Genshin Impact: The Sharpshooter of Teyvat

The Ghost‑Locking Array held Nianhua tightly within its confines.

Nianhua felt a restraint unlike anything before. Her body seemed bound by invisible forces, unable to move.

Yet she refused to yield. She glared at Hu Tao with venom in her eyes and roared, ["You think this traps me? You little brat, you've underestimated me!"]

With that, she slammed herself violently against the array. Each impact shook the formation, as if it might collapse at any moment.

The vengeful spirit battered the Ghost‑Locking Array. Her wrath erupted like a storm, threatening to consume everything. The Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's undertakers sensed the overwhelming hatred and exchanged grave glances.

Hu Tao immediately recognized the sinister shift—not just ghostly energy, but something far more terrifying. Alarmed, she shouted: "Activate the backup plan!"

At her command, the undertakers sprang into action.

Hidden array mats ignited. The Eight‑Yang Array unleashed fierce sunlight‑like energy, flooding the battlefield in blazing radiance.

Nianhua recoiled, eyes wide with fear.

She screamed hoarsely as the Yang‑qi burned her being, turning her translucent.

Seizing the moment, Hu Tao drew Shao Yun's dagger.

Its blade exuded sharp killing intent as she plunged it three inches into the earth.

Immediately, waves of murderous qi surged from the blade toward Nianhua.

A fierce battle ensued—Yang‑qi versus Yin, with killing intent tipping the scales. If Yin won, the caster would die; if Yang prevailed with killing intent, Nianhua would be doomed.

Under the combined assault, Nianhua collapsed, struggling to rise, but her body remained immobilized.

As Hu Tao thought victory near, Nianhua bellowed, ["I won't surrender! I must see Yi Xuan and Yi Zhu! I will have vengeance!"]

She resisted the suppression and floated upward. A malignant aura thickened around her.

She shed bloody tears, eyes burning red as she snarled, ["You underestimated me—but you've underestimated me!"] Frenzy and determination filled her voice.

Hu Tao stood shocked. What is this power?! she thought. This is unlike anything I've faced—almost demonic!

With the spell spiraling out of control, Hu Tao's panic grew. She realized failure would devastate not just herself, but all the undertakers.

Desperate, she shouted, "Shao Yun! Guardian Yaksha! It's failing!"

Hidden in the underbrush, Shao Yun heard her call. He sprang into view, eyes blazing toward the chaotic qi vortex.

What do I do!? echoed in his mind.

Hu Tao's voice strained as she shouted again, "Just do what we discussed—unleash your strongest presence!"

His strongest presence meant a duel stance. He grinned and declared jokingly, "Look at me—and say 'eggplant!'"

True enough, Nianhua snapped her attention to him, drawn by the challenge.

A system notification appeared:

[Effect of the Sharpshooter's Set applies to "Nianhua." She will instantly fall into fear!]

As expected, Nianhua let out a piercing screech when she saw Shao Yun—as though confronted by a predator.

He inhaled deeply, focused, and activated his Deadeye.

With precise resolve, Shao Yun drew his Schofield Revolver (Goat's Blessing). He clenched the grip, eyes blazing as he aimed directly into the center of malignant qi—the manifested form of Nianhua.

He pulled the trigger.

A golden bullet erupted from the muzzle, flying straight at Nianhua.

It struck true. She unleashed an agonized shriek, like something ripping from the depths of hell.

The fierce red ghost‑aura around her began to dissipate rapidly, devoured by an unseen force.

Simultaneously, Guardian Yaksha Xiao soared through night skies, wreathed in swift motion, wielding his weapon—the Primordial Jade Winged-Spear.

Nianhua remained restrained, held fast by Hu Tao and Shao Yun.

Xiao plunged from above, the spear striking like lightning—impaling her form.

"Lemniscatic Wind Cycling!"

["Ah—"] Nianhua screamed in despair as the malignant aura instantly vanished.

The spear embedded her in the ground like a stake.

She tried to rise, but the weight held her immobile.

["You all bully me! You don't punish evildoers—only good people!"] Her voice cracked from grief and rage as tears of blood traced her cheeks.

Hu Tao stood watching, emotion swelling in her chest. She wiped sweat from her brow and called out, "You did kill, didn't you? I had to stop you!"

Nianhua's laugh rang hollow. Raising her head, eyes still bloodshot, she glared at Hu Tao.

["Kill? That Pearl Galley feasted on people! And the Liyue Qixing let that place exist? So, killing one is a crime, but killing many is heroism?"]

Hu Tao fell silent. She couldn't rebut—it wasn't simple.

Angry, Nianhua yelled again, ["Legitimate slave‑contracts? You treat them as law? The Geo Archon is blind!"]

Her voice split the night.

"Do not insult the Archon!" Xiao's tone turned cold. "Or I will scatter your soul!"

Nianhua sneered, voice hoarse. ["I'm already near death—why care about Archons? What use are they?"] Insult rolled heavy.

Xiao's brows furrowed. He struck again—the spear sank deeper.

This time, Nianhua clenched her teeth—silent.

She stared at Hu Tao, Xiao, and Shao Yun.

When her gaze met Shao Yun's, she hesitated—but quickly hardened again.

Shao Yun stepped forward and knelt to meet her eye-level.

"I heard you asking to see your children," he said.

Surprise flickered across her eyes—but she nodded with resolve. ["Yes."]

He nodded softly, as if expecting her response. After a pause he spoke:

"Maybe... I can help you."

Hu Tao grabbed his sleeve frantically—fear etched on her face.

"Shao Yun, she can't go to Liyue Harbor—it'll kill many people!" she pleaded, eyes filled with desperation.

But Shao Yun remained calm. He gently moved her hand away.

Facing Nianhua, his eyes reflected complexity. He pulled a doodle from his pack.

"I can't take you to see them—but this is a drawing Yi Zhu gave me—maybe..."

Before he finished, Nianhua reached with trembling hands.

["Give it! Please!"]

Without hesitation, he handed her the drawing.

Tears welled in her blood-tinged eyes.

She stared at the childlike doodle—drawn by Yi Zhu. Pure, innocent—it tugged at her soul.

["Yi Xuan... Yi Zhu..."] she sobbed, heart filled with longing and regret.

Tears streamed down her face, dampening the drawing—and all their hearts.

Shao Yun gazed at her, voice tender and sure: "So... are you at peace now?"

Nianhua looked at him, eyes glistening with confusion and wonder.

["Why do you have my child's drawing?"]

He recounted how he met the siblings and destroyed the Pearl Galley for them.

Nianhua listened quietly on the ground. Gradually, relief softened her expression. She smiled, tinged with gratitude:

["If only the world had more people like you."]

Shao Yun cracked a wry smile, scratching his chin. If more people like me existed, there'd be little left of anything. he thought.

He bent forward and gently asked, "So... now can you rest?"

Her smile faded. She lifted her gaze to his, eyes reflecting deep emotion.

Suddenly, she paused, as though seeing something unimaginable.

Blood dripped from her eye. With that, she traced the character 冤 ("grievance") in her palm with her blood-streaked fingertip.

The word glowed vivid red—an accusation of cosmic injustice.

She raised her palm to show Shao Yun, then screamed hoarsely:

["No! I have grievance! Please… judge me!"]