Legend of the White Haired Maiden

[IcyFox]

Hey guys, we're now voting for our favourite novels over at the Wuxia Fiction forum!

Come on over and take part!

http://www.spcnet.tv/forums/showthread.php?t=28045


-

[foxs]

"A close call!" Yuan Chonghuan said in his heart, "Fortunately my position is so petty and low that I escaped Wei Zhongxian's attention. Otherwise, I am afraid even before this day he would have sent someone to kill me secretly."

Tie Feilong shot Chaketu another look. He asked, "How many times have you seen that castrated traitor?"

Chaketu looked startled. Yu Luocha said, "The castrated traitor is Wei Zhongxian. Don't you know it?"

"Twice," Chaketu replied, "The first time was to present the Great Khan's letter, the second time was to inquire Master Yuan's address."

"Did you see him during the day, or during the night?" Tie Feilong asked again.

"Both times were in the evening," Chaketu replied.

"When you saw the castrated traitor, were you near him?" Tie Feilong inquired further.

Chaketu replied, "He had me sit on the guest chair, it was neither far nor near."

"Approximately how far?" Tie Feilong asked.

"He sat on the head of the table, which is on the east, and I sat at the west end," Chaketu said, "The table was about a zhang[6] long."

"Are you telling me the truth?" Tie Feilong asked.

"Not even half a word of lies," Chaketu replied.

Yu Luocha laughed. "Very good," she said, "You have told us the truth then I will show you mercy."

The word 'thanks' had not even left Chaketu's mouth when Yu Luocha's palm struck sideways toward his forehead. Chaketu died instantly without uttering any noise! Yu Luocha said with a laugh, "Including him, the number of people I executed like that, quick and peaceful, is less than three. I would not have shown such mercy if I did not think he was telling the truth!"

Listening to her, Shi Hao trembled with fear, his face turned ashen! Yu Luocha said, "I'll even make his body disappear, so Master Yuan will not be implicated." Taking out a silver vial from her pocket, she sprinkled the contents onto Chaketu's body. In just a short moment the huge body turned into a pool of thick blood. Using her sword, Yu Luocha dug a hole on the ground and buried the blood.

She then turned to Shi Hao and said, "Now it's your turn. You must do whatever I want, if you dare to disobey even to half a word, let's see if your fate will not be worse than him."

With a shaking voice Shi Hao said, "I will follow Heroine's order."

"Father," Yu Luocha said, "Tell him what to do!"

"Take me to see Wei Zhongxian," Tie Feilong said.

Shi Hao was startled. Yu Luocha stared at him. Shi Hao hastily said, "I'll do it, I'll do it!"

"Master Yuan," Tie Feilong said, "You can't stay here anymore. Why don't you temporarily move to Prince Xin's Palace? Bai Guang'en's injury is not heavy, he can take you there." Taking Shi Hao along, he bade farewell and left with Yu Luocha.

Tie Feilong had noticed that his and Chaketu's built and appearance was somewhat similar, so he had an idea to assassinate Wei Zhongxian. That night Tie Feilong and Yu Luocha discussed their plan at the Chang'an Escort Agency. Yu Luocha was afraid he would not be able to do it alone. Tie Feilong said, "How can we catch tiger's cub if we do not enter tiger's den? I am not afraid Wei Zhongxian would see through my disguise. As long as he is willing to come out, without giving him the chance to see clearly, I will immediately strike him dead with my palm."

Yu Luocha was also a demoness who was afraid of neither Heaven nor Earth, she laughed and said, "In that case, I am also going to enter the palace. One enters openly, the other enters surreptitiously. As soon as you succeed, we will rush out the palace immediately!"

And thus under Yu Luocha and Tie Feilong's threats, Shi Hao did not have any choice but to comply. Sure enough, the next evening he took Tie Feilong to enter the palace quietly. Although Wei Zhongxian had established contact with the Manchus, other than several of his most trusted aides, he kept it a secret; therefore, he arranged the meeting with Manchurian messenger to always be during the night, when the palace was quiet that even Murong Chong was not aware of these meetings.

This evening, he was about to go to sleep when he heard Shi Hao request an audience. Immediately he draped a robe on his shoulders and went out of his room. From a distance he saw that Shi Hao and the Manchurian envoy were standing in front of the reception hall. A thought came into Wei Zhongxian's mind, "When we were talking about Yuan Chonghuan yesterday, that Manchurian envoy said that Nurhachi regards this man as very important to them. I was curious and asked him as soon as he captures Yuan Chonghuan, to bring him here for me to see. Now there are only the two of them. Could it be that Yuan Chonghuan has escaped, or perhaps he was killed because he refused to come along?"

Having this suspicion in his heart, Wei Zhongxian quietly spoke several sentences behind the small yellow door before stepping into the reception hall. When he was still several zhang away from them, with his back against the wall, he raised his voice to call out, "Gululu, gugetulu, bagenate ketutu!"

From Chaketu Wei Zhongxian had learned several sentences of pleasantry in Manchurian, right now, imitating Manchurian accent, he spoke some random sentences. If the man was the real Manchurian envoy, he would certainly laugh and correct the Manchurian words. It must be understood that for Wei Zhongxian to be able to dominate the royal government, naturally he must be street-smart and have the ability to respond to an emergency. Sure enough, Tie Feilong was caught off guard by this small test. By the time he realized what was going on, he launched a sudden attack by springing toward Wei Zhongxian. Wei Zhongxian let out a sinister laugh while pressing the mechanism on the wall, and then he disappeared into the dark room behind the wall.

As his strike failed, Tie Feilong realized he had fallen into a trap, so he rushed out the room. That Shi Hao was also very crafty; while Tie Feilong was pouncing toward Wei Zhongxian, he leaped out of the hall and cried out "Catch the thief!"

All of a sudden a large number of Wei Zhongxian's trusted aides and guards appeared. Tie Feilong roared and turned around; his palms struck backhandedly, 'bang, bang!' two East Faction Guards died with shattered heads. Another guard, a famous palace warrior, brandishing a large iron hammer that weighs forty jin in his hand, rushed in and struck down with great strength. Tie Feilong roared again and raised his left palm to block. Unexpectedly the large hammer's downward momentum was stopped by his palm strength. In the blink of an eye his right palm went up. Like a tornado the palm struck the guard and 'bang!' sent him flying two, three zhang away!

Tie Feilong's palm power could be considered number one in Jianghu, peerless in Wulin, that even the Red Flower Demon Matriarch was about thirty percent afraid of him. The East Faction Guards, Wei Zhongxian's cronies, had never seen such formidable weapons; in a short moment they were forced to retreat step by step.

Tie Feilong's murderous intentions were aroused; he charged toward the crowd. Suddenly a bluish ray flashed, he could feel the gust of wind of a blade on his back. Tie Feilong parried backhandedly with his palm, but before the two people came in contact, he recognized the attacker to be the West Faction Guards' Chief Instructor, Lian Chenghu. He was originally sent by Wei Zhongxian to Sichuan to lead the 'suppressing bandit troops', but was now recalled back to the palace. Lian Chenghu's martial art skill was only slightly below Murong Chong's. His weapon was a pair of tiger-head hooks, he was also very adept in using other schools’ weapons. Because Tie Feilong had to block him with a palm, he was somewhat slowed down, giving the Guards an opportunity to catch up and surround him again.

Tie Feilong’s power was overwhelming, his palm hacked down, his fingers poked, but he was still unable to break away from the encirclement. Fortunately, Lian Chenghu and the guards were afraid of his formidable palms, so they did not dare to get to close to him.

Amidst the fierce battle, suddenly someone was shouting, “All of you, back off! Let me catch this old thief!” The person arrived as quickly as the sound of his voice.

Tie Feilong hacked down with his palm, but felt a strong force counter his own that he was forced several steps back. When he looked up, he recognized it was Murong Chong.

Murong Chong was also pushed back several steps from the collision, he thought, “This old man’s reputation is certainly well-deserved!” Once pushed back, he immediately charged back and engaged Tie Feilong in a fierce battle. In just a short time, they had fought ten, twenty stances without a clear winner.

------------------------------------------------
[6] Reminder: 1 zhang is approximately 10 feet or 3 meters.

[foxs]

IcyFox, I have my own difficulty of not visiting Wuxia Fiction, but since you asked ... Anyway, I did, and saw that the game has progressed too far. I doubt if my one vote will change anything; besides, most of the stories are not translated or at least not finished, how can I vote without finishing the story?

Thank you Fox for another translation! You honestly need to get me to commision an artwork or something for you to make it up.

What do you mean by 'artwork'? Are you an artist?

Actually, this novel is divided into two books: 'top' and 'bottom', and both books have several pictures with captions. The pictures are scattered throughout the books, not at the beginning of every chapter like Jin Yong's novels. I am just too lazy to scan and translate all those captions.

[IcyFox]

IcyFox, I have my own difficulty of not visiting Wuxia Fiction, but since you asked ... Anyway, I did, and saw that the game has progressed too far. I doubt if my one vote will change anything; besides, most of the stories are not translated or at least not finished, how can I vote without finishing the story?

Uhm well, my advertisement was just for publicity. But thanks for dropping by!

[SkyWalker]

Thank you Foxs!!!

This last chapter was really intense. Where's YLC?? I'm worried about TFL. Hopefully he can best MRC and avenged TSH's death. That castrated WZX is such a sly fox. Hope YLC kills him soon.

[Fighting_Wind]

Yeah I'm nervous too, I don't know if TFL will survive this. Man, I want Murong Chong dead so much but I heard he becoes emperor so I'm not too sure.

I don't think WZY ever gets killed off... Yeah I am an artist, I have not mastered photshop though. I use water colour pencils. I'll email you the links.

The blood part was creepy but cool? I dunno, I'm just so happy to see YLC revert to her demonic self rather from her love sick pining persona. I'm just so anxious about TFL and YLC's fates.

[foxs]

I agree. This story might not have the epic excitement of Jin Yong or darkness and mystery of Gu Long, but it is closer to reality. No wonder Liang Yusheng was considered one of the 'fathers of modern wuxia'.

You will see more of YLC and TFL, at least for the foreseeable future. I am still plodding away on Chapter 24.

Fighting_Wind, I have not received your email.
------------------------------

Murong Chong was the imperial court’s top fighter, and ordinarily was a conceited man, therefore, after he shouted his order, none of the East and West Faction Guards’ captains, as well as the Imperial Palace’s guards, dared to step forward and help him.

Wei Zhongxian went out from his hiding place behind the wall, seeing this situation, he could not help but feel impatient, he said in his heart, “There is an assassin in the palace, why must he consider his status? Why must he put on airs?” Therefore, he was quite displeased with Murong Chong. “Lian Zong Guan[7],” he shouted, “Help Murong Chong catch this assassin.”

Lian Chenghu followed the order, with one hook as a shield, the other hacked down diagonally, he entered the arena. Tie Feilong reached back to divert this weapon to block Murong Chong’s attack, while leaping up to kick at the same time. Lian Chenghu dodged by sliding toward Tie Feilong’s back, while the hook he used as a shield earlier scratched down to tear Tie Feilong’s skin and flesh away. At the same time, with left fist and right palm, Murong Chong also threatened the front of his torso. Luckily Tie Feilong did not panic in facing such a dire situation, his leg swept horizontally to parry Murong Chong’s palm and fist simultaneously, with a sudden spin of his body, his spreading fingers brushed away, sweeping Lian Chenghu’s hooks away. Lian Chenghu felt sudden pain on his wrist, hastily he leaped back, only to see a spot on his acupoint, about a cun wide, was red and swollen, as if it was branded by a red-hot burning iron stick. He was greatly shocked and did not dare to sneak attack anymore. With a pair of hooks in his hands, he stood on the side, waiting for an opportunity to attack the enemy while protecting his own body.

Murong Chong launched a powerful double-fist attack, forcing Tie Feilong to withdraw repeatedly to the side. Lian Chenghu calmed himself down, and only then he brandished his pair of hooks, making a flank attack!

Wei Zhongxian shouted, “You must capture the assassin alive, I want to know who’s behind this.” Waving his hand, the captains of the guards spread out in all directions to form an impenetrable wall. The two martial art masters Ying Xiuyang had just recruited also came out to join the battle.

Fighting Murong Chong alone, Tie Feilong already had to strain all his strength; now with the enemy all around him, he was unable to withstand. It looked like he would not be able to escape, all he could do right now was just fight with everything he had, while waiting for Yu Luocha to the rescue. However, Yu Luocha was definitely not around, nobody knew where she went.

Let’s return to Ke Pingting. After returning from the West Mountain the other day, her heart was tumultuous and she was not happy the rest of the day. Recalling what Yu Luocha told her, she was not convinced whether she was telling the truth or not. That day she sat alone in the palace, with myriads of thoughts surging through her mind. One side of her thought: Yu Luocha was a famous character in Wulin, presumably she would not say any preposterous thing. If my Shifu had indeed died, why would I want to stay in the palace? The other side of her thought: my mother only has one daughter, me. There is a crisis looming on the horizon in the palace, she and I depend on each other for our survival, how can I have the heart to leave her?

While these two thoughts going back and forth in her mind, suddenly she heard someone lightly tap the window, twice, from the outside. “Who is it?” Ke Pingting asked.

A low and somewhat muffled outside replied, “Don’t make any noise, it is I. Quickly open the door!”

The voice sounded familiar; Ke Pingting was startled, and then called out in a low voice, “Yu Luocha?”

“That’s right!” the person outside the door said with a laugh, “I have a favor to ask you!”

Strictly speaking, Yu Luocha was the Red Flower Demon Matriarch’s enemy, and was the opponent of Ke and Wei, therefore, she was actually Ke Pingting’s ‘enemy’. However, for a reason she herself did not understand, Ke Pingting did not feel the least bit of ‘hostility’ toward Yu Luocha. Particularly during the two days after their encounter, Ke Pingting felt that Yu Luocha have a one-of-a-kind attractiveness, which was different from average people. She possessed the heroic disposition, the frank laughter, which seemed to come from another world altogether! Especially when Ke Pingting compared her to the officers of the imperial court, the impression she left on Ke Pingting’s heart was even more distinct. Ke Pingting thought that in some aspects, Yu Luocha was somewhat similar to her Shifu; but compared to her Shifu, Yu Luocha was definitely more endearing, so much so that the life Yu Luocha was living constituted a part of Ke Pingting’s fantasy. It was a life as free as the wind and as lofty as the moon, wandering the earth with a sword, roaming around the country, criss-crossing the Lulin. It was a life with strong enticement to Ke Pingting, who had lived in the confinement of the palace. Each time Ke Pingting remembered Yu Luocha, she would also remember the unlimited and wide world out there, which she associated with the colorful legendary characters of the Jianghu. Ke Pingting not just envious of Yu Luocha, she also had a bit of admiration towards her.

Tonight, to Ke Pingting’s ears, the sound of Yu Luocha’s muffled laughter carried an authoritative tone, a power which Ke Pingting felt must not be defied; therefore, without hesitation she opened the door to let the ‘enemy’ in. Like a gust of wind, Yu Luocha seemed to float into the room, while swiftly and gracefully closing the door at the same time.

“Why do you sneak back into the palace?” Ke Pingting asked, “The young Emperor took my leisure vehicle for his own use, I have no way of sneaking you out again.”

Yu Luocha stifled her laughter, but suddenly her face turned serious as with a low voice she said, “Ke Pingting, I want to ask you something!”

“Please speak!” Ke Pingting said.

“Do you want the Manchurian Tatars to invade through the pass?” Yu Luocha asked, “Do you want them to take over our Han people’s rivers and mountains?”

Ke Pingting jumped up in fright, “Do you still have to ask those questions?” she said, “Of course I don’t!”

“Alright,” Yu Luocha said, “Since you don’t want those to happen, you must do two things for me!”

“Tell me,” Ke Pingting replied, “What is it that you want me to do!”

Yu Luocha said, "First, you must assassinate Wei Zhongxian for me!"

Ke Pingting was shocked, "Why?" she asked. Although Ke Pingting did not know that she was Wei Zhongxian's natural daughter, she could actually feel that Wei Zhongxian doted on her very much. Moreover, Wei Zhongxian and her mother were good friends, they often met to talk in private; she was also aware of this fact.

Seeing the baffled look on her face, Yu Luocha whispered in her ear, "He has contact with foreign power to betray China!"

Ke Pingting trembled, Yu Luocha talked with such a conviction that she simply must believe her. She could not help but inquire further, "Who else is involved?" She was afraid her own mother was Wei Zhongxian's accomplice. She suddenly felt the chill penetrate her heart, her voice also trembled.

"I can't say that I know everybody in this conspiracy, I only know that there is someone by the name of Ying Xiuyang," Yu Luocha replied, "Ying Xiuyang's martial art skill is above yours, so I don't want you to stomp the grass to scare the snake; leave it to us to deal with him."

Ke Pingting let out a breath and asked, "What is the second task?"

Yu Luocha said, "My Yifu is being besieged by them in front of the Qingyang[8] Palace, I want you to find a way to get him out!"

What happened was: when Shi Hao took Tie Feilong entered the palace, Yu Luocha took that opportunity to also sneak in. By the time she reached Wei Zhongxian's residence, the Qingyang Palace, Tie Feilong had already been engaged with Murong Chong and Lian Chenghu in a fierce battle. After taking a look at the situation, Yu Luocha mused, "It's bad! I know Yifu will be able to eliminate that castrated traitor with one strike, who would have thought that the castrated traitor was able to escape? Worse yet, he was able to alarm the entire palace guards. Even if I come down, I can only help Yifu resist the enemy for a moment longer, but if we want to escape, I am afraid it would be quite impossible!"

------------------------------
[7] Lit. ‘Chief Manager’.
[8] Lit. Green Sun.

[SkyWalker]

Ah Foxs, don't leave us hanging!! We want to know what happens next.

I like the way YLC is depicted in this chapter. She's a patriot and is able to think on her feet. It's smart of her to not jump right in to save TFL but to find a more sure way to get them both out of the palace alive. She definitely didn't let her emotions dictate her actions. Even KPT liked and admired her! I hope KPT will leave the palace with YLC and become her student.

[IcyFox]

Erm, I've not really been following this novel, but can anyone kindly tell me when will Yu Luo Cha become Lian Ni-chang?

[Fighting_Wind]

@Icyfox: Yu Luo Cha is Lian Ni Chang. Lian Ni Chang is her real name while Yu Luo Cha is her nickname/title in Wulin. Because Lian Ni Chang was is so demonic but beautiful at the same name she she earned the title of Yu Luo Cha. Hope it helps.

@Skywalker: Agreed! I love the KPT admiration and like of YLC. It's so sad that both her parents are villains, it will place a lot of conflict on her But yeah, that would be awesome if she became YLC student.

I can't put it into words but I love how a lot of the female characters may not like YLC but gain a deep respect and liking towards her.

@Foxs: I resent it, hope it works this time. It's not a too clear indicator but I hope you get the idea.

[SkyWalker]

Fighting Wind, did you make a fan art for YLC? It would be great if you could share it with us here. I don't have any great talent so can't assist in translations or arts, but I can support you all with my posts.

[foxs]

Fighting_Wind, I have checked your drawings. Coming from me, who does not draw, they look pretty good. For some reason the last link did not work, I will try again later.

I agree with SkyWalker, why not post your Shanhu here?

EDIT: I succeeded in opening the last link (Lian Nichang). Why not post both drawings here?

--------------------------------------------
In her anxiety, she suddenly remembered Ke Pingting's argument with her mother that night. She thought, "Looking at that Ke Pingting's manner, it seems to me that she is greatly different from her mother. It’s worth a try."

Hearing the second task Yu Luocha asked her to do, Ke Pingting was shocked again, "My skill is meager," she said, "How can I rescue your Yifu?"

Yu Luocha said, "We use our wits and not our strength. All you need to do is just lead away several martial art masters of the palace."

Ke Pingting thought for a moment before saying, "Alright, I will do as Jiejie ask; here is what I think we can try." Thereupon she whispered a few sentences into Yu Luocha's ear.

Yu Luocha laughed and said, "Good, let's do it. You are truly my good Meimei." And she gently planted a kiss on her forehead and instantly flew out of the window.

As soon as she blurted out the word 'Jiejie', Ke Pingting felt embarrassed, but then Yu Luocha suddenly also called her 'Meimei', reducing the distance between them; she felt a pleasant sweetness in her heart. She felt that she was willing to do whatever Yu Luocha care to ask her. Even she herself did not understand why she was greatly attracted to Yu Luocha's personality.

Back to Tie Feilong who was struggling against the four martial art masters of the palace. At first he was still able to defend himself relying on his palm power, however, gradually his strength was drained and his muscles became weary. Repeatedly he found himself in dangerous situations, yet Yu Luocha was still nowhere to be seen. He thought, "I did not expect I would be killed in here. But even if I die, I must expose that castrated traitor's plot!"

In the meantime, Murong Chong was very happy to see things had gone so well. His fist swept across his face to block Tie Feilong's attack, while his left hand moved toward the side of Tie Feilong's body to seal his Primary Gate acupoint. Suddenly he heard Tie Feilong shout, "Wei Zhongxian has contact with foreign power to betray China, even ten thousand deaths won't be enough to atone for his crime. All of you are helping the traitor do his evil deeds, it will be difficult for you to escape justice later on!"

Murong Chong was startled, his finger slanted to the side and missed. Wei Zhongxian angrily shouted, "This thief speaks nonsense, kill him!" Murong Chong hesitated slightly. Suddenly he heard someone shout, "Fire, fire!"

Wei Zhongxian was startled and immediately called out, "Get out there and look, which place is on fire?" His voice had not vanished when suddenly a miserable cry echoed through the night sky, "Help, help!" Wei Zhongxian's heart trembled in fear, he recognized the voice as Ke Pingting's cry for help.

A guard standing close to the gate reported, "Madame Feng Sheng's Palace is on fire!"

Soon after Ke Pingting's desperate cry for help, from outside came a long laughter, followed by the noise of roof tiles falling down from everywhere. Shi Hao was standing behind Wei Zhongxian; as soon as he heard the voice, his countenance turned ash-grey, just like a corpse's. With a trembling voice he called out, "It's ... It's Yu ... Yu ... Yu Luocha!"

Twice Yu Luocha had created disturbance in the imperial palace, Wei Zhongxian fully realized she was a formidable foe. Moreover, from the sound of it, it seemed that more than one person had arrived. In his fright he hastily called out, "Quickly split up and help Madame Feng Sheng!"

All these were created by Ke Pingting and Yu Luocha. Ke Pingting started the fire then she called out for help, pretending to be chased by some assassins. Meanwhile, Yu Luocha unleashed her amazing qinggong and jumped onto the glazed tile roof; she threw a roof tile to the east, and tossed a brick to the west, creating the impression that there were enemies everywhere.

The Qing Yang Palace where Wei Zhongxian resided was actually very near to Madame Ke's Wet Nurse Mansion. Looking at the blazing fire, everybody was quite alarmed; on top of that, hearing Ke Pingting's desperate cry for help mixed with Yu Luocha's laughter filled with murderous spirit, they were all even more frightened. More than half of the guards surrounding Tie Feilong ran out of the gate. Murong Chong feigned an attack with his fist, and then he also rushed out the gate.

Tie Feilong's spirit was aroused, 'whoosh, whoosh!' his palms forced Lian Chenghu and the other master to retreat. Suddenly he drew a dagger and threw it toward Murong Chong's back while shouting loudly, "Thief Murong, catch this!"

Without even turning his head, Murong Chong reached back and caught the flying dagger. Just as he was thinking of throwing it back, he heard Tie Feilong called out again, "Look at it carefully!" Murong Chong's heart was stirred; he put the dagger inside his secret projectile pouch and leaped out of the gate, and went straight toward the Wet Nurse Mansion.

Wei Zhongxian called out again, "Lian Chenghu, I want all of you to chop this old man's head!"

The remaining less-than-half of the guards brandished their sabers and spears and charged toward Tie Feilong from all directions. Tie Feilong roared and grabbed the back of a Guard, and then threw him out. The Guard's huge body flew over the forest of sabers and spears. Everybody cried out in alarm and hastily dispersed. Tie Feilong laughed aloud and went on a throwing spree; he successively caught three Guards and threw them out.

Lian Chenghu was enraged, he chopped rapidly with his double-hooks. Suddenly the long laughter was heard again as Yu Luocha flew down from the glazed roof. The sword and the person flipped in a big circle in the air, it looked like a silver corona falling down from the sky toward the Guards. The ray of sword flashed, hands were cut, legs were severed, everybody ran for their lives!

Wei Zhongxian was shocked, Shi Hao called out, "Not good! Let's hide!" Wei Zhongxian ran into the secret room, with Shi Hao close on his heels. And so it happened that even though there were still ten, the spirits of the twenty Guards besieging Tie Feilong, were already dashed.

Yu Luocha unleashed her school's unique sword technique, her stances were fast and ruthless; like lightning or thunderstorm, like butterflies land on flowers, the sword flashed to the left, the sword flashed to the right, the sword stung on the enemy's vital joints and fatal acupoints. In just a few seconds five or six Guards fell down to the ground, crying and screaming miserably.

Yu Luocha sternly shouted, "Fight me and you'll die, run away from me and you'll live!" With a long laughter she opened a bloody pathway, killing the Guards surrounding her foster father. Even Lian Chenghu and the two martial art masters recruited by Ying Xiuyang were in a bit of a panic!

Yu Luocha charged with sword pointing straight ahead, launching the Jade Maiden Threads a Needle stance, stabbing toward the Soul Gate Acupoint on Lian Chenghu's back. Lian Chenghu moved his pair of hooks like a pair of scissors to block. Suddenly Tie Feilong let out a loud shout and snatched the hook away. With one hook scratched down, suddenly there was a loud 'rip' as a big chunk of Lian Chenghu's clothes was torn away! But Lian Chenghu managed to escape.

With their leaders fleeing, the rest of the Guards did not have the heart to continue fighting. Yu Luocha wielded her sword like a storm, killing left and right; Tie Feilong punched and chopped with his hands like a giant axe, he was even more unstoppable, no Guard dared to pursue. Yu Luocha was more familiar with the pathways in the palace, in a short moment, crossing several fake hills, she managed to lead Tie Feilong out of the palace via the Shen Wu[9] Gate.

Back to Murong Chong. As he went out to fight the fire, he saw Ke Pingting with disheveled hair and blood on her left shoulder. Murong Chong was shocked, but he did not see any enemy. Ke Pingting said, “The assassin has left, I was stabbed by that Demoness, luckily my wound is superficial. Fighting the fire is more important!”

Murong Chong looked at her with suspicion in his heart, he thought, “Yu Luocha’s swordsmanship is so formidable, when she makes her move, she always stabs the enemy’s joint or acupoint. Did she actually show mercy to this little girl?”

The fire was not too bad, with the combined effort of many people, it was soon put under control. Madame Ke pulled her daughter back into their residence to change clothes. She wrapped the wound while cursing Yu Luocha continuously. Ke Pingting was secretly amused, her wound was self-inflicted, it was nothing more than only a long cut on the skin, it did not even go deep enough to touch the bone; it was really nothing.

--------------------------------------------
[9] Lit. Divine Military/Martial Art.

[SkyWalker]

Thanks for the translation Foxs and thanks for encouraging Fighting Wind to post the artworks here. I'm dying to see them!

YLC can be pretty flirtatious huh? A kiss on the forehead and some sweet words got KPT to help. Nice!!!

[Fighting_Wind]

I did post links to them in this very thread a while ago. The reason I'm so hesitant to display is at the monent I am rather ashamed of them... They both need touching up and to be coloured... So sorry but give me one week I swear and I will correct and repost them.

But don't you find it funny that YLC is only flirtatious to women XD LOL
I also wanted to point out that KPT attraction to YLC more unconditional than ZYH shallow like of her. But yeah, Murong Chong seemed rather good in this chapter, he stopped his attack when he suspected WZX of treason. But once again he is the cause of Shan Hu's death.

[foxs]

After half a night of disturbance, the Guards stationed at the Shen Wu Gate reported that the assassins had escaped. Wei Zhongxian breathed a sigh of relief. He ordered his subordinates to stand guard around the clock and not lax their vigilance, but he himself quietly went for a visit to the Wet Nurse Mansion.

By this time Ke Pingting had already changed her clothes, she was lying on the bed, feigning a rest. Yu Luocha’s words seemed to echo in her heart. Suddenly she heard the footsteps of her mother and Wei Zhongxian outside her door, Ke Pingting’s heart jumped. “Should I obey Yu Luocha and assassinate him for her?” she pondered quietly.

The light in the house brightened, Ke Pingting felt Wei Zhongxian was about to come and see her. She thought, “Right now, as soon as I make my move, I will kill him. But Mother is here, how can I let her see bloodshed?”

“Ting’er,” in a low voice Madame Ke called. Ke Pingting pretended to sleep, she did not move at all.

“Um, she’s asleep,” Madame Ke said.

“Is her injury bad?” Wei Zhongxian asked.

“Luckily it is not fatal,” Madame Ke replied.

“Hmm, I feel sorry for her,” Wei Zhongxian said, “We took her into the palace, originally it was so that she could enjoy a happy and prosperous life, but instead she had to sustain injury on my behalf tonight.”

“What?” Madame Ke said, “Sustain injury on your behalf?”

“Don’t you know it?” Wei Zhongxian said, “Those assassins were here tonight to kill me.”

Ke Pingting shivered slightly, Wei Zhongxian said in a soft voice, “Let’s not talk in here, or else we might wake her up.” Pulling Madame Ke’s hand along, he walked out and gently closed the door.

Ke Pingting heard everything, there was a big suspicion in her heart, she thought, “Why would Wei Zhongxian this good to me? As if he treats me as his own daughter? Granted that he is in good terms with my mother, but he does not have to be this good to me. I heard he is so ruthless against the Donglin party members, but he is this benevolent towards me? Why is this? Why?”

Previously, because Ke Pingting loathed Wei Zhongxian, each time Wei Zhongxian came to talk with her mother, she had always avoided him and had never had any thought to eavesdrop to their conversation. But tonight Yu Luocha’s words had raised mighty waves in her heart, Wei Zhongxian’s manners had caused her to be doubtful; thereupon she quietly put on some clothes and went out to follow the sound of Wei Zhongxian and her mother’s footsteps, to listen to them secretly.

Inside the private room, candle light flickered. Ke Pingting silently used her saliva to wet the paper covering of the window. She peeped in and saw Wei Zhongxian’s hands on her mother’s shoulders, his manner showed great affection; Ke Pingting frowned. She heard Wei Zhongxian say, “In just a few days Ting’er will turn twenty, isn’t she?”

“That’s right,” Madame Ke replied, “I thought you have forgotten. So you still have a little conscience after all.”

Ke Pingting’s tumultuous heart jumped, “Hey, how did he know my birthday?” she mused. She heard Wei Zhongxian continue, “Ever since she entered the palace, there seems to be a load of worries on her mind, she always looks discontented. Have you asked her the reason? Isn’t it because she has come to age and wants to get married? It’s alright if she does not want to be the Emperor’s concubine, the high officers, both civil and military in the imperial court, as well as the Emperor’s kinsmen, will all be happy to take her.”

Madame Ke chortled, but then she suddenly sighed. “Ay,” she said, “To give her in marriage is the easiest thing to do, the thing is: she does not want to get married. I don’t know why she doesn’t want to get married. She was a bouncing and vivacious, naughty and outgoing type of child; but now, you can’t even coax her to talk two sentences more than necessary. Each time we talk, she always says she wants to return to our hometown, that is, she wants to go look for her Shifu. I have been really angry at her.”

Wei Zhongxian sighed and said, “Could it be that this little girl is fated to live a lowly life?”

Madame Ke grimly said, “You shouldn’t say such things. Actually, although our life in the countryside was hard, it still had its own good parts.” Wei Zhongxian laughed a hollow laugh. Madame Ke continued, “Don’t you remember how happy we were living in the country?”

Wei Zhongxian said with a laugh, “Aren’t you happy now?”

Madame Ke blushed. “Pei!” she spat, “Truly the dog’s mouth will never produce ivory. I just say that compared to the former days, we now have more things to worry; not only we have to guard against the Donglin Party members’ attack, we also have to worry about what will happen when the Emperor grows up. Our power cannot last forever. Pingting said that the young Emperor is in a poor health, perhaps he won’t live long. If we had a new Emperor, what will happen to us, what will our fate be?”

Wei Zhongxian laughed aloud and said, “Right now, all civil and military officers in the court are, if not my kin, then certainly my disciples. I also have full control of the East and West, two Factions; what can the new Emperor do? Only he who will listen to us is going to be the Emperor. Ha ha … to think that in the former days those rogues in the countryside scolded me as a ‘muddle-head’, those people would never dream that now I am the Lord of Nine-thousand Years. Humph, Lord of Nine-thousand Years is nothing; even the Lord of Ten-thousand Years[10] is in my hands, I, who am the Lord of Nine-thousand Years.”

Madame Ke, however, did not share his laugh; she continued, “We also have to worry about the assassins. Just look at tonight, even Pingting is hurt; it really scared me to death. I am not kidding, I just feel that compared to our former days in the country, your life of clandestine operations creates more anxiety and fear in me!”

Wei Zhongxian was still laughing. “So you are saying that you’d be better off not entering the palace and became the wet nurse?” he said, “But look at me: I had my body mutilated and become the court eunuch, that is even more undeserved! If not for our desire of riches and honor, after that tuberculosis-suffering, crafty husband died, we might live an honest and honorable life for a while, raising several plump babies. I[11], Wei Zhongxian, would not die without any heir. Now I have a lowly little girl, but I cannot even let her know that I am her birth father.”

The more Ke Pingting listened, the more agitated she became. Listening to this part, her hands and feet felt ice-cold, she felt as if a knife was piercing her heart; she had never imagined that this castrated traitor Wei Zhongxian was actually her birth father. In that instant indignation, disgrace, shame, hurt, all kinds of sentiments welled up in her heart; it was the same feeling as if someone spat on her face, it was a feeling more difficult to bear than death! Ke Pingting wished the earth would open and swallow her whole, so that she would never have to face anybody else anymore.

Covering her face, she cried and almost made a noise. Not in the mood to listen further, she turned around and fled. She had just rounded a corner along the winding corridor when she suddenly saw a shadow, as swift as a falcon, flew down from the glazed roof tile. Ke Pingting quickly hid behind a large pillar carved with coiling dragons. As she looked clearly, she was surprised to recognize the shadow as Murong Chong.

“What is he doing this late in the night in this place?” she mused.

Murong Chong climbed quickly toward the large beam outside Madame Ke’s private room and then curled up motionless. By now Ke Pingting’s curiosity was piqued and she was very excited, yet she was unwilling to be detected by Murong Chong; therefore, she backtracked the winding corridor, taking two turns, and was back at her own room. She sat on her bed, staring blankly into darkness, thinking about a lot of things.

After Tie Feilong and Yu Luocha left, Murong Chong helped putting off the fire at the Wet Nurse Mansion and then returned to his own room. When his hand inadvertently ran over the dagger Tie Feilong threw at him, he found there was a piece of paper stuck on the dagger’s blade, with these words written on it: ‘I challenge you in three days at noon, to have a one on one duel with me on the Mimo Cliff. Either side must not invite any helpers. If you dare to come, you are a hero, if you do not dare to come, you are a coward[12]. Signed, Tie Feilong.’

-------------------------------------------
[10] Meaning, the Emperor.
[11] He also used ‘an’ to refer to himself, i.e. he was from northern China.
[12] I just want you to know that the actual Chinese terms rhyme. Hero – yingxiong, coward – gouxiong (lit. black bear, different ‘xiong’).

[Han Solo]

Don't you always feel that YLC deserves better?

[SkyWalker]

Thanks Foxs!

Fighting Wind - take your time. There's no rush in posting those arts. I can wait.

As for YLC deserving better, the only thing I think she deserves better is definitely a better man than ZYH. Her martial arts is 1st class, she leads a "fun" life, and she has a loving godfather and lots of friends. So again, the one thing she really deserves better is definitely a better man than the one that she's currently madly in love with.

[Fighting_Wind]

I feel so sorry for Ke Ping Ting to have a father and mother like that. She is going to be torn between family and justice.

Everyone who reads this thinks YLC can do better. I for one think Liang Yusheng wrote YLC romance very badly. bIt is both infuriating and unbelievable. I just can't understand why YLC, an intelligent and strong woman is so deeply in love with ZYH. I would have rather ZYH be a more admirable/heroic but also flawed in judgement then who he is written as. I just can't believe YLC can love a man whose deserted her so often and is as cowardly and weak as this.

@Foxs: Thank you for another fast translation =D we are so close to the end.
@Hans Solo: Welcome back and thank you for helping foxs edit some of this translation.
@Skywalker: Thank you. I just don't like to post things I'm not proud of. I better not disappoint now

[foxs]

Murong Chong angrily said, “Old Thief Tie, you bully me too much. Even if I won’t necessarily win, I won’t necessarily lose in your hands as well; why would I be scared of you?” He crumpled the paper in his hand and tossed it on the ground.

Ordinarily, if Murong Chong received a challenge for a duel, he would dedicate his entire attention to think of a way to defeat the enemy. But tonight, his thoughts were occupied by a more significant matter, Tie Feilong’s loud curse in front of everybody at the Qing Yang Palace: ‘Wei Zhongxian, you are a traitor who made contact with foreign power to sell your own country!’ It was as if a large piece of rock had been thrown into his heart, creating great waves of thought in his mind. “Is Wei Zhongxian really a traitor who sells his own country?” Murong Chong mused.

He also recalled that right after Tie Feilong cursed, Wei Zhongxian’s countenance was filled with violent rage like thunder; he remembered that normally Wei Zhongxian would meet with Lian Chenghu and Ying Xiuyang for private discussion, and usually he was excluded. The more he thought, the more he was suspicious. He thought: although this Old Thief Tie was a harsh and unreasonable bully, he was a Wulin character with quite a high status, certainly he would not speak foolishly or make wild accusations?

Murong Chong was a Muslim from Gansu[13], by nature he had a supernatural strength; later, he was taken disciple by Jiao Manzi, a major solitary bandit of the northwest. He was trained in Eagle Claw and Iron Armor Skills; he also went to Mount Kunlun to seek tutelage under Ding Xu Dashi[14], where he learned the 72-style of Divine Fist. From then on he roamed around the country, making quite a reputation for himself. Later on, Shenzong[15] issued a public announcement of entrance examination to the Imperial Guard. Murong Chong wanted to gain the scholarly honor in the imperial exam, since along with it, his wife would be bestowed titles and his descendants would also enjoy hereditary posts; thereupon he went to the capital to take the exam. After obtaining a personal guarantee and recommendation, he assumed the position of Du Zhihui[16] within the Imperial Bodyguards, which he held for more than ten years.

Although Murong Chong’s martial art skill was extremely high, he lacked the ability to curry favor with his superiors. Moreover, because of his exceptional skill, his eyes could not see anything worth his attention all around[17], plus he did not get along well with his colleagues, therefore, even after more than ten years as a Du Zhihui, he had never been promoted until Wei Zhongxian came along and seized power. Knowing Murong Chong’s excellent martial art, Wei Zhongxian wanted to use him. Thereupon he successively promoted him three times that in less than half a year, Murong Chong had become the Chief of the East Faction Guards.

Murong Chong’s mind was filled with the desire for riches, honor and fame; to have Wei Zhongxian promote him to such a high position, it was only natural that he was very grateful. However, he still maintained several degrees of bluntness; he sometimes did not try to hide his antipathy toward Wei Zhongxian’s actions of slaughtering the loyal and virtuous ministers. Even so, his desire for riches, honor and fame had overpowered the little bit of kind, honest and upright heart; therefore, unwittingly he continued to be exploited by Wei Zhongxian, unconsciously he had become Wei Zhongxian’s lackey.

However, tonight, when Murong Chong recalled his suspicions that Wei Zhongxian could really had contact with the Manchus, again he could not suppress the fluctuation of his emotions. He mused, “If Wei Zhongxian really is a traitor to our country, won’t I be implicated and my reputation be ruined?” It should be understood that Murong Chong had always considered himself a hero; although presently he was no more than a guard dog or hunting falcon, he himself has not realized it yet. He thought about it some more, and was quite depressed. He wanted to leave Wei Zhongxian, but did not want to lose his current position; if he did not leave, he was afraid that Wei Zhongxian was truly a traitor.

After pondering for a long time, he heard the night watch knock, signaling it was the fourth watch of the night[18]. Suddenly he had an idea: ‘why don’t I investigate and find the truth?’ Thereupon he went to Wei Zhongxian’s Qing Yang Palace first, and then to Madame Ke’s Wet Nurse Mansion. Wei Zhongxian and Madame Ke were still talking. Murong Chong was crouching on the large beam outside, eavesdropping.

He heard that Wei Zhongxian was laughing and saying, “Whatever Pingting thinks, I do not wish to care anymore.”

“Pei,” Madame Ke spat, “You don’t care about your own flesh-and-blood daughter?”

Murong Chong was shocked, “Turns out that little girl is indeed his own daughter!” he mused.

Wei Zhongxian said, “It’s not that I don’t care about her. Didn’t you see how I doted on her so much? It’s just that I cannot control of her, I can’t take a good care of her. Every time she sees me, she just doesn’t want to talk to me. How can I have a heart-to-heart conversation with her?”

Madame Ke fell silent for a long time. Finally she said, “Tell me, will it be better if I tell her who her real father is?”

Wei Zhongxian hastily shook his hand, “By all means, no!”

He paused for a moment before continuing, “You are concerned that when the new Emperor ascends the throne in the future, he might be detrimental to us. I’ll say your worry is unsubstantiated.”

“Why?” Madame Ke asked, “You still rely on the civil and military officers in the court, who, if not your kin, then certainly your disciples? But these so-called kin and disciples of yours are people who always curry favor from those in power. When the iceberg falls, aren’t you afraid they will find another mountain to lean on?”

Wei Zhongxian let out a hollow laughter, which sounded like rain, “This,” he said, “is already under my anticipation. But, Wife, there is something you do not know.”

“What is it?” Madame Ke asked.

“I am afraid before the new Emperor even ascend the throne, the Manchurian Tatars will have already crossed the pass,” Wei Zhongxian said.

“How could it not be worse?” Madame Ke said.

“What are we afraid of?” Wei Zhongxian replied, “When the Manchurians rule the land under the heavens, won’t we be able to maintain our riches and honor?”

“What?!?” Madame Ke cried out, “You have contact with the Manchurians?”

“Not too loud,” Wei Zhongxian said, “The proverbs say: Only an outstanding talent can recognize current trends. Right now the bandits are creating havoc within, a powerful enemy is lurking on the outside. It is either perish by the bandits or perish by the enemy. In a word, the Ming Dynasty’s rivers and mountains will not last for long. Falling under the roving bandits is worse than falling under the Manchurians; if we fall under the roving bandits, we will die without a burial ground, if we fall under the Manchurians, even if the worst happens, we still have food to eat. Tell me, don’t you think what I said makes sense?”

Madame Ke pondered quietly for a long time. Finally she sighed and said, “Your intelligence, cunning and wisdom have always been above mine. It’s just that I never want you to carry the bad name as the traitor who sells his own country. Ay, until today, I had no idea!”

“I had no idea!” Hearing to this point, Murong Chong only had confusion in his already blurry mind that he almost fell off the beam. “So he really is a traitor who sells his own country,” he mused, “What should I do? Shall I turn my back on him? He is the benefactor who single-handedly promoted me to where I am today! Shall I stay with him? If the plot fell through and this matter is exposed, inevitably people will revile us. At that time, I really won’t be a hero but will be a coward!”

Hearing Wei Zhongxian was taking his leave from Madame Ke, Murong Chong quickly floated down and hurriedly left first.

Flitting over two glaze tile roofs, suddenly he heard someone was sobbing in low voice. “Uh, isn’t that Ke Pingting’s voice?” Murong Chong thought, “How come she is not asleep yet?” Recalling his suspicion over her allegedly ‘sword injury’ earlier, unwittingly he stopped his steps.

Such is: In a critical junction facing an important test, a load on one’s mind is difficult to express.

-----------------------------------------
[13] Gansu province is located between Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia in north China.
[14] Reverend, Great Master, a term used to address a respected Buddhist Monk.
[15] Wanli Emperor, 1572-1620, grandfather of Youjiao, the current emperor.
[16] Literal translation would be ‘Chief of the Capital’.
[17] This is a literal translation, in other words: arrogant and conceited.
[18] Between 1- 3 am.

[SkyWalker]

Thanks Foxs.

I hope Murong Chong would get over his desire to be rich & famous and just do the right thing. Kill Wei Zhongxian!!!! This castrated man has no morals whatsoever! Hope KPT doesn't accept him, ever!

Maybe MRC & KPT will join forces to have WZX assassinated!