Zeroth Directive

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Hmph. That mad woman! I actually grew up with her and gave her many good beat ups. We don't like each other but I like to give her buggly bruises and she tried to give some back. Mad Mimi was seriously mad back then, but okay. I ain't scared of her. Anyway, she later ran off to Wuling, got herself a badge, and even got promo-ed to be a "Watchguard Captain". She thought it gave her the right to put on a stupid stinkface. Yeah, whatever. She can do that stinkface glare all day. I know what's under her stupid watchguard skin. Mad woman. That's who! If I fight her again, we probably end up in a draw. But you'll see. Chief Supreme's gonna win eventually. So what if she's got bigger arms? Don't you forget! I've always been faster and wiser and dodgier. I'll give her absolute wreckage. Yeah, and about our Wuling raids, that Mad woman's big trouble. The Fam got everything planned out but we just kept running into her at the depot and warehouse and hidey spots. Like she's already waiting for us. We gave a good fight but Mimi's got a nasty crew and threw many of us in da slammer. Worse, she also tried to undermine our Stockade biz by treating the captured Fam really well. Some of the Fam decided to stay in Wuling 'coz the food and living are better. You'll see! I'm gonna pawn that mad woman real good. On my own. Alright? Just you wait, mad woman! Chief Supreme is coming to town and putting you at the baby seat! — Tangtang, Supreme Chief of Qingbo Stockade Yeh, Fam. Mi Fu threw me in jail. I was hauling phat lewt with the Fam when she suddenly appeared in our way. My legs turned to noodles at once. Then she knocked me around a bit but it wasn't that bad. Anyway, she asked: "Wanna stay in town for a while?" Look, man, I was seeing double and there were stars all around me. I didn't know if I nodded or not, but she really dragged me to town. At first I be like, man, I was going straight to hell! But later I got a job at town, roof and bed, plus nice food. Then I learned that Mad Mimi be giving us options. She got that mean face and talked like I owed her money, but Mimi probably had to go plow through tons of burdo-shite trying to get some of the Fam decent gigs. Oh yeah, you heard, the loot stashes at the grove that we've been nicking from the Wulingers are actually extra supplies from town. I was a bit confused why bother carry the old and obsolete tools to that place. Turned out they were meant for the Stockade. People say Mad Mimi is super tough on the Stockade Fam, but actually she's always helping and caring in her sneaky way. — Anonymous, current citizen of Wuling (former Qingbo Stockade resident)

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DOCUMENT: A Study of Qingbo Martial Arts (Excerpt) The origins of Qingbo Martial Arts can be traced back to the village known as Qingbo Stockade in the region of Wuling. It is a practiced tradition of the Stockade residents. However, this collection of fighting techniques is so esoteric that it was not recorded in the Addendum to the Martial Codex. One must study the history of Qingbo Stockade to understand the unique features of Qingbo Martial Arts. During the lead-up to the Humiliation War and the several years that followed, a group of Yanese refugees who were determined to distance themselves from factional conflicts and warfare traveled to what became the modern region of Wuling. The Wuling Very Large Rift (VLR) did pose a threat but also provided a barrier against hostile raids and attacks. The refugees thus decided to settle and build a village that eventually grew into Qingbo Stockade. According to some, these Stockaders were the original residents of Wuling. From this perspective, Qingbo Stockade seems to be a peaceful sanctuary, but this assumption is far from the truth. The Wuling VLR has created a very hostile environment with large numbers of roaming Aggeloi, fearsome wild beasts, and frequent rift activities. The Stockaders have been constantly fighting against these outside "enemies" and these intense battles gradually gave rise to several combat techniques unique to the Qingbo Stockade. Training in these techniques not only strengthens the body but also heightens one's control over their innate Originium Arts. A few of the moves and skills also highlight the unique features of the Qingbo area. An example is the famous "Stride of Surging Spring" that allows martial artists to effortlessly stroll across a flowing river while leaving roiling currents in their wake. At first I mistook it for a form of witchcraft that mentally manipulates flowing water. But the Stride turns out to be an Originium Arts technique that focuses Arts energy into the tips of the feet, then channels it into the water with incredible precision to generate resonating vibrations. Another example is the "Jaunt Across Bamboo Leaves" that is literally leapmancy using flimsy bamboo leaves as support. The technique involves applying a "sliver of resilient pulse" of Originium Arts upon fragile-looking bamboo leaves. Such levels of finesse and control, if honed properly, could unleash a terrifying burst of "Pulser Punch" with barely any movement. Watchguard Captain Mi Fu of the Wuling Scientific Developmental District happens to be a practitioner of Qingbo Martial Arts. She described the "Pulser Punch" as a "bolt of lightning". When attacking the enemy, the martial artist should treat the body like a "handcannon", soar like a flying Lung, and descend like a lightning blast. This humble author has personally witnessed Captain Mi Fu in action during a mission to eradicate the Aggeloi. She struck them with such force that her moves seem on par with the Tianshi Lei Fa (Thunder Arts). In addition to their powerful martial arts, the Stockaders also established a unique tradition of martial competition. For many years, all martial artists of Qingbo Stockade eagerly challenged each other to see who was the best. On the day of the Arena Showdown, every Stockader, regardless of gender or age, would gather to witness the fights and cheer on their favorite contenders. Captain Mi Fu herself was an undisputed champion of the Stockade before she joined Wuling. Unfortunately, the Stockade arena was undergoing major repairs due to recent damage when the author was penning this section. Deprived of the opportunity to visit the site in person, I could only ask Captain Mi Fu to send me photographs or other image data of the repaired arena. I once expressed to Captain Mi Fu my wish to interview the Grand Master of Qingbo Martial Arts, the "River-Tamer" himself. However, the Captain told me that the Grand Master became a hermit and even she did not know where he went. The Captain also showed me a postcard sent by her Senior Master that talked about their travels. The Grand Master's attention was held, for more than an hour, by two kids fighting each other at some alleyway of the Civilization Band. Before leaving, the old man sighed and said: "Trained all my life, but still I envy these kids. They fight when they want and remain friends afterwards. A beautiful sight indeed." Finally, I gave Captain Mi Fu a proposal for organizing and compiling information related to Qingbo Martial Arts, and including it within the Continuation for the Addendum to the Martial Codex. The Captain happily agreed and expressed that it was her wish to have more people to protect Wuling with their fists. When that day arrives, she could leave the place (Wuling) and restart her lifelong wish of fighting whenever she wanted.

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"Endmin! Please help me keep Mi Fu occupied for a day!" It was late at night when Yan Ning paid a sudden visit to the Endministrator for an extremely urgent business. According to Yan Ning, she saw a sealed letter to be sent to Mi Fu while she was cleaning Zhuang Fangyi's desk. She thus took it upon herself to mail it to the Watchguard's barracks. But she quickly learned that the letter was not meant to be delivered at once. In Yan Ning's words: "If Mi Fu reads the letter before the hour intended by Fangyi, things could get really bad! Please keep Mi Fu distracted while I intercept the letter's delivery!" And hence, the Endministrator used the excuse of "live auditing" and kept Mi Fu company for the entirety of her daily shift. It began early in dawn when a traveling merchant surrounded by the Aggeloi called for help. Captain Mi then spent the entire morning mercilessly training the new watchguards. In the afternoon, she had to arbitrate disputes between shop owners of Fangxing Avenue followed by an unexpected encounter of the "Supreme Chief" at the bamboo grove... Mi Fu's fists never rested, yet they remained effective as always. Her restless shift finally ended when the sun has finally set and night took over. Still the Endministrator remained as Yan Ning has not yet intercepted or retrieved the letter. Back at the watchguard barracks, Mi Fu turned on the desk lamp and began filling in the procedural files and records under its warm, yellow glow. The wind outside made whistling sounds. She suddenly lowered her pen and headed outside, but saw nothing but loose leaves carried in the breeze. The Captain had felt rather restless on this day. Mi Fu returned to her desk and closed the case files. From her pocket she took out a letter from the Main Pillar Office, creased and soaked in sweat. She had signed and accepted it in the morning but never found time to read it. DOCUMENT: A Letter Not Intended for Delivery Mi Fu: I'm probably already on my way by the time you read this letter. In the event that I do not make it back, I will be counting on you to handle all public safety and administrative affairs of Wuling City. You have accompanied Wuling in every step. You were there when it was just a simple construction site in the wilderness and stayed till it became a city with beautiful buildings and orderly roads. You toiled with the construction crew, stood the night watch, and kept trouble at bay with your fists. I know your ties to Wuling run deep, and this is why I entrust this heavy duty to you. You never shied away from duty or responsibility. That is your strength. But your temper lacks patience and is obstinate. I understand this is part of your character, but the task of defending a city goes beyond fighting off enemies and winning battles. It requires tact and mindfulness. Deliberating and acting with prudence are not signs of weakness, but measures taken to guarantee success and give me a peace of mind. There is also the matter of Qingbo Stockade. This subject pulls you taut and tense. Meeting fellow Stockaders seems to ignite your fuse, but I know you have been struggling to act with mercy. Some people might not know the truth, but I see it clearly. It is nothing to be ashamed of. You have every right to be a friend of Tangtang without feeling the need to keep it a secret. And remember when I advised you to practice calligraphy? At first I was hoping it could improve your patience, but your words turned out just as stern and unyielding as your fists, and assumed a beauty of their own. The lessons are no longer necessary, but of course, if you find calligraphy enjoyable and have the leisure of time, seek Tianshi Ge for advice. There is no need to bring Tangyou Baba to him. His health no longer allows them in his diet. You often said how you had enough sweets for your lifetime and never wanted to see them again because sweetness now makes you sick. But I believe otherwise. There is no need to avoid what you like. Duty is heavy and taxing. Rare are the opportunities of personal happiness, and tiny indulgences should be kept available. A piece or two every now and then will do no harm. Finally, I have a few personal words to say to you. What I wanted to give you most is not this city, but yourself. You were a young girl with a fiery gaze when I first met you. In a single blink you charged straight for me with a fist poised to strike. But years have passed. You took on greater responsibilities, your fists became more merciless, and your frowns never eased. I have not seen your true self for a while. So remember, if there comes a day when you feel unhappy and work becomes a chore, then just leave it at that. Do not feel beholden to anyone and just ignore what the others say. Go wherever you like. Head back to the Stockade or travel across Talos-II. You can even choose to do nothing. You owe Wuling nothing, and thus you should be free. Take care of yourself. Smile and laugh when the time is right. Zhuang Fangyi

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Mi Fu

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HUMAN RESOURCES SUMMARY

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