Chapter 69: I’ll Go Bring Godwin Back

The townsfolk on the street cast curious glances toward Shao Yun. Seeing the icy fire in his eyes, they instinctively looked away, as if afraid a single glance might ignite the flames of his fury.

Right now, Shao Yun's rage could've fueled a massacre—he was ready to storm Dadaupa Gorge and wipe out every last hilichurl left.

But the more he walked, the more something didn't sit right with him.

That old fox Goth had no problem handing me a fat pouch of Mora, laughed and bowed while I fumed, and not once offered a single extra coin. In the end, he smiled as he ushered me out!

The more he thought about it, the angrier he got. Tolerance breeds regret, and patience makes you the sucker!

Just as he was about to march back and shoot Goth in the head, he happened to pass by where Glory usually sat.

His eyes landed on two familiar figures, and the flames in his eyes softened.

There, in front of Glory, stood Lumine and Paimon, chatting casually with her.

Like spring wind dispelling storm clouds, Shao Yun's expression turned gentle.

He slapped his cheeks lightly and forced a grin onto his face, donning a casual expression as he approached.

"Lumine, Paimon—fancy seeing you here! I thought I'd only run into you back at Amber's place in the evening."

His tone was warm and friendly, a stark contrast from the storm he'd been seconds ago.

Paimon turned at the familiar voice, her face lighting up. "Huh? Shao Yun, what are you doing here?"

Shao Yun glanced between them, curiosity in his voice. "What's going on here?"

He feigned interest, with a touch of concern, clearly intrigued by what the two were up to.

Paimon giggled. "We took a commission—to deliver a letter to Miss Glory."

She seemed cheerful, content even with a simple delivery job.

Shao Yun sighed softly, a tinge of pity in his tone. "Guess you haven't had any exciting commissions lately either."

Paimon shrugged. "What can you do? Mondstadt's so safe now it's almost boring. No Treasure Hoarders, no hilichurls. Just slime cleanups and delivery work."

But her mood bounced back quickly. "Sometimes we find an unclaimed chest though—that's still exciting!"

Even with the dull work, Paimon's optimism about the little joys of life never faded.

Shao Yun nodded. "If it gets too boring, we could always head to Liyue."

Meanwhile, Lumine handed the letter to Glory.

Glory trembled as she received it, fingers brushing over the paper's surface. With furrowed brows and a spark of hope, she asked softly, "Whose letter is this?"

Lumine looked at her, saw that fragile blend of anticipation and anxiety, and replied gently, "A knight named Godwin asked me to bring it to you."

At the name "Godwin," Glory lit up.

"Really? A letter from Godwin?"

Her voice overflowed with joy and longing, as if she could already feel the warmth in the letter.

Clutching the envelope to her chest like a treasure, she inhaled deeply, as though drawing in the lingering scent of his words.

Then she held the letter back out to Lumine, her voice trembling with a quiet request.

"Would you mind reading it for me?"

Lumine smiled and took the letter, beginning to read it aloud, carefully and gently.

Most of it was boldly affectionate—descriptions of intimate moments between lovers. It turned Lumine's face as red as a cooked shrimp.

"The stone hills of Liyue Port catch every knight's attention, but I don't care for them. Too rough—they'd scrape your hands. I prefer the petals of a flower called Silk Flower, soft to the touch and faintly fragrant. If it weren't so far, I'd bring you some. You'd love them."

As Lumine read, Glory's face glowed with delight. In her mind, she followed Godwin's words across mountains and seas, all the way to Liyue Port.

She could see the landscape, smell the floral breeze, even feel the texture of those stones and blossoms.

"So, Godwin made it to Liyue, huh," she sighed. "I wish I could see the Silk Flower blossoms myself."

Once Lumine finished the letter, Shao Yun pulled her aside.

Lumine was still flustered from reading such flowery words. She lowered her head and asked softly, "What's up?"

Shao Yun, noticing her awkwardness, frowned and asked, "Weren't you and Paimon adventuring around Mondstadt? When did you suddenly jump to Liyue?"

Lumine glanced up at him, blinked, steadied her breath, and shook her head.

"I've been in Mondstadt all morning. There's no way I could've gone to Liyue in that time."

She looked at Glory, still hugging the letter dreamily, and turned back to Shao Yun.

"Actually, Godwin isn't in Liyue at all. He fell behind while searching for a keepsake Glory gave him. He never even left Mondstadt."

Shao Yun's brow furrowed. "Then why hasn't he come back? Camping in the wild isn't smart."

His voice held a note of criticism—he clearly didn't approve of Godwin's behavior.

Lumine shrugged helplessly. "I told him the same. But he said it'd be too embarrassing to return empty-handed, so he's staying out there, waiting for the Grand Master to return and come back together."

She sounded exasperated by his stubbornness.

Waiting for the Grand Master? Might as well wait till next century!

Shao Yun scoffed. "His so-called pride isn't worth your shoe insole. Where is he now?"

Lumine blinked at his phrasing—something felt odd about that line, but she couldn't put her finger on it.

After a pause, she decided to tell him. "We ran into him on the way to Windrise. He's probably still camped nearby."

Shao Yun nodded, cracked his neck, and grinned. "Time to go fetch the fool."

Lumine, seeing his eager expression, frowned. "You're not planning to beat him up, are you?"

His smile vanished in an instant. "Really? You think I'm that violent?"

"I'm bringing him back, not sending him to the underworld. Have a little faith—I'm a nice guy!"

His tone was playful, trying to ease her concern.

"Nice?" Lumine crossed her arms and eyed him skeptically. "If I didn't know you better, I'd never believe that."

"I'm harmless!"

Shao Yun sighed. "I've been so bored in Mondstadt I'm about to grow mushrooms. You, me, and Paimon guarding cargo balloons? C'mon."

He needed something to do. If he couldn't rob or fight, he'd settle for meddling in other people's business.

He raised a brow and looked at Lumine. "Helping a love-struck girl reunite with her knight—what could be nobler? Come with me?"

His eyes sparkled with excitement, clearly enjoying the idea.

Lumine considered for a moment—then her stomach growled.

Covering it quickly, she blushed. "I'll stay here and wait. I'm hungry… don't wanna run around."

Shao Yun laughed, pulled two big, glossy apples from his pack, and handed them over.

"Here—one for you, one for Paimon. Snack on these, and once I bring that guy back, I'll take you both to a proper meal."

Lumine took the apple, bit in, and her mood instantly lifted.

She handed the other to Paimon and, mouth full of apple, said cheerfully, "Go on then—but come back quick, we'll be waiting."