Sorrow Sings in Silence

Hmm... I think the Originium circuitry is burned out. But should I pry it open with brute force...?

Endministrator? Greetings. I'm Precipice of YSTF. I didn't expect to run into you here. And yes, I believe this crate can no longer be unlocked due to its damaged Originium circuitry.

I'm not sure. I actually found this chest during a salvaging operation.

I tried all sorts of ways but failed to get it open. And since I don't know what's in there, I couldn't risk opening it with brute force.

Endministrator.

Besides the information I just mentioned, I don't know much about them. The only thing I've heard is that they adopted plenty of orphans.

The touring troupe only arrived at Wuling a few years prior to the disaster.

If memory serves, back in those days, people had a saying: "Get the watchguards to fix major problems. The troupe can do the rest."

Back then, anyone who carried a South Hongshan instrument was respected.

I haven't met that many traveling thespians, but experience has taught me that people who carried South Hongshan instruments can be relied upon.

People seem to have faith in the thespians of South Hongshan.

Alright. Good luck.

Looking for a bite, Endmin?

The troupe isn't anything special, but our director took in many orphans like us.

We grew up following our troupe director and doing all sorts of jobs.

And once we get old enough to make our living, the troupe director will give us a choice.

Either stay in the troupe, or take our instrument, head to another region, and keep the legacy alive.

The troupe isn't exactly all comfy and cozy, Endmin.

Singing and playing music is tough work. The saying goes: "Ten years of training for one minute on stage."

There were those who didn't like theatre work. They didn't stay in the troupe until the day of choosing.

These kids just packed up and left the troupe. The director just let them go. Never tried to make them stay.

Alright. You're welcome anytime.

Hannabit Circuit?

Hmm... There are some similarities.

The troupe tours the world and gives help to those in need. Once the troupe members are strong enough, they would leave and choose their way of life.

Phew... I finally returned the drumstick. Awesome.

Just don't run around looking for stuff on your own... It isn't safe.

Yeah, I have to admit I got careless. I just graduated for two years and haven't seen much...

Me? No, I wasn't a troupe member.

You're not?

I actually met one of them... My sister saved me from the disaster ten years ago. She was a troupe member.

Oh. I guess the drumstick belonged to your sis.

She gave it to me when she left Wuling for the Headquarters.

I was told about the meaning of the drumstick. However, my sis didn't want me to be trapped by a troupe that became history.

The two of us lived together for years. I saw her eagerly helping out our neighbors, no matter how trivial or serious the problems were...

My sis also received a visitor who wanted to recreate the South Hongshan Troupe... The answer she gave also became my choice.

Good acts should stem from the bottom of our hearts. It doesn't matter if it's carried out by a troupe member or not.

I wonder if the South Hongshan Troupe has their own theatre or stage. We should look for this facility to learn more about them.

We're finally safe. Tianshi Qingzhu, you can stop swinging the drumstick... Wait. Your drumstick looks familiar... I got one just like it! I think we got a pair!

I never heard about this story about the South Hongshan Troupe.

Well, strictly speaking, I'm not an actual expert...

From Uncle Shen Hai. Surviving children like us often listen to his stories about the troupe.

Tianshi Qingzhu's story just revealed how everyone in the troupe was just like me... We all want to be a hero...

Endmin, I really want to know more about the South Hongshan Troupe. Do you have anything to share with me?

Arcane here. What is it, Precipice?

The theatre stage of the South Hongshan Troupe... There's really nothing left.

That disaster from ten years ago probably devastated the stage.

Judging from post-disaster analysis, when disaster struck, every troupe member threw themselves into emergency rescue efforts. In the end...

Despite the utter destruction of the theatre and the dissolution of the South Hongshan Troupe, they remain committed to their altruistic values.

Ugh. But what about this flute? Did we really run into a dead end?

Anyway, thanks a lot Endmin. You really helped me out in my mission... I'll ask around Wuling City. The troupe member will be found!

I picked up reports of a Blightshade attack and I couldn't get in touch with Lan Shan. I got worried so I came rushing here.

I heard tons of stories about the South Hongshan Troupe. This flute and its master... None of them should be forgotten.

And if I can't find the flute's owner in Wuling, I'll go to other places and keep asking. It must be done.

Lan Shan, your big brother's here. Maybe you should ask him.

Hi, bro.

And I did overhear what you were discussing.

If you're looking for a troupe member, I used to be part of the South Hongshan Troupe before we arrived at Wuling.

Re-really?! Then what about the flute...?

That was ... my practice flute when I learned the ropes. I got a new one afterwards and left this one at the troupe.

Ten years ago, I heard the troupe was disintegrated, like a piece of gravel thrown about by the Blight Tide... I thought the flute was gone...

I know I've failed in my brotherly duties, but you grew up. I saw how you stood your ground and defended Wuling during the disaster.

Since you've found the flute, perhaps it is fitting to pass it on to you.

Me...? But I...

A band of incredible people who go around and help those around them.

I say they're a group of people who care about everyone, and who do their best to right what is wrong and defend the weak.

Myself?

I... But ... I'm not a member of the troupe.

I ... I think I got it!

Bro, about the flute...

I never blamed you for it. In fact, I'm always proud of you, bro.

I'm serious.

No, I'm still in the wrong. I should have listened to your opinions.

I've been posted at North Wuling EZ all this while and didn't really teach you anything... You need help with the flute?

Yeah, I do... Bro. Is that the flute you carried with you?

Yes. The troupe has faded into dust, so I don't know if the flute you found in the ruins can still sing like the one I carry.

Don't blow too hard. Force does not work on musical instruments.

Aim for the blowing hole... I think there's a leak...

Oh, bro! Did you hear that! I managed to play a note! I JUST DID IT!

Sigh...

What is it, Endmin?

Getting an instrument is inheriting a legacy of responsibility.

I don't intend to end up like those who forgot about its meaning and become obsessed with creating their own troupe.

Yeah, don't worry about us. I may be wounded, but I'm a watchguard and we're made out of tougher stuff.

We found the crate at the bottom of this. Blight erosion has eaten its way through the place rather thoroughly.

We're lucky that the musical instruments have escaped unscathed. I doubt if we could find any other leads.

Musical instruments? Again? Do you see any inscriptions? Like ... South Hongshan Troupe?

We recently recovered several musical instruments. All of them bore the same inscriptions. Unfortunately, the whole troupe was lost to that disaster ten years ago —

We couldn't find any written records of people who worked there. And we certainly didn't find any survivors.

Are we looking for survivors of the troupe?

Captain Arcane? You're here as well.

Arcane can't stop worrying about the North Wuling EZ, and I can't stop worrying about her wounds. So, I decided to keep her company.

And we just heard that you're in the EZ. That's why we decided to swing by and say hello.

Back to the troupe... I think I remember a chef named Shen Hai. He told stories about the South Hongshan Troupe to children who survived the disaster ten years ago.

A storytelling chef? He should be in the EZ right now. I can go ask him.

South Hongshan Troupe...

Precipice, are you the only one on this salvage-and-return operation?

No. Lan Shan is also helping out. I'm in charge of salvaging the personal belongings. He's in charge of returning them.

He's got the other musical instruments. You can talk to him and see if he found out about anything.

A watchguard. Summit rescued him ten years ago and raised him like his own. The kid signed up with the watchguards because he wanted to be a hero.

Got it. My schedule is open, Endmin. I shall assist Precipice in locating survivors of the troupe and returning these instruments.

Fine... Precipice, sync Shen Hai's current location with us.

Done, Captain. Your handyterm should have the coordinates now.

Got them. Carry on as usual, Precipice.

Hey! It's the Endmin! And Yinglung Captain Arcane! Finally found the time to try my dishes? And who's this fine Liberi lady?

Shen Hai, we need to ask you about something.

Oho. This is one busy day. Lan Shan visited earlier today. The lad helped me prep the ingredients, and you came right after he left.

You mean Lan Shan came by this place already?

Instruments? What kind?

Of course I do. I used to be part of the touring troupe!

My oh my, old pal... I thought I'd never see your erhu again.

I spent ten years trying to look for your things. And I thought you hid them away because of that old grudge...

My old pal, I've upheld my duty for the last ten years, just like what we promised. Never dropped it. Never...

Our condolences.

Sorry, that was kinda embarrassing. I left the troupe early but I remember everything about this erhu and that old pal of mine.

Successfully salvaging the erhu is a stroke of fortune. We're happy to see it finally returned.

But you mentioned that you left early. What happened back then?

What happened? Oh, nothing much, young miss. Nothing at all. You interpreted it the wrong way.

I did leave the touring troupe early, but that's just one of our rules.

The troupe director adopted plenty of kids back then. Once we're old enough to make a living, we had to make a choice.

Either stay in the troupe, or take our instrument, leave, and start our own trade.

These instruments aren't just a way to deliver a performance. It is a legacy and sense of duty we carry with us: Do what we can to help those in need.

As for my old pal... If only I arrived earlier ten years ago ... I could've saved him...

Oh, I know another member of the troupe. It's another watchguard, Li Liangliang.

Talk to her and see if you have her instrument.

She should be on patrol nearby at this time of the day... Let me sync your device with the patrol spots of these watchguards.

This might be the only lead we'll get.

You're badly wounded. Try not to move. Breathe easy and let us tend to your injuries.

The area is secure. Is Li Liangliang around?

That'll be me. Our patrol got ambushed by Blightshades. Thank Talos Lan Shan was here to help. Otherwise...

He checked and saw that everyone is alright and left afterwards.

It was so dangerous back then, yet he charged into the thickest of things ... just like my friends back in the troupe.

Ah, the days when the troupe was still around. I actually performed in quite a few shows.

Oh, wow. You actually heard about the troupe. Wait, the instruments you're carrying... Okay. I get it now.

I totally didn't expect to see this again... Back in the troupe, we gotta do something to keep ourselves occupied. So, the director taught us to play various musical instruments.

Learning music isn't easy, but we felt happy training together. I still cherish those memories. The director even said that I was the loudest gong player.

Their wounds have been treated. Once help arrives, we'll escort you to a safe area.

Li Liangliang, your arm injury looks serious. Let me treat it for you.

Pfft. Just a scratch. I suffered worse ten years ago.

If my troupe director ... were to realize that I hadn't saved a single soul ten years ago, he would...

I'm not. I just ... just felt that I've failed to live up to the legacy I've inherited from him...

The cuprium gong I received was supposed to be a source of inspiration... I shall fulfill my duties as the watchguard and protect everyone.

Just like the moment when I accepted the legacy of responsibility...

You still have a flute, right? Are you looking for more troupe members?

We are. Li, do you happen to know the others?

I do. One of them is over there. A chef named Shen Hai. He graduated from the troupe.

Endmin, we couldn't find any more leads.

Perhaps we should return to Shen Hai. He might know other troupe members.

Li Liangliang here... Negative. We haven't seen her. We got hit by an ambush before reaching that area.

Roger that. Standing by at our current positions. We'll wait for you.

Just got a call. Tianshi Qingzhu is on a field operation but she hasn't returned nor called back for a while.

They're calling all watchguards in North Wuling EZ to find the missing VIP.

I know. Thanks a lot.

From what I have, Tianshi Qingzhu might be in one of the areas we have yet to patrol.

I've sent the locations to your handyterm. Wish you luck.

But what about you...?

Don't worry about us. Help is already on its way. And by the way, my arm isn't hurt that bad. I can still cover my team for a while.

Thank you, Endministrator. I'll fulfill my watchguard duties! Like the members of the troupe, I shall inherit this legacy of responsibility!

Since you're alright, I'm heading back to my mission.

Hold, Summit. Just stay here. Precipice and I will take care of the rest.

Roger that, Captain.

Sounds good to me. Well then, we should go.

Endmin.

I thought about what you told me.

I gotta work harder to live up to the legacy of responsibility that I just inherited.

Yeah! Gotta find my heart and soul, live up to the legacy, and make my brother proud!

Hmph. Don't get too full of yourself. There are still plenty to learn, kid.

Thank you, Endmin.