Chapter 119: Banking, An Old-School Art – Part 2

Lumine and Paimon stood frozen, their eyes filled with incredulous fear.

A tumult of unnamable emotions churned in their hearts, and an old Liyue proverb echoed in both their minds.

"The coward starves, the bold gets stuffed."

Standing beside them, Shao Yun's eyes gleamed with excitement and anticipation.

Looking at the shocked faces of Lumine and Paimon, he smiled and said, "I know you're both really excited right now, but please calm down first."

Shao Yun's tone brimmed with confidence and pride, as if he were about to unveil the most precious treasure in the world.

He took a deep breath to settle himself, then continued, "From now on, as long as you're willing, we can go to Liuli Pavilion or Xinyue Kiosk anytime to enjoy the finest food, live in the best places, and use the best goods. We'll never have to worry about money for the rest of our lives."

His words were filled with hopeful visions of the future.

Paimon was so shocked she could barely string together a sentence. "Th-this is more than I ever imagined…"

Shao Yun looked at Lumine and Paimon with sincerity and a plea in his eyes. He spoke softly, "I want you both to be there with me, to witness this moment. Come with me to the Northland Bank, right now! I want you to see mountains of Mora piled up."

Suddenly, a flicker of worry and unease crossed Paimon's expression.

She thought of Tartaglia, whose fate was still unknown in the Golden House, and her heart tightened.

Faced with Shao Yun's request, she hesitated for a moment before choosing to lie.

"Shao Yun, Lumine and I still have some things to take care of." Paimon's voice trembled slightly. She tried to stay calm, but the flicker in her eyes betrayed her. "You know, the Rite of Parting and all…"

Shao Yun immediately caught on to her odd behavior. Watching her blink while lying stirred something indescribable within him.

He furrowed his brow, just about to speak, but when he saw how troubled Paimon looked, he chose silence.

There was probably only one thing that could make Paimon keep something from him…

"No matter what you decide, I'll support you," Shao Yun said firmly and gently, holding Paimon's gaze. "Go on. I trust you."

Paimon gave him a grateful look and hugged him lightly. She knew he had sensed something, but she offered no explanation—and didn't need to.

She knew Shao Yun would understand. He would support her.

Watching them walk away, Shao Yun felt a heaviness settle in his chest. He knew Lumine and Paimon had something important to do. He didn't ask, and he didn't stop them.

If Tartaglia had just begged me, I wouldn't even be doing this… but neither of us can let go of our pride.

"I'm still going to rob the Northland Bank," Shao Yun muttered to himself. "I'll bring back heaps and heaps of Mora." He pressed his lips together, a determined glint in his eyes.

Paimon only nodded slightly in response, acknowledging his words.

The three of them had silently come to an unspoken understanding about what came next.

…

While Lumine and Paimon listened in on the conversation between Ningguang and the Adepti, Shao Yun stood nearby, politely waiting and wiping down his shotgun with gun oil.

Suddenly, Moon Carver's voice exploded through the air.

"The Liyue Qixing! Do you mean to rule with an iron fist now that the Geo Archon has fallen? Are you casting us Adepti aside?!" Moon Carver's tone was icy, clearly showing his distrust of Ningguang and the Qixing.

Shao Yun, focused on cleaning his pump-action shotgun, paused at Moon Carver's words.

Ningguang, unfazed by the accusation, calmly replied, "Liyue's prosperity has always been the result of both the Adepti and the Qixing working together. We have always served the people without personal gain. Your concerns are misplaced."

Granny Ping stepped forward, her warm voice breaking the tension. Smiling gently, she said, "Now, now, Moon Carver, you old grump. Let's not go overboard. It's not just us watching—the people of Liyue will keep the Qixing in check. There's no need to be so tense."

Her words soothed the air like a spring breeze. She added, "As Ningguang said, Liyue is growing up. A child must eventually leave their parents' embrace. We must have faith in a Liyue ruled by mortals."

After hearing this, Moon Carver's eyes shifted toward Shao Yun, filled with a mysterious and unreadable expression.

Shao Yun felt a sudden unease under that gaze. What's with that look? What's this got to do with me? Don't look at me like you're expecting something!

He sighed inwardly. Wrong guy for that. Unless Ningguang's stupid enough to threaten Lumine or Paimon, she could go full autocrat or even crown herself emperor and I still wouldn't care!

At that moment, Cloud Retainer and Mountain Shaper had nothing more to say. Seeing that things had settled down, the three Adepti turned and left.

Xiao watched their departing figures fade into the distance.

He took a deep breath of the fresh post-rain air, nodded slightly, and said in a low voice, "Then I will also take my leave—to track that demonic being. Until we meet again."

Meanwhile, Paimon and Lumine were also preparing to leave. Paimon turned to Shao Yun and said, "Then we'll head out first, Shao Yun. Be careful, alright?"

Shao Yun looked at them, smiled wryly, and replied, "You two too. Stay safe."

Then, he turned slightly, his sharp gaze locking onto Ningguang, who was trying to quietly slip away.

"By the way, Miss Ningguang, dispatch a squad of Millelith. Proceed according to plan."

Ningguang froze mid-step at his voice. She turned around reluctantly.

She gave an awkward nod and tried to mask her unease. "Fine. Keqing, take a squad and seal off the area around the Northland Bank. Don't let any citizens near."

Keqing looked puzzled at the order, frowning slightly. "Lady Ningguang, this…"

Ningguang sighed deeply. "It's part of my agreement with Shao Yun. The Northland Bank will be part of his compensation."

Keqing understood immediately, nodding in acknowledgment. "Understood, Lady Ningguang."

She knew full well—Shao Yun was ruthless. The Northland Bank was as good as gone.

She sighed inwardly. Another storm is brewing in Liyue Harbor.

…

Shao Yun slung his pump-action shotgun over his shoulder. The golden barrel felt heavy, as if it foretold the bloody storm ahead.

He glanced at Keqing beside him, his face filled with exasperation.

"Let's go, Miss Yuheng Star. Time to rob a bank."

Keqing's face turned pale at the word rob. Never in her life did she think she'd be involved in something like this.

She bit her lip hard, trying not to look terrified, but her voice trembled uncontrollably.

"Can you not say it so blatantly?!"

Shao Yun frowned, clearly impatient. "Quit whining. Let's go strike it rich!"

He strode forward, heading straight for the Northland Bank in Feiyun Slope.

Each step echoed with firm determination, as if declaring to Keqing that this mission was inevitable.

Keqing held her forehead and sighed. "Dear Archons… I never thought I'd live to see the day I'd help a 'bandit' rob a bank. If word of this gets out, Liyue's reputation will be in tatters."

Shao Yun stopped, turned to her, and said coldly, "Look, just keep order. Don't let the citizens see me kill any Fatui. That's all you need to do. I'm not asking you to carry the Mora out of the vault. What are you so scared of?"

Keqing shivered at the sheer pressure radiating off him.

She took a deep breath, steeling herself. She knew—at this point, she had to support him without question, or things could get ugly.

"If you complain again," Shao Yun added with a half-smirk, "I might just take a little detour and rob the rich folks on Yujing Terrace too!"

Keqing flinched and quickly caught up to him.

"Fine! I'm scared of you, okay? Who even says stuff like 'not done robbing yet'?!"

Silently, she prayed this would all end smoothly and not cause Liyue any lasting trouble.

…

The morning sun spilled across the quaint streets of Liyue, making the old stone roads gleam.

Keqing followed behind Shao Yun, a squad of Millelith marching in perfect rhythm at their heels.

Their destination: the Northland Bank on Feiyun Slope.

As they walked, Shao Yun, exuding a wild charisma, began "educating" Keqing with his so-called experience.

He pointed to the bustling Mingxing Jewelry not far ahead, his eyes twinkling oddly.

"See that place? Mingxing's been around forever, but it's surprisingly easy to rob. I could storm in alone, sweep up all the jewels, and walk out like a breeze."

Keqing's heart nearly leapt out of her chest. She never thought she'd hear someone speak such outright treason.

But Shao Yun didn't stop. He painted his scenario with even more vivid detail: "Of course, if you want it to be safer, three people would be best—one to keep watch, one to control the people inside, and one to grab the loot. Foolproof."

After Mingxing, he turned the topic to the Northland Bank. His eyes sparkled like he could already see the piles of gold and silver.

"A bank needs more people, though. At least five. One lookout, one to handle the scene, one to do the actual robbing, plus one to open the vault, and another to prep the getaway ride. All set."

Keqing's heart pounded. She could hear her pulse ringing in her ears.

She raised her hand hurriedly to interrupt him. "Stop, please… What you're saying—it's terrifying me…"

Shao Yun shrugged it off and chuckled. "Why be scared? This is all from experience. If someone ever does rob a shop or bank, you'll know how to counter it from my playbook."

Keqing stared at his broad back, a chill creeping up her spine. She took a deep breath and summoned her courage.

"I feel like no one else in the world would come up with stuff like this but you. If a robbery ever happens… I'm just going to arrest you."

Shao Yun blinked, then burst out laughing. "Hahaha! That's a good one."

But Keqing didn't laugh. She swallowed hard, voice trembling. "I really hope… that was a joke."

…

Outside the Northland Bank, Shao Yun swiftly pulled out a face-covering cloth and masked up, leaving only his eyes visible.

With practiced ease, his left hand worked the shotgun pump—ka-chak—loading a round with a deep, metallic sound.

It was like a war drum heralding the start of the raid. His right hand pulled out a stick of dynamite from his backpack.

Keqing, watching his movements, couldn't help but mutter, "You're way too professional at this."

Shao Yun didn't look back, but his voice reached her ears.

"Hold the perimeter. I'm about to get filthy rich."