The Crisis of Juntian

You're back! Over here, Little Minion!

Wow! So that's the Hall of Adjudication? It's every bit as magnificent as I imagined!

Hey, Little Minion, think we can see everything from way up there? I'm so excited I could pop!

South... yeah, this way! This map's a no-brainer for me!

Little Minion, just follow me. Activating Demon King's gui, gui, guidance ser, ser, service.

...Snow? What did you say?

Huh? I just said to keep heading straight. Why? Did I take a wrong turn?

(What was that?)

Little Minion, that person over there looks like a manager. Let's go ask him!

Hey, Little Minion, did you see something shiny shoot across the sky just now!?

Nngh... Straight through the wall... feeling a bit dizzy now...

The Wishen is heading that way! Let's hurry, Little Minion!

He's gone... He must have possessed something else again! But nothing can escape the all-seeing eyes of this Demon King and her trusty Little Minion!

Aha... gotcha!

Oh no you don't, trying to run, are you!?

Hmph... Didn't even notice how far we'd chased him. No clue where we are now.

Let me check the map... Aha! Totally clear! Come on, Little Minion, off to the next stop!

Whoa! Look at that massive censer! And so many people bustling in and out, this has got to be the Hall of Incense!

Hey, this rooftop's got Gritblight glinting up here too...

Think the sachet might've gotten buried in one of these Gritblight clusters? Let's check them out, Little Minion!

Alright! Just the Hall of Craft left now. It's right across from here, let's go, Little Minion!

Wow, there's already quite the crowd at the noticeboard, let's go see what's going on!

More of these witless curs? I'm getting bored!

You there, Magistrate, skulking in the shadows! Can you hear what my blade's trying to say?

It says... dull. Dreary. Pathetic.

I thought you might have the backbone for a fair fight, but no. Spineless cowards, the lot of you. You're boring even my sword!

It's time, Little Minion, let's get moving!

Little Minion, do you see that exit? Looks like it leads up to the top floor.

Little Minion, I didn't know you had a knack for tinkering machines! Guess our "Honorary Learner of the Jishu Sect" title isn't just for show after all.

I just gave it a shot. Didn't expect it to work this well.

Let's just hope that luck sticks with us, last thing we need is some complication blowing it all.

Vita, now's not the time to play hero, we get out, fast!

What do we do now? They're everywhere...

Soaring to the skies, diving to the depths, unbound, untamed, utterly free~!

Whoa...! You again!?

When one road ends, a new path unfolds, and here comes Xiaoyao!

If you crave a sliver of hope, keep to my heels~!

That's a whole garrison down there... Looks like we've no choice but to stick with this trickster.

He's an absolute menace, but I'll admit, his tricks do help when it counts.

On the brink of despair, a friend is there, fate grants us yet another boon!

Wait... dead end ahead!

You there! Halt, you're under arrest!

I remember now... After the battle with Zhuyin, Zhiliu struck me down at the foot of the mountain, then brought me here...

And these... what are they?

The pursuers have been diverted, but we must remain cautious.

Vita, as Kezhou instructed, let us proceed with care and watch for the trail markings.

That scribble on the big rock... that's got to be the secret code Kezhou told us about!

Filthoids... Stay close, Vita. I shall guard your flank.

Huh? What's someone doing way out here? Could she be the one we're meant to meet?

But she doesn't really look like Kezhou's great-aunt... Whatever, let's ask.

I know what this is!

Bet it's one of those good old "trials" or "challenges," right? Piece of cake. Go get 'em, Little Minion!

Heh... brimming with spirit, as ever.

Whew, finally! That secret signal was hidden way too well... felt like we crossed half the world to find it!

Now that we've secured the signal, let us not tarry, we should return to our contact.

So we just perform the signal, right? I remember it perfectly, the Demon King's memory is second to none!

And here we are, welcome to the Outer Peaks!

Whoa, it's built right on the edge of a cliff... What if someone trips and falls off the side!?

If you're scared, just stick close to me.

Wh, Who says I'm scared!? The great Demon King fears no heights! Don't go stirring up rumours, Little Minion...

Heehee, I've lived here long enough to get used to it. And if anyone does take a tumble, the mech-kites will catch you before you hit the ground. So don't worry, you're safe.

Come on now, I'll show you around the Outer Peaks while we're at it.

Uncle Tang's leg still hasn't mended from that fall. I'm heading out to gather some herbs, see if we can help it along.

Sounds like the Jishu Sect runs some pretty high-risk experiments.

Well, as the founder of our sect, Ju, once said..."To forge the undared, nor flinch at peril." Even if the road to invention is rough, we push forward.

Trialling new mechapuppets comes with its share of mishaps. And the martial artists here get banged up all the time. That's why we keep a herb field up high on the ridge.

Come on, we're almost there.

Huh!? What on earth...!?

What's going on over there!?

Why are there Bi'an and Magistrates swarming the place!? This is bad, Little Minion, come on, we've got to check it out!

Perfect timing! Could use a hand here!

What's going on!?

The Outer Peaks have been compromised, Magistrates are breaking through!

No time to explain, fight now, talk later!

Shixiong... you really mean to strike at us? Are you sure?

I'm not your shixiong anymore. Whatever we had is gone, we stand on opposite sides now.

If that's your choice... then I'll fight you with all I've got!

Whatever needs saying can wait. We'll talk after we've settled this!

"Pearl in the Bottle." A classic trial the Jishu Sect set for its initiates.

Looks like you two have done this before, I'll skip the tutorial.

Defensive mechapuppets... Stay sharp!

Huh? No Mechanical Orbs? That's odd...

Hey, Little Minion, that thing over there looks fishy. Should we take a closer look?

The whole Labyrinth really is one seamless design... the founders' craftsmanship is breathtaking.

Whoa... a hidden chamber!

The missing Orbs are gotta be in here! Come on, Little Minion, let's nail this in one go!

Good, first Mechanical Orb secured. Keep this up and we'll be able to move forward.

Excellent, I didn't expect us to make such quick progress!

At this pace, we'll be back in time to help the others.

There's a Terracolossus guarding this room. Vita, whatever's inside must be of great value!

Bronze for bones, and hidden edges in its clockwork heart, a Terracolossus's strikes are brutal. Best we get around it and attack from the side.

With this construct, we can finally press deeper into the Labyrinth of Yanyin.

Vita, Snow, brace yourselves. No one's set foot here for centuries... whatever secrets lie within may not be kind to intruders.

Heh, now this is the kind of epic adventure fit for the Demon King!

Whoa... I never imagined such a vast chamber hidden inside the mountain!

That tower ahead should be the heart of the Labyrinth. Let's head for it.

These bearings look like they can set the neighbouring cogs in motion.

Vita, study how they interlock, see if you can piece together a path forward.

Huh? The floating slates just reformed... exactly like in the painting! Amazing!

"With ingenious craft, the world unfolds in myriad forms." I've heard of this miraculous technique, but to see it here, with my own eyes...

Honestly... if we weren't so pressed for time, I'd lock myself in here for half a month, studying every last detail before leaving!

So this is the prototype of the mech-bird... brings back memories. When I was a child, I'd copy its form from picture books again and again, dreaming of riding it through the skies.

Climb on, Vita. It'll carry you to the next destination.

A tower built entirely with mortise-and-tenon joinery... the craftsmanship is extraordinary.

Su Yi, there's something written on that stone stele up ahead.

Say... why would your forebears go to all this trouble, building an entire underground palace just to stash something down here?

Must be something very valuable.

Mm... Historical records suggest the Labyrinth was built decades after the Battle of Shuli.

The Battle of Shuli... I've heard it mentioned a few times, but I never really knew what it was.

It was the battle that brought about the Jishu Sect's downfall, and the beginning of the Nine Chapters' corruption. I'll tell you the full story another time.

We're closing in on the final truth... which is exactly when we can't afford to let our guard down.

Aaaah! Little Minion, why are they ganging up on us!? Aren't they supposed to be enemies!? This is really bad!

They're not actual Bi'an, but mimic mechapuppets built in their likeness. Stay sharp!

The second symbol has stirred... which means the prophecy is already in motion.

Zhiliu... what exactly are you after?

Been away for decades, and the saplings by the gate have shot up so tall!

Ha! Back then I'd be scrambling up and down them all day, staging cricket battles with the other kids, poking the geese just to see them flap, then legging it for my life when they came after me...

Heh... wonder if anyone here would still know my face.

I have only confirmed that a descendant of the Wuqiongzang Sect resides in this village. Their exact identity remains unclear.

Truth be told, I've no clue either. Best start asking around. Good luck.

Why us? Wouldn't it be quicker if you asked? You're the local here. Don't tell me you're shirking again.

Not this time... Ahem, you'll see.

Why'd she turn all frosty the second she saw you?

Who knows. Maybe it's 'cause I spent half my childhood chasing her chickens around.

Oof... sniffing around like this won't get us far. Let's just go straight to the village chief.

The last seal... it's giving way. Soon, the truth of everything will come to light.

Zhiliu... when you chose this path, what were you thinking?

Zhiliu, would you make yourself a sinner for all eternity?

The grace of Heaven, and the ordinances wrought by your forebears, would you, a mere mortal, presume to defy them!?

Turn back now, before it is too late!

Stop! You must go no further!

Would you truly see the grand design of millennia end by your hand!?

Zhiliu, is your mind truly set?

It worked...!

The statues along the way are all shattered, Zhiliu must be just ahead!

Intruder... can you withstand Heaven's wrath?

...What is this place?

...All things bear the yin and embrace the yang; from their union is wrought the concord...

...Fill a vessel unto brimming, and it spills; whet a blade to utmost keenness, and its edge shall not endure...

Of all the places you could've gone after things calmed down... I didn't think you'd come here.

You're going to his grave, aren't you?

...So, my shifu has already told you. How meddlesome of her.

And yet... it was her meddling that allowed this turmoil to reach a clean resolution.

Ever since that day... whenever the rain fell at night, I could not sleep. I would close my eyes, only to hear the endless drip of water in my ears.

In those nightmares, I was always back in that cave... staring into the cold, unfeeling eyes of those people. And so, I stopped trusting anyone.

I chose to seize control of everything, to scheme and calculate each step... for I could only bear to face the truths I wished to see.

Vita... perhaps you still resent me. Had I trusted you more... would it be easier to meet your gaze now?

Hah... listen to me, drowning in useless "what ifs."

...And without even realising it, we have arrived.