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Novel Excerpts - Qi Jian Xia Tian Shan (ii)

Author: Liang Yu Sheng

Original Language: Chinese

Portions in Comic Sans MS typeface are hastily skimmed over.
 

Chapter 2: Shocking Discoveries

As the night fell, Fu Qing Zhu and Mao Wan Lian changed into nocturnal clothes and headed for Qing Liang Temple. They spotted Yi Lan Zhu who was mysteriously going there by herself. Surrounding Qing Liang Temple were five thirteen-level bronze pagodas that were brightly lit and heavily guarded with imperial guards and crack archers, making it impossible to infiltrate the vicinity without raising an alarm. All of sudden, there came a strong gust of wind, stirring up the sand and pebbles. Three lamps on the third storey of the left pagoda were extinguished and it appeared that a shadowy figure had flown up. The imperial guards let off a yelp and all arrows were shot at that area. In the midst of chaos, there came another gust of wind and three more lamps on the third floor went off.

Fu Qing Zhu immediately signalled Mao Wan Lian, and seizing the opportunity, they made a leap and landed lightly on the first floor of the centre pagoda. After suppressing a few attendants, an old eunuch and a Manchu warrior and making some inquisitions, they learned that the emperor, Kangxi, was not in his chamber and had gone to meet an old keeper monk of Qing Liang Temple. There was an underground tunnel connecting the main pagoda to the temple. The tunnel was well guarded, with a sentry stationed at every ten paces. With the old eunuch leading the way and the Manchu warrior escorting, they eventually arrived at the other end, without raising the guards’ suspicions. A voice emanated from above and it was Gallivanting Dragon Sword Chu Zhao Nan. He had actually survived that fall. He was responding respectfully to a young man. All of sudden, it went quiet. As Fu Qing Zhu and Mao Wan Lian hesitated, a trap was triggered, metal plates shot out across the walls, effectively sealing off their exits. Chu Zhao Nan uttered, "Who dares eavesdrop on us?"

As it turned out, Chu Zhao Nan was not only exceptionally skilled, but also alert and keenly percipient. While Fu Qing Zhu and Mao Wan Lian moved with stealth, it was not totally silent, and the old eunuch's footsteps were especially heavy. Hearing that the footsteps halted suddenly, and observing that the approachers had not identified themselves over such a long time, Chu Zhao Nan, growing wary, whispered to the emperor. The emperor realised that the eunuchs would not come without permission, and even if they did come, they would have reported themselves forthwith upon arriving at the entrance, rather than keeping quiet.

"Bring them in," ordered Emperor Kangxi and activated a switch, releasing one of the plates. Fu Qing Zhu was no simpleton either. He immediately rendered the eunuch and the Manchu warrior unconscious. Two sentries immediately lunged forward, however, they were of no match for Fu Qing Zhu divine skills, and their acupoints were sealed within two, three strikes. The trapdoor above was lifted up and Fu Qing Zhu cried, "Be careful!" Secrets darts were hurled into the tunnel. Brandishing their swords, their bodies were surrounded by rays of chilling light, and all the oncoming darts were successfully deflected. Fu Qing Zhu shouted, "Charge!" They forced their way up amidst the raining darts. Using Wuji Swordplay's “Welcoming Wind, Sweeping Dust”, his body stuck closely behind the sword, with a twirl of silver radiation, he rolled out and Mao Wan Lian followed closely behind and got out of the tunnel.

Chu Zhao Nan was already guarding by the exit and on seeing a figure coming out, he chopped at the head. Fu Qing Zhu blocked with his sword horizontally, both swords were repelled by each other. On seeing that the opponent was none other than Fu Qing Zhu, Chu Zhao Nan was hopping mad, and uttered, "Old man, let's have a death duel today." And his sword struck menacingly. Fu Qing Zhu also laid down his life and fought him fiercely.

By this time, Mao Wan Lian had already come out. On seeing a young man getting away, she leapt forward to grab him. The guards outside the main Buddha hall had already rushed inside on hearing Chu Zhao Nan’s yell. Without a shadow of doubt, they wouldn’t let Mao Wan Lian lay her hands on the emperor. Within a split second, multiple weapons swiped at her, Mao Wan Lian blocked with her sword. Emperor Kangxi had already entered another room safely.

Fu Qing Zhu executed his best skills, his sword moving like typhoon displacing cloud, Chu Zhao Nan struck continuously, used precarious moves, yet never managed to repel him. While Fu Qing Zhu had successfully warded off Chu Zhao Nan’s attacks, he was still at a disadvantage, since he was also surrounded by many elite Forbidden Palace Guards. He came up with a solution, targeting a guard in front of him, with a twist of his blade, his sword swift as lightning, chopped off the wrist of the guard. The guard cried out and fell to the ground. Fu Qing Zhu jumped through the opening, onto the huge altar platform.

The platform was extremely broad, on it were bronze statues of 6 Messengers, 18 Arhats, and 24 Buddhas, all of which were placed out of alignment. Under the shelter of the statues, Fu Qing Zhu zoomed around, and Chu Zhao Nan and the guards were unable to attack him simultaneously by surrounding him. They had to play cat and mouse with him.

The other guards were also hot on Mao Wan Lian’s heels. Fortunately, the more elite guards had gone to help Chu Zhao Nan against Fu Qing Zhu. And as Mao Wan Lian’s forte was lightness kungfu, she zipped around the Buddha Hall with ease of a fish, without being caught. During the tense situation, Fu Qing Zhu hollered, “Lian-er, feed them with poisoned pellets.”

Fu Qing Zhu was a skilled physician, while he did not like using concealed weapons himself, he had made a special type of concealed weapons for Mao Wan Lian. Called Life-Snatching Pellets, one class was soaked in poisons, while another was not venomous. When Fu Qing Zhu taught her the use of Life-Snatching Pellets, he had sternly warned Mao Wan Lian against the use of poisoned ones, unless she was in extreme danger. This was the first time that Fu Qing Zhu was making an exception.

As Mao Wan Lian had never encountered such a perilous situation before, she had clean forgotten about Life-Snatching Pellets. She was delighted to be reminded by Fu Qing Zhu, putting on a glove on her left hand, she dipped into her pouch, grabbed a handful of venomous Life-Snatching Pellets, and, with a wave, sent them flying off simultaneously in a few different directions. A few guards were hit, while none felt any pain, they began experiencing paralysing itchiness. The rest of the guards panicked and dared not get near Mao Wan Lian.

However, the pellets were only effective within a very short range of 10 metres. The guards stepped outside the effective range of Life-Snatching Pellets and began hurling concealed darts at Mao Wan Lian.

Executing “Lizard Roams the Wall”, Mao Wan Lian climbed up the wall and thence onto the crystal roof above. She slid along the roof until all of sudden a shingle right in front of her was broken by a powerful spherical concealed weapon. Unable to stop in time, she fell through the gap. She caught hold of the hand of a Buddha statue. Unexpectedly, the hand moved, and the statute rotated, revealing a hidden passage behind. Without any hesitation Mao Wan Lian scampered inside.

Mao Wan Lian had a shock when she entered. It was an exquisite chamber belonging to an old monk with white beard. By his side was Emperor Kangxi. The old monk’s eyes were half-closed, and he was completely reticent. Kangxi was speaking softly, seemingly to implore something.

A thought suddenly struck Mao Wan Lian’s mind that the rumour was indeed true. At that moment, someone came from behind, Mao Wan Lian, being in a daze, was caught effortlessly. The man’s grip was like iron rod, Mao Wan Lian couldn’t move at all.

The man dragged Mao Wan Lian before Kangxi, and made her to kneel down. Kangxi, recognising that it was the person who attacked him just now, was infuriated. Yet on seeing the loosened hair, it was obviously a girl who was dressed in the clothes of a eunuch. Surprised, he asked menacingly, “Who are you?”

The old monk’s expression changed drastically, showed signs of immense astonishment and joy. He interjected, “I know this lady!” and began reciting, “Dying sorrowfully, many years have passed, the soul that has never entered my dreams.” He glanced carefully at Mao Wan Lian, and mumbled, “Are you a human or a spirit? Oh, you resemble her greatly! If you’re not her spirit, you must be her reincarnation!”

Filled with agony and strong resentment, she asked fiercely, “You must be that old guy Emperor Shunzhi, where is my mom? Is she dead or alive? Is she still in the palace? Tell her, her daughter Lian-er has come looking for her!”

Given the dispute Mao Wan Lian had created, Emperor Kangxi was in extreme ire, his face was half-green, half-white. He exploded, “This is a deranged woman, Yan Chong Tian, take her away!” The guard who seized Mao Wan Lian was Yan Chong Tian, he was Kangxi’s trusted aide. He had moved aside as the old monk spoke, with his hand holding concealed weapons, he stood at a distance, in order to avoid hearing what he was not supposed to be privy to. Yet now that he had inadvertently come to know a major palace intrigue, he dragged his feet hesitantly, not knowing if misfortune would soon befall him.

The old monk, eyes sparkling, talked to Kangxi, “Do not frighten her. Her mother had carried you when you were young.” He slowly lifted Mao Wan Lian, and sighed, “You father had lost her, neither had I gained her; She did not actually belong to his mortal world. To where do you expect me to convey your message?” The old monk continued, “Dreams and affinity, lightning and flame, as moon in water, as shadow in the mirror, as flower in the mist. The tangible beauty left behind by Lady Dong-er has already turned into a disintegrated fantasy, forgotten, wherefore are you so persistent?” Mao Wan Lian cried out anxiously, “I do know understand Zen conundrums, tell me plainly what has happened to her!” The old monk replied, “Oh well, since you missed your mom so, I shall bring you to her.” He stood up slowly, took hold of Mao Wan Lian’s hand, and walked out. Emperor Kangxi and Yan Chong Tian followed wordlessly, their faces looking very awkward.

As they walked past the main hall, the weapons were still clashing. Fu Qing Zhu was winding about the statues, his sword brandishing about, fighting solo against the guards. The old monk asked Mao Wan Lian, “Who is he, is he with you?” Mao Wan Lian responded, “He is Fu Qing Zhu, and he came with me.” The old monk told Kangxi, “Xuan Ye (Emperor Kangxi’s given name), order them to stop. Fu Qing Zhu was a close friend of Mr Mao Pi Jiang. He is also a virtuoso. Do not make things difficult for him.” While Kangxi was reluctant, he dared not disobey, and had not choice but to relay his order. Fu Qing Zhu sheathed his sword, dusted himself, and came down from the altar. He bowed slightly to the old monk, neither expressing thanks nor articulating anything.

The old monk, one hand holding Mao Wan Lian, another Kangxi, proceeded leisurely, with Yan Chong Tian and Fu Qing Zhu tagging along behind. The guards, nonplussed, dared not do anything. Only Chu Zhao Nan shadowed them from a distance.

Soon, they came to a garden in Qingliang Temple. Pointing to a deserted mausoleum, the old monk said, “This is where your mother’s clothes were buried. As for your mother, she has gone to heaven.”

Mao Wan Lian’s father, Mao Pi Jiang, was a talented person. Back then, a famous courtesan Dong Xiao Wan greatly admired his talents. She willingly served him as a maid. Dong Xiao Wan herself was also a woman of talents, well-versed in the arts and poetry. Being after each other’s heart, deep affection developed between them. However, Dong Xiao Wan’s name had travelled far and wide, and was snatched away by Hong Cheng Shou and presented to Emperor Shunzhi. Mao Pi Jiang, pining for his wife, died. Mao Wan Lian was only three then.

This old monk was the former Emperor Shunzhi. After he brought Dong Xiao Wan into the palace, he showered her with all affection, and bestowed upon her the title of imperial concubine Lady Er. But, missing her husband Mao Pi Jiang and daughter Wan Lian greatly, she was always grief-stricken. Shunzhi was also affected by her depression. The Empress Dowager was already dismayed to learn that a Han girl had gained the emperor’s favour, let alone this matter. Hopping mad, she ordered the palace maids to give Dong Xiao Wan a wallop with the cudgels, and had her drowned in a river. Shun Zhi, on learning her death, wilted. He ran away from the palace and became a monk at Mt Wutai, and had a mausoleum erected at Qingliang Temple.

Mao Wan Lian, seeing the mausoleum, was gripped by utmost unhappiness, ignoring the chilly wind, she knelt on the grass and paid her respects. Etched on the gravestone were the words, “The Tomb of Jiangnan’s Talented Girl, Dong Xiao Wan.” Seeing that such title as Imperial Concubine was not engraved onto the gravestone, Mao Wan Lian felt slightly better. Turning her head, Mao Wan Lian saw the old monk collapsing onto the grass, his face was pale white. Kangxi’s face was filled with subtle ire. Fu Qing Zhu was gazing at the stars, seemingly to ponder over the enigmas of life.

While Shunzhi was known as The Patriach Monarch, he was only six when he ascended the throne. The power of governing the nation fell into the hands of the two regents, his uncle Duo Er Gun and his mother the Empress Dowager. Later, they even married each other. As such, he lived under constant stress and anxiety. After renouncing the world, he felt contrite over his relationships. While he ruled over the land, he couldn’t win the heart of a fair maiden. He also felt guilty for being indirectly responsible for the separation of Mao Pi Jiang and Dong Xiao Wan.

After a few bows, Mao Wan Lian stood up, holding her sword tightly, she stared at Shunzhi. Seeing an old monk sitting motionlessly on the ground, she shivered, her heart relented, Fu Qing Zhu sighed, “Wan Lian, let’s go!”

Suddenly, a veiled girl who was being pursued by a group of guards approached. As Mao Wan Lian took a look, she screamed uncontrollably, “Sister Lan Zhu!”

As it turned out, when Mao Wao Lian met the old monk, Yi Lan Zhu also had an unusual encounter.

Duo Duo, being wounded by Liu You Fang’s specialty concealed weapon, lost a lot of blood. He lay resting on the bed on returning to Qing Liang Temple. Seeing the state her husband was in, Nalan Minghui, who was known as Imperial Concubine Lady Er after her marriage, felt bad for him, and personally fed him medicinal soup, coaxing him to sleep. Since marrying her sixteen years ago, his wife had been giving him the cold shoulder. Now that she was tending to him personally, he was especially happy, and fell asleep in a jiffy. Lady Er sat by herself and began ruminating, her thoughts running wilder by the minute. A maid came reporting, “Mr Nalan is here to see you!”

Lady Er muttered, “It’s so late into the night, yet he is still awake?” and instructed the maid to bring him in. A young man rushed in excitedly, “Auntie, I have composed a new poem!”

This young man was a niece of Nalan Ming Hui. He was the first Manchurian poet, Nalan Rong Ruo. His father Nalan Ming Zhu, was the prime minister. Being exceptionally talented in the arts, Nalan Rongruo was famous throughout the nation. He was the pet favourite of Emperor Kangxi, who always brought him along in his travels. However, while Nalan Rong Ruo was born into a royal family, he was by nature unbounded by conventions, and loved roaming about. He hated the regimental live in the palace, yet couldn’t get away from it. As such he was unhappy, and flowing within his royal blood was that of rebelliousness. He was often compared by scholars of later times as Jia Bao Yu from Dreams of a Red Mansion.

In the palace and among his kin and kith, he got along especially well with his paternal auntie. Nalan Ming Hui, well aware of his temperament, smiled sweetly, “I heard you wrote a new poem a few days ago, in it were the two verses, ‘Having otherworldly sprout and roots, not belonging to the aristocratic flower of the secular world.’ His Majesty was upset over it. What new verses have you come up with this time?”

Nalan Rong Ruo said, “I shall play it for Auntie.” He took out a Horse Head Zither, tuned it, began plucking the strings, and sung,

“Most piteous and hapless the moon is,
A dusk as bracelet, dusk after dusk as chipped jade.
Yet eternally so pristine the full moon is,
Would that snow be kindled by warmth withinside.
Inevitably, so easily love evanesces,
Still, the swallow, perching gently on the tavern’s signboard, cries.
Let’s sing, Autumn tomb, worries yet laid rest,
In the spring thicket, catching at will the butterflies.”

The music, at times plaintive, at times cantankerous, had Nalan Ming Hui fully intoxicated, tears were coursing down her cheeks, with a semblance of Yang Yun Chong’s shadow appearing within her teardrops. Reminiscing the eve of her wedding with Duo Duo sixteen years back, how she wished she could extend her wings and fly away like the birds in the sky. Despite all these thoughts, she was still trapped in this narrow cage. As the music ended, there came a girl’s voice all of sudden, “Great stanza!”

The Nalans were shocked to see a veiled girl standing right in the middle of the hall. While Na-lan Ming Hui was trained in martial arts, being spellbound by the zither, she was completely unaware of the girl’s intrusion.

Realising that she was the assassin at Mt Wutai, Nalan Minghu enquired sharply, “Who are you!” The young lady snapped, “I am a sinner!”

Her voice seemed oddly familiar, her figure reminiscent of some acquaintance, Nalan Ming Hui was struck by a strange feeling, as if she had met the girl in her dreams. She was so close, yet so distant.

As Nalan Rong Ruo examined the girl, her posture and demeanour greatly resembled Auntie. Puzzled, he asked, “What sins have you committed?” The girl replied, “Even I do not know what sins I have committed to deserve being deserted by my mother at a tender age. I believe it must be my past karma!”

Lady Er jumped up all of sudden, hoping to grab hold of the girl’s hand. But she backed away by a few steps, staring coldly, she said, “Do not touch me, you are a noble concubine, you have never deserted your daughter, don’t you fear being contaminated by me?”

Lady Er fell onto the chair with both hands covering her face. The three looked at each other speechless, the air seemed to have frozen. After a long time, Lady Er suddenly asked, “Can you tell me, what is your name?” The girl answered, “I am Yi Lan Zhu.” Lady Er was relieved, “Your surname is not Yang?” The girl said, “Why should I bear a surname of Yang? Does Your Lady have a special affection for someone with the surname of Yang?”

Lady Er muttered vacantly, “Yi Lan Zhu (易兰珠), Yi Lan Zhu…Isn’t Yi (易) the half of Yang (杨), while Lan (兰) is the second character of my surname, and the maiden name of my lost daughter Bao Zhu (宝珠)?”

Lady Er stood up gradually, her hand holding on to the back of the chair for support, feeling lost and unable to summon any strength. A maid came knocking at the door outside, “His Highness has awakened, and is looking for Your Ladyship.” Lady Er, as if having just recovered from a nightmare, recalled her status, and instructed the maid through the door, “Go and take care of His Highness, I’ll come later.” She sat down again, and asked Yi Lan Zhu, “Are you in any kind of troubles and need my help?”

Yi Lan Zhu laughed coldly, “I do not have any troubles, I can shoulder all my own burdens no matter what.” Lady Er said, “So, is there a purpose to your visit?” Yi Lan Zhu, after some thoughts, blurted out suddenly, “What if I have?” Lady Er answered, “I will help you with whatever problems that you have!”

Yi Lan Zhu took two steps forward, asked abruptly, “In that case, I request that you release the young man who was captured earlier on, and let me take him away.” Lady Er questioned in astonishment, “The youth who attempted to assassinate me today?” Yi Lan Zhu, “Yes, that’s the one! Your Ladyship is unwilling to let him go? Let me tell you this, he is also an orphan who has lost his father. He didn’t know that the person in the sedan was you.” After a while, Lady Er agreed, “Fine!” She stood up gradually and entered the rear chamber.

Scanning the stranger, feeling that her eyes were sharp like sickle and cold as ice, Nalan Rong Ruo unconsciously sneezed with chill, avoiding direct eye contact with her, he said, “Missy, if we had any sins, they are related to our birth. Such as me, I have always felt that it’s a sin to be born into the royal family.”

Then, Lady Er returned with the young man. The captive was the son of General Zhang Huang Yan, who served under Lord Lu. He was called Zhang Hua Zhao. He was badly lacerated by Lady Er’s dart. Prince Duo Duo had wanted to interrogate him, but being more seriously wounded, left him locked in the rear chamber. That’s why Lady Er returned so quickly.

Zhang Hua Zhao walked with wariness as his enemy brought him out. Seeing the veiled girl sitting in the room peacefully, chatting with a resplendently-dressed young man, he was greatly astounded, finding it extremely implausible, he cried out “Ah!”

Yi Lan Zhu got up, “Mr Zhang, follow me. Can you walk?” Zhang Hua Zhao hesitated, then nodded, “I can still move.” Nalan Rong Ruo, sitting at one side, noticed how pale his face was, yet he was standing loftily, it was obvious that he was trying hard to endure his pain. Unable to bear it, he said, “You won’t be able to get away like this. I dare not be intrusive, but have an unbidden request. I would like this brother to act as my study attendant, and leave only after having fully recuperated.” Stealing a glance at Lady Er, Zhang Hua Zhao said, “I appreciate your kindness. If you aren’t going to take my life, I will leave by myself!” His expression showed strong obstinacy.

After some thoughts, Lady Er said to Yi Lan Zhu, “Since you wish to leave, I won’t compel you. Take this token of authority, it will give you lesser trouble.” She took out a jade tablet bearing the inscription “Prince Of Er, Duo Duo”.

Yi Lan Zhu did not decline and took the tablet of authority. Zhang Hua Zhao looked angrily at her, seeming to express disapproval. Still, he followed her. Lady Er grasped both hands together, panting heavily, as if she was suffering from great physical discomfort. Yet, the ache in her heart far surpassed physical pain by ten thousand times. Yi Lan Zhu was shivering slightly, tears were forming in her eyes, Lady Er took two steps forward, stretched out her hands. Zhang Hua Zhao asked impatiently, “Why aren’t you moving?” Yi Lan Zhu, seeming to have just awakened from a nightmare, was struck by the unyielding deportment of Zhang Hua Zhao, which gave her strength to regain her composure. Seeing that the jade bracelet Yi Lan Zhu wore was still vibrating, Lady Er knew that she was still quivering. However, she had already turned around, snatched in before Zhang Hua Zhao, and left, step by step. Lady Er turned towards the Buddha statue and knelt piously. Nalan Rong Ruo stood motionlessly by her side, listening attentively to her constipated prayers.

As they left, Yi Lan Zhu flashed out the token of authority on running into the patrols, who left them alone on seeing it. Suddenly, Zhang Hua Zhao had a slip, and bumped into a tree. The gravel path, being moss-covered, was rather slippery. Yi Lan Zhu went to his aid, however, his chest had already hit against the bark, his wound hurt badly. He let off a groan uncontrollably, Yi Lan Zhu asked, “Are you alright?” Enduring the pain, he said, “Doesn’t matter,” pushing away her hands, he carried on walking under the dimly lit lamps.

A group of Forbidden Palace Guards, on hearing the moan, came to investigate. Yi Lan Zhu displayed the token of authority, hoping to pull wool over their eyes. However, the captain was especially alert. Squinting under the dim yellow lights, he could tell that something was peculiar with Yi Lan Zhu’s expression. On further scrutiny, he noticed the area around the chest on Zhang Hua Zhao’s clothes was stained with a big patch of blood. He shouted, “Seize them!” and unleashed a palm strike at Zhang Hua Zhao. Despite his injury, Zhao Hua Zhao still managed to wring out all his strength under such a tight situation, and leaped back by 3 metres. By now, Yi Lan Zhu had unsheathed her sword, and was fighting against the captain, while the other two, three Forbidden Palace Guards charged at Zhang Hua Zhao. Zhang Hua Zhao threw out a few darts, while his strength had declined, he had not lost his marksmanship. Two got hit and fell down.

Horns began blasting and amidst the manmade hills and trees, shadows scampered about. Zhang Hua Zhao, in his turbidity and disorientation, scurried off, unknowingly drifting further and further away from Yi Lan Zhu, with hollering voices getting closer and closer behind him. In a moment of panic, without giving any thoughts, he leapt over a wall. In front of him was an exquisite little house, he pushed opened the door. Having completely expended his energy, he tripped, fell and lost consciousness!

Yi Lan Zhu, seeing Zhang Hua Zhao scampering disorderly, became very worried. She wanted to go to his rescue, but, was unfortunately held up by Forbidden Palace Guards. Brandishing her sword swiftly as wind, some flashes of lightning-like shimmers appeared. While the captain was no weakling, her unusual and exquisite swordplay had him dazzled, and was forced to back off. Yi Lan Zhu quickly executed Swallow Passing the Gap, jumped out of the battle arena, and ran anxiously. Subsequently, the Forbidden Palace Guards came from all directions and pursued her. At the critical moment, she ran into Fu Qing Zhu and Mao Wan Lian by the mausoleum.

The Forbidden Palace Guards on seeing Emperor Kangxi standing there, and that he was talking to the girl that they were after, were stunned. They stood at a distance.

The old monk stood up unhurriedly, and said to Emperor Kangxi, “Do not trouble them, let them descend the mountain.” The old monk said, “You may leave.” He took out a string of glittery pearls, and passed to Man Wao Lian, “Take this; it was left by your late mother.”

The stupefaction that Yi Lan Zhu had was much more that what happened earlier. It was as if she was in a dream. To think that Fu Qing Zhu and Mao Wan Lian could be standing by the emperor’s side, and the most powerful Gallivanting Dragon Sword Chu Zhao Nan and the warrior in black, Yan Chong Tian, were standing behind, with swords fully sheathed. Collecting herself, she said, “I still have a friend.” The old monk said, “All of you may leave together.” Emperor Kangxi, with steam coming out of his ears, blurted out, “Do you expect me to look for your friend?” There was a sharp change of expression on the old monk’s face, he spoke to Kangxi, “What did you say?” Kangxi’s trusted aide Yan Chong Tian stepped forward valiantly, “It is uncertain who has captured her friend. This Qing Liang Temple is so big, it would be very difficult to find out in such a short time. Your Majesty, please assign me with this task. I will send him off after identifying the captor.” Kangxi made a conspiratorial wink at Yan Chong Tian, and instructed loudly, “Fine, you shall handle this matter. Bring a hundred guards with you and search. Remember to search very carefully.” Yan Chong Tian, after receiving the spoken Imperial Edict, was about the leave when Kangxi called him, “Hold it, relay my instructions to the second-in-command Zhang Cheng Bin. Come back after that, I have other tasks for you.” Yan Chong Tian answered, “Zha!” and left. Fu Qing Zhu, being experienced at identifying telltale signs, knew that something was amiss, yet there was nothing he could do. Looking at the present situation, should they tarry, things would turn against their favour. He bowed slightly to the old monk, called Mao Wan Lian and Yi Lan Zhu, “Let’s go!” Chu Zhao Nan squeezed at his sword, seeing them leaving in big strides…
 

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