Arknights story · Where Vernal Winds Will Never Blow
WB-8 Ancient Mutters
As the Catastrophe approaches, Yumen soldiers and civilians come together to make final preparations. All eyes are on Huai Tianpei and Chongyue at the foot of the tower, as they begin a duel three years in making.
2 scenes, 554 lines
1. Before Operation
228 linesHey, my bag! Don't push!
There's plenty of time, folks. Don't panic, get in line, careful not to step on each other.
Mama...
I'm scared...
Don't be scared, just hold my hand and stay close.
Where are we going?
There's a big storm coming.
So we're going to a safe place where we won't be blown away.
Massive shadows begin rising from outside the walls, blocking out the sun.
The Four Guardians of Yumen, retractable external mobile barriers known as the Wind Aegis, designed by Tumu Tianshi and built by the military's Department of Smelting and Fabrication.
For centuries, Yumen has served as Yan's border bulwark, and the Wind Aegis have been her shield, protecting her from the sandstorms, winter winds and Originium storms of the great desert.
The Three Winds shall not pass as long as the Four Guardians stand.
Wow, it's so tall...
I've never seen the Wind Aegis deploy in all my three years in Yumen.
Nothing to gape at.
Yumen's walls are tall, and fully equipped with Originium defenses. Mundane Catastrophes rarely require the Wind Aegis to be deployed, but it's not entirely unheard of.
However, this is the first time that we've had to move half the city's population, as far as I know...
So, er, wh-what is the class of this Catastrophe? So big not even the Wind Aegis could hold it back?
The Wind Aegis lock into place, steel plates interlocked so tightly not even the wind can get through.
Long lines of civilians move away from the walls in the shadows that the Wind Aegis cast. Perhaps comforted by the sturdy presence of the barriers, the crowd calms down after some initial chaos.
The poplars that grow on the borderlands have grown used to the wind and sand.
What's the matter? Scared?
......
Man your post. Don't think about anything else.
Keep your eyes open. The Shanhaizhong are still in the city. Anything can happen with so many people moving about.
Protect the commoners.
You're still here?
They've been broadcasting it all day. Yumen is about to run into a Catastrophe. Those on the east side need to move to shelters on the west side before noon.
I know, I know. The Catastrophe cloud isn't here yet. I need to pack my things...
Here it is.
I could lose the tables, the chairs, even the building, but not this recipe book.
Say, you could come with me to Lungmen, if you lost the inn.
Don't say that!
Sorry, yeah. That's bad luck.
I just figured your culinary skills would do well in Lungmen too. I've had the chance to see you work up close these few days, after all.
Nah, can't have that.
Where would the people of Yumen get my special sauteed meat if I left?
Are you a native of Yumen?
No.
I was born in the heartlands and went to Lungmen to seek my fortune. I came over when the cities linked, wanting to see what things were like in the north.
Then I lost my wallet and started working at this inn to make ends meet. Now I've been the innkeeper for years.
The building doesn't matter. Houses can be rebuilt.
Absolutely.
Well, I'll help you back up.
The winds are calm.
The dark, ominous mass of air is clearly visible, even from a distance, darkening part of the sky.
The Catastrophe does not seem to have moved, but the temperature is rising.
It is as though it is waiting for a gust of wind, before lashing out at the city walls.
Catastrophe preparations are already done. The Grandmaster wants to see whether that one is worth his trust before the Catastrophe strikes. I can't miss this.
Still, it seems absurd to determine the sword's ownership in this way.
You've been at my brother's side for decades. You would not trust his choice as a friend?
...Friend.
Hm.
We have fought side-by-side, but we have never been brothers. Neither sword nor spear, nor gun nor cannon can harm your kind. How could you truly understand the camaraderie of man?
You remain outsiders to it all.
Man and beast are different. This has never changed.
You know how the imperial court views your kind.
An alliance can only endure when the two sides are equals. One should not wield power beyond one's control.
I'm not in a position to trust him unconditionally, for I'm not his equal.
Zuo Xuanliao gazes wordlessly at the great desert beyond. The two shadows there are like two drops of ink on a great scroll.
Heaven and earth are silent.
It all feels like it happened yesterday.
We partook in more than just war. We hunted, drank, and sang together. Yumen is still Yumen. Why is it that you have worries enough to turn your hair white?
Does the sight of those two remind you of those golden days?
You say that man and beast are different, but look, a man has chosen to challenge this great barrier. Does your heart not race at a clash like that?
......
Good, good.
You finally agreed to fight me.
Sorry for making you wait.
It's only been three years. I could wait longer, if you have unfinished business.
Three years ago...
Hold it.
It was enough.
We traded three blows in that exchange. Someone could have been hurt, if we were using our full strength.
But you're holding back, and I can't use my full strength either.
That's no fun.
Sparring is about restraint...
Screw sparring, screw restraint! Let's have a proper fight!
All the kung fu under Heaven evolved in the struggle of life and death. You're not talking like the top-ranked fighter on the Yumen Arena Board of Fame.
You have a point. However...
Fine, I know, you have a job to do. You're not in a position to go all-out.
When are you quitting? We'll put this off until then.
Well, I have no idea when that might be.
Guesstimate it for me.
Could be three years, five, ten, maybe more.
Alright. I'll wait.
You're right here, after all. I'm not worried you'll run away.
There's always more to do. This is the right time and place for the fight that I owe you.
I should explain that I have my own reasons for doing this.
Oh?
There's a tradition of military commanders sparring before their troops prior to a campaign, in order to inspire the men.
Yumen is about to fight a Catastrophe. This bout between you and I will inspire the warriors of the city.
Suits me just fine, as long as you're not worried about losing face when I make you eat dirt in front of the whole city.
It's been many years since I've seen someone worth challenging like you.
Ready to give me your all?
Hold nothing back.
Victory and defeat lie in the hands of man.
Life and death lie in the hands of Heaven.
Did they start yet?!
Hey, take it easy, you're injured.
I'm a trained kung fu fighter. I'm not so fragile.
There's plenty of time to rest later. Miss this fight, and I may never see one like it ever again!
It's not that big a deal...
The Feline is your dad, right? The good-for-nothing old man you were talking about?
I definitely see the resemblance. Like father, like daughter.
In what way?
The way you look before a fight.
Like you're gonna eat someone.
Hmph...
I hear the Grandmaster's skills are almost supernatural. He hasn't fought in public in years. Some even say that he invented half the kung fu under Heaven.
And I hear your dad defeated that evil woman last night.
Who do you think will win here?
......
Silly question. Of course you want your dad to win.
I ought to be here. As a friend.
I wonder if he achieved his goal of making a name for himself.
Look at the number of eyes on this fight. It'll be the stuff of legend, no matter who wins.
A lunatic must answer to himself before telling others who he is.
We must all answer to ourselves.
You...
I was looking for Waai Tinp—Err, Huai Tianpei before trouble found me.
I went back to my old detective tricks and found out a few things. I have a good idea of what you're planning.
There's probably a reason why trouble finds you.
A big brother must look after his siblings.
What did you hear?
Few know that the Grandmaster is Ling's eldest brother. Seems like it's being kept a secret.
True...
Retrieving the Grandmaster's sword is, of course, an urgent matter, but the bigger headache is what to do with it afterwards.
You don't want it at Yumen. Perhaps you speak for the Sui Regulator, perhaps it's your judgment as advisor to Yumen, but the Lord Exorcist won't let it go.
You needed someone who could take the sword, someone both sides can live with.
You just happen to have an oath-brother who is a kung fu master, and he just happens to be in Yumen.
It didn't take much effort to guide the girl to the clinic where Huai Tianpei worked, in order to ensure his involvement.
......
From Shangshu to Yumen, you always get your old friends to solve your problems. Isn't that a little lazy?
I don't have many friends.
......
Never mind, no need to tell me.
*sigh*...
No matter how many strings you pulled behind the scenes, it was always his lifelong wish to fight the best and become the best. He might even thank you for setting the stage, if he knew.
We are all doing what we wanted to, even if things often don't turn out the way we want.
After all these years, perhaps he's the one who's closest to his oldest dreams.
'Achieve one thing in life.' Easy for him to say...
Mr. Huai came, despite his injuries...
He would have come as long as there was a single breath left in him. He doesn't care if it's the last thing he does.
I know Mr. Huai came to Yumen to challenge the Grandmaster, and the Grandmaster accepted the challenge. The Grandmaster has spoken of it from time to time, and I can tell you that he's no less looking forward to this than Mr. Huai is.
All kung fu fighters thirst for a good opponent.
It's an obsession, a strange one. It's natural that you don't understand.
It's the same reason that you follow the Grandmaster.
You can actually be kind of astute at times, you know that?
It's two masters at work. Nothing in your records will come close to what you are about to see.
I'll try to be detailed.
Just keep your distance. You don't want to get hurt.
Of course.
Earlier that day...
Today's the day, isn't it?
The veterans say Yumen has been through many crises in the past, but nothing on this scale.
Not even you know what's going to come of it, do you?
Things are more complicated than meets the eye.
From Jiangqi to Yumen, how many times has she seen danger, seen her life hang by a thread?
Yet she did not die in the wilderness, nor did she become like the Shanhaizhong.
What is it that has kept her going?
This city has treated me well. I should do something for it.
Before that, however, I must answer to myself.
You said that you would fight me whenever I felt up to it.
......
Qiubai takes a step back, focuses, and raises her sword.
She knows that he knows her every move like the back of his hand.
An eye for an eye.
Is there wisdom in the saying, or is it simply a result?
How many people have fed the fins by the river fort? Should their families seek revenge on her father?
How many people would seek revenge on her, if she killed this one in front of her for the sake of her own revenge?
The cycle of vengeance never ends.
Should it really be hate that keeps her going?
How long has she been thinking about that question? The five years that she has been around this man, seeing all that he saw?
No, longer than that.
Her sword has seen blood every step of the way from Jiangqi to Yumen. How would she judge those dead by it?
That is why she came to Yumen, for revenge, and to learn.
Exact what must be exacted, and discern what must be discerned.
The sword is pulled back abruptly.
It leaves her hand and falls into a nearby ditch, sending a pack of fowlbeasts scattering in all directions.
The violence of the move almost injures her, showing none of her usual grace in practice or battle.
Her expression, however, is one of satisfaction.
...Correct.
I didn't let go of vengeance because I can't kill you, though.
It's just not worth my sword anymore.
When did she find the answer?
We've said too much.
I just...
Chongyue stops mid-sentence.
His opponent is injured. A few more words would give him time to adjust his breathing.
But he soon realizes that such kindness would be an insult to his opponent.
There is no such thing as a truly fair fight.
Cast away irrelevant thoughts, and give all for victory. That is what 'fair' is.
Let's begin.
Huai Tianpei clutches his fist, feeling the lines etched into his palm.
They are the marks of forty years of kung fu practice, his pride, his very emblem.
He's waited three years for this fight, but the preparation for it began on his first day studying kung fu.
A martial artist always aspires to the top.
The wind is still. The world is silent.
2. After Operation
326 linesI saw two children fight over a fruit in that blurry mist.
They were about the same age and size, but one was quicker and punched heavier, and he knocked his foe to the ground.
He gets the fruit.
To the victor goes the spoils.
I saw that hunt.
Humanity declared war on Them. Mortals brought down gods that they could not even fathom, at the price of millions of lives.
Victory or death.
What is the meaning of kung fu?
Strength? Skill? An instrument of killing?
One man, no matter how strong, can never overcome an entire army or a battleship.
Is assassination and backstabbing a kind of skill? Why pick one's means of killing? Why study it as a school?
Searching for an answer before this obstacle, I forsook my power, sealed 'myself' into a sword, and built myself a human body.
How long has it been?
How long has it been since the last time I encountered an opponent against whom I could give my all?
Round 8.
The Grandmaster takes one step back before his opponent's assault. Huai Tianpei's fists are exhausted by the time they reach the Grandmaster's palm.
(Flexes bones)
Huff...
For forty years I have studied kung fu. I have never seen a mountain I could not overcome, never known defeat.
My first shifu told me he had nothing left to teach me after six months.
Each subsequent shifu that I studied under sent me away after a year, at most.
There are hundreds of kung fu schools under Heaven, but what use are so many moves, when you only have one pair of hands, one pair of feet?
I will practice my own kung fu.
Heavier. Faster. More precise.
But this man before me...
Round 9...
Huai Tianpei strikes at the Grandmaster's flank, cutting off his retreat.
The Grandmaster stays still and strikes back with equal force, cutting off Huai Tianpei's attack.
The outcome is already clear... who could take nine hits from this man?
If he is a rock, then he is not facing a bigger rock, but a deep pool.
A pool with many rocks at its bottom.
How can one defeat Kung Fu itself?
But he is still standing.
Huai Tianpei digs deep into the sand, focusing his mind and breath, breathing out, breathing in.
Then, he holds up his fists again.
Move a mountain to fill a lake. If the pond cannot be filled, it only means that the rock is not big enough.
(Coughs blood)
I lost.
I lost?
Round... 10.
The Record Keeper's ink brush stops.
He does not know how to record this.
It could not be simpler. Punch, hit, separate. No forms, no variations, just force against force, like two children fighting over food.
The only difference is that they are fighting over victory.
He has never seen Grandmaster wince in pain. Until now.
Wind.
...The Grandmaster has won.
......
(Coughs blood)
Hahaha!
Hahahahaha!
Looks like you weren't concerned with victory or defeat.
How could I not be?!
You're the First Under Heaven.
But all it took was forty years for me to get the upper hand on you, once. Another three hundred and sixty years, and I'll beat you and become First Under Heaven!
True, you would likely surpass me, if you had another three hundred years.
But how can a mortal live that long?
It's true that some people have lived three centuries, using Originium Arts to extend their lifespans.
I doubt that would be possible for Mr. Huai, however.
You're the First Among Men. No need to wait three hundred years.
Grandmaster... Mr. Huai has fainted.
(Cheering)
(Bangs on sheathes)
Liang Xun, that man is your friend?
Yes.
Do you think he can be entrusted with the sword?
In terms of skill and character, there is no other choice.
Very well.
What say you, Lord Exorcist?
......
Zuo Xuanliao says nothing. He gazes at the battlefield below. One lies on the ground, one is standing. The outcome has been decided.
But the soldiers continue to bang their swords on their sheathes, a tradition among Yumen soldiers when they watch a demonstration.
It was a rare sight, a life and death struggle on a great battlefield, under the raging winds and sand.
Even the sickly general feels his heart race.
How many times has he fought alongside him? Has he ever fought so hard against any other foe?
If there is one to whom he can entrust the sword, it should be...
The Catastrophe...
It's coming.
I'm back, Shifu.
Jieyun limps towards a small mound by the nomadic city's route.
The grave is new, with a few poplars on each side that she planted to mark the place. Fortunately, it is close to where she thought it would be; the city has not traveled far.
She bows down and places the sword at the grave.
I said I would bring the sword back. I did it.
I went to the forge, saw the blacksmith, and the old pagoda tree.
The city is very different from how I imagined.
Is that a place that can be called 'home?'
Why are people not afraid to live on a great, moving plate?
They're not afraid that a Catastrophe would destroy their houses, not afraid that they won't have food or water.
I don't understand.
I don't understand the people in the city, or you, who left the city.
I don't understand what kind of person he is.
He is brave, strong, invincible.
He is foolish, pathetic, alienated.
You held his sword. You were close to him.
......
The voice feels far away. Is someone speaking to her?
She suddenly wants to see what the sword is like.
I'm leaving tomorrow.
The borders have been peaceful lately. Things should be fine even if I'm away for a while.
Such a hurry?
Your condition... and that of some of the others, they can't wait.
Just because there's no doctor who can treat it doesn't mean there's no one in Yan. If there's no one in Yan, perhaps there's another in these vast lands...
I have a brother who may be able to do it.
Take care while I'm away.
You're not a doctor. Why don't you ask what the patient wants?
My days may be numbered, but I want to see other places with the ones I have left.
All I've seen in my years at Yumen is sand as far as the eye could see. I want to travel, while I can still ride a burdenbeast.
To see Shangshu's famous mountains, taste Jiangnan's famous fresh water chestnuts...
With someone, hopefully.
You're sick. You need to stay put...
What do you know about being sick? You've never been sick or injured, have you?
Not only that, we've known each other for so long, but I've never seen a crease appear on your face.
We're not the same.
Is this a dream?
She draws the sword.
I...
The ancient sword leaves its sheath.
Its shape is somewhat unusual, but otherwise it is an ordinary sword, not even sharp.
Through the blade, she sees the clouds in the sky, and the shadow of the sun.
So this is how you separated yourself from It.
So obvious it was hardly worth thinking about.
You are the one who became most like Man.
The sliver of the ghost leaves quietly.
He has found the answer.
Why are you sleeping on the walls, Miss Ling?! A Catastrophe is coming. Get down and get to a shelter.
Leave this to us.
What's the situation?
The Four Guardians have been deployed, as have the sand filters and Originium scrubbers. They are Yumen's first and firmest line of defense.
Given the size of the cloud formation, however, the Four Guardians will not be able to completely shut the storm out. Dust and Originium particles that get through will form a secondary storm.
The scale would be equivalent to a small Catastrophe.
......
Following the evacuation, all the plates on the east side have been retracted to avoid impact, but the plates of the inner city are immobile and will be impacted by the secondary storm directly.
How many are you?
The Imperial Astronomical Bureau has twelve casters stationed at Yumen.
How are you deployed?
Six here, six in the inner city.
Are six enough to protect the inner city?
The Lord Exorcist has deemed both locations critical.
The Imperial Astronomical Bureau will do its best.
......
The danger is the same. Go.
Last time I saw a scene like this was decades ago, when I first came to Shangshu.
Yumen doesn't have brews as refined as Husong and Guixing, but Liedaozi is good stuff. Heavens, look at the scene you're treating me to.
A toast to you too, Heaven.
Ack, there's no goblet for me to throw right now.
A crack of thunder, so close it makes everyone's heart skip a beat.
The dark clouds are above the city in an instant.
Thick masses of air pull the sky down, while the darting arc lightning looks almost alive.
Raindrops evaporate the moment they form. The air is so dry that the slightest contact could set something on fire.
Yumen serves as the flint.
A single sight as far as the eye could see. How overwhelming, how terrible, how magnificent!
Come!
The lantern lights. The poet stands up, and drinks her fill from her flask.
The sandstorm and thunder rage, as earth and heaven become one stage.
Throw a goblet to the setting sun, toast the tower with sand overrun.
All of Heaven and earth, in the flask.
Increasing output.
......
Keep it up! The dams must run at maximum power.
The sand sluices have never been asked to churn so much sand, even with Yumen at full speed. With the city stationary right now, running the sluice dams at full power without the normal offloads would result in very high wear...
No time to think about that!
If all the sand and Originium dust that the Wind Aegis block piles up in front, it's going to swallow Yumen's foundation, jamming the whole city.
......
Maybe you should worry about yourself right now.
What the?!
The sky is unrecognizable.
Mr. Jing? Why are you here? Everyone should have evacuated to the west side.
I came back.
Those Shanhaizhong wangbadan are using the chaos to sabotage our Catastrophe defenses and harass the people. We caught them in the act a few times.
That's a job for the Patrol Battalion.
Can the Patrol Battalion deal with the Catastrophe and the Shanhaizhong at the same time?
Why do we carry swords, if all we do is hide at a time like this?
......
Hey, I help.
You're a tourist. There's no need to...
Yan saying, repay drop of water with river.
You buy me many drink. I repay.
I like your spirit. Alright, hop on.
But...
What's most important to Zuo Xuanliao? Protecting Yumen.
Catch.
Freshly brewed Liedaozi! The old man said to give you guys a treat.
Mr. Meng was...
No need for any of that.
All we need to know is that he died at the hands of these wangbadan.
Pah, these Yumenites didn't forget to take all their valuables, even when they're fleeing for their lives.
But there are a few jewelry shops on this street. They can't very well have taken all of it...
You just can't pass up a little looting, can you?
The other team has gone to close the sand sluices. Don't forget the mission.
I would never.
But they're ready for us.
A bunch of ruffians who haven't had a real fight in twenty years, satisfying themselves with fighting in the ring for show.
Useless rabble.
Here they come.
An impressive-sounding name won't change the fact that they're just a bunch of thieves and bandits.
Useless rabble.
They're spreading out and trying to cause as much chaos as possible. Don't let them get away!
I need a group to cut off Kangqing Street! It leads to the west side where the civilians are!
I go!
We'll have a drink and kill some bad guys.
Found you... good thing your footprints weren't completely wiped away.
You weren't lying about planning to come back to Yumen.
Why are you here?
Why are you hurt as well?
No time to talk about that. We need to get back to the city!
......
You were lucky to survive the jump down the sand sluice. Your injuries will take a long time to heal, though.
Here, hold on to me.
––
What is it?
......
Yumen has come to a full stop, slightly off the expected location.
The Catastrophe has reached the eastern side of Yumen. Unable to hail Lord Wei at this time.
We're climbing.
Though the path may sever, let not thy spirit falter.
Spring chill presses armor, autumn frost dapples Yumen's barrier.
That long dream, laments ere and now.
......
They want to close the sand sluices.
They know how important it is right now... do the Shanhaizhong have people with engineering expertise?
(Sneers)
You can jump now, or I can throw your corpses down after I kill you.
......
Miss Qiu?
I heard Zuo Le came here, so I thought I would help out as well. Looks like I came at the right time.
You?
Shanhaizhong once sent an invitation to the river fort of Jiangqi, but we didn't get a response.
How ironic that you've chosen to take the side of the Yanese army.
You're well-informed.
Of course. We pay attention to those who walk our path.
Cut the crap.
Have you forgotten that you came to Yumen for revenge?
Good question. Unfortunately, I've already found the answer.
She raises her sword again.
This time, there is no need for her to pull back.
The man from Sargon swings at the Shanhaizhong member trying to attack the soldiers, forcing him back.
His Yanese is mediocre, but his attack is clean, powerful, pragmatic.
Nice!
So you weren't exaggerating back at the inn. You've got a couple of tricks up your sleeve.
No couple of trick, only one trick.
Grandmaster taught me when he came Sargon, but only one move...
They're still not backing off, even after losing so many. Are they not afraid to die?
What happen?
It's the sound of the storm impacting the Wind Aegis. Be careful.
This is a bigger Catastrophe than any Yumen has encountered before.
I don't even want to think about the Imperial Astronomical Bureau Casters who are taking the full brunt of it.
The Catastrophe is raging. They have their hands full dealing with it. Don't waste time here.
Take these ones out and retreat to the evacuation shelters on the west side.
Gotcha.
Where do you think you're going? We knew you were coming this way.
Round them up!
We'll leave the Catastrophe to the Imperial Astronomical Bureau Casters. These wangbadan are ours!
......
The sky has broken. Gravel and rock beyond reckoning clash, roll and rub against each other in the maelstrom, screeching like metal on metal.
The storm bears down on the tower, then hits a wall of Arts.
Hold your ground!
Form up!
That's the secondary storm after it passes through the Wind Aegis?
Mr. Lin! What are you doing here?
Lending a hand.
We can handle this. You should go back.
To where? How am I supposed to get my afternoon nap when there's a commotion like this out here?
......
The Originium scrubbers in the inner city can stop the particles from spreading, but the impact of the storm itself must be met with Originium Arts.
One more warm body.
Lin steps forward.
He has already taken off his coat.
I've manipulated sand for decades. I might as well find a coffin to sleep in now, if I can't make myself useful at a time like this.
Or are my little tricks just a burden to the great Tianshis?
...Just be careful, sir.
Make way for Mr. Lin!
That's right.
Dad! I've been looking for you...
Perfect timing, Yühsia.
You're hurt!
The storm converges again in mid-air and approaches once again. Dirt and rocks spin chaotically on the outer edge, while the air has been so compressed at the center that sparks are flying.
The heavens roar, then silence.
A wall of sand rises, filling every gap in the wall of Arts, pushing it slowly but steadily forward. One meter, three meters... ten meters.
Lin stands at the center of the casters, a great tree that budges for no storm.
I've never seen Arts like this before...
To achieve such stability over such a large area...
It's coming again!
Lin Yühsia has never seen the full extent of her father's Arts. It has never been needed for his enemies.
The shadow of Lungmen leads a regular life.
Taking 'walks' through the streets, enjoying a bowl of finball soup, visiting people, living and dead.
Most of the time, he is smiling, nonchalant. There are few things that make him bare his fangs.
He looks much smaller without his coat. Yühsia can see his arms begin to tremble, like thin branches that could be broken by a stiff wind at any time.
......
Help Mr. Lin down.
He has taken the brunt of four waves of Originium storms. He can take no more.
(Coughs blood)
Dad!
*pant*...
*pant*...
'I just hope this will be resolved quickly without delaying your trip to Victoria.'
'It's not your own choice if you haven't seen another path.'
Those are the kind of things that Dad always said.
Lin Yühsia did not want her father to set her path. Perhaps she has not made a decision yet.
But Dad is already old. He was not joking when he talked about retiring.
When the old fall, it is time for the young to take their place.
The logic is illogical, yet immovable.
Yühsia steps forward and takes her father's place, shielding him behind her.
......
Miss Lin...
Don't speak. You're all injured. Adjust your breathing.
Here it comes.
Keep your eyes forward!