Chapter 120: Banking, An Old-School Art – Part 3

The grand hall of the Northland Bank, once a symbol of bustle and wealth, now stood eerily empty and silent. Its lavish decorations sparkled under the lights like a frozen galaxy, but all that opulence felt hollow, lifeless without the presence of people.

Not a single staff member remained. It was as if they had vanished into thin air. The only ones left were the Fatui Harbinger La Signora and Zhongli.

The two stood quietly in the center of the hall. La Signora's face was pale, her eyes filled with unease and urgency. She kept swallowing, trying to calm the chaos inside.

When she saw the rain outside had stopped, she knew the trial for the people of Liyue had ended, and immediately rushed to the Northland Bank.

Every second she lingered in Liyue was another step toward danger.

As soon as Zhongli arrived, she opened her mouth to speak, her voice tinged with a faint tremble.

"According to the deal, I'm here for your Gnosis, Morax! Hand it over—now! I must leave at once!" Her tone brimmed with urgency and anxiety, as if every passing second brought her closer to doom.

Zhongli, the unshakable Geo Archon, was as calm as ever. He gave a small nod and drew forth an object that glowed softly with divine light—his Gnosis.

He extended his hand and offered the Vision to La Signora.

"The contract is fulfilled. As agreed, I grant you what you were promised."

La Signora all but snatched it from his hand, her eyes sparkling with frenzied delight, as if she were holding something beyond priceless.

She laughed aloud, her voice echoing harshly through the hollow hall.

"Finally got it!" she exclaimed. "I have to leave—right now! Or I'll die a terrible death!" Without waiting another moment, she turned to leave, unwilling to stay even a heartbeat longer.

Zhongli watched her unsteady demeanor, his brow furrowed slightly in confusion. He asked softly, "What are you so afraid of? Why are you in such a panic?"

La Signora froze for a moment at his words, clutching the glowing Vision tightly in her palm as if it were her last lifeline.

She looked up at Zhongli, complex emotions flickering in her eyes, and carefully tucked the Vision into her pocket.

"Morax, didn't you notice? All the Fatui in the Northland Bank… they're gone." Her voice trembled, fear swimming behind her gaze.

Zhongli followed her line of sight across the vacant hall. Indeed, aside from the two of them, there were no signs of life.

He nodded slightly, a thoughtful glint in his eyes, and asked, "What happened? Why did they disappear?"

La Signora took a deep breath, trying to steady the terror within. She spoke slowly, her voice still shaking.

"It was Childe. He was afraid that devil would come seeking revenge, so he evacuated everyone. If I don't get out now, I'll end up the same. If Barbatos hadn't begged that 'devil' for mercy on my behalf last time, I'd already be…"

She stopped herself, clearly unwilling to recall the rest.

Zhongli listened in silence, a complicated expression flickering in his eyes.

He glanced at the tightly shut doors, then said calmly, "I see. But… I'm afraid it's already too late for you to leave."

La Signora froze. Her face went ghostly white, and dread surged from her gut.

"What?! You… you're saying…"

Before she could finish, the massive doors of the Northland Bank exploded with a deafening blast, crashing down in a shower of fragments.

A thick cloud of smoke and dust surged into the hall, the acrid scent of gunpowder filling the air.

Through the haze, a shadow streaked in like a black whirlwind—it was Shao Yun.

With a firm grip on his pump-action shotgun, he fired at the ceiling without hesitation.

The booming shot echoed across the empty bank, vibrating through the very walls.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is a robbery! Don't try anything stupid—money's just money, your lives are what really matter!"

Shao Yun scanned the hall and found only La Signora and Zhongli. No one else.

His heart lit up with glee. Boldly, he yanked down his mask, revealing his unruly, smirking face.

"Well, well! No wonder all the little fish ran—the big fish was waiting right here."

La Signora's expression darkened instantly at the sight of him. She glared at Shao Yun, her voice seething with fury.

"You bandit! Osial was just suppressed, and now you come to rob the Northland Bank? Are you out of your mind?!"

Shao Yun remained unfazed. He holstered the shotgun and drew his cowboy revolver—Goat's Blessing—pointing it straight at her forehead.

He sneered. "I don't care about Liyue's politics. I've been eyeing this place for ages. Since the Fatui broke our deal, I figured I'd seize the chance."

He licked his dry lips, a dangerous glint in his eyes.

"Funny, isn't it? You're here too. This time, Barbatos won't be flying over from Mondstadt to save your ass. You're done."

La Signora, infuriated by his arrogance, steadied herself. She took a deep breath and replied coldly, "Devil! I won't be caught off guard like last time. And let me return the favor: you're the one who's going to die here."

At that moment, Zhongli stepped between them, his expression serene, as if the mounting tension didn't concern him at all.

He raised a hand to Shao Yun in a calming gesture.

"Please, Mr. Shao Yun—wait."

Shao Yun turned, eyes puzzled. "Don't tell me you're planning to protect her, Zhongli. She's not even from Liyue! Why would you defend her?"

Zhongli didn't answer directly. He shook his head, then pointed to the corridor. "You came to rob the place, yes? The vault is that way. Go on."

Shao Yun glanced in the direction Zhongli indicated, confusion flashing in his eyes.

"Mora doesn't grow legs. I can shoot her now and rob the vault after. Same difference."

He raised his revolver again, voice full of threat.

Zhongli remained unfazed, shaking his head resolutely. "I need her to deliver the Gnosis to the Tsaritsa. If you kill her, who will carry it?"

Shao Yun scoffed. "Then ship it through the Adventurers' Guild. Overnight express to Snezhnaya. Problem solved."

Zhongli, seeing the futility of reason, steeled himself.

He knew, to secure his own retirement, he had to resort to other methods.

He inhaled deeply, gaze unwavering. "Shao Yun, let's make a contract. If you spare La Signora and let her leave with the Gnosis, I'll tell her everything I know… about Lumine's brother."

Shao Yun's eyes widened in shock. He stared at Zhongli, searching his expression.

"You sure? If you're lying, I swear I'll send you to the afterlife."

Zhongli's expression didn't waver. He spoke calmly, "Her brother's name is Aether, isn't it? She's traveling to find him. I'll tell her everything I know. I won't be like Barbatos, sending her to the next nation with vague hints."

Shao Yun hesitated. He swallowed, slowly lowering his gun.

He knew—this was an offer he couldn't refuse.

"…You just named a price I can't turn down," he muttered.

He turned to the woman behind Zhongli—Rosalyne, the Fatui Harbinger known as La Signora.

"Rosalyne, luck's on your side. Two Archons just begged for your life. But remember—luck runs out. Next time, you won't be this lucky."

La Signora, proud and cold, casually wiped her lips. "Right back at you. Your luck won't last forever either, Shao Yun."

He scoffed, his gaze laced with disdain. "At least I'll die after you."

As La Signora left, Shao Yun turned to Zhongli. "You better really tell Lumine about her brother."

Zhongli's deep gaze flickered with layered emotions.

"Those who break contracts… shall suffer the punishment of stone."

The weight of that oath felt real—its power undeniable.

Shao Yun's doubts faded slightly. He knew Zhongli: if he made a vow, he would see it through.

So, without further words, he turned toward the vault of the Northland Bank.

"I've got a vault to rob. Don't have time for you."

As he walked off, Zhongli suddenly spoke again.

"Let me offer you some advice."

Shao Yun stopped, turning back with a puzzled look. "What advice?"

Zhongli said slowly, "Make more friends. Fewer enemies. It'll help you on your journey."

Shao Yun snorted. To him, it sounded like empty words—

But still, he nodded.

"Sure. As long as it's not the Fatui, I get along with everyone. Honestly, I even think I could get chummy with the Treasure Hoarders."