Sunset in the Silk Road

[Goofy]

yeh, no hannah for levi. <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/clap.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/clap.gif" border="0">

I somehow couldn't get to your update in winglin (my pc's fault) so I will my comment here then. <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">
Keep on.

[andrea7974]

Thousand miles from there in Lin An, General Yang Shu Huan were celebrating his fiftieth birthday. All of his sons, daughters, daughter in laws, son in laws, grandchildren and his relatives came to his grand mansion in Lin An.

Nobody in the mansion mentioned about General Yang Shu Huan’s youngest daughter; Yang Li Ching. They were all afraid that General Yang would be angry and the party will be ruined because of it.

“This is my fiftieth birthday, and I’m glad that all of my children, grandchildren and my relatives can gather here today,” said General Yang stroking his beard.

Lady Yang sighed but said nothing. When her husband said “all of my children” while actually one of their children was not there. She knew that her husband was very angry to their youngest daughter that her husband said that he wouldn’t want to admit Li Ching as their daughter again after she ran away from their house a few months before.

“Thank you for your coming here to celebrate my birthday,” said General Yang. “Let’s have a toast,” said General Yang raising his wine cup. “For our health and country.”

“For General Yang, may he has a happy prosperous life,” said the crowd.

“My families and friends. I really appreciate your support to me for all this years. I have been living here for almost nineteen years and never stepped my feet to capital city again,” said General Yang. “The reason why I invite you all here, is because I also want to announce something important to you all.”

The crowed became wonder with General Yang statement.

“Father, what is it?” said Yang Meng Thian, General Yang’s eldest son.

“For these past few years, our military has been so weak. I want to meet the Emperor and initiate myself to become military trainer. I’m not young anymore and that’s all I can contribute to my beloved country,” said General Yang.

“Minister Wen invited me to the capital city. He promote me to the Emperor to be a military trainer. I decided to go to capital city next week. So actually today is also a farewell party, since maybe we will not be able to meet each other for at least a year or so,” said General Yang.

Everybody in the room became silent. They knew that nineteen years ago General Yang was sent to Lin An since some corrupt Ministers hated General Yang and made false statement and accused General Yang in doing improper conduct. Although some loyal ministers and generals knew that General Yang was a very faithful and straightforward person, but it won’t be easy for General Yang to return to the capital.

“Why suddenly you all become quiet?” General Yang laughed. “Let’s eat and drink now!”

The people in the dining room started their feast. General Yang and his friends drink and get drunk that night. They try to forget their solicitude.

Emperor Huizhong was a weak and not a sharp Emperor. The Emperor only knew how to please himself without really care to his own country and people. Worse than that, the Emperor was surrounded by corrupt ministers who only knew how to take advantage from the weak Emperor. Some old loyal ministers had been executed few years before after Emperor was influenced by wicked ministers. Now the imperial palace has been controlled by the depraved ministers. It won’t be easy for General Yang to return to capital city, although he had a good intention to strengthen Song Dynasty military.

------------------------------------

Wen Hai Lung with his servant A Yung were galloping their horse to JiuQuan (Suzhou). Hai Lung’s face was a little bit somber since last night his meeting with Guo Sing Li didn’t give him any new information.

About noon time they saw a tea house and they decided to take some rest at the tea house. The tea house was located near the dusty street which was the only way that leads to JiuQuan or other town around it.

Only few people ate and sit at the tea house. The weather was hot and Hai Lung used his folding fan to fan himself.
"Master, what would you like to eat?” said the waiter in the tea house.

“Bring us noodles and vegetables,” said Wen Hai Lung.

“And pork too,” said A Yung.

“You only know how to eat A Yung,” Hai Lung laughed. “This place is very quiet. I wonder if the tea house owner can make money here,” said Hai Lung again.

“Hmm, Master Wen you are wrong. I’m sure this tea house can make a lot of money. You know how? Because this is the main street! And if the Wong brothers’ headquarter is really in JiuQuan, surely they will often pass this road. What do you think?” said A Yung.

“Ha…A Yung you are right. I think we should ask the servant, who knows if he knows something about them,” said Hai Lung with delighted voice.

“Waiter,” A Yung waived his hand called the waiter.

“Coming master,” said the waiter. He brought the tea and the food to Hai Lung and A Yung.

“Hey little brother, can I ask you something?” said A Yung while he slipped some money at the waiter’s hand. The waiter smiled widely.

“Now, answer our questions. Okay?” A Yung blinked an eye to him.
“Sure Master. Go ahead with your question. I know this place and the people around here, so you can ask me anything,” said the waiter with friendly voice.

“Well, what do you know about a one eyed man, with a brutal face and he always wear black robe?” asked Hai Lung with low voice.

“Ah, you must be talking about Mr. Wong Man Li,” the waiter frowned. “I can’t talk much about him. Especially now when they will come here,” said the waiter as two men with red robe and big saber on their waist entering the tea house.

“Coming masters, please sit down,” said the waiter to welcome the two men who were Wong brothers’ henchmen. He left Hai Lung and A Yung on their table.

“Just bring us some wine and the best food here!” said one of the men with rude and impolite voice.

Hai Lung blinked an eye to A Yung. They knew that those men could be used as a guide to lead them to Wong brothers’ headquarter.

Hai Lung and A Yung were enjoying their meal when suddenly they heard the waiter and the tea house owner cried. The bandits were extorted the tea house owner. He wanted to take all of the money belonged to the tea house owner. Since the tea house owner only wanted to give some of his money, the bandits got angry and pushed the old man and beat him. The waiter tried to help his boss, but he didn’t help the boss, instead the bandits also beat him.

“A Yung, you handle both of them,” said Hai Lung. Just in a few second A Yung fought the bandits and the bandits begged for A Yung to spare their life. A Yung made the bandits kneeled in front of him. He stood behind the bandits and asked them to said apologize to the old man and the waiter.

Hai Lung walked approached the old tea house owner and the waiter. He returned their money and gave them some medicine to ease their pain.

“Old Uncle, from now on they won’t be able to disturb you again,” said Hai Lung smiled. In a flash, Hai Lung disabled the bandits’ kungfu.

”I have disabled your kungfu. You will not be able to disturb other people from now on,” said Hai Lung with gentle voice. Everybody had to admit that Hai Lung was a very polite scholar. Not only he always act like a gentleman, but he also always used polite words when he talked to everyone, including to bandits. His handsome face and his well cared skin showed that he came from a rich family or noble family. Nobody will guess that such a young handsome scholar like that has high kungfu skills that can only be compared with few peoples.

“Thank you Young Master,” said the bandits. They felt lucky that Hai Lung didn’t kill them. They intended to run away from the tea house. But A Yung gripped their shoulders.

“Where are you going? My master has not finished talking to you!” said A Yung. He gripped the bandits’ shoulder tightly that the bandits moaned.

“I’m sorry masters, please forgive us!” said the bandit begged A Yung and Hai Lung to let them go.

“You can leave after you answer my questions,” said Hai Lung nonchalantly.

“Anything you ask, master!” said the bandits with feared voice.

“If you lie to my master…… I will…” said A Yung while his hand squashed a porcelain cup until it broke into pieces. He intended to scare the bandits. And the bandits were really feared as they saw that. A Yung grinned to Hai Lung.

“We won’t lie to you…. I swear I won’t lie to you,” said the bandits.

“Okay. Let me ask you: are you all members of Wong Man Siu’s gang?” asked Hai Lung.

“Yes, Young Master,” said the bandits with low voice.

“I heard that Wong brothers want to hold a meeting on the full moon this month. What do you know about this?”
“We never heard about that,” said the bandits.

A Yung gripped one of the bandits’ shoulders until the man screamed.

“Tell us the truth or I will make you more suffer,” said A Yung intimidated the bandits.

“We just joined the gang a few months before. We know nothing about this. Only the top levels in our gang know about this,” said the bandit.

“How many are the member of your gangs?”

“Master, not that we don’t want to tell you about this. But we really don’t know about this. Our gang is so big, we don’t know much about the exact member. But I guess it must be more than five thousands,” said the bandit again.

“Five thousand scoundrels like you! What a disgrace,” Hai Lung sighed. “And what is your task lately?”
“We don’t have any certain task. We just joined for a few months. Our daily task is to collect money from tea houses, shops or inns. We have to collect money at least one thousand taels every month,” said the bandit explained.

“A thousand taels a month? My goodness!” hissed Hai Lung angrily. He was very angry to know that the bandits robbed and extorted other people.

“Now tell me where’s your headquarter!” said Hai Lung.

The two bandits looked at each other’s eyes and didn’t answer Hai Lung’s question.

“Answer me,” said Hai Lung again. He used a low voice, but with a charismatic tone. The bandits knew that they can’t play with Hai Lung.

“Master, please forgive us. But we will be dead if we tell you where our headquarter is,” said the bandit with low voice almost cried.

“Hmm. So you afraid that Wong Man Siu or Wong Man Li will kill you, huh?” Hai Lung snubbed. “Then perhaps I shall tell you that my assistant can act more brutally than your ex-boss,” said Hai Lung while he blinked an eye to A Yung.

A Yung knew what his master meant with that. So he gripped the bandits’ shoulder more tightly until they both screamed and begging for A Yung to released them.

“Tell me now!” said Hai Lung smiled to the bandits.

Just in a few minutes after that, Hai Lung and A Yung had made the two bandits told them where the Wong brothers’ headquarter and both of them will show Hai Lung and A Yung the way to reach it.

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

[Goofy]

more, andrea...

love levi more every minute... <IMG SRC="smilies/love.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/inlove.gif" border="0">

You have portrayed very vivid picture of jewish caravan and blended it beautifully with wuxia story. <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/clap.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/clap.gif" border="0">

[andrea7974]

Thanks Goofy <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0"> By the way, what do you think about Levi's character?

Anyway...just curious to know how do you imagine Levi's face <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

which of these guys close to your imagination about him:
http://www.akiavni.com
http://www.sammyhori.co.il
http://atarafehr.tripod.com/odedfehrardethbay/id24.html
all of them are famous Jewish actors <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0"> and this one...but he's not an actor though <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">)
http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/en/t/t...148/index.html

Let me know what you think <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0"> Thanks a lot <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">

[andrea7974]

Li Ching was sitting among the Yutai young men who surrounded her when Yacov Levi approached her.

Levi gave greetings to his friends before he talked to Li Ching. He felt jealous since his friends seemed to adore Li Ching.

“Li Ching, my uncle wants to talk to you now. Shall we go there now?” asked Levi.

“Yes,” said Li Ching smiled to Levi. She said goodbye to his new Yutai friends before she went to meet Rabbi Levi.

“You have a lot of admirers,” said Levi with jealous tone. He didn’t like the fact that a lot of Yutai young men talked with her and adored her like that.

Li Ching giggled. “What admirers?” said Li Ching. They both remain silent for awhile. “You have not returned my comb,” said Li Ching with low voice. She sighed as she thought that she wouldn’t be able to meet Levi again after this. They entered a tent where Rabbi Levi stayed.
“Uncle, here is Li Ching!” said Yacov to his uncle.

“Sit down, my child!” said Rabbi Levi pointed a carpet for her to seat on. “And you may leave Yacov! I want to talk with her alone.”

Yacov looked at his uncle and Li Ching before he left the tent.

“Peace to you my child!” said Rabbi Levi to Li Ching.

Li Ching nodded her head and bow to give respect to the old man.

“How’s your wound Miss Li Ching?” asked the old Rabbi.

“It’s still the same. Sometimes I feel alright, but sometimes I feel like I have no energy left,” explained Li Ching.

“I will give some medicine to strengthen your body during your trip to Xi’An.”

“Thank you Uncle,” said Li Ching.

“Call me Rabbi, you’re not my niece anyway!” said the Rabbi.

“In my culture, we have to call ‘old uncle’ for men who are older than our own father,” said Li Ching. She felt that the old Rabbi didn’t like her.

“Up to you!” said the Rabbi. Actually it’s not that he didn’t like Li Ching that he treated her unfriendly like that. But Rabbi Levi was worried that his nephew fell in love with this Chinese girl.

“The day tomorrow early in the morning you can leave this camp and go to Xi’An. We will provide you the best and fastest horses to take you to Xi’An,” said the Rabbi. “We, Yutai people know how to show gratitude to those who helped us.”

“Thank you so much Uncle. I promise to return the horses back to your troupe as soon as I recovered,” said Li Ching.

“My nephew Yacov and Micha will accompany you to Xi’An,” said the old man again. He poured some tea to Li Ching and invited her to drink.

“No need to be like that,” said Li Ching. “I think as long as you lend me a cart and two fast horses, I can reach Xi’An without upsetting your nephew and Micha.”

“No… You are badly wounded. I want to make sure that someone in Xi’An will heal you,” said Rabbi Levi. “Crooks may disturb a beautiful girl who travels alone like you!”

“Thanks you Uncle,” said Li Ching again. She felt glad that at least she would be able to meet Levi again. Suddenly she saw that the old Rabbi was reading a book in Chinese, a mathematic book.

“Uncle, can I ask you something?” asked Li Ching curiously.

“Please,” said the Rabbi. He raised his eyebrow and tried to guess what kind of question the girl wanted to ask him.

“Why do you read a Chinese mathematic book?” asked Li Ching curiously with innocent voice.

“Ha..ha… You have keen eyes. You saw my books, right?” laughed the Rabbi.

“Yes. I saw your book. And I just wonder why you read that book,” said Li Ching.

“I like mathematics, my child! Do you know mathematics?” asked Rabbi Levi.

“Sure! My teacher taught me mathematic. What he taught me was more complex than what you’re reading now,” said Li Ching.

Rabbi Levi was aghast when he heard that. A few minutes later, they both discussed mathematic and astronomy. Rabbi Levi never thought that a young Chinese girl like that have such kind of knowledge. They talked for hours while Yacov was worried that his uncle might say something rude to Li Ching.

“Li Ching, now I know that you are a good girl and you are also smart,” said Rabbi Levi before they finished their discussion. “If only you are one of us, then I will surely ask Yacov to marry you! But you are not! And also Yacov will have to marry Hannah as soon as we arrive in Kaifeng!” said Rabbi again.

Li Ching raised her eyebrows. “Why are you telling me this?” asked Li Ching.

“Uncle, are you telling me this, to make me avoid your nephew?” asked Li Ching. She knew what’s implied in Rabbi Levi’s words.

“Smart girl!” said Rabbi Levi. “I know that my nephew likes you. But he can’t be with you! So I’m asking your favor to stay out of my nephew. Will you do that for me, Miss?” asked Rabbi Levi with serious voice.

“I never asked your nephew to like me,” said Li Ching with high tone. “I told you that I can take care of myself and I didn’t ask you to send your nephew to accompany me!”

Rabbi Levi laughed. “You are stubborn, my child. You just exactly like my nephew. But he can control his emotion while you can’t.”

Li Ching said nothing. Somehow she’s really a stubborn who always wanted to do what she wanted to do.

“You may leave, my child! I don’t force you to do what I told you. But I don’t think that both of you will be happy if you don’t listen to what I said,” said Rabbi Levi.

Li Ching only smiled and said nothing. When she stepped out from the tent, she felt her heart burning when she saw that Hannah was holding Levi’s hand and they were laughing.

-----------------------------

Wen Hai Lung, A Yung and the two former bandits stayed at an inn near Jiuquan’s bypass road. It was nine days before full moon and Hai Lung decided to stay there to watch people who came and left the city. JiuQuan or Suzhou was a large city and an important city that time.

Wen Hai Lung was a kind man, and he treated the former bandits nicely. That night Hai Lung would take one of the bandits to enter JiuQuan to find Wong brothers’ headquarter.

After they had dinner, Hai Lung and A Man, the former bandit entered JiuQuan. A Man disguised himself as a foreigner who covered his head and his face.

When they both entered the city, Hai Lung could see that there were a lot of Wong brothers’ henchmen hanging around in the city.

“A Man, these last few days I’ve treated you nicely. We almost close to Wong Man Siu’s headquarter now. You can choose to keep your promise to me and show the way to the headquarter, or you choose your own way, betray me and leave me after we close to the headquarter!” said Hai Lung with serious voice. “I can kill you easily if you ever dare to betray me. I don’t like and don’t want to kill anyone. But I will surely kill you if you ever betray me!”

“Master Wen, I won’t betray you! I know that I was not a good person, but I want to change myself,” said A Man with low voice.

“I joined Wong Man Siu’s gang not because I’m a crook anyway,” said the man with sad voice.

“My mother was ill last time. I owed a lot of money to my neighbor and I couldn’t repay the money back to him,” said the man sighed. “So I joined Wong’s gang to earn money for my mother and to repay my debt.”

Hai Lung was surprised as he heard that. He came from a wealthy family and never known that some people were so poor that they have to rob or join gangs to earn some money.

“My father was a soldier. But he died two years ago. My mother has a poor health, while I have to feed my entire family. I join the gang just because I don’t want to see my mother and sisters hungry and have no food! Believe me…deep in my heart I also hate what I’m doing,” said A Man again with low and sad voice.

“You can find a proper job, A Man!” said Hai Lung.

“I’ve tried to find a job, but it’s not easy to earn money in this area. I can’t leave my family to work in another city Mr. Wen; I’m the only son in my family!” said A Man.

They both kept on walking while they’re talking. Hai Lung said nothing. He heard that in some areas, the government didn’t give pension money to soldiers’ widows properly. He felt sorry for them, and felt angry to the government. The Song dynasty was a rich and wealthy country. But the ministers and officers were mostly corrupt. Hai Lung was really sad as he heard what A Man told him.

“Reaching Thien San (Thien San Mountain, the highest mountain in China) is difficult, but the life of the poor and greedy is more difficult,” Hai Lung sighed. He really felt pity for A Man.

“What do you plan after this?” asked Hai Lung.

“I don’t know. Perhaps I should go to the capital to earn money for my family. But with my mother condition, I don’t know if I still can go there,” said A Man took a deep breath.

Hai Lung didn’t say anything. Although he came from a noble family in the capital city, but Hai Lung was not an arrogant and never felt that he was high and mighty like the other young men from noble families like his. His father was a loyal and simple man who was always cared to poor people. Everyday in the morning and afternoon, Hai Lung’s mother will opened her restaurant to feed poor people and beggar in the capital city. Although Minister Wen was supposed to be rich, but he didn’t have a lot of money like the other ministers since he always used his money to help the needy.

“A Man, after you finish this task; I will give you some money. You can use the money to open a small tea house or something! I want you to be not only a good son for your family, but also a good citizen!” said Hai Lung, “I don’t want you to do crime again because you have to feed your family!”

A Man said nothing. His eyes began teary. He knelled in front of Hai Lung and made a kowtow (bow down with forehead touch the ground).
“Master Wen, I’m not a good man! You don’t have to do that to me! I want to help you and be loyal to you because I know that you are a man of virtue! I even don’t deserve to be your slave,” said A Man cried. “Please forgive me Master Wen!” A Man sobbed

“A Man, get up!” Hai Lung extended his hand to help A Man stand. “Confucius said: “better still were poor, yet merry; rich, yet courteous,” said Hai Lung. “A Man I can understand your difficulty! But I hope that you can turn to the right path!” said Hai Lung again.

A Man cried as he heard that. “Master Wen, I’m really ashamed of myself,” he knelled in front of Hai Lung on that empty street corner. “My father was an honest soldier, and he and my mother always taught me to become a man with virtue! But after the government executed my father, I don’t believe in any virtue or moral again!” said A Man with low voice.

“Why did the government executed your father?” asked Hai Lung raised his eyebrows.
“The Commander in this city, Commander Li, was a corrupt man. And not only that, he also wanted to wed my little sister who was still fourteen years that time to become his sixth wife. My father disagree with that, and he rejected Commander Li proposal. Commander Li was very angry with that…. He used evil plan and he raped my sister until she died…” A Man sobbed and told that with desperate voice.

“My father was only looking for justice, but since we’re poor peasant, the judge didn’t want to trust us. He believed to Commander Li who told him that my father was the one who killed my sister and accused him in order to get money. My father was executed…… I was there when they beheaded him,” said A Man still crying.

Hai Lung was very surprised as he heard that. Now it’s clear for him why A Man could be such a crook. Hai Lung didn’t extend his hand again, he knelt in front of A Man now.

“A Man, I’m sorry! I’ve never thought that you had such a miserable life! Please, get up! Listen to me: you can make your parents proud of you if from now on you can turn to be a good man!” said Hai Lung. Hai Lung was really sad, as he had A Man explanation. He came from a noble family and his father was a minister. But he couldn’t do much to help people like A Man. “There must be a lot of people like A Man in this world,” thought Hai Lung.
“Master Wen, let me be your slave!” said A Man with serious voice.

“Hiya…. I wouldn’t want to have a slave like you!” said Hai Lung laughed. “You can work for me, and I will pay you monthly! How about that?” asked Hai Lung.

A Man was very surprised as he heard that, “Master Wen, thank you so much for giving me a chance to improve myself,” said A Man and he gave respect to Hai Lung until his head reached the ground.

“Oh, one thing I have to tell you!” said Hai Lung seriously. “I don’t like being treated like that! Although you work for me, but I’m not an emperor or a great man that I deserve to be respected like that. Never give me a kowtow like that again!” said Hai Lung and he started to walk to continue his journey to find Wong’s headquarter.

They have six more days to full moon. Hai Lung hoped that he could investigate the headquarter before Madame Flowers and the Black Sect leaders came for the meeting.

[Suet Seung]

I go for the last guy in the last link! <IMG SRC="smilies/wiggle.gif" border="0">

[Goofy]

WK, shouldn't you stop at fanfic section more often? <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/tongue.gif" border="0">

[andrea7974]

<IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0"> Thanks WK...I also like Raul Gonzales so much...but too bad he's not an actor.. <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">) <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">)

[andrea7974]

Li Ching sat alone in her tent. She was absorb with her own mind and was very surprised as she saw Yacov Levi stood in front of him.

“You?!” said Li Ching with surprised voice. She was absorbed with her own mind that she didn’t hear Levi’s coming. She lowered her head, trying to avoid eyes contact with Yacov Levi.

“What’s wrong? Are you not feeling well again?” asked Levi.

Li Ching sighed and didn’t answer that question.

“I come here to return your belongings,” said Levi giving Li Ching’s stuffs including her ragged burlap, sword, some papers and a pocket.

“Thank you,” said Li Ching smiled and took the stuffs from Levi’s hand. She checked the papers and the sword but didn’t check the pocket, although the pocket contained her jewels and gold money.

Levi laughed when he saw that. “You must be a book worm or a scholar that you brought the papers with you all the time,” said Levi.

This time Li Ching’s laughed so hard as she heard that.

“What’s wrong?” asked Levi. He didn’t understand why suddenly Li Ching laughed like that.

Li Ching was not in a good mood to talk. She didn’t want to explained to Levi that the ‘papers’ were not just papers, but money papers. Levi and also people who never visited China didn’t know money papers at that time. Li Ching felt glad that all of her money still there and were not damaged.

“My comb….. you have not returned my comb,” said Li Ching with low voice.

“Can I keep that comb?” asked Levi with low voice also.

Li Ching didn’t expect that Levi would say that. She still lowered her head and avoided eyes contact with Levi.

“Why do you want to have my comb?” asked Li Ching.

“The fragrance on the comb always reminds me of you…… And I want to remember you always.. even after you leave,” said Levi with low voice.

“Why do you want to remember me even after I leave?” asked Li Ching almost whispered.

“Because I…I….” Before Levi answered, Tavita and Micha entered the tent.

“Shabbat shalom Yacov,” said Micha and Tavita gave greeting to Levi. Levi replied their greeting and talked to them with their own language. Levi then left the tent without finishing his word.

That nightfall was a Shabbat day, a holiday for the Yutai people. They didn’t work and dedicate that day for their God. They used that day only for prayer and learn their religion rules and law.
Li Ching didn’t understand what the people talking or singing about; she just listened and watched them.

Levi was sitting near Hannah and some of his friends. He saw Li Ching was sitting a little bit far away and chatting with Micha. He knew that he didn’t have a right to forbid Li Ching to talk with the other guys, but he couldn’t deny that he didn’t like to see that Li Ching was talking with a man so intimate like that. Levi felt that Micha shouldn’t get too close with Li Ching.

Levi sighed. He realized that he didn’t have a right to be angry with Li Ching or Micha. He himself let Hannah stick to him all the time.

Hannah was sitting near Levi, she knew that Levi just sighed. “What’s wrong Yacov?” asked Hannah.

“Hmm? What?” asked Levi.

“You just sighed… Anything wrong?” asked Hannah again.

“Oh… No. No problem,” said Levi.

Hannah said nothing. But in her heart she knew that Yacov Levi was hiding something in his heart.

That night Levi slept with one hand clutched a sandalwood comb. At the same time, Li Ching couldn’t sleep and thought about Levi’s unfinished word.

She decided to leave the tent and watched the moonlight while the others were sleeping. She took the sword that Levi returned to her that afternoon. She caressed and looked carefully at the sword.

The sword was a beautiful short sword. The sword handle had a dragon’s head ornament with red precious jewel on the eyes. It was a very precious sword. She received the sword from her teacher, Liu Chin Kang.

Li Ching sighed. She remembered her conversation with Micha that afternoon. She didn’t intend to be a rebel daughter who ran away from her parent’s house on her engagement day. She just taught that she still had a lot of tasks to do. And the most important task she had to do was: found her teacher and helped him to find Zu Ge Liang war strategy book, and after that, she would dedicate herself as an army and fought the Kim who had been trying to conquer Song Dynasty.

Li Ching cried without a voice. She missed her family and her house. She felt lonely being alone as a stranger among the foreigners.

“Father, mother, please forgive me! Today I disgrace our family. But someday you will know that I do this not only for myself, but for our family and for our beloved Song Dynasty. I swear that I won’t return home before I can make you all proud of me!” said Li Ching whispered in the dark.

She was very optimistic that she could find North Devil Swordsman to heal her wound and she would be able to find the war strategy book.

[andrea7974]

The building was located a little bit north outside of JiuQuan, near the forest. It was a big building with walls surrounded it.

Hai Lung and A Man walked around the building from a certain distant. A Man showed Hai Lung that the building had a backdoor which had a direct access to the nearby forest.

From outside, it looked like an officer’s or rich family’s mansion. What made the building special was that the building gate always full with men who wore black and red robes and carried sabers who in and out the mansion. It was the Wong’s headquarter.

Hai Lung used his ginkang and jumped to a tall tree to see the situation around there. He saw that the headquarter was consisted of some smaller buildings. He couldn’t see much and he had to be very careful that nobody saw him.

“A Man, I saw a large building in the middle, is that the main hall?” asked Hai Lung to A Man after he’s already in the ground.

“I will draw the map for you, Sir! But I didn’t entered all of the buildings there, so I can only tell you some of the buildings,” said A Man again.

Hai Lung smiled, “Good work A Man! I’m lucky that you want to help us!”

Hai Lung and A Man watched the headquarter for about two hours. A Man disguised himself as a foreigner with thick beard, and none of the bandits who were his ex friends recognized him.

When they returned to the inn, A Man drew a map of the headquarter. A Man didn’t know all of the buildings function. He only knew the main hall, barracks, kitchen, exercise room, and dining room. He didn’t know exactly where Wong Man Siu or Wong Man Li’s room is, since the headquarter had a lot of secret chambers.

“I’m sorry since this is the only information I know Sir,” said A Man with guilty voice.

“It’s okay. Thank you anyway! Now you and A Yung can take a nap or go out for walk. I want to go down stairs take some drink and watch in case Madame Flowers arrives these days,” said Hai Lung.
“By the way A Yung,” said Hai Lung. He just remembered that he had an important question to A Yung.

“Yes Master Wen,” said A yung.

“Do you remember the leprosy girl who fought Madame Flower when we’re near the desert last time?” asked Hai Lung. “I forgot to ask you this. I think that the girl probably is one of my father’s messengers. Do you know anything about her?”

“She’s definitely not one of your father’s messengers, Master Wen. None of the informer knows about her. So I think that probably she’s one of the people who want to get the treasure,” said A Yung.

Hai Lung sighed. He wished that the girl was not one of his enemies, since he knew that the girl’s kungfu was not weak.

Hai Lung sat alone and drank his wine on the corner of the restaurant. He could watch people who entered and left the city.

Suddenly he almost choked as he saw someone coming to the restaurant.

It was Wong Chi Lan. She entered the restaurant and ordered some food to the waiter. The waiters and the restaurant owner, who saw Wong Chi Lan entered the restaurants, greeted the girl with too much hospitality.

Hai Lung lowered his head. He hoped that Wong Chi Lan didn’t see him. If the girl still wanted to take revenge to him, then probably she would call her father’s henchmen to attack him and all of his plan to infiltrate into headquarter would fail.

Hai Lung lowered his head and tried to hide his face behind his fan to avoid the girl. He was not afraid to that girl, but he already had his own plan and he didn’t want his plan ruined by careless action or the girl.

Wong Chi Lan sat and drank her tea. Her eyes scanned the restaurant. Only a few people drank and ate at that hour. She just returned from other city, and she preferred to eat at the restaurant than to eat at her house.

When she scanned the restaurant with her cute eyes, her eyes caught something unusual: a man who sat and used his folding fan to hide his face.

Wong Chi Lan smiled. She recognized the fan, and she could guess who the man behind the fan is.

Hai Lung’s fan was an ordinary folding fan, with calligraphy on it. What makes the fan special was that the calligraphy. Its calligraphy was not a poet, but a saying of Confucius.

“Waiter, come here!” said Wong Chi Lan.

“Coming Miss,” said the waiter. Wong Chi Lan whispered something to the waiter’s ears.

Hai Lung was trying to sneak out to go upstairs to his room. But before he moved his body, a waiter came approaching him.

“Master, this is a special wine from the lady over there,” said the waiter.
Hai Lung knew that he had no choice than to face the girl.

-----------------------------------

Not far away from JiuQuan, Madame Flower was sitting on her room and drink some wine. An informer from the Black Scorpion Sect would meet her and gave some new information.

Her door was knocked and a man wearing black robe entered the room.

“Madame Flower, I come here and bring you some information about Liu Chin Kang,” said the man while he gave a salute with his fist.

“What’s the latest news?” asked Madame Flower. She looked at the young informer from head to toe. Madame Flower whose real name was Hoa Xiang Mei, or Beautiful Fragrant Flower, was known as a coquette women who loved to flirt with men. And now in front of her, a young handsome informer was talking with her. She looked at the young man with lust eyes.

“Nothing new. My master, Master Ma Wing Sing wanted to make sure that you can come to the meeting in JiuQuan on full moon. We also have already found out Liu Chin Kang’s body,” said the man.

“What? So where’s the body?” said Madame Flower with enthusiast voice. “How your student identify that the body was Liu Chin Kang corpse?”

“We found a burying in the desert a few miles away from the location where Liu Chin Kang and his troupe were killed. And when we opened the burying, we found out an almost rotten corpse which had no skin on his chest,” said the man again.

“It seemed that Liu Chin Kang really hid the map on his chest!” said Madame Flower. “Have you checked all of his clothes? And what else did you find?”

“We think that probably Liu Chin Kang met foreigner caravan and was buried by them. We found this on his burying,” said the man with his hand extending a wood written in foreign language character. “I asked one of the foreign travelers from Persia, and he translated the meaning of the writing to me.”

“What is the meaning then?” asked Madame Flower with curious voice.

“It means ‘A Chinese man with a map on his chest’ That’s why are we are so sure that the corpse was Liu Chin Kang.”

“But the map, where’s the map?!” Madame Flower barked. It seemed that she’s very angry and desperate.

“We don’t know who bring the map now. But I think that the map is brought by Persian traveler, since the tombstone is written in Persian language. Probably Liu Chin Kang was dying and he gave the map to the traveler who help him! But the question is: if the foreigner know what the map is all about, or Liu just asked him to deliver the map to someone,” said the man.

It was lucky for Yacov Levi and the Yutai troupe that Yacov didn’t write the tombstone in Yutai language (Hebrew language) although in daily life they spoke in Yutai language.

“What do you think Madame Flower?” asked the man politely.

“Hmm…you are right. Then I guess we should face the two possibilities. We have to watch the Persian travelers who make suspicious things. Watching them wouldn’t be too much trouble for your sect! And also, we have to keep our ears and eyes to Liu Chin Kang’s friends. If Liu Chin Kang asked the Persian to deliver the map to one of them, then we can be sure who bring the map and we can arrogate the map!” said Madame Flower smiled widely.

“You are right Madame! Then I should leave you now. See you on the full moon,” said the man giving salute to say goodbye.

“Hey, are you in hurry?” asked Madame Flower with melodious voice.
“Why don’t you accompany me and drink with me before you leave?” wooed Madame Flower grabbing the man’s hand.

More than thirty years before, Madame Flower was one of the most beautiful girls in the Wulin (Martial art world). She was not a coquette, pervert and cruel at that time. Rumors said that she had a broken heart with a noble man who preferred to leave her and worked in the imperial palace than to marry her. That’s how she became very cruel and heartless. Until she reached almost fifty years old, she still looked beautiful and stunning; that’s why the young informer couldn’t stand with Madame Flower.

----------------------------------

Meanwhile in Xi’An, North Devil Swordsman was receiving a letter from Minister Wen from the capital city.

North Devil Swordsman, An Chien Siung, was born from a noble family in Kaifeng. When he reached eighteen, he decided to travel in Wulin and since after that, he didn’t want to return home and become officer like his father. North Devil Swordman, Liu Chin Kang, and Minister Wen Chai Fung, were best friends since they were young. All of the three men came from officers’ family in the capital. They also have the same literature teacher. When they grew up, An Chien Sung showed his interest more in martial art than literature or politics. When they all reached twenty five, people knew An Chien Siung as one of the best swordsman in the martial art world, while Liu Chin Kang and Wen Chai Fung became talented officers in the palace.

After received the letter, An Chien Siung decided to go to the capital city. He didn’t know that someone was dying and wanted to meet him to ask him some favor.

[Goofy]

nice chapter, andrea. <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/clap.gif" border="0">

Like the story more and more. wonder how will li qing be saved. <IMG SRC="smilies/catroar.gif" border="0">

[charbydis]

hehe. :clap; Is the nobleman li Ching's father?

[andrea7974]

Goofy : thanks for reading, Goofy. <IMG SRC="smilies/kiss.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/kiss.gif" border="0">

Charbydis : Li Ching father was General Yang who was heading to the capital to meet his friend Wen Chai Fung (Wen Hai Lung's father). It's great to know that you read my story <IMG SRC="smilies/touched.gif" border="0">

[Kara]

Intriguing. Keep up the good work. I really like Hai Lung, so kind hearted- reminds me of Benny Chan's Duan Yu in Demi Gods and Semi Devils '97. I don't know why, it's just something about him. Anyway, great story. I hope to god Hai Lung doesn't get together with that Wong girl though- don't like her very much!

[andrea7974]

Thanks Kara. Hai Lung is a kind hearted man..but I don't think he's much more principled than Duan Yu in DGSD. I think that Hai Lung character is more likely that of Leslie Cheung in The Young Wanderer or Fallen Family <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">

[andrea7974]

Shabbat just over and the Yutai people in that camp were preparing dinner. Rabbi Levi invited Yacov Levi, Micha and Li Ching to his tent. They wanted to discuss their leaving tomorrow.

“Miss Li Ching, tomorrow you will depart with my nephew Yacov and Micha! This is the medicament I made for you! I hope it can strengthen your body until you reach Xi’An,” said Rabbi Levi.

“Thank you Rabbi!” said Li Ching. She said nothing since she didn’t know what to say, and also she still feel a little bit peevish with the Rabbi saying few days before.

“Levi and Micha, you both have to take good care of Miss Li! You have to take her to meet the doctor in Xi’An and make sure she’s fully recovered. After you finished, then you should go to Kaifeng and meet us there!” said Rabbi Levi.

“And now let us take our dinner,” said Rabbi. Li Ching was about to take the glass to drink when Rabbi Levi, Yacov and Micha arose from their seat and prayed. Li Ching couldn’t understand why the Yutai often pray so much. “They just spent the whole day to pray and still it’s not enough for them,” thought Li Ching. She also arose from her seat to respect Rabbi Levi.

During the dinner the Rabbi always spoke in Chinese so that Li Ching could understand what they were talking about. Li Ching never thought that the Rabbi had a good sense of humor and also very friendly.

“It’s late and you all have to go early tomorrow. Especially, you Miss Li Ching, you should have a good rest before the long journey tomorrow! Go to bed now, let Micha send you my child!” said Rabbi Levi to Li Ching.

“Thank you Rabbi! And I will not forget your hospitality and everything you and your troupe has done to me,” said Li Ching bowing her body to show respect.

Rabbi Levi smiled to her. Now Li Ching became more and more convinced that this old man reminded her of her late grandfather.

“Yacov, I want to talk to you now. And Micha, send Miss Li back to her tent,” said Rabbi Levi again.

“Yes uncle,” said Yacov. He could guess what topics his uncle wanted to discuss with him.

“Sit down, my son!” said Rabbi Levi after Micha and Li Ching left his tent.

“Tomorrow you will leave! Have you prepared everything for this journey?” asked Rabbi Levi.

“We have prepared everything. Actually I had chosen the fastest horses and the finest cart. I hope you agree with this!” said Yacov to his uncle.

“Of course I agree Yacov! The girl helped us and she deserves to have the privilege. I really hope that you and Micha can help her that she can be cured,” said Rabbi Levi.

Yacov smiled. He felt glad that his uncle agree to treat her in special way.

“Yacov, you must have thought that I hate her! I’ve never hated her,” said Rabbi Levi with patient voice.

Levi said nothing, although in his heart he thought about that.

“If I’m young and I’m not a Levite, then probably I would chased her and be your rival,” said Rabbi Levi teased his nephew.
Yacov laughed. “What rival Uncle?” asked Yacov.

“Yacov, I won’t blame you if you like Miss Li. She’s smart and very pretty also. But she’s not one of us, Yacov. And even if you don’t like Hannah and don’t want to marry her, but I still can’t agree if you like this girl!” said Rabbi Levi again.

Yacov now knew what his Uncle was talking about.

“Uncle, although she’s not one of us, but she helped me to bring back our Holy Bible. It shows that she’s one of the righteous among the nations!” said Yacov.

“Son, you are still young and too emotional! Yes you are right, probably she one of the righteous among the nations, but what? Remember that you are a Levite, and one day I hope that you can be a Rabbi like me and your late father,” said Rabbi Levi with serious voice.

Yacov said nothing.
“Think it over my son!” said Rabbi Levi sighed. “It’s late, better for you to go to sleep now!”

Yacov Levi couldn’t sleep that night. He was thinking of what his uncle just told him.

In Yutai culture, they believed that the Levite was chosen to become priests. And because of that, they can’t marry someone with different religion. Levi knew that Li Ching had no religion, and that made him sad.

[The Yutai (Jewish) can only marry another nation, even the priestly case, if the alien female for example converts including cutting her hair, mourning and fasting for a few weeks until she is ready for the conversion test on the Torah (Jewish Holy Bible) - and after she passes that test before the Bet Din (or House of Judgment) she is immersed into a pool (baptized) and then she begins her journey with the Yutai people]

Levi knew that deep inside his heart he already fell in love with this girl. But he couldn’t have a serious relationship with this girl as he’s not sure if Li Ching could be converted.

At the same time Li Ching slept like a baby and felt happy that she could be together with Levi for at least two weeks until she reached Xi’An.

---------------------------

In Xi’An, the Black Scorpion henchmen were watching An Chien Siung’s house. They didn’t know that a few days before, An Chien Siung was secretly left his house to go to the capital.

That afternoon, a Persian man came to An Chien Siung’s house. An Chien Siung, who was distinguished as North Devil Swordsman was known as an antique collectors. The Persian man, who was an old friend of An Chien Siung came to the house to offer him an antique sword from Persia.

The Persian man stayed there for few hours and chatted with An Chien Siung’s servant after he knew that An Chien Siung had left his house two days before.

The Persian man left the house and he didn’t know that he was followed by two men wearing black robes. He walked slowly to his house and never thought that he wouldn’t reach his house again.

The Persian man turning left to a narrow street that led to his house when suddenly two men on the end of the road blocked his way. Before he realized that the two men wanted to harm him, another two men with black robe had already stood behind him.

The Persian man now knew that the four men who besieged him wanted to rob him or harm him.

“What do you want?” asked the Persian man petrified.

“Why did you go to meet An Chien Siung?” asked one of the men while his sword was wrapped on the Persian man’s neck. Another man searched his body tried to find something valuable. He found nothing but some money.

“I just wanted to sell an antique sword to him,” said the Persian man again.

“What else did you gave him?” asked the other man with rude voice.

“I gave nothing but the sword. An Chien Siung was not home also, so I just left the sword to his head servant!” said the Persian man.

“Liar! Tell me where’s the map?” said one of the man.

“Map? What map?”

“You just returned from Persia a week ago! I’m sure you know what I meant with ‘map’ !” said the man again.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about!” said the Persian man almost screamed as the man stifled his neck.

The Persian man didn’t lie. It was the bandits who made hypothesis that Liu Chin Kang sent the map to An Chien Siung after they knew that there’s Persian troupe who helped Liu Chin Kang before he died. An Chien Siung and Liu Chin Kang were best friends, that’s why the bandits thought that the Persian man was the one who received the map from Liu Chin Kang. The Persian just had a bad luck since he came to An Chien Siung in a wrong time.

“Hmph,” the bandit snuffled disbelieved the Persian man. “You really don’t want to tell us, do you? Okay, then we shall find the map by ourself, especially you told that An Chien Siung is not at home now!” said the man with cruel and cold voice.
“Brother, finish him!” said the man again.

An hour later, people found out a corpse with the head almost loose from his neck.

The bandits didn’t stop there. That night they smuggled to An Chien Sung’s house to find out the map. They killed An Chien Siung old servant and searched the house to find the map. Not only that, they also plundered An Chien Siung’s belongings. His antique collections, paintings, etc. were plundered and they burnt the house to hide their action.

People who live around An Chien Siung’s house thought that the fire was caused by an accident. They didn’t know that the house was plundered and intentionally burnt.
-----------------

Thanks for reading and please be advised! <IMG SRC="smilies/bow.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/bow.gif" border="0">

[Goofy]

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

I like your style of writing, keep on. <IMG SRC="smilies/clap.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/clap.gif" border="0">

[andrea7974]

Hai Lung couldn’t go upstairs since his presence was known by the pretty annoying girl Wong Chi Lan.

Hai Lung bowed a bit and smiled to Wong Chi Lan. “Thank your for the wine, Miss. It is very kind of you,” said Hai Lung. “Last time there was a misunderstanding. I hope that you won’t keep that matter in your heart and willing to forgive my impoliteness to you.”

“Huh, you and your friend brush me off and you ask me to forget you that easily? No way! Today I swear I won’t let you go!” said Wong Chi Lan. Her voice showed that she really determined what she just said.

Hai Lung sighed and didn’t know what to do. He knew that he can easily defeat or if he wanted, he could easily kill the girl. But he didn’t want to do that. Hai Lung didn’t want to make trouble with her.

“Tell me what can I do to make you feel better Miss?” said Hai Lung. He has been trying to be very patient with this spoilt annoying girl, but it seemed that this girl really needed to be “educated”.
“Oh, it’s quite easy!” said the girl smiled. “I just want your right arm, then I will let you go! Why don’t you cut off your right arm now? Or should I lend you my sword?” said the girl again.

This time Hai Lung lost his patient. “You really don’t how to thanks other people, huh?” said Hai Lung with loud voice. “My friend and I have spared you and you still want to make trouble with me? Listen, I have no time to deal with a spoilt and stubborn girl like you! Let me go to my room and don’t disturb me!”

Hai Lung turned his body and stepped upstairs to go to his room.

Wong Chi Lan stamped her feet. She looked pale try control her anger. “You, you! Nobody dares to say that to me!”

Suddenly Wong Chi Lan took out a whistler from her pocket. She blew the whistler and smiled to Hai Lung with cunning voice.

Hai Lung’s trained ears heard that dozen of men were running toward the inn. The whistle was intended to call the other Wong Man Siu’s henchmen.

“You are very tricky, devil girl!” hissed Hai Lung angrily. He used his ginkang and leaped. In a flash, Hai Lung had already stood on the street. He used his ginkang and ran away toward the nearby forest. He didn’t want Wong Chi Lan to make trouble and ruined his plan.

Wong Chi Lan tried to chase Hai Lung. Too bad for her that her ginkang was not as good as Hai Lung. Just in a few minutes she lost Hai Lung’s traces.

Meanwhile Hai Lung was already in the nearby forest outside of JiuQuan city. He walked until he reached an underground spring. The underground spring was named JiuQuan or Wine Spring. Hai Lung saw a pavilion stood in the middle of a small lake surrounded by poplars. The lake water came from a clear spring of JiuQuan and its mouth was paved with marble resembling a well.

Hai Lung was amazed as he saw the beautiful spring. Just in a few minutes Hai Lung can forget his aggravation. He sat on the pavilion and thinking about the way how he’s going to return to the inn and meet A Yung and A Man. It’s eight days before the full moon and Hai Lung really hoped that this time he could infiltrate the Wong brothers headquarter.

Hai Lung was really enjoyed the scenery, he tried to be relax and recited some poems. Suddenly he heard someone laughed and a in flash, Guo Sing Li already appeared in front of him.

“Master Guo,” said Hai Lung with surprised voice. Not only he was surprised that Guo Sing Li suddenly appeared in front of him, but because Guo Sing Li brought a huge sack with someone inside it.

“Hmph, hmph” said the person inside in the sack trying to say something.

“I bring someone for you,” said Guo Sing Li grinned.

“Who is that?” said Hai Lung curiously.

“The troublemaker lady, “ Guo Sing Li winked while he opened his sack.

Hai Lung laughed as he saw it was Wong Chi Lan who was in the sack with his hands and mouth tied.

“Master Guo, thanks a lot for your kindness. Actually I was a little bit worry that this little devil will ruin my plan to enter Wong brothers headquarter next week,” said Hai Lung.

“Hmph, hmph,” Wong Chi Lan tried to say something. He stamped her feet and tried to kick both Guo Sing Li and Hai Lung.

“This little devil is very similar like his father,” said Guo Sing Li. He pressed some blood point on Wong Chi Lan’s body so that girl was no longer able to speak or move her body.

“Now you can not do anything little girl! And better for you not to do anything. Otherwise…. I will…,” Guo Sing Li didn’t continue his word. He just winked and pinch Wong Chi Lan’s cheek. The girl cried as she knew that she couldn’t do anything even if the two men in front of him wanted to do something bad to her.

Wong Chi Lan was trying to chased Hai Lung when she was caught by Guo Sing Li. She was trying to call her father’s henchmen to catch Hai Lung in the restaurant. But the henchmen couldn’t followed her since Wong Chi Lan had a good ginkang and she could run and jump very fast in a flash.

Actually Hai Lung felt pity with that girl. But he also wanted to give her some lessons to chasten and made her more behave herself.

So Hai Lung whispered something to Guo Sing Li. Guo Sing Li laughed and looked very happy with what he heard.

“Miss Wong, my friend and I have decided to give you a punishment! We will scratch your face and pull out your tongue before we will release you! Oh no…we have to paralyzed your hands also, so that your father or your henchmen wouldn’t be able to recognize you! What about that?” said Guo Sing Li laughed so hard.

“Master Guo, here I have a very sharp blade, you can use this to scratch her pretty face,” said Hai Lung.

Wong Chi Lan could only cried and close her eyes. In the next minutes Wong Chi Lan felt a cold blade on her cheeks. A few second later, Wong Chi Lan fainted while Hai and Guo Sing Li laughed since actually they were just trying to make the girl scared to death.

------------------------------------

Levi and Micha woke up very early in the morning to prepare the chariot, horses and some food.

“Yacov,” a melodious voice was calling Yacov Levi. Levi knew that it was Hannah who called him.

“Yes Hannah, let me finish this first!” said Levi. Actually he was just looking for a reason so that he could avoid Hannah.

“Micha can do that for you! Am I right Micha?” said Hannah. Micha was Hannah cousin, and of course Micha will help Hannah no matter what.

“Sure. You can leave me and talk to Hannah first!” said Micha to Levi.

Yacov looked at Hannah. “What’s wrong Hannah?”

“Can we chat over there?” said Hannah with low voice.

Levi nodded his head and followed Hannah.

“Yacov, recently you’ve been acting so …….. “ Hannah didn’t continue her word and sighed.

“What’s wrong with me?” asked Levi.
“Are you angry with me since I couldn’t protect your father and your brother on the battle last time?”

“No, no….not that!” said Hannah with her slow melodious voice. “I mean…you just don’t care about me anymore!” said Hannah lowered her head.

“Hannah, you’re a big girl! And of course I care for you! It is just that I can’t take care of you twenty four hours a day!” said Levi.

“My friends and Tavita said that probably you like that Chinese girl. Is that true?” asked Hannah.

Levi sighed. “Hannah, what are you trying to say?”

“Yacov, you always care for me before. But in these last few days you seemed to be ignorant to me! Why is that?” said Hannah almost yelled.

“What do you expect me to do?” asked Levi. “I always accompany you these days. Isn’t that enough for you?”

“Tell me ………” Hannah spoke in a slow dubious voice. “How do you feel in our relationship?”

It was now clear for Levi what was Hannah trying to say to him. “Hannah, we’ve been friends for many years. Actually we have known each other for almost sixteen years,” said Levi. “And you always be in my heart as one of my special friends!” said Levi sincerely.

“One of your special friends?” asked Hannah with serious almost angry voice.

Levi was very surprised to hear that. “You are special for me, but honestly I don’t think that I’m your soul mate,” said Levi.

“I know you will say that! I can see in your eyes after you get along with the Chinese girl!” said Hannah again.

“Hannah, you’re blaming on Li Ching about this! She knows nothing about this!” said Levi.

“Your uncle wants us to get married when we arrive in Kaifeng! Do you know about that?” asked Hannah.

“I know,” said Levi.

“And what do you think about that?” asked Hannah.
“I don’t know. I’m still twenty two years old, just arrived in this marvelous country, and I want to make an adventure!” said Levi with bright eyes. He was imagining how he was going to go to Lin An, meet General Yang and gave the map to him, travel along China, etc.

“Will you ask me to wait for you?” asked Hannah.

---------------------

<IMG SRC="smilies/crying.gif" border="0"> Poor Hannah! Actually I want to create another man to replace Levi in Hannah's heart. But I just remember that I'm not a matchmaker here <IMG SRC="smilies/twirl.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/twirl.gif" border="0">

Thanks for reading <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/kiss.gif" border="0">

[Goofy]

you can make micha her 2nd remove cousin and match him with her. <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

[culturegirl]

Dear Andrea,
This has to be one of the best fan fiction I've ever read. I know of a website that you can post your story and I believe people will read it. However, if you give Li Ching and Levi star names eg. Li Ching can be Vicki Zhao and Levi can be that guy who gets together with Zhang ZiYi from 'Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon'. Or you can star him as Alec Su. Everyone seems to love Vicki with Alec. Plus as for the young scholar, you can have Jimmy Lin. These are just ideas and I think people will read it if they have an idea what these people look like.
Here's the website where you can post your excellent story - website: http://www.winglin.net/fanfic/

So here what's I think of your story so far. It's very interesting and I find your character development to be extremely fascinating and you have a lot of depth to your characters. You've definitely made Levi into a hero. He's gentle without being weak and kind without being stupid. Very loyal and a man with integrity. I like him very much. As for Li Ching, I can already see she is destined to be pursued by men for her beauty and brains. I like her too. Confident without being arrogant and aware of her beauty but not vain. You managed this very skillfully with panache and the way you execute each scene have me pining for more. I really like the fact there's plenty of action and you dont concentrate too much on the politics but you are aware that it does play a part in this story. Therefore, the politics somehow adds mystery and intrigue to the plot and it thickens as each chapter unfold rather than taking the focus off the character. Sometimes, I see this in some of the series and it only endeavours to frustrate me. But what I likemost so far is how the main characters meet and to my utmost pleasure I can see that their relationship is more than just a romance but it's about loyalty, friendship, honour and integrity. How I miss these virtues in our ever increasing modern world. Yes, I occassionally lament over this factor. I know I'm not doing justice to your work. It seems words are too inadequate. I know we have to read it for ourselves to know how good this story is. I really hope you will continue writing and cultivate this gift of yours. I can't wait for your next instalment. Please finish this excellent story. It's too well-written to be given up.

Also you seem to have an extensive knowledge of Jewish culture I'm interested in how you've come to think of using Jewish culture? Also you've done a great job of integrating it into the Wuxia theme.
Keep up the great work!
P.S I still prefer Levi regardless he reminds me a lot of Joseph in the biblical story.

Cheers Anne