wscoot

We'll get the cargo back and deliver it to the customer normally, get the job out of the way.

Then we can start a shop. Accepting orders, filing documents, planning routes... I know a bit about how the whole process works.

What about the cost of rent and equipment?

I saved a little over the years. If everyone chips in a little...

Fine, as long as you know how to do it. Keep going. Is it gonna work?

I can't guarantee anything. There are a lot of people who fail. It won't be easy, and there's no quick money.

We'll have to change our habits of solving problems through violence. We'll have to refrain from fighting and killing if we want to keep going.

Hah. I know these people better than you do. You're sending them down a dead-end path.

I would be more suspicious if you said it would be easy.

I'll take it, Cheng. I'll tell you where the cargo is, and you find us a new path.

No need to worry about those who try to stop you.

Windscoot finally delivered the cargo and returned to the Gang of Justice to find it in shambles.

Aunt Wen had left with half of the gang. The rest have cooked the cystybeast, but no one is in the mood for meat in the ruined camp.

This is the first time the two halves of the gang have met again since the split.

Aunt Wen... how is everyone? I heard things got pretty violent that day...

...Can you let us through?

Did you think we were waiting here to listen to you say that?

You know what the Gang of Justice does, and you don't need me to tell you how we deal with people who don't follow the rules.

I won't draw my sword, and I won't give you the cargo. I just ask that you let us through, for the sake of old times.

This is our first job since we opened for business. We invited everyone we could. Lose the cargo, and we'll have nothing left.

You swore you would find a way for everyone, but you can't even make your way through us?

Make our way we will! You think we're afraid? You can't find your way, so you don't want others to do so either? We'll kill whoever stands in our way!

'Kill! Kill!' The other escorts start yelling angrily. The bandits yell back, and the two sides look ready to kill at any moment.

Windscoot stands between them, his voice hoarse from shouting.

It is the same thing again, the two sides drawing swords against each other at the first argument. Windscoot seems to see a smile on Aunt Wen's face.

She looks at Windscoot with an expression of 'I told you so.'

Calm down, Uncle De.

<i>Gan ta de!</i> I'll show them—

Apologies.

Are you out of your mind? <i>Cao!</i> So cold! Why did you pour that damn drink on my head, you brat?!

Alright, now that we're quiet, hear me out.

We don't solve problems by talking.

Things aren't what they used to be. At least, what we want now is different from before.

No, even before...

You can start going to school tomorrow. You'll taste the fists of all your aunts and uncles if you don't study.

I don't wanna go to school.

Say that again!

Why did you have to beg the teacher like that? You said whoever has the biggest fist makes the rules. Is the teacher's fist bigger than yours? Ouch! Why did you hit me?

Don't let your Aunt Wen hear that, brat.

Aunt Wen never bowed to anyone...

Besides, I heard them say...

The child of a musbeast will be a musbeast.

Never mind. Anyway, I don't wanna go. I want to live with my head high like you guys—ouch! Let go of my ear!

Listen, kid. You can't avoid getting punched in the mouth in this line of work. Get out of this camp if you want to live with your head high.

You know how many people around here couldn't get out even if they wanted? Those who lost everything after being scammed out of their land, those who stood up for justice and ended up getting their whole family killed... they have to rely on the protection of your Aunt Wen.

But you're different. You still have hope.

What about you? When will you get out?

Windscoot does not remember Uncle De's answer. Probably made a casual joke, as usual.

This time, however, Uncle De took his side without hesitation. And he understood: it was not that they did not want to; it was that they did not know how.

Someone has to be the first to walk the path and prove that it leads somewhere.

Windscoot makes up his mind. He reaches toward his belt. Aunt Wen has her eyes on his sword, as does everyone else. At this range, a single move determines life and death.

As Windscoot's fingers touch his belt, Aunt Wen clutches the hilt of her sword, only to see Windscoot take out a small stack of banknotes, put it between his fingers, and present it to Aunt Wen, an old jianghu ritual.

Aunt Wen, Uncle De. You found me in the wilds, but raised me like I was your own son, even sending me to school.

You wanted the same thing for me then as I want for everyone now.

Some of us may find it hard to quit the bandit life, but others can scout the path first to see if it works. Give us a chance, Aunt Wen.

In formal terms...

The Escort Agency of Justice wants to make friends with the Gang of Justice. In the name of friendship, we share what we have, and ask that you grant passage.

Did you think a little bit of money can smooth over everything?

No, I know that those who violate the rules must face punishment. But I was the one who stirred up the troubles, and I should be the one to bleed for it. After that, I ask that the Gang of Justice accept this... little token from the Escort Agency of Justice.

Windscoot stretches out his other arm.

Hey!

(Shakes his head at Uncle De)

Go ahead, Boss Wen.

Very well, very well. 'We,' 'you.' Very well.

Very well!

Argh!

Instead of cutting off Windscoot's arm, the sword slams down on Windscoot's forehead, still inside its sheath. Blood begins flowing from the cut.

The sword hits the ground with a clang, but Aunt Wen makes no show of picking it up.

We are strangers from this day forth! Let's go.

You alright? No concussion or anything? That was one hard hit.

They're really gone.

Windscoot picks up Aunt Wen's sword, wipes the dirt off it, and wears it on his belt next to his own sword.

She held something back... I think there will come a day when I give this sword back to her.

Ouch! I wanted you to bandage up the wound, not open it up!

Oh...

What is it?

The sun's coming up.

Let's go. We still have our first cargo to deliver.

We gotta repair the tires first, brat.

Oops, almost forgot.