act19mini

Surrender now!

A crack of thunder knocks the girl's blade out of her hands and sends her to the ground.

Dark clouds hover above her head, ready to deliver an even more powerful thunderclap.

I suggest you don't move, unless you wish to be struck by lightning.

Persistent lot, aren't you, Master Lin and Candleholder Zuo?

A peaceful end, and no harm was done. Do you really need to prosecute me so?

All the people you dragged into this 'show' of yours...

It is no mean feat, summoning a Sui-Xiang with the token of a Feranmut proxy.

Who are you? Where did you learn such forbidden arts?

Is that all you care about?

The most ancient secret in this land is within reach, Candleholder, and all you want to do is to arrest everyone who tries to understand it?

Objects have masters, but knowledge has none. Who decided that the Sui Regulator, and no one else, is allowed to know?

How am I supposed to believe that you have no malicious intent, given what you did at Mangshan Town?

You'll come with us, and you'll paint a clear picture of everything you know, and everything you're planning.

So you want to take me alive. Does that mean there's nothing you can do, should I insist on running?

Obstinate fool...

We want you alive, but not necessarily conscious—

One moment!

A crack echoes in the sky, but the fire is faster.

The blade of flame cuts through the thunder, and a figure lands in front of the Liberi.

Your Lei Fa is quite impressive for your age.

Your Arts are familiar. Does Bai Dingshan's generation have their own students now?

These fire Arts...

Could you be—Zushi?!

(Isn't this the girl who played with Grain Buds in Dahuang?)

I... I am Lin Qingyan, student of the Lei Fa school, and of the Tianshi Bureau.

This isn't a formal occasion. No need for formalities.

You too, girl.

...Mo Yi of the Shanhaizhong. Greetings, Tianshi.

(So she's really Shanhaizhong.)

Why the look of surprise? Go to the scrolls in the deepest sections of your library. You are the ones who are behind in terms of Feranmut research.

All I see is the Shanhaizhong committing evil deeds of every kind in the name of the Feranmuts.

What have I to do with those who commit murder, arson, or any other deeds under the Shanhaizhong name? How is it any of my business?

Can you guarantee that everyone who wears that shiny uniform of yours is an upstanding individual?

You—

These eccentric ways, this sharp tongue of yours... you're just like your founder.

I thought the old carpenter didn't have any heirs left, after all these years. Looks like I was wrong.

The great hunt a thousand years ago contradicted his ideals. He became disillusioned and shied away from society...

But some people remember how he wanted to stop the war.

You talk big. How do you intend to stop this war?

I simply wanted to see the master of the Garden of Grotesqueries. It was for this reason that I stole the Book of Kung Fu and summoned the Sui-Xiang.

I guarantee that this war can be stopped, if I'm allowed to enter his garden to find a certain object.

...A remnant of the proxy who disappeared.

You have nerve, if nothing else...

Round-head!

You've been listening long enough. Are you going to welcome your guests or not?

All the guests present today are very important...

You certainly made my heart skip a beat with your suggestion... Or you would, if I had one...

Enough small talk. This has more to do with you than anyone else. What do you plan on doing?

I spoke with my master just now... since both you and a Candleholder of the Sui Regulator are here, may I make a proposal...

May we have our guests assist in the Placation for this year, as it seems fate has intended?

Placation?

The Sui Regulator checks on the slumbering bestial Sui and reinforces the seal on the Tomb of Sui. This process is called the Placation.

But it has always been the most experienced Candleholders who handle the affair...

The rogue proxy entered the Tomb of Sui several days ago. There has been no news since. The Sui Regulator is likely vexed about to how to conduct this year's Placation.

This is a major matter. I must report to—

You really think there's time to make a report?

Just go on. If the Grand Tutor asks, tell him I gave the nod.

U-Understood...

You, girl, you're coming with me.

Me...?

You don't get along with that Candleholder kid, and you'll just keep fighting in there. Whatever you're looking for, he can look for it for you.

As for you, I want to talk to you about that master of yours.

...As you wish.

What should we do?

It's not hard. Just go up along the path once you enter the Garden of Grotesqueries, and pay attention to your surroundings.

Other than that, be careful of collections in the Garden of Grotesqueries... the geists of the master's collection are a far cry from those you saw in the town. You must be careful.

You said go up? But we're already at the top of the mountain, aren't we?

Where is this 'Garden of Grotesqueries' that you speak of?

Infinitely far, and infinitely close... when you are on this mountain, you are adjacent to the Garden of Grotesqueries.

Taking you into the Garden of Grotesqueries is easy, but reach its depths requires the touch of fate—may I borrow the weiqi board that you carry with you?

Of course... go ahead.

And may I have the tome you are carrying, young lady?

...Whatever.

Thank you...

A passage will now be opened. Go through this passage, and you may enter the forbidden grounds of the Garden of Grotesqueries.

Lines of war, warp and weft, in the order of heaven and earth—

The weiqi board and book extend infinitely into the distance from Liang's hands, creating a realm within a realm. Mountains turn to flatland in the blink of an eye, and the group goes through this strange space—

They step out of it to find a door hidden behind a screen.

Welcome to the Garden of Grotesqueries.

Here we are.

This was a town full of vitality before that disaster, with hundreds of households and flourishing farmland...

Many years have passed, and now all that is left is—

Come out.

You.

Yes, Master Liang.

Are all of you here?

(Looks left and right)

There are some broken tiles and bricks amidst the ruins. Not much time has passed since they awakened, and they do not yet understand language... should they be brought out?

Let me explain why I'm here first.

All of you must leave this place.

(Whispering to one another)

Everyone who lived here has either died or departed after that incident at the Tomb of Sui.

You are mundane artifacts that have gained sentience from the incident's aftermath, wandering this place...

Perhaps you've already sensed the presence of a garden above the tomb, which Yi calls the Garden of Grotesqueries.

Neither Yan nor the siblings will tolerate the presence of a geist-infested ruin in the vicinity of the Garden of Grotesqueries.

We understand.

But where can we go, Master Liang?

Yi said those of good form or quality can find a home in the garden. The rest must be cleaned up.

You have one month to prepare. All traces of the disaster should be gone by then.