act15side

That's something... There's quite a bit of distance between Mount Hui-ch'i and the capital, isn't there?

Rhodes Island is getting itself involved without knowing the whole picture. The ignorant are blameless. On the contrary, it's unimaginable that you would work with those two without knowing anything.

And now, we would like Rhodes Island to follow the Sui Regulator's arrangement and persuade the Lungmenite to surrender the goblet himself.

I knew it... Liang Xun was under your thumb the whole time.

Correct.

He had Mr. Lee deliver the cup all the way from Lungmen to be stolen, and it's all a show, huh?

You call the magistrate by name, but gave the Lungmenite a courtesy title. That shows you are a good person.

Does being a good person mean anything else in Yan?

Please don't get the wrong idea. I'm not trying to beat around the bush. All I'm saying is that you aren't hiding your trust in the Lungmenite anymore. Is it because of his partnership with Rhodes Island?

It's actually more than that... He's a friend too.

There aren't many people we can truly call friends. It seems Nian and Dusk are your friends too.

It sounds like the Sui Regulator has some high standing in Yan. So why the ruse? Who are you trying to fool?

I'm afraid that's more than what Rhodes Island needs to know.

And you straight up admit that?

There's nothing to hide. It's just a more elegant way to go about this to save our mandarins some face.

Now that I've told Rhodes Island so much, can we set aside our differences and negotiate?

You want our help?

We'd like Mr. Lee's too.

What do you need help with?

The elimination of the Sui.

I'm not drunk. No need to hold me like this.

You're my guest.

I'm just a grunt you summoned from Lungmen.

I actually considered the possibility that the Messenger might not be able to find you in Lungmen.

And I actually registered my agency in Lungmen hoping that you would find me.

'Lee's Detective Agency.' Why did you choose to build your business in Lungmen, though?

It's the farthest away I could get from Yan.

Any farther than that... I have no place to go.

You could come back.

I don't want to.

Liang Xun.

Hm...

I know, actually.

You always knew.

Lungmen is not your home, yet you spent half your life holding out hope for Lungmen.

I thought, there, I could finally find what it was that I wanted to do.

Did you?

I did, but I also found that I could find it just about anywhere.

All those years ago, Huai Tianpei said he'd study kung fu and make a name for himself.

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...