The Assassin Page #2

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Shoot!

Shoot!

Xi Yuan!

Quick...

I'm done for. Save yourselves!

But what about you?

No use dying together. Live to fight

another day!

But...

We'll split up.

Let's meet under the bridge

come nightfall.

Forward!

Forward!

Xu Shi, you...

Mother, sister, with me!

The troops will be here any moment!

What's happened?

Don't ask!

Gather your valuables and hurry!

I knew this was going to happen.

Xia Ying...

Who is it?

Xia Ying.

Du Po.

Nie Zheng.

Young Master, in putting these rebels

to route,

you have done a great service

to the kingdom.

These rebels all wear barbarian Hu dress

and use keen blades forged from iron.

To let them grow in strength

...is to court disaster for the kingdom.

I toast you, Young Master.

It was all thanks to my uncle's

providence.

The wine is getting to me.

May I be excused?

Very well. You've had a tiring day.

Go home and get some rest.

Shall I send an armed escort?

No need, thank you.

I've brought a few guards myself.

Besides...

the Young Master himself has

great martial skills.

You follow behind, I go round the front.

You want to fight two against one?

Du Po, guard the end of the street.

Don't let this scoundrel escape.

There's no need to lend a hand.

Very well.

It was pure luck you won yesterday.

Let's see who's better tonight.

Nie Zheng.

He's playing for time, hoping for rescue.

Out of your own selfish motives,

you caused the deaths of our master

and fellows.

Do you know the taste of fear now?

There is no abiding in this place anymore.

My mother and sister have fled

to the state of Qi.

I'll catch up with them tonight.

What about you?

I'll go to a relative in the state of Han.

Then this is where we part our ways.

Take care of yourself.

You too. We shall meet again.

Master, did I do the move correctly?

Yes, but it'd be better

if you do it faster.

Father.

Official Yen.

Master Du.

Zhang's swordsmanship has improved.

Young Master is very talented.

What it took me 3 years to learn

with Master Wu,

I've totally imparted in only

the past year.

There is nothing I have left to teach.

Master Wu was the victim of

a vile student.

Among my fellows, only one, Nie Zheng,

has skills greater than my own.

In the aftemath,

he fled to the kingdom of Qi.

If we can get him to come teach

the Young Master.

Don't over-praise the child.

My wife died years ago.

I have only one son. I don't want

him spoilt.

Books and the sword are to train

his character;

I don't wish for him to become

a famed swordsman.

What pleases me though is that

through this,

I came to know a fine young man

like Master Du.

You are too kind.

In the past year or so

I have been the one to benefit

from your teaching.

From what you say,

this Mr Wu Ji is a kind-hearted man.

So many fine young men have been killed;

it is indeed a tragedy.

If the chance should arise,

I would very much like to meet

this Nie Zheng.

Nie's courage and skills are

ten times mine.

If you're so inclined,

I could go seek him in the state of Qi.

Here I am but a mere official.

His Majesty is still young

although he places his trust in me,

real power is with the Premier, Han Kui.

The Premier's audience with

His Majesty today...

did something happen?

This child has been poisoned by

Yen Chung-Tzu.

He doesn't listen to me anymore.

How so?

I told him all the peers of the realm

...must eventually be subservient to Qin,

and that we should anticipate events

...by offering tribute and the area

of Yi Yang,

to direct Qin's attention to Zhao and Yi.

What land we lose,

we'll recover from them.

Don't you think my strategy is a good one?

The Premier's strategies are

always brilliant.

But guess how the lad replied?

He said, let's ask Yen Chung-Tzu first.

In your humble servant's view,

it's unwise to allow Yen Chung-Tzu

...to coninue to influence the king so.

The other day, he even said in court

...that generations from now

it may not be our liege's line

who'll rule Han!

Indeed!

What do you think of Wang Yue

and Tian Qing?

They have sworn their loyalty

to the Premier.

Wang Yue, Tian Qing.

Wang Yue, Tian Qing.

Go pick out a few good men-at-arms

...and assassinate Yen Chung-Tzu tonight!

Don't leave any of his family alive,

lest the truth comes out.

When it's done, you'll be handsomely

rewarded.

Yes sir!

You are the Premier's men-at-arms.

What are you doing here so late at night?

We have a military decree from

the Premier:

Anyone not of the Yen household, begone!

This affair is no one else's concern.

Han Kui holds the Premier's office,

but sends assassins at night

to kill an official.

Such an affair is indeed my concern!

You dare?

Zhang!

Yen Chung-Tzu, there's nowhere

for you to run!

Master Du!

Sir, Han Kui won't allow you to live.

You must leave quickly.

If you want revenge,

go find Nie Zheng in Qi!

Master Du!

Master Du!

If you want revenge, find Nie Zheng in Qi!

This sword, my breastful of hot passion

...whom have I given them to?

Been drinking again?

Be careful you don't wake mother.

We've been in Qi for over a year now.

You're not used to such work,

slaughtering pigs.

I know it's hard on you.

But mother is old;

after that terrible experience

she's aged a great deal.

You must show forbearance.

I understand.

I know you understand.

You just can't help yourself.

Go to sleep, don't drink any more.

You still have to work tomorrow.

What was that noise?

Nothing. A cat knocked over a jar.

To live like this...

Out of the way...

Please have a seat.

Out of the way...

Out of the way...

You haven't paid for that!

Zheng!

Don't get into trouble.

Yes.

That old lady is his mother?

This fellow is indeed a real man!

He is truly filial to his mother.

That's right.

He's always standing up for other people,

butjust one word from his mother

and he'll go back to her obediently.

The old lady called him "Zheng" just now.

Do you know what his surname is?

His surname's Nie.

Nie... Nie Zheng?

Would I be addressing Master Nie?

My name's Nie. Is anything the matter?

May I ask by close of business

how much meat would you have sold?

About his much.

Then my master would buy all of it.

Would this be enough?

Yes. Your master means to...

He means to have Master Nie come

for a chat.

This is my master.

Master Nie, I am Yen Sui.

Please forgive my impertinence.

Yen... Yen Chung-Tzu, Master Yen.

You honor me.

I have not dared to disturb

your mother today.

Would Master Nie accompany me for a chat?

I'll pay my respects to your mother

another time.

Very well.

Sister, I'm going out with Master Yen

for awhile.

Master Yen.

Nie Zheng has something he'd like to ask.

Would it be possible...

You may leave.

I'll call if you're needed.

Yes sir.

You stand guard outside.

Don't let anyone enter.

Yes sir.

Master Nie, please speak freely.

Master Yen is an official of a peer;

Nie Zheng is a mere butcher

who makes his living in the streets.

Yet you have traveled all this way to Qi

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