Guide showcasing all the choices in the games, their impacts, and how to earn achievements.
Currently WORK IN PROGRESS as I play through the game.
NOTE – There appear to be a LOT of branching paths based on prior choices or relationship with other characters… a lot of this side pathing will be left until the end of the guide! If you figure out how to reach one of my missing side paths, feel free to post in the comments and save me some time later. Thank you so much!
Rising Gale
ALSO, ALL CHOICES ARE LISTED LEFT TO RIGHT. ALL CHOICES OF LEFT ARE LISTED BEFORE ANY CHOICES ON THE RIGHT.
Achievement: The Era of Great Strife awards upon starting the chapter.
The Costly Jade
Then I can’t afford it
Don’t worry, I know it in my heart
Two Possible Methods
Do as Commandant Chu suggests -> The Emperor’s Inner Servant
Do as Minister Xie suggests -> The Emperor’s Close Attendant
The Emperor’s Close Attendant
Try to win over Eunuch Wen
Be brief; loose lips bring trouble
The Emperor’s Summons
Is this about Yu Gon’s rebellious poem?
I am dull-witted and unclear
Relationship with Yu Gong
I know him, but not close
We are somewhat acquainted
I do not know him
Whether Present or Not
Present
Not present – BAD END
NOTE – If you say “I do not know him” and then select “Present”, you’ll wind up at BAD END as well
Reason for Sparing Yu Gong
Thought it drunken bravado – Achievement: Resourceful
I seek to arrest more traitors
Harsh but useful advice
NOTE – Go to The Emperor’s Chess Game after any of the above selections.
NOTE2 – I think this achievement triggers after doing a number of different choices with the Emperor, I went through the lower path first and then the upper path where this triggered.
The Emperor’s Inner Servant
Try to win over Eunuch Wen
Be brief: loose lips bring trouble
Entering the Palace Kate at Night
I come to offer congratulations
I come to plead for someone
Method of Pleading for Mercy
About to win back the people’s hearts
About to gain a loyal and righteous man
Dealing with the Treacherous Official
Accept criticism humbly -> The Emperor’s Chess Game
Spare his life and exile him -> The Emperor’s Chess Game
Sentence him to death -> The Emperor’s Thoughts
The Emperor’s Thoughts
Respond with logic
Respond with feeling – Trust+
The Emperor’s Chess Game
Win this game
Lose this game – Trust+
The Erring Elder Brother
Someone in Qingzhou deliberately stirred trouble – Achievement: Unfathomable Mind of the Aged Emperor
Reduce his honors – Trust+
NOTE – There are 2 different paths into the next scene, depending on high or low Trust with Emperor
The Scapegoat
Expose her intentions -> The Pleading Chess Piece
Play along with her act -> Prince of Ning’s Warning
The Pleading Chess Piece
Save Guo Xuan
Stand aside and watch
NOTE – If you have low Trust into “The Scapegoat” and choose to let Guo Xuan die, you’ll have a different scene than high Trust
Prince of Ning’s Warning
Select talents for the realm
Never intended to compete with elder brother – Guilt+
Achievement: Winds of Change upon finishing the Chapter
Note – I finished at 98%, not sure what I’m missing in this chapter. If you know, please tell me!
Falling Rain
Remain silent
Congratulate elder brother – Guilt+
The Empress’s Pastries
Brother has worked hard these years – Guilt+
Haven’t eaten before coming – Guilt-
Split the pastry in half
Chen Wan’er’s Thoughts
Born a woman, yet lofty aspirations
Born a woman, why not work the silken bloom
The Eldest Daughter of the Chen Family
Why don’t you want to marry
Why should I trust you
What do you need me to do
NOTE – You will select all 3 choices here. Order does not matter
Embezzled Supplies
Mobilize troops immediately -> The Suddenly Arrived Army
Forget it, the risk is too great -> Let the Mistake Stand
Let the Mistake Stand
Go out and confess – BAD END
Launch a coup – GOOD END + Achievement – Destined by Heaven
NOTE – There is a BAD END after “Launch a coup” if you do NOT save Guo Xuan in the Prologue
The Suddenly Arrived Army
Take up arms and break out
Drop weapons and surrender – Trust+
Thrown Into Prison
I want to see Father Emperor
You despicable villain – Guilt-
Remain silent – Guilt+
Sikong Zheng’s False Accusation
Do you think I fear you
Would you really turn against me – Guilt+
A Chance to Escape Blame
Yes – it was all Chu Huan’s plot – Guilt-
What – you don’t dare to kill me outright
Brother, spare me this once – Guilt+
The Final Ultimatum
Fine, I confess -> The Tumultuous Times
Not my crime, I won’t confess -> Leads to BAD END if Guo Xuan is dead. If alive, goes to A Path to Break the Deadlock
NOTE – There is also a 2nd branching path, likely from low truth / guilt??
The Tumultuous Times
We’ll hide our names from now on – END
I am a Sikong – END
A Path to Break the Deadlock
Eunuch Wen – BAD END
The Empress
This Subject has Something to Say
All this was someone framing me
I will assist elder brother – Trust+
I will die to pray for Father’s health
The Reason for Deploying Troops
I would not dare
It’s hard to say – Trust- = BAD END + Achievement: Courage to Speak Frankly
I did harbor private motives – Trust+
The One Who Deployed the Troops
It was Chu Huan’s own initiative – Trust+
It was my order
NOTE – There is a branching path, likely from low trust / guilt?
The One Who Deployed the Troops 2
I understand, Your Majesty
NOTE – There is a branching path, likely from low trust / guilt?
Achievement: Rain Beating on Duckweed upon completion of Chapter 1
I’m at 95% on the chapter after the above, with at least 3 known split points likely making up the remaining %. See map:
Sea Dragon
Your sister is right
Don’t listen to your sister
True Measure of One’s Capabilities
Watch them fight another round
Stop them immediately
Where Is the Jade Thumb Ring
If you still have the Ring -> An Object of Great Value
If you gave it to Eunuch -> The Subtleties of Attending a Banquet
The Subtleties of Attending a Banquet
Prepare a modest gift -> A Humble Gift
No gift needed -> Empty-handed
A Humble Gift
That is exactly the gift I bring
That hardly counts as a gift – Favor+
NOTE – After either, go to A Scholar’s Fervor
Empty-handed
Rebuke Zheng of extravagance – Favor+
Do not dare outshine elder brother
Forgot in haste – Favor-
NOTE – After any, go to A Scholar’s Fervor
An Object of Great Value
A general can certainly accept it – Favor+ + Achievement: A Gift as Weighty as the Affection Behind It
This jade belt-hook carries deep meaning – Favor+
A Scholar’s Fervor
Favor+
There is a split here based on ???
Zu Yue’s Challenge
Spar with Zu Yue -> The Clash of Blades
Put Zhu Yuanzhi forward -> Talented Allies by One’s Side
The Clash of Blades
Pass some of the QTEs for the fight -> The Debate on the Northern Expedition
Pass all of the QTEs – Favor+ + Achievement: Kung Fu Master -> The Debate on the Northern Expedition
Fail the QTEs for the fight – BAD END + Achievement: Decency
Talented Allies by One’s Side
Yuanzhi, well fought
Remain silent
The Debate on the Northern Expedition
Whether to launch – Majesty already has mind made up – Favor+
The campaign is not about money or supplies
The Crux of the Northern Compaign
The people will understand – Favor-
Such a thing surely won’t happen – Favor+
Make the people suffer a little – Favor-
Responsibility for the Defeat
Our dynasty will not be defeated – Favor+
General Zu will never be defeated – Favor-
I am willing to shoulder this responsibility – Favor-
NOTE – You need to select all the Favor+ options throughout this discussion to get Father to agree and get the Achievement and progress
Zu Kun’s Opinion
If you gave Favor+ all 3 prior choices – Achievement: From Depths to the Deep -> Sobering Soup
If any answer had Favor- – BAD END
Sobering Soup
Drink it
Suspect
Asking About Your Return
This is a good opportunity
I won’t be gone long
Achievement: The Trials Begin upon completing Chapter 2
Currently at 98%, missing the north path off of A Scholar’s Fervor. Maybe low trust or grief?
Drawn Blade
Spare his life, no need to chase
Don’t let him escape
The Kindless of the Former People
Accept his goodwill
Tell him to settle himself
The Situation in Yiyang
Has the request for reinforcements been sent
What is our army’s morale like
How are the city’s grain reserves
What do we know of Shi Lang
NOTE – Must do all 4 before moving on automatically
Former Officials of Xuan
It is I
State your business
Request to Enter the City
Hear him out -> The Imperial Heirloom Seal
Refuse to engage -> Execute the Traitor with an Arrow
NOTE – There is a different scene after this choice for each of the 2 choices in the prior scene.
The Imperial Heirloom Seal
Host a banquet to receive them -> Northward Advance, Southern Return
Execute him on the spot – Morale+ -> Refugees Assaulting the City
Drive him out -> Refugees Assaulting the City
Northward Advance, Southern Return
Seal the news and retreat south – BAD END
When did I say to bargain with Shi Lang – Morale+ + Achievement: Turning the Tables -> Refugees Assaulting the City[/b]
Execute the Traitor with an Arrow
Pass QTE – Morale+
Fail QTE
Refugees Assaulting the City
Fire arrows – Morale+ -> The Main Force of the Wuyou
Do not fire -> The Wall in Crisis
The Wall in Crisis
Sally out, decisive battle – END
Act according to military orders – Morale+
Fire arrows
The Main Force of the Wuyou
East
West
Plan for the Night Raid
Send Zhu Yuanzhi
Let Xie Xuan lead – BAD END from East
NOTE – If you pick West, get END and Achievement: Emperor Wu of Xuan regardless of who you send
Unexpected Reinforcements
Welcome the militia into the city – BAD END
Have the militia wait outside the city
Pacify the Righteous Fighters
Personally go out to placate the militia – BAD END
Privately court the militia leader Liu
Exposed Whereabouts
Silence them
We’re new
Suspicion Towards the Righteous Army
Wunu didn’t launch and attack today – Liu Trust+
Many northern Xuan surrendered
Recruitment of the Righteous Army
Order righteous forces to attack now
Disband righteous forces – Liu Trust+
The Melody on the City Walls
This tune is sorrowful
Thank you for your help outside the city
A Formidable Enemy
Perhaps
I don’t know
It will
Achievement: Sharpening the Blade after completing Chapter 3
This gives 100% for the chapter. Yay! Map coming tomorrow.