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After Shao Yun hung up the connection with the Akasha Terminal, he took a deep breath and reached for the slightly worn revolver at his waist—John's old Cattleman Revolver.
He gently brushed his fingers along the gun's surface, feeling the marks of time and the weight of its legendary history.
Though the weapon bore the signs of age, its unique texture and the mysterious aura it exuded still made it impossible to ignore its once-glorious past.
No doubt about it—this was truly a weapon of the Legend of the West.
At that moment, Candace, who stood before Shao Yun, furrowed her brow slightly and placed her hand gently over her chest, asking with concern, "So you've really decided to go to Sumeru City? But given your current physical condition, isn't that too risky?"
Shao Yun nodded slightly, a determined smile spreading across his face.
He holstered John's revolver and replied, "I can't just sit idly by while the one I love is locked away in a cell, can I?"
Candace lowered her gaze, guilt filling her voice as she spoke softly. "I'm truly sorry, Shao Yun. I really wish I could go with you, but I bear the duty of guarding Aaru Village—I can't leave… But I do have something important I want to give you."
As she spoke, she carefully reached into her robes and took out a radiant golden Ankh, then gently placed it in Shao Yun's palm.
Lifting her head slightly, her gaze tender yet focused, Candace explained, "This comes from the ancient civilization of the Scarlet King. It's said that wearing it wards off disaster, illness, and corruption, and helps the bearer triumph in both love and war. May it bless you with eternal health, love, and fortune."
Shao Yun listened quietly, his eyes never leaving the delicate Ankh resting in his hand.
Feeling the cool touch of metal against his skin, he nodded solemnly, understanding the depth of the gift and its meaning. With gratitude in his voice, he said, "Thank you, Candace. I'll treasure your kindness."
Just then, the system—silent for a long time—suddenly popped up with a vivid message.
[Candace has given you the Ankh]
[Effect:Reduces the consumption rate of all three Core Attributes by 90% (It is said to be a symbol of life and resurrection.)]
…
After leaving the room, Shao Yun slowly looked up, his eyes fixed on the blazing sun hanging over Aaru Village.
He drew in a deep breath, then shifted his gaze toward the glowing screen before him.
A faint smile crossed his face, and in a calm tone he murmured, "You've been gone for quite some time. Where have you been hiding yourself all this while?"
The system didn't reply with a clear answer but responded with a tone that almost sounded like a blessing.
[Go do what you must. Perhaps John Marston was right; besides, you're not the kind of man who fears easily.]
Reading that, Shao Yun raised an eyebrow with an amused smirk and asked, "You can feel fear too?"
After a brief pause, the system replied unhurriedly, "Perhaps. But I've come to realize that all the things I did out of worry were in vain… Oh, by the way—tell me, are you truly unafraid of death?"
Shao Yun remained calm, his expression unshaken. He gave a faint shake of his head and answered, "Everyone fears death. I suppose I just fear dying without meaning."
…
After leaving Aaru Village, Shao Yun was about to whistle for his horse when a figure suddenly stepped into the middle of the road ahead, blocking his way.
Focusing his gaze, he saw that it was a man wearing a tall top hat, standing silently—as if waiting for him.
Recognizing the man, Shao Yun cursed, "You've got some nerve showing your face here!"
But the Man with a Top Hat said nothing, standing there as still as a statue.
Seeing the lack of reaction, Shao Yun continued angrily, "You broke your promise!"
At that, the man finally opened his mouth, speaking in a strange, sly tone. "I didn't break it. I merely… reminded them, subtly, to tighten their control over certain matters."
Shao Yun snapped, pointing at him furiously. "You're nothing but a deceitful, shameless bastard! Get out of my way!"
Despite Shao Yun's fury, the Man with a Top Hat remained unnervingly calm. "You still need my help, don't you? Just like last time."
Ignoring him, Shao Yun walked past without a word.
He strode forward, but after a few steps, he suddenly stopped. Turning back, he glared at the man and muttered, "I must be insane to trust you again."
Then, with a weary sigh, he said evenly, "When I think about it, there's nothing left I'm really afraid of."
"Like that old saying goes—the only thing we have to fear is fear itself, huh?"
He reached into his pack and pulled out the deck of cards the man had once given him.
As the crisp sound of shuffling filled the air, Shao Yun muttered, "Alright, let's settle this with these cards. If you win—kill me right here, right now. But if I win—you'll help me, no questions asked."
The Man with a Top Hat watched intently, then asked, "You're betting your own life? Aren't you afraid to lose everything?"
Shao Yun ignored him, kept shuffling, and murmured, "Alright, I'm drawing first!"
He flipped over a card.
It was the Spade King from the Chasm!
"Wow," he said evenly, "The Spade King from the Chasm. Seems my luck's not half bad, even when I'm half-dead."
The man shook his head and said calmly, "And you accuse me of being unfair? You're the one cheating—after all, I never agreed to play your little game."
Shao Yun smirked defiantly. "You love twisting words. But here's the truth—what you call unfair, I call justice. Got a problem with that?"
The Man with a Top Hat paused, then fell silent for a long ten seconds.
Finally, he reached inside his coat and pulled out two objects, tossing them toward Shao Yun.
Thud. Thud. They landed at his feet.
"Here. Take them."
Shao Yun looked down. One was an old-fashioned sling; the other, an ordinary-looking stone.
Eyebrows raised, he asked, "These primitive things? You really think they'll help me?"
The man replied slowly, his tone cryptic. "Boil water or throw stones—you always have to choose one."
Shao Yun nodded thoughtfully, then crouched to pick up the sling and stone, stowing them in his pack.
He then whistled sharply.
Moments later, the sound of galloping hooves echoed closer—and Shao Yun froze.
It wasn't his usual pale-pink mount. Instead, before him stood a tall, powerful chestnut mare—Boadicea.
For a moment, Shao Yun stared in disbelief. Then he approached slowly, patting her muscular neck. "How come you showed up?"
Boadicea let out a deep, resonant neigh, pawing the sand impatiently as if to say, Stop talking and get on already!
Shao Yun chuckled softly, asking, "Even if this mission could cost us our lives, you're still coming with me?"
The mare shook her head and nudged him firmly with her muzzle—clearly urging him, Quit stalling, you fool!
Understanding her perfectly, Shao Yun grasped the reins, placed his foot in the stirrup, and swung himself onto her back.
Once seated, he patted her neck gently and murmured, "Girl, it's time to show that arrogant clown Azar the reason why whatever happened in Inazuma never made it into the stories."
As he spoke, he removed his white Valley Hat and replaced it with a black Gambler's Hat.
His tone turned cold, and his eyes glinted with chilling resolve. "Because everyone who knew the truth… either died, or kept their mouths shut."
The Man with a Top Hat looked up at the endless sky and recited softly:
"When the fifth seal was opened, I saw beneath the altar the souls of those slain for the word of God and for their testimony."
"When the sixth seal was opened, there came a great earthquake. The sun turned black as sackcloth, the moon became red as blood, and the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, as figs cast down by a mighty wind."
…
Elsewhere, at a small campsite near a forest stream backed against a hill—a perfect spot by any measure—Rana was preparing breakfast beside the fire while traveling with the Aranara named Arana.
Suddenly, Arana began trembling.
Seeing this, Rana set down her spoon and asked, "Arana, what's wrong?"
Aranara shuddered, its voice trembling. "Rana, hide! I can hear the forest weeping!"
Rana tilted her head, listening closely. Only the rustle of wind through leaves—no crying at all.
"Crying? I don't hear anything," she said, confused.
Arana grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the small hill behind them.
Then, it began chanting in a strange melody Rana couldn't understand.
Moments later, the vines on the hillside receded, revealing a hidden entrance wrapped in roots.
"Rana, hide in this cave," Arana urged. "I must return to Vanarana. Wait for me."
Before Rana could respond, Aranara vanished in the blink of an eye.
…
Meanwhile, in Sumeru City—at the home of Dunyarzad.
Inside, Dehya was recuperating under the care of Dunyarzad and Nilou. Her condition had improved somewhat.
The last operation had been a disaster—if not for Rahman's desperate breakout, Dehya would've been captured by the Corps of Thirty or the Fatui.
Nilou had barely escaped herself—right after finishing a dance performance in front of the Akademiya, the Corps of Thirty's mercenaries had tried to seize her on the spot.
Had she not fled quickly, she would've been thrown into the Akademiya's detention cells.
While fleeing the scene, she ran into Dehya, bleeding and staggering out of the Grand Bazaar.
The two, lost and uncertain, remembered Shao Yun's advice—and Nilou, supporting the wounded Dehya, brought her straight to Dunyarzad's house.
Of course, Dunyarzad's father, Shahzaman, had been furious at first about sheltering fugitives wanted by the Akademiya.
But in the end, faced with his daughter's tearful plea and threat to take her own life, he reluctantly agreed—on the condition that Dehya and Nilou remain indoors and avoid being seen.
They agreed, and since then, they had been quietly recuperating at Dunyarzad's home.