Chapter 117: Jump Yourselves, or Shall I Help You?

Shao Yun was like a devil returned from hell, mercilessly reaping the lives of the Fatui with his pump-action shotgun.

"Damn it! To hell with you all!"

Madame Ping, the seasoned elder who had seen the world, watched Shao Yun's figure. A flicker of relief passed through her eyes as she whispered, 'This Shao Yun… I thought he would be overwhelmed in this battle. I didn't expect him to be so fierce.'

Paimon turned her head and looked at Madame Ping with a trace of confusion in her eyes.

"Madame Ping, what do you think of Shao Yun?"

Madame Ping smiled faintly, her eyes gleaming with wisdom. "That child, Shao Yun, is polite and always seems to carry many captivating stories."

Paimon nodded, then cast her gaze toward Ganyu and Xiao.

Ganyu thought for a moment, then said with a smile, "The apple Shao Yun gave me… it tasted really good."

Xiao, however, gave a cold evaluation. "He shows no mercy to his enemies. A true warrior."

Paimon knew that these two Adepti weren't particularly familiar with Shao Yun, so she didn't press further.

Madame Ping noticed Paimon's odd expression and asked with concern, "What's wrong, little Paimon? Feeling upset?"

Her heart in turmoil, Paimon turned to Madame Ping, tears shimmering in her eyes.

"Granny Ping, I'm so confused… Shao Yun killed Childe… but he was always so good to me… I don't know what to do."

Madame Ping gently stroked Paimon's head, her gaze full of affection.

"Child, are you angry at Shao Yun?"

Paimon shook her head as tears fell.

"No… but it just feels really awful inside."

Madame Ping smiled gently, comforting her. "Didn't Shao Yun say? If someone could have saved him, he would've lived. Maybe… that was his fate. You must believe—everything will turn out fine."

Something suddenly clicked in Paimon's heart. She wiped her tears and looked at Madame Ping with gratitude. "Thank you, Granny Ping. I understand now."

Paimon thought to herself that once everything was over, she'd ask Lumine to go with her to the Golden House—see if it wasn't too late.

On the vast platform of the Jade Chamber, three Adepti stood side by side, cloaked in radiant light, operating the Guizhong Ballista as they launched an assault on Osial.

Meanwhile, scattered across the platform of the ballista were the remains of fallen Fatui—blood mingled with rainwater in a brutal and mournful tableau.

Shao Yun, the valiant warrior, had already slaughtered most of the incoming Fatui.

He stood atop the corpse of a Cryogunner Legionnaire, a fragment of skull stuck to his face, making him look even more ruthless and resolute.

At that moment, the teleportation gate suddenly closed. Those Fatui who hadn't managed to escape panicked, despair written all over their faces.

Shao Yun casually flicked the bone fragment from his face and swept his gaze over the trembling enemies, his voice icy and decisive.

"Looks like you're not getting away."

The remaining Fatui were cowed by his presence. With every step Shao Yun took forward, they instinctively stepped back.

One Hydrogunner Legionnaire tried to hold onto morale, but the tremble in his voice betrayed his fear.

"D-Don't come any closer!"

Shao Yun smirked playfully at the sight. He raised his pump-action shotgun, aiming it at the now completely demoralized Fatui, his voice low and full of threat: "So what's it going to be? Jump yourselves, or do I send you down?"

Below the Jade Chamber, the ocean churned violently, a raging abyss of fear and despair. The Fatui knew all too well—falling from this height meant certain death.

They exchanged horrified glances, faces pale with helpless terror.

Seeing their fear, Shao Yun let out a sudden shout, startling them into further disarray.

A sudden gust at the edge of the platform sent the already unstable Fatui into deeper panic.

One of them, unable to steady himself, stumbled backward. His face contorted with fear as if a comet had streaked through the night sky.

His arms flailed in the air, desperate for a hold—but all he caught was the hem of a nearby comrade's coat.

Like dominoes, the Fatui toppled one after another, clinging to each other in vain attempts to survive.

But gravity was merciless. One by one, they fell—until the strongest among them, the Hydrogunner Legionnaire, barely managed to grasp the edge of the platform with brute strength.

The other Fatui clung to him like vines, dangling mid-air, their faces twisted in panic and dread.

The Hydrogunner's eyes were wide, his throat hoarse, yet he still mustered all his strength to scream:

"Help! Please!"

Keqing, Lumine, and Shao Yun stood on the platform, witnessing it all.

A flicker of sympathy passed through Keqing's eyes. She was about to call on the Millelith to pull them up—but Shao Yun stopped her.

His gaze was sharp as steel. He looked at Keqing and said flatly, "What are you doing? You want to save them?"

Keqing was taken aback. She stared at him in disbelief. "What do you mean? Are you saying you'll just stand there and watch them fall?"

Shao Yun nodded. He gestured at the dangling Fatui and calmly reasoned, "We need to think rationally—"

Keqing's eyes widened in shock. She couldn't believe this man was human.

"Rationality? To save someone?"

They're people, not beasts!

"They're Fatui. How do we know they actually want to be saved, and aren't just trying to drag someone down with them before they die?"

Keqing was momentarily speechless. She tried to argue, "People speak kind words before they die…"

But Shao Yun remained unmoved. "Look at them. A dozen of them. It's raining. How do we pull them up? And if they're trying to take someone down with them, being kind would get someone killed. Who's going to bet on that?"

He turned to the Millelith behind him. "You all have parents, families. Who's willing to bet their lives on a Fatui's conscience?"

The Millelith exchanged uneasy glances—Shao Yun's words struck home.

If they truly wanted to be saved, fine. But if it was a trick, and they died as collateral… then what?

In the end, they stood by silently. No one dared act rashly.

The Fatui hung below like broken scarecrows, shivering, their faces etched with fear.

The Hydrogunner, once a battlefield terror, now whimpered like a cornered dog: "Please, we really want to live! We swear, no tricks!"

Standing beside Keqing, Shao Yun looked at the pleading Fatui and said coldly, "Creatures like them… they'll do anything to survive. Even sacrifice their own. Miss Yuheng Star, are you really willing to gamble the Millelith's lives on their conscience?"

Keqing heard his words like a boulder pressing on her chest. She hesitated.

Everyone in Teyvat knew what kind of people the Fatui were—but as a leader, she couldn't so easily decide someone's death.

"I… but…"

The Hydrogunner, realizing this might be their final chance, pleaded desperately: "No, no tricks! We promise! Just give us a chance!"

Seeing Keqing falter, Shao Yun took a deep breath and extended his hand. "Miss Keqing, lend me your sword."

Keqing looked at him in surprise. "What for?"

Without elaborating, he said simply, "If someone has to kill, let it be me."

He snatched the Lion's Roar sword from Keqing. In her hands, it shone like a cold star; in his, it exuded a ghostly aura.

Keqing watched him with mixed feelings. She knew he was doing this for the greater good—but still, it was hard to accept such cold resolve.

Maybe… it was because she didn't have the courage to give the order herself…

Shao Yun gripped the sword and said to her, "Someone has to make the decision. I don't care if others hate me. As long as Lumine doesn't object—I fear nothing."

His words, full of determination, moved Keqing.

Lumine looked into his eyes and added, "Like I said, no matter what decision you make—I'll support you."

Sword in hand, Shao Yun walked to the platform's edge.

In the pouring rain, the Hydrogunner still clung to the ledge, trembling as he begged, "Please… don't…"

Shao Yun's face was expressionless. He tapped the ground with the sword tip, a crisp ring echoing out. Then he said coldly, "Two choices. Let go—or I cut your hand off."

The Hydrogunner's face turned paler. He shook his head frantically, voice cracking. "Don't be so heartless! I don't believe you're truly that cruel!"

But Shao Yun didn't waver. He waited—calm, silent.

Then, a system message popped up in his mind.

[Cut off the Fatui's hand: No change in Honor Value.]

[Save the Fatui: 100% chance of being dragged down.]

Looking at the messages, Shao Yun sighed. A dog can't change its nature…

He looked down at the Hydrogunner and asked, "Do you know Jimmy Brooks?"

The man froze, then nodded and gave the same answer as Scrooge.

"I know him—I can take you to him! Just save us!"

Shao Yun sneered. He shook his head. "Tch, the Fatui really are all nuts."

The blade in his hand gleamed coldly. With a low shout, he slashed—silver light tore through the night, a scream echoed—and the Hydrogunner's hand was severed.

Moments later, over a dozen Fatui fell into the raging ocean, swallowed by crashing waves, leaving only bubbles behind.

Shao Yun turned and walked back to Keqing. He returned the sword with a light smile.

"Thanks for the sword. Otherwise, I'd have had to use my boot."

Keqing took it, eyes glancing at the blood still fresh on the blade. She said nothing, just quietly wiped it clean with her sleeve.

Shao Yun didn't speak further. He waved to the others.

"Come on. Let's go watch the Adepti and the Archon fight the real show."

Atop the Jade Chamber, the three Adepti were using the Guizhong Ballista to "give Osial a massage." Each strike brimming with their deep magic, but Osial seemed unfazed.

With all the Fatui dead, Shao Yun, Lumine, and Paimon started a little cookout on the platform!

They ate and chatted, a stark contrast to the tense battle ahead.

Well, their job was done. It's not like they could help much now anyway…

Lumine took a bite of her bread, sweet flavors spreading in her mouth.

She looked up at Shao Yun, puzzled. "Shao Yun… aren't we being a bit too relaxed?"

Shao Yun set down his bottle and nodded.

"You're right, Lumine. How about we cheer for the Adepti instead?"

He stood up and shouted toward the Guizhong Ballista: "Go, Adepti! Beat the bile outta Osial!"

His voice echoed across the Jade Chamber, drawing laughter.

But just then, Osial—seemingly enraged by Shao Yun's shout—reacted.

One of its serpent heads gathered a massive energy surge, then opened wide and spat a huge globby loogie toward the Jade Chamber.

The two-thousand-year-old phlegm struck with a splat! Though grotesque in appearance, it caused no real harm.

The splash hit one of the Millelith, who wiped his face with a bitter smile. "This is an Archon's enemy? I thought it was just a giant spit-spewing turtle!"

Cloud Retainer stared at the massive form, seeing it unharmed. Her tone turned resolute.

"Looks like we can't hold back any longer."

Shao Yun clenched his fist, his tone passionate.

"No more hiding tricks—let's finish off this big spit turtle!"

With Cloud Retainer's command, the three Adepti poured their power into the Guizhong Ballista. The ancient weapon burst with radiant light.

A beam of golden Adepti energy shot through the sky and struck Osial head-on. Its huge body quivered violently before collapsing with a deafening crash—like a falling mountain.

But just as victory seemed near, Osial surged up again, now completely enraged.

Its serpent heads opened wide and spat out three massive globby spitballs.

The spheres expanded in the air, then exploded upward.

Suddenly, a deluge of water meteors fell from the sky like a torrential downpour.

Shao Yun looked up, stunned by the celestial storm of water.

Eyes wide, he shouted:

"Holy shit! Who the hell just did a ten-pull and didn't even get a purple?!"