A brilliant flash splits the darkened sky in two, and a thunderous roar scatters the shadows. All fear and unease are forgotten in an instant.
Every head turns to the place where the lightning struck to see a colossal beast standing in solemn majesty. The crowd falls silent. Then, a single young voice cries out.
Child: Mommy, look, it's Qiángliáng!
The child raises a lantern excitedly.
Child: It's just like the painting on my lantern.
The paper-crafted beast bears little resemblance to the mighty guardian towering in the distance.
Yet something in its stern, round-eyed face carries something of its righteous spirit. As the crowd shifts their gaze between the small paper lanterns and the guardian, their voices finally return.
Enraged Man: You're right. It's the legendary Xiǎndào Beast. Look, it has the tail of a snake and the head of a tiger, just like the illustrations.
Old Man: Has the legendary Qiángliáng come to save us? Does that mean that girl is its Zhènzǐ?
Woman: What are you two yapping about? Xiǎndào Beast? Zhènzǐ? Those are just fairytales. Didn't Mr. Zhōu say this was all part of a film shoot?
Private Investigator: Th-That's right. I told you this was all for a movie. Why don't you guys believe me?
Chinatown Resident: Come on, you're always full of hot air. That said, there's no way this is real. It must just be some fancy special effects. So I'll believe you this once.
Tourist: Wait, so all those things were fake? I almost freaked out when those ghosts came out. Their costumes and makeup were so real-looking.
Tourist: Man, am I glad I came to Chinatown. This parade's been insane. I gotta take more photos.
The fear that once filled their hearts gradually fades. Those who understand the truth exchange knowing smiles.
An-an Lee: Whoa! That's Qiángliáng, huh? Looks totally awesome.
An-an Lee: I heard that a descendant of the Twelve Zhènzǐ joined the Vigiles Bureau, but this is the first time I've ever seen Qiángliáng in action.
Loggerhead: Phew, looks like they've got that actor lady under control.
Loggerhead: Now all we need to do is grab that cursed film reel and break the barrier, and the victims will be sane again. It'll be happily ever after for everyone—
Before she can finish speaking, her optimistic prediction is ruthlessly overturned.
An-an Lee: What the ...? This again?!
Loggerhead: Wh-What's going on? Didn't they finish the job?
An anomaly even greater than the last crashes down upon them. Startled cries rise from the crowd.
Chinatown Resident: Look!
Chinatown Resident: Páifāng. Something's wrong with it.
Something is very wrong indeed. What was assumed to be a mere optical distortion is now starting to seep into tangible reality.
It is undeniably interfering with the physical world.
Loggerhead: I-Is that archway melting?
An-an Lee: It kinda looks like a burning piece of film.
They look at each other, finding the same alarm in each other's faces.
An-an Lee: Wait, the barrier was created by that spooky film reel, right? Then, this means it's—
Loggerhead: It's falling apart. We need to get outta here.
Deputy Chief Elden: Get everyone away from the edges of the barrier. The further they are from those twisting buildings, the better.
Private Investigator: Understood! But what the hell's going on? I thought you had the target locked down?
Deputy Chief Elden: We do. But clearly, this isn't over yet. Ms. Latham, anything you can do?
Loggerhead: Yes, sir! But I'll need a few of your men.
Loggerhead: I can use the containment incantation they taught me at work, but I don't think it'll hold for long.
Deputy Chief Elden: Just do your best. In the meantime, we'll eliminate the problem at the source.
Elden's furious gaze lands on Qí Xīng.
Deputy Chief Elden: Alright, Qí Xīng, whatever you're doing with the reel, stop it now, or I'll make you stop it.
Qi Xing: I'm not doing anything.
She stands, her hat a few feet away, her body slumped against the wall behind her as she barely manages to stay upright. She forces a crooked grin.
Qi Xing: It's the film reel. It's reached its limit.
From her coat, she pulls out the object responsible for all this chaos.
Had Liáng not once held the film reel herself, she might not have recognized it at all.
Liang Yue: The Reunion of the Three Swallows? What's happening to it?
Liang Yue: Wait, there's something else here.
An-an Lee: No doubt about it! Evil spirits! An insane number of them!
An-an shoves through the crowd, rushing to Qí Xīng's side. With just one glance at the film reel, her face goes pale.
Upon hearing An-an's words, Liáng's expression darkens.
Liang Yue: So you think so, too? We had a similar encounter at the City Hall not long ago.
Liang Yue: Mr. Wong must've lost some of his spiritual energy to the film reel, leaving his body open to wandering evil spirits.
Liang Yue: Since then, I've suspected that—
The uneasy speculation lodges in her throat, but An-an voices it for her.
An-an Lee: Of course! Aye, I should've realized earlier.
The ghost hunter lets out a long, frustrated sigh, then furrows her brows in thought, her expression growing increasingly grim.
An-an Lee: Obviously, evil spirits would be attracted to the film reel. It's like leaving a pot of honey in front of a wasp's nest.
An-an Lee: A living soul is a wandering spirit's favorite meal, so with the number of souls gathered in the film reel, it's like a total feast.
An-an Lee: All that evil spiritual energy must have the film reel bursting at the seams.
An-an scans her surroundings, alarm in her eyes. The collapse is approaching fast. It's as if reality itself is about to be swallowed whole.
Yet neither Liáng nor An-an can see a single wandering or evil spirit. A sudden realization strikes Liáng. Her gaze snaps to Qí Xīng.
But upon seeing her, her eyes widen in shock.
Liang Yue: Ms. Qí Xīng, your hand!
Qi Xing: cough I must admit ...
Deep, jagged cracks have spread across the entire film reel and climbed up Qí Xīng's hand and arm like sinister veins.
Qi Xing: The film reel isn't the only thing at its limit. I can't hold on much longer.
The vessel containing Qiángliáng strapped around Liáng's waist starts to shudder. To Qiángliáng, the malevolent energy emanating from Qí Xīng must be eradicated.
Liang Yue: What does that mean?
A thought flashes through Liáng's mind.
Liang Yue: Could it be that the film reel has been out of control since the beginning?
Qi Xing: That depends on how you define the beginning.
Even though Qí Xīng avoids answering, Liáng knows she's right.
Scattered pieces of the puzzle find their place, and finally, the picture begins to form a whole.
Liang Yue: Since the moment Ms. Latham played the cursed film, people have started to suffer from mental disorders. But if you think about it, the sequence of events doesn't make sense.
Liang Yue: There were only five victims of the "film incident" in Hong Kong eight years ago. But this time, the number of victims was growing rapidly. That was until you got involved, Ms. Qí Xīng.
Liang Yue: Ever since you took possession of the film reel, only a small number of specific people have been targeted. We thought you were exploiting the reel's power to carry out your vigilantism, but in truth ...
Liang Yue: You were trying to control the reel by limiting its victims to those you deemed as villains.
Though disbelief still colors her voice, her words are not a question.
Elden and the others stare, caught between shock and suspicion, as they turn toward the woman they assumed was the true culprit.
Deputy Chief Elden: Is that true?
Qi Xing: You flatter me, little vigil. I simply didn't want her legacy to become a tool of evil. That was never her intention.
Liang Yue: So that's why you did all this? You wanted us all at the parade because you were losing control of the reel?
Liang Yue: But isn't your goal to kill Ms. Noire? Was that also a setup?
Liang Yue: If the film reel wasn't part of your plan, then what was?
Liang Yue: ...!
A conclusion she herself once stated resurfaces in her mind, and she realizes she made a critical error.
Liang Yue: Ms. Qí Xīng still can't accept the way Ms. Noire ended Detective C07 III. That's her motive.
Liang Yue: The ending consists of two major elements: the Shèhuǒ Parade and a villain who should've been punished.
Liang Yue: She now sees Noire as that villain.
Liang Yue: Noire isn't the villain, is she?
Liang Yue: In your perfect grand finale, the villain you intend to kill at the parade is none other than yourself.
Qi Xing: It's a good ending for everyone. The big bad finally gets her comeuppance.
Qi Xing: And who better fits the role than me?
Liang Yue: This is the grand finale you want to have? But why does it have to end like this?
Qi Xing: Because this is the way it has to be.
Qi Xing: When a drop of ink falls onto paper, no matter how hard you wipe, it can never be spotless again.
Qi Xing: People say that "Every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future." Heh, what garbage. Some mistakes can never be forgiven.
Liang Yue: What happened to Hé Rìjūn was an accident. You shouldn't blame yourself for her death. It wasn't your fault.
Qi Xing: But it was my fault. It was my stubbornness, my selfishness, that pushed my dear friend, who really, truly cared for me, toward the cliff.
Qi Xing: How can someone like me carry the title of C07? I don't deserve to stand in the spotlight ever again.
Qi Xing: Heh, punishing those equally despicable pieces of scum made me feel better for a while, but it didn't last.
Qi Xing: That sickening feeling inside, that disgust in myself, it wouldn't stop. I looked everywhere for a way to heal it. But then I realized ...
Qi Xing: ... that the biggest piece of scum was me.
Qí Xīng looks up at the sky and lets out a long breath. For the first time, her expression softens, as if she has finally released a burden, and within her eyes, something new flickers—hope.
Qi Xing: The answer was so simple. I can hardly believe it took me so long to see it. And now, it's time to put an end to this nauseating nightmare.
Liáng cannot understand it.
Liang Yue: No, you're being too harsh on yourself. Hé Rìjūn doesn't blame you. I'm certain of it.
Qi Xing: Quit it, vigil. Look around you. Can you still claim that I'm not to blame?
Liang Yue: I ...
Noire: Well, I can. And let me tell you. Teresa was much stronger than you say she was.
Liáng turns to see Poitier helping Noire back into her wheelchair.
Noire: Yes, Teresa would cry often, but that made her no less determined of an artist, and before long she'd be at my door saying, "I made some edits. Take a look."
Noire: You know that's what she was like. Do you seriously think she gave up dreams, her life, just because of a few harsh words?
Noire: No! I could never have a coward like that as a partner.
Noire's face is twisted in a fury Liáng has never seen before. It sets a fire in the woman beneath her glare, making her frown in turn.
Qi Xing: Whatever you say. Director or not, you can't tell me what to do anymore. I will have this ending.
Qi Xing: Come on, officers, finish the job. I'd do it myself if I had the strength.
Her voice is unwavering.
Qi Xing: I've learned a lot these past years. If you want to save this city, you'll have to kill me. Those spirits will disappear, and everything will be back to normal.
Qi Xing: A perfect grand finale, isn't it? So, what are you waiting for?
Deputy Chief Elden: Tsk, so it's come to this, has it?
Elden swears under his breath as he reaches for the gun at his waist. Qí Xīng watches on, seemingly pleased.
Liang Yue: Wait, sir!
Lightning shoots through Liáng's body. Her feet, once nailed to the ground, suddenly feel weightless.
She steps forward.
Liang Yue: There's no guarantee that things will play out like Ms. Qí Xīng said.
Liang Yue: Please, let me try something. After all, exorcism is my and Qiángliáng's specialty.
Qi Xing: Wait, what are you—
Before either Elden or Qí Xīng can react, the film reel is already in Liáng's grasp.
Deputy Chief Elden: Liáng!
Poitier: You outta your mind or something?
Liang Yue: Yes, there are a huge number of evil entities bound within it.
Liang Yue: And this is probably the most formidable opponent Qiángliáng and I have ever faced.
Liang Yue: But I must confront this challenge.
Liang Yue: Not to protect the honor of my family or to mimic C07, either. But because I want to. Because it's right.
Liang Yue: Every story has an ending, and I must act to create the best one for everyone.
Liang Yue: Sorry, I don't have any flowery words or clever arguments, but if you're willing to help me ...
Liang Yue: Please, Qiángliáng, heed my call.
Liang Yue: Ugh!
Liang Yue: Th-This isn't good. Is this the best I can ...
Liang Yue: ?!
Liang Yue: Qiángliáng?!
Liang's Father: On the emperor's order, Fāngxiàngshì the Wise sought the assistance of the twelve gods of Shètí. Bestowed with their divine might, Fāngxiàngshì bound the creatures and turned their monstrous power to the service of the people. These creatures became known as the Xiǎndào Beasts, guardians of the perilous path.
Liang's Father: However, even formidable creatures such as these couldn't defend against all the evil spirits across the continent.
Liang's Father: But the people never gave up, for they knew that as long as they kept fighting ...
Liang's Father: ... a Xiǎndào Beast would one day come to their aid, expelling the fiends and restoring peace and prosperity.
Liang Yue: Qiángliáng, no!
