IW-7 Chaos

...In the end, we meet again.

We only just met.

You didn't have your blade then, so we didn't meet.

Well, I've brought it now.

I'll be clear.

I know the fault isn't yours. I also know, that rainy night, it wasn't just my son who died.

Of course you know.

You took in his daughter. How is she now?

I plan for her to continue my work.

Your work as an escort? Or do you want her comfortable as an innkeeper, like you've been these past years?

Either or. Whatever she likes.

Has she found a sweetheart?

Not yet.

A shame.

You won't live to see the day she becomes a bride.

Maybe we don't need to jump to the killing today?

Impossible. I know how you are. Your heart is heavy, but mine holds a grudge.

A grudge of ten years.

...So?

So you never planned to win against me today. The restaurants, teahouses, inns, aren't they all ways out to leave to your daughter?

You know the escort is a profession of wrongs. You also know the state the escorts will be in, with you gone.

Don't forget. You've gone outside the rules, with a blade strapped to you. People will sympathize with you. But by reason, you'll still be a traitor.

If you bore the guilt and led the escorts onward after that night, how could I be betraying it?!

My son walked that path. How could I not know? But your actions, opening inns and restaurants? Aren't you trampling upon their deaths?

It was you! You fell at a stroke, and ran from your past!

I did... I know that. But we've said a little more than enough now.

I am Head of the Xingyu Escort Assocation, Asker to the Frost, Zheng Qingyue.

...Polearm of the Shangs, Shang Zhong.

...Mm.

You've rested far too long, Zheng Qingyue.

It might not be my rest. Maybe you've climbed too many mountains, improved your footwork again.

It's hard to know.

But heroes like you are doomed to spend your older years unable to walk. It's such a shame.

So your blade flowed quick, the snow's gleam hit my eyes, you cut open my trouser leg, and you think now I can't walk?

You won't be able to block the next slash. That pole isn't any family treasure, you know. It's nothing but a stick of lousy bamboo.

......

......

—Dad!

Ye?! What are you...

So you were Du Yaoye after all. In the blink of an eye, you've grown so tall...

Oh.

You two are quite free, if it's getting dark and you still have the time to be... practicing kung fu here.

It's you. What are you doing here?

I'll tell you straight, Master Shang. My friend tasked me to find that goblet on your belt. I'm looking for a pavilion, and I just can't do without that cup.

I worry, see, since swords don't discriminate. If you... glanced off of it in your scuffle, it'd hardly be worth it when the dust settles.

......

Dad, what are you even doing—!

...Ye, I...

Ten years ago, the Xingyu Escort Association took on a great commission. But heavy rains came on the way, and they were attacked by bandits in the wild.

To protect the goods, Zheng Qingyue abandoned his fellow escorts. A dozen brothers were killed. Among them was my son, and your... blood father.

Zheng Qingyue let them die without trying. Not only did he let them die, he didn't protect the goods in the end. He didn't protect the escorts' reputation.

I—

And after all that, he even turned a blind eye to their decline, and fled from his failure. Did you know that?

After that, your mother left Shangshu, and went back to her home.

Du Yaoye... Can you swear you knew any of this?

......

Ye. This has nothing to do with you. Your dad's going to—

Then you're... Master Shang.

No.

The traitor Shang Zhong.

......

Who the hell do you think I am? You think I spent all my life sheltered like some clueless idiot?

Yeah, I knew all about my mom and dad. I know better than you what old Zheng's done all these years and how he's done it.

......

And that's precisely why I need to tell you two today—

—Association this and inn that, they'll all be Du's sooner or later.

Now, if you two oldies can stop making trouble for me.

......

If you don't step aside, you'll regret it.

—!

If you've got something to say, say it...

A coin-sword?

You're joking. Are you going to cast some kind of magic in front of me or something?

Ah, excuse me, now, I'm not handy in close combat at all... it's just...

If you really want this thing, then take it. Catch.

—!

––Hold it!

Zheng Qingyue! No more distractions!

—Don't touch my dad!

Rngh! Out of the way!

Urgh!

Ye!

Shang Zhong, you've lost it! Using violence on the young!

—!

—The cup!

Just leave us! Go do your thing!

But you're...

This is family business!

Fine.

Just hold on for a bit, I'll be right there.

Ye, don't let him go!

This stupid old man wants your life and you're still obsessed with that lousy thing!

Du Yaoye is right. Ten years ago, you lost this goblet on a mountain ridge. Now, you've lost it again. How does it feel?

Shang Zhong...!

If you want me aside, the answer's simple.

Tch.

This is far enough!

Mr. Zheng!

—The goblet's been knocked down the cliff. That Lungmenite's already after it. Move it, both of you!

Thank you, sir.

Taihe.

Understood.

—Cheh.

Miss Du, what's your business here?

I'm not letting you go.

Why not?

There's been Mr. Liang and that Lee man and both of you impossible-looking mandarins, and—

After all my bystanding, I've finally gotten things straight.

Besides, I made an agreement with Lee. We value our promises, and that's how it works.

......

Ye! Enough troublemaking!

...What a gaggle.

There shouldn't have been this many people today. But no matter...

Having you is enough to settle things.

—Tch!

Miss Du, you should know we handle affairs impartially.

I don't think you're all that 'impartial.'

Please, step aside.

No.

Then you'll have to excuse me!

—

Now, now, don't be hasty! It won't do for a great lord like you to be meting out such force on a young girl, will it?

—The Yin-ch'ing Fan of the Liens. As fine a kung fu as expected.

......!

Ingrate.

Lord Zuo, are you alright?

I'm fine.

Ugh! Ow-ow-ow... It's truly fearsome you should throw such vast bricks with ease.

You had your chance. No excuses.

Crossbow bolts! Who was that?

......

Here I am. You're looking the wrong way.

You're...

Don't get in the way, rabbit.

So Rhodes Island doesn't intend on assisting the Sui Regulator?

We don't.

Maybe your compass points the same way as ours, but Nian and us have gotten on for a long while. I know her character in and out.

A beast's heart is hardly fathomed. What can her character be worth?

Maybe not much else, for all I know. But at the very least, it's worth me.

And me. Dusk tore my confusion with a stroke, and gave me what I'll describe as a blunt awakening... I might like to stand to the side of things, but the occasion's fine, and I know to pay a grace back.

The Lien clan's Yin-ch'ing Fan.

You gave me a good scare last time, rooted me straight to the spot. Much thanks for the opportunity now, yes, much thanks.

Hmm...

If you want to fight over your cup, get lost before you do.

This goblet has huge significance to the Association. If I could just leave it like that, I may as well be dead, you understand?

You may as well be dead right now.

......

Good, good, good. That's the look of Zheng Qingyue. Is it because your daughter's here, or because of your escort prestige?

You always were someone who wanted to live on. Now our battle finally has meaning.

Shang Zhong.

If your son in spirit knew what you were doing today, would he be happy?

Don't you throw that concept at me. Even if he was alive here and now, he wouldn't be able to hold back his father!

Master Shen, why are you here?

I sent those few people to the top, and came back down. I thought I'd run into you eventually, Mr. Liang.

So you're making your way too?

It's been a while since I came. I'm taking a look around the vicinity.

How about Miss Ning?

She's aware, or perhaps was long since aware.

The theft in the study was her own devising, likely.

You'd better try and appease her, sir, please.

Forget all the others, you can't ever let that old Bai potter wade into the fight.

Tianshi Bai...

If he calls a strike of lightning down, he'll have blasted straight over the Sui Regulator and the Ministry of Rites. We don't know where the Tianshi stand on this.

I thank you for your concern, Master Shen.

*Sigh*... I'm only a boatman, for all my concern is.

I guarded the north for a few years. I chatted with the other soldiers, talking home and the times and so on, throughout all the cold days with nothing to do.

We all devoted out hearts to Yan, but a little foolishness here and there hardly needed to get away from us.

Such is the prudence of the ordinary man.

That's what I am. Aren't you too, Mr. Liang?

The land is vast and wide, all things free. Under heaven's infinity, all are ordinary men.

*Sigh*... What do you hope for me to do?

I hope you'll protect the peace and safety of Shangshu, Master Shen. If any setbacks should happen in the end... I hope you'll leap in to pacify the dispute, before Miss Ning and the other five act.

There's the old saying. Ultimately, human affairs all depend on heaven's mandate.

A shame.

This is the first adage I learned from Yan's court: 'Heaven's mandate lies in man.'

Where's it gone...?

Ao-ao!

Oh.

It's on that branch over there... and there's a great seething mass of oddities beneath it...

Ao...

Haha. How do I fetch this now, then...?

Out of the way.

—!

Wrr—wrwwrr!

......

Long time no see.

Hm? You're a... Rhodes Islander...

Aww. So it was just old Lee.

Still, long time no see. What dragged you from Lungmen to Shangshu?

Hey, what do you mean he took his sword and left? He went to fight someone?

Who knows.

None of us new ones've ever seen him use it before. Yeah, come to think of it, he's been getting his business big. Got himself stable in Shangshu just with his restaurants.

What's his style with his sword?

He really hasn't used it all that much these days. To be honest, he just cuts melons, dices leaves, chops meat and handles fins.

His fighting days are long behind. It's been a long time since he ever went to, well, 'harm' anyone with a blade.

He's sorta retired from all the business, then, that type? So what's he gonna do with it out there now?

Dice, I guess. He's been dicing for so long, it's the only thing he knows how to do now.

That's lame.

Well, duh. What, is dicing vegetables for ages going to power you up?

Good technique! Seems you didn't just stay an innkeeper all these years!

No, I really haven't used it since then.

I'm used to counting my chips, sorting out my needs... I never thought I'd still be so able with this frostblade of mine.

It's surprising.

What would winning or losing even mean, if I met a Zheng Qingyue depressed and joyless? It hung on my mind.

It seems heaven must have willed this.

—Heaven who? You're just obsessed with getting revenge!

Urgh...!

Ye! Don't interfere! Go after that Lungmenite, and find the goblet!

Sorry, dad, but you're not in charge here now—

Ugh!

I predicted this from you.

I never once laid a hand on her.

You'll regret this.

Uncle Taihe, You help the innkeeper out.

You, young man?

I'll search for the cup. It can't wait any longer.

Hold it!

Stop there!

Er, let's not be too hasty with the rocks now. Pull any more away and we'll be stranded up here, wouldn't you say?

The struggling of the cornered.

Benefactor! I'll hold out here! You go help Brother Lee! Don't let that kid get away with it!

Right! You watch yourself!

Now, you really must stop with the bullying here. The only reason I've not kicked into action is because you're a mandarin, after all—

Is that why?

I repay Lord Zuo's patronage. I go with him. My status has nothing to do with this.

Come! Disciple of Lien, you and I contest purely as martial men. We shall test each other.

Then, don't mind if I do!

...Oh.

Rain?

Is it raining?

Shoot, the forecast promised it'd be sunny today.

Sir, it's raining. Would you like to come inside and take a seat?

No, thank you.

Are you rainviewing? That's a good hobby, sir. I'll bring an umbrella in just a moment...

Where's the boatman who was with you?

He went to the mountains.

Right now? He might be stuck up there once it's dark.

Yes, right now.

It was a favor for me.

Ah! It's that Lungmenite!

Are the Waregeists surrounding him...? Hold on, who's that next to him?

Oh. Looks like we've got new guests.

Nian...!

Here to squabble over the cup too?

Phew. That's a few less people than I was expecting.

I am Zuo Le, Candleholder of the Sui Regulator of Great Yan. By Master Tai's instruction, I am confidentially investigating Dusk and the black goblet's whereabouts.

Ao... ao...

These little things seem quite scared of you.

If they're scared of me, hey, I get it. But this li'l boy here...

What's that you've got on you?

You're swift.

Uh-huh... I see... Just like that old-ass guy said.

So how'd you get tangled up in this party, Mr. Lee?

I think that's a bit of a long story, Miss Nian...

But I'm very sorry I pulled a handful of Rhodes Island's operators in as well.

No big. If Kroos and li'l Lava couldn't handle this stuff, they'd never get to see things wrap up.

Well, well. You really haven't changed, Miss Nian...

Lemme tell you, we've been through a whole drama these last two days. That scary old guy did tell us a few things, though.

Including how the Sui Regulator and Ministry of Rites aren't quite getting along. Hey, kid, are your bunch really in such a hurry... to get rid of us?

......

There's gotta be some reason, other than me pulling Dusk out of her hidey-hole without a permission slip.

C'mon, hit me with it. If it makes sense, I might just change my mind and help you out, y'know?

It's none of your concern.

But if you're showing of your own accord, then all the better...

Where is she?

Who?

Stop playing the fool!

Sheesh. You climbed the wrong mountain, then.

What?

She's at the summit. The top of the tallest peak in this whole sea of clouds.

Did you try checking up there yet?

There's nothing in the Field of Forgotten Water. It's no different than an ordinary mountain.

That so?

—! Don't touch that cup—!

—

W-What?

This, right here, right now, THIS is the highest point in all of the Shangshu Mountains.

'Highest point' isn't really a 'right here, right now' sort of definition, ya know.

I say: A summit is only consummate by a beautiful view.

What does the highest point really mean in a physical sense, anyway? If I set down a chair here, that's one step higher, right?

This place... I think I must've...

Seen it in a dream?

You know something after all, Miss Nian.

Of course. You and this thing've been together for way too long.

Sure, ordinary humans might not figure the goblet's secret, but you and the Sui Regulator have been way off the ball, seriously...

Or maybe, that was part of your plan too...?

Nian?

Nah. Let's not get into me for now... That kid there looks like he's bursting to say something, huh?

Firstly, I need you to give an explanation for Dusk's departure.

Ms. Kroos persists in regarding you as a Rhodes Islander. Thus, all three of you here have some relation to the company.

In accordance with your answers and this incident's resolution... I will consider penning a letter to the imperial court, with grave regard to this matter.

Urgh...!

Dragging Dusk off was my call entirely. Rhodes Island just accepted a personal request of mine. That satisfy you?

No. Any time the twelve of you meet, exchange messages or converse is a major strain on the Sui Regulator's nerves. How can you be ignorant of that?

Oh, that's some mature words for such a young kid...

Who's the boss of the Sui Regulator now? Anyone I know?

You've been idle for too long. The human realm has gone through changes.

Dang.

Where's Dusk? And where's Ling?

And what intent do you three have, assembling in Shangshu? And what secrets... does this goblet hide?

You guys asked someone to get the cup from Lungmen, duh. How's that our fault?

You know the significance of us necessitating it be in the Sui Regulator's hands—

—Of course. This thing's got a chunk of my good ol' second bro's conscious jailed in it.

You're well-aware. Then it's exceedingly hard to consider any of you here unaware or innocent.

I wasn't going to pretend to be unaware... even though Liang Xun really didn't tell me a thing.

Hahah. Might've been stretching it a little when I kept saying Rhodes Island didn't know anything?

Yeah, I'd say, seeing how you're a casualty.

Me?

I only just realized it. And you Sui Regulator guys, c'mon, you spent all these years with nothing to do but think about it and you still couldn't get there?

The Feranmut is not only able to separate parts of itself into proxies with independent personalities, but can store its consciousness within certain mediums in order to roam...

But can your proxies really do the same thing over again? Just as if you were an Ursus matryoshka.

I don't know if we can or not... Maybe it's a new trick he came up with.

So he can collect all hundred and eighty-one black stones or something like that.

Wouldn't he go mad?

I mean, he's already gone mad, though. With him locked up in the capital, it's not like you can't pay him a visit.

Meeting with him would be the greatest taboo.

You Sui Regulator people have done so much, and you still care?

What about Dusk? What did you seek Dusk for? And why did you come here after doing so?

...I have an idea.

According to the records, you're always full of ideas.

Hm... I guess you actually know a little about me, huh?

(She's looking this way...)

......

I want...

...to come up with a way to wipe out that giant thing.

It's almost dark.

*Sigh*... Climbing up and down like this really wracks my old body...