0 Chapter 3

A group of Huashan Sect disciples were busy carrying some food supplies into the main hall.

Ning Zhongze took a quick look at the items. After that, she walked up to her husband and said, “Senior Apprentice Brother, Chong’Er and them are a little mischievous at times but they do get their tasks done properly. Today is the third day and all the items you wanted are already here.”

Yue Buqun knitted his brows and hummed annoyingly. “They have also caused much trouble while they were away!” he shouted angrily.

The other Huashan Sect disciples looked at their master in shock. From the tone of their master’s voice they could tell that the matter was very serious.

Ning Zhongze was astonished by her husband’s words. “Trouble? What did they do this time?” she asked.

Yue Buqun heaved a sigh and pointed to a side table on the pedestal. “Go take a look yourself,” he replied.

Ning Zhongze went up to the pedestal and picked up a piece of note on the side table. After finishing reading the note, she turned to look at her husband and said in shock, “How did Chong’Er end up offending Qingcheng Sect?”

Yue Buqun turned around and replied annoyingly, “How would I know? Where is our precious eldest apprentice?”

Meanwhile, Linghu Chong was busy making an apology to Yue Lingshan in the garden. He crouched in front of Yue Lingshan and raised a doll in blue with his right hand. “Miss, may I ask what made you so angry?” he asked in a soft voice.

Yue Lingshan frowned and angrily went over to seat on another bench to avoid him.

Linghu Chong turned toward her and raised another doll in green with his left hand facing it at the doll in blue. “My Big Martial Brother has been naughty. He went out to play without telling me and even went to help another woman,” he frowned. It was as though the two dolls were interacting with each other. He then shook the green doll and continued, “I’m so jealous and bitter…”

Yue Lingshan casted a side glance at her with a grin on her face. “Who’s jealous? Don’t think so highly of yourself,” she turned around and looked away.

Linghu Chong sat right next to her and said, “You smiled. Smiling means that you’re no longer angry with me.”

Yue Lingshan pursed her lips and replied annoyingly, “In future, you’re not allowed to lie to me again. If you ever lie to me again I won’t bother about you ever again!” She turned to look at him angrily.

Linghu Chong immediately raised the doll in blue. “I won’t lie to you every again,” he asserted.

Yue Lingshan looked away embarrassingly and asked, “Was the girl good looking?”
Linghu Chong raised his eyebrows and asked, “What girl are you talking about?”

Yue Lingshan slapped his arm and sneered, “You’re still pretending to be dumb!”

Linghu Chong replied loudly, “I don’t even remember what she looks like!”

Yue Lingshan smiled and responded, “Really?”

Linghu Chong nodded, “Really!” He then looked into her eyes and said, “How about this? If I ever lie to you again, you can use Chongling Sword art to stab me a few times, okay?”

The both of them started laughing.

Yue Lingshan suddenly thought about something. “Talking about Chongling Sword art, there are still a few moves at the end that we’ve yet to figure it out,” she sighed. She paused and looked at Linghu Chong, “I wanted to ask father but he doesn’t like us practicing anything unrelated to the Huashan sword arts.”

Linghu Chong folded his arms around his chest and silently thought to himself.

Yue Lingshan held Linghu Chong’s arm and added, “Big Apprentice Brother, if we can’t perfect these moves then this sword art would go to waste.”

Linghu Chong grinned and said, “How is that possible? Both of us are so smart, how can we not figure it out? How about we try it out?”

“Let’s go,” Yue Lingshan replied with a smile.

The two of them drew their swords and started exchanging slow sword stances. They smiled at each other warmly while performing the sword moves. They spent years together figuring out each move meticulously. After performing the twentieth move, the two of them stood side by side and thrust their swords forward.

Yue Lingshan bent her head sideways looking at the sword. “What do you think our next move should be?” she asked.


Linghu Chong looked at her and replied, “I know!” He gently led the two swords into the air, executing a semi-circle slash and finally held Yue Lingshan by the waist as the two of them leaned backwards with the swords pointing to the top.

Yue Lingshan was delighted to see the new moves. “These few moves are great,” she said with a smile. She placed the sword behind her back and asked, “Big Apprentice Brother, how did you come up with it?”

Linghu Chong replied with a grin, “The other day when I fought against the Qingcheng Sect disciples, I found their sword arts unusual. These moves that I just added to our sword arts are the same ones I used to counter their moves.”

Yue Lingshan grinned, “The moves are not bad indeed. Can you perform the sword moves a few times for me to see?”

Linghu Chong nodded, “Sure!”

He walked to the front and swung his sword downward demonstrating the sword moves that he had recently developed from fighting against the Qingcheng Sect apprentices.

Yue Buqun arrived at the scene and noticed his eldest disciple performing sword moves that were not related to the Huashan Sect. He glared at Linghu Chong agitatedly.

Afterward, Yue Buqun brought him to a room and closed the door behind them. “Did you really create those sword moves you while fighting the Qingcheng Sect disciples?” he asked in a stern voice.

Linghu Chong nodded, “It’s the truth, Master! Disciple would never to lie to Master.”

Yue Buqun responded, “Instead of spending more time learning our sect’s own sword arts you’re wasting your time coming up with your own weird sword moves! Martial arts’ training is a long process and should be learned step by step. As the saying goes…”

Linghu Chong lowered his head and interrupted his master, “Haste makes waste…” He has heard these same words for years and has literally memorized it.

Yue Buqun looked at him angrily and said, “It’s good that you know it! Listen to me carefully, you are not allowed to blindly create your own martial arts skills again!”

Linghu Chong narrowed his eyes and bowed at his master hesitantly. “Yes, disciple will follow Master’s instructions,” he replied.

Yue Buqun walked over to him and patted his shoulder. “Master is doing this for your own good. You don’t have a solid foundation like your Second Junior Apprentice Brother. It’s very easy to suffer fire deviation when you practice your martial arts recklessly.”

Linghu Chong smiled, “Don’t worry Master. Disciple won’t do it again.”

Yue Buqun nodded with a grin. He then pulled a small piece of paper out from his sleeve. “Chong’Er why don’t you take a look at this,” he handed the note to Linghu Chong.

Linghu Chong unfolded the paper and took a look at it.

Yue Buqun walked over to a chair and took a seat. “This was written to me by Qingcheng Sect’s leader, Yu Canghai. What do you think we should do now?” Yue Buqun asked.

Linghu Chong folded up the paper and walked up to his master. “Master! They were the ones who started harassing a lady first!” he grunted.

Yue Buqun sighed and replied, “It’s the imperial court’s responsibility to handle such matters not you! Every sect in the martial arts community should join forces to battle the devil cult. What you did would only bring trouble to our Huashan Sect.”

Linghu Chong lowered his head and said, “Disciple will not commit the same mistake again next time.”

“Next time is next time! I want you to personally go to Qingcheng Sect and apologize to Head Master Yu. I will get Denuo go with you,” Yue Buqun said.

Linghu Chong’s eyes widen in shock, “Hah?!”

Yue Buqun continued, “Remember this, every sect in the martial arts community should get along harmoniously.”

Linghu Chong knew that there was no way he could convince his master to go back on his words. He complied with his master’s instructions by responding with a bow. “Yes, Master.”

Yue Buqun gesticulated and said, “You may go out now.”

Linghu Chong cupped his hands and said, “Disciple is leaving now.” He stepped out of the room and closed the door behind him.

Yue Buqun got up from his seat and walked over to a book rack. He reached for a wooden box with the words Sunflower Scripture inscribed on the cover. He started recollecting the sword moves that Linghu Chong was performing in the garden. “Strange. The moves that Chong’Er created were all meant to counter those ordinary moves that Master taught me. Could it be that our missing secret martial arts manual has something to do with the Qingcheng Sect?”

Linghu Chong walked down the stone steps with his arms around his chest.

“Big Apprentice Brother!” Yue Lingshan called out from behind. She ran toward him and grabbed his arm. “Big Apprentice Brother, did father punish you?” she asked.

Linghu Chong replied agitatedly, “Don’t talk about it anymore. Master penalized me severely this time.”

Yue Lingshan was startled by his words. “Don’t tell me father sentenced you to the Repentance Cliff?” she asked.

Linghu Chong sneered, “This punishment is even worse than being sentenced to the Repentance Cliff!”

Yue Lingshan was getting even more concerned. “What is it?” she asked.

Linghu Chong turned away and sighed.

Yue Lingshan went in front of him and asked concernedly, “What did my father say?”

Linghu Chong frowned at her and started mumbling, “Master said…Master said…”

“What exactly did my father say?!” Yue Lingshan asked impatiently.

Linghu Chong looked her in the eyes and said, “Master said he would have you marry me…”

Yue Lingshan was delighted. “So fast?” she asked with a smile.

Linghu Chong started laughing as he replied, “You actually believed this?”

Yue Lingshan pursed her lips and stared at him angrily. “Here I was worried about you but all you did was trick me! I’m not going to bother about you anymore!” she shouted angrily. After finishing her words, she turned around and walked away.

Linghu Chong ran passed her and held her back. “Don’t be upset. I was just playing around with you,” he explained apologetically.

Yue Lingshan smirked and replied, “Everything about you is good except that you’re never truthful!” She pulled his sleeve and asked again, “What did father say?”

Linghu Chong sighed and replied, “Master wants me to go to Mount Qingcheng to apologize to Qingcheng Sect. This Yu Canghai is really petty.” He propped his hands on his waist and grunted, “He’s a head master of a sect but yet he tattled me out to Master!”

Yue Lingshan smiled and said, “Don’t worry. I’ll tell father than I will be accompanying you to Mount Qingcheng.”

Linghu Chong shook his head, “Better not. Master is going to get angrier at me if you say this to him.”

Yue Lingshan glared at him annoyingly. She was hoping that she could go with him so that she would not be bored in the mountain by herself.

Linghu Chong placed his hands on her arms and smiled, “How about this? You just stay here on the mountain. Once I return I’ll take out to eat.”

Yue Lingshan shrugged his hands off and turned away with a depressing look on her face. “Mount Hua is so far away from Mount Qingcheng. It would be a long time before I can see you again!” she yelled. “By now you should know that in the entire Mount Hua, you’re the only one who plays with me. With you gone there won’t be anyone else to play with me? Who will practice sword arts with me? You also know that if I don’t heart stories in the night I won’t be able to sleep.”

Linghu Chong narrowed his eyes trying to think of a method to please his little apprentice sister. He placed his hand on her shoulder. “How about this? Big Apprentice Brother will find some friends to play with you tonight?” he grinned.

Yue Lingshan turned to look at him. “Friends? Really?” she asked with a smile.

The moon was already up above. Yue Lingshan pulled the doors open and peeked to the left and right. There was not a single soul outside. She angrily shut the door and murmured, “Bad Big Apprentice Brother! Stinky Big Apprentice Brother! He said that he would find some friends to play with me. It’s already so late but there’s not even a single soul! He’s lying to me again!”

Right at that moment, there was a knock on the door. “Little Martial Sister! Little Martial Sister!” Linghu Chong called out.

Yue Lingshan rushed forward and pulled the door open excitingly. “What surprise do you have for me this time?” Yue Lingshan asked in a cold voice.

“We need to go inside your room to see it,” Linghu Chong replied with a smile. He pushed her into the room and closed the room door. He pulled out a lantern brightly lighted with fireflies from a sack and placed it on the table

Yue Lingshan looked at the lantern excitingly. “It’s beautiful…” she commented.

Linghu Chong grinned, “Beautiful right? Big Apprentice Brother didn’t lie to you, right? These new friends will be able to keep you company for days.”

Yue Lingshan nodded with a long smile. “Big Apprentice Brother, you do have your ways,” she grinned.

Linghu Chong replied, “As long as it makes Little Apprentice Sister is happy, Big Apprentice Brother is willing to do it.” He then looked outside and said, “Alright! It’s getting late. You should get some sleep, I’m leaving.”

“Big Apprentice Brother! Wait…” Yue Lingshan ran over to him and embraced him from behind. “Big Apprentice Brother, I really like this lantern. I’m really happy,” she added.

Linghu Chong gently patted her hand. He then turned around and replied, “I’m really happy too. Really.”

Yue Lingshan just smiled at him.

Linghu Chong reached out and gently caressed her cheek.

“Good heavens…is he going to embrace me or kiss me?” Yue Lingshan thought to herself. Her cheeks started blushing.

Linghu Chong slowly leaned towards her.

Yue Lingshan quickly closed her eyes excitingly as she waited to receive her first kiss.

Just as he was about to kiss her, he started feeling embarrassed and halted his movement. “Get some early rest…” he whispered.

Yue Lingshan immediately opened her eyes and looked at him disappointingly.

Linghu Chong patted her should and walked out of the room.

Yue Lingshan slammed the door behind her in anger. Her heart was filled with disappointment.
Mount Qingcheng was extremely quiet that morning. Linghu Chong and Lao Denuo sat inside a store room waiting for someone to attend to them. A man carrying a tray with a teapot and two cups walked into the room. He placed the tray on a table, “My Master is busy and is unable to see you at this moment. Appreciate if you could wait for a while.” The man was Yu Renhao, the Qingcheng Sect apprentice that Linghu Chong encountered outside the brothel days ago.

Yu Renhao then exited the store room and closed the door behind him.

Linghu Chong folded his arms and snorted, “This Head Master Yu seems to be really busy. If that’s the case, let’s go down the mountain for some wine first.”

Lao Denuo grabbed him by the shoulder to stop him. “Senior Martial Brother, we’re here to apologize. No matter what, we’ve to show some sincerity. If someone comes to get us and see's that we’re not around, it would make things worst.”

Linghu Chong let out a frustrated scream and stomped his foot. “How long do we have to wait?” he asked.

Lao Denuo said, “We’ll just wait here. If they continue to ignore us then it’s them who are going against the code of chivalry. Let’s just wait a while more.”

“Alright! We’ll just do as you say,” Linghu Chong hesitantly sat on a stool and leaned against a wall.

Three hours had passed and none of the Chengqing Sect apprentices came to get them. Lao Denuo had dozed off while sitting on a staircase. Linghu Chong stretched his arms as he woke up from his short nap. “This Yu Canghai is too much! We came here to apologize sincerely but he’s making us wait for so long. I’m sure that he’s doing this on purpose,” he complained to himself. A thought suddenly came into his mind. “Let me go and see if that Yu Canghai is really so busy.” He slowly pulled the door open and walked out of the store room.

Linghu Chong turned to the left and walked along a corridor. There were some noises coming through a wall down on the right. Feeling curious he climbed on a nearby tree to take a look.

A group of Qingcheng Sect apprentices were practicing their sword skills at a courtyard. Yu Canghai was sitting under a shade watching them. He suddenly grabbed a stone and hurled it at one of the apprentice’s hand. The Qingcheng Sect apprentice’s hand became numb and instantly dropped the sword.

“Renyan! What are you doing?! How come your moves don’t have any strength at all? Are you practicing the way I instructed you to?” Yu Canghai said, as stepped out of the shade. Yu Renyan was his son.

Yu Renyan sighed, “Of course I did. Father, I just feel that this Resisting Evil (Bixie) Swordplay is useless. Why do we have to practice it diligently?”

Yu Canghai snorted. “What do you know? Years ago the Brocade Guards Chief Commander Lin Yuantu gained prominence in the pugilistic world with the use of his seventy two moves of the Resisting Evil Swordplay. He even defeated your Grandmaster Priest Chang Qing,” he said.

Yu Renyan chuckled, “He defeated Grandmaster Chang Qing? Father, you must be joking! Grandmaster Chang Qing was the number one swordsman in the entire Western region. Resisting Evil Swordplay’s moves may be complicated but it has no power. It can never be compared with our sect’s Pine Wind Swordplay. Father, did you remember this wrongly?”

Yu Canghai to the side and said, “I’m not too sure about this either. But according to your Grandmaster Chang Qing the Lin Famiy’s Resisting Evil Swordplay’s moves may look ordinary but it contains secrets beyond our imagination. The practitioner’s moves are said to be faster than the wind, like ghosts, making it difficult for anyone to defend against it. I want you to practice it diligently not because I want you to uncover its secrets. In fact, I already have other plans.”

Luo Ren Jie walked up to his master, and said. “Master, you sent people to the capital city to keep an eye on the Lin Family because you have something in mind?”

Yu Renyan immediately responded, and said, “Father, when are we going to take action against the Lin Family then?”

Yu Canghai smiled coldly. “I received reliable information from the capital city saying that Lin Zhennan had recently retired and will be returning to his ancestral home. Without the imperial court’s protection there’s no way that he’s can to escape from me!” Yu Renyan gave a thumb’s up excitingly.

Linghu Chong shook his head and smirked, “Who would have thought that the Qingcheng Sect’s Chief would do something so devious. No wonder his apprentices are such beasts.”

The sun had set behind the mountains. Yu Renhao led Linghu Chong and Lao Denuo into a long hall. Yu Canghai sat on a dais drinking a cup of tea. The two Mount Hua Sect apprentices cupped their hands and bowed at Yu Canghai.

“I’ve read the letter your master sent to me. The Gentleman Sword is a true gentleman. Every word written in the letter is courteous and respectful. Junior Brother Linghu, old man is sorry to hear that you got punished by your master.”

Linghu Chong pretended to feel guilty by replying in a solemn voice, “Head Master Yu please don’t mention it. Junior was impulsive and deserved to be punished.”

Lao Denuo stepped to the front, “Head Master Yu, my Master instructed us to bring you some gifts and hopes that you will forget about the whole matter.”

Yu Canghai laughingly said, “Head Master Yue is too courteous.” He made a hand gesture, instructing Luo Ren Jie to receive the gift from Lao Denuo. “Please inform Head Master Yue that the Qingcheng Sect and Mount Hua Sect has always had a good relationship. Apprentices from both sects were just being naughty. You don’t have to take it seriously.”

Linghu Chong thanked him with a bow, “Chief Yu is very forgiving indeed. If there’s nothing else we’ll be on your way.”

Yu Canghai made another hand gesture, signaling them to leave. Linghu Chong and Lao Denuo turned around and walked towards the doorway.

Suddenly, Yu Canghai darted towards Linghu Chong and kicked his backside. Linghu Chong tripped and fell to the floor. The other Qingcheng Sect apprentices started laughing hysterically.

“Junior Brother Linghu, this is our Qingcheng Sect’s famous Wild Goose Falls On Flat Sand move (Píng Sha Luo Yan Shì). Please don’t forget this,” Yu Canghai snorted.

Linghu Chong turned around and stared at him furiously.

“Now get lost!” Yu Renyan made a rude hand gesture as he yelled.

Lao Denuo propped Linghu Chong by the shoulder and walked him out of the long hall.

After returning to the Mount Hua School, Lao Denuo and Linghu Chong told their Master and Mistress about the whole incident at the Qingcheng School.

Ning Zhongze sighed, “This Yu Canghai is really too much. As a Senior Martial Arts Master he shouldn’t have sneaked attack a junior.”

Yue Buqun clenched his fist in anger, and said, “Chong Er, how could you peek at them while they were practicing their martial arts skills? This is a big taboo of the pugilistic world. No wonder Chief Yu attacked you!”

Linghu Chong turned his head to look at his master and said, “Master, I didn’t mean to peep. Besides, the moves that they were practicing were obtained dishonestly! It’s called…the Resisting Evil Swordplay. I heard that it’s the Lin Family’s swordplay and it belonged to the Brocade Guards Chief Commander Lin Yuantu. Let me show it to you.” He quickly drew his sword performed a series of sword moves.

Yue Buqun rose from his seat and looked at Linghu Chong’s sword moves astonishingly. “Aren’t these moves the ones Master imparted to me years ago…how did the Qingcheng Sect end up learning it too? And it’s related to Lin Yuantu…?” he uttered to himself.
“Lin Yuantu…” he murmured as he walked down from the dais.

Ning Zhongze smiled at her husband. “Senior Martial Brother, you must have forgotten. His grandson is the current Brocade Guards Chief Commander, Lin Zhennan. His martial arts skills may be ordinary but he comes across as someone righteous and the emperor favors him. He is also well respected by the people from the pugilistic world. We’ve met him a few times before.”

Yue Buqun hummed softly, “Now I remember. Decades ago the Lin Family and Qingcheng Sect had some dispute. Back then, Lin Yuantu was famous for his seventy two moves of the Resisting Evil Swordplay. He defeated many prominent figures from the underworld and held a senior position in the imperial court that gained him much fame and admiration. Because his great fame at that time, even orthodox members of the pugilistic world went to challenge him. Yu Canghai's master, Priest Chang Qing was also defeated by his Evil Resisting Swordplay.”

Linghu Chong walked up to his master, and said, “Master, he held grudge against Lin Yuantu just because he was defeated in a martial arts competition? This Priest Chang Qing is pretty much the same as Yu Canghai.”

Yue Buqun grinned and said, “Losing in a martial arts competition does not necessarily create grudges. Furthermore, Lin Yuantu had already gained his fame years ago and was considered as a senior master in the pugilistic world. Priest Chang Qing on the other hand was only a little Taoist priest making entry into the pugilistic world. It wasn’t a big deal for a junior to lose to a senior.” He paused for a moment and then continued, “It’s been said that Priest Chang Qing died at the age of thirty six. My guess is that he couldn’t put the incident behind him, and finally died of depression.”

Ning Zhongze puckered her brow, “Now decades later, why would Yu Canghai suddenly make all of his apprentices practice the Resisting Evil swordplay? This is really strange.”

Linghu Chong replied with a snort, “The Qingcheng Sect is so narrow-minded that they would use whatever methods to get revenge.

“I think so too. If it was Lin Yuantu who died before Priest Chang Qing then Yu Canghai should have gone after Lin Yuantu’s son Lin Zhongxiong. But for some reason, he waited till now to take revenge. Yu Canghai is shrewd and scheming. Looks like there is going to be a fierce battle between the Lin Family and Qingcheng Sect.”

Ning Zhongze looked at her husband, “Martial Brother, if a fight really breaks out, what will be the outcome?”

Yue Buqun responded by saying, “Yu Canghai’s martial arts skills have surpassed his master, Priest Chang Qing. Outsiders are unaware about Lin Zhennan’s martial arts skills, but my guess it that it’s probably inferior to his grandfather’s. One had advanced and one had slipped back. Before the real fight even begins, the Lin Family already has a seventy percent chance of losing. Furthermore, Lin Zhennan has recently retired. He no longer has any support from the imperial court. This time Qingcheng Sect is definitely going to plan out a surprise attack on him. The Lin Family will be defeated for sure. No doubt about it.”

“If Lin Zhennan is able to get help from his in-laws, the Golden Blade Wang Yuanba in Luoyang City to help out they might be able to put up a decent fight,” Ning Zhongze said.

Linghu Chong stepped forward, “Master, do we want to report this to the Lin Family so that they can take precautions?”

Yue Buqun interrupted him right away, “Nonsense! We can’t simply interfere with grudges of the pugilistic world.”

“Master, didn’t you always teach us to help those in need…?” Linghu Chong argued.

“Silence! I have another task for you. On the fifteenth of next month is the retirement ceremony of your Martial Uncle Liu. I want you to bring him a gift and tell him that I’ll be arriving shortly.”

Linghu Chong looked at his master discontentedly and replied,” Yes, Master.”

Afterward, Linghu Chong and Yue Lingshan sat at the top of the fallen tree chit chatting. Yue Lingshan looked at Linghu Chong disappointingly, “Big Apprentice Brother, are you really going to Hengyang City tomorrow? With you gone and I’m going to be bored to death again.”

Linghu Chong patted her shoulder and smiled, “Master wants me to deliver a gift to Martial Uncle Liu. Don’t worry we’ll be able to catch up when master brings you to Hengyang City to attend Martial Uncle Liu’s retirement ceremony next month.”

Yue Lingshan crumpled a leaf in her hand, “That’s going to be another half a month before we get to see each other again! I’m going to miss you for sure…”

Linghu Chong’s face started to blush. “I’ll miss you too…” he murmured.

Later that night, Linghu Chong sat inside his room, eating peanuts as he pondered about his relationship with Yue Lingshan. She was the first girl that he had ever met. They grew up together, trained martial arts together and played together. He was wondering if his master and mistress would allow him to marry Yue Lingshan. He hummed and tossed a peanut into his mouth.

Just then, there was a knock on the door. “Who is it?” Linghu Chong tossed another peanut in his mouth.

“Chong’Er, it’s Mistress,” a female voice from the outside said.

Linghu Chong got up and walked to the door. He quickly pulled the door open for his Mistress.

“You’re still awake?” Ning Zhongze walked into the room.

“It’s still early. Mistress, please take a seat,” he pulled a stool out for her.

Ning Zhongze sat down and said, “You’re leaving tomorrow. I made some medicine for you to bring along.” She placed two small bottles on the table. She then reached into her sleeve and took out some silver pieces. “Take this money with you too. Go buy yourself something nice to eat.”

Linghu Chong’s heart was deeply touched. “Thank you Mistress…” he said in a low voice.

Ning Zhongze grinned, “You entered the Mount Hua Sect when you were only fifteen years old. In my eyes, you’re the same as Lingshan and Lingfeng.”

Hearing her words, Linghu Chong’s heart was filled with gratitude. Among all the disciples Yue Buqun has ever taken in and adopted, Yue Lingfeng was the only who could follow his surname. The moment he saw Yue Lingfeng could already tell that this kid had the perfect body stature to learn martial arts and carried an elegant aura. Since he did not have a son, he felt that Yue Lingfeng would be his most ideal successor. Linghu Chong was just touched when he heard that his mistress treated him the same as Yue Lingfeng.

“Sometimes your master is a little too much. There are so many apprentices but yet he only sends you out for any errands. You’re leaving again tomorrow…” Ning Zhongze sighed.

Linghu Chong knew that his Mistress cared a lot about him and had always treated him like her own son ever. He grinned and said, “Mistress please don’t be like that. I’ll return from this trip real soon.”

Ning Zhongze nodded with a grin, “That’s right. You’ll return real soon. If you kids were to leave for many years I wouldn’t know how to spend my days. When I was younger I couldn’t understand this feeling. Now that I’ve become a mother I finally understand the complicated feelings of being a mother, the fear that her son does not return.” She sighed, and continued, “Alright, rest early and have a safe journey tomorrow.”

Linghu Chong lifted up his head and nodded, “Yes, Mistress.”

Ning Zhongze rose from the stool and walked out the door.

“Mistress…thank you,” Linghu Chong said. His eyes were filled with warmth and gratitude.

Ning Zhongze patted his arm before she walked away.

Inside a meditation room, Yue Buqun knelt at a memorial board and said, “Master and honorable ancestors, disciple has finally lived up to your expectations. Disciple found out that those remaining sword moves are actually the Lin Family’s Resisting Evil Swordplay. Although disciple is not sure how the Lin Family is connected with our sect in the past but in order to flourish Huashan Sect and not let you all down, disciple will do disciple's best and stop at nothing to find out the secrets behind the Resisting Evil Swordplay.” He cupped his hands and bowed at the memorial board three times. “May you all watch over apprentice in heaven,” he added.

The morning sun has risen. Yue Lingshan sat on a tree branch whispering to a bird. “Little bird, I’m so bored…Big Martial Brother is gone again. When big martial brother is at Mount Hua the whole place would be so lively! Now that he’s gone the entire place is quiet and dull. There is also no one around to play with me. Father wouldn’t allow me to wander about either…this is so boring!”

Ning Zhongze walked to garden and called out for her daughter. “Shan’Er! Why are you sitting so high? Come down!” she said.

Yue Lingshan hopped off from the tree branch and gently glided towards her mother. She landed on the ground and reached for her mother’s arm. “Mother, you wanted to see me?” she asked with a smile.

Ning Zhongze smilingly shook her head, “You’re so playful.”

Yue Lingshan walked her mother back to the school. “I’m not a child anymore. I’m Mount Hua Sect’s leader’s daughter. My lightness skills (qinggong) are great.”

Ning Zhongze grinned, “Are you still angry with your father because he didn't allow you to follow your Big Martial Brother to Hengyang City?”

Yue Lingshan heaved a long sigh, “Does father intend to lock me up in the school forever?”

“Your father is worried that if the two go together, you will stir up trouble,” Ning Zhongze said with a smile.

Yue Lingshan instantly replied, “I can take a different road and there won’t be any trouble.”

Ning Zhongze chuckled and said, “Do you think that I’ll believe you?”

Yue Lingshan pulled her mother’s sleeve repeatedly. “Mother, can’t you just close one eye?” she frowned.

Ning Zhongze patted her daughter’s arm. “Okay. I noticed that you haven’t had the mood to practice your martial arts skills lately. Your father is sending Lingfeng and De Nuo to Lin Zhennan’s residence to take a look. Why don’t you go with them?”

Yue Lingshan jumped joyously. “Really?” she asked excitingly.

Ning Zhongze gesticulated and said, “But you’ve to promise me that you’ll not to create any trouble and that you will listen to your Second Martial Brother’s instructions.”

Yue Lingshan gave her mother a hug. “Mother, your daughter is very obedient. So there’s nothing to be worried about. Furthermore, Big Brother will look after me,” she replied.

End of Chapter 3