The terrace was still. Dust motes floated in the morning light. Broken swords and shattered muskets lay scattered across the stone floor. The guards had retreated to the edges, their weapons lowered but their eyes wide.114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAV66a74JPu
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PcJSAdc9C
Emperor Hongxi sat on his throne, his face pale but recovering. Beside him, Tao Zhongwen stood with his staff planted on the ground, the green fire extinguished but his knuckles white on the wood.
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxcvSda1St
"Master Liang Wei." His voice was still shaky, but he forced strength into it. "Wait."114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCC6QZbtkI8
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0pkR8hKNR
Liang Wei did not turn. "I have heard enough, Your Majesty. The general goes free. The small teachers are released. That was our agreement."
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhBMFd2U6p
"I haven’t even spoken about anything yet,” starts the emperor.
“You don’t have to speak , I can already tell that bullshit is what you will speak of next! All that in attempt to not honor our agreement.”
“Agreements can be expanded," the emperor said. He glanced at Tao Zhongwen. The sorcerer nodded almost imperceptibly.
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQOuXJz53u
Liang Wei turned slowly. His face was calm, but his eyes were wary. "Expanded how?"
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVn3MIxeOH
The emperor leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "I have a proposition for you. A journey. A pilgrimage, if you will."
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNAKkp0XUe
"To where?"
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkeODsY7C6
"To the Arabian Peninsula."
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmT9Sguz4As
Liang Wei's eyebrows rose. "Arabia? Why would I go there?"
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OUxGvk1oP
Tao Zhongwen stepped forward. His voice was smooth and measured. "The Caliph of that region has sent word through merchants. He seeks a teacher of martial arts. His armies are strong, but they face two enemies: the Romans from the north and the Vikings from the west. Their steel is good, but their hand‑to‑hand combat is crude. They break against shield walls and die beneath arrows. The Caliph believes that Chinese martial arts could turn the tide."
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wTwWEzyPP
Liang Wei folded his arms. "And why should I care about foreign wars?"
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpE5Xnlg4Jz
The emperor smiled. "Because the Caliph is willing to pay. Generously. Gold. Silver. Silk. Weapons. And..." He paused, his smile widening. "Women. Many women. Beautiful women from three continents."
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNb3pNYDQrW
Behind Liang Wei, General Feng Jian shifted uncomfortably. The emperor's smirk was unmistakable.
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qgvC54Sp1
Liang Wei's face did not change. "Women are not important. Foreign affairs are not my concern. My knowledge is for Chinese people. My art is for Chinese hands. I will not teach barbarians to fight like dragons."
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmcSfEuotc
The emperor's smile faded. "You are stubborn, teacher. I admire that. But I am not asking."
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIPLPkEiUI
"Then what are you doing?"
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GBYInjUxA
"I am giving you a choice." The emperor stood. He walked around his throne, his robes dragging on the stone. "You can go to Arabia. You can train the Caliph's soldiers. You can take his gold and his weapons and his women. You will be far from here, far from my empire, far from my problems."
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCntQRibbw
"And if I refuse?"
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgd4ZLJPYI
The emperor stopped. He turned to face Liang Wei. His eyes were hard.
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZmEAOPTul
"If you refuse, I will sign a decree before sunset. A full ban on martial arts. Every school closed. Every teacher arrested. Every student who resists will be executed. I will also send my army into every village, every town, every city. They will hunt down anyone who has ever thrown a punch or kicked a leg. I will make the practice of martial arts a crime punishable by death."
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwnaAigm0q
Liang Wei's jaw tightened. "You would kill your own people?"
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTk5blBgcQc
"I would protect my throne." The emperor's voice rose. "You know that you cannot protect everyone. You are one man. I have an army. They are everywhere, waiting for a signal. One word from me, and the blood begins to flow."
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMN9mV0VZEN
The terrace fell silent. Even the guards held their breath.
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdH9YV7CVs6
Liang Wei stared at the emperor. His hands, still at his sides, curled into fists. Then, slowly, they relaxed.
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBisTDj6Io
"You leave me no choice," he said quietly.
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PeSm9pYEG
"I leave you a choice," the emperor corrected. "A generous one. Go to Arabia. Teach foreigners. Take their wealth. Leave my empire in peace."
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtc9efzwBe
Liang Wei was silent for a long moment. He looked at General Feng, still standing in the doorway. He looked at the broken swords on the floor. He looked at the terrified guards, the trembling courtiers, the smug sorcerer.
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDxSvA2do4
"One condition," he said finally.
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdj6IZpD4Op
The emperor raised an eyebrow. "Name it."
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFZWG8rVPx
"I will go. But I do not go alone. I take my servants. My guards. And the general." He pointed at Feng Jian. "He comes with me."
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1ZAaRnIqA
The emperor's eyes narrowed. "The general is a traitor."
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf31NPwGDmt
"The general is a soldier who refused to bow to a tyrant. He comes with me, or I do not go."
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0mc0UxYj3
The emperor looked at Tao Zhongwen. The sorcerer shrugged. "One general more or less. He will be far away. What harm can he do in Arabia?"
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2Xk6Vo2vr
The emperor nodded slowly. "Agreed. The general goes with you. Anyone else?"
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCObc6WfnV
"My household. My personal staff."
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShEK7KctrN
"Fine." The emperor waved a hand. "Is that all?"
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXMIRI9tJG
The emperor then smirked. "What of your family, teacher? You never speak of them. Do you have a wife? Children?"114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCESCdRkFwB
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3k0FASIOPC
Liang Wei's face was stone. "I stayed chaste to reach this level of cultivation. I have no wife. No children. My parents and siblings died centuries ago. I outlived them all."
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkIT7OOOKXl
The smirk faded from the emperor's face. The guards exchanged uneasy glances. General Feng stared at Liang Wei with new respect.
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6l29nlj3Ok
"I am not a man," Liang Wei continued. "Not anymore. I am something else. Something older. And I will outlive everyone in this room." His eyes moved slowly across the terrace, pausing on each face. Then they stopped on Tao Zhongwen. "Including you, witch."
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzZsEhIJRC
Tao Zhongwen's eyes flashed. His staff glowed red at the tip – a deep, burning crimson. The air around him grew hot. His irises shifted from brown to glowing red, like embers in a fire. His grip on the staff tightened until the wood creaked.
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYC4IE39RI9
For a moment, it seemed he would strike.
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lMFkceBtU
But he did not. He took a breath. Then another. The red glow faded. His eyes returned to their natural color. The staff's tip cooled.
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoH4NOpkj63
He smiled – a thin, dangerous smile. "You are bold, teacher. But boldness is not wisdom. I will remember your words."
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5VcRT1RMn
Liang Wei did not flinch. "I am sure you will."
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDR8VfZphGD
The emperor cleared his throat. "Then it is settled. You will leave for Arabia. You will train the Caliph's soldiers. You will take the general and your household. And you will not return until I send for you."
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiV6uhF668c
"One more thing," Liang Wei said. "I need two days."
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdinHQgV2A
"Two days? For what?"
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5U34cujcM
"To tell my subordinates. My students. The citizens who look to me." Liang Wei's voice was firm. "If I vanish without word, they will think I have been exiled. They will riot. They will rebel. Is that what you want?"
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItDFFnehWM
The emperor frowned. "You threaten me again?"
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmRxb0tGAZ
"I warn you. There is a difference." Liang Wei stepped closer to the throne. "Two days. I will announce that I am going on a pilgrimage to spread the art. I will tell them it is my choice. They will believe me. There will be no riots. No rebellion. Just peace."
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIdmc3sTyy
The emperor looked at Tao Zhongwen. The sorcerer nodded slowly.
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanenWQCfQk
"Two days," the emperor said. "Not one hour more. After that, you board a ship and sail west. If you are still in my empire on the third day, the ban begins."
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BRwrEAuRK
Liang Wei smiled. "We understand each other."
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RlMQyiRMQ
He turned and walked toward the doorway. The guards parted before him like water before a stone.
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5AnjChqym
At the threshold, he paused. He looked at General Feng. "You are free, General. For now. Gather what you need. We leave in two days."
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzwqMI3HM7
General Feng bowed – a deep bow, full of gratitude. "Thank you, Master Liang Wei. I will not forget this."
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZXoNZtYxP
Liang Wei stepped through the doorway and descended the stairs to the square below. The crowd parted for him, whispering, pointing, staring.
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4V6sdpDnz2
Behind him, on the terrace, Emperor Hongxi sat back on his throne. He was sweating. His hands trembled.
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjFGJqFoRM
"Two days," he muttered. "Then he is gone."
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsdH61xXFC
Tao Zhongwen stared at the doorway where Liang Wei had disappeared. His staff still hummed with faint heat.
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQ29u1YlJh
"Two days," the sorcerer echoed. "And then we burn his schools to the ground."
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HuS41htmz
The emperor looked at him. "That was not our agreement."
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBNcHzWnog
"Agreements change, Your Majesty. You taught me that."
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA17sQJAjI4
The emperor said nothing. He simply watched the empty doorway and wondered if he had made a deal with a ghost.
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWEy1Vgi5i
Below, in the square, Liang Wei walked through the crowd. His face was calm. His steps were steady.
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dA2cnRa3i
But his heart was heavy.
114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmgYpeL0hd
He had two days to say goodbye to a world he might never see again.114Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9c11fyCKR8
and then Add to home screen.