Shadows of the Sword

[eeyore]

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

just... <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"> The figure did not even pause as broken grass flew around him. His feet stepped onto each other and he rose above the incoming sword. Just as the sword blade went past him, he dipped down and with his hand curled into a claw, he grabbed Tam Nhu’s wrist.
Cung Hong’s hand flickered and the sword danced back and thrust at the figure’s stomach.
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Cung Hong? Do you mean Tam Nhu? or am I read it wrongly?

[ccsakura]

Oh wow Great Update!! <IMG SRC="smilies/newangel.gif" border="0">

I never expected another character!! So she has been the owner of the Skull, no wonder Nha Yen could not find her! Pooh Tam Nhu, I wonder what is going to happen now?!?! IS the man in the Yellow robe The Kiet, well if he is then I hope nothing to bad happens!! Well great update, and thanks for answering my question! <IMG SRC="smilies/newangel.gif" border="0">

[Tu Vi]

to eeyore- thank you so much for catching that mistake. I am such an idiot. <IMG SRC="smilies/eek.gif" border="0"> Will fix it immediately. thank you, thank you <IMG SRC="smilies/bow.gif" border="0">
to ccsakura - you are always too kind, dear.
<IMG SRC="smilies/blush.gif" border="0"> Yup, the man in yellow is The Kiet. grin. and you are very welcome.

Tu Vi


Chapter 28 – Chain of Events
Louis Koo- Kim Bat Pham
Julian Cheung- Tieu Phong (Little Wind)
Carman Lee- Nam Cung Hong
Vivian Leung – Vuong Nha Yen
Ruby Lin- Lam Tam Nhu
Nicky Wu- Vuong Nhat Phi
Vincent Jiao- Chu The Kiet
Gigi Lai- Mai Tu Diep
Erica Choi- Quan Hue Nam

“Your servant greets your Majesty. May you live for thousands of years.” The masked black figure kneeled down and prostrated with his head nearly touching the ground.
“You may rise.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” The man stood up slowly and peeled off his mask, revealing the pockmarked face of the innkeeper. He kept his eyes trailed respectfully on the ground.
“Please forgive your servant for not being here to greet Your Majesty.” He said with his head lowered.
The Kiet waved the matter aside, “what happened?”
“Your Majesty, yesterday, two strangers, a man and a young woman, came into the inn. After sitting here for nearly an hour, they left and headed toward the manor.”
“Oh?” The Kiet picked up the steaming cup of tea by his side and sipped slowly.
“I followed behind them and saw them entered the manor. The man stood in the center for almost five hours. After that, they both left. And I trailed behind them until this morning when the young woman caught me.”
“Caught you?” The Kiet asked with faint surprise, as the innkeeper was one of the stealthiest of all imperial guards.
“Forgive me, Your Majesty. It was a moment of unfortunate luck and the young woman’s internal energy is remarkably high. I battled with her and managed to escape.”
“What are their names?” The Kiet asked as his hand tightened around the teacup slightly.
“The woman refers to the man as Young Master, and he called her Tam Nhu.”
The Kiet’s face betrayed no emotions as he calmly sipped the tea. After a few seconds, he commanded,
“No Life, sent out the pigeons and alert everyone of this new situation.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The Kiet stood up and the innkeeper immediately backed down, bowing. He winced as the movement disturbed the wound on his shoulder. His face was now deadly pale due to the loss of blood.
“Tell the imperial healers to take care of your injury.” The Kiet said as he strode out of the inn.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” The innkeeper muttered his thanks as the emperor headed toward the direction of the manor. He headed out of the inn and grimaced as the movement jolted his injury but he was smiling. Under his Majesty’s order, he had kept guard over this road for more than ten years. Finally, he had accomplished something.

“No Life.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” The skinny man answered immediately.
“Keep track of Nhat Phi and his maid. I want their every movements observe and record.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“No Past.”
“Your Majesty?”
“Send our best investigators to Hang Zhou. I want to know everything there is about the Cherry Blossoms Manor and its occupants.”
“Yes, your Majesty.”

“I have spent my entire life around this area, guarding the manor.” Hue Nam (Erica Choi) explained the next morning when everyone sat down for breakfast.
“I don’t understand.” Cung Hong confessed, “what happened to your grandfather and this house?”
Hue Nam sighed as she stood up and wandered toward the window. “According to my mother, more than fifty years ago, we were attacked by masked assassins. At that time, my mother was only ten years old and grandfather had hid her inside the tunnel and told her not to come out no matter what happened. She stayed in there and saw everything through a crack in the wall. She saw grandfather being struck down and then grandmother. Everyone was killed, including seventeen servants; one of them was only fifteen years old. Afterward, the assassins spilled some kind of white powder over the bodies and they immediately decomposed, leaving nothing behind.”
“That’s monstrous. Who would commit such a terrible crime? Isn’t there a code in the martial art world preventing killing servants and those who are not involve in molam affairs?” Cung Hong asked with her eyes flashing.
“But how many people actually follow that rule?” Hue Nam asked bitterly. She took a deep breath then continued, “after the masked men were gone, my mother crawled out of the tunnel and ran. She didn’t know where she was going and she fainted after going deeper into the forest. Luckily, a couple of hunters saw her lying unconscious and they took her home. She was adopted by one of the hunters and grew up not far away from here.”
“Does she know who attacked the manor?” Nha Yen asked softly.
“No.” Hue Nam shook her head, “before he pushed her into the tunnel, grandfather had made her swear that no matter what happened next, she would lead a simple life, never to interfere with mo lam or government affairs. She was forbidden to find out who those murderers were.”
“It seemed like your grandfather knew who those men were.” Nha Yen commented.
“My mother thought so too but her promise to grandfather prevent her from doing anything. But she did tell me that before the destruction of the manor, there were strangers coming to the house. She was too young to remember the exact details but grandfather was acting very mysteriously and she was not allowed to meet those visitors.”
“What happened to those visitors?” Tieu Phong asked curiously.
“According to my mother, they left a day before the masked assassins came.” Hue Nam answered, “if I could only find out who they were.”
“Then what about your mother’s promise to your grandfather?” Cung Hong asked.
“That only includes her and not me.” Hue Nam smiled grimly, “no matter what I will find out what had happened and take my vengeance.”
“I will help you in any way that I can.” Cung Hong promised with a steely voice.
Startled, Hue Nam turned around and looked at Cung Hong.
“You are my third uncle’s student, and my martial art sister, I will not stand idly by while you risk your life.”
“Thank you.” Hue Nam said gratefully.
“Don’t mention it.” Cung Hong waved her hand, “so why are you still here, guarding the manor?”
Hue Nam sighed sadly, “my mother passed away nearly three years ago. I am in a period of mourning. I cannot leave yet.”
Hue Nam gestured in thanks as everyone muttered their condolences.
After a silent moment, she continued, “for now, all I can do is stay here and keep the manor away from curious eyes. I have chased away nearly twenty visitors by scaring them.”
“And you wished to do the same to us.” Bat Pham smiled.
Hue Nam returned his smile, “unfortunately, you guys are made up of sterner stuff, except for Cung Hong.”
“Hey!” Cung Hong protested.
“It’s true and you know it. So I figure she was your weakest link. If I could just scare her then she would make everyone leave. But you figure out my trick…” She lifted a brow at Bat Pham.
“So how did you escape so quickly that first night? Even Nha Yen couldn’t chase after you.” Cung Hong asked curiously.
“Remember that tunnel I was telling you about? It is connected to your room. I hid in there while Nha Yen and Bat Pham rushed out the window.”


The Kiet put his hand on the huge, broken column as he stared at the bleak landscape around him. His white shoes were smudged with the black ash that covered the ground, preventing even grass from ever growing into life. He traced his fingers almost curiously on the dark streak of blood that splattered on the column; his gestures eerily similar to that of Nhat Phi, who had stood in this same spot last night.
The blazing orb of fire slowly sank down to its nightly slumber and streaked the earth with its dying light. The fallen columns and shattered stones reflected hauntingly against its scarlet glow. It almost looked like the stones were shedding bloody tears. Then twilight settled and covered the world with its mystical light, illuminating the lone figure standing the middle of utter destruction.
The Kiet turned away from the sight and headed back to his waiting carriage. He had only taken a few steps when his foot hit something. Curious, he crouched down and saw a dark piece of cloth peeking out from the ashy ground. He carefully picked it up and felt something clenched inside his heart when he realized that it was a yellow handkerchief; looking very much like the ones that he had used to wipe Thien Tuong’s drool. The cloth had decomposed almost completely; the faint shape of a tattered dragon could be seen imprinted on its muddy surface.
The Kiet closed his eyes briefly and then he carefully dug a hole, and buried the cloth. His gestures slow and weary as if he was a very old man. He sat there for a while with his head bent. Then he stood up and walked away without looking back.
“Your Majesty.” No Life and No Past bowed when they saw the emperor approaching them.
No Past took a yellow cloak from the waiting carriage and put it around the emperor’s shoulder, “Your Majesty, it is growing cold.”
“Your Majesty.” No Life handed the emperor a pristine, white handkerchief when he saw the emperor’s dirty hands.

The Kiet looked out the window almost absently as the streets of Beijing streamed by. Even though night had fallen, the broad avenues were crowded with people, pushing and talking animatedly. The scent of perfumes and delicious aroma of food whiffed by, combining with the stench of sweats and dirty clothes. People of all stations and status in life swept by; from the rich merchants to the arrogant sons of high-ranking officials, from simple side street vendors to the huddling beggars by the wall.
The Kiet let go of the curtain, and let darkness enveloped the luxurious carriage. He rested his head against the thick cushion and closed his eyes. Suddenly, a crystal clear, feminine voice sounded from the chaos,
]"Spring flowers, autumn moon, when will they end?
Of what once was, what's left?
Upstairs last night there was an east wind
Unbearable, in bright moonlight, to look back."

“Li Yu,” The Kiet thought with some surprise. The immortal lines from the infamous poet suited his mood right then. Curious, he ordered,
“Stop the carriage.”
The carriage immediately came to a smooth stop right in the middle of the busy street.
The Kiet lifted the curtain and looked out the window. Light was spilling out from a small shop by the street. There were no door or wall to this particular restaurant. Instead, it contained only a dozen of chairs, a couple of scarred tables and a fragrant smell of meat buns and soups.
A slender maiden in her early twenty, was sitting in the middle of the restaurant, surrounded by eager customers, most of them were young, richly dressed men. Her jade white hand holding an ancient zither and her doe eyes were sad as she continued to sing,
"Carved railings, jade walkways, should be there still
Only youth has gone
How much more sorrow is to come?
It is a river, fed by spring rain, flowing east."

“Hey.” A coarse voice called out from the audience. “We hire you to sing some fun songs, not these depressing poems. You wouldn’t want to destroy our jovial moods now, would you?”
Mutters of agreement ran through the other customers as the young man who had spoken stood up. He was in his mid-twenties with a handsome enough face but there was a leering look in his eyes.
“Forgive me, Young Master.” The maiden bowed, “but I only know these poems.”
“Then, what kind of a singer are you?” The young man threw down the cup of wine in his hand and it shattered near the woman, splattering her blue dress with wine.
“Please, Young Master.” The woman begged as she stood up shakily, hugging the zither to her body.
Meanwhile, the owner of the restaurant was trembling behind the counter, knowing full well that he was doomed.
“Now, if you really want me to forgive you..” The young man said thoughtfully as he stroke his beardless face.
“Yes, Young Master?” The young woman asked eagerly.
The young man walked toward her and reached out to touch her face. She flinched back but he roughly grabbed her arm and pulled her back against him.
“Now, why don’t we go somewhere private and continue our discussion?”
“Please, Young Master. I am not one of those women. Please let me go.” The woman struggled furiously.
Meanwhile, The Kiet was watching the entire event with detached eyes. There was something familiar about that young man.
“No Life.” He called out.
“Your Majesty.” No Life ran to the window and asked respectfully.
“Find out who that man is.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” No Life looked startled for a split second and then he snapped his fingers. An imperial guard immediately appeared beside him. He whispered the instructions to the guard.
“No Past.”
“Your Majesty?” The giant immediately responded and smiled grimly when he saw the emperor gestured toward the still struggling woman.
“Yes, Your Majesty.” He smiled broadly and headed toward the restaurant.
“Come on!” The young man pulled the protesting woman out of the restaurant as the remaining customers cheered after him and ran smack into No Past’s huge chest. He bounced back and nearly fell down.
“Who are you?” He asked in an arrogant voice as he looked up and up at No Past.
“Unhand her.” No Past rumbled down.
“How dare you to order me? Do you know who I am?” The young man demanded.
“I don’t really care. Unhand her now.” No Past’s hand swooped down and with one quick movement, grabbed the young woman and plucked her near the carriage. With his other hand, he carelessly swiped back and slapped the young man’s cheek. Under the incredible force, the young man flew back and slammed into one of the tables. After a long moment, the young man staggered up and spit out a dark clump of blood with a few teeth in it.
“How dare you?” He yelled in an enraged voice, “you will pay for this.”
“No, how dare you?” No Past corrected, “How dare you to accost women in His Majesty’s city? You are lucky that you only lost a few teeth.”
“You will pay for this.” The young man repeated. He smirked painfully, “His Majesty? My brother is His Majesty’s right hand man and you will pay for your insolence.”
“Oh, who is your brother?” No Past asked in a mocking tone.
“The Premier Scholar, one of his Majesty’s most trusted advisors.” The young man boasted.
Inside the carriage, The Kiet frowned slightly.

* the above poems are written by Li Yu.

[eeyore]

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

sorry to be picky, I found another one.. he,he,he...

<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"> At that time, my mother was only ten years ago and grandfather had hid her inside the tunnel and told her not to come out no matter what happened. </font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></BLOCKQUOTE> isn't the bold suppose to be 'old'? he,he,he,he.... I'm not good with creating story, at least I can contribute a little correction he,he,he... <IMG SRC="smilies/blush.gif" border="0">

[aficionado]

hi tu vi,

thank you for writing such wonderful stories ... i am a fan of 'the last tear of autumn' and would like to know if you're still updating that story?

thanks and keep up the great work.

[ccsakura]

Oh so it was The Kiet, but the masked man didn't try to assasinate The Kiet like I thought... Another Chapter without Tieu Phong I really am starting to miss him. Hmm... I wonder who the young man at the end was? And I wonder why The kiet wants Tam Nhu and Nhat Phi followed! He sure is a man of mystery!

Great Update! <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">
<IMG SRC="smilies/tongue.gif" border="0">

<font size="1">[ June 09, 2003: Message edited by: ccsakura ]</font>

[Danielle Lin]

Hi Tu Vi!
Yep the dude is definetely confusing... But that's what makes it interesting, more mysteries to guess about...
I guess The Kiet has some untrusty advisors, or maybe he was just arrogant.
Cute poem, no clue what it means but yeah...
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Though I am old with wandering
Through hollow lands and hilly lands,
I will find out where she has gone,
And kiss her lips and take her hands;
And walk among long dappled grass,
And pluck till time and times are done,
The silver apples of the moon,
The golden apples of the sun.
William Butler Yeats

Update soon! <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">

[Tu Vi]

I am so sorry for the delayed update but i am currently taking a condensed summer class so i don't have a lot of time. hope that you will forgive me. will try to udpate as soon as i can.


to eeyore- thank you very much for the editing. grin sheepishly, i am such an idiot. anyway, will try to fix that as soon as the computer let me. for some odd reason, it doesn't let me edit my own post. hmmm.

to aficionado- hi, thank you for your kind words and you are very welcome. yes, i am still writing last tear and it is at winglin.
http://www.winglin.net/fanfic/TearofAutumn
hope you enjoy it.

to ccsakura- more tieu phong coming up. grin evilly. the identity of the young woman is revealed. hope that it is a bit unexpected.

to Danielle Lin- we'll see right. all will be reveal. hehe. thank you, glad you are still enjoying this story.
ahh, the poem. it is about a man who met a fairy (i think, it has been a while since i read it). He fell in love with her but she disappeared. so he vowed to search for her until the end of time. sweet, eh???


Chapter 29 – Matters of the Heart
Louis Koo- Kim Bat Pham
Julian Cheung- Tieu Phong (Little Wind)
Carman Lee- Nam Cung Hong
Vivian Leung – Vuong Nha Yen
Ruby Lin- Lam Tam Nhu
Nicky Wu- Vuong Nhat Phi
Vincent Jiao- Chu The Kiet
Gigi Lai- Mai Tu Diep

No Past was about to deliver a withering blow to the arrogant man when No Life whispered something into his ear.
“Get out of here.” No Past swept his arm in disgust. He narrowed his eyes when he saw that the man was still there, “when I count to five and you are still here, I will rip you apart from limb to limb.”
That threat had the desire effect and the man scurried away.
The young woman who had witnessed the entire thing kneeled down gratefully before No Past.
“Thank you, Master. I am eternally in your debt.”
“I am only following order.” No Past said grudgingly as he retreated back to his customary stance by the carriage.
The woman immediately turned toward the carriage and bowed down, “Thank you, kind Master.”
No answer came back to her from the depth of the carriage. Only No Life moved and threw her a small pouch. Then he nodded his head and the carriage thundered past her.
The young woman stared down at the open pouch and saw silver coins glittered back at her. She stood up slowly and brushed her knees while still gaping in amazement.
“Well, the capital is indeed full of the unexpected.” Dong Y Van (Vicky Zhao) whispered half to herself. She bended down; picked up her zither and walked away.



“Hue Nam, I’ll miss you.” Cung Hong said tearfully as the group stood outside of the crumbling mansion. Spring wind murmured its way through the trees and bought with it the fresh tang of the moss and the heady scent of wildflowers. The sky was a clear blue with a few white, puffy clouds sailing merrily across its still surface.
“I’ll miss you too.” Hue Nam (Erica Choi) answered as she returned Cung Hong’s hug.
“Here.” Cung Hong pressed an icy cold rose into Hue Nam’s hand.
“What is it?” Hue Nam looked down with some confusion at the white medallion.
“It is the symbol of the Ice Palace. The pugilist world is a very dangerous place and this should offer you some protection. If you are ever in any danger, take this out. Not a lot of people in the mo lam world would dare to face my father’s wrath so they would not harm you.” Cung Hong explained.
“Oh, thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I have to go.” Cung Hong glanced back at where everyone was waiting patiently for her. “Remember, if you ever need anything…”
“I know, I can always call on you.” Hue Nam said with a half-smile. And she stood there waving as the group disappeared into the forest.


Tam Nhu woke up with an aching pain in her chest and she felt like she had run for many leagues. She was completely exhausted and her internal energy was at its lowest level. She opened her eyes and for a moment, blackness threatened to overwhelmed her. She blinked and the scene before her slowly came into focus.
She was in a small, rundown temple where a huge, broken Buddha statue leaned almost drunkenly against the rotten altar. His wide ears were gone and there was a thin crack running through his half open eyes. His mouth was once carved into a benign smile but now with the rain and relentless weather pouring down onto his face through the crack in the roof, his lips were pulled down into a displease frown. She stared at the statue for a long moment, strangely entranced by its contradictory image.
“Tam Nhu.” His familiar voice sounded behind her.
She turned her head quickly and winced at the sharp pain rushing through her body.
“Be still.” His warm hand came down and lay gently on her shoulder.
She looked up into his beloved face, now haggard by worry with dark circles under his haunted eyes. He was holding a chipped bowl in his hand with hot steam rising from it.
“Young Master.” She whispered, suddenly struck not for the first time by how frail he looked under the brilliant sunlight, which streamed through the gaping windows. “Are you all right?”
A ghost of a smile touched his pale lips, “I should be asking you. How are you feeling?”
Not wanting to worry him but knowing full well that he would be able to see through her lies, she answered honestly, “like a boulder had dropped on me.” She smiled and attempted to make a joke.
He didn’t smile though. His eyes remained thoughtful and serious, “I know. Your energy was running wild and your pressure points were blocked by the sheer energy coming off his attacks.”
Remembering the man who had attacked them, Tam Nhu said, “I have never met such a powerful opponent. His internal energy was incredible.” She knew full well that it was because of her speed and stances that had held the man off and not her energy. She was full level below him.
“Young Master, why did he attack us?” She asked with a frown.
“I don’t know.” Nhat Phi said with his eyes lost in thought. “I have been very careless.”
“I don’t understand.” Tam Nhu confessed in confusion.
“I know.” But Nhat Phi offered no explanation. He only gently propped Tam Nhu up and rested her head against his shoulder. He pretended to not feel her trembling in his arms or her sharp intake of breath. Blocking everything out, he carefully held the bowl to her mouth.
“Drink this. It will stabilize your internal energy.”
It was the first time that he had ever held her, Tam Nhu thought in a daze. His warmth surrounded her and she took a deep breath discretely, inhaling in his scent. She wished that she could stay like this forever, locked in his embrace, heard only his steady heartbeat under her ear and felt only sheer contentment.
She blinked as the cool edge of the bowl touched her lips. She smiled sadly, she, above all people, should know better than living in dreams and fantasies. All dreams came to an end and fantasies were but a coward’s sanctuary.

Nhat Phi sat in meditative style before the crackling fire as he listened to Tam Nhu’s steady breathing. He buried his face in his hands. Was it never going to end? He thought in utter despair. He had hoped that the emperor would be content to forget and let go. It was the foolish hope of a coward. He knew Chu The Kiet well enough to know that the man would always be a predator, prepared to defend and protect his empire at all cost. Was he wrong to give The Kiet the letter, the last request in case the thing he most feared came to pass? Now, all he could do was hope that The Kiet’s sense of honor would prevent him from opening the letter, at least until the last moment where he would have no other choice. “I’m sorry.” He muttered, not even knowing whom he was apologizing to. His ancestors, his family or even Chu The Kiet.



Thick drops of rain came down in a torrent as the sky darkened threateningly. Lightning slashes through the thick clouds heavy with rain. Thunder boomed in the far horizon and shook the earth with its power.
The wind roared through the forest and the trees trembled violently. The earth sloshes and became a muddy swamp as footsteps pounded on top of it.
“Just a few more leagues until we reach the town.” Bat Pham shouted above the fury of the raging storm. His dark hair was clinging to his face and his once pristine robe was a dirty brown.
The others weren’t faring better than him except for Nha Yen. She seemed to glide on top of the mud and dirt. Her white shoes unstained and her pale yellow robe danced almost gleefully under the roaring wind. Her face was composed and calm. It was as if she was merely taking a morning walk instead of walking straight into the teeth of the raging storm.
Cung Hong, on the other hand, looked very much like a wet and drown rat. Her hair was sticking out in every possible direction. Her cheeks were flushed and her clothes were flapping wildly around her.
She looked like a drown rat some cat just dragged home. Tieu Phong thought with some amusement. His eyes had a strange light in it. It was as if he was fully enjoying the rage of mother nature.
“So how are you feeling?” Tieu Phong asked with a smirk as he ran next to Cung Hong.
Cung Hong blew her hair of out of her eyes and glared at him. “You are enjoying this, aren’t you?” She asked balefully.
Tieu Phong shrugged, “it is not everyday that a storm like this come about. What is not to enjoy about it?”
“Oh, geez, let me see.” Cung Hong said sarcastically, “aside from the facts that I am soaking wet, my toes are freezing, my entire body aching from the force of the wind, and I can almost feel my teeth starting to fall out?”
“See, it is not so bad, after all.” Tieu Phong patted her wet head, “and I think that you would look positively ravishing without your teeth.”
“Ahhh.” Cung Hong growled and lunged for his throat. But Bat Pham reached out and pulled her back. He had been running behind them the entire time and his lips twitched at the image of a toothless Cung Hong.
“Now, now.” He said calmly, always ready to play the role of a peacemaker. “We are very nearly there.”
“But..” Cung Hong’s protest died in her throat when she saw lights twinkling from small houses and smoke coming out of chimneys. “ahh, civilization.” She cried in pure ecstasy and shot toward the small town with a speed that even Nha Yen had to raise a slender brow at.


Half an hour later, they were in a cozy little inn with steaming food in front of them. The inn owner, a bustling woman with a motherly gleam in her eyes and an impressive figure, had clucked her tongue at their dishevel figures and immediately rushed them toward their rooms.
After changing, they all trooped back downstairs. Cung Hong was the first one who sat down at the table and stared at the food in front of her with pure greed in her eyes.
“Oh, poor girl.” The inn owner practically cooed as she placed steaming bowls of rice in front of everyone, “here, eat. You are all so thin that I could almost see you wasting before my eyes. Eat.”
“Ahh, thank you.” Bat Pham muttered his thanks while Cung Hong plowed into her food. Nha Yen followed at a more stately pace while Tieu Phong tried to steal food from Cung Hong’s bowl.
Just as Tieu Phong’s chopsticks were about to reach the piece of meat on Cung Hong’s bowl, her chopsticks shot out and deflected his.
“Eat your own food.” She glared at him.
He only smiled charmingly at her, “why? When yours looks so much better?"
Cung Hong rolled her eyes at him when a blushing girl, probably eighteen years of age, entered the room. She was carrying a teakettle and proceeded to pour the tea for them.
“Thank you.” Bat Pham thanked her as Tieu Phong shot her a flirtatious smile. Her blush deepened as her cheeks turned into charming pink and her eyes were sparkling. She lowered her head demurely and rushed out of the room, almost tripping over the chairs.
“Tieu Phong, you just scare the poor girl to death.” Cung Hong scolded him.
He merely smiled at her.

It was late at night when Cung Hong crept downstairs. She was suddenly starving again even though she had eaten a full dinner. Probably because when she was injured, she had eaten very little and now her body had recovered, it was demanding the proper nutrition. And she had to admit that the inn owner’s culinary skill was incredible. Not even in the Ice Palace had she eaten such fine food.
Cung Hong was shot out of her musing when the kitchen door creaked slightly. She winced and hoped that no one had heard her. It would be incredibly embarrassing if anyone caught her sneaking into the kitchen like a thief. And Tieu Phong would never let her live it down. He would probably mock her for the rest of her life. Shaking her head mournfully at the prospect, Cung Hong glanced around. To her relief, all was silent.
She pushed the door fully opened and shot into the room with lightening speed. Only to found her herself staring into two pairs of eyes. One was startled and fairly embarrassed, the other was familiar and held a faint mocking glint.
Cung Hong felt her heart clenched in an unfamiliar way as she took in the scene before her. The pale moonlight glinted silver against the window and bathed the room in its luminescent light. The sky was clear and brilliant, as the storm had passed hours ago. The moonlight was clear enough for Cung Hong to see Tieu Phong draping his arm almost casually around the blushing maid’s shoulder. His dark head was tilted toward her and her hands were on his arms, caught in a half-embrace. Their gesture was so intimate that Cung Hong, who had never seen such a scene before in her life, understood the implication fully. Heat threatened to crawl up her cheeks and she pushed it down firmly. It would not do for the Ice Princess to lose her composure. She reminded herself. She stood to her full height and said almost imperiously,
“I’m sorry for disrupting. I was just looking for something to drink. Please excuse me.” She inclined her head and with her back straight, walked out of the room.
As the door closed quietly after her, Cung Hong felt something hot trickling down her cheeks. She reached up and stared uncomprehendingly at her wet fingers.

[Danielle Lin]

Yes first to comment~! Ergh, I hate that Tieu Phong he had to hurt Cung Hong's feelings again! Poor Cung Hong she must of been shocked!

Yeah, that poem is kind of sweet! Once you looked aside the fact that I'm stilll confused by it :P ...

I still think Tam Nhu should end up with someone else too, because Nhat Phi seems so...distant to her...

Update soon! Can't blab too much today. on my couz's comp....

[zzzbeauty]

Hi Tu Vi

HOw are you doing?

I just finished reading two chapter.. i'm sorry i was kinda of behind. Right on, Vicky is re introduced.

WHo is that maiden that Tieu Phong is with? I feel sorry for Cung HOng, but i have faith in Tieu Phong..there has to be a logical explanation.

Awww...i feel so sorry for Tam Nhu, she has totally fallen for Nhat PHi...but why won't he accept her, though?

Lol...lots of questions,eh Tu Vi...maybe you care to share some insiders information with this nosybeauty.

Thanks for the chapter tu vi and take care

[ccsakura]

Oh poor Cung Hong... I wanted to read more of Tieu Phong but that wasn't exactly what I had in mind! There must be a logical reason right... Poor Cung Hong!!!!!

Tam Nhu and Nhat Phi are getting to be really interesting. I think I am starting to like this coupling I hope that they have a happy ending as bad as it looks now!

Nhat Phi sure is a man of mysteries though perhaps maybe even more then The Kiet...

Wow I didn't even think that that lady that they were saving was Y Van...

Well as always great Update!!!!!! Can't wait for the next chapter!

[Bubeng]

Hi Tuvi!

Hope that you would update you fanfic soon. I finally caught up with spcnet after coming back from a long vacation.
Hope that things are going well with you.

[douggilmour]

hi tu vi.......just liked to congratulate u on a great fan fic.

[Kara]

I've caught up with your story since i left and i still love Tieu Phong and Cung Hong despite everything. I personally believe that Tieu Phong has the best characterisation, which is why from the beginning he is my favourite character. Hope i get to see more Tieu Phong [regardless of how he turns out] when you next update. For now, i'm content with rereading.

[zzzbeauty]

Tu Vi where are you? I hope you're ok and am looking forward to your updates.