A Win and It's Road

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* GL
* TW

## **Main Background**

Fang Forest

> *"After the second time travel investigation, the truth behind the sealing of the Four Perils has gradually come to light. However, Sima Qian & Lu Ban failed to come back to the present time. To rescue Sima Qian & Lu Ban, Zhuang Zi & co. decided to once again go back to the past. The third trip went just as smoothly as the previous ones, but as soon as they regained their senses they realized they were stuck in the midst of a battle, and were already under attack..."*
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> -Grand Historians 9 Part 1 Quest Info (unofficially translated from TW)
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**A Win and It's Road** is the 30th Standard Regional Ultimate Quest released for the Taiwanese version of Crash Fever.

After the events of Escape from Banquan Palace, Chang Xian escorts Dahong, Zhuang Zi, Xiao Gu, and the adapter to Xuanyuan Hill. Li Mu greets them, and says that Chang Xian reported that Dahong had gotten surrounded; he asks if she is OK. Dahong says that it was just a rescue mission, and the group was able to fight as well. She remarks that the outcome would have been much more uncertain had they fought Xingtian until he was defeated rather than escaping. Li Mu says that finishing the objective is the priority, and said that Xuanyuan had previously stated that there is more to battles than just killing the enemies.

Dahong reports that they were unable to save one of the captives, but Zhuang Zi says that Hui Shi will probably be fine. Li Mu asks if he is saying that because of optimism or trust in his allies, but Zhuang Zi says that from what they have seen it is likely that Hui Shi will be treated well. Li Mu asks if he means abuse or torture, but Zhuang Zi assures him that the enemy will not use any violence against Hui Shi. Chang Xian remarks that Zhuang Zi's way of thinking is mysterious, just like Fenghou. Dahong just says that she can understand what Zhuang Zi means. Li Mu says they don't need to discuss it any further, and says that Xuanyuan is waiting for them.

Li Mu reports to Xuanyuan that the rescue was successful, and introduces Xuanyuan to the group. Xuanyuan praises Dahong for her work in getting them out of Banquan Palace even with Xingtian trying to stop them. Dahong acknowledges the praise, but admits that they weren't truly successful since they were unable to save one of them. Xuanyuan mentions that Fenghou had said that even rescuing just one of them would have been a success, and thus being able to rescue all but one would mean it was very successful of a mission.

Xuanyuan then speaks to Zhuang Zi, Xiao Gu, and the adapter, asking them to introduce themselves. He asks to confirm that they were from the Main Branch, but Zhuang Zi says there isn't much point in hiding their identity so he directly says that they are from the future. Xiao Gu and the adapter are surprised that he just stated it outright, while Li Mu and Chang Xian are dumbfounded. Dahong muses over the situation, while Xuanyuan finds the information very interesting and laughs. Chang Xian asks why he's laughing, and Xuanyuan mentions to Fenghou that it was just like he said, although Xuanyuan says he didn't expect them to just state it outright.

Fenghou steps forward, and says that he expected Zhuang Zi to admit it directly. Chang Xian and Li Mu are utterly confused, with Li Mu asking for clarification and wondering to himself if this is some movie. Fenghou says that, as confusing as it may be, it is the only clear explanation for recent events. Xuanyuan points out that the group's IDs, weapons, and technology are not possible in the current time. Fenghou supposes that is why Yan Di tried to forcefully take away their weapons, but Xuanyuan says he is certain that it is the work of Xingtian instead, as Yan Di would want to win with his own strength instead.

Li Mu remarks that it wouldn't make sense for them to pass up on the opportunity, but Xuanyuan reminds him that victory isn't everything. He asks Li Mu to remember the true purpose of the Test War. Chang Xian answers that it is supposed to determine the Grand Administrative AI to manage the ALICE China Branch, and Xuanyuan says that it's not only to determine the Grand Administrative AI, it will also decide the future of the China Branch. He asks them if they really think using such power from the future will actually benefit them in that regard. Fenghou agrees with Xuanyuan's analysis, and says that using such power would disturb the timeline and quite possible make them suffer the consequences of doing so.

Zhuang Zi says that the reason they came was to prevent the timeline from being disturbed, and asks Xuanyuan to help the group find Sima Qian and Lu Ban. He mentions that the future has already been affected by what is going on. Xiao Gu explains that while their history investigation device can repair such things to a certain extent, it has a limit, and the danger limit has already been exceeded. Li Mu acknowledges what they say, and apologizes for his previous behavior. Zhuang Zi tells him that his reactions were only natural, given how unbelievable what they were saying was.

Li Mu thanks Zhuang Zi, and then proposes to Xuanyuan that they work with Dahong to rescue Hui Shi. Fenghou points out that Yan Di will most likely have increased the security of Banquan Palace, and trying the same tactic might not work. Dahong suggests that they find a way to lure Yan Di and Xingtian out of the palace. Xuanyuan agrees with the idea, and offers himself as bait by going to fight directly. Chang Xian and Li Mu are surprised that he would put himself at risk like that.

Xuanyuan explains that Zhuang Zi and the others being locked up was most likely all Xingtian's planning, as he is very obsessed with ensuring Yan Di's success. Xuanyuan continues, saying that if he goes to the field himself, Yan Di and Xingtian will have to take the battle seriously. Fenghou says that he would advise against a risky maneuver, but since the decision is made he will hope for the best, and it may be their best chance. Xuanyuan says that it is about time to put an end to the Test War anyways.

Xuanyuan gives his orders for their strategy: Li Mu and Chang Xian will fight alongside Xuanyuan; Fenghou will remain at their base and set up the Eight Formations in order to prevent a surprise attack from "that guy"; Dahong will go with Zhuang Zi to sneak into Banquan Palace to rescue Hui Shi. With that, Xuanyuan's forces begin mobilizing.

On the Banquan Plains, the battle begins as the two armies fight each other. Xingtian calls Xuanyuan shameless for taking away their guests and then starting a battle. Li Mu asks in response how one could possibly consider it not shameful to imprison those unrelated to their war and still call them "guests". Yan Di tells Xingtian to stand down. Xingtian asks Yan Di why he would waste his time fighting Li Mu, but Yan Di scolds him, saying that he had told Xingtian to not use force against their guests and yet he did otherwise. Xingtian insists that victory is what matters.

Yan Di says that he will take responsibility for the actions of his subordinates, and challenges Xuanyuan to a proper duel to end this Test War. He says that the outsiders will not be involved, and regardless of the outcome they will not use their technology. Xuanyuan readily agrees, and the two prepare to fight.

Meanwhile, at Banquan Palace, the group tries to find Hui Shi. Xiao Gu remarks that Hui Shi is nowhere to be seen, and Dahong ponders if there are any hidden chambers in the palace. Dahong suddenly receives a message, and tells the others that there is an emergency and they need to head back immediately. Xiao Gu asks what happened, while Zhuang Zi laments that it seems Hui Shi has gotten them into more trouble. The group leaves the palace to join with Xuanyuan's forces as soon as they can.

As they partake in the battle, they soon find Hui Shi among Yan Di's forces, having been persuaded by Xingtian to assist them. When the group fights against Hui Shi, he says that he isn't there to fight Xuanyuan, and it should be fine for him to fight, so long as it is only against other people from the future. Hui Shi is defeated, and the group has to fight Xingtian next. Xingtian uses another chip much like the last one, and begins to wield tremendous strength in the fight. However, once again, Yan Di gives Xingtian the order to back off.

Xuanyuan battles against Yan Di, and the two fight until Xuanyuan eventually bests Yan Di. Yan Di goes down on one knee, exhausted. Xingtian becomes enraged, and curses Xuanyuan while refusing to accept Yan Di's defeat. He picks up a weapon and rushes to attack Xuanyuan, saying that he will defeat him even if it means his data ends up corrupted. Yan Di blocks Xingtian's blade with his own sword, and tells Xingtian that that is enough. Xingtian protests, saying that he can still fight and defeat Xuanyuan. Yan Di once again declares that that is enough, and asks if Xingtian will go against his orders. Xingtian just curses and bashes the ground in anger, as he doesn't want to accept this result.

Yan Di admits defeat, and tells Xuanyuan to inform the Supreme Council to have him disposed of. To Yan Di's surprise, Xuanyuan laughs and helps him back up. Xuanyuan says that this is just a Test War, and there is no need for them to fight to the death. He then says that while the Supreme Council may have one view, he has a different perspective. He explains that the China Branch started with their rivalry to find the ideal Grand Administrative AI, and to decide the next generation of Grand Administrative AIs. In this founding era of the China Branch, both of them are essential.

Yan Di asks Xuanyuan why he didn't use the power and technology of the outsiders despite having gotten hold of them, and Xuanyuan says that them and their techniques are not of this era; if they only seek power, it will change the future for the worse and limit their ability to decide their own future for themselves. Yan Di wonders if Xuanyuan is a serious person, or just a dumbhead, and Xuanyuan remarks that it wouldn't hurt to have one more dumbhead.

Xuanyuan then says that Yan Di and Xingtian are valuable, and while Xingtian's obsession may get a bit out of hand, his loyalty is admirable. Yan Di asks if the Supreme Council would really go along with this, and Xuanyuan says that once he is the Grand Administrative AI of the China Branch, his opinion will matter. While the Supreme Council may be the ones making the final decision, they would still have to go through him as he has a right to object against Yan Di's disposal. He remarks that, for now, he believes the Supreme Council would know what the best choice is. Yan Di says that he is surprised that Xuanyuan would be willing to defy the Supreme Council, and Xuanyuan responds that he only cares about making the best choice for the China Branch, even if it does bring him into conflict with the Supreme Council.

Meanwhile, Xiao Gu scolds Hui Shi for taking part in the battle, asking him what would happen if it caused history to change. Hui Shi just says that he could understand Xingtian's desire to obtain victory, and refuses to apologize. Xiao Gu remarks that he is just as stubborn as Xingtian. Zhuang Zi tells Xiao Gu to not worry about it, saying that Hui Shi often stands his ground on the oddest topics. Zhuang Zi also suggests that the flow of history may have caused Hui Shi to act in this manner as well.

Dahong chuckles at this conversation, and remarks that the way Zhuang Zi speaks is interesting. She thinks to herself that it is just like what her big sister told her. Xiao Gu remains confused, and Zhuang Zi says that it doesn't matter too much how it happened in the end so long as everything turned out fine. Chang Xian congratulates Dahong and Zhuang Zi on their performance, and says that Xuanyuan has called for them.

Chang Xian leads the group to Xuanyuan, who asks to confirm if they have finished their rescue. Zhuang Zi confirms that it was a success, even though there was a bit of trouble in the process. Xuanyuan laughs, and remarks that there is no problem, and it is only natural to argue with your friends sometimes. Li Mu asks Xuanyuan if he is referring to Li Mu's quarrel with Fenghou, but Xuanyuan just just laughs and says that he said nothing. Xiao Gu remarks that Xuanyuan is certainly interesting, but the adapter taps her on the head to tell her to apologize, although she insists she didn't do anything wrong. Xuanyuan says that the group's navigator is quite interesting herself, and is funnier than Fenghou.

Chang Xian gives a report to Xuanyuan, and says that both armies have suffered casualties and are now exhausted. She advises they return to their palace, and begin working on the details of their collaboration later. Xuanyuan agrees, and tells her to get into contact with Yan Di who he guesses is with his men.

At that moment, however, the wind began to pick up, and a storm began to form. Xuanyuan asks what is going on, and Dahong says that it might be an attack from the enemy. Xuanyuan is surprised, and asks if "that guy" would really dare to attack at a time like this. Chang Xian asks if the Eight Formations device is there, and she confirms that it is. Xuanyuan says that he will active the device, and orders Chang Xian and Li Mu to provide support for Yan Di's troops so they can retreat to the Eight Formations and then back to Youxiong. Chang Xian and Li Mu acknowledge his order, and prepare to head off.

Xuanyuan tells Dahong to protect Zhuang Zi and the group in their retreat, while Hui Shi protests about leaving the others here to fight. Zhuang Zi tells him that this is their war to fight, as determined by history, and that they have their own path to follow. The group then manages to retreat.

Near Banquan Palace, Li Mu and Chang Xian catch up to Yan Di, and inform him that they were ordered to escort Yan Di to Youxiong. Xingtian mentions that most of their forces are injured, and offers to guard the rear of the forces against the enemy. Yan Di disagrees, and says that Xingtian should go with him. Xingtian says that if no one is there to stop the enemy, then they will be vulnerable if the Eight Formations can't hold the enemy back. He says that his whole purpose is to ensure that Yan Di defeats Xuanyuan, which means that Yan Di must live and thus Xingtian should fight against any other threats to Yan Di. Xingtian rushes to the enemy lines, while Chang Xian and Li Mu tell Yan Di to come with them. Yan Di curses at the situation as he is led into the Eight Formations.

While Xingtian fights against the enemy, one of their generals arrives. The general uses a gust of wind to sweep Xingtian off his feet and to knock him to the ground. The general calls Xingtian a moron, and mocks him by saying it's probably because Xingtian lacks a head. Xingtian retorts that a brainless head can't do anything. Xingtian gets back up and dashes at the general, which manages to surprise him for a moment.

Their weapons clash, but the general manages to defeat Xingtian. A mysterious man walks forth, and commends Xingtian's bravery and strength. He says that Xingtian is quite worthy, and orders his troops to bring Xingtian back with them.

The story is continued in Battlefield's Wind and Rain.

## Counter Units

The Regional Festival counter unit to this quest is Li Mu. While not a direct counter, Xuanyuan will trigger special dialogue if brought.

## Quest Overview

* [Prologue]
* [Ultimate]
* [Epilogue]

## Post Quest Blurbs

Some of the blurbs have been edited for clarity.

* **Xuanyuan:** First Era Grand Administrative AI that was developed by the W Financial Group, and is not designed for combat. This is solved with the support from the Four Vassals.
* **Xuanyuan's Vassals:** The Support AIs are Fenghou: strategist, Li Mu: combatant, Chang Xian : algorithm, and Dahong: data collection and management.

## Trivia

* When this quest was first released in the Taiwanese version, Feng Bo was shown directly by accident instead of just having his silhouette like in the Global version.