Chapter - 36 Genuine Speech And Genuine Fantasy In a Dream (2/2)

Child Elder saw he is silent for a long time, she ask: ”What are you thinking about?” Xu Zhu told her, Child Elder laugh and said: ”You think those cloth-sack contains dried food and cereals? There is only cotton, its to prevent external heat from coming in and melting the ice. Hey hey, you want to eat cotton or not?” Xu Zhu said: ”Then we have to go outside and look for food?” Child Elder said: ”The imperial kitchen have no lack of chicken and duck. But there isn't much essence in the blood of chicken, duck, pig and sheep, its not as good as the sika deer and antelope on snowy mountain. We will go to the imperial garden to catch some red-crowned crane, peacock, mandarin ducks, parrot, etc, i will drink the blood, you eat the meat, we can survive like this.”

Xu Zhu quickly said: ”No, no. Junior monk cannot kill and eat meat.” He pondered, since Child Elder is safe here there is no need for him to accompany her anymore, he said: ”Junior monk is a Buddhist disciple, i cannot see you kill living things, i....i have to leave now.” Child Elder said: ”Where you going?” Xu Zhu said: ”Junior monk will return to Shaolin Temple.” Child Elder said angrily: ”You cannot leave, you have to stay here and accompany me, wait until i complete my divine martial arts and kill that ****, only then i will let you go.”

Xu Zhu heard her wanting to kill Li QiuShui after completing her skills, he is even more unwilling to accompany her in this evil plot, he stood up and said: ”Senior, junior monk have to advise you but you will surely not listen to me. Moreover junior monk's knowledge is superficial, i am clumsy and inarticulate, i can't think of anything to persuade you, you have to resolve the grievance not deepen the grievance, its time to let go.” While speaking he walk towards the stone steps.

Child Elder shout loudly: ”Stop moving, i forbid you to leave.”

Xu Zhu said: ”Junior monk have to go!” originally he wanted to say 'i hope you can complete your divine skills', but Li QiuShui would be in danger if she completes her skills, moreover Wu LaoDa and the 36 Cave-masters and 72 Island-masters, as well as Murong Fu, Duan Yu, etc, all of them will die a violent death, he is getting more and more afraid when he thought about it, he stretch out his leg and leap up the stone steps.

Suddenly his knees felt numb, he flip over and fell down, immediately after his waist ached, his entire body paralyzed, he knew his acupoint was sealed by Child Elder. In the darkness her body is motionless, she only need to hit the empty air and his vital acupoint was sealed, its seems he can only allow himself to be manipulated before such an expert, he is completely defenceless and can't resist at all. He calm down and chanted scriptures: ”Arriving at hardship during cultivation, instinctively think about coercing by force, neglecting fundamentals and concentrating on details, excessive love and hate. Although i did not commit offense, but i lead myself to it, i willingly accept my suffering without complain. The scripture says: 'Do not worry during hardship, you will gain wisdom....'”

Child Elder interrupted: ”What you ghost scriptures you chating?” Xu Zhu said: ”Excellent, excellent! This is Bodhidharma's <>.” Child Elder said: ”Dharma is the ancestor of your Shaolin Temple, i only know he possess exceptional talent, but how come his so long-winded, a stinky monk with no moral backbone.” Xu Zhu said: ”Ancestor master is merciful, senior please don't spout nonsense.”

Child Elder said: ”You ghost scripture says: 'Arriving at hardship during cultivation, its due to the results of past life, have to accept it willingly, do not blame and complain.' Then no matter how others viciously torture you, you willingly accept it, never blame and complain at all?” Xu Zhu said: ”Junior monk's cultivation is superficial, when assaulted by external demons my inner self will give rise to hate, i am afraid its hard for me to resist.” Child Elder said: ”Now you don't even have a tiny bit of Shaolin martial arts, the martial arts of Carefree Sect you only learn a tiny bit, you lose more than you gain, extremely terrible. Just listen to my orders, i will impart all the divine martial arts of Carefree Sect to you, at that time you will be unequalled under the heaven, isn't that glorious?”

Xu Zhu press his hands together, he chanted scriptures again: ”All living things have no self, suffering and happiness is all predestined. The glory and reputation is all due to the merits of past life, now you reap the benefits. Karmic reward is exhausted and return to nothing, how can it be a happy affair? Gains and losses is predestined, there is no difference.”

Child Elder shouted: ”Pei pei, rubbish! Your martial art is weak and lowly, you endure abuse from people everywhere you go, its similar to you having your acupoints sealed by me, i want to beat you and scold you, you can't resist at all. Its similar to my incomplete divine martial arts, i have no choice but to hide here, that **** Li QiuShui is roaming outside, overbearing and tyrannic. Your Master gave you this painting, he ask you to go beg someone to teach you martial arts and punish that little demon Ding ChunQiu. In this world, the strong gets to bully people, the weaklings have to suffer and endure, if you want to be safe and happy then you must be the strongest person under the heaven.”

Xu Zhu chanted his scriptures: ”Common people fantasize constantly, they are greedy in all aspects, they seek fame and glory. The wise men understands the truth, their logic and action is opposite, they feel at ease and let things take their own course, their form adapt to the circumstances. There is suffering in all three realm, who can be peaceful? The scripture says: 'Those who seek will find suffering, those who do not seek will find happiness.'”

Although Xu Zhu have no talent in debating, but he is extremely familiar with scriptures. This <> is written by eminent monk Tanlin, Dharma travelled from Southern India to China and accepted Tanlin as disciple, the scripture recorded the words of Dharma, there is only a few hundred words, all Shaolin monks must definitely study it. He recited the scripture without thinking, but it refuted all of Child Elder's words.

Child Elder natural disposition is competitive and eager to excel, for over 10 years she gave orders and others complied, obviously none of her female servants dare to refute her words, those men from 36 Caves and 72 Islands, they all treat her orders as God's will, but today a little monk refuted her words and left her speechless. In her anger, she raise her right palm and strike the top of Xu Zhu's head. When her palm is about to hit the 'BaiHui' acupoint on his head, she suddenly remember: ”If i kill this monk with a single palm, he will die without knowing and without feeling, then his fallacious argument is correct and i am wrong, heng heng, how can this be so?” she withdraw her palm, she regulated her breathing and energy.

After a while she jump up the stone steps, she push open the door and went out, she broke a tree branch and use it as a crutch, she rush to the imperial garden. Currently her internal energy is competent, although she lost a leg but her body is still light as a leaf, how can those guards detect her presence? She caught two red-crowned crane and two peacock and return to the ice storehouse. Xu Zhu heard her going out and coming back again, he also heard the calls of birds, he chanted 'Buddha is merciful', since he can't do anything now he can only let nature take its course.

The next day during noon, there is no day-time and night-time in the ice storehouse, the room is pitch-black, the internal energy within Child Elder is boiling and rolling around, she knew the time to practice her skill has come, she bite the throat of a red-crowned crane and suck its blood. After training her skill, she bite the throat of yet another red-crowned crane.

Xu Zhu heard the noise, he advised: ”Senior, this bird, please leave it till tomorrow before drinking, why harm another life?” Child Elder laugh and said: ”I have good intentions, its for you to eat.” Xu Zhu had a huge shock, he said: ”No, no! Junior monk absolutely cannot eat it.” Child Elder stretch out her left-hand, she grab his chin, Xu Zhu cannot resist, his mouth involuntarily open up. Child Elder inverted the red-crowned crane, she pour the crane's blood into his mouth. Xu Zhu felt warm blood flowing down his throat, he struggled and tried to shut off his throat, but his acupoint is controlled by Child Elder, there is nothing he can do, he is angry and anxious, two stream of hot tears stream down from his eyes.

Child Elder drain all the crane's blood, her right hand press against the 'LingTai' acupoint on his back, she help him regulate his breathing, immediately after she hit his 'GuanYuan', 'TianTu' and 'LiangXue' acupoints so that he can't vomit the blood out, she laugh happily and said: ”Little monk, your Buddhist's precepts, do not eat meat and fish, you broke it correct? Since you already broke one precept, why don't you break another one? Heng, if there is anyone who dare to oppose me, i will complete with him till the end. In short, i will make sure you can't be a monk.” Xu Zhu is extremely angry, he is speechless.

Child Elder laugh and said: ”The scripture says: 'Those who seek will find suffering, those who do not seek will find happiness.' You wholeheartedly wish to abide by the Buddhist precepts, then you are 'seeking', since you seek and did not get it, then your heart must be feeling bitter. You have to let nature take its own course, adapt your form according to the circumstances, if you can abide the Buddhist precepts then abide it, if you can't abide it then don't abide it, only then its 'non-seeking', haha, haha!”

This went on for over a month, Child Elder regained her internal energy when she was 60 years old, when she leave the ice storehouse and go to the garden her movement is like a formless demon, if not out of fear of Li QiuShui she would have left the imperial palace. Everyday she will drink blood and train her skill, she will seal Xu Zhu's acupoints and force the blood and meat of birds and animals into Xu Zhu's stomach, after 4 hours, when the food in his stomach digested and he can't vomit it out anymore, she would then release his acupoints. Xu Zhu was compelled to devour raw meat, his life spent in darkness, he really can't bear this bitter suffering, he can only rely on a sentence in a scripture 'Do not worry during hardship, you will gain wisdom' to forcibly console himself, but in reality he 'worry during hardship, hard to gain wisdom', thus he suffered more hardships.

On this day, Child Elder heard him chanting 'arriving at hardship during cultivation, instinctively think about coercing by force', 'willingly accept it, without complain or blame', she sneered: ”Rabbit, deer, crane, bird, you tasted all sorts of meat already, you still considered a monk? Chanting scriptures for what?” Xu Zhu said: ”Junior monk was compelled by senior, i did not do it voluntarily, thus its not considered violating precepts.” Child Elder sneered: ”If nobody compels you, you will definitely not violate your precepts?” Xu Zhu said: ”Junior monk cherish my clean self, i definitely don't dare to break Buddhist's rules and regulations.” Child Elder said: ”Good, we will try it out.” Thus she did not force Xu Zhu to drink blood and eat meat anymore. Xu Zhu is extremely happy, he express his thanks repeatedly.

The next day Child Elder still did not force him to eat meat and drink blood. Xu Zhu is so hungry that his stomach groaned, he said: ”Senior, your divine martial art is nearly complete, you don't need junior monk to serve you anymore. Junior monk have to leave.” Child Elder said: ”I forbid you to leave.” Xu Zhu said: ”Junior monk is very hungry, then i have to trouble senior to find some vegetables or rice for me to eat.” Child Elder said: ”Its possible.” She sealed his acupoints to prevent him from running away and went out. After a while she return to the ice storehouse.

Xu Zhu smell a burst of fragrant aroma, at once his mouth is full of saliva and he crave for it. There is 3 'Tuo Tuo Tuo' sound, Child Elder put 3 big bowls in front of him and said: ”One bowl of simmered fried meat, one bowl of steamed fat chicken, one bowl of sweet and sour carp, quickly eat it!” Xu Zhu is frighten, he said: ”Amituofo, junior monk rather die then eat it.” The fragrant aroma of the food rush into his nose, he forcibly restrain himself and focus on chanting scriptures. Child Elder grab a chicken, she ate it with gusto, she praise repeatedly, but Xu Zhu kept chanting.

On the third day, Child Elder went to the imperial kitchen again and stole a few bowls of meat dish, ham, sea cucumber, bear paw, roast duck, the aroma is extremely rich and heavy. Although Xu Zhu is so hungry that he became weak and feeble, but he still endured and refuse to eat. Child Elder pondered: ”You eager to win in front of me, you will definitely refuse to eat it.” Thus she left the ice storehouse and wait outside, she did not return for half a day, she thought: ”I am afraid you will definitely stealthily eat the food.” Unexpectedly when she return and inspected the food under bright light, Xu Zhu did not even touch a single drop of soup.

On the 9th day, Xu Zhu did not have the strength to chant scriptures anymore, he only bite a few ice cubes to quench his thirst, he did not eat any of the meat dish in front of him. Child Elder is furious, she grab his chest and stuff the braised pork into his mouth. She force Xu Zhu to eat meat, thus she knew she lost the competition, in her rage, she slap him 30-40 times and scold him: ”Damn monk, you set yourself against granny, you want to test how powerful granny is!” Xu Zhu is neither annoyed nor angry, he chant scriptures softly.

From that point onwards, Child Elder forcibly stuff him full of meat and fish. Xu Zhu resign himself and endured, apart from chanting scriptures he slept all day long.

On this day, while dreaming in his sleep, Xu Zhu suddenly detect a sweet fragrance, this fragrance is not from the burning of sandalwood or from the meat dish, but he felt safe and peaceful, an indescribable feeling of comfort, in his daze state he felt some soft object leaning on his chest, he was startled and woke up, he stretch his hands and touch the object, he felt the object is smooth soft and warm, unexpectedly it is a naked person. He had a huge shock and said: ”Senior, you...what happen?”

The person said: ”I.....where am i? How come its so cold?” the voice is tender and lovely, its a female voice, its not Child Elder. Xu Zhu is even more shock, his voice trembled: ”You...you...who are you?” the female said: ”I...i....i am so cold, who are you?” while speaking she lean closer to Xu Zhu.

Xu Zhu was about to stand up to avoid her, while he push out to support himself his left hand held onto the maiden's shoulder, his right hand wrap around her soft and slender waist. Xu Zhu is 24 years old, in his entire life he only communicate with 3 female, AhZi, Child Elder and Li QiuShui, before that, he is always at Shaolin Temple, chanting scriptures and meditating. However its human inborn nature to be lustful, although Xu Zhu adhere strictly to Shaolin's rules and regulations, but during spring when all the flowers boom, he will inevitably fantasize about the matters between male and female. But he don't know what a proper female look like on the inside, thus his fantasy and imagination are weird and bizarre, he is unable to determine the correct answer and he never dare to discuss with his fellow martial brothers. At this moment, his pair of hands touched the soft smooth and delicate skin of the maiden, his heart nearly jump out from his chest, however its difficult for him to loosen his grip.

The maiden call out delicately, she turn her body and hook her hands on his neck. Xu Zhu felt her breath is like orchid, the sweet fragrant of her lip rouge assaulted him, he cannot help but feel giddy, his entire body shivered, his voice trembled: ”You....you....you......” the maiden said: ”I am so cold, but my heart is burning.” Xu Zhu can't control himself, he exerted force in his pair of hands and hug her in his bosom. The maiden gave two 'Wu Wu' sound, her lips move closer, both of them kiss.

Wu YaZi strip Xu Zhu off all his Shaolin's martial arts, Xu Zhu lost all his discipline, he is a robust man unfamiliar with sexual affairs, under the assault of the number one temptation under the heaven, unexpectedly he did not resist at all, he hug the maiden even tighter, at this moment his mind is somewhere else, he is not aware of his current location. The maiden's passion is like fire, she treat Xu Zhu as her lover.

Nobody knew how much time has pass, Xu Zhu's lust gradually fade off, he shout loudly: ”Ayo!” he is about to jump up.

However the maiden embrace him tightly, she said delicately: ”Don't......don't leave me.” Xu Zhu's mind is clear and bright, but it only last for a split second, immediately after he hug the maiden in his bosom again, his pity secretly turn into love and affection, unexpectedly he did not hate her.

Both of them wrap themselves around each other, after a long time, the maiden said: ”Good brother, who are you?” the sentence is tender and sweet, but when Xu Zhu heard it, its like thunderbolt splitting the air, his voice trembled: ”I.....i made a huge mistake.” The maiden said: ”What huge mistake?”

Xu Zhu stammered, he is unable to reply, he said: ”I.....i am.....” suddenly the side of his torso felt numb, his acupoint was sealed, immediately after a piece of felt covered him, the naked maiden left his embrace. Xu Zhu shouted: ”You....don't go, don't go!” in the darkness someone laugh three times, its Child Elder. Xu Zhu is so shock that he nearly fainted, his entire body turn limp, his mind completely blank. He heard Child Elder hug the maiden and left the ice storehouse.

After a while, Child Elder return, she laugh and said: ”Little monk, i let you enjoy romantic happiness in life, should you give thanks?” Xu Zhu said: ”I.....i.....” his mind is muddy and confuse, he is speechless. Child Elder release his acupoints, she laugh and said: ”Buddhist's disciple need to guard against lust or not? Did you break this rule yourself? Or did granny force you? You words are empty, you are a lascivious and womanizing little monk, you tell me, who won? Haha, haha!” she is laughing louder and louder, she is extremely proud of herself.

Xu Zhu suddenly understood, Child Elder is angry over his refusal to eat meat, thus she captured the maiden and use her to tempt him to break his precept, he cannot help but feel remorseful, he is ashamed, suddenly he leap up and swiftly smash his head against the ice block, there is a loud 'Peng' sound, he collapsed.

Child Elder had a huge shock, she did not expect this little monk to be so resolute and upright, he just return from the land of the tender and immediately commit suicide, she quickly support him up and examined him, luckily he is still breathing, but the top of his head had a hole, blood gush out, she quickly bandage his wound and let him consume a 'Nine Revolution Bear Snake Pill', she scold him: ”Are you crazy? If not for the [Pure Energy of Northern Darkness] within your body, this knock would have killed you.” Xu Zhu cried: ”Junior monk commit a grave sin, i harm others and harm myself, i cannot live anymore.” Child Elder said: ”Hey hey, if all monks commit suicide after breaking a precept, then how many will still be alive in this world?”

Xu Zhu is stumped for words, he suddenly recalled, committing suicide is also a huge taboo, in his rage unexpectedly he broke yet another precept.

He is leaning against an ice chunk, his mind muddy, he blame and condemn himself, but he cannot help but think about the maiden, all kinds of tender affairs between them, endless thoughts rush through his mind, suddenly he ask: ”That....that lady, who is she?”

Child Elder laugh out loud and said: ”That lady is 17 years old, beautiful, elegant and graceful, her beauty without equal.”

In the darkness, Xu Zhu can't see the appearance of the maiden, but their flesh interlinked, her soft voice entered his ear, he imagined her to be an extremely beautiful woman, he heard Child Elder describe her as 'beautiful, elegant and graceful, her beauty without equal', he cannot help but gave a long sigh. Child Elder laugh and said: ”You miss her or not?” Xu Zhu don't dare to lie, but he also don't dare to admit the matter directly, he sigh again.

Several hours pass, his soul seems to have left his body, he is in a daze. Child Elder put chicken, duck, meat, etc, in front of him, Xu Zhu already gave up and abandon himself to despair, he pondered: ”I am a sinner, since i already entered other sect, i also commit murder and lust, how can i still be considered a Buddhist's disciple?” he picked up a chicken and ate it, but he only ate the food without concern for the taste, he is in a daze as tears stream down his eyes. Child Elder laugh and said: ”Straightforward conduct, good chap!”

4 hours later, unexpectedly Child Elder went out again and brought that naked maiden back, she delivered it to Xu Zhu's embrace, afterwards she went to the 2nd level and let both of them remain at the 3rd level.

The maiden sigh and said: ”I am having this strange dream again, i am really scared, but also....also....” Xu Zhu said: ”But also?” the maiden hug his neck, she said delicately: ”But also delighted.” While speaking she press her right cheek on his left cheek. Xu Zhu felt her face is warm, he is aroused, he stretch out his hands and hug her slender waist. The maiden said: ”Good brother, am i dreaming or not? If i am dreaming, how come i can feel you hugging me? I can touch your face, your chest, your arm.” While speaking she gently caress Xu Zhu's cheek and chest, she said: ”But if this is not a dream, then how come i am sleeping here for no reason, suddenly without.....without clothes, this dark and cold place? This place is cold and dark, but you are here, you are waiting for me, to pity me, to cherish me?”

Xu Zhu pondered: ”So you got captured by Child Elder, you are also in a daze, your mind unclear.” He heard the maiden's gentle voice: ”Normally i am embarrass by the voice of strange man, but how come when i am here, my....my mind is so unrestrained, i can't control myself? Sigh, if this is a dream it doesn't resemble a dream, but if this is not a dream it resemble a dream. Last night i had this strange dream, tonight i had it again, could it be....could it be our predestined relationship in previous generations? Good brother, who are you exactly?” Xu Zhu is scared out of his wits, he said: ”I....i am...” he wanted to say 'i am a little monk', but he can't say it out.

The maiden stretch out her hand to cover his mouth, she said softly: ”Don't tell me, i....i am scared.” Xu Zhu hug her body tightly with both arms, he ask: ”You are scared of what?” the maiden said: ”Scared that if you say something, i will wake up from this dream. You are the lover in my dream, i call you 'Meng Lang', 'Meng Lang', 'Meng Lang', tell me, is this name alright?” Initially she covered Xu Zhu's mouth with her hand, but she shifted them and gently caress his eyes and nose, she seems to be showing affection yet she seems to be using her hands as eyes, she want to know his appearance. The warm and soft hand touch his eyebrow, his forehead, the top of his head.

Xu Zhu had a huge shock, he pondered: ”Terrible, she touched my bald head.” Unexpectedly the maiden touch a patch of short hair. As it turns out, Xu Zhu stayed in the ice storehouse for nearly two months, adding the days that had pass since leaving Shaolin, his bald head had long grown 3 chi long hair. The maiden said delicately: ”Meng Lang, why is your heart beating so fast? Why aren't you speaking?”

Xu Zhu said: ”I.....i am the same as you, i am happy yet afraid. I tarnish your clean and pure body, i can't repay you even if i die ten thousand times.” The maiden said: ”Don't say that, we are dreaming, no need to be scared. What you call me?” Xu Zhu said: ”En, you are the goddess in my dream, i will call you 'Meng Gu', is it good?” the maiden clap her hands and laugh: ”Good, you are my 'Meng Lang', i am your 'Meng Gu'. This sweet dream, we have to dream for a lifetime, we will never wake up.” They are deep in passion, both of them immerse in this beautiful dream, is it really fantasy? Or are they in heaven?

After several hours, Child Elder finally use a felt cloth to wrap the maiden and carried her out.

The next day, Child Elder brought the maiden to Xu Zhu again. Both of them meet each other for the 3rd time, their confusion gradually fade, their shame diminish, their love and passion everlasting and unlimited, they rejoice in their love. Xu Zhu don't dare to reveal the truth about how they manage to meet up, the maiden also treat it as fantasy, she did not inquire how she ended up in this dream.

These three days of being entangled in love, Xu Zhu felt the dark and cold cellar is like paradise, why the need to bother about Buddhism or seek salvation?

*********

On the 4th day, Xu Zhu ate bear paws, venison, etc, various delicacies brought by Child Elder, he expect Child Elder to go out and bring the maiden, unexpectedly he kept on waiting but Child Elder sat down silently and did not move. Xu Zhu is like an ant on hot pan, he can't sit still, he want to inquire but he don't dare.

He endured for four hours, his worried movements, all kinds of actions, Child Elder heard everything but she ignored them. Xu Zhu can't endure anymore, he ask: ”Senior, that lady, is....is she a palace maid?” Child Elder groan, she did not reply. Xu Zhu pondered: ”You refuse to reply, there is nothing i can do.” But when he thought about the tender affection of the maiden, he is really hyperactive and uncontrollable, he can't restrain himself, after enduring a while, he have no choice but to plead earnestly: ”I beg you to do a good deed, tell me please.” Child Elder said: ”Don't talk to me today, ask me tomorrow.” Although Xu Zhu is really anxious but he don't dare to inquire again.

With great difficulty he endured till the next day, after eating, Xu Zhu said: ”Senior....” Child Elder said: ”You want to know the identity of that lady, how can it be difficult? Even if you want to meet her everyday, never separate again, its also easy......” Xu Zhu is so happy that his eagerness is hard to bear, he don't know what to say. Child Elder said: ”You want to know?” Xu Zhu don't dare to reply momentary, he stammered: ”I don't know how to repay senior.”

Child Elder said: ”I don't need you to repay anything. My [Eternal Youth Never Aging Skill] will be perfected in a few days time, these few days are very important, i cannot relax or slack off for a single moment, i cannot even go out to find food, i already prepared all the cooked food and animals. You want to meet that beautiful lady, you have to wait until i complete my skill.”

Although Xu Zhu is disappointed, but he knew Child Elder is telling the truth, luckily its only a few days, he have to endure the pain of missing her, he immediately replied: ”Yes! All according to senior's command.” Child Elder said: ”Once my divine skill is complete, i will immediately seek that **** Li QiuShui for revenge. Originally that **** is definitely not my match, but unfortunately that **** broke my leg, i suffered great loss in my energy, i am not certain i can take my revenge. In the event i die by her hands, i can't bring that lady to you, its fated, there is nothing i can do. Unless....unless......” Xu Zhu heart is thumping madly, he ask: ”Unless what?” Child Elder said: ”Unless you agree to assist me.” Xu Zhu said: ”Junior's martial art is low and weak, how can i help?”

Child Elder said: ”I will duel with that ****, the outcome of the battle will hang by a thin line. Its difficult for her to defeat me, but its also difficult for me to kill her. From today onwards i will teach you another martial art, [Six Solar Palms Of Heavenly Mountain]. At the crucial moment of our duel you will use this palm style, you only need to press your hand on her, her energy will drain off, she will lose for sure.”

Xu Zhu felt really awkward, he pondered: ”Although i broke Buddhist precepts, i can't be Buddhist disciple anymore, but to assist her in killing someone, this kind of evil deed greatly goes against my conscience, i definitely cannot do it.” He replied: ”I ought to agree to assist senior, but if you kill her as a result of my action then junior will commit another grave sin, henceforth i will sink into vice and i can't reincarnate anymore.”

Child Elder said angrily: ”Hey, damn monk, you can't be a monk anymore, but you still have the heart of a monk, what kind of thing are you? Li QiuShui is a evil-doer, how can you sin by killing her?” Xu Zhu said: ”Even for wicked traitor and evil person, we ought to instruct and reform them, we cannot be rash and commit murder.” Child Elder anger burst out, she said sternly: ”You refuse to listen to me, don't ever think about seeing that lady again. You better think carefully.” Xu Zhu is so sad that he is speechless, he simply chant scriptures in his heart.

Child Elder saw he is silent for a long time, she said happily: ”For the sake for that little beauty, you have no choice but to agree, correct?” Xu Zhu said: ”I definitely cannot agree to harm another human life just for the sake of my own happiness. If i can never see that lady again, then its predestined in my past life. Since we exhausted our predestined relationship, i cannot force it. Since i cannot force it, let alone being forced to commit evil? I definitely cannot do it.” When he finish speaking, he recited scripture: ”Its constructed for a reason, once fate is exhausted it returns to nothing. Gains and losses are predestined, there is no addition or subtraction.” Although he said it out loud, but he is aware that he can never meet that maiden again, he is very sad.

Child Elder said: ”I ask you again, will you learn [Six Solar Palms Of Heavenly Mountain] or not?” Xu Zhu said: ”I cannot comply, senior please forgive me.” Child Elder said angrily: ”Then get lost, scram, go far far away.” Xu Zhu stood up, he bow deeply and said: ”Senior you have to take care of yourself.” He thought about their meeting, although she made him violate his Buddhist precepts, he can't be a monk anymore, but as a result he get to meet his 'Meng Gu', deep in his heart, he felt more gratitude towards Child Elder and less of hate, he cannot help but feel sad now that they are parting, he suddenly recall that her powerful enemy is still around and she had yet to escape danger, he said: ”Senior you have to take care, be very careful, junior cannot serve you anymore.” He turn around and walk up the stone steps.

He is afraid that Child Elder will seal his acupoints again and prevent him from leaving, once he set foot on the stone step he immediately leap up, he gathered his [Pure Energy of Northern Darkness] and rush to the 2nd level of the ice storehouse in an instant, immediately after he rush to the 1st level, he stretch his hands to push the door. His right hand touch the door ring, suddenly both his legs and back ached, he shouted: ”Ayo!” he knew he was ambushed by Child Elder again, his body sway, both his shoulders ached as if pricked by needle, he collapsed immediately.

He heard Child Elder said gloomily: ”You are hit by my hidden projectile, are you aware of it?” Xu Zhu felt some of his wounds are numb and itchy, some of them are aching from being pricked by needle, its like ten thousand ants biting him, he said: ”Naturally i am aware of it.” Child Elder sneered: ”You know what kind of hidden projectile it is? Its 'life-death talisman'!”

Xu Zhu ear is buzzing, at once he recalled Wu LaoDa frightened expression when mentioning the 'life-death talisman'. He only know that 'life-death talisman' is some charm or amulet that can control a person's life and death, unexpectedly its a hidden projectile, Wu LaoDa and his group are all violent and savage, but they become meek and docile when controlled by 'life-death talisman', he can well imagine the power of this hidden projectile.

He heard Child Elder said: ”Once the life-death talisman enters the body, there is no cure or antidote. Wu LaoDa and those bastards revolt against Misty Peak, evidently they are not willing to be controlled by the life-death talisman, they wish to steal the method to break the life-death talisman from Vulture Palace. These dogs are deluded, they can keep on dreaming, how can the method to breaking granny's life-death talisman be stolen?”

Xu Zhu felt his wounds are getting more and more itchy, in addition the strange itch gradually penetrate deep, less then the time taken to eat a meal, his vital organs start itching, he really want to smash his head against the wall and kill himself as its much better then suffering this torture, he cannot bear it and groan loudly.

Child Elder said: ”The life-death talisman, what is the meaning to the two word 'life-death'? I guess you finally know it?” Xu Zhu said in his heart: ”I know, i know! I can neither live nor die.” Other than groaning, he did not have the slightest bit of strength to talk anymore. Child Elder said: ”Just now, when you are about to leave, twice you told me to take care of myself, your speech shows concern for me, you are not without conscience. Moreover you save granny's life, Child Elder Of Heavenly Mountain differentiate grudge and kindness clearly, i have my own reward and punishment, nevertheless you are vastly different from Wu LaoDa and those scoundrels. Granny planted the life-death talisman on you, its punishment, but i can also get rid of them for you, then its reward.”

Xu Zhu groaned: ”We must have prior agreement, if you try to use this matter to coerce me, ask me to commit outrageous atrocities, i....i rather die..then....then...then....then....” the phrase 'i rather die then submit', his unable to say it out.

Child Elder sneered: ”Heng, i can't tell just by looking at you, unexpectedly you are such a resolute person. But why are you groaning and muttering, can't speak properly? You know why Cave-master An stutters?” Xu Zhu said in alarm: ”He is also hit by your life....life....thus he is in so much pain that he stu....stu.....stu.....” Child Elder said: ”Its good that you know it. Once the life-death talisman flare up, it will get worse day after day, the strange itch and acute pain last for 81 days, after that it will gradually diminish, 81 days later it will progressively intensify again, the cycle repeats itself and never ends. Every year i will send my subordinates to patrol all the Caves and Islands, i will grant pain-killer and medicine that stops the itch, the life-death talisman won't activate for a year.”

Xu Zhu finally understood why all the Cave-masters and Island-masters treat Child Elder's subordinates as god, they willingly allow themselves to be beaten, its all for the sake of the medicine that can guarantee 1 year of peace, but won't he also become an animal and allow himself to be manipulated by others for his entire life?

Child Elder live with Xu Zhu for almost 3 months now, she is very familiar with his character and temper, his conduct is soft and amiable on the outside but strong and resolute on the inside, although he is meek and amiable but he can be extremely obstinate and stubborn, he will definitely not yield to threats, she said: ”I said before, you are different from Wu LaoDa and those bastards, granny won't give you medicine every year, you will worry everyday and you can't sleep properly at night. I planted nine different life-death talismans on you, i can remove all of them at one go, cut the weeds and eliminate the roots, you will never suffer again.”

Xu Zhu said: ”Then, many.....many....many....many....” his unable to say the word 'thanks'.

At once Child Elder let him consume a pill, his pain and itch stop for the moment. Child Elder said: ”To get rid of life-death talisman, you have to use the internal energy of palm force. I am about to complete my divine skill, i cannot exhaust my energy for you, i will teach you the method to channel your energy and the palm moves, dissolve the life-death talisman yourself.” Xu Zhu said: ”Yes.”

Child Elder taught him how to channel his [Pure Energy of Northern Darkness] from his dantian to his 'TianShu', 'TaiYi', 'LiangMen', 'ShenFeng', 'ShenZang', etc, the various acupoints, afterwards they will pass through 'QuChi', 'DaLing', 'YangHua' and reach the hollow of his palm, the method to channel energy from the meridians to the hollow of the palm is the unique wonderful skill of Carefree Sect, she also taught him how to take in and send out large quantities of energy, how to circulate and revolve the energy, how to disperse the energy, how to control and release the energy, etc, various different methods. Xu Zhu's body contain sufficient internal energy, after training for 2 days he became proficient.

Child Elder said: ”Wu LaoDa and those bastards, although they have low moral standards, but their martial arts are really not weak. Among those gang of rouges, there are a few who have extremely deep and profound internal energy, but none of them can use their internal energy to neutralize my life-death talisman, do you know the reason?” She pause for a while, she know perfectly well that Xu Zhu can't answer, she continued: ”The reason is because i planted different kinds of life-death talisman on them, the techniques i used are also different and interesting. If they tried to use hard and 'yang' technique to neutralize the life-death talisman, but if the life-death talisman is located at the 'TaiYang', 'ShaoYang', 'YangMing', etc, various meridians, the yang energy will drastically increase and intertwine, it will penetrate deep into their inner organs, the outcome is irremediable. If they tried to use soft and 'yin' technique to neutralize the life-death talisman, the 'TaiYin', 'ShaoYin', 'JueYin' meridians, the life-death talisman within these meridians will flare up. In addition, every life-death talisman i planted have different composition of yin and yang energy, how can outsiders undo it? The nine life-death talisman on your body, you have to use nine different methods to neutralize them.” At once she taught him a palm style, when he is proficient in it she will spar with him, she will use various complicated and sinister palm moves to attack him and force him to use the newly learnt palm style to counter.

Child Elder said: ”My life-death talisman have countless changes and permutation, when getting rid of it, you must be adaptable and change according to the situation, if you make the slightest bit of mistake, you will either spurt blood violently, energy obstructed and die, or entire body paralyze, meridians reverse, internal energy leak out. You have to treat the life-death talisman as a powerful enemy, make an all-out effort, you cannot allow yourself to be relax or complacent.”

Xu Zhu receive instructions and train bitterly, the techniques imparted by Child Elder are incomparably ingenious and magnificent, the energy flow according to one's wishes, no matter what kind of vicious or fierce palm moves she use to attack him, he can simply use this set of palm technique to neutralize, in addition while neutralizing, his technique will definitely contain moves that allow fierce and violent counterattack. The more he train the more he admire it, he finally understood, the 'life-death talisman' can make the 36 Cave-masters and 72 Island-masters break out in fear and become terror-stricken, the talisman indeed has its own inexhaustible might and power, if not for Child Elder's personal instructions, how can he know there is such wonderful and marvellous neutralizing technique?

He spent four days of effort, he is finally proficient in nine different technique.

Child Elder is extremely happy, she said: ”Little....little chap is not stupid at all. There is a saying in military tactics: 'Know yourself, know your enemy and emerge victorious in every battle.' You want to subdue the life-death talisman, you have to know the method to planting life-death talisman, do you know what life-death talisman is made of?” Xu Zhu is stumped for words, he said: ”Its a hidden projectile.” Child Elder said: ”Correct, its a hidden projectile, but what kind of hidden projectile? Like sleeve-arrow or steel dart? Like Bodhi or Daylily?” Xu Zhu pondered: ”I was hit by nine hidden projectiles, although its painful and itchy, but they disappear without a trace when i touch it, i really don't know what they look like.” He found it difficult to reply.

Child Elder said: ”This is a life-death talisman, take it and examine it carefully.”

As he thought about this number one hidden projectile under the heaven, he is really anxious and worried, he stretch out his hands to take it, when it landed on his palm he felt an ice-cold sensation, the hidden projectile is light as a feather, its a small circular sheet, its only around the size of a toe, the edge is sharp and its thin like paper. Xu Zhu want to examine it carefully, but he felt a cooling sensation on his palm, after a while the life-death talisman disappear. Xu Zhu had a huge shock, Child Elder did not stretch out her hands to take it back, how come the hidden projectile will automatically disappear? Its really unpredictable and inconceivable, he shouted: ”Ayo!” he pondered: ”Terrible, terrible! The Life-death talisman drill into my palm.”

Child Elder said: ”You understand now?” Xu Zhu said: ”I....i.....” Child Elder said: ”My life-death talisman, its just a thin slice of ice.” Xu Zhu cry out in surprise, he felt at ease immediately, he finally understood, the thin ice is melted by heat from the palm, gone in an instant, the energy in his palm is like furnace, it turn the ice into vapour, unexpectedly there isn't any water-stain at all.

Child Elder said: ”In order to learn how to break the life-death talisman you have to learn how to launch it, to learn how to launch it then naturally you have to learn how to make it. Don't underestimate this thin slice of ice, to make it as thin as paper, unbroken and undamaged, its really not easy. Put some water on your palm, afterwards channel your internal energy in reverse, let the energy be several times colder than ice, the clear water will naturally turn into ice.” At once she taught him how to channel his internal energy in reverse, how to convert hard and 'yang' energy into soft and 'yin' energy. The [Pure Energy of Northern Darkness] imparted by Wu YaZi possess both yin and yang, the skills learnt by Xu Zhu are all hard and 'yang', but since his internal energy already had solid foundation, its not difficult for him as long as he go against normal principles.

After learning how to make life-death talisman, Child Elder taught him the hand technique and strength in firing as well as how to target acupoints, on the thin slice of ice, she taught him how to attach hard and 'yang' energy, how to attach soft and 'yin' energy, how to attach 30% yang and 70% yin, or maybe 60% yin and 40% yang, although its just yin and yang energy, but the sequence is different, the amount is also different, it follow one's heart's desire, countless changes and permutation. Xu Zhu spent another three days and he finally learn everything. Child Elder said happily: ”Little chap is not stupid at all, you learn rather fast, you already mastered the fundamental skills in life-death talisman. As for subtle and profound variation, able to recognize acupoints without error, that is future matters.”

On the 4th day, Child Elder ordered him to regulate and mix his internal energy, gather internal energy in both palms, she said: ”One of the life-death talisman is behind your right knee, on the 'YinLing Quan' acupoint, channel 'yang' energy to your right palm, use the 2nd palm technique to smack it quickly, channel 'yin' energy to your left palm, use the 7th palm technique to slowly draw and pull it out. Pull three times, the hot poison and cold poison in this life-death talisman will be neutralize.” Xu Zhu act according to her instructions, sure enough, his 'YinLing Quan' acupoint was originally sluggish and obstructed but it clear up, his joint flexible and agile again, he felt really comfortable.

Child Elder gave directions one by one, Xu Zhu simply followed and neutralize the life-death talisman. Eventually he got rid of all nine life-death talismans, Xu Zhu is extremely happy.

Child Elder sigh and said: ”Tomorrow noon, my divine skill will be complete. While completing the skill i have to resolve multitude of loose ends, its incomparably dangerous, today i have to calm down and mediate, don't talk to me anymore to avoid disturbing my thoughts.” Xu Zhu said: ”Yes.” He pondered: ”The days pass really quick, unexpectedly three months simply pass by.”

At this moment, he suddenly heard a tiny voice like mosquito buzzing in his ear: ”Martial sister, martial sister, where are you hiding? How come you are at little sister's house but you did not come out to meet me? You regard me as an outsider, you somewhat upstage the host, correct?”

The voice is extremely soft and thin, but he heard every single word clearly. Who else can it be other than Li QiuShui?

to guard the iron chain, when the enemy arrive they will release the lock in the middle of the iron chain, the iron chain will separate into two parts, the ravine is 5 zhang wide, its difficult for a person to jump across even if he possess extremely high level of lightness martial art. Currently, the group of females notice that the iron chain is cut off by a sharp blade, most likely the guards from Great Heaven Division did not have time to release the lock when the enemy attack the bridge.