act40side

She was being held up by that Imperial Guard lady when she sent me flying out of the City.

What should we do now?

This isn't over quite yet...

I need to go and finish off what I should have done in the first place.

You... What are you planning to do?

Demand an explanation... for everyone's sake.

One hundred years it has been.

He returns once again, to where this game of weiqi started.

The board is covered in cobwebs and dust, a single black stone at the center.

He extends his hand to brush away the grime.

Where you off to?

Got a meal to deliver.

If you're going, then who's going to mind the restaurant?

At this hour? It's past closing time.

Gonna open tomorrow?

That depends on my mood tomorrow. Hard to say right now.

Why do I get the feeling that you want to call it quits?

Fine by me, but you still owe me six months of wages. Settle that and I'll let you go.

Tsch... You're so money-minded! How about all those staff meals I cooked for you, they must be worth a few months of debt...

Fine, fine... On the right of the stove in the kitchen, the third brick from the corner. The last of my spare cash is under that brick. Take it.

I've been with you for quite a few years now.

Yep, fifteen whole years. You've stuck around the longest out of all your associates, Candleholder. Means we were really fated to be, haha.

If I kept reminding myself that I was a Candleholder of the Sui Regulator, I'm afraid I wouldn't have stayed that long.

*sigh* To be honest, it's been years since I reminded myself who I really am too.

Not like I was trying to remember or not, mind you. Whether as a man or beast, I've found this life full of delightful flavors. Nothing to complain about.

Best you keep not remembering.

I fear if you do, you'll forget the tastes of man. Your palate will grow dull and numb, and your cooking skills will go to waste.

*sigh*... Yeah, I wouldn't be too happy with that either.

But if there's one thing I'll never forget, it's that my trouble-making brothers and sisters still need to eat.

Not to mention the one that's most troublesome of all... Though considering how long it's been since we last saw each other, it's hard to say what he's like now.

You know the consequences of delivering this particular meal today, right?

Uh... Yeah, more or less.

It's obvious, like not keeping cotton by the stove. The Sui Regulator's not going to be happy if we have a family reunion.

Also, if a fight breaks out at such a delicate moment, you might not be seeing me tomorrow.

*sigh*... I've made a lot of food and met a lot of people these past few years.

My wish was for every customer who walks through those doors to have a tasty meal and a life with fewer regrets.

The four flavors of the kitchen. The four emotions of the heart. Sorrowful partings and joyful reunions. They're not that much different.

But just as fresh fins have their bones and maluses have no scent, this land is filled with regrets.

Eat when you're hungry, sleep when you're tired... and when you miss your family, maybe it's as simple as going to them.

Are... Are you really willing to let this go...

There are a lot of things I don't want to let go of, but I can't hold onto them forever either.

Jiang... Mind looking after the shop for me while I'm gone?

You've been watching me cook for so long, you must have picked something up by now. If any customers come by, look after them for me, will you?

'Savors at Yu's', the 'House of Aftertaste'... It ended up being a fitting name.

The mortal realm really lingers on the tongue.

Captain, my report. The Patrol Battalion has dispatched all their men, and sweep searches are underway in eight districts. Still no sign of the target.

It's been an entire day...

Before day breaks, we must—

Heard you were looking for me?

Who's there?!

Out of the way.

What's this? Here to surrender?

Good, you've saved me the effort of searching the entire city for you.

I don't care if you want to take me in for what I did at the Feast or who I am... Now's not the time for it.

I've got urgent business, so best you move it.

Hah...

I've never been this pissed off before. If you really want to get in my way, then come and try me.

Hmph...

...What are you going to do?

I'm here to deliver a bowl of longevity noodles to the True Lung.