The Story Continues

Darkmask! Took you long enough. We've been waiting forever.

I heard because of you, we're finally getting the VIP pass into the painting!

Guess what? Chen and I walked in and bam — there it was, Deeplung Gorge. Just like the book!

HA?! Chen Qianyu! You never mentioned "Chivalric Tales of the Mystic Flow" to Darkmask?

Ahem. Endmin, "Chivalric Tales of the Mystic Flow" is a wuxia novel. Everyone in Wuling City loves it.

And Deeplung Gorge is where the martial heroes have their final battle.

It's not just Wuling City, even my Stockade's all over this story. I'm a huge fan!

Oh, oh, I even scored a copy at the inn. Guess folks inside the painting got good taste too!

Here's the book. The binding's kinda unusual, though. Never seen this edition before.

Yup. I was gonna head up and get a look-see myself.

But she insisted I bring you along.

Well, this is the proxy's home. If we go snooping around and something happens, I'd hate to cause trouble for HAS.

Endmin, since you're BFFs with Lady Si, can you...

Heehee... Lady Si went to so much trouble to treat you, there's no way she'd blame you.

Relax, we won't mess anything up! We just wanted you as our lucky plus-one for this view!

Endmin, I knew you would say yes!

Darkmask, you're a real one!

And I, the Supreme Chief, swear it's true. Deeplung Gorge is one fine-looking gem!

No need to think! It's the Supreme Chief's order!

And look, even if things go south, your girl's got your back!

Endmin, Deeplung Gorge isn't far from the inn. I think we could go and come back quickly...

Aye, aye! Let's go!

Looks like there's writing on this big rock?

Darkmask, come over here! What's it say on this rock?

Oh, right! Yan Mingfei stole Master Jiang's best friend, Qing Yu. Then he and some guys even wrote stuff trashing Master Jiang.

Master Jiang was crushed. That's when he wrote this goodbye letter.

Just thinking about it makes me mad!

Getting betrayed by a friend changed Master Jiang. He went sour, joined the cult, and climbed his way to the top.

Back then, Master Yan had no choice but to take Qing Yu away... He explained everything later, but Jiang Ziliu wouldn't listen.

Jiang Ziliu was just paranoid. He insisted on joining the cult and turning against the whole world.

Paranoid? That's what I call being real!

It's over there!

Uh-huh! Across from us is Deeplung Gorge — the final battle site from "Chivalric Tales of the Mystic Flow"!

*Sigh* It's kinda sad actually. The two protagonists, Jiang Ziliu and Yan Mingfei, both had tragic fates...

They used to be close friends, but then Yan Mingfei took away Jiang Ziliu's soulmate — Qing Yu.

Left behind by the other two, Jiang went astray. He cut ties with his friends and joined the evil cult!

Thus, sworn brothers became mortal enemies. In the end, they agreed to settle it with a life-or-death fight at Deeplung Gorge.

Yan Mingfei! Jiang Ziliu...

What was that? Did someone just call out Master Jiang?

Looks like someone made it to Deeplung Gorge before us!

Someone beat us?! C'mon, Darkmask! We gotta go see who!

Let's do a "fight to the end" ending.

I'm set! Got my weapon!

Me too. All set.

Sure. Tangtang, come over here.

Coming. Let's just stick close. But mind your horns, OK?

Let's do a "shake hands and make peace" ending.

Darkmask, I think Master Jiang's getting robbed on page time.

Lemme think... I'm gonna give him a killer new move...

My brush! My paper! Why is there a hole?!

My lady, please go easy! Writing's not a fight!

Endmin, I'm revising Master Yan's lines.

A legendary swordsman like Yan Mingfei deserves refined, profound lines.

My lady, sure you want to keep going?

You've already written ten sheets! My head's starting to spin just looking at them...

This tree... Towering high, its branches thick and twisted. It's gotta be where Yan Mingfei trained!

Oh yeah! I remember Master Jiang trained here too!

Yan Mingfei and Jiang Ziliu were once close friends. They first met because of this tree.

As kids, they both thought this was the perfect training spot. They fought over it at first, but that fight made them friends.

People change... They were tight when they were young, but then they went their separate ways.

If you ask me, it's all Yan Mingfei's fault! I've seen this kind of betrayal before!

Master Yan had his reasons...

Hmph. He says he values friendship, but he still showed up at Deeplung Gorge to fight Master Jiang, didn't he?

That's because Jiang Ziliu used the fate of the world as a threat. Master Yan had no choice!

A battle here would be pretty special, wouldn't it?

Of course. Wait, what's that noise?

Oh dear, some Ink Spirits are fighting over there.

Uh oh. We gotta chase them out.

Darkmask, let's do this!

This gorge's got a big ol' belly — hiding a cave this huge.

Finally, peace and quiet. But this place is huge. Just two heroes sparring feels plain.

We gotta spice things up a little... How though?

Aha! I have an idea!

Wait, you're not gonna make the Endmin play Qing Yu, are you? That's ... kinda inappropriate!

Yeah. Chen and I will play the heroes, fighting it out like crazy here.

Then you roll in! Act as the peacemaker!

Yes, yes! Young masters, hold that pose. Perfect!

No, no! Darkmask, you can't be siding with that hypocrite Yan Mingfei!

Roam the world, free as the wind — that's what I call life!

Good. You two hold that pose. I'll jot down this inspiration.

Endmin, living like Jiang and following your heart certainly feels free.

But standing up for justice is brave and cool. Don't you think?

So, young heroes, are any of you getting ideas yet?

Oof. My brain's still soup, but I feel like something's starting to click.

I've got a few bits and pieces, but nothing solid yet.

We've stayed long enough. Let's go back to the inn and organize our thoughts.

Endmin, I knew you were on the side of justice!

Hahaha! Knew it! Darkmask, you and me, same taste!

Why not? We're short a character. Darkmask can fill in!

You really want the Endmin to play that confidant role...?

Hey, tell you what! Qing Yu's sticking with Master Jiang for sure. They'll roam the world and have a blast.

I doubt it. I think Qing Yu would stay with Yan Mingfei and fight for what's right.

Aiyo! Why's there a stupid rock over here?

Hm? Wait... Isn't this the one Yan Mingfei shattered before the big fight?

Yeah! You can flip through that copy of "Chivalric Tales of the Mystic Flow". I'm sure it mentioned this rock.

Wait ... are you fans of that novel too?

Yeah, man! Had someone read it to me three times already. But this author's killing me — still no ending. Aww...

You probably don't know this ... but there's never going to be an ending!

Here's the thing. The author is Lady Si, the innkeeper down the mountain.

We love this novel. But Lady Si got stuck on the final battle. Couldn't figure out an ending. So she stopped.

So we've been begging her... Day after day, night after night…

Then... Lady Si got fed up and sent us here. Now we only get food delivered by her fowlbeasts. She won't even see us anymore! *Sob*...

Look at him, crying again! Huh? You ladies too...?

This is brutal! We were dying to find out how it ends!

No worries. Feel free to walk around and tell us your ideas. No need to put anything on paper.

Right. The view here is wonderful, and just nearby is a hidden gem where Lady Si often goes to write.

Heard you two screaming about Master Jiang from way down the road.

Whoa, where'd you three pop out from?!

Sorry, we just got here. Saw from a distance that this place looks exactly like Deeplung Gorge in the book, so we came to check it out...

WHAT?!

Oh come on! Stop crying and mumbling! These young masters are waiting to hear the rest. Move, I'll tell it.

I was really looking forward to their final battle... That's it? No more?

That's right.

Darkmask, you're sharp!

Wait a minute... I, uh... I can't write!

I can tell you've got the same ethereal brilliance as Lady Si. This place will surely inspire you to finish the story!

Lemme guess, you're fans of Chivalric Tales of the Mystic Flow too? Here for Deeplung Gorge?

Oh yeah ... If we can find clues here ... maybe we could even piece together our own ending?

This is indeed the perfect place for a showdown. Master Yan would shine here.

Hey, Master Jiang is no joke either.

I see a good spot over there. Looks like somewhere Master Jiang would pick.

Darkmask, I'm gonna go check it out!

Endmin, let's look around too. Maybe we'll find clues about the ending.

Hold up, we've been running around and haven't even done the real thing!

They're having their final fight, yeah? Then they better go all out!

It's gotta be a nasty and epic brawl, one that blows everyone away!

But they're incredible in their own way. Whoever ends up losing, it just won't sit right...

Maybe ... they could call it a tie?

No way! When I fight, I never back down. I'm gonna fight till the end!

How about we shoot the two scenes at the inn? Might spark some ideas.

That works. In wuxia stories, big fights always wrap up at inns.

Then we'll have to trouble you two ladies to play the two heroes again.

No problem! I'll be Master Jiang! Chen Qianyu can stick with goody-two-shoes Yan Mingfei.

Why you... Uh, fine. But I must correct you, Master Yan is a real man.

Both endings have been recorded. Now, with everything we've gathered, any inspiration, ladies?

*Qingbo Stockade expletive* Where did all these papers come from? Dizzy already.

Darkmask, where do you think they're gonna fight? On the roof? Or maybe on the bamboo grove?

Before we came up, Qing Yu tried to stop you. Why turn a blind eye?

Qing Yu means well ... but I choose my own path!

I wonder ... what Qing Yu is doing right now.

Endmin, who do you think Qing Yu would choose?

Master Jiang, we were once friends in life and death. But now, with Master Yan gravely wounded... I can no longer stand by you.

This duel isn't your concern. My conscience is clear. What do you have to fear?

But Master Jiang, my conscience is not clear ... towards you.

Yan, there was a time I held you dear. Truly.

But I cannot see Master Jiang brought to ruin. I shall go with him. As for you... I...

It's all this hypocrite's fault! The three of us come to this because of him! Qing Yu, move!

The moment has arrived! Will the two fight or make peace?

Mother was right. The prettier the face, the better the lie.

Masters, what do you think? Take your time if you're not sure.

...Who gave you permission to do this?

Hao Tongku, Xie Buchu. I warned you. Bother me again, and you will be stranded on a floating rock FOREVER.

Lady Si... You... I-I...

Oh no... Endmin, I think Lady Si is kind of angry?

Of course I need an explanation... You, come here.

I haven't even asked you anything yet, and you're already grilling me?

I started writing that novel just to pass the time. Doesn't it defeat the purpose if it takes even more time?

Hmph. Blame that silly dolt who took forever to wake up. I was stuck here all by myself, had to find something to do...

Point is, "Chivalric Tales of the Mystic Flow" is mine. Unfinished or not, I'm not letting anyone else scribble their own ending!

You sure know how to talk! Ugh, fine. For your sake... All of you, bring over your drafts.

I've read them all... It's manageable. I need to go over the accounts with the staff. Do whatever you want with these drafts.

Hmph, she was totally hooked...

I did. Something like a giant meteor comes crashing down ... grudges, love, hate, everything, gone.

Huh? What kind of ending is that...?

Everyone! C-come look! Lady Si ... has just signed off on our ending!