Chapter - 7 Boundless Regrets of Profligate Love (1/2)

Duan Zhengchun and the others returned to his palace, where a feast had been prepared. At the banquet table, aside from Duan Zhengchun and his wife, and Duan Yu and Mu Wanqing, no one else was present save the servants, which numbered seventeen or eighteen. In her entire life, how could Mu Wanqing have seen or experienced such splendor and luxury? She had neither heard of nor ever seen any of the dishes which were being presented.

She saw that Duan Zhengchun and his wife were treating her like a member of the family. It were as though two generations of husband and wife were happily dining together. Her affection was won by this display.

Duan Yu saw that his mother was continuing to treat his father somewhat coolly. She neither drank, nor ate any meat. The only dishes she touched were some vegetarian dishes. Duan Yu poured out a cup of wine, then, holding it with both hands, rose to his feet. ”Mother, your son would like to offer you a cup. My respectful congratulations on you and father reconciling. Finally, our family of three can enjoy domestic bliss again.”

The Sage of Hollow Jade replied, ”I don't drink wine.” Duan Yu poured out yet another cup of wine, then winked towards Mu Wanqing. ”Miss Mu would also like to offer you a cup.” Taking the cup with both hands, Mu Wanqing also rose to her feet.

The Sage of Hollow Jade felt that it wouldn't be appropriate to act too coldly towards Mu Wanqing. She let out a small smile. ”Miss, this son of mine is extremely naughty. We, his parents, aren't able to control him. In the future, you'll have to help us keep him under control.” Mu Wanqing replied, ”If he's disobedient, I'll grab him by his ears and beat him!”

The Sage of Hollow Jade let out a surprised laugh, then glanced at her husband out of the corner of her eye. Duan Zhengchun laughed. ”That's how it should be.”

The Sage of Hollow Jade extended her left hand to accept the wine cup from Mu Wanqing. Underneath the flickering candlelight, Mu Wanqing saw that her hand was delicate and fine, as clear and lustrous as fine jade. On the back of the Sage's hand, she saw some sort of mark, as red as the color of blood. Mu Wanqing's entire body began to tremble. ”You...your name...is your name, Dao Baifeng?”

The Sage of Hollow Jade smiled. ”My family name is very rare and unusual. How did you know?” Mu Wanqing's voice shook. ”You...you are Dao Baifeng? A woman of the Baiyi tribe? Once, you wielded a soft whip as your weapon? Am I right?” The Sage of Hollow Jade saw that her expression seemed strange, but didn't harbor any misgivings against the girl. Smiling, she said, ”Yu'er really is good to you. He even told you my full name. Your husband is also half Baiyi, which is probably why he acts so wildly.”

Mu Wanqing asked, ”You truly are Dao Baifeng?” The Sage of Hollow Jade smiled a little. ”Yes, I am.”

Mu Wanqing shouted, ”A master's benevolence is very profound, a master's orders cannot be disobeyed!” With a lift of her right hand, she shot out two poisoned quarrels towards Dao Baifeng's chest. During the banquet, the four of them had talked and laughed together as though they were part of one family. Who could have foreseen that Mu Wanqing would suddenly attack?

Dao Baifeng's martial arts were roughly at the same level as Mu Wanqing to begin with. But at this moment, the distance between them was extremely short, and this attack was so unexpected that she wasn't able to defend herself. It seemed as though those two poisoned quarrels would hit her no matter what. Duan Zhengchun was sitting on the other side of the table, behind Mu Wanqing. He called out, ”Aiyo!” He immediately struck out with a finger, but this finger could only hit Mu Wanqing, and could not save his wife.

Duan Yu had seen Mu Wanqing kill people with those poisoned quarrels many times, and knew that the venom was extremely lethal. In a very short time, the victim's blood would coagulate and choke off the victim's throat. As soon as he saw her wave her sleeves, he immediately knew something was wrong. He was sitting by his mother's side, but unfortunately did not know any martial arts. There was no way for him to deflect this attack. He sprang to his feet, immediately executing his ”Graceful Steps Upon the Waves”. With a slanting horizontal motion, he quickly positioned himself in front of his mother. Bo, bo! The two poisoned quarrels struck him directly in the middle of his stomach. At the same time, Mu Wanqing's back and heart suddenly felt numb, and she fell face-first towards the table, unable to move.

Duan Zhengchun, seeing the desperate situation, flew towards Duan Yu and immediately sealed the eight acupoints surrounding the area where Duan Yu had been struck by the quarrels. This would prevent the poison from spreading throughout the rest of his body for a time. With a flip of his hand and a cracking sound, he immediately dislocated Mu Wanqing's right arm, preventing her from firing off any more quarrels. Then he unsealed her acupoints. In a stern voice, he said, ”Give me the antidote!”

Mu Wanqing's voice trembled. ”I...I only wanted to kill Dao Baifeng. I didn't want to harm my darling Duan.” Resisting the pain from her dislocated right arm, she reached towards the bosom of her clothes and withdrew two bottles filled with an extract of flowers. ”The antidote in the red bottle should be taken internally, and the antidote in the white bottle should be applied externally. Hurry! If you take too long, we won't be able to save him!”

Dao Baifeng saw that her concern for Duan Yu was genuine and unfeigned. She had already roughly guessed the reasons behind the girl's actions. Stretching out her hand, she immediately snatched the medicine. She placed two red pills within her son's mouth. The other bottle was filled with a white powder. She grabbed the end of the quarrels and lightly pulled the two out, then applied a layer of the medicinal powder on top of the wound. Mu Wanqing said, ”Thank heaven! He...his life won't be in danger now, otherwise I...I...”

The three people were extremely anxious. They did not know that Duan Yu had consumed the ”King of Ten Thousand Poisons”, the Cinnabar Toad, and that he was immune to all poisons. The venom on Mu Wanqing's quarrels couldn't do anything to him. Even if the antidote had not been applied, he would have been fine. However, after being shot with the quarrel, Duan Yu felt twinges of pain in his chest. After seeing the lethal effectiveness of the poisoned quarrels so many times, Duan Yu truly believed that he was definitely going to die. In his panic, he fainted within his mother's arms.

Watching carefully, Duan Zhengchun and his wife noticed that within a twinkling of the eye, the color of the blood flowing from Duan Yu's wound had changed. First, it had changed from black to purplish; then, it had turned from purplish to red. Only now did they let out a sigh of relief, knowing that their son's life was saved.

Dao Baifeng carried her son to his bedroom and covered him with a quilt. She took his pulse, and felt that his pulse was strong and steady. There wasn't the slightest sign of any weakness, causing her to be extremely happy. So assured, she returned once more to the dinner hall.

Duan Zhengchun asked, ”No problems?” Dao Baifeng did not answer. Instead, she turned to Mu Wanqing and said, ”Go tell the 'Asura Sabre' [In Buddhist mythology, Asuras are malevolent spirits], Qin Hongmian…” As soon as Duan Zhengchun heard the six words, ” 'The Asura Sabre', Qin Hongmian”, he said, ”You…you…” Dao Baifeng paid no mind to her husband, continuing to address Mu Wanqing. ”Tell her that if she wants to take my life, she should make her attempts openly and honestly. Acting with such maliciousness and deceptiveness, isn't she afraid that people will laugh their heads off?” Mu Wanqing replied, ”I don't know who this 'Asura Sabre', Qin Hongmian is.” Baffled, Dao Baifeng asked, ”Then who is it that ordered you to kill me?”

Mu Wanqing said, ”My master. She ordered me to kill two people. The first person was you. She told me I could identify you by a red mark on your hand. She told me that you are named Dao Baifeng, are of the Baiyi tribe, are very beautiful, and wield a soft whip as your weapon. She…she didn't tell me that you dressed up like a nun. I saw that your weapon was a flywhisk, and are called the 'Sage of Hollow Jade'. I never thought…never thought that you are the person whom Master wishes to kill. Much less that you are Duan Yu's mother…” And as she finished, teardrops cascaded down her face.

Dao Baifeng said, ”The second person your master asked you to kill, is it the ”Lovely Poisonist” Gan Baobao?” Mu Wanqing replied, ”No, no! The ”Lovely Poisonist” Gan Baobao is my martial uncle. She sent people to deliver a message to my master. She said that two people had caused great pain to my master all her life, and that this great wrong must be avenged no matter what…” Dao Baifeng said, ”Ah, I understand. The other woman is surnamed Wang and lives in Suzhou, right?” Surprised, Mu Wanqing said, ”Right. How did you know? I went with my Master to Suzhou to kill her, but this evil woman had a lot of flunkies under her command. Her dwelling was also very strange. Not only was I unable to find her, but her flunkies chased me all the way to Dali instead.”

Duan Zhengchun listened with his head bowed. The color of his face alternated from blue to red.

A tear suddenly rolled down Dao Baifeng's cheek. She said towards Duan Zhengchun, ”Please take good care of Yu'er and instruct him well. I…I'm leaving now.” Duan Zhengchun said, ”Dearest phoenix [the 'feng' character in Baifeng stands for phoenix], that's all in the past. Why are you taking it to heart?” Dao Baifeng said softly, ”You aren't taking it to heart, but I am, and so are other people.” Suddenly, her body flew into the air, and she leapt towards a window.

Duan Zhengchun extended his hand to grasp at her sleeve, but Dao Baifeng waved her own and shot a palm towards his face. Duan Zhengchun turned his face to avoid the blow. With a tearing sound, he ripped off half of her sleeves with his hand. Turning her head, Dao Baifeng said angrily, ”Are you really intending to fight me?” Duan Zhengchun said, ”Dearest phoenix, you…” With a kick of her legs, Dao Baifeng shot into the air, landing on the top of a nearby room. Within a few movements, she had already moved a hundred feet away.

From far away, Chu Wanli's voice could be faintly heard. ”Who is it?” Dao Baifeng replied, ”It's me.” Chu Wanli said, ”Ah, so it is the princess…” After this, nothing more could be heard. Dao Baifeng was far away.

Duan Zhengchun sadly remained standing for a long time. Then, with a sigh, he returned to the warm pavilion. He saw that Mu Wanqing's face was extremely pale, but that she had not fled. Duan Zhengchun reached out and took a hold of her right arm with his hands. With a ”ka” sound, he popped her dislocated arm back in place. Mu Wanqing thought to herself, ”I attacked his wife with poison quarrels. I wonder how he is going to torture me?” But Duan Zhengchun only sat down dispiritedly and slowly poured himself a cup of tea. With a 'gu' sound, he drained it all in one go.

Duan Zhengchun stared at the window from which his wife had fled as though he were in a trance. After a long time passed, he slowly poured himself a second cup of tea. 'Gu'. He drained this one in one go as well. Pouring a cup, draining a cup. He repeated this twelve or thirteen times. After finishing the pot of tea, he reached out and grabbed another pot, this one filled with wine. As with before, he poured very slowly, but drank extremely quickly.

Finally, Mu Wanqing became impatient. ”What type of strange, vicious way of punishing me are you devising? Whatever it is, hurry up and use it!”

Duan Zhengchun lifted his head to stare at her. After some time had passed, he shook his head and sighed. ”So similar. So very similar! I should have realized a long time ago. Your appearance. Your temper…”

Mu Wanqing had no idea what he was babbling about. ”What are you talking about?” She asked. ”You're full of rubbish!”

Duan Zhengchun did not reply. Rising to his feet, he sent a backwards palm with his left hand. With a swishing sound, a candle was extinguished by his palm wind. He immediately followed this with another backwards palm with his right hand. A second candle was unexpectedly snuffed out. In this manner, he sent out five palms behind him and extinguished five candles. All throughout, his gaze was towards the front, and yet the palms flowed out like rolling clouds or running water, with natural ease.

Mu Wanqing said in shock, ”This is…this is the 'Five Gentle Smoke Palms'. How do you know this skill?” Duan Zhengchun laughed bitterly. ”Did your master teach it to you?” Mu Wanqing said, ”My master told me that she would never teach this to anyone, and that she would take it to her coffin with her.” Duan Zhengchun nodded. ”Huh. She said that she would never teach it to anybody, and that she would take it to the grave?” Mu Wanqing said, ”Right! But whenever she thought I wasn't watching, she would often practice this set of palms by herself. So I'm used to seeing it by now.” Duan Zhengchun said, ”She would often practice this set of palm strokes by herself?” Mu Wanqing nodded. ”Yes. Every time after she was done practicing this set of palms, she would become very angry and curse me out. How…how is it that you know it as well? And it seems as though you're even more skilled in it than my master!”

Duan Zhengchun let out a sigh. ”This 'Five Gentle Smoke Palms' was taught by me to your master.”

Mu Wanqing was shocked, but she couldn't help but believe him. She saw in the past that when her master practiced this art, that often there would be one candle that she couldn't extinguish, and would force her to have to send out a second or third palm. Her skill definitely was not as high as that of Duan Zhengchun, who exercised the set of palms as his heart desired, as though he were effortlessly wiping away wine. She stuttered, ”So you are my master's master…so you would be my grandmaster?”

Duan Zhengchun shook his head. ”No!” Resting his cheek on one hand, he mused to himself, ”So every time after she practiced this set of palms, she would be angry. She said that she wouldn't teach anyone this skill, and would take it to her grave…” Mu Wanqing asked, ”Then you…” Duan Zhengchun waved his hand, signaling for her to stop asking. After a while, he suddenly asked, ”You are eighteen this year. You were born in September, right?” Mu Wanqing sprang to her feet. Shocked, she asked, ”How do you know everything about me? What relation do you have with my master?!”

A look of great pain was on Duan Zhengchun's face. In a hoarse voice, he said, ”I…I unforgivably wronged your master. Wan'er, you…” My Wanqing asked, ”Why? From what I've seen, you have a kind disposition and are a good person.” Duan Zhengchun said, ”Your master has never told you her name?” Mu Wanqing said, ”My master told me that she is called the 'Guest of the Secluded Valley'. Her real name or her surname, I have no idea.” Duan Zhengchun softly repeated to himself, ” 'Guest of the Secluded Valley'…'Guest of the Secluded Valley'...” Suddenly, he remembered Du Fu's [one of China's most famous poets] poem, 'Beautiful Maiden'. Every single word in the poem suddenly tingled in his heart. ”A peerless beauty, residing in an empty valley. She proclaims herself as being from a good family, but is fallen like rotted trees or decayed grass. Her husband is a philanderer, and his new woman is as beautiful as jade. Hearing the new woman laugh, the previous wife can but cry…”

After a long time, he asked again. ”How has your master lived her life, all these years? Where have you lived?” Mu Wanqing replied, ”My master and I have lived in a deep valley which was hidden behind a tall mountain. My master said that it was called the 'Secluded Valley'. It wasn't until now that the two of us left it.” Duan Zhengchun said, ”Who are your parents? Your master never told you?” Mu Wanqing said, ”My master told me that I am an orphan who was abandoned by my parents. She found me by the side of a road and took me in and raised me.” Duan Zhengchun asked, ”Do you hate your mother and father?” Mu Wanqing inclined her head. She lightly bit at the pinky of her left hand.

Seeing this, Duan Zhengchun felt an boundless distress in his heart. Mu Wanqing saw two large tears roll down his face. Very much surprised, she asked, ”Why are you crying?” Duan Zhengchun turned is face away, drying his tears. With a strong laugh, he said, ”How was I crying? I drank too much. The alcohol is taking effect.” Mu Wanqing didn't believe him. ”I clearly saw you cry. Only women cry. Men cry as well? I've never seen a male cry, besides little children.”

Duan Zhengchun saw that she was inexperienced with worldly affairs, and felt even more miserable. ”Wan'er, in the future, I promise to take good care of you. I will try to make up for my past mistakes. If there's anything you desire, just let me know, and I will definitely obtain it for you.”

Mu Wanqing had just shot poisoned quarrels towards his wife. She was feeling very worried, but upon hearing Duan Zhengchun's words, happily said, ”I shot quarrels towards your wife. You aren't going to blame me?” Duan Zhengchun said, ”It is as you yourself said. 'A master's benevolence is very profound, a master's orders cannot be disobeyed.' The affairs of the previous generation have nothing to do with you. Naturally, I won't blame you. But you must never be disrespectful to my wife again.” Mu Wanqing asked, ”In the future, if my master starts to ask questions, what shall I say?”

Duan Zhengchun said, ”Take me to see your master. I'll personally explain to her.” Mu Wanqing clapped her hands. ”Great, great!” But immediately, she wrinkled her forehead. ”My master often says that all men are people who are faithless and unkind. She never meets men.”

A strange expression flashed across Duan Zhengchun's face. ”Your master never meets with men?” Mu Wanqing said, ”Yes. Whenever my master needs rice or salt, she always has Granny Liang go shop for her. Once, when Granny Liang was sick, she had her son do it instead. Master was extremely angry. She ordered him to place it far away outside, and would not allow him to enter the room.”

Duan Zhengchun sighed. ”Hongmian, Hongmian. Why must you make your own life so miserable?”

Mu Wanqing said, ”You said the words 'Hongmian' again. Who, exactly, is 'Hongmian'?” Duan Zhengchun hesitated for a moment. ”This can't be hidden from you forever. Your master's real name is Qin Hongmian. Her nickname is the 'Asura Sabre'.” Mu Wanqing nodded. ”Ah. No wonder your wife, upon seeing me shoot out those short quarrels, asked me in such an angry manner as to what my relationship was with the 'Asura Sabre', Qin Hongmian. At that time, I really didn't know. I wasn't trying to deceive her on purpose. So my master's name is Qin Hongmian? It's a very pretty name. I don't know why she didn't tell me it.”

Duan Zhengcun said, ”I hurt your arm just a while ago. Does it still pain you?” Mu Wanqing saw that a warm, caring expression was on his face. She smiled slightly. ”It's much better now. Let's go take a look…take a look at your son. Okay? I'm afraid that the toxin on the quarrel won't disappear immediately.” Duan Zhengchun said, ”Alright!” As he stood up, he added, ”If there's anything you desire, just tell me.”

Suddenly, Mu Wanqing flushed, as a blushing red colored her face. Lowering her head, she said, ”I'm just afraid…afraid that I shot quarrels towards your wife, and she'll resent me.” Duan Zhengchun said, ”Let's slowly beg her forgiveness. Maybe in the future, she won't be so angry.” Mu Wanqing said, ”I'm not the type of person who begs others. But for the sake of my darling Duan, it's no big deal to beg her.” She suddenly summoned all her courage and said, ”South-Subduing Prince, if I tell you my wish, will you really…will you really achieve it for me?”

Duan Zhengchun said, ”So long as it is within my power, I will definitely make your wish become a reality.” Mu Wanqing said, ”The words you have said, you can't go back on!” A slight smile appearing on his face, Duan Zhengchun walked to her side. Extending his hand, he lightly stroked her hair. His eyes overflowing with love, he said, ”I naturally won't go back on my word.” Mu Wanqing said, ”You must make sure my marriage with him goes through. Don't let him renege on it.” After saying this, her face glowed radiantly.

The expression on Duan Zhengchun's face immediately changed. He slowly backed away and sat down in a chair. Quite some time passed without him saying a single word. Mu Wanqing felt something was amiss. Her body quivering, she said, ”You…you won't allow it?” Duan Zhengchun said, ”You definitely cannot marry Yu'er.” His voice was sluggish and slow, but the tone was extremely certain. Mu Wanqing's heart froze. Sadly, she said, ”Why? He…he personally agreed to marry me.” Duan Zhengchun only replied, ”Karmic sin…karmic sin!” Mu Wanqing said, ”If he doesn't want me, I…I will kill him, then kill myself. I swore a heavy oath in front of my master.” Duan Zhengchun slowly shook his head. ”Can't!” Mu Wanqing impatiently said, ”I'm going to go ask him right now. Why can't I?”

Duan Zhengchun said, ”Yu'er…he himself…he himself doesn't know.” He saw the look of intense suffering on Mu Wanqing's face, identical to the expression which would appear on the face of Qin Hongmian eighteen years ago, when she received the sad news of the passing of a beloved person. He could no longer hold himself back, and the words rushed out of him. ”You may not marry Yu'er, and you may not kill him either!” Mu Wanqing said, ”Why?” Duan Zhengchun said, ”Because…because…because Duan Yu is your brother by blood!”

Mu Wanqing's eyes widened. She could hardly believe her ears. Her voice shaking, she said, ”Wha…what? You're telling me Duan Yu is my brother?” Duan Zhengchun said, ”Wan'er, do you know who your master is? She is your birth mother. I…I am your father.”

Mu Wanqing was both terror-stricken and furious. Not a hint of color could be seen on her face. Stamping her feet, she said, ”I don't believe you! I don't believe you! I…I don't believe you!”

Suddenly, a female voice let out a long sigh from outside the window. ”Wan'er, let's go home.” Mu Wanqing suddenly came to her senses, and called out, ”Master!” The window suddenly opened. Outside stood a middle-aged woman. She had a sharp face and two slender eyebrows. Her appearance was extremely attractive. But in her eyes was a mixture of stubbornness and maliciousness.

Duan Zhengchun saw that his former lover Qin Hongmian had suddenly appeared. He was filled with a mixture of surprise and joy. He called out, ”Hongmian, Hongmian. These many past years, I've…I've missed you so painfully.”

Qin Hongmian called out, ”Wan'er, come out! A home belonging to such a heartless, faithless man. We can't even stay here as guests.”

Seeing the expressions on Duan Zhengchun and Qin Hongmian's faces, Mu Wanqing's heart grew still colder. ”Master, he…he lied to me. He said you are my mother, and that he is…he is my father.” Qin Hongmian replied, ”Your mother died long ago. Your father is also dead.”

Duan Zhengchun rushed to the window. ”Hongmian, come in. Let me gaze upon you a bit longer. Don't leave me. Let's always be together from now on.” Qin Hongmian's gaze suddenly brightened, and she happily replied, ”You just said that we'd always be together from now on. Are these words of yours sincere?” Duan Zhengchun replied, ”Absolutely! Hongmian, there hasn't been a single day that passed where I did not think of you.” Qin Hongmian said, ”You can bear parting with Dao Baifeng?” Duan Zhengchun hesitated, unable to respond. An awkward expression appeared on his face. Qin Hongmian said, ”If you have any pity at all for our daughter, come with me now. You must never think of Dao Baifeng again, and you must never come back here.”

Listening to the two speak, Mu Wanqing felt her heart sink lower and lower. Tears began to gather at the corner of her eyes. The forms of both her master and Duan Zhengchun appeared only as blurs. She knew that the two people standing before her really were her parents. Even if she wanted to deny it, she couldn't. These past few days, she had truly fallen deep in love. But it turned out that the man of her dreams, her darling Duan, was actually her step-brother, who had the same father but a different mother. Her dreams of 'flying together like mandarin ducks', of 'growing old white hairs together', all evaporated like mist.

She heard Duan Zhengchun gently respond, ”But I am the South-Subduing Prince of Dali. I administer critical affairs of state both civil and military. I can't leave for even a day…” Only to hear Qin Hongmian harshly say, ”Eighteen years ago, these were the words you used. Now, today, eighteen years later, you are using the same words. Duan Zhengchun, oh, Duan Zhengchun! You heartless, faithless man. I…I hate you so much.”

Suddenly, from the rooftops of the eastern rooms, could be heard three 'pa' sounds of palms being exchanged. From the west as well could be heard the sounds of people exchanging palms. Immediately afterwards, Gao Shengtai and Chu Wanli's voices said simultaneously, ”Assassins! Brothers, remain on guard at your positions. Do not act rashly!”

Qin Hongmian loudly shouted, ”Wan'er! You still aren't coming out?”

Mu Wanqing replied, ”Yes!” She flew out of the building from the window, throwing herself in the arms of this woman who doubled as her birth mother and as her benevolent master.

Duan Zhengchun said, ”Hongmian, are you really going to just leave me like this?” An extreme sense of misery and bitterness permeated his voice.

Qin Hongmian's voice suddenly turned soft and gentle. ”Brother Chun, you've been a prince for decades now. Haven't you had enough? Come with me. From now on, I'll be obedient to you and listen to your every word. I won't dare to curse at you even slightly, or hit you a single time. Look at our adorable daughter. Can you possibly not cherish her?” Duan Zhengchun was suddenly moved, and blurted out without thinking, ”Alright! I'll go with you!” Qin Hongmian was ecstatic. She stretched out her right hand and waited for him to take it.

Suddenly, a female voice rang out icily behind her. ”Martial sister, you…you've been deceived by him once again. He'll humor you a few days. After that, he'll go back to being the prince here.” Turning his head, shock filled Duan Zhengchun's heart. He called out, ”Baobao [this can also translate as 'precious' or 'babe']! It's you! You came as well!”

Mu Wanqing turned her head, and saw that the woman who spoke wore a green silk blouse. It was Madame Zhong of the ”Ten Thousand Calamity Gorge”, her own martial uncle, the ”Lovely Poisonist” Gan Baobao. Four people stood behind her. One was Ye Erniang, another was Yun Zhonghe, and the third was the Divine Crocodile of the Southern Seas, who had so recently arrived and departed. What surprised her all the more was that the fourth person was Duan Yu. The Divine Crocodile's big, meaty hand was clamped on his neck. Whenever he wanted to, he could snap Duan Yu's neck. Mu Wanqing called out, ”My darling Duan! Are you alright?!”

Duan Yu had been resting in bed. Slipping in and out of consciousness, he had been abducted from his room by the Divine Crocodile. He hadn't been poisoned at all. The lethality of Mu Wanqing's poisoned quarrels rested in the word 'poison', not in the word 'quarrel'. A minor quarrel wound would cause him no real harm. Stunned into wakefulness by his abduction, he overheard the conversation between his father, Mu Wanqing, and Qin Hongmian. Although he didn't hear everything, he managed to guess eighty or ninety percent of it. Hearing Mu Wanqing continue to address him as 'her darling Duan', sourness filled his heart. ”Little sister, from now on, there will be sibling love between the two of us. Things will be the same.”

Mu Wanqing angrily replied, ”No. No, it isn't the same. You are the first man to ever see my face.” But she suddenly remembered that both of them were sired by Duan Zhengchun. Brothers and sisters cannot wed. If anyone in the world had tried to disrupt her marriage, she could shoot out those poisoned quarrels and kill them. But the thing which was preventing her marriage was natural law and the will of heaven. No matter how high her martial arts level was, or how great her power, there was no way to get around it. Suddenly, she felt that everything around her had turned to gray ash. With a kick of her legs, she rapidly began to run away. Qin Hongmian urgently called, ”Wan'er! Where are you going?”

Mu Wanqing didn't even care about her master now. She said, ”You harmed me. I'm not going to pay attention to you anymore.” And she sped up her footsteps.

As she ran, a palace guardsman extended his arms towards her, barking out, ”Who is it?” With a wave of her sleeves, Mu Wanqing shot out her poisoned quarrels, striking the guardsman directly on the throat. She didn't pause at all, and in an instant, disappeared within the darkness of the night.

Duan Zhengchun saw that his son had been taken captive by the Divine Crocodile, and had no idea where his daughter had run off to. Extending a finger, he struck towards the Divine Crocodile. Ye Erniang intercepted him with a palm of her own, chopping towards his wrist veins. Duan Zhengchun flipped his hand, reversing it into a hooking attack. With a laugh, Ye Erniang flicked her middle finger towards the back of his hand. Within the blink of an eye, these two pugilists had exchanged three stances. In his mind, Duan Zhengchun was secretly startled. ”So this b.itch is this powerful?”

Extending her hand, Qin Hongmian reached out and pressed her palm against the top of Duan Yu's head. She called out, ”Do you want to preserve son's life or not?” Shocked, Duan Zhengchun stayed his hand. He knew that she had always had a terrible temper. She hated his wife, Dao Baifeng, to the core. He feared that in her anger, she might exert her strength and take Duan Yu's life.

He hurriedly replied, ”Hongmian, my son was struck by your daughter's poison arrows. His wounds are not light.” Qin Hongmian replied, ”He's already taken the antidote. He won't die. I'm going to take him away from here for now. I want to see if you want to be the prince more, or if you want your son more.” The Divine Crocodile laughed uproariously. ”In the end, this kid will still have to take me as his master.” Duan Zhengchun replied, ”Hongmian, I'll agree to anything. Just let go of my son.”

The love which Qin Hongmian felt for Duan Zhengchun hadn't waned even a little in the eighteen years which had passed. Hearing him speak so anxiously, her heart softened. ”You really...really will agree to anything?” Duan Zhengchun replied, ”Yes, yes!” Madame Zhong interjected, ”Martial sister, are you going to believe the words of this heartless man again? Mr. Yue Number Two, let's go.”

The Divine Crocodile straightened his body. While carrying Duan Yu, he suddenly rose in the air. In the blink of an eye, he landed on the roof of the adjoining room. Immediately afterwards, Ye Erniang and Yun Zhonghe followed him, then each struck a palace guardsmen and threw them to the ground.

Madame Zhong called out, ”Duan Zhengchun! Are we going to have a fight today?”

If Duan Zhengchun summoned all the forces in his palace, he wouldn't necessarily be unable to defeat these people. But his son had fallen into their hands. It would be difficult to obtain victory via force of arms. Not to mention, the relationship between him and the two sisters standing before him was anything but ordinary. In a soft voice, he said, ”Baobao, you...you've also come to make things difficult for me?”

Madame Zhong replied, ”I am the wife of Zhong Wanchou. What type of nonsense are you speaking? You have no right to address me in such a way.”

Duan Zhengchun said, ”Baobao, all these years, I've often been thinking of you.” Madame Zhong's eyes suddenly reddened. ”That day I found out that Duan Yu was your son, my heart...my heart was filled with such agony.” Her voice had softened as well. Qin Hongmian called out, ”Martial sister! Are you also going to fall for his lies?” Madame Zhong pulled at Qin Hongmian's hand and yelled, ”Alright. Let's go!”

Turning her head, she said, ”If you come pay your respects at the Ten-Thousand Calamities Gorge holding Dao Baifeng's head in your hand, maybe we'll return your son to you.”

Duan Zhengchun said, ”The Ten-Thousand Calamities Gorge?!” He saw that the Divine Crocodile was getting farther and farther away, and that Gao Shengtai and Chu Wanli were leading men to intercept him from all sides. With a sigh, Duan Zhengchun called out, ”Worthy brother Gao, let them go.” Gao Shengtai called back, ”But the young prince...” Duan Zhengchun replied, ”We'll slowly think of a way to get him back.”

As he was speaking, he flew to Gao Shengtai's side. He called out, ”The assassins have retreated. Everyone, return to your original position.” With a sway of his body, he then arrived next to Madame Zhong. In a soft voice, he said, ”Baobao, have you been well, these past years?” Madame Zhong replied, ”Why wouldn't I be well?” Noiselessly, Duan Zhengchun sent out a silent finger and struck her on her 'Zhangmen' acupoint at her waist. Madame Zhong didn't manage to react in time, and her body immediately turned soft. Duan Zhengchun stretched out his left hand and caught her. Pretending to be alarmed, he called out, ”Oh no! Baobao, what happened?”

Qin Hongmian was unaware of the trickery which had just occurred. She rushed over to their side and asked, ”Martial sister, are you alright?” Duan Zhengchun then struck out with his ”Solitary Solar Finger” and sealed off the 'Zhangmen' acupoint on her waist as well. Their vital acupoints struck, Qin Hongmian and Madame Zhong were now trapped in Duan Zhengchun's embrace, and he hugged one of them with each arm. [Translator's note: ROFL!!! What a player...]

The two simultaneously cast him hateful glares, thinking to themselves, ”Tricked by him again. Am I really as silly as this? All my life, I've been deceived by him. At a critical point such as this, I still wasn't vigilant against him.” Duan Zhengchun called out, ”Worthy brother Gao, your internal injuries haven't fully healed yet. Hurry back to your room and rest. Wanli, you take command of the guards and have them remain vigilant.” Gao Shengtai and Chu Wanli bowed and obeyed.

Clasping one woman under each arm, Duan Zhengchun returned with them to the insides of the warm pavilion. He ordered the cooks and maids to restart the banquet, once more preparing cups and plates.

After everyone else retired, Duan Zhengchun struck the 'Huantiao' and 'Ququan' acupoints on the two women's legs, preventing them from walking. Then, with a smile, he released the 'Zhangmen' acupoint on their waist. Qin Hongmian shouted loudly, ”Duan Zhengchun! You still are trying to bully people...” Duan Zhengchun turned around and clasped his hands to greet them. ”I am sorry for my offense. I'll offer you my apologies right here and now.” Qin Hongmian angrily responded, ”Who wants your apologies?! Release us immediately!”

Duan Zhengchun replied, ”The three of us haven't met for over ten years. It's rare that we can meet like this. We have countless things to say to each other. Hongmian, you're always so impetuous. Baobao, you're even more beautiful than before. You look as though you are even younger than when we were together in the past.” Madame Zhong did not reply. Qin Hongmian angrily said, ”Let me go now! So my martial sister is even more beautiful than before. I guess that means I'm even uglier and more freakish than before! Why would you want to stare at an ugly old hag like me?”

Duan Zhengchun quickly replied, ”Hongmian, take a look in a mirror and see for yourself. If you are an ugly old hag, then when those literary men write essays describing 'peerless beauties', they would have to include the line, ”A face which can mesmerize fish and geese, bearing the appearance of an ugly old hag.”

Qin Hongmian couldn't help but let out a laugh. She was about to stamp her foot coquettishly, but her legs were paralyzed. Her anger renewed, she replied, ”Nobody came here to exchange jokes with you! Grinning and smiling like an idiotic monkey. What type of prince are you?”

Under the candlelight, Duan Zhengchun saw the angry expression on her face and suddenly recalled one evening long ago. His heart was suddenly moved, and he walked forwards and kissed her on the cheek. Qin Hongmian's upper body was not paralyzed, and with a clear, cracking sound, she slapped him on the face. If Duan Zhengchun had wanted to dodge, it wouldn't be difficult at all. But he purposefully let her hit him. In a low voice, he whispered by her ear, ”To die beneath the asura sabres, even as a ghost I would roam carefree.”

Qin Hongmian's entire body trembled. Tears began to flow down her face, and she began to cry loudly. ”You...you are saying these lascivious words again...” In the past, Qin Hongmian wielded a pair of asura sabres as she roamed the jianghu, which is why her nickname became the ”Asura Sabre”. The day she gave herself to Duan Zhengchun, he had kissed her on the cheek, and she had slapped him on the face. His response was precisely the same two lines which he just uttered. ”To die beneath the asura sabres, even as a ghost I would roam carefree.” These words had been replayed in her heart thousands of times. At this moment, hearing him once more say these words, she felt both happy and angry, sweet and bitter, as a hundred emotions flooded her.

Madame Zhong said in a low voice, ”Martial sister, this fellow excels in using sweet and honeyed words to please others. Are you really going to fall for it again?” Qin Hongmian said, ”Right. Right! I'll never believe your lies again!”

These words were directed towards Duan Zhengchun. Duan Zhengchun walked to Madame Zhong's side. Laughing, he said, ”Baobao, let me kiss your face as well. Will you allow me to?” Madame Zhong replied in a stately voice, ”I am a married woman. I will not allow anyone to ruin the good name of my husband. If you so much as touch me, I will immediately bite my tongue off and swallow it, suffocating myself and dying in front of you.”

Seeing the cold expression on her face, and hearing how resolute and unhesitating her words were, Duan Zhengchun didn't dare to behave with impropriety. He asked, ”Baobao, what type of husband did you marry yourself to?” Madame Zhong said, ”My husband is ugly in appearance, has a strange temperament, inferior martial arts compared to you, inferior talent compared to you, and certainly does not have your riches and glorious life. But he loves me whole-heartedly, and I treat him the same way. If I, Gan Baobao, do anything to betray him, let heaven punish me and the earth extinguish me, and let ten thousand calamities prevent me from being reincarnated. I'll tell you something right now. The place where I live with him is called the 'Ten Thousand Calamities Gorge'. The name comes from this deadly oath I have sworn.”

Duan Zhengchun couldn't help but feel respect in his heart, and no longer dared to bring up their old love from bygone days. But even though he no longer spoke of it, he saw that Gan Baobao's white, tender face was as beautiful as it was in the past, as was her slightly lifted, cherry-red lips. How could he forget about their former passion? Hearing how devoted she was to her husband from her speech, he couldn't help but feel sourness in his heart. He let out a long sigh. ”Baobao, I am an unlucky man. I don't have the fortune to be treated so well by you. Initially...initially, I knew you before he did. Alas! It is my own fault.”

Madame Zhong heard the desolate sound of his voice and the profound, sincere emotions in it. These words were not said to deceive her. Once again, her eyes reddened.

The three people silently faced each other, all of their thoughts wandering to the past. In all three of their hearts was a mixture of joy and sorrow.

After a long while, Duan Zhengchun gently asked, ”You've kidnapped my son. Why? Baobao, where is your Ten Thousand Calamities Gorge?”

From outside the window, a grating voice said, ”Do not tell him.” Duan Zhengchun was startled, and thought to himself, ”Chu Wanli and the others are standing guard outside. How did this person manage to sneak his way in?” Madame Zhong's face dropped. ”Your injuries aren't healed yet. What are you doing here?”

Following her words, a female voice rang out. ”Mr. Zhong, please enter.” Upon hearing this voice, Duan Zhengchun was even more surprised. He couldn't help but blush fiercely, his face turning red all the way to his ears.

The curtained door to the warm pavilion was parted, and Dao Baifeng walked in. A furious expression was on her face, and behind her followed an exceptionally ugly man with a long, horse-like face.

As it turned out, Qin Hongmian's mission of assassination in Gusu was a failure, and she was parted from her beloved daughter. Consequently, as had been agreed upon, she came south to Dali to visit with her martial sister. The Wang family of Gusu sent Granny Rui and Granny Ping to pursue and attack Mu Wanqing. But because Qin Hongmian fell behind by a bit, her journey was peaceful and undisturbed. After arriving at the Ten Thousand Calamities Gorge, in order to ascertain the situation, she came out with Madame Zhong.

On the road, she came upon the 'Three Evils', Ye Erniang, the Divine Crocodile of the Southern Seas, and Yun Zhonghe. These 'Three Evils' had been invited by Zhong Wanchou to help assist him in his efforts against Duan Zhengchun, and immediately began discussing the situation with Madame Zhong. Naturally, the matter of the Divine Crocodile having accepted Duan Yu as his master was glossed over. Upon hearing that Mu Wanqing was currently residing within Dali's South-Subduing Palace, Qin Hongmian immediately accompanied them to the palace.

Zhong Wanchou loved his wife even more than his own life, and was an extremely jealous person to begin with. Ever since she had left, he had been very restless and could not find any peace of mind. He no longer cared that his injury was as-yet not fully healed, and secret left at midnight to follow her. Outside the South-Subduing Palace, he ran into Dao Baifeng, who was about to leave. Both were filled with a belly full of anger. Each began to insult the other, and soon, the two came to blows. After fighting for some time, Dao Baifeng was slowly finding it hard to sustain herself. Then suddenly a person dressed in black flitted past, her face covered with sobs. It was Mu Wanqing. Both of them called out to her, but she ignored them both and fled.

Zhong Wanchou shouted, ”I'm going to go find my wife. I don't have the time to spare, fighting you!” Dao Baifeng asked, ”Where are you going to find your wife?” Zhong Wanchou replied, ”The home of Duan Zhengchun, that thieving dog. If my wife meets up with him, everything will become disastrous!”

Dao Baifeng asked him, ”Why will everything become disastrous?” Zhong Wanchou replied, ”Duan Zhengchun is full of sweet and honeyed words. He's a pretty boy who knows how to deceive women. I definitely must kill him!”

Dao Baifeng thought to herself, ”Zhengchun is in his forties now, and has a large beard. How can he be considered a 'pretty boy'? But he really does have a playboy's heart. This horse-faced man's words can't be ignored.” Inquiring as to who his wife was, she realized that the person was Gan Baobao. She knew long ago that the 'Lovely Poisonist' Gan Baobao was one of her husband's former flames. Her jealousy became all the greater, and she immediately accompanied Zhong Wanchou and returned to the palace.

Even though the palace was tightly guarded, upon seeing the princess, the guardsmen would naturally give way. And so the two easily made their way to the warm pavilion without a single person issuing a warning call. The words which Duan Zhengchun had said to Gan Baobao and Qin Hongmian, his teasing and his flirting, had been heard by both of them from outside the window. Listening, Dao Baifeng was so infuriated that her chest felt as though it would explode. Zhong Wanchou, on the other hand, listening to how properly his wife behaved, was filled with ecstatic joy.

Zhong Wanchou rushed to his wife's side, filled with affection and happiness. He winded around her multiple times, then said, ”Baobao, thank you...thank you for being so good to me. If he dares to bully you, I'll fight to the death with him.” A long time passed before he realized that his wife's acupoints had been sealed. Turning his head, he barked towards Duan Zhengchun, ”Hurry up and unseal my wife's acupoints!”

Duan Zhengchun replied, ”My son has been abducted by you. Once you release my son, I naturally will release your lady wife.”

Zhong Wanchou stretched out his hands and struck the acupoints on his wife's waist. But no matter how he pinched or struck, he was unable to unseal them. Although his internal energy was very strong, the technique behind the Duan family's ”Solitary Solar Finger” was unparalleled under heaven, and outsiders could not hope to counter it. He exerted so much effort that all his muscles bulged.