act19mini

All who practice kung fu dream of elevating their schools above all others. For many in the crowd, however, they are more interested in the 'shedding your mortal hide and becoming a god' part.

Whatever they are seeking, Mo Yi's words are enough to send them into a frenzy.

With all the rumors flying around the jianghu lately, I'm sure one book would not be enough to convince you.

This is why I've invited Mr. Yun here.

Mr. Yun is the Grandmaster's record keeper. Perhaps some of you even recognize him, and know that I speak the truth.

He has attested to the authenticity of the book. There can be no greater assurance.

Mo Yi pauses to ensure that the crowd does not doubt her before continuing.

I'm young and unlearned, and it is not my place to keep this treasure for my own. That's why I'm hosting this 'Banquet of Heroes'.

All who have assembled here today—this tome shall belong to whoever manages to take it and keep it!

It is as though the crowd has exploded.

Everyone has weapons in hand, brandishing at the people around them. All they need is a cue to start killing.

Those who know better try back off quietly, but even more rush towards Mo Yi, drawn by her promise.

The geists who share the same thought join flesh-and-blood humans in the scrum.

Everyone! Hear me out! Please!

In the commotion, Yun Qingping walks to the front of the stage, and speaks to the crowd below.

Some of them hear his words, and one after another they stop doing whatever they were doing, curious to hear what this frail young man has to say.

My master says that testing oneself against another is the only path to self-reflection, and competing against others is the only path to self-improvement. Competition is a virtue for students of the martial arts.

But we must not forget the most basic rule of kung fu: hard work is the only path to mastery.

The study of the martial arts is, fundamentally, the improvement of oneself. To take shortcuts to make oneself stronger for the sake of fame and glory is to confound the end with the means to that end.

...What are you trying to say?

There is no doubt that this is the original manuscript of the Book of Kung Fu. However, what you should know is—

This book was dictated to me by my master, and put to paper by my pen. It is not imbued with any of the magical effects that Miss Mo claims.

If this book is, in fact, so wondrous, why is it that I, who wrote the words with my own hand, remain an ordinary man, with no kung fu to boast of?

His voice is not loud, but every word rings clear. A commotion of a different kind begins to spread through the crowd.

Mr. Yun, I suggest you refrain from making any wrong moves at a time like this...

Yun Qingping pretends not to hear the girl's threat and continues speaking.

The Book of Kung Fu contains the Grandmaster's understanding of kung fu accumulated over his vast lifetime, as well as key points often missed by martial artists during training. It is of great benefit to any practitioner of the martial arts.

Other than that, it has no unique properties.

If you don't believe me...

Yun Qingping takes out a printed copy of the Book of Kung Fu.

This Book of Kung Fu is no secret, and certainly not one-of-a-kind. There is no need to spill blood over it...

Watch out, Uncle Lee!

Ow...

You know, this is a sight that I didn't really need to see again...

There're too many of them...

Do these pots and pans turned humans have something to do with that 'secret tome' too?

These pots and pans must be headed in the direction of the culprit. We take them in custody, and everything else will become clear.

I would like to ask the two of you to help.

Of course, Master Lin! I'll clear a path for you.

What did you say...?

It was my master's most sincere wish to help more people go further down the path of kung fu. But teaching martial arts is a very personal thing, and the Grandmaster's time and energy are not unlimited.

What he could do was record his thinking and understanding in concise language, so that those who come after can avoid certain pitfalls without learning the hard way.

The Book of Kung Fu is certainly his labor of love, with countless generations of record keepers' archives that I had the honor of organizing.

The Grandmaster gifted this book to General Zuo in the hopes that its teachings would be known throughout the army, and eventually by all the people. He never intended to keep it secret.

In other words, if those present want to take their kung fu to a higher level, I am happy to request another print run. It would be trivial to get everyone a copy.

Profanities begin flying out from the crowd, after a brief moment of silence.

If one person took a step forward, the rest would follow, to throw this Liberi fraud from the mountaintop.

Good... very good...

You've learned courage from the Grandmaster, if nothing else.

But did it occur to you that I could take your life here and now with ease, if you so pushed me?

Then I would be an unlucky man. It can't be helped.

I'm no martial artist, but I know the rules of the jianghu. I can't stand idly by when injustice occurs.

Please, return the Book of Kung Fu to Yumen. It's nothing special to these jianghu adventurers.

But it means a lot to General Zuo.

You... how dare you...?

Allow me to say a few more words, Miss Mo.

You said you wanted to put on a show, of real-life people quarreling and bickering.

I suppose you wanted me to see people spilling blood for the sake of a kung fu tome. All I see, however, is people who want to improve their martial skills.

There's nothing wrong with pursuing mastery of the martial arts.

I've seen much evil in the world, but very little done for the sake of evil. More often, so-called evil begins with good intentions, only incorrect means.

I don't know why you're doing this, but deceiving people like this is not the proper way.

Your skills and your cleverness could be used to better ends.

You may not have learned kung fu from the Grandmaster, but it looks like you did learn this holier-than-thou attitude.

Don't blame me then—

I have you at last...

You are guilty of theft from a critical military facility, and now you are deceiving the people with your lies! What is your purpose?

Ah, this must be the famous Deputy Minister Lin.

But you've already resigned your position, haven't you? It's not your style to overstep your bounds, is it?

As a Tianshi, I cannot stand by and watch this evil take place.

I'm taking you to Baizao.

Haha...

Hahaha...

What are you laughing at?

I'm laughing at how short-sighted you are, despite all the big words you say.

All of Baizao and Yumen are on the brink, yet you're trying to sabotage me while claiming to represent justice.

What do you mean?

Perhaps I don't understand kung fu as deeply as you do...

But you don't understand the Feranmuts nearly as deeply as I!

I didn't want to do this, but...

Mo Yi leaps back and creates some distance.

Standing at the summit, she holds the tome in her hand, with rare focus and reverence in her eyes.

The nine provinces are dark—

The sky darkens at her words.

Heaven and earth are silent—

Heed my words, great mystery—

In the earth, lines warp and weft; in the heavens, the genesis of martial prowess—

In the name of the Shanhaizhong, I bid ye cometh, First of the Twelve, the name of which is Shuo!

The darkness that engulfed heaven and earth is suddenly dashed apart, revealing the manifestation of the bestial Sui, whose towering figure reaching towards the heavens.

All present are starkly reminded of their insignificance, even standing at the peak of a mountain.

Whether this is really Him or simply an illusion, the appearance of this massive shadow signifies one thing: the power of Shuo lives within the manuscript.

(Rumbling roar)

What...?!

...Master?

I suppose there are few living people in Yan who have seen this aspect of Him.

It's a reminder of <i>what</i> Yan has been facing all these years.

If you want to catch me, you'll have to fight Him first.

Look out!

The massive shadow slams its palm towards the crowd on the ground. The entire mountain shakes.

Many are knocked off their feet. But it is no simple blow; Yun Qingping could see clear form and meaning in the palm strike.

With a swiftness that belies its size, its every movement and its presence announce its nature as the manifestation of kung fu itself.