Arrival at Wuling

It seems this trail has not been used for some time.

Mr. Ardashir, we might need to rest here for a while.

Of course. I apologize for intruding, and I truly appreciate your assistance.

I pray that I have not inconvenienced anyone...

Yet this seems to be the only path. So my dear friends, perhaps we shall have the opportunity to meet again.

I've never seen a bamboo forest with such verdance and lushness.

Nothing... This is my first time listening to a rustling in such clarity. The sound of wind brushing itself against a grove.

He looks friendly, but I just feel there's something weird about him.

I queried the name "Ardashir" in the database...

The only hits are figures of Sargonian history, and other common employees registered at Seš'qa and the UWST. None of them matched his age, though.

...Well, I didn't sense any hostility from him.

Chen, how long would it take us to reach Wuling City?

Won't be long. Once we get through this place, I'll know the rest like the back of my hand.

But this really is the only path. We will run into that young man eventually.

Indeed... Our primary objective is to reach Wuling City ASAP. Time to move, team.

I've only stayed at Wuling for a year or so, but it's the prettiest city I've ever seen.

It's a form of Blight. Wuling is built next to lakes and rivers. So, the local Blight tends to be associated with water, and will look a little different from the Blight we see in Valley IV.

And since Wuling is close to rivers, the regular tides also intensify Blight activity in the city. But it's no big deal to the locals. They're used to it.

I saw her from afar a couple of times when I was assigned to Wuling for my training...

The only thing I know about her is that she's the youngest Viceroy in charge of an HAS developmental district.

As for other things... They're mostly gossip and hearsay.

People say she never sleeps. If she gets angry, the skies will darken with booming thunderclouds. Some even claim that she's a secret chief leading the Tianshi Bureau of Great Yan...

I, uh... I was only there for around a year! I've actually been an Endfielder for longer than that!

And it was a while ago. There's really nothing much to say.

I can't stand the thought of this peachy sanctuary getting attacked... Endmin, we gotta hurry.

Her students really worship her. That's why the stories keep getting crazier.

Let's not dally, then. Time to move out.

We finally meet again.

You look totally unfazed by this entire thing... How did you find your way out?

I believe fortune was on my side. After our separation, the path I was on remained unchanged.

This has proven to be quite an enlightening experience so far...

It succeeded in startling me at the beginning. But now that I look back at it, my brief jaunt through this bamboo grove actually feels rather intriguing.

You sure live a life of leisure.

Let's continue our discussion outside.

No ... I only found you after I woke up.

She's not a bad person, just ... a bit money-minded. Can't blame her, though — her people have it tough.

If she's made it to the top, her people are bound to be nearby.

We play along — and flip the script.

I'm sure Perlica's fine... She's tough and skilled.

Yeah. I first met her when I was practicing swordmancy outside Wuling City.

She kept butting in, throwing advice everywhere. One thing led to another, and we became sparring partners.

Wooo, I got an idea...

Anyway, if this really is Qingbo Stockade's turf, we better play it safe.

Ah! That? Well, I didn't really get dragged out... It's more like me failing the trials...

Aiyo. Let's just leave talking about ME for another day. Our top priority is to look for Perly!

Done jawing? Qingbo Stockade's all about survival — as long as the hills stay green, there'll always be firewood to burn.

You two are my "green hills," alright? Drop me some good loot, and I'll let you walk. Not gonna gut you dry. Ain't my style.

Supreme Chief!

Nyaa?

Chief, you know it, right? How Wuling threw me out cold and callously, without any mercy!

Well now I'm back. I'm back to show them Wulingers — they were wrong, that decision was utterly, completely wrong!

I've never forgotten the shame. It still haunts me. Luckily, I ran into my new boss.

The one and only Endministrator of Endfield!

En-end what? Never heard of it. Whatever.

So you rolled back in here just to give Wuling hell?

You bet I did!

Hehheh. But look at you now, Chen. Full of fire! You're one tough cookie!

Hmph! Well said. Can't deny that!

Ah, now I get it. So this is what you are up to.

Chief, actually we are looking for a girl. Please — you've got to help us. She's a white-haired Liberi. Name's Perlica. She's one of us.

She ... she's a smart one. She's got tricks and knows tactics. She could be our trump card against Mi Fu and her watchguards!

Oh...?

Hmph, consider it done! Finding your little pal is child's play for me.

Oh, stop it, Chief. I'm nothing in front of YOU. You're tougher than any of us here!

Hehheh, tracking folks isn't easy around here. You're lucky I'm on it.

Wha...?

Hmm ... thinking back, you were totally bawling your eyes out when you left. I almost thought you'd lose it.

That was... Wait, how did you...

You made the right choice! Around here, only we Qingbo Stockaders have the guts to go head-on with Wuling.

Did you just say, Mi Fu?

Exactly!

You mean that rude, rough, mad woman who nicked my favorite handcannon like it was nothing?

Absolutely!

Okay! I got you covered!

Perlica!

With us? Look at how they're dressed. They don't look like one of us.

As I have explained, we are not part of Wuling. We are from Endfield. We do not want to start any conflict with you.

That was legitimate self-defense. They should be regaining consciousness soon.

HAHA! Good! I'm impressed!

...*Sigh*.

Sneaking off to the limestone cave again, huh? Told you to stick to the Stockade these days.

Aiyo, girl needs some fresh air!

I ran into these guys on the way. Told me they're fixing to mess with Wuling City, so I stepped in and brought them under!

Aiya, just trust me on this, bro...

So ... what's happening now?

Bro!

Endmin, Chen... I'm so glad you're both alright.

Leave this to us.

Tangtang...? What are you doing out here?

Put your fist down, bro. They're with us.

But you just injured my men.

Thought you just had brains, but you're an artful caster — could be a big help for sure!

Tangtang...

Chillax, bro. Let me clear up this little mix-up for you. These guys roll with me.

Look at this goofball — ring any bells? She's Chen Qianyu! She got kicked out before, now she's back to shake things up. I can't miss that!

Hey, quit standing there like a bunch of goobers.

This is my big brother, Qingbo Stockade's first mate — Ruan Yi!

Don't worry, Endmin. I'm alright.

I ... appreciate it.

Nefarith really is in Wuling, and she has found herself a mysterious ally... Things are getting out of control.

Mhm, we must hurry to Wuling City and tell Viceroy Zhuang about this.

That girl, Tangtang, why did she say we are with her...

Hmm... Slightly improper, but an effective exit strategy.

...Like Chen said, we are operating on Qingbo Stockade's territory. Neither confronting them directly nor sneaking past them seems viable.

Hey, Darkmask! Listen up!

Ahem, deal's settled!

Hmph. You wanna go to Wuling City, right? Too bad the way's been cut off.

Cut off?

Only problem is, our Stockade has some little troubles recently, so taking that path may take some effort...

See where I'm getting at, right?

Decide quick, then come knocking!

And unless I misheard, she also said we're to stir up trouble in Wuling City. What's that about?

And since Nefarith has already made her move, the locals might provide some clues.

You can roll with us, but you're fresh meat and you roughed up our brothers — gotta earn our trust first. No freebies.

Relax, Qingbo's got tricks up its sleeve!

Think, how long's it been since we last opened for biz? All thanks to those splatters.

Don't matter if they're serious about throwing down. For now, we can boss them around a bit!

If we don't get these folks to fix our waterwheelies, what, we gonna run crying to the Wuling City Tianshi?

I'm with you on most things. But ... bringing outsiders into Stockade affairs?

C'mon, bro, don't be so rockheaded! Times're getting tougher — we gotta do something, right?