So, Shao Yun followed behind Lumine and Paimon, walking together toward the sealed gate that led to the next area.
At that moment, a girl in an Adventurers' Guild uniform—Zhiqiong—was standing before the tightly closed gate.
When she heard footsteps approaching from behind, she turned and saw Lumine, Paimon, and a man she didn't recognize.
Zhiqiong gave a weak cough and then greeted them. "Cough, cough… Senior. And…"
She studied Shao Yun carefully, sensing that he was probably the man Lumine often mentioned when talking about her journeys.
So, with a touch of hesitation, she took the initiative to greet him.
"You must be the Mr. Shao Yun whom Senior often mentions. Hello, I'm Zhiqiong, the cartographer of the Chasm Exploration Team."
Zhiqiong smiled, trying to spark conversation, hoping to keep Lumine and Paimon from immediately shifting the focus onto her.
But before Shao Yun could reply, Paimon quickly flew up to Zhiqiong and spoke with concern.
"Zhiqiong! Didn't we agree you'd rest properly? Why are you still pushing yourself like this?"
Lumine also nodded, showing her concern. "Everyone cares about you. Come back with me—you really do need to rest."
Zhiqiong lowered her head, clasping her hands together nervously.
She whispered, "Senior, I… I know they're worried. But like I said—this is what it means to be an adventurer!"
The moment she mentioned adventurer, Zhiqiong's words began to flow.
Her voice carried excitement and determination.
"There's no such thing as an adventurer who doesn't risk their life. I don't want to spend decades lying in bed, old and frail, needing others to feed me and help me to the bathroom…"
"If I must live with dull safety, I'd rather face danger. Better to leave my life here than waste away on a soft bed."
"I know where I belong… I don't belong in some comfortable office job at the Ministry of Civil Affairs, nor in Khedive's piles of Mora."
After hearing Zhiqiong bare her heart, Lumine was at a loss, not knowing how to reply. She could only say softly, "Zhiqiong…"
But Zhiqiong pressed on, voice trembling with emotion.
"Compared to those blessed with Visions, only ordinary people like us can truly understand what adventure means—the risks, the exploration, the challenge."
Her gaze then fell on the red Vision at Shao Yun's waist, its skull ornament gleaming faintly. Her eyes flickered with complicated feelings.
Paimon, stirred by Zhiqiong's words, responded with frustration. "You keep talking about your own feelings, but have you thought about the others? Everyone's worried about your health—you can't just think about yourself!"
Zhiqiong gave her an apologetic look. "I've said before—this is my own matter, it has nothing to do with anyone else. I… I'm sorry if my choices make others sad…"
But she added firmly, "Still… I just don't want to be forgotten."
"At least I'll leave behind my maps, and witness the majestic sights beneath The Chasm. At least, as an ordinary person, I once set foot in this forbidden land."
She turned to face the sealed gate, speaking passionately. "Because… beyond this gate, there might be traces of the Yaksha who once protected Liyue. If my maps could extend into that area…"
"I don't know if I can hold out long enough to get there. But… I want to get closer to that unknown destination. Maybe I can uncover the true reason behind The Chasm's abnormal state…"
Paimon tried to reason gently, "But what if it's full of danger on the other side? You're only trying to prove your existence—what if you're hurt?"
Zhiqiong answered without hesitation. "I don't care about danger! I'd even pay with my life, as long as I can leave behind a trace of myself!"
Hearing her unshakable declaration, Lumine and Paimon were both at a loss for words.
But when Shao Yun realized Zhiqiong was willing to risk her life, he answered flatly, "Then go. I support you."
Paimon's eyes went wide with shock. "What? Shao Yun, you're pushing her into the fire pit!"
Turning calmly to her, Shao Yun explained, "Paimon, if she's already decided to give everything for her goal, then we should respect her choice and give her our blessing…"
In his heart, Shao Yun thought: She already has the resolve to die, so why stand in her way? If she doesn't fear death, then what's the point of lecturing her? Better to live one's own life well than meddle in others' fates.
Hearing Shao Yun's support, Zhiqiong's heart surged with excitement. It was as though all her physical weakness had vanished.
"Ah, as expected of Senior's lover! Truly so understanding!"
Then she turned to Lumine, eyes shining with hope. "Senior, since your lover supports me, then I—"
But instead of answering, Lumine stomped down on Shao Yun's boot in protest.
Her amber eyes flared as she glared at Zhiqiong. "Don't listen to him. In adventuring, Shao Yun is no more experienced than you. He should be calling me Senior too!"
Zhiqiong was startled. She had never seen Lumine look so stern.
To Shao Yun, she looked like a little angry rabbit. But to Zhiqiong, her seriousness was intimidating.
Feeling the weight of Lumine's authority, Zhiqiong's confidence faltered.
When she heard Shao Yun was supposed to call Lumine "Senior" as well, she asked, confused, "Huh? Really?"
Shao Yun thought back to his own Adventurer's Certificate. In truth, he hadn't taken many proper commissions. The only decent one he could think of was capturing that Treasure Hoarder leader known as "Weasel."
After recalling this, he nodded at Zhiqiong, embarrassed. "Well, yeah… I really haven't done much official work for the Guild. Lumine's right."
At those words, Zhiqiong's hopeful expression dimmed. She realized she had been too optimistic—Lumine's lover wasn't some great adventurer either… just another beginner.
Seeing Zhiqiong sinking into gloom, Lumine crossed her arms and said sternly, "Listen. I know Shao Yun's words touched you, but for safety's sake, you need rest. I know you won't like it."
Zhiqiong lowered her head with a sigh.
"So, here's the deal," Lumine continued. "If you can defeat me, I'll let you move forward. But if you lose, you'll go back and rest."
Zhiqiong's eyes widened in shock. Fight with her Senior? Was this a joke?
She stammered, "Senior, are you kidding?"
Lumine's gaze was steady as she pointed back toward the path they had come. "Then return and rest!"
Tears welled in Zhiqiong's eyes. "But… I…"
Lumine's heart softened at her sorrowful look.
After a moment's thought, she offered a compromise.
"How about this? I'll clear the obstacles ahead. Once it's safe, then you can follow. Leaving your mark doesn't have to mean paying with your life."
"It's better to live and tell your story yourself than for people to imagine it from your tombstone."
But Zhiqiong shook her head firmly. "Senior, really, you don't have to…"
Lumine raised her hand, her voice serious. "Zhiqiong, listen to your Senior. Rest. Later stages of mapping depend on you—no one else can do it."
Between Shao Yun and Lumine's good-cop-bad-cop routine, Zhiqiong was finally swayed.
With a soft nod, she said, "Since you put it that way, fine. I'll go back and rest. But please—be careful in the road ahead."
…
Once Zhiqiong had left, only Shao Yun, Lumine, and Paimon remained.
Thinking of how he had encouraged Zhiqiong earlier, Shao Yun cautiously asked Lumine, "Do you blame me for supporting her?"
Lumine sighed, rubbing her forehead, then smiled bitterly. "Of course I don't blame you… But this is exactly why I don't want you tagging along on adventures!"
"If every time is like this, you'll drive me crazy!" She gave him a sharp glare to show her displeasure.
Hearing she wasn't angry, Shao Yun breathed a sigh of relief.
He playfully pinched her nose. "Hehe, I see now! Alright, I'll be more careful in the future. No wonder you always say work is work and life is life. Sorry~"
But Lumine wasn't satisfied. She brushed his hand away and said seriously, "Hmph, as long as you understand… I just hope Zhiqiong realizes I was only trying to protect her."
Her thoughts lingered, worried whether Zhiqiong had truly taken her advice to heart.
Seeing her expression, Shao Yun tried to comfort her. "Don't worry. She's gone back now—I'm sure she'll think about what you said."
"Anyway, let's not dwell on it. Let's head back to camp."
He put an arm around her shoulders, ready to lead her toward Katheryne's camp.
But Lumine quickly pulled away.
"Huh? I just promised Zhiqiong we'd clear the threats beyond that gate. And now you want to turn back? That would make me a liar."
Shao Yun glanced at the sealed gate and shrugged. "Fine, we'll keep going. Let's move."
He stepped forward decisively toward the gate.
Startled, Lumine grabbed his sleeve. "Wait, Shao Yun—why are you coming with us?"
He looked back in confusion. "What do you mean? You said you'd scout ahead for Zhiqiong. Why can't I come?"
Lumine frowned. "Didn't you accept a bodyguard commission? If you follow me here, what if your employer runs into danger without you?"
Shao Yun chuckled. "With her skills, she could explore this place blindfolded. She doesn't need me at her side. Come on…"
At that, Paimon flew over, wagging a finger. "No way! If you accept a commission, you must respect it. Otherwise, don't take it at all."
"Your attitude toward commissions is way too careless! That's not what makes a good adventurer!"
She pressed on. "Adventurers need responsibility and a sense of duty. You can't ignore your client's safety just because of impulse or personal feelings."
"If you keep this up, you'll lose future commissions—and your reputation too!"
Lumine nodded in agreement.
"She's right, Shao Yun. You'd better go back and protect your employer. We'll handle things here ourselves."