Duet Night Abyss story · Side stories
The Grace of a God
Journey Across the Lands
1 scenes, 47 lines
1. Speak with the elderly man
47 linesWhat just happened!? Where is Lord Argent? Am I forsaken!?
And who is this stranger, springing from nowhere?
All of this... what in Taihao's name is going on!?
All your symptoms point to a concussion. You never met the real Lord Argent at all.
It wasn't Lord Argent who saved you, it was this man who happened by. Either way, you lived. That's blessing enough, isn't it?
I wasn't sent by Lord Argent to protect you either, but I'm still charging you for my trouble.
Wanna guess what I was laughing at earlier?
Who am I? Kezhou, a Drifter, nothing more. But if you'd prefer to keep calling me Taihao... I won't stop you!
Or better yet, you could say those pretty words to me again. What was it? Merciful, benevolent, and... what was the last one again?
You've quite the knack for flattery, old man. That day I pulled you back from death's door, you couldn't even remember your own name, yet still your tongue rolled out praises as smooth as today.
Th, Then... those Bi'an I saw before blacking out... they were...?
Oh, you didn't know? Lord Argent and the Magistrates of Yingtian aren't the only ones with Bi'an at their side. Now and then, a Drifter finds them trailing along too.
Y, Y, Y, You...!
No wonder! Lord Argent would never speak of "human nature" only you outlaws spout such twisted drivel!
Curse my blindness, I failed to see you for what you are!
Hey! That's no way to talk to the man who just saved your life. What happened to all those grateful words? You're still breathing because of me, mind you!
Unbelievable, this guy. What do you think, Vita?
I think you owe Kezhou a thank you.
He may've teased you pretending to be the Loong God, but whichever way you look at it, he saved your life. Even the leaf he gave you, it meant he was prepared to help again if you were in danger. Can't you give him that much credit?
I was raised under the protection of Lord Argent and the Nine Chapters. Without the Argent Bi'an enforcing the law, I'd have perished to a Sable Bi'an's fangs long before meeting you.
This Drifter may have saved me once, twice, even thrice, yet compared with Lord Argent, it is nothing. I revere Them, and thus must keep my distance from the lawless.
Maybe this was Taihao's plan all along.
If you truly believe life and death lie in the Loong God's hands, then being saved by a Drifter must also be part of Their will. Isn't that worth making peace with?
Hah! Nearly had me there, but no. A Drifter's bound by no rules and no orders. I saved him simply because I chose to, and teased him because I can't stomach blind faith.
That's what I don't get, why credit Heaven for what you choose to do? People aren't stones. We move because we will it. Look at this old man: claims to trust in Lord Argent's protection, yet still hires you to keep him safe.
Insolence!
Blockhead!
...Well, I tried. Looks like these two won't be shaking hands anytime soon.
Tch. No point wasting daylight bickering with someone that stubborn. Come on, Vita, let's have ourselves a proper spar instead!
Wait!
(The old man produces two coin pouches, one pressed into your hand, the other into Kezhou's.)
The Second Admonition of the Nine Chapters teaches: A man is measured by the strength of his word. I promised this youngster a reward, and so I must keep my word.
The Sixth Admonition teaches: "Let compassion and righteousness guide your mind and every deed." Though I despise you, Drifter, I cannot deny the fact you saved me. Take this, and let our accounts be settled. From here on, we walk separate roads.
(Without another word, the old man turns away. Step by step, he makes for home. You do not follow, only watch as his figure fades into the distance.)
Come to think of it, I haven't seen you in a while. What brings you here?
The Scourge of Zhuyin grows worse by the day. There used to be a Xuanheng incense tower here to keep the ley lines in check. But lately, it's failing. No wonder that old man got lost.
The Gritblight's spreading faster. That's why he wandered till nightfall without finding the way out.
I thought my shixiong might be sent to investigate, so I lingered here. Never thought I'd run into a sharp-tongued old fossil. Amusing sort... pity, really.
(Kezhou tosses the coin pouch lightly, weighs it in hand, then flings it into your arms.)
That'd buy a good few bottles of fine wine. Should've been a lovely little gain, but I never save lives for coin. You take it.
Funny, isn't it? When the lofty Loong God saves a man, He's praised and worshipped. But when a Drifter does the same... we get scorn and a cold shoulder.
But it still counts, doesn't matter what others think.
It's still worth it, for conscience's sake.
Ha! I knew you were a kindred spirit. Say no more, I get it!
Bah, dwelling on it won't change a thing. Come, let's cross swords and sing it out! Hah... can't think of a verse more fitting than this...
Dreams are but illusions, twisting thought awry;
Better by far, to live free beneath the moonlit sky!