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Thread: Tales of Vengeance

  1. #81
    Moderator Suet Seung's Avatar
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    Arrow

    Chapter 21: A Day in the Forest

    Sun rays spread out heavily upon a group of six men and women walking along with a large white tiger, proceeding towards a forest

    “Aiya! Where’s Xiu Lan? She promised me a grand feast when we arrive to SuZhou!” A tall skinny man complained as he sat down and rest on a large rock.

    “Stop complaining, Shan Hao! We’ve only arrived one day ago. Perhaps Xiu Lan is wandering around waiting for us somewhere,” replied a young woman in her twenties as walked ahead a few steps.

    Somewhere nearby the two sworn brothers stood still and stared at one another. Both of them knew each other is a formidable opponent and any careless mistake would mean victory for one. The two unsheathed their swords at the same time and started their duel. Miao Ting Feng bended down and did a 360 degree turn, cutting at his opponent's legs. Chen Gu Xing nimbly flipped over the sword and still in mid-air aimed at Ting Feng. Ting Feng rolled on his back and unleash a kick at Gu Xing’s chest. Gu Xing in return did a kick of his own and the two fighters flew back a few steps by the force.

    Ting Feng rolled onto his feet while Gu Xing landed. Both continue to use the moves they had learn their whole life to battle one another. Although the two swords only made contact with one another, leaves were falling everywhere from the chi from their respective owners. Chen Gu Xing leap up onto a tree, follow closely by Miao Ting Feng. Each landing on a tree branch, a few inches apart. Chen Gu Xing stabbed at Miao Ting Feng’s left shoulder. The move was nothing fancy but it was unbelievably fast. Not many people could avoid this attack of his. But then, most people are not Miao Ting Feng. Ting Feng made no effort to avoid the sword, he raised his sword to block and the two swords created sparks on contact. Chen Gu Xing smiled with delight because he has finally found a sword that was as quick as his.

    Gathering energy from his abdomen into his hand, Miao Ting Feng pushes off. Chen Gu Xing was forced back several meters. Even though there are no ground underneath his feet, Gu Xing showed no sign of stumbling. He would step onto tree branches and sometimes only a leaf until the Ting Feng's force had disperse.
    His Lightness Kung Fu was clearly top notch. Gu Xing by now was on a competely different tree.

    Not wanting to lose the initiative, Miao Ting Feng quickly follow suit. Miao Ting Feng also had a very high level of Lightness Kung Fu. Chen Gu Xing waited for his good opponent to arrive before he made his move. Right when Ting Feng came, Gu Xing jumped up and did a flip which positioned his body upside down. His sword over his head as he began to descend upon Ting Feng. Ting Feng took a few steps to his right, just in time to avoid the tip of the sword. And he quickly turn about and release a downward slash.

    Being in an awkward position, Gu Xing had no chance of blocking the move. But the move also had no chance of hitting him. Gu Xing continued to descend onto the ground. Any three branches that were in his way was quickly shredded into pieces. Miao Ting Feng also jumped off the tree and landed several feet away. The two looked at each other and laugh to their hearts' content.

    Applause followed after their laughter, Lin Hong Ye arrived by Ting Feng’s side holding a basket of food and hot tea.

    “Ting Feng, Gu Xing, you must be thirsty by now. Here have some tea and dim sum I just made,” she offered them along with her dazzling smile.

    The two men wiped the sweat off their forehead and each took a cup of tea and dim sum.

    “Lin gu niang, thank you for making such delicious dim sum," commented Gu Xing.

    “Your welcome, Gu Xing,"she replied.

    After taking his time, smelling the sweet aroma coming from the freshly baked sweet cake, Ting Feng was about to slip the morsel into his mouth. But then in a flash it was taken from his hand. He turned around to see a tall skinny man, devouring his small cake.

    “Umm...gu niang, very tasty! Have you got anymore?”

    “Aye! I did not say you can eat it!” said Hong Ye.

    Soon after, three men, two women and a white majestic tiger appeared before them.

    “Shan Hao! It’s not nice to take people’s food without asking.” The lady in a light green robe reprimanded.

    “She’s right. You shouldn’t steal food from these two handsome young men,” Yuan Yuan agreed.

    “Yuan Yuan! Stop your nonsense. You only agree because you like these two handsome men!”

    Miao Ting Feng and Chen Gu Xing looked at each other bewilderedly. ‘Who are these people?, “ they thought.

    ---------------------------
    That's all for now... <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0">

    Charbydis? Goofy? Next!

    Thanks for reading all! <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">
    I just love how you Captivate My Mind

    Self reminder - Update blog more often and continue editing/writing for TOV fanfic.

  2. #82
    Senior Member Goofy's Avatar
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    Cool

    Chapter 22
    The Six-sense Imps


    Suddenly, Lin Hong Ye screamed. "Help, the tiger is going to eat me!"

    Miao Ting Feng jumped forth and was ready to fight the beast that was trying to lick her fingers. The thin man called Shan Hao chuckled. "Don't worry. Xiao Bai is as tame as a kitten. He just wants to have some of your nice food. Feed him something and he will stop bothering you."

    Glancing at the young man who stood between him and the food, Xiao Bai twisted his tail and hurled it at Miao Ting Feng. Then, he sent a light kick at the other playfully, sending the youth backward. He then rubbed his back on Lin Hong Ye's legs, begging for food. Chen Gu Xing leaped forth and received his sworn brother's body in time.

    "Are you all right?" He asked and observed the six strangers in front. "Who are you?"

    Lin Hong Ye looked at the white tiger fearfully but obeyed the thin man. She reached for some dry food in her bag and gave it to the animal. Xiao Bai's eyes lit up and snatched the food from her hands expertly. At that moment, Shan Hao jumped on the tiger's back and wrestled the food from its mouth. He then sprinted away, munching the stolen food joyfully.

    Growling furiously, the tiger ran after him. The youngest woman in the group shook her head. "First brother, shame on you to take poor Xiao Bai's food."

    She turned to the pale maiden and smiled. "Sorry, Miss for their behaviors. But, Xiao Bai is really tame - no need to be afraid of him. As long as you have food, he will be like a kitten in your hands. The same goes for my first brother too."

    Lin Hong Ye sat down weakly. She sighed with relief. "That is all right. It didn't hurt me. In fact, it was quite cute."

    Miao Ting Feng clutched his chest and stood up painfully. He was astonished at the tiger's strength. One of the men in the group stepped forward and sealed two pressure points on his chest. Then, he twirled the young man around and put his palm on the other's back.

    "Meditate and channel my energy to cure your injury." He said quietly.

    Chen Gu Xing at first thought that the stranger was hurting his friend, but realized that Miao Ting Feng was being helped. Nevertheless, he guarded his sworn brother cautiously.

    Just then, the woman named Yuan Yuan hooked her arm in his. "Handsome, may I know your name. Mine is Yuan Yuan or you can call me 'Little Sister'."

    The bald man snorted. "Don't fall for her, young man. She is not worth it. My student is much younger and prettier than she is."

    Yuan Yuan turned to him angrily. "Baldie, shut up. You have been too annoyed lately."

    She lashed her red strip of cloth at him, and the bald man laughed, dodging the attack. She whipped him again, and he brought out an abacus and caught the other's red cloth with one hand while sending the abacus' beeds at his sister.

    "Fourth brother, fifth sister, you two stop fighting!" The young woman cried, but nobody listened. She turned to the fat man and begged. "Second brother, do something."

    The second brother shrugged. "Don't worry. They are just too bored. This is not the first time they fight. I will go fetch firth brother and Xiao Bai. You'd better ask this young lady to cook something."

    He then sped away with amazing light kung fu. The youngest sister looked at Lin Hong Ye helplessly. "Please pardon us. Would you mind making us some of that wonderful food again? We are all very hungry."

    Lin Hong Ye did not know whether to laugh or to cry. These six strangers had intimidating martial arts yet seemed harmless enough. She nodded and started preparing food. At that moment, Miao Ting Feng was released from the strange man's palm. He sat down and collected his energy then cupped his hands to thank his benefactor.

    "Thank you, elder for curing me."

    The older man waved his hands. "No problem. We really bother you with our big group. By the way, have you ever seen a small pretty girl named Xiu Lan? She should have been somewhere here."

    The two young men looked at each other puzzlingly. They recalled Lin Xiu Lan's mentioning about her teachers but had never imagined that these six weirdos could have been them.

    Chen Gu Xing cupped his hands. "Yes, we know her. In fact, she is our sworn sister. My name is Chen Gu Xing, and this is my sworn brother, Miao Ting Feng."

    The older man nodded; he smiled gladly. "Nice to know you. I'm Xiu Lan's third teacher. My name is Man Tong. The others are my sworn brothers and sisters."

    At that point, the white tiger and the two brothers came back. The thin man inhaled the air dreamily. "Ah! Food!"

    He raced with the tiger to where Lin Hong Ye was stirring something in a pan. The maiden was no longer afraid of the white tiger by now. She laughed at the two's pleading looks and gave them a helping each.

    "Don't fight. There is plenty to come."

    ----------------------
    that is all I can think of now. <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/alien.gif" border="0">
    "History's third dimension is always fiction."
    -- The Glass Bead Game, Hermann Hesse

  3. #83
    Senior Member Goofy's Avatar
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    Chapter 22 (continued)

    “Food is ready.” Lin Hong Ye announced, and the fight abruptly stopped. Everyone rushed in and for a moment, only the sound of munching was heard. After the meal, Man Tong brought the white tiger to see Miao Ting Feng. “Xiao Bai wants to apologize to you for being too rough.” He whistled, and the beast sat on its hind legs while lifting the front paws toward the young man. It then leaped over Miao Ting Feng, knocking him to the ground and started licking his face.

    “Whoa! All right, all right. I forgive you. Now, let me go!” Miao Ting Feng cried, and the white animal purred. It then galloped away happily to Lin Hong Ye, hoping for some leftovers. Man Tong watched after it and shook his head. “Xiao Bai is Xiu Lan’s nurse and good friend. I rescued it from a trap and have raised it from a young cub. However, I don’t know how it picked up the greedy habit – must be from first brother.” His eyes twinkled.

    First brother snorted. “Not likely. I would never dream of teaching this fat cat to fight with me over food. Probably second or fourth brother taught it out of spite for me.”

    Xiao Bai roared as if it understood the conversation. It ran back and rubbed the snow-white body to Man Tong’s legs who patted its head affectionately. “You are one unique animal all right.”

    The white tiger put its paws on his lap and purred contentedly. Soon, it fell asleep.

    Meanwhile, Chen Gu Xing was trying to evade Yuan Yuan, who pursued him relentlessly. Miao Ting Feng could not help laughing at his sworn brother’s comical look; he pretended to ignore the other’s eyes, asking for help. Ultimately, Man Tong was the one who saved the young man, as he called his siblings for a meeting.

    “Master Miao informed me that Xiu Lan had left them since yesterday. From what he told me, I am worried that she might meet the party that she had offended earlier. I and sixth sister are going to find her. The rest can stay here.”

    Second brother, the fat man with small eyes, added. “Include me too.”

    The thin man who was the eldest brother wanted to go too but finally decided to stay upon casting his eyes at Lin Hong Ye. “There got to be someone here to take care of this fat beast. We can’t let it burst the stomach by eating too much.” He mumbled an excuse.

    Yuan Yuan laughed at him. “More like you are jealous that Xiao Bai would get good food from this young lady. I am going to stay here because I need a good rest to refresh my beauty.” She glanced at Chen Gu Xing who was talking to Miao Ting Feng and Lin Hong Ye.

    The fourth brother, a bald man, grunted. “I suppose that I will have to be here to protect those two young men from your hands then. Who know? One of them might belong to our Xiu Lan.”

    Yuan Yuan threw an angry look at him. “Everyone with an eye would know that the girl Lin there is a match with Master Miao. That is why I did not waste my energy on him. As for Master Chen, I can tell that he is not Xiu Lan’s type.”

    The bald man winked at his fifth sister. “Whatever you say, Little Sister. Anyway, I guess I will stay here and play with Xiao Bai.”

    Chen Gu Xing at that moment was consulting his friends. “Do you think we should stay with them?” He thought of Yuan Yuan’s ogling with discomfort.

    Lin Hong Ye giggled then tried to make a serious face upon receiving his frown. “I like that white tiger, and despite their rough manners, they seem friendly and nice people.”

    Miao Ting Feng thought carefully. “Staying with these people is not a bad idea. They can be our covers so that we can enter the town again.” He sent a meaningful look to his sworn brother who immediately nodded. “All right, let we see how things go first.”

    That night, after everyone had gone to bed. Miao Ting Feng and Chen Gu Xing used their light kung fu to sneak away. Their target was the Cheng Mansion.
    -------------------------------
    "History's third dimension is always fiction."
    -- The Glass Bead Game, Hermann Hesse

  4. #84
    Senior Member charbydis's Avatar
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    Talking

    Chapter Twenty-Three: Attackers In The Dark

    It was getting dark and near a lush and dense forest, a young man carried some newly chopped firewood back into his old shabby hut. Although there was no sign of another human being around, he felt safe and happy in this tranquil environment. The songs of the birds lifted his spirits and the gentle call of the cicadas soothed his heart. There was only one thing on his mind now, and it was to take the firewood to the market tomorrow and earn some money to repair the leaking roof of his hut.

    His lonely old hut was surrounded by a rigid fence of bamboo, tied tightly by lengths of tough vines in a criss-cross fashion to increase its stiffness. Breathing a sigh of relief as he slowly opened the gate to step on a sandy path, lined with stones of equal sizes that divided the yellow sand of the path from the deep brown colour of the fertilized soil on which four rows of cabbages grew on each side. The young man smiled at the size of the vegetables and for in addition to the firewood, he would have something else to sell at the market.

    Finally he was back home. He opened the door and stepped inside. The horse was not big and only had one bedroom and a living room. But everything he needed was there, his stove, his wooden table and chairs, and his beloved pot plant, with its green leaves gleaming healthily in the sun. He put down his bundle of firewood, axe and a small bag near the stove and went into his bedroom change into his home clothes when suddenly, he stopped in his stride.

    Something was different about his house today, but he didn’t know what he was. He shrugged his shoulders and ignoring his senses, he brushed to the side the piece of cloth that separated his bedroom from the living room. And indeed, there was something different about his house today. There was something extra there, for lying on his hard bed of rough linen, was a young girl, sleeping peacefully as if she was a small child, without a worry in the world.

    The young man’s lower jaw dropped in amazement at the sight of the blue clad figure. Never in his life, had he seen such a beautiful girl. The only girls around her age he had seen were the village girls that washed their clothes in the nearby river everyday. But even the most beautiful of them could not be compared to the one who was lying upon his bed.

    But his thoughts were interrupted by the cold fingers that had reached from behind him and clawed around his neck. “Don’t move!” came a voice from behind him, “Don’t try anything or else I’ll break your neck!” and the fingers tightened. The young man choked at the constriction and nodded furiously.

    The fingers relaxed and the voice came again, “Who are you and what are you doing here? Are you following us?”

    The young man gasped and replied, “I am just a poor boy who lives here. I don’t know who you are and I wouldn’t dream of following you or anyone else!”

    The hand spun him around and he became face to face with a young man about his age, but with a black moustache upon his face. The young man looked up and down at his capturer, noting his small build and thin hands. His skin was in a very good condition, snow white yet with a slight pinkish tinge shining through. If not for the fact that he was a man, he would have been easily fooled that he was a woman. But he frightened, what did this person want?

    The young man felt the fingers loosen but then two of them shifted to a position just below his jaw bone and pressing on it, his attacker asked suspiciously, “So the house is yours?”

    The young man nodded earnestly.

    “I’ll give you one more chance. Is this house really yours?” The young man nodded again.

    Then to his surprise, the fingers were removed from his neck but instead; he received a painful blow in the abdomen by the skinny looking youth. He looked up in bewilderment as the person raged, “So you are the owner of this house! What kind of person are you? Some weirdo? Why don’t you have any food in your house? I have been here for almost five hours and I am starving! Do you want to starve me to death?”

    The small figure of the man waving his arms about amused him though his loud shouts nearly deafened him. Holding both his hands to his ears, the young man shouted against the loud sound intensity, “Mister! I am a poor person. I cannot afford to store food in my house. I sell firewood and vegetables for a living and with the money; I can only afford to buy some rough rice. I didn’t know you were going to be here but if you are hungry, I just bought some rice back. It is in a small bad near the stove. You can also get some cabbages from outside.”

    But their shouting has awoken the sleeping girl, who sat up and opened her eyes dreamily and in a tired voice, she called, “Mister Lin, is that you? Why all the noise?”

    Hearing that, the young man with the moustache looked over to her and replied in a softer voice, “Don’t worry, Miss Zhao. It is nothing. Go back to sleep!” The girl nodded with a smile and then fell back to sleep. The voice that she received made it as if the clouds of doubts in her mind had all been driven away by the sound of his voice as if it was the wind.

    She remembered clearly that it was that voice which came to her when she had woken up in a blur of light and dark. The last thing she recalled was a pretty young girl jumping beside her and then a great numbness spread all over her body and she lost control of her limbs. Furthermore, she could not talk. She felt being lifted off her carriage and then laid gently on the ground. She became face to face with the blazing sun and within seconds, she gave up her consciousness and fainted from the heat and light.

    It was when she woke up that she heard that voice. It was like a ray of light that shone into her dark environment with her closed eyes. It seemed safe, kind and somewhat familiar when he said, “Miss, Miss, are you alright?” and after feeling someone shaking her left hand, she opened her eyes and saw him.

    The bright light hurt her eyes after the darkness they were accustomed to in the previous hours but the silhouette of his head blocked out most of the light and brought relief to her eyes. His eyes were like the twinkling stars above in the dark skies that would have never appeared in the day like this. His face was like the moon, which was soothing on this hot day.

    He pulled her up to a sitting position and zooming his face into hers, he repeated, “Miss, are you alright?” She couldn’t talk.

    “Father would kill me if he saw this!” she thought. Her father had never let any young man this close to her before. He had always said to her, “A true refined and educated lady should keep away from all males except her father, her husband and her sons. Especially an aristocrat like yourself should keep at least a whole three meters distance from them.” But yet, she could not resist pulling herself away from this intoxicating young man who was well less than three metres from her. She felt her cheeks turning red as she felt his gaze upon her. She nodded slightly with her head lowered.

    “I’ll help you up!” he offered, and pulled her to her feet. But perhaps she had been in the sun for too long, she lost her balance and felt dizzy again. But luckily, the young man caught her on his back shoulder in her fall and again, she heard his voice. “Miss, My surname is Lin. What is your name?”

    She settled comfortably on his back and murmured, “Ah Ning. My name is Zhao Ning.” and once again, she lost her consciousness.

    Back in hut, the young man by the surname of Lin, ordered to the village boy, “You, go and cook us some food now. And also bring us some water to bath.” The village boy nodded and turned to go, when he was approached by the question, “What is your name?”

    “Ah Feng. I am called Ah Feng.” He replied straightaway, and quickly added, “What is your name?”

    The young man did not expected to be asked back the same question so carelessly, he swiftly said, “Lin Xiu Lan.”

    “What?” cried Ah Feng with surprise, “Xiu Lan? Isn’t that a girl’s name?” and he fought back from bursting into laughter.

    Lin Xiu Lan, who had although been tired by dressing and behaving like a man for two days, had quickly realized her mistake and corrected by protesting, “You fool! Are you deaf? Not Xiu Lan! I said Xiu Nan. “Xiu” for refining, “Nan” as in man!”

    Her face flushed red with emotions as her secret was nearly revealed. But fortunately, Ah Feng nodded and quickly apologizing, he rushed out to get some water to cook.

    Seeing that the fool had gone, Lin Xiu Lan laughed mischievously and walked over to the sleeping Zhao Ning. “The medicine must be wearing off now! She just woke up!” and she took a purple pill from her bag hanging off her belt and squeezing her jaw, she opened Zhao Ning’s mouth.

    Although in a man’s disguise, Lin Xiu Lan still was afraid that Zhao Ning would recognize her so she gave her drugs to keep her in a blur until she had escorted this weak lady to a safe place where she would find her way home.

    But suddenly, a rush of winds blew the up the curtains and Lin Xiu Lan immediately knew that some powerful martial arts people had arrived. Not wanting to face an opponent without knowing their potential, she hid just beside the doorframe, inside the safety of the house’s walls. She shifted her eyes in position with a crack in the bamboo door and peered at the newcomers with firebrands. She gasped for standing just meters away, was that alcoholic pervert, Chen Sheng Tian.

    Chen Sheng Tian had about five men with him and one of them, walking up to the door, kicked the whole door to pieces with one single kick. But as his foot was inside the house, Lin Xiu Lan grabbed it and swiftly, stuck three golden needles in his sole. She pushed in away after that and leaping outside; she threw some more needles at the men who quickly deflected them with their scabbards.

    “Who the heck?” cried Chen Sheng Tian as he just got himself rid of five needles. Then he peered closer and exclaimed, “You!” Lin Xiu Lan gasped as he recognized her despute her male disguise and the dark night.

    “What is so surprising?” she pouted, “Since you can be where, why can’t I be here?”

    Chen Sheng Tian broke into laughter and shaking his finger at her, he exclaimed, “I know! I know! You must be stalking me! No need to continue that now! Your lover is here! Give me a kiss!” Lin Xiu Lan stuck her tongue out at him and secretly, she held a cluster of needles in her hand, ready for action. <IMG SRC="smilies/angrystick.gif" border="0">

    Chen Sheng Tian exclaimed, “Ah. Last time when I saw you, I was drunk but thought you were beautiful. But today now that I am sober, you are even more beautiful! What do you say if you be my concubine while your friend, Lin Hong Ye is my wife?” Lin Xiu Lan could not stand it anymore and released her needles at him.

    Startled, Chen Sheng Tian froze in the path of the needles, but a middle-aged man next to him pulled him backwards and taking his place, he took out his whip and caught the needles by spinning it, and released them in the doorframe of the hut, just beside Lin Xiu Lan.

    Lin Xiu Lan was a bit frightened by this man but kept up her appearance and pouted, “Five men against a girl. What kind of men are you?” And she stepped forward into a fighting pose, with hands clawed like a tiger. The middle-aged man smiled politely and taking a plain stick from behind his back, he held it in front of him, saying, “Miss, please let me see your skills!”

    Lin Xiu Lan made a face at him and exclaimed, “Stupid fool, I’ll send you to have a drink with the King of Hell tonight!” and she lunged forwards at him with great speed.

    Her moves were swift and light that it was hard to predict the spot she would move to next. Her hands were clawed like a tiger attacking and even the attacks were imitations of a tiger hunting. These moves she developed form being with Xiao Bai all day. All though Xiao Bai a friendly tiger raised by humans, but it did not lose it’s inherited hunting skills – speed, power and accuracy. Lin Xiu Lan incorporated these three things into the martial arts her teachers taught her and thus came up with this set of skills.

    Her opponent was fast with the stick and while exchanging moves, Lin Xiu Lan could feel part of his internal energy pushing her away. His actions were simple and predictable, and sometimes, Lin Xiu Lan wondered why he used them against her. But she got the upper hand and after being punched thrice in the right shoulder, the man stepped back and exclaimed, “Miss, your skills are surely impressive. Please accept this bow from me!”

    Hearing that, Chen Sheng Tian woke from his trance and shouted, “Mister Fu Ba Kong Qi! You can’t do that! We can’t …” but he stopped immediately after a hard glare from Fu Ba Kong Qi. Fu Ba Kong Qi wore a smile on his face and bowed very low to Lin Xiu Lan.

    Pleased with herself, Lin Xiu Lan looked up in the sky arrogantly as she received his respectful bow. Suddenly, her ears caught the sound of something cutting the air and she looked back down just in time to see the tip of his stick lunging at her head.

    Swiftly, she avoided the attack and screaming, “You despicable cheat! You dare to use dirty tricks on me? I’ll teach you a lesson!” Lin Xiu Lan grabbed hold of the stick with her hand and clamped down tight. “Hehe, once I destroy your weapon, you will have nothing to fight me with!” she thought as she tightened her grip and crushed the wood between her fingers and palm.

    But a purple dust came out from the debris and after inhaling in some of the scented dust, she fell down fatigued onto the ground. Chen Sheng Tian and his men moved him, only just to hear her murmur, “You… drugs… despicable!”

    Fu Ba Kong Qi laughed evilly and mockingly while exclaiming, “Little girl! I’ll tell you this! To survive in this pugilistic world, good martial arts are not enough. Only dirty tricks and clever strategies will get you somewhere. And arrogance is the moment which one is least alert. Remember that!” And Lin Xiu Lan swore that she would.

    Turning to Chen Sheng Tian, he called, “Young Master Chen. Please go in and see if the princess is there. Beware of other hidden people!”

    “Princess?” thought Lin Xiu Lan. “So Zhao Ning must be …”

    Chen Sheng Tian happily walked towards the hut, knowing that his father would indeed praise him for his good work, when a soft female called out, “Mister Lin! Where are you?” and a weak frail figure of a girl stumbled out of the house.

    It was Zhao Ning. She had awoken from the effects of the sleeping drug and finding herself alone in the a strange house with fighting noises outside, although still being dizzy, she made her way out of the house, only to be caught in the arms of a stranger.

    “Ah!” exclaimed Chen Sheng Tian with glee. “Another beauty! I must be a lucky man! All these pretty girls running to me! And this one is a princess! Give me a kiss honey!” and screaming, Zhao Ning put up her hands in defense and start pushing away his head.

    “Stop it!” ordered Fu Ba Kong Qi, “You father sent us to capture the princess, not assault her! If there is one hair missing from her head, then I would have trouble explaining to the Prince, who should be at your father’s house by now! Take her to the Prince and he will go ahead with the plan!”

    Chen Sheng Tian was very disappointed by this, first being scratched by Zhao Ning, then nto being able to have her. But when he remembered Lin Xiu Lan on the ground, he consoled himself and started dragging Zhao Ning towards his acquaintances.

    But a shout broke his smile as he haerd, “What do you think you are all doing in my house? And with Miss Zhao and Mister Lin? Get out of here now or I will be nasty!” it was Ah Feng.

    Fu Ba Kong Qi took one look at the shabbily dressed youngster with two buckets rested on a pole on his shoulder, and laughing, he warned, “Young man! These two are the people I want, and what Fu Ba Kong Qi wants, he will not give up easily! Young man, I see that you are an honest good boy! Go back in your house and act as if nothing has happened. It will save your life! Here is a gold ingot. Take it and go to sleep.” And threw the golden solid at the young man.

    To his surprise, Ah Feng kicked it away and putting down his bucket of water, he replied, “I won’t take your money. Mother taught me that one should not take money from bad people. Mister Lin and Miss Zhao never hurt me so they must be good people. And you all must be bad people because you are hurting them.” And he looked towards Zhao Ning who was screaming as like she had been covered with squirming insects. “I will not let you hurt them. Mother said that as a man, I must protect good people.”

    Chen Sheng Tian handed Zhao Ning to one of his men and walking towards Ah Feng, he teased, “Country Bumpkin! Mother this, mother that! Why don’t you get your mother to fight with us?”

    “I hate people who insult my mother!” cried Ah Feng and swiftly, he lunged his fists at Cheng Sheng Tian, who unprepared, flew backwards at the force had not Fu Ba Kong Qi steeped in and caught him.

    Fu Ba Kong Qi engaged in a fight with Ah Feng and to his surprise, the simple-looking youth could withstand not only his first blow, but also his second, third, fourth, fifth and so on. Fu Ba Kong Qi sensed some internal energy inside this young man, and took care not to strike his abdomen incase he was repelled. But finally, they came to the thirteenth stance; Ah Feng leapt into the air and somersaulting twice, he extended his palms right onto Fu Ba Kong Qi’s and upon impact both of them skidded backwards. Thunder and lighting exchanged in the skies and the increased amount of light lit up Fu Ba Kong Qi’s surprised expression.

    Facing Ah Feng who was rubbing his arms from the pain, Fu Ba Kong Qi exclaimed, “Mighty Dragon Arrogant Phoenix Palms’ eighteenth stance, Falling Phoenix Forever Confident! What is your name!” His face had turned all pale.

    Ah Feng replied honestly, “My name is Kao Xiao Feng.” pounding his arms softly to relax the muscles and pain.

    Anxiously, Fu Ba Kong Qi asked again, “What is your connection with Kao Ruo Yan?”

    Fu Ba Kong Qi went into a trance when he heard, “How dare you say my mother’s name out loud? I’ll kill you all!” Kao Xiao Feng rushed at him but eh had no reaction and stood still in front of his attacker. Seeing the change, Chen Sheng Tian signaled for his men to run but that caught the attention of Kao Xiao Feng.

    While his men battled with Kao Xiao Feng, Chen Sheng Tian grabbed the dazed Fu Ba Kong Qi and the screaming Zhao Ning and ran. But Kao Xiao Feng caught up and after a few stances; Chen Sheng Tian had to leave without Zhao Ning. Kao Xiao Feng went back with Zhao Ning in his arms, only to find Lin Xiu Lan lying still on the ground but with his hut on fire. In the distance, he saw Chen Sheng Tian’s men running away with firebrand in their hands. <IMG SRC="smilies/bawling.gif" border="0">
    "Better to write for yourself and have no public, than to write for the public and have no self."
    Cyril Connolly

  5. #85
    Senior Member Goofy's Avatar
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    great chapter, charbydis. <IMG SRC="smilies/clap.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/clap.gif" border="0">
    "History's third dimension is always fiction."
    -- The Glass Bead Game, Hermann Hesse

  6. #86
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    Great chapters. Update more please!!!
    "If we are not ashamed to think, we should not be ashamed to say it"
    Marcus T. Cicero

  7. #87
    Moderator Suet Seung's Avatar
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    Talking

    OoO... <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> Is it my turn to update already?

    I'll have to check with my PDA...man...I don't know how I can survive with so many things to handle/deal with. Please give a good 2-3 weeks for me to come up with something and type a new chapter for TOV.

    <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">
    I just love how you Captivate My Mind

    Self reminder - Update blog more often and continue editing/writing for TOV fanfic.

  8. #88
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    TOV in Hebrew word means 'good' And I have to say that your TOV is really really tov...(good) <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

    Keep up the good work guys <IMG SRC="smilies/clap.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/clap.gif" border="0">

  9. #89
    Senior Member charbydis's Avatar
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    Wink

    I start my end of the year exams next Wednesday and end it at the start of Dec. I will get on with the fanfic then.

    i think less people read this one cos we update so slow. <IMG SRC="smilies/frown.gif" border="0"> But I can ensure you that thsi is not the least read fanfics here. look at my "Tale of A Falling City", only abotu three people replied overall, which is much less than the responses we have here. <IMG SRC="smilies/sigh.gif" border="0">
    "Better to write for yourself and have no public, than to write for the public and have no self."
    Cyril Connolly

  10. #90
    Senior Member Goofy's Avatar
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    charbydis, I would have continued from your chapter except that I don't know what you want for your new character. <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

    don't be despaired. readers do come and go.

    We might all one day be famous. <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/french.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/alien.gif" border="0">

    We can call ourself Spcnet Club then.... <IMG SRC="smilies/tongue.gif" border="0">
    "History's third dimension is always fiction."
    -- The Glass Bead Game, Hermann Hesse

  11. #91
    Senior Member charbydis's Avatar
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    Nah, i would have retired by then anyway. But for the next chapter, you can choose how the path of the characters go. There is no need to ask me. <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">
    "Better to write for yourself and have no public, than to write for the public and have no self."
    Cyril Connolly

  12. #92
    Senior Member Goofy's Avatar
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    Chapter 24
    Familiar Stranger


    At that moment, a masked man appeared out of nowhere and grabbed the unconscious Lin Xiu Lan from the ground. The next second, they both disappeared. Kao Xiao Feng was about to follow, but Zhao Ning suddenly had hysteria and fainted. The fire had by now consuming the hut and Kao Xiao Feng had no choice but to carry the maiden in his arms to a safety place.

    Realized that with Zhao Ning, he could not conveniently fight with the group of villains if he happened to run into them, Kao Xiao Feng purposely turned into the forest and went straight to a cave that he used to play in as a boy.

    There, he put Zhao Ning down gently and began massaging her shoulders. After a while, she woke up and stared at him with wide eyes.

    "Where is Mister Lin?" That was her first sentence and it hurt Kao Xiao Feng more than a real injury.

    "Someone has taken him away." He grumpily replied. Then, he relented as she turned pale. "Don't worry, I will help you find your friend. Can you stay here alone for a while?" He asked her, and she nodded, trying to look brave.

    Kao Xiao Feng took a last look at her and wordlessly left the cave. First place that he went was his hut which was now but a pile of ashes. Seeing the condition of the place that he had spent all his life in, Kao Xiao Feng could not help but sighed heavily.

    However, a living was more important than the burnt home. Kao Xiao Feng started to look around for any trace of the stranger but found nothing. Not wanting to disappoint Zhao Ning, he carefully scaled around the area in case the masked man was hiding somewhere.

    After several hours, he had to give up and returned to the cave. There, he found the beautiful maiden was sleeping on the ground like a fairy from heaven.

    Kao Xiao Feng sat down and watched over her all night long. Strangely enough, a sight of Zhao Ning was enough to take away his weariness. He sighed. If only he could be lucky to see her every day...

    Meanwhile, Lin Xiu Lan opened her eyes to find that someone was transferring energy into her. A familiar voice was ordering her to sit still and meditate. Realized that the other tried to help her purging the drug from her system, she took a deep breath and followed his instruction.

    After some moment, the stranger took his hands off her back and gently said, "You are all right now. The villain that used this drug on you is very despicable. It is not just a mere drug but a strong poison, fatal enough to kill you."

    Lin Xiu Lan gritted her teeth. She had never been outwitted like this time before. "I have to revenge that turtle." She turned to her savior and cupped her hands. "Thank you Sir, may I have your name?"

    The masked man chuckled. "My name is not important. Please be more careful in the future." He bowed to her and walked away.

    Lin Xiu Lan was still weak but she got up and shouted to him. "Hey, Mister. When will we meet again?" She was captivated with his mysterious air.

    The masked man replied without pausing. "If we have fate with each other, we will meet again. Take care." With that, he bound away with high speeds, leaving Lin Xiu Lan to wonder about him with blushing face.
    ---------------------------
    short but hope it is all right.

    <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

    WK, charbydis?
    thank you for reading..
    "History's third dimension is always fiction."
    -- The Glass Bead Game, Hermann Hesse

  13. #93
    Senior Member Goofy's Avatar
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    a bit more...

    Some time later, Lin Xiu Lan heard footsteps and immediately hid behind a big rock, peeping out curiously. Turned out the new comer was none other than the scholar who she thought that she had managed to lose him.

    The scholar sat down right next to the rock that she was behind and took out a bun from his pocket. Lin Xiu Lan unconsciously swallowed saliva with hunger. She had just realized that she hadn't eaten anything for a long time.

    Conspired with an idea, she picked up a pebble from the ground and threw it in the other direction. As she had expected, the scholar suddenly stopped eating. He put his bun on top of his bundle nearby and walked cautiously toward the noise, whistling softly to encourage himself.

    "I am not afraid of you, whatever you are." He chanted, and Lin Xiu Lan almost laughed at his cowardness.

    Quickly as lightning, she snatched the half-eaten bun and gobbled it down with relish.

    A few minutes later, the scholar returned and leaned against the rock again. He seemed surprised to see his food was gone but took out another bun from the same pocket.

    Lin Xiu Lan wisely allowed him to finish this bun, however. Then, she repeated the operation when he took out the third bun.

    Upon finding that his food had disappeared for the second time, the scholar knelt down and started praying to the forest spirits in earnest. After that, he placed all his food in front of the rock as his offerings and quickly went away.

    Lin Xiu Lan burst out laughter and finished up the offerings that the scholar had left. "What a silly man to believe that there is a ghost here!" She chuckled and settled down to sleep.

    <IMG SRC="smilies/naughty.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/shifty.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

    [ October 17, 2002: Message edited by: Goofy ]
    "History's third dimension is always fiction."
    -- The Glass Bead Game, Hermann Hesse

  14. #94
    Senior Member Goofy's Avatar
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    all right, the last installment... <IMG SRC="smilies/redface.gif" border="0">

    The next morning, Lin Xiu Lan set out for the Chen mansion to rescue Zhao Ning. Toward the mid-morning, she stopped at a rivulet for a drink. Just while she was bending down to wash her face, a hand was touching her shoulder.

    With quick reflex from years of training,without turning around, Lin Xiu Lan poked her elbow sharply at the stranger then followed with a grab at the other's arm and threw him over her head into the stream.

    Unexpectedly, that person had clasped her feet and pulled her into the water with him. In rage, she rose to the surface, not without swallowing some amount of cold water. The cause of her fall also came up, facing her with a big smile.

    Lin Xiu Lan stared at the man in front unbelievably for a second and gave him a big slap. "That is for pulling me into the water with you." She proceeded to slap his other cheek. "And this is for trying to be intimated with me." Then she waded out of the water furiously.

    The scholar blinked his eyes after his punishment. He said nothing but marched after the young maiden. Lin Xiu Lan glared at him but decided that the first thing to do was to build the fire to dry her clothes. Her teeth began to shatter from cold. The young man silently helped her gathering wood and putting them in a pile.

    Lin Xiu Lan built the fire and sat down close to it, warming her frozen fingers. The scholar ventured near her but paused upon receiving another fiere stare from her.

    Lin Xiu Lan was about to chase him away but changed her mind upon realizing that he was shaking. She shrugged. "Oh, well! I will think that this fire is an exchange for some of your gold." She grunted and motioned the other to sit while warning him not to try anything funny.

    "I am not in a good mood, so you'd better not tire my patience."

    The scholar smiled meekly and sat down on a rock. He then ventured a suggestion.

    "Er, Miss will catch a cold if Miss won't change into new clothes. I have another set of outfit that Miss can use." He walked to his bundle and offered her his robe.

    Lin Xiu Lan looked at him sceptically but saw only the earnest in his eyes. She nodded and gave an order. "All right, you wait here and sing something loudly, so I know where you are." Then, she grabbed the clothes and disappeared behind a bush.

    When she reappeared, the scholar was sitting next to the fire, warming himself as best as he could. Lin Xiu Lan approached him and eyed him thoughtfully.

    "Hmm, since you have sacrificed your clothes to me, I will leave your body in tact." She sat down and took the food that the man offered her. "But, do not come behind my back like you did again; otherwise, you will be sorry."

    The scholar vigorously nodded his head. He profusingly apologized to her so sincerely that Lin Xiu Lan could not help smiling.

    Then, casually he mentioned that he had just seen the most beautiful lady in a forest. "I thought she was a ghost, so when I met you, I wanted to make sure that I was not having hallucination."

    He made an excuse but Lin Xiu Lan did not bother to hear anymore. She quickly asked him to lead her to that maiden.

    The scholar hid his smiles, but outwardly, he timidly guided the maiden to the cave where Zhao Ning was resting.

    -----------------------------
    this should be the end of chapter unless you don't think it is good enough... Humor for a change. <IMG SRC="smilies/laugh.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">
    "History's third dimension is always fiction."
    -- The Glass Bead Game, Hermann Hesse

  15. #95
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    <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><table border="0" width="80%" bgcolor="#dcdcdc" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1"><tr><td width="100%"><table border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="10" bgcolor="#DCDCDC"><tr><td width="100%" bgcolor="#eeeeee"><font size="1">Originally posted by Goofy:
    <STRONG>don't be despaired. readers do come and go.

    We might all one day be famous. <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/french.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/alien.gif" border="0">

    We can call ourself Spcnet Club then.... <IMG SRC="smilies/tongue.gif" border="0"></STRONG></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></BLOCKQUOTE>

    Right..readers come and go. As for me..usually I copy and paste the story on my computer..and read it at home when I have time. So basically I read the stories, although I may not read it here on the internet <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

  16. #96
    Senior Member Goofy's Avatar
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    the story should be updated.

    whose turn is it? <IMG SRC="smilies/confused.gif" border="0">
    "History's third dimension is always fiction."
    -- The Glass Bead Game, Hermann Hesse

  17. #97
    Moderator Suet Seung's Avatar
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    Arrow

    Hi Charbydis, Goofy, and most importantly readers!

    Finally the posters for Tales of Vengence is here! Firstly, I would like to thank Tido for helping us three make the poster, helping my dream of making the poster look like a novel cover, come true. Without your talent at making posters, it wouldn't be possible. I would also thank VuongNgocYen for letting me use the pictures in the poster. On behalf of Charbydis and Goofy, I would like to thank you two so much for your help in making the TOV posters possible. <IMG SRC="smilies/grouphug.gif" border="0">

    $this->handle_bbcode_img_match('http://image1ex.villagephotos.com/1276924.jpg')

    $this->handle_bbcode_img_match('http://image1ex.villagephotos.com/1276925.jpg')

    Btw, I will update this fanfic soon after I've updated my other two fanfics. Hihihi... <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">
    I just love how you Captivate My Mind

    Self reminder - Update blog more often and continue editing/writing for TOV fanfic.

  18. #98
    Senior Member Melanie's Avatar
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    Thumbs up

    Whoa! Those poster are beautiful! They look exactly like those on the covers for a real wuxia novel. Great job, tido. <IMG SRC="smilies/clap.gif" border="0"> How fitting. Impressive posters for an impressive story. Keep up the great work with the artwork and the story-telling. <IMG SRC="smilies/thumbsup.gif" border="0">

  19. #99
    Senior Member Goofy's Avatar
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    those are very neat posters, WK.

    <IMG SRC="smilies/clap.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/clap.gif" border="0">

    thanks Tido. <IMG SRC="smilies/hatoff.gif" border="0">

    I feel so like real novelist. <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/tongue.gif" border="0">
    "History's third dimension is always fiction."
    -- The Glass Bead Game, Hermann Hesse

  20. #100
    Senior Member tido's Avatar
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    Thanx guys,

    Hopefully the poster will inspire you guys to update soon!!!
    "It is poop calling vomit stink."---the insult dog

    Plz visit my site: http://omnibus.250x.com

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