The Flow Splits Course

Who the hell are you? Get lost, you Bonekrusher bast —

Stop him, Chen!

...Hmph. Stepped away for a few days, and the rabble just got bigger.

Endmin, you can have half of these rascals.

Hold on... You... Pink-haired Sarkaz... You're Mi Fu?! Are the Wulingers here already?

Good. You know me. What's going on here?

It's those pipefaces... They promised these idiots something...

They launched a full-on power grab, saying they'd make Qingbo Stockade their stronghold and boot every Wulinger off these lands!

Hmph. They've got a death wish.

That's what I said. There's no way we can defeat the Tianshi of Wuling. Look at their gear ... and that pretentious Zhuang Fangyi...

...Enough.

So you're just waiting for a war you can win, huh?

Ugh... Say whatever you want.

Heh... That disaster left orphans thirsting for Wuling blood. Shame we've got some gutless cowards!

Shut yer trap!

All this hating on Wuling is really unnecessary...

I'm not a hater... I'm just...

Gah, Mi Fu, listen to me. They're traitors, yes, but please spare them!

I know I'm asking a lot, but the recent Blight Tides are devastating. No one knows if we'll survive this — not even the Chief herself.

Many Stockaders lost family or friends in that disaster. This year's been brutal. People are desperate, which is why they fell for those lies!

That's why — HNGH!

Screw you! You blighted ingrate! THEY KILLED OUR MA!

Urk!

Friggin' coward! You deserve this!

Ngh!

TIME FOR REVENGE! ME FAM! MURK 'EM!

Is everyone alright?

Is it ... all over?

Waterbell? Weren't you trying to find Ruan Yi?

Brother Ruan should be up ahead...

But they also posted stronger guards. I was worried about not getting past them when you started a battle here.

This also means that you won't get in on your own.

...Yeah, that battle raised quite a commotion. Their reinforcements are probably on the way.

What about this... I'll lead the way and try to avoid alerting them. We'll first check on the Chief and then decide on our next move!

Avoiding direct encounters will also keep the hostages safe... We'll follow your lead.

I'm okay. Hmph, they're actually pretty good at fighting. I thought Tangtang and Mi Fu were the only great warriors round here.

Ugh... Ssss —! It's all about survival. Our fighting skills have been passed down for generations. They could hold their own.

So what about my fool of a baby brother...?

...No idea. Maybe he sneaked away during the chaos.

Ugh... I should go... He must be found.

...Grrrr! Sheesh! This is so frustrating! What is Nefarith planning to do to Qingbo Stockade?

She is manipulating hate ... and turning this place into a permanent thorn in Wuling's side... We must find Tangtang.

Judging from that mob we just fought, I believe most of the Stockade traitors have gathered nearby.

That's why areas outside the Stockade have been so quiet... These traitors must be planning something up ahead.

Yes, but we don't know how many enemies we'll be facing next...

Since there are enemies up ahead, this path must be the right one.

Her safety is the only thing I care about.

Go forth to the Ancestral Spring. You have yet to master the new powers.

Save Tangtang first!

But your choice has already disappointed her.

......

No... Don't go...

Look... It's Ardashir and Ruan Yi.

Do not wallow in hatred. You and your people deserve to be part of a truly grand enterprise.

Hatred ... never builds anything great.

They're leaving!

LET GO!

Calm down, kitty! I can help you!

...If Big Bro really did something wrong, will you still save him?

Then let go of me!

Darkmask...? You wanna stop me too?

I knew you would help me!

No objections? Then I'll take that as a yes!

Come with me. I know how to catch up to them.

*Sigh*

Don't be rash. What can you do?

......

Here. Built this in a rush, so it's not so stable. Let's go.

Don't go...

Mild fever, nothing life-threatening. She's probably just having a bad dream from all the stress.

Don't go...

Tangtang, father and I will return with food from Wuling. No one will starve anymore.

But right now, I need you to look after our homes. We'll be back soon.

Father ... please don't die... PLEASE...! Those blighted Tianshi...

Where are you, Big Bro...? I can't see you...

Your eye! Who did this?! Does it hurt?

Tangtang... Tangtang...

Darkmask...? It's you... I was dreaming about the past again...

Wait! Where's my Big Bro?!

Then ... let me help too!

Hehe, once you're old enough to hold handcannons steady, I'll let you call the shots!

TANGTANG?! Why are you here —

It's okay, baby sis. Just sleep. We'll be home when you wake up...

Big Bro's in danger!

It's not hurting anymore, but I'm so sleepy...

Ruan Yi ... has he decided to stand with Ardashir?

Did he do this for Tangtang ... or has he deceived her as well?

You can't beat him. He'll just kill you even if you catch up to him.

Hmph. I'll report all this to my boss. She'll figure something out...

Shove it! You traitor!

Tell that to Ruan Yi. He totally fits.

I'm done bickering with you. I have duties to fulfill!

My Bro is the one who needs help! We just gotta rescue him —

...Just stay out of this!

Tangtang.

...What?

If you really wanna go ... just run if things get out of hand. You're good at that, right?

Endmin! Are you alright? Are you hurt?

Yeah...

It's none of your business!

So what about *YOUR* job, Supreme Chief?!

If you get yourself killed, who the hell's gonna defend the Stockade or people like Lang Tou!

I —

Darkmask, my Bro is being...

Darkmask... Will you still help me?

Ruan Yi definitely has intel we need about Ardashir or Nefarith.

...Heh.

They must've forced him. We gotta get him out... We must save him...

Endmin, Tangtang is not the type to give up so easily...

...Do you also think that my Bro turned traitor, Darkmask?

......

That's all I need, Darkmask.

You came at the right time.

You can say that.

We must assume the worst. Wuling City will declare a state of readiness.

But...

You're worried about Tangtang, right?

Tsk. That's right... The boss let me tag along with you because she wanted me to keep a lid on the pot.

But the entire thing is boiling over. I must fulfill my duty ... as a watchguard.

But you're different... "Darkmask".

Heh. Imagine fighting alongside the Endministrator *and* Darkmask. Sounds like real fun.

I don't care if you win or lose. Just survive this.

I'll be waiting for you.

I reported everything about the current situation to my boss.

My boss will probably miss her chance to witness the Darkmask in glorious action.

Why are there so many weapons and explosives here...?

What's this? A plan?

Looks like Wuling from the layouts and shapes. So that attack was planned in advance.

......

Try to give her some time, Chen.

Perhaps Ruan Yi never gave up vengeance.

We'll learn soon enough.

...Thank you.

Let's go. Now I got a score to settle with him.

What happened to this place...?

Seems like some kind of power gone rampant. Could this be the "new powers" that Ardashir mentioned...?

Wait. Look over there!

Waterbell!

Chief... So glad ... you're alright...

She's grievously wounded... Chen, help me. We must stop her bleeding.

Who did this to you?! Was it Ardashir...? Or was it —

My ... Big Bro?

Don't ... hate him... He didn't ... mean to.

I tried ... to talk him back ... so the Stockade ... could return...

......

Her injuries are too severe.

I've done all that I can. Now it's up to her body and will.

I need to carry her to somewhere safe... Wait for me.

Tangtang...

Come out, or you'll be sorry.

I told you not to hide in barrels!

Stop moving! I'll go first.

Miss Watchguard! I know you are kind! Don't kill me! I surrender!

Bosun! Get outta there, now!

I... I'm stuck!

Ahem. We're uh... We've been hiding here 'cause we wanna ditch the Stockade!

Some of the Fam have gone crazy messing with Wuling. They're gonna get everyone killed someday.

They even threw our Chief into the brig! We're so worried about her that we...

Hmph, so worried about her that you ran off?

W-we could lead you to our Chief and save her!

Just let us go when you free the Chief! Please!

......

......

Ahem ... sorry to ask, but could you get my brother out of his barrel?

That's easy!

Serious rust has jammed the bridge actuators. You gotta get them turning to make the bridge work again.

Hngh! Running out of air —

Who's there?

Oh, thank you! Thank you so much!

Ha, haha... Gotta do anything to save my skin.

Sounds like job for our jet drone.

So you've got the tools. Great, turn the mechanisms first. We'll wait for you on the bridge.

It's working. Those two didn't lie to us...

Hm? Where did they go?

NOW!

RUN FOR IT!

It's alright, Mi Fu. We gotta save Tangtang first.

......

Look over there! Your drone should be able to reach that.

I spy a mechanism over yonder! Try using your drone again!

You... I know you. I saw the Younger Dame hanging out with you people.

...Some white-haired outsider. Even Big Bro doesn't dare cross him.

Told us he'll help, as long as we obey. That means we won't have to get ourselves killed...

Traitors? Are you talking about those who refuse to obey the Younger Dame?

Traitor's a really harsh word, friend. Everyone's free to think for themselves.

Not really... I don't want to get involved in their business.

I don't care who you're looking for. Just get out of here...

Hold on. Here. Take these. And don't tell anyone that you saw us...

This failed to impress the real big shot. It's useless to me now...

You! Masked one! I see you are amongst those who can think for themselves!

Free your lord and master from this place, and I shall name thee... High Protector of Qingbo Stockade!

Hark! Your lord speaketh! The ancestors have spoken to me in a dream! ONLY I can end the troubles of the Stockade!

Ruan Yi and Tangtang are LOSERS! We must be HARD and MERCILESS!

......

END THE FOOLISH TALK! RELEASE ME!

I AM FREE!

DEATH to the blighted breakers who triggered the war and ruined our Stockade! Ruan Yi and Tangtang shall also be judged for being spineless, stupid LOSERS!

I shall rain divine punishment on the breakers! Then I shall overthrow Ruan Yi and Tangtang!

And I shall ALSO liberate every prisoner who follows my lead!

Masked one! Here is my special relic... TAKE IT! Once I become Supreme Chief, you shall become the High Protector of my realms!

Stop! Where do you think you're going? And how did you get in?

......

Fine. If anyone asks, we never met.

We're all part of the Stockade Fam. I don't know why we split ourselves into different factions.

But things have happened, and I'm powerless to stop it.

...I think I know your plans, but I'll pretend I've never seen you.

Finding my little pet. It ran away from home.

Yes. It's a spotted rakerbeast.

I've been pretty good with beasts since I was a little girl. So, Ruan Yi made me tame a few beasts to help guard our homes.

Yeah... I couldn't persuade him otherwise.

The Stockade got itself into a big mess recently. The fight spooked the rakerbeast, and it fled for the hills.

If you run into it, be extra, extra careful.

S-S-Supreme Chief...?! W-Why are you h-here?

I-I thought B-B-Big Bro said you're s-s-sick.

......

This is great! If you support Big Bro, the w-wishy-washy people will finally go along... We can finally get revenge on W-W-Wuling!

I can finally a-a-avenge my Ma!

They forced Big Bro to do this...

Follow me! There's another path to the Ancestral Spring!