A Temporary Alliance
You bread thief! My blade will— Gah!
*Huff* *Huff...!*
There's no end in sight.
Impressive. To think she'd hold out for this long... But soon—
No, Tien. Look closely.
Does she look tired? If anything...
...She's cutting out all wasted movements.
Haha! Hahahaha!
She's... laughing?
How delightful! Sparring with formidable opponents is always exciting!
That monster. She's taken down over thirty people and still...! Ghhk!
Next!
We can't let her ride this momentum.
Xien, let's join in.
Understood, Tien.
Waaaaait a second!
Coo!
Mm?
A little girl... and an owl?
Coo?! Coo coo!
Toto isn't an owl! He's a phoenix! Anyway!
Ganging up on one person is cowardly! That's just unfair!
...Hmph!
You have a point, little girl.
But perhaps that only shows how much Fei has brought on herself.
Th-that's...! Even if Senior Sister Fei did something wrong, this is...!
Now I'm finally warmed up...!
What? She's getting stronger...!
That monster...!
What are you waiting for? Why hesitate?
The Fei you were looking for is right here! Come!
So this is where you were, Fei.
Senior Sister Lyn...? N-no!
Coo!
That power...?
What a beautiful technique...
Powerful as well. If that landed cleanly, there'd be nothing left of your bones.
We're going too, Xien.
...You blocked it.
Yeah. For now. That aside...
...?
What's with that outfit?
Weren't you shy about wearing clothes that are revealing? You've changed, Lyn.
Since when did you start enjoying people's attention?
S-stop it!
Anyway, it's good to see you. I'm glad we meet again.
Care to share a meal? I know a great place nearby.
...Don't misunderstand, fugitive Fei.
The reason I came is due to our Sect Master's orders.
...Ah, right. Of course.
Please return the Celestial Manuscript. Then you'll come back to the Wind Moon Sect with us.
I refuse.
I won't return the Celestial Manuscript before completing the Celestial Art.
Then I have no choice.
I will force you to submit.
Haha! I look forward to seeing how strong you've become!
Senior Sister Lyn! Senior Sister Fei!
Serpang? Toto... and even the Captain?
I got a rough idea of what's going on.
How about we stop here for today?
...
...Hmm?
Others are getting caught up in this.
You don't want innocent people getting involved in this, do you?
R-right! It doesn't have to be today!
We can deal with Fei another time, Senior Sister Lyn. Okay?
C-coo!
...
He's quite the meddler.
But I don't dislike it. In fact, I rather like that sort.
...The wind has died down.
Fei, who had been gazing into the distance, sheathed her sword.
Today isn't the only day. Let's call it here for now.
Xien! She's getting away!
Don't worry, Tien. I've blocked her escape route.
A wind barrier? Interesting.
I can't yet cut the moon from the sky,but with the power of the Celestial Art...
I'll show you a glimpse of what it can do.
As Fei took her stance, a flash of light burst from her sheathed blade.
The wind barrier blocking her path split in half as a violent storm burst forth.
*Cough* *Cough!* Ow! There's dirt in my eyes!
Coooo...!
So that's the Celestial Art...
It seems the claim that practitioners of the Celestial Art can cut even the moon was no exaggeration.
...My apologies, Tien. She escaped.
No, Xien. It's not your fault. We underestimated her.
Don't worry. I've already taken measures. It'll soon be complete.
That aside...
Hmm...? Doesn't it feel like they're looking at us?
Coo...?
If you're chasing Fei, why not join us?
There are many here seeking revenge against Fei. What do you say?
That's...!
Thank you for the offer, but we must decline.
Senior Sister Lyn?
Our goal is to bring Fei back to the Eastern Continent.
But your goal is revenge. Our objectives differ.
...Isn't that the same thing?
No. It isn't. We are simply carrying out our Sect Master's order.
Unlike you, we do not place personal feelings above our duty.
And overwhelming the few with the many is not how we do things.
Hmm...
I see.
Before we part, may I ask which sect you belong to? Your techniques earlier were impressive.
Fufu. Thank you for the compliment.
Serpang, Toto, and I are disciples of the Wind Moon Sect.
...The Wind Moon Sect?
If it's "the" Wind Moon Sect...!
The people nearby approached and formed a circle around us.
...Huh?
Why does it suddenly feel like...
They're being hostile...?
Isn't that the sect Fei belongs to?
...I see now.
Your words earlier about it being cowardly to attack together, about getting other people involved...
It was all a scheme to protect Fei.
What...?
A scheme...? What are you talking about?
Wait. Listen to what I have to say!
Fei stole the Celestial Manuscript from the Wind Moon Sect and fled. That's why we're chasing her as well.
The Celestial Manuscript? You mean the martial manuscript of the Celestial Sect?
A martial art from a lost sect, they say. Then show us proof.
Didn't I just tell you?! Fei stole it and ran off with it!
No physical proof, only words as light as the wind...
Do you seriously expect us to take your word for it?!
So the Celestial Sect was merely a foothold for expansion into the West...
A secret organization of the Wind Moon Sect that existed only in rumor!
Secret organization?! That's ridiculous! Stop making things up!
Coo!
Everyone, this is a misunderstanding. I will explain everything, so please calm down...
And most importantly... you there, little girl.
Huh? Me?
What did you call Fei earlier?
Didn't you call her "Senior Sister Fei"?
Th-that's...! That's just out of habit...!
Let's all calm down and talk about this, okay?
...Did you even drag the Journey Captain into your schemes?
The Wind Moon Sect truly leaves nothing to chance...!
...I'm a part of this now?
If you are in league with Fei...
Then we can't let you leave.
Whaaat?! How does it lead to that?!
And why are there so many people here?! Just how many grudges did Senior Sister Fei rack up?!
Coooo?!
Serpang, Toto! Prepare yourselves!
Captain, I'm truly sorry for dragging you into this.
We will handle things here somehow. Please take cover.
Overwhelming the few with the many...
I'm not a fan of that idea either.
...Captain.
May I help?
...Thank you, Captain. I will repay this debt.
Disciple of the Wind Moon Sect, Lyn!
Fellow disciple, Serpang! And Toto!
Let's do this! Here we come!