Genshin Impact: The Sharpshooter of Teyvat

Shao Yun furrowed his brows and interrupted Nianhua's account.

"One thing I don't get. You were used as a scapegoat for her, but there was only one body. Two people dead—that math doesn't check out!"

Nianhua took a deep breath, as if finally steeling herself, and said in a low voice, ["That's exactly why I didn't want Hu Tao—the head of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor—to know. I suspect she was an accomplice behind the scenes."]

Shao Yun's brows tightened further. He knew Hu Tao's character well and didn't believe she could be involved in something like this. He speculated, "Hu Tao might be quirky, sure, but she's fair. I don't think she'd do something like that."

["Even if we take the worst-case scenario—and I don't believe it—if Hu Tao was involved, wouldn't Liyue's authorities have investigated? A death like this… wouldn't they have looked into it?"]

Nianhua scoffed coldly, her eyes burning with fury and resentment.

["Everyone thought the corpse was Huachu's. The face was unrecognizable anyway. As for the Liyue Qixing and those merchant overlords—those nobles only care about profits. Why would they bother about the lives of trash like us from the Pearl Galley? Expecting those merchants to investigate the truth? Might as well expect dogs to speak."]

…

Inazuma, Watatsumi Island, Sangonomiya.

"Achoo!"

"Gorou, are you—"

"I'm fine, Lady Sangonomiya, just an itchy nose."

…

At that moment, Nianhua looked like a withered peony—only dead branches and fallen leaves remained. Like a candle flickering in the wind, close to extinguishing, her soul was on the verge of dissipating into the void.

Her eyes glowed with sorrow as she fixed her gaze on Shao Yun, her voice faint but firm.

["I can see the fire in your heart. You have justice in your soul. You're not a cold-blooded man! I beg you… help me."]

Everything that had been said so far was from Miss Nianhua's mouth. Was he really going to kill someone based on her words alone? He wasn't that naive.

Trying to deflect her plea, Shao Yun said with a trembling voice, "Listen… someone once said 'Revenge is a luxury we cannot afford…'"

But before he could finish, Miss Nianhua interrupted him with all the strength she had left.

She stared straight into Shao Yun's eyes. Her voice was weak, yet filled with unwavering resolve.

["Don't give me that crap. This isn't revenge! I just want justice! I never hurt anyone—they hurt me. Please, I'm begging you!"]

Looking into her mournful, pleading eyes, Shao Yun felt an emotion surge within him—a mix of helplessness and anguish. He sighed.

"Then what do you want me to do? Kill Hu Tao? Slaughter all of Liyue Harbor?"

Miss Nianhua shook her head. Her eyes shone with clarity.

["I just want the lives of Huachu and Jianqiu. That's all."]

Putting aside the truth of her claims, this whole situation seemed like it was part of the Huachu's elaborate game. If Shao Yun killed them, Nianhua's soul would be taken—and he'd be nothing but another pawn. That couldn't happen.

To interfere with this demonic contract, Shao Yun thought of a perfect plan.

"What good does it do if I kill them? Would you come back to life?" His voice was deep and heavy, each word hammering into Nianhua's soul. He spoke not just with logic, but a profound understanding of consequences.

Nianhua now remained only as a threadbare spirit, her form barely holding together. She looked at Shao Yun, a flicker of unwillingness in her eyes. If not for revenge, what had all this meant?

Shao Yun stared at her for a long moment, then slowly raised his right hand, forming the number eight.

"Here's my offer—eighty million Mora. I'll ensure your children grow up safe and strong. Deal? Forget about those two bastards."

That number struck Nianhua like a bolt of lightning.

She began to seriously consider it. Her children were currently under the care of the Millelith—fed and clothed—but what about the future?

In her eyes, Liyue Harbor was a dazzling yet ruthless world. Without money, one couldn't take a single step forward.

Shao Yun noticed her hesitation and pressed on.

"You're already dead. Killing them won't change that. But your children… they're your true legacy, your hope. Eighty million Mora can buy them the best education, a safe and peaceful life."

And, more importantly, this could exploit a loophole in the demonic pact—foil the contract and leave the devil with nothing.

Nianhua looked at Shao Yun. A light of determination passed through her eyes. She nodded.

["You convinced me. You thought further than I did. My life… for eighty million Mora—that's worth it."]

Her body began to fade, the heavy weight of her obsession lifting. The sorrow and resentment that had once haunted the air dissolved with her spirit.

She looked at Shao Yun with eyes full of gratitude. Her voice was soft but resolute.

["One last thing. Please—tell my children, Yi Xuan and Yi Zhu, 'Mama will always love you, no matter where I am.'"] Her lips curled into a faint smile, as if picturing the moment her children would hear those words.

Then she turned to Shao Yun and said, ["You once said you were a bad man. But in my eyes, you're not. You're one of the few who was willing to help. You…"]

Miss Nianhua's final words never came. But they didn't need to.

Shao Yun had manipulated her, yes. But he would pay that eighty million. Without a doubt.

Eighty million. Just sixty-something thousand a month to live on. They'd be fine.

As for how to transfer the money… he'd have to think carefully.

"It's over. Miss Nianhua is gone." He said softly, his voice echoing into the still night, tinged with a quiet sorrow.

Hu Tao, Xiao, and the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor staff arrived upon hearing him. Their expressions were heavy, puzzled.

Hu Tao's eyes landed on the Staff of Homa still planted in the ground, then turned to Shao Yun, curiosity and suspicion flickering in her gaze.

"What did Nianhua say to you?"

Shao Yun avoided her gaze, masking the truth with a calm voice.

"She just asked me to look after her children."

Hu Tao paused, then frowned.

"I thought she had a grudge?"

Shao Yun nodded, deflecting again. "She said the Pearl Galley ruined her. She wanted me to take out the big boss behind it."

"So… did you?"

Shao Yun pointed at Hu Tao and said, "Those corpses Yelan delivered a few days ago—those were the bosses. Her grudge is resolved."

Hu Tao nodded in realization, murmuring, "Ah, that explains her thirst for revenge. Now she can rest in peace."

Seeing that she bought the explanation, Shao Yun bent down and picked up the 'Pagan Skull Mask' from the ground. He brushed off the dust and turned toward her and the others.

"I'm heading off. I won't help with cleanup."

Hu Tao looked at him with a gentle smile and offered, "That's fine. Come back with us. We'll pass by Wangshu Inn—I'll treat you to something."

Shao Yun shook his head and tucked the mask into his pack. He looked Hu Tao in the eyes.

"The ghost's dealt with. My job's done. As for eating… I'd rather share a meal with Lumine."

Hu Tao shrugged, smiling. "Alright. Since your mind's made up, I won't push. We'll meet again, if fate allows."

Shao Yun nodded and walked south—toward Liyue Harbor—disappearing from Hu Tao's sight.

…

Shao Yun reached for his horse's reins, preparing to mount.

Just then, a breeze swept past. Xiao appeared beside him.

"I heard everything you and Miss Nianhua said." Xiao's voice was low and magnetic, resonating with the soul.

He stared at Shao Yun and continued, "She was murdered. I heard it all."

Shao Yun froze, his hand loosening from the reins. He turned to face Xiao, calm as ever.

"You hear anything else?"

Xiao shook his head. "No. Just that. Hu Tao kept asking how I subdued the ghost, so I missed the earlier parts."

Shao Yun was silent for a moment, as if weighing something. Then he sighed softly and looked at Xiao.

"I… you want to hear it?"

His voice carried hesitation and strain.

Xiao looked at his conflicted expression and quickly understood. As a Yaksha, he knew he shouldn't meddle too much in mortal affairs.

"Very well. Immortals and mortals walk different paths. Let mortals handle mortal matters."

And with that, Xiao vanished.

…

Shao Yun galloped along the road, his silhouette stretched long in the moonlight, as if weighed down by fatigue and confusion.

A wave of guilt surged through him, relentless.

He remembered the moment he let those two killers walk free—and that guilt became heavier.

He clenched his jaw, trying to stay calm. He muttered to himself, "I didn't mean to turn my back on Miss Nianhua… I just… I just…"

His voice faltered, unable to justify his choices.

He told himself he was an outlaw—not meant to get involved in such things.

Told himself that eighty million Mora for Yi Xuan and Yi Zhu would be enough to make it right.

Told himself it was all the demon's trick—that it had manipulated him from the shadows.

He couldn't give in. He had to trust his instincts. Maybe the demon had lied. Maybe it had fooled Nianhua and used him.

But then… Shao Yun forgot something crucial.

Demons may scheme—but they don't lie.

Suddenly, pain exploded in his skull. It was as if thousands of needles stabbed into his nerves.

He clutched his head in agony and fumbled in his pack for a Special Miracle Tonic.

But the pain came too fast and too strong.

Before he could reach it, he passed out from the torment.

…

Shao Yun slowly opened his eyes.

What he saw stunned him.

He seemed to be standing on a boundless western plain, under a scorching sun, yellow sand rolling endlessly. Even the air seemed to hum with desolation and silence.

His consciousness floated in that wasteland, like a ghostly observer—watching yet disconnected, as if in a dream.

He tried to wake, to escape this bizarre illusion—but no matter how he struggled, he remained trapped.

He wandered aimlessly, riding across the barren land, until he arrived at a solitary house.

In the yard, two new graves lay silently, as if whispering a tragic tale.

"Eliza! Isaac!" The names echoed in his mind, stirring a deep sorrow.

Then his perspective shifted, following "himself" as he dismounted and rushed into the house.

Inside was chaos—bloodstains everywhere, shattered furniture.

Suddenly, a man's voice cried out in despair: "No! No! No! This isn't real!"

The voice was so vivid—it felt like it rang out beside his ears.

The sound shook him to his soul. It was a pain and hopelessness beyond words.

…

The night sky stretched like ink, a full moon hanging high. Starlight scattered like gems against the dark.

Shao Yun gasped for breath and opened his eyes wide.

A cool breeze brushed his face, laced with the scent of leaves and earth.

He found himself lying at a rough campsite. He sat up, glancing at his horse, which was calmly grazing nearby.

And in front of the horse—a donkey enjoying the peace.

Suddenly, a familiar voice pierced the still night—ancient, chilling.

"You're awake?"

Shao Yun turned and saw the Man with a Top Hat sitting by the fire, poking the flames with a stick. Sparks danced, casting shadows across his unnerving face.

The Man with a Top Hat looked at Shao Yun deeply, coaxing him with a voice that slid into the mind.

"You saw your past, didn't you… Arthur Morgan?"