[Midnight Blades] To be honest, I've actually been earning from the Midnight Blades folk for a while. There's…
[Midnight Blades]
To be honest, I've actually been earning from the Midnight Blades folk for a while. There's a living Yama who comes to me often: she asks for information, and I scout around for her. Today she came again, and I couldn't help complaining—everywhere else I make nothing, but at least she pays.
She even brought pastries for me.
But once she starts, she always returns to her talk about "saving souls"—how living is nothing but suffering, how early death means early release, and so on.
I was eating the pastries she bought, but I still told her she was talking nonsense. What's wrong with living? If you're alive, you get to eat pastries. If that's her logic, my life has been miserable enough—why not "save" me as well?
To my astonishment, she said she could. Her blade was quick, she said, and I wouldn't feel a thing.
That startled me so much I lost my temper. I told her I wanted no part in that kind of work anymore. She simply replied, "Then I will seek someone else."
So heartless—I truly thought we had at least a little friendship!
Yet before she left, she still asked whether the pastries were good. I said yes. She said she would bring more next time.
...But with the job already fallen through, what "next time" could there possibly be?
I really cannot understand what goes on in these people's minds.
[Mohist Hill]
Today, while searching through some discarded items—or rather, an old warehouse—I was hoping to find something useful when I happened upon a young girl collecting a pile of wood.
I could tell right away she was from the Mohist Hill. Yet she shook her head firmly to deny it. Seeing how she treated even scraps of wood like precious belongings, I figured there was no real profit to be made from her. Oh well, no matter.
[The Inkbound Order]
I've always felt a bit intimidated by those at the Inkbound Order, and today was no different. I nervously wandered into the Hanlin Academy, where the scholars at the Inkbound Order were busy writing and painting, mumbling in a language I couldn't understand at all. I just stood there feeling completely out of place and awkward.
Just as I was about to leave, a young scholar called out to me. I thought I was about to be told to move on.
Instead, he handed me two steamed buns and ten coins, saying he noticed I'd been hanging around for a while and if I ever had trouble, I should talk to one of the disciples by the gate.
The buns weren't very tasty—dry and bland—but free food is always welcome. The Inkbound Order guys are actually quite kind.