Jean finally relaxed at Shao Yun's assurance. She let out a long breath, a smile of gratitude blooming on her face, her eyes filled with trust and appreciation.
"Thank you so much, Shao Yun," she said gently and sincerely. "Since this is a personal request, I can't offer you the same title or privileges as Lumine. But please believe me—I'll find some other way to repay you."
Shao Yun shook his head, indicating he didn't mind.
"One Honorary Knight title is enough—any more and it'd lose its value. As for thanks, even a goose feather sent from a thousand miles away carries heartfelt meaning."
The truth was, it was about the honorary title. This was a subtle jab at the Fontaine Institute—their so-called honorary researcher titles were so common that not even the Northland Bank would offer loans based on them.
Jean was so touched that she was momentarily speechless; words failed her.
Shao Yun paid no mind to her silence and sat aside, beginning to strategize how to protect Mondstadt.
He pondered over various scenarios, countermeasures, and how best to mobilize available resources to deal with any danger that might arise.
After organizing his thoughts, he looked up at Jean and said, "I think we need to keep a close watch on four key spots: the main gate, the small side gate, the port waterway, and the Fatui's base—the Goth Grand Hotel. We can have Kaeya—"
Jean quickly cut in, worried. "Um, Shao Yun, this is a personal request…"
Shao Yun didn't quite catch her point. "I know it's personal. What about it?"
Seeing his confused expression, Jean patiently clarified word by word.
"I mean… I'm asking you, personally as Jean, to protect Mondstadt in my absence as Acting Grand Master. Jean hasn't informed the rest of the Knights. So… you won't have help."
No help. Alone. Four locations.
Shao Yun couldn't believe what he was hearing. "So, you mean I have to watch the main gate, the side gate, the port, and the Goth Grand Hotel… by myself?"
Faced with Shao Yun's incredulous stare, Jean's heart wavered. She quickly looked away to avoid his piercing gaze.
Which was a silent confirmation.
Shao Yun was stunned. These were four different places! Sure, he was strong—but not strong enough to be in four places at once. How could he keep an eye on everything?
Noticing his hesitation, Jean panicked and quickly added, "You already promised—you can't back out now!"
That shut Shao Yun up instantly. A man's word is his bond. Once you spit on it, it's like nailing it down. Reputation is everything.
"I won't go back on my word. If I promised, I'll do it."
He took a deep breath, clenched his jaw, and decided to challenge his limits.
He borrowed a map of Mondstadt from Master Diluc and began analyzing the city like he was planning a heist—figuring out how to monitor and secure all four locations.
Eventually, he came up with two plans.
The first was a mobile strategy—riding his horse back and forth between the four locations, using its speed to respond quickly to any incident.
The second was more tactical: trap them like fish in a barrel. The main gate, side gate, and port were close to each other. If he took position atop the city wall, he'd have a bird's-eye view. As long as the Fatui couldn't take the wall, they'd never breach the city's defenses.
After careful thought, he chose the second plan.
After all, as the legendary five-star general once said, "Strike from above, hit the fool."
"By the way, Acting Grand Master Jean!" Shao Yun raised a hand, signaling her attention.
"What is it?" Jean looked over, her expression tense again. "If you're thinking of backing out—remember, you promised!"
Shao Yun waved dismissively, exasperated.
"Do I look like someone who breaks promises?" he said with a hint of self-mockery. "I've figured it out," he continued, now with growing confidence, "but I need access to the city walls—a city defense permit."
Jean's eyes widened in surprise.
She stared at him, curious about this plan and why he needed such access.
Noticing her confusion, Shao Yun explained further.
"Either I patrol the four areas on horseback, or I get up on the wall and monitor from above. I'm going with the latter, so I need that permit."
Jean listened to the plan, but the word "horse" caught her attention.
"A horse? Shao Yun, you have a horse?"
Shao Yun pointed outside the window toward the quiet stables.
"It's right there in the stable. Didn't you see it when you arrived?"
Jean's eyes lit up in realization. Her mouth dropped slightly. "That horse is yours? I thought it belonged to Master Diluc!"
Diluc, nearby, also looked confused. He frowned as he glanced toward the stable. "What? There's a horse in that old, unused stable?"
Just then, Venti came over, eyes sparkling with curiosity. "I thought it was Jean's treasured steed!"
The three exchanged glances—some unspoken agreement passing between them.
Almost simultaneously, they bolted toward the stable like arrows.
Shao Yun was stunned. Venti he could understand—he was a curious drunk. But Jean and Diluc? Hadn't they seen horses before?
Minutes later, all three returned, clearly impressed.
"Shao Yun, your horse could rival Grand Master Varka's."
"It reminds me of the horse I used to ride… such a shame about it."
"Where did you find it? Even in Mondstadt, a pale-pink horse is incredibly rare!"
On any other day, Shao Yun would've been thrilled at their praise. But right now…
He raised his hand toward Jean, his eyes firm. "City defense permit. Please."
He curled his fingers twice, waiting for her response.
Jean lowered her head slightly, her tone apologetic.
"The official Knights' stamp is stored at headquarters. I don't have it on me. But I can write a temporary permit and seal it with my personal stamp—it should serve the same purpose."
She borrowed a quill and blank note card from Diluc's estate and began writing carefully.
Once done, she pulled out a small stamp and pressed it firmly onto the card, leaving a vivid red imprint.
Shao Yun accepted the permit, inspected it, and nodded in approval.
Even if it wasn't the Knights' official seal, Jean's personal stamp would suffice.
Preparations complete, it was time to go hunt down Stormterror's tears.
Shao Yun led his horse from the stable, and turned to joke with Diluc, "I thought we'd be spending the night at your place."
Diluc shrugged indifferently. "If you want to rest, I can have Adeline prepare a room. You're on horseback—it's a quick ride back to Mondstadt anyway."
Just a joke, of course. It wasn't right for everyone else to be working while he kicked back and relaxed. He wasn't Venti, after all.
"No need. I'll ride Lumine and Paimon to Mondstadt Bridge, then head straight back to my post."
Diluc pointed toward a nearby warehouse. "I think there's a cart in there. We could—" His tone showed concern for both safety and efficiency.
But before he could finish, Shao Yun rushed to stand protectively in front of his horse, arms spread wide.
"Don't even think about it. If you want that cart pulled, I'll harness myself and drag it before I make my Carrot do it."
Diluc was stunned by his devotion. "You really love that horse, huh?"
Shao Yun patted the horse's neck fondly. "Of course I do."
Just as he was about to mount, he suddenly turned to Lumine and Paimon.
"Let me give you two a ride back."
Lumine, however, gently shook her head and declined. She smiled. "Ah, that's okay. I'll just go with everyone else."
Her tone held no reluctance, only a calm insistence.
Shao Yun looked at her, puzzled. Riding a horse was far more comfortable, wasn't it? He asked quietly, "Afraid Jean, Diluc, and Venti will feel left out?"
Lumine sighed. "It's not that. Earlier today while riding, I nearly threw up. So…"
Her words were tinged with embarrassment, recalling the unpleasant experience.
Shao Yun understood instantly. He chuckled. "Ah, so that's it. How about after we deal with Dvalin, I teach you how to ride properly?"
"Let's talk about it then."
Putting that aside, he'd originally planned to give Lumine and Paimon a small stash of supplies in private.
But since they were parting at Dawn Winery, it had to be done openly.
He pulled two bottles of a carefully crafted potion from his bag. Though still in green bottles—looking suspiciously like snake oil—they were new and improved.
Lumine looked at the bottles with deep reluctance. Her face twisted in pain at the memory. She remembered taking a sip during a tiring adventure. The taste was awful, and her mouth stayed bitter for an entire day.
"Uh… we haven't even finished the ones you gave us last time."
She wanted to refuse, but Shao Yun shoved them into her hands.
He wagged a finger smugly. "This isn't that bitter crap. It's special edition! Modified!"
Lumine eyed him suspiciously. "How exactly is it modified?"
As long as it didn't make water taste bitter for three days, she could accept it.
Shao Yun's grin widened mischievously. "I added sweet flowers, dandelion seeds, and mint. Now it's stronger and sweeter."
"Instead of tasting bitterness for three days when drinking water… it's seven now!"
[Shao Yun's Signature Miracle Potion:Fully restores HP, Stamina, and Elemental Energy; significantly boosts combat performance (Tier-3 boost).]
Lumine nearly fainted. Her tongue still hadn't recovered from the last dose—if she drank this one, she might lose all sense of taste permanently.
She stared at the bottle in terror.
Seeing her hesitance, Shao Yun gave her a playful knock on the head. "Bitter medicine works best. Other people beg me for this stuff and I say no!"
Rubbing her head, Lumine understood it was his way of showing he cared. She accepted the potion, though unwillingly.
She'd need more than potions for Dadaupa Gorge. She'd need firepower.
Shao Yun also handed her four sticks of dynamite. Ideally, she'd be using a one-handed sword, but otherwise he'd have given her one of his revolvers.
Lumine clutched the large sticks nervously, her expression one of dread, as if they'd explode at any moment.
"Is this really necessary for a few Hilichurls?" she asked, voice trembling.
Shao Yun insisted it was.
"Better safe than sorry. You never know what might happen. I've learned my lesson—always be ready for anything."
He then turned to Paimon, who was blinking up at him, puzzled by the dynamite.
Suddenly remembering something, he pulled two large, ripe sunsettias from his pack and handed them to her.
"These are the best ones I picked the last few days. You just focus on eating."
Paimon's eyes sparkled. She grabbed the fruit and bit into one eagerly, making contented little munching sounds.
She beamed. "Heehee, Shao Yun, you're the best!"