level_act19mini_st07

Surrender now!

A crack of thunder knocks the girl's blade out of her hands and sends her to the ground.

Dark clouds hover above her head, ready to deliver an even more powerful thunderclap.

I suggest you don't move, unless you wish to be struck by lightning.

Persistent lot, aren't you, Master Lin and Candleholder Zuo?

A peaceful end, and no harm was done. Do you really need to prosecute me so?

All the people you dragged into this 'show' of yours...

It is no mean feat, summoning a Sui-Xiang with the token of a Feranmut proxy.

Who are you? Where did you learn such forbidden arts?

Is that all you care about?

The most ancient secret in this land is within reach, Candleholder, and all you want to do is to arrest everyone who tries to understand it?

Objects have masters, but knowledge has none. Who decided that the Sui Regulator, and no one else, is allowed to know?

How am I supposed to believe that you have no malicious intent, given what you did at Mangshan Town?

You'll come with us, and you'll paint a clear picture of everything you know, and everything you're planning.

So you want to take me alive. Does that mean there's nothing you can do, should I insist on running?

Obstinate fool...

We want you alive, but not necessarily conscious—

One moment!

A crack echoes in the sky, but the fire is faster.

The blade of flame cuts through the thunder, and a figure lands in front of the Liberi.

Your Lei Fa is quite impressive for your age.

Your Arts are familiar. Does Bai Dingshan's generation have their own students now?

These fire Arts...

Could you be—Zushi?!

(Isn't this the girl who played with Grain Buds in Dahuang?)

I... I am Lin Qingyan, student of the Lei Fa school, and of the Tianshi Bureau.

This isn't a formal occasion. No need for formalities.

You too, girl.

...Mo Yi of the Shanhaizhong. Greetings, Tianshi.

(So she's really Shanhaizhong.)

Why the look of surprise? Go to the scrolls in the deepest sections of your library. You are the ones who are behind in terms of Feranmut research.

All I see is the Shanhaizhong committing evil deeds of every kind in the name of the Feranmuts.

What have I to do with those who commit murder, arson, or any other deeds under the Shanhaizhong name? How is it any of my business?

Can you guarantee that everyone who wears that shiny uniform of yours is an upstanding individual?

You—

These eccentric ways, this sharp tongue of yours... you're just like your founder.

I thought the old carpenter didn't have any heirs left, after all these years. Looks like I was wrong.

The great hunt a thousand years ago contradicted his ideals. He became disillusioned and shied away from society...

But some people remember how he wanted to stop the war.

You talk big. How do you intend to stop this war?

I simply wanted to see the master of the Garden of Grotesqueries. It was for this reason that I stole the Book of Kung Fu and summoned the Sui-Xiang.

I guarantee that this war can be stopped, if I'm allowed to enter his garden to find a certain object.

...A remnant of the proxy who disappeared.

You have nerve, if nothing else...

Round-head!

You've been listening long enough. Are you going to welcome your guests or not?

All the guests present today are very important...

You certainly made my heart skip a beat with your suggestion... Or you would, if I had one...

Enough small talk. This has more to do with you than anyone else. What do you plan on doing?

I spoke with my master just now... since both you and a Candleholder of the Sui Regulator are here, may I make a proposal...

May we have our guests assist in the Placation for this year, as it seems fate has intended?

Placation?

The Sui Regulator checks on the slumbering bestial Sui and reinforces the seal on the Tomb of Sui. This process is called the Placation.

But it has always been the most experienced Candleholders who handle the affair...

The rogue proxy entered the Tomb of Sui several days ago. There has been no news since. The Sui Regulator is likely vexed about to how to conduct this year's Placation.

This is a major matter. I must report to—

You really think there's time to make a report?

Just go on. If the Grand Tutor asks, tell him I gave the nod.

U-Understood...

You, girl, you're coming with me.

Me...?

You don't get along with that Candleholder kid, and you'll just keep fighting in there. Whatever you're looking for, he can look for it for you.

As for you, I want to talk to you about that master of yours.

...As you wish.

What should we do?

It's not hard. Just go up along the path once you enter the Garden of Grotesqueries, and pay attention to your surroundings.

Other than that, be careful of collections in the Garden of Grotesqueries... the geists of the master's collection are a far cry from those you saw in the town. You must be careful.

You said go up? But we're already at the top of the mountain, aren't we?

Where is this 'Garden of Grotesqueries' that you speak of?

Infinitely far, and infinitely close... when you are on this mountain, you are adjacent to the Garden of Grotesqueries.

Taking you into the Garden of Grotesqueries is easy, but reach its depths requires the touch of fate—may I borrow the weiqi board that you carry with you?

Of course... go ahead.

And may I have the tome you are carrying, young lady?

...Whatever.

Thank you...

A passage will now be opened. Go through this passage, and you may enter the forbidden grounds of the Garden of Grotesqueries.

Lines of war, warp and weft, in the order of heaven and earth—

The weiqi board and book extend infinitely into the distance from Liang's hands, creating a realm within a realm. Mountains turn to flatland in the blink of an eye, and the group goes through this strange space—

They step out of it to find a door hidden behind a screen.

Welcome to the Garden of Grotesqueries.

Here we are.

This was a town full of vitality before that disaster, with hundreds of households and flourishing farmland...

Many years have passed, and now all that is left is—

Come out.

You.

Yes, Master Liang.

Are all of you here?

(Looks left and right)

There are some broken tiles and bricks amidst the ruins. Not much time has passed since they awakened, and they do not yet understand language... should they be brought out?

Let me explain why I'm here first.

All of you must leave this place.

(Whispering to one another)

Everyone who lived here has either died or departed after that incident at the Tomb of Sui.

You are mundane artifacts that have gained sentience from the incident's aftermath, wandering this place...

Perhaps you've already sensed the presence of a garden above the tomb, which Yi calls the Garden of Grotesqueries.

Neither Yan nor the siblings will tolerate the presence of a geist-infested ruin in the vicinity of the Garden of Grotesqueries.

We understand.

But where can we go, Master Liang?

Yi said those of good form or quality can find a home in the garden. The rest must be cleaned up.

You have one month to prepare. All traces of the disaster should be gone by then.

The east area has been cleaned up.

We'll sow some grass seeds here, then clean up the west area. It used to be a river that flowed through the town, but it'll take some time to clean up the sludge.

Good work.

We've gathered the geists that meet the requirements, with reference to the book that you brought... they're all here. There aren't many.

Go and help them, then come with me to the Garden of Grotesqueries afterwards.

It's busy here.

Indeed.

Where is Yi?

He went out.

He found the surroundings of one of the pavilions a little too sparse, and went looking for something to decorate there.

It seems like you're the only one around, whenever I visit.

That's why he built me.

He can be quite communicative... to people and things that he's interested in.

He would talk three days and nights to a child just to obtain a stone, even if scolded and abused, but he can't stand to be around your kind for even a few minutes.

That's for the best, I suppose. I couldn't stand his fake hospitality either.

Back on topic. Are things not proceeding a little slow? Seven days have passed, and only a small part of the ruins has been cleared.

Slow?

Clearing the rubble is the easy part. But properly handling hundreds if not thousands of objects touched by geisthood... I'm sure the Sui Regulator knows full well how arduous a task it is.

There's an easier way, no?

If my ears didn't deceive me, some Waregeists are following you back to the Garden of Grotesqueries...

Do you mean that I should take all the geist-touched objects, bricks and tiles, weeds and branches, chairs and tables, cups and plates... back to the Garden of Grotesqueries?

Yes.

We don't have the space.

Didn't you say that Yi thought the garden was a little sparse?

Did I?

The awakening of Sui caused great upheaval in Baizao and the surrounding lands. Your siblings have paid a dear price, even...

Stop.

Yi says that is all in the past. The siblings do not wish to speak of it, especially not with you.

In any event, the affairs of the Garden of Grotesqueries have always been the affairs of the people.

It sits atop the tomb, pinning the slumbering one in a dream, pacifying the evil that would threaten Baizao...

I think you're mistaken about something.

Oh?

The Garden of Grotesqueries is first and foremost Yi's garden.

Home to the rare and delightful, the eccentric and the grotesque from all four corners, from ancient times to present, Yi would love to have the sights of the whole world in its boundaries, and would gladly move the entire garden's layout for the sake of one little rock...

It is not a tool for the Sui Regulator, and certainly not a trash heap for the Tomb of Sui.

I will deal with the geists near the tomb. The Sui Regulator should not presume to interfere with anything else.

Hasn't the east side been cleaned up? Why is this Waregeist going that way?

Someone's coming. Stay out of sight.

This is it, this is the place...

At long last...

Oh, sorry, I didn't realize there was somebody here... er, y-you're human, right?

Nothing you need to worry about.

Well, er... sir? Are you one of the mandarins assigned to watch these hills, judging by your attire?

You could say that.

This place has long been abandoned, the roads broken and overgrown. No civilian has approached it in many years. Who are you?

You might know there was once a town here. I used to live here.

It was a long time ago.

Yes.

A disaster happened many years ago, a terrible event that no one could truly describe. The town was destroyed overnight...

I was a young boy at the time. My whole family was... it was by sheer luck that I survived.

I went to Jiangqi and lived there for many years. This is the first time I've been back.

Jiangqi is a long way from here.

A very long way.

I spent most of the money that I saved over the years on this journey.

Just to see these... ruins?

No, I plan to rest for a couple of days, then get about fixing this house and clearing some farmland around here.

I think my journey has come to an end.

I don't understand. You've found a new life in Jiangqi. Why are you obsessed with these broken ruins?

They may look like ruins to you, broken beams and cracked bricks overgrown with weeds...

But after all these years, I still remember how I hid my pocket money in a corner of the house, to buy sweets from a passing peddler...

I remember fighting with the neighbor's kid, bringing lunch to our parents in the fields together, going to class at the school on the west side together...

This is my home, sir, even if it was destroyed.

As you say, it was destroyed.

You remember the disaster. Aren't you afraid it may strike again?

Catastrophe is everywhere on this land. There is no haven that has never been touched by disaster.

Disaster might interrupt our lives, but we'll come back after it's gone. We'll fix the houses, clean up the fields, again and again... as it always has been, for centuries and more.

I met others who fled this place before I set out on the journey. They want to come back, just like me. Before long...

Given enough time, even objects form an attachment to a place, never mind humans.

But you can't stay here... at least, not for a few days yet.

Huh?

There are official restrictions in place for this area right now. Go and stay at a nearby inn and wait for the announcement.

Alright.

Ouch—did I trip over something?

It's nothing. I'll see you off.

Come out.

Silence.

I suggest you come out while I'm still asking politely.

There is rustling in a corner, and a Waregeist in the shape of a bottle emerges from its hiding place after a while.

...It was you.

You were the one who was running around when the Sui Regulator came, weren't you?

This place has been cleaned up. Why are you hiding here?

Mm...

You don't want to be destroyed?

(Shakes up and down)

Do you want to come with me to the Garden of Grotesqueries?

(Shakes left and right)

You want to stay here?

(Shakes up and down)

Why?

I'm waiting for someone, sir.

Waiting for someone?

The ones who made me.

A scholar by the name of Lan Ke and a woman by the name of Bai Jin made me, when this place was still a town. They said I was the first thing they made for their new home.

When they got married, they put me in the most prominent place in the living room and put a new flower in me every day. Never forget.

They shaped me and put me in the furnace, then went off to do other things while I was being heated...

Then the disaster happened, and they never came back.

I... I've been waiting for them...

You're not going anywhere?

I'm not going anywhere.

Sir...

Please don't be angry at it, sir.

The scroll-shaped entity stands before Liang and angles its upper half forward, its bamboo strips turning white at the effort.

Are you... bowing?

Indeed.

I learned that one should bow politely when making a request.

Oh?

There used to be a school on the west side of town, and I laid on the top layer of the bookshelf.

The teacher told the students, 'Manners maketh man.' He said it many times, and I remembered.

It didn't mean to disobey your orders, but it has had no other thought in its mind for so many years.

Could you, perhaps, oblige it?

The scroll-shaped entity once again bows.

I won't let you hurt it, no matter your answer!

A sword-shaped entity puts itself in front of the bottle-shaped entity and scroll-shaped entity, pointing its head, the tip of the sword, towards Liang. Its blade reflects the sunlight.

It's my... my...

Kindred? Friend?

Yeah, that.

I have a few questions for you, bottle.

Yes, sir.

When did you start thinking that way?

...I don't remember.

Have you ever doubted?

Why should I doubt?

That man from Jiangqi came back. So will Lan Ke and Bai Jin.

Liang stands in silence, as the wind blows through his hollow skull and chest mechanism, causing a soft humming sound.

He looks like he is thinking.

I thought the contamination had caused you to form basic sentience, no more than that.

You wander around this place, your words and actions limited by your attributes as objects...

Little did I imagine that you would develop human-level thoughts and emotions...

Given enough time, even objects form an attachment to a place, never mind humans.

Interesting.

You are Waregeists that have lingered after the disaster. Do you remember what the town looked like?

We do, sir.

Can you restore it?

Yes.

Are you willing to live together with humans?

What have you been doing behind my back, Liang?

What is it?

I told you to clean up the ruins, destroy the Waregeists that should be destroyed, and bring back the Waregeists that should be brought back to the Garden of Grotesqueries...

But you built a town?

You're talking like you don't know.

I'm your creation. My thoughts are your thoughts. My deeds are your deeds.

Hah. I see, I see.

Besides, this is the best solution, isn't it?

There are too many geist-touched objects around the Tomb of Sui. Simply destroying them or throwing them into the garden won't solve the problem.

People are returning to this town, long after it was turned to ruins...

Your account of the changes in the geists is interesting.

But the Sui Regulator must have complained about letting geists live together with people. What did you say to them?

I told them we'll keep an eye.

'Yi and I, just the two of us, are going to have a hard time watching over all the geists, if all we have is a single garden.'

'What if the geists get out? It would be like what happened to Mangshan Town: The Sui Regulator would take the brunt of it, then Baizao.'

Haha, good.

I never have to worry, with you in charge.

Xiexie.

Anyway, it's a good thing.

A town in the proximity of the Garden of Grotesqueries will delay those with ill intent, giving us time to welcome our guests.

Now, clean the garden, and let us welcome our visitors.