Chapter 25 : The Vicious Teacher And The Evil Disciple

The smoke of the fires made the cave very eerie, it resembled the netherworld.

The face of Sang Mukong was mutilated and one couldn’t distinguish his face anymore. He looked monstrous.

Zhu Lei’Er laughed: “Oh, it is you.”

Although she was laughing, her hands were very cold.

She was getting ready to attack Sang Mukong, Yu Peiyu didn’t try to stop her. Their survival depended on whether her attack was successful.

Sang Mukong said coldly: “Miss is a very clever and bold young girl, however even after another ten years you’re not my match. Perhaps with the help of young master Yu and granny Hu, the three of you could meet a draw with me. Unfortunately granny Hu and young master Yu are still weakened by the incense.”

Zhu Lei’Er knew he was telling the truth.

Sang Mukong laughed: “Furthermore I saved your lives, you should be thanking me.”

Zhu Lei’Er was stunned: “You saved us?”

Sang Mukong said: “I was the one who used my internal strength to blew the incense into the fire. Furthermore I used my energy make the fire burn faster.”

Zhu Lei’Er said loudly: “Even so! If I didn’t throw that incense in front of you, you couldn’t have blown it in the fire.”

Sang Mukong laughed loudly: “Miss, you’re still a young girl.”

Zhu Lei’Er looked annoyed and said: “Don’t ......”

Sang Mukong interrupted her: “This traitor had concealed a lethal poison in the handle of his dagger. Just a drop can melt your body away in about an hour.”

Zhu Lei’Er retorted: “I saw that watery substance hit you in the face.”

Sang Mukong said: “That traitor thought I was doomed for, but he forgot one important thing.”

Zhu Lei’Er asked quickly: “What is that?”

Sang Mukong ripped off his face, Yu Peiyu saw his true appearances.

He looked very handsome even for his old age, he must have been a very handsome man in his younger years.

Yu Peiyu wondered why he always had to disguise himself strangely, the old man with one arm the old wrinkled fellow.

Zhu Lei’Er was very surprised and said: “You were wearing a death mask?”

Sang Mukong smiled: “This mask is one of my best inventions, cannot be destroyed by water and fire. The poison, he used is lethal but he can penetrate through the mask.”

Zhu Lei’Er smiled sweetly: “You look very handsome, why wear a mask?”

Sang Mukong said: “I won’t allow people to see my true face, if someone will see my true appearances they will die!”

Everyone was startled when they heard this, Zhu Lei’Er stuttered: “You....you.....”

Sang Mukong laughed: “Don’t be afraid, this isn’t my true appearence either.”

After everyone was stunned by his words, Sang Mukong continued: “At least I know that this traitor in cahoots with Yu Fanghe. It is hard to believe that the benevolent Yu Fanghe is nothing but a powersick hypocrite.”

Yu Peiyu said angrily: “You.......”

But then he remembered Sang Mukong was talking about the imposter. Yu Peiyu felt very sad that his late father’s reputation was being tarnished by that evil fake Yu Fanghe.

Sang Mukong looked pensive and did not notice Yu Peiyu’s angry tone.

Zhu Lei’Er was still very much surprised and wanted to ask how he really looked like. But she quickly stopped herself.

Instead she asked: “What are you planning to do with us?”

Sang Mukong said slowly: “To be honest I’m not a benevolent man and you know that. You know too many of my secrets, I cannot let you live.”

He paused for a minute and continued: “However you did not try to take my life earlier, and neither will I take advantage of this situation either. If we should meet again in the future we will neither be friends nor enemies.”

Zhu Lei’Er was very anxious when she heard the first part, and thought they were done for. However she was relieved to hear that he would spare them.

Sang Mukong looked at Yu Peiyu the entire time when he spoke. Granny Hu was very happy and said: “Hierarch Sang is a true hero.”

Sang Mukong looked at her coldly and sternly said: “Shut up! If you weren’t travelling with Yu Peiyu I would love to kill you right now! Or at least chop off your two hands!”

Granny Hu immediately kept quiet.

She saw that Yu Peiyu wanted to say something, she was afraid his words might offend Sang Mukong. She quickly said to Yu Peiyu: “We should go now, if we’re delayed any longer. I can’t vow for her recovery.”

Yu Peiyu shook his head, and looked at Silver Blossom one more time and hoped she will sincerely change her ways after this incident and sighed deeply.

Sang Mukong saw Yu Peiyu and said seriously: “I will take care of her, she is still my daughter. No matter what she has done.”

Yu Peiyu nodded at him as a sign of thanks.

Yu Peiyu saw that outside the cave their carriage and horses were still there.

Although he has never ridden a carriage before, he could manage and he quickly followed the directions closely of granny Hu.

His heart was filled with worries and questions, Zhu Lei’Er saw that there was a small window and she could talk and speak with Yu Peiyu.

She asked gently: “Fourth uncle, are you alright? What are you thinking about?”

Yu Peiyu sighed: “The hierarch of the Heavenly Silkworm Sect is a very mysterious man, nobody can tell whether he is good or evil. But one thing is for sure he will surely seek out Yu Fa....that Yu fellow.”

Zhu Lei’Er said: “That Yu Fanghe is a very cautious man, I don’t think that Sang Mukong can openly accuse him of anything. There was no signature at the bottom of that letter. Even if there was a signature Yu Fanghe could find a scapegoat again.”

Yu Peiyu said: “Anyway Yu Fanghe has made a formidable enemy by aggravating Sang Mukong.”

Zhu Lei’Er said: “Well Sang Erlang can’t rendezvous with Yu Fanghe, I think Sang Mukong will go in his place to create trouble for Yu Fanghe.”

Yu Peiyu nodded and said: “Very true.”

Zhu Lei’Er sighed: “Fourth uncle........you should have asked Sang Mukong some more questions. You don’t have to worry about me, an extra few hours won’t hurt me.”

Yu Peiyu smiled: “I really don’t have any questions.”

Zhu Lei’Er blinked her eyes and said: “Fourth uncle, don’t you want to know where Sang Erlang is going to meet Yu Fanghe.”

Yu Peiyu shook his head and said: “No, I’m not interested.”

Zhu Lei’Er asked: “Why not?”

Yu Peiyu didn’t answer her.

After awhile Zhu Lei’Er said: “I know why, fourth uncle is afraid when you know the location, you will rush over there at once. But you cannot leave me alone. Because of me you’re dropping everything.”

Yu Peiyu said: “Could you do something for me please?”

Zhu Lei’Er looked happy and said: “Anything you want.”

Yu Peiyu said: “Sit back and take a nap. Don’t worry too much.”

Granny Hu kept giving Yu Peiyu directions, she wouldn’t tell him where she lived. She was afraid he would leave her behind and go to her house straight away. This old woman was really paranoid.

It was evening now, Yu Peiyu was feeling quite tired now. But he didn’t allow himself to rest and continued. He couldn’t waste anymore time now.

Because the next morning it would be the third day, they had little time over. They stopped in a small town, Zhu Lei’Er bought some oranges. She peeled them carefully for Yu Peiyu. She looked very worried, but it wasn’t about her condition it was about something else.

She was carrying around with a secret, and it looked like she wanted to tell Yu Peiyu her secret a few times. But she stopped at the very last minute.

Yu Peiyu was wondering what her secret was, he didn’t know what went through the little head of this clever and lovely young girl.

The villagers in this town all looked up when they saw this luxurious carriage riding by.

When they passed an expensive inn, granny Hu called out: “Stop the carriage!”

The aroma of the delicious food was very tempting and made the company of three very hungry.

Yu Peiyu asked quickly: “What is it?”

Granny Hu said: “For the last two days I’ve only been eating cold buns and fruit, if I don’t have a warm meal I will die of hunger.”

Yu Peiyu was startled and asked: “You want to eat here?”

Granny Hu said: “I can smell the roasted mutton here already. This inn is called Delicious Cuisine and I think they are quite good at preparing northern dishes.”

Yu Peiyu couldn’t believe his ears, he was travelling as fast as he could hoping to be on time. Now this old hag wants to eat and rest in this inn. Someone else would have cursed the old woman or even hit her, but Yu Peiyu knew that would be useless and said casually: “Very well.”

Zhu Lei’Er was very surprised and called out: “You agree with her wishes?”

Yu Peiyu nodded.

Granny Hu smiled: “This youngster is smarter than you, he knows that there is no point in argueing with me. And in the end he has to comply with me anyway.”

The Delicious Cuisine Inn does know how to prepare a good Peking Duck. It looked absolutely magnificent and it tasted even better.

Zhu Lei’Er was very surprised to see granny Hu wrap only a piece of roasted skin of the duck in a thin pancake and dip it into a sweet-and sour sauce. And she was even more surprised to see her ignored the meat.

She asked: “Why won’t you eat the meat?”

Granny Hu laughed loudly: “You, silly girl! The roasted skin is the best part of the Peking duck, only a fool would eat the meat.”

Zhu Lei’Er asked: “Really?”

Granny Hu said: “Of course, haven’t you eaten Peking duck before?”

Zhu Lei’Er remained quiet and after awhile she said calmly: “So what if I haven’t eaten it before. You haven’t eaten my congee before either.”

Granny Hu laughed loudly, but Yu Peiyu felt sad for Zhu Lei’Er. She hasn’t even eaten Peking duck before, a very ordinary dish. There are so many joyous things in life she hasn’t experienced before, but she had had her fair share of bitterness in life.

Yu Peiyu was feeling sad, so he didn’t notice that a man walking in. And when this man saw them, he quickly hid behind a screen and spied on them. After a look or two he quickly left the inn and released a smoke signal into the sky.

Later that evening, the company of three continued their journey. And they had exchanged those two good stallions for two ordinary fine horses. The stallions were too tired after two days. Although these two horses aren’t that fast but at least they were strong and energetic.

There was nobody on the road anymore, granny Hu smiled: “Don’t worry! There is plenty of time.”

Zhu Lei’Er asked: “Are we there yet?”

Granny Hu said: “Not far from here.”

Zhu Lei’Er asked: “Who is still left in your family?”

Granny Hu said: “Not too many and not too little.”

Zhu Lei’Er gave up asking this old witch anything anymore, she won’t reveal a thing anyway.

All of a sudden they saw a flare in the sky, and a soft noise.

Granny Hu was startled and asked: “What is that?”

Yu Peiyu said: “Probably nothing.” But he knew better than that and knew that it was a signal of some sort.

But who could it be, were they after them? Could it be that Yu Fanghe was on their trial again.

Yu Peiyu was very anxious and worried and now they saw road-block up ahead. Eight men wearing black robes blocked the road looking fierce. Yu Peiyu gritted his teeth and whipped the horses to dash through, he ignored the cries of those men.

Yu Peiyu yelled: “Out of the way!”

But those men didn’t move, Yu Peiyu was no alternative but to dash trough them.

However from both sides long spears stuck out and stuck through the wheels of the carriage.

The wheels were broken now but the horses continued to drag the carriage ahead, the carriage made an awful shrieking noise over the ground.

Yu Peiyu continued to whip the horses but it was no use they couldn’t move anymore.

One of those men yelled: “Give up now!”

Two men walked forward and used their fists to hit the horses on their heads, the horses fell down and were dead. Those two men were awfully strong.

Yu Peiyu was surprised by their strengths and granny Hu and Zhu Lei’Er were still too shocked as to what happened just a minute ago.

Granny Hu said softly to herself: “This Yu Peiyu is only trouble, why do so many people want to look for him.”

Zhu Lei’Er jumped out of the carriage and ignored those men and asked: “Fourth uncle, do you recognize these men?”

Yu Peiyu shook his head and said: “No, I don’t.”

Zhu Lei’Er asked: “Are they his henchmen?”

[His] of course refers to the fake Yu Fanghe, but Yu Peiyu said: “They don’t look like his men.”

Zhu Lei’Er asked: “Are they robbers?” Now she turned around and looked at these men, she saw the leader was a young and skinny man. He looked quite handsome but had a very proud expression.

But he looked somewhat surprised to see such a young and gorgeous girl coming out of the carriage.

Zhu Lei’Er scoffed: “Being a robber at your young age? You should be ashamed of yourself.”

The young man didn’t answer and turned around to his men: “Are you sure? Didn’t you make a mistake?”

One of those eight men said: “I am very sure it is her.”

The young man stared at Zhu Lei’Er and asked earnestly: “Is your family name Hu?”

Zhu Lei’Er said in an annoyed tone: “Your family name is Hu! What kind of ridiculous nonsense is this!”

The young man turned to Yu Peiyu and said: “You’re her senior, talk for crying out loud!”

Yu Peiyu smiled casually: “You block our way middle in the night, you destroy our carriage and killed our horses. What do you expect me to say?”

Zhu Lei’Er said: “Don’t think because you’re a bit strong you can order my fourth uncle around. If my uncle is angered he will slap you silly for being rude.”

The young man laughed arrogantly: “Young Miss, you’re the first person who has dared to be this insolent around me.”

Zhu Lei’Er said: “So in others you must be a famous person in Wulin.”

The young man said: “You can ask old woman Hu, who I am.”

Yu Peiyu said: “You’re here for granny Hu.”

The young man stopped laughing and said: “What is your relationship with her? Is she your elder or teacher?”

Yu Peiyu sighed: “I don’t have any connections with granny Hu, and if you should have any unresolved affairs with her I shouldn’t interfere. But now.....”

The young man said sternly: “Now you want to interfere.”

Yu Peiyu asked: “What has she done to all of you?”

The young man laughed: “What she has done?!? Alright I will tell you.”

He turned to one of those men and said: “Second brother Wang, tell him what business you have with granny Hu.”

That second brother Wang shouted: “The old b-i-t-c-h- killed my entire family of nineteen people. My.....my wife knelt to her and begged to spare my seventy year old mother. But....but....she.....”

The man started to cry loudly.

The young man said: “Brother Zhao, tell him what the old woman did to you.”

Brother Zhao said: “My parents are dead, so the old hag couldn’t torture them. But I did have a wife and five children. Because my late teacher once offended her, she killed my wife and five children. My youngest son wasn’t even one years old.”

The young man said: “Brother Sun, tell him.”

This man had only one arm and used his arm to pull up his robe, you could see his scorched flesh.

He didn’t speak, but the young man said: “Brother Sun once unintentionally offended the daughter of granny Hu. So she tied him up and used fire to roast him for six whole hours.”

Yu Peiyu didn’t want to hear these horrible tales anymore and said: “I understand.”

The young man said: “Six of our friends have died in order to find out where she lives, and we have waited here for an entire year just to await her arrival. Do you think your presence will prevent them for extracting revenge.”

Yu Peiyu remained silent, he was stunned and didn’t know what to do. These people had the right to avenge their families and granny Hu also deserved to die. But he couldn’t see Zhu Lei’Er die either.

Besides he is still recovering from the intoxicating incense and because of the traveling is also quite tired. He knew he wasn’t a match for this young man now.

The young man said: “I’m telling you this, not because we’re afraid of you. But I respect you for being a brave man and I hope you will back away from this affair.”

Yu Peiyu said: “If I don’t.”

The young man said arrogantly: “If you can defeat me, I will let her go.”

Yu Peiyu leapt of the carriage now and said: “Allright, it is a deal.”

Zhu Lei’Er said loudly: “I have a few words I want to say to my fourth uncle.”

Yu Peiyu said: “I know what you’re going to say, but.....I have to do this.”

She took Yu Peiyu by her hand and said: “I have to say it, come over here please.”

Yu Peiyu looked at the young man, the young man scoffed: “Rest assured, I won’t harm old woman Hu before I have defeated you.”

Zhu Lei’Er said softly: “Fourth uncle, why do you have to fight for granny Hu.”

He didn’t answer her.

Zhu Lei’Er said: “I know you’re doing this because of me, that youngster seems reasonable to me. If we would tell him our problem....”

Yu Peiyu interrupted: “If granny Hu knew that after she gives us the antidote, she will fall in the hands of these men. She won’t give the antidote to us. Furthermore these people might not even believe our words.”

Zhu Lei’Er was silenced and said softly: “Fourth uncle, you have really thought everything over.”

Yu Peiyu said: “There is no other alternative, I must save granny Hu first and then she will save you. Words mean nothing now.”

Zhu Lei’Er said: “But....”

Yu Peiyu smiled: “Don’t worry! That young man might be strong but I’m not weak either. Besides I have recovered more than half of my strength now.”

She gently pushed away Zhu Lei’Er’s hand and walked over.

Zhu Lei’Er looked at him with love, sadness, respect, worry and melancholy. She knew that if Yu Peiyu has made his mind not even the might Jade Emperor can change his mind, so there is no point in debating or urging him to stop. All she can do is hope he will win.

But she saw that young man looking very confident. He must have extraordinary skills and have an awesome background.

Can Yu Peiyu defeat him?

Zhu Lei’Er lowered her head and sobbed.

The young man carefully observed Yu Peiyu and asked: “Do you really want to fight?”

Yu Peiyu said resolutely: “There is no other alternative.”

The young man sighed: “It is a shame.”

Yu Peiyu was observing him too and saw his adversary was very tranquil and calm. Even more so than the famous master Nu, not that this young man could defeat master Nu. But because he was more careful, cautious than the hot-headed master Nu, he was a more dangerous foe to Yu Peiyu.

Just standing like that the young man didn’t reveal any flaws at all, and he hasn’t even prepared himself for battle.

Yu Peiyu took a deep breath and generated his internal strength, he noticed that the effects of the incense were almost gone. However he felt a bit weak and his muscles ached a bit. Not strange if considering that Yu Peiyu hasn’t slept for the last few days and has been traveling in haste. To be honest he knew that he wasn’t in top condition to fight a formidable adversary but he had no choice.

Yu Peiyu used with difficulty to focus and said: “You go first.”

The young man said: “I never show mercy in battles.”

In a flash they had already exchanged three stances, both knew that they were facing a formidable opponent.

Although both were young they possessed the grandeur of great martial arts experts.

There were another 10 men hiding in the bushes and surrounded the carriage too, they were friends of the young man.

All of them looked angrily at the carriage and were confident the young man would defeat Yu Peiyu.

Both didn’t have any amazing techniques and used very simple ordinary stances but they both generated powerful internal energy.

The simple stances of this young man were quite unique, it didn’t resemble any of the ordinary simple techniques in the entire realm.

It lacked the impressive grandeur of Shaolin and it didn’t have the elusive element like Wudang. Furthermore it wasn’t lethal, vicious or anything. In fact they looked very useless but Yu Peiyu felt that those stances were everything but useless.

Zhu Lei’Er was happy to see this young man’s techniques were that simple, she wondered who his teacher was. Teaching such lowly and worthless martial arts.

She wondered why Yu Peiyu didn’t use those impressive techniques he used against master Nu. Within three stances he would be able to defeat this arrogant young man.

She thought: This young man said he wouldn’t show mercy, why are you showing mercy?

Unfortunately she didn’t know the dire situation Yu Peiyu, his powerful will prevents him from admitting defeat.

Those simple, stupid stances are extraordinary in the eyes of Yu Peiyu.

He understands the power of this techniques.

Like true masters in go (*Chinese chess) a simple move in they eyes of laymen are actually wonderful moves in the eyes of experts.

Yu Peiyu never thought that such stances had such omnipotent power, if your every move has been cut off even if your internal strength is a bit more powerful. You will only be defeated sooner or later.

The young man was gaining the advantage, and it seemed he was going to win.

The young man sighed: “You’re also very good, unfortunately your teacher is an idiot.”

Yu Peiyu was angered by his remark and said loudly: “Not necessarily.”

The young man laughed: “Do you have some extra wonderful techniques up your sleeve?”

The degrading words of this young man has awaken his latent power now.

Furthermore Yu Peiyu was feeling very tired, he was even too tired to think of those difficult techniques anymore. He relied just on raw power. And he attacked this young man ferociously.

Both hands drew a circle in the air, and the two circles fluently followed each other up.

It was like an endless series of circles followed, the young man was taken by this attack. He quickly backed away and carefully examined Yu Peiyu’s attack before countering.

At this point Zhu Lei’Er saw that this young man was a powerful martial artist.

Because he could easily escape from Yu Peiyu’s all-embracing technique.

After looking for some time and avoiding Yu Peiyu’s attack variations and noticed Yu Peiyu’s internal energy was not that abundant anymore and he was getting tired.

He used a very simple but swift move to advance to a weak spot of Yu Peiyu and attacked.

Although Zhu Lei’Er saw that if Yu Peiyu would add another small variation into his technique he would be able to strike this young man down. However Yu Peiyu couldn’t add an extra variation, firstly he was too exhausted now and secondly the young man had used simple moves to block Yu Peiyu from creating more variations.

Zhu Lei’Er became very worried now and thought: It is amazing those simple dumb moves of him could render fourth uncle defenseless.

At this time they two of them had exchanged another ten stances, suddenly the young man yelled: “Stop!”

The young man leapt up in a vertical line for about 12 metres or so. Even if Yu Peiyu didn’t want to stop he had to now, his adversary was not in front of him anymore.

Zhu Lei’Er had never seen such impressive display of the art of levitation before.

The young man asked earnestly: “Are you related to the Feng family in the south?”

Zhu Lei’Er asked quickly: “Do you know my third uncle?”

He looked at Zhu Lei’Er with a confused and shocked manner: “Your third uncle is Feng San?”

Zhu Lei’Er said:”(*Humph)Since you know my third uncle, you have a lot of nerve to block our way.”

The young man said: “You call him fourth uncle, so he’s the brother of.....”

Zhu Lei’Er interrupted: “My fourth uncle is the brother of my third uncle.”

The young man turned at Yu Peiyu and asked: “You’re the brother of Feng San?”

Zhu Lei’Er answered on behalf of Yu Peiyu: “Of course.”

The young man looked at Yu Peiyu for some time and sighed: “The brother of Feng San is working for granny Hu. No wonder that the Feng family isn’t that glorious anymore.”

Zhu Lei’Er said loudly: “My fourth uncle is fighting you because of me. Not because of granny Hu.”

The young man was confused and said: “Because of you?”

Zhu Lei’Er said: “Even you must know that granny Hu is the leading expert in using poison. And only she knows how to create the antidote for her poison.”

The young man laughed arrogantly: “Those monkey tricks are hardly worth mentioning.”

Zhu Lei’Er scoffed: “You’ll be singing in a different tone when you’re injured by those monkey tricks.”

The young man laughed coldly: “Even if she had ten sisters and they worked together, she still wouldn’t be able to use her poison on me.”

But now he looked at Zhu Lei’Er and said: “Are you poisoned by her?”

Zhu Lei’Er said: “Yes, my fourth uncle is taking her back to her home to get the antidote. You should know too that dead people cannot produce antidotes.”

The young man frowned: “Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”

Zhu Lei’Er said: “Would you have believed us if we told you?”

The young man stayed quiet for awhile and sighed: “I wouldn’t have believed you. I would have thought it was a trick by granny Hu and you were either her disciples or relatives.”

Zhu Lei’Er said: “You’re at least honest.”

The young man said: “Even if you’ve convinced me, and I agree to look for her after she’s given the antidote. She won’t give it to you, because she knows her demise is near when she has cured you.”

Zhu Lei’Er said: “You’re right. My fourth uncle understood this from the very beginning, so in order to save me he has to save granny Hu first.”

The young man looked at Yu Peiyu and said: “You have gone through a lot of effort just to save her.”

Yu Peiyu smiled lightly: “Wouldn’t you do the same thing?”

The young man sternly said: “But do you realise how many innocent people have died at the hands of granny Hu. And how many more lives she’s going to take. Just because you want to save this girl, you discard the lives of so many others.”

Yu Peiyu sighed: “I’ve thought about this too.”

The young man looked at him carefully: “Are you planning on delivering her to us after she’s provided the antidote?”

Yu Peiyu couldn’t answer him.

Those were his thoughts, but he couldn’t let granny Hu hear them.

The young man continued: “So you were planning to defeat us first, before delivering her to us later.”

Yu Peiyu still remained quiet.

The young man said: “Either way we have to fight.”

Yu Peiyu said: “It seems so.”

The young man said: “You must know now, that you’re no match for me in your present state. It is likely I will be able to kill you.”

Yu Peiyu said: “Even so, I will have to battle you.”

The young man said: “It is most strange that you put so much value in the life of someone else. But you seem to have little interest in your own life.”

Yu Peiyu said: “I just know that a man should do what a man has to do.”

The young man smiled: “Well said! It’s been a long time since I heard such heroic words. It pleases to hear these words today.”

He walked over to the carriage during his smile, Yu Peiyu blocked him. He said: “If you want to harm granny Hu, you have to defeat me first.”

The young man laughed: “I just want her to give you the antidote.”

Yu Peiyu said surprised: “She will give you the antidote like that?”

The young man laughed: “I have my ways of persuading her.”

Yu Peiyu asked: “What do you suggest?”

The young man said: “You don’t believe me. If granny Hu doesn’t give you the antidote, I will give you my head.”

The young man walked to the carriage, there was no sound in the carriage. Has granny Hu fainted of fear for this young man? Who is he that could strike fear in the heart of granny Hu?

Does he really have the ability to force granny Hu to give Yu Peiyu the antidote?

He opened the door and said: “You.....”

He stopped talking and was shocked, the moonlight lit up the carriage. Everyone saw that black blood flowed from granny Hu’s eyes, ears, mouth and nose. There was a sinister smile on her face: The smile said: Nobody could force me to give you the antidote! Zhu Lei’Er will accompany me in the netherworld.

Yu Peiyu almost fainted, he turned pale and was sweating. He hated granny Hu and could not imagine someone being this ruthless and evil.

The young man turned to Zhu Lei’Er said: “Is she really the only one who can cure you?”

Zhu Lei’Er stood there and didn’t move, she didn’t hear him.

Yu Peiyu said angrilly: “Even if there is someone else, we don’t have the time now.”

The young man asked: “What do you mean?”

Yu Peiyu said: “She only has six hours!”

The young man asked frantically: “How many hours before dawn?”

Yu Peiyu didn’t answer, one of the friends of the young man answered: “About six hours.”

The young man was stunned and repeated softly: “Six hours.....six hours.....”

Yu Peiyu turned around and shouted: “You have your revenge! Are you happy! If not slice up granny Hu’s corpse, to proof yourself!”

He couldn’t control his temper anymore, he vented his anger towards these men.

All those men lowered their heads in embarrassement. These men were normally good men, but because of their tragedies and their will to extract revenge they have become unreasonable rogues.

But seeing their reactions Yu Peiyu felt uneasy for falling out to them, those men bowed to Yu Peiyu and left.

Yu Peiyu lowered his head and wept.

Zhu Lei’Er hugged Yu Peiyu and sobbed: “Fourth uncle, it’s my fault. I.....”

Yu Peiyu interrupted her: “It’s not your fault, I......I.....have failed you.”

Zhu Lei’Er wept: “Fourth uncle, listen to me....”

Yu Peiyu said: “Don’t call me fourth uncle!”

Zhu Lei’Er trembled and said: “What do you mean?”

Yu Peiyu smiled sadly: “I’m not that much older than you, you should call me brother. Besides you don’t want to be my niece, you want to be my little sister right?”

Zhu Lei’Er raised her head and looked at Yu Peiyu dazzled. Her eyes were filled with happiness, surprise, revelry but in a moment it turned into sadness.

Yu Peiyu looked at her innocent, bright, pretty face and watery eyes, he too was filled with sorrow.

He hated himself.

He thought: I knew her feelings all along, why did I just tell her that. I should have said those words a long time ago. Her life was filled with tragedy I should make her happy.

The young man sighed too and turned around not to look at them. He looked into the carriage and saw characters on the wall.

Granny Hu carved those characters on the wall with her nails:
First there is the constellation eating the day, now there is a celestial wolf.
The world is a big place, but I cannot hide anywhere. Only death is my salvation, but rest assured. Return my body and I will grant you......”

Zhu Lei’Er now walked over and read those characters, she asked: “Who is this celestial wolf?”

The young man said: “I am that celestial wolf.”

Zhu Lei’Er looked at him and said: “Such a vicious name.”

The young man said: “It is also a name of a constellation.”

Zhu Lei’Er asked: “A constellation?”

The young man arrogantly said: “According to the Han analects: In the east there is a star named Wolf. It is very difficult to see this star because it appears next to the sun.”

Zhu Lei’Er frowned and said: “Don’t you have another name than this?”

The young man said: “Yes, I have. Namely Hai Dongqing.”

Zhu Lei’Er said: “Hai Dongqing isn’t that some sort of bird of prey? What does that have to do with celestial wolf?”

Hai Dongqing said calmly: “Isn’t a bird of prey a wolf in the sky.”

Zhu Lei’Er sighed: “The Wolf and the eagle are both nasty animals.”

Hai Dongqing said coldly: “The wolf is the most agile animal and the eagle is the most magnificent bird.”

Zhu Lei’Er looked at him and said: “Granny Hu compares you to Tian Chixing, are you his brother? He is fat and pale, you’re dark and skinny.”

Hai Dongqing looked annoyed, but didn’t answer.

Zhu Lei’Er asked: “You’re a wolf, are your friends celestial pigs?”

Hai Dongqing frowned but didn’t say a word.

Zhu Lei’Er deliberately said these words to annoy him, she couldn’t stand his cold and arrogant behaviour.

Yu Peiyu went into the carriage and tore off that part of the wall, he said: “Granny Hu didn’t have time to finish the final characters, what could she grant if we returned her body.”

Hai Dongqing looked pleased and called: “The antidote.”

Yu Peiyu nodded and said: “I think you’re right. She must mean the antidote.”

Hai Dongqing asked: “Are you planning on bringing back her body?”

Yu Peiyu asked: “Could brother Hai tell me where granny Hu lives?”

Hai Dongqing stayed quiet for a minute and said: “She lives around here, about four hours away from here. But how do you know that this isn’t a trick of her?”

Zhu Lei’Er said: “Correct! She might want to lure us back to her home, and hope her relatives could avenge her. Furthermore when her relatives know that she is more or less killed by us, will they give us the antidote.”

Yu Peiyu sighed: “Even so, this is our only chance. Even if this is a trap I will have to go and see for myself.”

Zhu Lei’Er sobbed: “But....but I would rather die, than seeing you harmed.”

Yu Peiyu said softly: “If I was poisoned, wouldn’t you do the same thing.”

Zhu Lei’Er sobbed: “But.....I....I.....”

Hai Dongqing loudly interrupted: “I will go with you, with me around you will not be in any danger.”

Zhu Lei’Er wiped her tears and said: “No need! We don’t need your help.”

Hai Dongqing ignored her and whistled loudly, a beautiful stallion galloped out of the forest. It was a splendid steed.

Yu Peiyu said: “Brother Hai, could you lend me this horse for half a day? I promise to return it after I have found the antidote.”

Hai Dongqing said calmly: “This is my fault, I have a responsibility to retrieve the antidote.”

Zhu Lei’Er pouted and scoffed: “Splendid! But in my eyes.....”

Yu Peiyu interrupted her: “Lei’Er, don’t be rude! Brother Hai’s intentions are good.”

Zhu Lei’Er laughed: “I know his intentions are good, but I just don’t like his tone.”

Zhu Lei’Er rode the horse, Yu Peiyu and Hai Dongqing used their arts of levitation.

After travelling for some time Zhu Lei’Er asked: “Who is still left in granny Hu’s family?”

Hai Dongqing answered: “She still has a mother.”

Zhu Lei’Er was surprised and said: “She is very old herself, it is amazing that her mother is still alive.”

Hai Dongqing said: “She only has a mother and a husband, the rest of her family....”

Zhu Lei’Er said: “A husband? Did you say she has a husband?”

Hai Dongqing said: “Yes, she has a husband.”

Zhu Lei’Er smiled: “The old hag has a husband? How very strange?”

Hai Dongqing said: “Most women have husbands, there is nothing strange to that.”

Zhu Lei’Er said: “Nobody in Wulin has mentioned she has a husband.”

Hai Dongqing said: “Most people in Wulin are very bad informed.”

Zhu Lei’Er pouted and asked: “Who is her husband anyway?”

Hai Dongqing said: “You will know when you see him.”

Zhu Lei’Er said: “Why are always that arrogant and unfriendly?”

Hai Dongqing said: “I always talk like this, if you don’t like my tone don’t talk to me.”

Zhu Lei’Er was angry and stayed quiet. After some time Hai Dongqing said to Yu Peiyu: “You must be tired after traveling so many days without resting.”

He took over the wooden board with granny Hu’s body and dragged it along.

Yu Peiyu smiled apologetically to Hai Dongqing.

Zhu Lei’Er suggested: “Why won’t you tie the board to the horse.”

Hai Dongqing said: “No matter whether she’s alive or dead, she is not fit to ride my steed.”

Zhu Lei’Er smiled: “You’re carrying granny Hu now, so you’re inferior to your own horse.”

She thought this time she would embarrass Hai Dongqing, however Hai Dongqing replied: “This horse is my friend, I don’t mind doing a bit extra work for my friend.”

Zhu Lei’Er was surprised about his answer and smiled wryly: “You’re very strange.”

Hai Dongqing dragged granny Hu, and he didn’t slow down. It seemed he was floating over the road.

Zhu Lei’Er was very interested who his teacher is and how he learnt such high martial arts.

She asked: “What happened between you and granny Hu? Is she your nemesis?”

Hai Dongqing just said: “Hmmmm.”

Zhu Lei’Er asked: “Well, what happened?”

Hai Dongqing said: “That is not your concern.”

Zhu Lei’Er asked: “Couldn’t you reveal a bit?”

His answer was resolute and short: “No!”

Zhu Lei’Er was very annoyed and angry but laughed: “At least you have one advantage.....”

She stayed quiet and hoped he couldn’t resist to ask her.

However he stayed quiet, Zhu Lei’Er gritted her teeth and said: “Your advantages are that you’re too pig-headed, arrogant and proud.”

Hai Dongqing said coldly: “I have another advantage.....”

He didn’t finish his sentence.

Zhu Lei’Er thought: You want me to ask you to finish the sentence. Ha! But I won’t.

Hai Dongqing stayed silent and continued to walk, it seemed he forgot what he said earlier himself.

Zhu Lei’Er couldn’t help it anymore after some time and asked: “What is that advantage of yours?”

Hai Dongqing said: “I won’t debate with young girls.”

Although Hai Dongqing was cold and not very talkative but he seemed to be very talkative around this young girl, even he himself couldn’t understand why. Somehow in his heart he just wanted to protect this sweet and beautiful young girl. But why?