According to the original plot, Ao-oni Takuya was also supposed to appear after the Eye Hunt Decree ended, so he didn't expect him to show up so much earlier.
"Ittou, I have a rather unrefined idea regarding the problem you've encountered..."
"Boss Feng Yi?"
"I recall you mentioning that Oni are all but indistinguishable, and that they differentiate their allegiances by painting different colors on their horns... So, why not have Ao-oni also paint himself with red pigment and become an Aka-oni?"
Feng Yi pondered. Since the objective of Oni and humans coexisting peacefully had largely been achieved, there was no need to persist in meaningless sacrifice.
Was the 'pride' of the Oni truly more important than life itself?
Perhaps it once was, but when Takuya himself resorted to robbery, that 'pride' had already been cast aside.
So why not paint himself red and become an Aka-oni?
It was better than resorting to robbery, wasn't it?
"Ah, this... It does seem to make a lot of sense, but..."
Arataki Itto felt that Boss Feng Yi's words were so reasonable that he couldn't refute them.
"Don't just 'but.' Go and have a good chat with Takuya. If he's willing, I can also offer him a job. At the very least, he'll be able to support his clan in the future!"
Feng Yi was also planning to open more "Pu-Pu" milk tea shops abroad, and he needed people to manage them.
If Takuya could turn over a new leaf, he could consider hiring him.
"Really? Boss Feng Yi, you're such a good guy! I'll go find Takuya right now and explain it clearly!"
Arataki Itto's eyes lit up, and he shot up from his seat, the clouds of worry on his brow dissipating. He hurried off to find Ao-oni Takuya.
Feng Yi waved his hand and returned to his exclusive lounge chair after watching Arataki Itto run off.
He brewed a pot of tea and, while reading the newly published novel "My Lord General Loves Me Again" from Yae Publishing House, patiently awaited Kujou Sara's arrival.
Before long, Kujou Sara arrived as promised.
"Feng Yi, as agreed, I am here. Please present your evidence, otherwise, I must ask you to accompany me and apologize to Patriarch Kōkō!"
Kujou Sara's brow was furrowed. Although she didn't believe Patriarch Kōkō would betray her Lord General, seeing Feng Yi's leisurely demeanor and his air of having everything under control made her feel a bit uneasy.
"Ah, it's Little Sara. Please, have a seat and tell me about it over a cup of tea..."
Feng Yi poured a cup of hot tea and handed it to her. Then, with a wave of his hand, a flash of light emanated from his palm, shielding the scene from outside view.
To outsiders, it would appear that Kujou Sara was merely having tea with him.
Neither their voices nor their actions would be detected.
Seeing this, Kujou Sara patiently sat down across the tea table.
Since Feng Yi was using an illusion to shield them, he clearly wasn't intentionally trying to make her wait.
"Little Sara, you are truly worthy of being the General's top general, always keeping your word. However, I suspect... you've been rather troubled and sleepless these past few days, haven't you?"
Feng Yi glanced at Kujou Sara, who sat upright yet seemed restless, and teased her.
"I... I wouldn't doubt my Patriarch like that. You're thinking too much. Let's get to the point. Where is the evidence I requested?"
Kujou Sara's expression faltered for a moment, but she quickly masked it.
She suddenly felt as if she were facing the Grand Shrine Maiden Yae, as if all her hidden thoughts were being seen through by the other party.
"Ah, while the climax is the key, foreplay is also indispensable. Little Sara, you're too impatient..."
Feng Yi's observation was that Kujou Sara was clearly inexperienced, otherwise, she wouldn't be so eager.
"Here, take this. It took a great deal of effort to obtain these!"
With Kujou Sara's emotions sufficiently stirred, Feng Yi no longer delayed and handed over the prepared evidence.
"This, this is..."
Kujou Sara opened the scroll and grew increasingly alarmed as she read.
"Looking upon Inazuma's dazzling lightning, the Great General's path of eternity is spread across the distant seas, and their might resonates in all directions.
Your humble servant, Kujou, of the Tenryou Commission, Kōkō, respectfully submits this memorial:
The 'Eye Hunt Decree' is being implemented without obstruction and progressing rapidly. Under the Great General's might and grace, those who are at peace submit, those who flee return, and all citizens, from top to bottom, bow in welcome.
Truly, it is said to have gained the hearts of the people.
Now, all of Inazuma enjoys peace and happiness, all thanks to the divine might of the Great General."
"The resistance, the Sangonomiya, the matters on the front lines are not mentioned at all..."
Kujou Sara slammed the memorial document onto the tea table.
"Could it be... could it be that the fallen soldiers on the front lines, and the hardships the people endured during this period, are all not worth mentioning?!"
"They are underestimating people's lives too much. Why would they conceal this information..."
Kujou Sara looked up at the blazing sun in the sky, which was now obscured by dark clouds.
It was as if the General's divine might was being clouded by Patriarch Kōkō, preventing their eternal radiance from shining upon the people of Inazuma.
"This is, of course, to ensure the smooth implementation of the Eye Hunt Decree. If these were included, what would happen if the General returned?"
Feng Yi smiled and finally revealed the last layer of truth.
"Alas, the Tenryou Commission... are they indeed deliberately deceiving the General?"
Kujou Sara's gaze became unfocused, as if all her strength had been drained. The image of an upright and brave Tenryou Commission she held in her heart crumbled.
"Don't be too quick to despair..."
Feng Yi waved his hand and passed another letter to her.
Feng Yi: This is just the beginning. There are even more disappointing things awaiting you!
"This is a letter of correspondence between the Tenryou Commission and the Fatui, deliberately hidden by the head of the Kujou family... What do you think, Little Sara? Has the evidence I prepared for you disappointed you?"
"Everything I have insisted upon until now... They actually... They actually... Damn it! Such betrayal is unforgivable! I... I will go and confront the Patriarch directly!"
Kujou Sara was furious and stood up abruptly. With these words, she quickly departed.
Kujou Sara hurried along, her anger growing increasingly difficult to suppress. By the time she reached the entrance of the Kujou family mansion, her expression had returned to normal.
Extremes meet. Kujou Sara had reached a critical point, on the verge of explosion. A single spark could detonate the entire Kujou family.
"Feng Yi? Why are you following me?"
Just as Kujou Sara was about to enter the mansion to question the Patriarch, she suddenly noticed someone following behind her.
"Ah, I was worried you might be locked up and abused by the insane Kujou Patriarch. After all, you haven't fulfilled your promise to me yet. If you were locked up and beaten to death, wouldn't I be at a loss? Coincidentally, I am in need of a maid to warm my bed..."