Legendary Book of Sun-Moon Swordplay

[icrayray]

Wow so much has been going on while I'm gone!
Mel, I finally got to read your new chapter! Very Well written, good job and keep it up! You were really good with the descriptions, especially the dead body scene, i was able to see the scenes in my head. You must have worked hard on them. I thought you were going to kill of the blue executioner in this chapter when I read it. Although I don't like him nor hate him, I did like how SiuHan is finally showing her feisty side. And I'm fearing for ChiChi because she knows so much so she could be the next person to leave the story especially considering how ruthless her dad is . He might kill her too if he knows that she knows his secret. I hope ChiChi handles the situation well enough so she doesn't put herself at danger. It's hard to say since she is so innocent and now she is up against her own dad and his mastermind plan.

I watched Ni Shui Han last summer just for Wallace Chung, he's so hot in there but the ending was so sad. Wish he can act in more wuxia series, really miss him in them.

Hey abc, your not the only who likes ChiChi's character and misses White Executioner and SukYu. I miss them too. I think Ekin Cheng and Kristy Yang would look great as wuxia characters but too bad these two rarely act in wuxia series. Mel, you picked the actor and actress for the White Executioner and SukYu well because Kristy and Ekin are so compatible as their respective characters in your story. I also miss Gigi Lai a lot now that she has retired from acting.

[Melanie]

Hey, everyone! Happy Chinese New Year! I want to thank everyone for leaving me so many messages in my absence! It is such a wonderful surprise to come back here to see so many comments. It's quite late now and I'm pretty sleepy, so I will keep my message short. I mainly want to wish all my readers happy Chinese New Year. I also want to mention that I have finished Chapter 81! Yay! But I am not posting it yet, because I want to post up two chapters (81 and 82) together. Therefore, I will be back when I finish Chapter 82! I will also respond to everyone's comments more completely later, when I am not so sleepy. Again, thank you so much for being so kind and generous with your comments and feedback!

[Linda]

oh Melanie...you've made my life a misery...all this waiting is making me feel old...

HAPPY LUNAR NEW YEAR everyone!!!

[Melanie]

oh Melanie...you've made my life a misery...all this waiting is making me feel old...

HAPPY LUNAR NEW YEAR everyone!!!

Happy Lunar New Year to you, too, Linda!

As mentioned before, I actually finished chapter 81, but have refrained from posting because Wallce Chung and Sun Fei Fei did not make it into chapter 81, as promised. And I feel bad posting chapter 81 up when I kept promising that they will appear. Therefore, I wanted to wait until I finished chapter 82, which will have some Wallace and Fei Fei scenes.

[charbydis]

I have been thinking a lot about Lawrence Yan Chi Keung lately!
Can he can a guest role please?

Lawrence!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Melanie]

I have been thinking a lot about Lawrence Yan Chi Keung lately!
Can he can a guest role please?

Lawrence!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Who's Lawrence Yan Chi Keung? He sounds very familiar. Well, Wallace Chung's character needs a love rival. I've briefly thought of casting Yan Kuan, but that decision is not set in stone yet. Who's Lawrence? Once I find out more about him, I'll be able to make a decision between Lawrence Keung and Yan Kuan. If anyone here feels strongly about one or the other, speak up now, lest I make a decision you don't like.

[tweety365]

Who's Lawrence Yan Chi Keung?

Here you go: http://wiki.d-addicts.com/Lawrence_Yan

[Melanie]

Thanks, tweety. Lawrence Yan's picture looks very familiar. Is he the actor who played Jin Jiao in an ATV drama? If he is, then he is pretty good, but I've never seen him portray a villain before. I'm surprised that his filmography included Strike at Heart and Forensic Heroes II, because I saw those dramas and don't remember seeing him.

[tweety365]

Yes, Lawrence Yan played Jin Jiao in the ATV drama. He's a very likable actor and underrated for his talents. Of all the characters that he has played, I like him best as Chan Tin Sueng in The Snow Is Red. I felt so sad when he died. I don't think he was ever given the lead role for a series. Actors switching from ATV to TVB are usually given minor roles. Even lead actors are swept under the rug. Look what happened to poor Gilbert . I believe that is the case with Lawrence, so it's not surprising that you don't remember seeing him.

[Melanie]

I haven't seen The Snow Is Red, so the only drama I've seen Lawrence in is the ATV Justice Bao and Yang family drama. I liked him in there. I thought he was very handsome and righteous and looked good with Erica Choi. Well...Lawrence Yan seems pretty hot. I guess it's a toss up between Yan Kuan and Lawrence Yan. Maybe I'll just let the readers vote who they think should take the role of Wallace Chung's character's love rival... Keep in mind that Wallace Chung is pretty hot and charismatic, so he needs a worthy rival who is just as attractive and magnetic. If no one votes, then I will just make some random choice.

[tweety365]

I'm just happy Wallace/SFF made it to the story as a couple. I have no other objections . Although, I do hope you don't go on a killing rampage and murder all the remaining couples, ie Kristy/Ekin, Gigi/Kevin, Annie/Gilbert/Louis, etc. Oh yeah, whatever happened to Bae Yong Joon and Song Yoon Ah? Hiding away on a distant island, kindling their stepson/stepmom romance

[Melanie]

I'm just happy Wallace/SFF made it to the story as a couple. I have no other objections . Although, I do hope you don't go on a killing rampage and murder all the remaining couples, ie Kristy/Ekin, Gigi/Kevin, Annie/Gilbert/Louis, etc. Oh yeah, whatever happened to Bae Yong Joon and Song Yoon Ah? Hiding away on a distant island, kindling their stepson/stepmom romance

Well, tweety, you're pretty easy to satisfy. How come you like the Wallace/SFF pairing so much, anyway? No, I won't go on a killing rampage. That's usually not my style. If I kill, I'll probably only kill one person in the pair, but never both people in the couple. Oh, I haven't forgotten about BYJ and SYA. They'll pop up in a few chapters. I like them; I think they're an interesting pair with Yip Fung's repressed love for his stepmother, Mei Si. It's not an uncommon scenario in modern dramas, but less explored in ancient period dramas since such a relationship is taboo. Anyway, because I like them, they won't be the first to kick the bucket. In fact, they might survive longer in the story than one of the main couples...

[tweety365]

I suppose I like W/SFF so much because of my disappointment that they have starred together 2 times, but Wallace's characters chose SFF's characters by default. His true love was always someone else. What kind of ending is that for a fan ? The same thing happened to Raymond and Tavia. Very traumatizing

No, I won't go on a killing rampage. That's usually not my style. If I kill, I'll probably only kill one person in the pair, but never both people in the couple.

=

[Melanie]

I suppose I like W/SFF so much because of my disappointment that they have starred together 2 times, but Wallace's characters chose SFF's characters by default. His true love was always someone else. What kind of ending is that for a fan?

Really? I know they starred in Rose Martial World together, but Wallace's character didn't love SFF's character. But what was the other drama they starred in together in which Wallace loved someone else? Have you seen Nei Xian (a.k.a. Undercover)? Wallace Chung again costarred with SFF. In this drama, he loved her, truly loved her. She wasn't a consolation prize, nor did he love her out of pity. You would like this series, if just to see Wallace's character finally love SFF's character. I watched it in Mandarin, and it was a bit hard to understand with my limited knowledge of Mandarin. The plot involved a lot of government intrigue. However, the romance was easy to understand, as love transcends all languages, right?

I'm kind of nervous posting up the subplot about Sit Chung Nam (Wallace) and Black Rose (SFF) now. You sound like you have such high expectations that I'm sure my story about these two will fall sadly short of your expectations.

[tweety365]

The other drama I had in mind was Nei Xian, but I heard that at the end, he was with SFF, but again he didn't truly love her. I haven't watched it yet because no English subs nor has it been dubbed in Viet. I will have to find the drama now .

Oh, don't be nervous. Honestly, my expectations are quite low. I'm just glad you're writing to entertain us and that you kindly included a couple that I like. It's your story, so do with it as you like. I am just a reader with an opinion, trying to liven up this thread.

[Melanie]

The other drama I had in mind was Nei Xian, but I heard that at the end, he was with SFF, but again he didn't truly love her. I haven't watched it yet because no English subs nor has it been dubbed in Viet. I will have to find the drama now .

Well, if you don't mind spoilers, I can give them to you. I will just post them below since the spoiler function is acting up. Just don't read below if you don't want spoilers.




For convenience's sake, I will just use the actors' real names. Also, please forgive me if there are any inaccuracies, as my native language is not Mandarin and the government intrigue in the plot line is quite hard to understand for someone who doesn't have a great grasp of Mandarin.

Ok, Wallace and SFF were sweethearts back in school. Then, suddenly, SFF disappeared. Wallace still loved her, but could not find her. Many years later, Wallace meets SFF again by accident, but to his surprise, he finds out that she is working for some rival government faction. (Again, please excuse any inaccuracies here, as I was totally confused by the government intrigue.) Feeling betrayed as her loyalties now lie with another, Wallace gives SFF the cold shoulder. SFF also treats Wallace with coldness. It's as if they have never loved each other. However, you can tell their love for each other still burns deep in the furtive glances they give each other when they think the other person is not looking. Once, when SFF is injured by a bullet, Wallace keeps sneaking into the hospital to see how she is doing, even knowing she is with the rival government faction. Then, as the story progresses, it is revealed that SFF is actually on the same side as Wallace. She is simply working undercover and pretending to side with the other government faction. However, sadly, Wallace finds out too late. He only gets a few stolen romantic moments with SFF before she is shot to death taking a bullet for him. The story ends on a melancholy note, but at least, Wallace truly loves SFF. He loves no other woman in the story. His heart has always belonged to SFF. By the way, they share a passionate kiss in this drama, so you might want to watch Nei Xian, even if it's never dubbed in Vietnamese.

Oh, don't be nervous. Honestly, my expectations are quite low. I'm just glad you're writing to entertain us and that you kindly included a couple that I like. It's your story, so do with it as you like. I am just a reader with an opinion, trying to liven up this thread.

I love reader opinions and suggestions. So please don't stop talking and talking. And I'm glad that your expectations are low. Believe me, I'm not a very good storyteller.

[tweety365]

Unlike a lot of people I know, I'm always open to spoilers. Thanks girl!

I did manage to download that passionate kiss (a friend so kindly emailed me a link) . But she does not understand Mandarin either. So we are both waiting for the English subbed or Viet dubbed version.

I'm not sure which is worst, Wallace being with SFF when he loves another or Wallace losing SFF in death .

[Melanie]

Personally, I think it's worst that a man stays with a woman out of obligation or pity, all the while loving or pining away for another. There is absolutely no bigger insult than that! So if I were to choose, I would prefer to have SFF's character die with Wallace's character's true love, rather than have her live with him physically but never attain his true love.

Here's the link to Nei Xian (Undercover) in Mandarin:

http://www.youtube.com/user/xiaobluo.../0/F3BGAaXN-sg

This part shows Wallace stabbing a hole in the wall so he could pass love notes to SFF, who is staying in the adjacent room (at 6:39 min). Cute.
http://www.youtube.com/user/xiaobluo...78/gkynlnbRsLY

Wallace and SFF's passionate kiss:
http://www.youtube.com/user/xiaobluo...79/pbolJ5Hx280

[Melanie]

Hey, everyone. I'm just going to post Chapter 81. I originally planned on waiting so that I could also post up Chapter 82, but I'll be busy in the next few weeks, so I don't know when I'll be able to finish up Chapter 82. Wallace and SFF will just have to wait until Chapter 82 is completed. Anyway, here's the latest chapter. Thanks for being so patient with me. More importantly, thanks for all the messages while waiting for me to complete each chapter. Also, I'll be back soon to respond to everyone's comments earlier, since I didn't get around to that this time.

CHAPTER 81 --- WILDCATS AND WEASELS

Characters appearing in this chapter:
Gilbert Lam Wai Sun---Lam Yik Lun
Steven Ma Jing Tao---Leung Cheuk Fu a.k.a. Blue Executioner
Benny Chan Ho Man---Koo Yat Keung
Annie Man Chung Han---So Sui Han
Simon Yam Tat Wah---Fong Sing Duk
Louis Koo Tin Lok---Koo Yat Fei

Guest appearances in this chapter:
Lee Heung Kum---Old Woman
Eric Wan Tin Chiu---Law Mun Kin a.k.a. innkeeper’s son
Lau Dan---Old Man

EVENING
OUTSKIRTS OF JADE ORCHID TOWN

With the old woman in his arms, Lun somersaults through the air, leaping over treetops, escaping as fast as he can for fear that the Master is following them. Finally, after several miles, Lun stops amidst a wide, barren field in the outskirts of Jade Orchid Town.

Breathing heavily, he glances warily behind him, as if expecting the Master to suddenly pop up behind him. When he sees only empty night, he sighs with relief. Setting the old woman down onto a patch of earth covered with thick weeds, he crouches down next to her.

“Elder, how are you doing?” He asks, very concerned as the old woman winces in pain.

“Young man, what is your name?” The elderly woman asks.

“My name is Lam Yik Lun, Elder.” Lun answers.

Coughing violently, the old woman gasps several times before talking. “Lam... Your surname is Lam? Do you have any relationship to Chancellor Lam Siu Tin?”

“He is my father.” Lun replies.

“The Chancellor’s son,” she tries to laugh upon hearing Lun’s identity, but only manages to choke. “How very fitting for the Guardian to be reborn into an upstanding family.”

“Err..the Guardian?” Lun asks, confused. “I’m afraid I don’t understand what Elder is saying.”

The old woman clutches at her chest, right at the spot where the Blood Shadow Palm has landed. Grimacing, she grits her teeth, swallowing a cry of agony. When Lun leans toward her, alarmed at her condition, she waves him away impatiently.
“You can’t help me, young man. I’ve been injured by the Blood Shadow Palm.”

Lun freezes upon hearing about this palm technique. “The Blood Shadow Palm? Lately, while I have been going from town to town searching for a young woman I have been separated from, I have noticed an increased number of seemingly random deaths in the martial arts world. All the victims have been purported to have a bloody red palm print on their chests. In addition, many of the victims have been mutilated beyond recognition, their internal energy drained right before death. Could all these deaths be the doing of someone going around the martial arts world using this Blood Shadow Palm Elder is referring to?”

Upon hearing this news, the old woman clutches onto Lun’s arms urgently. “What are you saying, young man? There is an increased number of deaths associated with a bloody red palm print? And the victims‘ internal energy has been drained before death?” Shaking her head in fear, she mumbles to herself. “After over five centuries, the Blood Shadow Palm is coming back to haunt us. Young man, we need to...” Suddenly, she vomits up blood, preventing her from completing her statement.

“Elder!” Lun calls out in alarm. Quickly placing the elderly woman in front of him, he makes a move to transfer some of his internal energy to her. However, she halts his movements.

“It’s useless, son.” The old woman puts a restraining hand on his arm. “I thank you for putting so much effort into trying to save me, but I’ve seen you fight just now against that masked man. Your internal strength, while decent and certainly above the majority of people in the martial arts world now, is definitely not powerful enough to reverse the effects of the Blood Shadow Palm. Therefore, there is no point in wasting your energy.”

“Then what can I do to help you, Elder?” Lun asks.

Looking about her anxiously, the old woman gasps in between painful breaths, “We have to leave here immediately. You have the Sword of Sun in your possession, and whoever that masked man is, he will return to reclaim the sword. If he does, his martial arts skills far exceed yours. Even without the Blood Shadow Palm, I can tell he can easily defeat you within twenty stances.”

“Where to then?” Lun hefts the old woman into his arms as he stands up.

“My husband is waiting for me in a secluded cave ten miles from here in the outskirts of Jade Orchid Town. Please...” She pauses, her breath catching as she coughs violently. “Please take me to him. I need to introduce you to him before I die... You are the Guardian. You are the one we have been waiting for...” Her voice trails off as she fades out of consciousness.

“Elder! Elder!” Lun tries to awaken her, but without any success. Without wasting time, he somersaults through the air, carrying the old woman to her husband.

MEANWHILE...
EVENING
IN ANOTHER PART OF JADE ORCHID TOWN

Sui Han tears down the deserted streets of Jade Orchid Town, with Koo Yat Keung in pursuit. No match for his speed, Sui Han darts down a cramped alley. Being slender and petite, Sui Han has no problem squeezing her way down the alley. However, the narrowness of the alley forces the bulkier and taller Keung to slow down. As Sui Han emerges quickly from the other end of the alley, she glances behind her, seeing Keung about three-quarters of the way through. Without wasting time, she hurries down the darkened streets. Unfortunately, before she is able to go far, Keung materializes from the alleyway. Flipping into the air, he lands in front of her in a matter of seconds, blocking her path of escape.

Halting in her steps, Sui Han stares cautiously at Keung. “What do you want?”

“Sui Han?” Keung holds up his hands in front of him, trying to appear non-threatening. “Do you remember me?”

“Who are you? How do you know my name?” Sui Han backs away slowly, her eyes trained on Keung suspiciously.

“We’ve met many months ago, at a restaurant called Sky Dragon Restaurant in the city of Lam On.” Keung explains, trying to jog Sui Han’s memory. “The first time I laid eyes on you, you were sitting upstairs, at a table overlooking the restaurant’s balcony. Do you remember?”

Furrowing her brows, Sui Han scrutinizes Keung’s features, finally recalling him from months ago. “Oh, I remember you now. What are you doing with my godfather, Fong Sing Duk?”

“Actually, I saw you a second time after that first time at Sky Dragon Restaurant. Elder Brother and I found you lying unconscious in a field in the outskirts of the city of Hoi Yeung.” Keung smiles.

“Elder Brother? Who’s your elder brother?” Sui Han demands, not quite following the conversation.

“Koo Yat Fei is my elder brother.” Keung answers her. Pointing to himself, he smiles as he slowly approaches Sui Han. “My name is Koo Yat Keung.”

“You’re Koo Yat Keung, Godfather’s younger son?” Sui Han repeats as she recognizes the name. “I’ve heard Big Brother Fei mention you.”

Pleased that Sui Han knows of him, Keung grins widely. “Then you know who I am?”

“Yes, you’re Big Brother Fei’s younger brother, who left with his martial arts teacher at an early age to practice martial arts.” Sui Han murmurs, quickly determining that Keung means no harm to her. She briefly thinks of whether or not Fei is nearby. Then, remembering her situation, she backs away from Keung quickly, her voice firm. “I don’t care whose brother you are! If you’re here to take me back to Godfather, you’ll have to drag me kicking and screaming back!” She vows.

“Why are you so afraid of my father?” Keung asks. “My father is your godfather, after all.”

Sighing loudly, Sui Han exclaims, “I don’t have time to explain anything to you!” She keeps glancing down the empty street behind Keung, deathly afraid that Fong Sing Duk is going to leap out any minute to kill her. “Is Big Brother Fei with you?”

His smile fading at her mention of his elder brother, Keung tries to hide his spurt of jealousy. “No.” He answers tersely.

“Then do you know where he is?” Sui Han asks persistently. She desperately needs a friend on her side right now, and she knows she can depend on Fei for help.

“No.” Keung returns shortly, jealous that Sui Han seems to only care about his brother’s whereabouts.

Turning her back on Keung, Sui Han starts to leave. However, he detains her by grabbing onto her arm.

“Wait! Sui Han, where are you going?” Keung inquires. “Come back with me. Father is waiting for us.”

“No!” Sui Han objects, shrugging off his hand. “Don’t you understand your own father at all? I may be Fong Sing Duk’s god daughter, but I am as dispensable to him as a piece of rag!” She exclaims vehemently. “Once I am of no use to him, he will kill me. If I go back with you now, he will kill me for sure!”

Grasping her arm again, Keung insists, “I’ll protect you, Sui Han. I won’t let Father harm you.”

Shaking Keung’s hand loose again, Sui Han backs away from him. “No.” She objects flatly.

Keung stares at Sui Han. “Since you’re my god sister, we are like family. I’ll protect you from harm. You don’t trust me?”

“No,” Sui Han answers directly. “You’re not my Big Brother Fei. I don’t trust easily. Just because we’re ‘family’ doesn’t mean I go off with you blindly.”

Seeing the hurt hiding behind the anger in his expression, Sui Han quickly assesses her predicament. Correctly guessing that Keung is fond of her, she switches her tone of voice and demeanor swiftly. Playing on his feelings for her, she grasps his his hand with both of hers, her eyes pleading him. “I’m sorry for being so rude, Big Brother Keung. I’m just so scared of being captured by Godfather. I failed to accomplish a mission he sent me to do. He has already destroyed my martial arts skills as punishment. If he gets ahold of me, he will kill me. You have to help me, Big Brother! Please!”

For a split second, Keung pauses to consider the situation. Despite Sui Han’s earlier accusation that he does not know how ruthless his father can be, he understands his father’s very calm, yet dangerous, temperament all too well. If he crosses his father by helping Sui Han escape, he will definitely feel the repercussions later. However, glancing at Sui Han’s beseeching eyes, he suddenly wants to be her knight in shining armor.

Nodding, he grabs her hand. “Fine. Quickly, come with me.” Dragging her behind him, he runs with her down the cobblestone streets. “We have to leave this town now. If I don‘t bring you back to Father soon, he’ll come looking for us.”

Even as he speaks, a dark shadow streaks across the night, chasing them like a ghost. Within a matter of seconds, the shadow lights over their heads and lands in front of them, blocking their escape.

Smiling with false congeniality, Fong Sing Duk questions smoothly. “Why, where are you going, Son?” He tilts his head and his piercing gaze focuses on Keung. “Running off with your god sister already?” He asks sarcastically.

Gasping with alarm, Sui Han backs away from Fong Sing Duk. Keung, on the other hand, holds his ground, keeping his body in front of Sui Han, shielding her from his father.

“Father...” Keung begins.

Behind Keung, Sui Han turns tail and runs in the other direction. Immediately, Fong Sing Duk somersaults into the air, intending to chase after her. However, Keung thwarts his move by somersaulting abreast of him and grabbing onto his father’s right shoulder midair.

“Father! Wait!” Keung yells.

“How dare you try to help her!” Fong Sing Duk roars. While in the air, he easily twists his body sideways, shrugging off Keung’s grip on his right shoulder. With his left palm extended forward, he knocks his younger son to the ground. While Keung smashes onto the cobblestone street below, Fong Sing Duk races through the air, his movements so rapid that his figure seems to almost disappear. In the blink of an eye, he lands in front of Sui Han. Before she is even able to scream, he grabs ahold of her throat, nearly lifting her off the ground.

“Do you really think you can outrun me, Sui Han?” Fong Sing Duk sneers. “After all those years of providing food and shelter for you, is this how you repay me?”

Trying to peel away his fingers, Sui Han gasps for breath, her vision turning gray as she almost faints. “God...Godfather, I...I won’t dare to run away from you again! I can’t...can’t breathe...” She huffs. “Please...please spare me...”

“And what will you do for me in return if I don’t kill you tonight?” Unmoved by her pleas, Fong Sing Duk continues to suspend her body in the air by her neck, his expression cold.

“Any...anything!” Sui Han promises rashly.

Recovering from his crash, Keung quickly rushes over to his father and Sui Han. “Father, please! You’re strangling her! Father!” When Fong Sing Duk ignores him, Keung palms Fong Sing Duk on the shoulder.

Caught by surprise as he does not expect his son to attack him, Fong Sing Duk drops Sui Han by reflex. As she sinks to the ground like a forgotten rag doll, he swivels around in fury, his eyes murderous.

“How dare you attack me! I’m your father!” He hollers.

Mindless of Sing Duk’s outrage, Keung runs to Sui Han’s side, helping her sit up. “Sui Han, are you all right?”

Coughing, she gulps in several deep breaths, nodding to Keung’s question. “Thank...thank you, Big Brother Keung.”

Just as she finishes her words, she feels herself dragged up again by Fong Sing Duk.

“Father!” Keung reacts by sending three small daggers flying through the air, trying to force his father to release Sui Han.

However, this time prepared for Keung’s attack, Fong Sing Duk easily deflects the daggers with his palm energy, all the while maintaining a stranglehold on Sui Han’s neck. With one swift kick, he knocks Keung several paces away.

“So where were we, Sui Han?” He asks mockingly. “You were just about to tell me what you are going to do for me in return for not killing you.” When she remains silent, he squeezes his fingers around her neck even tighter. “Well, if you have nothing to bargain with, Sui Han, then I guess I will have to kill you.”

“Wait!” Sui Han begs, her mind racing to come up with ways to get herself out of this predicament. “There is something you might like, Godfather. A sword, a powerful sword.” She babbles quickly, thinking of the Sword of Moon.

“A sword?!” Fong Sing Duk asks incredulously. “I have plenty of swords. I don’t need another one. Do you expect me to spare your life for a mere sword? I would think you are smarter than this, Sui Han.” He clucks his tongue.

“No!” Sui Han hastily elaborates. “It’s not an ordinary sword. This sword’s blade glows a very cool shade of blue. Although an inanimate object, it exudes an indescribable energy, like it has life.”

As he listens to Sui Han describe the sword, Fong Sing Duk freezes, recognizing the Sword of Moon from her description. No sword in the world glows the color of blue other than the legendary Sword of Moon. According to legend, the Guardian reigned the martial arts world and remained undefeated five-hundred years ago with the help of the twin Swords of Sun and Moon. When the Guardian gave the Sword of Moon to his lover, the Seer, she brought the Sword of Moon to even greater heights. Rumors have even purported the Sword of Moon to be more powerful than its counterpart, the Sword of Sun, due to the Seer’s burning vengeance. Betrayed and abandoned by the Guardian, which led to the death of her infant son, her fury and inconsolable rage fed the sword’s thirst for absolute domination. On a killing spree with its owner, the Sword of Moon drank the blood of innumerable victims, and with each kill, the sword became more lethal. It was as if it had absorbed its owner’s grief, madness, and drive for revenge.

Fong Sing Duk nearly salivates thinking of the sword. To possess such a sword would be tantamount to becoming invincible!

“Where is this sword?!” Fong Sing Duk shakes Sui Han impatiently. “WHERE IS THIS SWORD?!” He practically shrieks at her, his fingers like an iron vise around Sui Han’s neck, almost cutting off her air supply.

Keung, who has rushed back to Sui Han side, screams back at his father. “Father, you’re going to kill Sui Han!” He tries to pry his father’s fingers apart, but to no avail, as Fong Sing Duk seems to be lost in his own universe. “FATHER!!!” Keung yells again at the top of his lungs.

Finally, snapping out of his trance, Fong Sing Duk loosens his grip on Sui Han. Dropping her onto the ground suddenly, he remains strangely silent, his expression contemplative.

“Sui Han! Are you all right?” Keung crouches down next to Sui Han, eyeing her with concern as she massages her neck.

As a dark shadow looms over them, both Keung and Sui Han look up to see Fong Sing Duk peer down at them, his eyes hooded. Sui Han freezes, her heart pounding, wandering if she will indeed die tonight. As the seconds tick by, Fong Sing Duk continues to tower over her. His complete stillness and sudden calm somehow frighten her a thousand times more than his ranting. Then, after what seems like an excruciatingly long time, Fong Sing Duk throws a yellow packet onto the ground in front of Sui Han. Surprised, she glances up, her expression confused.

“Take it.” He commands.

Darting her eyes to Fong Sing Duk first and then to Keung, Sui Han reaches over cautiously to the packet, as if expecting it to explode in her face.

Chuckling from a joke only he understands, Fong Sing Duk reassures her. “Don’t worry, Sui Han. It’s not poison. On the contrary, it’s the antidote to the poison I have been forcing you to take all these years.” At Sui Han’s shocked expression, he laughs again. “Don’t be so surprised, my dear daughter! I can be kind if I wish to be. I am curing you of your poison as a token of goodwill on my part.” Then, he crouches down next to Sui Han, leaning forward so that his face is barely inches from hers. His voice switching from congenial to threatening, he whispers, “But in return for my goodwill gesture, I expect you to lead me to the Sword of Moon.” Narrowing his eyes, he smiles coldly. “And if you dare to play any games on the way to the sword, such as trying to escape, or if I find out that you’re lying to me about the sword, I will stuff a poison so lethal down your throat that you will beg me to kill you. Understand?” Then, within the blink of an eye, he switches back to a friendly countenance. Patting her cheek with fatherly fondness, he grins at her. “Go ahead, Sui Han. Eat up.” He tilts his head toward the yellow packet of medicine in her hands.

When she pauses, her eyes suspicious, Fong Sing Duk pats her shoulder reassuringly. “Ah, I see. An intelligent girl like you must suspect that this packet must contain poison instead of the antidote.” Pulling another identical packet from his gown pocket, he beams beautifully. “How about this, Sui Han?” Pointing to the second packet in his hands, he explains. “This is an identical packet of antidote. I’ll take half of this packet, and you take the other half. We’ll do the same for the antidote packet in your hands. That way, you can be certain that it’s not poison.” Taking the initiative, Fong Sing Duk empties half of the powdered medicine into his mouth first. Then, taking the packet in Sui Han’s hands, he does the same thing. Nudging her the two remaining half full packets, he prods, “Go ahead. Take it.”

Throwing her godfather one last look, Sui Han reviews her options. Deciding to take a chance, she takes a deep breath and pours the medicine down her throat.

“There!” Fong Sing Duk exclaims gleefully. “Now that your poison is cured, we should all head back to the inn and get a good night’s rest. First thing tomorrow morning, we will all head out to obtain the Sword of Moon!” Pleased, he wraps one arm around Sui Han’s shoulders and another arm around Keung’s shoulders. “Come along, you two!”

As she is dragged along by Fong Sing Duk, Sui Han exchanges a wary glance with Keung, who walks stiffly by his father’s side, glad that Sui Han will be traveling with him, but also concerned about how his father will react if they cannot find the Sword of Moon...

MEANWHILE...
JADE ORCHID TOWN
THOUSAND LILIES INN
BLUE EXECUTIONER’S INN ROOM

The flame from the thick red candle on the table at the center of the room dances wildly to a silent rhythm, casting ghostly shadows against the bare-chested man sitting on top of the bed at the far end of the room. Every few seconds, the flame casts a weak beam of light upon the man’s face, turning the droplets of sweat on his brow into pearly gray spheres of moisture. His lips pale and drawn tightly into a thin line of pain, the man winces as he concentrates on channeling his internal energy toward his right shoulder, where two tiny silver needles protrude. Beads of sweat roll off the man’s chest and back while the seconds tick by. Finally, as a final round of energy surges toward his right shoulder, the needles quiver for a split second before bursting out of his flesh, shooting across the room before embedding themselves into the opposite wall.

Huffing from the exertion, Blue Executioner turns to glare at his wound. With the removal of the needles, his right upper extremity rapidly regains sensation and strength. Gingerly touching the two puncture wounds left behind by Sui Han’s poisonous silver needles, he grunts with anger. From the corner of eyes, the precious stone from Sui Han’s fallen hairpin shimmers in the candlelight, drawing his attention.

Getting off the bed, he goes over to pick up the hair accessory. As the gem stone on the pin winks at him teasingly, as if laughing at him impudently like its owner was doing not too long ago, Blue Executioner narrows his eyes, his lips slowly stretching into a calculating smile. “You little wildcat,” he murmurs, as Sui Han’s pretty angelic image dances across his mind. “You think two little needles can take me out, hmm?” Suddenly, he breaks out into a laugh. “I like you, little wildcat,” he purrs, thinking of what he would like to do to her when he gets his hands on her again. “No woman has dared to attempt to murder me while I am kissing her! Haha!” He chuckles. Twirling the hairpin pensively between his fingers for a moment, he then brings the hair accessory to his lips and lightly kisses the cold gems on the pin. “I’ll find you, little wildcat, and when I do, I’ll tame you.” He whispers, his lips curved into a licentious smile.

At that moment, he notices a shadow stealthily dart across the outside of his inn room window. Quickly donning his robe and grabbing his saber, he douses the flame on the table. Plastering himself against the wall next to the window, he listens closely while keeping his eyes trained on the closed window. Outside, several footsteps shift softly. Listening closely, Blue Executioner estimates a total of four people outside his room. Even as he raises his saber in attack position, two shadows outside dart over to his door while two remain outside the window, blocking all possible routes of exit from the inn room.

Hoping to have the element of surprise in his favor, Blue Executioner takes the initiative and jabs his saber straight through the parchment paper of the window, catching one intruder unawares and piercing his heart. As the man outside the window falls, Law Mun Kin, who is standing beside his now dead comrade, quickly sandwiches Blue Executioner’s blade between his second and third fingers as the saber emerges through the parchment paper of the window again. Using his internal energy, Mun Kin tries to break the saber in half. However, another surge of internal energy from Blue Executioner races along the blade, countering his energy. As the steel belly of the saber turns a vibrant hot white from the internal energy contest, both men lunge forward, Mun Kin’s left palm clashing against Blue Executioner’s right palm, with the window parchment paper still trapped in between their palms. Within seconds the parchment paper bursts into flames, forcing both combatants to back away from the burning window.

Meanwhile, the two men from outside the chamber door rush through, both charging at Blue Executioner. Rolling away from the flaming window, Blue Executioner flies forward, swinging his saber. The tip of the saber catches one of his opponents mid-somersault. Drilling the tip deeper into his attacker’s abdomen, Blue Executioner twirls the man around like a rag doll on the tip of a stick. With one final swing, he flings the man onto the floor. As the second man runs toward him, he twists around quickly and delivers one forceful kick to his opponent, sending him smashing onto the bed across the room.

Just as he turns around, Blue Executioner feels the slightest stir of air next to his cheek. In the blink of an eye, a fist punches forward from nowhere, blindsiding him momentarily. Retreating back a couple of steps from the blow, he quickly recovers in time to see the innkeeper’s son leap through the air, his legs outstretched. With barely enough time to huff, Blue Executioner rapidly twists to one side, barely avoiding a kick to the chest.

In the background, he hears the pounding of footsteps. Not waiting around to see if the newcomers are friend or foe, Blue Executioner grabs onto the blanket that Sui Han has flung at him earlier that night. Borrowing her trick, he whips the heavy sheet at Mun Kin, temporarily obscuring his vision. Taking this opportunity, he dashes toward the nearest exit, the window, and leaps through the still-flaming window. Avoiding the crowded restaurant near the front entrance of the Thousand Lilies Inn, Blue Executioner leaps over the balcony railing, heading through the back courtyard of the inn instead. At the inside perimeter of the courtyard, he somersaults over the high wall.

As Blue Executioner races down the empty darkened streets of Jade Orchid Town, Mun Kin gives chase, just a few paces behind.

OUTSKIRTS OF JADE ORCHID TOWN
THREE MILES FROM THOUSAND LILIES INN
CLIFF SIDE

In hot pursuit, Mun Kin flips over rooftops, gliding over the tiles with his lightness kung fu. Managing to remain a few paces ahead of his pursuer, Blue Executioner somersaults nonstop, leaping over treetops. Three miles into the chase, Blue Executioner finds himself at a cliff. Cornered, he halts at the edge of the mountain.

Executing one final somersault, Mun Kin flips and lands onto the rocky terrain in front of Blue Executioner. “There is nowhere to run, rapist. I advise you to surrender and come peacefully with me.”

Backing up a step, Blue Executioner briefly glances down the steep incline. Loose rocks cascade down the edge of the cliff at the slightest movement. Keeping his eyes trained cautiously on Mun Kin, Blue Executioner, raises his saber in attack position. “Who are you?” He demands. “Aren’t you the innkeeper’s son? What is your real identity? Why are you tailing me?”

Narrowing his eyes at Blue Executioner, Mun Kin reaches his hand into his gown pocket and retrieves a golden medallion with the imperial insignia on it. “I am His Majesty’s chief imperial constable, Law Mun Kin. I have been assigned to investigate a serious of crimes related to the assassinations of several key loyal government officials.” Pointing an accusing finger at Blue Executioner, Mun Kin exclaims, “You are the prime suspect in my investigation!”

Without any further words, Mun Kin flies at Blue Executioner, his fists leading. Spinning into the air, Blue Executioner avoids the attack. Swiping his saber in a wide arc, he sends forward a wall of energy, barring Mun Kin’s fists from advancing further. Mun Kin retreats two steps but recovers quickly. Holding one fist above and one below to form a semicircle with his arms, he lunges forward full force and rams into Blue Executioner’s wall of energy. As his fists punch through the invisible shield of energy, Mun Kin twits through the air like a missile, aiming for his opponent. In defense, Blue Executioner stabs his saber into the earth and extends his palms forward, receiving Mun Kin’s fists. The impact sends both combatants reeling backward several paces. Both execute several backflips, their feet shifting unsteadily as they finally land.

As Mun Kin prepares to charge at his opponent again, Blue Executioner raises his arm in a gesture to halt Mun Kin’s progression. “Wait, Constable Law!” Blue Executioner yells out.

But Mun Kin ignores Blue Executioner’s gesture. “There is nothing to discuss, rapist! If you don’t come peacefully with me, I’ll be forced to execute you on the spot!”

After twenty stances, Blue Executioner and Mun Kin find themselves at a deadlock. Glaring at each other, they palm each other on the shoulders. As both fall apart, Blue Executioner quickly reaches into his gown and grabs onto something with his fist. As Mun Kin makes a move to attack again, Blue Executioner thrusts his fist forward, opening his palm to reveal the object clenched in his fist.

Even in mid stance, Mun Kin notices the flash of the object held in Blue Executioner’s hand. Stopping dead in his tracks, Mun Kin gasps while he stares at the object, his eyes widening with surprise at his opponent. “You are...?” He asks slowly, his eyes flickering from the object in Blue Executioner’s hand to the man holding the object.

Stretching his lips into a slow smile, Blue Executioner laughs as he pockets the object back into his gown pocket. “I see I finally have your attention, Constable...”

EVENING
OUTSKIRTS OF JADE ORCHID TOWN
CAVE

Situated inconspicuously off to the side of the mountain, the cave opening, a mere slit barely wide enough to allow one person to comfortably walk through, hides behind a messy overgrowth of loose branches and vines. Inside, the cave’s interior is just as miniscule and as narrow as its opening, making it very difficult for a person to pace. However, this does not stop the elderly, portly man inside the cave from pacing, nonetheless.

“Where is she? Where is she?” The old man mutters to himself repeatedly, his concern for his elderly wife escalating with each passing minute.

After completing the first of a series of internal energy transfers to Koo Yat Fei, the old man sat around the crowded cave with Fei, waiting for his wife’s return with the buns and desserts. In the beginning, he bellowed and whined about the long wait out of boredom. Throughout his complaints, Fei kept to himself at one end of the small cave, keeping his eyes closed, pretending to sleep in an attempt to discourage the old man from talking to him. Insulted at being ignored, the old man initially tried to pick a fight with Fei. But the younger man simply paid no attention to him, as he vacillated between feigning sleep and staring at his drawing of Sui Han. Giving up on trying to rile Fei, the old man started kicking pebbles around the cave floor, playing an imaginary ball game. After tiring of that, he started pacing around, for lack of anything else to do.

However, now, four hours after his wife has left to go into town to buy food, the old man becomes genuinely concerned over her prolonged absence. “Why do you think Old Woman is taking so long?” The old man scowls at Fei, worry painted all over his face.

Sensing the old man’s true concern, Fei finally looks up from his painting of Sui Han. “Do you think she ran into trouble? Do you two have any enemies?”

Taken aback by Fei’s question, the old man stops to think for a moment. “No, we merely guard the Sword of Sun and have mainly kept to our own business for many years. But it’s just not like Old Woman to disappear for so long, since she doesn’t like to dawdle.”

Rolling up Sui Han’s drawing, Fei slips it into his gown pocket. Standing up, he starts toward the opening of the cave. “Why don’t I go into town and look for her?” He volunteers, thinking this would be a good chance to also ask around about Sui Han’s whereabouts.

“I’ll go with you!” The old man rushes up behind Fei.

However, before they reach the opening of the cave, footsteps slap against the sodden earth just outside.

“Wait!” The old man places a restraining hand on Fei’s shoulder, keeping him from revealing himself at the cave’s opening. Listening closely, he whispers to Fei. “It’s not Old Woman. Her footsteps usually make a soft shuffling noise. The footsteps outside are purposeful. Whoever is outside is not my wife.”

Pushing Fei back, the old man plasters himself against the side wall of the cave near the entrance. Waiting, he watches a tall shadow approach the cave opening. As a large, male hand reaches through the tangle of vines covering the cave opening, the old man thrusts his palm forward, contacting the intruder’s hand.

Taken aback by the unexpected punch, the intruder backs a few steps away from the cave opening. However, almost immediately, the person outside the cave retaliates by swinging his sword at the vines and branches, his strokes so rapid that they disintegrate the curtain of vines. As bits of severed vines rain downward, a white gowned young man flashes forward. The old man blocks the person’s advance by encircling the white gowned man at breakneck speed, creating a mini tornado with his rapid movements. While the white gowned person tries to pick out the old man within the blurry tornado of pure speed, the old man punches forward. Barely avoiding the old man’s palm, the intruder spirals upward, somersaulting out of the tornado. Landing, he twists around just in time to receive the old man’s palms. But the elder’s internal energy proves to be superior, as the younger man finds himself forced back against one wall of the cave. As the white gowned young man slams against the cave wall, the old woman he is carrying on his back wakes up and cries out in pain.

Recognizing his elderly wife’s voice, the old man immediately pushes the younger man aside. “Old Woman!”

The old woman slides weakly down the wall, barely conscious. Hearing her husband’s voice, the old woman shakes herself awake. “Stop... Stop...fighting, Old Man...” She calls out weakly, in an attempt to stop her husband from continuing to fight with Lam Yik Lun.

Reaching his wife’s side, the old man tenderly brushes aside the loose tendrils hanging down her forehead, a gesture surprisingly gentle and sweet despite his usual gruffness toward his elderly wife. “What happened, Old Woman?” He cries out. Then, jerking his gaze venomously toward Lun, the old man spats out. “Did this young man injure you?!”

“No, no.” The old woman hurriedly explains. “He saved me, Old Man. If this young man had not come along at the right moment, I would have been killed already.”

“Really?” The old man turns toward Lun, sending him an apologetic look. “Young man, I apologize for my attack earlier. Thank you for saving my wife’s life. What’s your name?”

However, before Lun is even able to respond with his name, a ball of fire flies directly toward Lun’s direction. Reacting quickly, Lun knocks the fireball away with his sword, flinging it out of the cave entrance.

Fei, who has been standing unnoticed at the far end of the cave all this time, his eyes narrowed in fury, clasps his hands together, already starting to mold another fireball. “His name is Weasel Lam.” Fei volunteers this bit of information sarcastically.

As Fei’s palms rub against each other, another ball of flame emerges. Angrily, he hurls the fireball at Lun again. Swerving to the side, Lun avoids the ball of flame. At that moment, Fei rushes forward and grabs Lun’s shirtfront...

[charbydis]

Yay! More chapters!

And now Bluey is either undercover or the long-lost homosexual lover of Law Mun Kin meaning that he wont be killed off for a long time! Woooweee!!!!!

I seriously do not like the idea of Keung and Siu Han together!