Genshin Impact: I'm The Envoy of Snezhnaya

After Bai Luo left, Sangonomiya Kokomi, who had been tense the entire time, finally relaxed.

She slumped over her desk without any care for appearances, exhaustion written all over her face.

Quietly pulling out her notebook, she flipped to the latest page.

This was where she recorded the fluctuations in her energy levels. It didn't just track her energy but also the rise and fall of her emotions.

Whenever the night grew quiet or when she was alone, she would open this notebook and jot down the joys, sorrows, and frustrations of her day.

"Reuniting with Kaedehara-san and Captain Beidou: Energy +10.

Although they are guests, they can also be considered friends. And when friends come, it is a joyous occasion."

"Speaking a lot at the banquet: Energy -3.

I still struggle with these kinds of events. Fortunately, I made the last-minute decision to declare that we wouldn't discuss politics or business—it turned out to be a great excuse."

"Mr. Rikou went out with the Fatui and Mr. Battousai: Energy -5.

All three of them have very unique identities. I have no idea whether this is a good thing or not."

"Found an abandoned Sunsettia: Energy +3.

Things I like tend to become popular, and things I dislike tend to be discarded, so I rarely reveal my preferences. I was lucky to find a Sunsettia today—I'll eat it later when no one's around."

"Ate a sour Sunsettia: Energy -10 (crossed out) -20.

I didn't know Sunset Berries could be sour...?"

Looking at what she had written earlier, Kokomi shivered involuntarily.

The taste was horrendous. Even her handwriting had been affected by it.

Taking a deep breath, she continued writing in her notebook.

"Mr. Rikou witnessed Mr. Battousai talking with the Fatui: Energy -10.

The idea that Battousai might be a Fatui operative is terrifying. Fortunately, it was just a misunderstanding, but the confrontation was still exhausting."

After some thought, she added another note:

"Gained the upper hand in the exchange with Mr. Battousai: Energy +10.

As expected, the title of Divine Priestess of Watatsumi carries more weight than that of Battousai!"

Finishing the last entry lifted her spirits slightly. However, when her gaze fell upon the stack of government documents she had shoved under her desk, her face immediately fell again.

"So tired..."

<+>

Is Teppei suited for swordsmanship?

That was difficult to say.

Just as Bai Luo had mentioned before, Himura Kenshin was once named Shinta, but his master changed it to Kenshin because Shinta was too gentle a name for a swordsman.

Teppei was also a gentle name.

"Tei" (平) means balance—no tilting, no rough edges, like the still surface of water.

Gentle and calm.

Would someone with such a name be suited for wielding a sword?

That was hard to determine.

Because sometimes, a heart as still as water was precisely what was needed to master the highest forms of swordsmanship.

After leaving Sangonomiya Shrine, Bai Luo made his way to the meeting place where he had arranged to meet Teppei.

Regardless of anything else, he had already promised to teach him swordsmanship, and Bai Luo was a man of his word.

To the south of Bourou Village was an open clearing, often used for training. Sometimes, it was also the site of bonfire gatherings.

Practicing swordsmanship here seemed appropriate.

Originally, they had agreed to meet in the afternoon, but Bai Luo had nothing else to do in Bourou Village except be stared at like a monkey in a zoo. So, he decided to arrive early.

Surprisingly, Teppei had arrived even earlier than he did. The young man was already practicing, earnestly swinging a wooden sword in proper form.

"Battousai-sensei!"

As soon as he saw Bai Luo, Teppei immediately stopped and ran over excitedly.

"Sensei," huh?

That was a nice title.

Hearing it, Bai Luo's mind suddenly flashed to the image of a small, young figure...

I wonder if little Collei will ever call me "Sensei" one day.

Probably not. That little girl would rather punch me in the face.

Too bad for her—no matter how strong she is, I'll always be stronger.

Want to beat a Harbinger? Not a chance.

Only the Traveler and the Archon can do that.

"You can just call me Himura-san. Teaching you swordsmanship doesn't mean I have to be your master."

"Oh..."

From the look of disappointment on Teppei's face, it was clear that he had wanted to call him Sensei.

But since Bai Luo had already said so, Teppei wasn't going to insist.

"Have you learned swordsmanship before?"

Looking at the way Teppei held his wooden sword, his form seemed somewhat proper.

That made Bai Luo curious.

"Yeah, I learned some in the village, but only the basics."

Teppei smiled sheepishly, avoiding mention of how he had been kicked out.

"You have learned?"

Bai Luo was slightly surprised.

Compared to the Shogunate, the Resistance was steadily declining. Even though the Vision Hunt Decree had temporarily strengthened them, it was only a fleeting boost.

Through Kazuha's accounts, Bai Luo had gained some understanding of the situation here.

For someone like Teppei, who had even the slightest grasp of swordsmanship, he should have been sent to the battlefield.

If he could wield a weapon properly, it was unlikely he'd be left behind in Watatsumi Village as a logistics soldier.

"Why?"

"Attack me. Let me see what you've learned."

Teaching someone meant first understanding their foundation.

Though Bai Luo's swordsmanship was granted by the system, in order to fully harness his Class's potential, the system also provided him with an intuitive understanding of sword techniques.

Even if that understanding was retracted whenever he switched Classes, his extensive experience as Battousai had given him unique insights into the art of the sword.

"Alright."

Teppei wasn't worried about accidentally injuring Bai Luo.

He knew his own skills well enough—if the infamous Battousai got hurt by him, that would be an absolute joke.

Taking a deep breath, Teppei gripped his wooden sword tightly and charged at Bai Luo.

Whoosh—

As he swung, the wooden blade sliced through the air with a sharp sound.

His swordsmanship was slightly unrefined, but his strength was undeniable.

He definitely had what it took to fight on the battlefield.

So why...

After Teppei executed three strikes, Bai Luo finally realized something.

"Stop."

He reached out and firmly pressed down on Teppei's wooden sword, letting out a small sigh.

Teppei stood there like a child caught doing something wrong, nervous and unsure of what to say.

He had tried his best to execute the moves he remembered.

"On your first thrust, why did you aim for my shoulder?"

A thrust was one of the most fundamental sword techniques.

It was also one of the most lethal.

For veteran swordsmen like Kaedehara Kazuha and Kamisato Ayato, a thrust was always directed at the enemy's throat or heart—because only a killing blow could maximize the technique's effectiveness.

Bai Luo, for the fun of it, aimed for the kidneys.

Yet, despite having a firm grip and a sharp execution, Teppei had deliberately avoided Bai Luo's vital points.

Not just with the thrust.

In all three of his attacks, he had never gone for a fatal strike.

His targets were the shoulder, the arm, and the hand—none of which would be lethal.

And it wasn't hesitation.

It was instinct.

This Teppei...

He really was a gentle swordsman.

. . . . .

If you want to see more chapter of this story and don't mind to pay $5 monthly to read till the latest chapter, please go to my Patreon1

Current Chapter in Patreon: Chapter 185: Nowhere to Run1

Link to the current chapter: https://www.patreon.com/posts/128924511?collection=1744251

https://www.patreon.com/collection/174425?view=condensed1