Wind, Moon, and Blade · Chapter 10
The Last Moment as Allies
The next morning.
—tain.
Serpang
...Captain!
Captain, wake up!
Toto
Coo!
What happened?
Serpang
Fei... Senior Sister Fei is...!
Fei? What happened to her?
Lyn
...She's gone.
She only left a note behind.
Fei
To Lyn, Serpang, Toto, and the Captain.
Our temporary alliance ends here.
Now that only Tien and Xien remain, there's no reason to maintain it.
And I don't care for overwhelming the enemy through sheer numbers.
Which is why I'll face the two of them alone.
I'll return after I win. There's still something we need to settle among ourselves.
So don't worry. Wait until I return.
...Looks like there's still space left on this paper. Maybe I'll write down what I wanted to say.
Serpang. Stop eating so many snacks. Sleep less. Train harder.
Toto. Be more strict with Serpang. If she strays from the right path, you must guide her back.
Captain. Our meeting was brief, but I think it will stay with me. Next time we meet, I'll tell you about the Celestial Art.
Lastly, Lyn.
...This is harder than I thought.
I have so much to say that I don't know where to begin. So I'll keep it to two things.
It was good to see you again.
I'm sorry for leaving without saying goodbye.
And finally.
Lyn
Take care...
That's three things, Fei.
And you said you'd come back, but why does it sound like a farewell...?
Serpang
She must have gone to the eastern bamboo forest! Let's hurry and go after her!
Lyn
...
Serpang
Senior Sister Lyn...!
Toto
Coo...!
What do you want to do, Lyn?
Lyn
I...
Tien
...You've come.
Xien
Where are the others?
Fei
We had a bit of a falling out.
I'll face the two of you alone.
Tien
Just you against the two of us? How arrogant...!
Fei
Hah! Sparring with masters is the best form of training!
I can't share such a valuable opportunity with anyone else.
Xien
Hmm...
Then who might those people be who just arrived?
Fei
What...?
Serpang
Senior Sister Fei!
Toto
Coo!
We made it in time.
Fei
Serpang? Toto? Captain...!
Why did you come? I clearly wrote in the note—
Lyn
You said the temporary alliance was over.
Fei
...Lyn.
Lyn
But that was only your decision.
When we formed the alliance, you said it would last until this matter was resolved.
Which means the temporary alliance is still valid.
Fei
Hah!
Tien
...Are you finished talking?
Fei
Yes. Thank you for waiting.
Xien
So it's the five of you against us? Even then, if Tien and I fight together—
Fei
No. It will be Lyn and me. Just the two of us.
Lyn
Overwhelming the few with the many is not the Wind Moon Sect's way.
And Fei. You do understand what happens once this is over, don't you?
Fei
Yes. I'll have to settle things with you as well. I know.
To be able to keep sparring against formidable opponents...
Lucky me.
Tien
Xien!
Xien
Understood, Tien.
Lyn
They're coming. Get ready.
Fei
Right. For now...
Let's deal with the enemy in front of us!
Tien
...We lost.
The defeated have no words.
Do whatever you want with us. Kill us, cook us, burn us—it's all up to you.
Xien
That's right. I agree with my sister.
You may XXXX us, ●●●● us, or ■■■■■ us as you please.
Tien
Hmm...?
Serpang
Senior Sister Lyn? Why are you suddenly covering my ears?
Toto
Coo?
Lyn
Wh-what she just said isn't appropriate for children...!
Tien
Xien...? That's a bit...
Xien
But you said it yourself, Tien. The defeated have no words.
No matter how much we beg them to stop, they'll ●●●● our ●●●●● and...
Tien
...!
Xien
Force us to XXXX their ●●●●●● all night... and if we lose consciousness, then they'll ■■■■ our—!
Lyn
...!
Xien
Whatever you wish to do with us, Fei... it's entirely up to you.
Fei
...Haha!
That's right! You said you'd do anything I ask If I win!
Tien & Xien
...
Fei
Then let's spar again sometime.
Tien
...What?
Xien
Hmm?
Fei
You learn a lot when sparring with masters.
I'd like to face you again when you're stronger. By then, I will be stronger as well!
Xien
...Think carefully. This is your final chance.
Your chance to ●●●● Tien however you wish.
Tien
Xien? Haven't you been encouraging her this whole time?
Fei
No. My decision hasn't changed. Sparring is enough for me.
And regarding your father...
Fei knelt down.
Fei
If the Sect Master of the White Dragon Sect abandoned the path of martial mastery because of me, then I apologize.
Tien
...!
Xien
...You remember our father?
Fei
Of course. The White Dragon Sect Master was one of the greatest masters of his time.
To think he'd abandoned the path of martial mastery...
Even now, I find that hard to believe.
Xien
...
Fei
As for me, the path of martial mastery—the Celestial Art—is something I can never abandon.
But if there is another way for me to atone...
Tien
That is enough for us.
Fei
Mm?
Tien
...It's enough that you remember.
Xien
Fufu. Perhaps it's because we were able to go all out?
I don't know why, but...
I feel relieved somehow...
As Tien and Xien departed, Fei turned to face us.
Fei
Now it's time to settle what remains.
Lyn
I will ask once more, Fei. Please come with us peacefully to the Eastern Continent.
Serpang
Y-yeah, Senior Sister Fei. Come with us.
Toto
Coo...!
Serpang
We'll explain everything to the Sect Master for you! So please...
Fei
No matter how many times you ask, my answer remains the same.
I refuse.
Serpang
That's...!
Toto
Coo...
Lyn
...As expected.
Serpang. Toto.
Serpang
Huh?
Toto
Coo?
Lyn
I'm sorry.
With a swift motion of Lyn's hand, Serpang and Toto collapsed.
Serpang? Toto...? Lyn, what is this—
Lyn
I sealed their acupoints. They're only asleep, so don't worry.
Fei
...What exactly are you trying to do?
Lyn
Serpang and Toto were ordered to bring you back, Fei.
But the order I received... no.
The order given to the White Moon of the Nature's Grace is different.
The Nature's Grace?
Fei
The Sect Master's secret organization... the Nature's Grace!
I've only heard rumors about it. So it really does exist.
Lyn
Fei, the order I received was to to bring you before the Sect Master dead or alive.
So I will ask one last time.
Fei, return the Celestial Manuscript and come with us peacefully. Otherwise...
Fei
Enough.
Lyn, you already know what I'm going to say.
Lyn
...I do.
Because that's the kind of person you've always been.
Fei
And yet you still ask. That is very like you.
You haven't changed at all.
Lyn
Captain.
I'm sorry to say this now, but from here on... this is between us.
Could you pretend you saw nothing and return to NOA?
No. I can't do that.
Lyn
...Huh?
Serpang
If Senior Sister Lyn and Senior Sister Fei ever point their swords at each other...
Please stop them, Captain.
So that no one gets hurt.
Serpang commissioned me.
She asked me to stop the two of you so no one gets hurt.
Fei
...Those kids really do stick their noses everywhere.
I probably have no right to interfere in your business.
But if either of you goes for anyone's life, I'll stop it.
Lyn
...
That's what Serpang hired me to do.
Fei
That's all the more reason for you not to interfere, Captain.
Because this is just a sparring session.
Lyn
...You're mistaken, Fei. This is no mere sparring session.
Didn't I say I would bring you before the Sect Master dead or alive?
Fei
That's only if you defeat me.
But victory will be mine!
Lyn
...How arrogant.
Fei
Arrogant? No. This is confidence. And well-founded confidence at that.
Lyn
And what, exactly, is the source of that confidence?
Fei
Look above.
Fei
Perfect clouds. A cool breeze. A moon shining clear...
It's the finest sky I've ever seen!
Hear me, sky above!
Am I, Fei, destined to lose here?!
Lyn
...
Fei
...Haha! See that, Lyn?
The heavens didn't say that I would lose.
Which means I will win, doesn't it?
Lyn
...What a waste of time.
Fei
It's all about perspective.
Lyn
Disciple of the Wind Moon Sect, instructor of the children's class. And...
White Moon of the Nature's Grace, Lyn.
Fugitive Fei. I will bring you before the Sect Master dead or alive.
Fei
Temporary instructor of the Celestial Sect, destined to spread the Celestial Art across the world.
The greatest sword of the East and West, and...
The greatest sword in all the continent—Fei!
Come at me, Lyn!
Their swords tore through the silent night air.
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