act14mini

Fine...

I'm coming.

The mudslide happened a few days ago, overnight, and this boy was at the Chidao worksite.

Fang Xiaoshi was born and raised here in this village. We all loved him as a good boy with a virtuous heart, ever since he was little.

He knew how difficult it was to build roads through the mountains and how important this project was to the village.

He probably wanted to salvage some materials, and as a result...

I didn't expect a tragedy like this, I'm so sorry for your loss...

Disasters are merciless, but at least, wherever they happen, people always look out for each other.

Well said, Madam...

Fang Xiaoshi did not die in vain, at least. He perished for the sake of the village, and we will remember him always.

When things have settled down, we will inscribe his name in our temple.

And for his father, his sole living relative, the village will come together to care for him.

Honored Elder, you have a kind heart.

No, no... I am our Clan's Elder, so this is the least I can do.

Having said all that... we should probably get down to business, no...?

You mean...?

Rude as it is for me to be so forward, I'm afraid I have to ask when the compensation money will arrive...? After you verify things on your end, of course.

Compensation money?

Please, Madam, you mustn't toy with us...

Fang Xiaoshi's death should be considered an accident suffered in the execution of the Chidao project, so it is reasonable to expect some compensation money.

It's not that I hunger for wealth, but this sum of money, is critically important to our village...

I think there's been a misunderstanding, Honored Elder.

I'm not too familiar with the workings of accidental death compensation, but the government should have someone responsible for that.

I'm with 'Chun-qian', a disaster relief organization. I'm here to investigate the cause of the mudslide.

This tragedy is heartbreaking and irreversible, but we have to do our best to make sure it doesn't happen again.

But.... This...

(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...