Shao Yun's declaration echoed through the night sky of Mondstadt like thunder, shaking the hearts of all who heard it.
Kaeya looked at the sea of Fatui corpses in front of the Goth Grand Hotel, a complicated mix of emotions rising in his heart. He took a deep breath and mustered the courage to ask Shao Yun, "Shao Yun, you..."
However, before he could finish his sentence, Shao Yun cut him off.
Assuming Kaeya was about to reproach him, Shao Yun's brow furrowed, and a sharp glint flickered in his eyes. He retorted, "What, Kaeya, do you think I'm a brutal person?"
Seeing the stern expression on Shao Yun's face, Kaeya flinched inwardly. He shook his head and pointed at the mangled corpses on the ground, trying to explain, "That's not what I meant, I just wanted to say—"
But again, Shao Yun interrupted him, this time raising his voice several octaves. His gaze became even sharper, like he might reveal his true form at any moment and devour Kaeya on the spot.
"I didn't chop off all their heads and hang them on the city gate—that was me leaving them some dignity as humans. Remember this: either you're the one eating, or you're the one being eaten. If Mondstadt shows weakness to the Fatui, there will be no safety. Don't you understand such a simple truth?"
Shao Yun tried to speak again, to finish what he had to say.
"I didn't mean that, I was just—"
"Then what? Answer me!"
Shao Yun was getting impatient. He couldn't understand why Kaeya kept hemming and hawing!
If Kaeya knew what Shao Yun was thinking, he'd probably slap him on the spot despite the risk: 'Just let me finish talking, damn it!'
"Shut up, Shao Yun, and let me finish!"
Kaeya shouted, risking a beating from Shao Yun, and hurriedly got his words out.
"What I meant was, we could have left a couple of them alive to interrogate. There was no need to kill them all."
Hearing Kaeya's words, Shao Yun paused and reassessed the scene around them, glancing back at the Goth Grand Hotel.
"Come here for a second." After surveying the surroundings, Shao Yun waved Kaeya over.
Kaeya tensed up. Seeing the calm look on Shao Yun's face, he felt a pang of fear. After all, dormant volcanoes were the scariest—because you never knew when they'd erupt.
Kaeya cautiously approached Shao Yun and muttered, "Don't hit me, I didn't mean to shout at you earlier."
Shao Yun couldn't help but laugh. He pulled Kaeya close, slung an arm around his shoulder, and patted him, asking, "And what do you want to interrogate them about? Their Northland Bank account passwords?"
There was a teasing tone in Shao Yun's voice, and Kaeya, realizing he wasn't about to be punched, let out a sigh of relief.
Then Shao Yun pointed toward the Goth Grand Hotel and, with a gleam in his eyes like a pirate describing the legendary City of Gold, said with longing:
"I didn't burn the whole place down. Why not just search it yourself? Do you think all their operations were run by word of mouth? This place should be a goldmine for you! There's a mountain of intel in there. Why are you being so lazy?"
Kaeya, upon hearing this, suddenly had a revelation. So that's an option?
"Huh? That... actually makes a lot of sense."
In truth, it wasn't entirely Kaeya's fault that his brain short-circuited. After all, who would've expected that Shao Yun could, in just ten minutes, reduce a squad of Fatui to scattered scraps? The scene was so overwhelming, anyone's brain might freeze for a moment.
Seeing Kaeya's enlightened expression, Shao Yun grew annoyed and knocked him on the head.
"I swear, your brain's full of cider. Get your people together and start searching!"
With that whack, Kaeya finally snapped to action. He quickly gathered personnel and launched a thorough search of the Goth Grand Hotel for Fatui intel.
As Kaeya busied himself organizing the search team, Shao Yun's gaze drifted around until it landed on Noelle, who still had tear streaks on her face.
Poor girl just witnessed something even more terrifying than before. Kaeya's sense of order is worse than Master Diluc's tavern! I swear, I'm slapping him twice before I leave.
Shao Yun walked over to her, his eyes filled with apology and concern, trying to soothe the fear and anxiety buried deep in her heart.
"Noelle..." he called her name softly, "uh... go get some rest. You've been through too much today..."
He couldn't think of anything better to say, so he reached out, intending to pat her head like before to comfort her.
However, when he saw the fresh blood staining his hands and clothes, he froze. Touching her with dirty hands would be far too disrespectful.
So, he withdrew his hand and, summoning all his strength, used a gentle voice to console her.
"I'm really sorry you had to witness so much bloodshed today. Maybe you should go to the Favonius Cathedral and talk to one of the sisters. They're better at comforting people than I am. I think I know a good confessor—want me to introduce you?"
Though the words were plain, the warmth in his tone flowed gently into Noelle's heart, easing her distress.
Noelle nodded slightly and whispered, "Thank you, Shao Yun. I'll go see the sisters. And you, too—don't push yourself too hard."
Shao Yun hadn't expected her to face it all so bravely, which made him even more concerned. He couldn't tell whether she was truly strong or merely forcing herself to be. That uncertainty gnawed at him.
After making sure Noelle was okay, he finally relaxed a little, but reminded her again, "Be sure to talk to the sisters. They'll help you."
Noelle smiled, nodded, and turned to leave.
Just as she was about to step away, she paused as if something came to mind. Then, she turned her head slightly, her red-rimmed eyes locking onto Shao Yun.
She waved—a gesture both natural and warm, like a breeze passing through a wheat field, gentle and full of life.
A faint, sweet smile curved her lips.
"Don't worry about what others think. You're a good person. I know that." Her voice was soft yet firm, like a stream flowing through a mountain valley—clear and strong.
Just as Noelle turned and walked away, a system prompt rang out in Shao Yun's mind.
[Reputation Value in Mondstadt Region has reached maximum.]
[Effect: -50% spending in shops, restaurants, taverns, etc.]
Noelle's simple "You're a good person" had maxed out his honor value on the spot.
If not for being exhausted from wall duty during the day, fighting Hilichurls at night, and killing the Fatui, he'd probably be bouncing with joy right now.
Cleanup duties were left to Kaeya and Lisa—Shao Yun wouldn't even know where to start, and in his current state, he might accidentally burn the whole hotel down!
Meanwhile, Amber spotted Shao Yun heading toward the city gates and couldn't help calling out, "Shao Yun, where are you going?"
He turned back and replied, "I'm going outside the city for some air. I'm not staying at your place tonight. Be careful of any remaining Fatui. I'm certain some of them are still in hiding."
Amber frowned slightly, a sense of unease creeping into her heart. She knew all too well how cruel and cunning the Fatui could be. Even though Shao Yun was more ruthless and wiped out the entire Fatui at the Goth Grand Hotel, sneak attacks were still a real danger.
"Why not just come back to my place and rest? It's safer there."
Shao Yun almost laughed at her suggestion.
If the Fatui really wanted revenge, forget your house—even the Knights' headquarters or the Church of Favonius could be set on fire. It was only because he'd already wiped out their main force that things hadn't escalated further.
"I'm going to meet Lumine and Paimon at the gate. Thanks anyway."
He declined Amber's kind offer and walked off toward the city gates without looking back.
The night was ink-dark as Shao Yun, dragging his weary body, left the Goth Grand Hotel—a place that felt like purgatory.
Under the street lamps of Mondstadt's commercial district, his shadow stretched long and thin, like a solitary figure wandering the silent streets.
There wasn't a clean spot on his body or clothes—it was impossible to tell whose blood covered him, his own or the Fatui's.
He walked the empty streets until he reached the city gate.
There, a carriage still blocked the only road across the bridge.
Though exhausted, he silently walked over, pulled the stick jammed in the wheel, and used both hands to move the carriage back into place.
Once it was cleared, Shao Yun leaned against the city wall and closed his eyes in fatigue. His breathing was heavy and slow, as if each breath was meant to exhale a piece of his exhaustion.
His body pressed against the cold stone, absorbing its chill to ease the heat and tiredness that burned through him.
"System, I don't know if you have this function, but if the Fatui try to ambush me, wake me up." Shao Yun mumbled before his head tilted and he drifted into sleep.
At dawn, golden sunlight blanketed the land outside the city.
Shao Yun lay on the ground, blood on his body dried, unmoving like a corpse.
But his breathing had steadied, showing that he had recovered somewhat from the depths of his fatigue.
Two adventurers in green outfits were escorting two cargo balloons toward the city, their faces filled with excitement—this trip was sure to earn them tens of thousands of Mora.
One of them noticed Shao Yun lying there and gasped, pulling at his companion and pointing, "Hey! Look, is that guy dead?"
The other adventurer cautiously stepped closer to check if Shao Yun was still breathing.
"Not sure, but look at all that blood—could be." He reached out a hand carefully.
Just as he touched Shao Yun, the man's eyes shot open.
Like a beast waking from slumber, Shao Yun sat up in an instant and drew his revolver—nearly shooting the poor guy!
"Ahh! He's a zombie!" the adventurer cried out, collapsing to the ground in fear.
Shao Yun, seeing their terrified faces and confirming they weren't Fatui, sighed in relief and put away his gun.
Exhaling deeply, he said flatly, "I'm not dead. Just asleep."
The adventurer, hand still clutching his chest, was helped up by his friend. He looked at the blood all over Shao Yun and asked with concern, "Uh, sir, you don't look too well. I think I've got some bandages in my pack!"
He quickly pulled out a roll of clean white bandages and held it out.
Shao Yun shook his head, stood up, dusted off his clothes, rubbed his sore neck, and gave the adventurer a pat on the shoulder.
"I'm fine. Thanks for the offer. You guys go ahead—I'm just waiting for someone."
The two adventurers, seeing this, didn't dare say more and continued their journey into the city.
Shao Yun leaned against the city wall, gazing into the distance.
The morning breeze stirred the edges of his bloodstained cloak.
Soon, three familiar figures appeared in the distance.
"Hey! Over here!" Shao Yun raised his arm and shouted.
The three figures paused, then broke into a run. In less than a minute, Jean, Diluc, and Venti stood before him.
Jean gasped at the sight of Shao Yun covered in blood and asked urgently, "By the Anemo Archon, Shao Yun, how badly are you hurt?"
Shao Yun looked them over, relieved to see they were unharmed. But he didn't answer Jean's question right away.
"Jean, Diluc, and Venti—I'm fine. Where are Lumine and Paimon?" His voice was a bit hoarse, but his bright eyes told them he still had strength left.
The eyes are the window to the soul. You could always tell a person's condition by looking into them.
Diluc answered, pointing behind him, "Lumine and Paimon are right behind us. We just returned first—they said there was something urgent."
Shao Yun figured he knew what that meant: probably stumbled upon a treasure chest and got sidetracked.
Looking at Venti, he asked, "By the way, how's Dvalin...?"
Venti gave a relieved smile and replied, "Thanks to the Traveler, Dvalin is safe and sound now."
Hearing this, Shao Yun's worry finally eased. He nodded and turned to Jean, "That's good. Jean, I have something to tell you."
Jean, seeing the serious look on Shao Yun's face and his clenched fists, grew tense.
Shao Yun took a deep breath and began to recount everything—the Hilichurl army's assault on Mondstadt and the Fatui's betrayal—in full detail.