Chapter - 32 Nobody Can Control My Carefree Self (1/2)

When Xu Zhu step out of the wooden house he cannot help but be startled, there is a huge fire pillar on the ground, numerous pine tree had collapsed and scattered disorderly over the area. He did not stay in the wooden house for long but the outside situation changed drastically, he assume these pine trees must have been knock down by someone while he fainted and he did not hear them while he was in the house.

Outside the house, the flaming pillar separated two groups of people. The Deaf Mute Old Man Su XingHe is standing on the right-hand side, XuanNan and the rest of Shaolin monks, Kang GuangLing, Xue MuHua, etc, all of them standing behind Su XingHe. The Old Freak of XingXiu is standing on the left-hand side, iron-head man You TanZhi and the rest of XingXiu disciples are standing behind Ding ChunQiu. Murong Fu, Wang YuYan, Duan Yu, Jiumozhi, Duan YanQing, Crocodile Deity of Southern Sea, etc, all of them standing at a distant place, they did not help either side.

Su XingHe and Ding ChunQiu, both of them are waving their palms and pushing the column of fire towards each other. The column of fire is leaning to the right, evidently Ding ChunQiu already gained a huge lead.

Everyone squinted and look at the burning pillar, none of them paid any attention to Xu Zhu who just came out of the house. Naturally, Wang YuYan is only worried about Murong Fu and Duan Yu is only worried about Wang YuYan, both of them are not looking at the fire pillar and they also paid no attention to Xu Zhu.

Xu Zhu move past their backs and went to the right-hand side and stood beside his martial uncle HuiFang, he saw the column of fire moving closer and closer to the right, Su XingHe's clothes seems to be inflated with air, its as if his only a boat and sailing rapidly against the wind, both his palms push forward continuously.

However, Ding ChunQiu's expression remain cheerful, as if nothing had happened, he wave his sleeves lightly, seemingly indifferent. His disciples praise out loudly:

”Divine Elder of XingXiu lifting heavy weights as if its feather, his divine skills unrivalled, he let you all broaden you horizon today.”

”My Master is trying to give lessons to bystander, thus he slowly display his divine skills, else he would had exterminate this old man Su with a single palm.”

”Who is not convinced, come forward and have a taste of Divine Elder of XingXiu's divine skills.”

”All of you are timid and cowardly, there is no harm even if you join up and act together!”

”Since ancient times, no one can match Divine Elder of XingXiu! You are a mantis blocking a cart, courting disaster and digging your own grave.”

Jiumozhi, Murong Fu, Duan YanQing, all of them thought: ”If the few of us here join hands and attack Ding ChunQiu together, even though Ding ChunQiu is powerful, he still can't resist the combined assault of numerous top experts.” But firstly, everyone valued their status and dignity, they will never join hands and gang up against a single person, secondly, the battle between Deaf Mute Old Man and Old Freak of XingXiu is an internal affair, its not convenient for outsiders to interfere, thirdly, they are suspicious of each other, they are afraid of getting back-stabbed and taken advantaged of if they join up together and attack, hence even though the disciples of XingXiu praise their Master up till heaven, Juimozhi and the rest only smiled and ignored them.

Suddenly the column of fire move forward and spit fire, it landed on Su XingHe, there is a burning stench, Su XingHe's beard was completely burnt off. Su XingHe exerted himself and tried to resist, he manage to push back the column of fire but the flame is only 2 chi away from his body, the flame lengthen and rattled, its like a large python opening its mouth and sticking out it tongue, trying to bite him. Xu Zhu is secretly alarmed: ”I am afraid Benefactor Su is about to be burnt alive by Benefactor Ding, what should i do?”

Suddenly there are drum noises, followed immediately by two thumping sound, the gongs and drums rang out, it seems the XingXiu disciples concealed their cymbals, gongs and drums in their bosom, they took out these instruments and started playing songs to praise their Master awe-inspiring authority, some of them wave green, yellow, red and purple flags, they shouted loudly and rallied. Currently, two martial art experts are competing internal energy, unexpectedly there are bystanders cheering on with gongs and drums, such a weird event has never been seen before. Juimozhi burst into loud laughter and said: ”Old Freak of XingXiu really have thick skin, his really one of kind since ancient times!”

Amidst the gongs and drums, a XingXiu disciple took out a sheet of paper, he recited loudly, its a parallel prose titled: ”Praising Divine Elder of XingXiu Displaying His Might In Central Plains”. Nobody knows how he found some rotten scholar to compose such praises, the contents are really flattering to the extreme, the song and praises mix in with the noises from the gongs and drums.

But these songs and praises are not completely useless, along with the internal energy of Old Freak of XingXiu, its like adding fuel to fire and aided his power. Amidst the songs and praises the column of fire intensified and move forward another half chi.

Suddenly there are numerous footsteps, 20 over men rush out from behind the house and they block in front of Su XingHe, these deaf and mute men are the ones that carried XuanNan and the rest up the mountain, they are the disciples of Su XingHe. Ding ChunQiu press on with his palm, the column of fire landed on the bodies of these 20 men, at once there is 'Chi Chi' sound, these men had their skin and flesh charred. Su XingHe wanted to wave his palm to push these men away but they are too far away from him and he did not have sufficient palm strength. These 20 men stood upright, their bodies are burning but they never move at all, but because they can't speak the scene is even more tragic and moving.

When the rest of the spectators saw it they were emotionally moved, even Wang YuYan and Duan Yuan cannot help but turn their head and look at them. The fire is raging and it wrapped around these 20 deaf and mute men. Duan Yu shouted: ”You cannot be so cruel!” he extended his right hand, his about to execute his [Six Meridians Divine Sword] to attack Ding ChunQiu, however he don't know the proper method to channel the sword, his abundant internal energy just move around in circles inside his body and he can't fire it out from his finger. Duan Yu perspired profusely, he shouted: ”Young master Murong, quickly stop him!”

Murong Fu said: ”Brother Duan you are here, little brother don't dare to display his lowly skills in front of an expert. Brother Duan, please display a move from you [Six Meridians Divine Sword]!”

Duan YanQing arrive late for the chess meet, he did not see Duan Yu's [Six Meridians Divine Sword] when he use it to save Murong Fu, when he heard the words from Murong Fu he cannot help but feel excited, his look askance at Duan Yu, trying to see if Duan Yu really knows this divine skill, but he saw Duan Yu pointing and drawing with his right-hand finger, the stance is correct and reasonable but there is absolutely no internal energy at all, he pondered: ”What [Six Meridians Divine Sword], it gave me a huge shock. It seems this young chap is only bluffing and swindling people. Although according to legend, my Duan family have this [Six Meridians Divine Sword] skill, but who succeeded in learning it?”

Murong Fu saw Duan Yu did not attack, he knew it was intentional and he just stood aside and quietly observe the situation.

After a while, more than half of the 20 deaf and mute men got roasted to death by the column of fire, the rest are seriously injured, they collapse one after another. Amidst the noise from gongs and drums, Ding ChunQiu wave his sleeve twice, the column of fire flew and rush towards Su XingHe.

Xue MuHua shouted: ”Don't you dare harm my Master!” he threw his body in front of the column of fire. Su XingHe wave his palm and push him away, he said: ”Its not beneficial for my disciple to die!” he gathered his remaining internal energy into his left hand and strike towards the column of fire. Currently, his internal energy is nearly exhausted, that palm strike from him only manage to obstruct the column of fire for a short while, he felt his entire body burning, he saw red everywhere, his completely engulf in flame. At this moment, his internal energy is on the verge of drying up, like a lantern extinguishing when it runs out of oil, he knew that when he die Ding ChunQiu will definitely rush into the wooden house, his Master fake death for 30 years but he still can't run from Ding ChunQiu's evil hands. His being roasted by the column of fire on his body, he felt great sadness.

Xu Zhu saw Su XingHe is in extremely critical condition, but Su XingHe still stood rooted to the ground and refuse to retreat a single step. Xu Zhu cannot stand by idly and watch anymore, he quickly move forward and grabbed Su XingHe's back, he shouted: ”Its not beneficial for my disciple to die! Quickly step aside!” at this moment, Su XingHe so happens to wave his palm outward. This palm from Su XingHe is extremely weak and feeble, he did not expect any effect from it, however he refuse to sit by and wait for death, he struggled and fight to the death, unexpectedly an incomparably deep and profound energy arrive from his back, the energy is exactly the same as his Master's, as he push out with his palm the strength immediately multiplied. There is a 'Hu' sound, the column of fire move from his body and went straight towards Ding ChunQiu, the force did not end there, even the XingXiu disciples were drawn into the column of fire.

In a split second there is clanking sounds from the gongs and drums, everyone was thrown into confusion, the cymbals and instruments all drop onto the ground and roll around randomly.

Amidst the chants of: ”XingXiu sect shaking Central Plains by force, my Master is unequalled in the present age.” Various cries of pain got mixed in:

”Aiyo, holy mother of god!”

”This is terrible, XingXiu sect quickly run and save your life!”

”XingXiu sect is flexible, we will come back next time to promote our prestige!”

Ding ChunQiu had a huge shock, in reality, even with Xu Zhu's internal energy and the palm force from Su XingHe it might not actually beat him, but because Ding ChunQiu thought he would achieve victory soon, he became relax and complacent, he did not have any defences, thus he became flustered and lost control when the counter-attack came so suddenly. At the same time, Ding ChunQiu found that the internal energy in his opponent's palm is well-rounded, experienced and ruthless, its way beyond what his martial brother Su XingHe is capable of, but then again the energy clearly originated from the martial arts of his sect, could it be the spirit of his dead Master? The spirit of his Master came back and seek him for revenge? When he thought of this his mind became frantic, he can't gather his internal energy at all, the column of fire landed on his body and unexpectedly his powerless to repel it, his clothes, hair and beard all caught fire.

Amidst the shouting of ”Divine Elder of XingXiu is in big trouble!” from his disciples, Ding ChunQiu anxiously shouted: ”My iron-head disciple, quickly use your palm!”

You TanZhi immediately wave his palm towards the column of fire. There is 'Chi Chi Chi' sound, the column of fire met the strange coldness in his palm wind, the flame extinguished immediately, even the greenish black smoke faded away quickly, the only thing left is the charred pine wood.

Ding ChunQiu eye brow is burnt, his clothes tattered, he cuts a sorry figure, his secretly afraid of his Master's spirit harassing him again, he dare not linger and show off anymore, he shouted: ”Let us leave!” his body flash and in an instant his already 7-8 zhang away.

His XingXiu disciples ran away desperately, they abandoned their gongs and drums, the disciple who is reciting the parallel prose: ”Praising Divine Elder of XingXiu Displaying His Might In Central Plains” had yet to finish but the a huge portion of the paper is burnt off and scattered by the wind.

But suddenly there is an ”Ah!” scream from afar, a XingXiu disciple is flying in mid-air and he landed on the floor, his motionless. Everyone look at each other in dismay, the Old Freak of XingXiu just suffered a crushing defeat, his shame led to anger, one of his disciple tried to console him with flattery words, but in his rage he killed him with a single palm strike.

XuanNan, Duan YanQing, Jiumozhi, etc, all of them assume the Deaf Mute Old Man Su XingHe use his flesh to tempt his enemy into a trap, he let Ding ChunQiu waste his energy to burn the 20 deaf and mute disciples, afterwards he concentrated his energy and release an earth-shattering palm strike and Ding ChunQiu was unable to resist and got defeated. The Deaf Mute Old Man is famous for his wisdom and martial arts, just now he and the Old Freak of XingXiu was engaged in a fierce battle, he easily strike down the thick and large pine tree, everyone was shaken to the core when they saw it, thus nobody found it strange when he finally display his divine skills and drive away the Old Freak of XingXiu.

XuanNan said: ”Mr Su your divine skill is deep and profound, you drive away that old freak, he must be scared out of his wits after this battle and i think he won't dare to set foot in Central Plains anymore. You actions benefit the people, its really not a small achievement.”

Su XingHe saw Xu Zhu wearing his Master's gem ring, he knew the underlying reason, he felt both sadness and happiness, he saw that 18-19 of his own disciples are dead, the remaining 1-2 suffered serious injuries and will most probably not recover, he felt deep sorrow but his also worried about the safety of his Master, he said a few parting words to XuanNan, Murong Fu, etc, he drag Xu Zhu's hand and said: ”Little master, please come with me.”

Xu Zhu look towards XuanNan, waiting for his orders. XuanNan said: ”Senior Su is a highly respected person in the martial arts fraternity, just follow whatever he asks of you.” Xu Zhu replied: ”Yes!” and he followed Su XingHe and entered the wooden house through the hole, Su XingHe pick up a wooden board and block the hole with it.

Everyone present are all experienced and knowledgeable martial art experts, they knew this action from Su XingHe meant that outsiders should not go in and pry into his private matters. Duan Yu is the only person who is neither experienced nor knowledgeable about such stuff. But currently, Duan Yu is concentrating his attention completely on Wang YuYan, his not even aware that Xu Zhu and Su XingHe had entered the house, how would he have the mood to meddle in other people's affair?

Su XingHe held onto Xu Zhu's hand and they pass through the 2 wooden partition, he saw his Master lying on the floor, he stretch out his hand to check, he had pass away. He long anticipated such an outcome but he still can't hold back his grief, he knelt down and kowtow a few times, he sobbed: ”Master, Master, in the end you still leave disciple behind!”

Xu Zhu pondered: ”This old man is indeed Su XingHe's Master.”

Su XingHe wipe away his tears and stood up, he support the corpse and lean him against the wooden partition so that his seating properly, afterwards he support Xu Zhu and also made him lean against wooden partition, Xu Zhu is sitting side by side with the corpse of the old man.

Xu Zhu pondered: ”His making me sit beside the corpse of the old man, what is he trying to do? Don't tell me.....don't tell me....he wants me to die together with his Master?” he cannot help but feel a slight chill on his body, he wanted to stand up but he dare not.

Su XingHe arrange his tattered and burnt clothes, suddenly he knelt down in front of Xu Zhu, he kowtow and said: ”Carefree Sect's unworthy disciple Su XingHe pays his respect to the new sect leader.” This action from him frightened Xu Zhu so much that he was at a loss on what to do, Xu Zhu pondered: ”This person has gone insane from his rage! His really insane!” Xu Zhu quickly knelt down and return the kowtow, he said: ”Old senior paying such courtesy, you will really shorten junior monk's life.”

Su XingHe said sternly: ”Martial brother, you are the last disciple of our Master, you are also the leader of our Sect. Although i am the senior martial brother but i still have to kowtow to you!”

Xu Zhu said: ”This.....this.....” he finally realized that Su XingHe has not gone mad, but this made his situation even more awkward and embarrassing, he can only grumble secretly.

Su XingHe said: ”Martial brother, you save my life, you fulfilled Master's wish, its only rightful that you accept a few kowtow from me. Master officially took you in as his disciple, he ask you to kowtow 9 times, did you kowtow?” Xu Zhu said: ”I did kowtow but at that time i don't know i formally became his disciple. I am Shaolin disciple, i cannot join another sect.” Su XingHe said: ”Master obviously knew about it, he must have removed all your original martial arts and then pass on the skills of our sect. Master already pass on his entire lifetime of internal energy to you, correct?” Xu Zhu have no choice but to nod his head and said: ”Yes.” Su XingHe said: ”The symbol of our sect leader, this gem ring, Master remove it from his finger and personally put in on your finger, correct?” Xu Zhu said: ”Yes! But.....but i really don't know this is the symbol of sect leader.”

Su XingHe cross his leg and sat down on the floor, he said: ”Martial brother, you have extremely deep fortune. Ding ChunQiu and me, both of us long for this gem ring for over 10 years, but we never manage to gain possession of it, but you manage to gain Master's favour within an hour.”

Xu Zhu quickly took of the ring and handed it over, he said: ”Senior please take it, this gem ring, junior monk have absolutely no use for it.”

Su XingHe did not take it, his expression grave, he said: ”Martial brother, Master entrusted you something before he died, how can you shirk responsibility? Master gave this gem ring to you, he ask you to kill Ding ChunQiu, correct?”

Xu Zhu said: ”Correct. But junior monk's martial art is superficial, how can i shoulder such heavy responsibility?”

Su XingHe sigh, he put the ring back onto Xu Zhu's finger and said: ”Martial brother, you don't know the entire story, i will tell you briefly. Our sect is called Carefree Sect, as for the rules and regulations, the most senior disciple might not necessarily take up the post of Sect Leader, whoever has the strongest martial arts will be the Sect Leader.”

Xu Zhu said: ”Yes, yes, but junior monk's martial art is extremely disappointing.”

Su XingHe ignored him and continued: ”There are 3 disciples from Master's generation, Master is rank number 2, but his martial arts is better than our 2 martial uncles, thus he became the Sect Leader. Afterwards, Master accepted me and Ding ChunQiu as his disciples, Master set down a rule, all the miscellaneous skills he mastered, whoever wants to be Sect Leader have to compete in all these skills, thus we have to compete martial arts, zither, chess, calligraphy and painting. Ding ChunQiu have absolutely no understandings of these miscellaneous skills, there is no hope for him to become Sect Leader, unexpectedly he plotted against Master and push him into a deep ravine, he also inflict serious injuries on me.”

Xu Zhu heard some of these details from Xue MuHua at the underground cave, but he didn't expect this matter to eventually involve him, he grumbled secretly and said: ”Unexpectedly Benefactor Ding did not kill you at that time.”

Su XingHe said: ”Don't think that his humane and spared my life. Firstly, he can't break through my 5 element trigram, its a complex metaphysical formation, secondly, i told him: 'Ding ChunQiu, you plotted against Master, your martial art is also better than mine, but you never learn the most profound martial arts of Carefree Sect, the manual of [Divine Skill of the Northern Darkness], you want to look at it or not? The lightness martial art [Graceful Steps upon the Waves], you want to learn it or not? What about [Six Solar Palms Of Heavenly Mountain]? What about [Plum Breaking Hand Of Heavenly Mountain]? What about [Eternal Youth Never Ageing Skill]?”

”All these skills are the high-level martial arts of our Sect, even for our Master his bogged down by too much miscellaneous skills, he didn't manage to learn all these skills.' When Ding ChunQiu heard this, his so excited that his body trembled, he said to me: 'Hand over the manuals of these martial arts, i will spare your life today.' I told him: 'How can these manuals be with me? Only Master knows the hidden location of these manuals. Since you want to kill me, just do it.' Ding ChunQiu told me: 'The manuals must be near XingXiu Sea, you think i don't know?' i told him: 'Correct, its indeed near XingXiu Sea, go find it yourself if you have the ability.' He muttered to himself for a long time, XingXiu Sea spans several hundreds li, its really difficult to find these manuals, he told me: 'Fine, i won't kill you. But from now on you have to play deaf and mute, you cannot reveal the secrets of our Sect.'”

”Why didn't he kill me? He just want to leave me alive so that he can extort a confession. If he kill me, nobody will ever know the location of these martial arts manual. In reality, the manuals of these martial arts are not hidden at XingXiu Sea, they have always been kept by our Master and our 2 martial uncles. Ding ChunQiu live at XingXiu Sea, he must have searched through every single stone and pebble, naturally he didn't find the manuals of these divine skills. He came to trouble me numerous times, but i evaded him using mechanisms, metaphysical arts, etc. This time he tried to ask me again, but seeing the hopeless prospects he tried to kill me to vent his anger.”

Xu Zhu said: ”Fortunately senior.......” Su XingHe said: ”You are the Sect Leader, why you keep calling me senior, you should call me senior martial brother.” Xu Zhu pondered: ”This matter is extremely troublesome, i don't know when i can finally clarify this mess.” He replied: ”The matter on whether you are my senior martial brother or not, we will leave that aside first, even if you are my senior martial brother, you are still my senior.” Su XingHe nod his head and said: ”This is quite true. Just now you mention, fortunately i am what?” Xu Zhu said: ”Fortunately senior exercise patience, you conserved your strength for that final push, thus at the crucial moment you finally made a surprise attack, the Old Freak of XingXiu suffered a huge defeat and left.”

Su XingHe wave his hands repeatedly and said: ”Martial brother, you are wrong, its so obvious that you use the divine internal energy imparted by Master and assisted me, you save my life, how come you are so modest and refuse to admit it? We are fellow apprentices, the position of Sect Leader is already decided, you save my life, i will never covet after your Sect Leader position. From now on you cannot regard me as an outsider.”

Xu Zhu is very curious, he said: ”When did i ever assist you? There's no need to even talk about saving your life.” Su XingHe pondered for a while and said: ”Maybe you did it unintentionally, nobody knows. To cut the long story short, you place your palm behind my back, the divine internal energy of our sect transmit into me and turn defeat into victory.” Xu Zhu said: ”Oh, so it is. Then its your Master who saved you, i didn't save you.” Su XingHe said: ”I say Master borrowed your hand and save me, you should at least admit this much?” Xu Zhu can't refute anymore, he nod his head and said: ”This is just a simple favour, since you insist then i will just admit it.”

Su XingHe said: ”Just now your divine internal energy unexpectedly burst forth and caught Ding ChunQiu off guard and frightened him off. If its a real fight, even if both of us team up together we are still not his match. To kill Ding ChunQiu, firstly your internal energy must be stronger than him, secondly you must be proficient in the high-level martial arts of our sect such as [Six Solar Palms Of Heavenly Mountain], [Plum Breaking Hand Of Heavenly Mountain], etc, the martial arts combined with the internal energy will give rise to enormous power. I got distracted by numerous miscellaneous skills, i did not concentrate on learning martial arts, thus my martial arts cannot be compared against Ding ChunQiu, if not, Master only need to pass on his internal energy into my body and i can simply punish that traitor. Moreover, i have a martial aunt, her internal energy and martial arts are equally formidable, but i don't know what happen to her, unexpectedly she was hoodwinked by Ding ChunQiu and they join hands to attack my Master. This martial aunt is fond of handsome young man, previously Ding ChunQiu was an elegant young man and he manage to gain the love of this martial aunt. Some of Ding ChunQiu martial arts, like [Minor Formless Skill], was taught by this martial aunt. If we go and trouble Ding ChunQiu, this martial aunt will assist him and it will be difficult to get rid of him. For the past 30 years, Master and i thought of numerous methods but we simply can't find a suitable person to inherit Master's martial arts. Master health deteriorated with each passing day, this disciple is even more difficult to find, not only must he have extremely high comprehension, he must also be a handsome youngster, natural and unrestrained......”

Xu Zhu said: ”Junior monk is ugly, i am definitely not qualified to be the last disciple of your revered master. Old senior, please go find a handsome, natural and unstrained youngster, i will pass on your revered master's divine internal energy to him.”

Su XingHe was startled, he said: ”The divine internal energy of our sect is interlinked with heart, arteries, qi and blood, if the energy is intact the person is intact, if the energy disappears the person will die. When Master transferred his divine internal energy into you he died soon after, don't tell me you didn't see it?”

Xu Zhu stamped his feet repeatedly and said: ”What should i do? I really mess up the big plan of senior and your revered master.”

Su XingHe said: ”Martial brother, this is the burden you carry. Master arranged this chess formation, its purpose is to test the comprehension of a person. This 'Zhen Long' is simply too difficult, i painstakingly research it for over 10 years but i never manage to break it, only you martial brother manage to break it, your 'comprehension is extremely high', this phrase is really fitting.”

Xu Zhu laugh bitterly and said: ”Its not fitting. I did not break this 'Zhen Long'.” Thereafter he narrated how his martial grandfather XuanNan transmitted his voice into him and secretly guided him.

Su XingHe is skeptical and said: ”I looked at the expression of XuanNan, he already fell under the evil hands of Ding ChunQiu, his internal energy had long be sealed, its not likely that he can use the [Transmitting Voice in Secret] technique.” Su XingHe pause and pondered again, he said: ”But Shaolin is the number one orthodox school of martial arts, maybe XuanNan is deliberately trying to make things complicated, i am only a frog at the bottom of the well, its not possible for me to see through his exact thoughts. Martial brother, i send my people to dispatch invitation cards everywhere, i invited all the top experts under the heaven to come and break this 'Zhen Long', for all those who love playing chess, once they know there is such a chess meet they will definitely come. But for those who are too old, appearance.......this.....appearance not too handsome, or they are not part of the martial arts fraternity, then they are not invited. Young gentleman Gusu Murong's appearance is fine as jade, he has vast knowledge of martial arts techniques under the heaven, his the most ideal candidate, unfortunately he can't break the chess formation.”

Xu Zhu said: ”Yes, gentleman Murong is 100 times better than me. There is also gentleman Duan from Dali's Duan family, his also a fine elegant gentleman.”

Su XingHe said: ”Sigh, there is no need to mention this matter. I heard that Dali's Prince Zhennan Duan ZhengChun excelled in [Yiyang Finger], even more rare is that his romantic and elegant, countless maidens, virgins, middle-age pretty women, once they see him they cannot help but become infatuated and head over heels in love. I send quite a few of my disciples to Dali to invite him, unexpectedly his not at Dali and i don't know his last whereabouts, but his foolish and clumsy son came instead.”

Xu Zhu gave a faint smile, he said: ”This gentleman Duan, both his eyes always staring at Miss Wang.”

Su XingHe shakes his head and said: ”Regrettable, regrettable! Duan ZhengChun is frivolous and philandering, his known as 'Number One Romantic In Martial Arts Fraternity', but his son is not like him at all, extremely unworthy, his a disgrace to his father's reputation. He go all out and fawn upon that Miss Wang, but Miss Wang paid no attention to him at all, this is really infuriating!”

Xu Zhu said: ”Gentleman Duan is devoted, he should be better than romantic loafers, senior how can you say its regrettable?” Su XingHe said: ”He looks smart but his foolish and clumsy, he doesn't know how to handle women, we don't need him.” Xu Zhu said: ”Yes!” his secretly happy and thought: ”So you want to find a handsome youngster to deal with women, this is good, then you will have no use for me, an ugly little monk.”

Su XingHe ask: ”Martial brother, did Master ask you to find someone? Or he gave you any map and so on?”

Xu Zhu was stumped for words, he felt this matter is somewhat wrong, he wanted to deny it, but he was instructed by eminent monk at Shaolin since childhood, he must not lie, moreover Buddhist monks are forbidden to lie, to do so is to break a huge rule, thus he stammered: ”This......this........”

Su XingHe said: ”You are the Sect Leader, anything you ask me i must answer, else you can immediately put me to death. But if i ask you anything, you can choose whether or not to answer, if you don't like to answer you can simply ask me to shut up and not ask random questions.”

Since Su XingHe said it, Xu Zhu felt its not appropriate to cover up the truth, he wave his hands repeatedly and said: ”How can i be arrogant in front of you? Senior, your Master gave this to me.” As he finish speaking he took out a scroll from his bosom, he saw Su XingHe withdraw his body, his expression extremely respectful, he dare not extend his hands to receive the scroll, thus Xu Zhu open up the scroll himself.

As the scroll unfolded, both of them stare blankly at it, they simultaneously cry out in surprise, it seems the scroll is not a map, its also not a drawing of landscape or scenery, but a drawing of a pretty young maiden dressed in palace clothing.

Xu Zhu said: ”Its turns out to be Miss Wang.”

But the quality of the scroll's silk fabric is old and yellowing, its at least 30-40 years, the ink on the painting has also faded, clearly this painting is old and has been stored for many years, the painting is several times older than Wang YuYan, unexpectedly the painter is able to draw her appearance 10 years or even 100 years ago, this is simply unbelievable. The brush stroke on the painting is neat and lively, the figure is vivid and lifelike, its as if Wang Yu Yan is miniaturize and put into the painting.

Xu Zhu click his tongue in surprise, but he saw Su XingHe extending his right finger and tracing the brush stroke of the painting, he gasp in admiration for a long time, suddenly he seem to rouse from his dream-like state and said: ”Martial brother, please don't take offense, elder brother's bad habit flare up again, when i see this ingenious painting of our Master, i suddenly had the urge to follow and learn it. Sigh, i am biting off more than i can chew, i want to learn everything but in the end i achieved nothing, i suffer a pathetic defeat against Ding ChunQiu.” As he said this, he quickly roll up the scroll and handed it back to Xu Zhu, his afraid that if he look at the painting again he will be hopelessly mesmerized by the brush stroke of the painting. Su XingHe closed his eyes and calm down, he forcefully shakes his head, it seems his trying to forget the brush stroke in the painting, after a while he finally open his eyes and said: ”When Master gave this scroll to you, what did he say?”

Xu Zhu said: ”He said my internal energy already exceeds Ding ChunQiu, but my martial art is insufficient, i cannot subdue Ding ChunQiu, thus i should take this scroll and go to Dali's WuLiang Cave and find his huge collections of martial art manuals and learn them. But most likely i can't master them and i have to find someone to guide me. He said this scroll shows his residence where he live in ease and comfort, then it should be some famous mountains or great rivers, or some secluded and beautiful place, but how come its a portrait of Miss Wang? Could it be that he took the wrong scroll?”

Su XingHe said: ”Master's actions are hard to fathom, you will understand it when the time comes. You have to obey Master's order, try to improve your martial arts and then get rid of Ding ChunQiu.”

Xu Zhu stammered: ”This.....this.....junior monk is Shaolin disciple, i have to go back to Shaolin Temple and report my mission. When i go back to the Temple, i will meditate and study scriptures, i will never come out again.”

Su XingHe had a huge shock, he jump up and burst into tears and cried loudly, there is a 'Pu' sound, he knelt down in front of Xu Zhu, he kowtow as if his pounding garlic, he said: ”Sect Leader, if you don't obey Master's order, then he died for no reason?”

Xu Zhu also knelt down and return his salute, he said: ”Junior monk is a Buddhist, i am forbidden to be angry and to kill, previously i promised your revered master to get rid of Ding ChunQiu, but now i think its not appropriate. The rules of Shaolin are very strict, no matter what junior monk cannot change sect, or run amok and commit crimes.” But regardless of how Su XingHe cry and plead, or try to enlighten, or even threaten and compel, Xu Zhu simply refuse to accept.

There is nothing Su XingHe can do, he felt dejected and hopeless, he said to his Master's corpse: ”Master, Sect Leader refuse to obey your orders, disciple is powerless, i will follow you in death.” As he finish speaking he leap up and flip upside down, his dive down from midair head-first, the top of his head smashing towards the stone floor.

Xu Zhu cry out in fear: ”You cannot do that!” he quickly hug him. Currently, Xu Zhu's internal energy is deep and profound, his movement sharp and nimble, his abilities greatly exceeds his past self, Su XingHe could not move an inch when hugged by Xu Zhu.

Su XingHe said: ”Why don't you allow me to commit suicide?” Xu Zhu said: ”Monks have to be compassionate, i cannot bear to see you die.” Su XingHe said: ”Release me, i definitely don't want to live anymore.” Xu Zhu said: ”I won't release you!” Su XingHe said: ”Don't tell me you will hold on and never release me for a lifetime?” Xu Zhu thought his words are quite true, he flip Su XingHe upright and put him down, he said: ”Fine, i will release you, but i forbid you to commit suicide.”

Su XingHe suddenly had a bright idea, he said: ”You forbid me to commit suicide? Yes, i should follow Sect Leader's orders. Wonderful! Sect Leader, you finally agree to be our Sect Leader!”

Xu Zhu shakes his head and said: ”I never agree. When did i ever agree?”

Su XingHe laugh out loudly and said: ”Sect Leader, its useless for you to back out. You already gave an order and i already followed your order, from now on i will never commit suicide again. Who do you think Mr Intelligent Su XingHe is? Other than my Sect Leader, who dares to order me around? You can ask Shaolin's Master XuanNan, or even Abbot XuanCi, both of them don't dare to order me around.”

While enroute, Xu Zhu already listen to XuanNan narrate the impressive standings of Deaf Mute Old Man in the martial arts fraternity, its definitely not empty words when Su XingHe said no one dares to order him around. Xu Zhu said: ”I don't dare to order you around, but i am merely advising you to cherish your life, its purely out of good intentions.”

Su XingHe said: ”I don't dare to question your intentions. If you ask me to die, i will die immediately. If you ask me to live, i don't dare to not live. This life and death order is the most powerful authority. If you are not my Sect Leader, how can you randomly order me to die or live?”

Xu Zhu can't dispute it, he said: ”Even if so, then assume that i said the wrong words just now, i withdraw it.”

Su XingHe said: ”You withdraw the order that forbid me to commit suicide, then you are asking me to commit suicide. Affirmative, i will immediately commit suicide.” His method of committing suicide is really unusual, he leap up again, flip upside down, head smashing towards the stone floor.

Xu Zhu again quickly hug him firmly, he said: ”You cannot do that, you cannot do that! I am not asking you to commit suicide!” Su XingHe said: ”En, you forbid me to commit suicide again. I will respectfully comply with Sect Leader's order!” Xu Zhu put him down, he scratch his bald head, he really don't know what to say.

Su XingHe is nicknamed Mr Intelligent, this nickname is not for fun, his naturally eloquent, although he never spoke a single word for the past 30 years, but now that he start speaking again his still eloquent. Xu Zhu is still young, his simple and unsophisticated, he never dispute or argue with his martial brothers at Shaolin Temple, how can he be a match against Su XingHe? Xu Zhu pondered: ”Withdrawing the order that forbid him to commit suicide is not equivalent to asking him to commit suicide. Not asking him to commit suicide is not equivalent to forbidding him to commit suicide.” But Su XingHe has the gift of the gab, he forestall him with every phrase and sentence, Xu Zhu have no way to defend himself, he stare blankly for quite some time, he sigh and said: ”Senior, i can never win this debate against you. But you want me to join your sect, i really cannot comply.”

Su XingHe said: ”Before we came in here, what did XuanNan instruct you? The words of Master XuanNan, you will comply or not?” Xu Zhu was startled, he said: ”Martial grandfather ask me.....ask me.....ask me to listen to you.”

Su XingHe is very pleased, he said: ”Yes, Master XuanNan ask you to listen to me. I am telling you: 'You should comply with our Master's order, become our Sect Leader.' But since you are the Sect Leader already then you don't have to listen to senior monks from Shaolin anymore. Thus, if you comply with Master XuanNan's order, then you are our Sect Leader, if you don't comply with Master XuanNan's order, you are still out Sect Leader. Only by becoming our Sect Leader can you ignore Master XuanNan's order, or else how can you disobey your martial grandfather's instruction?” When Xu Zhu listen to this line of reasoning he thought it made sense, his rendered speechless for a while.

Su XingHe said: ”Martial brother, Master XuanNan and the rest of the Shaolin monks, all of them are poisoned by Ding ChunQiu, their life will be in danger if we don't save them quickly, currently only you alone is capable of saving them. Whether or not to save them is entirely dependent on you.”

Xu Zhu said: ”My martial grandfather is certainly poisoned by Ding ChunQiu, as for the rest they are injured, but.....but my ability is lowly, how can i save them?”

Su XingHe smiled and said: ”Martial brother, our sect forte is not just restricted to martial arts, medicine, divination, music, chess, calligraphy, painting, our skills are all encompassing. You have a martial nephew called Xue MuHua, he only has superficial medical knowledge, but everyone calls him Divine Physician Xue, his nicknamed 'Enemy of King of Hell', isn't it laughable? XuanNan is injured by Ding ChunQiu's [Great Energy Dissolving Skill], the square-face monk is injured by that iron-head man's [Frost Silkworm Palm], the thin and tall monk is kicked by Ding ChunQiu on the left side of his torso around 3 inch below, he injured his meridians........”

Su XingHe kept talking non-stop, he narrated all the ailments and the origin of the injuries of everyone. Xu Zhu is very impress, he said: ”Senior, i saw you concentrating on the chess match, you didn't even look carefully at them or even diagnose them, how come you know so much details?”

Su XingHe said: ”The injuries inflicted by martial arts are so obvious that you can easily tell it from just one glance. Only those who are naturally weak and poor in health, or those that suffer cold and heat diseases, they are much harder to diagnose. Martial brother, you have our Master's 70 years of divine internal energy, its greatly beneficial for treating injuries and illnesses. Great Master XuanNan's meridians contain poison, its a bit difficult to restore his internal energy, but its effortless to treat his injuries and save his life.” At once he taught Xu Zhu how to channel his energy to massage the acupoints, and the method to expel the frost poison. He also gave detailed guidance on the techniques involved in treating XuanNan, and the techniques involved in treating Feng BoE, since both their poison are different the techniques involved are also different.

Xu Zhu remembered all the techniques taught by Su XingHe, but he only knows how to apply but not the reasoning behind it.

Su XingHe saw Xu Zhu demonstration of the techniques, there are no mistakes, his face revealed a smile and praised: ”Sect Leader's memory is excellent, you understand everything at once.”

Xu Zhu saw his smile is rather furtive, its seem as if he harboured malicious intentions, he cannot help but ask: ”Why are you smiling?” Su XingHe immediately became solemn, he bow respectfully and said: ”Elder brother don't dare to laugh or smile, Sect Leader please forgive me if i am not respectful enough.” Xu Zhu is anxious to treat everyone's injuries, thus he did not pursue this matter anymore, he said: ”Let us go outside and take a look!” Su XingHe said: ”Yes!” he followed behind Xu Zhu and they went outside the house.

They saw a bunch of injured people sitting cross-legged on the floor, Murong Fu is channelling his internal energy to help relief the suffering of Bao BuTong and Feng BoE. Wang YuYan is attending to GongYe Gan's injuries. Xue MuHua is sweating profusely, his constantly on the move, whoever is in critical condition he will immediately go over and try to save him, but once one patient quieten down another patient starts shouting again. Xue MuHua saw Su XingHe coming out of the house, he felt great comfort, he quickly rush towards him and said: ”Master, please think of a method.”

Xu Zhu walk towards XuanNan, his eyes are closed and his channelling his internal energy, Xu Zhu simply stood beside and dare not open his mouth to speak. XuanNan slowly open his eyes, he gave a sigh and said: ”I am really incompetent, i suffered under the poisonous hands of Ding ChunQiu and tainted out Shaolin's reputation, i am really ashamed. Go back and report to to the abbot and tell him....and tell him that i and martial brother XuanTong cannot return back to Shaolin Temple anymore.”

In the past, Xu Zhu met this martial grandfather before, his always stately, charismatic and reliable, but now his expression is sullen, an attitude of desolation, his speech hinted at his intentions to commit suicide, Xu Zhu quickly said: ”Martial grandfather, please don't be too upset, as practitioners of martial arts, our heart must not have anger, no eagerness to compete, no desire in victory and defeat, no desire in gains and losses.......” he kept reciting non-stop, unexpectedly these words are the exact same words used by XuanNan to admonish him and now he recited it back to XuanNan, but suddenly he realize that it doesn't seem right and he immediately shut up, but he had already said quite a few sentences.

XuanNan gave a slight smile and sigh: ”Your words are correct, but your martial grandfather lost all his internal energy, i don't even have the strength to concentrate on Buddhism anymore.”

Xu Zhu said: ”Yes, yes, disciple is naive, i am talking rubbish.” As he was about to try and treat XuanNan's injuries, he suddenly recalled the suspicious smile on Su XingHe, his was alarmed: ”He ask me to use my palm and smack my martial grandfather's acupoint of the top of his head, how would i know his not trying to harm me? If i really smack down with my palm and unexpectedly kill my martial grandfather, then what should i do?”

XuanNan said: ”Go report back to the abbot, our Shaolin Temple will meet great catastrophe in the future, he should take extra precautions against it, be careful when travelling back, you are pure and honest, i am not worried about your Buddhist prohibition and Buddhist devotion, but from now on you must put in more effort on 'intelligence and wisdom', you should study attentively the 4 scrolls of . Sigh, its a pity that i can no longer guide you.”

Xu Zhu said: ”Yes, yes.” He saw how XuanNan is still concerned about him, he felt really grateful, he said: ”Martial grandfather, since our Temple will have great catastrophe, we need you to take care of yourself and go back to assist the abbot, together we will drive away the enemy.” XuanNan force a bitter smile and said: ”I...i am hit by Ding ChunQiu [Great Energy Dissolving Skill], i am already a handicapped person, how can i assist the abbot and drive away the enemy?” Xu Zhu said: ”Martial grandfather, Mr Intelligent taught me a set of healing method, disciple is overestimating his ability but i wish to try it on martial uncle HuiFang, i ask martial grandfather for permission.”