The Analects of the Fist: Sword at My Side, I Teach with Virtue

The Empress asked the Sage, "What is benevolence?"

The Sage replied, "Benevolence means splitting a person in two."

"How do you split them in two?"

"The dead are like torn cloth, so naturally, you tear them apart."

"How terrifyingly torn. After you're done tearing them apart, what do you do with the corpse?"

"The wise delight in water, the benevolent in mountains. Naturally, you toss it into the mountains to feed the *s."

The Empress: "..."

"What is virtue?"

The Sage drew his sword. "This sword is virtue."

"How can a mere ceremonial sword embody virtue?"

"If a ceremonial sword stays sheathed, it represents courtesy. If it is drawn, it represents truth."

"What is truth?"

The Sage transformed his sword into a huge cylindrical object.

"This thing is called Dongfeng. Wherever it goes, truth follows."

This novel and its characters are entirely fictional. Any resemblance to actual people or events is purely coincidental. Do not imitate.