1. This is one of Xiē Yīngluò's poisons,Copy !req
2. so I don't think an herbal infusion
will be able to counter it.Copy !req
3. So, what am I gonna do?Copy !req
4. When in need, you turn
to your friends for aid.Copy !req
5. That's simply the way of the world, isn't it?Copy !req
6. And who the hell is my
friend in this equation?Copy !req
7. Ah, a good question. Does a friend lend
their aid because they're a friend?Copy !req
8. Or does someone become a friend
once they've lent their aid?Copy !req
9. Sorting out the course of events
can be a bit like solving a riddle.Copy !req
10. When did I ever get any help from you?Copy !req
11. Come now, surely you
remember that bit of debt.Copy !req
12. Or have you already forgotten our many
adventures in the Demon Spine Mountains?Copy !req
13. That whole mess was you using me for
your own ends from start to finish!Copy !req
14. Why, precisely.Copy !req
15. You were a great deal of help to me at
the time, and thus, you are my friend.Copy !req
16. I had really hoped you had
given up chasing me around,Copy !req
17. since I hadn't seen you in a while.Copy !req
18. Well, you would always flee,
no matter how much I chased you.Copy !req
19. So I changed my approach, falsifying my
background and infiltrating law enforcement.Copy !req
20. I was certain a man like youCopy !req
21. couldn't go for too long without
causing some kind of commotion.Copy !req
22. And, as always, you don't spare any effort
when it comes to your twisted little schemes.Copy !req
23. So, who exactly is this
peacock-looking bastard?Copy !req
24. Well, now! An instrument with the power
of speech. Now that is a rare find.Copy !req
25. This guy is, to my knowledge, the biggest
troublemaker in all of Dōng Li.Copy !req
26. I'd avoid getting
too familiar, if I were you.Copy !req
27. Come now, don't be like that. The least
you could do is provide an introduction.Copy !req
28. The more you avoid the subject, the more
interested I'm likely to become, anyway.Copy !req
29. This is the guy I partnered with
back in Xī Yōu, Làng Wū Yáo.Copy !req
30. The talking instrument is Líng Yá.Copy !req
31. Hey there!Copy !req
32. Even more guests from Xī Yōu.Copy !req
33. And then the woman who
attacked Xiān Zhèn Fortress...Copy !req
34. The Wasteland of Spirits' reputation for
danger is bound to wane at this rate.Copy !req
35. I gotta tell you, for all the talk about
that stretch meaning certain death,Copy !req
36. it wasn't as nasty as I had imagined. Right?Copy !req
37. He says he agrees.Copy !req
38. There are rumors of roadblocks
known to be particularlyCopy !req
39. fearsome in the Wasteland of Spirits.Copy !req
40. For instance,Copy !req
41. the ancient evil dragon that's said to
dwell within Hellfire Valley.Copy !req
42. It's said that he flies through the
sky as swiftly as a swallow,Copy !req
43. scorching all he sees
with his flaming breath.Copy !req
44. And that none who encounter
him are likely to escape.Copy !req
45. We ran into a fire-breathing dragon,
all right, but we got away pretty easy.Copy !req
46. He only had one wing, so it's
not like he could fly after us!Copy !req
47. That dragon...Copy !req
48. Thing is, he kept trying
to spray me from up above,Copy !req
49. and I got fed up, and... kinda...Copy !req
50. You cut off one of its wings, then?Copy !req
51. Hey, if I hadn't, the thing
would've toasted me!Copy !req
52. There's also a village of cannibals
who worship evil gods,Copy !req
53. whose blood has mingled with demonkind.Copy !req
54. Tales tell of how any travelers they happen
upon have their insides strewn aboutCopy !req
55. and are sacrificed in their rituals.Copy !req
56. We passed through a spooky
looking village, sure enough,Copy !req
57. but everybody who lived
there was already dead.Copy !req
58. There were bones that had been picked
clean by wild dogs all over the place.Copy !req
59. Oh, that village...Copy !req
60. I was hoping taking one guy down would
make the others scared enough to run,Copy !req
61. but apparently he was their top sorcerer.Copy !req
62. He said something about there being
divine punishment if I wasn't killed,Copy !req
63. so the entire town came after me.Copy !req
64. And then you struck them all down.Copy !req
65. I mean, come on! They were
gonna tear me apart, otherwise!Copy !req
66. I'm starting to get the picture!Copy !req
67. All those half-beaten-to-death
monsters we ran across on the road...Copy !req
68. That was all you, wasn't it?Copy !req
69. Good grief... I suppose that explains
the increased traffic from Xī Yōu.Copy !req
70. Anyone taking you on would be well
advised to take hostages or use poison.Copy !req
71. I know that's what I'd do.Copy !req
72. Man, what the hell? You're making
it sound like this is my fault!Copy !req
73. I must ask, what has
become of Sir Guǐ Niǎo?Copy !req
74. Well, he has his own duties to
attend to as an itinerant envoy.Copy !req
75. I suppose he simply doesn't have enough
time to assist you always.Copy !req
76. Lord Kuáng Juàn, the man who was
following Xiē Yīngluò has returned.Copy !req
77. Do we know where she is?Copy !req
78. He lost sight of her in
the forest to the south.Copy !req
79. It's safe to assume she
has a hideout in the area.Copy !req
80. I see.Copy !req
81. Good work. You may leave.Copy !req
82. Sir.Copy !req
83. Now, good captain, as my hands are
tied until Sir Guǐ Niǎo returns,Copy !req
84. I think I will go on a walk to clear my mind.Copy !req
85. By yourself? Would you not prefer
to have someone accompany you?Copy !req
86. Oh, no, that's quite unnecessary.Copy !req
87. Dōng Li is such a picturesque country.Copy !req
88. I've simply found myself longing
for a respite from my dutiesCopy !req
89. so I can take in its natural beauty.Copy !req
90. Do you really know how to treat poison?Copy !req
91. The hallucinogenic incense I useCopy !req
92. is not that different from any other
drug that affects the human body.Copy !req
93. The uses may differ,
but the methodology is similar.Copy !req
94. To start, I'd like you to
bleed a bit onto this cloth.Copy !req
95. Now, then, the first step in
concocting an antidote is toCopy !req
96. discover exactly what toxin
we are dealing with.Copy !req
97. The Princess of Cruelty's got
a bunch of bugs under her sway.Copy !req
98. It's bound to be scorpion venom, right?Copy !req
99. That kind of assumption betrays your
lack of experience with the subject.Copy !req
100. True skill requires that
your toxins are not easily treated.Copy !req
101. And thus, a first-rate assassin
would use a variety of poisons.Copy !req
102. By exposing this to the
appropriate elemental salts,Copy !req
103. we can discover the nature of the poison.Copy !req
104. First, salt of the earth and a moth's scales.Copy !req
105. No response. It seems it wasn't
an insect poison after all.Copy !req
106. Next is salt of the sea and an
exotic creature's excrement.Copy !req
107. Then salt of a tree and kuth root.Copy !req
108. It doesn't appear to be either of those.Copy !req
109. We can be certain it wasn't a plant-based
toxin or anything extracted from aquatic life.Copy !req
110. If it was ingested, that would mean
the possibility of a mineral poison,Copy !req
111. but we can exclude that in this case.Copy !req
112. So by elimination, if we try this with
salt of flame and marbled newt fat...Copy !req
113. And there you have it.Copy !req
114. We can be certain that youCopy !req
115. were poisoned by a toxin extracted from the
fangs of a creature that lives on the land.Copy !req
116. An animal's venom?Copy !req
117. You're talking about the
venom of terrestrial animals,Copy !req
118. but that's not exactly a short list, pal!Copy !req
119. Right?Copy !req
120. Instead of trying to narrow
down the exact strain,Copy !req
121. it'd be more expedient to seek out a more
powerful antidote with broader applications.Copy !req
122. By seeking out a similar creature
with a greater spiritual status,Copy !req
123. and introducing its bodily fluids,Copy !req
124. we'll be able to overwhelm
the venom of a creatureCopy !req
125. that would be naturally subservient to it.Copy !req
126. What kinda creature is
gonna be in a higher class?Copy !req
127. Well, a dragon, for instance.Copy !req
128. In particular, their horns,
which accumulate spiritual energy,Copy !req
129. make fantastic bases for medicines.Copy !req
130. Dragon horn, huh?Copy !req
131. That's not the kinda thing you just pop
in on an alchemist and pick up, is it?Copy !req
132. Indeed, it's hardly the kind of material
you'd find available in most marketplaces.Copy !req
133. Most merchants will live their lives
without ever even seeing a dragon.Copy !req
134. So what do we do?Copy !req
135. Were we not, fortunately,Copy !req
136. just discussing the fate of a pitiful
dragon who happens to be missing a wing?Copy !req
137. Wait, are you talking about heading
back to the Wasteland of Spirits?Copy !req
138. The plant life in Dōng Li
truly is different.Copy !req
139. It's the same breed, but far less toxic.Copy !req
140. Rather interesting.Copy !req
141. That's...Copy !req
142. The summons Master Míng Huáng uses!Copy !req
143. Why would it be here in Dōng Li?Copy !req
144. You...! Xiào Kuáng Juàn?Copy !req
145. I've heard of smoke being
used to keep insects away,Copy !req
146. but never to call upon them. Curious.Copy !req
147. How do you know about the signal
used by Huò Shì Míng Huáng?Copy !req
148. You'd be wise not to underestimate
a fugitive hunterCopy !req
149. who reports directly to the imperial court.Copy !req
150. We've long known about the
inner workings of your organization.Copy !req
151. Why, even our path across
the Wasteland of Spirits...Copy !req
152. No, no, I shouldn't. There's no
point in upsetting you right now.Copy !req
153. Forget what I said.Copy !req
154. What is your game here?Copy !req
155. I suppose it would amount to
a cessation of hostilities.Copy !req
156. At this moment, you and
I share the same objectives.Copy !req
157. You're after the
Sorcerous Sword Index, as am I!Copy !req
158. How do you intend to reconcile that?Copy !req
159. Quite simply, you'll find.Copy !req
160. My primary concern is that the
Index has left Xī Yōu's borders.Copy !req
161. What...?Copy !req
162. True enough, I've been ordered to
retrieve the Sorcerous Sword Index.Copy !req
163. To that end, I've busied
myself with pursuing it,Copy !req
164. at least enough to maintain my standing.Copy !req
165. And while Shāng Bù Huàn was
in Xī Yōu, that did suffice.Copy !req
166. But now that he is here in
Dōng Li, things are different.Copy !req
167. Keeping the Index in Xī Yōu was whatCopy !req
168. ensured the quality of life
that I've enjoyed, after all.Copy !req
169. You are unbelievable.Copy !req
170. You wish to bring the Index to your master.Copy !req
171. I want the Index to return to Xī Yōu.Copy !req
172. Do you see?Copy !req
173. And that's why you want to
ally with me, of all people?Copy !req
174. You, a lawman?Copy !req
175. We share the same enemy, Shāng Bù Huàn.Copy !req
176. He's a dangerous foe. The more help,
the better, wouldn't you agree?Copy !req
177. This seems far too convenient
to accept at face value.Copy !req
178. I'm hardly suggesting that you're
the only one who benefits.Copy !req
179. You will, in exchange, help me
claim Shāng Bù Huàn's head.Copy !req
180. What do you think? Does that
not sound mutually beneficial?Copy !req
181. I return to the capital with the
head of a treasonous criminal,Copy !req
182. and you are able to deliver the Sorcerous
Sword Index to Huò Shì Míng Huáng.Copy !req
183. Wouldn't you say that's a suitable way of
ensuring both of our masters are satisfied?Copy !req
184. But...Copy !req
185. If you insist on collecting
both prizes for yourself,Copy !req
186. then the negotiations can simply end now.Copy !req
187. And you'll have to face
Shāng Bù Huàn by yourself.Copy !req
188. Naturally,Copy !req
189. this would put us at odds, meaning I would
be aiming for a chance to do you in.Copy !req
190. You worm! Is there no
low you won't stoop to?Copy !req
191. That said, I approve. Your offer
has managed to convince me.Copy !req
192. It's a fair trade.Copy !req
193. You scratch my back,
and I shall scratch yours.Copy !req
194. I'm relieved that you're so reasonable.Copy !req
195. And you're saying that you,
an agent of the law,Copy !req
196. are really willing to let me
take the Sorcerous Sword Index?Copy !req
197. An item that could sow the
seeds of a great catastropheCopy !req
198. that could cast the land into chaos?Copy !req
199. I never said anything about
the alliance being permanent.Copy !req
200. In the future, I will seek to
retrieve the Index from your people,Copy !req
201. to satisfy my pride as a lawman.Copy !req
202. However, that is a matter to be
dealt with upon returning to Xī Yōu.Copy !req
203. What good is upholding the law, if you
don't do it within your own jurisdiction,Copy !req
204. where you can receive credit for doing so?Copy !req
205. You're a corrupt official down
to your very bones, aren't you?Copy !req
206. With men like you in the big picture,Copy !req
207. one has to wonder whether
Xī Yōu has much of a future.Copy !req
208. You rode that demon bird with great ease,
considering it's your first time.Copy !req
209. I'm quite impressed.Copy !req
210. Does everybody in this country
keep those things around as pets?Copy !req
211. In spite of appearances, they're quite
charming once you gain their affection.Copy !req
212. Although feeding them
can prove troublesome.Copy !req
213. But even the most bold demon bird
finds itself too intimidatedCopy !req
214. by the Wasteland of Spirits
to attempt to fly across it.Copy !req
215. We'll have to walk from here.Copy !req
216. Is this Hellfire Valley far?Copy !req
217. If we really get moving, I'd say
it's about half a day's trip.Copy !req
218. Sir Shāng may be a master of channeling qi,Copy !req
219. but boosting his circulation without
rest will take its toll in time.Copy !req
220. We'll need to prepare the antidote before
his stamina reaches its limits.Copy !req
221. Hey, man, why do you care so
much about Shāng, anyway?Copy !req
222. I'd say my interest begins and
ends with how much fun he is.Copy !req
223. Come now, spare me the probing looks.Copy !req
224. This is no lie or exaggeration.Copy !req
225. Amusement is the solitary
motivating force in my life.Copy !req
226. You could call it my very reason for living.Copy !req
227. Here's hoping you don't regret
setting foot into theCopy !req
228. Wasteland of Spirits just for the fun of it.Copy !req
229. Well, that didn't take long, did it?Copy !req
230. Would you say that these are humans?Copy !req
231. I figure they used to be, a long time ago.Copy !req
232. But now they've been bathed in the
wasteland's miasma for so long,Copy !req
233. they've turned into something else.Copy !req
234. Oho, turning sound waves into
blades and sending them flying?Copy !req
235. That is very impressive.Copy !req
236. Hey! You gonna just run around, buddy?Copy !req
237. Well, as you can see, I am unarmed.Copy !req
238. You hardly seem to need the help.Copy !req
239. Besides, I am curious to see
the martial prowess of the manCopy !req
240. Shāng Bù Huàn would call his partner.Copy !req
241. Damn, Làng! I think this guy
might be a total bastard!Copy !req
242. Líng Yá, transforming!Copy !req
243. I'd like to observe you
so that I know exactly howCopy !req
244. best to allocate our efforts when
it comes to facing that dragon.Copy !req
245. And if you don't seem capable, I can simply
summon a demon bird and head back.Copy !req
246. It's time you show your hand as well!Copy !req
247. Because I can leave you here just
as easily if you're useless!Copy !req
248. I see.Copy !req
249. Well, I'd hardly want you to
think that I'm a hindrance.Copy !req
250. Let's see...Copy !req
251. Well, how's that?Copy !req
252. I think that satisfies our mutual curiosity.Copy !req
253. Xiào Kuáng Juàn... dealing with
him will be no simple task.Copy !req
254. The question is, how much I can trust him?Copy !req
255. My apologies.Copy !req
256. I was seeking shelter from the rain and
did not know this place was occupied.Copy !req
257. A monk on pilgrimage?Copy !req
258. Running into me in a place like this makes
me think that the Buddha has forsaken you.Copy !req
259. All meetings are the Buddha's providence.Copy !req
260. Would it not be wise to assume that we
have met because we were fated to do so?Copy !req
261. Then that would mean you
are fated to die here.Copy !req
262. You desire to take my life?Copy !req
263. Indeed. And if you don't resist, I'll at
least ensure that you pass on painlessly.Copy !req
264. I do not see my life as having value,Copy !req
265. and it is certainly something
I will offer if desired.Copy !req
266. But I would question the meaning therein.Copy !req
267. To what end would you take
my life in this moment?Copy !req
268. To eliminate someone who
could reveal my location.Copy !req
269. It may not be much of a reason
to you, but it's crucial to me.Copy !req
270. I fail to see the point.Copy !req
271. If you wish to hide, I can simply
keep your presence here a secret.Copy !req
272. You can make it sound rational,Copy !req
273. but that doesn't change the fact
that you're begging for your life.Copy !req
274. You are a monk, after all. Why not shuffle
off this mortal coil with some dignity?Copy !req
275. It's true, my life has no value.Copy !req
276. But if you cannot offer a
convincing reason to demand it...Copy !req
277. Then your sword has even less value.Copy !req
278. Stop your prattling!Copy !req
279. Why do you fight? Why do you kill?Copy !req
280. You must seek these answers to
fully understand your own actions.Copy !req
281. And if the truth leads you
to unwavering commitment...Copy !req
282. Then I would gladly surrender my life to you.Copy !req
283. Damn you!Copy !req
284. He's just a monk! And he
mocks me, Xiē Yīngluò?Copy !req
285. A price will be paid for this humiliation!Copy !req