Genshin Impact: The Sharpshooter of Teyvat

So, Shao Yun followed Ying and Paimeng and walked towards the closed door leading to the next area.

At this time, a girl wearing the Adventurer's Association uniform, namely "Zhi Qiong", was standing in front of the closed door.

When she heard footsteps behind her, she turned around and looked at Ying, Paimon and a man she didn't recognize who were rushing over.

Zhiqiong coughed weakly twice, then greeted: "Ahem, senior. And..."

Zhiqiong observed Shao Yun carefully and felt that he was the man Ying often mentioned whom she met during the travels.

So, with a hint of tentativeness, she took the initiative to greet him.

"You must be Mr. Shao Yun, whom our seniors often mentioned. Hello, my name is Zhiqiong. I am a cartographer for the Layered Rock Abyss Expedition Team."

Zhi Qiong said with a smile, trying to find a topic to talk about, so as not to let Ying and Paimon bring the topic to him for the time being.

However, before Shao Yun could respond, Paimeng quickly approached Zhiqiong and said with a hint of worry in his tone.

"Zhiqiong! Didn't we agree that you should have a good rest? Why are you still forcing yourself like this?"

Ying also nodded in agreement and said with concern: "Everyone is concerned about you. Come back with me. You really need to rest."

Zhiqiong lowered her head and intertwined her hands, looking a little nervous and uneasy.

She said softly, "Senior, I... of course I know they are worried. But like I said, this is what adventurers are like!"

As soon as the word "adventurer" was mentioned, Zhiqiong opened up and began to express his inner thoughts.

She was a little excited, and there was a firmness in her voice.

"There are no adventurers in this world who don't risk their lives. I don't want to sleep in bed in a few decades, so old that I need others to feed me and help me go to the toilet..."

"I would rather be in danger than be alone with peace and boredom. It's better for me to stay here and live than to lie down on a soft bed and wait for the end."

"I know I...belong here. But I don't belong in a comfortable job in the General Services Department, nor do I belong in Mora in the Khediv."

After listening to Zhiqiong pour out her innermost thoughts, Ying felt a little overwhelmed.

She didn't know how to respond, so she could only whisper in a gentle voice: "Zhi Qiong..."

Zhi Qiong seemed a little excited, and continued: "Compared to those lucky ones who have the 'Eye of God', the act of 'adventure' itself, as well as the meaning of exploration and challenge, can only be truly experienced and understood by ordinary people like us."

After saying this, Zhiqiong's gaze fell on the red eye of God inlaid with a skull carving on Shao Yun's waist, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

After hearing what Zhiqiong said, Paimeng responded excitedly: "You keep talking about your feelings, but have you ever considered other people? Everyone is worried about your physical condition, you can't just think about yourself!"

After hearing what Paimong said, Zhiqiong said apologetically: "I have said before that this is my own business and has nothing to do with others. I... I am really sorry if my behavior makes others feel uncomfortable..."

At this point, Zhiqiong still said firmly: "But... I just... don't want to be forgotten."

"At least I left behind a map and witnessed the magnificent sight beneath the abyss... At least as an ordinary person, I once set foot in this mysterious forbidden land."

After saying this, Zhi Qiong turned to face the tightly closed door and said excitedly: "Because... behind this door, there may be the footprints of the legendary Yaksha who protected Liyue. If my map can be extended to that area..."

“I don’t know if I can make it there, but… I hope to get closer to that unknown destination, and perhaps uncover the real reason for the changes in the Layered Abyss…”

Paimon advised softly, "What if the space behind this door is full of dangers? You just want to prove your existence, but if you encounter danger..."

Zhi Qiong answered without hesitation: "I don't care about any danger! I can even pay the price of my life for it, as long as I can leave my mark!"

When Ying and Paimeng heard Zhiqiong's firm declaration, they didn't know how to refute it for a moment.

When Shao Yun learned that Zhiqiong was willing to pay the price of his life, he responded calmly: "Then go ahead, I support you."

When Paimeng heard that Shao Yun actually supported Zhi Qiong, he widened his eyes, looked at him in disbelief, and shouted: "What? Shao Yun, you are simply pushing Zhi Qiong into the fire pit!"

Shao Yun turned to look at Paimeng and explained calmly: "Paimeng, I think that since she has decided to pursue what she desires at all costs, we should respect her choice and give her our blessing..."

Shao Yun thought to himself, Zhiqiong is determined to die, so let's respect her fate. Since she is not afraid of death, there is no need to persuade her.

Moreover, instead of interfering too much in the lives of others, Shao Yun feels that it is better to focus on his own life and live his own life well, which is the most important thing.

When Zhiqiong heard Shao Yun express his support for his behavior, he felt a strong surge of excitement in his heart, and it seemed that all the physical discomfort disappeared instantly.

She said excitedly: "It turns out that she is the lover of the senior! She is so considerate!"

Then, Zhiqiong looked at Ying expectantly and said, "Senior, since your lover supports me, then I..."

However, Ying did not respond as she wished, but stepped hard on Shao Yun's riding boots to show her dissatisfaction.

Then, Yingxing opened her eyes wide, stared at Zhiqiong, and said firmly: "Don't listen to him. In the field of adventurers, Shao Yun should call me senior just like you!"

Zhiqiong was a little surprised by Ying's words and expression. It was the first time she saw Ying with such an expression.

Although in Shao Yun's eyes, Ying's expression was just like an angry little rabbit, but to Zhi Qiong, it seemed extremely serious and even a little scary.

Seeing Ying take out the anger of his senior, Zhiqiong's aura suddenly weakened.

When she heard Shao Yun still want to call Ying senior, she couldn't help but ask in confusion: "Ah? Really?"

Shao Yun recalled the experiences on his Adventure Certificate and found that he had indeed not received many serious commissions. The only commission he could take on was to capture the leader of the Mond Treasure Thieves named "Strange Bird".

After Shao Yun finished his recollection, he looked at Zhi Qiong and nodded, then said awkwardly, "How should I put it? I really haven't taken on any commission from the Adventurer's Association. What Ying said is not wrong..."

After hearing what Shao Yun said, Zhiqiong's hopeful mood suddenly became gloomy, and she realized that she might have been too optimistic.

I thought my senior’s lover was also a great adventurer, but I didn’t expect that he was also a novice in adventure…

Ying looked at Zhiqiong's emo face, crossed his arms, and said seriously: "Well, I know Shao Yun's words touched your heart, but for safety reasons, you need to rest now, but you must not be convinced."

After listening to this, Zhiqiong lowered his head slightly and sighed softly.

Ying then said, "How about this, if you can beat me, I'll let you go on. If you lose, you'll just go back up there!"

After hearing this, Zhiqiong widened his eyes in shock. Was this a joke, asking him to fight with his senior?

She asked in disbelief: "Senior, are you kidding?"

Ying looked at Zhiqiong seriously, pointed to the road behind him, and said firmly: "Then go back and have a good rest!"

Zhiqiong lowered her head sadly, tears welling up in her eyes, her voice choked with sobs: "But... I..."

Ying's heart softened when she saw Zhiqiong so sad and lost.

After thinking for a moment, she offered a compromise.

"How about this? I'll go and deal with the obstacles ahead. You can follow after the danger is cleared! Just because you want to leave your mark doesn't mean you have to pay with your life."

"Even if you leave your name behind, I would rather you live to tell your story to everyone, rather than letting people imagine your story by looking at your young photo and the words on your tombstone."

After Ying said that, Zhiqiong raised his head and firmly refused: "Senior, there is really no need to do this..."

However, Ying waved her hand, with a hint of seriousness in her tone, and emphasized: "Zhiqiong, you must listen to your seniors and have a good rest."

"After all, no one except you can do the later stage mapping work."

Shao Yun and Ying went back and forth, sometimes playing the good cop and sometimes the bad cop, and they managed to fool Zhiqiong into understanding.

After listening to their words, Zhiqiong nodded gently and agreed: "Since the seniors have said so, then okay, I will go back and have a good rest."

"But please be careful and stay safe on your next journey."

……

After Zhiqiong went back along the same route, only Shao Yun, Ying and Paimeng were left at the scene.

Shao Yun recalled the time when he encouraged Zhiqiong to take the risk, looked at Ying, and asked cautiously: "Will you blame me for supporting Zhiqiong's idea?"

Ying sighed softly, rubbed her forehead helplessly, and replied with a wry smile: "How could I blame you... But this is also one of the reasons why I don't want to take you on an adventure!"

"If it's like this every time, I'll really be mad at you!" After saying that, she glared at Shao Yun fiercely to express her dissatisfaction.

When Shao Yun heard that Ying did not blame him, he felt relieved.

He pinched Ying's nose playfully and said with a grin, "Hehe, I see! Well, I have to be more careful next time. No wonder you say work is work and life is life. Sorry~"

However, Ying was not satisfied with Shao Yun's attitude. She reached out and slapped away Shao Yun's hand that was pinching her nose, and said seriously: "Humph, it's good that you know... I hope Zhiqiong can understand my painstaking efforts and don't take risks easily."

Then she fell into deep thought again, worrying whether Zhiqiong really listened to her advice.

Seeing this, Shao Yun quickly comforted him, "Oh, it's okay... Zhiqiong has already gone back. I believe she will consider your suggestion carefully."

"Anyway, let's not think too much about it now, let's go back to the camp."

As he spoke, he put his arm around Ying's shoulders and was about to take her towards Katarina's camp.

When Ying saw that Shao Yun was going to take her back with him, she immediately broke free from Shao Yun's arms.

"Ah? I just promised Zhiqiong that I would quickly eliminate the threat behind the door, and you asked us to go back to the camp. This is really too much of a backtracking."

Shao Yun glanced at the door leading to the next area, then said, "It's okay to keep going forward. Let's go."

After saying that, Shao Yun led the way towards the gate.

Seeing this, Ying quickly grabbed the corner of Shao Yun's clothes and said anxiously: "Wait a minute, Shao Yun, what are you doing with us?"

Shao Yun turned around and asked in confusion: "What's wrong? Didn't you say that you wanted to help Zhiqiong explore the way first? Can't I go with you?"

Ying looked at Shao Yun in confusion and said, "Didn't you accept a bodyguard commission? Why are you following me like this? If your employer finds out that you followed me, won't she be in danger?"

Shao Yun explained with a smile: "With her skills, she can explore here with her eyes closed even if I'm not beside her. Let's go..."

When it comes to the issue of adventure, Paimon also flew over, shook his finger, and agreed: "No, since you have accepted the commission, you must respect it, or don't accept it."

"Shao Yun, your attitude towards the commission is too casual! This is not the quality a good adventurer should possess!"

Paimon continued, "Adventurers should have a sense of responsibility and mission, and should not ignore the interests of their clients because of momentary impulse or personal emotions."

"Shao Yun, your casual attitude may cause you to lose more commission opportunities and damage your reputation."

Ying nodded, indicating that she agreed with Paimon's point of view.

“Yes, Shao Yun, you should go back and protect your employer, we will handle the matters on our side ourselves.