act49side

She was then trying to tell me something...

Wang picks up the thin booklet from the table and opens it.

<i>'Ji Jiu Qi Gu Yu Zhong Yi, Luo Lie Zhu Wu Ming Xing Zi.'</i> The <i>Jijiuzhang</i> is distinctive, unlike other books: it lists the names of many things and persons. <i>'Fen Bie Bu Ju Bu Za Ce, Yong Ri Yue Shao Cheng Kuai Yi, Mian Li Wu Zhi Bi You Xi.'</i> They are classified into different sections by kind, so that nothing is confused or mixed together. With but little time expended, it suffices for daily use—truly to one's satisfaction. If one studies it with diligence, one is sure to taste the delight of success.

These should have been the words written on the first page. These <i>were</i> the words, when Wang scanned the page for the first time.

But now, the paper is covered in strange ink markings.

<color=#d70000>Sui Sui Sui Sui Sui Sui Sui, Sui Sui Sui Sui Sui Sui Sui Sui Sui Sui Sui Sui Sui Sui, Sui Sui Sui Sui Sui Sui Sui, Sui Sui Sui Sui Sui Sui Sui</color>

Wang instinctively raises the writing knife and aims it at the first fierce-looking 'Sui' on the page.

One wrong move...

Who's there?

And all is lost...

The wind howls outside the window, but there is no one there.

Still trying to be our nightmare?

The same old tricks from centuries ago. Have you not grown tired of it yet?

When at a disadvantage, seek a draw...

There is no such thing as a draw between us.

When in danger, make sacrifices...

In your dreams.

<color=#d70000>Sui</color>

The writing knife strikes the first 'Sui'.

Wang has used his sister's writing knife before. A slight cut, and the incorrect word is completely erased, leaving the page intact.

But he feels a great resistance, as though he is trying to scrape a boulder, a mountain even.

He tightens his not-too-strong arms and pushes down—

Ji

A crack of thunder outside the window.

The first 'Sui' finally disappears. The paper is blank for a moment, then the word that Jie wrote is revealed, the lines intentionally plain yet vigorous to make for easier recognition by learners.

The lone 'Ji' stands eerie amongst a page full of 'Sui'.

...'Ji.'

Is that it?

Is smearing and dabbing the worst you can do?

Do not give in to haste...

Hmph.

<color=#d70000>Sui</color>

Wang takes aim at the second 'Sui' and scrapes it. The resistance seems even stronger than the first time.

Jiu

'Jiu.'

The night wind invades the room, trying to turn the pages, but Wang keeps the paper firmly under his palm.

<color=#d70000>Sui</color>

Qi

'Qi.'

<color=#d70000>Sui</color>

Gu

'Gu'—

The room starts to shake violently as the fourth word reveals itself.

<color=#d70000>Sui</color>

Yu

'Yu'...

The thunder outside rumbles endlessly, accompanied by constant lightning.

<color=#d70000>Sui</color>

Zhong

'Zhong'...

A bolt of lightning strikes the inn, setting it ablaze.

<color=#d70000>Sui</color>

Yi

'Yi'...!

The room burns fiercely, but Wang remains at the desk, utterly focused on cutting the page.

Each 'Sui' requires greater exertion than the last. Each time a 'Sui' is erased, a different hellish vision appears around him.

The sky sunders, the earth trembles, winds shriek and thunder roars, and fires burn red and bright.

The beams, the bed, the desk, the shelves... until there is nothing in the room left to burn, and even the ground has been burned through.

Wang can feel himself drop straight down like a stone, but his hands do not stop.

Scorching heat.

Freezing cold.

Suffocation.

Isolation...

One hundred, three hundred, five hundred, one thousand...

One thousand three hundred and ninety-three...

One thousand three hundred and ninety-four...

The last 'Sui' is erased, and he finds himself in the dark room again.

Nothing in the room has changed, except for Wang sitting in the middle of the room, his face gaunt and yellow, his clothes tattered, as though he physically journeyed through all these hellish visions.

(Heavy breathing)

What other weiqi wisdom do you have...? Spit it out, won't you?

Silence.

Wang turns the page. There is indeed a paper between the last page and the back cover. It is not words that are written on it, but a nineteen-by-nineteen weiqi board drawn with writing ink.

Not a classic match, but a handicap game of clearly mismatched sides.

Wait, this is...

It's one thing to make me play weiqi with you because you're bored, dear brother, it's another to use the stones to form the character for 'bored.'

As if that would help me against you.

Why don't you find something else to pass the time, if it's not really a weiqi game that you're after? Go hiking, learn an instrument... I could teach you calligraphy, if it comes down to that.

Oh? What thoughts did you read this time?

There are words on the other side...

Through the paper, Wang can see that the writing is different from the simple, straightforward lines that she used when copying for learners; it is the unique style of calligraphy that she uses when writing to her siblings.

He flips the paper over, trying to see what the message he never managed to see was—

But every word is covered by the 'Sui' character, even thicker and fiercer than the ones that he has just erased.

Same old tricks? Fine. Let's see what tricks you've got, other than illusions and parlor tricks—

Once again, Wang stabs the 'Sui' covering the page with the writing knife, wiping away a little smear on the top-right of the word...

No unusual phenomenon occurs, except the red blood that begins to flow from his right shoulder.

Urgh?!

To kill you is to kill me... is that so?

Suits me just fine...!

One stab, and the wound on his shoulder opens up.

Another stab, and the wound deepens to reach the bone.

Another stab.

And another...

Missing words? Let's see... what's the word... I can't remember...

In October, I'll be nine... nine...

Supervisor! Urgent report from the Sky Mirror Pavilion. All records pertaining to the Feranmut are—

Ugh... argh!

Perhaps the blood has gotten into his eyes, for it seems like the 'Sui' character covering the page has begun to move, as though it is alive.

The ink seems to fear the writing knife, shifting back and forth among the names of the twelve proxies...

<color=#d70000>Wang</color>

It stops on the 'Wang' character.