act49side

After receiving Chao-ch'ien's request and her application being approved, Hui-chieh arrives at a section of the Sky Mirror Pavilion not open to the public to thumb through a few tomes.

She thought it would be a lot harder, honestly.

But when she went to check on the case from forty years ago, she found all the relevant texts neatly arranged on the shelf. They weren't even hidden in the back.

As if someone knew she would be here.

Maybe it's time.

Who are you? Why are you in my family's library?

Huh...?

Ch'en looks back and sees a girl of about ten years of age. The girl looks back at her, timid yet curious.

A Lung's horns, bright red hair, and a strikingly-familiar face. Ch'en does not need to ask who she is.

I'm Ch'en Hui-chieh. I came to borrow some books.

If you're here to read, are you also studying to become the True Lung?

What? No—

Dad said if you want to be a good True Lung, you need to read a lot of books here. When I go home today, the Grand Tutor will check my homework.

'Those with virtue cultivate it in their bodies, perform it in their actions, and state it in their words...'

'By mastering the classics, achieve refinement. By remedying the ills and practicing the right way, achieve virtue. By giving honest criticism without caring for offense, achieve...'

Err, the last part is...

...Do you want to be the True Lung?

Can I... <i>not</i> be the True Lung?

Dad says it is the duty I was born with.

If someone says, from the bottom of their heart, that they don't want to do something, then you shouldn't force them to do it.

When people are forced to do things, they won't be happy, right?

You're wrong! Dad said you need to do your duty. If nobody did, then the whole country will become a mess!

I'm going to go find him and have him explain it to you.

If there's a chance, I'd like to meet him too.

But it's getting late today. How about I send you home?

Okay!

But... do you know where I live?

Hmm... I think I do.

You look like you know a lot. Do you know more than the Grand Tutor?

Oh, I don't dare compare myself to him... But when it comes to certain questions, we have slightly different points of view.

The books say the True Lung should love the people, right?

That's right, but what you should know is, it's not only the True Lung who should do that.

Love your mother, father and teachers, your siblings, and your friends and companions.

You have the right to love everyone, no matter who you are.

Dad also said, because the True Lung is the most powerful person in the country, I need to be cautious about every word and every action.

It's the same with making friends, so... I don't have any.

No, you should be allowed to make friends with people you like.

Remember, taking such great authority and leaving in the hands of a single person, and making them shoulder it alone... This in itself is wrong.

It's not fair to most people, and it's not fair to that person either.

I don't understand what you're saying.

Can you stay and explain it to me more?

Once you grow up, you'll understand.

Once you grow up, maybe you can make a change.

So... Grow up quick.

Elder...

<i>Fan tong!</i> A bunch of <i>fan tong!</i>

I waited in the north for nearly FOUR HUNDRED YEARS, and <i>this</i> is all the progress Baizao's Tianshi Bureau made on Originium research?! Tianshis today are utterly incompetent!

Who's the head Tianshi these days? Tell him to get his ass over here!

After observing the unusual meteorological phenomenon created by Londinium's Shard four years ago, the Tianshi Bureaus realized the urgency of the issue of Originium.

Since then, the Tianshis have labored night and day at their research, not daring to rest for even a second.

But I fear there is no nation upon this land who can achieve the rate of progress you have asked for.

All I asked for was this one simple thing. I would have preferred it if you told me those youngsters were thinking up of ways to slack off. That way, their hearts might not have been into doing the right thing, but at least their brains would still work.

Ursus, Kazdel... No matter where you look, there's misfortune caused by Originium.

I had hoped Number Two would be able to solve this problem once and for all... But I'm afraid time's up. There'll be people knocking on the door soon enough.

Forget it! I'll move into the Bureau tomorrow. I want to see just how today's young Tianshis are putting their smarts to use—

Wait, forget tomorrow, I'll move in this afternoon!

That you are willing to see this through personally is a good thing, Elder.

But before you move in... In regards to the question of Originium, we have a guest from afar whom you should meet with.

Oh?

I am honored to meet with you, Grand Tutor of Great Yan.

I represent Rhodes Island, and would like to express my thanks to Yan for the information they have shared. I believe in these pressing times, candid collaboration between all parties is of utmost necessity.

Rhodes Island will uphold the spirit of cooperation during our follow-up research, and keep in close contact with Yan.

First, allow me to elaborate on Rhodes Island's position regarding the Originium question...

You haven't left yet. Good.

Still planning on taking me into custody rather than letting me go, Lord Zuo?

No. The Old Tianshi has already vouched for you.

Settling this turmoil the way you did, Mo Yi... was of great merit.

...It feels strange, hearing you be so polite.

But if you're not here to arrest me, then why <i>are</i> you here?

To return this to you.

Zuo Le carefully pulls a wooden lock out of his pocket.

Things were hectic, so I forgot to return this keepsake from your mother to you. My apologies.

Oh, this thing.

Mo Yi looks at Zuo Le, her lips aquiver...

...As she pulls out two identical locks from her pocket.

(Stifled laughter) I've still got plenty of these. You can keep that one.

You—!

But I didn't lie to you. It really was my mother who taught me how to make them.

You're about to ask me where I'm from, aren't you? I can see it on your face.

If you do not wish to say, I shall not offend you by pressing the matter.

I simply hope that in the future, you will not... toy with others again.

Hah. Still playing the preacher as ever.

I've got a question of my own. What's next for the Sui Regulator?

Honestly... It's a complete mess right now.

When the chaos ended, the Supervisor admitted responsibility and resigned.

That proxy killed Sui, and after merging with that piece of Originium, he fell into something resembling slumber. An unprecedented feat. The Feranmutologists are studying it with all haste.

Sounds like a headache.

Well, not that it matters. With you around, there's no need to worry about the Sui Regulator making any big mistakes.

I am... not as confident as you are.

As my master—the one you call the 'Old Carpenter'—once said, it is because of the differences between 'you' and 'me' that all disputes arise. No matter if they are between man and beast, or man and man.

Which is why he called for 'love between all things, for all things are brothers and sisters'.

Those twelve did everything they could, and nearly died for it, just to claw back a way for them to live. If you keep looking at them with the difference between man and beast in mind, that would be pretty cruel.

I trust you on this matter.

...<i>Duoxie</i>.

Alright, chat time's over. I should get going.

Going... where?

Wherever I feel like after a big event's over.

Returning to my search for the Feranmuts, trying to find any trace of that proxy, or maybe... giving that rabble waving the banner of the Shanhaizhong a talking-to. Not sure yet.

Until we meet again, then.

The girl waves her hand, and in an instant, she disappears amidst the sand-laden wind.