Anastasia, being a member of the Fatui, naturally had solid mental composure. As soon as she stepped into the Knights of Favonius Headquarters, she immediately calmed herself and began contemplating how to make her move against them.
Shao Yun pushed open the door to the Acting Grand Master's office, then turned back and invited the Fatui envoy inside.
Jean looked at the masked Shao Yun—were it not for his distinctive outfit, she might not have recognized him.
"Acting Grand Master Jean, our impolite guest has arrived."
There was a casual smile hanging from the corner of Shao Yun's mouth as he spoke in an exaggerated tone, as if narrating a trivial joke. Even his gestures during the introduction were completely unrefined, casually waving about.
Anastasia was visibly displeased. "Please show some respect to us diplomats."
"I could have tied you up like a twist of dough and thrown you back to the Goth Hotel. But I didn't. The fact that I'm still politely introducing you right now? That's already the height of courtesy."
He pointed to the window after speaking, signaling that he could throw her out at any moment.
"I don't see any part of you being polite," Anastasia muttered with a trace of uncertainty—just a weak complaint, but Shao Yun took it seriously.
Without the slightest fear, Shao Yun leaned in close, his gaze firm and sharp.
"Then I can show you what me being impolite really looks like."
He then moved behind Jean, leaning forward with his arms resting on the chair, glaring provocatively at Anastasia.
"Acting Grand Master Jean, I believe idle personnel should be dismissed from the room."
Jean had no intention of obliging her. The Fatui had caused her enough trouble in recent days; seeing them flustered gave her a deep sense of satisfaction.
"He's not an outsider, and this isn't a formal diplomatic meeting either. Unless, of course, you Fatui have something to hide."
Jean knew full well not to side against her own people. Shao Yun was helping to keep the Fatui in check—she couldn't afford to become a weak link.
"Fine then. Since Acting Grand Master Jean insists, I'll treat him as air."
It was a tantrum rooted in powerlessness—just some empty words to salvage a shred of dignity.
At first, the meeting proceeded with basic diplomatic niceties and mutual greetings. Anastasia had intended to dominate the conversation with an aggressive stance, but Shao Yun's constant staring unnerved her. Ultimately, she was forced to respond respectfully, sticking to protocol.
With the pleasantries over, they dove into the real discussion.
There were the usual topics: the losses suffered by Snezhnaya merchants due to the Stormterror crisis, and questions about whether the Knights of Favonius were capable of protecting foreign traders.
Jean deftly neutralized Anastasia's diplomatic attacks with ease—this wasn't her first rodeo. But she also knew the true battle hadn't yet begun—this was merely the appetizer.
Realizing her offensive was being effortlessly dismantled, Anastasia brought out her ultimate weapon.
"Stormterror attacked Mondstadt, and yet it took a foreigner—a traveler—to resolve the crisis for you."
At those words, the faintest tension in Jean's expression was immediately noticed by Anastasia, who believed she had found the perfect opening to press her attack on the Knights' incompetence.
"Doesn't that suggest the Knights of Favonius no longer have the strength to protect Mondstadt?"
"If the Knights are truly incapable of dealing with such threats, then I suggest that Mondstadt's defenses be handed over to the Fatui."
Jean clenched her hand into a fist at her mouth, furrowing her brows deeply. It was hard to argue—on the surface, it did appear that Mondstadt had failed to respond effectively to Stormterror.
Then Anastasia said something that nearly ignited the powder keg in Jean's heart.
"The dragon crisis in Mondstadt, from our Fatui perspective, could be resolved very quickly. All we need to do is eliminate that mad beast—"
"Enough. Shut up."
Anastasia, who had been brimming with smugness, and Jean, who had been caught in contemplation, both froze. Shao Yun had rubbed his neck and cut her off.
"You called one of Mondstadt's Four Winds a mad beast? And you claim you could've dealt with it swiftly? Does that mean you've already planned to take action behind the Knights' backs?"
Anastasia, thinking she held the upper hand, grew bolder, especially after Jean had been rendered speechless.
"We Fatui aren't like you Knights of Favonius. We don't dawdle. We eliminate threats swiftly and decisively."
Shao Yun saw her getting too cocky—he figured it was time for a little pressure. Maybe even some physical correction, if it came to that.
He stepped forward and pressed down on the back of her chair, looming over her.
"In fact, we've already found a solution to the dragon crisis in Mondstadt. Want to hear it?"
Shao Yun's intensity made Anastasia swallow nervously.
"Y-You… go on then."
She convinced herself he was bluffing. After all, everything pointed to the Knights being powerless against Stormterror. She forced a confident smile, prepared to mock his so-called solution.
Shao Yun pointed to her forehead, his voice booming like thunder, making Anastasia's scalp tingle.
"It's because you Fatui have repeatedly undermined Mondstadt that the Anemo Archon became enraged and sent his avatar to purge you. The attacks on Mondstadt? They were meant for you, the Fatui vermin infesting this city."
"If we just arrest all of you, half get beheaded in front of the Archon's statue, and the other half go into a giant cauldron outside the city, boiled alive and fed to Stormterror, we'd calm the Archon's wrath right then and there."
At that, Shao Yun raised both hands high above his head and clapped them together—smack—a sharp, resonant sound that echoed like a drumbeat in the room.
"And just like that, the dragon crisis is solved!"
Anastasia looked at Shao Yun as though she were staring at the devil himself. Strangely, she could actually imagine the horrific scene he described.
"Acting Grand Master Jean, is this how your Knights treat their guests?" Anastasia turned her gaze to Jean, hoping she'd intervene and cool Shao Yun down.
But Shao Yun grabbed her by the chin and made her look into his eyes.
He then raised three fingers, ready to break down her errors.
"First, I'm not a knight."
"Second, you're trying to interfere with Mondstadt's defenses. I've never seen a guest try to seize their host's home. Mondstadt's affairs are none of your damn business."
"And finally—look outside!"
Anastasia and Jean followed his finger to the office window. Outside, there was no storm—just a clear, sunny sky with radiant sunshine.
"The storm… is gone?" Anastasia said in shock. How could that be? When had the storm around Mondstadt vanished?
Shao Yun nodded, then pointed a finger at Anastasia's nose, his tone merciless.
"That's right. While you were babbling nonsense and making ridiculous demands, we already resolved the problem Stormterror posed to Mondstadt."
"So now, get out."
With his left index finger pointed squarely at the door, Shao Yun stared her down, his voice exuding an undeniable authority.
Anastasia stood frozen, utterly stunned by the sudden dismissal. Her expression was one of disbelief and confusion.
"What!"
Without hesitation, Shao Yun grabbed her by the back of her collar and dragged her out of the office like a sack of trash.
"I said—" he yelled, throwing open the Knights of Favonius Headquarters' doors, "—get out!"
He flung her outside. Anastasia had never imagined someone would be so brazen—throwing out a Fatui emissary just like that.
"You…" Anastasia stared at Shao Yun in disbelief, trying to memorize his face—but unfortunately, his mask concealed his identity.
Shao Yun's eyes radiated authority and menace, piercing through like they could see into her soul. His voice was cold and low, chilling to the bone.
"Mondstadt's matters are not for outsiders to meddle with. And if you dare bring up the dragon crisis again, I'll kill you all, then declare to the entire continent that you died in an accident caused by Stormterror!"
That's when Anastasia noticed the Vision on his waist glowing with a crimson light. Her face turned pale with terror. She realized this man could and would carry out that threat.
Her body trembled. She couldn't meet his gaze, heart filled with fear and reverence. She understood: any rash move now would have disastrous consequences.
She stood up, preparing to return and report on this disastrous meeting—but before leaving, she couldn't help but hiss a threat.
"You'll regret this!"
"If you don't shut up and leave now, you won't be leaving at all!" Shao Yun raised his fist, pretending to go after her.
Terrified, Anastasia ran off without looking back.