Sunset in the Silk Road

[MYF]

Aiya! I think I've made the same mistake as you about Kai-Feng <IMG SRC="smilies/knocked.gif" border="0"> (totally forgot about it having another name)

Hmm... has Xi'An had any other name besides Chang An?

Glad you're here to correct these little overlooked mistakes <IMG SRC="smilies/bow.gif" border="0">

[ August 21, 2002: Message edited by: MYF ]

[andrea7974]

“Li Ching I’m very happy to know that you are fully recovered now!” said Levi to Li Ching.

“You have been so kind to me, thank you Levi!” said Li Ching and smiled. Suddenly she felt something empty in her heart. She’s healed already, and her teacher’s map had already in Levi’s hand. She didn’t have to find out where his master whereabout. It meant that she had return home to Lin An, while Levi had to go to Kaifeng and marry Hannah.

At the same time, Levi also thought the same thing with Li Ching. He knew that somehow they had to separate one day, since he couldn’t expect Li Ching to convert to his religion. But Levi just couldn’t help if they both had to separate in the next few days. One month with Li Ching was not enough for him. He wanted to be with Li Ching for a little bit longer.

“When will you go to Kaifeng?” asked Li Ching with low voice. She felt sad that she had to separate with Levi.

“I still have to fulfill my promise to deliver the map to General Yang in Lin An. So I think I won’t go to Kaifeng in the mean time!” said Levi.

“But you don’t have to do that. You can give the map to me and let me bring the map to my father!” said Li Ching.

“I know. But I want to travel around China before I return to Kaifeng,” said Levi and winked.

“But you promise your uncle to go to Kaifeng as soon as I recovered!” said Li Ching.

“That is why I plan to meet my uncle before they reach Kaifeng. And I will ask permission to go with you to Lin An to fulfill your teacher’s last wish!” said Levi. “I will say to my uncle that I want to take care of you until you reach your home safely!”

“You are so nice to me, Levi!” said Li Ching. She’s happy that Levi cared for him, but she also sad since she felt guilty with Hannah.

“Lin An is very far from here. If you want to accompany me it means that you have to pending your marriage with Hannah!” said Li Ching. She lowered her head since she didn’t want to let Levi saw her sad face expression. “Are you sure you want to do that?”

“I’m not ready to get married! So, for me, to go to Lin An with you or not will not change anything!” said Levi.

“What do you mean? Hannah is your fiancé and you suppose to marry her as soon as you arrive in Kaifeng, right?” asked Li Ching.

“Hannah is not my fiancé. Me and Hannah have been friends since we were children. But we’ve not engaged yet! “ said Levi.
“I see!” said Li Ching. Suddenly she felt relieved when she heard that statement.

“Your uncle told me that you suppose to marry Hannah as soon as possible” said Li Ching wanted to make sure Levi’s previous statement.

“He told me that. But he didn’t force me to marry her. Hannah is a nice girl, and I’ve known her for years. And the most important thing is that she has the same religion with me. That’s why she’s the best candidate for my future wife,” said Levi. “But until now I have no special feeling for her,” said Levi with low voice.

Actually deep inside his heart he wanted to say: “I have a special feeling for you! But I just can’t go on as long as you won’t convert. Will you convert in my religion one day?” But Levi didn’t say what he wanted to say.

“Li Ching, will you do something for me?” asked Levi.

“You can ask me anything as long as it doesn’t break the rules and my conscience,” said Li Ching. “What is it?”

“When you were ill, I prayed a lot for you. And now you are healed!” said Levi. “I want you to pray with me to thanks the Lord for healing you!”

“It’s obvious enough that it was Wen Hai Lung and Guo Sing Li who helped me! And he said that his god who helped me? My goodness, I think that he was blinded by his religion!” thought Li Ching. But she didn’t want to insult Levi anyway.

“I’ve never prayed before. I will follow you if you pray!” said Li Ching. She didn’t want to disappoint Levi anyway.

Levi smiled and he began to teach Li Ching some Hebrew prayer from his sidur (praying book). He felt happy since at least Li Ching didn’t refuse when he asked her to pray with him.
===================================

Hai Lung, Guo Sing Li and Ma Wing Sun were outside the cavern. They discussed strategies to enter the Wong’s headquarters.

The night after they would go together to Wong’s headquarters. Hai Lung and Guo Sing Li would disguise as one of Ma Wing Sun’s henchmen.

The distant from the cavern to JiuQuan was not too far away. So that early evening, Hai Lung, Guo Sing Li and Ma Wing Sun prefered to stay at the Wine Spring near the cavern than to go to downtown JiuQuan.

Later on Guo Sing Li and Ma Wing Sun talked and discussed about the situation in the martial art world, while Hai Lung was sitting on the while Hai Lung was sitting on the pavillion, drank some wine and enjoyed sunset on the pavillion.

“Wine of the grape from cups that glows in the night. We long to drink but the pipa urgently summons……” Hai Lung had not continued his poem when suddenly he heard someone continued his poem.

“If we lie drunk on the battlefield, don’t mock us, friend. Since the old days, how many fighters ever got back?” said Li Ching continued Hai Lung’s poem.

“Hi Miss Li!” said Hai Lung smiled. “You know this song of Liangzhou also!” said Hai Lung.

“Of course I know, Mr. Wen!” smiled Li Ching. Levi accompanied Li Ching and they all sat on the pavillion.

“Here, big brother, Miss Li, let’s us drink!” said Hai Lung and he poured some wine for Levi and Li Ching.

“Miss Li, big brother, I’m sure that you have heard our conversation this morning with Ma Wing Sun,” said Hai Lung.

“Yes. And I feel sorry that I have made you and Mr. Guo in trouble,” said Li Ching.

“It’s okay, don’t mention that. Actually we’re not loosing anything when decided to help you,” said Hai Lung. “Actually we even get a benefit after we helped you,” said Hai Lung smiled.

“Oh, how come?” asked Li Ching curiously.

Hai Lung just smiled and didn’t answer Li Ching’s question.

“We just hope that you can help us and take care of Miss Wong Chi Lan for tonight until perhaps the day after tomorrow!” said Hai Lung.

“No problem with that,” said Levi and Li Ching almost in the same time.

Hai Lung smiled. He looked at Levi and Li Ching. “They can be a great couple! A beautiful girl with a gallant handsome man,” thought Hai Lung.

“So tell me Miss Li, how did you learn literature?” asked Hai Lung. “You were able to recognize the song of Liangzhou. It seems to me that you are a scholar!”

“I’m nothing compared to you, Mr. Wen. My knowledge about literature is very limited. I can’t be said a scholar,” said Li Ching smiled.

“And your kungfu is excellent, I saw you when you fought Wong Man Li and his friend a month ago. But one thing I can’t recognize your style. I guess I’m really dumb in this case. I hope you can give me some advice, Miss Li!” said Hai Lung.

“Hmm, he ask this surely not because he’s dumb. He must have asked me this to reveal my identity! Let’s see who trick who,” thought Li Ching.
“Master Wen, you are too flattering me. Actually I only used a common kungfu style. But I just use the sword style in uncommon way,” said Li Ching.

“Uncommon way? How is that?” asked Hai Lung curiously.

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Please leave a comment <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/bow.gif" border="0"> :bow

[MYF]

Good chapter <IMG SRC="smilies/thumbsup.gif" border="0"> (Li Ching is such a great character)

Please update soon - I sense a <IMG SRC="smilies/starwars.gif" border="0"> comming up... <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

(btw, are you going to change Kai-Feng to BianJing in this chapter)

[ August 27, 2002: Message edited by: MYF ]

[andrea7974]

Hi MYF: the <IMG SRC="smilies/starwars.gif" border="0"> will begin on the next chapter <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> Thanks for reading <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0">

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“Lao Tzu said: The best of man is like water, which benefits all things, and does not contend with them.
Which flows in places that others disdain, where it is in harmony with Tao (tao=the way),” said Li Ching smiled again. “I use that principal in the sword style.”

“What do you mean?” Hai Lung frowned. He couldn’t understand what Li Ching was trying to say.

“It is like the river water which crushes the river stone. So does my sword style. I use the softness to fight the hardness. Just like the water who crushes the stone. So I used that principle in my sword style to fight my opponent. Those who fight my harshly will be crush harshly also with my sword style,” said Li Ching.

During that time, Li Ching’s principle in kungfu was not common. Actually even her teacher didn’t teach her such kind of principle in kungfu. But since Li Ching was a scholar girl who admired Lao Tzu so much, she applied Lao Tzu principles in her kungfu. Only a few hundred later, her principle in Kungfu became popular. (Note: Tai Chi Chuan also using this kind of principle)

Hai Lung was amazed as he heard that. “Miss Li, you are a genius! You applied your literature skills in your kungfu!” said Hai Lung. “No wonder I felt familiar with your kungfu, but I can’t recognize your kungfu. Your teacher must be a very great man that he invented this kind of principle in kungfu.”

“My master was a great man. But he has passed away!” said Li Ching sighed with low voice. She felt sad since she came late to meet her teacher. If only Li Ching came to the desert earlier, then she would have met her teacher and her teacher wouldn’t be killed.

“Mr. Wen, I heard that when we’re in the caver, Master Guo mentioned that you are the son of Minister Wen,” said Li Ching. “I wonder if you have any blood relationship with Minister Wen Chai Fung.”

“Darn, Mr. Guo was such a big mouth!” thought Hai Lung.

“Well, he’s my father!” said Hai Lung couldn’t lie. He just hoped that Li Ching was not a crook who hated his father.

“Aiya, no wonder you are a scholar and a good kungfu fighter also!” said Li Ching happily. Now she felt glad to know that Hai Lung was surely not her enemy.
“Your kungfu teacher is Chao Wan Ling, The Thunder Swordman! No wonder you have a good kungfu,” said Li Ching happily.

“And your master’s name is still remain a mystery,” said Hai Lung grinned.

Li Ching only smiled. She knew what Hai Lung was trying to say with that. “Well, my father is in the same boat with your father! So I guess it is clear enough that we are not enemies!” said Li Ching smiled again.

“Oh, who is your father then?” asked Hai Lung curiously. “Is your father….General Yang Shu Huan from Lin An?”

“How and why do you guess that way?” asked Li Ching.

“Well,first: I heard that General Yang’s daughter, Yang Li Ching is a very smart scholar and a very beautiful girl also. And second: your name is Li Ching; it is possible that your name is Yang Li Ching instead of just Li Ching!” said Hai Lung. “Now I’m pretty sure that your name is Yang Li Ching and your teacher’s name is Mr. Liu Chin Kang, that’s why you didn’t want to mention his name!”

“Wow Mr. Wen, I can’t deny anything now,” said Li Ching laughed. “Well, you are right, I’m Yang Li Ching!”

“Miss Yang, you are more than I ever expected! I never thought that you are so beautiful,” said Hai Lung. Li Ching blushed and lowered her head when she heard that, while Levi tried not to laugh and Hai Lung’s face turned to red because he realized that he was too blabbermouth just now.

“I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to say something rude…please don’t be angry!” said Hai Lung.

“Well, in my country, girls are not blushed when men praise them. I think it is just a matter of behavior here,” said Levi. “I’m sure that Li Ching won’t be angry for a simple thing like that,” said Levi to neutralize the situation.

“Of course I’m not angry. My father and I always admire Minister Wen. Now I’m sitting here and talking with his son, and it is a great honor for me!” said Li Ching.

“And now, may I know where do you want to go that you asked us to take care of Wong Chi Lan?” asked Li Ching.

“I’m sure that you have heard the rumors spread in the martial art world about your teacher and his map!” said Hai Lung.

“I know that the Black Scorpion Sect, Wong brothers bandits and Madame Flower are working together to find out the map!” said Li Ching.

“Yes. And the Wong’s bandits attacked your teacher in the desert but couldn’t find the map,” said Hai Lung. Hai Lung told her everything and how the Persian people now were targeted since Wong brothers and his gangs thought that Persial caravan helped Liu Chin Kang. And Li Ching told Hai Lung about how the map fell to Levi’s hand.

“Ah, that is why a Persian merchant told us about that. He didn’t know the reason why Persian merchants who just arrived in China are hunted,” said Li Ching.

“Lucky that I didn’t write Mr. Liu’s tomb with Yutai (Hebrew) language!” said Levi. “But somehow I have caused a lot of trouble to other Persian merchants!” said Levi.

“After Mr. Wen finish his full moon meeting, we will go right away to protect your troupe Levi!” said Li Ching.

“I’ll go with you both!” said Hai Lung. It is part of my duty to make sure that the map is safe. After we usher Levi’s troupe in Kaifeng, then we can go to Lin An to find your father and give the map to him!” said Hai Lung.

“That’s a good idea,” said Levi and Li Ching.

They drank wine and chatted under the moonlight that nightfall.

“Hai Lung, we better go now!” said Guo Sing Li who approached them with Ma Wing Sun,
“Hi Miss Li, you look great after you are recovered!” said Guo Sing Li again.

“Thank you Mr. Guo. Hai Lung told me that I have to stay here and take care of Miss Wong. Don’t worry, I will take good care of her!” said Li Ching.

“I know I can count on you, Miss Li!” said Guo Sing Li laughed.

Wong Chi Lan was almost asleep when suddenly her blood point was pressed and she’s no longer muted.

“Sister, are you okay?” asked Li Ching.

“Huh, if you’re in my position you will know how is it feel!” said Chi Lan.

“I will release this robe so you won’t feel fatigue. But I warn you not to try to run away, otherwise I won’t release you again!” said Li Ching.

“I promise sister! Please release me,” said Wong Chi Lan. Li Ching took pity since the girl looked miserable. So she untied the robe although A Yung and A Man forbad her.

“Thank you sister, you are so kind to me!” said Wong Chi Lan.

“Let’s eat now!” said Li Ching and she walked in front of Chi Lan.

“Watch out!” suddenly A Man shouted and in the same time, Wong Chi Lan attacked Li Ching with deadly fist.

Li Ching said nothing and she just moved her body and turned her body gracefully to paralyze Wong Chi Lan.

“Hey, Li Ching has been so kind to you but you wanted to hurt her! What an ungrateful little girl you are!” said Levi angrily.

“You are truly a little spoiled brat! Lucky that Miss Li didn’t kill you,” said A Man angrily.

“You really disappointed me, Miss Wong! You can not be trusted,” said Li Ching. “From now on we won’t trust you either!”

“Right!” said A Yung. “You had already bring a lot of problem for us. Lucky that Miss Li has a high skill that she didn’t get hurt.”

“Huh, you are all claiming yourself as good people, but you torture a girl like me here. You are all shameless people!” Wong Chi Lan cried loudly like a child.

“Sister Chi Lan, we didn’t mean to hurt you! We just….” Before Li Ching finished her word Chi Lan already replied, “ You just keep me here!”

“Forget it!” said Li Ching. “Time for you to eat now. I will feed you!”

Li Ching fed Chi Lan. Chi Lan ate the food nicely at first. But when she started to full, she spewed the food to Li Ching.

“Hey, you…! Urgh!” hissed Li Ching angrily.

“Li Ching no use for you to angry with her!” said Levi try to calm Li Ching down.

A Yung was very angry with Chi Lan. If only Hai Lung didn’t tell him to take good care of Chi Lan, probably A Yung would slap Chi Lan on her face.

“I go outside to wash my face,” said Li Ching to A Yung and A Man. She went out from the cavern to wash her face at the Wine Spring. Levi accompanied Li Ching and they both decided to eat at the pavilion and enjoy the moonlight. Levi had a good knowledge in astronomy and he taught Li Ching to see the stars.


“Brother Ma, how are you going to take us to Wong’s headquarter?” asked Guo Sing Li. “Your men already in the inn, and they surely have seen my face. And surely they will suspicious if suddenly I wear your gang’s uniform and pretend that I’m one of your men!

“I’ve think about that already,” explained Ma Wing Sun. “Don’t worry. I will instruct them to return to our headquarter, so we can move freely!”

“I guess you have already plotted this plan, Mr. Ma!” said Hai Lung. “Do you mind telling your previous plan to take Yu Siu Fung away from the headquarter?”

“Me and Yu Siu Fung planned to meet at the Drum Tower. But the latest news from my informer said that now Wong Man Siu are not Yu Siu Fung to leave his headquarter,” said Ma Wing Sun.

“That darn Wong Man Siu is really too much, not only he has a lot of affairs with girls and boys, but also he often torture Siu Fung! Hiya, poor Siu Fung,” said Ma Wing Sun with sad voice.

“Ah, so actually our meeting is not totally disaster for you, Brother Ma!” said Guo Sing Li. “With our help, your wishes to be together with Yu Siu Fung can come true! You only have to use a little part of your inner strength to heal that girl, but in return you can get Wong Man Siu’s wife and daughter….. isn’t that great?”

“Hmph, I’ve done my part, but you have not prove work to me. If you can take Yu Siu Fung away, then surely I will not forget your deed to me. But if you fail, then I will make a calculation with you!” said Ma Wing Sun.

“Mr. Ma, don’t worry! You have saved Li Ching’s life, and surely we will do anything to repay your favor!” said Hai Lung.

“Anyway, who is that little girl that you both were so enthusiastic to help her? I know that she’s not your girlfriend, young man!” asked Ma Wing Sun to Hai Lung.

“Hmm, that girl..she is… she is a daughter of my father’s friend,” said Hai Lung. He had not told Guo Sing Li about Li Ching’s real identity.

“We will have to split now, since I’m worry if Madame Flower or someone may see us. We suppose to meet at the Drum Tower tomorrow at 4 o’clock and then we will go together to Wong’s headquarter!” said Ma Wing Sun when they almost near JiuQuan city gate.

“Okay, we will meet again tomorrow,” said Hai Lung and Guo Sing Li and gave a salute on their fist.

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you will see the <IMG SRC="smilies/starwars.gif" border="0"> in the next chapter <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

[Goofy]

great additions, andrea. <IMG SRC="smilies/hatoff.gif" border="0">

Can I still wish someone would spank the brat once before she turns good? <IMG SRC="smilies/tongue.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/evillaugh.gif" border="0">

[andrea7974]

:d don't worry Goofy <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0"> There will be someone who will slap that brat <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/evillaugh.gif" border="0">

Thanks for reading Goofy <IMG SRC="smilies/bow.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/bow.gif" border="0">

[Goofy]

salamat ulang tahun. <IMG SRC="smilies/birthday.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/blob.gif" border="0">

[Bubeng]

Hat off to you. You amazed me with your deep knowledge of the Jewish culture, that's really cool.
Selamat ulang tahun. Panjang umurmu dan bahagia.
Btw just a minor question, re: the title of the story, rasanya lebih cocok "Sunset on Silk Road" dari pada "in Silk Road", what do you think?

[andrea7974]

Dear Goofy,
Thanks for your kind wished for my birthday..(yeah..you did it in Bahasa <IMG SRC="smilies/thumbsup.gif" border="0"> )

Bubeng: thanks for reading my fanfic. I guess this is the first time for you to read this story. Well.. I don't think that the title should be Sunset on the Silk Road instead of Sunset in the Silk Road. Since Silk Road here is a large region area stretch from Xi'an to Persia (current Iran). All the route along this area is called Silk Road. That's is why use the preposition 'in' instead of 'on'
What do you think? Anyway, I really appreciate your comment <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0"> please leave more comments <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">: <IMG SRC="smilies/bow.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/bow.gif" border="0">

[andrea7974]

Li Ching caressed her hair and realized her tousled hair. She used her fingers to brush her long hair.

Levi took a comb from his pocket. “Your sandalwood comb!” said Levi and gave it to Li Ching. “You have to return that comb to me someday!”

Li Ching smiled and asked Levi, “Why are you so eager to keep my comb? Is it because you like the sandalwood fragrance, or something?”

“I want to keep that comb with me, so I can always remember you! I think I want to give that comb to my wife someday!” said Levi.

Li Ching said nothing and was trying to interpret Levi’s saying.

“After we deliver the map to your father in Lin An, then you will have to stay in Lin An, while I have to go to Kaifeng,” said Levi. “Probably we won’t be able to meet again.”

“And you have to marry one of the Yutai girl there, Hannah, or another Yutai girl you like,” thought Li Ching.

“So you will give the comb to Hannah?” asked Li Ching.

“I don’t know.. I don’t really care whoever she is, as long as I love her and she has the same religion with me!” said Levi.

“I see!” said Li Ching.

“Do you have a religion, Li Ching?” asked Levi, although he was quite sure that Li Ching had no religion. At that time, there were a lot of religions spread in China. The largest religions were Buddhism and Taoism. Buddhism and Taoism were popular among the peasants and ordinary people. While the middle class and noble people didn’t really care into religion. Li Ching was tent to be a Taoist, but she didn’t really believe in its teaching and she’s not a Taoism adherent also.

“I believe that there’s a great power outside there which created the world. But if you ask me about religion; I will say that I have no religion,” said Li Ching.

Levi was surprised and he couldn’t imagine why and how come someone has no any religion. “So, when you’re sad or when you are in a deep trouble, how do you pray?” asked Levi curiously.

This time Li Ching began to confuse. “Well, I believe that the power who created the world and created me, also provides me with a power to solve my problem,” said Li Ching. “Honestly I think that it is funny that people pray to their gods. They pray for something mystical and hope miracle will come! I don’t believe in such kind of thing!”

“Do you think that I’m funny also since I pray to my God?” asked Levi.

Li Ching silent for a moment. She knew that Levi would be angry if she said ‘yes’, but she would lie to Levi if she said ‘no’.

“Everyone has his/her own belief. Maybe praying is something important for you, but that’s definitely nor for me!” said Li Ching.

“Levi, I know that you are a religious man. And I admire you for that. But, I hope that you can understand my own belief also,” said Li Ching.

“You know, I’ve seen and heard about the religious men and women who do such bad things. I think that it is useless for them to pray and do a lot of charity but they still do corruption, rape young girls, and so on! “ said Li Ching.

“To pray or not to pray doesn’t guarantee that someone has a good life, don’t you think so?” asked Li Ching to Levi. “It’s better for me to have no religion but I do the moral teaching and conduct a good life, rather than become a hypocrite religious person.”

“What is your concept of religion, Li Ching?” asked Levi.

“Religion….religion.. I think….it is a teaching or rules or guidelines which men have to pursue, in order to reach what they call as heaven,” said Li Ching. She looked at Levi and she realized that she had never thought about it before.

“Honestly I’ve never thought about this before,” you made me have to think about something I had never thought before, said Li Ching laughed.

“I have to discuss this with you again later!” said Li Ching. “I’m tired and want to go to sleep now! Let’s go back to the cavern!”

Levi smiled and arose from his seat. He knew that it was no use for him to try to convert Li Ching, and that made him sad. Being together with Li Ching always made him feel happy, but on the other side, it hurt his heart that his relationship with Li Ching was going to be nowhere. Although he believed in miracle, but this time Levi knew that only his God could convert Li Ching.

That night Li Ching slept like a baby since she was glad to meet a scholar who was a son of her father’s friend. She didn’t have to be much worry since she knew that Levi, Hai Lung and also Guo Sing Li would help her to usher the map to Lin An. At the same time, Levi couldn’t sleep since he knew that Li Ching, although she respected his religion, wouldn’t believe in his religion easily. Hai Lung also couldn’t sleep well, since he thought about a daughter of his father’s friend, who was not only polite, scholar and smart, but also cute and charming.

That night Hai Lung couldn’t sleep until midnight, so he decided to wake up and paint. He painted a face of a girl, wearing a cloth covering her head. The girl on his painting was Yang Li Ching, his new friend.

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That afternoon 4 o’clock, Hai Lung and Guo Sing Li were standing on the peak of the Drum tower. They were waiting for Ma Wing Sun to come.

“Mr. Guo, Madame Flower will surely attend the meeting. Do you think that she will recognize you?” said Hai Lung.

“I met Madame Flower more than fifteen years ago. I’m not sure that she will recognize my face. But somehow I’m the one who killed her daughter, how can she forget my face easily!” said Guo Sing Li.

“It’s our luck that Ma Wing Sun want to cooperate with us. I guess it won’t be easy for us to get into the headquarter if we don’t have any invitation,” said Hai Lung.

“Right. Somehow our good deed to Li Ching gives a reward to us,” said Guo Sing Li. “Anyway, you said that she’s a daughter of General Yang. What a small world after all!”

“I heard that General Yang is a great man. No wonder that his daughter has that kind of personality!” said Hai Lung and smiled. He didn’t realize that his face showed a deep admiration to Li Ching.

Guo Sing Li saw Hai Lung’s face expression. He smiled and nudged Hai Lung, “I see that someone is falling in love here!”

“Mr. Guo you are teasing me!” said Hai Lung and laughed.

“Young man, I’m an old man… I know from your face that you are falling in love with that girl!” Guo Sing Li laughed. “Don’t worry, I support you anyway!” he winked to Hai Lung,

“I admire that girl, that’s all! Besides she’s already with Brother Levi, and I don’t want to disturb their relationship,” said Hai Lung.

“They both may like each other. But I can read from their face that actually Li Ching is not that brown hair’s girlfriend. So you still have a chance; my young friend!” Guo Sing Li laughed.

“Why do say that, Mr. Guo?” asked Hai Lung curiously.

“Well, in case if they love each other, do you think that General Yang will let her daughter marry a foreigner like that?” asked Guo Sing Li backed.

“Well, if they love each other, then why not?” asked Hai Lung.

“Surely General Yang will prefer a young handsome scholar who is also Minister Wen’s son,” laughed Guo Sing Li.

Hai Lung could felt his face blushed when Guo Sing Li said that. Lucky that he saw Ma Wing Sun was walking approaching the tower so that Guo Sing Li wouldn’t mention about Li Ching again.

“Brother Ma, you come a bit late,” said Guo Sing Li when Ma Wing Sun had stood in front of him.

“I bring you this uniform and this make up tools for you to disguise!” said Ma Wing Sun. “I know that you have a conflict with Madame Flower, and that female evil will come to the meeting. I don’t want you to be caught up by her!”

“Thanks Brother Ma,” said Guo Sing Li and clapped his hands to Ma Wing Sun’s shoulder.

A few minutes later, the three men walked heading to Wong bandits headquarters.
A lot of Wong brothers bandits guarded the headquarters. Those bandits wore black robes and scarf on their head and carrying saber on their waists.

“Please show your invitation,” said one of the guards as the three men about to enter the main gate.

Ma Wing Sun showed his invitation to the guard while his eyes were sweeping around. Hai Lung and Guo Sing Li disguised as Ma Wing Sun’s henchmen so they can enter the headquarters easily. Guo Sing Li had to put a fake moustache so he wouldn’t be recognized by Madame Flower or other people who might meet him previously.

They were all led to a big main hall in the midst of the headquarters. They were all surprised as they saw that the meeting was not only attended by Black Scorpion Sect, Wong brother’s bandits, Madame Flowers and some other unknown bandits, but also the meeting attended by the Beggar Clan, Freedom Party, and Thousand Swords Clan.

Hai Lung and Guo Sing Li looked at each other. They knew that the situation was more complicated than they had expected.

The Beggar Clan was the biggest clan at that moment. Those who could win Beggar Clan’s heart could control half of the martial world.

The meeting will begin at seven o’clock, so they had one and half hours to investigate the headquarters. The guests who came early were welcomed and served with a lot of foods and wine.

Hai Lung decided to look around the headquarters while Guo Sing Li would stay at the main hall to hear and find out what the people were talking about.

There were hundreds people came to the headquarters that night, so Hai Lung’s presence was not suspected.

Hai Lung walked and tried to locate where Yu Siu Fung’s rooms might be.

After some time, Hai Lung arrived in a quiet complex from the headquarters. There were some maids who entered and exit the complex. He began quite sure that the place probably was dwelled by females.

The complex was not strictly guided like the other areas because this place was located inside the complex. Hai Lung used his ginkang and he jumped to roof of the house. He pulled out some of the roof tile to see who was inside.

Hai Lung saw a women on her forties, were sitting while her maid brushing her hair.

“Hiya, how can this happen…. Chi Lan has been missing for these past few days. I’m really worry about her, while her father doesn’t care about her and keep on busy with the meeting,” the lady mumbled. Now Hai Lung convinced that the lady was Yu Siu Fung.

“Tell me A Siu, who come to this meeting? “asked Yu Siu Fung curiously.

“Besides Madam Flower, and the Chief of Black Scorpion Sect, Sie Hian Kiat, I heard that the Elder Lo from Kaypang (Beggar Clan) also come to this meeting. Not to mention the small parties and gangs like the Freedom Party, Thousand Swords Clan, and Shanxi Bandits, there are hundreds of people come to this meeting. I don’t know all of them, Madame!” said the maid.

“Is there…. “ Yu Siu Fund didn’t continue her word and trying to find out the right word. “Who else come from the Black Scorpion Sect besides Sie Hian Kiat?” asked Yu Siu Fung again.

“I heard that the Mr. Ma and some of his men from the Black Scorpion Sect attend this meeting. But I don’t know,” said the maid again. “I only heard the girls said that Mr. Ma is a handsome gallant man, and also his two men who go with him are also cute,” said the maid giggled.

“Mr. Ma is a great man and a hero,” said Yu Siu Fung. Her voice showed that she still loved the man. “Hey, you prepare my dinner now,” said Yu Siu Fung to his maid.
“Yes Madam,” said the maid and she retreated leave Yu Siu Fung alone in the room.

“Brother Ma, at last we can be together again,” mumbled Yu Siu Fung

“Hiya, you are married but still thinking of an old boyfriend,” thought Hai Lung shaking his head.

After the maid left the room, Hai Lung jumped and entered Yu Siu Fung’s room. Yu Siu Fung was shocked and before she screamed Hai Lung already press his hand palm to her mouth.

“Mrs. Wong please don’t be afraid. I bring a message from Mr. Ma Wing Sun!” said Hai Lung. “I will release my hand but promise that you won’t shout!”

Yu Siu Fung nodded his head and now Hai Lung could see her face clearly. She’s on her forties, with a beautiful but sad face. Hai Lung could see her swollen eyes. Probably she just cried.

“What message do you bring from Ma Wing Sun?” asked Yu Siu Fung to Hai Lung enthusiastly.

“Mr. Ma asked me to tell you that he would wait you at the Drum Tower tomorrow afternoon at three o’clock . But since he knew that now you are not free to go anywhere now. That is why Mr. Ma asked me to help you run away from this headquarters,” said Hai Lung seriously.

“But, but I can’t leave tomorrow just like that… my daughter..she’s been missing these past few days. I can’t go without her,” said Yu Siu Fung desperately almost cried.

“Your daughter Wong Chi Lan is safe and now she’s with us,” said Hai Lung.

“Chi Lan is with your gang? How come?” asked Yu Siu Fung.

“Hmm, I’m not Mr. Ma gang member. I’m his friend. Wong Chi Lan now is in JiuQuan, she’s being taken care by another friend. Don’t worry about her.All we have to do now is focusing on how to take you out from this headquarter,” said Hai Lung. “Can you please Madam, tell me your situation?”

“Wong Man Siu lock me up at this compound and not allow me to get out from here. He’s a very jealous husband,” said Yu Siu Fung.

Hai Lung only listened and nodded. He could understand why Wong Man Siu locked up his wife on her compound.

“But today and tomorrow he will be very busy with his friends and his girls. So I think I will be able to try to sneak out and flee from this compound,” said Yu Siu Fung. “But I know nothing about martial art, so I think that you have to help me, young man!”

“I promise Mr. Ma to help you out from this headquarters. So please don’t worry,” said Hai Lung.
Yu Siu Fung smiled and she felt glad that Hai Lung wanted to help her. She just thought about matchmaking her only daughter with this young polite and handsome scholar.

“Do you know any the whole map of this headquarter?” asked Hai Lung to Yu Siu Fung.

“Yes. Surely I do,” said Yu Siu Fung. She raised from her seat, took a paper and a pen and she started to draw the headquarters map. Hai Lung noticed that the headquarters was consisted of some buildings and compounds. It wouldn’t easy for him to take Yu Siu Fung away since there’s a lot of guars who would checked everyone who wanted to go in and out the headquarters. But somehow Hai Lung already had some plans on his head.

--------
Guo Sing and Ma Wing Sun sat on the chairs on the corner of the room. Sie Hian Kiat was having a serious discussion with Madame Flower. And that pervert lady seemed to try to seduce Sie Hian Kiat.

“Brothers and Sisters, good evening and welcome to my place,” said Wong Man Siu opened the meeting and gave a salute on his fist.

The audience replied the greeting and also gave salute on their fists.

“The recent why I invited you all here is because I want to introduce you to someone and I also want to offer you business deal,” said Wong Man Siu.

Besides the Beggar Clan, all of those who attended the meeting were all scoundrels and crooks. They all knew that when Wong Man Siu said ‘business deal’, it must be something that could bring a lot of money, with some evil things to do to achieve it.

“Let me introduce you my honorable guest, Mr. Wanyen Hao from Yankhia (later on called Pakhia, now Beijing; was the capital of the Chin/Kim empire at that time) said Wong Man Siu while his hand was welcoming a man to stand near him.

Guo Sing Li was very surprised as he heard that. Wanyen was a family of the Chin’s noble family. From the kings and generals from the Chin country always used that name. Now Guo Sing Li was really convinced that Wong brother’s, Madame Flowers, and Black Scorpion Sect were working for the Chin.

A man wearing a green expensive robe walked toward Wong Man Siu. He was in forties, with high nose and big posture just like the other Chin people.

The men gave a salute and gave a greeting to the audience. The audience replied his greetings, except the Beggar Clan who was led by the Elder Lo.

The man, Wanyen Hao, pretended that he didn’t see that.
“Brothers and sisters, nice to meet you all!”said Wanyen Hao and smiled.

“The reason why I came to this place is to ask all of you to join our great mission to find a secret treasure that can make all of you get rich!” said Wanyen Hao with a wide smile.

The crowd became excited as they heard that they can get rich.

“What should we do on the mission then?” ask the crowd.

“All you have to do is very simple,” said Wanyen Hao smiled with his cunning tricky face. “You just have to try to find out the secret map previously owned by Liu Chin Kang. The map is written on the skin. Whoever can find the map and submit the map to me, I will pay you ten thousand taels of gold,” said Wanyen Hao again with proud smile.

“Mr. Wanyen, so what is the amount of the treasure that you want to pay us ten thousand taels of gold?” asked one of the crowd. That man name was Wang Siu Nam, called the Black Crane, a pervert man who loved to rob merchants and raped women.

“Well, I can’t tell you the amount of the secret treasure. But I just think that the treasure if very valuable for me, while it has no value for all of you here!” said Wanyen Hao.

The crowd had no idea on what kind of treasure which suppose to be valuable for this Wanyen Hao but had no value for them. Only Guo Sing Li could guess that the treasure must be the war strategic books that could be useful only for military and not for ordinary people.

“Mr. Wanyen, as far as I know, Wanyen is the name of the Chin’s noblemen. Do you have any blood relationship with the Chin officers?” asked Elder Lo from the Beggar Clan. “Just for your information, we will never want to cooperate with the Jurchen dogs!”

Wanyen Hao’s face turned to red. He couldn’t admit that he’s one of the noble Chin families, but he can’t deny that easily.

“Hey Elder Lo, watch your language when you’re in my headquarters!” said Wong Man Siu who tried to protect his guest so that he wouldn’t loose his face.

“Huh, Brother Wong! You know that recently the Chin have sent spies in the Song Empire area. One and half years ago, it was our country who helped the Chin to attack the Khitan from the south! But now what they pay us for what we had done?” asked Elder Lo with emotional voice.

Some of the guests nodded and agree with Elder Lo, while some of them thought that it had nothing to do with their business.
“Brother Wong, I didn’t mean to insult you anyway. I just ask your guest whether he has any blood relation with the Chin or not. That’s all!” said Elder Lo.

“Hmph, you dirty beggar,” said Wanyen Hao. “You are right, I have blood relationship with the Jurchen tribes. The Emperor Wanyan Aguda is my distant uncle. It is true that one and half years ago and also five years ago, the Song Empire helped our Chin to defeat the Khitan (also known as Liao Empire). But don’t forget, the Song helped us since they also get benefit from it!” [Wangyan Aguda (1068–1123), the Jurchen leader, declared himself emperor of the JIN (Chin) Dynasty. Having long received Jurchen tribute, the Song assumed amicable ties with them, sending allied armies (1118) to attack the Khitans (Liao Dynasty) from the south. A Song-Jurchen treaty of 1122 led to a joint attack on the Khitans. The Liao dynasty was finally destroyed in 1125, when the Jurchens took Beijing]


=================
thanks for reading and have a nice weekend!

[ September 05, 2002: Message edited by: andrea7974 ]

[Goofy]

so li qing might end up with hai lung? <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

a good dialogue on religion, andrea. waiting to read more.

[Bubeng]

You've got a point in keeping it as "in" instead of "On Silk Road."
Hmmm... I have to think more about it <IMG SRC="smilies/confused.gif" border="0">

[andrea7974]

“So you admit that you are from the Chin Empire?” asked Elder Lo. The Beggar Clan had known as one of the biggest clans in China at that time. Nobody knows exactly how much their numbers was. Although sometimes Beggar Clans leader were persuaded and led by some bad leaders, but the Beggar Clan was known as patriotic heroes. “Then tell me, why you want to have that map so bad?”asked Elder Lo again. “I wonder if this treasure has something to do with your military action recently….such as sending spies to our country!” During that time, although the Song Empire had a tie with the Chin, but the majority people of the Song disliked the Chin and looked down on them.
Wanyen Hao’s face turned to pale as he became very angry. Supposed no one knew about the spies the Chin Empire sent to Song in the past few months; but now a beggar mentioned this in front of him, Wanyen Hao afraid that his strategy could be disclosed.

“What are you talking about- you dirty smelly beggar?” hissed Wanyen Hao. “Our country will not betray our treaty. We are now in a very good relationship with the Song Empire!”

“Mr. Wanyen, do you know what it is?” asked Elder Lo and he pulled out something from his pocket and showed a metal pin which Jurchen writings on it. “We found that from a drunken man in Kaifeng a few months ago. He drunk so bad and he boasted that he came to Kaifeng since he was a spy who was assigned a very important mission by Chin’s General, General Wanyen Hao,” said Elder Lo with a charismatic voice.

The people in the room become muttered. Some of them were angry, while some others seemed didn’t really care. Guo Sing Li felt happy inside knowing that the Beggar Clan detached to the Chin.

Wong Man Siu and Wong Man Li were very surprised and angry as they heard that. Wanyen Hao looked pale as his secret revealed by the Beggar Clan.

“Shut up you dirty beggar!” hissed Wong Man Siu’s angrily. His face turned to red and he was worried that Wanyen Hao would feel discourage.

“I’m not going to shut my mouth, since I’m only telling the truth!” said Elder Lo. “I didn’t mean to insult your honorable guest, Mr. Wong. But I just can’t be a Chin’s dog who always beg for mercy and wealth from the Chin!” snubbed Elder Lo.

“You…how dare you say that?” hissed Wong Man Li angrily. Wong Man Siu said nothing since he was thinking a strategy on how to handle the crowd.

“Mr. Wong, tell us: is it true that your guest is General Wanyen Hao from Chin?”asked the crowd.

Wong Man Siu still didn’t answer since he didn’t know what to answer. The situation was going out of his control.

Wanyen Hao smiled and tried to calm himself. “Brothers, I’m General Wanyen Hao from Chin. So what?” asked the general challenged all the guests there.

Guo Sing Li was very surprised as he never thought that this man would disclose his secret.

“Our Chin’s empire and your Song empire have been cooperate together to fight the Khitan since one and half years ago. There’s no reason for my country to send spies in your country,” said Wanyen Hao smiled.

“Brothers, don’t let us be fooled with the wicked Chin,” said Elder Lo. “The man who was Chin spy brought this letter with him,” said Elder Lo while his hand was waving an envelope and showed that envelope to all the guests.

“What can an envelope tell, Elder Lo?” asked Wanyen Hao laughed. He’s a good spokesman who knew how to beat around the bush.

“The letter on this envelope is written by someone whose nickname is Hao. And in this letter, he asked Officer Li in Lin An to collect information about General Yang who recently just promoted to return to the capital!” said Elder Lo with high tone. “What is your explanation now, Mr. Wanyen Hao! Don’t you think that it is just such a big coincidence?

The guests on the room became confuse. Some of them who was Song civilian and cared about the Song Empire became grumbled and get angry with Wanyen Hao, but some people who were not Song civilian (JiuQuan was located in Hsi Hsia/XiXia country at that time) didn’t care about it and they thought that Elder Lo was messing up the business deal they wanted to get from this Mr. Wan.

=================================

Meanwhile, Hai Lung and Yu Siu Fung had changed their dresses with the uniform of the Wong’s bandits. Hai Lung had to catch two bandits who happened to patrol around Yu Siu Fung’s compound and paralyzed them before he took their clothes.

“Mrs. Wong, please be calm and don’t make any movement that can make other people suspicious,” said Hai Lung to Yu Siu Fung.

“I know young man!” said Yu Siu Fung nodded. She knew a little bit kungfu, and that made Hai Lung task a little bit easier.

Hai Lung and Yu Siu Fung left Yu Siu Fung’s room using the window. He closed the door and turn off the lamp to make impression that Yu Siu Fung was already sleeping in her room.

They walked and pretended as if they were part of the guards who patrolled around the headquarters. Lucky for them since that night most of the guards were focused to guide the main hall where the meeting was held.

Yu Siu Fung and Hai Lung could walk away from the compound easily. Although when in the end on the main gate there was a guard who was suspicious with the two ‘men’ who wanted to out from the headquarters, but Hai Lung could easily paralyzed the guard and get out from the headquarters easily.

After sometimes, they had walked quite far from the headquarters. Yu Siu Fung looked very happy and said, “Mr. Wen Hai Lung, I’ve never thought that it can be so easy for me to escape from Wong Man Siu’s cage!”

Hai Lung only smiled. He also thought that it’s too easy for him to get out from the headquarters. He had a bad feeling that the full moon meeting wouldn’t end peacefully that night.

“Over there,” said Hai Lung pointed a cavern near the Wine Spring. “You can meet your daughter there!”

Yu Siu Fung was very happy as she heard that. She hurriedly entered the cavern. Li Ching was teaching Levi how to write in Chinese when Yu Siu Fung and Hai Lung entered the cavern.

“Brother Hai Lung, you’re back!” said Li Ching.

“Chi Lan where are you?” asked Yu Siu Fung as she entered the cavern. Chi Lan opened her eyes when she heard her mother’s voice. She wanted to call her mother but she couldn’t speak since Li Ching pressed her blood point to make her mute.

Yu Siu Fung saw that her daughter was tied and her mouth was muted. She became angry and shouted to Li Ching, “Evil girl, what have you done to Chi Lan?”
Li Ching said nothing and frowned. “Brother Hai Lung, how’s everything? Where is Mr. Guo?” asked Li Ching.

“We split our job. Mr. Guo together with Mr. Ma attends the meeting while I take Mrs. Wong here,” said Hai Lung.

Yu Siu Fung released her daughter and press the girl’s blood point to enable her speak again. “Chi Lan, are you okay?” asked Yu Siu Fung with worry voice.

“Mother,” Chi Lan cried like a little girl. Li Ching, Levi and Hai Lung just watched them from a distant.

========================

In the headquarters, Wanyen Hao was thinking a strategy. He was a very smart man. He could read the situation and tried to find a way to turn out the situation.

“Brothers, I won’t deny anything, since there’s nothing I must deny. The Chin and the Song have worked together, then why we the Chin have to break up this coalition? All of you are intellectual people, then I will let you all think by yourself.”

“Elder Lo is trying to accuse me, using a letter, that can be wrote by anyone. Honestly I’m suspicious that Elder Lo is trying to accuse me since he want all of you here think that I want to harm your country. I think that he want to have the treasure for himself, that’s why he’s trying to accuse me,” said Wanyen Hao cunningly.

Guo Sing Li was a smart man. He knew that Wanyen Hao was trying to put the blame on Elder Lo and the Beggar Clan.

“You scoundrel!” hissed Elder Lo. His face turned to red as he was very angry. “We have already checked to Officer Li in Lin An and he mentioned clearly that the man, ‘Hao’ is a Chin General named Wanyen Hao!” Afterward, Elder Lo opened a box he carried. He opened the box and a man’s head rolled clattered on the floor.

Everybody was surprised, including Wanyen Hao. Wanyen Hao recognized the man as Officer Li from Lin An. But he pretended that he had never seen the face before.

“That traitor is Officer Li from Lin An!” said Elder Lo. “My si-hing killed him and took his head after we interrogated him two months ago!”

“I’ve never seen him, and I think that nobody here also recognized the face on that head,” said Wanyen Hao smiled. “It’s very clear to me now, Elder Lo! You are trying to blackmail me. You know that the treasure is very important for my country, that’s why you create all of these issues to make all the guests here hate me, and don’t want to cooperate with me! You want to have the privilege to find the map and the treasure by yourself,” said Wanyen Hao. “Aiya, only a fool will believe such a dirty trick from an old beggar who wants to be rich,” said Wanyen Hao and laughed.

“Wanyen Hao, don’t pretend anymore!” Elder Lo barked. Elder Lo couldn’t speak well, he’s not a good spokesman especially if compared to Wanyen Hao.

“Brothers, let me be frank! I asked Mr. Wong Man Siu to collect all of you here is because I want to make all of you happy and enjoy the money we will give you! The treasure on the map, is my ancestor’s sword. The sword is very important for my Emperor, but it has no value for you all. So the Emperor sent me to find heroes and fighters from around the world to make this contest, that whoever can find the map and give us the map, we will give him/her a lot amount of money,” said Wanyen Hao. “We never had a bad intention to Song Empire. And Elder Lo’s indictment is baseless and a big lie!”

Wong Man Siu added, “Right, I think that Elder Lo is creating this lie to make us fight each other so that he and his Beggar Clan can get the money and we get nothing!”

“Right, right,” said some people, while some others looked confused and didn’t know what to decide.

Elder Lo was very angry as he heard Wong Man Siu’s statement. He raised his stick and point that stick to Wong Man Siu, “Wong Man Siu, we only know that you are a bastard bandit who often rob and rape girls. Never thought that you are a traitor who want to sell your country too!”

Wong Man Li catapulted in front of Elder Lo and barked, “Elder Lo watch your language!” He drew his sword ready to fight Elder Lo.

As soon as Wong Man Li drew his sword, Elder Lo’s men approached Elder Lo and made a circle to protect Elder Lo.

“Crawl and said apologize to Mr. Wanyen and my brother, then I will spare your life. Otherwise don’t say that I’m cruel to you!” said Wong Man Li snubbed.

“Even a beggar won’t crawl and said apologize to a dog!” snubbed Elder Lo.

Wong Man Li’s face turned to red because of his anger. He thrust his sword and pointed his sword to attack Elder Lo’s throat. But Elder Lo’s kungfu was not below Wong Man Li. He dodged Wong Man Li’s sword using his stick and attack Wong Man Li’s waist instead. They both fought in par.

Wong Man Siu gave a signal to his henchmen to attack the other Beggar Clan who attended the meeting. In a short time, the Beggar Clan members were attacked without mercy. There were only 15 beggars who attended the meeting excluded Elder Lo, and now they were attacked by more than 30 people in the same time.

Guo Sing Li couldn’t stand any longer. He said to Ma Wing Sun, “Brother Ma, I’m pretty sure that Hai Lung had succeeded in taking away your lover from here. So don’t stop me helping the beggars!” He jumped to the arena and fought Wong Man Siu’s henchmen.

the <IMG SRC="smilies/starwars.gif" border="0"> begin <IMG SRC="smilies/laugh.gif" border="0">

[ September 11, 2002: Message edited by: andrea7974 ]

[MYF]

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

good buildup chapter andrea (with lots of suave dialogue) can't wait for the next update! <IMG SRC="smilies/blob.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

[andrea7974]

Thank you MYF ..recently I notice that only you who read my fanfic <IMG SRC="smilies/crying.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/crying.gif" border="0"> But somehow I have to finish it no matter what <IMG SRC="smilies/drunk.gif" border="0">

Anyway..start from now on I will use Hanyu Pinyin for the character name.
Yang Li Ching = Yang Li Qing= beautiful emotion

Wen Hai Lung= Sea Dragon

Wong Chi Lan= Wong Qi Lan= elegant orchid

Wen Chai Fung = Wen Cai Fung= on top of wealth/prosperity

Yu Siu Fung= Yu Xiu Fung= graceful wind

..so the <IMG SRC="smilies/starwars.gif" border="0"> begin

----------------
“Li Qing, I’m a little bit worry with Mr. Guo. I think I should go back to the headquarters and help him in case something happened,” said Hai Lung.

“I go with you!” said Li Qing.

”No, you should stay here and take care of them!” said Hai Lung.

”Levi, A Yung and A Man can take care of them. Nothing to be worry about. Mrs Wong and her daughter won’t leave this place before Mr. Ma return here!’ said Li Qing.

Levi nodded and agreed with Li Qing. He said to Hai Lung, “Brother, I can take care of them. While Mr. Guo is all alone in the headquarters. Probably he needs you now!”

Hai Lung nodded and in a short time Li Qing changed her clothes with the uniform that Yu Siu Fung wore previously. With that uniform, they could enter the headquarters without being suspected.

When they both arrived on the headquarters’ gate, they were surprised as nobody was guarding the gate. What made them more surprise, they saw some of the Wong Man Siu’s henchmen were guarding a man wearing a green robe to escape from the headquarters. Hai Lung and Li Qing hurriedly ran to the main hall where all people were fighting.

The guests now were divided into two groups, the first group was the one who pro to Wong Man Siu and those who were willing to helped the Chin. The second group was the one who pro to Elder Lo and refused to help the Chin. The Black Scorpion Sect who was led by Sie Hian Kiat, Madame Flower and Shanxi Bandits were the first group who was pro to Wong Man Siu and the Chin; while the Freedom Party, Thousand Swords Clan, and the Beggar Clan were the second group who was pro to Elder Lo and Song Empire. They fought each other and the meeting turned to be a fighting arena. Ma Wing Sun ran away from the headquarters since he used the chance to escape and meet his lover and daughter.

Guo Sing Li was fighting Madame Flower who recognized him as the one who killed her daughter a few years ago. Li Qing saw Wong Man Li fought Elder Lo brutally. Li Qing met Elder Lo once. She had a good impression with the old beggar since when she disguised herself as a leprosy beggar, Elder Lo gave her some money as he taught Li Qing were hungry. She immediately jumped to help Elder Lo, especially she recognized Wong Man Li as the one who fought her a few months before.
All of the beggars besides Elder Lo were killed. Guo Sing Li were very happy as he was helped by Hai Lung now.

Just a few minutes after Li Qing helped Elder Lo to fight Wong Man Li, they could push Wong Man Li and Li Qing’s sword was thrust on Wong Man Li’s chest. Wong Man Li moved his body aside, and he took some secret weapons from his pocket to attack Li Qing and Elder Lo. The secret weapons were looked like a pin with some fur on the edge. The pins looked shiny and a fishy smell came out from them. Li Qing knew that the pins must contained poison. She shouted to Elder Lo to be careful with the pins. Elder Lo and Li Qing twirled their weapons to protect themselves from the pins. Wong Man Li used that time to escape from Li Qing and Elder Lo.

“Uncle tell me what’s going on?” asked Li Qing. Elder Lo explained a bit about what had happened. Li Qing then had an idea to stop the fighting to save the people there. Li Qing asked Elder Lo to help Hai Lung and Guo Sing Li, while she ran away and looked for a kitchen.

Li Qing entered the headquarters’ kitchen. Some maids there were surprised as they saw Li Qing entered the kitchen. “Make a noise and wake every girls in this compounds, tell them to run away from this place, there’s fire and the fire is spreading everywhere,” said Li Qing lied to the maids. The maids were panic. They shouted and in a few minutes a lot of people in the headquarters woke up and tried to run since they heard that the headquarters is on fire.

Li Qing smiled as her plan was worked. She took some gasoline from the kitchen and return to the main hall. She spread the gasoline on some buildings next to the main hall and she used a big bell to make panic everyone. “Fire, fire,” shouted Li Qing. The maids and the Wong Man Siu’s bandits were panic and tried to turn off the fire, but Li Qing kept on burning another building to make them busy.

After some time the people in the main hall could smell the smoke. The people with low skills retreated from the arena and left the main hall. They ran to save their lives. Only a few people left in the room, Sie Hian Kiat, Mo Ting Fung- the Shanxi Bandits leader, Wong Man Siu, Gan Siu Nam from the Freedom Party and Yap Kheng Tin from Thousand Swords Clan, Elder Lo, Wen Hai Lung and Guo Sing Li who fought Madame Flower. The main hall was in blaze and if they didn’t come out from the hall, they would be trapped and burnt alive.

---------
to be continued......

[ September 13, 2002: Message edited by: andrea7974 ]

[Goofy]

I read it too just did not have time to commend it. <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

Anyway, it is going along well. keep on. <IMG SRC="smilies/hatoff.gif" border="0">

[Bubeng]

Me too! I've been following the story faithfully. I just wish there more to read <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">. Just can't wait for the continuation. <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0">

[lil_bubble]

Great story Andrea!!! I'm not good at analysing so can't give you input, but the plot of your story is one of my favorite ones (the romance part). I didn't mind that there isn't that much fighting in the beginning, I just love how you brought the characters together and their dilemmas... Heh, I can picture what's happening and I consider that very good on your part!

But I didn't like the part about Chin being the bad guy... Chin dynasty was my fav. dynasties... But it's ok... It's just that Hao guy right???


Waiting for more!!!! <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

[ September 18, 2002: Message edited by: lil_bubble ]

[andrea7974]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><table border="0" width="80%" bgcolor="#dcdcdc" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1"><tr><td width="100%"><table border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="10" bgcolor="#DCDCDC"><tr><td width="100%" bgcolor="#eeeeee"><font size="1">Originally posted by lil_bubble:
<STRONG>
But I didn't like the part about Chin being the bad guy... Chin dynasty was my fav. dynasties... But it's ok... It's just that Hao guy right???</STRONG></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thank for reading lil_bubble.
Anyway, Chin Dynasty is considered as Manchurian dynasty, not Chinese Dynasty.... and it is always said that the Chin Dynasty was a very cruel ruler at that time. When you read/watch ROCH then you suppose to know how the Chinese people at that time really hate the Chin people. <IMG SRC="smilies/noidea.gif" border="0"> I hope that you still want to read my fanfic <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/laugh.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/laugh2.gif" border="0">

Oh anyway, Hao is not the only bad guy. Actually one the important setting on this story is about the fall of Northern Song Dynasty which fell after the capital was taken by the Chin in 1126 CE. I'm sorry if I make your fav. dynasty become a crook here

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

[lil_bubble]

Nah, don't worry about it! But I would like to know which parts of the history are true and which parts you made up (if you did) b/c I am very interested in Chinese history especially where the dynasties are concerned. Perhaps a footnote???

I would definitely continue reading, actually I think I might have been a little obsessed b/c it replays in my head! I keep thinking about what happened and forgot that it's a fan fic and not an actual series!! <IMG SRC="smilies/dizzy.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">