Late at night, Shao Yun slowly opened his eyes in the boundless darkness.
He looked around. It was still the same crude campsite; nothing had changed.
In the distance, a donkey stood quietly, its bright eyes especially striking in the night. It seemed to be silently guarding the camp, or perhaps watching Shao Yun.
Shao Yun sat up, and a wave of soreness and exhaustion crashed over him like a tide, but he had no time to care.
His gaze fell on the Man with a Top Hat, who was fiddling with the campfire using a branch.
"I told you—we'd meet again."
Shao Yun didn't respond. His heart was filled with confusion and disorientation as he muttered, 'I've lost my mind…'
The Man with a Top Hat didn't seem to care about Shao Yun's reply. He spoke to himself, "I think you've found peace in your heart. After all, you've let go of the rage inside."
But Shao Yun acted as though he hadn't heard him. He looked up and said with regret, "You win. I'll do what you want and kill those bastards, Huachu and Jianqiu."
The Man with a Top Hat shook his head helplessly and explained once again, "I told you, my pact with Nianhua was broken because of your interference. It's no longer valid. Nianhua's soul is now free. If you want to kill them, go ahead. I won't interfere again."
Yet Shao Yun didn't believe a word of it. He cursed angrily, "You corrupting devil!"
The Man with a Top Hat stood up with a sigh. He turned his palm subtly behind his back, slowly stepping closer to Shao Yun, his gaze a mix of scrutiny and expectation.
"Whether you believe me or not," the man's voice was low and magnetic, echoing in the air like an ancient incantation, "I just want to ask you this—without my interference, how would the fire of vengeance in your heart have burned? Would you still have gone to kill those two for Miss Nianhua?"
Shao Yun stood abruptly and declared resolutely, "Revenge is a luxury we can't afford—but sometimes, luxury isn't a bad thing."
The Man with a Top Hat nodded slightly, a faint smile of satisfaction curling on his lips as he spoke again.
"Go find those two bastards. Then go be your truest self."
At that moment, a chestnut-colored Hungarian crossbreed horse appeared from nowhere. Its eyes reflected intelligence and loyalty. Its powerful muscles rivaled those of an Andalusian, if not surpassing them in some respects.
The man handed the horse over to Shao Yun, then walked to the side where the donkey stood. He took its reins and turned to leave.
Before departing, he looked back at Shao Yun once more and warned, "That horse is just a loan. You'll return it to me. You don't deserve to own it—because you deny yourself."
With those words, the man and the donkey vanished into the night.
[You have obtained "Boadicea" (temporary)]
[Legend of the East Challenge II: Your Truest Self]
[You will decide the fates of Huachu and Jianqiu.]
[All your actions will be forgiven]
[Quest Reward: Legend of the East Set Fragment ×1]
Shao Yun mounted the horse, stroking Boadicea's crimson mane. He could feel the creature's powerful muscles rippling beneath his touch. He took a deep breath.
"Isn't it obvious? I should've butchered those two bastards already. I've come to claim your lives!"
Just as he prepared to head north toward Mondstadt, the system prompt pierced the stillness of the night.
[Current Quest: Return to Liyue Harbor and meet with Yi Zhu. (Yi Zhu needs to speak with you)]
Shao Yun took a deep breath. Let them live a little longer, he thought.
He tightened the reins, turned the horse's head, and galloped toward Liyue Harbor.
…
In the dead of night, Lumine and Paimon were about to leave Liyue Harbor in search of Shao Yun.
Zhongli had told them that Shao Yun's emotions were unstable. However, just as they were about to leave, they saw him returning, riding atop Boadicea.
Lumine rushed forward, asking anxiously, "Shao Yun, where did you go? I've been worried sick about you."
Shao Yun halted the horse. Seeing the concern on Lumine's face, he couldn't help but feel a little guilty.
He tried to keep his voice steady. "Sorry, Lumine. I still can't find peace. I need to kill Huachu and Jianqiu!"
Lumine was stunned by his words. She hadn't expected such a drastic change in just a day.
"Shao Yun, calm down. I'll go with you. But can we at least make a plan first…?"
But Shao Yun shook his head. A flicker of resolve gleamed in his eyes.
"I have to kill them myself. It's the only way to ease the hatred in my heart. But right now, I have to meet with Yi Zhu. Don't worry about me."
With that, he rode Boadicea deeper into Liyue Harbor.
Paimon watched his silhouette disappear into the distance. She turned to Lumine and asked softly, "Lumine, is Shao Yun… okay?"
Lumine gently patted Paimon's back, offering comfort. "Don't worry. We have to believe in him. Shao Yun will figure it out."
…
At that moment, Yi Zhu sat quietly outside his house. Under the moonlight, his shadow stretched long.
His eyes were red and swollen from crying. Still, he stubbornly waited there—for someone important.
The sound of hooves broke the silence of the night. Yi Zhu looked up to see Shao Yun galloping toward him.
His arrival sparked a glimmer of hope in Yi Zhu's heart.
"Big brother, you came." His voice trembled slightly.
Shao Yun dismounted, walked to Yi Zhu, nodded, and said, "Yes, I came."
Yi Zhu looked up at Shao Yun, eyes brimming with tears. He asked, "Big brother, why is it that good people always get bullied in this world? My mom was so kind. Why did Huachu and Jianqiu have to kill her?"
Shao Yun was silent for a moment. Then he slowly replied, "Bad people don't need a reason to hurt others."
Yi Zhu fell quiet after hearing that. Then, clenching his fists, he said with determination, "I want revenge! No matter the cost, I'll make them pay!"
Shao Yun looked into the boy's determined eyes and saw that the seed of vengeance had already been planted. But he also knew Yi Zhu was still too young to bear such a burden.
"Yi Zhu, once you kill someone, there's no turning back. Life as an outlaw isn't easy."
But Yi Zhu was stubborn. "Big brother, I know I can't get revenge now. But I'll find someone to help me! I'll find people willing to avenge my mother!"
Shao Yun tried again to dissuade him. "The Adventurers' Guild won't take that kind of commission."
Yi Zhu's bright, tearful eyes were like two shimmering black gems, burning with a desire for revenge. He stared intently at Shao Yun.
Shao Yun understood the boy's intent.
"You want me to kill those two? The ones who killed your mother?"
Yi Zhu froze for a moment, then nodded. He trembled as he pulled a pouch from his pocket.
"A man with a really tall hat gave me this. He said if you came, I should give it to you." His voice cracked with sorrow.
[Accept: Proceed to the next stage. Decline: Legend of the East Challenge II ends; Reward: Legend of the East Set Fragment ×1]
[Whatever choice you make, your actions will be forgiven.]
Shao Yun understood everything now. With no emotion, he accepted the thirty silver coins and agreed to Yi Zhu's request.
As his fingers brushed the familiar weight, the system chimed in his ear.
[Legendary Item Acquired: The Thirteenth Disciple's Thirty Silver Coins]
But he paid no mind. He no longer wanted to play word games with devils—only to end this.
Shao Yun looked at Yi Zhu silently.
"Forget all of this. Don't get involved. Take care of your sister. She still needs you. Look forward—your future is still long. Things will get better."
With that, Shao Yun mounted Boadicea and rode north—toward Mondstadt!
[Current Quest: Head to Mondstadt!]
…
In the dead of night, the lights of the Chihu Rock residential district were dimming one by one, leaving only a few lone lamps flickering in the alleys.
In this silent night, Shao Yun rode alone. His horse's hooves echoed across the empty streets.
At the peak of Mt. Tianheng, Zhongli stood like a stone statue, gazing down at Shao Yun.
Suddenly, a massive black cloud surged across the sea. It moved silently but carried an overwhelming sense of dread, following closely behind Shao Yun, radiating terrifying pressure.
Its appearance cast a tense atmosphere over all of Liyue.
Moon Carver, Mountain Shaper, Cloud Retainer, Madame Ping, and the Conqueror of Demons stood behind Zhongli, their eyes locked on the black cloud, faces grim.
Moon Carver said in a deep voice, "Lord Rex Lapis, the aura around that boy Shao Yun is too strange. It's disrupting the entire leyline. That power... it may be even more terrifying than the Overlord of the Vortex, Osial."
Cloud Retainer scowled.
"I've said it before—Liyue cannot be ruled by mortals! If that boy truly loses control, not even all the mortals of Liyue together would survive. We immortals will have to act!"
Madame Ping sighed softly and spoke kindly.
"Cloud Retainer, I understand your concern. But I think the boy has a kind heart. That child Yi Zhu means nothing to him, yet he's willing to avenge the boy's mother. That's rare."
Cloud Retainer practically squawked, feathers ruffled in frustration. "Madame Ping! How can you be so careless? This concerns the entire fate of Liyue! If he truly loses control, how will we answer to the innocent mortals?"
Madame Ping gently shook her head and turned to Zhongli, asking softly, "And you, my lord? What do you think?"
Zhongli's gaze remained on Shao Yun's retreating figure. He was silent for a moment, then slowly spoke.
"The only thing we can do now is watch and wait. If Shao Yun does lose control, we will stop him—no matter the cost."
As his voice fell, the black clouds fully engulfed Liyue Harbor. Lightning flashed, and rain began to pour in torrents.
"Perhaps we should do something about the rain first?"
"Good idea…"
…
Under the darkened sky, Shao Yun rode alone. Beneath him, Boadicea moved like living flame, leaping and charging through the darkness like a demon unleashed from the depths of hell—burning with boundless fury and hatred.
The clouds above thickened, veiling the stars in a black curtain.
Suddenly, a bolt of lightning split the sky, illuminating Shao Yun's fierce, twisted face.
His eyes were blood-red, filled with unrelenting murderous intent.
Thunder rolled. Lightning repeatedly struck behind him.
Shao Yun gripped the reins tightly. The horse's hooves carved deep prints into the ground, their sound low and grim.
"I'll kill you all! I'll skin you alive and watch you writhe in agony! I'll feed your bones and flesh to starving dogs and make you scream in despair!"
…
Inazuma, Watatsumi Island, Sangonomiya Shrine.
"Achoo! Achoo! Achoo!"
"Gorou, stop pushing yourself if you're sick!"
"I swear, Lady Sangonomiya, it's just an itchy nose!"
"As your Priestess and Divine Shrine Maiden, I order you to rest!"
…
Across the vast Guili Plains, Shao Yun rode like a bolt of lightning. His horse's hooves thundered, stirring up thick clouds of dust.
At the far end of the plains, the silhouette of Wangshu Inn loomed faintly in the morning light.
Without stopping, Shao Yun raced past it.
The reeds of Dihua Marsh bowed low, as though submitting to his presence.
The sun rose in the east, but behind Shao Yun, black clouds surged like a tide, devouring the light.
The once-warm sunlight turned cold and distant, like moonlight in the dead of night.
Thunder cracked. Rain poured in sheets.
Shao Yun rode on, terrifyingly fast.
Up ahead, Millelith guards at the Stone Gate had just come on duty. They were yawning, preparing for the day.
But when they saw Shao Yun approaching at a speed far beyond normal, their jaws dropped.
"Sir, may I—" One Millelith stepped forward to stop him.
Before he could finish, Shao Yun had already galloped past.
He was so fast, no one saw his face clearly.
One guard scratched his head in confusion as he watched Shao Yun disappear.
"Who was that guy? Think he's hot stuff just 'cause he rides fast? Not scared of breaking his neck?"
Before the guards could react, the clouds rolled in overhead. The sky darkened, and rain fell in sheets, soaking everything in its path.
"What's with this sudden weather change?!"
"Quick, get your rain gear—don't catch a cold!"