act15side

It's no trivial matter, but hardly a significant one either.

And I am certain you already know who it is.

*sharp exhale*

Please take care, Mr. Liang.

It seems this spring will be colder than expected.

Here we are.

Aside from a few houses here and there, this is the only town near Quijiang Peak.

What kind of place is this?

Before Shangshu City was built, it was near the border. The mountain was full of mineral resources, and many blacksmiths and stonemasons worked here.

What about now?

With the world at peace, the nomadic cities are all parked around the mountain range. Aside from the few forges kept around as tourist spots, the town is mostly bed-and-breakfasts now.

What lies at the top of Qujiang Peak, then...?

No idea.

Hm... Perhaps just a place for wine and chess?

After all, if it were scenic, there'd be no need to go look for them. Most likely it's a remote place no one ever visits.

I know Shangshu's mounts and waters like the back of my hand... Never heard of any pavilions off the beaten path though.

Qujiang Peak has only an empty swath of land. The legend goes that a god, staring into the deep waters there, attained enlightenment by forgetting the waters surrounding it. From then on, everyone called it the 'Field of Forgotten Water.'

I see...

Sounds like our friend won't be easy to find, then... How about we start with the wine shops? Might be futile without knowing what they look like though.

Any ideas, Master Shen?

When seeking a man, there is this one simple trick that has worked since ancient times.

Have them seek you out instead.

True, but a little passive for my tastes.

I have an idea, though—

Hm...

What is it?

Need something?

Miss Ning...

Reading for leisure, I see. Fine tastes as always, my lord.

Reading for leisure enriches the mind.

If there is something you would like to ask, please go ahead.

My lord, is something weighing on your mind?

Hm... What do you mean?

Your friend from Lungmen.

There's no hiding anything from you, Miss Ning. There is a minor matter, though it's entirely personal.

What does it concern?

We are looking for someone.

Hm... What kind of someone?

An old friend of ours. A practitioner of the martial arts.

I see. Is that all?

His name is Huai.

It seems a simple thing.

I did say it was a minor matter... You needn't worry.

You should hide no secrets from me, my lord.

And I have none to hide.

Very well, then.

The lady before him walks across the room and takes a glance at the bookshelf. She appears engulfed in a sense of defeat.

Fortunately, her mood quickly lightens.

It often changes rapidly.

My lord, the book you were reading... Is it a historical record?

It's about an old Catastrophe that happened within the bounds of Shangshu's Three Mounts.

You seem to be very fond of that piece of history.

I saw it with my own eyes. I can never forget it.

If I remember correctly... 'Tale of the Three Mounts?'

I'm surprised you remember. It seems I've reread that book far too many times.

I only happened to notice.

May I borrow it? I will be paying Uncle Bai a visit. I can read it in my down time.

As you wish.

Very well... But...

Oh, forgive me...

Let me get it for you. I haven't been able to read it much lately, so I placed it fairly high on the shelf.

Thank you.

So you'll be visiting Bai, the potter?

Yes.

Please give him my regards.

Of course.

I will take my leave now.

'Tale of the Three Mounts...'

My lord, I am sure you never realized, but I have actually already taken a peek at your bookshelf, once when you worked late into the night and fell asleep in your study.

(He's never put this book so high up...)

(There was a new case on the shelf too... What could be inside?)

4上

I was born in a small village a hundred li away from what is today Shangshu. It was a beautiful oasis.

If you gazed out from the village, you would see a range of mountains that formed a line. The line enveloped a swath of land named Shangshu.

There was a Catastrophe when I was young. The mountains covered a wide area, and the looming clouds covered an even wider area..

The Catastrophe Messengers were quick at their work. As we evacuated, we could see sparks lighting up the sky. All of us knew that Shangshu's Three Mounts would never look the same after the Catastrophe passed.

I was still very young. All I remember is the adults' swaying backs and their forced smiles.

The rescue team moved quickly, but all of us knew that the houses, the farms, and the orchards would all perish in the storm.

We passed a mountain on our way.

With my own eyes, I saw a drunken woman lounging in a pavilion.

I saw her share a toast with the sky.

I saw her fall unconscious in the pavilion, completely inebriated.

But the rescue team didn't stop. The adults around me pretended as though they didn't see her.

...A black goblet.

Was this the cup she drank from...?

Miss Li...

Sir! Do you need something?

Can you describe the guest just now?

Of course... I could never forget a Forte hunk like him...

Prepare two boxes of pastries and pay Miss Ning a visit.

If Miss Ning meets with the Forte there... come back and let me know.

Very well, though why aren't you—Uhh... My apologies, I shouldn't have asked. I will go right now.

Benefactor, I asked around, and it seems we'll arrive at our rendezvous point if we follow this path up the mountain.

But suppose we really don't find anyone there, what should we do?

Then we'll just have to go back to the Liang estate to find Mr. Lee. He said Magistrate Liang asked him to look into the goblet's owner. We should help him out.

But what if Miss Du spoke the truth, and it was indeed a man of renown who seeks the cup...? Would Magistrate Liang truly know nothing of it?

But would that all of this was a mere premeditated conspiracy, why would Magistrate Liang need to go through the trouble and put on such a show?

It's not like we haven't ever seen any big shots ourselves.

You mean the boy who claimed to be a Messenger...?

Haha... If only the Doctor was around. We could've just handed all this trouble off.