Canto VIII: The Surrendered Witnessing

Little Baoyu. You must have walked and toiled tirelessly on your journey home.

I wouldn't say I suffered much, grandmother. My days were always filled with new and interesting things to see.

Ugh… What are they talking about over there?

They're sitting so far apart that I can hardly hear them. I mean, is this even a dining 'table'? I can't even see who's sitting at the other end from here.

Is there anything bothering you, dear guests? If this humble servant can help with any -

Oh, there's somethin' bothering me alright. We're in the middle of a meal, can you please stop -

Noooope! Nope, not at all! Nothing's bothering us at all…! Everything's good.

Now… Baoyu, my boy. When will you introduce me to your new friends?

… Oh, boy. I never know how to act in front of others' parents… Where should I look? Is… this an appropriate size for a polite smile? I hope I don't come off too smarmy -

Ha ha, it's nothing to fuss over. Think of this as your own place, and enjoy your time here~

Woohoo~ Thank ya!

… But whew, this place is soooo huge that I can hardly relax. I'm worried I might get lost going out for a cup of water.

Ah, don't you worry~ We have stray people shelters located all around the house for that. Our servants visit them once a month to collect anyone who's unfortunately gotten lost. If they're still alive, that is~

Ha ha… Hong Lu, that has to be the funniest jo...ke you've ever told, ha ha ha...

Ha ha, I wasn't joking, but I'm glad you enjoyed it anyway~

I must ask, Hong Lu, for I spy no other sibling of yours here; this is quite odd, for I had thought this to be a welcoming party for your return...

Hey, it's my welcoming party, too.

Besides, what makes you think we'd ever want to see their stupid faces? Just to get mad?

It's been like ten whole years since we even shared a meal together.

Oh, and… don't even think about trying to chat me up. Did you already forget what I said earlier? There is nothing between us anymore. We're enemies.

Uh… did we initiate the conversation, though?

Oh, I am simply so glad that my son, Baoyu...

… has returned as a man who can now more than carry his own weight... And unharmed, too...

So, dear Baoyu…

I don't mean to rush, but… when are you planning to depart again?

Nothing has been decided yet, mother.

…….

I see… I-I am simply concerned that, were your stay here to be prolonged, perhaps you might fade before your duties are completed.

D-do you not also agree, venerable Jia Mu?

Indeed.

Dear Baoyu, our peerless treasure, tarry not overlong in this mundane world; leave when the time is right, and fulfill your worth.

…….

Okay, grandmother. Mother.

<…….>

…….

... The palanquin'll be here soon.

... A p-palanquin?! Woahh~ So cool! That sure sounds like a fancy ride! Isn't that just super, Greg?!

Ooh! Yeah, Saude! Are we getting a palanquin or whatever it's called to give us a ride all the way to the m-mansion?!

Yes. The LCB and Jia Xichun will be heading to <ruby=Grand View Garden>Daguanyuan</ruby> where one of the most prominent families of H Corp. reside.

<If they've sent a whole palanquin to pick us up… huh, does Hong Lu's family already know that he'll be participating in the Family Hierarch war?>

No, it is unlikely that they are aware. After all, it can be assumed that the most likely reason that the company waited until the last minute to relay us this order was to minimize the chance of information leakage.

Therefore, it would be correct to presume that the palanquin is here merely as a gesture of welcome for Hong Lu and Jia Xichun's return.

Which means that only the invited - Hong Lu, Jia Xichun, and their 'factions' can ride the palanquin to Daguanyuan.

Unfortunately, this means the LCCB, Vergilius, and Charon won't be able to join you on this journey.

That's too bad. It would've been nice if we could all go there together.

… Just as petty as I expected from the seniors of our family. Would it kill them to house a handful more people in that humongous park of a house? It's not like they'd notice the difference.

Oh my, how touching. Looks like miss Jia Xichun thinks she'll miss us too.

What a thing to say to my face after that shameless backstabbing.

Ahaha...

I mean, do any of you even comprehend what it means to participate in the Family Hierarch war?

…….

Do you even understand why we call it a 'war' when the official name for it is an 'evaluation'?

You're risking your lives by getting involved in this. Once you get in there, you'll be stalked at every turn by people looking to kill you.

Including me.

<…….>

Remember how Wei saved your life back at that fake kezhan? Now imagine the same scenario, except this time, it could be Wei who's there to kill you.

I must say ahead of time that this is a truly regrettable turn of events. I did not wish to have to fight any of you, but…

W-well, we feel… very much the same way, so… Looks like we're on the same page there… ha… ha ha...

This means that I'm also fair game. You could stab me in the back again, literally, this time.

Uh… no, never. I wouldn't even dream of doing something like -

This... could be the last chance to change your mind, brother.

I didn't invite you to join my faction with a light heart.

Besides, it's the Family Hierarch war. This isn't something you can just flippantly decide that you wanna particip -

I know the life you've lived, Xichun.

I also grew up hearing those countless tales about the Family Hierarch war, just as you did.

So the weight we're feeling must be the same.

…….

Right. So this is where our tenuous alliance really ends.

Well, not like I care. It did drag on a little too long for a temporary alliance forged out of convenience.

… We're just going back to how things used to be, that's all.

And that's fine by me. I think that's enough chit-chat with you, then.

Okay. If that's what you want.

... Oh, Xichun.

... What.

... Please don't tell the family that I'll be participating, will you?

I was told to keep this a secret for now.

... Hah.

Tell me one reason I should do you that favor now.

…….

<…!>

Is this even your call, brother?

Or are you just following their orders?

Mm... my participation in the Family Hierarch war is already decided. If you're still curious to know why, then...

Xichun, do you believe that my choices carry any significant meaning?

… Oh, I see what's up. This crap again.

So you already know what participating in the war means, but you just have no idea why I'd ever ask you something like that, huh?

Fine, looks like I don't even need to hear your reply. There's no point in trying with you anymore.

At least I'll have fun watching how far you get with that shallow, meaningless attitude of yours.

<Hey, wait…>

Woah! Manager Saude! A palanquin's been seen coming this way!

Ugh… I'd like to chill a bit today, yesterday was too tough. Let's head on over so we can at least relax on the way there -

Nope, we're taking this one.

You never think twice about giving things up to others anyway, do you, brother?

Huh? What the heck do ya mean? C'mon, let's do this fair and square with, like, uh… rock, paper, and scissors?

Wooow, sure. Why not decide the next Hierarch with a game of rock, paper, and scissors, too? How's that?

Boy… and I thought we were finally making some friends out here.

Look! Over there, there's a group waiting for a palanquin! One of 'em must be the candidate the client told us about!

E-everyone, there's a group of hostile-looking people coming our way...

Shi Yihua is unlikely to be the only one who's going after the other candidates… Executive Manager, we best take care of them before the next palanquin arrives.

<… Yeah. What can we do, right?>

No more signs of enemy reinforcements, Executive Manager.

Phew… at least there's an end to them this time. The guys that attacked us when we first got here were endless.

Well, that's because we walked right into a trap then. Shallow, but still.

Anyways… Xichun appeared pretty hurt by that, didn't she…

Honestly, though… I get why she feels so betrayed.

Remember all those stories about Hong Lu's family we heard? Imagine you're one of their kids, thinking that you finally found like, a potential ally in your family… only for him to pretty much stab ya in the back last minute.

Yeah, right? It was really awkward for me too, even though I wasn't exactly involved.

Anyways…

Where's our escort? I can't imagine that H Corp. can't afford to send us guards with the palanquin.

If this family loved each other enough to send escorts for their safety, I doubt they'd be holding a cutthroat ceremony like the Family Hierarch Evaluations.

It's a world where might makes right, where the strong prey on the weak…

People won't bat an eye even if one of the dozens of candidates is found dead in some ditch on the road.

…….

Oh. Sorry, Hong Lu. I must've been running my mouth again without thinking about how that sounds.

Someone usually stopped me before I got too far...

Don't worry. You didn't say anything wrong.

It took me a while to realize that other families weren't like this, but…

… there is no reason to be upset by the way things are.

<Hm? What's that ominous metallic noise…?>

The tolling of bells… Bells with the resonance unlike that of any other, normally marked by their clarity.

This bell is muddled, as if it tolls for ill-fortune on the horizon...

Wow~ That bell sure is a resounding reminder that I'm home again~

It's the bell that tolls every once a while. You can hear its resonance from anywhere in Hongyuan.

…….

It's Restructuring Day(再積日).

Huh? But the Restructuring Day already -

Whoa… are you guys seeing this?

The buildings are all… starting to shift…

Movement has been observed from every building in the vicinity. Everything is changing.

The localized shifting of structures we had observed yesternight were... not as sweeping as this.

What you saw last night must've been a premonition of the Restructuring Day, nudging some buildings to their positions for a smoother overall redistribution of space.

Now this… this is the real deal.

Huh… that whole mess was just a premonition?

It's a remnant of an old H Corp. that was here long, long before the current Hongyuan. This structure has been here for a while, so we can't quite know the nature or the purpose of its Singularity, but at this moment…

… they shift based on current H Corp.'s restructuring standards.

The consequence of re-assembly for the evicted is an endless plummet...

What a terribly distressing sight to behold, unable to do aught to help.

Is this… another one of H Corp.'s idiosyncrasies?

Hm, I don't know. Didn't other nests also have their own measures of one's wealth?

Mm... As T Corp. makes use of time as currency?

Exactly. H Corp.'s measure of wealth and currency is based on how much space a person owns, measured by a scale they call 'rooms'.

Id est: the measure of one's space is the measure of one's wealth.

Exactly. So once every month, the worth of each person's labor and the quantity of their income are measured to determine how much space they are assigned.

So they can just kick me out of my home for no reason...?

What the... Just what kind of ridiculous rule is that...?

Well, it might appear that way to outsiders like us, but…

… the calculations behind these redistributions are meticulously designed and have been here for a long time, so it seems to me that everyone just accepts them as a natural part of their lives.

Have you seen this happen... in person too, Hong Lu?

This 'Restructuring Day'...

… I have.

Sometimes, I'd watch the cityscape from behind the railings of my room.

It happened far, far away from me, but I could see it all very well.

Daguanyuan, my old home, was never too concerned about the Restructuring Days. We'd get more rooms some days, but we'd never, ever shrink.

So I've never been affected by these Restructuring Days. I only ever witnessed them as they happened beneath me, high-up in my room.

You, you're… hah, fine. I doubt there was anything you could've done, but…

… You just sat on your hands and watched all this shite -

Ah! Another palanquin's coming!

And there's your ride. I think we've chatted enough, so let's get you guys going.

... This is a palanquin?

Yep. Looks like they sent us a palanquin large enough to comfortably seat a big crowd of people together~

Young master Jia Baoyu and his twelve honored guests, is that correct?

Mm~ it's thirteen, to be exact?

<... Uh, but I thought Saude wasn't invited?>

Woah, woah, hold your horses. I was told that young master Baoyu's faction was just twelve people?

W-woah, slow down, lady…

We are twelve people, what's wrong?

I mean, don't tell me this thing looks like a normal, contributing member of a clan to you?

<Whuh?>

Uh… I mean, that's a pretty unique head this one's got there, don't think I've seen anything like it 'round here in Hongyuan... but isn't that just a prosthetic? In the shape of a… clock, I guess, but still…

I mean, let me ask you something. Can you imagine why anyone in their right mind would stick a clock where their head's gotta go? Even if they were hurting for cash?

Aw, no way, ma'am. Never. There are way more versatile bio-modifications available here in Hongyuan than… whatever that hack-job is. Nobody in their right mind would.

Exactly, right? No idea what went down, but this fellow here sure seems to have fallen on hard times. Too bad we live in a world where such misfortune can befall an honest soul like them.

Boy, oh boy… looks like this one's got scammed. A nasty scam, too - whatever Backstreets they got that from, musta been a real scoundrel who did it. Tsk, tsk...

And look, even the clock isn't on time, and this poor person is barely conscious! Look, all they can do is make these weird ticking noises because they don't even have a mouth!

<Somebody... tell Saude... I'm getting dizzy...>

Good grief! You weren't kiddin'... who coulda done something so awful...?

It's a real blessing that young master Baoyu's got such a kindhearted soul. He simply could not walk past the timepiece emporium selling this human being like they're some toy or a tool, so he picked them up to get their head replaced with something proper. Hongyuan's got more than enough resources for something like that, right?

Oh, well, you're not wrong there... It's really easy to swap out your whole body as long as you've got the cash to burn...

<Wha…? A new head? For me?>

Right? See what I mean? So that's why they told you that young master Baoyu only has twelve people in his faction. Including yours truly.

W-well, I see your point. But we can't just -

- let all of us board, yes. Our young master fully understands the moral conundrum you find yourself in. So we'd like to offer you this tiny, tiny token of appreciation...

Aw man, aw, lady, you really shouldn't do this… I really shouldn't...

Oh, and another thing. I'm sure I don't need to tell you this, but... if a word of this gets out, things might get pretty messy for both of us. And that doesn't have to happen, does it?

Ahem. Indubitably, ma'am. I'm doing this purely out of the goodness of my heart, after all! What's a free ride for the downtrodden, eh?

Seems to me the bloke's doin' this purely out of interest in the fatness of his wallet...

Alright, alright. Stop gossiping over there and get on board.

<Wait, wait... are we leaving Pilot alone here?>

Ah! Don't you worry about me, and have a safe trip over there! I've got some stuff to handle on the outside!

This design is more akin to an... extravagant limousine than a palanquin.

Oh look, a bottle of champagne... can I chug this?!

Of course not! Drinking while on a mission is -

Okay.

Time to get to work, everyone.

Then, you'll -

Wait.

Something's going on outside.

W-we're under attack!

Mm~ I thought things were going a little too easy. It's no surprise that other candidates are trying to eliminate us just in case.

<... Why am I not surprised?>

Entering Daguanyuan now!

…….

Oof, we're running out of time.

Faust, I'm sure you understood the most important part of my plan, right?

…….

It is... unlikely to be a pleasant sight to behold.

Remember, the plan hinges on your patience, everyone. You have to remain calm and wait, even if they freak out and actively try to kill you.

There is a chance that they might panic and immediately order for the Sinners to be executed on the spot. However, it is unlikely that the person whose responsibility is to judge the next Family Hierarch of Hongyuan will make such a hasty response.

Exactly. Everything's going to be fine as long as the decider has the capacity for patience.

Nnh? Execution? Wha?

Great. I'll follow up with a subsequent contact once you've safely completed the first round of the evaluations.

This… is horrible. There isn't anything we can do to help, but...

Such sense of futility and powerlessness will negatively impact the efficient performance of your professional obligations.

Repeated exposure to similar stimuli is recommended to desensitize oneself to this sensation.

…….

S-so Hong Lu, how do you feel about going back home after so long?

Hmm… I don't know...

Don't even need to ask him, lad. I know it can't be easy.

As for me... blimey, I hesitated almost a thousand times, wonderin' if I should just turn around and leave.

What if I knocked on those gates, but she, she -

…….

What, what is it? Why'd you stop in the middle of a -

<Um… wow, look at these cool windows. I think we can swap them out with other images!>

Sigh...

Fuhu, I remember.

I remember what happened each time one of us returned to the part of the City that held our memories. Memories of happiness... anger... sorrow... and joy. And as we traveled, I remember that they were all looking at sceneries only they could see.

Rodya, you awkwardly tried your best to crack jokes.

Sinclair, you tried your best to hold back the welling tears, again and again.

Yi Sang, you shut your eyes for a long, long time.

Ishmael, you couldn't stop talking to yourself while glaring down at the lake's surface.

And Heathcliff, I saw you scared and anxious, shaping your hair over and over again.

<You've really been... watching us closely, huh.>

Did... we?

Spring leaves, petals scatter, and all shall turn around to find the doors to which they belong and return forevermore.

I think everyone has a small mound of petals they gathered for themselves.

... What? I don't. Why would anyone collect somethin' like that?

Then you simply haven't discarded them yet.

<Oh...>

They watch the flower-burial of mine and mock away

Who lays me to rest once I die?

When spring passes, youth passes, as wrinkles shear it all away

Flowers pass, people pass, and ignorant they remain to where they hie.

Why do you always recite these strange, complicated poems, Daiyu?

There are plenty of ways to remain young, aren't there?

Because we needn't see the snow in our hair to know that spring will pass.

Why are you cleaning up those fallen petals?

Just float them away downstream. You'll get dirt on your hands...

And be so wasteful?

How will we hear the sound of falling rain once we sweep all the petals away?

This is a remembrance. Remembrance of a rainy day. So I'm gonna treasure it.

Besides, these beautiful blossoms'll get so dirty in the stream if we let them float away.

So please, don't scatter all the petals from your embrace, big bro Baoyu.

<Hong Lu...>

<Is there anyone you miss here at Daguanyuan?>

Hmm…

No, there isn't.

… But how's that possible? Isn't your family there…? And… a bunch of other people who are so important to you…?

…….

Well, as long as I believe them to be doing well…

… there isn't any need for me to yearn to see them again.

<……. >

<Do you still... treasure your petals?>

No. I scattered them all the day I departed my home.

So my rainy days are now silent.

<I see... >

You saw that, didn't you? Dante.

You saw my memory.

<... I did.>

Hehe.

Uhm...

Do you want to tell us about your parents? Or, uh… yeah, you talked about your grandmother pretty often, right? What kind of people are they... ?

Ah, they are both very wise in the ways of the world.

Grandmother always treated me preciously.

So did my mother, and my father.

Uh, uhm...

Ah, we're almost there.

I can see the garden.

<This is one massive garden...>

We still have some time before we get to the main buildings.

I remember the days when deer and hares would frolic out here in the garden, fuhu.

Well, I can see myself taking a long walk around here. It'd take a whole day and then some to cover the entire ground...

I usually lingered only around my own room. It's dangerous to stray too far, after all.

<It's dangerous? Why?>

There's the stranger danger, getting lost, getting targeted... Besides, it's very dark at night.

Well, that ain't a very big deal, is it? Kids run around, scrape their faces on the branches, trip and eat shite on the pavement all the time.

Hehe, I'm sure you would've run freely around the garden, Heathcliff. But it's important to always be careful.

When I was five, someone had lathered a deadly poison on a random tree branch.

Ack... poison?!

I had a little brother who liked to frolic like you do, Heathcliff.

But by some coincidence, he happened to be running around the same tree that had its branches lathered with poison.

What… what hath transpired thereafter?

I'm sure he got better.

Xiren told me he'll be just fine after a hundred nights' rest.

And because Xiren was always so smart, I'm sure it happened exactly as she said.

Entering <ruby=Grand Flower Hall>Dahuating</ruby>(大花廳) now!

More buildings...? What's Dahuating mean, anyway?

Mmm~ Grand Flower Hall, so I think you could call it a place for banquets?

Huh... So you host banquets in this... village-sized 'venue'...?

I-is that a lake over there?

Nope, it's a pond~

A p-pond...? Daaamn...

Once we arrive, we will find ourselves a welcoming party for Xichun and me.

Aha! Rodya, you should be able to stuff yourself to your heart's content this time. It's been a while, hasn't it~?

I don't think I've been this excited in a long time…

Whoa... Is that a ship over there? You have a ship?

Aha, yep~ We'd sometimes go out boating.

Oh, and Xichun's building is right across that pond!

<You each get a building of your own?>

Yes, we do. So when I first departed from Hongyuan, I found the concept of an entire family living under the same roof so fascinating.

Alas… 'twould be quite the challenge for thy family to see one another.

And that's exactly why we each get a building.

... Are we even talking about the same thing here?

Alack for woe! We could have merrily enjoyed our vacaciones at young Hong Lu's residence all along?!

That wouldn't have worked, Don Quixote. When I left home, grandmother and the elders really impressed upon me that...

... "The footsteps shall eventually bring you home when the time is right; thus, witness, and only witness, as much of the world as you may before you make your return."

... I was wondering when that would be… but time really slipped through our fingers, and just like that... it brought me here.

Young Master Baoyu of the Jia family has returned!

Here we are. You must all be so tired! Come in, come in~

Quite the…

... lightfooted steps he take, unhindered by excitement nor trepidation…

Right...?

Rich boy's got nothin' to fear 'cos he's used to this kind of poshness, that's all this is.

Verily, this may be a subtle expression of that teensy part of him that longeth to see his family again!

I find myself beset by overwhelming vastitudes and objects of great magnitude...

Just how many servants do they have…?

Ah, grandmother will visit us once Xu hour(戌時) arrives.

The banquet will start then, I think.

<'Xu hour'...?>

The 'Xu hour' refers to the time between 19:00 and 21:00. This is a unique time system used in certain regions of the east.

In addition...

... it would be best to remember that Hong Lu's grandmother, Jia Mu, is the Hierarch of Daguanyuan. It would not be an incorrect assessment to see her as the ruler of Hongyuan.

Your relative is... the head of a Wing, I see.

Yes. Though she'll be handing that over to the next heir pretty soon.

Why now? What does she seek to achieve by abdicating at this precise time?

She's been saying that her time would eventually come, that she's carried this responsibility for too long.

I bet she'd be pretty shocked to hear that you'll be taking part in the Family Hierarch war.

Hehe, I don't know about that. Maybe she'll take it well.

There's never been a reason for me to bother participating, but... there wasn't a reason for me to not, either.

<…….>

Huh? Hey, there's Xichun and Wei over there. Looks like they both arrived safely.

X-Xichun just turned her back on us…

Well, didn't take long for things to become super awkward…

Oo, we must capture this opportunity to seat ourselves adjacent to young Xichun!

Too late... We are forever banned from ever getting anywhere near her...

Yet wherefore...?

We are no longer Jia Xichun's faction.

Her hostility is to be expected.

Things have changed.

Us versus them. In-group versus out-group.

Deception and treachery are natural parts of war.

An ally of today may as well become an enemy tomorrow…

And that's a funny way to say "I don't have any friends"...

What did you just -

Ah, there are my parents.

H-hold on, we're just walkin' right up to 'em? Blimey, at least tell us their names!

Aha. Father's name is Zheng of the Jia family. And in Daguanyuan, they call my mother Lady Wang.

I greet you for the first time since my departure.

…….

Baoyu of the Jia family has returned home.

... You're early.

Bao… Dear Baoyu… it has been too many years…

To see you again after so long, I... it is so good to see your face.

Oh… I don't know what I should even say…

Thank you so much for your hospitality. You have certainly spared no expenses.

So… who are these people you've come here with…?

While there aren't too many of them, they are my friends I made out in the world.

... At least he's not introducing us as his 'lackeys' like a certain someone I know.

Oi, that's - ! Agh… ahem.

I am so glad to meet you all. Baoyu's always been such a stubborn child… I'm sure he was quite the handful to accompany you on your journeys. I hope you can still embrace him despite every -

Stubborn? Hong Lu?

Hmmmh...

…….

Dear Baoyu…

Why do you allow your friends to call you by that name? What of your noble, blessed name, bestowed upon you by the revered Xianren, our elders...?

What? What's goin' on with her…?

Of course I would, mother.

Because the name is too noble indeed.

Oh...! Ah, ah. Yes. It is not a name that any rabble should so heedlessly speak…

Of course, of course…

Oh, do you also have an old name and a new name?

Well, don'tcha remember~? Back in P Corp., Wei called Hong Lu 'young master Baoyu'.

Also, remember how he announced himself before that duel on the day we arrived at H Corp.? He introduced himself as 'Baoyu of the Jia family'. I thought it was a pseudonym back then though, given the circumstances.

Well... it ain't like us callin' your real name's gonna cheapen its 'nobility', or whatever... tsk.

Hehe, it's just a name, so you can say it as many times as you want and it won't depreciate in whatever value it has. Oh, but some people do actually believe that it does, I suppose.

It was… wise of you to refrain from using that name.

Right, right. To let your precious name be known among the plebeian populace is to encourage knives in the dark to strike. Even here, too...

It is as your mother says. Were your true name to be made known, any individual with a passing connection to H Corp. would have easily connected you to Hongyuan.

It is said that most names are repositories of their keepers' origins.

In the eastern region of the City, when the parents name their children, they imbue them with meaning; it carries their wish for their children's place and use in the world.

… You. What's your name mean?

My name… My name is a culmination of wishes, not only those of my parents, but those of many more.

It means that I was born with a precious jade.

Jia Baoyu…

Tsk, awful. Hong Lu's better.

At least try to whisper!

Eugh, I'll call the rich boy however I want to. If I'm ever forced to call 'im 'young master Baoyu~' or some servile shite like that, I'd rather take a punch or two from the guide.

Hehe. I don't mind, so please continue to call me Hong Lu if you want.

Please seat yourselves, honored guests. The food will be served soon.

Oi... what's all this?

Do they actually expect us to eat all this?

<... I don't think I've ever been intimidated by food before.>

What a feast! I can ask for re... refills, right? Ehehe...

Huh? Um, yes...

<Anyway, what's up with those empty seats over there? Are we still killing time for some guests to arrive...?>

Mm…

I don't think so. They're probably seats for my older siblings somewhere in Daguanyuan. They probably just didn't want to attend.

This is a banquet to welcome me, after all. I'm sure they believe it's a waste of time to attend.

Man, they better be on some real busy schedule to miss this…

Jia Mu, venerated be her presence, graces us!

Jia Mu, venerated be her presence, graces us!

Oh, there's grandmother.

We are graced by your presence, venerable Jia Mu.

We are graced by your presence, venerable Jia Mu.

W-whuh? Should we bow, too?

I don't think you could bow any lower with your face halfway in the bowl, so you should be fine... probably...?

S-she's surrounded by Heishou too, I think.

<Guys, everything's gonna be fine as long as we don't do anything stupid…>

It has been a while, grandmother.

Please ascend, young master Baoyu.

Little Baoyu.

You must have walked and toiled tirelessly on your journey home.

Not at all, grandmother. I was able to learn so many new things, thanks to everyone who treated me so nicely.

Had you sought to master the art of learning, no master, regardless of pursuit, would have been out of our reach; you could have learned much in the halls of erudition from them.

Yet the world taught from sheets of paper are simply that - words on paper.

We wished that you, dear Baoyu, would learn more of the secular world, to not let flow betwixt your fingers the time that is given to you.

I know this opportunity was more than what I deserved, grandmother.

I appreciate your return all the same, that you have deigned to return before me ere my abdication of the great responsibility.

Verily, it appeareth that young Hong Lew shigned onto Limbews Chompany ash a gran churismo of shorts! Mmhm.

Gran chewrismo? Whash' shaat?

… Can the two of you stop babbling with your mouths full?

Young masters of families moooooost eminent are oft sent out to the world on a grand tour - thus coined was this practice 'gran turismo', if thou wilt - afore they are to commence their public activities!

Mm. The purpose is to learn the varied experiences that cannot be gained from books, to grow familiar with the world outside.

I hear that you have met with Xichun in the world not long ago?

I have.

A bright child, she is. Well-prepared to take on the challenges of the Family Hierarch Evaluations, I presume.

I agree. I am sure Xichun will wisely overcome the trials.

Indeed.

Have you paid visit to the revered elders, then?

... I will, soon.

Lady Wang, ascend here as well.

With your mercy, Jia Mu, of course...

It must cause your heart great distress to have your one and only son depart his home, to wander the world beyond the hedges.

O-of course not, Jia Mu…

Oh, I am simply so glad that my son, Baoyu...

… has returned as a man who can now more than carry his own weight... And unharmed, too...

Thus, dear Baoyu…

I don't mean to rush, but… when are you planning to depart again?

Nothing has been decided yet, mother.

I see… I-I am simply concerned that, were your stay here to be prolonged, perhaps you might fade before your duties are completed.

Complete your duties and return soon, so that the… agreement Jia Mu has so graciously made for us is fulfilled, hmm?

Indeed.

Lose not, forget not.

You are our family's one and only jade.

Dear Baoyu, our peerless treasure, tarry not overlong in this mundane world; leave when the time is right, and fulfill your worth.

…….

Okay, grandmother. Mother.

It is odd, that they should inquire Hong Lu of his departure plans on the very welcoming of his return.

Right…? One moment it appears like they really care about him, then…

The appearance of that 'care' for one's own child was also quite distinct and unusual compared to the typical display of emotional intimacy expressed in average households.

Hey, Baoyu.

Why didn't you come see me first? I've been staying in the same building ever since you departed here, you know?

Aha, big sis Xue Baochai. It's been so long.

You've come all the way to my welcome banquet to fill a seat? I appreciate that.

Had I known that you'd be coming home today, Baoyu, I would've summoned everyone I could from my family to see you, too. Big bro Pan's really been itching to know how you've been doing.

... Yeah, sure he was.

Who else have you greeted since you arrived today, Baoyu?

My parents and Jia Mu.

Really? So I'm your first, then?

Your jade is always so glimmering and pristine, Baoyu.

Look, I made myself a necklace in the same color as your eye and wore it every single day to constantly remind myself of you. Well, do you see it?

Oh, you have. Thank you for remembering me.

Ahem, ahem. So… are you gonna introduce her to us, orrrr…?

Hey… Why couldn't we just let that nice reunion play out? Man…

Oh, she's -

Hi, I'm Baochai. Baochai of the Xue family. I have a very profound relationship with dear Baoyu here.

A very profound relationship?

Hehe, he is my betrothed, and I to him. I'd say that's pretty profound, hmm?

WHAAAT??!!

It's nothing to be surprised about. These 'profound relationships' can be established effortlessly in the simple exchange of agreements between our elders.

H-hey, you coulda at least given us a hint!

Mm... but I won't be married until I leave Limbus Company, though?

I just thought that it wasn't relevant enough to share.

So… sorry about overhearing earlier, but you guys are Baoyu's friends, right?

I've been so, so curious to hear what kind of life Baoyu lived out there. Care to share some tales of your journey with me?

Don't have stories for kids. Shoo.

Why? But I loooove stories about bloodshed!

Ah, one of big sister Baochai's pastimes was curating creepy stories of urban legends.

Puff… then maybe I'll share some.

Wah~ What about everyone else? I love, love, love adventure stories.

Be careful what you wish for…

Ah... I beseech thee to find a seat, for I shall now regale thee with a tale in which an adventure of most wondrous valor unfolds; brace thyself, for this particularly olden and terrifying tale features a big, scary bear lurking in a cavern...

Ha...!

If you're finished with your meals, why don't we all go back to our residences?

You're so angry again, Xichun. Last I heard, you lost much of your followers in a large battle, didn't you? I'm so sorry. I used more than three handkerchiefs wiping my tears away upon hearing that news.

So the Xue family's heard it too, huh.

You're not wrong. But… that's irrelevant to what I've brought to the Family Hierarch war.

Always a big fan of your confidence, Xichun. It's a good look, you know?

Oh, that reminds me... You better watch your back, big sis Baochai. Looks like Big brother Baoyu's learned how to sink a knife into your back with that same carefree smile.

What'd she mean by you knifing people in the back?

Ha ha, I just had a small falling out with Xichun, that's all.

Aha! Xichun must've been trying to get you on her side, huh?

Yeah, no wonder she wanted you on her team. Baoyu's always excelled at whatever he does without stressing out or losing that happy smile...

It just kinda worked out that way~

I guess he can be a bit irritating like that, huh?

… Such kind of people, though rare, indeed do exist.

Oh! That reminds me, uh… um…

Did you, by any chance, run into big brother Qi... Qiu?

I haven't, but they have.

T-that's good...

So... what happened...?

I do know that he was trying to 'ally' with Shi Yihua. I mean, it didn't seem like anyone else was viewing that as an 'alliance' other than Shi Yihua himself, but…

Mm… they cut big brother Yihua's head off when he was with us.

Oh my! Horizontally, or vertically?

…….

H.

Mmh… so this is his third time, huh? Yihua's really incorrigible. He never knows when to zip it and sit down.

Well, big brother Qiu… I had a feeling he'd be here when the Family Hierarch war begins. Everyone in Daguanyuan's heard that creepy song from the Backstreets, you know.

Gosh, things get so awkward and hostile here at Daguanyuan every time there's any mention of him.

Well, I guess it's fortunate that he won't be coming after me once the competition begins.

... And why is that?

Because I'm simply too charming and adorable to kill outright, of course.

…….

Besides... whatever big brother Qiu's goals are... they probably have nothing to do with the Xue family.

Mm, I can see that.

…….

Do you smell my fragrance still, Baoyu?

You have never reeked, big sister Baochai.

…….

Baoyu, I've always been, and will always be, residing at <ruby=Ginger-plant Court>Hengwuyuan</ruby>. Promise to pay me a visit before you leave.

Well, how about we also start heading back? This place can get pretty dark around Hai hour(亥時).

You... why'd you leave...?

Ha ha, she's just a childhood friend. I call her 'big sis' since she's older than me... it's just something we do here when one friend's a bit older.

She's also one of the very few in Daguanyuan who was nice to me.

<... So where should we head to next?>

Good question. Just going by the scale of everything in here… it should be safe to expect something real ritzy, right?

You're my guests, so you should be able to stay at my building within Daguanyuan.

It's within walking distance from here. We should be there in no time, even on foot.

Ta-da, here we are~

That was a pretty long walk. Still technically within walking distance, but...

Hehe, this place is called <ruby=Joyous Red Court>Yihongyuan</ruby>(怡紅院).

This room was made from the most aromatic flower tree within H Corp. Try taking a deep breath, and…

… you can smell the lovely fragrance of flower aroma, pervading, spreading from the very tip of your nose. It's unique to this building.

Very much so. It is an unseen and invisible thing, yet it retains much of its pleasant redolence.

<This place is huge, too… You've been living here alone all along?>

Yes. I was told to stay in a larger room, but I preferred this place more.

It has been long, young master. Xiren reporting.

<Oh hey, is she - ?>

Have you been well, Xiren?

Yes. I am as I always have been.

Are they young master's guests? I will guide them to their room. Please follow me.

Now that we're here, I've got to pay a visit somewhere. I'll be back soon, though.

To where wilt thou journey? Allow us to accompany thee -

Ahaha, it's okay.

Just on my way to say hello and pay my respects to the elders, so it'll be better if I go there alone.

... This way.

Well, I guess I could say this about every operation, but...

... the weight of our mission doesn't really sink in until we're actually there.

You're talking about the Family Hierarch war... right?

Yeah. The other candidates have been preparing for this for years, while we have… what, an overnight?

I dunno, I'm a procrastinate-until-the-last-minute kinda gal, so I'm pretty sure we got a handle on this.

This is not the first instance in which we are demanded to work through a task in an unfavorable, inequitable situation.

Why does it matter? Our goal...

... isn't to claim the throne of the Family Hierarch anyway.

Well, isn't it such a relief that our goal isn't to come first place in the Family Hierarch war?

Dost thou meanest to say that we needn't be the first?!

... Yeah? Obviously? Why would we want a Sinner to become the head of H Corp.?

Would it not provide a much more reliable means of control to plant an individual of this company at the highest seat of a Wing, instead of letting an unaffiliated individual assume it?

There's a lot more going on behind the scenes, guys... besides, LCB still has much left to do as the LCB.

…….

Then… would I be right to assume that this isn't a winner-take-all kinda situation here? Do other candidates get something for participating, too?

Anyone who places within the top ten will gain the right to take one item of their choice from the family treasury. Of course, the one who places the highest goes first~

But we're going to have to come in at least second place in order to ensure that we obtain the item we're looking for.

Now that's weirdly insulting. Sod it, why don't we just shoot for the top anyway?

Your confidence seems to have gone through the roof since our last operation together.

Well... we did go through a lot of crazy stuff.

Anyways... care to guess what's deep inside Hongyuan's gargantuan treasury?

The Golden Bough.

Right on~ Buried in the middle of all kinds of other treasures, along with any knowledge of its true value.

So... Faust. What did manager Saude share with you as our strategy for the first round?

I very much wish to know that as well, for the suggestion of mutual understanding seemed to exist exclusively betwixt miss Faust and Saude.

The first round of the Family Hierarch Evaluation... tests what the descendants have prepared and brought for the elders of Hongyuan.

<What the descendants have prepared, huh... So this must be what Jia Xichun's been referring to this whole time...>

Yes. To be free from aging and death - immortality.

Each candidate is to present an answer before the judge to demonstrate their idea of true immortality.

<Right, so… what's the answer to true immortality, then...?>

Not even Faust can answer that.

Then what are we even doing here...?

But we may be able to demonstrate a facsimile of immortality - or, at least pretend as though we are close to the answer.

Given that they are the ones who are seeking that very answer, they will not disqualify us - Hong Lu, to be exact - from the competition.

I see... They will cling onto whatever clue they can get their hands on, so we'll be using that desperation.

Precisely.

That important lookin' old bat Jia Mu favours him, don't she? Maybe she'll give 'im bonus points or something.

So that's what we'll be using Hong Lu for.

That is...

Yes, you're right. It is my turn to be used.

Woaaah! W-when'd you get back!?

<Hey, uhm... you're back pretty soon, huh.>

<Hong Lu, you don't have to… don't mind what she just said.>

Hmm~ But why would I mind it?

My use is to be a ticket to participating in the Hierarch war, the only option for obtaining the Golden Bough in H Corp. She didn't say anything wrong.

<Your 'use'...>

Well, if you'll be using me, hopefully this'll lead to an outcome we can all be happy with.

Verily, such outcome would be best; yet... young Xichun hath already exhaled with great gusto out of her nostrils before turning away from our party when our eyes met...

Well... Xichun...

… I didn't think it was possible for me to be friends with Xichun again.

We're back to not being on speaking terms again, but...

… it was as though I'd gone back in time, back to when we were both children.

But we can't go back to the past.

What… did you say?

Are you drunk or on something? Did you really just say that to me?

Oh, what a stupid thing of me to ask.

You've never been drunk in your life. Your mind's always been so, so damn clear.

None of this matters to you, does it? Even when I get angry at you or when I shout at you like this… none of it gets to you, does it?

Just… just what happened to you that day? How can someone become so...

Xichun, I...

Forget it, I don't care. Do whatever you wanna do. It's my fault for expecting to have at least one normal sibling in this messed up family.

<But… don't you want to be friends with her again?>

Mm…

At the end of all things... these connections between people, they're just moments. Ephemeral things.

So what I 'want' doesn't matter.

<Hong Lu, about participating in the Family Hierarch war...>

<... do you really not feel anything about it? Have you completely excluded yourself from it?>

I don't, and I have. It's just the way things worked out, right?

Executive Manager, it is true that his value judgment will have no tangible influence on this company's direction.

Faust is in agreement. Sinners do not have the right to refuse their missions.

That may be true, yet...

... I find it unnecessary to turn away and neglect the suffering conditions of their hearts... stemming from the obligation to their missions.

Conditions of our hearts... But perhaps unnecessarily peering into them is how we beget suffering?

What manner of…

Back then, when I lived here in Daguanyuan…

… so, so many choices passed before my eyes.

Should I kill that child, who was from a different family? Should I even survive? Should I walk past that dying boy, or should I stop to help him?

When they were first presented to me, I tried to make a choice.

But it didn't take that long for me to realize that my choices meant nothing.

So I…

… decided not to choose at all.

And that's me, as I am now.

There were so many wonderful things about joining Limbus Company, but…

… I think my favorite part of the experience was that I was never given a choice.

<…….>

That's, uh… That's… definitely... kinda weird…

Oh? Looks like things have gotten weirdly quiet around here.

... That was enough discussion of private matters. There is much ground for us to cover.

Let us begin by discussing our plan for the first round.

<There's still some time until we have to leave.>

What... may be the purpose of these... scarecrows? Veiled in nocturnal shadows they were at yesternight.

Oh wow, they're still here~

There are training courts next to every building where children of this place live.

Here, every child of walking, running age all get to play with these dummies.

Play... puff. Early education is important.

Yet how doth one 'play' with these dummies? And it appeareth that this dummy is adorned with a most dashing piece of fashion for its head!

Aha, that's the first dummy I received when I was seven.

Hehe, back then, I thought even dummies could feel pain when struck.

Such was the blissful rumination of all those who were once children...

So is it like, tradition for kids born here to formally learn how to fight?

Oh, not exactly.

Woaah! So this is what grandmother gifted you, big bro…?

Yep. I don't know how it works, though.

It must be a doll or an effigy for dress-up. Oh, perhaps you could adorn it with some trinkets?

Maybe it's got like, a guardian spirit that protects your house, big bro Baoyu!

... Oh boy.

Here, lemme show you how it's done.

… Why'd you punch grandma's gift?!

Um... Don't you think you're hurting it?

Hurt it...? Really now, this wooden thing?

It's more that they have to grow up this way if they want to survive.

... This W.T.D. isn't so bad.

Hm… this wooden training dummy appears to have been designed and crafted with some precise engineering craftsmanship. We still have some time until departure, so why don't we try using them for a warm-up exercise?

Ack, I don't wanna get all sweaty, though…

Well… it's not like these things will pose us any danger. I think we can try them out once just to see how we're doing today.

Atten-tion! We have orders from the Executive Manager! From this moment forth, we will put our all into laying utter ruin unto these training dummies!

<Hey, I didn't even give an order...>

All forces, charge!

Hooah… How refreshing!

Ooh... I guess morning workouts really do wake you up.

We've gotten so used to getting in tussles before we get to the real meat of the missions that... mornings feel incomplete without some action.

Mm. Nevertheless, this was a meaningful warm-up activity.

So I've been meaning to ask, Hong Lu. Why did you never consider participating in the Family Hierarch war before?

It seems to me that all of your other siblings have been waiting and training all their lives for this event…

... It's simple.

Because I never once thought I wanted to be the Family Hierarch.

Is it not… truly, most fortunate?

Had you not been born with the jade, my son… you would have had to toil all your life, preparing for the Family Hierarch war like your other siblings do…

You needn't waste your strength on those things... to win the favor of the elders and Jia Mu, venerated be their blessings.

Simply... witness as much of the world as it has to offer, jade of our family… my precious son, Baoyu...

<More memories...>

…….

<What's wrong, Yi Sang? You seem kinda distraught.>

It is to do with the plan miss Faust had explained to us last night.

I find the plan… rather detestable.

Me too...

... B-but… Hong Lu said he's okay with it, so…

Can we even call it a plan, if we're being honest here?

It matches the definition of a 'plan,' given that it illustrates certain instructions to be followed for the purpose of achieving a defined goal.

And please remember that... there are no second chances in the Family Hierarch war.

Young Master Baoyu and his twelve companions, arriving at <ruby=Elevated Virescent-Jade Hall>Tubitang</ruby>(凸碧堂)!

An arena or a stadium, I see... Hm. We have many eyes on us, Executive Manager.

<So, are the evaluations happening past those curtains?>

…….

... Daiyu?

<Hm? See someone you recognize?>

No. It's nothing, Dante.

Even if we were to meet again… we don't really have anything to talk about anyway.

Maybe we'll have another chance later, if fate wills it.

Oh hey, I think it's finally getting started.

Many scores ago, I ascended to the seat of Jia Mu with a stroke of fortune. Yet, a lifetime has passed since I assumed this great responsibility; such as it is, I seek to abdicate and walk the path of mountains and streams as a river does.

With the seat voided, the responsibility seeks the one with the qualities of the Family Hierarch to fill it.

Thus here at Daguanyuan, a collective upheld by pillars of four great houses of Jia, Xue, Wang, and Shi, we once again ask you the perennial question.

Have you brought us aught to prove that the answer indeed exists?

…….

<Who's the woman next to her...?>

Ah, she's my oldest sister, big sis Yuanchun.

She married a very important person in Q Corp. and spends most of her time there… Looks like she's visiting for the event.

... Though I have resided long in a foreign Nest, I now return fleetingly to share the love with my flesh and blood, to fulfill my duties as observed by the order of filial piety.

I return, that the truth shall be observed to the best of my abilities.

Some of you may have walked a laid path gentle to your feet; yet some of you may have struggled through an unlaid, brutal path of cragged mountains a thousandfold to find your answers.

Yet, regardless of the severity of your suffering... all of you, equally, have but one opportunity for the first round.

Even still, you were all once prospective heirs of the great house; even your failures shall bring power and prosperity to Daguanyuan.

Now, come forth in the order you are summoned, and demonstrate the invaluable answers to the question of three freedoms: one from aging, one from death, and one from brevity of life.

If the nature of your answer be indemonstrable, present ironclad proof.

Lose not, and discard not. Let fresh youth be unending and eternal.

First candidate...

... Ren, of the Wang family.

Hurry up! Foolish thing…

What… who are they dragging up to the stage?

Whoever it is, they clearly don't want to be here...

To be free from aging and death, huh...

I suppose every Wing dreams of escaping and rising beyond the body they were born with. Puff... H Corp.'s pursuit of immortality probably isn't special in that regard.

…!

He...

He hath brought a Bloodbag.

How does... a Bloodfiend become an answer to immortality?

In laymen's eyes, Bloodfiends may appear to have truly attained freedom from 'aging'...

However, as we are now all aware, Bloodfiends can grow old and weak after a prolonged period of blood deprivation.

Thus, it is unlikely to provide the 'answer' they seek.

So that creature is the fabled... 'Bloodfiend', then?

I doubt that'll do the job. Bloodfiends would indeed be quite the esoteric knowledge, but... to the judges of this contest, I doubt they're anything more than lukewarm trivia.

That Wang kid must've been pretty desperate, huh?

He's either lazy as balls... or that boy ain't right in the upstairs.

Mm. It appears that the knowledge of Bloodfiends is oddly common amongst this ilk.

Indeed, Bloodfiends are present in every Nest... 'tis little surprise that those privy to arcane knowledge art well aware of their existence.

Wang Ren, candidate of the Family Hierarch Evaluations. Stand upon the podium and await your judgment.

Thus announcing Wang Ren's Results for round 1 of the Family Hierarch Evaluations.

Elimination.

N-no...!

Listen, all they need is Blood... As long as you supply them with enough blood, they will be eternal and everlasting...! Venerable Jia Mu, please...!

Nay.

What awaits them is no eternity at all.

Verily, I know not the shape of this 'true immortality' the evaluation seeketh to attain, yet...

... the longevity of a Bloodfiend, shackled by blood and endless suffering… is unlikely to be one.

W-what...? But those damn hunters told me they still retain all of their memories...!

… To become a Bloodfiend is to surrender all the desires and emotions that exist within thy being for a singular hunger for blood, and only blood.

Perhaps that is an acceptable condition for those who expect nothing but fathomless torment for the rest of their lives. Yet, for those with much to lose, with much in life they cling onto, as those present seem to…

... the fate of a Bloodfiend is no 'freedom' from aging and death - 'tis but a sanguine shackle to enslave their minds.

A member of Baoyu's faction has given an excellent reply. No further elaboration is necessary.

And you have failed to bring us a high Kindred, let alone a Bloodfiend at all... This creature is but a miserable Bloodbag. I cannot even well commend your efforts.

... Hear, Ren of the Wang family. They have spoken, and mercifully given you the full explanation of your mistake - a privilege that failed candidates do not deserve. Let this be the final blessing of your life.

AAAAAGH!

<... So that's what happens when you fail to pass.>

That's just… that was just for dramatic effect, right? There's gotta be like, a side path leading back upstairs, right?

Of course not. Can't you smell the stench of festering pain, rising like heat from the depths?

Ha ha, Ryōshū… you've been honing your sense of humor, huh? These are some pretty nasty jokes, though.

Where does that hole lead? Judging by the time between the drop and the sound of the fall, I presume it goes quite far down.

It... probably leads to a place with lots of old family secrets. Oh, not treasures, of course, but trying to figure that out might get you a visit from a Heishou, probably?

... They went all out with the theatrics, huh.

Yeah, and we could very well be the ones screaming and falling down the hole later...

Second Candidate hails from the Xue family...

Another one...?

B.A.H. It means "Boring as hell".

Are they planning to fail everyone?

Eighth Candidate, Baochai of the Xue family.

Oh my, look! We know her~

... Baochai, of the Xue family...

Wah, Baoyu! You were watching me?

... She passes.

Passing connection it may have been, yet I ill wish to see a familiar face be claimed by the abyss...

... thus, I am glad.

... Seventeenth candidate, Jia Xichun of the Jia family.

<…!>

... It's Xichun's turn.

Looks like she found it.

<She found... the water from the river we saw in Don Quixote's memories back then...?>

... Impossible. She reached Lethe?

The possibility that she actually reached there in person is infinitely minuscule.

There is an infinitesimal statistical possibility that she could have reached the river, yet... not even Faust can conceive how someone of their capabilities could reach the fountainhead of one of the deepest fathoms; this becomes even more impossible when considering the relatively short passage of time since then and now.

A more likely explanation might be that she obtained the waters by collecting its dew or a portion of what has seeped out.

Hmm. Alas, that river's water serveth only to put to slumber one's memories... Pray, doth it truly hold a link to the immortality they seek?

Yes. It is likely closely connected to the 'immortality of the mind' they pursue.

As there are but an extremely small number of people privy to the knowledge of the rivers, if the contents of that bottle are genuine, Faust expects her to pass.

... Xichun of the Jia family passes.

You have brought before us a priceless treasure. It must have taken unparalleled efforts to obtain this, given the meager size of your clan.

... Thank you, big sister Yuanchun.

Next. Eighteenth candidate...

Bloody hell, just how many people are there in this household...?

Huan, of the Jia family.

…….

Bastard...

... Dante, are you seeing what they're wearing?

E.G.O gears.

It can be speculated that they have either developed their own method of extraction, or have scavenged them from Lobotomy Corp.

Gubo... carries what appears to be an egg... of an Abnormality.

... Are they planning to just offer them an Abnormality egg?

<How's that... an answer to anything?>

While there is room for interpretation...

... some may present a reasonably argued interpretation that Abnormalities are entities that neighbor immortality.

So the linchpin of their success hinges on which Abnormality's egg that ends up being.

If it's big brother Jia Huan I know... he's never going to risk his life for something he thinks will fail.

... Huan of the Jia Family passes the first Evaluation.

…….

Yet early it is for twilight to arrive - thus, early too is this meeting of ours.

You must find this small and barren respite of yours quite enjoyable. I have not seen you jest as you do now since the League fell.

... For what do you now approach me? The rift is too great betwixt us to chatter on with any affection to speak of.

Do not mistake my intent, for it wasn't I who desired to approach you. My teammate simply wished to have a look at his brother's face, and I thought I might as well see how you are faring.

Looks like everyone's coming back to Daguanyuan now that the Family Hierarch war's started, brother. This is our first meeting since then, right?

Hah! If it isn't the doltish fool who has eyes but knows not how to see. I know you well enough; you'd normally turn purple with aversion upon hearing even a brief mention of the word Hierarch... So, why are you here?

Who are you and your stinking entourage working for this time?

Is it that Xue girl, blinded by your looks to the revolting rot within? Or... is it Xichun, who still defends you and your meaningless, faux-profound spiel, deluded in her belief that you're still the same boy from her childhood?

... Why didn't you save him?

No, let me ask you a different question.

Why did you save her... and only her, Jia Baoyu?!

Brother.

Humans die. It's what they're born to do.

The next candidate will be judged soon. Candidates must return to their seats.

Tsk, you're a servant. You're barely even a living thing...

... Let us return. This discourse will not bear any fruit.

... What's this, a reunion party?

Tsk, that sure soured things. Those shameless bastards... It's obvious they're here to nick our things again.

Hmm... maybe, but something about them feels different today...

Whichever is the case... the safer option would be to place higher than them.

Another one falls...

His family has to be watching this, right? I wonder if they'll be okay...

I can't imagine how anyone would be okay watching their own fall like...

Sinclair, the people sitting behind us...

... they're his parents. The guy who just fell.

We raised that failure as our own son? What a pathetic disappointment...

Don't worry... I have faith in our third child. I mean, it's not like we expected anything from this one, right?

…….

Now I see what it means... to dedicate your whole life to becoming the Family Hierarch.

Many people desperately vie for the seat of Family Hierarch. Of course, some of them, like his parents, hope to...

... have their friend or a close blood relative become the Family Hierarch instead.

So they seek to seize a lifetime's worth of riches, power, and recognition by planting someone they can control in the Family Hierarch seat, without becoming one themselves.

That kind's got a low shelf life.

Looks like I finally got to know how my long-lost siblings are doing, thanks to this unforeseen opportunity.

Twenty-seventh candidate, Pan of the Xue family.

…….

Xue... Pan? Have we heard that name before?

Ah, he's big sis Baochai's older brother.

Hey, is it just me, or does that guy look like he's totally up to something?

Let's be honest, who here doesn't?

Yeah, but that sod's different. He's...

... Mate, looks to me he's completely lost the plot...

…….

Candidate Xue Pan, you will ascend to the platform and enter the curtain threshold.

Where's the fun in walking down the straightforward road?

It's only right that something so precious and entertaining should be shared with everyone, wouldn't you agree?

…!

Pathetic sorcerous trickery.

<Why's he...?>

What the heck is that?!

<They're neither Distortions nor Abnormalities...>

... Their behavior reminds me of Bloodbags or sub-entities enslaved by Abnormalities... Any semblance of consciousness has been stripped from them. They'll attack indiscriminately.

But it seems that they're just as intent on maiming and killing whatever, whoever they can get their claws on. Executive Manager, we must prepare for battle! Your orders!

Gnnnhhhh....

Aaaaghhhhh!

Why aren't the organizers doing anything? This is still an event hosted by a Wing, isn't it?

Because there isn't a rule in the Family Hierarch war that prohibits bringing harm to other people.

So they're just gonna sit back and twiddle their thumbs because no one specifically told them to step in? Hah, what the hell...

W-what do we do now? Should we step in?

We should probably survive and ensure our safe participation in the Family Hierarch war.

Wha-what the hell are these...?!

Get away from me!

<Looks like we have no choice but to take them down...>

Heheh, ha, ahahaha!

How will you attain freedom from aging, how will you argue freedom from death, with minds so dull and bodies so frail?

What say you, judges?!

I present before you not only the clue to immortality, but also a treasure that brings ruin to those who would dare to deceive you! Here is my answer to the perennial question!

... So you have brought us the clay of the jar.

It can be said that those who failed to survive this do not qualify as Family Hierarch candidates, yes?

…….

Pan of the Xue family passes.

He gets to pass when he almost got everyone in here killed...?

All that matters is that what he has brought meets their standards.

Looks like he managed to get two birds with one stone. He eliminated the distracting rabble from the competition.

If we ever run into that bastard in round 2, you better let me take more than a few swings at 'im.

Twenty-eighth candidate... Shi Dazhen from the Shi family.

... As he has failed to appear... he is eliminated by default.

Twenty-ninth candidate...

Thirtieth candidate...

... The number of candidates has clearly been culled.

Disappointingly M.B.

Yeah... all the mediocre bunch got wiped out from that attack...

And the leftovers are exhausted.

... Hah? That lug...

…….

That motherfu -

Hwell, I'll be... thought you'd gone and vanished into the earth! What the hell you doin' crawlin' 'round out here?

Girl! I saw ya givin' me the evil eye, 'least have the decency to say hi, eh?

<Ryō... Ryōshū, that guy's talking to you, right?>

... Hah.

Oh... do you know him?

What an absolute unit... Bloke's got to be at least two metres tall.

... Do not look at that man, Dante. And everyone, avert your eyes as well.

It is strongly recommended that we do not say a word to him.

That's right, ya shrimps. Ya gotta first wrack them teensy' brains o' yours, gotta think real hard 'bout whether you even come close to my rank before runnin' ya mouths, ya hear?

That shithead, Lei Heng... he's a Finger.

The Thumb is a Syndicate with the strictest adherence to rigid hierarchical structure even among the Fingers.

And his placement in the hierarchy is the highest even among their Capos - his rank is immediately beneath the position of a Sottocapo, or underboss.

A small mistake could drag us into a battle we do not want to fight. Please order everyone to not say a word, Dante.

<I don't know what's going on... But I get it. You're saying that we're this close to having another Ricardo hunting us down, right?>

<Yeah, let's avoid that. Do as Faust asks, everyone.>

You there, you big brute! How dare you block young master Nangong Xianhe's view?! I'll have you know that you stand before the retinue of the Nangong family, the house that shall soon be one of the four houses -

AAAAARG -

Young master Nangong Xianhe, ain't ya? Ya owe me an arm now. Mighty sorry, but ya shoulda kept a tighter leash on ya boy's jawin'.

I went easy on ya, boy. Seein' a friendly face put me in a good mood.

Anyhoo... I don't reckon ya miss the House of Spiders? Eh, can't imagine why anybody would. Gives me the heebie-jeebies too, whenever I gotta swing by.

We got some catchin' up to do later. I'll teach ya how to hold your sword real good right like back when.

Weren't mine the best out of 'em all? I thought I taught ya how to make every cut real fuckin' delicious.

Ryōshū, now is not yet the time.

Shut up for a damn second...

Faust trusts that you still remember the promise made prior to your employment.

Get that stick outta ya behind, kiddo. I ain't here to pick ya up, I sure as hell ain't tryna teach ya a lesson either like back when.

Your baby's still at that house, ain't that right?

Huh, am I wrong 'bout that? Just hwat in tarnation happened, then? I ain't exactly nose-deep in them fellers' business, ya gotta understand. Guess somethin' sure as hell went down though, didn't it?

Hyahhh~ Now ain't that somethin'. So, ya really fixin' to unsheathe that blade?

... Miss Ryōshū.

…….

Aw dangit, what in the goshdang... Haah~ My bad, y'all. I really gotta take this. It's the underboss callin', y'all gotta understand.

Awrighty then, I'll meetcha'll later. We can talk about your daddies or shoot some other shit then. Seeya 'round, Yoshihide!

<He's gotta be here for the Family Hierarch war, right?>

The outcome of the Family Hierarch Evaluation determines the immediately foreseeable future of H Corp., which brings parties of varying, possibly clashing interests here.

Hey, Heathcliff. Noticed you didn't rush ahead this time. I was worried it was going to be like the time with the Middle.

Tch, I know a thing or two about the Thumb back from my Syndicate days. And about what happened with the Middle - like I said, I had no bloody idea who those things belonged to. Besides, that sod...

... Is more powerful and violent than Ricardo, an individual we had encountered in the past.

The Thumb commands its own manner of terror and violence unlike that of the Middle...

All the way to the Pinky, huh...

Thirty-second candidate, Jia Qiu.

…….

…….

…….

<Who are those people next to Jia Qiu...?>

I've never met them before.

... Ohh~ Then that must mean that they're big brother Jia Qiu's answers to immortality.

Who could they possibly be...?

Neither of them appear to be particularly skilled in combat...

Yeah, they're both constantly looking around, like they're nervous...

They... are...

Faust believes that they are survivors of the Library.

<Survivors?>

The only ones who survived the impossible, inevitable odds and the insurmountable force...

They're the only survivors who may be able to explain that very force. ... Possibly.

Candidate Qiu of the Jia family...

The testimony rings true. They are both survivors of the place that soared beyond a Star of the City... before it vanished.

It is a shame that we were unable to procure ourselves an invitation then.

He passes.

Anxiety's gotta be a foreign concept to that guy.

Then... that covers all the candidates, it seems.

With the first round complete, to all four families who have graced this hall -

Excuse me~!

Baoyu, what...?

I think you might have missed a candidate.

... What do you mean? I believe we have covered every candidate present in the list...

You missed me.

Jia Baoyu, of the Jia family, will partake in the Family Hierarch Evaluations.

... Isn't that Jia Baoyu?

What's that doing here...? And what did he just say?

I had a feeling this was going to happen, but... we really kicked the hornet's nest, huh...

Hark, one and all, and gaze upon our glory! In the eleventh hour doth the final band of heroes arrives!

…….

Yi Sang, don't pretend you're not with us, huh? At least give the audience a wave.

<Guys... I don't think they're taking the announcement too well...>

A large portion of the audience is vociferously expressing their collective confusion, wrath, and concern. These emotions are expressed by their jaws that have been opened past a certain degree.

And there he is. The disgusting, duplicitous bastard who brings annihilation to everyone around him with that silly, innocent smile...!

Huhh!? What's going on? I thought Baoyu wasn't participating in the Hierarch war?

... That dumbass.

S.Y.N.C...

...? Explain yourself. Now.

Miss Saude told me to grab onto your sword like my life depended on it if you said that exact phrase...!

Blimey, can't we just -

She mentioned you too, Heathcliff...! She told me that, if you ever said anything like, "can't we just give 'em a good beating and be done with it", I should...!

Ha ha, what a throwback~

Decorum... I demand decorum.

… I hope you do not mean to risk having your body marred.

W-withdraw your name, it isn't too late. Now!

... Fuhu.

I'm heading in, father.

... Thirty-third candidate, Baoyu of the Jia family.

Come forth.

Ready, Dante?

<I don't know...>

And...

... what about you, Ryōshū?

Puff...

I'm itching to get chopping.

Need to vent this shitty feeling.

A-are you sure they're going to be okay, Faust...?

This is something that must be done regardless of the soundness of its participants.

I still... quite detest this plan.

Let's be honest for a sec. Are any of us actually happy to go through with this?

…….

Okay, I guess there's the one...

Enter the fabric threshold.

I know not what, in your life beyond the hedges, could have wrought this change of heart...

... but to see you aspire to the seat of the Hierarch is indeed a sight most curious.

It's been a while, big sister.

Has the life in Q Corp. been treating you well?

I have seen and learned much.

As you must have, Baoyu.

…….

Now I see your true reason for returning home today.

I'm sorry, grandmother. I thought better than to let this be common knowledge.

So you did.

Now that you have revealed your intent, withdrawal is no longer an option.

Very well. Now present the answer that you have brought here today.

I'm sure you've already sat through many, many people standing in the same place I am now, explaining to you what it was that they'd brought.

So, I suppose you would much prefer that I give you a straightforward visual demonstration than make you sit through another thousand-word lecture.

Yes. I'm okay.

…….

Our "answer" that we may be able to demonstrate before them...

... is resurrection via Dante's power. To show them that to us, death is but a temporary setback.

And a most dramatic demonstration of that ability would be to...

…!

…….

Indeed... you have certainly demonstrated something.

You were truly the least dreary part of today, Baoyu.

Aha, I see. So the most effective way to do it would be for me to get killed in front of them.

Without any room for ambiguity, at that.

... Yes.

Uh, then...

Does that mean that one of us has to... uhm... make sure that Hong Lu... no longer lives?

Oi, no need to beat 'round the bush.

Remember what we did to each other when we first met?

Then, Heathcliff, is the implication that you...

... are still willing to murder Hong Lu without hesitation?

Murder - Mate, did you really have to put it like -

Verily, I do not wish to hurt my good companions more than I already have...

It may be a stretch to say that it is fortunate, however...

... we seem to have an individual among us who may be able to carry out the task in a most painless, swift, and unburdened manner.

... Hoh.

So, how would you like to be cut?

... Puff. Where's that fucker, Lei Heng? Who's he working with?

You have... split his brain in half.

You have irreversibly ended this child's life; not even Life Insurance shall be able to bring him back now.

Baoyu?!

Well, then... what will you do now?

You have no means to restore this jade of the family. For your transgressions, you will...

Clock. Spin it.

<…….>

<Hnngh... huh? Wait, why doesn't this hurt at all?>

<I doubt Hong Lu even realized that he was dying...>

Baoyu… I truly realize that it has been a while since we've met.

He has grown quite bold.

<…!>

…….

I smell beasts...

Bull. Rooster. Dragon. Monkey. The Heishou are here.

The task was to find the answer to freedom from aging and death...

... not to break a Taboo and precipitate the destruction of our home.

... It has not been long since the family that once led H Corp. was brought to ruin. No Arbiter nor Claw shall ravage a family of Hongyuan again -

…….

You will wait.

Venerable Jia Mu...

Once the resurrection is complete, the Head will...

We must end this before they -

Hold for but fifteen minutes, at least.

To be rash in judgment is to judge incompletely.

I wish not to lose either - our treasure, and a clue to immortality.

…….

Ah...

Thank you, Ryōshū. It really didn't hurt at all. And you too, Dante.

N.P.

Grandmother, big sister Yuanchun.

Did you see that? This is the immortality I found.

…….

... Are we safe?

…….

If aught be owed, a swift vengeance shall arrive in time; it is simply yet to return. (不是不报, 时候未到)

Jia Baoyu, in the first round of the Family Hierarch Evaluations...

... you pass.

... Baoyu of the Jia family passes.

What trickery is this?

I thought he was off on some sightseeing tour away from Hongyuan like a jobless rich kid. When'd he even manage to find his own answer?

... Thus ends the first round.

Those who passed must prepare for the second round, set to commence tomorrow.

Remember. The candidates are barred from harming one another between now and the commencement of the second round of the Evaluations.

This is your one and only rule, thus remember it well: anyone who dare break it shall immediately be disqualified.

... That is all.

<G-getting mixed up with that crowd's probably not a great idea. Let's get out of here...!>

Indeed. Let us immediately return to Hong Lu's room.

…….

Oh, big brother Qiu. Congratulations on passing the first round.

I hear that you have passed as well, young master. Congratulations are in order, it seems.

How is it that you, young master, who has not shown an inkling of ambition toward the seat of the Hierarch...

... suddenly emerge as one of its candidates, positively stealing the show?

Well, ya know. Sometimes people get swept up by random surges of ambition.

Wasn't that 'surge of ambition' your company's, and not young master Baoyu's?

<... Well, if our last meeting didn't confirm it, it sure seems like they know us well.>

Have we not impressed upon you enough that you were to nicely remain within the borders? Instead, he sparks such disorder at the fringes of his perimeter.

I had thought that his only role in this design would be to be played as a pawn by Jia Xichun, no more...

My lord. Perhaps you have overestimated this young master.

…….

Are you... still of the belief that inaction is a path without consequences?

I didn't even get to say hello to you earlier, brother Qiu.

Baoyu of the Jia family formally extends his greetings to you.

…….

I realize that this is the first time we're meeting face-to-face since I reached adulthood.

Speaking of which, did you manage to stitch big brother Yihua and Mr. Qingtao's heads back onto their bodies?

…?

I guess that's just how siblings of Hongyuan greet each other, huh?

Seems like Miss Baochai was just a particularly nice exception...

... You ask a question that deserves no answer.

You have arrived here, unprepared, yet ready to cast yourself into the flames all for the mere reason that your 'turn' had come.

If your mind hasn't changed, then it would have been wise to remain unseen and unnoticed as you were.

Yes, thank you for your concern.

…….

This... façade of wisdom and pensiveness worn upon your speech...

... is truly intractable.

Mmhm... do I do that?

Oh, in case you forgot, there's a rule preventing candidates who passed the first round from killing each other. Hopefully I'm not the only one who remembers that.

If you're going to continue to bully us, don't be surprised if there are... consequences.

Outis... you've finished the preparations, right?

Mhm. The reinforcements are standing by at the front gates.

Huh? What reinforceme -

WHICH! is why I am warning you that taking any rash action prior to the start of the second round could result in a pointless skirmish for both of us.

A loud boast from an illusory army in an empty fortress. Though, I believe that sheer might is hardly the quality one should flaunt.

... Tch.

I am not intent on fighting you here.

Jia Baoyu, you will beget great suffering by endeavoring to embrace beyond your abilities.

Yet if he still wishes to challenge and be broken, then perhaps that outcome is simply meant to be.

What a relief... I thought we'd have to fight Jia Qiu and his... Heishou Pack...

They did see right through us in the end, but... hey, nice teamwork, Outis.

Hmmh...

What unbelievable impudence.

Did you notice how they did not even glance at the rest of us through that entire exchange?

…….

You passed the first round! I'm so happy for you, Baoyu. Seriously, what's going on here? I didn't imagine even in my wildest dreams that you'd be participating in the Family Hierarch war!

Congrats to you too, big sister Baochai. For passing the first round.

Gathering from the fact that you hid it even from me... you really didn't want anyone to know, right?

Yeah. I imagine that must've kicked up quite the ruckus with everyone.

Now I'm starting to feel kinda bad about this... Somehow we ended up lying to everyone.

Hey, don't beat yourself up over it. Own it instead.

Well, if it's all the same to you, then... I wanna say that I'm so happy that you decided to take part.

I was... worried that you might have already left Daguanyuan, so far, far away from me again by the time I was finished with the Family Hierarch war. That would've been too bad.

So I'm glad that we'll get to spend more time together, even as contestants.

Don't forget to say hello and give me a wave if we ever run into each other, okay?

... You have returned, young master.

Yep. Good evening, Xiren.

A letter has arrived for you, young master Baoyu.

…….

You didn't even try to hide the fact that the envelope was tampered with, did you?

My responsibility was to deliver the letter...

To protect its integrity was not one of my obligations.

Hong Lu, are you sure she's your maidservant?

It's okay~

She's not wrong.

Xiren, Xiren! Can I ask you something? Jia Ling promised to play a rock tossing game with me, but I can't find him anywhere.

Ah, that's… uh…

Umm, uhm… well, let's see. How many numbers have you learned so far, young master?

Xiren and I learned up to ten!

Mm, then he'll be back after one hundred nights' sleeps. Sleep ten nights, ten times, then that's one hundred nights.

Woah, that's so cool~ Xiren, you're so smart!

Aw, it's nothing. It's something we all learn growing up.

Xiren. I slept ten times ten nights, but I still don't know where Jia Ling's gone.

…….

… Did I say that young master Jia Ling was to return?

Mhmm, you said he'll be back after one hundred nights.

Oh…

One hundred nights is hardly enough, young master.

It will take at least a thousand nights.

Given what they did to him.

I see.

You're smart as always, Xiren.

Young master. It's been years, but young master Jia Ling's body is still decaying.

He has lost control of over half of his body.

…….

… Even after he was fed the Boluses I'd sent him...?

I was told to relay that your Boluses were useless, young master.

The decay reached his brain, and I overheard the other servants gossip that it is impossible to recover from such a wound.

The body is functionally dead. Death would be preferable, in fact.

So give up your naive hope and forget about him.

…….

You're... always so smart, Xiren.

<…….>

I will now read the letter, Executive Manager.

<Uh? Ah, right. Yeah.>

... This is from Manager Saude.

Hello everyone, heard you managed to pass the first round.

I wrote this letter before I heard the news, actually. You wouldn't even be reading this letter if you hadn't passed.

The heck...?

But let's save the celebrations for later. The real game starts in round 2.

The other candidates must've been making alliances, strategies, sharing information about the next round...

... meanwhile you guys stumbled around, aimless and alone, before returning to your lodging. And here you are now, reading my letter.

Is she... watching us from somewhere?

But not to worry. For your team specifically, round 2 doesn't require much strategizing...

... because it'll be messy and continuous battle after battle.

So battle on, as you always do.

Huh?

It's what you do best, right?

H-hold on...

I would like to go into more detail in this letter, but I'm sure this letter will be - and has been, most likely - intercepted by someone from other candidates' clans or coalitions.

So, in order for you to obtain our objective, you have to rely on what you have learned and gained so far: your intuition and fearlessness.

Like I said earlier, we have but one purpose.

Contextual clues suggest that the 'one purpose' is implied to be 'come in second place and obtain the Golden Bough'.

Well, that wraps everything up, then. Oh, one last thing...!

Shameless curs who have rested their eyes upon the contents of this letter without authorization shall be struck down with a curse of misfortune that lasts generations upon generations; ne'er shall they ever be successful in any endeavor regardless of nature -

<The bottom part of the letter's been torn off, huh...>

What a way to end a letter...

So... does anybody know what to expect in round 2? That letter really didn't help with anything at all.

... It would be better to learn the exact rules on-site and hear from the organizers themselves.

It is likely that there are forces who already have their eyes and ears on us.

... Executive Manager, there is someone by the door.

Right on cue, eh...

Mm~ I don't think that's what this is.

<…!>

Dammit, you! Grab your weapons, prepare for batt -

Why do I ever expect anything better from you anymore?

So you're just opening your front door to anyone, without even checking who knocked? Just like that?

Uh, I thought you were done talking with -

Ha ha ha, yeah, we can be pretty heedless from time to time.

Mm~ But I don't think anyone who's intending to kill us would have the decency to stand and hesitate in front of my door wondering if she should knock or not.

…….

Earlier, in round 1...

You had yourself killed in front of Jia Mu and big sister Yuanchun, didn't you?

And revived yourself in front of them too, I presume...

... Yeah.

Why even go that far, huh...?

What's gotten into you, brother? Family Hierarch, really? Why now, why all of a sudden?

I can tell, just from that look on your face...

... that you couldn't care less about becoming something like the Family Hierarch.

Is that... really it? That they told you to do it?

Xichun, imagine, just for the sake of it. What if, juuuuust what if, like, what if... our actual goal isn't to come in first place?

... Do you seriously expect me to believe that?

Ha ha... right? Totally. Heck, I wouldn't buy that either...

Anyways...

I'm not here to ally or parlay with you. I am never, ever doing anything like that with you again, brother.

It'll be nighttime soon, you know.

And your room's always been so dark because you barely let so much as a ray of moonlight in.

Seems like she's warning us that we'll be visited by some... uninvited guests soon.

Yeah. No way they're letting you, a sudden, unforeseen variable, spend the night in peace.

<But didn't they warn us earlier that round 2 candidates are prohibited from hurting each other...?>

... I see. The only thing that matters is the exact wording of the law, not the spirit of it.

Right. They won't intervene as long as a candidate's not trying to kill a fellow candidate, literally, with their own hands.

So don't trust anyone, even your maidservants.

…….

Thanks for coming here in person, Xichun.

Tomorrow, we'll be... we'll really be enemies.

I know it's too late to change anything... but tomorrow...

…….

When she expressed a wish to visit you herself, I made three attempts to talk her out of it.

It was highly impertinent of someone of my station to advise against her three times, yes, but...

... I implore you all to know that her choice to come here was not an easy one.

... I know this question can sound a bit nosy, but... are things okay over there?

We will face the trial to the best of our abilities.

I wish with all my heart that our paths will not cross tomorrow.

And I share his sentiment.

I wish not to ever bring harm to them, nor they to us in turn.

Well, when's anything ever gone as we wished, eh...?

... It's time.

... Sharpen your senses.

Hey, what are some known infiltration routes in this building that our enemies could use?

Mm…

Anywhere, really. As long as the assassin's willing to put their mind to it.

There was this one time when one of them suddenly appeared from under my bed.

That sounds... kinda terrifying...

…….

Up.

Ceiling. Someone just landed above us.

Ah, so if they're hiding in the ceiling...

... There must be more waiting for us just out the door.

Impressive... You're pretty sharp.

…!

Wait, this smells like...

Is that sod drinkin' on the job!?

Gimme a break, I'm an old guy on a night shift. I say I deserve a drink.

Our target's young master Jia Baoyu. Let's kill him quick and call it a night.

Hooah... You're next. And the last one.

How strangely confident you are, for someone who has failed to protect her master.

<…!>

<He doesn't know that the Sinners can come back from death.>

Well, now that I've claimed young master Baoyu's life, I should be free to clock out. There's no coming back from a crushed brain.

Real shame... Had he studied under my tutelage, he coulda almost matched me in skill.

Just who could've possibly sent him...?

Could be that Jia Qiu bloke from earlier. You saw the way he was glarin' at the rich boy.

He wasn't the only one glaring daggers at Hong Lu, you know...

…….

Heh heh...

Oi, you alright? If your brain's feelin' funny, ask 'em to turn the clock again.

No, it's just that this feels new to me.

Whenever I was attacked in here, this building felt so... infinitely vast.

But now that I'm here with all of you, it feels so crowded and alive.

And that's... funny how?

Well... I imagine he's saying that he's happy we've got his back. To paraphrase.

Young master, I have brewed some nu'er tea. Will you imbibe some before departing?

... No way, Hong Lu. Remember how the envelope we received yesterday was torn open? Refuse it.

I'm okay. I'd love some tea, Xiren. Thank you.

Yes, young master.

…….

Hey, that tea could be poisoned... I know we have Dante here, but you're being too reckless.

I wasn't being reckless on account of having Dante around. If I was, and if it really had been poisoned, I would be needlessly hurting Dante in the process.

I just... Even if she's become a lot less friendly, Xiren's still Xiren. So I thought it would be okay.

<... Xiren went through a lot of revivals, didn't she?>

Yes. She's my closest maidservant, so she was on the most expensive version of Life Insurance.

<So when you say 'Xiren's still Xiren'... you mean that her memories are intact.>

Yep. Life Insurance doesn't actually decay your memory.

But still, you'll slowly...

... erode away. Like a stone weathering merciless gusts and rainstorms, the memory shrinks and shrinks, slowly losing its definition... until the form itself is lost.

It only leaves the faint sensation that the stone was once there, until it was no more.

But I... hope that faint sensation remains a warm remembrance to Xiren, at least.

…….

When marching out to meet your foes in a deadly war...

... we must first learn as much as possible about our primary foe.

The one that poses us the greatest threat, if you will.

And that is Jia Qiu.

So let's list everything we've learned about that individual so far.

Well, we know that he has no problems with bloodying his own hands. Remember how he grabbed those decapitated heads...?

And we know that he tried to ensure that both our team and Xichun's wouldn't participate in the Family Hierarch war...

We are also aware that he is flanked by Zilu, a mighty Heishou, and Zigong, a strategist.

And... it seemed like he was the one who sent the assassins from last night too, right?

Yeah. We know that he's definitely wary of us, so we should also stay on guard.

As we all know by now... Daguanyuan is led by four ancient and great houses - the Jia, the Shi, the Xue, and the Wang.

Ever since the times before my own birth, this place was a den of political intrigue, a jungle where a single misstep could spell your death. Today, the Jia family holds the most power and influence among the four.

Which means that I was at the top of the world, afforded a life of luxuries and leisure, the kind of envious life that everyone looks up to and aspires to attain.

But big brother Qiu, he...

... He was beneath even the rock bottom of the same world.

Rock bottom...? A metaphor for aught, perhaps?

If it isn't, then I presume he's implying that someone pushed Jia Qiu to the depths.

Yes. Many, many hands pushed him toward the cliff, until there was no more room for him to back up to... until his only remaining choice was to plummet.

Brother Qiu is... the last surviving descendant of the annihilated Kong family.

Mm? Yet his surname was 'Jia' was it not?

His mother was from the Kong family.

Ahh... how...

My hand was probably one of the many that pushed him off the cliff.

I-I don't think you're the kind of person to do something like that, Hong Lu...

Fuhu, no need to make excuses for me.

Envy and jealousy came about from my Grandmother and the elders' favoritism...

... and where there is a zenith, so exists a nadir.

Hiding won't let me get away from it, so I'm going to accept it.

Watch out for the ones working with the Thumb, too.

The Thumb...? Oh, that walking brick shithouse from earlier?

Lei Heng.

Hmm... you're weirdly worried, Ryōshū. Don'tcha usually just -

It's because he's powerful.

... Has Ryōshū ever called anyone straight up powerful before...?

We have arrived at the venue for the second round of the Evaluation!

Contestants must now each board their lifts and ascend.

Well, then... should we get going, too?

I feel like we're drawing way too much attention, so let's -

... Big brother Baoyu.

Ah, Daiyu.

Have you been well?

…….

Daiyu. I didn't think you'd be participating in the Family Hierarch war.

Have you forgotten that my family cannot exist unless we are in service of greater houses?

I am but a blade serving a clan from the Xue family.

I see, for big sis Baochai's family...

Yes. I will be fighting in the service of others to the last of my days.

... Daiyu.

Daiyu. I'll be departing Daguanyuan soon. The elders have commanded me to leave here and experience more of the world.

You're leaving Daguanyuan?

So you leave me now, still refusing to illuminate me the truths about that day.

…….

Why...

Why won't you stop smiling like that?

Then... I hope you'll never come back here again.

We shared an intimate bond once, yet all is for naught.

Now I am unbound by the heavens, unbound by the dirt.

Still lies this heart of mine now, with emptiness wrought.

A blossom may be lovely now, but its wilting sharpens the blade of woe, the blade of hurt...

Our meeting never should have come to pass.

... You always say things that are so difficult and saddening to hear.

My own funeral was held long ago. And now, having met you for the final time...

… when we meet our ends here…

… may we each become a lone thread of formless smoke, to be scattered to the winds.

…….

Ah, looks like I forgot to introduce her to everyone.

She's someone with whom I had had a brief connection in my childhood. Though, I guess our reunion was made under pretty unfavorable circumstances.

That she has come here in service of another candidate...

Connections are such fickle things, after all.

Jia Baoyu!

You will never leave this place alive!

No matter what it takes, we will cut off your head! No matter what it takes!

Young Hong Lu...

... are we to be battle villains henceforth in this quest?

Mm... but to them, we are the villains.

Then are they to be evil in our eyes? Hehe, it's a distinction without a difference.

Well, whichever is the case, I'm pretty sure that...

... trying to draw a clear line between enemies and allies won't mean much.

Looks like they decorated this huge space to look like the outside... I can't even fathom how much money they must've poured into this project.

Family Hierarch Evaluations round 2.

... Begins now.

Ohh... I finally recognize where we are.

You've been here before?

... This place is~

~ the site of the former H Corp. that was once headed by the Kong family.

This place still bleeds from the wounds made then. I wonder if we will be spilling fresh blood over them today.

O the garden's sorrow-bearer, lamenter at the flower-funeral

Flower-rake in hand, teardrops in eyes,

You carve bloodstained tears upon branches floral.

I heard yesternight from the garden a song of grief,

An elegy for a flower and a bird departing.

Availed naught to hold the parting spring,

Surrendered I become, heeding the endless woe sans relief.

So this…

... is the annihilated Kong family's... building?

Yes, it is.

And it's no longer in use.

So everyone inside this building must've been…

…….

What... kind of 'transgressions' could they possibly have committed to deserve to be destroyed like this...?

If there was something to lay waste to a building of such magnitude, with such totality, it... cannot have been a mere strife between Syndicates or Fixers. Something must've happened here, nothing less of a war, to leave these ruins behind.

You're right. It was unusual, even for the City.

And that's because the Head was here.

…….

The... Head.

So the Kong family… broke a Taboo...

... And the Sweepers came to clean up anything that was left behind, to erase any sign of whatever it was that violated the Taboo.

Welcome, welcome to round 2 of the Evaluation, brave contestants!

As there were numerous complaints regarding the possible partiality issues with our previous host, please understand that I will be taking over as the host with the start of the second round...

Oi, hold on a minute. Up there, are they...

Hah… Don't tell me we've got a live audience.

It would be reasonable to assume that they are indeed spectators, considering the way the seats are arranged.

There were some unfortunate troubles in the first round, yes, but hey. This is our once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to watch the Family Hierarch Evaluation live and in person! Is it worth it or what?

We wanted to give as many people as possible the opportunity to witness this history in the making.

Alrighty then! Before we really get the game rolling, please give the contestants a round of applause and cheer! Let them meet this challenge as their best selves!

YEAAAHHHH!!

Holy mackerel, what a shitshow.

They're sittin' on their arses, poppin' popcorn into their mouths while we're stuck shittin' bricks down here?

I'm sure they've been placing bets all night.

Though I doubt many of them bet on us~

They'll regret that.

By the way... we're still indoors, right? Didn't we descend deep into a basement, even if we did ride a lift upward? How come there's a blue sky above us...?

Though this is a practice limited to the affluent class of Hongyuan, many have taken to installing artificial environments within their rooms. In fact, there are several buildings within Daguanyuan decorated in much the same manner.

Yes, the road taken to visit the elders is similarly decorated. Always so sunny and green.

And it feels more like the outside than the actual outside.

So what's uh... that?

Oh, that's a parasol.

I-I know what a parasol is, alright...? I'm asking what that old thing is doing there all on its own?

Mm…

A real big shot who brought the Claws watched the whole thing from that seat.

The four houses left the parasol there because...

... they wanted it to be a lasting reminder. A warning for the remaining houses, too.

Reminder? ... Reminder for what?

That we mustn't seek what is not permitted to us.

That we should know our place, live the life we deserve, and part from this world the way we deserve.

... Said the elders.

Shall we enter, now?

<I know you said you heard it all from the family elders, but...>

<... you saw everything that happened here, didn't you? All of it.>

…….

Yes, I probably did.

... Which means that the results of the second round of the Family Hierarch Evaluation, will become the final results of the event! In other words, the contestant who comes first place in this round...

... will become our next! Honored and venerable! Hierarch!

Aha! As I speak, I have just been informed that the candidates have all arrived safely to their starting positions.

Now, are you ready to get round 2 rollin'?!

AYE - !!!!!

Ahem... Now, what must be done?

Whack the first bastard we see, what else? This is s'posed to be a simple battle after battle, innit?

Oh my~

Looks like we have some hotheaded contestants here, raring to go even before my introductions are complete!

But don't you think it would be helpful for you to hear the full set of rules and regulations before getting into the game?

... You heard her.

Dear candidates, please inspect the area near your entrance points to locate a bundle of coins with a rope threaded through them.

Oho... this must be what the voice speaketh of!

Mm... pray, what might be the purpose of these round curiosities?

Mon... money? Hey, there's that familiar jingle-jangle! Maybe it's some sorta local currency?

Guys... the host just told us to let her finish, didn't she?

And now, those coins have just become the most important things in the world. Wanna know why, friends~?

... That's because, from this very moment, these coins represent how much life each of the candidates have left! Lifetokens, if you will!

Heeugh...! Th-thou must make haste and take these tokens of life, young Hong Lu! T-thy life dependeth on thee!

Lemme see that, lass. Hm... these look like coins, but aren't actual cash. So how are these 'lifetokens' again?

By now you must be wondering something like "So how are these 'lifetokens' again?", and you would be absolutely right to ask that question!

Allow me to now explain the rules of the second round of the Family Hierarch Evaluations.

Each candidate must keep their coins secured by the rope threaded through them and attach the bundle to their waists.

Hiding them, swallowing them, hanging only some of them on your waist and keeping the rest in your pockets... basically, any behavior that does not allow them to be on full display at all times is cause for disqualification!

Disqualification...

Oi! Take this rope, now! Quit faffin' about and tie it 'round your waist!

Weren't you the one who snatched it away...?

Each of you have been given three coins at the start of the game. If you lose all of your coins, you will be immediately eliminated!

Y-young Ishmael!!! Thou must tie the, uh, the Des-Desperate's Knot upon the bundle of coins! Never let this knot be undone!

Yep, working on it already...

Ahaha, I don't think there's any need to hurry~

In the second round, you will have a total of two hours to collect as many coins as you can! Might wanna get on with it, because the candidates' rankings will be decided by the number of coins they each have!

Aha~ So that's how I'm supposed to hang it.

Ohoh! Be careful with that!

Relax. Short of a sword cutting through, it's staying put. I've seen to that.

Let the second round of the Hierarch Evaluation commence!

It's one thing to keep our coins as safe as possible from any candidates we might come across, but...

... it also means that our only means of gaining more coins is by taking them from the other candidates.

Good point. Unless we're informed of a new rule mid-game, we must also prioritize taking as many coins as we can from the other candidates.

Yeah, the host said that our ranks are decided by how many coins we have.

The subject of the first round of the Hierarch Evaluation has been an open secret for a long time.

To find a clue toward freedom from aging and death.

However, the only information that has been made public regarding the second round of the evaluation is that it will be a martial contest.

Indeed, there may be secret rules or rules that the host has intentionally neglected to reveal to us. However, it is of high likelihood that, in terms of informational advantage, all participants in this game are equally underequipped.

This leads to the prediction that, should we engage in our usual form of confused brawls...

... we should at least place somewhere in the middle of the pack.

Aw, don't be such a downer, Fau! We gotta make it to the top two at least to get what we came here for~!

Well, at least we're not under attack... yet...

No enemy movements detected... yet...

Not sure if it's a good thing, but... at least the huge size of this building means that we won't be running into other candidates left and right.

... Peeping machines. They're everywhere.

Mm~ I'm seeing some people making threatening gestures at the cameras up here, but... please be informed of this rule: you break a camera, you pay up with a coin of your own!

... I'm pretty sure she just made up that rule.

Ah, we should be able to keep moving by following this hallway.

Hong Lu, you've been here before, haven't you...?

I have. But I don't suppose any other candidates have. Oh, except big brother Qiu, maybe.

Besides, anyone who's ever set foot in here's already...

Mm, at least we won't have to worry about getting lost, so that's nice~

He was absolutely about to spill something before he decided to bite his tongue, right?

So guys, I... have this weird sinking feeling that I just can't seem to shake.

Daguanyuan... that place was huge, right? Like stupidly huge, right?

Like, think about it. We chatted a while on that Palanquin before we got anywhere near Hong Lu's room.

Yeah, apparently they have deer frolicking in the garden, a whole lake to themselves...

Right! So why are they holding the Family Hierarch Evaluation at some creepy abandoned building like this when they've got more than enough space to spare there?

Simple. Art deserves an exhibition of equal extravagance.

Okay, but why? Why drag us all the way out here? It's almost like... they're trying to show us something.

Show us what?

The pride and glory of Daguanyuan. And the cautionary tale of the house of the Kong family.

So that the prospective Hierarch and the other candidates would be reminded of their downfall.

…….

We weren't asking you, intruder. Here to ambush us?

Oh, don't get me wrong. I'm not here to fight you guys.

Saw you guys earlier, back during the first round.

I also saw that interesting healing method of yours. I'm guessing that's what you used to get past the first round of the Hierarch war.

... Do you know this guy, Hong Lu?

Um... nope. But I think he's from the Wang family, though I haven't exchanged many words with him before.

Wang Zhao. Not surprised that you don't know who I am.

It's not like I gave you much chance to get to know me... I was always the type to prefer sitting in my room and passing the time reading books.

<If he's not here to fight... is he here to make an alliance?>

Hah... Listen here, fella. We're not here to make any friends, alright? We've had enough bad experiences with it as is.

Yeah, totally. I get you guys. I'm not here to make an alliance, either. I just thought that maybe we could at least travel together, given that our goals don't seem to clash.

I'm not actually here looking to become the next Hierarch. My goal is, uh, how should I put this...

... more like wanting to become a <ruby=cannon>pao</ruby>(砲) in a game of Xiangqi. I have enough self-awareness to know that that even a <ruby=chariot>ju</ruby>(車) is too much for me.

Let me give you a demonstration. Catch.

<…!>

Dang! Nice catch, Meur!

Mm.

<This is...?>

Is this a r-real coin? One of those life tokens or whatever...?

Feel free to bite into it if you don't believe me.

Oi, bite into it!

... That method of material discernment is ineffective for coins not made from soft metals such as gold.

Why would you just...

Are you sure this is a good strategy?

Hm, well...

I'm sure our dear host has something to say about that.

Aha, a candidate has willingly handed over his coin to another!

Yes, of course! The candidates are permitted to trade coins and favors amongst each other without necessarily having to take them by force. You may use it to convince others to do your bidding, or use them to formulate various other strategies.

Then the decision to use coins as representation of tokens is symbolically appropriate.

<The host doesn't immediately catch on to what's going on, huh? It took her a moment to react to what Ryōshū was doing in front of that camera, too.>

A highly discerning observation, Executive Manager. It appears that she chimes in to add commentary based on the actions of each candidate.

... It is to keep the audience informed on the actions of the candidates.

I knew it.

We don't have to take the coins by force, after all.

So... um... would you like to have this back, now?

Don't worry about it. Consider it my token of appreciation for helping me figure out the game.

Sure... thanks for the coin, I guess... But are you sure it's a good strategy to just give away your coin like that?

Probably not, if my goal was to come in first place. ... But like I said earlier, I'm more of a prey animal than a predator.

Prey animals like myself have to remain highly aware of our surroundings and observe. And once you get good enough at that... you'll see which of the prospective candidates should hold the most coins.

And that's my strategy.

Ooh... and that's us, huh? Are ya saying that we're the team that deserves to hold the highest number of coins?

Mhmm, hmm... hey, I'm starting to feel pretty optimistic! Gee, it's real refreshing to finally have someone recognize us like this, ya know?

He's trying to butter us up. This man is just another boring old wheedling schemer.

Still... we're already at four coins right from the get-go. I'd say it's a good start, huh?

We might actually end up coming in first place at this rate.

So... what do you say? Informational advantage can be a pretty significant variable this early in the game.

I follow you, seek my chances and feel out the game, while you gain information.

It's a win-win, right? We both get what we want, and we'll go our separate ways when the time is right.

W-what should we do? I don't think he looks... agile enough to stab us in the back and steal our coins.

I think he makes a decent case. It's not like he's offering us an alliance out of the blue... Like he said, I think it's a nice win-win strategy for both parties.

The decision is yours, Executive Manager. It does not seem like he has any ulterior motives... Perhaps we could use our superior numbers to demand more coins from him in return for letting him accompany us.

A net profit of one additional coin has already been secured. If alliance with this individual causes you concern, it would be a rational choice to simply cut ties while we are ahead.

<Hmm...>

<Any thoughts on this, Hong Lu?>

I think they all sound pretty nice!

<... Let's accept his offer. Outis, please keep an eye out for any signs of betrayal.>

You may place the utmost faith in me to carry out that task, Executive Manager!

Let's do this, Wang Zhao.

Okay, Jia Baoyu. Let's.

... So, are you still the favorite child of Daguanyuan?

…….

Um... Umm... Jia... Jia Baoyu extends... his greetings to you...

Ah... Welcome, little Baoyu.

It has been a while, Baoyu.

Answer them, Baoyu. You're a good boy, hm?

... Ookay.

Still as pretty and lustrous as always.

He truly is the unchanging, precious jade of Daguanyuan. You must be so happy to have him, venerable Jia Mu.

Aha... So he's that Jia Baoyu kid?

Really? I thought he'd look... more special, I guess? He's actually pretty unimpressive in person.

Oh yeah, mom told me about him.

Shh, shush, child. You can't just talk to him.

Ahh, I think he just looked at me.

So why do they all love him so much?

Dunno, maybe they painted his insides with gold or something.

Must be nice to be loved and coddled by everyone the moment you're born.

But... why does he look so gloomy?

That child will never suffer once to his dying days.

Yeah, and I envy him for it, but... I don't know...

... I don't know why he's such a smileless child...

…….

Uh... ain't these memories for Clockhead's eyes only? Why can we see it, too?

<Um... huh? You saw that, too?>

It appears that the gradual reconstruction of the Golden Bough is expanding Dante's ability to peer into the fathoms.

<Is... is it? I'm not so sure myself.>

That is enough for now, Dante.

... Perhaps these powers will become controllable in the future, to be used as one sees fit.

Hehe, didn't think this is how I'd be sharing my childhood with everyone.

What are you guys all standing around for? Don't tell me your strategy is to sit here and wait for the whole thing to blow over, is it?

<…….>

I've been meaning to ask - are the rumors true?

What rumors?

The rumors that Jia Xichun lost her Heishou Pack.

Hey, who knows. Tell me something valuable, and I just might hand over another coin.

Unfortunately, I lost touch with Xichun after we arrived at Hongyuan.

So I don't know any details myself.

Alright... Okay, I guess we'll see in due time.

As you know, losing your Heishou Pack... is a bigger loss than losing a limb.

If the rumors are true, then she must be having a pretty hard time out here.

Jia Xichun... I wonder if she's doing okay...

She'll be okay, like always. She's a plucky one, after all.

… Let's head inside.

This place... looks like a laboratory.

There's nothing left. Not even a faint blood fragrance.

Though I sense a scurrying rat.

A rat...?

Know who you're talking to before you insult them. Who are you?

W-we're a different candidate's clan.

Hi, I'm Baoyu of the Jia family.