OD Project: Sky King Flats III

Hmm... Looks really different from the picture boss sent me. Whatever. So long as it works.

Hmm. The situation doesn't look tense to me. I was actually worried someone in the Stockade would pick a fight with her.

Both parties found a rare opportunity to work on something together. The farm complex will benefit everyone in the long run. Our decision seems to be paying off.

Hey, people...

The City sent Mi Fu to audit us. He Lao didn't want some loudmouth messing up the audit, so he assigned Lang Tou to some errand on the other side of the Stockade. He Lao also told me to keep an eye on him.

But all I did was blink for a bit ... and Mister Lang Tou went missing again!

Oh by Talos! I hope he's not going to play his stupid pranks again!

So you're here already. What are you talking about?

Yeah. Nothing important at all! Hahah. So, don't you have an audit to run, Mi Fu?

I do. I guess I'll check on the place for any safety non-conformances. My observations aren't exactly optimistic so far...

Phewie me. She's got me sweating...

Mi Fu might stay here for a while. We must locate Lang Tou ASAP.

Look at this shovel! It belongs to Lang Tou!

And the blood! Was he fighting someone?

Look at the traces on the ground... Something's not right. We must look for him now!

Count me in. I'll help you find him!

Lang Tou? Hey, Lang Tou! You alive? Let me take a look at those wounds.

Ugh. Flesh wounds won't stop me...

Them splatters weren't the one messing with our cargo... Quick. Help me get back to the Stockade.

No, you don't get it... I saw those eyes... And that ghostly speed... It's the Blackwind! No mistake about that!

Blackwind? Ghostly speed?

A horde of beasts came out of their lairs during that disaster ten years ago. They got too close to the Stockade. My brother rushed out alone to lead them elsewhere.

But one of them was an ill-begotten monstrosity. My brother was... GAHH! Just the sight of its shadow made my eyes hurt.

When compared to humans, wildlife is far more sensitive to changes in the environment. Wuling recently underwent quite a tumultuous event. The beasts may have been affected as well.

So that's why you're trying to lure them away... Oh dear. The Stockade is in danger!

Qingwu! Run back there and check on the fam! And we should move quickly! I won't let anything happen to the Stockade!

Hey, are you alright? How's the situation outside?

Got plenty of rampaging beasts out there. Lang Tou is also injured. What about the Stockade?

It's alright for now. But the beasts are attacking and trying to get in. Things aren't looking too good.

No, this isn't right. I don't see Blackwind's corpse anywhere. It hasn't revealed itself...

He Lao! This fight ain't over! We're just fighting its cronies! Blackwind is still out there!

The same Blackwind from ten years ago?! By Talos! Are they stampeding again...?

The stampede approached Qingbo Stockade a decade ago ... and the place has grown since then. The new buildings must be in the middle of their migration routes.

This place won't hold for much longer. Miss Mi Fu, can we...

That's wishful thinking. We can walk away, but the Stockade can't.

I mean...

He Lao! Trouble at the Stockade! We need help!

Save the debate. We've got lives to save!

They made their way in... Are there nearby paths or trails they could use?

Endmin! Are things alright on your side? The Early Warning Terminal monitor is showing an ocean of red!

We've got hostiles incoming from three directions... They're almost upon you!

Those were just the stragglers. This noise ... it dwarfs the old times.

Get everyone to pack up and leave! And just the essentials!

Wait! WHAT?! You're actually giving up your Stockade?!

They're already too close and Wuling is simply too far. No Tianshi could reach us now.

Open your eyes, dammit! You've got a Tianshi right here!

I don't care what happened ten years ago, but I'm helping the Stockade now! You think I'll watch it burn?!

... Go ahead. Enlighten me.

Mountain Guardian, If your fists are still quick, follow me and we'll seal off these routes.

But one route remains undefended...

I'll distract these beasties. Alright, young Tianshi, got more of those beast deterrents?

Your face was literally green just now. Quit fronting.

Hurhur. I've been waiting for my revenge long enough.

Then I'll back you up. Save the tally for later.

If we come back alive, we'll be sworn brothers.

Survive, and then we'll talk about brothers.

Got no time to waste. Since we're fighting, I say we start moving. GO!

Enough with the machismo. Time for us to fight as one. Count me in.

Me? Sure. Can't believe you still remember me.

Look! Is this one of his pranks again?!

Let me see what's burning...

Just writings about someone's hate on Wuling.

Thank goodness Mi Fu saw none of this... I don't think Lang Tou has anything to do with it.

Is ... is it over?

Hmph. Impressive, kiddo. Took you long enough to show some teeth.

Your fault... Anyway. Same guy from ten years ago?

...Yeah. I guess. But whatever. Things have ended well.

Lang Tou! We won! The Stockade is safe!

The stampede has broken up. The beasts are running for their lives. Excellent job, people.

Now that was some intense exercise... Time to get back to business.

I've audited the construction. Looks good. I'll tell the boss... Ahem. I'll report the situation to Tianshi Zhuang.

But the farm is nothing like those built in Wuling City... Did she audit the thing properly?

The farm complex is a great benchmark. Now, for the final question—

Since the construction project is done, I wonder if Qingbo Stockade is interested in joining Wuling.

Never heard about this, Mi Fu. Since when was this part of the deal?

Never was. But with blades crossed and backs covered ... about time we talk about the future.

I mean...

NOPE! ZIP IT! DON'T YOU DARE!

Blades crossed and back covered? And that's an excuse to own us? Me and my grandkid built this thing together. Over our dead bodies, I say!

Grandkid? Now hold up!

We've suffered enough! Mess with Qingbo Stockade's peace, you mess with me! You gotta face my Three Super Dares!

Shut yer traps! First Dare! The trial of strength! BRING IT ON!

Fine. Keep it. If it's for the peace.

I'm done here. Hong Bo, my report is yours to write.

Why did the boss tell me to say all that... Ugh...

Lang Tou, stop messing with me!

What? Gonna write me out of your farm construction report? Look, kiddo. If it weren't for me, the stampede would have knocked us into the skies.

......

Hah! I remember every word! Built it side-by-side, bled side-by-side. No backing out now!

No, wait, He Lao—

What a blessed day! Alright, fam! Let's get this place tidied up for the ceremony! Qingwu, get me the setup!

No way...

With the ancestral spring as our witness, let us together bless a new brotherhood bound by faith and honor.

...Come on, you two. Say your lines.

Wait wait wait! Can we pause? Yes I did say that, but this vow... feels a little off?

I'm afraid I have to agree. I'm not from the Stockade, so being a Big Brother is a little new to me.

Exactly! He's right, you know. We should — Now hold on a sec. BIG BROTHER?! YOU—?

Yeah. Why? I beat your Super Dare and did most of the heavy lifting. Goes without saying.

GOES WITHOUT SAYING?! I don't remember any of that buggerloid crap!

Aiyo. Must you nickel-and-dime everything? Plus, our Endmin was the one who did the *actual* heavy lifting. Just call our Endmin your Big 'Un and save us the drama!

That's even worse — Wait. No. That actually ... makes sense.

Hear, hear! Without Endfield paving the way, we wouldn't be celebrating our victory today. Endmin, you have my utmost respect!

Darkmask is already a sworn fam of the Supreme Chief... And if I call Darkmask my Big 'Un, that means...

Forget it! I'll treat the titles separately! May the heavens and the earth be our witness!

May the hills and rivers testify to our words! Two good fellows of different names! A pair of warriors with glory ablaze!

Bound together by honor and faith! We fight as one till the end of days!

Come on, kiddo. You just recited lines made up for picture books... How am I supposed to respond? Argh. Forget it.

Great. Remember, we're all part of the fam now. Lang Tou, try to act your age and be responsible.

Ha! We've been through thick and thin. But ... priorities change. Might not see 'em much later.

Don't worry. I'll come up with advanced upgrades for the farm. Once my superiors greenlight the proposals, I'll be sticking around for quite a while.

Hold on. One last thing.

Now we know who's the Big 'Un. What about Younger Bro and Little Bro? I gotta know which is which.

......

...Huh?