act23side

I want you to keep it safe... consider it a request.

So this was the sword that all the fuss was about.

What <i>is it,</i> anyway?

It is too many things.

An artifact holding one of the twelve fragments of the Sui, witness to a relationship of love and hate, an old antique sword.

A keepsake for our next fight.

Just don't let anyone steal it again, or pawn it for money.

Right...

Sounds important.

Well, if it's too much trouble...

I'm just thinking... we don't really know each other that well.

I know your name is Huai Tianpei. You have two wise friends, and a talented daughter.

And you are the only one who has ever gotten the upper hand on me, even once.

Right.

I know you're the only one I couldn't beat, in my forty years of training.

I'll take the sword.

I'll find you after I've trained for another forty years.

Right.

I'll be waiting.

Excuse me, doctor.

How much does the man who worked at your clinic owe you? I'll pay it.

Nah, he worked that off ages ago.

It was just a convenient excuse to take him in.

Better for him to be in here mending people's bones, than out there breaking them.

Thank you... for everything.

Are you his daughter?

Yes...

Just found it hard to believe he had a daughter so polite and well-mannered. No offense, of course.

Still, it takes some getting used to, not having him around.

How am I going to clean up all this sand by myself?

I-I'll help!

Left without a word? Again?

Yeah.

Some men never change.

I'm not so anxious to find him this time around, though.

Looks like you've made your own plans.

I have my job at the agency, and school. And kung fu, of course.

He'll get more than just a kick in the chin the next time I see him.

Orders from above. We have our next mission. We'll go once we've rested and recovered.

Too bad Yumen survived the Catastrophe, while we took heavy casualties.

(Sneers)

The letter burns in the masked man's hand, quickly turning to ash, making a tiny corner of gold even more conspicuous.

Paint from a special seal that only top imperial mandarins may use. Only five people have access to it.

The man rubs the seal in his hand, crushing it into tiny pieces that fade into the sand.

Our mission was to cause a commotion that would catch the imperial court's attention. We still have a use for Yumen. It will not do to lose it.

We move now.

We're not waiting for Master? We could hardly have done this without her.

It's the Di beast... Master is back!

Careful...

Who in Yumen could have injured you like this?!

A 'Man.'

What else did you hear?

(Eerie roar)

How long?

(Eerie roar)

Two months?

...That's enough.

I know where It is.

What do you... what are you...?

Master, I'm afraid we must part here.

Suit yourself.

Just don't get in my way.

There is always an end to the path, no matter how long.

I have felt it since my awakening, growing ever clearer. What they call 'Mortality.'

The wounds from that hunt will never fully heal.

I hope you have awakened.

I have little time left. I have few kin left.

Let us settle this.