Liberi Reader

Zuanjiang Peak... Is that where I am?

Hello—Anybody home—

......

Hello... Anybody home...

Fine. Now that I'm here, might as well make the best of this.

(There seems to be a pavilion in the distance.)

(Strange... I feels like I've seen this place before...)

We don't often get visitors here. Are you heading to the pavilion?

Oh, no... I'm just going to take a peek.

What is this place...?

Zuanjiang Peak.

One of Shangshu's Three Mounts and Seventeen Peaks?

Eighteen, not Seventeen.

The path to the pavilion isn't an easy one. Someone must have had a lot of free time to build it up there.

Looks like there's somebody up there though...?

Of course. Why else would you build a pavilion?

And you're sweeping snow here?

Correct.

There's nobody here.

They'll only come after the snow is cleared.

Who will?

Who knows, but you're here now, aren't you?

Isn't the one at the pavilion beckoning you?

Oh...?

Watch your step.

The path is slippery when it's snowy.

Is everyone here?

Correct.

The masters won't let us in on the fun, and the innkeeper is always busy with his customers. The only ones missing are those still sitting around waiting for table scraps.

Are you sure we don't have to listen to I-Innkeeper Zheng...? Can we back out?

Huh? You still wanna follow him? Might as well quit martial arts and work as one of his cooks!

All the logistics companies have gotta be swimming in dough, with how busy they are. But, no, the old man is so in love with his rules that he'd rather open a restaurant than compete! He must be senile or something!

To Innkeeper Zheng, a restaurant is an upstanding business, while attaching the word 'logistics' to the Xingyu name would merely sully the Association. He'd never accept that.

And why does he think that?

How would I know?

We all know old man Zheng's scared of everything these days. After all those years running the Escort Association, only now when he's about to kick the bucket does he realize how many people he's offended for nothing.

At this rate, the Association is done for, with or without anyone kicking down our doors.

But this is a huge job from the court, right? You sure it's okay to screw it up on purpose?

This will only work because it's a huge job. I know what I'm doing.

Help! Thief!

Don't let him get away!

Uh... is that part of your plan too, Miss Du?

Of course not! Let's go!

It seems your friend is asleep.

Well, it's getting awfully late...

After nothing but small talk?

Then what of the play...?

We'll discuss this another time. You should rest. Try not to go outside so often.

You need to take care of yourself.

I visit because there are matters more pressing to me than my health.

You mean the plays...?

Mm-hm.

I can't leave while I still have duties to attend to.

Is that your way of berating me for idling about all day?

Of course not.

Help! Thief!

Hm... A thief?

How bizarre... A thief at the Liang estate?

You head on inside. I will take a look.

......

What is going on here?

Oh, Mr. Liang. I just arrived myself.

You two are Lee's guests, and that makes you my guests as well. As your host, I apologize for the disturbance.

M-Mr. Liang. I was just preparing to leave for the day, when all of a sudden I saw a silhouette up on the wall...

A silhouette?

Y-Yes, and it looked like it was holding a box...

......!

To Lee's room! Hurry!

The lady sweeping snow was right, it was a difficult climb. And now that I made it, the person I saw is gone.

Hey, are you still here—?

What is this place anyway...?

Why did you summon me here?

I did?

I...

Right...

I'm here... to reminisce with you, about the old days.

I'll pass... There's no suspense to it, much less any enjoyment.

I'm here to give you a small gift.

Only a few decades. Like the snap of a finger.

A pair, one black and one white, like light and shadow coexisting in harmony.

Pick one, and I'll keep the other.

What's the matter? Not to your liking?

I am, yet also not.

Besides, I didn't exactly have a choice—

—!

Hm... Was that... all a dream?

Are you okay?

I'm not so old that you need to worry about me kicking the bucket in my sleep... What's the matter?

Sir, someone just spotted a thief making off with a case that looked just like yours!

Is the case gone?

You mean the wine cup...? Don't worry. It's right here.

How did you...?

The box only contains an ordinary teapot I took from the cupboard, painted black with ink.

I'm not stupid enough to leave it out in the open, knowing someone is after it.

My good man, you are every bit the cunning genius that Kroos described.

......

Mr. Liang.

Someone out there is bold enough to provoke the magistrate for an old antique. If every thief were this brazen, the L.G.D. would only need to guard street food stands.

So isn't it time you told me what this is about?

I will tell you everything you need to know.

Which also coincides with the other matter I need your help with.

Find its owner.

I see... Some actual detective work this time.

Before that though... Mr. Nothing, where's that benefactor of yours, Kroos?

Uh... D-Did she chase after them?!

I'll go check on her!

......

(I followed them all the way to this night market, but isn't it a bit too lively?)

(Did I lose 'em?)

(Let me check this direction...)

Oops, my bad—

—You're from this afternoon—

......

I don't suppose you'd believe me if I said I had nothing to do with this?

I haven't even said anything yet.

But put yourself in my shoes. Soon as I arrive in Shangshu, I run into someone trying to rob a friend. And now again. Would YOU believe that's a coincidence?

Don't worry though, I'll give you plenty of time to work out your excuse.

Hmph.

Might as well save my breath, then!

I'll go this way. You check over there.

Right then! I'm counting on you, Brother Lee.

Hold on.

Is something the matter?

What's that... beside your feet?

Hm? I don't see anything.

......

Must be my eyes playing tricks... Maybe someone's pet?

Let's go.

......