Swords to Plowshares

Swords to Plowshares is the first and only mission in Yunli's Companion Mission chain. It is part of the Vita Infinita chapter that takes place on The Xianzhou Luofu.
==Acquisition==
Complete and approach the marked location in Central Starskiff Haven.
==Steps==
# Go to the Palace of Astrum's backyard and check in on March 7th's swordplay training
# Go to Aurum Alley and meet Yunli
# Follow Yunli and take up her offer to a delicious treat
# Talk to Yunli
# Go to the Palace of Astrum and meet Yunli
# Take part in the sword-gifting ceremony
# Find Yunli outside the Palace of Astrum
# Go to the Artisanship Commission and find out where Yunli went
# Find Yunli at Master Gongshu's aurumaton storehouse
# Go to the Palace of Astrum and talk to General Huaiyan
# Leave the Palace of Astrum
# Go to the Artisanship Commission and assist Dahao in his investigation
# Talk to the witnesses at the scene and investigate the evidence at the crime scene
# Talk to Dahao and deduce the truth behind the theft again
# Go to Starskiff Haven and confront Argenti
# Talk to Guyun and learn why it fled
# Follow Guyun and live through a memory long forgotten on another planet
# Go to Aurum Alley and commemorate the Nameless Swordsmaster
==Dialogue==
===Go to the Palace of Astrum's backyard and check in on March 7th's swordplay training===
:(Trailblazer): (Ever since March stared learning swordplay from Yanqing and Yunli, her voice has been absent on the Express...)
:(Trailblazer): (I wonder how well she's progressing. Where has she been these days?)
:
===Go to Aurum Alley and meet Yunli===
;(Talk to Yunli)
:Yunli: Oh, there you are.
:Yunli: I was looking around before you got here... I already looked everywhere, but March 7th is nowhere to be found.
: So, no need to keep looking for March 7th?
::Yunli: Nope, let's just assume she successfully skipped class.
: Maybe March 7th is actually...
::Yunli: Forget it, let's just assume she successfully skipped class.
:Yunli: Actually, she's been quite diligent in her swordplay practice and hasn't taken many breaks lately. I think she deserves a day off.
:Yunli: Besides, I used to skip classes even more than her back when I was still learning. If I was in the mood, I could train for three days straight, but if I wasn't in the mood, none of my seniors could find me.
:Yunli: So, I can understand where she's coming from.
: So then... I can go back?
::Yunli: No need. I asked for you to come, so I won't send you away empty-handed.
: Looks like she learned it from her master.
::Yunli: Don't make excuses for her.
:Yunli: Since you're here, let me treat you to some tasty food.
:Yunli: I'm more interested in you today.
: Me? Interested in what?
: Let me be clear, I'm not learning swordplay from you.
:Yunli: Let's walk and talk.
===Follow Yunli and take up her offer to a delicious treat===
;(Follow Yunli to Spices Supreme)
:Yunli: Lingsha told me there's tasty food in Aurum Alley, let's go there.
----
:Yunli: A table for two please!
:Yancui: Alright, come on in. What would you like?
:Yunli: Well, we'll have one of everything on the menu.
:Yancui: The... entire menu?
:Yunli: Hmm? Do you think it'll be enough?
: She's worried we won't be able to finish it all...
::Yunli: Don't worry, there are two of us.
: I don't have much money on me right now.
::Yunli: Don't worry, I've got enough money with me.
:Yunli looks at you 
:Yancui: Well... then I'll start making a few dishes, and if you need more, just let me know.
:Yunli: Thank you.
;(Yancui leaves)
: Are you sure we don't need to look for March?
::Yunli: No, I've thought about it. She deserves a day off.
: ...Do you usually eat a lot?
::Yunli: Yeah... Ahem, I mean, not too much, actually.
::Yunli: Grandpa said never to be stingy when it comes to making friends. So, how big is your appetite?
:: I don't eat much.
:::Yunli: ...
:::Yunli: Then we can bring the leftovers to Grandpa.
:: My stomach is a bottomless pit!
:::Yunli: Then eat to your heart's content!
: Did you just say you're interested in me?
:Yunli: Well, to be more precise, I'm interested in your sword.
:Yunli: Yanqing mentioned you before. He said that you're not to be underestimated and that your weapon has a unique shape.
:Yunli: So, I've always been curious about your sword — how the weight is distributed, what material it's made of, whether it contains any special ingenia, and what kind of sword techniques you use...
: It's not a sword. It's a baseball bat.
::Yunli: ...Seriously? A bat?
:: Are you still curious?
:::Yunli: Yeah, now more than ever.
:: Are you disappointed?
:::Yunli: Just the opposite — this is fascinating!
: Alright, alright, it's not anything special.
:
:Yunli: So, it really is a baseball bat.
:Yunli: Grandpa said that a sword doesn't have to be constrained by its shape, so in a sense, your bat is a sword too. He also said that a weapon mimics its master, so your bat actually reflects your habits and nature, you know?
:Yunli: Let me guess, you're someone who... doesn't follow the rules, enjoys improvising, and can handle yourself well against tough foes. Am I right?
: Have you been secretly filming me?
::Yunli: Amazing, right? And I bet you always say something silly like "Rules are made to be broken."
: Oh, you're mistaken. I always follow the rules.
::Yunli: Oh, really? But I never guess wrong.
:Yunli: I've come across so many sword wielders who acted all righteous and moral but were really just liars. Their swords always told the truth though. They told me that their wielders were just a bunch of frauds who relied on their divine weapons for everything.
:Yunli: I've hunted down hundreds of swords like this so far, and every single one of them has been melted down!
: Wait, you take people's swords by force and melt them down?
::Yunli: Yes, but only for those who cross the line. Melting their swords is my way of protecting those weapons.
: But what if you make a mistake?
::Yunli: Swords are more honest than words. It's much easier to judge a sword than to judge someone's words, so I rarely make mistakes.
:Yunli: But just looking at a sword is not enough. Grandpa always says, words and expressions can be deceiving, but in a fight to the death, a sword's movements never lie... The Wardance is just around hte corner. You'll be participating, right?
:???: Miss Yunli, for talented swordmasters like you, the Wardance is a perfect opportunity to show off your skills and make a name for yourself.
:Xikui: But for people like (Trailblazer) who have already made significant contributions to the Xianzhou, they maybe don't need to prove themselves on the Wardance stage.
:Xikui: It has been a while, (Trailblazer).
:Yunli: ...And you are?
: ...And you are?
::Xikui: Ah, I busy people have short memories. Please let me introduce myself. I'm Xikui, one of the secretaries serving the Helm Master Yukong.
: This is Madam Yukong's secretary.
::Xikui: Thank you for your introduction, (Trailblazer). I'm Xikui, and I work in the Palace of Astrum as the secretary for the Helm Master.
:Xikui: I apologize for interrupting your conversation. I happened to hear you discussing the Wardance, and since (Trailblazer) is an old acquaintance, I thought I'd come and say hello.
: Are you hosting any guests, Miss Xikui?
:Xikui: Yes, with the Wardance approaching, many guests from afar are pouring in. Mr. Paavo here is one of them. He's from the distant planet Kalevala.
:Xikui: Mr. Paavo's planet recently joined the Pan-Cosmic Trade System. He brought his delegation here this time not only for business but also to return something that belongs to the Xianzhou.
:Paavo: Miss Xikui, the word "gift" is perhaps more fitting than "return." While it did once belong to the Xianzhou, we faced many tribulations to be able to deliver it here, so it should be considered a gift.
:Xikui: I apologize for my poor choice of words. Mr. Paavo's delegation brought a legendary Xianzhou sword that had been lost for centuries.
:Xikui: General Huaiyan plans to personally thank them at the Palace of Astrum and present the sword as a prize to the champion of the Wardance. Mr. Paavo and I were actually on our way there.
:Xikui: Since you two were talking so enthusiastically about the Wardance, maybe you'd be interested in joining us at ?
===Talk to Yunli===
;(Talk to Xikui, optional)
:Xikui: General Huaiyan will hold the sword-gifting ceremony at the Palace of Astrum soon. Are you interested, (Trailblazer)?
;(Talk to Paavo, optional)
:Paavo: Nice to meet you both. The journey to the Xianzhou Luofu wasn't an easy one, but the scenery here is worth it. It's completely different from my homeland.
:Paavo: Once the formalities at the Palace of Astrum are finished, I'll find a quiet spot on this street and plant a seedling, and then my mission will be complete.
:Paavo: This sword of heroes will finally be returned to its rightful owners! I couldn't be happier.
: Let's talk about Kalevala.
::Paavo: Oh, you're interested in my home planet? That's great! Your Excellency is welcome to visit us at any time.
::Paavo: Even though the trade route just opened, it still might take around two hundred system hours to get there from Pier Point, but our planet is really great!
::Paavo: Sure, it's a bit cold, and the food is a bit repetitive, and our houses aren't as fancy as those on Pier Point, but that doesn't matter! We've discovered massive supernium deposits, and we're on the path to prosperity!
: Let's talk about the sword.
::Paavo: Oh, you mean the Miekka Kivessä! It's an incredible sword. That weapon helped the legendary heroes of my homeland slay demons and is highly revered.
::Paavo: It also has the power to choose monarchs. All the ancient kings of Kalevala received a sign from the sword, showing they were worthy to rule the land.
::Paavo: According to tradition, each monarch would plunge the sword into a stone, and only a hero recognized by the sword could pull it out and ascend to the throne next.
:: Is it some sort of biometric technology?
:: That sword can actually appoint worthy monarchs?
::Paavo: Well, those are just legends from the past. No one today has witnessed it firsthand.
: Why don't you keep the sword for yourselves?
::Paavo: Well, times have changed, and now that we have a council in place, the idea of a sword crowning a king has become a joke. Besides, 
::Paavo: While the sword holds great historical significance for Kalevala, it doesn't truly belong to our world.
::Paavo: The old timers on council had a heated debate about whether to return the sword. They eventually unanimously agreed to let the Miekka Kivessä return to where it truly belongs.
::Paavo: That's the best possible outcome.
: I'm going to witness its return, too.
::Paavo: Wonderful! It's an honor to have so many people witness the sword's homecoming.
;(Talk to Yunli)
:Yunli: Let's head to the Palace of Astrum together, (Trailblazer)?
: I'm not interested in the sword, to be honest.
::Yunli: But I am! It's the prize for the Wardance, after all!
::Yunli: I might not know all the stories and legends, but I know a legendary sword when I see one.
: I'd love to take a look at that sword too.
::Yunli: I know, right? Thanks to March 7th skipping class, we get to join in on the fun.
:Yunli: Grandpa always asks me to go look at swords with him, but he hasn't said anything about this one. It's really weird.
:Yunli: But now that we're invited, let's go and check it out, (Trailblazer).
===Go to the Palace of Astrum and meet Yunli===
;(Talk to Yunli)
:Yunli: There you are! Come on, let's go to the ceremony together!
: Let's go.
:;(Teleport inside the Palace of Astrum)
: I've got something else going on.
===Take part in the sword-gifting ceremony===
;(Approach marked location)
:Argenti: Please allow me to ofer a sincere compliment, my fair lady. Your beauty is as pure as a snow-white iris.
:Argenti: Well, if it isn't my dear friend! Glad to meet you again!
:Yunli: Who is this weirdo?
:Yunli: Um, I mean, who is this knight...?
:Argenti: I am Argenti, a member of the Knights of Beauty. I was invited as part of the Kalevala delegation to escort the legendary Miekka Kivessä back to the Xianzhou.
:Argenti: May I have the honor of knowing your name?
:Yunli: ...My name is Yunli.
:Argenti: What a beautiful name! I wonder if you have ever heard the holy name of the pure and flawless Goddess Idrila...
:Huaiyan: Oh, you're here, Yunli. Didn't expect you to be so well-informed... Well, now that you're here, don't forget your manners.
:Yunli: Manners, manners... Come on, you won't find another granddaughter as polite and well-behaved as me!
:Huaiyan: Well, just remember this is a very serious ceremony.
:Huaiyan: Sorry for keeping you waiting, Mr. Paavo. Now, let the Sword-Gifting Ceremony begin.
----
:Paavo: Before the ceremony officially commences, I want to express my gratitude to the Knight Argenti. Thank you for enlightening us about the sword's origin and for escorting it here safely so that we may complete the ceremony.
:Paavo: On behalf of the Kalevalan Delegation, I, Paavo Kalastaja, am here to return the legendary Miekka Kivessä to the Xianzhou Alliance, its rightful homeland.
:Huaiyan: I'm truly grateful for Kalevala's noble act of returning the sword and for the Knight of Beauty's chivalry. Now, as we gather here on the Xianzhou Luofu, I officially welcome the sword back to its homeland.
:Huaiyan: Miekka Kivessä. It's a fitting name for a sword with such a legendary past.
:Huaiyan: I still remember the name engraved on this sword the day it was forged, Guyun. It was forged by Hanguang, a craftsman from the Zhuming's Flamewheel Forge.
:Yunli: Wait... H—Hanguang?
:Huaiyan: Although its blade is worn and cracked, its essence remains as resilient as the Xianzhou Cloud Knights. All it needs is some repairs and polishing by the skilled craftsmen of the Artisanship Commission to regain its former glory.
:Huaiyan: I've decided to entrust this sword, Guyun, to the Luofu Artisanship Commission for restoration. Furthermore, it will serve as the prize for the champion of the Luofu Wardance. This sword will be wielded against abominations, to protect our homeland, and live up to the mission of the Kalevalan delegation that returned it from so far away.
:Paavo: Thank you, General. It is an honor for Kalevala.
:Huaiyan: Now, esteemed Knight and delegation members, please head to the Artisanship Commission, where —
:Yunli: No! This sword was forged by Hanguang...
:Huaiyan: Yunli! These esteemed guests have brought back your father's last work. Where are your manners!?
:Paavo: I didn't realize this sword was actually forged by your father. Returning it to its rightful owner is —
:Yunli: Grandpa! Give me that cursed sword right now! I'll melt away the remnants of that man's curse once and for all!
: (Calm down, Yunli!)
: (A c—cursed sword?)
: (Maybe I shouldn't react...)
:Huaiyan: Don't be rude, Yunli! Apologize to our esteemed guests from afar!
:Yunli: I'm sorry!
:Yunli: I'm sorry for making a scene, but I have to melt down this cursed sword! I won't let it fall into anyone else's hands!
:Huaiyan: Yunli, please go for now.
:Yunli: ...
;(Yunli leaves)
:Huaiyan: This is exactly why I didn't want Yunli to know about this. I didn't want to create trouble, but trouble found its way here anyway. Perhaps it really is divine intervention?
:Huaiyan: (Trailblazer), could you please keep an eye on Yunli for me?
: Sure thing. I'll make sure she doesn't get into any trouble.
::Huaiyan: That is a tall order, but I'm counting on you.
: General, is it really my place to get involved in your family matters?
::Huaiyan: Don't worry about it. I need your help on this.
:Huaiyan: I apologize for the unfortunate interruption. Let us move on with the ceremony.
:
===Find Yunli outside the Palace of Astrum===
;(Teleport outside the Palace of Astrum)
:(Trailblazer): (Unless I'm mistaken, Yunli should be around here somewhere...)
;(Talk to Yunli)
:Yunli: *sniffle*
: What's wrong, Yunli?
: (Observe a bit more.)
::Yunli: *sniffle*
::Yunli: Stop watching me, and say something!
:: What's wrong, Yunli?
:: Poor thing, are you crying?
:::Yunli: If you want, I can make you cry, too.
:Yunli: Did Grandpa send you to look for me?
:Yunli: I bet he did.
: Oh, so now you're a mind reader?
: Actually, I'm here because I care about you.
::Yunli: Really? Thank you.
:Yunli: Just so you know, I'm here just waiting for the perfect moment to snatch that sword. And once I have it, I'll melt it down before anyone can react! Don't even think about stopping me. No one can stop me.
: No one can help you if you don't explain what's going on.
::Yunli: ...Grandpa sent you here. Surely he doesn't want you to help me.
: You think I'm just going to let you cause more trouble?
::Yunli: ...You do have some skill, but now is not a good time to try to stop me.
:Yunli: Have you ever heard of cursed swords? That sword is one.
: So it's a sword that's been cursed?
::Yunli: I guess that's what it means literally.
: So it's like a sacred sword that's been corrupted?
::Yunli: You've clearly heard a lot of folk tales, but that's not the kind of "cursed sword" I'm talking about.
:Yunli: A cursed sword lets anyone, even a complete novice, wield it with insane skill. Just by holding the hilt, even the weakest rookie can brandish it with incredible speed and strength.
: With something like that, March 7th could graduate in just one day.
: So, where can I buy one?
:Yunli: I'm not joking around, and I'm not making up some crazy story...
:Yunli: While a cursed sword grants instant abilities to its wielder, it comes at a cost.
:Yunli: It's like continuously adding fuel to a forge. With each swing, the sword drains the wielder's blood and essence. Day by day, the fuel will run out, leaving nothing but an empty husk.
:Yunli: Soon enough, it will no longer be a person wielding a sword but a mindless killing machine consumed by bloodlust and murderous thoughts.
: This sounds oddly familiar...
::Yunli: I wonder if you've ever heard of a creature called a "heliobus"? It loves to feed on human emotions and memories, and excels at manipulating its hosts.
: So, it's like being possessed by a heliobus?
::Yunli: Oh, so you're familiar with heliobi? That makes this much easier to explain.
:Yunli: There was a lunatic swordsmith who infused metal blades with heliobi, as he was obsessed with turning weapons into living things, and this is how cursed swords were made.
: So, Guyun is one of those cursed swords?
: So, your father sealed a heliobus inside that sword?
:Yunli: I know I shouldn't have caused a scene at the Sword-Gifting Ceremony, but I've thought this through. If I don't make a fuss now, that cursed sword will cause a whole lot more trouble. So, it's better if it's me causing the trouble.
:Yunli: ...By the way, aren't they supposed to be taking the sword to the Artisanship Commission for repairs? Why haven't they come out yet... Any ideas?
: Maybe there are other ways out of the Palace of Astrum...
:Yunli: ...
:Yunli: Looks like they're not going to show up here. I'll just head straight to the Artisanship Commission.
:Yunli: It doesn't matter why Grandpa chose that sword, I won't let it fall into anyone else's hands.
:Yunli: I'll track down every single sword he forged and melt them down one after another, just like I've been doing all these years!
:Yunli: I have to go now, (Trailblazer).
===Go to the Artisanship Commission and find out where Yunli went===
:(Trailblazer): (Is she planning to sneak into the Artisanship Commission and steal that sword?)
:(Trailblazer): (Maybe I should keep an eye on her...)
;(Go to the Artisanship Commission)
:(Trailblazer): (The Artisanship Commission is so big. Where could she be?)
;(Talk to Scared Craftsman)
:Scared Craftsman: Just a while ago, a girl came up to me, all fierce and demanding directions. She said she's a member of the Artisanship Commission. Do you know her?
:Scared Craftswoman: No idea who she is! If she really works here, how can she not know her way around?
: I know her. She's from the Xianzhou Zhuming's Artisanship Commission.
::Scared Craftsman: Oh, I see. That explains it then.
::Scared Craftswoman: Explains what? It explains nothing at all!
: Was she carrying a massive sword?
::Scared Craftsman: Yeah, she wasn't big at all, but that weapon of hers was pretty intimidating!
::Scared Craftswoman: She was in a hurry, heading straight for the Artisanship Commission, and I didn't want to ask too many questions.
:Scared Craftsman: She said something like, "I'm a member of the Artisanship Commission. Where do you keep your precious stuff?" I got scared and pointed her toward Master Gongshu's warehouse where he stores his aurumatons.
:Scared Craftswoman: Wait, why did you give her directions? What if she's planning to steal something?
: Let's cut to the chase. Where did she go?
:Scared Craftsman: Where else? Like I said, she was headed straight for the warehouse, where all the valuable aurumatons are.
:Scared Craftswoman: Yeah, that place is filled with Master Gongshu's precious aurumatons. I bet they'll give her a hard time.
===Find Yunli at Master Gongshu's aurumaton storehouse===
;(Approach marked location)
:Yunli: What are you doing here? Look, if I get into trouble, it's my problem. I don't want to drag you into it.
: Is this really the time to talk about that?
: I promised your grandpa that I'd keep an eye on you.
:Yunli: Fine, let's smash these metal cans first, then we can talk!
;(Enter battle with )
;(After winning the battle)
:Yunli: That was the last of them. Thank you for helping me out.
:Yunli: This place is heavily guarded, but... there's nothing but aurumatons. Where is the arsenal...?
:Yunli: Seems like not even those craftsmen know where the arsenal is... At this point, we won't find anything, and Grandpa might take me away before I can do anything...
:Yunli: ...You're not really here to help me. You're here to stop me, right?
: Of course I'm here to stop you. I can't just stand there and watch you get into trouble.
::Yunli: ...You have a kind soul.
::Yunli: But if you want to stop me, you'll have to prove yourself.
: You know, this cursed sword isn't just your problem.
::Yunli: ...No, it's not. Grandpa made a promise to the delegation, and going back on his word would tarnish his reputation and make things difficult for the Luofu.
::Yunli: But leaving that cursed sword here will also make things difficult or the Luofu. So all things considered, the best outcome is for me to melt that sword down and take all the blame.
:Yunli: ...You probably think I'm being impulsive and unreasonable, right?
: Well, I just feel like you're too obsessed with cursed swords...
::Yunli: Oh, really? Do I come across that way?... Well, I guess I can't deny it.
:: Now you have a chance to explain yourself.
:::Yunli: It seems like you've met a lot of people who don't tell you the whole story.
:: Looks like this is a sensitive topic?
:::Yunli: You're sharp. Yeah, you could say it's a sensitive topic...
: So you are self-aware after all.
::Yunli: H—Hey! I'm not always like this! It's all because of that cursed sword...
: Why don't you just tell me everything...?
:Yunli: ...
:Yunli: Look, (Trailblazer), I owe you an explanation... but this isn't the best place to talk. We need to find somewhere else. Let me be clear though, I'm still pretty riled up. This... this is just a temporary break.
----
:Yunli: I already told you about Guyun, the sword that was returned during the ceremony. It's a cursed sword with a heliobus inside. And Hanguang, the swordsmith who forged it... is my father.
:Yunli: I rarely mention his name to anyone other than Grandpa. Maybe, like you said, I've been avoiding having to talk about him. But as long as my mission to hunt down cursed swords continues, it's impossible to avoid the topic forever...
:Yunli: For some reason, I feel like I can open up to you...
:Yunli: Honestly, I don't remember much about him. All I know is that the Flamewheel Forge used to be a bustling place, with people from all over coming to get one of his swords. They called him the greatest master craftsman since Yingxing.
:Yunli: I didn't catch all the details, but I do remember seeing him forge those amazing swords while the visitors watched with smiles on their faces. I used to believe that craftsmen brought happiness to others.
:Yunli: "The swords crafted by the Flamewheel Forge are famed across the stars. They possess exceptional sharpness and invincibility. With these legendary weapons, even ordinary people can become skilled warriors, capable of overcoming the most formidable opponents."
:Yunli: But then, he became obsessed with becoming a famed swordsmith and started crossing all sorts of lines. He forged cursed swords that should never exist, and all those people who desired those twisted swords started flooding into the palace.
:Yunli: However, just like Grandpa said, those who excel with the sword will eventually suffer by it.
:Yunli: The palace was overrun with visitors from afar. Some left empty-handed, others got swords that didn't fulfill their desires, and some even resorted to stealing. And in the midst of all the chaos my father created, he ended up being stabbed by one of the swords he forged.
:Yunli: It was so sudden and unexpected. Everything went silent for a moment. All I could hear was the sound of bones breaking and blood pouring out...
:Yunli: I was frozen in place, unable to move. It was only when my mother pushed me away from the deadly swing of the cursed sword that I managed to escape.
:Yunli: I don't remember much after that, except for the pounding of my heart and the sound of my own gasps of breath. I could hear the smiths in the Flamewheel Forge shouting, "Run away, Yunli!" and the screams of agony.
:Yunli: My tears wouldn't stop, and I couldn't see anything. I kept gasping for air until I collapsed in a pool of blood...
:Yunli: ...If General Huaiyan hadn't arrived in time, I probably wouldn't be here talking to you now.
----
:Yunli: After that, General Huaiyan took me in and treated me like his own granddaughter. To me, he is a hundred times better than my sinful father. He taught me forging and swordsmanship.
:Yunli: Hanguang paid for his sins, but his troubled legacy must not go unchecked. According to the records, he forged a total of 1,382 heliobus-cursed swords, and 182 of them had unique designs.
:Yunli: When I joined the Flamewheel Forge for training, I made a vow to hunt down all those cursed swords. So far, I've found 312 of them, and Guyun will be my 313th.
:Yunli: Like all the other cursed swords... I'll separate it from the heliobus, then I'll melt it down and make it part of the "Blade of Forged Remnants."
:Yunli: I've said my piece now. Even though it'll be tough for Grandpa... I still have to melt down the sword.
: But the delegation calls it the "Sword of Heroes"...
::Yunli: Those travelers who came seeking Hanguang's swords all came in the name of justice and honor.
::Yunli: Most of those so-called "great heroes" were heartless killers. They are only called heroes because they won.
::Yunli: Many of the cursed swords I've destroyed had honorable and grand names too. A legendary sword and a butcher's knife are often just different ways of describing the same thing.
: I think you should talk to General Huaiyan about it.
::Yunli: So, you're saying... even though Grandpa knew it was a cursed sword, he still chose it to be a prize because he thought it wouldn't cause any trouble?
::Yunli: No, no matter how I think about it, something is definitely off. Grandpa didn't tell me anything about the ceremony. He must be hiding something.
::Yunli: Besides, after our argument today, you want me to go back and talk to him now? No way, at least not today. Maybe tomorrow...
:Yunli: ...
:Yunli: Somehow, after talking to you, I feel like I've cooled off a bit.
:Yunli: Well, I'll have an honest conversation with Grandpa tomorrow, and I won't take any action against Guyun until he gives me his reasons.
: Don't forget to apologize to General Huaiyan.
:Yunli: Yeah, I shouldn't have done that in a public place.
:Yunli: Anyway, thank you, (Trailblazer). We'll catch up tomorrow.
===Go to the Palace of Astrum and talk to General Huaiyan===
:(Trailblazer): (I should go back to the Palace of Astrum and tell General Huaiyan what happened at the Artisanship Commission.)
;(Talk to Huaiyan)
:Huaiyan: My granddaughter didn't cause any trouble, did she, (Trailblazer)?
: (You explain Yunli's situation to Huaiyan.)
:
:Huaiyan: Sorry for all this trouble. Yunli told you quite a bit. Now, it's time for this old man to tell my side of the story.
:Huaiyan: Hanguang was my beloved disciple, a rare genius not seen in the Flamewheel Forge since Yingxing.
:Huaiyan: However, talent can sometimes be a curse. He had an unusual fervor for forging, and he dreamed of forging a sword with self-awareness that surpassed that of humans. He believed it would make warriors invincible without any training.
:Huaiyan: According to him, while weapons of mass destruction like Zhuming Flames and Alchemical Arrows can destroy many enemies, true victory lies with soldiers who fearlessly fight, ready to lay their lives on the line.
:Huaiyan: Usually, Xianzhou swordsmiths infuse a basic level of awareness into their swords to make them easier to wield. But even then, soldiers need to experience countless battles to overcome fear and sharpen their instincts, so...
: So, he thought of using heliobi to absorb emotions...
: So, he thought of using heliobi to impart combat experience...
:Huaiyan: By infusing heliobi into swords, he managed to forge weapons that could grant their wielders strength and valor, and even make decisions for them. However, weapons are different from regular tools. They are meant to kill, plain and simple.
:Huaiyan: After countless battles, all the anger, fear, and bloodlust are soaked up by the heliobi within the swords. The soldiers wielding them not only gain strength, but they also become consumed by the malice, turning into puppets possessed by the swords.
:Huaiyan: No matter how noble Hanguang's intentions were, those weapons, soaked in blood, turned into cursed swords eventually.
:Huaiyan: Later, outworlders got wind of what he was doing and encouraged him to keep forging cursed swords. They came up with all sorts of reasons, from taking back their kingdoms to slaying demons...
:Huaiyan: And you know what happened next. That massacre took her parents' lives and the lives of many craftsmen in the Flamewheel Forge. Yunli managed to survive, but she couldn't escape the horrors of that day.
: That's why you didn't want her to see that sword...
::Huaiyan: Yes, I don't want her to spend her whole life trapped under her father's shadow... She doesn't deserve to carry the weight of his mistakes.
::Huaiyan: Despite her vow to hunt down and wipe out all cursed swords, fulfilling that vow requires immense effort. Traversing the starry seas in search of the swords is like finding a needle in a haystack.
::Huaiyan: And to reclaim those swords, she has to duel the bloodthirsty wielders, teetering on the edge of life and death. She has taken back over three hundred cursed swords and has suffered the same number of fatal wounds.
::Huaiyan: I took her in to give her a chance at a normal childhood, not to send her on a sword-hunting journey.
::Huaiyan: Even if she manages to melt down all the cursed swords one day, what will she do with her life after?
: Does that sword really contain a heliobus?
::Huaiyan: Guyun is indeed one of the cursed swords forged by Hanguang.
::Huaiyan: Very few swordsmiths could use heliobi as forging material, and Hanguang was one of them. His attempt came at a terrible cost...
: Yunli plans to talk to you tomorrow...
:Huaiyan: I thought this sword could be an opportunity. I wanted to tell her that her father wasn't all evil, that even the man she resents so much managed to forge a true Sword of Heroes.
:Huaiyan: I also wanted to find a chance to tell her about the history and origin of this sword... but not during the ceremony. As you saw, it wasn't a good time.
:Huaiyan: I've instructed the Artisanship Commission to keep the sword safe in the arsenal. If you have any doubts, feel free to ask the people involved.
:
;(Close messages)
:Huaiyan: Since my granddaughter mentioned talking to me tomorrow, I'll be waiting for her. By the way, you watched over her for quite some time. You must be exhausted, aren't you?
: Totally exhausted!
: A pretty lady like her never gets tiring.
:Huaiyan: Hahaha, I'll be counting on you then.
;(Talk to Huaiyan again)
:Huaiyan: Please take good care of Yunli.
===Leave the Palace of Astrum===
:(Trailblazer): (Time to go back and find that class-skipping March 7th...)
;(Approach marked location)
:
:
;(Teleport to the Astral Express)
:
===Go to the Artisanship Commission and assist Dahao in his investigation===
;(Approach marked location)
:Dahao: Alright, everyone is here. It's time for questioning.
:Huaiyan: ...Yunli, I'm sure you understand why the official called you here, right?
:Yunli: Yeah, but I didn't steal the sword.
: I can vouch for her.
::Huaiyan: Now is not the time to use your reputation like that.
: Yunli promised me she wouldn't steal the sword.
::Huaiyan: Unfortunately, Official Dahao didn't hear Yunli's promise.
:Huaiyan: If we don't recover the sword, we will be breaking our promise to the Luofu and betraying the delegation. We're counting on you to find the truth, Official Dahao.
:Dahao: Yes, it's my duty to thoroughly investigate the case. Even though Yunli is firm in her words, we can't just rely on her testimony.
:Yunli: After everything, the sword still got stolen. They should have given it to me from the beginning.
: Just keep quiet...
: Yeah, I agree...
:Dahao: In this case of Guyun's theft, everyone involved seems suspicious to some extent, but Miss Yunli is the main suspect.
:Dahao: First, during the sword-gifting ceremony, Yunli openly expressed her intention to steal the sword. She even mentioned it multiple times. After the ceremony, she broke into the Artisanship Commission and destroyed aurumatons in an attempt to get the sword. Am I right?
:Yunli: ...That's true.
:Dahao: The Realm-Keeping Commission inspected the arsenal where Guyun was stored, and there were no signs of forced entry through the doors or windows. The only possible entrance or exit was a small window gap, just a few inches wide.
: Ah, it's like a locked-room murder mystery...
::Dahao: Hey, hey, it's just a theft!
: Wish we had March 7th here...
::(Trailblazer): (If March 7th were here, she'd probably jinx it and accidentally reveal who the thief was...)
:Dahao: The box containing Guyun was opened, and the sword went missing, but none of the other swords in the room were touched, which means...
: The suspect knew about the box and the sword.
::Yunli: ...Well, I do know about the box and the cursed sword.
: The theft was planned in advance.
::Yunli: ...Yeah, I don't think it was stolen on a whim.
:Dahao: Exactly. The suspect had a clear motive and took only Guyun.
:Dahao: So, besides the ceremony participants, only the delegation members had access to the sword.
: Could it be that someone from the delegation stole the sword?
::Dahao: Hmm... in that case, why would they return it to the Xianzhou in the first place?
:: Maybe they regretted their decision?
:: Not everyone in the delegation has the same agenda.
::Dahao: Hmm, that makes sense. The delegation, led by the Knight of Beauty, delivered the sword to the Artisanship Commission. The craftsman who received it testified that they didn't take anything from the arsenal.
: Could it be that Argenti stole the sword?
::Dahao: Argenti? Oh, that Knight of Beauty... He was with the delegation when they handed over the sword to the Artisanship Commission.
::Dahao: You might not know, but he's the one who recognized the sword's origin on Kalevala and escorted it back to the Xianzhou. In other words, he's the one who made it possible for the sword to come home.
::Dahao: So, he wouldn't have gone through all that trouble to bring it to the Luofu if he wanted to keep the sword for himself, right?
: Could it be that a craftsman stole the sword?
::Dahao: Master Gongshu checked the work records, and I questioned all the craftsmen and apprentices who were on shift at the time, but I didn't find any suspicious individuals.
: Could it be that I stole the sword?
:Dahao: So... did you steal it?
: No, I didn't.
:Dahao: Then stop joking around!
:Huaiyan: I can prove that (Trailblazer) came to me after leaving the Artisanship Commission, so he couldn't have stolen the sword.
:Dahao: To put it simply, not everyone who's seen the sword has been to the Artisanship Commission, and not everyone who might want the sword has seen it... So, the only remaining suspect is Miss Yunli.
:Yunli: Fair enough.
:Dahao: So...
:Yunli: I didn't steal the sword.
:Dahao: Well, when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.
: No, this isn't the only remaining possibility.
: I think we might be missing something here.
:Dahao: If you want to prove me wrong, (Trailblazer), you'd better come up with some solid evidence.
===Talk to the witnesses at the scene and investigate the evidence at the crime scene===
:(Trailblazer): (Let me gather my thoughts. I need to help Yunli clear her name...)
:(Trailblazer): (Did we miss any clues?)
;(Talk to Dahao, optional)
:Dahao: If you've found any clues, (Trailblazer), feel free to tell everyone.
: I'd like to talk to the others again.
::Dahao: Alright, come back to me when you're ready.
;(Talk to Huaiyan)
:Huaiyan: Yunli says she didn't steal the sword, and I am willing to believe her.
:Huaiyan: But I know well that Yunli can be impulsive, so if she did steal the sword on a whim, I won't show her any favors.
:Huaiyan: You were with Yunli yesterday, (Trailblazer), so you have the best chance to prove her innocence. Is there anything you need to ask me?
: Did she come to you afterward?
::Huaiyan: No, she was still mad at me, so she didn't come by. If she had come with you, she wouldn't be a suspect right now.
: How was the sword delivered?
::Huaiyan: After the ceremony, Argenti carried the sword case, and together with the delegation, they were escorted by the Cloud Knights to the Artisanship Commission. The artisan there confirmed that the sword was safely stored.
: That's all I have to ask.
:Huaiyan: I'm counting on you then.
;(Obtain )
;(Talk to Huaiyan again, optional)
:Huaiyan: Yunli says she didn't steal the sword, and I am willing to believe her.
;(Talk to Yunli)
:Yunli: I don't want to make things difficult for Official Dahao. Let's do this his way and prove my innocence.
:Yunli: If I can find that cursed sword, I can prove my innocence right away.
: That would be too convenient.
::Yunli: Well, don't blame me if I find it first and melt it down.
: And how are you planning on finding the cursed sword?
::Yunli: That's what I'm trying to figure out right now.
: No, that would make it look like you did steal it.
:Yunli: There's something else bothering me. Why would the thief take the sword but leave the case behind? Did they melt down the sword like I wanted to?
: Is it really that strange?
::Yunli: I mean, carrying around the sword like that would be pretty conspicuous. Wouldn't a thief prefer to take the case as well?
: Maybe the case was too much trouble?
::Yunli: Yeah, maybe. But if the case was too much trouble, wouldn't it be too conspicuous to carry around the sword like that in plain sight?
;(Obtain )
;(Talk to Yunli again, optional)
:Yunli: There must be a reason why the thief took the sword but left the case behind.
;(Talk to Paavo)
:Paavo: Who could have thought that the would be stolen... and that the prime suspect is General Huaiyan's granddaughter?
:Paavo: Regardless, we've accomplished our mission, and now it's the Xianzhou's problem. By the way, why did that girl call it a cursed sword? It's quite upsetting.
: Because the sword can take over the wielder's mind.
: Because the sword contains an evil spirit.
:Paavo: That's enough, young ! Let me get something straight: On Kalevala, this sword has always been highly revered!
:Paavo: The first master of the Miekka Kivessä slew countless demons and then passed it down to a line of wise monarchs.
:Paavo: The monarchs would heed the guidance of the heroes' spirits within the sword and gain insight into defeating their enemies.
: Was that actually the voice of the heliobus?
::Paavo: What is... helio... what? Never mind...
: That's a common element in myths and legends.
::Paavo: Of course... it could just be a myth. After all, no one has actually heard the sword speak.
:Paavo: The point is that the Miekka Kivessä did help the ancestors of Kalevala build a strong foundation! It's definitely not a "cursed sword"!
;(Obtain )
;(Talk to Paavo again, optional)
:Paavo: The point is that the Miekka Kivessä did help the ancestors of Kalevala build a strong foundation! It's definitely not a "cursed sword"!
;(Talk to Master Gongshu)
:Master Gongshu: Yes, I received your message yesterday and went to the arsenal to check on it.
:Master Gongshu: But when I went back this morning, all that was left was the case. I don't know anything else, so asking more questions won't help, I'm afraid.
:Master Gongshu: However, as the master artisan of the Artisanship Commission, I've got to clarify something — even though the sword was stolen, this commission is still highly secure!
:Master Gongshu: Wait, no. I just remembered, my precious aurumatons were smashed!
;(Obtain )
;(Talk to Master Gongshu again, optional)
:Master Gongshu: I don't know anything else, so asking more questions won't help.
;( Investigate case)
:The container used to seal Guyun is indeed a sight to behold. Its beauty is radiant. Perhaps it was this very beauty that has drawn unwanted attention.
:Regardless, as one of the few pieces of physical evidence left at the scene, it just might hold traces of the thief.
: Sword Case Exterior
::The sword case, masterfully adorned with metal wire inlays, traces the pattern of lotus flowers, subtly proclaiming its origin from the illustrious Xianzhou Zhuming.
: Sword Case Lock
::The locking mechanism nestled within the case remains intact, bearing no marks of external force or tampering.
::(Trailblazer): (So... the thief took the sword from the case without picking the lock?)
: Open sword case
::You notice a few smears of red along the bottom of the sword case's interior. It's hard to ignore, as if a deliberate declaration of existence to those who are viewing the sword case.
:: (Extract the red coloring from the interior of the sword case)
::A few petals, teetering on the brink of withering. More precisely, a single rose petal.
::(Trailblazer): (Why is this flower petal inside the case...?)
:You close the sword case and put it back.
;(Obtain )
;( Investigate case again, optional)
:A sword casket produced by the Zhuming that is used to seal Guyun. Its opened lock appears to have not been damaged. At the bottom of the casket, a few rose petals have been intentionally left behind.
===Talk to Dahao and deduce the truth behind the theft again===
;(Talk to Dahao)
:Dahao: If you've found any clues, (Trailblazer), feel free to tell everyone.
: I'm a hundred percent sure Yunli didn't steal the sword.
::Yunli: Thank you, (Trailblazer), but I'm not sure if I can convince Mr. Dahao...
::Dahao: A hundred percent sure? Fine, let me go through my reasoning again, and you can interrupt if anything feels off.
: I'd like to talk to the others again.
::Dahao: Alright, come back to me when you're ready.
;(Debate starts)
:Dahao: Throughout the entire incident, there was only one suspect who broke into the Artisanship Commission, and that was Miss Yunli.
: (Continue questioning)
::(Trailblazer): Your statement isn't quite accurate. Argenti, the delegation members, and even me, we were all at the Artisanship Commission at some point.
::Dahao: True, but they all left after delivering the sword, and the craftsman overseeing the handover confirmed that they couldn't have left with the sword.
::Dahao: We looked into it as well. Before Guyun was handed over, the cycrane at the entrance of the Artisanship Commission captured (Trailblazer) leaving... but there's no record of Miss Yunli leaving.
::Yunli: Why would I dare leave through the main entrance after smashing the aurumatons?
: (Present evidence) 
::(Trailblazer): On second thought... maybe let me think about it again.
::Dahao: Take your time. My reasoning is solid.
;(Continue to next sentence)
:Dahao: Miss Yunli caused a ruckus at the Artisanship Commission, trying to take away Guyun, but you stopped her in her tracks.
: (Continue questioning)
::(Trailblazer): (What Dahao said seems right...)
::(Trailblazer): Exactly. So at least Yunli didn't steal the sword at that time, because we were at the aurumaton warehouse.
::Dahao: ...If your testimony is reliable. I'm not implying anything, but we need to scrutinize every piece of evidence.
: (Present evidence) 
::(Trailblazer): On second thought... maybe let me think about it again.
::Dahao: Take your time. My reasoning is solid.
;(Continue to next sentence)
:Dahao: After bidding farewell to you, Yunli pretended to leave but snuck into the arsenal alone and stole Guyun.
: (Continue questioning)
::(Trailblazer): After Yunli and I went our separate ways, I messaged Master Gongshu to inform him about the incident.
::(Trailblazer): And much later, Master Gongshu told me the sword was confirmed safe. So up until that point, Yunli couldn't have stolen it.
::(Trailblazer): (Can I prove this?)
: (Present evidence) 
::Dahao: Wait, you messaged Master Gongshu? I had no idea! Well, that's some solid proof right there.
::Dahao: However, it only proves the sword wasn't stolen up to that point.
::Yunli: I didn't do it!
: (Present evidence) 
::(Trailblazer): On second thought... maybe let me think about it again.
::Dahao: Take your time. My reasoning is solid.
;(Continue to next sentence)
:Dahao: We haven't found any other suspects or evidence.
: (Continue questioning)
::(Trailblazer): Looks like you're missing some crucial evidence.
::Dahao: There are no signs of the arsenal being broken into. So, the only real evidence is the sword case.
::(Trailblazer): No, the fact that there are no signs of a break-in is suspicious in itself.
::(Trailblazer): (Which piece of evidence should I use to convince Dahao?)
: (Present evidence) 
::(Trailblazer): I carefully examined the lock of the sword case, and there were no signs of tampering or damage.
::Dahao: What does that mean?
:: It means the case was never locked in the first place.
::(Trailblazer): As to why the case was never locked in the first place, only the people who delivered it to the Artisanship Commission would know.
::(Trailblazer): Plus, I found something else inside the case.
::(Trailblazer): (Which piece of evidence should I use to further convince Dahao?)
: (Present evidence) 
::(Trailblazer): I found this in the crevice at the bottom of the case.
::Dahao: A... rose petal? Hmm... I must have missed it during the search. But why was there a petal inside the case?
::(Trailblazer): I don't know, but I do know that wherever that Knight of Beauty goes, he always leaves behind a trail of rose petals that's almost impossible to clean up.
:;(Debate ends)
: (Present evidence) 
::(Trailblazer): On second thought... maybe let me think about it again.
::Dahao: Take your time. My reasoning is solid.
;(Continue to next sentence)
:(Trailblazer): (Can I prove this?)
: Ask again and see what happens...
;(After winning the debate)
:Dahao: My thoughts are a mess... Let me sort them out...
:Dahao: The sword case was never locked, which is evidence that only someone who delivered the sword could have done that. And the rose petal was probably left behind by that Knight of Beauty.
:Dahao: But how did he manage to take the sword from the Artisanship Commission? Why did he steal it after returning it here? And why would he leave that petal in the case?
: How am I supposed to know?
: Ask Argenti, not me.
:Yunli: I know.
:Yunli: Guyun flew out of the case on its own. The Knight of Beauty only unlocked the box to aid its escape.
:Paavo: Don't be ridiculous. How can a sword escape from a case on its own?
:Yunli: You've never ever seen a Flying Sword before?
:Paavo: I... I've only heard about the Miekka Kivessä being able to fly in legends. But even if it could fly, why would the Knight of Beauty do this?
:Yunli: Like I said, the sword contains a heliobus. Argenti must have been under the control of the sword! Maybe he was under its control even before you arrived on the Luofu.
:Huaiyan: Official Dahao, where can we find that knight?
:Dahao: Um... let me see... the docking location of Argenti's ship, the One and Only...
:Yunli: Let's go, (Trailblazer)! We've got to find Argenti before that sword completely takes over his mind!
===Go to Starskiff Haven and confront Argenti===
;(Approach marked location)
:
;(Yunli walks forward)
:
:Argenti: I've been waiting for you here for quite a while.
----
:Yunli: Knight of Beauty, you're the one who stole Guyun, right? Hand it over! You have no idea how dangerous that cursed sword is.
:Argenti: Dangerous? In my humble opinion, the real danger is always the hand wielding the weapon.
: Why steal Guyun now?
::Argenti: Please allow me to correct your statement: I never attempted to steal this weapon. As Idrila's knight, I've sworn to live in poverty and possess only what is necessary.
: So, you intentionally left the rose petal behind?
::Argenti: Yes, I did. As Idrila's knight, I've sworn to live in poverty, and I abhor theft. I had to leave behind a rose petal in order to keep my promise to Master Guyun and uphold my knightly oath.
:Yunli: Wha-What do you mean?
:Argenti: I agreed to assist Master Guyun in its escape from the Xianzhou. As the person who pulled it from the stone monument, captivated by its beauty, I must not let it down.
:Argenti: I couldn't stay in the arsenal to convince the craftsmen, nor did I want to take the sword like a thief. That's why I left behind a small piece of evidence that pointed to my identity in the hope of an open and honest conversation with you.
:Yunli: Whatever your reasons are, you're planning to take the cursed sword away from the Xianzhou! Hand it over to me!
:Argenti: Back then, it was the beauty of Master Guyun that impressed me, so I willingly embarked on the journey to return the sword... But unfortunately, Master Guyun's homeland is no longer the ideal place for it to return to. As a Knight of Beauty, I must not abandon it halfway
:Yunli: Oh, no. He's completely captivated by the power of that cursed sword.
: How can we snap him out of it?
::Yunli: The solution is right in your hand.
: It's like a devil that can mess with your mind.
::Yunli: That's what makes cursed swords so scary.
:Argenti: Captivated? No, I am touched by Master Guyun's flawless beauty!
:Argenti: To be honest, I'm confused why none of you can understand this sword. This is quite heartrending... I've already made up my mind to take Master Guyun away from the Xianzhou.
:Yunli: That cursed sword has messed with your ability to think, but I'll break you free from its grip! I'll shatter its illusion... and the sword itself!
:Argenti: Fair lady, if you're intent on taking away this person... this sword that is under my protection, please engage me with a fair duel according to knightly etiquette.
:Argenti: As a representative in this duel, I, Argenti, challenge you!
: A representative?
:Argenti: I swear on the spirit of chivalry, in front of Idrila the Beauty, that I will represent Master Guyun in this duel.
:Argenti: If I win, you will allow Master Guyun to leave the Xianzhou with me. And if you best me, Miss Yunli, I'll accept my defeat and turn Master Guyun over to you...
:Argenti: Do you accept my challenge, Miss Yunli?
:Yunli: Fine, let's see whose desire is stronger, your desire to take it away, or my desire to hunt down all cursed swords!
:Yunli: Show me what you've got!
;(Enter battle with )
::Yunli: You're not going to use Guyun to fight for victory?
::Argenti: While I know a thing or two about swordplay, in a proper duel like this, a knight should rely on the skills he's honed day and night.
::Yunli: You're a real weirdo.
;(After winning the battle)
:Argenti: I've lost. According to the rules of a knight's duel, I should keep my promise and hand over the sword to you.
:Argenti: But before I do that, I hope that you, as the winner, might have mercy and listen to Master Guyun's past experiences...
:Yunli: This sword has been cursed since the day it was forged. Place it in front of me, and let me destroy it!
:???: Do what she says, Knight.
:Argenti: But...
:???: You've done so much for me already. It's time for me to face her alone.
:
:Guyun: I'm weary of fighting. I just want to share my past with you, to explain why I wanted to escape.
:Guyun: After that, I'll leave my destiny in your hands. Are you afraid to witness my past, little girl?
:Yunli: Afraid? Well, you do have a different aura from other cursed swords, but you're just trying to use my curiosity to lure me in.
:Guyun: Well, you know best that a single touch won't snatch away anyone's sanity.
: Just be careful, Yunli.
: I think it's worth a shot, Yunli.
:Yunli: ...
:Yunli: Fine, show me your past.
===Talk to Guyun and learn why it fled===
;(Talk to Argenti, optional)
:The knight understands the rules of knightly duels. He ceases arguing and instead eagerly awaits for you and Yunli to listen to Guyun's past.
;(Talk to Guyun)
;(Enter Kalevala in Memory)
===Follow Guyun and live through a memory long forgotten on another planet===
:
:
:Guyun: Follow me.
:Yunli: Is this... your memory?
;(Follow Guyun to the Nameless Swordsmaster)
:Nameless Swordsmaster: It's so cold here... I didn't feel it when I was in the thick of battle, but now it's freezing me to the bone.
:Guyun: ...
:Nameless Swordsmaster: You're indeed a masterpiece from the Xianzhou Zhuming. If you hadn't taken control of my body, I probably would've been decapitated in that fight...
:Guyun: Quiet! And stay alert! Borisin Wolftroopers never give up the hunt.
:Nameless Swordsmaster: Hey, just relax a bit. It's been over 300 days since we were both stranded on this planet. The transmitter never rings, so I guess we can't count on that anymore.
:Nameless Swordsmaster: The people on this planet still use beasts to pull their carts. Obviously, there's no way they can help us fix the starskiff.
:Nameless Swordsmaster: Looks like we're stranded on this forsaken planet for the rest of our lives.
:Guyun: The rest of a Xianzhou native's life could be terribly long. Are you feeling any desperation? All by yourself in this hostile world?
:Nameless Swordsmaster: Yeah, a bit, perhaps.
:Guyun: When things get too rough for you to handle, just leave everything to me. No need to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders...
:Nameless Swordsmaster: Yeah, sure. If I really can't handle things anymore, I'll leave my body to you.
:Nameless Swordsmaster: But now is not that time.
:Guyun: Do you really think you can oppose an entire borisin army with your limited skills? What are you holding out for?
:Nameless Swordsmaster: It's true that I'm stranded here, but it seems like that borisin pack is in the same boat...
:Nameless Swordsmaster: By the way, Guyun, do you know what a seed is? A seed may seem insignificant, but with careful cultivation and time, it can grow into a huge, unwavering tree.
:Nameless Swordsmaster: You said that the rest of a Xianzhou native's life could be terribly long... You're right. That's why I intend to plant a seed named "resistance" here and nurture it for the rest of my life. I want to show the people of this land how to defend themselves against those monsters.
:Nameless Swordsmaster: I can already see the seed in the eyes of those people.
:Guyun: Hehe, you really think you can do it? Why not just give me control, and we can revel in the bloodbath together?
----
:Yunli: What was the memory I just saw?
:Guyun: It was a memory of me and a Cloud Knight, stranded on an unfamiliar planet.
:Guyun: We crash-landed on a planet occupied by borisin. Just the two of us.
:Yunli: I can feel that it was a lonely war.
;(Follow Guyun to the Nameless Swordsmaster)
:Nameless Swordsmaster: ...
:Nameless Swordsmaster: I'm alive, but all the young people in the village...
:Guyun: They died. They died for you. They died because of your big promises, promising them a life free from the borisin.
:Guyun: I tasted their despair before death. They didn't see it coming, and neither will you.
:Nameless Swordsmaster: We can't stay here... Let's move on to the next village.
:Guyun: Why? What's the point!? You and your sorry excuse for an army have been fighting for over three decades, and you haven't won a single battle! What you're sowing is not "resistance," but "despair."
:Guyun: This world is hopeless! It's completely infested with packs of borisin!
:Guyun: You've seen their numbers, and you know their methods... And those commoners you've put your hopes in, they just kneel down and worship the monsters devouring their children and families, calling them their Beastmasters!
:Guyun: You beheaded one of the Beastmasters for their sake, but they turned on you because they were scared of the borisin taking revenge. You remember all that, right?!
:Nameless Swordsmaster: I... I do! I remember my first death. The borisin... cut off my head.
:Nameless Swordsmaster: But I also remember that if it weren't for a brave youngster who risked his neck to reattach my head and give me a proper burial, I would've disappeared completely.
:Nameless Swordsmaster: I remember everything the people did for me: They left food at the entrance of my cave, fixed my fur coat, and some even joined my resistance.
:Nameless Swordsmaster: The rest of this Xianzhou native's life is still terribly long, and there will be new youngsters who will stand beside me in battle! Time is on our side.
:Guyun: ...
----
:Guyun: You said it was a lonely war.
:Guyun: No, it wasn't a war filled with loneliness, but with despair.
:Guyun: So much despair that I don't ever want to taste it again.
:Yunli: ...
;(Follow Guyun to the Nameless Swordsmaster)
:Nameless Swordsmaster: I'm leaving.
:Vague Voice: Where are you going, Your Highness?
:Nameless Swordsmaster: I'm returning... to my homeland, a distant place beyond the sky. I'm not coming back.
:Vague Voice: But... what should we do with you gone? What if those wolf demons show up again?
:Nameless Swordsmaster: They won't, my child. You've wiped out the last of them...
:Nameless Swordsmaster: But before I go, I need you to do one thing for me. Even though the wolf demons are gone, new monsters will appear in this world.
:Nameless Swordsmaster: Soon, a demon will appear, donning golden branches and knowing only bloodshed. However, fear not, my children.
:Nameless Swordsmaster: I'm entrusting you with this sword that's been with me in countless battles. Use the skills I've taught you over the years, and you'll surely defeat that last demon.
:Nameless Swordsmaster: But that's not all. I need you to construct a stone monument for me. It must be large and sturdy enough to seal the remains of that demon forever. This is a debt you owe me, and you must fulfill it. Do you understand?
----
:Guyun: You lied to them, and you lied to me too.
:Nameless Swordsmaster: Oh?
:Guyun: You promised that you'd give your body to me when you couldn't handle things anymore.
:Nameless Swordsmaster: Well, this Xianzhou native's life has finally come to an end, my old friend.
:Nameless Swordsmaster: How about one last chance for revenge? Come and bid me farewell for the final time.
----
:Yunli: ...He had long since come to some understanding. I could sense a mix of intricate emotions flowing out.
:Yunli: It wasn't bloodlust, or anger, or fear. What he had left for you was... hope.
:Guyun: "They've learned how to fight monsters, but there's still one last monster lingering in the world. Kill it, my old friend."
:Guyun: He left me there without ever looking back.
;(Follow Guyun to the Nameless Swordsmaster)
:Nameless Swordsmaster: ...Thank you, my old friend.
:Guyun: ...
:Nameless Swordsmaster: Heliobi can taste human emotions...
:Nameless Swordsmaster: How do my emotions taste... my old friend...?
:Guyun: ...
:Guyun: A hint of bitter compassion and a touch of scalding courage. Your heart's deepest desire is to end war once and for all.
:Guyun: Now, the war is finally over... Can you hear?
:Guyun: ...
:Guyun: Even though you can't hear me anymore, my old friend, I'll do everything I can to bring an end to all conflicts in this world.
----
:Yunli: So, this is the past of the Kalevalan people's Sword of Heroes? You helped the people of that world bring an end to war?
:Guyun: No, I did not. I am a weapon, and I only became the cause of more conflicts.
:Guyun: Countless monarchs of Kalevala saw me as a symbol of kingship endowed by nature, and they waged wars in order to possess me.
:Guyun: I grew tired of their wicked intentions. I didn't want to kill for anyone anymore.
:Guyun: So, I returned to the stone monument where my master was buried, and since then, no one was able to remove me from it.
:Yunli: ...But you allowed Argenti to take you away?
:Guyun: Because even after all this time... I still wanted my master to come back home.
;(Follow Guyun to the stone monument)
:Guyun: During the sword-gifting ceremony, I felt anguish when I learned that I would be handed over to the most skilled swordmaster and once again become a tool for killing.
:Guyun: My master had engraved his deepest desire into my blade: End war.
:Guyun: As a weapon, my purpose was predetermined from the start: I had to become a deadly sword that would relentlessly hack and kill.
:Guyun: But once I fulfilled my mission, would I have the right to choose my own destiny like he did? So, I asked the Knight of Beauty to help me break free from this never-ending cycle of bloodshed.
:Yunli: These thousands of years have naturally turned into memories of mine.
:Yunli: ...I think I understand the "beauty" the Knight was talking about now.
:
:
:
;(Return to reality)
:Argenti: ...I've told you everything about my experience with Master Guyun on Kalevala. And now, I'm sure that Miss Yunli is as moved by the sword's flawless beauty as I was back then.
:Huaiyan: Even though I had heard the legends of this sword from this delegation, delving into its memories was still fascinating. Yunli, I trust Guyun's experiences have changed your mind.
:Yunli: ...
: I had no idea that this sword had such a past.
::Yunli: It wasn't until I held Guyun in my hands that I could sense its thoughts and unspoken words.
: General Huaiyan said this sword would change you.
::Yunli: That's why Grandpa hid it from me, so I wouldn't make a hasty decision.
:Yunli: I always thought... a cursed sword infused with a heliobus would only bring rage and slaughter. I never thought someone could leave behind the desire to end war and even change the nature of the cursed sword.
:Yunli: My position was too extreme. Guyun is truly a Sword of Heroes. I... I apologize to all of you for my behavior.
:Yunli: ...I'm sorry!
:Dahao: Now that we've proven Miss Yunli's innocence and found the sword, should we now return it to the arsenal?
:Yunli: No, I'm still going to melt down this sword!
:Huaiyan: ...
:Argenti & Dahao: ...!?
:Guyun: ...
: ...!?
: Oh, Yunli...
:Yunli: I've heard your true desires, Guyun. I can sense that you're tired of being a sword, constantly serving new masters and fighting battles you no longer want to be a part of, right?
:Guyun: But being a sword is my destiny. I'm doomed to serve some master and fight battles endlessly. Can the wind choose to stop blowing? Can a cloud choose to stop drifting? No, it's the same for me, a creation with a predetermined destiny.
:Yunli: That's not true, Guyun. That Nameless Swordsmaster shaped his own destiny, so you can too.
:Guyun: I just can't picture my destiny being anything other than that of a sword...
:Yunli: Do you remember when you stood alone in front of the stone monument? People admired you because you carried the memories of the hero. You were no longer a sword. You were a memorial.
:Guyun: ...Later, as I became worn and weathered, the gentle wind would pass through the hollows of my body, creating melodic tones that echoed in the distant mountains. I became a musical instrument then. I miss those times.
:Yunli: Can a creation become what it wants to be? The answer is "yes"! I'll grant your wish, Guyun, and transform you into something different.
:Guyun: ...Something different?
:Dahao: But this is the prize for the Wardance... If the Kalevalan delegation finds out... Please say something, General Huaiyan!
:Huaiyan: Well, my granddaughter has always been stubborn. Are you really sure about this, Yunli?
:Yunli: What do you all think?
: If that's what you want, I'm on board.
: You might as well ask Guyun's opinion.
:Argenti: Fulfilling Master Guyun's wishes is the reason I came to the Xianzhou. With Idrila's blessing, you could turn Master Guyun into a plow, but as long as it fulfills his wish to end war, I support it fully!
:Guyun: Then I'll leave it to you, Yunli.
:
----
;(Cutscene plays)
::Yunli: It's been an honor getting to know you like this.
::Guyun: The honor is mine. Thank you, Yunli.
;(Cutscene ends)
----
;(Teleport to Artisanship Commission)
:Yunli: ...
:Huaiyan: Why the long face, my child? Are you feeling regret, perhaps?
:Huaiyan: You were completely determined when melting down the sword, so why the sudden change of heart?
:Yunli: Grandpa, I melted down the prize for the Wardance. How are you going to explain this to the Luofu?
:Huaiyan: Oh, am I hearing right? This little girl is worried about her grandpa! Hehe, didn't see that coming.
:Yunli: Tsk.
:Yunli: If only I had talked to you from the beginning, Grandpa... Maybe things wouldn't have escalated like this.
:Yunli: But at least Guyun got what it wanted. I have no regrets there.
:Huaiyan: When it comes to swords, you... you and your father are cut from the same cloth.
:Huaiyan: So, are you planning to continue melting down the rest of Hanguang's swords?
:Yunli: Yeah, Guyun is unique, but the other cursed swords are still too dangerous for anyone to handle.
:Yunli: But maybe I'll try to be more patient next time.
:Huaiyan: "Be more patient." Well said. Remember what you learned today, because there will be many more situations in the future that will require you to "be more patient."
:Yunli: Understood, but what about the prize?
:Huaiyan: Well, ever since you showed up at the ceremony, I had a hunch, so I prepared another sword as a backup plan. And don't worry, this one has nothing to do with heliobi!
:Yunli: That's perfect!
:Huaiyan: By the way, the ambassador from Kalevala and that knight went to Aurum Alley. They're looking for a spot to honor the hero. Why don't we go take a look together?
: Let's go.
===Go to Aurum Alley and commemorate the Nameless Swordsmaster===
;(Approach marked location)
:Paavo: Oh, General Huaiyan! What brings you here?
:Huaiyan: Well, my granddaughter was inspired by the heroic legends told by the Miekka Kivessä, so she dragged me here to take a look.
: What's this golden sapling...?
: Why did you choose this place?
:Paavo: I come from a long line of Kalevalan monument keepers. For generations, my family has guarded the stone monument left behind by the nameless hero.
:Paavo: Over the centuries, a golden tree sprouted from under the monument, and its branches have never withered. We Kalevalans see it as proof of the hero's existence.
:Paavo: Before leaving Kalevala, I took a branch from that golden tree, hoping to plant it here to represent the hero returning to his homeland.
:Huaiyan: That sounds good. We Xianzhou people don't make coffins or set up memorials, so I'm sure he would be happy to rest here where life is bustling.
:Paavo: The hero had asked our ancestors to carve something into the monument, so I made a copy of it too.
:Paavo: While the inscription is pretty worn with age, perhaps you can still make out some of it...
:Huaiyan: "I have drifted far from my homeland and am on the brink of death. Yet, I take solace in having honorably fulfilled my duties."
:Huaiyan: "Should you feel compassion for me, kind traveler, please take a handful of soil hence and bring it back to the Luofu."
:Huaiyan: Mr. Paavo, I wonder if that hero ever left a name in your history?
:Paavo: I apologize, but the hero's epic battles happened long ago, and he did not leave any name for us to call him. But in our mythology, he came from the heavens, and so we call him the Cloud Knight.In the Chinese game text, he is titled , which is slightly different from the Chinese name of the .
:Huaiyan: Welcome home, Cloud Knight.
:Yunli: Now you can also rest here, Guyun.
;(Mission completed)
:;(Obtain Achievement Sword in Stone, Soul in Sky)
===Post-mission===
;( Investigate guqin)
:An unassuming ancient guqin, its body and strings appear to be crafted from a unique kind of metal.
:Even without a human's touch, it occasionally bursts out notes, as if humming an untuned melody for someone unseen.
;(Talk to Yunli)
:Yunli: I'm feeling a bit emotional... I'd like to stay here for a while.
:Yunli: Thank you for your guidance, (Trailblazer). I'm truly grateful... By any chance, would you be interested in taking sword lessons with me, like March?
: Maybe not, I have my baseball bat...
: Thanks, but no thanks. I don't think I can endure the hardship.
;(Talk to Argenti)
:Argenti: As a punishment for being an "accomplice" in the theft, General Huaiyan assigned me to guard this golden sapling and recite the story of the hero and this legendary sword to passers-by.
:Argenti: This is not a punishment at all, and I gladly accepted it! Spreading the message of Beauty to the Xianzhou residents is exactly what I desire.
:Argenti: However, I plan to leave the Xianzhou soon and continue my travels. May our paths cross again in the vast Cosmos, my dear friend.
;(Talk to Paavo)
:Paavo: Now that my mission is accomplished, the delegation will be leaving the Xianzhou Luofu soon. But of course, the experiences here will become an epilogue to the hero's stories.
:Paavo: This golden sapling will become a part of the everyday scenery of the Xianzhou. I believe it's what he would have wanted.
;(Paavo leaves)
==Notes==
==Trivia==
*The scene in which Yunli confronts Argenti in Central Starskiff Haven is a parody of the first cutscene of Mission 19 in , in which Dante confronts Vergil.
**"15th day of Month X, 16:04" is a reference to the time in that cutscene, "15 JUNE PM04:04".
*In Kalevala in Memory, the monument's inscription is written in Xianzhou characters, which reads "PLTX SYZJ XBRTZ" vertically from left to right.
**Chinese: 
**Pinyin: PiāoLíngTāXiāng ShēnYǔnZàiJí XìngBùRǔTiānZhí
**Translation: I have drifted far from my homeland and am on the brink of death. Yet, I take solace in having honorably fulfilled my duties.
*Guyun, along with Hanguang's other cursed swords, may be a reference to swords made by the swordsmith , whose swords were believed to be cursed and possess whoever wielded them.
==Other Languages==
==Change History==