For a moment, Shao Yun didn't know how to respond.
Paimon and Lumine's reasoning was sound: either take a commission seriously and see it through, or don't accept it at all.
And yet… the two of them clearly mattered far more to him than any commission.
After some thought, Shao Yun spoke in a roundabout way.
"Ah, well… about that… honestly, it's not that big a deal. Being away for a little while won't cause any real problems."
But Lumine wasn't buying his casual attitude toward the commission.
She seized on that point, firmly retorting, "No! I agree with Paimon—you should respect every commission! An adventurer must have responsibility and a sense of duty!"
Faced with her strict and unyielding tone, Shao Yun was left speechless.
"Why are you so stubborn about this?"
But Lumine refused to relent. "Your employer's also exploring The Chasm, right? Just wait until she returns, then catch up to us together. That way, everything's aboveboard. Isn't that better?"
She pressed further. "Otherwise, if you sneak off and she deducts your pay, what then? And this is your first proper commission with real adventure value—how could you let it end in regret?"
After hearing her words, Shao Yun fell silent in thought.
The pay itself wasn't important to him.
What he truly wished was that Katharina would delay her departure a bit, maybe leave Yelan a message for him.
Even if Yelan did dock his pay for stepping away, he wouldn't care. Adventure itself wasn't that meaningful to him—and besides, who knew when Yelan would return?
Leaving for a short while really wouldn't cause serious consequences.
He opened his mouth to argue.
"I—"
But Lumine cut him off, her tone sharp with authority. "It's settled. Just like I said—you're a junior adventurer, so you should address me as Senior, just like Zhiqiong."
"As your Senior, I'm ordering you—listen to me."
Shao Yun looked at her striking her "Professional Senior" pose and sighed. "Seriously… Zhiqiong isn't even here anymore. Do you really have to act so strict?"
Lumine reached out and tapped a finger lightly against his chest, a smug smile tugging at her lips.
"Listen to your Senior. Go back, wait for your employer, then rejoin us. If your commission money gets deducted, don't come crying on my shoulder."
Watching her play the part of the self-important Senior amused Shao Yun greatly. Still, he played along, showing a respectful attitude.
Then, a mischievous idea popped into his head.
So he exaggerated his tone deliberately. "Oh, mighty Adventurer Senior! As a reward for obeying your command, could you give me a kiss? After all, we haven't seen each other in over half a month!"
At that, Lumine froze for a moment, then gave him a slow, appraising look.
Her lips curled into a sly smile. "But isn't your employer a woman? I heard from that Electro Cicin Mage, Katharina, that she's actually quite pretty."
Shao Yun was dumbfounded. What's the use of Yelan being pretty? She's not you!
"What does that have to do with anything? So, what if she's a woman, or if she looks good? She's not you! Can't you just kiss me—or let me kiss you? After all this time apart, don't you miss me?"
Lumine rubbed her chin thoughtfully, then, after a moment's hesitation, nodded.
She turned to Paimon. "Alright, Paimon, close your eyes."
Paimon's face scrunched into an unhappy pout.
"What? Why can't I watch?"
…
In the end, though, she reluctantly turned away, refusing to watch.
Lumine then leaned in and softly pressed her lips to Shao Yun's cheek, leaving behind a gentle warmth.
Afterward, she arched a brow at him. "Satisfied?"
Shao Yun nodded with a smile. "Satisfied."
Having granted his request, Lumine turned to Paimon with a grin. "Come on, let's go."
Paimon immediately spun back around, pouting but obediently trailing after Lumine.
Just then, Shao Yun called out. "Why don't we wait a bit? My employer will be back soon. We could all go together—it won't take long."
Lumine spun around, her voice bright and resolute.
"A promise is a promise. If I've agreed to something, I'll see it through. Don't worry—I'll be careful!"
Shao Yun, concerned, reminded her, "Then be cautious. If you run into something overwhelming—like a massive mechanical serpent—don't fight it, just run."
Clenching her fist confidently, Lumine reassured him. "Relax, I can handle myself. No need to worry."
…
Shao Yun returned to Katharina's camp.
He sat down, gazing at the distant waterfall, waiting for Yelan to come back before going to find Lumine again.
Time dragged on, boredom creeping in. To pass the time, he fiddled with his bolt-action rifle, which he had never really used.
As he toyed with the weapon, he suddenly slapped his thigh and muttered regretfully, "Argh! I'm such an idiot! I could've just left a letter! How am I dumber than a talking mushroom?"
That such a simple idea hadn't occurred to him was laughable.
But then he reconsidered, frowning. "No, Lumine and Paimon would never agree to that. When they're in work mode, they'd never let me abandon my post."
Turning the bolt and inspecting the rifle, he thought quietly about what was to come.
"Sigh… that Ruin Serpent should be appearing soon. I remember Yelan drew her bow and shot that Nail-like thing, bringing it crashing down on the serpent…"
Then he realized something. His head hadn't hurt at all during the thought.
"How strange… Ever since six days ago, whenever I recall these things, my head hasn't hurt. Why?"
…
After a while, the sharp click of high heels on stone broke the monotony of rushing water.
Shao Yun looked up and saw Yelan walking back slowly, massaging her wrist as she approached.
When she reached him, she began casually recounting what she'd found upstream.
"I'm back," Yelan said evenly. "There's no way around up above the waterfall. It seems our only option is figuring out how to open that sealed gate."
As her eyes swept the camp, she suddenly noticed someone was missing.
Her brows knit. "Where's that Fatui Electro Cicin Mage, Katharina? Where did she go?"
Shao Yun stood, holding the rifle in his right hand, pointing back along the path with his left. "Katharina went to look for her brother."
That caught Yelan off guard.
"Oh? She got a lead? So suddenly? Or did you kill her and dump the body?" she asked, half-teasing, half-serious.
Shao Yun's lips curled into a thin, ironic smile.
"Funny… though it does sound like something I'd do, doesn't it?"
Then he explained more clearly.
"Lumine and Paimon showed up. They told her where her brother might be, so she left."
Learning it was Lumine and Paimon who'd told her, Yelan wasn't surprised. She didn't even ask why they were there. Instead, she kept the focus on Katharina.
"You really believe her brother's still alive?"
Shao Yun beckoned her over with a calm tone. "Whether or not I believe doesn't matter—Katharina does. Anyway, forget her. Lumine and Paimon already opened the gate. We need to catch up."
Seeing his eagerness, Yelan narrowed her eyes, suspicion flickering in her gaze.
"Really now? Lumine and Paimon came, and you didn't immediately rush after them? That's not like you at all."
Shao Yun rolled his eyes, sighing. "Of course I wanted to. But they insisted I stay with my employer. Said a true adventurer respects their commissions. So here I am, waiting for you, before going to find them."
Hearing of Lumine and Paimon's dedication, Yelan couldn't help but feel respect.
"Oh, I see… No wonder they're such famous adventurers."
Shao Yun pulled the bolt back with a crisp metallic clack, checked the rifle, then turned to her.
For once, he was even more eager than Yelan herself. "Let's go. They've already opened the gate."
Yelan blinked in surprise. Her mind flashed back to their past adventures together, curiosity stirring in her heart.
A playful smile curved her lips. "Oh? Is that so? Then I suppose we'd better hurry."
With that, she quickened her pace, following Shao Yun toward the once-sealed gate.
Soon, the two stood before it.
Yelan's eyes widened in surprise. "Well, what do you know—it really is open."
Shao Yun gripped his rifle tightly, not looking back. "Stay sharp. We may be heading into a tough battle."
Yelan nodded, wasting no words. If he said there would be a fight, then she'd be ready.
Taking a deep breath, she steadied herself.
With a flick of her left hand, a blue glow shimmered into existence, and the bow known as Aqua Simulacra appeared, its body gleaming with an ethereal azure light.
She stroked the bow's surface with satisfaction.
"By the way, let me be clear—our commission isn't over yet. You'd better not run off to join your girlfriend. Otherwise, I really won't pay you."
Shao Yun replied as he walked forward, "I know. Lumine told me to respect commissions, so don't worry—I'll honor it."
That drew a faint smile from Yelan.
"Is that so? In that case… I suppose it's time I introduced myself to your girlfriend."
Shao Yun shot her a look of irritation. "Why does that sound so weird coming from you?"
Yelan flicked her hair back and asked lazily, "What, I can't introduce myself to Liyue's great hero?"
"Besides, I've seen you so many times already, but never greeted her. That's rather rude, don't you think?"
Shao Yun thought about it. Since it was only a working relationship, he let it drop.
Just then, the solemn toll of a bell echoed through the underground cavern.
The ground trembled faintly beneath their feet.
Shao Yun immediately knew—the Ruin Serpent was coming.
And yet, strangely enough, as that thought struck him… his head didn't hurt at all.