Wind, Moon, and Blade · Chapter 5
Is It Me?
Sect Master
All I told Serpang and Toto was to bring Fei back.
But for you, I intend to give a different command.
Lyn
...
Lyn? Is something wrong?
Lyn
N-no. It's nothing.
Serpang, can you see the exit?
Serpang
Nope, I can't. It's pitch black.
Lyn
You didn't lure us into a dead end, did you, Fei?
Fei
You still doubt me after coming this far? There's an exit. If it really was a trap, why would I have tagged along with you?
Serpang
Ugh... It's so cramped.
Toto
Coo, coo...
Lyn
It seems cramped even for Serpang and Toto. Even I feel a bit—
Fei
Haha! With such big "things" on you, where in the world wouldn't feel cramped?
Lyn
Hmm? What exactly do you mean by—
Hiya?!
Sh-shush! Don't talk like that in front of the Captain!
How much farther do we have to go?
Fei
We should be there soon.
Serpang
Ouch!
Toto
Coo?!
Lyn
Are you alright, Serpang? Did you bump into the door?
Serpang
Ugh... my head feels like it's splitting open...
Okay. Then we'll wait here for a—
Fei
Mm?!
Ngh?! ...Mmph!
Lyn
Kyaah?!
Toto
Coo?!
Serpang
Ow! I hit something again!
Fei
Sorry. That wasn't intentional. Are you alright?
F-for now, but—
Lyn
Ah?! C-Captain?! Please don't...!
Lyn
J-just hold your breath for now! Don't breathe! If you do, I'll hate you for the rest of my life!
Serpang
What's wrong? Did something happen back there?
Fei
...Oh?
Lyn
Serpang, hurry and get out. Quickly!
Serpang
Finally, I see light... I can finally breathe again.
Toto
Coo...
Lyn
Captain, you held your breath, right? Right?!
I did.
Lyn
Really? Are you sure? You're not lying, are you?
I swear.
Lyn
That's a relief, but... Agh...
Fei
Haha! No need to thank me, Captain!
Lyn
Fei, please be quiet!
The people chasing us will be here soon. Let's move.
As we hurried forward, someone suddenly stepped out before us.
Guard
Hold it.
Serpang
Oh. It's just one of NOA's guards.
Lyn
...This isn't good. No matter how you look at it, we appear suspicious.
Fei
No need to worry. Local children often use this path when they go collect herbs.
As long as we explain things properly, there won't be a problem.
Hey, we're—
Guard
Fei. Do you remember me?
Fei
Huh?
Serpang
Eh...?
Oh please.
Guard
Three years ago, there was a martial artist who lost to you.
He turned away from martial arts took up Western swordsmanship instead.
But even to this day, I still remember that defeat.
Serpang
Wait... Are you with those people from earlier?!
Toto
Coo!
Fei
...Is it about me again?!
Lyn
Seriously, how many fights have you gone around starting?!
Guard
Guards!
As the guard called out, more guards rushed in from all around.
Guard
Draw your sword, Fei. And the rest of you as well.
I'll show you that I'm not the same man who lost to you three years ago.
Fei
Haha! Interesting. Absolutely delightful!
What are you all doing? Get ready.
Weren't we in a temporary alliance until this is resolved?
Serpang
T-Toto! Get back here!
Toto
C-coo!
Lyn
*...Sigh*
...Seems like we have no other choice.
Guard
I lost.
I feel much better now. Thank you for fighting me.
Serpang
Hmm...?
Giving up already? Weren't you out for revenge?
Guard
For revenge...? Heh.
I simply came to test myself against a powerful opponent once more.
I wanted to see how much stronger I've become, and whether the path I chose was the right one.
Fei
Even after leaving behind the martial arts of the Eastern Continent, you still pursue the path of martial mastery through Western swordsmanship.
All rivers run to the sea.
Serpang
All rivers... What?
Lyn
All rivers run to the sea.
It means that even if martial arts differ in technique, the goal they seek is the same.
Guard
Hurry. Other alliance members will arrive soon.
How many of them are left?
Guard
Captain, do you count every individual star in the sky?
Serpang
Just how many people did you wrong, Senior Sister Fei...?
Fei
...Serpang, do you remember how many snacks you've eaten in your life?
Lyn
You're hopeless...
Fei
I've done nothing wrong!
If you're a martial artist, enjoying a duel is perfectly natural! Why does everyone hold a grudge against me?!
Lyn
Then why did you go around smashing all those dojo signboards?
Fei
How could I ignore a sect that extorts money from its disciples with fraudulent martial arts?!
Serpang
There's also rumors that you were dining and dashing...
Fei
...Hey, you.
You've grown far stronger than before. I acknowledge it.
The path you've walked these past three years was not mistaken.
Guard
That's good to hear.
She just changed the subject...
Guard
My business here is done. I'll be going now. Take care.
Lyn
Wait... just a moment.
Is that truly all you cared about?
Guard
Mm?
Lyn
You come only because of your path of martial mastery? And that fight has resolved all your resentment?
Guard
Haha! Yes. As a martial artist, my head feels clear now.
Fei, until we meet again.
Fei
Indeed. If it's a duel, I'll welcome you anytime!
The guards waved to us and made their way back to NOA.
Fei
You heard them. Let's move before the others catch up.
Serpang
Guess we have no choice. But Senior Sister Fei, do you happen to have any snacks?
Toto
Coo!
We should get going too.
Lyn
...The path of martial mastery.
...?
Lyn
Is it really that important?
What's so desirable about this so-called martial mastery...?
...Lyn?
Lyn
...Ah.
My apologies. I was thinking about something else for a moment.
Let's go, Captain.
Serpang
Senior Sister Lyn...? N-no!
Toto
Coo!
That power...?
(If Lyn really is here to capture Fei alive...)
(Then why did her attack feel so... sharp?)
I followed behind Lyn, hurrying after the three who had gone on ahead.
Lyn
...
Sect Master
Where are Serpang and Toto? Are they asleep?
Lyn
Yes. They retired early to catch the first ship in the morning.
Sect Master
Disciple of the Wind Moon Sect, instructor of the children's class.
Lyn
I, your disciple Lyn, am here.
Sect Master
And...
White Moon of the Nature's Grace.
Lyn
...
Sect Master
I only told Serpang and Toto to bring Fei back.
But for you, I intend to give a different command.
Lyn
...If you wish it, Sect Master, I would cut down even the wind and the moon.
Sect Master
Yes, Lyn...
Bring Fei to me at all costs... dead or alive.
Lyn
...!
Sect Master
Without fail.
Do you understand what that means?
Do you find it cruel of me?
That I would order you to bring back your senior sister, who grew up beside you, dead or alive?
Lyn
...
Sect Master
It has been years since Fei stole the Celestial Manuscript from the secret library and vanished.
All we hear now is the infamy of a martial artist from the Wind Moon Sect leaving grudges wherever she goes.
Leave her be, and she will clearly become a source of disaster someday.
Lyn. I have observed your sword lately. The tip has been unsteady.
It is proof that your heart is clouded with distractions.
Lyn
...
Sect Master
Did you already know Fei was in NOA before I told you?
Lyn
...Yes.
Sect Master
Do you also know why your blade has been unsteady?
Lyn
Yes, Sect Master.
Sect Master
Then choose.
Will you sever this chain yourself, or wait for someone else to do it for you?
Lyn
...I have served you for many years since being assigned to the Nature's Grace, Sect Master.
I have always placed the greater cause over personal duty, and orders above my emotions.
But since you have asked for my thoughts, I will answer without disguise.
Lyn, White Moon of the Nature's Grace.
By your command, Sect Master, I will personally bring in the fugitive Fei.
Dead or alive, I will bring her before you.
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