Legend of the Sword and Saber - by Gigi

[Sioben]

whew!!!!!!!!!! what a story........... **** good one.

when Are you going to continue the story soon??

I'll tell you guys a secret!!! Yesterday I dreamt the whole story!!!...........oh well a part of it..........hehehe

wouldn't it be great if someone made a movie out of it?? or maybe animated it???

Goofy!! you have a great writing skill.
Can't wait for the next chapter

[Suet Seung]

See Goofy! You're fanfic is so extremely good and to add a plus...your writing skills are good...that you make everyone else's fanfic seem to be invisable....heehee! <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/tongue.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/redface.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/rolleyes.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/smokin.gif " border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/drool.gif" border="0">

[Suet Seung]

Goofy: I'm slowly reading your fanfic from the beginning...up to Chapter 5 now....

[Goofy]

WhiteKrane, another chapter for you to read here. <IMG SRC="smilies/read.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">
Sioben, Thanks. Did you dream the ending too? Tell me. <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0">

Part II: Book of Saber

Chapter 22
A Case of Mistaken Identities (1)

Characters list (not in any particular order):
Yong Butong …………......................................…......… ….Vivian Leung Siu Bing
Lin Xin-er …………......................................…......… …..…Vivian Leung Siu Bing
Ah Yi …………......................................…......… ………… Andy Lau Tak Wah
Ruyu …………......................................…......… …………. Rain Lau Yuk Chui
Huang Jiwen …………......................................…......… …. Howie Wong Man Ho

A gentleman dressed in white entered the biggest restaurant in town, and a waiter came up to escort a new customer to his seat. Without any delay, the customer gave out an order, “Five most expensive dishes and a calabash of the best quality wine, and be quick about it.” Soon, the food and drink was brought in, and the gentleman fell on it hungrily. In short time, he emptied the wine container and cleaned out the plates. Contentedly, he sighed and stood up. ‘Ah! It’s good to a rich gentleman.’ He wiped his lips neatly and took out a large silver ingot and placed it on the table. “The change is yours.” He told the waiter magnanimously, while the waiter bowed gratefully to him countless times.

He was leaving the restaurant and was walking past a pair of young couple who was about to enter it when a woman from the passing party called out, “Butong.”

“Butong, Butong.” The young couple turned around, and the woman ran to the gentleman in white, reproached him prettily. “Don’t you remember your fiancee, Ruyu? You look as if you don’t know me. I…I missed you.” Ruyu bit her lips uncomfortably. She had just remembered that Huang Jiwen was with her.

The gentleman in white started but said nothing. Instead, he quickened his steps as if he was trying to run away, but a burly man who was with Ruyu blocked his path and barked out. “Didn’t you hear that the lady was talking to you? You can’t go yet till the lady says you can.”

Afraid that Yong Butong would hurt Huang Jiwen, Ruyu quickly intervened. “Butong, this is Huang Jiwen, the man who was fighting with you in front of the cave last week. I just gave his brother the antidote, and he is escorting me back to Guiyang.” She hastily explained.

“Miss, you are mistaken. You must have taken me as someone else.” The gentleman clad in white spoke gruffly. He wanted to just walk away but was rooted right there by the ferocious look from Huang Jiwen.

“Butong, are you sick? You look so pale. No, I can’t be wrong. You look like my Yong Butong. You even wear exact same robe like him. In this world, how could there be another man with the same face as yours? Butong, why don’t you talk to me?” Ruyu cried out worriedly.

When Ruyu heard Huang Jiwen’s intention to spend his life with her, she was very much confused. Not exactly sure what was her actual feeling toward this young man who had been following her faithfully for several days, she decided to act neutrally but was always careful to keep a distance from him. However, being Ruyu, she couldn’t resist playing a few pranks on him just to ease her humiliation from being whipped by him. To her surprise, Huang Jiwen took everything with good grace. He endured the pranks patiently and instead treated her with tenderness and remained a perfect gentleman throughout the journey. As much as he was worried about his brother, never once he demonstrated with her on leading him farther away from Guangxi. No need to say that Ruyu was impressed with his persistence and consequently, liked him more and more everyday, but she still could not forget a handsome smile of Yong Butong. She wished that she could see him again face to decide if she really preferred him to Huang Jiwen or the other way around.

Today, she met Yong Butong again, but to her disappointment, he seemed so cold toward her. He even pretended not to recognize her and tried to walk away from her. Did this mean that he had already forgotten her? Had he no thought for her at all? Ruyu tried again. She repeated, “I am Ruyu, and we met seven days ago outside the city of Guiyang. You said you wanted me as a wife then, remember?” She blushed. ‘I must look a loose woman to claim a man as my husband in front of the crowd.’ She thought dejectedly.

Lin Xin-er was panicked when someone called her with an unfamiliar name. Could it be some relative of the owner of this white outfit she was wearing? She pretended not to hear and hurried her footsteps when she saw an intimidating man stepping in front of her. ‘I’ll be called a thief the minute they realize that I am the wrong person.’ She regretted having stole this white attire from the pool. ‘Xin-er, you were too greedy for your own good. Now, I’ll be thrown to jail and hauled back to the despicable Madam Li’s Thousand Lanterns House for sure.’

Ten days ago, she met with Madam Li, the owner of the famous brothel in Guiyang on a dark street by chance. On a sudden impulse, she picked up a rock and knocked Madam Li out with it. Then she took Madam Li’s clothes and escaped. Two days later, she was without money and at her wit’s ends when she came upon a lush waterfall, a heaven on earth. She drank from the pool thirstily and happened to see a cloth bag on the rock nearby. Without given any thought, she stole it along with a white robe. She put on the white garment, and it fitted perfectly as if it was made just for her. Having no use with the gaudy dress she had to wear during the past few days, she left it in a bush.

Adopting a gentleman appearance, she found that she was welcomed courteously wherever she went. Being rich also contributed to be treated with politeness. Inside a cloth bag, she found numerous pearls in high quality and some dried food. Eagerly, she was about to return to Guiyang to settle her debt, but stopped herself in time. ‘Why should I add a wealth to that filthy corrupted turtle? Besides, I wouldn’t be able to explain how I got the money. I’d better go find a place of my own somewhere and live off this treasure. Accordingly, she sold some small pearls for travel money and set off to establish her own fortune. Unpredictably, who would think that today she would run into a fiancee of this white outfit’s former owner? ‘All is lost.’ She thought despairingly.

However, with sharp eyes, she observed that the fierce young man seemed to be interested in her so called ‘fiancee’. Moreover, from Ruyu’s statements, Lin Xin-er concluded with her quick wit that she must have looked very similar to Ruyu’s fiancee. ‘Maybe I can pull this act off.’ Lin Xin-er calculated, thinking of a way out of this situation.

She stared at Ruyu defiantly and said hotly, “Yes, I remember. But do you?” She looked past Ruyu and rested her eyes at Huang Jiwen. “How long have we known each other?” She demanded to know.

Ruyu replied sobbingly, “Of course, I do. We first met last week, and you said you like me. Jiwen is just a friend. He helps me a lot on the way. Butong, don’t be mad at me. I can’t bear it.”

Huang Jiwen was about to say something but was stopped by a glare from Ruyu. Hurt and angry, he stomped away.

Ruyu stole a look at the receding figure of Huang Jiwen and felt a hollow within her. But why should she feel this sad when her Butong was here with her? After all, he was her husband. She smiled lovingly at him, and he smiled back at her. Somehow, the smile didn’t make her heart skip as she had imagined it would be. She sighed confusingly, ‘I hope I made a right choice. Maybe that is because I miss Jiwen at the moment. Ruyu, forget Huang Jiwen. You have to be faithful to only one man.’ She told herself.

Lin Xin-er giggled to herself and spoke to Ruyu gently. “All right, I won’t be mad at you. I’ve been ill and could only get out of bed recently. I am sorry that I was a little moody just now. Please forgive me.”

Then she started out, and Ruyu followed closely. She called, “Butong, don’t you want to go to the south for your mother? Why are you going toward the north instead?”

Lin Xin-er halted instantly. More implication! She could not afford to meet any more acquaintance of this Yong Butong, and she had to think of a way to get rid of this annoying girl pretty soon before her real identity was revealed.

She said curtly, “I just want to do some sightseeing around here for a while at first. You don’t have to stay here with me if you don’t have time.”

To which, Ruyu answered meekly, “Of course, I will always stay with you. What ever you say is fine with me.”

Lin Xin-er led the way and cleverly brought up the subject of relationship between Yong Butong and Ruyu. She wanted to learn as much as possible about the personality of the man. However, Ruyu was no help since she hardly knew Yong Butong at all herself. On the other hand, Lin Xin-er was elated when she gathered that Ruyu only claimed Yong Butong as her husband through a certain circumstance. ‘I believe that she doesn’t really love Yong Butong at all. She only obsesses with his handsome look.’ An idea sparked in her mind, and it grew as she was walking.

That night, the couple stopped at a deserted temple. Lin Xin-er went out to gather some firewood while searching of the best way to approach Ruyu. ‘That girl looks as if she knows some Kung Fu. I have to act well lest she may kill me in a fit of temper.’ She was mapping her plan carefully.

When she got inside the temple, Ruyu already cleared up the sleeping area. Lin Xin-er made up a fire and took out food from her bag to offer to Ruyu. The two ate in silence, each was deep in one’s thought.

Ruyu was thinking of Huang Jiwen. ‘What is he doing now? Is he thinking of me now?’ She started when Lin Xin-er echoed her thought. “Are you thinking of that guy? He seems to like you a lot.”

Ruyu denied awkwardly, but Lin Xin-er didn’t give her time to explain. “That is all right. I am not mad at you at all.” Lin Xin-er sighed. “I like you a lot, and I want you to be happy. I am not much of a man compared to Huang Jiwen. Come to think of it, you would probably be better off with him than with me.”

Shocked, Ruyu cried. “Butong, why did you say that? It’s true that Huang Jiwen likes me, but I like you better. You are above him in every way, in Kung Fu or in look. You are jesting me.” She sobbed.

Lin Xin-er desperately said, “But what if I weren’t a man, will you like the Huang guy then, honestly?” When Ruyu looked at her blankly, she repeated the question. Without thinking, Ruyu answered, “Yes, I would. But how can you not be…” She stopped at the mid-sentence and gaped. Lin Xin-er was opening her robe, showing her top body to Ruyu.

Ruyu was speechless for a while. Then she stammered. “You…you are a girl. That’s why you didn’t know what husband and wife is.” Images of the past came up, and it suddenly seemed to make sense that her fiancee would turn out a female. Her feeling at that moment was beyond any description.

Lin Xin-er felt guilty. She silently prayed to the real Yong Butong, ‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to chase your fiancee away, but since she seems to like the other man more than she likes you, I probably render you a good service by doing this. I will pray for you every day to find a better woman in the future.’ Aloud, she consoled Ruyu kindly. “Don’t be sad or mad at me. I have only learned about myself during my sickness. See, Father had been keeping this a secret from me too. He wanted to protect me from bad people.” She made up a story glibly. Ten years of experiences as an urchin on street taught her how to be cunning.

Tears stained Ruyu’s face. Unable to take in the truth, she ran out of the temple wildly, seeing nothing but a curtain of tears. At long last, she blindly ran into a person, who instantly reached out to steady her. “Jiwen,” she wailed, letting herself entirely in his embrace.

Meanwhile, the real Yong Butong, the rightful owner of the pearls and the white robe, was unable to sleep from hunger. He got up from the hard ground and sighed. He heard something growling and turned around to see Ah Yi was also up from the same reason, an empty stomach.

Ah Yi threw a rebuking look at his new friend. “If you didn’t let all the fish I had caught today go, we wouldn’t have been hungry like this. It’s all your fault.”

Yong Butong protested weakly. “But they were asking me to help them with their big eyes. Anyway, I found some fruit for you instead. You were the one who threw them away.”

Ah Yi countered, “Of course, I did because they are poisonous.” He rolled his eyes unbelievably, “Fish talked to you through their eyes! Did the rabbit I caught the day before pleaded to you through its eyes also?” He sneered.

But Yong Butong simply replied, “No, it just cried. And I knew it meant ‘don’t eat me’, so I let him go.”

Ah Yi didn’t know whether to be mad or to laugh. He waved, “All right, we won’t catch fish or rabbit again. But what are we to eat? You are such an expensive person to be fed. The first day when we went to the restaurant, you have ordered ten dishes of food while I was gone. We had to run away at the end because I didn’t have enough money to pay. Don’t you know how to be poor?”

Yong Butong hung his head guiltily. He apologized. “I am sorry. I didn’t know better, but I will learn to be poor if you teach me.” He looked at his friend innocently.

Ah Yi sighed. He must have done something bad in his past life to be struck with this boy with girlish face. He had long abandoned the idea of taking this youth home since the incident in the restaurant but could not find a way to shake the lad off successfully. He had run from Yong Butong once, but was caught up in no time. Unwittingly, Yong Butong thought that Ah Yi was merely playing with him, so he chased Ah Yi eagerly, his light Kung Fu being no less than that of Ah Yi.

Ah Yi sat down again and said, “All right. Let’s try to get some sleep. Tomorrow, we will go into town. Maybe there is something we can do there.” He took a peep through his half-opened eyelids at the already asleep Yong Butong and thought to himself. “I have to find a way to feed us soon. Otherwise, at this rate, I’m going to be starved to death even before I’d reach the Sword South School.”

In the morning, they entered town. It was a market day, and on both sides of the main street were stalls selling food and goods. The two walked by and breathed in aroma of hot food hungrily. In the middle of the thoroughfare, stood a big building painted in pink. The door was thrown wide open, and although it was almost midday, several lanterns were lit on both sides of the front door. A plum tree was planted next to the building, and many fresh flowers arranged gorgeously in big vases could be seen from dimly interior. Ah Yi looked up and read, “House of Red Plums.” He suddenly got an idea and issued some instructions to his companion, who complied reluctantly. Together they entered the building portal.

Inside, perfumed incenses were being burned somewhere. Candles and lanterns were lit at intervals throughout the dark hallway. At the end of the hallway was a big room, brightly decorated with pink silk and fresh flowers. A staircase led up to the second floor was at one corner of the room. On one side of the room, opposite the hallway, was a row of windows. From the windows, several plum trees could be seen in a small but well kept garden. A middle-aged woman in a red silken dress with richly jeweled decked hair stepped forward to greet them.

Ah Yi pushed Yong Butong in front and announced, “I want to sell my sister for money to bury our mother. She is strong and can do anything.”
The older woman scrutinized Yong Butong thoughtfully and grunted. “Hmm, she was rather thin, but she has a pretty face. She should turn out handsome enough once we clean her up. I think I can use her here, but she wouldn’t need to do any labor work here.” She took out a few coins and gave them to Ah Yi, but he shook his head. “How can I bury my mother with only a few taels?”

Annoyingly, the woman took out a silver ingot and showed it to Ah Yi, “Is this enough then?” When Ah Yi still shook his head, she asked irritatingly, “How much do you want?” When Ah Yi said, “Two gold ingots,” she exclaimed incredibly. “That’s impossible. Two gold ingots for a dirty girl? I have to give her a bath and feed her and gave her more decent clothes. If I buy her, I’ll have to be dense indeed.”

Ah Yi stood his ground. “But my sister is a good worker. She is a good cook too. She can sing, and she can dance too.” He whispered to Yong Butong to demonstrate a few moves of the Maiden Swords. “Concentrate on making them graceful and beautiful. Don’t use your inner strength at all.” He nudged his friend.

Yong Butong stepped forward and executed a move called, ‘Maiden Picks Flowers’ then ‘Maiden Makes Garland’ and ended with ‘Maiden in the Rain’. He didn’t disappoint Ah Yi, and the owner of the building applauded when the dance was over. With no more argument, she gave Ah Yi two gold ingots and took hold of Yong Butong’s hands while calling for her maid. Ah Yi gave his uncomfortable friend a wink before leaving the room, whistled cheerfully.

When the maid came, the woman gave Yong Butong to her and gave an order, “You gave her something to eat and have her take a hot bath. Find her a nice dress, and make her ready for tonight. It’s just providence to have a new girl just when Mei-mei was down with flu. You need a name, girl. Hmm, I got it! From now, your name is Xiang-xiang. Be good, and I will make you famous.” She turned to tend other business.

The maid led a confused Yong Butong upstairs. She pointed at a room on the end of the narrow hallway and ordered. “You go in there and wait for me. I will go get some food. You look famished!” She snickered and went downstairs.

Yong Butong dazedly entered the room. It was lavishly decorated with pink materials. Perfumed incensed hung heavily in the air. Yong Butong sat down on a chair and sighed. Ah Yi told him to obey the people in the house until he was fully fed. Then he had to find a way to get out of the house secretly before nightfall. Ah Yi said that he would wait for him in the wood at the spot they camped last night.

The same maid entered, and aroma of food touched Yong Butong’s nose. Hungrily, he eyed the food tray. When the plates were arranged on a center table, he lost no time in finishing up all the food. Then he smiled apologetically, “May I have a little bit more?”

The maid grumbled but went out of the room. Yong Butong went to open windows and looked down at the plum garden below. “It’s not that hard to get out of here. All I have to do is jump down to the garden then over the wall.” He murmured. “But the woman downstairs said that I have to have a new set of clothes and a hot bath. I should do that first before meeting with Ah Yi.” He looked at himself and frowned. He was almost as dirty and as smelly as Ah Yi when they first met. It was hard not to have money for a comfortable bed in an inn or for hot food three times a day. He reflected. ‘I shouldn’t have said bad things about Ah Yi’s clothes. If I sleep on the ground and go without food for another week, I might look even worse than he does. I have to apologize to him when I meet him again.’

More food just came in, and Yong Butong devoted himself on eating for now. After the meal, the maid took him to a bathing house. Inside, a round tub full of hot water stood in the middle of the room. White vapor was curling above the wooden tub, inviting the weary traveler to wash out his grimes. Yong Butong went in joyfully, but refused to have the maid remain there with him. The maid shrugged indifferently and left a pile of clothes on a stool and told Xiang-xiang to clean herself thoroughly. Then she went out and closed the door.

Yong Butong took off his dress, and stepped in the tub. “Ah! It feels so good to be clean again.” He took his time in the bathhouse. When he came out again, he was clean in a light pink dress simply decorated with silver thread at the hems of sleeves and skirt. The middle-aged woman came to inspect her ‘new girl’ and smiled with satisfaction. But she puckered her brows at Xiang-xiang’s hair. “What kind of hair is that? A girl with a man’s hairdo!” She called for her maid again, and ordered her to comb Xiang-xiang’s hair into a maiden style. She instructed, “Put some make-up on her too. She has fair complexion, but she needs some color on her cheeks.”

Intrigued, Yong Butong let himself be decked out as an entertain girl of a brothel. The maid let his hair down and brushed it carefully. She then combed it into a bun and secured it with a jeweled hairpin, leaving two locks of hair curled gracefully down his shoulder. Next, she painted his face skillfully. When she was done, she proudly gave him a mirror and said, “Do you know that you are very beautiful? Too bad you will end up as a prostitute in this brothel. I’ll warrant that you will eclipse Miss Mei-mei within a week with this look of your.” Get some rest now before the work. I have to go down to help Madam with the guests.”
Before Yong Butong could ask her what a prostitute was, the maid was gone.

Yong Butong thought he should leave the house now, but there were still couple hours before dusk. He yawned. The bed with soft cushions looked so tempting. “Ah Yi should have sold himself too since everyone here is so nice.” He went to the bed and lay down. “I am going to catch a few winks before going. Too bad I can’t say goodbye to those nice ladies.” He dozed off in the next minute.
---------------------------------
Thank you all. <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

[Suet Seung]

Goofy: I managed to read up to Chapter 8. But that's all I can swallow in one day. So I'll continue reading it later this week. So if you please pause and not post so I can catch up...I think your fans can wait awhile since you've already written alot in a week or days. So if you can hold on, so that I can catch up if not I don't think I'll ever be able to catch up in time.... <IMG SRC="smilies/eek.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/redface.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/tongue.gif" border="0">

[Goofy]

WhiteKrane, I am sorry that I can't comply with your request for several reasons. First of all, there are other readers who might want to read update. Second, I won't be online as much in the future so I want to post as much as I could for now. Third, I think you can always come back and read the story whenever you have time. Otherwise, I might not be able to finish writing the story and you probably would not get to finish reading it either. <IMG SRC="smilies/tongue.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

Just take your times.

[Goofy]

Part II: Book of Saber

Chapter 23
Young Master

Characters list (not in any particular order):
Yong Butong …………......................................…......… ….Vivian Leung Siu Bing
Ah Yi …………......................................…......… ………… Andy Lau Tak Wah
Di Bao …………......................................…......… ………...Roger Kwok Chun On
Chu Lianhua .........................………………………….........Jamie Chic Mei Chun
Zhan Zhiying......................………………………............ …Sheren Tang Siu Mun
Yang Xinlang ………………………….....…………….…. Miu Kiu Wei

The first thing Ah Yi did was to buy food from a stall in the market. When he filled his stomach, he left the town in happier mood. Instead of walking back to the wood, he strolled off in the opposite direction. He whistled lively, glad to rid of a pretty face boy at last. However, his conscience started to gnaw his mind. Would Yong Butong be all right? He looked so innocent and without cunning that he might not be able to escape from the brothel that easily. But he argued to himself, “What harm could he fall to really? He is a male, and the most they would do is beat him up. But he has a great Kung Fu, so he will be able to take care of himself.” Then he had a doubt. “But Butong only thought of Kung Fu as a dance. He didn’t actually know how to defend himself. What if they call policeman? Poor Butong probably wouldn’t be able to endure the filthy jail. No, I have to go back and help him out.” Then he warned himself, “Ah Yi, if you go back now, you will be saddled with that sissy guy all your life. What did he do to help you on these last few days you were with him aside from giving you troubles? Firstly, he bankrupted you in no time due to his high lifestyle. Next, he released the fish from the rods and let go the rabbit you were going to kill for a meal with some stupid reasons. Moreover, he pestered you all the time for more saber dance. He also jested at your clothes, and he refused to sleep near you at night because of your smell. Lastly, he kept your ears ring with his father talk. A couple of beatings would do a spoiled rich boy like him some good.” He shrugged and continued walking but soon stopped. Then he turned around and ran back to town.

In the town, he walked past the House of Red Plums but saw nothing unusual. He relaxed a little. ‘So, I am too worried. Maybe he got out already and has gone to our meeting place. I should go there.’ He hurried to the meeting point but saw no one there. “Maybe it is a little too early.” He decided to wait a bit and sat down under a shady tree. Cool wind blew gently, and the full stomach made him sleepy. In no time, he was dead to the world.

When he woke up, it was late in the evening. Jerkily, he got up and looked around. But there was no Yong Butong. He looked up at the dark sky, and could see no moon or stars. It looked as if it was going to rain. True to his prediction, heavy rain soon poured down, and Ah Yi had to run for a better shed. He was now very worried about his friend and already waded his way back to town when he suddenly heard footsteps running toward him.

A figure in skirt soon appeared in the thick curtain of downpour. Ah Yi peered through the rain and was relieved to see that it was Yong Butong. When Yong Butong was near, Ah Yi had to draw a deep breath. For a second, he thought he had seen an angel riding down the raindrops from the heaven to earth. In the next second, Yong Butong was next to him, panting. “Hurry. People are after me.”

Dazedly, Ah Yi sped after his friend. Someone was shouting, “Murder! Don’t let the murderer get away.” Soon the commotion died down as the two friends were further away, leaving behind a frustrated group of people.

Without any more word, Yong Butong led Ah Yi through the wood amid the rainfall. For two hours, they ran and ran. Finally, Yong Butong stopped in front of a natural cave. He entered it and dropped himself on the dry ground exhaustedly. Ah Yi followed suit. The two friends rested awhile before they could speak to each other.

“What happened?” Ah Yi asked curiously.

“I think I have killed a man.” Yong Butong answered dryly. “After I was fed, I took a bath and put on new clothes. Then I felt sleepy, so I took a nap in a room I was assigned to. When I woke up, it was already dark. The room was brightly lit, and I found that someone had just entered my room. It was a tall man with a pointed face. He saw me and laughed so unpleasantly. He walked toward me and tried to put his arms around me. I was pretty annoyed at his behavior and tried to tell him not to do so. But he just laughed and said how pretty I looked. So, I kicked him once at the shin. Then the man got angry and tried to slap me. I dodged him and kicked him again, at the same time I punched him at the nose. The man evaded my punch and moved toward me something like my saber dance but was not as nice. So, I did few steps of my saber dance and threw a big vase on the table at him with all my strength. The vase knocked his head, and he collapsed on the floor. Then I opened the window and jumped down to the garden and ran out of the house. But someone must have gone to my room and saw the dead man because everyone started yelling ‘Murderer’. A huge group of people started chasing me, and I was delayed by this awkward skirt of mine. The rain made the path very slippery too, but I think we have lost them now.”

In the darkness, Ah Yi could not see the face of his friend, but he was ridden with guilt. “Butong, I should not have thought of that cursed plan. I’m so sorry. You could have been hurt if that man had higher Kung Fu than you.” His voice trembled with emotions.

Yong Butong reached for his hands and comforted him. “That’s all right. Father always said that I have to kill anyone with the similar saber dance as that of mine. He also told me to kill any men who tried to touch me. I just followed my father’s orders. Anyway, I didn’t like that tall man. He had a sinister face. Actually, it was partly my fault too. You told me to leave the house before evening, and I fell asleep. So, don’t blame yourself. Next time, I’ll be on time. And we should sell you too. You get good food and nice bath there.”

Ah Yi laughed amusingly. “You never cease to amaze me, my friend. Do you still want to work this scheme again next time? I won’t mind selling myself, but I am afraid nobody would want me. I’m too dark, and I don’t look well in skirt.” He teased, “So, are you going to kill me now that my hands touch yours?”

Yong Butong shook his head vigorously. “No, you didn’t touch me. I am the one who hold your hands, so I don’t need to kill you.” He felt shy all of a sudden and let go Ah Yi’s hands.

Ah Yi pulled back his hands and wondered inwardly, “What kind of a father this boy has by the way? Must be an overprotective father. It seems that this family is a weird lot.” He ventured a suggestion. “I think we have got away far enough from those people, but we should set off as soon as the rain lets up. It’s hard to travel in the wet night like this. Brr… Are you cold? We are both soaked to the bones. Making fire would be useless as all firewood outside would be too wet anyway.” He took off his shirt and handed to Yong Butong. “Wear this. Your dress seemed thin. Tomorrow, I’ll find a man’s attire for you so that you wouldn’t have to suffer in that long skirt again. It would also serve as your disguise since nobody would suspect a man would ever sell himself to a brothel.” He fell down laughing as he imagined the brothel owner’s face if she ever knew that she had brought a man with two golden ingots.

Yong Butong joined the laugh although he did not really understand the joke. He shivered with cold but felt warmer from the body heat of Ah Yi that lingered on the shirt. He mumbled thank you, and heard Ah Yi chuckled. “I’m sorry. I forgot that you didn’t like the smell of my clothes. You don’t have to wear it if you don’t want to.”

Yong Butong brushed with shame. He hurriedly assured the other that he appreciated the extra clothing. Thinking that Ah Yi was mad at him, he humbly apologized to Ah Yi for jesting at his ragged clothes once. Then he belatedly realized that Ah Yi was just making fun of him. Embarrassingly, he leaped at Ah Yi who fell down with a thud. Yong Butong lost balance and tumbled on top of Ah Yi. His head rested upon Ah Yi’s bare shoulder, and he suddenly felt no longer cold. Instead, heat rose up to his face, and his heart beat like a drum. He spoke softly, “I am not cold now, but you must be.”

Ah Yi’s heart skipped many beats. He felt blood was boiling within him, and he strangely wished that the time would remain still. He whispered back, “I am not cold either if you sleep on me like this. This way we can give each other warmth from our bodies. Just don’t say that I have hugged you, so you have to kill me when you wake up.”

Yong Butong sleepily murmured, “No, I won’t because I will give you a hug instead.” He put his arms around his friend and slept.

Ah Yi froze then he relaxed. ‘The silly boy was just trying to give me some warmth. Just because he has a girl’s dress on doesn’t mean that he is really a girl. Ah Yi, you are being silly. How can you think like that of him?’ He sighed softly. ‘Is there ever a girl who has such face as Butong’s? I would be lucky if I can find her.’ He closed his eyes.

Outside, the heavy rain turned to drizzle then finally stopped. The sky cleared up, and the moon came out from behind the cloud. Her silvery light shone through the cave mouth and rested on a slumbering pair on the ground. The moon smiled mysteriously and combed back her silver hair. ‘It is a shame to wake them up now. They look so peaceful.’ She went back behind the blanket of cloud.

Meanwhile, Di Bao was wandering further to the east, in search for Ruyu. He progressed little as his muteness was a main problem in communication. So, he drew a portrait of Ruyu and used it to inquire people of her possible whereabouts. However, since Ruyu took the different route from Di Bao, he was wasting his labor without receiving any fruit. But he still determined to find her. ‘Mentor trusts me to take care of senior apprentice sister, and I can’t selfishly desert her alone in this dangerous world.’

One day, he arrived at a small bustling town on the borders of three provinces, Guizhou, Guangxi, and Huguang. (Huguang and Guangxi were next to Guizhou in the north and in the south, respectively. – author) After the usual requiring of Ruyu, which resulted in failure, Di Bao went out of town to find a place to stay for the night. Having preferred nature to people, he always passed the nights in deserted temples or in caves or somewhere out in the wood. Tonight, he came upon an empty hut, almost on the verge of collapsing.

Di Bao walked into the old building and set about preparing the sleeping area. After a quick meal of dried food he had brought in town, he lay down and looked up at the dark sky through the big gap on the roof. The sky tonight was full of stars that tried to outshine one another. Far away in the forest, a group of grasshoppers was beginning a ballad to woo the stars. The music was lulling, and the world just then was so serene. Di Bao sighed happily and closed his eyes.

At that moment, two people ran into the hut. Di Bao opened his eyes and saw two women dressed in light color of blue and green. One woman had an exquisite face that reminded him of a porcelain doll Ruyu once received from her grandparents. This woman’s eyes were twinkling brightly in race with the stars on the sky. She looked around distastefully and spoke to her companion, “This place is a mess, and dust is thick enough to use for blanket. Why can’t we stay at an inn in town?”

Her companion replied quietly, “It’s not safe in town. Our enemy can find us easily there. Just be patient, it is only for a night. Tomorrow, we will go to the Sword South School for help. We have no choice, and if Master is angry at us, I will take all the blame.”

The woman with pretty face pouted. “But to sleep at this ruin?” Her eyes fell on Di Bao, who had got up by this time but was still staring stupidly at the doll-like face. See, not to say with an idiot for the bargain.” She barked, “What are you staring at?” She pulled out a sword and prepared to thrust at him, but her friend stayed her hand. “What are you doing? He is just a traveler, taking shelter here like us.”

The other woman pushed the sword back to its scabbard and argued, “Zhiying, you were the one who warned me against Master Yang. You said that we have to be careful of any strangers. We are on the run here, and we should get rid of any suspicious characters that could come from Love Palace.”

Her fellow traveler, who was called Zhiying, answered calmly. “That’s true. But if you observe him carefully, he doesn’t move like a person with martial arts. Besides, we can’t kill everyone we meet on the road. Master certainly would not approve of that. As for the case of your Master Yang, he has a good Kung Fu and very nice, but his overall behavior looked doubtful.” Then she added playfully, “This man was staring at you because he probably has never seen anyone this pretty.”

The answer seemed to pacify her friend somewhat as she smiled dazzlingly at Di Bao. Zhiying looked on and shook her head slightly. She turned to apologize to Di Bao. “Sorry, young brother. My senior martial sister is rather impulsive. Don’t mind her. I wonder if we could spend a night here too?” She smiled warmly at him.

Di Bao woke from the trance and just noticed the presence of the other woman. He looked at her, and she hastily turned her face aside. He nodded his head and gave a sign that he couldn’t speak. Then he rearranged his sleeping quarter and pointing at it as an invitation for them.

Zhiying hesitated, but her companion, who seemed to take this service for a grant, pulled her to the straw bed. “Thank you so much. You are too kind.” She murmured, carefully kept her face in the shadow.

Di Bao bowed to both women politely and walked to the back of the hut, which must have been a kitchen. He found a spot among the broken crockery and settled down.

He was dreaming of Lin Xin-er when he heard a scream. “Help, help! Zhiying, help me!” He ran to the front room and saw a group of dark shadows speeding away, carrying a struggling woman with them. He went outside and stumbled on a lifeless body. It was the kind woman, whose name was Zhiying. On her neck lodged three red-flower missiles. Her face was pastel white in the pale ray of the first sunlight.

It was almost morning, and the night was slowly giving way to a new day. Early birds stirred from their nests and went about looking for food to feed their families. Without further delay, Di Bao carried the unconscious woman in the hut and started examining her condition more carefully. Then he reached for a pair of golden silk gloves from his medicine bag and put them on. Next, he gently extracted the three projectiles from the injured girl’s neck one by one. He smelled one of them and frowned. It was poisoned. Good thing it was not too lethal for him to cure. He bent down and sucked out the preliminary poison from the three wounds. Then he took out some leaf herbs and chewed them for a while. After that, he put them on top of the wounds for cleaning. Then he disposed the leaves and poured white powder on the wounds to stop the flow of blood. Then he popped a white pill he took from his pocket in the woman’s mouth and forced it down. Then he sat down and waited for her to wake up.

In a room of the best inn in town, a handsome man clad in expensive robe was pacing back and forth impatiently. He was holding a fan with one hand and a cup of wine with the other. On the central table several delicious dishes of meticulously prepared food were arranged neatly. A calabash of the best quality wine stood nearby, sending out an intoxicating aroma. When the man was about to pour himself another cup of wine, he heard signal knocks on the door. His face lit up, and he went eagerly to open the door. A man in black outfit entered the room and kneeled down in front of his master and reported. “Young Master, we have the girl you want. She has smelled our Heart Rendering Incense and was now sleeping in the next room. Here is the antidote for the poison.”

“What about her friend?”

“She received our red flower poison and was left dying in front of a deserted hut.”

“Ha-ha, good work, Leader Yu. I’ll surely recommend you and your division to Father. Retire for now and keep in background.” The young master smiled with satisfaction. He left the room and entered its adjoining room. He went straight to the bed and beamed with pleasure. A body of woman in light color dress was laid there. She looked like a goddess statue with marble skin and perfectly carved face. Her red mouth was smiling as if she was having a pleasant dream. The young master took in the beautiful sight then sat down on the bed. His right hand touched her smooth cheek and traveled down to her white neck. He brushed her dark brown tresses from her eyes gently and rested his trembling lips on her thick eyelashes and on her forehead then he kissed her ruby lips lightly. He sighed happily and kissed her again with more passion. Finally, he brought out a crystal bottle that contained the antidote for the Heart Rendering poison and pulled out its glass stopper. Then he waved the bottle slowly under her nose. After that, he covered the sleeping woman with a richly decorated quilt and silently left the room.

Back at the hut, Di Bao was anxiously watching for the change of color on Zhiying’s face. Two hours have passed, and her face turned from pallid white back to the regular color. She coughed and jerked up. Di Bao quickly put a chamber pot under her chin in time that she threw out. She looked at Di Bao gratefully and hoarsely whispered, “Did you save my life? Thank you.” She tried to get up but had no strength. “I have to go help my martial sister Chu. The Love Palace people kidnapped her last night.”

Di Bao pushed her back to the bed and signed to her that she needed to take a rest first. “Please help sister Chu.” She pleaded before dropping off to an uneasy slumber. Di Bao gently wiped out sweats on her face with his sleeves. Then he redressed the wounds, which by now contained no more poison.

Chu Lianhua woke up in a room luxuriously decorated with red silk and golden brocade. Fresh lilies were all over the room, in a vase and strewn on the floor. Fragrance incense was being burned in a dragon-shaped pot on top of the central table. Through the length of one wall, numerous jewelry items were piled neatly in a row on a side table, sending sparks to the eyes of the occupant in the room.

Curiously, she got up slowly and walked around the room, smelling flowers from the vases, examining valuable pictures decorated on the wall and jewelry on the table with interest. When she came to a golden hairpin shaped delicately as a lily flower, she could not help exclaiming admiringly.

The voice said, “The most precious treasure is only suitable for the most beautiful lady on earth. I have the lily hairpin made especially for you. Do you like it?”

Chu Lianhua turned around and saw a young man about eighteen years old. He was tall and had a square jaw with smiling eyes. She gladly called out, “Master Yang!” She blushed and unconsciously touched her lips when he smiled charmingly at her. Last night, she has such a strange dream about her and Master Yang. Then she recalled the last night incident, and she went pale. As if Master Yang knew what she was thinking, he soothingly consoled her. “All is well now. Last night, I came across a gang of black-cloaked men carrying you, who were unconscious at the time. So, I fought them off and rescued you. Then I brought you here. This is the best inn in town, and I bought it just for you. You receive some poison, and you need a lot of rest in order to neutralize it. Don’t worry about anything. I’ll take care of you and protect you with my life.”

Lianhua thanked the young man prettily. Then she asked him the favor. “When I was kidnapped by the Love Palace people, I left my junior martial sister back at the old hut in the wood just right outside town. Can you make sure that she is all right?”

Master Yang nodded and went out the room. She heard him giving an order to someone then he reentered her room. “Everything shall be as you wish. I sent my servants to the place, and he will take care of your martial sister. For now, please take care of yourself. My name is Yang Xinlang. I am a son of General Yang. May I have the name of Miss?”

Lianhua smiled shyly. She turned scarlet again under the captivating glance of the man. “My name is Chu Lianhua. I am the sixteenth disciple of Emei.”

Yang Xinlang sighed, “Ah! Emei is full of beautiful women just as everyone says. In the past, there were ‘Four Beauties’, and now there are ‘Three Flowers’. I don’t regret dying now that I have met you.”

The gentleman’s words made Lianhua beam with delight. She answered coyly, “I am not really that worth of the praise. There are many more women in this world who are prettier than I.”

“No, Miss is wrong. For me, Miss Chu is the angel on earth, the goddess of mine.” Master Yang protested fervently. He looked so sincere that Chu Lianhua couldn’t help laughing. Her silvery laugh seemed to intoxicate the young man, as he stood there, staring at her with admiration.

Lianhua turned aside from embarrassment. She spoke, “I haven’t thanked you yet for your rescuing me and my junior martial sister the other day. We were rather in a hurry, so we were somewhat rude to you. Please forgive us, Master Yang.” She was imagining what Zhiying would say when she realized that she was wrong about Master Yang.

Yang Xinlang coughed. “It was all right. I helped you as a gentleman should. It is my duty to rid of evil people.” By the way, why would the Love Palace keep pestering you two?”

The girl sighed. “Three months ago, we received a letter from Love Palace, threatening us to submit to them. But nothing really happened. This coming month will see a wedding between my fifteenth senior martial sister and the fifth hero of Wu Dang, and I and my junior martial sister are the invitation card bearers for the friends in the eastern and southern regions. We were on our way back from Fuzhou, but we happened to meet a group of mysterious people. They attacked us. That was when we first met each other. Then since we have left you, we were being hunted by the same group of people all the way. At some point, I overheard one man called himself a disciple from Love Palace.” She shuddered. “I hope Zhiying is all right.” She said worriedly.

Master Yang gave her a comforting smile. “Please do not worry. I will make sure your martial sister will not come to any harm. For now, please enjoy your stay. Nobody will dare to disturb you here. Let me know your wish any time.” He bowed to her gracefully and left the room. Couple of young maids entered with a golden bowl of scented water for her face. Then more maids came in with a lovely dress. They dressed her hair and put on it the golden lily hairpin. They helped her dress and brought in the most delicious food she had ever eaten. All maids waited on her hand and foot, and Chu Lianhua went through everything as if in a dream. It was as if she became a princess of the Imperial Palace.

Downstairs, Master Yang was livid. He roared at his servants, “Who dared to let the Emei disciples know of Love Palace?” Everyone was silent, fearful of his master’s rage. “If no one confesses, you will all die.” The Young Master announced, and the culprit was denounced by his coward comrades. Master Yang nodded curtly, and with one move, he stabbed the hapless man in the neck. Then he gave a warning. “Make sure that there is no more mistake, or I’ll cut off everyone’s head.” He turned to Leader Yu. “Cut a finger off everyone’s right hand so that they will not forget again.” Then he strode off majestically in the direction of the garden. Leader Yu waited till his young master’s figure disappeared then he executed the order without blinking his eyes.
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Hope the story is not too boring. <IMG SRC="smilies/redface.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/redface.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/redface.gif" border="0">

[Goofy]

Part II: Book of Saber

Chapter 24
Secret Plan

Characters list (not in particular order):
Di Bao …………......................................…......… ………...Roger Kwok Chun On
Zhan Zhiying...........................………………………....….. .Sheren Tang Siu Mun
Chu Lianhua .....................………………………............….Jamie Chic Mei Chun
Master Yang/Zhang Xinlang ………....………...…………..Miu Kiu Wei
Zhang Xi-nan..................……………………………..…….Kent Tong Chun Yip
Lu Tingli ………..………………………………….………Barbara Yung Mei Ling
Duan Hui …………….….………………………….……. ..Alex Man Chi Leung
Man He …………………………………...…..…………….Simon Yam Tat Wah
Eunuch Xu…………….….………………………….……...Lee Sing Cheung

Zhan Zhiying looked up and was face to face with the mute man who had saved her life. From habit, she turned her face sideway and covered its left side with her hand. “Are you a doctor?” She asked.

Di Bao nodded. He was still staring at her face. “Don’t look at me. I’m too ugly.” She pleaded desperately.

Di Bao put his hand on top of her hand and gently removed it from her face. Next, he put his fingers on the scarred area and rubbed it lightly. His eyes were kind and sincere. “I think it is the most beautiful face I have ever seen.” He showed her the note he wrote. Zhiying read it and bursted out crying.

Since the fire accident at the inn ten years ago, she was left with severely burnt flesh on the whole left body. Throughout the years, with the good medicine in Emei and under the minute care of Ah Ju, the scorched skin was healed pretty much although ugly scars were left to remind their owner of that bitter incident. Because of her scarface, she was rather shy at meeting strangers. On her first journey from Emei this time, she carefully kept on a large hat with a dark color scarf to cover most part of her face thus evaded some disgusting, some pitiful stares she had received from strangers. Anyway, not a lot of people paid much attention to her because they tended to forget anything else at the first sight of Chu Lianhua’s pretty face.

When she and Chu Lianhua got attacked by their number one enemy, the Love Palace, two days ago, they were forced to flee and in the process she had lost her hat and her scarf. They were almost killed by those Love Palace’s disciples. Fortunately, a man named Yang intervened and helped chasing their enemy away. He did offer to be their escort but was turned down politely by her. Although with barely any experience in the martial arts world, Zhan Zhiying was far from being naïve. She was a smart and attentive girl by nature. Before she and Chu Lianhua had left Emei, they were personally warned by Xun Ci Shi Tai not to trust any handsome man. That was partly why she felt that Master Yang’s appearance just at the right time and at the right place was rather suspicious. Furthermore, she had observed the fight between him and the Love Palace’s gang and noticed that the enemy seemed to be less powerful when against him than when against her and her martial sister. Being the most skilled disciple among those in ‘Three Flowers’, a second group of Xun Ci Shi Tai’s top disciples, Zhan Zhiying could not even defeat this group of men. That showed her that everyone of them must have had high martial art skills. Yet, it seemed that Master Yang had hardly began the fight when the opponents decided to take on their heels instead. Another contribution to her distrust to Master Yang was an unexplainable dislike of him which contradicted to her usual friendly personality.

Chu Lianhua of course did not see it that way, but because she always let Zhan Zhiying be the leader and listened to her junior martial sister when concerning serious matters, she yielded to Zhan Zhiying’s decision with good grace. Even when they were being hunted by the same group of people since that day, she never once reproached her junior martial sister for not taking up Master Yang’s offer although inwardly she could not help yearning for his charming presence.

Di Bao use his sleeves to mob the girl’s tears. He nodded encouragingly at her to confirm that he really meant what he wrote. Zhan Zhiying looked at him gratefully and muttered, “Thanks for being nice to me. But I guess you said that because you have never met any girl before. Compare with my senior martial sister Chu, I am like an old hag while she is like a princess. Anyway, thank you for your kindness. Nobody has ever said this thing to me before.”

Di Bao shook his head vigorously, and he wrote on paper. “I am not lying or trying to be kind to you. I really meant it. For ten years, I have grown up under a beautiful lady’s care. She is my kindred spirited friend, and I considered her as my family. Sister Lulu is like Guan Yim with a goddess face and kind heart. Then in Guiyang, I met a girl with a smile that could sweep the world. She was very pretty and very nice to me. But I think you are the most beautiful of them all. When you look at me, I feel so lightheaded, and my heart beats very fast. When you smile, I want to get down on my knees and be your slave for life. I could do anything for you, even at the risk of my life. I never felt like this before when I was with my other two friends. Therefore, you must have to be more beautiful than them to create this impression on me.”

Zhan Zhiying read the message and blushed. She mumbled. “But, my scar…” Di Bao answered by gave her a tender kiss on the scar. What else could a girl want from a man who declared that he was willing to die for her? The two youngsters gazed warmly at each other for a long time, and they realized that their lives no longer belonged to them but to the each other instead. They knew that their fates would intertwine from now on, and their souls would always be together.

The next morning, Zhan Zhiying was back to her usual self. Then she started to plan for the rescue of her senior martial sister. “I think that she is still alive because otherwise, they would have already killed her along with me. But why didn’t they kill her? Hmm, they probably want to use her as a bait for my master or want to question her about our sect. Master used to say that the lord of Love Palace’s name is Zhang Tin. He always wanted our Emei’s Book of Four, so he kidnapped my two senior martial sisters and forced them to get the book for him. When they refused, he killed them cruelly. That’s why Master hated the Love Palace and its people so much. She wanted a revenge for her two favorite disciples but has no idea where their headquarters are. The Love Palace has disappeared for a long time and only resurfaced again these last couple years. Rumor has it that Zhang Tin is a spy for Manchu.”

She made a decision. “With my martial arts alone, I won’t be able to rescue sister Chu, but we are very close to Sword South School in Guangxi. We can go there and ask for help from Hero Tian and Hero Liu. Normally, Master would not approve of my going there, but this cannot be helped. Will you go with me?” She asked Di Bao shyly, hoping that he would say yes.

Di Bao confirmed her hope with a nod. He was willing to go with her everywhere she went. Soon, the two left their shelter and started toward Guangxi.

At the inn, Yang Xinlang intended to pick some flowers for Chu Lianhua when he heard a sound of flute from the garden. He knitted his eyebrows when he recognizes the tune, and he walked to a bridge that arched over a small pond to greet the flute player. “Xi-nan, you are here eventually. My! You look so haggard. Did you have a fight in brothels again?” He shook his head and laughingly admonished his brother. “You should learn to curve your habit of visiting every brothel in town. Father and Uncle would not like that if I tell them.”

The flute player stopped then turned to his older brother. “That is because I don’t have a girl kept upstairs with me all day and all night like you do. Are you trying to imitate Father in wooing an Emei disciple?” He smiled with satisfaction when his brother started. “No need to be so surprised. I’ve followed you all the way, and I knew what you are up to. After all, I only find some fun with a stranger once in a while, but you are acquainting with our enemy. I should be the one who say that Father and Uncle might not approve of your behavior.” He turned his back at his brother and continued playing the flute.

Yang Xinlang flushed angrily. He eyed his younger brother with hatred, but aloud he tried to laugh it off. “You are right, my little brother. However, I only intend to lure this disciple for our use. I heard that they might visit the Sword South School, so I wanted to make sure that they would not reach Guangxi. This girl is not as pretty as your Tingli, of course, but she is very charming. Don’t be impatient. After I finish with her, you may have her, providing that Tingli would let you.” He proposed magnanimously in a sarcastic tone.

It was Xi-nan’s turn to blush. He turned around and said coldly, “There is no need to mention about sister Tingli. She is of course above any other woman. She will be my bride when the time comes, and I will become the heir of Love Palace then.” He smiled patronizingly at Xinlang. “Older brother, if I were you, I’ll stick to my task and not mess with anything that is not your business. Well, I won’t tell Father about this Emei girl business because I can understand your need.” He sneered. “You are too refined a gentleman to visit brothels, but those random entertainment places are good enough for me. Father actually approves of it, don’t you know? After all, we earn a living by selling women, so I need to broaden my horizon of women from times to times. By the way, Father sent me here to tell you to be prepared for the meeting. The guest from the Palace will be in Wuchang (A province just north of Huguang. Its capital was Xiangyang. – author) three days from now. Father wants to make sure that everything goes smoothly.” He turned as if to go, but was halted by his older brother.

“Xi-nan, wait a minute. Here is some medicine for your head. Did a thug from the brothel knock you off? Just tell me where it is, and I will send someone to slay everyone in it for you.”

Zhang Xi-nan accepted the medicine but turned down his elder brother’s kind offer. He recalled his bitter defeat at House of Red Plums two nights ago. “No, it was not a man, just a new prostitute. She knew some Kung Fu, and I was a little too careless, that’s all. I’ll take care of her myself when the time comes. Hmm, strange…” He just recognized her moves. They were like the saber art of Uncle Lu. He said no more, but simply took leave of his brother.

Zhang Xinlang looked on as his younger brother walked away. He punched at a tree that stood near the pond, sending its leaves to shower down. “Xi-nan, you think that you are Father’s favorite, but wait till I practice Poison Palm that Great grand-master had taught me. Then even Uncle Lu’s great saber would not be able to withstand me. Not only I would gain both Love Palace and Lu Tingli, I would also sit on the throne of China.” He dreamed of the sweet face of Lu Tingli, but for now, there was lovely Chu Lianhua upstairs in flesh.

Zhang Xi-nan supposed to wait for his uncle and his father at an inn in Henan, but he changed his direction and went instead to Guangxi. At its capital, Guilin, he went straight to a big mansion. An old servant came to the gate and opened the door for him. Inside the high wall, bushes of white jasmine were spreading all over the yard. Xi-nan inhaled the fragrance of jasmine delightfully and followed the servant inside.

He was asked to wait at the reception hall, while the servant went to inform the mistress of the house. He had not long to wait when the same servant returned and led him to the back garden. There, among the scented garden of white jasmines, stood a small framed woman of about sixteen years old dressed in white and pale pink outfit. She was talking in singsong voice to a circle of birds while throwing some crumbs on the ground.

Zhang Xi-nan’s heart skipped then beat faster than lightening. He froze on his tracks and could not utter a word lest he would spoil the lovely scene in front. The girl finished feeding the birds and turned around. Then she saw her cousin. “Xi-nan,” she called with joy. She ran to him, and he to her. The two met half way and reached out for each other’s hands.

“Tingli, it’s been so long. I missed you.” Zhang Xi-nan whispered. He looked at the girl with love.

The girl pulled her hands back and reproached. “How many ladies did you say that to? I heard that you are never lack of lady friends wherever you go.”

The young man caught her arms pleadingly and begged. “Tingli, don’t be angry at me. I have only you in my heart. Older brother must be the one who told you that. He is actually the ladies’ man himself. When I left him yesterday, he was with a girl from Emei. He even bought the whole inn for her. I remonstrated with him, but he wouldn’t listen. I told him that I would tell Father, and he got angry. So he punched me on the head and gave me a severe beating.” He showed her the wounds he got from the brothel.

Lu Tingli became concerned at his injury and totally forgot that she had meant to ask him about the rumor that he liked to visit brothels. “Evil Xinlang. I won’t believe what he says about you any more. Come sit here, and I’ll blow the wounds for you.” She pulled her cousin to a chair and examined the gashes on his head. “Are you still hurt?” She touched the cuts gently, and Xi-nan winced aloud. His sweet face cousin stood tiptoe and blew lightly over the wounds.

“That is better.” Zhang Xi-nan announced blissfully. He looked into Lu Tingli’s eyes and smiled fondly at her. She smiled back shyly and hid her face on his chest. So, he put his arms around her, and with that pose, they remained there till the servant came out to announce the mealtime.

In the same town, Zhan Zhiying and Di Bao ran into the two heroes of Wu Dang, the second brother Duan Hui and the third brother Man He. Happily, she called out to them. “Hero Duan and Hero Man, it is providence that you are here. I’m the seventeenth disciple of Emei, Zhan Zhiying. We need your help to rescue senior martial sister Chu from the hand of Love Palace’s.”

Duan Hui was a tall, big man with a reddish face. He was forty-two years old and was the second brother of Wu Dang. He carried two iron maces, and he was known for his great strength and his prowess in wrestling. His title in the martial arts world was ‘Mighty Metal Maces Duan’.

The third Wu Dang brother was Man He, husband of Ah Zhu from Emei. He was tall and bony. His weapons contained of a long sword and a hook. He was well versed in the art of music and poetry thus was known as ‘Poet Scholar Man’. He was a couple years younger than Duan Hui and was the smartest one among the Wu Dang’s five brothers.

Both Wu Dang heroes were alert upon hearing the whole story. Duan Hui, who was rather hotheaded, announced, “Of course, we will help you. Emei and Wu Dang are like sister and brother to each other.” He immediately set off, but was called by his martial brother, Man He.

Man He was more level headed, and he carefully weighed the situation. “We will not give up till we find your martial sister, but for now, we don’t know where she is. The first task is to find a likely headquarters of Love Palace in the area that she was kidnapped. Lead me to the location, and we will start from there.”

Duan Hui agreed with the suggestion, and they went back to the deserted hut. After careful examination of footprints, Man He led the group to the nearby town. There, he discovered that a rich gentleman had arrived and bought the best inn in town last week. He then had it redecorated with expensive materials and hired several handmaids. He also ordered good quality wine and choice cooking ingredient to be stored in the inn. Two days ago, a beautiful maiden had arrived in the middle of the night. According to a girl, who was hired as a personal maid, the mistress fitted the description of Chu Lianhua. The maid informed the group, “The rich master and the beautiful mistress just left yesterday. They were heading toward the north. I don’t know where though. The gentleman had several servants. Those men looked very fierce. They warned us maids that they would kill us if we were to be too nosy, so I never dare to go downstairs where the gentleman’s followers lived.

The four people digested information solemnly. The latest news of Chu Lianhua suggested that she was unharmed and seemed quite happy. Therefore, the rich gentleman the maid referred to might not be a person from Love Palace after all. The Wu Dang brothers thought so, but Zhan Zhiying had a different view.

“I think that this gentleman must be Master Yang. He met us once and fought off a group from Love Palace, but I never trust him. His appearance was very suspicious at the time. If he is that gentleman, he probably has something to do with Love Palace. Then sister Chu will be in dangerous situation for sure.” The more she thought about it, the more worried she got.

Man He thought over and supported her opinion. “You are probably right. Besides, Love Palace has a very bad reputation with young maidens.” He looked at his senior brother’s face, which had turned purple, and hurriedly said, “From here, Wuchang is the nearest province in the north. We should take this route and see what we can find out about Miss Chu along the way. In the north of Wuchang was Henan, which is our area. I will send the pigeon post to first senior brother De to look out for Miss Chu too. Don’t worry, Miss Zhan. We will find Miss Chu for you and rid of the Love Palace for the good of people.” He comforted Zhan Zhiying.

Meanwhile, Chu Lianhua was traveling toward the north with Zhang Xinlang. On her last evening at the inn, Master Yang came to her with news of Zhan Zhiying. She was told that her junior martial sister was critically injured but was now out of danger. He explained to her that Zhan Zhiying wanted to go straight back to Emei, seemed as if she had some important news to tell Xun Ci Shi Tai, while asking him to take care of Chu Lianhua.

“She said that she doesn’t want you to worry about her, and she wants you to find out about Love Palace as much as possible with my help. Then I am to escort you to Emei.” Master Yang concluded solemnly.

Chu Lianhua turned pale. She cried. “Poor Zhiying. How is she? As a senior sister, I should be the one who got hurt instead.” She let out a sob.

Master Yang gave her a soothing smile. “Miss Zhan is really all right. She has recovered speedily and now is heading toward Emei with my escort troop. Please feel assured about her. The important task now is to follow her suggestion without any delay.”

“That’s right. Zhiying is very smart and always very thorough. I should gather any information on Love Palace to bring back to Emei. Master will be very pleased.” She smiled gratefully at her host. “Thank you for saving our lives again.”

Zhang Xinlang could hardly restrain himself at this sweet, innocent smile of hers. At that moment, he wanted to embrace her body and own her. Fire of passion kindled in his eyes, and he stepped toward the girl, who was looking out of the window at the twilight sky. However, he stopped himself in time and succeeded to cover his emotions when she turned around to face him. However, his voice still trembled. “It’s my pleasure to serve you. You are my goddess; therefore your wish is my wish.” He took leave after that, afraid that he might not be able to control himself in time thus would spoil his secret plan.

Early next morning, he informed Chu Lianhua that he heard of a possible gathering of people from Love Palace in Xiangyang of Wuchang Province in three days time. Accordingly, he offered to accompany her, which she readily accepted. They set out for Wuchang in a hurry and traveled non-stop in order to get to Xiangyang in time for the meeting. In the evening of the second day, they arrived at Xiangyang, and Master Yang led his guest to a big house, which he explained that it belonged to a friend of his father’s.

The house had several servants, and they escorted the guests to their respective rooms. When they were refreshed with hot water and got fed, they settled down to sleep. Tomorrow would be the day of Love Palace’s meeting, and Master Yang suggested to his companion to get as much rest as she could for the big coming day.

Late that night, when everyone in the house was asleep, Zhang Xinlang took a walk to a backyard and stopped in front of an old storage shed at one corner of the estate. He unlocked the door and entered. Inside, gardening tools were arranged neatly on shelves and on the walls. He turned to close the door and walked to the wall on the right. There, at the middle hanged a wood ax. He moved the ax’s head and pressed a hidden button under it to reveal a secret passageway. A partition of the wall gave way and showed a flight of steps connected to a long corridor gliding toward the dark that loomed ahead.

Undauntedly, Zhang Xinlang went down the steps and found himself in the unlit, narrow passage. With sure foot, he marched on without light for fifteen minutes and emerged to a circular room brightly illuminated with numerous torches around the stone walls. In the middle of the room, stood a white marble throne on a raised platform. Red carpet led from the throne platform to where Zhang Xinlang stood. On both sides of the throne below the platform, scores of strong men dressed in soldier uniform stood in attention. When Zhang Xinlang walked down the carpet and stepped to the throne, all his soldiers kneeled down and sang out in unison. “Long lives the Young Master of Love Palace! May you live forever.”

Zhang Xinlang sat down on his throne and laughed satisfactorily. He called out, “Bring in the guest.”

One of the soldiers bowed and went out through another door. He quickly returned with a man with powdered face. Zhang Xinlang stood up and politely invited his guest to sit on a chair next to his throne. Two maids stepped forward and offered their master and his guest some tea.

After a preliminary greeting, Zhang Xinlang waved at his soldiers and asked his guest with a smile, “What do you think of our force, Eunuch Xu? Could my soldiers defeat those soldiers in the Imperial Palace?”

Eunuch Xu inspected the troop of mighty fighters and nodded with approval. “Of course, the Imperial Palace was full of high skilled warriors and bodyguards, but for the last three years, my master, Benevolent Eunuch Cao has caused many of them to be exiled or be executed. Now, the Emperor is but a weak man without any limbs like a tree without branches. His Excellency Cao sent me here to reconfirm our negotiations.”

“Of course, my father would never forget what he has promised to your master. Once the troop of Manchu army enters the capital, and our prince sits on the Ming Throne, he would restore the glory of the Cao family. Every man who had opposed the Cao in the past will receive nine-generation death sentences. The adopted son of His Excellency will receive the dukedom, and His Excellency Cao himself will become the Prime Minister of the country. To achieve this goal, Love Palace hopes that your master would work with his utmost ability.”

“Young master Zhang, I am much relieved to hear this assurance from you. Love Palace is the main force of this operation, and my master would make sure that the road into the Imperial Palace is smooth and harmless. My master has been working from the inside, weakening the power of the Emperor and the government, while Love Palace would operate from the outside, destroying the patriot clans in the martial world. We hope that the time to begin the new dynasty would come soon. By that time, Love Palace would rule the martial world, while the Cao would rule the country.”

Zhang Xinlang knew better, but he only laughed in agreement with his guest. After some entertaining by dancers and several rounds of good wine, the guest took his leave and went out through the same door he had come in. Young master Zhang ordered his troop to escort his guest safely to the capital while he went back to his own room. On the way, he passed Chu Lianhua’s bedroom and halted in front of the door. Then he sighed deeply and continued down the hall.

‘Zhang Xinlang, what’s wrong? Don’t you like Lu Tingli? How come you feel so weak and kind suddenly whenever you meet Chu Lianhua? You are supposed to use her, but you can’t even bring yourself to harm her. What shall you do now?’ He thought wildly to himself.

Back at his room, pacing back and forth, he found a solution. ‘I need someone else then. Hmm…’ He grunted and made a plan.
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I am getting excited about what would happen next myself. <IMG SRC="smilies/shifty.gif" border="0"> Hope the readers are too. Thank you. <IMG SRC="smilies/love.gif" border="0">

[Goofy]

Part II: Book of Saber

Chapter 25
Hidden Love

Characters list (not in particular order):
Liu Tong .............................…………….......... Ray Lui Leung Wai
Ah Ju .........................................…………….... Idy Chan Yuk Lin
Lulu/Yue Ling .......................................….…...Gigi Chiu Ngar Chi
Mu Zhen …………………………………….....Lau Ching Wan
Zhang Tin.......................……………………….Eddie Cheng Siu Fai
Lu Peng........................………………………...Kong Wah

Unknown of the two junior martial sisters’ plights, Ah Ju was making her way to Heng-Shan. At midday, she stopped at a wayside teashop. She sat down at one table under a shed and ordered a bowl of noodle and a kettle of tea. While waiting, she looked around at the scenery interestingly when her eyes rested on two approaching figures. Joyously, she got up and ran out to greet the man. “Hero Liu, what’s a pleasant surprise to see you here. How are you doing? Come in and sit down.” She invited, the usual coldness manner had disappeared.

Liu Tong greeted back politely and looked at his companion for instruction. “It’s almost noon, and you must be hungry. Shall we take a rest here for a while or try to find a restaurant in town? This place is not so clean, and the food might not be good enough for you.” He said with concern.

Ah Ju just noticed his companion, a maiden with the sweetest face she had ever seen. She held her breath with a shock. There was such a beauty on this earth! Both women were about in the same age range, but Ah Ju felt as if she herself looked at least a decade older. ‘Who is she? What is her relationship with Hero Liu?’ She was too afraid to think any further. Her eyes traveled back to the only man she had ever loved and was aghast. “Your left arm! What has happened to it?” She cried. Her heart was wrenching with the thought of pain that Liu Tong must have gone through.

Liu Tong shrugged as if it was not worth to talk about. “Oh, it was just a case of poisoning. I had to choose between my arm or my life. Anyway, what are you doing here so far north?” And he said by way of explanation. “I am escorting Miss Lulu back to her hometown. She was the one who saved my life.” His tone was full of admiration.

Ah Ju detected more than that. She felt jealous but when the other woman smiled at her, she could not help but was mesmerized. ‘If a woman like me cannot resist her charm, how can a bachelor like Hero Liu?’ She swallowed her bitterness and replied, “I am going to Heng-Shan Nunnery to present an invitation for my junior martial sister’s wedding.”

After Liu Tong had introduced the two women to each other, Ah Ju turned to Lulu and commended on her beauty. “Miss Lulu is the most lovely lady I have ever met. I trust that you are also well versed in four arts (four arts are music, chess, calligraphy, and painting – author) like a daughter from the noble family.” It sounded like a compliment, but what Ah Ju really meant was that Lulu would surely come from a low origin if she lacked the said four art skills.

Lulu did not take the hidden meaning. Instead, she innocently replied. “Thank you for your compliment, but I don’t know anything about writing poetry or playing chess. Nor I am good at calligraphy or music. I can only sing children songs with birds and flowers.”

Ah Ju was taken aback by the straightforward answer. ‘She looks intelligent, but her manner is simple, to say childish at the least. Surely, Hero Liu cannot like this kind of girl, however pretty she may look.’ She thought of her high skills in those four areas and was somewhat reassured. She felt better and began to regret at being a little too harsh on Lulu. She attempted to be more friendly toward Lulu, which was not at all hard to do. By nature, Ah Ju was a high-minded woman with a likable personality, and Lulu was always ready to befriend with everyone.

Seeing that the two ladies got along so well with each other, Liu Tong ventured to propose that the three of them should travel together since they were going the same way. Ah Ju was elated at his suggestion. After the fire incident at the inn ten years ago, she only got a glimpse of him now and then whenever he happened to escort yearly birthday presents to her master. She heard that it was Sword God’s order, but the bearer of presents often ended up being chased from Emei. Strangely enough, all presents from Sword South School were highly cherished and well kept by Xun Ci Shi Tai, nor she had ever really injured the person who brought the presents. Even as the closest disciple of Xun Ci Shi Tai, Ah Ju had never been told of the reasons behind her master’s bizarre acts.

The three set out and continued toward Heng-Shan Mountains. Five days later, they arrived at the foot of the mountains. Liu Tong pointed the road to Lulu and said, “Tomorrow, we shall reach your valley, and I will escort you to your home.” He turned to Ah Ju and suggested, “If you are not too hurry, please wait till I send Miss Lulu to her family. Then I will travel with you to Heng-Shan Nunnery. My master, Sword God, has a good relation with the sect, so it’s appropriate for me to pay a respect to the abbot.”

Ah Ju was thinking sadly of how soon she had to take leave of Liu Tong. These last five days were the happiness days in her life. She had a chance to talk and to laugh with him. She memorized how he walked, how he talked, and even a minute matter like how he held his chopsticks. She sighed. Effective medicine was often bitter. Colorful flowers often lacked alluring scent. Nothing was perfect. Although Liu Tong behaved toward her with utmost concern and gentle manner, Ah Ju could not lie to herself any longer that his heart did not and would never belong to her.

Her heart bled every time she caught his longing glance at Lulu. It was what she had always hoped to receive from him. However, she could not bring herself to hate Lulu. The longer she was acquainted with this goddesslike lady, the more sisterly love she had for her.

‘At least, I hope that he will be happy with Lulu. She is a good woman, and she will be a good wife to him.’ Ah Ju prayed for Liu Tong to succeed in love even her heart would shatter to pieces.

She agreed to Liu Tong’s proposal. There would be a few more days of spending time with him, and she would cherish this memory all her life. She was glad to have known him and befriended with him. She never regretted her love for Liu Tong.

That evening, they camped outdoor. Liu Tong put up a shelter made from wood sticks for the two women, while he reclined further away in front of campfire. Tonight, a slivery of pale moon could be seen. It was late in summer. In a few months, leaves would change color from green to orange, red, yellow, and brown. The autumn wind would visit, and trees would shake their leaves as a tribute to the new season. Far in rice fields, peasants would start reaping products from their hard labors and stored the rice in their silos for the winter. Birds would start moving to the warmer climate regions, and some animals would get ready to hibernate. Time never stopped, and cycle of nature continued.

Liu Tong looked at the sky and sighed deeply. He wanted to confess his love to Lulu, but she didn’t seem to aware of his feeling. He was afraid of being refused. If so, he might not be able to see her again. “It is fine as it is. I shouldn’t be too ambitious.” He murmured.

“Are you sure that this is all you want?” A voice asked plainly. Liu Tong started and turned around to face Ah Ju. She repeated, “Do you only want to be her escort all your life? If you love her, tell her so. You are a famous hero of the south, known throughout the martial art world. You are handsome and gentle. You have every virtue that a woman could want from a man she wishes to spend all her life with. Surely, no woman with a right mind would refuse your hand.” Ah Ju urged Liu Tong. She was crying inwardly.

Liu Tong smiled at her gratefully. He was embarrassed at first but from Ah Ju’s encouragement, he soon started to pour out his heart to his friend. Ah Ju listened to him understandingly and smiled at him with sympathy, while her heart tore at every word that expressed his love for the other woman.
Finally, Liu Tong spoke, “Thank you for listening to my rambling. You are the best friend I ever have aside from senior brother Tian Fei. I hope we would always remain friends in spite of the enmity between our teachers.”

At that moment, they heard a grasping from behind a tree. They turned around and saw Lulu standing with a pale face. “Lulu, you have heard everything?” Liu Tong cried. His dark face turned crimson.

“You two probably want to be alone. I’ll go gather more firewood.” Ah Ju staggered away, leaving the couple staring at each other. When she was out of their sights, her strength was suddenly gone. Her knees became so weak that she had to sit down shakily. Loneliness and sadness became too much to bear. Tears gushed out, and Ah Ju mourned for her forever lost love.

Liu Tong advanced to Lulu awkwardly then stopped. He looked pleadingly to her. Lulu sat on a tree root and motioned him to sit beside her. She smiled at him sadly and spoke, “I have heard enough to know what you feel of me. We have known each other for almost two months, and I felt as if I have known you all my life. You are the best friend that anyone can hope for, and some day, you will be the best husband for a fortunate girl. I am but a poor girl, not at all worthy of you. Please forget your love for me, and let us remain friends. I am sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you.” Tears flowed down her face.

It was as if thunder bolt had struck him. Liu Tong froze. He heard himself answered Lulu in a hoarse voice. “No, you are wrong. You are the one who was too worthy for me. You are a goddess from heaven, while I am only a common human being. But I love you with all my heart. I wanted to be with you always, to look at you and to serve you. I know it is rather sudden, and we only met too short a time. I’m willing to wait till you change your heart. Tell me, how shall I improve myself? What don’t you like about me? I will follow your advice. Just don’t leave me and refuse me totally like this. Lulu, you are the only woman in my heart now and forever.”

While Liu Tong was confessing his love to Lulu, a shadow was coming up to Ah Ju. “Why did you sacrifice your heart for a man who is not even aware of your love? Why don’t you take your own advice and tell him your true feeling? You will be the only one who gets hurt here if you let him go to another woman.”

Ah Ju looked up at the owner of the voice. She smiled wearily. “It is no use because he never loves me. For him to know that I love him or not will not change anything. Love cannot be controlled at will.” She challenged the man in front, “Anyway, aren’t you doing the same thing as I did? Giving up the one you like to the other man so that she can be happy even your heart would bleed.”

The man blushed. He uttered no more, but his eyes said enough. Ah Ju dried her eyes and spoke softly. “Wouldn’t it be a perfect world if we all get what we wish for? I knew someone has been following us, but I didn’t expect that it was you. It’s best we leave everything unsaid and be good friends. It would be an honor to have two heroes as my best friends, Hero Liu from Sword South School and Hero Mu from Wu Dang.”

Mu Zhen replied simply. “I want you to be happy so that I can be happy too. I have waited for twenty years, and I am willing to wait ten, twenty more years if you only say one word. As for my heart, it has stopped bleeding long time ago. It only remains dormant till you decide to make it alive again.” He looked away and added, “Three days ago, I happened to see you passing by. I didn’t want to disturb you, so I just followed you from afar to make sure that you were all right. Mister Liu is highly skilled in sword art, and I am sure that he could give you a good protection, maybe better than I could. My presence here is not necessary. I’d better go.”

He was about to leave when a scream was heard piercing through the night air. The voice belonged to Lulu. Mu Zhen and Ah Ju looked at each other and ran speedily to the campsite.

Near the campfire, Liu Tong was lying in heap. He was badly injured. Lulu was kneeling next to him, trying to stop the flow of blood from his wounds. Facing them were two men clad in dark suit. One man had a mask with a great saber in his hand. The other had a charming face but a sinister smile. The two were regarded at their victims with keen eyes.

The one with a mask greeted Lulu laughingly. “Well, well. Imagine finding the youngest daughter of Yue Gao here, so near of her father’s grave.” He continued cruelly when he saw a shock on Yue Ling’s face. “Didn’t you know? Your father has died for almost twenty years now. My master, Evil Sword Wang Shan killed him with his own hands. Later, I set out the fire and killed everyone in the house to avenge what your father had done to me.” He removed his mask slowly, showing a mutilated face, hardly a face of a human being. It was Lu Peng.

Yue Ling clutched on her dress. She was shocked. “Dad. Nurse. Sister Feng. They’re all dead now.” She cried out incredibly. Her face turned ashen.

The other man who was with Lu Peng eyed Yue Ling with fascination. “I have seen many beauties, but never met the one who looks so pure like her. Brother Lu, you have never told me that Yue Gao had two gorgeous daughters. Didn’t you tell me that Yue Ling, the younger one, was an idiot? I wouldn’t mind keeping her with me even if she were deaf and mute.” He gave her a leering laugh.

However, Lu Peng was engrossed too deep in his revenge mood. He paid no attention to his junior brother, Zhang Tin. He said curtly. “You cannot have her. She had to die. Only her blood could wash away my humiliation from that night. Yue Ling, I would never have fallen into Yue Feng’s hands if it were not because of you. She did everything because she was jealous of you. Let me tell you something about your lovely sister. She bought poison from an old servant of Dragon Lady and put it in your tea to make you ill with high fever. You survived with damaged brain and had become an idiot since then. Your father used to say that you were a very bright child, and he had hoped that you would become a healer some day. Pity that your future was to be destroyed by your own sister.

When your sister found that Tian Fei loved only you, she drugged Tian Fei to sleep with you. Then she claimed that she was that woman. She had got her man, and she succeeded in making you a mad woman, beyond any cure. Because I was her first man, she got rid of me by tricks and blamed everything on you.” Lu Peng spoke bitterly, “She destroyed my manhood and mutilated my face. Since I could not bring myself to kill the witch Yue Feng, I need blood of everyone else in Yue household to pacify my rage.” He laughed madly. “At least, I am sending you to be with your father. Otherwise, your fate would be worse than date if my brother Zhang Tin here ever has you in his hands.”

Even Yue Ling had long ago recalled what Yue Feng had done to her, she was nevertheless stunned at the naked truth from Lu Peng’s mouth. “Sister Feng is still living then.” She whispered. Her eyes were opened wide.

“Yes, she must be. I hope she still is. I want her to be filled with doubts and anxiety every day of her life. She had delivered twin children, you know. But I took them from her. I was going to kill them with my own hands, but I did anger my master, so I was forced to abandon those babies. They might have been dead by now. Ha-ha, Yue Feng didn’t even get to see her babies. I wish that she has lived to regret her actions toward me.”

Yue Ling felt calm. She looked at Lu Peng kindly. “I am glad that you still have some love in you. After you kill me, please let off sister Feng. I’ve lost a daughter, but she has lost two children. It would be more than a mother could bear. Let my blood be your last.” She pleaded and waited for the saber of her father to chop down.

Liu Tong, who was lying there next to Yue Ling, heard everything. He was severely wounded, but his physical pains were nothing compared with the pain in his heart. ‘She is Yue Ling. She is brother Tian’s Ling-er. She had a child with him thus she is my sister-in-law.’ His thought went around in circle.

Then he shouted, “NO!” He sprung up and with all his strength, pushed Yue Ling away, and received the blow from the saber instead.

Lu Peng scorned at this heroic act. “You think that she can get away from me? Both of you shall die together here.” He brought down his saber again, intending to do away with Liu Tong first.

Out of the blue, the saber froze in the air. Lu Peng could neither pull it back nor push it down. A circle of warm force enveloped the saber and was moving toward him. Lu Peng broke out sweats. “Emei Sect’s the Net of No Way Out.” He cried with fear.

The web of energy came from Ah Ju. In reality, her ‘Net of No Way Out’ was nothing compared to that of her master’s. It was just a ruse to force Lu Peng to retreat. Ah Ju lacked strong inner energy to effectively execute this deadly move. However, because of the move’s fatal reputation in the martial art world, how could Lu Peng think sensible and accordingly acted more wisely?

He called out to Zhang Tin, “Help me, junior martial brother.”

Zhang Tin saw Ah Ju, and his desire was further aroused. “I’m lucky today to have the two most beautiful women on my bed for the night.” He shouted to her. “Which one are you, Ah Ju or Ah Zhu? Too bad that Ah Mei was not here to share me with you.”

With that, he thrust his sword forward aiming at her shoulder. “Clank.” At that moment, another sword came to meet it. The new sword was moving slowly as if without strength, but it became very powerful when it got nearer the opponent. Zhang Tin sword shattered, and the hand that held the sword was throbbing with pain.

This sword stance was one of very few moves of the Tai Chi Sword that were left to the later Wu Dang generations. Because the fourth brother Mu Zhen was the most skillful swordsman of Wu Dang, he was allowed to learn this move from the aged manuscript. As Tai Chi Sword was considered more as a legend, not many pugilists could recognize it.

Consequently, Zhang Tin took to his heals, and Lu Peng grabbed a chance that Ah Ju was distracted by the fighting thus weakened the net to pull back his saber and retreated, right after his junior martial brother.

Ah Ju almost collapsed. She had used up a lot of her inner power to create the credible version of ‘Net of No Way Out’. Mu Zhen reached out to steady her, but she was more concerned of Liu Tong, whose head was resting on Yue Ling’s lap. She waved Mu Zhen away and assured him that she was all right. Then she staggered toward Liu Tong and Yue Ling and kneeled down.

A large gash ran across Liu Tong’s back from the last stroke of the saber. Blood was spurting from the wound, dyeing Yue Ling’s white skirt into crimson shade. Liu Tong was barely alive. He saw Ah Ju from the mist surrounding him and reached out for her hands. “Ah Ju, please take care of Lulu for me. Don’t let Lu Peng kill her. Escort her back to the Medicine Forest. She will be safe there. Then tell brother Tian where she is so that…so that they can be together at last. Promise…” He coughed out blood. He felt Lulu’s warm hands on his face, and he smiled happily. “Lulu, don’t feel guilty over my death. I would do the same for everyone too. I…love…you.”

Lulu sobbed. “I have hurt you, physically and emotionally. Please forgive me.” She gently caressed him. Ah Ju clutched Liu Tong’s hands with hers. Tears rolled down her cheeks. “You are thinking only of her till your last breath.” She wept, “I promise to take care of her for the sake of our friendship.”

Mu Zhen could not stand witnessing Ah Ju being hurt further. He barked out. “Stupid man, she has been in love with you herself for twenty years.”

Liu Tong started. He whispered, “I am sorry. I didn’t realize... Forgive…” His hands went limp, and he breathed no more. The world had lost another hero today.
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<IMG SRC="smilies/bawling.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/bawling.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/bawling.gif" border="0">

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

[charbydis]

Goofy: I think you have contracted my disease of killing characters. hehe <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

Gees, Zhang Tin has really become more obsessed with women over the years. I feel sorry for Lu Peng now! <IMG SRC="smilies/crying.gif" border="0">

Let's hope Ling Er can meet her Tian Ge soon! <IMG SRC="smilies/rolleyes.gif" border="0">

[Goofy]

Well, I feel like killing off someone. <IMG SRC="smilies/evillaugh.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/starwars.gif" border="0">

Anyway, it should create better conflict so that Tian Fei will be mad. <IMG SRC="smilies/mad.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/mad.gif" border="0">

Liu Tong did tell me that since he was left with one arm, he needs compensation otherwise he will quit. So I quit him!! <IMG SRC="smilies/evillaugh.gif" border="0">

[Goofy]

This chapter is a tribute to the greatest strategist Zhuge Liang or Kongming from the Three Kingdoms period. I was inspired by his ingenious thinking and his marvelous inventions that were recorded in the book Romance of Three Kingdoms. <IMG SRC="smilies/bow.gif" border="0">

Part II: Book of Saber

Chapter 26
Eight-Array Maze

Characters list (not in particular order):
Ah Ju .........................................……………..…… ……….Idy Chan Yuk Lin
Yue Ling .......................................….….………………… .Gigi Chiu Ngar Chi
Mu Zhen …………………………………….……………..Lau Ching Wan
Zhang Tin.......................…………………………………...Eddie Cheng Siu Fai
Lu Peng........................…………………………………….Kong Wah
Black Devil........................…………………………………Luo Le Lin
Ruyu ...............................………...............… ...……………Rain Lau Yuk Chui
Yong Butong …………...................…......………………...Vivian Leung Siu Bing
Ah Yi …………..................................……………………..An dy Lau Tak Wah
Huang Jiwen .....................................……….......... .…..…...Howie Wong Man Ho

They buried Liu Tong under a big oak tree at dawn. The morning sky was unusually quiet saved for some ravens that were shrieking as if to mourn for the death of the hero. Golden rays of a new day began to spread through the sky, bringing renewed hope to the heavy hearts of the livings.

Yue Ling looked in the direction of her home. She was now indeed a homeless person. Yet, her elder sister might still be living somewhere, and she must find Yue Feng. She wanted to tell her sister that the past was just a dream, and they both should start their lives anew. She glanced at Ah Ju who was still kneeling in front of Liu Tong’s grave, while Mu Zhen was standing not far away, silently gazing at the woman he loved.

‘I’ve hurt several people in my life though unintentionally, sister Feng, Big Brother, Lu Peng, Liu Tong, Ah Ju, Dad, and everyone else in the Yue household. That was due to my look. Love… What is love? Why would anyone be willing to die in the name of love? Am I lucky or cursed to be loved? Will I ever love anyone at all? Should I love? How do I stop love? What if I destroy the cause of it?’

She picked up Zhang Tin broken sword and considered for a while. Then she hacked off her silken long hair and brought down the sword to her face, but Mu Zhen saw her in time. Within a blink of an eye, he sent out inner energy to her wrist, disarming her just as she was about to stab down at her face. At the same time, he tossed a small pebble to seal her acupuncture point.

Ah Ju got up and ran quickly to Yue Ling. She asked angrily, “What are you trying to do? I’ve promised to Hero Liu to protect you, and I cannot let you hurt yourself.”

Yue Ling was numbed, unable to move. She quietly replied. “I was just going to destroy my look so that it won’t cause anyone any more pain in the future. Nobody will love me if I am ugly.”

Ah Ju retorted. “You are wrong, Miss Yue. People love you not because of your beauty but from your kind heart. I learned that much from spending the last five days with you. At first, when I saw how much Liu Tong liked you, I was very jealous. But as time passed, I could not even deny that I would have fallen in love with you myself if I were in his shoes. I’m sure that Liu Tong never regretted his love for you as much as I never regretted my love for him.” She looked into Yue Ling’s eyes, and they shared the same sorrow of the lost friend. Yue Ling put her hand on Ah Ju’s tear-stained face and gently shed the tears away with her soft fingers. Then she put her arms around Ah Ju and let her shoulders be the last place to receive the mourning tears.

After a good cry, Ah Ju dried her eyes and turned to Mu Zhen. “What are you planning on doing next? I will bring Yue Ling along to Heng-Shan Nunnery before escorting her back to the Medicine Forest. The Heng-Shan nuns can send a letter to Hero Tian of Sword South School for the news of his martial brother and about Yue Ling. After that, I’ll return to Emei.”

Mu Zhen bowed politely to her and offered to go along with her. “If Miss doesn’t mind my presence, I would be glad to travel with you till you reach Emei safely. I am afraid that the two villains might come back again, and with Miss Yue in your hands, it will not be easy to defend them.”

Ah Ju thought over carefully and nodded gratefully. “Thank you.” She averted his sad eyes. “I am sorry. You have done a lot for me, but I have done nothing to deserve it, not to say that I cannot fulfill your heart desire.”

Mu Zhen forced a grim smile. “That is what friends are for. No need to say any more. To serve you is my sole pleasure in life. Besides, I have all my lifetime to wait for your heart to heal.” He ended jokingly.

Thus the trio left the tragic site and marched up on a trail to Heng-Shan Nunnery, which situated near the peak of Heng-Shan Mountains. When they arrived, everything was quiet there. Smell of blood and aura of slaughter were lingering in the atmosphere. Inside the temple and outside in the garden, laid corpses of disciples of Heng-Shan Sect. Some died from poison, and some were slashed to pieces. Even for experienced fighters like Mu Zhen and Ah Ju, the terror of this massacre was quite a shock to them. The two stood there stupefied at the horrific scene.

Unexpectedly, Yue Ling was the only who remained composed and acted with good sense. She fearlessly stepped over to a body that had been poisoned. Then she bent down and examined minutely on the corpse’s skin, careful not to touch the body all the while. Then she stood up and informed her friend. “It’s a tribal poison from the west border. My mentor, Dragon Lady has that kind of poison in her cottage. Do not touch anyone as the poison might still leave its residue on these corpses.” She squinted at the gloomy sky and suggested. “It’s almost dark, and the light here is not so good. Let us camp outside the temple and wait for better light in the morning.”

Both Mu Zhen and Ah Ju embarrassingly woke up from the daze. They concurred to Yue Ling’s plan, and accordingly, Mu Zhen set about making a shelter for the womenfolk, while Ah Ju went off to look for food. Meanwhile, Yue Ling was gathering firewood for the night on the mountains could be very chilly even in the summer. In addition, she found a small stream running nearby and went to fetch some water. On the bank of the rivulet, her eyes happened to fall upon a pile of smooth white stones. She stared at them for a while then she abandoned the water pouches and instead carried the rocks back to the camp.

There, she stacked white stones into eight piles around the campsite according to eight compass points. Ah Ju and Mu Zhen looked on with puzzlement. They were about to ask what Yue Ling was doing when she smiled assuredly at them and explained. “This is one of many variations of ‘Eight-Array Maze’. Each pile of rocks represents a door. I think that we may have visitors tonight. When they come pass these stone piles, they would be trapped inside unless they know the right exit. Please follow me inside, and I’ll show you.”

She led Ah Ju and Mu Zhen into the camp through the north gate and warned. “Remember to enter only in the north and leave from the southwest as they are Door of Life and Door of Openings respectively. Once the visitors are trapped inside, I will change the combination of eight doors, and they will lose their sense of directions.”

Ah Ju and Mu Zhen were much amazed at Yue Ling’s wisdom. Ah Ju was confident in Yue Ling, while Mu Zhen was rather doubtful but said noting for fear of hurting Yue Ling’s feeling. Nonetheless, they were prepared for night visitors if such was the case and if Yue Ling’s maze did not work. After a quick supper, the trio party took turn taking rest. Ah Ju and Mu Zhen were restless and very much worried at the possibility of Lu Peng’s return, but Yue Ling went about her business calmly. She settled down on a straw bed and went to sleep readily.

Mu Zhen was searching for a defense against Lu Peng and Zhang Tin. I can probably handle Zhang Tin all right with my Tai Chi Sword, but I am afraid that my fragile weapon is incomparable to Lu Peng’s powerful saber. If I guess right, this saber must be the renowned Tiger Killing Saber, belonged once to Master Yue. Hmm, how about you? I saw that your ‘Net of No Way Out’ was pretty effective last night. Will it be able to hold off Lu Peng again?”

“I am not sure. Last night, because I had no choice, I just created an impression of ‘Net of No Way Out’. Actually, I was using only the basic energy generating technique that I’ve learnt from the Book of Four. If they hadn’t run away so soon, they would have found out that my web was only an imitation. My master, Xun Ci Shi Tai, invented this certain technique, and she said that she would only teach it to the next master of Emei exclusively. Therefore, nobody in Emei knows it besides Master.”

Mu Zhen frowned. “Then we are as well lost unless Miss Yue’s eight-array maze works.” He glanced around at piles of white rocks doubtfully and thought that it would be a miracle indeed for these heaps of pebbles to be able to entrap anyone at all. Outwardly, he only told Ah Ju to go to bed as he would take the first watch duty.

Tonight, the sky was clear, and the moon came out, illuminated the whole area. Mu Zhen could hear calls of night animals from afar. Everything was peaceful.

Time passed quickly, and soon it was Ah Ju’s turn. Mu Zhen gave her an encouraged smile and found a place just right outside the shelter for his sleeping quarters. Ah Ju tossed a few more sticks into the fire and sat down on the same spot at Mu Zhen, her pair of short swords was close at hand.

In the time like this, her mind somehow went to her third senior martial sister, Ah Zhu (Yeung Pan Pan). She sighed. They haven’t met each other for so long, and now Ah Zhu was going to have a child. She was glad that her third senior martial sister found a perfect mate in Hero Man He (Simon Yam Tat Wah). He was the most learned one among the five Wu Dang brothers. He was steady and cool-headed, just right for a rather impulsive and mischievous Ah Zhu. She couldn’t help smiling at the reminiscence of numerous tricks they used to play on fellow disciples and of difficult situations Ah Zhu often led her into. Without constant protection from Ah Mei (Au Yeung Pui San) and ready tongue of Ah Lan (Michelle Mei Suet), they would have had received more flogging from Master for sure. She felt sad when the old memory reminded her of Ah Mei and Ah Lan, her two senior sisters. Up till now, Xun Ci Shi Tai (Lui Yau Wai) still prohibited the mention of their names in front of her.

Originally, Xun Ci Shi Tai intended to match her most four favorite disciples with the first four brothers of Wu Dang. However, she never mentioned this matter to any of her female disciples although it was understood among the Wu Dang brothers that they were as good as being engaged. When Xun Ci Shi Tai received the letters from Ah Mei and Ah Lan, announcing that they were going to spend the rest of their lives with Wang Shan’s apprentices, the priestess was regretted that she hadn’t arranged the marriage of these two disciples from the start. To keep face, however, she didn’t tell the whole truth to the two eldest brothers of Wu Dang aside from that her two disciples were kidnapped by Love Palace and later became parts of the evil sect.

Wu Dang, of course, was enraged over this business, but by the time they learned of the two women’s disappearances, it was too late to do anything. Love Palace suddenly disappeared from the martial art world, and Ah Mei and Ah Lan were never heard of again. The first brother, De Pang (Liu Kai Chi), got over his lost in the course of time, maybe due to certain rumors that the two ladies had not been kidnapped against their wills but instead were willing to go live with the scoundrels themselves. All the same, he remained bachelor and devoted himself into developing his martial art skills and administering the welfare of the sect.

The same thing could not be said for the second brother Duan Hui (Alex Man Chi Leung). He had a chance to meet Ah Lan once and was impressed by her spunky attitude. To have his girl taken away from him in that manner incensed him a great deal, not to say loosing his face among the fellow brothers and to the martial art world. He made many attempts to find Ah Lan, but did not succeed. Eventually, he was persuaded not to start another fruitless search by De Pang. The first brother pointed out to him that if Ah Lan was still alive, she would have come back to Emei or at least sent her news to her master long time ago. The only reason that she had never done either was probably that she didn’t dare to, which showed that the rumor of her elopement must have been true. Ah Zhu’s reluctance in talking about this matter further confirmed this theory. Therefore, it was no use to stir up this embarrassed matter again since both Wu Dang and Emei shared a lost of their face from it.

To retain a good relationship with Wu Dang, Xun Ci Shi Tai arranged a wedding between Ah Zhu and the third brother Man He when the first good opportunity comes. She wanted to marry off Ah Ju to the fourth brother Mu Zhen too, but her fourth disciple remained steadfast in refusing the match. Because Ah Ju was the only favorite disciple left, the priestess gave in to her at last. Somehow, she mistook that her fourth disciple wished to continue the legacy of Emei from her and was secretly overjoyed. From then on, she put more time in training Ah Ju of the various Emei’s skills. As time went by, she came to rely more and more on Ah Ju in helping within the sect that she could hardly bear to let her favorite disciple go. Hence, she didn’t really press Ah Ju very hard on the matrimonial matter, much to the chagrin of Mu Zhen.

The coming wedding of Gu Xiaofei and the fifth brother Xian Yuo was, therefore, the priestess’ attempt to prevent resentment from the Wu Dang brothers and in order to further secure the alliance between the two sects.

Ah Ju was deep in her thought when she was called to attention by a sudden stillness of the surroundings. Jerkily, she stood up, cocking her ears to detect anything unusual. A step approached from the back, and she turned around, hands clutching the weapons, ready for a fight. Then she breathed out with relief. “Oh, it is you. Why are you not sleeping? There are still a few more hours yet till your watch.” She greeted Yue Ling.

“I sensed an air of killing. Lu Peng and his martial brother are coming soon.” Yue Ling sat on her heels near the red amber, warming her hands as the night was rather chilly. Mu Zhen also got up when he heard a movement from Yue Ling. He scanned the area carefully but could see nothing but shadows of trees and footprints of animals.

Yue Ling greeted Mu Zhen quietly and asked him to be ready to do as she said. Still perplexed, he went along with her request. In the next minute, ominous laughter was heard. Then appeared two figures. They are Lu Peng and Zhang Tin. Ah Ju instinctively stepped in front of Yue Ling to protect her, and Mu Zhen in turn stepped ahead of Ah Ju. Weapons were in hands; both sides were ready to strike at one another.

Lu Peng gave another sinister laugh then flew passed the stack of rocks in the west, the Tiger Killing Saber in his hand, and Zhang Tin followed with a new sword. Both learned from their mistakes and accordingly, changed their tactic. This time, Zhang Tin aimed his sword at Ah Ju, while Lu Peng swung his saber down at Mu Zhen. The midnight visitors intended to make a quick job of finish the trio off.

Just at the moment the assailants entered the maze, Yue Ling shouted, “Step back!” She yanked the sleeves of Ah Ju’s, and Ah Ju pulled Mu Zhen back with her. The three retreated to the shelter.

Lu Peng just missed his target by inches. “Do you think the flimsy shelter can protect you against my saber?” Lu Peng screeched crazily. He renewed the attack in frenzy. Zhang Tin also turned midair and quickly stabbed after Ah Ju, feeling sure that he wouldn’t miss this time.

All of a sudden, whirlwind came on and dust swirled up, covering the trio from the sight of Lu Peng and Zhang Tin. Surprised, the two martial brothers looked around and saw heaps of stones rearranged themselves like impenetrable fort and the dust storm howled out as if an army was surrounding the area. Terrified, Lu Peng and Zhang Tin leaped up but were forced down by an unseen force. Above, the sky was looming over them threateningly, and the world turned dark with ghostly shadows shifting back and forth. Zhang Tin shrieked, and he fell down on the ground, almost lost his senses. Lu Peng jumped down and reached for his junior martial brother. He propped Zhang Tin up roughly and walked in a circle frantically like a caged beast but still could find no exit in the dust. Both men were greatly frightened and quite exhausted.

Out of a blue, a figure clad in black robe appeared. He grabbed the shoulders of Lu Peng and Zhang Tin in each hand and ran swiftly toward the southwest door. Yue Ling who had been observing their movements hastily told Mu Zhen to flip each pebble to the doors in the west and the south, but she was one second too late as the newcomer exited just in time that all doors changed their positions.

When the three were at the safe distance from the camp, the new stranger let go of Lu Peng and Zhang Tin, who slid down wearily on the ground. Then he spoke, “Dragon Lady’s Eight-Array Maze is not bad at all. Who is her apprentice there?”

Yue Ling stepped forward and answered serenely, “I am merely her worthless apprentice. My name is Yue Ling.”

The man in the dark robe turned out a very old man with white hair and long gray beard. He laughed loudly and mentioned. “So you are also an heir of Mountain Saber Yue, who was the sole disciple of Lord of Saber, eh? Too bad the old lord died too early and a useless boy Yue Gao was nothing to compare with his master. You are just a duckling, not worth to kill by me. I’ll let you live to tell Medicine Man and his wife that Black Devil is back and will pay them a visit soon. After that, I’ll visit Sword God. Old debts had to be collected along with additional interests.”

He grabbed the two martial brothers again and bounded out of sight in a blink of the eyes. Ah Ju and Mu Zhen came up to Yue Ling and applauded. “That was a cool trick! You are a genius. How did you do that?” Mu Zhen bowed to her submissively, and Ah Ju looked at her friend with admiration.

Yue Ling smiled a little and simply replied, “White stones are good materials to build a maze. I used them to react with the natural surroundings to create an impression of an army and a strong fort. Unless they know which way to go, they will be trapped inside the maze forever.” She knitted her eyebrows and pondered. “The old man knew about Eight-Array Maze but perhaps not in depth. Otherwise, he would destroy the maze before leaving. I wonder who he is. He seems to harbor a deep hatred for my mentors, Sword God, and Lord of Saber. I can sense his killing aura.”

Mu Zhen added, “His light Kung Fu is superb. I’ve never seen anyone this fast before. His inner energy must reach the highest level.”

Yue Ling began to worry about her mentors’ safety. So, she turned to Ah Ju and said, “I’d better go straight to the Medicine Forest to warn my mentors about this Black Devil. Would one of you go to Sword South School immediately to warn Sword God?”

Mu Zhen volunteered himself. “I heard that Sword God did retire from the martial art world, but maybe his students may know where he is. Besides, we need to let them know about the death of Hero Liu. I will go so that Ah Ju can be your escort.” Then he was afraid that Lu Peng would attempt another ambush, but Yue Ling reassured him. “Don’t worry. I’ve scattered red powder around the area beforehand. Anyone who is within 5 chi (Chinese measurement, a chi is about the same length as a meter – author.) of this powder will lose inner energy within an hour and won’t recover his energy for another ten days or so. This will give us enough time to travel.”

Ah Ju clapped her hands with delight. “And I guess that bitter red fruit that you had us eat last night was the antidote for the poison, right? Yue Ling, you thought of everything. You must be the reincarnation of Zhuge Liang.”

Yue Ling only smiled humbly and went about breaking camp and took apart her maze. When all was done, the three departed. They went together till Sichuan. There, they had to separate for Ah Ju and Yue Ling was going to the western border, while Mu Zhen needed to continue toward the south.

Mu Zhen took leave of both girls reluctantly. He didn’t want to leave Ah Ju at all, but life and death of a person depended on him. So, for now, he had to lay aside his personal matters and took up his task dutifully as a true hero should do.

After he was gone, Yue Ling said to Ah Ju. “He is a nice man, and he seems to like you very much.”

Ah Ju sighed. “I know. He is a brave hero and a good man, but I can only think of him as a good friend. Life is not just black and white, and love is always complicated. Heaven seems to constantly play tricks on humans like us.”

She questioned Yue Ling. “That night at Heng-Shan, how did you know that we were going to have visitors?”

Her friend replied honestly, “I didn’t know, just think that Lu Peng wouldn’t give up his revenge that easily. He has too much of hatred in his heart. Poor brother Lu.” She was sorry for him in earnest. She climbed on a bolder and stood on top of it. At that moment, the evening sun just shone behind her head, creating an impression of a golden halo around her uneven hair. Ah Ju gasped. For a minute, she thought that an angel was coming down from the heaven to the earth.

“She never ceases to be a wonder. I can never compete with her even if Liu Tong had been alive. He would never have chosen me over her.” She felt as if a heavy rock had been lifted from her heart. She finally came to terms with herself. For many days after Liu Tong’s death, she kept wondering if Xun Ci Shi Tai had been in good terms with Sword South School, would she have had more chance with Liu Tong or not. Today, the answer to that question was clear to her. Liu Tong would only remain the only man in her heart and sorrow for his death was still there, but she was no longer depressed. She was able to be happy again and to continue with her life.

Meanwhile, Yong Butong and Ah Yi were having a fight. It started with Yong Butong bringing in various flowers on a leaf plate. He gave them to Ah Yi to eat for breakfast, but Ah Yi turned his nose up at them and instead went over to a river for some fishing.

Yong Butong was rather hurt by this act. He went out of his way to search for the most delicious flowers just for Ah Yi, but was turned down ungratefully. So, he stayed in the cave alone, sulking. Soon, Ah Yi came back with some fish in a bark basket. He showed them to his friend, who immediately grabbed the fish basket and ran with all his worth to the river. By the time Ah Yi caught up with Yong Butong, the basket was already empty.

That day, the journey began with silence. Both friends refused to talk to each other. When they arrived at a village, Ah Yi pretended to forget his promise about buying a new set of clothes for his friend. As a result, Yong Butong’s torn and muddy dress received ridicule from children in the village. However, Ah Yi was not totally heartless. After chasing those urchins away, he presented to his friend a set of male attire. They were rather old but clean. Yong Butong was somewhat pacified and ready to make up, but soon another quarrel erupted.

After the village, they came to a fork-road, and different opinions occurred. Yong Butong wanted to take a northwest road back to the beautiful waterfall again, but Ah Yi insisted on going further south. Unwittingly, Ah Yi teasingly called his friend ‘a girl who loves flowers’, but unexpectedly Yong Butong took it seriously and became very angry. Yong Butong grabbed a stick and immediately thrust at the heart of Ah Yi, who was too astonished to evade the stab in time. The stick almost went in his chest but paused. Yong Butong threw it away and said to Ah Yi disappointedly. “My father wanted me to kill any man who jests me as a girl. I am your friend and cannot kill you. But I can’t go with you any more. I’ll kill you next time if you tease me like this again.”

He flew away with great speed despite the call from Ah Yi.

On the other hand, Ruyu and Huang Jiwen felt like the happiness couple in the world. After the encounter with Lin Xin-er, Ruyu became a meek woman. She was afraid that Huang Jiwen would despise her for choosing Yong Butong over him, so she had been acting extra nice to the only man she had left. Huang Jiwen was not a complicated man, not to say a generous person in the least. Ruyu’s new sweetness together with his former fascination over her made him readily to forgive her.

When he proposed to go back to Guangxi to visit his elder brother, Huang Yitao (Felix Wong Yat Wah), at Dr. Ma’s house, Ruyu raised no objection. Accordinly, this couple of love birds started on their journey.
-------------------------

Thank you for reading. <IMG SRC="smilies/read.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/rockband.gif" border="0">

[charbydis]

Can I ask how the maze-arrangements work? How do people get lost in them? <IMG SRC="smilies/help.gif" border="0">

[Goofy]

well,the rocks will create the wall-like mountains and dust and sands would make noise like the battle drum. Sky will turn dark and the people inside wouldn't see the exit, according to romance of three kingdoms. I only adapted the basis and used my imagination for my own version.

As to the specific of how it works, I am not zhuge liang so <IMG SRC="smilies/noidea.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/redface.gif" border="0">

[charbydis]

Is Ah Zhu's baby Man He's? cos it seems awfully weird to be married for 14 years and not have a baby! <IMG SRC="smilies/dizzy.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/confused.gif" border="0">

[Goofy]

why not? My mother had me when she was forty. <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

It would be more weird if they didn't have any kids at all. <IMG SRC="smilies/sweating.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/coffee.gif" border="0">


They were probably busy travelling around to save people during those years. <IMG SRC="smilies/noidea.gif" border="0">

[Goofy]

also, remember that HR had GX and GPolo after 17 years or so of marriage. <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

[Goofy]

Part II: Book of Saber

Chapter 27
A Case of Mistaken Identities (2)

Characters list (not in particular order):
Zhang Tin.......................…………………………………...Eddie Cheng Siu Fai
Lu Peng........................…………………………………….Kong Wah
Yong Butong ........................………………………………Vivian Leung Siu Bing
Zhan Zhiying. ........................……………………………...Sheren Tang Siu Mun
Li Renying .....................................……….......... .…..……..Tony Leung Chiu Wai
Huang Yitao ........................……………………………….Felix Wong Yat Wah
Dr. Ma .…....................................………......... ........………Yeung Quan
Tian Xing-xing ………………………….………….....…...Kitty Lai Mei Han
Ah Yan……………………............………………….....… Margie Tsang Wah Sin
Black Devil........................…………………………………Luo Le Lin
Duan Hui …………….….………………………….……. .Alex Man Chi Leung
Man He …………………………………...…..……………Simon Yam Tat Wah
Di Bao ………….......................…..………….……………Roger Kwok Chun On
Zhan Zhiying...........................………………………....….. Sheren Tang Siu Mun

Yong Butong went back to his waterfall, but he felt no joy in viewing the majestic vista alone. He thought back of his rash action toward Ah Yi and was surprised at himself because he used to be so cool-headed and very forgivable. Besides, Ah Yi did tease him a lot of times yet he had never been angry but often laughed at the jokes himself. Somehow, something in him had changed since he met Ah Yi. Suddenly, he felt a surge of loneliness and missed a companionship from Ah Yi very much. Then he remembered Ruyu. “At least, I still have a wife left.” He consoled himself and decided to look for her.

According to Ruyu, she had an apprentice brother waiting for her in the city of Guiyang. ‘Maybe she will go back there for her junior brother.’ Yong Butong thought and changed his direction to Guizhou Province (Guiyang is its capital – author). As soon as he arrived in Guiyang, problems began.

First, a servant girl waved at him and gave him a warning. “Xin-er, what are you doing here? Don’t think that they won’t recognize you in that man clothes. You’d better leave before anyone else see you.”

He had no idea what she was talking about, but he bowed to her with good manner and walked on.

Next, came a fat, middle-aged woman in gaudy dress, not unlike the one he and Ah Yi wore at one time. She put herself in front of him, blocking his path. Then she furiously started cursing non-stop. Some of the phases he caught on were ‘ungratefully wench’, ‘a thief’, ‘I’ll throw you in jail’, and ‘wail till Master Wei sees you.’

Yong Butong could not understand why this obese woman was so mad at him, but he politely asked her to let him pass. In reply, she spat at him and lifted her hand to slap his face. To her surprise, without moving his feet, he dodged her palm easily. She struck again and received the same result. Fuming with rage, she called her lackeys to surround Yong Butong. Then she attacked him again, while her thugs came at him in all directions.

Yong Butong sprung up and with a move he had learned from Ah Yi, sent his fists to meet two thugs then he twirled back and kicked two more lackeys down. After that, he descended with one foot on the ground and the other kicked out while punching in great speed at the rest of the gang. The brothel owner herself got one punch on her eyes and a kick on her hip. She screamed and scrambled off as fast as she could. The lackeys also fled after her with fear.

Yong Butong shrugged. He bent down to dust off his shoes and continued on. He was looking for a particular inn that Ruyu used to stay. At the main thoroughfare, he was accosted by another group. This time, a leader was a heavy middle-aged man expensively clad in a merchant garment that was especially designed to make the wearer look slimmer but failed to do so in this case. The merchant fanned himself and greeted Yong Butong with leering eyes. “So, Xin-er, you’ve decided to come back to me. I know you will be mine all along. If you behave like a good girl, you will have everything. Dear Xin-er, come here. Let me give you a hug and put you in new dress.” His face was pudgy and at the moment turned pink with excitement, and his eyes were tiny dots lost in folds of fat.

Yong Butong didn’t like the ugly ogle from this man with huge stomach at all. He said coldly. “I am not your Xin-er, and I don’t know you. I have come to meet someone, but I don’t think he is you. You look too old and too big.”

The large man was burning with wrath. He sputtered. “How dare you? A mere maid like you dares to criticize my look! I’ve been quite tolerant to you, but if I don’t teach you a lesson today, my name will not be Wei.”

He waved his hand at his bodyguards, a group of men who knew Kung Fu. Two men jumped forward to grab Yong Butong’s arms, but missed. They went after their target again but still missed him. So they increased their speed and went after the girl in man clothing, confident that they would catch her this time. But Yong Butong quickly leapt out of their reach effortlessly. The two catchers ended up grabbing the empty air and instead bumping their heads at each other. Seeing that this girl had Kung Fu, another two men stepped out to help their friends. Thus, four men now were attacking Yong Butong from his front, rear, and two sides.

Yong Butong was having enough of this senseless game. “I don’t want to play anymore.” He shouted and with one swoop, picking four buns from a street stall and throwing them at the coming men. Each bun hit each man squarely on his forehead. Two men toppled down from the force that came with the buns, and the other two were hurled back to where his boss stood. The three collided and collapsed on the street in a heap. As soon as the fat man could get himself untangled, he ordered his men to gang up on Yong Butong. “Five hundred taels to the one who can bring her back to me, dead or alive.” He barked loudly.

Yong Butong was walking away when twenty strong men scattered around him. All were armed. They slowly advanced to him with gleaming eyes; each person planned to be the one who got the reward.

Out of nowhere, a shower of pebbles was flung at them, targeting at their pressure points. As a result, half of the men were rendered immobilized. While the rest of men were still taken aback at the turn of event, a shadow flew swiftly past four of them, sealing their acupuncture points and disarming them in the process. The shadow landed in front of Yong Butong and looked around at the attackers.

Then he mentioned. “Twenty to one is rather unfair, so I reduced number a bit. Now, only four left so that we each can take two. Isn’t this better? What do you think?” He turned to ask Yong Butong.

Yong Butong clapped his hands with joy. “It’s you! Wow, can you show me how to do the pebble trick? It was real neat. Look here, I have perfected your sword dance already. What do you think of that?” With that, he snatched a sword from one of immobile men and started executing stances from Maiden Sword. In only five moves, he disarmed the rest of the gang and cut off their belts. These four men took to their heels but didn’t run a far when their pants came down. Embarrassed, they picked up their pants and ran straight out of town.

Li Renying was impressed at this pretty boy’s progress. “You are a quick learner and very visionary, my friend. I’m sure that my teacher will love to meet you. He said that though Maiden Sword looks easy, but is really hard to learn. My martial sister can’t even be this fast and as good as you. Oh, and I don’t mind teaching you my trick.” He complemented Yong Butong who smiled contentedly.

Merchant Wei was using an opportunity that the two were talking to escape. Li Renying saw him and gave an instruction to Yong Butong, who picked up gravel from the road and with a flick, stopped the fat man in his tracks by freezing his pressure point. He turned and grinned excitedly at his instructor. “It worked! What a fun trick! Wait till Ah Yi and Ruyu see this.”

Then he asked Li Renying, “Did you see Ruyu at all? I came here to see if her apprentice brother still in this town, but everyone is acting so weird. They called me Xin-er and tried to scare me off and hurt me. I don’t like this place at all.” He eyed at the entire gang with disapproval. Li Renying smiled mischievously and brought out sunflower seeds from his pocket. “Yes, I have news of Miss Ruyu, but for now, let us give these ruffians some lessons. I know a lot of points on one’s body that can make you laugh or cry or scratch yourself uncontrollably. Let’s play a game. We will take turn flipping these sunflower seeds at that fat man from here and see who can hit at the right targets the most.” He said aloud for Mister Wei to hear who began to whimper with fear. The rich merchant who was used to abusing others had to be the one who pleaded for mercy today.

Li Renying turned deaf ears at the plea, but Yong Butong hesitated. He didn’t want to hurt anyone unnecessary, but the game sounded fun. “All right, but let’s not hurt him. Just make him do funny things.” He compromised. Li Renying nodded and flicked a pebble to release the hapless man, who started running the fastest in his life as soon as he could move.

Li Renying called out, “Now, a point on the left hip, three inches from the waist.” And Yong Butong hit it accurately. The man Wei immediately stopped and started to laugh till tears running down his cheeks and rolling on the ground. Then Li Renying sent a pebble to release him and called out a crying point. Yong Butong also got this right. Next, it was Li Renying’s turn. With five sunflower seeds on the webs of his hand, he hurled the seeds to five different points on merchant Wei’s body. The man fell down on the ground and started to giggle, cry, scratch at himself, jump up and down, and pass gas continually at the same time.

Yong Butong observed the skill with fascination. He shouted, “I can do that too.” By the same manner, he threw five sunflower seeds to the same five points and released the exhausted man from his torture. Li Renying laughed and said, “Good job! This ought to teach him a lesson.” Then he shouted to Mister Wei, “Hope you won’t try to bully anyone else in a hurry. My name is Li Renying from Sword South School, and I will definitely keep an eye on you. These lackeys of yours shall be all right in two hours.” He turned to the twenty bodyguards and admonished them. “You have Kung Fu and should be a service to the nation and help the weaker instead of being a mere tool to abuse others. Our emperor is now weak with eunuch’s strong influence in the Palace, and Manchurian is dying to get its hands on our country. But not only you didn’t help easing the suffering of people, you also added to it. Aren’t you ashamed of your acts?”

Indeed, they were ashamed. They admit their faults and promised that they would not help the wicked people from now on. Smiling satisfactorily, Li Renying motioned Yong Butong to follow him. He led his friend out of Guiyang through the southern gate. Once outside the city, he informed Yong Butong, “Your friend, Ruyu, is now with my martial brother, Huang Jiwen, as I have heard so far. She has given the antidote to my other martial brother, Huang Yitao, and he is for the present recuperating at Dr. Ma’s house. If you have no other business to tend to, please be my guest and stay at our Sword South School for the time being. We will let you know more about Miss Ruyu as soon as we hear from Jiwen.” His manner was perfect, courteous and with good intention. However, he omitted details and circumstance of the news that he had received from Huang Yitao.

He was stopping at Dr. Ma’s, who had been a friend of Sword South School for a long time, waiting for the news of the Huang brothers when Huang Yitao (Felix Wong Yat Wah) arrived on a horse, worn out. When he was helped out of the steed, he stammered to his friends that Huang Jiwen was with Ruyu and was likely to be killed by her. “Let us find her to revenge the death of Jiwen.” He gritted his teeth. He tried to get up but was still weak from the effect of the poison he had received from Ruyu.

Li Renying was more collected than Yitao, however. Patiently, he queried his friend for the details then digested the news thoughtfully. Then he spoke, “It seemed that this Ruyu girl cannot be that bad if she did give you the antidote and let you go. She is not our enemy, and we have no past dealings with her before. So, I don’t think that she would just kill Jiwen. She might give him a few whippings because Jiwen probably was too quick with his mouth. He tends to say things without thinking and is rather melodramatic. Anyhow, I think he is safe for now. I think that instead of finding this girl, we should concentrate on finding a way to get Jiwen back if she is capturing him and wouldn’t let him go. Her Kung Fu was strange though nothing out of ordinary, but her poison palms were dangerous. With Dr. Ma here, I’m sure that we can deal with her poison all right. I’m only worried about her friend, the young handsome man who was with her. He had very powerful energy, not less than that of Teacher’s, and his saber technique was also superb. I have no confidence that we could defeat him if he really puts himself in fighting. The only way to help Jiwen is to find something that we can use against her.”

Huang Yitao had to admit his friend’s keen observation and thorough thinking. “But where shall we begin? We don’t know where she is from.” He asked Li Renying with trust as this friend of his was usually the brainy one among the three of them.

Li Renying knitted his brows and spoke. “We met her just outside Guiyang, so there is a possibility that she stayed there. I’ll go to Guiyang and investigate this matter. You stay here and get well. You will take care of him, won’t you?” He turned to a middle-aged man with black mustache at the last sentence. Dr. Ma (Yeung Quan) nodded solemnly and assured his guests that he would indeed do his best. Accordingly, after Huang Yitao was taken inside the house, Li Renying took leave of his host and went straight to Guiyang.

There, he made several inquiries and found out that Ruyu was indeed staying there during the lantern festival. He also learned that she had a young man with her, whom she called apprentice brother. ‘So, this is not the pretty boy I met.’ He concluded. Unfortunately, the young man had also left the town.

Just when Li Renying was thinking of a way to locate Ruyu’s apprentice brother, he happened to see a familiar figure of Yong Butong. ‘This is indeed a providence. Jiwen is all right now.’ He was glad and accordingly acted as he had planned.

But when he was about to accost the handsome lad, someone else had already did. Although he was sure that Yong Butong alone could have handled twenty ruffians with ease, considering his high inner energy, he couldn’t help reminding himself of the event in front of the cave. ‘This lad didn’t seem to know how to fight. He could not be hurt, but he wouldn’t be able to beat these men because he didn’t know how to attack back. I should lend him some hands.’

Thus he found a way to strike up an acquaintance with Yong Butong. Then he sent a letter to Huang Yitao, explaining an updated situation with some instructions for Yitao to follow. Then he left secret signs along his way to Sword South School for the Huang brothers.

He hurried Yong Butong along and in two days arrived at a small village that housed a famous Sword South School headquarters. Actually, the school is only a big house that were partitioned into two areas. One section was a living quarter of Tian Fei, and the other was a house of Liu Tong. Wilderness surrounded the entire village, creating the natural fort for defense. Originally, Sword God lived with his students in the capital, Guilin, but after the incident with his son, Wang Shan, he retreated further to the south and built a small house in an unknown village and had been living there since. The forests behind the village gave him a freedom to leave at his wills and a chance to roam around leisurely. Moreover, he had discovered many natural caves which he used as his meditation rooms.

After Sword God had left Tian Fei ten years ago, Tian Fei got together with Liu Tong and decided to bring up their four children there. The two heroes expanded the house and moved in. They hired some servants and maids to take care of the household business and the rearing of the kids. Then they took off and roamed around China to help needy people and came back from time to time to visit and instruct martial arts to the third generation of Sword South School.

Liu Tong had adopted two orphan brothers under the name Huang. He found them penniless and almost starved to death on one of his trips to the north. Tian Fei had a goddaughter who was a child of his savior at one time from the western region and a male student whom he had picked up on his way back to China. Tian Xing-xing was the only female among the four, so she received the most attention in the house. However, despite being loved and spoiled by everyone from Tian Fei and Liu Tong to servants and villagers, she grew up to be a sweet and good-natured girl.

At that moment, Tian Xing-xing (Kitty Lai Mei Han) was thinking of her three martial brothers. “Aren’t they supposed to be back by now? Renying probably made them stop on the way as usual, as if he didn’t want to come home any more.” She muttered softly to herself. Then she heard a greeting from Ah Yan, Li Renying’s personal maid. “Young Master Li, we have been waiting for you all this week. I’ll go tell Miss Tian.”

The young maid (Margie Tsang Wah Sin) ran to inform her mistress, but Xing-xing was already on her way to greet her martial brother. The two women collided in a corrider, and Ah Yan hastily made an apology. Then she skipped away to make tea for her master and his guest.

Miss Tian continued her way and emerged to the main hall. There stood a lean figure of Li Renying. Her hearts skipped and joy flooded her heart. Her cheeks turned pink, and she called out excitedly. “Renying, where have you been? Why…?” Her voice trailed off when she saw that her martial brother was not alone. With him was a man with the most beautiful face she had ever seen with smiling dark eyes. Tian Xing-xing almost forgot her breath and paused shyly at the doorway.

Li Renying turned around upon hearing her voice and was in time to see her face turning red. He was again stunned at her lovely face and feminine figure. He realized with a shock that she was now a grown woman, not just a mere girl that he had played with since childhood. He sighed inwardly. He had been confused lately when it came to the issue of Tian Xing-xing. He had always thought of her as a small younger sister, but at the same time, he would feel slighted, not to say a little jealous, when seeing her with his other two martial brothers, the Huang brothers.

That was why he tried to stay away from home in order to sort out his real feeling of Xing-xing. So far, he had found no answer yet. He smiled back at her warmly, and Tian Xing-xing’s color was heightened. Come to think of it, she had been feeling as if lightning had struck her heart every time Li Renying smiled at her for the past few years. She knew her heart had already belonged to him, but she was not sure what he really thought of her. Normally, Li Renying was a warm, loving brother and a fun friend, but he was rather secretive about his own feeling and didn’t like to be pestered with questions on his likes and dislikes. Xing-xing entered the room shyly and waited to be introduced to the guest.

“Xing-xing, this is a friend of mine, Master Yong Butong. And this lady is my martial sister, Tian Xing-xing. She is also a goddaughter of my teacher, Gentleman Sword Tian Fei.” Li Renying presented his martial sister proudly. He looked at her admiringly, and Xing-xing gave him a tiny smile, showing rows of perfect white teeth that reminded Yong Butong of his stolen mother-of-pearls.

Yong Butong greeted Tian Xing-xing politely and thought that she was even prettier than his wife, Ruyu. Then his eyes fell on a maid who was carrying in tea and sweetmeats and felt that she was also good-looking. Without thinking, he uttered, “The Mainland maidens are all beautiful. No wonder my father loved my mother so much after all these years.”

The two women blushed with pleasure; each took it as a complement to her look. Ah Yan stole a glance at the new guest and giggled softly. What a waste on a man! She could hardly believe that this gentleman was really a male. He had a slender figure with a perfect face that any female would wish to have. She inwardly compared this guest with other three young masters of Sword South School and concluded that this gentleman was the handsomest among the four. However, her young master, Li Renying, would always be the nicest and kindest man around here.

Li Renying felt annoyed as he observed the reactions of the two women. He said, “Brother Yong came from a far island, so he didn’t know much of the Mainland custom and etiquette. Please excuse him. I am taking him to his room. Ah Yan, have another servants take care of him, will you?” He quickly pushed Yong Butong ahead and led him to a room that was next to his. “This is your room, and please let me know of your need.” Then he coughed and politely gave a friendly lecture. “Please forgive me if you may, but you should be careful of what you speak in this martial art world. A lot of etiquette and custom are required from a gentleman, and sometimes people might not understand that you mean well. Also, your saber technique was excellent. So, you should not treat it as a mere dance but add your inner energy with it, and you will become a lead fighter of the period in no time. I can’t teach you our school’s sword art, but since you’ve already remembered each stance of the Maiden Sword, you are entitled to it. Wait till my teacher comes home, and I’ll ask him to show you its full version. Teacher likes to make friend with brave men, and he is never grudged giving few pointers to strangers.”

Yong Butong stuck his tongue out a little and laughed merrily. “I’m sorry, but I can’t stop myself saying what I had in mind. Just give me a poke if I do anything wrong next time.” Then he looked solemnly at his host. “Why don’t you be my teacher? I never have one. Father said that since I would never be away from the island anyway, saber dance was enough to pass my time. Maybe you are like Ah Yi, who can fight with the sword dance. I don’t mind learning to be a fighter, but I don’t want to hurt anyone. Well, maybe just a light punishment to those people back in Guiyang.”

Li Renying asked curiously, “Who is Ah Yi?”

Yong Butong answered in a gentle voice. “Ah Yi is my best friend.” Then he turned gloomy. “But we just had a fight, so he probably hates me now.” He was near tears.

Li Renying hastily consoled his guest and confirmed that he would give Yong Butong lessons on gentleman’s etiquette. “But I have to ask Teacher’s permission about being your formal teacher. For now, just enjoy my hospitality here.” He left his guest alone and came out to the main hall for a conversation with Xing-xing.

In a forest outside Sichuan, two men were talking to a figure clad in black robe. “Elder, thank you again for saving us from the maze.” Zhang Tin (Eddie Cheng Siu Fai) bowed to the old man with difficulty. He still hadn’t got over the ghostly effect from the Eight-Array Maze yet.

But Lu Peng (Kong Wah) shouted wildly, “Why didn’t kill them? I want that Yue Ling killed.” His eyes glared madly. It was as if his past had come back to haunt him again.

Black Devil (Luo Le Lin) laughed, and coldness ran down both younger men’s spines. “Black Devil only killed when he wants to. Because Zhang Tin had saved me five years ago when I had fire deviation, I agreed to help him three times. I didn’t count this time that I rescued both of you from the maze because I wanted to test it for myself. I am in China again because I want to settle the old scores of mine, not because I am your servant. Don’t push your luck, or you might not live to see other day.”

Zhang Tin quickly interceded. “Of course, we are grateful for your help. My three requests are just small matters that Elder only takes care of in his spare time. For now, we have lost our inner energy and hope that Elder could help us with our plan.”

His humble reply seemed to satisfy the ego of Black Devil. He ignored Lu Peng and listened to Zhang Tin carefully the detail of his first task.

In a small town on the border of Wuchang and Huguang, Duan Hui (Alex Man Chi Leung) was having an argument with his martial brother, Man He (Simon Yam Tat Wah). “I would not walk on the same road with that devil’s son. Why didn’t you let me kill him? Miss Zhan, didn’t you know what had happened to your senior martial sisters when they befriended with Evil Sword’s apprentices?” He was red-faced with wrath, pointing angrily at Di Bao (Roger Kwok Chun On), who was unable to explain himself verbally.

Zhan Zhiying (Sheren Tang Siu Mun) had gone pale with the new knowledge. Because Hero Duan had misunderstood Di Bao as a fellow disciple of hers and had criticized him as a worthless martial artist, she hastened to put Di Bao in a better light as a skilled physician and had introduced him to the two heroes. Unexpectedly, Duan Hui grabbed Di Bao’s collar and asked him of his parentage. He had to put down Di Bao and waited till the younger man wrote the names of his parents, Di An and Ah Lan.

When he read the name, he looked as if he was ready to explode. The boy in front was a son of his archenemy, Di An, who had taken Ah Lan away from him. He gnashed his teeth and swung his maces at Di Bao. “Clank,” a hook from Man He stopped the weapons in time before they could bash at the young man’s head.

“Second brother, please calm down. He is just an innocent boy, and Miss Zhan here said that he is an apprentice of Medicine Man, one of the four legendary great masters. Surely, regardless of his parentage, he could not be a bad man. Remember, he did save Miss Zhan’s life.” Man He tried to reason with his senior martial brother but knew that he was talking to the wind. The only resentment in Duan Hui’s life was the fact that Ah Lan preferred the other man to him.

“You called this boy innocent? Everyone can tell that he pretended to be mute. Like father, like son. He only saved Miss Zhan to gain her confidence as a usual trick of Love Palace. I bet he belongs to a gang that kidnapped Miss Zhan’s senior martial sister and only remained with Miss Zhan to gain access to Emei.” His accusation although inaccurate was quite logical and not too impossible in the ears of Zhan Zhiying’s, who had been taught since young to beware of anyone that connected with Evil Sword and Love Palace. She looked at Di Bao’s face and saw only his honesty.

She argued feebly, “But I believe that he is a good man. I can tell from his eyes.” She whispered to Di Bao softly. “Run away. I don’t know how I can stop these two men if Hero Man decides to agree with his martial brother.” Aloud, she yelled at him. “But I have an order of my master to kill everyone from Evil Sword and Love Palace. For saving my life, I’ll let you walk a hundred paces before I’ll go for your throat. If you don’t go now, I’ll kill now.” She secretly motioned Di Bao to go.

Di Bao didn’t know why the gentleman with a pair of maces wanted to kill him. His parents, so far in his knowledge, had never hurt anyone either. He turned to Zhan Zhiying and saw pain written clearly in her eyes. Then he understood. ‘Her master and these men hated my father. They want me dead because my name is Di.’ When he realized that Zhan Zhiying wanted to help him escape, he could only said farewell to her through his eyes. He turned around and sprinted into the dark.

Duan Hui saw through the girl’s trick and tried to run after him, but was blocked by Zhan Zhiying. She bravely faced him and announced. “Please give face to Emei. I beg you to let him go.” Man He also stood ready to protect the girl in a case that his second martial brother became unreasonable enough to harm a woman.

Duan Hui glanced his third martial brother and knew what he was thinking and sighed desperately. He clenched his fist and grunted. “In the name of Emei, I shall let him go? I want to know what Xun Ci Shi Tai would say to that? Well, you two are wrong, and you will live to regret today.” He stomped off furiously in the opposite direction. Man He nodded at Zhan Zhiying with sympathy. He sincerely hoped that the old history would not repeat itself. Then he beckoned her to follow the irate Duan Hui.
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[Goofy]

My sincerest apology to the readers. In chapter 24, there was a mention about Wuchang as a province. In fact, it was only a capital of Huguang province during the Ming Dynasty. Xiangyang was also a city of Huguang. Huguang was in the north of Guangxi and in the south of Henan, which was the home of Wu Dang Sect. Please pretend that Hero Man He had a short period of memory relapse due to his missing Ah Zhu too much. 

Part II: Book of Saber

Chapter 28
The Two Brothers

Characters list (not in particular order):
Zhang Xi-nan..................……………………………..…….Kent Tong Chun Yip
Lu/Lin Tingli ………..………………………………….….Barbara Yung Mei Ling
Master Yang/Zhang Xinlang ………....………...………….Miu Kiu Wei
Chu Lianhua .....................………………………............….Jamie Chic Mei Chun
Leader Yu.…....................................………....... ..........…....Cheung Lui
Xun Ci Shi Tai...............................…………………………Lui Yau Wai
Gu Xiaofei ....................................………………………….Kat hy Chow Hoi Mei
Huang Yitao .....................................……….........… ……....Felix Wong Yat Wah
Huang Jiwen .....................................……….......... .…..…...Howie Wong Man Ho
Dr. Ma .…....................................………......... ........…….…Yeung Quan
Ruyu ...............................………...............… ...…………….Rain Lau Yuk Chui

Zhang Xi-nan was having a happy breakfast with Lu Tingli when the old servant presented him a metal box and a letter. “Someone left it at the front gate. Your name was on the box along with the letter, so I think you might want to see them.” The old servant reported then retreated from the room.

Zhang Xi-nan opened the lid and was frightened out of his wits. No voice could come out of his throat. Lu Tingli peeked in the box and fainted right away into Xi-nan’s arms. A head of dead man was exposed inside the box. It was a freshly cut head as the dripping blood was still wet. Its owner must have died violently as his eyes bulged out in horrific manner.

Slowly, Zhang Xi-nan laid Lu Tingli on the chairs and grabbed a sealed letter. He opened it shakily. It was from his elder brother, Zhang Xinlang, and it ran:

“To my younger brother, Zhang Xi-nan,

I have discovered that there was a spy in my people, so I punished him according to our rules. But as I recognized him as a friend of yours, I decided to send his head to you so that you can give him a decent burial. Unfortunately, his body has already been pulled into pieces by my hungry wolves. It seems that you might need to find a new helper, but don’t be despaired. I can assure you that any friends of yours will receive the same treatment as him.

Father just sent me a compliment on my good work on Eunuch Xu. You might have Tingli, but I will have the power at the end. After all, a smile of yours could only work a charm when Father was still missing dear Mother. But, I sense that Father is now moving on with his life and will soon forget her.

Till then, my brother.

From your elder brother, Zhang Xinlang.”

Zhang Xi-nan was pale with rage. He tore the letter into pieces. “Zhang Xinlang, I am not going to be beaten by you. Father loves me, and Tingli likes me the most. The throne will be mine, not yours.” He looked down at Lu Tingli and murmured. “Dear Tingli, you are the only one that can help me.”

Lu Tingli was having a nightmare. A headless was walking toward her threateningly. As he came near, she could see clearly that he was holding a bloody head in his hand. “Go away, go away!” She shouted then woke up trebly in the arms of Zhang Xi-nan.

She sobbed in his warm embrace. “Who did that cruel joke? Who sent you that evil thing?” Her small body lost in his tall frame.

“It was Xinlang,” Zhang Xinlang answered soberly. When she looked at him incredibly, he repeated again. “Xinlang never likes me. And now, he said that Father is favoring him and will let him have everything. Of course, this is just a warning. He will not spare me for sure. I’m afraid that we would not be together after all. After my death, Uncle Lu will give you to him for sure.” His eyes were red, and her heart went to him.

“That can’t be. I’ll tell Uncle Zhang and Father about his despicable acts. I…I would rather die than marry him.” She clutched his shirt.

Zhang Xi-nan shook his head slowly. “It’s no use. He is smart and very cunning. He already has Father eating out of his hands, and nobody would believe us. Besides, I was not supposed to be here at all. You know that Uncle Lu was a fierce man, and he wouldn’t listen to my excuse or anything. We are doomed, except…” He paused dramatically, waiting for her to take his bait. She did, and he continued reluctantly. “Except that I can present to them something that they really want, like a Kung Fu manual from Sword South School.”

Lu Tingli lifted her head bafflingly. She was sent to this mansion at the age of eight, and was grown up outside the martial art sphere. She had no knowledge of what her adopted father was doing except that she was not to venture out of the mansion without his permission. She was also forbidden to make acquaintances with the two Zhang brothers, and only Lu Peng knew of her whereabouts. However, there was no secret in this world. Having eavesdropped on Lu Peng’s affairs two years ago, the two brothers found out about his adopted daughter, and had since visited her on the sly. Both fell in love with her innocent and sweet face at first sight, and from then on, they vied each other for the favor from her.

By the time that Lu Peng realized that his daughter, Lu Tingli, had already made friends with the Zhang brothers, it was too late to do anything. Hence, he did not try to severe the trio relationships, but he monitored their meetings and forbade the two young men to talk to her about Love Palace or other affairs of the martial art world.

Zhang Xi-nan lacked his brother’s charm and charismatic, but he was handsome and had a glib tongue. Outwardly, he pretended to support his elder brother to his father and encourage him to give a lot of work to Xinlang so that he himself would have more chance to meet Lu Tingli. At the same time, he would make up stories that made Zhang Xinlang look bad in Tingli’s eyes. By this trick, he had obtained the love from her, and for the sake of hers, he hoped that Lu Peng would help him to become an heir of Love Palace.

Lu Tingli made a decision. “Xi-nan, tell me what I am to do. I’ll do everything for you even as a risk of my life.” She cried with a determination. Zhang Xi-nan was waiting for that, and accordingly, he whispered his scheme in her lovely ears.

At the headquarters of Love Palace in Xiangyang, Zhang Xinlang was congratulating himself for a big success. Not only that he caught Xi-nan’s man that had been sent to observe his movements, but he also received praise from his father for handling the Imperial Palace affair efficiently. With a report of his accomplished task to his father and martial uncle Lu, he also dropped a casual remark about Xi-nan spending time with Lu Tingli in Guangxi instead of being at Henan. In addition, he had a beauty like Chu Lianhua, who had even more sensual look than Lu Tingli, by his side.

For Chu Lianhua, he had staged a fake meeting of Love Palace with Leader Yu (Cheung Lui) acted as a monitor of the assembly. On that night, Chu Lianhua and Master Yang ‘accidentally’ came across a junior member of Love Palace, who had led them to an old isolated barn just outside of the city. There, with light Kung Fu, the two noiselessly jumped up to the rooftop. Then Master Yang took out a roof tile and signaled his companion to peek through a hole. Chu Lianhua saw a face of the leader and recognized him immediately as a man who had kidnapped her a week ago. So, she had no doubt that she was really witnessing a gathering of disciples from the Love Palace. The meeting itself did not give her much information on Love Palace’s movements, but at least she knew for sure where the regular meeting place was. She missed her junior martial sister just then. ‘Zhiying would probably know what to do.’ She thought.

When she went back to her room later that night, she wrote a letter to her master, Xun Ci Shi Tai, reporting her progress and asking for further instructions. In the morning, she asked Master Yang to see to it. The letter was accordingly sent to Emei, and there was nothing to do but wait.

The letter of course remained inside the shirt of Zhang Xinlang. He was also waiting, not for a letter, but for a certain piece of news. Then one day, he heard that Xun Ci Shi Tai (Lui Yau Wai) had left Emei with her fifteenth disciple. Seeing the golden opportunity, he told Chu Lianhua that he had a personal business to attend to and would be gone for couples of days. Then he left her in the big manor after making sure that everything was provided for her. Chu Lianhua felt as if her heart was broken in two halves, and one half was flying away with Master Yang. In vain, she tried to compose herself. Her mind ran back and forth from Master Yang to Xun Ci Shi Tai. ‘Master might not like him.’ She thought gloomily, knowing full well the priestess’ ideas on handsome males. Then she cheered up. “But he is a perfect gentleman and belongs to a patriot family. Surely, Master can find no fault in that.” She happily imagined the day that she would present him to her master and could hardly sleep from the excitement.

In Emei, everyone was busily preparing for the coming auspicious occasion, a nuptial between the fifteenth disciple of Emei and the fifth hero of Wu Dang. Air of excitement was everywhere, but the bridal herself was in dejected mood. Gu Xiaofei (Kathy Chow Hoi Mei) was depressed. She was getting married soon, yet not even a personal word from her groom-to-be, Xian Yuo (Eddie Kwan Lai Kit) that showed that he cared about her. She thought of his handsome features and sighed longingly.

The fifth hero of Wu Dang was the most handsome among the five brothers. His weapon was a fan, and he earned for himself a title, ‘Handsome Gentleman Xian’ by defending for the weaker sex. Gu Xiaofei met him at one of martial art world gatherings, a seventy-two birthday celebration of the Hua Shan leader. She was there with her fourth senior martial sister, Ah Ju, as representatives from Emei. She liked him from the beginning, and he was reciprocal to her interest. Therefore, when Xun Ci Shi Tai proposed a wedding between her and him, she was only too glad to comply to her master.

However, things had been changed since the day he met her junior martial sister, Chu Lianhua. Before, he was in a habit of writing her long letters, describing his good deeds for others. Now, he sent her not even a short note despite her letters to him. She also learned by accident that he had wanted to prolong the wedding date and proposed thus to the priestess. To her relief, her master would not concur but instead hastened the ceremony to the nearest propitious date.

Xun Ci Shi Tai herself was having her own problem. For some reasons, she was anxious to put Gu Xiaofei under the protection of five brothers of Wu Dang Sect under the name of marriage. Next, she planned on sending Chu Lianhua and Zhan Zhiying to a nunnery in Fuzhou. Then she would hand over the Emei leadership to Ah Ju so that she could concentrate on developing her martial skills into another step as she sensed that she would be needing them soon.

This morning, she had received an unexpected letter. After reading it, she went pale and sat there in shock for a while. Then she made a decision to journey to the south. Also, she sent for Gu Xiaofei and ordered her to go straight to Wu Dang as fast as she could.

“But, Master… It was not appropriate for me to be there yet. The wedding will not be till next month.” Gu Xiaofei argued, feeling that something was wrong.

The priestess glared at her disciple but explained patiently. “I know that, but this is an emergency situation. I’ve just got a letter from an old enemy of my family, and I want you to take this letter to the first hero De Pang of Wu Dang, asking for help. It is for your own safety too to get away from here.”

Gu Xiaofei had no choice but to take leave of everyone. The priestess promised her fifteenth disciple that she would send along the dowry and necessary items to Wu Dang as soon as this ugly business was under a control.

Gu Xiaofei couldn’t help feeling slighted as she trudged out in the direction of Wu Dang. “Ah Ju is probably safe and sound at Heng-Shan Nunnery, and Lianhua is probably having fun with Zhiying. I am the bride, but have to go to the groom on foot, no dowry and no nothing. Master is never afraid of anything yet, so why should she be now. It’s just her cheap ruse not to spend money on me.” She grumbled and found more and more reasons to be displeased at her master. “I am the least favorite one among top seven disciples of hers. She could never forget Ah Mei and Ah Lan, and she often writes to Ah Zhu, sending her material for new dress or some nice jewelry. As for Ah Ju, I know that she is on the top of the list as the next master of Emei. Lianhua is also Master’s most favorite disciple because she is the prettiest and knows how to call for attention. Zhiying has an ugly face, and Master spoiled her to the core to compensate for her lost. So, it is only me that get sacrificed as a pawn of political marriage between Emei and Wu Dang.” She ignored the fact that her heart was also in this business from the first place.

Gu Xiaofei never reached Wu Dang Sect, however. Half way through, she was attacked by a group of men in dark cloaks. Their faces were covered in masks, leaving only sinister eyes that abode the evil. She fought with all her might, but was outnumbered. Just when she thought that today would be her final day to see the sun, a young man in white robe appeared and delivered her from the death. With his fan, he defended her left and right, at the same time countered back with amazing Kung Fu. In no time, half a dozen of her attackers were knocked dead on the ground, and the rest of the gang scattered away in fright.

The rescuer in white smiled at her charmingly and demanded to know if she was all right. Then he introduced himself as Master Yang and volunteered to escort her to Wu Dang Sect. Seeing that he was a good-looking gentleman with perfect manner, she took up his offer with pleasure.

They had traveled together for three days when they were caught in a rainstorm one evening. They were in the middle of the wilderness and soon were soaked to the skins before finding a shelter in a small cave hidden behind a big tree. Gladly, they went eagerly inside and sat down, waiting for the downpour to let up. There was not a lot of space in the cavern, so the two youngsters were forced to sit close to each other. In the dusk, their figure stood out, and both felt warm from the other’s body heat in spite of their wet garments.

Zhang Xinlang could see a feminine outline under the clinging light color dress, and he was immediately reminded of Chu Lianhua. His male desire was roused, and he reached for the woman next to him.

Gu Xiaofei could not breathe. She was never this close with any man before, even with her own fiancee. She could feel her heart racing. Heat rose up to her face, and in that moment, she was no longer concerned about her wedding or her reputation. All that was real was the man in front. When his hot hand touched her, something in her was sparked, and their bodies connected. Sensual desires were ignited then the nature took its course.

Outside, the rain was continuing, and the cool wind wafted down from mountain peek. But inside the cave, it was sizzling with passions.

Meanwhile, Lu Tingli took a last look at her long-time home. “I will be back as soon as Xi-nan is safe from Xinlang’s hands.” She promised silently to the building in front. Then she left. Zhang Xi-nan was staying behind to arrange for the household care. He called for the aged servant of Lu Tingli and asked the old man kindly. “How long have you been in Miss Lu’s service?

The old servant mumbled, “Ever since she has arrived here. Master Lu assigned her to my care.” He squinted uncertainly at the young man.

Zhang Xi-nan beamed at him appreciatively. “You have been a good servant. Now, Miss Lu is visiting a friend of hers in another town, and will be gone for a while. But she wanted to thank you for being so good to her all these years.” He presented to the older man a calabash of wine with appetizing smell. “I have this wine ordered specially for you according to Miss Lu’s wish. I know you love good wine but don’t have a lot of chances to drink it. Here it is. Help yourself.”

The old man looked at his gift and licked his lips greedily. Without another prompt, he seized the wine jug and poured the golden liquid down his throat thirstily. Before he could have finished his drink, he had dropped down on the floor, dead from the poison in the wine.

Zhang Xi-nan kicked the lifeless body of the old servant and sneered. “Dog! Don’t think that I didn’t know about your affiliate with my brother. How else could he know of my movements here. I couldn’t do anything to you because of Tingli. But now she is not here to protect you. Blame yourself for serving under a wrong master.”

He left the room and walked to the front gate. After locking the mansion, he took off to join Lu Tingli.

In the same town of Guilin, Huang Yitao (Felix Wong Yat Wah) was taking a walk in a main market to kill off his boredom. Thanks to Dr. Ma’s skillful care, he now felt as healthy as he used to be. However, a life without his two pals was slow. Dr. Ma (Yeung Quan) was usually busy with his clients and only interested in playing chess in his spare time. Huang Yitao had nothing against the game but he felt he had enough of it after two days of looking at the chess board. He missed his brother, Huang Jiwen (Howie Wong Man Ho) terribly. When they were together, they liked to parley with each other with sword or simply played a game of wrestling. If Li Renying was there, the three men would go around town, looking for an adventure. With innovative ideas from Li Renying, everything was possible and interesting.

At this moment, Huang Yitao wished he could go back to Sword South School. At least, there was Tian Xing-xing there to play nice music on her zither or to cook for him his favorite dish. But, Li Renying’s letter explicitly stated that he had to wait at Dr. Ma’s till the arrival of Huang Jiwen.

Today was a market day, and Dr. Ma sent him to buy some writing materials for him. Huang Yitao finished his task and looked around for a jewelry stall to buy something for Tian Xing-xing when his eyes fell on a small lady dressed simply but nevertheless showed her elegant figure. She was selecting a bottle of perfume from a nearby stall. He was mesmerized by her loveliness before blushingly taking his eyes off her with difficulty. Then he saw a jewelry stall not far from the perfume stall. It was laden with hairpins, combs, necklaces, and other accessories made from gold and jade.

He absentmindedly approached it and with the image of that lovely lady freshly in his mind, bought a golden hairpin in a shape of a crane. Just then, he heard a scream and saw three rough men trying to take advantage of a girl. She was that pretty woman, who had left a strange impression on him.

He lost no time in going for rescue. With only a few moves, those ruffians were lying on the street, asking for mercies. He wanted to take them to jail, but the fair maiden pleaded for the villains. After giving them a severe warning, he reluctantly let them go.

That was how he got acquainted with her, Lin Tingli (Barbara Yung Mei Ling). Upon learning that she felt fainted, he ushered her directly to see Dr. Ma, who had prescribed her a herbal remedy. After getting all the ingredients from Dr. Ma’s servant, Huang Yitao went in the kitchen to brew the medicine himself. When a bowl of medicine ready, he brought it to her with a plate of sweetmeat.

When Lin Tingli looked at the additional dish with surprise, he explained to her. “My cousin, Tian Xing-xing, didn’t like to drink herbal medicine at all. So we usually give her something to eat along with it to drown out its bitterness.”

Lin Tingli giggled before turning down the sweetmeat. “That’s all right. I used to take a lot of herbal medicines when young, and I am used to its taste.” She took the bowl and drank all the black liquid in without blinking an eyelid. Then she showed him an empty bowl and thanked him sweetly.

Her voice was soft like wings of butterflies and sweet like honey from flower blooms. Huang Yitao looked at her admiringly. In that instant, he imprinted her face in his heart and recorded her voice in his mind to be treasured in his memory forever.

Many beautiful girls he had met in his twenty-five years of life, yet he had never felt like this before. Could this be love? He was confused, and his thoughts were clouded uncertainly. But suddenly, everything was clear and the world seemed bright again when Lin Tingli asked him for the direction to Sword South School.

“Miss just asked the right person here. I am from Sword South School, and I would be more than glad to guide you to my home.” Huang Yitao proposed. He almost forgot that he supposed to stay there for his younger brother. Dr. Ma looked on and chuckled inwardly. Love did come to young people like bees and butterflies were attracted by colorful flowers. Life was so short, and what would be the use to live without love? Therefore, he ventured a suggestion for Huang Yitao to go back to Sword South School with Miss Lin, while he would be the one who kept an eye out for Huang Jiwen instead. Huang Yitao looked at Dr. Ma thankfully and accordingly, accompanied Lin Tingli to Sword South School.

In the meantime, the object of much spoken about at Dr. Ma’s household, Huang Jiwen, was heading toward Guilin. He and Ruyu (Rain Lau Yuk Chui) had stopped at Guiyang for her junior apprentice brother but were disappointed to find that Di Bao had left the city long time ago. Just then, Huang Jiwen happened to see secret signs that Li Renying had left around the town thus wished to see how his elder brother was faring. However, Ruyu, now a more subduing girl, was rather shy at meeting Huang Yitao, her former victim of poisonous Dragon palm, also her brother-in-law in the future, at the moment. Therefore, she proposed to wait for Huang Jiwen at an inn in Guilin, while he went over to Dr. Ma’s house. Huang Jiwen tried to talk her into going with him but to no avail. So, he gave up and went to meet his brother alone.

Ruyu was sewing a pair of shoes for Huang Jiwen at the inn when a swirl of black cloud flew into her room. She looked up and right then realized that her movement and speech acupuncture points had already been sealed. An old man with white beard in black robe was looming over her. He seemed pleased with himself. “It was fate that my trip to China will not be wasted that made me hear about your Dragon Palms. Only Dragon Lady could use that palm technique. So, you must relate closely to her and Medicine Man. Humph, a granddaughter or a disciple perhaps? Little girl, I need you to guide me through the Medicine Forest and as a bait for those old couple to come out and fight with me. Don’t worry. I don’t bully little children.” He gave a tiny chuckle and carried Ruyu with him through the window. His going was as silent as his coming, and nobody was any wiser. When, a few hours later, Huang Jiwen came back to the inn with Dr. Ma, all that was left in Ruyu’s room were a pair of unfinished shoes and a piece of jade carved with her name.
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A rather soapy chapter, but the next one should have more action. <IMG SRC="smilies/sweating.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/coffee.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/sleep.gif" border="0">

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

[charbydis]

OMG. I sure hope Gu Xiao Fei doesn't get pregnant. <IMG SRC="smilies/shocked.gif" border="0"> XIan Yuo must be a very sad person. None of the girls like him anymore! haha :laughin: