In ancient times, a man named Pankaj brought a guard with him to fight on behalf of his master, the warrior changpan, who had been banished from the Ming family. The man, who is also known as the "shabby shadow guard," is overjoyed to see his master's new son, the Ming's second-in-command, fighting. He is also pleased to see that the new master is a "pretty boy" , and that he has been treated like a "hero" by his master . He wishes that he had been able to defeat the Ming at the beginning of the story, but he is too weak to do so now. He says that if he had met the Ming earlier, he would not have suffered the way he has. He feels that this is an "eternal farewell" to his master.