level_act15side_02_beg

2上

The cold spell of springtide.

It hearkens me back to many scenes of the past: my academic pursuits, my career in business, my training in the martial arts, and my entrance into politics.

In those bygone times, we were inseparable. Kind friends and mentors were always there for us, each of them hoping to realize their own grand aspirations.

What about now?

The green bricks have yet to be cleaned. Spring has long since begun, yet the snow lingers, white as pearls.

It is impossible to know what the man behind the door thinks when it is shut. All you are certain of is that, when it opens, what you know is merely what he wants you to know.

He lifts his head. The door lets out a creak.

Mr. Liang.

Liang Xun... Long time no see.

Indeed. It's been a while.

You've ventured far, Lee.

It was a long journey, and I'd be lying if I said it wasn't arduous. How gaudy of you then, Mr. Liang, to have me travel all this way just to deliver this small trinket.

All will be explained as soon as I have the time.

I must thank you too, Master Shen. It's early spring. There must be many a traveler seeking to make their way across the waters.

Not at all. I accepted the job, so naturally it's my top priority.

But now that I've brought him... I think I'll head back to the docks.

Oh right. We ran into a bit of trouble in the city. Lee can fill you in on the details.

Trouble...?

You'd best be careful too, sir.

I'll take my leave. The docks must be low on manpower by now. I should hurry back.

Right. Thank you for your work.

'Make your way to Shangshu via Zhengshan, and find a boatman named Shen.'

See how far your reputation gets you, Mr. Liang? You sent for me with just that one sentence.

This isn't exactly your first time visiting Shangshu.

So what kind of man is this Master Shen?

Just a trustworthy boatman. And experienced boatmen can be trusted with your life.

Fair enough.

Come to think of it, I haven't been introduced to these two...

(Good gracious, how did I not notice? So this 'Mr. Liang' is the magistrate of Shangshu?!)

(I'm getting pretty used to you overreacting to stuff you missed. What's that mean for us, though?)

(He's the head of the city!)

(Knowing how Yan ranks officials, though, doesn't that make him a whole lot lower than Wei Yenwu?)

These two are my... business partners.

It is an honor, Mr. Liang. I'm Ch'u...

Wu-yu. Please call me Mr. Nothing.

And I'm Kroos. I'm an Operator on deployment from Rhodes Island Pharmaceuticals, which has an ongoing business relationship with Mr. Lee.

We only bumped into each other in Shangshu by chance, though. Anyway, it's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Liang.

By chance? And here I thought you hired Messengers to escort you from Lungmen...

So you ARE aware that Messengers exist? Then perhaps you should've hired them to run your errands instead of me.

It was no trivial matter, and the journey was long. I couldn't trust just anyone.

But you could trust me? Give me a break. What was I supposed to do if I ran into bandits on the way?

If you thought it a hassle, you could have written back and refused.

Please, like there'd be another chance with that trinket of yours. By the time your letter made it to me, the smugglers were already in Lungmen.

When did I have time to write back and tell you to find somebody else? I had to get someone looking into them straight away, smashing up their hideout too, while we were at it.

*Sigh* Fortunately, the kids working for me are more than capable of holding the fort. Otherwise I wouldn't have time for this errand of yours.

(Sounds like Waai Fu's MO to me... and I'm guessing Mr. Lee took this as an excuse to skip town rather than deal with everything on his plate.)

Seeing as you are Lee's business partners, we shouldn't be discussing this at the door. Please, come in. We have enough guest rooms for everyone.

What an honor to be personally received by Shangshu's magistrate. Best we accept, then.

Please, this way.

You have our thanks, Mr. Liang.

Benefactor, we were just worrying about where to stay the night, and there's still some time until our meeting. Why not get some rest here?

Hmm...

Benefactor?

Nothing... Guess I'm just tired.

Mr. Lee, do we have to tell Mr. Liang about what just happened?

Yes, we should...

Look at the sky. It's filled with clouds. It'll probably rain tonight—

...? What's the matter, Lee?

Nothing...

Some landscapes flashed through my mind, is all... Maybe it's been way too long since I last visited Shangshu, and the nostalgia is getting to me.

Miss Du... How did it go?

How did what go? That ugly old Zheng gave me an earful.

What should we do, then?

I told you. We can't always listen to them.

If that's all we ever do, we won't have a future.

Just do as I say.

Alright. I'll call everyone up.

Mm-hm.

How will you deal with the Lungmenite now?

I'll go see him myself.

Some things are best discussed with an open heart.

How about a drink?

I'll pass. I have work later.

You had me travel thousands of li to bring you a wine cup, and you won't indulge me with one little drink?

I went through hell and high water for this thing, you know.

Drink makes fools of us all.

Ah, 'drink makes fools of us all...'

One of the Liang Xun of yesteryear's favorite sayings. Full glad I am to know that Mr. Liang still cannot hold his liquor.

And full glad I am to know that you're still that good old foulmouthed Lee.

I've sent someone to investigate what happened at Xingyu Inn.

I doubt things are as simple as they seem. If you really don't know, then no need to stir up the hornet's nest. Such is the society we live in.

Especially when simply waiting for me to leave the city would more or less solve all our troubles.

Are you sure you don't need to check on the cup? The roads were bumpy. I could very well have flattened it under my posterior.

If you didn't feel it worth mentioning, then it must be safe and sound.

Haha...

I say you take a look anyway. I hand-delivered this beauty all the way from Lungmen, after all.

So this is it...

Now, indulge my curiosity: what makes it so special? At the price it was going for in the smugglers' auctions, it may as well have been a buy-one-get-one-free sale.

A rumor circulating among the smugglers did catch my attention though. Apparently, this thing was at the center of a ghost story in the village it was found.

Do tell.

They say the cup can make the things around it... come to life.

Is there any proof?

If there were any proof to a ghost story, you'd have heard about it on the news by now. I only know the rumors.

And what of the smugglers?

All taken to the L.G.D.

That's good to hear.

Actually, there is another matter I would like you to take care of.

Well, you summoned me all the way from Lungmen. You may as well get your money's worth while I'm here.

But for now...

Hoh... It seems you won't let me go without sharing a drink with you.

We'll save business for later, then. You haven't changed, old friend. Carefree as always.

Come, sit.

Now you're the master?

How are your days in Lungmen? I heard you're a private investigator now?

Right... And Huai's daughter is staying with me, too. You know, Huai, the kung fu lunatic.

Ah, no wonder you asked me to look into his whereabouts all of a sudden.

I've been taking care of Waai Fu for a while now, actually. I even went to her university graduation ceremony in his place. Am I supposed to walk her down the aisle when she gets married too?

Waai Fu's a good girl, but she's got a terrible father.

His daughter... She's grown so much.

Time flies, Liang Xun.

Indeed...

I heard you took up a job in government, and with your personality and skills I figured you had a bright future ahead of you. Never did I imagine that our reunion would take so many years though.

I'm sure everyone will be happy to hear you managed to get back on your feet.

Hardly. I just realized that some things aren't nearly as much of a headache as figuring out how to put food on the table.

It's been a while since I had your cooking...

You're a big shot who governs a large city. Stop looking back so fondly on the tough times we struggled through.

Instead, think back to the times when we lacked opportunities to use our talents, and make sure the youngsters in your city have them. Isn't that what used to vex you the most?

Indeed...

Hmm, still, glad to see you're still the type to never, ever, hold a woman.

I was worried I'd come to Shangshu only to find you'd started a family. Which would make me—

Mr. Liang... You have a guest?

*Cough*...

Miss Ning... I'm afraid now is not a good time...

—What do you mean, now isn't a good time? I'm just a Messenger. I'll be taking my leave soon!

Good evening, Mr. Liang... and... Mr. Messenger?

That's right, young miss.

(Explain.)

(She's a coworker.)

(Mighty fine coworker you have over at this hour.)

(It's barely past dinnertime.)

Oh.

Might you have forgotten our engagement tonight?

No, it's just...

Please, don't mind me. I have a few errands that just came to mind.

I'll leave you to it, Mr. Liang. If you need anything else... Ugh, try to finish your business first.

Wait, Lee—

Well, seems I'm in trouble.

Nothing, mate... We're just looking for some grub. Does this really need to be such a big deal?

It's not like Nian's here. I'm fine with whatever. No one's going to complain.

Absolutely not, my benefactor! I must apologize for what happened earlier by finding you the very finest establishment!

Okay... so how come we're in some empty alley?

You don't understand. Everyone in Yan has a handful of hole-in-the-wall eateries they hold dear to their hearts. Flavors that simply cannot be enjoyed anywhere else, no matter how reputable.

You savor the memories, and taste the feelings, and, uh...

You're not even a local... How can anywhere here be dear to your heart?

Now put that travel guide away.

If you insist.

Do you have some kind of four-dimensional pocket? Where are you keeping all those weird books...?

And you keep taking us down alleyways too... Trying to lure out the people who attacked us earlier?

We're wards of the city's magistrate! What do we have to be afraid of?

Besides, they are hardly the upstanding sort! Rather than wait for them to come to us, I say we nip this in the bud before our rendezvous with the others.

The safest play would be to hole up in the Liang estate and contact the closest field office to send Operators to meet us in Shangshu... Hmm...

I've been meaning to ask, but are there many Yanese at Rhodes Island?

Now that you mention it, I don't think there's all that many, but it also feels like I run into them just about everywhere. It's strange—

Rhodes Island? Rhodes Island...

Mm-hm.

Infected walking freely in the city?

Benefactor, watch out—

Urgh—

Such a lightning-fast reaction.

What a surprise.

What is this about—

Mr. Nothing thinks fast and moves even faster, as do most kung fu practitioners.

However, the brawny man strikes more quickly than even the skip of Mr. Nothing's heartbeat, reaching his throat.

Don't try anything funny.

Nothing! Don't do it, mate!

Do you know your companion's identity? Did you know she belongs to an Infected organization?

Haha... Benefactor, to be quite honest, I'm afraid I couldn't do anything even if I wanted to...

What's more... This is a government official.

What a strange fan you wield. You are a master of your techniques, but you have yet to kill.

At least you are aware of your weaknesses.

Have we met...?

We have not.

However, it seems you two are somehow connected to the deputy minister of the Central Judicial Office.

You mean... Leizi?

Right! I saw you in our Operational Records before! You're...!

Taihe, Deputy Monitor Censor of the Department of Discipline and Supervision.

De-department of Discipline and Supervision...?!

Infected, what is your purpose here in Shangshu?

What happened at Kou-wu City? Why did Dusk leave the mountains?

And how is Rhodes Island involved?

(Benefactor, is this... about Miss Dusk?)

Keeping quiet, are we?

There is no need to probe Rhodes Island, sir. We've already gone through all the formalities... as Infected.

If you want to know about our Operators' private lives, though, there is truly nothing I can tell you.

Not that I know anything anyway.

Operators...?

A bestial Sui taking an office job? Unheard of.

It seems the Central Judicial Office was highly negligent in its handling of Rhodes Island.

So you tailed us, huh...?

Not at all.

But you won't let us go?

That depends on how cooperative you are.

No need to be so confrontational, Uncle Taihe.

Lord Zuo.

I've spoken with the other Candleholders to better understand the situation. These... Rhodes Island-related individuals are currently guests of the Shangshu magistrate.

They may be involved with the Mount Hui-ch'i incident, but they clearly mean no offense. We needn't come to blows.

My apologies. Uncle Taihe is usually a quiet man, but for whatever reason he is unusually agitated today.

I am Zuo Le, a... court Messenger. We will leave it at that.

I'm Kroos, a Rhodes Island Operator.

Chu Wuyou, otherwise known as Rhodes Island Operator Nothing. Although not yet officially.

Ms. Kroos, Mr. Nothing. Please accept my apologies.

I understand the transgression was Uncle Taihe's, but allow me to remind you:

If you are not too involved with those sisters, I suggest you put an end to that relationship while you still can.

Nian's my friend and coworker, and Dusk's my friend's pain-in-the-rear sister. So is that in the 'while we still can' stage or not?

To tell the truth... You've likely already crossed the line.

Thanks for the tip, then.

Heh.

Ms. Kroos, you're a woman of extraordinary courage and skill.

Now we have other business to attend to. Please excuse us.

I hope Magistrate Liang will give the Department of Discipline and Supervision an acceptable answer regarding the Rhodes Island affair.

Excuse us.

...Mm...

Benefactor! Are you okay?

Haha... That gave me such a start, I sprained my ankle. I'm okay, though.

Nothing, mate.

Hmm...

A Messenger accompanied by the Department of Discipline and Supervision's Deputy Monitir Censor as his retainer... What a load of poppycock. They really took us for fools.

It seems they're also well aware of the bizarre events in which we found ourselves at Kou-wu City and Mount Hui-ch'i.

Even a fool can glean that the sisters are no ordinary beings, but all this is a little... uh... beyond imagination.

Let's head back to the Liang estate first.

Now's not the time to be wandering around. We need to meet up with them as soon as possible...

Huh...?

What about him?

Nah... It was probably just some small critter.

*Sigh*.

'Tis not like you to sigh so much.

Are you so unhappy to see me tonight, my lord?

I...

No.

Is something the matter?

Must I have urgent matters to seek your companionship?

No...

When shall we take to the mountains and see the plays?

The weather is still cold. I heard you've been ill as of late. You should be avoiding the mountains.

'Tis always the case in early spring. It makes me long for the hot tea served at Shuzhou Peak.

Right. I will go with you when I have the time.

That was your guest, was he not? You were never one to engage in small talk with Messengers.

Perhaps you might settle for 'leave the goods there. Stop wasting my time.'?

No, I doubt you would say that last part. After all, you are a man of proper etiquette, my lord.

Nothing escapes you, Miss Ning.

Where is he from?

Lungmen.

So far away! Ah... He came all this way to see you. I should not have intruded.

Not at all. He's not one to mind such trivialities.

My, how strange... To think you'd say that about someone.

Here I thought you would be the same aloof man to everyone.

*Cough*... I don't...

What is he doing here?

I... I entrusted some matters to him.

What sorts of matters?

All trivial.

So you invited an old friend from a thousand li away only for trivial matters...

If you will not tell me, I shan't ask.

However, this world is full of hardships. Such is life. If you were to anguish over each and every one of them...

You would only be overburdening yourself.

Hm?

Didn't Liang say this guest room was for me to use as I please?

Let's ignore the fact that you came into my room uninvited. Why are you making tea? MY tea, mind you.

It's not yours, it's Mr. Liang's.

And I made you a cup too. Satisfied?

So you plan to continue your accusations, Miss Du?

Take a guess.

I don't suppose you're bold enough to try anything in such a pretty mansion.

Why don't you start by telling me why you're here?

Heh, aren't you the confident one? Still carefree enough to make conversation with me.

Well, you made tea.

Alright, fine.

I'll get to the point. I'm here because I need your help.

Alright.

Huh?

Now that's odd. I thought you'd be more cautious. Why so agreeable?

Liang Xun let you into his home. What is there to worry about?

Do you know him?

I pleaded him to let me in, that's all... My father's always had a good relationship with the government.

I see.

Last time we met, I was going to steal your cup.

Not mine. Mr. Liang's.

Let him deal with the troublesome stuff. I only bother with whatever troubles come my way.

So you'll believe me...?

What reason do I have to hold a grudge against a young lady?

*Sigh*... All of us were young once, and all of us have had to put up an act just to save face.

—W-Who's saving face?! I was—

Did you get in a fight with the innkeeper?

Heh.

I'm starting to understand just what a terrifying person you are.

You seem lax and carefree, but you actually know everything like the back of your hand—People like you are the most terrifying.

At the very least, I wouldn't attack someone with a chair on our first meeting.

Now, tell me what this is about. And be honest, this is a negotiation.

Innkeeper Zheng... My father took on a job from a court noble. They want that wine cup of yours.

About what I figured, but earlier you were helping him with that. Why the sudden change of heart?

I won't go into the details. It's just... I don't want him to succeed.

So?

Will you not believe me if I don't tell you why?

Try not to ask questions that you already know the answer to. You want to come across as sincere.

If he succeeds, it doesn't matter how big a role I played. He'll make me take full credit for it.

The Escort Association has made itself a lot of enemies, and, for all the weight it has to throw around, it's stuck by the old rules even now that the Messenger industry has taken off. They're always left out for being slower to react than everyone else.

That's why my father always told me to keep my mouth shut, to hide my shortcomings.

He wants me to act like a frivolous playgirl who pisses away his riches. All so no one will give me a second thought.

Then, I'd secretly run errands for the court, both to curry favor and win over my lackeys.

Only then will he finally entrust me with the family business.

Well, that's an innkeeper for you. Always so calculating.

But I'm not part of the equation.

Whether it's the Du Yaoye who will inherit the Association, or the Miss Du who's always throwing money around, both are what others expect me to be.

So you want to take this chance to ensure your old man has to stay put and right the ship. That way you won't need to take over as the new innkeeper. Am I getting this right?

Not quite.

The royal court doesn't often come to the Association with a job. If this deal falls through, there is no way my father is going to hand me the keys to the Association just yet.

Most people my age look to me for a way out. I told them that if my father's deal falls through, the Association won't expect anything from us youngsters anymore.

But either way you're still waiting for your old man to pass the baton to you. What's the difference?

That's nothing more than an arrangement to keep us in line. Once I inherit the Association, I will have to follow the rules.

And the 'rules' go way beyond my father.

That's why you've come to me to... uh, help you put on this play of yours?

That it is.

Du Yaoye... Is that your name, my lady?

W-What about it?

'On this silent autumn night, lingering sorrows yet grapple my heart. A long night that never ceases.' Yaoye refers to the long night from that lovely poem.

Too bad, I prefer going out at twilight.

Since this is a deal though... what's in it for me?

There's somebody out there, from the royal court, who wants what you have. But you didn't let them have it. Do you understand what that means?

My friend never told me to hand it over. Besides, isn't he a member of said court?

Mr. Liang had you come all this way. He has something else for you, doesn't he?

Only trivial matters.

Whatever. I don't really care. It's just, now that it's come to this you won't be able to pretend you've got nothing to do with it anymore. No matter what you intend.

I can help you. At the very least, I can guarantee you'll make it back to Lungmen in one piece.

Fair point...

It's a deal, then.

It's a deal...

Heh, talking to you is easier than I expected.

Relax, I may not want to be the innkeeper, but all my friends my age have more than a few things to say about our elders. And all of them follow my orders.

You say you don't want to take over the Association, but aren't you doing the same thing...?

Times have changed.

Right, right.

I can't help but feel you're hiding something, but fine. It'll be nothing but trouble if they find me here.

Uhh...

Call me Lee.

—Alright, Lee. We'll meet again!

The innkeeper may seem a kind, amiable man, but his daughter...

Uncle Lee...

Hm?

You're visiting Uncle Liang, right?

Right... *Sigh*... I really don't want to go on this trip...

I...

I'll keep an eye out for your dad.

With any luck, I might even drag him back here.

Hmm...

Thanks.

Oh, don't be like that... Don't expect too much either.

Yan is a big place, too big to find someone that easily.

Waai Fu...

Look, I need you to know. It doesn't matter if you're going to tell him off, hammer him with questions, or let bygones be bygones and fawn over him. If I do find him, you'll need to face him on your own.

It's only when you catch your fool of a dad's shadow that he'll turn back to look at you. That's the kind of man he is.

I'll be in Shangshu for a while. If I hear anything about him, I'll let you know.

And... once you're ready, come find me.

I...

I understand.

*Sigh*.

That prick Liang Xun... neglecting his guest like this without so much as telling me his next move...

Hm... the tea isn't the best I've had, but the pot is quite the work of art. A fine teapot, indeed...

Hmm... A full calligraphy set too... Fairly old-fashioned for a guest room. I see Liang Xun's tastes haven't changed.

(Yawn)

Phew... That journey took it all out of me.

I'm past due for a break. After all that abuse I've taken from him, I'm pooped—

—Where am I?

Ao...