level_act40side_09_beg

Victoria is so close...

It's snowing again... they should be wearing their winter garb now.

She was like a little stove as a child, aflame with passion in her veins. This snow and wind won't faze her.

Baizao winters are never this cold. She said the first volume should be done when spring comes.

That's good...

At life's end, I find no worries left to bear.

The man takes off his mandarin garb, folds it carefully. and places it down next to the books he used to carry, before bowing three times to the east.

He walks out of the camp.

Your flames are indeed hotter now.

Your Arts are greatly burdening your body, Infected.

Scared of the heat?

Heh, it's just my blood... Though I know I'm standing here only because so many others have shed their own blood.

Seems like you already know a lot.

Not much at all, but there's just one thing I need to know—

Those who had their names erased, those who died dubious deaths... they need an explanation, an answer.

To be honest, I didn't think my life would have such a complicated backstory, or that I'd fight for something other than the Infected.

But now I realize that injustice is the same for everyone. And I will spill my blood to end every injustice I encounter.

Burning a blaze with your blood... Infected, you resemble the righteous of old.

But don't rush to conclusions about justice when a single leaf blocks your view of the entire forest.

In any case, I have been ordered to bring you back, and you absolutely cannot be let free...

I know, I know... I've met your type before, plenty of times.

I guess I can't paint you all as bad guys. You've just been trained to shed no blood or tears... so you stop caring about anyone else's.

Whatever. I won't argue—you sure can try to stop me though.

You are the enemy... but your courage deserves praise.

Careful now. I'll spare your life, but I can't guarantee you won't lose a limb or two.

Zongguan Bailei Zhengfa, cleave!

It's you...

I know you have a lot of questions, but there's only one pressing matter at hand.

You wanted to see the True Lung, yes? I'm here to help.

Lin Qingyan? You should be behind bars!

Yet I stand here before you now.

You've already lost to me once. This time, neither of you will escape.

Don't worry, I have no plans to fight you alone.

I know I asked to tag along...

But this opponent... will be hard to handle.

An accomplice, even...

So you were the one who freed her from prison...

I had to employ some crude measures, but I tried my best to avoid harming any innocents.

Don't worry about settling the score. I have too many crimes I can't escape from, and this is just one more. When this matter is over, I will surrender myself to the law.

But now, there is something to be done, and a meeting to be had.

A Discipline and Supervision Censor colluding with a Judicial Review Office Deputy Minister in revolt... such a preposterous scene is a first for me.

If this is preposterous enough, then allow me to inconsequentially join the fray as well.

I trust you've been well, Drillmaster?

Taihe?! Were you not gravely wounded at Yumen—

Yes... my injuries were quite serious. I'm unsure if my skills are even one-third as powerful as they used to be.

Which is why I hope there will be no cause for me to make any moves today.

Why would even you participate in this...?

I have yet to grasp the full picture as to why Deputy Minister Lin has suddenly appeared here. But the two of you are my most respected colleagues, so I can only ask, as an old friend, that you two leave some space for negotiation.

How can you expect me to turn a blind eye when you lot insist on doing such a traitorous act?

'Loyalty over righteousness'... But whoever said you could only choose one from the two?

Righteousness...

You're familiar with the case, and the two individuals involved in it stand here before you now.

Right or wrong, life or death. The choice is yours.

But Shifu... this matter came to be from complicated causes, how can what is good or evil be determined so easily—

The blade is in your hand. Make your choice!

Shifu...!

You hesitate still?!

Shifu, if 'righteousness' can only be upheld with the edge of my blade, then what sets it apart from 'violence'?

I don't understand...

Stop dallying and go inside!

Don't even think about—

A signal to lower the Forbidden City's defenses...?

Could it be... His Imperial Majesty?

You can see the Forbidden City from here.

It was still spring when I last set foot in this tower.

Much has happened within the last six months.

The chill has come, and the wind atop the city walls is strong. Do take care of yourself, Grand Tutor.

I imagine only a few from the court have seen Baizao from this angle.

Even from great heights, where the view stretches far, one's sight will sometimes be obscured by clouds.

...All the more reason that one should see and think before one acts.

Do you know why I asked you to become Advisor of Yumen?

My thoughts were that you wanted me to broaden my horizons and see the big picture. An opportunity, but also a test.

A test for what exactly?

To see if I am worthy.

So you know why I have summoned you here today?

Yes, Grand Tutor. You are disappointed in me.

An excuse, or a genuine emotion?

I understand what I did during the Feast of a Hundred Delicacies was a terrible idea. But there was no other way.

Suspending the Feast will prevent the Grand Commandant from acting in drastic haste, and also allow the True Lung an opportunity.

Since your involvement in this slew of disputes, thrice have you been forced to make a choice, and each time you cast the riskiest die.

You placed your friends and even yourself onto the chessboard... have you never once felt hesitation?

I dare not claim it never crossed my mind... but I have always considered the choice most beneficial for all.

...A capable plotter, but the same cannot be said for your decision-making.

My plan was to select a young talent—ambitious but not greedy, resourceful but selfless—and give them many chances to hone themselves. If the chance arose, I would entrust them with significant responsibilities.

I thought you were a suitable candidate... but it often does not end well when a chess player uses himself as a piece on the board.

You remind me of a colleague... who is no longer with us.

I am humbled...

...Liang Xun, given another chance, would you willingly leave Shangshu?

When I started my studies, I was determined to apply my life's learning to the benefit of the people, regardless of whatever position I had gotten from mere chance...

My original ambition remains, and I hold no regrets over the choices I made.

Hm...

The incident at the Feast of a Hundred Delicacies cannot go unpunished.

I will submit myself to the law.

The Sky Mirror Pavilion's archive is lacking a transcriber, you will begin your duties there tomorrow morning.

You have my gratitude, Grand Tutor.

What is this...?

The time has come.

The clouds concentrate, completely obscuring the moonlight.

Have you met this one before...?

Never.

Who exactly... is the opponent he seeks on this weiqi board...?

There are times when one seeks not an opponent to win against on the board, but a solution.

A solution beneficial to both parties amid countless changes to the situation.

There is something I wish to consult you on...

What made you set up that exam in the first place?

Shop's not closed yet, is it?

You've come at the right time, I'll close right after I'm done with your order. It's late, so we don't have much left... but what would you like?

Anything to fill up my stomach on the road will do.

We happen to have half a steamer of meat buns here from the morning. You can have it for free.

Won't you be making a loss like this?

I only know how to cook, not so good at business stuff.

Why not earn a name and riches with skills like yours?

What for? Both nobles and peasants eat the same three meals a day. I might as well make more buns than money or fame.

If you don't mind another question, how much does a meal normally cost here?

Not much at all. The usual soup and two dishes just cost a few coins.

Anyone who works here in Baizao can eat their fill here.

I see you have a kind heart and compassion for others.

Aw, stop that... I'm just a chef who serves about a hundred customers a day at most.

I can only count on you to feed and clothe everyone else in this realm.

A free meal, and a lesson to boot... Lucky me.

Haha, I just hope you don't get mad at me. I just like aimlessly chatting with customers about everything under the sun.

Your restaurant has been here a long time, if I'm not wrong. How are your finances?

Aiya... Now that's a headache. You see, this little store of mine can barely make even.

It's all thanks to the abundant crops from Dahuang and the fast deliveries from the Chidao that I can keep my store running. Otherwise, I'd have to raise the prices.

Are you sure you're not trying to give credit to your siblings?

Haha... but it doesn't stop here.

My customers all live nearby. Some don't have enough coins, so they make up for it by sending me a few boxes of fresh fruit, or helping me repair the furniture...

Without their care, this restaurant wouldn't be running today.

So, you see... It's hard to balance a book like this.

But this is how you do business, right? Who says one side has to profit all the time? You give and you take. It's mutual prosperity that brings wealth and keeps the business thriving.

Your meat buns are ready and all packed, Grand Tutor. But why don't you try one now?

Not bad at all.

A word of advice. Don't take any more lessons from your businessman brother.

Were you able to get a meal, sir?

Yes. I heard the buns from this place are the best in Baizao. Try one yourself.

Uh... hm... wow, it's delicious.

Alright, I'm ready to get back on the road. Where to?

Shangshu...

...How do I get there again?

The seven streets and five lanes in the east of the city... I remember having to pass a dye workshop and a kiln first...

*sigh* My head hurts. It's been so many years; I wonder what changes—Oh? This calligraphy and painting store is still here? Surely their store sign can nearly be considered a historical relic...

I could come back again for a stroll. Who knows, I might just find it—on second thought, I probably couldn't if I tried.

Phew, almost there...

This ancient temple hasn't changed at all. No one's been here in years, but it hasn't been torn down either... Just who is feeling nostalgic for it?

The lock's already opened?

Oh, you're back.