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I... asked him for an explanation—For my dad, my younger sister, the relative I never met.

Hmph. I couldn't see his face clearly, but I'm sure he felt—

What's wrong?

...It's snowing?

The two are in such a hurry they only notice now the surrounding air has gradually gotten colder.

The energy poles scattered throughout the city gradually power down. It is mid-autumn, but the temperature plummets as if it's winter.

In contrast to the dimming city lights, the twin moons shine ever brighter.

Snow starts to fall.

Time's almost up.

We should go... Deputy Minister Yu.

Put it on me.

But...

Deputy Minister Yu, we are all aware of the man you are... so why not—

'All criminals should walk with a cangue and chains; even suspects should be clapped in irons'... And this is how you conduct yourself as a warden?

Put it on me!

As you say. Forgive my dereliction of duty.

Go slow... Let us savor this moonlight.

A snowflake floats through a window, landing on the prisoner's face.

What the...? Weather like this in the middle of autumn, and we even have snowflakes...?

(Gu Quan... I've done what I promised you, brother.)

Ning Yin is back in the study.

She takes out pen and paper along with an incomplete history book manuscript.

The story of the past, the hidden names... she knows them now and should be able to finish the final chapter.

Yet, she hesitates, her pen still.

A gust of wind flings the window open, and shuts the book.

A single snowflake lands on her draft, making the first stroke.

What...? It's snowing?

Blaze...

Is your shopkeeper still not here?

He... he's really not here this time...

It's fine. I guess I'm bound to never meet him.

I vowed to show everyone a Feast of a Hundred Delicacies never before seen, but it turned out to be a joke in the end.

I'm a joke myself as well.

I'm ready to let go, be it Ding Feng Lou or my culinary skills.

Chef Mo... He told me to give this to you when you showed up looking for him.

He knew I would come?

Jiang brings out an empty bowl, where a wooden plate lies within. Carved on it, in firm, strong strokes, are four Yanese characters—

'Tian Xia Di Yi'—'First Under Heaven.'

I was told, this title weighs heavy, but it cannot feed the hungry.

He also said that while culinary skills can be compared, hunger treats kings and paupers alike.

And that it didn't matter if there would be future top chefs, or just common cooks among those people on that snowy night; he would've made that pot of noodles for them anyway.

The old man is struck dumb, and then immediately bursts into hearty laughter.

Snow buffets his face. He has not felt this awake or elated for a long time.

...Hmph.

Heed the True Lung's decree.

Mobilize seven-tenths of the city's energy...

...To open the Tomb of Sui.

Yes.

The Feranmuts are also the citizens of Yan, no different than humans.

And if my citizen has an injustice to appeal, I will grant him permission.

Should he succeed, he would render Yan a meritorious service by ridding this thousand-year concern once and for all.

If he fails and the bestial Sui awakens, then he shall have the full might of Yan behind him. Together, we shall slay the beast, until the threat is no more.

Your Imperial Majesty, do you intend to pardon the convict?

Yes...

There are many more I should pardon.

I pardon the convict Feranmut Wang for the crimes of manipulating the court and deceiving the emperor.

I pardon the Grand Preceptor for the crimes of false counsel, self-deprecation, and treason.

I pardon the deposed imperial heir Yan Wu for the crimes of dereliction of duty, abandoning his brother, and failing to uphold righteousness.

As for myself...

Failing to discern right from wrong, bringing injustice upon the good; failing to prevent war, leading to the deaths of many.

Crimes so heinous a pardon is impossible.

Though unworthy of the throne I occupy, I must do what I can.

I will ensure Yan’s fate belongs solely to its people.

I will settle my debt to this nation in full.

And when that day comes, I will await judgment for my crimes.

Yan Wu, it will be time for you to return.

The night sky remains clear. Only a few thin clouds float above, the twin moons unobstructed. The wind delivers a chill at a perfect temperature.

Passers-by stop in their tracks to watch the inexplicable sight.

So much snow.

What... What's going on here?

Baizao's energy poles are reducing their power. It seems the energy is being redirected elsewhere.

The city has not seen snow for many years.

I see...

Blaze recalls when she entered the city. Her eyes were drawn to these innumerable energy poles that seemed to never dim.

She remembers what Xingzhu had told her, Baizao's magnificent founding history.

This city, this vast nation, history, and time—they have never stopped for anyone.

Until now...

Lin Qingyan, doesn't snow that falls out of season carry special meaning in Yanese stories?

What are you trying to imply? The truth is now revealed with white? Heaven sends snow to finally right a long-standing injustice? The typical snow in summer story?

Maybe... or something else.

Those who are gone—what they leave behind will eventually disappear, just like the snow here.

You...

I know...

I hope this snow will last a while longer.

Fully-armed armored soldiers line up both sides of the path, spanning across the entire city.

The man drags himself through a long black corridor.

With every step he takes, he feels that ancient, enormous existence responding to his visitation.

An angry roar, a hoarse howl.

Hoo...

Oh, my head... This doesn't feel like the usual hangover from the Husong wine I had last night.

Alas. I see.

It awakens from Its farcical dream... an inevitability.

Fine. Let's go have a look after this cup.

Let's see what scenes await at the end of this millennium-long dream.

The poet looks into the distance.

Clouds screen the sun, the realm obscured.

Who? Who was it?!

Professional work should be left to actual pros, who the heck messed with my adjustments—

Zip it! I've been here the entire time, and no one's come.

I sneaked out for just two rounds of mahjong with the Nongye Tianshis next door. How did this Heart get 'hypertension' again?