Never Die (The Mortal Techniques)

by Rob J. Hayes

There were monsters in the world, Cho knew that well enough, but none were nearly so monstrous as man.

Justice of the sword is just murder by another name."

"The thing about this world, the way to survive, is you either become the worst monster you can be, or you find someone else willing to be an even worse monster and make yourself useful.

"It takes a lifetime of evil to be a villain, and only one moment of good to be a hero."

A serving woman stopped by the table and plucked the fallen cup from the floor. She gave Zhihao a hard stare. He just smiled back and pushed the plate of food off the table.

"One can either let their losses define them, or define those losses by what is left to them."

"If you touch my wine, Green Breeze, I will snap your arms just like the bamboo." Zhihao held Chen's gaze, reached out a single arm, and poked the keg of wine.

"Subtlety is for small people. Do I look small to you, small person?"

She taught to me think three different ways at once. The past, for it is important to remember what has come before in order to see what may come again. The present, because one cannot make plans without first knowing what resources one has available. And the future, to know what one's opponent must do and when, and to position oneself to counter their every move.