At that moment, Shao Yun rode through a narrow and shadowed gorge, surrounded by an unspeakable killing aura. Behind him, a thick black cloud rolled and roared like an enraged beast, a prelude to the storm that was about to erupt.
As he finally passed through the Stone Gate and entered Mondstadt's territory, a fresh teal wind swept across his face, carrying a hint of coolness and clarity. Yet, it did nothing to ease Shao Yun's mood.
He simply pressed onward, riding straight toward Mondstadt City.
In that same breeze, Venti—the Archon of Wind—appeared, the braid by his cheek swaying in the wind.
He waved at Shao Yun, his voice filled with joy and curiosity.
"Hey there, Shao Yun! What brings you back to Mondstadt? Is it—"
But Shao Yun didn't stop. He didn't answer. He rode past Venti, leaping over him on horseback.
"I'm going to kill someone. Don't get in my way!" he shouted, vanishing from Venti's sight within seconds.
Venti froze at the words, staring after him with a growing sense of unease. He shouted, "Wait—hey! What's the rush? Kill someone? Who made you this mad?"
Shao Yun didn't reply. And that oppressive black cloud now caught up, pouring down sheets of rain, as if to drown the world.
Venti looked from the sky to the ground beneath his feet, a bad feeling rising within him.
He transformed into a stream of teal wind, pursuing Shao Yun at once.
He knew—Shao Yun's return meant something serious had happened.
As Shao Yun rode, Venti's voice echoed in his ears.
"Shao Yun, the leylines are in chaos wherever you go! What happened?"
"Say something, will you?!"
"What exactly is going on?!"
Shao Yun finally answered, "I don't know. I just know I'm going to kill two people—one named Huachu, the other Jianqiu!" His voice was brimming with fury and resolve.
Venti grew even more puzzled.
"What did those two do to you? Can't you stop for a second? Let's talk this through!"
Shao Yun shook his head and didn't answer the question, only shouting again, "Don't ask so many questions—I've already lost my mind!"
His voice echoed through the wind, filled with murderous intent and madness.
…
Morning at Dawn Winery. Sunlight spilled through the window lattice onto a fine dining table. The warm golden glow danced across the silver cutlery, casting a dappled light.
Head maid Adelinde walked through the corridor and approached the table.
Diluc, the master of Dawn Winery, was eating breakfast while buried in a pile of tax documents, occasionally sipping from his coffee cup.
"Master Diluc," Adelinde's voice broke the early morning stillness, "a huge dark cloud is drifting in from the south. It looks like a storm is brewing."
Hearing this, Diluc looked up from the tax forms and gazed at her.
He set down his pen and coffee cup, asking in surprise, "A storm?"
Rain was fine, but a storm?
Adelinde nodded. Diluc got up and went to the window.
He gently pushed it open. A gust of fresh air hit his face, laced with the moist scent of approaching clouds.
He looked south. A mass of heavy black clouds was surging in fast, and the sky was growing darker by the second.
"Strange. Ever since the Stormterror problem was resolved, has Mondstadt ever had a storm?"
Standing by, Adelinde heard his muttering and explained, "I've already sent people to reinforce the vineyard, sir. Do you have any other orders?"
Diluc nodded approvingly, then added, "Tell the staff to stop working and get inside immediately. Safety first—no one's to take any risks."
Adelinde agreed at once and went to relay the message, while Diluc stood at the window, staring southward.
He stepped outside the mansion and looked up. The sky was thick with ominous clouds.
Just then, the sound of galloping hooves echoed from the distance.
Only two people would ride like that—either the Grand Master had returned from an expedition, or it was Shao Yun.
Diluc followed the sound with his gaze and spotted a familiar figure riding fast on a fiery red horse.
Sure enough, it was Shao Yun—his new horse swift as the wind.
Diluc muttered, "Shao Yun's back? And with a new horse? Since when did Mondstadt have so many horses?"
But curiosity was quickly replaced by unease.
That black cloud followed Shao Yun like a shadow, rolling over the winery in an instant.
Then came the torrential rain, thunder and lightning, and a powerful windstorm that sent trees swaying violently.
Diluc's face grew grim, a strong sense of urgency rising within him.
"Something's wrong in Mondstadt City, isn't it?"
Without another thought, Diluc bolted toward the city.
Adelinde rushed out of the mansion with a raincoat in hand, shouting, "Master Diluc! Your coat—it's pouring!"
But Diluc had already vanished into the storm, leaving only her anxious cries behind.
…
Morning sunlight filtered through the old windows of the Knights of Favonius headquarters, casting light into Jean's office.
Jean, the Acting Grand Master loved dearly by the people of Mondstadt, stood by the window holding a freshly brewed cup of coffee.
Her gaze wandered down the peaceful streets, though a ripple of unease stirred within her.
"No Fatui causing trouble, no drunken brawls lately, even Klee's been surprisingly well-behaved. If only every day could be like this," she murmured with a rare tone of ease and serenity.
If such peace could last forever, Mondstadt would be a paradise on earth.
But just then, her gaze caught sight of the black clouds rolling in from the south.
They spread rapidly, swallowing half the sky.
Jean frowned slightly. "Rain? That's strange. The forecast said sunny weather for two weeks straight."
At that moment, there was a soft knock at the office door.
Jean straightened her posture and said steadily, "Come in."
The door creaked open. Lisa entered—her face tense, brows furrowed.
Seeing Lisa like this stirred unease in Jean's heart. She'd never seen the usually laid-back librarian this serious.
"Lisa, what's wrong? You don't look so well."
Lisa took a deep breath and calmed herself. "Jean, that black cloud—it's a sign of a disrupted leyline. This anomaly is worse than the Stormterror incident!"
Jean's pupils contracted sharply. She quickly set her coffee cup down.
"Are you sure?"
"Absolutely," Lisa said.
Jean immediately issued a storm warning, alerting Mondstadt citizens to seek shelter. She led the knights into the streets, ready for whatever the storm might bring.
…
Venti arrived in Mondstadt ahead of Shao Yun.
Standing atop the tower of the Cathedral of the Anemo Archon, he lightly strummed his lyre. A wind barrier silently rose, shielding the city from the incoming storm.
"Ugh… just what did those two newcomers do to piss off that killing star?!"
Meanwhile, Shao Yun rode through the muddy roads and arrived at the city gates.
He looked up at the strong city walls, his heart stirring with unexplainable emotion.
Just as he was about to enter, the system prompt chimed.
[Unauthorized…]
Shao Yun scowled and cursed.
"Shut the hell up! Say one more word, and I'll find a way to uninstall you!"
With that roar, the system's popup vanished without a trace.
Shao Yun entered Mondstadt unhindered.
Inside, peace reigned in stark contrast to the storm outside.
He moved along the familiar commercial street, marveling inwardly that this "joyful hometown" truly lived up to its name.
Venti muttered, "There is no true peace—only the Archons who shoulder the burdens. If we left it be, another Stormterror would rise again."
Eventually, Shao Yun arrived at the Adventurers' Guild reception. Miss Katheryne greeted him with a smile.
"Ad astra abyssosque. Welcome to the Adventurers' Guild, Mr. Tacitus Kilgore."
Shao Yun dismounted and walked up, forcing a strained smile.
He pulled out his journal, flipping to a page that featured sketches of Jianqiu and Huachu.
He handed it to Katheryne. "Hello, Miss Katheryne. I'm looking for two people who came from Liyue—a man and a woman. They may have changed names, but I have their likenesses here."
Katheryne examined the sketches carefully. After a moment, she looked up and asked, "Is this a missing person request? May I ask why you're looking for them?"
Shao Yun retracted the notebook. "They're… friends of mine. There's something important I need to tell them."
Katheryne's heart skipped a beat. She glanced at the blank commission form on the table, then picked up her pen.
"I can help you submit a request. We might be able to locate them very soon—"
She was cut off by Shao Yun's sudden movement.
He drew a sawed-off shotgun from his waist, pointing it directly at her.
"I want to know where those two bastards live. Now. Immediately. Don't make me flip this place upside down." Shao Yun's voice was cold. "Even if they fix or replace you, getting blown to pieces still hurts like hell."
Katheryne didn't dare hesitate. She pulled out the original commission forms and receipts from when the two registered their residence.
The documents detailed their address and personal information.
"Everything you need is here."
She handed the papers over, hoping to calm him.
Shao Yun scanned the pages swiftly.
His gaze softened. He holstered the shotgun and nodded at her, offering a polite apology.
"Sorry. I give you my sincere apologies."
He took the documents, mounted Boadicea, and rode toward their home.
As he passed by the Good Hunter restaurant, a glance caught a group of familiar faces.
Huachu and Jianqiu were sitting at a table with Gloria, Godwin, Rudolph, and Jilliana, laughter spilling from their mouths.
…
Jianqiu stood up with his wine glass, smiling gratefully.
"Thank you all. Without your help, Huachu and I wouldn't have found footing in Mondstadt. This meal is our way of expressing gratitude."
Godwin waved it off with a smile.
"You're too kind. As a Knight of Favonius, helping others is what we do. And I've heard from the kids—they love your lessons. Even bards drop in to listen."
Jianqiu shook his head modestly.
"No, Mr. Godwin, you're the generous one. You helped us find a home and a teaching job for me. I'll never forget that kindness."
He drained his glass. Since Godwin only had a half-day off, he raised a glass of water in place of wine and drank with Jianqiu.
Beside Jianqiu, Huachu sat in a soft, elegant gown, like a blooming spring flower.
She raised her glass, the clear liquor shimmering within, giving off a faint aroma.
She looked to Jilliana with heartfelt gratitude.
"My turn—thank you, Miss Jilliana," Huachu said earnestly. "Since childhood, I've suffered from palpitations. It felt like my heart would leap out of my chest. But ever since you took me to the Cathedral and I received healing prayers, I haven't had another episode. I'll never forget your kindness."
She finished the drink, her cheeks blushing slightly.
Jilliana, seeing this, raised her own glass—filled with fresh juice, its sweet fragrance lingering.
Like Godwin, she had only taken a half-day from the Church.
"Barbatos protects all good souls," she said with a smile. "Whether you were born here or not, as long as you believe in Lord Barbatos, you'll have the Wind Archon's blessing."
She finished the juice like wine.
Jianqiu and Huachu enjoyed the meal with their four friends, the occasional laughter drifting through the air.
Suddenly, the conversation turned to Shao Yun.
His name seemed to carry magic—it lit up everyone's eyes.
Gloria was first to speak, praising him for bringing Godwin back, saying her sight returned because her beloved returned.
Jilliana was even more generous with her praise, recounting how Shao Yun had rescued her from the Treasure Hoarders and brought peace to her family.
Jianqiu didn't know Shao Yun's real name. He believed this was just a kind, mysterious adventurer.
With a sense of admiration and curiosity, he exclaimed, "Is there really someone like that? He must be amazing. I'd love to meet him."
No sooner had the words left his mouth than the four across from him froze, expressions wide with disbelief—as though they had seen a ghost.
Huachu and Jianqiu turned in confusion.
Then—click click.
Shao Yun stood behind them with a sawed-off shotgun in hand, a devil from hell itself.
He said coldly, "'As you wish.'"