At that moment, several new system notifications popped up before Shao Yun's eyes.
[You have completed Legend of the East Challenge VII – Final]
[You have obtained the Legend of the East Gear Set]
[Set Effect: Immune to extreme temperatures; weapons require no maintenance;]
[Your three Core Stats will remain permanently at peak condition (You no longer require food or rest, though supplemental stats must still be restored using tonics)]
[Enemies will experience absolute fear upon seeing you wear this gear, though you can choose to suppress or fully release your killing intent]
Shao Yun's eyes flew open in shock—he found himself outside the Tenshukaku.
It was dusk, but the sky remained eerily violet due to the explosion of the Mikage Furnace in Tatarasuna, a harbinger of doomsday.
He felt no joy at having survived. Though he had succeeded in killing Beelzebul, there was no sense of relief.
He knew there was still one massive obstacle ahead—Lumine.
Undeniably, she would be the greatest challenge he would face.
So, instead of celebrating his newly acquired Legend of the East set, Shao Yun sat down cold-faced on the threshold of the Tenshukaku's outer gate.
He reached into his Legend of the East satchel and took out a cigar, casually placing it between his lips.
Then he bent down and struck a match against the sole of his boot, lighting the cigar.
Shao Yun inhaled deeply, letting the smoke swirl in his mouth before exhaling slowly, murmuring to himself, "Alright... now I just wait for Lumine to beat me to death."
He couldn't begin to imagine what expression Lumine would wear upon learning that he had killed the Raiden Shogun.
Would it be rage? Grief? Or something even harder to name?
He continued smoking, eyes growing distant amidst the drifting smoke.
Suddenly, a crisp notification sound chimed, and a message appeared on the system screen.
[You had other choices. You could have become the Legend of the East—and you did. But you did it while standing over the Raiden Shogun's corpse. Was it worth it?]
Shao Yun frowned slightly and removed the cigar from his mouth, replying in a low voice,
"What the hell do you mean worth it? If I don't regret it—that's enough. Whatever Lumine decides, whether to kill me or flay me—I'll accept it."
Apparently provoked by his reply, the system popped up another message.
[I regret it. I should have stopped you—like I stopped you in Mondstadt when you tried to kill the Fatui who stole the Sky Lyre!]
Shao Yun took a deep breath, his eyes cold.
"But you didn't. So, stop playing the wise man after the fact. Leave me alone!"
He hadn't even reached to close the screen when the system interface vanished on its own—silent, without another sound.
Shao Yun cursed under his breath.
"Useless thing. Besides handing out weapons, showing horses, and guiding maps, what the hell can you do?"
As he smoked in brooding silence, a dark Abyssal portal suddenly appeared beside him.
A man in Watatsumi Island garb stumbled out—bruised, battered, and absolutely wrecked.
Shao Yun squinted. That man was none other than Enjou, his brother-in-law's subordinate.
Enjou slammed the portal shut behind him and clutched his chest in relief.
"Whew... finally made it out alive!"
Shao Yun stared at him, puzzled. "Enjou? What the hell happened to you?"
Enjou turned around sharply, eyes wide. "Y-You?! His Highness's blood-bound beloved?! You're here too?!"
Taking in Enjou's hilariously battered face, Shao Yun couldn't help but ask, "Damn, what happened? Who beat you up this bad?"
You-know-who, of course—your woman!
Clutching his swollen cheek, Enjou blinked his blackened eyelids and whimpered, "Ugh, don't even mention it. Long story short—Prince's blood kin... hits hard."
Shao Yun scooted aside and patted the space next to him, chuckling. "Come on, sit. Tell me what happened."
Nodding gratefully, Enjou sat down, his face still full of grievance.
With exaggerated gestures, he recounted his story—how Lumine summoned a massive Anemo tornado and flung him sky-high...
Then slammed him back down with a huge Geo boulder...
Then zapped him mercilessly with Electro attacks.
According to Enjou, she almost beat his second life out of him, and he barely escaped Enkanomiya with half a breath left.
Shao Yun listened quietly, a wry smile on his face. "You're still alive? You Abyss guys are built like cockroaches."
After the rant, Enjou cracked a grin and clapped Shao Yun on the shoulder.
"But hey, it wasn't all bad. We got a ton of Enkanomiyan relics—mission success. We'll make the Prince proud. All thanks to your plan."
He thought to himself, If it weren't for Shao Yun speeding up the ritual to sanctify Watatsumi Island and unlock Enkanomiya, we'd still be stuck in hiding.
Shao Yun, watching his goofy smile, suddenly thought of Lumine and Paimon. A pang of longing hit him.
So, he asked, "By the way, Enjou—how are Lumine and Paimon doing down in Enkanomiya?"
Nobody knew better than Enjou himself.
He'd been searching for relics while keeping watch over them.
Hearing the question, his face lit up with excitement.
"The Prince's blood kin is thriving! With that priestess... what's her name—Tsuyuko! They've been eating well, sleeping better, and beating up everything in sight!"
"Some days it's Hilichurls. Other days it's us. Plus, they've found so much treasure!"
Rubbing his bruised face with a grimace, Enjou winced at the pain.
Shao Yun laughed aloud, genuine warmth blooming on his face.
"Even without me, those two really know how to live it up."
Enjou blinked. "Huh? What's that supposed to mean?"
Shao Yun pointed toward the Tenshukaku and spoke gravely.
"I have a strong feeling... Lumine's going to kill me."
Following his finger, Enjou saw the towering structure, now devoid of any divine aura.
He gulped.
Did Shao Yun really... kill the god of Inazuma?
Still confused, he asked, "Just because you killed the Shogun? You think Her Highness's blood kin would kill you for that?"
Shao Yun nodded solemnly.
"My gut's always right. Lumine's kind—she cherishes life."
He remembered throwing the Delusions into the sea, saving the resistance, and sparing Teppei's fate.
Because Lumine hadn't suffered loss—her heart was still too soft.
Enjou rubbed the swollen lump on his head and asked hesitantly, "Can I say something... kinda harsh? Please don't hit me."
Shao Yun eyed him for a moment, then nodded.
Taking a deep breath, Enjou gathered his courage and said:
"If Her Highness's blood kin blames you for avenging her... then maybe... she doesn't love you enough."
"I don't get human love much, but with the Abyss Order—one time a dumbass slime tried to ambush His Highness. We stepped in, and he praised us."
Shao Yun shook his head, sadness in his eyes. "It's not the same. I killed a god."
Maybe what he had with Lumine wasn't John and Abigail—it was Arthur and Mary...
To Enjou, that made no difference. Gods or slimes—same thing.
Patting him on the back, Enjou said reassuringly, "It's all the same. Don't worry. Her Highness's blood kin hits hard—but she's a softie deep down."
"You avenged her. She should be happy, not angry!"
Shao Yun sighed, looking defeated. "It's not about what you say. It's about what she feels."
Enjou's eyes twinkled. "If she does leave you... come to the Abyss. We'll take you in! His Highness will be thrilled to see you."
Shao Yun blinked in surprise. "You're serious?"
Enjou nodded eagerly. His words were heartfelt.
"Absolutely. That blind Raiden Shogun hurt Her Highness's blood kin, and His Highness was furious! We barely stopped him from storming Inazuma himself."
"But now you killed the Shogun? That's a huge favor. And with your power, you'll definitely help us rebuild Khaenri'ah!"