Chu Liu Xiang (Chor Lau Heung) Summaries
Hua Mei Niao/The Trush - Part 3
Original novel written by Gu Long
Fan translation by Athena
Chu LiuXiang felt a hand in the water, someone sealed one of his acupoints. When he opened his eyes he saw Gong NanYan smiling evilly. He saw he was back in Yin Ji's quarters and Yin Ji was here too and looked like before, cold and indifferent. Gong coldly said that no one can be victorious in the Divine Water Palace, not even the famous Chu LiuXiang. She asked him if he had anything to say. He said he had nothing to say now. Gong smiled haughtily and asked Yin Ji what they should do to him. Yin Ji told her that Gong was the one who captured him so she can decide what Chu's fate is. Gong NanYan laughed evilly and said that was fine too and walked towards Chu. Suddenly Yin Ji asked Gong whether she would use the same method against Chu as she did with Hong NiangZi.
Gong NanYan was stunned and she asked if Chu told her that. Yin Ji told her that she didn't expect anyone to see her secret. Chu saw that Gong NanYan's hands were shaking. After awhile, Gong recovered a bit and said loudly that she killed Hong NiangZi and if she was wrong, Yin Ji was welcome to kill her. Gong turned to Chu and said that he should die too for spying. She was about to strike Chu, but suddenly she flew up and bumped into the wall. At this time Yin Ji stood up. No one saw her getting up.
Gong NanYan never dreamt that Yin Ji would harm her, she was crying and asked Yin Ji why she struck her down. Yin Ji asked her why she could kill him, Gong asked who she meant Chu LiuXiang or Hong NiangZi? Yin Ji remained silent but Chu saw her hands shaking. Gong NanYan yelled that Yin Ji only loved Hong NiangZi, she was just a replacement for him. She continued that Yin Ji killed him to avenge him, but she asked Yin Ji if she knew why she killed Hong NiangZi. Yin Ji sighed and said she knew the reason. Gong asked if she knew why... Yin Ji interrupted her and said that if Gong didn't kill him, probably she would have done it herself. But when Gong killed him she would kill Gong to avenge Hong. No one was allowed to kill Hong NiangZi.
Gong NanYan understood and told Yin Ji not to forget who saved her. Yin Ji said she didn't forget and said that she would bury Gong with glory. Gong NanYan was silent for a few moments and then she said she understood another reason why Yin Ji struck her. She said that Yin Ji probably didn't want anyone to know that someone helped her in the battle with Chu LiuXiang. If she was dead, no one will ever know Yin Ji lost to Chu.
Yin Ji sighed and told Gong she always was a smart girl but sometimes a bit too smart. Gong NanYan faintly said that she herself didn't know whether she was smart or foolish. After saying that she closed her eyes and shall never open them again.
It remained very silent in the room. Yin Ji turned to Chu and asked him if he thought she killed Gong to keep her secret. Chu said that he believed Yin Ji wasn't such a person. Because Gong was that kind of person, she believed that Yin Ji would do such a thing. Yin Ji stared into the blank and said that Chu wasn't that sort of person, so he believed that Yin Ji wasn't that kind of person either.
Yin Ji knew that if Chu LiuXiang was really a cold-blooded man he would have killed her. Yin Ji asked him why he lost. Chu said it didn't matter anymore if he knew or did not know. Yin Ji said that he was too benevolent and that's why he lost today.
Chu asked her if she was ever benevolent.
Yin Ji scoffed and said she didn't even have a heart, how can she be benevolent? Chu LiuXiang thought all hope was gone now, but Yin Ji said to him that she lost everything now, so his life meant nothing to her. She said she was even too tired to even kill him. She unsealed Chu's acupoint. Chu asked if she was... Yin Ji interrupted him and said what she thought was of no concern of his and he should leave now before she changed her mind. She called out for a disciple and told this girl to Chu to the other prisoners and release them all.
Chu bowed to her and thanked her deeply. Yin Ji closed her eyes and looked like a monk in meditation. Chu knew that she will probably never wake up again.
The stone door to her quarters came down, sealing the room off from the rest of the world and sealing off her life. Chu LiuXiang felt melancholic about Yin Ji's death. The disciple looked in awe at Chu LiuXiang, she hadn't had a clue who this handsome man was and his relationship with her teacher. Chu sighed and walked behind the girl.
Before long, he saw Hu TieHua, Dai DuXing and Huang LuZhi walking towards him. Chu and Hu both asked the same question together: "How come you're here?" Both men laughed when they heard the same question, they were very happy to see each other again.
Hu TieHua asked Chu what happened to him, Chu said that his story was very long and said that Hu should tell his story first.
Hu looked at Dai and Huang and smiled wryly and said they weren't a match for the Matriarch of Water and if it wasn't for Su RongRong's aunt, they would be dead by now. Chu asked if she freed them. Hu said that Su's aunt and another disciple were sent to interrogate them. The other disciple wanted to torture them, but Su's aunt stopped her and said they should not use such awful methods. The other disciple became angry and accused Su's aunt of collaboration and said some very nasty things. Su's aunt lost her tolerance and sealed one of her acupoints. Chu was surprised that Su's aunt risked something like this.
Hu said that they were surprised too when they saw this because it is commonly known that the rules set by the Divine Water Palace were very strict. Especially helping the enemy and lying to the keeper. Su's aunt released Hu, Dai and Huang and told them to look for Chu because she feared for Chu's life. Chu quickly asked what happened to Su's aunt. Hu sighed and said that she told them to take care of her eldest martial arts sister from time to time. Her sister was the nun at the PuTi convent. Because she broke the rules once, she severely punished for it. Chu said that Su's aunt must be afraid to suffer the same punishment as her eldest martial arts sister so she decided to take her own life.
Hu said that he was afraid of that too, when they walked out of the room. The stone door closed and when they turned their heads to help it was too late. The stone door was sealed and she wouldn't answer or open the door again. Chu sighed and said silently that Yin Ji and her disciples were very proud people. They wouldn't let other people see how they die. Hu didn't understand Chu, but said he was very thankful.
After awhile, Chu asked where Su RongRong was. Hu said that she told them the location of the Divine Water Palace and she herself went to the PuTi convent to meet up with Li HongXiu, Song TianEr and the others. Hu said that Su was not worried for a bit, she said that Chu was able to overcome any danger he encountered. Dai smiled and said that she advised them not to pick a fight but when they came to this place they forgot her advice.
Huang LuZhi approached Chu and asked if Chu knew where his friend was. And said that Chu probably knew who his friend really was. Chu said he knew about his friend's past and felt sorry for him, but unfortunately he was.. Huang became very pale and asked if "he" was dead. Chu only sighed. Huang said that although Hong NiangZi deserved to die for his crimes but now Huang just wanted to know who killed him. Chu said that the killer was dead now, Yin Ji avenged him already. Chu added that they were finally together again as a family and told Huang he needn't be sad. Huang said Chu was right, with the things Hong NiangZi did in his prime. Heaven was not too cruel towards him. By this time, Huang had tears in his eyes.
Chu was worried now, because Su and the others were still not here. He turned towards the disciple of Yin Ji and asked her name. The disciple was listening to their conversation with awe, she was very surprised now. And hesitantly said her name was Nan Ping. Chu gently asked her if she could guide them to the PuTi Convent. Nan Ping was hesitant and said she didn't receive orders from her teacher to take them there. Chu told her not to worry and said her teacher will not blame her. Nan Ping stood there not knowing what to do, Chu gently held her hand and softly pulled her and said: "Let's go."
Nan Ping blushed and wanted to struggle loose but didn't and wanted to say something but didn't say. She just followed him.
Hu shook his head and said no matter what kind of girl she is, she cannot resist that smelly old insect. He just didn't understand. Dai smiled and said it was very simple. Hu asked if Chu had some sort of spell over these girls, why can't he see it? Dai laughed and said if Hu saw, there would be trouble then.
After some time, Nan Ping told them that this was PuTi convent. It was one of the many entrances of the Divine Water Palace. If anyone needs a favor they can also see her eldest martial arts sister, the old nun. Nan Ping said although she looked fierce, she really is a very kind-hearted woman. Nan Ping felt very secure near Chu, Chu still held her hand and she didn't even struggle to get loose.
They arrived near the entrance of the PuTi convent they saw that it was the same as Liu WuMei told them. Nan Ping walked up to a rock and knocked at a ring, she explained that her eldest martial arts sister was always in the convent and if she heard the noise she would open the entrance. But after some time, no one opened it. Hu asked Nan what her martial arts sister did wrong. She was not very willing to talk about it and said she wasn't sure. Hu asked if they could open it, Nan said the entrance can only be opened from the other side. Hu suddenly thought of something and said that her eldest martial arts sister was deaf and dumb so she can't hear them. Nan said she could, but Hu found it strange and asked if she could read lips then. Nan said her eldest martial arts sister was blind too. Hu was completely lost now. Nan Ping tried again but no response either, Chu put his ear to the wall but couldn't hear anything. Dai gave him a metal bowl and said using that would help. And Chu heard some faint noises, a man was talking it wasn't Li YuHan's voice.
Chu and Hu were very anxious and Hu asked if there was another way. Nan said they had to make a detour and that would take hours. Chu figured out that Li HongXiu and Song TianEr were sleeping because of the tea with a sleeping potion in it. And a group of people were after the girls. The old nun must have stopped them and the enemies must have put an ultimatum. Hu asked why the nun didn't open the entrance, Chu said that she couldn't let other people see the entrance while enemies were lurking about. Nan Ping looked at Chu, her eyes were filled with praise and admiration. Chu said this was mere his deduction, he could be wrong. Nan said softly that Chu must be right and she said that they should be worried because her eldest martial arts sister had the best martial arts of all the disciples.
But Hu said that these were not ordinary people and if she was really capable in defeating them, she would have done so already. Dai asked Chu if he had any idea who these men were, Chu guessed that they must be in cahoots with Liu WuMei. Hu suddenly thought of something and rang the mechanism again but this time extremely hard. Everyone could hear the sound very clearly. Hu did this so that those men can guess where the entrance to the Divine Water Palace was. And if they know where it was, the nun didn't have to protect that secret anymore. And no sooner said than done the entrance was opened.
It was an old Buddhist shrine, the yellow curtains were drawn so it was impossible to see what god was being worshipped.
The old nun sat there and Li HongXiu, Song TianEr were asleep. There was another man and a woman with veils. The woman in veil looked very happy to see Chu and Hu. Suddenly the nun shot out a number of needles and Hu quickly dodged but the needles were too fast and a few were stuck in his shoes. Fortunately, he still wore the shoes that Ji BingYan gave him with hard soles, good for hiking in the desert. Otherwise, he would be dead now or his legs were gone. Hu leapt outside and wanted to land on a tree however a black figure flew towards him with a sword. Hu couldn't avoid it anymore and was sure he was going to get hurt. At this point, something blocked that sword. Hu quickly entered the convent again.
Nan Ping was sitting at the side of the nun and was telling her something. Nan Ping gave Chu an eye and said that they were friends of their teacher and she asked Nan to take them here. Chu said that when Nan Ping saw her teacher again everything will be clear. He knew that she was afraid to get punished by leading them here. Hu saw that the woman in veil was standing and her cushion was gone, Hu thanked her for saving him. It seems that Chu's deduction wasn't wrong after all. These 8 experts outside were sent by Liu WuMei and Li YuHan to capture Song TianEr and Li HongXiu. But how did Liu manage to find so many experts? A voice from outside spoke and said that they had no intentions to harm the others, if they just handed over the traitor they would go. If not, they will kill everyone. Hu asked who they were and who was the traitor. The voice outside didn't speak anymore. The man with the veil wanted to storm outside but the nun stopped him. The woman with the veil urged him to listen to the nun, and stay here for awhile.
Every time the woman with the veil spoke, the feet of the nun would make a strange metallic noise. Hu saw her feet were bound by a long chain stretching to the shrine. The voice scoffed and said that it was a disgrace that a man should seek protection from a woman. Such a coward was unfit to be a hero.
The man with the veil was furious and leapt up and moved towards the door. This time, the nun and the woman with the veil were unable to stop her. But somebody landed in front of the man and it was Chu LiuXiang. The man told him to go away and not to interfere. Chu LiuXiang smiled and said that his affairs were his affairs too. The man said he didn't recognized him and asked Chu who he was. Chu sighed and said that although you don't want to recognize me, I still remember you. The man raised his hand and wanted to strike Chu' throat. Chu didn't block or avoid, the man stopped half way and looked at Chu.
After a long time Chu sighed and said: "Brother Hong, I know you're a proud man but now isn't the time to hide anything. If you still do that means I'm not your friend."
The man stood still, the woman walked towards him and held his hand. She had tears in her eyes now.
Hu TieHua said: "Brother Hong and Miss Qu, I didn't recognize you."
The man and woman with the veils were none other than Yi DianHong and Qu WuRong.
Qu WuRong was crying and said she wasn't able to take care of Yi DianHong and now they needed help from others. Hu said that he was the one who hacked off Yi DiangHong's arm. He stormed outside and said that anyone who was an enemy of Yi DianHong was also an enemy of Hu TieHua. 2 swords flew towards Hu, Dai DuXing and Huang LuZhi rushed outside too. Huang said that these men had very vicious sword techniques.
Yi DianHong told Chu LiuXiang to take his friends and leave, this was not their problem. Chu LiuXiang wouldn't leave and he showed them a bronze tablet. This was the bronze tablet he took from the assassin that Liu WuMei and Li YuHan hired. 13 swords surrounding a hand. Yi DianHong looked frightened and asked how Chu got this tablet. Chu said that this "hand" only added suffering and pain to this world. He asked if Yi DianHong would help stop this "hand." Yi DiangHong's face turned pale and said that he knew that Chu was not afraid of anyone but "he" was different. He continued and said that he was raised by "him" and "he" taught Yi DianHong martial arts. Even if "he" wanted to kill Yi DianHong, he will not harm "him." Chu asked if the "hand" was here. Yi DianHong said that if "he" was here the fighting would have stopped a long time ago. Because "his" swordsmanship is unequalled in the realm.
Chu asked what about Xue YiRen (the man in the blooded robe). Yi DiangHong said that the swordsmanship of Xue YiRen was just fancy needlework in the eyes of "him."
Yi DianHong explained that Xue YiRen had beautiful techniques but "he" had practical stances designed for killing.
Chu asked how many men were here today, Qu said there were 8 originally 10 but Qu and Yi DianHong managed to kill one. And another left half way. Qu WuRong said that her teacher, the Stone Avalokitesvara, once told her that if she was in trouble she could always ask the old nun of the PuTi convent for help. Because this old nun was said to be a very benevolent martial arts expert. Her eyes were getting wet when she mentioned her teacher, she remembered the pleasant times with her teacher and forgot the hatred against the Stone Avalokitesvara. Chu LiuXiang knew that love changed this girl from a cold, indifferent person to a warm, forgiving woman.
Qu suddenly asked if that missing assassin was killed by Chu, Chu smiled and said the assassin was hired to kill Chu. Qu WuRong said that was strange because that man had the weakest martial arts of all of them.
The old nun was using her feet to pull the chains, Chu asked Nan Ping what was wrong. Nan Ping looked at Qu and said that her eldest martial arts sister was upset because Qu suggested that she wasn't capable of protecting them and wants to go outside and fight those men.
Nan Ping sighed and said these chains were made from a unbreakable alloy. Chu suddenly saw the shrine moving and heard a panting sound. Someone was behind the yellow curtain. The chains were tight to another person's feet too. Chu asked Nan Ping what was going on here, Nan Ping sighed and said none of them ever saw that man behind the curtains. This was a secret of the Divine Water Palace.
Suddenly, the man behind the yellow curtain roared and jumped out he was entirely wrapped in the yellow curtain. Chu told Yi DianHong and Qu WuRong to stay and protect Li HongXiu and Song TianEr.
The strange man leapt outside and a sword was about to stab him but he could avoid the sword in the last moment and the old nun and the strange man each jumped to one side surrounding the man with their chains. The chains hit the man and went straight through him cutting him into the halves.The strange man and the nun proceeded to another assassin and used the same method again.
Chu LiuXiang never thought he saw such a practical and lethal way of killing. Dai DuXing, Hu TieHua and Huang LuZhi were fighting the other 7 assassins. The strange man and the nun were surrounding them all including Hu and the others. Hu, Dai and Huang didn't know how to block those chains and retreated out of the chains an assassin used his sword to block. But his sword was flung out of his hand and he too was halved by the chains. Soon another assassin was killed by this method.
Chu LiuXiang said it seemed like the strange man was blind, he relied on sound to change positions. But who was this strange man and why was he wrapped in the yellow curtain. Why did Yin Ji tie these 2 people together?
The remaining 5 assassins didn't dare to attack anymore but they couldn't leave because the "hand" would not let them.
Chu LiuXiang said that they could go now, one of the assassins could believe his ears and asked what he meant with that. Chu said they were free to go and there were no strings attached. The 5 assassins quickly fled, Hu asked Chu why he let them go. Chu said these men were mere puppets of the "hand." And the "hand" will soon find 13 new puppets to work for him. If these 13 puppets fail he will simply find another 26 puppets to do his bidding.
Hu TieHua understood, Chu was letting them go so they would lead Chu to the "hand."
The nun and the strange man quickly followed those assassins. Chu didn't try to stop them and was glad they went. Chu told Hu that he and Dai DuXing and Huang LuZhi should stay here and look...
Before Chu could finish his sentence, Hu said that he wasn't going to be left behind this time. And he quickly followed those assassins. Chu turned to Dai DuXing and Huang LuZhi and asked them to take care of things here and if Su RongRong arrived they can tell her what happened. Dai and Huang told Chu not to worry.
Dai smiled to Huang and said the 2 old ones were better of now. Huang said Dai was right, because Chu had 3 burdens (Li HongXiu, Su RongRong and Song TianEr) on his hand. Dai said it was a burden in their eyes but in the eyes of youngsters that burden could be seen as fortune.
Chu caught up with Hu TieHua and together they tried to pick up the trail of the assassins. Suddenly they heard the cries of 5 men. When they arrived they saw the 5 assassins dead and a tall, skinny man in a black robe looked at the 5 wounds and looked very pleased. Although he wore a mask his eyes were dead and cold.
The nun and the strange man arrived too and they leapt up and used the same method against this black robed swordsman. The black robed swordsman didn't turn around to block and it seemed he was about to be halved too. But suddenly his sword stabbed the strange man and a blood gushed out of the curtain. The black robed swordsman didn't even turned his head to stab. Chu LiuXiang and Hu TieHua were impressed by the speed and stance used by him.
The strange man fell and the nun forgot everything and went by his side forgetting all danger. The swordsman scoffed and said that someone like her who was so emotional was unfit to learn martial arts and wanted to strike her down too.
Chu LiuXiang shouted him to stop, the swordsman didn't look at Chu and asked: "Master Chu?"
Chu LiuXiang said that he was and asked if he was the "hand." The swordsman said he was. Hu TieHua stood beside Chu and wanted to fight this swordsman together. The swordsman sighed and said that normally if they 2 of them would be able to help each other in a battle. But today they were too exhausted now. If they rested for a few days and fought him the would be able to withstand 500 stances but today they would surely by dead in a few stances.
The swordsman said he was disappointed he said that 10 years ago he met a nameless swordsman and fought him for 2 full days. After that battle he couldn't find any worthy opponents anymore. However when he heard the stories of Chu LiuXiang he wanted to meet him but today he was disappointed.
He sighed and said it was a pity to kill Chu today and said he couldn't spare Chu because a man like Chu would only make him restless.
He aimed his sword at Chu and advanced towards him. Chu could feel the energy generated by the swordsman and he told Chu if he could withstand 150 stances he would let Chu live.
The swordsman just stood there without using any stance, but still everyone could feel the energy of the sword and the man combining into a lethal weapon. Chu said that he was disappointed in his swordsmanship and said that he had seen many flaws in his technique.
The swordsman coldly said that if that's the case Chu should attack now. But Chu didn't, the swordsman said that Chu was worried about Hu. Hu was hypnotized by the powerful force of the sword energy. Normally Hu wasn't someone who was quickly stunned but he was simply too tired to resist that energy.
Chu knew that this man was right and he couldn't fight freely with a stunned Hu TieHua. This man was like a demon of swords and was practically indestructible because of his intense fixation on death and killing.
Chu looked at the nun, she was sitting beside the strange man and did nothing. The swordsman said that he could kill Chu within one stance and raised his sword to attack. Chu was too tired and worried to fight back anymore
Fortunately someone shouted: "Stop!"
The sword frozed and the man said he just wanted to see who called him and he could kill Chu anytime now.
The voice behind the man said that if he moved he would surely die. The voice sounded lovely and sweet but also very forceful. It was Su RongRong.
Chu smiled and told the swordsman to believe her, if he turned his head he would see what she was holding in her hands. The swordsman said that no matter what she had in her hands he was always able to kill Chu first. Chu wanted him to turn over and look, because the swordsman concentrated all his energy on the sword and if he moved Chu could counter attack. But the swordsman knew what Chu was thinking.
The swordsman said that he had Chu cornered even if she used the Rainstorm nails to hit me I will still be able to kill you.
Chu said that he guessed what Su had in her hands. The swordsman scoffed that if she didn't have the Rainstorm nails how would she be able to threaten him.
Chu smiled and said what if she had nothing in her hands. The swordsman said if she came empty-handed he would know without turning over. Chu asked in surprise if he hand eyes on the back of his head. The swordsman said if he stabbed Chu now he would know if she had the Rainstorm nails or not.
Chu said if she had the Rainstorm nails, 27 nails will hit him in the back.
The swordsman said that if Chu LiuXiang can die with him, it wouldn't be a total lost.
Chu smiled and told him to stab because if he couldn't stab him, he himself would be hit by the 27 Rainstorm nails.
The swordsman said that if he didn't want to stab what will happen. Chu said that Su will also not fire the nails and he could leave as he wished. No one will stop him.
The swordsman said that how will he know if she.... Chu interrupted him and said if he would leave now she would not use the nails against him. The swordsman asked what guarantee did he have, why should he believe Chu.
Chu said if he didn't believe him he was welcome to stab him, but if he didn't want to he had no choice but to trust Chu.
The swordsman pondered for awhile and laughed loudly saying if he couldn't trust Chu who can he trust in this world, he took leave and told Chu they would meet again. As he walked he told Chu that he hoped Chu would take care of his health and that he wouldn't fall ill in these 3 months because he didn't want to be disappointed again.
Chu, Su and Hu saw him walking faster and faster and before long he was gone.
Su RongRong sat down when he left, her clothes were wet with cold sweat and she looked very pale. Chu helped her up and gently thanked her. Su said she was afraid that he might return.
Chu explained that he wouldn't because he was afraid to be tricked. If he knew that Su came empty-handed he will be fuming and couldn't calmly concentrate anymore to generate the same lethal sword energy. By that time Chu will be able to defeat him, so Chu was very certain the black robed swordsman will not return and see if Su had the Rainstorm nails.
Su asked Chu how much chance of winning he had when he encountered the swordsman again. Chu smiled and said when he fought the Stone Avalokitesvara he didn't have a chance at all but he won in the end after all.
Chu LiuXiang walked towards the nun and she was crying and looked very tired. She suddenly spoke to Chu. Chu and Su were surprised, she begged them to do something for her. She said that they must be very curious when he was hiding in the curtains and who he was. Chu said everyone was entitled to have secrets no one is allowed to interfere with the affairs of others. The nun nodded and told them she hoped they will never unwrap that curtain and find out the truth. Chu assured her that he and his friends didn't like to expose other peoples' secrets.
The nun sighed and said that Chu was a true gentleman, she hoped that Chu would cremate them and scatter their ashes into the babble that runs to the Divine Water Palace. She smiled and said that when they were dead they could finally return to the Divine Water Palace.
Chu LiuXiang said: "Shi Tai, are you....
The nun interrupted him and told that this was the first time they met but she felt she could trust Chu and hoped he would carry out her last wish. She said she will wish him luck from beyond. The nun sat and recited some sutras and fell dead next to the strange man.
Su RongRong was crying now, at this point Hu woke up from his trance and asked how Su came here and where was the black robed swordsman.
Hu also asked what happened, Chu told him what transpired and Hu was rather shocked to hear it.
They cremated the bodies and Hu couldn't stop himself from wondering who that man was in the curtain, was it her martial arts sister with a mutilated appearance, or was he her lover. They didn't even know the gender of the strange man, they assumed it was a man but it could also be a woman. Su wanted to say something because the wind blew up a corner of the curtain and she saw the hand belonging to the strange man, it looked like a hairy, black claw. Could this mean "it" was an animal but even Su didn't speak, because even humans have hair on their hands even humans have deformed hands sometimes. But the secret will never be revealed because the fire consumed every secret.
Yi DianHong and Qu Wurong left, Chu knew that they were introvert people and they loved it. So he didn't stop them from leaving. Dai DuXing insisted in seeing them off, because he himself was a lonely man with a warm heart. Huang LuZhi wanted to find the body of Hong NiangZi, their friendship was something to be respected. Chu gave Huang the ashes of the nun and the strange man. He knew that Huang would be able to carry out the wishes of the nun because he was a gentleman too.
Song TianEr and Li HongXiu woke up now and told Chu that Liu WuMei was suffering from the effects of the poison so she stayed at the house of a woodcutter to rest. Chu knew that she was too afraid to face them if they discovered her secrets.
Li HongXiu asked Chu that Liu pretended to be poisoned and wanted to lure Chu to the Divine Water Palace. So he would be killed there avenging her teacher the Stone Avalokitesvara. Chu said that must be it. Chu sighed and said that Li YuHan must be tricked as well.
They approached the house, Li HongXiu asked the woodcutter if they were in. The woodcutter nodded.
When they entered the house, they saw Li YuHan sitting there drinking and looking pale. He didn't even notice them coming in. Chu asked him where Liu was, Li smiled and said she was resting. Chu saw someone lying in bed covered up by blankets. Hu sat down and wanted to pour himself some wine, but Li YuHan told him there wasn't much wine left if he wanted to drink he should buy his own. Hu was surprised to hear this remark. After awhile Chu told Li that he couldn't find an anti-dote for Liu because she wasn't poisoned. Chu expected Li to become very angry but he didn't and said that Liu will be very happy to hear this news. Li was laughing but he laughter sounded like crying. Chu was always a man who didn't believed in revenge or getting even. Also he felt that putting pressure on a woman is not the right thing to do. He took leave and wanted to go.
Song TianEr said she wanted to know why Liu WuMei tricked them and pulled away the blankets. She was scared out of her wits, she saw Liu lying there dead pale and a few ants were crawling out of her nose. Song TianEr was vomiting and Su RongRong, Li HongXiu turned their heads away. Hu TieHua said loudly: "She is dead." Li YuHan said she wasn't dead, she was just resting. He told them not to wake her.
Hu knew that he was too hurt to accept the death of his beloved wife. Although Li was smiling tears came out of his eyes.
The 4 friends found an inn and sat down to rest, they discussed what happened to Liu. Li HongXiu said she didn't expect Liu to commit suicide. Su sighed and said it could be that she was really poisoned. Li HongXiu said that Yin Ji had no reason to lie to Chu because she was about to die too. Su RongRong said that perhaps she believed she was really poisoned and she more or less scared herself to death. It was all in her mind.
Li HongXiu sighed too and said that Liu didn't lie to them in the end.
Song TianEr asked them if Li YuHan was really staying there to wait for Liu to wake up. She said he was really sad and started crying. Su RongRong softly said that time will heal all wounds.
Hu was patting Chu on the shoulder and said that he defeated the number one martial arts expert the Matriarch of Water Yin Ji, why is he still feeling down. Chu just smiled wryly.
Hu said he shouldn't feel upset about Liu's death, it wasn't his fault.
Chu sighed and said that almost everything worked out, except Hei ZhenZhu left without a word. He sighed again.
Hu laughed and said everything unhappy was over, they should prepare themselves for the happy times to come.
Suddenly he stopped and looked at the woman who brought the wine over. Although she wasn't ugly, but she wasn't a beauty either. However she looked very haughty and arrogant. She heavily put the tray down and walked away and didn't even look at Hu TieHua. Chu saw Hu looking dazzled, and smiled to him and asked if he wanted to stay here too.
Hu rubbed his nose and suddenly saw the woman looking at him.
Hu laughed loudly and said: "Do you think I shall fall for the same trick twice?"
THE END
*The black robed swordsman will return in another Chu novel. I have asked another Chu expert here in the forum about the identity of him. According to TIGERWONG, he is the supposedly retarded brother of Xue YiRen. Of course he is not retarded and is just putting up an act.
The next 5 Chu LiuXiang books are (translated by TigerWong):
- Gwai Lyun Cheun Kay (Legend of the Ghostly Longing)
- Pien Fook Cheun Kay (Legend of the Bat Prince)
- Tao Fa Cheun Kay (Legend of the Peach Blossom)
- Tsun Yuet Cheun Kay (Legend of the New Moon)
- Yum Yea Lan Fa (Midnight Orchid)
End of Summaries