Legendary Book of Sun-Moon Swordplay

[charbydis]

Pai Fung getting married!!! Yay!

http://www.jaynestars.com/news/annie...in-march-2012/

[Suet Seung]

Pai Fung getting married!!! Yay!

http://www.jaynestars.com/news/annie...in-march-2012/

The picture of them supposely kissing in the car looked so weird, I see him leaning towards WHATEVER It was, it didn't look like Annie. And Jayne's translated the article or whomever with typos like March 2011 instead of 2012. There was a lot of grammar mistakes too. But I hope Annie and Jason's upcoming wedding and marriage life turns out well for them. Glad to hear she won't retire.

[Melanie]

OMG! Congratulations to Annie! Our Paifong is no longer Yelut Honam's. But I'm happy for Annie.

I agree with SS regarding the "kissing in the car" picture. I can't even see who the woman is and can barely make out the features of the guy. Plus, it doesn't look like an innocent kiss; it looks more like they are in the midst of doing you-know-what. How in the world did people identify the two people in the car as Annie and her boyfriend?

I don't like Annie's wedding gown. My tastes run toward understated elegance with a touch of sexiness. Backless dresses can be elegant and sexy, if designed by the right designer. The strange straps on the back of Annie's dress, however, remind me of a costume out of a XXX movie.

[tweety365]

OMG, Annie is getting married! So happy for her! Thanks for sharing the good news, Charby. And the fact that I can access this site is another reason for celebration

[Melanie]

AUTHOR'S NOTE

Many of you will notice that Chapter 83 below is written in the past tense, while the rest of the story is written in the present tense. I am in the process of revising the tense of this story, and will be gradually changing all the chapters from present tense to past tense, which is the tense traditionally used in novels. This process will most likely take a while, as there are 82 chapters to edit. Please bear with me as I slowly make these changes. I thank you all for your understanding and hope you will still enjoy Chapter 83 despite the sudden change in tenses.


CHAPTER 83 ---- LOVE AND HATE

Characters appearing in this chapter:
Kevin Cheng Ka Wing---Cheng Sai Chung
Gigi Lai Chi---Lam Suk Chi
Gilbert Lam Wai Sun---Lam Yik Lun
Louis Koo Tin Lok---Koo Yat Fei
Lau Dan---Old Man
Idy Chan Yuk Lin---Chan Yin Yuk
Kristy Yeung Gong Yu---Lam Suk Yu
Patrick Tam Yiu Man--- Marquis Ching Bong

EVENING
OUTSKIRTS OF CITY OF HOI YEUNG
FOREST CLEARING
SEVERAL MILES FROM WHERE LAM YIK WAH’S BODY WAS FOUND

The loud chirping from the crickets resonated almost deafeningly throughout the woods, the sound throbbing violently in Sai Chung’s ears, waking him up from his disturbed slumber. Jerking upright, he glanced around the forest clearing frantically, searching for Chi Chi.

After discovering Lam Yik Wah’s body earlier this evening, Sai Chung had fashioned a crude makeshift coffin from pieces of wood. Then, he and the subdued Chi Chi had trudged through the forest, heading toward the direction of Lam Mansion. During the entire time, Chi Chi remained uncharacteristically quiet, her eyes vacant and devoid of the cheeriness that Sai Chung had grown to love. After traveling for several miles, Sai Chung, concerned about her state of mind over the shock of her second brother’s death, suggested that they rest in the small forest clearing until morning before continuing toward Lam Mansion. Chi Chi’s lack of response other than to nod emotionlessly worried him even further. Therefore, he watched over her vigilantly for several hours, while she curled up into a ball on a tuft of grass and squeezed her eyes shut, her hand gripping tightly onto the silk pouch she had found on Lam Yik Wah’s corpse earlier. As the hours passed, Sai Chung found himself involuntarily nodding off from exhaustion. Very soon, he fell into a deep slumber. Only now, with the loud chirping of the crickets, did he wake up to find Chi Chi missing.

“Little Brother?” Darting his eyes around, he saw nothing but an expanse of blackness. The crickets continued to call to each other, chirping incessantly, the sound pounding through Sai Chung’s head like thunder in the calm of the night. “Little Brother?!” He shouted again.

When only disturbing silence answered him, he leapt up and started turning about in circles, a cold sweat drenching his entire body, a sickening feeling suffocating him. “Little Brother!”

After spending several minutes tearing wildly through the forest looking for Chi Chi, he finally calmed himself down enough to think logically. Retracing his steps, he headed back to the forest clearing. The moonlight, flimsy and pale yet surprisingly bright, splashed down upon the makeshift coffin holding Lam Yik Wah’s body. On top of the coffin was a message crudely scratched onto the wood of the lid.



Big Brother Sai Chung,

Please help bring my second brother back to Lam Mansion. I cannot come with you, because I need to clarify something, or else I will never be at peace. Please tell my mother that I love her. I’ll miss you, Big Brother Sai Chung. I’ll miss you.

Your Little Brother



“No!” Sai Chung whispered fretfully. Though the message was vague, Sai Chung felt an ominous sense of doom. “Think, think!” He pounded on his forehead with his palm. “Where could she have gone? Where?” Then realization dawned on him as the image of a crushed and defeated Chi Chi clutching onto the silk pouch flashed across his mind. “She knows who the killer is! That silk pouch must belong to Lam Yik Wah’s murderer! But Little Brother said the silk pouch belongs to Chancellor Lam... Then that means... Oh, no!” Taking off at a run, Sai Chung dashed through the woods, rushing back to the location where they had found Yik Wah’s body. “Please don’t let anything happen to her! Please don’t let anything happen to her!”

EVENING
OUTSKIRTS OF JADE ORCHID TOWN
CAVE

An hour had already passed since the elderly woman’s passing, yet the old man continued to huddle in the corner of the cave with his wife’s body. Holding her close, he rocked back and forth, as he had been doing for the past hour. A hand touched his shoulder, stopping his rocking motion. Glancing blankly up, he saw Lun staring back at him with sympathy.

“We need to bury her, Elder.” Lun spoke, his voice low.

“No.” The old man clutched his wife’s body closer.

At the far side of the cave, Fei leaned against the wall, fast asleep.

Sighing, Lun crouched down next to the old man, his expression compassionate as he laid a hand firmly on the elder’s shoulder. “Elder, let her rest in peace. In a few more hours, her body will start to decay, and that is not the way you want to remember her.”

When the old man started to shake his head again, Lun shook him lightly. “Elder! Wake up. You have to let her go. Let her rest in peace. Let her rest in peace!”

The old man stared at Lun, dazed for a moment. Then, emotions rushed into him, filling him with agony. Sobbing, he nodded. “You’re right. You’re right. I have to let her rest in peace.” He stumbled a bit as he stood up and tried to lift his wife’s body.

“Let me help you, Elder.” Steadying the old man, Lun leaned down and easily picked up the old woman.

Lun carried the body outside the cave and gently laid her down on the ground. Using a sturdy fallen branch, he started digging a hole in the earth while the elderly man knelt beside his wife’s body and clutched onto her hand, his eyes vacant. Once he created a large enough hole, Lun gently pried the old man’s hand away from his wife’s. He shook his head slightly, sighing inwardly with pity at the elderly man’s grief before gently picking the old woman up. Carefully, Lun deposited her into the grave. He covered up her body with his cloak. Just before he pulled the cloak over her face, however, he paused.

Glancing toward the elderly man, Lun asked, “Elder, would you like to say one last farewell?”

The old man nodded numbly and shuffled over to the grave. He sank down onto his knees and wept silently. Reaching down, he gently patted his wife’s soft, weathered cheek. “Good-bye, beautiful.” After a long moment, he finally looked up at Lun and nodded, giving Lun permission to cover up his wife’s face.

After filling the grave and fashioning a crude name plaque, both men knelt by the grave to pay their respects to the old woman.

“I’m usually not this sentimental and weepy.” The old man stated in a monotone voice after a long period of silence. It seemed as if all his tears had been depleted, leaving him dry and empty inside. “It’s...it’s difficult...to leave her here. We’ve never been separated for more than a few hours. How am I going to sleep tonight without her by my side?” He asked dully to no one in particular.

“Perhaps you will reunite with your wife in your dreams.” Lun smiled sadly, his tone almost whimsically bittersweet, as he had dreamed of Sui Han multiple times in the past few days since his separation from her. “People say that a loved one will never leave you, even after she passes away. Your love for her keeps her alive in your heart and makes her a part of your soul.” He paused after saying those words, his heart suddenly racing as a strange feeling washed over him, as if he had once said those exact words in another lifetime.

Blinking, the old man glanced over at Lun, surprised. “You have a romantic heart, boy.”

“Perhaps,” Lun murmured, the corners of his lips slightly curved. “I just know that when two people’s love for each other is strong enough, nothing can separate them, including death. Even in death, their spirits will wait patiently for the time when they can meet again in the next life.”

“Ah, you’re indeed a romantic, boy.” The old man smiled gently. Then after a minute, he sighed. “Sometimes, love cannot conquer all, child. What if, in the previous life, these two people died hating each other? Will these two souls still wait for each other?”

“Yes,” Lun answered without any hesitation. “Love and hate are mirror images of each other. They are two of the most basic human emotions that go hand in hand.” The words easily slipped out of his mouth, again, as if he had said the same things once upon a time long ago. “You cannot love without hating, and you cannot hate without loving. When you hate someone deeply, it is only because you love that person just as intensely that you cannot let go. And when you love someone deeply, it will only follow that you will hate that person just as strongly when that person betrays you.”

“True, very true, boy,” the old man sighed. “Perhaps that is why the Seer can never forgive the Guardian. She loved him too much.” He murmured quietly, more to himself than to Lun.

For a long moment, both men stared silently ahead, each deep in his own thoughts. While the old man reminisced about the happy times he had shared with his wife, Lun mulled over the old woman’s dying words about Sui Han being the reincarnation of the Seer. Though his rational mind laughed at tales of reincarnation and centuries-old vengeance, his heart cannot ignore the uneasiness gnawing at him like a wild beast, taunting him before lunging forward for the final kill.

Hesitantly, Lun turned toward the old man. “Elder,” he began, his voice filled with uncertainty. “I know I should really give you some time alone to grieve, but I must ask this now. I must know.”

Returning Lun’s glance, the old man cocked his head slightly. Although still grieving for the old woman, he nonetheless can sense the graveness of Lun’s mood. “What do you want to ask, child?”

Anxious, Lun pressed his lips together and inhaled deeply. “This Seer that you keep talking about... Do you really believe Sui Han is her reincarnation?”

“Yes.” The old man answered firmly.

“If you are correct, and Sui Han really is the reincarnation of the Seer, then what will happen?” Lun was almost afraid to hear the answer, yet he must know.

“Have you heard of the tragic love affair between the Seer and the Guardian?” The old man questioned Lun.

“Yes, I know of the story.” Lun nodded.

“Then you know how he betrayed her love, resulting in the death of their baby.” The old man shook his head sadly. “A woman will forgive many things, but she will never forgive the person who hurts her child, because a mother’s love for her child is one of the strongest, most enduring bonds in the world, one that transcends cultures and time. She will never rest until she seeks revenge for her child.

“According to legend, the Seer was so heartbroken by the Guardian’s betrayal and her baby’s death that her soul split into two from grief when she died. When the Seer cursed the Sword of Moon, originally a gift from the Guardian, and then used the weapon to kill herself five-hundred years ago, the sword absorbed the part of her spirit that carried her rage and memories, while the remaining part of her spirit went on to be reborn. That is why your Sui Han carries no recollection of those events long ago. To regain those memories, she needs to reunite with the Sword of Moon, where her memories have remained trapped for centuries.”

“What will happen when Sui Han reunites with the Sword of Moon?” Lun asked hesitantly, although he already suspected what the answer will be.

The old man turned and looked at Lun solemnly. “Once that happens, the Seer’s memories will become Sui Han’s memories, and her thirst for revenge will become Sui Han’s. Through Sui Han, the Seer will come back and seek revenge for her baby and for the injustice done to her.”

“Can the Seer’s spirit be that frightening?” Lun murmured. “After all, she is only a spirit. How can a spirit overpower a live person’s body?”

Shaking his head, the old man sighed sadly. “Oh, dear child. The worse thing you can do is to underestimate the Seer. The Seer is not just any spirit. Her power is fueled by centuries of festering bitterness and rage.” With brutal honesty, he continued. “The Seer’s spirit will overtake Sui Han’s soul, consuming it, destroying it. Once she completely dominates and absorbs Sui Han’s spirit, the two souls will merge permanently and become inseparable. Sui Han will become the Seer, and when that occurs, she will no longer be your Sui Han anymore.”

“Then what will happen?” Lun’s heart became numb, but he forced himself to continue asking.

“Then your Sui Han, with the Seer’s memories and quest for vengeance, will go on a killing rampage, seeking revenge from the orthodox clans and from the reincarnation of the Guardian.” The old man replied.

“And...you think I’m the reincarnation of this Guardian? The one who betrayed the Seer?” Lun asked hesitantly.

“I’m not positive, of course.” The old man answered. “However, the evidence strongly suggests that you and Fei are the reincarnations of the Guardian. Old Woman and I have been guarding the Sword of Sun for decades, yet this is the first time we have seen the Sword of Sun come to life so vibrantly.”

The old man turned and pointed to the Sword of Sun leaning against the stone wall just inside the cave entrance. “That sword over there is like no other weapon in this world. It has a soul, one that will come to life in the presence of its destined owner. Legend has it that the Sword of Sun, along with its counterpart the Sword of Moon, was forged by the hands of the gods from heavenly metals five-hundred years ago. Blessed by the gods, these two mythical weapons were the only ones in the world to have sword spirits within guiding them. Forged by the God of War, the Sword of Sun clashed in battle with the fierceness and power of a thousand warriors. To complement the Sword of Sun’s ferocity, the Goddess of Love gave the Sword of Sun a gentler counterpart, the Sword of Moon. Imbued with gentleness and love, this second sword balanced the Sword of Sun’s violence perfectly. United in battle, these two swords can exponentiate the internal power of the sword wielder. That is why countless martial artists over the centuries have attempted to steal the weapons. However, in the hands of the one destined to possess the swords, the weapons’ power becomes a million times more powerful.

“According to legend, the one destined protector and wielder of the Swords of Sun and Moon was a young boy by the name of Sit Tin Pang, the elder son of Black Rose, leader of the Thousand Snake Black Rose Clan, and Sit Chung Nam, the notorious bandit leader of the Floating Cloud Sect. Even before Black Rose knew she was pregnant, she dreamt of a mysterious old man forging two swords in a forest illuminated with blinding radiant light. The old man foretold great peril on the eve of her baby son’s birth, but that help would come in the form of two legendary swords.

“True to his words, on the eve of the boy’s birth, Poison Snake, Black Rose’s elder sister and sworn enemy, invaded the Floating Cloud Sect at the very moment when she knew her brother-in-law would be absent. Alone and vulnerable without her husband Sit Chung Nam’s protection, Black Rose nearly miscarried if it were not for two radiant swords, one with the orange-red glow of the sun and one with the pearly luminescence of the moon, which suddenly dropped from the heavens. The mythical weapons saved Black Rose and her newborn son that night.

“As the years passed, an inexplicably close bond developed between little Sit Tin Pang and the swords. It was as if the swords were extensions of the boy, completely in tuned with his mind, fighting alongside him as one. Eventually, the martial arts world dubbed the young child as the Guardian of the Swords of Sun and Moon. As he matured into manhood, Sit Tin Pang, with the help of his legendary weapons, fought his way to the top in the martial arts world, earning him the respect of his peers and elders. Crowned as Chancellor, he was virtually invincible...until his forbidden love for the Seer destroyed him. Since then, the swords have remained in slumber, waiting patiently for the reincarnation of the Guardian to rise again and free them from eternal sleep.”

As the old man finished his story, Lun remained quiet, his expression thoughtful. Finally, he spoke. “So...you’re saying because the Sword of Sun responds to me, then I must be the reincarnation of the Guardian?”

“You and Fei are the reincarnations of the Guardian.” The old man corrected Lun.

“All right, Koo Yat Fei and I,” Lun corrected himself. “Then what is the significance of having two Guardians? Will two Guardians somehow stop the Seer from destroying Sui Han?”

“I don’t know.” The old man’s forehead creased into a confused frown. “There must be a reason why there are two Guardians in this lifetime, but at the moment, I can’t figure out why. For centuries since Sit Tin Pang’s death, the swords have waited for the appearance of the Guardian’s reincarnation, and yet this long wait has been fruitless...until now. Now suddenly, you and Fei appear, like a gift from the heavens! Therefore, I believe that you and Fei are destined to help defeat the Seer and save the martial arts world from bloodshed. Remember, the Guardian was the original owner of the Sword of Moon until he gifted the sword to the Seer.” The old man reminded Lun. “I can only hope that as reincarnations of the original owner of the Sword of Moon, you and Fei will have ultimate control over the weapon in a showdown with the Seer.”

“In a showdown with the Seer?” Lun repeated bitterly. “You mean in a showdown with Sui Han?” He corrected, his heart numb.

“Kid, your confrontation with her is inevitable.” The old man placed a sympathetic hand on Lun’s shoulder. “If it ever comes to a point when you must battle your Sui Han, you must show her no mercy, for she will show you no mercy. You must remember that if the Seer overtakes her body and soul, your Sui Han will no longer be the young maiden you know.”

Silent, Lun stared ahead into the darkness, his heart heavy and desolate. A part of him refused to believe such superstitious legends about angry spirits and ancient vendettas over betrayed love. However, he cannot shake the sense of doom threatening to consume him, suffocating him, squeezing the air from his chest. Finally, after a long moment, Lun spoke again.

“If I’m really the reincarnation of the Guardian, and if I let the Seer kill me, will she stop? Will she finally be at peace and return Sui Han’s soul? Will she leave Sui Han unharmed?” Lun stared intently at the old man.

“No, I’m afraid not, child.” The old man shook his head. “The Seer’s thirst for vengeance has gone beyond reason. Killing the reincarnation of the Guardian is not enough to satisfy her. Her spirit will not rest until all the orthodox school members are slain, as they have also played a part in her baby’s demise.”

“I see.” Lun laughed bitterly. “So you’re telling me that once the Seer’s spirit possesses Sui Han, it’s irrevocable and I would have to kill her to stop her from murdering innocents? You’re saying that I will have to sacrifice Sui Han if I want to save the martial arts world?”

“Yes.” The old man sighed. “Remember, she won’t be your Sui Han anymore once she becomes one with the Seer’s spirit.”

“It’s not that simple, Elder!” Lun exclaimed with frustration, his fists clenched. “Even if the Seer takes over Sui Han’s soul, she will still be the Sui Han I love. I won’t stop loving her just like that. Therefore, how can I possibly sacrifice the woman I love?” Pausing, Lun closed his eyes, his expression drenched with pain.

“Child, you shouldn’t worry too much right now over something you cannot control.” The old man patted Lun’s shoulder, unsure how to comfort the younger man. “What you should do is get some rest. Tomorrow morning, we need to start heading to Blue Moon Village, where the Sword of Moon rests, lying in wait for the Seer’s reincarnation. Perhaps if luck is on our side, you can somehow take control of the Sword of Moon before Sui Han finds it.”

“Will I be able to save Sui Han then?” Lun quickly glanced up at the elderly man, his expression so hopeful that it pained the old man.

“Let’s just get some rest now and take everything one step at a time.” The elder evaded Lun’s hopeful question, careful not to give too much hope to the young man. “Go on now. Go get some rest.” He gestured for Lun to go inside the cave. “I want to stay out here with Old Woman for a while longer.”

Nodding tiredly, Lun reluctantly trudged into the cave and settled himself down onto the ground opposite Fei. Forcing his eyes shut, he tried to fall asleep. After a long moment, he finally slipped into a troubled sleep.

On the other side of the cave, Fei opened his eyes and stared vacantly ahead, his heart just as despondent as Lun’s. He had woken up while Lun and the old man were discussing Sui Han and the Seer outside and had overheard their entire conversation. Even though he had scoffed at the stories of the Seer earlier, he, like Lun, sensed doom looming ahead. Having never been superstitious before, Fei could not understand why he was now suddenly feeling this way. Sighing, Fei finally closed his eyes, wishing he had never heard of the Guardian or the Seer, wishing Sui Han were by his side again, smiling her sweet smile.

As Fei and Lun gradually drifted off to sleep, the Sword of Sun glowed, its radiance throbbing, as if in anticipation of finally reuniting with its counterpart, the Sword of Moon, after five-hundred long years...

MEANWHILE...
MIDNIGHT
OUTSKIRTS OF CITY OF HOI YEUNG
FOREST CLEARING WHERE LAM YIK WAH WAS KILLED

The forest, dark and sinister, remained silent and still after witnessing the killing of a young man by his father. The small forest critters had all retreated into their hiding places, staying far away from the clearing where Lam Yik Wah’s body had been lying before being taken away by Chi Chi and Sai Chung. Even though the body was no longer there, the stench of death remained, fresh and raw, its vulgar scent lingering in the balmy air. Nothing stirred, not even a whisper of wind or a rustle of leaves. The moon had retreated behind the curtain of smoky gray clouds, throwing the forest clearing into complete darkness.

A person crouched in this darkness, hidden within the bushes, waiting. With each breath, the person gulped painfully, trying to keep the nausea under control. The prickly leaves of the bushes scratched against the person’s skin, and yet, this person seemed oblivious to the discomfort. Patiently, the person waited...and waited, listening to each heartbeat thump steadily like a ticking bomb.

Seconds and then minutes passed, and still the forest remained hushed and undisturbed. And then suddenly, the wait was over as a shadow, silent as a ghost, somersaulted out from the black void. The man landed soundlessly onto the forest clearing. Narrowing his eyes, the man noted the missing body. His eyes carefully scanned every inch of the area, as if looking for something. Unable to find whatever he was searching for, he walked slowly toward the area where Lam Yik Wah’s body had been, his keen eyes noticing two pairs of footprints on the ground, deducing that two people must have discovered the body and moved it.

Crouching down, he reached over and skimmed his fingertips over the smaller set of footprints on the ground. Then, ever so slightly, he tilted his head toward the bushes, which were concealing the hidden person. “Come out. I know you’re hiding in there.”

For a few heartbeats, the person did not move. Finally, the person slowly rose and emerged from behind the bushes.

“Are you looking for this, Father?” The person spoke to the man’s back as she dangled a silk pouch from her fingertips.

The man froze upon recognizing the voice of the hidden person. Slowly, he turned around and confronted his daughter. “Chi Chi.”

MEANWHILE...
MIDNIGHT
CITY OF LAM ON
LAM MANSION

“Chi Chi!” Chan Yin Yuk screamed as she jerked awake.

Glancing frantically around her dark chamber, Yin Yuk swallowed hard, her throat parched. She panted rapidly, her breaths coming in short spurts as she swiped a hand over her pale face. Finally, after several seconds, she calmed down enough to realize that she was dreaming. Even knowing that it was a dream, she cannot stop herself from shivering uncontrollably as images from her nightmare continued to flash through her mind.

In her dream, Chi Chi, as pale as death, her eyes wide in shock and despair, reached for her, calling to her for help as a dark silhouette, oddly familiar, loomed over her daughter. But when Yin Yuk tried to dash toward her youngest daughter, a sea of red suddenly gushed forward, soaking everything in blood. As she sank to the bottom of this endless vortex of crimson, she choked and gagged as blood, nauseating and metallic, filled her mouth and nose. Nearly retching, she floundered about and finally managed to kick her way to the surface of the water, only to find Chi Chi’s lifeless body floating away, her deathly white face framed by the bloody waters, her long hair matted with dried blood. From the corner of her eyes, Yin Yuk noticed a dark silhouette, the same one looming over Chi Chi seconds ago. The shadow turned at that instant and looked directly at her, the dark smoke screen hiding his face slowly evaporating. Just when Yin Yuk thought she could see the man’s features, she jerked awake, her heart pounding uncontrollably with an inexplicable fear when that shadow looked right at her.

“What is going on?” Yin Yuk muttered to herself. “Why would I have such a dream about Chi Chi? And that shadowy male figure in my dreams... Who is he and why does his silhouette appear so familiar?”

At that moment, the door to her chamber burst open as Suk Yu rushed in. “Mother, what is wrong? Are you all right? I heard your screams!” She ran her hands along the walls, guiding herself toward her mother’s bedside.

Forcing her voice to be steady, Yin Yuk answered, “I’m fine, Suk Yu.” She reached forward to help guide Suk Yu toward the bed.

“Why did you scream, Mother?” Suk Yu asked after settling herself onto her mother’s bed. Since losing her eyesight, her hearing became much more sensitive, allowing her to easily detect the extreme fear in that scream. In fact, the urgency and horror in Yin Yuk’s voice were so tangible that Suk Yu could almost feel fear itself crawling over her skin.

“I had a nightmare.” Yin Yuk replied. “In my dream, your sister was calling to me to save her, but I couldn’t reach her in time.”

“Chi Chi?” Suk Yu frowned. “She has been gone for a long time. I am worried about her, too. Perhaps I should set out early tomorrow morning to search for her.”

“No,” Yin Yuk shook her head. “Your sister, while not the best martial artist of all my children, is resourceful and clever enough to keep herself safe. We have a more pressing matter, which is to proceed with your marriage competition. I need you to have a trustworthy and capable fiance to travel with you to Blue Moon Village to search for information about Sit Chung Nam and how to defeat the Blood Shadow Palm.”

“But Chi Chi...” Suk Yu began but her mother interrupted her.

“No,” Yin Yuk stated firmly. “Chi Chi will be fine for a few more days.” Even as those words left her mouth, her heart started thumping furiously against her chest. Pausing, she placed a hand over her heart, rubbing at it as if trying to calm down its erratic pounding. “As much as I want to find Chi Chi, the entire martial arts community will be converging on us in three days to discuss the matter of the Blood Shadow Palm. As the Chancellor’s family, we have an obligation to provide the martial arts community with a solution to this menace.” Yin Yuk hesitated again as her throat closed up. For the first time ever, she felt fear blocking her throat.

Sensing the tension in the air, Suk Yu cocked her head. “What is it, Mother? What is wrong?”

Yin Yuk shook her head in confusion. “I don’t know... I just have an ominous feeling. Something terrible will happen soon, but I just don’t know what it is. That is why I want someone with you when you travel to Blue Moon Village. I fear that your journey will not go smoothly.”

“But what about Chi Chi? She has been away from home for a long time.” Suk Yu frowned.

“I will send out a search party for her early tomorrow morning.” Yin Yuk turned and stared out the window, but she could see nothing but darkness in the moonless night. “It’s late, Suk Yu. You should get some rest. Morning will come in a few hours. Tomorrow will be a very important day in your life. The competition for your hand in marriage is early tomorrow morning.”

“Mother...” Suk Yu suddenly clutched at her mother’s hand. “I am scared about the competition tomorrow...”

However, before Suk Yu can say anything further, the pounding of footsteps outside Yin Yuk’s chamber interrupted her.

“Mistress! Mistress!” Housekeeper Lau pounded on the door of Yin Yuk’s chamber.

Upon hearing the urgency of Housekeeper Lau’s voice, Yin Yuk quickly climbed out of bed and slipped into her outer garment. “What is it, Housekeeper Lau?” She called out.

“Quickly...” The elderly housekeeper gasped behind the closed door. “Come quickly!” As Yin Yuk yanked open her door, the old man nearly fell into her arms. Coughing from the exertion, Housekeeper Lau panted, trying to open his mouth several times to speak but failing.

Feeling her way along the wall, Suk Yu made her way toward her mother and the elderly housekeeper. “What is going on, Housekeeper Lau?”

“Mistress...” The old man sputtered. “There is...there is an army outside Lam Mansion!”

“An army?” Yin Yuk furrowed her brows in confusion. “What joke is this, Housekeeper Lau?”

The old man shook his head fervently. “I’m not exaggerating, Mistress! There is indeed an army surrounding Lam Mansion. There must be hundreds of soldiers on horseback and even more ground troops. They have completely blocked off the entrances of Lam Mansion!” He swiveled toward Suk Yu and grabbed her hands. “Third Young Mistress, Young Master Ching Bong has come for you! He’s outside right now, demanding to see you!”

[tweety365]

Goodness! So much excitement in just 1 chapter! There are so many twists and turns. Wow, just wow....

[charbydis]

Grrrrrrr. That Ching Bong is back!

[Melanie]

Goodness! So much excitement in just 1 chapter! There are so many twists and turns. Wow, just wow....

Tweety! I thought you wouldn't have time to read, since you didn't read the prequel chapter (but rather only skimmed for the kissy kissy parts ). I'm glad you like the new chapter. To be honest, I wasn't expecting to have any readers left, since I have't updated this story for so long.

Grrrrrrr. That Ching Bong is back!

Charby! Where have you been lately? I actually miss your Wallace Chung bashing.

You don't like Patrick Tam? I think he's a relatively good actor and very hot.

[charbydis]

Charby! Where have you been lately? I actually miss your Wallace Chung bashing.

You don't like Patrick Tam? I think he's a relatively good actor and very hot.

Work has been hectic recently - barely have time to sleep.

I acknowledge that Patrick Tam is a fab, charasmatic and versatile actor, but I just don't like him. Also I find his lips too thick for his face (rminds me of Gallen Lo). I don't like Ching Bong either - never liked him from the first chapter he appeared!

[Melanie]

Work has been hectic recently - barely have time to sleep.

I'm sorry to hear that. I hope you're getting paid overtime.

I acknowledge that Patrick Tam is a fab, charasmatic and versatile actor, but I just don't like him. Also I find his lips too thick for his face (rminds me of Gallen Lo). I don't like Ching Bong either - never liked him from the first chapter he appeared!

Thick lips? I haven't noticed that on Patrick or Gallen but I'm sure I'll notice those lips now that you have mentioned them.

I'm surprised you hate Ching Bong that much, since he hasn't really appeared that many times to warrant such hate. And yet you like the rapist Blue Executioner...

[charbydis]

I'm surprised you hate Ching Bong that much, since he hasn't really appeared that many times to warrant such hate. And yet you like the rapist Blue Executioner...

Well, I find Steve Ma way hotter than Patrick Tam, so......

[Melanie]

Well, I find Steve Ma way hotter than Patrick Tam, so......

I have a problem with Steve Ma's lipstick. For some reason, he always appears to be wearing lipstick when I see him onscreen... Maybe he just has very pink lips...

[xia0yuer]

Hi Melanie!

While waiting for you to write the next chapter of your other story, I decided to pick up this one. Good thing you've already written 83 chapters. It'll last me a couple of days.

I've just finished Chapter 3. I've really enjoyed it so far but wanted to point out some issues. I think a better translation of the Emperor's title would be 'Your Majesty' rather than 'Your Highness'. He is called 'Wan Sui' (tens of thousands of years) and his empress, mother, concubines, sons and daughters are called 'Qian Sui' (thousands of years) and to show the hierarchy, I think 'Your Majesty' is more suitable. Also, Sui Yuk already knew that she was pregnant when she left the Emperor but gave birth to her child nine months later? Assuming that she knew that she knew she was pregnant 1-2 months into her pregnancy, her baby would have a gestation of 41-45 weeks. That's one really overdue baby. One last thing, if Sui Han was living on the streets, wouldn't she look like a beggar rather than being "garbed in a long frosty pink gown with silver ruffles at the hem"? Maybe I'm being too nitpicky but these few things jumped out at me while I was reading.

On the other hand, I actually really like the style of your earlier writings because I can picture everything in my head so clearly. Especially that scene where Suk Yu was playing her jade flute and the men of the Sun-Moon Sect were writhing on the ground. The image of Huang Yao Shi (Dong Xie) in LOCH 83 just popped into my mind and I could just see her internal energy. Sometimes I feel that I get so sucked into your descriptions that I forget to look for the action in your prequel. I'm loving this story so far and I can't wait to read more!

Also, I am so happy because I see many of my favorite old actors! Tony Leung, Andy Lau, Kevin Cheng (though I only started liking him after BBJX), Lau Dan and Alec Su!

[Melanie]

Hi Melanie!

While waiting for you to write the next chapter of your other story, I decided to pick up this one. Good thing you've already written 83 chapters. It'll last me a couple of days.

Hi back! Thanks so much for reading this story, too. I'm actually very touched, given that I do not think this is a very good story compared to the other one. Thanks.

I've just finished Chapter 3. I've really enjoyed it so far but wanted to point out some issues. I think a better translation of the Emperor's title would be 'Your Majesty' rather than 'Your Highness'. He is called 'Wan Sui' (tens of thousands of years) and his empress, mother, concubines, sons and daughters are called 'Qian Sui' (thousands of years) and to show the hierarchy, I think 'Your Majesty' is more suitable.

Thanks. I'll go back and make those changes as soon as I get a chance.

Also, Sui Yuk already knew that she was pregnant when she left the Emperor but gave birth to her child nine months later? Assuming that she knew that she knew she was pregnant 1-2 months into her pregnancy, her baby would have a gestation of 41-45 weeks. That's one really overdue baby.

Well, I calculated the weeks like this: A full term pregnancy would be 38 weeks 0 days to 41 weeks 7 days of gestation. Most women realize they are pregnant at about 4-5 weeks of gestation, once they notice that they have missed their menstrual period, provided that they have normal, regular cycles, of course. So let's say Sui Yuk discovered her pregnancy at 4-5 weeks gestation. Add that to 36 weeks (4 weeks x 9 months) and the baby would be about 40-41 weeks gestational age at the time of birth, which would still be a full term pregnancy. If he were 42 weeks or more, then he would be post term, but that's not all that uncommon.

One last thing, if Sui Han was living on the streets, wouldn't she look like a beggar rather than being "garbed in a long frosty pink gown with silver ruffles at the hem"? Maybe I'm being too nitpicky but these few things jumped out at me while I was reading.

Hehe. I had written those chapters so long ago that I can't even fully recall why she was so clean and neat. If I remember correctly, I think she was picked up by a brothel and forced to work there. Presumably, she bathed there and got nice clothes to attract customers. Lun met her after she had just escaped from the brothel.

On the other hand, I actually really like the style of your earlier writings because I can picture everything in my head so clearly. Especially that scene where Suk Yu was playing her jade flute and the men of the Sun-Moon Sect were writhing on the ground. The image of Huang Yao Shi (Dong Xie) in LOCH 83 just popped into my mind and I could just see her internal energy. Sometimes I feel that I get so sucked into your descriptions that I forget to look for the action in your prequel. I'm loving this story so far and I can't wait to read more!

Thank you! It's so nice to know that you are enjoying this first love of mine, even though the writing style is inconsistent and less sophisticated than the prequel story. Plus, there will be many holes in the plot, mainly because I didn't pre-plan this story and just wrote as ideas popped up. So thank you very much for reading despite the story's many weaknesses.

Also, I am so happy because I see many of my favorite old actors! Tony Leung, Andy Lau, Kevin Cheng (though I only started liking him after BBJX), Lau Dan and Alec Su!

Tony Leung, Alec Su, and Lau Dan are just cameos, so don't get too excited. I've crowded in a lot of minor characters and cameos in this story, mainly because I love them too much to NOT include them in my pet project. Andy and Kevin have bigger roles. In fact, Kevin has quite a lot of story time.

[abc123lol]

I feel like I have been absent from your story for a really really long time but when I finally come back again I only see ONE new chapter?? :'( what is this madness? I demand updates Melanie! LOL
Anyway I know you are more into writing about Wallace's hotness and stuff but girl you need to finish this story :P
With the rate you're writing the other story in, it's gonna catch up in length with this story soon haha

[Melanie]

I feel like I have been absent from your story for a really really long time but when I finally come back again I only see ONE new chapter?? :'( what is this madness? I demand updates Melanie! LOL
Anyway I know you are more into writing about Wallace's hotness and stuff but girl you need to finish this story :P
With the rate you're writing the other story in, it's gonna catch up in length with this story soon haha

Oh! I didn't know you are still reading! Maybe you should read the other story while you're waiting for more updates on this story.

By the way, I update more quickly on the prequel because...well...there are simply more readers commenting there, and more readers equal more motivation, I guess.

I also have a few pages written for the next chapter in this story.

[abc123lol]

still no update *cries*
you know maybe if you want to attract fanbase for this story you might want to change the actors/actresses ?
i think what attracts more people to the other story is your casting for the characters :O
i havent read the other story yet, i'll try to push myself to read it.. because i'm sure it's also a great story. but i just don't think it seems interesting for some reason? i think i am the only one who aren't interested in it... ><

[Melanie]

still no update *cries*
you know maybe if you want to attract fanbase for this story you might want to change the actors/actresses ?
i think what attracts more people to the other story is your casting for the characters :O
i havent read the other story yet, i'll try to push myself to read it.. because i'm sure it's also a great story. but i just don't think it seems interesting for some reason? i think i am the only one who aren't interested in it... ><

I don't think I want you to force yourself to read the prequel if you don't want to. But since I am also the author of the prequel, I naturally hope a long-time reader like you would also like it. I am not sure which story is the better one. The prequel has less characters and therefore better character development, but I also know there are many endearing characters in the old story. I think it ultimately comes down to different tastes. I seem to have two camps of readers. One group is so loyal to the old characters in this story that they resist reading the prequel. And then there is the second group of newer readers (with the exception of tweety) who started reading the prequel without any knowledge of the older story and prefer the better character development of the prequel.

As for changing the cast for the old story, I can't bear to do that, as every actor in here has earned a place in my heart. Hopefully, not everyone reading the prequel is reading for the actors. I hope that my writing alone has attracted some readers, regardless of casting.

By the way, I don't think you're the only one of my old readers who don't want to read the prequel. I can name a few from winglin and charbydis and Linda here at spcnet. I know they prefer the older story.

Anyway, if you're really bored one day, mosey on over to the prequel and give it a try. It doesn't have very many chapters yet, so it shouldn't take too long to read.

Thanks for your support all these years, HaoMei! Knowing that there are quite a few people waiting for an update here, I will update this story next. This time, I really, really promise!

[charbydis]

BLUE EXECUTIONER!!! BLUE EXECUTIONER!!! BLUE EXECUTIONER!!! BLUE EXECUTIONER!!! BLUE EXECUTIONER!!! BLUE EXECUTIONER!!! BLUE EXECUTIONER!!! BLUE EXECUTIONER!!! BLUE EXECUTIONER!!! BLUE EXECUTIONER!!! BLUE EXECUTIONER!!! BLUE EXECUTIONER!!! BLUE EXECUTIONER!!! BLUE EXECUTIONER!!! BLUE EXECUTIONER!!! BLUE EXECUTIONER!!! BLUE EXECUTIONER!!! BLUE EXECUTIONER!!! BLUE EXECUTIONER!!! BLUE EXECUTIONER!!! BLUE EXECUTIONER!!! BLUE EXECUTIONER!!! BLUE EXECUTIONER!!! BLUE EXECUTIONER!!! BLUE EXECUTIONER!!! BLUE EXECUTIONER!!! BLUE EXECUTIONER!!! BLUE EXECUTIONER!!!

Going to spam your thread every now and then until I get my dose of the BLUE EXECUTIONER!!!

[Melanie]

Charby, who's the dude above?

By the way, how are your doggies? I've been reading stories of abandoned or abused doggies at the ASPCA site and bawling my eyes out.