The sun dipped below the horizon, its golden afterglow bathing the wharf of Ritou's harbor in a warm light that gilded everything it touched.
Shao Yun waved off Thoma's pleasantries with a faint gesture, his eyes calm and detached.
"No need for small talk. What's the next stop on our itinerary?"
Thoma gave a gentle smile and pointed toward a wooden shed deeper into the harbor—their next destination: the Ritou Checkpoint.
"First, we need to check in at the inspection station." Afraid Shao Yun might get some wild idea, he added quickly, "You may not know this, but the Sakoku Decree is enforced very strictly. Identity verification is mandatory—there's no real way around it."
Shao Yun's lips curled into a meaningful smile.
"Hard doesn't mean impossible." His words were short but firm, sending Thoma a subtle signal.
Thoma tensed slightly, swallowing hard. He forced his smile to stay natural.
"Ahaha… Mr. Shao Yun, really now, there's no need to push things. Doing things by the book saves us unnecessary trouble and keeps your journey smooth."
"I know you're never afraid of hardship, but if it dampens the mood of your companions, wouldn't that be a shame?"
He threw Shao Yun a knowing glance, hinting clearly at what he meant.
Shao Yun turned slightly and looked toward Lumine standing nearby.
He understood now—Thoma was saying: You might not care about yourself, but think of the girl beside you.
"Fine, Thoma. You're right. We'll follow the rules. No need to make trouble for ourselves."
With that, Thoma led Shao Yun, Lumine, and Paimon steadily to the Ritou harbor checkpoint.
Inside the wooden booth stood Miss Kageyama, dressed in a neat Inazuman uniform with a stern expression on her face.
She stood behind the inspection desk, eyeing every newcomer with scrutiny.
Upon seeing Thoma and company, her lips lifted slightly—clearly, Thoma was no stranger.
According to protocol, she spoke politely but with authority: "Greetings. Please state your identities and the purpose of your visit. Of course, no need for that from Mr. Thoma."
Shao Yun glanced sideways at Thoma, then pointed silently at the documents on the desk, signaling it was his turn.
Thoma wasn't in the mood to test their improvisation skills like in the original script. Without hesitation, he pulled out three neatly prepared immigration forms.
"Miss Kageyama, here are the entry documents." He handed them over with both hands.
Kageyama carefully reviewed the paperwork, her eyes scanning every line.
Soon enough, she nodded in approval and returned the documents with a polite smile. "All in order. Welcome to Ritou."
The trio followed Thoma, gradually moving away from the checkpoint.
"Thoma, where are we going next?" Paimon asked.
Thoma paused and turned around, still smiling warmly. "Next, we head to the Immigration Bureau. The checkpoint only verifies entry. If you want to stay on Ritou, you'll need to register for a residency permit there."
Shao Yun nodded, then asked a practical question.
"How long does this entry permit let us stay on Ritou?"
Thoma thought for a moment and answered, "I believe it's 24 hours. If you don't complete the registration within that time, you'll be treated as illegal immigrants and detained."
Shao Yun nodded thoughtfully, murmuring, "Twenty-four hours, huh? Should be enough."
He then turned to Lumine and Paimon with a suggestion.
"Lumine, Paimon, let's split up. I'll go handle the permit. You go take care of your business."
Lumine understood immediately. Her eyes flicked toward the Raiden Shogun's statue atop the distant slope. She nodded. "Alright. Where should we meet up?"
Shao Yun turned to Thoma for advice.
"What do you think, Thoma?"
Though puzzled by the idea of splitting up, Thoma didn't press. He scratched his head and said, "Hmm… how about the plaza in Ritou?"
…
Lumine departed with Paimon to regain her Electro power. Thoma, watching their backs, turned to Shao Yun with curiosity.
"Mr. Shao Yun, why split up?"
Shao Yun smiled mysteriously and replied, "That's not something you need to worry about. Let's get to the Immigration Bureau."
Thoma felt a chill despite the warm sunset but obeyed, leading Shao Yun toward their next destination.
They climbed several stone steps, eventually arriving at a modest yet elegant courtyard—the Immigration Bureau, housed in a traditional Inazuman-style building.
At the gate stood a samurai holding a cross-shaped spear, motionless and silent.
Thoma stopped and gestured toward the entrance. "This is the Immigration Bureau. Mr. Shao Yun, shall we—"
But before he could finish, Shao Yun eagerly stepped inside. "Perfect. Let's go in."
"Mr. Shao Yun, wait up!" Thoma trailed behind, puzzled by his guest's enthusiasm.
Then, a gust of cold wind passed through.
"Why is it so chilly all of a sudden…?"
…
At the gate, the immigration officer Yurika stood tall, her eyes calm and professional.
Upon seeing Thoma arrive with a stranger clearly from overseas, she pressed her lips slightly and asked coolly, "Hello, Mr. Thoma. Is this gentleman here to apply for a residency permit? Just the one?"
Thoma tensed, afraid Shao Yun might act unpredictably. He quickly corrected her.
"No, Miss Yurika—there are three applicants."
He spoke quickly, trying to avert any trouble before it began.
Yurika nodded, already expecting such. Ready to extort some Mora from this foreigner, she continued: "Very well. Please pay the processing fee: three million Mora."
Just as Thoma was about to explain, Shao Yun stepped forward with exaggerated surprise and rested a hand on Thoma's shoulder.
"Three million? That's outrageous!"
Yurika was unfazed by the reaction—she had seen plenty. Her voice remained cold and indifferent.
"That's the regulation. One million per person. Three applicants equals three million. Rest assured, I haven't miscalculated."
Thoma looked helplessly at Shao Yun and muttered, "Mr. Shao Yun, I…"
Before he could finish, Shao Yun covered his mouth, preventing him from ruining the plan.
Turning to Yurika with feigned resignation, Shao Yun said, "Alright. Since we're foreigners, we don't have a choice. Let's get it over with."
Yurika found his sudden compliance suspicious, but her professional training kept her expression neutral. She was already counting the incoming Mora in her head.
"Follow me, please," she said, turning toward the building.
As she disappeared inside, Shao Yun finally let go of Thoma, who immediately whispered, "Mr. Shao Yun, this fee is an unofficial scheme. It's just a way to exploit foreigners…"
Shao Yun cut him off calmly.
"I know. Which is why I plan to teach them a lesson."
Thoma stared at him nervously. "A lesson?"
Shao Yun leaned in, whispering with a voice that sent chills down Thoma's spine: "If you want to steal my money… you'd better be able to spend it, too."
From inside, Yurika's voice called out coldly, "Hey, foreigner—are you applying or not? Don't waste my time."
Shao Yun patted Thoma on the shoulder.
"Wait here for me, Mr. Thoma."
With a cryptic smile, he stepped into the building, leaving Thoma frozen in place, cold sweat pouring down his back.
*Maybe that novel—The Gunslinger Butcher from Fontaine—was too tame after all…
…
Inside the Immigration Bureau, Shao Yun followed Yurika to a plain but imposing office.
As the door closed, her attitude instantly shifted. The courtesy vanished, replaced by icy arrogance.
She extended her hand, greed gleaming in her eyes, and said coldly, "With Mr. Thoma gone, the rules have changed. One permit: five million. Non-negotiable."
Shao Yun feigned surprise, though a glint of cunning and delight flashed in his eyes.
"Wasn't it one million earlier? Jumping fivefold so fast—isn't that a bit much, Miss Yurika?"
Mistaking him for easy prey, Yurika smirked smugly. "One more word, and the price goes up to six million. Be smart and pay up."
Shao Yun sighed as if cornered, shaking his head. "Fine. But I have one condition—payment and documents, exchanged at the same time."
Thinking she had completely won, Yurika dropped her guard.
"Since you're being so cooperative, sure."
She swiftly pulled out three residency permits, signed and stamped them in seconds, then strutted over to Shao Yun, presenting the forms like some kind of charity.
"Here. Your permits."
Shao Yun glanced at the documents. A system prompt flickered:
[Three Valid Ritou Residency Permits]
Internally pleased, he tucked them away with a poker face.
Then Yurika thrust out her hand, eyes gleaming with greed.
"Now, five million Mora. Fork it over."
Shao Yun stared at her, noting her posture—so confident, so entitled.
But she had no idea who she was dealing with.
Like the legendary Vlad of Wallachia, Shao Yun was a man who'd flip the board when backed to corner—and choose scorched earth if needed.
He nodded slowly, a cold glint in his eyes. Then in one swift motion, he pulled out a cloth mask and strapped it onto his face.
With a lightning-quick move, he seized Yurika by the throat, lifting her into the air effortlessly.
Shock and terror filled her eyes. She kicked desperately, gasping, but his grip was unyielding—like iron.
Without hesitation, Shao Yun drew a dagger from his waist, the blade glinting coldly, and plunged it into her temple.
Her body convulsed violently in midair, then went limp, her eyes losing focus—lifeless.
Shao Yun watched coldly, a cruel smile tugging at his lips.
"My money isn't for just anyone to covet. Those five million? I'll have the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor in Liyue burn it for you."
He yanked the dagger free and tossed her corpse onto a chair.
Then, he ransacked the room—opening drawers, sweeping up untraceable Mora, and dumping documents onto the floor.
Once the room was littered with flammables, he opened a window to let air circulate.
From his Legend of the East satchel, he pulled out a Molotov cocktail. Without a second thought, he lit it, opened the door, and hurled it inside just before slamming the door shut behind him.