Ashes of Time Page #3

of the girl on my face.

I wonder if my woman would

shed any tears for me.

People say that if you're stricken

by a really fast sword,

you'd hear a soft hissing sound of the

squirting blood, like that of a breeze.

I never imagined the first time I

heard such a sound

was when I was about to die.

Ever since that night my friend

never returned.

I came here to look for him.

But he wouldn't forgive me

until his death.

This young man is called Hong Qi,

he's very quick with his sword.

But he doesn't like wearing shoes.

I could tell, he'd make a lot

of money for me.

But I must say, I don't like him much.

A fortune-teller once warned me:

"Avoid the number seven (Qi in chinese)

It'll bring death".

The first time I met him, he had

just left his hometown.

Do you know why I treated you to this meal?

No.

Because I know you're hungry.

I've noticed you for some time.

You've been sitting there by that

wall for a long time.

Didn't even move your finger.

I've seen young men like you.

Think you're invincible with

your martial arts skill.

It's no fun to survive in the

martial arts world.

Being a swordsman gives you

many restrictions.

Certainly you don't want to

be a farmer...

...you won't be a robber,

nor do you want to be a street performer.

How will you survive?

Even the best swordsman has

to make a living.

I've got a job for you.

You can make a lot of money.

And it's righteous.

What do you say?

Yes, think about it...

Gotta be quick, though.

You know...

you'll get hungry again very soon.

Soon after Hong Qi was here,

those horse thieves returned to

the village again.

Before I took him to the villagers,

I bought him a pair of shoes.

Because there's quite a difference

in the fee paid...

...to a shoeless swordsman and

one with shoes.

So you think ten taels

of silver is too much?

Well, you can always hire

some cheaper guys.

There are a few of them

sitting outside.

Pay them a few bucks and they'll

jump on the offer.

But can you trust some poor chap...

who can't even afford shoes?

What if the horse thieves give him

a pounding and come after you?

What will happened then?

My friend may not be a better fighter.

What I'm telling about...

But you're whole family is at stake.

Should you put their fate

in the hands

of someone with no shoes?

To avoid making the same mistake...

I brought Hong Qi to see something.

- Why the corpse?

- He'll tell you how he died.

He attacked the horse thieves

two days ago.

He wanted to kill them...

And lost his life.

See this slash?

It's the fatal blow.

Unlike other slashes made by swords,

this one...

...was the only one made from

right to left.

It's unique.

That means the one who struck

the fatal blow...

...only struck once.

When you fight these horse

thieves you must watch out

for the left handed one.

If I'm killed please don't

do this to me.

I don't want to be a speaking corpse.

Day 15, Sunny and windy.

The day of judgement approaches.

A gleam of blood.

Do not travel far.

Chant the scriptures

and avoid catastrophe.

Those who don't bother

counting their money,

Are the big spenders.

Not Hong Qi.

He counted every cent.

I knew he wouldn't

stay here long.

Day 10, Autumn begins. Sunny.

The breeze turns cool.

Favourable for travel and socialising.

Avoid going into the water.

You're looking for Hong Qi?

He's been gone a long time.

He won't come back.

Look elsewhere.

Do you hear me?

It ain't easy to cheat women,

simple-minded women are

the most determined.

She knew her husband had never

left this place.

It's simple:
Hong Qi would never

abandon his camel.

I told you to wait for me at home.

What are you doing here?

Go home!

Go!

No. I won't.

Go home. Go!

Go!

She's been waiting outside for

several days now.

What can I do?

No one drags his wife along

in the martial arts world.

Nothing is impossible.

It's not a rule, is it?

I was like you,

thought my sweetheart would wait for me,

while I was making my name as a swordsman.

When I returned...

She had married my brother.

I've told you it's useless to be here.

I can't help you, if you haven't got

any money.

Go home. Think of something else.

Please help me! I beg you!

It's no use. I'm just an agent.

You must solve your own problems.

Day 15, Rainy.

The King of Earth makes troubles.

The Star of Talent presides.

Good for baths,

but bad for outdoor activities.

Malignance in the north.

If I was those swordsman from the militia,

I'd have refused to die.

All their lives were worth only the

values of an egg!

Losing a finger over the price of an egg?

You think it's worth it?

No.

But I felt great!

This is me.

I should have been unharmed.

But I've become slower with my sword lately.

I never used to have any

second thoughts.

For me, a strike was a strike.

I never gave much thoughts

to values.

I thought I'd remain like this,

until this girl came to me.

I didn't realise I had become so

heartless I could turn her down.

But that's

because I knew you'd never agree.

I hated myself for refusing her.

I've become another person since

I've been around you.

I've lost my real self.

No, I don't want to be like you.

Because I know that you'd never...NEVER

risk your life for the price of an egg!

That's the difference between us.

Please help Hong Qi!

He's very ill, isn't he?

Please get a doctor.

A doctor costs money.

Pity that I haven't got any eggs.

Otherwise I'd have given you a few.

You're good at manipulating people

with eggs, aren't you?

No, I won't help Hong Qi,

because he didn't obey me.

You're responsible for his finger.

You save him!

I know you've only come to me

because you're helpless.

I've been waiting for this.

I recall you once told me you'd never

sacrifice yourself for anyone.

Well, let's see if you can keep

your word.

What are you thinking?

Nothing.

Don't sacrifice yourself for me.

I'm happy to die, if I must.

You paid me more than enough

with your egg.

I've eaten it.

You don't owe me anything.

Don't do anything stupid.

Remember:
there's always someone

waiting for you.

Since then, I've never

seen the girl again.

I don't think I'll be any

good with my sword.

You don't need a sword.

You still have your fist.

That lost finger gives you

extra credibility

You can even raise your fee.

What? Want to go home?

Why did you leave...

in the first place?

Wondered what's lying beyond that desert.

Another desert.

I thought the same thing.

Seeing a mountain, I'd wonder

what lay behind it.

But after I crossed it,

I found nothing special.

Looking back, I realised that

life over there wasn't so bad.

I knew he'd never take my advice; being

a stubborn person, he had already decided

to take his own path.

Where do you plan to go?

Places I've never been to.

I want to be famous.

If, in the future, you hear about some

nine-fingered hero... that will be me.

What about her?

I'll take her with me, like you said,

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