The Smiling, Proud Wanderer 37 Chapter Twenty: Imprisonment Part 1

"As soon as First Master defeats my Brother Feng, the book will be part of Third Master's private collection. Even if you want to look at it for three days and three nights in succession, that's your own call," Xiang Wentian said with a grin.

"I'll look at it for seven days and seven nights in succession!" Mr. Bald-Brush exclaimed.

"Okay, you'll look at it for seven days and seven nights then," Xiang Wentian replied.

Mr. Bald-Brush felt his heart itching with that possibility. "Second Brother," he called out, "I'll go ask Big Brother to have the match. What do you think?"

"You two stay here to accompany our guests. I'll go talk to Big Brother," Mr. Black-White arranged and then stepped out of the room.

"Brother Feng, let's drink," Mr. Paint suggested. "Alas, much of this barrel of wine was wasted by Third Brother." He poured the wine into the wine cups.

"Wasted?" Mr. Bald-Brush rebuffed angrily. "When you drink the wine into your belly, it will only turn into urine and get relieved. How can that even be comparable to the fact that it will now stay on the white wall as calligraphy artwork and last for the eternity? Your wine will only live on because of the calligraphy. One thousand years later, only when people have seen my calligraphy art would they be able to know that this barrel of Turpan red wine ever existed."

Facing the white wall, Mr. Paint raised his cup. "h.e.l.lo wall, you are so fortunate to be able to taste the wonderful wine brewed by your Fourth Master, himself. Even if my Third Brother didn't write calligraphy on your face, you…you…you would have lasted for the eternity."

"Compared to this ignorant wall, I am much more fortunate to be able to taste such wonderful rare-even-in-one-thousand-year wine," Linghu Chong showed a big smile. Raising his own cup, he drank it up.

After drinking two cups in accompany by the side, Xiang Wentian stopped drinking, but Mr. Paint and Linghu Chong kept pouring wine down their throats and found their exhilaration surging.

After they each had at least another seventeen or eighteen cups, Mr. Black-White finally returned.

"Brother Feng, my Big Brother would like to meet you. Please come with me. And is it okay if Brother Tong stays here and enjoy some more wine?" he said.

"Well…," Xiang Wentian was taken by surprise. He could see clearly that Mr. Black-White had no intention of inviting him to tag along, and he couldn't insist on going after all. "What a pity for life that it's not my karma to have the honor in meeting First Master," he sighed.

"Please pardon me, Brother Tong. My Big Brother has been living in seclusion for many years and has repeatedly declined our guests' requests for an audience. It is only because he heard that Brother Feng's skills in the art of sword have reached the extreme and felt his admiration soaring, did he decide to invite Brother Feng for a private meeting. We certainly dare not to show any disrespect to Brother Tong," Mr. Black-White explained.

"I understand. I understand," Xiang Wentian replied.

Setting his wine cup down on the table, Linghu Chong followed Mr. Black-White out of the game room. He went empty-handed, thinking that it would be inappropriate to bring a long sword with him in the meeting with the lord of the manor.

They crossed through a long corridor and soon arrived at a moon-shaped entry. The tablet above the entry read "Zither Spirit." The words were made of blue colored glaze and showed vigorous style, most likely the creation of Mr. Bald-Brush. After the moon-shaped entry, a quiet and deep flower-strewn pathway extended further. On both sides of the pathway, thin and long bamboos swayed leisurely in the breeze. The cobblestones in the pathway were covered by moss, clearly indicating that this was a path seldom used. At the end of the pathway were three stone buildings. Seven or eight dark green pine trees stood at the front and the back, each towering high with their branches extending gracefully in all directions, casting a layer of gloom to the surroundings.

Mr. Black-White slowly pushed the door open. "Please come in," he said in a gentle voice.

As soon as Linghu Chong entered the room, he smelled the pleasant fragrance of sandalwood.

"Big Brother, Huashan School's Young Hero Feng is here," Mr. Black-White introduced.

An old man walked out from the bedroom, cupping one hand in the other. "Please excuse my lack of manners for having not greeted Young Hero Feng properly. It is a great honor to have Young Hero Feng in our humble manor."

The old man appeared to be about sixty years of age. Thin as a lath, and with the muscles on his face sinking deeply, he looked more like a skeleton with the exception of the two bright piercing eyes.

"It was I who took the liberty for the unannounced visit. I'll have to ask for Senior Master's pardon," Linghu Chong said with a bow.

"That's quite alright," the man answered.

"My Big Brother's name is Mr. Huang-Zhong. [1] I am sure Young Hero Feng has known that already," Mr. Black-White said.

"I have long heard the great names of the four Manor Masters. It is so fortunate that I finally get to meet you in person today," Linghu Chong said as he thought to himself, "This is quite a joke that Big Brother Xiang has played on me. He didn't tell me anything beforehand and only told me to let him arrange everything. But now he is nowhere near me. If this First Master here gives me some difficult puzzles to solve, I wonder how I should handle them."

"I heard that Young Hero Feng is the very disciple of the venerable Grandmaster Feng of the Huashan School and possesses brilliant sword skills," Mr. Huang-Zhong said. "I've always admired Grandmaster Feng's conducts and his martial arts skills very much. It is such a pity that I never had the honor to meet him. Some time back, it was said around the Martial World that the venerable Grandmaster Feng had pa.s.sed away. The news brought deep sorrow in my heart. Today, to have the opportunity to meet venerable Grandmaster Feng's disciple is very gratifying. Is Young Hero Feng a descendent of Grandmaster Feng?"

Linghu Chong thought inwardly, "Grand Uncle-Master Feng earnestly exhorted me to not reveal his whereabouts. Once Big Brother Xiang saw my sword techniques, he figured out that it must have been Grand Uncle-Master who taught me those. He not only wantonly made that widely known, but also claimed that my last name was none other than Feng, which probably had a good amount of swindle and bluff. But if I tell the truth straightforward, it wouldn't be appropriate, either." At that thought, he gave an ambiguous answer, "I am a junior of his later generation. I've only studied from him for a short while. Being a slow learner, simple and uninformed, I haven't even mastered ten or twenty percent of his sword arts."

"If it is true that you have only learned ten to twenty percent of Grandmaster Feng's sword arts, yet my three brothers have all lost to your long sword, then venerable Grandmaster Feng's attainments had to be fathomless," Mr. Huang-Zhong sighed.

"The three Masters only each exchanged a few random moves with me, and before any of the matches had any result, they had already held back their hands," Linghu Chong said.

Mr. Huang-Zhong nodded, his skinny face revealing a slight smile. "It is rare to see a young man free from arrogance and rashness. Please come in to the Zither Hall and have some tea," he said.

Linghu Chong and Mr. Black-White followed him into the Zither Hall and seated. Soon, a servant boy brought out green tea.

"I heard that Young Hero Feng has the ancient music score of the 'Guang-Ling Song.' Is it true?" Mr. Huang-Zhong asked. "I am rather fond of music. And I've always bemoaned when I thought of how Ji Kang played the 'Guang-Ling Song' with his zither one last time just before his execution, exclaiming, 'Guang-Ling Song would be lost for ever from now on.' If this music can reappear in the world, and I get to follow the music score and play it once in my old age, I would have no regret left in this life." At these words, his pale face actually showed some redness of skin, looking earnest and anxious.

"Big Brother Xiang's one lie after another really fooled them well," Linghu Chong thought to himself. "I can tell that these four Masters of the Plum Manor of the Lone Hill are no ordinary people. Besides, I am here to ask them to treat my injury. How can I keep them guessing? If this music score is really the 'Guang-Ling Song' Senior Master Qu Yang obtained from the tomb of that Cai-Somebody of the East Han Dynasty, I should let him take a look."

Retrieving the music score from his chest pocket, he stood up and then presented it with both hands. "Please take a look, First Master."

Mr. Huang-Zhong raised himself slightly and took the booklet. "The 'Guang-Ling Song' music had been long lost in the world. It is so exhilarating to be able to take a look at the legendary ancient score. But…but I wonder…." He seemed to implicate that how would he be sure that this music score was the authentic "Gang-Ling Song," not a counterfeit some busybody had faked to fool people.

He thumbed through a few pages at random and then muttered, "Oh, this is a long piece." Turning back to the first page, he began reading the details. Only moments into it, his face had changed color. Flipping through the music score with his right hand, he set his left hand on the table and the five fingers plucked, twiddled, and pressed as though he was playing an invisible zither.

"Marvelous! Peaceful and fair, yet melodious and deep to the extreme," he praised.

Turning to the second page, he read for a little while and then praised again, "Lofty and elegant, profound and abstruse. Just by imagining the sounds in my head, I can already feel the utter exhilaration."

Seeing how Mr. Huang-Zhong was already slightly out of his mind after reading only two pages of the music score, Mr. Black-White knew that if he kept reading, it would be hours before he'll even take a break. So he cut in.

"This Young Hero Feng here and a Brother Tong from the Songshan School came here and said that if someone in the Plum Manor can defeat his sword art…."

"Um, only if someone can defeat his sword art will he be willing to loan me the 'Guang-Ling Song' and make a copy, is that right?" Mr. Huang-Zhong asked.

"That's right! All three of us have lost our matches. Unless Big Brother takes the field, our Plum Manor of the Lone Hill…well…," Mr. Black-White replied.

"If you can't do it, I can't either," Mr. Huang-Zhong let out a light smile.

"How can the three of us be comparable with Big Brother?" Mr. Black-White said.

"I am too old. I am of no use now," Mr. Huang-Zhong replied.

Linghu Chong got back onto his feet. "First Master's name is 'Mr. Huang-Zhong,' then naturally you are an expert in the art of zither," he said. "Although this music score is rare, it is not cla.s.sified secret or anything. First Master, please feel free to hold on to it and make copies. I can come back to pick it up three days from now."

Mr. Huang-Zhong and Mr. Black-White were both taken aback. Mr. Black-White had witnessed, himself, how Xiang Wentian had worked hard at baiting them, deliberately making things more difficult and made his heart itchy as h.e.l.l. He certainly did not expect to see such a generous Feng Er-Zhong. Being an expert in the art of gamesmanship, he immediately concluded that this had to be a trap Linghu Chong was setting up to trick Mr. Huang-Zhong, but no matter how hard he tried, he still failed catch any clue.

"One does not receive a reward without making a merit. You and I don't have any prior a.s.sociation. How could I accept such a generous gift from you? Will you please be very frank with me and tell me the real reason for you and your companion's visit to our humble manor?" Mr. Huang-Zhong asked.

Linghu Chong thought, "Big Brother Xiang didn't mention a word to me about why we are visit the Plum Manor beforehand. I suppose it must have something to do with asking the four Manor Masters to treat my injury. But all his arrangements seemed so secretive. Besides, the four Manor Masters are all very unusual people. Perhaps telling them the truth isn't the right way to address the issue. I honestly don't have a clue about the intention of Big Brother Xiang's visit, anyway. I guess telling them this part frankly wouldn't count as trying to deceive them intentionally." So he said, "I was only accompanying Big Brother Tong in the visit to your respectable manor. To be very honest with you, before stepping into your respectable manor, I have never heard of the names of the four Manor Masters, nor was I ever aware of the existence of the Plum Manor of the Lone Hill." After a short pause, he added, "That is, of course, only because I am ignorant and ill-informed, and consequently failed to recognize the many respectable senior masters in the Martial World. I beg the two Masters' pardon."

Mr. Huang-Zhong cast a glance toward Mr. Black-White and a smile crept onto his face.

"Young Hero Feng is very candid, and I am very thankful. Us, the four brothers, retired to the city of Lin-An to live a hermit's life; few people in the Martial World knows about it. Besides, the Five Mountains Sword Alliance never had any a.s.sociation with us, so I was quite surprised to learn about your visit. So Young Hero Feng really has no idea about the origin of us the four brothers, have you?"

"This is so embarra.s.sing. When I said earlier that 'I have long heard the great names of the four Manor Masters,' actually…actually…well…," Linghu Chong murmured.

Mr. Huang-Zhong nodded. "Mr. Huang-Zhong, Mr. Black-White and so forth are only nicknames we picked for ourselves. Our true names have long been abandoned. It is only natural that Young Hero Feng has never heard of our names," he said. Turning the music score booklet with his right hand, he asked, "Are you sincere about loaning this music score to me and let me make copies?"

"Yes," Linghu Chong affirmed. "I said loaning the book to you only because the music score belongs to Big Brother Tong. Otherwise, you can just go ahead and take it. Like the old saying says, 'A precious sword should be presented to a person of high endeavor.' Once presented, there's no need to return it."

Mr. Huang-Zhong let out a long breath, and a trace of joy quickly flashed across his emaciated face.

"You agree to loan the music score to my Big Brother. But will that Brother Tong agree as well?" Mr. Black-White asked.

"Big Brother Tong and I are friends until death. He is bold and generous. If I agree to something, no matter how important the matter is, he wouldn't mind at all," Linghu Chong a.s.sured, to which Mr. Black-White gave a nod.

"I am very grateful for Young Hero Feng's kindness. But since Brother Tong did not give his consent, himself, I am still very uneasy about it. That Brother Tong said that in order to get the music score, someone from our manor must be able to defeat your sword arts. It would be unfair for me to take advantage of your generosity. Why don't we exchange a few moves?" Mr. Huang-Zhong proposed.

Linghu Chong thought to himself, "The Second Master said just a moment ago, 'How can the three of us be comparable with Big Brother?' Then the Kung Fu skills of the First Master must have been superior to the other three Manor Masters. The three Manor Masters each had unsurpa.s.sed Kung Fu skills, and only with the sword techniques I learned from Grand Uncle-Master Feng was I able to get the upper hand in the matches. If I spar with the First Master, I may not win again. Why bother bringing shame onto myself for no reason? Even if I could beat him in the match, what good does it do?" At that thought, he said, "Big Brother Tong was just seized by a whim and being meddlesome when he said something like that, which only embarra.s.sed me more. I am already thankful that the four Manor Masters decide to spare me of reprimand for my arrogance. How dare I spar again with the First Master?"

"You are quite all right," Mr. Huang-Zhong smiled. "Let's exchange a few moves, and it'll just be a harmless contest. That is all. What's there to worry about?"

He turned around, removed a jade flute from the wall and handed it to Linghu Chong. "You can use the flute as your sword. I, on the other hand, will use my zither as my weapon." Picking up a zither from the bedside table, he said with a grin, "I wouldn't say that these two musical instruments of mine are invaluable, but each of them is one in a thousand. I certainly do not want them to smash into pieces. Let's just put out some stances for the act. That's all."

Linghu Chong took a closer look at the flute in his hand. The entire body of the flute was in emerald green. Turned out that it was made of top-quality jade. The several spots close to the mouthpiece were in bright scarlet, and perfectly set off the striking green of the jade flute. The zither held in Mr. Huang-Zhong's hands appeared dark and ancient. It must have been an antique over one thousand years old. A gentle b.u.mp of the two musical instruments would have broken them into pieces. They of course couldn't be used in a real fight. Having no other excuses, he held the jade flute with both hands and spoke respectfully.

"I await First Master's advice."

"The venerable Grandmaster Feng was the ultimate swordsman of the generation. I've always had great admiration for him. The sword arts he taught must be extraordinary. Young Hero Feng, please!" Mr. Huang-Zhong said.

Holding the flute in his palm, Linghu Chong gave it a gentle swing. A few soft sounds echoed pleasantly as air went through the holes on the flute.

Mr. Huang-Zhong gave a few plucks to the strings of the zither. Amid the musical sounds, he pushed the end of the zither toward Linghu Chong's right shoulder.

At the sound of the zither, Linghu Chong felt a slight thump in his heart. He slowly dabbed the jade flute toward the back of Mr. Huang-Zhong's elbow. If the zither continued its course toward his shoulder, then the acupoint at the back of Mr. Huang-Zhong's elbow would have been hit first.

Turning the zither upside down, Mr. Huang-Zhong shoved it toward Linghu Chong's waist, instead. And as the zither struck forward, he plucked the strings and made more sounds.

Linghu Chong thought quickly, "If I block this strike with the jade flute, once the two precious instruments clashes, both would be damaged. In order to preserve the musical instruments, he will certainly withdraw the zither. But fighting like that is really no different from the shameless act of a rascal."

With that in mind, he drew an arc with the jade flute and stabbed it below the opponent's armpit. Mr. Huang-Zhong raised his zither in an attempt to ward it off, but Linghu Chong quickly drew his flute back.

Suddenly, Mr. Huang-Zhong played several consecutive notes with the zither and the sound of the music turned pressing and the complexion on Mr. Black-White's face changed slightly. Slowly, Mr. Black-White backed out of the Zither Hall, shutting the door on his way out. knowing that Mr. Huang-Zhong was, by no means, showing his leisure when he made the musical notes with the zither. He had actually infused superior inner strength into the zither sounds in order to disrupt his opponent's concentration. Once the opponent's internal strength resonated with the zither sounds, then he would be controlled by the zither sounds involuntarily. When the zither music slowed down, the opponent's movement would also slow down; when the zither music hurried, the opponent's movement would also hurry. But the tempo of Mr. Huang-Zhong's zither moves would be just the opposite to the tempo of the zither music. His strikes would become faster and faster while the zither music turned more soothing and relaxing, as a result, the opponent would stand no chance of withstanding his attacks. Mr. Black-White knew very well that this Kung Fu of Mr. Huang-Zhong was no trivia matter. Afraid that his own internal strength would be worn off, he receded out of the Zither Hall.

Although the door plank separated him from the Zither Hall, he could still vaguely hear the zither music slowing down and going faster from time to time. Sometimes, the zither sound would suddenly silence, while some other times, the zither sound would all of a sudden clang very loudly. After a while, the tempo of the zither music became faster and faster. Mr. Black-White only felt his heart fluttering with uneasiness and even his breathing became somewhat uncomfortable. Backed out of the front door, he, once again, shut the front door tight. Now with two doors in between, the sound of the zither was almost inaudible. But occasionally when the sound of the zither turned sonorous and pa.s.sed through all the barriers, it always made his heart thump faster.

He stood there for a good while but the zither sounds kept going and going. He was astounded. "This young man named Feng, no doubt, has excellent sword skills. But it turned out that his cultivation in inner strength is also so capable. How is he able to hold out for so long under the attack of my Big Brother's 'Seven-String Invisible Sword'?" he thought. As he pondered upon the question, Mr. Bald-Brush and Mr. Paint arrived side by side.

"How did it go?" Mr. Paint asked in a low voice.

"The fight has lasted a long time. That young man is still struggling to keep up. I am afraid Big Brother will end up injuring him," Mr. Black-White said.

"I'll go ask Big Brother to show leniency. We can't hurt this good friend," Mr. Paint suggested.

"We can't go in there," Mr. Black-White shook his head.

Just at that moment, loud clanking sounds from the zither suddenly exploded in the air. At the first sound, the three of them each took one step back. So after five consecutive zither sounds, the three of them took a total of five steps back involuntarily.

Mr. Bald-Brush's face turned as white as a sheet. After taking a few seconds to collect himself, he said, "This 'Six-Ding-G.o.d Quarry a Mountain' move of Big Brother's Invisible Sword Art is too powerful. The six consecutive notes continue to wallop and strike one after another. How can that young man Feng withstand it?"

Before he even finished his sentence, another loud clank exploded, and immediately after that, several cracking sounds followed, as though several zither strings had suddenly snapped. Astounded, Mr. Black-White and the other two pushed the front door wide open and dashed in. As soon as they opened the door of the Zither Hall, they saw a dispirited Mr. Huang-Zhong standing still in silence. All seven strings of the zither in his grip had snapped and drooped by the side of the zither. Standing by his side was Linghu Chong, holding the jade flute in his hand.

"Please pardon me!" Linghu Chong said, bowing down slightly.

Obviously, just like the others, Mr. Huang-Zhong had lost the match.

Mr. Black-White and his two junior brothers gasped in astonishment. They knew very well that their Big Brother had very vigorous and resourceful inner strength and was, in fact, an extraordinary figure in the Martial World. Who would have expected that he would lose to this young man from the Huashan School just as well? If they hadn't seen it with their own eyes, they would never have believed it.

"Not only is Young Hero Feng's sword art the most ingenious sword art I have ever seen in my life, his inner strength cultivation is also so incredibly capable. It is very admirable, indeed," Mr. Huang-Zhong said with a wry smile. "I had always thought that this 'Seven-String Invisible Sword' Kung Fu of mine could be regarded as a consummate skill in the Martial World. Who would have thought that it looked merely like a child's play in front of Young Hero Feng? We, the four brothers, have been living a hermit's life in the Plum Manor and haven't set foot in the Martial World for more than ten years. Alas, turned out we have all become frogs living at the bottom of a well. "[2] His voice turned bleak.

"I had to do my utmost to keep up. Thanks for Senior Master's leniency," Linghu Chong said.

Mr. Huang-Zhong heaved a long sigh, but did not answer. Shaking his head dishearteningly, he sat down, his face dreary and desolate.

Seeing the utter gloominess on Mr. Huang-Zhong's face, Linghu Chong felt very sorry. He thought to himself, "Big Brother Xiang apparently did not want to review the fact that I have lost all my inner strength, so as not to make them aware of my intent to ask for treatment, thus, void any obstacles that might arise. But a real man should be as open as the day. I can't take advantage of him like that." At that thought, he said, "First Master, there's something I must tell. The reason why I was immune to the invisible energy attacks coming out of your zither was not because of advanced inner strength cultivation on my part. It was really because I have no inner strength in me, none whatsoever!"

"What did you say?" Mr. Huang-Zhong stood up, taken by surprise.

"I was injured many times and have lost all my inner strength. That's why the sound of your zither had no effect on me," Linghu Chong explained.

"Are you serious?" Mr. Huang-Zhong asked, his voice quavered from mingled shock and joy.

"If Senior Master does not believe me, check my pulse and you'll see," Linghu Chong replied and extended his right hand forward.

Mr. Huang-Zhong and Mr. Black-White were both taken completely by surprise. In their minds, although Linghu Chong's coming to the Plum Manor was not hostile, he must have been up to no good, after all. How could he give out his hand so unperturbedly and hand his lifelines over to others? If Mr. Huang-Zhong suddenly grabbed hold of the acupoint on his wrist using the pretext of checking his pulse, then even if he had all the skills in the world, he would not be able to use any of them and wind up being at the mercy of others like a piece of meat sitting on the chopping block.

Earlier, when Mr. Huang-Zhong had initiated his "Six-Ding-G.o.d Quarry a Mountain" Kung Fu, not only had it failed to affect Linghu Chong in the least, at the peak of his inner strength discharge when all seven strings resonated, he actually ended up breaking seven strings all together. Such a crushing defeat was certainly hard to resign to. "If you want me to reach my hand forward so you can clasp the acupoint on my wrist, then we'll just have another contest in the inner strength," he made up his mind and then slowly stretched his right hand forward toward the artery on Linghu Chong's right wrist. In the stretch, he had secretly included the "Tiger Claw Technique", the "Dragon Claw Skill", and the "Small Joints Eighteen Holding Positions" these three advanced joint manipulation Kung Fu, so regardless of what moves the opponent might execute, when worst comes to worst, he would simply fail to grab the opponent's wrist, but his opponent would not be able to take any advantage of him, either.

But when Mr. Huang-Zhong's five fingers touched Linghu Chong's wrist, Linghu Chong didn't even move a muscle, showing no sign of an attack. Slightly taken aback, Mr. Huang-Zhong quickly noticed how feeble and frail Linghu Chong's pulses were, clearly indicating that he had no inner strength at all. After a short daze, he suddenly broke into loud laughter.

"I see! So that's how it is! You bamboozled me! You have really bamboozled me well!"

Although he kept saying that he was bamboozled, the expression on his face was actually very delightful. His "Seven-String Invisible Sword" Kung Fu was only made up of zither sounds. The sound itself of course could not injure the enemy. All it did was to stimulate and manipulate the enemy's inner strength, thus disrupting the enemy's moves. The stronger the enemy's inner strength was, the stronger his reaction to the zither sound would turn out. He certainly had not expected Linghu Chong to have no inner strength at all, and consequently, the "Seven-String Invisible Sword" having the least bit of effect on him. Having suffered a severe defeat, Mr. Huang-Zhong had been completely disheartened. But after he found out that the reason he lost the match was not because his unique skill, which he trained for many decades diligently, was no good, he found himself wild with joy. Grabbing Linghu Chong's hand tightly, he shook it back and forth in excitement.

"Good Brother! Good Brother! Why are you telling me your secret?" he asked, beaming.

"Well, during our match, it was already quite selfish of me to conceal the fact that I lost all my inner strength. How could I keep deceiving you on that? Senior Master was playing music to an ox, and I just happen to be the ox that understood none of the elegance." Linghu Chong grinned.

"I guess my 'Seven-String Invisible Sword' is no garbage after all. For a moment, I thought my 'Seven-String Invisible Sword' actually turned into 'Broken-String Unusable Sword'. Hha! Hha!" Mr. Huang-Zhong stroked his long beard and let out more laughter.

"Young Hero Feng! We, the four brothers, are very grateful for your honesty. But didn't you know that once you reveal your own weakness, if we want to take your life, it would be as easy as turning our hands over? Although you have excellent sword skills, without any inner strength, you will be no match for us after all," Mr. Black-White said.

"Second Master is absolutely right. I only told the truth because I can tell that the four Manor Masters are all trustworthy heroes," Linghu Chong replied.

"Well said! Well said!" Mr. Huang-Zhong nodded at those words. "Brother Feng, you might as well speak frankly and tell us your intention for your visit. We, the four brothers feel like you are almost an old friend of ours even though this is the first time we ever meet. As far as our capacity allows, you can ask us for anything."

Mr. Bald-Brush also said, "You lost all your inner strength most probably because of a severe injury. I have a very intimate friend whose medical skills are almost G.o.dlike. Only that he is kind of eccentric and wouldn't take in patients easily. But for my sake, I am sure he'd be willing to treat you. The 'Killer Doctor' Ping One-Finger and I have been good friends…."

"Did you say Ping One-Finger, Doctor Ping?" Linghu Chong cried out involuntarily.

"That's right. You've heard of his name before, haven't you?" Mr. Bald-Brush answered.

"Doctor Ping pa.s.sed away on the Five-Tyrant Ridge in Shandong Province several months ago." Linghu Chong's voice turned gloomy.

"What?" Mr. Bald-Brush cried out in shock. "He…he died?"

"He could have cured any disease in the world. How come he wasn't able to cure his own illness? Oh, was he killed by his personal enemy?" Mr. Paint asked.

Linghu Chong shook his head. He had always felt ashamed of himself for the death of Ping One-Finger.

"Doctor Ping checked my pulse right before he pa.s.sed away. He said that my injury was too weird and he could not cure me."

The sudden news of Ping One-Finger's death struck Mr. Bald-Brush hard. He stared blankly in front of him and soon tears emerged from his eyes.

"Brother Feng, let me point you a direction. But whether he'll do it or not, it's hard to say," after pondering for a long while, Mr. Huang-Zhong finally said. "I'll write you a letter, and you can take the letter with you and request an audience from the Head Master of the Shaolin Temple, Great Master Fang-Zheng. If he agrees to teach you the ultimate inner strength Kung Fu of the Shaolin School, the Tendon Altering Sutra, then there is a good chance that you'll be able to regain your inner strength. The Tendon Altering Sutra is the most valued Kung Fu of the Shaolin School, which is not to be taught to any outsider. But many years ago, Great Master Fang-Zheng owed me some grat.i.tude. Maybe he'll do me a favor for personal consideration and make an exception."

Linghu Chong knew that both Mr. Bald-Brush's recommendation of Ping One-Finger and Mr. Huang-Zhong's direction to Great Master Fang-Zheng were both right to the core of the problem, and both recommendations were made wholeheartedly. It was obvious that the two Manor Masters were not only exceptionally insightful, but also sincerely zealous about his wellbeing. Feeling utterly grateful, he said, "Great Master Fang-Zheng only teaches the 'Tendon Altering Sutra' to apprentices of his own school, but it wouldn't be proper for me to join the Shaolin School. It is very difficult situation."

After standing up and making a deep bow, he spoke again, "I am very grateful for the four Manor Masters' kindness. Life and death lie in the lap of the G.o.ds. My injury is really not a big deal, and it is certainly not my intention to worry the four Manor Masters. I think it's time for me to say good-bye."

"Please wait," Mr. Huang-Zhong said. Turning around, he went into the inner room, and not long after, he returned with a small china bottle in his hand. "Here are two herbal pills bestowed upon me by my respectable Master many years ago. They are quite effective in nourishing health and healing wounds. Please accept them as my gift, little brother, as a small token to celebrate our meeting today."

The cork on the small bottle appeared worn and ancient. Linghu Chong knew that if Mr. Huang-Zhong had kept this relic from his deceased Master for all these years, they had to be very precious. So he replied immediately, "These pills were bestowed from Senior Master's respectable Master, not just any ordinary pills. I dare not accept it!"

Mr. Huang-Zhong shook his head. "The four of us have separated ourselves from the Martial World for many years and no longer strive with other people. These catholicons for injuries are really no good to us. The four brothers of us have neither apprentices, nor children. If you insist on declining, I suppose these two pills would only end up accompanying me in my coffin."

Sensing the bleakness in Mr. Huang-Zhong's voice, Linghu Chong did not insist any further and accepted the gift, thanking him earnestly. After bidding his farewell, he headed back to the Game Room with Mr. Black-White, Mr. Bald-Brush, and Mr. Paint accompanying by the side. As soon as Xiang Wentian spotted the solemn expression on the four's faces, he knew immediately that Linghu Chong must have won yet another sword match against the First Master of the manor. If the First Master had won the match, then even though Mr. Black-White might still maintain his composure, Mr. Bald-Brush and Mr. Paint, fore sure, would have turned daring and militant, demanding Zhang Xu's calligraphy book and Fan Kuan's painting from him at the first sight of him.

"Brother Feng, did First Master give you some good pointers as regard to your sword skills?" he asked, pretending he had not a clue.

"The prowess of First Master's inner strength was simply unimaginable. But it just happens that I have lost all my inner strength and therefore, did not react to the inner strength released from First Master's zither at all. It was such incredible luck on my side," Linghu Chong explained.

"This Brother Feng here is an honest gentleman and did not keep back anything. Why did you say that his inner strength was far superior to yours and deceive my Big Brother big time?" Mr. Paint reprehended, glaring at Xiang Wentian as he spoke.

"But at the time when Brother Feng still had his inner strength, his inner strength was indeed far superior to mine. I was referring to before, not now," Xiang Wentian grinned.

"You are a bad person!" Mr. Bald-Brush grunted.

"Well, since no one in the Plum Manor can defeat my Brother Feng's sword. Three Manor Masters, I think it's time for us to say good-bye," Xiang Wentian cupped his hands. Turning toward Linghu Chong, he said, "Let's go."

Linghu Chong also cupped his hands and bowed. "It was a great pleasure to meet the four Manor Masters today. If the chance rises up in the future, I'll visit your Manor once again."

"Brother Feng, if you feel like coming over to drink some wine, you can come any day. I'll let you taste all the great wines I collected throughout the years. But in regard to this Brother Tong here, well! Well!" Mr. Paint said.

"With my small capacity for liquor, I certainly dare not to come and ask for trouble." Xiang Wentian showed a smile.

After cupping his hands one more time, he walked out, holding Linghu Chong's arms. Mr. Black-White and the others also walked out.

"Three Manor Masters please don't bother to see us out," Xiang Wentian said.

"Ha, do you think we are seeing you out? We are here to see Brother Feng off. If you had come all by yourself, Brother Tong, just watch us and see how many steps we'll take to see you off," Mr. Bald-Brush said.

"I see," Xiang Wentian grinned.

Mr. Black-White and the others walked all the way out of the manor gate before saying good-bye to Linghu Chong. Mr. Bald-Brush and Mr. Paint stared at Xiang Wentian all the way out. How they wished they could just s.n.a.t.c.h the package off Xiang Wentian's back.

Holding Linghu Chong's hand, Xiang Wentian walked deep into the willow woods. When they were far from the Plum Manor, he finally asked, smiling, "Brother, the First Master's 'Invisible Sword' energy from his zither is very powerful. How did you manage to defeat him?"

"Oh, so Big Brother knew everything already. Luckily I have lost all my inner strength, or else I am afraid I probably would have lost my life over that. Big Brother, did you have some scores to settle with these four Manor Masters?" Linghu Chong asked.

"No. I'd never even met them before today, what scores could there be?" Xiang Wentian answered.

Suddenly, shouts came from behind. "Brother Tong! Brother Feng! Please come back."

Linghu Chong turned around and then saw Mr. Paint running toward him in quick trots. He held a bowl in his hand, which was more than half full with wine.

"Brother Feng, I have half a bottle of more than one-hundred-year old Bamboo-Green. You'd really regret it if you didn't have a taste," he said, handing the bowl over as he spoke.

Linghu Chong took the bowl and then took a look. The wine inside the bowl was so green that it almost looked like one solid emerald stone and he couldn't even see the bottom of the bowl. The strong and mellow smell of the wine soon filled his nostrils. "Great wine, indeed!" he praised.

"Excellent!" after a small sip of the wine, he praised again. Then with another four quick gulps, he poured the entire content of the bowl down his throat. "The flavor of the wine tastes mild yet rich at the same time. It had to the product from around the city of Yangzhou or Zhenjiang," he commented.

"Right on!" Mr. Paint beamed with delight. "This is the ultimate treasure of the Golden-Hill Temple in Zhenjiang. They had a total of six bottles. The monks in the temple abide by their commandment and do not drink, so they gave me one bottle as a present. After enjoying half of the bottle myself, I begrudged drinking any more of it. Brother Feng, I have several more great wines at my place. I'd really like you to come over and judge them for me. What do you say?"

Linghu Chong was already feeling great intimacy toward the "Four Playfellows of Jiangnan," now with the prospect of tasting some great wine in addition, he found himself all jubilant. Turning his head over, he looked at Xiang Wentian for his reaction.

"Brother Feng, Fourth Master wants to invite you for some wine. You go ahead. As for me, since Third Master and Fourth Master gets grouchy when they see me, I think I'd better…um, well," Xiang Wentian said.

"Who said I get grouchy when I see you? Let's go. All of us! You are Brother Feng's friend, and you are invited too!" Mr. Paint smiled.

Before Xiang Wentian had any chance to decline, Mr. Paint had already coiled his left arm around Xiang Wentian's right arm and his right arm around Linghu Chong's left arm and began walking. "Come on! Come on! Let's have some more drinks!" he insisted, beaming brightly.

"When we bid our farewell to the Manor Masters earlier, Fourth Master showed a very unfriendly att.i.tude toward Big Brother Xiang. Why has he turned so intimate all of a sudden? Is it possible that he simply couldn't forget the painting in the package on Big Brother Xiang's back for a moment and decided to fetch it using some other ways?" Linghu Chong thought to himself.

Soon, the three of them returned to the gate of the Plum Manor, at which Mr. Bald-Brush had been waiting for them.

"Brother Feng is back! Excellent! Excellent!" Mr. Bald-Brush uttered.

The four of them returned to the Game Room where Mr. Paint brought out many kinds of great wine and had a good drink with Linghu Chong. But Mr. Black-White never showed his face all the while.

The time was getting late now. It seemed as though Mr. Bald-Brush and Mr. Paint was waiting for someone, since both of them kept glancing toward the entrance from the corner of their eyes. Xiang Wentian took leave of them several times, but the two hosts repeatedly urged him to stay. Linghu Chong, on the other hand, paid no attention to it and kept drinking his wine.

"If two Manor Masters do not invite us for dinner, I'll starve to death!" Xiang Wentian checked the color of the sky and then complained with a big grin.

"Right! Right!" Mr. Bald-Brush replied and then called out loudly, "Steward Ding, arrange the banquet! Hurry!"

Ding Jian acknowledged from outside when suddenly, the door was pushed open and Mr. Black-White stepped into the room.

"Brother Feng, there is another one in our manor who would like to have a sword contest with you," he said to Linghu Chong.

As soon as Mr. Bald-Brush and Mr. Paint heard these words, they jumped back onto their feet in unison, beaming with joy. "Big Brother has agreed!"

"So First Master had to give his permission before that person can have a sword contest with me," Linghu Chong thought inwardly. "It seems that they had kept me here so the Second Master could talk it over with the First Master. And only after a long plead did the First Master finally consent. Then this person must be either a junior in First Master's family or his disciple or underling of some sort. Is this person's sword skill really even better than that of the First Master?" Suddenly another thought popped into his brain and he groaned inwardly, "Oh no! They knew that I have lost all my inner strength. In consideration of their own status, they feel unbefitting doing it themselves. But if they send a junior or an subordinate to fight me and specially challenge me in the department of inner strength, it would take him no time to finish me off!" But then he thought, "These four Manor Masters are all fair champions. How could they commit such despicable act? But Third Master and Fourth Master are simply crazy about that painting and that calligraphy book, and although the Second Master looked calm from the outside, he would certainly not rest contented until he gets his hands on those game manuals. Well, using such a bad method for the sake of those painting, calligraphy book, and game manuals is still well within the logic. If anyone really wants to injure me using inner strength, I'll just stab his joints or some crucial key points on his body first."

"Young Hero Feng, May I trouble you with another short trip?" Mr. Black-White asked.

"In regard to genuine Kung Fu skills, I am really no match for Third Master or Fourth Master, much less Second Master and First Master. The four senior masters of the Plum Manor of the Lone Hill all have unsurpa.s.sed Kung Fu skills. Only because of the congeniality you felt with me, you have been very tolerant and considerate. It is really needless for me to show my immature and shallow skills again," Linghu Chong declined.

"Brother Feng, of course that person's Kung Fu is higher than yours. But you don't need to be afraid. He…," Mr. Paint said, which was promptly cut off by Mr. Black-White.

"In our humble manor, there is yet another grandmaster who is an expert at the art of sword. Once he heard about Young Hero Feng's brilliant sword skills, he longed for a sword contest. I hope Young Hero Feng wouldn't mind having just one more match."

Afraid that he might be forced into injuring his opponent in the additional match and thus have a fall out with the "Four Playfellows of Jiangnan," Linghu Chong said, "Four Masters have been very kind to me. If I have this additional match, I wonder what kind of temper this grandmaster might have. If, for any reason, this ends in discord, or maybe I get injured from this grandmaster's sword, that would, for sure, hurt the friendly feelings."

"No worries! He won't…won't…," Mr. Paint tried to comfort him, but again, Mr. Black-White didn't let him finish.

"No matter what happens, the four of us will never blame you, Young Hero Feng," Mr. Black-White a.s.sured him.

"Fine! You might as well have another match," Xiang Wentian said. "But I have some things I need to take care right away and can't stay any longer. Brother Feng, I'll see you again in the city of Jiaxing."

"Are you leaving already? You can't leave yet!" Mr. Bald-Brush and Mr. Paint cried out in unison.

"Unless you leave Zhang Xu's calligraphy book behind," Mr. Bald-Brush demanded.

"If you leave now, where are we going to find you to get your painting, calligraphy book, and game manuals after Young Hero Feng loses the match? No, no, you'll have to stay just a little bit longer. Steward Ding, hurry up with the banquet!" Mr. Paint shouted.

"Young Hero Feng, I'll go with you. Brother Tong, please have something to eat. We'll be right back to accompany you. It won't take very long," Mr. Black-White said.

But Xiang Wentian shook his head again and again. "You are after a sure triumph with this match. Although my Brother Feng has excellent mastery in the art of the sword, his experience in confrontations is still very shallow. Besides, you have already found out that he has lost all his inner strength. Without me guarding onsite, even if we lose this match, we would not be reconciled to the defeat."

"What is Brother Tong saying here? Do you really think that we would cheat in the match?" Mr. Black-White asked.

"The four Masters of the Plum Manor of the Lone Hill are all people of exceptional virtues. I've always held the four masters in great reverence and, of course, have faith in you. But Brother Feng is having the sword match with someone else. I really had no idea that there's actually another grandmaster in the Plum Manor besides the four Manor Masters. May I ask Second Master here who is this person? If I know that this person is an honest had straightforward champion just like the four Manor Masters, then I'll feel much more at ease," Xiang Wentian said.

"The Kung Fu skills and the fame of this person are only higher than the four brothers of us. There is simply no comparison between him and us," Mr. Paint said.

"In the Marital World, there are only a few people whose fame could be in comparison with that of the four Manor Masters. Then I am sure I must have heard of his name before," Xiang Wentian said.

"But we can't tell you his name," Mr. Bald-Brush answered.

"Then I must guard onsite during this match. Otherwise we can just forget about the match," Xiang Wentian insisted.

"Brother Tong, why are you so stubborn? It's not gonna do you any good coming to this match. This person has lived in seclusion for a long time and would rather not let any other people see his face," Mr. Paint explained.

"How does Brother Feng have the sword contest with him, then?" Xiang Wentian asked.

"Each side will be wearing a mask, exposing only the eyes. That way, neither could see the other," Mr. Black-White clarified.

"Will the Four Manor Masters be wearing masks as well?" Xiang Wentian asked.
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"That's correct. This person has very eccentric tempers. If we don't, he would not fight," Mr. Black-White affirmed.

"I'll just wear a mask as well," Xiang Wentian persisted.

After a long hesitation, Mr. Black-White finally said, "If Brother Tong is determined to watch the match onsite, I suppose we have no choice. But Brother Tong must make a promise that you'll not make any sound through out the match."

"Pretending to be deaf and dumb, that's easy!" Xiang Wentian grinned.

So Mr. Black-White lead the way in the front, Xiang Wentian and Linghu Chong followed in the middle and Mr. Bald-Brush and Mr. Paint followed behind. Linghu Chong couldn't help but notice that they were actually following the same path that led to First Master's house earlier. Soon, they arrived outside of First Master's Zither Hall. After three gentle knocks on the door, Mr. Black-White pushed the door open and stepped in. A man already stood in the middle of the room, a mask made of black cloth covered his head. Linghu Chong easily recognized him as Mr. Huang-Zhong from his clothing. Mr. Black-White walked next to him and then whispered some words in his ears. Then Mr. Huang-Zhong shook his head and whispered some words back, obviously unwilling to let Xiang Wentian partic.i.p.ate. Mr. Black-White gave a nod and then turned to the group behind him.

"My Big Brother thinks that the sword match is only a small matter. But if we provoke that friend in any way, there will be much unnecessary trouble. Let's call the match off."

The five of them bowed to Mr. Huang-Zhong and then went out of the room.