The man and woman were the famed wandering heroes of Cloudpeak Province, the Black and White Swords—Meng Nan the Black Sword and Jiang Shu the White Sword.0

The land lay in ruins; most folk could only flee or submit. Yet a few stubborn souls still chose to hurl themselves against the impossible. Jiang Shu was one of them; she had slipped in alone to assassinate one of the chieftains, hoping to console the restless spirits of the common folk. She had tricked her partner and taken the risk alone.0

But Meng Nan had guessed her intent and waited in secret. Now, cradling her broken body, he turned and bolted.0

Above, the tribe chieftains watched with amused interest rather than anger.1

“Tsk, tsk…” Kundar smacked his lips. 0

At his feet,...0