The Quest of Heaven and Earth

[eve13]

yep yep.
that's who i meant. the bad one.
poor her. she would feel awful once she discovers the truth!

and Goofy, u're not confusing us. well i know i'm not!
it's very clear. i'm sometimes confused with jing yong's, but u're not confusing. it's perfect! great to see al the fans u have!!

[Melanie]

Hey Goofy,
I saw the posters for parts 1&2 of Legend of Sword and Saber! I love the one with Adam and Gigi Chiu Ngar Chi in it! Go Tian Fei and Yue Ling!

[Melanie]

Goofy,
Please tell me that you have included Tian Fei and Yue Ling in your sequel!

[Goofy]

Yue Ling will not appear b/c she had to take care her pregnant daughter at the White Pearl Island. <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

Tian Fei might make cameo appearance though I am not sure yet.

I intend to give Adam full screen in the next fanfic though. He will be my pet character. <IMG SRC="smilies/love.gif" border="0">

[Melanie]

Goofy,
But what about Chiu Ngar Chi? Will she appear in the third part of your story? Please say, "Yes, of course, I wouldn't dream of disappointing you, Melanie." <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

[Goofy]

I won't dream of disappointing you, Melanie. <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

Chiu Ngar Chi and Adam Cheng will appear in the third story as new characters. <IMG SRC="smilies/twirl.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/wave.gif" border="0">

I won't dream of missing this lovely pair from my fanfic. <IMG SRC="smilies/love.gif" border="0">

[Melanie]

Goofy,

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

I can't wait until Adam and Gigi appear again as lovers in your third story! <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

But you have to promise me one thing! Adam has to be faithful to Gigi in both body and heart. No sleeping with other women! <IMG SRC="smilies/frown.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/shame.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/nono.gif" border="0">

[Goofy]

can he be a spoiled playboy then? <IMG SRC="smilies/tongue.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/naughty.gif" border="0">

I am planning on the plot at the moment. The end was a bit hazy but I know what would happen in the first few chapters. Adam will be the second generation this time, so the readers have to imagine his young pic. <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

[Goofy]

I would say a strong character with dubious background. <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

She will have some incredible adventures. <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

[Melanie]

Ohhhhh..... I like the dubious background part! <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

[Melanie]

No. No. No. <IMG SRC="smilies/nono.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/nono.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/nono.gif" border="0">

He has to be a sweet, clueless guy who will follow Gigi around with a dopey look on his face. <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/doggy.gif" border="0">

Make some evil guy be the spoiled playboy. <IMG SRC="smilies/evillaugh.gif" border="0">

[Goofy]

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

but he needs to have a charm of his too, you know. Don't worry, he will not be a brat since I cannot stand having brats in my story. He will mature and become a worthy man for her. <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

[Melanie]

Hey, I find the dopey look very charming! <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

And what will Gigi's character be like? <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">

[Melanie]

Goofy, you have to make Adam go gaga over Gigi! <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

Promise me, promise me, promise me!

Okay, I guess you never want me to comment again, since I am such a demanding and strange reader! <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

[Goofy]

I am glad to have such an avid reader, on the contrary. <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

feel like I am a real writer. <IMG SRC="smilies/redface.gif" border="0">

anyway, I have to sit and think about each character carefully before starting the story. Sometimes, the cast seem to have mind of their own since they dictate me instead of I make them what to do.

Maybe Adam might just want to do that. <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0">

[andrea7974]

<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 worry, he will not be a brat since I cannot stand having brats in my story. He will mature and become a worthy man for her. <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"></STRONG></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></BLOCKQUOTE>

<IMG SRC="smilies/rofl.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/rofl.gif" border="0"> I know that Goofy <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

[Goofy]

Chapter 19
Debts from the Past

Character List (not in any particular order):
Tian Xin-er (Vivian Leung Siu Bing)
Shu Qiuyang (Deric Wan Siu Lan)
Ke Jing (Julian Cheung Chi Lam)
Miao Li (Jackie Lui Chung Yin)
Jiaping (Fiona Leung Ngai Ling)
Shu Xiayue (Maggie Siu Mei Kei)

Simultaneously, another incident occurred at another part of the mansion. Ke Jing was prepared for bed when cool fragrance touched his nostril. Immediately, he felt numb and light-headed. Realized that he had been poisoned, he immediately circulated his inner force to purge out the toxin. However, he was one second too late as white fingers from out of nowhere had sealed various pressure points on his body.

Next, that mysterious attacker seized him and soundlessly flew out of a window. Outside, a group of women cloaked from top to bottom in white was waiting with a coffin. As if these white forms were ghosts from the Underworld, the immediate area grew chilly, and the grass under their feet turned black and died out.

Tian Xin-er was inside a nearby room with Shu Xiayue when she felt unpleasantly cold. Her trained ears detected a number of strangers outside, so she decided to investigate. Accordingly, she motioned to the other maiden to stay put inside, while she cautiously opened a window and looked out in time to see Ke Jing was being placed inside a coffin. A tall maiden clad in flowing white robe was standing next to the casket, overseeing the transporting procedure. Her face was pale and beautiful but lacked emotion as if she were a carved marble statue.

Tian Xin-er lost no time in rushing out of her room to rescue Ke Jing. The tall maiden turned around annoyingly and cast silver objects toward the interrupter. Tian Xin-er twisted her torso automatically to evade the coming weapons. Turned out those projectiles were actually small silvery snakes with tiny black dots on their heads. Tian Xin-er only realized that when she caught one of them between her fingers. Instantly, the snake bit her, and its venom rapidly entered to her body.

The group of women in white seemed to lose interest in her and proceeded with their job. After that, they lifted the coffin and left mysteriously and quietly as when they had come.

In the meantime, Tian Xin-er sealed two pressure points somewhere below her shoulders to stop the further flow of the poison. Then, she chased after the ghostly group relentlessly, concerning only of Ke Jing’s safety. She had not gone far when a man with blue robe appeared in front of her. In his gloved hand was a saber. His eyes looked out of his leather mask with strange expression. Tian Xin-er could not help shivering from a death aura that came from him.

“Tian Xin-er, you are paying the debt for your sister today.” The masked man remarked fiercely. His tall stature looked intimidating in the ghostly moonlight, and his weapon gleamed in the dark, thirstily waiting for blood. Like a raging storm, he charged at her.

Tian Xin-er tried her best to defense herself. However, she was getting weaker as the snake venom proved to be very strong and at the moment was effecting her ability to fight. She felt dizzy, and her movements became slower thus an opening for the opponent to strike in.

The masked man’s saber stabbed forth and tasted its first blood. Tian Xin-er screamed as pain was seeping through the gash. Red blood bathed the sharp blade, and its vivid color seemed to wake up a sense in the man for he staggered back uncertainly. “Xin-er, I am sorry.” He howled; his eyes showed concern. Then, they turned murderous again. “No, every Tian has to die to revenge for my master.” He stepped unsteadily toward the injured maiden, brandishing the bloodstained weapon in his hand for the final kill.

At that point, a sword was put forth in front of Tian Xin-er while a hand pushed her away from the radius of the attack. The sword intercepted the coming saber with the Maiden Sword style. Quickly and elegantly, the sword user moved nimbly against the powerful Sun Saber style. The masked man began to panic since he first discerned the technique the newcomer was using. He had exclaimed, “Sword South School!”

The sword owner was a man in dark suit with black cloth covering his face. Tian Xin-er looked at him from the ground and thought he looked familiar. Although wounded, her sharp wit was still working. Immediately, she shouted cunningly, “Brother-in-law, go ahead and butcher him.”

Since the battle at Wu Dang against the Love Palace Sect three years ago, the names of Tian Xiang-er and Di Yi had been spread throughout the martial realm for defeating the formidable Black Devil – a martial expert that could overpower both Medicine Man and Dragon Lady, two of the four Greats in the era. Their tales had been retold and become a popular legend for youngsters who wished to become hero one day.

Tian Xiang-er and her husband, Di Yi, had acquired both high inner strength and top martial art manuals. They had also created their own technique that comprised of the use of sword and saber. Because Di Yi had been known as a top swordsman, it was no wonder that the masked man would hesitate to duel against such strong opponent. Although he wanted vengeance, he needed to save his life for bigger project. After all, he only came up against Tian Xin-er because he had understood that her family was away.

He had been confident in his victory, but now he became worried. The appearance of Di Yi could have spoiled everything he had planned so far. After a flash of calculation, he decided to retreat before his identity would be revealed. Hastily, he jumped back and bounded away with lightning speed. At one corner of his heart, there was a small relief mixed with guilt. He could not tell whether he was sorry or not for failing in killing this maiden.

Hidden emotions often indirectly dictated one’s actions, but sometimes it was hard to judge which feeling was true and which was not.

Even a leave might not want to flutter, wind would not allow it. Even a person might not wish to act, circumstance might lead him to do so.

Such was the truth of nature.

Tian Xin-er tried to get up but winced as fresh blood gushed out of the open wound. Wordlessly, the black garbed man pressed her acupuncture points to stop more loss of blood and started transferring his internal power to her. Tian Xin-er felt warm stream of energy entering her body and detected it as the force originated from Sword South School. ‘Could he be…?’ She wondered but had no time to think as two other people appeared.

Shu Qiuyang and Shu Xiayue were running in her direction, pursuing by an army of soldiers. While running, Shu Qiuyang yelled out a warning. “Get away quick! They are out to kill us.”

At the present, Tian Xin-er’s face was deadly pale, and its forehead was full of beads of sweats. Despite her condition, she was concerned over her friends. “Please help them, brother…” She could not utter any further as she coughed out some blood.

The masked man took his hands from her back and checked her pulse anxiously. He glanced at the approaching pair and their chasers then back at the injured maiden who was on the verge of unconsciousness. Then, he picked her up and ran to Shu Qiuyang.

“Take her and go find a doctor for her. She has a strange poison in her system, and she has a fatal wound at her side. I will take care of those soldiers for you. GO!”

He ordered the bewildered young man and pushed the senseless body of Tian Xin-er in the other’s hands. Shu Xiayue exclaimed at the sight of her friend. She poked at her cousin and hurried him away. By the time they disappeared from the scene, the man clad in black had already engaged in a battle with a crowd of uniformed guards fully armed.

Sound of weapons clashing became faint and finally died down as the three moved deeper into a vast wasteland ahead. At last, Shu Xiayue called for her cousin to stop. “We need to take a look at Xin-er.” She said, and Shu Qiuyang put down the unconscious maiden on the ground.

Shu Xiayue touched the other maiden’s wrist then frowned. “She is very sick. That stranger is probably right about the poisoning.” She fingered around Tian Xin-er’s waist pocket but did not find the item she wanted. “I thought she stored her Emei’s salve for wound here, but I don’t see the jar at all.” She eyed the other worriedly and looked up at Shu Qiuyang for consultant.

“Qiuyang, where can we find a doctor in this wilderness?”

Shu Qiuyang looked around at the sea of sand that seemed to stretch out forever and considered their present situation. At last, he suggested. “Our home is not so far from here. If we can get her there, Uncle may find a way to help her.”

Shu Xiayue nodded; her face lit up with hope and from personal excitement to be home. “Yes, Yang-er. You are right.” She hunted in Tian Xin-er’s other pockets and found a pillbox which she promptly opened and poured powder from it into the other maiden’s mouth.

“This should prolong her life until I can find some herb for her wound.” She explained to her cousin while temporarily bandaged Tian Xin-er’s wound.

Shu Qiuyang questioned his cousin doubtfully. “Are you sure the medicine was all right?”

Shu Xiayue’s eyes flashed annoyingly; she was about to snap at the other as her wont but changed her mind. She had just remembered that Huang Yitao disapproved of a sharp-tongued woman. She calmed her temper and replied quietly. “I recognize its smell as the powder she had once given to Huang Yitao. Although I am not much of a healer, I would never kill my patient.” She felt somewhat slighted since Shu Qiuyang had never questioned her actions before. After all, they had grown up together like siblings. Now, a part of him had lost from her just like her part of spirit had dwelled on Huang Yitao.

Shu Qiuyang blushed. He felt guilty for thinking in that one minute that Shu Xiayue might have hurt Tian Xin-er. Love could build trust, and it could create doubt.

People in love did not think with reasons and lacked logic.
Jealousy could change the way they behaved.
Majority of people was like that.
Only a few lucky ones could claim entirely that they were not affected by love.

Both of these youngsters were not that lucky for they were unsure of their love and future at the moment. Shu Xiayue was pining for the heart of Huang Yitao, knowing that his wife’s ghost would always be with him, whereas Shu Qiuyang was full of unobtainable desire for Tian Xin-er who had never considered himself beyond a friend. Originally, these two young people were supposed to be together. Now, their lives altered because of the debts their forefathers wished to collect. Old debts were paid, but new debts were added. When would be the end?

Fate was pulling their legs, and Destiny was laughing at the youths’ miseries while looking for another pair to trick. They finally decided on Ke Jing who at that minute was being transported to Widow Mansion.

Ke Jing’s eyelids felt heavily as he slowly observed his environment. He found himself in a big room that looked so dazzlingly white that it took awhile to adjust his eyes to its brightness. There was only a few simple furniture. The four walls were void of decoration, giving no hint of the owner’s personality.

Through living all his life in an austere setting of the Ancient Tomb, Ke Jing was used to the bareness and unfriendliness of this surrounding. He was reminded of his home and his late parents who were the only relatives he had. Homesickness suddenly welled up in his heart, and he almost cried out in sorrow. Sound of several small bells prevented him from doing so, and a sight of a beautiful lady in white gown drove his thought of home away.

The lady (Carmen Lee Yuek Tung) stopped a few paces from him and curtsied to him lowly. Her manner was elegant and graceful like a goddess. Ke Jing began to wonder if he had died and gone to the heaven. He unconsciously voiced his thought, and the ‘goddess’ smiled slightly. She then introduced herself as Hua Xue-she, one of the Three Widows of the Widow Mansion.

Ke Jing spoke confusingly. “We don’t know each other, so what do you want from me?”

Hua Xue-she’s eyes locked into his, and his heart fluttered. He felt bewitched. Whiff of perfume from the woman in front of him added to his intoxication state. Her voice was ringing faintly in his ears as if it had come from the far distance, taking him back to the past – to his other lifetimes.

“We have never met before, but my ancestors owed a great debt to your family. Hundreds of years ago, Hero Yang Guo had rescued a man named Hua from a gang of fierce bandits. That was the first and last time they had ever met. Nonetheless, this Hua man was so grateful to the stranger accompanied with a giant eagle that he put a tablet on an ancestor shelf as a representative of the Eagle Hero and paid regular respect to it every day.

This man was a rich merchant. He wanted to repay Hero Yang’s gratitude, so he spent a fortune to find out his savior’s location. Unfortunately, by the time that he learned of the real identity of this great pugilist, Hero Yang had disappeared from the world with his wife.

Business kept the merchant from leaving his home to track down the Yang couple. Besides, he came to realize that he would not be any use to the content pair. However, for him, this debt was still there, waiting to be paid back. Therefore, he raised his children to be grateful of the Ancient Tomb and Hero Yang. His last words before his death was about gratitude to our benefactor. Generations after generations, this bidding was passed from fathers to sons, mothers to daughters, siblings to siblings. Although the world had already forgotten the existence of Ancient Tomb, the Hua family still remembered Hero Yang’s kindness.

Today, I have fulfilled my ancestors’ wish and done my filial duty by preventing you from life-threatening danger. This is my private chamber where no one can interrupt you. You will be safe here. Master Ke, please consider me your handmaid. I will serve you with all my life.”

Ke Jing’s head spun. He looked at the maiden dazedly and tried to protest. “But, I was not in danger. I…” He paused for he could no longer think clearly. Perfume scent became thicker every moment.

Hua Xue-she spoke softly while she moved closer to the young man lithely like a snake went for its prey. Her dark eyes put the other in trance. “Someone is wishing for your life. As long as you stay with that girl, you will be in danger.”

Her cold hands touched Ke Jing’s, and he forgot to say what was in his mind. Hua Xue-she continued soothingly. “What you want from her, I can give you. I will always be yours and never let you be lonely.”

Her voice lulled him into sleep, and Ke Jing closed his eyes with smile on his face. ‘I am home.’ He thought before drifting into the dreamland.
-----------------------
thank you for reading.

[eve13]

hi goofy,
i'm currently reading u're legend of the sword and saber,and it's been great!!
it's really captivating. i really love it. i tell ya, i'm addicted. there are places where it was so emotional, like when sword god died. it was trully well written that bit. so sad. reading it has helped me alot in this story. now things make more sense now, like the older characters and lin xin-er's background. it's just great. i was thinking, have u ever thought of having u're story published? u should!

can't wait to read the next chapter!
keep the good plot going!

[Goofy]

thanks for the comment. <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

I might print my stories out as an evidence of outbursts of my craziness once <IMG SRC="smilies/tongue.gif" border="0"> but I am afraid that there would be no one to buy my books. There are a lot of wuxia readers in Thailand, but I don't think they do read English that well and I won't be able to translate my story to Thai to the effect either.

If I publish it, then I have to alter some facts so that I won't infringe the rights of JY's and other books or just have to build up some reference guide. <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> - sounds more and more like school reports.

Maybe, Andrea or Floo can help me find a market at Indonesia. <IMG SRC="smilies/alien.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/french.gif" border="0">

For now, I am contented to read a lot of comments (hint hint) from the readers online. It is nice to know that someone is enjoying my story.... <IMG SRC="smilies/bow.gif" border="0">

Thank you for reading, all readers. <IMG SRC="smilies/hatoff.gif" border="0">

[Goofy]

Sorry for delay. I need a right mood for this chapter. BTW, there is a young adult book of the same title about an Indian girl. I highly recommend it. <IMG SRC="smilies/thumbsup.gif" border="0">

Chapter 20
Homeless Bird

Jiaping (Fiona Leung Ngai Ling) wrapped her hands around Ah Yu’s neck happily and relaxed. As Ah Yu sped through the gloomy night, she felt so light like a bird flying out of its cage to freedom. When she ran away from her father’s caravan the first time, she had spent countless nights hidden in fear and in tears from both her father’ guards and the imperial soldiers. This time, she felt safe because Ah Yu was with her. Jiaping smiled tenderly as she snuggled in the other’s arms.

Ah Yu came to stop near a big boulder that he decided that it would serve as their temporary shelter. Gently, he placed the sleepy maiden on the sand and looked around for any fuel for campfire. Jiaping made some sound and dozed on, while her carrier sat still next to her, pondering.

Ah Yu tried to meditate but kept thinking of Bai Chang. He now began to regret his hastiness in bringing the young princess along. He did not wish the former to have a wrong idea about Jiaping and him, but at the same time, he did not know what to do with the latter. He scratched his head and searched for the best solution for hours. Finally, he heaved a sigh. ‘Tomorrow, I have to tell her that I cannot take her to my cottage. Maybe, I should go back to her uncle’s house and ask Miss Tian for some advice.’

Jiaping had told him of Tian Xin-er’s cleverness, and Ah Yu was certain that the latter could find a way out for them all. Relieved, he could close his eyes at last.

However, Ah Yu had a cause to change his mind in the morning. He woke up because of Jiaping’s sweet voice. She was singing and dancing to greet the rising sun. Her small feet moved lightly on the ground, and her hands waved in tune with her song. Ah Yu opened his mouth wide in awe. Even a deer dance that he had once observed in the forest could not be compared to this magnificent performance.

Jiaping must have heard his gasps for she finished her merry dance and turned to greet him with a cheerful grin. “I feel so happy this morning that I have to display it with my music.” She lifted her arms high and inhaled morning air into her lungs. “Ahhh.”

“Ah Yu, I don’t know how to thank you for rescuing me this time.” Jiaping looked up at the sky. “If I were a bird, I would be a homeless one. I have always wished for a home, and now it seems that I have found it.” She looked so contented that Ah Yu had no heart to inform her of his decision.

“But you did have a home with your parents. You are the princess there.” Ah Yu reminded her gently.

Jiaping’s eyes were far away. “That place’s only where I was born and grew up, but it isn’t my real home. From a child, I have always been treated differently from other siblings of mine. That was because my mother had insisted on bringing me up as a Han princess. She had hoped that I would return to her birth country one day. Thus, she had talked my father into sending me to Central Plains and befriending Ming instead of Manchu. I have never experienced a life of a Mongol girl on grass plain; therefore, I don’t really have much memory about my tribe. The only thing that my mother reluctantly allowed me to do was to ride a horse twice a week because my father had wished so. I have always felt that a stable was my home while my luxurious bedroom was my golden cage.

I did not think of running away in the beginning, but after seeing beautiful countryside and exciting adventures that could have waited for me, I decided to fly for my brief freedom. I have intended to return to my parents once they forgive me. In the meantime, I thought I would do some sightseeing then visit my uncle at the border. Unfortunately, the emperor has decreed a search for his bride. Hence, I did not dare to go near the border at all. Later, thanks to Xiayue’s disguising skill, I was able to pass all gates without any trouble.

I used to think that I could always return to my parents who would wait for me with open arms. Now, I realize that I have been too naïve. My mother only wanted me to live in the Ming palace instead of her, whereas my father wanted to use me as his ambassador.” She sobbed. “And my beloved uncle merely saw me as his door to power.”

Ah Yu patted her head tenderly, and she wrapped her arms around him, crying her heart out. “Ah Yu, if I can choose, I would rather be a bird in the sky, flying to everywhere it wishes. I have been dwelling in a cage all my life, and I wish now for a home of my own. Ah Yu, you have granted my wish, and I am very grateful for that.”

She looked up at him admiringly, and Ah Yu was overwhelmed by her devotion. How could he abandon her after all trust she had put in him? Ah Yu inwardly sighed, forgetting for a moment about Bai Chang. “I will not disappoint you.” He murmured and was rewarded with a bright smile from the charming maiden.

Suddenly, he felt awkward as he realized that she had been so closed to him. To cover his embarrassment, he hastily stepped away and told her to follow him home.

Would the homeless bird reach its destination at last? Only Fate and Destiny knew.

The two traveled south for two days and finally reached the border. By that time, Jiaping had changed into a male outfit and made shift of a fake mustache according to what she had remembered from Shu Xiayue. Jiaping had a good memory and was adept with her fingers, so although her disguise was not as good, it did serve the purpose.

Turned out Ah Yu was the one who got in trouble instead. Happened that an eyewitness to the massacre of Minister Chen’s had stepped forward and identified the murderer as a masked stranger clad in blue robe. Consequently, as soon as the chief guard at the gate laid eyes on Ah Yu, he shouted out an order to the soldiers to close the gate and to those on the city wall to aim their arrows toward the couple.

“Surrender or we will shoot.” He did not intend to keep his promise, however, for a head of this criminal would surely guarantee his rise in rank. A dead man could not deny of his crime and could not prove if he was the right one or not. The chief guard silently congratulated himself for this good opportunity; his left hand was behind his back, ready to signal a shooting once the target drew nearer. He was overjoyed but not stupid. After all, if this masked man was really the real murderer, he must have quite good kung fu; therefore, it was best not to be too careless.

Ah Yu misunderstood that they wanted Jiaping, so he grabbed her hand and bounded up lightly over the heads of the guards. In that instant, the chief waved his hand, and hundreds of sharp arrows flew toward the two youths.

Still in the air, Ah Yu quickly pulled out a saber from a package on his back to intercept the coming arrows. The jeweled scabbard reflected the bright ray of the sun, blinding the eyes of the soldiers. Skillfully, he warded off the rain of arrows with his sheathed saber while moving swiftly through lines of astonished guards.

At that moment, he heard Jiaping’s cry and realized that she had been shot. Although he had held on to her tightly and had deflected most of the coming arrows, due to her lack of kung fu, she was unable to avoid those that accidentally came in her way.

Worried about Jiaping’s safety, Ah Yu decided to retreat for the chief guard had blown a horn to call for more back up. To enter the city now would only mean death for Jiaping. In this crisis, Ah Yu opened his mouth to hold the scabbard while pulling the saber out of it.

All of a sudden, the sun seemed to lose its warmth as the saber displayed its cold ray. The day seemed to turn into night, and for out of no reason, fear captured each soldier’s heart, rendering the whole army motionless for one moment.

Ah Yu was also under his weapon’s spell as he moved as if in trance, swinging his saber left and right, fetching blood from the dazing opponents. The more the saber drank the blood, the more alive it became. Even when Ah Yu had successfully brought Jiaping out of arrow range, leaving behind countless deaths, it still screamed within his mind for more victims.

The saber shook vibrantly in his right hand and moved uncontrollably toward the young maiden who had fainted at first sight of a dead man. To protect Jiaping from his vicious weapon, he immediately dropped her body on the ground and used his left hand to catch the coming blade. The shining blade cut into his flesh and touched his blood then turned still as suddenly as it had filled with life earlier. The sharp blade now seemed dull and rusty; it made no protest as Ah Yu quickly returned it into the scabbard and wrapped the bundle again.

Ah Yu wiped his sweaty face and sighed with relief when this task was done. He was shuddering from this brief nightmare. He had just taken away lives, and he was laden with regrets. Right then, he swore to himself not to take out the saber again no matter what. Then, he turned his attention to the wounded maiden.

Regardless of a cut on his hand, he kneeled down next to Jiaping and examined her injury. He found that she had a tip of an arrow struck at her lower left shoulder. Afraid that the arrow might carry poison, he ignored the propriety and opened her shirt. Next, he quickly pulled out the arrow tip and covered it with a piece of cloth to stop the blood flow. Luckily, the arrow had no poison and did not embed to the bone. With light hands, Ah Yu adeptly bandaged the wound while warning the other to be still.

Sharp pain woke Jiaping up as the arrow was being pulled out from her shoulder. She blinked a few times confusingly, unable to focus what was going on. Then, she remembered contorting faces of dead soldiers under Ah Yu’s saber. She almost screamed out, but Ah Yu’s tender voice consoled her. Bit by bit, she was calmed, but tears ran down her cheeks all the same from pain and stress.

As for Ah Yu, once he could get rid of the haunted weapon, he had returned to himself – a kind, gentle, and confident man again. Upon seeing that Jiaping was still shocked from the slaughter she had witnessed, he paid her caring attention while whistling a birdsong to her. For him, Jiaping was no different than injured animals that he rescued from forest. In her small frame, she now looked vulnerable and lost more than ever. Ah Yu’s heart pitied her, and a seed of tender feeling started to grow in him.

That night, the pair camped in a cave. Ah Yu was up all night, holding Jiaping for she was reckless from repeating nightmares and fever from her wound. Throughout that night, he wiped her face and dried her tears. He sang her lullabies and whispered to her wonderful stories of nature from the forest. He was so busy with Jiaping that he forgot to think of Bai Chang.

Toward the morning, Jiaping opened her bright eyes and stared at him feverishly. Then, she started to reminisce on the night between him and her. “Ah Yu, please be with me always.” She pleaded then closed her eyes.

It took Ah Yu for a while to realize that she was delirious, and it took him longer to realize what she was saying. Stunned, he listened to her and still could hardly believe what he had just heard long after Jiaping had gone asleep.

Confusing thoughts ran amok in his mind. So, there was another masked man in blue robe somewhere who pretended to be him. He was the one who tried to kill Ke Jing and Tian Xin-er, and he was the one who destroyed Jiaping’s innocence. Why?

Ah Yu no longer thought that the masked man were his mentor, but he had no idea who could be so cruel to hurt an innocent girl like Jiaping. ‘Even if I was not the one with her that night, I was equally blamed because she had taken the stranger as me. I should be responsible for what happened to her.’

Although he was a bit uncertain before about taking Jiaping in, he was now convinced of his decision. His heart opened wide, and its new plant sprouted a bud, the bud of love.

Ah Yu had spent all his life with nature. In all these years, he had absorbed the gentleness from the rain, the kindness from the earth, and the affection from the trees. When he first met Bai Chang, his mentor’s granddaughter, he was immediately impressed with her prettiness. He had been hungered for a playmate; therefore, he tried every way to befriend her. Bai Chang seemed to realize that for she had used him to her content. Ah Yu did not mind that for he only wished to see her smile every time she was pleased. He misunderstood that she liked him as much as he liked her.

When he showed his face to her and she fainted, he began to worry that she would hate him because of his ugliness. Then, he was afraid that she would refuse to meet him again. He had asked his mentor several times about Bai Chang during her absence to receive a scold from the old man.

When Bai Chang finally appeared before him again, Ah Yu was so glad and happy that he overlooked her unfriendliness. In truth, she had forgotten the incident of her childhood but still had a foreboding about this martial brother of hers thus her reluctance to spend long time with him.

It took Ah Yu for a while to realize this fact. He was sad but by then had hopelessly fallen in love with her. He had tried everything to appease this maiden such as planting a lot of roses in the garden for her. He had remembered that she liked roses. His efforts were all in vain, however, for her heart had already belonged to someone else – someone who she always mentioned affectionately as her ‘martial brother’.

Ah Yu took that person to be his mentor’s new apprentice and resigned to his heartbreak. Nonetheless, he could not forget his first love and was only contented to see her once in a while. Because he had suffered before, he understood the feeling of one-sided love too well. Now, when he had time to think over, he came to realize how much Jiaping had felt for him. He thought of Jiaping’s merry eyes and sighed. He did not wish her to go through the anguish that he had experienced, so he promised to himself that he would return her love as much as he could. He would take care of her and give her a warm home.

“You will not be the homeless bird anymore.” He whispered to her. A shadow of Bai Chang was still there, but the new bloom was rapidly replacing the past.

One often heard that to be loved was greater than to love. Ah Yu felt that way too for his heart was lighter. From a giver, he would become a recipient of love for a change. Unconsciously, he touched the sleeping maiden’s flushing cheeks and surprised at the softness of her skin.

At that moment, Jiaping moved in her sleep, and Ah Yu took his hand off her face guiltily. He blushed in the dark, and his heart raced.

Two birds were joining their lives, but would the destiny allow them?

In the morning, Jiaping’s fever subsided, and Ah Yu told her that they had to stay away from the border for the time being. “Unless we can find Miss Shu to disguise your face again, the soldiers would not let us pass.” He was also worried about the other masked man but did not voice it aloud. It would be best not to remind Jiaping of an existence of other.

He shyly explained to her that he had to reveal her skin to take care of her wound then turned red as the light showed him her beauty. Jiaping was still pale but love always created miracles. In her present state – with messy hair and bloodstained gown – she looked so lovely like the new day’s dawn. Ah Yu could not help staring at her, and she turned crimson from embarrassment.

“I must have looked awful.” She murmured frustratingly and took out a comb but had to wince.

Ah Yu gently took the comb from her hand and said, “you shouldn’t move much until the wound on your shoulder heals. I will comb your hair for you from now on.”

His sincere words shook Jiaping’s heart. She had had some doubt earlier on the other’s heart, but she now believed his earnest promise to be with her always. She could not help but cried happily, and Ah Yu stopped his task to put his arm around her.

“I am here, and you will not need to cry anymore. You will never be the homeless bird again.” He talked softly.

Jiaping smiled among tears. Her wish had come true. Ah Yu was finally hers. The bird had eventually found its nest.

For her, the sky seemed bluer and the sun seemed more friendly today. Her smile turned into a big grin then silvery laughter. At that moment, Jiaping felt that she was the luckiest and happiest woman in the world.

Ah Yu laughed with her, glad that she was all right. He picked up the comb and resumed his work. While combing her hair, he told her a story of his mother.

“My mother had been sick since I have remembered. She died when I was eleven years old. When she was alive, I used to comb her hair and took care of her. Although she did not really recognize me, she loved me very much – I could see that in her eyes.” He sighed. “My brother was dead when we were quite small. I did not know what had happened, but my mentor has explained to me that an accident caused my brother and me to fall off the cliff. On that day, he was passing by our cottage and managed to rescue me in time. Since then, my mother had become insane from shock and grief.”

Ah Yu paused his hands. “Jiaping, Mentor gave me this mask and told me to reveal my face only when I get married or on my deathbed. To be fair with you, I want you to see my real face so that you won’t be regretted in the future.” His hand shook as it touched his mask, ready to uncover his face.

Jiaping got up and put her hand on top of his. She shook her head. “No, I do not need to see your face for I know what you look like. You are my hero, my husband, and in my heart, you are the most handsome and kindest man on earth. When Xiayue and I found you on the street some weeks ago, we had a chance to open your mask then. But I told her not to because I was no longer curious. As long as you are good to me, I am satisfied.” She understood his reluctance and fear and tried to put him at ease.

Ah Yu could only called her name with gratitude. “Jiaping.” He embraced her warmly, and the love blossom began to bloom.

The shadow of old love was about to be replaced. New future for the couple had begun.
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Thank you for reading. Seem my readers are fewer than before. Is the story that boring? <IMG SRC="smilies/french.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/alien.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/bang.gif" border="0">