Genshin Impact: The Sharpshooter of Teyvat

At night, at Yunlai Inn.

Lumine and Paimon returned from their day's adventure and pushed open the door.

"We're back!" Lumine's voice was cheerful—clearly, they'd found quite a haul today.

Upon hearing the familiar voice, Shao Yun stood up quickly from the table and stepped forward to greet them.

In his hands were two finely crafted porcelain cups, filled with warm water he'd prepared in advance. He smiled as he handed the cups to Lumine and Paimon.

"How'd it go?"

Lumine took the cup, sipped lightly, and answered with excitement, "Paimon and I finished exploring Tianqiu Valley! We found a bunch of interesting stuff and even solved a few puzzles!"

Shao Yun's face lit up at the news. He smiled broadly. "That's great to hear! I've got something to share too!"

A perfect day—Lumine's adventure went well, and he had defeated a demon. Life finally seemed to be looking up.

Lumine nodded, indicating she was ready to listen.

Then she turned to Paimon and said, "Paimon, go run the bathwater. We can have a nice soak later and relax."

Paimon nodded obediently and floated off to prepare the bath.

Shao Yun and Lumine sat facing each other as he began recounting his latest adventure—how he, Hu Tao, Xiao, and the rest of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor crew dealt with the ghost.

"I never expected the spirit we were tracking… to be Yi Xuan and Yi Zhu's mother. She'd become a vengeful ghost out of resentment. But with my help and the Conqueror of Demons, we resolved the case that had haunted Hu Tao for two months!"

As he spoke, Shao Yun handed Lumine the documents Yelan had given him—omitting, however, any mention of the Man with a Top Hat.

Lumine took the file and began reading it carefully, flipping through each page.

While she read, Shao Yun drifted into thought.

"Do you remember the two we met in Stone Gate—Huachu and Jianqiu?" he asked suddenly, voice trembling almost imperceptibly. "They're the ones who killed Miss Nianhua."

He paused for a moment to calm himself, forcing a smile.

Lumine put down the documents, eyes locking onto his face.

She noticed that though Shao Yun's mouth wore a faint smile, his eyes brimmed with pain and fury.

"What do you plan to do?" she asked. "Are you going to help her get revenge? Do you need my help?"

Shao Yun shook his head.

"No. I don't want to be involved in any more trouble. From now on, aside from you and Paimon, I won't stick my nose into anything else."

He hesitated, then added, "I made an agreement with Miss Nianhua. I gave those two children eighty million Mora. That settles it."

Lumine didn't react to the staggering amount. She could see right through his facade—he wasn't happy. This wasn't what he really wanted.

"Are you sure, Shao Yun? I don't think you're as at peace as you say. You're smiling, but I see sadness and anger in your eyes."

Then Lumine gently took Shao Yun's hand, pulling him to sit beside her on the edge of the bed, their hands interlocked, like two hearts drawn close.

"Shao Yun, this doesn't feel like you," Lumine said sincerely. "You're the kind of person who'd chase someone across the world to make them pay—for justice. For the innocent. Why… why settle for just paying them off this time?"

Shao Yun fidgeted under her gaze, blinking nervously before looking down to hide his emotion.

"No, Lumine… I'm not that kind of person." His voice wavered.

But Lumine wasn't convinced. She tightened her grip, drawing closer until she rested gently against his shoulder.

She began recalling his past acts of courage.

"Shao Yun, I know who you are. You're the one who brought Goodwin back in Mondstadt without asking for a Mora. You saved Sister Gilliana, cleaned everything up without a trace."

"You say it's about money—but when you wiped out the scum of the Pearl Galley, you didn't take a single coin. You only went for that child's mother's relic. Now you know who killed Nianhua—and they're even connected to us. Just walking away? That's not like you."

Each memory she mentioned was crystal clear.

Shao Yun, moved, squeezed her hand in return. He lied. "Maybe… maybe I am that kind of person now."

Lumine looked up, gazing into his eyes—unnaturally evasive.

"Shao Yun… you're panicking. I can see it. Remember that morning in Mondstadt, when you rescued Gilliana? Your eyes were just like this."

Shao Yun tried to deflect, turning his head slightly.

"I… I'm not."

But Lumine didn't stop. She gently wrapped her arms around his neck, closing the distance between them.

"Shao Yun, you can't lie to me. Your emotions are always written on your face. Just tell me—what really happened?"

He hesitated, wrestling with himself in silence.

Then, with a deep breath, he reached into his bag and pulled out his journal, flipping to the page with the drawing of the Man with a Top Hat. He handed it to Lumine.

"Remember the guy I once told you who you couldn't see?"

Lumine took the book—but her brows furrowed.

"Shao Yun… this page is blank."

He looked, startled—but then realized, and smiled faintly.

"Looks like it honored our deal."

Lumine's curiosity deepened. She stared at him, eyes sparkling with the need to understand.

"Shao Yun, tell me. What happened?"

So, Shao Yun explained everything.

The poker game with the Man with a Top Hat. The trap. How it twisted the King into the "Thirteenth Disciple." The contract with Nianhua. How he used the King of Diamonds—Caesar—to defeat the trick. How the eighty million Mora nullified the demon's plan.

Lumine listened carefully, nodding as she pieced it all together.

"But… it still feels like you betrayed your own heart," she said. "You wanted to avenge her—but you forced yourself to take another path just to block the contract. Was that really worth it?"

Shao Yun reached out and gently stroked her golden hair.

"It was worth it."

So long as he could defy the devil—what was a little frustration?

Lumine said nothing more. She understood.

"I get it now. But if you ever change your mind, I'll go with you. We'll kill those bastards together."

Shao Yun shook his head. Killing was his burden to bear. And he'd never regret this.

"I won't regret it," he said softly—both to her and to himself.

From the bathroom came Paimon's cheerful voice.

"Lumine! The bath's ready!"

Lumine let go of his neck and pinched his nose.

"I'm going to bathe. But if you do change your mind, I've got your back."

She rose and headed for the bathroom. Just before entering, she turned to look at him again.

"If you're feeling guilty, you could go after those two who helped Huachu and Jianqiu escape."

Shao Yun's eyes lit up.

If I can't kill the killers, I can at least deal with the ones who helped them.

"Thank you."

Lumine stood proudly, hands on hips, and grinned.

"Don't thank me. Just be happy. That's what this journey's about—we support each other."

With that, she disappeared into the bathroom. Shao Yun returned to his chair, eyes closed, mind turning.

She's right. I can't kill those two. But the accomplices? Someone has to pay.

…

At dawn, with the chill of night still lingering, Lumine and Paimon had already set off as usual.

Shao Yun sat alone, quietly eating breakfast. His eyes were restless, thoughts unsettled.

"Damn code! Show yourself!"

After finishing his porridge, he slammed the bowl down.

"Don't play dead! Or I swear I'll find a way to delete you!"

At his command, the translucent system interface shimmered into view—silent and obedient.

Shao Yun glared at it.

"Find me Yelan. Now."

[Yelan is currently at the Liyue Civil Affairs Bureau.]

He relaxed slightly at the answer—but muttered bitterly, "Useless except for weapons, a stable, and navigation… what a trash system."

…

Morning in Liyue. Golden sunlight spilled onto the white stone paths of Feiyun Slope.

Shao Yun moved with purpose, striding through the crowd straight to the Civil Affairs Bureau.

Before he even reached the door, he heard a commotion inside.

He picked up the pace, pushed open the door—and saw Yelan standing center stage, flanked by Millelith soldiers. They had surrounded a restrained official.

Yelan looked up, eyes lighting with curiosity.

"Oh? Mr. Shao Yun—what brings you here?"

Shao Yun didn't answer right away. His gaze locked on the bound man.

"I thought it over last night. I can't let this slide. I want to handle the two who helped Huachu and Jianqiu myself."

Yelan blinked. This guy was ready to walk away yesterday—now he's fired up?

"Wow… someone's mood swung hard overnight…"

But Shao Yun paid no mind. He patted his shoulder and chuckled dryly.

"Maybe I'm just that kind of fickle bastard."

He pointed at the man whose hands were bound tight.

"That's the clerk—Xiao Fang? From the Civil Affairs Bureau?"

Yelan nodded, tone steady. "Yes. He tried to flee. We caught him in time."

Shao Yun stepped forward, cracking his knuckles with a snap.

"Then I want a good look at him."

Yelan followed, whispering, "Shao Yun… don't kill him. We still need to interrogate him."

He stopped and looked back, eyes cold as ice.

"Relax. I know what I'm doing."

Still, Yelan prayed silently—Please don't kill him…