Summary

 

Forty-four years ago, the HuaShan School and the Li family at Mount Huang were mortal enemies. The feud between them grew and at a particular year HuaShan School was able to kill almost everyone of the Li family. There was only 1 survivor a young girl named Li Qi. Li Qi managed to escape her pursuers and fell into the ocean and was rescued by a Japanese warrior, TianFeng ShiSi (14) Lang. TianFeng ShiSi Lang fell in love with Li Qi and soon they were married. 8 years later Li Qi disappeared mysteriously, by this time she had 2 sons. After returning to China, Li Qi killed 4 of the 7 Swords of HuaShan avenging her family and nothing was heard of her again. After TianFengShiSi Lang heard this information he decided to look for her in China.

After a long search he gave up and decided to challenge 2 of China's most prominent fighters, namely the abbot of the Southern ShaoLin Monastery reverend TianFeng (different Chinese character for "Feng") and the leader of the Beggar's Association Ren Ci. He challenged reverend TianFeng first and after an intense battle, reverend TianFeng struck him on the chest. TianFeng ShiSi Lang suffered from heavy internal injuries. He left his eldest son (age 8) in the care of reverend TianFeng and left. Feeling remorseful, reverend TianFeng felt obliged to raise his son. Without healing his heavy injuries TianFeng ShiSi Lang went to challenge Ren Ci who used the dog beating stick to fight TianFeng ShiSi Lang. Within a few stances, TianFeng ShiSi Lang suffered a lethal blow on his back and asked Ren Ci to take care of his other son. Like reverend TianFeng, Ren Ci felt remorseful and aggrieved. With this TianFeng ShiSi Lang died.

The story begins with a number of martial arts experts trying to guard a precious item, a white jade statue of Avolokitesara. These men knew that Chu LiuXiang was interested in this statue so they tried their best to protect it, but in vain. Chu LiuXiang successfully obtained the statue and left behind a pouch with fragrance.

Chapter 2 starts with Chu LiuXiang and his maids on his houseboat. Li HongXiu and Song TianEr are on deck joking around when suddenly, one of them discovers a decaying, floating corpse in the water. They fish it out of the water and after examination by Chu and Su they discover that the deceased was a prominent martial arts expert and judging from the wounds he must have been killed by a particular sort of technique by a particular school. Within that school only 2 or 3 persons were able to kill the deceased. However, in a few moments, they saw a second corpse drifting in the ocean, and after fishing it up they examined this corpse too, they find out that he was one of the persons who was able to kill the first victim. The second man died by 2 lethal sword (jian) wounds, originated from NanHai School. Su RongRong deducted the killer must be either the leader of the NanHai School or his martial arts brother.

Chu LiuXiang was getting more and more interested in this case. 2 prominent martial arts experts died mysteriously and with this his innate curiosity was awoken, he wanted to get to the bottom of this.

But soon they spotted a third body, this time it was the body of a Taoist priest, they believe he was the martial arts brother of the NanHai School leader. In his hand, the Taoist priest held on to his sword but the blade was broken in half. According to Chu LiuXiang, the murderer must be the King of the Desert. The King of the Desert was renowned for his extraordinary usage of a sabre and only he can force this Taoist priest to block his blow instead returning an attack technique. They have 3 bodies on their hands, but unfortunately the 4th one was floating this way. As you may have guessed, the corpse is of course the king of the desert. It seems that the king of the desert was poisoned, but this poison was unlike anything they have seen before. After close examination it turned out to be the Sacred Water (Tian Yi Shen Sui) of the Divine Water Palace. When they heard the name of the Divine Water Palace they were all stunned, the leader of this strange sect, Yin Ji, was called the Matriarch of Water. She was a formidable martial arts expert and everyone in the realm of martial arts feared her.

According to Chu all the pieces were still incomplete. But not for long because the last corpse floated by. This time it was a pretty young woman wearing a white robe, her body was halved into 2 parts. The wound was inflicted by a big broad sabre. Chu, Su, Li and Song figured that this young woman must have been a disciple of the the Divine Water Palace and she must have been the one who poisoned the King of the Desert. Chu LiuXiang deducted that with his last breath he killed his poisoner.

Is it that simple, or is there more than meets the eye? Because Chu LiuXiang will get a visit from another disciple of the Divine Water Palace.

Chu LiuXiang decided to go upstream to investigate. When he returned Su RongRong, Song TianEr and Li HongXiu asked him what he discovered. He replied he saw two important people. One was a monk namely WuHua. Chu asked him to come to his boat but when WuHua heard that there were women on his boat he quickly ran away. Chu and the girls discussed WuHua for a moment. They all agreed that not only was WuHua handsome but also very talented and practically the most outstanding ShaoLin disciple of the younger generation. Unfortunately too outstanding because he was too famous, he knows too many things, he was too intelligent. That's why the abbot of the Northern ShaoLin monastery, reverend TianHu, chose WuXiang as the next leader of the ShaoLin school. But someone like WuHua should not be interested in these earthly matters according to Chu and the 3 maids.

The second person he saw was NanGong Ling and several elders of the Beggar's Association. They concluded that neither of them could be related to these murders.

Chu LiuXiang now has 5 corpses on hand. It seems that these martial arts experts were killed by one after the other. But what kind of feud was there between them that led to this massacre and what was the role of the Divine Water Palace in this? The Divine Water Palace seldom interfered in WuLin matters. These were riddles that were still unsolved. Suddenly a person came aboard their houseboat, this person could avoid being detected by the 4 of them and could avoid the traps set on the houseboat, this person must be a superb martial arts expert. The intruder was a young and beautiful woman. She seem to have an indifferent personality and was not very friendly and wore a white robe. However Chu LiuXiang wouldn't be Chu LiuXiang if he didn't succeed in making this girl trust him.

It seems that she is a disciple of the Divine Water Palace and was sent here to kill Chu for stealing their Sacred Water. Chu was flabbergasted by this accusation and asked her why she said that. This young woman said in the entire realm of martial arts only a few people had the martial arts to steal something from the Divine Water Palace and only Chu LiuXiang was a renowned thief amongst these people. Chu LiuXiang was able to convince this girl that he didn't steal from them, he did this with his incredible charm and his handsome appearances. Chu asked her whether they instructed the death of the King of the Desert, this young girl replied no and Chu took her to the corpse of the supposed disciple.

She didn't recognize the dead woman and said that this dead girl was not a disciple of their sect. Chu LiuXiang asked the white-robed girl whether there were any suicides in their sect. She was very surprised by this question and asked how did he know there was a suicide. Chu deducted that someone must have seduced a disciple and asked her to steal the Sacred Water for him and smuggled it out for him. Probably her lover did not stick to his promise to elope with her and, feeling betrayed and heartbroken, this young girl committed suicide. Chu asked the white-robed girl whether his deduction was correct and she said Chu must be right, because 3 months ago one of her martial arts sister hanged herself and she was pregnant. In her suicide note she wrote that she was unfair to her unborn baby.

The strange thing was that no men were allowed in the Divine Water Palace, so it would be very difficult to find the lover. The white-robed girl wanted to take Chu LiuXiang back to the Divine Water Palace for further questioning, but Chu declined saying that he would do his best to solve this mystery and a month later he would go to the Divine Water Palace with the thief. This white-robed girl was convinced and warned Chu not to play any tricks or else he will pay the ultimate price. Before she left, Chu asked her with a charming smile what her name was and she replied with a lovely smile:"Gong NanYan." It seems no women can resist Chu's charming, charismatic smile.

Chu LiuXiang was anxious to solve this mystery, therefore, he decided to go to JiNan province. There lies the foundation of the ZhuSha Zhang School. JiNan was also the nearest place to collect clues. The other places were all too far. He also asked Su RongRong to go to the Divine Water Palace for information, he knew that Su RongRong has an aunt who is a disciple there. He wanted to know how the girl committed suicide and who could be the man that deceived her. 7 days later they would meet in JiNan.

Chu also knew that most disciples of the ZhuSha Zhang School were rich people. So he disguised himself as a middle-aged ginseng merchant named Zhang XiaoLin. He set off to the nearest gambling house opened by a disciple of the ZhuSha School. By losing a few times he gained the trust of Leng QiuHun. Leng QiuHun wanted to know what Chu/Zhang wanted. Chu LiuXiang replied that he sought the help of his teacher XiMen Qian. Leng QiuHun said his teacher was not in at the moment but asked Chu/Zhang whether he could be of any assistance. Chu said his affair concerned 3 million taels of silver. By this, Leng QiuHun became very interested and said perhaps his other senior might know where his teacher went.

Apparently, XiMen Qian received a letter a few days ago after receiving the letter he swiftly went out only telling his younger martial arts brother, namely The Soul-hunting hand Yang Song, where he went. Leng QiuHun took Chu/Zhang to the home of his "shi shu" and teacher. When they entered the house, seemingly no one was in, not even the servants and maids. They saw the candles still burning in the studyroom and when he entered, a drop of liquid landed on his hand. On examination, it was blood. They quickly entered the room and found the body of Yang Song torn into pieces.

According to Leng QiuHun, this must be the work of The 5 Blood Goblins. Chu/Zhang calmly replied it could be someone pretending to be the 5 Goblins. At this moment, Leng QiuHun suspects that Chu/Zhang had something to do with this murder. Chu LiuXiang said if so he wouldn't stay around to get caught by him. And he said that there might be some clues in XiMen Qian's room. XiMen Qian's room was simple: there were no special things, except a painting of a woman on the wall. The woman was extremely beautiful and Chu/Zhang couldn't help looking at it for some time. He said to Leng QiuHun:"Your teacher's wife is exceedingly beautiful." However Leng QiuHun replied coldly that his teacher was not married. Chu LiuXiang could not figure out what the relationship was of XiMen Qian and the woman in the painting.

When Chu LiuXiang returned to the inn, Leng QiuHun ordered 8 disciples to protect Chu LiuXiang and guarded the inn. Of course Chu LiuXiang knew that Leng QiuHun didn't trust him and ordered those men to spy on him and to make sure that Chu wouldn't go away, along with him the 3 million taels of silver.

During the night Chu was suddenly awaken by a soft noise coming from the roof. Apparently someone was up there. Judging from the size, the intruder was a young girl. She had in her hand a small sabre. Chu LiuXiang pretended to be asleep. The intruder wasn't here to kill him or to steal from him but was looking for something and was going through his clothes.

Suddenly Chu LiuXiang pretended to be startled and woke up and asked who was in his room. The girl just turned and smiled in and removed the black cloth covering her face. She is pretty young girl and started removing her clothes and told him that she was sent by Leng QiuHun. She wanted to know what Leng QiuHun told Chu LiuXiang and started seducing him by crawling into his bed. All of a sudden the girl couldn't move anymore. The young girl asked him why did he seal her acupoint. She said that she was sent by Leng QiuHun. Chu calmly retorted that if so, she wouldn't have come from the roof. The girl knew her cover was spoiled and said she would say nothing -- he might as well kill her. Chu replied that someone might get her talking and loudly shouted: "I caught a spy!" The 8 men came in and saw the young girl, Chu said that she was a spy and they should take her too Leng QiuHun for questioning. They happily obliged.

The sabre left by the girl was still in the floor and Chu picked it up and concluded that the girl must be a disciple of the Celestial Star Association. She came from the east, likely there should be other Celestial Star disciples there as well. With his unmatched art of levitation ("Qing Gong") he swiftly moved from roof to roof towards the east and soon he came to a rather big mansion with candles still burning and a lot of people were inside. Chu heard some people talking about why third sister hasn't come back yet, could there be trouble, she's smart enough to escape, don't worry. Suddenly Chu LiuXiang tossed the sabre into the house and said their third sister was already captured by our school.

Out of nothing a shadow with a sword leapt out of the house with incredible speed. Chu LiuXiang was startled by this man's martial arts. Even the late leader of the Celestial Star Association Zou YouZeng did not have this level of martial arts. Chu deliberately slowed down to look back. The man's face had no emotions at all and his eyes were sharp and bright. They looked even more dangerous than the sword he was holding. Chu LiuXiang stopped and all of a sudden, 3 sword techniques were attacked upon him. The 3 techniques were fast and ferocious and every attack was meant to kill. His swordsmanship was not at the highest level but his sword skills were fierce, malicious, sinister and diabolic. When Chu looked into his eyes he could only see death and kill, it seems this man's entire existence is to kill.

After using 13 techniques he still couldn't touch Chu LiuXiang. The man coldly said that Chu wasn't a disciple of the ZhuSha Zhang School. Chu smiled and asked why. The man said no one in the entire ZhuSha School could avoid his 13 sword techniques. Chu calmly replied the black robed man wasn't a Celestial Star disciple. "Correct!" said the man. And he attacked with another 36 different techniques. Chu LiuXiang smiled and said only the famous ZhongYuan Yi DianHong was capable of this swordsmanship. The man didn't reply and attacked again with another series of 36 sword skills. Chu said it was told that Yi DianHong would kill anyone if that person payed him enough, even his closest friends. Yi DianHong coldly replied he didn't have any friends and launched another series of 36 techniques. Suddenly Yi DianHong laughed and said: "You must be Chu LiuXiang."

Chu LiuXiang asked why did he think he was Chu LiuXiang. Yi DianHong replied that only Chu LiuXiang is able to avoid his 114 techniques and still maintain a charismatic smile. Chu said he never killed anyone before and he probably will never do so. Yi DianHong said that Chu doesn't know the pleasure of killing, if he knew he wouldn't say such things. Chu calmly replied that Yi DianHong was never killed, how can he know the pain of death?

At this moment the disciples of the Celestial Star Association have arrived and are pressing Yi DianHong to kill the spy. One of the disciples resorted to sarcasm saying that Yi DianHong was a coward. Just as he spoke the word 'coward', blood gushed through his throat. Yi DianHong said no one alive can call him a coward. The other disciples all shouted that Yi DianHong was unfair because they paid him a lot to work for them and now he was killing their own people. Yi DianHong said no one was allowed to insult him. The new leader of the Celestial Star Association, the powerful constellation Song Gang, angrily said that Yi DianHong should kill Chu because he was a ZhuSha disciple. Yi DianHong said Chu wasn't a disciple of ZhuSha Zhang. Chu LiuXiang said if they wanted their third sister back they should go to the headquarters of ZhuSha School of this city and then he left.

After going back he saw the intruder was interrogated by Leng QiuHun. According to him the girl was a disciple of the Celestial Star Association and her name was Shen ShanGu. Chu LiuXiang had a few questions too. What was their purpose here. Shen ShanGu said their leader left a few days ago after receiving a letter and he told Song Gang he was going to look for XiMen Qian. Chu asked her whether she knew why Zuo YouZeng went to see XiMen Qian. She said she didn't know. Chu asked her whether they still have that letter. Shen ShanGu said Song Gang has it now. Chu LiuXiang pressed one of her acupoints which caused her to fall asleep.

After some time, some people came and after exchanging names, they were Song Gang and some other disciples. Leng QiuHun used Shen ShanGu as a hostage. In order to get Shen back, Song Gang had to agree with Leng QiuHun that from now on Celestial Star disciples will never set foot in JiNan again. At this time Chu had a few questions he would like to ask Song Gang. Song Gang was annoyed by him and asked Yi DianHong to kill Chu. But Yi DianHong said he wasn't capable of killing this person and Song Gang should find someone else to do this job and threw down the money he received and went away. Seeing no other alternative, Song Gang had to hear Chu out. Chu LiuXiang wanted to see the letter Zuo YouZeng received. Song Gang said he already threw the letter away but he still knew the contents of it. For the sake of getting Shen ShanGu he had to oblige.

He said: "The contents are no secret, all the letter said was........." Then Song Gan fell down after a moment blood gushed from his body. All the Celestial Star disciples hurriedly rushed forward to help but it was too late he was dead. Leng QiuHun turned to Chu but Chu LiuXiang was nowhere to be seen.

Although Song Gang was killed within an instant and almost nobody could see who did it, Chu LiuXiang saw a shadow and quickly dashed out to see who the killer was.

The attacker quickly used his art of levitation to escape, however, Chu LiuXiang followed closely. In the entire realm of martial arts no one was able to defeat Chu on the field of levitation. He was about to gain up on the attacker, the attacker turned and said he recognize Chu. (*Note at this moment Chu LiuXiang still wore his disguise as a ginseng merchant named Zhang XiaoLin). Suddenly a mysterious cloud of purple mist engulfed the attacker and when the mist cleared up he was gone without a trace. He recognized this vanishing technique, this skill was used by Japanese warriors. To his knowledge no one in the Chinese WuLin knew this trick.

At this time he heard a cold voice telling him to draw his sword. It was Yi DianHong. He wanted to challenge Chu LiuXiang to a life and death duel. When he said that he started to attack Chu LiuXiang, but Chu LiuXiang refused to fight him. Seeing no alternative Yi DianHong pointed the sword at himself and tried to commit suicide. Chu couldn't let him do so and wanted to force his sword from him. It was a strange fight--the aggressor wanted to take his own life and the defender defended the aggressor's life.

After exchanging several stances, they heard a zither. It produced lovely music but beneath that loveliness there lies bitter resentfulness. Chu LiuXiang was not affected by the music, however, Yi DianHong was under the music's spell. And he started to attack Chu LiuXiang like a crazed man. Chu didn't want to hurt him but if he didn't snap out of it soon he would see no other alternative but to hurt him. All of a sudden Chu jumped into the water (Chu had chased the mysterious attacker till a lake) and dared Yi DianHong to do the same. Without thinking Yi DianHong followed Chu into the water, and in the water no one was able to defeat Chu. In a few instances he unarmed Yi DianHong and pressed one of his acupoints and pulled him out of the water.

He decided to investigate the music and found a small boat with one person. It was a monk with a handsome face and a gentle expression. It turned out to be the exquisite monk WuHua. Chu greeted him and WuHua saw through his disguise and called him: "Brother Chu!" Chu LiuXiang removed his mask and tossed it away. He explained why he was here and his encounter with Yi DianHong and the mysterious attacker. WuHua was a bit shocked when he heard the attacker used a ancient Japanese trick to escape Chu's pursuit. According to WuHua more than 20 years ago a Japanese warrior came to southern parts of China and lived there for 3 years. It is possible that he imparted that skill to Chinese disciples during that time. But WuHua had no desire to discuss WuLin matters and asked whether Chu had interest in talking about zen. Chu declined saying he had other pressing matters but he would certainly came again. As Chu goes away, WuHua smiled and said to himself: "It is fortunate to know such a person, it doesn't matter whether he is your friend or foe. It is still a delight!"

He went back to the place where he left Yi DianHong and placed him in the branches of the highest tree, ensuring his safety against vile things. He will wake up in a few hours.

Chu went back to Leng QiuHun, at first Leng QiuHun didn't recognize him. But after Chu said: "It's me brother Zhang XiaoLin!" Leng QiuHun recognized him and praised Chu for his superior art of disguise. Leng QiuHun had some new information. According to his sources, an expert of the HaiNan School was in the city. It was either reverend LingYing or reverend TianYing. Chu asked at what inn he was staying. Arriving there, reverend TianYing was not in, but his belongings were in his room. Chu hoped to find some clues through the belongings of TianYing Zi. Apart from some clothes, Taoist scriptures, the only thing there was is a letter. Chu LiuXiang opened the letter and the handwriting was small and feminine. The contents of the letter was:

I shall return your pearl and thank you for your concern. I hope you are able to forget me.
- Ling Su.

It was a simple letter explaining a woman cannot answer a man's love and she hopes he will move on. Chu LiuXiang felt a bit remorseful opening a personal letter and thought that reverend TianYing was a sentimental man. Furthermore he couldn't find any clues about the 5 murders.

Chu LiuXiang went back to Leng QiuHun's mansion. Upon arriving, Leng QiuHun said he just missed reverend TianYing. Chu asked what he wanted. Leng QiuHun said TianYing Zi was looking for someone. It seems that an important figure of the HaiNan School was missing and he thought that ZhuSha Zhang School had some information. Leng QiuHun was supposed to meet him again tomorrow.

Chu decided to go and see TianYing Zi again. When he arrived he saw TianYing Zi sitting with one hand holding a tea cup staring into the blank. It seems that TianYing Zi was contemplating. Chu LiuXiang decided to greet him and said: "Is reverend TianYing present?" There was no response. Chu secretly laughed and thought this old Taoist priest must be thinking of his old lover.

Just as he was about to repeat his question he saw the table TianYing Zi was sitting at was covered with tea and his cup was empty. Chu LiuXiang quickly examined TianYing Zi and found out that he was cold and on his chest there was a big stain of blood. Someone must have pressed his acupoint and stabbed him with a sword. The killer was able to ambush this famous HaiNan School swordsman and could kill him so swiftly that his cup didn't even dropped. The killer must be a formidable martial arts expert.

Chu LiuXiang was gloomy. Not only is he not closer in solving the original 5 murders but now 3 more martial arts expert are killed in the process. The only one who hasn't sent out people to investigate is Zha MuHe, the king of the desert. But as he lived thousands of miles away Chu couldn't just go to his place and investigate.

As he walked along in the city he saw Shen ShanGu and some other Celestial Star disciples. Chu decided to follow them. He could hear them looking for an old painter and scholar Sun PuWen. After they found out where he lived they instantly rushed there to look for Sun PuWen. Chu LiuXiang quickly followed them. Upon arriving he saw that Shen ShanGu was questioning an old blind man whether he painted a portrait of an unmatched beauty. When Sun PuWen heard this he was terrified and wanted to leave at once. But Shen ShanGu stopped him and forced him to tell what he knew or else she would kill him.

Seeing no alternative Sun PuWen sighed and said he painted 4 portraits that were exactly the same of the mysterious beauty more than 20 years ago. He said he was very fortunate at that time because he stayed with her for 3 months in order to finish the portraits. He was mesmerized by her beauty and elegance. Unfortunately after 3 months when the 4 portraits were finished she prepared a small dinner just the 2 of them. The next morning he realized he was blind, she poked out his eyes when he was intoxicated by the wine.

After a while Sun PuWen asked Shen ShanGu why she wanted to find this woman. She said her leader of the Celestial Star Association Zuo YouZeng received a letter from her days ago and then he wasn't heard of again. Sun PuWen said he only knew her name it was Qiu LingSu. After Chu LiuXiang heard that name he had finally found a clue. The letter he found in the belongings of TianYing Zi was not addressed to TianYing Zi but to his martial arts brother LingYing Zi. Both TianYing Zi and Shen ShanGu were trying to locate this "Qiu LingSu" for answers. Chu LiuXiang floated down from the wall, Shen ShanGu demanded to know who he was. Chu LiuXiang smiled and said he also was looking for Qiu LingSu. After Shen ShanGu saw his smile she instantly calmed down. (*Shen ShanGu didn't recognize Chu LiuXiang at this moment, the first time she saw him he was still wearing a disguise).

When he took a glance at the portrait he realized the woman in the picture was the same in the house of Zuo YouZeng.

Chu LiuXiang still had a few questions for Sun PuWen, the first question was did Qiu mention why she need 4 portraits of herself. Sun replied that she wanted to give 4 men each a portrait of herself. It was clear to Chu that these 4 men are the 4 deceased. Shen ShanGu made a clever observation that Qiu probably married someone else and wanted the 4 old lovers to remember her as she was.

But the question is who did she marry? According to Chu and Shen it was either a man with incredible power, superior martial arts or is extremely wealthy. And then she turned to Chu LiuXiang smiled sweetly and said it could also be a man like you that stole her heart. Chu LiuXiang smiled and asked whether her heart was stolen. Shen ShanGu blushed and said someone like Qiu LingSu may not be interested in wealth and power, he must be a very famous martial arts expert, if we follow this lead we may find her. At this time Shen ShanGu used the term "we" very loudly no one not even Chu LiuXiang noticed it.

With this information the husband of Qiu LingSu is narrowed down. Chu asked Shen to hand him the portrait and go home to wait for his news if he finds something out. Shen ShanGu again smiled sweetly and said why she should trust him and why should she give him the portrait.

Chu LiuXiang went over to her and whispered something in her ear. And suddenly her facial expression changed and yelled: "It is you! You fiend!" and furiously ran away leaving behind the painting.

Only Sun PuWen and Chu LiuXiang are still there, Sun PuWen asked Chu whether he still had some questions. Chu told old man Sun that all 4 receivers of the paintings are dead. Sun was shocked to hear this, Chu deducted that Qiu could be in some sort of trouble and needed help so she sent out word to her old lovers to assistance.

Sun PuWen said although she blinded him, he still wouldn't bare to see her hurt and said when he painted the 4 portraits they were staying at the WuYi Convent. It is located outside the city and Su Xin Shi Tai of the convent was a close friend of her. Perhaps she knew where she is now.

Chu LiuXiang took his leave of Sun PuWen and rented a carriage to take him to WuYi convent he couldn't use his martial arts during the day with so many people around.

After a while the driver of the carriage said they were there. Chu LiuXiang got out of the carriage and walked towards the convent and he saw a Buddhist nun sitting under a tree meditating. Chu asked her whether SuXin Shi Tai was in. The nun replied that she was SuXin. Chu LiuXiang asked her whether she knew Qiu LingSu. SuXin Shi Tai said Chu LiuXiang have spoken to Sun PuWen and those 4 portraits were farewell gifts to her former lovers. SuXin Shi Tai said she became a Buddhist nun many years ago and a few years ago she passed away.

Chu LiuXiang went back to the carriage thinking that all clues ended here. Chu was thinking about what to do when suddenly he realizes something is wrong how could SuXin Shi Tai know all these things. He quickly went back and entered the convent he saw a group of Buddhist nuns sitting on the floor meditating he carefully examined their faces and "SuXin" Shi Tai was not amongst them. An old nun approached him, he asked her where SuXin Shi Tai was. The old nun said there isn't anyone called SuXin in this convent. It seems that this isn't WuYi convent either--it's TaoHua convent. The driver of the carriage, the fake SuXin Shi Tai were all a ruse to keep Chu away from the real WuYi convent.

He quickly used his art of levitation to seek for another convent. At this time the sun was setting. He saw an old, desolate convent when he entered and saw a Buddhist nun sitting on the floor. She wore an old, ragged robe and she looked foolish. Chu asked her whether this place was the WuYi convent. She said: "It is! Who said it wasn't." Chu LiuXiang asked her whether SuXin Shi Tai was in. The crazy nun smiled and said: "She is in! Who dares to say she isn't!" That laugh sent a shiver down Chu LiuXiang's spine. She told him to follow her, they stopped before a small room. The crazy nun said, she would go in and ask whether her teacher wanted to see visitors. She came out with a strange smile and said her teacher nodded. Chu thanked her and went in. The room was dark and he suddenly saw a human figure. He took a closer look and found a skeleton hanging in front of him. There was a foul smell of the decaying corpse and Chu LiuXiang was flabbergasted by this awful scene. The crazy nun was standing outside the door screaming and laughing: "You see her! You see her! Why don't you talk to her!"

It was obvious to Chu that SuXin Shi Tai died a long time ago and her pupil didn't bury/cremate her body. This was all a sick joke of an insane woman.

Suddenly the skeleton leapt forward as if to jump Chu LiuXiang and a sharp object was shot from the skeleton and was heading towards his chest. At the nick of time Chu could avoid the sharp object but a shadow jumped towards Chu with a long sword. Chu LiuXiang recognized the attacker as the mysterious assassin who killed Song Gang. The mysterious attacker jumped through the roof and when Chu LiuXiang followed he was already gone.

He grabbed the insane nun, but saw blood flowing from her face the sharp object must have hit her instead of Chu.

Chu LiuXiang couldn't save her and told her to rest. All of a sudden the madness disappeared in the nun and she struggled with difficulty the word 'Wu' and died.

Chu LiuXiang was puzzled by the last word uttered by the insane nun. What did it mean? As he walked down the hill he thought perhaps a secret was hidden under the Chinese parasol tree (i.e. the Wu Tong tree) as he turned around he saw a fire. Someone has set fire to the convent even if there was a secret under a tree nobody would ever know.

There was nothing left to do but to return to the city. As he strolled along he heard someone shouting towards him: "Move away!" A horse ran passed Chu with incredible speed, Chu couldn't see the rider but he could see that the horse was a magnificent creature. He was thinking who could be the rider and what was his/her business here. Before long he reached the mansion of Leng QiuHun and saw the horse standing outside. As he entered he saw a group of people standing around a table they were gambling but none of them spoke a word. All their faces were anxious and stressed.

All their eyes were fixed on a young lad dressed in black. He looked very handsome and had a perfect face. Finally Leng QiuHun took up a wager with this young man. The one with the least points will win. If Leng QiuHun won, the young man would give him his precious piece of jade, however if he lost he had to go with this young man and answer a few questions. Leng QiuHun shook the 6 dice and he scored a total of 6 points. It would seem that Leng QiuHun had won, suddenly the young man took out his whip and curled the dice and rolled them, when he stopped the dice were stacked up on each other and he had 1 point.

Leng QiuHun was terrified and said he cheated, the young's man whip curled up and flew towards him. Leng QiuHun wanted to draw his sabre but he was too late--his sabre was deprived from him. The young man told him to go with him. At this time Chu LiuXiang stepped in and said he would like to gamble with this young man. Leng QiuHun was very happy to see Chu LiuXiang stepping forward. If Chu wins he would keep the jade and Leng QiuHun didn't have to be taken away and he would like to ask the young man a few questions. But if he lost he would answer the questions the young man has and Leng QiuHun had to go with him.

The young man wanted to roll the dices again but Chu said it wasn't neccessary so the young man still maintained his score of 1 point.

Chu LiuXiang picked the dices and rolled them, and everyone was surprised that the dice rolled so slowly but when they stopped they all bumped on each other and they broke into pieces. So Chu had 0 point and had won.

The young man used his whip to chase the other bystanders away and Leng QiuHun was hit in the face 4 times and left saying that he would certainly repay these 4 lashes.

Chu LiuXiang asked the young man whether his father, Zha MuHe received a letter and whether this young man has seen it and what was in the letter?

The young man sternly asked Chu LiuXiang back how did he know who his father was and how did he know his father received a letter.

Chu said first the young man should answer his questions because he lost. The young man replied he never agreed to answer any questions, he had only agreed he would allow Chu to ask the questions. Chu was surprised that this young man was capable of such trickery and the young man demanded Chu answer his questions and Chu LiuXiang asked if he didn't want to answer what would happen. The young man said: "Death!" Chu said:" What if I do not want to die?" The young man was infuriated by Chu's behaviour and said: "If you won't perish then I will!" He attacked Chu with his whip, and although he is young he has superior martial arts. Chu LiuXiang picked up a number of bamboo sticks to ward of his lashes. The young man was shocked to see Chu using this strange method to block his lashes and attacked even more ferociously. Suddenly Chu threw out all his sticks in his hand with nothing there to protect him and suffered a lash on his cheek.

The young man laughed and wanted to continue another series of attacks but then a sword blocked his whip. He was very angry and shouted: "Who's there!"

It was Yi DianHong who blocked him, the young man scoffed at Chu LiuXiang saying he had invited helpers to back him up when he lost.

Chu just smiled. Yi DianHong asked the young man to take a look at those bamboo sticks, when he took a look he was scared out of his wits. Every stick had a sharp, pointy, metal object in it. The young man realized Chu risked his life to save him and was ashamed and upset. He was about to break into tears.

Yi DianHong said he didn't see who threw those objects. The young man said this was the letter Chu wanted and put in on a table and left. Just when Chu wanted to take the letter Yi DianHong raised the letter with his sword saying if Chu could defeat him he would give him the letter. Seeing no alternative again Chu quickly advanced forward to grab the letter, Yi DianHong returned the attack. However, Chu LiuXiang's attacks were focused on the letter he wanted to grab. Yi DianHong frowned and wanted to put the letter away. By doing so, one hand was occupied--Chu saw a window of opportunity and quickly advanced forward.

Chu was thrilled seeing he could seize the letter but Yi DianHong used his finger to flip the letter to the tip of his sword. Chu jumped up and pressed the tip of the sword plus the letter with both hands. Yi DianHong was still standing on the ground but Chu was upside down and pushed down. Yi DianHong changed the position of his sword so that Chu would press down anymore. As a consequence Chu jumped away with the tip of the sword and letter, the sword broke into 2 halves. Yi DianHong praised Chu for his excellent martial arts. Just about to look at the letter, the letter burst into a hundreds of fragments and flew away. The letter couldn't withstand the internal energies unleashed by Chu and Yi DianHong. Chu LiuXiang sighed, Yi DianHong was feeling remorseful and said he would never challenge Chu ever again in his life.

At this moment the young man came back. He looked worried but he quickly hid it. Yi DianHong and Chu LiuXiang were puzzled by this strange behaviour. All of a sudden snakes came crawling through the door. All of the snakes were big and poisonous. Following them, 3 beggars came in. The first one looked arrogant and mean, the other 2 had 7 or 8 poaches on their clothes. That meant they were high-ranking disciples of the Beggars Association, the first beggar didn't have any pouch on his clothes. But the other 2 beggars treated him with a lot of respect. Chu LiuXiang recognized this beggar as Bai YuMo(Gai). They say they had order from NanGong Ling to capture a small thief. Bai YuMo's attitude was far from friendly and he was extremely annoyed by Chu LiuXiang's behaviour and sent out his snakes to attack him. Chu LiuXiang used his bare hands to kill all 20 odd snakes. Bai YuMo was furious and was about to attack when NanGong Ling came and shouted to stop. NanGong Ling scolded Bai YuMo and the other 2 beggars for not recognizing Chu LiuXiang and Yi DianHong. When the 3 beggars heard that these 2 men were famous martial arts experts they were all shocked. Bai YuMo said he felt no shame losing at the hands of Chu and left. NanGong Ling apologized on behalf of Bai YuMo.

As NanGong Ling and Chu LiuXiang are engaged in small talk, suddenly a few beggars came in and reported that they didn't see the young man outside. Chu asked him why they wanted this young man. According to NanGong Ling, this young man stole something from them and wounded elder Song and other disciples. He suddenly focused his eyes on the place where the young man was hiding, the tip of a shoe was seen. Swift like the wind, NanGong Ling drew his sword and stabbed the tip of the shoe and asked the young man to reveal himself. But the young man didn't move, NanGong Ling nodded to 2 beggars and the 2 beggars drew their sabres and hacked at the hiding-place of the young man. But no one was there, NanGong Ling asked who patrolled outside. The beggars said the disciples of JiNan. NanGong Ling ordered them to take those disciples to GongSun elder for punishment.

NanGong Ling took his leave and Chu LiuXiang said he would drop by for some good wine soon. NanGong Ling said he would welcome him any time.

Yi DianHong asked Chu whether the young man really left and Chu said there were more hiding-places than one here. The young man came out and asked why Chu helped him. Chu said NanGong Ling was poor and the young man was rich--it would be silly to work against a rich man. The young man was amused by this remark but didn't smile and said Chu shouldn't count on favours from him. Suddenly he jumped up and almost jumped in Chu's arms because he accidentally stepped on a dead snake. Both Chu and Yi DianHong were amused to see this arrogant young man afraid of snakes.

At this point Bai YuMo came in again and said to the young man whether he should see their leader willingly or do they have to force him. The young man said he would go alone and went outside. Bai YuMo wanted to settle a score with Chu for killing his snakes. He took out his weapon (a club shaped like a claw) and started to attack Chu LiuXiang. Chu never saw such a strange new weapon before so he deliberately wanted to see what new techniques this man invented.

All martial arts experts are interested in new weapons, techniques, etc. Even Yi DianHong was eager to see how Chu LiuXiang was going to counter this new weapon and what other strange stances Bai YuMo was going to use.

The fight was at its heat and Chu was being pressed into a corner when suddenly the claw of the club flew towards Chu's chest. Seeing there was no way to escape, Chu took out the painting of Qiu LingSu and used to block the pincing claw. Bai YuMo was flabbergasted that Chu could so easily and skillfully avoid that mortal blow to his chest.

He wanted to see what was stuck between the pincers of the claw and he rolled out the painting. When he first saw the portrait he was slightly shocked and questioned Chu why did he have a portrait of Ren Ci's wife.

Chu was very happy to hear this he finally found out who Qiu LingSu married--it was the former leader of the Beggars Association, Ren Ci. Chu asked him whether he knows where Qiu LingSu was now. Bai YuMo said her name was Ye ShuZhen and not Qiu LingSu. Chu figured out that Qiu must have changer her name when she married Ren Ci. He didn't know where she was now but he said NanGong Ling knew.

Chu said he might not tell him. Bai YuMo suggested that Chu could swap information with him. Chu would tell them who that young man was and NanGong Ling would tell him the whereabouts of Madame Ren (Qiu LingSu/Ye ShuZhen).

Chu followed him to the place where NanGong Ling was and said it was up to Chu to get inside, he had helped him enough. Chu looked back hoping Yi DianHong could assist him but no trace was to be seen of him. As Bai YuMo entered the house and asked a beggar whether the young man was captured. The beggar replied he came on his one and NanGong Ling was talking to him now.

As soon as Bai YuMo entered the house, Chu swiftly moved up to the beggar standing guard and pressed his acupoint so he couldn't move or talk. He sneaked up the roof and listened and saw what was going on. He saw NanGong Ling and some old beggars sitting in the hall, all of those old beggars had 9 pouches on them. Bai YuMo joined them and it seems that NanGong Ling was questioning the young man why he wounded several of their disciples and one of their elder. The young man was not answering any of his questions and told NanGong Ling to kill him if he dared.

He angered NanGong Ling and the other elders by this rude attitude. All of a sudden someone flew in through the window holding a sharp sword, it was Yi DianHong.

He pointed his sword at NanGong Ling. Bai YuMo and the 8 elders all of them were take off guard and quickly jumped away. YI DianHong told the young man to go now. But he refused and Yi DianHong said he would expose his identity if he stayed so seeing no other choice he had concur.

At this point NanGong Ling, Bai YuMo and the 8 elders had drawn their weapons and launched their attacks on Yi DianHong and the young man. The young man took out his whip and together with Yi DianHong they warded of 10 martial arts experts of the Beggars Association.

Yi DianHong suddenly shouted:"If you don't come out now and help, I'll call out your name!"

Chu LiuXiang smiled and took a few tiles from the roof and hurled them into the hall saying: "Watch out for my 5 poisonous copper cymbals!" He just threw a few ordinary tiles into the hall, but with his internal energy those tiles had a tremendous force, everyone jumped away at the word 'poisonous'. Yi DianHong and the young man quickly made their escape and NanGong Ling could see someone on the roof and but couldn't see his face and flung a chair towards the figure and told him to stay behind.

Of course, Chu wouldn't stay and swiftly he was out of sight.

The young man asked Yi DianHong why he saved him. Yi DianHong said he couldn't care less if he died but he accidentally damaged someone's thing and he is now using the young man as compensation. The young man scoffed at him and walked away, suddenly Chu appeared before him and thanked Yi DianHong. Yi DianHong said to him: "Here's your letter." and walked away.

Chu noticed that the young man's face was full of curiosity and Chu answered the questions he had for Chu. Chu LiuXiang saw the young's man robe and guessed he must be related to Zha MuHe. The young man asked whether he had seen his father but Chu sighed and asked the young man to trust him. The young man took a deep look into Chu's eyes and smiled and then said: "I trust you."

Chu asked him what was in the letter, the young man said the contents is as following:

"We have not seen each other for many years. I believe you must be even more vigorous than the last time we met.
Unfortunately I myself have become wan and pallid and I have misfortune to have fallen into dire straits.
I hope you would came to my assistance, if you do not come I will surely die."
LingSu

After all this time Chu LiuXiang was able to find out what the contents of that letter was. Chu LiuXiang and the young man both were thinking what kind of trouble Qiu LingSu must be in. Why didn't she ask the Beggars Association for help, was it too personal to involve them?

The young man thought the disappearance of his father was connected to the Beggars Association therefore he interrogated numerous beggars but none of them had any information. He asked Chu whether he could go and ask NanGong Ling, because NanGong Ling and Chu are friends.

Chu LiuXiang agreed and the young man smiled very happily and said Chu LiuXiang isn't that annoying as said.

Chu asked how was he to meet the young man again. The young man said that Chu must go to DaMing lake in the morning, he would see a black horse he should gently pull the horse's left ear and say 3 times: "Take me to Hei ZhenZhu (Black Pearl)!" and he would bring you to me.

When he said this, he left. Chu finally knew this strange young man's name. Chu headed towards the mansion where NanGong Ling was staying, when he entered he was welcomed by NanGong Ling. Chu smiled and said he came here to taste some fine liquor together with him.

It seems that WuHua was here as well, so the 3 of them drank at heart's content. (*It is strange that WuHua could drink wine, I mean aren't Buddhist monks prohibited from drinking. Perhaps that's also a reason why reverend TianHu of northern ShaoLin didn't appoint him as the next leader/abbot of ShaoLin). Suddenly Chu said he knew someone who could drink even more than they did.

NanGong Ling asked who this person might be. Chu said this man was Zha MuHe aka King of the Desert. While he said Zha MuHe's name he observed NanGong Ling's face for facial changes. But he couldn't see any. Both WuHua and NanGong Ling were interested in meeting Zha MuHe, but Chu said it was impossible now because he was dead. NanGong Ling was surprised to hear this because he was always well-informed on current WuLin affairs. Chu said he hid the body of Zha MuHe, because his killer wants to create havoc in the entire realm of martial arts so no one knows of his death. Again he casually observed NanGong Ling for any strange or guilty behavior but he showed none.

Chu LiuXiang added that clues of the killer could be found via Madame Ren (Qiu LingSu). NanGong Ling said Madame Ren (Qiu LingSu) lived secluded now but he was willing to take Chu LiuXiang to her. However he had to take care of some business at this time and asked Chu to come back 2 hours later.

Chu said he had some business too and said he would return shortly. WuHua smiled and said whether he had an appointment with a lovely lady. Chu laughed and said he couldn't keep a secret from WuHua. And he was off 2 hours later he would come again.

As Chu LiuXiang approached the DaMing lake he saw Hei ZhenZhu's black horse. He did as Hei ZhenZhu instructed and the horse obediently took Chu to Hei ZhenZhu. When he saw him, he was standing on a small boat pondering. Chu LiuXiang asked him what was he thinking of. Hei ZhenZhu said he was thinking of Chu, all of a sudden he realised Chu was there and jumped and asked him whether he had questioned NanGong Ling. He said he couldn't get any information but NanGong Ling would take him to Madame Ren (Qiu LingSu). Hei ZhenZhu asked Chu when will he return, Chu replied 2 days.

Hei ZhenZhu said she wait here again 2 days later.

Chu said 2 days later a young girl would rendezvous with him at dusk. Hei ZhenZhu scoffed saying he would not be able to recognize this girl. Chu said 2 days later he would surely recognize her, because someone like her cannot be easily found in these parts or anywhere in the world, her name is Su RongRong.

Hei ZhenZhu wanted to know whether she was very beautiful, Chu answered that simply the word beautiful would not do her justice.

Hei ZhenZhu asked Chu what his relationship was with Su RongRong. Chu smiled and said Hei ZhenZhu had a lot of questions for a man.

Hei ZhenZhu coldly said he would wait for her and told Chu to go now. NanGong Ling took Chu LiuXiang to a mountain not far from here, it was called Mount Ni. It was a beautiful place to be, very secluded. Chu commented that this place was a small paradise on earth.

NanGong Ling sighed and said that Ren Ci wanted to spend his remaining years here, but before he could enjoy it he was dead. Chu asked him whether he missed Ren Ci. NanGong Ling said that Ren Ci was the most benevolent, friendly man he knew and if it wasn't for him he wouldn't be the new leader of the Beggars Association.

They continued their hike, Qiu LingSu lived on the mountaintop. As they walked along they saw a man holding a strange shaped sword blocking the mountain ridge. In order to reach the house of Qiu LingSu you had to walk via the ridge. Chu asked this whether they could pass twice. But the man still didn't answer. Chu asked politely his name. The mysterious man answered: "TianFeng ShiSi Lang!" Chu said he wanted to pass and pay his respects to Madame Ren. TianFeng ShiSi Lang wouldn't let him pass and saying Madame Ren will not see anyone.

Chu LiuXiang asked him how he knows Qiu LingSu. According to TianFeng ShiSi Lang, he was in love to with Qiu LingSu but unfortunately he couldn't win her heart and wasn't strong enough to overcome Ren Ci. So more than 20 years ago he left for Japan and vowed never to come back unless Ren Ci died.

Chu LiuXiang was persistent in his request in seeing Qiu LingSu. TianFeng ShiSi Lang dared Chu to try and pass this ridge. Chu LiuXiang accepted this challenge. NanGong Ling told Chu to be careful because TianFeng ShiSi Lang was a great martial arts expert.

TianFeng ShiSi Lang drew his long samurai blade and stood still on the ridge, Chu was approached and stood still too. Neither of them moved for some time. Suddenly TianFeng ShiSi Lang used his best skill "One blow of the blade facing the wind" to hack Chu LiuXiang. This skill was designed to seal off all avoiding/escaping techniques of the adversary and even more dangerous was the fact that Chu was standing on a ridge leaving no place to maneuver at all. He saw the blade coming towards him so he clutched his feet against the ridge and jumped out of the way and bouncing back and advance towards TianFeng ShiSi Lang. TianFeng ShiSi Lang never guessed his art of levitation was this magnificent. He placed all his strength into that hack, now he couldn't withdraw his blade and use a counter attack. He suddenly stood still and Chu grabbed him but when he did there was only a heap of clothes and a mask. He saw a figure leaping off the cliff and making a somersault and landing in the stream below and escaped. At this time NanGong Ling approached and said this a Japanese escape trick.

Chu commented that this man did not come from Japan and he is probably not TianFeng ShiSi Lang. Because he knew Chu LiuXiang's name. Chu never introduced himself, furthermore, if he came from Japan then no one would know him--why wear a mask?

So he guessed that this pretender must use Japanese martial arts to cover his original martial arts and his actual identity.

Chu and NanGong Ling proceeded to Qiu LingSu. They stopped in front of a little house. NanGong Ling asked permission to enter the house.

A most enchanting voice told them to enter.

As they entered they saw a woman standing with her back towards them. Although Chu couldn't see her face he knew she was a beautiful woman. Her stature was unparalleled, Chu was completely mesmerized by her.

Qiu LingSu asked NanGong Ling who the other man was. He replied that Chu had some questions he wanted to ask her. Qiu asked what kinds of questions. Chu said that Zou YouZeng, XiMen Qian, LingYing Zi and Zha MuHe received a letter from her and now they have all died. As he said those names he observed Qiu LingSu to see whether she was shocked, angered or anything, but he saw none.

She replied that she never wrote any letters and Chu must be wrong and she turned around and asked them to leave now. Chu couldn't see her face, she wore a veil covering her face--you could only see her beautiful eyes.

Chu was even more confused and was about to leave when he saw an urn. He asked Qiu LingSu whether Ren Ci was cremated. She replied coldly that this was a tradition of the Beggars Association.

Chu LiuXiang said he would like to have met Ren Ci before he died.

Suddenly Qiu LingSu said the following to Chu LiuXiang: "My husband was bedridden for many years, when he suddenly died not many people were present to see him for the last time. Please leave now!"

Chu LiuXiang thanked Madame Ren and left. He was thinking of the those 2 sentences Qiu LingSu said.

When they got back to JiNan, NanGong Ling said he had some business and parted. He apologized for not be able to help Chu. Chu smiled and said that it didn't matter.

He quickly went to see Hei ZhenZhu, when he got there he asked whether Chu had met Qiu LingSu. Chu said he did and Hei ZhenZhu asked whether she was very beautiful and Chu smiled and said Hei ZhenZhu really asked some girlish questions and didn't focus on the words Qiu LingSu said. Chu told her she wore a veil, Hei ZhenZhu seemed disappointed.

Chu also told her that Qiu LingSu said she never wrote any letter. Hei ZhenZhu seemed even more disappointed and said it was impossible to solve this mystery. Chu said: "In the eyes of Chu LiuXiang, there is never impossible." And asked Hei ZhenZhu whether he saw Su RongRong. Hei ZhenZhu said he did.

Chu asked him where she was at this moment.

Hei ZhenZhu replied:"She is dead!"

"Dead!" Chu LiuXiang was shocked and quickly grabbed Hei ZhenZhu's shoulders and asked again what he just said.

Hei ZhenZhu said that he saw Su RongRong being murdered. Chu LiuXiang screamed at Hei ZhenZhu questioning her why he didn't rescue her.

Hei ZhenZhu's shoulders were almost crushed and tears were rolling in his eyes but he coldly said: "You didn't tell me to protect her. I don't even know her, her death is no concern of me."

Chu LiuXiang was stunned. He released Hei ZhenZhu and sat down. He couldn't believe it--Su RongRong dead. This smart and beautiful girl dead.

Hei ZhenZhu bit on his lip and asked Chu: "Did that woman mean so much to you?"

Chu said: "You'll never know how much she means to. I would rather die a hundred deaths then let anything happen to her!"

Hei ZhenZhu was silent for a moment, but then she became very emotional and said: "You can cry all you want, but I don't have to be upset and you don't have the right to force me to feel upset."

Chu said: "You're right! But I want to know who killed her!"

Hei ZhenZhu narrated what happened that day. He went to the place where Chu and Su were supposed to rendezvous. As he was about to walk over to greet Su RongRong, 4 men came up to Su saying something to her. Because there was some distance between Su RongRong and Hei ZhenZhu he couldn't hear or clearly see what they said or looked like.

It seemed that the 4 men wanted Su RongRong to follow them, but she declined. And the 4 men decided to take leave when suddenly a few darts flew out of their sleeves and struck her body and she fell into the lake.

When Hei ZhenZhu rushed over the 4 men were gone and he saw lake turning red with blood and there was sign of the corpse.

Chu LiuXiang left swiftly before Hei ZhenZhu could finish her sentence, and Hei ZhenZhu quietly sighed.

Chu rushed to the scene of the crime hoping to find a clue but he couldn't find any. He just staring at the lake when a boat came by. On board was an old fisherman who asked to come aboard for a drink. Chu accepted and found the old man quite refined. The old man asked him why he was crying. Chu laughed out loud saying Chu LiuXiang never cried before but his laugh soon choked.

The old man suddenly sighed and said: "Seeing you in this state, if I truly died I would have no regrets."

Chu held the old man and said: "Is it truly you, RongRong?"

He was so happy he held Su RongRong very tight in his arms not letting go.

Su RongRong told Chu what happened, those 4 men came up to Su asking her whether she was Su RongRong. And saying they were disciples of the ZhuSha Zhang School, they had received orders from Chu to take her to somewhere else.

Su didn't believe them because Chu knew she disliked contact with strange men. And she saw the 4 of them exchanging looks and she pretended to hit by their darts and fell into the water and the so-called blood was rouge she bought for Song TianEr.

Chu praised her for her ingenuity.

Su RongRong also told Chu what she found out or didn't find out at the Divine Water Palace. According to Su's aunt no men were allowed to enter the palace. The girl who committed suicide was called SiTu Zheng, who was a very quiet girl who occasionally played the zither. And she didn't leave anything behind.

According to Chu there must be a clue there because otherwise those 4 men wouldn't have come to silence Su RongRong. Su asked Chu what he found out, Chu told her everything he had encountered so far. They concluded that the mysterious killer is the same person who killed Zuo YouZeng, XiMen Qian, etc. Su said he tried his best to keep Chu away from Qiu LingSu but still Qiu didn't say anything relevant.

But Chu said she did and told Su the last 2 sentences Qiu said: "My husband was bedridden for many years, when he suddenly died not many people were present to see him for the last time." Su RongRong didn't hear anything special, but Chu asked her to think carefully. Suddenly she understood the message, Ren Ci was bedridden for many years and "suddenly" he died. The disciples of the Beggars Association knew their leader was ill and should have stayed at his deathbed to hear out his final instructions. How is it possible that "not many people were present to see him for the last time."

Su RongRong asked whether he was going to visit Qiu LingSu again. He said he must go and told her to go back to the houseboat and he would join them 5 days later.

As he returned to the lake someone appeared before him. It was WuHua he wanted to play chess with Chu LiuXiang and Chu happily accepted. Hei ZhenZhu was also present too, he was just staring into the lake and he looked pensive. Chu joked and said to him: "Only horses sleep standing, you do want mimic them?"

Hei ZhenZhu coldly replied: "If you want to make small talk, you should go to the old fisherman and not me."

Chu praised him for his keen eye and laughed out loud saying: "I have a chess appointment tonight therefore I can't drink with you tonight."

Hei ZhenZhu didn't know what he was talking about just as he wanted to say something back. Chu quietly whispered: "Take your horse to the South gate and wait for me there. This is an important matter, solving this entire mystery depends on it." And then he laughed again and left leaving a very puzzled Hei ZhenZhu.

Chu and WuHua entered the mansion of NanGong Ling. Everything was prepared a chessboard, wine and food.

Chu LiuXiang felt immediately at home and started drinking and laughing. WuHua laughed saying NanGong Ling didn't know the pleasure of chess and NanGong smiled saying it takes too much time and energy for him.

Suddenly Chu placed a chess-man on the most strange position possible. It was even a bad move, but WuHua thought Chu must have a brilliant strategy. So he was really puzzled by this move and thought of all possibilities.

Chu said he wanted to use the toilet and asked NanGong Ling to lead the way. He obliged and Chu swiftly entered the toilet and when NanGong Ling went back in he quickly jumped over the wall and thought to himself: "WuHua, that move of mine was terrible. If you think I have a brilliant strategy you're very wrong. By the time you have figured that out I'll at Mount Ni."

He rendezvoused with Hei ZhenZhu and asked him for his horse. Hei asked Chu when will he return, he said about 2 days if he isn't killed. Hei ZhenZhu said he didn't care less, he just wanted to make sure his horse would be returned on time.

Chu laughed and rode away.

Chu LiuXiang rushed towards Mount Ni. When he arrived there was no trace of Qiu LingSu, but he saw that the urn was missing and the backdoor was open. He quickly pursued, suddenly he heard an evil laughter and someone saying: "You wouldn't let me touch you, and I agreed, what are you waiting for now? Jump off the cliff!"

Chu recognized the voice, it was Bai YuMo.

He heard Qiu LingSu saying: "I will die anyway, just give me final moments." At this point Chu saw them, Qiu LingSu was wearing a veil and stood near a cliff holding the urn (containing Ren Ci's ashes). Bai YuMo was holding a club smiling sinisterly. When Chu saw that only Bai YuMo was present, he was not so worried.

Bai YuMo shouted: "If you die early, you can reincarnate earlier! You're going to die anyway, what are you waiting for!"

Qiu LingSu:"Life is so precious, even living a moment longer is a good thing."

Bai YuMo bitterly said: "I have waited 20 years to avenge myself. Although I cannot kill old man Ren myself but seeing his ashes fly away and you leaping to your doom, I still have my little revenge."

Qiu LingSu: "How did you find me?"

Bai YuMo scoffed: "You think nobody knows of this place?"

Qiu LingSu: "Its location is not known to many people."

Bai YuMo laughed: "But someone took you here."

Qiu LingSu sighed: "I should have known he wouldn't let me live."

"You have asked your questions, now jump!," shouted Bai YuMo.

Qiu LingSu sighed again: "I should have died 20 years ago, why bother dwelling in this world."

"You still think someone will rescue you? Stop dreaming!" Bai YuMo said.

Qiu LingSu said:"At this point, I am afraid no one will able to save me. I wonder how death is like?"

She clutched the urn tightly and wanted to jump down.

Suddenly Chu shouted: "Bai YuMo, although I haven't killed anyone before, if you move a single hand I will kill you."

Chu jumped in front of him and pulled Qiu LingSu away from the cliff. Bai YuMo raised his club to strike Chu LiuXiang, but Chu pushed away his club and struck him down. His club fell into the cliff.

Chu smiled and said:"Aren't you going to leave?" Bai YuMo couldn't believe his ears. Chu LiuXiang was letting him go.

Chu told him: "If you regularly think of why you're still living then from now onwards you would be a better man."

Bai YuMo quickly left.

Chu apologized to Qiu LingSu for coming too late. Qiu said it didn't matter because he came after all. She said she guessed only Chu was intelligent enough to understand her final 2 sentences. She did everything possible to buy herself some time when Bai YuMo appeared.

Everything Qiu LingSu did wasn't out of survival she wanted someone to know her secret, and then she could go away peacefully. Chu asked her about the letters she wrote to Zuo YuoZeng, XiMen Qian, etc.

She felt remorseful because she was in a way responsible for their deaths. Qiu LingSu asked Chu whether he heard of the story of *Emperor Xian of the Eastern Han dynasty. Although he was the emperor, he had to listen to others and other people used him as a puppet.

These last 3 years Ren Ci's situation was similar to this poor emperor.

Chu LiuXiang asked: "Who controlled him?"

Qiu LingSu replied: "NanGong Ling!"

Chu LiuXiang said: "It is him after all."

Qiu LingSu said that NanGong Ling was an orphan, Ren Ci raised taught him martial arts and he was a bright young boy.

Chu asked how Ren Ci could have been rendered powerless. Because he knew that Ren Ci had powerful martial arts. Qiu said that although he was old his martial arts didn't decline and he was still very vigorous. But somehow these 3 years he suffered from a strange disease not only did he became weak and feeble but his arms and legs were paralyzed.

Chu commented no one could escape the clutches of disease.

But according to Qiu this wasn't a natural illness. Chu asked her whether someone used poison, Qiu replied that NanGong Ling poisoned Ren Ci.

NanGong Ling feigned filial duty and tricked everyone into believing that he was innocent and Ren Ci suffered from a strange disease. Furthermore, if he killed Ren Ci, someone might get suspicious so he used this plan to place Ren Ci under house arrest. Everyone in the Beggars Association knew that NanGong Ling will be the heir to the leadership of the Beggars Association. So everyone agreed that NanGong Ling would take over all of Ren Ci's duties as leader.

When Ren Ci and Qiu LingSu discovered his plans, they were unable to stop him anymore. When she told this story her voice changed, Chu knew these 3 years must have been a living hell for them.

Chu asked her why nobody in the Beggars Association knew something was wrong, but according to Qiu he covered his tracks so good nobody saw anything suspicious. And he told all the elders that Ren Ci wanted to live on Mount Ni to recover and didn't want to be disturbed.

Also, NanGong Ling forced her to write those 4 letters, in order to expand his own power and the Beggars Association he needed a lot of money.

He also knew that Qiu LingSu and those 4 murdered martial arts experts were old friends and wanted to use her to get more finances.

Chu concurred because all 4 men had power and wealth. Zuo YouZeng was the leader of the Celestial Star Association, XiMen Qian was an elder of the ZhuSha Zhang School, LingYing Zi was a prominent figure of the HaiNan School. HaiNan School had lots of property and Zha MuHe was known as the 'King of the Desert', who had acquired lots of money.

Qiu LingSu also knew that NanGong Ling was using her, but she wanted to use this opportunity to contact her 4 old friends. If she could give them a clue of her present situation they would surely help her. And with 4 martial arts experts and 3 prominent martial arts schools on her side, Ren Ci and herself could surely foil NanGong Ling's evil plans.

However just one day before the rendezvous, someone came to see NanGong Ling. They two of them had an argument, Qiu LingSu didn't know what they were arguing about but NanGong Ling and this mysterious man changed their ideas and wanted to kill those 4 men.

The next day, NanGong Ling brought a bowl of ginseng soup for Ren Ci. Qiu LingSu suspected there was something wrong with that soup and used 3 different methods to check the soup. But the soup seemed fine and Qiu LingSu was a renowned user of poison herself 20 years ago.

She thought the soup was safe and Ren Ci could use some nourishment so she let him drink the soup.

After Ren Ci drank it his body was all swollen and soon he died. Chu LiuXiang concluded that NanGong Ling must have used The Sacred Water of the Divine Water Palace.

Qiu LingSu couldn't believe NanGong Ling was capable of killing his own teacher and godfather, but he did. Chu concluded that NanGong Ling was evil but the mysterious man was the mastermind behind the entire plan. He was even more ruthless.

Chu said: "This mastermind must also the person who impersonated TianFeng ShiSi Lang."

Qiu asked Chu how he knew this name, Chu LiuXiang asked her whether she knew this man.

She said she didn't but Ren Ci often spoke of him. She told a story of many years ago, at that time Ren Ci was just leader of the Beggars Association when he received a challenge from TianFeng ShiSi Lang. He accepted and went to meet somewhere in the Fukien province.

Ren Ci didn't want to tell everybody about this duel and only took elder ShiTu, who died some years back, to the battle.

Within a few stance he was able to strike TianFeng ShiSi Lang down. It seemed TianFeng had suffered from a heavy internal injury not long ago and died that very same day.

Before he died he asked Ren Ci to do something for him. Qiu LingSu asked Ren Ci many times what he wanted Ren Ci to do but he didn't tell her.

After some time she guessed what that thing was. Every time Ren Ci saw NanGong Ling he felt remorseful and when NanGong Ling poisoned him he didn't even hold a grudge against him. He even said he was sorry causing NanGong Ling so much grievance.

NanGong Ling was the son of TianFeng ShiSi Lang and he asked Ren Ci to take care of his son.

Chu said: "This isn't fair, old master Ren is being punished for something which was an accident 20 years ago."

Qiu LingSu said: "If this is heaven's retribution, then heaven is too unfair."

Chu LiuXiang was still puzzled as to who the mystery man who knew Japanese martial arts was. Qiu said that mystery was up to Chu to solve, she had told everything she knew.

Chu LiuXiang asked Qiu LingSu a favour--he wanted to see her face.

Qiu sighed and said these 20 years only 2 men saw her face. One was Ren Ci, the other was Chu Liuxiang. After saying this she removed her veil.

He thought he would see the face of a goddess but he saw a face of a monster. Her entire face was destroyed, not a piece of normal skin.

She told Chu LiuXiang why she wore a veil and only 2 persons ever saw her face these 20 years. She said if Chu came 20 years earlier he could have saw her true face.

Chu apologized and said he was very happy to see her charm and her elegance. Qiu even said she thanked the person who destroyed her face because of her she knew true happiness. Chu asked who ruined her face.

Qiu LingSu asked him: "Have you ever heard of the "Stone Avalokitesvara?" Chu saw shocked when he heard that name.

Qiu said he must heard of her, she is supposed to be the most beautiful woman on this world and also has the best martial arts of this world. Chu asked whether she had any grudges with her. Qiu said she never even met her before.

One night she came to look for Qiu LingSu and looked/observed her for 2 hours. Before she left she asked what Qiu wanted--to stay alive but with a mutilated face or to die with her pretty face.

3 months later she would come back to see what choice she made and left a small bottle of poison behind. She gave Qiu 3 last months to enjoy her beauty. Qiu went to see the best painter of the time--Sun PuWen--to paint 4 portraits. And she couldn't escape--if the Stone Avalokitesvara wanted you dead, there was no escape. On the completion of the portraits, the 3 months were up, she didn't want to die and used the poison. After she used it, she lost her senses and poked out the eyes of Sun PuWen.

For a few months she lived like an animal, but then she was found by Ren Ci who took care of her. She hated him for rescuing her. Every day Ren Ci came by she cursed him, hit him. But he always came back with that friendly smile warm character.

When she said these words she gently touched the urn.

She gradually accepted him and fell in love with him. She knew only Ren Ci truly loved her. He was the leader of the largest WuLin association but still he would come by and comfort her.

Chu commented that Ren Ci wasn't in love with her beauty but with her soul. And that will never change.

Qiu thanked him for these words and said he and Ren Ci could have become good friends.

She said Ren Ci knew that when a woman lost her beauty she will have nothing to live for and only love and companionship can ease the suffering so he sacrificed himself to accompany an ugly woman. She gently said she always knew he was the sweetest and kindest man that lived on this world.

Chu said: "It is not sacrifice, although he couldn't marry the most beautiful woman in the world, he married the most gentle, the most elegant and the most considerate wife in this entire world."

Qiu LingSu thanked him again for his most kind words.

Chu said: "I have never heard of a more touching love story than this one."

She gently touched the urn again and said: "Only Ren Ci could give me 20 years of happiness and serenity, but you give me a tranquil and grateful mind. I can die in peace now."

Chu said: "Die?"

Qiu LingSu gently said:"After Ren Ci died I lived because I wanted to expose NanGong Ling's evil plans, my wish is fulfilled. Do you think after he died I truly want to live on?"

Chu LiuXiang saw Qiu LingSu jump towards her death but couldn't stop her. He knew her mind was made up, nothing he did could/would stop her from dying. Chu was filled with sorrow and anger, he quickly rode back to JiNan. He wanted to confront NanGong Ling.

He entered the mansion where NanGong Ling and all the other beggars were staying. It seemed deserted, he only saw NanGong Ling sitting in the hall. Chu approached him, NanGong Ling asked whether he knew everything. Chu answered positively.

NanGong Ling said no one could blame him for killing Ren Ci. He just avenged his father, no one in WuLin could judge him.

Chu said the elders and other disciples of the Beggars Association wouldn't accept the killer of their old leader as their new figure-head. NanGong Ling knew also knew this and asked Chu why he interfered in his affairs.

NanGong Ling asked Chu LiuXiang whether he remembered the first time they met. Chu said he could remember vividly.

Some years ago, the 4 Brothers of JiLu raided a convoy of money protected by the Dual Righteousness Group. The 4 brothers even kidnapped the daughter of the head-protector. Chu rushed there to help, but when he arrived he saw NanGong Ling defeating the 4 brothers. He was very impressed by him and became good friends. Once NanGong Ling came to Chu's houseboat and in 5 days they drank all of the wine on board. NanGong Ling even painted a portrait of Su Rong Rong. They caught a large turtle and they held a contest who could eat the most and as result both of them had an indigestion. Chu LiuXiang and NanGong Ling both laughed heartily as they both reminisced about these past events.

However the laughter died. NanGong Ling told Chu these days could stay the same if he kept what he knew a secret.

Chu remained silent for a while and sighed: "If there is something that could touch my heart, that thing must be friendship."

NanGong Ling was very happy to hear this and asked whether he would truly say nothing.

Chu said he would. NanGong Ling said: "Chu LiuXiang is indeed a true friend of NanGong Ling."

Chu spoke again: "But I have 2 conditions, the first one is you have to resign from the Beggars Association and go to a secluded place to think over your mistakes."

NanGong Ling scoffed: "How long do I have to stay away? 10, 20 years! How many 10 or 20 years does a person have?"

Chu said all he wanted was that NanGong Ling would do penance for his crimes. NanGong Ling sneered and wanted to know what the second term was. Chu wanted to know who the mastermind was behind this evil plan. Chu knew this man had a series of plans to create turmoil and he must be stopped.

Chu told NanGong Ling this man was using him, if the necessity arises he would kill NanGong Ling without a second thought.

NanGong Ling told Chu: "No one can stop him, he will never harm me. You don't even know my relationship with him."

Chu said: "I don't want to fight you, don't force me."

NanGong Ling shouted: "You're the one who keeps forcing me to destroy our friendship. If it must be, I will kill you."

Chu said: "You're no match for me, don't attack me."

NanGong Ling sneered: "Really!"

NanGong Ling remained seated in his armchair and he flew up. Chu LiuXiang did the same, they exchanged 7 palms in the air. Both landed, Chu LiuXiang gently floated back to his original place. NanGong Ling landed too but he pressed against the armchair causing the chair to make cracking noise and he looked pale.

NanGong Ling yelled: "You don't get conceited Chu LiuXiang. I still have a few tricks up my sleeve."

He waved his hand and a big man walked in, he was carrying a chair. A girl sat in the chair. It was Su RongRong.

NanGong Ling used her as a hostage, he wanted to force him to comply with his wishes. Otherwise, Su RongRong will be killed. He would also take Su RongRong with him just to ensure his own safety. Seeing no other alternative, Chu LiuXiang was about to comply when a whip curled around the big man's neck. Chu quickly advanced forward to rescue Su RongRong. NanGong Ling wanted to intercept but was stopped by a long sword. It was Yi DianHong.

Hei ZhenZhu and Yi DianHong came to Chu's rescue. Chu was very happy to see them. Hei ZhenZhu tried to pull the big man down but the man had incredible strength and pulled back suddenly. The whip broke and the big man suffocated.

Yi DianHong and NanGong Ling looked at each other. NanGong Ling was willing to pay Yi DianHong 100,000 taels of silver if he helped him to kill Chu LiuXiang.

Yi DianHong coldly asked: "Is Chu LiuXiang worth so much?"

NanGong Ling said if Yi DianHong killed him no one would pay him. Yi DianHong agreed because in his eyes NanGong Ling wasn't worth anything and he attacked. NanGong Ling avoided 7 swords and flung his chair towards him and quickly drew his sabre.

Both were equally well-matched. At this time Chu LiuXiang was massaging one of Su RongRong's acupoints, she gradually woke up. Hei ZhenZhu was annoyed by this and hinted that Chu LiuXiang didn't care less if his friend was engaged in mortal combat, the only thing that concerned him was his beautiful female friend. Chu smiled and replied that Yi DianHong didn't like people to interfere with his fights. Suddenly Yi DianHong was hurt, his left shoulder was bleeding, but soon Yi DianHong wounded NanGong Ling.

Hei ZhenZhu took a careful look at Su RongRong and coldly said she looked very pretty. Chu said she wasn't just pretty. Hei ZhenZhu said there are plenty of women who are more beautiful than her. Chu said that could very well be true but in his eyes she is the most considerate, gentle girl ever. Not many women can compete with her. Hei ZhenZhu turned his head and ignored them.

NanGong Ling called out to Chu LiuXiang: "I think the two of us shouldn't solve our problem, call of your friend."

Chu said: "I would love to but when Yi DianHong starts a fight no one can urge him to stop."

Yi DianHong jumped away and said: "I quit not because you say so, but I can't kill him, he can't kill me. There is no thrill in his battle."

Chu thanked him. Yi DianHong said: "You don't have to thank me. Just remember Yi DianHong will always be your friend." As he said this he was gone.

NanGong Ling told Chu to follow him if he wanted to solve this matter.

Chu asked Hei ZhenZhu to take care of Su RongRong. But he would stay here a bit longer because he had some questions he wanted to ask NanGong Ling.

They stopped at the DaMing lake, both of them entered a small boat. There was wine and food prepared.

NanGong Ling said "he" told him to go to this place if he couldn't solve the problem.

Chu asked him whether he was sure he would come. NanGong Ling said he will arrive soon, because only "he" can stop Chu LiuXiang.

NanGong Ling poured two cups of wine and told Chu to drink--it may be his last one. NanGong Ling gulped the wine down and sighed. He wished that Chu LiuXiang never discovered this secret. He said he didn't want to see a friend die. Especially a friend whom he captured a turtle with. He laughed faintly and frowned when he saw Chu not drinking. He asked Chu why he did not drink. Chu smiled and said he should know that Chu LiuXiang is a very careful man. NanGong Ling laughed and said he poured them from the same bottle. Chu said a careful person always lives longer. NanGong Ling laughed even louder saying no one is foolish enough to believe that mere poison is capable of killing Chu LiuXiang. So why should "he" even bother.

All of a sudden NanGong Ling's face changed. All his veins popped out. "The wine," he exclaimed. Chu LiuXiang quickly came to his help but he couldn't see signs of poison. He suddenly remembered something--The Sacred Water of the Divine Water Palace. "He" didn't want to poison Chu, but NanGong Ling.

NanGong Ling couldn't believe "he" would poison him. Chu LiuXiang explained to NanGong Ling if NanGong Ling died no one will be able to reveal "his" secret. Chu asked him to reveal "his" identity. At this time NanGong Ling was all swollen up, his skin split open and blood gushed out of his eyes and finger tips.

NanGong Ling said with pain: "I don't believe "he" wants to poison me. I don't believe it."

Chu said:"Why don't you believe it! Are you willing..."

NanGong Ling painfully said: "Do you know who "he" is?"

"Tell me who "he" is!" Chu said.

NanGong Ling said: "No one knows this secret, " he" is my older brother."

Chu LiuXiang was shocked and sighed: "That's why you trust him, and followed his instructions. But tell me, who is your brother?"

NanGong Ling opened his mouth but only blood came out and he will never be able to speak again.

Chu LiuXiang was extremely tired, he was still in the boat of NanGong Ling. Everything he did was in vain. NanGong Ling is dead, he didn't reveal the identity of this brother. Chu was really feeling depressed.

But suddenly it hit him, TianFeng Shi Si Lang challenged another person first. So his first opponent must be a famous martial arts expert, perhaps even more famous than Ren Ci. Secondly, this expert must be someone who doesn't like vanity. Thirdly, this person must also be a benevolent man. Lastly, he must live in the southern parts of China, because TianFeng ShiSi Lang couldn't travel that far with heavy internal injury to fight Ren Ci. But with his deduction he narrowed down the possible people.

He hears someone calling him, it was Hei ZhenZhu. Hei ZhenZhu said that Su RongRong already went back to the houseboat and he demanded that Chu LiuXiang would give him information about his father the King of the Desert, Zha MuHe. Chu LiuXiang apologized and said his father already passed away. The remains of his father was put away safely on his boat and he could ask Su RongRong to take him to see his father.

Hei ZhenZhu asked whether Chu killed his father. Chu told him if he saw Su RongRong she could explain everything to him and as for one of the murderers, he was inside the cabin. Hei ZhenZhu rushed inside, Chu jumped on his horse and said he would return it as soon as possible and rode away.

He headed towards south and hoped to find clues of the missing brother and the first opponent of TianFeng ShiSi Lang.

He arrived at a small village and he decided to rest for a while in a teahouse and ordered some tea. In these parts of China, they had exquisite tea-leaves.

He saw 2 middle-aged men dressed nicely. One of them had a large beard, the other had a pockmarked face. Chu recognized the pockmarked face man. He was called Qian MaZi. 7 years ago he was attacked by 2 imperial martial arts expert but he was saved by Chu LIuXiang.

Qian MaZi and the other man were discussing tea-leaves, it seems that Qian MaZi had some very fragrant and precious tea-leaves that he intend to give to someone. He said this martial arts expert loved tea very much. The other man was very curious to know who this person was and asked. Qian MaZi said whether he had heard of reverend TianFeng.

The other man said:"Reverend TianFeng of the southern ShaoLin monastery?" Qian MaZi said he was correct.

Chu Liuxiang suddenly thought of something and he approached the 2 men. He asked Qian MaZi whether he still recognized him, Qian MaZi didn't recognize him. Chu asked whether he remembered 7 years ago.

Qian MaZi quickly respectfully asked: "Are you...." Chu interrupted him saying that he didn't need to tell his name.

The other man didn't have a clue who this young man was but he knew Qian MaZi to be a rather famous expert and seeing him talk so respectfully to this young man, he knew that Chu must be a very famous expert. He quickly introduced himself, his name was Fong TianHe. Chu said he had heard of him before and was very glad to meet him.

The 3 of them started talking. Chu LiuXiang asked Qian MaZi about reverend TianFeng. According to Qian MaZi when the reverend CiXin of the northern ShaoLin monastery died, reverend TianFeng should be the next abbot and leader of the ShaoLin school but he didn't want to be the new leader and gave his position to his other martial arts brother reverend TianHu. TianFeng moved to the southern ShaoLin monastery because there he could frequently taste his favourite tea-leaves. Chu asked how long TianFeng has been the abbot of the southern ShaoLin monastery. Qian MaZi said more than 20 years. He was very happy to hear that and asked him how was Ren Ci compared to reverend TianFeng concerning status and martial arts.

Qian MaZi said in his opinion Ren Ci was famous and had superior martial arts but reverend TianFeng was the most prominent and respected martial arts expert of the entire WuLin realm.

Chu LiuXiang thought aloud and said the name of TianFeng ShiSi Lang. Qian MaZi asked who this man was. Chu said this was a very strange man who challenged 2 top martial arts expert and leaders of 2 important schools and before he died he left his 2 sons in the care of these 2 experts.

Chu again had an idea, he was thinking aloud and said perhaps TianFeng Shi Si Lang wanted to die and wanted to secure the futures of his 2 sons. Also, he knew that reverend TianFeng and Ren Ci wouldn't just adopt a child but if he died at their hands they would surely comply to his last wish.

Qian MaZi couldn't make heads or tails out of Chu's thoughts and asked who one of the sons was.

Chu said the youngest son was NanGong Ling. The other one was the mysterious killer. He sighed and said he hoped the other son wasn't that person he had in mind. Qian MaZi asked what killer. Chu said this mysterious killer had already killed 9 people. His next target would be reverend TianFeng.

He asked whether he could take the tea-leaves to reverend TianFeng instead. Qian MaZi said that wouldn't be a problem.

On his way to the southern ShaoLin monastery he met another martial arts expert named The Bald Eagle. He was looking for Chu because the elders of the Beggars Association wanted to track down the killer of NanGong Ling and they asked their friends for help and they said Chu LiuXiang could help them to avenge their dead leader. Chu said 3 days later he would tell him and the elders who the killer was and left.

Chu couldn't get in the ShaoLin monastery undetected. And he didn't want to formally pay his respects so he sneaked inside. So he created a diversion. all the monks thought someone came to steal the ShaoLin martial arts scriptures so almost every monk went there to protect the scriptures making it easy for Chu to look for reverend TianFeng.

He suddenly saw WuHua and sitting towards him, an old skinny monk. The old monk was about to drink a cup of tea.

Chu LiuXiang jumped out and said he couldn't drink the tea.

Reverend TianFeng carefully put down the cup and asked what he could do for Chu. WuHua introduced him and reverend TianFeng smiled when he heard Chu's name and praised his art of levitation.

Chu said he brought some exquisite tea-leaves for TianFeng. TianFeng was instantly curious about it. As they waited for the water to boil TianFeng spoke to Chu with a friendly smile: "As the water isn't ready yet, perhaps you have a few questions for me, and answering those questions now is the best time."

Chu discovered that this old monk was very sharp and his eyes were filled with wisdom. Chu asked him whether he could tell him what happened 20 years ago when TianFeng ShiSi Lang challenged him. The old monk sighed and told Chu the story of the battle between the HuaShan School and the Family Li of Mount Huang. The survivor Li Qi fled to Japan, met TianFeng ShiSi Lang and she disappeared again to go back to China to kill of her enemies. 4 of the 7 Swords of HuaShan killed and with that final deed she mysteriously disappeared. Her husband came looking for her, but in vain. In his sorrow he challenged reverend TianFeng and was defeated and injured. He asked reverend TianFeng to adopt his eldest son and told him where he was and quickly left. Reverend TianFeng rushed over to the place and saw Ren Ci and knew TianFeng ShiSi Lang had died.

After reverend TianFeng narrated the past events, the water began to boil. Chu took the liberty to make a cup of tea for reverend TianFeng. Chu thanked him for telling him this story. TianFeng asked him whether he had any more questions. Chu said he had none. Reverend TianFeng smiled and said he told him everything he knew and started tasting the tea and said: "This cup of tea is definitely better than the other cup."

Chu looked at TianFeng and he didn't know how much this enlightened, wise monk knew and couldn't stop to ask: "Do you have any questions you would me to answer?"

TianFeng casually asked: "Did old master Ren Ci pass away?" Chu said yes and said everything reverend TianFeng needed to know he feared he already knew. TianFeng nodded and Chu asked permission to talk to WuHua alone. TianFeng told them to go because everything that needed to be said must be said.

As WuHua took his leave and walked out of the little room, reverend TianFeng gave WuHua a very deep and complex look but didn't say a word.

They both left the ShaoLin monastery and stopped at a desolated area. WuHua and Chu LiuXiang started talking. WuHua said he wouldn't thank Chu for not exposing him in front of TianFeng. He knew Chu did that to prevent reverend TianFeng from feeling sad. And the friendship between them is also gone.

Chu asked him how he knew his past, WuHua said for a very young boy he knew a lot and he never forgot anything that happened. Chu said he knew how WuHua could get inside the Divine Water Palace.

WuHua admitted he stole the Sacred Water. Chu deducted although the Palace didn't allow men to enter but an elegant, handsome, and refined Buddhist monk could quite easily enter and that poor girl died for nothing. WuHua felt no remorse for the death of the girl who committed suicide and carried his child. He said she had her sweet moments and Chu shouldn't feel sorry for her. The reason for stealing the Sacred Water was to use it against reverend TianFeng and Ren Ci. Chu also said the mysterious killer was WuHua, he was also responsible for the failed assassination attempts on Chu's life, also the insane disciple of SuXin Shi Tai said the word "Wu" before she died and that meant she wanted to say WuHua.

WuHua said he thought by killing NanGong Ling every clue would die out. Unfortunately Chu was able to track him down and also he guessed that TianFeng ShiSi Lang must have left a manuscript for him because otherwise WuHua couldn't master Japanese martial arts.

Chu asked WuHua whether his deduction was accurate. WuHua simply replied that it was no concern to Chu anymore. Chu said he didn't want to kill anyone and he didn't want to harm WuHua.

Suddenly there was a flash of lightning, WuHua used his ShaoLin fist to attack Chu. This ShaoLin ShenQuan was renowned for its sturdiness and vigor. Chu LiuXiang returned a stance, it was simple and direct and it blocked WuHua's technique. WuHua used 18 fists and were all blocked by Chu and he suddenly changed technique and used his fingers. He used his fingers to shoot at Chu's acupoints this was the famous TanZhi ShenTong (*I always thought Chu used TanZhi ShenTong but it seems that WuHua is using this technique in this novel).

But seeing TanZhi ShenTong couldn't defeat Chu LiuXiang he switched to another form of hand palms. He now used the FengPing Zhang (a ShaoLin technique). WuHua couldn't believe that Chu LiuXiang used the most simple techniques/stances to block and counter attack him. But every simple move is not simple when used by Chu LiuXiang.

Suddenly there was another flash of lightning and WuHua jumped up and threw a series of sharp objects at Chu and he knew that Chu couldn't avoid those objects in the dark. He thought he heard Chu cry out but when another flash appeared he couldn't see Chu's body.

WuHua yelled: "Where are you! Where are you, Chu LiuXiang!"

"Right behind you," Chu LiuXiang calmly said.

WuHua stopped everything and softly admitted his defeat and said he now knew for sure he wasn't Chu's match. Chu wanted to hand him over to someone who can judge him. Chu never killed a person and he said no one has the right to take the life of another person.

Chu said there are laws and morals people have to abide by and violence will not solve anything.

WuHua said those people were not fit to judge him and suddenly he fell down, Chu quickly rushed over and he saw WuHua's face turning pale.

Chu LiuXiang sighed: "WuHua, death isn't a solution. You're just running away from your problems. "

WuHua said with a forced smile: "I'm not running away for those people. I don't want to bow before them. No matter what I have done wrong, I will always be the most high and mighty man ever. Even you must admit that Chu LiuXiang." After he said that he closed his eyes and he will never hear Chu's response.

3 days later the Bald Eagle and an elder of the Beggars Association are awaiting Chu's arrival.

Suddenly Chu appeared before them and the elder asked Chu whether he caught the killer of NanGong Ling. Chu said the killer was dead, the Bald Eagle wanted to know how he died. Chu said he died, that is all there is to it. The Bald Eagle wanted to say something else but Chu LiuXiang sharply asked them whether they didn't trust him. The Bald Eagle quickly said he didn't mean that. The elder wanted to know where the corpse was, he said all the disciples of the Beggars Association wanted to know. Chu didn't let him finish his sentence and furiously scolded the elder.

Chu LiuXiang sharply said: "I'm telling you with his death he cleansed all his sins. And if you're not satisfied or you don't believe me, you can find out for yourself what happened. However if you disturb me again I shall not be courteous!"

Even Chu LiuXiang didn't know why he was so angry. Perhaps he was upset about WuHua's death or just because he was too tired. He just wanted to go home and wanted to taste Song TianEr's dishes, lying next to SuRongRong and listening to Li HongXiu's stories with a happy ending. But it seems that heaven didn't want him to rest. Before he got back, something he never expected would happen to him did happen to him!

With NanGong Ling and WuHua dead everything seems to be solved. But what happened to their mother Li Qi and her revenge on the HuaShan School. Will she accept the deaths of her sons?

Chu Liuxiang's next adventure takes place in The Great Desert.