"Miss Long Lian, the other leaders request your presence immediately," a Mohist sister told me as I was training.

"Did they say what for?" I asked as I put away the wooden staff in my hands.

"It's about Master Ban being attacked," she informed me. "The leaders are waiting at Master Ban's quarters."

"Very well, thank you for telling me."

OOOoooOOOoooOOO

"The keys have been stolen?" I repeated. "Then the map of the Machinery City…"

Brother Gao nodded. "It has been taken away as well."

"This is really bad… Have you found the assailant yet?"

Sister Xuenv shook her head. "We're still looking, but we have decided to increase patrols in the Machinery City. Xiao Gao will also be guarding the Central Pool."

"I hope nothing disastrous will come out of this."

But even to my ears, those words were shrouded with resignation. Thankfully, the others didn't take heed of it and soon left the room.

OOOoooOOOoooOOO

After the attack on Master Ban, I was put in charge of monitoring him, just in case something happens. However, I wasn't ecstatic about it. I knew full well that in Inverse Quicksand, there were members to beware of. It would be too much to hope that Brother Gao wouldn't let his hatred guide him, but unless something drastic happens, I doubt he would change his mind. However, I suppose that Sir Ge Nie was also to blame. Being vague could be a good thing at times, but…

"What happened?" I asked as some Mohist brothers carried Master Xun in the room.

"He was attacked in the Central Pool," one of them replied after they put Master Xun in the other bed. "Leader Gao is after the one responsible as we speak."

"And who is responsible for this?"

"Ge Nie."

Quickly, I made sure that Master Xun's condition was all right before facing the two men.

"Both of you, guard this room with your lives. Don't let anyone come in here, even the other leaders, is that understood?" I asked coldly.

"But Miss Long Lian, what of…?"

"Don't let them in if they come alone," I ordered. "You must have them prove their identities if they want to enter. I will be going after Brother Gao."

There was no way that I would be able to do anything that could truly help, other than heal. Even then, I am unsure of my abilities. It didn't matter if I helped many people, I still didn't amount to anything. However, I suppose that is the reason why I would sometimes charge in, head first, hoping to be able to at least do something.

And so I ran, my steps echoing on the floorboards. I didn't pay much attention to the people who let me pass, one single thought ringing in my mind.

Please let me be in time.

Just as I expected, the area in which Tianming and Sir Ge Nie were residing has gotten colder. Three Mohist brothers were standing outside the room, shivering through their clothes. Ice had also begun covering the ceiling.

"Th-This is…"

"Freezing Yi River…"

I saw Teacher rush in the room before me and stand in-between Brother Gao's sword and Sir Ge Nie.

"Stop it!"

Thankfully, Brother Gao had been collected enough to stop his sword in time. If he hadn't, I wouldn't dare imagine the consequences. We would be killing each other if things had continued down that road.

"Miss Duanmu, do you know what you are doing?" Brother Gao demanded, his voice quavering with anger. His inner energy was still very present inside his blade… Ready to strike at any given moment. The last time I heard him so angry was ten years ago, back when Jing Ke… when we received news that he had been murdered.

"Master Ban already said that Sir Ge Nie is our leader's guest. No one is allowed to harm him," Teacher reminded.

"Once, someone trusted him; he even put his life in this person's hands. What had been the consequences?" Brother Gao asked.

I saw Sir Ge Nie nod, acknowledging his actions from all those years ago. But he must have changed since then. Tianming's presence at his side and ten years could do much to change him. However, Brother Gao would need more substantial proof than that. Proof that will come at a very high price, for everyone.

"Master Ban also believed him, but the second day of his stay in the Machinery City, Master Ban had been attacked and suffered heavy injuries," Brother Gao added. "And now, it was Master Xun! Who will be next? Do you still dare believe in him?"

"I believe… It wasn't him," Teacher answered, lifting her chin in defiance.

"You don't even believe Master Xun's words, yet you still believe this bastard?!" The ice disappeared, replaced by flames of anger. "He stayed by Yin Zheng's side. That Yuanhong is tainted with the blood of the six kingdom's innumerable heroes."

"I do not know what type of person he was before," Teacher declared. "However, the Ge Nie I know, the person behind me, would not do such things."

"Duanmu Rong, whatever did Ge Nie do to you to make you trust him so much?"

"Ge Nie is being pursued by the Qin's troops. I tended to his wounds once, and I saw his injuries. Every single injury he received could have taken his life," Teacher declared. "There is no person who, being so close to death, could lie. No coward who backstabs and betrays friends has that kind of courage. So I believe that Ge Nie is not the Qin Emperor's loyal dog. The one who attacked Master Ban and Master Xun must be someone else."

"Master Xun personally saw that person act strangely in the Central Pool!"

"Master Xun's words weren't wrong," I declared. "However, they weren't correct either."

"What do you mean?" Brother Gao didn't turn to face me, but I knew that he was paying close attention to my words.

"If I recall correctly, in Inverse Quicksand, there is a member known as Heiqilin," I told them. "You should know the legends surrounding that person."

"Cold and black, invisible killer, thousand transformations, inexplicable, black jade unicorn," Brother Gao quoted. "That Heiqilin?"

I nodded. "Precisely. He is the only member whose movements we haven't heard from yet. It would make sense that Sir Ge Nie did not attack Master Xun or Master Ban."

"But is it enough to prove his innocence?"

OOOoooO - Wei Zhuang - OoooOOO

As I oversaw the area where the Machinery City resided, I thought of my future victory against the Mohist School. However, it wasn't the only thing on my mind.

Inside the Machinery City resided not only Big Brother and the child the Qin Empire is after, but also her. Briefly, I wondered whether her swordsmanship has progressed since we last met, a few months ago. She never did tell me too much about the Machinery City or its occupants, well aware that it would mean giving me an advantage. Such a clever girl, even at young age. Perhaps this world has forced her to grow quickly, but it couldn't be helped.

She grew to be more and more like her mother, I had noticed. Stubborn and determined, graceful and eloquent, stealthy and precise. Her hair had grown quite long and she had been recently wearing a short-sleeved white and dark blue dress that reached a bit pass her knees. Though she had my eyes, there was no denying that she favored her late mother, a fact for which I am glad.

And yet, she had become much quieter and hid her feelings, forced to by the world around her. I suppose she still hadn't found a person with whom she could be sincere. I worried not for her, however. I knew her mind to be strong, as well as her resolve. Although I will be partly responsible for putting her strength to the test.

The sun has finally risen. I let my gaze go beyond the mountains, savoring the red color of the sky. The time has finally come, after long hours of waiting. The attack on the Machinery City… has only just begun.

"Are you prepared?"