Speak with Dahao at the Realm-Keeping Commission

📍 The Xianzhou Luofu Realm-Keeping Commission Chancery

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Unknown

Options

I'm here to help with the investigation.

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Unknown

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Unknown

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Unknown

March 7th

...What's wrong, Mr. Yang? See anything fishy?

Welt

Who's he? ...I'd like to see more information on him.

Dahao

Which one? Let me see...

Options

...What's wrong, Mr. Yang? See anything fishy?

Is one of them a threat?

Let's kick some butt so we can get back to resting.

March 7th

...I thought we talked about copying people.

March 7th

Resting? Booooring!

Welt

I don't have any concrete evidence... but I think he's worth checking out.

Dahao

Oh, him? I remember him. He's a traveling merchant. He trades throughout the universe, knows a thing or two about remedial arts too. He registered himself on the Xianzhou as... what was it again...

Jingyan

Luocha. His name is Luocha.

Dahao

That's right, Luocha. He came to the Xianzhou with a huge box this time — some sort of funerary contraption. It had a funny name... something to do with coughing? It was pretty conspicuous — I had to ask him about it.

Jingyan

"Coffin." It's a tool that certain non-Xianzhou travelers seem to use in death rites... I'm guessing our guests here might recognize it.

Dahao

Hmph, I swear he said "coughing"... Anyway, we checked him out — his record on the Xianzhou is squeaky-clean. As for this "caffeine" thing...

Jingyan

Coffin.

Dahao

Yeah, yeah. Either way, it definitely had something to do with funerals. There are lots of travelers on the Luofu, each with their own star system and death rites — I guess that must be Luocha's line of work... Is there something up with him?

Welt

Not necessarily... but I have my reasons for wanting to investigate. What was he doing in the days leading up to the Ambrosial Arbor's resurrection?

Dahao

Hmm... that's complicated. Come with me to the Foursquare Mirror — it'll be easier to explain.

Dahao

Exalting Sanctum is one of the Luofu's crucial central cities — the higher-ups are very concerned about security issues here. That's why there are so many cycranes stationed in the area.

Dahao

Luocha arrived on the Luofu a few days prior to the Ambrosial Arbor's resurrection. Up until the day before the resurrection, there was nothing suspicious about his behavior...

March 7th

I figured it out! The day before the resurrection, he appeared near the Ambrosial Arbor with a Stellaron!

Options

The Realm-Keeping Commission would have arrested him by now...

Eureka! That solves everything!

March 7th

Oh yeah, I guess. You're pretty smart... sometimes.

Welt

If that were the case, the Realm-Keeping Commission would have arrested him by now — why look to us for help?

March 7th

Oh, yeah... Ah Geez, this is gonna be a tough case to crack if even my instincts are off...

Dahao

Hahahaha, you lot are enthusiastic, I'll give you that. The reason I mention the day before the resurrection is because... we have no idea what he did that day.

Dahao

The resurrection brought about unusual yinyang phenomena that caused the entire cycrane system to malfunction. The image data from the day of the incident is beyond restoration, and data from the day before was badly affected.

Options

Why don't you just ask him?

Dahao

We will, in due course. But we can't be too general — specific questions are key. Not to mention, without a clear suspicion, it would involve multiple interrogations...

Dahao

So... if you feel this Luocha is suspicious in some way, make it known. Then I can arrange for his detention and interrogation.

Welt

How should I put this... He just looks kind of...

March 7th

Mr. Yang! You were going off his appearance this whole time? I thought you had some super secret thing up your sleeve! Didn't your mom ever tell you not to judge a book by its—

Options

—Cover!?

His appearance? He looks pretty handsome to me...

Yup, he just rubs me the wrong way!

March 7th

Exactly! ...Huh? W—Wait! That's not the point!

March 7th

Where's this anger coming from?

Welt

Sorry, what I mean is... hmm. It's difficult to explain, but my instinct tells me this Luocha is involved somehow.

Welt

Apologies, I realize this is personal speculation.

Dahao

That's alright — instinct is an important part of any Realm-Keeping Commission investigation. There are times when my gut tells me something's not right, and there's usually a reason for it. I'm with you on this one.

Dahao

Be that as it may, as an official, I can't go bringing someone in based on a villainous appearance...

Jingyan

...Because if a complaint led to his dismissal, it would leave a blemish on his resume, making it difficult for him to advance his career for the next few centuries.

Dahao

Precise— No! What are you talking about... Anyway, if you do want to investigate, I can grant you access to the Foursquare Mirror... Jingyan, you'll be assisting our esteemed guests in their investigation.

Jingyan

Isn't it inappropriate for an officer of the Realm-Keeping Commission to assist the public in investigating someone?

Dahao

Bah, not at all... Make sure you don't leave the Commission — just help them check the cycrane footage.

Dahao

Keep me updated on progress — if you find hard evidence, I'll be there in a flash. One thing though — don't approach him. If you make a discovery, contact me first.

Welt

We're thankful that you're entrusting this to us — we'll keep it by the book.

March 7th

Don't worry, the Express Crew keeps its promises. We won't disappoint you.

Dahao

*sigh* Jingyan, over to you. I need to get going.

Jingyan

Understood.

Jingyan

This might take you some time. Come and find me when you're ready.

Speak with Jingyan and check the video recording the cycrane took

Interact

Jingyan

I can bring up the data anytime from here. Are you ready?

Options

Ready, let's do it.

Just a moment.

Jingyan

Alright, follow me.

System

Jingyan takes everyone to the Foursquare Mirror and begins to retrieve the footage.

Jingyan

As Official Dahao mentioned, the Arbor caused unusual yinyang phenomena which affected the entire cycrane system.

Jingyan

We lost a lot of video footage, and for the image data we recovered, the timestamps are all jumbled up... Look, this is Mr. Luocha on the day prior to the resurrection.

March 7th

So we have to clean up and reorder the footage ourselves?

Jingyan

Exactly. Thank you again for your help.

March 7th

{NICKNAME}, this is your forte — over to you.

Options

Roger that!

My forte? Says who!?

Aren't you the genius detective?

March 7th

I knew we could rely on you!

March 7th

Hey, I said over to you! You can't back out now!

March 7th

That's right, and you're the sidekick!

➿

Unknown

March 7th

What do you think? Any idea what the correct order is?

Options

1, 2, 3, 4.

3, 2, 1, 4.

4, 2, 3, 1.

2, 3, 1, 4.

I wanna see the videos again.

March 7th

Is this order really correct? Lemme see...

March 7th

Luocha turns a corner, but the corner leads straight to an inn... Then he exits the inn and goes into Spare Time Book Shop without buying anything.

March 7th

And then he runs to the dock and picks up some luggage?

March 7th

This doesn't seem right to me. Wanna try again?

March 7th

Really? That feels like a messy order to me.

March 7th

So Luocha enters Spare Time Book Shop and then the inn, but leaves moments after empty-handed. Then he turns a corner into a dark alley... and then goes to the dock with all that luggage?

March 7th

Do you think he captured someone and put them in the coffin?

Welt

That's quite a conjecture, March. The Xianzhou scans all luggage moving into and out of their territory — it'd be nearly impossible to pull off. Not to mention, when Luocha turns the corner, he doesn't have the coffin with him.

March 7th

Phew, thank goodness. Looks like this order is still a little problematic. Try again?

March 7th

Lemme see if this order works... Hmm, Luocha exits the starskiff, enters Exalting Sanctum, goes into an inn, and puts down his luggage — including the coffin.

March 7th

Then he goes to Spare Time Book Shop, but doesn't buy anything. Finally, he leaves and turns a corner into a dark alley.

Welt

The logic in this is sound — looks like the correct order. Nice work, {NICKNAME}.

March 7th

Nice work indeed — you're sidekick to a genius detective after all!

March 7th

Where does this corner lead to?

Welt

I checked the map and found a gate in this open area... Look, there's a small dock on the other side. He may have left on a starskiff.

March 7th

Why would he leave Exalting Sanctum via a secluded dock? That's so suspicious!

Jingyan

I don't think Mr. Luocha could've departed from there. The dock you're referring to is Yuanshou-Crag CMXCIX — it belongs to the Seat of Divine Foresight. It's only used during invasions.

Jingyan

That's why that gate is almost always locked. As far as I know, it's been locked for centuries and only gets opened for occasional inspections.

Welt

The key question is... when did he leave? There's only one gate in this area, at least on the map... Miss Jingyan, does the remaining footage show anyone else entering or leaving this place?

Jingyan

I can find out, but you'll have to wait awhile. Most of the footage was lost, but at least there was a whole day of recording. There's a lot that needs checking and confirming first...

Welt

Understood, thank you.

Options

Thanks for your hard work.

When will you be done?

March 7th

Thanks so much! We'll be waiting — patiently.

Jingyan

Your assistance in this matter is what requires gratitude. I'll get you what you need as soon as possible.

March 7th

Hey, don't rush her! So sorry, Miss Jingyan, they can be a little impatient. Take your time, we can wait.

Jingyan

Not to worry, I understand. After all, you're taking time away from your own affairs to lend a helping hand. I'll get everything to you as soon as possible.

March 7th

Hmm... 2, 3, 1, 4... Luocha emerges from the inn, goes to Spare Time Book Shop, turns into an alley, then appears at the dock with his luggage...

March 7th

I know! He must have found a treasure map at Spare Time Book Shop. He went into the alley to dig it up and then went home with his newfound riches!

March 7th

On second thought, nah... {NICKNAME}, this order feels awkward, try arranging it again.

March 7th

Sure, which one do you want to watch?

Options

Watch footage one.

Watch footage two.

Watch footage three.

Watch footage four.

Not now.

Footage One

Luocha crossed the street and turned into a strange corner. It looks dangerous there, but he didn't seem to care at all. He paced in with nothing but a sword in hand.

Footage Two

Luocha walked out of a small inn without any heavy luggage.

Footage Three

Luocha walked into Spare Time Book Shop and stepped out after a while. He left with nothing in hand — perhaps he didn't buy anything.

Footage Four

Luocha is looking into the distance at the dock of Exalting Sanctum with his coffin at his side. Maybe he just left a starskiff, maybe he is waiting for a new starskiff. He walked along the dock for a while and put aside his luggage, leaning on the railing and watching starskiffs passing by the dock.

Talk to Jingyan and confirm her new finding

Jingyan

Thanks for waiting. I checked all the footage we have of the open area... I say "all" — a lot of it was lost.

Welt

Are the corrupted parts recoverable? Can we use the same methods again?

Jingyan

For some of them, maybe... but I can't guarantee anything. I'll do my best, of course. It'll take more time — I can't hand them over just now.

Welt

Thank you. Did you find anything in the remaining footage worth paying attention to?

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Unknown

March 7th

Huh? I... Isn't this a scene from The Angler Mystery?

Options

That novel's gone to your head...

What are you talking about?

March 7th

Shh — you're being annoying! I'm not kidding — this is straight out of the book.

March 7th

The Angler Mystery — the novel! There's a scene that's identical to this footage.

Jingyan

Now that you mention it...

Welt

I'm not sure I follow.

March 7th

The Angler's origin story, of course. He's a healer from the Alchemy Commission who gets on the wrong side of a mysterious organization called the Tea Society. Two agents in dark clothing wait for him to be alone and then poison him.

March 7th

The drug has the same de-aging effect as the Vidyadhara's hatching rebirth — the Angler gets younger and turns back into a child. From there on out, the Angler pursues the Tea Society while solving all kinds of strange cases.

Options

Why would a "tea society" be so vicious...?

A drug like that sounds like it would help people stricken with mara...

Welt

Their tea must be stronger than Himeko's coffee...

March 7th

The Tea Society is just a code name, did you think they'd call themselves the Evil Society? They have to have a nice-sounding name to conceal themselves!

March 7th

It wouldn't. In the book, the drug only de-ages the body — it can't repair damage to the soul. In other words, it's like molting, not a true rebirth.

Welt

Hatching rebirths are specific to the Vidyadhara... Can humans also experience de-aging?

March 7th

Eh, it's just a novel — who knows if something like that could happen in reality. I thought of it as soon as I saw this footage, though.

Jingyan

Su Fang, the author, was a medical assistant in the Alchemy Commission. The medical principles in the novel are strictly grounded in reality.

March 7th

True... If someone from the Alchemy Commission was suggesting it could be done, then there's always a possibility.

Welt

So, March, what you mean is, the two people in dark clothing are Tea Society agents, and the child is... a de-aged Luocha?

March 7th

*gasp* What if a crazy Angler Mystery fan decided to commit a copycat crime? Luocha gets turned into a child, then follows a mysterious duo in black... The plot thickens — this could be a kidnapping!

Welt

*sigh* The child in the footage has black hair. Luocha's hair is blonde.

Options

Adult Luocha might look blonde, but maybe he's just going gray with age...

True, their hair color is completely different.

March 7th

Yeah! Makes sense to me.

March 7th

Hmm... Maybe he dyed his hair!

Jingyan

Hold your horses, everyone... I recognize this child now. That's Yinshu — the young shopkeeper at Spare Time Book Shop.

Welt

Too bad, March. No de-aging, no Angler.

Options

And the child is a girl.

Remember Julian back in Belobog...?

March 7th

...Uh, a d—detective's initial conjectures are bound to be wrong! Totally expected!

March 7th

No, no, this is completely different.

Welt

The cycranes weren't able to get a clear look at the two people in dark clothing... Let's ask Yinshu, maybe she saw something.

Jingyan

I'll keep trying to recover the lost footage. I'll contact you if there's a breakthrough.

March 7th

Alright, let's go! Time to interview the witness!

Find Yinshu, the shopkeeper of Spare Time Book Shop, at the Exalting Sanctum

📍 The Xianzhou Luofu Exalting Sanctum

🏃‍♂️

Move

March 7th

I don't see the shopkeeper. Let's look for her in the area.

Welt

Business hours aren't over yet, she should be nearby. You two go ahead, I'll wait here in case she comes back.

March 7th

Okay, let's go {NICKNAME}.

Find Yinshu at the Exalting Sanctum and talk to her

March 7th

Are you Yinshu, the shopkeeper at Spare Time Book Shop? There's something we want to talk to you about.

Yinshu

Yeah... that's me. Can I help you?

March 7th

You're heading back to the store, right? Let's walk and talk. I'll tell you all about it on the way.

Yinshu

Oh, uh... okay. Let's go.

System

You return to Spare Time Book Shop. On the way over, you get Yinshu up to speed.

Yinshu

That footage... I remember that day. After I closed up the store, I walked around for a while. I was looking for a place to read.

Yinshu

I found that empty area — it seems like a good reading spot at first... but then I noticed two people dressed in dark clothing and a blonde outworlder hanging around. Something didn't feel right, so I left. Those two people left the same way I did.

March 7th

So you just happened to be going the same way... Did you see what the outworlder was doing?

Yinshu

Sorry, I was only trying to find a place to read, I didn't pay much attention to him... or the two in dark clothing.

Yinshu

All I remember is... the two people in dark clothing — they smelled pretty bad. I guess that's not much of a clue. Sorry I can't give you any useful information.

Welt

On the contrary, any information you can give is valuable. Thank you very much.

Welt

Still, according to the cycrane recordings, Luocha's final stop before heading towards the open area was your store.

Yinshu

My store... Spare Time Book Shop? You're sure he came to... Oh, that's right! I remember now, he did pay a visit — how could I forget?

Yinshu

He came in, looked at a few titles, and then handed one to me... an old paperback.

Yinshu

Everything seemed normal, but after paying for it he immediately tore off the title page. I was shocked, but he was grinning ear to ear, so I didn't dare ask him about it.

Yinshu

After that, he just left the book on the counter and went on his way.

Yinshu

I can't believe I'd forget something like that... I guess the Ambrosial Arbor's resurrection the day after pushed everything else to the back of my mind...

Welt

So, what was the book?

Yinshu

The Angler Mystery. I was wondering what to do about it — I can't sell a book without a title page... But, since you asked about it, here — you can have it.

March 7th

Mr. Yang's instinct was right all along — Luocha is a villain! How could he do this? Tearing up a book as well-written as The Angler Mystery... Unacceptable!

Options

Why did Luocha tear out the title page?

Right? Outrageous!

March 7th

If I knew the answer to that, wouldn't that make me as evil as him?

Welt

Calm down a moment, you two. I don't think Luocha has anything against the book.

Welt

Let's not get ahead of ourselves. We're forgetting that the Realm-Keeping Commission was initially investigating whether someone brought a "dangerous object" onto the Luofu.

Welt

Dahao and the others are probably not aware of what that "dangerous object" might be. But we know for a fact that it's the Stellaron.

Welt

I think that by removing the page, Luocha may have provided us with a key piece of the puzzle.

March 7th

I don't understand. What does tearing out a page have to do with the Stellaron? Are you following Mr. Yang, {NICKNAME}?

Options

I think so.

I'm lost...

Options

It might seem like a random action at first glance, but there has to be more to it.

Maybe the page will mean something to his accomplices.

Welt

Exactly. I think Luocha may have friends on the Luofu, and they're using the title page to communicate.

Welt

That's alright, this is a bit of a conjectural leap.

Welt

What I'm trying to say is — I think Luocha may have friends on the Luofu, and they're using the title page to communicate.

March 7th

That makes him even worse! How dare he use a book that praises justice for his evil plans!

Welt

I'm afraid "evil plans" are still within the realm of speculation at this stage. We have no way of knowing exactly what he did because the cycrane data was lost.

March 7th

So... is this a dead end?

📱

Messages

March 7th

Ha! That's more like it! New clues always turn up in the nick of time.

Return to the Realm-Keeping Commission and learn about the new clues of the case from Jingyan

📍 The Xianzhou Luofu Realm-Keeping Commission Chancery

Interact

Jingyan

So, we now know what time Luocha left the open area...

March 7th

Nice! You found footage of him leaving?

Jingyan

Yes. According to the cycrane recordings, he left the area two hours after he entered.

March 7th

Strange... Why spend two hours in such a confined area? He must've been up to something...

Options

Diarrhea?

Afternoon nap?

March 7th

I'm gonna stop you right there. Refined wardrobe, elegant bearing... He may be a villain, but he doesn't look like someone who'd give up on finding a bathroom, even in an emergency...

March 7th

Maybe he spent all his money on startaro bubble tea and couldn't afford a hotel room!

Welt

Oddly specific, March...

March 7th

It's a shame no cycranes are installed in that area — we still have no idea what he was up to. This Luocha is getting more suspicious by the minute...

March 7th

{NICKNAME}, I know Mr. Yang never wears his heart on his sleeve, but do you get the feeling he's a little... restless?

Options

I wouldn't call it restless. A little concerned, maybe.

I reckon he must have bad blood with the other "Luochas..." he mentioned.

Welt

Ha, don't worry about me. It's just... my mind keeps wandering back to those other "Luochas" I mentioned. Not the greatest memories.

Welt

Remember, we're talking about different worlds here. However, I can't deny I'm a little worried that... what happened to my home world could befall this place too.

March 7th

How does he always hear us!?

Jingyan

Well, I'm afraid I have some other business to attend to. Let me know if you need anything — you know how to reach me.

March 7th

Thanks for the help, Miss Jingyan!

Welt

So... what did Luocha get up to during those missing two hours...?

March 7th

I think it's high time detective March took the gloves off.

Welt

Oh? And what do you have in mind, detective? Fieldwork?

March 7th

That won't be necessary, Mr. Yang. As the Angler once said: "A true detective operates as effectively from their armchair as from the scene of the crime."

Options

Or to put it another way: "I'm too lazy to explore the map."

I think the Realm-Keeping officers might disagree with you there...

March 7th

It's too early to start fieldwork — we must wait until my deduction is complete. Then, when we arrive at the scene, you'll see that the facts match my theory to a T!

March 7th

Hmph, I'll quote the Angler again: "The field officer is a diligent specimen, yet they lack the detective's instinct to deduce facts from evidence."

Welt

Hehe, well, seeing as you're so confident, let's give your idea a try.

March 7th

Yay! Mr. Yang is the best!

Collaborate with March 7th to put on her detective show

March 7th

Ready? I'm gonna start my reconstruction.

Options

I'm good. Let's do it.

Not yet, give me a second.

March 7th

Okay, here we go... Eh-heh, explaining a theory in front of everyone is a more nerve-wracking than I expected.

March 7th

Sure, gives me time to make a few more adjustments.

Leave the Realm-Keeping Commission and check out the "scene of the crime"

📍 The Xianzhou Luofu Exalting Sanctum

🏃‍♂️

Move

System

We're looking for someone.

System

I'd say he was an outworlder.

System

May I ask why you're looking for him?

System

He saved our life.

System

Since when did we start sharing a life?

System

We're not rehearsing...

System

Sorry, old habits.

Listen to what Jingyan is telling Back'n and Forth

Inquire

Forth

Excuse me, officer — we're looking for someone. Can you help us?

Back'n

He's got blonde hair, and judging by the way he's dressed, I'd say he was an outworlder.

Jingyan

A traveler with blonde hair? Could it be... May I ask why you're looking for him?

Forth

He saved our life.

Back'n

Since when did we start sharing a life?

Forth

Back'n, we're not rehearsing...

Welt

Excuse me, gentlemen. Would this blonde-haired, life-saving outworlder bear any resemblance to our suspect, here?

Forth

That's him!

Back'n

Mr. Luocha! He rescued both of us.

Welt

Can I ask when this rescue occurred?

Forth

It was... the day before the Ambrosial Arbor came back to life.

Back'n

We were planning to thank him properly, but in the aftermath of the Arbor incident, we never had the time.

March 7th

Are you two... *gasp* the people in dark clothing? What's with the wardrobe change?

Forth

Dark clothing? ...Ah! I know what you're talking about. What a pair of clowns we are... Dark clothing, hmph.

Back'n

We... fell into a ditch.

March 7th

Wait, what?

➿

Unknown

Options

What did Luocha do, exactly?

➿

Unknown

Forth

Here, that's the prescription he gave us.

March 7th

A paper flower? It's beautiful... Did Luocha make this?

Forth

That's right, he wrote down the prescription and folded it into shape.

Back'n

A man of romantic sensibilities, one might say.

March 7th

The paper looks familiar... can I open it?

Forth

Of course. We'd already opened it when we showed it to the pharmacy.

Back'n

We were planning on handing it over to the Realm-Keeping Commission — we suspect it's probably our best chance of tracing him.

Jingyan

We can take it off you — we'll let you know when we find him.

March 7th

Let me see... Ah! Of course!

Welt

What is it?

March 7th

It's the title page of The Angler Mystery!

March 7th

The prescription's on this side, but on the back there's... Huh? So that's what this is all about!?

Options

What's on the back?

Is it a secret code?

March 7th

Sadly not...

March 7th

Take a look yourself.

📖

The Title Page of a Detective Novel Torn Off by Luocha

March 7th

"The Immortal Spoiler"? Ugh, some people just wanna watch the world burn.

Jingyan

I'm starting to think the Luocha we envisioned doesn't square with the real one... Would a villain do a good deed like this?

March 7th

So he paid for the book and tore off the title page to protect people from the spoiler...

March 7th

He must be a fan of this book too... I knew Angler Mystery fans couldn't be bad!

+ Luocha's Paper Flower x 1