Chapter Fifty -Seven:
Cast of Appearing Characters:
Yeung Ming Hung - Kenneth Ma Kwok Ming
Suen Nga Yin - Natalie Tong Sze Wing
Yeung Ming Guk - Ruco Chan Chin Pang
Siu Kei Chi - Sammul Chan Kin Fung
Lung Tin Kwun - Felix Wong Yat Wah
Yeung Yat Ching - Michael Miu Kiu Wai
Ning Fung - Jackie Lui Chung Yin
The half an hour limit had long passed but burdened by the extra numbers of prisoners from the secret prisons, the three major sects still had not managed to fully retreat out of Beijing, Imperial Guards were already pouring out of the other gates of the Forbidden City while eunuch guards were making their way out of the nearest secret passageway exits to delay them at the North Gate.
Yeung Ming Hung, Yeung Ming Guk and Suen Nga Yin were immediately ambushed when they exited from under the Royal Ancestral Shrine. They had no difficulty with the eunuch guards but the sheer number of opponents that were coming at them from all directions was overwhelming. Being the weakest, Suen Nga Yin was protected at both sides by the Yeung brothers as they slowly cleared a path to the front of the North Gate but was pushed into a side courtyard where a multitude of guards were emerging.
Opening a path with a few thrusts of his spear, Yeung Ming Hung grabbed Suen Nga Yins hand and shouted You leave first! Then with a gentle palm to her back, he propelled her forwards several feet into the air and out of the attack range of the guards as they closed in onto the two brothers. All knew that if this was to continue any longer, all three of them would never leave the Forbidden City alive.
But Suen Nga Yin quickly wrapped her sash around the neck of a eunuch and swung herself back towards them, kicking the eunuchs to the side as she landed back by his side. No! We will all leave together!
You two both leave! cried Yeung Ming Hung who slashed another opening amidst the guards. He pushed both his brother and Suen Nga Yin into the void and turned around to block the oncoming guards by himself.
Elder Brother! shouted Yeung Ming Guk who leapt back to help his brother but was forced back with a backward kick from Yeung Ming Hung.
To be able to die in combat is my dream! shouted Yeung Ming Hung as he lunged furiously stabbing at the armed eunuch guards with his golden spear. You two leave and meet up with the others! The Yeung family cannot lose both sons!
All of a sudden, there was a strange whirling sound in the air and a lean figure shot through the wall of eunuchs and caught off guard, Yeung Ming Hung let out a groan of pain as a thin silver blade slipped past his golden spear and pieced his right shoulder, and restricted the movement of his dominant arm.
Ming Hung! screamed Suen Nga Yin who immediately released both ends of her sash who wrapped tightly around Siu Kei Chis neck and pulled him backwards.
Yeung Ming Guk leapt forwards with a backward kick at Siu Kei Chi but was quickly distracted by protecting his wounded brother from the bloodthirsty eunuch guards lusting for the credit of killing one of the Yeungs. Siu Kei Chi smiled and cut the sash with a hidden dagger in his sleeve and Suen Nga Yin toppled backwards from the lack of opposing force. Guards quickly surrounded her as she tried her best to defend herself.
Yeung Ming Hung groaned as he forced his right arm to hurl the heavy golden spear to his left hand which quickly spun it around and stabbed at Siu Kei Chis thigh. Both men released their opponents from their weapons as they moved backwards in defence.
Consider this a rematch then, Yeung Ming Hung! shouted Siu Kei Chi slyly as he quickly blocked the major acupressure points of his thigh to ease the bleeding.
Yeung Ming Hung propped himself with his spear and did the same to his wounded shoulder. He had not yet fully recovered from the injuries sustained in his earlier escape attempt from the Forbidden City and this new injury weakened his fighting ability. But as a soldier, he was trained to carry on despite the pain and he quickly charged with simultaneous attacks at Siu Kei Chis thigh Even if you win today, it is only because you have despicably ambushed me!
As the tip of the spear grazed his open wound, Siu Kei Chi replied calmly with a twinkle in his eyes, I have always been a despicable man who will do whatever it takes! Whether it is I am babysitting spoilt brainless concubines or ambushing wanted fugitives, whatever I want I get!
His pale face illuminated an eerie red in the light of the firebrands as if revealing a deeper evil that resided behind his innocent features. Had not he seen and heard the words come out of his mouth, never would Yeung Ming Hung have believed that such ruthless words could come from such an innocent and kind face.
Too bad I am also such a despicable woman! said Suen Nga Yin calmly as with another hidden sash, she caught several of her opponents silver hooks and released them at the eunuchs back. But that split second decision to attack Siu Kei Chi instead of the eunuch guards around her came at a large cost as she received a deep slash to her back.
Siu Kei Chi laughed loudly as he somersaulted high up into the air to avoid Yeung Ming Hungs attacks, stepping off the silver hooks to remain airbourne. Had Yeung Ming Hung chosen to kill him, the brief moment of distraction would have cost him his life. But Yeung Ming Hung pushed past him up to Suen Nga Yin and catching her around the waist, he propped her up as he dispatched the guards around her. She was still conscious as she smiled and leant weakly against him for support.
Siu Kei Chi landed safely before them with a laugh. A truly despicable person will not risk his life to save a person, even if it is someone she loves! If her blood loss had not been so great, her pale cheeks would have certainly blushed.
Kicking up a discarded silver hook from the ground, Siu Kei Chi pointed it at the two. Yeung Ming Guk saw what was happening but was helpless as he was locked into a corner by the hordes of eunuch guards which he had merely kept away with his weak sphere of sword energy.
In a very loud voice, Siu Kei Chi shouted, Yeung Ming Hung, even if Yeung Yat Ching and Lung Tin Kwun are here today, they can not save you today! I will have your head ready to serve up on a platter when Supreme Commander Lau decides to exit his training chamber!
Oh really! came an amused voice and out of nowhere, something slashed at the ground next to where Siu Kei Chi stood and left a deep gash into the old stone paving. Siu Kei Chi jumped out of the way just in time as the stone paving shattered into tiny bits that flew up like little projectiles.
Uncle! shouted Yeung Ming Guk happily as with a few quick slashes with his iron chains, Yeung Yat Ching opened up a path in the surrounding guards for him to exit and join his uncle by his side. The remaining eunuch guards all stepped back carefully from the well-renowned Loyal General and the dead bodies on the floor that each had a scorched mark upon their backs where the iron chain had hit them.
Turning around calmly to face Siu Kei Chi, Yeung Yat Ching said in a peaceful but authoritative voice, Are you the one who is shouting about cutting off my nephews head to serve to Lau Gan?
Siu Kei Chi breathed deeply in as his eyes flitted from side to side.But he remained still and composed to reply, Everyone here wants to have his head but I am the only one who dares to say it out aloud! Either stop me or step out of my way!
What a nerve, young man! cried Yeung Yat Ching, Let me teach you some manners! and with a quickly flick of the wrist, the iron chain came flying through the air at Siu Kei Chi.
Let me handle him, Soldier! came the voice of Lung Tin Kwun who swatted the end of the iron chain away and released both palms at Siu Kei Chi.
Siu Kei Chi spun out of the way as the force of the palm hit the stone paving and reduced it into small fragments. But before he could react, Lung Tin Kwun moved up close and locked both of his arms with his wrists. Now what did your teacher tell you to do when your arms get locked by your opponent like this?
But slithery like a snake, Siu Kei Chi retracted his slender arms out of the entanglement and replied swiftly, This! and to everyones shock he managed to palm Lung Tin Kwun squarely on the chest with both palms.
Outlaw! Uncle Lung! Senior Lung!
Everyone shouted out in shock at the attack. No one had thought that he would have willingly taken on Lung Tin Kwun in a real fight. How could Siu Kei Chi have thought to escape safely? Lung Tin Kwun puffed out his chest to neutralise the energy from Siu Kei Chis palms with his own internal energy, and with a sudden outburst, Siu Kei Chi was thrown backwards into a brick wall which immediately transformed into a pile of rubble.
Why should I miss out on all the fun? A dark bat-like figure somersaulted out of nowhere and palmed Suen Nga Yin the chest. The long black cloak he had on unfolded behind him like a large victorious flag flapping in the night breeze.
Yeung Ming Hung let out a roar of anger and with a quick flick of his spear, he hurled as many of the discarded weapons on the ground at the dark figure. The weapons impaled the billowing black cloak which was lifelessly pinned to the wall. Several feet away with his back to them, a cold assassin stood motionless with his arms crossed casually around his sword scabbard.
He turned his head sideways and announced with a confident smile, Ning Fung pays his greetings to two of the Four Heroes of Wulin!
Ning Fung! You would need to get pass me first! shouted Yeung Ming Guk who stepped forward holding both swords in a criss-cross position before his body, ready to strike.
Ning Fung spun around casually and teased, If you could not beat me days before, what makes you so confident now? Dont tell me it is because of that extra sword in your hand!
Cut the talk! and Yeung Ming Guk launched himself at Ning Fung. Elder Brother, take Miss Suen and leave! We will meet up later on! Yeung Ming Guk looked at the pale Suen Nga Yin in his arms and waited for an approving nod from his uncle before emitting a high-pitched whistle with his lips. Within seconds, the trusty Ferghana Horse came plowing through the masses of humans to find its owner and take him away.
A weak curtain of invisible sword energy arose between the tips of the two swords in Yeung Ming Guks hand, and they moved around Ning Fung in two flurries of silver blur to trap him inside.
Ning Fung scoffed, Slight improvement but only merely! and with a quick flick of his flexible sword, vibrations interrupted the weak wall and broke the trap.
I have had enough! One after the other! When will this end? Just get out of our way! bellowed an irritated Lung Tin Kwun who was growing more impatient and anxious with each minute they were delayed. Grabbing Yeung Ming Guk by the clothes on his back, he hurled the young man backwards up into the air and met Ning Fung with both palms outstretched. Ning Fungs sword was disarmed by the sudden outburst of internal energy but he managed to dodge most of the damage.
Time to leave, Bandit! shouted Yeung Yat Ching who pushed his nephew away. With several quick lashes to the surrounding base of the brick walls, the large doorway began to collapse.
Lung Tin Kwun made a move to exit but Ning Fung quickly followed. Lung Tin Kwun palmed him in the shoulder and fell backwards to avoid the falling debris of brick, wood and stone. Once this doorway was gone, no matter how many eunuch guards emerged from the secret passageways, the route to the North Gate was barred.
As a last attempt to deter the escapees, a dark pointy object shot out from Ning Fungs right sleeve and narrowly missed Lung Tin Kwun who caught it by the teeth. Lung Tin Kwuns eyes widened the second he first saw the familiar hardwood dart and looked with surprise at Ning Fung who stood silently on the other side of the collapsing doorway. With another blow to the fragile structure, Yeung Yat Ching ensured that the final opening was firmly closed by the falling debris. As the last piece of stone fell into place, hardly anyone could see the faint nod that Yeung Yat Ching and Ning Fung gave each other through the tiny crack between them. Whether friend or foe, only they themselves knew.
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Author's Note:
No facts to write about that is relevant this chapter. Thanks for tuning in though. Cheers!