True Colors

You meet Zhezhi at the entrance of the Public Security Bureau. Relieved to see you, she gathers her courage and decides to speak the truth about the art forgery case during the hearing.

Three days earlier, Gupan had entrusted you with investigating the "Arcane Artist" in the Tiger's Maw. You then decide to track down witnesses and begin gathering information.

Huaijin reveals that the monsters lurking around the mine have been acting strangely, and hints that they might be linked to some painting scrolls. Huaijin also warns you that there is likely more than one person involved in the case.

Jifeng elaborates on more key details of the attacks, leading you to suspect that they are not random events, but something far more deliberate.

While investigating sightings of the monsters and the Arcane Artist, you run into Zhezhi. She explains she is also investigating the chaos caused by the Arcane Artist. Realizing you are after the same thing, you suggest asking a local mineral merchant for more information.

With the merchant Shilang's encouragement, Zhezhi drums up the courage to ask to be your friend and is relieved by your response. To shift the conversation away from Shilang's friendly teasing, she mentions the Arcane Artist. You learn that some suspicious individuals had purchased heaps of leftover ore and even stole from Shilang at night. To confirm the details, you check Shilang's transaction records.

Your discussion is interrupted by Chixia's arrival. Zhezhi, feeling shy and a little awkward, is unsure how to decline Chixia's invitation to return to the city. Just when she is about to give in to Chixia's friendly insistence, you politely excuse both of you from the gathering. Chixia mentions she is also investigating the Tacet Discords that have been acting strangely. Just then, a loud noise nearby interrupts your conversation and you all decide to check it out.

You learn from Chixia and a researcher that the Tacet Discords had gone wild due to a frequency fluctuation from a painting scroll found at the site. The scroll's power came from the artist's nearly Overclocked Forte.

While investigating Mingyan, the artist in question, you discover she had once studied art alongside Zhezhi. Although Mingyan's fragmented speech suggests that she may be guilty, her expression hints at a more complicated story. However, she is unwilling to reveal more.

From the witness Su, you learn that Mingyan appeared lost, waving her paintbrush moments before a swarm of Tacet Discords emerged from nowhere. It also seemed like she had tried to stop the monsters from harming anyone.

Yinfeng, another witness, claimed that Mingyan created the dangerous painting purely for personal gain.

After piecing together the clues, you uncover the truth. Mingyan used her Forte to create temporary phantasms in her art that attracted Tacet Discords. The "monsters" reported by witnesses were merely distorted phantasms seen by frightened people in the dark. Zhezhi insists that Mingyan was not motivated by personal gain, and asks that you continue to search for evidence to clear her name in her art studio.

Regretting her earlier hesitation, Zhezhi promises to speak up more decisively as you make your way to the scene.

Among Mingyan's drafts, Zhezhi recognizes copies of the "Serenity of Xiehua Village," each painted in subtly different ways. As you examine the details, Zhezhi notices pigment stains on her clothes and quickly realizes that the quality of the paint is lower than usual.

A find a stained piece of clothing, prompting Zhezhi to recall how she used to use her clothing as makeshift canvases. She suggests that Mingyan might have done something similar.

You find Mingyan's notes that reveal her struggles as an artist and the pressure she felt while painting against her true desires. Zhezhi reflects on how common this feeling is among creators. Having once faced the same confusion, Zhezhi expresses her determination to uncover the truth and help save Mingyan.

You stumble upon medicinal herb residue. Zhezhi, inexperienced with such materials, initially thinks it is just leftover pigment. Finding this makes you realize that Mingyan had not been feeling well before the incident.

Zhezhi speculates that a Gulpuff might have escaped from the studio. While the theory seems questionable, you appreciate her effort, spurring Zhezhi to try again. Impressed by her Forte use, you learn that Zhezhi rarely uses her Resonance abilities. Zhezhi confesses that her Forte, which closely resembles Mingyan's, may somehow be connected to Mingyan's uncharacteristic outburst.

In Mingyan's studio, you discovered pieces of "White Jade Paper." Zhezhi introduces its unique qualities with an artist's keen eye. Drawing from her understanding of the paper and Mingyan's habits, Zhezhi begins to build a theory about what happened prior to Mingyan's incident.

At an Exile camp, you find piles of ore fragments and handmade pigments. The amount perfectly matches what you saw in Shilang's transaction records. This confirms that these Exiles were the ore thieves and that Mingyan had purchased their low-quality pigments.

The Exiles admit to knowing Mingyan and admiring her exceptional art. They claim they tried to stop her from creating dangerous paintings, but their efforts had been in vain.

Zhezhi senses that neither the Exiles nor Mingyan are being truthful. She notices that some Exiles have blackened hands, a sign they are secretly producing pigments and inks for some unknown purpose. Suspicious of their deception, you decide to sneak into the camp at night to uncover the truth.

During your infiltration, you overhear a conversation revealing that these supposed Exiles are actually employees of the Shanyun Art Exchange. This confirms that the Art Exchange is involved in Mingyan's plight and hints at their involvement in churning out art forgeries.

From their conversation, you discover that Yinfeng, the witness from the crime scene, had signed Shilang's transaction record. Yinfeng had framed Mingyan to cover up their illegal activities. To verify Zhezhi's suspicions about a certain "batch of paintings" mentioned in the Exiles' conversation, you decide to disguise yourselves and investigate further.

During your infiltration, you overhear a conversation revealing that these supposed Exiles are actually employees of the Shanyun Art Exchange. This confirms that the Art Exchange is involved in Mingyan's plight and hints at their involvement in churning out art forgeries. You also learn that Yinfeng, the witness from the crime scene, had signed Shilang's transaction record. Yinfeng had framed Mingyan to cover up their illegal activities. To verify Zhezhi's suspicions about a certain "batch of paintings" mentioned in the Exiles' conversation, you decide to disguise yourselves and investigate further.

In the hearing, you present the evidence—the recording, art forgeries, and the low-quality pigments—to prove how the Art Exchange coerced painters into producing counterfeit works. However, Baici defends himself with different excuses. At that moment, Zhezhi gathers her courage and reveals a hidden truth: she is the original creator of "Serenity of Xiehua Village."

Zhezhi faces her past and takes control of her Forte, preparing to use it to back up her claim and embrace the responsibility that comes with her talent.

The painting Zhezhi creates during the hearing, combined with the message you sent to the Patrollers, leaves Baici no choice but to confess. The Public Security Bureau announces they will re-evaluate Mingyan's charges and launch a full investigation. Victory is yours.

You find a recording of Mingyan asking to leave the Art Exchange's schemes, only to be threatened by Yinfeng. It appears that Yinfeng has also been reporting all of Mingyan's actions to Mr. Baici, his boss.

Inside the camp's warehouse, you find countless copies of famous artworks, proving that Mingyan had been coerced into creating forgeries for the Art Exchange. You immediately share this information with the Patrollers. Meanwhile, Zhezhi discovers the original "Serenity of Xiehua Village," the stolen masterpiece. She begins to explain how she recognized it amidst all the forgeries, but is interrupted by a horde of Tacet Discords.

After defeating the monsters, you realize that the painting's frequency had attracted them. Zhezhi laments that her presence must trigger the emotional frequencies in Mingyan's paintings and that her Forte may have played a role in inciting Mingyan's obsession. You reassure Zhezhi that the blame lies neither with her nor the painting.

Yinfeng dismisses the value of an artist's passion and tries to silence you with money. Outraged but resolute, Zhezhi stands her ground, determined to expose the dark side of the Shanyun Art Exchange and save all the artists who are been coerced into producing forgeries.

As the hearing unfolds, Baici, the founder of the Shanyun Art Exchange, casts doubt on Zhezhi's statement with his slippery arguments. Nervous and shaken, Zhezhi finds it impossible to refute him. You decide to step in and explain the events of three days ago. Your support gives Zhezhi the confidence to continue, and she uses her paintbrush to paint an image of the scene.

After the hearing, Zhezhi thanks you for your unwavering support and expresses her relief at the outcome. Together, you plan to visit Mingyan.

When Mingyan learns about your efforts, she expresses her deep gratitude and apologizes to Zhezhi. She admits that the incident makes her question whether she is truly meant to be an artist. Zhezhi encourages her to follow her heart, gifting her a painting she had once received from Mingyan. Staring at her own work, Mingyan grows emotional, lost in thought.

Happy for Mingyan's change of heart, Zhezhi tells you that solving this case isn't just about helping Mingyan, but also about living up to your expectations. Touched by your reassurance, Zhezhi playfully teases you for the first time. While it may still be difficult for her to open up around others, she has made great strides thanks to your support.