In Shao Yun's dream, an endless darkness consumed all light. He saw a blurry silhouette—one that carried an inexplicable sense of familiarity.
He shouted, "Who are you?!"
As the figure slowly turned around, Shao Yun was stunned to see a man with a thick mustache above his lip and a small tuft of beard on his chin—it was Dutch van der Linde!
Dutch looked at Shao Yun (Arthur), spreading his arms as if to embrace him.
"Arthur, my boy... you've come back?"
Shao Yun (Arthur) widened his eyes and exclaimed, "What did you just call me?!"
Dutch walked over with a smile and pulled him into a tight hug.
"Looks like you still haven't adjusted to Tahiti life, huh?"
Shao Yun (Arthur) felt dazed, trying desperately to make sense of it all, but the more he tried, the more lost he became.
"What are you talking about?"
Suddenly, a blinding light enveloped his vision. The flash was so intense that he had to shut his eyes.
When he opened them again, he was greeted by a majestic tropical landscape.
Golden beaches shimmered under the sunlight. Palm and coconut trees stood tall by the shore.
He was now at a tropical villa by the sea, surrounded by lush greenery and tranquil serenity.
Dutch came up to him, patted his shoulder, and chuckled.
"Looks like the tropical sun's cooked your brains. Go check in with Hosea. As for me, I need to go look over the mango harvest and see how this year's turning out."
And with that, Dutch hurried off.
Shao Yun (Arthur) wandered along the soft sand, the gentle crunch of grains beneath his feet grounding him in the surreal dream.
He soon saw Aunt Susan directing Mary-Beth and the others in their work.
They seemed uncomfortable in this new life, slight discontent showing on their faces.
Aunt Susan noticed Shao Yun (Arthur) and walked over quickly, her face a mix of excitement and annoyance.
"Mister Morgan, you're finally back! These girls are driving me nuts—they act like pampered noblewomen! Anyone'd think we were here on vacation!"
Shao Yun (Arthur) nodded blankly at her words.
"I don't know... Dutch told me to see Hosea."
Aunt Susan pointed toward a seaside villa in the distance.
"Mister Matthews is sitting at the front gate."
Following her finger, he spotted a kind-looking old man sitting quietly in front of the villa, reading a book.
…
Hosea sat by the doorway, flipping through a worn book.
When he saw Shao Yun (Arthur) approach, his expression turned concerned.
"Arthur, you look troubled. What's weighing on your mind?"
Shao Yun (Arthur) sat down on the steps, gazing into the distance.
In a low voice, he said, "I don't know... I think I'm going crazy. I remember... we all died. Only little Jack made it."
"And... it's like none of this is real. Why am I seeing you here?"
Hosea furrowed his brows in confusion.
"What are you talking about? We robbed the Lemoyne bank. We made it to Tahiti just fine. Everything's over."
Shao Yun (Arthur) clutched his head, wracked with pain.
"I think I'm dreaming... none of this is real. I remember drinking with Venti, I remember traveling with a girl... and another girl who floats in the air—her name's Paimon—we... argh..."
His voice faded.
What was happening to him?
Hosea slowly closed his book, his eyes locking onto Shao Yun with a penetrating gaze.
"You seem to have... unfinished business."
Shao Yun looked up, confused, meeting Hosea's kind yet all-seeing eyes. Somehow, the pain in his head vanished.
"Am I... dreaming? Why am I here? Who am I?"
Hosea smiled faintly, not rushing to answer. Instead, he spoke calmly.
"You and Arthur are almost identical—in appearance, in mannerisms—but I can sense it. Your soul... it's nothing like his."
He stood up, walked over to a Lancaster Repeater leaning against the chair, and handed it to Shao Yun.
"Mister Shao Yun, it's time you completed your mission."
As his words fell, the world around Shao Yun began to distort, like a painting being stirred into chaos.
He struggled to hold on, but everything was slipping away.
He cried out, "This is a dream! But… why you? Why dream of you?!"
But Hosea's voice rang out again, full of resolve, echoing in Shao Yun's ears.
"Go do what must be done, Mister Shao Yun!"
…
Venti's voice exploded in Shao Yun's ears like thunder.
"Shao Yun! Wake up! It's urgent!"
He was jolted awake by the sudden call. His vision was blurry—until the golden light of sunset illuminated his face, gradually bringing the world back into focus.
Seeing him awake, Venti's face lit up with relief.
"Shao Yun, something terrible has happened! Lumine's in danger—you need to check on her right away!"
Shao Yun's heart tightened. He leapt from his seat and scanned his surroundings.
He spotted Lumine, being restrained tightly by Jean and Lisa. Her face was filled with terror, and she was crying out.
"Say it again! What happened?!"
Nearby, Klee was curled up, her little face pale, eyes wide with fear.
The dream echoed through Shao Yun's mind, flooding him with an unshakable feeling. He quickly stepped toward Lumine.
Amber ran up, out of breath. When she saw Shao Yun, she grabbed his sleeve, voice trembling.
"Shao Yun… have you seen Paimon? She... she's gone!"
At that moment, Lumine suddenly broke free from Jean and Lisa's grip, grabbing Klee's shoulders desperately.
"Klee! You just said Paimon was taken? What happened?! Who took her?!"
Klee sobbed, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"W-We were eating the Frosted Slime Paimon made... then someone knocked on the door. She opened it... and... and then they took her away!"
Jean and Lisa immediately pulled Lumine aside. Jean's voice was gentle but firm.
"Honorary Knight, please calm down. I've already dispatched knights to search. We will find her."
But Lumine's grief had become a raging storm.
"How can I calm down?! Paimon's in danger!"
Shao Yun, hearing all this, felt like lightning struck his soul. A loud buzz rang through his mind—like a string snapping.
There was no anger. No sorrow.
Only an eerie calm... one that boiled with fury beneath the surface.
Amber looked into his vacant stare and felt a chill race down her spine.
"Shao Yun...? Are you alright?" she whispered. "I know Paimon's missing and it's scary, but try to stay calm…"
Shao Yun said nothing. He simply turned and walked away from the festival with heavy, deliberate steps.
Venti watched his soulless, lifeless figure disappear. A deep unease crept up his spine as he looked to the sky.
The setting sun bled red across the horizon. Even the air smelled of blood.
Suddenly, a deafening crack of thunder split the sky, shaking Venti to his core.
"Not again... what have I done to deserve this?!"
…
Shao Yun was like a ghost in another realm, oblivious to everything around him.
His eyes were empty, unfocused. He walked aimlessly.
Then a system notification popped up in front of him.
[You have acquired Hosea Matthews' "Lancaster Repeater".]
But to Shao Yun, the system's voice sounded distant, muffled—as if behind a thick fog. It stirred nothing in him.
He finally arrived at his home.
The door was ajar. He pushed it open.
The scene froze him in place.
A gift box lay on the floor, its contents—Frosted Slime and sugar powder—scattered everywhere.
He slowly crouched down, picking up a piece and placing it in his mouth.
The taste—sweet, but not overwhelming, with the fragrance of Sunsettia and the soft texture of sugar frosting—was his first taste since awakening.
And the only comfort he felt.
"I just wanted to enjoy the festival... relax a little…" he muttered through clenched teeth. "I finally let myself relax for just one day!"
At his waist, the skull-engraved Vision accessory began to bleed again—fresh red drops sliding down silently.
And then, Lumine's voice rang out, snapping him back to reality.
"Shao Yun! Have you seen Paimon? They… they took her!"
Shao Yun shot to his feet and turned to face Lumine—her eyes red, tears trembling at the edges.
Behind her, Jean, Lisa, Amber, Noelle, Kaeya, Fischl, Bennett, Mona, Venti, and even Diona had all arrived.
Lumine grabbed his collar, her voice nearly breaking.
"Shao Yun… please tell me—where is Paimon?!"
At that moment, Eula stepped forward, dragging a man named Lessig Lawrence, and kicked him to the ground in front of them.
"Lessig. Say everything you told me—again!"
Lessig Lawrence knelt, his body shaking like a leaf.
He stammered incoherently, "The Lawrence family… they kidnapped Paimon. The patriarch wants to use her to threaten Lord Shao Yun, force him to act against the Knights... take Mondstadt by force... to restore the glory of our old nobility!"
"I—I tried to stop them, but they wouldn't listen. They bought guns from Fontaine a long time ago. They're planning a revolt. I... I don't want to die, please, I beg you, spare me!"
Eula's fury boiled over.
She kicked Lessig again and roared, "If you knew all this, why didn't you say something sooner?!"
Lessig toppled over but quickly dropped to his knees, begging.
"I didn't realize the 'lowborn' they were talking about was Lord Shao Yun! Not until today! I beg you—have mercy!"
Eula took a deep breath, trying to calm herself, then turned to Shao Yun.
"Shao Yun, I know you're furious. But please—Lessig didn't take part in their crimes. Spare his life. I swear, he's not like my uncle."
Shao Yun gave a cold, mocking smile.
Without hesitation, he drew his Schofield Revolver, aimed it at Lessig's head, and pulled the trigger.
The gunshot rang out.
Lessig's body jolted violently, then collapsed. Blood and brain matter pooled beneath him.
Everyone stood frozen in shock. The air grew heavy, tense.
Eula turned pale, trembling—she never thought Shao Yun would go this far.
Lessig may have been a coward, but he wasn't evil…
Then the system prompt appeared.
[Honor tarnished for killing the innocent. Mondstadt merchant discount reduced from -50% to -25%.]
Shao Yun calmly holstered his gun.
His chilling gaze swept across everyone—until it landed on Eula.
"I think I've been too kind. So now—only one Lawrence may live. If he lives, you must die."
At that moment, Shao Yun was no longer a man in the eyes of those around him.
He was a ruthless reaper—merciless and absolute.
[Legend of the East Challenge III: Old Grudges, New Hatreds!]
[Fulfill your vow to Lumine and Paimon. Be willing to kill for them. Be willing to die for them. Even in hell—you'll follow them through fire.]
[Reward: Legend of the East Fragment ×1]