Li Shuwen - Old
Perseverance Will Prevail
Narration: It is inherently difficult for humans to prevail against evil. The notion that they could defeat a god is similarly dubious.
Narration: But when a human is summoned as a Servant, such lamentations should no longer be given voice.
Narration: In China, there are two expressions that convey this idea well: “Shéng jù mù duàn,” and “Shuǐ dī shí chuān.”
Narration: Roughly translated, they mean “Little strokes fell great oaks” and “Dripping water penetrates stone.”
Narration: Therein lies the essence of human progress.
Inshun: Interesting. So that is how the older and wiser Lord Shuwen sees things.
Inshun: You are quite a change of pace from your Lancer counterpart.
Li Shuwen: Did he do something to upset you? ...Aha, I see. You challenged my younger self to a duel.
Inshun: I did try to control myself, but I am afraid my excitement got the better of me while I was training.
Inshun: It seems I still have a long way to go.
Li Shuwen: I suppose it would be uncouth of me to apologize for instigating it then.
Li Shuwen: That said, Houzouin...
Li Shuwen: Surely a man with your spirit and virtue could have resisted the temptation.
Li Shuwen: Is that not what being a Servant entails?
Inshun: I am afraid it is not as easy as you might think.
Inshun: Although I lived to the age of sixty, and still retain memories–or rather, records of that time, I do not have any of the more temperate sensibilities I gained with age.
Inshun: I have no fondness for fighting to the death, but I do get a bit hotheaded from time to time.
Fujimaru 1: I'll say! You guys came dangerously close to killing each other, you know!
Inshun: Haha, I am sorry about that, Master. I knew I should stop, but I simply couldn't help myself.
Fujimaru 2: I'm just glad I stopped you guys in time. It wasn't easy...
Li Shuwen: Knowing what I was like in my youth, I'm sure this younger me must have caused a lot of trouble for you.
Inshun: Come to think of it, Lord Shuwen, have you not met your younger self yet?
Li Shuwen: No, I haven't. If I did, there's no doubt in my mind that we would end up killing each other.
Li Shuwen: I'm sure my younger self knows that as well as I do. That's why we've made it a point to never be in the same place.
Inshun: Why would you end up killing each other?
Inshun: Is it because he would not want to see what he is like when he is older?
Li Shuwen: Hardly. If anything, it's the other way around.
Li Shuwen: I've devoted my life to perfecting my martial arts. If I'd come across an older version of me when I was young, I'd want to fight him too.
Li Shuwen: I'm sure he sees me as either the culmination or the conclusion of everything he's worked towards.
Li Shuwen: And as a young man, he would have no reason not to see how he measures up to that as he is now.
Inshun: Indeed. I could not agree more.
Inshun: After all, it would be impossible for anyone besides a Servant to truly fight against oneself.
Inshun: And if that other self is a more mature version...
Inshun: ...the urge to resist seeing whether your current self is stronger than your future self would be irresistible.
Li Shuwen: Yes, precisely.
Fujimaru 1: But you're not going to fight each other?
Li Shuwen: I will if you ask us to, Master...but I know you never would.
Inshun: Very true. It would be one thing if you were on opposing sides, but in any other circumstance...
Inshun: Nonetheless, I would also be very interested to learn which of you is stronger!
Li Shuwen: Hm?
Li Shuwen: Isn't it obvious? It would be my Lancer self.
Fujimaru 2: So, which of you IS stronger?
Li Shuwen: My younger, Lancer self would say he is.
Li Shuwen: And I would agree with him.
Li Shuwen: ...That said...
Li Shuwen: ...I would still win.
Li Shuwen: And as long as I know that for certain, I personally have no desire to fight my younger self.
Li Shuwen: ...But, if you'd still like us to fight even knowing that, Master, I'd be happy to oblige.
Inshun: ...Oho. Now I see.
Fujimaru 1: Huh? I don't understand.
Li Shuwen: I mean that strength alone is not the sole factor in deciding the victor.
Li Shuwen: For me, it is not the pinnacle of strength that I seek.
Li Shuwen: ...It may sound like I'm just an old wolf that's lost his fangs, but this is a domain the Lancer can never reach. Kaka!
Li Shuwen: Though of course, if he has, that's all well and good too.
Li Shuwen: It would just mean my victory is even more assured.
Fujimaru 1: ???
Fujimaru 2: I'm still totally lost...
Li Shuwen: Heh...
Li Shuwen: Don't you worry about it, [♂ son /♀️ sport}. As a Master, you have your own path to focus on.
Li Shuwen: Hmm. But if that alone doesn't convince you, there's an old story I know that might change your mind.
Narration: ...A long, long time ago...
Narration: ...there was a man with fearsome good looks and two viciously powerful fists.
Narration: The man desired strength above all else, and fought anyone who would accept his challenge.
Narration: The man won each and every fight, as if that were the only natural outcome.
Narration: Whether it was through innate talent, or countless hours of diligent training...
Narration: ...the man kept winning so much that he came to be regarded as an invincible legend...
Narration: ...even as he left a trail of corpses in his wake.
Narration: Not even stray dogs liked him. And why would they?
Narration: The intense bloodlust he gave off frightened all living creatures who encountered him.
Narration: Although the man had a teacher, and peers he once studied alongside...
Narration: ...he always preferred solitude.
Man: The way I'm going, I'll surely end up dead in a gutter.
Narration:
The man figured this is what fate had in store for him, and accepted it.
Narration:
The life of violence he led could only ever result in his own destruction.
Narration:
One day, he would fall. But that day would not be today...
--BATTLE--:
Narration: ...Another day, another pile of corpses.
Man: Tch...
Narration:
That said, the man did not always finish his battles unharmed.
Narration:
Bruised, bloodied, a ferocious crimson tiger... Even the moon seemed to try to avoid shining its light upon him.
Narration: Naturally, there was no one around who would ever try to talk to hi–
Child:
Hey, what're you doing?
Man: Hm?
--ARROW--:
Child: Hey, what're you doing?
Man: Hm?
Child: Yikes, so many dead bodies. Did you kill them, mister?
Man: I would be lying if I said I didn't.
Man: I've resolved to kill no more than one person per day in duels, but this was nothing so honorable as that.
Child: Gotcha. Are you gonna kill me too?
Man: Of course not. You're hardly worth raising my fists over.
Child: Aww, you're no fun.
Narration:
The man frowned. He had no intention of preaching about morality...
Narration:
...but he still felt that was not something a child should say.
Man: Go away. This is no sight for children.
Child: What's the big deal? Besides, they killed my brother.
Man: ...I see. So they were bandits.
Child: Uh-huh.
Man: Then you should be satisfied now. Go home.
Child: But, there's still more of them.
Man: Oh?
Narration: According to the child...
Narration:
...these bandits had built a hideout nearby, and struck out from there, raiding nearby villages.
Narration:
And since this area was too remote for the authorities to help, there was nothing the villagers could do.
Narration:
He also told the man how his brother was killed for daring to fight back...
Narration:
...keeping his voice calm and measured all the while.
Man: I see.
Narration:
The man had no interest in fighting injustice.
Narration:
But he knew that if he did nothing, the child would soon end up following in his brother's footsteps.
Narration:
He could see the determination in the child's eyes, could see that he was willing to fight the bandits no matter what.
Narration:
The man had no obligation to help the child, and no quarrel with the bandits.
Narration: ...Still...
Man: ...Do you mean to go kill them yourself?
Narration:
The man then noticed the child was holding a small dagger close to his chest.
Child: Yeah, that's right. I've gotta avenge my brother.
Man: You won't survive.
Child: Fine by me.
Man: ...You're too young to decide the manner of your death.
Child: But if I don't do it, who will!?
Child: Somebody's gotta make them pay!
Man: Somebody, hm. So you don't care who that someone may be.
Man: If a perfect stranger can go in your place–if it is not necessary that they be desirous of revenge–then there is no reason that someone cannot be me.
Man: Give me that dagger. I'll bury it in their hearts myself.
Child: ...!
Narration:
The man continued, falteringly.
Man: The truth is that I have no reason to seek vengeance myself. That's why I go around searching for opportunities.
Man: It makes no difference to me if these bandits end up rich, or if a kid ends up throwing his life away.
Man: But, as luck would have it, our fates have intertwined today.
Man: I will honor that entangling and serve as a weapon in your stead. I'll be your spear, your fists.
Man: If you can swear to yourself that your anger and hatred are justified...
Man: ...then I will use these fists of mine to crush those bandits.
Child: ...You mean it?
Narration:
Crouching down, the man looked the child straight in the eye.
Narration:
The child then handed the man his dagger, tears spilling down his face.
Child: Please...avenge my brother.
Man: Very well. Your life is now in my hands.
Narration:
As the man walked towards the bandits' hideout, he let his fighting spirit grow hotter and hotter.
Narration:
Not even a starving tiger would dare attack him now.
Narration:
His bloodlust and delight in battle surged to their boiling points, and he made no effort to hide either.
Narration:
Even the sleeping birds were startled awake by his murderous aura.
C：Bandit: Hah? Why're the birds makin' so much noise this late at night?
Man: Hmm. Which of you will be the first to die? It makes no difference to me.
D：Bandit: Huh? Who the hell do you think you–
C：Bandit: A-aaaaaah!
Man: There is nothing to discuss. No need for words. Bring all your comrades here. Quickly.
C：Bandit: S-somebody help! Hurry!
E：Bandit: What's goin' on? The village hire some martial artist or something?
C：Bandit: What're you so afraid of? He's just one man!
Man: Now, now, go easy on him. He did well, at least for a bandit.
Man: I'm glad you're all here now. It would be much more trouble to track you all down myself.
Man: I've counted all of you. If the number of corpses fails to match that count when this is over, I'll know how many of you turned tail and ran.
Narration:
The man's words stoked the bandits' murderous rage further.
Narration:
But it was too late. The man knew that if they truly meant to kill him...
Narration:
...they should have attacked before surrounding him.
Man: None of you will leave here alive. Now fight me.
Narration:
The man smiled like a wolf baring its fangs.
--BATTLE--:
G：Bandit: He's...a monster...!
Narration:
The bandits' lifeless bodies were strewn across the ground, just as the man's own body was now bruised and battered.
Narration:
But that made little difference to either his feet or his fists.
Bandit Leader: A-aaaaaah! Please! Spare me!
Bandit Leader: I promise I'll do anything you want! I'll never kill again as long as I live!
Man: Too bad you didn't have your change of heart sooner. This is payback for all the villagers you and your men killed.
Narration:
Blood stained the blade a vivid red. The man continued on his spree, mercilessly felling bandits left and right.
Man: ...Guess I should go give the dagger back.
Man: But I'd better wash the blood off somewhere first...
Narration:
The man made his way down the gloomy mountain, back to the boy's village.
Narration: But...
Man: What the...
Narration: There was no one there to be found. Not even a sign that anyone had lived there recently.
Narration: It was clear to see that the area had been abandoned for years.
Man: ...I see. I knew retribution should be carried out swiftly...
Man: ...but I never considered that I'd missed the chance entirely. I truly am useless.
Narration:
Taking the dagger out from his shirt pocket, he found it had already half-crumbled to dust.
Man: ...I wonder whose vengeance I carried out.
Man: Whoever you are, I bet you would have liked to do it yourself.
Narration: ...And so, the man left the deserted village behind, with only the wind howling in his wake.
Li Shuwen: ...Strong as I was back then, I still couldn't make a difference.
Li Shuwen: It doesn't matter how strong you are, you still can't change the past.
Inshun: Hmm. Still, it sounds like there was nothing you could have done about that. Sometimes, people just die for no reason.
Inshun: In fact, neither life nor death carries any special meaning.
Inshun: Those villagers do deserve to be mourned, but to try to save all of them...
Li Shuwen: Kaka. I am well aware.
Li Shuwen: I am far from the Buddha. I've never thought to even try to save all lives in this world.
Li Shuwen: That said...
Li Shuwen: There are things I can teach, and lessons I can convey.
Li Shuwen: What I lacked back then was the composure to realize that.
Li Shuwen: I am neither a hero, nor a villain.
Li Shuwen: So I thought, at the very least, I should leave what I've learned behind for others to study.
Li Shuwen: Even I have something I want to protect. These fists can be quite useful at getting to the crux of certain matters.
Inshun: ...Still, Lord Shuwen, what you describe is nothing less than a break with your past self.
Inshun: Is there nothing about that you regret?
Li Shuwen: Regret? Of course.
Li Shuwen: Seeing myself grow weaker by the day... Seeing my fists grow dull and ineffective...
Li Shuwen: It would be stranger if I had no regrets at all.
Li Shuwen: But, all those regrets are gone, now that I'm here.
Inshun: ...Aha, I see. You make an excellent point!
Inshun: Late though it may be for me, perhaps that is what I should strive for too.
Li Shuwen: All right, I think that's enough idle talk for now. Shall we get going, Master?
Fujimaru 1: Sounds good!
Li Shuwen: Very well.
Inshun: Indeed! I'm glad we had this talk.
Inshun: Now I am more eager to wield my spear than ever!
Fujimaru 2: So you're all set then?
Li Shuwen: Of course. These fists are yours to command as you see fit.
Narration: ...His body grows weaker by the day, and with it, his fists grow duller.
Narration: One can easily imagine his younger self mocking him, saying something like...
Narration: “What were you doing with your life up till now, old man?”
Narration: But the old man would just laugh it off.
Narration: He knows now that his fists are no longer a weapon he wields solely for his own sake...
Narration: ...but one that cuts a path forward for those who follow behind...