act49side

It is an interesting discipline.

I read the <i>Basic Principles of the Laws of Yan</i> that you left behind many times, but I could never understand the last third.

I spent so much time studying it that I almost failed my Ministry of Justice entrance exam. Maybe I would have become a Candleholder.

It took many years for me to understand... the justice that you wrote about lay beyond the mortal realm.

Just as one cannot draw what one has never seen, one cannot write about conscience that does not exist in their hearts.

If justice is nowhere to be seen in the mortal realm, then one must consider—has someone blinded our eyes?

You still bear a grudge for what happened back then.

Should I not?

What about the people who died in the turmoil? The innocent souls who were dragged into the game? Should they bear a grudge against him?

Yes, they should.

Then how do you seek a fair judgment for it?

You forget.

Not one law of Yan was written for the sole purpose of resolving hatred.

It is someone else who should be judged.

Looks like you're not worried about what will happen to your brother in the Tomb of Sui. You're more worried about the judgment he'll receive.

Justice has never been concerned with life and death. He and I seek different things.

You're right, but at a time like this... I can't help but feel...

Law and regulations were written by humans, but the supreme law in your heart that transcends the strife of the mortal realm... may never be found there.

But just this once... if the time comes that we put the sinner on trial, I will put you in the judge's chair.

You're correct.

And it's been a long time since I judged anyone.

I take my leave.

There's no rush, is there? Join me in a cup of mortal tea before you leave.

Oh?

It takes mortal hands to make and serve the best mortal tea, after all.

<p=2>One day before the day of the full moon, Hour of Yu</>

The Sky Mirror Pavilion is bigger than I thought... that's the sealed room on the top floor, right?

How about someone knocks on the door and figures out how to open it?

There's no one here. I think we're the first.

There is one thing that I don't quite understand, Zuo Le.

If the Grand Commandant is after the proxy's relic, I take it that he knows how to use it to neutralize the bestial Sui?

He is one of the three Grand Ministers. If he made plans to obtain it, then he has certainly made plans to use it.

I even find myself wondering... if someone takes the opportunity to erase another proxy's name with the writing knife while Wang is fighting Sui...

But what does all this have to do with Wei Yenwu?

The Grand Commandant wouldn't have needed the writing knife if he was that powerful. He could have gone into the Tomb of Sui and killed Sui with his own bare hands.

What ideas do YOU have, then?

I didn't really care about you and your official stuff, but I have a pretty good idea what's going on after listening to you guys talk.

Basically, the crown prince who went missing forty years ago after being suspected of staging a coup is back. Am I right?

Do not speak of it so casually!

Gah, I'm not wasting my time arguing with you.

Basically, there's another direct descendant of the True Lung here in Baizao. That explains everything.

What are you getting at?

Have you never heard of the special Originium under Baizao used to suppress Sui?

Miss Ch'en here is from Lungmen, so it's understandable that she doesn't know. But you two should... unless it's above your rank?

Do you mean...?

'The Earth's blessings have granted this stone to its people; the Heaven's blessings shall bring an end to Sui.'

A legend associated with the Great Hunt. I thought it was a myth, maybe some kind of allegory...

All I know is that the Tomb of Sui was built around a special facility...

Alright, I guess you don't know.

Why do YOU know?

I guess the Sui Regulator left no record of who gave Yan this Originium either.

It was our grandmaster, Ju's first friend, and the first Shanhaizhong.

To be precise, it was a personal gift to the True Lung. Meaning—

What happened?

Looks like the evacuation of the civilians is complete, and the plates are beginning to separate.

Time is short. We should retrieve—

So you really made it here.

Who's—

A figure approaches them from the other side of the corridor.

You... but how could it be—

All districts have been fully evacuated, Your Imperial Majesty, and all the ministries are ready.

They await your command.

Tomorrow is the day of the full moon.

Yes.

Very well.

Separate the plates.

Heaven and earth rumble in the setting golden sun.

The plates of Baizao begin to separate, starting from the outer areas, casting numerous shadows in the vast wilderness.

They are the legs that carry the city, and the foundation of its existence—

Shanshui, Changjie, Yanhuo, Xiange;

Duanfang, Baigu, Zaifu, Bingge...

The Eight Districts have seen a hundred springs and autumns together.

They have long been standing united, overcoming hardships.

Now that they are separated, the future is uncertain.

I was wondering when you would come.

Your Imperial Majesty...

It is time.