Legend of the Sword and Saber (Book of Destiny)

[Kara]

Yeah! Everyone is reunited! <IMG SRC="smilies/clap.gif" border="0">
I think the credit goes to you Goofy, for leaving all those clues, especially the sentence
"Will Yue Ling end up with everything as usual?"
That was what made me realise that Master Yong was Yue Feng. <IMG SRC="smilies/idea.gif" border="0">

As usual, a great chapter. I really liked the part where Tian Xiang Er and Tian Xin Er raced with their father, that was really cute! <IMG SRC="smilies/touched.gif" border="0">

[Goofy]

are you surprised that they have different mothers? Is that a great disappointment? <IMG SRC="smilies/laugh.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/tearlaugh.gif" border="0">

I love this twist!!! <IMG SRC="smilies/rofl.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/laugh2.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/catroar.gif" border="0">


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

[Kara]

Actually, it was a great disappointment but i kinda guessed it with that one sentence already
"Will Yue Ling end up with everything as usual?"
However, an admirable twist and a brilliant storyline. I'm really glad that Ah Yi chose Xiang Er instead of Xin Er, those two were made for each other. I guess i like Xiang Er more because she is so innocent and funny and thinks that everyone is good. I like that naive view of the earth, it's much more refreshing than a pessimistic view!

[Goofy]

My sincerest apology to Barbara Yung’s fans. However, I assigned her to this role because I think that she was the good actress and my favorite one as that, as I tend to give demanding roles to the very good artists. Please don’t be despaired, as the situation will improve in the end.

Part III: Book of Destiny

Chapter 50
The Wedding

At the Medicine Forest, Di Bao (Roger Kwok Chun On) had just accomplished the second stage of healing Huang Jiwen (Howie Wong Man Ho). Ruyu (Rain Lau Yuk Chui), who had been waiting nervously outside the cottage, fired questions at her junior apprentice, who had wearily come out, in succession. “How is he doing? Did you get the poison out? How many more days till he is well again?”

Di Bao smiled composed at her and gave her a piece of paper before going to his cottage for a long nap. He had not had a lot of rest these past days as he was busy concocting the antidote for Ah Ju and curing Huang Jiwen. Ruyu unfolded his note and read it hurriedly. “He vomited the red poison and is now sleeping. I’ll begin the final stage tomorrow. Don’t worry. He is very strong, and he will do fine.” Below was a herbal prescription that she had to brew for Huang Jiwen when he woke up.

Ruyu dashed inside the cottage to check if Huang Jiwen was all right. When she saw that he was asleep peacefully, she retraced her steps noiselessly. After that, she went straight to the herbal room and began to brew medicine. All that afternoon, she ran back and forth, checking alternatively the medicine pot and the sleeping patient. At last, Huang Jiwen woke up and found Ruyu was standing next to his bed with a bowl of medicine. “Drink this before it gets cold.” She smiled brightly at him, and he wordlessly followed her order. After that, he gazed at her for a long time till she felt uncomfortable.

“Do I have something on my face? Yesterday, mosquitoes bit my cheeks. Did the spots show?” She immediately covered her face with her hands consciously.

Huang Jiwen smiled. “No, I didn’t see any spots. I just want to take a good look at you in case you chase me away again.”

Ruyu became pink. “Even if you want to leave, I won’t let you go.” She gazed at him coyly.

Huang Jiwen’s heart beat fast. He coughed and stammered. “Er, Ruyu, do you like me or that Master Yong?” He meant to ask her in a roundabout way but ended up bursting outright.

Ruyu giggled. “How can I love a girl? Yong Butong is actually a woman dressed in man clothes.” Then, she shuffled her feet and muttered. “I didn’t mean to drive you out like that. I have been missing you a lot.”

Huang Jiwen was impressed with her straightforwardness and murmured softly. “I miss you too, and I was equally in the wrong. You were right about your father. I shouldn’t think of hurting a man who can’t even fight back.” He reached for her hands and patted them. “I’m sorry. I won’t leave you ever again.”

Ruyu was redder and redder. She sent a shy smile at the young man and questioned him playfully. “What if I want you to stay at the Medicine Forest with me forever?”

Huang Jiwen was taken aback for a second then blinked. “Well, I have to revenge for my godfather and get rid of Love Palace first.” He replied honestly and unwittingly disappointed her. She let out a sob, pulled out her hands from his, and ran out of the cottage.

Huang Jiwen quickly got up and staggered weakly after her. He found her in a garden, absentmindedly picking orange fruits. “Ruyu, please don’t be mad at me. I really want you to be my wife, to build a family with you. But, sometimes, we can’t dictate our own future. As a man, I have duties to do. How can I hide in here while others risk their lives fighting for justice?”

Ruyu turned around to face him with tearful face. She protested. “But, I don’t want you to fall in danger like this time.” Her eyes were full of fear. “You could have died from the poison if you hadn’t met us in time. Jiwen, why can’t we just spend the rest of our lives here without worrying about the outside world? This forest is the safest place; not many people know how to pass the mazes. I’m afraid that once you leave here, you’ll never come back.” She resorted to pouting. “Besides, your martial uncle Tian might not approve of me. Then, he might not let you see me any more.”

Huang Jiwen’s heart melted from pity. Ruyu had never really received proper education on heroism and patriotism; therefore, he could not really blame her for being selfish. He understood her agony and her doubt, and he stepped forward, wrapping his arms around her affectionately. “Ruyu, I love you, and I will marry you one day even if all the world are against us. I swear that you will always be the only woman in my life. Dear Ruyu, I’m willing to die than to forsake our love, but even love cannot come before the righteousness. That’s how I have been taught. If I comply to your wish, I’ll become a coward, and how can I ever live with myself and look at my forefathers in heaven or have a face to teach our children in the future?” He lifted her chin and smiled pleadingly. “I hope that you will understand me.”

Ruyu gazed trustingly into his sincere eyes. “I believe you, Jiwen, but I still don’t agree with that silly idea of being an hero.” She sighed. “But your steadfastness is also a part of you that I like. I guess that I just have to live with it.” Suddenly, her eyes sparked. “Why don’t we get married now, so that nobody can separate us?” She suddenly realized that her father might be the one who would prevent her being with Huang Jiwen. She impatiently repeated. “Will you enter a wedding ceremony with me right away?”

Huang Jiwen blushed. He was awed with Ruyu’s artless manner and her sincere love for him. He could think of many reasons why they should not tie the knot at the moment, but he would not utter them. He glanced at her and was immediately trapped inside her dark enchanting eyes. “All right,” he replied dreamily.

The next hour went by like whirlwind. Ruyu laughed happily then joyfully skipped to Di Bao’s cottage and asked him to be their witness. Next, she ordered her sleepy junior apprentice brother to lend his newest robe to the groom while she went to get dress. <IMG SRC="smilies/inlove.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/love.gif" border="0">

When she appeared again, she was in a red bridal gown that her grandmother had made for her many years ago. Di Bao confusingly led the bewildered bridegroom out of his cottage and handed him to the waiting bride. Ruyu smiled at her future husband proudly and pulled both men to her grandparents’ graves. Then, she kneeled down to ask for their blessings.

“Grandpa and Grandma, this is Huang Jiwen. I am going to marry him today. He is a strong and honest man. We love each other very much, so I hope that you will be happy for us and watch over us in the heaven.” She bowed three times, and Huang Jiwen did the same.

“Elders, I thank you for saving Miss Yue Ling’s life and mine. I am accepting Ruyu as my wife today, and I pray for your blessings. I promise in front of your souls that I will take good care of her and cherish her all my life. May our love be as strong as yours.” He kowtowed three times.

Ruyu tossed a flute to Di Bao, who started playing a soft melody. Then, she turned to face her groom and smiled with joy. To the heaven, they bowed. To the graves of her grandparents, they bowed. To each other, they bowed. Thus, the wedding ceremony completed. The groom then led his bride to his cottage.

Meanwhile, another nuptial was in progress. Unlike the former, this wedding was in more lavish mode. Red fabric richly decorated the ceremonial area, and the music was playing cheerfully in the hall. A maid was leading a bride in elegant red gown and beautiful headdress toward the waiting bridegroom.

Then, the ceremony began. Lu Peng (Kong Wah) was at the host seat, all smiles. He exultantly received the tea from the couple and gave them money packages with the blessings. Zhang Xinlang (Miu Kiu Wei) was equally delighted because he was one step nearer to his success. He glanced at his bride behind a red veil, and his mouth curved upward. ‘Tingli, I will give you Xi-nan in return of a lot of heirs for the old Lu.’

Lu Tingli (Barbara Yung Mei Ling) went through everything with a cold heart. She recalled her conversation with Zhang Xi-nan and still hoped that he would rush in and save her at any moment. Nothing happened, and before she knew, she was led to the bedchamber to wait there for the groom.

That day, Zhang Xi-nan (Kent Tong Chun Yip) came to see her. When she saw his face, she forgot about everything but their love for each other. “Xi-nan, please save me. Father is having me marry to Xinlang in two days. Please take me away.” When she received no response from him, she quickly continued, “We can find a quiet place of our own, far away from the Love Palace and Sword South School. I will learn all the housework, and you can be a farmer. Please, help me Xi-nan or I’ll die.” She sobbed at his chest but was pushed away gently. She looked searchingly at his eyes and saw a stranger. “Xi-nan,” she took a sharp breath.

Zhang Xi-nan stroked her head gently and suavely persuaded her to follow Lu Peng’s order. “I promise you that everything will be all right in the end.” He swore his love to her, and she had no choice but to believe him again. “I won’t let you be in Xinlang’s hands; that’s the truth.” He comforted her, and she was finally relaxed. Alas, little did she know of his hidden meaning.

Lu Tingli suddenly started with fright. The bedroom door was opened and shut. Footsteps were approaching then stopped in front of her. Her hands clenched the dress tightly; tears poured down her face. At that moment, a masculine hand reached to lift her veil, and she cried inwardly for the broken promise.

She looked up and was astonished to see Zhang Xi-nan. Gladness rushed in, then sadness overwhelmed her heart, and she turned her back on him. Zhang Xi-nan frowned and turned her shoulders around. “Aren’t you glad to see me?” He tried to hug her, but she pushed him away.

“Xi-nan, it was too late. I’ve gone through the ceremony already. I’m now Xinlang’s wife, and you cannot help me any more. You’d better go before your brother find you here with me.” She sobbed.

Zhang Xi-nan chuckled at her statement. “Ha-ha. You are so innocent like a child. I’m here by permission from Xinlang. Happen that he is in love with other girl and only had to marry you because of Uncle Lu. However, he understood that we love each other, so he ask me to come here and be your companion for the night, no not only tonight, but every night.” He kissed her forehead lightly then moved to her lips when she suddenly squirmed out of his arms.

“What is the meaning of this? I thought that you love me.” He turned fury at the sorrowful bride.

Lu Tingli was stunned at first. Then, she understood. With all her might, she broke herself from his embrace. “Xi-nan, this is not right. Even if Xinlang doesn’t want me, I’m still his wife by marriage. I can’t have an affair with you. What would other people think of me?” She shivered from emotional turmoil. She felt his passion and wanted to return it, but her upbringing restrained her. Her self-esteem told her to refuse her heart’s desire. “I love you with all my life, but I cannot commit an adultery sin. Please go away.” She begged him to leave the room.

Her words were like fuel added to his raging fire. He instantly leaped forward and quickly immobilized her. Then, he carried her to the bed. “Tingli, you should be glad that I am here instead of Xinlang. Don’t worry, we don’t have to meet in the sly for long. Wait till I can rid of Xinlang, and we can be together forever. If you love me, you will help me destroy Xinlang. You are my only key to the throne, and I hope you will not fail me.” He whispered in her ears and lifted her left hand to his lips. All of a sudden, he turned stiff.

“You!” He roared and clasped her wrist so tightly that she cried out with pain. “Xi-nan, please don’t.” She pleaded in shaky voice. This man was not the loving Xi-nan that she had known any more.

Zhang Xi-nan didn’t even hear her. He roughly grabbed her shoulders and threw her on the floor. “The chastity spot on your wrist that Uncle Lu had marked is gone. Who did you sleep with? Tell me, is it Xinlang? Did he dupe me?” His eyes were full of disappointment.

Ten years ago, Lu Peng created chastity mark on his goddaughter’s left wrist to prevent his servant to think harm toward her. Each year, he would have someone check the mark to ensure her purity. The Zhang brothers of course learned about it through their eavesdropping.

When Zhang Xi-nan received no answer, he walked toward her inert body and gave her a sharp kick. “Speak! I want to know who that turtle is. Is it Xinlang?” He gritted his teeth, feeling betrayed. “And all the time, I thought that you were such a gullible naïve girl. That’s why you didn’t want to be with me, eh?”

Lu Tingli was speechless from a shock. To learn that the man she loved wanted to use her to his advantage was bad enough, but to receive this brutal treatment from him was beyond her expectation. She whispered hoarsely. “No, it’s not Xinlang.” She wished to die at that moment. Unable to think of anything, she could only repeated. “No, it’s not Xinlang.”

Zhang Xi-nan eyed her suspiciously then decided that she had told the truth. Suddenly, he thought of somebody else and demanded the truth from her. “Ah, is that dog someone from Sword South School then? Which one – Tian Fei, Huang Yitao, or that beggar boy?” When she remained silent, he kicked again at the side. Then, he relented when she winced. He bent down and brought her back to the bed again. “Tell me, dear Tingli. I won’t hurt you again if you let me know who that man is. I believe in your innocence. He probably took you by force, right? Don’t worry, I will kill him for you with my own hands.” His voice was soft and alluring, but Lu Tingli had learned her lesson. She thought of Huang Yitao and decided that she could not afford to have Zhang Xi-nan learn of the truth.

“Nobody forced me, Xi-nan. If you will be so kind, please kill me instead.” She closed her eyes, waiting for a final strike.

Zhang Xi-nan detected the determination in her voice and laughed wildly. “Ha-ha, do you want to die? But, you are worth more alive than dead.” He fingered her tear-stained cheeks, and she cringed from his touch. “How can I ever kill my love, ha-ha?” He rambled on madly, reproaching her. “I originally wanted to make this night be a sweet memory for you. I wanted to treat you differently from other women because I love you. I wanted to have children with you and be a happy family like when Mother was alive, but you have to go around sleeping with other men. You are just like other girls, manipulating and deceptive.” His voice rose. He took out his whip and started beating her. “You have failed me, Tingli. You have destroyed my pure love for you. How could you do that to me?”

He threw away his whip at last and started ripping off her wedding gown that was now red with blood. “Since you won’t keep yourself for me, I’ll just treat you as I do to the girls in brothels.” He couldn’t be stopped despite her pleas.

Zhang Xinlang heard Lu Tingli’s screams and frowned. “I thought he would have been gentler with her since he loves her so.” He sighed pitifully at the girl in his bedroom. “What a waste! Good thing that I drugged Uncle Lu beforehand, otherwise, he would have known what’s going on.” <IMG SRC="smilies/shame.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/nono.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/mad.gif" border="0">
------------------
I know this is kind of cheesy but hope the first half is funny enough to compensate for the sad second half. <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">
Thank you for reading...

[Kara]

NOOOOOO!!!! <IMG SRC="smilies/crying.gif" border="0"> It's not fair! Tingli can't be treated this way!!! I hope both those Zhang brother's die or get tortured in the end. The thought of either of them make me <IMG SRC="smilies/vomit.gif" border="0">
ARGHHHH!!!
Well, i guess my frustration proves that you are a good writer because you are able to evoke such emotions in me. Still, i hope nothing like this happens to Xiang Er or Xin Er.

BTW: good writing, Ruyu is so cute. I'm so <IMG SRC="smilies/touched.gif" border="0"> by their love for each other....AWWWWWW!!!!!

[Sioben]

whew!!!!!!!!!!!
I haven't been here for like a month and you'll already written that much!!!!

"****" I HAVE to find some space to continue with your story.............. I'm really looking forward to read it.

By the way........... My sister have read 'Book I' and she likes it.

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

[Goofy]

Kara, All the sufferings serve to show Tingli's strong character. <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

I think Barbara Yung is a capable actress who could be great in this role. <IMG SRC="smilies/catroar.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0">

now, I have to think the worst way to inflict on the two brothers. <IMG SRC="smilies/sweating.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/eh.gif" border="0">

Sioben, big hugs to you and your sister. <IMG SRC="smilies/touched.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/smooch.gif" border="0"> Thank you for keeping up with my long winded story. <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

[andrea7974]

Great work Goofy <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/clap.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/clap.gif" border="0"> and romantic also <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

[Goofy]

Due to the long cast list, I’ll omit the artist names from now on, as I presume that the readers would have been familiar with all the characters by now. Please advise me if such is not the case.

Part III: Book of Destiny

Chapter 51
Difficult Decisions

In the morning, Di Bao got ready to continue the next healing process when he heard a call from his eagle. ‘Master Tian is here.’ He thought and marched to their meeting point at the southeastern gate. There, he caught a glimpse of Zhan Zhiying, and he quickened his steps to approach her caravan. Li Renying, who had quick eyes, noticed a coming young man with a white eagle perching on his shoulder and concluded that this must be the prodigy apprentice of Medicine Man. Accordingly, he got down from his horse and bowed respectfully to Di Bao, who became flustered upon receiving such greeting.

At that moment, a groan came from the coach, and Li Renying immediately opened its curtain to investigate the cause. He found Zhan Feiyan was having another convulsion. Anxiously, he called out to her and about to reach for his knife when Di Bao came forward and silently examined her. After that, he gave her a pill, which seemed to cease her agony. Soon, she stopped writhing and eventually dozed off.

Next, his attention turned to Ah Ju who looked as white as a ghost. He bowed to her by way of a polite greeting before inspecting her pulse. Then, with a slight frown, he motioned to the group to follow him into the forest.

Once they reached the clearing behind the hidden path, he signed to others to help two sick women into two separated cottages. After that, he entered the one that was housing Ah Ju. The rest of people, including the newly wedded couple, followed him inside out of concern. Di Bao sat next to the bed and rechecked Ah Ju’s condition in details before communicating to the others through paper. “I see now what happened. Xiang-er or Xin-er must have purged some poison from her system out of good intention, but they unwittingly redoubled the rate of the poison infectivity. I have prepared the antidote for her, but it might not work in full effect now. We’ll have to see.” He then looked at Ruyu, who turned to summon Li Renying to fetch some water from a well.

She briskly gave him an order. “We need a whole tub filled with hot water so that we can put her in there. Heat will help the purging of the poison.” She then turned to her junior apprentice brother. “Ah Bao, how about Jiwen? Don’t forget to cure my husband too.” She blushed when every eye focused on her. She promptly nudged Huang Jiwen, who proudly stepped forward to introduce his wife to everyone.

Then, much to Ruyu’s chagrin, he gentlemanly told Di Bao to attend to the two ladies first. His wife grunted and was about to burst out an argument but was quelled by her husband’s stare. “Just so that Jiwen is the NEXT one in line.” She mumbled, and Di Bao smiled understandingly at her. He waved, “your husband will be fine for now. Don’t worry.”

Li Renying briefly congratulated the happy couple then departed for his assigned task. Before that, he had looked questioningly at Di Bao and received a consoling smile. “Your friend should be sleeping at the moment. I’ll take a look at her later.” The young doctor promised with his gestures, and Li Renying took off with more relieved heart.

Mu Zhen was very upset upon reading the diagnosis. “Ah Ju, you don’t seem surprised. So, you know about it all along? Why didn’t you tell me so that I can share the sufferings with you? What am I going to do if…” Something stuck in his throat, and he could not utter any words. His sad eyes moved Ah Ju’s heart, and she couldn’t help shedding tears for him.

She whispered, “Master Mu, don’t think too much. I’m still all right for now, and Zhiying said that Doctor Di is a very good healer. I’m sure he can find a way to cure me.” Di Bao gave Mu Zhen an encouraging nod and an admiring look at Ah Ju. He thought, ‘she is a very brave woman. I can’t let her down.’ He took out his acupuncture needle set and asked everyone to go outside except Ruyu.

“Because of men-women differences, I will need your help. As for brother Jiwen, I will go to him as soon as I’m done with this patient.” He explained to his impatient senior apprentice sister and began his work.

He first gave Ah Ju the antidote he had made then drew a diagram of acupuncture points for Ruyu to put needles on the patient’s body. Together, they fought against the lethal toxin for hours and finally won. Wiping his sweats, he went out to fetch Zhan Zhiying, who was talking to Mu Zhen in low voice. With the help of Zhan Zhiying and Ruyu, he transported Ah Ju into the heated water. Then, he added needles on the Bai-hui point on top of her head and waited till a line of white steam rose up from her body. Finally, he motioned to the two girls to keep watch on Ah Ju. “As soon as she throws up black blood, take her out of the tub immediately. Then put her to bed.” He walked out of the bathhouse to inform the waiting crowd that Ah Ju was out of danger now, and everyone breathed out with relief.

After that, he turned his attention to Mu Zhen’s wounded side. He had noticed that this older man seemed an injured man. Accordingly, after a quick look at the wound, he took out a jar of salve and gave it to the fourth Wu Dang brother. “Apply this salve on your wound twice daily, and it’ll heal in three days.” He gesticulated.

At that point, Zhan Zhiying and Ruyu carried out Ah Ju in a blanket. Mu Zhen instantly rushed over to see her but was pulled back by Di Bao. The mute physician signaled to the anxious man. “She is fine now but needs a good rest.” He wrote a prescription and handed it to Mu Zhen. “She has to take this medicine three times a day for the period of three weeks. During this time, she should refrain from using her inner strength and her martial skills.” The fourth brother of Wu Dang looked at the young man in front with gratitude and suddenly kneeled down. “Thank you so much for saving Ah Ju’s life and mine for I won’t be able to live if she dies.” Zhan Zhiying heard his declaration and felt awed at his devotion to her fourth senior martial sister. ‘If only I can do something for them.’ She thought.

Meanwhile, Ruyu was dragging her husband to see Di Bao, who was embarrassingly trying to return a bow to Mu Zhen. “You promised to see to him after her.” She made a demand despite her husband’s protest. At the same time, Li Renying was asking the young healer to go see his friend, Zhan Feiyan. Di Bao studied the two youths in front and sighed. He wished Lulu were here to help him communicate with other people. After considering awhile, he presented a ginseng pill to Li Renying and motioned to him that his friend should take it as soon as she was awake. After that, he led Huang Jiwen and Ruyu back to their cottage. He was in there for the rest of the day, finishing the third and last part of healing. Toward dusk, Huang Jiwen vomited the black blood, the sign that the last trace of tricolor grass had been eliminated from his body.

At last, Di Bao stood up and grinned satisfactorily. “The last poison had been neutralized. Take him to the herbal room and gave him a hot bath. Then give him plenty of rest till he feels his strength back.” He made a motion then went to check on Ah Ju.

He found that she had been up and was now drinking the medicine brewed by Mu Zhen. She was still pale, but her pulsation was back to normal. He nodded at the couple, glad that his antidote had worked. After that, he made sure of Ah Ju’s identity before running to fetch something from his cottage. In no time, he came back with a small bundle wrapped in dirty clothes. “Xin-er had asked me to take care of this for her. She said that it is for you, so I figure that it’s best to return it to the right owner.” He put the package next to her and left to see another patient.

Zhan Zhiying and Li Renying were inside Zhan Feiyan’s cottage, talking to each other softly, while Zhan Feiyan was sleeping on a bed covered with a thick quilt. They stopped talking when Di Bao stepped in. “Di Bao, I’m sure that you can help my sister.” Zhan Zhiying was full of confidence, and Li Renying looked at the young healer with hope.

Di Bao was grim but silently touched the sick woman’s wrist to feel her pulse. Next, he examined her hair root, her skin, and her eyes. After that, he solemnly diagnosed her condition. “She has so many types of poisons in her body. It’s hard to cure them all because some of the lethal ones have already entered her inner organs whereas some are still inactive so that they are hard to be detected. I recognize some of them as those on the list of Dragon Lady’s missing poisons. Ruyu probably can tell more about them.” He shook his head sadly. “It’s a pity that my two mentors had just passed away. I’m sure that they would have known the best way to cure her. However, I can only try my best.”

Li Renying turned ashen at the news, but he kept the brave fronts. “I think that you are equally a good healer. You have cured both Jiwen and Miss Ah Ju; therefore, I’m sure that you will succeed with Ah Yan here too. Please help her.” He begged the young doctor, while Zhan Zhiying stared at her physician friend with despair. She was more realistic than Li Renying and had somewhat expected this dreadful verdict. Yet, she still couldn’t help grasping the last straw. “I believe that you can do something for her. She is my last relative I have.” Di Bao’s heart instantly ached to see such agony on her face. He sat down, wrote an outline for possible remedy, and showed it to her.

“The poisons in her body can be divided into minor and major cases. First, we need to get rid of the least harmful ones by these Three Seasons Pills.” He took out several crystallized tablets and put them on the table. “They are extracted from three different exotic plants from desert, ice plains, and swamp area with morning dew from twelve different flowers as the solvent. The pills will neutralize all the minor poisons. However, once they have been rid of, the more lethal ones will be in effect faster and become more dangerous. The patient will suffer a great deal. Then, it’s a matter of identifying the remaining poisons. In addition, those that have been in dormant will also be detected at this stage, which can help us finding the right treatment. On the other hand, there is a possibility that some of the fatal ones may not have a cure at all.” He heaved a sigh. “I have given her some pain alleviating drug earlier. If she takes them daily, along with ginseng and other herbs, she will live for another five years at the most. But, if she decides to take the Three Seasons Pills, unless she is entirely healed, her life will be at risk. That means she won’t live past another year. Tomorrow, I’ll have to consult with Ruyu on some details, but the plan will roughly be the same. Please think things over carefully and let me know her decision. Here are more of the pain killing medicine.” He gave a handful of white pills to Li Renying and apologized that it was the best idea at the moment. Then, he went away with somber face.

Li Renying turned to look at his ‘Ah Yan’, and his shoulders shook with emotions. Why fate had to be so cruel? Zhan Zhiying, in contrast, was more composed. She thoughtfully uttered, “Of course, we should try for the cure. Things might not turn out as bad as Di Bao has expected.” However, Li Renying disagreed with her. “But, the chance of her survival is so small. I’d prefer to live with her for five years instead of losing her in one year.” The two began to debate what to be the best interest for their loved one.

At that point, they heard a cough and found that the patient had awakened. They stopped arguing and rushed to her side. “How are you feeling?” They asked in unison. Zhan Feiyan smiled brightly at the pair and cheerfully replied. “I am starving. Zhiying, can you get some food for me?” She requested at her younger sister, who understood that she wanted to be alone with Li Renying.

Zhan Zhiying tried to return a smile. “Of course, I’ll make you some gruel.” She left Li Renying with her elder sister.

As soon as her younger sister was gone, Zhan Feiyan questioned Li Renying in a matter of fact voice. “How long do I have left?” She knew too well of her body and guessed that her illness was probably beyond healing.

Li Renying wanted to be strong but could only reassure her in trembling voice. “You are going to be all right.” He then asked her if she felt any pain at all. “The doctor left you the drug to take when you are in pain. He recommended lots of herbal tonic and ginseng to restore your strength.” He beat around the bush but was probed by her relentlessly. Finally, he had to tell her the truth and ended up persuading her not to take the Three Seasons Pills.

“If we can only be together for five years, then so be it. Maybe, Master Di is wrong, and you can live longer. Or, maybe he can find a better solution in the future.” He half consoled himself then out of the blue, came up with an idea. “Let’s get married right away and go live the rest of our lives where no one can find us.”

Zhan Feiyan was grateful but gently turned down his marriage proposal. “I have only five years or less to live. Why should you want to leave everything for me? I’m not that worthy of your sacrifice.” She stroked his hands fondly and began to narrate to him her life at Love Palace. “I want you to know the truth about me, about my dark side. I’ve never told Zhiying this because I don’t want to taint her innocence with my sins. On the other hand, I don’t want to lead you in the blind. You might regret loving me after hearing this.”

She sighed wearily as she reminisced the past. “Ten years ago, Zhang Tin killed my father, destroyed my family, burned down my home, and kidnapped me as a hostage. Since then, I have been trained to be a passionless killer. At first, I thought of revenge. Then, Zhang Tin planted poison in my body to break my willpower and control my action. Before long, I had to give up the vengeance idea since I wouldn’t survive a day without the antidotes from him. When I turned fourteen, I became his mistress. Not only that, I also had to serve both of his sons from time to time. Actually, Zhang Xinlang is somewhat a gentleman compared to his younger brother, who is a sadist. In other word, I was treated as a harlot until I have proved myself as the best killer in Love Palace.” She closed her eyes as if to shut away the unwanted scenes. “Thanks to many of my male colleagues who were more than willing to impart their skills to me in exchange of a one night stand. Isn’t it funny that on the night that we raided Emei, I killed them all, using their martial skills.” She laughed bitterly at the irony, and Li Renying’s heart wrenched from pity.

“It’s all in the past. No need to talk about it again.” He spoke to her tenderly, but she could not stop now. The cat had been let out of the bag, and she had to release her stream of anguish. Her emotional pressure had come to its peak, and it had to be vented out before its torrent would break the sanity barrier.

She shook her head doggedly before continued. “I want to tell you all while I have time. I don’t mean to make myself a pitiful object for you, but I don’t want to deceive your pure love. You and the two master Huangs were the only men who don’t only think about my body.” She became the one who comforted him. “Despite what I have done in the past, I am still fortunate enough to know you and be reunited with Zhiying. I’m not afraid of dying, only regret that our time is so short. Maybe fate will grant me a better life in the next reincarnation.” She coughed a few times and recommended him to turn his love toward Tian Xing-xing instead.

In reply to her, Li Renying embraced her tightly. He cried out. “Haven’t you understood me by now? I don’t care about your chastity or your past. I only know that I love you and that I want to spend all the time I have with you. Let us get married.” He repeated his intention.

She stared at him and whispered. “But, I might die today or tomorrow…”

And, he responded boldly. “Even a day as husband and wife will be a blessing for me.”

When Zhan Zhiying returned with a bowl of hot gruel rice porridge, she found her elder sister sleeping peacefully in the arms of Li Renying. Time seemed to stop for both of them. So, she put the food on the table and left the cottage noiselessly without disturbing the loving couple.

The next morning, Li Renying announced to everyone his decision to enter the marriage ceremony with Zhan Feiyan. Ruyu instantly offered to lend her red gown to the bride, and poor Di Bao had to get up from his beautiful slumber to play wedding music. Since Mu Zhen and Ah Ju were the oldest ones, they were asked to sit at the parent seats, while Ruyu and Huang Jiwen acted as the intermediaries.

The ceremony was simple yet memorable, more so from the fact that the bride was very ill and needed to be supported by the groom, yet they were the happiest couple on earth that day. Zhan Zhiying watched her frail sister and couldn’t help crying with pity. She turned around and met Di Bao’s comforting glance. She blushed and unconsciously imagined herself as his bride. Then, her eyes fell on Ah Ju and Mu Zhen, who was stealing a look at her fourth senior martial sister. His love for Ah Ju was so obvious that everyone in the room couldn’t help but to secretly wish him his heart desire.

Zhan Zhiying noticed that her senior martial sister today seemed less cold toward Hero Mu and was astonished and glad at the same time. ‘Maybe, she manages to forget Hero Liu finally.’

After the wedding, Li Renying led his bride to Di Bao and quietly notified him. “Ah Yan wants to go for your healing. She is ready. When shall we start?”

Di Bao turned sober. He signaled Ruyu to join him and brought them to his cottage. Zhan Zhiying was about to follow the group when Ah Ju called her. Reluctantly, she followed her senior martial sister to Ah Ju’s hut. There, Ah Ju brought out a metal ring, the sign of Emei Sect’s master. Wordlessly, she gave a letter from Xun Ci Shi Tai to her junior martial sister.

Zhan Zhiying immediately dropped her knees on the floor, paying a respect to her master before reading the letter. After that, she pondered its content aloud. “Master said that she wished for you to continue the legacy of Emei. However, in the event that you are unable to do so, the leadership should be passed on to me. Master thought of me too highly; I’m really not that worthy.”

Ah Ju smiled fondly at her. “You are too modest, Zhiying. Among us, you are the cleverest and the most practical. You are also kind and considerate to others. In fact, you are even more suit to this position than I am.” She signed and murmured to herself. “Anyway, a priestess life seems to be my destiny.” She turned to consult her junior martial sister. “I want to listen to your opinion. To restore Emei, we need to have a leader. Therefore, I am thinking of entering the priesthood in a few days.” A shadow of sorrow passed her face and Zhan Zhiying caught the sight of it.

She suddenly understood that her senior martial sister was having a change of heart and felt bad for Ah Ju and Mu Zhen. ‘What can I do for them?’ At that second, an outraging idea popped into her head, and she burst out. “I’m willing to be a priestess instead of you.”

Every generation of the leader of Emei Sect had to be a priestess and remained single all her life. Aside from studying the sect’s top level martial arts, the leader had to study Taoism and oversee the sect’s internal affairs in general. In addition, she also had a duty to select possible candidates as the next leader and uphold the rules of Emei. Originally, Xun Ci Shi Tai wanted to pass her position to Ah Mei. However, after her two disciples had left the sect, she began to pay more attention to Ah Ju and other disciples. Because of her disappointing experience with Ah Mei and Ah Lan, she decided to train Zhan Zhiying along with Ah Ju just in case that her fourth disciple decided to marry off as she deemed that her seventeenth disciple was too ugly to be involved in love. Fate proved her wrong, and destiny in turn tried to defeat fate.

Ah Ju gaped at her junior martial sister unbelievably. “Are you sure?” She hesitated a moment before inquiring about Di Bao, but Zhan Zhiying waved the question away unconcernedly. “It was a mistake on my part. He is a man of a bright future, surrounding with many beautiful women like Tian Xin-er and Xiang-er. Why should he prefer a scarred face person like me to them?” She laughed a little and turned serious. “Fourth senior martial sister, I really mean what I said. As Emei, we should help the Sword South School against the Love Palace and rescue sister Lianhua. Since you are indisposed at the moment, I think it’s best that I become a leader – that is, if you don’t mind.” Her voice did not waver as she declared her intention.

Ah Ju could only sigh. She gently warned the other of the looming future. “Of course, I don’t mind, but I want you to reconsider it. I don’t want you to forfeit your youth whimsically. A priestess life is hard and often lonely. You are still young, like a flower in bloom, but I am like a flower that is about to wither. I shouldn’t have even let you read Master’s letter.” She rebuked herself, and Zhan Zhiying quickly consoled her.

“This is my own idea, nothing to do with you. Although I am a young flower, I am the unsightly one, but fourth sister is like a flower with fragrance that grows stronger everyday. Hero Mu can attest to that.” She teased her senior martial sister, and was certain of her theory when Ah Ju blushed but didn’t attempt to deny her statement as usual. At that moment, she told herself to forget about Di Bao and think more of Ah Ju’s happiness. ‘She and Hero Mu deserves each other.’

She saw that Ah Ju was lost in thought, so she took leave quietly. Once outside, she searched for Mu Zhen, who was leaning on an orange tree. When he learned that Ah Ju wanted to see him, he took off with a joyful face. Zhan Zhiying watched after him with an amused expression and felt that her sacrifice was not wasted.

She did not know how long she was there, but before she realized, Di Bao was at her side. In his hand was a golden orange, just taken from the tree. He smiled at her and put the fruit in her hand. “For you,” he gestured, but his dark eyes told her more. They took her to the past, at the time that the tree had just been planted by him and Yue Ling. Locked into his compelling eyes, she could almost hear the laughter beneath this tree. Through him, she could imagine seasons after seasons of its growth, of its little white flowers in spring, of its snow-laden branches in winter, and of the stories that were shared on the moonlit nights.

At last, the magic broke, and she was back to the present. She released her breath blissfully and murmured. “This tree must be full of memories, sad and happy, and so is this beautiful garden. In fact, the whole forest looks like a heaven on earth. Outside, the snow will soon start, but in here, it is still warm like late summer. That’s probably why this orange tree still bears some fruit for you. Now that your mentors are gone, what are you going to do? Are you planning on staying here for the rest of your life?” She quizzed him curiously.

Di Bao nodded. “Will you stay with me?” He signed simply, and Zhan Zhiying had to turn her back on him to hide her tears.

“I would love to, but I can’t. I have decided to become a priestess in order to lead Emei Sect in place of sister Ah Ju. As soon as she is strong enough to travel, we will leave this forest.”

Di Bao was stunned. His cheerful face fell. He walked around to face her. “Why?” His eyes asked painfully. He tried to convey to her that he loved her very much.

Zhan Zhiying heaved a sign. She tried to explain. “My fourth senior martial sister is in love with Hero Mu Zhen. I just want to help them out. Hero Mu clearly cannot live without sister Ah Ju, but I am sure that you can live without me. There are many other girls, who are much more beautiful than I am. You are still young and good looking with great physician skills. It won’t take you that long to forget me.” She decided to be brutal for his and her own goods.

Di Bao shook his head vigorously. “No, you are wrong.” He gestured to her. “I love you only, and I cannot live without you. For me, you are the most beautiful woman on earth. Why should I look for others?” He exasperatingly tried to express himself then grabbed a stick and wrote down on the earth his thought. His eyes were begging her not to leave him.

Zhan Zhiying was touched but could not do anything. She turned from him and ran swiftly back to her cottage, leaving Di Bao to stare after her hopelessly.

A figure stepped out from behind a bamboo grove and assured him. “Don’t worry. I won’t let her do something silly like that.” Ah Ju stood upright and made a decision.

Three days later, she left the Medicine Forest in a middle of the night. She took with her the Emei’s metal ring and Xun Ci Shi Tai’s letter.
--------------------------
<IMG SRC="smilies/bow.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/read.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/typin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/coffee.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/catroar.gif" border="0">

[Goofy]

Part III: Book of Destiny

Chapter 52
The New Way of Life

“Where could she have gone to? Or did Black Devil kidnap her?” Mu Zhen was wild with worries.

Zhan Zhiying inspected her senior martial sister’s belongings and realized the truth. “She has gone to Green Pine Shrine to become priestess.” She explained to him weakly. “We have friends there, and Master used to say that it’s a good place to study Tao.” She was full of tears. “She has the metal ring, so that means she doesn’t want me to go after her. She really sacrifices her love for me.”

Mu Zhen didn’t stay to hear any further. He took a horse and dragged Di Bao with him to show him the right exit then galloped off like wind. These past three days had been his happiest days. Actually, he had even thought that Ah Ju was going to accept his love, but now his hope all shattered. “Ah Ju, why?” He screamed. “Hurry up!” He hastened the horse. He rode as he had never rode before.

He was there too late, however. Ah Ju, who had an advantage of knowing the short path, had arrived at the shrine ahead of him and had just been ordained into priesthood. Disregarded everything, Mu Zhen busted into the inner hall and faced Ah Ju in a priestess attire. “Ah Ju, why did you do that?” He felt weak all of a sudden.

The new priestess smiled sadly at the distressed man in front of her. “I can’t sit back and have Zhiying give up her lifetime happiness for us. From the beginning to the end, we are never meant to be with each other, so please do not go against our fates and destinies. Ah Ju is no longer here but Zhong Xi Shi Tai.”

She retained her composure and uttered a farewell. “Please let Zhiying know that I will stay here awhile. I want to spend some time study Tao. I hope that for the sakes of our friendship, you will assist her in rescuing my junior martial sister Chu Lianhua.” Then she walked away without looking back.

Mu Zhen had to return to the Medicine Forest with broken heart. If it were not for her last sentence, he would have gone insane. Nonetheless, he was on the drinking bouts for three full days before gaining the consciousness for his responsibility ahead. Accordingly, he soberly approached Zhan Zhiying and suggested that they both left the Medicine Forest to join Tian Fei.

Zhan Zhiying was in two minds. She was still worried about her elder sister who was under Ruyu’s care at the moment, but she also wanted to take parts in the Love Palace operation. She sighed secretly before going to say goodbye to Di Bao, who turned ashen at the news of her departure. He had constantly been at her side since Ah Ju’s sudden disappearance and Zhan Zhiying came to realize by now that Di Bao loved her as she was, and she in turn loved him with all her heart. She gave him a tepid smile and tried to cheer him up.

“It is only for a while. After we get sister Lianhua out of Love Palace, I’ll return immediately. I am leaving Feiyan here in Madam Huang’s and your care. Oh! Please help me take care of my brother-in-law too. He loves my sister very much, and if something happens to her…” Her throat became dry, and she could not continue. She hid her face on his shoulder.

Di Bao stroked her hair gently and heard himself say, “dear Zhiying, I’ll do my best.” They both started, and she asked him to speak again. He did, and she smiled with joy. “I’m glad that you’ve found your voice eventually.”

Di Bao grinned shyly. “It’s all because of you. I almost lost you the last time because I could not express my love to you enough. Now, I can say your name aloud all day while you are away.” He looked at her worriedly. “Be careful, and return safely.” His dark eyes locked into hers, and she nodded. “I will be back in one piece, I promise.”

Mu Zhen, Zhan Zhiying, and Huang Jiwen took off the following day despite Ruyu’s fits. She wanted to tag along with her husband but was pointed out by him that she was needed at the forest to help Di Bao with Zhan Feiyan’s illness.

“But Li Renying is here with his wife. How come he doesn’t go instead of you?” She had argued and Huang Jiwen patiently explained to her. “Because Di Bao wants his inner energy in the healing, and he would be better choice than I would since he is Zhan Feiyan’s husband and his inner force is actually stronger than mine.” He had rubbed her shoulders lovingly. “I won’t be long, promise.” He gave her a light kiss before leaving their cottage.

In the meantime, Tian Xing-xing was taking refuge under the orange tree. She should have gone away with Mu Zhen and others but couldn’t bring herself to lose sight of Li Renying. Every time she saw him with Zhan Feiyan, her heart felt as if it had been stabbed with a knife. Yet, she was more tortured when she did not see him around. Outwardly, she covered her anguished emotions well, but inwardly, she had no peace. In fact, she was often tossed between good and evil. Sometimes, she would wish for Ah Yan’s sudden death. Then, she would feel guilty for such an unhealthy thought. For her, the girlish jealousy had long gone, leaving only a deep wound that could only be healed by fulfillment of her love.

She walked toward a pond to look at herself in the pool of mirror and mused dejectedly. “What’s wrong with me? Even the scarred face Zhan Zhiying has someone who loves her. I’m really no less beautiful or no worse a person than Ah Yan is. Then, why brother Li never loves me?” She could not grasp the idea that love was neither logical nor practical. Love was unexplainable and intangible, yet it could fill a heart with the warmest of warmth and the coldest of cold. She was musing that although Li Renying could have had everything being Tian Fei’s godson-in-law, he chose to lower himself and his life to consort with the infamous killer of Love Palace instead. In the end, she had to laugh at herself for infatuating with a married man. ‘He is not and never will be yours. Stop being so stupid, Xing-xing.’ She admonished herself repeatedly, throwing pebbles into the pond infuriatingly, making a pair of ducks startle and swim away in fright. She looked on and snickered hysterically.

“Ha-ha, even ducks have partners. They are luckier than I am.” She staggered toward the kitchen and snatched a large calabash of wine. To the silent tree and the lonely pond, she toasted to herself till she fell asleep on the ground under a sliver of moonlight. Next morning, she woke up in her bed under a thick cover. Happened that Di Bao had found her and brought her back to her hut. Wordlessly, he gave her a bowl of dark medicine to clear her aching head. Then, he indicated to her a bowl of hot water and left her with private toiletry.

He went on to his patient’s hut. Li Renying greeted the doctor cheerfully and reported that his wife felt much better today, but Di Bao was somber. “That is because the Three Seasons Pills have worked. All the minor toxins are now neutralized, but the harder task is still ahead. I’m having Ruyu identify the possible poisons that your wife could have been infected so that I can find the right cure.” He decided to bring up Tian Xing-xing’s matter to the other man’s attention. “You should take time to talk to your martial sister. She seems very lonely.” Li Renying frowned a little but replied that he would find time to do so.

That evening, he found Tian Xing-xing in the kitchen and was shocked to see that she had lost so much weight and looked so pale. “Are you sick? I’ll call Dr. Di to see you right away.” His consistent gentleness moved her, and she swallowed her bitterness.

“Thank you for your concern. I’m fine, just worried about godfather.” She replied curtly and changed the subject to Zhan Feiyan’s health, and Li Renying forgot all else except his wife. He chatted on about Di Bao’s diagnosis and Ruyu’s extensive knowledge of poisons.

“Doctor Di is beginning the acupuncture treatment tomorrow, while I’ll be supporting her with my inner energy.” His eyes were full of hope, and Tian Xing-xing could only wish him a success outcome.

Li Renying’s happiness didn’t last very long, however. That night, all poisons in his wife’s body attacked at the same time, just as Di Bao had predicted. Painfully, she writhed and rolled on the bed, and he felt acutely her agony. With trembling hands, he quickly put the pain killing drugs in her mouth and kept her in his arms till she calmed down. Two hours later, another bout of attack started again, and he had to resort to more pills to ease her sufferings. That night, she had several attacks; some were severe, and some were not, but all debilitated her. He didn’t dare to leave her side for one second, as she became more delirious as time passed. Finally, the drugs didn’t seem to work any longer, but his tender touch somewhat did.

Li Renying wanted to rouse the tired doctor from his slumber but restrained from doing so. He realized with aching heart that the young doctor would not have been able to do anything more than this aside from the fact that he had been warned earlier of the poisonous effects. “She will have to go through it so that we can see which poison we should get rid of first.”

He looked at the face full of misery and wished that he could receive all her pains and tortures. “Ah Yan, everything will be all right soon. Be strong for a few more hours, and the doctor will take a look at you.” His tears dropped on her cheeks, and she opened her feverish eyes to look at him.

“Renying, hug me tight. I’m so cold.” She rambled restlessly, and he embraced her tighter. “Things cannot be worse than this.” He prayed fervently to the gods in the heaven. “I’m willing to cut down my age or lose my limbs if only you help her go through tonight.”

A new day usually signified hope and pleasant future for most people, but nobody could have been gladder than Li Renying could when he finally heard the rooster’s call. When dawn came, he instantly brought her to Di Bao, who turned grave at his patient’s condition.

“I didn’t expect that those poisons will react this soon. That means we have a high task ahead.” He brought out his acupuncture needles and told Li Renying to fetch Ruyu. When she came, they began yet another battle against the Death Lord.

Meanwhile, Zhang Xinlang was getting more excited as Gu Xiaofei’s belly grew bigger. He had given her his word that he would marry her as soon as she delivered a baby. When he was asked about the marriage music that she heard a few days ago, he replied that it was for his brother’s wedding. Gu Xiaofei was doubtful but had to accept his explanation since he spent every night sleeping in her room nowadays. She was only glad that he didn’t think of visiting Chu Lianhua, who she considered her number one enemy.

Zhang Xinlang had been visiting many other brothels and had left all of them littered with corpses. Wherever he went, he still could not achieve what he had set to do. Many nights, he paced back and forth, trying to deny the plain truth. He recalled Wang Shan’s letter countless times and could not find any clues that would deliver him from this predicament.

‘After accomplishing the sixth step in a correct way, the practitioner’s inner power will increase considerably about sixty to seventy-five percents. However, once the practitioner has released his poisonous palm between the sixth and the last step in full power, body channels will reverse, and the yin and yang in his body will changed their properties. The male practitioners will lose his appetite in sensual activities and eventually will not be able to perform his manhood duty at all. Also, unless he furthers his practice to the final step, he will end up experience fire-deviation from time to time, which can result in his early death. However, since the seventh step involves an infant sharing the same blood as the practitioner, it is almost impossible for a person to advance from the sixth step to the seventh step.’

Zhang Xinlang thought of his father’s Five-Venom Palm and reasoned that because Zhang Tin had used women with minimal martial art skills, the potential of his sixth-step palm was not very great and could only be compared to his son’s fourth step at the most.

Then, he considered Wang Shan’s condition. ‘Since that dog had achieved all six steps but never completed it, one can assume that he had suffered the same fate as I too. However, I don’t remember anyone’s mentioning about his having fire-deviation, and the fact that he had been living all these years showed that not all statements are true.’ He angrily shook his fists and cursed his dead grand master’s malicious. ‘I don’t believe all your lies, and you cannot do anything about it.’

He wondered. ‘Maybe if I stop now, my condition might return to normal one day.’ Then, he reminded himself of a stranger boy’s White Wind stance. ‘How can I defeat him with my Kung Fu at the moment?’ Then, he remembered Lu Peng. ‘But, I need to produce an heir for Uncle Lu to gain his support.’ He looked at the pregnant Gu Xiaofei, who was in peaceful slumber, and shook his head disappointingly. ‘Xi-nan is useless. He is so brutal with Tingli that I have to forbid him seeing her again. Otherwise, Uncle Lu will learn of it some day. Besides, she will never produce a child under that condition.’

The morning after the wedding, he went into his bedchamber to prepare his new wife for a meeting with Lu Peng. He found her on the bed in a battered condition and was enraged at his younger brother for destroying this innocent beauty in front. Deep in his heart, Lu Tingli’s shadow was still lurking, and it pained him to see her like this. Wordlessly, he took her clothes off gently to inspect her sores and wounds. She flinched and cringed at his touch, but he paid no attention. Expertly, he applied on her once unblemished skin with salve and oil. Then, he ordered a maid to brew medicine for her in a case of any internal injuries. He shut himself with her all day, administering to her needs and caring for her feverish body. When Zhang Xi-nan reappeared toward dusk, he was chased away unceremoniously.

“I gave Tingli to you in good faith, and see how you have abused her! From now on, you cannot come to see her any more until you can behave yourself better.” Zhang Xinlang spoke coldly at his younger brother; his eyes glinted dangerously, and Zhang Xi-nan had to stomp away moodily.

Lu Tingli never expected that the evil eldest brother who she despised could be this gentle whereas the man she was in love with was a beast in a man’s disguise. She sobbed, and Zhang Xinlang reflectively put his arms around her. “Don’t cry. I won’t ever let Xi-nan come near you again, I promise. I’m sorry that I miscalculated about him. I thought he is in love with you; therefore, he won’t dare hurting you.” He could see fear in her eyes and quickly comforted her. “Tingli, I know that you hate me because of Xi-nan’s twisted words, but you can see who you should trust now. I maybe a wicked man in your opinion, but I will never harm the woman I love, and you are that one.” He sensed that she was tense and instantly released her.

“Don’t worry. I’m not here to force you, but I have to pretend it for Uncle Lu. From now on, we will live like a brother-sister. If you keep this a secret, I’ll protect you against Xi-nan.” Lu Tingli smiled bitterly as she heard his bargain. She understood now that he wanted to use her as the tool to power, not less than Lu Peng or Zhang Xi-nan. Waves hidden under the calm water were usually more dangerous than those from the raging sea. The former subtlety took sailors by surprises, whereas the latter used sheer force.

“By the way, I would appreciate very much if you don’t tell Uncle Lu about this. He will kill Xi-nan for sure. But, I don’t think that you hate him enough to want him die, right?” He cleverly used her kind nature to protect his brother as well as himself, and Lu Tingli nodded in silence.

Thus, he sent a message to Lu Peng, stating that he would like to have a couple days of honeymoon undisturbed, and Lu Peng roared with satisfaction. “I am glad that I chose him over Xi-nan. This boy has good taste and perfect manner. At this rate, he will soon give me a heir or two so that the Lu family can continue and that I can face my ancestors in the Land of Death.”

For the meantime, Zhang Xi-nan was fuming at his elder brother’s asserted authority. “How dared him chase me away like that? I guess he changed his mind and now wants her for himself.” He no longer cared for Lu Tingli’s well being but wanted to save his face in this matter.

“Xinlang, since you took Tingli from me first, I will return the favor. You’ll regret.” He sat down and wrote a letter to Xian Yuo, who was residing with his father in Nanyang at the moment. He also enclosed a map of an underground tunnel between the headquarters in Nanyang and in Xiangyang. “Steal the Book of Four from my father and come through the secret passage according to this chart, and you will meet your dream girl.” He put down an appointment date five days from the present time. Then, he only had to wait.

Two days later, by a stroke of luck, Chu Lianhua overheard that Zhang Xinlang would be away for the night. Therefore, she saw an opportunity to spy about, as she had lost hope to seduce Zhang Xinlang since he had not yet appeared in her room again. She could not fathom the behind reason of his sudden change and felt that she had failed her mission. Then, one night, she heard the music for the wedding and mistook it as Gu Xiaofei’s and his nuptial. On one hand, she was glad for her martial sister, but on the other hand, she felt somewhat disappointed, as she had always understood that he had special feeling for her.

In order to get pass the two guards, she feigned sick and tricked one of them to come into her room. Then, she sealed his acupuncture points and had him call his comrade. When the second man came unsuspectingly, she used her zither to knock him out. Then, she tied them with string, pressed their mute points before innocently informing the guards that she only wanted to take a ‘walk’, and would be back pretty soon.

After that, she moved noiselessly toward the big house. Next, with her light Kung Fu, she somersaulted to the upstairs where Zhang Xinlang’s room was located. Then, she cautiously entered the room. She had expected to see Gu Xiaofei there and hoped to have a talk with her again. Instead, she encountered a beautiful lady with the sweetest face she had ever seen. Quick as lightning, she took the other by surprise and immobilized her.

“Be quiet or else you will die.” She threatened with her hand on the other woman’s neck.

Lu Tingli smiled at the irony. She actually wished to die. Studying the invader calmly, she finally spoke to Chu Lianhua in dull voice. “I will be very grateful if you will really send me out of this misery, but I won’t let out any noise for I don’t want to endanger you.”

Chu Lianhua looked into the other’s hopeless eyes and relented with a rush of pity. She took her hand away and inquired of the other’s identity. To her shock, the sweet face woman replied, “I am Lu Tingli, Zhang Xinlang’s wife.”

Lu Tingli observed the pretty woman in front turning white and smiled sympathetically. “Were you captured by Xinlang? Can I help you to escape?” She pondered thoughtfully and simply suggested to Chu Lianhua. “If you hold me as an hostage, I’m sure you will be all right. My godfather is not here tonight, neither is Xinlang. The rest of servants do tend to slack off when they are not around. I’m a valuable object to them, so the servants won’t dare to touch you for fear of hurting me.” She explained her plan as if it was the most natural thing to do for an unknown stranger.

Chu Lianhua was touched by the offer and realized that Lu Tingli was not a threat, so she relaxed a little and apologized to the other for her rudeness. Then, she introduced herself and brought up a subject of Love Palace. “Can you tell me about the Love Palace’s headquarters?” She felt that she could trust this woman and was puzzled to find such gentle and sweet personality at this evil place.

Lu Tingli shook her hand regretfully. “No, I don’t know much about Love Palace at all. I’ve only been here a few days myself, but I think that I saw a chart or some sort of map somewhere on that shelf. I was bored these past few days, so I started to look for something to read.” She smiled sadly, and Chu Lianhua’s heart went to her.

“Would you mind if I take a look at that bookshelf then?” Chu Lianhua asked and Lu Tingli motioned her to go ahead and sat down quietly, sipping tea. After a while, Chu Lianhua turned to question Lu Tingli again. “I can’t find anything here. Is there somewhere else where he probably stores his secret papers? She added, “this is very important; many people’s lives depend on it.”

Lu Tingli sighed slightly. She pointed at a painting of an eagle hanging on the wall. “If it is that important document, it might be in a safe behind that painting. I saw him take something out of there yesterday.” She didn’t seem curious about the other’s business. Chu Lianhua hurried toward the said painting, removed it, and saw a small niche behind it with a locked door. She cried out annoyingly. “The door is locked.” She turned to Lu Tingli again. “Do you have the key?”

She didn’t expect the other to own the key but was delighted at Lu Tingli’s recommendation. “But, I maybe able to obtain it from Xinlang. Come back three days from now, and I will see what I can do.” Lu Tingli was eager to help out since the other seemed very anxious. ‘It is right to help Zhan Zhiying’s fellow disciple. Huang Yitao would have approved my doing so.’

Chu Lianhua nodded gratefully, said thank you, and left quickly. A few minutes later, she returned to her abode in the back garden and unsealed the guards’ pressure points. Then, she apologized to them politely. “I’m sorry that I had to do that. I felt a little bit bored, so I want to go outside for fresh air, but now I’m back as promised. Please don’t let your master know. He will be very angry to hear that.” She dropped the last comment casually, and the two guards looked at each other frighteningly with the same thought.

Each recalled that the former guards were executed just because someone came to see this lady. What would happen to them if Zhang Xinlang learned that she had gone out for over an hour? After all, she had now returned safely, and no one would be the wiser if both of them kept mum. They shrugged and gave their prisoner a glaring stare before filing out from the room to their posts.

Chu Lianhua breathed with relief. The old trick she used at Emei still worked here. She changed her clothes and went to sleep with more peaceful mind.

Outside, the first snow danced down from the sky. Cold wind greeted this winter child with its lonesome howls. Leftover leaves on bare trees shook fearfully and hastily dropped onto the earth ground that began to layer with white cover. Candles were snuff out and lanterns were extinguished one by one. The house was engulfed in darkness and silence saved the interval changing of guards and the screeching music from the gale.
------------------
thank you....

[Goofy]

After some boring parts, here is real action. <IMG SRC="smilies/ninja.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/starwars.gif" border="0">

Part III: Book of Destiny

Chapter 53
The Encounter (1)

Three days later, Chu Lianhua used a sword she had taken from Lu Tingli’s room to subdue her guards. Then, she went to see Lu Tingli who immediately presented her with the key. “I took it from Xinlang’s clothes.” She whispered excitingly, and Chu Lianhua’s heart felt a sharp stab when she heard this intimacy talk. As a matter of fact, Lu Tingli only made Zhang Xinlang a new robe this morning and took the opportunity to steal the key while he was trying it on.

Chu Lianhua instantly scolded herself. ‘You should not think of him that way anymore. He has a wife and is sister Gu’s lover. Besides, he is your enemy and a part of Love Palace. You should rid off him for justice and revenge.” She blinked tears away and took the key from Lu Tingli’s hand.

“Thank you,” she said as she unlocked the safe. Inside that small niche in the wall were several correspondences and documents that she could tell in one glance of their importance. But, the chart on top of the pile of paper was the one that truly caught her eyes. She saw the word, ‘secret tunnel’ and without thinking reached for it. All of a sudden, her hand felt numb, and soon its color turned black. Happened that she had been bitten or stung by a creature that lived inside the safe. Reflexively, she grabbed her sword with another hand and stabbed forward at the cause of her pain then brought it out to the candlelight. In the dim room, she saw a large venomous spider on the tip of the blade. Lu Tingli cried out when she saw its corpse. She instantly stepped forward, but Chu Lianhua warned her not to move. “Stay still. There might be more of them.” She gritted her teeth to suppress the throbbing pain and moved the sword into the safe again. After poking the blade into dark corners for a few times to make sure that no more creatures were hidden, she shoved down the rest of papers onto the floor with her weapon. Then, she told Lu Tingli to gather the fallen documents with a handkerchief.

“Just in case that there is poison on them, avoid touching it directly.” She ordered wearily. The venom from the spider was now spreading upward her arm, and her eyes became blurred. ‘Clang,’ she dropped the sword and instantly pressed two acupuncture points on her shoulders, barring the flow of poison for now.

With a hoarse voice, she mumbled. “Hero Tian is waiting for me outside. I have to give him these papers.” She snatched the handkerchief-wrapped package from Lu Tingli and staggered out of the room. ‘I have to get out of this house before I lose my consciousness.’ She told herself before reeling down right outside the door. ‘I can’t die yet. Heaven, give me a few more hours.’ She stood up again but could hardly see the path. At that point, Lu Tingli’s hands reached out to support her.

“I’ll help you.” Lu Tingli picked up the document bundle and put it in her shirt. Then, she half-carried, half-dragged the barely conscious woman. “We’ll go together.” She led Chu Lianhua toward the servant gate at the back of the house. She had assumed that this Emei disciple might want to find a way out once she obtained what she had come for. Accordingly, she spent the three days’ time to discover the safest exit.

Tonight was cloudy, but the path was clearly seen from its glittering snowy ground. Lu Tingli hauled Chu Lianhua to an old shack, not far from the gate, and stopped to rest. Chu Lianhua could no longer see anything but felt the soft and gentle touch from the other’s hand, so she called out. “If you will be so kind, please take those documents to Tian Fei of Sword South School. This is very important. I cannot go any further. Leave me here so that you can go faster. Hurry!” She hastened the other. Back at the house, she didn’t use enough energy in pressing her acupuncture points; therefore, after a while, the poison was working its way toward the central body again.

Lu Tingli shook her head determinedly. “No, your life is more important. We will leave here together, dead or alive.” She brought Chu Lianhua out of shelter and braved the icy wind toward a small gate. At that moment, several shadows in black suits materialized right before them.

Lu Tingli startled and screamed with fright, but one shadow quickly leaped forward and put his hand over her mouth. “Tingli, this is I, Huang Yitao.” Although he whispered in low voice, it was evident that he was very pleased to see her.

Three other people in black outfits, at that point, were surrounding Chu Lianhua who had gone insensible. One person spoke up, “Dad, I think she was poisoned.” This was Tian Xin-er, a daughter of Tian Fei and Yue Feng.

Tian Fei didn’t answer but swiftly sealed her acupuncture points, the same spots she had done earlier, with high inner force. Then, he looked up at Lu Tingli and asked her quietly. “Is this Emei’s disciple, Chu Lianhua?”

Lu Tingli nodded and whispered, “Yes, a spider just bit her. Can you help her please?”

Tian Fei was astounded upon close observation of her. “You don’t look well yourself. Were you poisoned too?” He grabbed her wrist to check her pulse. Then, he raised his eyebrows and grunted, “hmm…”

Wordlessly, he lifted Chu Lianhua’s slim body on his shoulders and motioned the rest to follow him. They came to stop at the southeastern corner of the wall. Then, with one light jump, he bounded over the wall and landed on the other side. His two daughters looked at each other and giggled. Then, they soared across the stone barrier and alit next to their father before Huang Yitao could have called them to take the other guest along. Leaving with no alternative, he bowed to Lu Tingli’s briefly, put one hand around her tiny waist, and flew forth to disembark at the same spot as others did. He found that the three had traveled ahead, so he sped up with light Kung Fu. Lu Tingli held her breath in awe as she felt like a bird in the sky. Chilly air blew past them, but she felt warm and safe inside. Huang Yitao was here, and she needed not worry about anything. Her tired soul instinctively reached out hungrily for what it had been deprived of during these past weeks, honesty and goodness.

The two arrived at an out-of-way stable and came upon an unexpected scene. Before the rescue operation, Tian Fei had decided to leave the Yue sisters there for safety measure despite both women’s entreaties. He was firm. “No, you two have no martial skills. Therefore, I would rather you wait for us here.” Then, he glanced at his two daughters but realized that they could not be stopped. At least, their inner force was good, so he let them tag along with Huang Yitao and him.

Inadvertently, the place he chose for the two sisters, out of convenience, was an entry to the Love Palace’s secret tunnel. Although many Love Palace’s disciples knew about the underground meeting hall, none saved Zhang Tin and his immediate family knew of this location exclusively. Today, fate dictated Lu Peng and Zhang Xinlang to use that route thus ran into Yue Feng and YueLing. Lu Peng had just emerged from the underground throne room, whereas his godson-in-law was about to enter it.

Lu Peng was now taunting Tian Fei. “I see that you have added two beautiful young maidens to your harem. Hope that you won’t have problem their fighting over you like twenty years ago. Ha-ha.”

Huang Yitao put Lu Tingli down as soon as he saw his enemy, Lu Peng who was at the moment holding Yue Feng a hostage. Sword in his hand, he dashed forward but was instantaneously held back by Lu Tingli’s small hands. “Please don’t hurt him. He’s my godfather,” she pleaded, holding his arm tightly.

He looked at her tear-stained face and turned away. “I have to revenge my godfather’s soul. Tingli, let me go.” He didn’t want to harm her, but when she repeated, “you have to kill me first,” he reached out and sealed her pressure points. “Sorry, Tingli. I have no choice. Duty of son comes first. I’ll let you kill me afterward.”

He had been dreading for this moment. During the trip to Xiangyang, he had confessed to Tian Fei all about Lu Tingli and asked his martial uncle the permission to marry her. Tian Fei turned grave after that. “Hmm, if Lu Tingli turns out the other twin child of mine, then I won’t mind gaining a son-in-law like you – not that I have a choice now.”

Huang Yitao had gone red at his martial uncle’s light rebuke. He knocked his head on the ground many times, asking for Tian Fei’s forgiveness. “I’m unworthy of Tingli, but I truly love her. I want to be responsible for what I have done to her.” He declared, and Tian Fei sighed.

“But, what if she is proved not to be our daughter? Will you be able to let go the idea of vengeance for the sake of your loved one? I want you to think over carefully. Liu Tong was the past, while Tingli is your future. Which is more important for you? Maybe, you will need to be old like me to understand the power of love.” He left the young man to ponder.

Now that the time had come, Huang Yitao was reluctant to let Lu Tingli go. Yet, he had made up his mind, and he chose to avenge even at the cost of his own life. He pried himself from Lu Tingli’s clutch, ignoring her pleas, and turned to face Lu Peng.

Tian Fei gave Chu Lianhua to Tian Xin-er and ordered her to take the unconscious girl to Yue Ling, who was watching the whole incident anxiously in one corner. “Stay there and guard them,” he shouted to both of his daughters and called out to Lu Peng. “Our long feud shall be resolved today, so why don’t we fight each other one on one like a man?”

The moon came out just then, illuminating Lu Peng’s hideous face. As if he thought Tian Fei’s challenge was funny, he laughed sinisterly. “A man, you say? I can no longer be a man, thanks to this lady.” He pressed his palm on Yue Feng’s neck and sneered when she winced aloud. “And if I’m not a man, why should I behave like one?” He had the Tiger Killing Saber in another hand, ready to defend himself.

His glance fell on his goddaughter, and he chuckled once more. “If you want to save your wife, then exchange her with Tingli’s death. Hard choice, isn’t it? A wife that you don’t love or a possible daughter of yours?” He smiled with satisfaction at Tian Fei’s befuddled expression. “You don’t know how long I have been waiting for this day. I have specially raised Tingli with great care for one and only purpose, that is to enchant you with her innocence and sweetness. She is a great kid, isn’t she? A perfect daughter for a hero like you and a loving wife for any man.” His keen eyes caught sight of Huang Yitao’s ashen face.

He laughingly continued, “Then again, even if you want to sacrifice her, your upright martial nephew might not let you do so. Ha-ha. Ha-ha. Whomever you choose, you won’t be able to face the martial realm again. Gentleman Tian can no longer boast of his protection of the women and the weak.” Then, he arrogantly announced, “I am the only living soul in this world who knows about your twin children. Give me one life, and I will tell you the truth.” His face was cunning, and his eyes showed triumph.

Huang Yitao cursed at the man with mutilated face in front. “You are a coward and a heartless person. Tingli is your goddaughter and always protective and loyal to you. Yet, you want her to die. What kind of a father are you? I, Huang Yitao, am challenging you for a duel. If you are even a human being, you will have to fight me.” He ground his teeth with rage.

Lu Peng smiled icily, making his face more ominous. “Don’t worry. Your turn will come after I’m done with my old debt. As for my goddaughter, she is just a tool of my revenge. What would an old eunuch like I need her for? I was going to use her the other way, but this ending for her is not that bad. At least, she won’t have to endure being a wife to a man who cannot do a man’s duty and a mistress to a sadist at the same time.”

Zhang Xinlang, who was silently reassessing the situation, jerked with terror. He looked at Lu Peng, who nodded at him. “How couldn’t I help not knowing when you go around killing brothel after brothel in succession. I learned the truth from a prostitute who hadn’t quite lost her last breath yet. I finished her off for you though. Hmm, must be the Five-venom Palm that you have been practicing.” He roared ironically. “Got to lift the thumb to old Wang Shan for duping us all. If I had known its secret, I would have given the manual to Xi-nan too.” He frowned, “but Zhang Tin seems normal.” Then, he shrugged. “Well, maybe, it’s just his front. He is always good with acting; that’s why Master made him the Lord of Love Palace.” His eyes were deep with layers of hatred and jealousy.

His eyes were on Tian Fei although he was talking to Zhang Xinlang. “You are a little sly boy, Xinlang. You married my goddaughter even when you realized that you could never produce an heir for me. Then, you let your younger brother play the groom instead. I’m not blind, and I have ears all over your place.” He chided the young man. “Xinlang, I’m really disappointed in you.”

Huang Yitao turned whiter than the icy snow outside. He turned to Lu Tingli and saw the pain crossing her once cheerful face. His question stuck at his throat because he had already known the answer. He stared into her black lovely eyes that were now full of glistering tears and dropped his sword. “Tingli, I’m so sorry. You are right all along. I can only live with the present and for the future. I will take you from here, and we will start our life anew.” He moved toward Lu Tingli absentmindedly, and Zhang Xinlang saw a chance to strike. His lethal palms lashed out, and Huang Yitao felt the powerful force bearing on him.

“Watch out!” Both Tian Fei and Tian Xiang-er cried. Tian Xiang-er was the one nearest to Huang Yitao, so she jumped forward; having no time to reflect this sudden attack, she placed herself as the target instead. The poisonous palms landed squarely on her chest; sending her outward onto the snowy ground. Luckily, she had the armor vest on, so she only spat red blood that stood out on the freezing floor like a red dot on a white blouse. The first blood had been shed, but there was more yet to come.

The impact left Tian Xiang-er stunned, unable to move. At the same time, Tian Xin-er rushed to her sister’s side, wielding her sword, ready to attack.

On the other hand, Zhang Xinlang’s whole arms turned numb from the contact with the strong protective armor; he staggered backward couples of steps. In an attempt to buy time for a recovery, he struck up a conversation. “So, we meet each other again, Miss…?” He smiled charmingly at her and was puzzled to hear her snigger.

Tian Xin-er never saw such comical appearance. Somehow, a handsome man opposite her suddenly transformed into an old pudgy clown. His earlier attempt in acting enchanting resulted in bizarre facial expression, which sent the eerie feeling down her spine. It was hard to pinpoint which part of his that had changed. All the same, overall, the once debonair and attractive man disappeared, leaving only a spent body with spasm muscle.

Lu Peng exclaimed at the sight. “Xinlang, what happened to you?” Even he who was used to his scary face was aghast at the sudden alteration. He relaxed his clutch on his captive. Tian Fei saw his attention shift and charged forward.

Zhang Xinlang even felt it in his body. He sensed that something was wrong and quickly gathered all his inner strength into the central organ. Then, he circulated the energy throughout the main channels, invigorating his youthful look again.

Tian Xin-er blinked her eyes. The incident took place for a space of seconds, leaving her doubtful of her eyesight. However, she wasted no more time in striking back. With a stance in the Yong Yi Sword series, she thrust her sword forward slowly at first then increased its speed as the blade bore down on its target. Each stroke of her was powerful, yet elegant and simple. Even her opponent couldn’t help admiring these strange moves.

Tian Xin-er was also surprised at herself. Happened that her constant sparring with Tian Fei and Tian Xiang-er these past couples of days had helped to improve her martial skills tremendously. Zhang Xinlang was now in sweats. Unsure of his odd condition and too afraid to use his Five-venom Palm, he could only dodge her swift and powerful stabs and countered them with his iron fan. Without his most fatal martial art, he was on the verge of losing. Finally, just when the blade was about to touch his chest, who could have thought that Yue Ling would be the one who saved him from death albeit unintentionally?

When Yue Ling took a glance at Chu Lianhua, she realized that this young woman had been bitten by a yellow spider from the north desert. There was no antidote on hand, so she bent down to suck the poison out herself. However, much to her chagrin, the two young girls did not approved of it. Hence, as soon as Tian Xin-er left her aunt’s side to help her sister, Yue Ling immediately began the process of sucking out the toxin from Chu Lianhua’s hand without the second thought. After satisfied that all the poison had been drawn out from the girl, she stopped and looked up. Instantly, her vision turned misty and her left half was numb from the effect of the yellow spider’s venom. The secondhand poison was often more harmful than the original one. The pink pill that Zhang Xi-nan had given to Lu Tingli was an attest to that.

Originally, the pink drug that Lu Tingli had taken was extracted from a nonpoisonous plant. Then, it was planted in a person and was again extracted. As a reason, this second time concoction became toxin, especially if its taker lost blood within the first twelve hours period.

As if sensing that something was wrong, Tian Xiang-er unsteadily got up and wobbled inside the building. She was in time to see her mother collapsed and cried out, “Mom.”

Things then started rolling in fast speed.

Tian Fei, who was trying to rescue Yue Feng by flicking his internal energy toward Lu Peng’s wrist, turned to Yue Ling anxiously. Lu Peng lifted his saber and deflected the coming force and took chance that the other was distracted to attack back. He swung his powerful saber and chopped down, aiming at Tian Fei’s right shoulder; his another hand was no longer at Yue Feng’s neck but still held her tightly. Tian Fei turned around at the slashing sound in the air and countered the saber with his sword. The sword immediately snapped, and Tian Fei had to let it go to save his arm.

During the fight between Tian Xin-er and Zhang Xinlang, Huang Yitao moved toward the immobilized Lu Tingli and unsealed her pressure points. Then, he silently led her out of the stable and walked on, not really care where to, just to get out of this chaos.

Tian Xiang-er’s cry suspended Tian Xin-er’s motion. The latter faltered for a second, which was more than enough for Zhang Xinlang. Adeptly, he swerved her sword with his fan and at the same time cast several needles toward his opponent. Then, he somersaulted outward into the moonlight path, while Tian Xin-er was busy fending off the coming projectiles. The latter warded off the needles onto the dirt ground and was about to run after him but was called back by her sister. “Xin-er, come and help my mother.” She turned around and ran to check on Yue Ling, who was only concerned about the young woman with poison.

Exasperatingly, Tian Xin-er scolded to the older woman. “You should concern about yourself instead. Be still. I’ll purge the poison from you.” She sat cross-legged and started to transfer her warm energy into her aunt, who ignored everything else but her mind upon her patient. She turned to her daughter and repeated her request. “Look at her palm. Are the black spots all gone now?”

Tian Xiang-er sighed but complied with her mother’s wish. She inspected Chu Lianhua’s palm and found that the black color had disappeared. So, she reported her find to Yue Ling, who immediately relaxed. “Good. I’m glad.” She smiled although she could no longer see.

Her daughter sobbed and sat up, trying to lend a hand to Tian Xin-er, but her strength had not returned yet. As a result, she coughed up more blood and had to stop suddenly. Yue Ling opened the unseen eyes and instructed her daughter with concern. “Xiang-er, don’t worry about me. Focus on yourself and meditate.” Thus was the nature of Yue Ling, always putting other’s interests at heart.

Tian Xiang-er sobbed but realized that she could be no help at the moment, so she took out her two energy pills from her pouch, gave one to her mother, swallowed another, and followed her mother’s direction obediently. After a long while, she sensed a surge of renew energy circulate in her body and felt stronger. She then opened her eyes and looked into her mother’s white face. “How is she?” She asked her sister apprehensively.

Tian Xin-er took her hands off Yue Ling’s back and wiped her face wearily. “I deserve to die. I fail to protect her and now can’t even purge the entire poison out. I should just suck the poison from her like she did to this girl.” She was ready to do so.

Yue Ling shook her head composedly. “It would be no use. You cannot suck out the indirect poisoning by mouth. Actually, my internal organs have already absorbed the poison, so it is no use to purge it by internal power either. You’d better save your strength to help your mother.” She smiled reassuring at both of them. “Don’t worry. I am not dying yet.” Then, she softly thanked her niece for saving her daughter, making Tian Xin-er sob. “I’m glad you are good sisters to each other.” She leaned on her daughter’s shoulders. “I want to sleep a bit. I’m so tired.” She yawned, and Tian Xiang-er put her arm around her mother protectively. “I’ll be here with you, Mom.”

Tian Xin-er started to slap herself, but her sister called her to stop. “Don’t feel bad. Mom knows what she wants. As soon as she wakes up, we’ll take her to see Di Bao. I know he can cure her.”

With dim hope, they sat up to guard the sleeping Yue Ling and observe the intense combat in front solemnly. Tian Xin-er was a rather impulsive girl and wanted to go help her father, but Tian Xiang-er pointed out to her that the fight left no room for an outsider to barge in without causing serious damage to both parties. Tian Xin-er heaved a sigh but had to contend just to sit on the side. However, she couldn’t help shouting a cheer to her father and mocking series of abuses to Lu Peng, who could not help hearing her and became madder each minute.

‘I’ll skin you alive, the young witch, after I’m done with Tian Fei.’ He could only boil inside and put more force in the battle.

Tian Fei by that time had shouted to his daughters, inquiring about Yue Ling. Not wanting to worry their father and disconcert him, they only answered that Yue Ling was now sleeping peacefully. Tian Fei breathed out with relief and concentrated on rescuing Yue Feng from Lu Peng.

Meanwhile, Zhang Xinlang overtook the walking couple. Like lightning, he snatched Lu Tingli out of Huang Yitao’s hands and sped away. Huang Yitao gave a shout and rapidly chased after the kidnapper. He pursued Zhang Xinlang to a top of a precipice and by the ray of moonlight, saw Lu Tingli struggling with her husband at the edge of the cliff.

Zhang Xinlang was choking his wife’s throat. “You think that you can just run away with a guy, don’t you? Haven’t I been good to you compared to Xi-nan? At least, you should have stayed and died with me instead of taking off with any man, who is my enemy at that.”

“Let go of her, Zhang Xinlang. Don’t hurt your wife.” Huang Yitao cried. He didn’t dare to go nearer in fear of causing the other to drop Lu Tingli down the deep ravine.

Zhang Xinlang laughed cynically. His flabby look came back, and he yelled to the snowing sky. “She has belonged to Xi-nan already, so how could she be my wife?” His eyes caught Huang Yitao’s anxiety, and he grinned evilly. “Seem that my brother and I are not the only one who infatuated with her. Sorry, she is married to me and slept with Xi-nan. There is no room left for you.” He closed Lu Tingli’s pressure points, tossed her onto the snow-covered ground, and turned to attack Huang Yitao ferociously.

The two men fought on, while Lu Tingli sat weakly on the cliff, watching the battle hopelessly.

Inside the stable, the fight also continued. Tian Fei stepped back, evaded the coming saber, and at the same time bent down to pick up Huang Yitao’s sword. Learned from the lesson, he avoided putting his weapon at the direct contact with Lu Peng’s mighty weapon. Instead, he executed series of swift sword stances that aimed at various vital points on his opponent’s body. His goal was to make Lu Peng absorb in defending himself so that he could rescue Yue Feng. Because of the nature of this heavy saber, Tian Fei hoped to wear his opponent out before long.

Tian Fei had an advantage that his hands were not occupied. However, Lu Peng corrected his handicap by using Yue Feng as his shield so that Tian Fei didn’t dare to put all his energy into use for fear of harming his wife accidentally during the duel. Outside, the snowstorm gathered, and soon only sounds of weapons could be heard amid the shrieking wind

-------------
more on the next post. <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/typin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/bow.gif" border="0">

[Goofy]

Throughout the windy night, the two pairs parried, Huang Yitao’s fists against Zhang Xinlang’s palms and Tian Fei’s sword against Lu Peng’s saber. All night long, the Tian sisters kept close watch on Yue Ling, who slept through everything like a baby.

Hours passed, and both parties became exhausted. More than thousand moves had been exchanged. Although Huang Yitao could not defeat his opponent’s venomous palm, he was not losing either. The main reason due to Zhang Xinlang’s fear of a sudden fire deviation; accordingly, he didn’t go all the way with his inner force.

In a dark building, Tian Fei was now gaining victory, partly because he had no longer need to restrain his power. Yue Feng in Lu Peng’s grab had been observing the exchanges between the two men and realized that Tian Fei was losing because of her but could do nothing since her acupuncture points had been sealed by Lu Peng. However, as time passed, those pressure points began to open themselves up. Accordingly, as soon as she felt her feet could move, with all her strength, she pushed forward toward the saber, intending to free Tian Fei from this tough situation. She did not get to die, however. Lu Peng felt her body coming at the saber’s blade and automatically swung his weapon sideways and pulled her back. Unexpectedly, Yue Feng kicked out and took out a sharp dagger from her sleeve. In one quick swing, she caused a cut on her captor’s left arm. Roaring furiously, Lu Peng punched out with force, knocking away her weapon and incidentally hurling her across the room at the same time. As she was flung down, her head hit a central pillar; blood gushed out from her forehead, and she passed out.

When she came to, the pale morning light was invading the darkness of night. She looked about and saw Tian Fei was locked into inner energy’s web with Lu Peng, each using the White Wind stance. Tian Xin-er was by her side, while Tian Xiang-er was with Yue Ling. The former saw Yue Feng open her eyes and urgently asked if she was all right. Yue Feng nodded unconcernedly and told her daughter to go help Tian Fei. Winking at Tian Xin-er, she spoke aloud, “go hit the villain on the back.”

In fact, she only created a ruse to unnerve Lu Peng, realizing that if her daughter really did as she bid, Tian Fei would also sustain an injury for he would think it was an unfair fight; therefore, would not pull back his force and capitalize on the situation. Tian Xin-er understood her mother’s hint and walked slowly toward Lu Peng, pretending to get ready to strike out at the next minute.

When Lu Peng, who was forcing his power against Tian Fei’s, heard her statement, he became tense. As he eyed the approaching young girl nervously, he secretly shifted his inner energy to his back for a protection. Yue Feng expected that, and accordingly, cast Zhang Xinlang’s needles that she had picked up from the ground prior of her unconsciousness at Lu Peng’s legs. Although she no longer had inner strength to couple with the throw, the distance was not very far, and she did it with all determination. As a result, most of the needles launched perfectly on Lu Peng’s two legs before he could have realized what was happening.

Tian Fei heard his wife’s instruction to their daughter and was not pleased. ‘How can she teach Xin-er to be that cunning and devious? Although Lu Peng is evil, it’s not right to defeat him on the sly.’ He was readily taken in by Yue Feng’s deception.

During their trip to Xiangyang, he had been observing his two daughter’ personalities and listening to their stories and felt apprehensive about Tian Xin-er’s future. He had assumed with his past experience that both of his daughters were in love with Di An’s eldest son, Ah Yi, and had immediately taken a step to prevent the repeated tragedy like his own. He had privately called his two daughters and talked to them earnestly about the love history between the two Yue sisters and him – the story that the two young girls had wanted to know all along but could not get it out from their mothers, Yue Feng being too ashamed for her past deeds, and Yue Ling not wanting to cause any discomfort for her elder sister.

Tian Xiang-er sighed and thought that although her mother had been the victim in this case, her aunt was really the one who had suffered the most. She recalled the period she had spent with Yue Feng on White Pearl Island and understood why she had been raised as a boy.

Actually, Yue Feng’s sworn brother was the one who thought of that idea. As an outlaw, he had many rough friends who could create a problem for his sworn sister and her young daughter. He had found Yue Feng during one of his mainland’s expeditions and had rescued her from some bandits. He had fallen in love with her at first sight but had become her sworn brother afterward after hearing her whole story and realizing that she had no heart for others besides Tian Fei. In return for his protection, he had demanded her to remain at the White Pearl Island till her little girl turned twenty years old. He had hoped that Yue Feng’s fire of hatred and revenge would die down by that time. Outwardly, he had put up Tian Xiang-er’s fragile health as an excuse.

Tian Xiang-er or was known as Yong Butong at the time was a sickly child due to a long exposure to the cold not long after her birth. Yue Feng held herself responsibility for the child’s condition, so when Master Yuan, the leader of White Pearl Clan, proposed to undertake to cure her girl, she was more than willing to do everything. Despite the rough countenance, Master Yuan was a kind and honest man. Before long, Yue Feng had grown to admire him like her own brother. Upon witnessing that he had powerful martial skills, she requested him to teach them to her. To her disappointment and displeasure, he refused to do so but compensated that by training her little daughter instead. He didn’t object her teaching her family’s saber stances and Tian Fei’s martial skills to Tian Xiang-er but insisted on calling them dance moves instead of martial arts.

Taking the education of his little niece in his own hands, he nurtured her to be a gentle and loving person in hope that she could ease her mother’s vengeance mind when the time came. Because of the girl’s frail stature, he continuously transferred his power into her body to strengthen her up. He succeeded in the end but with an exchange of his life. During this time, to efficiently cover up her own gender, Yue Feng started to wear a mask. Then, some time after her sworn brother’s death, she discovered a manuscript concerning a practice of poisonous palm, using various venom injected in a practitioner’s body to create high inner strength. Without delay, she started the training.

To her shock and grief, she found that her look had changed to the worse as a result of the new Kung Fu. However, she did not want to stop after attesting its power. Thereafter, she kept the mask on – not to conceal her beauty this time but to hide her ugliness. Tian Xiang-er knew full well of Yue Feng’s proud character and understood that the latter must have been in agony having to live with her hideous image. In this matter, she agreed with Yue Ling that everyone should let bygones be bygones.

Tian Xin-er was of the opposite opinion. She was filled with guilt that she wished to do something for both Yue Ling and Tian Xiang-er. After listening to Tian Fei’s reminisce, she came to realize his hint concerning the triangle love. Consequently, when Yue Feng raised the subject of Ah Yi to her again, she spoke right out that she had no desire to get married with Ah Yi at all. When her mother insisted on with good intention, she turned to appeal to her father for his support and announced that she would run away to be a nun if she was pressed on this subject again. Yue Feng could only grunt and felt slighted. Although she had gained a husband and a daughter, she somehow felt that Yue Ling had come out a victor once more. Tian Fei was more relaxed after that for he saw some goodness underneath Tian Xin-er’s sharp-witted and often wayward behaviors.

Now, Yue Feng’s words caused Tian Fei to frown with disapproval. Slowly, he pulled back his force in order to open a chance for Lu Peng to defend himself against Tian Xin-er’s strike, just as Yue Feng had expected him to do. Therefore, when her needles buried in Lu Peng’s flesh, causing him to break his force field, Tian Fei received only a small rebound of energy impact; each moved back several paces.

Tian Fei stop still and quickly inspected his internal damage, while Lu Peng lurched unsteadily, realizing too late that he had fallen into Yue Feng’s trap. Enraged, he changed his target into her. Gathered up all his strength, he bounded forward, his saber ready to slash down. Right at that moment, two types for force hit him at the same time; one was from Tian Fei, and another belonged to Tian Xin-er. Lu Peng’s body paused in midair and fell down on the ground with a thud. Blood spurted from his nose and his mouth, while he lay inert from severe internal injuries, posing no more treat.

Right then, Huang Yitao’s voice was heard howling Lu Tingli’s name. Tian Fei started and after a quick look at Lu Peng, decided that the situation here was under control. So, he sprinted outside to the source of the sound.

Chu Lianhua woke up and thought that she heard Zhang Xinlang’s voice, so she immediately ran out in the same direction as Tian Fei did. Yue Ling also awoke and saw Lu Peng’s body on the floor. Instinctively, she dashed forth. Her daughter and her niece looked at each other worriedly and quickly followed her.

Yue Feng laughed shrilly, ran over to pick up her dagger, and rushed toward her hated enemy to finish him off. Suddenly, Yue Ling clear voice rang out. “Don’t kill him.” She mustered her remaining strength and jumped in front of her sister, putting herself between Yue Feng and Lu Peng. “Sister Feng, he is the only one alive who has held the twins.” She turned to the near death Lu Peng and pleaded. “Master Lu, please tell me what you know of them.”

Lu Peng’s scarred face was white as a sheet of paper, and his breath was weaker every second. Yet, he laughed with joy, satisfied that he still held the last card. “I’m dying any way, so why not take the secret with me to the grave?” He looked down at his legs. “Those needles are poisoned, so even if I can heal my inner injuries, I still will die from Xinlang’s projectiles.” He fibbed for he knew that he was beyond healing.

Before anyone could have said anything, Yue Ling quickly plucked the needles from his legs and started sucking out the poison. Everyone gasped with surprise and horror. Tian Xin-er stepped forward but was held back by her mother. Yue Feng could guess what her sister was doing and was equally anxious to know about her missing child. Tian Xiang-er tried to stop her mother, but Yue Ling became incredibly strong. She shook her head admonishingly at her daughter and shove her away then continued with her task. In a space of a minute, she finished drawing out the poison then turned to the astonishing Lu Peng. “Now, can you tell me? Xiang-er and Xin-er will help you with internal injuries.” She pointed at the two stunned young women. “I guarantee to let you go in one piece.” Her face was bathed in the golden sunlight, and Lu Peng opened his mouth with awe. It was almost like an angel appeared before him.

“What did you do that for? What if I won’t tell? What is that twin to you?” Lu Peng didn’t expect that she would fall for his trick. Inwardly, he couldn’t help but was touched. ‘It would have been different if I had chosen Yue Ling instead of Yue Feng.’ Regrets spread through his face.

Yue Ling was patient. “The twin are my children as much as sister Feng’s. I want to make her and Big Brother happy.” She announced. She felt dizzy from the additional poison but determined to get the truth out of Lu Peng. She stared into his innermost and repeated her question.

Lu Peng squirmed uneasily under her glance. Her eyes were like those of a baby’s that he had discarded eighteen years ago. He remembered that many a night afterward, he was haunted by them. “Call Yue Feng here too, and I will tell.” He beckoned to Yue Feng who came forward and knelt beside him as if in dream. Yue Ling gladly supported him against the pillar and trustingly put her ear next to his mouth.

He spoke clearly. “I have abandoned one baby near a waterfall in the north and have left another with a poor couple named Lin. I was going to come back for the second one later, but they have moved away.” He paused dramatically before continued faintly. “I have tattooed the letter ‘Feng’ on each of their backs.”

Yue Feng hissed with excitement. “What genders are they?”

Lu Peng smiled mysteriously. He whispered into Yue Ling’s ears, causing Yue Feng to edge nearer. In that second, he sent his palms at both women. Turned out Yue Feng had similar notion for she pushed Yue Ling out of her way and stabbed her dagger into Lu Peng’s belly simultaneously as both his palms shattered her skull. They both died at the same time, probably even before realizing what was happening.

Tian Xin-er hastened to receive her mother’s body and saw that she was beyond help. “Mom,” she sobbed, hugging Yue Feng tightly.

Tian Xin-er hurried to intercept Yue Ling who was fainting from the poisoning effect. Yue Ling looked at her daughter and smiled happily, “dragon and phoenix, don’t forget that.” She closed her eyes.

Outside, eagle’s cries could be heard. Some songbirds were singing a chorus to greet the coming dawn. Golden ray of sunlight shone through the entrance vying with the pale moonlight that began to fade from the sky. The snow had stopped, and the wind stopped howling temporarily. It was an early hour in the morning and the most lonesome time of the day where neither night animals nor day animals stirred.

On the cliff, the battle also came to an end. The fight had been going in slower paces than the indoor one due to the cold and the storm. Both opponents’ clothes were covered with ice sheets from the frozen sweats, and their faces were red from frostbite. Snowflakes were all over their hair, their heads, and their bodies. Their hands and their feet had gone numb for some time now, and only warmth from the new sun suddenly renewed their energy.

Lu Tingli’s pressure points had been opened for a while, but due to her ignorance in martial arts, she did not realize that fact until it was too late. She had given up hope to see the new day, so when the dawn broke and colorful sky came into her view, she was the only one who got to welcome the rising sun with joyful heart and enjoyed the breathtaking vista at the fullest.

Her eyes caught on soaring birds on early food hunts and wondered how it was to be a bird, so light and carefree. Would she ever be that free? She recalled a Buddhism prayer and recited it to herself.

All beings on this earth, may you be happy and may you not carry on ill intention.
All beings on this earth, may you be happy and may you not harm one another.
All beings on this earth, may you be happy and may you not grieve or be ill.
All beings on this earth, may your heart be content; may your body be healthy; and may you be safe from all harms.

(If anyone can provide a better version than this, I’ll be very grateful. I realize that I am not a very good translator.)
-----------------------
I never thought I could be so long-winded.
Thank you for reading this far... <IMG SRC="smilies/catroar.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/catroar.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/catroar.gif" border="0">

[Goofy]

Part III: Book of Destiny

Chapter 54
The Encounter (2)

Tian Fei reached the cliff top and witnessed Zhang Xinlang throw Lu Tingli down the chasm. Huang Yitao instantaneously jumped forth toward the cliff edge, and Tian Fei quickly intercepted him just before he could have fallen down the deep abyss. At that moment, a large white eagle appeared in the morning sky, gave a loud cry, and majestically dipped downward. Tian Fei detected a faint whistle and called out, “Teacher!”

Of Zhang Xinlang, he had disappeared during Tian Fei’s rescuing Huang Yitao.

Only an echo answered him. After a moment of straining his ears, he almost believed that wind was just playing trick on him. With one arm still held on to the frantic Huang Yitao, he tried to talk sense into his martial nephew. “Yitao, take a grip of yourself! She might not die. Teacher…” He hesitated, not wanting to put too much hope in the youth’s heart, but Huang Yitao grabbed the last word like a drowning man seizing the first straw that came to his sight.

“Yes, a white eagle always appears with Grand Teacher. He probably helped Tingli; he is the only one who can.” Huang Yitao looked eagerly out to the horizon and was wondering why Sword God had not appeared yet. His eyes strained for a miracle, for a comeback of Lu Tingli.

Tian Fei had no heart to contradict him and finally coaxed him to go back to the shelter. “Teacher does a lot of odd things. He will appear when he wants to in due time. You’ve fought for a long time and need some rest and take care of your wounds. We’ll scale the cliff when we are done with Lu Peng.” Huang Yitao looked questioningly at his martial uncle, and Tian Fei replied quietly that Lu Peng had been subdued. Tian Fei in turn inquired about the other’s combat on top of the cliff.

Huang Yitao thus narrated. “Lu Tingli had been rendered immobilized near the cliff edge during our fighting. Out here, we fought for hours under the pale moonlight; we couldn’t cause much harm to each other due to intervals of darkness and fierce gale. Zhang Xinlang had tried to use his secret projectiles, but luckily, the strong wind blew them all away. Then, all of a sudden, it was morning. The snow abruptly stopped and the golden beam burst out from behind the mountain peaks, bathing the entire area. At that point, I happened to notice Zhang Xinlang’s face. Somehow, it had transformed into a troll-like look, eerie and horrendous. I couldn’t help exclaiming at this unexpected sight, and he barked out why I was gawking him like that. I then told him the truth about his ugly look, and he immediately touched his face.

He seemed to realize that something had gone wrong as he slowly stepped backward. I saw that he had lost interest in fight, so I advanced forward. Who would have thought that, at that minute, the fiend flicked his fan and sent the missiles of needles at me? Seemed that he had been saving this last trick up his sleeve till then. I quickly avoided the projectiles while somersaulted over them, realizing that they could be poisonous. When I looked up again, Tingli was in his arms. His expression right then was of a mad man. I called her name and tried to calm him down, but that seemed to stimulate the following actions. He yelled out someone’s name and pitched her into the below ravine. You know the rest.” He ended with sad voice.

Tian Fei patted his martial nephew’s shoulder sympathetically. “This is fate, and we can’t change it. Lu Tingli is a sweet girl who had never done anyone wrong; I’m sure the heaven would not be that cruel to her.” He dragged Huang Yitao into the stable and was shocked to see three bodies lying on the ground. Two of them were Yue Ling and Yue Feng. He looked at his two daughters bafflingly, asking with dry voice. “What happened?”

Both young women’s faces were wet with tears. Tian Xin-er cried out, “Mom was killed by Lu Peng, and she killed him at the same time.” Instantaneously, Tian Xiang-er sobbed, “Mom sucked the poison out from Chu Lianhua and Lu Peng and turned very sick. Her body was so cold that I am afraid…” She couldn’t finish her sentence when fresh tears brimmed in her eyes again.

With ashen face, Tian Fei leaped toward the two women’s bodies and checked their breathings. Yue Feng was dead, but he found a tiny trace of life in Yue Ling. Wordlessly, he propped Yue Ling up and started transferring energy into her. After half an hour, he stood up, picked up both Yue sisters, and said, “stay and help Yitao find Tingli.” The next second, he was gone.

Tian Xin-er shouted anxiously. “Dad, where are you?” She ran outside but found no trace of him. She ran back to consult with her sister, who guessed correctly. “He took them to see Di Bao at the Medicine Forest.” She looked out in the direction of the west and hoped that he would be there in time to save her mother. “Dad, don’t do anything foolish.” She hugged her sister’s trembling frame and approached Huang Yitao. “We can do nothing else. Let’s work to forget our sorrow. Our mothers are in good hand. I trust that our father would do his utmost to help them.”

Huang Yitao forgot his plight for one moment at this turn of event. Then, he walked out again back to the precipice. The Tian sisters followed him and gravely helped him making a vine-rope to get down the high cliff. Tian Xiang-er, the most practical one, motioned her sister to keep eyes on Huang Yitao while she went to gather firewood and find food for this long day.

Meanwhile, Chu Lianhua was fighting with Zhang Xinlang. She had caught him sneaking away during the commotion and lost no time in chasing him. Halfway down the mountain, she overtook him and somersaulted to block his way. “Miss Lu was a kind and innocent woman. She was also your wife. Was your heart made of stone?” She took out a short knife and slashed at him. Realizing that her Kung Fu was no match to his, she decided on fast and fiery attack strategy. As she determined to die in this fight, she paid no attention in defending herself but targeted at taking the opponent’s life.

Not only that Zhang Xinlang didn’t try to hurt her, he didn’t even try to defend himself. In short time, he was wounded by her in various vital points. What saved him from the death was merely her lack of strength due to the after poisoning effect. Therefore, most cuts were not deeply inflicted. She was surprised by his attitude and his change in look, but she did not falter. Just when she was about to slash her last stroke, someone interrupted.

A flute came forth to intercept her knife. It moved in fast speed, and before she knew, it knocked her weapon out of her hand and continued to seal her pressure points on her shoulders, freezing her on the spot. At that point, a man’s voice laughingly said, “Miss Chu, I’m sorry to do this, but I have a few questions to ask my brother here before letting you kill him.” That man turned to Zhang Xinlang and mocked, “elder brother, you don’t look too well. What happened to your handsome face?” Then, he tightened his voice. “Where is Tingli? She was not in Love Palace, so she must have been with you.” He turned aside and dragged forth Gu Xiaofei, whose hands were securely bound with rope.

“Even you don’t care about Miss Chu’s or your own life, you sure wouldn’t want your child to die prematurely, right?” Zhang Xi-nan sneered at his elder brother.

A change of expression came over Zhang Xinlang. His eyes glistered as they rested on the pregnant woman. Like lightning, his fingers went to Chu Lianhua’s mute point and sealed it. Then, he calmly answered his younger brother. “If you are willing to trade Gu Xiaofei with Lu Tingli, then we can do some business. Otherwise…”

At the utterance of the last word, his palms came up. Powerful force was sent out, hitting a fir tree that stood next to Zhang Xi-nan. The tree went black, and its leaves suddenly withered and fell down. Its whole trunk looked as if it had been struck down by the lightning. Zhang Xinlang smiled. “I think you’ve heard about the Five-venom Palm, right?” Despite his wounds and horrid look, he still managed to overshadow his younger brother.

Zhang Xi-nan turned white from the other’s exhibition. His triumphant expression was gone, and sweats rolled in although the day was cold. “Of course…” He stammered but was cut in by another voice.

“No, we want Chu Lianhua too.” Xian Yuo interjected undauntedly. His eyes fixed on Chu Lianhua and would have gone to her, had Zhang Xi-nan not held him back. He was immediately shunned by his companion.

“I know, but be quiet for now, will you?” Zhang Xi-nan retorted, and Chu Lianhua’s eyes widened with surprise. How did the fifth brother of Wu Dang associate the young masters of Love Palace?

Zhang Xinlang glanced at Xian Yuo contemptuously then turned to his younger brother. “I only want my child, so you are welcome with any other women.” He pointed toward the peak of the mountain. “Tingli is at the stable. Go and get her yourself.” He raised his hands again threateningly, and Zhang Xi-nan hastily cut Gu Xiaofei’s bond and pushed her toward his brother. Then, he grabbed Chu Lianhua and beckoned his friend to follow him. He left in a hurry, afraid that his brother might change his mind and decided to kill him instead.

After they were gone, Zhang Xinlang collapsed feebly. He had used a lot of strength to demonstrate his power back then to scare Zhang Xi-nan away. Now, he felt the pain from his cuts and the lost of blood. He looked up at the bewildered Gu Xiaofei and snapped. “Come and help me. We need to get out of here unless you want to fall under their hands again.”

Gu Xiaofei started and hastened to assist her lover. With Zhang Xinlang leaned on her, they quickly traveled in the opposite direction. Silently, they moved on until they reached an abandoned shelter. Carefully, she led the injured man inside and started making fire. Then, she took out a jar of the Jade Bee Ointment and applied it onto his wounds. Next, she gave him the remaining Snow Lotus Powder she had.

Zhang Xinlang nodded at her and ordered her to cover him with hay. “Put out the fire and hide yourself in hay too just in case they come here.” Gu Xiaofei did as she was told and snuggled herself next to her lover. Not long after, he fell asleep from the effect of the Emei medication, coupled with the fact that he was exhausted from the all night battle. Gu Xiaofei soon followed him to the dreamland.

In the meantime, Chu Lianhua’s pressure points were opened up by the concerned Xian Yuo. He looked gladly at see her but was disappointed to meet her cold stare. They were traveling in fast speed because Zhang Xi-nan was impatient to be reunited with Lu Tingli. When Chu Lianhua’s mute point was released, she could have told him the truth, but an image of the pregnant Gu Xiaofei kept her mum. If Zhang Xi-nan had realized that his elder brother had tricked him, he would have gone after the wounded Zhang Xinlang and Gu Xiaofei. Despite Gu Xiaofei’s evident hatred to her, Chu Lianhua couldn’t let her senior martial sister fall into these men’s hands again, not to say that a life of an innocent baby was also at stake. For that same reason, she didn’t try to escape for she hoped to help her martial sister if needed be.

Last night, Zhang Xi-nan was waiting for the coming of Xian Yuo when he heard shouting of intruders and sound of weapons crashing. Then, Xian Yuo burst into the room with pallid face, evidently from fright. He yelled frantically. “Hurry, let’s go. My martial brothers are right after me.”

Zhang Xi-nan didn’t wait to be told twice. He grabbed his flute and rushed out of his room. His first stop was at Lu Tingli’s bedchamber, but he found no trace of her there. Swearing and cursing at his brother, he sprinted toward the back garden, but Xian Yuo called him. “We can’t go there. The Wu Dang people were in the tunnel. They went to Master Yang’s manor and followed me here.”

Zhang Xi-nan glared at the other man, displeased that he had led the enemies to here. Wordlessly, he ran toward the front gate and went through it without meeting anyone. Xian Yuo nervously kept up with him with light Kung Fu, not dare to utter a word for fear that his voice would be carried through the wind to his martial brothers’ ears.

He had been thinking his situation over carefully after he had received the letter from Zhang Xi-nan. Since his original motive in betraying his sect was to acquire Chu Lianhua, it seemed more logical for him to serve the one who really could fulfill his desire. At Nanyang, the Love Palace’s headquarters, he had realized too late that he had been deceived by Zhang Tin. The supposed antidote that he took although could cure Zhang Xi-nan’s poison was also a poison in itself. Thus was the method that Zhang Tin liked to employ on his subordinates.

After a long consideration, Xian Yuo had written back to Zhang Xi-nan and had asked him for the antidote for Zhang Tin’s poison before he would consent to do anything. Accordingly, he received two tablets from Zhang Xi-nan with a letter explaining the writer’s good faith. “You can give one pill to anyone to make sure that it is not poison. Then, take the other when you have no longer doubt in me. To show that I really mean you well, Chu Lianhua is kept in a small guesthouse at the back garden. I’ll move her into my room on our appointed night and wait for you there. Don’t disappoint her.”

Xian Yuo tested the pills and found them genuine. So, he took the antidote and started thinking a plan to get the Book of Four from his master. He had noticed that although Zhang Tin showed distrust at his disciples or his family, this old man had a weakness in beautiful girls. Accordingly, Xian Yuo went to famous brothels in town and hired five most sensual women for Zhang Tin. Last night, he brought them to a guest room and went to report to the former Lord of Love Palace that his ‘presents’ were waiting for him. As expected, Zhang Tin was delighted as his sights at the five beauties. Immediately, he went in the room, closed the door, and was there all night. Only his laughter and the women’s giggles could be heard.

Actually, Zhang Tin was not a man who always indulged in pleasure. However, to have his leadership title taken from him abruptly by Lu Peng and to be forsaken by his two sons quite damaged his nerve. Many a time, he lifted his fists to the sky and cursed his martial brother for betraying him. As for the Book of Four, he had received only the last half from Lu Peng. Without the first half, he was unable to practice the skill at all. Although he hated his senior martial brother for his cunning, he still could not help but admired the strategy. “So, you want me to wait till I pose no treat for Xinlang, eh? I still have some cards up in my sleeve, yet though.” He then sent out a messaging pigeon to Black Devil.

Xian Yuo had sneaked through the guards into Zhang Tin’s bedroom in the meantime. He had searched for some time before finding a wooden box that contained a thin booklet titled, ‘Book of Four’. Delightfully, he took out the precious manual and went straight into the secret tunnel.

Unexpectedly, at the entrance to the underground passage, he came face to face with his second senior martial brother, Duan Hui (Alex Man Chi Leung). Enraged, Duan Hui charged forth, and Xian Yuo had to use his light Kung Fu to dodge the powerful maces. Swiftly, he dashed down the dark hallway and kept running. Duan Hui roared the traitor’s name and lost no time in chasing him. Once in the narrow tunnel without light, the second hero of Wu Dang was in disadvantage due to his large form and bulky weapons. As he treaded on more carefully this time, he heard an echo of a rock coming to him from the right. Instinctively, he lifted one mace to deflect the unknown weapon while trying to guard his front with the other mace. Suddenly, he heard a ‘tang’ sound from the left and automatically took the mace from his front to intercept the coming subject. Those sounds, however, were a rouse as a shadow slithered on the floor and thrust a sword upward at Duan Hui’s stomach. The move was called ‘Piercing Sky from the Earth’, signified a stab from a low position toward an opponent’s vital organs such as intestines or bladders.

Duan Hui could only cry, “Xian Yuo” before he fell down unable to speak any longer. Xian Yuo pulled out his sword and smiled satisfactorily before he turned panicked, as he heard De Pang’s echo from afar. Realizing that he would not be able to trick his first senior martial brother easily, he opted to flee. Agilely, he ran on through the tunnel and came out to an old garden shack. Immediately, he sped to Chu Lianhua’s residence according the map he had but found no trace of her. Understood that Zhang Xi-nan must have had her as stated in the letter; he raced to his meeting place.

Right behind him were two heroes from Wu Dang, De Pang and Man He. They had come through the same tunnel after they had found a body of their second martial brother Duan Hui. At this point, several Love Palace’s disciples who had been gathering in the underground throne room at the other branch of passageway emerged and upon discovering that there were intruders, lost no time in attacking the two strangers. Therefore, Xian Yuo grabbed that chance to escape.

At the gate, Xian Yuo paused and looked at Zhang Xi-nan inquiringly. “Where is Chu Lianhua?”

Zhang Xi-nan grunted but had to answer. “Zhang Xinlang had gone away with her and my lover, Lu Tingli, but we’ll find them. The first priority right now is to save our lives. I know a good place to hide till our enemies leave this premise. Then, we can sneak back here like the wise men said, “the most dangerous place often is the safest one.” Hurry up.” He didn’t wait for the answer as he moved quickly and surely in the direction of a mountain in the distance.

Xian Yuo had no choice but to trail after him.

The two hadn’t gone far when they came upon Gu Xiaofei who had left the Zhang house earlier to search for Zhang Xinlang. Earlier, she had tried to look for her lover but could not find him. Then, she had an idea that he might have gone to see Chu Lianhua. Jealousy rose in her bosom, and she marched to the small residence in the back with an intention to declare an open battle with her junior martial sister. She was further incensed when she did not meet either Zhang Xinlang or Chu Lianhua. In a fit of temper, she killed the two frightening guards and rushed out of the gate, as she perceived that the couple must have eloped together. In reality, as soon as she was gone, Lu Tingli had come out of her room with Chu Lianhua. Destiny apparently was so fond of find-and-seek game.

After awhile of running, however, Gu Xiaofei had to slow her pace and ended up walking. Half an hour later, her baby kicked her, and she had to stop for a rest. She was unfortunate to be on the wrong place at the wrong time. As she uneasily encountered the two men, she realized that she was in real trouble then.

Xian Yuo was in shock. He didn’t prepare himself to see his former fiancee in a pregnancy state. Instantly, his sword lashed out, and it almost touched her throat when Zhang Xi-nan’s flute warded the blade off. Zhang Xi-nan frowned at the other’s rashness and explained to Xian Yuo that alive, she could be used to trade with Chu Lianhua from Zhang Xinlang. After a vicious glare at Gu Xiaofei, Xian Yuo had to concur to his companion’s plan. Through the night, they had braved the snowstorm toward their destiny with Gu Xiaofei tied up between them.

As Chu Lianhua had predicted, Zhang Xi-nan had gone berserk upon finding no Lu Tingli in the stable. Instead, he found only a dead body of Lu Peng’s. Angrily, he yelled with wrath. “Xinlang, I’ll skin you alive.” He darted down the slope, following their tracks. Xian Yuo shrugged and put his hands around Chu Lianhua’s waist then sped after the other.

They arrived at the same shelter that Zhang Xinlang and Gu Xiaofei had stopped but discovered only a pile of dead fire. So, they went on back to Xiangyang. “My brother couldn’t go far in this weather with a pregnant woman. He probably return to his house just like I have planned to.”

After the trio had gone, Zhang Xinlang and Gu Xiaofei cautiously got out from their cover. Without ado, Zhang Xinlang led his companion to the south, as far from the city of Xiangyang as possible.

Zhang Xi-nan didn’t get to go very far, however. His group had run into Mu Zhen’s party who was heading to Xiangyang. The storm had by now started anew, and in that frozen rain, Huang Jiwen caught sight of a Wu Dang’s traitor and a young master from Love Palace. Without ado, he pointed them out to his friends and leapt forth to block their path.

Mu Zhen stepped forward and announced to everyone. “Xian Yuo belonged to Wu Dang, and he disgraced our name with his treacherous conduct. In the name of our sect, I’ll be the one who punishes him.”

Huang Jiwen said no further; he brandished his sword and went for Zhang Xi-nan. Although his strokes were not as refine as those of his brother’s, but his incredible strength did make up for it. During his stay at the Medicine Forest, Ruyu had constantly been feeding him herbal tonic that resulted in the increase of his inner energy and his muscle strength. Since each move of his mostly relied on strong force of its user, it was no wonder that he would become a powerful fighter and could subdue Zhang Xi-nan in no time.

Mu Zhen was also on the verge of victory. He had higher martial arts than Xian Yuo in the first place. In addition, his health had returned to normal at this point. Therefore, in view of the situation, he had no difficulty disable his former fifth martial brother’s martial arts. With sure strokes, soft and fluid yet powerful and fast, of the Tai Chi Sword, he disarmed Xian Yuo then destroyed his Wu Dang skills.

Huang Jiwen at that moment was throwing an object wrapped in ragged cloth toward Zhang Xi-nan while shouting for everyone to move back. Instinctively, Zhang Xi-nan parried it with his flute. To his horror, it exploded and drenched him with acid substance. Turned out that inside the rag was a glass bottle of poisonous acid. Ruyu had prepared this especially for her husband with a warning to handle it carefully. She did not tell him the truth, however, knowing very well of his nature. Instead, she explained to him that it was her special invention to use against the ‘Purple Dust, Black Mist’ that Love Palace people liked to resort to when they wanted to escape.

“Whenever your opponent tries to get away, just throw the whole thing at him and jump back far from it because the powder is rather strong and might get into your system before it gets to work against the poisonous dust your enemy uses.” Ruyu talked him into taking it along although he was doubtful of its use.

Nonetheless, he told the others about it, and everyone agreed that it could come in handy to prevent a getaway of their opponents. Therefore, today, when Zhang Xi-nan attempted to conceal himself with Purple Dust, Huang Jiwen decided to put his wife’s invention into use. To his surprise, the bottle contained strong acid that ate through human’s skins like scissors cut a thinnest piece of paper.

Howling with pain, Zhang Xi-nan’s body twisted and writhed on the ground. Of his face, it was totally unrecognizable. His nose was gone, and so was one of his eyes, while the other was popping out from its socket. In a period of ten minutes, the second young master of Love Palace had been reduced into a heap of ashes. Huang Jiwen was quite shaken up by his opponent’s demise. He promised to himself that he would have to have a ‘talk’ with Ruyu the next time he met her.

The others could only gape in amazement. Xian Yuo screeched with fear; foam started to form at his mouth, and he fainted. Mu Zhen raised his eyebrows at this underhand technique but understood that Huang Jiwen was a victime of Ruyu’s manipulation. Zhan Zhiying took sharp breath and felt sorry for the death but thanked the heaven that she at least found Chu Lianhua.

While her two companions fought the evil side, she had rushed to her sixteenth senior martial sister and embraced her with warmth. “I am so glad to see you again. We are all very worried about you.” Then, she frowned upon taking a good look at Chu Lianhua. “You are so thin! Have you been tortured?” She blushed then, as she recalled Chu Lianhua’s original purpose of going to Love Palace.

Chu Lianhua smiled quietly and returned her junior martial sister’s hug. “I’m happy to see you too, but I’m a little tired from the spider poison.” She started as she recalled that her poison had somehow been extracted from her. “The Tian family must have helped me. I’ll have to thank them the next time we meet.”

Zhan Zhiying did not inquire anything further. She took out a fur cape from her bag and wrapped it gently around Chu Lianhua. “We’ll take you somewhere warm where you can take a rest.” She looked at Mu Zhen, who suggested that they might have well entered Xiangyang. As a result, they hauled their prisoner and accompanied their additional guest to the city ahead.

On Xiangyang’s main street, they met up with De Pang and Man He, who had eliminated the rest of Love Palace’s disciples and were on the search for Zhang Tin and Ah Yi. De Pang explained, “Ah Yi was fighting with Zhang Tin, while we were after Xian Yuo. That lad’s inner strength is extraordinary. He would go far.” His eyes fell on the terrifying Xian Yuo, and he roared. “You have betrayed our sect by joining the evil sect, and now you murdered Duan Hui in cold blooded. You are deserved to die a hundred times.” He lifted his palm and was about to strike when the prisoner begged for his life.

“Please, first brother, I did everything because I want Chu Lianhua. I’ve lost Gu Xiaofei to Love Palace, and I didn’t want to lose the woman I loved to them again. Please give me one more chance.”

De Pang glanced at the beautiful face of Chu Lianhua’s and sighed. What was love? He turned his back on Xian Yuo and spoke in dry voice. “Even if I won’t kill you, the other two still can.” His two martial brothers sighed. They have lost one brother already; will they have to lose another today? Zhan Zhiying made a decision for them, however, as she claimed Xian Yuo for Emei’s prisoner. “Since our new master, Ah Ju, was poisoned by him, I’ll take him to her for a befitting punishment.” She turned to Chu Lianhua who nodded back. For this reason, the three Wu Dang brothers had to give their prisoner up to her. After that, Chu Lianhua and Zhan Zhiying took leaves from the rest and started their trip to their home, Emei Sect with their prisoner in a wooden cage. Mu Zhen did offer to escort them but was turned down politely, so he could only watched the two ladies disappeared into a curtain of white snow.

Huang Jiwen then inquired the three Wu Dang brothers about his martial uncle and his elder brother. De Pang shook his head and said, “I’m not sure, but he could have been at the Love Palace’s headquarters here. Let’s go back there and investigate. I sense that there are many things about Love Palace that we don’t know.”

Consequently, they marched back to Zhang Xinlang’s house and met Tian Fei’s two daughters, Huang Yitao, and Ah Yi. The two Huang brothers greeted each other gladly. Each felt that the other had matured during the time that they were apart. Huang Yitao then learned of his sister-in-law and accordingly congratulated his brother. His eyes were dimmed as he thought of Lu Tingli. Would he ever have had that happy day like his brother at all? He and the two Tian girls have searched for hours and could find no trace of her or Sword God. By now, he doubted that Lu Tingli could possibly be alive. Even someone with martial arts would have difficulty to survive the fall that high, and Lu Tingli was a woman with not even light Kung Fu skill. His face was white from sorrow and tiredness. He had not yet had a rest up till now.

The first thing that the three martial brothers of Wu Dand did was to retrieve Duan Hui’s body. They planned to take his corpse back to Wu Dang for proper burial ceremonial. After another look at the underground passage, all came up to the Xiangyang’s headquarters again.

Tian Xin-er, then, recounted the fights on the mountain to the audience, and Tian Xiang-er informed the rest of her family tragedy. She knitted her brows worriedly, “I hope Mom is all right.” Ah Yi edged closer to her and patted her shoulders in a manner of old just like when he first met her in a young man disguise. She looked at him and smiled gratefully. She clasped her hands on him and spoke softly, “thank you.”

Tian Xin-er grinned and couldn’t help but giggled at their intimacy, and the young couple blushed. Tian Xiang-er tried to glower at her sister but received a wink instead. To cover her embarrassment, she changed the subject.

“What is really odd was the fact that Lu Peng’s body was gone from the stable. I went back there to give him a proper burial, and couldn’t find the corpse. There was no track to be seen, as the fresh snow has covered all the footprints. Hmm, I wonder what happened to him?”

Tian Xin-er stuck her tongue and said, “who cares? I think some mountain beasts probably took him for food. At least, he could be that useful.”

De Pang heaved a sigh upon learning the death of Yue Feng and Lu Peng’s. “Old hatred leaves a long root. Now that both parties are perished, no more debt exists. I will pray for Miss Yue Ling’s quick recovery.” He had heard from Mu Zhen about Yue Ling’s maze skill and her kind personality. “Destiny is not logical or reasonable. Each person’s fate is from his or her past deeds. I am sure that Miss Lu will find what she deserves either in this mortal world or in the heaven.” He turned to console Huang Yitao who nodded. “I believe so too. It’s just that I prefer her with me to any other place.”

Huang Jiwen patted his brother encouragingly. “Don’t despair yet. Martial Uncle has been on a search for his family for almost twenty years, and he succeeded at last. Miss Yue Ling didn’t know martial arts either, yet she survived the fall.” By now, her history was known among the Sword South School’s members. He then turned to De Pang. “Since there was nothing we could do here, I want to go back to the Medicine Forest tomorrow. Martial Uncle could have been there already, and I want to lend him a hand if needed. Besides, I consider Miss Yue Ling as my second mother, so it’s right to be at her side.”

Of course, Tian Xin-er and Tian Xiang-er would go with him too. Huang Yitao hesitated then decided to tag along with his younger brother in order to meet Ruyu. Ah Yi looked at Tian Xiang-er and said that he would love to go with them if nobody would mind. Everyone smiled at that, and the atmosphere became more light-hearted. Next, it was Ah Yi’s turn to recall his duel with Zhang Tin.

“Well, we followed Hero Tian’s instruction and have gone to the Love Palace headquarters in Nanyang. The raid was easy, as most disciples seemed to gather at Xiangyang more. While the three elders of Wu Dang were looking for Miss Chu, I was merely a backup.” Man He interrupted Ah Yi at this point.

“Brother Di is really modest. Without him, we would have had hard time holding against Zhang Tin and his gang.” Ah Yi smiled appreciatively but shook his head. “It was only fate that I happened to meet Zhang Tin coming out from one room half-dressed.” He coughed and blushed, realizing that he was talking in front of two ladies.

“Er, as soon as he saw me, he immediately charged at me with the ‘White Wind’ stance. I countered with the same move with the complement of the Yong Yi Sword. He seemed to be surprised at this new martial art and tried to retreat, but I held him fast with my inner energy. Then, suddenly, black force bore down. Turned out that it came from a very old man with white hair and grayish beard. He wore a black robe. I had to let Zhang Tin go and turned to intercept this stranger instead. This old man was very powerful, and I could only manage to hold myself against him but not defeat him.” He looked at De Pang, who continued the narration.

“Zhang Tin, at that point, was ready to attack young brother here on the back, but I came out from a room and countered him with Buddha Palm series. Although he had a variation of techniques, he still lacked in inner strength department. Nevertheless, he was quite strong. Then, Man He ran out of a room and came forth to assist me. Zhang Tin saw that and yelled to the black robe old man to get him out of here. That old man nodded and with one move, he pulled back his power and grabbed Zhang Tin then soared away in high light Kung Fu speed.”

Ah Yi added, “if not because brother De here received me with his energy, I would have suffered considerable internal damage from that old man when he suddenly broke our web force.” He bowed to De Pang, who complimented back to him on his refined energy.

Tian Xiang-er and Huang Jiwen gaped at each other, and they both exclaimed, “that old man must be Black Devil.” De Pang turned solemn after hearing that. He hummed. “Zhang Tin is still at large. Together with Black Devil, they can cause further harm to the innocence. After we are done with brother Duan’s funeral, I’ll call a hero gathering to deal with this issue. Please advise Hero Tian about this too.” He informed Huang Yitao.

After that, the group took a quick tour around the Love Palace but found nothing else aside the luxury and wealth of the place. As the night approached, everyone agreed to stop overnight there. After a good night rest, the two groups were formed. One headed west to the Medicine Forest, and another headed to Henan, the home of Wu Dang Sect.

In a cave outside Nanyang, Zhang Tin was meditating when Black Devil dropped Lu Peng’s death body in front of him. “I’ve done what you have asked – to bring Lu Peng to you, dead or alive. This is my third task, and I’ve paid my full debt. You are on your own now.” He was about to leave when Zhang Tin uttered, “don’t you want to find Sword God and destroy Sword South School?”

Black Devil (Luo Le Lin) laughed. “Ha-ha, ha-ha. I won’t give up till I get to fight with Sword God, but I can do that on my own. As for other affairs of the martial realm, I have no interest in them. After I’m done with Sword God, I’ll go assassinate the Emperor, which I’m sure that you will be grateful to me for that. However, I like to do things alone and do not need your Manchurian army.” His voice was disdain. Before Zhang Tin could have persuaded him otherwise, he was gone in the white storm.

Zhang Tin sighed then turned to his senior martial brother’s body. He made a search and found what he wanted, the first half of the Book of Four. After that, he took out the other half from his inner shirt and put them together. His laugh was triumphant. “Who cares for the help of old man when I can be the best myself? At last, the Book of Four is mine. Give me a few months, and I will make a comeback. Not even Tian Fei or Wu Dang will be a treat to me then.”

He opened the manual and started to read.
-------------------------
<IMG SRC="smilies/sweating.gif" border="0"> I hope someone is reading this. <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> Thank you... Your comments are always welcomed. <IMG SRC="smilies/catroar.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/twirl.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/wiggle.gif" border="0">

[Athena]

Very exciting! Keep up the good work <IMG SRC="smilies/clap.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/thumbsup.gif" border="0">

[Goofy]

<IMG SRC="smilies/touched.gif" border="0"> thank you Athena for gracing my fanfic. <IMG SRC="smilies/love.gif" border="0">

Part III: Book of Destiny

Chapter 55
The Healing

Lu Tingli was soaring in the air. She felt so light, so free of care. ‘I’m a bird.’ She could have seen an eagle flying so near; its while feathers could have touched her. Smiled, she let herself fall lower and lower. Cold wind cut through her skin, but she felt extra warm. She awaited the death. “Wonder if the heaven will have zither for me to play?” She thought aloud and was surprised to hear a voice answer her.

“You will live to play music on this earth yet, little child, if I can help it.” A hand seized her elbow, and she was carried across the air toward a jutted rock. It was a natural landing in a shape of a triangle. She was placed gently there, and the next minute, the white eagle alit next to her. Lu Tingli looked around curiously and saw an old monk with long, flowing, white beard. “Did you save me?” He nodded kindly.

Lu Tingli cupped her hand and bowed her head. “Thank you, but I might be better off dying than living.” The old monk’s eyes were sharp and wise like a pair of eagle’s eyes, probing into her heart. Despite his age, his voice was clear and compassionate. “Everyone deserves to live, even the like of Zhang Tin and his sons. We are born in a wheel of life: birth, sickness, aging, and finally death. Nobody could escape this wheel as long as one has desire. Let one be void of want, and one will be free from the wheel.” He recited a sutra, and Lu Tingli listened peacefully.

Suddenly, the old monk spoke. “Are you ready to go back up? People on the cliff top must have been worried about you by now.” Lu Tingli lowered her eyes, thinking of her life and suddenly wanted to go away far from everyone. So, she said, “I’d better not. There are many people who were fighting because of me.” She told her story to the monk, who nodded understandingly.

“It’s your choice, so I will respect that. But, we can’t stay here long. Are you ready for another round of flight?” His eyes twinkled delightfully, and he caught her elbow and flew off. He whistled softly, and the eagle soared up the sky, heading toward the west.

The old monk took her to a cave among many on the mountain and brought her some food and water. He then went away and soon came back with a cape and a bundle of blankets. “Get some sleep. It helps process your thought.” He sat cross-legged on the far corner of the cave and meditated. Lu Tingli ate some food, arranged her bedding, and lay down. She soon fell asleep in a dreamless and peaceful nap. When she woke up again, the old monk was still there in the same position, but there was a fire going and more food in front of her. Lu Tingli looked at the serene figure and sighed softly.

At that moment, the old monk brought his hands together in a lotus shape and started his daily prayer. Lu Tingli listened on drowsily and went back to sleep again. The next day, the old monk brought her to a small monastery. “You will be safe here till the time comes for you to make a decision about your life. I’ll come and see you periodically.” He was gone before she could have uttered thank you.

Another wheel of life was moving on.

Tian Fei had been running for a whole day now. He finally had to stop. Fingering Yue Ling’s body, he was relieved that she was still alive though barely. Then, he transferred his energy to her again. “Big Brother would not let you die, Ling-er, you cannot leave me yet.” Tears froze on his cheeks, but he paid no attention to the raging weather around him. He was spent, but he determined to go on. Looking down at his wife’s dead body, he realized that he couldn’t continue with two bodies on his shoulders. So, he gave Yue Feng a burial at that spot. He dug the frozen earth with his bare hands till they bled and erected a plague for her out of a piece of wood. Using his blood, he wrote her name and gave her grave a final bow.

“Yue Feng, forgive me for leaving you here. After I take Ling-er to the Medicine Forest, I’ll come back for you.” He lifted the unconscious Yue Ling and sped forward like wind. The grave stood lonely in middle of a field; it soon was covered with snow. The fierce wind suddenly stopped then started a new melody, a sadder tone as if to lament for a woman who could never hold her love even in her death.

Tian Fei traveled all night long, only stopped long enough now and then to send more energy into Yue Ling’s body in order to keep her alive until their destiny. At the edge of the forest, he sent out a howl, calling for Di Bao. However, Ruyu was the one who came to receive him.

“Ah Bao was busy saving Madam Li.” She informed him and took one look at Yue Ling’s pallid face. “She has been poisoned,” she exclaimed and taking the older woman’s pulse. Then, she was more relaxed.

“Hmm, things are not that bad. She had two types of poisons in her body that actually eliminated each other. The second poison was less lethal than the first one, so it was now gone. However, the remaining one was venom of yellow spider, which was the deadliest of all poisonous spiders. Lucky that we have the ingredients for its antidote.”

She motioned Tian Fei to carry Yue Ling into her cottage. “I will brew a concoction for her. You will have to keep your energy flowing into her since she is very weak and might not be able to cope with the strong medicine.” Then, she walked over to a medicine hut and started making a new antidote.

Another life was yet to be saved.

At Li Renying’s cottage, Di Bao was sweating despite the low temperature. He had been battling against the poisons in Zhan Feiyan’s body for three days in a row and still had a long way to go. When Ruyu entered to inform him about Yue Ling, he looked up at her while his hands were busy moving the acupuncture needles on his patient’s body.

“A yellow spider?” He repeated and told his senior apprentice sister to put needles on Yue Ling’s main channels. “They will help pulling the poison from her bones.” Ruyu nodded and went out to check on her medicine.

Yue Ling had just come to, and Tian Fei cried from gladness. Yue Ling reached out for his hands, and he grasped her smooth, tiny hands. “Ling-er, how do you feel? Wait a minute, and the antidote will be ready.” Tian Fei’s eyes were wet with his tears.

She smelled the air and smiled. “I’m back at the Medicine Forest.” She guessed and uttered, “Lu Peng told me, dragon and phoenix.” She asked Tian Fei how Yue Feng was. “She had a gash on her forehead; it needs to be taken care of immediately for it could be painful.”

Tian Fei’s eyes were misty. His voice shook. “She is fine now. She will have no more pain.”

Yue Ling’s face lit up. She nodded. “I’m glad. Big Brother, don’t forget to search for her child. Dragon and phoenix with the letter ‘Feng’ on the back.” She repeated and closed her eyes. “I’m very tired and cold. Hope Xiang-er and Xin-er are warm enough, and you’d better take care of yourself too.” She started to be delirious, and Tian Fei worriedly piled all blankets over her. He kept watching the door for Ruyu’s coming.

At last, Ruyu appeared with several steaming bowls of medicine. She fed one bowl to her patient carefully and skillfully put silver needles on Yue Ling’s back. Tian Fei was observing her with pounding heart, praying that the healing would be a success one. For several hours, she alternatively fed Yue Ling the herbal concoction and extracted the poison with new acupuncture needles.

At long last, she heaved a sigh and laid Yue Ling on the bed. “This is all I can do for her. We will have to wait for her to wake up. The poison had been brought out through these silver needles.” She showed him black tips on each used needle. Just when Tian Fei started to feel relieved, she added, “however, this type of poison usually has its side effect. I don’t know what might happen to her yet.”

She then left him with Yue Ling and went to report the result to Di Bao, who nodded satisfactorily. “Thank you for doing that, Ruyu.” He looked down at his patient and beckoned her for help. “I’m ready for the most important step. I’m going to put these golden needles on her heart acupuncture points, and Master Li will continually send energy flow into her. I need you to massage her feet to stimulate the inner circulation.”

He stared at Li Renying’s red eyes. “You look pale from lack of sleep.” He hesitated and sighed. “If this part is not so important, I won’t want you to take a risk. If your inner force cannot hold the poison, your life maybe in danger too.” His face was as pale as the other man’s was, and he looked equally tired.

Li Renying had been up with Di Bao, assisting him with energy transferal now and again. Now that the climax moment had come, he found himself so weak and drained. Nevertheless, he took a deep breath, mustered all his strength, and began with his task.

Fifteen minutes passed. Thirty more minutes went by. An hour elapsed. Clock of life was ticking, and the timepiece of death was waiting.

Li Renying suddenly swayed. Beads of sweats were collecting on his forehead. He felt that the essence of poisons was moving through Ah Yan’s opening channels toward his body. However, he didn’t dare to stop. Ah Yan’s life was at stake, and he would rather die in order to let her live. Di Bao glanced nervously at him but could not do anything either. This step would determine whether the patient would live or die. Any glitch in the procedure would result in danger to both Li Renying and his wife.

Right then, Li Renying felt a new surge of energy passed through him. A warm voice said, “concentrate. I’m here to help you.” He recognized that as his teacher’s voice and knew everything would be all right. With new hope, he focused on, and the poisons were eventually directed to the right channels.

Finally, the patient opened her mouth and spat dark color blood. Di Bao signed at Li Renying and Tian Fei to stop and brought out a bowl for his patient. Five minutes later, Zhang Feiyan vomited again. Li Renying was anxious at this development, but Di Bao comforted him.

“That’s fine. She is throwing up the residue of poisons. After she is done with it, let her sleep. She will need a lot of rest to regain her strength. However, I’m afraid that her martial skills are now gone, and her health will remain fragile all her life. Ruyu and I will brew some tonic for her to fortify her health. You stay here with her.” He turned to thank Tian Fei and asked him about Yue Ling. “How is Lulu?”

Tian Fei was surprised to hear the mute man speak again but happily replied that Yue Ling was sleeping at the moment. “I’ve checked her pulse, and it returned to normal. Her color is back, so I came here to see what I could do.” Di Bao nodded and went outside with Ruyu.

Tian Fei then looked at his student’s wife and frowned. “Isn’t she Ah Yan, our maid? I heard from Xin-er that she was a disciple of Love Palace. When did you get married?” He paused and waited for the answer.

Li Renying knelt on the floor and kowtowed three times to his teacher. “Teacher, I failed to fulfill my duty. I am ashamed to be a part of Sword South School.” He reached for his sword, and Tian Fei quickly snatched the weapon away.

“Now, now. I only want to know how you two got together, not to see you commit suicide in front of me. Tell me everything, and I’ll be the judge of that.” Tian Fei soothed his student and pulled him up.

Li Renying got up and recounted everything to Tian Fei then ended with, “As the first student of our school, I should have led everyone to fight against Love Palace, but I chose to be with Ah Yan. Moreover, I married without your permission. Teacher, please punish me.”

Tian Fei waved his hands kindly. “There is no need to be ashamed of loving someone. Although I brought you up strictly, I understand what love is like. Your help is more needed here than outside. Lu Peng is gone, and I’m sure that Zhang Tin won’t pose a problem for Ah Yi and Wu Dang’s heroes.”

He put his hands behind his back and considered the situation. “I don’t mind you marrying on your own, but things will get complicated because your wife was once a Love Palace’s killer. Black Snowbird has killed many members from several orthodox sects, and if her identity as your wife is known to those people, they will never let you two live in peace. I believe you that she has turned her leaf, but not everyone who has lost their loved ones to her can say that easily.”

Li Renying could not deny the factual statement that had secretly been haunting him. He understood then what troubles he could bring to his teacher and Sword South School. “Teacher, I’m an ungrateful student, bringing troubles to our school. Please let me die instead of Ah Yan.” He kowtowed again, and Tian Fei looked at him sympathetically.

“I won’t let either of you die as long as I live. However, I can’t go against those people either. The best way for you right now is to stay here with Di Bao until she is better. Then, we will talk about it again.”

Li Renying could only shed tears in gratitude.

Meanwhile, Di Bao and Ruyu entered their medicine shack and found Tian Xing-xing busily preparing ginseng soup for everyone. Tian Xing-xing looked up and asked the pair about the healing outcome. Di Bao smiled and gave her a nod, and Tian Xing-xing ran out toward Li Renying’s cottage. Ruyu rolled her eyes and chuckled. “I think she is more worried about the husband than the wife.”

Di Bao shook his head but said nothing. He then went about preparing tonic for his patient.

Tian Xing-xing knocked at the door and was told to come in. To her astonishment, she saw Tian Fei. “Father,” she greeted him delightfully before inspecting Li Renying’s white face. “You look so tired. I have made some soup for you and Doctor. I’ll go and get it for you.”

Li Renying thanked her but said that he was not hungry. He glanced at his teacher, and Tian Fei spoke to his goddaughter. “Renying needs a sleep, so we probably should leave now.” He motioned her to follow him out of the cottage.

Tian Xing-xing stole a last look at Li Renying and went outside with Tian Fei.

Tian Fei led his goddaughter to the back garden. Although snow had not yet visited this place, most trees had shed their leaves, preparing for the upcoming cold. He leaned on the orange tree and briefly updated her to the going-on. He then asked her to fill in his gaps on the events in the Medicine Palace.

“Li Renying seemed to sound protective on Jiwen’s matter. Did he get married with anyone from Love Palace? Tell me everything.” His face showed amused, but his tone was commanding. Therefore, she had to narrate to him the weddings that had taken place here.

Tian Fei shook his head after hearing all. “Young people nowadays are so rash. So, Ruyu is Wang Shan’s daughter, eh? And she also is Teacher’s granddaughter, you say? Well, she then is indirectly my martial niece and your senior.” He was accessing the situation. “At least, her father is dead. So, there will be no issue of old feuds here. I’m only worried about Black Devil.” Tian Xiang-er had told him about Ruyu’s kidnapping and Wang Shan’s death earlier, and he realized that Ruyu could be potentially used to lure his teacher out of his reclusion.

His sharp eyes surveyed the thin maiden in front and made note. “You have gone so thin, all bones and no meat. Life outside must have been rough to you. I think you should go back to our house and wait for me there. After Ling-er is stronger, I will take her to Sword South School.” His voice was gentler.

Tian Xing-xing paled. “But, I like it here. Besides,…”

Tian Fei nodded. “I know. You want to be near Renying, but he is now married, and you need to learn to let go. You cannot follow them everywhere without making a fool of yourself. You are a young lady, so you need to maintain your dignity and virtue.” He did not wait for an answer but continued. “As soon as Yitao or Jiwen comes back, I will have one of them escort you to our home. The farther you are from Renying, the easier you will be able to forget him, as someone had said, ‘out of sight, out of mind’.”

His goddaughter did not protest; her eyes were downcast. She did not want to leave Li Renying, but she knew that her godfather was right. She slowly took off to the kitchen to prepare a meal. Sometimes, work could make one forget one’s problems for a while.

Tian Fei remained under the orange tree, reminiscing of his conversation with Yue Feng in Master Yong’s disguise some months ago. He silently uttered a prayer for her. Although he had never loved her, she was lawfully his wife, who had given life to his twin children. He sighed as his memory brought him to the feuds in the past. “Ah Feng, you could have been a happier person without a thought to revenge.”

Tian Fei turned his back on the past and walked on to Yue Ling’s hut to check on her and found Di Bao there. The young doctor was examining his friend’s condition and smiled at the older man. “I just want to make sure that Lulu is all right. So far, the poison is gone. However, there maybe a side effect that we don’t know. Let me know if something is wrong, however small it is.”

He yawned. “I’m going to take a long sleep. You’d better rest too.” His young face was honest and kind. For one moment, Tian Fei felt as if he had looked into Yue Ling’s eyes. He understood then why the two people with different age could be kindred friends to each other. ‘Am I even Ling-er’s friend at all? How much do I understand her? How much she understands me?’ Tian Fei suddenly felt lonely and sad. Those eighteen years that he could have been with her was lost, unable to retrieve. Yue Ling today was a mature woman with a profound knowledge in traps and medicine. She had a clear goal in mind, and she didn’t seem to have a need for ‘Big Brother’ like he.

While this idea ran through his mind, outwardly, he civilly wished the young man a good sleep and sat on a chair to doze off. Some time later, Ruyu woke him up with appetizing aroma of food. She smiled at him shyly and held a cup of tea in front of him.

“This is the tea that Jiwen and I didn’t get to present to you on our wedding day. I hope you won’t mind our impulsive decision. We do really love each other so although my father…” She bit her lips and asked Tian Fei for a pardon.

“My father is very old and feeble. He is also crippled and has been wasted his martial arts. Please give face to my maternal grandparents and my paternal grandfather, who is your teacher, Sword God, and let him live the rest of his life in peace.” She had yet to learn about her father, as no one had a heart to tell her.

Tian Fei accepted the tea and drank it. He then gently informed her of Wang Shan’s death. Ruyu cried out with shock then shed her tears. However, she soon regained her composure and requested a detailed account from the elder man. When she learned that her father tried to use Tian Xiang-er to gain his martial strength, she sighed with remorse.

“I didn’t realize that he had that notion in his head. He shouldn’t have done that. It was wrong.” Her lips trembled. “At least, now I don’t have to worry about his safety anymore.” She took deep breath. “If I had known about my father earlier, I would have gone to fight Zhang Tin and his gang with my own hands to revenge my father. Well, I guess he had paid his sins at the end. I just hope that he will be a better person in the next life.” She dried her eyes and invited Tian Fei to eat. Then, she excused herself and left the cottage.

Tian Fei looked on after his new niece-in-law and grinned with admiration. ‘She is spunky kid and although a little unruly, she can tell right from wrong. Jiwen sure has a work cut out for him.”

Then, he took a look at Yue Ling again before partaking his food. The black spots on her palms had disappeared, and her fever had broken. Even in her sleep, she looked beautiful and pure like an angel. He took out the jade leave that he had been carrying with him all these years and put it in her hand. “It’s all yours now.” He touched her forehead tenderly.

The next morning, Yue Ling woke up and called for her ‘Big Brother’, who hurriedly came to her side. “It’s dark in here, why don’t you light a lamp?” Then, she smelled the air and cocked her ears. She shook her head and blinked. “No, this is the morning. I can feel the warmth of sunlight on my eyelids, and I heard birds singling for worms.” She touched her eyes and reached out in darkness. “I must be blinded.” She concluded half-stunned, half-sad although her voice was composed.

As if feeling Tian Fei’s grief, she quickly changed her tone. “On the other hand, it is probably not that bad. I don’t mind except that I might not be able to communicate with Ah Bao through our eyes any more. But, at least, I can hear flowers blooming more sharply now.”

Tian Fei’s heart broke at her words. He was more shocked than she was at her blindness. He wanted to fetch Di Bao but didn’t dare to leave her alone. In the end, he lifted her and carried her to Di Bao’s cottage. “Ling-er cannot see.” He shakily put her down on the bed, and Di Bao examined his friend. When he was done, he shook his head at Tian Fei, who would have screamed at the cruel fate above had Yue Ling not consoled him.

“I’m still alive, Big Brother. We should be grateful of that.” She then called Di Bao. “Let me touch your face. I want to know how much you have grown.”

Di Bao put her hands on his face and whispered softly to her. “Lulu, I have found my voice now. Even if you cannot see me, we still can talk to each other. There are so many things I want to tell you like Zhan Zhiying…”

He chatted on, and Yue Ling listened to him attentively. She laughed and cried with him. After he was done, she in turn spoke about her family. The two friends from different generations conversed to each other, while Tian Fei watched with a tinge of jealousy. There was a bond between them that he wished to share but didn’t quite know how. After a while, Yue Ling called for Tian Fei to take her back to her hut. There, she brought out her white jade piece.

“Thank you, Big Brother. This is the greatest gift. I’ll save it for our daughter’s wedding.” She smiled happily and yawned sleepily then nodded off in short time. All those while, Tian Fei was by her side, watching over her.

An hour later, Ruyu brought in a tray laden with three bowls. Two of them were food, and another was herbal medicine for Yue Ling, who woke up at the smell of bitter herb. “This is for your eyesight. Your blindness probably is temporary or it maybe permanent. We don’t know, so for now, let’s try to get some strength back to you as soon as possible.” Ruyu said and asked Tian Fei to step outside for she would wash Yue Ling. After that, she called Tian Fei back in and told him to feed the patient. “Plenty of rest is the key.” She repeated and left the cottage.

Tian Fei took the bowl of porridge from the tray and fed Yue Ling gently. She finished half of it before yawning repeatedly. “I think I’m turning into a pig, eating and sleeping.” She laughed at herself before fell asleep again.

Tian Fei dabbed a towel on her mouth tenderly and began his own meal at the table. Later, he returned to his old post, a seat near her bed, and closed his eyes to meditate.

Two days later, his two daughters arrived with the Huang brothers and Ah Yi. Another round of accounts was exchanged, and a big feast was organized to celebrate Huang Jiwen and Li Renying’s marriages and a betrothal between Ah Yi and Tian Xiang-er.

Ah Yi had proposed to her the first night at the Medicine Forest. He explained that now that he remembered all about himself, he wanted to settle down with the woman he loved. Tian Xiang-er had hesitated, still hoping that she could talk him into including Tian Xin-er in this happy occasion.

Ah Yi was adamant, however. He teased her lovingly. “Normally, a wife should be jealous of other women, but you are the one who encourages me to love more than ones.” He rubbed his nose. “I’m a poor man, and I don’t think I can afford both of you. Besides, Xin-er is only a sister to me. How can a brother think of taking his sister as a wife?”

Tian Xiang-er realized that he was making fun of her, and she punched him playfully at the chest. Ah Yi caught her wrist and brought her hand to his lips. His bright eyes said it all, and she brushed under the dark sky. Then, she turned serious and said to him. “Hmm, I would only allow you with Tian Xin-er, not anyone else. Besides, I won’t blame you if you choose her over me. She is my only sister, and I want her to be happy.”

Ah Yi laughed and touched her hair softly. “So, you are not so magnanimous after all.” He showed her a piece of white jade in shape of flower. “Xin-er gave this to me as our early wedding present.” He put the jade in her hand and declared to the heaven that he would forever be faithful to her. “She understood my love to you. She said that she was happy for us. So, you see. She has grown out of her puppy love for me. Let us talk about this issue anymore.” His tone was final, and Tian Xiang-er could not argue otherwise.

They had made a visit to Yue Ling for a blessing and was bestowed the second part of the white jade, the jade leaf. Yue Ling fondly fingered the two jade pieces that now became one and blessed the young couple. “May you be together like this jade. Fulfill each other with love and cherish all memories you have together. Life is short, so make use of it as much as you can.”

Tian Fei had silently observed the two youths and solemnly mentioned to the starlit night. “Seem that nobody wants to know what I think. Hmm, maybe I should keep my daughters as old maids so that they can keep my companies forever.” Tian Xiang-er went crimson, realizing that her father was merely pulling her legs.

Ah Yi became flustered. He immediately knelt in front of Tian Fei and asked for pardon. He was so awkward that Tian Xin-er couldn’t help laughing. She tugged at her father’s sleeves. “Dad, don’t tease them like that. They were as red as tomatoes. If you don’t say yes soon, Ah Yi will burst from nervousness and you will have three old maid daughters for real this time.” She had already made acquaintance with Tian Xing-xing and started calling her ‘first sister’.

Tian Fei smiled at her. “Since Ling-er is already on their side, how can I ever say no?” He gave Ah Yi a lecture. “You will learn that giving in is a virtue of a man.”

Everyone laughed, and bells of happiness rang through their hearts that night.

Tian Xing-xing, in the meantime, was saying farewell to Li Renying, who gazed at her in appreciation. “You have been good friend to Ah Yan and me. I pray that you will meet a good man some day.” The two youths looked at each other; each understood the other’s mind.

Li Renying was concerned about his martial sister. He felt guilty for abandoning her these past weeks. He wanted to be a brother to her, but she didn’t seem to want it. He sighed inwardly and gave her a friendly pat. “I’m not an extraordinary man. My skills are mediocre, and my merits are so little. You are a lovely lady who deserves better man than I am. Our destinies are not written as one. I hope that you can understand that one day.”

Tian Xing-xing forced her tears down inside and smiled brilliantly to him. She wanted him to remember her at her best. Her voice shook a little. “I understand, brother Li. You and Godfather are right. Please say good-bye to my martial sister-in-law too. I’m glad that she is out of danger.” Her heart bled at the last sentence. She imprinted his smiling face and knew that this meeting would be their last one. Tears formed in her eyes, and she quickly went away. Her feet randomly brought her to Tian Xin-er’s cottage. There, she found her new sister crying.

When asked, Tian Xin-er replied that she felt somewhat lonely. She missed her mother and the company of Tian Xiang-er. She admitted that she had not totally forgot Ah Yi yet. “I don’t know if I envy Ah Yi for having my sister or jealous of her for being with him. I sense that they are building their secret world in which I can never be a part of.”

She wiped her eyes angrily and rebuffed herself. “I shouldn’t say that. Xiang-er will be upset if she hears it. After all, I have plenty of things to do and to learn instead of sitting here complaining like an old woman. Besides, I have many friends and a loving family. So, I’m really lucky than many other people. That kind of emotion is destructive to one’s self. It’s true that I used to have a feeling for Ah Yi, but it should be left in the past. I’m working on turning it into sibling love instead. Moreover, I don’t regret turning down a chance to become his second wife because I realize that Ah Yi is made only for Xiang-er.” She seemed to talk to herself, but her eyes were at Tian Xing-xing, sharing with her.

Tian Xing-xing sat down next to Tian Xin-er and looked at her new sister understandingly. Seemed as if she had found someone else who also lacked fortune in love. She sighed. “Xin-er, you are a considerate and magnanimous girl. Pity that I’m not like you. I can never find anything that can substitute my feeling for brother Li, and I can never think of him as my brother. My heart is beyond savable.”

Tian Xin-er blinked her eyes; her own problems were temporarily forgotten. She stroked the other’s hands sympathetically. “I know how you feel. Please feel free to talk to me any time. It’s good to let loose your inner emotions once in a while so that they won’t damage your health.” She smiled warmly at her new sister and changed the subject. “I think we’ll get along fine. I am honor to share a father with you, sister Xing-xing.” Her cheerful expression returned, and soon, she conversed with Tian Xing-xing as if they had known each other since childhood.

His daughters’ matters were now taken care of, and Tian Fei shifted his attention to the Huang brothers. First, he talked to Huang Jiwen about his marriage with Ruyu. He gave the youth a light lecture and added, “Although your wife is Teacher’s granddaughter, she has grown up with little disciplines. Her intention might be good, but her action could be somewhat unconventional. I want you to beware on that and try to lead her into the right path. Renying chose to forfeit his position in Sword South School for Ah Yan, so you two brothers have to continue your godfather’s deeds in upholding the name of our school.” *** I didn't realize that I didn't post the whole chapter but seem nobody is reading it anyway. **** <IMG SRC="smilies/catroar.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/catroar.gif" border="0">

Huang Jiwen looked down with shame. His quarrel with Ruyu earlier that evening was heard by everyone. He was mad at her for tricking him to use the underhand tactic. Conversely, she was upset because he would not appreciate her help. For her, the ends justified the means. As long as the villain died, who cared how? Tian Fei had succeeded in breaking up the bitter argument between the two. He had led Huang Jiwen to the back garden, while Yue Ling and her daughters were calming Ruyu.

Yue Ling at that moment was soothing the fiery young woman. She understood the temperament of this senior apprentice of hers very well and wisely refrained from an unpleasant talk. Instead, she talked about the Sword South School that she had heard from Tian Fei and the near future trip to the south.

Ruyu got more interesting and finally forgot her anger. When Huang Jiwen returned, he was surprised to find a good-humored wife again. The couple soon made up due to power of their love. Ruyu ended up promised to be straightforward, and Huang Jiwen pledged to be more flexible.

For the present, everyone was joyful. Laughter rang through the forest, waking up small creatures in hibernation. Love was in the air, and friendship was mutual. However, destiny would not let roots grow under its feet for long. The wheel of life slowly turned, and each person’s fate still awaited him or her.
--------------------------
thank you. <IMG SRC="smilies/bang.gif" border="0">

[ July 10, 2002: Message edited by: Goofy ]

[Goofy]

please leave comments on this chapter. I am doing a lot of rambling but hope it is convincing enough. <IMG SRC="smilies/redface.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/blush.gif" border="0">
Part III: Book of Destiny

Chapter 56
New Technique, New Disciple

For the next task, Tian Fei spoke to Huang Yitao about Lu Tingli. By now, either of them had given up hope of her survival. Tian Fei privately mourned for this young woman as if he had lost his own child. Although he had realized by now that Lu Tingli could not possibly be the other twin, he still regarded her as a part of his family. The short time that she traveled with him showed her sweet character and gentleness that impressed him until today.

Upon hearing from Yue Ling that his twin children should have a letter ‘Feng’ tattooed on their backs, he asked Tian Xiang-er to examine Tian Xin-er’s back to validate Lu Peng’s deathbed statement. Turned out that Lu Peng did tell the truth. Therefore, he concluded that the ‘dragon-phoenix’ part must also be true.

Dragon and phoenix in a pair of twin signified two genders, dragon for male and phoenix for female. Tian Xin-er, the phoenix, was found, but where could his dragon child be?

Tian Fei sighed. Huang Yitao’s tragedy reminded him of his own story eighteen years ago. He knew what the youth must have gone through and tried his best to encourage the other to live on. “We have yet Zhang Tin to vanquish, so for now, let’s focus on our duties. As such, duty should come before love.” His words were brief, but they stirred the heroic side of the young man.

Tian Fei then leaped up and gracefully performed the Maiden Sword. “I would practice this sword set whenever I feel depressed. This sword series is adapted from dance steps of a small tribe by my teacher. He created this technique for his wife. When I was a boy, Teacher used to talk to me about her. He loved her very much, and he said that he felt that she was with him whenever he performed this sword set. I usually imagine my wife and Ling-er in the moves, one dancing and one singing. Training in martial arts is the best way to shed away the sorrow.”

The grief-struck Huang Yitao watched his martial uncle’s elegant moves with admiration. The stances had soothing effect on him, and he became calmer and sober. After Tian Fei had left, he was lost in deep thought. Then, suddenly, he stood up and started executing a series of assorted moves; all of them represented Lu Tingli’s graceful movements. Although these stances lacked force, they made up with speed. The more new moves Huang Yitao came up with, the faster speed he achieved, the more skillful the sword wielded, the less anguish his heart felt. He had learned to release his pain with a productive method at last. All night, he practiced, and as he finished the last stance of this new sword skill, he was astounded to find that it was already morning. Out of the blue, he heard clapping. Turning around, he caught sight of Tian Xiang-er and Ah Yi who had been watching him for a while.

“A beautiful dance, first brother Huang. What is its name?” Tian Xiang-er praised, and Ah Yi agreed. “These stances reminded me of a young maiden moving about in a flower field.”

Huang Yitao grinned modestly then uttered the name of his new Kung Fu, “White Jasmine Sword”. He then invited them to join him in morning exercise. “This is my tribute to Lu Tingli. Practically, it may not be of use, but it helps easing my sorrow. I know that you two have invented the Yong Yi Sword from the Maiden Sword and Butterfly Sword’s styles, so how about testing it with this new technique of mine? I’m sure that ‘White Jasmine Sword’ is no less prettier than your moves although I can’t boast about its power.”

The betrothed couple happily accepted the challenge. Ah Yi then said with a grin. “Since this is a friendly duel, let us refrain from using inner force and concentrate on displaying our techniques alone. Besides, Xiang-er was still on recovery from the other day’s encounter with Zhang Xinlang. She shouldn’t be using a lot of energy anyway.”

Huang Yitao laughed knowingly. “You are just being so kind since you realize that I cannot match either of your inner strength.” He nodded. “So be it.”

Tian Xiang-er was pleased at Ah Yi’s consideration. She smiled dazzlingly at him and turned to Huang Yitao. “Well, we are merely exchanging our styles. But, why restrict only the Yong Yi Sword? I think my saber dance is no less worse. Ah Yi can do the Yong Yi Sword, and I’ll do the saber dance.” She laughed merrily and picked up two wood sticks for Ah Yi and her to use as weapons. Huang Yitao then abandoned his steel blade and used a long tree branch as his sword. The three then began a friendly contest of sword and saber techniques.

At that point, Tian Xin-er appeared and called out in bell-like voice.

“You two are bullying brother Huang, so let me help him.” She blended in the group with enchanting Butterfly Sword. Like butterflies flitting in and out of fragrant flowers, her twig sword swiftly cut through the formation of the saber dance. Ah Yi then countered her with his Yong Yi Sword, a combination of fast and powerful, slow and flexible technique. He observed that Tian Xin-er’s Butterfly Sword was more intricate than his and able to defeat his Butterfly Sword counterpart. So, he shifted his moves and concentrated more on displaying the Maiden Sword part.

Turned out that was in Tian Xin-er’s mind, as she executed several variations; each aimed to bring down Ah Yi’s Maiden Sword. Tian Xiang-er then thrust her twig in the middle with a saber stance, ‘Tiger Leaping Prey’. Huang Yitao then parried her with his White Jasmine move, ‘Sunflowers Greeting the Sunshine’.

The White Jasmine Sword was a series of moves that were based on his martial skills and the impression from watching Tian Fei’s Maiden Sword display. In style, the stances were not as graceful or as beautiful as the Maiden Sword or the Butterfly Sword. However, they were powerful in themselves since his basis in sword arts taught by Liu Tong mainly stressed on internal strength leading the sword, whereas Tian Fei’s sword style focus more on technique before the inner force. When Huang Yitao created this technique, his mind dwelled on the stances, not the practical usage. However, from old habits, he couldn’t help incorporated his strongest style such as ‘Eagle’ or ‘Tiger’ series into this elegant technique. The outcome, therefore, was a strong, fast, and refined sword serial. Unlike his other sword arts, this White Jasmine technique did not require inner energy as its lead, yet it generated the power along the way. In other word, the longer this style was executed, the more forceful it became.

Conversely, the Maiden Sword and the Butterfly Sword did not require inner strength as their bases but focus more on speed and formation. These two techniques had more or less the same principles on surprising the opponents with gracefulness elements and redirecting the opponents’ force against themselves. While the Maiden Sword was straightforward, the Butterfly Sword was complex in moves. If both styles encountered each other, the practitioner with better command of form should be at advantage.

Although Tian Xin-er’s Butterflies Sword was perfect, Ah Yi’s Maiden Sword was equally excellent. Each variation the former displayed was more complicated than the before stance, and the latter countered with a simple but precise move. Complexity vied with simplicity. Slow then fast, furious at close stab countered harmless-like dance steps with hidden power. When Tian Xin-er tricked Ah Yi into protecting his body vital points before attacking her real target, he only had to shift a move and redirected her strike toward herself. On the same token, she could execute a swift stance that absorbed his coming thrust. Both wove in and out each other’s sword web, graceful like a bird, elegance as sunlight, and formidable as the sky.

Meanwhile, Tian Xiang-er resorted to the more difficult saber stances from the leather scroll Di Bao had given her. Huang Yitao started to have the difficulty keeping up with her. Nevertheless, her saber technique was only effective when used with high inner energy whereas his sword style allowed him to generate power when needed. The saber steps were uncomplicated yet numerous in moves. At first, Tian Xiang-er seemed to gain upper hand with her decisive chops. However, due to lack of inner strength component, her strikes became weaker whereas Huang Yitao’s White Jasmine Sword was strengthened as time passed. Then again, his sword style still had enough visible flaws that enabled her to counter to her advantages. Strength against strength, muscle against muscle, they were like dragons fighting above the raging seas.

Just then, Huang Yitao’s twig came forth, touching Tian Xiang-er’s shoulder. With the protection of her armor vest, his twig snapped in two. His hand felt numb, and he had to jump back to avoid the following strike from her. Without thinking, he clawed out his other hand in a stance ‘Eagle Claws Swooping Prey’ and met with the coming wooden weapon. Tian Xiang-er’s twig shattered from this unexpected force, and she had to somersault back to avoid the hit from his palm. Instinctively, her hands came up, and her energy went forward to counter his Eagle Palm. At that second, Huang Yitao would have been hurt severely if Tian Fei had not leaped in front of him and received the strike with his White Wind stance. Realizing that the situation was getting out of hand, Tian Xiang-er immediately retracted her force, while Tian Fei gradually pulled back his own energy. Then, he looked questioningly at the four youngsters.

“What are you doing? Trying to kill one another?” He boomed, looking from the flushing Tian Xiang-er to the white face Huang Yitao then rested his eyes on Tian Xin-er and Ah Yi who had the tips on their twigs on each other’s throat. The last two youths instantly dropped their weapons and stared sheepishly at the elder.

Tian Fei frowned. He grunted and admonished his eldest daughter. “Xiang-er, you have enormous amount of energy, but you need to learn how to control it and balance it well with your skills.”

Then, he turned to his other daughter and inquired her the source of her Emei skills. “I have noticed the other day that you used Xun Ci Shi Tai’s ‘the Net of No Way Out’ against Lu Peng. How did you learn that skill and this Butterfly Sword?” His tone was severe. To learn the other sect’s highest skill without permission from its owner was considered a crime among orthodox martial groups.

Tian Xin-er, however, was ignorant of her father’s mood, replied innocently. “I studied them from the Book of Four that Xun Ci Shi Tai had given me. I have read both this book and Xiang-er’s maze diary some time ago. Then, when Xiang-er started to teach me some martial arts, I remember the skills in that book and secretly practiced them to improve my Kung Fu. I seem to do very well with them too.” She said proudly and was surprised when she heard an angry moan from her father.

Tian Fei sternly scolded his younger daughter. “Since your energy is directly from the old priestess, it is naturally that you could accomplish her highest skill in short time. However, you are wrong to do that. The Book of Four is a treasured manuscript belonged solely to Emei Sect. Only the heir of Emei is able to practice the skills from that book. Moreover, you have failed to deliver the Book of Four to Miss Ah Ju and let it fall in the hands of Zhang Tin’s. Now that the manual is lost, and you happen to master the skills in it, if Emei accuses us of keeping it for our own use, we would not have face to stay in the martial realm.”

Tian Xin-er hung her head with shame, and Ah Yi came to her rescue. “Xin-er doesn’t know the rules of the martial arts world; therefore, she did everything out of curiosity – not mean to hurt anyone’s reputation. Besides, the Butterfly Sword is also a high art of Emei. Yet, Grandpa taught me that skill. Therefore, I should be blamed for learning other sect’s Kung Fu too.”

Tian Fei sighed. “Your situation is not the same as Xin-er’s here. It is true that the Butterfly Sword is Emei’s skill, but Sword God, my teacher, helped develop that skill for Xun Ci Shi Tai many years ago. Although Xun Ci Shi Tai would not use the skill herself, she still taught it to her disciples since its basis is heavily from Emei’s arts. Moreover, she enhanced the skill into another level with more variations like what Xin-er displayed. Teacher did mention once that her purpose was to defeat his Maiden Sword with her new Butterfly Sword. The outcome is still uncertain since he forbids us to ever duel with the Emei’s disciples. The Butterfly Sword that he taught Ah Yi contained only the part that he knew originally, not the latter part. In addition, you are not strictly his disciple and do not belong to any group; therefore, you are free to pick up any martial skills on hands.

The same could not be said for Xin-er, however. Not only she was a part of Sword South School now, but she was also with Xun Ci Shi Tai at her deathbed. She had the Book of Four with her at one time, and she lost it to the evil sect. We have not yet explained the cause to Miss Ah Ju, and now we have to account for Xin-er’s new skills. Emei never has good relation with us to begin with, so if they know of her exploit of the Book of Four, it would be a good excuse to ridicule us in front of others. Then, even if we deny that she unintentionally learned the book, nobody would believe us. Sword South School would be looked down as a school with not enough Kung Fu of its own that has to resort to stealing the other’s skills.”

However, Tian Xiang-er was optimistic. “But the old priestess is dead, and Miss Ah Ju is now a new master of Emei. She is a good friend with Mom and a kind lady. She will understand and believe our story. As for the Book of Four, it couldn’t be helped. Xin-er had to protect herself there. I’m sure that Miss Ah Ju is reasonable enough to listen to us. Otherwise, she would have asked us about the book long time ago.”

Tian Fei smiled at her argument. “Yes, Emei has a new master now, who is more friendly than the former one was. However, she has a duty as Emei master to uphold the integrity of the sect regardless of her personal life. She has been giving us face on the lost of the book so far because of her relationship with Ling-er and her illness, but I doubt if she will tolerate an outsider learning Emei’s forbidden Kung Fu.”

He turned to the tear-brimmed Tian Xin-er and was kinder. “Actually, I’m equally to be blamed. I have never instructed you about the right etiquette aside from giving tips about martial arts. Also, the skills in the Book of Four were companion of the Emei’s inner strength. Since you have Xun Ci Shi Tai’s decades of energy, naturally you are attracted by those techniques like bees to flowers. Even if I forbid you to ever use these skills, it would be hard to guarantee the success.” He heaved a heavy sigh and motioned to his younger daughter.

“We need to go to Emei to explain everything and accept the punishment from the new master of Emei. If she deems that your skills have to be destroyed, then so be it.” To everyone’s horror, he caught Tian Xin-er’s shoulders and flew away.

Tian Xiang-er was about to leap after him, but Huang Yitao called out. “No use. We should talk to Miss Yue Ling first.” He knew well of his martial uncle’s strictness.

Ah Yi nodded in agreement. “Yes, that’s right. Your mother is the only one who can smooth out this mess. Miss Ah Ju is her good friend, and your father only listens to her.”

Tian Xiang-er could smile a little. “Good idea. I’ll take her to Emei right away.” She immediately went to see her mother, asking for help.

In no time, she went off with her blind mother on her back. Ah Yi offered to go with her, but she turned him down. “It is probably more convenient for us girls to be at Emei. Don’t worry. If Xin-er’s Kung Fu is to be wasted, then I will abandon mine too.”

Huang Yitao shook his head remorsefully at the turn of an event. “It is really my fault to propose this duel. I won’t keep my Kung Fu either if anything happens to her.” He announced and went about preparing for a trip to the Sword South School. He was told by Tian Fei to be Tian Xing-xing’s escort. After this incident, he didn’t dare to dilly-dally any longer. Soon, he and Tian Xing-xing departed.

The news soon reached Di Bao’s ears, and he lamented at his friend’s misfortunes. These last few days, he had felt the ill omen coming. He sensed that a part of his soul was lost. Therefore, when he learned of the incident, he couldn’t help worrying about Tian Xin-er.

To add to the problem, Zhan Feiyan’s condition suddenly worsened. Seemed as if a new poison had emerged from her body. Even Di Bao was at a lost in defining the poison. Ruyu, on the other hand, understood the cause at one glance. Nevertheless, she made a careful examination before announced to everyone that the patient was inflicted with poison derived from Black Orchid Juice.

“The old devil Zhang Tin is very vicious. He planted this poison in her to as a last resort. It has been dormant all these years because she has more fatal poisons in her body to subdue it. However, now that all other poisons are rid of, it gradually comes out. The only good thing is that the toxin works very slowly and only comes to its full potential after a certain period of years. At least its victim can live a pretty normal life if she can endure the initiation stage. Accordingly, Ah Yan will be suffering the most these next seven days. After this period, she will live up to five years at the most. Then, the poison will reach its highest stage, which only means that she will die within three days. I don’t know if there is any cure for it.” She concluded, looking at the patient with sympathy.

Li Renying was frantic. His heart was shattered at this happening. He had begun to feel happy, but the destiny seemed to want to curse him instead of blessing him. He begged Ruyu and Di Bao for help although he realized from their looks that this task was beyond them. He shook his fists at heaven angrily and sobbingly hugged his wife, who had gone unconscious from the intolerable pain.

Gravely, Di Bao and Ruyu filed out of the cottage. Di Bao’s heart was heavy for he felt that he failed in his healing duty. For once, Ruyu was somber. Without further ado, she headed to her grandmother’s cottage, hoping to find more clues on this specific poison somewhere there.

At that point, Ah Yi approached his brother. “Ah Bao, I know that you are busy and all, but I would like you to accompany me to visit our parents’ graves. I want to pay respect to them and rebuild their graves if necessary. Maybe a change of air will do you good. It might bring you a new idea.”

Di Bao considered awhile and went inside his cottage to fetch an all-purpose antidote. He gave it to Li Renying and promised the anxious husband that he would be back in a week with some solution. “Give this drug to her when she wakes up. It will help easing her pain at this first stage. Continue giving her ginseng soups to fortify her strength, and we’ll see what we can do next. Ruyu will take care of the patient for me since she knows a lot already about this specific venom.”

He left a note for Ruyu and left with Ah Yi in the direction of the north.

Meanwhile, Tian Xin-er and her father came to stop in front of Yue Feng’s grave. Tian Fei paid respect to the death and announced to his wife. “Ah Feng, I’m back as promised. I brought Xin-er to see you too today. Ling-er told me about our son, and I promise you that I will keep looking for him till my last breath.”

He waited till his daughter made a bow then suggested to her that they cremated the corpse and brought the ash along with them. “Whatever will happen at Emei, I want you to know that I love you and always wish you the best. I swear in front of your mother’s grave that I will not let anyone mistreats you.”

He gave her a brief hug, and together, they dug the frozen ground to retrieve the dead body for a cremation. When that was done, he gathered the ash in a piece of cloth and asked his daughter if she was ready to face the justice.

Tian Xin-er took a deep breath and nodded. “Whatever will happens, I’ll take the full responsibility for my actions. I’m ashamed to cause you the problem so, Dad.” She apologized to her father, who lovingly stroked her hair.

“Don’t mention about it. You didn’t mean to in the first place. As Xiang-er said, things might not be that bad.” He looked at his daughter and asked quietly. “Are you angry at me? I know I am a stern father to you at times, but I always wish you the best.”

Tian Xin-er shook her head. She felt empty inside for she realized how disappointed her father must have felt. ‘He is always afraid that I would turn vicious like Mom, so he was stricter toward me than he was to Xiang-er. I tried to practice new martial arts to show to him my worth, but the method backfired on me. Now, I only succeeded to shame him and his school. I really deserved to die ten times, a hundred times.’

Outwardly, she comforted her father and was the one who led him on the trail to Emei, to her uncertain futere. With their light Kung Fu, they arrived at the sect in two days. There, they found Tian Xiang-er was waiting there with Yue Ling. Tian Fei raised his eyebrows at the sight of his family but said nothing as it would sound inappropriate. He only admonished his eldest daughter with a fierce glance. Tian Xin-er was the one who was surprised at her sister’s brevity. She immediately whispered to Tian Xiang-er. “You shouldn’t do this. I know I did wrong, and I am willing to pay for the consequences. You are angering Dad with no reasons. Also, second mother is not well enough for travel. If anything happens to her because of me, I won’t know how to redeem myself.” The two sisters had agreed that each would consider the other’s mother as their second parent.

Yue Ling heard that. Her hearing ability had increased greatly since her blindness. “I chose to come here myself, Xin-er. After all, I am here to visit my friend.” She smiled confidently at Yue Feng’s daughter. “I feel in my bones that everything will work out fine.”

At that moment, Zhan Zhiying came out and escorted the guests inside. Although most places were still in ruins, the main building had been repaired as temporary shelter for the small number of the disciples. In the Great Hall, Ah Ju who was now Zhong Xi Shi Tai (Idy Chan Yuk Lin) was waiting to greet them.

After the formal pleasantries, Tian Fei related to the new Emei master his purpose of visiting. Then, he ended with polite apology. “I brought my daughter here to hear your punishment. She is an ignorant girl and didn’t know better. But, she is now sorry and wishes to atone for her crimes.”

Zhong Xi Shi Tai smiled gently at Tian Xin-er and asked her to recount the details of her meeting with Xun Ci Shi Tai, the former master of Emei. After the young woman was done, Zhong Xi Shi Tai nodded thoughtfully.

“Hmm, seem that our destinies are forever intertwined. I have yet to thank you for helping me with the purging of poison at the barn and keeping Master’s ring and letter for me. As for the Book of Four, although I regret its lost, I can hardly blame you on that.”

Tian Xin-er flushed with shame. She murmured apologetically. “Please don’t mention it. Xiang-er and I almost killed you with our rudiment skill of healing, and you are graceful enough to thank us. Besides, the lost of the Book of Four is due totally from my arrogance and stupidity. I could have given it to Di Bao along with the other items, but I want to keep it to trick the old Wang Shan. If I had known that he had allied himself with the Love Palace, I wouldn’t have dared thinking of hoodwinking the old man.”

She had caught on the greedy look and odd questions that Wang Shan had given her. So, she concocted a plan to trick him, thinking that he was a disable who could do her no harm. This was the biggest mistake in her life, and she still felt guilty at the thought. She took out a booklet and presented it to the master of Emei. “Since I have read the book several times, I remember all the details quite well. So, I wrote the new one for you. I hope it’s all right.”

Zhong Xi Shi Tai exclaimed and received the new Book of Four from the girl. Then, she turned to Tian Fei. “Seem that her curiosity rewarded her well this time. How could I punish her for reading the Book of Four then?”

Tian Fei let his breath out with relief. “How about her learning the skills in the book though?”

Zhong Xi Shi Tai pondered and finally spoke. “There is really no way to go around it. The Book of Four is limited to only Emei’s disciples and the heir of Saber Lord and Sword God. The young man Di Yi is the only outsider that is probably allowed to learn the techniques in there.” She showed Tian Fei a letter from Sword God. “Master used to say that this book was an original work from Saber Lord and Sword God. Therefore, their heir should be entitled for that privilege, which in this case is the said young man. Although you indirectly connected to Sword God and Saber Lord, you are not qualified as an heir.” She regarded the other kindly.

“However, since you already have my master’s inner power and knew our Emei’s martial arts, it is fate that you will become our disciple. That way, we can kill birds with two stones. You wouldn’t get punished, and I will gain an able disciple.” She smiled pleasantly at her solution and turned to consult with Tian Fei.

“Would you allow your daughter to be my first disciple?”

Tian Fei bowed low to her and thanked her with heartfelt for her suggestion. “My unruly daughter is unworthy of your thought. I’m very honored indeed.” He poked his younger daughter. “Why aren’t you paying respect to your master yet?” He was glad for her fortunes.

Tian Xin-er smiled for the first time in two days. She kneeled down and called the priestess, “Master”. Then, she paid obedience to Zhan Zhiying and Chu Lianhua. “Master Aunt.”

Zhan Zhiying smiled at the young woman. She stepped forward and congratulated her senior martial sister. “The new disciple is worth ten of us. Her inner strength already supersedes ours.”

Chu Lianhua welcomed the new member warmly. “No need to be too formal. In private, you can call us our real names since we are about the same age.”

Zhong Xi Shi Tai nodded approvingly at the three young women. “Xin-er, now that you are my disciple, I want you to stay here to learn the basic of our Emei’s skills. You have a good foundation with high energy, so I’m sure that it won’t take you long to master everything.”

Tian Xin-er’s face fell. She then realized that she would not meet Ah Yi again for some time. She began to embrace her family when her father stepped forward to ask a favor from the Emei master.

“May I have an hour alone with my youngest daughter?” Zhong Xi Shi Tai nodded, and Tian Fei led Tian Xin-er out of the Great Hall.

Inside the hall, Zhong Xi Shi Tai left her priestess manner and went to greet her old friend. “I am sorry for your eyes.” She murmured. “I will pray for your discovery.”

Yue Ling clasped the other’s hands. “Thank you for what you did for Xin-er. My blindness is only a small matter, no need to pay attention to. As long as my family is happy, I’m happy with them. How about you?” She spoke softly, and the priestess sighed.

“This is my destiny, and I’m contented with it.” She replied simply then turned to Zhan Zhiying and ordered her to return to the Medicine Forest. “I want you to give this Book of Four to the boy named Di Yi. I heard that he lives there with his brother, Di Bao.” She intentionally opened a chance for her junior martial sister to meet her heart desire and received the thankful smile from Zhan Zhiying.

Chu Lianhua started to tease her blushing junior martial sister, and Tian Xiang-er joined her force. Zhong Xi Shi Tai looked on and knew that she had done the right thing.

Outside on the white ground, Tian Fei was teaching his daughter his special technique, ‘Heavenly Fingers’. “I taught this skill to your mother, who taught it to Xiang-er. I want you to learn this technique for it will come handy in the future. Study hard and come visit us soon.” He approvingly praised her for her aptitude in learning. “You have natural talent. You will go far.”

The father and the daughter then said farewells to each other, and Tian Fei went inside to collect his family. He turned down the invitation to stay overnight courteously. “Ling-er shouldn’t be out of the forest during her delicate period. Seem that I have two wayward children instead of one.” He joked, and Yue Ling instantly protested that she felt well enough, while Tian Xiang-er looked down on the floor with hot face. She was indeed too hasty in bringing her mother here without Di Bao’s permission.

After a few chats, the guests left. Only Tian Xin-er, a new disciple of Emei, remained. She saw them to the foot of Emei Mountain. “Goodbye.” She waved to them cheerfully.
-------------------------
thank you for reading this nonsense. <IMG SRC="smilies/twirl.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/grouphug.gif" border="0">

[ July 10, 2002: Message edited by: Goofy ]

[Goofy]

Wow, am I discouraging people from reading b/c of the long chapters??? <IMG SRC="smilies/sweating.gif" border="0">

I really didn't mean to. The pages just added up themselves miracurously. <IMG SRC="smilies/tongue.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/twirl.gif" border="0">

If you read it, please leave some comments. Anyway, the story should end soon. (whew...)

Part III: Book of Destiny

Chapter 57
The Discovery

With more leisure pace, the Tian family and Zhan Zhiying traveled to the Medicine Forest. Tian Fei insisted on getting a comfortable carriage for Yue Ling, while he and others got themselves some horses. He was still displeased with his eldest daughter for causing her mother to be out in this harsh weather but wisely refrained from scolding her since she had been repentant. Luckily, the sun had come out for the most part of journey, and the temperature was mild. The trip was uneventful, and Yue Ling was no worse than before.

Ironically, Tian Fei became the one who was in trouble with his gentle sister-in-law. Accidentally, she had found a jar contained Yue Fei’s ashes and immediately inquired her brother-in-law about it. Reluctantly, Tian Fei had to notify her the belated truth and received a mournful reproach from her. Tian Fei’s heart wrenched at every word from her mouth and realized how selfish he had been. At first, he only meant to protect Yue Ling from the shock of her elder sister’s death, but later he merely wanted to keep her in ignorance so that she would stay with him forever as his beloved sister-in-law.

His love for Yue Ling was deep and mature. It was no longer based on the physical attraction or concerned on the actual relationship between husband and wife. Although she had made clear to him that she could only treat him as her ‘big brother’, he still hoped that she would grow old with him, sharing with him the future of their children and their families. However, ever since he had witnessed the friendship between her and Di Bao, he had been afraid that she would decide to remain in the Medicine Forest all her life, devoting herself to the medicinal field. Now that Tian Xiang-er was engaged and would soon marry and Tian Xin-er became a disciple of Emei, he felt empty and lonely. After almost twenty years depriving of a family, how could he live on without his ‘Ling-er’ by his side? How would he go about searching for his lost son without her support? And how could he stand not seeing her for a day, two days, or forever? Tian Fei sighed, realizing that he had been as finicky as old women. Love sometimes could blind a person more than the actual loss of sight. He humbly admitted his fault and begged Yue Ling for forgiveness.

Tian Xiang-er came to her father’s rescue, however. “Mom, don’t be hard on Dad. He just didn’t want to worry you during your illness. I’m sure he will tell you all at the right time. If you are angry at him for not letting you know about second mother’s death, then I and Xin-er should be blamed too. We didn’t want to make you sad for fear of your health.” She didn’t mention that Tian Fei was the one who asked his daughters not to inform Yue Ling about Yue Fei’s death.

Tian Fei flushed with shame. His face was crimson. “This has nothing to do with our daughters. I told them not to say anything because I was afraid that you would feel no obligation to be with me. I know that you try to put distance between us because of what happened in the past. You even refused to have Xiang-er call you ‘Mother’ at first because you didn’t want people to have wrong ideas about us. Moreover, you always talked about your healing career and the peaceful life in the Medicine Forest. Ling-er, I love you with all my heart and was ready to fulfill every wish of yours, but I am also a weak human that yearned to keep his loved one with him as long as possible. I had yielded to an evil temptation and regretted it. I’m very selfish and ashamed to be called a hero. I shouldn’t even be called a man.”

Yue Ling’s heart melted at his harsh reprove to himself. She instantly reached for his hands. “I’m not mad at you, Big Brother. I was upset because sister Feng would never get to see her other child now. I am sad for her.” Her voice was warm, bringing comfort to everyone’s heart.

“I understand what you are going through, Big Brother. I have had a talk with Di Bao earlier, and I decide to go to the Sword South School with you and Xiang-er as soon as the winter ends. Even if I will never be your wife, our spirits will always be together – as close as I and Di Bao or I and Xiang-er, Xin-er. Can you live with that, Big Brother?” She asked softly.

Tian Fei caught his breath. He was glad that she would not leave him. “Of course, I can. I would rather have you with me as a sister than not having you at all.”

Tian Xiang-er smiled with relieved. She was afraid for one second that her mother would really leave her father heartbroken. She laughed and changed a subject to a speculation on the whereabouts of her unknown sibling.

“Hmm, I wonder where he is right now or what he looks like?” She imagined a man with her face and giggled. “Will he be cheerful like Xin-er or serious like me?”

“I believe that we will find him in time. Fate has brought all of us together, and I’m sure that his destiny will cross our path soon.” Yue Ling smiled at her daughter’s reverie.

Zhan Zhiying at that point was riding ahead. She was anxious to meet Di Bao again. She lifted one hand to her left cheek and sighed. How she wished to have a face half as pretty as that of Tian Xiang-er’s! She pondered that Di Bao did deserve a prettier woman. Thus, she promised to herself to prove herself a worthy wife for him to compensate for her look. Then, she sighed. The lane of love had not only sweet petals of roses, but it was also full of thorns. Aside from her look, there was a matter of Di Bao’s parents.

Di An, Di Bao’s father, was once a disciple of Evil Sword Wang Shan’s. According to Xun Ci Shi Tai, he had seduced Ah Mei, the second disciple of Emei, to betray her master and renounce the righteous world. Although Di Bao had proved to her otherwise of his parents’ goodness, Zhan Zhiying still hesitated to bring up Di Bao’s marriage proposal to her seniors.

However that Ah Ju, now the new master of Emei, had supported the friendship between her junior martial sister and the healer of the Medicine Forest, it was plain that she was at a doubt herself whether to disobey the former leader’s words on this matter or to forego the convention. The new priestess did mention as much to Zhan Zhiying concerning this issue.

“I’m very grateful to Doctor Di for saving my life, and I believe him to be a good man. However, Master had forbidden us to consort with Wang Shan’s disciples, and I dare not go against her wish. Moreover, we are still reestablishing the new Emei and need supports from other orthodox sects. From what Hero Mu said, Wu Dang, especially the second brother, Duan Hui, rather disapproves of such relationship. Our position at this point is rather precarious.” Zhong Xi Shi Tai sighed.

“Originally, I thought that things would work out all right if only I become a priestess. However, even I have to submit under the ancestral rules. For my part, I am confident that Hero Mu is open-minded enough to overlook the past, but I’m not sure of others. Since the incident of Gu Xiaofei and Xian Yuo, and lastly the death of Hero Duan, I am not certain where Emei stands with Wu Dang. The first hero De Pang has given us a lot of face by not mentioning these unfortunate events. However, I suspect that he is looking down on us as weak females, who naively fall for Love Palace’s men at first sight. It’s rather humiliated and unfortunate that we cannot argue otherwise. Good thing that sister Chu came back safely. Otherwise, Master would have not be able to rest peacefully in heaven.”

The priestess continued, knitting her eyebrows. “The only way for you to be with him is to leave Emei Sect. That way, nobody could connect you with Emei, and you will be free to choose your own life. Zhiying, I want you to think over carefully. Take your time in visiting the Medicine Forest for it could be your last time there.” Those were the last words Ah Ju had said to her junior martial sister.

Zhan Zhiying hurried the horse, but her heart was already flying ahead. She murmured Di Bao’s name. He could tell her what she should do.

When they arrived at the cottages inside the Medicine Forest, everything was in silence. Huang Jiwen was the only one who greeted them. They then learned from him that Huang Yitao had left with Tian Xing-xing, and Ruyu was now with Li Renying, tending Zhan Feiyan.

When Zhan Zhiying heard of her sister’s second illness, she quickly dismounted the horse and worriedly went to see the patient. She found Ruyu was explaining to Li Renying in somber voice.

“I have looked through my grandmother’s diary and think that there is a way to cure your wife. However, that really depends on her luck. Black ochid is an exotic flower and grows only on high mountains of Tibet. According to my grandmother, the juice of this flower is the most lethal venom of all. The poison in Madam Li’s body is just a weak version of the original one. Nevertheless, it will kill her after a period of time, and she will suffer tremendously before her death. The cure is not here but can be obtained by feeding the patient with black orchid petals continually for three days.” She stopped for breath and looked away from the hope that rekindled in Li Renying’s eyes.

“However, black orchid only blooms once every fifty years. That means it is only available five years from now. Unless we can keep your wife alive till then,…”

Li Renying was stunned, and Zhan Zhiying had to stifle a cry. Zhan Feiyan was the only calm one. She smiled at her family and spoke serenely. “I never thought to live this long. So, every minute that I’m alive is a plus. I am not afraid of death. I have been so closed to it so many times now.” She called to her sister.

“Zhiying, I might not live to drink your wedding tea, but I wish you and Doctor Di the best. He really loves you for yourself. Don’t be concerned on your look for you are the prettiest woman in his eyes. I gather that much when he talks to me about you. Love is precious. Keep it with you while you can.”

She then closed her eyes. “I feel very tired. Renying, can you stay with me while I’m sleeping?”

Li Renying clasped his wife’s bony hands and spoke tenderly. “Of course, my dear. I’ll be here with you.”

Zhan Zhiying touched her sister’s forehead softly and left the cottage without noise. Ruyu followed her outside and informed the other. “Ah Bao and Ah Yi are gone to visit their parents’ graves in the north. They should be back any time now.”

Zhan Zhiying nodded, keeping her eyes peel for the sight of Di Bao.

Tian Fei, meanwhile, was teaching Tian Xiang-er how to control her inner strength. After he was done, he praised his daughter. “Seem that I have two genius daughters. I’m so proud of you two.” He stroked her raven hair lovingly and made an observation. “Xin-er is very quick in learning, and you are very inventive in creating new stances. Your inner strength at this point is between that of Ah Yi’s and Xin-er’s, Ah Yi’s being the most refined one. However, in real combat, you will lose to Xin-er. You have learned a lot of skills, but you haven’t yet distinguished them as martial arts. Many a time, your moves are powerful, but your thrusts are weak because you pay too much attention on form. Therefore, if you want to be good at martial skills, you have to remember that the saber technique is Kung Fu skill, not a dance step.

Also, your various skills can make you confuse. You should choose only one and concentrate on it or find a way to combine them all into one top Kung Fu, which is a difficult process. If you want to choose, I would say that saber skill may suit your temperament better for it is straightforward and relies much on your power, whereas the sword art is perfect for Xin-er since she lacks your strength in handling heavier weapon. But, I don’t mean for you to discard your Yong Yi Sword that you have been practicing with Ah Yi, of course. I would suggest instead for you to incorporate the saber style into it and for you to use a real saber instead of a sword as your weapon.”

He took out the Tiger Killing Saber and gave it to his daughter. “Xin-er has a good wit to save it for you. Since this weapon belongs to your grandfather, you should use it as his heir. Lu Peng had used it evilly, so you have to redeem its soul by using it against evilness.”

Tian Xiang-er clasped the heavy saber and felt its energy ran through her. “This is a great weapon. I am not worth it. Xin-er should be the one who receives this powerful weapon.” She exclaimed, and Tian Fei grinned at the bond between the two sisters.
“That was almost the exact thing that Xin-er had said to me too. However, Xin-er is now learning Emei martial styles, which focus more on sword arts. She will have no use for the saber, but you can advance your saber technique from Saber Lord’s manuscript with this great saber.”

Tian Xiang-er thanked her father and started her practice with her father acted as her coach.

The next morning, the two Di brothers returned. Without word, Di Bao went straight to the medicine hut, leaving his brother to explain his strange behavior.

“He’s just had a shock. It is a long story, and I’m not sure how to begin. Just let him be for now.” He nodded to Zhan Zhiying, who understood that he wanted her to go see his brother.

Ah Yi then invited his betroth for a walk. Tian Xiang-er walked slowly with him on the light-covered snow ground. The winter has finally visited this heavenly place. However, even the chilly wind was not as sharp as the one outside the forest. The snow seemed whiter here, and the ice seemed more pure.

Ah Yi stopped under the orange tree with white fur coat and abruptly asked the other. “What do you think of my name?”

Tian Xiang-er replied without thinking. “I like it, of course. Although I think that you once told me that it is only the temporary name that Sword God had given you. ‘Yi’ means memory. It is a good name.”

Ah Yi nodded. “I like it too. That’s why I didn’t change it although my memory is back. I’m even get used to the way people call me without my surname. I feel freer that way, not have to worry about all the family upholding and such. I used to think that Ah Bao is enough to redeem our father’s reputation as an evil man, the second disciple of Wang Shan. But now, it seems that I am the qualified one to do so.” He sighed and explained to the puzzled girl in front.

“Three days ago, we arrived at the location of our old home. We found a large mausoleum has been erected instead of the dirt graves that Ah Bao remembered. The condition is excellent as if it is well taken care of. We saw a new hut nearby and ventured to inquire about the change. Turn out that a rather old crazy woman in the hut is the caretaker of the place. She told us that an old monk had stopped by here five years ago and had the new grave be made. He had given her some money and asked her to live here to keep an eye on the property.”

“Must be your ‘grandpa’, Sword God.” Tian Xiang-er guessed.

Ah Yi nodded. “Yes, that sounds like him.” He continued. “That old woman then took a look at us and asked if we are Di children. Then, she started reminisced our babyhood. She was in fact our mother’s midwife. After a while, she mentioned that Ah Bao was not my brother at all. When asked, she launched into an explanation that she had found him as an infant near a waterfall and brought him to my mother for milk for she had just delivered me last week. In the end, my parents decided to keep a new baby despite the old woman’s protests. She had pointed out to them that the baby would bring the bad luck to them.

“Didn’t you see that he has a letter ‘Feng’ on his back, and he is mute? He will cause you problem.”

I gathered from her rambling that she originally wanted to sell the baby for a profit, but my father was adamant. He had given her a small amount of money and firmly showed her out of our house. She was pretty taken aback by his authority and didn’t dare to come near our house again.

That old woman then pointed madly at Ah Bao and screamed at him for causing the Di family’s misfortunes. Poor Ah Bao. He has gone white as an ice sheet. He was stunned to learn his real story. Even I was equally surprised. But, he was hurt by the crazy woman’s accusation. He truly believes now that he is the dark child that causes his benefactors death. I tried to console him, but he refused to listen to me. I think his strenuous work of healing people this past month just took toll on him. He is too tired and needs a rest. Good thing that Zhan Zhiying is here to cheer him up.”

He didn’t notice Tian Xiang-er’s bright eyes. “Did you say that Di Bao’s back has the letter ‘Feng’?” She almost shouted at him.

Ah Yi looked at her bafflingly. “Yes, I did. And, it is true. I’ve seen it so many times when we were young.”

Tian Xiang-er didn’t wait for the last word; she jumped up and sprinted toward the medicine hut. She found Di Bao was pounding the herbs furiously in a pestle, telling his life to Zhan Zhiying.

Without pause, she burst out. “Ah Bao, show me the tattoo on your back. Hurry! It’s really important.”

Di Bao looked up, red-eyed but complied the strange request silently.

Tian Xiang-er took a look and cheered. Then, she dragged her friend to her mother’s hut. Zhan Zhiying followed the pair bewilderedly.

Tian Fei was with Yue Ling, listening to her singing when Tian Xiang-er barged in with Di Bao and Zhan Zhiying.

“Mom, Dad. I’ve found my brother! Look, he has the letter ‘Feng’ on his back exactly like that on Xin-er’s. Moreover, Ah Yi has just told me that he is an adopted child of the Di family. He was originally found near the waterfall, hence his name ‘Bao’. Everything falls into place, and while Xin-er and I were pondering on his whereabouts, he’s just right under our nose.” She spoke fast, skipping with excitement.

Tian Fei laughed and calmed his daughter down. Then he called the young man forward. “Can I see you back, Doctor Di?”

Di Bao nodded, still confused. He showed the older man his back then turned around to face the elder. Tian Fei stared at the tattoo and gave his new found son a hug. “Ah Bao, Tian Bao. Welcome to our family.” He turned to inform Yue Ling and saw her smiling.

“I believe that he is my nephew, you son, Big Brother. I have felt so connected to him since the first time we met. His eyes are like mine.” She gave Di Bao a hug. “You have to call me second mother like Xin-er now.” She teased the perplexed young man.

Tian Fei agreed. “I have always thought that he looks a lot like you. Who would have thought that he is Yue Feng’s son?” He laughed at himself for feeling jealous at his own son at one time. He pulled Di Bao to a chair and meticulously explained everything from the beginning.

When all was clear and understood, another banquet was held in an honor of the new member of the Tian family. Good news then was sent to Emei. For Tian Fei, life was now truly complete.

Di Bao, now Tian Bao, felt like in dream. His world had turned around twice in a space of a week. He was shocked to discover that he was not Ah Yi’s real brother although deep in his heart, he had suspected the truth. What else could the explanation be then for both brother’s same age?

Then, he blamed himself for being an omen of bad luck. He did tell Zhan Zhiying that much about himself and was surprised to see that she looked happy. When asked, she replied with a smiling face.

“Ah Bao, didn’t you know that I don’t care what your name really is as long as you are not my second senior sister’s son? This might sound pretentious, but as long as your name is ‘Di’, our love will be difficult due to the general convention on your father’s history. I am happy because now I can be your wife without having to leave Emei.” She spoke quickly. “Don’t take it as an insult to Elder Di and his wife, but as Emei disciple, I have to choose between you or my sect. I have decided to choose you, and the heaven rewards me with this revelation. I believe your words about your adopted parents and realize that they were just victims of love like many other couples.”

She stroked his hair. “What else is bothering you?” She asked softly.

Di Bao shook his head. “I am glad that we can be together from now, but I am sad that I was the reason my adopted parents died. I know that it sounds nonsense, but how could I be certain that it is not true? I don’t want to hurt you or anyone with me.” He sobbed, and Zhan Zhiying’s heart went to him.

She was consoling him when Tian Xiang-er interrupted their conversation.

Di Bao came out of his morning memory when he heard Yue Ling’s voice. “Ah Bao, come and talk to Lulu.”

Her familiar phrase and her tender tone soothed his confused mind. He went over to her and poured his heart out. Despite his respect to Tian Fei, his pure love for Zhan Zhiying, his brotherly closeness with Tian Xin-er, his deep affection for Tian Xiang-er, Lulu was the only one who understood him the most. She was a friend, a sister, and a mother to him. He always remembered her eyes as they looked into his when they first met. His loneliness was gone then. He had felt as if he had found a family.

He now realized with tingling sensation that Lulu was actually his close relative. He caught her hands and listened to her attentively. After her brief chat, his confidence came back. He felt a new man. He then asked her about his biological mother, Yue Feng.

Yue Ling smiled and shared with him the beautiful image of Yue Feng. The graceful, proud, and elegant elder sister that she loved. “You might have my eyes, but you have her stature and her character. You are a determined individual and a decisive character. I’m glad that we are really connected by blood although in my heart, you have always been my son.”

Di Bao sighed happily. “My mother was really as you said. I have spent a short time with her when she disguised herself as Master Yong. She was very kind to me. I’m sorry that we didn’t get to know each other more than that.” He thought of Tian Xin-er and understood. “My being her twin did explain my special feeling for her. I was so restless when she was almost drowned, and I somehow could tell Xin-er and Xiang-er apart when I met them.”

He went to Zhan Zhiying and brought her to his new parents. “Zhiying said that because of my adopted parents’ background, our love was not supported. Now that I am your son, may I ask your permission for my nuptial with her? Will Emei object our family?” His knowledge of the martial realm was minimal, and he was never concerned on anyone’s revenge and gratitude. His one obsession in life was to cure the sick.

Tian Fei laughed at his innocent inquiry. “Of course not. The Sword South School is well known throughout the martial realm. Xin-er even became one of Emei’s disciples, how could Zhong Xi Shi Tai refuse our proposal? In this new spring, I will go to Emei myself to arrange for your marriage. Ha-ha. Now that I gain a son, I also have a daughter-in-law. Seem as if our house in the south needs to be rebuilt to fit in all the new members.”

He was intoxicated with happiness. The past seemed like a dream, a long time ago nightmare. ‘Thank you, Heaven.’ He prayed. Come what the future may, he would enjoy the present as long as it lasted.

After the celebration, the merry thought turned sober as the talk of Madam Li came up. Tian Fei had offered himself to purge out the poison from Zhan Feiyan’s body, but his high inner power could do nothing. Tian Xiang-er helped her father but failed in the mission too. Yue Ling had suggested sucking out the poison, but Ruyu shook her head.

“There is no use. Even my grandmother had no antidote, and she was the one who invented this deadly poison. In a way, she was responsible for today’s plight.” She apologized to Li Renying, who waved at her indifferently.

“It is the fault of the person who have concocted this poison, not of your grandmother. Obviously, there is some evil mind working for Zhang Tin. I can’t believe that he has enough medical knowledge to make up these so many poisons.” His only thought was to cure Ah Yan. Revenge was not in his mind at the moment. “Maybe we should ask Doctor Ma for help.” Then, he remembered how Doctor Ma couldn’t even recognize that Ah Yan had poisons in her body and sighed helplessly.

“If brother Di and sister Ruyu here couldn’t help us, there is nobody else in this world.”

At that point, Di Bao came out from the medicine hut and presented to him a round brown pill. It was a temporary antidote. “This is an antidote for the poison that has similar effect to the black orchid juice. I found the recipe in the last entry of my mentor. I have a lot more in the hut. If she takes the pill monthly, each antidote should prolong her life, hopefully for five more years until the black orchid petals are found.”

After Liu Tong had left the Medicine Forest, Dragon Lady and Medicine Man had devoted themselves into thinking up an antidote for black orchid juice. Each kept a diary to record his or her idea. The antidote that Di Bao made came from one of Medicine Man’s best experiments. There was no record of how long the antidote would actually last. Therefore, Di Bao went on making a lot more, each pill for each month.

Ruyu interposed. “But the flower has to be taken at its blooming time. From what Grandma wrote, it’s almost impossible to transport the plant to the Central Plains, not to say that it is hard to cultivate it even in the perfect condition of this forest.”

Li Renying absorbed the information thoughtfully and asked Ruyu about the location of the black orchid plant. After that, he turned to his martial teacher, Tian Fei.

“Teacher, I would like to take leave from this forest. I want to take Ah Yan along for the search of black orchid. We are heading to Tibet, so hopefully nobody will follow us there. If fate still has mercy on us, we will come back to see you again.”

Tian Fei’s throat dried. He patted his student’s shoulders affectionately. He realized then that this might be the last time they would meet each other. “Renying, come back anyway, whatever happens. Don’t do something silly, all right?”

Li Renying only shook his head sadly. He prepared for the journey and fed his wife the antidote. Then, he said farewells to everyone and saddled his pale wife on a horse. He hopped on horseback next to her and galloped off.

Tian Xiang-er looked on with teary eyes and asked Tian Fei why he let his student go easily.

“He determined to go at any case, and it’s better for him to do something instead of hiding in here. I pity him for his unfortunate love life, but I admire his devotion for his wife. Too bad that he and Xing-xing…” He paused and sighed. “I hope that they succeed in their quest and come back to us soon. I have always thought of him as my son. I’ll miss him greatly.”

Yue Ling patted his hand, and Tian Fei smiled. “If I were in his shoes, I would have done exactly the same thing too.”

He murmured. “What is love? Duty and love, which to choose? They are both illusion and intangible, yet they are the essence of human being. Without love, we are but wild animal. Without duty, we are not worth a true man. Duty and love, they often are opposite. How can we be sure of the right choice?”

Yue Ling replied in dreamlike voice. “Let the inner heart guide you, and you will never be lost.”

Tian Fei nodded. “You are right, Ling-er. An inner-self never lies to its owner. I wish Li Renying luck.”

Meanwhile, Tian Bao was with Zhan Zhiying, soothing her sorrow.

“It is strange to feel so happy one moment and feel very sad the next.” She cried out on his shoulders. “Feiyan really deserves some happiness after what she has been through. If I could only give away my happiness to her…”

Tian Bao covered her mouth with his hand. “Don’t say that. Each person earns his happiness through the sorrow in life. We have our share of sadness and happiness, and I’m glad that we will be together at last. Even if your sister might not live long in the worst scenario, she would still be happy because that is her life. Destiny has dictated our course of life since birth. Our actions during living might change the road that we travel, but our destiny will still be the same. Birth, sickness, aging, and death – they are the truth of life. Nothing can be changed. A lifetime journey is merely a trip from birth to death. Some is joyful and fruitful, while some may full of hardships. We just have to make the best of our lives and hope that something good is awaiting us at the end.”

Zhan Zhiying laid her head on his chest and sighed. “My road will always have you as my companion.”

Tian Bao put his lips on her lustrous hair and whispered. “And you on mine.”

Not faraway, another pair of lovebirds was chatting.

Di Yi was questioning Tian Xiang-er about his parentage. “I didn’t realize how much other people are looking down at us. Luckily, your father is very understandable. I am fortunate to meet him and Grandpa.” He stared at the woman opposite him. “I am not a hero material like Huang Yitao or your father. I do not wish to become the best fighter or devote my whole life as a hero. Are you disappointed to hear that?”

Tian Xiang-er laughed like a summer bell. “I like you as yourself. I never think of those things either. In fact, I am tired of fighting and want to live in peace. After our wedding, let’s go to White Pearl Island and live there.” She paused then spoke. “But not before we have helped Father fight against the foreigners.”

Di Yi nodded. “That is the right thing to do for every citizen. I don’t wish to be a hero, but I want to help out as much as I can. Master De from Wu Dang has found a couple of documents concerning Love Palace’s relationship with the Manchurians. Too bad that they had not enough details of their plan.”

The documents that they were talking about were retrieved from Zhang Tin’s room in Nanyang headquarters. The missing documents were actually those that Chu Lianhua had taken from Zhang Xinlang’s safe and were now in the hands of Lu Tingli’s. Unbeknown to Zhang Tin, his eldest son had little by little stole the valuable pieces of evidence from the house in Nanyang by way of bribery and other tricks for the future use of blackmail.

At Emei Sect, Chu Lianhua had just received a small bundle wrapped in a handkerchief. She recognized it instantly as that of Lu Tingli’s. Excitingly, she ran out to intercept the parcel deliverer but found no sign of him. As the matter of fact, nobody seemed to see him coming at all. It was almost as if the package had just materialized itself out of the sky.

Chu Lianhua knitted her pretty eyebrows thoughtfully and untied the cloth. Then, she took out each paper and read it carefully. When she was done, she quickly collected the pile and went to see the master of Emei.

“Senior sister, I have something for you to see.”

She handed the documents to Zhong Xi Shi Tai, who turned pale after realizing the importance of the items on her lap.

“Sister Chu, this package might save our nation from the disaster after all. I need to talk to the Wu Dang heroes right away.” She called for the horse to be prepared.

At Wu Dang, De Pang was the one who received the Emei priestess. He was still in mourning clothes. The whole sect was decorated with white materials as a sign of respect to the death. After a proper greeting and the guest’s visit to Duan Hui’s name plank, the business was brought forth.

The first brother of Wu Dang listened to Zhong Xi Shi Tai and fingered the documents with delight. His eyes shone with wisdom.

“We now have solid evidence against the high officials in the Imperial Court. We can prove that some certain eunuchs are trying to sell our country to the foreigners. Also, with this list of names, we at last know the identities of Manchurian supporters among the martial artists. I have planned to invite everyone for a hunt of Zhang Tin and his son in the coming spring. Now, it seems a good opportunity to rid of those fake patriots as well.” He sketched his plan to the new master of Emei, and she approved it.

Hence, letters and invitations were sent out to various sects and clans.

A new battle was about to begin. <IMG SRC="smilies/ninja.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/starwars.gif" border="0">
---------------------------
Thanks for reading. <IMG SRC="smilies/bow.gif" border="0">

[Suet Seung]

Hee-hee! <IMG SRC="smilies/tearlaugh.gif" border="0"> I've just finished reading chapter 8 last night and commented at winglin. I know! I'm slow! But hey since your story is going to be finished soon, it will give me more time to read. <IMG SRC="smilies/twirl.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/wiggle.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/wave.gif" border="0">

[Goofy]

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

just wonder for the readers, how do you want chu lianhua's ending? dead? or alive? <IMG SRC="smilies/rolleyes.gif" border="0">

[Shirley]

Wow, Great Job Goofy <IMG SRC="smilies/thumbsup.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/thumbsup.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/thumbsup.gif" border="0"> I just spent the last 3 days reading and finally got up to your newest chapter.

*Started to clean my red eyes from staring at the screen*

I don't actually hate Chu LianHua, and I don't exactly like her either. So either way is fine with me. Update soon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BTW - Is Li Renying gonna appear again? Or he will leave the martial world forever?

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