act14mini

Mom, is Dad going far away again? For how long this time?

The snow and ice upon the river are about to melt. The rain this year has been just right, and it doesn't seem like there will be a drought or a flood.

The newly reclaimed land upstream isn't a whole lot, but it should be enough to grow rice for the family to eat.

Mom, can you try talking Dad out of it? So he can set aside his 'business'? I don't want new clothes or beautiful jewelry. I just want us to have an ordinary family life. That's what's most important.

I'm... kind of scared...

From a poor village to a prosperous town, from green saplings to a field of weeds.

Straw shoes traverse a thousand li, from tall mounts and vast lakes comes one's home.

*pant*... *pant*....

There's a cliff... up ahead...

Dammit! I'm really not gonna get away this time...

Don't panic, you can't afford to lose your cool... Even if you can't win in a fight, there should be enough traps along the way to make her eat it.

When I manage to catch her, I'm gonna need to teach her a hard lesson... for daring to look down on me...

Tired of running yet?

How did you–

Stay back!

You look young, but you've got a hefty bag of tricks. Did the one who taught you to hunt ever tell you that traps meant for beasts won't hold a man?

Besides, aren't you worried that you'd land yourself an extra charge if someone were to fall into one of your traps? Intentional damages?

What a joke... intentional damage? That's nothing! I've got a rap sheet... too long to list!

So what you're telling me is, if I strike you down here, then your death would be deserved?

That's right!

I mean... no, definitely not!

You stay away from me!

See this bag of explosives here? Come one step closer and I'll pull the trigger. No matter how good you are at kung fu, I'll take you down with me!

Alright, I'll stay put then. You answer my question.

Don't think you're gonna get anything out of me!

How did you come to know that band of robbers over in that cave?

Hah, come to know them? I'm their leader.

You might've made short work of my boys, but don't get cocky. I swear, I'm gonna avenge them!

Leader? At your age?

Oh? Got a problem with that? Go ask every village within ten li and see who hasn't heard of the fearsome 'Fang Xiaoshi.'

You'd be scared to death if you knew the terrible things I've done!

Ridiculous...

Twelve hours earlier...

Xiaoshi! Boss!

What's going on? Our enemies looking for trouble?

Am I finally gonna get to fight someone? Can you bring me along this time?

Damn it all, the guys who went to Yumen somehow pissed off a she-devil! She's been rampaging through our men on her way here!

It's too late to pack your stuff, just start running!

What are you talking about? Just one woman?

You guys looked pretty tough when we were showing our moves before, so how come you can't even beat a lone woman?

Shut up!

Cut the crap. Where's the burdenbeast you were in charge of?

Um... I sold it.

You <i>sold<i/> it?!

Weren't you the one who told me to take it to get something to eat?

You dumbass! I told you to ride the burdenbeast into town to trade the gems we looted, and you sold off the burdenbeast too?!

That bags of rocks? The butcher didn't even know what those things were.

He saw our burdenbeast was pretty sturdy, so he gave me a good price. Half in cash, the other half in jerky.

You little––!

How long have we been stuck in these mountains? What's the point raising a stupid burdenbeast anyway? It ate more than us, and who knows when it might've attracted another tuskbeast over.

Ma de! Why'd I ever pick up a little shit like you? You're gonna be the death of me! Why I oughta–

What's a kid doing here?

Who... who the hell are you?

No wounds. Guess you weren't involved in what happened in Yumen.

I know Shanhaizhong's depravity well, but I never expected them to get a little kid involved... Looks like there really is no limit to how low these people will stoop.

I have no idea what you're talking about!

Hey, lemme cut you a sweet deal. I'll let you off the hook for taking out my boys, for the time being.

Step aside, and I'll pretend I never saw you. Then, we'll each go our own way–

I didn't give you permission to leave.

I told you, stay back!

Last warning! I've got explosives...

The boy feels only a gust of wind blowing past him. The cloth bag in his arms is ripped apart, beast jerky and various knickknacks fall to the ground.

Among the knickknacks is a protective talisman carved from a wooden plaque strung on a thick iron key. Painted upon it in conspicuous vermilion brush-strokes are the characters, 'Moushan Village.'

A talisman... from Moushan?

Give it back!

Is this the key to your home?

What's it to you?!

A kid with a family to go back to should not be running around like this.

You're still young, so it's not your fault you don't understand the people you've gotten mixed up with... But, you at least should be able to tell good from evil.

Even if you weren't a part of their plot, if their accomplices ever came knocking on your door, do you know what would happen to you?

Who are you to lecture me on good and evil?

I could also take you to the authorities, and you could explain yourself there.

Though, that would be a little troublesome for me as well...

I'll take you home and let your family sort things out.

No way!

I'm not going back! Over my dead body!

That's not for you to decide.

The boy pulls a short knife from his waist. He extends his arms out straight, and the tip of the knife shakes uncontrollably.

Don't make me do this!

A real man's not scared of death. How can he just bow his head and surrender?

I'm not going with you, no matter what. Kill me, if you have what it takes–

Very well–

Though the woman is clearly two meters away from him, the moment her voice rings next to his ear, the same side of his body goes numb.

Before he can react, a cold blade is already pressed against his throat.

So, you're afraid of death after all.

Good. That means you're not a complete idiot.

There will always come a time when a man must answer for his words and actions. Anyone can say stupid things, but not everyone has fortune on his side.

What... do you want from me...?

Show me the way. I'm taking you home.

This is the last town before the mountains, and there is only one inn to be found.

The place is not particularly spacious, and the two occupy a table in the corner.

The moment the boy's rump lands on the chair, his gaze starts darting around left to right, causing the patrons at the next table to look over.

Qiubai gently places her sword on the table.

No one can save you.

I know, I know. Stop pulling that thing out to threaten people for no reason.

They have been traveling for two weeks. One chases, the other flees. One is angered, the other cowers. Yet through this, they've formed a tacit understanding of sorts.

Head due north from this town, pass through a deserted forest, and you'll see a river at the northernmost end. On the other side is a mountainous area, and there's only one way in. Just follow the road and it'll take you there.

There should be a few villages in the mountains, but I've heard some have relocated over the years. Can't say for sure if the 'Moushan Village' you're looking for is still there.

How much longer do you think it'll take?

The mountain roads are hard to traverse. Even if you try to rush it, it'll probably still take a week.