Lumine tightly held Shao Yun's hand as she left the solemn Favonius Cathedral, with the ever-energetic Paimon floating alongside.
They regrouped with Dainsleif, who had been hiding in the dense grass.
Once the three of them were together, Lumine and Paimon relayed everything they knew to Dainsleif without holding anything back.
After listening, Dainsleif furrowed his brows, falling into thought before murmuring to himself, 'It seems the Abyss Order has started a new scheme.'
Following a brief discussion, they decided to head to Wolvendom to counter the Abyss Order's plot.
Shao Yun didn't hesitate for a moment, declaring resolutely, "This time, I'll fight alongside you."
Seeing Shao Yun insist on coming along, Lumine quickly came up with an idea to try and get him to leave the team temporarily under the pretense of finding a weapon for Paimon.
She gently stroked her chin and smiled as she suggested, "Shao Yun, look, I've already gotten my weapon, but Paimon's still without one. Why don't we split up for a bit? You can help her find a suitable weapon. How about it?"
But Shao Yun didn't fall for it. He shook his head firmly and followed closely at Lumine's side.
"No, I want to stay with you. Your safety is what matters most to me."
Besides that excuse, Shao Yun had his own reasons.
An Abyss Herald expected to appear in Wolvendom happened to be an employee of his brother-in-law. Both sentimentally and logically, he felt it was only right to go and greet him—make his acquaintance, as it were.
Without hesitation, he strode confidently to the front of the group, leading the way toward Mondstadt's city gates.
As they walked, he said over his shoulder, "Last time, I followed your plan. This time, follow mine. We'll ride to Wolvendom—it'll be much faster."
Dainsleif raised an intrigued brow.
"You mean ride horses?"
Shao Yun nodded with confidence and added, "I just happen to have an extra loyal steed named Carrot. She can carry you. Now come on, let's get moving!"
…
Outside Mondstadt, sunlight blanketed the land as Shao Yun skillfully led three fine horses from his mobile stable system.
He mounted the powerful Boudica, while Lumine helped Paimon onto the gentle Buell.
Dainsleif's eyes fell upon a pale-pink Andalusian. He frowned slightly, murmuring, 'This horse? Why does it feel familiar…'
Fearing Dainsleif might say something untimely, Shao Yun quickly cut him off and urged, "Don't overthink it. Just mount up! Wolvendom's waiting, and chances to ride like this don't come often!"
Without further words, Dainsleif mounted Carrot.
The trio spurred their horses and galloped toward Wolvendom.
Wolvendom—the wolves' domain in Mondstadt—was a mysterious land not easily accessed by conventional paths. So, they wound their way along the land near Cider Lake.
Along the road, Shao Yun and Lumine rode shoulder-to-shoulder, heading for their destination.
Meanwhile, Dainsleif followed silently behind, lost in his thoughts.
As they neared Wolvendom's edge, a vast stretch of sandy ground came into view.
Even from the outskirts, the silhouettes of Hilichurls could be seen wandering.
Upon spotting them, Shao Yun immediately pulled his newly acquired Lancaster Repeater Rifle from his saddlebag, intent on testing its firepower.
He glanced back at Lumine, Paimon, and Dainsleif. "Let me try out this new rifle. Just give me a moment."
"Wait! Hold on…" Lumine began.
But before she could finish, Shao Yun had already urged Boudica forward, charging at the Hilichurls like an arrow loosed from a bow.
The Hilichurls blocking the path, upon seeing Shao Yun's thundering approach, were instantly riled up. Battle instincts flared as they roared, swinging their crude clubs and fists, fearlessly charging to meet him.
Shao Yun sat steady in the saddle, swiftly raising his rifle. Its metallic sheen gleamed coldly in the sun—a clear sign of its formidable power.
His finger gently squeezed the trigger, then quickly cocked the lever for another round.
A series of thunderous shots rang through the air.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Fourteen shots erupted like torrential rain, each accompanied by a Hilichurl falling to the ground.
Under this rapid-fire barrage, none were spared. They all collapsed before Shao Yun's steed, vanishing back into the ley lines.
Lowering his gaze to the Lancaster in his hands, Shao Yun's eyes sparkled with admiration.
"Damn, no wonder it's a Lancaster. Fast shots, smooth lever-action! What a gun!" he exclaimed, truly impressed.
He turned his horse around and rode back to Lumine.
But as he looked around, he realized Dainsleif was nowhere to be found.
"Where's Dain? Where did he go?" he asked Lumine, hoping for an answer.
Before Lumine or Paimon could speak, Acting Grand Master Jean appeared, having followed the sound of gunfire.
Seeing Shao Yun, Lumine, and Paimon, Jean looked surprised.
"Shao Yun! Honorary Knight, Paimon—why are you all here?"
Paimon quickly explained, "We heard from Miss Rosaria that you came to Wolvendom personally to handle the Abyss Order, so we rushed over to help!"
Jean was visibly moved by their gesture, her expression softening.
"Oh, thank you so much. But there are just too many monsters this time. I was planning to rally the Knights of Favonius."
Shao Yun stepped forward, proudly holding his Lancaster Repeater Rifle.
"Captain Jean, there's no need for all that. Just leave it to me."
Jean hesitated, glancing at the advanced firearm in his hands. Despite her doubts, a sliver of trust began to form.
Just as Shao Yun prepared to ride on, Jean quickly warned, "Mr. Shao Yun, the path ahead is rugged and narrow. It might be difficult to ride."
Acknowledging her concern, Shao Yun dismounted neatly and smiled. "Thanks for the heads-up. In that case, I'll go on foot. Perfect for some shooting practice on those Hilichurls."
With that, he strode briskly down the path toward the Wolf of the North's trial grounds.
Seeing this, Lumine leapt off her horse and turned to Jean.
"Captain Jean, we'll go ahead. Please take care."
Then she ran off, Paimon floating behind her as she called out, "Shao Yun! Wait for us!"
Their figures soon disappeared over the hill.
"Take care, all of you… I'll watch the horses for you!" Jean shouted after them.
But no sooner had she said it than the three horses spontaneously trotted off as well, vanishing around a bend.
Watching them go, Jean let out a helpless laugh.
"Ah? You really don't want me to take care of you, huh?"
…
Shao Yun led Lumine and Paimon along the rugged trail into Wolvendom, heading toward the trial ground of the North Wind Wolf.
Along the way, several waves of Hilichurls attacked, but none could withstand the trio's overwhelming strength—they were swiftly returned to the ley lines.
When they finally reached the trial ground, the scene before them was shocking.
The massive spirit remnant of the Wolf of the North, Andrius, was bound by dark purple chains radiating ominous energy, rendered immobile by the Abyss Herald known as Torrent.
Beside the wolf stood a hooded boy with a massive blade, his eyes firm and cold as he stared down the Abyss Herald, ready to strike at any moment.
"Quick, look over there!" Paimon cried, pointing. "It's Razor! And the Abyss Herald!"
Shao Yun's heart surged with excitement. He had spotted his brother-in-law's employee—it was time for a grand first impression!
Slipping the Lancaster onto his back, he drew two golden-glinting cowboy revolvers—Schofield Revolver imbued with (Blessing of the Goat).
Filled with battle spirit, he turned to Paimon and declared, "What are we waiting for? Let's go!"
With that, the three of them charged toward the battlefield, ready to fight beside Razor against the threat of the Abyss.
…
The trio reached Razor's side. The moment he saw Lumine, Razor's eyes lit up. Still not fully fluent in speech, he asked haltingly, "You… why… here?"
Then he turned his gaze to Shao Yun, eyes full of curiosity.
"This one is…?"
Shao Yun shrugged lightly and nodded toward the distant Herald.
"Now's probably not the best time for formal introductions, huh?"
Paimon quickly added, "We heard Wolvendom was in trouble, so we rushed over!"
Razor's eyes showed a flicker of gratitude. He nodded slowly, voice soft.
"Thanks."
His gaze returned to WickedTorrents, the Abyss Herald. His voice turned cold and resolute.
"You—not welcome—here."
The Herald did not respond to Razor's provocation. Instead, he shifted his attention to Shao Yun, his tone laced with surprise.
"You? The one who blocked the Abyss army at Mondstadt's gates a few months ago."
At those words, a subtle excitement stirred in Shao Yun's heart. He raised a brow.
"Oh? I'm already that famous?"
The Herald replied coldly, "Your face is etched into the memory of the Abyss Order. The Prince dreams night and day of your demise."
Shao Yun thought to himself that Lumine's brother, Kong, really dreamed of killing him… but if he did, his sister would become a widow!
A smirk tugged at his lips as he looked at Wicked Torrents and said, "Then go back and tell him—keep dreaming."
At a cliffside overlooking Wolvendom, a tense confrontation was about to unfold.