Kill! (4,000 words; please vote with monthly tickets)

On the outskirts of Fragrant Sea.

Inside an old-fashioned Japanese-style courtyard.

Three figures in kimonos sat cross-legged on the floor.

Sashimi and a steaming sukiyaki pot sat on the table.

One of the women was tall and shapely, with an impressive bust. Her hair was pinned in a mature updo, but storm clouds covered her pretty face. She was Chiba Xiao Feng, a favorite of Big Bi Zai.

"Congratulations on becoming a Great Warrior, Xiao Feng!"

The other two raised their cups with smiles.

Xiao Feng forced a smile. "Thank you."

"Still no word on who killed Xiao Tao?"

The man who spoke was built like a mountain, almost like a sumo wrestler. He picked up a slice of fish. He weighed at least four hundred pounds and wore his hair in a warrior's topknot. He was Miyamoto Xuanmao, a Great Warrior of the Miyamoto Lineage.

He was one of the four leading fighters of the Fragrant Sea Oniwaban Branch.

Xiao Feng held her cup as the phantom of an evil spirit surfaced in her eyes.

She said coldly:

"Every last one of them will be buried with Xiao Tao!"

Miyamoto Xuanmao said:

"I'm sure it was someone in the Top Ten of the Azure Rankings. Given how close the killer is to Su Cha, Wang Hezi is the likeliest suspect, though it could also be Li Xiuwen, whose reputation has been soaring lately! That boy seems invincible against anyone at his level. The organization has put him on its priority watch list, and the bounty on his head is substantial. Any of you want to make a move?"

The other woman, a mature, full-figured warrior who had been eating quietly beside them, said, "Yagyu's son died trying to hunt Li Xiuwen. Damn Ever Joy, using him as bait for