Sunlight filtered through the streets of Chihu Rock, casting dappled patterns across Granny Shan's toy stall. The air carried the faint, nostalgic scent of wooden toys.
Shao Yun, Lumine, and Paimon arrived to find Granny Shan leading a group of apprentices, all busily crafting kites.
"Paint carefully. Don't mess up."
Nearby, Childe stood under the sun, his gray outfit oddly luminous in the light.
Seeing the trio approach, he smiled and waved warmly. "Hey there! Perfect timing. Granny Shan's hurrying to finish our kites. I paid extra, so they should be ready soon."
Shao Yun's gaze swept over the busy Granny Shan and her apprentices before settling on Childe, his eyes curious.
"How much did you pay to get Granny Shan this busy?"
Childe raised one finger and wiggled it nonchalantly. "A million Mora. Special rush job."
Paimon's eyes widened like saucers, stunned. "A million Mora?! You guys at the Northland Bank sure are loaded!"
Childe basked in her admiration. He smiled smugly. "It's nothing. Just part of being partners, right?"
Then, he turned to Shao Yun, deciding to take a gamble despite the low odds.
"Shao Yun, I heard you were invited to the Jade Chamber this morning by Ningguang. Mind sharing what you two talked about?"
Shao Yun caught the eager glint in Childe's eyes. Smiling faintly, as if he saw right through him, he nodded calmly. "Sure. I'll tell you."
Childe blinked in surprise, not expecting such a straightforward answer. He quickly asked, "So what did she want with you?"
Shao Yun narrowed his eyes, lips curling into a half-smile. "She said she wants me to rob the Northland Bank. Once it's done, we split the Mora in the vault—fifty-fifty."
Childe froze for a beat—then burst into hearty laughter. He clapped Shao Yun on the shoulder, his laughter ringing clear.
"Haha! You really know how to joke. There's no way Ningguang would ask you to do something like that!"
She didn't say "rob the Northland Bank"—but if I do, she'll pretend she didn't see anything!
Shao Yun brushed off Childe's hand and patted his shoulder with a chuckle.
"I wish it were true. What a shame it isn't. Real pity."
Seeing that Shao Yun wouldn't say more, Childe let it go and nodded. "Still love your jokes. It's fine if you don't want to talk."
Just then, Paimon, her eyes sparkling with curiosity, leaned toward Shao Yun and whispered playfully, "Shao Yun, what did Ningguang really want when she invited you to the Jade Chamber?"
Childe, who had been mulling over something, snapped to attention at her sudden question. He quickly turned his head, feigning disinterest—but his ears twitched like a predator honing in on prey.
Lumine, more perceptive, sensed the subtle tension in the air. She promptly swatted Paimon on the head and whispered, "Paimon, don't say too much!"
Paimon gasped, realizing her mistake. She covered her mouth, face filled with regret. "Ah! Sorry, sorry, I shouldn't have asked!"
Shao Yun looked at her adorable fluster and chuckled inwardly. 'Paimon, you golden assist. You're a top-tier support—I definitely didn't raise you for nothing.'
He stepped beside her and whispered softly, "Don't worry. Once Childe leaves, I'll sneakily tell you both."
His words, though quiet, rippled through the air.
Childe, despite his composure, caught every word with his radar-like hearing.
The stone had been cast—ripples stirred within.
His heart pounded. He instinctively assumed this was about the Archon's molted divine body.
After all the resources spent searching Liyue Harbor, if he failed to find the Vision's core essence, he'd be hunted down by his superiors.
With his mission on the line, panic set in.
Childe's brows furrowed. His eyes locked onto Shao Yun as if trying to extract every secret.
At that moment, Granny Shan's voice cut through the tension. She stepped forward, followed by apprentices carrying seven vibrantly painted, lifelike kites.
Her face beamed with satisfaction as she gently tapped one of the kites, as if flaunting her craftsmanship.
"Take a look, guests. All finished just as you asked."
Shao Yun turned toward the kites, carefully inspecting each one. After confirming everything, he nodded and turned to Lumine.
"Alright, looks like our preparations are nearly done. Now we just need those wild Glaze Lilies. Let's go meet up with Zhongli and see how it's going on his end."
Lumine nodded, then recalled something. "Oh, Zhongli mentioned the workers for the Rite of Parting aren't enough. If we want to finish on time, he suggested hiring some laborers at the docks."
Shao Yun was momentarily surprised but quickly shrugged it off.
"Alright then. Let's head to the docks and hire some folks."
He turned to Granny Shan. "We'll be back for the kites later. Mind keeping an eye on them for us?"
Granny Shan smiled and nodded. "Of course, don't worry. I'll keep them safe."
…
Shao Yun, Lumine, and Paimon set off toward Liyue Harbor's docks. Childe followed with a confident smile.
Shao Yun stopped and turned, knowing full well Childe had taken the bait—but he couldn't show it.
He furrowed his brow and said, with a touch of irritation, "Your job's done. Why are you still tagging along?"
Childe smiled easily and stepped forward, lightly patting Shao Yun's shoulder.
"You probably don't know this, but dock workers here only work for cash. Sending a tab to the Northland Bank won't work for them."
He then added with a grin, "Besides, strictly speaking, isn't my job just being your wallet? Without me, you might run into… inconveniences."
Shao Yun eyed Childe, pondering. Just to get info from me, he's even willing to demean himself like this?
Then let's give him what he wants.
He nodded, lips curling into a faint smile. "Looks like you came prepared."
Childe's heart leapt. He puffed his chest, brimming with eagerness. "Of course! I've done a ton of groundwork to support you guys. You can count on me."
Shao Yun didn't press further. He let the moment pass smoothly. "You're off to a good start."
Those words made Childe beam. Joy danced in his eyes like fireworks. He believed he'd finally cracked Shao Yun's wall of skepticism and earned his trust.
A grin spread across his face. 'Hard work really does pay off.'
'I'll make you see the Fatui differently—just you wait.'
But Shao Yun only smiled faintly and patted Childe's cheek.
"Then do your job as wallet well."
Hearing that, Childe straightened up and looked at him with determination.
"No problem, Mr. Shao Yun. You have my word!"
Little did he know—he was the fish, and Shao Yun had already reeled him in.
…
Sunlight shimmered on the sea's surface, lighting up the dock area.
Shao Yun, Lumine, Paimon, and Childe walked among the bustling crowds, scanning the workers.
Some were unloading massive cargo from ships, others loading supplies. Flags flapped atop masts, rustling in the sea breeze.
After some searching, they finally spotted three seemingly idle "workers."
But these weren't real workers.
The three men had an unruly air. Shifty eyes, sly expressions—thugs through and through.
The leader smirked when Shao Yun mentioned hiring help. He named a ridiculous price without hesitation.
"Work? Sure. But we want one million Mora each." He spoke lazily, as if this were the most natural thing in the world.
Lumine's eyes shot wide. "A million?! That's extortion!" she cried, glaring at them.
The thug spat on the ground with disdain. "Hey, little girl, you don't get it. Docks are busy. Our time's valuable. And we heard you're doing this for the Rite of Parting, with the Northland Bank footing the bill. Why worry about a little change?"
The other two thugs laughed and echoed their boss, clearly trying to push for more.
Childe watched coldly, mentally memorizing their faces—he already planned to have Debt Collection take care of them later.
He exhaled slowly, then said calmly, "Fine. A million it is. I'll pay."
He reached into his coat, ready to draw the Mora—but Shao Yun stepped in front of him, eyes sharp and resolute.
These three are heaven-sent. Perfect excuse to leak info to Childe. What a gift!
Shao Yun stepped toward the thug leader, gaze like a hawk, cutting through their bravado.
"How much did you say? A million? I could kill you, butcher your body, and sell the meat as beef—would it even fetch that price?"
His voice struck like a hammer—cold and unrelenting.
The leader flinched. He hadn't expected real resistance—much less from someone so terrifying.
He stammered, trying to sound tough. "Your friend already agreed. What're you still saying?"
He didn't finish. Shao Yun's fist flew, cracking across his jaw. Blood and teeth scattered as the thug collapsed, screaming.
"Don't waste the headspace if you're not using it!"
The other two rushed in, shouting—but Shao Yun floored them with a one-two combo, fast and brutal.
Without pause, he grabbed the writhing leader by the collar, fury in his eyes.
"Listen. We have money. But our money is ours to give—not yours to steal!"
He slammed a fist into the thug's gut, knocking the breath from him.
Then Shao Yun growled, "A million Mora? If you idiots want that, try robbing the Golden House in Liyue—after they double the guards. Though with your skills, that'd be suicide."
His voice dripped with scorn.
Finally, he hurled the thug aside like trash. "Scram!"
The three scrambled to their feet and fled, stumbling and panicked.
Shao Yun snorted.
"Trying to extort me? You've got a death wish."
He turned back to Lumine, Paimon, and Childe, his expression resolute.
"We need real dockworkers. These thugs couldn't lift a feather."
Then he walked off to find actual laborers, Lumine and Paimon following.
Behind them, Childe stood, brows slightly furrowed.
He'd caught something in Shao Yun's rant—'extra guards at the Golden House.'
He froze.
Could the molted divine body be there—outside Liyue Harbor?
The idea sparked like lightning. It made too much sense.
And Shao Yun's anger didn't feel fake.
The most unlikely option suddenly became the most plausible.
Shao Yun glanced back at Childe, who was lost in thought. Satisfaction swelled in his chest.
Got your attention. Just as planned.
He cleared his throat, raising his voice. "Childe! What're you waiting for?!"
Childe blinked back to reality and quickly caught up.
"Coming!"