In Half Valley, Master Long Tooth has reached a dead end on his pursuit of his rival, Shikouju, and is in meditation, when he is disturbed by one of his students, Narduwal. Narduwal brings news from the Nagai Empire – namely, that the Emperor-Potentate has declared that there shall be a contest between the champions of all the recognized schools of the martial arts on Sinai, the winner being granted a boon by the Emperor-Potentate himself.

More of interest is that one of the schools "invited" to participate is the School of the Sable Palm … of which there is only one known member believed (recently) to still be alive: Shikouju. Master Long Tooth is interested in joining, so he may face off against his nemesis as part of this contest.

A garter Naga who claims to be Ryubushi (the same name as the champion of the last such contest) appears, challenging Master Long Tooth to do battle. Master Tooth sends Ryubushi smashing through the roof of Levitha's Blanket (Piksil's inn in Half Valley), and the fight continues. Master Long Tooth at last defeats Ryubushi by shoving him into a large tankard, and punching the tankard out the window, where the diminutive snake falls unconscious.

A disembodied voice declares Master Long Tooth the winner, but the shock is too much for him. He dies. (Or … does he?)