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Cold steel flashes before her face, the droplets on the blade touching her nose. She can hear her own heartbeat.

If the Record Keeper was here, he would have exclaimed that Qiubai recreated the move on the training ground.

Dive, stop, and turn around before hitting the arc of death, like the fowlbeast that narrowly avoids the waves on the river.

(Groans)

You dodged again.

How dare you!

You?

Get out of the way, Zuo Le!

Qiubai grabs Zuo Le by the collar and pulls him back.

He sees the foe's third swing, which lights up the yard.

It is March, but the Sword Forge feels like it is mid-summer. Even the night sky looks a little whiter in the heat wave.

There is only a pagoda tree behind them. There is nowhere to run.

The sword.

Don't move!

You're still trying to take the sword? Do you want to get yourself killed?

You're not dying until you tell me where Meng Tieyi is, guawazi!

A burly man suddenly appears in the yard.

He grabs the girl and knocks away the sword in one fluid motion.

Like a bucket of cold water poured down on the ground, he forces everyone to scatter.

The heat disappears.

I've been looking for you.

Let me go!

You almost got yourself killed.

I told you to stay put in the clinic. Now you've made your injuries worse.

You're still in Yumen, Huai?

Oh, it's you.

Your shifu won't fight me until he's left his post. I have to wait for him.

You haven't budged for three years?

Nope.

What's more important than this? Where can I find an opponent like him after he leaves Yumen?

There's a kung fu master right here in front of you. Why don't you have a go at her if it's a fight you're looking for?

This woman?

You're in my way.

Something didn't feel right when I blocked that attack.

It was heavy, but had neither form nor design. I don't know what that strange power is, but you're no master.

I have no time for you.

You hear that commotion inside, Jing?

That young man just broke in before I could stop him.

Damn.

This is Tieyi's last workshop. He's been good to us. We need to protect it.

Master, Boss, there are more jianghu adventurers coming.

And Yumen soldiers behind them, coming from three directions, around a hundred in total.

No point wasting time here if the one we're looking for isn't here.

Sudden silence. It is as though the cicadas were never there.

It is still March. The chill of early spring makes everyone shiver.

Let's go!

Stop right there!

That's the one, Jing!

Where are you going, sir?

Out of my way!

Look at the mess here. Hardly anything left standing except the walls. You owe us an explanation.

This is a Yumen military case. Anyone who interferes will be arrested.

Wait... you're Zuo Xuanliao's kid.

So Zuo Xuanliao wants to take down the last Sword Forge now?

Impudence!

Lord Zuo.

Did you see the Shanhaizhong on your way here?

We've sent men after them.

Good. Round them up and take them into custody.

Lord Zuo, there are dozens of them... all local residents...

They appeared right as the criminals retreated and obstructed our pursuit. They must be investigated thoroughly.

All the rest have something to do with the case.

The girl in the exotic outfit was hiding in the Sword Forge. She must know where Meng Tieyi is. I'm going with you, if you take her away.

The Sword Forge is linked to the Shanhaizhong. Given your ties to Meng Tieyi, I would have asked you to come with us regardless.

As for you...

She's coming with me to get her wounds treated, and pay her bill.

This is no time for jokes.

I-I can't go with you...

Hmph, all you care about is the sword.

Why you—!

Take these people back to the barracks for questioning. I'll go after the Grandmaster's sword.

Are you alright, Miss Qiu?

Just a scratch. Do as Zuo Le says for now.

Please treat these jianghu people with proper respect, Millenion.

That man...

Noises continue to emanate from the direction of the Sword Forge, but Waai Fu stops in her tracks.

The figure on the roof vanished in the blink of an eye, as though it was just a gust of wind.

Waai Fu tightens her fist.

She has never been more certain.