qiubai

I think the situation's pretty clear to me now.

Deui m jyu, Neuisi. We assumed you were carrying that sword for nefarious purposes, but it was all a misunderstanding.

We understand you burst into a home while running for your life.

As for the ones who attacked you, witnesses weren't able to give too many details, but the L.G.D. will investigate to the best of our ability.

However, there is the matter of compensation for the glass you broke...

I can't pay.

Alright, no need to worry. I actually came to inform you that your relative explained the situation and paid what you owe, so you're free to go.

...My relative?

I know it's not the best feeling, relying on family for your first visit to Lungmen.

But in these circumstances, better you ask her for help than end up with a criminal record.

You're quick with your sword, and you weren't the most forthcoming with an explanation. If you'd resisted arrest with that blade, it would've been a lot more trouble for all of us.

I'm glad you're keeping fit with kung fu, but do be more careful here in Lungmen.

Alright, Neuisi. We've returned your weapon, so hurry on back home.

But I don't know...

Never mind. Doje.

Oh, it's you, Loubaan.

Take this. It's an ointment for your wounds.

I'm fine. Just a few scratches from the broken glass.

I appreciate you getting me out of jail. Doje.

You sure know how to give an old woman a scare.

Lucky for you I noticed when you didn't pass by for two days. I asked around the neighborhood only to learn that you had men trying to kill you, and that you'd escaped into one of those fancy uptown apartment blocks.

People have been watching me so closely?

The waiter at the dai pai dong across the way. She loves to gossip.

Yes she does...

Did you hear anything from her?

Nothing really.

I heard this shop is haunted. Apparently, a lot of people died here, many years ago.

And I also heard that you make mysterious visits to the cemetery, tending to the grave of someone she doesn't know.

*sigh* She's been reading those conspiracy magazines again. I'm afraid she'll lose her mind if she keeps at them.

There is one thing she's right about, at least. You are rather strange, Loubaan.

I caused trouble, but you weren't afraid. You even came to my rescue.

Haha... I think you'll find that you're the strange one, Qiu.

If I hadn't gone to the L.G.D. to explain things, would you really have just sat there without a word?

People like me are not exactly trustworthy, and I didn't know who was chasing me. It would have been rather difficult to explain it all.

A better move would have been to buy time and find an opportunity to escape.

You think you could have escaped?

Bandit strongholds, merchant escorts. I've escaped a few times in the past.

Those aren't really the same.

Besides, didn't you say you were going to Yumen to look for someone?

Lungmen's about to link up with Yumen. If you miss this opportunity, the two cities will separate and go far apart.

A nomadic city can travel dozens of li in a day. If you journey on foot like before, you'd be walking for months.

Doesn't matter to me if it's months early or months late, I'm fine either way.

And anyway, Yumen is preparing for battle and not admitting travelers. Without a suitable title to my name, I wouldn't be able to enter regardless.

'Preparing for battle'... Conflict can be more unpredictable than the weather.

Considering you have someone to see, don't you feel some urgency?

Unless you're not worried they might die before you can meet.

Loubaan, how can I repay you for coming to my aid?

How could I possibly ask something from a girl who spends her nights up in the rafters cradling her sword?

I do have a sword, after all.

Coming by to chat whenever you're free is enough for me.

You have a safe place to hide here.

And didn't you say that you were born in a river fort? Here in Lungmen, you can think of this flyover as the bridge across that river, and the street below is a little fort of your own.

That old television can still play classic films on CD.

Just don't get too into them. Don't want you trying to play hero in real life.

Everything in this house is ancient artifacts from twenty or thirty years ago. If you start practicing your kung fu willy-nilly, you'll break it all.

'...After traversing li upon li, so far from the jianghu, I fear that I shall never see her again.'

'Perhaps it is for the best that you disappear. Jianghu herself will follow you, an eternal source of foes, and I do not wish to see you to take up arms against all under Heaven...'

Qiubai shows no interest in the story playing out on the TV screen, simply holding down the fast-forward button.

A movie poster inadvertently caught her eye earlier that day, which led her to peruse the stock of the DVD shop.

But as she rummages through the dust-covered disks, she is unable to find the so-called <i>Grandmaster</i> among the other movies.

This 'hero' has nary a drop of blood on his hands, just like the one in that drama series.

This really would have me believe that every time blood is drawn, all the kung fu masters dodge the splatter using qinggong.

'Do it right, girl. This move here's a feint. You can take it easily.'

'This here is a shaving strike. Don't look away as you bring the blade down.'

'Oh, don't tell your parents we taught you these moves.'

'It's not that you're too young to be learning how to take up arms. It's just that... they probably still hope that you might look away.'

Hah.

As if things could ever be that clean.

Qiu.

Are you asleep back there?

No, I'm awake.

Ah, good.

Can you help me watch the store?

You'd trust me with that?

Hasn't it already been more than two weeks since your last dust-up?

You'll be fine. Not many customers this late at night, and our sign doesn't exactly bring in the crowds.

I might not know what sort of people are chasing you, but in the twenty-odd years I've lived here, we haven't had many ruffians coming around.

And if they do show?

Then you bring down the shutters and close the doors. No need to wait for me to come back. Just find a moment to put the key under the mat.

Also, there'll probably be some drunks looking for trouble in the middle of the night.

If any of them come into the store and won't leave, just give them what they want to make them happy.

These things happen, can't really avoid it. If they happen to you, don't take it to heart.

Alright.

If I really do run into one of those miscreants, I'll teach them a lesson.

Ah, no need to make a mountain out of a talpihill.

I won't, I'll just give them a scare.

You've shown me kindness, and I will do my best to repay it.

Mafaan nei la.

Those flowers you're holding are beautiful.

Haha, are they? I love white flowers too. It's a shame that they're not for a happy occasion.

Are you going to visit a grave?

I suppose I am.

Life and death lie in the hands of Heaven, and it's not up to me to say if that's good or bad.

However...

What is it?

No, nothing. I won't hold you up any longer.

Rental prices are on the wall, take a look.

Not even a 'funying gwonglam' from you, shopkeep?

No.

If you're just another drunk here to cause trouble, know that I've already kicked out a—