Liberi Reader

Round 8.

The Grandmaster takes one step back before his opponent's assault. Huai Tianpei's fists are exhausted by the time they reach the Grandmaster's palm.

(Flexes bones)

Huff...

Round 9...

Huai Tianpei strikes at the Grandmaster's flank, cutting off his retreat.

The Grandmaster stays still and strikes back with equal force, cutting off Huai Tianpei's attack.

(Coughs blood)

Round... 10.

...The Grandmaster has won.

......

(Coughs blood)

Hahaha!

Hahahahaha!

Looks like you weren't concerned with victory or defeat.

How could I not be?!

You're the First Under Heaven.

But all it took was forty years for me to get the upper hand on you, once. Another three hundred and sixty years, and I'll beat you and become First Under Heaven!

True, you would likely surpass me, if you had another three hundred years.

But how can a mortal live that long?

It's true that some people have lived three centuries, using Originium Arts to extend their lifespans.

I doubt that would be possible for Mr. Huai, however.

You're the First Among Men. No need to wait three hundred years.

Grandmaster... Mr. Huai has fainted.

......

Take him back to the barracks. Treat his injuries.

(Cheering)

(Bangs on sheathes)

Liang Xun, that man is your friend?

Yes.

Do you think he can be entrusted with the sword?

In terms of skill and character, there is no other choice.

Very well.

What say you, Lord Exorcist?

......

The Catastrophe...

It's coming.

I'm back, Shifu.

I said I would bring the sword back. I did it.

I went to the forge, saw the blacksmith, and the old pagoda tree.

The city is very different from how I imagined.

Is that a place that can be called 'home?'

I don't understand.

I don't understand the people in the city, or you, who left the city.

I don't understand what kind of person he is.

I'm leaving tomorrow.

The borders have been peaceful lately. Things should be fine even if I'm away for a while.

Your condition... and that of some of the others, they can't wait.

Just because there's no doctor who can treat it doesn't mean there's no one in Yan. If there's no one in Yan, perhaps there's another in these vast lands...

I have a brother who may be able to do it.

Take care while I'm away.

You're sick. You need to stay put...

......

I'll be leaving. Don't think too much. Get some rest...

Is this a dream?

I...

......

I must go.

I need to return the sword... and ask him face to face.

Why are you sleeping on the walls, Miss Ling?! A Catastrophe is coming. Get down and get to a shelter.

Leave this to us.

What's the situation?

The Four Guardians have been deployed, as have the sand filters and Originium scrubbers. They are Yumen's first and firmest line of defense.

Given the size of the cloud formation, however, the Four Guardians will not be able to completely shut the storm out. Dust and Originium particles that get through will form a secondary storm.

The scale would be equivalent to a small Catastrophe.

......

Following the evacuation, all the plates on the east side have been retracted to avoid impact, but the plates of the inner city are immobile and will be impacted by the secondary storm directly.

How many are you?

The Imperial Astronomical Bureau has twelve casters stationed at Yumen.

How are you deployed?

Six here, six in the inner city.

Are six enough to protect the inner city?

The Lord Exorcist has deemed both locations critical.

The Imperial Astronomical Bureau will do its best.

......

Go to the inner city. Leave this place to me.

......

The danger is the same. Go.

Last time I saw a scene like this was decades ago, when I first came to Shangshu.

Yumen doesn't have brews as refined as Husong and Guixing, but Liedaozi is good stuff. Heavens, look at the scene you're treating me to.

A toast to you too, Heaven.

Ack, there's no goblet for me to throw right now.

Increasing output.

......

Keep it up! The dams must run at maximum power.

The sand sluices have never been asked to churn so much sand, even with Yumen at full speed. With the city stationary right now, running the sluice dams at full power without the normal offloads would result in very high wear...

No time to think about that!

If all the sand and Originium dust that the Wind Aegis block piles up in front, it's going to swallow Yumen's foundation, jamming the whole city.

......

Maybe you should worry about yourself right now.

What the?!

The sky is unrecognizable.

Mr. Jing? Why are you here? Everyone should have evacuated to the west side.

I came back.

Those Shanhaizhong wangbadan are using the chaos to sabotage our Catastrophe defenses and harass the people. We caught them in the act a few times.

That's a job for the Patrol Battalion.

Can the Patrol Battalion deal with the Catastrophe and the Shanhaizhong at the same time?

Why do we carry swords, if all we do is hide at a time like this?

......

Hey, I help.

You're a tourist. There's no need to...

Yan saying, repay drop of water with river.

You buy me many drink. I repay.

I like your spirit. Alright, hop on.

But...

What's most important to Zuo Xuanliao? Protecting Yumen.

Catch.

Freshly brewed Liedaozi! The old man said to give you guys a treat.

Mr. Meng was...

No need for any of that.

All we need to know is that he died at the hands of these wangbadan.

Pah, these Yumenites didn't forget to take all their valuables, even when they're fleeing for their lives.

But there are a few jewelry shops on this street. They can't very well have taken all of it...

You just can't pass up a little looting, can you?

The other team has gone to close the sand sluices. Don't forget the mission.

I would never.

But they're ready for us.

A bunch of ruffians who haven't had a real fight in twenty years, satisfying themselves with fighting in the ring for show.

Useless rabble.

Here they come.

An impressive-sounding name won't change the fact that they're just a bunch of thieves and bandits.

Useless rabble.

They're spreading out and trying to cause as much chaos as possible. Don't let them get away!

I need a group to cut off Kangqing Street! It leads to the west side where the civilians are!

I go!

We'll have a drink and kill some bad guys.

Why does the trip back feel so far...?

The wind and sand are getting...

Found you... good thing your footprints weren't completely wiped away.

You weren't lying about planning to come back to Yumen.

Why are you here?

To get the sword back.

And to make sure you're safe.

Why are you hurt as well?

No time to talk about that. We need to get back to the city!

......

You were lucky to survive the jump down the sand sluice. Your injuries will take a long time to heal, though.

Here, hold on to me.

––

What is it?

I must be seeing things. There couldn't be anyone else out here at a time like this.

Let's go.

......

Yumen has come to a full stop, slightly off the expected location.

The Catastrophe has reached the eastern side of Yumen. Unable to hail Lord Wei at this time.

We're climbing.

Just look at Miss Ling.

The excitement is rubbing off on this rat.

......

They want to close the sand sluices.

They know how important it is right now... do the Shanhaizhong have people with engineering expertise?

(Sneers)

You can jump now, or I can throw your corpses down after I kill you.

......

Miss Qiu?

I heard Zuo Le came here, so I thought I would help out as well. Looks like I came at the right time.

You?

Shanhaizhong once sent an invitation to the river fort of Jiangqi, but we didn't get a response.

How ironic that you've chosen to take the side of the Yanese army.

You're well-informed.

Of course. We pay attention to those who walk our path.

Cut the crap.

Have you forgotten that you came to Yumen for revenge?

Good question. Unfortunately, I've already found the answer.

Nice!

So you weren't exaggerating back at the inn. You've got a couple of tricks up your sleeve.

No couple of trick, only one trick.

Grandmaster taught me when he came Sargon, but only one move...

They're still not backing off, even after losing so many. Are they not afraid to die?

What happen?

It's the sound of the storm impacting the Wind Aegis. Be careful.

This is a bigger Catastrophe than any Yumen has encountered before.

I don't even want to think about the Imperial Astronomical Bureau Casters who are taking the full brunt of it.

The Catastrophe is raging. They have their hands full dealing with it. Don't waste time here.

Take these ones out and retreat to the evacuation shelters on the west side.

Gotcha.

Where do you think you're going? We knew you were coming this way.

Round them up!

We'll leave the Catastrophe to the Imperial Astronomical Bureau Casters. These wangbadan are ours!

......

Hold your ground!

Form up!

That's the secondary storm after it passes through the Wind Aegis?

Mr. Lin! What are you doing here?

Lending a hand.

We can handle this. You should go back.

To where? How am I supposed to get my afternoon nap when there's a commotion like this out here?

......

The Originium scrubbers in the inner city can stop the particles from spreading, but the impact of the storm itself must be met with Originium Arts.

One more warm body.

I've manipulated sand for decades. I might as well find a coffin to sleep in now, if I can't make myself useful at a time like this.

Or are my little tricks just a burden to the great Tianshis?

...Just be careful, sir.

Make way for Mr. Lin!

That's right.

Dad! I've been looking for you...

Perfect timing, Yühsia.

You're hurt!

Will that get in the way of anything?

Watch. You still have much to learn when it comes to Arts.