Chapter 048: Challenge: Eastern Legend I

[System Mission Update: Challenge: Eastern Legend I]

[Mission Brief: You must "single-handedly" hold off a monster army led by the Abyss Order, taking the first step toward becoming a legendary gunslinger known throughout Teyvat. Ultimately, you will don the "Eastern Legend" set and become a sharpshooter who transcends the universe.]

[Reward: Eastern Legend Set Fragment x1.]

[Note: With your current strength, as long as you face this alone, you will succeed. If others assist, causing distractions, the outcome will be unpredictable.]

Shao Yun stared at the system prompt in disbelief, especially at the words "Abyss Order."

He hadn't expected his earlier joke with Noelle to come true.

A self-fulfilling prophecy!

While Lumine was off dealing with the evil dragon, he was left to handle the monster army.

Wait, no—he was even more badass than Lumine. She had a team, while he was holding the line alone!

Reading the "Note" in the system prompt, Shao Yun thought it over carefully. The system had a point. If others helped him, he'd have to worry about them, which would indeed affect his performance.

After a moment of contemplation, Shao Yun looked at the Eastern Legend challenge task and connected it to the personal request Acting Grand Master Jean had given him.

He took a deep breath, as if the air could carry away some of his anxiety.

Steadying himself, he turned to the four people standing before him and issued his orders.

"Kaeya, Lisa." He called their names first. Upon hearing Shao Yun's commanding tone, Lisa and Kaeya straightened up instinctively.

"You two must mobilize all available Knights to ensure the stability of Mondstadt's public order."

He pointed toward the Goth Grand Hotel in the distance and emphasized, "Focus your efforts on the Fatui. Those bastards won't miss this golden opportunity to seize control of the city's defenses. The hilichurls outside are a minor issue. Your priority is the city. Understand?"

Kaeya and Lisa exchanged a glance, nodded, and immediately set off to carry out Shao Yun's orders.

Next, Shao Yun turned to Amber and asked with concern, "How's your recovery?"

Amber flexed her shoulders and smiled. "I'm fine now."

Shao Yun nodded, relieved.

"Go with Kaeya and Lisa to keep an eye on the Fatui," Shao Yun ordered Amber. "Even though you've recovered, be careful."

Amber hesitated upon hearing Shao Yun's command. With the current number of Knights, they could either maintain order or defend the city walls against the hilichurl army.

By choosing to have the Knights focus on maintaining order, what about the hilichurls outside?

Shao Yun noticed Amber's hesitation and urged her in a firmer tone, "Amber, a fortress is most vulnerable from within. You know that. Trust me, I have a plan!"

His voice carried an air of unshakable determination. Now wasn't the time for second-guessing. She needed to follow his orders!

Amber, moved by Shao Yun's words, glanced at the thousands of hilichurls outside and reluctantly went to help maintain order in the city.

After Amber left, Shao Yun turned his gaze to Noelle, who stood with a serious expression.

Seeing her companions being assigned to maintain order, Noelle thought she would be tasked with fighting the hilichurl army. She was filled with excitement and anticipation, imagining herself wielding her greatsword and charging into the hilichurl horde.

Her chest puffed up slightly, as if to showcase her determination and strength. Her eyes sparkled with resolve as she awaited the mission she had been hoping for.

However, Shao Yun's words poured cold water on her enthusiasm.

"Noelle, go to the shelter!"

The words struck her like a dagger, shattering her fantasies. She stared at Shao Yun in disbelief, her face filled with confusion and frustration.

"Why? Everyone else is dealing with the Fatui. Are you planning to hold off this monster army alone?!" Her voice was filled with shock and anger. She couldn't understand why Shao Yun would make such a decision.

Even without the "single-handedly" condition, there was no way he'd let her take on the front lines!

Shao Yun looked at Noelle calmly, his eyes revealing a hint of helplessness and concern.

He knew Noelle's determination and stubbornness, but he also understood that the current situation was far beyond what she could handle. He really didn't have the energy to drag her into this fight.

He took a deep breath, trying to keep his tone calm but firm. "Go to the shelter! Or follow Kaeya and keep an eye on the Fatui! The hilichurls outside are not something you can handle."

Noelle bit her lip, her eyes flashing with stubbornness. She shook her head vigorously and retorted, "Like you told me before, don't push yourself beyond your limits. You need help!"

Shao Yun couldn't help but chuckle when Noelle used his own words against him. He shook his head, a wry smile on his lips, and sighed, "You learn fast, just like that wolfman Marston."

Noelle was puzzled. She had never heard that name before. She blinked and asked curiously, "Who?"

Before Shao Yun could explain, the sound of a hilichurl horn echoed in the distance.

He turned to look and saw the hilichurls had finished gathering. They covered the hills like a swarm.

At a glance, Shao Yun felt a bit relieved. The hilichurls weren't as numerous as Amber had claimed—her estimate of tens of thousands was exaggerated.

But there were still two to three thousand of them. Among the hilichurls were a few blue Hydro Abyss Mages, chanting spells.

The sun was almost completely set, with only a sliver remaining. They had about ten minutes left. There was no time to argue with Noelle.

"No time to explain. If you want to face this with me, then come down and help me with something."

Noelle, hearing Shao Yun's words, thought he had finally relented and was letting her join the fight. She nodded excitedly and followed Shao Yun down the city walls. The two quickly made their way to the bridge.

Shao Yun pointed to an abandoned carriage filled with crates nearby and said to Noelle, "Noelle, go push that carriage over here and block the bridge!"

Without hesitation, Noelle ran over and started pushing the carriage. Though it was heavy with crates, Noelle's strength allowed her to move it to the center of the bridge.

Shao Yun found two sticks from the carriage and jammed them through the wheels, locking the carriage in place and securing it firmly in the middle of the bridge.

Noelle watched Shao Yun's actions, a glimmer of understanding in her eyes. "I get it, Mr. Shao Yun. You'll stand on the carriage and attack from range, while I handle close combat, right?"

Shao Yun glanced at the innocent Noelle, thinking that if he really needed someone to hold the line, he'd tie Kaeya up here as a human shield.

"Exactly! You're so smart!"

Shao Yun didn't have the energy to correct Noelle's misunderstanding. He just looked at her innocent face.

Noelle, noticing that the hilichurls had finished gathering under the Abyss Mages' leadership, immediately drew her greatsword and prepared to charge.

Seeing that persuasion wouldn't work, Shao Yun decided to take drastic measures.

"Noelle, come closer. I'll teach you a combat technique," Shao Yun said, waving her over.

Noelle, carrying her greatsword, quickly walked over to Shao Yun, curious.

"What technique?"

They were still a bit apart. If Shao Yun tried to force her now, Noelle would likely react and might even swing her sword at him.

Shao Yun waved her closer again.

"Come a bit closer. I won't hurt you, trust me!"

Noelle, unsuspecting, obediently leaned in closer.

But the moment she did, Shao Yun suddenly struck her neck with a chop.

Noelle felt a wave of dizziness and exclaimed, "You—!"

Before she could finish, she collapsed unconscious.

Shao Yun looked at Noelle, who had fainted in his arms, filled with guilt.

He gently picked her up and carried her toward Mondstadt, murmuring softly, "You're just a fifteen-year-old kid. Even without the system's guarantee, I can't let you take such risks."

By now, all the Knights of Favonius—whether on leave or clerical staff—had taken up arms.

Kaeya and Lisa had strategically deployed the available Knights to key positions within the city, Monitoring the Fatui's potential ambush.

Despite the shortage of manpower, a few Knights were still sent to reinforce the main gate where Shao Yun was.

Shao Yun returned to the city gate just as the reinforcements arrived. He handed Noelle over to them and instructed solemnly, "Take her to the Knights' headquarters. It's too dangerous here. This isn't a place for her."

The Knight who took Noelle watched as Shao Yun turned to leave and shouted anxiously, "Hey! What are you doing? Come back! We're closing the gates!"

Shao Yun tilted his head, fearless. "I'm doing what's right. I'll hold off the hilichurls. Don't listen to Kaeya. Your main task is to watch the Fatui!"

"Remember, no matter what happens, focus on the city. To put it bluntly, even if I die fighting these hilichurls, don't divert your attention!"

"You're insane! Come back!"

The Knights, seeing that they couldn't persuade Shao Yun to return, gritted their teeth and activated the mechanism.

As the city gates closed, Mondstadt was cut off from the outside world.

Shao Yun returned to the carriage in the middle of the bridge and stood atop it.

In the distance, the marching footsteps of the hilichurls made the ground tremble slightly.

Looking ahead, the dense horde of hilichurls surged like a tidal wave, a dark, endless mass.

He gripped his carbine repeater tightly, took a deep breath, and pulled the lever.

This was even more thrilling than stopping a train!

In ancient times, Zhang Fei held the bridge at Dangyang, repelling Cao Cao's million-strong army. Today, Shao Yun would face the hilichurl horde alone with his four guns.

[Eastern Legend Challenge begins in: 60 seconds.]

As the countdown began, Shao Yun caught a glimpse of a golden figure appearing on a distant hill, standing out vividly.

His heart skipped a beat. Why aren't you looking after your sister instead of coming to Mondstadt?

Did you want to test my capabilities, to see if I was worthy of staying by your sister's side?

The thought made Shao Yun laugh out loud, releasing some of the tension and pressure he felt. He waved at the golden figure and shouted provocatively.

"Hey! I don't know if you can hear me, but! Lumine's doing great. I'll take good care of her. Don't worry!"

(TL/N: You courting death! 🗿)

His voice carried far, reaching the ears of the golden figure.

The figure suddenly became agitated, and several blue figures appeared, holding him back.

"Hahaha, you're mad!" Shao Yun taunted again.

The momentary satisfaction came at a cost. Before the system's countdown ended, another deep hilichurl horn sounded, and the hilichurl army surged toward the bridge like a tsunami.

"Well, aren't you a jealous little brat!"

(TL/N: He's old bruh)