The steps leading up to the temple coil around the mountain like a serpent, but today, they are unusually empty. A newly placed wooden signboard stands, blocking Bian’s path. The letters are simple and to the point: Temple Closed.

Bian stands before the entrance, arms crossed. “Well, that’s not good. How are we supposed to go up?” she asks her spirit companion.

Ha Linh, ever direct, replies, "You’re possessed by unarguably the best ma thuat tech in the realm, and you’re going to let a sign stop you? That’s pathetic."

Annoyed, but she makes a good point, Bian sidesteps the sign and proceeds forward. Just then, two monks appear in front of her, emerging from the bamboo forests as quick as the wind.

The monks raise their hands, signaling her to stop.

“Seriously?” Ha Linh mutters in frustration.

Annoyed, Bian tries to walk around the monks, but they quickly flip back into her path, this time with their matech weapons drawn.

Bian halts, her fists instinctively rising, but just as quickly, she lowers them.

“What are you doing?” Ha Linh snaps. “Just get past them.”

“How am I supposed to do that?” Bian asks, her annoyance grows.

“What? You’ve never beaten up monks before? Those that choose to stand in my way, won’t stand for long.”

Bian's silence is answer enough. As Ha Linh begins to berate her for not starting a fight, they both notice movement in the trees and additional eyes watching from the shadows.

Bian whispers, “You see that? I count six.”

“Ten,” Ha Linh adds. “There’s twelve of these jerks.”

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“What are the chances they all have weapons?” Bian asks.

“Pretty high.”

“I get the bo staff, but what about the kama? Wait, do monks kill?” Bian continues as her eyes cautiously scan the forest.

“Normal monks, no. But these are probably not normal monks... And if I know who they are, they definitely kill. Pretty damn effective too.”

Bian and Ha Linh patiently weigh their options. As the monks take a step forward, they step back.

Looking behind them, a crowd has started to form. They’re surrounded. Bian whispers to Ha Linh, “I know these monks annoy you greatly. We don’t need to get into that now, but I don’t think we should fight…” Looking around, “Everybody…”

After a beat. The monks close in. The crowd grows larger.

Ha Linh finally relents. “Fine. Tell them who you are and that you're here to learn under the tutelage of Bo Pham, formerly the Giant of Black Mountain.”

Relieved not to fight twelve monks and an entire village, Bian complies. “I am Bian Ong Ma, former member of Orchid Academy, and I have journeyed here to follow the teachings of the Giant of Black Mountain,” she says, finishing with a respectful bow.

The monks exchange glances, then nod and silently disappear into the forest.

Bian furrows her brow. “Did that work? Why did they just leave without saying anything?”

“See? That’s why they’re annoying,” Ha Linh huffs. “You should’ve just beaten them up and stormed the temple.”

Ignoring her spirit’s obvious resentment toward the monks, Bian asks, “Now what?”

“Now we wait for them to deliver the message. Let’s just get a room at the inn.”

“If only it were that simple.” Bian sighs, glancing down at her beaten boots, already caked with dust and mud from the long journey. She’s flat broke. They’d spent their last coins getting to the village.

“Do you know how much a room even costs around here?” Bian asks.

“I don’t know. Someone usually pays for my stuff. You know, being the savior and greatest hero ever has its perks. So what are you saying? Not only am I dead, but I’m poor too?” Ha Linh replies, irritated.

Bian nods grimly. “You’re dead. I’m poor. Time to get a job.”

“Shouldn’t be too hard, right? You’re a decent fighter, and you’ve got the wisdom of an ancient hero. Work should be easy to come by,” Ha Linh says, with utmost confidence.

Bian rolls her eyes and makes her way toward the inn, a quaint establishment nestled within what looks like a crater carved into the side of the mountain.

“You don’t see that everyday. I wonder what made the crater?” Bian asks.

“Who cares. Probably some jerk.” Ha Linh dismisses the question.