Genshin Impact: The Sharpshooter of Teyvat

Within the ornate ceremonial hall, Ningguang stood high above the crowd alongside Ganyu and Keqing, ready to preside over this grand Rite of Parting. Their gazes locked onto one person in the crowd—someone unmistakable: Lumine.

The three exchanged glances. Once they had reached a consensus, they nodded slightly and gestured to the waiting Millelith nearby.

The Millelith moved at once, slicing through the bustling sea of people like sharp blades cutting through waves.

A Millelith captain, composed and dignified, approached Shao Yun and gave a respectful salute before speaking.

"Greetings. Lady Ganyu, Lady Tianquan, and Lady Yuheng have extended a special invitation to the three great heroes who saved Liyue. They would like a word with you."

The once-noisy venue fell silent in an instant. All eyes turned to Shao Yun, Lumine, and Paimon. The three had suddenly become the focal point of the entire event, drawing looks of curiosity and admiration from every direction.

Whispers rippled through the crowd. A male voice rang out, "Huh? Heroes of Liyue? You mean they're the ones who defeated that terrifying sea monster?"

A woman nearby sighed in admiration. "That guy is so tall and handsome! And the girl sitting on his shoulders is adorable!"

Then a child's innocent voice chimed in, "That floating one… um… is she their kid?"

Paimon's face flushed with outrage. She stomped furiously in midair, fists waving. "Hey! I'm not their kid!"

Shao Yun couldn't help but chuckle at Paimon's frustration. He gently patted her head and teased, "Come on, Paimon, say 'Daddy.' Just once."

Paimon puffed her cheeks in anger. "Hey! Shao Yun! Quit it!"

Perched on his shoulders, Lumine covered her mouth, giggling uncontrollably.

…

Shao Yun approached Ningguang with confident strides, Lumine still seated on his shoulders and Paimon floating nearby.

At that moment, Lumine could feel the attention from all around. She tugged gently on Shao Yun's hair and whispered, "Shao Yun, I think you can put me down now."

Shao Yun tilted his head slightly, looking up to meet her eyes. "What's wrong? Is sitting up there uncomfortable?"

Lumine shook her head, a faint smile playing at her lips. "It's not that. It's just… a matter of decorum. You understand, right?"

Realization dawned on Shao Yun, and he nodded in agreement.

He slowly crouched down and gently let Lumine slide off his shoulders, helping her land safely on the ground.

Ganyu, who stood nearby, watched the scene with a tender smile. She said softly, "You two seem very close."

Her voice wasn't loud, but clear enough for those around to hear.

Paimon nodded in agreement. "That's the vibe I get too."

Shao Yun rubbed his chin, a smug grin creeping onto his face. "Maybe it's because I'm too handsome. Caught Lumine's heart, you know?"

Lumine gave him an exasperated look and chuckled. "This is the first time I've seen you so full of yourself."

Shao Yun laughed it off, raising his chin with mock pride. "If I were ugly as sin, you'd have tossed me back into the sea long ago."

Lumine shook her head with a sigh. Just one kiss and he's already this proud. If I actually find my brother, I don't even want to imagine what he'll turn into.

…

"May I ask why you've called us?" Lumine looked at Ningguang and asked softly, her voice as gentle as a breeze over still waters.

Ningguang smiled slightly, a glint of intellect flashing in her eyes. "I once made a deal with Mr. Shao Yun. I promised to grant you one wish. So, before the Rite begins, I'd like to hear what it is."

Her words dropped like a spark into a barrel of gunpowder. The crowd instantly erupted with noise and disbelief.

Faces twisted in shock. A merchant-like man stared in awe and muttered, "Lady Tianquan is granting that girl a wish? That's the most incredible thing I've heard in my entire life!"

A bespectacled young man nearby stammered in excitement. "Y-yeah! If it were me, I'd ask for a mountain of Mora! That's been my dream forever!"

Lumine fell into thoughtful silence. Her eyes shifted to Ningguang, searching those deep, intelligent irises.

The crowd gradually calmed, holding its collective breath, eager to hear the wish that had sparked such curiosity.

Time seemed to freeze.

"I'm sorry, I don't know yet. Could you give me some time to think about it? I'll tell you after the ceremony ends, if that's alright?" Lumine said, slightly embarrassed—it had all happened so suddenly, and she needed time to consider.

Ningguang instinctively wanted to say "Missed opportunities won't wait," but when her eyes landed on Shao Yun standing beside Lumine, she swallowed the words.

She had a feeling that if she said something like that, Shao Yun might put a bullet through her head the next second.

"Of course."

Lumine gave a sheepish smile. "Thank you."

Then, Ningguang invited Shao Yun, Lumine, and Paimon to help preside over the Rite of Parting.

At noon, as the moment arrived, Ningguang nodded at a Millelith beside her.

The armored soldier stepped forward with an imposing presence and began reading the official Qixing announcement, his voice ringing out loud and solemn:

"Hear the proclamation of the Qixing, all citizens take heed: Though dragons and qilin may live long as mountains, they too return to dust. The Archon, sovereign among mortals, whose fate was tied to sun and moon alike, now has ascended to the heavens. Rumors spread in alleys and streets of an assassination, but these are falsehoods. It was heavenly judgment, a trial divine. Let Liyue mourn, yet guard your hearts. And let no one be misled by wild speculation."

The venue buzzed with conversation, while Paimon wore a baffled expression. She blinked her large eyes and asked softly, "Ningguang, what does that mean?"

Ningguang smiled gently and patted Paimon on the head, signaling for her to be patient. Shao Yun leaned closer and explained in a low voice, "It means the official story is that the Archon died from a heavenly trial—not an assassination."

Then he added, "But honestly, we could totally blame it on the Fatui. Dead ones can't argue, and the rest have already fled."

Ningguang heard his words and paused, though her expression remained unchanged. Deep inside, she understood—Liyue stood at a turning point. She had to stabilize the people and lead them into a new age.

She took a deep breath and stepped forward, eyes sweeping across the entire crowd. Her voice rang out clear and steady, like a breeze carrying spring:

"The Archon's soul has returned to the heavens. This marks the end of a contract, and the close of an era. We, the people of Liyue, once lived in such joy that we forgot the cold indifference of time."

Her tone was tinged with sorrow. She paused, emotions welling up.

"But when the dream ends, we learn how to say goodbye. The age of gods is over. The age of humans has arrived. And when this new contract is forged—will you bless the era to come?"

Her words were followed by thunderous applause. The crowd cheered their support, believing in the brighter future Ningguang promised.

After her calculated and thoughtful speech, the atmosphere took on a heavy solemnity.

Then Keqing stepped up, bringing with her a refreshing air. Her voice was crisp and powerful, each word charged with an undeniable magnetism that drew everyone in.

Her speech was like a mountain stream—firm in its conviction, yet filled with hope for what lay ahead.

She spoke with heartfelt love for the land and deep respect for those who had toiled in it.

As she spoke, people felt the glimmer of hope rekindling and the warmth of unity binding them together.

When her speech concluded, applause once again burst forth.

Finally, Ganyu stepped forward.

"Thank you for coming at this special time to send the Archon off with your blessings. But we mustn't live in the past. We must cherish the present and live earnestly, so that the Archon's spirit may rest in peace."

Her brief, sincere words brought the ceremony to a perfect close.

As Ganyu finished, the Rite of Parting officially ended. People exchanged farewells and gradually dispersed. The commotion faded, leaving only scattered whispers and the soft shuffling of footsteps.

Yet as the crowd thinned, one distant figure stood out among the rest.

It was Zhongli. He remained in place, his deep gaze fixed on Shao Yun, Lumine, and Paimon.

Shao Yun noticed his stare and gently tapped Lumine's shoulder to signal her.

"Hm? What is it?" Lumine looked at him in confusion, but quickly caught on.

She winked with a playful grin.

"Alright. I get it."