Under the clear sky, sunlight bathed every inch of Tianheng Mountain, as if draping the ancient peaks in a veil of golden silk. Shao Yun, Lumine, Paimon, and Zhongli journeyed together.
They had departed westward from Bubu Pharmacy in Liyue Harbor, arriving near the ancient city walls of Tianheng Mountain.
The old ramparts had weathered the passage of time, yet still stood tall, silently telling stories of past glory and hardship. The four ascended the stone steps, reaching the ruins.
At the highest point of the ruins, a massive ballista came into view. It lay still, like a slumbering guardian.
Shao Yun stepped forward, examining the Guizhong Ballista carefully. Its sheer size exuded a powerful presence.
He turned his head toward Zhongli and asked in confusion, "Is this the Guizhong Ballista?"
Zhongli nodded, pondering for a moment before replying slowly, "Yes, this is the Guizhong Ballista."
Shao Yun frowned at the answer. Gazing at the sharp bolts and immense force of the ballista, a question rose in his mind.
"I feel like it's more suited for hunting, not capturing animals alive. I mean, I don't want to sound ridiculous, but Lumine, Paimon—are you two sure Qiqi really meant goat meat?"
Paimon scratched her head, a puzzled look on her face. "But Qiqi said the cocogoat is caught with this thing, right? She wouldn't remember it wrong, would she?"
Shao Yun shook his head, a flicker of disbelief in his eyes. "That little girl's never hunted a day in her life! If this Guizhong Ballista fires just once, forget the cocogoat—even a Ruin Guard would be skewered through. How would you capture anything alive, let alone milk it?"
After speaking, Shao Yun pulled out a rope and gave it a slight swing in front of the three, saying seriously, "Rather than argue, I might as well ride a horse, loop this around the cocogoat's neck, and drag it back myself."
Paimon tilted her head, mentally picturing the scenario Shao Yun described. After a pause, she said, "But Qiqi said the cocogoat is a semi-adepti beast, so it should make more sense to hunt it using adepti tools, right?"
There was a kind of childish earnestness in her voice.
Shao Yun couldn't help but chuckle awkwardly at that. He laughed, shaking his head. "Hahaha…"
Unbelievable. All he could do was force a laugh. That's not how you catch goats—especially not imaginary ones.
At that moment, Zhongli stepped forward and examined the ancient Guizhong Ballista closely, his brows knitting together slightly. He then turned around to address the group. "The Guizhong Ballista… is currently nonfunctional. It's already damaged."
Paimon looked surprised. "Broken? Even an adeptus' machine can break?"
Zhongli nodded, his voice calm and steady.
"Yes. After withstanding a thousand years of wind and rain, even mechanisms from the adepti cannot remain intact forever."
Lumine seemed more concerned about the possibility of repairs. She approached Zhongli, inspecting the Guizhong Ballista closely before asking, "Then… can it be fixed?"
Zhongli paused in thought before answering, "I recall that, to address potential battle damage, spare parts were prepared. We can look nearby to see if any materials can be found."
With that, the group began to search the ruins for repair materials.
"I found some materials!"
Lumine's voice brimmed with joy.
Shao Yun and Paimon rushed over, their faces lighting up with matching delight.
The three of them worked together to bring the repair materials to the ballista.
Zhongli stood before the Guizhong Ballista, eyes scanning the materials laid out on the ground. He spoke in a low voice, "Please wait a moment. I'll attempt a repair now."
With that, Zhongli set to work, using the gathered parts to mend the mechanism.
Before long, he stopped his movements. Looking up at Lumine, Shao Yun, and Paimon, a satisfied smile appeared on his face as he gestured toward the ballista. "Look, it's repaired."
The trio gathered around. The once-broken components had been reconnected, and the ballista now stood tall and vibrant once more—quietly awaiting its next activation.
Lumine and Paimon then used the ballista's telescopic function to scan the landscape for the fabled cocogoat.
Their eyes sparkled with curiosity and wonder, as though the mysterious creature might be hiding behind every bush or small hill.
Shao Yun, on the other hand, idly kicked at pebbles nearby. His movements seemed casual, yet there was a quiet steadiness and composure to him.
Zhongli noticed this and walked over gently. He smiled at Shao Yun, his tone full of care.
"Mister Shao Yun, you don't seem particularly interested in finding the cocogoat?"
Shao Yun looked up at him, nodded slightly, and said, "I won't waste my energy on some made-up creature. For me, thinking about dinner makes more sense than wondering where the cocogoat is."
Zhongli nodded in understanding. But his curiosity about the cocogoat hadn't faded. "Aren't you at all curious what kind of creature the cocogoat might be? Maybe it really does exist somewhere in this world."
Shao Yun shook his head firmly. "If you don't know it, it's not real. Far as I'm concerned, it's just something that little girl at Bubu Pharmacy imagined."
Zhongli didn't argue. He simply smiled and nodded. But he believed some mysteries in this world were still waiting to be uncovered.
"If you're so certain it doesn't exist," Zhongli asked, watching the confident glint in Shao Yun's eyes, "then why let Lumine decide whether to keep looking?"
Shao Yun fell silent for a moment, turning his gaze to Lumine at the ballista controls. Then he answered Zhongli.
"It's not like we planned this trip together. It was her—she brought my wandering heart on this journey, searching for direction in a boundless world. When it comes to big decisions, she's the one who decides. Me? I'm just along for the ride. The roles are clear. I've tried deciding things for her before… didn't go well."
As he finished speaking, his gaze swept across the surrounding mountains and the distant stone forests, as if etching the scenery into his soul.
He took a deep breath of crisp air, feeling the breeze brush gently across his cheek, then murmured softly, "Besides, this place is picturesque. May as well enjoy the view."
Zhongli listened quietly, nodding in agreement. After a brief thought, he asked, "Have you ever thought about where this journey might end?"
Shao Yun shook his head, a wry smile on his face.
"The end? That's too far off."
Zhongli considered this and then said, "Liyue is a land of rich flavor. Perhaps you could consider settling here."
Shao Yun chuckled at that. "If Liyue had drinks more than just tea, I might think about it."
Zhongli smiled, stroking his chin. "Brother Shao Yun, you underestimate Liyue. We have fine wines and delicious dishes. Have you ever tasted Three-Bowl Pass Rice Wine Dumplings?"
Shao Yun blinked, clearly unfamiliar. "Huh? Three-Bowl Pass Rice Wine Dumplings?"
That stuff counts as wine? I could throw apples in a cellar and get a higher alcohol content by accident.
Seeing Shao Yun's surprised face, Zhongli laughed. "Seems you've never tried it. In that case, tonight I'll treat you—and Lumine and Paimon—at storyteller Iron Tongue, Tian's place at Tiger Rock. We'll enjoy stories and delicacies. What do you think?"
Shao Yun glanced at Lumine and Paimon, still focused on the ballista, a warmth flickering in his eyes. "Thanks for the invite. I'll bring them with me."
Then he added jokingly, "I'll try those dumplings—but if they're bad, can I trash the shop?"
Zhongli answered with a hint of concern, "If you do that, the Millelith will haul you off. I'd advise against it."
…
Shao Yun and Zhongli's relaxed conversation was abruptly shattered—like a calm lake struck by a boulder.
From below, a burly masked man approached with two similarly dressed companions. All three wore black masks, leaving only fierce eyes visible.
The leader's voice was rough and grating.
"Hey! What are you people messing with up here?!"
Shao Yun and Zhongli's attention instantly snapped to the intruders.
Hearing the commotion, Lumine and Paimon left the ballista and silently moved to Shao Yun's side. The three of them faced the masked men together.
The intruders swiftly climbed the stairs and confronted the group.
The leader's eyes locked onto the now-repaired Guizhong Ballista. His expression darkened.
"This is… that big crossbow? You bastards actually fixed it! What are you up to?!"
Zhongli's brows furrowed, his voice cool with clear disapproval.
"Friend, mind your words. This is not some 'big crossbow'—it's the Guizhong Ballista. And before asking questions, you ought to introduce yourself. That's basic courtesy."
The man looked even angrier after hearing Zhongli. He glared at him, voice arrogant.
"You spoiled brat, are you blind? Can't you tell we're from the Treasure Hoarders?!"
Shao Yun shook his head with a mocking smirk.
"Oh? That explains the stink of cowardice in the air. A bunch of bullies hiding behind masks—so you're the Treasure Hoarders."
His voice wasn't loud, but it rang clear for everyone to hear.
Huang Mazi's face twisted in rage as he locked eyes with Shao Yun, his pupils wide and fierce as if ready to devour him.
"Well, well! You got a big mouth! I'm Huang Mazi, the big boss of the Liyue Treasure Hoarders!"
His voice was sharp and gruff, echoing through the ruins like a blade scraping stone.
Shao Yun's smile curled into one of contempt.
If you were Zhang Mazi, maybe I'd take you to Goose Town. Too bad your name's just Huang Mazi—one letter off.
He shook his head slightly, amused at Huang Mazi's bravado. "If you were Zhang Mazi, I might actually respect you. But you? You're just acting tough."
One of the masked thugs nearby couldn't hold back. "Boss, quit talking! Let's just kill them. I bet they've got plenty of cash on them!"
So, practiced. Definitely not their first time.
Huang Mazi nodded, greed and cruelty flashing in his eyes. He patted the thug's shoulder in approval.
Then, he drew a gleaming blade from his waist. It caught the sunlight, blindingly bright. He pointed it at the group and growled, "You busybodies… Last time this thing almost skewered one of my men. Took a lot to break it. Now you've gone and fixed it? You're not leaving today."
Shao Yun's eyes narrowed, a chilling light flashing within.
He stepped forward, pointing toward Liyue Harbor—offering them a final chance.
"Listen. If you head to Liyue Harbor right now and turn yourselves in to the Millelith, you live. Otherwise, I'll string your heads up like lanterns on these ancient walls. Got it?"