act23side

I was born by the River.

Dad told me that the River links the entire world. Build a good boat, and you can go anywhere.

Dad hated the snow. People can't go out when it snows, so 'business' stops and the whole family starves. That's how I got my name.

I didn't know what 'business' was, only that Dad would come home at the end of each month with a sword in one hand and stuff for the family in the other, including a present for me. Mom would sort the stuff and wash dad's bloody clothes without a word.

Then one day, a group of people wearing armor broke into the fort. Dad lived on the River all his life, and that's where he died.

I only remember the leader. He didn't look happy at the total victory he'd just won, he only gazed at the River dyed red with blood, lost in thought.

There was only one thought on my mind.

I wanted to take revenge.

I found out where he lived. I left home, going from the easternmost edge of Yan to the westernmost.

I learned that the land was more than just the River. There were mountains, streams, forests, plains.

People lived in many different ways, and dealt with many different hardships.

The river fort was too small. Dad might have chosen a different path if he had came out and seen all the land under Heaven.

Dad was wrong. There were only so many places you could go in a boat.

Finally, I came to Yumen. He stood atop the walls with that same expression. I began to understand.

I should take revenge.

That's about it.

Huai has the sword. The kung fu lunatic is too much for Zuo Le to deal with.

He waited three years just to fulfill the promise... interesting man.

How are Taihe's injuries?

He's still unconscious.

The one who wounded Taihe was the same one who attacked Wei Yenwu. She got away in the chaos and was too fast for me to catch.

Zuo Le closed the Sword Forge. Many martial artists are... under observation.

Catastrophe lies before us, while the relationship between the military and jianghu has broken down. Yumen is only going to face even more chaos.

I could hardly reproach him for being impetuous.

You must take action yourself.

General Zuo entrusted the garrison to me. I can't very well openly defy him.

You know I'm not just talking about what happened these few days.

You'll be leaving soon. You must answer to those who looked up to you before you leave.

Or did you think you could dodge the questions that you cannot answer clearly?

People think that you're my student. Sometimes even I forget where you came from and treat you like I would Zuo Le and the Record Keeper.

I've never called you 'master.'

I'm not your master.

You're a natural. Most of what you could do with a sword, you learned on your own. There was little I could teach you.

You hid my identity from the others, allowing me to stay at Yumen.

I can't very well abandon a child to the barrens...

You never thought I would try to kill you? Or did you think I could never defeat you?

You didn't have to beat me, if you wanted revenge.

Just slip some poison into my food, or push me off the wall.

I worried that you wouldn't be able to let it go, even after killing me.

...I would have called you a hypocrite, if I hadn't hung around you for five years.

Five years. It's been that long?

Not so long from your point of view, is it?

Why would you say that?

Your appearance hasn't changed the slightest, and you still have that sad, depressed expression on your face, as though you've grown tired of seeing everything that happens in the world. The slowest burdenbeast would realize that you're no ordinary man.

I always thought the stories about long-lived races were a myth. Turns out there's one right next to me.

You knew.

I just never cared.

I wanted revenge. How long you could live didn't matter.

And thinking about you not being an ordinary mortal is just looking for excuses.

Like you said, climb the mountain one step at a time. All other thoughts are just distractions.

Can one truly let go of one's obsession with vengeance, one's obsession with victory and defeat, even when one's wish is fulfilled?

Distractions make your sword slow.

We mortals need our obsessions in order to keep living... you know that.

You weren't so forceful when we first met.

You taught me a lot these five years.

Only the basics of kung fu.

As you said, you can only teach so much, but how much one learns is up to oneself.

You should go and see those who remember you.

Far too many have an obsession with you.

The big man is gone...

Stop right there.

You again...

If you're not in league with those criminals, why did you steal the sword? What is your connection to the man at the clinic?

I don't know them, and I don't know who he is.

You don't understand what kind of trouble you've gotten yourself in.

You've never lived in a nomadic city, and you know nothing about Yumen. Someone told you where the sword was and got you to steal it.

But you don't understand what kind of trouble it would bring.

Tell me. Things may still be salvageable.

I told you, I'm not acting under anyone's instructions. I'm just repaying a debt.

Even if the price is your life?

Stop following me.

Whatever the truth is, I can't sit aside and let you put yourself in danger.

I'm trying to help you.

All your words won't change anything. You're not a good person.

I'm under orders to investigate. You're the one who stole the sword. You may have your reasons, but that's no excuse for distorting the truth.

The man who arrested all the smiths at the forge can't be trusted.

They tried to cover the Shanhaizhong's escape.

They were there to protect it!

All involved must be investigated until they are cleared of suspicion. We face the double threat of Catastrophe and criminals. I must abide by my duty to Yumen.

My clan only makes weapons for strong and healthy Anasa who have reached the age of sixteen.

Those who receive a weapon swear to protect the young, the elderly, and the sick of the clan.

You say things about not letting me put myself in danger, about protecting a city, but you point your weapon at the common people.

This is my duty...

Shifu was right. You people think that you're always right, just because of your lofty justifications.

I slowed down on purpose, only to find that no one was following.

You two started chatting while I still have the sword?

There's been a misunderstanding, sir. I ask that you return the sword to its rightful master.

I heard you two arguing and more or less have an idea what's going on.

This sword belonged to the Grandmaster, but this girl sneaked it out.

I'm sure he doesn't rely on any single weapon. Don't tell me he sent you after it because he missed it so much.

I'm afraid I'm not at liberty to say.

Causing trouble for him would delay his retirement even more... but I promised to help this girl here.

What a headache.

Ah-ha.

I can't really be bothered with complicated questions, but I have a quick and simple solution.

Both of you have some kung fu. Why don't you two fight it out, here and now, and whoever wins gets the sword. No weapons, hand-to-hand only.

Ridiculous! How can something so important be determined so callously?

I'm not fighting—

...I'm in a hurry.

Fist and foot as one in points of five; catch and parry, barrage to open.