Shogun visits Dai Wen for the fifth time tonight. "Hey, uh -- Dai Wen. I've been thinking. About what you said earlier."

Dai Wen smiles, confusingly friendly as always. "What do you mean?"

Shogun is feeling -- awkward, so he changes the subject. "Y'know, I'm still surprised you haven't attacked me yet. Last time you were here... You tried to kill me every chance you got."

Dai Wen elaborates. "Yeah, but I was just a boy, y'know? Back then I was inmature and impulsive."

"Well... Why did you change? Now you're mature and wise." Shogun asks.

"Fenghuang, my beast spirit. He's always been by my side. And we talk sometimes. He tells my stories about the takers and the taken. Stories about the tortoise and the hare. The wolves and the sheep. The crow and the pitcher. To many people -- those fables might seem like kid shit. But believe me... These are anything but kid shit." Dai Wen answers.

"I don't understand." Shogun is flabbergasted oddly but conflicted.

Dai Wen observes the room around him. The walls were clearly painted white -- he could still see red cracks in the wall. The ceilings were lined with golden streaks and ropes. The floor was carpeted in orange. A golden chandelier hangs above his steel cage. A red-blanketed futton stands in the middle of the room.

"You'll understand soon. It might take a while... But soon enough."

In the Wushi's Courtyard, General Hatori trains a new small group of Wushi. They spar with each other, practice sword techniques, and in general -- help each other get stronger.

A Wushi of high nobility interupts Hattori. "General Hattori -- I know this may be a bad time, but--"

Hattori is instanly aggrivated. "Then why the hell are you here?"

"I have -- classified information. The Baizhao Killing Investigation." The Wushi answers.

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Hattori looks at the Wushi, both proud and annoyed. "Well, come to my office."

...

Hattori's office is very different from any other room in the Wushi Party's Headquarters. The only room in the entire building made from wood. His floorboards, his bed, his desk, his walls -- are wooden, rather than concrete. Hattori is a very tradiational person. He likes things done the old fashioned way.

"So, spit it the fuck out. What classified information do you have?" Hattori asks.

"Me and my cohorts believe we have found the killer of Baizhao." The Wushi states.

Hattori hurries him. "Well spit it the fuck out."

The Wushi completes his thought. "W-w-we believe the boy goes by the name Li Wei, 16 years old. The only thing that troubles me is-- the fact that he's been missing from his town for weeks."

The General expresses a wide grin. "Great. Delete all records of this investigation."

The Wushi argues. "B-b-but General, I can't do that!! T-t-this information--"

The General quickly interupts. "You say he's been missing, so he's fucking missing!! I told you to delete the records, so delete the goddamn records!! I'll have you know that I FUCKING OWN YOU, so you're going to do WHAT I SAY, WHEN I GODDAMN SAY IT, DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME?"

"Y-y-yes sir!" The Wushi submits, filled with fear and anxiety.

Li Wei, Mei Lian, and Xue Lian finally arrive in Shojing City, disguising themselves as wealthy aristocrats.

"I still can't believe we're doing this. I'm scared as hell!!" Mei Lian declares.

"Don't worry, everything's gonna be fine. Just don't blow your cover." Li Wei comforts her.

"Li Wei..." Mei Lian blushes. She has something to tell Li Wei, but she doesn't know if she should.

"Yes, Mei Lian?" Li Wei responds.

"I think I like you..." Mei Lian declares. Her face redder than a tomato.

Li Wei is surprised. He has no idea what to think. Mei Lian continues. "... Do you think you like me too?"

Li Wei doesn't know how to answer, so he doesn't. An awkward silence ensues.

Outside the Wushi Party Headquarters, Shogun begins his speach in front of countless aristocrats. In the back of the crowd -- Mei Lian readies her bow and aims at Shogun's head. Li Wei and Xue Lian are next to her, giving her advice.

"Mei Lian -- we only have one shot. You can't miss this." Xue Lian pressures Mei Lian to take the shot.

"Shut up, you're going to make me miss!" Mei Lian says.

"Just take the shot!" Xue Lian demands.

Li Wei comforts Mei Lian, noticing her anxiety. He holds her from behind and guides her hands, helping her pull the arrow back. "It's okay, Mei Lian. Just relax. You got this."

Mei Lian follows orders. She relaxes her muscles, and numbs her mind. She releases the arrow, and takes the shot. Her arrow flies through the air, faster than sound. A clear shot to Shogun's head.

At the last second, Shogun turns and grabs the arrow. His instincts overpowered the arrows' speed. The aristocrats scream in fear and run from the crowd. The only people left in the crowd is Mei Lian, Li Wei, and Xue Lian.

"Change of plans." Xue Lian says. Shogun tries to run away, but the Shinobi chase after him...

TO BE CONTINUED...