At this moment, on the current scene, Shao Yun and Aether were now separated to two sides by the Abyss Heralds, the Abyss Lectors, and the Abyss Mages under their command. Both sides could hear each other's voices but could not see one another.
Seeing all these "employees" blocking the way between himself and Shao Yun, Aether was so furious his nose practically twisted. Were his subordinates brainless? Did none of them have eyes?
"You all, move aside!" Aether roared, startling the Abyss Mages into trembling three times—but still, none of them stepped away.
Seeing that these employees refused to give way even if it killed them, Aether exploded in rage: "My brother-in-law has urgent business with me, can't you understand that!?"
Before his words had fully faded, Aether exerted all his strength and forcefully squeezed his way through a gap between the tightly packed "human wall" of Abyss Mages.
Then he rushed toward Shao Yun in only a few steps, anxiously demanding, "What did you just say? What happened to my sister?"
Right now, Aether had been scared half to death by Shao Yun's earlier words—he had even begun imagining Lumine trapped in life-or-death labor.
Shao Yun explained everything: his encounter with the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles, how she planned to use Lumine to cultivate bonds with Teyvat, and then use her as a "poison filter" to cleanse the Abyss and save Teyvat.
As Aether listened, his eyes widened further and further.
"You… you're telling the truth?"
Shao Yun nodded firmly and added, "That Sustainer said every word of it to me herself."
Upon hearing this, Aether's rage ignited instantly, baring his teeth.
"Damn it! Fucking hell!!" Aether cursed, punching at the empty air before him.
Next, he stomped the solid ground beneath his feet several times with all his strength.
After venting for a while, Aether finally calmed down somewhat, though he was still panting and seething with fury.
He worked to steady his breathing and spoke as evenly as he could: "Alright. I understand everything now."
"Don't worry. Leave this to me. You should leave this place first."
Hearing that Aether wanted him to just leave like that, Shao Yun instantly expressed strong discontent.
"Wow, I came all the way here, gave up going with Lumine to Liyue for Lantern Rite, and you think I came just to say a few lines to you?"
Seeing Shao Yun show absolutely no intention of leaving, Aether froze for a moment and asked with confusion, "Then what exactly do you mean?"
Shao Yun suddenly raised his hand and pointed upward, emotions surging, his voice loud and fierce.
"Some bastard is scheming against your sister—my wife! You think I can just sit still!?"
"You entrusted Lumine to me. I won't just sit by and watch. I think it's time we work together."
Hearing Shao Yun propose cooperation, Aether was completely stunned. He wondered if he'd been sleep-deprived lately, hearing things, hallucinating—he couldn't believe he had just heard the word "cooperate."
After a long pause, Aether finally recovered and asked in disbelief, "You want to help me? You'd go against the Seven Archons?"
Shao Yun casually flicked his arm and shifted straight into foul-mouthed mode.
"I don't want to hear that crap. I don't care about the Archons, the Heavenly Principles, or its damn enforcer. Whether they're merciful saints or heartless executioners—"
"Whoever threatens Lumine, I'll kill them without hesitation!"
"I won't let those damned bastards think they can push me around—screw that!"
Seeing Shao Yun so utterly fearless, ready to drag the whole world into hell with him, Aether was deeply shocked.
"You… you're really something. But I guess it makes sense. Someone timid would never dare pursue my sister…"
Immediately after, Aether abruptly changed the subject.
"Have I ever told you about my past with Lumine?"
Hearing this, Shao Yun casually mimed tossing something behind him, responding with a calm face.
"There's no point talking about the past. Whether you and Lumine were royalty or an ordinary family—I don't care."
"What matters is that your sister is about to be used as a poison filter! Do you have a plan to stop all this?"
Aether grit his teeth. "Remember that plan I told you back in The Chasm?"
Shao Yun blurted out five words: "The Loom of Fate?"
Seeing Shao Yun still remembered, Aether wasted no more time.
"Exactly. As long as this plan succeeds, we can shake the divine throne of the Heavenly Principles and rewrite destiny."
Shao Yun listened to the deep, cryptic explanation, his mind already spinning into a headache.
He cut straight to the point: "You're talking too high-level, I don't get it. Just answer one thing—will your plan stop Lumine from becoming a poison filter?"
Aether answered crisply, "Absolutely."
Hearing that certainty, Shao Yun stopped caring about anything else and immediately delivered the information Aether needed.
"The thing you're looking for is with Dainsleif."
At first, Aether didn't fully grasp the meaning and asked, "What?"
Shao Yun, helpless, repeated himself.
"I said, the 'eye' of the first Field Tiller—Dainsleif has it!"
Realizing the precious intel he had just received, Aether finally understood, silently marveling at Dainsleif's caution.
"Dainsleif… that's exactly the kind of thing you'd do…" he muttered.
Willing to help all the way—especially since this was his brother-in-law—Shao Yun volunteered at once. "Leave it to me! I'll take it from Dainsleif myself!"
Seeing Shao Yun not only provide critical intel but also volunteer to steal from Dainsleif, Aether made one final confirmation.
"You're really planning to step into this mess?"
Hearing this, Shao Yun revealed a smile that sent chills down one's spine.
"You think I'm joking? Let's hurry and make a plan! Then we end this once and for all!"
Right then, the clueless Frostfall raised a hand and asked a completely mood-killing question: "May I ask why you are helping us?"
Though the question was intrusive, Shao Yun still gave a reason.
"Your prince is my brother-in-law, and Lumine is my wife. Is that enough?"
Upon hearing that it was due to the prince's blood ties, the Abyss Lector, Frostfall, and all the Abyss Mages cheered together.
Then someone—no one knew who, and with no sense at all—said, "Yay! Our prince has such a good sister. We're saved!"
Hearing his subordinates say he "had a good sister," as if he were trading his own sister for profit, Aether's liver hurt with anger.
"If you idiots can't speak properly, shut up!" Aether shouted. His knuckles cracked loudly, making everyone shiver.
Next, Aether raised his hand violently and commanded, "Now—immediately—open the portals and get back!"
…
Meanwhile, in an ancient ruin long forgotten by the world—
Indignation was boiling out of Wicked Torrents as he complained to Enjou, blaming him for dragging him away from Prince Aether and ruining his chance to make an impression.
"Hmph! If you hadn't ruined my moment, I might have earned His Highness's favor!"
Enjou looked at the endlessly complaining Wicked Torrents and thought, Keep it up. Later I'll have you kneel and sing 'Conquer.'
Just as Wicked Torrents's complaints were reaching a fever pitch, a dim rift opened. Frostfall, an Abyss Lector, and a whole gang of Abyss Mages tumbled out, covered in dust.
Clearly, they had been scolded brutally by the prince.
Seeing this, Enjou turned to the still-muttering Wicked Torrents with great pride and said, "See? What did I tell you? Those clowns trying to show off must have angered His Highness."
"Look at them now—chewed out and sent back with their tails between their legs."
Wicked Torrents instantly dropped his earlier attitude, gazing at Enjou with admiration. "No way, 'Fathomless,' you're incredible. How did you know His Highness would be angry?"
Enjou smugly puffed up, almost wagging a nonexistent tail. With great ceremony, he said, "Life isn't all about fighting and killing—it's also about human nature and social sense! Now, go watch and learn!"
===BREAK===
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