act19mini

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.

Scatter! Get out of the way!

I call upon the Five Thunders—

Thunder hits the shadow, but it is as though it had struck the void.

It's no use?!

What under heaven is that thing...?

No... that's not the Grandmaster.

The Grandmaster's sword is not here. That is no more than an illusion reflected in the Book of Kung Fu.

I don't know how the girl did it, but there must be a way to break this spell...

If we can bypass the illusion and attack her directly—

Finally...

We meet again...

As the crowd scatters, this 'Shuo' greets its first challenger.

Stay back! It's dangerous!

Master Huai?!

Huai Tianpei does not answer, striding toward 'Shuo' with firm steps.

I lost the sword. I broke my promise. I should not have come to see you.

My dream has yet to be realized. My life is finite. I must come to see you.

(Menacing murmur)

The fist moves winds and clouds.

Huai Tianpei does not dodge or cower, letting the wake of the punch brush against him.

Another punch, heavy as a mountain, inexorable as the tide, falls upon Huai Tianpei.

Fist meets fist. Strength meets strength.

H-How is this possible?

It is the shadow of a god, the manifestation of kung fu itself, yet somehow it has met its match.

It is a duel between equals.

Yun Qingping takes out pen and paper by instinct.

The palm strikes, shattering heaven and earth.

Inhale, exhale, and let the breath be one with the cosmos.

Fist meets palm, still evenly matched.

Huai Tianpei matches 'Shuo' move for move, continuing to step forward. With each exchange, 'Shuo' becomes more corporeal, more real.

One round after another. Finally, Huai Tianpei stands at the summit, gazing up at the illusion's wrath.

...Eleventh rounds?

Yun Qingping flips open his Record of Martial Combat, to the page where he recorded that duel for the ages. He still remembers the final punch, which could not be described with language.

Master Huai has taken another step forward...

Simplicity is perfection. It is a simple thing to understand.

But with life and death on the line, how many could set aside their ego, set aside themselves, cutting everything down to its most simple elements: a single punch or kick at exactly the right time, be it in offense or in defense.

Kung fu has become an inherent part of him, in his limbs, in his muscles, in his viscera.

Thirty rounds have passed. Huai Tianpei still stands.

The power of the punches have left two deep ditches in the boulder beneath his feet.

But he can go no further forward. One more step, and he will fall off the cliff.

Huai Tianpei shows no intention of backing down.

No... he's in danger!

But who dares intervene in such a duel? Who can?

Dad!

The cry causes the man to pause for an instant, in the midst of a fight for life and death.

It's you...

Well...

...I remember now.