Chapter 24 : Escaping With Luck

It was very hot inside the cave because of all those bonfires. Sang Erlang picked up a box and used his fan to tap on it, there was a strange sound coming from the box.

Sang Erlang laughed: “Be patient! You will soon be fed.”

Silver Blossom looked at the box and she was horrified.

Zhu Lei’Er couldn’t help to ask her: “Are those silkworms in that box?”

Silver Blossom nodded.

Zhu Lei’Er asked: “Do silkworms eat men?”

Silver Blossom shivered with fear.

Zhu Lei’Er said: “I heard that silkworms don’t like the cold, is that why there are so many bonfires here?”

Sang Erlang looked at the two girls and sinisterly laughed: “Still chit-chatting? When my little silkworms will crawl over your body, you will begging for a quick death.”

Zhu Lei’Er said calmly: “No need to scare us, right fourth uncle?”

She turned around to look at Yu Peiyu, she saw him looking very pale and anxious.

Zhu Lei’Er thought: Fourth uncle is afraid of dying too? Maybe because I have never experienced the joys of life, that is why I’m not afraid to die.

Yu Peiyu turned to granny Hu and asked: “After three days not even you can cure Miss Zhu’s poison, is that correct?”

Zhu Lei’Er’s eyes became watery, she was touched and saddened by Yu Peiyu’s words.

Zhu Lei’Er was daydreaming on Yu Peiyu’s gentle words, she didn’t pay attention to granny Hu’s answer. She did not care about the antidote anymore.

After hearing Yu Peiyu’s words she felt that she could die in peace. Besides her late mother and her third uncle, she now knew that there was another person who cared deeply for her.

This person treasured her life above his own.

After a long time, everyone could hear a strange sound coming from outside the cave.

Sang Erlang leapt off the altar in one go and sternly asked: “Who is there?”

Nobody answered. The noise came closer and closer, Sang Erlang waved his hand and told his six other martial arts brothers to hide.

He was planning a surprise attack for the unwanted visitor, Zhu Lei’Er saw that Sang Erlang’s martial arts were much higher than his other martial arts brothers.

Sang Erlang stood there not moving, he looked rather impressive standing like that. It was also a display of his superior martial arts.

Granny Hu sighed softly: “No wonder this brat is so arrogant. I don’t think that the hierarch of the Heavenly Silkworm Sect is much better than him.”

At this point everyone an old donkey came into the cave. The rider was a very old man, his face was as wrinkled as granny Hu. Many thought that granny Hu and this old man would make a perfect pair.

The rider seemed to have closed his eyes and the donkey kept moving forward.

Zhu Lei’Er whispered to granny Hu: “This old man has the audacity to come in here. Is he an expert? Do you recognize him?”

Granny Hu shook her head and said: “I’ve met many martial arts experts in my life, but I don’t know this old man. And he doesn’t look like an expert in my opinion.”

Zhu Lei’Er sighed, the donkey and the rider were approaching Sang Erlang.

Everyone knew that Sang Erlang had to give the signal and all his martial arts brothers would attack and the old man would likely be killed instantly.

Yu Peiyu suddenly shouted: “This is a dangerous place, old sir. Leave at once!”

The old man opened his eyes and looked in the direction of Yu Peiyu.

Sang Erlang laughed evily: “It is too late to go back now.”

The old man said: “I must have taken a run turn somewhere. I will go now.”

Sang Erlang laughed: “It is too late, die!”

He flickered with his hand and seven strange silvery projectiles shot towards the old man.

Yu Peiyu and others knew those must be those infamous lethal silkworms, Zhu Lei’Er was horrified and she could imagine that those silkworms would mutilate the old man beyond recognition.

However the old man lifted his arm and the seven silkworms flew into his sleeve and he was unharmed.

Zhu Lei’Er was extremely happy, she thought that this old man would be able to save them all.

Sang Erlang yelled: “Who are you!”

He leapt up and dived towards the old man, he used his fan as a weapon. He aimed for seven, eight different spots of the old man.

Every move was set for the kill, everyone thought it was impossible for this old man to defend himself.

Even Yu Peiyu thought he himself might not be able to counter this attack.

However Sang Erlang shot backwards and fell to the ground. The old man was holding the fan of Sang Erlang and turned to granny Hu: “Although the martial arts of Sang Erlang are quite allright, but compared to the hierarch of the Heavenly Silkworm Sect......He has still a long road ahead of him.”

The old man was the hierarch of the Heavenly Silkworm Sect, no wonder he could defeat Sang Erlang in less than one stance. Sang Erlang’s martial arts were all taught by him.

Zhu Lei’Er’s heart sank again, their saviour belonged to these people.

Sang Erlang knelt to the hierarch and respectfully said: “Please forgive this lowly disciple for not receiving you earlier.”

The hierarch coldly said: “I have heard of your arrogant behaviour. But now I’ve experienced that from first hand.”

Sang Erlang didn’t dare to look up and said: “I didn’t know the hierarch was coming and I didn’t recognize your brilliant disguise. I thought it was an intruder.”

The hierarch angrilly said: “Even so, you can’t just attack people with the silkworms. You have experienced the pains inflicted by those silkworms. Do you really wish others to share your fate too?”

Sang Erlang said: “I know my faults, hierarch.”

The hierarch continued: “Everyone in Wulin knows about the lethalness and viciousness of our sect. But we’re also very fair, we will hunt down our enemies to corners of the world. But we will help out our friends if they need our support. We have also very strict regulations about using certain methods against strangers. As the head disciple of our sect you should know better.”

Sang Erlang said: “Please punish me accordingly.”

The hierarch said: “I know you were punished too severly in the past, for that I’ve granted you more privileges than the others. I hope that you will change in the future but if you won’t (humph*). You will pay the ultimate price for your arrogance.”

Yu Peiyu was rather impressed by the grandeur of this hierarch, it is hard to believe that he was the old man with one arm who trapped him and Jin Yanzi in the Palace of Enchantment. His art of disguise is truly amazing even his own students didn’t recognize him.

Sang Erlang ripped open his clothes, revealing his mutilated body.

He removed his girdle and placed it on the floor and kowtowed three times.

There were seven silver blades on the girdle, he kowtowed another three more times.

Everyone was surprised of his actions, the hierarch frowned and asked: “What are you doing?”

Sang Erlang said: “After hearing the hierarch’s words I feel that I’m beyond redemption. I just want to die and thank you for your years of gratitude.”

Everybody was amazed by his words.

The hierarch said: “You know that one the ritual of the silver blades is started, it cannot be revoked.”

Sang Erlang said: “I know, hierarch.”

The hierarch said: “I’ve forgiven your crimes, why do you want to die?”

Sang Erlang said sadly: “I’m willing to die, I cannot repay the kindness the hierarch has shown me. I just hope that with my death the other martial arts brothers and sisters can learn from my past mistakes.”

The hierarch looked somewhat pleased and said: “I will forgive you for your mistakes. It is good to see that you’ve learnt from your errors.”

Zhu Lei’Er thought: This Sang Erlang really knows how to act, first he deliberately repents deeply and now he is just waiting to be pardoned.

However Sang Erlang sighed: “Although the hierarch has forgiven me, I can’t forgive myself. I just want to confess my crimes before I die.”

The hierarch said: “I know of your crimes, get up now.”

Sang Erlang sighed sadly: “The hierarch is all-knowing, but I did manage to conceal a few secrets from you. If I can’t confess my crimes before I die, I will have failed you as a pupil.”

The hierarch looked startled, Zhu Lei’Er thought: What is he up to? Does he really want to die?

The hierarch said: “So be it, tell me of your crimes.”

Sang Erlang said: “The hierarch has treated me like a son, and the three Misses have also regarded me as their brother. However I do not deserve your love and affection.”

He looked at Silver Blossom and said: “Five years ago on a summer’s night, second Miss was bathing in a pond. She was very young at that time and didn’t suspect my ill intentions. When I saw her beautiful body, I couldn’t control my earthy desires for her anymore. So.....so....I tried to rape her.”

He was very honest about what he did, Zhu Lei’Er was bemused and thought: There is no need to say it that bluntly.

The hierarch was pleased to see him that honest and said: “And I’ve punished you for that incident, there is no need to bring this matter up again.”

Sang Erlang continued: “But I keep thinking about that night everyday. I keep thinking of second Miss and my earthly desires are awoken then.”

He picked up a blade and stabbed it in his leg.

The hierarch asked: “What else?”

Sang Erlang said: “Not only have I been deceiving you, but I have also abused my power as the head disciple of our sect. I have treated my other martial arts brothers too strictly. And I have caused the death of the eldest martial arts brother.”

The hierarch said: “San Dalang was about to betray our sect and I. I would have dealt with him sooner or later.”

Sang Erlang said: “But still I have been bullying around the other martial arts brothers.....”

The hierarch said: “Being strict is no crime; furthermore you have a responsibility to be strict as the head disciple of our sect.”

Originally it was the hierarch who was lecturing Sang Erlang on his arrogant behaviour. But now Sang Erlang was reproaching himself and the hierarch was making excuses for him.

Sang Erlang said: “But I have really been bad to them, hierarch you can ask second martial arts brother about it.”

The hierarch turned to the skinny second martial arts brother and asked: “Did your eldest martial arts brother really cross the line?”

The second martial arts brother was stuttering.

Sang Erlang said: “Don’t hold back anything, tell the hierarch what I did to all of you.”

All of a sudden the second martial arts brother shouted: “Right, eldest martial arts brother doesn’t consider us human beings. He used whips or canes to struck us. Once I accidentally hit the dog of him and he made me bow and kowtow to his dog and ordered me to eat the s-h-i-t- of that filthy beast. And....and....another time......”

The hierarch interrupted him: “Enough! I’ve heard enough!”

Sang Erlang said: “He is right! I.....I.....know that I’m beyond forgiving.”

He picked up another blade and stabbed it into his other leg.

The hierarch looked shocked and said: “No matter what you’ve done.....I admire your honesty. I will forgive you for your crimes. I just hope you won’t commit more atrocities again in the future.”

Sang Erlang was weeping: “Hierarch, you....you.....are too good to me. I will never be able to repay you in my life.”

He was sobbing, and picked up another blade and was about to stab it into his chest.

The hierarch quickly grabbed the wrist of Sang Erlang and yelled: “You can’t die! I won’t allow you to die!”

He wanted to grab the silver blade to prevent Sang Erlang to stab himself.

But suddenly a silvery object flew towards the face of the hierarch. He was completely taken by surprise.

His face was hit by that strange object.

He angrilly wanted to strike down Sang Erlang, but he had already rolled away a few metres away from the hierarch.

The hierarch cursed: “You bastard!”

Sang Erlang laughed arrogantly: “Sang Mukong.....Sang Mukong! Finally, you know how powerful and good I really am.”

Silver Blossom shrieked and granny Hu was surprised too.

Sang Erlang laughed sinisterly: “You must know what I’ve concealed in the handle of my blade. If you’re wise you would sit down and use your internal power to surpress the poison.”

The hierarch, San Mukong yelled: “You.....you.....ungrateful.....”

He fell down and tried to get up but a few a few spasms he fell down and remained emotionless.

Sang Erlang laughed loudly and the other martial arts brothers were shocked beyond words.

Sang Erlang continued to laugh arrogantly: “Sang Mukong, Sang Mukong! I knew it was you all along, I just played along.”

Zhu Lei’Er couldn’t help but to say: “Now I really know why you are feared that much. But why the charades.”

Sang Erlang said: “When I first attacked the old goat, I immediately saw that he didn’t teach me everything he knew. I’m no match for the old goat, so I had to find a different way to defeat him.”

Sang Erlang was feeling very happy and was very eager to tell everyone how he could defeat his enemy.

Sang Erlang continued: “I’ve known the old fool for many years. I know everything there is to know about his personality. He loves to be called all-knowing, he thinks he knows everything. Furthermore he loves people to confess his crimes to him, he hates people lying to him. So I know exactly how to deal with him!”

Zhu Lei’Er asked: “Why did you attack him? Did you want to avenge yourself?”

Sang Erlang said: “Exactly, but there is another reason.”

Zhu Lei’Er asked: “Well, what is that reason of yours? Do you want to become the hierarch yourself?”

Sang Erlang said: “You have too many questions.”

Zhu Lei’Er laughed: “I don’t think you have a lot support, hierarch Sang.”

Sang Erlang looked at his other martial arts brothers and said coldly: “Well, do you have anything to say?”

All of them knelt down and said: “I have nothing to say.”

Sang Erlang laughed: “Very good! I will not forget your support. For many years we are hated and feared for being a heretic sect. But soon everyone in Wulin will fear and respect our sect. We will become equal to schools like Shaolin, Wudang and E Mei. Nobody will dare to look down upon us ever again.”

Zhu Lei’Er scoffed: “You must be dreaming.”

Sang Erlang said: “In about one hour I will prove it to you.”

Zhu Lei’Er remained quiet and thought: In one hour he can turn a heretic sect into an orthodox school?

The second martial arts brother begged: “I’ve always wanted to see the eldest brother become the hierarch.”

Sang Erlang said casually: “Really.”

The second brother said: “I would not dream of lying to you.”

Sang Erlang said: “I am a cold and mean man, I did not treat you as human beings. Why would you support me? Is there something wrong with you?”

The second brother was trembling heavily.

Sang Erlang said: “There really is something wrong with you.”

The second brother got up and wanted to run out of the cave, Sang Erlang anticipated that and blocked his way.

He said coldly: “Going somewhere?”

The second brother begged: “I was just spouting nonsense earlier. Please forgive, hierarch Sang.......”

He suddenly shot out 10 metalic objects towards Sang Erlang. The two of them stood very close to each other and the second brother was confident he wouldn’t miss.

But the discrepancy between his martial arts and Sang Erlang’s is as big as Sang Mukong and Sang Erlang.

Sang Erlang used his fan to fan back the metalic objects and hit the second brother on the chest.

He yelled with pain and screamed: “Please kill me! Please just kill me!”

The poison on those metalic objects were very lethal, but the poison would not kill instantly. It made sure that the victim had suffered tremendously before dying.

Sang Erlang ignored him and said loudly: “This will serve as an example of traitors to our sect.”

The second brother was rolling and yelling in pain, everyone felt sorry for him but couldn’t help him.

Sang Erlang turned his attention to Silver Blossom.

Sang Erlang said calmly: “You must still remember what happened five years ago, right.”

Silver Blossom nodded.

Sang Erlang said: “You knew I was there because I was training. You deliberately took your clothes off and seduced me. When I couldn’t control my desires anymore and stormed out. You pretended to be innocent and told the old goat I tried to rape you. Why did you do that?”

He became very emotional and upset and shouted: “I have been thinking about why you did that all these years. However I cannot come up with an answer. But now I know you were trying to get me insane. You want people to get insane over you.”

Silver Blossom said: “I.....I.....didn’t mean that to happen.”

Sang Erlang asked: “What were your intentions?”

Silver Blossom stuttered: “I...I...was in love with you. That....that day I just wanted you to hug me......But you stormed to me with such fierceness and scared me. Also....also I was very young so I told my father.”

Her voice sounded very seductive and sweet, she (un)intentionally panted heavily making her bosom moving up and down.

Sang Erlang’s eyes were glowing and said: “Aren’t you afraid now?”

She bit her lip softly and said: “Now......now...I am.....”

Silver Blossom gave him a very meaningful look.

Sang Erlang laughed loudly, he went over to her and ripped her clothes open.  Revealing her beautiful figure and white and smooth skin.  All the other martial arts brothers looked at her too and their eyes were glowing with lust too.

Sang Erlang laughed: “All these years I wanted to see you naked again.  I wanted to see whether you’ve changed.”

Silver Blossom said softly: “Have I changed?”

Sang Erlang said softly: “No......you haven’t changed.”

He was starting to tremble and to sweat.

Zhu Lei’Er was very scared when she saw the crazed look on Sang Erlang’s mutilated face.

Silver Blossom remained calm that is because she has closed her eyes for some time now.

She said romantically: “If you’ve been waiting for me all this time, why won’t you......”

Sang Erlang shouted: “No, you haven’t changed. But I have.”

He chucked away his fan and threw himself on Silver Blossom. He started to kiss, scratch, bite, pinch, hit, slap her. He was smelling her, he acted like a mad dog.

Sang Erlang panted heavily: “After a man has to endure the silkworm’s feast, he changes. Do you know in what he changes? I will tell you, he won’t be a man anymore. Because of you I’m not a man anymore and I won’t let you be a woman any longer.”

Silver Blossom was scared beyong her wits and stammered: “You....you......cannnot......you....impo.....”

Sang Erlang yelled: “You’re right! I can’t be with women anymore thanks to you!”

Even granny Hu diverted her eyes to what Sang Erlang was doing to Silver Blossom. He was too cruel.

Not only was Sang Erlang not a man anymore, he had also lost his humanity. The things he did to her couldn’t be described with words.

Silver Blossom was weeping and begging: “Please don’t! Please stop! Just kill me! Please just kill me!”

Initially she begged for him to spare her life, but then she couldn’t live with the pain she now endured and wanted to die.

But Sang Erlang didn’t stop and laughed evily: “I won’t let you die that easily.”

The beautiful body of Silver Blossom was covered with her own blood, the pain was too much for her and she fainted.

Sang Erlang was also covered in blood and his heavy panting also stopped.

The evil glow in his eyes was gone, his surpressed emotions were finally released. He was a broken man now.

The entire cave was silenced.

After a very long time, they could hear a horse coming this way. This time Sang Erlang looked very happy and did not went forward to shout who it was.

It seems he was waiting for the rider to come.

Zhu Lei’Er thought: Could that be his partner in crime? He must have planned this all along and that’s why he dared to betray and ambush his own teacher. But who could this person be?

Zhu Lei’Er became very anxious and hoped to device a plan soon or else all of them will die very quickly now.

But what can they do against a madman?

A horse entered the cave, it was a splendid stallion. The rider was a muscular man wearing an expensive long robe.

Zhu Lei’Er softly asked granny Hu again: “Do you know that fellow?”

Granny Hu said softly: “No, I don’t.”

Zhu Lei’Er said: “It seems that you don’t know anyone at all, do you? And especially experts.”

Granny Hu said: “If this rider is an expert I will poke out my eyes right away.”

Zhu Lei’Er said: “You are already missing a nose, now you want to become blind as well. Won’t you become even more uglier.”

Zhu Lei’Er knew that this muscular man wasn’t an expert either. Although his riding skills were passable, but he lacked the grandeur of a martial artist.

And when he dismounted one could see that he had hardly learnt martial arts. But Sang Erlang looked very happy.

Was he waiting for this man? Was he the key for transforming this heretic sect into an orthodox school.

This was the most anxious moment of Yu Peiyu and others, their survival depended from this man.

The man walked over to Sang Erlang and said: “I have message for master Sang Erlang.”

Sang Erlang said: “I’m Sang Erlang, I’ve been waiting for you.”

The man said: “Master Sang, I have a .........”

Sang Erlang drew a dagger with incredible speed and stabbed it through the throat of the messenger.

The man fell down and looked at Sang Erlang with disbelief and anger. He will never know why he was killed, Zhu Lei’Er also almost shrieked with surprise.

Why would he kill the messenger, and didn’t he want to know what the message was. Even a cunning woman like granny Hu was puzzled about his intentions.

Perhaps Sang Erlang knew that this man was carrying an important document, so he killed him first.

Sang Erlang kicked the body of the man far away and he pulled the horse closer and stroke the horse.

He laughed: “Do you think I was waiting for the rider? I was waiting for the horse.”

He was waiting for a horse! Is he even more insane than they thought. Was he thinking that the horse would talk to him?

Zhu Lei’Er sighed: “It seems only a horse can communicate with a mad dog.”

Before Zhu Lei’Er could say anything else, Sang Erlang smashed the head of the horse with his iron palms. The horse died instantly, now nobody understood what he was up to.

Zhu Lei’Er gave up on following the logic of a madman. Yu Peiyu sighed to her: “I failed you. I failed to take good care of you......”

Zhu Lei’Er said sadly: “It is not your fault, fourth uncle. It is my fault, fourth uncle.”

Yu Peiyu shook his head and didn’t know what he could say.

Granny Hu scoffed: “You’re about to die anyway. Why worry about the lives of others.”

Zhu Lei’Er said: “People like you will never understand good men like fourth uncle. You only care about yourself. But fourth uncle, he cares for everyone else.....”

Granny Hu scoffed: “I don’t see him caring for me.”

Zhu Lei’Er ignored her and was feeling touched and sweet. She knew for sure that there was one person who cares so much for her. Even more than his own life, she wasn’t afraid to die now.

Yu Peiyu didn’t understand what went through the heads of young girls even if he understood he wouldn’t hurt her feelings.

Sang Erlang used a sabre to hack open the horse and removed the intestines of the horse.

Zhu Lei’Er almost threw up when she saw this revolting scene. She used to believe that the most vile creatures in this world would be the snake and the wolf. However she knew that those two animals couldn’t be compared to this madman.

Yu Peiyu said gently: “If you’re afraid, just close your eyes.”

Zhu Lei’Er said: “I am not afraid, I’m just sad.”

She sighed softly: “I could have escaped but I missed out on that opportunity.”

Granny Hu looked at her and said: “What!”

Zhu Lei’Er said: “When you were knocked out by that incense I managed to conceal some of that incense in my sleeve.”

Granny Hu looked very happy and said softly: “Do you still have it? Throw it into the bonfire now, they aren’t watching us now.”

Zhu Lei’Er said: “I’ve thought about that too, when you and fourth uncle were unconscious I just pretended.”

She sighed deeply: “It is too late now.”

Granny Hu asked: “Why?”

Zhu Lei’Er said: “When the hierarch of the Heavenly Silkworm Sect was talking to Sang Erlang I tried to throw the incense into the bonfire next to us. But......”

Granny Hu almost shouted: “You missed!?!”

Zhu Lei’Er sighed: “I was too anxious and nervous at the time. So I used too much force.”

Granny Hu asked: “Where is it now?”

Zhu Lei’Er said: “Do you see that strange thing in front of the dead hierarch? That is it.”

They could see that the incense in front of the dead Sang Mukong. It was just a few centimetres away from the fire.

Granny Hu cursed: “You idiot, fool! Why didn’t you give it to someone else? You should chop off your useless hands.”

Zhu Lei’Er received the scolding.

Yu Peiyu said: “If you would given it to me, I would have missed too.”

Zhu Lei’Er said softly: “Granny Hu is right. I wanted to prove myself in front of you. I wanted you to see me being capable.....”

Granny Hu interrupted: “You’re an idiot, an useless idiot! Not only have you doomed me, you and you’ve also doomed Yu Peiyu. You wanted Yu Peiyu to praise you and love you. He only treats you like a niece, furthermore he has plenty of beautiful lovers. He won’t fall for a little b-i-t-c-h- like you.......”

Zhu Lei’Er trembled and said: “You old crone,.......”

Suddenly one of the martial arts brothers of Sang Erlang yelled: “My hand......my hand........”

His hand was black and swollen up, Sang Erlang didn’t even look up. He was still looking for something in the intestines of the horse.

Yu Peiyu sighed: “Is this your doing again?”

Zhu Lei’Er bit her lip and pouted: “He shouldn’t have touched me.”

Granny Hu looked happy again and asked: “So when he touched you, his hand became like this?”

Zhu Lei’Er nodded.

Granny Hu said happily: “Good, sweet Miss. If you would let Sang Erlang touch you too. Won’t we be rescued?”

Zhu Lei’Er didn’t answer and looked very serious now.

Yu Peiyu said: “Life and death are pre-ordained. I won’t allow him to touch her.”

Zhu Lei’Er lowered her head and was again touched by Yu Peiyu’s words.

Granny Hu smiled: “But if he would touch her anyway.”

Yu Peiyu said: “If he wants to do that, I will warn him of the poison on Miss Zhu.”

Granny Hu was stunned and said: “You would rather die!”

Yu Peiyu said casually: “I will not survive by using low-down tricks.”

Granny Hu stayed silent for awhile and said softly: “Sang Erlang is a madman, Yu Peiyu is a fool. Just my luck meeting these two in one day.”

Sang Erlang yelled: “I have found it.”

Everyone wondered what he has found, only Yu Peiyu could vaguely see him holding a pellet or something like that.

The poisoned disciple knelt in front of Sang Erlang and begged: “Please........save me.......my hand........”

Sang Erlang was surprised and asked: “Are you poisoned?”

The disciple kowtowed: “Eldest.....hierarch I’ve always respected you. I hope you can......”

Sang Erlang angrilly said: “You think I was the one who poisoned you.”

The disciple begged: “Please forgive me.....please forgive me....”

Sang Erlang laughed sinisterly: “You don’t even know who poisoned you or how you were poisoned. Useless fool!”

The disciple said: “Hierarch.....”

Sang Erlang used the same sabre he used to hack open the horse to stab the disciple in the stomach. The blood splattered on Sang Erlang’s body.

He didn’t even bother to wipe his face, he laughed: “Do you know why I am leaving you life for another hour?”

He was talking to Zhu Lei’Er.

Zhu Lei’Er said: “Because of that thing you’ve found in the stomach of the horse.”

Sang Erlang held out the pellet and said: “Indeed.”

It was a wax pellet, and Sang Erlang squished it and there was a small letter in it.

He laughed loudly: “Do you now understand?”

Zhu Lei’Er said casually: “So much fuss over a letter.”

But she was also very much impressed about the writer of this letter. He went through all that trouble to send a letter to Sang Erlang, sacrificing a henchman and a horse.

But he made sure that the contents of that letter wouldn’t leak out.

Sang Erlang read the letter a few times and looked very happy.

Granny Hu had her eyes fixed on the incense and was hoping that the wind would blow that incense into the fire. But that was just wishful thinking.

Zhu Lei’Er wanted to know what was in the letter too, Sang Erlang turned to her and asked: “Do you want to know what is in the letter?”

Zhu Lei’Er was happy and surprised but said casually: “A mere glare won’t hurt.”

Sang Erlang laughed: “I don’t mind, because I know that dead people can keep secrets best.”

He held the letter in front of Zhu Lei’Er, the letter said:
Dear Hierarch Sang,

When you have received this letter, I take it you have successfully become the new hierarch of the Heavenly Silkworm Sect. My congratulations.
With your talents and abilities you will not only be able to bring glory to your sect but also to the entire Wulin.
The issues we have discussed are not a problem, I will personally see to it that the agreed will be carried out.
I shall also proclaim a new gathering at LakeHuang and nominate you to be the chancellor of Wulin.

I sincerely hope you will meet up with me within the next ten days. I will await your arrival with fine wine and food.

Yours sincerely,

(there was a strange seal at the bottom of the letter).

Sang Erlang laughed: “You see? From now on we will not only be equals of Shaolin and Wudang. We will even be their superiors.”

When Yu Peiyu saw the seal, he trembled and asked: “Who wrote this letter?”

Sang Erlang said: “Only chancellor Yu Fanghe is fit and has the right to write such a letter.”

Yu Peiyu sighed deeply.

Zhu Lei’Er said: “No wonder you went insane over this letter. Yu Fanghe has promised to help you in becoming the chancellor of Wulin.”

Sang Erlang laughed happily: “Only he has such power.”

Zhu Lei’Er said: “You will only trust his words and promise.”

Sang Erlang said: “Correct.”

Zhu Lei’Er said: “He addressed you as [hierarch]. So in other words he knew about your plan to kill Sang Mukong. If you failed you would be killed by Sang Mukong and he wouldn’t know about the letter. So his secret won’t be exposed.”

Sang Erlang smiled: “That is the clever part of chancellor Yu.”

Zhu Lei’Er said: “So he must contacted you before he went to Family Li Village. That’s why you were there and was able to take Silver Blossom here.”

Sang Erlang laughed: “Exactly.”

Zhu Lei’Er said: “But do you believe the words of Yu Fanghe? Will he really help you?”

Sang Erlang smiled: “That is not your concern anymore. Now, how do you want to die? Eaten by silkworms or cut up in small pieces with our golden blades.”

Zhu Lei’Er smiled: “I like to be bitten to death by a mad dog.”

Sang Erlang laughed: “That is a good choice, unfortunately we don’t have a mad dog here.”

Zhu Lei’Er said: “Who says there isn’t? I am looking at one right now.”

Sang Erlang was furious and laughed arrogantly: “Good! I will use our sect’s three great torture methods on you first. I want you to suffer before you die!”

He turned around and continued to laugh.

Zhu Lei’Er got goosebumps all over and knew there was no escape now. She might as well curse till her death.

Granny Hu at this point whispered: “Don’t say a word.”

Zhu Lei’Er looked at the same direction as Granny Hu and saw that the incense was gone.

It rolled into the fire, she was extremely happy and wanted to ask how.

Granny Hu quickly whispered: “Sang Mukong isn’t dead yet, look he still panting weakly.”

Zhu Lei’Er saw that it was Sang Mukong who unintentionally softly blew the incense into the fire with his weak breathing.

Zhu Lei’Er was very excited, she closed her eyes and pretended to await her fate.

Sang Erlang laughed: “Do you want to see how my precious silkworms look like? There are the most beautiful creatures in the world. But when they crawl over your body you will have a good look.”

Zhu Lei’Er closed her mouth tightly.

Sang Erlang laughed: “Closing your eyes won’t help! When the silkworms are crawling over you, you will look at them.”

Zhu Lei’Er knew that she was about to be saved but the mere thought of those disgusting worms crawling over her was really revolting.

Sang Erlang was very happy to see her scared like this.

Yu Peiyu scoffed: “I have seen many madmen in my life, but I’ve never seen a revolting madman like you before.”

Sang Erlang yelled: “What!”

Yu Peiyu continued: “There are two kinds of mad people, you have madmen and madwomen. But you’re neither one of them. You’re just an useless eunuch. I’m wrong even eunuchs are better than you.”

Sang Erlang was trembling again with anger, the words of Yu Peiyu struck a sensitive nerve.

Yu Peiyu laughed: “Because you can’t make women happy anymore, you hate them. You don’t even have it in you to spare young girls. Why won’t you try our methods on me?”

Zhu Lei’Er was surprised that a nice young man like Yu Peiyu would say such words. But in a moment she understood, he was afraid that the incense hadn’t taken effect yet. And Sang Erlang would have started to torture her.

So he made Sang Erlang angry and hoped he would direct his anger at himself and spare Zhu Lei’Er.

Zhu Lei’Er was happy, sad, touched by Yu Peiyu’s actions. Her heart now fully belonged to him. She started to cry.

Sang Erlang gritted his teeth and said: “Allright!  I will begin with you, I will take ten days to deal with you.”

Granny Hu shouted: “Just a minute!”

Sang Erlang angrilly shouted: “Wait for what!”

Granny Hu said: “You’re going to torture him for the next ten days anyway. Give me a few moments to tell an interesting story.”

She didn’t want to save Yu Peiyu, but if she didn’t started to speak, Zhu Lei’Er would. And knowing that young girl she might say the wrong thing again. So granny Hu quickly intervened.

Sang Erlang laughed evily: “I want to hear him cry in pain and will listen to your interesting story at the same time.”

Granny Hu said: “But with his cries you won’t be able to listen carefully to my story. My story concerns the gathering at LakeHuang.”

Granny Hu had the attention of Sang Erlang, the only thing that could draw his attention was the gathering.

Sang Erlang put the box with silkworms aside and Yu Peiyu was relieved. Although he has experienced numerous times of near deaths but being eaten by those revolting worms is still not a very pleasant way to go.

At this point he felt woozy and tired, his hands began to shake. He could hardly keep his eyes open. Before he knew it he passed out.

When he opened his eyes he saw the beautiful Zhu Lei’Er looking at him very happily.

She had in her hands a fan, she had woken him up again by using the fan of Sang Erlang.

He asked her: “Are you allright?”

Zhu Lei’Er said: “Shouldn’t I be asking that question?”

She helped him up and said: “I never thought the incense would take effect this quickly, Sang Erlang sneezed and fell down.”

Yu Peiyu said: “Well the such a big fire the smoke emitted quicker. And the intoxicating part of the incense was at the thicker part of the incense.”

Suddenly he noticed her hand was wrapped up and asked: “What happened to your hand? How did you get injured?”

Zhu Lei’Er smiled: “It doesn’t matter, the ropes were very tight. So I had to burn myself loose.”

She paused and bit her lip and asked: “Are you really fine?”

Yu Peiyu said: “I’m still feeling a bit weak.”

Zhu Lei’Er happily said: “That’s quite natural. You will feel fine in a day or two.”

She looked at granny Hu and Silver Blossom and sighed: “Although this girl is very annoying, but she is also very sad. We should take her with us.”

Yu Peiyu nodded and said: “You’re right.”

He grabbed granny Hu by her shoulders and asked sternly: “Where is your antidote? Can we still make it?”

Granny Hu smiled: “You, little brat. Do you still remember the antidote?”

Yu Peiyu angrily said: “How can I forget such a thing? If you don’t give me the antidote to cure Lei’Er, I will.......”

Granny Hu said calmly: “If we’re too late, there is no point in killing me. But if we hurry I can promise you she will be alright.”

Yu Peiyu felt relieved when he heard that and said: “Let us go now!”

Zhu Lei’Er asked: “What about the hierarch of the Heavenly Silkworm Sect?”

Yu Peiyu said earnestly: “This hierarch is not too bad and he does have the grandeur of a true leader. We should really save him, but we don’t know how to cure his wounds.”

Granny Hu said: “Just put him out of his misery, kill him.”

Yu Peiyu said: “It is wrong not to help out, and killing defenseless people is totally out of the question.”

Granny Hu said: “If you don’t kill him now, he will kill you sooner or later.”

Yu Peiyu said calmly: “I will cross that bridge when I get there.”

Granny Hu scoffed: “You think you’re being heroic? That is plain stupidity what you’re doing.”

Yu Peiyu said: “If that’s stupidity, it is fine with me. Rather a stupid person than a honourless monster.”

Granny Hu said softly: “Men like those are becoming very very rare. You know why? That is because men like you won’t live very long.”

Zhu Lei’Er picked up a sabre and walked over to Sang Erlang.

Yu Peiyu asked: “What are you doing?”

Zhu Lei’Er lowered her head and said: “I will listen to everything you say, fourth uncle. But I cannot allow this monster to stay alive, otherwise I won’t be able to live with myself if he would harm others again.”

Suddenly a voice said: “Miss Zhu, you don’t have to worry about him. I will deal with him personally.”

That voice was coming from next to them, but with the exception of the three of them there was nobody else.

The rest have fainted already.

Zhu Lei’Er held Yu Peiyu’s hand tightly and asked: “Who are you? And where are you?”

The voice laughed: “I’m just in front of you, Miss. Can’t you see me?”

During this laughter a man got up, it was the Sang Mukong. He isn’t heavily injured at all. In fact he was not injured at all.