Far in the distance along the path Fujimaru Ritsuka and the others were traveling, a figure lying in wait and observing them quietly vanished.
After Fujimaru Ritsuka left, Xiang An found a patch of high ground. Looking at Zi Juan standing not far beside him, he let out a soft sigh and raised a hand to his face, removing the Great Majesty King Yama Mask. The Thousand-Pace Bow on his back and the Life-Slaughter Bronze Sword at his waist vanished as well. Only the Surging Wave Gallop horse and Yama's Great Pi remained at his side.
The remaining ghost soldiers and ghost general Zi Juan likewise disappeared as the Noble Phantasm was released, leaving Xiang An alone where he stood. He sat down upon a large rock.
Before leaving, Lawrence had given Xiang An another vial of gem potion. Xiang An had used the previous one on Zi Juan.
Xiang An held the gem potion in his palm, his rough thumb slowly rubbing against the ornate bottle as though he were lost in thought.
"I could have given you something better, Xiao Si." Xiang An gazed at the gem potion and slowly sighed.
The Noble Phantasm [King Yama's Death Judgment] was certainly powerful, but it was built almost entirely upon the pain Xiang An had suffered in life.
The four generals and three thousand soldiers had all been momentous events, yet they happened to be precisely the things that hurt Xiang An most.
If this Noble Phantasm could do no more than make Xiang An sigh, then so be it.
"So even the king of Northern Chu can brood over the passing seasons? From what I learned about you, I thought you were an unmatchedly imposing ruler."
After quite some time, a woman's voice came from behind Xiang An.
"Even