Genshin Impact: The Sharpshooter of Teyvat

Shao Yun stared at the blood-red character "冤" etched in Nianhua's palm—an anguished declaration of unspoken injustice.

Yet his expression remained calm as he asked softly, "Do I look dark-skinned?"

Nianhua blinked in surprise, stared at Shao Yun's face, then shook her head and answered truthfully, ["You're not."]

Shao Yun then pointed to his forehead. "Do you see a crescent on my head?"

She shook her head again, confusion growing—she didn't understand his line of questioning—but answered plainly, ["No."]

Shao Yun, still puzzled, pressed on, "Then why are you seeking justice from me?"

This is Wuwang Hill, not the Kaifeng court in the Song dynasty! he thought wryly. I'm a fugitive, a killer—I'm no judge of the dead!

Seeing Shao Yun preparing to decline, panic surged in Nianhua. She hurriedly explained, ["I feel you're a person of honor. You helped those children, you destroyed that wicked place—you're like a hero in those martial novels—who cannot stand injustice."]

Shao Yun sighed and clarified: "I only did it because I was bored. I've been trapped in Liyue Harbor for a month, listening to Iron Tongue Tian's stories every day—I was going stir-crazy. So, I poked my nose in. I'm not the grand savior you think I am."

A complex emotion crossed Nianhua's face as she examined his seemingly cold features; she hesitated to respond, but he interrupted, firm: "Listen. You said earlier that seeing your children would give you peace. Now you've seen their doodle—it's done."

His words cut through her illusions like a blade. Eyes wide, she felt a wave of indescribable disappointment.

["You're not someone without compassion!"] she suddenly called out, voice echoing around them.

Shao Yun met her gaze, a flash of confusion in his eyes, but dismissed it as mere courtesy.

He shook his head calmly and said, "You don't know me. I'm no savior. I'm a fugitive—a murderer who doesn't flinch."

That confession only further unsettled her—this wasn't what she expected.

Nianhua took a deep breath and stuttered, ["But your heart—you're kind… You've battled giants and—"]

Shao Yun suddenly recognized the phrasing—it wasn't typical to Teyvat. It was part of Mary Linton's farewell letter to Arthur Morgan!

His eyes widened. "Who told you that?"

Nianhua, relieved he'd engaged, smiled faintly. ["Want to know? Then grant my request."]

Shao Yun muttered regretfully, I really am stupid, bargaining with a ghost…

Nianhua's eyes glinted. She asked meaningfully, ["Are you sure?"]

He didn't answer, but gestured for her to continue.

Nianhua nodded toward Hu Tao, Xiao, and the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor members behind him and said, "Tell me only when they've all left. This is between you and me."

Hu Tao stepped forward immediately. She stared at Shao Yun and whispered anxiously, "No, Shao Yun! This is too risky—the word of a vengeful ghost can't be trusted!"

Nianhua, still pinned, sneered with disdain, ["And what about that human-skin-wearing scum aboard the Pearl Galley? They are liars!"]

Shao Yun looked at Hu Tao, the distant team, and silent Xiao.

He replied gravely, "I know. I can feel she's done—she's about to vanish. A spirit that's on the edge isn't dangerous."

Hu Tao locked eyes with Shao Yun. Though she harbored doubts, she finally nodded and said, "We'll stay back—ready to move in immediately."

Shao Yun nodded in gratitude. Once they left, he turned to the ghost pinned in the earth and said, "Okay. Now that they're gone, you may speak."

Finally alone, Nianhua spoke of the despair and terror she experienced a month ago.

["At that moment, I was wounded by Hu Tao and Guardian Yaksha. I could feel my soul fading."] Fear flickered in her gaze, quickly replaced by determination.

["I prayed to the Archon for help—but only dead silence answered. On the brink of death, I cried out—if someone could save me, I'd pay any price."]

She paused, lost in recollection, then continued:

["Then... a figure appeared, wearing a tall black hat. We struck a deal—he healed me and promised vengeance. He told me—someone wearing a black hat and brown coat—would come."]

["He said: 'Tell him "You aren't someone without compassion," and he'll help. If he doesn't respond, say "Your heart is kind. You've battled giants." Then he'll agree.'"]

Shao Yun frowned—That's the Man with a Top Hat! He realized that the ghost had summoned him with that exact phrasing. He'd joked, but somehow that spirit thought it real.

And worse—she'd signed a demonic contract! He'd unwittingly been used as a pawn!

"That's… a demon. How could you trust its words? You've made a deal you'll pay dearly for!"

But Nianhua remained calm. She smiled faintly.

["Yes, it asks for my soul. But what difference does that make? I've been used and betrayed all my life. That demon spoke to me honestly—on equal terms. Compared to those human-beasts in the Pearl Galley, I'd rather trust a demon."]

Shao Yun was silent. He looked at the woman who'd suffered so much, yet trusted a demon. A strange sadness filled him.

He thought bitterly, It's tragic—a demon more honest than the Pearl Galley scum.

He remembered overhearing Hu Tao ask Nianhua whether her wounds were healed… Hu Tao thought the ghost had killed someone to recover, but Man with a Top Hat never kills—at least not directly.

"By the way, you said you were healed. According to Hu Tao, you were badly injured. How…?"

Nianhua's face was still pale, but her eyes glowed strangely.

She pointed to the "Pagan Skull Mask" lying in the dust and said simply:

["That demon gave me a skull—it resonates with that mask's aura. I absorbed the aura from that skull. That healed me."]

She paused before adding,

["I swear—I did not heal by killing like Hu Tao guessed. I only felt that aura… and came to see. Then—well, you already know what happened."]