act49side

All is silent.

The dining table is no place for swords and bloodshed.

Pick up your chopsticks, if you're here to eat. Don't let good food go to waste.

And if you're not here to eat, you ought to get out.

Its parts... protect the humans of the Sui Regulator...

How ironic.

We don't need you to tell us how to live our lives.

On the other hand, I would suggest that you eat something. Hunger tends to make one grumpy.

The woman quietly pushes a steaming plate of buns in front of Ya.

Enjoy, while it's hot.

...Hmph.

Ya looks coldly at the buns in front of Her, before turning to leave.

You're going?

The Shanhaizhong's words were truth mixed with falsehood, but I <i>will</i> get my hands on what she promised to deliver to me.

As for you... I've met many of Its incarnations, but none who answer my questions straightforwardly. What use is there for you people?

I will not say that an eye for an eye is unreasonable, but you should watch your step, in case someone has dug a pit for you.

Ridiculous.

Does She speak of the proxies, the Shanhaizhong, Herself, or the steaming plate of buns in front of Her?

Phew... good thing you showed up, Jun.

It doesn't seem like She's here for any particular reason. Looks like She's been tricked by someone. Whether I'm here or not doesn't make much of a difference.

It's not 'us' that She's after.

...*sigh*.

What is it?

I just feel like She must have led a hard life.

A road of hardship that only leads to even greater hardship.

Never mind that. Does my second oldest sister have business here in Baizao?

I have an appointment to keep.

An appointment? How about you sit down and enjoy a meal, if you're not in a hurry—

I'm afraid it might be a little hard to sit down and enjoy anything...

Considering the burning smell coming from the kitchen.

Oh no... my roast fowlbeast!

Stop.

The sound of paulownia seeds striking the ground rings clear through the faint morning autumn wind.

The slender woman in front of her has a nervous expression on her face, seemingly trying to hide her timidity at all costs.

A visitor? When there is a general evacuation order throughout Baizao?

Who are you? What business do you have in the Sky Mirror Pavilion?

I didn't mean to disturb—do you work here?

You must have seen the strange soldiers all over the city. They seem to have originated here.

Could you please tell me exactly what happened?

The Pavilion does not need an outsider meddling in its affairs. Besides, your identity is unknown, and you have trespassed into this place, armed.

As Magistrate of Water for the Sky Mirror Pavilion, I cannot allow you to enter, whether it is for the safety of the Pavilion's archives, or for your own safety.

Turn back.

Magistrate of Water... what kind of position is that?

The Sky Mirror Pavilion is the first library of Yan. The Magistrate of Water is responsible for preventing fires.

What are you doing in the Sky Mirror Pavilion, if you don't even know this?

I thought... a modern library wouldn't need a specific person to prevent fires anymore.

Indeed, you're right. Smart girl. Now, get out.

I'm sorry... I mean no offense.

But I happen to know someone who used to work in Baizao's library...

Who? What's your relationship?

That's not important. It was many years ago.

Hm...

The aloof woman takes a few steps forward, lifting her lantern to look closely at Ch'en's face.

Ch'en instinctively takes a step back.

Enough. Nothing you say will matter.

Leave, if you have no business here. You'll regret it when the gates close.

But you're the only one here. Are you sure you'll be fine?

That's none of your business—why do you poke your nose into it?

Honestly... I came to clear out these monsters.

But when I saw this library, I felt like... like I've seen it in a dream. Like someone intentionally guided me here.

A dream? Is that the best excuse you can come up with?

It's not an excuse. Besides, I used to be a cop. I'm familiar with security work.

Please, trust me. Let me participate in the investigation.

You... you're really a police?

Ch'en shows her ID.

You're from Lungmen...

Ch'en... Hui-chieh.

Ch'en Hui-chieh? What are you doing here?

Huh...?

Don't think a piece of paper grants you free passage.

I, Ch'en Chao-ch'ien, am the last of the Ch'ens. Have you come to mock the House of Ch'en? I'll never understand the imperial family's hobbies.

That means, you're—

Still playing dumb? Don't you even know who your parents are?

Your family never cared about the husband's side of the family when Princess Yanjing remarried, only to ruin the careers of the entire Ch'en family when she died...

What did my cousin do wrong? How could he possibly refuse?

Maybe you don't believe me... I can hardly believe it myself, but no one's ever told me so much about my family like that.

I thought... I was the only one.

You didn't know? Then why have you come to the Sky Mirror Pavilion?

They stare at each other wordlessly, as though looking into blurry mirrors.

I'm sorry...

Enough... leave. A few nice words, that's all. You were willing to say them, and I appreciate it. Let's leave it at that.

I gave up asking more questions a long time ago. Thunder and rain are both gifts from Heaven. I should be grateful I still have a job—

...Again.

Wh-What? Didn't they disappear...?

Oh no! The books!

I'll take you inside. It's faster that way. Excuse me.

Stop! Such gall—w-wait!

Insolent child—

Beneath the tall dome, densely packed bookshelves extend as far as the eye can see, reflecting in the floor like a massive, constantly expanding weiqi board.

Ink-colored scriptgeists wander amidst them, scattered like weiqi stones.

This is not good. The monsters here are much stronger than the ones I encountered at the gate.

It's like they came flowing out of the shelves... what are they?

Not shelves. Pages. Can't you tell?

Pages?

Get back!

Hey, don't grab me—

Fine, I suppose your intentions are righteous.

What do you think, Candleholder Zuo? Is the news timely enough for you?

Going straight for the source of the geist trouble—even you Sui Regulator people haven't been able to react yet.

Do you believe me now?