Jiu Niangzi: What, what just ran out of there?
Jiu Niangzi: That "thing" took away the lady. What's going on?!
Jiǔ Niángzǐ's words dissipate in the air without stirring a response. The eyes of all stare at Gětiān in the center of the courtyard. Most of these are filled with doubt, suspicion, and fear.
As the strange horse and its unwilling rider disappear in the distance, the communication arcane skill cast by the bone wand also seems to dissipate.
Lizheng: Now we lost another witness. Did you plan this?
Getian: I left my wand in her tavern yesterday. Ask her. You will know.
Lizheng: Jiǔ Niángzǐ, is that so?
Jiu Niangzi: We did find a bone in the yard, but it's with that foreign lady now.
Lizheng: ...
Lizheng: Tie him up first. Do you have more to say?
Getian: Everything I need to tell you, I have spoken it all. Catch her now, or even a real Xiángruì cannot save you from the disaster.
Lizheng: Why are you so obsessed with calling Jiǔ Niángzǐ the "culprit"?
Jiu Niangzi: What? You ...? I ...? I am the culprit?!
Jiu Niangzi: What kind of culprit am I?
Lizheng: It's fine, Jiǔ Niángzǐ. We all know you have nothing to do with the missing persons cases ...
Jiu Niangzi: And he said ... said that ... "Even a real Xiángruì cannot save you." He is more of a fake one to me!
Jiǔ Niángzǐ rushes angrily toward Gětiān, striding forward until she stands just before him, but in her rush of emotion, she loses her ability to speak.
Jiu Niangzi: You ...
Getian: ...
Lizheng: Stay calm. We will hold him in detention in Zhící for now. I'll report this to the Fǎcáo.
Lizheng: The first thing to do is catch up with the horse and the foreign lady ...
Lizheng: And find his wand to figure out his arcane skill.
The crowd quickly moves according to Lǐzhèng's command and exits the courtyard in an orderly fashion.
Only a few scattered guards remain in the courtyard, along with the three figures located in the center.
At this point, it would seem obvious that Gětiān must be taken away, but as Lǐzhèng has not yet ordered anything to that effect, no one dares step forward. For though subdued, his huge wings and claws still serve as effective deterrents.
Lizheng: Take him away. Everyone else dismissed.
Lizheng: Jiǔ Niángzǐ, follow me. There is something we need to talk about.
Jiu Niangzi: What do you want, feather man?
Lizheng: Jiǔ Niángzǐ?
Jiu Niangzi: You look like a decent Xiángruì. Why did you say something like that?
Jiu Niangzi: Even-even if you're not, aren't you afraid that ... the real Xiángruì will blame you for doing the wrong thing?
The girl appears as though she has not heard Lǐzhèng's words. The doubt in her questions is conveyed in an almost whispered tone.
Gětiān doesn't even lift his head. He remains motionless, like a statue.
Getian: ...
Lizheng: Jiǔ Niángzǐ. It is true that he is not the Xiángruì of our city. The Xiángruì, who once protected our city, has been long lost.
Jiǔ Niángzǐ turns her head, failing to connect the logic behind Lǐzhèng's statement.
Jiu Niangzi: BUT! But everyone thinks the feather man on the mountain is the Xiángruì! Just, just look at him! How could people not take him as a Xiángruì by his look?
Jiu Niangzi: The former Zhílǐ told me that the feather man looks like a Gōumáng, just like what was depicted in a picture book. *Gōumáng: the God of Spring in ancient Chinese mythology, in charge of agriculture, with wings and claws.
Jiu Niangzi: A Gōumáng is a confirmed Xiángruì recorded in a book!
Lizheng: Jiǔ Niángzǐ.
Jiu Niangzi: But this man? Of course, he is not a Xiángruì! He isn't like the Gōumáng nor the Mièméng ... He doesn't even understand the saying of, um, "One can remove the footsteps, but not the path one walketh on."
Lizheng: ...
Lizheng: "One can remove the footsteps, but not the path one walketh on." ... That's fair. One cannot commit wrongdoing without leaving a trace.
Lizheng: However, we can't convict him without definitive evidence, such as witnesses and his wand.
Lizheng: The trace he left is yet to be found.
Jiǔ Niángzǐ squats down in front of Gětiān in a sudden inexplicable movement. Then stares unwaveringly into his eyes as she speaks, as if she is to judge the authenticity of his words and expressions by doing so.
Jiu Niangzi: Feather man. Do you know what is a "real Xiángruì"? Do you know where it is?
Jiu Niangzi: Why did you take people's friends away and accuse me of being the culprit?
But Gětiān seems to have made up his mind to remain silent. He lowers his head, taking a feigned interest in observing the blood dripping from his wounds. An act of passive resistance.
Getian: ...
A drop of blood seeps into his feathers, the moment passes long enough for the girl to organize her words and continue her barrage of questions.
Jiu Niangzi: You, um, your appearance is given by heaven. So you should not act against the nature of your look just because of your personal preference.
Jiu Niangzi: You could have become a much-loved spirit, like in the stories and picture books ... as everyone expects you to be.
Jiu Niangzi: But you ... when you took away that foreign lady's teammates, you didn't care about their feelings. They didn't want to be separated.
Jiu Niangzi: You disappointed people. That's not what a Xiángruì should do.
Lizheng: Alright, Jiǔ Niángzǐ. That's enough.
Lizheng: Take him away.
Jiu Niangzi: I ...
Jiǔ Niángzǐ watches coldly as Gětiān is taken away.
Jiu Niangzi: He didn't tell me anything. Nor did he tell anyone.
Lizheng: I know you're chasing after anything that could be a Xiángruì, but the feather man has clearly claimed that he is not one.
Lizheng: To be honest, judging from his attitude, he has never had the intention to be one.
Jiu Niangzi: I don't understand ... How could he not want to be one?
Lizheng: Not everyone is so interested in the legend of Xiángruì.
Lizheng: The Pèi City did have a good era under the protection of the Xiángruìs. But after all these years, no one can recall that time without the help of mythologies and history books. Even I can't be sure if there is a real Xiángruì.
Lizheng: But, Jiǔ Niángzǐ, you should know that we don't need a Xiángruì anymore.
Jiu Niangzi: We don't need it?
Lizheng: With no Xiángruì, no Divination, we cannot arrive at the Yuān Temple, but this is still an orderly city.
Lizheng: The Dùshuò Festival is as vibrant as ever. You can tell that a Xiángruì is not necessary for a city to prosper.
Jiu Niangzi: Is that so ...
Jiǔ Niángzǐ grasps the small bag she carries with her. The bag is embroidered with a peculiar combination of love poems. Though, she has never really understood the meaning of the words, in some way, they now mirror her own confused mind.
Lizheng: By the way, turns out you can read, can't you?
Jiu Niangzi: Hmm? You know that I can't, Lǐzhèng.
Lizheng: "One can remove the footsteps, but not the path one walketh on."
Jiu Niangzi: Oh, that's not what it seems to be. I heard it from the Daoist countless times, so I remembered it.
Lizheng: Which Daoist? In the city?
Jiǔ Niángzǐ shakes her head to refute Lǐzhèng's assumptions.
Jiu Niangzi: No. It was a Daoist I traveled with before I came to Pèi City. The Daoist said many different things over and over again. I couldn't understand, but I remembered them.
Lizheng: Sounds like you had a distinguished teacher. Since you came here, you've been treating people nice and kindly, exactly the opposite of what Gětiān has done.
Jiu Niangzi: Ah, so his name is Gětiān.
Lizheng: Yes, Gětiān ... You said too many things to him.
Lizheng: He is not the Xiángruì you're looking for.
Lizheng: A real Xiángruì would never be so rude. It is very possible that he is only a ... Yāo that has been living on the mountain for too long.
Her head lowers, seeming to find it difficult to accept such a change in thought.
Jiu Niangzi: But why did he accuse me like that? I-I don't get it. Did I do something wrong?
Lizheng: Because you're the Zhílǐ.
Jiǔ Niángzǐ looks at Lǐzhèng, her face caught between doubt and curiosity.
Having presented his point of view, the old man rubs his beard and laughs, knowingly helpless to influence the girl's reaction.
Lizheng: The former Zhílǐ left because of what he said and did. Now he wants to play the same trick on you.
Lizheng: What's more, when he got here and saw me but not you, he acted quite surprised. You can tell from the details.
Jiu Niangzi: Hmm ...
The thoughts behind her eyes grow more muddled, such deceitful scheming felt too complicated for her to comprehend.
Jiu Niangzi: Oh, and that captured foreign lady, she ...
Lizheng: Don't worry. There are people searching for them now. As for us, we should confirm the details for tomorrow's Fortune Walk and Bridge Leap.
Jiu Niangzi: Right, Bridge Leap, I almost forgot ... If only the broken bridge could be fixed, and we wouldn't need those Festive Animals, nor to jump over the bridge ...
Jiu Niangzi: During Gětiān's silence, I was thinking that ...
Jiu Niangzi: What if I can go to the Yuān Temple and ask Zhíxú the Guardian?
Jiu Niangzi: If the legend of The Divination is real, then whatever the question is, Zhíxú will answer me, right?
Lizheng: I guess so.
The two of them walk indoors, their conversation disappearing from the courtyard under the sound of footsteps on hard stone.
Within the pristine government office, two figures exchange information from their past few days so they might agree on their next step course of action.
Lizheng: That is the whole story. Gětiān is now detained in Zhící's dungeon. Jiǔ Niángzǐ is there as well.
Lizheng: Four hours ago, after discussing with the new Zhílǐ, we decided to keep the ceremonies of Fortune Walk and Bridge Leap.
Lizheng: But no colored animals are used this time. The number of animals will be less than those in previous years of Zhíxú.
Lizheng: Here is the list of ceremony members and funds. I've asked people to deliver the copies to all the streets.
Lǐzhèng picks up a stack of papers from the desk and hands them out dutifully.
???: Thank you, Sir.
Lizheng: This is my duty. As for Gětiān, we shall put him on hold untill after the Dùshuò Festival according to the law.
???: One more thing. Have we found the horse and the proof?
Lizheng: Not yet. The horse taking that foreign lady away might still be under the control of Gětiān. There was no trace of them when our people chased them out of the city.
???: I understand, given the road conditions in the morning rain. Looks like we will have to continue with the search after it stops.
???: But I don't think a horse carrying a blind woman can go far enough to escape. I'll lead the search squad myself next time.
Lizheng: Thank you, Fǎcáo.
The imposing figure, with his back to the entryway, habitually presses down on the short sword at his waist, adjusting the position of the blade. Then waves his hand again to show that he doesn't need to concern himself with such matters.
Facao: I'm only doing my job. Where is the Zhílǐ?
Lizheng: Are you referring to Jiǔ Niángzǐ, or the former one?
Facao: The one who went back to her hometown.
Lizheng: We haven't heard anything from her yet. Perhaps it will come after the Dùshuò Festival.
Facao: Noted. Jiǔ Niángzǐ is still green, so please help me take care of the Zhící before the former one comes back.
Lizheng: I will. She is kind-hearted. That's why I recommended her for this position. It will be my responsibility if she makes any mistakes.
Facao: Well, there are so many things to do before the New Year. It's fine, even if she makes a mistake or two. Don't push her too hard.
Lizheng: That's what I thought. If you find any evidence or the two foreigners, please let me know.
Fǎcáo rises nimbly while folding the documents, as he prepares to bid his farewell, he is stopped by Lǐzhèng's raised hand.
Lizheng: Oh, another thing, the New Year's Feast tonight. You're welcome to Jiǔ Niángzǐ's tavern with your relatives.
Facao: The tavern? Are the people around the merchants hub going too?
Lizheng: Yes. She is hosting a feast for the neighbors.
Lizheng: It is the New Year's Eve Vigil, followed by the first day of Dùshuò Festival.
Lizheng: It is an annual tradition at the tavern.
Facao: Shuòrì, the New Year ...
Lizheng: Right, another year of the Zhíxú ...
Lizheng: Hopefully, the Yuān Temple, which worships the Zhíxú, will bring us good news.
Having said his piece, leaving only a moment of silence. The two of them look out the window, toward the eaves of the broken bridge and the temple flickering in the misty rain.
