Paimon's gaze was drawn by that sudden voice. She pointed at the two men who already looked suspicious and said, "Look over there! Those two—I feel like they're using the excuse of selling information to do bad things!"
Shao Yun thought Paimon was going to say the same thing as in the original story, about buying information from those shady guys. Instead, he muttered to himself, "Hmm, information falling from the sky…"
He knew this was part of the necessary steps to meet Shenhe, but really—who would stand in the middle of the street loudly advertising that they had secret information?
Wait a minute… Paimon, you saw through those two weren't good people?
Shao Yun realized, surprised. Paimon had actually gotten smarter. He immediately praised her: "Wow, Paimon, you've gotten smarter! You could tell those two guys pretending to sell intel aren't good people."
Paimon froze. What did he mean by gotten smarter? Was he saying she used to be dumb?
She crossed her arms and pouted unhappily. "Paimon has always been smart, okay!"
Hands on her hips, she glared at Shao Yun.
Shao Yun hurried to explain. "Of course, Paimon has always been smart. I was just surprised at how quickly you figured out those two were suspicious this time, that's all."
Hearing this, Paimon's mood softened a little. Tilting her chin up proudly, she said, "Hmph, of course! Paimon is amazing!"
Then, without stopping, she launched into an explanation of why she thought those men weren't good people.
"This is an opportunity to get a response from Ningguang! Even if they really had information, how could they be shouting about it so openly in a crowded place?"
"And since we can hear them, the other merchants here must've heard them too. But these merchants…"
She gestured at the traders still lingering nearby. After Ningguang had issued the task, some well-connected merchants had already left Yujing Terrace.
The weaker ones who stayed behind had grouped up in small clusters—for safety in numbers, after all.
"You see? Not a single one of them is tempted. That's enough proof those two are pure liars!"
Of course, taken alone, there might have been other explanations. Perhaps the merchants had their own intel networks and disdained such small rumors. Or maybe they believed the info was real but lacked the means to act on it without partners.
Still, in this case—those two really were scammers.
Paimon waved, calling to Lumine and Shao Yun. "Let's go take a look! If that girl gets into danger, it'll be bad."
The three of them kept their distance, watching the two swindlers pestering a white-haired girl with an aloof, otherworldly aura—Shenhe.
The two conmen, Scar Liu and Qiang the Brave, had targeted Shenhe because they'd seen her visit several restaurants in Liyue Harbor, ordering many dishes but only tasting a bite or two from each.
To them, she looked like a sheltered rich young lady—ripe for robbery.
Sheltered, yes. Rich young lady? Not necessarily…
…
"Since you're so rich, what's wrong with giving us a little?"
"Though my master warned me not to make trouble in Liyue Harbor…"
"Forget it. Maybe… this is fate."
"Boss, something feels off…"
"Scared of what? We're just selling intel—it's not illegal. If she dares fight back, we'll sue her for everything she owns!"
…
Seeing things escalate, Lumine whispered to Shao Yun: "Paimon and I will find the Millelith. You go hold the situation down for now—remember, don't kill anyone."
Before he could protest, Lumine and Paimon were already rushing off.
"Wait—" Shao Yun called after them, but they didn't give him the chance to finish.
He could only watch them leave, a sigh of helplessness welling up inside.
He muttered under his breath, lips twitching into a grin, "Wouldn't it be easier to just tie them up and hand them to the Millelith? With us as witnesses, it should be fine."
And why the emphasis on not killing? Lumine, do you think I'd be impulsive enough to outright kill two would-be robbers?
…Okay. She had guessed right.
Truth be told, Shenhe could've handled this herself. Still, Shao Yun decided to follow Lumine's request.
After all, when your wife makes a reasonable request, you fulfill it unconditionally.
He sighed, turned back toward the scene, and prepared to act.
With a sharp motion, Shao Yun drew both of his Schofield revolvers. In a flash, he appeared behind Scar Liu and Qiang the Brave.
Here in Liyue, Shao Yun felt there was no need to use overwhelming force. After all, on the surface he hadn't yet torn his mask of civility with Morax; they still maintained a veneer of peace.
He cocked both hammers with his thumbs, the crisp click of metal resounding in the air.
Pointing the twin barrels at the backs of their heads, his eyes glinted coldly as he growled:
"Put away every filthy, disgusting thought in those skulls of yours! I've no real authority to control you, but two kindhearted girls asked me to teach some scum a lesson!"
If you've got the guts to rob, try Ningguang. Or the Fatui. Robbing civilians just makes you pathetic.
When you've got fifty billion Mora backing you, your words carry weight.
Scar Liu flinched at the sound, instinctively turning his head. His eyes locked onto the yawning black maw of Shao Yun's revolver, the cold gaze of death aimed right between his brows.
Terror washed over him. Though he had weathered many storms, this opponent radiated a presence that made him tremble.
He swallowed hard, forcing himself to clasp his fists respectfully, trying to settle things by underworld custom.
"May I ask, brother, which path you walk? We spotted this fat sheep first. Surely you know the rule of first come, first serve?"
Shao Yun's lip twitched. They thought he was a rival robber?
"My identity? You two can go ask the King of Hell on the other side."
"Or maybe a man in white linen robes. Or a red-skinned fellow. One of those three will answer for me."
"But I think the odds are higher you'll meet the first and third."
The implication was clear: no heaven, only hell.
Scar Liu peered at Shao Yun's clothes, testing, "You're the one who killed Freckle Huang, aren't you?"
The sudden mention of that unfamiliar name threw Shao Yun off.
"Freckle Huang? Who's that?"
After a moment's thought, he recalled a bunch of Treasure Hoarder clowns he'd killed ages ago near the Ruins of Guizhong.
"Ohhh," Shao Yun muttered. "That useless Treasure Hoarder. I wondered who you meant. So, in your eyes, that clown's already the strongest you can imagine, huh?"
Scar Liu's face drained of color. It was him. Dropping to his knees, he begged, "I—I didn't recognize the mountain before me! Please forgive my offense!"
Qiang the Brave gawked. "Boss, why are you kneeling?"
Scar Liu yanked him down harshly, hissing, "If you want to live, kneel! He's the one who killed Freckle Huang!"
Qiang the Brave instantly smashed his forehead against the ground with a loud thunk, wailing, "Grandpa! Great-Grandpa! Ancestor! Spare us!"
Shao Yun winced. Seriously? That faceless Treasure Hoarder is some big figure to you people?
Just then, Lumine and Paimon returned with a Millelith soldier, Old Zheng.
Paimon pointed at Scar Liu and Qiang the Brave. "It's them!"
Old Zheng blinked at the scene—Shao Yun looming with his revolvers, two men groveling on the ground, and Shenhe standing stoically nearby.
He hesitated, then asked, "Excuse me… which two are the criminals using fake intel as cover?"
Paimon blinked in confusion. "Isn't it obvious? It's—"
But when she looked again, the scene did look like Shao Yun was the robber.
Quickly shaking her head, she explained, "It looks strange, but the two begging on the ground are the bad guys!"
Scar Liu scrambled to Old Zheng's feet, sobbing, "Oh, Rex Lapis above! Millelith brother, thank goodness you're here—please arrest us!"
Qiang the Brave clung to Old Zheng's leg, crying even harder. "Millelith grandpa, I've never felt so close to you before!"
They didn't dare pull the same tricks they tried with Shenhe. Why? Because Shao Yun would actually kill them.
Scamming and robbery meant prison time at worst. No reason to push their luck and lose their lives.
Old Zheng shook his head. "You two again. This time you really kicked iron."
He turned to Shao Yun. "Honestly, the moment I saw you, I thought I'd need someone from the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. Can't believe these two are still alive—must be their lucky day. Come on, both of you, with me."
The two were dragged off.
Shao Yun frowned at their looks of relief. "Am I really that scary?"
Touching his face, he looked questioningly at his companions.
Lumine brushed a lock of golden hair back behind her ear, a small smile tugging her lips. "Not bad…"
Her amused eyes made light of his doubt.
Shenhe blinked slowly, then spoke suddenly. "Shenhe."
Her voice was crisp and calm, stating a fact.
Paimon jumped in surprise. "Shenhe?"
Shenhe nodded. "My name."
Realization dawned, and Paimon eagerly introduced everyone.
"Ohhh, so you're Shenhe! I'm Paimon, this is Lumine, and that's Shao Yun."
She gestured warmly, smiling brightly.
Shenhe inclined her head. "I've heard of you."
Something flickered in her gaze, quickly hidden.
Why had she heard of them? Perhaps from a storytelling adeptus bird… or maybe she'd glimpsed them outside Liyue Harbor on their adventures.
Only Shenhe knew.
Turning to Shao Yun, she said softly, "Thank you for helping me."
Shao Yun nodded calmly. "No need."
"I could have handled it myself," Shenhe continued flatly. "By my judgment, grabbing his head and slamming it into the ground three times would've been enough."
Shao Yun shook his head, displeased.
"Three times is a waste of effort, and it might cause unnecessary trouble. Best way is a single decisive strike—instant incapacitation. Efficient and safe."
Shenhe considered it. "You're right. If I can't finish it in one move, and the enemy's actually hiding strength, we could be in danger."
Lumine leaned close, whispering into Shao Yun's ear, "Why do I feel like you just taught her the wrong thing…?"
Shao Yun didn't think so at all.
"Wrong? Hardly."
Lumine faltered, unable to answer. After a pause, she tried again.
"Not everyone is like you. If Shenhe really did what you said, beat them, and they twisted the story against her… what then?"
Shao Yun just shrugged, carefree. "Then she'd teach them another lesson."
For him, problems were solved best in the simplest, most direct way.
Sir Newton once said: When in doubt, apply the Second Law of Motion.
Paimon cleared her throat, turning back to Shenhe. "A-anyway, good thing you weren't in danger."
"From your expression, this must be your first time in Liyue Harbor, right?"
Shenhe nodded. "Yes. My first time. Just as Master said, it is indeed very prosperous."
Paimon perked up. "Master?"
Before she could ask further, Shenhe's stomach rumbled loudly.
"Huh? What was that sound?" Paimon blinked.
Expression still calm, Shenhe pressed her hands lightly over her belly. "My stomach. I didn't eat enough."
Paimon instantly understood, eyes lighting up.
"Ohh, right! I remember—you said you went to many restaurants, but only ate a little at each."
"Well then, we haven't eaten either. Let's go together! Wanmin Restaurant, let's go!"
Just like that, she had already invited Shenhe along.
Shenhe blinked, trying to explain. "I've been to Wanmin Restaurant. Master Mao's food was delicious, but—"
Before she could finish, Paimon grabbed her hand enthusiastically. "That's because you didn't try Xiangling's cooking! Come on, let's go!"
And off she dragged Shenhe eagerly toward Wanmin Restaurant.