Legendary Book of Sun-Moon Swordplay

[tweety365]

icrayray, nice to meet you too. I do indeed think Wallace is a great talent. Handsome with great screen presence. He excels in both comedic and serious roles . If you like the link to my stories, pm me. I'll go dig around for them.

Mel, hurry up with that chapter!

[Melanie]

I hope everyone had a fun and safe July 4th!

No, I don't think sad endings make more lasting impressions because I don't want my fav couples to kick the bucket. Where else will I find happy endings for them? Ekin/Kristy only ended up together for 1 movie (The Duel). Broke my heart that she died in Wind and Cloud. With Gigi already retired from acting, there is no chance of seeing Kevin and her together.

I haven't even seen Wind and Cloud. Ekin's pairing with Kristy was purely because their characters seem compatible with each other. And I didn't realize that Gigi retired from acting!

Hehehe, you know me so well, Mel. Of course, I must give my input for Wallace's wifey. If SFF makes it to the story, I will be infinitely grateful. No more harassing you about the horrible deed done to Vincent. But don't consider this as any form of threat.

Wow, you really like SFF. I take it you saw her with Wallace Chung in Rose Martial World? I haven't seen that series yet. But I thought SFF was evil in there. Anyway, regarding the casting of SFF as Black Rose, I'm still thinking about that and deciding between SFF and Song Jia. Would it offend you terribly if I end up using Song Jia? I've seen her with Wallace in Ni Shui Han, and I do think they look very cute together and she's so beautiful. Although, there's still hope for SFF since I haven't made my decision yet. However, the chapter on Black Rose is coming up soon (likely in the upcoming chapter or the one after it), so I need to make a choice soon. I am also having a hard time deciding who gets to be Black Rose's older sister, the evil Poison Snake.

Oh, you are too kind with your compliments. I haven't written anything for quite some time now. My skills, if you can call it that, are probably really rusty now. Once I pass the last part of my internal audit certification exam, I will have a lot more free time. I just might pick up the "pen" again.

I doubt you will ever be rusty. When you mean picking up your "pen," do you mean continuing the Annie-Kevin story? Honestly, as much as I love that story, I wouldn't mind you writing something about my favorite guy of the moment, Wallace Chung. He's just sooo handsome. I do understand that exams are more important. I am actually in the midst of studying, too. It seems like for me, it's a lifetime of studying, since there are so many new changes that pop up everyday and I need to keep on top of everything. Hence, it explains my snail's pace with updating my story.

Thanks Mel, let's see. For now I have plans for Alaska, Hawaii, Sidney, Vancouver, Rome, and Venice. Yes, money and school takes away great opportunities. I was quite sad to know that many of my well off friends are all going on trips this summer and I'm just stuck here working and waiting for the fall semester to start. But I have already talked it through with my mommy at least, I am going on a long trip/vacation after I graduate and I was planning for an Asia tour with my best friend. I was thinking about an European tour as well but it would probably be way more expensive than the Asia tour so I'll save the European one for when I can afford it lol. And a trip to Germany! That would be nice, hope you have fun! Just curious (I live in the US too)but when you visit other countries, how does the communication flow (do they mostly know English and their native language or just their native language)?

Well, if you are planning to go to any of the above places you listed in the very near future (like in the next few months), then I suggest Alaska or Hawaii. I believe Alaska is the cheapest right now, especially cruising. Hawaii may also be affordable, since I hear there are many discounts offered by the resorts in Hawaii. Vancouver might be affordable, too, right now. Airfare pricing might be expensive for the other places, like Rome, Venice, and Sydney. I actually have some relatives coming today, so I have to go and pick them up at the airport. Therefore, I won't have time to go into details, but next time I come back, I will elaborate more.

LOL, there's gonna be competition for Wallace's wifey I see.

Wallace Chung is so hot, everyone girl wishes to be his wife.

It's so cool how the three of us are all crazy about wallace

I am so crazy about Wallace Chung right now, I am actually furiously writing my chapter so that I can get to his part in the story. That's how crazy I am about him.


Ok, I would like to announce that the next chapter should be up pretty soon, in the next few days to one week. It depends on how long I make it. But Wallace Chung will be appearing soon! Maybe in the upcoming chapter or the one after that! Yay! Love you, Wallace.

[icrayray]

Thanks Mel for the info and tweety for the story (I pm-ed you)
I can't believe Wallace has been acting ever since the 1990s and yet I didn't notice this hottie until like last year (thought he was cute in the youtube mvs in the series where he acted as a villian but wasn't crazy over him until this summer). Sadly, I have been trying to look for news/stuff about him on the net but haven't found much about him. He doesn't seem to be in a lot of wuxia series, even if he was, he mostly ended up with no girl (like in Detective Guards and Ni Shui Han) which breaks my heart. I desperately hope he has upcoming wuxia projects which he gets a good ending. Anyways, Mel I can't wait to read your next chapter especially the chapter with Wallace in it! And one more thing, I won't accept anyone as his wifey except for me!
LOL, joking, I don't want to die in the hands of Wallace lovers yet!

[Melanie]

icrayray - I haven't noticed Wallace Chung until recently, also, after watching Ni Shui Han and discovering how hot he is playing the bad boy in that wuxia series. You know, I can't find much information (in English) about him on the internet, either. He probably keeps a low profile. Usually, I hear about actors rumored to be dating so and so, etc. But with Wallace Chung, I hear nothing. He's probably already taken by some lucky girl, since he's so hot. Oh, well. I am fine just making up stories with him in them. The next chapters are up! Unfortunately, Wallace Chung does not make an appearance yet. Hopefully, you'll still enjoy chapter 76 and 77, even if Wallace is not in it. He'll appear soon though, most likely in Chapter 78. So please stay tuned.


CHAPTER 76 --- MUSIC BOX

Characters appearing in this chapter:
Annie Man Chung Han---So Sui Han
Steven Ma Jing Tao---Leung Cheuk Fu a.k.a. Blue Executioner
Kristy Yeung Gong Yu---Lam Suk Yu
Ekin Cheng Yee Kin---Yeung Lap Chun a.k.a. White Executioner

CITY OF HOI YEUNG
SEASIDE, BOTTOM OF CLIFF

Blue Executioner takes Sui Han’s hand in his. Bringing her hand up to his lips, he gently rubs his lips against the back of her hand. Smiling winningly at her, he lies, "Of course I know who you are, sweetheart! I am your husband, after all."

Sui Han wrinkles her forehead in confusion. "My husband? You’re my husband? I have a husband?"

"Of course, you have a husband, sweetheart!" Blue Executioner answers quickly, flashing her his most charming smile. "Don’t you remember me, my dear?" He feigns hurt.

Struggling to sit up, Sui Han groans as she tries to avoid bumping her bruises against the rocks on the shoreline. Blue Executioner quickly moves forward, helping prop her up against him. Wrapping his arms around her, he rubs his cheek against hers, reveling in the softness of her smooth, fair skin.

Smiling slyly, Blue Executioner injects some concern into his voice. "Where were you all morning, sweetheart? I looked all over for you but couldn’t find you! I thought you were still mad at me after our argument last night and ran away from me! Thank goodness I finally found you!"

Sui Han stares up at the stranger claiming to be her husband, completely befuddled. "We argued last night? How come I don’t remember that at all?" Her heart starting to race from anxiety, she pushes herself away from Blue Executioner. "If you’re my husband, how come I don’t remember you at all? How come I don’t remember anything at all?! Wait a minute! Who am I?!" She panics, her tone bordering on hysteria.

She glances around frantically, as if the sea and wind hold her answers. Wrapping his arms around her again, Blue Executioner whispers softly against her ear, his tone soothing. "Shh, shh… It’s all right, Sui Han. You went missing the entire night last night after we argued. You must have fallen down and injured your head sometime last night."

"I injured my head?" Sui Han clutches at her head. At that moment, a piercing pain stabs through her head so intensely that she feels like her head is going to split open. "Awww! My head! My head hurts so much! My head!" She cries out in agony, her hands forming fists as she pounds them against her head.

"Don’t, darling!" Blue Executioner grabs Sui Han’s hands. Holding her hands against his chest, he leans down and kisses each of her fingers tenderly. "Don’t hurt yourself like that. It pains me to see you hurt yourself." He gazes at her lovingly, expertly hiding his insincerity behind his concerned look. "If you can’t remember anything right now, then don’t force yourself. Your memory will gradually come back with time." Even as the words leave his mouth, Blue Executioner secretly hopes she will not regain her memory so that he can take advantage of her.

Watching Sui Han’s downcast expression, he narrows his eyes maliciously while she’s not looking. In this mind, he recalls the humiliation of his defeat by Lam Yik Lun while fighting over Sui Han. He also remembers the scar Sui Han left on his face when she scratched his cheek with her poisonous silver needles at the Master’s Lair. Now that she has fallen into his grasp with amnesia, this would be the perfect opportunity for him to obtain revenge for the humiliation she has put him through and for the scar she has left on his face.

Pasting a cheerful grin on his face, Blue Executioner tenderly brushes at the loose tendrils around Sui Han’s face. "Sweetheart, let’s not sit around here any longer. I don’t want you to catch a cold with the sea breeze getting chillier." Scooping her into his arms, he stands up and starts to walk off.

"Where are you taking me?" Sui Han inquires, lightheaded. Somewhere in her mind, a voice screams at her to object, to fight, to prevent him from taking her to wherever he intends to go. "Wait!" She forces out the objection through parched lips, her hoarse voice barely audible. "Where are you taking me?"

"Why, I’m taking you back to the inn where we were temporarily staying so that you can wash up, of course!" Blue Executioner answers matter-of-factly, his voice oddly excited, like a cat discovering a large bowl of delicious cream.

Uneasy over the entire situation but unsure why due to her memory loss, Sui Han tries to struggle. But her attempt is futile against the stronger Blue Executioner. Overcome with fatigue, she loses consciousness within seconds. Before blacking out, she hears her own voice, weak and faint, asking him again, "Who are you?"

"I’m your husband, sweetheart." Blue Executioner lies once more, a sly smile forming on his lips as he glances down at the amnesiac young maiden unconscious and helpless in his arms. "I’m your husband. Or I will be, very soon, very soon…" He whispers lasciviously, his laugh blending in with the sound of surf and wind as he walks off with Sui Han.

CITY OF LAM ON
A FEW STREETS FROM LAM MANSION
MARKETPLACE

Just like any day, the marketplace of Lam On bustles with activity as row upon row of vendor stands lines the busy thoroughfare. Vendors enthusiastically tout their merchandise to customers. As Suk Yu makes her way down the street, she smiles, cheered by the warm rays of sunshine stroking her cheeks, the laughter and noises of people, of humanity. A few vendors call out to her.

"Miss Suk Yu!" One elderly woman greets her. "How are you today?"

"Grandmother Ma," Suk Yu stops and turns toward the elderly vendor sitting by the table loaded with hand carved music boxes of all shapes and sizes. Walking toward Grandmother Ma’s table, Suk Yu smiles. "I’m doing well. How is business this morning?"

"Oh, it was a bit slow earlier, but then a nice young man stopped by a short while ago and purchased my most expensive music box! Not only that, he said that it was so exquisitely crafted that he insisted on paying me twice the price! Can you believe that?" Grandmother Ma chatters happily, her voice giddy with pleasure.

Laughing, Suk Yu tilts her head a bit and trails her fingertips along the surface of one of the delicately designed boxes. "I’m glad for you, Grandmother Ma. You work so hard carving these music boxes that you deserve the praise."

Grabbing hold of Suk Yu’s hand, the elderly woman blushes like a young girl. "Oh, I wish you were here just a little earlier. Then you would have had a chance to meet that young man who purchased my music box. He is so handsome and gallant!" Leaning forward to whisper in Suk Yu’s ear, Grandmother Ma giggles childishly. "I would have snatched him up in a minute if only I were younger!"

With tinkling laughter bubbling from her throat, Suk Yu playfully scolds the old woman. "Shame on you, Grandmother Ma! Have you forgotten about Grandfather Ma? What would he say if he were at the marketplace with you this morning?"

"And I’m glad he decided to stay at home today so that I could flirt a little with that young man!" Grandmother Ma confesses, blushing prettily. "I love the old man, but what can my frail heart do but flutter a bit wistfully when I see such a charming young man?" Grabbing Suk Yu’s hand suddenly, the elderly woman bursts out excitedly. "Oh! The martial arts competition for your hand in marriage is in two days! I would say that young man who purchased my music box this morning is heaven-sent! He and you would make a lovely couple, just lovely!" Grandmother Ma gushes on and on. "Oh, maybe he’ll defeat every candidate at the competition and win your hand in marriage! Oh, isn’t it simply romantic to have some handsome, gallant man sweep you off your feet?" She claps her hands together merrily like a child.

"Whoa! Wait, Grandmother Ma!" Suk Yu laughs, withdrawing her hand from the elderly woman’s grasp. "I think your handsome young man is just passing through Lam On and will be long gone by the time my marriage competition comes around. Besides, why would a stranger be interested in competing for my hand in marriage?"

"Oh, honey, you may have temporarily lost your vision and cannot see yourself in the mirror, but I can see you just fine. I will tell you definitely that your sweet, angelic face is simply too tempting for any man to pass by!" The elderly vendor states matter-of-factly.

Blushing furiously, Suk Yu gasps, embarrassed. "Grandmother Ma!"

"Haha!" Grandmother Ma chuckles, her kind eyes crinkling at the corners. Patting Suk Yu on the cheek, the old woman admonishes the younger woman jokingly. "Oh, now don’t be so shy, Miss Suk Yu! Your Grandmother Ma here is not a prude and I say whatever I like." With her eyes sparkling mischievously, she continues, "It’s the honest truth that your marriage competition will be overrun with young suitors jostling for your hand in marriage. Not only are you beautiful, you are kind, gracious, and also the daughter of one of the most powerful families here in the city of Lam On. Why, all morning long, I am already overhearing excited conversation from young men about the competition. I wouldn’t be surprised if that young man who purchased my music box hears of this competition and shows up, if not to fight, then at least to satisfy his curiosity!"

Even as the words leave Grandmother Ma’s mouth, the young man in question appears quietly behind Suk Yu. Throwing the elderly vendor a winsome smile, Yeung Lap Chun brings his index finger up to his lips, gesturing for Grandmother Ma to keep silent about his presence behind Suk Yu.

However, despite the quietness of his approach, Suk Yu could nonetheless feel the presence of someone behind her. Slightly confused by the sudden racing of her heart, she swivels around quickly, bumping inadvertently into Lap Chun’s chest. As she nearly reels backward, he reaches out and steadies her, his grip strong, yet gentle on her shoulders.

With only a few inches between them, he leans down and stares into her eyes with concern. "Are you all right, Suk Yu? Did I scare you?"

Suddenly feeling shy and awkward, a pink blush creeps up her face, giving her a pleasingly vibrant look. "Um, oh, um… It’s you, Young Master Yeung." Suk Yu mumbles, almost incoherently. She tries to maintain her composure, although it is quite difficult as she feels the heat emanating from his body, with him standing so closely to her. Clearing her throat, she takes a step backward, trying to put some distance between them. "Um, I’m fine. What are you doing here? I thought you have left Lam On by now."

Even as she steps backward, Lap Chun takes a step forward, closing the space between them again. Delighted by Suk Yu’s discomfort, as this means that he is starting to break through her ice wall, Lap Chun grins unabashedly. "You are here. Therefore, why would I leave Lam On?." He answers simply.

Blushing even more furiously, Suk Yu could not come up with a fast enough reply to his question.

In the background, Grandmother Ma looks on with interest. "Oh, Miss Suk Yu! This is the young man who purchased the music box from me earlier this morning. So you two already know each other!"

"Yes, indeed we do, Grandmother." Lap Chun replies cheerfully at the old woman. "If you don’t mind, I would like to steal Miss Suk Yu away for the morning."

Without waiting for Grandmother Ma’s permission, Lap Chun grabs Suk Yu’s hand and pulls her after him. "Come with me, Suk Yu. I want to show you something." As he walks off with Suk Yu in tow, Lap Chun winks at elderly vendor.

CITY OF LAM ON
OPEN MEADOW ONE MILE AWAY FROM THE MARKETPLACE

Stunned speechless by the turn of events, Suk Yu allows herself to be dragged off without any resistance. Finally, a mile from the marketplace, she comes to her senses and digs her heels in.

"Wait!" She objects, shaking his hand off. "Where are you taking me?"

Grabbing her hand again, Lap Chun replies, "We’re almost there."

Shrugging off his hand again, Suk Yuk refuses to budge. "I won’t go anywhere with you unless you tell me where we’re going."

Sighing with resignation, Lap Chun bends down and scoops Suk Yu up into his arms.

"Hey!" Suk Yu sputters, indignant. "Put me down!" She demands, too cultured and well mannered to deliver a whack to his shoulder. Nonetheless, she briefly imagines herself doing so.

"We need to hurry or they might be long gone before we get there." Lap Chun retorts rather happily.

"Look, I don’t care who might be gone. I command you to put me down this instant!" She insists, her chin tilted upward slightly, her tone regal.

"Command, huh?" Lap Chun chuckles. "You know, Suk Yu, you are turning out to be quite an unexpected wildcat the more I get to know you. I like it!" He exclaims, unaffected by her murderous glare.

"You can’t just pop up out of nowhere and cart me off like this! You put me down right this moment, or I’ll…" Suk Yu begins, uncharacteristically starting to lose her temper.

"Shh!" Lap Chun hushes her before she could build up enough steam to clobber him on the head. "We’re here." He whispers, as if afraid to disturb something.

Placing her down gently, he then moves as quietly as possible toward some bushes. As he kneels down, he carefully brushes aside a cluster of tall grass, revealing a family of ducks. Sensing Lap Chun’s intrusion, the mother duck quacks, signaling for her babies to follow her.

"What’s going on?" Suk Yu takes a few uncertain steps toward Lap Chun’s direction. Although unable to see, she could hear some quacking and the sound of grass rustling.

Leaning down, Lap Chun quickly scoops up a chubby little duckling as he waddles on stubby legs, trying to keep up with the rest of his family. "It’s a family of ducks I discovered this morning. I thought you might like them." Taking hold of Suk Yu’s hand, he guides her fingers toward the soft bundle of fuzz in his palm.

Gasping with pleasure, Suk Yu glides her fingertips softly over the duckling’s downy fur. "It’s a baby duck!"

"Sure it is." Lap Chun grins at her first genuine smile since he has met her. "Do you want to hold it?"

Momentarily forgetting her displeasure with him earlier, Suk Yu nods eagerly. Cupping her palms together, she laughs as the duckling squirms around in her hands, the soft feathers tickling her. "It feels so soft and tiny! It’s adorable." She murmurs, fascinated.

"Yes, absolutely adorable." Lap Chun agrees, gazing at Suk Yu’s bright eyes and gay expression rather than at the duckling.

Suddenly remembering the mother duck, Suk Yu looks up in alarm. "But where is its mother duck?"

"Oh, she’s not far away," Lap Chun answers, glancing over at the mother duck, still waddling slowly across the grassy meadow with her ducklings following faithfully behind her.

"We should let this baby get back to its family." Suk Yu transfers the duckling back to Lap Chun’s hands.

"You don’t want to keep the baby duck?" Lap Chun asks, confused.

Shaking her head adamantly, Suk Yu gives Lap Chun a light shove. "No, I would not want to separate the baby duck from its mother. Now hurry up and let the duckling go, or it won’t be able to catch up to the others."

Smiling at her concern, Lap Chun places the duckling down on the grassy earth, watching as it waddles unsteadily toward the rest of its siblings.

"Is the baby duck back with its family yet?" Suk Yu inquires.

"Yes," Lap Chun replies. Pausing, he silently observes her for a few minutes, reveling in how stunning she looks with her cheeks rosy from the excitement of holding the duckling. Then, he suddenly reaches over and runs his fingers softly over her glossy tresses.

Surprised, Suk Yu jerks her head away from his hand. "What?"

Tilting the corners of his lips upward into a slight smile, Lap Chun sighs as he allows his hand to fall back down to his side. "Nothing. I just want to touch your hair all of a sudden. I apologize. I mean no harm or disrespect."

Lowering her head, Suk Yu remains silent, unsure of how to react. Feeling awkward again, she finally mumbles, "I should be heading back."

As she turns to leave, Lap Chun stops her. "Wait, Suk Yu. I have something for you." He takes out the music box he bought earlier this morning from Grandmother Ma and places the tiny trinket in her hand. "Open it." He takes her other hand and guides it toward the box, helping her lift up the lid.

A soft, lilting flute melody fills the meadow, the tinkling tune blending in smoothly with the chirping of the birds.

"Oh!" Suk Yu blinks a bit surprised upon hearing the lovely notes. "It sounds beautiful, but sad, though. Almost heartbreakingly sad."

"The flute melody reminds me of you." Lap Chun confesses. "So when I heard this piece of music earlier this morning, I immediately purchased the music box for you."

"Thank you." Suk Yu whispers shyly. A minute of silence ensues. Not knowing what else to say to Lap Chun, Suk Yu shifts her feet slightly, hugging the music box close to her chest. "Uh…I should probably go…" She turns once again to leave.

"Wait!" Lap Chun again stops her departure. Placing both hands on her shoulders, he turns Suk Yu around to face him. "Don’t you want to know why the flute melody from the music box reminds me of you?"

Keeping her head lowered, Suk Yu hazards a guess. "Because I play a flute?"

Shaking his head, Lap Chun tilts Suk Yu’s chin up so that her face gazes up at him. "No. It’s because the melody is so achingly beautiful, yet incredibly melancholy. You are just like that, Suk Yu." Gently stroking her cheek with his fingers, Lap Chun declares earnestly, "Suk Yu, will you allow me the chance to try to make you happy? I can’t promise you that I will never make you sad, because there are no guarantees in life. However, I can promise you that I will always cherish you and love you the way you deserve. Will you give me that chance to love you? Suk Yu?"

When she remains silent, Lap Chun’s heart sinks, but only for a second until he spies the demure, hesitant smile tugging at the corners of her lips. All of a sudden, his world brightens again. Teasing her, Lap Chun declares, "Well, I will take your silence as agreement to let me love you. All right, Suk Yu?"

Her tiny smile blossoming into a full grin, Suk Yu nods bashfully, keeping her head lowered. With her previously broken heart starting to beat again, she feels tears of joy pooling in her eyes as she allows Lap Chun to pull her into his arms. As the vibrant morning sun shines wonderfully warm beams down them, Suk Yu slowly raises her arms and wraps them around Lap Chun, returning his embrace.



CHAPTER 77 --- THREAT OF THE BLOOD SHADOW PALM

Annie Man Chung Han---So Sui Han
Steven Ma Jing Tao---Leung Cheuk Fu a.k.a. Blue Executioner
Kristy Yeung Gong Yu---Lam Suk Yu
Louis Koo Tin Lok---Koo Yat Fei
Andy Lau Tak Wah---Lam Siu Tin
Idy Chan Yuk Lin---Chan Yin Yuk

Guest appearances in this chapter:
Lau Dan---Old Man
Lee Heung Kum---Old Woman

AFTERNOON
OUTSKIRTS OF THE CITY OF HOI YEUNG
FOREST

The pot-bellied scarf vendor hefts a large sack of unsold merchandise behind his back, muttering with ill temper. "Of all the bad luck today!" He rants to himself, still miffed about his encounter with Koo Yat Fei this morning. "That ill mannered young man this morning ruined my good fortune for the entire day! I didn’t sell a single scarf today! It’s all that young man’s fault! He gave me bad luck for the rest of the day! Ugh!" He grunts as he shifts his sack of scarves higher up on his shoulder. "I hope he never finds that young maiden he’s looking for. With his temper, I wouldn’t be surprised that the poor woman is probably not missing but just hiding from him!"

As the chubby vendor continues his trek down the deserted forest path, muttering angrily to himself, another man passes by him, going in the opposite direction. From the corner of his eye, the vendor sees a familiar face. The woman in the tall stranger’s arms is unconscious, her countenance pale. Even in deep slumber, with her hair in disarray and her gown in tatters, she exudes a fairy-like air, ethereal, fleetingly beautiful in her helplessness.

Not only does the maiden’s beauty capture the vendor’s attention, but an odd sense of familiarity nags at him, as if he has seen her before. The vendor turns around to glance at her again, and suddenly, recognition strikes him.

"Oh! I know you!" He blurts out loud, recognizing Sui Han from the painting in Koo Yat Fei’s hands earlier this morning. "You’re the young woman in the painting! You’re the one that rude man was looking for this morning!"

Running after Blue Executioner and the unconscious Sui Han in his arms, the vendor churns his stubby legs up and down, waving his arm wildly in the air. "Hey! Hey, you there! Stop!" He yells at Blue Executioner. "Someone’s searching for the maiden you’re carrying! Hey!"

While he rushes toward Blue Executioner’s side, he grins, panting a bit from the exertion. Excited at finding the maiden in the drawing, the vendor thinks to have Koo Yat Fei pay him a monetary reward when he reports her whereabouts to him. However, before he even reaches Blue Executioner’s side, he notices a flash of metallic silver cutting through the air toward him. In the blink of an eye, he feels his body lifted off the ground, a piercing pain shooting through his chest. Bewildered, he glances down, his mouth hanging open in disbelief at the saber protruding from his chest. As if in a dream, he feels his vision turn slowly black as he slumps down onto the ground. The last thing his conscious mind sees is the tall stranger looming above him, staring down at him emotionlessly.

"You’re just too much of a busy body." Blue Executioner murmurs coldly, his eyes unsympathetic as he gazes down at the dying vendor. "The last thing I need is some peasant running off and telling whoever is looking for So Sui Han to come and rescue her." Reaching down, Blue Executioner yanks the saber out from the vendor’s chest.

As blood gushes out from his wound, the vendor watches the tall man walk off with the young maiden in his arms…

AN HOUR LATER…
OUTSKIRTS OF THE CITY OF HOI YEUNG
FOREST

"Hasn’t anyone in this town seen you, Sui Han?" Koo Yat Fei sighs as he stares at Sui Han’s painting.

Lowering his face close to the drawing, he leans his forehead against Sui Han’s likeness, finding some solace in being close to her, if not to her real person, then at least to her painting. Closing his eyes for a moment, he prays for Sui Han’s safety. Never a superstitious person, he somehow has an ominous feeling in the pit of his stomach this time. Trying to shake off his unlucky thoughts, he carefully rolls up Sui Han’s drawing and briskly walks down the rocky forest path, hoping to reach the next town before nightfall.

One mile deep into the woods, Yat Fei suddenly halts his steps. Standing still, he listens. The usual forest critters scramble about, minding their own business. Two furry brown squirrels scurry across his path, stopping momentarily to gape at him with their large, dark eyes, their paws clutching small acorns possessively to their chests. Quickly losing interest in Yat Fei, the pair of squirrels continues on their way. A wolf howls in the distance, its cry signaling the quick approach of night. As the four-legged predator’s cry fades, the wind picks up, stirring the fallen leaves on the forest ground.

Eyes narrowed, Yat Fei tightens his grip around his sword. Something is not quite right. Instead of bringing with it the fresh smell of the woods, the gust of wind sweeping by him carries with it the faint stench of something sinister…something like death…

Cautiously, Yat Fei ventures deeper into the forest. Not before long, he stops in surprise. Straight ahead, he spots an obese man lying in a pool of blood, his body limp and sprawled spread eagle on dirt path. Quickly hurrying over, Yat Fei recognizes the chubby scarf vendor he had threatened this morning when asking for Sui Han’s whereabouts.

Kneeling down next to the fallen man, Yat Fei places two fingers at the side of the scarf vendor’s neck. When he still feels a faint pulse, Yat Fei pokes at the man’s shoulder with the hilt of his sword, rousing him.

"Hey! Hey!" Yat Fei calls out to the scarf vendor.

As the man opens his eyes weakly, he stares at Yat Fei with delirious eyes. "You…you…"

"Do you remember me from this morning?" Yat Fei asks the dying man. "Who did this to you?"

"Your young maiden… I saw her… She’s more lovely in person than in your painting…" The scarf vendor mumbles, almost incoherently.

"What? What did you say? You saw the woman I am looking for? The woman in my painting?!" Yat Fei shoots the questions out urgently. As the vendor’s eyes close again, Yat Fei reaches down and shakes the dying man roughly. "Hey! Wake up! Where is she?! Where is she?!" He shouts at the vendor.

"Huh?" The vendor rouses briefly again. "Some man…some man took her. Over there, he took her over there." Raising his hand with obvious effort, he gestures to a vague direction. But then, before he is able to say anything further, he gasps, choking on his own blood. Gagging, he vomits blood before allowing his body to rest completely limp on the ground, succumbing to death.

"Wait! Wait! Who took Sui Han? Hey, wake up!" Yat Fei leans down and aggressively shakes the dead man. "WAKE UP! DON’T DIE!" However, no amount of screaming could rouse the vendor. Dismayed, Yat Fei reaches down to feel for the vendor’s pulse at his neck, only to find no pulse.

Huffing with frustration, Yat Fei leaps up and hurries in the general direction the vendor pointed toward before dying. "Please keep my Sui Han safe, please keep my Sui Han safe," He repeats the prayer over and over again as he runs faster and faster into the woods.

However, one mile further into the woods, he comes to a sudden stop. Rigid as a statue, he darts his eyes around. Somehow, he cannot shake his earlier feeling of unease. Someone is watching him. Carefully, he scans his surroundings again. But the woodland remains silent and still. For some reason, the forest animals have vanished into thin air, as if they, too, sense something terribly wrong. The quietness, deafening and sinister, wraps itself tightly around Yat Fei, suffocating him. That stench, that horrific smell of death, continues to linger in the air.

Shaking his head in confusion, Yat Fei murmurs to himself. "I don’t understand. Where is that smell coming from? What is that smell?"

Cautiously, he ventures down the dirt path closer toward the stench, brushing aside overhanging branches with his sword, his eyes continuously surveying his surroundings. Not too long, he nears a clearing in the forest. Even before entering the clearing, Yat Fei can already fell the bile rising from his stomach. His gaze follows the horde of flies circling the pile of carcasses of children. Mutilated, with their eyes gouged out and a bloody palm print on their chests, the dead children lie haphazardly in a heap upon the ground. Not dead for too long, their bodies are still fresh enough to attract maggots, flies, and other small critters. As animals and insects alike feast on their corpses, the children can only stare lifelessly out from their empty eye sockets, their mangled faces contorted with the agony and fear they experienced right before death.

Approaching the children, Yat Fei narrows his eyes at the bloody palm print on their chests. Opening the front of his own gown, he traces the similar palm print on his chest.

"A bloody palm print… Whoever killed these children must be the same person who attacked and injured me several days ago outside that cave in Green Python Valley." Yat Fei unconsciously covers the palm print on his chest with his hand, his fingers clenching into a fist. "Who could this person be? He took that strange sword with the orange-red glow from that cave in Green Python Valley. This person, whoever he is, will be a major deterrent to father’s plans to conquer the martial arts world and take revenge on Chancellor Lam Siu Tin. I need to quickly find Sui Han and then return to Sun-Moon Sect headquarters to warn father of this person." Giving the dead children one last glance, he turns and leaves.

As he continues on his journey, he ponders where to go next to search for Sui Han. Planning to head in the direction that the deceased scarf vendor has pointed toward, Yat Fei briskly hurries on.

HALF AN HOUR LATER

Lost in his thoughts of Sui Han, Yat Fei nearly does not notice the shadow flashing toward him. Too late to retreat, he turns around only fast enough to see a blurry fist aimed at his head. Moving his head nimbly left and then right, he manages to dodge the attack. Blinking, Yat Fei cannot even catch a glimpse of the identity of his opponent as the person vanishes from sight again, his lightness kung fu as swift as the wind. In the next second, the person appears out of nowhere again, this time, aiming his palms at Yat Fei’s shoulders. This time anticipating the attack, Yat Fei executes a series of back flips, evading the punches. As he lands several paces away, he unsheathes his sword and swings around, expecting to face his opponent. However, he encounters thin air, as the attacker somersaults into the air with such speed and agility that his figure disappears from sight within the blink of an eye.

Running to the center of the forest clearing, Yat Fei spins around, yelling at the trees. "Come out, you coward! Come out and face me like a real man!" Darting his eyes furiously around, Yat Fei holds his sword in attack position.

At first, silence meets his demand. Angered, Yat Fei shoots out more insults. "I said COME OUT! Only a spineless wimp would hide like this and refuse to engage his opponent face to face! Spineless wimp!" He adds in for good measure.

This time, an outraged huff echoes loudly from within the depths of the forest. "What?! What did you just call me, boy?" A gruff male voice calls out.

This indignant response is soon followed by female laughter. "Hahahaha! Did you hear that Old Man? That child called you a spineless wimp! Hahaha!"

"Be quiet, Old Woman! Why must you always side with outsiders and laugh at me? I am your husband!" The male voice admonishes the laughing female.

"Hahaha! Well, Old Man, I am laughing because that child is telling the truth. You are indeed hiding around in the bushes like a coward. Hahaha!" The Old Woman retorts.

"Well, I’m only hiding because it’s fun to confuse that boy!" The Old Man fires back.

As the argument threatens to continue back and forth forever, Yat Fei screams at the top of lungs, interrupting the disagreeing pair. "Hey! I don’t have time for this nonsense! I’m leaving if you’re not revealing yourself!"

But before Yat Fei is able to take two steps, a shadow leaps out from the treetops and drops down lightly directly in front of him, blocking his departure.

"Not so fast, young man! You can’t leave yet!" The old man stretches his arms out wide, his white brows furrowed together into a stubborn frown. When Yat Fei only stares back at him with a puzzled expression, the elderly man grins cheerfully. "Do you remember me, kid? We met a few days ago at the cave in Green Python Valley. My wife and I, and our ancestors before us, are the protectors of the Sword of Sun. We have waited for many years for the reincarnation of the Guardian to come and reclaim his sword."

As recognition dawns on him, Yat Fei gasps, "You!" He points his finger at the old man. "I remember who you are now! You and your wife are the strange elderly couple who squatted inside that cave with that unusual sword plunged into a stone slab!"

"Hey!" The old woman flips out from the treetops, landing beside her aged husband. "Watch your mouth, young one! We are not ‘the strange elderly couple.’" Jabbing her finger toward the old man, the wife reveals a toothless grin. "He’s the weird one, not me. I’m perfectly normal."

"Now look here, Old Woman!" The old man immediately objects. "I’m eccentric, not weird! You make me sound like some crazy old man."

"Eccentric! Ha!" His wife scoffs at the euphemism. "You’re weird, plain and simple!"

"No, you’re weird!" The old man purses his lips together into a pout.

"No, you are!" The elderly woman fires back.

"You are!" The old man returns.

"No, YOU are!" His wife counters, poking her gnarled index finger at her husband.

"Eeee!" The old man huffs in frustration. "How many times have I told you not to jab your finger at my chest!" Agitated, he jumps up and down, his potbelly jiggling.

"You have told me a million times not to poke my finger at you. But guess what? I will jab my finger at you whenever I like, anyway! Nothing you say can stop me!" The old woman hollers back at him, stabbing her finger into his soft belly to emphasize her point.

"Hahaha!" The old man hunches forward, giggling like a child, his arms wrapped tightly around his belly to protect it from further tickling from his wife. "Stop! Stop, Old Woman! Hahahaha!"

But the more he begs, the more the old woman advances forward, poking her finger at his rotund belly mercilessly.

As the elderly couple runs around playfully, Yat Fei rolls his eyes. Ignoring them, he starts to walk off. However, almost immediately, he feels a pair of hands pull him backward at the shoulders, swinging him around.

"Hey, young man! You can’t leave yet." The old man scowls. "I need to ask you some questions."

Rapidly losing his patience, Yat Fei sighs heavily. "Look, Elder. Why don’t you and your wife continue flirting and let me go? I have important matters to attend to."

Raising his eyebrows with curiosity, the old man queries, "What important matters? Maybe we can tag along and join in the fun!"

As the words leave his mouth, his wife comes up behind him and whacks him soundly on the back of his head. "Stay focused, Old Man! Ask the boy about the Sword of Sun!"

Indignant at getting chastised in such a way, the old man grumbles something uncomplimentary under his breath and glares briefly at his wife before returning his attention to Yat Fei. "All right, all right, I’ll ask him! Boy, where is the Sword of Sun?"

"The Sword of Sun?" Yat Fei stares back at the old man. "I don’t know what you’re talking about." He turns and tries to leave.

"You don’t know what I am talking about?" The old man pouts, his expression incredulous. "You’re the reincarnation of the Guardian! I’m positive of it! You are the only person, after so many years, who is able to remove the Sword of Sun from its resting place! Now don’t joke with an old, frail man, like me." Behind him, his wife snorts at his reference to being a frail man, but he ignores her. "Now, where is the Sword of Sun?" He spins Yat Fei around, as if looking to see if the Sword of Sun is strapped to his back, but only finds Yat Fei’s plain sword.

"All right, all right, Elder! Stop spinning me around!" Yat Fei objects, exasperated. "If you’re referring to that sword I pulled from the stone wedge in that cave a few days ago, then you’re out of luck. I don’t know where it is."

"You don’t know where it is?" The old man repeats with disbelief. "What do you mean you don’t know where it is?"

"I mean exactly what I just said. I don’t know where it is." Yat Fei reaffirms. "Some unknown person, with his face covered, dragged me out of the cave, injured me, and flew off with the sword."

"The Sword of Sun is missing, Old Man!" The old woman turns to her husband, worried. "Who could this thief be? Kid, do you have any clue about your attacker’s identity?"

"No, but I would like to find out. He left a red palm print on my chest. Nobody tattoos Koo Yat Fei like that and gets away with it!" Yat Fei declares angrily, his resentment rising as he thinks of how the Master injured him.

At the mention of a red palm print, all traces of humor drain from the old couple’s faces. They exchange a troubled glance, already suspicions of what martial arts this red palm print is.

"A red palm print?" The old woman rushes forward and grabs Yat Fei on the shoulders. "Boy, may we see this red palm print that you have been injured with?"

Throwing the old woman a peculiar glance, Yat Fei asks curiously, "Why?"

"Oh! Stop asking so many questions and just show me your wound!" The old woman huffs with impatience, her anxiety building. Without waiting for permission from Yat Fei, she rips open his gown front, revealing the Blood Shadow Palm imprint on his chest.

Oblivious to Yat Fei’s indignant protests, the elderly pair gawks at the wound. Even with their years of experience in the martial arts world, they nevertheless could feel a shiver of doom race down their spine.

"It is indeed the imprint of the Blood Shadow Palm, just like we suspected, Old Woman." The old man murmurs, as he shakes his head ominously.

Just as worried, the old woman continues to stare at Yat Fei’s wound, as if mesmerized. "Judging from the palm print on this boy’s chest, it looks like the practitioner is at level two of the Blood Shadow Palm. If he completes level three, he will dominate the world. I thought the Blood Shadow Palm has vanished from the martial arts world for centuries, ever since the split of the Thousand Snake Black Rose Clan due to internal conflict between the two clan leaders, Poison Snake and Black Rose. The practice of this deadly palm technique reappeared briefly when Poison Snake re-emerged from her exile from Persia, but after that, nobody has heard of the Blood Shadow Palm again…"

Observing the horrific expressions on the elders’ faces, Yat Fei starts to experience the first wave of panic. "What? What?" He asks anxiously. "What Blood Shadow Palm? How come I’ve never heard of such martial arts? Am I going to die?" Suddenly fearful that he would die before being able to see Sui Han, Yat Fei grasps the old man’s arm. "Elder, am I going to die? I can’t die yet! I need to find Sui Han first! I have so many things left unsaid to her! I can’t die yet!"

Yat Fei’s frantic yelling pulls the elderly couple out of their reverie.

"All right, calm down, lad. You are not going to die." The old man grins slightly, regaining a bit of his former humor. "You should thank your lucky stars that you bumped into us today. Since the person who stole the Sword of Sun is only at level two of the Blood Shadow Palm, you are still curable, as long as someone with considerable internal energy agrees to transfer that energy completely to you. However, this should be done soon, or you will die, anyway."

"Transfer internal energy to me completely?" Yat Fei asks with surprise. "But who would be willing to sacrifice his or her life’s martial arts for me?"

"I will be willing to do that." The old man answers simply, without even hesitating.

"Old Man!" His wife tugs at his sleeve uncertainly. "Do you know what you are saying?"

"Hush, Old Woman!" The elderly man silences his wife. "I know exactly what I am saying!" Returning his gaze to Yat Fei, he gives Yat Fei an uncharacteristically serious, piercing look. "Young man, I am volunteering to save you today at the price of giving up many years of my internal energy, because I truly believe you are the reincarnation of the Guardian. If it is true that the martial arts world is facing a formidable enemy in the form of this unknown person practicing the Blood Shadow Palm, then you will be our future hope, the one person who can bring the legendary Sword of Sun to its full potential."

At that moment, a thought suddenly occurs to the old woman. "Old Man! What about the Sword of Moon?! If I am the thief who has just stolen the Sword of Sun, then the logical next step would be…"

"To steal the Sword of Moon, too!" The old man completes his wife’s sentence. As the realization dawns on him, he blurts out urgently to his wife. "We need to go to Blue Moon Village and warn Old Woman Lau!" Turning abruptly toward Yat Fei, the old man clamps a firm hand over the younger man’s wrist and proceeds to drag Yat Fei along. "You come along with us, kid."

"Wait!" Yat Fei protests. "Why do I have to go with you? And who in the world is Old Woman Lau?"

"You want to live, don’t you, kid?" The old man demands. "Well, if you wish for me to transfer my internal energy to you, then you must come along with me. The process of transferring a lifetime of internal energy to another person takes a few days’ time, as the energy must be transferred in small increments or you will suffer internal damage from the sudden burst of power." He proceeds to drag Yat Fei with him again.

However, Yat Fei stubbornly digs in his heels. "Look, Elder. I thank you for wanting to save my life, but I don’t have time to go traipsing to some Blue Moon Village. I need to find my love, Sui Han. I fear she is in danger and I don’t want to waste any time."

"So you would rather die, kid?" The old man glares back at him.

"I’ll take my chances." Yat Fei crosses his arms, glaring back at the old man.

After a glaring match lasting about five minutes, the old man finally sighs. "Kid, do you realize how important it is that we go and warn Old Woman Lau of a possible attempt to steal the Sword of Moon?"

"Who in the world is Old Woman Lau?" Yat Fei questions.

"She is an old friend of ours. My wife and I are the protectors of the Sword of Sun. Old Woman Lau, who resides in Blue Moon Village, guards the Sword of Moon." The old man explains. "If this person who practices the Blood Shadow Palm obtains both legendary weapons, then he will be even more difficult to defeat and the martial arts world will be in turmoil. We need to go to Blue Moon Village and aid Old Woman Lau!"

"Well, saving the world is not my intention. I just want to find Sui Han." Yat Fei brushes off the elderly man and starts to stomp off.

However, before he is able to even take two steps, he feels himself dragged through the air so quickly that he could barely struggle. "I’m done explaining things to recalcitrant youngsters!" The old man huffs with bad temper. "I’m not letting the reincarnation of the Guardian just die because of stubbornness and stupidity!"

As the old man flies off with Yat Fei in tow, his wife somersaults nimbly through the air, following close behind.

A few minutes after the trio disappears from sight, a man dressed completely in white leaps out from his hiding spot amongst the thick grove of trees. The newcomer lands in the forest clearing previously vacated by the old couple and Yat Fei. Looking pensively in the direction in which the trio has disappeared, he narrows his eyes, his mind already calculating his next plan of action. Slowly and slyly, his lips stretch into a sinister and feral smile.

"So the Sword of Moon is in Blue Moon Village, is it?" Lam Siu Tin cackles, his laugh hollow and eerie as it echoes through the quiet forest. Stroking the Sword of Sun strapped to his back, he grins. "It looks like I will be paying a certain Old Woman Lau a visit very soon…"

EVENING
CITY OF LAM ON
LAM MANSION
MAIN FOYER

"Madame Lam, you and Chancellor Lam must take action and help us!" A frantic member of the Golden Tiger Clan screams, gesturing his hands wildly at the row upon row of dead bodies lined up in the large foyer of Lam Mansion.

A large crowd of members belonging to the four main schools and clans of the martial arts world gathers, yelling at the top of their lungs, some from apprehension and some from fury.

"Yes! There is a menace out there, terrorizing the martial arts world, killing our children and our clansmen!" Another person hollers, this one belonging to the Mount Soaring Eagle School.

"My son! My son!" Kneeling next to one of the dead bodies lined up on the floor, a young woman sobs, her heartbroken cries piercing through the chaotic and outraged conversations. Clutching her three-year-old son’s mutilated body close to her chest, she gently strokes his nearly unrecognizable features. On her son’s body, a bloody palm imprint glows a vicious red against the dead child’s pale skin. "My son is just a baby! How can someone kill and torture a baby this way?"

"We need to stop this murderer! If we don’t, we will all end up like our dead children and clansmen!" A robust, ruddy colored man from the Red Raven Clan declares, pounding his fist down hard on a corner table.

"Yes! We need to hunt down this killer before he kills again!" His comrade from the Heavenly Crane School speaks up. The Heavenly Crane member suddenly pivots toward Yin Yuk and demands rudely, "Where is Chancellor Lam? Madame Lam, where is your husband? How can he disappear at a time like this?"

"Yes!" The large crowd chimes in. "Where is Chancellor Lam? What good is having a Chancellor when he is not even available during times of crisis like this?"

With a riot threatening to ensue, Yin Yuk stands up from her seat and holds up her hands in a calming gesture. "Heroes, please listen to me! Please listen to me!" Her voice, though cultured and elegant, reverberates down the spacious foyer with firmness. The crowd quiets down momentarily at her commanding tone. "Chancellor Lam had urgent matters to attend to away from the city of Lam On." As objections begin to arise, Yin Yuk raises her voice assertively. "BUT…" Again, the mass quiets down to listen to what she has to say. "But he will return soon to investigate the murders of our comrades."

"When will Chancellor Lam be back?" Someone at the back of mob calls out. "We can’t wait any longer! We need to take action now, with or without the guidance of our Chancellor!"

"He’s right!" Another yells.

"Yes, yes! We need to do something NOW." The crowd agrees in unison, pumping their fists aggressively into the air.

Beside her mother, Suk Yu stands silently, seemingly as composed and as serene as her mother, Yin Yuk. However, her calm demeanor belies her pounding heart. These people, once rational and upstanding members of the four large righteous clans and schools, have somehow transformed into a vicious, unreasonable lynch mob. Her muscles tense in preparation for any attack from the angry group.

Again, Yin Yuk raises her hands to call for attention. "Heroes, I understand your concerns and your reasons for wishing to take care of this murderer quickly. However, capturing and defeating this opponent may be more difficult than it seems."

"Why do you say that, Madame Lam?" Someone counters. "If we gather all the members from the four clans and schools, there should be a tally of at least one hundred able-bodied fighters. I refuse to believe that this one lone killer can defeat a hundred people!"

"Having a large quantity of people doesn’t necessarily guarantee victory." Yin Yuk refutes. "Do you all notice the red palm print on the victims’ chests?" She points to the rows of corpses, their chests all showing the telling bloody palm print. Yin Yuk then turns and faces the four clan leaders, giving them a solemn look. "Leaders Chu, Yu, Muk, and Lee, do you all recall a long ago clan known as the Thousand Snake Black Rose Clan?"

Leader Chu from the Red Raven Clan furrows his brow in thought. "Madame Lam, are you referring to the Thousand Snake Black Rose Clan that terrorized the martial arts world over five-hundred years ago? I have heard my great grand teacher mention this clan in his stories. According to legend, this clan was one of the largest, most prominent evil clans of that time, dominating the martial arts world with an iron fist."

Stroking his beard pensively, Leader Yu from the Heavenly Crane School contributes his knowledge to the discussion. "I, too, have heard stories from my great grand teacher. Two sisters, Poison Snake and Black Rose, controlled the Thousand Snake Black Rose Clan. The elder sister, Poison Snake, was a famed beauty of that time. Unfortunately, despite her angelic appearance, she was malicious, bordering on inhumane in her torturing of her enemies. She specialized in poison, concocting all sorts of deadly poisons meant to maim, torture, control, or kill her victims. Her most vicious and feared weapon was a series of lethal palm sequences known as…" Leader Yu stops suddenly, as realization dawns on him. "Known as the Blood Shadow Palm!" He swallows nervously as he completes his thought.

"The Blood Shadow Palm?" Leader Muk from the Mount Soaring Eagle School repeats. "Are you referring to the Blood Shadow Palm rumored to be able to kill a thousand men from a hundred paces away if the practitioner reaches level three?" Glancing over nervously at Yin Yuk, he inquires, "Madame Lam, do you truly believe that our clansmen and our children have been killed by the Blood Shadow Palm?"

As anxious murmurs erupt throughout the crowd, Leader Lee from the Golden Tiger Clan raises his voice above the cacophony of incoherent chatter. "Everyone, please listen! Madame Lam has a point! Look at the bloody palm imprints on the chests of our dead. None of us has seen the Blood Shadow Palm before, as this evil palm technique has long vanished five-hundred years ago. However, we need to proceed with caution. If this truly is a reappearance of the Blood Shadow Palm, then barging after this killer without an organized and intelligent plan will only bring about more deaths!"

"But if the Blood Shadow Palm is so powerful, what plan can we come up with to counter it? None of us has even seen this type of martial arts, nor do we know of its strengths or weaknesses. How can we fight against something we know absolutely nothing about?" A member of the Heavenly Crane School asks.

At that worrisome question, all eyes turn to Yin Yuk, hoping the mistress of the leading martial arts family will have a solution.

Calmly, Yin Yuk lifts her chin up confidently. "Heroes, as part of the Chancellor’s family, I will do my best to protect the martial arts community from threat. Give me three days’ time to learn more about the Blood Shadow Palm. I promise you, Chancellor Lam and I will come up with a solution to rid the martial arts world of this menace going around killing our people!"

Hearing those reassuring words from Yin Yuk, the crowd reluctantly agrees to disperse. As the members carry their clan’s respective dead members off, Leaders Chu, Yu, Muk, and Lee approach Yin Yuk and Suk Yu. Placing their hands together in a gesture of respect, the leaders bid their farewells.

"Madame Lam, please let us know if you need any assistance." Leader Muk offers.

"Thank you, Leader Muk." Yin Yuk replies politely.

"Then we shall congregate here again in three days to discuss our plans to defeat this murderer. Hopefully by that time, the Lam family will be able to provide us with more information about the Blood Shadow Palm and how to defeat it." Leader Yu states.

Bidding their farewells, the four leaders depart, leaving Yin Yuk sighing in relief.

As the last clan members leave, Suk Yu sends her mother a concerned glance. "Mother, how are you going to find out about the details of the Blood Shadow Palm? In three days’ time, will we really be able to give the martial arts community an acceptable solution regarding this killer?"

Closing her eyes, with fatigue overcoming her, Yin Yuk whispers, "I don’t know, Suk Yu. I don’t know…"

[icrayray]

OMG ty Mel for updating the story. Glad to see that Kristy finally opened herself up to Ekin. Even though they got together, Ekin will still be in the competition for Kristy's hand in marriage right? Even though Wallace didn't appear in this chapter, I can almost see that he will be in the upcoming chapter or soon enough at least. I like how you didn't just jump right into Wallace's story right away in this chapter (despite the fact that you are crazy over him now lol) but used this chapter as a set up for Wallace's appearance later on. I just love your set up and not rushing the story, which I feel is lacking in many series these days. Anyways I will be waiting for your next chapter . By the way, do you know if Wallace is married or not? And are you going to Germany soon?! I will be missing you on the forums while you are gone.

[tweety365]

The events are happening so fast, but somehow, not fast enough. I too love the details you put into the story, Mel. Gosh, Ekin and Kristy are just too darn cute together. Reading about them make my wee little heart flutter with happiness. I hope your evil plans do not split them apart.

Poor Lois, still searching for Annie. I think Gilbert has more "screen time" with Annie, but I wouldn't mind at all if Lois ends up with her . I have a weak spot for tall, handsome men. And Wallace will make an appearance next . Can't wait. Fingers crossed that Sun Fei Fei will be Black Rose

[Melanie]

OMG ty Mel for updating the story. Glad to see that Kristy finally opened herself up to Ekin. Even though they got together, Ekin will still be in the competition for Kristy's hand in marriage right? Even though Wallace didn't appear in this chapter, I can almost see that he will be in the upcoming chapter or soon enough at least. I like how you didn't just jump right into Wallace's story right away in this chapter (despite the fact that you are crazy over him now lol) but used this chapter as a set up for Wallace's appearance later on. I just love your set up and not rushing the story, which I feel is lacking in many series these days. Anyways I will be waiting for your next chapter . By the way, do you know if Wallace is married or not? And are you going to Germany soon?! I will be missing you on the forums while you are gone.

Thanks for posting something so soon after I posted Chapter 76! It's always nice to know someone is checking for updates! I can't answer whether or not Ekin will be around for Kristy's marriage competition or who will win her hand in marriage. It'll spoil the fun. I really, really wanted to bring Wallace Chung into the story immediately, but it would be too confusing and make everything incoherent. So I have to resist the urge to plop Wallace down into the story too soon. Nope, I have no clue whether or not Wallace is married. But even if he weren't, I'm sure some woman has already claimed him, since he seems like a nice guy and is handsome, too! DOES ANYONE KNOW IF WALLACE CHUNG IS TAKEN YET??? ICRAYRAY WANTS TO KNOW!!! I will be leaving for Germany next month, so I'll still hang around for a few weeks. If I get enough...ahem...comments for the story, I may be motivated enough to write another chapter before leaving for Europe.

The events are happening so fast, but somehow, not fast enough. I too love the details you put into the story, Mel. Gosh, Ekin and Kristy are just too darn cute together. Reading about them make my wee little heart flutter with happiness. I hope your evil plans do not split them apart.

Poor Lois, still searching for Annie. I think Gilbert has more "screen time" with Annie, but I wouldn't mind at all if Lois ends up with her . I have a weak spot for tall, handsome men. And Wallace will make an appearance next. Can't wait. Fingers crossed that Sun Fei Fei will be Black Rose

Tweety, your "wee little heart" is too cute. Are you dating some Irish guy? You're sounding very Irish.

You like Louis Koo, don't you, tweety? You might be surprised what happens to Annie at the end. Sun Fei Fei still is a contender for Black Rose. I might just actually cast her as Black Rose just to get you off my back regarding my cruel killing of Vincent Jiao's character.

[tweety365]

Tweety, your "wee little heart" is too cute. Are you dating some Irish guy? You're sounding very Irish.

You like Louis Koo, don't you, tweety? You might be surprised what happens to Annie at the end. Sun Fei Fei still is a contender for Black Rose. I might just actually cast her as Black Rose just to get you off my back regarding my cruel killing of Vincent Jiao's character.

Nope, no Irish boytoy for the moment, but I do find the Irish accent quite interesting . Of course I like Louis. I just noticed I spelled his name wrong . But heck, I was totally drooling over him during the ROCH days. Alas, he got a charcoal tan and uglied himself. But I still have a soft spot for the guy. Hurray for SFF as Black Rose . Mel, you will totally be forgiven over the Vincent incident if SFF makes it to the story as Wallace's wifey. Hope it is a beautiful love story *praying really hard*

[icrayray]

Thanks for posting something so soon after I posted Chapter 76! It's always nice to know someone is checking for updates! I can't answer whether or not Ekin will be around for Kristy's marriage competition or who will win her hand in marriage. It'll spoil the fun. I really, really wanted to bring Wallace Chung into the story immediately, but it would be too confusing and make everything incoherent. So I have to resist the urge to plop Wallace down into the story too soon. Nope, I have no clue whether or not Wallace is married. But even if he weren't, I'm sure some woman has already claimed him, since he seems like a nice guy and is handsome, too! DOES ANYONE KNOW IF WALLACE CHUNG IS TAKEN YET??? ICRAYRAY WANTS TO KNOW!!! I will be leaving for Germany next month, so I'll still hang around for a few weeks. If I get enough...ahem...comments for the story, I may be motivated enough to write another chapter before leaving for Europe.


Tweety, your "wee little heart" is too cute. Are you dating some Irish guy? You're sounding very Irish.

You like Louis Koo, don't you, tweety? You might be surprised what happens to Annie at the end. Sun Fei Fei still is a contender for Black Rose. I might just actually cast her as Black Rose just to get you off my back regarding my cruel killing of Vincent Jiao's character.

OMG another chapter! Come on people, comment and give Mel her support. I'm so excited for Wallace to appear. Lol, I have been checking the thread quite often lately for updates and posts. Hmm...seems like Sun Feifei is most likely going to be Wallace's wifey lol. I'm good with the pairing, have never seen them together yet but I can imagine them as a couple. Please do write another chapter if you have time!!!

[WhiteHairedMaiden]

Hey Mel, I enjoyed the new chapter. It pleased me to have that happy scene for my fave couple in the story, though it sort of came as a surprise that you've introduced it already. I imagined there'd be some more obstacles in their way before Suk Yu really accepted White Executioner's love. But then, this also makes me fear that you'll have more obstacles to their happiness in the future. As a fan of them two, I'd much prefer them having obstacles BEFORE they attain love than afterwards, y'know? Coz I think the latter usually involves greater diffiulties. I just hope you won't give them too much trouble. I look forward to the marriage competition. Knowing you, I'm sure you'll make it good.

[Melanie]

Nope, no Irish boytoy for the moment, but I do find the Irish accent quite interesting.

I think the Irish accent is rather charming, too. I like reading Nora Roberts' books. She writes romances, mysteries, mainstream fiction. She's Irish, so a lot of her stories take place in Ireland. I would like to go there one day. I hear the scenery is beautiful!

Of course I like Louis. I just noticed I spelled his name wrong. But heck, I was totally drooling over him during the ROCH days. Alas, he got a charcoal tan and uglied himself. But I still have a soft spot for the guy.

I actually prefer pale Louis compared to tanned Louis, too. I don't know why he did that tanning thing. It looks awful. It seems like we agree on a lot of things, because I have a soft spot for Louis' character Koo Yat Fei, also.

Hurray for SFF as Black Rose . Mel, you will totally be forgiven over the Vincent incident if SFF makes it to the story as Wallace's wifey.

You're shameless, resorting to blackmail about forgiving me for killing Vincent's character.

Hope it is a beautiful love story *praying really hard*

Now, I'll probably make it a very tragic love story, just to rile up tweety.

OMG another chapter! Come on people, comment and give Mel her support.

You're pretty cute, trying to rally up some comments for the story. You're very sweet, icrayray. Thanks for the effort. It's rather funny; when I read this particular comment a few days ago, I said to myself, "I will make a huge effort to write one more chapter before I leave for Germany just like icrayray wants me to, if I get just one more comment from one more reader." And then, a day or two later, along comes WhiteHairedMaiden with her comment posting. So...since now I have at least three readers commenting (three's a charm, after all), I will try my best to write one more chapter before I take off for Germany. Can't promise anything, but I will try my best to write one more chapter, and hopefully introduce Wallace Chung's character and whoever is going to be Black Rose.

I'm so excited for Wallace to appear. Lol, I have been checking the thread quite often lately for updates and posts. Hmm...seems like Sun Feifei is most likely going to be Wallace's wifey lol. I'm good with the pairing, have never seen them together yet but I can imagine them as a couple. Please do write another chapter if you have time!!!

Ok, since I have approval for Sun Fei Fei from at least two loyal readers (and no votes for any other actress for the role of Black Rose), I might just go with the path of least resistance. Maybe a kind reader out there can make me a poster with Sun Fei Fei and Wallace Chung to get me in the mood. I am still not sure who to cast as Poison Snake.

Hey Mel, I enjoyed the new chapter. It pleased me to have that happy scene for my fave couple in the story, though it sort of came as a surprise that you've introduced it already. I imagined there'd be some more obstacles in their way before Suk Yu really accepted White Executioner's love. But then, this also makes me fear that you'll have more obstacles to their happiness in the future. As a fan of them two, I'd much prefer them having obstacles BEFORE they attain love than afterwards, y'know? Coz I think the latter usually involves greater diffiulties. I just hope you won't give them too much trouble. I look forward to the marriage competition. Knowing you, I'm sure you'll make it good.

Hey, WhiteHairedMaiden! I haven't seen you for a long time at this forum! I replied to your PM. Anyway, I think after 76 chapters, Suk Yu should at least start feeling something for White Executioner. Having Suk Yu accept him at the end and then having them live "happily ever after" would be too cliched and predictable. They should take whatever happiness I am willing to spare them now, because I am not sure what their fate will be at the end.

[Liu Xiao Xiao]

Ok, since I have approval for Sun Fei Fei from at least two loyal readers (and no votes for any other actress for the role of Black Rose), I might just go with the path of least resistance. Maybe a kind reader out there can make me a poster with Sun Fei Fei and Wallace Chung to get me in the mood. I am still not sure who to cast as Poison Snake.

Hmmmmmmm...heard somebody needed to be "put" into the mood to write about this couple. I thought I would be of assistance...LOL

Will this do?


credit: Baidu

[tweety365]

Liu Xiao Xiao, great minds think alike. I also have that poster, but tweaked it a bit to fit with Mel's story.




Mel, how can you say I'm using blackmail? I'm merely voicing my grievance over the demise of a favorite character and the fact that the introduction of another character played by a certain actress will greatly alleviate my pain . Blackmail? What blackmail?

Let me know if you will use this poster so I can add the title and other stuffs to it.

[Liu Xiao Xiao]

Liu Xiao Xiao, great minds think alike. I also have that poster, but tweaked it a bit to fit with Mel's story.




Mel, how can you say I'm using blackmail? I'm merely voicing my grievance over the demise of a favorite character and the fact that the introduction of another character played by a certain actress will greatly alleviate my pain . Blackmail? What blackmail?

Let me know if you will use this poster so I can add the title and other stuffs to it.

Wow Tweety, what great talent you poses. That's a beautiful poster. I went to Baidu and grabbed any picture of SFF and Wallace I could find(admittedly that I've not read Mel's story, so I don't know what's it's about..sowwy). Nor do I have any talent to do all that photo-shop things...hehehe

[tweety365]

Wow Tweety, what great talent you poses. That's a beautiful poster. I went to Baidu and grabbed any picture of SFF and Wallace I could find(admittedly that I've not read Mel's story, so I don't know what's it's about..sowwy). Nor do I have any talent to do all that photo-shop things...hehehe

Awwww, you are way to kind in your praise . My "talent" really isn't that great. Nowhere near the amazing posters that grace the photoshop threads online. I'm too lazy to practice my skills to reach that level .

[icrayray]

WOW! What a beautiful poster for our upcoming characters in Legendary. Now, now, tweety you are too modest. The poster speaks for itself, it shows you got great photoshop skills. Given my limited photoshop skills and imagination, I probably couldn't make a poster like that even with years of practice. Thank you for your hard work! I love the poster

Mel, I can't wait till you see this amazing work. Your wishes are coming true and I'm sure you'll be overjoyed when you see what your forum buddies did for you while you were away from the forum

And thank you Liu Xiao Xiao for your kindness in looking for a Wallace and Sun fei fei poster! If you have time, you should definitely read Mel's story one day.

[Melanie]

Wow, this is such a wonderful surprise! First, I didn't think anyone would really take my request for a poster of Wallace Chung and Sun Fei Fei seriously. (I get ignored a lot. ) Second, I didn't even realize Liu Xiao Xiao visits this story thread, as it has nothing to do with Liu Shi Shi. And lastly, thanks to icrayray, Liu Xiao Xiao, and tweety for keeping my beloved story thread alive for me while I am away.

Liu Xiao Xiao - Hi! It's actually quite humbling to find out you're keeping tabs on this thread even though I have decided to not write about Liu Shi Shi. There seems to be more votes for Sun Fei Fei to be cast as Wallace's wife. But it's so sweet of you to take the trouble to find a poster of Wallace and SFF for me. I do hope you'll read my story someday, even if LSS is not in it. Maybe the characters themselves will interest you enough to read the story.

tweety - Thanks so much, tweety! It's so so wonderful of you to take the time to make me another poster! (For those who don't know yet, this is the second poster tweety has made for Legendary Book. The older one she made for me is at the winglin website.) It's a cool poster, tweety! Of course, I will use it for the story! So go ahead and add whatever you need to add for the finishing touches! Which series was SFF in when she was wearing the Japanese style kimono? She looks very beautiful and alluring in that picture, quite provocative, too, I might add. Wallace looks pretty serious in that poster. Thanks again for the poster, dear! It's awesome! You might want to post it on the Wallace Chung thread to show off your artistic talent. There's apparently a problem with winglin lately, because I can't log in to my account to post chapters nor can I log in to switch posters. Therefore, we'll keep the new poster here at the spcnet story thread until winglin works again, and then I'll update the poster there.

icrayray - It's so nice to keep finding you popping up here so frequently lately, icrayray. You've become quite the enthusiastic fan, even though the story doesn't quite have all the actors you like. And you keep trying to find new readers for me (like attempting to get Liu Xiao Xiao to read the story). Thanks, sweetie.

Geez, with all this enthusiasm for Wallace Chung and now with tweety taking the trouble to create a poster for Wallace and SFF, I better scuttle back to my corner and start writing the next chapter, or I won't get it done in time before my trip. Ok, bye for now, everyone!

[tweety365]

Mel, I just revised the poster. See my post above... didn't want to overload the thread with more large pictures. I included the title and added a bit of special effects near the top . Nothing spectacular but I thought it was kinda plain before. So excited that SFF will be Wallace's wifey!

You are very welcome. It was worth all the trouble to make the poster. Oh, the pic of Sun Fei Fei in the black dress was from the 2006 remake of Chu Liu Xiang. She starred as Li Hongxiu.

[Melanie]

Mel, I just revised the poster. See my post above... didn't want to overload the thread with more large pictures. I included the title and added a bit of special effects near the top . Nothing spectacular but I thought it was kinda plain before. So excited that SFF will be Wallace's wifey!

You are very welcome. It was worth all the trouble to make the poster. Oh, the pic of Sun Fei Fei in the black dress was from the 2006 remake of Chu Liu Xiang. She starred as Li Hongxiu.

Just saw your revised poster. It's great! Thanks! I'll be starting the next chapter today since I don't have to work today. And to thank you and everyone here for your support and enthusiasm for Wallace Chung, I'll extend his screen time for more than one chapter.

Hey, you make such pretty posters, I am wondering if you have time to make me another Legendary Book poster when you have more time. The poster can be another one of Wallace and SFF or it can be of the entire cast, including Wallace and SFF. I know I am being greedy and I know these posters take a long time to make, but I like having new posters to show off. There's no rush, and naturally if you're busy, feel free to take a few years. I have a feeling the story will still be around at that time. Maybe I'll write a sequel, too. Scary thought, isn't it?

[tweety365]

Mel , can't believe you are already asking for more. LOL, but I have been thinking of another poster for your story, but it's really difficult to find all the right pictures. I was just lucky that I managed to find that pic of SFF in black to match the character in your story. I will do my best, but if you can supply the pics you want in the poster, that would definitely help me out.