Liberi Reader

—!

...Thunder.

And nothing more.

It's late autumn. If you wait till winter, the roads will be hard to traverse.

...Hmph.

Hui-chieh... you should go back.

'Go back'?

To where? Lungmen?

I've already told you what you want to know.

So you should understand, all that lies in front of you is none of your business.

Hah... I think you've gotten old, Uncle.

If you were five years younger, we would have crossed swords already.

Your temperament has changed too.

You don’t have many issues here, over the past few days at this posthouse.

Because I still don't trust you.

What you said... about the Grand Preceptor, about your brother—that 'other uncle' I've never met, and the old True Lung...

It's not my place to comment, but if I have to say something, I'm just glad you're not the one running Yan.

I cannot argue with that...

I really do want to know what was going on in your head when you left Baizao, why Mother followed you to Lungmen, and why she stayed.

But at this point, I'm not expecting to hear a fair answer—or an objective account of the past from you.

So I'll find the answers myself—and I'm not leaving until I do.

You have a knack for messing things up when it matters most, especially when it's about you.

To stop you from doing anything stupid again, or even just to keep you safe—I'm not leaving until I'm done.

So let's both save our breath.

...

Hui-chieh... these past few years, you—

Same as always. Nothing worth sharing.

Perhaps it's better to wait until you're willing...

Still no news.

Then that's the best news we could ask for.

There is no hoping for a positive turn of events, at this point.

So, if anything strange happens in Baizao... Yumen won't hesitate to go to war.

This 'bestial Sui' you talk of, the unrest it might cause, and any battle it might provoke... no one's sure how any of it could turn out.

Correct.

So this is the secret Great Yan has hidden for over a thousand years... You two are so alike.

There is a strange detail, though.

Time is running out, but in the past ten days, there have been no more than three Messenger parties traveling between Yumen and Baizao.

When Yumen is facing war, we would expect far more traffic.

Lord Wei, a visitor.

At a time like this...?

Send them in.

I trust you've been well, Lord Wei.

...

Likewise, Grand Tutor.

...!

So you're... the Grand Tutor of Yan?

...

I did not know Lady Ch'en would be here as well.

How do you...?

That's another matter, and a long story.

I see.

So you did heed my advice to stay at this posthouse.

I have no grounds to distrust the Grand Tutor.

It has been Messengers, but today the Grand Tutor graces us with a personal visit...

There is something I must make clear to you, Lord Wei.

...

Hui-chieh, leave us.

No need.

Best she stay and hear what I am about to say.

...

...

Fine.

The situation in Baizao...

After Mid-Autumn, His Imperial Majesty granted him leave to enter the Tomb of Sui, to try and quell the threat posed by the bestial one.

But the day of the full moon nears, and we've heard nothing from the tomb.

And yet, at this very moment, five Feranmuts have lurked around Great Yan, with intentions unknown.

The Tianshis of the Chamber of Heaven's Designs along with Yan's finest warriors have stationed themselves near the Feranmuts. Great Yan does not fear the coming battle.

But the worst outcome we face, is not just fighting five Feranmuts simultaneously.

No way...

'Intentions unknown'—This gray beard sure can talk.

With the blood feud of the past few millennia, did you think they'd simply show up on your doorstep bearing gifts?

Huh...?

What... did you say?

...

I'm sure many are advocating for war at this time.

There is no opinion from any party left to consider.

I fear Great Yan is left with no other choice.

The court must have drafted plenty of plans for this contingency.

Countless plans, and none end without a pyrrhic victory.

But there is still a method yet to be considered.

...!

Tell me, Grand Tutor. Tell me my brother has never conceived of activating Bu Fan himself—

He is the True Lung. The True Lung of Yan.

If the nation is driven to a corner, he is the only one who can do it.

It's absurd!

Lord Wei.

As it stands, there is no longer a need to digress.

Not a single man knew of the secret letter sent to Lungmen until the Imperial Guards set off. And I come today without any attempt to conceal my identity.

I'm sure you understand, Lord Wei.

...

The past... stories from forty years ago, thousands of years ago... it should not end like this.

...And he should never be the one to pay the price.

No one wants to see the worst-case scenario, but we cannot deceive ourselves.

I must remind you—even if merely for Yan's sake, or for the good of the realm.

A backup plan is called for.

Please, just slow down a second.

I don't get it. What does the Grand Tutor mean by a backup plan?

Everything you're saying... what does any of it have to do with Wei Yenwu?

You still don't get it?

You don't know what a backup plan is? Something you do when things go south.

...What...?

What... are you talking about?

A kingdom cannot be without its king for even a day. A missing True Lung must naturally see his seat filled by another.

When father dies, son takes over, and when elder brother leaves, younger returns. That's how it's been for thousands of years.

And if there's no other choice, this lass will have no choice but to become the True Lung.

What the hell are you talking about?!

...

...Hui-chieh!

That voice...

Did the two of you... not hear any of that?

...I...

Lord Wei.

I do not expect you to have considered all possible angles already.

One must think before one acts, but time is short.

Take care, Lord Wei.

I'll see you out.

No need.

...

I didn't get any of what he was saying.

He had me stay to hear it, but I couldn't make sense of it at all.

Hui-chieh...

All that stuff about Yan probably going to war, but he'll give you time to prepare?

Bu Fan, the Feranmuts... what does any of it have to do with you?

...

Hui-chieh.

Many mistakes from the past... Some I made myself, but others I was powerless to stop.

I only insist on ensuring those irrevocable mistakes do not affect the rest of you.

Because I've never doubted in your potential to accomplish more than we ever could.

This is the worst time you could be saying that.

One more thing.

Talulah...

Tell me. Was she well, the last time you met?

No way. I'm not telling you about her right now.

If you really care, then now is not the time.

Aunt Fumizuki doesn't want you to stay a stubborn old man forever, and she's worried about your safety. And I don't want to—

If you truly care for anyone but yourself, then don't leave them behind.

Tell me, Uncle...

What exactly are you going to do?

...

It sounds like she's doing fine. Well, not bad, at least.

That's not your call to make!

You don't know how much she's sacrificed, and you've no clue what she's—

...

Enough...

If you want to enjoy your pity party here, then have fun.

I'm going out for some fresh air.

...

I’m sick of you, Wei Yenwu.

You and your precious city.

...

Where are you headed?

Back up north.

There are people in the mines who need our help.

We're running out of time.

Right now?

Then what about this farm? What about the people left here?

Some of our comrades are staying. They'll take care of each other.

You could join them too, if you're so inclined.

I can't just let you go...

You could follow us instead.

I'd like your help, if it's on the table.

But—

Hui-chieh.

I believe in your words, and your ideals... a place where the Infected are judged fairly... and can live, truly live.

But that place is not here—not in the past, not in the present.

The place we seek lies only in the future.

And must make our way there.

Alright, so on we go... and what next?

Did my past catch up with me... or did I go looking for it? Heh, guess it's less history and more a reality I haven't faced yet.

Talulah, if you were here... what would you think about all these?

Hmph. Overcautious and indecisive. Your courage is for naught.

This lass is unlike her ancestors.

That first Lung's descendants must number at least tens of thousands over the millennia, how many of them were heroes, and how many were mediocrities?

How much can this sliver of that bloodline even accomplish?

With a mind this turbid, as if trapped in a dream, can we really trust her with anything?

Or is it because those old blockheads refuse to bend? No wonder the youths are too inept to handle things on their own.

She's been on quite the journey, so she must have other special skills beyond her brute swordplay.

Just who the hell are you?!

Enough hiding!

Come out here and show yourselves!

Hah, just look at the girl. Inexperienced, yet quick to anger.

I'm glad you want to know, but if you truly seek your answer, why not find it yourself—

—!

What the...?

What was that?

From the posthouse?

...?

Lady Ch'en.

What are you all standing around for... did something happen?

When was the last time you saw Lord Wei?

Barely an hour ago.

So you don't know his whereabouts either.

Wait, you mean—

Half an hour ago, Lord Wei went to rest and dismissed us.

The posthouse owner just realized the room was empty when delivering the food.

We've searched the premises, and found no trace.

Lord Wei is... missing.

...

So he actually managed to slip out, with all of you watching.

Again... yet again, Wei Yenwu.

Lord Wei received a letter, personally penned by the True Lung, summoning him to the capital. We tried in vain to dissuade him. We could only follow.

Let us tentatively assume he is making his way there.

We failed to ensure his safety, and our crime is unforgivable. However, I fear entering the capital now would only—

Don't worry.

Whatever the case, he left without a word.

So this time... I'll find him.