Ji Jing fell silent.
"You go back and report," Ji Zhao said. "I'll continue the chase. They can't have gone far. I might be able to catch them by following their tracks."
"No!" Ji Jing refused firmly. "If it's really an Otherworlder, the two of us might not be a match for it. You alone..."
"That's exactly why I need you to go back and report," Ji Zhao said, his brow furrowed. His words were succinct. "No more nonsense. Go, quickly."
Ji Jing gave him a deep look. "You'd better not die here. The sword-maidens of the Penglai Sword Pavilion are still waiting for you to marry them."
"No matter what happens, don't look back. Just keep going," Ji Zhao suddenly instructed.
Ji Jing found his words strange. It wasn't until after she had departed and vanished completely from sight that Ji Zhao drew a long saber from his back and thrust it fiercely into the ground.
He said calmly, "I know you're still here. Come out."
No one responded.
Ji Zhao roared, "Come and fight!"
"HEE HEE HEE..."
