Shao Yun sat leisurely on the boat, rising and falling with the waves, his mood especially light and pleasant.
On the other side, Pinghai rowed desperately, hoping to reach their destination as soon as possible.
Before long, they finally arrived at Guyun Stone Forest.
Under the fine weather, the sun shone brightly, and the sea sparkled with rippling light. Such a beautiful scene made it hard to imagine that Liyue Harbor was about to face a crisis similar to the Osial incident.
Pinghai docked the boat beside the island once nicknamed "Guyun F4."
Most of the islands of Guyun Stone Forest were connected by shallow waters. Although the small island where Keqing was stationed wasn't connected, Shao Yun could still swim ashore.
Even the Drowning King "John" would be envious.
Shao Yun leapt from the boat, landing firmly on the beach, then turned back to Pinghai with a stern warning.
"Stay here and don't move. Wait until I return. If you dare abandon me and sail off alone…"
Before Shao Yun could finish, Pinghai hurriedly interrupted, nodding repeatedly.
"Even if you gave me a hundred lives, I wouldn't dare!"
Shao Yun smiled and patted Pinghai's cheek, like soothing a frightened small animal.
"I appreciate people who understand human speech."
Then he turned and walked toward the depths of Guyun Stone Forest, leaving Pinghai alone, nervously watching his fading figure.
At last, Shao Yun found the defensive position Keqing had carefully arranged.
Strictly speaking, it was on an island adjacent to Guyun F4, now transformed into an important stronghold resembling a rear base.
Several Millelith soldiers were busily inspecting smaller-scale Guizhong Ballistae, which looked like refined crossbows.
Keqing herself was nearby, conversing seriously with a few Millelith officers.
When Shao Yun saw her, he immediately took out the envelope Ningguang had entrusted to him and stepped forward.
"Miss Keqing, Lady Ningguang asked me to deliver this letter to you."
Hearing this, Keqing paused, clearly unprepared for such an occurrence.
She turned, her eyes falling on Shao Yun and the letter in his hand. Walking over slowly, she accepted it with thanks.
"Oh? Ah, thank you for bringing this in person, Mister Shao Yun."
She broke the seal, unfolded the letter, and swiftly read through its contents.
Then her brows furrowed slightly, her expression troubled.
"So that's how it is…"
Shao Yun noticed her change of expression and couldn't help but ask, "Is it about Beisht that Ningguang mentioned?"
Keqing froze at his words. She had assumed Shao Yun had read the letter, but seeing the intact wax seal and hearing him claim it came directly from Ningguang, she felt relieved.
"Ah? That's right. Lady Ningguang wrote that Captain Beidou of the Crux Fleet confirmed it yesterday, after observing shifts in the ocean currents. The event will likely happen within a day or two."
Shao Yun pointed toward the distant island where shadows moved.
"And do you believe this line of defense you arranged can withstand Beisht's assault?"
After tucking away Ningguang's letter, Keqing's face shone with confidence as she answered firmly.
"Everyone has full confidence in holding the line. With these imitation adeptal Guizhong Ballistae, there shouldn't be too much of a problem."
Shao Yun glanced at the ballistae undergoing maintenance, nodding in acknowledgment of her mindset.
But he also remarked with a sigh, "Confidence is good, but confidence doesn't solve every problem."
He then offered his suggestion.
"Here's some advice: have everyone tie something to themselves that can keep them afloat—life rings, anything. Troublesome, yes, but survival matters more."
"Or, you could arrange some kind of Liyue formation to resist flooding."
Shao Yun swore silently to himself that he would never sacrifice Lumine to bargain for Shenhe's warmth in exchange for repelling Beisht's assault on Liyue Harbor.
He had done his duty by warning Keqing—what came after was no longer his concern.
Keqing's eyes widened in surprise at his words, gratitude welling up.
"You're right. I hadn't considered that possibility. Thank you for the reminder. I'll get to it immediately—I only hope there's still time."
Shao Yun froze, wondering, Had you really not thought of a fallback plan if this fails?
Do you truly believe a dozen ballistae can repel a god? Or that the adepti will intervene? Or perhaps you're counting entirely on the Jade Chamber?
Given your nature… the first and third sound most like you…
The thought made his scalp prickle. Hastily, he offered her a parting blessing before leaving.
"Good luck! Don't die."
Without another word, he walked away.
He had given his warning, but whether there was still time, he could not say.
…
Back in Liyue Harbor, Shao Yun was about to seek out Lumine and Paimon when he suddenly heard a soft, dazed call.
"Everyone, please leave. It's dangerous."
Turning toward the voice, he spotted Qiqi standing beside a stone lion near Hanfeng's Ironmongers, her face serious as she warned the crowd.
Shao Yun blinked, muttering to himself, "Isn't that Qiqi?"
Qiqi noticed him too, waving while calling out in her same dazed tone.
"Hello, Mister Shao Yun. Please leave quickly, it's dangerous."
"The things in the sea are scary. Qiqi wants everyone to leave, but no one listens to Qiqi."
Shao Yun crouched before her curiously.
"Qiqi, who told you to evacuate people?"
She tilted her head, thinking hard, before answering.
"Lady Ningguang. She said something bad is in the sea, so Qiqi is here to evacuate people."
Hearing it was Ningguang's order, Shao Yun muttered under his breath, "What was she thinking… letting a child do this job…"
Straightening up, he chose—for once—to help.
"All right, I'll help you. Cover your ears."
Obediently, Qiqi pressed her hands tightly over her ears.
Shao Yun cleared his throat, swiftly drew his Schofield revolver, fired two shots into the sky, and shouted.
"Anyone who doesn't want to die, get away from the shore!"
The shots rang out, drawing puzzled looks, but no one moved.
He scowled, shouting again.
"So, you do want to die? Fine!"
With that, he fired another round, then swung his gun menacingly toward the crowd.
This time, panic erupted. Dropping tools and cargo, the harbor folk scattered in every direction.
Within five minutes, the place was deserted.
Satisfied, Shao Yun turned toward a group of Millelith recruits nearby, clutching their White Tassel spears, trembling as they stared at him.
He waved them over, intending to have them take Qiqi's place.
But instead, they bolted at once—likely to call for reinforcements.
Shao Yun shrugged helplessly, crouching to address Qiqi again.
"Well, scary or not, the harbor's clear now. You can leave."
But Qiqi shook her head slowly, her expression blank.
"No. Qiqi must stay here, in case more people come."
Shao Yun sighed, deciding he needed to talk to Ningguang about this.
"All right. I'll speak with Ningguang, have her send Millelith here. Leaving this to you is nonsense."
…
Shao Yun returned to the construction site of the Jade Chamber.
At that moment, a Millelith captain was dutifully reporting to Ningguang about the disturbance Shao Yun had caused at the harbor.
Catching sight of Shao Yun, the captain faltered, then hurriedly excused himself—without even finishing his report.
Shao Yun quickly approached Ningguang, his expression serious.
"The letter's been delivered to Keqing."
Hearing this, Ningguang crossed her arms, a satisfied smile forming.
"Oh, thank you."
Shao Yun immediately shifted to the matter of Qiqi.
He frowned, his tone sharp.
"Evacuating people is the Millelith's duty. How could you let a child take on that responsibility?"
"No one will believe Qiqi. We must send soldiers there at once."
Realization dawned on Ningguang, and she nodded.
"Oh, I see now why you caused that scene at the harbor. But the main reason is—"
Shao Yun waved dismissively, cutting her off.
"Don't change the subject. Just send soldiers to relieve her!"
Ningguang looked him over curiously.
"Haven't you already completed the evacuation?"
Shao Yun pointed toward the harbor, smiling wryly.
"Qiqi's still there because of what you told her. How long do you think my method will hold? Do you really believe people will listen to a child like her?"
Ningguang shook her head softly, a faint smile gracing her lips.
"No need. The Jade Chamber is about to be completed."
Before Shao Yun could reply, Paimon's clear voice rang out.
"Shao Yun, there you are! We were just about to check on the Jade Chamber's progress!"
Turning, Shao Yun saw three familiar figures approaching—Lumine, Paimon, and Shenhe.
He smiled warmly in greeting.
"Lumine, Paimon, Shenhe—what a coincidence. Ningguang says the Jade Chamber is nearly complete."
Ningguang also greeted the trio politely.
"That's right, you've come just in time. I was hoping you would witness its rebirth."
Paimon's eyes sparkled with curiosity.
"The last step? What is it?"
Ningguang smiled, beckoning them closer.
"Come with me. You should see this."
…
At her invitation, they stood together on a platform of Sunset Vermillionite, rising slowly toward the restored Jade Chamber.
Though her furnishings were not yet fully placed, everything else had been rebuilt to its former glory.
Ningguang deftly set the Adepti Sigil and Wonder Core into the control chamber, explaining patiently as she worked.
"By combining the Adepti Sigil and the Wonder Core and installing them here, the Jade Chamber is officially restored."
"Once we retract the chains, it will rise into the sky once more."
Paimon watched with wide eyes, marveling.
"So that's how it was built in the first place! Amazing!"
When all was complete, Ningguang turned back, smiling in satisfaction at Shao Yun, Lumine, Paimon, and Shenhe.
"Thank you for your efforts. As for the information Paimon requested, I can't provide it yet. But during the banquet, I'll deliver what you want. Is that all right?"
Paimon waved it off with a cheerful laugh.
"Hehe, no rush!"
Then she turned toward Shenhe with a grin.
"Right, do you have anything you want to ask?"
Shenhe, caught off guard, looked stiff.
"Me?"
Paimon nodded eagerly.
"Of course! We all gathered the materials together!"