[ McGillis utters a reassurance at the disciples as they walk off. The concern is amusing though not unwarranted on any level. He is a stranger, a giant man from a foreign land, and not a good person either. Not that these poor boys would know the latter.

He follows Huaisang outside and smiles a little at the set-up of the area. Something so peaceful and beautifully arranged is exactly how he imagined Huaisang's home to be - nothing like the forceful dynamics of the saber training he's just watched.

It turns out that what Huaisang wanted to tell him in private is very topical to that observation.

McGillis is quiet for a moment, though he does reach for his partner's hand. ]

I can understand that mindset. Taking an incredible risk for greater power... Adhering to your roots, taking pride in your humble beginnings and carrying forward from that base...

[ It's resonant, that's for sure. He trails off and shakes his head. ]

But that doesn't mean there can't be improvements. If you were one who cultivates with such a 'saber spirit', I know I would put everything behind making this a safer thing to do.

[ Even if a few people would have to be harmed in those experiments... ]

Your people should understand eventually that they can carry the legacy of their founder in other forms. Only going through the motions by carrying a saber was never enough to begin with.