I had been back from Qishan for a few days, when Brother came to find me in the library, where I was studying some old music scores.

"Wangji" he said

"You haven't practiced with Bichen since your release. You must have lost some of your dexterity after years of meditation. Several disciples and elders have agreed to help you regain it. "He paused.

"As the heir to the clan, you must be at your best. I have scheduled a training session for you tomorrow morning at 8:00 a.m. Uncle will attend. "Even though his voice was soft and he spoke slowly, I could feel that it was an order from the Clan Chief. I nodded to him. He didn't expect any other answer than that.

Since I had come out, there had been rumors that I had taken a vow of silence during my retreat. I hadn't disabused them of that notion.

My days went on in the same way. In the morning, I would go about the business of the clan and in the afternoon, I would devote myself to the education of A-Yuan. In the evening, I returned to Jingshi. After a light meal, I sat in front of Wangji and played the few chords of my question to the spirits. For three years, none of them had ever answered me. So I always ended up playing this music...our music. The one I composed for you.

Then I would go to bed thinking about you. The more time passed, the more I had the impression that your face was losing its sharpness. The memory of your smile allowed me to make my memory work so as not to completely forget your features. I dreamed that you came back to me, that I could hear your voice again and reprimand you when you teased me. For a night, for a dream, my heart was happy. But in the morning, invariably there was only your absence.

For A-Yuan, I had no right to give up. If it wasn't for him, I would have long ago given up and gone to you. But he needed me...and I needed him.

The sun rose. After getting ready, I picked up Bichen and headed for the training ground. They were going to be surprised, I thought.

Brother and Uncle were there, as well as several elders and some of the older disciples. At a sign from my brother, we all got into position. We began the warm-up exercises. Then the weapon master formed the training pairs. I started slowly so as not to scare my partner. But soon he realized that he was no match for me. I eliminated each of the disciples one after the other. When would we get down to business?

One of the elders was finally chosen. The fight lasted only a few minutes. I eliminated him as easily as the disciples. The second one followed the same path as well as the third one. The astonishment was painted on the faces of Brother and Uncle. They had just realized that I had not lost any of my "dexterity" in combat... quite the contrary.

Uncle made a sign to attack me with several people. 1 against 10! It was not really fair! I made the decision to conjure up Wangji in a smooth and fluid movement of my arm.

Three years ago, no one but Wei Ying knew that I could use the "murder rope." During those years in the cold cave, I had perfected this art thanks to Lan Yi's Qin and his journal. Now I had mastered all the subtleties. I controlled its power and precision. You all think you know me? But you don't know anything about me and my 3 years of imprisonment. You don't know what I learned in that solitude.

The elders were surprised to see my Qin appear. I sounded a few chords and the wave of the "killing rope" propelled them all to the other end of the field. With one movement, I made Wangji disappear. While they were struggling to get up from the blow I had just dealt them, I turned to my brother and Uncle. I could see the astonishment on their faces but also ... the fear. Good, I think they understood my warning even without saying a word:

"Leave me alone, you are no match for me".

I bowed and left the training area to go to the library where I was working in the morning. A slight, barely perceptible smile stretched my lips.