Chapter - 35 Beautiful Woman Become Old with a Snap of the Finger, Splendid And Fragrant In an Instant (1/2)

Wu LaoDa countenance change immediately, he is about to speak but Taoist BuPing cast a meaningful look at him, he smiled and said: ”Gentleman Duan is a nobleman, you refuse to take advantage of other people's precarious position, a capable person with great style, admirable, admirable! Brother Wu, we will assault Misty Peak, the number one priority is to know the real situation at Vulture Palace. Cave-master An, Brother Wu, etc, the nine of you investigated personally, after that old witch left, how many experts are still at the Palace? How are they deployed? I assume Brother Wu is thorough in your investigation, please tell us and let everyone know, how about it?”

Wu LaoDa said: ”I am really ashamed, we look around at Vulture Palace, but nobody dare to pry further, we did our utmost to conceal ourselves, we fear bumping into someone else. But while i was at the Palace's rear garden, i accidentally bump into a little girl. This child is a servant or maid, she suddenly raise her head, i did not have time to dodge and we met face-to-face. I am deeply afraid of leaking out the secret, i rush forward to capture her. Those ladies at the Palace, all of them are instructed by that old witch in martial arts, their skill is no small matter, although its just a child but i am afraid she is very capable. I rush towards her, i am fully aware that i will most probably die.....”

His voice trembled, obviously the situation at that time was extremely dangerous, he cannot help but shiver when he recount it. Everyone see that his still safe and sound now, obviously he must have adverted the danger at Misty Peak, although he is forced to pick a fight at Misty Peak to get out of danger, but everyone felt he is rather reckless to attempt it.

Wu LaoDa continued: ”When i rush forward, i use all my strength, i executed [Tiger Claw Skill] with my pair of hands, a thought flash through my mind at that time: 'If i can't catch that child with this move and she yell out to attract reinforcement, then i will simply jump off this peak which is several hundred zhang high, commit suicide cleanly to avoid being captured by the female commanders of that old witch and suffer endless misery.' Unexpectedly....unexpectedly my left-hand landed on her shoulder, right-hand gripping her arm, she did not resist at all, in an instant her body soften and she lost all her strength, she don't have the slightest bit of martial arts. I was overjoyed at the unexpected turn of event, i was so stunned that my legs became limp and painful, i am not afraid of being ridicule by everyone, i scared myself, that child turn soft and collapsed, i am useless, i also turn soft and collapsed.”

As he finish speaking, the crowd laugh out loudly, the mood became relax. Although Wu LaoDa chastise himself for being a coward, but everyone knows that he is actually very brave and strong, he dare to capture someone at Misty Peak, how can it be a simple matter?

Wu LaoDa wave his hand, his subordinate carried a black cloth-sack, step forward and place it in front of him. Wu LaoDa untie the rope binding the sack, he pull open the sack and revealed a person.

Everyone cry out in surprise, that person's figure is very small, its a little girl.

Wu LaoDa said proudly: ”This baby girl, i captured her from Misty Peak.” Everyone cheered:

”Wu LaoDa is amazing! You are a hero!”

”Immortals from 36 Caves and 72 Islands, Wu LaoDa is at the top of the list!”

The cheers are intermixed with squeaking and wailing, the little girl is rubbing her face and crying.

Wu LaoDa said: ”After capturing this female doll, we were afraid the news might leak out if we delay any longer, thus we left Misty Peak immediately. We questioned this girl repeatedly, but its a pity, she is mute. Initially we thought she pretended to be deaf and mute, we tried all sorts of method to test her, sometimes we shout loudly behind her back to check if she is scared, we try repeatedly, she is really deaf and mute.”

The little girl is weeping, 'Ya Ya Ya', sure enough its the noise made by mute people. A person from the crowd ask: ”Wu LaoDa, she can't speak, but can she write?” Wu LaoDa said: ”She can't write as well. We beat her up, submerge her in water, burn her with fire, starve her, we tried all sorts of method, it seems she is not stubborn, she really don't know.”

Duan Yu cannot help but said: ”Using this kind of despicable method to torment a little girl, you are shameless!” Wu LaoDa said: ”The sufferings and torment we suffered under Child Elder Of Heavenly Mountain, its 10 times worse, we are just paying it back, how can it be shameless?” Duan Yu said: ”If you want revenge you should seek out Child Elder Of Heavenly Mountain, torturing her little servant girl, how is it useful?”

Wu LaoDa said: ”Of course its useful.” He raise his voice and said: ”Brothers, today we work as one, we will rebel against Misty Peak, from now on we share all riches and suffer all misfortune together, everyone will swear an oath with blood to confirm this matter. Is there anyone who is unwilling?” He ask twice, no one speak out. He ask for the 3rd time, a tall and sturdy man turn around, he did not say anything and ran to the west.

Wu LaoDa shouted: ”Sword-Fish Island Island-master Ou, where are you going?” The man did not reply, he kept running, his movement is extremely fast, in a blink of an eye he already pass a mountain depression. Everyone shouted: ”He is a coward, running away prior to battle, intercept him quick.” Immediately around 10 people give chase, all of them possess high-level lightness martial arts, but they are quite far from Island-master Ou, nobody knows if they can catch up.

Suddenly there is a miserable 'Ah' cry, it came from the rear of the mountain. Everyone had a shock, their countenance change, the 10 people who are chasing also stop moving, they heard the wind blowing, a spherical object swiftly flew up from the rear of the mountain, as it reach mid-air it fall straight towards the crowd.

Wu LaoDa leap forward and caught the spherical object, under the light the object is bloodied and mutilated, unexpectedly its a severed head, he look at the facial feature of the head, both the eyes wide open, its Island-master Ou, Wu LaoDa voice trembled: ”Island-master Ou...” he cannot imagine how Island-master Ou died within such a short period of time, a terrible thought came to him: ”Don't tell me Child Elder Of Heavenly Mountain has arrive?”

Taoist BuPing burst into loud laughter, he said brightly: ”Sword God, Sword God, your reputation is indeed well-deserved, Brother Zhuo, your guard is really tight!”

A bright voice transmit from the rear of the mountain: ”Running away prior to a battle, he should be put to death to avoid leaking out the secret. All the Cave-masters and Island-masters, please don't take offense.”

Everyone rouse from their panic-stricken state, they said: ”Luckily Sword God got rid of the traitor and prevent him from spoiling the matter.”

Murong Fu and Deng BaiChuan pondered: ”This person is known as 'Sword God', but isn't he a bit too arrogant and conceited. No matter how brilliant your sword art, how can you proclaim yourself as 'God'? I never heard of such person before, i wonder how brilliant is his sword art?”

Wu LaoDa is ashamed of being overly suspicious, he said loudly: ”Brother, please take out your weapons, chop your sabre and thrust your sword at this little girl. Although this girl is young and mute, but she is still from Misty Peak, when your weapon is drenched in her blood you cannot reconcile with Misty Peak anymore, even if you have a change of heart you still cannot withdraw.” As he finish speaking, he immediately raise his serrated-sabre.

A bunch of people shout in unison: ”Correct, this should be the case! Everyone will swear an oath with blood, from now on you can only advance and not retreat, fight that old witch till death.”

Duan Yu shouted: ”You cannot do that, you must not do that. Brother Murong, please stop their savage act.” Murong Fu shakes his head and said: ”Brother Duan, their life and death is base on this single action, we are outsiders, we cannot meddle rashly.” Duan Yu is boiling with righteous indignation, he shouted: ”A man sees injustice, how can he shut his eyes and ignore it, Miss Wang, even if you rebuke me i still have to save her, but....but Duan Yu don't even have the strength to strangle a chicken, i am afraid its difficult for me to save her life. Hello, hello, Brother Deng, Brother GongYe, why aren't you helping? Brother Bao, Brother Feng, i will rush in to save her, you provide support, how about it?” Deng BaiChuan and the rest always take their cue from Murong Fu, since Murong Fu is unwilling to act they can only shake their head at Duan Yu, but their expression is apologetic.

Wu LaoDa heard Duan Yu making a big fuss, he thought: 'This person possess extremely high martial arts, its not easy to handle if he really wants to create trouble, the situation can change abruptly, its best to quickly end this matter', at once he raise his serrated-sabre and shouted: ”Wu LaoDa will act first!” he swing his sabre and chop towards the little girl.

Duan Yu shouted: ”Not good!” he extend his finger, he execute a move [ZhongChong Sword] and thrust it at the serrated-sabre. But he cannot control his [Six Meridians Divine Sword] at will, sometimes his internal energy is abundant, his power boundless and inexhaustible, but sometimes he can't even gather a tiny bit of internal energy, its entirely dependent on whether he is willing to focus completely on the task. Although he acted heroically to save the little girl, but ultimately its not the same passionate care he shower on Wang YuYan, as he thrust out the sword, his internal energy only reach his palm, it can't be fired out.

As the sabre was about to land on the little girl's body, suddenly a black shadow leap out from behind a rock, he wave his left palm, a powerful force knock Wu LaoDa away, the person's right hand grabbed the cloth-sack, he carried the sack along with the little girl on his back and rush quickly towards the North-west mountain peak.

Everyone shout in unison and chase after him. But the person's running speed is strangely quick, in an instant he already reach the jungle at the hillside. The various Cave-masters and Island-masters fired their hidden projectiles, but it hit the tree bark or got deflected by the branch and leaves.

Duan Yu is elated, his vision is sharp, he recognize the person, he met him at Su XingHe's chess meet, the person broke the incomparably complicated chess formation, sure enough, Murong Fu shouted out: ”That person is a Shaolin monk, Xu Zhu.” Duan Yu also shout: ”Senior martial brother Xu Zhu, the one surnamed Duan will bow 10 times to you! Your Shaolin Temple is a giant among men, your reputation is indeed well deserved!”

Everyone saw the person push away Wu LaoDa with a single palm, his footstep nimble and agile, his martial art is truly solid, they also heard Murong Fu and Duan Yu identify him as a Shaolin monk, under the famous reputation of Shaolin Temple everyone became timid, they don't dare to approach unduly. But the implication of the matter is simply too serious, the little girl is rescued by a Shaolin monk, if they don't silence the male-female pair then their conspiracy will be leaked out and they will attract disaster, everyone bellowed their grievances and rush forward.

They saw the Shaolin monk rushing up the mountain peak, the mountain peak is high and reaching through the clouds, white snow covered the summit, to reach the top, even if you are a top expert in lightness martial arts you will still require 4-5 days of effort. Taoist BuPing shout: ”Everyone please don't panic, that monk is going up the mountain peak, its a one-way dead end, he won't fly up to heaven. Everyone guard the mountain base access route tightly, don't give him any chance to escape.” When everyone heard it they felt somewhat at ease, Wu LaoDa allocate the manpower, they guarded all the routes to the mountain peak. Out of fear that the people guarding the routes can't hold off the monk if he rush out, they deployed 3 rows of barricade at the routes, if the front barricade can't hold him off there is still the middle barricade, after the middle barricade there is another rear barricade, moreover there will be 10 experts patrolling around and they will provide additional support. Once the assignment is done, Wu LaoDa and Taoist BuPing, Cave-master An, Cave-master Huo, Island-master Qin, etc, all ten experts went up the mountain to track down the monk, their priority is to eliminate the Shaolin monk to avoid future disaster.

Murong Fu and his group are assigned to guard at the eastern route, to preserve their reputation they are invited to sit at the east, but in reality its just to prevent them from interfering with the matter. Murong Fu is sharp, he is aware that Wu LaoDa is still suspicious of him, he smile faintly and led Deng BaiChuan and the rest to guard the east road. Duan Yu naturally followed them east, he is not afraid of being branded annoying, he cannot help but praise Xu Zhu as a great hero.

********

The person who grabbed the cloth-sack is indeed Xu Zhu. He is scared out of his wits during the battle between Murong Fu and Ding ChunQiu at the small inn, during the time when You TanZhi rescued AhZi, Murong Fu free himself and escape, Ding ChunQiu went out to give chase, Xu Zhu immediately sneak out from the rear door. His only concern is to find HuiFang and the other martial uncles and listen to their orders, but he don't recognize the route, after the fierce battle between Murong Fu and Ding ChunQiu, he became a frightened person, he don't dare to go to small inn or small guesthouse anymore, he just rush randomly in the mountain and field.

At that time, the 36 Cave-masters and 72 Island-masters are gathering at the mountain valley, they all brought along their trusted aides and disciples, there's quite a number of people, thus Xu Zhu inevitably bump into some of them. Xu Zhu saw these people are martial artists, he wanted to inquire the whereabouts of HuiFang and his martial uncles, but their appearance is fierce and ferocious, he is afraid they are with Ding ChunQiu, he don't dare to inquire, he secretly eavesdrop on their conversation, they seem to be planning some sort of shady business, Xu Zhu is chivalrous and like to help those in distress, moreover Shaolin disciple is duty bound to assist, thus he followed them and eventually he saw and heard all the ongoing of the matter. He is unaware of the various grudge and resentment in the matter, just as Wu LaoDa was about to kill a completely defenceless mute-girl, his merciful heart was moved, no matter who is right or wrong, he definitely must save the little girl, at once he rush out from behind the rock, he grab the cloth-sack and ran away.

As he travel up the mountain peak, he gather his energy and rush straight ahead, the forest is getting denser, the shouting of his pursuers gradually die off. When he save someone its purely out of his merciful heart, he is determined to become a Bodhisattva, when living thing is in trouble he definitely have to save them, but now he recall that these people are martial art experts, their method cruel and vicious, he is no match against anyone of them, he pondered: ”I have to run to a secret secluded location and hide, don't let them find me, only then can i preserve my life and the little girl's life.” At the moment there is no time to consider other alternatives, he can't differentiate the route in his panic state, wherever there is dense vegetation he will simply run there.

Luckily he inherited 70 years of internal energy from the Carefree Sect's old man, his internal is abundant and vigorous, he ran for nearly 4 hours but unexpectedly he is not tired at all. He ran with full strength, originally his Carefree Sect's internal energy gathered at his left 'ShanZhong' acupoint, it slowly scattered to other acupoints all over his body, the obstructions clear up, he felt refreshed and invigorated, his physical strength increased. After rushing for another period of time, the sky turn bright, he is stepping on thin-layer of snow, it seems he is already half-way up the mountain. This place is in northwest high mountain, the summit is towering, snow cover permanent, the climate like cold winter. Xu Zhu compose himself, he look at his surroundings, his heart bounce randomly, he mumbled to himself: ”Where should i run?”

Suddenly he heard a voice behind his back: ”Coward, only think about running, i am so ashamed of you!” Xu Zhu is startled, he shout loudly: ”Ayo!” he extend his leg and ran wildly up the mountain peak. After running for a few li, he finally dare to turn his head back, but he didn't see anyone pursuing, he said softly: ”Lucky, no one is chasing.”

As he finish speaking, a voice came from behind his back: ”You are a man, frighten to such a state, you are a dog! Rat! Little bastard!” Xu Zhu's shock is no small matter, he extend his leg and rush forward again, the voice behind his back said: ”Coward and stupid, you are really not a good thing!” The voice is around 2 chi from his back, its within his reach.

Xu Zhu pondered: ”Terrible, terrible! This person's martial art is so powerful, its difficult for me to escape.” He extend his leg, he ran faster and faster, the voice said again: ”Since you are afraid then you should not try to be a hero and save people. Where you intend to run?”

The voice is just beside Xu Zhu's ear, his legs soften, he almost fell down, he stumbled and turn around, the sky is bright, sunlight penetrate the dense shade, but he can't see anyone. Xu Zhu assume the person is hiding behind a tree, he said respectfully: ”Junior monk saw these people want to harm a little girl, thus i overestimated my ability and save her, i am not trying to show off as a hero.”

The voice sneered: ”You overestimated your ability, you will experience suffering.”

The voice still came from behind his ear, Xu Zhu is startled, he hastily turn around, there is nothing behind him, where is the person? He assume this person's movement must be extremely fast, the person's martial art must be more than 10 times higher, even if there are 10 Xu Zhu they will all be dead if the person really wants to harm him, from the person' tone its only criticizing him for being coward and incompetent, the person does not seem to be the same group with Wu LaoDa, he compose himself and said: ”Junior monk is incompetent, senior please give me some directions.”

The voice sneered: ”You are not my disciple, why should i guide you?”

Xu Zhu said: ”Yes, yes! Junior monk is talking nonsense, senior please forgive me. They have many people, junior monk is not their match, i....i have to run now.” When he finish speaking, he gather his energy and rush up the mountain peak.

The voice behind his back said: ”This mountain peak is a dead-end, they are guarding at the base of the mountain, how can you escape?” Xu Zhu stare blankly, he stop moving and said: ”I...i...i didn't expect it. Senior is merciful, please show me the correct path.” The voice laugh grimly and said: ”There are two path, one, you turn around and kill the enemy, butcher all those demons and ghosts.” Xu Zhu said: ”Firstly, junior monk is incompetent, secondly i am unwilling to commit murder.” The voice said: ”Then the second path, jump off the mountain, drop straight into the bottomless ravine, death ends all your trouble, Nirvana, free from all suffering.”

Xu Zhu said: ”This....” he turn his head back and took a quick look, everywhere is covered with snow, but there is only his footprint, there is no 2nd person, he pondered: ”This person walk on snow and leave no traces, martial art is extremely high, it really reach unimaginable level.” The voice said: ”What this and that, what you trying to say?” Xu Zhu said: ”If i jump down, junior monk will definitely die, but that little girl whom i saved will also die. Firstly, i did not save a person properly, secondly junior monk's Buddhist cultivation is shallow, i really cannot reach Nirvana, i will undoubtedly reincarnate and suffer for an entire lifetime again.”

The voice said: ”What is your relationship with Misty Peak? Why did you disregard your own life to save that person?” Xu Zhu quickly ran up the mountain peak, he said: ”What Misty Peak, Vulture Palace, junior monk heard it for the first time today. Junior monk is a Shaolin disciple, i received orders to leave the mountain, i have no connections to other sects or schools.” The voice sneered: ”So you are saying you are a little monk that stand up bravely for what is right.” Xu Zhu said: ”Junior monk is telling the truth, but i am not acting heroically. Junior monk have no knowledge and experience, my conduct is rash, i have countless problems troubling me and i don't know what to do.”

The voice said: ”Your internal is abundant and vigorous, you are truly capable, but the inner power is not from Shaolin, what is the reason?”

Xu Zhu said: ”This matter is a long story, its precisely one of my big problem.” The voice said: ”What long story, short story, i forbid you to avoid the problem, quickly tell me.” The tone is severe, there is no room for him to evade the question. But Xu Zhu recalled Kang GuangLing saying that the phrase 'Carefree Sect' is a secret, definitely cannot let outsiders hear it, although the person behind him is a martial art senior, but he can't even see the person's appearance, how can he hastily reveal this big problem without careful considerations, he said: ”Senior, please forgive me, junior monk really have alot of difficulties, i cannot tell you.”

The voice said: ”Good, since this is the case, quickly put me down.” Xu Zhu is startled, he said: ”Wh.....what?” the voice said: ”Quickly put me down, what do you mean what, you are so long-winded!”

Xu Zhu listen to the voice, its neither male nor female, but its extremely old, he heard the voice said 'Quickly put me down', he don't understand the meaning, he stabilize himself and turn around, there is still no one behind him, he is really suspicious and fearful, the voice said: ”Stinky monk, quickly put me down! I am in the cloth-sack, who do you think i am?”

Xu Zhu is extremely startled, he cannot help but relax his hand, there is a 'Pa' sound, the cloth-sack landed on the ground, 'Ayo' cry came from the sack, the voice is old and in pain, its precisely the voice he been hearing all along. Xu Zhu also cry out 'Ayo', he said: ”Little girl, so its you, how come your voice is so old?” At once he open the cloth-sack and support the person out.

The person's figure is short and small, its a 8-9 year old girl, but her gaze is electrifying, bright and full of expression, as she look at Xu Zhu she had a dignified and imposing aura. Xu Zhu open his mouth widely, he is speechless.

The little girl said: ”You didn't pay your respect when meeting a senior, so rude!” the voice is old and aged, her expression old and decrepit. Xu Zhu said: ”Little...little girl....” the little girl shout loudly: ”What little girl, big girl? I am your granny!” Xu Zhu smile faintly, he said: ”We are in a dangerous place, stop fooling around. Come, go into this bag, i will carry you up the mountain. The enemy will come in a moment!”

The little girl look at Xu Zhu from top to bottom, suddenly she spotted the gem ring on his left-finger, her countenance change, she ask: ”What....what is that? Let me see.”

Xu Zhu did not want to wear the gem ring, but he is aware that the ring is an important object, he is afraid of losing it, thus he don't dare to keep it on his bosom, when the little girl inquire about it, he laugh and said: ”Its not an amusing object.”

The little girl stretch out her hand and grab his left wrist, she examine the ring carefully, she tilted Xu Zhu's palm, she look at it for a long time. Xu Zhu felt her tiny hands shivering, he incline his head, her eyes are brimming with tears. After a long time, she finally release Xu Zhu's palm.

The little girl said: ”This 'Seven-Treasure Ring', where did you steal it?” her tone is severe, as if she is interrogating a robber. Xu Zhu is unhappy, he said: ”Monks have to maintain strict discipline, how can we steal? Someone gave this to me, how can you say i stole it?” The little girl said: ”Rubbish! You are a Shaolin disciple, how can he give this ring to you? If you refuse to tell the truth i will pluck out your tendon and peel off your skin, you will suffer all sorts of pain and misery.”

Xu Zhu cannot help but laugh, he pondered: ”If i did not witness it personally, just by hearing the voice, i will really be frightened by this little girl.” He said: ”Little girl....” suddenly there is a 'Pa' sound, his waist was hit by a fist, but the little girl is feeble and weak, he did not feel any pain. Xu Zhu said: ”How can you hit someone? You are so young, yet you are so unreasonable and rude!”

The little girl ask: ”What is your name?” Xu Zhu said: ”Junior monk religious name is Xu Zhu.” The little girl said: ”Your religious name is Xu Zhu, en, Ling, Xuan, Hui, Xu, you are the 37th generation disciple. XuanCi, XuanBei, XuanKu, XuanNan, XuanTong, all these little monk, they are your martial grandfather correct?”

Xu Zhu retreat 1 step, he is amazed, unexpectedly this 8-9 year old girl knows his teacher and his generation, she even address XuanCi, XuanBei, etc, as 'little monk', but her style of speech is not like a little girl.” Suddenly he recalled: ”Its rumoured that the soul can reincarnate into someone else body...don't tell me....don't tell me some old senior ghost reside in the body of this little girl?”

The little girl said: ”Correct or wrong, just reply, how come you didn't respond?” Xu Zhu said: ”You are correct, but you call our abbot a 'little monk', its really too much.” The little girl said: ”How come he is not a little monk? I am same generation with his Master LingMen, how come XuanCi is not a little monk? What too much or too little?” Xu Zhu is even more startled, the Master of abbot XuanCi, Master LingMen, is an outstanding disciple from the 34th generation. Xu Zhu believe that a soul reincarnated into this little girl's body, he said: ”Then....then...who are you?”

The little girl is furious, she said: ”Just now you address me as 'senior', its still respectful and courteous, but why you keep saying 'you' now? If not for your meritorious service in saving me, granny will end your dog life with a single palm!” Xu Zhu heard her call herself 'granny', he is very scared, he said: ”Granny, i don't dare to ask for your great name.” The little girl's anger turn into happiness, she said: ”Now its much better. Let me ask you first, this 'Seven-Treasure Ring', where you obtain it?” Xu Zhu said: ”An old man gave it to me. Initially i don't want it, i am a Shaolin disciple, i really cannot accept. But that old man is close to death, i can't explain.....”

The little girl suddenly grab his wrist again, her voice trembled: ”You say that....that old man is close to death? He is dead? No, no, tell me first, what is the appearance of the old man?” Xu Zhu said: ”His beard is 3 chi, face like polished jade, appearance elegant and handsome.” The little girl is trembling, she ask: ”How come he is close to death? His...his lifetime of martial arts....” suddenly her sorrow turn into anger, she cursed: ”Stinky monk, Wu YaZi lifetime of martial arts, if he don't disperse his energy, how can he die? How can he die so easily?” Xu Zhu nod his head and said: ”Yes!” although this little girl is young, but her manner is imposing and intimidating, Xu Zhu don't dare to voice his objection, but he is unclear about something: ”What is disperse energy? Its so easy for a person to die, what is so difficult about that?”

The little girl ask again: ”Where did you meet Wu YaZi?” Xu Zhu said: ”You are referring to the elegant and handsome old man, the Master of Mr Intelligent Su XingHe, correct?” the little girl said: ”Obviously. Heng, you don't even know his name, you still dare to lie, you claim he gave this 'Seven-Treasure Ring' to you, shameless, you are really brazen!”

Xu Zhu said: ”You know Mr Wu YaZi?” the little girl said angrily: ”I am questioning you, you cannot question me, i ask you, where did you meet Wu YaZi, answer quickly!” Xu Zhu said: ”At a mountain peak, i accidentally solve the 'Zhen Long' chess formation and i get to meet that old man.”

The little girl clenched her fist, she adopt a striking posture, she said angrily: ”Rubbish! This 'Zhen Long' chess formation confounded countless wise and talented people for over 10 years, a little monk like you who is stupid like a cow, you can solve it? If you dare to talk big again, i won't be courteous to you anymore.”

Xu Zhu said: ”Base on junior monk's ability, obviously i can't solve it. But the situation at that time was dangerous, Mr Intelligent force junior monk to land a chess-piece, junior monk have no alternative but to close my eyes and randomly land a chess-piece, accidentally it landed on the 'live together' stalemate situation, i killed my own white chess piece and sacrifice them to the black side, unexpectedly the situation became optimistic, i manage to solve it under the guidance of another expert. All this by fluke, but junior monk act recklessly, henceforth my guilt is not small. Sigh, i really sin, Buddha have mercy.” As he finish speaking he press his hands together, he chanted the name of Buddha.

The little girl is skeptical, she said: ”Base on what you say, its somewhat logical.....” she have yet to complete her sentence, suddenly a faint whistle transmit from the bottom. Xu Zhu call out: ”Ayo!” he open the cloth-sack, he grab the little girl and stuff her into the sack, he carried the sack on his back and rush up the mountain.

After running for a while, the yelling at the bottom of the mountain became further and further, he turn his head around, a clear set of footprints imprinted on the snow, his voice is hoarse: ”Not good!” the little girl ask: ”What not good?” Xu Zhu said: ”I am leaving footprints on the snow, no matter how far we run they will definitely find us.” The little girl said: ”Go up the tree and travel, you won't leave any track, its a pity your martial art is simply too low, you don't even know the slightest bit of lightness martial arts. Little monk, your internal energy is not weak, there is no harm trying.”

Xu Zhu said: ”Ok, i will try!” he leap up, he is in mid-air, unexpectedly his jump is 1 zhang higher than the tree-top, as he fall down his feet step on the tree trunk, there is a 'KaLa' sound, the tree truck broke off, the tree drop down along with Xu Zhu simultaneously. He is facing upwards while falling, he will definitely land on top of the cloth-sack, Xu Zhu is afraid of injuring the little girl, he hastily turn over in mid-air, there is a 'Peng' sound, his forehead bump against a rock, blood flow immediately. Xu Zhu cry out: ”Ayo, ayo!” he struggled to get up, he is really ashamed, he said: ”My....my martial art is really weak, i am stupid and tense, it won't work.”

The little girl said: ”You rather injure yourself then land on me, at least you are respectful and courteous to granny. Firstly, granny want to make use of you, secondly i want to reward a younger generation, i will impart a leaping technique to you. Listen properly, when leaping, bend your knees slightly, gather energy in your dantian, as you feel the energy rise up, you have to relax your muscles and bones, only think about the 'YuZhen' acupoint....” at once she explain line by line, she taught him how to twist and turn in the air, how to leap horizontally and jump vertically, as she finish teaching she said: ”Follow my method and jump up!”

Xu Zhu said: ”Yes! I will jump alone first to test it out so that i won't tumble and injure you.” He is about to put down the cloth-sack.

The little girl said angrily: ”The skills that granny teach you, how can it be wrong? Test what crap? If you tumble again, granny will kill you immediately!”

Xu Zhu cannot help but shudder, he suddenly recall he is carrying a ghost that reincarnate into someone else body, all his hairs stood up, he want to fling the cloth-sack far away, but he don't dare, eventually he clench his teeth and followed the energy channelling method taught by the little girl, he exercised his internal energy, he focus his thoughts on the 'YuZhen' acupoint, both his knees slightly bent, he jump up lightly.

This time, as he jump up, his body ascend unhurriedly, although he have no support to rely on in the air he can twist and turn freely, he is elated, he shout: ”It work, it work!” unexpectedly as he open his mouth, the energy leak out, he drop down, fortunately he drop straight down, he felt faint pain on the sole of his foot as it bump against the ground, he did not fall down.

The little girl scold him: ”Little idiot, you have to mix your internal energy evenly if you want to speak. You didn't even master the first step, and you are trying the 5th and 6th step.” Xu Zhu said: ”Yes, yes! Its junior monk's fault.” He followed the method and jump up again, he land on a branch lightly, the branch sway a few times, it did not break.

Xu Zhu is really happy, but he don't dare to open his mouth, he followed the method taught by the little girl and leap forward, he flew horizontally for a zhang and landed on the branch of the 2nd tree, he bounce off again, he landed on the 3rd tree, his breathing is smooth, his body light and he has ample power, he leap further and further. Afterwards, he can even cross over two trees in a single leap, he is travelling like the wind in the air, he cannot help but feel shock and excited. The forest is dense, he is flying by leaping off from the tip of the tree branch, there are no footprints on the ground, after the time taken to eat a meal he is already deep within the forest.

The little girl said: ”Its done, come down now.” Xu Zhu said: ”Yes!” he jump down lightly, he support the little girl out of the cloth-sack.

The little girl saw his expression is full of joy and happiness, the joy is impossible to describe, she cursed: ”Useless little monk, you only learn this superficial and tiny bit of skill, yet you are so happy!” Xu Zhu said: ”Yes, yes. Junior monk's experience is shallow, granny, the skills you taught me are very useful....” the little girl said: ”Unexpectedly you learn it with just one round of guidance, granny's divine eyes did not misjudge your talent, little monk your internal energy is not from Shaolin. Where did you learn your martial arts? You are so young, but how come your energy foundation is so deep and profound?”

Xu Zhu's chest ached, his eyes turn red, he said: ”Mr Wu YaZi, just before he died, his....his 70 years lifetime of internal energy, he forcibly transmit it into junior monk's body, he say he use his [Divine Skill of the Northern Darkness]. Junior monk really don't dare to betray Shaolin and change sect, but Mr Wu YaZi don't allow me to explain, he absorbed junior monk's internal energy, although junior monk's internal is extremely shallow, its really nothing, but....but, junior monk really spent quite a bit of hard work to cultivate it. Mr Wu YaZi then pass on his martial arts to me, junior monk don't know if this is a blessing or disaster. Sigh, in short, someday junior monk will return to Shaolin, in short, in short........” he keep saying 'in short', but he really don't know what to say.

The little girl is dazed and did not reply, she spread the cloth-sack on a rock and sat on it, thinking deeply, she said softly: ”It seems Wu YaZi really did pass on Carefree Sect's leadership position to you.”

Xu Zhu said: ”So...so you also know the name 'Carefree Sect'.” all along he don't dare to mention the phrase 'Carefree Sect', Kang GuangLing mentioned before, if outsiders hear the phrase 'Carefree Sect' they cannot be allowed to live in this world. Now that the little girl mention it, he can finally speak of it; he thought: ”You are a ghost, not human, you have no means to kill me”.

The little girl said angrily: ”You think i am not aware of Carefree Sect? When granny became aware of Carefree Sect, Wu YaZi was not even aware of it.” Xu Zhu said: ”Yes, yes!” he pondered: ”Maybe you are an old ghost from several hundred years ago, naturally you are much older than Wu YaZi old man.”

The little girl picked up a dried branch, she is drawing on the snow ground, she kept drawing straight lines, after a while she completed a drawing of a chessboard with 19 horizontal and vertical lines. Xu Zhu is startled: ”She want to force me to play chess, i am really in trouble.” But after drawing the chessboard, she start drawing the chess piece, an empty circle is white chess-piece, a circle with a dot at the center is black chess-piece, the chessboard is filled with chess piece. When the arrangement is half complete, Xu Zhu recognize it, its the 'Zhen Long' chess formation which he solved, he pondered: ”So you also knew about this 'Zhen Long'.” He thought: ”Don't tell me you also tried to solve it many years ago, you think bitterly and eventually died due to anger?” as he thought about it he felt a cold chill on his back.

The little girl complete the 'Zhen Long' chess formation, she said: ”You said you solved this 'Zhen Long', what is the first move, demonstrate it for me to see.” Xu Zhu said: ”Yes!” he killed his own side with the first move and sacrifice a huge group of white chess piece to his opponent, at once the situation became optimistic, afterwards he followed the directions given by Duan YanQing and counterattack the black side. Sweat pour down from the little girl's forehead, she muttered: ”Fated, fated! Who in the world would think of such odd method, kill yourself before attacking the enemy?”

When Xu Zhu solved the 'Zhen Long' the little girl pondered for a long time, she said: ”So it seems that little monk is not talking rubbish. This move is called 'nothing less than complete destruction'. Wu YaZi pass on this 'Seven Treasure Ring' to you, tell me the entire process in detail, you cannot cover up the truth.”

Xu Zhu said: ”Yes!” he narrated everything from the start, how his Master dispatch him down Shaolin Temple, how he broke the 'Zhen Long', how Wu YaZi pass on his internal energy and ring, how Ding ChunQiu use his poison to kill Su XingHe and XuanNan, how he tried to find HuiFang and his martial uncles, etc, he narrated everything.

The little girl did not say a word, she let him finish speaking, finally she said: ”Then Wu YaZi is your Master, how come you didn't address him as Master, why you address him as 'Mr Wu YaZi'?” Xu Zhu's expression is awkward, he said: ”Junior monk is a Shaolin monk, i really cannot change sect.” The little girl said: ”So you are unwilling to become Carefree Sect Leader?” Xu Zhu nod his head repeatedly and said: ”Absolutely.” The little girl said: ”Then its easy, give this 'Seven Treasure Ring' to me. I will replace you and become Carefree Sect Leader, how about it?” Xu Zhu is elated, he said: ”This is exactly what i been hoping for!” he remove the gem ring from his finger and gave it to her.

The little girl's expression is fluctuating, she seem to be happy yet sad, she took the ring and put in on her finger. But her finger is tiny, the ring will fall off if she wore it on her middle finger or ring finger, eventually she put in on her thumb, she scrutinize the ring for a long time, finally she ask: ”You said Wu YaZi gave you a painting, he ask you to go to WuLiang Mountain and find someone to teach you the higher level martial arts of Carefree Sect, where is the painting?”

Xu Zhu retrieved the painting from his bosom, the little girl open the scroll, she look at the beautiful woman in the painting, suddenly her countenance changed, she cursed: ”He....he wants this **** to teach you martial arts! He....his on his death bed, yet he still constantly think about this ****, he draw her appearance so nicely!” her face is full of anger and jealousy, she threw the painting on the floor and step on it.

Xu Zhu call out: ”Ayo!” he quickly snatch away the painting. The little girl said angrily: ”You feel its a pity?” Xu Zhu said: ”This is such a nice painting, obviously its a pity to destroy it.” The little girl said: ”The identity of this ****, that little thief Wu YaZi, did he tell you?” Xu Zhu shakes his head and said: ”No.” he pondered: ”How come Mr Wu YaZi became a 'little thief'?”

The little girl said angrily: ”Heng, little thief is deluded, its been 10 years already, how can her appearance be like this! Pei, even at that time, how can she be so good looking?” she is getting more and more angry, she stretch out her hands and wanted to snatch the painting to tear it up. Xu Zhu quickly withdraw his hands and kept the painting in his bosom. The little girl is short, her strength weak, she can't snatch it, she gasp for breath and cursed: ”Little thief have no conscience, shameless and stinky ****!” Xu Zhu don't understand, since the old ghost that reside in this little girl recognize the beautiful woman in the painting, then both of them must have some prior hatred, although its just a painting but her anger is really hard to eliminate.

The little girl is still cursing viciously, suddenly Xu Zhu's stomach groan in hunger. He ran for almost half a day, moreover he rush wildly and jump about, yet he did not eat a single grain of rice, obviously he is very hungry.

The little girl said: ”You are hungry?” Xu Zhu said: ”Yes. I am afraid there is nothing edible in this snow peak.” The little girl said: ”Why no? There are a lot of bamboo partridge on snow peak, there are also sika deer and antelope. I will teach you a lightness martial art that allows you to sprint on flat ground, i will also teach you techniques to catch chicken and sheep.....” Xu Zhu did not wait for her to finish, he quickly wave his hands and said: ”How can monk kill? I rather starve to death than eat meat and fish.” The little girl cursed: ”Thieving monk, don't tell me you never eat meat and fish before in your entire life?”

Xu Zhu recalled the day he was tricked by that female at the restaurant, he ate fatty meat and drank half a bowl of chicken soup, he said bitterly: ”Junior monk was deceived by someone, i ate meat and fish once, but that was unintentional, Buddha will not blame me. But you want me to personally kill the animal, i definitely cannot do that.”

The little girl said: ”You refuse to kill chicken and deer, but you are willing to kill human, that crime is even worse.” Xu Zhu said in surprise: ”How come i am willing to kill human? Buddha is merciful, sin, sin.” The little girl said: ”You still pray to Buddha, you are really funny. If you refuse to catch chicken for me to eat, after 4 hours, i will die, won't you be the culprit?” Xu Zhu scratch his head and said: ”This mountain peak must have some grass or fungus, bamboo shoots, etc, i will go pluck them for you to eat.”

The little girl expression is grave, she pointed at the sun and said: ”If the sun reach the top of my head and by then i still did not drink fresh blood, i will definitely die!” Xu Zhu is extremely scared, he said: ”You are perfectly fine, why the need to drink blood?” his hairs stood up, he cannot help but think of 'block-sucking ghost'.

The little girl said: ”I have a strange illness, everyday at noon if i don't drink blood, the energy in my body will boil, i will be burnt to death, i will act violently at the verge of death, its not beneficial for you.” Xu Zhu shake his head repeatedly and said: ”No matter what junior monk is a Buddhist disciple, i have to maintain strict discipline, not to mention that i am determined not to kill, even if you intend to kill i also have to spare no effort to stop you.”

The little girl fixed her gaze on him, although he is terrified but he is unyielding and firm, obviously he will not give in, she sneered: ”You claim you are a Buddhist disciple, maintaining strict discipline, what are the disciplines?” Xu Zhu said: ”Buddhist's disciple includes basic precept, the Mahayana precept, etc.” the little girl sneered: ”So much variations and pattern, what is basic precept, Mahayana precept?” Xu Zhu said: ”Basic precept is quite simple, there are four categories, the first category have 5 prohibitions, the 2nd category have 8 prohibitions, the next one have 10 prohibitions, the last one is for monk initiation, there are 250 prohibitions. The 5 prohibitions are for everyone, do not kill, do not steal, do not engage in sex, do not lie, do not drink wine. For those who have taken the tonsure, they have to abide addition 8 prohibitions, 10 prohibitions and finally the 250 prohibitions, they are much stricter than the 5 prohibitions. In short, do not kill is the number one prohibition for Buddhist.”

The little girl said: ”I heard before, for eminent monks to achieve enlightenment, they have to maintain Mahayana precept, they are called 10 restrain, correct?” Xu Zhu trembled, he said: ”Correct. Mahayana precept focus on sacrificing oneself to help people, its to make an offering to Buddha, sacrificing one's life to save all living things, but you don't have to really carry out the 10 items.” The little girl ask: ”What are the 10 restrains?”

Xu Zhu martial art is mediocre, but he is well-versed in Buddhist scripture, he said: ”1st cut your flesh to feed the eagle, 2nd throw yourself to feed a hungry tiger, 3rd chop off your head to thank the heaven, 4th break your bone to extract the marrow, 5th pluck your body to light a thousand lamp, 6th pluck your eyes to give away, 7th skin yourself for scripture, 8th pierce your heart to show your resolve, 9th burn yourself and offer to Buddha, 10th sprinkle your blood to cover the floor.”

As he say one line, the little girl will sneer one time. When he finish speaking, the little girl ask: ”Cut your flesh to feed the eagle, what is it?” Xu Zhu said: ”That is the early life of Sakyamuni Buddha, he saw a hungry eagle chasing a dove, he cannot bear it and hid the dove in his bosom. The eagle told him: 'You save the dove, but you starve me to death, aren't you harming me?' thus Buddha cut his own flesh to feed the hungry eagle.” The little girl said: ”The story of throw yourself to feed a hungry tiger, it must be similar?” Xu Zhu said: ”Correct.”

The little girl said: ”Illuminating, Buddhist have such clear discipline, its really deep and profound, its more than just 'do not kill'. If you refuse to catch chicken or deer for me to eat, then you have to follow the example of Sakyamuni Buddha, sacrifice your flesh and blood for me to eat, if you don't do that you are not a Buddhist disciple.” As she finish speaking she pull up Xu Zhu left sleeve, revealing his arm, she smile: ”I can endure one day of hunger after eating this arm of yours.”

Xu Zhu saw her reveal a dense row of teeth, it seems she want to bite down on his arm. This little girl is short and weak, there is nothing to fear, but Xu Zhu assume she is a female ghost that reincarnated into someone else body, her expression now is really terrifying, he cannot help but tremble in fear, he shout loudly and shake off her palm, he extend his legs and ran up the mountain peak.

In his frightened state, his shout is loud and clear, someone bellowed from halfway up the mountain: ”They are there, everyone chase towards this direction.” The voice is bright and ringing, its Taoist BuPing.

Xu Zhu pondered: ”Ayo, not good! I shout out in fright and revealed our hiding location, what should i do?” he is really afraid of going back to carry that little girl, but he can't abandon her and run away by himself, he hesitated indefinitely and gaze downward at the mountainside, he saw 4-5 black dots moving up the mountain, although the distance is quite far but they will catch up eventually, the little girl will definitely die if she get captured by them again. He walk down a few steps and said: ”Hello, if you agree not to bite me i will carry you and run away.”

The little girl laugh out loud and said: ”Come over here, i tell you something. The 5 people that are coming up, the first one is Taoist BuPing, the second one is Wu LaoDa, the third one is surnamed An, for the other two, one of them is surnamed Luo and the other is surnamed Li. I will teach you a few skills, knock down Taoist BuPing first.” She pause for a moment, smile and said: ”Only knock him down so that he can't harm anyone, you won't take his life, its not murder, it does not violate your precepts.” Xu Zhu said: ”Knocking down a fierce opponent to save someone, that should be the correct way. But Taoist BuPing and Wu LaoDa martial arts are really high, how can i knock them down? Although you are skilled, but i can't learn the moves in such a short period of time.”

The little girl said: ”Idiot, idiot! Wu YaZi is the Master of Su XingHe and Ding ChunQiu. The martial arts of Su and Ding, you personally seen it before, the disciples are already like that, you can well imagine what the Master is capable of. He pass on 70 years of internal energy which he painstakingly cultivated to you, how can Taoist BuPing and Wu LaoDa be compared with you? You are only extremely stupid, you don't know how to use it. Bring that cloth-sack over, hold it with your right hand, open the sack, gather energy to your left arm, slap your left hand on your opponent's lower back....”

Xu Zhu followed the method and learn it, the hand movements are really easy, he is unsure how these simple hand techniques can knock down those martial art experts.