level_act23side_05_beg

The sun sets in the west.

Both the people and the city walls cast long shadows, covering the stalls by the road. A vendor closes his umbrella and yawns.

Closing up! 30% off on what's left so I can go home for dinner!

Just go. Tourists these days don't care about your toy weapons anymore.

I would have joined the army if I had the skills to forge real swords.

Say, I saw a tourist carrying a blood-red sword yesterday. Now that was something unusual. I wonder where it came from...

The girl looks around, perplexed. She has never seen a scene like this before.

The ground rumbles slightly underneath her feet, likely a sign that the nomadic city is decelerating. The people on the streets seem completely unperturbed by it, going about their business as usual.

She smells the aroma of food, and remembers that she has not eaten for two days.

The soreness all over her body hits at the same time as the hunger.

Her legs take on a mind of their own, following the scent to a restaurant.

What would you like?

Er... whatever that person is having.

Cold noodles with roasted meat for table three!

It is near dinner time, and the place is almost full. A good, hearty dinner is the most comforting thing for honest, working people who have been busy all day.

The TV on the wall plays a martial arts drama on repeat, the familiar story occasionally catching the attention of the customers.

(Why does the man in the box look like him?)

(The swordswoman next to him looks a little like Shifu, but not quite the same...)

(What does 'adapted from true events' mean?)

Your noodles, miss.

T-Thank you.

I say a hundred-meter scroll signed by every single person in town. Now that's a meaningful gift!

Ni sha le ma? The Grandmaster is going on a journey. How is he gonna carry that?

Better to have something practical, like some local food for him to eat on the way.

How many years has the Grandmaster protected Yumen?

All I know that he's been around since before my dad was born.

He must be more than a hundred! No wonder he's leaving his post. It must take a toll on him.

But I've heard some jianghu wanderers say that they've seen him lately, and he still looks like he's middle-aged.

Wait... is he immortal or something?

I heard there are those who live much longer than normal, thanks to Arts. The Grandmaster must be one of those.

Anyway, the one thing everyone should remember is that he's the hero and protector of Yumen.

Never heard about a spouse or kids, though. What a shame, when you consider that General Zuo's son has already reached adulthood...

(They called him a hero?)

How did you like your meal, miss?

It was very good.

Now, the bill...

I...

I'll take care of it.

Th-Thank you...

Sure... Now how about that, we meet again.

Did you lose your wallet, or just forgot?

I... lost it...

Ouch, that's unlucky.

Looks like you're new around here. I'm guessing you don't really know the place? I'll go with you to report the loss.

Th-Thank you, but I'm fine...

I-I'll pay you back next time!

Hold on.

Is this the sword you said you were looking for?

Are you trying to take it too?!

What do you think I am, a thief?

But I've heard rumors that a special sword went missing. Could it be...?

...I have to go.

Who's there?

Show yourself!

They say you don't try this with martial artists.

Especially not with <i>the</i> martial artist.

Am I a goner if he just takes a swing by instinct without looking?

Then I would have to arrest him for manslaughter.

So, did I win the bet?

You did.

I had a bet with Liang Xun over how you'd react when you saw us.

He said you would turn around and leave, but I said you would freeze on the spot.

Never seen one who could read others better than you.

Well, he <i>is</i> my oath-brother. Not exactly a stranger.

Don't worry, Waai Fu doesn't know you're here.

A reunion of father and daughter calls for a grander occasion, after all.

I'm not like our lord magistrate over here, who drags me into trouble the first time we see each other in a dozen years.

Yes, I know I owe you one...

Is it too much sarcasm if I keep harping on this?

Well, there's no one else here, just the three of us.

We have wine and food. Shall we sit down and chat?

The locations of all the suspicious warehouses have been sent to your terminals.

Check them one by one, going from east to west. Move quickly; time is short.

Don't do anything rash, if you find something. Contact the others, and we'll move in togeth—

Were you looking for me?

He reacts quickly. Years of experience have taught him when it is time to fight, and when it is time for flight.

As soon as he turns around, however, he feels a hand on his shoulder, immobilizing him.

Why are you trying to run, if you're looking for me?

You...

Sharp, but not enough guts. Fix that, and there's potential for bigger things for you.

The old man withdraws his hand.

Tell Miss Lin that I will be waiting for her at the warehouse in the southern city, on fifth street, block seven, at the Hour of Shen.

Not drinking?

I'm still on duty.

What about you?

Alcohol isn't good for you.

Well, what are we gonna do if we're not drinking or talking? Just stare at each other?

Didn't you have something to ask him, Mr. Liang?

I could ask you the same.

Have we gotten to the point that we can't talk while sober?

If you have something to say, say it.

What have you been doing...?

Wandering.

Looking for strong opponents in each new place, until there's no one left. Then I move on.

I had to study Mr. Liang to see what the changes were over the years. You, Waai, or I guess Huai, you wear them on your face.

What changed?

You got old.

That's obvious.

I was actually worried I was going to hear someday that you died in a duel.

Would I?

There's always someone better, as they say...

So... how long have you been in Yumen?

Three years.

There's someone here who promised to fight me.

He said it could take three years, five years, ten years, maybe more.

Huai Tianpei, so obsessed with earning fame, learning patience...

What's a few years here? There's no one else to fight anyway.

So you've been working at the clinic for three years.

The scent of herbal medicine covers up the aroma of the wine. There is nothing left but a bitter taste.

'Pulsatilla yanensis', 'psychotria rubra', 'zanthoxylum avicennae', 'senecio scandens'...

I spent almost a month asking the various schools, never imagining that you were right here in this clinic opposite the inn.

Debts have to be paid.

Then you know who it is you owe the biggest debt.

That's all I have to say. What about you, Mr. Liang?

Just here to see how an old friend is doing. It's not an interrogation.

Huai Tianpei has been in Yumen for three years. You've been here a while yourself. But you picked this time to visit.

It's no time to consider private sentiment, when there is unrest in the city.

In your patriotism, you won't even permit commoners like us to think of private sentiment?

What do...?

I'll sit for a while longer if you're really here to reminisce about old times.

But look at us, we've gotten to the point where we can't even talk freely?

Huai Tianpei picks up his cup, drinks it dry, and leaves the room.

Did you get the answer you were looking for, Mr. Liang?

I guess so.

As Huai Tianpei's oath-brother, or as the advisor of Yumen?

I should be used to you seeing through things by now.

Maybe you should change your habit of bringing trouble on yourself. At least don't get to the point where you don't even have someone to talk to.

There's a job he just might be the right man for...

Like how you had me handle that goblet?

Nothing that complicated.

Even when he's Huai Tianpei, he's still Waai Tinpui.

He's the hardest to change.

What about you and I?

The same flowers, the same wine, but the spirit of youth is no more.

It's precious enough that we can still sit around the same table and chat a little over a drink. It's a fool's errand to try to go back to the past.

You're trying to stop me too?

A lot has happened over the past couple of days. There's a lot happening that I'm not sure about.

If you mean no harm, I suggest you stay and help explain what's happening.

I don't have time.

Hand it over.

No!

Did they follow you?

I don't know them.

Are you the ones who been causing trouble around town?

Stupid girl—

(Was she holding back when she fought me in the ring?)

These crooks sure can bark, even if they can't bite.