act15side

07下

Where's it gone...?

Ao-ao!

Oh.

It's on that branch over there... and there's a great seething mass of oddities beneath it...

Ao...

Haha. How do I fetch this now, then...?

A counter of black.

All things have their needs. These waregeists' dispositions correspond with the 'desires' of the wares.

So, the ones who roused me...

Is it my young sister who hunches over scrolls splashing ink into scapes, or that young sister in words of gold, who makes it so when she speaks?

Or...

Was it only him as he threw a piece down, with a momentary clack?

Out of the way.

Wrr—wrwwrr!

Long time no see.

Hm? You're a... Rhodes Islander...

Aww. So it was just old Lee.

Still, long time no see. What dragged you from Lungmen to Shangshu?

Hey, what do you mean he took his sword and left? He went to fight someone?

Who knows.

None of us new ones've ever seen him use it before. Yeah, come to think of it, he's been getting his business big. Got himself stable in Shangshu just with his restaurants.

What's his style with his sword?

He really hasn't used it all that much these days. To be honest, he just cuts melons, dices leaves, chops meat and handles fins.

His fighting days are long behind. It's been a long time since he ever went to, well, 'harm' anyone with a blade.

He's sorta retired from all the business, then, that type? So what's he gonna do with it out there now?

Dice, I guess. He's been dicing for so long, it's the only thing he knows how to do now.

That's lame.

Well, duh. What, is dicing vegetables for ages going to power you up?

Good technique! Seems you didn't just stay an innkeeper all these years!

No, I really haven't used it since then.

I'm used to counting my chips, sorting out my needs... I never thought I'd still be so able with this frostblade of mine.

It's surprising.

What would winning or losing even mean, if I met a Zheng Qingyue depressed and joyless? It hung on my mind.

It seems heaven must have willed this.

—Heaven who? You're just obsessed with getting revenge!

Urgh...!

Ye! Don't interfere! Go after that Lungmenite, and find the goblet!

Sorry, dad, but you're not in charge here now—

Ugh!

I predicted this from you.

I never once laid a hand on her.

You'll regret this.

Uncle Taihe, You help the innkeeper out.

You, young man?

I'll search for the cup. It can't wait any longer.

Hold it!

Stop there!

Er, let's not be too hasty with the rocks now. Pull any more away and we'll be stranded up here, wouldn't you say?

The struggling of the cornered.

Benefactor! I'll hold out here! You go help Brother Lee! Don't let that kid get away with it!

Right! You watch yourself!

Now, you really must stop with the bullying here. The only reason I've not kicked into action is because you're a mandarin, after all—

Is that why?

I repay Lord Zuo's patronage. I go with him. My status has nothing to do with this.

Come! Disciple of Lien, you and I contest purely as martial men. We shall test each other.

Then, don't mind if I do!

...Oh.

Rain?

Is it raining?

Shoot, the forecast promised it'd be sunny today.

Sir, it's raining. Would you like to come inside and take a seat?

No, thank you.

Are you rainviewing? That's a good hobby, sir. I'll bring an umbrella in just a moment...

Where's the boatman who was with you?

He went to the mountains.

Right now? He might be stuck up there once it's dark.

Yes, right now.

It was a favor for me.

Ah! It's that Lungmenite!

Are the Waregeists surrounding him...? Hold on, who's that next to him?

Oh. Looks like we've got new guests.

Nian...!

Here to squabble over the cup too?

Phew. That's a few less people than I was expecting.

I am Zuo Le, Candleholder of the Sui Regulator of Great Yan. By Master Tai's instruction, I am confidentially investigating Dusk and the black goblet's whereabouts.

Ao... ao...

These little things seem quite scared of you.

If they're scared of me, hey, I get it. But this li'l boy here...

What's that you've got on you?

You're swift.

Uh-huh... I see... Just like that old-ass guy said.

So how'd you get tangled up in this party, Mr. Lee?

I think that's a bit of a long story, Miss Nian...

But I'm very sorry I pulled a handful of Rhodes Island's operators in as well.

No big. If Kroos and li'l Lava couldn't handle this stuff, they'd never get to see things wrap up.

Well, well. You really haven't changed, Miss Nian...

Lemme tell you, we've been through a whole drama these last two days. That scary old guy did tell us a few things, though.

Including how the Sui Regulator and Ministry of Rites aren't quite getting along. Hey, kid, are your bunch really in such a hurry... to get rid of us?

There's gotta be some reason, other than me pulling Dusk out of her hidey-hole without a permission slip.

C'mon, hit me with it. If it makes sense, I might just change my mind and help you out, y'know?

It's none of your concern.

But if you're showing of your own accord, then all the better...

Where is she?

Who?

Stop playing the fool!

Sheesh. You climbed the wrong mountain, then.

What?

She's at the summit. The top of the tallest peak in this whole sea of clouds.

Did you try checking up there yet?