When Kahn and the others reached the hideout, Iroh led the welcome, flanked by Zuko and an unfamiliar middle-aged man holding a longsword. It seemed Zuko had already escorted Ershu and her family there before their arrival.
"Well done, Kahn! Thank you for your hard work."
Iroh stepped forward and gave Kahn's shoulder a pleased pat. After a word of praise, he solemnly greeted the three masters:
"Master Bumi, Master Zhengzheng, Master Kupa, thank you for coming to help!"
Bumi chuckled.
"You could have saved your breath. We didn't come for your sake."
Kupa stroked his beard and nodded in agreement with Bumi, while Zhengzheng said gravely:
"Resisting the Fire Nation is the shared goal of the White Lotus Society and indeed everyone suffering its invasion. Even the slightest chance should be seized."
"Exactly. This is indeed a goal we all share."
At that moment, the unfamiliar man beside Iroh spoke, then smiled at Bumi and the other two.
"Master Bumi, Master Zhengzheng, Master Kupa, it truly has been a long time."
"Master Piandao." ×3
The three answered together. Meanwhile, Iroh smiled and introduced him to Kahn.
"This is Master Piandao, also one of the White Lotus Society's elders. As for the rest, I shouldn't need to say much, should I?"
Of course he did not. The moment Kahn heard that name, his spirits lifted.
Piandao was likewise a renowned legendary figure in the Fire Nation. Although he was not a Bender, his swordsmanship had reached a transcendent level, earning him the title of [Master] as well. He was known as the Swordsmanship Master.
Even more people preferred to call him the [Sword Saint].
As a child, Kahn had asked Iroh about Piandao, and Iroh had given him extremely high praise-
Within reach of his longsword, he had no equal.