Shao Yun blinked, looking at Yae Miko with a puzzled expression as he asked,
"So, does this mean that you're assigning me a commission task?"
Yae Miko nodded, indicating that Shao Yun could understand it that way.
"You could indeed put it like that. I can offer you…" Her words trailed off as she suddenly stopped, for she remembered the matter of compensation.
This gave her a headache. For someone like Shao Yun, what kind of reward could possibly satisfy him?
Beauty was clearly out of the question. Though she often teased and toyed with Shao Yun,
if she were to truly say such a thing as a condition of exchange, then the fourth Raiden Shogun of Inazuma would be born right there and then!
As for money, with Inazuma trapped under the Sakoku Decree and the Vision Hunt Decree bringing constant warfare, the nation was in ruins, barely able to rebuild. Where would there be extra budget to give away?
The earnings from the Irodori Festival weren't even enough to cover the compensation for the fallen soldiers under the Tenryou Commission.
Seeing Yae Miko fall into thought, Shao Yun casually replied, "We'll see when the time comes… Honestly, when it comes to those Fatui bastards, I can't muster the slightest bit of fondness."
"But our main purpose is traveling."
Shao Yun reasoned that since he hadn't encountered Scaramouche in Inazuma, he would likely only cross paths with him in Sumeru. Thinking about it now was too early.
After all, the Jade Chamber hadn't been rebuilt yet, nor had he visited the Chasm…
Upon hearing this, Yae Miko couldn't help but mutter inwardly, assuming that because she hadn't clearly stated the reward, he was refusing to give his word.
At that thought, she decided to act like Micah Bell from another story—smooth talk first, settle the details later.
With a serious expression, Yae Miko said, "Let me put it this way. You're no saint, and you've never claimed to be one. But when you meet Kunikuzushi, Shao Yun, you'll realize—you're actually a man of great virtue!"
She added, "And when you kill the Balladeer, you needn't feel the slightest burden—because he deserves to die!"
The moment Shao Yun heard the words psychological burden, he burst out laughing.
"Haha! You really do know how to joke! I've never felt any burden when taking a life."
Perhaps after pulling the trigger, Shao Yun's heart might stir with a faint trace of melancholy for a particular person—but at the moment his finger squeezed that trigger, he was utterly free of hesitation.
Because once you hold that cold weapon in your hand, it means you're ready to use it.
If you cannot resolve yourself to pull that fatal trigger, then from the very beginning, you should never have drawn the gun.
Witnessing this, Yae Miko asked, "So then, should I take this as your agreement?"
Shao Yun picked up the light novel resting on the table again, replying calmly, "That depends on his fate."
Mistaking this as acceptance, Yae Miko quickly painted him a grand promise.
"When you've slain the Balladeer, tell me, and I'll prepare a reward that will make you truly satisfied."
Still flipping through his light novel, Shao Yun responded offhandedly, "We'll talk about it then."
At that, he suddenly recalled something, set down the book, and looked at Yae Miko with a meaningful expression.
"But I'm curious—what kind of reward you'd think would truly satisfy me. Hopefully, you won't become the next fool."
…
Later, the story moved forward: Lumine and Paimon, through the accounts of Kaedehara Kazuha and Kamisato Ayaka, learned the history of the Kaedehara and Kamisato clans.
The final painting was also unveiled during the Irodori Festival. Just as in the tale, Albedo never painted the full image of the "dark master."
Eventually, through many inquiries, Lumine and Paimon learned—through their own perspective—that it was Kamisato Ayato who had been spreading rumors about the Five Kasen manuscripts.
Ayato invited them to come to the plaza that night, promising to reveal the full truth.
That evening, guided by Ayato's words, Lumine and Paimon poured water onto the fifth canvas—revealing the Balladeer.
At that moment, Yae Miko appeared, and much like Shao Yun, she explained the story of the Balladeer to them.
In the end, she even teased Lumine, for after being startled by Shao Yun's words, the sly fox had to make up for it at Lumine's expense.
After all, she was Yae Miko—an elegant shrine maiden who had lived for centuries, possessing both beauty and wit. She could see through even the slightest change in Lumine.
Her teasing left Lumine's face flushed with embarrassment, while Paimon clamped her hands over her ears, terrified of hearing such indecent words and "tainting her ears."
…
Time flew like an arrow, and at last, the Irodori Festival reached its perfect conclusion.
During this time, Shao Yun idled away his days in the light novel section arranged by Yae Publishing House at the Yashiro Commission headquarters, managing to freeload through every single book there.
Albedo, Klee, and Venti had already departed, returning to Mondstadt.
Xingqiu, under Yae Publishing House's arrangements, boarded a ship bound for Liyue.
Kaedehara Kazuha had also informed Beidou that Shao Yun and his companions would soon leave Inazuma aboard the Alcor.
Today was the day—Shao Yun, Lumine, and Paimon would board the Alcor and depart Inazuma.
At the gates of the Yashiro Commission, Shao Yun adjusted the distinctive gambler's hat upon his head, then turned toward Lumine and Paimon, who looked "rejuvenated" and "full of spirit."
"Everything that needed to be handled has been settled, right?"
At his words, Paimon stretched out her tiny hands, counting on her fingers while muttering to herself.
"Let's see… We've already collected all the Irodori Festival souvenirs, and we finished all those commission tasks too…"
She thought carefully, then shook her little head, beaming brightly. "Hehe, we didn't forget anything!"
Shao Yun turned to Lumine, asking with concern, "And, is there anyone you haven't seen yet?"
Lumine furrowed her brows slightly, crossing her arms in thought.
"Let me think… Right, I've already said goodbye to Yoimiya, Kokomi, Teppei, Gorou, and Heizou…"
This time, Shao Yun didn't go in their stead to say farewells to friends.
Although he never interfered with Lumine and Paimon's social ties, the recent upheavals in Inazuma had changed Lumine's approach to friendships.
Take the Kamisato family, for instance. Due to that so-called "unintentional mishap," she had never formed deep bonds with Ayaka or Ayato. At most, they were acquaintances, familiar but not intimate.
As for Raiden Ei—dead! Lumine never had the chance to truly know this provincial Inazuman girl.
The same was true for Kujou Sara; Lumine never got the chance to befriend her.
Meanwhile, Arataki Itto only sought to test his skills against Shao Yun, with Kuki Shinobu leading the Arataki Gang at his side.
Thus, Lumine and Paimon never had the chance to grow close with the Arataki Gang.
And Yae Miko… well, ever since that night during the Irodori Festival when she had been "teased," Lumine felt a persistent sense of awkwardness whenever she saw her again.
So, she carefully prepared a box of delicious inari sushi and entrusted it to the staff at Yae Publishing House to give to Yae Miko as a parting gift.
Once Shao Yun confirmed that Lumine and Paimon had completed all their farewells and tasks, he led the pair—one tall, one small—to find Beidou and head back to Liyue.
…
At Ritou Harbor, the renowned flagship of the Crux Fleet, the Alcor, was securely docked.
Its crew bustled about, stocking provisions.
Beidou stood at the pier, gazing leisurely at Inazuma's layered architecture.
In her heart, she was quietly sighing at the beauty of this land that sought "Eternity."
"No doubt about it, this truly is a nation of Eternity… Wait—hold on! Something feels off!"
All at once, she sensed something strange.
It was as though Inazuma was missing something—something large, a major landmark…
Just as confusion began to cloud her mind, she spotted Shao Yun, Lumine, and Paimon approaching.
In an instant, her doubts vanished, replaced by a wide, boisterous smile.
"Yo! Lumine, Paimon, and Shao Yun—long time no see!"
Shao Yun smiled as he led Lumine and Paimon up to her, exchanging a few casual words.
"Hello, Captain Beidou. Thank you again for bringing us to Inazuma. This time, we'll be relying on your ship once more to return to Liyue." Lumine said politely.
Beidou nodded. Kazuha had already passed along Shao Yun's message.
With an apologetic look, Beidou replied, "I understand, Kazuha told me everything. But I must apologize—the Alcor really has no plans to head for Sumeru right now. I can only take you back to Liyue, is that alright?"
Standing beside Shao Yun, Lumine flashed a radiant smile.
"That's perfectly fine. We're happy enough that you're willing to take us aboard, Captain Beidou. You could even drop us in Mondstadt and we'd be grateful."
Beidou threw back her head and laughed heartily. "Hahaha! The hero who saved Liyue really does know how to joke!"
"But for the Alcor, carrying such valiant champions of Liyue back home is the greatest honor imaginable!"
Her words of praise instantly lifted Lumine and Paimon's spirits.
Seeing them so joyful, Shao Yun felt genuine contentment as well.
He thought to himself, since she had come all the way from Seirai Island, it wouldn't be right to freeload again. So, he said directly, "I'm in good spirits today, so I won't ride for free. Is there anything you need my help with?"
"Aiya, Mr. Shao Yun, you really are too polite! There's no need to be so formal between us!"
Then, Beidou rubbed her chin thoughtfully, mumbling about the matter of passage fees.
"The fare for your group… let's just handle it the usual way. I'll settle accounts with Ningguang when the time comes."
Hearing that he still didn't have to pay for the ship, with Ningguang footing the bill again, Shao Yun couldn't resist making a joke.
"Hahaha, in that case, I'll raise both hands in favor of this arrangement!"
"But if anything comes up, don't hesitate to call on me. After all, I do rather admire your way of handling things."