story_wscoot_1_1

An escort car charges through the mountain roads of Shangshu; the violent rumbling of its engine is the only sound in the quiet mountains.

Where did you get that drink, Uncle De?!

You want a sip too? Just don't drink it all, it's a long trip.

I hid it on purpose before we left. We can't drink on the job according to the rules...

The rules? Hah.

...If there's something you want to say, Uncle De, just say it.

I didn't say it in the camp because I didn't want to make you lose face. You came back to the camp after running away for a few years, and the first thing you say is to tell us to stop being bandits and start an escort agency.

A gang of so many years, split right down the middle and coming to blows because of your words.

I didn't expect Aunt Wen to be so firm and leave with the others... but I didn't expect half of the guys to be willing to stay for the escort business either.

Did you think we stayed so that you could make a bunch of rules for us? You're just making life miserable for everyone.

I tell you, there's only ever been one rule in the jianghu all these years—whoever has the biggest fist, makes the rules. Right, guys?

Some of the escorts nod in affirmation, while others keep quiet, observing the situation silently. They were bandits just a few days ago, and they still very much look like bandits.

...Why did you stay, Uncle De?

What's that, you wanna run me out?

No... I didn't want things to come to this. At this point, though, even if we wanted to go back to the Gang of Justice, Aunt Wen won't let us.

You brat...

There's only one way out for us. All the more important that we should talk about it.

I'm sure the others are of the same mind. If we can get this escort agency off the ground, we'll be able to live a more stable life from now on.

Pfft, you think that's so easy?

The hardest part is letting go of the past. You know how important an escort agency's first-ever mission is.

...Hmph. I remember how Wu Jinbiao made a few enemies in the jianghu, and his enemies robbed his cargo on his first mission, making sure that everyone knew about it... needless to say, he went out of business.

An escort agency started by former bandits will always draw attention. Our 'old friends' are all rooting for us to fail.

The moment we fail, we'll lose all credibility... our agency, the new lives that we wanted, all gone.

Gang of Justice has made plenty of enemies in the past. The mountains ahead are uninhabited. There's no harm in being careful.

Oh, shut it. Who d'ya think you are after just a few years in the jianghu? You were cuter when you were little.

<i>Gai si</i>! What just happened?!

Stop!

Keep the doors closed.

Several pairs of eyes scan the hills and forests, opening the doors only after making sure that there is no ambush.

<i>Wo kao</i> Two tires out!

A huge piece of glass under the leaves... this is Flying Feather Gang turf. But we already paid for safe passage.

Did they decide to up the price? Or is it someone else intruding on their turf?

Anyway, we should get out of here. I'll call the nearest repair shop...

Forget it. There's no signal out here in nowhere. That's the whole point of setting an ambush, so that there's no one you can call. Let's get someone out to seek help.

No, splitting up is exactly what our enemy wants. We need to stick together. Let's sit tight; I doubt the other side wants to wait an entire night.

He leans back against the car, his gaze fixed on the dark woods.

It takes little time before a rough-looking group emerges from the darkness and surrounds the convoy. They are carrying the same ring-hilted swords that the escorts are.

The middle-aged woman that leads the gang makes a gesture, and the bandits draw their swords.

You're not stupid.

...I knew it.

...Aunt Wen.

Aunt Wen! Guys! I'm back!

...Tsk.

It's me, Cheng. Don't you recognize me?

You were a pretty little baby boy when you left. Now you look like one of those stinking 'gentlemen'.

I...

Haha, stop making fun of him, Wen. Shall I tell him how many words you learned in order to read his letters, or the cystybeast that you saved for today?

Shut up. Those who fail to follow the rules and leave the gang on their own must face punishment.

I'll hold my sword for now, since you came back on your own. Go admit your mistakes to the leaders of the past.

Do we have to do this? He just came back... isn't it enough that he came back?

Go.

Ok. For how long?

Don't play the fool.

Mm.

Leaders of the Gang of Justice. The uncles and aunts sent me out to study at a school, but I was expelled and never came back because I was ashamed to face them.

I missed everyone, but I didn't want to go back until I've made a name of my own, so I stayed away all these years.

But I sincerely hope that I can help everyone this time, repay them for raising me, and make their lives better... please don't be angry with me.

Windscoot is standing in front of the plaques of the past leaders, but his head is turned around to look at Aunt Wen.

(Sighs)

Why did you come back?

To help.

Help what?

Our new business. It may not look that way, but I've done a lot of work these few years, including working as an escort. I heard that we just started an escort agency, and I can help with anything you need.

Who told you we were starting an escort agency?

Er... jianghu gossip? Was I mistaken?

You didn't tell him, Wen?

Shut up.

...What?

...You don't need to know. I'm busy. You reflect on your mistakes and come have dinner once you're done.

So, this is the truth about this 'escort agency' business. It's a sensitive issue. Don't ask the leader about it, especially not in front of everyone else...

You're telling me that the ads we put out were fake, just trying to scam people out of their cargo? Maybe it works this time, but what about after that?

And what about it? Time's hard, and we've got our hands full making ends meet right now. We'll think about the future when it comes.

And stop acting like you're the paragon of justice. Don't tell me you forgot what the Gang of Justice's line of work is after a few years outside.

Hey, where are you going?

Aunt Wen! I would like a word.

Have you reflected on your mistakes?

Fine. You have something to say, you can say it here. You only just came back. What unrest you can feel, the others can too.

Aunt Wen is talking to Windscoot, but her eyes are on the others in the gang with dissent on their faces.

Windscoot is at a loss for words. He senses that something feels off about the hall. In his memories, the camp is always filled with laughter, but there seems to be something invisible meandering through the room, separating them from one another.

...Please, reconsider the matter of the escort agency.

I didn't want to make things difficult for you. It's not my place to criticize when I haven't been around to endure the hard times together. But I did ask around a little on my way back.

I found that people outside were not so resistant to the idea of former bandits opening an escort agency, and we even happen to get a job. What if we did the job properly?

Maybe this time it doesn't pay well, but once we make our name out there, there'll be more in the future...

Aunt Wen knocks over the coin box next to her to the gasps and surprised cries of the others in the room. Then, the ones who looked restless show hesitation—there are only a few silver coins in the box.

Future? You feed every mouth in this place before you talk to me about the future.

Things have gotten this bad? Then the cystybeast in the backyard was saved for when I came back...

Shut your mouth if you understand. Besides, there's no need to talk about this now.

Our guys have already done it?

Aunt Wen stares at the boy whom she had raised, her expression unreadable. The young man hesitates because he does not want to embarrass her, but there are words that must be said, things that must be done.

If life has become so hard in our old line of work, then it's all the more reason for us to look for a different way out. Where are they?

Why do you ask?

Trust is hard to establish but easy to break. There's no way back once the robbery is committed. I'll get the cargo back first, then we can talk about this.

The decision is already made. You want to change it, you'll have to do it by force.

Aunt Wen!

The hall is filled with the sound of swords being drawn from their sheaths. Virtually everyone is holding a weapon by the time Windscoot can react.

Some swords are raised in defense of their leader, others against her.

Stop! Calm down!

I'm calm. Tell us what you plan to do once you get the cargo back, kid.

(Looks hesitatingly at Aunt Wen)

Alright, I guess this is my chance to talk.

We'll get the cargo back and deliver it to the customer normally, get the job out of the way.

Then we can start a shop. Accepting orders, filing documents, planning routes... I know a bit about how the whole process works.

What about the cost of rent and equipment?

I saved a little over the years. If everyone chips in a little...

Fine, as long as you know how to do it. Keep going. Is it gonna work?

I can't guarantee anything. There are a lot of people who fail. It won't be easy, and there's no quick money.

We'll have to change our habits of solving problems through violence. We'll have to refrain from fighting and killing if we want to keep going.

Hah. I know these people better than you do. You're sending them down a dead-end path.

I would be more suspicious if you said it would be easy.

I'll take it, Cheng. I'll tell you where the cargo is, and you find us a new path.

No need to worry about those who try to stop you.

Windscoot finally delivered the cargo and returned to the Gang of Justice to find it in shambles.

Aunt Wen had left with half of the gang. The rest have cooked the cystybeast, but no one is in the mood for meat in the ruined camp.

This is the first time the two halves of the gang have met again since the split.

Aunt Wen... how is everyone? I heard things got pretty violent that day...

...Can you let us through?

Did you think we were waiting here to listen to you say that?

You know what the Gang of Justice does, and you don't need me to tell you how we deal with people who don't follow the rules.

I won't draw my sword, and I won't give you the cargo. I just ask that you let us through, for the sake of old times.

This is our first job since we opened for business. We invited everyone we could. Lose the cargo, and we'll have nothing left.

You swore you would find a way for everyone, but you can't even make your way through us?

Make our way we will! You think we're afraid? You can't find your way, so you don't want others to do so either? We'll kill whoever stands in our way!

'Kill! Kill!' The other escorts start yelling angrily. The bandits yell back, and the two sides look ready to kill at any moment.

Windscoot stands between them, his voice hoarse from shouting.

It is the same thing again, the two sides drawing swords against each other at the first argument. Windscoot seems to see a smile on Aunt Wen's face.

She looks at Windscoot with an expression of 'I told you so.'

Calm down, Uncle De.

<i>Gan ta de!</i> I'll show them—

Apologies.

Are you out of your mind? <i>Cao!</i> So cold! Why did you pour that damn drink on my head, you brat?!

Alright, now that we're quiet, hear me out.

We don't solve problems by talking.

Things aren't what they used to be. At least, what we want now is different from before.

No, even before...

You can start going to school tomorrow. You'll taste the fists of all your aunts and uncles if you don't study.

I don't wanna go to school.

Say that again!

Why did you have to beg the teacher like that? You said whoever has the biggest fist makes the rules. Is the teacher's fist bigger than yours? Ouch! Why did you hit me?

Don't let your Aunt Wen hear that, brat.

Aunt Wen never bowed to anyone...

Besides, I heard them say...

The child of a musbeast will be a musbeast.

Never mind. Anyway, I don't wanna go. I want to live with my head high like you guys—ouch! Let go of my ear!

Listen, kid. You can't avoid getting punched in the mouth in this line of work. Get out of this camp if you want to live with your head high.

You know how many people around here couldn't get out even if they wanted? Those who lost everything after being scammed out of their land, those who stood up for justice and ended up getting their whole family killed... they have to rely on the protection of your Aunt Wen.

But you're different. You still have hope.

What about you? When will you get out?

Windscoot does not remember Uncle De's answer. Probably made a casual joke, as usual.

This time, however, Uncle De took his side without hesitation. And he understood: it was not that they did not want to; it was that they did not know how.

Someone has to be the first to walk the path and prove that it leads somewhere.

Windscoot makes up his mind. He reaches toward his belt. Aunt Wen has her eyes on his sword, as does everyone else. At this range, a single move determines life and death.

As Windscoot's fingers touch his belt, Aunt Wen clutches the hilt of her sword, only to see Windscoot take out a small stack of banknotes, put it between his fingers, and present it to Aunt Wen, an old jianghu ritual.

Aunt Wen, Uncle De. You found me in the wilds, but raised me like I was your own son, even sending me to school.

You wanted the same thing for me then as I want for everyone now.

Some of us may find it hard to quit the bandit life, but others can scout the path first to see if it works. Give us a chance, Aunt Wen.

In formal terms...

The Escort Agency of Justice wants to make friends with the Gang of Justice. In the name of friendship, we share what we have, and ask that you grant passage.

Did you think a little bit of money can smooth over everything?

No, I know that those who violate the rules must face punishment. But I was the one who stirred up the troubles, and I should be the one to bleed for it. After that, I ask that the Gang of Justice accept this... little token from the Escort Agency of Justice.

Windscoot stretches out his other arm.

Hey!

(Shakes his head at Uncle De)

Go ahead, Boss Wen.

Very well, very well. 'We,' 'you.' Very well.

Very well!

Argh!

Instead of cutting off Windscoot's arm, the sword slams down on Windscoot's forehead, still inside its sheath. Blood begins flowing from the cut.

The sword hits the ground with a clang, but Aunt Wen makes no show of picking it up.

We are strangers from this day forth! Let's go.

You alright? No concussion or anything? That was one hard hit.

They're really gone.

Windscoot picks up Aunt Wen's sword, wipes the dirt off it, and wears it on his belt next to his own sword.

She held something back... I think there will come a day when I give this sword back to her.

Ouch! I wanted you to bandage up the wound, not open it up!

Oh...

What is it?

The sun's coming up.

Let's go. We still have our first cargo to deliver.

We gotta repair the tires first, brat.

Oops, almost forgot.