Beisht's eyes flickered with doubt. Its massive body ceased its assault on the jade barrier, and it stared coldly at the human before it.
The sea-blue scales covering its body shimmered faintly in the water. Three enormous heads swayed in the currents, giving the three-headed serpent an aura that was both mysterious and majestic.
"Help me escape?" Beisht's voice was deep and resonant, like muffled thunder reverberating through the seabed. "Who are you? Why would you help me?"
Shajin smiled faintly and removed his sunglasses, revealing a pair of dreamy, otherworldly eyes that seemed to pierce through all illusion. His gaze was calm and profound as he met Beisht's.
"Who I am doesn't matter. What matters is—we share a common enemy," Shajin said slowly, his voice carrying an unshakable confidence.
Beisht's three heads swayed slightly, as if pondering his words. Its eyes narrowed, trying to read the truth in this human's expression.
"A common enemy?" Beisht asked suspiciously.
"That's right," Shajin stood up, hatred burning in his eyes with unmistakable sincerity. "To take revenge on Morax."
A deep roar rumbled from all three of Beisht's heads simultaneously, echoing throughout the underwater cavern and stirring the surrounding water into ripples.
"Revenge? What do you mean by that?" There was a guarded tone in Beisht's voice.
Shajin stepped unhurriedly to the jade barrier sealing the serpent and lightly touched the transparent veil with his hand.
His movements appeared casual, yet carried an aura of unfathomable confidence.
"Your Vortex God, Osial, and His followers were once the undisputed rulers of the seas around Liyue during the Archon War. And yet, Morax sealed them away."
Shajin tilted his head, revealing a faint brand. "As for me, in the nation Morax built—Liyue—my family was slaughtered. I was sold into slavery. Even after I escaped, I was still trampled upon by nobles and high officials. And Morax? He turned a blind eye."
Beisht was silent for a moment before speaking slowly. "Our grudge with Morax is ancient. But now, I've been sealed here for thousands of years. My power is no longer what it once was. Speaking of revenge… is easy. Achieving it is another matter."
Shajin let out a cold laugh, laced with ridicule.
"Hahaha… You so-called gods are truly pathetic! Are you really content to rot in this prison forever? Do you not crave freedom? To once again rule the seas? If we work together, we can shatter this seal—and make Morax pay!"
Beisht's three heads exchanged glances, seemingly weighing his proposition.
Finally, the central head spoke. "Though we do bear deep hatred for Morax, breaking this seal is no simple feat. And even if we succeed, we may not have the strength to defeat him."
Shajin sneered. "What? Do you lack even the courage to try? If we join forces, combining our power, we just might land a heavy blow against him!"
"If you work with me, I can help you break this seal. Then, we'll settle our scores."
A glint of certainty flashed in his eyes, as if victory was already in his grasp. But Beisht let out a cold snort. "Who do you think you are? You, help me break this seal?"
"I know your power, Beisht. You can command tides, summon storms. But now, you're trapped. Your glory and might, stripped away." His tone carried a tinge of sorrow.
"But I… I can free you. And make those who once looked down on us pay the price," he continued to lure Beisht with temptation.
There was a flicker in Beisht's eyes, but it quickly faded. It chuckled mockingly. "You have no idea how powerful Morax truly is. To him, even I am nothing more than a slightly larger ant."
"Of course I know," Shajin shrugged.
"Which is why my goal is to bring calamity to his nation—Liyue. Morax is currently traveling away. Liyue is leaderless, a lamb waiting for slaughter. With your strength, destroying it should be no problem." A cruel smile curled on Shajin's lips.
Beisht fell silent, then asked in a low voice, "And how can I trust you can truly break this seal?"
"Simple. Every formation has a core." Shajin smiled slyly and walked leisurely toward a nondescript rock.
A glint of cunning flashed in his eyes as he drove his right leg—coated in Geo energy—straight into the stone with a forceful kick.
A deafening BOOM echoed through the water as the entire seal trembled violently.
"Fine, human. If you can really help me regain my freedom, I'm willing to cooperate." There was a trace of anticipation and excitement in Beisht's voice.
"Heh… A wise choice. Now then, let the game begin." Shajin's voice dripped with amusement and triumph.
He took a few steps back to distance himself from the formation's core. His right index finger pointed toward it, as the peacock-blue glow of his Vision on his chest flared brightly. A golden Mora coin shot from his hand and landed squarely on the core.
That single coin triggered an immense transformation—water around them swirled violently, forming a massive vortex that engulfed the entire sealed chamber.
Beisht immediately sensed the weakening of the seal. All three of its heads writhed in excitement, and its frenzied assault intensified.
With a savage whirlpool, it slammed into the jade barrier again and again. Each impact deepened the growing cracks.
"I… am free!" All three heads roared in unison, unleashing a deafening bellow as Beisht's full power erupted at last.
Shajin stood silently in the water, watching Beisht's form with a satisfied smile tugging at his lips. He knew—his plan was already halfway complete.
"The pieces are in play. Liyue… are you ready to sit at the table?" he murmured.
Far away, in Mondstadt, Morax suddenly sensed something strange. His brow furrowed slightly, his gaze piercing through space itself toward a distant place deep beneath the sea.
"So… Shajin has made his move," Zhongli said calmly, eyes tinged with gravity.
A figure garbed in green, seated nearby, narrowed his eyes and smiled meaningfully. "How interesting…"
Morax turned to him, his gaze probing. "You seem quite curious about Shajin?"
"Eh-heh!" The green figure raised a wine jug and took a long swig, smacking his lips. "I'm just intrigued. Anyone who can make you react like this must be quite the character."
Morax paused in silence, then said slowly, "By ordinary standards, he is a contradiction—both mad and rational."
Recalling his past encounters with Shajin, Morax's voice carried a trace of nostalgia. "He'll stop at nothing to achieve his goals. But at the same time, he's willing to risk everything to protect what truly matters to him."
The green figure blinked, then nodded vaguely. "Sounds like trouble… And dangerous trouble, at that."
Morax sighed quietly, his gaze once again turning far away. "Indeed… Liyue, are you ready for the storm that's coming?"
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