act15side

And all those years ago, Liang Xun wanted to do something for all people under heaven, to change the ways of the world such that they would no longer have to be afraid.

What about you?

I was just a finbeast in a river, and the moment I jumped a few chi out of the water, I felt I was at the top of the world.

Okay, I'm pooped. I've got a long day ahead of me tomorrow. You should get going.

Very well.

Take care.

There's no more wine...

*Sigh*.

Old friends, old friends...

Hmm...

...A brilliant move.

I see that I'm losing. I suppose there is no need to continue?

That's right.

There is no need to continue.

There are more to the four arts than weiqi, and yet that's the one you always pick to challenge me. This is a form of bullying.

One man must avoid one's shortcomings.

And we both know I am no match for you in poetry and song.

Fair.

Lost interest already?

These are times of peace.

Though these times of peace are enjoyed only by Yan.

Your stones are set only in Yan.

Correct. The board is entirely within Yan's borders.

Though I am not necessarily playing every round. In that case, the other games must take place elsewhere in the world too.

Will those games have aught to do with you?

Real men remain silent as they spectate and never regret their moves.

So all you do is spectate. You watch mankind as they wage wars and battle with each other.

I'm just learning the art of the game by spectating. Even children start to play by imitating.

Hm...

But you are not him.

What do you mean?

You... Oh, you are one of his pieces.

Will you play in his stead, then? Mr. Lee of Lungmen?

What...? I...?

Hoh... This is peculiar.

Why did he drag an ordinary man like you into this game?

No, perhaps he didn't choose you in particular. He simply realized that things would come to this sooner or later, no matter who and no matter what?

What are you talking about?

I'm saying you are not the disheartened man, but you are sitting here in his stead, playing a game with me.

Who are you...?

Ling.

What is this place?

A dream... from a hundred years ago.

Now that's funny. How could I have a dream that takes place a whole century ago...?

Indeed...

How could you?

What are you doing here?!

Hmm... It feels like I had quite the dream... Oh?

Stop right there!

That voice...

5上

The breeze in the mountains is ever crisp and cool.

And mornings as refreshing as these are always fine for settling muddy, murky matters.

In a mountain-sat village, when kitchen's smoke has just sprung up, the snow still unreceded in spring, one old and one young stand off against each other.

The only sound, the single strike of a faraway gong.

You've kept me waiting.

Tch. Bloody lout... Light, stay cool for the moment.

I've seen you before. Hmm. So it was you.

Unexpected, for sure. A Rim Billitonian, silently lurking in Shangshu since the very beginning.

I can't understand you, sorry.

Hmph.

Light!

What—?!

A snare?

You train these slumberfoots well. An ordinary woman would be headfirst in the ground by now.

(He didn't just notice the snare behind him, he stepped on the rope without hesitation... Bastard...)

Don't worry, I won't make this hard for you, girl.

Do you know what that goblet you're holding is?

It's not my concern, or my interest. It's newbie bounty hunters that ask too many questions.

Then you have only yourself to blame.

Don't get so full of yourself! Helmet! Drill!

If you don't know what it is, then be wise and hand it over. Don't be used for nothing.

H-How dare you do that to Helmet—! You asked for it!

...A headless bolt.

(H-He caught it barehanded? At this distance?! And I *just* changed the string on my crossbow—!)

Fine.

Seeing how you're unwilling to take my life, I'll give you one chance.

Hand over the goblet to me, and then tell the one instructing you: Tread carefully. Don't be selfish.

Hmph. You know who hired me?

Whether I know or not doesn't matter. What matters is I can stop you, right here.

Why should I listen to you?

You have no choice.

Maybe you can run, but you could never bear to see these beasts of yours meet a sorry fate.

You're threatening me?

You have skill. But aside from your crossbow, you've got nothing in a fight.

You can pull out before you're in too deep. You need a good eye and the right people, if you want to survive here.

True. They never told me someone as capable as you would get in the way.

If I had someone do something dangerous for me, I wouldn't give them the whole picture either.

It's just a job to you, stranger. Why stake your life on it?

Give the cup to me, and I vow on the Escorts' name that whatever they're paying you, we'll double it.

Hah, I was taking a loss anyway with all my volunteer work.

Call this a favor for a friend.

A friend.

So even you bandits of the wild don't mind a sacrifice for a friend.

Sounds like you've got something against us.

No... not at all.

The longer you do business, the more fine people you meet, the less friends you end up with.

Then be smart, and go back to your business.

Yes, business is always easiest done in the mountains.

Three Mounts, Seventeen Peaks, hundreds of passes. Is there any road without a teahouse and station for travelers to rest their feet? Is there any road... without our people?