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Paimon hurriedly leaned closer, peering outside through the narrow slit in the window.
At a single glance, she couldn't help but let out a gasp of surprise.
"Wow! Just like Dehya said, this place has completely fallen under the control of the Fatui. There's not even a trace of the Eremites anywhere!"
Alhaitham, expressionless, reached out to close the window and spoke calmly. "The scholars of the Akademiya are gradually handing over the assignments previously managed by the Corps of Thirty and the Eremites to the Fatui. They're doing it merely to free up manpower and focus entirely on their so-called God-Creation Plan."
Shao Yun frowned. So, it's the same thing those Fatui in Mondstadt tried to do back then?
Those Fatui who were now rotting in hell had also tried to seize control of Mondstadt's defenses.
He hadn't expected that in Sumeru, these people would actually achieve what they once only dreamed of!
Shao Yun half-joked, "Looks like the Fatui under that 'Fair Lady' have managed to fulfill in Sumeru what they failed to do in Mondstadt."
At his remark, Paimon, standing nearby, placed her hands on her hips with mild annoyance.
"Geez, is this really the time to joke around? What are we supposed to do now?"
After thinking for a moment, Shao Yun offered his assessment.
"Right now, there aren't that many Fatui here, and they seem different from those self-detonating ones we ran into back in Sumeru City. They're just regular people. So, I think we can fight our way out."
Alhaitham considered the situation, then proposed an alternative plan.
"Given that you're carrying wounded allies, I suggest a diversion tactic. We could draw most of the Fatui away so you can slip through quickly."
He then turned his gaze toward Shao Yun, signaling for him to decide.
"There are two paths before us—either we charge straight through or create a diversion to draw some of them away. The choice is yours."
After some thought, Shao Yun cautiously asked, "Is there any chance of other Fatui reinforcements nearby?"
Recalling his earlier reconnaissance of the area, Alhaitham shook his head.
"I've checked thoroughly. There's no sign of additional Fatui forces around. The Eremites who used to be stationed here have simply been replaced by these ones."
Hearing that, Shao Yun felt considerably relieved.
With no threat of reinforcements, hesitation was pointless. He made his decision—to break through by force.
He turned to Lumine and Paimon, his tone firm. "To save time, we'll force our way through. Lumine, Paimon, go inform the others and have them prepare. As for these Fatui, leave them to me. I'll stay in contact through the Akasha Terminal."
Lumine nodded, though worry lingered in her eyes. "Alright. But be careful, please. Don't overdo it if things get dangerous."
"Though... I doubt my warning's even necessary…"
With that, Lumine and Paimon left the room to relay Shao Yun's plan to the rest.
Now, only Shao Yun and Alhaitham remained.
Seeing Shao Yun preparing to face so many enemies alone, Alhaitham couldn't help but ask curiously, "You're really planning to handle all these Fatui by yourself?"
"I don't doubt your skill, but isn't that a little reckless?"
Shao Yun pulled his mask up, revealing only his eyes, and reached for his waist, drawing out a cowboy revolver.
"Recklessness and cowardice are both faults—but recklessness is closer to true courage. Stay inside and keep away from the window. Don't get hit by stray bullets."
Alhaitham paused, surprised by Shao Yun's composed demeanor and the seasoned tone of his words.
After a brief hesitation, he decided to follow the professional's advice. It was wiser to trust an expert in unfamiliar territory.
Shao Yun exited the Golden Sands Inn, gripping his revolver tightly as he strode toward the passage connecting Caravan Ribat and the desert.
Although the Fatui had taken over Caravan Ribat, it was clear that the Doctor's self-detonating Fatui had left them short on regular troops.
Counting them carefully, the enemies included only one Musketeer, armed with a musket, one Debt Collector with agile movements, and the rest—masked, mediocre fighters barely worth calling a squad.
At that moment, the Musketeer spotted Shao Yun approaching, face concealed.
He quickly raised his firearm, aiming, and shouted, "Who goes there!"
Raising a gun was meant for shooting—hesitation rendered it meaningless.
Though the Musketeer had the advantage, he wasted his moment.
Shao Yun didn't bother replying. He simply lifted his revolver and fired once—
The bullet pierced straight through the Musketeer's eye, into his brain.
His body collapsed like a puppet with its strings cut, the musket clattering to the ground beside him.
Shao Yun quietly muttered as he moved to take down the rest of the unarmed Fatui. "The man who's here to take your lives."
…
When all the Fatui lay dead, Shao Yun touched the Akasha Terminal on his ear and reported softly to Lumine.
Before long, Dehya arrived, leading the others.
The scene before them was ghastly—Fatui corpses sprawled across the ground, their heads split open, blood pooling beneath them. The stench of iron and gore filled the air.
Nahida's eyes widened at the sight, though her concern wasn't about how many Fatui Shao Yun had killed—it was about him, the one who had done the killing.
Seizing the moment as Shao Yun urged the group to move faster through Caravan Ribat, Nahida approached him. "Um… Shao Yun, may I speak with you?"
Without turning his head, Shao Yun continued directing the team. "Is it about dismantling the Akademiya's God-Creation Plan?"
Nahida shook her head gently, but before she could speak, Shao Yun cut her off. "If it's not that, save your breath."
He stayed focused, urging the group onward.
Nahida looked skyward, her expression filled with quiet worry.
Shao Yun knew what she feared—that the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles might intervene and derail the Cryo Archon's plan to save the world.
But right now, he had neither the foresight nor the resolve to care about a mission that offered no reward. He wasn't fighting to save Teyvat. And if salvation was expected of him, then he expected compensation.
His tone grew heavy. "I know what you're worried about. But… I have no other choice."
…
While Shao Yun held the Fatui at bay, the others made haste through Caravan Ribat toward the desert.
He remained behind to cover their retreat, ensuring no one would follow.
Once enough distance had been gained, and finding himself alone, Shao Yun mounted his horse and spoke to the system.
"System, Nahida's plan failed because of the Fatui Harbinger, the 'Doctor'! We need a new plan. Got any ideas?"
But the system remained silent—utterly lifeless, as though feigning death.
Shao Yun's patience snapped. "Hey! Stop playing dead! We don't have time for this—we need a new plan, now!"
Before he could finish, an agonizing pain suddenly tore through his chest. He doubled over, coughing violently.
The abrupt attack of pain shocked him.
"Cough… damn it… ah…"
He clutched the reins tightly, trying to steady himself, but the coughing worsened, his breathing ragged.
Cold sweat trickled down his forehead. His vision blurred.
Finally, after another fierce wave of coughing, his consciousness began to fade. The world before him twisted and dimmed.
"Damn…" Shao Yun muttered weakly.
Then his body lurched, losing balance—he fell from the horse.
He heard the dull thud of his body hitting the sand, dust rising around him.
Lying there, gasping for air, each breath burned like fire. His vision swam.
"Cough… where… am I…"
Before he could finish, darkness consumed him.
…
When "Shao Yun" slowly regained consciousness and opened his eyes, everything around him felt both strange and familiar.
As his vision cleared, he realized he was lying in the middle of a ranch.
In the distance, the rising sun met the morning sky, painting a beautiful picture of dawn.
A soft breeze carried the scent of grass and earth.
Not far from him, by a wooden fence, stood a man.
He wore a sleeveless denim vest, faded but clean. The white shirt beneath was rolled to his elbows, revealing strong, tanned forearms.
Most striking of all was the worn hat on his head, adorned with a single feather.
The man rested one foot on the fence, leaning slightly forward, watching the sun climb over the horizon.
Golden light illuminated his rugged face, making him appear even more formidable.
Shao Yun squinted against the sun, studying the man's silhouette. "You are… I feel like I know you…"
Hearing the voice, the man slowly turned around.
In that instant, Shao Yun froze.
Across the man's right cheek ran two deep claw scars—marks left by a wolf.
Before Shao Yun could say a word, the man spoke first, his voice gravelly and low.
"Howdy, Arthur. We're about to pull it off, aren't we?"
Shao Yun's eyes widened.
"What!"