Watching Lumine and Paimon's excitement—and Mona's bashful expression—Shao Yun took the opportunity to summon two horses from the system's mobile stable. One was the tall and mighty chestnut-colored Boadicea, the other a gleaming ivory-platinum steed named Buell.
Shao Yun clapped his hands together to draw the others' attention.
"On a journey this long, we'll have plenty of time to talk. But for now, ladies—we ride."
Mona's gaze was immediately drawn to the sudden appearance of the horses. Her eyes widened as if she'd just witnessed a miracle, and her trembling finger pointed toward the two steeds.
"Th-these… these are horses?"
Shao Yun no longer showed the enthusiasm he once did. He placed his foot in the stirrup and mounted Boadicea with practiced ease.
"I'm done answering that question. You'll ride behind Lumine. If all goes well, we'll reach Mondstadt in a day and a night."
Lumine nodded and reached back to pull a still-stunned Mona onto Buell's rear saddle.
Just as Mona got herself settled, she suddenly remembered something.
"Ah, before we head to Mondstadt, there's one place I'd like to stop by…"
Shao Yun turned his head to look at her.
"Can I say no?"
Mona hadn't expected him to shut her down so directly.
"It's not far at all…"
Shao Yun shook his head, speaking bluntly. "Miss Mona, I don't like detours. And if I remember correctly, the plan we agreed on was straight to Mondstadt, wasn't it?"
Mona rushed to explain, "It's not a detour, Shao Yun—you misunderstood. I just want to stop by the inn at the base of Mount Tianheng. The innkeeper is a good friend. If I suddenly vanish without saying goodbye, it'd be rude."
Shao Yun glanced at Lumine for her opinion. She nodded slightly, silently consenting to Mona's request.
Shao Yun sighed lightly. "Alright. Since it's on the way and it's a matter of courtesy, fine—we'll stop by your inn."
As they readied to depart, Paimon—nestled in Lumine's arms—stared curiously at Boadicea beneath Shao Yun.
"Hey Shao Yun, is this another new horse you picked up somewhere? It looks so cool!"
Caught off guard by the question, Shao Yun wasn't sure how to explain. He looked at Boadicea, then at Paimon, and eventually just played along.
"Yep. He's a fine one, isn't he? Look, when it comes to horses—you ride the best. No point settling for less. Alright, let's move."
…
Lumine rode the imposing Buell, with Paimon sitting obediently at the front and Mona quietly behind her. Shao Yun followed a short distance behind on Boadicea.
Mona's gaze occasionally drifted to Lumine's mount. Under the sunlight, Buell gleamed like a steed from a legend. Mona couldn't help but ask softly, "Lumine, can I ask… where did you get these horses?"
Lumine glanced over her shoulder at Shao Yun and smiled.
"Shao Yun gave them to us. I don't know where he got them. Maybe it's one of his little secrets. I've never really asked."
Hearing that, Mona sighed, her eyes tinged with nostalgia.
"Ah… you're lucky. When I was little, Mondstadt had so many horses. You could see them trotting down every street and alley, with knights in gleaming armor riding atop…"
Paimon, intrigued, floated up beside Mona.
"Wait—Mona, you're from Mondstadt?"
Mona nodded, continuing wistfully, "Yeah. I was born in Dornman Port. Traveled all over with my master after that. Been to so many places… my memories of Mondstadt are a bit fuzzy now. I mostly remember how blue the skies were, how white the clouds… and the landmarks that felt so familiar."
…
Mount Tianheng's silhouette grew majestic in the late morning light.
The four of them rode up to the humble inn nestled at the mountain's base.
Shao Yun dismounted first, looping the reins around a wooden post outside the inn and giving Boadicea a gentle pat on the flank.
He pulled a few bright apples from his pack and fed them to the two horses, who bowed their heads docilely and crunched the fruit with quiet delight.
From inside the inn, the voice of Boss Zhu rang out—his familiar request once again echoing through the open doors.
"Miss Mona, could you help me find that jade ring I lost again? It means the world to me…"
Shao Yun frowned and muttered under his breath, "Here we go. Ring number 253. I'm seriously starting to wonder if this guy loses them on purpose…"
Lumine, Paimon, and Mona accepted Boss Zhu's commission and set off.
Shao Yun, on the other hand, flatly refused. Why waste time looking for some random ring when I could be grooming my horses and bonding with them instead?
…
He dedicated himself to brushing the two prized steeds. Their coats gleamed in the sunlight, radiating health and vitality.
His hands moved expertly, each stroke of the brush firm and precise.
But the tranquility was shattered by a sudden chill—a cold wind trailing down the back of Shao Yun's neck.
He spun around sharply—only to find the Man with a Top Hat standing right behind him.
"So... how's the horse?"
Shao Yun scowled and rolled his eyes. He dropped the brush, his tone irritated.
"Oh, hell. You again? What is it this time—dominoes?"
Unbothered by Shao Yun's hostility, the man smiled and stood beside him.
"I figured after all we've been through, we're friends by now."
Shao Yun let out a sharp scoff, shoving the brush into his pack.
"I'd have to be insane to be friends with a demon like you. What do you want now—stab me in the heart?"
The man gazed at Shao Yun's furious face, calm as ever.
"I came to thank you."
Shao Yun turned his back, laughing bitterly as if he'd heard the world's cruelest joke.
"Thank me? What, for seasoning your food with Miss Nianhua's soul? Tasty, wasn't it?"
The man shook his head, still unnervingly calm.
"I didn't take her soul. Why won't you believe me?"
"What are you saying?" Shao Yun snapped, shocked. "What do you mean you didn't take it?"
The man nodded slightly, a faint smirk on his face.
"I told you—because of your intervention, my contract with Miss Nianhua was nullified. But you fulfilled the contract between you and me."
Shao Yun's eyes widened as the revelation sank in—but the man didn't let him dwell on it long.
"You won, Shao Yun. But I won more than you realize. I didn't get Nianhua's soul… but I did get two others—Huachu and Jian—"
He paused, glancing toward the direction of Liyue Harbor. Then turned back.
"Oh wait, make that three."
Shao Yun's face stiffened.
"You—three souls?! How?!"
The man smiled slyly. "Just now, Gentry De'an chose to end his life. His soul is mine now. An unexpected bonus."
Shao Yun took a deep breath, forcing himself to remain calm.
"You got what you wanted. So, what now? Don't push it."
The man shrugged off the warning, his tone light.
"Relax. I'm just fulfilling your contract. You killed the guilty—I owe you a wish. Go ahead. Name it."
Shao Yun's lips trembled with fury as he growled, "Get lost! I don't want to see you again! Stay out of my life!"
The man blinked slowly, then replied with mild disappointment.
"That wish is beyond what you paid. Try another."
Shao Yun's rage surged.
"Get lost! Don't make me say it a third time!"
Unfazed, the man pondered to himself.
"Well… if you can't decide, how about this? I'll give you Boadicea as a gift. She's a rare and noble mount."
Shao Yun clenched his jaw, eyes shut tight. He covered his ears—he didn't want to hear another word from this demon's mouth.
The man simply looked at him and shook his head.
"Such a temper… just like a little child."
A gust of wind swept past. When Shao Yun opened his eyes again, the man had vanished.
A system prompt echoed in his mind:
[Mount status updated. You now own Boadicea.]
[You will not encounter this mysterious figure again for a long while.]
Shao Yun lowered his hands and let out a long exhale.
"At last, peace and quiet…"
…
An hour later, Lumine, Mona, and Paimon finally returned to the inn, looking exhausted.
Shao Yun rushed over to meet them, worry etched into his face.
"What took you so long? Did something happen?"
Lumine was sore and aching, but forced a smile. Before she could respond, Paimon beat her to it.
"Shao Yun, don't even ask! Mona's hydroscope first led us into a hilichurl camp—then into a treasure hoarder hideout—and then we had to fight a horde of slimes just to find that stupid jade ring. It was awful!"
Shao Yun immediately began checking Lumine and Paimon for injuries.
"You're not hurt, are you? I've got some potions, if you need—"
But Lumine quickly cut him off. She really didn't want to drink that stuff again.
"Shao Yun, we're fine. Just tired. Water will do."
Mona's face was full of guilt.
"I'm so sorry. I've never had my astrology go so wrong. It must've been ley line interference. I promise—this won't happen again."
She braced for Shao Yun's temper—but to her surprise, he stayed calm.
"Mona, don't worry about it. Just give the ring to the innkeeper. We need to get moving toward Mondstadt."
His tone was surprisingly gentle.
Mona blinked, stunned by the rare display of patience. She quickly nodded and walked into the inn.
She handed the jade ring to Boss Zhu at the counter.
He examined it carefully, then retrieved a heavy pouch of Mora from a drawer and handed it to her.
The golden coins gleamed in the sunlight. Mona's eyes lit up.
She weighed the pouch in her hands, clearly pleased with the windfall.
Lumine, Paimon, and Shao Yun all watched—but none of them showed envy or greed.
With fifty billion Mora on the line, who cares about this pocket change…
Noticing their stares, Mona gave a sheepish cough and smiled awkwardly.
"Ahem… well, this is…"
Paimon waved it off with a wobble midair.
"It's fine, Mona. Keep it. We don't need it."
Mona blushed deeper.
"W-What? No way! I won't hoard it—my master taught me better than that! I'll split it right now—"
Shao Yun cut her off.
"If we say we don't need it, then we don't. Keep it. We've got a long ride ahead. Time to head for Mondstadt."
Mona nodded quickly, stashing the pouch away.
"Then I'll gratefully accept. Let's get moving!"