Su Jiang drew back, and Cui Shen pursued him. Though Cui Shen's swings were quick and heavy, his bound wrists left him with limited range of motion. As a result, his attacks had been rendered predictable, so much so that even an inferior swordsman like the Senior Investigator could fend him off.

  It had taken Su Jiang several exchanges to build up his courage and retaliate with the conviction this battle demanded. But when he stepped forward with his decisive strike, his temper had gotten the better of him. His attack had the power, but was no harder to read than an attack from his handicapped foe. The Desolator of Life leaned back and spread his hands apart as far as the chain connection his manacles would allow. Su Jiang's sword missed the flesh and sliced apart the iron, leaving just the detached bracelets on his wrists.

  Realizing his grave error, Su Jiang paled. Cui Shen suddenly assumed a stance and brought his weapon down on Su Jiang's head. The investigator scrambled to parry, and their swords collided with a deafening clang. Bai Guo immediately recognized the technique. His golden haired master had once taken four such blows in an uninterrupted sequence without so much as flinching.

  But Su Jiang's arm shook upon receiving just the very first. He stumbled back and the sword fell from his hand. In the next moment, his enemy's steel was upon his neck. Su Jiang held his breath, awaiting his end.

  After a long moment, Cui Shen said, "Let's get out of here."

  Bai Guo scrambled up to his feet. The sharp edge left Su Jiang's throat, and the man shuddered with morbid relief.

  Cui Shen took a few measured steps back. When it became apparent that the investigators had no desire to chase after them, the two of them ran off, hopping over the wall and disappearing out of sight.

  Su Jiang and his subordinates remained rooted to the ground for a long time, stewing in their own sweat. Tension slowly drained from their bodies. Su Jiang finally regained enough of his wits to pick up his sword.

  "You louts were useless!" He suddenly barked out, snapping the others to attention. "Couldn't even subdue some stupid kid! It was because you let him run around that we lost the Desolator of Life!"

  "Senior Investigator, we tried, but that boy was strong as a bull. We couldn't stop him."

  "That's crap! I know exactly how strong he was! Three of you idiots should have made quick work of him, let alone eight! And he wasn't even trying to hurt you. You're just cowards!" Su Jiang kicked up dust. "There's a reason you're all stuck in this dump instead of working proper posts! Feh!"

  Though the faces of his subordinates burned with shame, there was also a hint of bitterness in their expressions. They were unwilling to accept the full blame for what had transpired here today. But they had little choice but to keep their frustrations to themselves.

  ...

  Bai Guo and Cui Shen rode together on a single horse, and the poor beast was driven to exhaustion in short order, forcing them to stop in a field of tall grass. During their brief escape, the sun had already set. Because they could not detect the slightest hint of pursuit, they felt safe enough to rest under the cover of darkness.

  Bai Guo dropped to the ground in front of his sworn brother, kneeling under the light of the stars.

  "I'm sorry, brother Shen!" Bai Guo said. "I'm sorry for making you go along with my whim!"

  Cui Shen stared at his kowtowing figure, his dark eyes glowering with scorn. But he was unable to hold on to his anger for long. The animosity drained out of him with a sigh.

  "Take me back by force?" Cui Shen asked, shaking his head. "That was your master speaking."

  Bai Guo remained unmoving, his forehead pressed against the soil.

  "Stand up, Bai Guo." Cui Shen helped the young man up, dusting the dirt off his clothes. "The only way for me to become even lower than I am now would be to let a brother come to harm. You had only done the same thing for me. I can't blame you for that. It was stupid of me to think that my transgressions could be forgiven with such a meaningless sacrifice."

  "But you have already made up for your mistakes!" Bai Guo exclaimed. "The only people who even know about them have forgiven you long ago! And didn't you see those investigators back there? The martial arts world doesn't consider you a coward at all. They're all terrified of your strength!"

  "It's not that simple..." Cui Shen gritted his teeth.

  "Brother Shen, please!" Bai Guo implored, gripping his brother's shoulders. "You said it yourself that you trust my sense for justice, so trust me when I say that there is nothing to reproach you for! Not in reputation, and not in virtue!"

  Cui Shen was silent. He avoided Bai Guo's gaze. Suddenly, Cui Shen's body shook. Bai Guo could feel his brother grow heavy and unsteady in his hands. Cui Shen covered his mouth and erupted into a wet and violent cough. Blood stained his sleeve.

  "Brother Shen, are you alright?" Bai Guo frantically asked. He guided Cui Shen's swaying figure up against a tree. "It's because I forced you into that fight that you've gotten worse...!"

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  "Nevermind that." Cui Shen strained, waving him off, though Bai Guo remained close by his side. "Give me a moment."

  His coughing continued, growing milder over time. The bout had slowly passed.

  "I'll... I'll think about what you've said." Cui Shen finally mustered.

  Bai Guo found relief in those words. He retrieved the two manuals Cui Shen left for him and offered them back.

  Cui Shen shook his head. "Keep it. They were meant for you."

  Bai Guo seemed to be of half a mind to protest. But even in his ailing state, Cui Shen's dark eyes brimmed with determination. It was evident that he would not back down on the matter.

  As Bai Guo put them away, he lingered on the second tome. "The sword manual I can understand, but what is this other book?"

  "My personal observations on the arts of poison."

  "Is lady Ouyang fine with this...?" Bai Guo asked.

  "I recorded only what I had deduced by myself. Her secrets are not present there. There's no issue." Cui Shen explained.

  "Well, be that as it may, I'm afraid this stuff might be wasted on me anyways..." Bai Guo sighed.

  Cui Shen chuckled. "You're a clever kid. Give it a try. You might surprise yourself."

  Bai Guo sheepishly scratched the back of his head. Cui Shen sat down against the tree he had been using for support. The lull in their conversation brought with it a tranquil moment. The fatigue they'd been hiding away in their weary bodies flooded out all at once. Without exchanging another word, the two of them got ready to sleep and promptly fell into a deep slumber.

  The first rays of dawn seeped through the tall grasses and stirred them awake. Cui Shen watched as Bai Guo stood up and began to gather his things. Bai Guo mounted his steed and turned to his senior brother, offering him a hand. But Cui Shen remained sitting against the tree.

  "You should go back to your master." Cui Shen said.

  "I'll get you back home first at least." Bai Guo offered. "With your health and all, I should-..."

  "Believe me, I can make it back on my own." Cui Shen interrupted him. "I've already wasted enough of your time. Knowing her temper, the longer you two spend apart, the harder it will be to set things right. So go. My time is limited and without value, but you have your whole life ahead of you. I won't stand it, to make you waste another minute of it on me."

  But Bai Guo was unwilling to leave; yet neither was he willing to argue. His tense stare betrayed the concerns lingering on his mind, words that he couldn't force out no matter how much he strained.

  Cui Shen broke the silence.

  "This is probably the last time we'll see each other, brother Guo."

  The young man's lip trembled - Cui Shen gave voice to his fears. Bai Guo gritted his teeth, turning away to hide the tears welling up in his eyes.

  "I understand." Bai Guo finally said, his voice quivering. He wiped his face with a sleeve and faced his sworn brother. Sitting atop his steed, Bai Guo cupped his hands and bowed. "I'm really grateful, brother Shen! Thank you for everything!"

  Cui Shen nodded. He had long ago come to terms with his fate. After enduring life's many tribulations, his dark gaze seldom revealed more than his continued exhaustion. And yet, at that moment, it flickered with emotions. Regret. Sorrow.

  But as Cui Shen mulled over his concerns, he realized just how misplaced they were. The grief faded, replaced with a melancholic joy that reddened the eyes. Cui Shen cupped his hands and returned the bow.

  Bai Guo gave a shout, compelling his steed into action. The young man galloped off towards the rising sun.

  As Cui Shen watched his sworn brother go, he cradled his sheathed sword in his lap. Soon, Bai Guo was nothing more than a speck on the distant horizon.

  "Won't be much longer now, Meili..." Cui Shen muttered. "I wonder if you'd agree with him. I wonder if you would have me back after all the mistakes I've made."

  Once Bai Guo's figure faded out of sight, Cui Shen closed his eyes.

  ...

  Bai Guo frantically raced towards the dawn, the wind in his hair. Bai Guo hoped the speed could help dispel the doubts ailing his mind, and so he urged his horse to hurry, again and again and again, but it was to no avail. The beast had long reached its limit and could hurry no further.

  Even Bai Guo soon realized the futility of his attempts. He ground his teeth in frustration.

  "Senior brother almost sacrificed his life in the name of what's right. But try as I might, I just can't imagine master doing the same thing!"

  Rider and steed soon came upon a road. Bai Guo could only bear for a few scant moments to keep following it east, towards the distant city where he and his master were supposed to meet.

  He knew that his sworn brother's advice was true. There was no telling how she would react if he were to arrive late. And with all the time he had spent already, any detours would all but ensure that he wouldn't make it in time.

  "But I must know for sure!"

  With a sharp cry, Bai Guo forced his steed into a steep turn. Dust billowing behind him, the young apprentice set off north.

  Back towards the Kunlun Mountains.

  ...