When Shao Yun returned to his room at the trading inn, the first sight that greeted him was Lumine and Paimon sitting quietly at the dining table.
Both of them looked completely listless, lifelessly counting the pile of Mora that Lumine had won as the champion's prize.
As the door slowly creaked open and softly closed behind him, the faint sound caused Lumine, who had been staring blankly downward, to lift her head.
She looked at Shao Yun with dull eyes and said softly, her voice slightly hoarse, "Shao Yun, you're back."
Shao Yun quickly walked over, his gaze sweeping across the two figures—one large, one small—and then across the table piled high with shining golden Mora.
"Wow, even all this glittering Mora isn't enough to cheer you two up?"
Hearing that, Paimon deflated like a punctured balloon. She weakly tossed the Mora in her hand back onto the table and sighed deeply, mumbling gloomily,
"Ugh… if only all this Mora could bring Bongo-Head back…"
Her tiny face was filled with sorrow.
Seeing this, Shao Yun reached out and gently patted Paimon's small head, his tone soft and comforting. "Alright, alright, don't be so sad."
"After all, the Akademiya promised to take good care of Bongo-Head, so there's really nothing to worry about. And even if you're apart now, I'm sure there'll come a day when you meet again."
However, Paimon didn't seem comforted by his words.
She still lay on the table, puffing her cheeks in frustration, grumbling in a small, wounded voice. "Mmph… I know you're right, but I really didn't expect we'd have to say goodbye this soon!"
Shao Yun looked at Paimon's pouty face and thought, Well, things could be worse. Poor Layla probably won't ever see her Twirly-Whirly ever again in her whole life.
Quickly changing the subject, Shao Yun spoke gently, "Alright, let's not dwell on sad things! The competition's over, everything went well—so, what are your plans next?"
As soon as he said that, Lumine looked up, set the Mora in her hand back on the table, and asked, "Do you have a plan, Shao Yun?"
Shao Yun smiled slightly, casually sitting down beside her before replying in an unhurried tone, "Mm, yes, I do."
"I need to take a trip to Inazuma to handle something rather important. Would you like to come with me?"
At the mention of returning to Inazuma, Lumine's expression turned hesitant. "Back to Inazuma… well…"
Seeing her indecision, Shao Yun waved his hand dismissively, remaining relaxed.
"If you've got something else to do, it's fine. I won't be gone long—once I'm back, we can fully focus on finding your brother and having that talk."
But Lumine quickly shook her head and explained, "No, it's not that. It's just that Beidou invited us to Liyue for the Lantern Rite a couple of days ago."
"I was planning to tell you after the tournament, but then that whole thing with Bongo-Head came up, and, well… it got delayed."
When Shao Yun heard that Lumine wanted to go to Liyue's Lantern Rite, he thought for a moment and said, "The Lantern Rite in Liyue, huh… I don't have too much to do in Inazuma. I should be able to make it back to Liyue before the festival starts."
"What do you think, Lumine? Want to come to Inazuma with me first?"
Seeing how easily Shao Yun put it, Lumine finally agreed.
"Alright, sure. I can visit a few friends in Inazuma while we're there."
…
Night fell over the old lighthouse district of Port Ormos.
After enjoying a lavish dinner bought with Lumine's tournament winnings, she invited Shao Yun to walk with her—there was something she wanted to discuss.
The two sat side by side on a bench, shoulders touching.
A cool breeze drifted past, brushing against them with a soft chill that felt relaxing and serene.
Above, the night sky glittered with countless stars—like a sea of gemstones scattered across the dark, endless void.
The sea below lay calm and still beneath the night's veil, broken only by the occasional, gentle sound of waves lapping at the shore.
The ships moored in the harbor rocked softly with the tide.
Shao Yun gazed at the vast sky above, then around at their quiet—but not quite secluded—surroundings.
He couldn't help teasing, "You know, we really didn't have to be this thrifty about travel expenses. And this place doesn't exactly scream private conversation spot either…"
Lumine, lost in thought, blinked in confusion at his sudden comment.
Though she didn't fully understand what he meant, her instincts told her it probably wasn't anything good.
"What are you talking about!" she shot back quickly. "I have something important to discuss with you!"
Seeing her serious expression, Shao Yun's heart skipped a beat.
He forced a smile and quickly said, "Nothing, nothing—just joking."
But Lumine's eyes glimmered oddly as she stared at him. "Hmm… you've been acting kind of strange lately."
Shao Yun's smile stiffened, though he tried to play it off. "Haha, well, going out at night for a date can do that—makes people think all sorts of weird things, you know?"
Lumine immediately caught his meaning and twitched her lips awkwardly. "Let's… hold off on that kind of thing for now. We have more serious matters to discuss."
Hearing that, Shao Yun's heart leapt—he took it as a good sign.
He straightened up, feigning seriousness. "Alright, alright, let's talk business then."
Lumine cleared her throat and began, "Do you remember that banquet that ended badly?"
At the word "banquet," Shao Yun immediately bristled.
"Of course. You mean when Alhaitham and Cyno apologized to you? Yeah, Alhaitham told me—but I never said I forgave those two traitors!"
"It's one thing for them to give me attitude, but you and Paimon? If we weren't all on the same side—and if I weren't worried about scaring Dunyazard and Nilou—I'd have opened third eyes on both their heads!"
Lumine sighed helplessly as he got more agitated.
"Enough, enough. Forget Alhaitham and Cyno—that's not important. What I wanted to talk about is Nahida."
At that name, Shao Yun's expression instantly soured. He had long lost any goodwill toward the Seven Archons, and his tone snapped like gunfire.
"Oh? The little diaper fairy? What about her? Did she dream she had to use the bathroom and accidentally wet the bed?"
Lumine frowned. That was way too harsh.
She elbowed him sharply. "What's with you lately? You've gotten so mean!"
Realizing he'd gone too far, Shao Yun immediately softened.
"Sorry, I got carried away. Go on."
Seeing his sincerity, Lumine's expression relaxed slightly as she said, "Nahida told me… she said I'm the fourth Descender of Teyvat."
Shao Yun's face remained indifferent. It didn't concern him—whether Lumine was royal or just a girl, he loved her all the same.
He shrugged. "That's not too shocking. You've told me before you're not from Teyvat, so it's no big secret."
Lumine nodded. "Yes, but what's strange is… Nahida also said something about you, and it really confused me."
At that, Shao Yun's senses sharpened. "About me? What did she say?"
Lumine pursed her lips slightly, then slipped an arm around his, leaning gently against his shoulder. Her voice grew soft.
"Nahida said… you're neither a native of Teyvat, nor a Descender."
She paused, then looked up at his face and continued, "More importantly, she said that the name that appears for you in Irminsul is Arthur Morgan. Is that your real name?"
Shao Yun froze, drawing in a sharp breath as his eyes widened in disbelief.
Even the sea breeze seemed to pause, and the world fell into stillness.
It took a long while before Shao Yun finally stirred.
He opened his mouth, voice dry and rough, but no words came out. He didn't even know how to begin.
He lifted his head toward the vast sky. Fake as it was, it really did look beautiful.
The stars above seemed to return his gaze in quiet understanding.
He took a deep breath, the cool air easing the pounding in his chest.
"…Let's put it this way," Shao Yun began quietly, a trace of weariness in his tone.
"Even I don't really know who I am anymore. Ever since that encounter with… that damned Devil, my memories have been a mess."
"So many things are blurred—or completely gone."
He paused. "But if I have to be called something… then I'd rather you keep calling me Shao Yun. That's one of the few things I can still be sure of."
Lumine nodded softly, understanding.
"Alright then, Shao Yun," she whispered.
Relieved that the matter seemed settled, Shao Yun smiled faintly and patted her shoulder. "So, was that the only reason you brought me out here tonight?"
Lumine smiled lightly. "Mm-hm. That's all."
Shao Yun rubbed the bridge of his nose with a wry grin.
She really treats the tiniest things like grand affairs…
He'd been hoping for something more romantic, but that thought quickly faded.
The two sat there quietly, watching the sea shimmer under the moonlight, before heading back to rest.
…
Four mornings after the end of the Nilotpala Cup Beast Tamers Tournament—
A gentle breeze brushed the sails at the harbor, making them flutter softly.
That day, Kamisato Ayato had just finished his diplomatic mission in Sumeru.
His sister, Kamisato Ayaka, and the Yae Publishing House staff accompanying them had also completed their cultural research.
Meanwhile, the Alcor had been fully prepared for departure, ready to escort the Kamisato siblings back to Inazuma.
As usual, Captain Beidou stood tall and proud on the deck.
Suddenly, she spotted three familiar figures approaching from the distant dock—Shao Yun, Lumine, and Paimon.
A grin spread across her face as her eyes lit up with delight.
With a swift motion, she leapt from the high deck and landed gracefully on the pier below.
Raising a hand, she waved at them energetically and called out, "Hey there! Heroes who saved Liyue!"
Hearing Beidou's voice, the trio quickened their pace.
When they got close, Shao Yun spread his arms wide and laughed heartily. "Hahaha! Captain Beidou! Looks like we'll be freeloading on your ship again!"
Beidou burst out laughing. "Hah! Having you aboard my ship is an honor, not a bother!"
Then, with a smile, she added, "Your old cabins are still the same—hope that's alright?"
Shao Yun nodded. "Of course! Whatever you say, Captain Beidou!"
He looked to Lumine and Paimon, who both smiled and agreed.
Paimon, glancing around curiously, asked, "Where are Ayato and Ayaka? I don't see them anywhere!"
Beidou chuckled. "Oh, those two? The Kamisato siblings are far too important to ride on a merchant warship like mine!"
She pointed toward an elegant passenger vessel beside the Alcor. "See? They're over there. My ship's not exactly built for luxury guests."
Hearing that, Shao Yun smirked. "Well, at least now no one will fight us for rooms—and you won't have to feel bad about it, Captain."
Beidou laughed warmly. "Hah! I wouldn't give those rooms to anyone else anyway. I've kept them ready for the heroes of Liyue."
Shao Yun grinned, bumping his fist lightly against hers. "I like the way you talk."
"Alright then," Beidou said with a wave, "let's get aboard! Time to set sail—destination: Inazuma!"
===BREAK===
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