Chapter - 6 Descendants Into the Courtyard (1/2)

Duan Yu hugged Mu Wanqing to his bosom, feeling both happy and concerned, he asked, ”Miss Mu, how is your injury? Did that evil person bully you?” Mu Wanqing said angrily, ”Who am I to you? Still calling me Miss Mu?”

Seeing Mu Wanqing angry, yet prettier at the same time; this seven days he had missed her really badly; he tightened his arms and said gently, ”Sister Wan! Sister Wan! Can I call you that?” lowering his head at the same time and kissed her. Mu Wanqing exclaimed, ”Ah!” blushed deeply and jumped up saying ”There are other people here! How could you…you do that? Aye, where are those people?” looking around, realised that Chu, Gu, Fu, Zhu these four people were gone; Zuo Zi Mu had left with his son, leaving not a single person in their surroundings.

Duan Yu asked, ”Who else is here? Is it Divine Croc?” looking frightened. Mu Wanqing asked, ”How long have you been here?” Duan Yu replied, ”Only for a while. I came up this peak.” Mu Wanqing said, ”Ok…”mumbling, ”This is strange. How come everyone just disappeared in an instant? Suddenly, someone behind a rock recited, ”Moving thousands of miles with a sword, daring to speak…” during the reciting, a person came out; it was one of the four royal guards Zhu Dan Chen. Duan Yu said happily, ”Brother Zhu!” Zhu Dan Chen walked two steps in front, bowed and replied happily ”Young master, luckily you are safe and well, just now what the young lady said made us so anxious!” Duan Yu made a polite hand gesture and said, ”So all of you have met? Why are you…you here? This is too coincidental.”

Zhu Dan Chen replied with a smile, ”The four of us were ordered to escort young master home, it was not a coincidence. Young master, you are so daring to wander alone in the martial arts world. We went to Ma Wu De's home to find you and also rushed to Mt. No Measure. These few days all of us have been worried enough. Duan Yu replied with a laugh, ”I went through quite a lot of suffering too. Uncle and father must be really angry, right?” Zhu Dan Chen replied, ”They are of course not very happy. But when we left the two masters' anger had been appeased and they have missed you greatly these few days. After Marquis Shan Chan found out that the four evil ones were coming to Dali, he became worried that young master will bump into them, thus he personally rushed out.”

Duan yu said, ”Uncle Gao is finding me too? How can I not feel bad? Where is he?” Zhu Dan Chen replied, ”Just now we were all here. Lord Gao chased away an evil woman, heard young master's cries, heaved a sigh of relief and then he ordered me to wait here for young master. Then they went to chase after the evil woman. Young master, let's go back home, so that the two masters will not be too worried. Duan Yu said, ”So you…you were here all along?” thinking about how his intimate actions with Mu Wanqing had been seen and heard by him, leading him to blush in embarrassment.

Zhu Dan Chen said, 'Just now I was sitting behind the rock reading Wang Chang Ling's poetry collection, his wu jue ”Moving thousands of miles with a sword, daring to speak….Once a man of honour, not breaking his promises…”in these simple twenty words which are unconventional and very worthy of admiration.” and took out a book; it was ”Wang Chang Ling's poetry collection”. Duan Yu nodded and replied, 'Wang Chang Ling's speciality is qi jue, not wu jue. But this literary piece is of high quality. Isn't his other piece: ”song guo si cang” even better?' he then recited ”Reflection of the door in the green water, leaving the heart of the master. The bright moon…, the deep spring night.” Zhu Dan Chen bowed again and said ”Thank you young master.” using the poetry lines to change the topic. He used those lines to say that he will, like the others repay young master in death. Duan Yu used those lines to say that as master, he is devoted to his subordinates and will treat them as good friends. Looking at each other, the two of them smiled.

Mu Wanqing did not know poetry and thought ”This bookworm has forgotten where he is, he gets so interested once he talks about poetry. This military officer sure knows how to flatter people by bringing a book with him. She did not know that Zhu Dan Chen was of both literary and military capacity and usually read books of poetry.

Duan Yu turned and said, ”Miss Mu…Mu, this is Zhu Dan Chen, 4th brother Zhu, my good friend.” Zhu dan chen bowed with respect and said, ”Greetings, Miss Mu.”

Mu Wanqing returned the greeting and seeing him treat her with respect, was overjoyed and said, ”4th brother Zhu.”

Zhu Dan Chen said with a laugh, ”I do not dare to be called that.” thinking ”This young lady is really pretty, just now when she slapped young master, she had been so agile, it seems as though her kungfu is not bad. Young master was slapped, yet he still smiled, not caring much. For this young lady, he actually left home for such a long period of time; thus, he must be very infatuated with her. I wonder what the background of this young lady is. Young master is so young and therefore, does not know how dangerous the martial arts world is, he should not be smitten with her beauty, maybe even causing him to lose his reputation.” and said with a smile, ”The two old masters miss young master and hope that you will go back home immediately. If Miss Mu is free, please go too as our guest.” He was worried that Duan Yu would refuse to go home, but if the young lady would go together, he would most likely agree to do so.

Duan Yu stuttered, ”What would…would I say to Uncle and Father?” Mu Wanqing blushed and turned her head away.

Zhu Dan Chen said, ”The four evil ones have such high martial arts abilities, just now when the Marquis Shan Chan managed to force Second Madam Ye to retreat, it was by the element of surprise and also by luck. Young Master should not be in such a perilous situation, let's leave quickly!” Duan Yu thought of Divine Croc's fierce expression and could not help feeling scared. He said with a nod, ”Ok, let's go. 4th Brother Zhu, since the opponent is so powerful, you should go and help Uncle Gao. I will go home together with Miss Mu.” Zhu Dan Chen said with a laugh, ”It was not easy to find Young Master; I should personally escort you home. Miss Mu is well-versed in martial arts, but I think she has not recovered from her injury, it will be bad if you meet strong opponents on your way home, and thus it will be better if I go with the both of you.”

Mu Wanqing said rudely, ”You do not need to be so polite when you talk to me. I am a wild woman that has never studied before. I only understand half of what you are saying.” Zhu Dan Chen said with a laugh, ”Of course, of course. Although I am a military officer, I like to act as if I am a scholar, this is a bad habit that refuses to go away, please do not blame me, lady.”

Duan Yu was not willing to go home just like that, but since Zhu Dan Chen found him, he knew that he would have no choice but to do so; he would just have to try to leave secretly during the journey, thus, the three of them went down the peak. Mu Wanqing wanted to ask Duan Yu where he had gone to during those seven days and seven nights but because Zhu Dan Chen was near, talking was not convenient, thus she had to resist the urge. Zhu dan chen brought dried food which he gave the two of them to eat.

The three of them reached the bottom of the peak and after travelling for miles, they found five horses tied to a tree. It turned out to be what Gu du cheng and the others rode here. Zhu Dan Chen led three of the horses to them and after Duan Yu and Mu Wanqing got on the horses, he got on one horse himself and followed them behind. That night, the three of them rested at an inn, each of them taking separate rooms. Zhu Dan Chen then bought a new set on clothes for Duan Yu to change into so that he did not have to suffer the misery of the holes in his trousers.

Mu Wanqing closed the door of her room, staring at the red candle on the table, she sat down, feeling both happy and worried. She thought, ”Husband Duan came to find me despite of the danger, showing how devoted he is to me. These few days I have been cursing him, thinking he was heartless; I have misunderstood him. Zhu Dan Chen treats him with so much respect, thus, he must be some important officer's son. I, being a lady, although we have been engaged, should not go to his home for no apparent reason, isn't that awkward? It seems like his uncle and father are very fierce towards him, if they look down on me and treat me with disrespect, what should I do? Hey, I should use my poison darts to kill his whole family, except him.” While she was thinking about this, she suddenly heard two soft taps on the window.

Mu Wanqing extinguished the candle flame with a wave of her left hand. Outside the window, Duan Yu said, ”It's me.” Hearing Duan Yu look for her in the deep night, her heart started pounding and her cheeks started burning, she whispered, ”What do you want?” Duan Yu replied, ”You open the window and I tell you.” Mu Wanqing said, ”I will not open.” She knew martial arts, yet now she was scared of this weak scholar, it was strange. Duan Yu did not understand why she refused to open the window and he said, ”Then you come out quickly and let's leave quickly.” Mu Wanqing made a hole in the window paper and asked, ”Why?” Duan Yu replied, ”4th Brother Zhu is asleep, let's not wake him up. I do not wish to go home.”

Mu Wanqing was overjoyed, she had been worried about meeting Duan Yu's parents. She then pushed open the window lightly and jumped out. Duan Yu whispered, ”I go and get the horses.” Mu Wanqing shook her hands and wrapped her arm around Duan Yu's waist before taking a deep breath and leapt over the wall. She then whispered, ”4th brother Zhu will find out when he hears the sound of the hooves.” Duan Yu said softly with a laugh, ”Luckily you thought of that.”

Holding hands, the two of them started travelling towards the east. After walking for miles, they did not hear anyone chasing them from the back and they were relieved. Mu Wanqing said, ”Why do you not wish to go home?” Duan Yu replied, ”Once I get home, Uncle and Father will definitely lock me up and I will not be able to go out. It will be difficult even to see you once. Mu Wanqing was very pleased and said, ”It's best not to go to your house. From now on, the both of us shall wander in the world, isn't that carefree? Now where do we go?” Duan Yu said, ”Firstly, we must not be caught by 4th brother Zhu and Uncle Gao. Secondly, we must avoid that Divine Croc. Mu Wanqing said, ”True. Let's travel in the northwest direction, its best if we find a village family where we can lie low for some time. After the injury on my back has fully healed, we would not be afraid of anything anymore.” Thus, the two of them traveled in the northwest direction, not daring to slow down, only hoping to leave Mt. No Measure as far as possible.

After they traveled till dawn, Mu Wanqing said, ”Those servants in Gu su Wang family must still be looking for me. If we travel during the day, we would be easily noticed. We should find somewhere to rest, daytime, we eat and sleep, nighttime, we travel.” Duan Yu did not know much about the martial arts world, thus he replied, ”You decide.” Mu Wanqing said, ”After the meal, tell me where you have been these seven days and seven nights. If you dare to lie to me, be careful your...” Before she could finish her sentence, ”Aye!” she said.

In front of them, three horses were tied to a willow tree in the shade and a person was sitting on a rock, holding a book in his hand, reciting, of course it was Zhu Dan Chen, who else could it be? Seeing this, Duan Yu was very shocked, he grabbed Mu Wanqing's hand and said hurriedly, ”Let's go!”

Mu Wanqing was very sure that last night when they secretly escaped, Zhu Dan Chen had found out, he knew Duan Yu did not know qing gong and could not travel fast, he then predicted where the two of them will head and rode on the horse to block their way; she frowned and said, ”Blockhead, since we have been caught by him, how can we escape?” then, she walked in front and said mockingly, ”Reading in the early morning, you want to be the top scholar?”

Zhu Dan Chen said to Duan Yu with a laugh, ”Young master, what poem do you think I am reading?” then he recited ”Birds chirp on the ancient tree in the winter, monkeys calling in the desolate mountains, since your eyes are injured, feeling frightened and shocked, isn't it dangerous? Remember the debt of gratitude of your homeland. No two promises,...winning words..., ...in your life, who will determine your title?”

Duan Yu replied, ”This is Wei Zheng's ”Xu Huai”? Zhu Dan Chen said with a laugh, ”Young Master is of great literary ability, worthy of admiration, worthy of admiration.” Duan Yu understood that he was using this poem to tell him that I chased after you despite of everything is because he owns Duan Yu's uncle and father a debt of gratitude, not daring to fail in his mission; he is also hinting that since Duan Yu had agreed to go home, he should not go back on his word.

Mu Wanqing untied the horse and said, ”To go to Dali, is the direction we are travelling in right?” Zhu Dan Chen replied, ”Since we are free, we travel to the east or travel to the west, we will still get to Dali.” The day before he allowed Duan Yu to ride on the horse with the strongest legs, but now he led that horse to himself, in case the two of them decide to escape on the horses, he will still be able to catch up on the horse.

After Duan Yu got on the horseback, he directed it to the east. Afraid that Duan Yu would get annoyed with him, Zhu Dan Chen kept chatting with him about poetry and books but he did not know about ”Yi jing”, otherwise he will be able to cater to Duan Yu's pleasure. Despite that, Duan Yu was already in high spirits and kept talking a lot. However, Mu Wanqing could not join in the conversation. Not long after, they reached the main road and after they travelled till noon, they stopped at a shop to eat noodles.

Suddenly a shadow flashed past and a tall and thin person walked in the door, once he sat down, he hit the table and called, ”Wine and beef, quick, quick!”

Mu Wanqing did not need to look at his face; she only heard how his voice was suddenly low and suddenly high, very unpleasant to the ears, before she knew that ”Desperate Evil” Yun Zhong He had arrived, luckily her face was facing towards the inside, not towards him. She then stuck her finger into the soup and wrote on the table, ”The Fourth Bad One”. Also using the soup, Zhu Dan Chen wrote on the table, ”Leave quickly! Don't need to wait for me!” Mu Wanqing pulled Duan Yu's sleeve and the two of them walked into the inside. Zhu Dan Chen moved swiftly into a dark corner.

When Yun Zhong He just reached the shop, he had been staring intently at the main road; when he heard someone moving behind him, he turned back and saw Mu Wanqing just disappearing behind a cupboard and then he shouted, ”Who is it? Stop there!” He got up from his seat, his long arm trying to grab Mu Wanqing's back.

Holding a bowl of soup, Zhu Dan Chen suddenly rushed out from the dark corner and exclaimed, ”Ah Yo!” pretending to lose hold of the bowl; a bowl of hot soup splashed towards Yun Zhong He. Not only were they quite near to each other, Zhu Dan Chen was also quick in the splashing and there was no space in the little shop to move around, thus, even though Yun Zhong He did turn around and avoided half of the soup, the other half of the soup still splashed on his face; instantly, his vision blurred and in his anger, he attacked Zhu Dan Chen, hoping to scratch open his chest. But once the bowl left Zhu Dan Chen's hands, he had conveniently taken a table and threw it together with the bowls, plates and cups towards Yun Zhong He. Yun Zhong He's five fingers stuck into the table and with strong force, the bowls, plates and cups flew towards him.

Meeting a strong enemy in a small shop, even though he had strong kungfu, he was still in a flurry. He quickly tried to spread his inner energy over his whole body, those plates and bowls that hit him all bounced back but he was still dripping with soup, making him look very embarrassing. Outside the door, there was the clatter of the hooves, two people were leaving, riding on horses towards the north. Yun Zhong He wiped the soup from his eyes with his sleeve, suddenly, he felt something flying towards his chest. He took a deep breath and his chest contracted a few centimetres and his left palm attacked from the air and turning it, he caught the judge's brush that the enemy had attacked with. Zhu Dan Chen quickly wielded his inner energy, hoping to snatch it back. His inner energy was not strong enough, this seizing originally would not have succeeded, and a favourite weapon would have certainly landed into the hands of the enemy, luckily Yun Zhong He's hands were oily and his fingers were slippery, thus, he could not hold it tight enough and Zhu Dan Chen actually managed to get back his weapon.

After many moves, Zhu Dan Chen knew that the enemy had good reflexes and strong kungfu, thus, he shouted, ”The person with the metal stick and the person with the broad axe, block the door quickly, the bamboo pole would not be able to escape!” He had once heard from Zhu Wan Li and Gu Du Cheng that that night they had met a bamboo pole-like person and with the strength of the two of them, they had managed with an effort to win, thus, Zhu Dan Chen tried to make an empty show of strength. Yun Zhong He did not know that it was a trick and thought, ”Oh No! The person with the metal stick and the person with the broad axe are lying in ambush outside, I am alone, one against three, I will definitely lose!” thus, he did not want to fight, immediately, he rushed into the backyard and leapt over the wall. Zhu Dan Chen shouted, ”The bamboo pole is escaping, quick, chase after him, we must not let him escape this time!” rushed to the horse, got on it and chased after Duan Yu.

Duan Yu and Mu Wanqing galloped many kilometres on the horses and then slowed to a trot. Not long after, Zhu Dan Chen managed to catch up with them. The two of them stopped their horses to wait for him, about to question him, when Mu Wanqing cried, ”Oh No! The person is chasing after us!” on the road, there was a bamboo-like person darting here and there towards them.

Zhu Dan Chen said, ”That person's qing gong is so good!” and whipped Duan Yu's horse, the three horses galloped even more quickly. In an instant, had left Yun Zhong He far behind. After many kilometres, Mu Wanqing heard the gasping of breath of her horse and had to slow down. However, once she slowed down, Yun Zhong He would be able to catch up with her. Although he could not sprint as fast as a horse, he had really high endurance.

Zhu Dan Chen knew that his ploy had been seen through by Yun Zhong He; empty showing of strength was not going to work anymore. He knew that within twenty kilometres, he will definitely catch up with them. Once they reached Dali city, obviously they will not be afraid of anything but the three horses were galloping slower and slower and the situation was getting desperate. After galloping for some kilometres, Duan Yu's horse suddenly kneeled down, throwing Duan Yu off. Mu Wanqing jumped off her horse and before Duan Yu had reached the ground, she had already grabbed him and jumped back on to her horse. Zhu Dan Chen was far behind them, so as to defend them against the enemy, thus, when Duan Yu fell off the horse; he was unable to save him, seeing Mu Wanqing saving him at the last moment, he could not help saying, ”Good skills!”

Suddenly, Zhu Dan Chen was attacked behind. He used his judge's brush to fight off the iron fingers. Yun Zhong He used the momentum to scratch the horse's back until it was dripping with blood. The horse felt painful and galloped even faster. It was not long before there was a long distance between them and Yun Zhong He. However, now there were two people riding on one horse and one horse injured; it was difficult to maintain this for long. Zhu Dan Chen and Mu Wanqing were secretly anxious.

On the other hand, Duan Yu did not know the severity and asked, ”Is this person very powerful? Surely, it does not mean that Fourth Brother Zhu cannot defeat him?” Mu Wanqing shook her head and said, ”It is a pity I am injured and cannot use my strength to help Fourth Brother Zhu to fight against the evil person.” suddenly, she had an idea and said, ”I pretend to fall off the horse and get injured. Then I lie on the floor and catch him unaware by shooting two darts at him, it may work. You ride on the horse and just go, do not need to wait for me.” Duan Yu was very anxious and using his left hand to grab her neck and his right hand to grab her waist, he said, ”No! No! How can I let you take the risk?” Mu Wanqing's face turned red and said, ”Blockhead, let go of me! Fourth Brother Zhu can see us!” Duan Yu was shocked and said, ”Sorry! Don't be offended.” Mu Wanqing said, ”You are my husband, why say sorry?”

While they were talking, they turned their heads and say Yun Zhong He getting closer and Zhu Dan Chen kept waving his hand, asking them to escape quickly. Then he leapt off his horse and blocked the way. Although he knew he was not the match of Yun Zhong He, he still had to block him, so as to prevent him from catching up with Duan Yu. Unexpectedly, Yun Zhong He only wanted to catch up with Mu Wanqing, suddenly, he ran diagonally into the fields at the side and bypassed Zhu Dan Chen, running straight towards Duan Yu and Mu Wanqing.

Mu Wanqing kept whipping the horse but it was already vomiting white foam and was about to die. Duan Yu said, ”If only we were riding your Black Rose, I am sure that evil guy would not be able to catch up with us.” Mu Wanqing said, ”Do I need you to remind me of that?”

That horse went over a hill and in front of them was a straight road, no place to hide. In the west, within the green willows, next to the small lake, there was the side of a yellow wall exposed. Duan Yu said happily, ”Good! Let's go there!” Mu Wanqing said, ”No! That is a dead end and there is no road to escape.” Duan Yu said, ”You listen to me, I would not be wrong.” Using the reins to turn the horse, they headed towards the green willows.

As they got nearer, Mu Wanqing realised that that wall was actually a monastery and ”Yu Xu Monastery” seemed to be written on its signboard; thinking quickly, ”This blockhead escaped until here where there is no other road. I should hide in a dark corner and shoot the bamboo pole with a dart.” in the blink of an eye, they had reached the front of the monastery, suddenly, they heard someone laughing behind them, it was Yun Zhong He who was only metres away from them.

Duan Yu shouted, ”Mother, mother, come quickly! Mum!” Mu Wanqing got angry and snapped, ”Blockhead, shut up!”...

Yu held onto Grace tightly- feelings of relief, concern- and yes, love- all rolled into one, threatening to overwhelm him all at once. Neither spoke for a while. Finally, Yu asked, ”How are your wounds, Miss Mu?”

”Miss Mu?” she teased. ”Is that all I am to you?” For a girl who rarely smiled, up until now, her mirth only made her even more beautiful. Yu was so happy he wanted to faint. He held her even more tightly, whispering softly, ”Gracie! How about that- Gracie? Would you like me to call you that?” Dipping his head, he kissed her lips gently.

”Oh!” Grace leapt up, blushing furiously, suddenly remembering that they weren't really alone- but in fact, had a hidden audience! ”Not here, not now!” she exclaimed. ”There's people around, you know!” She looked around, only to see that the robed man and the four knights- Chu, Ku, Fu and Zhu- had vanished. Even Zuo Zhimu had taken his son and disappeared.

”Who's here?” Yu asked, puzzled, then gasped. ”No- don't tell me that it's the Croc!”

”How long have you been here?” Grace asked.

”Not long.”

”Hmm.” Grace was perplexed. ”Strange. They sure left quickly.”

Her muse was broken by an eloquent voice that came from behind some boulders.

”Battles fought;

Over a thousand miles,

A word to say-”

The voice was followed by the actual speaker- Chu Danchen.

”Brother Chu!” Yu cried out happily. The latter bowed respectfully, at the same time breathing a sigh of relief. ”Sir, thank God that you really are safe. This young lady here had sure given us quite a fright earlier!”

Yu nodded in reply. ”So you two have met then? What a coincidence.” he seemed perplexed. ”How'd you get here?”

”Sir, it's definitely no coincidence that we're here.” Chu smiled, amused. ”The four of us have been ordered to find you and bring you home. May I be so bold to say, sir, that you really have been quite foolhardy in running off like that and travelling alone! We followed your trail to Ma Wude's place, then to Mt Wuliang. My God- you really had us worried sick!”

”Ah, well.” Yu looked slightly sheepish. ”Well, it hasn't really been as fun as I thought it was going to be. Say, my father and uncle must be furious- were they?”

”Well, they certainly weren't thrilled.” Chu said dryly. ”Although, by the time we left, their lordships seemed to have been calmed down, somewhat. And for the last few days, I'm sure they're probably just worried sick- like the rest of us! To make it worse, the Duke of Shanchan got the news that four very nasty characters have arrived in Dali! He left after us, to personally make sure that you'd be safe.”

”Err... So Uncle Gao is looking for me too...” Yu shifted uncomfortably at the thought.

”Yes, sir, he has indeed. In fact, he was just here, fighting off a truly unpleasant woman. He heard you calling out, and told me to stay here, to wait for you. He and the others have gone to chase after her.” Chu paused. ”Sir, let's go home then, shall we? Your family is really worried about you.”

Yu wasn't interested in going home. He'd just realised that Chu had bene lurking behind those rocks the whole time, while he was having (what he thought was) a private tete-a-tete with Grace! Yu's face burned with embarrassment.

Chu read his mind. He held up a bound volume. ”I've been reading awhile.” Grace was taken aback. She hadn't seen that many fighting men who could read- let alone carry around with them a book. What she didn't know was that Chu had only gotten to his elite rank by being not only skilled in the martial arts, but also being well versed in the classics.

”Ah.” Yu changed the subject hurriedly. ”Grace, this is Chu Danchen. He's one of my greatest friends! Brother Chu, let me introduce you to Grace, Grace Mu.”

”Miss Mu.” Chu bowed deeply.

Miss Mu was pleased by the respect he'd shown her- respect like that doesn't come her way very often! ”Brother Chu.” She smiled.

Chu eyed Grace carefully. ”She's no doubt a pretty one- obviously not too bad in kungfu, either, judging by the way she'd slapped Yu so nimbly! And he didn't seem to mind either. Huh, so this is why he'd taken off like that. And it doesn't look as if they'd just met. Hmph, next chance I get, I better warn him. A pretty face- nice times out of ten they can't be trusted.”

”So!” Chu said brightly. ”Should we go? Miss Mu, you're more than welcomed to come with us, as our guest.” Chu had a feeling that Yu isn't overly enthusiastic in returning- but he'd be more than happy to do so, if Grace can be persuaded to go with him.

Yu looked at Grace, then at Chu, reddening. ”Um, I don't know... How am I going to explain... ahhhh...” Grace turned away, uncomfortable.

”We'll deal with that question later.” Chu said a little more forcefully, although maintaining his deferential tone. ”Those four villains are skilled fighters, and it took Lord Gao all his power- and an element of luck!- to defeat just one of them. This place is dangerous- I strongly suggest that we leave, as quickly as possible.”

Yu nodded, mentally shuddering at the thought of the return of even one of the four Evil Ones. Especially that crazy, obsessive Croc. ”In that case, I'll go with Grace. Why don't you help Uncle Gao instead?”

Chu chuckled. ”I'd have failed miserably in my duty, if I were to desert my post now. I trust Miss Mu's ability implicitly- however, she is obviously still significantly incapacitated, trauma from which she remains to recover fully.”

Grace humphed- Chu's long words and sentences leaving her somewhat muddled. ”I didn't understand half of what you were talking about.”

Chu smiled. ”I apologise, Miss Mu. I've always been long-winded- it's an old habit of mine. Please forgive me.”

Yu didn't want to go home at all- with or without Grace. But the current situation seemed to left him with little choice. He decided to play it by ear- there'll be plenty of opportunities to make an escape later on. The three of them made their way down the hillside. Along the way, Grace peppered Yu with questions as to his whereabouts for the past week. Yu didn't want to give too much details with Chu around- he did work for his parents and uncle, after all. He hinted strongly to Grace to keep quiet.

At the bottom of the mountain, the three mounted horses that'd been left by the rest of the rescue party. Yu and Grace rode ahead, followed by Chu. They lodged at a small rural inn that night. Despite his reluctance in following Chu home, Yu was still greatly relieved at being back in civilisation, especially after he'd changed out of his dirty, tattered clothing that'd seen so much adventure in the last few weeks.

Grace, left alone in her room, was unable to sleep. She stared at the burning candle, her mind in turmoil. She was delighted that Yu had come back- he's obviously devoted to her! She felt vaguely guilty at having cursed him wrongly for the past few days. On the other hand, Yu's background perplexed her. The deference shown to him by a highly skilled and respected warrior such as Chu means that Yu is no ordinary person, but a son of highly ranked nobility. And a girl such as herself can't just become engaged to someone like that- and turn up on the doorstep, unintroduced and uninvited. To make it worse, Yu's parents and uncle seemed terribly strict.

”Huh.” she tossed her head. Since when did she become timid like that? ”So what if they looked down on me? I'll just kill them all. They can't stop me taking Yu, then, can they?” she thought.

A soft tap on the window made her turn. Yu was whispering outside. ”Grace! It's me.”

Grace blushed. It's past midnight- what did the man want? ”What's the matter?”

”Open the window.”

”No.”

”Then come out.” Yu hissed. ”We've got no time left.”

Grace slit the window paper with a finger. ”What are you talking about?”

”Brother Chu's asleep- what are we waiting for? Let's go! And keep your voice down- I don't want to go home.”

Grace was thrilled. All her anxieties about meeting Yu's parents vanished. She opened the window, and leapt out.

”I'll get the horses.”

Grace shook her head. ”The horses will wake Chu up.” She grabbed him around the waist, and jumped lightly, ”flying” over the wall of the inn's courtyard.

They headed east, hand in hand, feeling liberated and happy. No pursuers appeared. The two relaxed, and their walk slowed to a stroll.

”So why don't you want to go home?”

”Because I'll never see you again.” Yu said. ”As soon as I step through the door, my father and uncle will be sure to lock me up- and I'll never be able to get out again.”

Grace's heart soared at his words. ”That's great! You don't have to go back- ever! We'll wander the world, just you and I! Where should we go?”

”Any place where we won't be found- by Chu, Uncle Gao, or anyone else for that matter! Especially the Croc.”

”You're right. How about the northwest? It's isolated there. We'll find a small village, stay there for a bit, until my wounds have healed completely, then we'll go wherever we want to!”

So decided, the two turned and headed in their chosen direction. They walked briskly, hoping to put as much distance between themselves and familiar territory, as quickly as possible.

Dawn soon broke. ”Let's take a break, get something to eat, and have a rest. We'll attract too much attention by travelling during the day.” Grace said. ”The Wangs are still after me- we better lay low for a while.” Yu readily agreed.

”After we've had a rest, you can tell me how you spent the last seven days.” Grace said with mock severity. ”And if you lied-” she broke off abruptly. ”Wha-”

In front of them, a man was reclining against the trunk of a sweeping willow, seemingly at great leisure. He was reading a book, and appeared to be reciting verses from it. Chu! Yu gaped, grabbed Grace's hand, and hissed, ”Run!”

Grace felt a stab of frustration. Chu obviously guessed that Yu would sneak out in the middle of the night, and had pre-empted him, knowing that they wouldn't have travelled far, with Yu being unschooled in the art of ”flying”.

”Don't be silly. He got us- where would we run to?” Grace snapped. She marched up to the knight crossly. ”Hey, you. What are you reading so early? You trying to top the imperial exams or something?”

Chu smiled. ”Sir, why don't you take a guess at what I'm reading?” he asked rhetorically, reciting the lines of yet another famous poem, which depicts the loyalty of a Tang warrior to his monarch. Yu recognised it right away- and its sublimal message. Chu was tactfully rebuking him for breaking his word, and deserting someone he'd claimed as his good friend, whilst the said friend remained as loyal as ever.

Grace didn't know what went on in their highbrow conversation, but guessed as much. She untied the horses from their tether, and asked, ”Actually, we were on our way to Dali City. Are we going the right way?”

”From where you were, it doesn't matter which direction you head in.”

Duan Yu laughingly replied, ”If it weren't for me heading out this time, how could I have brought mother back? I think I really have performed an awe-inspiring act of great merit. So let's just consider myself as having redeemed myself. Father, don't be angry.” The man in purple robes, upon hearing this response, answered, ”Even if I don't beat you up, your uncle will not let you off lightly!” Applying pressure to his horse's sides, the white horse suddenly flew towards the direction of the Sage of the Hollow Jade.

Mu Wanqing saw that the squadron of cavalry was clothed in fine brocade, wearing shining helmets, and their weapons glimmering in the light. Twenty people in front held aloft a banner, upon which was written six words: ”DaLi's 'South-Subduing Prince Duan'”. On the side of the tiger-headed banner were the words, ”Great General Duan, Protector of the Country”. Even though she was a person who feared neither heaven nor earth, upon seeing this majestic, awe-inspiring show, she couldn't help but feel great respect. Turning to Duan Yu, she asked, ”Hey, this ”South-Subduing Prince”, ”Great General Who Protects the Country”, is your dad, right?”

Laughing, Duan Yu nodded his head. In a low voice, he responded, ”Yes, that would be your father-in-law.”

Mu Wanqing reined in her horse in a daze. All of a sudden, her heart was filled with confusion. She was stupefied for a long period of time, before finally spurring her horse to gallop forward to Duan Yu's side. On the main street, there were people everywhere. Suddenly, in her heart, she was feeling an inexpressible solitude, making her want to stay close to Duan Yu. Only then did she calm down a little.

The South-Subduing Prince slowed his horse down roughly ten feet away from the Sage of the Hollow Jade. The two exchanged glances for some time; I look at you, you stare at me. Neither of them opened their mouths. Duan Yu spoke. ”Mother, dad personally came to receive you and escort you home.” The Sage of the Hollow Jade replied, ”Go tell your aunt that I'm back. I'll stay with her for a few days. After we've beaten off our enemies, I'll return to the Hollow Jade Monastery.”

The South-Subduing Prince laughed. ”Wife, you're still angry at me? Let's go home. Afterwards, I'll slowly make everything up to you.” The Sage of the Hollow Jade's face was unmoved. ”I'm not going home. I'm entering the palace.”

Duan Yu said, ”That works too. Let's all enter the palace first and pay a visit to uncle and auntie. Mother, this time your son snuck outside to have some fun, and uncle definitely is going to be furious. Dad probably isn't going to speak up on my behalf, this time. It'll have to be you who begs for clemency on my behalf.” The Sage of Hollow Jade responded, ”The older you grow, the less responsible you get. It is going to be necessary to allow your uncle to thrash you and teach you a lesson.”

Duan Yu laughingly responded, ”The blows may fall on the son's body, but the pain will occur in the mother's heart. It's best if I don't get beaten!” The Sage of Hollow Jade let out a small laugh. ”Hah! The harder you get beaten, the better. I have no sympathy for you at all!”

Initially, there was an aura of awkwardness between the South-Subduing Prince and the Sage of Hollow Jade. But with Duan Yu cracking jokes and being so light-hearted, he managed to get a laugh out of the Sage of Hollow Jade, breaking the icy tone of the meeting. Duan Yu said, ”Dad! You have a good horse. Why aren't you letting mother ride it?” The Sage of Hollow Jade replied, ”I refuse!” With a kick, she spurred her horse to gallop forwards and away from them.

Duan Yu spurred his own horse onwards as well, overtaking her and grabbing the reins of his mother's horse. The South-Subduing Prince had already dismounted and walked it over towards them. Giggling, Duan Yu hugged his mother and placed her on the saddle of his father's horse.

With a laugh, Duan Yu said, ”Mother, a peerless, unequalled beauty such as yourself, riding this white horse, becomes even more attractive. You are like the Bodhisattva Guanyin herself, having descended upon the mortal world!” Laughing, the Sage of Hollow Jade replied, ”That girl of yours surnamed 'Mu' is the real peerless beauty without equal. You're just making fun of your mother, this old lady.”

The South-Subduing Prince turned to look at Mu Wanqing. Duan Yu said, ”She...she is Miss Mu. She is your son's...your son's...your son's good friend.” The South-Subduing Prince saw the expression on his son's face and immediately understood his real meaning. He saw that Mu Wanqing had a clear, pure complexion and was very beautiful, and secretly cheered. ”Yu'er, you have pretty good eyesight!” He saw Mu Wanqing's gaze was cloudy and distant, and she did not come forward to pay her respects. He thought to himself, ”So she's a girl from the countryside who doesn't understand proprietry.”

His heart still filled with anxiety over the state of Gao Shengtai's injuries, he quickly strode over to the latter's side. ”Younger brother Tai, how are your internal injuries?” He stretched out his finger to touch Gao Shengtai's wrist, feeling for his pulse. Gao Shengtai replied, ”My 'du ' meridian received some injuries, but it's no big deal. You...there is no need for you to waste your energy.”

Before he even finished speaking, the South-Subduing Prince had already extended the forefinger of his right hand and struck three times at the back of his neck, then pressed on his waist with his free hand.