0 Chapter 4

It was a chilly morning in Fuzhou City. A ship sailed along the river slowly. A handsome and refined young man around the age of nineteen leaned against a rail, enjoying the cold breeze. His name was Lin Pingzhi, the son of retired Brocade Guards Chief Commander Lin Zhennan.

Two other young men standing at a corner were murmuring among themselves.

Right at that moment, Lin Pingzhi noticed a mysterious figure floating in the river water, looking at the ship. “Hey is that person there spying on our ship?!” Lin Pingzhi shouted.

The mysterious figure was in fact Yue Lingshan. She was dressed in a peasant clothing. The moment she heard Lin Pingzhi’s voice, she immediately sank herself into the river.

The two other men ran towards to him. “Where is it? I don’t see anything, Young Master,” a man said.

Lin Pingzhi pointed to a floating object in the water. “There it is!” He climbed over the railing, dived into the river and went after Yue Lingshan.

Yue Lingshan swam to bottom of the river. She noticed Lin Pingzhi coming after her. She quickly turned around and swam away as fast as she could. “Father told me not to act rash. If this kid finds out that I’m skilled in martial arts, what am I going to say?” she thought to herself.

Lin Pingzhi closed down on her. She finally halted and turned around to confront him. Thinking that she was some crook Lin Pingzhi instantly struck his palm out at her shoulder and sent her gliding backwards. Yue Lingshan stretched both her hands forward seeking for help.

“Oh no! She doesn’t know martial arts!” Lin Pingzhi said to himself. He quickly swam towards her, grabbed her waist and swam to the shore.

The two of them lied on the ground to catch their breath. Lin Pingzhi looked at her, “Miss, are you alright?”

Yue Lingshan stared at him angrily, and said, “Who are you? Why are you trying to catch me?”

Lin Pingzhi just smiled. “From the tone of your voice, you should be fine,” he responded. “Before I forget, why were you circling around our ship?”

Yue Lingshan snickered, “Who’s circling around your ship? I’m a pearl collector.” She stood up, reached into a pouch and took out a seashell. “See! I was only collecting pearls!”

With one glance Lin Pingzhi knew that it was a seashell and not a pearl. Seeing that she did not look like an evil person he decided not to argue any further her. “So that was it. Sorry miss. I thought that you were some crook,” he said.

“Did you think that you can just get away by just saying sorry?” Yue Lingshan snorted. I dropped all my other pearls into the water because of you!”

Lin Pingzhi took a piece of silver out from his pocket. “That’s no big deal. I’ll pay you for all the pearls that you have lost,” he handed piece of silver to her.

“So what if you’ve money? Can you buy everything with money?” Yue Lingshan pushed his hand away.

“What do you want me to do then?” Lin Pingzhi grinned.

Yue Lingshan turned away and said, “Forget it! Today is probably my unlucky day! But if you ever get in my way again I’ll not let you off so easily!” She then tucked the seashell into the pouch and walked away. Lin Pingzhi placed his hands at his waist and he looked at her. There was a smile on his face. Her straightforward and naïve personality caught his attention.

After walking for a few meters Yue Lingshan halted her steps. She felt pain under her right foot. She lifted her foot and noticed a small cut wound.

Lin Pingzhi immediately ran up to her. “Miss, you’re bleeding," he said. He folded his arms and said, “Where do you live? I’ll carry you home.”

Yue Lingshan gave him an awkward look. “Carry me? That doesn’t seem very appropriate…” she said in a low voice.

Lin Pingzhi chuckled, “I doubt that you can walk home by yourself.”

“Alright! But make sure you don’t drop me!” she asserted.

Lin Pingzhi laughingly said, “I won’t.” He turned around and bent his knees.

Yue Lingshan slowly climbed onto his back. There was a sweet smile on her face. Lin Pingzhi was the third man who had ever carried her in her entire life. Linghu Chong and Yue Lingfeng were the other two.

“Let’s go,” he started walking away.

The two henchmen took a boat to the shore. They hopped off from the boat and ran towards Lin Pingzhi. “Young Master!” they called out for him. “What are you doing?!”

Lin Pingzhi halted his steps. “There’s some misunderstanding between me and this young lady. Her leg is bleeding so I’m sending her home.”

“Young Master, how can someone of your status carry a peasant? Let me do it,” one of the henchmen said.

Yue Lingshan shook her head, “No way! It is improper for men and women to have physical contact. I’m already feeling uncomfortable to have you carry me. Now you want another man to carry me?! I’ll not allow it!”

Lin Pingzhi grinned, “Alright then. Just let me carry her home myself. I can do it.”

After walking many miles, they arrived at a tea stall. Lao Denuo was disguising as an old man running the tea stall. He was busy serving some patrons at the tea stall.

“Father!” Yue Lingshan called him out. Lao Denuo walked up to them. “Wan’Er (Yue Lingshan’s fictitious name) what happened?” he asked worriedly.

Lin Pingzhi slowly put Yue Lingshan down to the ground.

Yue Lingshan limped forward and reached for Lao Denuo’s hand. “Father, your daughter was taken as a thief! I almost couldn’t make it back!” she muttered angrily.

Lao Denuo looked at Lin Pingzhi, “What happened?”

“Uncle, I’m sorry. I accidentally hurt your daughter. Let me know if you’d like me to compensate. I’ll do all I can,” Lin Pingzhi said politely.

Lao Denuo shrugged, “That’s alright. This girl has been pampered since she was young.”

Yue Lingshan pretended to be annoyed by yelling at her apprentice brother discontentedly, “Father!”

“Don’t be rude!” Lao Denuo interrupted her.

Yue Lingshan grinned and walked away.

“Young Master, you carried this girl all the way here thus you must be thirsty by now. Why don’t you take a rest and have some tea,” Lao Denuo suggested.

One of the henchmen stepped forward, “Thanks for the offer. But we still have things to do.” He looked at Lin Pingzhi. “Young Master, let’s go.”

Lin Pingzhi smilingly said, “No hurry. We’ve walked such a long distance. I’m feeling a little. It’s just a cup of tea. It won’t take too long. Our ship will be reaching the shore soon anyways.”

Lao Denuo pointed at a table, “Young Master, this way please.”

Lin Pingzhi obligingly sat at an unoccupied table.

“I’ll make you a nice pot of tea,” Lao Denuo said. “Alright. Thanks,” Lin Pingzhi replied happily. The two henchmen just stood behind Lin Pingzhi to keep a look out.

All of a sudden, two horsemen barged into a barrier. They were Yu Renyan and Yu Renhao of the Qingcheng Sect. Yu Renyan pulled the reins of his horse with all his strength and got it to a standstill. “Has the horse gone mad? Why can’t I control it?” he grunted.

Yu Renhao replied, “No worries. After a while you’ll be fine. Let’s go back for now.”

Lao Denuo hurried towards Yu Renyan. “Sir, both of you has damaged my tea shop. How can you just leave like that?”

Yue Renyan kicked Lao Denuo in the shoulder, and sent him off his feet. “Get lost!” he yelled abruptly. “Unmindful son of a turtle! Did you seek for our permission to do business here?!”

Yue Lingfeng who was disguising as Lao Denuo’s son ran out of the shack and rushed towards Lao Denuo. “Father! Are you alright?” he asked. “Your bullies! How could you damage our tea stall and hit my father!”

“Kang Er (Yue Lingfeng’s fictitious name)…let’s not start any trouble…we’ve a business to run here,” Lao Denuo sighed.

Yu Renyan dismounted from his horse and walked over to them. He threw a punch at Yue Lingfeng chest. Yue Lingfeng protected himself with his inner energy but still forced himself to fall backwards so that Yu Renyan would not know that he was skilled in martial arts.

Yue Lingshan heard some loud noise and rushed out of the shack. She walked up to Yu Renyan and stared at him viciously. “Who are you? So rude! First you damaged my father’s stall and now you’re even hitting him and my brother!”

Yu Renyan dismounted from his horse to a closer ok at her. “This lass here looks quite beautiful,” he said with a sly smile. “How about becoming my wife?”

“Despicable!” Yue Lingshan reprimanded.

Yu Renyan frowned, “What’s so despicable about this? Little girl, my teeth are pretty white. Do you want to try and have a kiss?” He reached out his right hand and tried to touch Yue Lingshan’s shoulder.

The girl quickly knocked his hand away, “Stay away from me!”

Yue Lingfeng clenched his fist in anger. His eyes suddenly shone with murderous intent.

Lao Denuo quickly grabbed Yue Lingfeng’s hand tightly while shaking his head, indicating to him to keep clam.

Lin Pingzhi’s anger flared. He slapped the table hard and stood up, “How dare you! Harassing and hitting a lady broad daylight! Didn’t your mother teach you any manners?!”

Yu Renyan smirked, “Hey! Where did this pretty boy come from? You’d better mind your own business or else I’ll cut you up as well.”

Lin Pingzhi replied arrogantly, “Try it if you dare.”

Yu Renyan threw a punch at Lin Pingzhi' chest. Lin Pingzhi blocked to the left. He then returned a punch to Yu Renyan’s face. Yu Renyan blocked the punch and simultaneously kicked Lin Pingzhi in the chest. Lin Pingzhi stumbled backwards and fell down.

The two henchmen quickly helped Lin Pingzhi up from the ground. “How dare you hit me!” Lin Pingzhi charged towards Yu Renyan kicked him in the chest. Yu Renyan stepped sideways to dodge the attack. The two of them got into an intense hand to hand combat.

Ling Pingzhi’s henchmen tried to help him out. Yu Renhao grabbed one of them from behind, punched him in the face and then slammed him to the ground. The other henchman confronted Yu Renhao, and threw a punch at his face. Yu Renhao evaded the attack and returned a fierce punch to his abdomen, knocking the henchman off his feet.

Lin Pingzhi and Yu Renhao were still trading blows in the open. Yu Renhao swung his leg around in a semicircular motion, striking Lin Pingzhi in the face. Lin Pingzhi tripped and fell. Yu Renhao stomped on Lin Pingzhi’s stomach numerous times. “Do you still want to be a hero?!!

Yue Lingshan clenched her fist in anger. Just as she was about to go forward to help Lin Pingzhi, Lao Denuo quickly grabbed her wrist and stared at her sternly.

Yue Lingshan shrugged his hand off her and continued to watch Lin Pingzhi getting beat up.

One of Lin Pingzhi’s henchmen got up, grabbed a wooden stick and charged towards Yu Renyan. “Young Master!”

Yu Renyan heard the henchman's heard his footsteps hurrying behind him. He instantly turned his body away from the henchman and pushed the back leg straight toward the henchman’s face. The henchman crashed to the ground.

Lin Pingzhi pulled a knife out from his boot and charged towards Yu Renyan furiously. The moment Yu Renyan turned around he felt a deep pain in his chest. Lin Pingzhi had thrust the knife right into his chest. Yu Renyan gave a little shiver. His body fell sideways and lied on the ground.

Yu Renhao ran towards Yu Renyan. “Junior Apprentice Brother! Junior Apprentice Brother!” he cried out.

Yu Renyan had stopped breathing. “You killed my Junior Apprentice Brother!” Yu Renhao looked up at Ling Pingzhi and shouted angrily.

Lin Pingzhi shook his head as he muttered, “He brought this to himself. He deserves it!”

Yu Renhao pointed his finger toward Lin Pingzhi and said, “Just wait! We’ll certainly take revenge on you!” After finishing his sentence Yu Renhao turned around, mounted his horse and rode off.

The two henchmen limped towards Lin Pingzhi. One of them looked at him and said, “Young master, what should we do now?”

Lin Pingzhi took a deep breath to calm down. “A man takes responsibility for his own actions. Bury the body first,” he pointed at Yu Renyan’s corpse.

The two henchmen nodded their heads.

Lin Pingzhi dropped the knife to the ground. He then walked up Lao Denuo and handed a piece of silver to Lao Denuo. “Uncle, take this and pretend that nothing happened. You should leave this place at once,” he said.

“Yes…” Lao Denuo thanked him with a bow.

Lin Pingzhi then turned around and walked away with his henchmen.

Yue Lingshan smiled as she looked at them, “He looks like a responsible man.”

Lao Denuo sighed, “Unfortunately, the one dead is Yu Cang Hai’s son. I’m afraid that the Lin Family will be in big trouble this time.”

Yue Ling San looked at him worriedly. After all that Lin Pingzhi had done she was convinced that he was a good man. She felt that it would be a pity to see a good man like him get killed by the ruthless Qingcheng Sect apprentices.

Yue Lingfeng clenched his teeth and sneered, “We are not going to just stand around and let those Qingcheng Sect disciples go after the Lin Family right?”

“Second Apprentice Brother, Master strictly instructed us not to take any action,” Lao Denuo responded.

The wind was howling that night. Lin Pingzhi leaned against the rail at the side of the ship mulling over the incident back at the tea stall. Since it was his first time killing someone he couldn’t stop feeling troubled.

Suddenly, a figure appeared behind him, thrusting a pipe towards his back. Lin Pin Zhi heard the rustling sound coming towards him. The moment he turned around to retaliate, the pipe had already struck his left shoulder. “Pingzhi, what’s wrong with you today? If I was an opponent, do you think that you’d still have your shoulder?” Lin Zhennan asked.

Under normal circumstances he would have been able to counter the attack. The incident at the tea stall had affected him mentally. Lin Pingzhi lowered his head as he replied, “Sorry father. I’ll be more careful the next time.”

“Checking on Pingzhi’s martial arts progress again?” Madam Lin exited a cabin. She patted Lin Pingzhi’s arm. “Pingzhi, are you alright? You look like you’re ill?” she asked with concern.

Lin Pingzhi nodded, “I’m just a little tired.”

Madam Lin smiled and said, “I made some supper. Let’s go in and have some food while we chat.”

The three of them sat around a table inside a cabin eating and drinking. Lin Zhennan handed a manual with the words Resisting Evil Swordplay to his son.

Lin Pingzhi held the book with both his hands. “Resisting Evil Swordplay? Father isn’t this our family’s martial art?” he asked curiously.

Lin Zhennan nodded his head, “Your Great Grandfather used this very swordplay to defeat many martial artist experts. Later on, our family decided to work for the imperial court and stopped involving ourselves in the affairs of the pugilistic world. Unfortunately our enemies who held grudges against us remained. I kept this manual away from you over the last few years because I wanted to avoid our enemies, especially Yu Cang Hai of the Qingcheng Sect. His master Priest Chang Qing lost to your great grandfather decades ago. This person is narrow-minded and troublesome. Fortunately everything is fine now.”

Lin Pingzhi looked at his father confusingly, “Everything is fine now?”

Madam Lin patted her son on the shoulder. “Your father has retired. Thus, he sent gifts to Yu Cang Hai in hope that we can turn hostility into friendship. A few days ago, we received a reply from Yu Cang Hai saying that everything can be talked over. Decades of dispute can finally be resolved. You father also hopes that you can inherit the Resisting Evil Swordplay and glorify our family’s martial arts skills.”

Lin Zhennan rose from his seat, heaving a sigh. “Unfortunately this Resisting Evil sword manual is incomplete. Other than the seventy two moves, there are another set of secret techniques within the swordplay which is not in the manual.”

“Father, where are the other set of techniques then? Do you know the techniques?” Lin Pingzhi asked.

Lin Zhennan shook his head, “I don’t know the other set of secret techniques. The techniques had gone missing even before your great grandfather handed this manual down to your grandfather.”

Lin Pingzhi smiled and said, “Don’t worry father. I will certainly figure out its secret someday.”

Lin Zhennan made a disapproving hand gesture. “No! No way!” he snapped his son out of it.

Lin Pingzhi frowned, “Why not?”

Lin Zhennan looking at the floor, and sighed, “You’ll understand someday. Now is not the time.”

A henchman hurried into the cabin. His eyes were filled with fear. “Lord Lin….Ah Zhen is dead…” he said in a trembling voice.

“What?” Lin Zhennan uttered in shock. He glanced at his wife and son. The three of them got up from their seats and walked out of the cabin.

The henchman led them into a bathroom. There was a dead body lying next to a bathtub. Lin Zhennan stooped down and examined the body. “The heart and liver have been ruptured,” he commented. “However, there isn’t any physical wound. This is probably Chengqing Sect’s renowned Heart Crushing Palm.”

Madam Lin’s heart started pumping fiercely. “That’s impossible! Chief Yu clearly accepted our gifts and replied our letter,” she asserted.

Lin Pingzhi thought aloud, “Could it be related to the two men this morning?”

“What?” Lin Zhennan got up from the floor. What happened this morning?”

Lin Pingzhi hesitated, and said, “This morning I saw a perverted guy picking on a girl. I couldn’t stand it so I taught him a lesson. Somehow I lost control of myself and killed him by accident.”

Lin Zhennan puckered brow, “What were the martial arts moves that they use?”

Lin Pingzhi pondered for a minute trying to recall the moves Yu Renyan used to attack him. He then stepped to the side and performed a set of punches and kicks. Those were the moves that he could the moves that he could remember.

Lin Zhennan’s face turned pale in fright. “These…these are Qingcheng Sect’s martial arts moves…” he said. “Oh no! Looks like a new feud started before the old one got resolved.” He gave his son a stern look in the eyes. “How did you all deal with the body after you killed him?”

“Ah Shi, Ah Zhen and I buried it,” Lin Pingzhi replied.

The ship went ashore. Lin Zhennan and Lin Pingzhi led some henchmen to the location where Yu Renyan’s body was buried. Two henchmen held a shovel each and started digging the soil to recover the body. After digging only a short while, the two henchmen spotted something under the soil. “Sir, we found something!” one of the henchman jumped into the hole and took a glance at the body. “It’s Ah Shi!” he screamed in horror.

Lin Zhennan stared at the dead body in anger. “Looks like it’s really related to what happened this morning!” he yelled.

“A man should be responsible for what he did. I’ll go and reason it out with the Qingcheng Sect. Since they’re part of the orthodox group I’m sure that they’ll be reasonable.”

Lin Zhennan grabbed his son’s hand and held him back. “Regardless of orthodox or unorthodox sects, they are all members of the pugilistic world. Members of the pugilistic world express themselves through the use of their martial arts skills. Even if you go and explain it to them, they may not necessarily listen to you.”

Lin Pingzhi frowned, “What should I do then?” He knew that this incident had become more serious than he expected it to be. He was hoping that his father who had more experience living in the pugilistic world could think of a way to resolve the whole matter.

“Since you’ve been targeted it won’t be easy to get away from it. Our only chance is to run off to your grandfather’s residence, Golden Blade Wang Family. He would be able to ask renowned members of the pugilistic world to help clear this out. What we can only do now is stay out of trouble and wait,” Lin Zhennan explained.

Lin Zhennan stood next to a window pondering to himself. Madam Lin walked into the cabin. “You’re still up?” she patted his shoulder. Lin Zhennan sighed, “How can I sleep with this kind of thing happening? I’m just wondering what’s going to happen next.”

Madam Lin tried to comfort her husband and said, “Don’t worry. They can trick on us on the shore but we’re now travelling by the river. No matter how formidable the Qingcheng Sect is they can’t possibly do anything to us here.”

Lin Zhennan placed his hand around his wife's shoulder, “It’s better to be safe. We’ve finally endured my retirement. I thought that the Emperor’s emblem could protect us against those corrupted high ranking officials. Who would have thought that we would now encounter this problem?” He pulled a chair out for his wife. “Heaven probably feels that the first half of our life was too smooth.”

Madam Lin grinned, “No matter what happens I’ll stay with you. As long as I can be with you nothing else matters anymore. But we’ve to make sure that we keep our child safe.”

“Don’t worry I will,” Lin Zhennan said. He filled a cup up with tea. “Something is not right,” he said in a disturbing voice.

“What is it?” Madam Lin started to get worried.

“Why is it so quiet? Normally even if everyone is asleep you can still hear the footsteps of the watchmen. But right now…” Lin Zhennan said.

Lin Zhennan and his wife exited the cabin. They realized that the ship was on a not moving as it should be. There were three henchmen lying still at the front. Lin Zhennan checked on the three of them and realized that they were dead. Lin Zhennan clenched his fist and said in a loud voice, “Who is there?! Is it friends from the Qingcheng Sect? Come out and fight me if you dare! Come out!”

Madam Lin looked around the ship in fear. She quickly calmed herself down and walked to her husband. “Don’t be like this. They don’t dare to confront us face to face because they fear your Evil Resisting Swordplay. They’re sneaking on us to scare us in hope that we’ll become irrational. You mustn’t fall into their trap!”

Without further delay, Lin Zhennan led his wife and son to the bottom deck of the ship. He pulled opened a door on the floor and dived into the water below. Lin Pingzhi and Madam Lin then took turns to jump into the water. Before the three of them could even make a move to swim away, a big net was casted at them. They soon found themselves caught in the net, unable to get out of it.

Six men armed with swords swam towards their direction. They were apprentices of the Qingcheng Sect.

Lin Zhennan generated his inner energy and very quickly tore the net with his bare hands. He then grabbed his wife and son's arm and swam back to the ship.

Lin Zhennan gasped for air, and said, “Never thought that these people could swim so well…”

Madam Lin responded, “I heard that Qingcheng Sect has a martial art skill called Turtle Breathing Method. Once you’ve mastered it you can stay under water for a long period of time.”

“It’s true that there’s always someone more capable out there. I thought that they were afraid of my martial arts skills. It didn’t strike my mind that they want to trap the three of us here, slowly torture us to death.”

Lin Pingzhi decided not to drag his parents into this mess. “Father, it’s all my fault. I don’t want the two of you to endure any sufferings because of my mistake. I’ll go and lead them away!” he said courageously.

Lin Zhennan interrupted him, “Pingzhi! This is not the time to be immature. There’s some gunpowder on the ship. The only way to avoid them from keeping a close watch on us would be to blow up the ship.”

Minutes later, a sudden explosion went off at the lower of the ship. The force of the explosion was so great that it knocked three barrels on the upper deck into the water. Each barrel contained a member of the Lin Family. Lin Zhen had it all planned out. His wife and son would hide in the barrels while he went to the lower deck to light up the gunpowder. He made sure that he had sufficient time to make his way back to the upper deck to take cover inside the other barrel. He felt that it was the best way for them to escape without the Qingcheng Sect apprentices noticing them.

The sun has risen. Lin Pingzhi ran through a forest looking for his parents. He got separated with them after escaping from their ship. He was really worried that his parents had fallen into the hands of the Qingcheng Sect. The more he thought about it, the more he more frightened he became.

“Pingzhi!” a voice from the opposite direction called for him. He halted and looked towards the direction of the voice. It was his father, Lin Zhennan. He was happy to see that his father was alright. Lin Zhennan ran over to him. “Are you alright?” he asked.

Lin Pingzhi nodded, “Yes. Where’s mother?!”

Lin Zhennan casted a quick glance around the forest. “She must be nearby. Let’s go and look for her,” he said.

After walking a short distance, Lin Zhennan suddenly halted his steps. He smelled a whiff of nasty scent. “Why is there a peculiar smell?” he looked at his son. Lin Pingzhi took a long sniff and noticed that the scent was coming from his clothing. “It’s coming from us,” he replied.

Lin Zhennan paused for a moment and then continued, “I know! The Qingcheng Sect people were afraid that we would escape so they smeared something on our ship. That’s why there is still smell!” He looked around and said, “Looks like they’ll find us real soon.”

Lin Pingzhi sighed, “What do we do then?” Lin Zhennan quickly replied and said, “First take off your outer garment then smear some mud on yourself!” Lin Pin Zhi followed his father’s instructions. He was really hoping that it would work.

There were loud noises of people shouting coming from the distance. “They must have found us! We’ll to take cover right away!” Lin Zhennan pulled his son towards a bush. They crouched behind the bush and waited to see who it was.
Yu Renhao and Luo Ren Jie were escorting a woman that had her head covered by a black sack and her hands tied through the forest. Lin Pingzhi recognized the woman by looking at the color of her clothing. It was his mother that they had captured.

“Junior Apprentice Brother, this forest is not that big. Let’s search around,” Luo Ren Jie said.

Yu Renhao grinned, “Don’t worry! With this woman in our hands there’s no way the father and son will run away.” He then looked around the forest. “Lin Zhennan! Listen up! Your wife is in our hands! You better come out! Otherwise don’t blame me for being nasty!” he grabbed the woman from behind and punched her in the abdomen.

The woman started yelling in pain as she struggled to break away from her captors.

Lin Pingzhi tried to get up to rescue his mother but Lin Zhennan quickly pulled him back. “Pingzhi…calm down…” he whispered.

Luo Ren Jie smirked, “This father and son are so heartless!”

Yu Renhao pushed the woman forward, “We’ll wait and see!” He reached for a rope, tied the woman to a tree and started hitting her with a whip.

“I want to save mother…” Lin Pingzhi struggled to get up. Lin Zhennan pinned his son down with his hand. “Don’t do it…” he responded.

After hitting the woman for over a minute, Yu Renhao finally stopped. He threw the whip to the ground, “Looks like this isn’t working. Let’s think of something else to play!” He drew his sword and plunged it into the ground, right under the woman, with the edge facing upwards. He then used fire tube to set the rope on fire. This rope will break real soon. You two better think properly whether you want to continue hiding or come out and save her!”

Lin Zhennan stared at the woman trying to determine if she was really his wife. He was worried that it was another trap setup by the despicable Qingcheng Sect apprentices.

“Once this rope breaks, this woman will fall right onto the sword. This is your last chance!” Yu Renhao yelled.

“Keep hiding if you want her to die,” Luo Ren Jie chuckled.

Lin Pingzhi clenched his teeth as he watched the rope burn. He opened his mouth and bit his father’s arm to break himself free.

Lin Zhennan let out a cry in pain and immediately he pulled his hand away from his son. Lin Pingzhi got up and ran towards the woman. “Mother!” he yelled.

The rope finally snapped. The woman fell off from the tree and landed on the sword. The edge of the sword pierced through her abdomen killing her instantly. Lin Pingzhi looked at the woman fell to her death in shock. He stooped down at the woman and slowly pulled the black sack off the woman’s head. The woman wasn’t Madam Lin.

After knowing that it wasn’t his mother Lin Pingzhi let out a sigh of relieved. A hand flashed towards him, grabbing him by his throat. “Didn’t I tell you that it would easy to catch this kid!” Yu Renhao pulled Lin Pingzhi up from the ground with his right hand. He then punched Lin Pingzhi on the right side of his face with his left hand, and sent Lin Pingzhi swaying to the left. Luo Ren Jie stepped forward and took his turn to punch Lin Pingzhi on the left side of his face. The two Qingcheng Sect apprentices burst out laughing as they to punch and kick Lin Pingzhi relentlessly.

Madam Lin arrived at the scene. Seeing that her son was in trouble she rushed towards them hurriedly. Lin Zhennan spotted his wife. He got out from his hiding place and went forward to help his son as well.

Yu Renhao stepped behind Lin Pingzhi, grabbed his shoulder with his left hand while his right hand gripped him by his throat. “Stand back or I’ll kill him!” he yelled.

Lin Zhennan and Madam Lin had no choice but to stay still. Eight other Qingcheng Sect apprentices carrying swords rushed out from their hiding place and moved in on Lin Zhennan and his wife. Because of Lin Pingzhi’s lack of experience roaming the pugilistic world his parents were finally captured by the Qingcheng Sect apprentices.

“We’ve captured all three of them now! Senior Apprentice Brother, this plan of mine work very well!” Yu Renhao said.

Luo Ren Jie nodded, “Well done! Looks like you’ll be the best candidate to succeed our master.”

Yu Renhao chuckled, “You’re just flattering me.” He then looked at Lin Zhennan, and said, “Lin Zhennan! You should have
stayed on the ship and wait for your death rather than giving us all this trouble. You better don’t blame me for being rude to you now!”

Lin Zhennan replied by saying, “We’ve been very respectful to Chief Yu. Why are you still treating us this way?”

Yu Renhao snorted, “Respect? Your son killed our Master’s only son. Do you still call that respect?! You better pray that my Master kill you with one strike and not torture you to death. Take them away!” He turned around and dragged Lin Pingzhi away with him.

Lao Denuo slowly pushed a door and walked into a room. He went out early this morning to gather information about the Lin Family

Yue Lingshan and Yue Lingfeng were waiting inside the room. Yue Lingshan rose from her seat. "Third Apprentice Brother, how are things?" she asked.

Lao Denuo sat on a chair and replied, "The Lin Family's ship exploded last night. The three of them tried to escape but got captured by the Qingcheng Sect apprentices an hour ago. Looks like they will be bringing the Lin Family survivors back to Mount Qingcheng."

Yue Lingshan hummed, "Didn't expect the Qingcheng Sect apprentices to be so evil. I've already sent a pigeon message to father but he hasn't arrived yet. What should we do now?"

Lao Denuo replied, "Little Apprentice Sister, I know what you're thinking. But do not act rashly. Don't forget what Master told us."

Yue Lingshan pursed her lips with a frustrated look on her face. "But I can’t just let them die and not save them! Besides, that kid did help me once."

"No matter what it is. This is the Qingcheng Sect and Lin Family's personal matters. Since Master has not arrive we must be extra careful. We musn't have any conflict with the Qingcheng Sect yet. Besides, this time Yu Cang Hai is here personally. If something happens to you what am I going to tell Master?," Lao Denuo continued.

"I don't care! I'm saving him for sure!" Yue Lingshan asserted.

Yue Lingfeng folded his arms around his chest and said, “Little Sister, I’ll save the kid for you.”

Lao Denuo interrupted in a stern voice, “Second Apprentice Brother, we’ve been instructed by Master not to do anything rash.”

Yue Lingfeng just ignored him. He then turned around and walked out of the room.

Yue Lingshan ran after Yue Lingfeng. “That kid has a good heart. He helped me once…” she commented.

Yue Lingfeng replied, “I’ve already said that I’ll do it. Don’t worry.”

The sky was getting darker. The Qingcheng Sect apprentices decided to take a rest inside an awaken cottage. The Lin family members sat against a wall with their hands and legs tied up.

Suddenly, a loud scream sounded from the back. Yu Renhao and Luo Renjie drew their swords and dashed to the back immediately.

A shadow flashed by the door. The other eight Qingcheng Sect apprentices jumped up with their sword drawn. A black figure jumped in from the broken roof and instantly kicked all the eight of them in the back of their heads. The Qingcheng Sect apprentices fell to the ground and yelled in pain. The black figure then grabbed Lin Pingzhi by the collar and pulled him out of the cottage.

Lin Zhennan and Madam Lin looked at each other with a smile. They were so glad that someone came to rescue their only child. As long as Lin Pingzhi was safe they did not really care about their own fate.

Luo Renjie and Yu Renhao fought hand in hand against another black figure in the backyard. The black figure attacked them with similar sword moves. Yu Renhao raised his sword to parry a strike and took fifteen steps back. “Who are you?! How did you learn the sword skills of the Qingcheng Sword School?” he cried out in disbelief.

The black figure didn’t answer. He waved his sword outwards, discharging a strong gust of wind at the two of them, and knocked them off their feet. “This is called the Qingcheng Sec’t famous Zhong Feng (Stroke Attack) swordplay!” the black figure said. He then turned around, leapt into the air and vanished into the dark.

The other black figure who rescued Lin Pingzhi moments ago held his arm as they ran through the woods. The black figure finally pulled the black cloth off from her face. She was Yue Lingshan.

Lin Pingzhi gave her a surprising look. “How come it’s you? Why are you here?” he asked in disbelief.

"You helped me once so I’m just returning a favor,” Yue Lingshan smiled and replied.

“So you know martial arts?” Lin Pingzhi asked.

Yue Lingshan snorted, “You’re trying to tell me that if I know martial arts I can’t work at a teashop? Are you being suspicious of me? If I was a bad person why would I save you?”

Lin Pingzhi heaved a sigh, “Miss, you misunderstood me. That’s not what I meant…”

Yue Lingshan covered her nose with the black cloth, as she whiffed a horrible smell coming from Lin Pingzhi, “You smell bad…” she uttered.

Lin Pingzhi looked at himself and took a sniff. He noticed that the smell was coming from his clothes. He quickly took off the outer garment.

Luo Renjie led eight men to the area. “This way!” he yelled. “I already smell the aroma on him. He must be nearby. Search the area!”

Yue Lingshan and Lin Pingzhi quickly crouched down into the bushes. “So the scent on you is a trap set by them,” Yue Lingshan whispered.

Lin Pingzhi said, “I don’t really care what happens to me. I’m just afraid of involving you.”

Yue Lingshan grinned, “Don’t worry about me. Even if they catch me they won’t dare to do anything to me.”

Lin Pingzhi snorted and clenched his fist, “I’ll just go and deal with them!”

Yue Lingshan quick pulled him back. “Impatience will spoil great plans. You still have to save your parents.”

Lin Pingzhi shook his head. “But they’re getting closer…” he said distressingly.

Yue Lingshan picked up the piece of outer garment from the ground. “Don’t worry. I’ve an idea,” she grinned. She held the outer garment over her head and ran away.

Luo Renjie spotted a figure running out from the bushes. “After him!” he pointed his finger at Yue Lingshan. The eight men immediately ran after Yue Lingshan.

After running a short distance, Yue Lingshan stopped and hid behind a tree. The Qingcheng Sect showed up seconds later. Luo Renjie caught a whiff of the scent. “Search the area!” he yelled.

Yue Lingshan stayed in her position and remained calm.

Luo Renjie spotted a piece of fabric sticking out of a tree. With a cold smile on his face, his drew his sword and walked towards the tree.

All of a sudden, a stone flew at him and struck his face. He lost his balance and tripped to the side. “Who is it?! Show yourself!” he regained his balance and yelled in anger.

“Shameless juniors! If you dare take another step forward I’ll crush all of you to bits!” a furious voice coming from the dark asserted. The Qingcheng Sect apprentices looked at each other in alarm.

“Go away!” the furious voice roared.

Luo Renjie panicked, “Let’s go!” He turned around and ran away. The other Qingcheng Sect apprentices followed him from behind.

Yue Lingshan stepped away from the tree. She slowly looked around the area, and said. “May I know who is this senior who came to help me? I’m truly thankful!” she cupped her hands and said.

Yue Buqun and a group of Huashan Sect apprentices appeared behind her. Yue Lingshan quickly turned around and ran towards them. “Father!” she called out joyfully.

Yue Buqun said in a stern voice, “We met Denuo while we were on our way here. I heard about all the trouble that you’ve caused. Luckily it was just a bunch of nobodies. If it was Yu Canghai himself who was here our sect would have no choice but to get into a feud with the Qingcheng Sect.”

Yue Lingshan frowned, “Your daughter was only trying save someone.”

Yue Buqun hummed, “Where is Lin Pingzhi now?”

Yue Lingshan quickly replied, “In order to help him I lured those Qingcheng Sect people away and got separated with him.”

Yue Buqun sighed, “Looks like this matter is becoming very serious.”

Later, the Huashan Sect apprentices gathered around at a nearby shore to take a rest.

Yue Buqun placed his hands behind his back looking at the river waters.

Yue Lingfeng was still awake and noticed that something was troubling his adopted father. He walked up to Yue Buqun and bowed at him. “Adopter Father, is everything all right?” he asked.

Yue Buqun turned toward him and asked, “Are they all asleep?”

Yue Lingfeng nodded, “Yes, they’re all asleep.”

Yue Buqun continued, “Feng’Er, I need you to come to a place with me.”

Yue Lingfeng looked at adopted father and asked, “What place?”

Yue Buqun turned to the left and walked away. “The Lin Family’s burnt ship,” he said.

A group of Qingcheng Sect apprentices were at the coastline searching through some wooden boxes. Yu Canghai was there with them. Those boxes were from the Lin famiy’s ship that had fell into the water after the ship sank. Most of the items which they found were clothing. “Search carefully!” Yue Canghai yelled.

Yue Buqun and Yue Lingfeng crouched behind the bushes at the top of a hill. “Looks like Yu Canghai brought so many people here with him for the sake of the Resisting Evil Sword manual,” Yue Buqun whispered.

“The entire Lin Family was killed because of the sword manual. Yu Canghai is really wicked,” Yue Lingfeng commented. “I guess it’s retribution that he lost son.”

Yue Buqun nodded and said, “Feng’Er, I’m going off now. I need you to go back to to get your apprentice siblings and bring them to Hengyang City to attend your Martial Uncle Liu’s retirement ceremony with Chong’Er. I’ll try to find the Lin couple’s whereabouts and also that kid called Lin Pingzhi.”

Yue Lingfeng nodded, “Yes, Adopted Father.”

It was another quiet day at the Blackwood Cliff. Feeling bored and restless, Dongfang Bubai lazed inside a chamber playing with her pet snake. “Do you know why did Yu Niang betray me because of a man? Did I not treat her well enough? Why is it that love can ruin one’s life? Should I encounter love one day what do you think would become of me?” she murmured to the golden snake inside a glass container. She then turned around mulled over her encounter with Linghu Chong, and recalled how he tried to save her from her assailants. She smiled slightly and said, “I think he’s cute.”

Just then, a masked man stepped into the hall. He knelt down in front of Dongfang Bubai, “Subordinate pays respect to the Chief.”

Dongfang Bubai turned her eyes to the hooded masked man. “What do you want to report to me?” she asked in a cold voice.

The hooded masked man replied, “Mount Heng Sect’s Liu Zhengfeng wants to retire from the pugilistic world. It has also been brought to subordinate’s knowledge that the Elder Qu have been hanging around in Hengyang City for months. The two of them seemed to have a deep friendship. They’ve been meeting many times in private playing huqin and flute.”

Dongfang Bubai sat up straight with one leg up on the golden bench. “Is that so? One is the divine cult’s elder while the other is the righteous sect’s prominent figure but yet they actually became friends. This is truly beyond belief.”

The masked men responded, “Everyone in the cult thinks the same too. We believe that Elder Qu could be collaborating with Liu ZhengFeng.”

Dongfang Bubai got up from the golden bench and took three steps forward. “Is that so?” she asked cold voice.

The masked man continued, “Should subordinate go to Hengyang City to check them out?”

Dongfang Bubai made a gesture with her hand and said, “That’s not necessary. Dismiss.”

The masked man stood up and walked away backwards.

Dongfang Bubai walked down the pedestal with her hands behind her back. “Liu ZhengFeng wants to retire from the martial arts world but is secretly colluding with Qu Yang. Looks like there will be a big show Hengyang City. I might as well pay a visit to Hengyang City to see what’s going on,” she said coldly.

She then turned around and extended her arm out, projecting a ray of light from her hand into the container and pulled the golden snake into her sleeve. After that, she then turned around and walked out of the hall with a cold smile on her face.


End of Chapter 4