MTLNOVEL Chapter 86: chapter 109-112
Chapter: 109-112
Chapter 109 - Gan Yu: I Don't Want to Disappoint Mr. Amon
Seeing the harmonious coexistence of the little ones at home, Amon's face displayed a gratified smile, reminiscent of an old father.
Leaning back in his chair, he opened the system's lottery card pool and made a single draw.
A purple light pierced through the clouds.
When the light faded, a skill appeared before him.
The skill was called Kamisato Ryu.
This is Kamisato Ayaka's normal attack in the game, characterized by the ability to execute a heavy attack that swings multiple sword shadows forward simultaneously. The skill has a wide range and deals high damage.
To be honest, when Amon saw the skill Kamisato Ryu Ougi: Tachijutsu, he was a little surprised.
He had drawn skills before—whether elemental combat skills or elemental bursts—but this was the first time he had drawn a normal attack.
Furthermore, Kamisato Ryu: Tachijutsu isn't just an ordinary sword technique.
In the game's lore, Kamisato Ryu Ougi is highly renowned in Inazuma.
It is said that those who comprehend the profound sword intent within the Kamisato Ryu techniques can become the greatest swordsman in the world.
Because of this, many people dream of learning Kamisato Ryu Tachijutsu. However, very few have the opportunity.
Firstly, Kamisato Ryu Tachijutsu has countless variations and is incredibly profound.
It requires moving with one's heart and changing with one's thoughts.
Without the guidance of a master, it's impossible to even begin learning, let alone master it.
Only the Kamisato family is capable of fully mastering this enigmatic sword technique.
Soon, Amon unlocked the skill.
Although he had never studied any formal swordsmanship before, his mind was instantly filled with an abundance of skills and practical experience related to Kamisato Ryu.
It felt as though he had swung the blade tens of thousands of times in the past.
He knew every move, every nuance of Kamisato Ryu.
Exiting the system interface, Amon glanced at the little ones before him.
Qiqi and Ayaka were feeding sparrows, laughing and chatting joyfully.
Ningguang and Shenhe were diligently washing dishes in the kitchen.
Beidou stood by the window, staring at the pouring rain with a contemplative expression.
She was likely wondering: if she hadn't come to this house, where would she seek shelter from this sudden downpour?
---
The heavy rain pattered relentlessly against the windows with no sign of letting up.
Amon had originally planned to formally begin teaching the little ones new skills today. However, the rain forced him to postpone the plan.
The streets were deserted, not even a stray dog in sight.
Everyone was hiding from the storm.
Only the Qingxin flowers growing atop the mountain swayed in the fierce wind, standing tall and unyielding against the elements.
Looking at the Qingxin, Amon suddenly thought of Ganyu's flower.
Yesterday, he had made an appointment with Ganyu to teach Shenhe about cultivating immortal arts today.
But now, with such torrential rain, it seemed unlikely she would come.
Just as Amon thought this, he noticed a figure in the distance running toward his home.
The most distinctive feature was a pair of dark red Qillin horns atop her head.
Amid the storm, the girl clutched an umbrella, though it was almost useless in such severe weather. She was completely soaked, yet her steps were firm and unwavering.
Seeing Ganyu approaching in the rain, Amon immediately grabbed a towel and rushed to meet her.
He began drying the rain off her head and clothes while speaking with concern.
"Ms. Ganyu, the rain is so heavy outside. Why didn't you wait for it to stop before coming?"
Gan Yu looked at Amon with a soft smile and replied gently, "Because I promised Mr. Amon that I would come today.
"Once a contract is made, it must not be broken.
"Besides... I didn't want to disappoint Mr. Amon. If I broke my promise, Mr. Amon would be disappointed."
Hearing her words, Amon felt deeply moved.
What a silly girl.
In truth, even if Ganyu hadn't come today, Amon would have understood.
The storm outside was harsh, making travel incredibly difficult.
But Ganyu still came, her reason simple and straightforward:
She had made a promise to Amon, and she didn't want to disappoint him.
How silly, how endearing.
How could such a pure and innocent girl exist?
Without saying much, Amon continued wiping the rain off Ganyu's hair and horns with extra care.
Ganyu remained silent, tilting her head slightly to let him help.
If one looked closely, Yuehai Pavilion's secretary had a hint of shyness in her eyes, though it was mostly filled with joy.
After drying Ganyu as best as he could, Amon realized a major problem: her clothes were completely soaked.
Wearing such wet clothes must be uncomfortable, and in such weather, they wouldn't dry anytime soon.
Amon looked at her seriously and said, "Ms. Ganyu, there aren't any clothes here that would fit you.
"If you don't mind, you can wear one of my shirts for now.
"It's better than staying in wet clothes."
When Amon first arrived in Teyvat, he had worn a white shirt.
Later, he had switched to Zhongli-style clothing gifted by Yu Jin.
His white shirt, though washed, hadn't been worn since.
Now seemed like a good time to lend it to Ganyu.
Amon led her to the bedroom and handed her the shirt.
As he left, Ganyu looked at his retreating back before gazing at the shirt in her hands.
"I like the scent of this shirt more than the fragrance of Qingxin and Glazed Lilies," she murmured softly.
---
...
.
Chapter 110 - Ayaka: Brother Amon Bullies the Little Kid
Soon, the door handle of the room turned gently.
Ganyu, having changed her clothes, walked out slowly.
Amon's shirt fit him perfectly, but it was several sizes too big for Ganyu.
Some buttons seemed to strain under pressure they shouldn't have at her age.
Ganyu tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, then looked up at Amon and said softly, "Mr. Amon, I'm sorry to trouble you. I'll change back into my clothes as soon as they dry a little."
She felt somewhat embarrassed. She had come intending to help Amon, but as soon as she arrived, she ended up borrowing his clothes.
Amon, however, didn't think much of it. He chuckled and said, "It's no trouble at all. Miss Ganyu, you look rather nice in this shirt."
After a pause, he added, "If anyone should apologize, it's me. If I hadn't set today's meeting, you wouldn't have had to come here in the rain."
Hearing this, Ganyu shook her head instinctively. "There's no need to say that. As long as I think about meeting Mr. Amon, I feel very happy. That kind of happiness... it's entirely different from the happiness you feel when eating delicious food."
As she finished speaking, Ganyu felt her face flush with heat. Normally, she would have been far too shy to say such things out loud, preferring to bury them in the depths of her heart. But in this moment, the words simply escaped her.
Her heart raced, as though a deer were running wild inside her chest.
Hearing Ganyu's words, Amon smiled warmly. "Every time I see Miss Ganyu, I feel very happy too. I often think, wouldn't it be nice if I could see you every day?"
Ganyu froze for a moment before replying in surprise, "Huh? Mr. Amon wants to see me every day?"
In truth, she felt the same way but was too embarrassed to admit it.
As Yae Miko once said, Ganyu has feelings, but she's not great at expressing them. The only clear indicators of her emotions were the way the hair on top of her head bounced and the light that sparkled in her large eyes.
"If that's the case," Ganyu murmured, lowering her head shyly, "I'm willing to come see Mr. Amon every day from now on."
She didn't dare look directly at him and nervously pinched the corner of the shirt she wore, resembling a little girl gathering the courage to express her thoughts for the first time.
It was the first time Amon had seen Ganyu act so shy. He found her demeanor endearing and incredibly cute.
With a soft laugh, he said, "Of course, we have a good relationship. I even prepared a room for you, Miss Ganyu."
He gestured toward the area near Qiqi's room. "That room is right next door. If it's convenient, you're welcome to stay here."
If Amon remembered correctly, Ganyu didn't have a permanent residence in Liyue.
She often worked tirelessly at Yuehai Pavilion, sometimes even skipping rest entirely.
Seeing Ganyu's hard work, Amon wanted to provide her with a place where she could relax.
Ganyu was taken aback. She hadn't expected Amon to prepare a room just for her.
In a way, did this mean he considered her part of his family?
After so many years, only her master, Cloud Retainer, had cared for her like this.
Though she worked diligently as the secretary of Yuehai Pavilion, Ganyu often felt a sense of separation from Liyue's people, as though an invisible barrier kept her apart from their bustling lives.
Late at night, she would set aside her documents and gaze out at Liyue's vibrant streets, wondering if she truly belonged there.
But now, her perspective had shifted.
Amon had welcomed her into his life, giving her a sense of belonging she hadn't felt before.
She remembered her master's advice: to descend the mountain and gain experience.
At the time, Ganyu thought Cloud Retainer simply wanted her to strengthen her discipline.
But now, she realized the master wanted her to integrate into Liyue society, to learn how to connect with people.
"Thank you, Mr. Amon," Ganyu said softly. "I hope I won't trouble you during my stay."
Though she still had her responsibilities at Yuehai Pavilion, knowing she now had a place to return to gave her a sense of comfort.
---
At that moment, a soft ding-dong sound came from downstairs.
Concerned something had happened to the little ones, Amon quickly went to check.
When he arrived, he found them all gathered around a table.
On the table was a simple chessboard with Inazuman characters written on it. The beautiful, precise handwriting suggested its creator had practiced calligraphy for years.
Amon glanced around the room. Only Kamisato Ayaka could have written those characters.
He guessed Ayaka had felt bored on this rainy day and decided to craft a makeshift shogi board.
It was the first time Ningguang and the others had seen such a game, so they were naturally intrigued.
Looking up, Ayaka noticed Amon approaching and smiled brightly. "Brother Amon, do you want to play shogi with me? This is a unique chess game from Inazuma. Let me teach you how to play!"
For Ayaka, playing chess was a rare moment of joy amidst her tedious daily etiquette lessons. It allowed her to forget her worries and have a little fun.
Although unfamiliar with Inazuman chess, Amon decided to join in, thinking it would be easy to learn. With a playful grin, he teased, "Little girl, don't cry when you lose."
Ayaka pouted indignantly. "Brother Amon, don't underestimate me! I'm really good at chess!"
---
Minutes later...
"Checkmate!" Ayaka declared triumphantly. "Hehe, Brother Amon, you lost again!"
"Wait, you can't take that move back! Brother Amon, you're cheating!"
Seeing her pout in frustration, Amon couldn't help laughing.
Teasing Ayaka was unexpectedly entertaining.
For him, the joy of interacting with this innocent child lay in her genuine reactions.
After letting her win a few more times, Amon ruffled Ayaka's hair gently.
"Little girl, you're so skilled at shogi. Who taught you how to play?"
Without hesitation, Ayaka replied, "My mother taught me! Her skills are even better than mine."
As she spoke about her mother, Ayaka's eyes sparkled with admiration.
To her, her mother was omnipotent, a figure of unwavering calm in any situation.
People often described Ayaka's mother as gentle and virtuous. Indeed, her mother had taught her many skills while showering her with endless love and care.
---
Chapter 111: There Is No Place for You in This Family
Seeing Ayaka's happy face as she mentioned her mother, Amon felt mixed emotions. This was because Ayaka's background story clearly stated that her mother had died of illness when she was very young. After her mother's death, Ayaka's carefree laughter was never heard again.
Without her mother's care and support, the burden of the Kamisato family fell on Ayaka and her brother, Ayato. Life often leaves people in confusion most of the time, granting only a few moments of clarity and growth. The loss of their mother meant Ayato became overwhelmed with responsibilities, and the once mischievous little Ayaka transformed into the elegant and noble figure known as the "Shirasagi Himegimi."
To the outside world, Ayaka appeared graceful and well-mannered, but few knew that she had never intended to be this way. If given the choice, Ayaka would rather have been an ordinary, carefree girl. However, life had forced her to wear a mask, carrying out duties she didn't enjoy.
The death of her mother had not only shattered the peace within the Kamisato family but also robbed little Ayaka of her joyful childhood.
In the game's voice lines, Ayaka has one that says, "Can I borrow your shoulder to lean on, just for a moment?" This demonstrates the weight of the sadness and pressure she has endured over the years. Yet, out of consideration for her family, Ayaka never revealed her struggles and silently bore the burden of her emotions alone.
Thinking about this, Amon couldn't help but feel sympathy for Ayaka. She had shouldered the responsibilities of her family at such a young age. Unlike Ningguang, who worked hard to support herself and her mother, Ayaka's role involved protecting the entire Kamisato family and community, her every move scrutinized. Her journey from a carefree girl to the "Shirasagi Himegimi" must have been heart-wrenching.
Amon silently resolved to change this. He wanted Ayaka to experience the happiness and carefree childhood she deserved.
Breaking away from his thoughts, Amon looked at Ayaka and said gently, "In that case, Ayaka's mother must be a remarkable parent. So, little girl, don't skip home again. If you run away from home, your mother will surely worry. Spend more time with her if you can."
Though Amon couldn't explicitly state the truth, his words were laden with a subtle meaning. Fortunately, Ayaka, though playful, was also perceptive. She nodded earnestly and replied in a childlike voice, "Brother Amon, I know. When I return this time, I'll apologize to my mother and stay with her!"
However, Ayaka's understanding of family seemed selective. While she missed her mother dearly, she made no mention of her brother, Kamisato Ayato. She thought to herself that there was no place for someone like Ayato in her family, especially since he always teased her.
Humph! (.-`ω′-)
Later, Amon took the opportunity to teach the children the rules of Inazuma's chess. Ningguang, ever curious, stared at the chessboard. Then, blinking her bright eyes, she said seriously, "Brother Amon, it seems like there aren't any board games in Liyue. Ningguang wants to create a board game called 'Liyue Millennium.' I haven't fully figured out the gameplay yet, but I already have a clear concept: I want to design every street and scene in Liyue on a chessboard. What do you think?"
Amon was taken aback. In the game's storyline, Ningguang had indeed created a board game called Liyue Millennium, but she only did so much later in her life as a wealthy woman to pass the time. Amon hadn't expected her to conceive the idea so early, possibly due to the butterfly effect caused by Ayaka's arrival.
Smiling, Amon patted Ningguang's head and replied, "That's a great idea! But the rules of Liyue Millennium should be simpler. If it's too complicated, many people won't be able to enjoy it."
In the original game, the rules Ningguang designed for Liyue Millennium were notoriously intricate and frequently changed. This made the game accessible only to a few. Amon hoped the game could have simpler rules so that more people could enjoy it.
Ningguang nodded thoughtfully and replied, "Okay! I'll adjust the difficulty as you suggested, Brother Amon, so everyone can understand and play it."
Over the next few hours, Ningguang eagerly studied and experimented with ideas for Liyue Millennium. Meanwhile, Ayaka and Beidou were engrossed in a game of chess.
For Beidou, chess was unexpectedly intriguing. She thought Inazuma seemed like a fascinating place, and she dreamed of visiting it someday. However, Beidou also realized how far away Inazuma was and how challenging the sea journey might be, with rough waves and storms.
She then considered building her own ship—one capable of braving the journey—and imagined taking Amon and everyone to visit Inazuma together.
Meanwhile, Qiqi sat quietly, holding a small bird in her arms as she observed the game of chess. When Amon asked her if she understood the game, Qiqi tilted her head and replied with her signature blank expression, "Hmm... What is chess? Can I eat it?"
As for Shenhe, she followed Ganyu into a room to learn meditation. For the Adepti, meditation was an essential practice to calm the mind and connect with the unseen world. When Ganyu explained this to Shenhe, Shenhe felt an unprecedented tranquility.
Clutching the jade comb Amon had given her, Shenhe couldn't help but think of him. Just the thought of Amon brought her peace, no matter how troubled she felt.
...
Chapter 112: Crying Because It's So Delicious?
Soon, it was time for lunch.
Amon originally planned to cook, but Ayaka grabbed his hand. The little girl's big, innocent eyes looked up at him as she spoke in a baby-like voice, "Brother Amon, can I help you?"
Perhaps she thought Amon had worked hard making breakfast earlier, or maybe she felt embarrassed about continuing to eat and drink without contributing. Either way, she eagerly offered to assist him in the kitchen.
Amon remembered that Ayaka enjoyed making snacks. To some extent, she likely also enjoyed cooking, though her family's restrictions often prevented her from pursuing this interest. Ayaka had always snuck into the kitchen in secret. Now, free from the constraints of the Kamisato household, she could openly do what she loved.
Smiling, Amon replied, "Of course, little girl. Come with me to the kitchen."
Knowing Ayaka's age, Amon assigned her only simple tasks like washing vegetables and tending to the fire.
Still, Ayaka seemed determined to showcase her culinary skills. "Brother Amon, can I use that bag of flour to make dessert? You probably haven't tried Inazuma's desserts, have you? Please let me make some for you!"
She pointed at the bag of flour on the table, her face lighting up with anticipation. Perhaps, after tasting the delicacies of Liyue, Ayaka wanted to repay the gesture by introducing everyone to Inazuma's unique desserts.
Amon hesitated. Letting a child make desserts didn't seem entirely appropriate. But her politeness and enthusiasm made it impossible for him to refuse. Since making desserts posed no real danger, he relented.
"Sure. That bag of flour is yours to use," Amon said with a smile. "I'm looking forward to tasting your dessert."
Ayaka beamed with joy and replied, "Yes! I won't let Brother Amon down~"
With that, the young man and the little white-haired girl busied themselves in the kitchen.
Not long after, steaming dishes filled the dining table, their aroma wafting through the house.
"Little Ningguang, put down the chessboard and eat first," Amon called out.
"Qiqi, let the sparrow go. You've plucked all its feathers! Take a break and drink some freshly squeezed coconut milk."
"Beidou, you've done a great job keeping the house clean. Come and eat to replenish your energy."
Hearing Amon's call, the little ones hurried over, their short legs making soft tapping sounds on the wooden floor.
Ningguang's attention was immediately drawn to a plate of colorful desserts on the table, shaped like little animals—white rabbits and tiny turtles.
"Did Brother Amon make dessert today?" Ningguang asked curiously.
The adorable desserts captured the interest of Qiqi and Beidou as well.
"They look so delicious!" Beidou exclaimed.
"Dessert... cute..." Qiqi nodded in agreement.
Amon smiled and explained, "These weren't made by me. Ayaka made them. She said she'd tasted Liyue's delicacies and wanted to share Inazuma's specialties with us."
Ayaka smiled shyly, pushing the plate forward to invite everyone to try her creation.
Qiqi took a piece first and nibbled on it, then said in her usual calm tone, "Qiqi can't taste it... but... it should be delicious..."
Amon followed suit, picking up a piece of dessert and taking a bite.
The moment the dessert touched his tongue, his expression froze.
It was so salty!
Ayaka had clearly mistaken salt for sugar. Qiqi's lack of taste saved her from realizing the error, but Amon couldn't hide his discomfort. Yet, he couldn't bear to upset Ayaka, who had poured so much effort into the desserts and now eagerly awaited his approval.
Forcing a smile, he said with difficulty, "This dessert is amazing. It's... really delicious. I've never had anything like it."
Determined not to hurt Ayaka's feelings, Amon ate the entire plate of desserts despite the overwhelming saltiness. Tears silently streamed down his cheeks as he finished.
Ningguang and Beidou were stunned.
"Why did Brother Amon eat all the desserts himself?!" Ningguang pouted. "He didn't even leave any for us!"
"Is it really that delicious?" Beidou wondered aloud. "Brother Amon's even crying tears of joy!"
Ayaka, surprised by Amon's reaction, beamed. "Brother Amon, since you like them so much, I'll make more! There's still plenty of flour, and I think I forgot to add enough sugar earlier. I'll fix that this time!"
She stood up, ready to head back to the kitchen.
"No, no, no!" Amon quickly intervened. Seeing her confused expression, he added, "What I mean is, let's eat lunch first. We can make more desserts tonight, okay?"
Ayaka thought for a moment and then nodded. Sitting back down, she asked, "Brother Amon, why aren't you eating? You're just drinking water."
"Oh, I'm just a little thirsty," Amon replied quickly.
"Then why are you crying?"
"I was thinking about my dog," Amon said, improvising. "I wonder if he's eating well at home. He'd probably love desserts like this."
After lunch, Amon barely touched the food, drinking water to recover from the salty overload.
Unbeknownst to him, Ayaka later noticed a piece of dessert that hadn't made it onto the plate. Not wanting to waste food, she popped it into her mouth.
The next second, her face contorted, and she spat it out. It was unbearably salty!
In that moment, Ayaka understood everything—the rush to eat the desserts, the excessive water-drinking, and the tears.
"Brother Amon silently endured all that... just so I wouldn't feel bad?" Ayaka thought, stunned and deeply moved.