After crossing the wooden suspension bridge, they arrived at a narrow stone bridge.
The bridge wasn't very wide—just barely enough for a single cart to pass through. A waterfall, several meters across, cascaded down beside it, sending a fine mist into the air.
The young rebel, though not very skilled, unfurled a waterproof tarp and draped it over the cart.
"These are supplies from the outside. They're incredibly precious," he explained with a smile when he noticed Bai Luo watching him.
In the past, before Watatsumi Island had completely severed ties with the Shogunate, they could still purchase goods from Inazuma City.
But after the two sides became outright enemies, acquiring supplies became far more difficult.
This particular batch had only made it through thanks to the help of a merchant named Kiyoko. Supposedly, she was even planning to set up a permanent base on Watatsumi Island.
That was a little odd.
Watasumi Island was small and isolated, with little to gain for most merchants. Yet, for some reason, Kiyoko was willing to sell goods here at low prices.
No one knew her true motives.
Still, her goods were cheap, and after a thorough investigation revealed no ties to the Shogunate's forces, the resistance decided to let her stay.
Even after striking a deal with Liyue's The Crux, bringing in a large quantity of supplies, Kiyoko's merchandise remained highly valued among the people.
"Brother! Brother!"
As Bai Luo stepped down to help secure the tarp, a young, childish voice rang out from the other side of the stone bridge.
Looking over, he saw a little girl dressed in traditional Inazuman clothing.
She looked no older than eight or nine, her hair tied into two short braided pigtails. Though her clothes were somewhat worn, they were embroidered with beautiful patterns.
Carrying a small basket on her back, she waved excitedly while calling out to her brother.
So this was the young rebel's sister—Mirai.
"Brother! Why didn't you tell me you were coming back? I was so worried!"
The little girl had originally intended to throw herself into her brother's arms.
But upon noticing Bai Luo, she hesitated, showing remarkable restraint for a child her age.
Still, she clung tightly to her brother's hand, as if afraid he would disappear the moment she let go.
"I was sent back to escort supplies," the young rebel explained as he gently ruffled Mirai's hair.
Then, as if suddenly realizing something, he turned to Bai Luo with an apologetic expression.
"Forgive me, Lord Battousai. My little sister is still young and lacks manners. I hope you won't take offense."
"It's quite alright. If anything, I should apologize for interrupting your reunion," Bai Luo replied.
He cast a brief glance at the unconscious Teppei.
If Teppei were truly on the brink of death, lingering here would have been an irresponsible waste of time.
But Bai Luo knew better than anyone—his blade could not kill.
After all, he had experienced it firsthand.
If anything, stabbing a dying man might just extend his life.
After settling Mirai, the young rebel continued leading the convoy forward, guiding it into Bourou Village.
There, the village's elder, Granny Komaki, had already gathered the villagers in preparation. Under her instructions, the people—along with some of the resistance's logistics personnel—began unloading the supplies in an orderly fashion.
Meanwhile, Bai Luo slung the still-unconscious Teppei over his back and made his way toward the village's only doctor.
Just before leaving, he overheard the young rebel give an order:
"Matsuda-senpai! Take this cart of Sunsettias straight to Miss Kiyoko! No need to unload it here."
—Huh?
Sunsettias? A whole cart?
Which cart?
Surely not the one he had just been sitting in?
…It couldn't be, right?
Bai Luo wasn't sure whether the cart he had ridden contained any Sunsettias.
All he knew was that from that day onward, Kiyoko's shop never sold Sunsettias again.
Only tomatoes, potatoes, wheat, tofu, and milk remained.
<+>
"Strange..."
As the sole doctor of Bourou Village, Lingling furrowed her brows, a puzzled expression on her face.
Teppei was someone Lingling knew well. As a logistics soldier, he was responsible for sanitation in the village.
But his wound… it was strange.
By all accounts, the blade should have pierced his heart. He shouldn't have survived. And yet, his breathing was steady, his complexion rosy.
Rather than someone on the verge of death, he looked more like someone peacefully asleep.
"So? Can you treat him?"
Bai Luo, holding his Reverse Blade Sword, asked calmly.
If this Doctor Lingling could handle injuries like this, then maybe next time he should strike harder—help boost her workload a little.
"He doesn't seem to have any critical injuries. I'll do my best, but we should try to wake him up first to check where he's feeling pain. The problem is…"
Lingling hesitated, looking at Teppei with a troubled expression.
Ever since Bai Luo had brought him in, she had been trying to wake him, but no matter how much she called out to him, he remained completely unresponsive.
"Hmm… Miss Lingling, do you have any Sunsettias?" Bai Luo asked after a moment's thought.
He actually did have a Sunsettia himself. At the banquet the other day, he had casually stuffed one into his pocket.
Unfortunately, after the banquet ended, the fruit had mysteriously disappeared.
Some lucky bastard must've picked it up.
"Of course, we always keep some in stock. Sunsettias can be used as medicine in some cases," Lingling nodded.
She assumed Bai Luo was simply hungry and looking for a quick snack.
So, along with the Sunsettia, she also brought out some food and a cup of warm water.
As a native Watatsumi islander, Lingling didn't particularly like Battousai.
His reputation was too exaggerated, even overshadowing Her Excellency, the Divine Priestess at times.
But his presence undeniably boosted the morale of the Resistance.
So, no matter how she felt, she had no choice but to respect him.
Bai Luo didn't even glance at the food.
He simply took one of the Sunsettias, then, after a moment of hesitation, grabbed all of them and stuffed them into his pocket.
Under Lingling's curious gaze, Bai Luo drew his Reverse Blade Sword, slicing the fruit cleanly in half.
Then, he pressed one half to Teppei's lips, squeezing out a bit of the juice.
To Lingling's astonishment, Teppei reacted.
Sunsettias had this kind of effect?!
That's incredible!
Feeling that it wasn't enough, Bai Luo dug out a fingernail-sized piece of fruit flesh and pried Teppei's mouth open.
Then, in the blink of an eye, he shoved it in.
For good measure, he grabbed the warm water Lingling had brought and forced it down his throat as well.
What? Why the rush?
Well, if he wakes up too soon, I won't have an excuse to keep feeding him—
I mean—
I just want to save our dear friend Teppei as quickly as possible!
"Mmmph?!"
The moment the fruit touched his tongue, Teppei's eyes flew open.
His gaze was bloodshot and wild, making him look downright terrifying.
He gagged, trying to spit the fruit out, but Bai Luo clamped his mouth shut, refusing to let him.
Seconds later…
Teppei collapsed again.
And his complexion?
Somehow, it looked even worse than before.
<+>
Tn:
Kiyoko: https://genshin-impact.fandom.com/wiki/Kiyoko
Granny Komaki: https://genshin-impact.fandom.com/wiki/Komaki
Matsuda: https://genshin-impact.fandom.com/wiki/Matsuda
. . . . .
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https://www.patreon.com/collection/174425?view=condensed[4]
[1] https://www.patreon.com/collection/174425?view=condensed
[2] https://www.patreon.com/posts/128924511?collection=174425
[3] https://www.patreon.com/posts/128924511?collection=174425
[4] https://www.patreon.com/collection/174425?view=condensed