act15side

4下

Well, that was an unfruitful day...

I never had such headaches back at the agency in Lungmen.

Because Mr. Liang left you no leads to follow?

No, it's actually because... I have a lot of friends in Lungmen.

And aside from Mr. Liang the shut-in, the only friend I have in Shangshu is you, Master Shen.

*Sigh*...

There's a crowd at his door, isn't there?

Doesn't look like they're trying to be discreet.

Hey, the Lungmenite's here too. Right... Don't be rash. Just don't let them get away.

Keep an eye on them.

Eh, I don't suppose we walked into their trap?

Weird... It doesn't matter how glorious they were in the old days, they're just a bunch of restaurateurs now. Do they really have this much influence?

There's no one else around—W-Wait!

M-Master Shang.

I'm here.

H-Have a seat. Would you like some tea?

I asked around.

There are a few spots that fit the description. Very few visitors, but there are some pavilions that have been around for a while. I marked them on the map.

As for your wine shops, wherever there's a settlement, it's practically guaranteed that there's one. These places fit the bill.

Hmm...

There's one at Qujiang Peak?

I have no idea myself, but Old Qian insisted that there is.

These are all out-of-the-way trails. No normal sightseers would go there. Be careful.

I see. Thank you, Master Shang.

I will take my leave, then...

Master Shang, do you know those men outside the door...?

Don't know them.

Goodbye.

What's going on...?

(Tell the innkeeper... Master Shang and the Lungmenite have dealings with each other!)

(Should we still block the way out here?)

(What the hell are you even trying to block? Let's go! We're out of here!)

You're back.

That trip was a complete waste. Please don't ask.

I'm just worried about bandits coming after you.

As long as you're looking out for me, they won't make trouble.

What's more, our hot little goblet isn't in my possession anymore. You should be careful yourself.

No need.

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?