act23side

The path ahead is unknown. Who knows if we'll meet again? A proper farewell is in order.

Yumen is headed for the capital.

It is about to wake.

The old man turns around and once again casts his eyes towards the map. He sees and thinks about much on it.

He suddenly has a question, one that the 'Grand Tutor' would not have asked.

Do you have regrets?

Parting is a fact of life. Seeking perfection doesn't mean there won't be regrets.

But sometimes I feel that there just isn't much I can do.

Yumen started out as a fortress built for that hunt.

The hero of Yumen could have humble beginnings, or he could belong to one of the long-lived races, but the one thing he cannot be is the incarnation of a Feranmut.

This is a secret that the Sui Regulator must protect at all costs.

One cannot expect to be understood and accepted no matter where one goes...

The man walks slowly to the old man's side, and the two of them gaze silently at the depiction of mountains and rivers.

Yumen will approach the capital in six months, barring any unexpected events.

The markings on the map are locations where civilians are expected to be evacuated prior to Yumen's arrival at the capital.

If things get to that point, Yumen must be prepared to sacrifice itself to kill the bestial Sui. This is a price that Yan must pay.

The Shanhaizhong struck twenty years ago. Lord Exorcist came to me after things calmed down, before the Sui Regulator arrived.

He realized then that the bestial Sui were a great potential threat to Yan. Yumen will someday return to its original battlefield.

When it comes to that, Yumen cannot rely on me or the jianghu fighters. Everyone must go. This place that many people have called home will return to dust.

People on the outside call the Lord Exorcist heartless, but there's so much that he cannot tell anyone.

We had a group of common friends...

Those who carry heavy responsibilities cannot be trapped by private sentiment.

Twenty years of conflict. There were misunderstandings, and there were grudges, but there must be closure. This is something that I need to do myself.

This is a private request. I dare not ask for your understanding.

Yet in some cases, an allowance can be made.

Shuo is part of that atrocity, but the people of Yan owe Chongyue a great debt.

So what you mean is...

The Lord Exorcist has tasked you to ensure my safety.

What danger is there to me, if you can protect Yumen?

Thank you.

The man turns and leaves the tent.

The old man nods slightly in his direction.

Lord Wei...

I can be of help in the hunt for the criminals.

I will see you off.

The air feels dead, silent. The only sound is that of gravel as it falls on the roof.

The warehouse has no windows. Lin Yühsia listens intently for any sounds outside. Minute after minute passes. Have the Catastrophe clouds drawn closer?

The night winds blow stronger.

You look impatient, Miss Lin.

Thank you for chatting with this old man. Perhaps it's because you thought I may still have the real data collected by the Catastrophe Messenger.

Take it.

Why would you give it away for nothing?

It's too late for Yumen to avoid the Catastrophe now, even if the correct data reached the Imperial Astronomical Bureau.

I would like to make it clear that this plan was entirely my own. The folks who were taken into custody are innocent.

Good to see you still know what 'innocent' is, after putting an entire city's worth of people in danger.

There is act of nature, and there is act of man. They should not be confused.

You must have other reasons for delaying me.

Of course. I would not simply waste time on a day like today.

I had promised to help an acquaintance leave the city, but I have no choice but to go back on that promise after what happened at the Sword Forge last night. I can only hope to draw more attention and make it easier for her to get out.

The sword thief? Didn't you say the theft was unexpected?

Astute as ever.

But this is a rather silly matter. Too silly to talk about.

Let those who should leave, leave. Let the debts that should be settled, be settled.

You got what you came for, Miss Lin. You should leave.

There was one thing you didn't catch.

It's not just Zuo Xuanliao I hold a grudge against.

I picked this time and place to settle another debt.

You hide well. You made us work to find you.

You turned your back on our partnership.

Weren't you trying to silence me when you went to the Sword Forge last night?

Get the data from the girl. Leave this one to me.

Aye.

Maybe you misunderstood.

The old man opens a bag on his belt and takes out an unremarkable black iron hammer.

He glares at the Shanhaizhong and speaks through clenched teeth.

Hide? I've been waiting for a chance to finish all of you off!