act23side

Haha...

It's been many years since someone challenged me like this.

It's been many years since I've seen someone worth challenging like you.

Ready to give me your all?

Hold nothing back.

Victory and defeat lie in the hands of man.

Life and death lie in the hands of Heaven.

Did they start yet?!

Hey, take it easy, you're injured.

I'm a trained kung fu fighter. I'm not so fragile.

There's plenty of time to rest later. Miss this fight, and I may never see one like it ever again!

It's not that big a deal...

The Feline is your dad, right? The good-for-nothing old man you were talking about?

I definitely see the resemblance. Like father, like daughter.

In what way?

The way you look before a fight.

Like you're gonna eat someone.

Hmph...

I hear the Grandmaster's skills are almost supernatural. He hasn't fought in public in years. Some even say that he invented half the kung fu under Heaven.

And I hear your dad defeated that evil woman last night.

Who do you think will win here?

Silly question. Of course you want your dad to win.

That's his business, not mine.

I just want to see for myself how big the gap between us is.

Mr. Liang...

I didn't think you would be interested in such violent business.

I ought to be here. As a friend.

I wonder if he achieved his goal of making a name for himself.

Look at the number of eyes on this fight. It'll be the stuff of legend, no matter who wins.

A lunatic must answer to himself before telling others who he is.

We must all answer to ourselves.

You...

I was looking for Waai Tinp—Err, Huai Tianpei before trouble found me.

I went back to my old detective tricks and found out a few things. I have a good idea of what you're planning.

There's probably a reason why trouble finds you.

A big brother must look after his siblings.

What did you hear?

Few know that the Grandmaster is Ling's eldest brother. Seems like it's being kept a secret.

True...

Retrieving the Grandmaster's sword is, of course, an urgent matter, but the bigger headache is what to do with it afterwards.

You don't want it at Yumen. Perhaps you speak for the Sui Regulator, perhaps it's your judgment as advisor to Yumen, but the Lord Exorcist won't let it go.

You needed someone who could take the sword, someone both sides can live with.

You just happen to have an oath-brother who is a kung fu master, and he just happens to be in Yumen.

It didn't take much effort to guide the girl to the clinic where Huai Tianpei worked, in order to ensure his involvement.

From Shangshu to Yumen, you always get your old friends to solve your problems. Isn't that a little lazy?

I don't have many friends.

Question for you.

When did you start thinking about getting Huai Tianpei involved?

Never mind, no need to tell me.

*sigh*...

No matter how many strings you pulled behind the scenes, it was always his lifelong wish to fight the best and become the best. He might even thank you for setting the stage, if he knew.

We are all doing what we wanted to, even if things often don't turn out the way we want.

After all these years, perhaps he's the one who's closest to his oldest dreams.

'Achieve one thing in life.' Easy for him to say...

Mr. Huai came, despite his injuries...

He would have come as long as there was a single breath left in him. He doesn't care if it's the last thing he does.

I know Mr. Huai came to Yumen to challenge the Grandmaster, and the Grandmaster accepted the challenge. The Grandmaster has spoken of it from time to time, and I can tell you that he's no less looking forward to this than Mr. Huai is.

All kung fu fighters thirst for a good opponent.

It's an obsession, a strange one. It's natural that you don't understand.

It's the same reason that you follow the Grandmaster.

You can actually be kind of astute at times, you know that?

I'll head down now.

It's two masters at work. Nothing in your records will come close to what you are about to see.

I'll try to be detailed.

Just keep your distance. You don't want to get hurt.

Of course.

Earlier that day...

Today's the day, isn't it?

Are you ready?

The veterans say Yumen has been through many crises in the past, but nothing on this scale.

Not even you know what's going to come of it, do you?

Things are more complicated than meets the eye.

From Jiangqi to Yumen, how many times has she seen danger, seen her life hang by a thread?

Yet she did not die in the wilderness, nor did she become like the Shanhaizhong.

What is it that has kept her going?

This city has treated me well. I should do something for it.

Before that, however, I must answer to myself.

You said that you would fight me whenever I felt up to it.

I did.

Strike me, if you're ready.

Qiubai takes a step back, focuses, and raises her sword.

She knows that he knows her every move like the back of his hand.

An eye for an eye.

Is there wisdom in the saying, or is it simply a result?

How many people have fed the fins by the river fort? Should their families seek revenge on her father?

How many people would seek revenge on her, if she killed this one in front of her for the sake of her own revenge?

The cycle of vengeance never ends.

Should it really be hate that keeps her going?

How long has she been thinking about that question? The five years that she has been around this man, seeing all that he saw?

No, longer than that.

Her sword has seen blood every step of the way from Jiangqi to Yumen. How would she judge those dead by it?

That is why she came to Yumen, for revenge, and to learn.

Exact what must be exacted, and discern what must be discerned.

The sword is pulled back abruptly.

It leaves her hand and falls into a nearby ditch, sending a pack of fowlbeasts scattering in all directions.

The violence of the move almost injures her, showing none of her usual grace in practice or battle.

Her expression, however, is one of satisfaction.

That will do.

The sword has been thrust. It couldn't have killed you.

...Correct.