act14mini

(Anguished moaning)

Don't move, let me take a look...

Seems fine, you didn't break your ankle, at least.

How is it, can you walk?

Thank you...

What's going on? Why are there hunting traps on this path?

Well... uh...

Spring has just begun, and some beasts made their way into the village two days back, so we're taking some precautions.

You still shouldn't lay traps where people walk, though. It's too dangerous... See, you only caught yourself.

Well, I'll come help you after I'm done with my work. I'm pretty good at repelling beasts.

I've got some letters to deliver, so I'd better get a move on.

W-Wait!

Is there something else?

Are you heading to Moushan?

Yeah, what's up?

You... you can't go there.

Why not?

Because...

Oh yeah! In case you didn't know, a mudslide hit this area two days ago and washed out the road!

If the road is out, then how did you get here?

If you could get out, then I can get in. It's just a little mountain climbing, no big deal.

No, wait!

What else?

I... ugh... agh!

I told them I was a horrible liar, and they still put me out here...

Aiyo, I'll just say it. I'm supposed to keep you from going over there.

Even if I have to lie, or convince you or whatever, I can't let you go to the village today. Even if I have to fight you!

I knew it...

You've been acting weird this whole time.

What exactly are you guys trying to pull here?

Oh my, I really... I'm going senile.

*sigh* If you're here about the mudslide, there really isn't much to say...

It happened some distance away from the village, so no one was really affected by it.

I'm sorry you took the trouble to come all the way out here, but the village is fine and there's nothing worth investigating.

Honored Elder, if I could have a moment. There are still some things I want to confirm...

A mudslide is not unusual at this time of year...

But as I understand it, it is standard procedure to build some protective fortifications on the mountain slopes before working on the Chidao proper to prevent these kinds of accidents.

If the fortifications were erected properly, then the Chidao shouldn't have been washed away by the mudslide in the first place.

If there were issues with the fortifications here, it means there might be issues with structural integrity elsewhere as well.

That means there's still a chance of another mudslide further damaging the Chidao, or even hitting the village.

So I have to head up the mountain and get to the bottom of this.

You want to go up the mountain...?

Honored Elder, could you show me the way up?

Well...

I'll be frank with you, girl, it's not that I don't want to help you, but it's the height of planting season. Everyone here is busy with farm work, and one man leading the way means one less hand to work the fields.

If you really have no time to spare, I'd appreciate it if you would be so kind as to point me in the general direction, so I can make my way up alone.

The roads in these mountains are rugged and difficult to traverse, with many branching paths, you could find it very difficult...

Worry not. I shall show thee the way.

You–

Young Shifu Saga, what are you still doing here...?

The past few days, I have enjoyed thine care whilst wandering these parts.

Though I may be lacking in agricultural ability and unable to assist thine farming, I am at least be able to serve as a guide.

Young Shifu, now is not the time—

Honored Elder, I don't really understand what's going on.

I get the feeling you really don't want me going up the mountain...

This whole time, you've been talking about how much damage the disaster has caused the village...

So why don't you care about keeping it from happening again?

Elder, the hunter...

(*whispering*) Elder, please...

I'll be right there.

Today is the day we put Fang Xiaoshi to rest.

Everyone present will bear witness.

To send off a boy less than half your age is truly difficult. But life and death know not reason.

You have done a meritorious service, dying for the village's sake. I pray you are reborn in a better family and place in your next life, and not somewhere like here.

And thus, I declare, Fang Xiaoshi is dead.

Hunter. As his father, I think it would be best for you to place your son's grave marker yourself.

Wait, I have a question...

You say Xiaoshi died for the village, and will be buried here...

But have you truly treated him as one of your own?

Even when we're finished here, will you really let him live in the village?

What are you asking?

Come on, the mandarins might just be around the corner. Don't screw this up for us!

How could I even...? All of you know that I'm hurt and sick, you could say I'm already halfway in the ground, at this point.

I've been long content to live on like this, but for Xiaoshi... let my son live in peace...

Didn't we already agree to that? The Elder even swore an oath in the temple, once we finish this, the village will take care of you both. Why so uneasy?

Hunter! What are you waiting for?

I'm just worried...

You need us right now, but who knows what'll happen after you get your money. How will you treat us then? I really have no idea...

Reminds me of something someone said to me yesterday.

'A man is never truly satisfied.'

The hunter loosens his grip, and the wooden tablet in his hand falls to the ground.

Hey—!

We need that money to survive, and tend to the land. What's that to you? Is the Elder's word not enough, do you need the whole village to kowtow before of our ancestors for you to believe us?!

That's not what I mean...

We're out of time, there's nothing else we can do!

The crowd rushes the lone man, grabbing his arms and forcing him to the grave.

One of them picks up the grave marker and shoves it back into the man's hand.

Holding the piece of wood in the midst of the crowd, he lowers his head like a burdenbeast.

The unfinished grave marker falls slowly toward the grave.

A long sword flashes across the space, splitting the wooden grave marker in two.

Facing rebels, bandits, seasoned generals, kung fu masters... whether in a fight or a competition, the way she unsheathed her sword was always more natural and unreserved than the action she just took.

The sword only barely tapped into its power, sending splinters flying erratically.

Before leaving Yumen, she told that man, 'I will find a place to bring this sword to its full potential.'

But what's the point of drawing a blade before a group of unarmed villagers?

Should she have drawn? Was she right to try and stop this?

But... why even wield a sword...

If you stay silent in the face of injustice?

Placing that grave marker would defile two lives.

Miss Qiu...

Y-You're still here?!