Lin Pingzhi jumped over a railing and ran along a walkway hastily.
Yu Canghai leapt into the air, somersaulted over Lin Pingzhi landed in front of him. He quickly turned around and thrust his palm out to his chest.
A sudden a gust of wind swept towards Lin Pingzhi and knocked him to the side.
Yu Canghai’s palm ended up hitting the air instead.
Yue Buqun flew towards the walkway and landed in front of Yu Canghai. “Head Master Yu, you’re a prominent figure in the martial arts world. If people know that you picked on someone weaker than you they’re going to start laughing at you,” he said.
Yu Canghai snorted, “I’m afraid that it’s you who will be laughed at. You as the headmaster of the
Mount Hua Sect but yet you failed to look after your disciple, allowing him to indulge in sexual activities freely.”
Yue Buqun started at Yu Canghai menacingly. “What rubbish are you talking about?” he asked.
Yu Canghai laughed and said, “Your disciple Linghu Chong is inside one of the rooms having lots of fun.”
“Head Master Yu, Martial Niece Yi Lin has already said that my disciple Linghu Chong was killed by your disciple,” Yue Buqun replied in a stern voice.
“Dead? He’s in that room having the time of his life!” Yu Canghai sneered.
Yue Buqun turned to look at Lu Dayou, “Da You! Go in and see if your Big Apprentice Brother is really in there!”
Lu Dayou rushed to the back and entered room in the far corner. “Big Apprentice Brother! Big Apprentice Brother!” he walked into the room and took a quick glance around. The room was in complete silence.
Lu Dayou grabbed himself a cup of wine from a table while taking a quick look around the place. He then noticed someone lying under the blanket. Thinking that it was Linghu Chong lying under the blanket he ran towards the bed and called out, “Big Apprentice Brother!” He shook the blanket repeatedly. “Big Apprentice Brother! Get up quick! Master is outside!” he continued. Seeing that there was no response, he quickly pulled the blanket aside and notice Fang Renzhi lying in the bed.
Yu Canghai generated his inner energy and unsealed Fang Renzhi’s acupoints. His inner energy level was very much lower than Dongfang Bubai thus he had to utilize more inner energy to wake his disciple up.
Fang Renzhi slowly regained conscious but was still very dizzy.
“Renzhi! What happened? Where’s Linghu Chong?!” Yu Canghai asked angrily.
Fang Renzhi knelt at his master and said, “Master, disciple is useless…disciple fell into Linghu Chong’s trap and let he get away.”
Yu Canghai pulled him up and slapped him in the face. “Useless!” he yelled in anger. He then walked towards Yue Buqun. “Head Master Yue, you allowed your disciple to do as they please. I’ll not let this go so easily! We’ll settle our score some other time!” he exclaimed and walked away.
Fang Renzhi looked down as he followed his master from behind.
Lin Pingzhi stood in front of Yue Buqun and knelt at him. “Disciple Lin Pingzhi pays respect to Master!” he said, with his hands cupped.
Yue Buqun looked at him astonishingly. “What are you doing?” he asked.
Lin Pingzhi bowed at him and said, “Master, I, Lin Pingzhi begs Master to take me as your disciple. I will listen and obey your teachings.”
Yue Buqun fixed his eyes on Lin Pingzhi and said, “So you’re Brocade Guards Chief Commander Lin Zhen Nan’s son.”
Lin Pingzhi nodded, “Yes. I sincerely hope that Master can take me as your disciple.”
Yue Buqun nodded with a smile. “Great! You may rise,” he helped Lin Pingzhi up. “It’s not difficult for me to take you in as my disciple. But I must get your parents approval first.”
Lin Pingzhi replied, “If Master is willing to accept me as a disciple my parents will be very pleased. They will definitely not disagree. Unfortunately they’ve been captured by the Qingcheng Sect. I hope that Master can help me. ”
Yue Buqun heaved a sigh, “We’re still not sure who is right or wrong in this matter. But you don’t have to worry. Since I’ve accepted you as my disciple I’ll definitely help you handle this matter.”
Lin Pingzhi bowed at Yue Buqun. “Thank you Master!” he said happily.
Yue Buqun patted Lin Pingzhi’s shoulder, “Good!” He started laughing menacingly. “Now that I’ve accepted you as my disciple I’ll definitely help you save your family. Don’t worry,” he added.
Lin Pingzhi replied happily, “Thank you master!”
Yue Buqun and his disciples exited a chamber and walked towards the entrance hall.
Later, Yue Lingshan arrived at the brothel house and ran into the place. She then noticed her father and martial brothers walking along the hallway. “Father!” she ran toward her father.
“Shan’Er, what are you doing here?” Yue Buqun asked in astonishment.
“I heard that you’re all are here so I came to look for you all. Is there any news about Big Martial Brother yet?” she asked worriedly.
“Little Apprentice Sister, don’t worry. Big Apprentice Brother is alright!” Lu Dayou grinned.
Yue Lingshan looked at Lu Dayou with a smile. “He’s fine? Really?” she asked excitingly.
Lin Pingzhi bowed at Yue Lingshan and said, “Greetings, Senior Apprentice Sister!”
Yue Lingshan looked at him confusingly. She turned to look at her father seeking for an explanation.
“I’ve just accepted him as my disciple,” Yue Buqun responded. He looked at Lin Pingzhi and said, “Pingzhi it’s a long story. After knowing that Qingcheng Sect wanted to attack your family I sent De Nuo, Feng’Er and my daughter to keep an eye on them and to extend a helping hand if necessary. But in the end we were a little too late.”
Lin Pingzhi bowed at Yue Lingshan with his hand cupped. “Senior Apprentice Sister Yue, thanks for saving my life the other day. I’ll never forget your kindness,” he said.
Yue Lingshan turned around to look at Lu Dayou. “Listen up! I get to be Big Apprentice Sister now!” she said excitingly.
“Brat!” Lu Dayou gently patted her head.
Yue Buqun burst out laughing. “Alright! Let’s go back to your Martial Uncle’s residence and wait for your apprentice brothers!”
Yue Lingshan was still very worried about Linghu Chong. She gently pulled her father’s sleeve and said, “Father! I want to go and find Big Martial Brother…”
Yue Buqun shook his head, “You’re not going anywhere. Be a good girl and follow me back to your martial uncle’s residence. Your Second Apprentice Brother and Third Apprentice Brother has already gone to look for Chong’Er. We’ll wait for them to come back.” After finishing his words, he turned toward the main door and walked out of the place.
It was already dawn. Dongfang Bubai and Yi Lin propped Linghu Chong by the shoulders as they walked through the woods. Dongfang Bubai looked to the right and noticed an abandoned shack up ahead. “This way!” she led them into the shack.
They slowly helped Linghu Chong into a sitting position.
“Thanks for the help…” Linghu Chong gasped. “This place is so secluded they’ll never be able to find us here…”
Dongfang Bubai gave him a smile. “Little nun! Stay here to look after him,” she said to Yi Lin. After finishing her words, she turned around and walked toward the doorway.
“Brother Dong…where are you going?” Linghu Chong tried to pull himself up but fell right back to the ground. He was still too weak to move on his own.
Yi Lin immediately ran after Dongfang Bubai. “Where are you going? You can’t leave!” she squealed.
Dongfang Bubai turned around to look at Linghu Chong. “This place is safe. Take good care of him. I’ve some important things to do,” she finished her words and walked away.
Linghu Chong leaned against a wall trying to get some rest. He was in so much pain that he just could not sleep. He folded his arms around his chest and started choking.
Yi Ling looked at him and asked, “Big Brother Linghu, are you in pain?”
Linghu Chong knitted his brows and gasped, “No…I’m not in pain.”
Yi Lin quickly pulled a small bottle out from her pocket. “This is our Hengshan Sect’s pain killer Heavenly Connecting Ointment. I’ll help you to apply some,” she said with a smile.
Linghu Chong looked at her and asked, “Will it work?”
Yi Lin nodded, “It should work.”
Linghu Chong let out a sigh of pain, “Alright then. Just apply it.”
Yi Lin sat behind him and helped him remove his top garment. There were multiple cut marks on his back. She fingers trembled as she applied the ointment on his back.
Linghu Chong shuddered and felt like his skin was burning. “Why is it that after putting it on it becomes even more painful?” he groaned.
Yi Lin retracted her hand and replied, “My Master said that this medicine is good for cleaning wounds but it will also make cause a tingling sensation. After a few hours you should not feel that painful anymore.”
Linghu Chong clenched his teeth enduring the pain. “Very well…”
After finish applying the ointment, Linghu Chong put on his top garment and rest against a pillar.
Yi Lin squatted down and gazed at him silently.
“Little Apprentice Sister…don’t be angry…I’ll go back and accompany you real soon…I promise you I won’t go anywhere anymore. I’ll be by your side forever. You’re the only girl in this world that matters most to me…I’m not going to take notice of any other girls,” Linghu Chong murmured and smiled in his sleep.
Yi Lin raised her brows and thought to herself, “Little Apprentice Sister?”
……….
Suddenly, Ding Yi’s image appeared in front of her. “Yi Lin! Remember this! All men in this world are bad! Once you’re attracted to a man you will have no way to resist it and fall into the eighteen levels of hell!” she said in a fierce voice.
………………
Yi Lin quickly got up and looked away. She then closed her eyes and started chanting.
The weather was calm and sunny. Dongfang Bubai was standing on a rock in the water right beside the waterfall revitalizing her inner energy. A wave of heat exited her body, releasing a burst of energy into the area and caused the water to suddenly burst up into the air violently.
A masked man clad in black hood ran along the rock and halted beside her. “Subordinate pays respect to Chief,” he greeted her with his hands cupped.
Dongfang Bubai placed her hands behind her back and looked at him. “Any news on Qu Yang?” she asked.
The masked man replied, “Subordinate deserves to die. There is still no news.”
Dongfang Bubai hummed indifferently, “Actually I have no intentions of getting into any form of hostility with the so called righteous sect. But if Qu Yang leaks any secrets than it’ll become troublesome.”
Loud sound of birds chirping suddenly came from a nearby hill. A group of men dressed in red walked along a pathway on the hill. They were the disciples of the Songshan Sect. “This Liu Zhengfeng dares to secretly consort with devil cult’s Qu Yang. This time he’s definitely going to die an ugly death!” one of them said.
Dongfang Bubai was eavesdropping from the top.
The masked man cupped his hands and said, “Congratulations Chief! You have not even done anything yet and the Five Mountain Sword Sects Alliance is already turning against each other. This is definitely the heavens aiding Chief and the divine cult.”
There was a sinister smile on Dongfang Bubai’s face. “Qu Yang and Liu Zhengfeng thought that they can retire from the martial arts community and live laughing in the martial arts world. It might be a good thing that they experience some pain. We will just stand aside and do nothing,” she explained.
Strong winds swept across the plain as petals of flowers started falling from the dark sky. Yue Lingfeng sat on a roof playing a melancholic tune on his flute. His encounter with Ying Ying brought back sad memories. Images of him and a beautiful girl playing musical instruments under a tree flashed through his mind.
……….
I have never really been happy my whole life. When I was little my family abandoned me. Entering Huashan Sect did not make things any better either. I had to strictly adhere to the sect’s rules and do as I am being told by Adopted Father,” Yue Lingfeng sighed.
A beautiful girl walked up to him and held him by his arm. “Now that you have Feiyan by your side, you don’t have to worry about sect rules and martial arts conflicts anymore. We can stay somewhere secluded and just play music together,” she said with a smile.
Yue Lingfeng turned around and embraced her in his arms. “Feiyan, once I’ve the task assigned by Adopted Father, I’ll go back to Mount Hua and tell Adopted Father that I’ve decided to retire from the martial arts world. We will get married and live a simple life,” he said in a soft voice.
The girl nodded with a long smile.
………
“It has been said that Huashan Sect’s Yue Lingfeng is talented in martial arts and literature. A young man like you should not be playing such melancholic tunes. You’ve a long way to go, Martial Nephew,” Liu Zhengfeng looked up at him and said.
Yue Lingfeng jumped off from the roof and landed in front of him. “Junior pays respect to Martial Uncle Liu,” he greeted him with his hands cupped.
Liu Zhengfeng patted his shoulder. “Martial Nephew, from your tune I can tell that you’re reminiscing someone very important to you. This person has probably left you and you can’t seem to forget her. It’s definitely painful to lose someone important to you but that does not mean that you’ll not be able to find someone even better. You’re still young and still have a long way to go in life. Just remember this, no matter how tough the roads ahead are, you must never lose your confidence. As long as you have the courage to change, you’ll be able to create your own future.”
Yue Lingfeng bowed and responded, “Thanks for the advice, Martial Uncle. Junior will certainly try to change.”
Liu Zhengfeng looked away with a smile on his face. “It is hard to find a true companion in life but that does not mean that you will never find it. There is always a second chance. Once you have gotten it you must not let it go or else you will regret it for the rest of your life,” he uttered with a sigh.
The following morning, the members of the Huashan Sect, Northern Hengshan Sect, Taishan Sect, Qingcheng Sect and a few other smaller righteous sects gathered inside a long at hall.
Liu Zhengfeng stood in the middle of the long hall and started his speech. “I, Liu Zhengfeng am grateful that so many seniors and friends took the trouble travelling all the way here. I’m sure you all already know that I’ve received the imperial court’s edict to serve the government as an official. When we’re in the pugilistic world we follow a code of righteous. However when it comes to government matters, everything has to be done according to the law and protocols. In order to avoid any awkward situations in future when any conflict arises between the government and pugilistic world arises, I’ve decided to retire and wash my hands from all matters of the pugilistic world. Of course if any of you come and visit me, you’ll always be welcome as a friend. However, I’ll no longer enquire or interfere with the matters of the pugilistic world.” After finishing his words, he cupped his hands and bowed at his guests as a gesture of respect.
Liu Zhengfeng turned around and knelt at an altar with his hands cupped. “Disciple Liu Zhengfeng was accepted and taught martial arts by the late Master Mo En of the Southern Mount Heng Sect. Disciple is ashamed of not being able to glorify the Southern Mount Heng Sect. Fortunately our sect still has Senior Martial Brother Mo Da who is far more competent. From now on, I, Liu Zhengfeng will wash my hands from the pugilistic world and vow never to use the skills Master taught me when I’m carrying out my duties in the imperial court. If I break my vow….” he paused for a moment, and reached for a sword. He turned around and broken the blade into two pieces with a swift knife hand strike. “I’ll be like this sword!”
All the sect leaders were a little disappointed to see this. They felt that the martial arts world had just lost another honorable member.
One of Liu Zhengfeng’s disciples carried a gold plated bucket into the long hall, placing it on a table at the front.
Liu Zhengfeng walked toward the table and got ready to soak his hands into the golden bucket. He heaved a sigh of gladness. Once he put his hands into the bucket, he will officially retire from the pugilistic world. He will be able to live a simple life with Ying Ying. It was something that he had been looking forward to.
“Please wait!” a loud voice from the outside shouted.
A group of men dressed in red robes walked towards the long hall. One of them walked straight into the long hall with a silk flag in five colors raised high in his hand.
Liu Zhengfeng narrowed his eyes as he looked at them. Those men were from the Mount Song Sect.
“Senior Martial Brother Liu, junior comes with a message from Alliance Chief Zuo. He has requested that you delay your ceremony,” the man holding the silk flag said.
Ding Yi walked to the front, and said, “Alliance Chief Zuo’s message came at the right time. We martial arts practitioners value righteousness. Life in the pugilistic world is free and unrestrained. Why leave? If Junior Martial Brother retires it would be a great loss.” She looked at Liu Zhengfeng, and said, “Please reconsider.”
Liu Zhengfeng just ignored her. “When the Five Mountain Sword Sects Alliance was formed, we vowed to help each other to maintain righteousness in the pugilistic world. If there’s anything that concerns the five sects everyone will listen and obey the Alliance Chief’s command. This flag you carry is something the five sects have agreed upon, seeing the flag is like seeing the Alliance Chief. Unfortunately, today I am simply retiring from the pugilistic world. I’ve not broken any rules of the pugilistic world. My retirement ceremony has nothing to do with the Five Mountain Sword Sects Alliance. Therefore this flag will not be able to stop me,” he explained. “Appreciate if Martial Brother Fei can return and tell Alliance Chief Zuo that I’ll not accept his request. Hope that Alliance Chief Zuo can forgive me!” he cupped both his hands as he spoke.
The man replied, “Alliance Chief Zuo insisted that Senior Martial Brother Liu obeys as this is for your own good.” His name was Fei Bin, one of the senior disciples of the Mount Song Sect.
Liu Zhengfeng shrugged, “I don’t understand this at all. When I made my decision to retire, I had sent my disciples to convey this to Alliance Chief Zuo at Mount Song. I even wrote a long letter explaining my reason of retirement. If Alliance Chief Zuo was against it why didn’t he interfere back then and waited till now?! Isn’t this making me go back against my word? Is he trying to make me a laughingstock in front of all these heroes?”
The guests inside the room looked at each other without uttering a single word. They agreed with Liu Zhengfeng that if Mount Song Sect disagreed with his retirement this should have been brought up months ago and not now. But they also knew that there was no point voicing out their opinions as Alliance Chief Zuo was known to be a ruthless man. Some felt that he made a mistake by joining an orthodox group as he would make a better fit in an unorthodox group, since he acted like one of them.
Fei Bin interrupted, “Alliance Chief Zuo has ordered that this ceremony be delayed. I hope that you will not make me stop you physically.”
Liu Zhengfeng smirked. He turned around and bowed at his guests with his hands cupped. “Fellow friends! This retirement ceremony is my personal matter. This Martial Brother Fei is being disrespectful and unreasonable. If I were to change my mind because of some threats how I have face to see anyone again? I can lose my head but I’ll not bow to threats!”
After finishing his sentence, he walked back to the table and reached toward the golden bucket.
Fei Bin clenched his teeth in anger. Seeing that Liu Zhengfeng was unwilling to obey Alliance Chief Zuo’s commands he had no choice but to result to violence. He generated his inner energy and struck the ground with his right foot, discharging a wave of energy toward the table and broke it into pieces. The golden bucket instantly fell off to the ground, spilling water all over the ground.
Fei Bin leapt toward Liu Zheng Fen and threw a forceful palm strike to his chest, pushing him backward.
Everyone inside the long hall was stunned. They had never expected Fei Bin to attack another fellow member of the Five Mountain Sword Sect Alliancer.
Liu Zheng pressed his right hand on his chest, feeling a slight pain.
Two other Mount Song Sect disciples escorted a woman to the long hall. She was Liu Zhengfeng’s wife. “A group of people came from the back and stopped us from leaving,” the woman sighed.
Liu Zhengfeng was stunned to see how the Songshan Sect disciples treated his wife. He glared at Fei Bin angrily. “You Songshan Sect disciples have gone too far! If you dare hurt any of my family I’ll slaughter every single one of you here!” he shouted angrily.
Fei Bin placed his hands behind his back, and said, “Songshan Sect will never pick on Hengshan Sect. Neither do we dare to cause any trouble with the heroes here. We’re just doing this to protect the lives of the people in the pugilistic world. We hope that Senior Martial Brother Liu will not carry on with his retirement ceremony.”
Ding Yi walked towards Fei Bin. “What has a retirement ceremony got to do with the lives of the people in the pugilistic world?” she asked curiously.
Tian Men nodded, “Fei Bin! You better give us an explanation!”
Fei Bin turned around to look at the crowd. “Everyone knows that Senior Martial Brother Liu is a renowned and respected figure in the pugilistic world. Why would he suddenly want to retire?” he said. He then walked toward Liu Zhengfeng, and continued, “Alliance Chief would like to clarify something with Senior Martial Brother Liu. He wants to know if Senior Martial Brother Liu is secretly consorting with devil cult’s leader Dongfang Bubai!”
Everyone in the long hall was stunned and surprised by Fei Bin’s words. The devil cult was the ultimate enemy of all the people in the orthodox group. Hearing that Liu Zhengfeng was consorting with the leader of the devil cult their sympathy toward him evaporated instantly.
Liu Zhengfeng roared in anger, “Venomous slander! I’ve never met devil cult’s leader Dongfang Bubai in my entire life! Where did you get these so-called secret dealings info from?!”
Fei Bin replied, “I fear that Senior Martial Brother’s words may not be entirely true. There is a prominent figure in the devil cult with the name Qu Yang. He is the devil cult’s Right Messenger. Would Senior Martial Brother Liu care to reveal your relationship with him?”
Liu Zhengfeng looked at his guests as he responded. “That’s right! I’m very close with Brother Qu. I also consider him as a close companion.”
Everyone inside the long hall was stunned by Liu Zhengfeng’s words. They had never expected him to admit that Qu Yang was actually his close companion.
Yue Lingfeng looked at Liu Zhengfeng with his eyes wide opened.
Fei Bin smirked, “It’s good that you admitted it yourself. Alliance Chief Zuo is giving you two choices. Alliance Chief Zuo insisted that Liu Zhengfeng is one Southern Mount Heng’s valuable talent. You just made friends with the wrong kind of people and tumbled down the wrong way. However, if he is willing to correct your mistakes, we’ll certainly give you a chance to prove yourself. Alliance Chief Zuo asked me to tell Senior Martial Brother Liu: If you want to take this option, then within the next month, slay the devil cult’s Right Messenger Qu Yang and come back with his head and we will all forget about this incident, and be good friends and good brothers again.”
Liu Zhengfeng burst out laughing. “I, Liu Zhengfeng would never do anything to betray a friend!” he said loudly.
Yue Lingfeng pressed and looked at Liu Zhengfeng confusingly.
Ding Yi stepped forward, “Junior Martial Brother Liu, how can you be in love with someone from the devil cult? How do you know what evil intentions she has in mind?”
Liu Zhengfeng sighed and responded, “Everyone, Brother Qu became friends at first sight. All we discuss and think about is composing music. You all might not believe this but I think that no one plays the zither better than Brother Qu. As for bamboo flute skills, I also consider myself not inferior than anyone else. Although Brother Qu is a member of the devil cult but from the music of his zither plays, I can tell that he is a good person. Not only do I admire him, but also look up to him. Although I am just a rough man but I would never hurt gentleman like him.”
Fei Bin stepped aside as he spoke, “You and Qu yang became friends through music, Alliance Chief Zuo knew about this a long time ago. Alliance Chief Zuo stated that the devil cult has been keeping an eye of us. They know that the Five Mountain Sword Sects have been living in harmony and working together over the last few years. That is why they are trying all kinds of tricks to try to hurt us by sowing discord. They tempt some with gold, others with beautiful women. Senior Martial Brother has been a man of integrity, so they tried to cater your tastes and sent Qu Yang to work you with music. Senior Martial Brother Liu! Please wake up! Don’t you remember how many people on our side had been slain by the Demon Cult?”
Ding Yi sighed, “Junior Martial Brother Liu, we’re an honorable gentleman who was tricked by the devil cult. I think that you should just end all this by killing that evil demoness Ren Ying Ying with your sword.”
Tian Men nodded, “Junior Martial Brother Liu, gentleman makes mistakes all the time. But he must know when to correct his mistakes. Us Five Mountain Sword Sects Alliance have always been closely knitted. We mustn’t allow the devil cult to come between us.”
Liu Zhengfeng turned his head to look at Yue Buqun. “Senior Martial Brother Yue, you are a true gentleman who can distinguish between right and wrong. What do you think?”
Yue Buqun knitted his brow and took a step forward. “Junior Martial Brother Liu, being devoted to your companion is good but this evil demon by the name of Qu has obviously tricked you. He knew that you liked music and used that to set you up. He wants to destroy your family as well as your reputation. He’s truly evil and don’t deserved to be your friend. If such a person can still be called a companion, then isn’t it a disgrace to the definition of ‘companion?’ In history, there were many examples of people placing righteousness above family loyalty. Even family can be disregarded, why cannot such a big devil and a big villain that should have never be considered as a soul mate be disregarded?”
Yue Lingfeng nodded with a smile as he listened to his Adopted Father’s words.
Liu Zhengfeng replied, “From the beginning we knew the consequences of our friendship. That’s why I want to retire from the martial arts world. It’s just that I didn’t think that this would be so difficult.”
Fei Bin interrupted, “If everyone is like you, desert run away from a battle then the devil cult will be able to do as they please. If you wanted to stay out of this, then why didn’t that evil demons by the name of Qu stay out of everything?”
Liu Zhengfeng answered, “Brother Qu and I are the same. Though he didn’t wash his hands but he swore that if anything happens between the devil cult and Five Mountain Sword Sects Alliance he would not get involve! In fact, he hopes to find ways to clear the misunderstanding between two gsects. Huashan Sect’s disciple Linghu Chong was injured by someone and almost died. It was him who saved his life!”
Yue Buqun was shocked to hear his words. He clenched his teeth and remained silent.
The moment Yue Lingshan heard her martial brother’s name being mentioned her eyes became wide open. “What? Did he really save my Big Apprentice Brother?” she asked anxiously.
Fei Bin sneered, “What’s so strange about that? They probably have some scheme under their sleeves. Since he had thousands of ways to trick you, he can also have thousands of ways to trick Huashan Sect’s disciple. Let me tell you, Linghu Chong might probably to return a favor for saving his life by betraying us. Our Five Mountain Sword Sects Alliance now has another traitor.” He stared at Liu Zhengfeng, “Senior Martial Brother Liu, what do you think? Are you going to kill Qu Yang or not?”
Liu Zhengfeng contained his anger and gently replied, “I’ve said it once and I don’t want to repeat myself. I’m not going to hurt Brother Qu.”
Fei Bin nodded, “Very well then. I’ll have to follow Alliance Chief Zuo’s instructions. If you refuse to kill Ren Ying Ying within a month then don’t blame us Five Mountain Sword Sects Alliance for being heartless. We’ll kill everyone in your household, from the youngest to the oldest.”
A young man clenched his fist. “Whoever that dares to harm my master best kill me first!” he shouted loudly and charged towards Fei Bin.
Fei Bin lifted up the flag and thrust it into the young man’s throat.
Blood spluttered out from the young man’s throat. He fell backward and hit the ground.
Liu Zhengfeng cried out in shock, “Wei Ye!” He ran toward his disciple and stooped down to look at him. His disciple was no longer breath. He glared at Fei Bin intently, “You are kill my disciple!”
Fei Bin responded with only a smirk.
Liu Zhengfeng grabbed a stool and hurled it at Fei Bin.
Fei Bin lifted his right hand and struck his palm out at the stool, breaking into pieces.
Liu Zhengfeng dashed toward Fei Bin and grabbed him by the throat.
Everyone inside the long hall was startled by Liu Zhengfeng’s actions.
“Father!” a ten year old boy cried out in fear. His was Liu Zhengfeng’s son, bore by his deceased wife.
There was a Song shan Sect disciple carrying the boy into the long hall. “Let my Martial Brother go or everyone in your family will die!” he yelled.
“Ding Mian! A man must bear the consequences of his own acts. Why are you threatening a kid?!” Ding Yi growled.
The Songshan Sect disciple answered, “Liu Zhengfeng joined the devil cult and he’s threatening my apprentice brother.
Liu Zhengfeng sighed, “I don’t mean to threaten him. I just wish that Alliance Chief Zuo would let us go free. I’ll never step foot in the martial arts community ever again! I would never bother anyone again. I will even cut all ties with brothers and sisters of the Five Mountain Sword Sects Alliance! We’ll never meet again! I’ll take my family and disciples far away and will never step foot into the martial arts world again!!!”
Ding Yi nodded, “That’s a good idea. It can also avoid unnecessary sacrifices.” She looked at the Mount Song Sect disciple, and said, “Martial Brother Shi, please accept Junior Martial Brother Liu’s request. He promised not to befriend anyone from the devil cult and will retreat somewhere far. Why do you still want to take the lives of the innocent ones?”
Tian Men walked toward Ding Yi. “I think that it’s a great idea too. Head Master Yue, what do you think?” he said.
Yue Buqun turned his head to look at Liu Zhengfeng. “Junior Martial Brother is an honest man. Since he has agreed to go into seclusion thus I feel that we should trust me,” he answered.
Ding Mian shook his head, “No way! If we accept his request people from the pugilistic world will think that we’re afraid of Liu Zhengfeng! We can’t let that happen! If this goes out to other people in the pugilistic world our Mount Song Sect will lose face!” He glared at Liu Zhengfeng, “Liu Zhengfeng! You have no rights to make any demands! Release my martial brother now!”
Liu Zhengfeng exerted more strength to his fingers, squeezing the life out of Fei Bin. “If you don’t promise I’ll not release him!” he yelled out.
“Don’t blame me for being heartless then!” Ding Mian hurled the sword backward, toward the woman’s chest. The sword penetrated into the woman’s chest and subsequently struck into a pillar behind her.
The woman collapsed to the ground and died.
“Mother! Mother!” the ten year old boy cried in horror.
Liu Zhengfeng loosened his grip and let go of Fei Bin. His stumbled to the front and burst into tears.
“How could you kill an innocent lady!” Ding Yi sneered.
Ding Mian pointed a flag at her and replied, “Priestess, Liu Zhengfeng cooperated with the devil sect and thus endangering the pugilistic world. As the saying goes, good and evil cannot coexist. If we’re being merciful to someone like him the consequences would be unimaginable.”
Ding Yi heaved a long sigh as she looked at Liu Zhengfeng. “Junior Martial Brother Liu, I’m sorry that I cannot help you. Please take care,” she bowed at him with her hands cupped. She then turned toward the doorway walked away. Her disciples followed her from behind.
Yue Buqun shook his head as he watched the nuns leave the premise. He walked toward Ding Mian, “Senior Martial Ding, even if he cooperated with the devil cult it has nothing to do with his mother and child. If you kill innocent people like this people will start gossiping about this!” he commented. “I hope that Senior Martial Brother Ding will reconsider and have mercy on the boy.”
Ding Mian knitted his brow, “Senior Martial Brother Yue is right!” He turned toward the boy and said, “Kid! If you’re willing to kneel and beg me to spare your life, I’ll let you go. Or else I’ll cut your nose and pull your eyes out!”
“I am with my father! I am not afraid!” he exclaimed.
Liu Zhengfeng heaved a sigh of relief, “Good kid!”
Ding Mian thrust the flag into the boy’s chest. The boy collapsed to onto the floor, blood gushing out from the wound on his chest.
Liu Zhengfeng staggered a few steps forward, “Ding Mian, you won! I, Liu Zhengfeng will kill myself. Please don’t kill any more innocent lives.” He lifted up his hand and struck his palm onto his own chest. He jolted forward and coughed threw up a mouthful of blood.
Everyone inside the long hall was shocked to see Liu Zhengfeng sacrificing his own life for a member of the devil cult.
Right at that moment, a black figure flew into the manor and landed beside Liu Zhengfeng. “Brother Liu!” Qu Yang grabbed Liu Zhengfeng’s arm.
“Brother Qu…” Liu Zhengfeng looked at him astonishingly.
Hearing Liu Zhengfeng’s words everyone instantly knew that the man in black was none other than the devil cult’s Right Messenger Qu Yang.
“You didn’t have to go through all this! Because of me, your disciple, wife and son lost their lives…I’ve wronged you…” Qu Yang heaved a long sigh.
Liu Zhengfeng patted Qu Yang’s shoulder. “Brother Qu…I’m happy to have true friend like you…don’t be sad for me” he murmured.
Qu Yang reached out and clasped Liu Zhengfeng’s hand. “Good friend!”
Ding Mian narrowed his eyes, “Are you the Right Messenger Qu Yang?”
Qu Yang turned around to look at Ding Mian. He laughed coldly and said, “You are right! I’m the devil cult’s Right Messenger, Qu Yang!”
Yue Buqun took a step forward and got ready to attack Qu Yang.
“Look at all of you! None of you are noble! How dare you call yourself righteous sect?! Killing the innocent! You’re worse than animals!” Qu Yang shouted in anger. “What did my Big Brother Liu do wrong? He only wanted to leave the martial arts world so that we can live our lives freely and play our music together. Why did you guys have to push him into a corner?! Don’t tell me this is how the so-called righteous sect acts?!”
An image of Qu Feiyan suddenly flashed through Yue Lingfeng’s mind. “Brother Feng, I hope that after this you will not trouble my father anymore…” she gasped.
Yue Lingfeng clenched his fist. “I’ve given my word to Feiyan that I will never harm Qu Yang again. A man who does not keeps his word is worst than an animal,” he thought to himself.
“Shut up! Liu Zhengfeng is a member of the Five Mountain Sword Sects Alliance but he cooperated with the devil cult. That’s unacceptable! It’s called you reap what you sow! Don’t blame anyone for this!” Ding Mian shouted.
Fei Bin nodded, “Evil demon! You came at the right time! We’ll kill you too!”
Ding Mian and Fei Bin drew their swords as they charged towards Qu Yang, attacking him relentlessly.
Qu Yang leaped up and ducked down to dodge all their attacks. The two Songshan Sect disciples were unable to gain any advantage over him. The two of them finally combined their inner energy while Ding Mian discharged a gust of energy at Qu Yang.
Qu Yang pushed his palms out and unleashed his inner strength to neutralize the incoming attack. He started competing inner strength with them.
The two Songshan Sect disciples exerted their inner energy and increased the power of their attack.
Since Qu Yang had transferred most of his inner energy to Linghu Chong earlier he did not have enough inner strength to withstand their attack. He felt a gust of hot wind penetrating his bones and staggered to the back. A strong gust of wind sent him flying backwards, knocking against a pillar. He fell down to the ground and coughed up a mouthful of blood.
The two Songshan Sect disciples raised their hands and charged toward him
Qu Yang pulled three needles out from his pocket and hurled it at them.
The two Songshan Sect disciples dived to the side to dodge the needles.
Qu Yang quickly helped Liu Zhengfeng up and flew off into the air.
“After them!” Ding Mian shouted. He ran out of the door and left the scene with his apprentice brothers.
Yue Lingfeng clenched the scabbard and dashed towards the door. “Adopted Father! I’ll help them to eliminate Qu Yang once and for all!”
Yue Buqun looked at his adopted son pleasingly. “Kill him Feng’Er!”
Ten of Songshan Sect disciples ran along the pathway of a mountain chasing after Qu Yang and Liu Zhengfeng.
Suddenly, a black figure wearing a straw hat with white veil hanging from the brim flew down from the air and landed in front of them. The black figure drew a short sword and dashed towards them.
The Songshan Sect disciples raised their sword and started attacking the black figure relentlessly.
The black figure raised the scabbard in her left hand to block an attack and subsequently thrust the short sword in her left into a Songshan Sect disciple’s chest. Her attacks were fast and fierce. She stepped to the side to dodged an attack from an opponent and simultaneously slashed another opponent’s throat with her short sword.
The Songshan Sect disciples were no match against her. They slumped to their death one after another.
In the meantime, Linghu Chong and Yi Lin were on their way to the Liu Residence. The sound of a zither floated in from a distance. Moments later, the sounds of a bamboo flute started playing accompanying the zither music. The sound of the zither and flute blended well with each other producing a harmonious tune. “Why would someone play the zither in such wilderness?” Linghu Chong scratched his head..
Yi Lin took a quick looked around the area. “It’s coming from that side! Let’s go take a look!” she pointed to the direction of the sound.
Suddenly, the sound of a loud explosion disrupted the tune. The zither and the flute fell silent at the same time. Silence swept across in all directions. The two of them started running towards the direction where the tune was coming from to take a closer look.
“Brother Liu, it must be fate that you and I have to die here today. It was really my fault that I didn’t act sooner. Otherwise your entire family and your disciple wouldn’t have lost their lives. I am so deeply disturbed,” a loud male voice said.
“We will be companions till the end of time. There’s really no need to explain,” another male voice replied.
Linghu Chong and Yi Lin quickly hide in the bushes. They cast a quick look and noticed Qu Yang and Liu Zhengfeng sitting on the ground up ahead.
“Decades ago there was a famous musical piece called Guangling San. But no matter how good Guangling San sounds it can’t be compared to our Xiao Ao Jiang Hu song. But it seems like our musical piece will have the same fate as Guangling San. We’re about to die but there’s no one to pass this musical piece to. Are you afraid?” Qu Yang said with a grin.
“Everybody has to die someday. I don’t have any regrets because I have a life companion like you to play this song till our last breath. Sadly, this song will perish with us,” Liu Zhengfeng heaved a long sigh.
Suddenly a long laugh rose from behind. Fei Bin walked toward them, “Since you guys have no hatred or regrets, you’d better prepare to die!”
Linghu Chong shook his head and let out a sigh. “Looks like I’ve to stick my nose where it doesn't belong again,” he stepped out of the bushes.
“Junior Linghu Chong of Huashan Sect pays respect to senior!” Linghu Chong cupped his hands and bowed at Fei Bin.
Fei Bin looked at him, “So its Senior Martial Brother Yue’s eldest disciple. You came at the right time. Kill these two for me!” He pointed towards Liu Zhengfeng and Qu Yang.
Linghu Chong took a quick look at Liu Zhengfeng and Qu Yang. “Senior, we’re part of the righteous sect. It’s not good to take advantage of the injured,” Linghu Chong responded.
Fei Bin knitted his brow. “Oh I remember now! This evil demons by the family name of Qu saved your life. Do you want to join them as well?” he said coldly.
Liu Zhengfeng coughed lightly, and said, “Martial Nephew Linghu, this matter doesn’t involve you. You should leave now.”
Linghu Chong propped his hands on his waist. “This senior here is the famous Songshan Sect Hero, Fei Bin. I don’t think he’ll abuse someone younger or weaker than him. Otherwise this righteous hero is no different than the evil demons,” he said.
Fei Bin grinned coldly, “You think you can just tie me up with your words so I have to let the two of them walk free? Keep on dreaming! What difference does it make for me to kill three instead of two?”
Linghu Chong was astounded by his words. “Oh…I get you now Senior Fei. You’re saying that you want to kill me too?”
“You’re quite smart!” Fei Bin answered.
Yi Lin rushed out of the bushes and ran towards Linghu Chong. “Senior Fei, the sea of bitterness has no bounds, repent and the shore is at hand. You need to stop killing the innocent, life is too precious,” Yi Lin said.
Fei Bin glared at her viciously. “You’re from the Hengshan Sect?! You’ve also joined the devil cult?” After finishing his words, he drew his sword and charged toward Yi Lin. “I’ll kill you first!”
Yi Lin instantly drew her sword to block the incoming attack.
Linghu Chong drew his sword and thrust it at Fei Bin’s abdomen.
Fei Bin leapt to the back and started attacking the two of them simultaneously. He attacked the both Linghu Chong and Yi Lin with deadly stances concurrently. He stepped aside to dodge Yi Lin’s sword and subsequently struck his left palm out at her back.
Yi Lin staggered forward and fell to the ground.
All of a sudden, there was a faint sound of a flute coming from a distance. The tune was filled with sadness.
“It’s Junior Apprentice Brother…” Linghu Chong uttered. He had heard Yue Lingfeng play this same melancholic tune over and over again at Mount Hua.
Yue Lingfeng spun in the air while playing the flute in his hands. He landed right next to Fei Bin with the flute still in his hands.
Fei Bin looked at him and said, “I was wondering who it was. So it’s Junior Martial Brother Yue of Huashan Sect.”
Yue Lingfeng stared at him indifferently and said, “Senior Martial Brother Fei, I’ve been instructed by my Adopted Father to eliminate Qu Yang and Liu Zhengfeng.”
Fei Bin grinned coldly and said, “Great! I’ll let you do it then.”
Yue Lingfeng nodded, “Very well.” He took a step forward staring at Qu Yang viciously.
Qu Yang gasped and said, “Young Hero Yue, old man would gladly die in your hands. If it wasn’t for my background Feiyan would be busy taking care of her children by now. Go ahead.”
“Junior Martial Brother! Don’t do it!” Linghu Chong yelled out.
Yue Lingfeng whirled the flute in his hand and suddenly turned towards Fei Bin in a flash. The tip of the flute went straight toward into Fei Bin’s chest.
Fei Bin leaned forward staring at Yue Lingfeng in pain. Huge amount of blood was gushing out from his chest.
Qu Yang, Liu Zhengfeng, Linghu Chong and Yi Lin looked at Yue Lingfeng in astonishment.
Yue Lingfeng raised his left arm and sent a forceful palm strike at Fei Bin’s face.
The force of the blow sent Fei Bin flying to the back before crashing to the ground motionlessly.
Yue Lingfeng wiped off the blood stains on the flute with a cloth and started playing the melancholic tune once while he was walked away in big strides.
Liu Zhengfeng looked at Qu Yang and said, “Brother Qu, I thought you said that he hates you? How come he saved us?”
Qu Yang coughed painfully and replied, “Lingfeng actually hates himself more…He could not accept the fact that he…killed the girl whom he loves…”
Linghu Chong ran over to Qu Yang and Liu Zhengfeng. “Seniors, are you alright?” he asked.
Qu Yang waved his hand. “If it wasn’t for the two of you we would have been dead by now. We have a favor to ask of you. Will you do me this favor?” he said.
“Senior, of course I will,” Linghu Chong replied without even asking what it was.
Qu Yang cast a side glance at Liu Zhengfeng and then said, “Brother Liu and I love music to the extreme that we spent several years writing this song called ‘Laughing Proudly in the Martial Arts World.’ We believe that this piece of music is so unique that even in the past millennium there was nothing even close to it. From now on, even there might not another Qu Yang again neither would there be another Liu Zhengfeng. To find two people good in music that can be friends is rare. If this piece of ultimate music gets buried into oblivion, Brother Liu and I will undoubtedly sigh with regret in the underworld.” Taking a book out from his chest pocket, he continued, “This is the music score of the ‘Laughing Proudly in the Martial Arts World’ musical score. Young Hero Linghu, for the sake of the great devotion and efforts the two of us put in this, will you please find the right kind of people to give this to?”
“If the world gets to know the ‘Laughing Proudly in the Martial Arts World’ musical score, then Brother Qu and I will be able to die content,” Liu Zhengfeng added.
Linghu Chong bowed and took the music score manual from Qu Yang with both hands, and tucked it into his pocket. “Please rest assured. I will definitely try my best,” he promised.
“Martial Nephew Linghu, this piece of music not only is the ultimate lifelong work of the two of us, it is also related to a historical figure. A good amount of the melody in the ‘Laughing Proudly in the Martial Arts World’ song was modified by Brother Qu based on the Jin Dynasty musician Ji Kang’s ‘Guang-Ling Song’,” Liu Zhengfeng elaborated.
Qu Yang rested his arm on Liu Zhengfeng’s shoulder. “It has always been said that after Ji Kang had died, the ‘Guang-Ling Song’ was lost for ever. Do you have any idea where I got it?” he smiled at Linghu Chong.
Linghu Chong didn’t have the slightest idea about music. Thus he had no clue about the answer. “Senior, will you please tell us?” he requested.
“I started digging in the tombs of Emperors and high officials in West Han Dynasty and East Han Dynasty. After digging in twenty-nine different ancient tombs, I finally found the music score manual in Cai Yi’s tomb. It was the same place where I first met Big Brother Liu,” he laughed with pride. He paused for a moment and then continued, “I know you are the senior disciple of a famous righteous school, and I really shouldn’t be asking you for this favor, but in such urgency, I really have no other choice but to get you involved. Please pardon me.” He then turned toward Liu Zhengfeng. “Brother Liu, we can go now.”
“Yes!” Liu Zhengfeng extended his hands out as he responded.
The two grabbed hold of each other’s hands and started smiling. They gathered the remaining inner energy left in them and burst the main arteries in their bodies. Within seconds, both shut their eyes and passed away.
“Senior! Martial Uncle Liu!” Linghu Chong cried in disbelief. He reached out to check the two’s breathing but found none. “Rest in peace…I will definitely pass on this song so that it does not get lost.”
Yi Lin lowered her head and started chanting.
End of Chapter 8
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