As everyone's attention turned toward Lesser Lord Kusanali, Shao Yun quietly picked up a chair and moved toward the corner of the room.
After reaching his chosen spot, he sat down and spoke softly.
"Take your time chatting. I'll just sit over here and rest a bit. Getting her out of there cost me quite a bit of effort, so I'll pass on joining in."
He then reached into his bag, took out a bottle of fine brandy, bit off the cork, and immediately the rich aroma of alcohol spread through the air.
As the fragrance filled his senses, a look of deep satisfaction crossed his face—he was finally enjoying a moment of quiet.
The atmosphere in the room, meanwhile, was lively—almost like a fan meeting come to life.
Dunyarzad and Nilou surrounded Nahida, their eyes shining with unrestrained reverence for the God of Wisdom.
Dehya, however, appeared much calmer. As long as her young mistress was happy, that was all that mattered. Seeing a genuine smile on Dunyarzad's face was enough to make Dehya's heart at ease.
But when her gaze caught Shao Yun drinking in the corner, a thought struck her. She walked over, thick-skinned as ever, and coaxed a cup of brandy out of him before returning to the others.
After Dehya left, Lumine quietly approached Shao Yun.
She reached out with her pale, slender hand, lightly patting his broad shoulder before lowering her voice.
"Shao Yun, there's something I'd like to ask you."
Hearing her use the words 'ask for guidance', Shao Yun's expression flickered with amusement.
"'Guidance' sounds way too formal. Just say it straight."
Lumine hesitated for a moment, then turned her eyes toward Nahida, who was surrounded by Nilou and Dunyarzad's adoration.
She raised her chin slightly, gesturing in that direction.
"How did you even find her?"
Shao Yun shrugged casually, his voice light and unconcerned.
"Honestly? Nothing complicated. I just walked into the Sanctuary of Surasthana, invited her to come out, and that was that."
Lumine blinked.
"Eh? That easy? Now I'm actually starting to look forward to Fontaine… I wonder what kind of trick you'll pull to make us meet the Hydro Archon."
Seeing Lumine already daydreaming, Shao Yun chuckled helplessly.
"Alright, alright, you're thinking a bit too far ahead. Right now, we should just enjoy our little version of the Sabzeruz Festival."
He gestured toward Nahida.
"And besides, while you've got her here, you might as well ask her whatever questions you've been saving up. The God of Wisdom isn't exactly someone you meet every day."
Lumine followed his gaze—Nahida was smiling warmly as she chatted with Dunyarzad and Nilou.
After a moment of thought, Lumine murmured, 'Now that I think about it, I really do have a question about Irminsul I'd like to ask her…'
Shao Yun took a slow sip of his brandy.
"Then go on. Good luck—but don't get your hopes too high. Some things aren't as easy to untangle as you'd think."
…
When Dunyarzad and Nilou had finally finished pouring out their admiration, Nilou, brimming with excitement, began to dance in the middle of the modest living room—her Dance of Sabzeruz radiant and mesmerizing as ever.
There was no doubt—Nilou truly was a professional dancer, graceful beyond words.
…
As the night stretched on, the group remained lively even into the late hours. Hunger eventually crept in, and they unanimously agreed—it was time for a midnight snack.
The task of preparing food naturally fell to Lumine.
There were two simple reasons: she always carried half a pantry of ingredients in her pack—and Shao Yun, though a capable man, only knew how to make two things: stew and grilled ribs.
While Dehya, Dunyarzad, and Nilou happily ate the food Lumine and Paimon had prepared, Nahida quietly approached Shao Yun, who was still seated in his corner.
He noticed her approach immediately—her expression told him she had something important to say.
Shao Yun tilted his chin slightly and asked in a relaxed tone, "What is it you want to talk about?"
Nahida didn't waste time.
"At the Zubayr Theater—"
Before she could finish, Shao Yun cut in, his tone sharp and mocking.
"I know. You're the merciful Archon who forgives her enemies and can't stand the sight of blood, right? Heh."
Then he leaned back and added coldly, "Since you're so good at suddenly speaking into people's minds, how about you tell me—what did you read from mine? I expect an honest answer."
Nahida folded her hands, her tone patient and calm.
"Well… you're right that mercy is part of being an Archon. But as for your mind—yes, I tried to read it. The problem is, I couldn't see much. What I could sense were scattered fragments—small, trivial memories. The rest was hazy, shrouded by some kind of force that prevents me from delving deeper."
Shao Yun raised a brow, intrigued.
"Really? There are things even you can't read? That's… quite something."
Nahida rubbed her chin, equally curious.
"Indeed. Your mind is unusually protected—it's fascinating."
Just as Shao Yun began to wonder if she was lying, a familiar cold system prompt flashed before his eyes:
[I may not be able to defeat that demon, but that doesn't make me a failure.]
Shao Yun sighed inwardly. 'So, it's the system again. At least it's good for something—like guarding my privacy.'
Still, he grumbled to himself. 'People only remember the number one swordsman. No one remembers number two—because number two always ends up dead.'
The system promptly responded, dripping with sarcasm:
[Apologies. I seem to have disappointed you.]
Shao Yun shot back in his mind. 'You've been disappointing me from the start. That's nothing new.'
He pushed aside the matter and returned his focus to Lesser Lord Kusanali.
She continued, voice soft but steady.
"Anyway… I know what happened in Inazuma. And I know about you and Lady Alice of the Hexenzirkel."
At that, Shao Yun frowned. How in the world did she know that?
Had Alice actually reached out to her? To the wrong person, no less! Should've called Azar, not the little bird trapped in a cage… that's like putting up a 'no eating' sign in an outhouse—completely useless.
He asked, "You said you learned about Inazuma from people wearing the Akasha Terminals. Fine. But the Witch's Assembly and Alice—how do you know about them? Hardly anyone does, and you said yourself you can't read my mind."
Nahida pressed her lips together before calmly replying, "A few days ago, when I was still imprisoned, a witch identifying herself as a member of the Hexenzirkel—code name N—entered my consciousness and told me these things."
At the mention of that cryptic witch who loved to drop 'mystical revelations' in times of confusion, Shao Yun scowled.
"The Hexenzirkel? Those firewood bundles ought to be burned at the stake. Don't they have tea parties to attend instead of meddling in everyone's business?"
She ignored his grumbling and went on, "She also warned me—if you take another life, it won't just be you. The entire world of Teyvat will fall into crisis."
Shao Yun's expression didn't even twitch.
"I know. The Sustainer of Heavenly Principles already has her eyes on me. Probably thinks it's time to erase the guy messing with Teyvat's borders."
He sneered.
"She's not after me because I kill people—plenty of killers in this world never get punished. What really pissed her off is that I took away some of her precious 'stabilizing materials.' Without that, she'd probably encourage me to kill more."
Nahida's tone grew urgent.
"You know! Then why—why did you still—"
Before she could finish, Shao Yun tipped back the last of his brandy, draining the bottle in one go.
He gripped the empty glass tightly, his tone dark.
"As long as Lumine, Paimon, and I keep walking this path—meeting all kinds of people—conflict will follow. And some of them? They want me to solve problems with a gun."
He exhaled sharply.
"The only way to end that cycle… is to stop moving forward entirely."
Setting the bottle down on the windowsill, he muttered bitterly, "It's all that damned Barbatos and Morax's fault. If those two hadn't interfered months ago, I'd be living the good life somewhere peaceful right now."
At that, Nahida frowned slightly.
"But the event you're talking about—it was Lumine who…"
Shao Yun stiffened. So, she did know about what happened on Dragonspine.
Still, he waved it off with a glare.
"Listen. That had nothing to do with Lumine. The ones to blame are Barbatos and Morax! They dumped the burden of saving Teyvat on her shoulders without offering anything in return. That's the real crime."
Nahida shook her head gently, her tone calm but firm.
"To deceive others is one thing. To deceive yourself… that's true foolishness. The reason you yielded back then wasn't the gods—it was Lumine. You know that. Stop lying to yourself."
She met his gaze, her eyes sharp and unwavering.
"And tell me, what is it you're afraid of? Are you afraid to admit that you resent her—for not standing behind you when you needed her most?"
Shao Yun froze, his body tensing. For a split second, his expression faltered—then it went cold again.
He raised a finger, beckoning her closer.
Nahida hesitated, sensing danger. Instinctively, she stepped back—but then, after a pause, she approached, leaning slightly closer so she could hear him.
Shao Yun leaned forward, his mouth close to her pointed ear. His tone was calm—almost casual—but each word cut like a blade.
"If one more pile of shit comes out of your mouth, I'll make you share Beelzebul's fate. Understand?"
"I don't harm children—but you're five hundred years old. So don't you dare act like one. And don't pretend you weren't planning to use Lumine to fix your little Sumeru problem."