After dinner, Yelan set down her bowl and chopsticks, her gaze lingering on the broth left at the bottom.
She was truly getting tired of Shao Yun's same old stew every day.
So, pressing lightly on her stomach, she rose from her stool and said to him, "I'm going to find a wok and do a little exploring nearby. You set up the tent. Tonight, you're on watch for the first half, right?"
Shao Yun took the dishes from her hands, nodded, and replied, "That's right. Today makes the tenth day. According to our arrangement, I'll watch the first half tonight. Go on, do what you need."
…
Once Yelan left, Shao Yun began setting up the tent.
But just as he pulled it out, a strange sound suddenly rose behind him.
Alert, he spun around—only to see a faintly glowing Abyssal portal opening quietly in the air.
From it stepped a figure, slowly, deliberately—Enjou, now transformed into the monstrous form of Abyss Lector: Fathomless Flames.
The instant their eyes met, shock flashed across Enjou's face. He blurted out, "The consort of the Prince's blood kin! What are you doing here in The Chasm?"
Shao Yun calmly studied Enjou's form, asking curiously, "Enjou! Why do you look like this… such a grotesque form?"
Indeed, his appearance was so bizarre… No wonder Lumine had beaten him down without hesitation before.
Enjou glanced down at the catalyst in his hand, then at the strange ringed contraption behind him.
"Eh? This is my true form. Is something wrong with it?"
Shao Yun crossed his arms over his chest, face blank. "You'd better change back into human form. Looking like this, it'd be all too easy for me to put two bullets in you."
At his words, Enjou's face flickered with disappointment, but he quickly recovered, speaking evenly, "Ah? Oh… fine."
With that, the Lector's body shifted back, becoming human once more.
"That looks much better. So, what brings you here?" Shao Yun nodded slightly in approval.
Enjou sighed softly, then brightened with excitement. "Just as the Prince foretold—you really came to aid us!"
Shao Yun frowned in puzzlement. "What are you talking about?"
Enjou stepped closer, smiling, reaching out to take his hand.
"Let's go meet the Prince. He'll be overjoyed to see you!"
Shao Yun pulled back a step, evading the hand.
Then, realization struck him like lightning. "I see now. You're planning something big here!"
"But I didn't promise Aether to help you. I'm only here because of a commission."
This Requiem of the Echoing Depths… Wasn't it supposed to be Lumine, Paimon, and Dainsleif who triggered it?
And Enjou—why you? Shouldn't it be that 'Torrent,' the one I killed who was later revived, watching over this place?
Enjou's face tightened, torn with hesitation.
"But…" he began.
Shao Yun waved a hand, cutting him off firmly.
"No buts. I'm busy now. If you see Aether, tell him I said hello."
Scratching his head, Enjou suddenly seemed to understand why Shao Yun refused—it must be because he really was busy.
Then why not… bring the Prince here instead? That way, Shao Yun wouldn't be disturbed, and the Prince would still be pleased.
"In that case, I'll fetch the Prince. He'll be thrilled to know you're here!" Without another word, Enjou spun around and hurried off.
Shao Yun watched his retreating back, suspicion stirring.
Why didn't he just use a portal to leave? Why walk away?
…
When Enjou returned, however, it was through an Abyssal portal.
He called back excitedly through the rift, "Your Highness, I wasn't lying—he really is here!"
Shao Yun stood before the portal, eyes carrying both helplessness and irony.
From within stepped his dear brother-in-law, Aether.
'This makes the third time we've met… What kind of "farewell" is this supposed to be? You might as well just come live with us whenever you're free.'
Still, Shao Yun smiled and greeted him. "Hello, brother-in-law. We meet again."
Aether had doubted Enjou's claim—after all, Shao Yun had made it clear before he wouldn't help.
But now, seeing him in the flesh, his feelings grew complicated.
He looked at Shao Yun, his tone uncertain. "Oh… brother-in-law. I didn't expect you here… Is my sister with you?"
Not knowing where else to begin, he asked first about Lumine.
At that, Shao Yun scratched his cheek, embarrassed.
"Well… I'm not sure where Lumine is right now. I only came because of a commission. And for the record, she knew about it and agreed."
Hearing that, Aether looked slightly awkward, then smiled. "Ah, I thought…"
"Would you like to see the plan I've been personally leading with the Abyss Order?"
So, it was Aether's plan. No wonder Enjou was here.
Shao Yun blinked at him, stammering, "I…"
Seeing his hesitation, Aether quickly urged, "There's no harm in just looking. We're family… you know that. There's no downside."
Shao Yun paused, mind working over Aether's intent.
Just an invitation? Or something deeper?
But he couldn't really refuse him. After all… he was Lumine's brother.
With that thought, he pressed his lips together and nodded.
"Alright, I'll take a look. But you know… I still have my employer. I'm supposed to watch the first half tonight. The Chasm isn't safe. If something happens while I'm gone…"
"She's capable, yes, but still—it's hard to explain why I suddenly left."
He had to make clear his obligation to Yelan.
Aether's face softened with reassurance. "That's not a difficult problem."
He turned to Enjou, holding out his hand. "Enjou. The 'Repose Incense,' please."
Enjou fumbled briefly before producing a slim stick of incense that gave off a peculiar scent, placing it carefully in Aether's hand.
Taking it, Aether explained to Shao Yun, "This is from Sumeru. It calms the mind. Light it, and its fragrance will help one relax into peaceful sleep."
He handed it over.
This was actually something he'd asked Enjou to purchase along with medicine when Lumine was hurt—but Enjou had forgotten to give it to Shao Yun.
Holding it, Shao Yun couldn't help recalling scenes from the past.
In Inazuma, he'd read Wuxia novels from Liyue where villains often used powders and incense to drug their victims before robbing or killing them.
He also remembered a Sumeru scholar he'd met in Port Ormos— Haypasia, was it?—who had used incense to enter meditation.
Turning it over in his hand, he asked cautiously, "So… can I take this as a sort of drug, like in those Wuxia tales?"
Aether nodded, then shook his head, clarifying, "That's not wrong—but it only works on someone already asleep. Fiction exaggerates things, after all."
Shao Yun thought for a moment, then tucked it carefully into his Legend of the East satchel.
"Fine. Once my employer sleeps, you can come back and take me to see this so-called Khaenri'ah restoration plan."
Relief softened Aether's face into a rare smile. "Good. Enjou and I will return for you later, then."
As they turned to leave, Shao Yun suddenly called, "Wait! Don't go just yet."
Aether stopped, puzzled. "What is it?"
Shao Yun pointed at the half-finished tent before him.
"Since you're here anyway, why don't I teach you how to set up a tent?"
For a moment Aether thought he'd misheard. His brother-in-law… teaching him camping?
"What? A tent?" His eyes widened, repeating the words.
Enjou too looked baffled.
Shao Yun nodded matter-of-factly. "Yes. Lumine told me. When you two traveled together, you just slept on picnic cloths. Never even pitched a tent! I promised her I'd teach you someday. Looks like now's the time."
Aether gave a helpless laugh. So Lumine had told him that.
"Hah… she really told you that, huh?"
Shaking his head, he soon steadied himself.
"Alright then, brother-in-law. Please, teach me."
…
So, Shao Yun carefully guided him through each step—choosing ground, staking the corners, securing the poles—every detail.
Aether listened attentively, while Enjou dutifully took mental notes, his memory sharp as ever.
At last, with Shao Yun's direction, Aether managed to pitch a tent himself.
He looked at it with satisfaction, clapping his hands. "I've got it. Thanks."
Shao Yun smiled, voice carrying a subtle weight. "Remember these skills. Someday, they'll help you and Lumine."
But before Aether could question that meaning, Enjou suddenly stiffened.
Lowering his voice, tense and urgent, he whispered, "Your Highness… someone's coming."
The three held their breath. From the distance came the faint click-clack of high heels striking stone.
Shao Yun murmured, "It should be my employer. You two hide for now. When she's asleep, we'll continue."