The Proof (before battle)

The incident was quickly swept under the rug as independent actions of an anonymous, unaffiliated assassin only known as the Night Drifter.

As he was not registered to any kind of life insurance plan, his body was buried among the many unnamed graves of Hongyuan.

I hear that there was a rather unsavory incident at the most recent exam; I must say, it is fortunate that no important blood has been spilled during it.

A nameless, faceless man infiltrating the living quarters of Daguanyuan... I can only be glad that he met the deserved fate.

Anyone who was at the site could attest to the fact that my guests and I were assaulted by Heishou - Si branch as well.

If anyone's going to be held responsible, don't you agree that the blame should fall squarely on whoever decided to send the snakes to that particular location at that specific time, big sister Yuanchun?

Hmm, is that so? Yet they testify that their presence was only to eliminate the drifter of the night who dared sneak into Daguanyuan.

Earlier than your own Heishou Pack, even.

…….

Yeah. Not only did you get me a new master...

... in your impatience to see my growth, asked that same master to harm me. You've certainly outdone yourself, sister.

... He was nothing more than a boorish executioner of Hongyuan who was willing to do anything for money.

I hope you won't be blaming your dear sister for the crime that man has committed independently, out of his own volition.

Xichun, I believe this only reinforces my argument that the people of Daguanyuan aren't the only people here who believe that you are terribly out of your depth for the task.

But, Yuanchun...

... I've learned so much thanks to you.

Rest assured, I won't ever forget those lessons.

I understand that many of you may be unhappy or frustrated with me.

But... you know what's an undeniable truth?

That I am still the legitimate victor of the Family Hierarch war.

Sure, big sister Yuanchun might know more about the details of Hongyuan's administration for now. She might fill your pockets for now. But in the long run, you know she does not have Hongyuan's best interests at heart.

Inadequate I may be, but I am still the Chief Executive Director here at H Corp., and you, dear big sister, are a temporarily visiting outsider from Q Corp.

As its Hierarch, I know exactly what Hongyuan needs, and I will give the best of my efforts to bring my vision for this land to reality.

A place where no one needs to live in fear, a place where one does not need to project fear - yes, that is my vision for Hongyuan, for H Corp.

I never would've known a month ago that our Hierarch had such vast ambitions.

... She's really saying it.

... The four great houses and I... we ruled and knew this land like the back of our hands before you were even a fetus.

Indeed, I can tell. I suppose that's why Daguanyuan's growth never seemed to stop, while more and more people outside it seemed to be falling to their deaths from their homes with every Restructuring Day.

Don't you know the plastic nature of humanity? People will get used to the shadows when the heavens are shrouded.

So if you won't cooperate with us, we will -

No, I'm not the one who needs to cooperate. I am the Hierarch.

Besides, your "us" is done.

Respected members of the board, I believe I have clearly explained my will. Forget about all of your under-the-table deals...

... and vote with your hearts.

... You seem very confident, Xichun. In case you didn't know, winning those 'exams' has nothing to do with guaranteeing the results of the vote of no confidence.

Oh yeah? I don't know. At this point, the vote seems like a mere formality to me.

On what grounds?

Just a hunch. Not that you'd understand.

…….

Harrumph... Tsk... It's true. With how often she's changing the conditions of these tests and votes, we can hardly trust her to be consistent.

That is indeed in stark contrast with the Hierarch, who promised thirty days of return time and met it precisely on the dot. It is clear which one of them should provide more stability for administrative purposes.

Thus, the vote of no confidence began.

I... I must've misjudged her in the past. She's not petty, she knows when to be serious, and I think she's got a good grip on the gravity of war without being consumed by the fear of it. And... ahem, she remembered my name.

With her eloquence, strategic prowess, and boldness, I believe that the current Family Hierarch is well-qualified for her position. I also have faith that she will not ill-treat those of lower station than her.

If she's got the handle of how to treat the heart of the smallest child, then I believe she has the capacity to tend to the hearts of those larger as well.

While I would be remiss to judge so quickly, she has shown remarkable change and improvement over a short period of time. I say she is someone of rare talent we mustn't lose so easily.

Shi Sijing, Shi Huazhen, Wang Zhao, and Wang Qingshan...

… (Omitted) "She's been at the center of all kinds of fun, entertaining events in the world as I lost and gained and lost and gained my neck. Just think about the amusement she'll bring as the Family Hierarch!"

And even Xue Pan, who shared his sentiments via a letter...

... voted against the motion of no confidence.

…….

Like I said, a mere formality.

A state of crisis specifically refers to a situation in which the Family Hierarch is unable to perform their duties, or is affected by serious physical or mental impairment.

I am both sound of mind and body, and I can handle all duties appertaining to the seat of the Family Hierarch.

Which means that your services are no longer needed here - not that they ever were - big sister. Don't you think you've more than overstayed your welcome by now?

Here I was, wondering what you were doing with this ragtag group of halfwit nobodies like your brother... I suppose you didn't spend the whole month lounging around.

Very well. Savor this little victory for a while, I understand that it was a significant endeavor for you to attain it.

Be safe on your way home, big sister.

And please, do watch your health.

You've always been a sickly child come winter, haven't you?

Remember that the only way is down once you've reached the peak.

Tsk, there goes the perfect opportunity to take control of Hongyuan...

... But our time shall come. Hongyuan without the Xianhuang worm will fall behind and get crushed under the wheels of progress. Then...

... Nothing.

Baoyu said that he... smells no fragrance from me anymore.

Don't let that linger on your heart, little Baochai.

Crawling in the muck alongside those lowly plebeians must've dulled with his senses.

Am I even useful to you anymore?

Baoyu won't come back. I can't make him come back, I understand that now. At least not -

... Come with me to Q Corp.

... Huh? But... but even my own family has cast me out. What could I possibly do...?

Have I not given you my word?

That I can make him return.

…….

The strategies of old say that one must stir trouble in the east and strike from the west(聲東擊西).

Now that trouble has stirred in H Corp., they will hardly have the wherewithal to fix their eyes upon the goings of Q Corp.

When the time comes, your fragrance shall spread beyond H Corp., to Baoyu.

I trust that he will never sit idly by when danger threatens Jia Xichun.

But I have nothing -

Poor little Baochai. Even you are blinded to the shadows cast by your own lamplight.

Allow me to illuminate what use you may be to me, worry not.

... I am your only remaining light after all, aren't I?

... You are.

With Xichun watching us with an oddly bashful look, we prepared for our departure from Daguanyuan.

Given that Mephistopheles still showed no signs of ever coming back... it seemed that we were to be assigned to various odd jobs around this area for a little while. Not to mention the news of Distortions occurring in H Corp.

We're finally leaving this place for real, huh.

Xichun, we'll be heading out soon -

Yeah yeah, whatever. Get your butts outta here, please. Don't even think about looking back.

Xichun exaggeratedly waves her hand to make us leave.

Hey, if we ever get the chance -

- Yeah, fat chance. I'm sure we've both had more than our fill of each other for this lifetime. Besides, I'll be too busy to go anywhere for a while anyway.

Well, then... uhm... if you ever need our help, our line's always open...

Hey, I'm the Family Hierarch. Who needs whose help now?

You truly wear authority well, now.

… Speaking of which, you still have to stay here in Hongyuan, don't you? Did you find a place to stay?

No... not yet.

Why don't you just stay here for a little bit? Instead of going out there again and risk getting scammed. Yihongyuan's open, you know.

Ooh? Oh my? For all that "get out", "go away" and "don't even think about coming back", seems to me you're pretty sad to see us go, aren'tcha?

W-who said that? I'm just extending my generosity and giving you an opportunity to be more efficient. Remember your last attempt at finding a lodging here? The whole building melted away.

... Anyways, I'll let everyone know that your party is free to enter and leave Daguanyuan whenever you want, so use it if you want.

After pelting us with that rapid-fire answer without giving us even a second to reply, she whipped around and left to join Wei.

Hoooh... verily, to be an educator of another was a task most daunting.

Did the lass even teach a proper class? Oh, don't tell me her class consisted of her showing off those figurine collections and forcing the students to sit through another one of them obscure lore summaries?

Well, Heath, I sure hope ya didn't let Sinclair completely walk all over you! Ha ha.

Ha ha, I sure hope Rodya didn't totally get shown up in her own area of expertise!

Uhm, that's, uh...

Ahem... Oi! Smoky lass with a penchant for abbreviation. How'd your classes go?

Did you manage to teach 'em anything, or did you just abbreviate your way through the whole lesson?

Hmph.

Man, speaking of which... don't think I've seen you smoking in a while.

N.S.I.F.O.K.

Ha, ha, yeah, no smoking in front of kids. I remember you saying something about how it's totally against common sense to smoke in front of a kid.

Speaking of which, you had some awesome tricks up your sleeve, Ryōshū. I never thought you'd know to do things like that.

... People learn when there's a need.

…….

Ever since the classes began, Ryōshū started looking far off into the distance with an odd expression.

Sometimes, she'd hum a melody we hadn't heard of before.

Bummer we didn't get to sit in on each other's classes. It would've been nice to see different sides of everyone.

<We're gonna have a lot of stuff to talk about once we head back, huh.>

I really wasn't sure where I could possibly get started...

Well... since Xichun's given us the option, let's head back to Yihongyuan.

You've seen them off with surprising stoicism, my lady.

Haven't you been repeatedly eyeing their departure date on the calendar over and over with a look that could just as well be mournful?

Gosh, that's because I couldn't wait to get those freeloaders off my back.

Well, now that the freelo - excuse me. Now that their company has departed, I suppose peace shall reign over Daguanyuan for a while.

My lady, I believe you are now prepared to stand alone against whatever trial that comes your way.

Yeah, I know.

I also know that I'll carry the lessons they've taught me...

... in my heart for a long, long time.