On a tranquil night, Shao Yun, Lumine, and Paimon quietly admired the vast, rolling sea.
The ocean under the night sky resembled a deep sapphire, glimmering with mysterious and alluring brilliance.
As the horizon gradually lightened with a pale glow, the first ray of sunlight slowly rose, illuminating the entire world.
Shao Yun stood up gently, his eyes full of warmth and anticipation. He patted his brown coat and extended his hand toward Lumine, saying with passion, "Come, my love, let us return together to the bustling city of Mondstadt."
Lumine smiled and reached out, her hand tightly clasped in Shao Yun's warm and steady grip as he helped her to her feet.
She teased, "You're always so unserious. Can't you tone it down a little in front of Paimon?"
Shao Yun's lips curled into a playful smile. "I can never hold back around you. Besides, I think Paimon's getting used to it."
"You two are impossible…"
...
Shao Yun brought out Boadicea and Buell, the two horses, and under the golden morning sunlight, the three of them made a leisurely return to Mondstadt.
Ever since the system had been scared into submission, Shao Yun had been able to ride freely throughout Mondstadt without obstruction.
However, Lumine's horsemanship wasn't as skilled as Shao Yun's. She was afraid of accidentally running into someone while riding in the city.
When they reached the city gates, Lumine dismounted with Paimon and entered on foot.
Shao Yun, per his usual habit, quietly stored the horses back into the system's stable when the two weren't looking.
When Lumine turned back and saw that the two steeds had vanished into thin air, her long-standing curiosity was completely ignited.
"Shao Yun, I've always wondered… how do you make the horses disappear like that?"
Shao Yun simply smiled and waved his hand slightly, signaling for her to keep quiet.
He replied mysteriously, "Lumine, that's a secret. I can't tell you—just consider it some kind of magic I've mastered."
Lumine chuckled at his answer and shrugged playfully. "Alright, Grand Sorcerer Shao Yun, I'm feeling a bit hungry now. Could you use your 'magic' to treat me and Paimon to a delicious breakfast?"
Shao Yun was delighted by her wit and humor. He laughed heartily and agreed, "The Grand Sorcerer will use some 'physical magic' to conjure up some Mora—and then treat you both at Good Hunter!"
The three of them strolled casually toward the Good Hunter restaurant. As they passed by the Adventurers' Guild reception, Katheryne waved at them with a smile.
"Lumine, and our lovely Miss Paimon, could you come over for a moment? I have something to tell you."
Shao Yun noticed that Katheryne had only called Lumine and Paimon. A flicker of confusion crossed his mind, and he asked curiously, "Miss Katheryne, am I not allowed to hear this?"
Katheryne smiled softly and answered, "Of course you may, Mr. Shao Yun. It's just that this matter concerns Lumine more directly."
Hearing this, Lumine pointed at herself. "Something to do with me?"
She walked up to Katheryne and asked, "What's the matter?"
Katheryne nodded and explained gently, "A golden-haired stranger arrived in Mondstadt a short while ago. His clothing is quite different from our local style. I suspect he might be the blood relative you've been searching for."
At the mention of "golden-haired" and "unusual attire," Lumine's interest piqued immediately. She asked eagerly, "What does he look like? Does he resemble me?"
Katheryne thought for a moment and described him in detail. "He's tall—though a bit thinner compared to Mr. Shao Yun. What stood out the most was the eyepatch he wore."
Upon hearing the word "eyepatch," Lumine furrowed her brows and muttered, "That description sounds familiar… could he be Kaeya's relative?"
Paimon couldn't help but chime in, "Hey! Since when did wearing an eyepatch mean you're related to Kaeya? Tons of people wear those!"
Shao Yun understood—this marked the beginning of the Dainsleif storyline. He decided to observe quietly.
Katheryne realized the man wasn't Lumine's kin and apologized with a soft smile. "Ah, so he's not your relative. I'm sorry to have wasted your time."
"But about half an hour ago, he asked me for directions to Angel's Share and left. Maybe you should still meet him—even if he's not the one you're looking for, it wouldn't hurt to know him. He might turn out to be a helpful friend on your journey."
Lumine smiled in response. "Thank you for the suggestion, Miss Katheryne. We'll consider it."
Katheryne shook her head gently. "No thanks necessary. I hope your journey goes smoothly."
The three left the Guild's reception, and Lumine turned to Shao Yun to get his opinion.
"Shao Yun, do you think we should go meet that golden-haired man?"
Shao Yun thought for a moment, then nodded. After all, he still needed to meet her brother-in-law eventually.
"I want to see him too. Who knows, maybe he really is one of Kaeya's long-lost 'relatives'."
So, the three of them made their way to Angel's Share.
As soon as they entered, bartender Charles greeted them warmly, his face beaming with friendliness.
"Welcome, Shao Yun, Lumine, and Paimon! Long time no see. What can I get you?"
Paimon asked eagerly, "Mr. Charles, have you seen a golden-haired man with an eyepatch, dressed kinda strangely?"
Charles pointed to a corner of the tavern. "Oh, you mean him? What a coincidence—he's sitting right over there."
Following Charles's guidance, Shao Yun, Lumine, and Paimon spotted Dainsleif's figure seated quietly in the corner.
He sat in silence, isolated from the world, gazing into the drink before him.
Lumine thanked Charles politely, and the three slowly approached Dainsleif.
She was the first to break the silence, greeting him warmly.
"Hello, I'm… an adventurer from the Adventurers' Guild."
But Dainsleif offered no response, remaining fully absorbed in his own thoughts.
Lumine exchanged a puzzled glance with Paimon and tried again.
"Hello, I'm the Honorary Knight of the Knights of Favonius."
Still, Dainsleif gave no reaction, as if he hadn't heard a thing.
Lumine didn't give up. She took a deep breath and introduced herself once more.
"Hello, I'm the traveler—'Lumine'."
The moment the word "traveler" was spoken, Dainsleif showed a spark of interest. In a magnetic voice, he asked, "Traveler? You arrived earlier than I expected... But tell me, what are you traveling for?"
Seeing them begin to converse, Shao Yun understood his part was over. He quietly stepped back a few paces to give them space.
As expected, Dainsleif extended his hand toward Lumine, requesting five hundred Mora.
Without hesitation, Lumine retrieved the Mora from her pouch and handed it to him.
Then Dainsleif asked three questions—about Mondstadt's dragon disaster, Liyue's future, and her views on Celestia.
Lumine thought carefully and answered each one.
"Just as I thought… you're very much like him…"
That statement marked the familiar end of the conversation—until Dainsleif unexpectedly turned to look at Shao Yun.
This sudden shift made Shao Yun tense slightly. Did he notice something…?
Dainsleif turned back to Lumine and said calmly, "I have one final condition—I want to ask your companion a few questions."
Lumine clearly hadn't expected that. She looked at Dainsleif in surprise, then at Shao Yun. "Huh? You want to ask Shao Yun something?"
Dainsleif nodded without elaborating.
Lumine beckoned Shao Yun over and briefly explained the situation.
Shao Yun took a seat beside her, facing Dainsleif.
"So that's it… 'Relative' of a pirate captain—what do you want to ask?"
Dainsleif's gaze lingered on Lumine briefly, then shifted to Shao Yun.
"Would you allow the one behind you to speak with me for a moment?"
Shao Yun's heart skipped—was that demon showing up again?!
He looked around but saw nothing unusual. He whispered cautiously, "What are you talking about?"
Dainsleif seemed confused. "You don't know? A man with a tall top hat. He's been following you."
Shao Yun's heart sank—he remembered the system's warning.
[You won't encounter that mysterious figure for a long time.]
Sure, but that didn't mean it wasn't following him.
Aminos…!
Shao Yun sighed and shook his head. "I know it exists. That demon promised not to appear for a while. Even if I want to see it now—it won't show."
Hearing the word "demon," Dainsleif's eyes flickered. He murmured, "Demon… What a strange term."
He pondered for a moment and let the topic drop.
Then he asked solemnly, "Shao Yun, those thirty silver coins in your pouch—they're not from this world. Could I see them?"
Though surprised Dainsleif knew about it, Shao Yun retrieved the "Thirty Silver Coins of the Thirteenth Discple" from his Legend of the East satchel and handed them over.
Dainsleif laid the thirty silver coins on the table one by one. A subtle gleam flashed in his eyes as he scrutinized their secrets.
For a fleeting moment, he seemed to read fragments of words from the coins—obscure terms like "dagger," "plague," "flames," and "straw rope."
After a long silence, he returned the coins. His hand trembled slightly, but he quickly regained composure.
"These coins don't belong to Teyvat… the power they hold must not be underestimated. Guard them well—never let the Abyss Order get their hands on them."
Shao Yun put the coins away and asked, "If they're that powerful, do you want them? I'll give them to you—if you help me with one thing."
Dainsleif shook his head solemnly. "I wouldn't dare. But I do have three questions—please answer them honestly."
Shao Yun sighed. "You're just like that demon… always obsessed with questions. Fine, ask away."
Dainsleif didn't hesitate.
"Why did you kill Lessig Lawrence, the informer?"
Shao Yun replied without pause. "My kindness put Paimon in danger. Mercy is a luxury I can't afford to share. So aside from Eula, I decided no one from the Lawrence family would live."
Dainsleif nodded, then asked, "Why did you compel the Anemo Archon to forsake the souls of every Lawrence member except Eula?"
Shao Yun blinked. "How do you know that?"
Dainsleif didn't answer, simply repeating, "Please answer."
Shao Yun sighed. "Destroying their bodies wasn't enough. I chose the cruelest path—I gave their souls to the demon. The Man with a Top Hat."
Dainsleif remained silent for a while, then posed the final question.
"I heard from Lumine that you confessed your 'feelings' to her on your first night together. If you were just some flirtatious playboy, you wouldn't be so… calm. So, I'm curious—can you explain it to me?"
Shao Yun blinked, surprised by the question. He began recalling the moments when he and Lumine first met.
"I told her my past—I was a wanted man. Most of what I remember involves killing and arson."
"Even after learning that, she chose to travel with me. She didn't let me fall—she gave me a second chance. For that courage and friendship, I'd kill for her. I'd die for her."
Dainsleif listened, noting that Shao Yun's words didn't quite match the idea of "love."
"That's loyalty. Not love."
Shao Yun shrugged.
"Loyalty is part of love. Some people can be 'loyal' to a few—ten, even—and keep their home intact while flags fly outside. But I'm not capable of that. I'm a fool. One loyalty is enough for me."
Dainsleif fell into a brief silence. He couldn't argue—Shao Yun was right.
"You make a fair point. I've finished my questions."
Shao Yun stood, a trace of relief on his face.
"My part's done. The rest… you can talk about with Lumine, Captain Kaeya's 'relative'."