Shao Yun saw the message and didn't know how to feel. That useless system hadn't updated his armory in a long time.
He pursed his lips with a trace of melancholy, weighing the consequences and impacts of each option.
After listening carefully to the most honest voice deep inside his heart, Shao Yun chose the first option placed before him.
Noelle could not remain pure and innocent forever. After enduring so many trials and hardships, it was indeed time to give her the precious chance to become an official knight.
"I firmly believe that Noelle will grow into an exceptionally outstanding knight. The great contributions she has made for Mondstadt are clear to all."
"We should cultivate her, guide her. I believe completely that with her hard work and talent, Noelle will surely become the next next Grand Master of the Knights, leading them forward."
Why the next next one? Because Jean would be the next Grand Master.
Hearing Shao Yun's confident words, Jean gave a slight nod.
She gently set the score sheet back down on her neat desk and said slowly, "Alright, I understand your view and expectations for Miss Noelle."
"Thank you for your hard work today, taking care of Klee."
…
The moment Shao Yun stepped out of Jean's office, the lantern floating beside him flickered faintly as if it had sensed something.
Right after, Alice's familiar, lively voice came from within.
"Haha, can we finally continue our daytime discussion now?"
Shao Yun shrugged carelessly and said, "Since you're so eager to reshape my outlook, then show me what you've got."
…
Leaving the headquarters, Shao Yun carried the lantern glowing faintly into an alleyway of a residential district.
Seeing the complete absence of light around him, he felt an inexplicable stillness rise within his heart.
'This is a good place for talking business.'
He tilted his head slightly toward the lantern floating beside him and said, "This place is quiet enough, good for talking things over."
From within the lantern, Alice's voice came directly, without hesitation or meandering.
"Long story short, I'll give you a very special set of instruments of torture. Not the kind that easily takes someone's life, but potent enough to make anyone suffer in unbearable agony."
"And, I'll also give you a peculiar book that details how to torture people. As long as you follow the methods in that book… trust me, you'll fall in love with the unique sensation of inflicting pain."
Shao Yun lit a fine cigar, took a deep drag, then exhaled a billow of smoke before suggesting a seemingly more balanced solution.
"Tell me, Lady Alice, can't you just explain how I could kill people without letting that devil seize the souls meant to enter the leylines? That way you can save yourself a set of instruments."
From the lantern came a hesitant, troubled voice. Alice sighed. "Well… what you said would be the best way. I personally don't care about your killing, really."
"As long as the souls of those you kill ascend safely, it's fine. But I don't have spare time to study all that. What I gave you is just a stopgap, you get it?"
Shao Yun narrowed his eyes, cigar between his fingers, a sly glint flashing in them as he asked slowly, "If it's only that, then I can't guarantee… that devil won't hit my weak point every time."
Alice fell into thought for a while.
After a pause, she relented, her tone helpless. "Alright then. Until I figure out a concrete way to let you kill without losing those souls needed to reinforce Teyvat's borders, I'll have to trouble you to go along with my method for now. The situation really is tricky."
Shao Yun listened quietly. He nodded gently as if acknowledging her, but then quickly shook his head.
A sharper plan flashed in his mind—one that might completely change the situation.
"Or… maybe you should consider the root cause of why I kill." He took another long drag of his cigar, the rich smoke spreading in his mouth.
Blowing out the smoke, he cast a meaningful glance at the lantern.
"You could speak with the leaders of Sumeru, Fontaine, Natlan, and Snezhnaya. Tell them to stop provoking us. Let us travel quietly in peace."
"When the time comes, we'll settle in a quiet place, live a calm and stable life. At that point, I'd have no reason or need to kill anymore."
Hearing this sudden suggestion, Alice nearly got a headache.
She frowned, exasperation and irritation flickering in her eyes. "That's asking too much! You're making things hard for me!"
Clearing her throat, she continued, "I might be strong, but not that strong—not enough to make all seven nations give me face…"
Shao Yun wasn't discouraged. He quickly came up with another, better plan—one that could solve everything.
"Or, you could use your power to cross worlds and send us to a paradise beyond strife. Then we could live in peace, in happiness. And… I'm confident I could trick my dear brother-in-law Aether into joining us again."
From the lantern, Alice nearly choked on his words, stunned silent for a moment.
Inwardly she grumbled. Sure, that'd stop you from killing and losing souls—but you'd also be erasing Teyvat itself.
The Abyss loomed ever watchful beyond Teyvat's borders!
She even started seriously considering the feasibility of his first plan…
…
Alice spoke firmly. "On that point, I absolutely can't agree! Lumine carries the power to dispel the Abyss. She's the key to saving Teyvat. This world desperately needs her strength right now."
Shao Yun's eyelid twitched at her words.
'Why does this sound so off? You need Lumine, yet you don't show an ounce of real sincerity. Isn't that going too far?'
He inhaled deeply from his cigar, replying with irritation. "Of course, I know what you mean—about Dvalin's tears being purified by Lumine. But your words really rub me the wrong way!"
Alice immediately realized his displeasure and that she might have offended him. She quickly shifted the conversation to ease the mood.
"Alright, let me put it another way. You've been with Lumine long enough to know her abilities. The twins have the same power as I do, to traverse the stars. But now… you also understand."
"Even if I followed your idea and sent you outside Teyvat, wouldn't you need to consider your girlfriend Lumine's feelings on this?"
With Alice tying the matter to Lumine's needs, Shao Yun's anger cooled.
"Mm, yes. Lumine mentioned that to me." He nodded, thoughtful.
Indeed, he thought, if someone stole his horse Carrot, Boadicea, or Lumine's Buell, he'd kill the thief no matter the cost to get them back.
He understood that feeling perfectly.
Sensing his softened tone, Alice pressed further.
"So, what's your answer? Will you agree?"
Shao Yun inhaled one last time, then tossed his cigar to the ground, crushing it beneath his boot.
"You should pray to God that fools don't push me past my limit."
Hearing this, Alice's heart leapt. She asked eagerly, "You mean… you agree?"
Shao Yun answered with layered meaning. "Murder and arson are only means toward a better world. If those means ruin the end, then cause and effect are reversed… But only if no one crosses my bottom line. Otherwise…"
He leaned closer to the lantern and barked sharply, "Bang!!! Hahaha! When I decide to kill, I really don't hold back."
Then Shao Yun brought up Inazuma.
"You must have heard. In Inazuma, the ones I decided to kill—even if Lumine stood in my way, I would not hesitate to choose…"
As he spoke, Shao Yun crossed the index and middle finger of his left hand, not caring if the lantern could show the gesture to Alice.
Alice, flustered, simply followed along. "Then… I'll take that as you agreeing. Once you reach Sumeru, go to the Palace of Alcazarzaray and find a little one named Dori."
"When the time comes, just give her my name—'Alice.' She'll know what to do. I'll send the instruments of torture to her. When you need to use them, follow the book's steps."
Shao Yun thought it over carefully, holding back part of what he wanted to say. He only replied faintly, "Fine, I understand. But you still need to quickly find a way to stop that devil from seizing souls when I kill."
"I can't guarantee that before you solve it, that devil won't offer me a deal I can't refuse."
Alice let out a small sigh of relief at his partial acceptance, though her tone still carried helplessness.
"I'll do my best to find a solution quickly."
Then she shifted the topic again.
"And as compensation, I'll have Dori give you something special."
Shao Yun raised a brow, curiosity piqued. "Oh? And what's that?"
Alice answered with deliberate mystery. "Don't worry. It's prepared just for you and Lumine. You'll like it…"