Yelan was pushed to the doorway by Shao Yun. Shao Yun leaned against the doorframe, waved his hand casually, and said in a relaxed tone.
"So, goodbye. Before the Jade Chamber is rebuilt, I'll talk to Lumine about your commission."
Yelan turned around, arms crossed, her expression showing some displeasure.
"Hey, why are you so eager to drive me away? Can't you just let me sit here and rest a little longer?"
Shao Yun waved his hand, a trace of impatience showing on his face.
"What, do you still want to live here? By rights, you should hurry back and report to Ningguang."
Yelan helplessly rubbed her forehead and let out a sigh.
"You really know how to kill the mood. Can't you just let me slack off here for a while?"
As Shao Yun closed the door, he said, "Go, go, go. If you're going to slack off, don't do it here. Get going."
Just as the door was about to shut, Yelan swiftly stopped it with her hand. Smiling, she said, "Wait a second, can you give me some of that coffee?"
Hearing that Yelan wanted his coffee, Shao Yun froze. He let go of the door he was about to close and asked in confusion.
"What? Didn't you say the kind of coffee I drink is too bitter?"
Yelan nodded, then reached out her hand toward Shao Yun, asking for the coffee grounds.
"I want to try the version you said—with milk and sugar."
Without hesitation, Shao Yun pulled out a sealed tin of coffee from his Legend of the East backpack and shoved it into her hand.
"Here, take it and go."
Yelan accepted the coffee tin and curiously studied the writing on it.
"Where is this coffee produced? The letters on it look so strange."
Shao Yun answered impatiently.
"Do you want it or not? If not, give it back."
As he spoke, he pretended to reach for the coffee tin in her hand.
Yelan quickly stepped back two paces, avoiding his motion.
After putting the coffee tin away, she waved her hand slightly.
"Alright, I get it. I'll leave soon. But I still hope you'll accept my commission."
Shao Yun smiled as he replied.
"Like I said before, it depends on whether Lumine agrees."
Hearing Shao Yun mention Lumine again, Yelan gave a slightly awkward laugh.
"You never stop bringing her up. You really are henpecked."
Shao Yun nodded thoughtfully.
"Thanks for the compliment. But sometimes, Lumine does listen to me too."
Yelan caught the sour stench of love in the air. She fanned her nose with her hand.
"Forget it, I'm leaving."
With that, she turned and disappeared into the inn.
…
After Yelan left, Shao Yun sat back on the bed, secretly looking forward to Lumine finishing her bath and coming to see him, smelling fragrant.
However, minute after minute passed, and Lumine never appeared.
Feeling disappointed and helpless, Shao Yun muttered to himself.
"She really left me to stay here all alone, without even coming to comfort me…"
…
The following days passed calmly and orderly.
Every morning, Lumine and Paimon took Shenhe around Liyue Harbor, helping her get familiar with the bustling port city, while also handling commissions.
Shao Yun, on the other hand, had nothing to do except check on the Jade Chamber's construction progress.
Each day, he sat beneath the same tree, watching the foundation rise little by little until the Jade Chamber slowly floated upward.
He watched the workers labor in midair, assembling frames that gradually restored the Jade Chamber's original form.
…A month slipped by unnoticed…
Although it took longer than Baiwen's estimated twenty days, it was still impressively fast.
After all, constructing a Jade Chamber-class "missile" by hand within a month was no small feat.
That afternoon, Shao Yun was, as usual, leaning against the tree, gazing at the Jade Chamber suspended by chains in the air.
Sunlight streamed through the leaves, casting dappled patterns across his body.
At that moment, Ningguang approached gracefully and stopped beside him. Following his gaze toward the floating Jade Chamber, she spoke softly.
"Mr. Shao Yun, I've often seen you idling here lately."
Shao Yun raised his head and greeted her with a smile.
"Hello, Miss Ningguang."
Looking back up at the Jade Chamber under construction, he sighed.
"Even though your secretary Baiwen claimed it would take at most twenty days, the construction speed is truly impressive. In just a month, it's nearly complete."
Ningguang followed his gaze before turning eastward.
"After all, the sea is ever-changing. We must finish the Jade Chamber as quickly as possible."
Shao Yun decided to mention Beisht directly. If she pressed for details, he could say he heard it from Cloud Retainer.
"Beisht?"
At the mention of the name, Ningguang turned to him, lips slightly parted as though to question how he knew. But she changed her mind, simply nodding.
"Yes. The Avenger of the Vortex, Beisht—Osial's wife."
Shao Yun pointed at the Jade Chamber floating above and joked.
"So, you're planning to smash her with the Jade Chamber again? Truly extravagant."
Ningguang quietly thought, This man speaks far too bluntly.
The Jade Chamber was a refined architectural masterpiece, yet in his words, it sounded like a giant weapon.
Still, she didn't show it.
"Last time, Liyue was caught unprepared. This time is different. Liyue Harbor is fully ready."
Hearing her confidence, Shao Yun almost laughed. Aside from Keqing setting up ten-odd ballistae on Guyun Stone Forest, what other preparations could there be?
So, he asked with a smile.
"What kind of preparations? Care to share?"
Ningguang didn't answer directly. Instead, she produced a sealed letter, waving it in front of him.
"Rather than small talk, I'd like you to deliver this letter."
Then she explained.
"Take this to the Yuheng Star. She's currently in Guyun Stone Forest leading the Millelith elite to set up defenses. You should find her easily."
Shao Yun accepted the envelope, studying it with mock suspicion.
"Don't tell me it says, 'I've traveled the world and made quite a name for myself.'"
Ningguang blinked in confusion.
"What?"
Shao Yun shrugged lightly.
"Nothing, just joking."
Clearing her throat, Ningguang added.
"As for your payment, I'll have the Mora transferred under Lumine's name at the Adventurers' Guild. Don't worry, she and Paimon will be satisfied."
Shao Yun nodded and agreed readily.
"Well, you've got me. I'll do it."
He stood, brushing dust from his clothes.
"Good luck," Ningguang said with a smile.
She glanced at his outfit and commented.
"By the way, nice clothes. Also made by Fontaine's Chioriya Boutique?"
Since Lumine's cowgirl outfit came from there, she assumed his Legend of the East set was too.
Shao Yun tucked the letter into his backpack, adjusted his fine Great Canyon hat, and replied.
"Thanks, but no—this isn't from the Chioriya Boutique."
He offered no further explanation and turned to leave.
But then he stopped, looked back at her, and asked.
"By the way, Miss Ningguang, how's the intelligence on Sumeru coming along?"
At the reminder, Ningguang's eyes narrowed slightly. After a moment of thought, she replied.
"Oh, that. Still being collected and organized. Don't worry. By the banquet, I'll present you the most detailed report."
Shao Yun nodded in acknowledgment.
"Alright. I look forward to it."
With that, he departed.
…
Leaving the Jade Chamber's construction site, Shao Yun made his way to Liyue Harbor, considering his next move.
He planned to take a boat to Guyun Stone Forest. Unlike Lumine, he couldn't just glide over with wind gliders.
And he had no intention of summoning Chelonia again.
The question was—who should he look for?
The answer was obvious: the unlucky fisherman, Pinghai.
At that moment, Pinghai sat cross-legged on his small sampan, fanning himself with a straw hat while complaining.
"Ugh, what's going on these days? Why won't the Qixing let small boats leave the harbor?"
His brows furrowed, irritation in his voice.
"Damn it. First that Shao Yun guy ruined my iron rice bowl, and now my income's dried up completely. How's a man supposed to live?"
His voice rose, brimming with anger.
Suddenly realizing something, Pinghai shut his mouth and stretched his neck, scanning his surroundings nervously.
His eyes darted about warily.
After checking, he sighed in relief.
"Good, no brown-clothed, black-hatted people nearby. Just someone in red with a white hat far off. I can curse that bastard Shao Yun in peace."
Relaxing, he lay down on the deck, hat over his face, legs crossed, hands behind his head, and launched into another verbal tirade against Shao Yun.
But less than a minute into his rant—
Click.
The chilling sound froze him in place.
His mouth, moments ago spewing insults, clamped shut as though sewn together.
Eyes wide with fear, he slowly lifted the hat from his face—
And found himself staring down the black barrel of a gun, aimed squarely at his forehead.
The man holding it: Shao Yun, wearing a faint, terrifying smile.
Pinghai let out a strangled cry.
"Ah!"
Shao Yun's smile grew darker.
"What the hell were you just saying about me? Repeat it. Let me hear."
Pinghai dared not. Terror coursed through him, spine cold. He dropped to his knees, banging his head on the deck.
"Grandpa! Grandpa, I was wrong! Don't kill me, please!"
Shao Yun flicked his gun toward the distant Guyun Stone Forest.
"I need a ride there. I'm not paying you a single Mora. You taking the job or not?"
Pinghai had no choice.
"Yes! Yes, Grandpa, I'll do it! Just don't kill me!"
Satisfied, Shao Yun holstered the gun and strode into the boat.
Pinghai, numb with fear, thought, How did he appear right after I cursed him? Coincidence? Or can this man hear my thoughts?
The more he pondered, the more terrified he became. Sweat beaded on his forehead.
He dared not think further, quickly seized the oar, and began rowing desperately.
As for why the Millelith didn't intervene—perhaps because Shao Yun was on board.