act23side

That's not wrong, but you can work your debt off as well. Why do you think I'm working here for the doc?

The difference is that I'm working to pay the medical bills of the people I beat up.

I do the heavy lifting at the clinic, so you should learn to do things like drying herbs and wrapping wounds. You don't owe as much as I do. A few months should be enough to pay your debt off.

No!

I will find a way to repay your kindness, but I am in a hurry...

I need to get out of the city.

You're not going anywhere.

I said, stay down. You're here to get your injuries healed.

You managed to survive them. Would be a shame if you died now. Not to mention an embarrassment to the clinic.

But... kindness is important too. I'll think about it... once you're healed up and repaid your debt.

Another patient?

I'll take a look. STAY, DOWN.

What is it?

Are you the doctor, sir?

The doc's out. I'm a helper here. I can help you, if you just want meds, but you'll have to wait if you want the doc to look at you.

I apologize for the interruption. We are investigating a case and pursuing a suspect. Here is my token. We would appreciate your cooperation in answering a few questions.

Ask what you want. I'll decide if I want to answer.

Has this clinic treated or seen anyone who suffered serious a stab wound?

Nope and nope. Either you're buying, or you go find someone else to bother.

I would like to take a quick look. It'll only take a minute.

Nope, patients and customers only.

I have nothing but the greatest respect for the clinic's work. I would rather not have to force my way in.

But this concerns the safety of all of Yumen. Your cooperation would be appreciated.

You got your rules, I got mine. You ain't coming in unless I say so.

Then I apologize.

Zuo Le's movements are swift as a fowlbeast.

But he feels a hand on his collar just as he is about to cross the clinic's threshold, throwing him backwards.

The burly man continues to stand there, as though he has never moved.

It is as though the fowlbeast flew into an invisible and boundless net.

(This man is no ordinary brute!)

I said, you ain't coming in! You got a death wish, kid?

Do you understand the consequences of obstructing justice?

Don't understand, don't care.

Try that again, I dare you.

Enough! This is not a game.

Huh...?

There's someone else in there?!

Hm? Hey, where did the girl go?

What the...?

Bandages and cotton balls are scattered on the table, and the bed is still warm.

The air smells of blood and herbal medicine.

You said no heavily wounded patients were taken in lately.

How do you explain the gauze and blood?

Aiya! I told her to stay put!

She said she needed to get out of the city. She must be headed to the gates!

Oh no, I've gotta catch her, or the doc's gonna put her bill on my tab!

Stop right there!

Tea leaves! Shangshu rock tea, Kou-wu flower tea, Jiangqi white tea, Dahuang raw leaves... anything you want, I've got it here!

Two carts of Lungmen green tea.

E-Excuse me, miss, but we don't sell tea by the cart...

M-

Miss...

We meet again.

Any updates on what I asked you to look into?

We agreed on terms.

I... I don't know what you mean...

How many caravans in this batch are carrying false permits? How did they get those permits?

I need to know more.

I-I'll pay the taxes I owe! The whole amount! Please, don't ask any more questions!

We can talk about your previous offenses another day.

Answer my question.

H-Help!

Thief!

You've got nerve, stealing in broad daylight!

Grab her!

You test my patience.

Watch out! I saw an accomplice go that way!

Excuse me...

The owner is out. You need something made?

I just have a couple of questions.

This is a smithy. The inn's where you go for gossip.

I hear there are some old jianghu kung fu stories that only circulate here.

Fine, I guess it can't hurt to have someone to chat with while I work. Fire away.

I really ought to buy something for your trouble.

What d'ya want? Frying pan? Kitchen knife?

How about a sword?

Sorry, can't do that. Household items only.

But the sign on the door says 'Sword Forge'.

This is probably the last place in Yumen that still uses that particular wording.

It's just a name. The owner could change it to 'The Tea Parlor' or 'The Guest House' if he wanted.

Fair enough.

You're not from around here, are you? Tourist?

I've wanted to see the deserts of Yumen for a long time.

We get a bunch of tourists every time we link up with Lungmen thanks to the wuxia TV shows. Anyone with half a brain should know that it's all fake.

What's so good about this backwater place?

Did you want a souvenir sword? Trust me, you're better off getting a pack or two of Yumen jerky.

Every place has its own unique scenery. It's always worth a look.

Setting aside whether the TV shows are fake or not, I'm sure there's a story behind this smithy.

Sure of that, are you?

I don't mean to offend, but every shop I passed by on my way from the market was full of people... except this one.

Why would a shop with no history or business be on a busy street like this?

And I doubt a shop that really has no business would have so many furnaces burning and so many iron ingots lying around.

This is why I hate talking to smart people. Makes my head hurt.

I'll take that as a compliment.

Alright, what do you want to know?

I wanted to ask you about stories from the world of kung fu... but you've piqued my interest in something else.

How did 'The Sword Forge' become a smithy?

A man running for his life can always find an extra burst of speed.

Just as he is about to shake his pursuer, a rope appears out of nowhere, tripping him over. He tries to pull himself back up, only to find nothing but quicksand around him.

Had enough yet?