IW-5 Goods and People

You've kept me waiting.

Tch. Bloody lout... Light, stay cool for the moment.

I've seen you before. Hmm. So it was you.

Unexpected, for sure. A Rim Billitonian, silently lurking in Shangshu since the very beginning.

I can't understand you, sorry.

Hmph.

Light!

What—?!

A snare?

You train these slumberfoots well. An ordinary woman would be headfirst in the ground by now.

(He didn't just notice the snare behind him, he stepped on the rope without hesitation... Bastard...)

Don't worry, I won't make this hard for you, girl.

Do you know what that goblet you're holding is?

It's not my concern, or my interest. It's newbie bounty hunters that ask too many questions.

Then you have only yourself to blame.

Don't get so full of yourself! Helmet! Drill!

—

If you don't know what it is, then be wise and hand it over. Don't be used for nothing.

H-How dare you do that to Helmet—! You asked for it!

...A headless bolt.

(H-He caught it barehanded? At this distance?! And I *just* changed the string on my crossbow—!)

Fine.

Seeing how you're unwilling to take my life, I'll give you one chance.

Hand over the goblet to me, and then tell the one instructing you: Tread carefully. Don't be selfish.

Hmph. You know who hired me?

Whether I know or not doesn't matter. What matters is I can stop you, right here.

Why should I listen to you?

You have no choice.

Maybe you can run, but you could never bear to see these beasts of yours meet a sorry fate.

You're threatening me?

You have skill. But aside from your crossbow, you've got nothing in a fight.

You can pull out before you're in too deep. You need a good eye and the right people, if you want to survive here.

True. They never told me someone as capable as you would get in the way.

If I had someone do something dangerous for me, I wouldn't give them the whole picture either.

It's just a job to you, stranger. Why stake your life on it?

Give the cup to me, and I vow on the Escorts' name that whatever they're paying you, we'll double it.

Hah, I was taking a loss anyway with all my volunteer work.

Call this a favor for a friend.

A friend.

So even you bandits of the wild don't mind a sacrifice for a friend.

Sounds like you've got something against us.

No... not at all.

The longer you do business, the more fine people you meet, the less friends you end up with.

Then be smart, and go back to your business.

Yes, business is always easiest done in the mountains.

Three Mounts, Seventeen Peaks, hundreds of passes. Is there any road without a teahouse and station for travelers to rest their feet? Is there any road... without our people?

......

I hope you see clear now, girl.

You really don't think anything of me.

A direct confrontation might not be my style, but you've pissed me off just far enough... isn't that right, my darlings?

(Rim Billitonian) The old todger wants to have a go, let's give 'im a go! We've been around the paddock a few times, we're no strangers!

*Sigh*...

Some just refuse to learn.

If that's your answer, then you'll pay the—

......

—H-How... Where did he come from... Wait, Light, calm down! And Drill! Back to me...!

...It's you.

You finally came to the mountains.

So I came to find you.

*Sigh*...

What comes will come. Nothing's avoidable forever. Is there a need to be so hasty?

Hey. Miss.

...Are you talking to me?

(His movement—is that wooden stick one of their carrying poles? What did he do just now... to shatter bricks made of stone?)

Do you know him?

No.

Then there's some problem between you.

I only see you between us.

You're right. I'm your problem, then.

When I'm done here, I'll come see you. But not now.

Miss. Does this relate to the item in your hands?

Uh... it does...

This is personal business. And major at that. Stay out of it.

How major?

The safety of the nation is at stake! Life and death!

......!

Since that rainy night those years ago, I've rarely heard you use such a tone.

I see. How could you be the villain here? What a chivalrous swordsman. What a dutiful innkeeper.

Then get out of the way—

—But I know just who you are, and that's why you'll never see me.

And if you won't, then it changes nothing if I find you. That's why I never came down from the mountains.

So. If...

Hey! You—!

......

Give that back!

......

......

It was ten years.

Ten years ago, you watched as my son died... so you could protect this goblet.

Shang Zhong!

Miss. This is nothing to do with you now.

You steal my things while I'm not looking, and then tell me it's not my business?!

This was never yours.

Hmm...

Shang Zhong, have you lost it?!

You're free to go now.

Shang Zhong!

Leave!

Grr...!

Mark my words, you two... I'll be back for it!

Zheng Qingyue... Where's your blade?

At home.

I see. At home.

That rainy night, in the escort, over a dozen lost their lives. There was a boy among them, and a father.

The boy was a Shang. My boy. The father was a Du. Du Yaoye's father.

That's why you don't carry your blade.

What a tremendous joke.

You still hate me to this day.

I don't hate you. I know you didn't mean to. The blame lies with you, but no fault.

'Save the goods, then the men,' hm?

Yet the goods are gone now, and so are the men. Am I still not allowed to condemn you?

I must ask you give justification, or else I cannot live on.

I will. Give me the goblet. Do you know what it entails—

No. He died for this cup then. I'll bury it beside him today.

I'll be waiting atop the mountain, for you to fetch your blade.

Master Shen!

Mm? What brought you over here? I was about to look for you at Liang's.

Where's young Lee?

The goblet got stolen. Mr. Lee sent us to fetch you.

Did he tell you anything about this?

He asked you to come get me, but not to first find Mr. Liang?

To be clear, you came from the Liang residence?

Er... yeah.

...*Sigh*. The fact he didn't send you to find Liang Xun means deep down, he already knows...

Gifted, how gifted. How truly gifted.

You're back, Uncle?

How were things?

In regards to her, thoughtful of etiquette, true as can be.

If she was so ready to display etiquette, that shows there's still room for mediation.

This is regardless of how she acts, or what intentions she harbors. Master Tai's instructions lie here, and they can't be false.

She's clever.

Since I visited in an official's capacity, she should have realized to some extent.

Very well.

Both sides are now strained to breaking point. We stand on a hair trigger.

We can only resolve this incident before we draw even more dispute.

If we really do want everyone to trust that our methods can forever rid Yan of the sword hanging over her head, then we naturally must obey those magic words—

—Frank and forthright.

One noon tea.

Alright! Take a seat, Master Shang!

Why so late to work today?

Met an old acquaintance in the morning.

Which acquaintance?

Lungmenite.

Fine day. Fancy meeting you again, Master.

What, still looking for that pavilion?

You helped me considerably by narrowing things down, but I'm still meant to find a person and not just a pavilion, so there's yet more to do.

Is that your sweetheart, sitting over there?

What...?!

Ahem. No, I'm not that brave...

Oh, your daughter, then?

I hardly seem the fathering kind, don't I?

That's true.

Hey, what did you just say?! Me and that Lungmenite conman are what?!

A man and woman going up the mountains at this hour, in early spring. Nothing else to do, probably.

I—

Master Shang, your noon tea.

Thank you.

Noon tea? Not sure if it's noon yet.

Every Shangshu pole-carrier gets two free servings of tea in the mountain teahouses. A noon tea in the morning, a sunset tea in the afternoon, each with some small sides.

The taste of a free tea is always fine.

It's tea, nothing more.

But it's in the mountains, see. Mountain tea's always a bit more expensive. And if it's complimentary, you've made out like a bandit.

You manage your books well.

Are the shopkeepers really that kind, though? Is it all out of benevolence?

The authorities subsidize it, duh.

...And you'd know?

My home happens to be a food service establishment too. Of course I've got some idea.

...I see.

Are you close with the Shangshu authorities?

Have been since Mr. Liang took up office.

The last few Shangshu governors were about construction, civil projects, developing the mountains and forests—not just recovering the city from all its troubles, but breathing even more life into it.

Maybe Governor Liang Xun thought the city was renewed enough when he came in, because his agenda was peace and love for the citizens instead... Whatever you think of this, you've seen nothing yet.

......

You're wise, for your young age.

My dad does business. It's all just osmosis.

You have a fine father.

I've finished my tea. I should be on my way now.

See you again, Master Shang.

See you again.

—Hey! Lee, what's he doing with the goblet?!

Not sure. But he's got no motive to hide, hanging it off his belt for anyone to see. It's like...

He's asking for someone to come at him?

Ignore it. Let's have some tea ourselves, and see how this plays out.

Waiter! Two pots of tea, and two of the shredded meat noodles.

I'm not having anything.

I'll be eating them both.

Your two pots of tea, sir. The noodles will be a bit longer; we're busy today.

Thank you...

Ao?

Why follow us all the way here?

Phhh... ao!

Hey. Lee. I'm going to ask you something, and you can't laugh.

Did that teapot—just move by itself...?

Shredded meat noodles—

Whoa! Mind it, sir, I'm carrying your noodles here!

Aoww?

What the hell is this?!

Careful!

Huh?

Urgh!

—Hey, are you okay there?

The stuff in the kitchen, the cloth and the brushwork... they're all... jumping out!

Yaaagh! What is that?!

Fire! Fire, this monster's on fire!

They're charging at us.

Hey, Lee! Tell me what the hell's going on?!

So the rumors about that goblet were true... There's too many people in here, let's move!

How do we reach young Lee?

He told us in the letter he left. After we meet up, we find him at the summit of Qujiang Peak. If he's not there yet, we wait until sundown.

Good. We'll stick to it. We can't let the goblet fall into anyone else's hands.

Benefactor, how should we respond to those Ink Spirit-esque manifestations from earlier?

Chances are it's linked to the cup... We'll rendezvous with Mr. Lee first.

Oh!

Aoww—

Benefactor, would you say they've—er—proliferated?

Hm? What breed of beast is this? Why have they been everywhere for the last two days?

We've been surrounded, haven't we...

Ao!

Oh, you're feisty ones.

—There's no other way! Benefactor, you and Master Shen take your leave for now, and I'll handle these miscreants!

—You alright with that?

They act more or less as the Ink Spirits do. Reason says I should cope.

Master Shen! This way!

......

What troubles you? You seem so ill at ease.

Nothing.

Your brows always wrinkle when you worry for people.

Do they?

They do. Who garners such concern from you, my Lord?

I'm worried for that friend of mine.

What has become of him?

He's gotten into a gamble.

One you asked him to take.

...True.

Are you now remorseful?

I still believe this was the best option.

I'm simply not sure...

You are very clever, my Lord.

I wouldn't claim to be.

I just chose a stupid method.

Is every beast in Yan like this?

......

......

Ao?

Hm? Light? Oh, don't worry... mm, I'm happy as long as I have you all with me.

Still, though...

...?!

Drill! Keep a hold on it, now!

Completely new Yanese beasts... you might just make for some unexpected traps!

Dear me! What's going on? Did I offend some horror in recent times? Why are my days filled with contesting these menageries of creatures?!

—Oho?!

Wrrao!

...On closer inspection, these things are...

Wrr—

(Damned—)

Close call.

Are you hurt, sir?

You must be... from the other day—

Don't ask.

......!

No need to be so cold, Uncle Taihe...

—!

Would you know where these things arose from?

Wherever the goblet goes, Waregeists spring up. Ironically, it's proving the Sui Regulator's conjectures.

Does this mean...

Mind your words, young man.

As you instruct, Uncle Taihe.

Wrrao—wrr!

(These sprites—er, Waregeists... are they scared of these two? No, is it specifically the boy that cowers them...?)

*Sigh*...

Take a look at these Waregeists. How many incidents like this have we had?

Ten, twenty-five, and a full sixty years ago, with several more still.

While we have wrongdoers wreaking havoc with Originium Arts on occasion, things really don't come any better than this.

But Sui in the end is Sui, and a beast in the end is a beast. If your people carry intent to harm the realm, then Heaven knows how great the disaster will be.

Ao—

The Sui Regulator has no desire to see such things come to pass.

Which is why we need to settle this millennium-long mess swiftly and cleanly.

—

...No more than detritus.

Those things... reverted back into common wares...

Mr. Nothing.

...Hmm.

Please, convey this to Ms. Kroos for me. I want her to reconsider what I've said.

We can be on good terms regardless. Even if she should ultimately have her own considerations, my side still has a matter it wishes to entrust to Rhodes Island irrespective of position.

I can assent to passing it on, but why didn't you convey this to her yourself when the moment was ripe?

Haha... well, at that moment...

I was a little tensed up. I didn't get everything out.

Lord Zuo.

Well, then... It seems we can't delay any longer. Mr. Nothing, we bid you farewell.

Seems tense?

So a young nobleman who scampers about with the Deputy Imperial Censor in tow has a case of the nerves?