Chapter 20 A Blast From The Past
Zhu Lei'Er continued telling this tragedy:"All these years my mohther did her best in becoming a perfect wife and mother. Although her martial arts didn't decline but she didn't improve either."
Yu Peiyu sighed:"Not improving is the same as declining really, everyone else will continue their training and cultivation. Whereas you will remain stuck at the same level of all those years ago."
Zhu Lei'Er said:"At the most critical moment a figure dashed through the roof. The figure looked like a descending phoenix and in an instant this figure stood in front of my mother. Even I at that time knew that this person was superior to my mother."
Everyone thought:That must be Feng San.
Zhu Lei'Er said:"My mother was shocked to see a man suddenly standing in front of her. She raised her palm and attacked but that man casually diverted her palm."
She turned around and asked everyone:"Do you know who that figure was?"
Everyone nodded, because their suspicions were confirmed it was Feng San.
Zhu Lei'Er had a gentle smile on her face and said:"My third uncle
wore a white brocade that night. It made him look like an immortal descending from heaven."
Granny Hu said:"I have admired and heard of the he grace of Mr. Feng too for many years."
Zhu Lei'Er continued:"All those 20 odd experts were shocked, all of them thought they didn't have such martial arts as this man. Dongfang Daming was the first to ask [Who are you, sir?]."
Granny Hu said:"Dongfang Daming lived far away from the central plains. So he isn't really that afraid of Mr. Feng. But Heavenly King Li and my sister are familiar with the fame and abilities of Mr. Feng. They must have guessed who Mr. Feng really was, only the famous Feng San had such amazins skils."
Zhu Lei'Er said:"At that time my mother and carried me and quickly left the house and when she heard granny Hu call out my third uncle's name she stopped running. She went back to the house and knew third uncle could clear her name and help her."
Feng San sighed deeply:"But....I....wasn't......."
Zhu Lei'Er wept:"It isn't your fault third uncle."
Feng San said to her:"Carry on."
Zhu Lei'Er composed herself and said:"My third uncle explained what happened, about the letter the merchant, etc. He scolded Dongfang Meiyu fiercely and everyone remained silent."
Yu Peiyu sighed:"Even if they didn't believe the explanation they wouldn't dare to raise objections."
Zhu Lei'Er continued:"That Heavenly King Li was an arrogant and proud man and Dongfang Daming had heard of my third uncle's reputation a few times. Both of them thought that they had my third uncle outnumbered and shouldn't be afraid. They looked at each other and nodded. Both of them suddenly launched an attack on my uncle."
Granny Hu sighed:"Those two are really ignorant and stupid, haven't they heard of Under the entire sky only the phoenix in the southern provinces is mighty, when he cries heaven and earth will shake on its' foundations."
Yu Peiyu had never heard of this saying before and was wondering whether granny Hu was sucking up again. Nonetheless he was filled with admiration and respect to Feng San.
Zhu Lei'Er said:"I saw them attacking and saw that Heavenly King Li raised his heavy pagoda shaped mace and aimed for third uncle's head and that Dongfang Daming took out his pair of sun and moon wheels and attacked from the side. The powerful force released from the mace was very strong even I could feel it. And my mother and I were standing about 10 metres away from them. I was very afraid and started to cry again."
Everyone was very anxious now and Zhu Lei'Er said:"My uncle whistled very loudly it was not unpleasant. In fact it sounded very melodic."
Granny Hu said enthusiastically:"That is called The Whistle Of The Phoenix can be heard through a thousand miles. Its' Resonance Is As Clear As The White Clouds. When The Phoenix Is Heard, Demons And Goblins Will All Perish. A famous saying when Mr. Feng roamed the realm."
Zhu Lei'Er said:"My uncle quickly disarmed the Heavenly King Li, and struck him aside and easily bent his iron mace."
Everyone was most impressed by this ability, when they heard Zhu Lei'Er saying what Feng San did.
Zhu Lei'Er said:"When Dongfang Daming saw that my uncle disarmed and defeated Heavenly King Li with one stance he was afraid. He quickly retreated back and stood still. My uncle scoffed:[I will spare because of your daughter-in-law.] And he casually threw the mace through the window mace struck a tree down a tree metres away. At that point no one dare to attack anymore."
All of them felt relieved but wondered how Zhu Mei died in the end, and how was Feng San injured.
It was dusk now.
Yu Peiyu asked:"What lead to the terrible change of events, Miss Zhu?"
Zhu Lei'Er helped Feng San to a cup of tea first and said:"My mother thanked my uncle for his help and kowtowed to him. My uncle asked my mother how she wanted to punish Dongfang Meiyu."
Yu Peiyu sighed:"Lady Zhu still loved him, right? And didn't want to see Dongfang Meiyu hurt, did she?"
Zhu Lei'Er sadly nodded and said:"Women are always too sentimental for their own good."
Guo Pianxian smiled:"Some can be very ruthless, too ruthless."
Zhu Lei'Er looked pensive and continued sadly:"My mother cried sadly when she heard my uncle's question. My uncle asked her whether she wanted Dongfang Meiyu dead. My mother cried even harder and shook her head. My uncle asked her whether she wanted Dongfang Meiyu to leave now. But my mother shook her head again."
Yu Peiyu asked:"What did Lady Zhu want?"
Zhu Lei'Er said softly:"She....she.....she..."
Feng San said:"Rest now. I will finish the story."
Zhu Lei'Er wiped her tears and nodded.
Feng San said:"At that time I was very confused, suddenly that granny Hu asked if Zhu Mei wanted to reconcile with Dongfang Meiyu."
Yu Peiyu smiled sadly:"Only women will understand women."
Feng San said:"Before I could say anything else, granny Hu asked Zhu Mei again whether reconciliation is what she wanted. I was very angry and said that was impossible, Dongfang Meiyu couldn't be forgiven for his deeds. But Zhu Mei sobbed again and granny Hu turned to me and said:[Master Feng, you can see for yourself what Lady Zhu wants?] So I asked Zhu Mei again but she didn't say yes or no."
Silver Blossom said:"Silence gives consent."
Feng San said:"I was very confused but if that's what Zhu Mei wanted I couldn't object. But I did feel that Dongfang Meiyu got out of this too easy."
Yu Peiyu sighed deeply.
Feng San said:"All those people saw that I had no objections anymore were relieved. Dongfang Daming and Dongfang Meiyu both aplogized to Zhu Mei."
Yu Peiyu asked:"How did Dongfang Meiyu act?"
Feng San said:"He looked very remorseful of course, Zhu Mei was still looking a bit angry in the beginning, but after awhile the anger was gone too. Granny Hu was mediating between them. Granny Hu also came up with another idea."
Yu Peiyu frowned and asked:"What kind of idea?"
Feng San said:"Granny Hu felt that Zhu Mei and Dongfang Meiyu should have a proper wedding ceremony. Before they got married without consent from Dongfang Daming. Now they could officially get married and those experts and I would be the guests."
Granny Hu laughed:"That is a good idea."
Feng San said coldly:"I thought the same thing, we organised the ceremony in this house and were about to toast the newly-weds."
Yu Peiyu exclaimed with surprise:"A toast?"
Feng San nodded and said:"A toast."
Yu Peiyu said calmly:"There was something wrong with the wine, wasn't there?"
Feng San sighed:"Even a young man has such insight. I was too negligent and stupid."
Yu Peiyu thought:Master Feng was very confident about his own martial arts and thought no one could or dared to use this kind of trick on him.
Of course he didn't say that, but Feng San said:"You must think that I was too confident about my martial arts and didn't anticipate a trap. But you weren't there at the time, everyone was happy and glad. You wouldn't have suspected a thing."
Yu Peiyu said:"But if they were planning something against you, they will conceal their true faces and intentions."
Feng San remained silent. Yu Peiyu has become more vigilant and cautious over these few months. His mystious adversary is a very intelligent fiend so in these few months he learnt to become extra careful.
Feng San on the other hand relied on his practically invincible martial arts to roam the realm. He had never suffered a terrible defeat before and was therefore too confident and not as cautious as Yu Peiyu.
Zhu Lei'Er said:"There were several reasons, my uncle knew that these people were famous orthodox martial arts experts and wouldn't resort to low tricks like using poison."
Yu Peiyu sighed:"If those so-called orthodox martial arts experts resorted to evil trickery. They are more vicious and dangerous than any heretic experts."
Zhu Lei'Er remained silent for a moment and said:"Secondly, with my third uncle's internal energy he isn't afraid of poisonous wine. Furtheremore everyone drank from the same bottles."
Guo Pianxian looked at granny Hu and said:"Normal poison wouldn't harm master Feng, but granny Hu is one of the top venom users in the realm. Even master Feng might not be able to withstand that type of poison."
Zhu Lei'Er said:"Afterwards my third uncle knew that they didn't put venom in the wine, but smeared a thin layer of poison on the inside of the cups of my uncle and mother."
Yu Peiyu asked:"But when wine and poison are mixed together. The flavour tastes differently, didn't master Feng noticed something strange about it?"
Guo Pianxian asked:"Didn't Lady Zhu notice something odd about the wine? Lady Zhu is also an expert in using poison."
Zhu Lei'Er sighed:"Because the wine was cold and when the wine was poured into the first cup everyone toasted. So there was only a small portion that mixed with the wine."
Guo Pianxian said:"But..."
Zhu Lei'Er continued:"Afterwards the poison and the wine intermingled faster and faster. My third uncle and mother had finished several cups and they're a bit slow and woozy. At that time my mother was very happy and didn't suspect that they had poisoned her and third uncle."
Guo Pianxian sighed:"Granny Hu is really the matriarch of using poison."
Yu Peiyu who stood very close to granny Hu, made sure he stood very far away from her. His resentment and antipathy grew for this granny Hu. Zhong Jing didn't look at her anymore.
Zhu Lei'Er said:"After a few more cups, my mother walked to my third uncle and respectfully kowtowed to him and thanked him for his help."
Feng San sighed:"Although I felt it was a bit strange but I didn't really pay any more attention to it. Zhu Mei walked to Dongfang Meiyu and took him by the hand and walked over to me and said: [Thank you everyone for being our guests. No matter what I'm most grateful.] Dongfang Meiyu smiled:[I too am most grateful.] Zhu Mei said:[It is said that husband and wife will stay together no matter what. Through and life and death, do you agree?]
I thought it was not very appropriate to say such unauspicious words. Dongfang Meiyu smiled:[You shouldn't say such words on a happy occasion.]
Zhu Mei smiled:[I just asked you whether you agree or not?]
Dongfang Meiyu was a bit taken by her strange words but managed to smile:[Of course I'm willing.]
After he finished Zhu Mei grabbed his hands and flung him heavily on the ground and breaking his arms.
Everyone was surprised and shocked to see this."
Yu Peiyu said sadly:"Lady Zhu must already know the poison had already entered her body. And couldn't be saved anymore. So she thanked master Feng for his help, didn't she?"
Silver Blossom sighed:"She planned to die and kill that heartless man first."
Feng San sighed:"At that time I didn't know what was going on and asked her what she was doing. Dongfang Daming and others were about to attack her. Zhu Mei picked Dongfang Meiyu up and took him by the neck and shouted:[Don't come closer! Or else I will kill him!] Dongfang Daming and his men backed away. Zhu Mei told me that she was severly poisoned and was beyond help. She asked me to take care of Lei'Er.
I secretly took a deep breath and found out I was poisoned too. The venom travelled very slow but when I took a deep breath it travelled very fast. My hands suddenly turned purple. Zhu Mei saw that I was poisoned too and my condition was even more serious than hers."
Everybody was very anxious, Zhu Lei'Er continued:"I sat there on a chair at that time eating a some pastry my mother made. But when I saw what happened I dropped the pastry.
My third uncle whistled loudly, granny Hu's face changed and said:[This poison was compounded by lord Dongfang. He used 81 different kinds of poison to compound this poison, if you use force you will only die quicker.]
She quickly backed away from my third uncle."
Yu Peiyu said with surprise:"How come Dongfang Daming compounded this poison?"
Guo Pianxian smiled:"Granny Hu was afraid of master Feng that's why she tried to put the blame on Dongfang Daming."
Yu Peiyu sighed:"What an evil woman!"
Zhu Lei'Er continued:"She still underestimated my third uncle, my uncle used his powerful internal energy to surpress the poison and stormed towards Dongfang Daming. My mother quickly shouted:[It isn't Dongfang Daming but granny Hu, seize her and there might be an antidote.]
At that time Dongfang Daming and my third uncle had already exchanged three palms. As result Dongfang Daming's arms were broken and suffered a heavy blow on his chest. He fell down and vomitted blood. The famous Dongfang Daming of the Sun and Moon island coudn't withstand three stances of my third uncle. The other experts wanted to run away as quickly as possible, they feared the wrath of my uncle.
But third uncle was furious and didn't give them the opportunity to escape and I could hear a series of screams and breaking of weapons. More than 20 martial arts experts were killed in matter of moments, and their blood splattered across this entire room."
Yu Peiyu asked:"What about granny Hu?"
Zhu Lei'Er said:"She was still alive, my uncle only broke her legs and forced her to give the antidote."
Guo Pianxian said:"I'm afraid she doesn't have an antidote either. The venom she created was compounded from 81 different kinds of poison."
Zhu Lei'Er said:"That's what my mother said to at that time, my mother asked her what the names were of those 81 kinds of poison she used. If we knew the names we could analyze it and compound our own antidote."
Guo Pianxian nodded and said:"Of course."
Yu Peiyu asked:"But....but didn't she reveal it?"
Zhu Lei'Er said:"The old crone feared for her life and quickly started to tell us what type of venoms she used, but after only revealing two, someone shot a needle in her back. She was dead and we could hear Dongfang Daming laughing:[Although I cannot live anymore, Feng San! But you won't live any longer either! No one can save you now!]
Because he had strong internal strength he wasn't killed instantly when he received that blow from my uncle. And he saw an opportunity to kill granny Hu with his dying breath and prevented us to know the compound of the poison."
After she reached this point she remained silent again, this was what really happened, a true tragedy. Everyone felt sad and melancholic. They didn't know what to say and stayed quiet too.
After a long time granny Hu sighed:"I was wrong. I am so wrong...."
She got up and bowed to Feng San and said:"Master Feng, my sister wasn't killed by you. Futhermore.....futhermore she was responsible for your current illness, even if you did kill her I wouldn't resent you."
Everyone was surprised that she was able to speak such reasonable words.
Feng San said calmly:"Those who deserved to die are dead. Let bygones be bygones. You can go now."
Granny Hu said:"Thank you, master Feng. But Dongfang Daming was wrong too. He thought that no one in this world can provide an antidote for you. But he forgot about me."
Zhu Lei'Er happily said:"Of course, she must have an antidote for the poison her sister compounded."
Granny Hu smiled:"Miss Zhu, you're only right about one part, the poison was compounded by me. That's why my sister didn't have an antidote."
Everyone was glad to hear this good news, Zhu Lei'Er happily asked:"Do you have the antidote with you now?"
Granny Hu took out a small bottle out of her robe and said:"Here it is."
This was too sudden, Zhu Lei'Er looked at that little bottle and trembled.
Granny Hu sighed:"Originally I did not want to give you the antidote. But the grandeur and chivalry of master Feng has impressed a lot. I think it unfair if a great man like master Feng should suffer any longer."
Zhu Lei'Er said with a shaky voice:"I never thought you would have a conscience."
She took the little bottle and held it tightly. She was afraid someone would steal it away.
She said happily:"Third uncle, you....we....are saved. It is like we're waking up from a nightmare. Our nightmare is over."
Even Feng San was getting emotional too, there was finally hope of getting recovered. He didn't know what to say.
Zhu Lei'Er shed tears of happiness and Feng San gently touched her hair. He wanted to say something but didn't know what.
Granny Hu seemed to be touched too and said softly:"It pays to do good in life."
She wanted to turn around and walk downstairs. Yu Peiyu blocked her way and asked:"Is that really the antidote?"
Granny Hu smiled:"Young man, you're too paranoid. Have you met too many evil, treacherous men these days? Do I look like someone who wants to harm Feng San?"
Yu Peiyu said calmly:"I did meet too many evil and treacherous men and women recently. I even know that good man like master Feng could be injured too by evil tricks."
Guo Pianxian said:"Futhermore master Feng absorbed a large part of your internal energy. Why do you want to save him? I'm suspicious about your motives too."
Guo Pianxian suspected granny Hu's motives from the start she told them she had the antidote. But he didn't say anything, because it was not his concern. But seeing Yu Peiyu speak up his mind he thought he might as well do a good deed too.
Zhu Lei'Er was hesistating too and looked at granny Hu and asked:"Tell me! Is...is this really the antidote?"
Granny Hu sighed:"Miss, if you don't believe me give me back the bottle."
Zhu Lei'Er sternly said:"Not that easy! If this isn't the antidote I will kill you."
Granny Hu smiled wryly:"What does it take to convince you?"
Zhu Lei'Er said:"You will test the antidote first."
Yu Peiyu thought that granny Hu will eventually die at her own hands, but suddenly Guo Pianxian said:"If she had taken an antidote first, and when the pills in the bottle are really poisonous she won't be harmed."
Granny Hu sighed:"Nothing I do will please you. But fortunately I have a way to test the pills."
Zhu Lei'Er asked:"What kind of way?"
Granny Hu took out a little red box out of her robe and said:"In here was the poison my sister used to poison master Feng."
She took a small paper package out of the box in it was a red powdery substance. She put the substance in her mouth and swallowed it. Everyone was shocked, granny Hu said to Zhu Lei'Er:"If I'm not mistaken you're an expert in using poison too. I see it in your eyes."
Zhu Lei'Er grunted but praised this old woman in her heart for her sharp eyes.
Granny Hu asked:"Miss, you seem to be resilient to poison. May I ask how this is possible?"
Zhu Lei'Er thought for a moment and answered:"You're right. Because I had to find out what kind of poison was used on my uncle. So I sampled every type of known venom in the world and analysed its' features and symptoms. And tried to analyse and compound an antidote."
Granny Hu smiled:"If you don't overtake the amount, nothing will happen. And your body will slowly become immune to that type of poison."
Granny Hu sighed:"But not many people in the world have that kind of bravery and tenacity. Miss Zhu, you earn my respects."
Zhu Lei'Er didn't only earn the respects of granny Hu, even Yu Peiyu, Guo Pianxian, Zhong Jing and Silver Blossom respected the courage and tenacity of this young girl.
Zhu Lei'Er said casually:"There is nothing special to it. Most venoms are very sweet in fact."
Granny Hu laughed:"The most lethal venom is sweet and the best medicine tastes bitter."
Zhu Lei'Er said:"Exactly."
Granny Hu said:"In my opinion the venoms you have sampled are not very rare. I can guarantee you that you are not immune to the poison I have found or compounded."
Zhu Lei'Er looked at her and was shocked, and everyone followed her look. They saw that granny Hu's face turned purple. She looked very frightening.
Granny Hu said:"Miss Zhu, you can see whether my symptoms and features coincide with those of master Feng now."
She started to shake and she couldn't speak clearly now, the poison was beginning to take effect.
Zhu Lei'Er said:"It is similar."
Feng San said:"Take the antidote, the poison is starting to take effect now."
Granny Hu took a pill from the bottle she gave to Zhu Lei'Er. The smell was awfull everyone could smell the foul air of it.
Granny Hu smiled:"I told you that the best medicine is sometimes very bitter."
Zhong Jing sighed:"I'm beginning to believe that now."
Granny Hu laughed:"Remember little girl! The sweet words of a man can be more dangerous than any venom in this world."
Zhong Jing casually looked at Guo Pianxian. After some time granny Hu's face turned back to normal. She asked:"Do you believe me now?"
Zhu Lei'Er lowered her head and said:"Please forgive for not believing you earlier, Madame Hu."
Zhu Lei'Er didn't suspect her anymore and took the antidote to Feng San. She felt a bit embarrassed for accusing her.
Granny Hu looked at Yu Peiyu and Guo Pianxian and asked:"May I go now?"
Yu Peiyu had still some doubts but the truth was that she gave the antidote. But he still felt something was amiss and couldn't really put his finger on it. Nonetheless he said:"Please forgive me for being rude."
Granny Hu smiled and stared at Guo Pianxian. Guo Pianxian regretted for creating doubt and hoped she wouldn't resent him.
He smiled with difficulty:"Please forgive, Madame Hu. I....I...."
Granny Hu interrupted:"Don't be afraid! I won't blame you, I even admire your abilities. If you have the time, come and visit me some day."
She turned to Zhong Jing and said:"You won't be jealous of an old woman, will you?"
Guo Pianxian didn't know what to say and granny Hu had left the house.
Feng San had taken the antidote and Zhu Lei'Er kept asking what Yu Peiyu saw earlier when he delivered the message. She sounded very happy and sweet.
Yu Peiyu told them what he saw and did.
Feng San sat cross-legged and frowned:"It is master Nu they have asked. I heard that his internal energy is quite powerful, what do you think?"
Yu Peiyu sighed:"No question about it he is very powerful."
Zhu Lei'Er said happily:"No matter in a short while third uncle will be allright again. He will easily defeat them all."
Yu Peiyu was silent for a moment and said:"Master Feng, although you're a very chivalrous hero but they have their rights of being here."
Zhu Lei'Er asked:"What rights do they have?"
Yu Peiyu said seriously:"It's about what Miss Zhu did here....."
Zhu Lei'Er leapt up and shouted:"They told you I'm responsible for those missing men, didn't they?"
Yu Peiyu said:"That is what they told me."
Zhu Lei'Er scoffed:"Did they also tell you why those men entered our house?"
Yu Peiyu said:"No, they didn't."
Zhu Lei'Er said:"Some of those men came here because they wanted to .....bully me. And the others came here planning to rob us. They had evil intentions first and came to us. I think you wouldn't let those rogues go if you saw them."
Yu Peiyu smiled wryly:"Miss, you could be right. But still....."
Zhu Lei'Er said:"My uncle is ill because he tried to save people. I don't see anything wrong with absorbing the internal energies of rogues anyway."
Yu Peiyu didn't know what to say and in the end he sighed deeply:"It seems nothing in this world is that black and white."
Zhu Lei'Er said:"There is one disadvantage of absorbed energy, if disperses quicker the normal accumulated energy."
Guo Pianxian asked:"But if master Feng can force out the poison out of his body with internal power. Why all those strange creatures under his blanket?"
Zhu Lei'Er explained:"When my uncle uses his internal strength to force out the venomous cold qi out of his body, his pores will have the chance to breathe again. But by doing so the pores will breathe in the cold venomous qi again. After many months he finally discovered what went wrong. So he decided to use those venomous creatures to immediately absorb his cold qi, when his body rejects the cold qi."
Everyone was amazed about such a method.
Yu Peiyu said:"So both of you stayed here because it was not convenient for master Feng to travel anymore."
Zhu Lei'Er said:"When my uncle killed Dongfang Daming and his entourage, he was too weak to do anything else anymore. If my uncle didn't have those Bone Deliquesent pellets we wouldn't know what to do with all those corpses."
Guo Pianxian asked:"Did you use the Bone Deliquesent pellets on those missing men too?"
Zhu Lei'Er sneered:"Actually those men were unworthy of those precious pellets. It was such a waste to use it on them. You should know that the Bone Deliquesent pellets are not easily made and it is an ancient formula that was written by a great master in medicine and poison."
Yu Peiyu sighed:"Now everything falls into place, all my queries are answered."
Zhong Jing yelled:"Look at master Feng! He is in pain!"
Feng San was breathing heavily and his body trembled. But he took the antidote already what is wrong.
Zhu Lei'Er wept:"Third uncle, can you hear me?"
Feng San closed his eyes and his teeth clattered.
Zhu Lei'Er yelled:"You saw it too. It was the antidote, wasn't it? What is going on here? .........Can someone explain to me what is going on here?"
Silver Blossom suddenly said with a smile:"I know what happened."
Zhu Lei'Er rushed over to her and asked:"You know what happened?"
Silver Blossom nodded.
Zhu Lei'Er asked:"How did granny Hu do it? Wasn't that the antidote in the bottle? Or were the poisonous pills and the antidote mixed in the same bottle? Or did she change the bottle when she gave it back to me? What was it?"
Silver Blossom said:"She gave you the antidote, she wouldn't dream of tricking you in front of so many people."
Zhu Lei'Er said anxiously:"Well, what is it?"
Silver Blossom sighed:"Using so many different types of venom to compound a new poison is not easy. The features and effects of every type of venom are different from each other. Blindly mixing venoms could result that the new poison may not be lethal at all. For instance mixing the colours yellow, orange, red, green, black, blue and purple you'll get white."
Guo Pianxian sighed:"Compounding new poisons isn't easy at all, that's why granny Hu is the leading expert on this field."
Silver Blossom continued:"If you're to compound a new poison consisting numerous venoms, you've to analyse very carefully how much of each you use. Because creating an antidote often relies on the percentage of ingredients you've used. After all these years master Feng has disturbed the amount of poison in his body, some of it has been forced out of his body via his internal energy. That's why the antidote of granny Hu is useless now, instead detoxifying the antidote has upset the forcibly set balance by master Feng. This is also the devious part of granny Hu."
Zhu Lei'Er grabbed her hand and said:"Why didn't you say something before?"
Silver Blossom smiled lightly:"Would you tell, if you were me."
Zhu Lei'Er didn't know what do about her, Silver Blossom said:"Besides I could have thought about that just a moment ago."
Everyone thought about what Silver Blossom said and thought she was right. They all resented granny Hu for her evil tricks.
Feng San was sweating heavily and the poison which he forcibly surpressed all these years ago has come free.
Zhu Lei'Er was crying, Zhong Jing consoled:"Don't worry. Master Feng used his internal energy once to surpress the poison, he can do it again."
Zhu Lei'Er sobbed:"You're right, but my uncle's internal strength isn't what is used to be."
Silver Blossom said casually:"Furthermore our enemies are about to arrive."
Although it seemed that Silver Blossom was concerned about Feng San, but everyone could hear her tone was filled with pleasure about the miserable situation of Feng San.
Zhu Lei'Er angrilly said:"Why are you so happy? Don't forget if we're to die you will go with us."
Silver Blossom said coldly:"I don't care. Besides I have lost my martial arts anyway. I'm practically an invalid."
Everyone was very anxious at this time.
Guo Pianxian wasn't concerned about the health of Feng San, but Feng San was his backer now. If Feng San dies Guo Pianxian is also done for.
There are another four hours left now.
Yu Peiyu jumed and loudly said:"Miss Zhu, take care of Master Feng and get out of this town now.....Everyone else should go too."
Zhu Lei'Er said:"What about you?"
Yu Peiyu said:"It is obvious that they have surrounded the town, but with the combined strength of Miss Zhu and Guo Pianxian, you're able to escape. However I fear you must hurry because if master Nu is alarmed.......I will....."
Zhu Lei'Er interrupted:"You're staying here to stall them?"
Yu Peiyu said:"Although I'm no match for all of them but I can buy you some time. By the time they've defeated me, you should be long gone. We have no other choice now, we can't just sit here and be killed. Furthermore they might not even kill me."
Zhu Lei'Er asked:"They're not after you? Why should you stay behind?"
Yu Peiyu said slowly:"Everyone is bound to defy death some time."
Silver Blossom scoffed:"I always thought you were a cautious man. But now you're about to commit one very stupid and rash move."
Yu Peiyu said slowly:"One is about to be rash and stupid once in his life."
Guo Pianxian smiled:"Every man has to do what he thinks is right! Brother Yu is truly a hero, we shouldn't discard his wishes."
Yu Peiyu said:"My mind is made up. You should go now!"
At this point Feng San opened his eyes and said loudly:"Do you think that I am a coward!"
Yu Peiyu sighed:"I didn't imply that."
Feng San said sternly:"Life and death are concepts which humans can hardly grasp and understand. But a true man never fears death."
Yu Peiyu lowered his head and said:"I know and understand."
Feng San said:"That's why you want to stay behind, isn't it?"
Yu Peiyu said:"Indeed."
Feng San angrilly said:"Allright! All of us will stay here and fight to our deaths. If we can manage to last for about an hour, we're very lucky."
Feng San asked Yu Peiyu:"Do you think we will lose?"
Yu Peiyu answered:"Master Feng is not able to fight at the moment, I think our chances of winning are very slim."
Feng San loudly said:"I'm not afraid to die, but I will not be humiliated by a group of rogues."
Zhu Lei'Er sobbed:"Third uncle, you cannot use your martial arts."
Feng San looked at Yu Peiyu and said:"I can absorb the energies of others, but I can also transfer my energy to someone else."
Zhu Lei'Er said:"But if you lend your internal strength to someone else how will you surpress the poison?"
Feng San shouted:"I rather die of the poison than being captured by those thugs."
Guo Pianxian and Silver Blossom regained hope again, but thought Feng San's internal energy wasn't that abundant anymore. Even if he lend his internal energy to one of them they wouldn't be able to defeat all those experts and especially an expert like master Nu."
Zhong Jing suddenly asked:"Master Feng, why can't you use that portion of internal strength you have to fight those aggressors?"
Feng San smiled wryly:"The energy left in my body is sufficient to surpress the poison in my body. It flows slowly like the water in a stream or brook. But when use it to engage in combat the power I have unleash is similar to the eruption of a volcano within three stances the poison will take effect and I will die. I cannot defeat those rogues within three stances."
Zhong Jing said:"I don't know if I can help out, master Feng."
Feng San praised her:"Although I took away your internal power. It's very good and admirable of you to offer your help. But you're to weak at the moment to receive my internal strength, the force might even kill you."
He looked at Yu Peiyu now.
Zhong Jing stuttered:"Young master Yu, won't you......"
Yu Peiyu sighed:"I want to help master Feng too, but I won't take advantage of the situation."
Zhong Jing loudly said:"But master Feng wants to give you his internal energy. It is not like you're stealing it away from him."
Yu Peiyu remained quiet for a moment and suddenly knelt down in front of Feng San and respectfully said:"Master Feng, would you accept me to be your disciple?"
Yu Peiyu is not only a very intelligent young man, but also very kind and considerate. If he became the pupil of Feng San, he can receive Feng San's internal power and fight on behalf of his teacher, Feng San. Furthermore he will protect the reputation of Feng San.
Feng San looked at him and said:"You're not willing to take advantage of the situation, but I'm not too keen on exploiting your kindness. Becoming my disciple....becoming my disciple....you're not doing this for yourself but doing this for me."
Yu Peiyu said:"But I..."
Feng San interrupted him:"If you would call me brother you'll make me most happy. Besides the relationship between two brothers is closer than of teacher and pupil. If I can see my brother fight on behalf of me I will die with no regrets."
At this point Zhu Lei'Er knelt down and called Yu Peiyu [uncle].
Yu Peiyu was very pleased when he heard Zhu Lei'Er call him uncle. Becoming the sworn brother of this magnificent hero is something to be proud of. But when he realised that the upcoming battle is going to be fierce and they're not permitted to lose, he felt worried again.
The weather changed, storm was approaching. The lights were out and Feng San sat on his bed with his eyes closed. He looked like he was dead.
Zhu Lei'Er was standing next to Feng San, she had a weird feeling that her time being together with her third uncle are soon to be gone.
Yu Peiyu sat too, he was slowly letting his body accept his new internal energy. A few hours ago he never thought he would have the chance of battling a martial arts expert like master Nu. Even if the chances of winning are slim, he is quite anxious and excited.
How many people in this world can fight master Nu?
The storm has come now, the wind was blong fiercely. Branches were broken, doors and windows banged.
Guo Pianxian said suddenly:"THEY ARE HERE........"
A group of men and women carrying lamps moved towards the house.
A gentle voice said:"This lowly Taoist, Shiyun of the Heavenly Excellence Temple on Mount Qingcheng is here to deliver a card and to pay my respects."
Zhu Lei'Er asked softly:"Who is this Shiyun?"
Yu Peiyu answered:"He is the disciple of master Nu."
Zhu Lei'Er said:"(*Humph) The door is open. You can come up."
They heard someone walking up the stairs judging by his steps his martial arts were very good. His pace was slow, revealing he was a gentle person, but his steps were stable revealing his footwork was excellent.
They saw a young Taoist looking very handsome and friendly. Everyone was surprised to see that a hot-tempered man like master Nu would have such a gentle and friendly pupil.
Shiyun stood there respectfully, Zhu Lei'Er coldly said:"We're over here, don't stand there like an idiot."
Shiyun didn't say anything back to her, he just glanced at her and lowered his head. He slowly and respectfully said:"Shiyun pays his respects to master Feng."
Feng San said:"No need to be courteous."
Shiyun held out a card and said:"The chancellor of Wulin, old master Yu and my teacher are outside. Would master Feng like to receive them?"
Zhu Lei'Er sneered:"If third uncle said no, they will barge in here anyway."
Shiyun said:"I am just here to deliver this card, I'm not aware of the other issues."
Zhu Lei'Er asked:"What do you know?"
Shiyun replied:"I do not know anything concerning this matter."
Zhu Lei'Er scoffed:"Is the pupil of master Nu a good-for-nothing?"
Shiyun smiled:"My teacher's only regret is not having a decent disicple."
Shiyun's answer was very good. He doesn't get angry at any situation.
Zhu Lei'Er was taken by surprise by the good temper of this young Taoist. Feng San sighed:"Master Nu is very fortunate of having a good disciple like you."
Shiyun bowed and said:"Thank you master Feng for your kind words. But I'm unworthy of them."
Feng San said:"Please inform your teacher and Yu Fanghe I await them here."
Shiyun's hands formed a palm and said:"I will inform them."
He slowly turned around and walked to the stairs again.
Zhu Lei'Er sneered:"They're here to kill people and why act all friendly and so. Makes me sick."
She said loud enough for Shiyun to hear, but he just ignored the remark and walk down the stairs.
Feng San said:"These people are leaders or experts of the orthodox schools, they have their manners and etiquette. If we want to be respected, we should learn to respect others."
Zhu Lei'Er didn't say anything but she was annoyed by Yu Fanghe and co.
And thought:They know we cannot leave, that's why the're pretending to be courteous. In other circumstances they would have stormed up here like a hungry pack of wolves.
The a group of people carrying lamps walked up the stairs. The first one was Yu Fanghe.
Although master Nu's fame and martial arts are superior to Yu Fanghe but he was still the chancellor of Wulin. So nobody could walk in front of him.
Yu Peiyu felt uncomfortable seeing this man. Yu Fanghe bowed to Feng San and said:"Yu Fanghe has admired the fame of master Feng. I'm very pleased to finally meet you, master Feng."
Feng San said calmly:"You're the present chancellor of Wulin?"
Yu Fanghe said:"Indeed."
Feng San looked at him for an instant and diverted his eyes again. He seemed to be disappointed in this chancellor of Wulin and said coldly:"Take a seat."
Everyone could smell a flowerly sweet fragrance, Guo Pianxian backed into a corner with Zhong Jing.
Yu Peiyu knew that Madame Hai Tang was here and was very anxious. He wondered if Lin Daiyu was here too.
He could only see that Madame Hai Tang looked very pretty and graceful.
She seemed to notice Yu Peiyu too and smiled. She turned to Feng San and said:"Jun Haitang (*) pays her respects to Mr. Feng."
Even women would stare or glance at this beautiful woman a bit longer, but Feng San just said coldly:"Very good! Have a seat."
A person just stood there, he wore rags and looked quite arrogant.
Feng San looked at him and said:"The leader of the Beggars Association?"
That man replied:"Yes, I am Hong Lianhua."
He walked over to a window-ledge and sat down. Yu Fanghe and Madame Hai Tang just stood there. In fact there weren't any chairs here upstairs.
Suddenly a short skinny Taoist walked up with big paces and looked at Feng San and said:"You're Feng San?"
Zhu Lei'Er interrupted:"You're master Nu?"
Master Nu angrilly said:"No little wretch can call my name that casually!"
Zhu Lei'Er said coldly:"My third uncle's name cannot be called out casually too. And certainly not by an annoying old Taoist."
There was fire in the eyes of master Nu and he yelled:"Shiyun! Come over here!"
Shiyun respectfully approached and asked:"Master, you summoned me."
Master Nu ordered:"This little wretch has a foul mouth, wash it for me!"
Shiyun said:"Yes, master."
But he didn't move. Master Nu yelled:"Why won't you do as I ordered!"
End of chapter 20