The air was thick and humid with the sense of an imminent downpour, which was enough to keep Xiāng Jǐngyán looking forward to something the entire night. The only sounds came from her shuffling a pebble between her feet and against cobblestone, and the occasional hum from the whispering she could not clearly decipher. A couple approached her on their knees after seeing her carried blade—passed down to her by her Shīfù—when delivering another set of crooks to the local yámén.
The two painted an especially bitter story that played right into her instinct to protect, that they were running from assassins brought on by the husband's overwhelming gambling debts. The killers were in pursuit of them despite that all their debts had been paid. Unfortunately, it never did take much to convince Jǐngyán of being a help. Besides, she had just received reward for another bounty capture, meaning she was not in dire need of anything at the moment. She agreed to ensure their safe passage into the next major city with nothing offered in exchange.
As expected, a thunder rumbled overhead and rain began to fall. The sudden torrent might have masked any major movements, until a scream from within! Without hesitation, Jǐngyán tore the door open to meet several masked perpetrators. “Yīngxióng, jiùmìng a!”
Blade remaining sheathed, she defended both of those charging toward her. As their own weapons crossed with hers, she crouched and swiftly swept their legs, delivering a final blow to the sides of either opponent's head. It was to her satisfaction when the two clutched themselves, pained by the ringing she had provoked in their ears. But it was not enough to take them out entirely.
As they shook off her defensive measures, Jǐngyán found yet another window to use her lower vantage point. This time with her sword drawn, she collided her sheath with their offensive slashing attempts. Her sword below that, was pointed in the gap between her two rivals, cutting at their legs—if there was anything to be said of her fighting style, it was that she had done so gently—more than once to definitively cripple them in battle. As they fell to the floor, the woman took to delivering powerful punts to both of their chests and receded toward the uneasy couple. “These don't seem like the same caliber of men a mere loan shark would hire,” she huffed back at them, already out of breath from all her movement. “Who's really after you?”
Her eyes lifted to the third, whom she could only assume to be of greater skill. It was always the case that these sort of fights came in waves. Though she held suspicion now —far too late, she thought—she was determined to uphold her promise of protection. “Who are you?” she pointed the tip of her sword defiantly at the third.
𝗖𝗟𝗢𝗦𝗘𝗗 ／ 送至 ．．． @yiyiren ⸻ Xiè Zhìwěi
