(To avoid any confusion, I'll continue writing with "Mu Yang" so readers who jump around won't think the protagonist suddenly changed.)
The story began with an old poetry book resting on the table.
Flipping through the pages, the very first illustration was already at the story's climax.
On a gambling table, a white-haired man had just picked up a deck of cards.
"You've looked at the cards. Now you have to play," the man across from him said with a cold smile, gun in hand.
...
The story officially began.
The lonely rider's song echoed through the mountain valley at dawn.
Even though no one was there to listen…
The singing grew closer and closer. Mu Yang, dressed in full cowboy attire, rode into frame on horseback.
[This landscape, this outfit — what world did we drop into? Is this still Genshin?]
[Didn't he say earlier that revolvers are used by people from Natlan?]
[So this is Natlan?!]
[Natlan is way too advanced — they even have guitars!]
[Am I the only one who cares that Mu Yang actually sings well?]
Mu Yang sang while playing the guitar. The lyrics were simple and easy to understand.
Translated, they went something like: "My horse and I are both thirsty. We want water. Where's the water…"
Even with such plain lyrics, accompanied by the melody of the "Songbird," the song was genuinely pleasant to hear.
Mu Yang broke the fourth wall and spoke directly to the audience.
"Maybe you've heard of me. Buster Scruggs, also known as the 'Songbird.'"
"Of course, I have plenty of other nicknames, aliases, and titles… but don't worry about them."
"I only mention it to clarify something — this particular title has nothing to do with me."
Mu Yang pulled a wanted poster from the pack on his back —
Buster Scruggs the Misanthrope.
Wanted dead or alive.
"I don't hate my companions, even if some of them are annoying… and some even try to cheat at cards."
"But that's just human nature, isn't it, old friend?"
He patted his horse. "If I remember right, there should be a saloon somewhere through this canyon. With any luck, there'll be a group of customers gathered around a card table."
[Breaking the fourth wall to talk to the audience — Mu Yang is so ahead of the curve.]
[His understanding is way ahead of the current version.]
[Oh my god, I'm so excited for Natlan now.]
[miHoYo's geniuses actually came up with a promotional film like this.]
After passing through the canyon, there really was a rundown saloon.
Mu Yang pushed open the door and brushed the dust off his clothes.
The once-noisy saloon instantly fell silent.
The patrons stared at him with unfriendly eyes.
Clearly, compared to them, Mu Yang looked far too clean.
Even the bartender's expression wasn't particularly welcoming.
But Mu Yang didn't seem to care. He walked up to the bar with a smile and smoothly ordered a whiskey.
"My throat could use some proper care."
"Whiskey's illegal. We don't sell alcohol here."
The bartender lied with a straight face — even though the shelves behind him were stacked with bottles.
Mu Yang turned slightly and glanced at the customers. "Then what are they drinking?"
"Whiskey." Maybe worried Mu Yang wouldn't understand, the kind-hearted bartender added, "They're outlaws."
Mu Yang couldn't hold back a laugh. "Gentlemen, don't let my clean appearance and polite manners fool you. I'm also an outlaw who breaks the law."
[You really don't look like one.]
[Look at the people around you — they're obviously Treasure Hoarders.]
[Treasure Hoarders really are everywhere.]
The burly man closest to Mu Yang shouted, "You don't count. We don't drink with self-important types."
"Sir, it seems your eyesight is as poor as your character."
Mu Yang took a step closer. "Maybe you should shave that beard and try being a little more cheerful."
"And please don't mind me criticizing your friends — you really should find better drinking companions."
Not only did this speech belittle everyone present, it also subtly implied that none of them were qualified to drink with him.
The burly man stood up. He wasn't much of a talker. Knowing he couldn't win with words in a place like this, he simply pulled back his coat to reveal a revolver.
These men were clearly real outlaws.
"Can your gun still fire?" the burly man asked.
Bang—
Blood seeped from the man's forehead…
No one in the saloon had seen when or how Mu Yang drew his gun.
His draw was simply too fast!
By the time everyone realized the burly man had collapsed, Mu Yang was already elegantly holstering his revolver.
He lightly patted his gun belt. "It's still in good condition."
[American quick-draw?!]
[Don't ask. Whoever asks, dies!]
[Within seven steps, the gun is both fast and accurate.]
[Old Yang doesn't follow martial virtue at all, damn.]
[Ah, doesn't this just prove I'm an outlaw too?]
Mu Yang tipped his hat with a small smile. Only then did the others react and try to fight back. They frantically shoved tables and bottles aside to draw their guns.
But how could Mu Yang give them the chance?
Bang bang bang bang—
Four shots rang out in quick succession. Then he spun the revolver and pointed it toward the bar counter.
The camera quickly panned — the bartender had been reaching for his own shotgun.
Bang—
The final shot.
The saloon fell silent.
"Wait… one lucky fellow doesn't seem to have been hit in a vital spot. Looks like my aim still isn't precise enough."
Mu Yang grabbed the whiskey from the counter. "Maybe my throat really is too dry."
The surviving Treasure Hoarder was desperately trying to crawl toward the exit.
"Let me get the door for you. As for the final blow…"
Mu Yang took a long swig. "I'll leave that to any passing beasts… or whatever else comes along."
"Goodbye, friend."
The man crawling on the floor never once looked up. He had completely lost the courage to shoot back.
They had been doing this kind of work for most of their lives, but they had never seen anyone draw and fire this fast.
If they had known from the beginning…
Perhaps they never should have judged him by his appearance.
["My aim still isn't precise enough" — I seriously suspect that was on purpose.]
[Even after changing weapons, the flexing feeling hasn't changed at all.]
[If there had been one more person in the saloon, he wouldn't have had enough bullets!]
[One extra actor is too expensive — Brother Mu can't afford it (laughing)]
With his throat soothed by the whiskey, Mu Yang continued on his way.
Before long, he arrived at a fairly well-developed small town.
"Chenyu Vale — a town I've never been to before." (Note: This has nothing to do with the real Chenyu Vale.)
[Then why call it Chenyu Vale?]
[Someone's sneaking in their own references.]
Mu Yang rode his old companion through the town and eventually decided to head to the liveliest saloon.
Singing, drinking, and dueling — those were pretty much his only hobbies.
He pushed open the elegantly decorated doors.
What greeted him were noblewomen dancing and a circle of card players gathered around a table.
This was exactly the kind of saloon he had been looking for.
This place really did seem nice.
"Wait a moment, partner. Hotel policy — guns stay at the door."
Mu Yang looked over and saw a white-bearded old man. Piles of firearms and various dangerous melee weapons were stacked beside him.
"Six-shooter for you. Small pistols too?"
Mu Yang lifted his pant leg — there were two small pistols holstered at his ankles.
"All of them, sir. Hotel policy."
After handing over his weapons, Mu Yang felt a little uncomfortable, like his hands were strangely empty.
But since everyone else had surrendered theirs too, nothing too terrible should happen… right?
"You don't mind if I take his seat, do you?"
Mu Yang adjusted the chair. The previous player had left at just the right time.
"You have to play the hand he left," said the man sitting to Mu Yang's right, his eyes sharp.
Mu Yang picked up the cards and saw that it was indeed a terrible hand. No wonder the previous player had left.
He shook his head. "No. I'll start with the next round."
"But you've already seen the cards," the slick-haired merchant on his left reminded him.
"You looked at the cards. Now you have to play."
The last person to speak sat directly across from Mu Yang. Judging by his appearance, he was a complete outlaw…