Tu Gou weighed the dagger in his hand. A year ago, he wouldn't have paid much attention to changes in weapons. He could have adapted any of the martial arts he'd learned to a short blade without a second thought. Now, though, it felt awkward in his grip. He considered how to make up for its lost reach and how to catch his enemy off guard.
That was how he'd changed over the past year. Tu Gou had begun to imagine a living enemy standing before him at all times.
Nie Zeng personally set to work, dyeing Tu Gou's white hair black and carefully smoothing the wrinkles in his skin with makeup. The whole process took longer than usual.
Though he'd been prepared, Tu Gou still jumped when he picked up the bronze mirror and looked inside. "Th-this is really me?"
Nie Zeng grinned. "I didn't do a very good job. Tie Linglong is better at this."
Tu Gou lifted his left hand and lightly patted his face. The man in the mirror did exactly the same. "Ha! What do you think Old Man Mu would've said if he were still alive?"
"I don't know. He never held back."
"He'd say, 'Old dog, look at that makeup. You look even better than you did when you were young.' Or, 'Old dog, you look like a eunuch with a beard glued on.' Ha ha!"
"Sounds like something Old Man Mu would say." Nie Zeng's grin widened.
Tu Gou put down the bronze mirror and grew serious. "Nie Zeng, can I give you a word of advice?"
Nie Zeng was taken aback. He and Tu Gou weren't particularly close, and he'd never liked being lectured by his elders. Even when he'd come to Jade City to avenge his uncle's family, he hadn't