After everyone finished their meal, Shao Yun sat quietly by the campfire, gazing at the creature that resembled an ox—"Ushi."
It remained lying beside Paimon.
Time slipped away unnoticed; no one knew how long had passed when Paimon awoke from her deep sleep.
Shao Yun noticed the faint tremble of Paimon's eyelashes, realizing she was about to wake up.
As Paimon slowly opened her eyes, she floated lightly into the air, still a little drowsy.
Shao Yun smiled and asked, "Awake? How are you feeling?"
Paimon gave a small nod, rubbed her eyes, then said in her childish voice, "Mm~ while I was asleep, I think I kept hearing the sound of a cow…"
Her gaze then fell on Ushi, and her face lit up with delight.
"Was it you who was looking after me? Thank you!"
Ushi seemed to understand her words, answering with a low "Moo, moo."
Shao Yun smiled faintly, stood up, walked aside to fetch a grilled steak and a steaming bowl of stew, then returned and handed the food to Paimon.
Seeing the food, Paimon's eyes sparkled, and she exclaimed excitedly, "Wow, delicious!"
She eagerly grabbed the food and began devouring it in big bites.
Watching Paimon eat so happily filled Shao Yun's heart with relief.
He sat silently by her side, savoring the peace and warmth of the moment.
…
However, just then, a loud quarrel drifted over from the distance.
Shao Yun raised his head, looking toward the source of the noise, thinking that they must be discussing how to escape this place.
But Xiao had proposed sacrificing himself in exchange for everyone else's survival—a plan all rejected.
Yelan frowned, her eyes resolute as she firmly dismissed his idea.
"I will never agree to this plan!"
Xiao gazed calmly at Yelan, a trace of helplessness in his eyes, though his tone remained steady.
"Then is there any other feasible way?"
Yelan straightened her back, refusing to yield. "Even so, it shouldn't come at the cost of your life!"
Xiao looked at Yelan in silence, sighing inwardly, before speaking slowly.
"I encountered Bosacius in the depths below, so I know better than anyone the horrors here." His voice carried a heavy worry.
He continued explaining: "A sudden burst of force can only open the smallest gap. To get you all safely back to the outside world, one would need to continuously pour strength into maintaining the passage so it doesn't collapse."
"I know how to fight with my life on the line. I can do this."
Yanfei shook her head desperately, protesting loudly. "No… no! Even if everything you say is true, as the Vigilant Yaksha, I cannot accept this approach!"
After a moment of chilling silence, Xiao spoke with unnerving calm. "A method is judged by its efficacy. This is not a time for ideals. If you truly had a better idea, you wouldn't still be trapped here."
Yelan crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing, her tone brooking no argument.
"Frankly, your proposal ensures neither success nor safety."
Seeing everyone oppose his plan, Xiao helplessly turned his gaze toward Shao Yun in the distance.
He said softly, "Mr. Shao Yun, I'm afraid I must trouble you once again."
Startled to hear his name, Shao Yun looked up in confusion and asked, "What now? Don't tell me, just like last time at the Jade Chamber, we have to decide something crucial again… something that demands your life in exchange for a sliver of hope?"
Xiao approached with a trace of apology on his face and said gently, "I'm sorry, but that is indeed the case… Only you can make the final decision now."
"You should understand: if I don't, we will all die here. Better me alone than everyone…"
Just as he was about to continue, Lumine suddenly rushed forward, cutting him off.
Fearing Shao Yun would agree to Xiao's plan, she shouted, "I won't allow it!"
At the same time, Yelan and Yanfei both echoed, "Neither will we!"
Their voices joined in unison, firm and resolute.
Xiao ignored them, keeping his eyes fixed on Shao Yun. "Shao Yun, the choice is yours."
Lumine looked at Shao Yun and urged, "Shao Yun, we still have time…"
Had Shao Yun not known about the Fantastic Compass and that Zhongli was stationed in The Chasm to support Xiao, he might truly have chosen to let Xiao sacrifice himself.
But since it would all be in vain, there was no need to push further.
Shao Yun shrugged, turned back toward the fire, and said indifferently, "I abstain. Do whatever you want."
Xiao, unwilling to let go, tried again to persuade him.
"We may be trapped here until we starve. Our supplies will run out eventually!"
Before Shao Yun could reply, Yelan interjected sharply. "But we do still have plenty left. We're not at the point of desperation yet!"
Xiao's mind flashed back to the tonic Shao Yun had given him, and his eyes lit up. He quickly turned to Shao Yun. "As long as I have your tonic, I might not die! Perhaps with some time to recover…"
Shao Yun, now irritated, cut him off. "That bottle you drank was my last. Even if you wanted more, I have none left. So, keep thinking of another way."
Xiao trembled at the words, shock flashing in his eyes.
Staring wide-eyed at Shao Yun, he seemed unable to believe what he'd heard.
After several seconds, he finally found his voice, trembling as he asked, "The last bottle?"
Expressionless, Shao Yun nodded and replied coldly, "Yes. I've no reason to lie to you."
Even if he had more, Xiao was determined enough that Shao Yun wouldn't give it. Without the Fantastic Compass, there was no leaving.
Or perhaps Zhongli, seeing his "son" on the verge of perishing, would step in himself.
Beyond that, Shao Yun had no intention of chasing pointless answers.
…
In the end, the quarrel between Yelan and Xiao flared up again, still revolving around whether he should sacrifice himself for the rest.
Arataki Itto, unable to stand the heated argument, stepped forward and ended it in his own way.
Throwing all his strength into his fists, he struck the stone wall, miraculously opening up another passage.
But this feat drained him completely, causing him to collapse.
Since a new path had appeared, Yelan decided they should explore it in hopes of finding a way out.
Thus, Yelan, Lumine, Paimon, and Yanfei prepared to pass through the tunnel.
Shao Yun stood before the new opening, glanced back at the unconscious Arataki Itto now tended by Kuki Shinobu, and said to the others, "I'll stay here then, to help Shinobu care for the weakened Itto."
Hearing this, Lumine froze, puzzled. "Huh?"
Shao Yun nodded toward her. "What? I'm no good at puzzles. I'd just drag you down. Better to stay here and provide backup support."
Truthfully, Shao Yun simply didn't want to move anymore. He had already seen enough ruins; there was no need to fuss further. Best to leave the work to the experts.
Lumine found his reasoning convincing and said, "Alright then. But you and Shinobu must be careful."
Shao Yun returned, "And you all take care as well."
With that, Yanfei, Yelan, Xiao, Lumine, and Paimon set off into the newly opened area, leaving only the exhausted Arataki Itto, along with Kuki Shinobu and Shao Yun to watch over him.
Though called "watching over," Shao Yun and Shinobu were mostly minding their own tasks.
Noticing Shao Yun seated by the fire, Shinobu's face softened with gratitude. She spoke quietly, "Thank you… for staying to help me care for the boss." Her voice was low, but sincere.
Sitting cross-legged before the fire, Shao Yun raised his head slightly at her words and answered flatly, "If I told you I'm just too lazy to move, would you believe me?"
Shinobu looked at him, still grateful. "Lazy or not, or even if you're just repaying Ushi's kindness to Paimon—it doesn't matter. Thank you for staying to watch over him."
And so, Shao Yun sat silently on a rock by the fire, staring into the flames as though lost in thought.
He said little, only adding another piece of wood from time to time to keep the fire strong.
Shinobu, too, stayed quiet, waiting patiently beside him.
Together, they passed the time, waiting for Lumine and the others to return.
After a while, Shinobu finally broke the silence.
She turned to Shao Yun, hesitating before asking, "How should I tell the boss about Sara? Do you have any advice?"
Her brows furrowed, worry clouding her face.
Shao Yun glanced at her, then looked back at the fire. "Be honest. If you've decided to tell him about Sara, don't hold anything back. Just speak plainly.
"If you need my help, just let me know." With that, he tossed another log into the flames.
Shinobu listened and nodded.
Though unsure how she would phrase it, she resolved to handle the matter herself. Matters of the Arataki Gang should be settled by her.
With a light sigh, she smiled at Shao Yun. "No need, thank you. I'll manage on my own.
"If we make it out, I'll take the boss back to Inazuma right away. I won't trouble you further."
Her mission of gathering testimony in Liyue was already complete; there was no reason to linger.
Hearing Shinobu's determined words, Shao Yun accepted without fuss, entrusting her with the matter.
"Alright, I'll leave it to you then."
But at that moment, Arataki Itto suddenly stirred. Hearing the word "Sara" in his sleep, he awoke in shock.
Forcing his exhausted body upright, he pried his eyes open and fixed his gaze on Shao Yun and Shinobu. His voice was hoarse as he demanded, "What are you two talking about? Shinobu, are you plotting something with this murderer? I heard you mention Sara!"