act49side

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

You came, in the end.

So you were here.

You don't seem surprised at all to see me, though.

Ch'en Hui-chieh is somewhat caught off-guard by her target simply showing up before her.

Still the overbearing posture, still the unfathomable look, as if they are not standing in Baizao's Forbidden City, but in the backyard of his official residence in Lungmen.

The buildings behind him seamlessly blend into his dark coat, as if those palaces are merely an excessively ornate cloak over his shoulders.

So, at least you weren't kidnapped.

I still don't know just who on this land could manage that.

Everything I've done has been of my own volition.

I'll never stop hating that attitude of yours...

Why are you here? Is this that backup plan the Grand Tutor kept telling you to make?

His words should not be followed entirely... the situation should never have developed as he suggested, in the first place.

I have another plan in mind.

Either way, you're safe. So what comes next won't be much of a problem.

And what are <i>you</i> preparing to do?

Ensure you're safe, get you out of Baizao, then...

Ch'en casually waves the writing knife in her right hand, its simple form leaving a light yellow scroll-like afterimage in the air.

...Correct some mistakes made by you and your brother.

I see... so the artifact is with you.

I'm not too surprised.

Hah. And who were you supposing would deliver this writing knife to you?

That's no longer important...

Since you have it, then you ought to know how to use it... and everything else about it.

I was pretty surprised. Every secret I've learned about you since coming to the city has... opened my eyes.

You know, I almost admire your ability to hide so many secrets.

If you truly wish to rectify the mistake I made then, you should follow me.

Follow you...

Where?

Beneath the Forbidden City, to the first Originium.

The writing knife you hold will be of use, and will solve Great Yan's crisis. All will be made right.

Of course, I prefer you hand the knife to me instead. It'll be quicker, and you'll have less trouble to contend with.

But you won't trust me. I'm sure you want to see it all yourself before you'll give up. I don't really mind, though.

Haven't had enough of playing the tragic hero? You're just conveniently skipping over the part where you'd actually lose your life.

We stand before a great crisis... and this is a small cost Yan can afford.

There are no victims in this case. Your work ends here, Superintendent Ch'en.

Don't tell me you forgot. I resigned right in front of you, five years ago.

Though the man standing before me now isn't even fit to be called 'Chief Wei'.

You're telling me to watch you throw your life away, and that's not even the part of your words that's pissing me off the most.

Your sacrifice isn't going to move anyone's heart but your own.

And right now, you don't even have the right to end your life just like that.

Hui-chieh, this is no petty squabble. This matter concerns the fate of Yan and its people!

Of course I know that...

But get over your own ego. The country's fate doesn't fall on your shoulders alone. There are definitely other things you should be doing, besides glorifying your own suicide.

Very well.

You don't have to come with me.

Give me the writing knife and go back to Lungmen.

It's too bad I got two blades here, but I can't lend you either of them.

We don't have any more time to lose, and you still want it your way, Superintendent Ch'en?

I'm not the one insisting on having it my way.

Must you force my hand...?

Fine, show me. Let me see how much your swordplay has grown in the last five years!

That's more like it.

Ch'en Hui-chieh grips the hilt of her sword.

Since she first took up the Chi Xiao, she knew this moment would one day come.

She unsheathes her blade, pointing it at the Baizao autumn breeze blowing between her and Wei Yenwu.

As sword ere shadow's trace...

...Cast off as cast.