Severed Yearning

...

Jie? The Imperial Historical Cabinet wants an update on the review of Jiangqi's local chronicles—

Oops, you caught me slacking off.

It's alright. I've already taken a look at it and circled all the issues. Do you want to take another look?

Huh? Hm, when did it...?

You really should get some rest, it's getting to you. I've been watching you work longer hours and sleep less year after year...

All the local annals, the construction chronicles, veritable records of the previous True Lung, ancient history textbooks for the Academy... I feel overworked, and all I do is organize the books for you.

I've heard that the Ministry of Works's requests have been dropping, and Shu's workload at Dahuang is no longer as heavy.

But the burden on your shoulders doesn't ever seem to get lighter...

...

Jie?

Huh...?

Sorry, I got distracted.

You're right, I guess I'm tired. I should set this work aside for now...

Good. How about we go out for a walk in town?

No, not today, I don't think I'm in the mood.

But if you see anything interesting in town, bring some back for me.

Candleholder Chun.

Yes, that's me. What's the matter?

I have an urgent letter for you.

For me? From who?

Someone had sent a letter to the Sui Regulator. The Supervisor was shocked by its contents and forwarded it to His Majesty, as well as every Candleholder who deals with the proxies directly.

What's in this?

I do not know. The Supervisor's instructions to you are to be ready, but refrain from acting without permission.

What's this...?

Framing an official, meeting in secret, arson, sheltering a Feranmut...

This is about...

...Wang?

Did Wang really do this? But there's no record in the Sui Regulator's archives!

Y-You're still here?

I have another message for you, Candleholder Chun.

Eliminate the great evil, before dealing with the culprit.

Did you hear about Jie?

Yeah. She's been throwing her weight around, doing whatever she wants with the history books, and there is no one in the Sky Mirror Pavilion or the Imperial Historical Cabinet who can stop her. It's becoming a real problem.

Her Candleholder has been negligent in her duties. She should be held responsible if the history of Yan falls into chaos!

Year ■■: Birth—

?!

Year ■■: Domination of the Sky Mirror Pavilion and the Imperial Historical Cabinet. Her intentions are pure, but no one is able to check her power.

Year ■■: The True Lung attempts to eliminate Sui to neutralize the Jie threat. The Tomb of Sui was empty when it was open.

Year ■■: Imperial Historical Cabinet abolished. Takes control of the written language of Yan. No one may oppose her.

Year ■■: Reviews the livelihood of every household in the land. Anyone who has committed fraudulent acts has their name erased and is exiled to the borders. Thousands die—

It's not real, none of this is true! She's not like that!

I must be possessed. Yes, that's it. She's not like that.

Are you sure she will never become like that?

Of course!

She will change as her power continues to grow. She will become It.

It...?

She does not want to become It.

She is seeking your help. She does not want to become that.

Yan is seeking your help. This ending is unacceptable to Yan.

She cannot help but become more powerful, more terrible, than the Sui beast itself.

You must help her. Only you can help her.

I... can't...

You'll make the choice that is best for everyone.

Best for everyone...?

Wait, who was talking to me?!

Your Imperial Majesty?

You are aware that the Grand Preceptor passed away yesterday.

He was your teacher and mine.

He recommended you before he died. He said you were his proudest student, that you can be trusted with heavy responsibility.

There were certain things that I did not have time to ask him, and so I have to ask you.

I am listening, Your Majesty.

Twenty years ago, the Grand Preceptor opposed my decision to build the nomadic cities. He said it was an oppressive policy, and that my first priority should be to conserve and give the people relief.

Twenty years have passed since. Some say that Yan's borders are secure and its coffers rich, a golden age not seen in a thousand years.

Some say that Great Yan is exhausted, and its people discontent.

Do you think I was wrong?

I am but one person, and it is not my place to judge Your Imperial Majesty.

If I were a wealthy merchant enjoying a luxurious life in a nomadic city, and I said that you were a great and wise leader, would you consider such compliment honest counsel?

If I were a common peasant whose family died in the construction projects, and I called you a foolish tyrant with no merit whatsoever, would such criticism be fair and just?

I ask Your Majesty in turn...

Is it the opinion of future generations that you are concerned about, or is it something else?

You have a way with words.

Very well. I will not ask you to judge. Instead, give me a word of advice in your teacher's place.

He once said something that has stayed with me my entire life...

'In worldly turmoil we tread, in our own conscience we trust'.

Even an ordinary peasant has a hard time finding a fair and impartial judgment in the complex affairs of a lifetime, let alone Your Majesty.

There is no measure by which your deeds can be judged. In your heart, however, I am sure that your conscience holds the true measure.

In our own conscience we trust...

What if my conscience tells me that I have never been wrong?

Then you would not have summoned me today.

I would simply remind you that the people of Yan can see you, even if they do not know you.

But it will take more effort if you wish, from within the Forbidden City, to see the people clearly, and thus see the good and ill of your own actions.

...I will remember that.

I will remember it for the twenty years to come... if I have them.

The Grand Preceptor's assessment of his own student is well justified... report to the Ministry of Rites tomorrow.

Your Imperial Majesty honors me.

In worldly turmoil we tread, in our own conscience we trust...

A life measured in years, yet the stress... feels ancient.

Let future generations judge my deeds as they will... but the bane of Yan must not be left to the future.

Come.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Ready the troops.

We shall open the Tomb of Sui.

...

That ginkgo sapling was planted in the spring of this year.

The Ministry of Works swore an oath in this hall several days ago that the rebuilding of Baizao into a nomadic city will be complete before the tree bears fruit.

Twenty years. That is the time you have.

Immortality has made you arrogant. Perhaps you have forgotten that mortals do not have many 'twenty years'.

Yan cannot wait, and neither can I.

You need not press.

I have long intended the same.

If you truly found a path, tell me, and I will come with you—our chances would be better that way.

Just tell me what the chances are. You can use me however you want. I would be happy to give my life.

But do you really know what you're doing?

Perhaps there will come a day when our strength exceeds Its. Then, we can truly break free of Its influence, and live as 'ourselves'.

As long as we don't forget who we are, of course.

It's been a long time.

The arrogant... the unmovable... 'I'.

No... no!