act15side

We found out who ambushed you. It's all a misunderstanding. They thought you were a smuggler pillaging artifacts.

Well, it sounds like Shangshu's chivalric code is alive and well. That was quite the brawl for a minor 'misunderstanding.'

Don't blame them.

Master Shen, Lee isn't a local. I'm afraid I'll need you to take care of him for the next couple of days.

Of course, it's not big deal.

I know things are hectic at the docks lately. I'll pay you double your wage for your time.

Don't worry about it, Mr. Liang. We never talk money.

I can't do wrong by my citizens.

You've been a great help, and I might need more of your help in the future.

Fine, then... If that's how you feel, then I won't push it.

I'll stick with our boy Lee for as long as he's here. Those of us who make a living on the mountain trails and rivers know the Three Mounts and Seventeen Peaks like the backs of our hands.

Thank you.

—Liang Xun.

What's the matter?

We'll talk inside.

I remember telling you that as long as you aren't hiding anything from me, this will be nothing complicated.

Tell me, what exactly is the story behind the cup and its master?

You can't tell me?

No.

I ran into those guys again in the mountains today.

What...?

So that little 'misunderstanding' of yours isn't actually very convincing.

How high are the stakes?

As high as heaven.

*Sigh*...

You should've told me sooner.

I was afraid you'd get dragged into the mess if you knew too much.

So you still think I'm not part of the mess?

Forgive me.

You should get some rest. If our friend proves too difficult to locate... then you don't have to worry about it.

We've come this far. You can't suddenly have second thoughts about this, can you?

I appreciate the feeling, but if I really call it quits here, that's the end of the good life for you. I know that much.

So what's on the table? You can at least tell me that, can't you?

Both the people and the country.

Well, the stakes do sound high, and it's such a tall tale, I'm finding that kind of hard to believe.

I would never joke about such a serious matter.

Of course I know you wouldn't.

Let me change the subject, then. You wouldn't be entertaining a lovely lady this evening, would you?

—*Cough*.

There is nothing between me and Miss Ning.

I never said there's anything between you two.

Your eyes said enough.

Really? Everyone always ridicules you for how unsociable you are, but even Huai Tianpei's girl is all grown up now. You have to have scored a home run at least once or twice?

You have your reasons, huh?

How about a drink?

It's high time we had a drink together.

Right... We're long overdue.

You truly are a swift one, Miss Kroos. The innkeeper wasn't kidding.

Where is the man with the fan?

We couldn't risk a complete wipeout in case you had any traps set up here, can we?

How peculiar... I thought you would send him, while you hide in the shadows.

As the saying goes, one should sacrifice a pawn to save one's queen. Not only are you the 'queen,' you're a crossbowman and an escape artist.

Even so, you came personally.

Well, my mate Nothing isn't a regular operator yet. I can't just have him fly into the face of danger.

And yet you still have a mind for danger, especially when you have to go it alone, don't you?

If you're the kind of bloke who goes all 'I can see right through you' just to seem smart, I'd rather go home and have a sleep.

Haha... so temperamental. Forget I said anything, then.

I'll get to the point. We've looked into Rhodes Island a little. With so little time, we didn't dig up a lot of information.

I don't claim to fully know you, but at least know you can be trusted.

Can I? Not only did I butt my head into this affair, I'm an Infected, you know?

You must put the right people to the right job. Oripathy is a misfortune that all Infected face. What does that have to do with their responsibilities or skills?

I would like Rhodes Island to do us a favor.

No, in fact, if you don't help us, then I'm afraid you'd be making an enemy of us.

You want Mr. Lee's goblet.

When I chased the thief that night, right away, the tracks split into two. It was dark out, and you moved quick, but I never took my eyes off the one who'd actually left the Liang estate.

I lost them not long thereafter, though. And then a certain someone showed up, just like it was a planned diversion—

The innkeeper drew my attention. Was he drawing it away from you?

No wonder he thinks so highly of you.

Bingo, eh?

What does the cup have to do with ‘Sui?'

You know of 'Sui?'

Oh... Looks like you're not lying, though you know only half the story.

Hm, is that so?

Considering you see Nian and Dusk as friends... and that she told you about this much, they must see Rhodes Island as a lifeline of sorts.

In years past, so long as they stayed in line and broke no rules, the Sui Regulator would turn a blind eye to whatever they did.

But nowadays, things are different.

Not only are the times changing, you are on friendly terms with Nian, and you even brought Dusk off her mountain. That put you on the Sui Regulator's wrong side.

We were just...

I know you meant no ill will, but what comes next?

How is Great Yan meant to know that they are not planning anything when they are all in one place?

'Great Yan...'

I'm not trying to exaggerate.

Nian and Dusk disappeared not long after they reached Shangshu, and it just so happens that a goblet associated with them made its way here around the same time. Furthermore, the man of the hour is on Rhodes Island's side.

This is a tremendous coincidence. Wouldn't you say so, Miss Kroos?

And I'm not one to believe in coincidences.

Oof!

I forgot to hang the clothes to dry. Oh no, oh no... If I don't get to that now, there won't be anything to wear tomorrow.

Shang Zhong, huh? You shouldn't have come.

Now get lost. I'll pretend I didn't see you.

There was a young man who asked me to look for a pavilion in the mountains.

We all know things were complicated when you left, but not only did you leave us without an explanation, you even set the innkeeper up. Going by the rules, that makes you a traitor.

Then your men surrounded him.

Please, traitor, Brother Shang, I'm begging you. If anyone sees us, things will get hairy. Let's put a stop to this.

Who is that man?

Brother Shang!

I'm asking you, who is that man?

The Lungmenite...?

Yes.

It's all business. It's got nothing to do with outsiders, and I have nothing to tell you.

It'll be ten full years at the end of this one. I've been thinking of giving the Association an explanation soon.