This volume was written in agony, unlike the exhilarating rush of the first; these last ten days, in particular, were sheer torment!

Much of the material I had originally scheduled was cut, and several plot threads intended for Volume Three were eliminated entirely. Perhaps those who claimed they didn't want to read Volume Two will be quite pleased now.

In this book, so many things I intended to write simply never made it onto the page. The narrative kept lurching forward, and then, just these past few days, I suddenly realized I had nothing left to write about.

What I planned to convey remained unsaid; the areas meant for subtle foreshadowing were left bare. Several existing plot holes, due to the deletion of so much context, could no longer be explored, leading to the inevitable result—a complete collapse.

According to the earliest drafts, Zhang Sanfeng was intended to be the 'B-plot' focus for this volume, but... well, naturally, I have learned a great deal through the writing of Volume Two.

Saying all this now is useless, of course; consider everything above as nothing more than my personal venting. Regardless, the book must continue, and the story must be told.

In short, because so many foundational elements were left unlaid, Volume Three will be almost an entirely fresh start! I hope to transition into a new phase of creative energy myself, rather than carrying over the misery of these recent days—that is my small, personal aspiration. RA