongside other power systems. Let me put it this way: when it comes to cards, there's no distinction between gods and mortals."
"No distinction between gods and mortals?" Ei's eyes widened in surprise.
"Exactly."
Lu Heng nodded, then explained his theory of two buckets of water.
Ei listened intently, her gaze growing fervent.
Lu Heng noticed and suddenly recalled something she'd once said in About Us: Direct Transmission. She had mentioned that her swordsmanship and martial arts were passed down to her retainers, and that refining her skills was an obsession she couldn't shake.
Raiden Ei was a pure martial artist.
And pure martial artists shared a common trait: an unrelenting pursuit of greater strength and mastery.
Dainsleif was like this, and so was Ei.
Now, with cards offering tangible benefits like a 20% boost to attack power and access to martial techniques from other worlds, the temptation was undeniable for Ei.
There was no way she could resist the allure of the card system!
The cards weren't just some external crutch.
When viewed with an open mind, the card system was a brilliantly crafted framework. Its potential was limitless, with both a high ceiling and a high floor.
While others gained strength through cultivation, the card system rewarded effort through earning resources and drawing cards.
For a martial artist like Ei, who wouldn't shy away from power even if it seemed external, this was perfect.
After all, being pure didn't mean being foolish—only a fool would ignore such strength.
Ei took several deep breaths to calm her racing heart.
To the gods of Teyvat, Celestia was the pinnacle of divine power.
Ei had once said that only eternity could bring one closest to Celestia's truth.
But now, the card system offered her a glimpse of something greater—a chance to surpass Celestia itself!
When her power wasn't enough to make Inazuma eternal, her pursuit of eternity had seemed flawed.
But if she could wield power beyond Celestia's, could she not achieve true, everlasting eternity for her nation?
The more Ei thought about it, the harder it was to contain her excitement.
She had found a new path.
Yae Miko, who knew her friend all too well, could read Ei's emotions like an open book.
Ei's face betrayed every thought.
"No need to get ahead of yourself," Yae said lightly. "Besides, drawing cards relies heavily on luck. You don't want to make grand plans only to be disappointed when the cards don't come."
Ei snapped back to reality.
She sighed, a touch of helplessness in her voice.
Yae was right—drawing cards was all about luck.
Turning to Lu Heng, Ei hesitated before asking, "Mr. Lu, do you think I have a chance to draw a card that could bring my sister back?"
"Well…"
Lu Heng rubbed his chin, choosing his words carefully.
The card pool was vast—too vast.
Even something as simple as a sci-fi assault rifle, a mere Tier 1 item, could take thousands of draws to obtain.
A resurrection card? That was Tier 4 at the very least.
"It's hard to say," Lu Heng admitted. "The card pool is massive, with countless types. Trying to get something specific is like picking one item out of a thousand, all by chance."
Ei's eyes dimmed slightly.
It was daunting.
Lu Heng's analogy made it clear how difficult it would be, especially when the pool contained far more than a thousand possibilities.
"It all comes down to luck," Lu Heng added. "You all have plenty of time. No need to rush. Why not take on some legendary quests? You might stumble upon some unexpected surprises."
Ei nodded glumly.
Yae Miko, however, caught something in Lu Heng's words.
Unlike Ei, who might not have grasped the full meaning, Yae's sharp mind picked up on the hint.
Lu Heng didn't speak carelessly—his words carried weight, and this was clearly a suggestion.
Yae made a mental note to thoroughly investigate Inazuma's legendary quests later.
"Mr. Lu," Ayato Kamisato interjected, "has anyone ever drawn a resurrection card before? I mean, is there a precedent in Teyvat?"
"There is," Lu Heng confirmed with a nod.
"There is?!" Ei's gaze sharpened.
Hearing that such a card existed was one thing, but knowing someone had actually drawn it made it feel far more real.
It was the difference between a distant dream and something just out of reach—enough to spark hope.
"Absolutely," Lu Heng said. "You can rest assured. Funina, for example, has a resurrection coin. It's completely unreasonable—pick a target, and they're brought back to life. Or, if the holder dies unexpectedly, it activates automatically to revive them."
"That's incredible," Ei said, stunned.
Even Inazuma's light novels didn't dare dream up something so fantastical.
"That's just how the cards in my shop work," Lu Heng said with a slight smile.
Ei's chest heaved with excitement as she turned to Ayato, her gaze intense.
Ayato felt the weight of her stare bearing down on him.
"Inazuma's economy is in your hands," Ei said solemnly, as if entrusting him with a sacred mission.
Ayato's heart sank.
After going online, he'd learned the truth about why Inazuma had fallen into such a state.
He could only nod and say, "Rest assured, General. I'll do my utmost."
"You have my thanks," Ei replied.
Lu Heng glanced at the three of them. "Anyone else drawing cards today?"
Ei shook her head—she hadn't brought any Mora.
Yae followed suit.
Ayato, naturally, had no plans to draw either.
"In that case, I'll take care of some shop business," Lu Heng said, getting to work.
First, he addressed the issue of transportation between his various branch stores.
Then, he arranged for the Civilization Core to send a few robots to serve as clerks.
Inazuma was relatively isolated, so intelligent robots would be crucial for explaining the card system to its people.
Five minutes later, the tasks were complete.
Ei stood in front of a humanoid robot, studying it closely.
Not all the robots in the shop were humanoid—some resembled walking refrigerators, others like bulky, old-fashioned computers with legs.
The one before Ei was human-shaped, crafted from intricate silver metal parts, exuding a cold, mechanical aura.
"Its structure is fascinating," Ei remarked, inspecting it with interest.
The robot's limbs moved with near-human fluidity. With a layer of artificial skin, it could almost pass for a person.
But Lu Heng had no interest in pursuing that idea.
"It even has accessories?" Ei asked, curious.
"Accessories?"
Lu Heng turned to look.
He hadn't noticed before, but the robot's waist was adorned with a couple of cute, dangling charms.
"Oh," Lu Heng said, realizing. "This one was working in Mondstadt before. Those must be gifts from Klee."
"Who's Klee?" Ei asked.
"Alice's daughter," Yae answered, her tone carrying a hint of something unspoken. She glanced at Lu Heng. "Mr. Lu, can we teleport to the Mondstadt branch from here now?"
"Yes," Lu Heng nodded, chuckling as he recalled the dynamic between Alice and Yae. "You're not planning to pick a fight with her, are you?"
"Alice isn't exactly charming," Yae said with a sly smile. "But her daughter's far more lovable."
"True enough," Lu Heng agreed. Then he turned to Ayato. "Ayato, my friend, mind helping me spread the word?"
The familiar address caught Ayato off guard, but he quickly recovered. "It's my honor to assist. I'll have the Shogunate issue an announcement soon."
"No rush—within the next couple of days is fine," Lu Heng said, unconcerned about the timeline. "It's getting late. Where are we eating?"
"At the Tenshukaku," Yae said, stepping forward. "Shall we head there now?"
"Let's go."
Aside from the Narukami Shrine atop Mount Yougou, the Tenshukaku was the highest point in Inazuma City.
As the Raiden Shogun's residence, it was vast and imposing.
Stepping through its grand gates, one could feel its majestic aura.
Beyond the main hall for official duties and meetings, it housed a training ground, living quarters, and more.
To Lu Heng, it was like a palace with a distinct Inazuman flair.
In the courtyard, tables and chairs were already set up beneath cherry blossom trees.
Lu Heng took in the scene, the breeze carrying the faint scent of cherry blossoms. "This is quite the atmosphere."
"Cherry blossoms are a hallmark of Inazuma's style," Yae said with a smile.
"Mr. Lu, please, have a seat."
Yae pulled out a chair for him, then turned to Ayato. "Ayato, check on the kitchen."
"Right away!"
Ayato hurried toward the Tenshukaku's kitchen.
Moments later, he returned. "The kitchen's preparing everything."
Yae smiled at Lu Heng. "We've brought in some renowned chefs for this. I hope you'll enjoy the most authentic Inazuman cuisine."
"Nothing too bizarre, I hope?" Lu Heng asked, a touch wary.
He'd heard stories of certain nations serving questionable dishes at state banquets, enough to turn even the strongest stomachs.
Yae laughed at his expression. "Inazuma may not have Liyue's vast resources, but we have our own specialties. I'll let you be the judge."
"I'm sure it'll be a delightful experience," Lu Heng said with a nod.
Inazuma might share similarities with certain real-world cultures, but it wasn't a perfect stand-in.
Just as he wouldn't equate Liyue too closely with his homeland, Inazuma was its own entity.
Cultural vibes might overlap, but their essence was unique, and projecting emotions onto a facsimile would be a mistake.
As the servers brought out the dishes, Lu Heng relaxed.
Some were familiar dishes from the game, others entirely new.
From their presentation alone, his appetite was piqued.
Though only four of them were dining, this meal carried the weight of a state banquet—homestyle dishes were nowhere to be seen.
They ate and chatted about the card system, the conversation flowing naturally.
Each region had its own culinary style.
What was standard in one place might be entirely different a few dozen miles away, let alone across nations.
After the meal, Yae asked, "So, Mr. Lu, what did you think?"
"Quite impressive," Lu Heng said, nodding.
He was genuinely satisfied.
Inazuma's smaller size meant fewer dishes compared to some regions, but the flavors were exceptional.
Yae smiled. "Pleasing everyone's palate is always tricky. I'm relieved you enjoyed it."
"You went to a lot of trouble," Lu Heng said warmly.
Glancing at the time, he asked, "Any plans for the afternoon?"
Yae shook her head. "I assumed you were busy, so I didn't make any arrangements to take up your time."
"Busy? Hardly," Lu Heng said with a wave of his hand.
"In that case, how about I show you around Inazuma?" Yae offered.
"Sounds great," Lu Heng agreed. "Won't it interfere with your schedule?"
"Me?" Yae chuckled. "I happen to have plenty of time."
She turned to Ei. "You handle things here at the Tenshukaku. I'll take Mr. Lu to explore."
"Alright," Ei nodded.
After lingering for a bit, sipping tea and chatting, Lu Heng and Yae set off.
Ei turned to Ayato. "It's up to you now."
Ayato paused, thoughtful, before asking, "General, what about Inazuma's finances?"
Ei raised an eyebrow.
"For instance, the dirty money Kujou Takayuki embezzled during his tenure—how should we handle it?" Ayato pressed.
It was an issue that needed addressing, but time had been too tight to deal with it properly.
"Confiscate it," Ei said coolly.
"And the other families under the Tenryou Commission?" Ayato asked.
Ei considered briefly. "You have full authority to handle it."
"Understood," Ayato said, a faint smile crossing his face.
He left the Tenshukaku and headed to the Tenryou Commission's headquarters.
Kujou Sara was there, buried in work.
The Shogunate's frontline troops needed to be recalled, and she was tasked with calculating compensation for the fallen.
The weight of the Tenryou Commission's duties rested on her shoulders, keeping her swamped.
Seeing Ayato, she looked up. "Something up?"
"Yes," Ayato said, his tone measured. "The main culprits have been dealt with, but plenty of smaller rats haven't been touched."
Sara's expression grew serious. "Are you sure? Executing Kujou Takayuki and Hiiragi Shinsuke already shook the political landscape. If we keep going, stabilizing things will be tough."
"You said it yourself—it's already shaken," Ayato countered. "Time is short, and our finances are stretched thin. If we don't act now, where will the Mora come from? Tax the people harder and make them suffer?"
Sara fell silent.
Some families, less prominent than the Kujou, had been quietly amassing wealth through corruption.
On the surface, they were loyal to the Shogunate, but Sara had uncovered their misdeeds while reviewing the family ledgers.
It infuriated her, but she lacked the time and resources to act.
Many of these families held key positions, and a large-scale purge could gut the Shogunate's administration.
"What did the General say?" Sara asked.
"I have full authority," Ayato replied.
"Then I'll follow your lead," Sara said with a nod.
"Good. Mobilize the troops," Ayato said. "If they dared to dip their hands where they shouldn't, they'll face the consequences."
He continued, "Issue the order: Shogunate samurai will visit each family and 'invite' them to the Tenshukaku to settle their accounts."
With this influx of Mora, Ayato believed Inazuma could finally catch its breath.
Sara's expression didn't change as she swiftly drafted the order.
Thud!
The Tenryou Commission's official seal stamped the document.
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T/N:
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