act14mini

What did you just call me?

What would you say to taking me as your disciple?

I'll follow you. Whether you're a wanderer or a hero, you'll be my master from now on!

I'm not taking disciples. And I'm not about to just casually hand my kung fu to somebody else.

Besides, with how crafty you are, if you use the techniques I taught you to do evil, wouldn't that be my fault?

I promise! If you teach me kung fu, and I become as strong as you and nobody bullies me, I'll obey every word you say and be a good person just like you.

You think I'm a good person?

I... I think so...?

After all, you saved me and gave me food to eat...

You're so strong, but you still spend money to buy things instead of stealing. You're nothing like the others.

So, you're not totally incapable of telling good from evil.

But, I still don't understand why you're trying to save me.

Is it because heroes like you always butt into people's business?

You've already asked me several questions.

Ma'am... You don't have to take me as your disciple, but at least let me follow you. Anywhere's fine, just don't force me to go home.

I want to ask you something as well.

I can see you still keep the keys to your home with you, so why do you refuse to go back?

...I'm not ready yet.

When I ran away from home, I made up my mind that I wouldn't go back until I've done something worthwhile.

Are your folks still there?

I haven't seen my mom as long as I can remember, but my dad should still be there... I don't have any other relatives.

All the more reason for you to go home. You have the heart to make your father worry about you?

I don't think me going back would make him happy... Everyone in the village hates me, looks down on me, and bullies me... You wouldn't understand at all.

Same thing I told you before. If you want to get along with people, don't treat them as your enemies.

Besides, how much hatred could anyone possibly have for a boy your age?

I said it, didn't I? I've done a ton of bad things. You'd be scared to death if I listed 'em off for you.

In other words, I'd rather die than keep living as a nobody.

You wouldn't say that, if only you knew how many people there are across this land who'd do anything for a chance to live.

Forget it. I can't beat you in a fight or in an argument. Whatever you say goes, I guess.

But one more question: why won't you let me follow you?

A life of wandering has its risks. For a boy like you, it's better to have a place to call home than to be adrift outside.

What about you then? Where's your home?

...My home is long gone.

What does that even mean? Was it a Catastrophe, or was it demolished to make way for a nomadic city?

Long gone means long gone. The place is gone, and the people are gone.

We've been talking about me all day, but why don't you tell me about yourself? I mean, you haven't even told me your name!

Qiubai. 'Qiu' as in hatred, 'bai' as in white snow.

I am a nobody, with no stories to tell.

Well, whatever. If you don't feel like talking, so be it. I know heroes like you love to act all mysterious.

Some stories remain untold because they're unpleasant.

If you've eaten your fill, go rest up. There's a long road ahead of us, so conserve your energy.

'Pass the woods, cross the river, and you'll enter the mountains.'

Though it is less like a mountain, and more like a forest made up of mountains.

One mount connects to the next, the peak of one mountain connected to the foot of another. There is no end in sight, no road to traverse.

It's as if the happenings of the outside world have no bearing upon what occurs deep in the mountains. It is too remote, and even time itself can be walled off by distance.

We're almost there! It should be around here somewhere!

You made one hell of a detour just to climb this mountain. What are you trying to do?

I heard that if you stand on the peak here, you can see all the way to Yumen!

The boy tries his best to stand on tiptoes, gazing westward from the cliff. The wild grass grows rampant, and he can see only a faint line of dark yellow at the farthest edge of the horizon. A look of disappointment creeps onto his face.

Qiubai knows that out of sight, the wounded nomadic city is still crawling along the barrens, nervously licking its wounds.

I passed by here a few years ago. Used to be more desolate.

You've been here?

It's been a while.

For the Chidao, right? Look over there!

On the other side of the cliff, a gray trail winds along the terrain and extends all the way to edge of the horizon, quite eye-catching in contrast to the barrens.

'Chidao,' a Yanese infrastructure project for Catastrophe avoidance, resource transportation, and aiding people living in remote areas.

Tens of thousands of such roads interconnect more than a hundred nomadic cities across the country's endless wilderness.

It stretches across wild, untamed mountains and erects bridges over low-lying areas. The supply stations set up along the roads are like neatly-sectioned bamboo nodes, bringing life to every place they reach.

If it can be said that the gods abandoned this barren land, then humans are the ones who once again laid out its veins.

All under heaven is strife, but humanity does what it can.

After I left home, I would sometimes see Chidao construction teams. But, what's the point of repairing these roads?

It's not like they can pack up and leave the same way nomadic cities can, so won't they just get torn up when a Catastrophe hits?

The places that nomadic cities don't reach depend on these roads.

Repairing them after they're destroyed is a matter of necessity. The material cost is irrelevant.

But very few know... Very few remember, that there are always people doing this work.

Not long ago, a Catastrophe swept across this mountain headed for Yumen. It caused great damage to the city, but also left behind a heroic tale.

Out here, far from civilization, there were no casualties, no buildings destroyed, and little trace of what took place.

At this moment, only the construction team is still hard at work here, busy repairing this unassuming stretch of road.

I heard that following this road west will lead you to Yumen. You said you'd been all over the place before, so have you been to Yumen?

I have.

When I was still hanging around those bandits, I heard they were getting some guys together for a big job in Yumen. But, they didn't think I could hold my own in a fight, so they wouldn't bring me along.

Consider yourself lucky.

What kind of place is it? Are there lots of heroes with great kung fu? A bunch of mighty warriors and weapons?

No... It's mostly just ordinary people, going about their ordinary days.

Yumen travels along the desert, and is always followed by the wind and sand. How could the people there possibly have an easy life?

I'm not afraid of hard work, as long as I get to do something meaningful... Sure beats being stuck in this stinky ol' ravine.

Either way, you're not gonna talk me out of it... I'm only heading back home because you told me to, but give me a bit to prepare, and I'll be back out on the road in no time!

I swear, the next time I stand here, the name of Fang Xiaoshi will be known far and wide—no, I'll become a hero known to all!

You'd better worry about becoming a good person first. If I hear anything about your fearsome notoriety again, I'll pay you a visit you won't enjoy.

You always know how to rain on my parade...

Anyway, we'll reach Moushan after crossing this mountain.

I know the way back from here.

The light of dawn clears away the mountain mist, and the wind carries a few wisps of chimney-smoke in oblique trails.

Unmelted snow can still be seen atop the peaks in the distance, plots of farmland spread out thinly along the foot of the mountains.

The heavy rain must've hit halfway through the plowing season, the soft soil that had been pushed into ridges washed into a muddy mess once more.

In the places that have not yet been plowed, clumps of soil are packed together tighter and tighter, the heads of wheat from the last crop still droop.

At the end of the Chunfen equinox, working the fields proves to be difficult.

The villagers in the fields put down the plows in their hands, straightening their backs while rubbing their waists.

Took long enough for the sun to come out. Looks like today will be a fine day, with just the right amount of sunlight.

Gotta till the fields again while I still can...

Is it really you?!

Fang Xiaoshi...? You're Fang Xiaoshi, aren't you?!

Oh, is that Uncle Dayuan? You bet, look who's back!

Why are you staring at me like that? Are you still mad about that one time I accidentally poured fertilizer into your burdenbeast feed trough?

You... You're still alive?

Of course I am.

But, I haven't seen you in three years, and your back's gotten even more crooked.

Jian gui le... damn it all!

I've gotta go tell the Elder!

See, what'd I tell you? Everyone here hates me.