With the affliction of the Mara-Struck lifted, Jingliu finally removed the black veil that had long clouded her sight.
As she gazed upon the familiar view of Cloudford Dock, a sight she had not seen for centuries.
There was no longer any trace of the old fury that once consumed her.
The hatred that had once filled her body. Hatred for the past, for herself had quietly faded away.
So this is the power of curing the Mara-Struck... A miracle indeed. Even her hatred for Yaoshi had been released.
But letting go of hatred didn't mean abandoning her resolve.
Her determination to destroy Yaoshi remained as firm as ever.
"My name is Jingliu, once a swordwoman of the Xianzhou and now a wandering swordswoman."
Jingliu's hand brushed over her heart as she spoke softly.
[Jingliu… Isn't that one of the Five Chivalrous Heroes from the Chronicles of the Shattered Sword?]
Having just listened to a storyteller's tale, X found the name very familiar.
Daichi shook his head.
"The one in story was Jingliu with a different character same sound, different meaning."
Aside from the name though, X was mostly correct.
The legendary "Jingliu" from the Chronicles was indeed based on this very woman before them.
Yet many years ago, after succumbing to the Mara-Struck, she had been stripped of her name from the Xianzhou registers.
Now, the title "former Sword Champion" was all that remained of her legacy.
"The 'Five Chivalrous Heroes of the Clouds'... Those are nothing but fleeting titles. The Jingliu standing here today is but a sinner of Luofu."
Jingliu shook her head, showing no concern for her past glories.
Daichi and X then briefly introduced themselves.
"My name is Daichi, and this is my partner X"
"I've heard of you." Jingliu said, her crimson eyes flickering between them.
"Outsiders, yet wielders of power capable of curing the Mara-Struck… and you even used that power on me. The two of you are far too… benevolent."
Over the past few days, while searching for old acquaintances, Jingliu had occasionally overheard Cloud Knights discussing a foreign Benefactor. It seemed that must have been them.
To free the Xianzhou from an affliction that had plagued them for countless amber ages — such guests were indeed worthy of the title Honored Benefactors of the Xianzhou.
Still, since they were guests of such status, their presence was surely already reported to the Luofu General.
Luofu would never allow such important visitors to move about unguarded.
"Though my Mara-Struck state has been purged."
Jingliu said quietly.
"This body still bears the mark of sin. If you wish to avoid trouble, you'd best stay far away from me."
After a brief glance around, she found a path that led to exit. She spoke those words to Daichi and X — then turned to go.
Before the wandering healer boarded the Luofu, she had no desire to be discovered by the authorities… especially not by her disciple.
"If you're free, why not come by my residence for a talk?" Daichi suggested.
Jingliu had just stepped forward when as fate would have it, the very person she least wished to see appeared before her.
A tall figure stood at the corner, his long silver-gray hair rippling in the evening wind.
"It's been a long time, Master."
[Master…?]
"Seven hundred years, give or take Jing Yuan."
Jingliu froze the answered. Before her stood her long-lost disciple.
"Yes." Jing Yuan replied, stepping around Daichi.
"Ever since that battle, you vanished without a trace."
That battle, the one where Jingliu consumed by Mara, was hunted down across the Xianzhou.
After that day, she disappeared.
Jing Yuan had long believed his master perished under the strike of the Lightning Lord, her form and spirit alike annihilated.
But now, seeing her alive he realized he no longer needed to bear the guilt of a master-slayer.
"Where have you been all these years, Master?"
"After taking your strike," Jingliu said evenly.
"I wandered through the stars, by chance finding a means to suppress the Mara. Though now, that power is no longer needed."
Glancing at Daichi and X, she added.
"You arrived faster than I expected. Seems your sword has not dulled over these years."
"I had to keep up," Jing Yuan smiled.
"I even took on a disciple of my own, quite the talented one."
His eyes met Jingliu's crimson ones.
The last time he'd looked into them was seven centuries ago during that fateful battle. Every flash of red back then had heralded frozen Cloud Knights and deadly strikes from all directions.
Without the Lightning Lord aid, he might have perished like the others who joined that hunt.
Now though, seeing her cured of Mara Jing Yuan felt a rare relief.
At least, among the Five Heroes of old, he was no longer the last one standing.
"A disciple of your own, hm? Then he'd be my grand-disciple." Jingliu said, a faint smirk forming.
"Should we meet someday, I'll teach him a move or two."
Cold air began to gather around her. Moonlight shimmered against her bracelet, forming a blade that pointed directly at Jing Yuan.
"Tell me — are you here on behalf of the Luofu General to arrest this sinner?"
"Must everything between us be about duty, Master?"
Jing Yuan raised his hands calmly.
"Before you stands not the Luofu General, but a Xianzhou man named Jing Yuan — nothing more."
"It's been so long. Could we not simply… talk? Besides, it's nearly supper hour why not sit down, share a meal, and discuss…"
He paused, then corrected himself:
"…and talk about your years away, Master?"
"Oh?"
Jingliu tilted her head slightly, her sword unwavering.
"Those years were spent much the same as before. Seeking a way to end Yaoshi once and for all."
"And did you find it?"
"What do you think?"
Her lips curved into a small smile. With a flick of her wrist, several arcs of swordlight lashed out — skimming past Daichi and streaking straight toward Jing Yuan.
Reacting instantly, Jing Yuan summoned his Starfall Reverie parrying the strikes in a flurry of sparks.
"Wait Master! I don't want to fight you again—"
"This isn't a duel to the death."
Jingliu's clear voice rang out amid the clash.
"It's merely a test, a teacher's wish to see how her student has grown after seven hundred years. You've already cleared the docks of bystanders, haven't you? No one will disturb us."
Sweat formed on Jing Yuan's brow.
"Master please wait, the cargo here—"
"I won't strike anything else. All will be revealed...in lunar flame!"
Blades of moonlight illuminated Daichi's face as the master and disciple.
Separated for centuries — crossed swords once more.
Their reunion began not with words, but with swords.