How Old Trees Grow

No, after these two clashes, the mandarins will definitely be on alert, so we have to be more cautious.

I can let the woman live for another two days, but our organization can leave no clues.

Right... Then what do we do now?

Just wait. It won't be long before he gives us fresh orders.

'The mounts, seas, and all in between shall be our master's.'

They've stolen the land without even knowing it... the people will pay for their arrogance.

Soon.

And who might you be waiting for?

......

Attempted assassination of a court official and disturbing the people's peace. Your conduct befouls the laws of Great Yan. It's like they mean nothing to you.

You have two options.

Lay down your arms and come with me. Or I bring you in.

You were followed.

It's the same man from before.

He turned the tables on you. Considering his skill, it's no surprise you couldn't do anything about it.

But in the end, it was still you who led this man here, do you understand?

Yes.

Good. Now, we'll get rid of him first, and then decide how to deal with you.

You dare?!

Late as it is, you're still awake?

We must be vigilant, lest something like yesterday's incident happen again.

Surely the Grandmaster has not invited me out so late to enjoy the scenery?

It's auspicious for Lord Wei to stand here with us at such a crucial moment. Indeed, it would have been best to take a stroll through the city of Yumen and enjoy its scenery.

The Lord Exorcist's decision naturally comes after careful consideration.

Perhaps this is not for me to say, but the Lord Exorcist's responsibilities reach far beyond the safety and security of Yumen.

The consequences of just one mishap are grave enough that the word 'trust' no longer carries much weight.

Indeed, it is so. General Zuo and I have worked together for decades, without relying on 'trust'.

I hope you understand.

Have I ever expressed any dissatisfaction?

Speaking of which, we have yet to properly catch up on each other's affairs.

The last time I came to Yumen was five years ago, and the time before that was ten, but both were hectic visits.

And our last meeting, let me think... we were in the capital.

Yes, the year you left the capital, I had happened to be there to report on my work.

I didn't expect you to remember something from so long ago.

Do you not remember it, Lord Wei?

I don't recall what year it was, exactly, but my memories tell me it was also spring then.

Late spring. A little later than the current season.

That's it.

At the time, you still wielded a sword... And you were not yet called 'Wei.'

......

There was much scenery to enjoy, and plenty of kung fu spectacles too. I have lived for so long, there are not many who leave a true impression.

But even now, as I evaluate the various styles of kung fu, I still think about Chi Xiao's ultimate move.

I'm honored to win such a praise from the Grandmaster of kung fu.

That night seemed like it was set to rain, the weather stifling, the clouds looming low.

I was on the keep, and far away, but even then I saw a light in the direction of the posthouse.

The sky abruptly broke with the chill of a sword. A sharp and decisive style of swordsmanship.

'As sword of stratus rent, once stood stand fast.'

Afterwards, Lord Wei must have left the city. In the end, the rain did not fall.

It was a very long time ago.

But I wonder why you're bringing this up?

There is treachery in the court, and minds can be unpredictable. Surely, no one understands this better than you.

But I also believe that whose mind is consumed by ambition and cunning could never wield that style of swordsmanship.

There is a matter that I would like you to help with.

I dare not refuse a request from the Grandmaster himself.

I would ask you to trust Yumen, just this once.

......

You and the Lord Exorcist are alike, shouldering the peace of Yan. There are many matters of concern... but in the end, Yumen is unlike Lungmen.

Yumen was built on strength of arms, and most of the people here practice kung fu. These people have great passion, but lack strategic thinking.

Regardless, everyone here acts for the country and its people, and there is nothing wrong with hating evil as an enemy.

I only fear that simple-minded people will be manipulated without their knowing.

General Zuo has agreed to a time limit of three days. Within these three days, you will get your answer.

Until then, I hope you will set your grievances with the Lord Exorcist aside, and stay your hand.

A guest must comply with his host, and the Lord Exorcist has asked me to wait in these barracks at ease. I simply wished to share his burden, but there is really nothing I can do.

I recall, that Envoy Lin of Lungmen from a few days past is indeed shrewd and capable, solving several cases cleanly in just a few days' work.

I imagine there must be several talents like her in your employ.

...You might be overthinking the situation.

Whether the Grand Tutor, the Lord Exorcist, or Wei Yenwu, every move is calculated for the safety of the people and prosperity of the country.

There should be no conflict between us.

But looking back over the few millennia... there have been those who shared a goal, but a number of them inevitably break and even turn against each other, yes?

Indeed, you are most qualified to speak of this.

Very well, for your sake... I will agree to your request.

You have my thanks, Lord Wei.

The night is no longer young, I suggest you retire.

Oh, but... there is another thing, I think I have yet to mention.

'Cloud-splitting sword' is not actually Chi Xiao's ultimate move.

(repressed gasping)

Now, you still hold the option to surrender. Choose that option, or you will never stand again.

(Anguished groaning)

Right now it is merely at your waist, move again and the dirt will bury you up to your shoulders.

Three more of you lie in hiding in the alley on the left, and two more in the eaves on the right.

Your actions were to draw out my weakness and create an opportunity for an ambush.

But you will not get such a chance.

I admit, I've underestimated your strength.

It's rare... for one to be proficient in both kung fu and Originium Arts.

You are unworthy to comment on my kung fu.

...Hmph.

Yesterday, Envoy Lin of the L.G.D. fended off an attack while returning to the city, and was followed today with errant intent. Earlier, a Sui Regulator Candleholder met with an assassin in the city center, these acts were most probably all your doing, correct?

To intercept and kill a Catastrophe Messenger, to steal Catastrophe data, just what are the Shanhaizhong planning in Yumen?

Who exactly is behind you?

You'd better check who's behind you first!

What—

......

Thank... thank you very much for saving my life...

I'm sorry for all that.

You shouldn't be wasting your time here.

The Lungmenite woman investigated the warehouse at the Sword Forge. She's making a lot of trouble...

If you're so worried about trouble, why not go directly to the only variable that can sway the whole situation?

The old man at the Sword Forge.

Go find him, and let the Catastrophe data disappear along with his body.

Understood.

Master, look out—

......

You shouldn't be able to stand.

Rest... go...

Master, this man is not to be underestimated—

Waste of time, and boring beyond comprehension.

Yühsia, what took you so long?

I happened to meet an acquaintance, so I took the chance to say hello.

You're a Lungmenite, and yet you seem to know plenty of people in Yumen...

Well, that's enough talking. Let's piece together the information we gathered and see if we can figure anything out.

I didn't get to finish that conversation on the street, what progress have you made on your end?

Miss Du, what kind of person owns the Sword Forge?

You mean Uncle Meng?

Yes.

He's an old friend of my father's, from when he was still in the business. His kung fu is renowned, but he's good at talking too, and every martial artist in Yumen trusts him.

I'm not familiar with Yumen, so Xingyu Logistics being able to operate here is all thanks to him.

......

Does this stuff have anything to do with Uncle Meng?

Just wondering.

If you have something to say, get to the point already!

I've had a suspicion that this band of thieves causing chaos in the city stowed away with the supplies smuggled from Lungmen.

I've been on the smugglers' trail and it led me to the Sword Forge's warehouse.

So? What did you find?

The warehouse had only iron billets and forge fuel. All the materials you would need for a forge.

What was strange was the warehouse guard.

He had an unusual sunburn around his neck. Looked like a mark from wearing special protective equipment.

As I understand it, the Catastrophe Survey Teams dispatched by the Imperial Astronomical Bureau trek through the desert for long periods of time, and they wear a standardized mask for protection against the wind and sun.

......

That sunburn wasn't faded. And the Imperial Astronomical Bureau has only dispatched that one team lately.

So you're saying there's something suspicious about the team, and that they're connected to Uncle Meng?

I'm trying to get us on the same page with the facts I've found.

Yumen has just returned from the depths of the desert, where the sunlight can be intense, and sunburns are common among the city residents.

Is that one little thing all you've got to make you suspicious?

Do you recognize this object?

......

(voice shaking) Where did you find this?

The warehouse.

I found it lying in a corner. It seemed unique, and was standing out from the piles of iron billets and fuel.

This is a 'Xingyu Logistics' armband that I designed myself.

Only the kids who followed me to Yumen from Shangshu would have this. Did the Qis also...?

If what befell the Messenger team happened outside Yumen, then this shouldn't have made it into the city at all!

Are the Qis still alive?! If they are, then why are they hiding? No, who's holding them and keeping them from showing themselves?

Uncle Meng? But doesn't he have four men he knows on the team.

What's going on?

Miss Du, let's not jump to conclusions just yet. We need to calmly analyze the...

If I can't figure it out, then I might as well stop thinking. I'll just head to the Sword Forge and get my answer!

Miss Du!

......

Yühsia.

Mhm.

I saw a tourist dressed like a Lungmenite downstairs earlier, probably one of your men?

He came to pass you something, right?

......

That armband was evidence brought back from where the Messenger team was intercepted and killed outside the city.

You're using Miss Du.

We have a lot of clues pointing us towards the Sword Forge right now, so we need to probe it a little.

If the man is innocent, then we've ruled out a decent possibility, and she will also feel at ease.

If there's really something up with the Sword Forge, won't you have put her in danger?

She's certainly not the only one in danger here in Yumen.

Yühsia, I know you have your responsibilities, and maybe this is how you've always done things.

I'm not about to argue with you over what's right or wrong, but I can't agree with your approach.

I have to go help her.

......

Lord Zuo.

What happened?!

Monitor Censor Taihe was brought to a military camp by two civilians not long ago...

Tell me his condition first!

T-The medics say they've managed to save his life... but perhaps only his life...

Monitor Censor Taihe has suffered multiple external injuries, but what's more serious is the damage to his organs. He has suffered massive internal bleeding. If he were an ordinary man, I'm afraid he would have already...

Uncle Taihe shouldn't have been involved in this, he was helping me under the table...

Where is Father?

The General is guarding the outer city tower.

I've also notified the General, and there were only four words in his reply.

'Stay at your post.'

......

Where are the ones who brought Uncle Taihe here?

Tell me the truth.

We just saw the Forte dressed in mandarin clothes lying by the roadside. We have no idea what happened, but we figured we should bring him over here...

The city is under high alert right now. What were you doing out so late at night?

We had trouble sleeping, so we went out for a walk... who would've thought there would be someone lying by the roadside as soon as we went out? Terrifying.

So you live in the area, but heard nothing strange?

Nothing...

Where did you find the wounded?

In the south of the city, near the Sword Forge's alley!

The Sword Forge...

Sorry... Can I can go home now?

No.

Your testimony is unclear, so as a witness, you can't leave just yet.

Ah, w-well...

Millenion.

Present.

I'm moving out. Gather your team.

Search the Sword Forge.

Sir... The General's orders were to stick to our posts.

Father ordered me to hunt down the assassin and locate the sword in three days to restore peace in Yumen. Even with his strength, Monitor Censor Taihe has been gravely injured. This surely has some link to the Feranmut followers.

Going to the scene of the crime to find the truth and arrest the culprit, is that not sticking to my post?!

......

Go.

Yes, sir.