On the other side, Yanfei and Yelan stood quietly beneath the hole where everyone had fallen.
Yanfei narrowed her eyes slightly, staring intently upward at the opening above.
As she watched, she muttered to herself, 'Looking from here, the gap we fell through seems very far away. We can't see what's going on at the top at all.'
Yelan also kept her gaze fixed upward for quite some time before she finally spoke slowly and deliberately.
"With such a great distance, climbing directly back up is nearly impossible. It seems we must find another way out."
After saying this, she turned around and walked toward Shao Yun, Lumine, Paimon, Arataki Itto, and Kuki Shinobu.
When she drew near, Yelan clapped her hands lightly to draw everyone's attention.
Seeing all eyes on her, she cleared her throat before speaking solemnly.
"Everyone, forgive me for interrupting your conversation. There are some things you should know."
"The Chasm is considered one of the most mysterious areas of Liyue. Years ago, due to mining accidents, it was sealed off. When moving about here, it's best not to look, not to listen, not to ask—otherwise you may stumble into secrets you shouldn't know."
Her cold gaze slowly swept across Shao Yun, Lumine, Paimon, and Yanfei as she continued in a calm voice. "I trust Shao Yun, Lumine, Paimon, and Yanfei. From what I know of you, you would not stir up unnecessary trouble to burden me."
Then she turned her head, fixing her eyes on Arataki Itto and Kuki Shinobu, the two Inazumans.
Her eyes narrowed, her expression grew heavier, and her tone carried a subtle weight. "As for the two of you… I hope you won't make things difficult for me when it comes to matters of secrecy."
Kuki Shinobu tensed at these words, fearing her impulsive boss might cause trouble again.
She quickly responded, "Please rest assured, Miss Yelan, we would never bring you any trouble."
"Besides, given the current situation, it does indeed concern us to some degree. If there is anything you need us to do, please just say the word."
As she spoke, Kuki Shinobu added, "I do have some drinking water with me, and also—"
But Yelan was already satisfied with their promise not to cause trouble. As for supplies…
"Food isn't an issue. Shao Yun's remaining provisions should be enough for us. Just stay put here."
With that, Yelan went to search for an exit, and her figure soon disappeared from sight.
Arataki Itto stared after her as she grew more distant, scratching his head in confusion as he muttered, "Eh? She just left like that?"
Yanfei stepped forward and explained, "She's gone to look for an exit. Yelan is probably the one among us best at handling crises. Let her go."
Then Yanfei remembered she had not told the full truth earlier, when she asked Lumine and Paimon to help her distract Arataki Itto and Kuki Shinobu.
With an apologetic look, she said, "I'm truly sorry. Normally, I never reveal a client's will to unrelated parties, so I couldn't tell you the truth at that time… I really am sorry."
Yanfei began to explain her task in the Chasm in detail. "I came here to retrieve the Fantastic Compass mentioned in a will."
"Many years ago, my client entrusted this treasure to a worthy person, hoping it could be used where it was needed most."
"According to witnesses, the one who received it came to the Chasm, but never returned."
"In history, many wars have broken out in the Chasm region. Even if that person perished in battle, I still wish to retrieve the treasure to fulfill my client's last wish."
She paused, then continued, "As Yelan said earlier, it's true—the Chasm hides many dangers. You've already experienced some firsthand."
"Now that we've run into this trouble, though I don't know what happened between you and Shao Yun, I think it best to set aside your conflict for now."
"Let's focus on finding a way out together. Later, at the right time and place, you can discuss this matter properly."
Arataki Itto's expression shifted to something difficult to read, his eyes locked on Shao Yun in the distance.
After a fierce inner struggle, he gave a small nod.
"Since my benefactor said so, then this great Arataki isn't the kind of guy who doesn't know reason!"
…
While Yelan was searching for an exit, everyone else found places to rest.
Lumine sat down beside Shao Yun, her face full of concern as she asked softly, "Shao Yun, why did Itto call you a murderer just now? Is there some hidden story I don't know?"
Looking at Lumine's curious yet worried face, Shao Yun sighed inwardly.
He knew there was no point in hiding it any longer. He had decided to tell the whole truth.
"I hadn't wanted to trouble you. But now… I'll be honest."
"This happened back when we were in Inazuma. I killed someone named 'Kujou Sara.' I don't know if you know her."
Lumine searched her memory upon hearing the name.
After a moment, she nodded lightly. "Yes, I've heard Kaedehara Kazuha mention her. Kujou Sara was a general of the Shogunate army."
"May I ask why? I mean, as far as I know, she didn't cause us the kind of conflict that would force you to kill her…"
Yanfei, intrigued, also leaned closer to Shao Yun.
"You're talking about that matter between you and Arataki Itto, right? Mind if I listen too? I'm curious what exactly happened between you two."
Shao Yun looked at Yanfei's eager face and smiled, nodding.
"Alright then, I'll start from the beginning. It went like this…"
He began to recount in detail how he personally killed Kujou Sara, and went on to describe a series of events he had experienced in Inazuma.
However, he omitted his killing of Beelzebul, choosing instead to describe only the conclusion of the Inazuma civil war.
When he finished, Yanfei stroked her chin thoughtfully. "Oh~ so that's how it was…"
She instinctively glanced at Arataki Itto and Kuki Shinobu not far away, then lowered her voice. "From the perspective of the law, I'd say Itto really is being 'unreasonable.'"
Lumine, who had been quietly listening, frowned in confusion. "Yanfei, what do you mean by that?"
Yanfei straightened her thoughts and patiently explained.
"Let me put it simply. Based on the legal codes I know, and considering what Shao Yun just told us…"
"During the Inazuma civil war, Shao Yun was a general of the Sangonomiya army, while Kujou Sara was a general of the Shogunate army."
"Shao Yun killing Kujou Sara can be seen as a decapitation strike against the enemy—a normal act of war. She died because she wasn't as strong as Shao Yun. That's not his fault."
"If the civil war were still ongoing, and Itto sought revenge using this reason, that would make sense. His actions could be considered a legitimate military response by the Shogunate."
"But the war ended. The Shogunate and Watatsumi Island signed a peace treaty, putting all wartime matters to rest. If he still clings to this reason now, it's pure 'unreasonableness.'"
She muttered suspiciously to herself, "But normally, Shinobu should understand this perfectly well. Why hasn't she explained it to Itto?"
Shao Yun answered the question.
"That was my idea. I told Shinobu not to explain it to him."
Yanfei scratched her head in puzzlement. "Huh? Why?"
Shao Yun gazed at her calmly, speaking evenly. "Itto and I are the same—simple-minded fools with strong arms."
"Even if you explained everything to him, he wouldn't understand. All he knows is that I killed the Shogunate general he 'loved to fight and fought to love.'"
"If Shinobu explained the truth, he still wouldn't get it, and it might even hurt the unity of the Arataki Gang."
He paused, then added, "Besides, even if he hates me, what of it? He's no match for me."
"These days, I'm traveling with Lumine and Paimon. My chances of running into him are few. So why go out of the way to explain?"
"Let him live in the world he imagines. Not everyone needs to face the cruelty of reality."
After hearing this, Yanfei glanced at Lumine and Paimon, then nodded softly and stopped asking.
"Alright. But if you ever need legal mediation, I can help."
Shao Yun gave a bitter smile. "I don't think I'll need it."
…
Now Lumine and Paimon finally understood the whole story.
The two exchanged glances, their eyes reflecting complicated emotions, unsure how to process it all.
Paimon frowned, her face full of worry as she turned to Lumine.
"Do you think we can still be friends with Itto after this?"
Shao Yun looked at Paimon calmly, his expression serene. "The conflict between me and Itto is only a personal grudge between the two of us."
"He made it clear—he's only after me, and won't involve you."
But Paimon recalled other similar moments in the past, and her anxiety grew stronger.
She said worriedly, "But I'm really scared! What if it turns out like that time with Childe? I never want to go through that again."
Seeing this, Shao Yun reached out and gently pinched Paimon's round cheeks, speaking patiently.
"Childe fought me because he forced it. He went after you two, breaking the truce himself. He's just a battle maniac."
"But this is different. As long as Itto doesn't drag you two into it, at most I'll just beat him up badly enough to make him rest in bed for a few days. I won't let things go beyond control."
Reassured, Paimon pointed toward Arataki Itto and Kuki Shinobu, who were resting nearby.
"Then, should Lumine and I go check on Itto now?"
Shao Yun smiled and nodded gently. "I'm sure you'll get along just fine."