Shao Yun walked up to Lumine, gently placing one hand on her shoulder in comfort.
His other hand clenched tightly into a fist. His gaze was unwavering and filled with determination.
"I'll find her. I'll bring her back safely. And I'll make those who dared harm Paimon pay. Lumine, I promise you."
Tears shimmered in Lumine's eyes as she looked at Shao Yun, her voice trembling with sorrow and resolve.
"I just want Paimon to come back safe and sound!"
Shao Yun gave a firm nod. He withdrew his hand from her shoulder and swore once again.
"I'll bring her back."
Then, Shao Yun turned to Jean and the others, issuing orders just like Dutch van der Linde himself.
"Jean, Lisa, Eula, Kaeya, Amber, Venti—you six come with me to hunt down those bastards. Noelle, Fischl, Bennett, Mona, and Diona—you stay and protect Lumine."
Just as Shao Yun was about to leave, Diluc arrived with Rosaria and Barbara from the Church.
Barbara wiped the sweat from her brow and asked anxiously, "I heard the Lawrence family took Paimon. Do you need our help?"
Shao Yun nodded and gave them their orders.
"You came at just the right time. Rosaria, you're with me."
"Mr. Diluc, Barbara—you two stay with Lumine. If anyone from the Lawrence family comes to 'negotiate'—Mr. Diluc, I want you to kill them. Now let's bring Paimon home."
…
Eight figures marched forth, led by Shao Yun—his face ghostly pale, his eyes like frozen stars, radiating a terrifying aura.
At his waist, the skull-engraved Vision charm dripped fresh, crimson blood onto the hard ground, leaving a trail of chilling red droplets.
Venti looked to the sky, the clouds burning red as though soaked in blood. A pang of guilt stirred within him.
"If I'd known this would happen… I should've let Vanessa wipe out the Lawrence family back then. Could've avoided this whole mess."
Amber muttered beside him, her voice laced with fury and disbelief.
"I can't believe it. The old nobles actually kidnapped Paimon? This is nothing short of a declaration of war against the Knights!"
Eula stared at the looming estate ahead and murmured to herself.
"Uncle… do you even know what you're doing? Do you really think the Lawrence family can stand forever? You've overestimated yourself."
In this group, Shao Yun was the center of all attention. He muttered low, eerie words—like whispers from hell or curses from a demon—chilling to the bone.
Though he looked calm, something inside him was unraveling—becoming more savage, more monstrous.
He had decided—he would annihilate this thousand-year-old house with the most terrifying punishment imaginable.
As the night fell and the moon rose, blood-red clouds veiled the sky, tainting even moonlight with an ominous hue.
Finally, the group arrived at the gates of the Lawrence estate.
Shao Yun halted, facing the seven who followed. It was time for pre-battle orders.
Truthfully, everyone but Shao Yun was just there to set the stage.
When he finished speaking, his voice dropped to a cold, terrifying murmur.
"It's time to end the history of the Lawrence family."
Just as Shao Yun was about to charge in, Jean stepped forward.
"Shao Yun, wait a moment—could I say something?"
He paused, turned toward Jean, and nodded curtly.
"Let me be clear: if you're asking to call in the Knights, I don't have time."
Jean shook her head gently.
"No, that's not it. I was thinking... maybe Eula and I could attempt diplomacy first. A peaceful approach to retrieve Paimon—"
But Shao Yun didn't let her finish.
"I get it. Exchange Paimon first, then start killing. But I think it's pointless."
Jean tried again.
"What I mean is—"
But Shao Yun had lost all patience. He swiftly drew both of his Schofield Revolvers.
"Enough. Follow me!"
Jean could only watch as his fury took over—he was deaf to reason now.
She exchanged a look with Eula, then steeled herself and followed him into the oppressive estate.
The eight of them advanced in formation—just like the old Van der Linde gang.
Shao Yun at the center, Jean and Eula on either side.
The windows of the manor's first floor were crudely boarded over. Two guards stood at the gate, rifles in hand.
As they spotted the approaching group, they turned and ran to report.
Shao Yun raised his revolver high and shouted,
"Get the hell down here, you inbred bastards!"
Inside, footsteps echoed. Soon, Milton Lawrence appeared with three family members.
He held a rifle and sneered at the group with a mocking smile.
"So, you chose the hard way. Figures. You lowborns never learn. You should've taken our offer."
Shao Yun stepped forward, voice sharp as gunpowder.
"You country bumpkin scum really think I'm that easy to push around? You couldn't be more wrong."
As he moved to strike, Jean and Eula rushed to intercept.
Jean spoke calmly, "Shao Yun, let us speak with them first—please."
Eula nodded in agreement, still hoping her bloodline meant something.
Shao Yun looked between them with a cold smile.
"Fine. I'll give you this one chance—but I doubt it'll work."
With that, Jean and Eula stepped forward to negotiate.
Jean stared down Milton Lawrence.
"I must see Schubert Lawrence. Bring him out—now."
Eula's voice cracked with desperation as she yelled toward the manor.
"Uncle! Let Paimon go before it's too late!"
Milton scoffed, a cruel grin on his lips.
"Eula, you should've known better. We've found Shao Yun's weakness. There's still time for you to come back to us."
Eula shook with rage.
"You're insane! Threatening Shao Yun like this—have you learned nothing from the Fatui at the Goth Grand Hotel?!"
Milton remained smug.
"The Fatui were fools. They didn't know how to strike at someone's heart. But the Lawrence family? We know better. A thousand years of wisdom teaches how to win."
Eula's face turned crimson with fury. She was speechless—how could reason reach a man so far gone?
Then Schubert Lawrence stepped onto the second-floor balcony, looking down with a cold stare.
"Tell that 'Shao Yun'—he must accept our terms."
With that, he vanished back inside.
Milton turned to Shao Yun, grinning smugly.
"The family head demands this: kill everyone from the Gunnhildr and Ragnvindr clans. Crush the Knights. Then we'll consider releasing Paimon. It's your only option."
Weakness and ignorance are survivable—but pride? That's fatal.
Shao Yun rested his hands on Jean and Eula's shoulders.
His patience had reached its limit.
You couldn't reason with walking corpses.
"You done talking? Good. Now it's my turn."
He gently moved them aside and stepped forward to face Milton.
"I want Paimon released immediately. You'll pay me one billion Mora in reparations. And all of you will kneel. Only then might I consider letting you live."
Milton's smirk deepened. He raised one hand.
Suddenly, from the manor's second floor, a dozen riflemen appeared, aiming at Shao Yun.
"You're surrounded by twelve gun barrels. Still think you have a choice?"
But Shao Yun's gaze remained calm and composed.
He pulled a cigar from his satchel, lit it with elegance, took a long drag—then tossed it aside.
"You really are the dumbest lot I've ever met."
Right then, a bolt of lightning ripped across the sky and struck the manor gates.
Brilliant white light illuminated everything—forcing the crowd to shield their eyes.
Just before he shut his eyes, Milton could've sworn he saw eight outlaws standing beside Shao Yun—ready to tear him apart.
Shao Yun seized the moment.
Activating his Deadeye, he drew both Schofields.
Twelve shots. Instantaneous.
Eleven Lawrence riflemen dropped to the ground, each shot piercing their hearts—leaving their heads intact.
Only Milton remained.
He felt a searing pain in his neck.
Then—warmth—blood poured out.
Panicking, he clutched the wound, but it was no use. His knees buckled, and he collapsed, writhing in agony.
Shao Yun stepped over him without a glance, heading for the manor entrance.
Just before going in, he turned to Jean and gave a cold command.
"Jean, you're with me. Everyone else—secure the exits. If anyone from the Lawrence family tries to flee, kill them on sight."
Jean didn't respond. She simply drew her Aquila Favonia and followed him into the manor.
Inside, it took less than five seconds.
Screams, begging, and weeping echoed through the halls—each ended swiftly with a single gunshot.
Eula stood frozen, listening to the cries of people she once called family.
She loathed them—but never imagined they'd die like this.
Now their voices were strange, distant, grotesque.
Her knees gave way. Amber rushed to her side, helping her up.
"Eula, let's get out of here. Don't look anymore."
But Eula shook her head, trembling.
"My legs... I can't move them."
Amber sighed and threw Eula's arm over her shoulder, helping her limp away from the carnage.
Venti, unable to endure the sound of death's melody, clamped his hands over his ears and shut his eyes tightly.
Lisa, Kaeya, and Rosaria did the same.
That night, all eight of them bore witness to the obliteration of a thousand-year-old house—in mere minutes.