2 02. An Enemy? Or A Rival?

Mora is the main currency unit used to purchase various things in Teyvat. It is also considered a "catalyst" which can bring about physical transformation, which explains its usage in crafting. It is named after its creator, the Geo Archon, Morax.

Ryūhei's depression had already faded away. After Yin Xing examined Ryūhei's condition and found that his body was getting better, she asked him.

"It's alright now. But, it's a miracle that you're still alive after getting struck by lightning. And from what I see, you don't wield a Vision. That's why I call it a miracle. Have you been a samurai since you were young?"

Ryūhei denied it.

"Well, not really. I've trained my body and my sword techniques since childhood. Anyway, the way you spelled your name, are you from Liyue, Doctor?"

Liyue is one of the seven regions in Teyvat. It is the nation that worships Rex Lapis, the Geo Archon. The location is in the northwest across the ocean from Inazuma. It is a bountiful harbor that lies in the east of Teyvat. Mountains stand tall and proud alongside the stone forest, together with the open plains and lively rivers, which make up Liyue's bountiful landscape, which shows its unique beauty through each of the four seasons.

While the concept of a nation of Inazuma is called Japan on Earth, then a nation of Liyue is called China. Ryūhei was able to compare the nations thanks to his 15-year life in Teyvat and his previous life on Earth.

After Ryūhei heard that she was called Yin Xing, he immediately thought that she was from Liyue.

"Yes. Also, I'm a surgeon of the sea, Yan Xing."

"Surgeon of the sea? Right, where am I? Does this ship want to deliver goods somewhere?"

Ryūhei realized that he was on a ship. But he didn't really know what ship he was on.

"Ah, this is the Crux fleet. It's a pirate ship."

Ryūhei immediately stiffened after hearing that he was on a pirate ship. However, he didn't show any discomfort or fear. He seemed to be interested in it instead.

"A pirate ship? You are a pirate? What do you dream of when you sail the ocean? Treasures, history, Devil Fruits, or maybe a legendary treasure called One Piece?"

Well, of course, the iconic pirate reference is the anime One Piece in his previous life. What else if not the iconic anime? He used to draw fan art about One Piece, so he knows very well how the story goes, which has been broadcast on television for more than 20 years.

"Ummm, I don't understand what you are talking about. But well, apart from sending cargo elsewhere because we do legal business, sometimes we also search for treasure somewhere. Oh right, what's your name?"

"I see. My name is Ryūhei, Niwa Ryūhei. Anyway, I thought you were just like the pirate I imagined, looking for treasures, adventures, and becoming the pirate king."

"From Inazuma, I believe? Hehehe. We don't need to become a pirate king as our captain is like a pirate queen already."

"Oh. So your captain has become the emperor of the seas, huh? And your adventure, you can say that it has reached its peak."

"Are you perhaps interested in joining?"

"Well, what can I do? I don't have cash anymore. If you don't plan to stop by at Liyue Harbor soon, and when you offer me a job, I will gladly accept it. Count it as my capital later to open a business in Liyue harbor."

"Eh. Actually, we're on the way toward Liyue. Perhaps we will arrive in Guyun Stone Forest a few hours later."

Ryūhei lit his eyes. Naturally, he was still wary of his surroundings, including the doctor in front of him. Even though he was rescued, he still had to be careful since the pirate ship might have been full of two-faced bastards. He was even on standby to reach for his sword should something unpleasant happen.

"By the way, we also have a samurai on our ship. He came from Inazuma as well. Just like you. Maybe you can get along with him. Aren't you curious?"

"I guess, I'll look for your captain to say thanks." Ryūhei nodded in agreement. And then, Yun Xing led him outside. With the sword tied on his hip, he followed her from behind.

The ship illuminated by lanterns as lamps at night looked mesmerizing in his eyes. As he looked around, he thought of a warship in the era before the steamships were created. It was similar to a carrack ship with some ballistas installed in it. It has square-rigged on the foremast and mainmast and lateen-rigged on the mizzenmast. The head is decorated with the head of the eastern dragon.

It was such a nice ship in his opinion.

"Hoh, you woke up already? Welcome to my ship. I'm Beidou. If you too love adventure, then join me. I've got your back!"

After he heard the voice of a woman, her beautiful and sexy appearance came to his attention. She has long, waist-length dark brown hair and fair skin. Her right eye is a deep ruby-colored hue melting into gold. Her left eye is covered by a red eyepatch.

The top of Beidou's hair is tied up with an intricate gold hairpin with a pale blue tassel hanging from one end. Her fringe parts around her right eye, slightly covering her left. She has a black leotard underneath a bright red sleeveless qipao dress, with side slits going up to her hips and the chest area cut out. Over that, she wears a fur-lined red shawl around her shoulders. Her Vision hangs at the left side of her waist. Additionally, she wears a pair of fingerless, elbow-length black gloves while carrying a huge sword behind her.

Not just that, Ryūhei's feelings screamed at him to not make her an enemy. She was a dangerous person not below Kamisato Ayato, the current clan head of the Kamisato clan.

"I can tell. This woman is strong. And she seems to have an Electro Vision as well. Dammit, I jumped into a lion's den." Ryūhei muttered inwardly.

Somehow, Ryūhei seemed to sense the people's strength instantly as long as he saw the person. In a way, it was like a talent he was born with that developed after constant fighting since he was little. His sense of battle can be said to be so high. And that was probably thanks to a blessing bestowed by the goddess who sent him to Teyvat.

But, when his sight caught up with someone behind Beidou, he was stunned.

"Yikes!"

"Huh?"

Both of them were equally surprised. Then simultaneously, they pointed at each other while shouting.

"How come you're here?"

He is a youngster around 18 years old. He has platinum blonde hair with a single orange-red streak on his right. He has red eyes with a yellow hue at the bottom.

His outfit consists of a gray short-sleeved kimono, a black haori coat, red hakama pants with maple leaf designs, and black sandals with dark red tights and black leg plating. Half of his haori coat is worn normally on his left arm, with a flowy orange sleeve decorated with orange and red maple leaves, while the other half is draped behind his waist and secured by an obi belt on top. He also wears a black and red scarf with gold accents, and a slanted belt that goes under his right arm and over his left shoulder, where his Anemo Vision is pinned behind. The Vision is tied to a red tassel decoration and is near samurai shoulder plating. He also wears black glove plates that protect the backs of his hands and his left forearm. His right hand is bandaged, possibly to protect against injuries from constant sword use.

Ryūhei knew instantly because…

"Kazuha, do you two know each other?"

The youngster is none other than Kaedehara Kazuha. A direct descendant of the Kaedehara clan. Although the two of them are almost the same age, they didn't really get along well due to internal disputes within the Kaedehara clan in the past.