Upon hearing that Enjou was actually inviting him to join the Abyss Order and go find his brother-in-law to help revive the long-lost nation of Khaenri'ah, Shao Yun instantly lost all interest like a balloon deflating.
He waved his hand dismissively, replying lazily, "I have absolutely no interest in your so-called revival."
"Besides, who knows how Lumine would feel about this? She might just fly into a rage and beat me half to death."
Enjou's heart sank with disappointment upon hearing this.
Still, he was unwilling to give up so easily. After all, if the lover of His Highness's blood kin joined their cause, the revival of Khaenri'ah would surely come much easier.
So, carefully and tentatively, he proposed, "How about this—after I've completed my mission, I'll report this to His Highness…"
But before he could finish, Shao Yun rudely cut him off and firmly declared that he would never join the Abyss Order.
What would he do there anyway—hang around drinking with his brother-in-law?
"No need for all that nonsense. If Lumine really wants to kill me for taking down the Raiden Shogun, then fine. I'll open my arms and accept her judgment."
Enjou voiced the worst possible outcome that had been lingering in Shao Yun's mind, then asked, "But what if things don't turn out the way you hope? What if she refuses to travel with you ever again? Wouldn't you need a place to go then?"
Shao Yun froze momentarily at that thought.
But he quickly composed himself and responded nonchalantly, "If she really does kick me out, so be it. I've got a horse. I know how to camp in the wild."
The only hassle would be sleeping in the wilderness at night—he'd need to be extra alert.
"Teyvat's a big place. Surely there's somewhere I can settle. Whether I end up robbing people or starting a ranch, I'll leave that decision for later."
Enjou was infuriated upon hearing this. He felt both sorrow and frustration at Shao Yun's "self-destructive" and "unmotivated" attitude.
Robbery? Ranching? How crude. How dull.
He couldn't help but shake his head with a sigh. "Such a waste. Are you really willing to let your talent rot away?"
His words were filled with heartfelt regret.
Shao Yun glanced at Enjou curiously.
After sizing him up for a moment, he felt the whole situation was starting to resemble that old tale—like Odysseus trying to drag someone up in Troy.
Puzzled, he asked, "Waste what exactly? My killing skills?"
Then muttered, "Bragging about how well I kill... just feels weird."
But Enjou didn't let up. He continued, earnestly and persuasively.
"This is your unique gift. You have the power to kill gods. That should be your greatest pride."
His tone was sincere, seemingly genuinely hoping Shao Yun would cherish his natural ability. But in truth, all he cared about was Khaenri'ah.
Shao Yun muttered to himself—why was this getting more absurd and bizarre by the second?
He quickly interrupted, "If Baal had been capable of rational conversation, I never would've taken this path. Alright, enough already. Stop with this topic."
Seeing that Shao Yun truly had no interest, Enjou offered one last suggestion.
"If one day you find yourself completely cornered, with nowhere else to go, the Abyss Order will always welcome you."
But Shao Yun pointed firmly at his own head and responded with determination, "If that day ever comes, I'd rather put a bullet in my brain."
Enjou saw that Shao Yun's mind was made up. Besides, everything they discussed was still just speculation. He decided not to push it further.
After all, he wasn't about to play the role of Odysseus and drag someone like Achilles up the mountain by force.
There were two reasons: First, he was no match for Lumine in combat—his bruises made that painfully clear.
Second, Shao Yun wasn't someone you could push. Unlike the hotheaded Achilles, he was far more dangerous, and Enjou was certainly no Odysseus.
Push too hard, and he might actually end up dead.
Enjou sighed. "His Highness would've been thrilled to see you join us."
With that, he shook his head, visibly disappointed at his failure to persuade Shao Yun.
Shao Yun took a slow draw from the fragrant cigar in his hand. Smoke curled through the air as he gave his final reply.
"Trust me. That day will never come. Give it up."
Enjou listened silently, then muttered, like some old veteran in a drama:
"Hard to say."
…
With that, the conversation ended.
Enjou slowly stood up from the doorstep, gave Shao Yun a long, serious look, and spoke.
"I'm going to report your situation to His Highness now."
"If you ever hit rock bottom, if you ever have nowhere else to turn, the Abyss Order will embrace you."
Without waiting for a reply, he turned and strode away to report both his findings and Shao Yun's current state.
Shao Yun continued to sit on the doorstep, watching Enjou's figure fade into the distance, a touch of melancholy surfacing in his chest.
He murmured to himself, "Hopefully Lumine… won't cast me aside."
The conversation with Enjou had made time pass quickly. His cigar had already burned more than halfway without him noticing.
He looked down at the shortened stub, the corner of his lips curling into a bitter smile.
He took one last deep drag, savoring the thick smoke, then flicked the cigar to the ground and crushed it underfoot.
Then, a strange thought struck him.
"Wait a sec... why didn't Enjou just open a portal to leave?"
"Was he afraid of being seen? No, that doesn't make sense. If he cared about that, why sit here talking to me for so long? So weird…"
…
Meanwhile, over in Konda Village, Yae Miko was leading a group of shrine maidens from the Grand Narukami Shrine, fully engaged in the Sacred Sakura Cleansing Ritual.
They were working together to purge the corruption that had spread over Inazuma due to the chaos surrounding the deification.
Originally, Lumine and Paimon had already completed the cleansing. The matter of the Sacred Sakura tree had been resolved.
But no one could've foreseen the sudden explosion at the Mikage Furnace in Tatarasuna, which reset all their efforts—and made things worse.
Just as Yae Miko was calmly directing the shrine maidens, a sudden and inexplicable sense of dread seized her.
Her body buckled like she had lost all strength and collapsed.
Luckily, Inagi Hotomi beside her reacted quickly and caught her in time.
Inagi's face filled with concern. "Lady Guuji, do you need to rest? Let me help you sit down."
Yae Miko clutched her chest tightly. Her usually playful fox ears now stood stiff with fear.
"Something's very wrong. I don't know why, but I have a terrible feeling… that Ei might be in danger!"
Inagi hurried to comfort her. "Please don't panic, Lady Guuji. Perhaps you're just overthinking it? The Almighty Shogun is wise and powerful…"
But even so—there are always exceptions.
Yae Miko suddenly shoved Inagi's hand aside. Though her legs were still trembling, she bit her lip and forced herself upright, her gaze locked toward Inazuma City.
"No, there's no way she's safe. Deep down, I know something's happened to Ei. I have to go to Inazuma City immediately!"
Before the words had even fully left her mouth, she took off—abandoning the ritual behind her and sprinting toward the city.
Inagi called after her, "Lady Guuji, wait! We need to finish the cleansing…"
But Yae Miko paid no mind. She had no time for anything else.
After saying a few quick words to the other shrine maidens, Inagi followed closely behind.
And so, the two of them ran in tandem toward Inazuma City.
Along the way, they saw chaos—countless citizens fleeing in terror.
Some were carrying heavy packs filled with essentials and valuables, leading their entire families. Others ran alone, carrying nothing but the clothes on their backs.
Regardless of wealth or status, the same fear and panic were written on everyone's face—for doomsday had arrived.
By the time the two women reached the city gates, Yae Miko had already braced herself for scenes of death and destruction.
But what she saw made her pause.
The streets were a mess—personal belongings scattered in all directions, some windows shattered from the shockwaves of the explosion—but there were no piles of bodies. No flames engulfing buildings.
There were no raging fires. No smoke.
Shops were shuttered, but not burned down.
Everything was strangely… quiet.