With a sudden blast of piercing, high-pitched horn, the Mitachurl berserkers let out beast-like roars that echoed across the open plains.
A vast wave of black surged forward as the hilichurl horde launched a fierce assault on the bridge.
Standing atop the cart, Shao Yun took a deep breath and closed his eyes. At that moment, the Vision at his waist lit up.
He snapped his eyes open and activated Dead-Eye.
He heard the rumble of thunder, then the ticking of a clock.
In that instant, everything around him slowed down. He could clearly see each hilichurl's movement, every trajectory.
Raising his golden carbine repeater rifle, he marked several hilichurls charging at the front in his mind and pulled the trigger. In one smooth motion, he pumped the lever, ejected the spent round, and loaded the next. Gunfire erupted.
A stream of fire-enchanted bullets rained down like a firestorm, hitting targets with pinpoint precision.
The rounds exploded on impact like high-powered fragmentation bullets, tearing through hilichurls and sending them back to the ley lines before they could even cry out.
Under Shao Yun's relentless barrage, the vanguard of the hilichurl force fell into chaos. What had been a confident charge, clubs raised and war cries echoing, was now a scene of panic as they dropped like wheat under a sickle.
The crackling of splintered clubs, the screams of burning hilichurls, bullets tearing through air, and explosive bursts combined to create a harrowing battlefield symphony.
At that moment, a water Abyss Mage stood at a distance, observing the frontlines.
Seeing the assault falter, it barked new commands, rapidly reorganizing the formation.
Shield-bearing Mitachurl brutes marched at the front, followed by lightning axe-wielders and flame-wielding counterparts—an elite assault force, now charging toward Shao Yun.
Shao Yun coolly studied the approaching shield brutes. These shields were said to be the toughest in all of Teyvat, capable of blocking any damage.
But ultimately, they were still made of grass slimes. They weren't unbreakable barriers.
If his repeater rifle didn't pack enough punch, he'd just switch to something that did.
Without hesitation, he swapped to his pump-action shotgun—loaded with fire-enchanted shells that showed no mercy to anyone at close range.
He took aim at the frontmost brutes and fired. Six consecutive shells burst forth, wreathed in flame, obliterating the shields and engulfing the hilichurls in a blazing inferno.
The scene was devastating—flaming splinters rained down alongside the anguished cries of the hilichurls.
Seizing the moment of confusion, Shao Yun drew his dual cowboy revolvers from his waist. Calmly, he targeted the axe-wielders behind the now-dead brutes.
Click. Bang. Click. Bang.
The revolvers barked with sharp clarity as he fanned the hammers, each round perfectly placed, each hilichurl falling with brutal finality.
They charged like the Calabash Brothers rescuing their grandfather—all rushing in headfirst, making it easier for him to clean them out. No need to keep using Dead-Eye for that.
As the last of this wave fell back into the ley lines, Shao Yun reached into his pack and pulled out a cigar.
He lit it, inhaled deeply, and let the smoke coil around him, adding a rough charisma to his presence.
Flicking the cigar aside, he glanced back at the golden silhouette in the distance.
"Got anything else? Better show it now!" he called out mockingly. "Otherwise, these hilichurls are done for! If you've got nothing, you still have time to check on her!"
But the golden figure didn't leave. Instead, it gave one final order.
The water Abyss Mages began gathering all the Samachurl shamans, who started chanting, preparing a coordinated elemental strike.
Their range was limited—too far, they'd miss. They had to move closer.
Seven paces out, the gun is faster. Seven paces in, it's fast and accurate.
Shao Yun narrowed his eyes as they approached. Are these guys seriously trying to be melee mages?
Their casting animations were absurdly slow—looked more like interpretive dance.
Holstering the shotgun, he drew both revolvers again.
Activating Dead-Eye once more, he targeted the grouped shamans.
Twelve rounds of fire-imbued bullets roared out like a thunderstorm, shattering the concentration of the shamans and dispersing their elemental attack. Every shaman fell, returning to the ley lines.
One, then weaker. Two, then fatigue. Three, and morale breaks.
If they were human soldiers, they'd have already crumbled after three failed assaults.
"Why don't you all come at once?" Shao Yun shouted. "Let's end this quick! I'm not the only one who cares about Mondstadt!"
…
On a distant hillside stood a solitary figure—the Abyss Prince, Aether.
He looked down at the battlefield, his eyes filled with rage and frustration. Three major assaults, all broken by Shao Yun. Each failure struck like a hammer blow.
Though his face showed little emotion, his breathing was heavy and labored. He couldn't accept this. Couldn't accept this guy had stopped him.
The three water Abyss Mages beside him stood with heads bowed, fearful of the fury radiating off their prince.
"Where did Lumine find someone like this?" Aether muttered, his voice a mix of bitter awe and defeat. He'd thought his side had overwhelming power—but Shao Yun was proving him wrong.
His gaze darkened. He needed a new plan. He couldn't give up—not now.
One of the mages finally spoke up, trembling. "Prince, our cursed citizens… they're showing signs of fear. That man's presence is overwhelming. His strength, his technique—it's beyond anything we expected. They can't even get close to him…"
Aether frowned, surprised and angry. Someone in Teyvat could strike fear into a whole monster horde?
He was silent for a while before issuing his final command.
"One last push. If it fails, we withdraw." His voice was calm, but full of unquestionable authority.
Another mage hesitated. "Prince… should we consider calling the Apostle—?"
"Execute the order," Aether cut him off coldly, turning his glare on the speaker. "If we can't take the bridge in half an hour, we pull back."
"Yes, Your Highness."
…
Back at the bridge, Shao Yun saw the hilichurls regrouping. He downed the last of his special tonic in one go.
"So, you're still not done, huh? Bring it on, then!"
[Notice: Final Wave Incoming—You Must Hold for 30 Minutes.]
So, the earlier fights were just the appetizers. Now came the main course.
"Come on! Show me what you've got!"
…
Under the moonlight, the hilichurl horde surged forward like a flood. There was no formation this time, no strategy—just pure, desperate aggression.
Standing atop the cart, Shao Yun's glowing Vision never dimmed. His repeater roared like a dragon, spraying fire and fury.
Each shot burst with fire and thunder, mowing down the frontline monsters.
But there were too many. Endless waves.
He switched back to his pump-action shotgun.
The hilichurls fell like wheat in a storm—but they kept coming. As if driven by some madness.
Shao Yun knew he had to escalate further.
He dropped the shotgun, drew his dual revolvers again, and activated Dead-Eye.
Time slowed. His vision sharpened. Weak points became obvious.
He fired faster than ever, every round deadly, squeezing off shots in a rhythmic blur, taking breaks only to draw from his cigar or chug potions to restore his ability.
Lightning-fast shots tore through the night sky like divine judgment.
Suddenly, a hilichurl archer let loose an arrow. The whistling sound was sharp.
Thud! The arrow struck his shoulder.
Shao Yun was beyond pain now. His eyes were bloodshot, both from exhaustion and overuse of the Eye.
Without flinching, he yanked the arrow out. Blood poured, staining his coat—but he didn't even flinch.
He raised his revolver and returned fire—one enchanted bullet straight through the archer's skull.
…
Half an hour passed.
Time, stretched thin by endless battle, finally reached its end.
Shao Yun was nearly mechanical now. His mind had narrowed to one focus: shoot, fight, survive.
He'd lost count of the bullets, the impacts, the potions. His hands bled, his mouth burned from too much tonic.
But he was still standing.
Half the hilichurl army lay dead or scattered. The survivors were hesitant, fearful, retreating.
Not even the Abyss Mages' commands could push them forward again.
On the distant hill, Aether stood speechless, awe-struck.
"Is he even human?" he muttered. "Where did Lumine find this maniac?"
Even the Mages could feel Shao Yun's pressure from this far.
"Prince, the thirty minutes are up. Over a thousand citizens have returned to the ley lines…"
Aether clenched his fists. The defeat burned—but he knew the truth.
If they stayed, all of them would die.
He closed his eyes.
"Retreat."
The Abyss Mages relayed the command. The remaining hilichurls scattered, fleeing in all directions.
Aether stood still, watching Shao Yun's silhouette on the bridge.
That figure remained—unbroken, immovable.
In that moment, a strange emotion stirred in Aether's heart—respect. Maybe even… relief.
He murmured to himself, "Maybe my sister's judgment isn't so bad after all. He's like Dainsleif once was… Sigh."
He turned and left with his forces.
…
Meanwhile, Shao Yun stood at the other end of the bridge, watching the last of the hilichurls retreat.
His voice was hoarse, rough like gravel, but still rang out clearly:
"Anyone else?! Huh?!"
The air stilled.
The few remaining brutes, stunned by his presence, turned tail and ran.
Shao Yun coughed harshly, clearing the burn in his throat.
He looked back toward the hill—but Aether was gone.
[System: Eastern Legend Challenge I Complete.]
As the notification appeared, the tension in his body finally released.
He bent down, picked up his discarded guns, and hopped off the cart to return to Mondstadt.
From the walls, the few remaining knights had watched the battle—had witnessed the withdrawal of an army.
Cheers erupted as the gates slowly rose.
One knight rushed up, seeing the blood soaking Shao Yun's coat, and helped him.
"Are you okay? Let me help you."
Shao Yun gave a tired smile, smoke and herbs clinging to him.
His eyes were bloodshot from strain and battle.
"I'm fine. Just… smoked too much, drank too much. I'll rest here by the wall for a bit."
He coughed again. "City alright?"
"All clear," the knight said with relief. "Calm and safe. You don't need to worry."
Shao Yun nodded faintly, easing a little. But not too much.
"Good. Now get back to your posts. The hilichurls are gone—but the Fatui might not be done."
Another knight pointed at his shoulder. "You've been shot—let us dress the wound."
Shao Yun waved it off. "Don't mind me. Just watch the inside."
Seeing his resolve, the knights returned to duty.
Shao Yun leaned back against the wall, eyes closed.
Just breathing. Just… finally breathing.