Not even a minute after Yelan left, Shao Yun suddenly heard the panicked and increasingly urgent voice of the Chasm's Ministry of Civil Affairs officer, "Muning."
"Heroine, you really can't! The Chasm is far too dangerous down below! I've already reported to the Liyue Qixing, and the rescue team is ready to deploy…"
Immediately after, a somewhat stiff yet unyieldingly resolute female voice followed.
"I don't care. I'm going to save Lumine, Paimon, and Shao Yun!"
Hearing that familiar voice, Paimon gasped in shock.
"This voice is? Shenhe!"
In the blink of an eye, Paimon's vision blurred, and Shenhe appeared before everyone, gripping her spear Calamity Queller tightly in her right hand, her expression blank but her aura overwhelming.
When Shenhe saw Lumine, Paimon, and Shao Yun, she froze.
Clearly, she had not expected the three of them to be safe and sound.
"You? Thank goodness, you're all unharmed!"
Though Shenhe was not adept at expressing her emotions, she still tried to let a trace of relief show on her face.
"I was very worried about you."
Paimon's eyes widened as she darted up to Shenhe with joy.
"Shenhe, what are you doing here?"
"I mean, it's really so good to see you again, but… you're…"
Halfway through, Paimon's gaze shifted to the spear clenched in Shenhe's hand.
Planting Calamity Queller firmly into the ground, Shenhe stared at them with her usual vacant look, though her eyes burned with intensity.
"I heard you had gone missing, so I came immediately to find you."
"I was afraid you might encounter danger, just as I did when I was a child… so I brought my weapon with me."
Hearing this, Lumine and Paimon's eyes filled with tears, moved to the brink of crying by Shenhe's sincerity.
Shao Yun, watching Shenhe, couldn't help but feel a rush of admiration. He realized her devotion was something rare and invaluable.
Suddenly, Shao Yun recalled that event back in Mondstadt, during the Drink A-Dreaming. Shenhe had traveled a long way north, asking everywhere about Lumine's whereabouts, all so she could taste a drink made by Lumine's own hands.
Placing her right hand over her chest, Lumine steadied her heartbeat, then gazed at Shenhe with gratitude brimming in her eyes.
"Shenhe, I don't even know how to express what I feel right now. Being able to see you again—it's truly wonderful!"
Shenhe tried her best to convey her emotions to Lumine, but the red ropes made her clumsy with words.
So, she forced a smile and managed to say something simple yet sincere.
"Seeing you safe puts my heart at ease."
Just then, hurried footsteps echoed from afar, accompanied by Keqing's anxious shout.
"Have the food, medical kits, and supplies all been prepared?"
A Millelith logistics officer immediately reported:
"All ready, Lady Yuheng! As per your orders, we also invited Doctor Baizhu of Bubu Pharmacy to come with us. He'll be here shortly."
Hearing that eased Keqing's worries slightly.
"Good. Time is life—we must not waste even a second! We absolutely cannot allow another accident like last time!"
Keqing knew all too well how critical this rescue mission was, so she was particularly cautious.
But as she led a large group of Millelith soldiers around the bend, she suddenly discovered Shao Yun and the others standing there unharmed.
Paimon, flustered by the sight, muttered awkwardly.
"Keqing… you came too, and you even brought so many Millelith with you…"
Keqing's eyes widened. After carefully checking Shao Yun and the others to make sure they weren't hurt, she finally let out a breath of relief.
"Lumine, Paimon? And Shao Yun! You're all safe—that's such a relief!"
Looking at the Millelith behind Keqing, carrying medical equipment, food, and rescue tools, Shao Yun sighed inwardly. This is quite the turnout!
This was already far beyond what happened in the original story—so many people cared.
Curious, Lumine studied Keqing, who was visibly relieved, and asked.
"What's going on? And how did you even know we were 'missing'?"
Keqing explained why she had brought the Millelith to the Chasm.
"The Yuehai Pavilion received a report from Miss Jinwu, a safety officer with the Chasm exploration team.
"She reported to Muning that you had disappeared deep within the Chasm.
"Muning immediately informed the Ministry of Civil Affairs. Once Lady Ningguang heard, she ordered me to lead the Millelith to find you."
Keqing smiled sincerely and continued.
"By now, you've been missing for a full week without any word."
She paused, then added, "I brought so many Millelith here because I feared you'd be in danger. But seeing you now…"
Shenhe followed up with her own explanation.
"As for me, I wanted to see you, so I went to the inn at Liyue Harbor. When I didn't find you in your room, I waited at the door for a long time, but you never returned. Then I asked around the streets, and happened upon Keqing gathering Millelith. That's how I learned you had gone missing in the Chasm."
Hearing that, Lumine was moved nearly to tears.
"I'm sorry we made you worry…"
Shao Yun, after hearing this, felt Shenhe's devotion left him speechless. She's so good to Lumine—makes me want to kneel in gratitude.
As for Keqing, it was fine until he heard Ningguang's name… that soured it a little.
Of all people, she's probably the one who most doesn't want me dead. If I die, how's she supposed to explain it to the Adepti?
Still, since she had come in person to help, it was better than doing nothing.
…
Afterwards, to avoid wasting the supplies Keqing had brought, everyone decided they should be used for the exhausted and unconscious Arataki Itto.
Baizhu noted this was his first time treating someone from the oni clan of Inazuma.
To thank Shenhe for coming all this way to find them, Lumine and Paimon decided to escort her back to Mt. Aocang, possibly staying there a few days.
Yanfei planned to wait for Yelan to return, so they could head back to Liyue Harbor together.
Because the crowd was so large, Xiao chose to slip away silently.
This left Shao Yun as the only one returning to Liyue Harbor.
Watching Lumine and Paimon prepare to accompany Shenhe back to Mt. Aocang, Shao Yun asked with concern.
"Do you need to ride Buell to make the trip easier?"
Lumine smiled and shook her head.
"No need. Mt. Aocang is close to the Chasm—we can walk there ourselves.
"Oh, and Shao Yun, when you go back to Liyue Harbor, could you stop by the Adventurers' Guild?"
"Hm? What for?" Shao Yun asked curiously. The Requiem of Echoing Depths quest was triggered by me—there shouldn't be any commissions available from the Guild now.
"Could you ask Miss Katheryne if you can take some good commissions on our behalf?"
Shao Yun blinked. Lumine had just come out of the Chasm and was already thinking about commissions. He teased her.
"What, you're already worried about commissions?"
Lumine grinned playfully.
"Hehe! Good commissions don't come around often…"
Shao Yun licked his lips and chuckled.
"Alright, I'll ask."
…
With a sharp whistle, Shao Yun summoned his Andalusian horse, Carrot, which galloped toward him from the distance.
Stroking Carrot's head affectionately, Shao Yun mounted up, ready to return to Liyue Harbor.
But just then, Keqing's voice called out.
"Mister Shao Yun, I have something to discuss with you—could I trouble you for a moment?"
Shao Yun turned back to see Keqing hurrying toward him, looking like she had something important to say.
Seeing her anxious expression, Shao Yun felt a surge of curiosity.
He quickly dismounted and stepped forward.
"What is it, Lady Keqing?"
With gratitude in her voice, Keqing said, "Thank you for saving me that day. I never got the chance to properly thank you. I should have…"
Shao Yun realized she was referring to the time he rescued her at the seaside. It was in the past—something he didn't want to bring up again.
He waved his hand dismissively.
"It's nothing. No need to be so polite. Oh, right—at the time, Huixin said they'd only found about twenty percent of the Millelith soldiers…"
At this, Keqing's eyes flickered and her voice grew low, tinged with sorrow.
"Ah, that… well, in the end, that's about all we were able to recover."
Shao Yun watched her quietly, then nodded.
"I see. No wonder I overheard you earlier, saying we mustn't let the same thing happen again."
Lowering her head, Keqing admitted with guilt.
"Yes… I let my experience with Osial blind me…"
Her voice carried heavy remorse.
Shao Yun shrugged and offered lightly, "Well, look on the bright side. At least twenty percent were saved, right?"
Keqing's pupils trembled. Under her breath, she murmured, "That's exactly what Ningguang said too…"
Her voice was so soft it was almost only for herself.
Shao Yun didn't catch it clearly and asked, "Hm? What did you say?"
Keqing quickly shook her head.
"Nothing!"
Shao Yun raised an eyebrow, but since she clearly didn't want to talk, he didn't press further.
He smoothly placed his foot in the stirrup, swung up into the saddle, and sat firmly.
Adjusting the reins, he waved to Keqing.
"Well then, I'll head back to Liyue Harbor first. See you!"
Patting Carrot's neck, he urged the horse forward.
Keqing smiled, waving back.
"Alright, safe travels. I look forward to our next meeting!"