Legend of the Sword and Saber (Book of Destiny)

[Goofy]

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One more chapter.

Part III: Book of Destiny

Chapter 40
The Five-Element Formation

Characters list (not in particular order):
Chu Lianhua .....................………………………............…Jamie Chic Mei Chun
Master Yang/Zhang Xinlang ………....………...………….Miu Kiu Wei
Gu Xiaofei ....................................…………………………Kath y Chow Hoi Mei
De Pang.............................................. . .................................Liu Kai Chi
Duan Hui …………….….………………………….……. .Alex Man Chi Leung
Man He …………………………………...…..……………Simon Yam Tat Wah
Mu Zhen …………………………………….……………..Lau Ching Wan
Xian Yuo…………………………………………………...Eddie Kwan Lai Kit
Zhan Feiyan/Black Snow Bird…………………….........….Margie Tsang Wah Sin
Zhang Tin.......................…………………………………...Eddie Cheng Siu Fai
Ah Zhu........................................... ......................................Yeung Pan Pan
Leader Yu…………………………………...…..………….Cheung Lui

A wounded figure ran unsteadily into a cottage then reeled down, barely unconscious. A family of three, parents and a little son, stopped eating and went over to inspect the stranger. The mother cried out when she saw blood on the front of the new comer’s clothes. The father hushed his wife and told her to go boil some water while he lifted the injured person to their only bed in the house. Turned out the head of the family knew something about doctoring and as soon as the water was hot, he proceeded to instruct his wife to clean the chest wound for their uninvited guest was a young woman. Then he told his son to run to an herbal shop in a village to buy some medicine. The boy ran outside lively, and his parents turned to tend their patient.

“Zhiying.” The young woman cried and looked up. Two people were observing her kindly. At that moment, she felt faint from lack of blood. Without a word, she got up and with an expert slash, she cut neatly at the couple’s throat with her short knife. Then she kneeled down and drank the blood from their corpses. When she had her fill, she sat cross-leg on the bed to meditate her energy. Suddenly, a child voice cried and small fists were banging at her legs. “Why are you killing my mom and my dad?” The boy sobbed. He punched at his parents’ murderer but was caught at the wrists. “Let me go, the witch!” How could a woman with that beauty be so evil? Tears flowed freely from his eyes.

Zhan Feiyan recalled an event ten years ago, the night that her father was killed and she was kidnapped. She used to question the same thing herself. What did her parents do to be killed by Zhang Tin? She regarded the boy and sighed. “This world is cruel. You’d better join your parents in heaven. I hope you all have better life in next reincarnation if that exists.” She lifted her knife and pierced swiftly at his heart. At least, he wouldn’t have to suffer like she did.

She stayed in a cottage till her wound was healed. Then she buried the three bodies together. After that, she left without looking back.

She went to report her failure to the Lord of Love Palace then awaited the punishment. However, Zhang Tin only assigned her a new job. “It’s not your fault. You were being battered by Xi-nan thus you weren’t strong enough to handle things by yourselves. Forgot about those useless disciples. They deserved to die. Thirty of them couldn’t overcome two men! I don’t believe that Wu Dang is better than Love Palace in martial skills. Xinlang is taking care of them now. I want you to do what I originally planned for you. Go to Dr. Ma’s and see what you can do about Sword South School’s disciples. I want Tian Fei to be left without any friends or relatives. Also, Xi-nan sent the news that the Book of Four was lost. I want you to confirm that. It was in the hands of a youth named Yong Butong the last time I heard from Xi-nan. From now on, only take the order directly from me. Don’t listen to my sons. They don’t know how to use good killer like you.” He threw her a bottle of pills and warned her coldly. “This would be all that you would get for a couple months. Use them wisely.” He caught her hands and pulled her inside his private chamber. He whispered softly in her ears. “I want to see how bad you were wounded.” He rubbed the bruised spots on her body and she winced. Zhang Tin grunted with displeasure at the signs of abuse. “I shall talk to Xi-nan about his sadistic way with women. In this matter, he is so unlike me.” He gave her a tender massage and retained her with him all night. She left in the morning, and he sighed at her retreating figure. “Too bad that her blood was too poisonous to practice the Five-venom Palm with me. She was a perfect candidate otherwise.” Years ago, he indeed used her once for this technique but had to stop halfway because he almost died when her poisonous blood mixed with his. That was the nearest of Zhan Feiyan’s attempt at revenge for her family albeit unintentionally.

The truth was that he was afraid that she would think of avenging him one day. As a result, he controlled her will with various poisons. Some were incurable, and some weren’t. In order to live, she had to have the poisonous blood in her body replaced with untainted one from times to times, hence her need to drink fresh blood. Moreover, from childhood he trained her to be a killer, not knowing love or hate. He had actually brainwashed her quite successfully up till now. The disturbed past only returned to her when she met Li Renying and found that her younger sister was still alive. Zhan Feiyan hated her life, but what else could she do? She couldn’t live past a day if Zhang Tin died, not to say that she was not strong enough to kill her number one enemy. Zhang Tin cleverly saw to that. He trained her to be a skilled killer but not too good to harm him. She did once decide to end her life when she encountered with that woman behind the veil, but after hearing the name of her sister, she swore to keep living for the sake of Zhan Zhiying, the only relative she had left.

Zhang Xinlang at that moment just saw a secret sign of Love Palace, and he followed it to an inn. There, he received a letter from his father pressing him to attack Wu Dang as soon as possible. He wrote a note back and ordered it to be sent as fast as possible to his father. The innkeeper then informed him of the movement of Wang Shan and his group. He wanted to know if he should keep their house under surveillance or not, and Zhang Xinlang nodded. “The pretty face boy has high Kung Fu, so you’d better be careful not to get too closed. At any rate, they are settling down. So, there is no need to wake up the death unnecessary.” Then he left for Wu Dang with leader Yu.

At Wu Dang, Xian Yuo had just received a letter from Gu Xiaofei, stating that she had changed her mind about their wedding. She informed him on the paper that she was now happily married with a smart man who could provide her with everything. He ripped the letter into pieces when he finished reading it. Although he did not care much about her or a marriage life with any girl, the fact that he had lost his bride to another man was an insult to him and to his sect. He would not be another Wu Dang brother who lost face to an unknown man. Heatedly, he left Wu Dang without telling anyone, intending to hunt down the immoral woman and her disgraceful lover.

Ah Zhu learned of his departure from a servant and hurried after him. She took a fast horse and caught up with him at last. But the jolting on horseback was bad for her pregnant condition. She almost fell off the horse when Xian Yuo caught her heavy body in time. Upon hearing her moan from pain, he carried her to the shaded tree and gave her some water. Just when he was about to go back to Wu Dang for help, Zhang Xinlang and leader Yu came across the pair.

Leader Yu pointed out to his young master that the pregnant woman was the third hero Man He’s wife, Ah Zhu, and that the young man was the fifth hero of Wu Dang. Xinlang smiled at this opportune time and he went to pay respect to Madam Man.

Ah Zhu regarded the men standing before her suspiciously. She was not the inexperienced young girl like Gu Xiaofei or Chu Lianhua, so she could observe cruelty and sense some evilness underneath the polite mask of the young gentleman. She noticed a fan that Zhang Xinlang was holding in his hands and recalled a description of Lord of Love Palace, Zhang Tin. However, this man was too young to be that infamous rapist although he had a decidedly authority air. An older man who was with him was without a doubt a powerful martial artist. However, she acted politely, at the same time hoped with all her heart that some help would come by soon.

When Zhang Xinlang volunteered to take her to see a doctor, she declined his offer cordially, saying that she was only a little tired and would soon be better. Then she muttered all her strength and threw several short knives at a tree about 15 chi away. This was a warning to both strangers not to attempt anything. Leader Yu saw her demonstration and applauded her prowess. Then he commented that the tree was no longer beautiful with the knives around its trunk. He walked to the tree and punched at its trunk. His inner energy pushed the daggers off the tree and sent them back to Ah Zhu who was too wearied to dodge her own projectiles. At that point, Xian Yuo intervened and used his saber to deflect them. The knives flew toward Zhang Xinlang, and he warded them off with his fan. As a result, the projectiles fell on the ground near Ah Zhu, who turned pale upon witnessing this young man’s skill.

Putting a brave face on, she demanded for his name and his true purpose of visiting Wu Dang. Zhang Xinlang who had been studying the pregnant woman thoughtfully for some time replied with one word, “kill”.

Xian Yuo instantly attacked the two men, a saber in his hand. He intended to teach these strangers a lesson for being insolence. His frustration spurted and before Ah Zhu could have called him off, his saber chopped at Leader Yu’s left arm. His move was ferocious and fast. It was one of the Yin Yang Sword series. He had adopted this martial art into the Yang Saber with the intention to teach Gu Xiaofei the Yin part so that they could fight as a pair. Although this new technique lacked the power of Yin Sword, it had a compensation of being fiercer when used with a saber.

The cut on Leader Yu’s arm revealed the sign of Love Palace, and Ah Zhu had further reasons to wish for an appearance of any other four brothers of Wu Dang. Zhang Xinlang was astonished at the martial skill of the youngest martial brother and smilingly said that he also had a new skill to test on other people. Then he displayed the six-step Five-venom Palm and hit at Xian Yuo’s chest in full force.

Xian You felt the black energy came toward him but unable to fend it off. The force knocked the saber off his hand, and a black palm followed. The next second, he was thrown against a boulder and was seen spitting blood. Zhang Xinlang sneered sinisterly and advanced toward Ah Zhu who was only thought of her baby. Suddenly, she moaned. She was going to deliver at the wrong time.

At that point in time, someone called Zhang Xinlang to stop, and Gu Xiaofei appeared with white face. One morning, she was in bed from exhaustion upon the completion of the sixth step and praying that the last process would not be as painful as this one. Then she heard her husband talked to someone about going to an inn to meet someone. She had a possessive nature and thought that Xinlang might go meet some girl there for she had realized by now that he always had an eye for beautiful women. Therefore, she braved herself to follow him from afar. However, he was only there for a short period, talking to an innkeeper. After that, he took off and traveled with haste.

She would have stopped spying on him at that if it were not for the appearance of leader Yu. She felt that he looked familiar; therefore, she trailed them all the way to Wu Dang. The longer she was on the road, the more she had doubt over her lover’s identity. She met many disciples of leader Yu’s along the road, but they let her pass without questions as they mistook that Zhang Xinlang wished for her. Gu Xiaofei was not a stupid woman although she was blinded by love. After much pondering and eavesdropping on seemed-to-be Xinlang’s servants, she came to a conclusion that Xinlang built a situation for her so that she would consent to practice that immoral martial technique with him. Also, much to her distress, she began to suspect that her gentleman lover was not really the heir of the famous Yang family.

She arrived to the incident scene early enough to witness a menacing look on Zhang Xinlang. He always wore that expression when practicing the Five-venom Palm. At once, she called his name and dashed forward, putting her body between him and her third senior martial sister.

Tearfully, she begged him. “Xinlang, what’re you going to do? Please spare her. She is my senior martial sister!” She was afraid of him and suddenly regretted her decision.

Zhang Xinlang halted. He looked at his lover disdainfully and smiled charmingly that did not work on the distressed Gu Xiaofei today. “I know that she is your martial sister. I’m going to offer her a help, that’s all.” Then he frowned when she didn’t move. He demanded annoyingly. “Go home. You have no business to be here. Or do you want to return to your Xian Yuo?” He turned to taunt the injured fifth brother. “May I introduce my wife, Gu Xiaofei, to you?” He laughed with mirth. He succeeded in stealing someone’s lover just like Xi-nan stole Lu Tingli from him.

Xian You grounded his teeth. He tried to get up but was unable to move. “I am going to kill you. You are the Love Palace fiend. You, the rapist!” He panted. His whole body was numb despite his attempt to block various acupuncture points so that the poison would not travel into the vital parts of his internal system.

Gu Xiaofei was paler than before. She gasped. “Is it true? Are you from Love Palace?” Her heart skipped. ‘What have I done?’

Zhang Xinlang replied uninterestedly. “Why should you be concerned over that little matter? Didn’t I give you enough wealth and love? What else do you want? If you know what is best for you, you should stand aside and let me to rid this pest from our lives. When I come to the throne of Love Palace, you shall be my first concubine.”

Gu Xiaofei couldn’t believe her ears. Concubine? Was she only worth as his concubine? She was stunned, and someone else cried disappointingly. “Master Yang, you lied to me.” Chu Lianhua was there with Man He, who rushed to the side of his wife protectively.

If Zhang Xinlang was indifferent with Gu Xiaofei’s emotion earlier, his face betrayed his care for Chu Lianhua. Gu Xiaofei sensed his love for her martial sister and instantaneously hated Chu Lianhua for that. Before he could find a right answer, another party came into view. De Pang, Duan Hui, and Mu Zhen took in their wounded brother and ran to assist him. With his refined inner power, De Pang pressed his fingers at the acupuncture point on Xian Yuo’s right hand and right shoulder then moved to his left elbow and finally at his chest. By doing that, he stopped the flow of poison for the time being. Then he turned to face the young master of Love Palace.

Zhang Xinlang realized that he was outnumbered, so he whistled aloud to call for reinforcement. A troop of Love Palace disciples descended from Wu Dang where they were sent to pilfer and kill, and the five heroes of Wu Dang found that they were surrounded heavily.

De Pang sighed. It was unfortunate that the fifth brother was unavailable, but it was fate. He called out, “Five-Element Formation.” He stepped forward and positioned himself as earth element. Duan Hui clutched his maces and was metal element. Man He took last look at his wife and somersaulted to the formation. He was to be water element. Mu Zhen joined the rest of them and became wood element. Then they attacked the enemies.

Although the formation lacked the fire element, it was pretty formidable. However, after a while, it began to weaken for De Pang’s earth element’s power was not at its peak without the support from fire element. At that moment, Chu Lianhua stepped into the fire element position and completed the pattern. During the fight between the four brothers and Love Palace disciples, Ah Zhu called her sixteenth junior martial sister and faintly whispered to Chu Lianhua the quick lesson of the Five-Element Formation. Then she asked the young woman to fill in the missing element for the sake of righteousness. Zhang Xinlang at the moment was helping leader Yu in the intense battle, and Gu Xiaofei was trembling next to her third senior martial sister, unable to do anything, much to Ah Zhu’s disgust.

The Five-Element Formation was based from the five-element theory, earth, metal, water, wood, and fire. Earth supported metal, metal supported water, water supported wood, wood supported fire, and fire supported earth. Each element lent and borrowed natural force from one another to create a powerful web of energy and an unbeatable formation.

With Chu Lianhua replaced Xian Yuo as fire element, the formation became stronger. Although her martial arts and inner energy was not as high as the fifth hero of Wu Dang, she needed only to support De Pang’s earth element. Likewise, Mu Zhen’s wood element added strength to her fire energy.

De Pang’s earth element was pure and the most powerful. Duan Hui’s metal element was direct and the strongest. Man He’s water element was fluid and the most graceful. Mu Zhen’s wood element was solid and the liveliest. Chu Lianhua’s fire element supposed to be raging and the fastest.

The table had turned, and soon the Love Palace’s large troop was reduced into significantly smaller group. Then three disciples were hit by De Pang’s ‘Earth calls to Heaven’, and two more were knocked out with Duan Hui’s heavy maces. Next, two men were wounded severely from Man He’s sharp hook and fast sword, and leader Yu was killed under Mu Zhen’s one stance of Tai Chi Sword. Chu Lianhua’s weapon danced as lightning and landed at the neck of Zhang Xinlang who had been wounded. Her eyes locked into his, and she saw love and apology in them. She closed her eyes and pushed the sword forward, and Gu Xiaofei was suddenly active. She dashed toward her junior martial sister and swerved the blade. Then she changed her direction and stabbed right at Chu Lianhua’s lower arm. Chu Lianhua was surprised and was disarmed in two moves. Thus the Five-Element formation was once again incomplete. Zhang Xinlang saw a chance and quickly grabbed Gu Xiaofei and escaped. Duan Hui stormed after the pair like god of thunder.

At that moment, Ah Zhu cried out. Her baby was on the way, and she could no longer hold out. Man He left the formation and was at her side the next second, wiping her sweats with concern. Mu Zhen caught Chu Lianhua’s wrist and pressed at the blood clot acupuncture point to stop the flow of blood, while De
Pang went to transfer his inner energy into the fainting Xian Yuo.

Ah Zhu cried again and the men were at their loose ends. Chu Lianhua then took command. She ordered Man He to go find some water and start boiling it. Mu Zhen at that moment was called to assist De Pang. It took two of them to purge the five poisons from Zhang Xinlang’s deadly palm out of their martial brother successfully. Meanwhile, Duan Hui returned with enraged expression. He reported to De Pang that the villain used poisonous smoke as his concealment and disappeared without trace. He was worried about his fifth martial brother, so he rushed back. But he was not needed. However, Chu Lianhua was looking for a strong man to help Ah Zhu with her baby since her right arm was injured. Duan Hui averted his eyes from the pregnant woman and strode to the poor Man He who was at the present trying his hardest to help the water boil as quickly as possible. Then Duan Hui simply shove his third martial brother from his position and told Man He to go take care of his wife instead.

Zhang Xinlang ran till he was out of breath. He stopped finally and looked at his woman gratefully when she took her hands from his and put the tip of her sword on his heart. She was crying. “How dared you lie to me? You don’t love me one bit. I can see that you have Lianhua in your heart, not me. I’ll kill you then go ask forgiveness from Master.”

Zhang Xinlang remained calm. He was defenseless at the moment. It was time to use his utmost charm. He softly said to her. “Xun Ci Shi Tai was dead, and your Emei Sect was nothing but ashes. If you don’t believe me, you can go see it yourself.” He looked into her eyes enchantingly and advised, “if you want a revenge, you can kill me now. But I want you to know, however many girls I had been with, no one had ever come close to my heart like you did. It’s true that I like Chu Lianhua, but I never have her. Now, we are just enemies. I’m really fond at you, dear Xiaofei. I want you to enjoy wealth and power together with me, and I promise you that the world will be in our hands one day.” He acted as if he prepared to die, and Gu Xiaofei could not bring herself to kill him. She had nothing left now, no master and no home to turn to.

She felt weak when met with his compelling glance. “Why the concubine? Who else are you having in your heart?” Her voice was hysterical, and her hand that held the sword shook.

Zhang Xinlang was sweating inwardly but put on a cool front. He replied simply. “No one else. The first concubine was considered the first wife in Love Palace.”

Gu Xiaofei sobbed and threw away her weapon. She put herself in his open arms and cried for everything – her honor, her reputation, her dead master, the unsuccessful revenge, her perished fellow disciples, and for her immoral love. She suddenly felt sick and vomited right on his robe.

Zhang Xinlang unthinkingly pushed her away then was stuck with an idea. He asked her excitingly. “Are you with child?”

Gu Xiaofei blushed. She thought of her past weak and nodded hesitantly. “I might. I don’t know.” She pleaded him. “I have only you left. Please do not deceive me again. Please love me only.”

Zhang Xinlang’s eyes sparkled. Destiny had planned greatness for him after all. It wanted to bestow power to him. Fate was in his hands now. He forgot his injuries and all his tiredness. He embraced Gu Xiaofei lovingly and promised her everything. Then he walked her to see doctor at the nearest town.
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Thank you... <IMG SRC="smilies/catroar.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

[Goofy]

<IMG SRC="smilies/catroar.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/catroar.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/catroar.gif" border="0">
Part III: Book of Destiny

Chapter 41
Brotherly Love and Sisterly Sacrifice

Characters list (not in particular order):
Ruyu ...............................………...............… ...……………Rain Lau Yuk Chui
Yong Xiang-er/Butong …………...................…......….…...Vivian Leung Siu Bing
Di Bao ………….......................…..………….…………….Roger Kwok Chun On
Ah Yi …………..................................……………………..An dy Lau Tak Wah
Wang Shan………….......................…..………….………...Wong Wai

Outside a town, Ah Yi and Master Yong stopped for a rest. Without his poisonous energy, Master Yong’s body was weaker and he became tired so easily. He still had the veil on although now that the effect of poison was gone, his once hideous skin slowly restored to its original state, fair and smooth. Since the day that Ah Yi saved Butong’s parent, he had never got a glimpse of the other’s face again; therefore, he was ignorant of his companion’s handsome new look.

Ah Yi saw a wayside shelter not far away and suggested the elder to wait for him there while he went off to find some food and drink. He walked into a wood following the merry sound of running water from afar. The stream was farther than he had expected, but the scenic view was worth the long trek. When Ah Yi reached a rivulet bathed in orange glow of evening sun, he took in the serene atmosphere and breathed in the crisp air contentedly. It was the first time since the death of Yong Butong that he was able to smile without crying inwardly. He bent down to taste cool water and filled his water pouch. When he was done, he began to look for late season berries for Master Yong was a vegetarian. He concluded that Yong Butong must have got the taste of eating flowers from his parent. “No wonder that she was so thin, being raised on roots and green leaves.” He mumbled then froze on his track. Under a poplar tree, one figure was gathering fallen twigs and dry leaves. Although the person clad in female attire, he could distinctly tell that it was Yong Butong, his dear friend whom he had never expected to see again. Gladness overwhelmed his heart, and he ran swiftly on a carpet of red leaves toward that girl.

“Butong,” he shouted, praying that he would not have to wake up from this blissful dream. Then when he realized that he was still awake, he almost choked with happiness.

“Ah Yi.” The girl turned and saw him. She smiled and called out joyously.

“Ah Yi.” Another girl emerged from behind another tree and echoed his name in delightful voice. She ran to him, and Ah Yi saw two approaching women with the same feature and same face. Confusingly, he involuntarily stepped backward till his back was against a tree. He licked his lips and looking back and forth startlingly at both girls with Yong Butong’s face. “Why…?” It must have been a dream after all.

Suddenly, the first girl laughed. “He looks as if he’s seeing ghosts. Don’t worry, we won’t eat you if you promise to be our slave for the rest of your life.” She showed her white-pearl teeth and made a face at him.

The second girl grinned but provided an explanation. “You must be surprised to see two of us look alike. You have met us both, actually. I am Yong Butong though I am called Xiang-er now. She is Lin Xin-er. She was the one with Master Tian in Guilin.”

Ah Yi forgot to close his mouth. He muttered fascinatingly, “Are you sisters, twins maybe?”

Lin Xin-er shook her head. “No, we are not related by blood at all. Strange, isn’t it? In fact, we only met each other last week. However, we’re sworn sisters and kindred spirit friends.”

Yong Xiang-er added, “don’t forget Ah Bao too.”

Lin Xin-er nodded. “Yes, he is our friend and our dear brother too.”

At that moment, Di Bao arrived with a basket full of herbs. Both girls stopped talking and turned to greet him cheerfully. They each caught his arms and brought him to introduce to Ah Yi. Lin Xin-er said, “This is Di Bao, our kindred spirit friend.” And Yong Xiang-er followed, “here is Ah Yi, our dearest friend.” Her cheeks colored rosily but nobody noticed as Xin-er was watching the two men anxiously. She sensed a slight tension between the two.

Di Bao smiled politely at Ah Yi, and Xiang-er immediately explained that her friend was mute. Ah Yi gave the other man a stiff bow and felt a pang of jealousy. Both Xiang-er or Xin-er seemed to pay a lot of attention on this honest looking man. It seemed that they could tell what Di Bao wanted just by looking at him. Their glances at one another were tender and loving. Ah Yi felt so left out already.

At that moment, Di Bao was studying the new comer keenly. From being a close friend of both girls and an insightful man, he came to learn their inner secret without their being aware of it. He had nothing personally against Ah Yi but could foresee heartache in store for at least one of his friends with Ah Yi being the cause of it. Since he loved them equally, he couldn’t stand seeing either of them unhappy. Hence, he couldn’t help but to regard the man opposite rather unfavorably.

Ah Yi was equally unimpressed at the youth in front. Despite Di Bao’s simple attire, he looked distinguished with aura of respectability that made everyone wish to counsel with him. Ah Yi couldn’t help feeling drawn to his compelling honest eyes and didn’t like the idea of either girl being around him.

He now got over the initial shock and began to behold each girl’s profile curiously. Although they looked and like today dressed alike, their manners were unlike from each other. Xin-er was more bouncy in her move and her talk was both amusing and perceptive. Conversely, Xiang-er was a graceful yet childlike woman. She was of serene nature, similar to Di Bao’s character. It was hard to believe that she was the one with high martial skills whereas Xin-er knew nothing of an art of fighting.

Xin-er reminded him of a wild flower grew independently and robustly on a high cliff, while he compared Xiang-er to a flower in a houseplant, born and bred in shelter under loving care. If Xin-er were pearl, invaluable beautiful white substance that was originated in common shell and turned up a unique accessory or decoration on imperial robe, then Xiang-er had to be jade, elegant precious green stone that was used to make insignia, representation of authority.

Oblivious of the two men’s uneasiness, Yong Xiang-er raised a subject of missing brother. She thought it was a curious coincidence that both men were in search for their brothers. Lin Xin-er, who was eager to find a similar trait between the two and some talking topic, turned to Ah Yi and asked about his family name and his parentage. When he reluctantly answered her, Di Bao was the first to jolt upright. ‘This is the brother I’m looking for.’ He forgot all about his misgivings in Ah Yi. Instead, he smiled in tears and grabbed Ah Yi’s hands joyfully. Ah Yi was taken aback then like a flash a vague memory rushed in and was gone in the next second. Then he was left with emptiness and unexplainable sadness. Di Bao, meanwhile, was motioning to the girls that Ah Yi indeed was his brother that got separated ten years ago.

Lin Xin-er jumped up and down and clapped her hands excitingly. “That’s great. I should have though of that when I heard Hero Tian mentioning about Ah Yi’s mute brother. I wished I had paid attention to his family name earlier. Xiang-er, we need to doubly cerebrate, for our meeting Ah Yi and the reunion between two brothers.”

Yong Xiang-er agreed and pulled the stunned Ah Yi back to their house, while Xin-er trailed after with the blissful Di Bao who recalled all about his ‘strong and protective brother’.

Meanwhile, Ah Yi experienced no recognition upon reuniting with his lost brother. He now only sought for a mute youth because it was Sword God’s intention. At first, he was anxious to meet the brother. However, after a while, he was afraid that he would not remember him and began to lose heart, hence his unhurriedness when discussing this matter with Tian Fei. To his chagrin, his fear did come true today, and he now felt lonelier than ever. Suddenly, he jerked and exclaimed. “I’ve forgotten about elder Yong!” He informed both women since he was not sure which was the right one.

“Your father, Master Yong, has been traveling with me. He is waiting at a wayside shelter about 15 chi away. We should let him know that you’re here.”

Xiang-er was pleased to hear that her parent was around. She had many questions that needed to be answered. Accordingly, she told everyone else to go ahead to the house while she went to welcome Master Yong. Di Bao understood that she wanted to be alone with her parent and nodded to her kindly, and she squeezed his hands in gratitude before flying away. Ah Yi caught this intimate action and was envy of his brother. And immediately, he was ridden with guilt for he sensed that he had yet to fulfill his promise to Sword God, in protecting and taking care of Di Bao. His hostility toward the other man was no longer there, but he was ashamed that he could not recall the love for his own brother.

“If Di Bao likes Xiang-er, what shall you do?” He questioned himself then further analyzed his heart. “Which do you really have feeling for, Xin-er or Xiang-er?” He had been thinking of Yong Butong as one woman, but now it turned out that both of the girls played a role as Yong Butong when they were with him. When did he really have a feeling for Yong Butong? Was it in the cave or was it during the trip to Emei? Did he merely regard Xiang-er as a comrade then turned to pay attention romantically at Xin-er later on? Or did he fall in love with Xiang-er in a man disguise from the beginning and further felt connected with Xin-er later on? As a matter of fact, what if both girls liked Di Bao instead? As a brother, which should he support for his own sister-in-law? Just like Di Bao, he couldn’t bear to see any of the two girls got hurt.

At their rental house, he was introduced to Ruyu, who quickly said that her father was resting at the present. Ruyu was worried and she had a cause to. From Xin-er and Xiang-er, she had heard a lot about Ah Yi’s prowess Kung Fu. Since he turned out Di Bao’s brother thus automatically an enemy of Wang Shan, she began to concern over her father’s safety. Although Ah Yi looked kind and was overall friendly, his eyes had untamed fire that was capable of becoming hatred flame and blaze of revenge if he had ever learned of the truth. She could tell that he was by no means a passive man like Di Bao aside from the fact that he had no obligation to her or the Medicine Forest at all. Her throat became dry, and she excused herself from the company and retreated to her room.

Once inside, her body shook like a brown leaf that was about to be blown down from its tree. “No matter what, I’ll protect my father from all of his enemies.” She determined. So far, her three friends only knew the name of her father, not his past deeds. For Di Bao, his patients were all alike. He was indiscriminate when he healed people. Yong Xiang-er did not care one way or the other. She only knew that Wang Shan was important to Ruyu, so she pledged to protect them from harm. Only Lin Xin-er was interested in Wang Shan’s past life. From her street life experience, she sensed the evilness in this old man. She saw enough of vice and deception that she didn’t like his lingering look at Xiang-er sometimes. She warned her innocent friend about it, but Xiang-er didn’t believe that a cripple man could harm her, and Di Bao only smiled benevolently and asked her to be more compassionate toward the suffering elder.

Yong Xiang-er reached the wayside shelter in no time with her lightness Kung Fu. Then she walked warily to her father and kneeled down in front of him. “Father, I am here to accept punishment for running away from the Island.” She looked pensively at Master Yong. She had never been punished yet for anything by him or her uncle Yuan and though not exactly looking forward to it, she wanted to learn the harsh side of life so she could share that with Lin Xin-er. After hearing about Xin-er’s life, she appreciated her good fortune of having a caring parent and a doting uncle and immediately felt bad for leaving her father alone at the White Pearl Island. She intended to invite all her friends to the island as soon as elderly Wang Shan was healthy enough for long journey. She looked down at the ground, waiting for the rebuke.

The girl in front of Master Yong reminded him of two images, a man and a woman. How pretty she looked in that pale yellow attire. How grown up she was. Tears came into his eyes and he sobbed inaudibly. Xiang-er heard that, however, and quickly gave him a hug. She could not bear to see her only blood relative in this state. Her father had always been a strong person, never shed a tear before.

“Father, you can cane me or scold me because I left you alone. Please don’t cry.” Her voice shook with emotion.

Master Yong patted her head with affection. “Silly girl, I’m so glad to see you that I forgot what I intended to do to you.” He raised his eyebrows. “How come you are dressed in woman clothes? Did anyone reveal to you your true gender?” His voice was dangerous. “What is your relationship with the boy Ah Yi? Do you like him?” He asked without beating around the bush.

Yong Xiang-er was aware of her father’s protective character. She recalled her father’s order, “kill everyone who sees you without clothes on.” Incapable of lying to her father yet not wanting to put anyone in trouble, she spoke carefully. “Nobody did that. I only happened to see the other girl naked and compared her body with mine. So I just know. Er… About Ah Yi, we are good friends. He helped me a lot when I was robbed. Er, I meant when I lost my pearls and my diary.” She hurriedly explained. Her face burnt when she thought of Ah Yi.

Master Yong could see that his child daughter had turned into a young woman with love. He sighed. It was destiny that she was to be reunited with her real parent. He held her hands and spoke softly. “You are so beautiful, Butong. I meant to raise you without any grief, hence your name ‘Butong’, without sorrow, and being a woman is a lot harder than being a man. Beauty can bring heart ache and danger from men to yourself, but being a man will help protect you from all that. I promised my sworn brother that I would tell you the truth when you are twenty years of age. You will be mature enough to decide for yourself then. But fate seemed to its own agenda.” He grimaced. “You left a letter saying that you want to look for a mother. Am I not both a father and a mother to you?”

Xiang-er protested. She said that she loved him dearly, but she needed to know more about her mother. “You never talk about her directly to me.” She stared at the covered face as if sending her pleading eyes through the thick veil. Her eyes reminded Master Yong of a pair of sharp brown eyes that could look straight into his heart. All of a sudden, he felt so tired.

“If you want to know about your mother, you’ll need to meet one person…” He was looking back into the past, both bitter and sweet moments.

Xiang-er asked eagerly of that person’s name, and he replied dryly, “Tian Fei, Gentleman Sword of Sword South School.”

Without thinking, she cried out. “Excellent, we can all go to see Hero Tian then. I heard about him from Xin-er. She impersonated me once…”

Master Yong questioned her sharply. “Who is she? What did she do that for?”

He soon got the entire story from his daughter. After that, he was silent, lost in thought. Xiang-er informed him of her new name and led him back to her house, which was rather crowded at the moment.

Back at the rented house, Lin Xin-er was relating to Ah Yi of her adventure with Lin Xi-nan. Ah Yi could have killed that villain with his bare hands at that point. “So he wanted the Book of Four, didn’t he? I should have kept looking for him and finished him off. The louse! Too bad that you lost the book too, but we can explain to Miss Ah Ju. Hero Tian can help us with that.” He gritted his teeth.

Lin Xin-er smiled triumphantly and naughtily. “That was not the Book of Four. It was only Xiang-er’s notebook. I was robbed the next day after I buried Xun Ci Shi Tai, and lost all the pearls. Luckily I have hidden the other important stuffs in my shirt.” She giggled then frowned. “I really like Uncle Tian. He’ll be sad to have so evil son, but his twin sister is sweet and gentle, so unlike him. A brute and a sadist.” She showed Ah Yi a scar from Lin Xi-nan’s whip cut on her arm.

Yong Xiang-er saw Ah Yi blowing gently on Lin Xin-er’s arm and sensed her friend’s love for him, and she knew what she should do. ‘Xin-er has a hard life, and she really deserves happiness. Besides, she has a lot in common with Ah Yi. They are for each other.”

Master Yong saw only a young girl with the face of his daughter and was rooted on the spot. Xiang-er didn’t explain much on her friend’s look in order to surprise him. She pushed her father a little, and he was back to himself. “Who is that?” He whispered hoarsely.

“That’s Xin-er, the friend I was talking about.” She inhaled a deep sigh and called to everyone’s attention. Then she introduced her father to Xin-er and Di Bao. Both youths looked at the veiled person and felt as if they had met him before. Di Bao thought of Xiang-er’s graceful pose and understood where she got it from. He could feel compelling force connecting between the three of them. Another kindred spirit, maybe? Xin-er couldn’t take her eyes off the new guest. Her loneliness seemed to be fulfilled. She was instantly envious Xiang-er for having such a father.

The time seemed to stand still, and only the sound of the wheelchair was heard in that silence. With trained eyes, Master Yong saw someone wheeling away from behind a shadow. “Who is in that wheelchair?” She asked Xiang-er with his eyes still on Xin-er.

“Oh, that was Ruyu’s father. He was crippled, so we built him a wheelchair so that he could go around the house.” They paid no more attention to the elderly man who at that moment was repeating gleefully. “The Book of Four is in this house. The Book of Four is here.”

Later that night, Master Yong asked his daughter to do something strange. “I want you to watch Lin Xin-er when she was undressing. I want to know if she has a birthmark on her right shoulder or not.”

Xiang-er was puzzled but replied at once. “I’ve seen her once. She had the same birthmark just like mine.”

Master Yong sat down on the chair with a thud. “Heaven eventually heard my prayer.” He took a handful of pearls out of his sachet and put them in his daughter’s hands. “We are leaving tomorrow to see Master Tian. I have some business with him. Tell everyone to come with us. Have Ah Yi buy fast horses and carriage for anyone else who don’t ride.” His voice was authority and left no space for refusing.

“I have to ask Di Bao first for Master Wang’s condition. He was the one in wheelchair.” His daughter replied but realized that the trip would start tomorrow no matter what.

Master Yong nodded with satisfaction. He told her that he would come back in the morning. “This house is too small. I will go stay at an inn for a night. Ah Yi can stay here.” He needed time to think.

Ah Yi at the present was talking to Di Bao. He coughed awkwardly, not knowing how best to begin. Then he burst out. “I’m sorry. I didn’t recognize you back at the wood. I have lost my memory ten years ago, and I just can’t recall our childhood at all.” He shuffled his feet shamefully. ‘I’m such a bad brother.’

However, Di Bao listened calmly. He wrote on his note and showed it to his brother. “It’s all right. Your memory will come back, I’m sure of that. I can tell that you are a good man and will be a good brother. I’m glad to see you again.” He gave his brother a hug, and Ah Yi knew in that second that he could not let anything happen to this young man. “You are a good man too. I can see kindness and honest in your eyes.” He patted his brother absentmindedly. “Xin-er and Xiang-er are lucky to have you.”

Di Bao didn’t understand the hidden meaning. He was happy that his problem was solved finally. ‘I think he likes both of them, and they like him too. Anyhow, he won’t hurt any of them. He is just like what I have imagined, strong and kind like Dad and unpretentious like Mom. He deserves two best women.’

In the morning, their door was knocked and two girls came in when Di Bao went to open it. Xin-er and Xiang-er each brought in a bowl of washing water for Ah Yi and by coincidence arrived at the door at the same time. However, seeing Xin-er was there with the same purpose, Xiang-er instantly offered her bowl to Di Bao in order to open a chance for Xin-er. At the same time, Xin-er pushed her bowl of water toward Di Bao because she sincerely wanted Xiang-er to be with Ah Yi.

Ah Yi saw the two maidens vying for Di Bao’s attention and found the answer. “They both like him. As a brother, I shall wish him for the best and be his supporter.” His heart was suddenly hollow.

Di Bao was surprised. What was happening? Girls were so hard to understand even his kindred spirits at that. He simply put one bowl of water in front of his brother and started to wash his face with the other. Ah Yi silently followed suit, and both girls embarrassingly left the room.
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Get confused yet? Thank you for reading..

[Goofy]

<IMG SRC="smilies/catroar.gif" border="0"> Let me know if you are still reading. <IMG SRC="smilies/tongue.gif" border="0">

Part III: Book of Destiny

Chapter 42
The Journeys

Zhang Xinlang (Miu Kiu Wei ) sent the reluctant Gu Xiaofei (Kathy Chow Hoi Mei) to his house in Xiangyang as fast as he could manage. He told her that he had a few businesses to take care off and did not want to endanger their baby with the rough journey. He showered her with sweet words and bought her a pair of gem studded golden earrings as a congratulation present for a new life. Gu Xiaofei was pacified and no longer protested. Behind her back, he ordered his servants to keep an eye on Wu Dang. “The first chance you can get Chu Lianhua away, do it. I want her back.” Then he went to play a visit to Wang Shan.

Ruyu (Rain Lau Yuk Chui) was the only one who was against the trip. Wang Shan (Wong Wai), on the other hand, was eager to be on the move. He thought that there would be more chance for him to execute his evil plan. Di Bao (Roger Kwok Chun On) didn’t object over the moving of his patient. He thought it would be a good change for Wang Shan’s discovery progress had been slow lately. Ah Yi (Andy Lau Tak Wah) did not get an opportunity yet to be introduced formally to Wang Shan due to Ruyu’s prevention. With an accurate premonition, she sensed that Ah Yi would cause harm to her father. As for Di Bao, he never probed for the reason of his parents’ deaths, mainly because he never thought of revenge. His goal was to find his lost brother, and now he accomplished it. Likewise, Ah Yi did not want to burden his brother with the martial realm’s affairs. He did ask Di Bao once about the saber manuscript, and was informed that it was now in the hands of Yong Xiang-er’s. As he deemed that Xiang-er was qualified enough to guard it from harm, he paid no more attention to it. Instead, he spent all his time developing the Yong Yi Sword, hoping that Xiang-er would have something to remember him by once she settled down with Di Bao. He encouraged his brother to spend some time with Master Yong and was glad that the elder seemed to take fancy on the youth.

Without any ado, the whole company took leave. Wang Shan and the three girls sat in a carriage with Di Bao as a driver while Ah Yi rode ahead in the front and Master Yong followed from a distance in the back. Master Yong liked solitude, so he usually camped separately and did not talk much. However, his glance at Lin Xin-er (Vivian Leung Siu Bing) spoke louder than words. One day, he mentioned to his daughter that he wanted to adopt Lin Xin-er. Yong Xiang-er (Vivian Leung Siu Bing) was very glad to hear it. She sensed that her father had true concern over her friend. “Now, we’ll become real sisters.” She went to inform Xin-er who was very excited to hear the news. “I’m going to have a father, a real family at last.” She cried happily and gave Xiang-er a hug.

This event convinced her more than ever to help fulfilling Xiang-er’s love. Unfortunately, the latter also had the same notion. Consequently, Di Bao was usually the one who ended up with desserts, shoes, and whatnots, which led Ah Yi to further confirm his theory that both girls were in love with his brother. Love made people blind at times and even the most intelligent one could turn into a fool because of it. Destiny could be heartless, and fate could give people plenty of heartache for no reason.

Meanwhile, Tian Fei (Adam Cheng Siu Chow) was seen walking in a wood with a young man in rich garment. The older man stole a glance at his companion and recalled their conversation at the wayside eating place.

Tian Fei was sipping tea when Zhang Xi-nan (Kent Tong Chun Yip) came up to his table. “Xi-nan, how is Tingli? Where is everyone else?” He was glad to see his son.

The youth dropped himself heavily on the wooden stool and relayed his story. “Tingli is fine now. Master Huang escorted her back to Dr. Ma’s as you ordered, but I’m worried about you, so I have traveled without stopping to be with you. As for Master Yong and his friend, they went for a walk one day and were gone. I have been searching for them but found only some evidence that led me to conclude that they were con men. When they realized that they couldn’t hoodwink me, they left.”

Tian Fei listened to his son contemplatively. He found the statement was rather dubious. For one thing, Ah Yi’s martial arts were really those high skills belonged to Sword God, not to say that he had his teacher’s ring. As to the youth Yong Butong, he seemed innocent enough. One could disguise the face, but one couldn’t conceal one’s true self forever. He grunted and took another sip of tea.

Next, Zhang Xi-nan hurried him to Emei. “I’ve heard a lot of rumors on the way. The head abbot of Shaolin had just passed away, and many high-rank monks were killed. We should get to Emei as fast as possible.”

Tian Fei informed the youth that he was waiting for Mu Zhen, “he was chasing after someone.”

“Well, we can leave a note for him to come after us. We can’t wait all day for him and Miss Ah Ju.” Zhang Xi-nan was in a hurry.

Tian Fei thought awhile and nodded. He called for a set of writing implement and started a short note. Then he told Xi-nan to prepare their horses and called for a waiter. He paid the bill and gave a few extra taels to the waiter and asked him to give this note to the gentleman who was with him earlier. “This is very important. Don’t forget.” He repeated. Then he went out to a nearby stable and apologized to his son. “I forgot that we lost our horses days ago while fighting with Love Palace. Forgive the old man’s memory.” He sighed heavily.

Accordingly, he went off with Zhang Xi-nan at slow pace at first. He explained to his impatient son in calm voice. “I’m just waiting for hero Mu to catch up with us.” Then he hurried on when they reached a small village. “My old bones need soft bed to lay on instead of hard ground.” He yawned tiredly and led his son to an inn. That night, after a big meal, the two men sat in their bedroom and drank. Zhang Xi-nan brought in the wine, and Tian Fei provided the cups.

Zhang Xi-nan mentioned that with fast horse, they should reach Emei tomorrow. He volunteered to find the said transportation for his father and received no objection. After a while, Tian Fei appeared drunk and excused himself for bed, leaving his son to drink alone.

In the morning, Tian Fei reluctantly got up and mumbled. “I didn’t expect that few calabashes of wine could make so drunk. I’m really getting old.” He walked unsteadily and Zhang Xi-nan had to support him onto a horse. They traveled speedily till almost midday when they stopped for lunch. Tian Fei took a drink of water and remarked to his son all of a sudden. “I once said that I wanted to test your martial skills one day. There might be some danger lurking at Emei, so it is better to know how good you are now.”

He suggested a duel. Zhang Xi-nan was hesitant at first, but Tian Fei waved to his son to start the attack in drunken manner. So, Zhang Xi-nan punched toward the older man. To the youth’s surprise, Tian Fei expertly dodged the coming fist, and with slight twist of his body, he gripped the youth’s two wrists with his ‘Heavenly Fingers’ technique.

“Ouch! Father, let go. It’s hurt.” Zhang Xi-nan cried, and Tian Fei pretended to be taken aback. “I taught this skill to your mother. Didn’t she teach it to you?”

The younger man was astonished at Tian Fei’s inner power. “Didn’t you…?” He went pale as he began to understand that his plan was backfired.

Tian Fei smiled. “No, I didn’t drink the wine laced with your poison. Remember? I had my arm outside a window the whole time. I used my inner energy to rid of all the liquid through my fingers, so I wasn’t affected by your drug. Even a gentleman needs to resort to a trick sometimes.” He sealed Zhang Xi-nan’s pressure point to render him unconscious. Then he carried the young man onto his horse and galloped away in the opposite direction, toward Guilin.

Meanwhile, Ah Zhu (Yeung Pan Pan) gave birth to a healthy boy. Man He was delighted beyond any expression. After a brief rest, De Pang (Liu Kai Chi) and Duan Hui (Alex Man Chi Leung ) led the group with their fifth martial brother on a made-shift stretcher followed by Mu Zhen (Lau Ching Wan) who awkwardly carried his newborn martial nephew. Next, came Man He (Simon Yam Tat Wah) and his tired wife on the horse, and Chu Lianhua (Jamie Chic Mei Chun) closed the procession.

The brothers could hardly recognize their Wu Dang. Many of their disciples were killed, and buildings were half burned from the work of Love Palace. Duan Hui forgot his manner and cursed at their enemies loudly while other gaped at the destruction in sight. De Pang was the first to act composedly. In calm voice, he ordered Mu Zhen to prepare some livable quarters for the ladies and the sick man. Man He was told to go to the kitchen area for some food, and Duan Hui to see to the wounded and the dead. After he had invited Chu Lianhua to make herself at home as a good host, he followed his second martial brother to help out.

At second glance, things were not as bad as they looked at first. Many disciples survived the massacre and had been hiding in a secret chamber. When they learned of the arrival of their seniors, they came out and helped reorganizing the sect. After many days of hard working, things returned to normal, more or less. De Pang then prepared a celebration for the new family member, who restored everyone’s spirit with his cute little smiles. Xian You (Eddie Kwan Lai Kit) was much better physically by now and no longer brooded for his lost bride. His interest had shifted to the girl in his dream, Chu Lianhua, instead. The more he spent time with her, the more he was in love with her. Duan Hui also thought that she had more spunk than her fellow martial sisters and was glad that his fifth martial brother could find someone to heal his heart so soon.

During all this time, Gu Xiaofei’s name had never once been uttered. De Pang deemed that her treacherous deeds were Emei’s affairs and should be regarded as such. Therefore, he warned Duan Hui not to act hastily about it, much to the second martial brother’s grumbles.

As for Chu Lianhua, she lived in a nightmare. Her flesh wound was healed by now, but her heart had died since that day. She spent most of her time with Ah Zhu, helped her senior martial sister taking care of the baby, and accompanied Xian Yuo in various tasks. Despite the attention from the fifth hero, she became thinner and sadder every day. De Pang could only sigh sympathetically at her depressed condition and wished that she could forget her first love and find a consolation in Xian Yuo. Accordingly, he warned his brothers not to let Chu Lianhua and Ah Zhu know of Emei’s bad news just yet.

Then one day he received a letter from Ah Ju (Idy Chan Yuk Lin) and had no choice but to inform Ah Zhu and Chu Lianhua of their master’s demise and the perishing of Emei. Ah Zhu cried and went pale. She almost fainted from rage and sorrow. Then she immediately called for a revenge right away, but De Pang reasonably told her to be patient. He advised her to take care of herself for the sake of Man He and her baby. He further assured her that Wu Dang would not let this matter pass easily. Man He supported his first brother on that, and consequently, led his lamenting wife out of the room and put her to bed eventually.

Chu Lianhua, on the other hand, was very quiet. She had had foreboding feeling about Emei for some time now since Zhang Xinlang’s real identity was revealed but did not mention it to Ah Zhu. At first, she was concerned over Zhan Zhiying (Sheren Tang Siu Mun) and accordingly had inquired De Pang about her junior martial sister and was very relieved to hear that she was safe with Ah Ju for the time being. She blamed herself for causing Zhiying’s misery. At that moment, she knew what she should do.

Ah Ju had sent the letter to inquire the news of her missing junior martial sisters. Turned out that she and Zhan Zhiying were with Tian Fei and a prisoner from Love Palace at a certain inn. Chu Lianhua listened to the news with deep thought and finally notified De Pang and others that she wished to join with Ah Ju, Zhan Zhiying, and Tian Fei.

De Pang was reluctant to let her go at first but had to give in to her decision at the end. Much to Mu Zhen’s disappointment, he issued Xian Yuo as her escort. He also wrote a letter and asked Chu Lianhua to deliver it to Ah Ju. By now, everyone knew that Ah Ju was to become the next leader of Emei Sect. Mu Zhen was happy at her new position but also grieved for his only love. Ah Ju was now out of his reach forever.

Without delay, Chu Lianhua and Xian Yuo made a departure. It was the time of autumn. Leaves were changing their colors, and animals were collecting food for the coming winter. It was the season of beauty, and Wu Dang was one of the most picturesque spots at this time of year. The delightful nature, however, did not enter Chu Lianhua’s heart for it had already possessed by fire of vengeance.

The first night, they stayed at an inn. Next morning, Chu Lianhua was gone, leaving letters for her companion. One was a message to him, requesting him to bring the rest of the letters to Ah Ju and Zhan Zhiying. The note repeated several times that Xian Yuo might not attempt to search for her for his delivery of these letters was more important; it was a matter of life and death.

With no alternative, he had to travel alone with heavy heart.

Chu Lianhua, at the meantime, was with Love Palace’s people. Last night, she sat up and wrote a letter each to Tian Fei, Zhan Zhiying, and Ah Ju and a short note for Xian Yuo. Then she left the inn noiselessly. She hadn’t gone far when her escorts from Zhang Xinlang appeared with a palanquin. As if she had expected them, she did not protest their invitation and got inside the litter without a word.

She was transported back to the house in Xiangyang, the place that used to be her heaven. She was led to a new quarter this time, a smaller building in a back garden. She looked at bright lanterns in front of the main building and shadows from inside and understood with chilly heart that Zhang Xinlang must have had a ‘new guest’ there. After that, she was left with a few maids in a locked room.

That night, she cried her heart out for her love and hate for Zhang Xinlang.

At that moment, Tian Fei and Ah Ju was working on Zhang Xi-nan. Few days ago, Tian Fei had caught up with Ah Ju and Zhan Zhiying. After exchanges of news to one another, the three turned their attentions to the captive. So far, Tian Fei learned that his pretended son was in reality the second son of Zhang Tin. Aside from that, he learned nothing else except that Lu Tingli was the innocent one and was the only victim of the circumstance. However villain Zhang Xi-nan might be, his love for Lu Tingli was true. He refused to implicate her for the sake of her safety, and Tian Fei believed him on that. As to whether Lu Tingli was his real daughter or not, Zhang Xi-nan could not tell. Destiny knew and it waited patiently for the right time to reveal its secrets.

Xian Yuo reached his destination some days later and reported to Tian Fei, who became grave once he read the letter. He asked after Chu Lianhua and learned of her disappearance. Then he showed the letter to everyone else. Ah Ju read it and then the one that was addressed to her and turned pale. She exclaimed. “Lianhua had gone to Love Palace by herself. We’ve got to get her out of there.”

Tian Fei pondered before replied. “But she went on her own will. Even if we catch up with her in time, she will just go off again. She seems a strong-willed woman. I don’t think that you can control either her mind or her action in this matter. Anyhow, she did assure us that she would not come to harm and will send us information about Love Palace by and by so that we can destroy this evil group.”

“But she is just a girl.” Ah Ju protested faintly. Her duty was to protect her junior martial sisters. She had read De Pang’s letter and learned with grief of Gu Xiaofei’s disloyalty. She did not want to lose Chu Lianhua too.

Tian Fei wavered. He didn’t like the idea of Chu Lianhua volunteering herself as a spy either. Gentleman should not use a lady to his advantage, and he began to agree with Ah Ju. However, Zhan Zhiying was the one who convinced both elders otherwise.

She spoke wisely. “Lianhua did the right thing, a little stupid but logical thing. She told me in my letter how much this master Yang loves her. He is the key to all secrets of Love Palace, and she intended to get them from him. There is no other way. I would have done the same thing too if I were in her situation. If we do something rashly, Lianhua might come into harm. We’d better follow her advice, go to Xiangyang and wait there patiently.”

Xian Yuo was the only one who could not be persuaded. He looked at the two elders disappointingly, and they felt ashamed for unable to protect a little girl. Tian Fei finally came to a compromise. “We will go to Xiangyang, and we shall try our best to get the information we need from Zhang Xi-nan. Then we can rescue Chu Lianhua.” And Xian Yuo had to agree to that.

Meanwhile, Tian Xing-xing (Kitty Lai Mei Han) was back with Li Renying (Tony Leung Chiu Wai). She had always been a docile girl, and her heart really belonged to him aside from their closeness as martial siblings. When he silently followed her all the way, braving inclement weather and cold sleepless nights, how couldn’t she help not to forgive him, especially when he sat up all night long to take care of her when she became ill?

Li Renying was telling himself to forget Ah Yan every second. For him, Tian Xing-xing was a dear sister. He had grown up with her and was taught to protect her from childhood. How could he desert her when she needed him the most? He discreetly trailed after her when she felt sick from emotional anxiety. He managed to jump in and caught her before her collapse. That night, he stayed faithfully near her bed and discovered her inner secret concerning him. When she came to, she was so happy to be with him again that he had no heart to refuse her during the delicate health condition.

Coincidentally, Li Renying ran into his martial brother and friend, Huang Yitao, in one town. Huang Yitao (Felix Wong Yat Wah) was with Lu Tingli (Barbara Yung Mei Ling) on the quest for Zhang Xi-nan but found nothing so far. It was destiny that Lu Tingli would learn of despicable act of Zhang Xi-nan. By chance, she heard Li Renying mentioned Zhang Xi-nan’s name and his killing an innocent old man. He didn’t mention Xi-nan deeds toward Xing-xing although Lu Tingli could sense that there was more.

Determined to find out the details even if they were painful, she went to see Tian Xing-xing. They became friends, and she eventually learned the whole truth through woman-to-woman talks. She was shocked to hear that and went straight back to Huang Yitao. Then she asked him to punish her instead of Zhang Xi-nan. Huang Yitao pretended not to understand her at first but eventually told her that he had a trust in her and knew that she had no knowledge of Zhang Xi-nan’s bad deeds. He consoled her that he didn’t tell Li Renying of her connection with Zhang Xi-nan. Although he was curious about it himself, he didn’t demand her to explain the truth.

Lu Tingli, on the other hand, confessed everything. She could no longer hold out her real identity now that she discovered that Zhang Xi-nan belonged to Love Palace. She recounted to Huang Yitao how her godfather asked her to deceive Tian Fei with the help of Zhang Xi-nan. She had no idea at the time that her godfather was a murderer of Liu Tong.

Huang Yitao was sad when he detected love in Lu Tingli’s tone when she talked about the evil Zhang Xi-nan. Then he turned livid when Lu Tingli innocently dropped her godfather’s name, Lu Peng. Standing in front of him was his enemy’s goddaughter, the man who had killed his godfather, Liu Tong, and was the girl he loved, at the same time.

He looked into her honest eyes and told her everything about the real face of her godfather. When he finished, Lu Tingli, whose face was whiter than paper, fainted. Huang Yitao carried her to his bed and called for Tian Xing-xing to take care of the unconscious girl and went out to get drunk in order to forget everything.

Lu Tingli woke up and immediately went for a search of Huang Yitao. She found him in intoxicated state, oblivion of everything. She brought him into the nearest shelter, which happened to be a derelict barn. She laid him down on the ground and wiped his sweating face. She took care of him when he went sick and did not protest when he violated her during the night.

Huang Yitao was so drunk that he hardly realized what he was doing. He recalled that someone dragged him onto a pile of straw and gently touched his face. He felt sick and threw up on himself. Then that someone with soft hands took off his shirt that was tainted of wine, and he had a sudden desire to put the white hands’ owner in his arms. He reached for her and the last sound he heard was the ripping of clothes and dropping of tears.

When he woke up, Lu Tingli had already gone. He saw the torn pieces of her dress, and the recollection of last night flooded into his mind. He called her name but heard only the whistling of wind as an answer. He went back to the inn, hoping that she might be there. But she was not there either. He changed his clothes and instantly left the inn.

Li Renying and Tian Xing-xing were discussing about Huang Yitao and Lu Tingli when they saw their martial brother staggered into the inn with bewildered expression. They followed him to Lu Tingli’s room and witnessed him storming out of the inn without any words. Li Renying nodded to Tian Xing-xing and they quickly paid the bill and quickly pursued Huang Yitao.

Lu Tingli hid behind a bush till the three passed by, then she walked slowly behind them. She had no definite plan in mind, but she promised to herself that as a filial daughter, she had to repay for her godfather’s sin one way or another. Even though she was not a real daughter of Lu Peng, he had raised her with love for more than ten years. Nevertheless, she didn’t want to meet Huang Yitao just yet. The last night’s memory was too raw and too vivid for her to face him.

Li Renying and Tian Xing-xing caught up with Huang Yitao at last. He wouldn’t tell them anything except that he needed to find Lu Tingli. Li Renying had never seen his friend so agitated like today before. Before they could have decided what to do next, a young woman ran into them.

“Ah Yan!” Li Renying exclaimed happily, and Tian Xing-xing looked away to hide her tears. Even with the knowledge that Ah Yan (Margie Tsang Wah Sin) was a killer of Love Palace, he kept quiet. He thought that she looked different somehow then realized that she had on more elegant dress and carried on quite sensual manner. He looked into his heart and discovered that he no longer cared who she was and what she did as long as he could be with her always. He looked back at Tian Xing-xing and found the bitterness in her eyes. ‘I am sorry.’ He apologized to her inwardly for the countless time.

Ah Yan looked at him and sighed inwardly. He looked so thin and haggard. She realized that it was because of her and could not help smiling demurely at him. Wasn’t that her order anyway? To seduce every man of Sword South School.

Tian Xing-xing knew at that moment that her happiness had been snatched away. She rebuked Li Renying through her eyes and realized that it was no use. He might be with her out of duty but his heart would never be with his body. Love was more painful than fatal wound and was bitterer than any medicine on earth. She wanted to leave him but could not bring herself to do so. At least, she could see his happy smile and heard his cheerful voice as long as this trip would last.

That night, Ah Yan left her room to accost Lu Tingli who asked her name with fear. Ah Yan smiled sarcastically and said that she was a servant of Love Palace. Playfully, she asked Lu Tingli whether she wanted to know the whereabouts of Zhang Xi-nan. When Lu Tingli nodded her head eagerly, Ah Yan laughed and said that her young master was with Tian Fei.

“Find Tian Fei and you will find your Xi-nan.” Then she went back to her room.

“Hero Tian was going to Emei; therefore, I shall go to Emei too.” Lu Tingli decided. But where is Emei? And how about Huang Yitao? Her godfather’s debts had not been paid in full yet.

Back to Ah Ju, she decided to send Zhan Zhiying for the update in Guilin as Tian Fei suggested that Dr. Ma had another captive from Love Palace with him. On the way, she came across Huang Yitao’s group. She then narrated the entire story to everyone, unwittingly included Lu Tingli who was behind a bush.

Without thinking, Lu Tingli rushed out at the news of Zhang Xi-nan’s capture. “Is he all right now?” She asked the woman behind a veil nervously.

Huang Yitao’s heart jumped with joy upon her appearance then it turned cold because she came out of hiding for Zhang Xi-nan and not for him. Nevertheless, a man had to take responsibility of what he did. Despite her background, she was his wife, and she should remain so. The sin of a father should not befall onto his child, specially an adopted daughter at that.

Lu Tingli tried to avert Huang Yitao’s pleading eyes. After what happened, how could she face him? She was about to walk away when Huang Yitao suggested to her that they should travel together to see Tian Fei and Zhang Xi-nan. In the end, she reluctantly agreed. She tried to keep away from Huang Yitao throughout the journey.

Ah Yan pretended not to see Lu Tingli’s and Huang Yitao’s discomforts. She laughed cheerfully and suggested that since Miss Tingli had been found, they could start their journey to lend a hand to Master Tian now. Li Renying glanced at her suspiciously but could not say what in his mind. He decided to have a private talk with her soon. Last night, he had no chance for Tian Xing-xing kept him up till late for a game of chess. He obliged to be with her out of guilt then instantly regretted his decision.

Tian Xing-xing became ruthless because of love. She made him play chess with her out of spite for Ah Yan. She knew that he would want to go to his maid and talk to her. Therefore, she innocently played on his conscience, and he fell for her simple trick.

Zhan Zhiying studied Lu Tingli distrustfully. What was her relationship with Zhang Xi-nan? She had to find that out despite Huang Yitao’s attempt to cover up for this pretty girl.

She turned to Huang Yitao and asked after Dr. Ma (Yeung Quan) and his prisoner, Leader Wu (Lo Chan Shun). Huang Yitao then related to her a bad news. Dr. Ma somehow gave leader Wu too strong drug, which resulted in the captive’s death. He died the day before Huang Yitao and Lu Tingli left Dr. Ma’s house.

Zhan Zhiying sighed disappointingly. She spoke, “then we have no choice but to make Zhang Xi-nan talk.”

Lu Tingli gasped and prayed that her Xi-nan would be all right. ‘Wait for me, Xi-nan. I’ll be there soon.’ She promised inwardly.

Hence, a group of youths began a long journey to Xiangyang.
----------------------

[Goofy]

This somewhat fantasy chapter somehow reminded me of E. Nesbit’s modern fairy tales. Therefore, I shall dedicate this chapter to one of the greatest writers ever.
Part III: Book of Destiny

Chapter 43
Medicine Man and Dragon Lady

After a careful thought, Huang Jiwen (Howie Wong Man Ho) deduced that Ruyu would go back to the Medicine Forest to heal her father. Therefore, he started out to the west according to Ruyu’s vague description of its location at one time.

He managed to arrive at the Medicine Forest out of sheer luck. However, Ruyu neglected to mention to him about traps and mazes. As a result, he was entrapped in the Gate of Injuries and would have died there if Yue Ling (Gigi Chiu Ngar Chi) had not found him.

Yue Ling was rearranging the last trap in the forest because Di Bao’s eagle had reached their cottages with the message, and Dragon Lady (Helena Law Lan) immediately issued a new variation of Eight-Array Maze. Thus Yue Ling and Medicine Man (Chun Wong) went around the forest and reorganized the entire maze. Yue Ling then found Huang Jiwen wandering inside the maze and out of pity led him outside the forest in safety. After the brief introduction, she learned of his errand and volunteered to take him to see Ruyu’s grandparents.

“She has not been back yet. But you should go wait for her inside since there are many entrances to this forest. Besides, my mentors will want to make your acquaintance.” Yue Ling proposed and Huang Jiwen gladly accepted her invitation.

Unbeknown to them, a pair of ears heard their conversation, and a pair of eyes gleamed with pleasure. ‘Destiny intended to let me collect the debts after all.’ Black Devil (Luo Le Lin) chuckled softly.

Black Devil had gone into hiding to wait for the return of his inner power. He was almost healed in the first place and didn’t receive serious injury from Yong Xiang-er. Therefore, his health was soon restored, and he felt stronger than ever.

Thus he came to the Medicine Palace in order to duel with the old couples. Unfortunately, he was too late. Some of the traps had been changed, but thanked to Ruyu’s map, he managed to get out without harm. At first, he thought that Ruyu had given him a fake map. Then he realized the truth.

“So, the imp somehow got the news to her grandparents’ ears. She might even be inside, waiting to see me death. Ha-ha. I’ll beat her with her own game. She has to know better than taking her father along with her. So, she has to come out sometimes to see him. I’ll wait for her then and I won’t let her go this time.” He settled down to wait patiently for the coming of Ruyu.

When the familiar figures of Yue Ling and Huang Jiwen came into his view, he was about to intercept them and held them as hostages. Then he got a better idea to let Yue Ling guide him to her mentors instead. Hence, he trailed them cautiously and noiselessly with his unmatched light Kung Fu.

At last, Yue Ling reached a clearing surrounding with beautiful flower garden. She called her mentors, and two elders with masks covering their faces came out from their respective cottages. They raised their eyebrows at a sight of a stranger, and Yue Ling quickly introduced Huang Jiwen to the old couple.

Dragon Lady grunted and suddenly leaped toward the young man, who felt as if he was engulfed in whirlwind. Quickly and neatly, she checked his pulse, examined his backbone, inspected his head, and studied his eyes. Finally, she leaped back and seemed to be satisfied.

She turned to her husband. “Good bone, nice skull’s shape, honest eyes, and healthy man in general. I don’t think he is as bright as Ruyu but will do.” She stared sharply at Huang Jiwen. “So, you are Ruyu’s friend, eh? How come you are not with her?” When she noticed that his eyes turned cloudy, she laughed shrilly. “You two have an argument, right? Ha-ha. Well, she is the best girl a man can have, so you’d better not let her go with some silly quarrel. As a man, you should be tolerant and generous. Admit your fault and make up with her.” She actually meant the last sentence for her husband who pretended to ignore her hinted message.

At that moment, Medicine Man uttered softly. “Since you have come, why not appear yourself?” His tone was low, but the sound reached Black Devil’s ears as if its speaker was right in front of him.

Black Devil laughed and flew right in front of his two enemies. “Medicine Man, I admire your superb internal power. I return to China because I want to duel with the four Greats again. Saber Lord died too soon, but I fought with his representative, Xun Ci Shi Tai. Too bad, she couldn’t even compare with her brother. I hope I shall find better competition in you two. Do you want to come to me at once or do you want to fight one on one?”

Dragon Lady was going to receive the uninvited guest’s challenge when Medicine Man stayed her hands. He calmly answered Black Devil. “You are very smart to avoid all traps by following our apprentice here, but you might not get to go back outside at all. Our feuds happened decades ago when our blood was young and restless. At the time, you came to Central Plains to assassinate our Emperor to revenge for people of Ming Cult, but the cult has been annihilated a long time ago, and the first emperor of Ming Dynasty had been long dead. Why immersed in the unchanging past? No one would come back from death just because you kill our ruler or defeat us.”

Dragon Lady added, agreeing with her husband on a rare occasion. “Yes, why don’t you go back to your Persian Ming Division? Why suddenly the concern over the affair of the Chinese Ming?”

Black Devil glared at the old couple. His face turned dark from rage. “The Ming Cult was the best and the most powerful group in both China and Persia. I’m here to bring back its glory and regain its right as leader of the martial art realm. What’s wrong with that? Blame it on your ungrateful king who betrayed his fellow friends and brothers. Wasn’t it a fact that they fought against Mongols with him? Didn’t they support him to the throne? Although our Persian branch had no connection with the Chinese one before, one of Chinese Ming’s leaders was Zhang Wuji who was revered by our former leader, Xiao Zhao. She had left the order for us to take good care of the Ming division in China. It was unfortunate that we had problems of our own at the time. But now, I, Black Devil, will restore the Chinese Ming branch and lead the martial world to bring down the present dynasty. But before that, I have to take care of my personal business with you two.”

Dragon Lady sighed. “You are nuts beyond curing.” She commented.

Medicine Man agreed with his wife but attempted for the last time. “We and Sword God had done our services to the country in our youth, and now we are all old and tired. That’s why we three became recluses, leaving the younger generations to continue our work. It was said that a kingdom tends to divide and unite in cycle. This Ming Dynasty is almost at its end with the corruption and the weak ruler. Why not let the destiny run its course? Let fate decides the future and let bygones be bygones.”

Black Devil shook his head stubbornly. “I want to pay back my humiliation fifty years ago. I don’t change my mind when I set out to do something.” He lifted his palms and directed his energy in the direction of the old couple. Black cloud instantly shot out from his hands and lashed fiercely at its targets.

Dragon Lady countered the coming force with her Dragon Palms, and Medicine Man sent beams of light energy from his Finger Technique to meet Black Devil’s Cloud Palms. Red energy from Dragon Lady and white force from Medicine Man clashed with the coming black power. The earth shook violently, and several trees were uprooted. Birds flew away in fright, and little animals dug holes furiously in search to hide. The whole area surrounded with powerful force field. No one could get out, and no one could get in.

Having no martial skill, Yue Ling couldn’t tolerate the strong internal pressure. She choked out blood and collapsed. Huang Jiwen quickly caught her senseless body shakily. He could hardly stand the force himself. He realized that he would be the next one to go.

“Stop fighting! You are going to kill us all.” He yelled.

It was too late now, however. Neither of the three masters could withdraw their forces even if they wanted to without putting themselves at risks.

Dragon Lady heard Huang Jiwen and instantaneously thought of her granddaughter. She looked into her husband’s eyes and he understood what she had in mind. He nodded slightly and in a flick of an eye, pulled back one hand and sent a thin ray of energy at Yue Ling’s neck, at the same time shouted to Huang Jiwen to take Yue Ling away. “Tell her to close the exit at the southeastern gate.” His attempt to heal Yue Ling weakened his defense, and Black Devil’s force instantly moved in.

Dragon Lady doubled her power to help her husband and with difficulty opened a gap on the energy web for the two younger ones to escape. She looked beseechingly at the young man. “Hurry!” She whispered. Her face was pale then blood started to spurt from her nose.

Huang Jiwen nodded with heavy heart and mustered all his strength to carry out the task. With Yue Ling on his shoulders, he sprang out of the force field. Behind him, the black force quickly sealed the opening, and the forest trembled then mourned for its habitants.

Huang Jiwen kept running till he couldn’t breathe. He put the older woman down and gasped for air. At that moment, Yue Ling came to. Medicine Man’s warm energy did heal some damage in her internal system. She looked around and realized that her mentors must have sent her out of the battle area in order to save her life. She cried, “Mentors.”

She started to run back but Huang Jiwen detained her with force. “It’s no use. It is too late. We cannot do anything now. We have to get out of here before Black Devil could catch up with us. Can you get us out of here?” He related to her Medicine Man’s last words.

Yue Ling’s face was bathed with tears, and her body went limb. Although she had no knowledge of martial arts, she understood Huang Jiwen’s meaning. Her mentors’ rescue act severed their chance of winning. Then she saw a plea in the young man’s eyes and her healer instinct stirred. There was one life here that she could save. Strength and calmness returned to her. With a new determination, she grabbed Huang Jiwen’s wrist and walked him to the southeast exit. Then she altered the gate pattern and they both left the Medicine Forest.

Huang Jiwen questioned her action curiously, and she explained to him gently. “Mentors want me to seal all the exits so that Black Devil cannot come out.” She turned sad then thought of something. Her face lit up and she smiled happily. “Mentors will not die. How clever of them!” She turned to Huang Jiwen and asked him. “We still need to go for help. Where is the nearest place that we can get help from?”

Huang Jiwen replied without thinking. “Wu Dang and Emei are probably the nearest. We are probably halfway between both. Which do you want to go?”

Yue Ling recalled Ah Ju’s friendliness and decided on Emei. Accordingly, the two continued southward for Emei.

Back at the battle scene, Medicine Man knew that he was losing. He mumbled his wife’s name with affection, “Rong-rong.” Dragon Lady’s tears mixed with her blood and she realized that her final was near. ‘Although we are born on different day, we’ll die on the same day.’ Her heart was at peace, and the past bitterness between her and him was forgotten. Alas, mortals always reconciled with one another when it was too late. Right then, the three’s energy fields collided for the last time. The power web wavered. Black Devil’s Cloud Palms had an upper hand and started to overpower the aged couple’s internal force. Seeing a victory in his reach, Black Devil put in all his strength. Finally, the power cycle blasted, and every living thing within a mile radius was destroyed.

Both Medicine Man and Dragon Lady were tossed away forcefully fifteen meters away. Their masks split in halves and fell off their faces, and the couple spat blood. Dragon Lady who was already severely injured lost conscious, and Medicine Man quickly transferred his white energy into her body.

Black Devil staggered back some steps but soon recovered his balance. He smiled victoriously as he advanced slowly toward his opponents. Medicine Man didn’t even look in his enemy’s direction. He merely mentioned serenely. “If you kill us now, you won’t get out here alive either. All exits are close. There is no way out.” He laughed. “Ha-ha. Not only I’m dying with the woman I love, but I also have you as my traveling companion to the Netherworld.” His face was without color, yet he would not give up rescuing his wife.

Black Devil instantly paused. He didn’t believe Medicine Man but could not help wondering. He regarded the couple thoughtfully and spoke in cold voice. “You two are dying anyway. I might as well let you live a little longer.” He bounded off in the direction that he came in but found no road. There seemed as if invisible walls sprung up from nowhere. Thick fog descended, and the forest disappeared in white mist.

Black Devil had no option but to returned to Medicine Man, who grinned at his opponent’s approaching footsteps. Without a word, Black Devil pressed his left palm on Medicine Man’s side and his other palm on Dragon Lady’s back. Black steam flew above their heads. He transported his energy into their bodies for a while then took his hands off. He stood up and spoke. “I have now saved your lives, so you are obliged to get me out of here.”

Medicine Man chuckled weakly. He put his arm around his wife who had just regained her sense. He checked her pulse and relieved that she was out of danger. “Villain, you made us like this, and you still want us to help you?” He pointed his fingers shakily at Black Devil. “I’d rather die here with you than let you harm more people.”

Black Devil glowered. He lost his patience and lifted his palms then restrained himself. He threatened the other man. “If you don’t tell the secret of the maze, I’ll kill your wife slowly.”

Dragon Lady opened her eyes and grabbed her husband’s hand. “Go ahead. Death is nothing to me.” She opened her mouth and swallowed a black pill. She propped one in her husband’s hand who immediately took it. Then she said to Black Devil mockingly. “We both have taken poison. We have only an hour to live. You’d better rely on yourself.”

Medicine Man shook his head when Black Devil angrily tried to purge the poison from his body. “No antidote. No way to cure it. We made this poison for this purpose only. We know that you’ll come back in the end. At least, please let us be alone together during this last hour.”

Black Devil grounded his teeth but knew that he was defeated. He had his revenge but he was still lost to this couple. He turned around and went to search anxiously for any possible trace of an opening.

The husband and wife embraced each other blissfully. They both thought of Ruyu and hoped that Huang Jiwen would be good to her. “Ruyu, we love you.” They spent the rest of time reminisced their happy moments from the past.

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Hmm, should I stop posting or what... <IMG SRC="smilies/tongue.gif" border="0">

[andrea7974]

I only read this story recently ( I have not read part I though ) <IMG SRC="smilies/blush.gif" border="0"> And I think it's a great story.

By the way...read my story (Sunset in the Silk Road)in this SPCNET or www.winglin.net/fanfic/andrea7974 if you have time... and tell me your comment about it. I know that you are a senior writer...and a comment from you must be very useful to me.

Keep on writing Goofy!

[charbydis]

Goofy: very romantic! <IMG SRC="smilies/love.gif" border="0"> Keep writing! <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">

[teddy]

Great translation. I am very interested
in finding the end of the story.

Thanks for writting.

[Goofy]

teddy, this is my own piece of writing, not a translation. <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> Glad that you like it though. <IMG SRC="smilies/catroar.gif" border="0">

Part III: Book of Destiny

Chapter 44
Four Women and Two Men

Zhan Zhiying’s next attention was Li Renying’s maid named Ah Yan. Right away, she thought that the face looked somewhat familiar. Then, later she recalled the killer from Love Palace who dressed in Ah Ju’s clothes. ‘But, how could that be?’ She wanted to confirm her suspicious so not to accuse a wrong person.

Both young men were burdened with his secret. They just then realized the complexity of their situations. Huang Yitao was overall in better position than his fellow martial brother was since he believed in Lu Tingli’s innocence concerning Love Palace, whereas Li Renying was laden with knowledge that Ah Yan was responsible for the destruction of Emei. Each man wanted to protect his loved one, yet felt guilty of being dishonest toward the others.

That night at the inn, Huang Yitao came to see Lu Tingli. Ah Yan, who stayed in the same room, let him in, and left the room silently. She went for a walk and met Zhan Zhiying who would like a talk with her. Ah Yan nodded and lead the other woman to a gazebo in one corner of a park.

Zhan Zhiying studied the other’s demure face and sighed. This maiden’s lively eyes suddenly took her back to her happy childhood. On the impulse, she took off her veil and put her scarred face in the other’s full view. She smiled a little when Ah Yan gasped. “I have had these scars for ten years now since the day my house was burned down and my family was killed. My mother and I were the only survivors.” Her face shadowed when she thought of the past. “We have had good lives at Emei, but now, my mother was murdered along with my fellow disciples by Love Palace people.” Her heart was full of grief. “You reminded me of my dead sister, Feiyan, yet you look alike my enemy from Love Palace. I am confused.” She looked straight into Ah Yan’s eyes. “You are not just a common maid. Master Li seems to pay a lot of attention to you and regards you in special way. You walk as if you have high martial arts, and your right hand was full of cutting scars like a hand that carries weapon. Who are you?” She clutched her sword, ready for any action.

Ah Yan looked at her younger sister’s face, and her heart was torn in pieces. She wanted to call out, ‘Ying-er, elder sister is here to protect you.’ She stepped forward instinctively then stopped herself in time. She averted her eyes and laughingly replied. “Miss Zhan praised me too much. I’m but a lowly servant in Master Tian’s household. Little Kung Fu that I have been taught by my kind master was for my own protection, nothing that can be compared with your sophisticated martial arts. My name is Ah Yan, and I’m an orphan. It was my good fortune that young master Li took a pity on me and rescued me from the street. As for my callous hand, it is from labor work, not from weapon handling.” She smiled radiantly at the other girl. “If I may offer some humble advice, Miss Zhan shouldn’t be too worried about your look. In my opinion, you have an unrivaled inner beauty that radiated through your kind eyes and your gentle manner. Moreover, the Great Buddha said that revenge brings no peace and is but an illusion. At the present, Love Palace is so powerful that only Sword South School can stop it, so why not let the men handle this ugly business among themselves?” She reached for the other’s white hands and stroked them tenderly. “Please believe me, I’ll never think anything harm of you. I sincerely want you to be happy and safe.” She stared pleadingly at her blooded sister.

Zhan Zhiying’s heart quickened. This strange maid seemed to understand her inner thought, strengths and, weaknesses. Two pairs of eyes met, and caring and compassionate was clearly seen in Ah Yan’s beautiful brown eyes. Instantly, Zhan Zhiying felt ashamed to ever consider Li Renying’s maid as her enemy. ‘Some people do have similar looks. Clothing can be changed, but surely, one’s eyes cannot. Eyes are like windows to a person’s inner heart, and I have seen no trace of a killer in her.” Deep down in her heart, she was willing to believe in this woman. In some way, she felt as if a close relative had just returned.

While Zhan Zhiying was pondering over the other’s words, Ah Yan dropped her hands and stepped backward meekly. “Please forgive a presumptuous manner of an uneducated girl.” She started and excused herself for work. “I’ve to go take care of my young master and young miss.”

She hadn’t gone far when a sword thrust at her out of nowhere. With quick reflex, she somersaulted to dodge the coming blade and looked surprisingly at her assailant who quickly changed the move and kept on the attack. ‘Maiden Sword!’ Ah Yan watched in fascination. This sword series was so beautifully executed that it looked like a dance. She stopped moving and let the sword tip touched her flesh. The blade veered again when it was about to embed her chest. Instead, it went toward her left shoulder. At that moment, a hand appeared between the blade and its target. The sword’s owner cried out and tried to pull back the weapon, but its sharp tip had already pierced at its barrier that promptly grasped the sword end. Blood oozed from the hand, and the attacker let her sword go weakly.

Tian Xing-xing immediately reached for her handkerchief and tied it around the wounded hand. “I am sorry, brother Li.” She bit her lips. Li Renying could have used his ‘Marble Flicking’ technique to stop her, but he chose to injure himself instead of harming either her or Ah Yan. ‘Who did you really want to help, me or Ah Yan?’ She turned her back at him and said dryly. “The evasion technique that you taught Ah Yan is very impressive, and her light Kung Fu is pretty good. I just want to test her martial skills, not really intend to harm her. You shouldn’t have hurt yourself unnecessarily.”

Li Renying frowned. “Ah Yan has been my maid for almost a year now, and you acted as if you don’t know her. Please don’t play a prank on people like this again. Someone can really get hurt.” Then he felt that he was too harsh to her, so he added more kindly. “Your sword only glazed at the skin, nothing serious. Don’t worry, Xing-xing.”

His martial sister blushed then burst out. “I suspect that she might be a spy from Love Palace. Miss Zhan thought so herself, didn’t you?” She turned to quiz Zhan Zhiying who had just arrived upon hearing the sword’s noise.

Zhan Zhiying didn’t hear the question but rushed to see if Ah Yan was all right. Li Renying watched after her and inwardly sighed with relief. Aloud, he gently reproached Tian Xing-xing. “Where did you get that idea? See how much Miss Zhan’s worried about Ah Yan, how could that be possible if she considers Ah Yan as our enemy.”

Tian Xing-xing would not give up. She had overheard the early conversation between Ah Yan and Zhan Zhiying and decided to get to the truth. She argued stubbornly. “I did this for you, brother Li. This woman might not be the real Ah Yan that we know. Her appearing is rather doubtful, so I just want to make sure if she is your real maid, not an impostor. After all, Love Palace could have just had someone disguise as Ah Yan the maid. Well, I heard from Father that all of Love Palace’s disciples have a certain tattoo on their left arms, so why don’t we have her prove to us her innocence?” She challenged her martial brother.

Li Renying couldn’t find a ready answer, but Ah Yan softly replied for him. “Young master, Miss Tian is very wise and thorough. For everyone’s sake, I shall prove myself in front of her.” She picked up the sword from the ground and slit her entire left sleeve. Remembering the arrow tattoo that Ah Yan had, Li Renying instantly rushed forward and covered her with his robe but had to catch his breath in a surprise. Instead of a tattoo, Ah Yan’s entire area of her upper arm was full of blisters as if the flesh had been scorched by some hot object.

Ah Yan opened the robe, showed her arm to the two astonished girls, and explained in low voice. “I got separated from young master some weak ago without any money. So, I decided to work at an inn for enough traveling money to get to Dr. Ma’s in Guilin for I expected young master to be there. Couples of days ago, I accidentally burned myself with a tub of boiling water. Thus, I fell ill for a few days. But, as soon as I’m better, I set out toward the south. By chance, I ran into you and young mistress.”

Li Renying realized that it was a lie but couldn’t help being moved by her sacrifice and her cunning. He had no alternative but to nod in support to his maid’s story. Zhan Zhiying cried with pity and immediately reached in her pocket for Emei’s special remedy for burns, Jade Bee Ointment and Snow Lotus Powder. She instructed Ah Yan to take the powder orally and personally applied the ointment on the other’s arm. Tian Xing-xing glanced at her maid’s blistered skin and grimaced. What else could she say? She turned around and walked back to her room, feeling that she had been bested.

Ah Yan sought for her master’s eyes and implored him secretly to go after Tian Xing-xing. Li Renying raised his eyebrows but complied wordlessly. He took a last look at her before leaving her with Zhan Zhiying. Ah Yan closed her eyes for a minute and turned to thank the Emei’s youngest disciple gratefully, protesting at first how unworthy she was of the Emei’s magical medicine. However, Zhan Zhiying paid no attention to the other’s humble words. “Don’t mention about it. I know that it’s very painful experience. These blisters don’t look infected, so keep applying this ointment till it’s all gone and take this powder for two more days, your burns will heal soon and your skin will look as smooth as ever.” She helped Ah Yan back to her room and left an instruction with Lu Tingli that Li Renying’s maid was sick and needed a lot of good rest. She smiled warmly at Ah Yan and departed.

Ah Yan gazed at her sister’s back till it disappeared from her sight. Then, she sighed and turned to the distracted Lu Tingli. “I hope you didn’t tell Master Huang that I come from Love Palace.” Actually, she was indifferent to other people’s reactions except Zhan Zhiying’s. She wanted to savor the friendship she had with her younger sister as long as possible. Lu Tingli shook her head sadly and helped undress her roommate. At the sight of blisters, she cried out in horror. “I’m so sorry. It must have hurt a lot.”

At that moment, someone was knocking at their door. Lu Tingli went to opened the door and found Li Renying there, wanting to make sure if his maid was all right. When she reassured him that Zhan Zhiying had taken good care of Ah Yan who had gone to bed, he breathed out in relief and politely bid her a good night. After that, Lu Tingli went to help Ah Yan to bed and sat down in a dark room, thinking about the conversation between Huang Yitao and her.

This evening, Huang Yitao came to ask her to marry him. When she refused, he promptly handed her his sword. “I have wronged you, and I should die for this crime of mine. Please kill me if you hate me so much.” When she wouldn’t touch the sword, he seized it and tried to stab himself. However, she stopped him by threatening to take her own life if he ever thought of harming himself. When he was calmer, she assured him that she never thought the less of him because of his conduct that night. “It’s my choice in hope to pacify your wrath on my godfather. Let’s forget that incident as if it had never happened.”

Huang Yitao blushed with shame. “But it did, and I cannot taint your life forever.” He paused then stammered. “Not only that it is the right thing to do, but I also wish to spend my whole life with you. I want to take care of you and build my family with you.” His eyes showed plainly his love to her.

Lu Tingli turned pink then smiled at him sadly. “You are a very good man, and your future wife will be a fortunate woman indeed. But, I am not destined to be the one. I’ve been thinking carefully about our fathers and us, and I decided to stand by my godfather regardless of his deeds. However, I don’t blame you for wanting revenge. If you succeed in the future, I won’t hate you for it, but I can never spend my life with you either. Master Huang, we both have duty toward our own parents, and I cannot forsake my godfather after what he had done for me. He might be evil to others, but he truly cares about me. Without him, I probably would not have been alive today.”

“But, Tian Fei is your real father.” Huang Yitao protested. “I understand how you feel, but Lu Peng is an evil man while martial uncle Tian is a hero. If you support Lu Peng because he has raised you, you should do the same for your blooded father just because he gave you life.”

“I see that you’re willing to compromise because you believe that I am Hero Tian’s daughter. What would you do if I weren’t?” It was painful to see Huang Yitao hurt.

Huang Yitao turned pale. “It is impossible. You have to be his daughter, you have to be.” His voice shook. “You are sweet and kind just like Miss Yue Ling that Martial Uncle once mentioned to me. Besides, Master Mu told him that his wife, Yue Feng, really had twin babies, according to Lu Peng. Zhang Xi-nan might be an impostor, but there must be your twin sibling somewhere out there. We’ll help you find him or her.”

“You have forgot that godfather Lu might up the whole thing. The real babies or baby could have died long time ago. He probably is using me as a puppet for some reason.” She probed him further.

Huang Yitao refused to believe in the worst. “I heard that Lu Peng loved my martial uncle’s wife, so he probably didn’t kill her children. Anyway, time will tell. I can only promise you that until I see Uncle Tian, I won’t harm Lu Peng.” He paused then continued gently. “If we are not to be together because of Lu Peng’s death, I’ll come back and die in front of you to atone for my sins.” He took out a jade bracelet and gave it to her. “I have bought this for you. Even we cannot engage for now, please accept it as a gift.”

Lu Tingli fingered the bracelet absentmindedly. She had no heart to tell him that she was in love with someone else. He had lost enough. “I will pray that Hero Tian is my blooded father so that everything can be solved.” She thought too simply, but he took her statement as a sign that she had some feeling for him. That night, he had a sweet dream for the first time since he got drunk, whereas Lu Tingli was restless with senseless dreams about Zhang Xi-nan and Lu Peng. ‘Godfather, who are my parents? Which should I choose between Hero Tian and you? And how about Xi-nan? Could I ever be with him again?’ Hot tears welted in her eyes, and she sobbed with the pillow.

Tian Xing-xing was another who didn’t sleep well. Li Renying had just casually informed her that he decided to marry Ah Yan as soon as he met Tian Fei. “I realize that this is not a good time to talk about wedding, but I want to make her happy as long as I can. I feel that a big battle between Love Palace and us is on its way, and some lives will be lost inevitably.” He beseeched her with his somber eyes. “For the sake of our friendship, I want to ask a favor of you to look after Ah Yan if something ever happens to me.” He called her name tenderly. “Xing-xing, we have grown up together like a brother and a sister. For you, I’m willing to risk my life, and the same goes for Ah Yan because I love her. I want to protect her from harm and unhappiness, and I hope that you will respect my wish. Ah Yan has had a pity life. She had no family and may have some rough manner, so you’ll have to be patient and extra nice to her. If you say yes, then I won’t have any worry when I have to fight our enemy.”

Tian Xing-xing could only nod. Ah Yan must have done something good in her past life to deserve such a good man like her martial brother. She understood Li Renying’s intention to bring Ah Yan and her together. “Since you honor me with this task, I’ll do my best, but I hope that you will always be here to take care of her yourself. I don’t want to lose a great brother like you.” She forced a smile at him, hinting that she preferred to stay as his sister to nothing.

Then she gently redressed his wounded hand again with cleaner cloth. When she was done, he smiled at her thankfully and departed with lighter heart. Then, as if in trance, she sat on her bed, staring at the blood-soaked handkerchief until Zhan Zhiying entered the room. Quickly, she wiped her tears and went to wash her face. “How is Ah Yan doing?” She asked her roommate quietly.

“She is all right. I’ve given her Emei’s medicine to treat her blisters.” Zhan Zhiying touched her face and turned automatically from the candlelight. She had forgot to put the veil back on when she heard the commotion and didn’t miss it till now.

Tian Xing-xing politely averted her curious eyes but had a question for her roommate. “Excuse me for intruding. I happened to hear that your mother was killed by Love Palace, but I see that you don’t look too eager to revenge her death. Why is that?”

Zhan Zhiying took the hint. “You probably want to know why I befriend with Ah Yan despite my suspicious of her.” She smiled serenely. “Not only my mother and my fellow disciples were killed by Love Palace, but this scarred face of mine was also the work of Zhang Tin, the Lord of Love Palace. Hero Liu and senior martial sister Ah Ju rescued me from the fire when I was barely six years old. When I turned sixteen, Master recounted everything to me and added that she suspected Zhang Tin as the culprit. You are right that I should hate the Love Palace and that Ah Yan’s circumstance is doubtful. However, dead people will not return, and hatred only damages one’s self. I have only sorrow and grief, not the hate. I am willing to help Sword South School fight the Love Palace for justice not for personal revenge. Ah Yan helped me to see that.

For me, Ah Yan is a good friend. She’s sincere to me, to you, and to Master Li. No matter what will happen in the future, I’ll never forget her friendship.” She sighed. “I trust her. I have no other reason except that she reminded me of my elder sister.” She murmured to herself. “Sometimes, love is enough reason to live in this world.” She turned to question the other guilelessly. “Do you hate her because of her dubious background or because of Master Li?”

Tian Xing-xing’s color heightened. That was the question she had been asking herself this last hour. “I don’t know, but it is no longer matter. I’ve promised to Renying to be good to her, and I will try my best.” She whispered hoarsely.

That night, Zhan Zhiying dreamed of her family. “Feiyan.” She muttered sleepily.

The next morning, Tian Xing-xing went to apologize Ah Yan for being too hasty, but instead became the one who received a confession from the maid. “I should be the one who asks for your pardon. I realize that you are very close with the young master, and I feel bad for taking him away from you.” Ah Yan just had a talk with Li Renying a moment earlier. He had proposed to her and given her an ancient brooch studded with pearls. “This jewelry belonged to my mother. She gave it to me on her deathbed for my future bride.” When she reminded him that they stood on the different sides, he told her that he wanted to be with her till the day they would have to go against each other. “Can we forget everything till that day? Our time is short, and I want to cherish it forever.”

Ah Yan sighed. “I wish that I could start over again, but it is really too late now. The only reason I remain with my master is that I need regular antidotes from him. Nobody can help me but him. I did want to die once, but I don’t want to now because of you and Zhan Zhiying.” She put her head on his shoulder.

Li Renying gently put his arms around her and consoled her. “Don’t be despair yet. There is a friend of Huang Jiwen’s who is from the Medicine Forest. She is the only granddaughter of Medicine Man and Dragon Lady’s. Dr. Ma had told me all about them. They are the greatest healers in this country, so I think that we still have some hope. Are you willing to stay with me forever if we can find cures for your poisons? We can live in a faraway place where nobody knows us. There will be no Sword South School or Love Palace between us again.”

Ah Yan smiled at him then shook her head. “That sounds perfect, but are you willing to leave everything behind? You are a young hero with a bright future ahead. You are also the best student in the Sword South School. With high martial skills of yours, you are no doubt the first choice for Master Tian’s heir. The young mistress also likes you a lot. She can be a perfect mate for you on the road of success. I want you to spend some time to think things over carefully.”

Li Renying didn’t think twice when he placed the brooch in her hands. “I have already made a decision. I don’t care for fame or position as long as I have you, Ah Yan. Xing-xing has been very good to me, but she can only be my sister and nothing else. You are the only woman I will ever have as a wife. Sometimes, what is good for us is not always what we want. If you are willing to stay with me, I’ll risk everything for you.” He beamed at her, and she hugged her gift in happiness.

“I will never betray you.” She promised.

Tian Xing-xing’s heart tore when she saw Li Renying’s precious brooch on Ah Yan’s dress, but she controlled herself and congratulated to Ah Yan heartily. She was glad that her martial brother found happiness. Wasn’t that called selfless love?

After the breakfast, the group continued their journey. The sky was so blue without any cloud, and the weather was just right, not too cold, and not too hot. Birds called one another merrily, and fall flowers were in bloom. The day was as perfect as it could be, and the young people couldn’t help feeling cheerful. All their problems were temporarily put on hold, and they were busy enjoying themselves.

Li Renying discovered a red wild flower for Ah Yan and put it on her hair while Huang Yitao collected a bunch of white flowers for Lu Tingli. Meanwhile, Zhan Zhiying led Tian Xing-xing to a beehive and demonstrated to her how to obtain honey without being strung. At noon, they stopped at a brook, and the men caught some fish. Then, Ah Yan cooked them with Zhan Zhiying’s help while Tian Xing-xing went with Lu Tingli to find some late season berries. Time flew by quickly, and before they realized, the happy day came to an end.
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Thanks for reading...

[Goofy]

Part III: Book of Destiny

Chapter 45
The Matter of Heart

Yue Ling and Huang Jiwen would have missed Tian Fei and his company if she hadn’t fallen ill. Medicine Man’s brief energy only temporarily gave her enough strength to leave the Medicine Forest. The journey to Emei proved to be too hard for Yue Ling’s precarious condition. Her health started to deteriorate and she fainted one day in the middle of the road. Their journey was put on hold, and Huang Jiwen had to seek lodging in that village. He tried to heal her with his energy, but his force was not refined enough to do so. They stay at a small inn for three days, and at the end of the last day, Huang Jiwen discovered that he had spent all his money. When he regretfully informed his companion of their misfortune, she smiled at him soothingly. “If we can’t stay at the inn, we can sleep at some ruined building. I saw one on our way here.”

Huang Jiwen protested. “But you are still sick. Nights are getting colder every day, and your fragile health won’t be able to stand the chill. I’ll find some work.” He refrained from talking about their journey. Somehow, he sensed that the rescue would prove useless. With her extraordinary sense, Yue Ling could even feel the death more intensely than he did. She realized that she was once again the cause of other’s misfortunes.

“Mentors, I’m sorry.” She lamented. To Huang Jiwen, she assured him that she was better now. “We can stay at that old place till I can work. Then I will help out. I know a little about doctoring. We can offer to heal the villagers.”

Consequently, they checked out from the inn and went to stay at an uninhabited temple outside the village. In the morning, Huang Jiwen would go into the village for labor work and come back in the evening with some food and few taels while Yue Ling remained in the temple, attempting to tidy up the grimy place.

Huang Jiwen came close to regard Yue Ling as his mother figure. He had lost his mother for so many years, and although Liu Tong and Tian Fei were kind to him and his brother, they lacked maternal instinct. When Yue Ling learned that he was Liu Tong’s godson, she began to recount to him from the time she had rescued Liu Tong till the time of his death. Huang Jiwen was grieved then was enraged. He wanted revenge, but Yue Ling’s tenderness calmed him down. Finally, she had him promise not to be hasty when he encountered with Lu Peng.

In the beginning, she had asked his forgiveness for causing Liu Tong to die, but Huang Jiwen consoled her that he would have done the same thing if he were there at the time. Little by little, through her detailed narration, he reconstructed Liu Tong’s daily life in the Medicine Forest and his journey with her. Then he remembered the portrait on Tian Fei’s library’s wall and discreetly queried Yue Ling of her background. When he learned that she was in fact his martial uncle’s sister-in-law, he deducted accurately that both his godfather and his martial uncle must have fallen in love with this beautiful lady.

‘Had I been born twenty years earlier, I would not have been able to resist her charm either.’ Huang Jiwen understood now why Tian Fei had been wasting his life pining for a missing person of twenty years ago and why he had the portraits of both sisters drawn. ‘If the younger sister was this gorgeous, no doubt that her older sister must be more handsome and more attractive.’ He suddenly had a curious desire to meet the living Yue Feng.

One day, while he was delivering a large bag of rice to a customer, he bumped into Tian Fei, who was out purchasing food for everyone. Surprised but full of joy, they greeted each other warmly. Then he led Tian Fei to his temporary lodging. “I want you to meet someone.” He left his martial uncle at the entrance and went to the inn to see the others.

Tian Fei surveyed the half-ruined building and finally noticed a thin figure standing in one dark corner. That person coughed a few times and stepped out into the light. It was Yue Ling, pale yet radiantly beautiful and as young as ever. Tian Fei breathed sharply and walked toward her dreamily. He had waited for this moment for a long time, and finally it arrived.

Yue Ling smiled at him. Her eyes were sadder and wiser. “Big Brother,” she greeted him.

Tian Fei dashed forward and embraced her tightly. “Ling-er, my Ling-er,” he cried. He would never let her go from him again.

Yue Ling looked up and patted his gray temple. “You look older, more handsome.” And Tian Fei replied happily. “But you are not changed at all.” He sighed. “I am an old man compared to you.” He fingered her dark shiny hair with love. “Hero Mu said that you have been staying in the Medicine Forest all these years. Why didn’t you come to me? Why didn’t you let me know where you were? I have been looking all over for you and Yue Feng since that day.” His tears of today were the tears of happiness, of joy.

Yue Ling disengaged herself from his arms gently. “There are so many things I want to talk to you about. The first thing though was about sister Feng. Lu Peng said that she delivered twin babies. You’ve got to find out more about them. I have a feeling that those babies and sister Feng are still living somewhere. I want you two to reunite.”

Tian Fei was stunned. “But what about you? Don’t you think of yourself at all? Aren’t you angry with your sister for making you a mad woman for so many years? Ah Ju told me that the poison that Yue Feng had planted in your body had been cured by your mentors, and you are now a healthy woman in your prime. Don’t you want a family too? Don’t you want to have happiness like Yue Feng? Although we have lost our daughter, we still can build a new family together.” He looked pleadingly at her and sighed inwardly at her benevolent eyes. Yue Ling was standing next to him, yet she was still far from his reach as ever.

Yue Ling stood on her toes and touched his eyes kindly. “I already have a family. I have you and sister Feng. I will be happy if you can find her and the twins and live with them as a family. Everything in the past was like a dream. I have forgot all the bad parts. I’m now cured of poison, so no debts were left between us sisters. I love her and you greatly, and I know that she loved you a lot too. Nineteen years ago, she harmed me because of her love for you, and you shouldn’t blame her for that.” She looked into his eyes for a moment and sighed with relief. “I’m glad that your soul no longer harbors bitterness against her because she will need you more than I do. Please don’t worry about me. I have many friends and a healer career to look forward to.”

Tian Fei felt faint. He whispered hoarsely. “Are you leaving me again?” He hugged her again, not care any longer on any proper behavior. “Please don’t go. I love you. I’ll do whatever you say. I only want you to be happy. Please stay by me; help me find Yue Feng and the twins. Then we will all be one big family.” He let go of her finally.

Yue Ling nodded. Her eyes were like stars in the dark night, the only light to guide confused heart to the right path. She pulled Tian Fei down on the ground and started to narrate to him all about Liu Tong’s death

Even if Tian Fei had heard it once from Mu Zhen before, his blood still boiled with rage. Yue Ling sensed that and stroked his hands understandingly. “Are you thinking of revenge?” Tian Fei stood up absentmindedly. He paced back and forth and said, “I know what you are going to ask me, but I am not doing this for only myself. Lu Peng and Zhang Tin belong to Love Palace, and it was an evil sect. For so many years, they have harmed a lot of innocent lives. As a student of Sword South School, I shall have to punish them for the sakes of others. I cannot let our enmity at rest because they simply will not let us go either. I hope you will understand.” He caressed her with his eyes, and Yue Ling nodded wearily. It couldn’t be helped. It was destiny and mandate from Heaven.

She mumbled in faraway voice. “Hatred is intangible and revenge is just illusion. Everything is empty at the end of life. Love, hate, anger, jealousy, desire, and heroic deeds are all but the sins in this lifetime. When we die, we will cross the bridge of death, drink the oblivion tea, and reborn. Your love of me or your hate for Lu Peng will all be forgotten.” She coughed few more times, and Tian Fei came to inspect her pulse. “You are sick. This place is too humid and too cold for you. Jiwen should have known better.” He frowned, but Yue Ling waved at him unconcernedly.

“We have used up all our money, and we need to go to Emei.” She related to him about the duel between Black Devil and her two mentors. “However, I fear that we might be too late by now. I first thought that Mentors would bargain a way out of the forest with Black Devil in exchange for their lives. But now, I’m not sure. Can we please go back to the Medicine Forest to see what really happened?” She caught her Big Brother’s arm and how could he deny her wish?

Huang Jiwen at that moment was making acquaintance with Ah Ju. Xian Yuo was in a room with their prisoner, guarding Zhang Xi-nan. Huang Jiwen was telling Ah Ju of the battle between the three elders in the Medicine Forest when Tian Fei appeared with Yue Ling.

The two women greeted each other fondly. Then Tian Fei explained briefly about the Medicine Forest and concluded that he wanted to take Yue Ling to see her mentors. Ah Ju immediately offered to go along, and he thanked her politely but advised her to remain with Zhang Xi-nan and Xian Yuo instead. “We are almost at Xiangyang now. Why don’t you go on ahead and wait for me somewhere outside the city? Yue Ling and I can get to the forest in no time with speedy horses. Huang Jiwen can accompany you to Xiangyang for an extra help.” He turned to his martial nephew and warned him to be careful, control his temper, and listen to Ah Ju.

Then he and Yue Ling got two horses and left.

Meanwhile, the caravan of Ruyu stopped at a small town not far away. They rented some rooms at an inn and went off to do their errands. Ruyu looked out of her window to the further west and missed her grandparents all of a sudden. She called Di Bao for a private conversation and asked him to accompany her to visit the elders for a few days. “From here, we can go on horseback and be there within a few days. I want to find out if they are all right.” She persuaded Di Bao who hesitated. “How about your father?” He signed.

Ruyu thought awhile then found a solution. We can leave him with Xiang-er and Xin-er. Also, your brother is here. So, I don’t need to worry about his enemies. We can ask them to wait for us here.” Di Bao was not used to refuse her wish. He complied and went to inform Lin Xin-er and Yong Xiang-er who were upstairs, refreshing themselves.

Ah Yi at the present was downstairs with the senior master Yong. He was ordering food for everyone when he caught a conversation from a nearby table. A group of men dressed as disciples of Hua Shan Sect were discussing the head abbot of Shaolin Temple’s demise.

One man gave the story. “They said that an unknown martial art expert sent a duel invitation to the head abbot, and the next day when the head abbot left Shaolin, a group of masked men in black went to raid the temple. The day after that, someone found a lifeless body of the Shaolin abbot”

His friend added. “I heard that many head monks died and a lot were severely injured.”

The third man said, “not only Shaolin, Wu Dang and Emei also shared the same fate. Especially Emei, Xun Ci Shi Tai was rumored to be killed by Black Devil, the same person who fought with the head abbot.”

The fourth man offered his opinion. “Maybe this is the same man who murdered our former leader. I heard that his death was rather suspicious, but nothing has been done about it. Moreover, some friends of mine reported that Emei had been destroyed by Love Palace. Only a few disciples had escaped to Wu Dang, obviously a wrong place to go though.”

The first man slapped his table angrily. “Then this must be Love Palace’s evil work. As Hua Shan, an honorable sect in the martial realm, we should do something.”

The second man agreed, “Yes, that’s right. We should ask our leader to call a gathering of all heroes and destroy these villains.” The other two nodded.

The fifth man who had remained quiet suddenly spoke. “But nobody knows where Love Palace is. Besides, the Lord of Love Palace was so formidable that he killed even the renowned Hero Liu Tong of Sword South School two months ago. All over this martial realm, he could probably only be stopped by Hero Tian Fei and his teacher Sword God. But Sword God has retired for a long time, and Hero Tian was nowhere to be found.” He shook his head sadly. “As for other sects, I’m afraid that they are already under Love Palace’s influence or have been eliminated.”

His friends looked at one another and turned silent. At last, one of them uttered. “The last time I heard, some Shaolin monks sighted Hero Tian somewhere north of Huguang.”

The third man smiled with hope. “Then we should ask him for help. Sword South School is the strongest group at the moment in the martial art world. Its new generation’s students such as Li Renying were skillful fighters.”

The fifth man was still pessimistic. “Even if he is in the same province or even in the same town as we, how would we expect him to go against the powerful force of Lord Palace? Sword South School has several fighters, but remember what happened to Emei and Wu Dang. Emei was no more, and I heard that all five brothers of Wu Dang perished along with the sect. For all we know, Sword South School could have been reduced into ashes by now. Moreover, Love Palace somehow knows about everyone and everything. They have spies everywhere. We might even sit at their headquarters right now.”

The group shifted uneasily. They quickly finished their meals and left the inn fearfully.

Ah Yi and Master Yong looked at each other thoughtfully. The older man finally mentioned, “I remember that Tian Fei had an appointment with me in Xiangyang. I was so taken up with the idea that he would be in Emei instead that I forgot this fact. Maybe he’s not going to Emei at all. What do you think?” He came to rely on Ah Yi’s quick wits.

The younger man nodded. “Hmm, it is possible. If Hero Tian learns that he can do nothing more at Emei, he might want to change his destination. One of those men said that some Emei disciples have gone to Wu Dang, which sounds probable. I don’t know the situation at Wu Dang, but Hero Mu was with Hero Tian, so things couldn’t be really that bad. We are about halfway from Emei and Xiangyang. Wu Dang is further north from Xiangyang.”

His companion studied each route in his mind and thought aloud. “It is probably more logical to go to Xiangyang first then Wu Dang. Even if he had gone to Emei, he would surely go to meet me in Xiangyang.” He sounds confident in Tian Fei and chuckled a little. “He would be surprised to see two Yong Butong there.”

Ah Yi had never seen his elder in this humorous mood before. Master Yong seemed more relaxed since he had met his daughter and her friends. Ah Yi was not surprised. No one could resist Xiang-er’s angelic smile and Xin-er’s delightful laugh. A stony heart would have melt at the sights of these two sweet maidens.

He ventured a suggestion. “Why not wait here for a couple more days for more news? Many martial artists pass by this inn, and we might get more clues and have clearer idea by then.” The elder listened to him thoughtfully and made a decision.

At the meal, Ruyu informed the rest of her plan, and much to her surprise, Master Yong readily agreed to stop at the inn until she and Di Bao were back. At least, things worked out smoother than she had expected. That night, she asked Yong Xiang-er to take care of her father personally. “He seems to like your companion. Please promise me not to let anyone bother him during my absence.” She had been keeping her father in a closed carriage and tried her hardest not to let everyone else besides Di Bao, herself, and the two girls catch a glimpse of him. She had encountered no problem so far for Master Yong didn’t care to associate with an invalid, and Ah Yi had his own problem concerning the affair of the heart. Yong Xiang-er accordingly promised her friend, and Ruyu left for home with Di Bao in lighter heart the following morning.

After the two had left, Ah Yi went to look for Yong Xiang-er. He found Lin Xin-er instead. She was sitting in a garden, watching goldfish swimming around in a pond. He observed her awhile and awkwardly approached her, trying to find a right word to say. This morning, after much thought, he decided to ask Di Bao directly which girl was really in his heart, and his brother gave him an unexpected reply, “Zhan Zhiying from Emei Sect”.

Ah Yi was bowled over. Then, with hoarse voice, he demanded to know his brother’s real feeling toward Lin Xin-er and Yong Xiang-er. When Di Bao stated that he always regarded them as his dear sisters, Ah Yi was relieved and sad at the same time. He was glad that he was now free to express his own feeling to the girls, but on the other hand, he felt bad for them for he was sure that they were both in love with his brother. He had no chance to ask his brother further as Ruyu was calling for Di Bao to hurry.

Nevertheless, just before Di Bao had left, he signed to his brother to take care of his two friends, and Ah Yi took it as a sign of appeal. ‘Ah Bao probably find it hard to explain this matter himself, so he wants me to help him.’ Accordingly, he began his round of heartbreaking errand. He hated himself for that but had no choice. He only hoped that the girls would love Di Bao enough to let him go without much fuss. He coughed a few times to call for her attention, and Lin Xin-er turned around to greet him.

Lin Xin-er’s heart shook. Ah Yi was standing behind her in his new attire, so handsome and charming. ‘He will be a good match for Xiang-er for she’s like a goddess, and he’s like a god.’ She fingered the jade flower that Di Bao had given her and sighed. Then she smiled at Ah Yi brightly. “Ah Yi, come and sit here. I want to talk to you.”

Ah Yi was rooted in the spot by her dazzling beauty. She was like a water nymph, graceful and enchanting. He smiled back and clumsily sat next to her. “Xin-er”, he scratched his head. “Hmm, I want to talk to you too about Ah Bao.”

Lin Xin-er began first in businesslike manner. “Hmm, aside from you and Di Bao, Xiang-er is my best friend. We are also sworn sisters. You have to help me take care of her. Promise me that you will be good to her.”

Ah Yi assured her without thinking. “Of course, I’ll be good to her. I like her a lot.”

Lin Xin-er turned pale. She looked down at the jade piece, and Ah Yi’s eyes fell upon it. “Did Di Bao give that to you?” He guessed then heaved a sigh when she nodded. “Er, you like Ah Bao a lot, don’t you?” When she nodded again absentmindedly, he cleared his voice and tried to explain to her. “Although I haven’t known Ah Bao long, I can tell that he is a very good man. And sometimes, nice man like him is like a flower that attracts a lot of beautiful butterfly. Ahem, but sometimes that flower might not be the right one for some butterflies because it already has a butterfly of its own.” When she looked at him baffling, he quickly continued. “That’s not anyone’s fault of course. It’s just something that we can’t control by ourselves.” He soothed her in gentle voice. “Ah Bao is my own brother, and you are like my sister. I don’t want to see any of you get hurt. Well, sometimes, we have to let things go for the sakes of the one we love. It’s better to remain friends with one another than to pine for the things that wouldn’t ever be ours.” He looked at her nervously. “Do you understand what I meant?”

Lin Xin-er started to giggle then ended in a sob. So, Ah Yi only considered her as a sister. But, wasn’t it better this way for Xiang-er and him? She turned away to hide her tears then acted indifferently. “Of course, I do. Who would want anything else with two nice brothers like you and Ah Bao?”

Ah Yi exhaled with relief. So, Lin Xin-er only regarded Di Bao as her brother. He felt like a fool, taking everything out of proportion. He relaxed and stroked her hands gently. “You are a wise girl. There are plenty of flowers out there, and you will find your right man some day.”

He looked up just then and caught sight of Yong Xiang-er who instantly strode away. Lin Xin-er forgot all about herself and prodded fiercely at him. “Go after her, you idiot.” Ah Yi came out of trance and quickly went after Yong Xiang-er. Lin Xin-er watched after the pair and let her tears drop into the pond. “Good bye, my first love.”

Yong Xiang-er saw Ah Yi patting Lin Xin-er’s hand fondly and felt empty all of a sudden. Tears filled her eyes and she walked away quietly from the painful scene, but Ah Yi saw her in time and dashed after her. “Xiang-er, wait for me. I want to talk to you.”

Yong Xiang-er paused and wiped away her tears angrily. Being a woman was really harder than being a man just like her father had said. She summoned her strength and spoke to Ah Yi unfalteringly. “Xin-er has a lonely life. She is like my sister, so I hope that you will be good to her and protect her when I and Ah Bao are not around.”

Ah Yi took it as Xiang-er’s confession that she wanted to be with Di Bao and his heart wrenched. He realized then to whom his heart really belonged. He advanced and caught her hands. “Xiang-er, I can’t do that without you. I don’t want you to go away from me. I know that you like Ah Bao more than me because I’m too smelly and not as nice and clean, but you are the only girl who ever sits in my heart. I can’t forget the time we spent in the cave or in the wood, practicing sword dances. I want to do that again with you every day all my life.” He looked at her imploringly. “Won’t you consider giving me a chance, please?”

Yong Xiang-er was thunderstruck. Ah Yi loved her. Bubbles of happiness floated inside, and she felt as if she had gone to heaven. Then her selfless recalled Xin-er. “But, how about Xin-er? Don’t you like her too? How could you be sure that it’s me? We look alike after all.” She felt guilty for not being strong enough to refuse him.

Ah Yi misunderstood that she felt jealous and promptly replied. “Xin-er can only be my dear sister, nothing else. Although you two have the same face, you are two separate souls with different personalities. I have always been in love with you since you were Yong Butong, a pretty face boy. I was not so sure at first, but I am now.”

“But Xin-er likes you too. I can’t let her get hurt.” She took her hands from his with difficulty.

Ah Yi didn’t think that it was possible. “She’s just told me that she only thinks of me as a brother.” He tried to convince her and thought of something else. “Aside from Xin-er, is that because you love Ah Bao?” He resorted to the same line but gave up. “I meant that Di Bao loves someone else.” He eyed her worriedly but she didn’t seem surprised. “I knew. Ah Bao told me all about Zhiying.” She smiled at him shyly and mumbled. “Although…although Ah Bao is my dearest friend and brother, you…you’re the one in my heart all the time.” She blushed and hid her face in her sleeves.

Ah Yi was on cloud nine. He yelled and lifted the embarrassed Yong Xiang-er from the ground and ran off to look for Master Yong. He found the elder talking with Lin Xin-er with grave face. Excitedly, he informed Xiang-er’s only parent that he wanted to marry with her. Lin Xin-er went white but forced herself to smile at the happy couple. However, Master Yong frowned. Ten minutes ago, he came across Lin Xin-er crying. When he drew near, he could see the letter she had been writing on the ground, ‘Ah Yi’. Immediately, he understood the sorrow in her heart. ‘Or would the sin of the mother descend upon the daughter? Is the old history repeating itself?’ His throat was dry.

At that moment, he saw the white jade Lin Xin-er had in her hand. He dashed forward and asked her its history. When he learned that she had received it from Di Bao, who in turn had got it from his apprentice sister, he couldn’t help feeling apprehensive.

‘Is that a destiny that Yue Ling will win after all? She is still alive and will come back for what belongs to her. Will she end up with everything as usual?’ Master Yong listened to Ah Yi’s request for the hands of Xiang-er’s and made a decision.

He replied the anxious youth coldly. “I have more than one daughter, and I want them both to be happy. If you want to marry Xiang-er, you will have to accept Xin-er too. You should consider yourself a fortunate man to have a pair of beautiful wives.”

Three young people gasped astoundingly. Yong Xiang-er couldn’t believe her ears. Her father always told her that a good man should have only one wife, but now he encouraged her future husband to have two. Lin Xin-er went red and looked down at her hands. Ah Yi was the first to speak. He was against the proposal. “I can’t do that because I only love Xiang-er, and Xin-er didn’t like me that way. It wouldn’t be fair for all of us. I want only one wife.”

Lin Xin-er looked up and hoarsely supported him. “I never want to marry Ah Yi, Godfather. I…I just won’t do that even he wanted to.” She stood up and ran back to her room.

Yong Xiang-er went after her sworn sister and found her sobbing on the bed. She sat down and stroked Xin-er hair with love. “Xin-er, are you mad at me for taking Ah Yi from you. I didn’t mean to. If you want…”

Lin Xin-er lifted her head and put herself in Xiang-er’s embrace. “No, I never hate you. You and Ah Yi deserve each other. He knows you before me, after all. I cry because I don’t want to be a trouble between you two.” She looked pleadingly into the other’s eyes. “Believe me, I only want both of you to be happy. I want Ah Yi as my brother-in-law not as my husband. I’ll never do anything to hurt you two, I promise.”

Yong Xiang-er hugged her back and they knew in that second that not even love could separate them.

Meanwhile, Ah Yi tried to reason things out with Master Yong without success. The elder was adamant. “Marry them both or neither. That’s my last word on this matter.” He strode majestically back to his room.

Ah Yi sighed and sat down with heavy heart. Happiness seemed so near yet so far. What should he do?
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thank you for reading...

[Goofy]

I'm posting 3 chapters in the row. Hope they don't hurt your eyes too much. <IMG SRC="smilies/tongue.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/coffee.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/sweating.gif" border="0">

Part III: Book of Destiny

Chapter 45
The Matter of Heart

Yue Ling (Gigi Chiu Ngar Chi) and Huang Jiwen (Howie Wong Man Ho) would have missed Tian Fei and his company if she hadn’t fallen ill. Medicine Man’s brief energy only temporarily gave her enough strength to leave the Medicine Forest. The journey to Emei proved to be too hard for Yue Ling’s precarious condition. Her health started to deteriorate and she fainted one day in the middle of the road. Their journey was put on hold, and Huang Jiwen had to seek lodging in that village. He tried to heal her with his energy, but his force was not refined enough to do so. They stay at a small inn for three days, and at the end of the last day, Huang Jiwen discovered that he had spent all his money. When he regretfully informed his companion of their misfortune, she smiled at him soothingly. “If we can’t stay at the inn, we can sleep at some ruined building. I saw one on our way here.”

Huang Jiwen protested. “But you are still sick. Nights are getting colder every day, and your fragile health won’t be able to stand the chill. I’ll find some work.” He refrained from talking about their journey. Somehow, he sensed that the rescue would prove useless. With her extraordinary sense, Yue Ling could even feel the death more intensely than he did. She realized that she was once again the cause of other’s misfortunes.

“Mentors, I’m sorry.” She lamented. To Huang Jiwen, she declared that she was better now. “We can stay at that old place till I can work. Then I will help out. I know a little about doctoring. We can offer to heal the villagers.”

Consequently, they checked out from the inn and went to stay at an uninhabited temple outside the village. In the morning, Huang Jiwen would go into the village for labor work and come back in the evening with some food and few taels while Yue Ling remained in the temple, attempting to tidy up the grimy place.

Huang Jiwen came close to regard Yue Ling as his mother figure. He had lost his mother for so many years, and although Liu Tong and Tian Fei were kind to him and his brother, they lacked maternal instinct. When Yue Ling learned that he was Liu Tong’s godson, she began to recount to him from the time she had rescued Liu Tong till the time of his death. Huang Jiwen was grieved then was enraged. He wanted revenge, but Yue Ling’s tenderness calmed him down. Finally, she had him promise not to be hasty when he encountered with Lu Peng.

In the beginning, she had asked his forgiveness for causing Liu Tong to die, but Huang Jiwen consoled her that he would have done the same thing if he were there at the time. Little by little, through her detailed narration, he reconstructed Liu Tong’s daily life in the Medicine Forest and his journey with her. Then he remembered the portrait on Tian Fei’s library’s wall and discreetly queried Yue Ling of her background. When he learned that she was in fact his martial uncle’s sister-in-law, he deducted accurately that both his godfather and his martial uncle must have fallen in love with this beautiful lady.

‘Had I been born twenty years earlier, I would not have been able to resist her charm either.’ Huang Jiwen understood now why Tian Fei had been wasting his life pining for a missing person of twenty years ago and why he had the portraits of both sisters drawn. ‘If the younger sister was this gorgeous, no doubt that her older sister must be more handsome and more attractive.’ He suddenly had a curious desire to meet the living Yue Feng.

One day, while he was delivering a large bag of rice to a customer, he bumped into Tian Fei (Adam Cheng Siu Chow), who was out purchasing food for everyone. Surprised but full of joy, they greeted each other warmly. Then he led Tian Fei to his temporary lodging. “I want you to meet someone.” He left his martial uncle at the entrance and went to the inn to see the others.

Tian Fei surveyed the half-ruined building and finally noticed a thin figure standing in one dark corner. That person coughed a few times and stepped out into the light. It was Yue Ling, pale yet radiantly beautiful and as young as ever. Tian Fei breathed sharply and walked toward her dreamily. He had waited for this moment for a long time, and finally it arrived.

Yue Ling smiled at him. Her eyes were sadder and wiser. “Big Brother,” she greeted him.

Tian Fei dashed forward and embraced her tightly. “Ling-er, my Ling-er,” he cried. He would never let her go from him again.

Yue Ling looked up and patted his gray temple. “You look older, more handsome.” And Tian Fei replied happily. “But you are not changed at all.” He sighed. “I am an old man compared to you.” He fingered her dark shiny hair with love. “Hero Mu said that you have been staying in the Medicine Forest all these years. Why didn’t you come to me? Why didn’t you let me know where you were? I have been looking all over for you and Yue Feng since that day.” His tears of today were the tears of happiness, of joy.

Yue Ling disengaged herself from his arms gently. “There are so many things I want to talk to you about. The first thing though was about sister Feng. Lu Peng said that she delivered twin babies. You’ve got to find out more about them. I have a feeling that those babies and sister Feng are still living somewhere. I want you two to reunite.”

Tian Fei was stunned. “But what about you? Don’t you think of yourself at all? Aren’t you angry with your sister for making you a mad woman for so many years? Ah Ju told me that the poison that Yue Feng had planted in your body had been cured by your mentors, and you are now a healthy woman in your prime. Don’t you want a family too? Don’t you want to have happiness like Yue Feng? Although we have lost our daughter, we still can build a new family together.” He looked pleadingly at her and sighed inwardly at her benevolent eyes. Yue Ling was standing next to him, yet she was still far from his reach as ever.

Yue Ling stood on her toes and touched his eyes kindly. “I already have a family. I have you and sister Feng. I will be happy if you can find her and the twins and live with them as a family. Everything in the past was like a dream. I have forgot all the bad parts. I’m now cured of poison, so no debts were left between us sisters. I love her and you greatly, and I know that she loved you a lot too. Nineteen years ago, she harmed me because of her love for you, and you shouldn’t blame her for that.” She looked into his eyes for a moment and sighed with relief. “I’m glad that your soul no longer harbors bitterness against her because she will need you more than I do. Please don’t worry about me. I have many friends and a healer career to look forward to.”

Tian Fei felt faint. He whispered hoarsely. “Are you leaving me again?” He hugged her again, not care any longer on any proper behavior. “Please don’t go. I love you. I’ll do whatever you say. I only want you to be happy. Please stay by me; help me find Yue Feng and the twins. Then we will all be one big family.” He let go of her finally.

Yue Ling nodded. Her eyes were like stars in the dark night, the only light to guide confused heart to the right path. She pulled Tian Fei down on the ground and started to narrate to him all about Liu Tong’s death

Even if Tian Fei had heard it once from Mu Zhen before, his blood still boiled with rage. Yue Ling sensed that and stroked his hands understandingly. “Are you thinking of revenge?” Tian Fei stood up absentmindedly. He paced back and forth and said, “I know what you are going to ask me, but I am not doing this for only myself. Lu Peng and Zhang Tin belong to Love Palace, and it was an evil sect. For so many years, they have harmed a lot of innocent lives. As a student of Sword South School, I shall have to punish them for the sakes of others. I cannot let our enmity at rest because they simply will not let us go either. I hope you will understand.” He caressed her with his eyes, and Yue Ling nodded wearily. It couldn’t be helped. It was destiny and mandate from Heaven.

She mumbled in faraway voice. “Hatred is intangible and revenge is just illusion. Everything is empty at the end of life. Love, hate, anger, jealousy, desire, and heroic deeds are all but the sins in this lifetime. When we die, we will cross the bridge of death, drink the oblivion tea, and reborn. Your love of me or your hate for Lu Peng will all be forgotten.” She coughed few more times, and Tian Fei came to inspect her pulse. “You are sick. This place is too humid and too cold for you. Jiwen should have known better.” He frowned, but Yue Ling waved at him unconcernedly.

“We have used up all our money, and we need to go to Emei.” She related to him about the duel between Black Devil and her two mentors. “However, I fear that we might be too late by now. I first thought that Mentors would bargain a way out of the forest with Black Devil in exchange for their lives. But now, I’m not sure. Can we please go back to the Medicine Forest to see what really happened?” She caught her Big Brother’s arm and how could he deny her wish?

Huang Jiwen at that moment was making acquaintance with Ah Ju (Idy Chan Yuk Lin). Xian Yuo was in a room with their prisoner, guarding Zhang Xi-nan. Huang Jiwen was telling Ah Ju of the battle between the three elders in the Medicine Forest when Tian Fei appeared with Yue Ling.

The two women greeted each other fondly. Then Tian Fei explained briefly about the Medicine Forest and concluded that he wanted to take Yue Ling to see her mentors. Ah Ju immediately offered to go along, and he thanked her politely but advised her to remain with Zhang Xi-nan and Xian Yuo instead. “We are almost at Xiangyang now. Why don’t you go on ahead and wait for me somewhere outside the city? Yue Ling and I can get to the forest in no time with speedy horses. Huang Jiwen can accompany you to Xiangyang for an extra help.” He turned to his martial nephew and warned him to be careful, control his temper, and listen to Ah Ju.

Then he and Yue Ling got two horses and left.

Meanwhile, the caravan of Ruyu (Rain Lau Yuk Chui) stopped at a small town not far away. They rented some rooms at an inn and went off to do their errands. Ruyu looked out of her window to the further west and missed her grandparents all of a sudden. She called Di Bao (Roger Kwok Chun On) for a private conversation and asked him to accompany her to visit the elders for a few days. “From here, we can go on horseback and be there within a few days. I want to find out if they are all right.” She persuaded Di Bao who hesitated. “How about your father?” He signed.

Ruyu thought awhile then found a solution. We can leave him with Xiang-er and Xin-er (Vivian Leung Siu Bing). Also, your brother is here. So, I don’t need to worry about his enemies. We can ask them to wait for us here.” Di Bao was not used to refuse her wish. He complied and went to inform Lin Xin-er and Yong Xiang-er who were upstairs, refreshing themselves.

Ah Yi (Andy Lau Tak Wah) at the present was downstairs with the senior master Yong. He was ordering food for everyone when he caught a conversation from a nearby table. A group of men dressed as disciples of Hua Shan Sect were discussing the head abbot of Shaolin Temple’s demise.

One man gave the story. “They said that an unknown martial art expert sent a duel invitation to the head abbot, and the next day when the head abbot left Shaolin, a group of masked men in black went to raid the temple. The day after that, someone found a lifeless body of the Shaolin abbot”

His friend added. “I heard that many head monks died and a lot were severely injured.”

The third man said, “not only Shaolin, Wu Dang and Emei also shared the same fate. Especially Emei, Xun Ci Shi Tai was rumored to be killed by Black Devil, the same person who fought with the head abbot.”

The fourth man offered his opinion. “Maybe this is the same man who murdered our former leader. I heard that his death was rather suspicious, but nothing has been done about it. Moreover, some friends of mine reported that Emei had been destroyed by Love Palace. Only a few disciples had escaped to Wu Dang, obviously a wrong place to go though.”

The first man slapped his table angrily. “Then this must be Love Palace’s evil work. As Hua Shan, an honorable sect in the martial realm, we should do something.”

The second man agreed, “Yes, that’s right. We should ask our leader to call a gathering of all heroes and destroy these villains.” The other two nodded.

The fifth man who had remained quiet suddenly spoke. “But nobody knows where Love Palace is. Besides, the Lord of Love Palace was so formidable that he killed even the renowned Hero Liu Tong of Sword South School two months ago. All over this martial realm, he could probably only be stopped by Hero Tian Fei and his teacher Sword God. But Sword God has retired for a long time, and Hero Tian was nowhere to be found.” He shook his head sadly. “As for other sects, I’m afraid that they are already under Love Palace’s influence or have been eliminated.”

His friends looked at one another and turned silent. At last, one of them uttered. “The last time I heard, some Shaolin monks sighted Hero Tian somewhere north of Huguang.”

The third man smiled with hope. “Then we should ask him for help. Sword South School is the strongest group at the moment in the martial art world. Its new generation’s students such as Li Renying were skillful fighters.”

The fifth man was still pessimistic. “Even if he is in the same province or even in the same town as we, how would we expect him to go against the powerful force of Lord Palace? Sword South School has several fighters, but remember what happened to Emei and Wu Dang. Emei was no more, and I heard that all five brothers of Wu Dang perished along with the sect. For all we know, Sword South School could have been reduced into ashes by now. Moreover, Love Palace somehow knows about everyone and everything. They have spies everywhere. We might even sit at their headquarters right now.”

The group shifted uneasily. They quickly finished their meals and left the inn fearfully.

Ah Yi and Master Yong looked at each other thoughtfully. The older man finally mentioned, “I remember that Tian Fei had an appointment with me in Xiangyang. I was so taken up with the idea that he would be in Emei instead that I forgot this fact. Maybe he’s not going to Emei at all. What do you think?” He came to rely on Ah Yi’s quick wits.

The younger man nodded. “Hmm, it is possible. If Hero Tian learns that he can do nothing more at Emei, he might want to change his destination. One of those men said that some Emei disciples have gone to Wu Dang, which sounds probable. I don’t know the situation at Wu Dang, but Hero Mu was with Hero Tian, so things couldn’t be really that bad. We are about halfway from Emei and Xiangyang. Wu Dang is further north from Xiangyang.”

His companion studied each route in his mind and thought aloud. “It is probably more logical to go to Xiangyang first then Wu Dang. Even if he had gone to Emei, he would surely go to meet me in Xiangyang.” He sounds confident in Tian Fei and chuckled a little. “He would be surprised to see two Yong Butong there.”

Ah Yi had never seen his elder in this humorous mood before. Master Yong seemed more relaxed since he had met his daughter and her friends. Ah Yi was not surprised. No one could resist Xiang-er’s angelic smile and Xin-er’s delightful laugh. A stony heart would have melt at the sights of these two sweet maidens.

He ventured a suggestion. “Why not wait here for a couple more days for more news? Many martial artists pass by this inn, and we might get more clues and have clearer idea by then.” The elder listened to him thoughtfully and made a decision.

At the meal, Ruyu informed the rest of her plan, and much to her surprise, Master Yong readily agreed to stop at the inn until she and Di Bao were back. At least, things worked out smoother than she had expected. That night, she asked Yong Xiang-er to take care of her father personally. “He seems to like your companion. Please promise me not to let anyone bother him during my absence.” She had been keeping her father in a closed carriage and tried her hardest not to let everyone else besides Di Bao, herself, and the two girls catch a glimpse of him. She had encountered no problem so far for Master Yong didn’t care to associate with an invalid, and Ah Yi had his own problem concerning the affair of the heart. Yong Xiang-er accordingly promised her friend, and Ruyu left for home with Di Bao in lighter heart the following morning.

After the two had left, Ah Yi went to look for Yong Xiang-er. He found Lin Xin-er instead. She was sitting in a garden, watching goldfish swimming around in a pond. He observed her awhile and awkwardly approached her, trying to find a right word to say. This morning, after much thought, he decided to ask Di Bao directly which girl was really in his heart, and his brother gave him an unexpected reply, “Zhan Zhiying from Emei Sect”.

Ah Yi was bowled over. Then, with hoarse voice, he demanded to know his brother’s real feeling toward Lin Xin-er and Yong Xiang-er. When Di Bao stated that he always regarded them as his dear sisters, Ah Yi was relieved and sad at the same time. He was glad that he was now free to express his own feeling to the girls, but on the other hand, he felt bad for them for he was sure that they were both in love with his brother. He had no chance to ask his brother further as Ruyu was calling for Di Bao to hurry.

Nevertheless, just before Di Bao had left, he signed to his brother to take care of his two friends, and Ah Yi took it as a sign of appeal. ‘Ah Bao probably find it hard to explain this matter himself, so he wants me to help him.’ Accordingly, he began his round of heartbreaking errand. He hated himself for that but had no choice. He only hoped that the girls would love Di Bao enough to let him go without much fuss. He coughed a few times to call for her attention, and Lin Xin-er turned around to greet him.

Lin Xin-er’s heart shook. Ah Yi was standing behind her in his new attire, so handsome and charming. ‘He will be a good match for Xiang-er for she’s like a goddess, and he’s like a god.’ She fingered the jade flower that Di Bao had given her and sighed. Then she smiled at Ah Yi brightly. “Ah Yi, come and sit here. I want to talk to you.”

Ah Yi was rooted in the spot by her dazzling beauty. She was like a water nymph, graceful and enchanting. He smiled back and clumsily sat next to her. “Xin-er”, he scratched his head. “Hmm, I want to talk to you too about Ah Bao.”

Lin Xin-er began first in businesslike manner. “Hmm, aside from you and Di Bao, Xiang-er is my best friend. We are also sworn sisters. You have to help me take care of her. Promise me that you will be good to her.”

Ah Yi agreed without thinking. “Of course, I’ll be good to her. I like her a lot.”

Lin Xin-er turned pale. She looked down at the jade piece, and Ah Yi’s eyes fell upon it. “Did Di Bao give that to you?” He guessed then heaved a sigh when she nodded. “Er, you like Ah Bao a lot, don’t you?” When she nodded again absentmindedly, he cleared his voice and tried to explain to her. “Although I haven’t known Ah Bao long, I can tell that he is a very good man. And sometimes, nice man like him is like a flower that attracts a lot of beautiful butterfly. Ahem, but sometimes that flower might not be the right one for some butterflies because it already has a butterfly of its own.” When she looked at him baffling, he quickly continued. “That’s not anyone’s fault of course. It’s just something that we can’t control by ourselves.” He soothed her in gentle voice. “Ah Bao is my own brother, and you are like my sister. I don’t want to see any of you get hurt. Well, sometimes, we have to let things go for the sakes of the one we love. It’s better to remain friends with one another than to pine for the things that wouldn’t ever be ours.” He looked at her nervously. “Do you understand what I meant?”

Lin Xin-er started to giggle then ended in a sob. So, Ah Yi only considered her as a sister. But, wasn’t it better this way for Xiang-er and him? She turned away to hide her tears then acted indifferently. “Of course, I do. Who would want anything else with two nice brothers like you and Ah Bao?”

Ah Yi exhaled with relief. So, Lin Xin-er only regarded Di Bao as her brother. He felt like a fool, taking everything out of proportion. He relaxed and stroked her hands gently. “You are a wise girl. There are plenty of flowers out there, and you will find your right man some day.”

He looked up just then and caught sight of Yong Xiang-er who instantly strode away. Lin Xin-er forgot all about herself and prodded fiercely at him. “Go after her, you idiot.” Ah Yi came out of trance and quickly went after Yong Xiang-er. Lin Xin-er watched after the pair and let her tears drop into the pond. “Good bye, my first love.”

Yong Xiang-er saw Ah Yi patting Lin Xin-er’s hand fondly and felt empty all of a sudden. Tears filled her eyes and she walked away quietly from the painful scene, but Ah Yi saw her in time and dashed after her. “Xiang-er, wait for me. I want to talk to you.”

Yong Xiang-er paused and wiped away her tears angrily. Being a woman was really harder than being a man just like her father had said. She summoned her strength and spoke to Ah Yi unfalteringly. “Xin-er has a lonely life. She is like my sister, so I hope that you will be good to her and protect her when I and Ah Bao are not around.”

Ah Yi took it as Xiang-er’s confession that she wanted to be with Di Bao and his heart wrenched. He realized then to whom his heart really belonged. He advanced and caught her hands. “Xiang-er, I can’t do that without you. I don’t want you to go away from me. I know that you like Ah Bao more than me because I’m too smelly and not as nice and clean, but you are the only girl who ever sits in my heart. I can’t forget the time we spent in the cave or in the wood, practicing sword dances. I want to do that again with you every day all my life.” He looked at her imploringly. “Won’t you consider giving me a chance, please?”

Yong Xiang-er was thunderstruck. Ah Yi loved her. Bubbles of happiness floated inside, and she felt as if she had gone to heaven. Then her selfless recalled Xin-er. “But, how about Xin-er? Don’t you like her too? How could you be sure that it’s me? We look alike after all.” She felt guilty for not being strong enough to refuse him.

Ah Yi misunderstood that she felt jealous and promptly replied. “Xin-er can only be my dear sister, nothing else. Although you two have the same face, you are two separate souls with different personalities. I have always been in love with you since you were Yong Butong, a pretty face boy. I was not so sure at first, but I am now.”

“But Xin-er likes you too. I can’t let her get hurt.” She took her hands from his with difficulty.

Ah Yi didn’t think that it was possible. “She’s just told me that she only thinks of me as a brother.” He tried to convince her and thought of something else. “Aside from Xin-er, is that because you love Ah Bao?” He resorted to the same line but gave up. “I meant that Di Bao loves someone else.” He eyed her worriedly but she didn’t seem surprised. “I knew. Ah Bao told me all about Zhiying.” She smiled at him shyly and mumbled. “Although…although Ah Bao is my dearest friend and brother, you…you’re the one in my heart all the time.” She blushed and hid her face in her sleeves.

Ah Yi was on cloud nine. He yelled and lifted the embarrassed Yong Xiang-er from the ground and ran off to look for Master Yong. He found the elder talking with Lin Xin-er with grave face. Excitedly, he informed Xiang-er’s only parent that he wanted to marry with her. Lin Xin-er went white but forced herself to smile at the happy couple. However, Master Yong frowned. Ten minutes ago, he came across Lin Xin-er crying. When he drew near, he could see the letter she had been writing on the ground, ‘Ah Yi’. Immediately, he understood the sorrow in her heart. ‘Or would the sin of the mother descend upon the daughter? Is the old history repeating itself?’ His throat was dry.

At that moment, he saw the white jade Lin Xin-er had in her hand. He dashed forward and asked her its history. When he learned that she had received it from Di Bao, who in turn had got it from his apprentice sister, he couldn’t help feeling apprehensive.

‘Is that a destiny that Yue Ling will win after all? She is still alive and will come back for what belongs to her. Will she end up with everything as usual?’ Master Yong listened to Ah Yi’s request for the hands of Xiang-er’s and made a decision.

He replied the anxious youth coldly. “I have more than one daughter, and I want them both to be happy. If you want to marry Xiang-er, you will have to accept Xin-er too. You should consider yourself a fortunate man to have a pair of beautiful wives.”

Three young people gasped astoundingly. Yong Xiang-er couldn’t believe her ears. Her father always told her that a good man should have only one wife, but now he encouraged her future husband to have two. Lin Xin-er went red and looked down at her hands. Ah Yi was the first to speak. He was against the proposal. “I can’t do that because I only love Xiang-er, and Xin-er didn’t like me that way. It wouldn’t be fair for all of us. I want only one wife.”

Lin Xin-er looked up and hoarsely supported him. “I never want to marry Ah Yi, Godfather. I…I just won’t do that even if he wants to.” She stood up and ran back to her room.

Yong Xiang-er went after her sworn sister and found her sobbing on the bed. She sat down and stroked Xin-er hair with love. “Xin-er, are you mad at me for taking Ah Yi from you. I didn’t mean to. If you want…”

Lin Xin-er lifted her head and put herself in Xiang-er’s embrace. “No, I never hate you. You and Ah Yi deserve each other. He knows you before me, after all. I cry because I don’t want to be a trouble between you two.” She looked pleadingly into the other’s eyes. “Believe me, I only want both of you to be happy. I want Ah Yi as my brother-in-law not as my husband. I’ll never do anything to hurt you two, I promise.”

Yong Xiang-er hugged her back and they knew in that second that not even love could separate them.

Meanwhile, Ah Yi tried to reason things out with Master Yong without success. The elder was adamant. “Marry them both or neither. That’s my last word on this matter.” He strode majestically back to his room.

Ah Yi sighed and sat down with heavy heart. Happiness seemed so near yet so far. What should he do?
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Finally, Tian Fei and Yue Ling. <IMG SRC="smilies/rolleyes.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/catroar.gif" border="0">

[Goofy]

<IMG SRC="smilies/ninja.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/starwars.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/bang.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/crash.gif" border="0">
This chapter is full of actions. <IMG SRC="smilies/catroar.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

Part III: Book of Destiny

Chapter 46
Tangles of Secrets

Wang Shan (Wong Wai) was glad that Ruyu (Rain Lau Yuk Chui) was away. He had been observing his daughter silently and realized with disappointment that she would never betray her friends for him. Now, it was time to act. The next morning, he noticed that Lin Xin-er (Vivian Leung Siu Bing) looked pale. So, he queried her of the cause. Glad to find someone to talk to, she told him all about Master Yong’s determination. Then she asked for his counsel.

Wang Shan tried to conceal his smirk. “Humph, why not go away for a while till everything quiets down. If you aren’t here, the Yong guy will have no choice but to let Xiang-er marry Ah Yi. No father wants his own daughter to remain an old maid. I’ll help you with the details.”

Lin Xin-er listened to him thoughtfully and said that she would think about it. At noon, Yong Xiang-er (Vivian Leung Siu Bing) came and innocently revealed her problem to him. The old man beamed at her kindly and suggested, “you should pretend to stay away for a while to teach your father a lesson. He’ll soon miss you and let you have your way after that. Well, since you’ve been very good to me, I will be more than glad to help you.”

Yong Xiang-er naively believed him and asked him to plan things out for her. When she left, he had another long talk with Lin Xin-er. Then, when he was alone, he released a pigeon from its cage. He had a sweet dream that night, while the two girls were restless.

The following night saw a young woman and an old man in a wheelchair left the inn in silence. Half an hour later, another young woman came out of the same building in haste. She was heading toward the nearby wood in the same direction as the former. When she arrived under a big oak tree, she poked around for a bundle that she had been promised of but found only an inert body of the first woman. Right then, out of nowhere, someone sealed her immobile pressure point from the back.

The pale moonlight showed the astonished face of the attacker. He was a young, handsome man clothed in elegant light blue robe. He exclaimed. “Not only that they look the same, but also have the most beautiful face I have ever seen.”

His companion laughed. “More important than their beauty was their inner force.” It was the old man in the wheelchair. He squinted at the young man impatiently. “What are you standing there for? Help me out of this chair and let’s begin the process. I can’t wait to regain my internal power.”

The young man didn’t replied. Instead, he asked a question. “You promised to give me the secret of the Five-venom Palm’s last step in exchange for my helping you with energy transferal. We now have the victims, but I haven’t seen my prize yet. Show it to me, and we’ll start.”

At that moment, the woman who was standing screamed shrilly, “Help, help! Murderer, help!” The young man turned annoyingly and sealed her speech point. “It’s not your turn yet.” He fingered her smooth skin lightly and sighed. “Pity that such beauties have to be destroyed. Just pray that your friend’s inner energy is enough to bring martial power back to Grand Master so that your turn will not come.”

“Yes, only the youthful force from these two girls could revive my martial skills again.” Wang Shan slyly waved an envelope in front of the young man. “Xinlang, here is what you want, but I need you to answer a few questions first. Whom did you practice the technique with? Have you reached the sixth step yet? Since then, how many times have you ever used the Palm?”

Zhang Xinlang (Miu Kiu Wei) was puzzled but replied the old man truthfully, who smiled satisfactorily. “Ha-ha. Then you are a perfect candidate for this last part. Ha-ha.” He laughed in mirth and abruptly dropped the envelope in the youth’s hands. “Since I can no longer practice the last step, this secret was useless with me. I hope you can achieve what your father and I couldn’t. Unlike Zhang Tin, you practiced the technique the right way, using one woman with compatible martial skills. Therefore, you Five-venom Palm is more fatal than his at the same level.” His eyes were full of malice. “I gave this to you because I want to get back at your father for torturing me these ten years. No need to thank me. Tell Zhang Tin that he had better abandon his Five-venom Palm for he is not qualified enough to practice this lethal technique. Ha-ha. Young man, I hope you won’t regret afterward.” The youth was too overjoyed to notice his devious eyes.

Zhang Xinlang quickly carried Wang Shan from his wheelchair and propped him against the tree trunk. Then he lifted the senseless Yong Xiang-er and sat her up between him and his grand master to form a circle of three. “As soon as she wakes up from drug, we can begin.” The old man nodded excitingly. His dream would eventually come true today.

At that moment, Ah Yi appeared. He had been unable to sleep tonight because he was worried about Xiang-er and Xin-er. Both of them seemed so nervous and jumpy today. He suddenly sensed that something was wrong and went to their rooms. He knocked at the doors then went inside when he received no answer. He found the unsleeping beds and no sights of the two girls. He became panicked and ran out to the forest to investigate when he heard Lin Xin-er’s voice calling for help.

As fast as flash of lightning, Wang Shan’s right hand surrounded Yong Xiang-er’s throat while he put his left palm on top of her head. “Don’t come any nearer if you don’t want her to die.” He threatened Ah Yi and shouted to Zhang Xinlang. “Get rid of him.”

Ah Yi’s head spun. He had witnessed this scene somewhere before – a hand like that, a face like that. Like thunderstruck, the suppressed memory of his father being murdered rolled back to him waves after waves. He recalled his childhood, his brave father, and his kind mother. He remembered everything.

Zhang Xinlang saw a good opportunity and instantly launched an attack. He sent his lethal palms toward the other’s chest. Ah Yi was taken by surprise and had no time to dodge, so with quick reflex, he met the coming palms with his own. His force was more powerful than that of his opponent’s. As a result, Zhang Xinlang was thrown back a few chi, while Ah Yi only stepped backward one pace. Zhang Tin’s first son turned pale from anger at first then from fear. He realized that his enemy was much stronger than he was, so he decided to retreat for now. He got up slowly and walked forward leisurely. Then he stopped and bowed to Ah Yi politely, asking for pardon. Then, at that second, he dashed forward, snatched the immobilized Lin Xin-er as a hostage, and flew away.

Ah Yi was taken in by Zhang Xinlang’s humble act and did not prepare for the other’s escape. He was about to follow Zhang Xinlang when suddenly Yong Xiang-er cried out. She had just waken up from drug and found herself under the strong clutch of Wang Shan. Ah Yi heard her and immediately turned around. In a flick of his fingers, he froze the old man with his inner power; thus, freed the girl. Then he put her on his shoulders and ran after Lin Xin-er and her kidnapper.

Wang Shan was left alone with all his hope was gone. He feebly pounded the ground and rebuked the gods. “Heaven, why are you so cruel to me? I am tired of an invalid life. I’d rather die than live in this body.”

Out of nowhere, cold voice rang out. “Then, I’ll lend you a hand.” A handsome middle-aged man somersaulted down from the big tree, and Wang Shan’s heart was filled with terror. “You…!”

A dreadful cry broke silence of that night.

Zhang Xinlang dragged his captive behind thick bushes. He listened for any pursuer but didn’t hear any voice, and he sighed with relief. He dropped Lin Xin-er on the leave-carpet and released her speech pressure point. At the same time, he put a knife next to her neck and whispered fiercely. “If you yell even half a word, I’ll slash your throat. Nod slowly if you understand what I said.”

Lin Xin-er nodded; her eyes were on the sharp object resting on her neck. She whispered hoarsely. “If you are from Love Palace, I have something for sale.”

Zhang Xinlang eyed her beautiful body carefully and laughed noiselessly. “What could you possibly have to sell? Your body is as good as mine anyway.”

Lin Xin-er licked her lips nervously. She hissed. “Or aren’t you interesting in the Book of Four?” She caught the other’s attention and was asked instantly if she had the book with her.

Zhang Xinlang couldn’t believe that luck was knocking on his door for the second time. He swiftly changed his manner and became a charming gentleman that many women found it hard to resist. Lin Xin-er was on to him, however. She didn’t spend her whole life on the streets for nothing. So, she pretend to fall for him and demurely asked him to unseal all her pressure points first. Then she announced her price. “I don’t have it with me naturally, but I buried it somewhere back at the inn. I’ll lead you to it if you promise not to bother me again.” Having nothing to lose, he agreed with her in everything and accordingly brought her back to the inn. “If you play tricks on me, you won’t live to see tomorrow.” He warned her.

Ah Yi traveled with Yong Xiang-er for some time but still couldn’t find Lin Xin-er. He was forced to stop because Yong Xiang-er fainted again. He put her down and began purging the poisonous drug out of her body. After a while, she opened her eyes and asked him what had happened. When he explained to her that Lin Xin-er had been abducted, she became very worried. Hysterically, she ordered him to leave her and went on a search for Lin Xin-er, but he refused to do so.

“I can’t let you be alone out here. There is more than one sinister person tonight, and I can’t afford to lose you too. I’ve looked around here already, but she is not here. I’ll keep on searching but you need to be taken of first. You have taken strong drug and need a rest. I’ll take you back to the inn and start out again.” Despite her protests, he lifted her up again and bounded off.

They passed the same oak tree on the way back and noticed Wang Shan’s body. Ah Yi stopped long enough to realize that the old man was already dead. “He was killed by poison.” He sniffed the corpse and deduced wisely. “We could do nothing at the moment without good light. We’ll come back in the morning. Poor Ruyu.” They reached the inn and discovered two groups of people fighting.

Lin Xin-er led Zhang Xinlang to the fishpond and pointed to him where to dig. He instantly sealed her pressure points and started digging. After ten minutes or so, he found a small wooden box covered with earth. With shaky hands, he reached for the box. All of a sudden, a shadow flew by and retrieved the box from its hole. Incensed, the young man grabbed his fan, intending to fight for his treasure. Then he went white at the sight of his father’s. Promptly, he attempted to recover himself before realizing that it was a weak excuse. “Father, I’m about to get the Book of Four for you.” Zhang Tin must have been following him all along.

Zhang Tin (Eddie Cheng Siu Fai) regarded his son thoughtfully. “Xinlang, you are my smartest son and also the most evil one. That’s why I like to give you the important tasks and why I never complain about your arrogant lifestyle. However, you have gone too far this time. You have been practiced Five-venom Palm in secret, doubtless through brother Lu’s support.” He waved at the young man who tried to explain himself. “But, I can forgive you on that matter just to disappoint brother Lu. Master was right when he said that my Five-venom Palm was ineffective. Since he wanted you to be his sole heir, then how could I dare to go against his wish?” His tone was sarcastic then turned bitter. “The Book of Four is a separate matter though. I should be the only one that entitled to it. Didn’t you know that your mother had to die because of it?”

Zhang Xinlang was sweating. “Are you going to kill me like you killed Mother?” Hatred and horror could be seen plainly in his eyes.

Zhang Tin started then laughed. “The old dog told you that, didn’t he? Pity, I should have tortured him and let him die slowly instead of one quick slash. Yes, I killed Ah Mei, the only woman I had ever fallen in love with. I loved her, but I couldn’t afford to let her betray me. Nobody shall betray or deceive me, do you hear, Xinlang?” His voice was without emotion. “For the sake of your loving mother, I will let you go this time. From now on, we each go our separate way. You are no longer the Love Palace’s heir. I’ll put Xi-nan in your place instead.” He paid no more attention to his eldest son and turned his focus to the wooden box. He slowly opened it and brought out a thin booklet. Its cover had on writing, ‘The Book of Four’. Zhang Tin laughed in contentment. “Finally, finally.”

He glanced at Lin Xin-er and was enchanted by her beauty. With one leap, he advanced to her and about to carry her away when a rock flew toward him. In a nick of time, he avoided it and retaliated with a handful of poisonous needles. These lethal projectiles were intercepted midway with a sword, and its owner came into view. It was a young man of twenty-five, tall and muscular. Another man about the same age also emerged from behind a bush. He was slimmer than the former; he also carried a sword.

Zhang Tin glimpsed at the two youths and smiled sinisterly. “Greetings to the two young heroes from Sword South School. Is your teacher, Tian Fei, here too? Why don’t the rest come out and be introduced at the same time?” All of a sudden, he brandished a flexible sword that was coiling around his waist and leaped at the thin man. Li Renying (Tony Leung Chiu Wai) stooped down and twisted slightly to the left to avoid the quivering sword that seemed to have a life of its own. At the same time, he thrust his sword upward in a move ‘Reaching Moon, Plucking Stars’ to counter his opponent’s snakelike sword movement.

However, Zhang Tin was faster. His lithe sword guided like lightning, covering every move that Li Renying made. At that point, four women came out from the bush. Tian Xing-xing (Kitty Lai Mei Han) hurriedly told Ah Yan to protect Lu Tingli then joined in the fight, using the Maiden Sword series. Li Renying caught sight of her and quickly changed his stance to Dragon Leashing sequence. While she attacked Zhang Tin with fast and elegant sword style, he lashed at his opponent with forceful and simple moves. Together, the two youths exchanged several moves with the powerful Zhang Tin, while Zhan Zhiying (Sheren Tang Siu Mun) was helping Huang Yitao (Felix Wong Yat Wah) fight against Zhang Xinlang.

A month ago, the duel between the eldest ones of Zhang and Huang brothers was probably inconclusive. However, Zhang Xinlang’s inner power had gained tremendously lately from the combination of poison-generated energy and Gu Xiaofei’s inner force. His old weapon used to be an iron fan, but now he relied more and more on his palm strength.

On the other hand, Huang Yitao’s sword style was driven by the user’s powerful energy, projecting toward an opponent’s vital pressure points. Realizing that he needed to end this battle before being overwhelmed by Zhang Xinlang’s formidable palm, he assailed his opponent with the mighty ‘Tiger’ and ‘Eagle’ sequential stances. These two sword techniques were designed as offense moves, and when used along side with Zhan Zhiying’s Butterfly Sword, they became powerful, and Zhang Xinlang had a hard time defending himself from two furious blades.

At one moment, he noticed Ah Yan (Margie Tsang Wah Sin) standing next to Lu Tingli (Barbara Yung Mei Ling) and yelled out gladly. “Black Snowbird, help me kill these people.” At the same time, Zhang Tin shouted to his disciple, “Feiyan, what are you waiting for?”

Ah Yan’s body became tense. Her killing instinct was back, and her hands went for her hidden short sword without thinking. Lu Tingli inhaled sharply upon observing the other’s expression. An ice mask seemed to cover Ah Yan’s attractive face and turned her into a ruthless stranger. Instinctively, she reached for the other’s cold hands and called her friend’s name. “Ah Yan, this is your friend, Tingli. Don’t kill again, please. These people are your friends. Don’t hurt Yitao or Zhiying.”

Throughout this short trip, Lu Tingli had learned a lot from Ah Yan about the Love Palace’s activities. She was shocked at first then grieved at her own ignorant. How could she look into Zhang Xi-nan’s face or listen to Lu Peng’s kind words ever again without thinking of their sinful deeds toward the innocence? Within these three, four days, she had aged a lot from the painful knowledge. Ah Yan, who told her out of spite at first, regretted her action afterward. But spoken words were like spilled water, not possible to retract or retrieve. Despite a fragile body, Lu Tingli had a strong soul and courage heart, however. She had come out of the cocoon of oblivious and turned into a mature butterfly. Now, not only she wanted to guide her godfather to a new path, but she also took to her hands in transforming a heartless killer like Ah Yan into a passionate person. With love and friendliness as her weapons, she planted a seed of life in Ah Yan’s heart once more. With nurture from Li Renying’s love and Zhan Zhiying’s kindliness, the seed started to grow. Gradually, Ah Yan emerged from the shell of death into the world of living. But like a tortoise without a protecting armor, she was all the more vulnerable thus was quicker to return to the emotionless shell that she had been raised in. She looked at Zhang Tin and remembered that she had only one antidote left.

Ah Yan started when she heard Lu Tingli’s last word, ‘Zhiying’. Then she smiled wildly. “Yes, Zhiying and Renying.” With one sweep, she pushed Lu Tingli out of her way and threw her flower projectiles toward Zhang Tin and lunged forward, putting herself between Zhan Zhiying and Zhang Xinlang’s coming palm.

Lu Tingli’s cry distracted Huang Yitao, and while he faltered for a split of second, Zhang Xinlang brought down his fan onto Huang Yitao’s skull with full force. Zhan Zhiying shouted out a warning and rushed in to rescue, opening a gap for herself to be attack. Turned out that the fan attack was only a ruse, but the Five-venom Palm was real.

In one long jump, Ah Yan extended her hand and pushed Zhan Zhiying out of harm in time before herself being hit squarely on her back by Zhang Xinlang. She reeled forward and instantly lost consciousness. Her last though was Zhan Zhiying.

Li Renying heard Zhan Zhiying calling out, “Feiyan” and immediately turned to rescue Ah Yan. Zhang Tin, who was taken aback by Ah Yan’s sudden shower of weapons, managed to dodge the projectiles but forgot to evade a thrust from Tian Xing-xing.

“Ouch!” He roared in rage. His left hand has been cut. He huffed and renewed the attack, changing his stance into White Wind. When Li Renying tried to leave his fighting circle to lend a hand to Huang Yitao, his sword formation wavered, and in that instance, a dancing sword stabbed down into his abdomen. Tian Xing-xing screamed but could do nothing. Although Maiden Sword could compete with White Wind stance, she had not enough energy to penetrate the oppressive web that separated her from her martial brother.

At that moment, another web generated from White Wind stance clashed with Zhang Tin’s White Wind’s force field. The ground shook, and both users of this technique were sent backward several steps. Zhang Tin’s sword shattered, and Li Renying somersaulted away in time. Just then, a new shadow swooped down from the roof, caught Lu Tingli, and at the same time, released a powerful force from his saber. He shouted, “Go!”

Zhang Tin recognized the voice and immediately cast a dust cloud and retreated behind the smoke screen. Zhang Xinlang, who at that moment was being attacked simultaneously by Huang Yitao and Li Renying, waved his iron fan and shot out several tiny darts to distract his opponents while he made an escape after his father.

Huang Yitao dashed after the three getaways but was held back by Ah Yi, who was the second White Wind executor. “Don’t go. The smoke could be poisonous. We have some injuries here that we need to take care first.” He rushed to release Lin Xin-er’s pressure points and brought her to see the sickly Yong Xiang-er. “Xiang-er.” “Xin-er.” The two women called out at the same time and embraced each other in tears.

Master Yong caught a glimpse of the figure leaping from the roof and yelled with fury. “Lu Peng, I’ve found you at last.” He tried to chase the dark shadow but was not strong enough to keep up with Lu Peng’s light Kung Fu. In the end, he was forced to call off the pursuit and returned dejectedly to the inn.

Zhang Tin fled in high speed with his treasure hidden inside his shirt. Finally, he stopped. Then, unable to resist the temptation, he took out the wooden box and fingered it with pleasure. Out of nowhere, Lu Peng (Kong Wah) soared forth and in one quick move, snatched the wooden box away from his junior martial brother.

Zhang Tin felt the saber chopping toward his hands, so with quick reflex, he let go the box and jumped back out of danger. Lu Peng clasped the Tiger Killing Saber in one hand, while another seized the newly gain prized tightly. He greeted the other man soberly. “Junior brother Zhang, why so hurry? Nobody is following us. Besides, I’m here to protect you from any harm.” He smiled in contrast with his cold stare.

Zhang Tin’s face lost color. Then he sneered at his senior martial brother. “I think you are here for the Book of Four. Now that you stole it from me, what else do you want?”

Lu Peng glared at the younger man and grunted. “I have no need for an insignificant manuscript from Emei. I’m here to propose something to you.”

Zhang Tin raised his eyebrows. “Oh! What if I don’t agree with your requests?”

Lu Peng showed him the mighty saber. “Then, you might not get out of this forest alive.” He wielded the saber fiercely and created an energy force around Zhang Tin. In one stroke, he cut down all the trees that surrounded his junior martial brother.

Then he chided at Zhang Tin. “Brother Zhang, you have been indulged in too much wine and women. You should have spent more time practicing your Kung Fu. Don’t worry. As long as you hear me out, this book shall be safe with me. I wouldn’t even read a page of it.” His eyes were sinister, and Zhang Tin couldn’t help feeling scared. His martial arts were actually not less than that of Lu Peng’s but his inner power couldn’t be compared with Lu Peng’s powerful saber.

“Well, say what’s in your mind then.” He pretended to be calm.

Lu Tingli smiled winningly. “I want you to reinstate Xinlang as heir of Love Palace then abdicate the leader position to him. I will give Tingli to him so that when he becomes the Emperor of China in this near future, she will be his Empress.” Without weapon, without help, and with injured hand, Zhang Tin had to listen to him today.

“Do you want to dethrone me and support Xinlang in my place? Why him?” Zhang Tin gaped at his senior martial brother incredibly.

“If you want to put it that way, yes. Xinlang is the smartest one and the ablest one in your family. Xi-nan is just a fool and a freak, not suitable for the Dragon robe. As for you, Zhang Tin, you are too old and too weak. Since he is your eldest son, it’s fair that he will inherit everything from you in the end. I just want to see him as the leader of Love Palace sooner than later. I believe that he can lead us to our ultimate goal, the Imperial throne of Ming. By the way, don’t you think that a young emperor sounds better than an old one?” He laughed humorously, but his eyes were hard as steel.

“Tian Fei will never allow him to succeed, and without me, you won’t be able to defeat him by yourself either.” Zhang Tin threatened with rage.

“Ha-ha, you are wrong here, brother Zhang. As long as Tian Fei believes that Tingli is his daughter, he won’t dare to cause her harm by standing on her way to glory. Without a threat from him and Sword South School, Love Palace has nothing to be afraid of. This is killing two birds with one stone. Surely, you will approve of my plan.”

“Brother Lu, then I presume that you want Xinlang to continue your family name since you are unable to produce a son of your own.” Zhang Tin questioned his senior martial brother in sarcastic voice.

“Ha-ha. You are very perceptive. That’s right. He will use the name Lu to rule China, not the Zhang.” Lu Peng admitted.

“Xinlang will never forsake his name like that. Who would want to associate himself with an ugly eunuch like you?” Zhang Tin tried to dig into the other’s weakness. Despite his denial, he knew his eldest son too well. Zhang Xinlang took after him too much.

However, this time, Lu Peng was not offended. He grinned indulgently at Zhang Tin. “You should know your son better than this. He won’t refuse a bright future laying right in front of him if he is a true son of yours, even more so if he ever learns all the truth about you. At least a like of me is still better than the like of you. Junior martial brother, after all, you are more despicable than I am because you have murdered both our master and your own parents.”

Zhang Tin’s pallid face turned green. He didn’t expect his innermost secret to be known. With a tepid smile, he attempted to deny the allegation. “Brother Lu, what do you mean by that statement? I was an orphan when Master found me. You were there with him that day, weren’t you?”

Lu Peng knew he had the upper hand. “No use to cover it up, brother Zhang. Master had told me all about you years ago. He revealed that your parents were the servants under Medicine Man and Dragon Lady. Twenty-four years ago, your father stole a poison collection from Dragon Lady and gave it to you and Master. Then, he went back again for more a year later. He got his crazy wife and some more poisons this time, but he wanted to sell them in high price instead. So, Master sent you to kill them. Isn’t this the truth?”

Zhang Tin recalled his past and forgot himself. He suddenly shouted with passion. “YES, I killed them with my own hands, but they deserved it. Not only they refused to give those poisons to me, but they also wanted to claim me as their own son. Ha-ha, how could a sophisticated gentleman like me have an insane woman as a mother and a lowly servant as a father? Nevertheless, I gave them the painless death and a good burial like a filial son. What more could they have wanted?” He hissed softly. “As for Master, I only released him from his miseries. He had raised me since young and even planned for my birth, so how could I dare to harm him with malice?” His eyes narrowed in hatred. “Brother Lu, now that you know my secret, do you expect to live long? Don’t forget that I still have Black Devil behind me.” He wondered where that old man was at this moment.

Lu Peng was undaunted. He changed his tone and persuaded his junior martial brother. “Brother Zhang, we know each other so well that we can’t afford to lose each other’s supports. Why not follow my advice and hand in the leadership insignia to Xinlang? You won’t regret it afterward. After all, he will still call you ‘Father’ regardless of the name he will be using.”

Then he continued mockingly. “As for Black Devil, I have just rescued his life when he staggered out from the Medicine Forest. Therefore, he promised me that he won’t involve in Love Palace’s internal affairs. A great master like Black Devil always keeps his words, as you probably realize that.”

He looked down at his silent daughter on the ground and gave Zhang Tin a deadline. “Now I have no time to talk nonsense since I have my daughter’s wedding to prepare. I’ll give you two days to think things over. You are a clever man, and you should know what to do. Otherwise, not only you won’t have this precious manual, but your biography will also be revealed throughout the martial realm and the nation so that even your descendent will never get to sit on the throne. Ha-ha. You want to be a gentleman hero who rescues the nation from the hands of foreigners, but you won’t succeed if your background is made public. A beggar might turn an emperor, but a non-filial son like you will never be accepted by people of Central Plains.”

At his last word, he bounded away with his daughter and the Book of Four, leaving the fury man behind.
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[Goofy]

I'm going to break this chapter in two posts since it's rather long.. <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/catroar.gif" border="0">

Part III: Book of Destiny

Chapter 47
A Game between Fate and Destiny

Yue Ling (Gigi Chiu Ngar Chi) and Tian Fei (Adam Cheng Siu Chow) arrived at the Medicine Forest and witnessed her two mentors’ funerals. Ruyu (Rain Lau Yuk Chui) and Di Bao (Roger Kwok Chun On) were there, kneeling in front of two new gravestones and burning paper and incense for the two elders. As if he could feel her presence, Di Bao turned to greet his ‘Lulu’. Then he saw a tall man standing next to his friend, and his heart quickened. This kind gentleman was the one who often appeared in his dream, the one who had given a leather scroll to him, and the one he had been seeking.

He stood up and stepped forward uncertainly. Yue Ling ran to her young friend and introduced the two men to each other. Tian Fei recognized the youth as soon as he looked into the same sincere eyes from thirteen years ago. He smiled warmly at Di Bao and turned to Yue Ling. “You two really look alike with those compassionate eyes.”

Yue Ling beamed at the young man proudly. “That’s probably because we have the same personality. He was the only relative I had ten years ago when I was in dire strait.” She had related her life to Tian Fei on the way, and he could only sigh in remorse. “I really harmed you, Ling-er.”

Tian Fei bowed gratefully at Di Bao who awkwardly returned the bow. “Young brother, I’ve heard a lot about you from Ling-er. I have to thank you for taking good care of her during these years. Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you.” Di Bao blushed and hastily changed the subject by leading Yue Ling to pay respect to their mentors.

Ruyu was glad to see Yue Ling again. She wanted to know what had happened. When she heard from her apprentice sister of the duel between her grandparents and Black Devil, she turned grave. “It’s all my faults. Not only I caused my grandparents’ death, but I also inadvertently let that old turtle escape from the Medicine Forest.” She proceeded to recount how she reopened the gates and saw the injured Black Devil staggered out from the forest. She didn’t dare to pursue him, realizing that her martial arts would be no match to his. “He came from the Gate of Wound, so he probably suffered considerably injuries. Too bad that my light Kung Fu is not as great as that of my grandmother’s. Even in that condition, he still could move faster than I.”

Yue Ling kowtowed three times to her mentors and turned to console her apprentice sister. “Don’t be too hard on yourself. There are many things that we cannot control, and I think that Mentors had the possibility in mind that Black Devil might be able to get away. It’s just not the time for him to die yet, but his sins will catch up with him soon enough.”

Di Bao nodded in concurrence. “Mentors died happily in each other’s embrace from poison. So, they did indeed decide to end their lives no matter what would have happened to their enemy. We should not seek revenge for that was not what they wanted.” He motioned with his hands.

Ruyu was stubborn but finally relented when they found a letter addressed to her from Medicine Man and Dragon Lady. She read it and shed tears. “They told me not to look for troubles with Black Devil. They said that old debts had to be paid, and the new debt should not be made. Grandma, Grandpa, Ruyu is sorry for not being here for you.” She hugged Yue Ling and clutched Di Bao’s hands. “Aside from my father, you two are the only relatives I have now.”

She suddenly felt apprehensive. ‘I hope Dad is all right.’ After paying a final respect to her grandparents, she and Di Bao hurried back to their inn with Yue Ling and Tian Fei who was delighted to know that Ah Yi was with her group. He then asked after Yong Butong. To which, Ruyu smiled mysteriously and replied, “well, he is and isn’t there.” Di Bao smiled at her ambiguous statement and signed to Tian Fei that there were two surprises waiting for him at the inn.


Consequently, they took off to meet Ruyu’s party first before joining up with Ah Ju. Halfway, they came across an unconscious man on the middle of the street. It was Huang Jiwen (Howie Wong Man Ho). He was gravely wounded, and his black lips showed that he had been poisoned. Without delay, they moved him to an uninhibited hut and started a healing process. While Yue Ling took a duty of cleaning and dressing the patient’s wounds, Di Bao and Ruyu prepared medical needles to extract the poison.

Di Bao rechecked Huang Jiwen’s pulse and consoled the anxious group through Yue Ling. “Don’t worry. He will live. He was unconscious because the poison he has received was quite strong. It’s made from tricolor grass. By itself, it is a mild poison, but if taken with wine, the poison will react inside the body within a short time and becomes fatal enough to kill. Master Huang here did take it along with small amount of wine but with full stomach, so the poison acted slower. Since the poison now reached the heart, it was useless to purge it by internal energy. Instead, I’ll extract the poison with these needles. Ruyu and Lulu can help me with the process.” He still couldn’t get used to his friend’s new identity. He turned to Tian Fei and wrote down. “Please boil a tub of water for a bath because the patient will need to sweat out the remaining toxin after the needle treatment.”

In silence, Tian Fei carried out his task. He inwardly admired the efficiency of this young doctor. At first, he was surprised to see a shy boy had turned into a skillful healer in a space of second, but Yue Ling and Ruyu seemed to have full confidence in their apprentice brother. Thus, he trusted a life of Huang Jiwen in this youth’s hands. He immediately went to search for water source.

Di Bao and his apprentice sisters spent two whole hours with the patient. Finally, he came out of the room to inform the nervous Tian Fei that Huang Jiwen was out of danger. “He needs a bath now.” Together with Tian Fei, they carried the still unconscious man into a streaming bathtub. After a while, Huang Jiwen opened his eyes and vomited green substances. Quickly, Di Bao pulled him out of the tub, changed his clothes, and put him to bed.

Four hours later, Huang Jiwen woke up and upon seeing his martial uncle, cried out. “Martial Uncle, I have failed you. Xian Yuo has betrayed us and helped Zhang Xi-nan escape. He poisoned Miss Ah Ju and me during the meal. We felt weak after that and could not defend ourselves. When we were about to get killed, Hero Mu Zhen from Wu Dang appeared.” He paused to catch his breath. “Xian Yuo then pretended that he had just rescued us. We tried to tell Hero Mu what really happened, but our speech points were sealed. Hero Mu didn’t suspect his own martial brother, so he turned his back on the evil Xian to unsealed our pressure points. The next minute, he cried out and pulled his sword to counter Xian Yuo’s saber. Happened that the traitor stabbed his senior martial brother once and was about to finish him off. Luckily, Hero Mu has high martial arts, so he managed to hold himself against those two dogs. However, after a while, he began to lose due to his big wound on the side. So, he executed the last powerful move and wounded both of them. Then, he grabbed a chance to escape with both of us. However, those devils still tried to follow us. Since it looked as if we might not be able to survive, we decided to split up. I left Miss Ah Ju with him and took off in the direction of the Medicine Forest to find you. I managed to lose my pursuer and have been traveling till my last breath, but I never expected that I would live to see you today.” He was drained, and Di Bao forbade him to speak any more. He told his patient to get a lot of sleep and led the others out of the room.

Tian Fei digested the bad tiding thoughtfully and asked Di Bao when Huang Jiwen could travel again. The young doctor knitted his eyebrows and explained to Tian Fei on paper. “Master Huang needs to recuperate for a long time. His wound cuts are several and pretty deep and will take time to heal completely. Moreover, because the poison has been in his system for over six hours, I have to give him further treatment along with some herbal medicine. I’d like to suggest that we take him back to the Medicine Forest since all medicine ingredients are there. Also, I need a quiet place to brew an antidote for Miss Ah Ju. If that Hero Mu has some medical knowledge, she may live yet. I assume that he has strong inner energy; therefore, if he blocks the flow of blood and transfers his energy into her body to neutralize the poison for a while, she will be all right for fourteen more days. Of course, this all depends on the amount of wine she took and the level of inner force that Hero Mu has.”

Tian Fei read the note carefully and made a quick decision. “You, Ruyu, and Ling-er can take Jiwen to the Medicine Forest as you proposed. As for Miss Ah Ju and Hero Mu, I’ll go search for them. Then, either I’ll send for the antidote or I will bring them to you. I’ll have to wake Jiwen up again for more exact location though.” He looked at the young doctor for permission, and Di Bao nodded. “Don’t make him talk too long.” He signed.

Tian Fei nodded and went back to see his martial nephew. He found Ruyu at Huang Jiwen’s bedside, holding the young man’s hands. She blushed when she saw him and shyly left the room. Tian Fei smiled grimly and prayed that this young couple would have a happy life. He gently roused Huang Jiwen and asked him for more details. After he got all the answers, he left the sick man alone and prepared to leave.

Outside, he found that Yue Ling was waiting for him with their horses. Happened that she decided to go with him. “I will be handy for taking care of Ah Ju. She is my good friend, and I want to be with her in a time like this. Besides, Ah Bao has given me detailed instruction on a temporary treatment for the poison, and I’m the only one aside from Ruyu and him that is familiar with that method.” Di Bao supported her idea, and Tian Fei could never say no to his Ling-er.

Accordingly, Tian Fei took off with Yue Ling, while Di Bao and Ruyu stayed in that old hut with Huang Jiwen till he was well enough to travel. “He is a strong man, and after another night of good rest, I think we can leave for the Medicine Forest.” Di Bao let Tian Fei know before they took leaves from each other.

Mu Zhen (Lau Ching Wan) did know a little about curing poison. He hid himself and Ah Ju among the reeds in a lake till Zhang Xi-nan gave up the search. Then he waded out from the water with the senseless Ah Ju in his arms. Anxiously, he felt her pulse and found it very weak. Quickly, he looked for a shelter and discovered an earth den on the bank of the lake. Breathing hard, he carried her inside and built the fire to chase away the chill. For a second, he hesitated. Then, he slowly took off her clothes and used fresh grass to cover her bare body. After that, he rechecked her pulse more carefully and realized that she must have been poisoned. Therefore, he sealed the four main points on her body to prevent the spread of poison and started transporting his inner energy into her body channels.

When done, he laid her down gently on a bed of newly cut grass and turned to tend himself. His stab wound was deep but it had already stopped bleeding. The water from the lake had helped cleaning it. Because he had been concerning over Ah Ju, he totally forgot about his injury. However, now that he began to relax, he started to feel the pain throbbing. Gritting his teeth, he ripped his shirt into strips and started dressing his own wound. When he finished, he brought out two ginseng pills from his pocket and popped one in Ah Ju’s mouth and another in his. “This is not an antidote, but at least it will help prevent the cold.” He murmured and checked her pulse again.

At that moment, Ah Ju (Idy Chan Yuk Lin) stirred uneasily. She opened her drowsy eyes and slowly took in the situation. She discovered that she was lying naked under a pile of grass. Not far away, the bare chest Mu Zhen was tending the fire. He had some sort of bandage around his waist, and Ah Ju hazily recalled that he had been attacked on the back by the fifth Wu Dang brother. She blushed at her indecency but was not alarmed. She trusted in Mu Zhen and never doubted his gentleman conduct.

Mu Zhen sensed that she came to, so he grabbed her drying clothes from a pole over the fire and handed them to her with his back on her. “Here is your attire. I’m sorry to be so advanced, but I don’t want you to catch cold. The poison you have received was very strange. I could only neutralize it in your system for now until we could find an antidote for you.” He grimaced at Ah Ju’s groaning. Happened that she had been wounded on her right shoulder. Instantly, he turned around and took a look at her cuts. “They aren’t very deep. I’ll bandage them with these pieces of clothes for now. Hmm, if only I have the Red Lotus pill with me. It will help rid of your poison and heal your wound.” He told the half-dressed Ah Ju then realized that he had just seen her bare skin and just touched her white shoulder. “I’m sorry.” He stammered, red face, and immediately walked out of the den.

Next thing he knew, he lurched about then collapsed on the earth ground. Up till now, he had lost a lot of blood and inner energy from saving Ah Ju’s life. The saber cut did turn more severe than he had expected, and now, the wound reopened itself. In no time, his bandage was soaked with blood. Pain shot up to his heart, and Mu Zhen growled. He tried to get up but had not enough strength to do so.

Ah Ju cried out and staggered toward the lying man. She shakily took out a jar of Jade Bee Ointment and applied it on his wound, then poured the Snow Lotus Powder into his mouth. “Don’t move. You’ve lost too much blood.” She admonished him softly. “So, you jeopardized yourself to save me first. I owe you so much that I can never thank you enough.”

Mu Zhen looked up at her, and his eyes told all. Ah Ju sighed and went to gather the grass to cover his body. Then, she sat down next to him and wiped sweats from his hot face, the sigh that her medicine was taking effect. Mu Zhen closed his eyes in elation and savored this blissful moment in his heart.

As if fate wanted to have more fun, all of a sudden, sky became dark and freezing rain poured down heavily. The lower bank of the lake was soon flooded, and the nearby dirt lane got buried under icy water. Ah Ju worriedly looked out from the den and sighed with desperation. She originally planned to moved Mu Zhen to a better shelter as soon as he could walk; now it was out of a question. At the present, neither of them was strong enough to wade the muddy road. She fervently prayed that their den situated on a high enough bank so that they could at least stay dry. Fate relented a little, and the rain abruptly ceased.

Ah Ju looked up to the heaven thankfully and went back to check at Mu Zhen, who had gone to sleep. He looked better already but still retained some fever. The dusk was visiting, and the den became damper and chillier. Ah Ju shivered and hugged herself to shield her body from the cold. She turned to tend the fire and discovered that the amber was flickering for the last time from the lack of fuel. She was about to add the grass blanket into the dying fire then realized that it was no use. “This small bundle of grass will not last long, and after that, we won’t have anything left for a cover. This grass pile is all we have for the grass outside will be too wet for anything.” She murmured while watching the den become dimmer and dimmer as the fire died down. She sneezed, and Mu Zhen started up from his slumber.

“What happened? Where are we?” Then he remembered all about his treacherous martial brother. “Xian Yuo, I will kill you with my own hands.” He seethed and felt someone was at his side. Ah Ju called him softly. “Master Mu, don’t think too much. Xian Yuo did that in the name of love, just like my junior martial sister, Gu Xiaofei. Let’s heal ourselves first then find Master Huang. He had got the poison too, and I’m worried about his life.”

Mu Zhen adjusted his eyes in the dusky den and perceived that she was shaking. “You must be cold.” He reached for the grass pile but Ah Ju stopped him. “No, you need that more than I do.”

And he promptly protested. “No, you should have it.” He heaped the grass around her body. “There is not enough to cover my big body anyway.” He gave an excuse.

Tears welted in her eyes. His hands accidentally touched her neck, and they were cold from fever. She swallowed hard and made a decision. “We both have to survive. It’s really damp in here, and we need some warmth. Er, we can share this grass blanket if we sit close enough.” She was grateful for the darkness to cover her crimson face. When Mu Zhen did not reply, she snapped from embarrassment. “This is an emergency, and it is not the time to think of decorum and propriety.” Her throat went dry, and she flushed furiously.

Mu Zhen could not think straight. He croaked out, “Miss Ah Ju…” Then, he dropped himself next to her, shoulder to shoulder, while Ah Ju wordlessly covered themselves with the rest of grass bundle. In the silent and unlit den that night, the two huddled next to each other to share their body warmth.

Ah Ju was tensed at first at the close contact with a grown man. Then, she soon relaxed when Mu Zhen didn’t try to take advantage of her. She could not help admiring his gentlemanly manner. After that, she fell asleep with her head on his shoulder.

Mu Zhen smiled in the dark. He wouldn’t mind being stabbed a hundred times if he could spend time with her alone like this. He put one arm around her shoulder protectively and dozed off himself.

Water birds woke them up in the morning. The sun peeped inside at the embarrassed couple who found themselves in each other’s arms. “Good morning.” Mu Zhen greeted softly, and Ah Ju turned away from his loving eyes. “Good morning.” She muttered shyly and quickly walked outside.

“The road is passable now. We should hurry on to find Master Huang.” She quickened her steps, and Mu Zhen swiftly trod after her. He tried to catch her eyes, but she pretended not to notice him. Just then, he faltered and coughed some blood. Ah Ju stopped and turned around to pat his back. She brought out a bottle of Snow Lotus Powder and gave it to him. Then she ordered him to sit down so that she could put ointment on his wound.

Mu Zhen obediently complied then laughed aloud suddenly. Ah Ju looked up at him bafflingly, and he explained to her. “I am just so happy.” He gazed at her white hands and murmured dreamily. “I will never forget the last night.”

Ah Ju clutched the medicine bottle rigidly and spoke quietly. “Please do not mention about last night again. We didn’t have any choice, and nothing really happened.”

Mu Zhen couldn’t believe his ears. He argued with her. “But, it is not right. I should be responsible.”

Ah Ju stared at him sternly and said firmly. “Since we didn’t do anything out of bound, there is no need for you to offer yourself. We both were not youngsters with hot blood, so there is no use to rush into something we will regret afterward. I’d appreciate if you will not raise this issue again.” She pitied him but determined to be strong.

Mu Zhen’s face failed, and he nodded gloomily. He realized than he had been refused again. ‘Liu Tong, I envy you. She still won’t forget you.’ With heavy heart, he staggered after her.
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[Goofy]

The second part of ch. 47. Please be patient, I will try to make an end soon. (well, I did try.) <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/catroar.gif" border="0">

Tian Fei was not the first person who found them. Tian Xing-xing did. She and others had left the inn the following morning, but before they did, Ah Yi decided to go back to the forest to search for Wang Shan. “At least, he is Ruyu’s father, and he is an invalid.” Yong Xiang-er (Vivian Leung Siu Bing) reasoned despite Lin Xin-er’s protests. “Xiang-er, we almost died because of him. I don’t want to travel with him any more.” She then proceeded to tell everyone of the incident in the forest. “The old man wanted our inner power to resurrect his martial skills.” She recalled disgustingly.

Master Yong was enraged. “Wang Shan again!” He wanted to find the old man too, but for a revenge. “He is Lu Peng’s master, and he has destroyed many families.” He turned to Ah Yi. “Didn’t you say that he had killed your father too? Let’s get rid of him to avenge the deaths.”

However, Ah Yi (Andy Lau Tak Wah) remained calm. “He is still Ruyu’s father, and she put him under our care. We cannot kill him behind her back. It is true that he is my father’s murderer, but I have promised Sword God not to think of this revenge.” He sighed. “Even an evil man like Wang Shan has a good father that always protects him.” He asked Master Yong to stay with the two girls and went to ask Huang Yitao to accompany him.

“This is really an affair of Sword South School since Wang Shan is your grand master’s son and your former senior martial uncle.” He told Huang Yitao (Felix Wong Yat Wah). As a matter of fact, he did not want to face Wang Shan alone. Despite his words, he was not sure that he could really forget the revenge. The memory of his parents was too vivid and too painful at the moment.

As it happened, fate had already solved everyone’s problem. Ah Yi and Huang Yitao found the dead Wang Shan at the same spot and in the same pose. After inspecting his body minutely, they agreed that he died from a sword wound. “The killer must be very strong to kill a man with one light stroke.” Ah Yi looked at the lash on the old man’s chest. He recalled Zhang Tin’s sword and compared it with the wound. “Seemed that he was killed by his own disciple, a befitting death for an old villain.” He felt bad for Ruyu. “She seems to love her father a lot, and she will be sad by his death. Just hope that she takes after her paternal grandfather instead.” He had heard some of her deeds from Yong Xiang-er and Huang Yitao.

Together, they buried Wang Shan and marked his grave. Then, they returned to the inn where Li Renying (Tony Leung Chiu Wai) was waiting for them anxiously. “Ah Yan hasn’t waken up yet.” He reported worriedly. He and Zhan Zhiying (Sheren Tang Siu Mun) had been trying to cure the poisonous palm by transferring their energy into her body, but their combined power was not even strong enough. He looked appealingly at Ah Yi and Huang Jiwen. “We need more help.”

Ah Yi looked steadily at the thin man in front. “Are you sure you want to save her? She is a killer from Love Palace, you know.”

“And she is also my elder sister. We have been separated from each other for ten years, and I don’t want to lose her again so soon.” Zhan Zhiying announced, stepping out from the shadow.

“I have known all along that she is from Love Palace.” He confessed, “but she has turned her leaf. She refused to help her master and instead risked her life for Miss Zhan last night.”

Ah Yi nodded finally. “All right, maybe I can do something, but we need to find a more safe place. Zhang Tin might come back again during the healing process. Let’s start out immediately.”

Accordingly, they paid the bill, put Ah Yan in the wagon, and set off. Huang Yitao drove the carriage with Zhan Zhiying, Yong Xiang-er, and Lin Xin-er inside, while Tian Xing-xing (Kitty Lai Mei Han) moodily rode a horse along side Li Renying.

Since last night’s battle, she had not yet uttered a word. To learn from Huang Yitao that Lu Tingli was an adopted daughter of Lu Peng’s was a shock, and to find out that Ah Yan was in fact Black Snowbird, the best killer from Love Palace, was beyond her expectation. Huang Yitao had let the cat out of the bag unwittingly when Master Yong revealed angrily that the shadow that had kidnapped Lu Tingli was Lu Peng. “But, she is also my martial uncle’s long lost daughter born from his wife, and she is engaged to me.” He faithfully declared.

Master Yong gasped. He sat down heavily on a chair. “Heaven! Why destiny must be so cruel?” He had wanted to pursue Lu Peng immediately, but Ah Yi reminded him that they should find Tian Fei first. “Miss Zhan had told me that her group was heading to Xiangyang to meet Master Tian. He will be the one who knows how to get to Love Palace. We have one very sick person that needs to be healed. Also, Xiang-er is still weak from the drug, so she won’t be able to lend us a hand in the fight. As of now, I don’t think that we can defeat Lu Peng and his colleagues.”

In the afternoon, they arrived at an old barn in the middle of wild field and decided to stop there. With Ah Yan in the middle, Ah Yi, Huang Yitao, and Li Renying combined their force and started energy transferal process with Zhan Zhiying as their guard. In one corner, Yong Xiang-er was meditating to recall her energy, while Lin Xin-er and Master Yong built the fire and looked for food.

Tian Xing-xing sat alone in another corner of the building, observing everyone in silence. She felt so lonely. ‘Renying doesn’t trust me because he is afraid that I will harm Ah Yan.’ She suddenly missed her godfather and her home at Sword South School. ‘If nobody wants me here, I’d better go home.’ She thought and walked out of the barn.

Fifteen minutes later, she ran into Ah Ju and Mu Zhen. Seeing how deadbeat they looked, she quickly brought them back to the barn. Zhan Zhiying was glad to see her senior martial sister then was alarmed at her condition. Ah Ju had been exerting too much energy in carrying the weak Mu Zhen, whose wound was in process of healing. Now, the poison in her body took effect again, and she fainted upon reaching the building. “Ah Ju,” Mu Zhen struggled up and had to clutch his side with pain. Ah Ju didn’t have enough ointment or powder to adequately cure him in short period. He was equally unable to help anyone at the present. Tian Xing-xing caught Ah Ju in time and left her with Zhan Zhiying then went out to get some help from Master Yong and Lin Xin-er.

Lin Xin-er was excited to meet the fourth disciple of Emei at last. When she learned from Mu Zhen that Ah Ju had been poisoned, she turned to Master Yong and asked him what she could do to help. “Master Huang helped purge the poison from Tingli once, and now Ah Yi is doing the same for Ah Yan. I wonder if I can do it too since Ah Yi said that my internal force is high. Xun Ci Shi Tai gave me this energy, and it is right to use it for her disciple.”

Mu Zhen heard that and immediately explained to her how to circulate her force and bring it about. Together with Master Yong, he instructed her how to work with Zhan Zhiying to help Ah Ju. Tian Xing-xing watched for a while then went outside to start a meal. She had work to do and could not leave just yet.

An hour later, when she brought in food for everyone, Ah Ju had just vomited yellow liquid and had fainted again. Master Yong checked Ah Ju’s pulse and nodded. “One third of the poison had come out. From the color of her vomit, I think her poison is the tricolor grass. My sworn brother was a doctor, and he talked to me about it once. We have to stop for today, but tomorrow, we need someone with stronger inner power to purge the second part of the venom.” He looked around thoughtfully and sighed. “Ah Yi has the highest energy among us, but he cannot help two people successively.”

“How about me?” Yong Xiang-er asked. After a quiet meditation according to Ah Yi’s instruction, she felt better and stronger already. Master Yong looked at his daughter and smiled pleasantly. “Yes, that’s right. You have your uncle’s refined inner power, so you can help Miss Ah Ju tomorrow.” Then, he turned to praise his goddaughter. “Xin-er, you did a very good job. Xun Ci Shi Tai really saved her disciple today.” Lin Xin-er smiled at him modestly. “I could never have done it alone though.”

“It’s too bad that Ah Bao is not here. He would have healed everyone in a blink of an eye.” She spoke fondly of him, and Zhan Zhiying started. “Do you know Di Bao? How is he doing? Where is he now?” She turned pink from hearing Di Bao’s news.

“Are you Zhan Zhiying from Emei?” Lin Xin-er and Yong Xiang-er shouted at the same time. They looked at each other and stared back incredibly at the scarred face girl. They had imagined Di Bao’s angel so differently since he didn’t see that the scar was worth mentioning.

Zhan Zhiying blushed. “Yes, I am.” Her heart sunk at the sight of two beauties in front of her. She could hardly blame Di Bao for befriending them. They were even more gorgeous than Chu Lianhua, her sixteenth senior martial sister. She turned pale and felt like crying.

Yong Xiang-er mistook that the other was tired, so she nudged her sworn sister to assist their future ‘sister-in-law’ to one corner of the barn. “We are going to make this section the girls’ bedroom. You seemed worn out, so you should get some rest. We’ll bring you some food.” Lin Xin-er arranged a bed out of straw for their guest then yawned. “Hmm, practicing martial art is really an exhausting activity.” She curled up on another pile of straw and was dead to the world.

Meanwhile, Yong Xiang-er brought grilled chicken and a bun to Zhan Zhiying and smiled fondly at her sleeping sworn sister. Then, she went to help Tian Xing-xing carry Ah Ju to another straw bed and noticed her helper’s white face. “You should take a rest too. I’ll guard the guys then.” She tried to ease the other’s mind. “Don’t worry. Everything will be all right.”

At that moment, Ah Yan (Margie Tsang Wah Sin) spewed out black blood and began her convulsion. <IMG SRC="smilies/vomit.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/spit.gif" border="0"> Li Renying opened his eyes and immediately bled his arm for her to drink. Ah Yi and Huang Yitao perceived him in close range and couldn’t help feeling sad and impressed at the same time. Each thought of his loved one and told himself inwardly. ‘I would have done the same thing too.’

On the other hand, Master Yong looked on passively. ‘A foolish boy! You’ll never have her because she lives in the different world from you. She’ll go back to Love Palace one day after killing us all.’ He thought of Lu Tingli with concern. ‘Hope Lu Peng is humane enough not to harm her.’

Yong Xiang-er watched the couple with interest. ‘There should be a better way than this. Imagine if Ah Yi has to do that for both Xin-er and me. He will die before us.’

Mu Zhen who was lying down in the corner that was designated for the men’s quarter sighed. If only Ah Ju agreed to be his wife, he would be more than glad to bleed himself for her every day. As for Tian Xing-xing, she had to look away from the painful scene. Her heart bled. ‘If it were I, would he do the same?”

Zhan Zhiying was glad that her sister had found a true love. She rushed over to support Ah Yan who had just regained her sense. “Feiyan, my sister,” she called softly, and Ah Yan smiled with joy. “Zhiying, my Ying-er.” They hugged each other. Destiny had reunited one pair of siblings at last.

Ah Yi motioned the other two men to come see Master Yong with him. “I need to ask your opinion, Sir.” He briefly explained the problem. “I think we have successfully cured Miss Ah Yan from the poisonous palm, but she had many other poisons in her body. They had collected in her system for a long time, and I don’t think that we can purge them out with our energy.”

Master Yong grunted. “Zhang Tin is really a cruel man. Hmm, although I have some knowledge in poison, it’s not about healing. We need a skilled doctor here. Di Bao and Ruyu are the apprentices from the Medicine Forest, so they maybe the only ones who can help her. We have to find them first.”

Yong Xiang-er, who had been listening quietly, agreed. “Yes, Ah Bao is the best healer aside from his mentor, Medicine Man. They should be on their way back to the inn by now.”

Ah Yi consulted with the two young men and assigned the tasks. “I’ll go in the direction of the Medicine Forest, and brother Huang will go back to the inn to wait for them. We will meet back here in three day’s time. Xiang-er has to stay here with Xin-er to help Miss Ah Ju. Brother Li and the rest should stay here too to lend them a hand. Now, let’s eat something and go to bed early. We are all all-in and need a good sleep.” The women quickly served food to the men, and after the meal, everyone went to his/her quarter. Master Yong insisted on keeping watch all night. “I don’t sleep well on straw bed, and I want to be useful. Old bones don’t need much sleep any way.”

Accordingly, early next morning, Ah Yi and Huang Yitao departed for their quests – Ah Yi for the Medicine Forest, and Huang Yitao for the inn. Ah Ju also asked Ah Yi to keep a lookout for Huang Jiwen. “He said something about going to find Hero Tian, so you might come across him on the way. He was poisoned too.” She hoped that the young man was still living.

Hence, destiny continued its course with fate intervened from time to time.
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<IMG SRC="smilies/read.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/typin.gif" border="0"> Thank you. <IMG SRC="smilies/bow.gif" border="0">

[ June 22, 2002: Message edited by: Goofy ]

[Kara]

Hi!
I've just had a chance to read your chapters and they are excellent!
I have a question to ask, is Master Yong, Yue Feng?

[Goofy]

that, you have to wait for the update... <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

BTW, hi southcrane....

[Southern Crane]

Hi, goofy! I see I'm on the right page now... <IMG SRC="smilies/read.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/thumbsup.gif" border="0">

[Goofy]

can't resist to post something b/c I want to add new smilies. <IMG SRC="smilies/batman.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/doggy.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/inlove.gif" border="0">

Hi, southern crane, hope you can give me some feedback. <IMG SRC="smilies/genius.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/telephone.gif" border="0">

<IMG SRC="smilies/wiggle.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/birthday.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/rockband.gif" border="0">

Let's party!!

[ June 22, 2002: Message edited by: Goofy ]

[charbydis]

why the party? Who's birthday? <IMG SRC="smilies/beerchug.gif" border="0">

[Goofy]

nobody, just like to be wild... <IMG SRC="smilies/rockband.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/nike.gif" border="0">

Part III: Book of Destiny

Chapter 48
Webs of Deceptions

Zhang Tin ………………………………………………… Eddie Cheng Siu Fai
Zhang Xinlang ……………………………………………..Miu Kiu Wei
Zhang Xi-nan ………………………………………………Kent Tong Chun Yip
Lu Peng …………………………………………………….Kong Wah
Lu Tingli …………………………………………………...Barbara Yung Mei Ling
Xian Yuo …………………………………………………...Eddie Kwan Lai Kit
Gu Xiaofei ………………………………………………….Kathy Chow Hoi Mei
Chu Lianhua ………………………………………………..Jamie Chic Mei Chun

Gu Xiaofei was in foul mood today. She missed Zhang Xinlang and their house near the river. Although, this mansion in Xiangyang was larger and more luxurious, she felt no longer the mistress of the place. So many Love Palace’s people were about that she didn’t dare to leave her room for long for she was not quite used to being a part of her former enemy yet. Hence, it took her awhile to discover that there was a young woman living in a guesthouse at the back garden.

Jealousy suddenly overwhelmed her heart, and she started at once toward the small building in the back. There, she met two men guarding the entrance, so she demanded angrily to be let inside. The guards looked at each other in consultation and decided to let her have her way. “Young master did order her to be pampered, and he has never said not to let they see each other. After all, they are from the same sect.” They reasoned uneasily after she disappeared from the locked door.

Gu Xiaofei walked along a narrow hallway and heard a zither sound from the room at the end of the hall. She sneered and stomped in then she caught her breath with surprise. “Chu Lianhua! What are you doing here?” She took a look at her junior martial sister’s new dress and the white lily hairpin and understood. “You! What a conniving witch! You stole Xian Yuo’s heart from me, and now you are going to rob my husband too. Why don’t you go back to Wu Dang and be the fifth sister-in-law there?” Hate and disgust burned in her beautiful eyes.

Chu Lianhua gladly greeted her fifteenth senior martial sister. Then, her smile faded when she saw the change in Gu Xiaofei. The rude comment also added to her shock. She flushed and replied quietly. “I’m only here to avenge for Emei. I never think anything else.” She perceived the other’s round stomach and sighed agonizingly. If it had been hard for her to abandon her feeling for Zhang Xinlang, how harder it would be for her senior martial sister to forsake him now? Nevertheless, the old priestess had been good to both of them, and they should repay the debt with their lives if necessary. Thus, she kneeled down in front of Gu Xiaofei and begged her.

“Sister Gu, Emei had been our home for more than ten years. Master had raised us and been like parents for us orphans. Why don’t you want to show some gratitude by helping me bring down Love Palace? Then, we can all start anew.”

Gu Xiaofei turned red then white and finally answered her junior martial sister in cold voice. “Revenge? What will I need it for? I’m now a happy wife who is becoming a mother soon. I have a family of my own, and I no longer care for the past.” Her tone was shrill. “Master was a harsh old woman. She favored others over me. For her, I’m only a pawn to use for her political game, so why should I saddle myself with her death? I do not wish to turn my back on the happiness.” She put her hands protectively on her belly.

Chu Lianhua gaped at the other unbelievably. “But, what about our fellow disciples that were killed by Love Palace. Can you live in peace knowing that the people you meet day after day could be our martial sisters or our martial brothers’ killers?”

Her words were like arrows shot right into the target. Gu Xiaofei’s conscience had been nagging her all this while on this matter. To be with Zhang Xinlang was one matter since she loved him very much, but to see those rapists and killers running about everyday suddenly made her mouth bitter with distaste. She staggered to open a window and threw up. When Chu Lianhua came to give her a hand, she brusquely pushed her junior martial sister away.

“Who asked you to come here anyway? I don’t believe all your high talk about revenge and all. I know that you like my Xinlang and want to take him away from me just like you did with Xian Yuo. It was really your fault from the beginning. I wouldn’t have fallen for Xinlang that easily if I hadn’t realized that Xian Yuo preferred you to me. Chu Lianhua, I despise you and will not allow you to destroy my happiness again.” She seized a sword from the wall and started attacking her junior martial sister.

Chu Lianhua was taken aback when the sword suddenly touched her arm. Pain seized her, and she jumped to the side, avoiding another stroke just in time. With one hand clutching her injured arm, she shouted to the hysterical Gu Xiaofei to stop but for no avail. At this point, Gu Xiaofei only regarded her junior martial sister as her heart enemy and a stranger who wanted to harm her Xinlang. Fiercely, she chased Chu Lianhua around, regardless of the wreck she was causing.

At that moment, an authority voice rang out. “Xiaofei, stop at this instance! What are you doing here?” Zhang Xinlang strode in the disordered room and grabbed the sword from her hands. He glowered at her angrily, and she cowered from his belligerent glance. Then, fury rose in her heart, and she retorted him. “I should ask you what is she doing here?” She pointed at her junior martial sister. “I know that I’m not convenient to serve you, but why her? She doesn’t have a good intention. She is here to revenge for Emei; she told me that herself.” She looked at the pale Chu Lianhua triumphantly.

To her disappointment, Zhang Xinlang had no reaction. Instead, he steered her out of the house and back to her room. Then he left her with the words that made her boil with envy. “I want Chu Lianhua here because I like her, and I don’t want you to disturb her again. If I catch you there again, you will be whipped severely. Think of the baby before doing something harshly.” He threatened her with stony eyes. He was smart enough to know her weakness. Then he smiled at her charmingly. “As a good wife, you should try to fulfill his desire. If you can’t do that yourself, then let other women do it.” His smile turned icy. “I chose Lianhua to be with me during your pregnancy, and that’s that.” He walked out of the room in spite of her tearful protests. “Don’t let her go there again.” He ordered his servants.

Gu Xiaofei got up and started knocking things down in rage. Then, she had to stop due to another bout of sickness. That day and the following night, she lay in her room inertly. What was the use to have him back when he would not come to see her? She was overcome with depression. And, for one moment, she hated the life inside her for scaring her lover away and started cursing it. Then, she instantly burst out crying. “Forgive Mother. I didn’t mean to scold my baby like that. I just miss your father so.” Her mood at the present was like waves in the sea, changing all the time. Eventually, she nodded off from weariness emotionally and physically.

Zhang Xinlang came back to see Chu Lianhua. He glanced at the two guards and ordered them to be executed along with their families. “She got hurt because of your brainless actions.” He turned deaf ears to their pleas and went into another room. Chu Lianhua had been escorted here while the maids were cleaning up the old one. She turned around upon hearing his footsteps. The next second, she had a sword on his neck. “Zhang Xinlang, I want to kill you. I’ll cut your throat to avenge for everyone in Emei.” Her voice shook with emotion. Her eyes were brimmed with tears.

Zhang Xinlang smiled into her eyes and merely said, “I know that I have lied to you all along, but I did that because I love you so. About Emei, it’s all my father’s doing. I didn’t learn about it till it was too late. Otherwise, I would have tried to save your master and others.” His voice was soft and smooth. “Believe me, I will never hurt you intentionally. For you, I’m willing to die as long as you forgive me.” He invited her to kill him and waited for the pressure from the sword. Then he heard a clang. Chu Lianhua just chopped down a chair with force. She cried. “How can I kill my own soul? Master, I’m an ungrateful disciple. Please forgive me.” She tried to take her own life, but Zhang Xinlang snatched the sword away.

“Please don’t do that again. I truly love you, and I don’t want you to die. I’ll take care of you from now on, dear Lianhua. We have a long life together to look forward to.” He embraced her, and she gave herself up in his arms, crying for all her worth. “I really have nowhere to go and nothing left.” She murmured.

Right then, she winced from pain. Blood oozed from the stab she received from Gu Xiaofei, and Zhang Xinlang suddenly ripped her sleeve to inspect it. He shouted an order for the maids to bring in hot water, clean cloth, and some salve. Then, he chased everyone out of the room and took care of her wound with his own hands. When all was done, he fingered the bandaged arm lightly. “What is that red spot for?” Without thinking, he put his lips on her forehead.

Chu Lianhua’s heart beat like a drum. The moment really came. She averted his eyes and coyly replied. “It is a chastity spot Master put on each female disciple since young.” Her crimson cheeks and her ruby lips were inviting him to taste their sweetness. She shyly put her hands around him.

Zhang Xinlang was astonished but felt happy that he had won her easily. He gently took her clothes off and laid her on the bed. Then, he stripped himself and got on next to her. Chu Lianhua almost stopped breathing. ‘Master, forgive me. This is the only way.’ She felt his hands explore her body and shivered. Moaning in a pool of passion, she demurely pulled him into her.

Zhang Xinlang suddenly froze. His face was baffled then became white. Sweats ran down his face, and he jumped out of bed. “It is impossible. It can’t be. Why? Why?” He redressed hastily and left the room without looking back at the white body on the bed.

Chu Lianhua was relieved and disappointed at the same time. What did she do wrong? She was still shaking from the close contact with a male but was determined as ever. ‘I’ll just have to try harder next time.’ She put on her clothes slowly and went to bed; half hoping that he would come back.

Zhang Xinlang did what he had never done before; spending the night at a big brothel that was famous for sensual women. The next morning, when he left, that brothel was engulfed with fire. Nobody who worked there escaped alive.

With ashen face, Zhang Xinlang paced back and forth in his room. ‘What happened to me?’ He brought out the sheet of paper that Wang Shan had given him and reread it again. “Young life from your own blood,” he pondered. “I think I understand that, but it has nothing to do with my manhood.” He studied the letter thoroughly and noticed that its envelope seemed thicker than usual. With trembling hands, he slit the envelope carefully and found a thin piece of paper hidden inside.

He unfolded the new letter and read it with dread. It confirmed his suspicious and his fear. His knees went weak, and he dropped himself heavily on a chair. In rage, he destroyed the paper and roared, “Grand Master, you deceived me! You have used me. I’m going to tear you down a thousand pieces.” He cried for the first time in ten years since the day that he was told of his mother’s death. After a while, he got up and tried to analyze the situation. “Nobody must know about this.” Out of a blue, he laughed at his grand master. “Wang Shan, I’m still a step ahead of you.” Then, he thought of his future and wavered. “The six steps are not enough. I can’t even defeat an unknown youth with it, so how could I ever overthrow Father and Uncle Lu?” He was lost in his reflection and started when a servant knocked at his door and reported that Lu Peng had come to see him.

“Uncle Lu?” He knitted his eyebrows. “He practically hardly ever come here at all. What does he want?” He washed his face and went out to greet his martial uncle. “Uncle Lu, what a surprise! What can I do for you?” He was polite to this old man. He knew that Lu Peng and his father were usually at each other's throats. ‘It’s a good time to pull him into my side.’ Unbeknown to him, Lu Peng was already his supporter.

Lu Peng beamed and waved away the formality. “I just drop by to congratulate you on the good news. Well, I have been having a conversation with your father about you, and he now regretted his harshness on you.” He patted the young man’s back fondly. “I finally succeeded in persuading my junior martial brother into resigning from the Love Palace’s leader position and handing it over to you. You are a smart boy with the right qualities of a ruler. Today, you are the Lord of Love Palace, and in near future, you will be the new Emperor of this nation. Xinlang, I will stand behind you all the way, so do not disappoint me.”

Zhang Xinlang was elated beyond descriptions. He could not thank his martial uncle enough, but he still feared his father, Zhang Tin. Lu Peng understood his uneasiness and assured him with a smile. “Don’t worry. Your father might have good Kung Fu, but he is not a match against my saber.” Then, he added suavely. “Now that your wish is fulfilled, I think that it’s time for you to settle down.” He sighed. “You know that I have no son of my own, and that’s why I always regard you and your brother as my children. Too bad that Xi-nan engrosses too much in personal pleasure, results in his being a weakling. Unlike you, he lacks ability to lead. For that reason, I chose you to make my dream come true.” He glanced at the exciting youth and smiled cunningly. “I have only one goddaughter. She is a sweet creature and skillful in music and dancing. I would like to give her to you but don’t know what your opinion will be.”

Zhang Xinlang was thrilled. He had begun to think that he had lost her to Xi-nan, his younger brother. He intelligently understood underlying meaning from Lu Peng’s statements. He immediately kneeled down in front of his martial uncle and swore himself to serve the older man as if he were his real father. “I will never forget you when I sit on the Throne in the Dragon robe. I’ll love and cherish Tingli always.”

Lu Peng laughed satisfactorily. “Ha-ha. I trust that you will be faithful to me, but I still have one problem. I lack an heir, and although you become a king in the future, the most you could do is bestowing to me a father-in-law title. If one day, you are tired of Tingli, where will I be then? Besides, your children will bear the name ‘Zhang’, not ‘Lu’.”

Zhang Xinlang considered it for a moment then proposed to the older man. “Well, then what if I changed my name to ‘Lu’ instead. And all my children will bear the name ‘Lu’ from now on.”

Lu Peng smiled. “Very good idea. You have quick wit, my boy. All right, I don’t care much for formality, so how about getting married in two days? I will act as a host since I doubt that your father will show up.” He held up the Love Palace’s insignia. “After the wedding, I’ll give you this as a gift from a father to his new son. You’d better get ready for the ceremony.” He walked out without waiting for an answer.

Zhang Xinlang bowed politely to Lu Peng’s back but was fuming inside. This old fox just wanted to use him to pave the glory road for his own name. He gritted his teeth but knew that he had to be patient. He had to marry Lu Tingli regardless of anything. She would be his armor and his tool for the throne. Then he thought of something and found that it was funny. “Ha-ha, ha-ha.” Then his smile faded. ‘What would be the use if I can’t give Old Lu a couple of healthy sons? What would happen if he ever learns my secret?” He started to pace the floor, trying to find the best solution.

At that moment, Zhang Xi-nan stormed in. He waved his metal flute at his elder brother and shouted. “I heard from Father that you are going to marry Tingli. I won’t let you take her from me. If I can’t kill you today, I am willing to die.” Several gold needles shot out from the flute while he was speaking. Instantaneously, he cast five short daggers toward his brother then attacked with the flute.

Zhang Xinlang dodged the needles expertly and swung his fan to deflect the coming knives. Then, he twirled around and kicked out, knocking the flute from his younger brother’s hand. In ten more moves, he had his hand around Zhang Xi-nan’s throat.

He looked at his younger brother’s white face and suddenly laughed. He loosened his grips and smiled charmingly at the younger man. “Xi-nan, you misunderstood something. I know that you are in love with Tingli, so how could I ever take her from you? Father must have sent you to create a quarrel with me because he is at odds with Uncle Lu.” His voice was alluring and powerful, the same tone that he used to build a trust in women. “Brothers are like hands and feet, but wives and children are only clothing. A torn garment can be mended, but who can reattach a lost limb? You’re my brother, thus my right arm. I’d never cut my limb for a mere robe, however beautiful it might be.”

He stared at his baffling younger brother with compelling eyes. “I will tell you the truth. Uncle Lu has defeated Father in a fight and has appointed me as a new leader of Love Palace in his stead. He also wanted to marry Tingli off to me. However, I already have someone I love. It’s true that I used to like her and was always at loggerheads with you because of her. Now that she will be my wife, I would rather that you have her. At the same time, I don’t dare to disobey Uncle Lu. Xi-nan, you are no match with me in martial arts, and I don’t wish to harm you. So, why don’t you work with me instead of with Father? The wise man said that a bird should select a big tree for its home; a clever man should choose the right boss. You should think things over and know which side could provide the best to you. Father cannot give Tingli back to you, but I can and I will.” He watched Zhang Xi-nan’s face and realized that he was winning. He sat down composedly and waited for the answer.

Zhang Xi-nan wavered. His elder brother’s words sounded logical and practical. He recalled his father’s words and realized that he had been used to stir up trouble. Then he thought of Lu Tingli’s sweet face and innocent eyes and took a sharp breath. He realized with regret that he could never beat Zhang Xinlang by force. Quickly, he explored all the possibilities. If he remained with his father, his quest for power would forever stay a dream. However, if he sided with Lu Peng and his elder brother, he could use Tingli as his ladder to replace Zhang Xinlang eventually. Actually, he had initially planned to befriend with his older brother, but, after that, he lost his head over Lu Tingli’s business due to Zhang Tin’s constant provoking.

Three days ago, he managed to convince Xian Yuo to help him escape with the promise to return Chu Lianhua to the fifth brother of Wu Dang. He had learned of Xian Yuo’s yearning for this Emei’s disciple during one of the Wu Dang hero’s drinking bouts. Immediately, he had appealed for help from the drunken man. “Sword South School had no gratitude over Wu Dang, so you don’t need to give it too much face. In fact, all the problems came from it. Wang Shan was originally Sword God’s son and disciple. Later on, he had two disciples of his own, who had taken two Emei women from your senior martial brothers. Now, my elder brother is going to claim the girl you love, and are you going to sit still watching she suffer?” He persuaded Xian Yuo who was lamenting about Chu Lianhua.

“Although I am his younger brother, we are always in conflict with each other. Because my martial skills are not very good, I’m often bullied by him. I want to revenge him, and I’m willing to help with Chu Lianhua. If you let me go, I’ll take you to Love Palace’s headquarters so that you can vanquish the villain and rescue the damsel in distress. No doubt that you’ll become the number one hero of the martial art realm. You’ll never have to stand under the shadow of others any more, and all the glories will be in Wu Dang’s hands instead of in Sword South School’s.” He understood the feeling of the junior brother.

Xian Yuo reminisced his time with Chu Lianhua at Wu Dang and smiled with hope. Yes, she mentioned to him once that he was a young man with great future. So far, he hadn’t accomplished anything alone. He was really in his senior brothers’ shadow. Compared with them, he had the best look and best aptitude in learning martial arts. Yet, Mu Zhen (Lau Ching Wan) was always the one who was praised for his superb sword technique, whereas De Pang (Liu Kai Chi) had the most powerful inner force. Man He (Simon Yam Tat Wah) was the brain of the group, and Duan Hui (Alex Man Chi Leung) was acclaimed as the strongest man. He thought of his title, ‘Handsome Gentleman Xian’, and was bitter. ‘I could be only the handsome gentleman, nothing worth to talk about. It’s time for me to build the name by myself.’

Accordingly, he agreed to poison the other’s food. Zhang Xi-nan gave him a small package and explained that it was a common drug to weaken its takers for a few days in order to give him enough time to go rescue Chu Lianhua. “Here is the antidote to take before hand. You will have to take the drug along with others so not to create any suspect.” Xian Yuo took the drug absentmindedly and resolved to do everything for the woman he loved.

That evening, he mixed the drug in wine and invited Ah Ju (Idy Chan Yuk Lin) and Huang Jiwen (Howie Wong Man Ho) for a drink. They took a sip and felt weak all of a sudden. He released Zhang Xi-nan and found that he had been tricked. Zhang Xi-nan wanted to kill the two jailers, but was prevented to do so by Xian Yuo.

“You didn’t say anything about killing them. I can’t let you do that.” Xian Yuo realized that he had been duped and tried to redeem himself. At that point, Zhang Xi-nan was laughing at the other’s stupidity.

“You thought that you have taken the antidote, but it was in fact another type of poison. It can cure the tricolor glass poison, but it will dissolve your bones within three days unless you take another antidote in time. The antidote is at my father’s at Love Palace, so unless you can deliver me in one piece to him, you will suffer an agony death. From now on, you have to listen to me, and I won’t forget my promise to get Chu Lianhua for you.” He picked up a sword and walked menacingly toward Ah Ju. Xian Yuo sighed helplessly and turned his face away.

Huang Jiwen called out with rage. “Xian Yuo, you are a coward and a traitor. Even as a ghost, I’ll tell everyone about your conduct today. Kill me first if you dare.” He shouted out abuse until Xian Yuo pressed his speech point. “Don’t be too high mighty. Your turn will come soon.” The fifth brother of Wu Dang never liked this youngest Huang brother anyhow. He thought that Huang Jiwen lacked education and too boastful about his school.

At that point, they heard someone asking the innkeeper about Ah Ju’s company. Xian Yuo recognized Mu Zhen’s voice and went pale from fright. He knew how much his fourth senior brother infatuated with the fourth disciple from Emei. Quick as a flash, he sealed Ah Ju’s speech pressure point and turned to consult Zhang Xi-nan, who whispered a plan in his ears.

When Xian Yuo saw Mu Zhen, he almost appealed at his senior brother for help. Then, he caught sight of Huang Jiwen’s glare and felt that he could not risk it. What if Mu Zhen was so angry with him for harming Ah Ju that he refused to lend a hand at all? Mu Zhen was so unpredictable when it had to do with Ah Ju. He thought of his fame and his future. He really couldn’t afford to let everyone know of today’s incident. As a result, he waited till his senior martial brother turned his back on him then stabbed Mu Zhen’s side with all his might. However, Mu Zhen was strong and had a quick reflex, so he managed to defense himself in spite of the injury. Concerning only Ah Ju’s safety, he quickly unsealed her pressure points and about to escape with her when she cried to him to help Huang Jiwen too.

Mu Zhen complied with her wish, and with the Tai Chi sword move, he gave the two opponents a couple of wounds before getting away with Huang Jiwen and Ah Ju. Halfway, Huang Jiwen decided to leave Mu Zhen and Ah Ju to act as a decoy despite Ah Ju’s protests. “I’m heading to the Medicine Forest. If fate is willing, we will live to meet again some day.” He staggered in another direction, shouting insults to his pursuers in loud voice.

When the dusk began, Xian Yuo and Zhang Xi-nan had to give up the chase for both were rather afraid of Mu Zhen’s sword skills. “Well, I don’t think he will survive with that big gash you gave him. As for the other two, they will die from tricolor grass poison soon. Let’s go back to Love Palace.” Zhang Xi-nan finally suggested, and Xian Yuo had no choice but to follow him.

On the way, they met the injured Zhang Tin. The exchange with Ah Yi at the inn took toll on him at last. Realizing that he had no chance to fight against Lu Peng for now, he accepted defeat and relinquished his insignia to Lu Peng in exchange for the Book of Four.

Zhang Tin took one look at his youngest son with distrust. He no longer wanted his family. In cold voice, he demanded to know what Zhang Xi-nan was doing with the fifth brother of Wu Dang. When he heard the story, he thought up a new plan. First, he dispatched Zhang Xi-nan to Xiangyang by telling his son the news of Lu Tingli’s wedding. He intended to have the two sons fight thus caused chaos within the sect. Then, he would reappear and restore the peace to regain loyalty from disciples. Up till now, he had been taken everyone for granted and realized when it was too late that Lu Peng had been working behind his back silently in pulling all the division leaders to his side. He did not care the outcome of his sons’ duel. “I cannot trust anyone, and I have no one left except Feiyan. She will be back. She has to crawl back to me for more antidotes.” He could only wait for the reinforcement from her.

Next, he gave Xian Yuo a black pill. “This is the antidote that you want, but you have to refrain from using inner strength for a few days.” He studied the youth with interest. “You have a good bone for learning Kung Fu. I just got my hands on the Book of Four. If you are willing to serve me, I’ll let you practice it with me. Follow me, and I’ll make you the leader of the martial art realm.” Inwardly, he only wanted to train this young man for the killing job.

Xian Yuo was excited when he caught the name. “I heard that Xun Ci Shi Tai’s ‘Net of No Way Out’ is from that book. Even the first brother De said that the manual must be filled with a lot of wonderful techniques, but nobody had ever seen it. Even the priestess’ favorite disciple like Ah Zhu (Yeung Pan Pan), my third sister-in-law, doesn’t know much about it.” He imagined how powerful he could become and immediately kneeled down in front of Zhang Tin. “I will obey you in everything and follow you everywhere.” He smiled with anticipation. This time, he would get both the power and the girl.

Alas, greed and lust always worked on humans.

Zhang Xi-nan was brought back from his reverie by the sound of a zither. He recognized the melody and forgot everything else. Zhang Xinlang stole a glance at his younger brother amusingly and smiled. Everything was working out so well. It must have been his destiny to become the Chosen One after all.

He briefly outlined his plan to his younger brother and told him to go see Lu Tingli. “Better not let Uncle Lu see you around though. He has been in bad mood lately.” Zhang Xi-nan nodded absentmindedly as he left the room toward the source of music.

Lu Tingli was playing music in her room. Her memory went back to three days ago, to the conversation between Lu Peng and her. Lu Peng had dropped her on the ground of a temple. Then, he brought out food and offered it to her. When she just stared at him with her big eyes, he snapped irritatingly. “Tingli, get a grip! You have heard everything, and now you know that you belong to Love Palace. Therefore, you have to be loyal to me and no one else. I’ll arrange a marriage between Zhang Xinlang and you soon, and you’d better give me lots of grandsons.” He softened his voice. “Tingli, Father wants to give you the best. You are born to be an empress, a queen of nation. Do as I say, and you’ll never regret it.”

Lu Tingli’s expression was void. She didn’t seem to hear her godfather at all. Her world had turned upside down again, and she was not certain where her stand was. Finally, she uttered in dry voice. “Am I really Hero Tian’s daughter?”

Lu Peng knitted his eyebrows. “That is not necessary to know. For you, I’m the only father you will have and obey. Believe me, Zhang Xinlang is a better choice than his younger brother. Xi-nan is a brute and a cruel man. He loves beating women, and I don’t want you to get hurt. Xinlang is handsome, smart, and charming. You’ll learn to love him eventually.”

Two drops of tears rolled from her eyes like fragile crystal crashed onto the earth. She no longer cared what would be happening to her. The happy past was just a delusion, unreal. The godfather, who she used to think the world of him, was only interested in using her to attain his goal and Xi-nan… She wondered if Xi-nan’s love was a lie too, along with everything else about him. She sighed at an uncertain future. Gone was the life of this sweet and innocent young girl, leaving only an agony knowledge of the real world.

At that point, the image of Huang Yitao appeared in her mind, and she smiled a little. At least, there was one man out there that was truly concerned over her well being. For him, she should continue living in hope to rectify a situation between him and her godfather. Even at dispense of her own life, she would have to find a way to protect him from Lu Peng and the Love Palace.

Her fingers on the zither faltered, and its strings suddenly snapped. Broken strings could be reattached, but broken faith was hard to be restored.
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Part III: Book of Destiny

Chapter 49
The Reunion

Ah Yi (Andy Lau Tak Wah) met Tian Fei (Adam Cheng Siu Chow) and Yue Ling (Gigi Chiu Ngar Chi) on his way to the Medicine Forest. After a formal greeting, the three exchanged their stories; as a result, Ah Yi brought the other two back to the barn so that Yue Ling could take a look at Ah Ju.

When they arrived at the old barn, Huang Yitao (Felix Wong Yat Wah) had already returned with empty hands. Everyone else was there; each was busy with his/her task. Lin Xin-er and Yong Xiang-er (Vivian Leung Siu Bing) were taking turns healing Ah Ju (Idy Chan Yuk Lin), while Li Renying (Tony Leung Chiu Wai) was redressing Mu Zhen’s wound (Lau Ching Wan).

“Although this pill is nothing compared to Emei’s Snow Lotus Powder, it should help preventing the inflammation.” Li Renying gave a small white pill to Mu Zhen who mumbled a thank you.

Zhan Zhiying (Sheren Tang Siu Mun) and Tian Xing-xing (Kitty Lai Mei Han) were giving Ah Yan (Margie Tsang Wah Sin) a bath at a nearby spring. Ah Yan’s health gradually deteriorated despite the inner energy that Li Renying and Zhan Zhiying had transformed into her. Master Yong had checked her pulse and predicted that she had not long to live. “So many types of poisons are collecting in her body. Most of them have already seeped into the bones and her internal system. Even if we have all the antidotes, they still only prolong her life a little longer. Her body’s resistance is like a taut arrow, once it goes off the bow – meaning that when it has reached the limit of toxin she could handle so far, she will never recover. It’s really too late.”

Li Renying refused to believe this pessimistic statement. He still had hope after hearing from Zhan Zhiying how good a doctor Di Bao was. “Teacher once mentioned that Medicine Man is the best healer among all. Even if Di Bao can’t heal Ah Yan, his mentor definitely can.”

At the clear spring, Zhan Zhiying took off her elder sister’s clothes gently. She couldn’t help crying at Ah Yan’s scarred body. “I’m so ashamed having a good life at Emei while you were suffering in Love Palace.”

Tian Xing-xing stared pitifully at the white body in front. She still resented Ah Yan for taking Li Renying from her, but she no longer wished the other woman any harm. She thought of her life and sighed. ‘At least, I grew up under love and care from Father and three kind martial brothers.’

Ah Yan smiled at both women. She had taken the last antidote several days ago, and she realized that her time was short. “It’s all right. They are just the old scars, hardly hurt at all.” She fibbed. “At least, you and Mom were safe at Emei. Heaven must have taken pity on me to let we meet after all.” She closed her eyes and let her body relax in cold water, wishing that it could wash away her sins as easy as it cleaned her body from grime.

Yesterday, she had confessed her doings at Emei to Ah Ju and Zhan Zhiying and asked for befitting punishment, and Zhan Zhiying immediately pleaded Ah Ju to let her sister live. “I’m willing to exchange my life for her.”

Ah Ju observed her junior martial sister’s anxious face and sighed. “Zhiying, I’ve always taught you to be a forgiving person, so how can I not be one myself? Your sister is unfortunate enough to be raised as a killer without love, and she has suffered a lot already. What more punishment can I inflict on her? Even if I kill your sister with my own hands, our master and fellow disciples would not come back to life. Besides, she did kill the rest of the murderers for us, so as long as she turns a new leaf, let’s not talk about it any more.” She stroked Zhan Zhiying’s hair fondly. “We only have each other left as far as we know, and I don’t want to take your new sister from you so soon.” She turned to smile at Ah Yan. “I forgive you.”

A simple sentence, but it filled Ah Yan’s heart. In all her life, she had never met such kindness before. She wanted to cry, but tears would not come. Their well had long dried out. ‘I will not let anyone down, especially Zhiying and Renying.’ She promised to herself.

Back at the barn, Ah Ju had just thrown up red substances. <IMG SRC="smilies/vomit.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/spit.gif" border="0"> It took both Lin Xin-er and Yong Xiang-er to accomplish this far. Master Yong, who had been supervising the entire procedure, knitted his eyebrows grimly at the result. “Hmm, I don’t think that we can do anything more than this. We need someone with much more refined energy than you two to purge the last part of poison from her. Let’s hope that Di Bao knows how to make an antidote for tricolor grass.”

He looked up and saw the tall figure of Tian Fei’s. Then his eyes traveled to a woman who was standing next to the Sword Gentleman of the South. She had a stunning face and delicate countenance with childlike innocence. Both young girls who stood next to him acclaimed at the angelic beauty, and Yong Xiang-er cried out excitingly. “She is one of the women on the portrait at Master Tian’s house. The drawing doesn’t even do half of her justice.”

Lin Xin-er murmured dreamily. “She is so pretty and looks so youthful.”

Tian Fei looked around and was stunned at the sight of two young maidens with the same features. “Yong Butong?” He caught sight of Master Yong and walked toward him puzzlingly. He had a lot of questions in mind. However, the first word to Master Yong was his apology. “I have failed to bring your son to you. Please forgive me.” His eyes wandered at the two young girls in wonder.

Master Yong laughed. “I’m equally at fault. Actually, Yong Butong is a girl. She is my daughter.” He pointed at Yong Xiang-er. “This is another daughter of mine, Lin Xin-er.” He pushed the girl forward. “She was the one you found. Anyway, all’s well ends well, but you still owe me two other tasks. If you don’t mind, I want to have a private talk with you.” He invited Tian Fei outside.

Tian Fei nodded and turned to inform Yue Ling tenderly. “Ling-er, please wait for me here. I’ll ask Yitao to take care of you.” Right then, Yong Xiang-er stepped forward and offered herself enthusiastically. “Don’t worry, Sir. I’ll be her friend here.” She smiled at the older woman, and Yue Ling smiled back at her. “Big Brother, I’m in good hands now. So, take your time.” She reached for the young girl’s hands and said, “I’ve dreamed of you before, but I didn’t expect to find two of you at the same time.” She sent a sweet smile at Lin Xin-er who was still lost in awe.

Master Yong grunted but wordlessly led Tian Fei out the old building into a nearby thicket. Then, he stopped and spoke. “I have two questions for you. If I’m satisfied with your answers, you won’t need to work for me any more.”

Tian Fei bowed to him politely. “I’m willing to answer anything, but I will still owe you three tasks.”

Master Yong stared at the other man and laughed shrilly. “Ha-ha. You are a man of principle, Master Tian. I’m glad to be acquainted with you.” He turned his back on Tian Fei and started his quizzes. “I heard that you once had a wife named Yue Feng. One day, she had a quarrel with you, so you left her with another woman who was separated from you later. Your goddaughter, Miss Tian, said that you are still looking for her and that woman, who was your sister-in-law. If you have both women in front of you now, which will you choose to spend the life with? And if each had a child, which baby would you love the most? I want honest answers, right from your heart.”

Tian Fei was taken aback by the questions but calmly replied. “I had a misunderstanding with my wife, who was pregnant at the time, and I have been regretted for forsaking her since. I have been searching for her because I wanted to patch things up with her and take care of her and our child. In truth, I love my sister-in-law, Yue Ling, with all my heart. She and I had a daughter together, who died shortly after her birth, much to our regret. I have found out since that destiny doesn’t want me to be with her as husband and wife, so I only wish to fulfill my duty as her brother as best as possible.
If I have to choose between the two sisters, I will have to choose my wife because it’s the right thing for me to do. I will be a faithful and a loving husband to her. At the same time, I will not abandon Yue Ling whenever she is in need of me. As for the children, they are all innocent souls. How can I have a favorite among them? I don’t want to turn my children against one another. I don’t want the history to repeat.”

His words seemed to pierce right into Marter Yong’s heart as he spat out blood. “Good answer, good answer.” He shouted laughingly. “You didn’t disappoint me, Hero Tian. You have paid your debt in full.” He slowly took off his big hat and turned around to face Tian Fei.

“Yue Feng! Is it really you?” Tian Fei exclaimed in surprise. In front of him was a woman with a handsome face and compelling eyes. “Am I dreaming?”

Yue Feng (Lisa Wang Ming Chuen) nodded. She reminded him brightly. “I hope you won’t forget your answer to me earlier.” She pulled the dazed Tian Fei back to the barn. “I want to introduce my daughter to you. After you had fallen down the cliff with Yue Ling, I delivered two babies twin. Unfortunately, Lu Peng stole them before I got a chance to see them. Fate has been kind to me, and I have now found one of our babies.”

She entered the building with Tian Fei and marched toward Yue Ling who was sitting in one corner with the two girls. “Lin Xin-er, this is your father, and I am your birth mother.” She turned to greet Yue Ling. “Dear sister, I know that I have wronged you so much. Therefore, I want to return your daughter to you. Xiang-er, this is your real mother. I picked you up from the cliff and have raised you as my own to atone for my sins toward your birth mother.” She smiled happily. Half of the knot in her heart had been untied, and her burden during these eighteen years had been lifted. She is finally getting her family back.

Yue Ling was the first to come out of trance. She smiled delightfully at her long lost sister. “Sister Feng, thank you for rescuing my baby.” Then, she turned to hug Yong Xiang-er with tears. “I’ve never thought that I would see my daughter again. During my amnesia period, my dream was full of you. I couldn’t see your face, but I felt so close to you.” Her tears were like droplets of precious diamonds, and her eyes sparkled like brightest stars in the darkest night. She looked at the young girl with motherly love.

Yong Xiang-er stared at her birth mother then at Yue Feng in Master Yong’s clothing. The father that she had known these eighteen years looked just like the second woman on the portrait. “Ah, that’s why you wouldn’t talk to me when I tried to bring up the matter of gender. I was wondering about you myself.” She mumbled and looked back at Yue Ling. “You are really my mother, the beautiful woman from the portrait.” She rested her eyes at Tian Fei. “I’m sharing a father with Xin-er. We are really sisters.” She laughed like a bell. Her voice was full of joy.

Lin Xin-er couldn’t believe her ears. She had been an orphan till she met Xiang-er and Di Bao. Then, she became a goddaughter to Master Yong, and now, she had a full family, parents and a sister. She stepped forward to meet her birth mother and gave her a hug. “Mom, I have a mother at last.” She laughed with Xiang-er with tear-strained face.

Yue Feng murmured, “My daughter, my child.” She was praying inwardly for the safety of another twin.

Tian Fei could not speak for one long moment. His eyes ran from Yue Ling to Xiang-er to Xin-er and to Yue Feng. His family had been given back to him in one day after more than a decade of searching. Trails of tears ran down his cheeks, and he called out his daughters with tremble voice, “Xiang-er, Xin-er.” The two girls advanced toward him then ran into his open arms. “Father,” they sang. Their words were like an elixir to his ears. “My children, I’ve been waiting for today for a long time.” He embraced the two daughters tightly and studied their faces. “You look so much alike although you are half-sisters. May you both love each other and be there for each other always.” He hoped that the fate would not be cruel enough to repeat the history. <IMG SRC="smilies/rockband.gif" border="0">

Yue Feng frowned at his comment but kept quiet about Ah Yi. He would learn about that soon enough. She turned to Yue Ling and wanted to know how she did survive the fall. Yue Ling recalled her past and told her family that she had fallen into the flowing stream and had been carried by the rapid current into a big river. Then, she was caught in a net and was rescued by a pair of kind fishermen. “I stayed with them for a few days. Then, a caravan came by, and its leader wanted to hire me for his wife’s maid. So, I left the fishermen’s cottage the next morning and wandered about with my employees. However, the caravan’s people finally found out that I was mad, so they threw me out. Since then till the day Di Bao found me, I had been roaming in forests and in towns. I lived out of fruits from woods and food that I begged from people.” Yue Feng was filled with remorse at her sister’s plights. “Forgive me, Ah Ling. I was so foolish to harm you.” She hesitated a moment then spoke out. “I don’t mind if Tian Fei wants to accept you as his second wife. We can live together as one big family.”

Yue Ling shook her head slightly. “Thank you, sister Feng. I have had a talk with Big Brother before, and we agreed to be good siblings to each other. Let’s forget the past and enjoy our happy present.”

Tian Fei’s eyes lit up in one second then turned dark with pain. Nevertheless, he supported his sister-in-law. “It’s Ling-er’s wish, and we should respect that.” Yue Feng caught the disappointment in his voice and was grieved. ‘I’ll always have to share him with Ah Ling, whether she will be his wife or not.’

At that moment, Tian Xing-xing and the other girls returned from the bath. “Brr, it was cold.” Then she saw her godfather. “Father!” She ran to greet him and stopped uncertainly at everyone’s expression. “What happened?” Then, she relaxed as Tian Fei explained to her. She bowed to Yue Feng and Yue Ling cordially. “Mother, Aunt,” she addressed them as was instructed and turned to tease her new sisters. “Now, you have to use the name Tian instead. Hmm, it has been a long way from Yong Butong to Tian Xiang-er. But, you might not be Miss Tian for long before turning into Madam Di. At least, Xin-er can remain an old maid with me.” Her innocent remark made Tian Xiang-er blushed and Tian Xin-er paled.

Tian Fei knitted his eyebrows, but before he could have said anything, Zhan Zhiying cried out, “Feiyan, are you all right?” She reached for her knife, intending to give her blood to her sister, but Ah Yan stopped her. “No, don’t. I am all right, just a little cold from a long bath, that’s all.” She was shivering from the pain that was gnawing inside her body.

Li Renying left Mu Zhen and strode quickly to receive her. He took off his outer robe and put it around her tenderly. “A cold bath is good, but it can give you a cold too. Take care of your health.” His warm smile radiated from his face, and Tian Xing-xing’s heart wrenched. Yue Feng noticed the young girl’s lingering look at the young man and felt that she was not the only woman who had suffered from love.

Tian Fei caught Li Renying’s appealing eyes and walked toward Ah Yan to check her pulse. Then, he started. “She is very ill. We need to get her to see a doctor as soon as possible.” He could tell that his student was in love with this maiden in one glance and felt sorry for his goddaughter. ‘I originally thought that Renying and Xing-xing will be together, but things hardly turn out as we want.’

Meanwhile, Yue Ling was approaching Mu Zhen. She had checked on Ah Ju earlier and been informed by Xiang-er of the healing progress. She had turned grave. “It’s probably better not to attempt it at all. We need to bring her to the Medicine Forest right away because the remaining poison will react faster and more aggressive now that the two-third of poison had been purged from her system. Ah Bao gave me a temporary antidote to stop the reaction of the poison, but it won’t work now.”

The two new sisters sighed miserably. “So, we actually harmed her instead of helping her. We’re really sorry, Miss Ah Ju.”

Ah Ju smiled weakly and comforted them. “Nonsense, I should thank you for trying your best.” She looked across the room at the concerned Mu Zhen and whispered to the three women. “Don’t tell Hero Mu about it, please.” She sent a reassuring smile at him and asked Yue Ling to check on his wound.

Yue Ling had asked Huang Yitao to help her with Mu Zhen, and accordingly, she inspected his side wound. “It is healing very nicely. You should be fine in no time.” When she was asked about Ah Ju’s condition, she uncomfortably replied that parts of the poison were gone. Mu Zhen seemed satisfied with the answer and did not bother her further.

Zhan Feiyan was talking to Tian Fei. “Master Tian, I have something for you. Please use it well.” She put a piece of paper in his hands, and he viewed it with joy. “It’s the map of the Love Palace; all the details are in here. Miss Chu can be rescued now. How can I ever thank you?” He wondered how did she have it when Li Renying kneeled down in front of him.

“Teacher, Ah Yan here was from the Love Palace, but she has turned to our side ever since she learned that Miss Zhan of Emei is her long-lost sister. Please forgive her for the sake of this unworthy student of yours. She is very sick, and I will receive all the punishments in her name.”

Tian Fei laughed a little and pulled his young student up. “We should cure this girl before talking about punishment. I would suggest that you take her to the Medicine Forest along with Miss Ah Ju and Hero Mu. They are injured and need the medication too. Di Bao is there to receive them. He is a great healer, and I have a full confidence in him.”

Yue Ling came up to them and readily agreed. “Mentor once praised Ah Bao that he has better healing techniques than his own because Ah Bao didn’t have to divide his attention on practicing martial arts.” She studied the sick girl grimly. “I’m sorry that I don’t much about poison. I only know about mazes and basic healing.”

Zhan Zhiying turned pink at the mention of Di Bao’s name then became pale with anxiety for her older sister. “I’ll go with her too.” Li Renying nodded. “I’ll go prepare the horses.” He leaped outside hurriedly. Huang Yitao, who overheard the conversation, wanted to visit his brother too but was assigned another job by Tian Fei.

“We cannot all go because we need to rescue Miss Chu from Love Palace. Yitao, you are to follow me to Love Palace. Ah Yi, I would like you to go to Wu Dang Sect and informed them of our plan.” He copied the map on another piece of paper and gave it the young men. Then, he outlined the situation and his strategy. “Love Palace has two headquarters; one in Nanyang and one in Xiangyang. Since Wu Dang is closest to Nanyang, they shall take over the one in that city, and we will go to Xiangyang. This is an emergency situation, and we have no time to gather other sects. Our purpose here is to rescue Miss Chu for now. After that we can combine our force to attack the Love Palace with easier mind.”

The two men nodded solemnly. Huang Yitao thought of Lu Tingli and prayed that he would see her there. Next, Tian Fei called his family and suggested to them that they should go to the Medicine Forest for safety, but Yue Feng and Yue Ling turned his good intention down.

“I don’t want to leave you again after all these years.” Yue Feng was firm, and Yue Ling said that she could help him with her maze knowledge. Xin-er and Xiang-er were equally unmoved. “We want to spend time with you three as much as possible. Besides, we have high inner power that can help you against your enemy.” Xin-er added, “Tingli is my good friend, and she is now at Love Palace, so I need to rescue her. I have some fighting skills now. Xiang-er and, er, Mother have been teaching me.” Xiang-er agreed. “Yes, Ah Yi has showed me many new sword stances. I have been teaching Xin-er the Yong Yi Sword.” She glanced at Ah Yi and blushed.

Tian Fei raised his brows in question, and Ah Yi turned red. “Yes, Xiang-er and I combined the Maiden Sword and the Butterfly Sword with some of our own inventions and called those moves the Yong Yi sword style.”

Tian Fei hummed but said nothing. He probably lost a daughter and gained a son-in-law very soon. He inquired the youths about Lu Tingli then turned to consult with his wife. “Feng-er, she could be our other daughter since Lu Peng adopted her.”

“Then, all the more reason that we go with you. I have a way to prove whether she is our daughter or not.” Yue Feng repeated her decision, and Tian Fei gave up. “How can an old man like I stop four determined women?” He eyed his adopted daughter. “Xing-xing, you will be safer with Renying in the Medicine Forest. I’d rather you stay there, but if you prefer to go with me, I’ll let you.”

Tian Xing-xing gazed at the door, where Li Renying’s shadow could be seen hitching a carriage to the horses. She looked down and said softly. “If you don’t mind, I will go with brother Li.” Tian Fei understood his daughter and gave her a permission. He smiled encouragingly at her but sighed inwardly. ‘I hope that she learns to let go some day.’

Thus, Ah Yi departed for Henan where Wu Dang Sect located, while Yue Feng, Yue Ling, and Huang Yitao rode out for Xiangyang. Because of the horse shortages, Tian Xiang-er told her father that she would travel with her light Kungfu. Tian Fei’s eyes twinkled mischievously, and he said. “All right, since you boast of your inner strength, I’ll race with you.” He had never felt so carefree like this before.

Then, his other daughter wanted to participate in a race too. Tian Fei agreed to his daughters’ challenges. So, in the end the three ran off speedily like three merry children. Hence, the horse problem finally settled as Mu Zhen offered to drive the carriage whereas Li Renying and Tian Xing-xing took one horse each. <IMG SRC="smilies/wiggle.gif" border="0">

The journey of fate and destiny began again.
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