Shao Yun and his group galloped along the banks of Dihua Marsh, their fleeing silhouettes streaking past like shadows. The thunder of hooves intertwined with the slapping waves, composing a breathless symphony of escape.
Behind them, the roars and stampeding of the Abyss army surged like a tide. Ahead, Hilichurl figures darted out from every corner like ghosts, attempting to cut off their path.
Each time Shao Yun pulled the trigger of his pump-action shotgun, another enemy fell to the ground.
It was as if he had returned to the day of the Great Heist in Blackwater—surrounded by relentless Pinkerton pursuers.
Thanks to Shao Yun's extraordinary marksmanship and their horses' speed, he, Lumine, Paimon, and Dainsleif managed to carve out a brief moment of respite amidst the hopeless chase.
When they reached the main road where Guili Plains met Wangshu Inn, Shao Yun suddenly yanked the reins, bringing his horse to a halt.
He knew full well how dangerous it was to stop here—but what was even more dangerous was fleeing blindly. He needed time to think, to find a way out of this mess.
"North to Mondstadt?" Shao Yun considered silently. "Maybe we can rely on the impregnable city walls and reenact the glories of the Hundred Years' War—like the Battle of Orléans. But… will a saint appear like Jeanne d'Arc did in time?"
"Or… south to Liyue Harbor?" Another thought flitted through his mind. "Find a ship, search for a Tahiti-like paradise? But with all of Teyvat marked as a red zone—can such a place even exist anymore?"
Time was slipping through his fingers. Brow tightly furrowed, Shao Yun forced himself to make a decision in the brief pause they had.
Yet the Abyss army's advance did not slow. Like ravenous beasts, they closed in with relentless steps.
"Shao Yun!" Dainsleif's voice carried a tinge of urgency. "Where the hell are we going? They're getting closer!"
Shao Yun inhaled deeply, striving to stay calm. "I know! Just give me a few more seconds! I need a plan that works!"
He pressed his lips together, then called out inwardly with growing desperation.
"I need you, system! Get out here—now! You promised you'd help me when it mattered!"
The system responded instantly, the interface lighting up, awaiting his command.
Looking around, Shao Yun understood how perilous the situation had become. Even a moment's peace was a luxury.
He spoke in a low voice to the system, "I need a relatively safe place where I can think—regroup!"
The system responded with a single line of text:
[In 1899, the age of gunslingers and outlaws came to an end.]
Upon reading this, Shao Yun felt a surge of irritation. What the hell is that supposed to mean?! He nearly fired off a barrage of curses at the system.
But then, his thoughts shifted—the line held a subtle clue.
"Blackwater, bank heist, mountain escape…" These keywords flashed through Shao Yun's mind like lightning.
His gaze turned toward the distant, solemn silhouette of Dragonspine.
Its summit glistened with pure white snow, a silver veil over jagged cliffs.
He recalled how the Van der Linde gang once evaded the Pinkertons by using the mountains as cover.
Now, perhaps, he could do the same—use Dragonspine to outmaneuver the Abyss forces.
"Is that what you're pointing me toward, Dragonspine?" he murmured, eyes lit with steely resolve. "That may be the only place left for us to survive."
Though the system offered no confirmation, Shao Yun now had his answer.
He spun around and shouted to the others, "Listen up! Our only way out is through Mingyun Village—straight to Dragonspine!"
But Dainsleif, who was covering the rear, raised a valid concern.
"You're really going through with this? I don't think any of you are dressed for that kind of cold…" His tone held genuine worry. He wasn't afraid of the cold—but Lumine, Paimon, and even Shao Yun looked far too lightly dressed.
Shao Yun knew time was a luxury they didn't have.
He cut off Dainsleif's hesitation, urging, "Don't worry! I've got a few winter coats—just enough to get us through. The Abyss army's almost on us! No more time to second-guess—this is our only chance!"
Spurred by his determination, Lumine, Paimon, and Dainsleif abandoned doubt and followed Shao Yun toward Dragonspine.
Their steeds thundered westward, hooves kicking up dust like a windstorm racing across the land.
Soon, they reached a rickety wooden bridge—long collapsed in the middle, with a gaping chasm yawning beneath.
Lumine, atop the loyal Buell, scanned the path ahead and shouted, "The bridge is broken! We need another way!"
But Shao Yun's eyes gleamed with fierce certainty.
"Don't be afraid—jump it!"
Before his words even faded, Boadicea lunged forward, hooves lifting from the ground in a perfect arc, landing solidly on the far side.
Lumine followed without hesitation. With reins tight in her grip, Buell surged forward, soaring over the gap like a soaring eagle, landing with ease.
Dainsleif's Andalusian steed, Carrot, wasn't far behind, completing the daring leap in stride.
The pursuing Hilichurls skidded to a stop. They couldn't swim, and jumping was beyond them.
So, the Mitachurls, in a move straight out of Plants vs. Zombies, began hurling their smaller comrades like zombie imps across the divide.
Seeing this, Shao Yun took quick advantage of the gap. He spun, drew his cowboy revolver, and began a skeet shooting spree.
Each crisp gunshot dropped a flying Hilichurl mid-air, sending it crashing back to the ley lines. Even the Brutes weren't spared.
This sudden counterattack bought them precious seconds.
The four riders surged ahead, speeding toward the abandoned mining town—Mingyun Village.
It reminded Shao Yun of Plowshare Village… but that place had never been safe enough to rest.
Mingyun Village, once a bustling hub of mining activity, now lay forgotten and desolate, like a corner of the world abandoned by time.
At its center stood a vast pit—once teeming with industry and wealth—now a stagnant pool.
The town was eerily empty. The Hilichurls who once occupied it had been whipped into frenzy by Abyss Mage chants. They burst out wielding crude clubs, snarling to intercept Shao Yun's group.
But Mingyun Village was built around the mine. The roads twisted, uneven and long. To intercept them required a much longer path.
Shao Yun, Lumine, Paimon, and Dainsleif exploited this time gap and charged through the village.
They didn't stop. Riding hard, they pushed through to the northern exit and fled.
Then, Shao Yun saw it—a silver ribbon of a stream, winding from the distant Dragonspine. Clear, icy, pure.
Follow the stream, and they would reach the mountain.
He led the others upstream, their horses galloping beside the freezing current.
As they approached the edge of Dragonspine, Dainsleif seemed to realize Shao Yun's plan.
"Wait—Shao Yun, are you sure you want to go into Dragonspine?" His voice carried deep concern.
Shao Yun pulled the reins and glanced back at him.
"We have no other choice. This is the only way—trust me!"
Dainsleif sighed softly. Glancing back at the swelling army behind them, he gave one last warning.
"I know what you're thinking. The ley lines in Dragonspine are unstable—they'll interfere with the Abyss Order's tracking. But once we're inside… we'll be cut off. They won't find us—but we might never come out."
"We'll be caging ourselves in."
Shao Yun listened, then drew a long breath. His voice rang out with firm resolve.
"Believe me! No matter how hard the road ahead, if we face it together, we'll crush every obstacle underfoot. These trials—they're just thorns on the path to victory. They won't stop us!"
As he spoke, the Abyss Mages and their Hilichurl horde came flooding in like a tidal wave, heading straight for them.
Time was up. There was no room for doubt.
Shao Yun turned to Lumine, his tone brooking no argument.
"No time to change clothes—Lumine, button up your coat! Just bear with it—we have to get into Dragonspine now. We'll regroup once we find shelter!"
Lumine didn't hesitate. She fastened her coat and followed Shao Yun without question. Dainsleif was close behind.
Once they entered Dragonspine, the chaotic ley lines formed a natural barrier—instantly severing the Abyss Mages' ability to track them.
The Abyss army stopped at the edge, staring into the endless white expanse.
One Hydro Abyss Mage whispered solemnly, "Prince… we will do whatever it takes… to find you."