act23side

It's one thing to make me play Go with you because you're bored, dear brother, it's another to use the pieces to form the character for 'bored.'

I can see you haven't practiced the Go theory I taught you.

As if that would help me against you.

It's true that the character on the board doesn't look as nice as your handwriting.

Why don't you find something else to pass the time, if it's not really a Go game that you're after? Go hiking, learn an instrument... I could teach you calligraphy, if it comes down to that.

The Go match may have been devoid of interest, but there's meaning in reading my opponent's thoughts from the movement of the pieces.

Oh? What thoughts did you read this time?

Well...

Hey, lou sai, what gives? This show skipped from episode seventeen to episode twenty!

Happens with a scratched disc. Must've been the sand. Just deal with it, it's not that bad.

It was a key moment! Qi Qingqiu and Shen Feibai were at each other's throats a moment before, then suddenly they're fighting side-by-side? How'd we get there?

Qi Qingqiu finds out Shen Feibai killed his shifu, and sets out to kill him in turn.

When he arrives at Yumen, however, he finds Shen Feibai a high-ranking officer in the military.

With invaders at the gates, Qi Qingqiu suffers a sleepless night and realizes that there is more at stake than personal vengeance, so he joins the Grandmaster's banner to face the foe.

It's a simple story, but the duel by the cliffs was a classic!

Wodetian, how many times did you watch that?!

Any child in town could recite the plot of Heroes of Yumen. Backwards.

There's just one detail that this gentleman left out. Qi Qingqiu didn't set his grudge aside when he first saw Shen Feibai in the army.

It was the Grandmaster who pledged to face Qi Qingqiu's sword on behalf of Shen Feibai, leading to the duel by the cliffs.

Clouds darkened the skies and the winds bellowed, as though heaven and earth were witness to the showdown. The two drew their swords—

(In awkward Yanese) Nonsense! Nonsense!

Fight look good, but details no, no good!

You again, He Xi'an. Do you even know enough Yanese to understand the story?

Of course! Heroes of Yumen tell true story fifty year ago. Many hero join together, even though disagreement, still fight together against enemy under Grandmaster.

I know many scenes shoot in these inn!

'Were shot', 'this inn'.

Looks like you know a thing or two about Yanese history.

Of course. Grandmaster tell me when teach me fighting, in Sargon.

Grandmaster has sword, but sword special, cannot pull out.

This again. How could you lose to that Feline girl so easily if you're really the Grandmaster's pupil?

What about Feline girl? She very strong. Why you look down her?

He's not looking down on her. He's looking down on...

Hahaha...

So if the TV show was adapted from a true story, was there really a time in Yumen when kung fu adventurers joined forces with the army against a common foe?

To enjoy the freedom of being one's own master, but also achieve great things fighting for one's country... it's pretty cool.

Well, it's a TV show. The only people who know how things really went down historically are the ones who were there.

Anyway, swords and spears are out of fashion. If you really want to do something for your country, you should learn Arts and become a Tianshi.

How would a fortress like Yumen operate, without civilians working to supply its resources?

The people who came here to this cold and remote place when the city was first built, and the people who still stay here—they're fighting for their country, in their own way.

The only thing in the TV show that we know is real for sure, the Grandmaster, is leaving too.

Out of the way.

The medicine you ordered.

Thanks. Just put it over there; I'll have someone take it to the back.

I've got the creams for bruising and burns, but we didn't have enough supplies to make herbal meals.

Here's the money. Send my regards to the doc. Oh, and we just had our supplies delivered. Take some back to the clinic.

There's a lot of stuff. One second, I'll get someone to help.

No need.

He carried the whole cart on his shoulders?!

How did the clinic find someone so strong?

Good morning, sir.

I've been here a few days, but I've never seen this place empty.

We just linked up to resupply with Lungmen a few days ago, only to run into a Catastrophe that forced an emergency separation.

Lots of merchants and tourists were stranded in Yumen, filling up the inns.

Business is good, but it also means more trouble, especially when people who are already frustrated start arguing.

There are many who would love to have your problem.

Although come to think of it, my head would probably start to hurt if my little business back in Lungmen started getting so busy.

Would you care to start the day with some tea?

Sure. What about the thing I asked you to look into?

Here, the Yumen Arena Board of Fame records from the past six months. Not much I can do if the martial artist you're looking for isn't on it.

So Yumen operates an arena to this day... such a martial tradition is impressive.

The Lord Exorcist trains his troops well, and there's no need for folks like us to fight on the battlefield these days. Still, the martial artists need somewhere to hone their kung fu, hence the arena.

Anyway, I would suggest you stay a few days, if it's not urgent. With so many people passing through, someone may have seen the one you're looking for.

You could also ask at the South Side Sword Forge.

The shifu there knows the city inside and out. Plus, lots of kung fu fighters hanging around.

Thank you... it's always tough when you don't know the lay of the land.

Mind if I ask what this is about? Are you looking for a friend? An enemy? A debt to repay? Or a debt to collect?

I guess you could say this particular individual owes me a pretty big debt...

How long will you be this time?

No idea.

Will you ever come back?

When it's all done.

Do you know that Waai Fu's birthday is in three days?

I wasn't a good husband, and I can't be a good father.

It's enough that I achieve one thing in life.

A debt to collect, eh? That's gonna be tough. Yan is a big country, and more than a hundred thousand souls live in Yumen alone. Not easy to find someone who doesn't want to be found.

Anyway, your tea's ready. Would you like a side of Yumen-style sauteed meat to go with it?

Sure, I'll take a seat and wait for my girl to finish her match.

Lungmen Spring Tea. Just came in. We only get fresh leaves like these once every few years.

Appreciate it. Feels like a waste to use them on me.

Don't say that. We always value our guests.

Hm... Spring Tea from Lungmen shouldn't have a bitter taste this time of the year...

...It's you?

We weren't supposed to meet here.

Er... excuse me?

No... you're not...

Do you two know each other? Would you care to share a table, since we're pretty full today?

No, we don't. I'm not staying long, just a cup of tea.

It's fine, it's fine.

Very well, then. Let me know if you need anything.

Did you mistake me for someone else?

You just looked familiar.

Must have been an old friend that you haven't seen for ages.

I suppose... stick to your tea.

Have one on me.

You're buying me a cup of tea, even though we don't know each other?

All meetings are the work of fate, even the ones that start with a misunderstanding.

Here's to finding old friends soon.

It'll happen when it happens. No point trying to force it.

That's an interesting answer. The answer lies not in the ones we're looking for, but in the journey of looking for them.

Do you talk so much to everyone?