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I've heard that people lose their reason when they lose what they love, or if they let their obsessions get the better of them...

Is there anyone under heaven who could break his heart over kung fu?

Unless—

Unless he's gone so far down the martial path that he's no longer dealing in mortal affairs...

Well... I haven't forgiven him yet, but I won't forgive whoever turned him this way either!

You're right... they won't get away with it.

But you just reminded me...

There's a town near here. Perhaps it'll offer a clue.

You're looking for someone?

This has been a busy clinic lately. You see those people with plaster casts all over them? Maybe the one you're looking for is among them.

Looks like business has been booming for you.

Mind if I ask... why are there so many wounded here?

It's a long story... this has always been a peaceful town, with no real martial tradition.

Maybe a couple of people make a living with the sword, but nobody worth writing home about. Best they can do is to stand guard at a manor, or escort some goods a short ways.

In recent days, though, we've been getting jianghu adventurers from all across the country coming to these parts, for some reason.

More people means more trouble. These guys are showing up with hot tempers. A little argument, and fists start flying.

They're in pretty bad shape. What kind of argument gets them going at each other like that?

That's another matter altogether...

The folks who've come to this town are after some kind of secret kung fu tome. Legend has it, the thing will make you First Under Heaven. And there's nothing they wouldn't do to get their hands on it.

First Under Heaven... again.

There's one particular nutcase among their ranks.

He challenges anyone who looks like a jianghu adventurer, whether they want to fight or not.

Total nutcase, but incredibly strong. Half the people who've been in here these past few days got hurt fighting him.

...Is this guy still in town?

Who knows? He's made his share of enemies. People might be after him now.

Do you know that madman?

Well...

Don't worry, we came to put a stop to the conflict...

Either way, you'd better get him out of here, if you can.

What happens in the jianghu may stay in the jianghu, but the Tianshis and imperial court aren't going to keep quiet if this carries on.

Anyway, I've got patients to see. I hope I have enough medicine in stock...

That sounds like Dad alright.

More likely than not.

But I've never heard of this secret tome they're fighting over.

I've never heard of such a powerful tome either.

Whether it's true or not, there's one thing for sure: A treasure's whereabouts only become publicly known when it's being used for bait.

And we should try to hook whoever set this bait.

Hm?

I think I just saw a familiar face...

You are... Mr. Lee? We met in Shangshu, correct?

Are you looking for the martial master drawn here by a supposed secret kung fu tome?

We don't know if he was drawn here by the tome.

What brings you here, Master Lin?

I'm looking for the one who brought the tome here.

What do you know of all this?

Not much.

All I know is that it is an elaborate plot, and many have come to this town believing those claims.

As for the true purpose behind it all...

They must be trying to put on a show, the way they've drawn so many... what's the best place for a show in a town like this?

Do I hear some commotion outside?

I think this is the second time we've met, Mr. Yun.

I suppose it is fate that determined we should meet again. What a pleasure.

Young lady...

You can call me Mo Yi.

Why have you called for me, Miss Mo?

You are the Grandmaster's favorite student. No one knows him better. We would like you to appraise a certain artifact.

Tell me, is this book a product of his pen?

Intriguing...

All the troubles that have befallen this town over the tome were part of your plan, weren't they?

Let's just say... ask no questions and you'll be told no lies.

In any case, I must ask you to appraise the authenticity of this Book of Kung Fu for Mr. Liang here.

Mo Yi takes out the tome and hands it to Yun Qingping.

This is the second time that Yun Qingping has seen the book in this town. He saw the waiter steal the book in the teahouse, but now it has ended up in Mo Yi's hands.

(Flips through the pages)

Yes, this is the book that the Grandmaster dictated to me, which I put to paper with my pen.

This was a gift from the Grandmaster to General Zuo Xuanliao of Yumen. How did it end up in your hands?

We can talk about that later—is the master of Garden of Grotesqueries interested in this, Mr. Liang?

It is a remarkable feat, obtaining this book. I won't ask how you did it.

I shall communicate this to my master, for him to make a decision.

Will your master still not show himself, even though we've confirmed that this is the original manuscript?

It is not my place to judge on behalf of my master. He has his own standards for determining whether or not an item is truly <i>treasure.</i>

I will give you the answer once I've spoken to him.

What a shame...

Can I ask the question now, Miss Mo?

Why have you stolen the tome and spread such rumors through the jianghu?

You have one foot in the jianghu, don't you?

I accompanied my master on his travels in my early years, but I would not count myself as a kung fu master.

Neither would I. I'm just a jianghu nobody with no knowledge of kung fu.

But I love watching self-proclaimed kung fu masters kill each other like starving beasts for a tiny bit of fame, some ridiculously insignificant squabble.

The quarrels and bickering of real people is so much more interesting than staged plays.

Much blood will be spilt for this play of yours.

Isn't it a little... dishonorable?

What do heaven and earth know of honor? Why should I care?

Just sit back and relax. I'm sure you'll enjoy the show too.

All these things... what's going on?

Am I imagining things? Did all those chairs and tables on the street turn into people? Even the brooms?

No, you're not...

There's something strange about this town. Just think of the objects turning into people as some kind of illusion, and don't let it bother you too much.

Well, I've seen stranger things...

These abominations... could there be one of Miss Ling's siblings in this place?

...I'm afraid the situation is slightly worse than that.

But I've never seen them in an uproar like this. What happened?

Looks like they're heading in the same direction.

Are they... going up the hill?

The peak of Mt. Mang is packed with people, not just jianghu wanderers chasing rumors, but also the non-human residents of the town who have taken human form.

It's an honor to have so many heroes of the jianghu assembled here today.

I'm sure your time is valuable, so I'll get straight to the point. Here it is—!

Mo Yi raises the Book of Kung Fu up high, and many in the crowd begin to whisper to one another.

This is the legendary tome written by the Grandmaster defending the borders of Yan.

Not only does it contain the greatest secrets of kung fu to elevate your school above all others, it also reveals the secret to shedding your mortal hide and becoming a god in flesh, reaching the heights of the Grandmaster!