"Moo, moo!"
Shao Yun glanced at Ushi, said nothing, and went on preparing the roast meat and stew.
Just as Shao Yun was getting the roast and stew ready, Arataki Itto came striding over.
He walked right up to Shao Yun, fixing him with a steady gaze.
He clenched his teeth, as though making a firm decision, and spoke. "Murderer… Shao Yun, I've got something I want to talk to you about."
Shao Yun raised his head to look at Arataki Itto and saw that he was dead serious. What's this guy up to now?
But then, seeing Ushi quietly standing guard beside Paimon, Shao Yun figured Itto probably wasn't here for anything bad.
So, in an almost flat tone, he asked, "What is it?"
Kuki Shinobu, who was roasting some lavender melons at the side, instantly tensed up.
She was worried he'd lose control of his temper again and start a conflict with Shao Yun.
So, she quickly said, in a low voice, "Boss…"
But before she could finish, Arataki Itto waved a hand to cut her off.
He glanced at Shinobu, understanding her concerns, but replied with full confidence. "Don't worry, Shinobu! I promise I won't fight him right now."
Then he turned his gaze back on Shao Yun.
Shao Yun simply watched him, waiting for him to continue.
Arataki Itto drew in a deep breath, organizing his thoughts a little, then said, hesitantly, "So… uh… do you, like, know any really powerful people?"
"I mean the type who've got crazy skills, unbeatable strength. If you do, could you introduce me? Let them teach me? That way I can get strong enough to find a chance to take revenge on you!"
The words hit Shao Yun like a clap of thunder, leaving him wide-eyed and speechless.
He'd imagined plenty of possibilities—maybe Shinobu had explained the whole Sara incident ahead of time, maybe Itto was here to apologize. But he never expected this level of stupidity!
Shao Yun burst out laughing in disbelief. "What? If I heard you right, you're asking me to introduce you to a master who'll teach you how to beat me up later?"
Arataki Itto nodded without hesitation, answering matter-of-factly, "Yeah, exactly!"
Shinobu, holding the melon skewer, nearly dropped her jaw to the ground when she heard that. Her hands froze mid-motion.
Unable to stand her boss's ridiculousness, she blurted out, "Boss, could you please stop doing things that leave people dumbstruck?!"
"This is like asking someone if they'd be okay with you robbing them! It's absurd!"
Shao Yun licked his lips lightly, studying Itto with interest. "And what makes you think I'd ever agree to such a ridiculous request?"
Itto scratched the back of his head and replied earnestly, his face full of sincerity. "Well, no harm in trying, right? Maybe you'd really tell me!"
"Like in those light novels—sometimes the villain thinks it's amusing and gives the hero a clue or tip to help them win."
Shao Yun was left completely speechless. Is it Inazuma's light novels warping people, or is this guy's brain just fried?
Light novels again! This world really is terrifyingly absurd.
"I may not be a professional doctor, but I genuinely think something's wrong with your head. Is this your way of getting revenge on me? Trying to dumb me to death?"
If that really was Itto's plan, then Shao Yun had to admit—mission accomplished.
At that, Itto sighed dramatically, then struck a carefree pose and declared, "Looks like I need a new strategy…"
With that, he turned and walked off to a quiet corner, squatted down, propped his chin in his hands, and sank into thought.
Shao Yun twitched at the corner of his mouth watching him.
Then he turned to Shinobu, who was still busy with the melons, and complained.
"What was that about? Is your boss always this… magical? Honestly, I feel sorry for you…"
For a moment, Shao Yun even thought Ushi might've been some smokescreen from Itto, a ploy to get close before striking.
But then he reconsidered. Itto? Coming up with a scheme that clever?
Earlier, he might have hesitated, but now he was certain. That guy's head could never manage it! Itto was just an "Inazuman Idiot" who couldn't hide anything.
As for Ushi helping Paimon, that had to be genuine—it was simple, pure-hearted assistance, nothing more.
…
Shinobu, her face a little stiff, spoke softly. "Boss's behavior is… sometimes strange. But don't worry, I'll make sure to explain the logic behind Sara's death to him soon."
Shao Yun answered helplessly, "Fine, just handle it your way… And take care of yourself too, okay? Don't let Itto drive you half-dead with stress one day."
At that, Shao Yun couldn't help but sigh. How does Shinobu endure in an environment like this?
Sensing the heavy mood, Shinobu quickly changed the subject. "Let's focus on getting the food ready."
…
Time ticked by, and just as Shao Yun felt the stew and roast were nearly done, the quiet around them was broken by hurried footsteps.
Moments later, Lumine, Yelan, and Yanfei—who'd disappeared earlier—suddenly reappeared.
And they weren't empty-handed. They had brought back the Conqueror of Demons—Xiao.
Yanfei and Lumine each supported one of his arms, carefully helping him toward camp.
Once at the center, Yanfei, looking weary, announced, "Everyone, we've found the Conqueror of Demons. But… his condition isn't good."
Xiao's distinctive clothing was torn in several places, his body covered in deep and shallow wounds.
But unlike ordinary people, what leaked from those wounds wasn't red blood—it was wisps of dark green aura, karmic debt seeping out endlessly.
Though gravely injured, each breath wracking him with pain, Xiao still forced a calm tone. "Huff… it's fine. Nothing serious."
Yanfei and Lumine gently lowered him to sit against a boulder.
Yanfei's face was full of worry as she locked on to his wounds. "Conqueror of Demons, your condition is dangerous. Please stop forcing yourself to speak—just rest."
But Xiao shook his head faintly, unwilling to cause more concern. "It's alright. Without the potion Mr. Shao Yun gave me earlier, this would've been much worse."
At the mention of "potion," Yelan instantly recalled the scene when they'd found him, murmuring, "Potion? You mean that empty bottle you were clutching just now?"
At that moment, Shao Yun stepped forward.
Looking down at Xiao, he asked softly, "That was the one I gave you long ago, wasn't it…? You kept it unused all this time?"
After all, it was before they went to Inazuma—it had been a while.
Xiao met his gaze, nodded slightly. "Yes. Had I not saved it, today would've been the end."
Shao Yun studied the frail Xiao, then said with concern, "In that case, you should rest properly."
Xiao said nothing more, closing his eyes with a calm, "Thank you. You all should rest as well."
Shao Yun turned to go check the food again, but stopped midway.
This is Zhongli's 'son,' practically. To leave here safely, we'll need him…
Though Zhongli arrived just in time back then… even if our relationship isn't what it used to be…
At least for the sake of our talks back at Wangshu Inn… even if that had its reasons…
Definitely not because of the whole 'eagle' thing earlier!
With that thought, Shao Yun dug into his Legend of the East satchel and rummaged through it.
He found his last bottle of Special Miracle Tonic.
Holding it, he thought he should restock when they got out.
"Here, take this."
He pressed the last tonic into Xiao's hand. With materials in abundance, he could always brew more.
Xiao opened his eyes, looked at the potion, then at Shao Yun. "Thank you…"
He pulled the stopper and downed it in one go.
To Lumine and Paimon, who knew how bitter it was, it looked as if Xiao were drinking plain water.
The moment he finished, dark green aura billowed from him, while his wounds visibly closed at an astonishing pace.
Soon, he exhaled a long breath and rose easily to his feet.
Glancing down at his now-healed body, his voice remained calm, though a trace of relief slipped through. "I feel much better."
Yanfei's eyes went wide. "What? Conqueror of Demons, your wounds may look healed, but you should still rest! Don't risk leaving hidden damage!"
But Xiao ignored her concern, answering steadily, "For me, the real trouble is karmic debt. This potion has greatly eased its effects." He flexed his limbs to prove it.
Shao Yun grew worried at his carelessness and quickly explained, "This potion heals your injuries fast, but it doesn't restore your core health."
Xiao frowned. "What?"
So, Shao Yun explained more clearly.
"According to research from a kind doctor and the chief alchemist of the Knights of Favonius, the potion greatly enhances the body."
"But it cannot cure chronic afflictions—like your karmic debt."
"In short, it heals your external wounds, but you still need proper rest."
Xiao nodded thoughtfully, then said slowly, "I see… very well. I'll follow the advice."
He sat back down, closing his eyes again.
Yanfei, however, was intrigued by the mention of that "kind doctor." "A kind doctor? You mean Doctor Baizhu of Bubu Pharmacy?"
Shao Yun thought back to that doctor in Rhodes, one Western, one Eastern… and very different in skin color.
"No, this one was much darker than Baizhu."
Yelan, having witnessed the potion's miraculous effect, felt a ripple in her heart.
For someone constantly in danger, anything that could boost her strength and ensure survival was priceless.
So, she drew a deep breath and asked, "Shao Yun, once we get out of here, could you sell me a few bottles of this potion? Price is no issue."
Shao Yun blinked, then waved it off with a smile. "No rush. We'll talk about that once we're safely out."
He gestured toward the steaming pot nearby.
"For now, eating is more important. We don't want fatigue or hunger to catch us off guard."
As he went to check the stew, he cast one last glance at Xiao. This adventure beneath the Chasm was finally drawing to a close…