Clifftop Crisis and Transformation

A martial artist falls from a cliff to his death. A rival stands, triumphant above.
The beginning of an all too familiar story. Yet, in the time of recuperation and return, time passes and sometimes, the transformation that occurs is not the one you expect.
This is a 4,500-word short story set in the “A Thousand Li” universe featuring as yet to be seen characters in the universe. Does not need to be read to follow the main series.