Chapter 11

Just as Ayu Chiyu said, holding the waist tag, no one dared to stop her on the way, and all showed their respect. This made Yingjian even more curious about Ayu Chiyu's identity.

Until she arrived at the entrance of the main hall, the two Hatamoto military officers guarding the door saw the waist tag she presented and bowed.

"The General-sama is discussing important matters with Saigami-sama. Please allow us to inform them."

"No need, they're busy, I'm not in a rush," Yingjian shook her head. "I'll just wait inside."

"This..." The guard hesitated for a moment, then took a step to the side. "Please."

All the military officers she encountered on the way were too obedient, which made Yingjian curious. "You all trust me just based on this waist tag? Aren't you afraid it's stolen or found?"

Upon hearing Yingjian's words, the military officer laughed heartily. "If you were able to take something that symbolizes one's identity from Ayu-sama, then we wouldn't be able to handle you."

The other officer chimed in, "Only General-sama can defeat Ayu-sama."

'Wow, that's impressive indeed.' Yingjian rubbed her wrist that still hurt a lot, and her only hint of dissatisfaction disappeared.

After being allowed entry, Yingjian stepped into the courtyard and saw a familiar scene.

The last time she was here, she was just a little fox who had arrived in this world on her first day, knowing nothing. This was her second time here, a month had passed, and she now looked at this place in her human form.

"I wonder what Auntie Zhen's reaction will be when she sees herself?"

I spent all day yesterday thinking about how to formally meet them. Now I think... it might be nice to take off my hair accessories and let them guess who I am.

But I have to wait until they finish their business.

So, when Yingjian, who was standing at the door, heard the voices of the two discussing inside the door, she temporarily gave up entering and leaned against the wall by the door, boredly admiring the scenery. The conversation inside the house caught her attention.

"...Last time I went to see Yingjian, I noticed that the affliction on her body had mostly healed. You know, once others are afflicted, it can only be alleviated but not eradicated. They can only sink deeper and deeper. In Yingjian's case, it's almost a miracle."

"She encountered an unfounded calamity, the deepest affliction to befall her, and yet she's the only one who managed to escape it... I really don't know if it's unfortunate or fortunate. But as long as Yingjian is okay."

"As long as the little one is okay, the cause doesn't matter. What's troubling me the most is that just recently I performed a Grand Purification, and it's only been a month, and it's already blocked again."

"It's truly unheard of. Even you have no ideas?"

"I'm just a lowly shrine maiden. I've done what I can. You see, when the situation became urgent, a few shrine maidens petitioned to go with me, but they were backlashed by the evil affliction... fortunately, the infection wasn't severe, and they're still recuperating."

"Then for now, I'll have to listen to you~"

"Hey... Zhen, are you really planning to involve that person in this? Let me make it clear, I'm already swamped with preparations for the festival, and if something really goes wrong, I might not have the time to deal with it."

"It's not like that person is coming in person, what's there to be afraid of? It's just his student doing a project."

"You know very well that it's not that simple..."

"Well, that's something you can't handle~"

"Fine, fine, you're better at handling these matters. I'll listen to you... and the little one outside, isn't it cold outside in the middle of winter? Why don't you come in... huh?"

The Fox Den Palace opened the door, first a gust of cold wind hit her face, and then she saw a completely unfamiliar girl in front of her.

"Ying... Yingjian?!"

"Huh? How did you figure out it was me?" Yingjian was also surprised.

"The yao race is most sensitive to aura. I was just chatting with Zhen earlier and actually just discovered you... but that's not important!"

The Fox Den Palace's eyes lit up as she reached out and pinched Yingjian's cheek in excitement. "Yingjian, you've transformed!"

"Huh, yes, I..."

"Alright Saigusa, that's enough, you've already made my Yingjian's face all red from pinching."

Reluctantly, Saigusa was pushed away by Raiden's nudge, and Yingjian looked up at Raiden without saying a word, but was immediately hugged by her.

"Congratulations, Yingjian~ To celebrate your great progress, is there anything you want?"

After letting go of her hand, Yingjian raised it and said, "If possible, I'd like a few pieces of clothing."

"Haha... is that even a request? Like clothes and accessories, aren't those things a given?" Raiden covered her lips and laughed, "Anything else?"

"Well, can I participate in the matter you were just discussing?"

Seemingly surprised by Yingjian's response, Saigusa shook her head, "You've just recovered, leave this kind of thing to the adults."

"But I'm the only person who can handle this matter safely." Yingjian looked up and looked at Saigusa, "Isn't that right?"

The girl in front of her looked up at her, and Saigusa awkwardly scratched her ear, "Yingjian, how much did you hear just now?"

"From the part where you said my situation can almost be considered a miracle." Yingjian honestly said, "I heard the whole story of the incident."

When Saigusa felt a tingling sensation on her scalp, Raiden stroked her chin thoughtfully, "That's not right, in theory, the guards at the door shouldn't have let you in... huh? The waist badge in your hand... it's Chiyos, right?"

Yingjian nodded and spread out her hand, presenting the waist badge to the two of them. "I ran into her on the way, and Auntie Chiyo even invited me to a sparring match."

Yingjian had originally planned to keep her ability with the sword a secret for as long as possible, but now it seems that the recent spar was the perfect opportunity for them to believe in her ability to protect herself.

"Auntie Chiyoko said I'm a swordsmanship genius, but... I just lack practical combat experience." So, in the surprise of the two, Yae lied without batting an eye or skipping a beat, "Actually, I had already transformed a few days ago, but you were all busy during that time, so I didn't want to disturb you and decided to learn some swordsmanship on my own. It was only today that I thought of coming to find you."

She had no idea how exaggerated her words were.

In her previous life, when Lady Ayaka brought her back, she was able to barely hold her own against the lower moon after training with a sword for only three months, and she was promoted to being a pillar. She had some skills after training for only a few days—this was something that truly happened to her.

During her spar with Lady Yoimiya, she instinctively showed weakness and defense, but if Raiden Shogun truly discovered that she was lying and needed her to prove herself again, she would fight as closely as possible to her previous achievements.

"It's dangerous there, Yae. Even if we believe that you have the ability to protect yourself to a certain extent, it's still dangerous." The Kitsune Saigu slightly bent her knees and gently stroked Yae's hair, saying helplessly, "Leave this kind of thing to the adults, okay?"

After listening to the Saigu's persuasion, Yae didn't immediately respond. Instead, she lowered her gaze and looked at the ground.

Just like when she first arrived in this world and discovered that she had stumbled upon a stroke of great luck. She could accept this fortune and also accept the kindness and friendliness of others—but all of this was based on the fact that she knew she would absolutely have to "repay."

In her past experiences of being abandoned several times, her greatest gain was understanding that nothing in this world comes easily. If she just blindly sought the so-called selfless kindness of others, even if it was her own biological parents, even if she was just a powerless child—they would easily have a reason to abandon her.

Even if there was only a one-in-a-million chance, she didn't want to lose everything she currently had, so...

"If it's possible, please let me give it a try." Yae's eyes narrowed, "I have self-control and will never force myself, is that acceptable?"