You are welcome, Skywalker. Here is the end of Chapter 28. Four more to go ...
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The old man had exceptionally keen eyes, when Zhuo Yihang was peeking out, his hand pushed the wild reeds aside and created a slight rustling noise, he immediately found out. “Who’s there!” he shouted.
The four men spread out in formation as if they were facing a powerful enemy. Zhuo Yihang knew he could not hide any longer, boldly he stepped out and cupped his fist as he said, “Are you all going up the southern peak?”
Seeing it was not the White Hair Demoness, the four men relaxed. “Who are you?” they asked, “Snowy ground, cold air, you are climbing the southern peak alone, what are you doing here?”
Zhuo Yihang was contemplating whether he should tell them the truth. The Lama in scarlet clothes suddenly said, “No need to ask, he must be climbing the southern peak to find White Hair Demoness. Are you not?”
“What if I am?” Zhuo Yihang said.
“Are you looking for her for revenge?” the Lama in red asked.
Hearing this, Zhuo Yihang knew that these four men were Yu Luocha’s enemies, anger rose up in his heart; with a cold laugh he said, “Even if there were ten more men like me, I still won’t dare to seek her for revenge.”
The old man’s countenance changed, “Who are you?” he asked harshly.
Sticking out his chest Zhuo Yihang said, “Wudang Pai’s disciple, Zhou Yihang.”
The old man laughed aloud. “Turns out it is the Wudang Pai’s Sect Leader,” he said, “A nice position you don’t want, but you come here to look for a demoness, humph, humph! I want to teach you a lesson!” He pulled a flexible whip from his waist and lashed it out, ‘shua, shua!’ Deftly his hand shook the whip, it moved like a flying snake to wrap around Zhuo Yihang’s waist!
These four men were Master Changqin, Huo Yuanzhong, Priest Zhuo, and the Black Head Elder of Tian Long Pai[17] from Tibet. After suffering a crushing defeat under White Hair Demoness’s hands, Master Changqin invited his good friend, the Black Head Elder, to come along and help him. As for Huo Yuanzhong and Priest Zhuo, they were old enemies of the Red Flower Demon Matriarch. After their attempt at seeking revenge at Red Flower Demon Matriarch was foiled by Tie Feilong and Yu Luocha[18], they returned to Tibet to live in seclusion, where they made their acquaintance with Black Head Elder, and thus they were also invited to come along.
Huo Yuanzhong was of the same generation as Priest Purple Sun, he had even seen Priest Purple Sun face to face several decades ago. Zhuo Yihang was the current Wudang Pai’s Sect Leader, everybody in the Wulin world knew about it. When discussing martial art during their meeting in the past, Huo Yuanzhong was also offended by Priest Yellow Leaf and Priest White Stone. And now that he saw not only Zhuo Yihang was alone, he was also looking for White Hair Demoness, being a petty character, Huo Yuanzhong wanted to impose his seniority on him and drive Zhuo Yihang down the mountain. Zhuo Yihang hated them because they were coming with enmity toward Yu Luocha; drawing his sword out, he did not wish to yield either.
Huo Yuanzhong swept his whip ferociously like an angry python on a rampage, with astonishing changes. Zhuo Yihang unleashed Wudang’s sword technique to its full potential, like a divine dragon coiling and twisting proudly; which attack was real and which one was fake was not easy to distinguish. Huo Yuanzhong was shocked, he had never expected that Wudang’s second generation disciple could be this formidable.
Seeing Huo Yuanzhong was unable to dominate Zhuo Yihang, Master Changqin was quite disappointed, he thought, “How come Huo Lao’er is this useless!”
Black Head Elder was hot tempered, “Since this kid is White Hair Demoness’ partner, why be polite with him?” Brandishing his staff, he charged forward.
Black Head Elder’s martial prowess was very profound, his staff carried strong gust of wind, ‘Whoosh! Whoosh!’ he successively forced Zhuo Yihang to draw back.
In this critical situation, suddenly a grim laugh was heard. “Who dares to hold a blade and toy with a staff in here?” a cold voice was heard.
Hearing this voice, Zhuo Yihang’s delight was unspeakable. “Lian Jiejie, Lian Jiejie!” he called. With eyes wide open he tried to look, and could not help but staring blankly in shock, for in front of him was unexpectedly an old lady with skin like chicken and hair like a crane. When Reverend Hui Ming told him about her the other day, he deliberately skipped the part where White Hair Demoness often wore a mask. Zhuo Yihang only called out once, and did not dare to call again. “Even if Lian Jiejie’s hair has turned white, she can’t be this old and ugly!” he mused.
"Who are you?" Master Changqin sternly asked.
White Hair Demoness did not speak a single word, her body flew in horizontal position like a strange bird to pounce on Black Head Elder, her sword moved in Upside-down Icicle stance, striking straight down from the air. Black Head Elder swayed his shoulder, his body spun half a revolution, his staff swept backward. 'Shua!' his shoulder was hit by the sword.
Hastily Master Changqin and Priest Zhuo drew their weapons and charged forward. White Hair Demoness laughed coldly and said, "Huo Yuanzhong, Priest Zhuo, the two of you do not want to accept your defeat and unexpectedly come here asking for death?"
At these words, Huo Yuanzhong called out, "This is the White Hair Demoness!"
Zhuo Yihang had also seen her swordsmanship, and his doubt was gone, she was indeed Yu Luocha. Before he opened his mouth, White Hair Demoness launched a series of attacks, all were killer moves to destroy these four men! Zhuo Yihang also heard her mentioning the two men's names, suddenly he recalled that one day his Shifu mentioned that he had some friendship with these two men. Thereupon he hastily said, "Lian Jiejie, please spare these two men!"
Ignoring his plea completely, White Hair Demoness launched a sword strike after another. Zhuo Yihang was quite embarrassed, without any other choice he launched an attack toward Master Changqin.
Amidst the fierce battle, suddenly he heard 'Aiyo!' cry twice, both Huo Yuanzhong and Priest Zhuo were hit by the sword. White Hair Demoness sternly said, "You haven't rolled down the mountain, are you waiting for me to add a couple of more scars on you?"
Huo Yuanzhong and Priest Zhuo had never expected White Hair Demoness' swordsmanship was a lot formidable than in the past; as they were hit by the sword, they were scared out of their wits. Hastily they jumped out of the battlefield, and with their hands covering their heads, they indeed rolled over the accumulation of snow on the hillside, and went straight down the mountain.
Zhuo Yihang was inwardly delighted, he thought, "She's still willing to listen to my advice."
Out of four enemies, two had left, only Black Head Elder and Master Changqin continued fighting, naturally their resistance was even weaker. About twenty, thirty stances later, suddenly Yu Luocha shouted, "Got you!" Her sword cut horizontally, as fast as lightning it severed Black Head Elder's head; blood gushed out, dying the snowy earth red.
Master Changqin gritted his teeth as he threw both cymbals, one toward Zhuo Yihang, the other toward White Hair Demoness. As soon as the cymbals left his hands, he also ran down the mountain. Zhuo Yihang knocked down the copper cymbal with his sword. White Hair Demoness let out a cold laugh, with the tip of her sword she lightly tapped the copper cymbal, sending it down the mountain. She shouted, "I don't have any use of your weapon, I am returning it to you!"
Because of its sharp edge, the copper cymbal produced a strange humming noise against the wind as it was flying down in a lightning-fast speed. Master Changqin was only halfway down the mountain when the copper cymbal arrived and cut him down into two sections; his body continued to roll down the icy hill!
Zhuo Yihang did not dare to look, he turned his head away, only to see White Hair Demoness' icy and wooden expression. Zhuo Yihang did not know she was wearing a mask, unconsciously a chill crept into his heart. Gathering his courage, he called out, "Lian Jiejie, Lian Jiejie!"
White Hair Demoness stared at him for an instant, suddenly she turned around and walked away. Zhuo Yihang ran closely after her, while calling out like mad, "Lian Jiejie, Lian Jiejie!"
Strictly speaking, White Hair Demoness' qinggong was several notches above his, therefore, if she really wanted to run away, there was no way Zhuo Yihang would be able to pursue her. However, it seemed as if she was deliberately slowing down her pace; she always maintained a distance of twenty, thirty steps ahead of him.
Finally they arrived at a mountain peak. She stopped suddenly and turned around and stared at him.
Such is: several meeting and parting past one's prime in life, the road is merciless although it is lined with passion.
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[17]Lit. Celestial Dragon Sect.
[18]See Chapter 25.