Legendary Book of Sun-Moon Swordplay

[jeh]

Wow, so interesting My eyes was glued to the computer screen Great chapter! Update soon.

[Melanie]

Eeyore, Swisher, Hing, and Jeh: Thanks for reading! I hope you like this chapter and please leave me a short comment after you finish reading. Once again, thank you.

CHAPTER 26 --- THE FACE OF EVIL

Characters appearing in this chapter:
Idy Chan Yuk Lin---Chan Yin Yuk
Frankie Lam Mun Lung---Lam Yik Wah
Gilbert Lam Wai Sun---Lam Yik Lun
Louis Koo Tin Lok---Koo Yat Fei
Marco Ngai Chun Kit---Red Executioner (assassin wearing red waist sash)
Annie Man Chung Han---So Sui Han
Bae Yong Joon---Yip Fung (young man dressed in blue)
Joyce Tang Lai Ming---Suen Ling Wan (young woman dressed in green)

Guest appearances in this chapter:
Margie Tsang Wah Sin---Chu Sau Fa
Sean Lau Ching Wan---Lau Yuen

However, before Yin Yuk is able to answer Wah's question, a child's scream reverberates through the forest, bringing chills to even the bravest of souls.

"What was that?" Mong Yuet exclaims, her wide eyes darting back and forth with alarm.

Listening carefully, Sau Fa suddenly stands up excitedly. "It's Hong Yee! I know it! I recognize my son's voice!" She runs through the darkness, heading in the direction of the child's scream. "Hong Yee! Hong Yee! Where are you? Mama is here! Where are you, my son?"

"Wait!" Wah raises his arm. "Don't go. It could be a trap. Judging from what my mother has told us so far, your son's kidnappers could very well belong to this Thousand Snake Black Rose Clan."

Mong Yuet runs over to her friend. "He's right, Sau Fa. We need to formulate a plan before we run after these kidnappers. They don't sound like a group we should take lightly."

However, Sau Fa, her heart heavy with concern for her son, refuses to listen to her friend's reasoning. Shaking her head frantically, she brushes off Mong Yuet's hand and rushes deeper into the forest.

"Sau Fa! Wait!" Yuen yells after his wife. Staggering to his feet, one hand pressed to the open sword wound on his chest, he limps after his wife, concerned about her safety.

Seeing her friends gone, Mong Yuet chases after them. This worries Wah tremendously, and he runs after Mong Yuet, leaving only Yin Yuk standing in the dark forest clearing.

Still holding the assassin's black waist sash in her hands, Yin Yuk, brows furrowed deep in thought, stares blankly at the crest of the snake intertwined around the single black rose. "I must tell teacher about the return of the Thousand Snake Black Rose Clan." She murmurs to herself. "He would know what to do…"

MEANWHILE…
IN A CAVE SEVERAL MILES AWAY

Yik Lun and Yat Fei sit, legs folded, at opposite corners of the cave, meditating to heal their injuries after their unexpected encounter with the Master's group of assassins earlier that night.

Droplets of moisture slowly trickle down the glossy leaves outside the cave before plopping loudly onto the muddy puddles on the damp earth. A ladybug lounges lazily on the underside of a fern leaf, which sways back and forth with each gentle gust of wind. Silence reigns inside the drafty cavern, except for the soft hiss of smoke emitted from top of Fei and Lun's head as they force out the inhaled poisonous fumes from their bodies.

As both reach the final stage of their healing meditation, they slowly rest their hands, palms facing upward, onto their knees before opening their eyes. Blinking several times to adjust to the darkness of the cave, the two men stare silently ahead, trying hard to ignore the other's presence.

Standing up, Lun eyes Fei suspiciously out of the corner of his eyes, wanting to keep his opponent within eyesight. Since he has been able to force out a good portion of the poisonous fumes which he inhaled earlier during his encounter with Red Executioner and his team of assassins, Lun decides to quickly return to the Golden Phoenix Inn to meet up with Sui Han.

Seeing Lun head toward the cave entrance, Fei glares at his back. As Lun walks out into the darkness, Fei mutters under his breath, "Good riddance. I hope you trip over a log."

From just outside the entrance of the cave, Lun's voice is heard ringing stiffly with carefully controlled anger. "I heard that comment, but I'll pretend that I didn't hear it, since I have better things to do tonight than to argue with you." He warns ominously, before flipping into the air and disappearing into the night.

Unconcerned about Lun's threat, Fei shrugs his shoulders nonchalantly and stands up. Dusting off the specks of dirt clinging to his gown, he pulls out a small golden ball from a pouch hanging from his waist sash. Going outside, Fei throws the ball straight up into the starless evening sky. The golden sphere shoots up vertically, almost disappearing into the storm clouds before heading back downward and exploding into a million tiny bright sparks, crackling and spewing brilliantly against the pitch black night sky. Satisfied that Keung and Grandmother Fa will soon arrive once they see his signal, Fei heads back into the cave to await their arrival.

MEANWHILE…
IN ANOTHER PART OF THE FOREST….

The leader of the group of assassins, Red Executioner, races across the treetops through the dark night, the squalling Hong Yee secured under his left arm. Down below, a lone figure in white sits crossed legged on a clearing. On his lap lies a slender, intricately carved zither. With his back facing Red Executioner, the figure continues playing his zither, his long, slender fingers gliding gently, yet expertly, over the strings of the musical instrument.

Spotting the figure below, Red Executioner flips down onto the forest ground, landing directly behind the person in white. Still, the person ignores Red Executioner's presence, as he calmly continues playing a melody that blends in smoothly with the tinkling calls of crickets, the musical notes curling hypnotically around the group of young children lying motionlessly on the forest ground nearby.

As the last note slowly fades away, a deafening silence surrounds the woodland. The person's fingers gently rest on top of the zither strings. Above, the storm clouds drift apart, and the white moon beams peak through the wisps of cloud to land directly onto the mutilated faces and mangled bodies of the dead children.

All of the children have their eyes gouged out, with fresh blood still streaming down their hollowed cheeks from their empty eye sockets. Stripped naked, their chests display a bloody palm print, the source of the poison spreading throughout their bodies, eating away their internal organs and rotting their flesh, turning their once vibrant little bodies into dark, dried corpses.

Unperturbed by the sight of the dead children, Red Executioner kneels down on one knee in front of the person dressed completely in white. "Master, I have brought you the child you requested." Thrusting Hong Yee forward, he presents the squawking toddler to the Master.

Without turning around, the Master gives the slightest of nods, his fingers gently stroking the strings on the zither. Staring into the depths of the night, his eyes glow hungrily with the fierceness of a predator. "Is this child born on the ninth hour of the ninth day of the ninth month?"

"Yes, Master." Red Executioner nods. "We have searched all night for such a child who fits your specifications."

Satisfied, the person clothed in the white robe smiles, showing two rows of pearly white teeth. "Well done. I believe I shall forgive you for losing that infant earlier tonight during that incident with the Seer."

Relieved at this news, Red Executioner keeps his head bent in a gesture of fear and respect for this person known to his followers as the Master.

Calmly placing his zither aside, the Master rises and finally turns toward Red Executioner. The pale moonlight shines brightly on his masked face, bouncing sharply off the jutting angles of the white mask, giving the Master a sinister, ghostly appearance. Slowly, he advances toward the child held tightly in Red Executioner's arms. Placing a hand on Hong Yee's head, he pats the child lightly, almost affectionately, his eyes gleaming with good humor.

Transferring the child over to his arms, the Master suspends Hong Yee up in the air with one hand. "With the addition of this child, I will be able to complete level two of the Blood Shadow Palm." The Master throws his head back as he laughs deeply, coldly. "Once I complete all three levels of the Blood Shadow Palm, I will be able to conquer the martial arts world and take over the Song Empire." Squeezing his right hand into a fist, he pumps it forcefully into the air. "And nobody shall dare to disobey my commands thereafter! Ahahahahaha!"

Frightened by the menacing laugh, Hong Yee struggles in the Master's grasp. "Mama! Mama!" He screams for the comforting presence of his mother. Fat tears roll down his baby cheeks and a stream of drool trickles down his chin as he cries loudly.

Unmoved by the child's screams, the Master raises his right hand, preparing to gouge out Hong Yee's eyes. However, before his fingers are able to make contact with the child's face, a figure flies out from the darkness and flashes by the Master. With lightening speed, the figure snatches the child out from the Master's grasp and speeds off.

Outraged, the Master flips into the air and gives chase. As both figures race across the treetops with their lighness kung fu, Red Executioner leaps up into the air, prepared to aid the Master. However, while in mid flip, another person dressed in blue flies out from a nearby grove of trees and sends his sword shooting toward Red Executioner's throat.

Taken by surprise, Red Executioner is forced to abandon his chase after the Master and the man who took Hong Yee. To avoid the oncoming sword, he twists his body sideways in mid air, just barely missing the razor sharp blade. As the first sword shoots past him, a second sword flies toward him. Somersaulting in the air, Red Executioner deflects the second attack by kicking the blade with this foot. As Red Executioner lands onto a nearby branch, he surveys his surroundings carefully, his dark eyes roving the depths of the forest, as he waits for the reappearance of the two swords and their owners.

Speaking behind the black cloth covering the lower half of his face, Red Executioner challenges his attackers. "If you have enough courage to attack me on the sly, then you might as well be brave enough to reveal yourselves. Hiding is only for cowards…. Unless you are cowards…" He taunts his opponents.

However, instead of angering his attackers enough to lure them out, silence meets Red Executioner's condescending words. Save for the distant rumble of thunder and the occasional call of an owl, stillness reigns throughout the forest. Perched on the tree branch, Red Executioner scans the area. Failing to locate his opponents, he leaps down onto the ground.

Remaining still, Red Executioner carefully listens for any clue of his opponents' presence. Then, suddenly, from the corner of his eyes, he sees a flash of metal streak by his ear. Quickly executing three back flips, he narrowly avoids the two swords coming towards him. As the blades strike the earth, a series of explosion erupts, its force sending Red Executioner backing up several steps.

From behind the thick curtain of smoke, two figures emerge, a young man dressed in blue and a young woman clothed in green. Somersaulting in the air, these two newcomers kick off from opposing tree trunks. As they crisscross in the center in mid air, they each reach down and grab their swords, which are stabbed vertically into the moist earth. Landing next to each other, they stand in attack formation, back to back, with the man's sword tip facing skyward and the woman's sword thrust out horizontally.

In the background, an unconscious Sui Han, whom these two strangers have rescued earlier on, lies motionless on the soft, damp earth, still seriously injured from her encounter with the Master earlier in the night when she tried to save that infant.

Meanwhile, waving his arms to clear away the thick cloud of dust, Red Executioner quickly recovers from the attack. From around his waist sash, he pulls out a flexible sword and holds it in attack position. "Who are you?" He demands, pointing his sword tip at the two intruders.

[eeyore]

good one Mel!

[Danielle Lin]

Yea you updated! But I almost forgot all the names like Chan Yuk Lin, I had to reread...

Poor Hong Yee, I would have probably screamed my head off, and turn hysterical... I wonder who those two people are? Tin Lok, sent a signal to Fau Paul Paul and Ho Man, what's he planning to do?

Woah, so much action my head's still swirling ... Nice chapter Melanie, but you made a cliffhanger and we'll have to wait and see what happens! Post more soon

~
Sorry i haven't been able to comment earlier, one word tennis sucks ....

[cherrie]

yeah, great chapter. i have to reread the part where hong yee almost got his eyes gouged out. so much action ensued!

[Melanie]

CHAPTER 27 --- SUMMARY OF CHAPTERS 1-26

Thanks for all the comments, everyone! The next chapter has already been completed. But first, this...

Hi, everyone. I realize that, given my slow update frequency, many of you may not remember what has happened in the previous chapters. Therefore, I will give a brief summary prior to posting the next chapter.

********************

The story starts out with Lam Siu Tin eloping with Chan Yin Yuk, the Emperor's favorite concubine. The Emperor manages to locate the escaping couple in the desert. Even though Yin Yuk's betrayal hurts him tremendously, the Emperor nevertheless does not wish to see her harmed, for he loves her deeply. Therefore, he decides to let her go and find true love with her martial brother, Siu Tin. However, he does not realize that his concubine is pregnant with his child. Many months later, Yin Yuk gives birth to a baby boy, named Lam Yik Lun.

Twenty-five years later, Yik Lun, now a young man, meets So Sui Han, a gentle young woman who has escaped from a brothel. It appears that she is the only remaining member alive in her family. After Sui Han became an orphan at the age of ten, she wandered the streets, homeless and hungry, until she befriended Cheng Sai Chung, a kind village boy who protected her fiercely. They became the best of friends as they both matured into adults. When he later mysteriously disappeared, many assumed that mountain bandits had murdered him while he was on his way to visit Sui Han. The villagers in her fishing village were convinced that she is pure bad luck and thus sold her into a brothel in order to be rid of her presence. Refusing to accept a life as a prostitute, Sui Han escaped and met Lun while on the run.

Entranced by Sui Han's gentle beauty, Lun falls immediately in love with her. Bringing her back to the Lam Mansion, he hires her as a servant, hoping to keep her by his side. Little does he know that she belongs to the Sun Moon Sect, an evil branch of the Sun Moon School of Sword Fighting to which Lun belongs. It appears that the leader of this evil branch saved Sui Han from a life as a prostitute and adopted her as his goddaughter. Her heart already belongs to the leader's eldest son, Koo Yat Fei. Working as an undercover, her main goal is to infiltrate into the Lam family and report back to her godfather.

Meanwhile, Grandmother Fa, an old and respected member of the Sun Moon Sect, tricks Mok Yee San, the Lam's servant girl, to poison Lam Yik Wah, the Lam family's second son. In love with Wah, Yee San pours the potion into his wine, mistakenly thinking that this is a love potion.

On the night of attack by the Sun Moon Sect members, Lun, temporarily blinded by Grandmother Fa, struggles in his fight against Koo Yat Fei. Just when all hope is lost, a mysterious stranger flies out and rescues Lun. Unbeknownst to Lun, his rescuer is none other than Sui Han, whose conscience and kind heart propel her to go against her godfather's wishes and save Lun.

As Lun recovers from his injuries in a nearby cave, Wah and his two younger sisters, Lam Suk Yu and Lam Chi Chi, fend off Koo Yat Keung, Koo Yat Fei's younger brother. Incapacitated by the poison circulating through his body, Wah is unable to defend himself against Keung. While Chi Chi rushes off to look for help, Suk Yu catapults over the canyon while trying to protect the injured and poisoned Wah. Fortunately, Yeung Lap Chun, a gallant and mysterious stranger, rescues Suk Yu from the bottom of the canyon. Unfortunately, she soon discovers that the fall has blinded her.

Meanwhile, the Lams' parents, Chan Yin Yuk and Lam Siu Tin return just in time to save their son, Wah, from the Sun Moon Sect, forcing Fei and Keung to retreat. As Wah's poison is fatal enough to threaten his life, Lun has volunteered to seek the antidote for his younger brother from the Sun Moon Sect headquarters. During their journey, Sui Han and Lun encounter the Koo brothers again.

Jealous of Lun's affection for Sui Han, Fei challenges Lun to a fight to the death. However, as they battle, an unknown force led by Red Executioner (assassin with red waist sash) and his team of assassins ambush them. Red Executioner belongs to a secret society lead by an evil force, the Master, whose goal is to control all martial arts sects and possibly the Song Empire.
Fortunately, even though Red Executioner is able to successfully ambush Lun and Fei with poison, a mysterious gentlemen, who has followed Lun and Fei from a nearby tea stand out of curiosity, rescues the two young men.

While all this occurs, Sui Han, who has stayed behind at the Golden Phoenix Inn waiting for Lun's return, runs into Lam Chi Chi, who was taken hostage by the brothers, Koo Yat Fei and Koo Yat Keung, during that night when the Sun Moon Sect attacked the Lam family. Sui Han, basically good-hearted despite the fact that she, too, belongs to the Sun Moon Sect, comes up with a plan to help Chi Chi escape. The young women switch clothing, with Sui Han wearing Chi Chi's gown to lure the Sun Moon Sect members away.

As Sui Han races away from the Golden Phoenix Inn to lure Koo Yat Keung and Grandmother Fa away, she loses her way in the forest and accidentally encounters the Master, who has kidnapped and slaughtered young children born during the ninth hour of the ninth day of the ninth month. Apparently, the Master requires the fresh blood of these children in order to complete his training of the Blood Shadow Palm, a deadly king fu that kills by transferring three deadly poisons from the user's palm to the victim's body. Whoever is hit by the Blood Shadow Palm will die a slow, painful death as the palm's poison rots away the internal organs.

However, surprisingly, after hitting Sui Han with the Blood Shadow Palm, the Master retreats when he finds out that Sui Han is a reincarnation of the Seer. The Seer's identity and origins have not been completely revealed in the story yet, and shall be clarified as Legendary Book of Sun-Moon Swordplay continues. According to legend, the Seer once walked the earth five hundred years ago. She possessed immense powers and the gift of sight, the ability to see the past and the future. In love with the Guardian of the Twin Swords of Sun and Moon, the Seer lived, loved…and later died a tragic death. With her dying breath, she vowed to one day return and avenge all those who had once wronged her.

Thus, frightened by the reincarnation of the Seer, the Master retreats, leaving Sui Han, who does not yet realize that she is the reincarnation of the Seer, wounded in and near death in the forest. As the night stretches on, two strangers, a young man in a blue gown and a young woman in a light green gown, wander into the forest and find Sui Han. They carry her off into the night…

While Sui Han is carried off by her two rescuers, Chi Chi, who has switched gowns with Sui Han earlier and is now disguised as a man, encounters none other than Cheng Sai Chung, Sui Han's childhood friend from her village. Previously thought to be killed by mountain bandits, Sai Chung actually survived the attack. Rescued by former Royal Physician Chun Ying, Sai Chung lives a quiet life helping out at the restaurant owned by Chun Ying in the city of Hoi Yeung.

Meanwhile, Yin Yuk and Siu Tin have been instructed by their martial arts teacher to search for the reincarnation of the Seer. Accompanied by the injured Wah (who was poisoned by the Koo brothers earlier), they set off toward the direction which Lun and Sui Han have taken. As they pass by the city of Hoi Yeung, Wah encounters a young couple, Lau Yuen and Chu Sau Fa, and their friend Kwok Mong Yuet, who happens to be the granddaughter of former Royal Physician Chun Ying.

Seeing that Kwok Mong Yuet looks exactly like his deceased wife, Wah eagerly agrees to help her and her friends find Hong Yee, Chu Sau Fa and Lau Yuen's son, who was kidnapped by the Master.

Meanwhile, Hong Yee, captured by the Master, nearly dies. Luckily, just as the Master starts to deliver a fatal blow to the child, a figure dashes out from the forest, grabbing Hong Yee and races off, carrying the child to safety. Incensed, the Master gives chase. Red Executioner follows close behind, intending to help the Master. However, he is thwarted by a young man dressed in blue and a young woman dressed in light green, the two people who have rescued Sui Han earlier that night.

The story continues from this point on.

[Danielle Lin]

Thanks Melanie that cleared things up a bit! I was confused about Siu Han's identity

[Melanie]

Hi, everyone! Please read the summary of Chapters 1-26 posted previously to familiarize yourself with what has happened previously in Legendary Book of Sun-Moon Swordplay. Thank you for reading, and I hope the summary clarifies the confusing parts of the story for everyone.

Danielle: Glad you're not confused anymore.

By the way, everyone, Chapter 27 is the Summary of Chapters 1-26, so this next chapter will be Chapter 28. I just want to be consistent with the postings at winglin.net.

CHAPTER 28 --- THE BLOOD SHADOW PALM

Characters appearing in this chapter:
Marco Ngai Chun Kit---Red Executioner
Bae Yong Joon---Yip Fung a.k.a. young man in blue gown who rescued Sui Han
Joyce Tang Lai Ming---Suen Ling Wan a.k.a. young woman in green gown who rescued Sui Han
Annie Man Chung Han---So Sui Han
Gigi Lai Chi---Lam Chi Chi
Felix Wong Yat Wah---Wong Hup Ming a.k.a. gentleman at tea stand a.k.a. Hong Yee's rescuer
Idy Chan Yuk Lin---Chan Yin Yuk
Frankie Lam Mun Lung---Lam Yik Wah
Kenix Kwok Ho Ying---Kwok Mong Yuet

Guest appearances in this chapter:
Margie Tsang Wah Sin---Chu Sau Fa
Sean Lau Ching Wan---Lau Yuen

Waving his arms to clear away the thick cloud of dust, Red Executioner quickly recovers from the attack. From around his waist sash, he pulls out a flexible sword and holds it in attack position. "Who are you?" He demands, pointing his sword tip at the two intruders.

Ignoring Red Executioner's question, the man dressed in blue stares steadily at his opponent, unperturbed, while the woman wearing the light green robe turns her nose haughtily in the air.

Narrowing his eyes coldly at the two strangers, Red Executioner flies toward them. Springing into the air to meet Red Executioner, Sui Han's rescuers thrust their swords forward. The clang of steel meeting steel echoes loudly as an intense sword fight ensues. Thrusting his flexible sword forward, Red Executioner aims straight for the blue gowned man's throat.

In defense, the man somersaults into the air, his feet landing lightly onto Red Executioner's blade. With his booted feet lightly tapping onto the blade, he uses it as a stepping stone to flip higher up toward the heavens. Mid-air, he executes a series of lightening fast sword movements.

Joining her older martial brother, the young lady in green twirls gracefully upward, her sword movements filled with an underlying liquid grace. The two newcomers' stances complement each other's moves perfectly, one fast and precise and the other smooth and flowing, attacking in synchrony. The man advances forward toward Red Executioner, his sword tip striking swift and lethal, aiming right for the heart. While Red Executioner parries the attack, the young woman moves in from the side, her sword technique fluid and light, the sword tip flittering teasingly around her enemy, her seemingly harmless moves masking dangerously accurate thrusts aimed at Red Executioner's pressure points.

As the three spin and attack and parry, Sui Han slowly wakes up from the black sea of unconsciousness and groans, her head feeling as if a million spears have pierced her skull. Clutching her head tightly with one hand, she uses her other hand to push herself up from the damp forest ground. Breathing in deeply from the throbbing pain in her head, Sui Han leans gingerly against a tree trunk, her eyes squinting as she tries to make out the three blurry figures dancing back and forth in front of her.

Shaking her head in confusion, she focuses on trying to remember where she is. Wincing and crying out softly from the excruciating pain, she staggers to her feet, leaning heavily against the tree trunk. Suddenly, Sui Han remembers telling Chi Chi to meet her back in Lun's inn room in two hours.

"Fourth Young Mistress…," She mutters to herself. "I am suppose to meet her back at the Golden Phoenix Inn…" Swaying drunkenly, she drags herself slowly from one tree to the next, holding onto the rough bark for support. Step by step, she makes her way back toward town, leaving her two rescuers and Red Executioner still battling in the forest.

MEANWHILE…
BACK AT THE GOLDEN PHOENIX INN
IN YIK LUN'S INN ROOM

Lam Chi Chi paces the floor, muttering to herself as she slaps the white fan in her right hand against the palm of her left hand. "Where could Sui Han be?" She mumbles under her breath worriedly. "I could have sworn that she told me to meet her here in Eldest Brother's room in two hours! It's been about four hours now! Where could she be?"

Trotting over to the window, Chi Chi throws it open with such force that the window shutters bang loudly against the wall. Poking her head all the way out, she surveys the night scene of the marketplace below, her eyes anxiously roving from the merchant packing away his colorful bolts of fabric and getting ready to head home for the day to the frail old beggar crouched against a corner, shivering against the nighttime chill. Seeing no sign of Sui Han, Chi Chi bangs her fan nervously against the windowpane.

Stalking back to the table, she plops down onto the stool, her lower lip sticking out in a pout. "I'm bored waiting around," she talks to herself.

Sighing loudly, she cups her chin in her hands as she stares off into space. After ten seconds, Chi Chi shoots up from her seat and starts the pacing the floor again, muttering incoherently under her breath. Every so often, she would sigh loudly before resuming her mutterings.

Finally, she stomps over to the bed and collapses bonelessly onto it. Staring up at the ceiling, eyes wide open, Chi Chi starts counting the creases on the bed curtain. Unable to keep herself entertained with such a boring task, she springs back up and resumes her pacing.

Outside in the hallway, someone walks by, his footsteps echoing loudly as he shuffles toward his room. Ears perking up at the sound of footsteps, Chi Chi, thinking this person may be Sui Han, runs to the door. Without thinking, she flings it open and rushes out.

"Sui Han! You're back!" Chi Chi calls happily, dashing out into the hallway. "Sui Han!" She screams joyfully. The person in the hall turns around upon hearing Chi Chi's call. Suddenly, recognizing the figure in the hallway, Chi Chi's huge grin freezes, her eyes widening with alarm.

The person, eyes narrowed suspiciously before recognizing Chi Chi's disguise, exclaims, "It's you!"

"Oh, no!" Chi Chi squeaks. Turning around, she runs down the stairs as the person chases close behind…

MEANWHILE…
BACK IN THE FOREST

While Red Executioner and Sui Han's rescuers continue to duel on one side of the forest, on the other side of the same forest, two other figures race across the treetops, their lightness kung fu so agile and rapid that their figures appear to shoot across the dark evening sky like comets, mere flashes of energy to the naked eye.

From behind, the Master somersaults three times before disappearing from sight. Immediately, he reappears midair in front of the person who has taken Hong Yee from him. Striking out his palm, the Master attacks this opponent.

Avoiding his blow, Hong Yee's rescuer twists sideways. Flying toward a tree, the rescuer hooks his free arm around a tree branch, his other arm still wrapped around Hong Yee. Using his feet, the person deflects the Master's attack. Sending a surge of internal energy through his feet, Hong Yee's rescuer kicks at the Master, the soles of his booted feet meeting the Master's palms. The clash reverberates loudly, sending the leaves quivering from the treetops.

The impact sends both men flipping backward. Landing on the ground simultaneously, both opponents face each other, sizing each other up.

Eyes narrowed, the Master threatens menacingly. "If you return the child to me, I will let you die a peaceful death."

Smiling calmly, the gentleman from the tea stand shifts Hong Yee onto his left arm. Jiggling the toddler, he coos to Hong Yee, trying to calm the child down. "Don't be afraid, little one."

Hearing the deep, smooth voice, Hong Yee pauses mid-scream and glances up curiously at the new stranger holding him firmly, yet gently, in his arms. Sniffing, Hong Yee observes his rescuer for a few moments. Finally deciding that he prefers the warm embrace of his mother, the child takes in a deep breath and lets out another wail. "Mama! Mama!"

Chuckling amusingly, the gentleman pats the toddler's head reassuringly. "What's wrong? Why are you crying? Nothing will happen to you."

As this exchange occurs, the Master observes from the background, his eyes narrowing into thin slits barely visible through the eyeholes of his mask. Quietly incensed at being ignored, the Master, his mouth twisted into an ugly sneer, leaps up into the air, lunging toward his opponent. In midair, he releases a series of palm movements so swift that he appears to have multiple arms.

Unconcerned at the approaching danger, the gentleman continues to jiggle Hong Yee in his arms, completely disregarding the Master's imminent attack. However, just as the Master's palms reach within an inch of his face, the gentleman suddenly stretches out his right arm. A sword emerges from within the depths of his sleeve, its long, slender blade glittering menacingly in the moonlit night. Grasping the weapon in this right hand, Hong Yee's rescuer slashes downward with his blade, aiming straight for the Master's forehead.

Quickly avoiding the lethal attack, the Master twists sideways in the air, halting his attack. Executing a series of air borne back flips, he swings around a tree trunk and heads straight back toward the gentleman, while sending a current of forceful internal energy through his Blood Shadow Palms.

Countering the attack, the gentleman from the tea stand flies up into the air, depositing Hong Yee onto a wide tree branch, before heading straight toward to the Master. Shocked, the child lies on his makeshift bed, eyes wide as he stares at the two battling figures.

Swinging this blade with amazing speed, the gentleman displays his superb sword skills in a series of moves intended to strike down the enemy almost immediately as one sword becomes three and three swords quickly multiply into six razor sharp blades all connected at the hilt. The six blades flash and glimmer in the night, awaiting the Master's rapid approach.

As the Master nears the gentleman from the tea stand, he presses forward determinedly but is unable to advance close enough to harm his opponent as the rotating swords continuously deflect the Blood Shadow Palm's force. Centering the energy of the Blood Shadow Palm into his palms, the Master advances forward, trying to break the protective energy field formed by the gentleman's rotating blades.

On a tree branch high above, Hong Yee wails for attention and comfort as fireflies dance around him, tickling his face every so often as they flutter above him. Hearing the toddler's cry, the Master decides to abandon his attack on the gentleman. Targeting Hong Yee, the Master suddenly changes direction and flies vertically upward, heading straight for the child. Landing onto the branch, the Master lightly skims over the leaves with his lightness kung fu, rapidly scooping Hong Yee up into his arms.

From below, the gentleman flings his six swords upward to thwart the Master's escape with the child. The six blades rotate with lightening speed, digging into the tree branch and slicing it in half. Feeling the thick branch below shake and then break apart from the large tree trunk, the Master leaps up into air with Hong Yee still in his arms. Flying toward the Master, the gentleman pushes his palm against the Master's elbow, causing the Master to lose his grasp on the child. Catapulting into the air, Hong Yee screams with fright, his short, chubby arms pumping furiously in the air.

As the child tumbles in the air, the gentleman and the Master exchange several stances, their palms clashing as both try to force the other to retreat. Breaking apart, the two combatants back flip in the air away from each other. Circling back, both men approach each other once again, their palms slamming together in mid air for a second time.

The crash of thunder in the distance accentuates this battle of internal energy. As the fight ensues, lightening tears across the heavens, the eerie light flickering across the gentleman's stern face and the Master's masked one.

In the background, Hong Yee continues to wail as he tosses and turns in free fall. Breaking away from his struggle with the Master, the gentleman somersaults in the air, lunging toward the toddler in an effort to prevent him from crashing to the ground. However, he is thwarted as the Master flips after him, attempting to palm him on the back. The gentleman parries with his left arm. In counterattack, the Master kicks at his opponent, hooking his leg around one of the gentleman's ankles. In defense, the gentleman twists sideways, while aiming his foot at the Master's chest. Grabbing his opponent's boot, the Master twists the gentleman's foot with a single flick of his wrist, the move subtle but filled with tremendous internal strength aimed at maiming his enemy. Quickly counterattacking, the gentleman bends at the waist and delivers a blow at the Master's shoulder. Forced to let go of the gentleman's foot, the Master spins away to avoid the punch.

Meanwhile, as both combatants continue to fight for supremacy, Hong Yee continues his crash to the hard earth. Just as he reaches within an inch of the sodden earth, a long sash of white fabric streaks out from within the tall maples. Wrapping the child securely within its folds, the sash withdraws back into the thick foliage.

Within moments, Yin Yuk flips out of the grove of trees, Hong Yee cradled in her arms. Standing against the velvety dark backdrop of night, she appears like a vision heaven sent, her silky white gown fluttering lightly against her ankles, her ink black hair framing her snowy white flawless complexion.
Glancing toward the two people locked in combat, Yin Yuk smiles slightly, recognizing the gentleman. Flying toward the battling duo, she releases a long sash of fabric and loops it around a tree trunk. Using the long sash like a hammock, she twirls gracefully in the air before landing onto the sash, lounging comfortably on it with Hong Yee in her arms.

In the background, Wah and Mong Yuet, along with Sau Fa who is supporting the injured Yuen, run onto the scene.

Hearing Hong Yee's whimper, Sau Fa searches for the location of the familiar cry. Spying her son held safely in Yin Yuk's arm, she points excitedly at Yin Yuk. "Hong Yee!"

From her perch on the stretch of fabric up near the treetops, Yin Yuk attaches the child to the end of her long sash. The fabric stretches out toward Sau Fa rapidly, safely delivering Hong Yee back to his mother in a matter of seconds.

Catching her son in her arms, Sau Fa watches in amazement as the stretch of fabric rapidly recedes back into Yin Yuk's sleeve. Turning her attention back to Hong Yee, Sau Fa cuddles him lovingly, her husband leaning over them with a relieved smile.

Meanwhile, as the happy young family reunites, the gentleman and the Master continue to strike at each other. On the sly, the Master reaches from behind his waist and suddenly reveals a hidden dagger laced with poison. Flinging the weapon at the gentleman, the Master manages to momentarily distract his opponent long enough to deliver a fierce kick to the gentleman's chest.

Brandishing an octagonal mirror, the Master throws it into the air. The reflective glass spins and tosses before enlarging and multiplying into eight identical mirrors. From her position above the two people, Yuk Lin silently observes, her eyes narrowed suspiciously as she recognizes the same Shifting Starburst, Eight Mirror Formation, which trapped Wah earlier.

On the ground below, the gentleman flies toward his weapon, which is embedded into the trunk of a nearby tree earlier. He flings his six swords toward one of the octagonal mirrors, bursting it into a million shards of glass.
Aiding the gentleman, Yin Yuk flies down from her perch and sends out a long sash of fabric, wrapping it around another mirror. Sending a current of energy via the sash, she shatters the mirror with her internal strength. As she lands on the ground next to the gentleman, she scrutinizes the remaining mirrors carefully.

Exchanging glances with each other, Yin Yuk and the gentleman come to a silent agreement. Squinting up at the dark heavens, both understand perfectly well that they must take down the Master now before the storm clouds separate to reveal the brilliant moonlight, the source of the Master's Shifting Starburst, Eight Mirror Formation. Once the formation gains its full power by absorbing tremendous amount of lunar energy, it will become nearly invincible.

Flipping and turning, the mirrors suddenly disappear from sight in a burst of smoke. From within the mist, the Master leaps out, his palms aiming straight for the gentleman and Yin Yuk. Flying up to meet the Master midair, Yin Yuk and the gentleman clash their palms with the Master's. As the three remain suspended in the air, intent on their internal strength contest, multiple eruptions explode below, the sheer force of the exchange of internal strength uprooting large elms and maples from the soil.

Combining forces, the gentleman and Yin Yuk manage to force the Master into retreat after ten minutes of struggle. Breaking away from his two enemies, the Master twirls with lightening speed up into the sky, disappearing into the thick greenery of the forest.

Landing onto the forest ground, Yin Yuk attempts to give chase, but the gentleman halts her pursuit, calling out, "Wait! Madam Lam, let him go. I have fought with him for a while before you arrived on the scene. He is not easy to defeat. We might not have been so lucky if the storm clouds did not obscure the moonlight."

Heeding the gentleman's advice, Yin Yuk nods. With the immediate danger over with, Yin Yuk turns toward the gentleman and smiles brightly. "Big Brother Hup Ming! It's wonderful to see you again after nearly twenty years!"

Throwing his head back, Wong Hup Ming, the esteemed leader of the Six Sword Manor, laughs deeply. "Yes, the last time I saw you and Siu Tin, you two had three young sons by your side. They must be fine young men now! If I remember correctly, their names are Yik Lun, Yik Hong, and Yik Wah." He grins widely. "Where are these sons of yours? They must be quite the young heroes now, just like their father!"

At the mention of Yik Hong, her missing second son, Yin Yuk's smile fades away, the sparkle in her eyes dimming. "Yik Wah is standing right behind you," Yin Yuk gestures to Wah, who hovers in the background. "Yik Lun should be nearby… We just have to locate him and Sui Han. As for Yik Hong…" Yin Yuk sighs, leaving her sentence unfinished. "It's a long story. Why don't we return to the inn where Big Brother Siu Tin and I are staying before I fill you in on what has happened these last twenty years?"

MEANWHILE…
IN A FIELD, SEVERAL MILES FROM GOLDEN PHOENIX INN

Sui Han shuffles unsteadily, her legs bruised from multiple fall injuries as she attempts to hurry back to the Golden Phoenix Inn to meet up with Chi Chi. Gulping in a painful breath of air, she clutches at her right shoulder, her hand covering the wound she received from the Master earlier on when she tried to save the innocent infant.

The bloody and tattered material of her gown near the wound area flaps with each step she takes, revealing tender flesh underneath…flesh that bares the red imprint of the Master's deadly poisonous Blood Shadow Palm…

[eeyore]

Mel, I dunno why I got goosebumps reading your story

thanks for the summary, very helpful!

[Melanie]

You got goosebumps reading this story? I hope I didn't scare you too much, eeyore. Perhaps it's time to move on to lovey-dovey stuff and give the sword fights a break. Anyway, thanks for reading and a big thanks for commenting. See ya in the next chapter!

[Melanie]

CHAPTER 29 --- CHICKEN PORRIDGE

Previously, in Legendary Book of Sun-Moon Swordplay…

After the Koo brothers' attack on the Lam family, Lam Suk Yu, in an attempt to protect her injured brother, Lam Yik Wah, falls down the steep canyon, becoming blind in the process. Rescued by Yeung Lap Chun, she remains at his bamboo cottage at the outskirts of the city of Lam On.

While waiting for Sui Han to return to the Golden Phoenix Inn, Chi Chi, disguised as a man to evade the Koo brothers, accidentally runs into Cheng Sai Chung, Sui Han's good friend from her village. Sai Chung, previously thought to be killed by mountain bandits many years ago, was actually rescued by former Royal Physician Chun Ying. Treated like a grandson by Chun Ying, Sai Chung happily lives a peaceful life helping out at Chun Ying's Wind Rain Restaurant across the street from the Golden Phoenix Inn. While delivering chicken porridge to a customer at the Golden Phoenix Inn, where Chi Chi happens to be staying, he accidentally spills porridge on Chi Chi and incurs her wrath.

Meanwhile, Sui Han, after being injured by the Master's Blood Shadow Palm, is rescued by two mysterious strangers, Yip Fung and Suen Ling Wan. However, as her rescuers fight against Red Executioner, one of the Master's subordinates, Sui Han wanders off, trying to rush back to the Golden Phoenix Inn to meet up with Chi Chi.

The story continues from this point on…

Characters appearing in this chapter:
Annie Man Chung Han---So Sui Han
Gigi Lai Chi---Lam Chi Chi
Benny Chan Ho Man---Koo Yat Keung
Kevin Cheng Ka Wing---Cheng Sai Chung
Ekin Cheng Yee Kin---Yeung Lap Chun
Kristy Yeung Gong Yu---Lam Suk Yu
Bae Yong Joon---Yip Fung
Joyce Tang Lai Ming---Suen Ling Wan
Marco Ngai Chun Kit---Ng Sam Lung a.k.a. Red Executioner

MEANWHILE…
IN A FIELD, SEVERAL MILES FROM GOLDEN PHOENIX INN

Sui Han shuffles unsteadily, her legs bruised from multiple fall injuries as she attempts to hurry back to the Golden Phoenix Inn to meet up with Chi Chi. Gulping in a painful breath of air, she clutches at her right shoulder, her hand covering the wound she received from the Master earlier on when she tried to save the innocent infant.

The bloody and tattered material of her gown near the wound area flaps with each step she takes, revealing tender flesh underneath…flesh that bares the red imprint of the Master's deadly poisonous Blood Shadow Palm.
Stumbling forward a few more steps, Sui Han cries out in pain. Unable to endure the agony anymore, she collapses to her knees, the gritty earth and sharp rocks penetrating through the protective covering of her long gown, biting into the tender flesh of her knees. Kneeling on the ground, she stares up at the dark heavens. The storm is finally over, and the gray clouds part to reveal the bright, luminescent rays of the moon. Squinting at the bright light, Sui Han begins to hyperventilate from the pain piercing through her injured shoulder all the way to her heart.

Above, the stars glimmer and wink at the lone woman below, as if teasing and playing with her. Blinking in confusion, Sui Han's vision begins to blur. The last thing she remembers before fainting from the Blood Shadow Palm's poison is the glorious sight of millions of tiny, multi-colored pinpoints of lights flashing against a velvety black backdrop…

MEANWHILE…
BACK AT THE GOLDEN PHOENIX INN

Chi Chi tears down the stairs of the inn, running as quickly as she can away from Keung, who has returned to the inn just in time to see Chi Chi come out of Lun's inn room.

Chasing after her, Keung demands, "Lam Chi Chi! You stop right there!"

Glancing back at her captor for a split second, Chi Chi, her eyes bulging out, emits a terrified squeak. "Eek!" Quickly racing down the staircase, she dodges the old inn proprietor standing near the entrance, scrubbing the inn door during the late hours of the night because he is unable to fall asleep. Whisking by the old gentleman, Chi Chi yells at him apologetically, "Sorry, Old Uncle! I am in a hurry!"

Standing at the inn entrance in shock, the elderly innkeeper stares at Chi Chi's rapidly retreating back in confusion. "These youngsters these days…" He mumbles to himself. "They just don't seem to understand that life should be taken slowly and every moment should be savored." Sighing at the folly of the youth, he turns back to his task of rubbing at the doorframe, quite proud of the glistening finish on his inn door.

Just then, Keung leaps down the staircase. Flashing by the innkeeper without a word, he continues his chase after Chi Chi. Again confused, the old man looks up from his task and scratches his head. "Hmph! These young ones! Running around at the late hours of the night playing hide-and-go-seek instead of being proper children and sleeping peacefully in their beds! Scandalous!" He hisses huffily before giving up on scrubbing the doors and decides to head back to bed before he gets run over by a few more insomniac youths.

OUTSIDE ON THE STREETS

Chi Chi looks around frantically, trying to find an ideal spot to hide from Keung. Glancing back quickly, she spies Keung a few feet behind. Gasping, she races down the deserted street, running as fast as she could.

Just one block down, Cheng Sai Chung hurries happily down the street, carrying on his shoulders a large wooden rod with two large buckets of steaming chicken porridge hanging from both ends. Whistling with good humor, he grins as he thinks of his good fortune tonight. After running into that strange young man (Chi Chi disguised as a man) earlier that night at the Golden Phoenix Inn and spilling all of his porridge, he quickly cleaned himself up and tiptoed down the inn stairs, not daring to make any noise for fear that the unreasonable young man would emerge from his room and slap him silly again.

As he was about to leave the inn, he ran into a wealthy merchant dining in the lobby, who extravagantly ordered two large buckets of porridge for his six wives and nine children. Excited at the immense revenue this sale would bring in, Sai Chung stuttered with gratitude, "Thank for your business, kind Sir!" Smiling widely, he dusted off his hands and grabbed the merchant's hand, shaking it fervently. "I will immediately go back to Wind Rain Restaurant and prepare the porridge for you, Sir!"

Grumbling irately at Sai Chung, the middle-aged merchant shook his hand off and waved away the handsome, yet simply dressed, Sai Chung. "All right, all right, boy. Just go and make that porridge and have it ready by two hours past midnight tonight. My wives like to have a late night snack at that time."

"Oh yes, certainly, sir." Sai Chung promised the merchant courteously. He did not mind the merchant's rudeness. After all, he had always been a good natured young man, perfectly satisfied with living a simple life and helping his "Grandfather" Chun Ying (former Royal Physician Chun Ying), who had saved his life and nursed him back to health many years ago and had given him shelter.

The merchant nodded and then gulped down a large bowl of red wine, the liquid dripping down his double chin before landing onto his royal blue gown, soaking the fine, silk material. Ignoring the mess he had made, the merchant shifted his tremendous weight on the stool, staring up at Sai Chung. "Why are you still here, boy? Be gone." He waved at Sai Chung condescendingly.

Now, thinking back to that encounter with the merchant earlier on, Sai Chung grins widely, joyful at the thought of being able to earn additional coins to help out the Wind Rain Restaurant. He mumbles to himself thoughtfully, "Maybe if I am able to save enough money, I could go back to my old village and visit Sui Han! I wonder how she is right now." As he walks quickly along the street toward the Golden Phoenix Inn to deliver his porridge to the merchant, he suddenly saddens at another thought. "It has been so many years. Will Sui Han even remember her Big Brother Sai Chung?" He wonders to himself. Deep in thought, Sai Chung does not see a petite figure dressed in a man's long white gown dash toward him until it is too late.

Running at full speed ahead to avoid recapture by Koo Yat Keung, Chi Chi shoots around the corner and collides right into Sai Chung. Both reel backward from the impact, and Sai Chung's two buckets of steaming chicken porridge splatter onto the street. Sitting amid the sticky mess, both people stare at each other, stunned.

Being the first to recover from her momentary shock, Chi Chi points an accusing finger at Sai Chung. "It's you again!" Swiping the sticky mess off her sleeve and the front of her gown, Chi Chi scrambles up and stomps her foot. "I won't have it! Look what you did to my gown AGAIN!"

Seeing Chi Chi charge toward him with her fists raised, Sai Chung hurriedly scurries up and retreats. Unfortunately, he clumsily slips on the slippery split porridge, thus slowing his flight.

Catching up to her nemesis, Chi Chi launches herself at him, pulling his hair with all her might. "I'll teach you to mess up my gown TWICE!" Throwing little jabs at him with her petite hands, Chi Chi continues her attack on Sai Chung relentlessly.

Desperately trying to defend himself by raising his hands up to protect his face, Sai Chung coughs with each punch. "Please, Sir! I don't mean to dirty your gown again! It is an accident!"

"Hmph!" Chi Chi ignores the poor man's pleas and continues her assault. Pummeling his stomach, she simultaneously stomps on his foot. "Hmph!" Extremely peeved, she tries to choke Sai Chung, shaking him until his teeth rattle.

"Sir, sir! I promise to buy you a new gown!" Sai Chung tries to reason with the distraught "young man."

Suddenly, from behind, a discreet cough stops Chi Chi's assault on Sai Chung. Glancing backward, Chi Chi, with both of her hands still wrapped around Sai Chung's neck, stares wide eyed at the amused Keung, who is leaning casually against the stone wall, his arms crossed.

"You're quite a tigress, aren't you?" He asks nonchalantly. Approaching Chi Chi and the confused Sai Chung, Keung commands, "All right, that's enough fun for one night." Reaching out to grab Chi Chi's hand, he tries pulling her back toward the Golden Phoenix Inn. "It's time for you to go back to your room to await my older brother's return." As Chi Chi struggles against his grasp, he warns her, "And don't try anything funny with me again, or I won't be as nice the next time."

Trying to shake loose, Chi Chi looks around frantically, searching for an escape. As her eyes fall on Sai Chung, an idea pops into her head. Looking toward the befuddled Sai Chung beseechingly, Chi Chi calls out. "Help me! This man is evil! He wants to kill me because my sister refuses to marry him!" She lies outright.

Paying no heed to her antics, Keung continues to drag her back toward the Golden Phoenix Inn.

Meanwhile, Sai Chung, too trusting and always eager to help a person in need, runs after Keung. "Hey, Mister! Let that young man go! Just because his sister doesn't wish to marry you doesn't mean you have the right to hurt the innocent!"

Ignoring Sai Chung, Keung continues walking with Chi Chi in tow.

Barging straight at Keung, Sai Chung rams right into him, his tremendous strength surprising the other man. Even though Sai Chung does not have any martial arts training, his many years of farming and hard labor have given him tremendous strength and endurance.

Caught by surprise, Keung is forced to let go of Chi Chi's arm as he reels backward from Sai Chung's push. Angered, he attacks Sai Chung. Brandishing his sword forward, Keung thrusts it toward Sai Chung's throat.

Using his survival instincts, Sai Chung moves his body sideways, avoiding the sword. Kicking out at his opponent, Sai Chung charges forward and rams his body forcefully into the other man. With brute force, he knocks Keung into the ground. As both crash to the ground, Sai Chung yells out at Chi Chi. "Run!"

Nodding, Chi Chi dashes off. Mid way down the street, Chi Chi glances back at the two struggling men, her eyes looking at Sai Chung worriedly. "What if he gets killed?" Chi Chi mumbles to herself. In the background, Chi Chi hears Sai Chung urging her to run. Gnawing her lower lip with guilt, Chi Chi changes directions and runs back to the two men. Leaping into the fight, Chi Chi whips out her fan and slices the air next to Keung's face, forcing him to back away from Sai Chung. Exchanging several moves with him, Chi Chi tries to ward him off as best as she could. However, she knows she is no match for Koo Yat Keung's skills.

As Keung's blade pierces the thin paper of her fan, Chi Chi snaps her fan shut and twists it one hundred eighty degrees, hoping to dislodge her opponent's sword. Smiling amusingly at her attempt, Keung twists his wrist slightly, tilting the blade of his sword upward and taking Chi Chi's fan with him. As the white fan flips in the air, Keung slices at the papery material, causing a rain of white confetti to shower down on the three people.

Sensing defeat, Chi Chi rushes toward Sai Chung. Grabbing his hand, she pulls him down the street. "Hurry! Let's go!" Surveying the area frantically, Chi Chi points toward the direction of the woods. "The forest would be a perfect place to hide." She whispers to Sai Chung urgently.

Tearing down the street, Chi Chi and Sai Chung race toward the forest with Keung hot on their trail…

MEANWHILE THAT SAME NIGHT…
IN THE BAMBOO FOREST NEAR THE OUTSKIRTS OF THE CITY OF LAM ON
IN THE GUEST ROOM OF THE BAMBOO COTTAGE

The dark clouds above separate like a curtain to reveal a crescent moon, which glows bright and luminescent, its shiny fingers reaching through the partially opened window of Yeung Lap Chun's austere bamboo cottage and pooling into a silvery puddle on the stone floor. Outside, a gentle breeze sends the bamboo leaves quivering, creating a calm, soothing melody that blends into the silence of the night.

Lap Chun sits on a stool in the shadows by the bed as he keeps constant vigil over his delicate guest, Lam Suk Yu. Every so often, he would lean forward and check her pulse, a frown wrinkling his brow as he traces the thready beat of her life. On the bed, Suk Yu shifts restlessly, as she struggles to surface from the sea of blackness that surrounds her.

Suk Yu moans softly as she slowly opens her eyes, blinking in confusion. "Ahhh… What happened?"

Lap Chun startles a little at her voice and quickly moves to her side as he helps to prop her up. "Miss, how are you feeling?"

Her mind still cloudy with shock, Suk Yu stares blankly ahead, feeling incredibly lonely in this frighteningly dark world. Turning toward the direction of Lap Chun's voice, her sightless eyes stare straight ahead. "My vision… Will I be blind forever?"

Pausing, Lap Chun replies cautiously, not wanting to upset her and yet not wishing to give her too much hope. "I think the loss of your vision may be temporary and may be due to the injuries from your fall. Don't worry, I have some medicinal knowledge. I will try my best to heal your injuries, and hopefully, as you recover, your eyesight will return.

Suk Yu remains silent, as she absorbs the significance of Lap Chun's words. Still in shock, she stares blankly ahead, as tears collect in her eyes.

Suk Yu, blinking back her tears bravely, looks around, listening intently to her surroundings. "Is it nighttime? I hear an owl."

Lap Chun smiles gently. "Yes, your ears are very sensitive. It is two hours past midnight." Then, remembering that he has not yet formally introduced himself, Lap Chun clears his throat. "I am Yeung Lap Chun. I guess I qualify as a hermit who lives here in this bamboo forest by himself." He chuckles lightly at himself.

Suk Yu smiles slightly, trying to keep herself from thinking hopeless thoughts. "You saved me?"

"Yes, I found you at the bottom of a canyon. You were seriously injured and remained unconscious for days." Lap Chun hesitates, before continuing. "Miss, if I may ask, who are you?" Before Suk Yu is able to answer, he quickly explains himself. "Forgive me for my rudeness, but your injuries were almost fatal if you were left at the bottom of that cliff for another day. Whoever has injured you must have wanted you dead pretty badly…"

Suk Yu remains silent for a few minutes, debating whether or not to divulge her identity to her rescuer. Since he saved her, she feels obligated to be honest with him. However, given her family's prominent position in the martial arts world, her parents have made many lasting friends, but have also acquired many dangerous foes throughout their twenty odd years as leaders of the martial arts sects. Since she has always been cautioned to reveal her identity to only those whom she trusts explicitly, Suk Yu now hesitates to tell her true identity to Lap Chun, who is still technically a stranger.

Not wanting to rouse Lap Chun's suspicions, Suk Yu quickly modifies her name. "Err, my name is…" Thinking of the white crescent moon glowing outside the window, Suk Yu hurriedly states, "My name is Bak Yuet Yee (White Moon)."

Lap Chun smiles at his guest. "Yuet Yee? What a fitting name to compliment a maiden as graceful and luminous as the moon itself…" He murmurs to himself. Unfortunately, his deep voice, though quiet, rings loudly in the silence of the bamboo cottage.

Hearing his words, Suk Yu blushes uncomfortably, unsure of how to respond to his compliment.

Lap Chun clears his throat awkwardly, coughing in an attempt to cover up his mistake. "Umm…why don't you rest for a while? Don't worry. We will figure out a way to restore your eyesight in the morning."

Suk Yu nods and lies back down on the bed, closing her eyes, hoping to block out the worries of her blindness and her family's safety from her mind for the time being.

BACK IN THE FOREST IN THE OUTSKIRTS OF THE CITY OF HOI YEUNG

Red Executioner flies toward Yip Fung and Suen Ling Wan. Yip Fung spins in the air, shooting vertically upward before switching directions and descending down onto Red Executioner, his blade glimmering in the moonlight as the tip rapidly approaches the top of Red Executioner's head. Quickly counterattacking, Red Executioner crosses his flexible sword with Yip Fung's. At the same time, Yip Fung's younger martial sister, Suen Ling Wan, attacks from the side. Forced to stop Ling Wan's weapon, Red Executioner sandwiches the tip of her blade between his left index and middle fingers.
All three combatants release surges of internal energy via their weapons, their swords quivering from the bursts of energy. As the struggle continues, an orange glow surrounds the three, who are locked in battle. The circle of energy eventually proves too intense, sending all three combatants hurtling backward, away from the strong energy field. Backflipping in the air several times before landing on the ground, Yip Fung faces Red Executioner with his martial sister by his side.

Holding her sword once again in attack position, Ling Wan gives Red Executioner an antagonistic glare. "Senior Martial Brother, allow me to rid the world of this scum who preys on innocent children." Before she is able to charge forward, Yip Fung raises a hand to detain her.

Placing a hand on his younger martial sister's shoulder, Yip Fung cautions her. "Junior Martial Sister, wait. You are tired from taking care of that Miss we rescued earlier tonight (referring to Sui Han). I will take care of this assassin."

Red Executioner stares at Yip Fung, his eyes shining darkly above the black handkerchief shielding the lower part of his face. Finally, he speaks in a cold voice. "If I were you, I would drop the hero act and mind your own business."

Unconcerned with Red Executioner's words, Yip Fung calmly takes out a blue cloth and slowly wipes his blade until it shimmers in the night.

With eyes trained on each other, Yip Fung and Red Executioner flip toward each other. As he approaches within a feet of the enemy, Yip Fung suddenly executes a series of lightening fast sword stances similar to those displayed by Wong Hup Ming earlier in the night. As Red Executioner watches in amazement, Yip Fung's sword multiplies into three blades, and then three blades into six swords, all connected at the hilt.

As the six swords flash in the moonlight, Red Executioner's eyes widen with alarm. "Six swords attacking as one…" He whispers to himself. "You must belong to the Six Swords Manor. But it's impossible! According to rumors, that school has been annihilated over twenty years ago!"

Sensing danger for himself if his opponents are indeed from the Six Swords Manor, Red Executioner wisely aborts his attack and leaps up into the heavy foliage, his dark clad figure blending into the night.

As Ling Wan makes a move to pursue the escaping Red Executioner, Yip Fung holds up one of his hands. "Let him go, Junior Martial Sister. The young lady we saved earlier is seriously injured. Judging from the red palm print on her shoulder, she has sustained a possibly fatal wound. We need to bring her to teacher immediately."

Nodding in agreement, Ling Wan rushes back to the area where they deposited Sui Han. Seeing no sign of her, Ling Wan bursts out in surprise. "Senior Martial Brother! She is not here!"

Running up behind Ling Wan, Yip Fung stares at the empty spot where he left Sui Han, a worried look on his face. "We must find her immediately. After so many years of searching, we have finally found her. If we let her get away, teacher will never forgive us."

With those words, Sui Han's rescuers flip into the air, vanishing into the night…

[Melanie]

No readers from spcnet.tv? Oh well, here's the next chapter. I hope there's at least one person reading...

CHAPTER 30 --- AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE

Characters appearing in this chapter:
Gigi Lai Chi---Lam Chi Chi
Kevin Cheng Ka Wing---Cheng Sai Chung
Benny Chan Ho Man---Koo Yat Keung
Bae Yong Joon---Yip Fung
Joyce Tang Lai Ming---Suen Ling Wan
Louis Koo Tin Lok---Koo Yat Fei
Idy Chan Yuk Lin---Chan Yin Yuk
Felix Wong Yat Wah---Wong Hup Ming
Helena Law Lan---Grandmother Fa

NEAR THE EDGE OF THE FOREST SEVERAL MILES FROM THE GOLDEN PHOENIX INN

Chi Chi and Sai Chung race breathlessly through the moonlit night with Keung chasing behind them. Darting her eyes frantically around the area, Chi Chi drags Sai Chung toward a thick grove of weeping willows. Stuffing the confused Sai Chung within the depths of the willows' low hanging leafy branches, Chi Chi then enters behind him, gathering the leafy branches close together to conceal their presence. Peeking out through the cracks between the leaves, Chi Chi's wide eyes survey the dark forest for any signs of Sai Chung.

His feet lightly skimming the treetops, Keung executes several somersaults before flipping down and landing onto the forest ground. Remaining stationary, he carefully scans the area for his targets.

Above, a raven circles the heavens, its midnight black feathers shimmering against the pale moon rays, its beady eyes alert, shifting keenly as it searches for prey below. Every so often, the bird would call out, its abrasive cry ringing ominously throughout the stillness of the night. With a final swoop, the raven soars high above the treetops and disappears, leaving the forest once again in deadly silence.

Suddenly, a squirrel streaks by the grove of willows where Chi Chi and Sai Chung are hiding, its bushy tail stirring the dry leaves on the ground. Stopping abruptly, Keung swerves to his right and stares suspiciously at the grove of willows. Cautiously, he heads toward the low hanging branches, his eyes narrowed.

Behind the curtain of leaves, Chi Chi gasps silently, her heart pounding furiously. Burrowing closer into Sai Chung, Chi Chi tries to make herself invisible, praying fervently that her highly visible white gown would not give her presence away. Accidentally, she steps on Sai Chung's foot, causing him to yelp in pain.

"Ahh!" Sai Chung hollers more from surprise than from pain as Chi Chi's foot stomps down hard on his.

Turning to him, Chi Chi quickly clamps a hand over his mouth, trying to muffle his outburst. Unfortunately, the sound has already alerted Keung to their presence.

Jerking his head toward the direction of the noise, Keung flies straight toward the grove of willows. With his sword raised, he slashes at the willow branches. As the leaves drop one by one to the forest ground, Chi Chi flies out from behind the leafy curtain and heads toward Keung. As their palms clash in mid air, Sai Chung runs out after Chi Chi, shifting nervously on the ground, uncertain as to how to help her.

Above, Chi Chi and Keung separate only to back flip back toward each other, their palms once again clashing loudly. Advancing forward ruthlessly, Keung forces Chi Chi to retreat with his superior internal strength. As Chi Chi tries to fly away from her opponent, Keung catches hold of her foot, dragging her back toward him. Kicking at him, Chi Chi somersaults in the air. Reaching into the side of her boot, she extracts a small knife, its curved blade winking in the darkness. Catching sight of the blade swinging toward him, Keung swivels sideways, before launching a flurry of flying knives at Chi Chi. Using her small blade, she attempts to deflect the flying projectiles but fails as more and more approach her.

Flipping onto the ground, Chi Chi grabs Sai Chung's hand. "Run!" She screams.

However, while she is occupied with dragging Sai Chung away, a flying knife shoots toward her, slashing deeply into her right arm. Screaming in pain, she drops her small blade and clutches at her profusely bleeding wound.

"Little Brother!" Sai Chung looks at Chi Chi's wound worriedly. "Are you all right?"

Nodding quickly, Chi Chi says breathlessly. "We have to run!"

However, before they are able to move, Keung somersaults over their heads and lands right in front of them, blocking their escape route. Letting go of Chi Chi's arm, Sai Chung charges at Keung. Using his tremendous strength, Sai Chung wraps his arms around Keung's waist, hoping to provide Chi Chi time to escape.

"Run, Little Brother!" He urges Chi Chi to escape.

Stomping one foot down onto the ground, Keung back flips in the air, dislodging Sai Chung and palming him in the chest in the process. Skidding backward, Sai Chung hurriedly scrambles back up and charges at Keung again. Dodging his fists, Sai Chung punches blindly out at Keung. However, Keung, anticipating his move, grabs at Sai Chung's fist. With a slight twist, he flips Sai Chung onto his back. Flinging a small knife at Sai Chung, Keung attempts to finish this nuisance off. Just as the blade is about to penetrate into Sai Chung's chest, Chi Chi flies forward and kicks the knife away.

As Keung strikes out with his palms, Chi Chi raises her arm to block the blow. Using his other arm, he hooks it around Chi Chi's arm. While she is occupied exchanging moves with him, Keung, using his other hand, flings out a flying knife toward Chi Chi and Sai Chung.

Unable to protect herself, Chi Chi stares at the oncoming projectile in horror. Reflexively, Sai Chung rolls on top of Chi Chi, using his body to shield her from the flying knife…

Suddenly, six rotating swords shoot out from within the depths of the woods, knocking Keung's flying knife aside. From the darkness, Yip Fung flies out, his palms aiming for Keung's shoulders. Seeing the approach of a new enemy, Keung back flips away from Chi Chi and Sai Chung, while clashing his palms with Yip Fung's.

While in battle, Yip Fung yells to his younger martial sister. "Ling Wan, bring them to safety."

As Chi Chi and Sai Chung watch the combat between Yip Fung and Keung in dazed silence, Ling Wan flies down from her perch on a nearby tree branch. Placing one hand on Chi Chi's shoulder and the other hand on Sai Chung's, she lifts them up and flies off with her lightness kung fu.

However, as she passes by her martial brother and Keung, the latter sends a flying dagger shooting toward her. Flipping sideways, with Chi Chi and Sai Chung in tow, Ling Wan avoids being injured by the weapon. Unfortunately, just as she recovers from the sneak attack, Keung, while exchanging sword stances with Yip Fung, sends out a flurry of small daggers in an attempt to prevent Ling Wan from flying off with Lam Chi Chi.

Forced to defend herself from the rain of knives, Ling Wan unconsciously loosens her grip on Chi Chi as she tries to reach for the sword strapped to her back to deflect the daggers. As a result, Chi Chi crashes to the ground.
Hearing Chi Chi's scream, Yip Fung flips over Keung's head, kicking away two of the flying daggers and pinching the third dagger between his right index and middle fingers. Flinging the dagger back at Keung, who somersaults away from the knife, Yip Fung uses this minor distraction to kick at Keung's chest. At the same time, he uses Keung's chest as a springboard for him to leap toward the falling Chi Chi.

Seconds before Chi Chi hits the ground, Yip Fung flies by and swoops her into his arms, somersaulting twice in the air before placing her gently on her feet. The minute her feet touch the forest ground, Chi Chi quickly backs away from him, her head lowered and her face flaming red.

"Thank you, Sir," she whispers embarrassingly.

"No need to thank me, Little Brother," Yip Fung replies graciously.

In the background, Keung flies straight toward Yip Fung, attempting to palm him on the chest. Quickly pushing Chi Chi behind him, Yip Fung meets Keung's palms with a thunderous clash. With their palms locked, both men kick out with their feet. Countering Yip Fung's kick, Keung hooks his leg around his opponent's, attempting to dislodge Yip Fung's stance. In retaliation, Yip Fung bends him knee slightly, and kicks out with his other foot, forcing Keung to back up several steps. Taking advantage of Keung's momentary disorientation, Yip Fung palms him on the shoulders, causing Keung to spit out a mouthful of blood.

As Yip Fung's six swords twist and turn in the air, Keung back flips away, desperately flinging small daggers to deflect the onslaught of the six swords. Running out of daggers, Keung somersaults away from the rotating swords. As he lands on the ground, he realizes too late that Yip Fung, using his amazing light kung fu, has appeared in front of him. Without time to retaliate, Keung suffers another blow from his opponent, who palms him once again on the shoulders, sending Keung crashing backward into a grove of trees.

However, before Keung hits the tree trunk, Koo Yat Fei suddenly flies out from the depths of the forest. Grabbing onto his younger brother's shoulder, he skims over the treetops with lightening speed and vanishes from sight.

SEVERAL MILES FROM THE FOREST

Koo Yat Fei somersaults through the air before landing with his younger brother, Koo Yat Keung. Immediately, he places the severely injured Keung into a sitting position before transferring his internal energy into Keung.

After fifteen minutes of healing, Keung coughs and spits out another mouthful of blood. Dabbing the sweat from his forehead, Keung then turns around and looks at his older brother.

In a hoarse voice, Keung asks, "Elder Brother, where have you been all night? Lam Chi Chi escaped while you were gone. I almost recaptured her, but those two interfering strangers arrived and outnumbered me." He spat out the last sentence in anger.

Fei holds up his hand to stop Keung's tirade. "Forget Lam Chi Chi. It is not that important that we recapture her." Fei stares at the bluish-purple spot on his right palm, where he has concentrated his poison. "I was ambushed tonight by a band of assassins who used poisonous fumes. Most of the poison has been purged out of my system, but a good portion still remains. We need to hurry back to the Sun Moon Sect headquarters before we run into further complications."

Nodding, Keung gingerly rises and wipes the trickle of blood from the corner of his mouth. "Grandmother Fa is still out trying to recapture Lam Chi Chi. I will send out a signal to let her know of our plans."

Reaching into his pocket, Keung pulls out a small blue ball and hurls it into the air, watching expectantly as the sphere tosses and turns before exploding into a million tiny sparks of light, thus signaling to Grandmother Fa their intention to retreat back to headquarters. With that task done, the brothers set off toward their destination.

A FEW BLOCKS FROM THE GOLDEN PHOENIX INN

Grandmother Fa walks down the darkened, deserted streets, her eyes and ears alert for any signs of Chi Chi. Suddenly, from the heavens above, a small explosion of blue light flares out, its brilliant colors decorating the dark sky like a painter's careless splash on a dark canvas. Using her hand to shade her eyes from the bright lights, Grandmother Fa nods slightly to herself, understanding the message sent to her by the Koo brothers.

While heading back toward the Golden Phoenix Inn to pack up her belongings before meeting up with the Koo brothers, she hears a familiar voice speaking…a voice which belongs to someone whom she has been hiding from for more than twenty years.

Squeezing herself against the corner, she peeks around the stone column, spying on the person coming toward her. Sweating nervously, Grandmother Fa prays that the person she fears the most will walk by without detecting her presence.

As Grandmother Fa hides around the corner, Chan Yin Yuk and Wong Hup Ming pass by. After leaving the forest, Lau Yuen, Chu Sau Fa, and their young son parted way with the group to return home to their cottage. Yik Wah, eager to spend more time with Mong Yuet since she resembles his deceased wife, insisted on accompanying her home, leaving Yin Yuk and Hup Ming to return to the Silver Flower Inn located a few blocks from the Golden Phoenix Inn, where Yin Yuk and Siu Tin have been staying.

As Yin Yuk and Hup Ming stroll by Grandmother Fa without detecting her presence, the old woman breathes out a sigh of relief. Seeing their figures retreating further and further away, Grandmother Fa flips over a wall and glides over the rooftops as agile as a seagull skimming the water surface. Unfortunately, just at that moment, a long white sash streaks through the air and wraps itself around Grandmother Fa's waist, pulling her downward.

Recognizing the long white sash, the old woman panics. As the sash rapidly recedes back into Yin Yuk's sleeve, the Grandmother Fa is dragged along. Arms outstretched, the old woman and Yin Yuk's palms clash. As they backflip away from each other, Grandmother Fa releases a spray of poisonous daisy needles. Twisting sideways, Yin Yuk uses her sash to deflect the projectiles, sending needles back toward her enemy. Quickly leaping up, Grandmother Fa grabs a dry goods storefront sign as a shield. As the needles embed themselves into the wooden sign, Grandmother flings the board at Yin Yuk, before somersaulting and disappearing over a wall.

As she races away from the marketplace toward the outskirts of the city of Hoi Yeung, Grandmother Fa stops after a few minutes to glance back at the wide expanse of darkness behind her. Seeing nothing but a scattered collection of weeping willow trees and long wheat stalks undulating in the soft night breeze, she begins to slow down, her hand patting her chest in relief.

At that moment, a long white sash again streaks past Grandmother Fa and wraps itself around one of the willow tree branches. Gliding gracefully on the wide fabric, Yin Yuk skims over the sash and twirls in the air before landing onto the sash.

Lounging unconcernedly, Yin Yuk's calm tone belies the turmoil and anger she feels inside. "Grandmother Fa, long time no see. How have you been these twenty-five years?" Staring coldly at the frightened old woman, she smiles with icy grace. "Do you know that I have been searching for you all these years, Grandmother Fa?"

Choking on her own breath, Grandmother Fa gulps before answering. "Mistress, I am so glad to see you again." She stutters.

"Really?" Yin Yuk asks tauntingly.

Teeth chattering, the old woman draws in a shaky breath. Suddenly dropping down onto her knees, Grandmother Fa begs for her life. "Mistress, please spare this old, worthless woman!" She kowtows to Yin Yuk frantically, banging her forehead onto the hard, granite earth until she bled.

Chuckling in disbelief, Yin Yuk muses at the audacity of her request. "Spare your life?" She asks incredulously. "And if I let you live, who would avenge the death of my second son, Yik Hong?" Taking in a deep breath, Yin Yuk's face turns blank as she recalls events that happened twenty-five years ago in a hauntingly monotone voice. "If you hadn't betrayed Big Brother Siu Tin and my trust and poisoned our well, we wouldn't have lost to that band of assassins twenty-five years ago and Yik Hong wouldn't have been kidnapped and killed!"

Snapping out of her reverie, Yin Yuk suddenly turns her head and glares directly at Grandmother Fa. "If it weren't for you, my Yik Hong would still be living today!" Raging from the pain concealed for over twenty years, Yin Yuk lashes out at the terrified old woman.

As two long sashes whip out from Yin Yuk's sleeves and wrap themselves around Grandmother Fa's neck, strangling her, the old woman begs for mercy. "Please, Mistress! Spare my life and I will tell you where your Yik Hong is!" As the sashes tighten around her neck, she croaks out, "Mistress! I am telling the truth! Yik Hong lives!"

Suddenly, the sashes loosen around Grandmother Fa's neck. Flying down from her perch, Yin Yuk jerks at the old woman's gown. "Yik Hong is still alive?" Her heart pounds hopefully, but then her expression saddens again. Shaking her head in denial, Yin Yuk mutters to herself. "But it's impossible. After all these years, he couldn't still be alive."

Gasping gratefully at the air, the old woman nods quickly, eager to appease Yin Yuk's anger. "It's true, Mistress! Yik Hong is still alive. I can take you to him if you promise to spare my life!"

Her eyes staring at Grandmother Fa piercingly, Yin Yuk warns her, "If I find out that you have lied to me, then I will kill you within seconds. Take me to him now!" Placing a hand on the old woman's shoulder, Yin Yuk flies off with her.

As she flies off, Wong Hup Ming flips down onto the ground, having just reached the area. "Mrs. Lam!"

From far away, Yin Yuk's voice echoes. "I am sorry, Big Brother Wong, but I have urgent matters to attend to. Please let my husband know that I am safe and will return with Yik Hong soon!"

[eeyore]

I'm reading it Mel!!!!

Chi Chi is one lucky girl!!! although I'm confused considering Ka Wing back ground he should know more moves and stances not just an internal energy right? just my analysis.

more twist and turning, I wonder who is Yik Hong really... Tin Lok or Ho Man? hm.... waiting for the update Mel!!! don't be discourage...

[FanFan]

Hi Mel, wow you update fast lately, I'm behind a couple chapters lol. It's been sometime since I've read your story. So far, I've read ch.25-27 and your writing still impresses me. Lots of action and suspense, good job. It was a good idea to write a summary, refreshed my memory. I'll come by another time to read the rest, hopefully before your next update. Keep on writing, you still have readers.

[Grundle]

I just finished reading up to your most current chapter. I am very impressed with your story and I think that you have a lot of talent. Thank you for sharing this with everyone.

[FanFan]

Hey Mel, I've read up to the last chapter. Your story is getting better and better. I like your description of the fights. You have a good mixture of actors and actresses from the 80s to 90s to 00s including a Korean actor. Thanks for adding Sean and Margie to the story, also giving them a happy ending. Finally, know who Felix is- Idy's martial brother! I didn't think of that. I wonder who the master is and if Yik Hong is really alive.

[Melanie]

Eeyore, Grundle, FanFan, and all the guest readers: Thanks for reading! I am so happy to find out that there are still some readers around. By the way, FanFan, Felix is actually Andy's good friend, not Idy's martial brother. That's why Felix calls Idy Mrs. Lam rather than junior martial sister.

CHAPTER 31 --- WHITE EXECUTIONER

Characters appearing in this chapter:
Annie Man Chung Han---So Sui Han
Louis Koo Tin Lok---Koo Yat Fei
Benny Chan Ho Man---Koo Yat Keung
Gilbert Lam Wai Sun---Lam Yik Lun
Marco Ngai Chun Kit---Ng Sam Lung a.k.a. Red Executioner
Kristy Yeung Gong Yu---Lam Suk Yu
Ekin Cheng Yee Kin---Yeung Lap Chun

IN A FIELD SEVERAL MILES FROM THE CITY OF HOI YEUNG

Sui Han lies crumbled on the damp earth. Wisps of hair loosened from the tiny braids looped around the sides of her head softly caress her dirt stained cheeks. A trickle of dried blood stains the corner of her mouth. All around her, silence reigns except for the occasional rustle of weeds as the tall stalks dance gently to the whistling melody of the wind.

Into this scene, enters two men, both with good martial arts skills judging from the quickness of their pace. As they approach Sui Han, the darkly handsome man's eyes widen with recognition. Racing forward, he lifts Sui Han up, laying her head gently on his lap.

Hugging her tightly to his chest, Koo Yat Fei croaks out in a terrified voice. "Sui Han?! Sui Han? Please wake up and answer me." He pleads. Gently, he shakes her, hoping to obtain some sort of response from the unconscious young woman. However, she remains silent and deathly pale. Shaking his head frantically, Fei clutches her to his chest. "No! No! Don't leave me! Wake up, Sui Han!"

From behind, Keung runs up toward his older brother, wishing to see why he is so upset. Kneeling down beside Fei, Keung places a hand on his brother's shoulder. "Elder Brother, are you all right?" As Sui Han's face is still buried against Fei's chest, Keung is unable to see who this young lady is. "Who is she, Elder Brother?" Keung asks in confusion. "Is she a member of our Sun Moon Sect?"

Eyes wild, Fei's gaze shifts to his younger brother. As he looks up, he loosens his clamp on Sui Han slightly, allowing Keung to see her face briefly.
Recognizing Sui Han as the young maiden he met at Sky Dragon Restaurant many weeks before, the woman whom he fancies, Keung narrows his eyes at his older brother, who continues to tightly embrace Sui Han. "You must know her very well, Elder Brother." He remarks flatly, his heart first freezing with shock and then burning with jealousy.

Oblivious to Keung's remark, Fei speaks excitedly as he notices Sui Han stirring in his arms. "Sui Han! Sui Han!"

Blinking in confusion, Sui Han stares blankly up at Fei. "Big Brother Fei, what are you doing here?" A shaft of pain suddenly shoots up from her injured shoulder to her head, causing her to scream out and clutch at her shoulder.

Alarmed, Fei quickly rips at the material of Sui Han's gown, revealing a ghastly shoulder wound, purple and swollen, with the center baring a deep, red palm print. With a shaking hand, Fei gently touches Sui Han's shoulder, hurriedly withdrawing his fingers when she winces in pain. "Who did this to you, Sui Han?" He asks, enraged. "Did the Lam family do this to you because they discovered your association with the Sun Moon Sect?"

Opening her mouth, Sui Han tries to answer him, but she couldn't seem to gather enough strength to respond. Lifting her hand, she points in the direction of the forest. "Uhh…uhh…" As another shaft of pain pierces through her body, she begins to shiver uncontrollably before succumbing to blissful unconsciousness.

"Sui Han! Sui Han!" Fei shakes her, trying to rouse her again. "Sui Han!" Placing an unsteady finger to her neck, he breathes out a sigh of relief when he feels a weak carotid pulse. "Don't worry, Sui Han. I'll bring you back to Father. He'll be able to heal you!"

Picking Sui Han up into his arms, Fei leaps up in the air, rapidly disappearing into the night as he hurries back to the Sun Moon Sect headquarters. A few feet away, Keung observes the whole scene with narrowed eyes, his mind clouded with questions…

MEANWHILE…
BACK AT THE GOLDEN PHOENIX INN

Lun bounds up the stairs to his inn room two steps at a time, hoping to find Sui Han waiting for him in the room. After leaving Fei at the cave, he had returned to the Wind Rain Restaurant where he last left Sui Han, but the place had already closed for the night. Now, with his heart filled with misgivings for some unknown reason, he rushes back to his inn room, praying that Sui Han would be safely asleep inside.

Bursting through the doors, Lun calls out, "Sui Han!" Blinking his eyes to adjust to the darkness, he heads toward the bed. His shoulders droop in disappointment the minute he sees the empty bed.

Unsure of what to do, he stands around, dazed for a moment. He glances blankly at the table by the window and sees Sui Han's travel sack tied neatly with double knots, undisturbed. A quick glance around the room shows no signs of conflict or struggle, telling him that Sui Han must have left the inn room of her own free will.

"Maybe she is out searching for me, since I have not returned for hours," he thinks to himself. Grabbing his sword and hurrying back down the stairs, he rushes toward the concierge's desk, impatiently ringing the bell to summon the innkeeper.

A sleepy elderly gentleman shuffles out, covering a huge yawn behind his hand. With eyes barely open and hair sticking out in random directions, the inn proprietor squints up at the anxious young man standing before him.
"Great! Another young man unable to sleep!" He mutters under his breath. "Why won't these young people just go to sleep at night and let us old folks rest in peace?" He laments to himself.

Forcing a smile, the innkeeper bares his teeth at Lun. "May I help you, young man?"

"Yes, I would like to know if anyone has left a message for me. I am the guest in room number two on the upstairs west wing." As the innkeeper slowly flips through his stack of messages, squinting at the words with his failing eyesight, Lun holds his breath, hoping that Sui Han has indeed left him a message about her whereabouts.

Finally, after what seems like an eternity to Lun, the innkeeper looks up and shakes him head. "I'm sorry, young man," he apologizes. "I don't see any messages for you."

Wrinkling his brow in worry, Lun mutters to himself, "Where could she be at this time of night?" Glancing back at the innkeeper, Lun asks anxiously, "Have you seen a petite young woman, a little over five feet tall, wearing a pale pink gown?"

"Hmm…" The old man purses his lips in concentration as he tries to recall seeing a young woman of that description. Shaking his head, he slowly answers, "Nooo…I don't think the young lady you are looking for ever left her room." Suddenly the odd events occurring earlier that evening pops into his mind. "Wait a minute! Earlier this evening, I saw a petite young woman fitting your description running down the stairs, being chased by an elderly woman holding a long staff. I don't think she was wearing a pale pink gown, though." He remarks, referring to Sui Han, who was dressed in Chi Chi's gown and being chased by Grandmother Fa earlier.

"Chased by an elderly woman?" Lun searches his brain, wondering who that elderly woman could be. Suddenly, he remembers the elderly woman holding a staff, who ambushed him the night the Lam family was under attack. "The Sun Moon Sect!" Leaning forward anxiously, Lun yanks on the innkeeper's arm. "Do you remember anything else?"

Surprised at Lun's strong reaction, the innkeeper stutters uncertainly.
"Why, yes. Not too long after, a refined looking young man, appearing very scholarly from his looks, sauntered back into the inn. He caught many young ladies' eyes as he strolled up the staircase, with a fan held causally in his hand." The old man tsked at the forwardness of the young ladies' reactions toward a disguised Chi Chi.

As Lun silently stores this new piece of information, the innkeeper continues his story. "However, around two hours past midnight tonight, that same refined looking young man left the inn in a hurry. Not long after, another young man rushed after the first young man." He recalls Chi Chi being chased by Keung. "After that incident, I gave up trying to clean the inn doors and went to sleep. The inn has been quiet ever since."

Lun thanks the elderly innkeeper for his information and then wanders out the inn, deep in thought. The more he considers the situation, the more agitated and worried he becomes for Sui Han's safety. "That elderly woman the innkeeper described must be the same one from the Sun Moon Sect who attacked me many nights ago. I must find Sui Han before this evil sect harms her."

Leaping up onto the rooftop of a dry food store, he flies over the city walls.

BACK IN THE FOREST…

An eerie silence descends upon the woodland. The gentle wind swirls sinuously through the cracks in the thick canopy of leaves, whistling an errant tune, like a siren's call, beckoning…beckoning…to those brave enough to venture through the dense forest filled with the smell of death.

Into this deafening silence, two creatures enter, their claws digging into the rain-softened earth, saliva dripping from sharp fangs. Eyes glowing red in the dark night, the two wolves stealthily approach the sea of dead bodies of children littering the ground. Hovering above the lifeless corpses, the wolves' fur coats shimmer like pure white gold in the moonlight, a stark contrast to the darkened, bloodless corpses. The dead bodies all face upward, as if staring straight up at the heavens, each face with two fleshy holes where the eyeballs once were.

Throwing their necks back, the creatures howl, filling the forest with their throaty cries. Undisturbed by the wolves' calls, the dead bodies continue to stare sightlessly upward, their empty gazes frighteningly still. As the wolves sink their sharp fangs into the fleshy part of the corpses' faces, the bodies shudder and wiggle from the force of the tearing of flesh as the animals rip and shred hungrily.

Suddenly, the wolves lift their heads up, their ears twitching as they sense another's presence. Long tongues dripping with saliva, fangs still with the bits of human flesh clinging to the tips, the animals jerk toward the human who has just entered their territory. Growling threateningly, the two creatures rush toward the lone man dressed in white, attacking with amazing speed.

Casually, the man in the long white robe waves his hand, a burst of internal energy whipping directly toward the wolves, burning them in midair. As their fur coats ignite, the animals drop onto the ground, screaming in agony as they burn alive.

As the wolves whimper in excruciating pain, the Master watches their torture intently, eyes gleaming in pleasure, the fiery flames engulfing the animals reflected in the swirling dark pools of his eyes. "Ahahahahaha!" He laughs hysterically, his mirth echoing hollowly through the night, clashing with the painful yelps of the wolves.

Calmly settling down on a clearing, the Master places his zither across his lap and begins to play a slow, soft melody, its gentle song reaching out like invisible, ghostly arms embracing death.

Finally, after many minutes of torture, the two creatures stop struggling as they take in their agonizing last breaths. As the last whimpers die down, the forest once again fills with a deadly silence, so quiet that one could almost hear the heavy breathing of the Master as he gasps in pleasure.

"Ahahaha!" He chuckles in glee. Slowly, his smile flattens until his lips are pressed together tightly. Just as soon as his merriment dies down, a deep rage boils within his core and erupts forcefully. Stretching his right arm toward a grove of trees, the Master releases a shock of internal energy, demolishing the trees.

As tiny pieces of debris rain down, Red Executioner flips down and lands in front of the Master. "Master, are you all right?"

Ignoring the question, the Master stares right through Red Executioner, deep in thought. Suddenly, he turns toward Red Executioner, his eyes piercing and dangerous. "The Six Swords Manor and the Lam family dare to interfere with my plans." He whispers this softly, his words laced with deadly venom. Brushing his fingers delicately over the strings of his zither, he smiles menacingly. "Go find White Executioner and tell him that I want to see him immediately!"

"Yes, Master! I will return with White Executioner as soon as possible." Red Executioner somersaults twice in the air before disappearing into the night.

DAWN THE FOLLOWING DAY…
IN THE BAMBOO FOREST NEAR THE CITY OF LAM ON

The morning mist swirls and waves, wrapping its cool fingers around the bamboo stalks, caressing the green sprouts like a lover. Near a thick grove of bamboo, a ring of marigolds and pansies thrive, their bright colors splashing the forest with life. A sparrow flitters around, excitedly flying from one fragrant bloom to the next. In the nearby brook, goldfish lazily swim up and down, basking in the first rays of morning sunlight.

As the mist slowly lifts, a lone woman is seen sitting near the brook with her head bent, her reflection mirrored in the clear water. The image of her delicate features ripple in the brook, but her eyes only stare sightlessly ahead, unaware of the alluring picture she makes.

Quietly, Suk Yu lifts the jade flute clutched tightly in her right hand. Running her left fingers gently over the cool, green stone, a lone teardrop trickles down her cheek. Sunlight reflects off that single droplet of moisture, turning it into a shimmering jewel. Slowly, she touches the flute to her lips and blows.

As the final notes of the gentle, sad melody filters through the bamboo forest, a tall, distinguished man, who has been standing silently behind Suk Yu, claps three times, alerting her to his presence.

"That is a very beautiful song, Miss Bak." Yeung Lap Chun compliments her.

(Author's note: Recall that Lam Suk Yu wanted to conceal her identity from strangers and therefore told her rescuer, Lap Chun, that her name is Bak Yuet Yee in order to protect herself.)

Turning toward his voice, Suk Yu bows her head in modesty. "Thank you, Sir. I only play what I feel from my heart."

"What you feel from your heart?" Sitting down next to her on the bank of the brook, Lap Chun looks at her questioningly. "But that melody is incredibly sad. Therefore, you must carry an extremely sad burden within your heart."

Silently, Suk Yu stares into space, her hands holding her jade flute lovingly. "Thank you for recovering my jade flute for me from the bottom of the canyon. It is one of my most precious possessions."

Smiling gently, Lap Chun observes the way she holds her jade flute, almost as if it were the most precious object in the world. "There was no problem at all finding your flute at the bottom of the canyon. Even though it was the middle of the night, the shimmering gleam of the flute made it very visible and easy to find." He pauses for a moment, sitting with her in silence as they listen to the birds chirp. Finally, he speaks again. "Someone special must have given you the instrument."

Hearing his comment, Suk Yu involuntarily tightens her fingers around the cool jade. After a long moment, she finally answers in a sad voice. "Yes, the man I love gave me this flute as a birthday present."

Nodding, Lap Chun remarks, "He is a very lucky man to hold such a beautiful, yet gentle, lady's affection. He must be very worried now that you are missing. As soon as you recover, I will escort you back home to your family."

Shaking her head with a melancholy expression clouding her eyes, Suk Yu sighs. "It doesn't matter whether I am missing or found. He is no longer a part of my life."

Lap Chun remains silent, intuitively knowing that this is not the time to pry. As both stare off into the distance, the sun rises above the horizon, its pale golden rays penetrating through the swirling mist blanketing the bamboo forest. However, despite the warm rays, Suk Yu shivers, her heart cold as she remembers the handsome young man who once laughed and held her in his arms, his dark eyes looking at her as if she were the most beautiful and precious woman in the world.

Noticing her shiver, Lap Chun takes off his white fur cape and places it gently around her shoulders. "Miss Bak, you are still not entirely well. Why don't you go back into the cottage and rest?"

Nodding, Suk Yu allows him to lead her back inside the warmth of the cottage. Once she is settled in, Lap Chun returns outside, quietly closing the door behind him. He stands motionless for a while, listening intensely to his surroundings. Suddenly, he flips into the air and skims over the bamboo stalks before landing onto a wide, spacious meadow a few miles away from his cottage.

Flipping his fan open, he calmly fans himself as he waits patiently. A few minutes later, another tall man, dressed in black, lands behind Lap Chun.

"Red Executioner, long time no see. How have you been?" Lap Chun greets the man in black standing stoically behind him.

Without any trace of emotion on his face, Red Executioner replies, "The Master wishes to see you immediately, White Executioner."

[SwisheR]

Wow, a shocking chapter. I was hope that Ekin and Kristy could be a couple. Maybe they can still be a couple.

You should write more about that Cheng Ka Wing fella. I have heard rumors the author, Melanie, has a "thing" for him. Isn't that right, Melanie?

[Melanie]

CHAPTER 32 --- JADE BANGLE

Characters appearing in this chapter:
Kristy Yeung Gong Yu---Lam Suk Yu
Ekin Cheng Yee Kin---Yeung Lap Chun a.k.a. White Executioner
Marco Ngai Chun Kit---Ng Sam Lung a.k.a. Red Executioner
Andy Lau Tak Wah---Lam Siu Tin
Felix Wong Yat Wah---Wong Hup Ming
Frankie Lam Mun Lung---Lam Yik Wah
Louis Koo Tin Lok---Koo Yat Fei
Benny Chan Ho Man---Koo Yat Keung
Annie Man Chung Han---So Sui Han
Roger Kwok Chun On---Kong Dai Hei

IN AN OPEN MEADOW SEVERAL MILES FROM THE BAMBOO FOREST

Lap Chun flips into the air and skims over the bamboo stalks before landing onto a wide, spacious meadow a few miles away from his cottage. Flipping his fan open, he calmly fans himself as he waits patiently. A few minutes later, another tall man dressed in black, lands behind Lap Chun.

"Red Executioner, long time no see. How have you been?" Lap Chun greets the man in black standing stoically behind him.

Without any trace of emotion on his face, Red Executioner replies, "The Master wishes to see you immediately, White Executioner."

With no change in his expression, Lap Chun continues to fan himself as he slowly turns around to face Red Executioner. "Fine. I have some personal business to take care of first. As soon I attend to this matter, I will see the Master." With those words, he begins to calmly stroll back toward the direction of his cottage.

However, Red Executioner somersaults in the air and lands in front of Lap Chun. With his back facing Lap Chun, he speaks in a stony voice, his arms folded across his chest. "The Master wants to see you immediately. You are to come with me now."

His expression remaining calm, Lap Chun slowly fans himself, ignoring Red Executioner's challenge. "Do you really think that you have the ability to command me, Red Executioner?" Without waiting for Red Executioner's reply, Lap Chun walks right past him, his stride unhurried.

Ten steps past Red Executioner, Lap Chun immediately turns around and flings his fan straight toward Red Executioner. The fan cuts through the air swiftly and forcefully, leaving a trail of fallen leaves. All around, the wind whips wildly, scattering the small animals and birds, which dive for cover.

Arching backward, Red Executioner avoids the sharp edge of the fan. Leaping up and grabbing his fan midair, Lap Chun meets Red Executioner in a clash of weapons, his fan to Red Executioner's flexible sword. As the weapons meet, sparks spew out and a series of explosion reverberate throughout the meadows.

Taking the battle to the ground, Lap Chun slices his fan through the air, each lethal stroke aimed at his opponent's major blood vessels. Red Executioner, in turn, retaliates by flashing his sword at Lap Chun's vital pressure points, his blade swiftly changing positions, piercing in rapid succession.

While his right sword arm parries Lap Chun's attacks, Red Executioner reaches behind his back with his left hand and unleashes three poisonous darts. Releasing his fan, Lap Chun sends his fan twisting into the air. As the weapon travels in a wide arc, it deflects the darts and shoots them back toward Red Executioner, who, in turn, uses his flexible sword to fling the darts skyward.

As the darts shoot upward, they disappear into the clouds. Moments after, an explosion erupts as the poisonous fumes from the darts descend onto the two men. Staring up at the rapidly descending cloud, Lap Chun immediately assumes a meditating position, using his internal energy to block out the fumes. Red Executioner, having previously taken the antidote since the darts are his, approaches Lap Chun without being affected by the poisonous fumes. His face remains emotionless, but his eyes reflect his killer intent.

As Red Executioner nears Lap Chun, he raises his sword. "White Executioner, you should have just come with me peacefully. That way, you could have lived longer."

Just as the blade is about to strike downward, Lap Chun stretches out his right arm, his index and middle fingers pointing directly toward a nearby tree, where his fan is lodged into the trunk. Using a surge of internal energy, Lap Chun pulls the fan toward him, sending the weapon whipping through the air. Taken by surprise, Red Executioner jumps away but nevertheless is unable to avoid the sharp edge of the fan, which slashes a deep gash into Red Executioner's right cheek before returning to Lap Chun's hand.

Touching the bleeding wound on his face, Red Executioner's eyes blaze, even though his face remains devoid of any emotion. Flying toward Lap Chun, Red Executioner tries to palm his opponent on the shoulder. In counterattack, Lap Chun slices his fan through the air, deflecting Red Executioner's blows. Flinging his fan into a wide arc, Lap Chun pushes his palms outward, using his internal energy to dissipate the fumes. Then, leaping into the air, he meets Red Executioner's palms. With their palms still connected, both men flip through the air. However, both men's internal energies force them to separate.

Before Lap Chun lands onto the ground, he grabs his fan midair. Kicking off from a tree trunk, he catapults into the air. In a flash, Lap Chun appears in front of Red Executioner, his fan held right at the pulsing carotid artery at Red Executioner's neck. Coldly, Lap Chun stares at Red Executioner. "I already told you. I will see the Master as soon as I take care of some personal business."

Giving Red Executioner a steely glare, Lap Chun withdraws his fan. Snapping his fan close, Lap Chun walks away without glancing back.

As Lap Chun's figure disappears over the slope of the hill, Red Executioner stands as still as a statue. The morning breeze curls gently around him, stirring the red tassel tied to the hilt of his flexible sword. A muscle twitches on Red Executioner's jaw, the only sign of anger in this otherwise completely emotionless man.

MEANWHILE…
INSIDE THE BAMBOO COTTAGE

The morning sunlight bursts through the partially opened window of the guestroom, bathing the room with cheerful warmth. Feeling refreshed from a brief nap, Suk Yu raises a hand and reaches out toward the direction of the warmth, as if trying to capture the sunrays in her hand. Smiling slightly at her silliness, she carefully gets out of bed and feels her way from the room.

Sniffing in the fragrant aroma of sweet rice cakes, she walks slowly toward the small kitchen, her hands trailing along the wall to help direct her way. Pausing at the entrance of the kitchen, Suk Yu listens to the clanging of the clay and steel pots.

Standing near the stove, Kong Dai Hei fans the fire while checking the contents of his potato porridge soup. Ladling up a bit of the soup, he samples his creation. Wrinkling his nose at the bland taste, he sprinkles a bit of salt into the huge metal pot. Swirling the contents several times, he scoops up another sample of the porridge. Satisfied with the results this time, Dai Hei nods firmly and covers the pot.

Humming to himself, he whips out the dishrag tucked in his waistband and starts to vigorously clean the countertops. In an incredibly good mood, he bursts out in a song. Suddenly hearing someone clearing her throat, he glances up to see Suk Yu listening to him closely, an amused smile on her face.

Blushing furiously, Dai Hei rushes over to her and leads her over to the table. "Miss Bak, uhh…uhh…I didn't see you standing there." Clearing his throat, he babbles to cover up his embarrassment. "How are you feeling today?"

Suk Yu smiles at his discomfort. "I am doing much better today." Sighing a bit, she remarks sadly, "Although I don't think my eyesight is returning. I still cannot see anything."

"Oh, don't worry too much, Miss Bak. Big Brother Yeung knows quite a bit of medicine. I am sure he will find a way to heal you." Helpfully, he brings over a bowl of dark red Chinese herbal medicine. "Here, Miss. Big Brother Yeung wants me to give this to you when you wake up."

Taking the bowl from him, Suk Yu thanks him. "Where is Young Master Yeung?"

"I don't know. He left early this morning and has only been back once to hand me this packet of medicine. Then he left again." Dai Hei looks out the window as he hears footsteps coming toward the cottage. "Oh, there he is now!" He points to the tall, handsome man approaching.

At that moment, Yeung Lap Chun walks in, smiling as he sees Suk Yu looking less tired and sad than she did this morning by the brook. "Miss Bak, are you feeling better after some rest this morning?"

In the background, Dai Hei clears his throat before remarking teasingly. "Well, I have some matters to attend to, so I'll leave you two alone." Winking mischievously at Lap Chun, he walks out of the kitchen, whistling a happy tune.

Suk Yu frowns at the implication of Dai Hei's words. Remembering Lap Chun's question regarding her injury, she turns toward his voice, looking fragile and ethereally beautiful with her large, moist eyes. Just staring at her eyes, one could sink forever into those deep, inky pools and almost forget that her eyes are sightless. "I am feeling much better. Thank you for your kindness."

Taking a beautifully wrapped red satin packet out of his pocket, Lap Chun sits down beside Suk Yu and places the package in her hands. Confused, she carefully skims her fingers over the packet before carefully unwrapping the satin covering, revealing a smooth, cold jade bangle. A serpent intertwined around the stem of a single rose is etched on the surface of the bangle. Next to this emblem is the Chinese character "white."

Running her fingers of the etching, Suk Yu gives Lap Chun a confused look. "The bangle is very beautiful."

"Do you like it?" Placing his hand over Suk Yu's, Lap Chun closes her fingers over the jade piece. "I have to leave here for a while. I am not sure how long I will be away. Unfortunately, your injury is not completely healed yet."

Suk Yu smiles gently. "Young Master Yeung, thank you for taking care of me for so long. If you have urgent matters to attend to, please do not worry about me. I will be able to find my way home."

"No," Lap Chun objects. "Miss, it is not safe yet for you to be traveling alone. Originally, I was planning to wait until you have completely recovered before escorting you back to your family. But now…" He sighs. "Since I saved you, I won't let anything happen to you. I will be back as soon as possible."

Suk Yu tries to give him the bangle back, but Lap Chun places the piece of jewelry back into her hand. "No. Miss, this bangle is for you. Even though I have lived here for a long time, most people in the martial arts world will still recognize this emblem on the bangle." He refers to the snake intertwined around the stem of the rose. "If you ever run into any trouble while I am away, this bangle should be able to help you through any problems."

Suk Yu wrinkles her brow. "Thank you for your caring and help, Young Master Yeung. I don't want to overstay my welcome. I am fine, Young Master Yeung. I will leave today." She again tries to return the jade bangle to Lap Chun.

Lap Chun sighs, an amused smile on his face. "Are you always this stubborn?"

Suk Yu pauses, unsure how to reply. "Err…"

Lap Chun pushes the bangle back into her hands. "Miss Bak, if you want to repay me for rescuing you, then just agree with me for once and stay here so that you can properly recover from your injury."

Suk Yu reluctantly nods.

Satisfied, Lap Chun stands up. "Miss Bak, I'll go ask Dai Hei to take care of you while I am gone." Once he has left the kitchen, Lap Chun pauses and covertly glances back at Suk Yu out of the corner of his eyes. "Humph, Lam Suk Yu, you are indeed very cautious…"

AT THE SILVER FLOWER INN
NEAR THE GOLDEN PHOENIX INN

Lam Siu Tin paces inside his inn room. After a fruitless search last night for his wife, Yin Yuk, and his son, Yik Wah, Siu Tin is now worried beyond reason. "Where could they be? It's now morning and still no sign of them!"

Just at that moment, his inn room door opens and Yik Wah walks in, a happy grin on his face as he is in a good mood after meeting Mong Yuet, a woman who looks exactly like his deceased wife. Seeing the thunderous expression on his father's face, his smile freezes. "Father, is something wrong?"

"Is something wrong?" Siu Tin nearly hollers. "You and your mother worried me to death last night!" He glances around Wah, hoping to find Yin Yuk. Seeing nobody behind Wah, Siu Tin's heart beats faster with concern. "Where's your mother?" He asks Wah.

Before Wah is able to answer, a voice echoes from far away. "Haha! Brother
Siu Tin, your wife left you a message and wants you to know that she has important matters to attend to and will return with your son, Yik Hong, soon!"

"Who are you?" Siu Tin demands. Immediately, he flies out the window, his figure vanishing from sight. With his impressive lightness kung fu skills, he reappears within seconds in a deserted field, the location where the voice originated. "Who are you? Why would my wife leave a message with you?" Siu Tin demands again.

In the background, Wah flips down, following behind his father.

Listening closely, Siu Tin surveys his surroundings. Suddenly, without warning, a dark figure leaps out from the periphery. As Siu Tin's twin swords whip through the air, six rotating swords shoot forward to meet the twin blades. Recognizing the six swords, Siu Tin somersaults into the air and grabs his weapons.

Landing on the ground, Siu Tin chuckles good-naturedly. "Brother Hup Ming, it's good to see you again!"

"Hahaha!" Wong Hup Ming flies out and lands in front of Siu Tin. "Brother Siu Tin!" Clasping his hand with Siu Tin's, both men grin at each other and slap each other on the shoulders.

"Brother Hup Ming! How have you been for these last twenty years?" Siu Tin asks.

Hup Ming sighs as he walks a few steps away from his long time friend. "I have been doing well these last twenty years." Reflexively, his hand reaches for the jade pendant inside his gown pocket, his fingers tracing the etchings on the cold stone.

Seeing the pendant in Hup Ming's hand, Siu Tin sighs in sympathy. "You still haven't found her?"

Swallowing painfully from the wound in his heart, Hup Ming shakes his head, his fingers squeezing the jade tightly. "No. After all these years, she is still avoiding me. Sometimes, I stay awake at night and ask myself endlessly what would have happened if I had paid more attention to her instead of spending so much time practicing martial arts."

Walking up to Hup Ming, Siu Tin pats his old friend sympathetically on the shoulder. "I am sorry, Brother Hup Ming. I don't know what to say." Siu Tin clears his throat. "Brother Hup Ming, you mentioned earlier that Yin Yuk left you a message. Where is she right now?"

Hup Ming replies, "I am not sure where she is, but she mentioned something about your son, Yik Hong, and about returning with him soon."

Alarmed, Siu Tin grabs his friend's shoulder urgently. "Yik Hong?! Did you just say Yik Hong?"

Confused, Hup Ming answers hesitantly. "Yes, Madam Lam told me she was going to return shortly with Yik Hong." Seeing Siu Tin's frozen look, Hup Ming asks with concern. "Is something wrong?"

Not even hearing Hup Ming's question, Siu Tin remains frozen to the ground. "Yik Hong… Yik Hong…" Suddenly, Siu Tin jerks toward Hup Ming. "She couldn't possibly return with Yik Hong! Yik Hong is dead! Yik Hong is dead!"

Speechless, Hup Ming looks at his good friend in confusion.

"What else did she tell you?" Siu Tin asks urgently.

"Nothing. But she left with an elderly woman holding a long staff. They flew off toward the southwest direction toward the desert." Hup Ming pauses before continuing. "Brother Siu Tin, is there something I could do to help?"

"Our second son, Yik Hong, has been missing for nearly twenty years. He couldn't still be alive. I am now worried that Yin Yuk is being lured into a trap." Siu Tin paces back and forth.

Wah steps forward. "Father, are you saying that I have another brother? What happened to him?"

Siu Tin turns toward his son, his expression sad. "Yes, Yik Wah. Other than your oldest brother, Yik Lun, you also have a second elder brother. His name is Yik Hong. You were only a baby when he was abducted during an ambush. We searched for him for many years, without any luck. I know that even though your mother has not mentioned your second brother for almost ten years, her heart still burns with the hope that he is still alive somewhere out there."

Wah listens in silence. "Father, Mother and I encountered a strange formation last night. Mother mentioned that it was called the Shifting Starburst, Eight Mirror Formation."

Hup Ming chimes in. "Yes, I also encountered this formation last night." He pauses and sighs. "This powerful formation has disappeared from the martial arts world for over hundreds of years. Unfortunately, it is now reappearing and being utilized by a band of assassins, who are involved in a kidnapping conspiracy."

Siu Tin silently paces for a few minutes before coming to a decision. "Wah, I am going after your mother. If this really is a trap, then she needs all the help she can get. I want you to stay at the Silver Flower Inn just in case your mother returns. If not, hopefully, I will be able to find your mother within the next few days."

Walking up to Hup Ming, Siu Tin clasps his hands together in a gesture of respect. "Brother Hup Ming, after I find Yin Yuk, I will come find you. We will sit down and drink to more than twenty years of friendship."

"Yes, we shall definitely do that." Hup Ming chuckles. "Good luck, old friend."

With a final nod, Siu Tin heads off in the southwest direction, going toward the desert.

JADE ORCHID TOWN
ONE MONTH LATER

A gust of wind whips ferociously through Jade Orchid Town, bringing with it a flurry of snowflakes dancing through the air, like tiny white fairies twirling in a heavenly dance. A thick blanket of snow covers the stone path and the straw roofs of the simple cottages lining the streets.

Down the path, a large stone structure stands tall and proud, the only source of warmth in the midst of this cold winter wonderland. Happy chatter spills out from the large, opened windows of the inn. At the far side of the large downstairs lobby, which also serves as the inn's restaurant, a warm fire flickers invitingly, beckoning to travelers outside in the icy cold.

Two ancient sycamore trees flank the inn, their bare branches speckled with white. A single leaf clings onto the rough bark of one of the branches, its brown edges wrinkled and crisp. Another gust of wind roars by, ruthlessly stripping the single leaf off the branch.

At the base of one of the trees, a squirrel digs at the snow-covered ground for nuts. While the small animal claws at the earth, its nose twitches slightly. Suddenly, two men rush by, one of them carrying a young woman in his arms. As their booted feet stomp by, snow splatters onto the little squirrel, causing the animal to squeak in protest.

"Sui Han! Sui Han!" Fei calls out desperately to the unconscious young woman in his arms. Fei shoots a panicked look at his younger brother, Keung. "She was just fine an hour ago after I transferred some internal energy into her! Why did she suddenly faint?" Shaking the young woman in his arms again, Fei calls out urgently, "Sui Han! Please wake up! Sui Han!"

Spying the inn up ahead, Keung points excitedly to it. "Elder Brother! There's an inn up ahead! I think Sui Han may have passed out from the cold and hunger. Why don't we find shelter at that inn first and then find a way to revive her?"

Nodding, Fei races up toward the inn. Bursting through the inn doors with Keung close behind, Fei hurries straight up the stairs.

Seeing two strangers charge in without first paying the inn fare, the elderly innkeeper rushes toward the stairs after Fei and Keung. "Uh…uh…Young Masters! Please, you must first register at the front desk. You cannot just rush upstairs!"

Worried about Sui Han, Fei bad temperedly glares at the elderly innkeeper. Grabbing the old man's shirtfront, Fei threatens, "Get out of my way! If she dies, I will kill all of you!" Letting go of the innkeeper suddenly, Fei runs up the stairs.

Behind him, Keung reaches out a hand to steady the staggering old man. Placing a pouch of gold coins in the old man's hands, Keung orders, "We want you to find us the best physician in this town and bring him here immediately. That pouch of coins should be more than enough to cover one month of rent plus any physician fees."

Inspecting the hefty payment, the innkeeper's eyes light up with greed. Smiling happily, he bows several times to the Koo brothers. "Thank you, Young Masters! Thank you! I will bring you this town's best physician immediately!"

As Fei and Keung continue up the stairs, a tall, handsome man dressed in navy blue sitting at one of the tables downstairs observes the new arrivals closely. As he calmly sips his wine, his eyes stare intently at Sui Han, who continues to lie motionless in Fei's arms. Slowly, the man smiles, chuckling slyly…

[cherrie]

i already left comments in winglin. but i would also like to stop by here tnx for giving me your permission to print your story. just tell me what chapters are already final (those that i can already print) once again, i want to give you my encouragement. you surely writes well! won't you consider being a writer for your career?