Ancient Dreams: 1-1 Antique Souls

Ancient Dreams

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The past pulls people in its wake. in a world where ancient objects have souls, what should Gu Yunting do?

Info

Style: Gifts: Water Town Dreams, Dreamy Blooms Event Logs: Soul, Antique Spirit, Portrait of a Lady, Oil Paper, Cloisonné, Revolving Vase Recommended: Water Town Dreams, Dreamy Blooms Rewards: 3,000 , 600 , 3 , 1 , 1 , Plant Collection, Blueprint: Bamboo Gentleman

Bamboo Gentleman

Dialogue Choices

There are no dialogue choices in this stage.

Transcript

Expand for script.

• You: ...so cold.

• You: It's so cold.

• You: Where am I?

• Rain is falling in the ancient temple.
• The bronze bells in the corner eaves sway with the winds, casting silhouettes on the corridor walls. In the shadows is the Lake of Release. A thin fog covers it.
• You: It's that dream again.

• I tilt my face up and let the heavy rain fall on my cheeks. The chill seeps through my skin and into my bones.
• It hurts a lot.
• ???: You're a cold-blooded person.

• I hear a familiar voice in the distance. Her voice is full of both resentment and longing.
• My heart trembles. I press my hand on my chest.
• ???: You're the cold-blooded one, Mr. Huo.

• She repeats herself. Her voice becomes more mournful. The sound echoes.
• ???: A cold-blooded person. You're the cold-blooded one, Mr. Huo.

• ???: Mr. Huo!

• The woman's voice is sharp and I can't hear her clearly. My heart feels like it's being tightly gripped. The pain suffocates me.
• You: No! This isn't real! I-I want to go home!

• There's a sudden gunshot, and I plunge into darkness...

• Zisha Pot: She's awake! She's awake! Look! Yunting is awake!

• Terracotta Figurine: Are you okay, Yunting?

• Jade Qilin: She hasn't eaten in two days.

• Palace Lantern: What can we do? We can't bring her grandfather back from the dead...

• You: Ugh! So much noise!

• I rub my tired eyes and sit up.
• I open my eyes, and see a quaint house. The morning rays are shining through the intricately carved windows and are illuminating the Treasure Cabinet.
• A few antiques are huddled together on the shelf, chatting away.
• You: (The antiques in this world can speak when they form a soul.)

• You: (If they become more powerful, they can transform into a human.)

• You: (But the antiques here...)

• Jade Qilin: What's wrong with Yunting? Her eyes don't look right...

• Palace Lantern: Shh! She's staring at us!

• The antiques sense the change in my expression. They stop talking and pretend to be lifeless on the shelf.
• I can't help but smile as I reach out to touch the Jade Qilin with a puffy face.
• You: (The souls of these antiques are too young. They can't transform into humans yet.)

• You: (The only one that can is...)

• Xiaojing: Is Yunting awake?

• The door is slammed open. An excited little girl wearing a bow in her hair rushes into the room.
• Xiaojing: You're finally awake, Yunting!

• Xiaojing: Why is your forehead all sweaty?

• The only antique spirit in the house that can transform into a human is this little girl, Xiaojing.
• You: Don't worry, I'm fine. Just a bad dream.

• Xiaojing: You don't want to catch a cold. Why don't you dress in the clothing I've prepared for you?

• Xiaojing: That's the Yunting I know!

• I smile at Xiaojing as I clean the dusty scrolls in the corner.
• You: (It's been a long time since I've tidied the house...)

• Xiaojing: Don't worry about that! You haven't eaten in days! You need to stop pushing yourself so hard!

• Xiaojing: Grandpa Gu is no longer around. If you leave me, too, I'll have no friends left...

• Zisha Pot: *cough*

• The Zisha Pot interrupts her ramblings.
• Xiaojing quickly covers her mouth and looks at me timidly.
• Xiaojing: I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring up Grandpa Gu...

• You: (Grandpa...)

• I freeze for a moment. I grip the scroll in my hand tightly, and memories fill my mind...

• My name is Gu Yunting, and I am the granddaughter of Gu Cailiang, a master of antique restoration.
• My parents passed when I was six. From then on, I lived with Grandpa in Huating. Grandpa taught me everything he knew about antique restoration.
• Grandpa passed away from an illness while I was out traveling. When I returned to Huating, I was only left with this house of antique spirits to keep me company.
• After Grandpa's sudden death, I spent a month grieving. I had the same nightmare over and over, and I barely touched my worktable.
• You: (It's the Gu family's missions to keep the secret that antiques have spirits living within them. We listen to their voices and repair their souls.)

• You: (I'm the only heir to the Gu family trade. I have to pull myself together...)

• You: Don't be afraid, Xiaojing. What happened to Grandpa... is in the past...

• You: I will take care of the family business...

• You: I have to pass on Grandpa's skills.

• Xiaojing: Really?!

• Xiaojing: You're really not upset about it anymore?

• You: When have I ever lied to you?

• Xiaojing: I'm so relieved!

• Xiaojing: But... but...

• You: But what?

• Xiaojing: ...but there is a Portrait of a Lady, waiting for you to work on it. It was delivered here last month.

• Xiaojing: You said you lacked oil paper for it, and you put it aside.

• Xiaojing: The client's been rather pushy, saying we'll need to compensate them if there are any further delays.

• You: Don't worry.

• You: The damage to the portrait isn't extensive. It won't take long to repair it.

• Xiaojing: There's one more thing.

• I follow Xiaojing to the courtyard. She fishes a notebook from the bottom of a vase in the corner. She hands it to me.
• Xiaojing: This is the restoration notebook that Grandpa Gu left before he passed away. He asked me to keep it safe and give it to you when you were ready.

• You: Grandpa's notebook?

• I'm surprised. I frown as I flip open the notebook and see Grandpa's clear writing on the first page.
• "All things have a spirit, while great virtue is ineffable."
• The notebook contains a detailed account of Grandpa's restoration experiences over the years. A letter is also enclosed in the back of the journal.
• I open the letter. The handwriting in the letter is a bit messier than I'm used to, but I feel my eyes well up a little.

Yunting:

I'm sure you'll overcome your grief before you read this letter.

I've fallen ill suddenly, and I don't have a lot of money to leave behind. If you encounter difficulties, you can sell the remaining antiques to make ends meet. It's difficult to survive in today's world, and materialistic belongings are not as important as your life. They've been through many things, and they know that separation is a normal occurrence. You don't need to feel guilty about this.

But Xiaojing is naïve and does whatever she wants. You need to look after her. I know you've always been concerned about her, but the evil spirit in the Commander's residence has lain dormant for many years without causing trouble. Perhaps she has already fulfilled her wish.

Everything comes to an end, and there are causes and consequences for everything that happens in this world. You do not need to pursue the matter further. The strand of hair enclosed in this envelope belonged to Xiaojing before she was injured. In times of crisis, it may protect you. I simply wish you a peaceful life. If it's within your means, please restore the antiques with sincerity and don't waste your skills.

I lived in a chaotic world, and I've spent my time as a wanderer. It's time for me to leave, so please don't feel sad for me.

Grandpa Gu

• I look inside the envelope and find a lock of hair. I put it back so Xiaojing won't see it.
• Xiaojing: What's wrong Yunting? Did the letter say something bad?

• You: No... Grandpa told me to take good care of you.

• I sigh softly and remain silent for awhile. Grandpa once mentioned Xiaojing's background to me...

• 26 years ago, Xiaojing brought the broken cloisonné revolving vase she had spawned from to Grandpa and asked him to restore it.
• The revolving vase consists of a hollow outer vase and an inner vase. Souls spawned in this antique for over 200 years. They eventually transformed into a pair of sisters, Xiaojing and one other.
• Xiaojing was formed by the inner vase, but the outer vase spirit was seriously injured for unknown reasons.
• In order to repair the outer vase, Xiaojing's soul practically dissipated, and she lost her memories. Five years ago, the outer vase spirit awakened and disappeared.
• Grandpa investigated the matter for many years before he found out the outer vase spirit had snuck into the the Huating Commander's residence.
• Grandpa died soon after.

• You: (Antique spirits are like humans: they can be good or evil. Grandpa once said that Xiaojing's sister bore hatred and probably transformed into an evil spirit.)

• You: (Grandpa didn't want me to pursue the matter, but that spirit has gone astray. There could be severe consequences if I do nothing.)

• You: (As a descendant of the Gu family, I can't let it wreak havoc and hurt the innocent. I have to find an opportunity to go to the Commander's residence and check things out.)

• Xiaojing: What's on your mind?

• Xiaojing: I can take care of myself, and I can take care of you as well.

• Xiaojing: You need to eat. It's been too long!

• I smile and caress the back of her head when she behaves like an adult.
• You: You're right. We need to be good to our bodies in spite of what we may encounter!

• You: Let's go out for some wontons and buy oil paper on the way.

• Xiaojing: Wontons?

• Xiaojing: That ...sounds... amazing!

• Xiaojing's eyes light up, and she keeps nodding her head.
• Xiaojing: It's cold today. Perfect for piping hot wontons!

• Xiaojing: I know where we can get the best. Let's go to East City Lai Restaurant!

• Xiaojing: I hear their ancestors were imperial chefs! Their wontons have prawns, eggs, bamboo shoots, and other fillings to mix and match!

• It's almost noon when we leave. The sunlight is shining so brightly it blinds us.
• It's the coldest month and everyone prefers to go out during the warmest time of day.
• People are selling hot buns on the street. I catch Xiaojing's gleaming eyes when she sees them, so I buy one for her to eat along the way.
• Passerby A: He's coming! Quick! Get out of the way!

• We walk toward Minghan Boutique when the crowd stirs before us.
• Passerby B: What's all the fuss about?

• Passerby A: The Commander's coming!

• Passerby B: You mean Commander Huo?

• Passerby C: Who else? Quick! Out of the way! Don't get trampled by the horses!

• You: Stay close behind me Xiaojing! ...Xiaojing?!

• I reach out for her hand, but Xiaojing is not there. She squeezes through the crowd toward the middle of the street.
• Her half-eaten bun is lying on the ground.
• You: (She's going to risk her life for a morsel of food!)

• I try to catch up, but she's much quicker than me. I can hear the horse approaching.
• You: Xiaojing!Get back here!

• I desperately push my way through the crowd, stepping on countless feet along the way.
• I finally pry myself free and reach the street. When I'm two steps away from Xiaojing, I see a tall horse rushing toward her.
• The horse lifts its hooves up high.
• You: Xiaojing!

• I leap forward and push her aside with all my might.
• The horse neighs!

• I lose my balance and fall over. I close my eyes in resignation.
• You: Hmm?

• I do not feel the pain I expect. After a moment's hesitation, I open my eyes.

• The sun is in its full glory in the afternoon.
• A man in a cloak rides a black stallion. He has a firm grip on the reins.
• He's positioned against the light, so I can't see what he looks like. I can only make out his sharp jawline.
• He jumps off the horse.The sun is harsh, and his voice is rough.
• ???: Get out of the way.

Transcriber's Note: The phrase "snuck into the the Huating Commander's residence" is not a transcription error, and is accurate to the story stage itself. (January 2025)