Timely Assistance

Is there anyone in this whole championship who can overcome this combination's mere presence?!

Ha ha, goes to show they do work when they each fight their own.

Hey, Missy, if Ch'en and Miss Lin fought, who do you think'd win?

Why?

I'm interested, y'know. Put two really powerful guys together, and who wouldn't wanna know who the stronger is.

Only you'd think like that!

I wouldn't know anyway. It's the first time I've seen this woman fight in years.

Huh? Weren't you and Miss Lin buddy-buddy? Weird you never got to see this.

Who's buddies with who? She plays at that mystery, 24/7. There's times she doesn't even answer the phone.

And who says you've seen someone fight just 'cause you know them?

That's fair enough, I guess that's just me being used to Ch'en. If she wanted to win now, I'd be out of luck banking on just her swordplay.

Not everyone's got the same dynamic as you two.

Besides, it's a good thing I haven't seen it. I worry the day I do, I'll be trying to arrest her.

Makes sense. She's the Rat King's daughter, after all.

Eh, still can't say so, though. He's not a bad egg or anything.

When I was a fresh dumbass in Lungmen...

Save it. I've met the Rat King before, you know. I don't need you telling me.

Hey, as long as you get it.

Forget that, you just used the word 'dumbass,' didn't you?

Look at me, using vulgar language in front of Milady. Oughta slap me.

Hmph.

So you and Ch'en have seen how she takes fights?

C'mon, I'm here because I haven't. Neither has Ch'en, I reckon.

You're right about one thing, though. It's a good thing we've never seen her fight before. That'd put us in the tough position, we'd have to take her in.

As long as you get it.

Never thought there'd be a day when she and Ch'en work together, though.

You really do see everything as you get older.

So in the end, who do you think would win, then?

Don't feel like guessing.

Heh, then I'll guess on my own.

In my opinion, if Ch'en had her sword, it'd be hard for Lin Yühsia to ever get near her.

But, if she does let Miss Lin get near, then Ch'en's lost.

Ch'en sure sucks.

You can't say that either. Ch'en's solid with her kickboxing. Joint locks and grapples and whatever. She's amazing with all our normal training, too.

You saw how decent her accuracy was too, just now.

But in the end, Ch'en's best with a sword.

So you're implying Lin Yühsia's as good in close-quarters as Ch'en is with her sword.

More or less.

Having fun acting the hero, Hui-chieh?

Not really, but I don't need you worrying.

Sorry, Miss Ch'en, I...

I told you, you could've just waited over there for me. You did fine.

Thank you for helping me out.

You're welcome.

But, um, why did you do it?

No reason. I saw you, so I helped.

I see. You're a nice person, Miss.

And since you're nice, here.

Is this... pure gold?

Mhm, they were only after me because I had this.

And you're fine giving it to us?

It's alright, I can go look for some more.

Besides, I never really cared about the competition anyway. Getting to know someone as nice as Miss Ch'en is enough for me already.

I'll give you a heads-up. Quite a few teams are on high alert—you can chat all you want, but you'd better not stay here too long.

I'm heading off, then. Bye-bye~

We'd better move too.

Can I just ask, did you get anything out of that other than playing hero?

Does gold not count?

I guess.

What about you?

Nothing in particular.

So, continue? Or hand in?

We'll continue.

Alright.

Alright, dear audience. I've just gotten word that all twenty pure gold ingots have been handed in.

Which means, Round 1 has reached a consummate close.

Now, then, we'll move to the voting phase.

Voting will last several hours, and once it closes, we'll be here on stage announcing the teams that made it out of Round 1! Don't miss it!

...It's over.

There's still Round 1 voting, but with your popularity, I'm sure we'll be fine.

Yes.

That said, it seems you haven't gotten leads on any dangerous terrorists, Miss Lin?

Not on my end.

Then maybe there really isn't anything to worry about.

Possibly.

Hui-chieh, do you have a moment?

For what?

I need you for something.