10. Bait

"That's… way too amazing. This is the first time I've seen anyone cultivate the senses to that level." Xingqiu couldn't help but amaze. Normally, one would distinguish and track residual elements or energy flows using elemental sight. However, what Ryūhei did was even more advanced. That was definitely a high level of training.

"Anyway, I came looking for you not to talk about the way I train. I'm more interested in what you write on a piece of paper that you keep in the book you carry. You write a novel, aren't you?"

"This…" After hearing what Ryūhei said, Xingqiu scratched his head in embarrassment.

"Secretary of Defense Faranges stared out of the window into space as the galaxies and stars shone gently upon her face, their pale white glow flowing softly and slowly down each strand of her hair. She couldn't help but think back to the first time she looked out at this ocean of stars through this very window. But she no longer remembered the sense of awe she felt back then. Even her homeland, now hundreds of light-years away, had long since become faded and distorted in her memories whenever they surfaced in her dreams.

To be honest, it's a good start. I bet someone in Inazuma would be willing to read it more." After narrating what Xingqiu wrote in his novel, Ryūhei gave his opinion.

"Is it really good? But, the local publishing houses rejected this and said, "a setting as wildly unrealistic as the plot is shallow." In the end, I will just try to improve my writing before submitting again."

"Instead of improving your writing, you better improve your handwriting first. You know, your handwriting is like an ancient text, only a handful of people can read your handwriting."

"Eh, no way."

Xingqiu was surprised when Ryūhei stated that his handwriting was so horrible that it was hard to read. And, there was something that made Ryūhei curious. So he couldn't help but ask.

"By the way, from the way you act, you seem to hide the fact that you like novels or you are writing a novel. Why is that?"

"Well, to be honest, I have to keep up appearances around most of the Liyue citizens and my family, if they see me acting properly, I'll get a bit more freedom. And my family is not supportive of my hobbies and dreams. My dad doesn't even like it when I read too much. If my dad found out that I like reading novels, or that I became a novel author, I can't imagine the consequences."

"It must be hard to keep your mask on all of the time. I guess you must be a young master from a certain family."

Xingqiu nodded in confirmation.

"Have you heard about the Feiyun Commerce Guild?"

Ryūhei had no idea about it since he had just arrived at Liyue Harbor not too long ago. So, he shook his head.

"What guild is that?"

"It is a guild involved in various endeavors, such as silk trading and printing books."

"Silk trading, huh? Your guild must be so famous."

"Well, you can say that. By the way, what kind of novels are popular in Inazuma?"

Through the novel that Xingqiu wrote as a topic of conversation, they began to become familiar with telling various novels. And Ryūhei also talked about how many people in Inazuma like novels. Especially about novels that tell about an MC who is reincarnated as an Electro Archon, or reincarnated into another world.

"This is the first time I have a friend my age who likes novels." Ryūhei said.

"Eh, don't you have friends in Inazuma?"

Ryūhei shook his head.

"Other than my fiancée, I don't have anyone I can talk to. Moreover, because I was kicked out of the clan that adopted my family due to internal matters, I ended up being taken care of by my in-laws' family. As a man, it would be a disgrace if I just let my in-laws' family take care of me. That's why I'm trying my luck in Liyue."

"My bad, I didn't mean to remind you of your private matters." Xingqiu let out a bitter smile. Meanwhile, Ryūhei responded by waving his hand, gesturing that he didn't mind it.

"It's alright. You tell me how your situation is in your family. I also want you to know about my family."

"You said you wanted to make a fortune in Liyue. What exactly do you want to do if I may ask?"

Ryūhei pointed his index finger at his head.

"I have a lot of stories in my head that I want to tell. And since I'm quite well-versed in art, I'll be conveying those stories through manga."

"Manga, what is that?"

"You could say that manga is a graphic novel that is told through a picture on each page accompanied by short narrations and dialogues. I've never seen anyone apply stories through pictures because not many people have experience in art. Hence, I intend to introduce manga to the world."

Xingqiu lit his eyes. He didn't think that Ryūhei had such an idea.

"What a wonderful goal. I'm curious as to what kind of manga you're referring to. I want to see it asap."

"Too bad, I can't do that. I arrived in Liyue with all my belongings except for my sword sunk in the sea. I don't even have Mora to eat, let alone to open a stall."

Xingqiu furrowed his brow. To be honest, he was a little bit disappointed as he couldn't see Ryūhei's work soon. But when Ryūhei saw his expression, he offered.

"How about I show you the first few pages of the manga I want to draw?"

"Really? You're gonna show it to me?" Xingqiu was naturally interested. He would see for himself what kind of manga Ryūhei drew.

"Lend me some papers and a pen."

Xingqiu complied with what Ryūhei asked. He gave some papers and a pen to Ryūhei. Then, Ryūhei opened his blindfold and started drawing. Well, even though he could draw while wearing the blindfold, he couldn't do it in front of other people.

He started by drawing the panel layout. On the first page, he drew one page, one panel. Inside the picture is a short narrative, along with a picture of a boy with a monkey's tail, walking on a log around the mountains. On the second and third pages, Ryūhei creates 6 and 4 panels respectively with the monkey-tailed boy just now chopping firewood with his bare hands. The story continues with the boy meeting a girl who mentions a magical item called the Dragon Ball.

With how fast the drawing speed thanks to the skill Ryūhei got, he was able to draw 16 pages from the 8 pieces of paper given by Xingqiu within 80 minutes.

In fact, Ryūhei planned to get Xingqiu's attention and tell him that he was gifted in arts. Also, by telling Xingqiu that Ryūhei plans to introduce manga to the world, he hopes Xingqiu can help him financially. Of course, Ryūhei didn't want to say it verbally.

"This… You're amazing, Ryūhei. Drawing them in such a short time. Usually, a drawing like this will take around 5 days or a week, you know."

"Well, this is one of the two manga I will draw. And two of them will be long stories. What do you think?"

Xingqiu picked all the drawings. After reading them all, he gave his opinion.

"This is interesting. A magical item called the Dragon Ball, capable of granting any one wish. It will definitely be popular. What about your other manga?"

"The other is a story about a young man named Monkey D. Luffy who starts his own adventure, searching for a treasure called One Piece and strives to become the new Pirate King."

"Oh, just like Lady Beidou? Hehe, your idea is so amazing. You even create a story about pirates."

"As expected, Captain Beidou is so famous."

"That's natural. She is someone who could slay Haishan, a sea monster, with one move even though she didn't have a Vision at that time." Xingqiu nodded. "Oh right, you definitely need printing services. If you want, I can help you if you need one."

Ryūhei shook his head.

"Actually I have my own way of printing and making copies of my manga. What I need now is Mora to buy or rent a shop. It's a shame, I may only be able to open a simple stall before my manga can be popular in Liyue." Then, Ryūhei stood up. "I've spent quite a bit of time here. I still have to complete my daily commissions to get Mora. I also want to find some bamboo to set up my stall. Well then."

Ryūhei walked away in the Guili Plains direction while waving his hand.

He walked slowly while waiting for Xingqiu to call him again because he was pretty sure that Xingqiu would help him. Even if he wasn't 100% sure, at least he had that chance.

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And it seemed Xingqiu didn't call him.

"Sigh, looks like I'm out of luck. Maybe I'll stick with my original plan."

To his surprise, when he was some distance away from the inn, Xingqiu called out to him.