"The trial of Liyue's criminal—Shajin—officially begins now."
With that solemn declaration, all of Liyue Harbor fell into a hushed silence.
Whispers spread rapidly among the crowd as curiosity and tension mounted.
At the center plaza of Liyue Harbor, a dense crowd of people had gathered, the atmosphere electric with anticipation.
The towering tribunal platform loomed over the square, surrounded by Liyue's citizens.
Shajin was escorted to the stand by two soldiers, his hands tightly bound behind his back. His body bore clear signs of recent combat.
Yet his expression betrayed no regret—only an eerie calm and unshakable composure.
Ningguang stood atop the platform, her gaze tinged with conflicting emotions.
As the Tianquan of Liyue, it was her duty to uphold the law and preserve order.
But now, faced with a former companion, her heart wavered, if only slightly.
"Shajin," Ningguang began slowly, her voice echoing across the square, clear and resolute. "You were once a part of Liyue."
"But you chose a misguided path, threatening the peace and stability of this land. Do you admit your guilt?"
Shajin raised his head, his dreamlike eyes sweeping across the crowd before locking onto Ningguang.
There was no fear in his gaze—only defiance.
"I am not guilty," he said calmly and firmly, as though declaring his stance to the world. "I merely pursued the justice I believe in."
"Justice?" Keqing stepped forward, her cold glare brimming with both fury and sorrow, like flames restrained in her violet eyes.
"Is your so-called justice one that plunges Liyue into chaos and brings harm to its innocent people?" Her voice carried both accusation and condemnation.
Shajin let out a cold laugh, a trace of disdain flickering in his eyes.
"Innocent? In this world, no one is truly innocent. Everyone has their stance and choices. I chose to challenge injustice."
His tone was unwavering, as though fully convinced of his beliefs.
"But your methods have already brought harm to Liyue!" Ganyu couldn't hold back, her voice trembling faintly.
She couldn't comprehend how someone once so gentle could become so ruthless toward his own people.
Shajin remained silent for a moment.
"If someone must pay the price for Liyue's transformation, then let it be me. But I have no regrets."
His voice was resolute, as though prepared to sacrifice everything.
Hu Tao and Yun Jin stared at him, hands bound, unblinking. Deep down, they still believed there had to be another reason behind his actions.
In the crowd below, Charlotte gripped her camera tightly, her knuckles turning white from the strain.
Tension thickened on the tribunal. Every gaze was fixed on Shajin.
Faces were twisted with anger and scorn, as if all their hatred could be cast upon him alone.
"Execute him…"
No one knew who said it first, but the call quickly spread like wildfire.
"Yes! Execute him!" The cries from the crowd grew louder, more fervent.
They seemed to have forgotten they were once oppressed themselves. Now, all they wanted was for the so-called villain to suffer the punishment they believed he deserved.
"Silence!" Ningguang's voice rang out, firm and unwavering.
The crowd slowly quieted, all eyes turning to her in anticipation of the verdict.
Ningguang took a deep breath. She knew that this decision could shape the future of Liyue.
"Shajin, your actions have gravely disrupted the peace and order of this land."
Her voice carried weight. "You challenged the gods, incited conflict, and caused harm to countless innocent people."
She paused before continuing, "Though you claim it was for justice, your means have strayed from its original intent. True justice cannot be achieved through destruction and pain."
Shajin's expression remained composed, unfazed by the looming verdict.
"I acknowledge that my actions caused pain. But I do not believe I was wrong."
His tone was calm and resolute. "If someone must be the sacrifice for Liyue's change, I will be that person."
Ningguang was silent for a long moment. Then, with a trembling breath, she spoke.
"Shajin, your actions have violated the laws of Liyue. You must face the consequences."
"I will accept any punishment."
Shajin didn't hesitate in his response.
"…"
"I understand. As the Tianquan of Liyue, I hereby declare the one responsible for the recent unrest, Shajin—whose crimes include unleashing Beisht, causing significant economic losses and minor injuries among the people of Liyue—"
"For these crimes… I sentence him to dea—"
"Hold on."
A deep and ancient voice resounded from the skies above Liyue Harbor. A massive dragon obscured the sun, spiraling through the air.
"It's the Lord of Geo!"
"The Lord of Geo has returned!"
The entire harbor erupted into cheers. People bowed and shouted reverently as Morax descended.
His divine decree echoed through the skies:
"I am aware of the events of recent days. Though Shajin is guilty, his intent was not the destruction of Liyue. Thus, his life shall be spared. He is hereby exiled."
With that, the dragon turned and flew off without another word.
Relief washed over Ningguang and the others—yes, even Keqing, who was usually so keen to oppose the gods, bowed her head in silence.
None dared object. Morax's divine authority had been etched into Liyue's soul over a thousand years.
"Whew…" Ningguang exhaled slowly.
"In accordance with the Lord of Geo's decree, the final judgment for the criminal Shajin—exile!"
Shajin stood on the tribunal, thoughtful. Moments ago, Morax had sent him a message: someone would be waiting for him at the Stone Gate.
That caught him off guard.
He slowly rose, flipped his hand, and six Mora coins appeared—each one soaring toward Ningguang, Keqing, Ganyu, Hu Tao, Yun Jin, and Charlotte.
None of them dodged. They caught the coins in silence, expressions complicated.
"Heh, think of them as parting gifts~"
Shajin flipped one Mora—the one that represented his freedom—and followed the guards.
They escorted him toward the Stone Gate. As the so-called Gambling Saint and mastermind behind the Great Unrest walked away, they turned and left without a word.
…
"So, you're the ones here to pick me up?" Shajin smiled, sizing up the four figures in front of him with amused interest.
Over the years, his intelligence network had become impeccable.
His inns had spread across all seven nations, turning into his greatest source of information.
A girl with an eyepatch and wings sprouting from her head;
A curvy blonde woman with a commanding presence;
A youth wearing a round cap and a cocky expression;
And a young man whose eyes burned like fire, as though ready to strike at any moment.
"Fatui Harbingers—Third Seat, Eighth, Sixth, and Eleventh."
Shajin named them one by one.
"Heh… I'm flattered by the warm welcome~" He grinned.
_
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