Genshin Impact: The Sharpshooter of Teyvat

"Go kill those two murderers and fulfill the contract I made with Nianhua."

The Man with a Top Hat had indeed succeeded in scheming against Shao Yun—twisting the truth into something damning.

But Shao Yun didn't retreat, nor did he surrender. He drew a deep breath, steadying his thoughts.

There has to be a way. If a devil can twist meanings, then so can I!

The key was in the K. The demon had twisted its meaning into "13," but the card Shao Yun had drawn was the King of Diamonds!

"I may have drawn a K, but it was the King of Diamonds! The figure on that card was Gaius Julius Caesar—not the Thirteenth Disciple! Your trick has failed!"

As soon as those words left his mouth, the Man with a Top Hat's smile vanished.

His gaze darkened, a rare solemnity in his eyes, as if Shao Yun's insight had truly shaken him. He nodded slowly and said in a calm tone, "Very well… you have the edge—for now."

In that moment, Shao Yun felt like he had been pulled back from the brink of death. He had broken the devil's game and preserved himself.

"You've won. Your answer satisfied me. I'll no longer trouble Lumine or Paimon. But the commission to deal with those two murderers… I still hope you'll accept it. I'll grant you any wish."

Shao Yun, already mounted, heard this tempting offer—but who knew what strings might still be attached?

He refused without hesitation.

"I decline. I've won by a hair's breadth. I'm not about to invite more trouble."

The Man with a Top Hat lowered his head slightly, as though pondering, then let out a long sigh.

"Very well. I respect your choice."

Shao Yun tugged at the reins, ready to leave this cursed place.

"I'm leaving. You've no reason left to stop me."

But just as he turned to go, the Man with a Top Hat suddenly snuffed out the fire. His voice was low, almost coaxing.

"Don't you want to know what Nianhua never finished saying before she died? I'll tell you for free."

Shao Yun turned his head, a flicker of doubt in his eyes. "Are you sure? You don't lie?"

The Man with a Top Hat nodded. "I don't lie. Consider it a prize."

Shao Yun hesitated… then nodded. "Say it."

The Man with a Top Hat began, slowly and deliberately.

"You are a man of feeling and loyalty—merely shrouded by shadows of the past. She hoped you would face your heart… and rediscover the kind, true self buried within."

Shao Yun was silent for a moment, then turned his horse around again.

"That sounds more like your words, not hers. I should've known—your 'prize' still comes wrapped in your manipulations."

The Man with a Top Hat smiled, shaking his head.

"Believe it or not. But you did feel anger and sorrow over Nianhua's death. Even if you rejected my commission… deep down, you still want revenge. Our contract is broken. If you wish to kill them… do it on your own terms."

Shao Yun didn't look back.

"I wouldn't believe a single punctuation mark you say."

With that, he spurred his horse and vanished into the night.

The Man with a Top Hat led his donkey away from the prairie, leaving behind a single sentence carried on the wind.

"Enjoy your victory, Shao Yun. I'm sure we'll meet again."

…

Beneath the dark night sky, Shao Yun rode hard on the road to Liyue Harbor.

His face was clouded, like stars hidden by thunderheads.

"System! Show yourself!"

At his shout, a translucent interface appeared in the air—his system dashboard.

Though he had just bested a devil, the words it left behind pierced him like thorns.

"Who the hell am I? Tell me the truth! Why can't I remember my past? Am I really Arthur Morgan? Or someone else entirely?!"

The system paused for a moment, then displayed a message.

[You forget thousands of things every day. Why not let this be one of them?]

Reading that, Shao Yun's fury exploded. He saw clearly—the system wanted him to let go.

He spat to the side, growling, "I swear, I could kill you, you damned line of code. Do you even have an uninstall option?"

The interface shuddered slightly, sensing his wrath. Then another message appeared.

[A sawed-off shotgun has been issued to you.]

Shao Yun glanced at the message and sighed, shaking his head.

So, the system was trying to bribe him into silence.

"A weapon to shut me up? That's all you're good for!"

…

Without resting through the night, Shao Yun arrived at Liyue Harbor by midday—under a blazing sun.

He dismounted, gazing at the vibrant port city. Emotion surged within him.

He was furious at that damned system—but still, he'd won.

He had defeated the devil.

Everything was going to be okay.

Back in his inn room, he collapsed into a recliner, letting the joy flow from deep within.

He'd done it. He'd really done it. Now all that remained was to fulfill the promise to Nianhua's children—and the Man with a Top Hat would have no more leverage.

"I beat that demon! Damn, it feels good!" Shao Yun exclaimed, pride and satisfaction ringing in his voice.

He pulled out a bottle of fine brandy, ready to celebrate.

Just then, a knock sounded on the door.

Shao Yun looked up, confused. "Who is it?"

"I brought what you asked for. Open up," came a familiar voice—it was Yelan.

He quickly got up and opened the door. Yelan stood there, smiling faintly, a sealed file pouch in hand.

"This is the information you requested about Miss Nianhua," she said, handing it over.

Shao Yun took it with care, running his fingers over the surface as if sensing the weight of the truth inside.

"Thanks."

Yelan accepted the gratitude, but noticed he hadn't invited her in.

She prodded, "Not even going to offer tea? It's rude to make someone stand at the door."

It was a test. If Shao Yun bristled, she'd leave.

But he was in high spirits—having just defeated a devil. He stepped aside.

"You're right. Come in."

His voice carried new calm, quiet confidence.

Yelan entered. The room smelled of old wood and ink.

She glanced around—landscape paintings on the walls, a teapot on the table. The space exuded elegance and peace.

"Nice room. Very refined," she commented.

Her eyes moved subtly, scanning the room.

"Where's your little girlfriend—Lumine?"

Shao Yun poured her a glass of water and pointed out the window. "She's out adventuring."

Yelan took the cup, sipped it gracefully, and sat down.

Shao Yun settled across from her, flipping through the pages of the dossier.

"I finished gathering this two days ago, and found some interesting things."

She began explaining.

"I dug deeper and found something odd. On the day Miss Nianhua died… Minghua Commerce Guild's second daughter, Huachu, also died. Supposedly jumped into a well. But Wangsheng only recorded one corpse received."

She paused, sipped again.

"So, tell me—how can one corpse have two identities? And not one official—from the Civil Affairs Bureau to Wangsheng—questioned it."

Shao Yun looked up from the documents. His expression was unreadable.

"What did you find?"

Yelan smiled faintly, then laid it all out.

"I wanted to know—was it Nianhua who died? Or Huachu? After some digging, I found this: the innkeeper at Wangshu Inn said Huachu and a man named Jianqiu came by for noodles a month and a half ago… and then headed north."

Shao Yun put down the file. "Wasn't Jianqiu with the Commerce Guild?"

Yelan snorted. "He's a washed-up tutor from Tiger Rock. Can't teach worth a damn—but he's got a silver tongue. The guild folk wouldn't touch him."

Shao Yun nodded, going back to the files.

Yelan's voice grew serious.

"The biggest red flag? Two dead people—but only one body. And no one raised a single question. I found out who helped them disappear."

She held up two fingers.

"A clerk named Xiao Fang at the Civil Affairs Bureau, and a mortician at Wangsheng named Bai. Both handled Nianhua's case. Both recently made a lot of money. Her death was not simple."

Shao Yun finished the final page. Yelan had indeed been thorough.

"Your report is flawless—even tracked down the two I let go. And yes, they killed Nianhua. Then fled."

Yelan met his eyes. She'd expected that—and had a plan ready.

"If you plan to avenge her, I suggest—"

Shao Yun cut in with a faint smile.

"Hate to disappoint you. I'm not getting involved."

Yelan blinked.

"Why? I even have the op ready!"

She caught herself, tone rising, then quickly covered, flustered.

"I just thought… you seemed like someone with a sense of justice. I hoped you'd help. But if not—no pressure. It's a good excuse to clean house in the bureau anyway."

Shao Yun didn't snap like she expected. Instead, he changed the subject.

"That's your internal matter. But I do need a favor."

Yelan perked up. "What is it?"

Shao Yun laid out his plan.

"I'm donating eighty million Mora. I want you to, under the Civil Affairs Bureau's name, ensure Nianhua's two children are raised well. If anyone steals a single coin…"

Yelan was briefly puzzled. He just said he wouldn't avenge Nianhua, yet now he wanted to bankroll her kids?

If she didn't know Nianhua had died two months ago, she'd suspect Shao Yun had killed her.

But no—he wasn't ignoring her death. He just had to avoid completing that devil's contract.

"You have my word. I'll take care of it. I won't ask why."

Yelan understood. Just follow the request. Knowing too much only brought risk.

…

In the Civil Affairs Bureau's treasury, Yelan stared at the mountain of Mora, a wry smile curling her lips.

"Eighty million. Just like that. Bold move."

"Remember what I said—if anyone skims a single coin…"

Yelan met his eyes and nodded.

"You'll turn Liyue into a river of blood. But rest assured—if they want to spend, they better live to enjoy. No one here is stupid enough to test you."

Shao Yun believed it was done.

The Man with a Top Hat's plan had failed.

He had won—completely.