Liberi Reader

Who was that man? He just came in, looked around, and left.

Could be a plainclothes from the Patrol Battalion, coming to see if there are smugglers here?

Plainclothes won't bumble like that or draw so much attention.

Then he came to cause trouble. I'll go and catch him.

How? He was gone in the blink of an eye. He clearly knows qinggong.

That was the last inn. Nothing.

The girl said she wanted to leave the city, but she's not at the gates.

The doc had to use the best meds to treat her. What if she doesn't come back, and he puts the bill on my tab?

I have to catch her.

I'm not sure I understand your analogy.

Ah, it wasn't the most apt.

I opened my little agency in Lungmen to make a living, but business ended up better than I expected.

Wei Yenwu and the L.G.D. can't deal with every little trouble out there.

We need good citizens like Mr. Lin to pitch in.

It can't be helped.

Can't be helped... that's true for Lungmen, and it's true for Yumen as well.

Yumen patrols the northern borders to repel potential threats to Yan.

Back when Originium technology was not so advanced, it took several times the manpower to run a mobile fortress like Yumen, compared to today.

A group of patriotic martial artists went to Yumen at the time. They never officially joined the army, but they helped out with all sorts of things.

Escorting Messengers, scouting the path ahead, even going into battle with the army... they played a key role in Yumen's peace and prosperity, and earned the respect of the city.

The court and jianghu were of one mind.

This was how Yumen used to be... until twenty years ago.

The Shanhaizhong?

Yes. Once again, the Shanhaizhong were the reason.

There's nothing else.

I hope I didn't bother you in your duties. It would be on my head.

......

You knew I wouldn't agree.

Today is the second day of the Wangfeng Festival.

It was created to remind the people of Yumen to remember the past.

This meeting may have taken place earlier, or later.

By then, you may have recalled a few things.

I've never forgotten.

Do you remember how many of the heroes who died for Yumen were not soldiers?

They owe Yumen nothing.

Nor does Yumen owe anyone anything.

Zuo!

......

Stand down.

It was my negligence that allowed those criminals into the city twenty years ago, disguised as Yumen martial artists. You can blame me, punish me, execute me!

But the blame should fall only on me—or on you!

All the responsibility falls upon me.

And how have you taken responsibility? Alienating the brothers who gave blood and sweat for Yumen, driving them away—is that your idea of taking responsibility?

......

Yumen owes them an answer!

Yumen belongs to Yan. All it does is in the service of the Yanese people. That's my answer.

This meeting is over.

The name 'Shanhaizhong' is not widely known.

It wasn't that anyone was negligent. Everyone was so focused on guarding against external threats, they didn't realize there were enemies hiding in the shadows.

Bodyguards, bouncers, blacksmiths... these civilians often fought alongside the soldiers, and enjoyed a great deal of freedom in Yumen. The Shanhaizhong took advantage of this fact.

The city was caught off-guard and responded slowly. The Shanhaizhong's plot to destroy the city's power core was foiled, but only after heavy casualties had been taken.

After that...

Taking measures after the fact is still better than not at all.

But the measures might have gone too far.

After that, the Lord Exorcist began to reform the city's administration, removing jianghu involvement, and setting increased restrictions on the movement of people.

Some of those who stayed joined the army. Others put their swords down and took up another living. An ordinary cook at an inn may have been a famous swordsman, back in the day.

Twenty years is plenty of time for a city to look very different.

Dad always says that there will come a day when Lungmen won't need downtown or the Rat King anymore.

If there comes a day when this city no longer needs to patrol the barrenlands, then the people in the city won't need to carry swords anymore.

Times change. Some want to give it a push, others a pull. In the end, they're all left behind.

That's the story that I heard. Does it help?

A lot, actually.

Thank you, Mr. Lee.

What did you learn?

Ten-man, two-hour shifts. No extra guards at the sand sluice.

Just as I saw.

One more thing to ask you to do.

At the Hour of Yu, I want you to cause a little commotion around the sand sluice.

Nothing too big, just draw away the patrols.

What do you...?

Ask no questions, if you still trust me.

...Alright.

Did you see Zuo Xuanliao on the tower?

Yes, I did.

It's getting hotter...

Someone attacked Wei Yenwu last night and threw the Yumen barracks into chaos. You were the assassin.

You cause abnormal weather wherever you go. Is this Arts? Or some other trick?

......

Murder of a Messenger, attempted theft of Catastrophe data, attempted assassination of a court official.

What do you think Yumen is, Shanhaizhong?!

A city headed the wrong way.

This way is wrong. Go no further.

You know why Yumen is returning...

It's not hard to guess.

Father tasked me to complete three tasks in three days: recover the Grandmaster's sword, catch the assassin, and track down the Shanhaizhong who have infiltrated the city.

It turns out all the answers were right here in the Sword Forge.

You won't complete any of them.

Stand back. This one's kung fu is unfathomable. We're no match for him.

You're not as strong as the Forte man, but you seem a little quicker on the uptake.

So it was you who attacked Lord Taihe.

You dodged the last strike. Will you dodge or block the next one?

......

Offense is the best defense?

You have guts, I'll give you that...

But things are not as simple as you think.

––

(Groans)

You dodged again.

How dare you!

You?

Get out of the way, Zuo Le!

......

The sword.

Don't move!

You're still trying to take the sword? Do you want to get yourself killed?

You're not dying until you tell me where Meng Tieyi is, guawazi!

I've been looking for you.

Let me go!

You almost got yourself killed.

I told you to stay put in the clinic. Now you've made your injuries worse.

......

You're still in Yumen, Huai?

Oh, it's you.

Your shifu won't fight me until he's left his post. I have to wait for him.

You haven't budged for three years?

Nope.

What's more important than this? Where can I find an opponent like him after he leaves Yumen?

There's a kung fu master right here in front of you. Why don't you have a go at her if it's a fight you're looking for?

This woman?

You're in my way.

Something didn't feel right when I blocked that attack.

It was heavy, but had neither form nor design. I don't know what that strange power is, but you're no master.

I have no time for you.

You hear that commotion inside, Jing?

That young man just broke in before I could stop him.

Damn.

This is Tieyi's last workshop. He's been good to us. We need to protect it.

Master, Boss, there are more jianghu adventurers coming.

And Yumen soldiers behind them, coming from three directions, around a hundred in total.

......

No point wasting time here if the one we're looking for isn't here.

Let's go!

Stop right there!

......

That's the one, Jing!

Where are you going, sir?

Out of my way!

Look at the mess here. Hardly anything left standing except the walls. You owe us an explanation.

This is a Yumen military case. Anyone who interferes will be arrested.

Wait... you're Zuo Xuanliao's kid.

So Zuo Xuanliao wants to take down the last Sword Forge now?

Impudence!

Lord Zuo.

Did you see the Shanhaizhong on your way here?

We've sent men after them.

Good. Round them up and take them into custody.

Lord Zuo, there are dozens of them... all local residents...

They appeared right as the criminals retreated and obstructed our pursuit. They must be investigated thoroughly.

All the rest have something to do with the case.

The girl in the exotic outfit was hiding in the Sword Forge. She must know where Meng Tieyi is. I'm going with you, if you take her away.

The Sword Forge is linked to the Shanhaizhong. Given your ties to Meng Tieyi, I would have asked you to come with us regardless.

......

As for you...

......

She's coming with me to get her wounds treated, and pay her bill.

This is no time for jokes.

I-I can't go with you...

Hmph, all you care about is the sword.

Why you—!

—!

Take these people back to the barracks for questioning. I'll go after the Grandmaster's sword.

Are you alright, Miss Qiu?

Just a scratch. Do as Zuo Le says for now.

Please treat these jianghu people with proper respect, Millenion.

That man...