Thus, the cooperation with Shao Yun was sealed. Before leaving, Enjou offered a final reminder.
"Oh right, the Prince said—make sure his blood relative takes the medicine. Whatever you do, don't forget that!"
Shao Yun waved him off casually. "Yeah, yeah, I got it."
After Enjou departed, he slipped into a quiet, deserted corner to contact his Prince, Aether.
"Your Highness, I have something to report."
Somewhere on the continent of Teyvat, Aether received Enjou's message and immediately asked, "What is it? Something from Enkanomiya? Or news about my sister and brother-in-law?"
Enjou paused to think and replied, "Both, actually."
Aether blinked. "What do you mean?"
Enjou carefully relayed Shao Yun's plan and everything he had said.
When Aether heard that Lumine was safe, he exhaled a small breath of relief.
Then, as he listened to the entirety of the plan, his eyes widened slightly.
Shao Yun's scheme was brilliant—accelerate the holy soil corruption of Watatsumi Island, trigger the Watatsumi Goryou Matsuri Ritual, and use that as a way into Enkanomiya. It was a perfect solution.
That's my brother-in-law, alright.
Aether nodded and replied, "Understood. Work with him, Enjou. I'll dispatch forces from the Inazuma branch of the Abyss Order to support you."
Back on Watatsumi Island, Enjou—now fully backed by Aether—was so pumped he immediately summoned several Abyss Mages to help intensify the corruption of the island's land.
...
Elsewhere, once Enjou had left, Shao Yun lingered by the seaside for a moment before turning around and heading back to Sangonomiya to report his elimination of the specters.
After this, he figured Kokomi would finally place her full trust in him.
When he returned, he saw Sangonomiya Kokomi at the palace entrance, chatting with Lumine, Paimon, and Teppei.
Shao Yun strolled up and said with a relaxed smile, "Miss Kokomi! The specters to the south have been taken care of. No need to worry about them damaging the farmlands anymore."
Kokomi lit up at the news. "That's wonderful! Thank you. If we had left that to the resistance troops, it might've taken days."
Shao Yun grinned. "It's nothing, Miss Kokomi. The villagers in Bourou Village can now harvest their radishes in peace. Let me know if you need help with anything else."
The moment Teppei spotted him, he enthusiastically waved and shouted, "Shao Yun! You're back! I already arranged your lodging—it's in Bourou Village!"
Shao Yun stepped forward and gave Teppei a pat on the shoulder. "Thanks for handling that, Teppei."
Teppei puffed out his chest proudly. "Hey, it was nothing!"
Kokomi had fulfilled her duties as a host and didn't want to take up any more of their time.
"Shao Yun, Lumine, Paimon—just rest up in Bourou Village for now. If nothing urgent comes up, I'll assign you a task in a week."
Shao Yun nodded sincerely. "Thank you. We'll rest well."
They chatted a little longer before Kokomi turned to return to her duties at Sangonomiya.
Teppei waved them forward. "Come on, I'll show you the place I arranged. You'll love it!"
He led the trio along the familiar path, back to Bourou Village.
...
Teppei brought them to a small house typical of Watatsumi Island, made mostly of wood with a pink-blue shingled roof.
The surrounding area was pleasant, and stepping outside offered a clear view of Sangonomiya in the distance.
Teppei stood tall and proudly gestured toward the house. "Here it is! What do you think?"
Lumine nodded approvingly. "It's great. Thank you, Teppei."
Scratching his head, Teppei replied with a grin, "Don't mention it. You guys rest up—I'll go report back to Lady Kokomi."
With that, he turned and left.
Once alone, Shao Yun opened the door and led Lumine and Paimon inside.
Though modest in size, the house had a spacious main room with a few storage cabinets and bedding neatly arranged. A small kitchen sat to the side, equipped with all the basics—stove, buckets, and supplies for daily living.
As he examined the setup, Shao Yun commented, "I have to say, this place really has the Inazuman touch."
...
The three of them settled in to rest.
As night fell, Shao Yun carefully prepared the medicine Aether had given him. Looking at the finished product, he muttered, "Doesn't look half as good as my own miracle tonics."
Still, it was a heartfelt gift from his dear brother-in-law. He ladled out a full bowl and carefully brought it out of the kitchen.
Lumine sat cross-legged on a floor mat, staring blankly at the ceiling.
Paimon was absorbed in a book—probably something she'd snagged from Yae Publishing House.
Smiling brightly, Shao Yun approached Lumine with the bowl in hand. "Lumine, time for your medicine."
Lumine shivered. That line just sounded wrong somehow.
She glanced at the pitch-black liquid, visibly unsettled. Her eyes narrowed as she asked, "What is that?"
Still grinning, Shao Yun replied, "It's a tonic. Great for your body. Come on, drink up!"
Just the sight—and scent—of that inky soup was enough to make her flinch.
She quickly covered her mouth. "No way! Take it away!"
Like coaxing a child, Shao Yun kept his tone soft. "Sweetheart, it's a precious tonic. Drink it, and you'll recover even faster."
Lumine shook her head furiously. "Nope! It looks awful. I already feel better—no need for this."
Shao Yun thought to himself, You don't understand… this was Aether's personal request. It's filled with his brotherly love!
And I cooked it myself—between your brother's love and mine, this bowl is practically sacred!
When it became clear she wouldn't drink willingly, Shao Yun shot a glance at Paimon, silently signaling: time to earn your keep.
Paimon hesitated. She looked from Lumine to Shao Yun, then back. Memories of their travels flashed through her mind.
Then, with a deep breath, she sprang into action.
"Sorry, Lumine! Shao Yun, now!"
She zipped behind Lumine and wrapped herself around her head like an octopus, covering her eyes.
Caught off guard, Lumine shouted, "Paimon! You little traito—mmph!"
Before she could finish, Shao Yun seized the moment and poured the medicine into her mouth.
Lumine gagged as she swallowed the final drop, then collapsed onto the mat, utterly defeated. Her eyes had lost their sparkle, and a bit of soup lingered at the corner of her lips.
Barely audible, she muttered, "I'm telling Aether you bullied me… and you, Paimon—you little traitor…"
Paimon sprawled on her stomach, pouting. "Sorry, Lumine~ I couldn't say no to Shao Yun…"
She turned to him and offered an awkward smile.
Shao Yun sighed, placing the bowl aside and sitting next to Lumine. "Alright, alright—I'm sorry. No more force-feeding next time, okay?"
Lumine rolled over and gave him a blank stare. "You know you messed up?"
He nodded with a sheepish grin. "Yup. My bad."
Without warning, she punched him in the gut.
"Oof!"
Clutching his stomach, Shao Yun winced in pain.
Then, like a sulking child, Lumine declared, "You're sleeping outside tonight. No exceptions!"
"Lumine, it's freezing out—"
Before he could finish, she leapt to her feet and started shoving him toward the door. Paimon bolted, not wanting to be exiled too.
Half-reluctant, half-laughing, Shao Yun was pushed out.
"I get it, I get it! Don't be mad!"
"You started it!"
She slammed the door in his face.
Standing outside in the cold night, Shao Yun sighed. "Aether… how did you ever get her to take her medicine?"
...
Elsewhere, Aether sneezed violently—three times in a row.
"Ah-choo! Ah-choo! Ah-CHOO!"
Sniffling, he mumbled, "Who's talking behind my back...?"
...
Shao Yun looked up at the moonlit sky.
The moon shone like a silver plate, casting a soft, cold glow.
He sighed again. Now that he'd been kicked out by Lumine, maybe he should go hunt some Treasure Hoarders or rogue Nobushi?
Why not?
"System, give me a route. I want to wander around Watatsumi Island and see if I can rob any Nobushi or Fatui."
The system pinged with two messages.
[Proceed to the Suigetsu Pool area on Watatsumi Island. Eliminate the Fatui and rebel traitors. Destroy their supplies.]
Then came another message:
[Reward granted: Double-barreled shotgun.]
Shao Yun was stunned. He hadn't seen such a clear directive in a while.
"Wait… does this mean the Fatui plot with the Delusions has begun?"
The system gave no further information. Just a curt instruction—head to Suigetsu Pool, handle the Fatui and traitors, destroy the supplies.
After a moment's confusion, Shao Yun realized the system's intent.
The supplies included Delusions, yes—but the rest were desperately needed military goods. If those made it into resistance hands, even if Watatsumi were devastated by the corruption, Kokomi might still manage to hold on, using this "poisoned sugar" to stay afloat.
And if they went ahead with the Watatsumi Goryou Matsuri Ritual…
He had to stop them.
Even if the system didn't want him chasing vengeance, it had no choice now—it had to help him.
Shao Yun whispered his thanks, then whistled.
Ten seconds later, Boadicea galloped up from somewhere in the village.
Shao Yun mounted his steed, patted its side, and murmured, "Let's go, partner. Time to cut off the Fatui's blood supply—push Watatsumi to the brink."
With a light kick, he rode into the night.