Demi-Gods & Semi-Devils Chapter 37 - Laughing Together, Everything Reduce To Emptiness

XuZhu had a shock, he shouted: “Aiyo, not good, she....she....” 

Child Elder said loudly: “Why the big fuss?” 

XuZhu said softly: “She... she finally found us.” 

Child Elder said: “Although she knows I am in the imperial palace, but she doesn’t know where I am hiding. There are thousands and hundreds of rooms in the imperial palace, if she searches one by one, even after ten days or half a month she might not be able to find this place.” 

XuZhu finally felt at ease, he breathed a sigh of relief and said: “We only need to endure until tomorrow noon, by then we don’t need to be afraid anymore.” Sure enough, Li QiuShui’s voice gradually moved further and further away; eventually there was no sound from her at all. 

But after an hour, Li QiuShui’s thin voice penetrated into the ice storehouse again: “My good martial sister, you still remember martial brother Wuyazi? He is at little sister’s palace, he is waiting for you to come out, he has some important matters to tell you.” 

XuZhu said softly: “Wrong, wrong! Senior Wuyazi died long ago, don’t... don’t be fooled by her.” 

Child Elder said: “Even if we shout and scream here, she won’t be able to hear us. She is using her ‘Great Voice Transmitting Soul Searching Method’ to force me to go out. She mentioned Wuyazi, she is simply trying to disturb my mind, how can I be fooled by her?” 

But Li QiuShui talked endlessly, hours and hours went on, she narrated how the three of them fellow apprentices learned their skills, she narratedd how Wuyazi love her deeply. Immediately after she start abusing loudly and cursed Child Elder as the number one lascivious and malicious person, a shrewd and shameless ****, she claimed those words were said by Wuyazi. 

XuZhu's hands were covering his ears, but the voice still penetrated his hands and entered his ears, he couldn’t block it out. XuZhu was extremely irritated as he kept on listening, he shouted: “False, all of them are false! I don’t believe you!” He tore some cloth off his clothes and stuffed it into his ears. 

Child Elder said indifferently: “You can’t block this voice. That **** is using her profound internal energy to transmit it, we are inside the third level of the ice storehouse, yet the voice stills carries here; you stick some cloth in your ear, what is the use? The guards and concubines in the imperial palace, maids and eunuchs, there are thousands and hundreds of them, but none of them have Carefree Sect’s internal energy, none of them can hear this voice. You have to be calm and tranquil, hear but ignore deliberately, just treat the words of that **** as donkey cry or dog bark.” 

XuZhu said: “Yes.” But the discipline to ‘turn a blind eye, hear but not react’, the martial arts of Carefree Sect was much inferior to the meditation skill of Shaolin. Since XuZhu lost all his Shaolin martial arts, he couldn’t ignore Li QiuShui’s words. He listened to various malicious stuff about Child Elder, inevitably he half believed and half doubted, he don’t know if it was true or false.

After a while he suddenly recalled something, he said: "Senior, the time to practice your skill is nearing soon correct? This is the last stage before you achieve success, it is extremely important, but when you listen to her words won't you be distracted?" 

Child Elder laughed bitterly and said: "You only realize it now? That **** calculate the time accurately, once my divine skill is complete she knows she won't be my match, thus she spares no effort to try and obstruct me." 

XuZhu said: "Then please temporarily put aside your plans and stop training, is it ok? Terrible external demon is invading, if you train under such conditions it might be a little.....a little dangerous." 

Child Elder said: "You’d rather die then help me deal with that ****, but how come you are concerned about my safety now?" 

XuZhu was stumped for words, he said: "I am unwilling to assist senior to harm others, but I am even more unwilling to see others harm senior." 

Child Elder said: "You conscience is good. I already thought through this matter a thousand times. That **** is using her ‘Great Voice Transmitting Soul Searching Method’ to disturb my mind, simultaneously she also dispatched her hunting dogs to track me, she has already secured the imperial palace like an iron bastion. We can't escape. The longer we stay here the more dangerous it is. Luckily we brave danger and went to her house, if not, we would have been detected two months ago. At that time my internal energy was low and I couldn't resist at all, once I listened to her ‘Great Voice Transmitting Soul Searching Method’ I would have gone out obediently. Foolish boy, it’s noon already, granny has to train my skill now." She bit off the head of a red-crowned crane and sucked the crane's blood, she cross edher legs and sat down. 

XuZhu listened to Li QiuShui's voice, it was getting more and more wretched; presumably she had calculated this moment, this noon, was the crucial juncture, a matter of life and death between the two martial sisters. Suddenly, Li QiuShui's voice became extremely gentle and soft, she said: "Good martial brother, hug me. En, wu, wu, hug me tighter, kiss me, kiss here." 

XuZhu was stunned, he pondered: "How come she mention about this kind of stuff?" 

He heard Child Elder groan out, she cursed in rage: "Treacherous ****!" 

XuZhu had a huge shock, he was aware that Child Elder was at a critical juncture in her training, unexpectedly she got distracted and start cursing, it was incomparably dangerous, a single mistake and she would fire-deviate, the meridians in her body would all burst and break off. Although he is worried but he couldn't do anything to help. Li QiuShui's soft voice sounded endlessly, all the while narrating the joyous love between Wuyazi and herself. XuZhu could not help but think about his joyous meeting with the maiden, his desire surged, warm blood circulated through his entire body, his skin was burning hot. 

But he noticed Child Elder was breathing heavily, she cursed: " Treacherous ****, junior martial brother never loved you, you seduced him, you have no sense of shame!" 

XuZhu was startled, he said: "Senior, she....she is inciting your anger on purpose, you must not take it seriously." 

Child Elder cursed again: "Shameless ****, if he truly loved you, how come when he was about to die, he rushed to Misty Peak and passed on the 'Seven Treasure Ring' to me? He also gave me a portrait of my 18-year-old self, he drew it personally, he said for the past 60 years, this portrait accompanied him day and night, he kept it close at all time. Hey, you must be very sad when you heard it right....." 

She kept talking non-stop, XuZhu was stunned. How come Child Elder was saying all these lies? Could it be that she had fire-deviated, she lost her mind? Moreover she seemed to be transmitting her voice out to let Li QiuShui hear it. 

He heard a violent crashing sound, the front door of the ice storehouse was pushed open. Immediately after the second set of doors opened as well, the sound of front door closing, the sound of the second door closing. He heard Li QiuShui's husky voice: "You are lying, you are lying, martial brother he....he...he only loved me. He would never draw a portrait of you, you are a midget, how could he love you? You are talking rubbish, you specialize in deceiving people....."

There were a dozen loud slamming sounds, it was like lightning strike, it carried from the first level of the ice storehouse. XuZhu was startled, Child Elder burst into loud laughter and shouted: "Treacherous ****, you thought martial brother only loved you? You head is really muddled. Correct, I am a midget, I cannot be compared with you, a seductive beautiful woman, but martial brother knows everything. You are fond of seducing handsome, natural and unrestrained young man, even his disciple Ding ChunQiu, that kind of little rascal you also tried to seduce. Martial brother told me, I am a virgin till old, my feelings towards him never changed. But you, think about it, you had how many lovers? You married the king of Western Xia and became the emperor's concubine, why would martial brother care about you?" Unexpectedly her voice projected from the first level of the ice storehouse, XuZhu never notice when she had moved from the third level to the first level. Child Elder laughed again: "We martial sisters never see each other for ten years, we should be affectionate to each other. Seal off the front door of the ice storehouse so that outsiders can't come in to disturb us. Haha, you like to rely upon your superior numbers to win, there is no harm is calling some of your helpers to assist. Come on, move away the ice chunks! Transmit your voice out!" 

In a split second countless thoughts went through XuZhu's mind: "Child Elder incited Li QiuShui and lured her into the ice storehouse, she immediately moved the big ice chunks and blocked the front door; she is determined to fight till death. Although Li QiuShui has huge influence in the imperial palace but now she can't summon her men to assist her. But how come she didn't push away the ice chunks? How come she didn't do as Child Elder says, transmit her voice out and order her men to attack here? Maybe when shifting the ice chunks or transmitting her voice, she will inevitably be distracted, Child Elder is standing by the side, naturally she will seize the opportunity and strike a fatal blow. Or maybe Li QiuShui is proud and conceited, she is unwilling to ask for assistance, she wants to personally deal with her love rival." XuZhu pondered: "Previously, when training, Child Elder is always motionless, she does not react to external affairs, but today she cannot help it and shouted out to fight with Li QiuShui, but her divine skill still lacks one more day before completion; she wasted her effort and failed at the final hurdle. I wonder who will win today's battle; if Child Elder wins, I wonder if we can escape the palace; can she compensate her training by practicing tomorrow?"

He heard loud slamming and banging sounds from the first level, evidently Child Elder was waging a gigantic battle with Li QiuShui. XuZhu had lived together with Child Elder for three months, although the old granny is temperamental and moody, her conduct unruly-he really suffered under her-but because he was with her all this time he could not help but feel close to her. He was afraid Child Elder would suffer under Li QiuShui's evil hands, thus he went to the second level to look at the situation. 

As he reached the second level, he heard Li QuiShui shout: "Who is it?" The banging and crashing sounds stopped. XuZhu held his breath and waited, he didn't dare to reply. Child Elder said: "That is the number one romantic person of the Central Plains, nicknamed 'White-face Playboy Wu PanAn', you want to meet him?" 

XuZhu pondered: "My appearance is so ugly, what is this nicknamed 'White-face Playboy Wu PanAn'? ‘Sigh’, senior is making fun of me." 

But he heard Li QuiShui said: "Rubbish, I am already an old woman, you think I am still fond of youngsters? What 'White-face Playboy Wu PanAn', most probably it’s that ugly monk who carried you and ran around." She raised her voice and shouted: "Little monk, is that you?" XuZhu's heart was thumping madly, he didn't know if he should reply or not. 

Child Elder shouted: "Meng Lang, are you a little monk? Haha, Meng Lang, you are such a romantic and charming youngster but she assumes you are a little monk, it’s really funny." 

XuZhu blushed deep red when he heard the phrase 'Meng Lang', he was so 

ashamed that he can't show his face, he pondered: "Terrible, terrible, the conversation between me and that maiden, Child Elder heard everything, how can those words be heard by an outsider? Aiyo, those words that I said to the maiden, I am afraid... maybe... most likely... Child Elder heard all of them as well. That... that..." 

Child Elder said: "Meng Lang, quickly answer me, are you a little monk?" 

XuZhu said softly: "No." Although his voice was soft but Child Elder and Li QuiShui heard it clearly.

Child Elder laughed out loud and said: "Meng Lang, don't worry, you can see your Meng Gu pretty soon. She misses you badly, for the past few days she has no appetite, she is restless, she is thinking about you, she misses you. Tell me honestly, do you miss her or not?" 

XuZhu was infatuated with that maiden, although he had diligently trained his skills in firing and countering the ‘Life-Death Talisman’ for the past few days, he was constantly thinking about her, he was head over heels in love. Suddenly he heard Child Elder inquire about it, he could not help but blurt out: "I really miss her." 

Li QuiShui muttered: "Meng Lang, Meng Lang, as it turns out you are really a passionate youngster! Come up here, let me see what kind of person is the number one romantic of the Central Plains!" 

Although Li QuiShui was younger than Child Elder and Wuyazi, she was over 80 years of age, an old woman; however her speech was gentle and coy, when XuZhu heard her voice his heart palpitated with eagerness. In a split second he really thought he was the 'Number one romantic person of the Central Plains', but he came to his senses immediately: "I am a ugly monk, how can I be a romantic person; isn't it laughable?" Immediately after he thought: "Child Elder is facing a powerful enemy, how come she’s still in the mood 

to make fun of me? There must be some deep meaning behind it. Ah, that's right, that day senior Wuyazi wanted me to succeed him as Carefree Sect Leader, he repeatedly voiced out his disdain of my appearance. Afterwards senior Su XingHe said, to subdue Ding ChunQiu, they must find a handsome natural and unrestrained youngster with high comprehension. Although I possess senior Wuyazi’s divine internal energy, my martials arts are weak, I had to find a person to teach me martial arts, this person was only fond of handsome youngsters; don't tell me the 

person is Li QiuShui?" 

While he was considering this, the flame flickered, bright light illuminated the first level; immediately after there was the loud sound of rushing wind. XuZhu rushed up the stone steps, he looked up, he saw a white shadow and a grey shadow revolving rapidly around each other. The two shadows suddenly separated and suddenly moved close, they emitted 'Pa Pa' sounds; evidently Child Elder and Li QuiShui were fighting a fierce battle. A torch was on an ice block and emitting a faint ray of light. The movement of the two was extremely fast, it was really unimaginable; it was impossible for XuZhu to determine who was Child Elder and who was Li QiuShui. 

The torch burned off extremely fast, it exhausted its flame in a short period of time, with a 'Chi' sound it extinguished and the ice storehouse turned pitch-black again; but palm wind was still rushing about. XuZhu was really anxious: "Child Elder lost a leg, it’s unfavorable for her in a long battle; how should I help her? But Child Elder was vicious and merciless, if she gains the upper hand she will definitely kill her martial sister, this is not good. Moreover the martial arts of these two are so high, how can I interfere in their battle?" 

He heard a loud 'Pa' sound, Child Elder gave a long cry, she seemed to be injured. Li QiuShui laughed out loudly and said: "Martial sister, what do you think of this move from little sister? Please give 

me some guidance." Suddenly she shouted sternly: "Where are you running!" 

XuZhu felt a burst of cold wind brush past him, Child Elder was standing beside him and said: "Second technique, execute your palm!" 

XuZhu didn't understand the reason, he was about to inquire: "What?" but he felt cold wind assaulting him, an extremely powerful palm force moved straight at him, he had no time to consider. At once he executed the 2nd palm technique taught by Child Elder to break the ‘Life-Death Talisman’, in the darkness he clashed with the incoming force. XuZhu experienced a severe shock in his body, his blood and energy were rolling around his chest, it was extremely hard to endure; without thinking he use the 7th palm technique to disperse the force. 

Li QuiShui cried out in surprise, she shouted loudly: "Who are you? How come you know ‘Six Solar Palm Of Heavenly Mountain’? Who taught you?" 

XuZhu asked curiously: "What ‘Six Solar Palm Of Heavenly Mountain’?" 

Li QiuShui said: "You still refuse to admit it? The 2nd move 'Spring Sun In White Snow' and the 7th move 'Three Layer Sun Gate', these are secret moves of my sect, where did you learn them?" 

XuZhu said: "'Spring Sun In White Snow'? 'Three Layer Sun Gate'?" His mind was blank, he seemed to understand but yet he didn't understand; he dimly guessed he was tricked by Child Elder again. 

Child Elder was standing behind her, she sneered: "This Meng Lang, since he carries the reputation as the number one romantic of the Central Plains, naturally he was gifted in the four arts, medicine and divination, horoscope, wine drinking, singing, drinking games, guessing riddles, all kinds of shady business, he knows them all, he mastered them all. Thus he gained the favor of martial brother Wuyazi, he accepted him as his last disciple; he ordered him to exterminate your lover Ding ChunQiu to tidy up sect affairs." 

Li QiuShui said brightly: "Meng Lang, are her words true or false?" 

XuZhu heard both of them address him as 'Meng Lang', he could not help but blush deeply, the first half of Child Elder's speech was false, the latter half was true, but he could neither say it was true nor false. The various techniques taught by Child Elder, they were undoubtedly used to neutralize the ‘Life-Death Talisman’, but how come Li QiuShui call it ‘Six Solar Palm Of Heavenly Mountain’? Child Elder wanted him to learn ‘Six Solar Palm Of Heavenly Mountain’ to deal with Li QiuShui, but he firmly refused to learn. Could it be that the technique used to neutralize the ‘Life-Death Talisman’ is precisely ‘Six Solar Palm Of Heavenly Mountain’?

Li QiuShui said sternly: "Aunty is asking you a question, how come you refuse to answer?" As she finished speaking she extended her hand to grab his shoulder. XuZhu was very proficient in countering the moves from Child Elder, moreover he countered the moves in darkness. When he heard the wind he immediately recognized the form, he reacted according to the situation; when Li QiuShui's finger was about to touch his shoulder, he immediately lowered his shoulder and slanted his body, he flipped his hand and pressed down on the back of her hand. Li QiuShui immediately withdrew her hand, she praised: "Good! This move 'Great Heaven Sun Song', your internal energy is deep and profound, the move is also well executed. Martial brother Wuyazi imparted his entire lifetime of martial arts to you, correct?" 

XuZhu said: "He...he imparted all his internal energy to me." 

He said Wuyazi imparted all his 'internal energy' (功力) to him, he did not say 'martial arts' (功夫), the two phrases only differ by a single word but the meaning was vastly different. But Li QiuShui was extremely agitated, naturally she wouldn't distinguish the difference, she asked again: "Since my martial brother accepted you as his disciple, how come you didn't address me as martial aunt?" 

XuZhu persuaded them: "Martial aunts, both of you are one family, why entangle in this deep hatred and struggle bitterly? It’s all past matters, everyone should just let go and forget it." 

Li QiuShui said: "Meng Lang, you are still young, you are not aware of the sinister intentions of that treacherous old woman, stand aside…."

She did not finished speaking, suddenly she yelled out 'Ah', Child Elder suddenly dashed out from behind XuZhu and made a sneak attack, she landed one palm on her. This palm was soundless and formless, the strength was purely yin and soft. The distance between them was close, there was a delay before Li QiuShui detected it, there was also a delay before she could react, Child Elder's palm was already in front of her chest. Li QiuShui hastily moved her body to retreat but she was slower by one step, her breath was obstructed, evidently her meridians got injured. Child Elder laughed and said: "Martial sister, what do you think of this move from elder sister? Please give me some guidance." Li QiuShui quickly channeled her internal energy to regulate her breathing, she didn't dare to retort. 

Child Elder succeeded in this sneak attack, she could not let her recover, she jumped on one leg and leapt forward, her palm wind rushing as she launched her attack. XuZhu shouted: "Senior, don't do it!" He executed the palm technique taught by Child Elder and intercepted the three palm strikes directed at Li QiuShui. 

Child Elder was extremely angry, she cursed: "Little thief, you using what kind of martial arts against me?" As it turned out, XuZhu had firmly refused to learn ‘Six Solar Palm Of Heavenly Mountain’, Child Elder was aware of the great catastrophe in the future, in order to gain a competent helper during the critical period, while teaching XuZhu how to neutralize ‘Life-Death Talisman’ she also imparted ‘Six Solar Palm Of Heavenly Mountain' to him. Furthermore she spent a lot of time sparring with him, all the subtle and profound variations, all the ingenious and magnificent techniques, she emptied her pockets and taught everything to him. 

When she finally gained the upper hand, unexpectedly XuZhu suddenly switched sides and helped Li QiuShui! XuZhu said: "Senior, I advise you to take into account the relationship of being in the same sect, please be lenient." 

Child Elder cursed in rage: "Get lost, quickly step aside!" 

Li QiuShui gained XuZhu's assistance, she avoided Child Elder's rapid attack, her breathing was already regulated, she said: "Meng Lang, I am fine now, step aside." She launched her left palm and followed up with her right palm, the palm force in her left hand moved around XuZhu and attacked Child Elder. 

Child Elder was secretly alarmed: "Unexpectedly this **** mastered ‘White Rainbow Palm Force’, her palm force can move left and right at will, truly formidable." She returned the palm and clashed head on. 

XuZhu was stuck between them, he was aware that his martials arts were limited, he could not break up the fight and persuade them; he gave a long sigh and stepped aside. 

Both of them dueled for a long time, strong wind assaulted his face, sharp as blades. XuZhu couldn't resist, he wa about to retreat to the stone steps between the first and second level, suddenly he heard a 'Pu' sound, Child Elder groaned in pain, she was pushed by Li QiuShui and crashed against a solid ice block. XuZhu shouted: "Stay your hand, stay your hand!" He rushed forward and executed two moves from ‘Six Solar Palm Of Heavenly Mountain’ to neutralize Li QiuShui's attack. Child Elder seized the opportunity and leapt backwards, unexpectedly she cried out miserably and tumbled down from the stone steps. She roll downwards and stopped moving at the stone steps between the second and third level. 

XuZhu cried out in alarm: "Senior, senior, what happened to you?" He quickly rushed towards her, he groped around and supported Child Elder's body. He felt her hands were ice-cold, he checked her breath, unexpectedly she had stopped breathing. XuZhu was panic stricken, he was really sad, he hugged Child Elder tightly and called out: "Martial aunt, you... you... you killed martial great aunt, how can you be so heartless!" He could not help but cry. 

Li QiuShui said: "This person is very devious, my palm might not have necessarily killed her!" 

XuZhu wept and said: "Still dare say she is not dead? She is not breathing, senior... martial great aunt, I already advised you not to hold a grudge...." Li QiuShui took out another fire-stick from her bosom, she ignited it, the stone step was sprinkled full of blood, the side of Child Elder's mouth and her chest were also full of blood. 

To train ‘Eternal Youth Never Aging Skill’ the practitioner had to drink blood everyday, however if the practitioner's energy moved in reverse and the arteries burst, they would vomit blood. They only needed to vomit one small cup of blood and they will stop breathing and die immediately; currently the blood on the stone step was at least a few big bowls worth. Li QiuShui was aware that her martial sister, whom she hated bitterly for over ten years was finally dead; she was extremely happy, but she could not help but feel lonely and mournful. 

After a long time, she held the torch and slowly walked down the stone steps, she said darkly: "Martial sister, you are really dead? I am still not at ease." She stood 5 chi away from Child Elder, the torch emitted a faint light, the light landed on Child Elder's face, her face was full of wrinkles, the wrinkles near her mouth were laced with blood; her expression was extremely terrifying. Li QiuShui knew Child Elder had trained ‘Eternal Youth Never Aging Skill’ for a long time, her internal energy was deep and profound, she could maintain her appearance and never age; only when the skill dissipated will her face reveal the elderly wrinkles. Li QiuShui was still not at ease, she said softly: "Martial sister, my entire life I experience too much suffering under your hands, don't try to fake death to trick me." She waved her left hand, she launched a palm at Child Elder's chest, there is a few 'KaLa KaLa' sound, a few of Child Elder's ribs broke. 

XuZhu was furious, he shouted: "She already died by your hands, how can you injure her corpse?" He saw Li QiuShui launch her second palm strike, at once he waved his palm to intercept. Li QiuShui looked side-ways at him in disapproval, this 'Number one romantic of the Central Plains' had big eyes and big nose, big ears and big mouth, a wide forehead and dense eyebrows, his appearance boorish; where was the handsome, natural and unrestrained youngster? She was startled for a while, she recognized him as the little monk who carried Child Elder and escaped, she moved her right hand and grabbed XuZhu's shoulder. XuZhu slanted his body to avoid, he said: "I don't want to fight you, I only advise you not to touch your martial sister's corpse." 

Li QiuShui executed four moves in succession, XuZhu was very proficient in ‘Six Solar Palm Of Heavenly Mountain’, unexpectedly he parried every single blow, while blocking his palm faintly contained deep strength that allowed for counter-attack. Li QiuShui suddenly said: "Yi! Who is that person behind you?" XuZhu had little experience in fighting an enemy, he was startled and turned his head back to look. Suddenly he felt huge pain in his chest, his acupoint was sealed by Li QiuShui, immediately after the acupoints in both his legs were sealed as well; his entire body numb and soft, he collapsed beside Child Elder. He was angry and startled, he shouted: "You are my senior, but you employ this kind of trick." 

Li QiuShui laughed and said: "All is fair in war, today I teach you young chap a lesson." Immediately after she pointed at him and laugh repeatedly, she said: "You... you... you ugly freak little monk, unexpectedly you dare call yourself 'Number one romantic of Central Plains'...." 

Suddenly there was a 'Pa' sound, Li QiuShui cried out miserably, the 'ZhiYang' acupoint on her back was hit by a heavy palm, it was launched by Child Elder. Immediately after Child Elder violently punched out her left fist, it hit the middle of Li QiuShui's chest, the 'ShanZhong' vital acupoint. This one palm and one fist were right next to her skin, Li QiuShui had no time to resist, she couldn't lean her body to avoid, she didn't even have time to gather energy to protect her acupoints, her body was shocked by the fist and flew up, landing on the stone steps, the torch in her hand dislodged and flew out. 

Child Elder had conserved her energy for a very long time, the power in her fist was abnormally fierce. The torch flew from the third level to the second level, it flew straight to the first level before it finally dropped down. In an instant the third level of the ice storehouse plunged into darkness again, Child Elder laughed coldly. XuZhu was shocked yet happy, he shouted: "Senior, you are not dead? Good... very good!" 

As it turned out, Child Elder failed at the final hurdle, she did not perfect her divine martial arts, moreover Li QiuShui severed one of her legs at the snowy peak, she sustained great damage to her internal energy after the injury. Thus during the life and death duel, when she fought over 200 moves, she knew she would lose for sure, after getting hit by Li QuiShui's palm her disadvantage became even more apparent. Unfortunately XuZhu refused to help either side, although he obstructed Li QiuShui and prevented her from dealing the finishing blow, he also obstructed Child Elder and prevented her from succeeding in her schemes. Child Elder knew that if she carried on dueling she would suffer a wretched defeat, thus she clenched her teeth and forcibly endured a palm strike, she faked death. As for the blood on the stone steps and on her chest and mouth, it was deer blood prepared in advance, its purpose was to trick her enemy. Unexpectedly Li QiuShui was extremely vigilant, although Child Elder stopped breathing she still launched a palm strike on her chest. Since she started it, Child Elder had to carry it through whatever happens, thus she had no choice but to forcibly endure another palm strike. If XuZhu did not stop Li QiuShui she would definitely launch a few more palm strikes and smash her 'corpse' into pulp, by then there was nothing she could do. Luckily XuZhu obstructed Li QiuShui out of his kind nature, moreover when Li QiuShui finally saw the true appearance of the 'Number one romantic of the Central Plains', she was disappointed and yet found it funny, she dropped her guard, although she was aware that Child Elder was very crafty and fierce, she still did not think Child Elder could be so resolute in enduring the pain. 

Li QiuShui's chest and back sustained heavy injuries, unexpectedly she lost control of her internal energy, it was similar to a flood being left unchecked, it was about to burst out of the dam and flow away. The martial arts of Carefree Sect was number one under the heavens, however if the practitioner lost control of their internal energy, the energies would flow around and collide with each other, it couldn't drain out; the pain and suffering during this period is indescribable. In an instant, Li QiuShui felt all the acupoints in her body were numb and itchy, she was panic-stricken; she was aware that her injuries were incurable, she shouted: "Meng Lang, please do a good deed, quickly exert strength and smack your palm at my 'BaiHui' acupoint!" 

At this moment light suddenly shine down on her face, her entire body was shivering, she stretched out her hand to take away the white veil covering her face, her fingers scratching her cheek, at once her face was full of bloody scars, she shouted: "Meng Lang, you....quickly kill me with a single fist." 

Child Elder sneered: "You sealed his acupoints, but now you ask him to help you, hey hey, you reap what you sow, your retribution came really quick!" Li QiuShui propped herself and tried to stand up, she want to unseal XuZhu's acupoints, but her entire body was limp and painful, she couldn't even move her little finger. 

XuZhu look at Li QiuShui, afterwards he look at Child Elder; evidently Child Elder's injuries were also extremely serious, she leand against the stone steps and groaned. XuZhu’s vision was getting clearer and clearer, it seemed the ice storehouse was gradually getting brighter. He inclined his head and looked towards the source of light, there was a huge ball of fire at the first level of the ice storehouse, he shouted: "Aiyo! Someone is coming!" 

Child Elder was startled, she pondered: "Someone is coming, in the end I still fell under this ****'s hands." She forcibly drew a breath, she wanted to stand up, but no matter what she couldn't stand at all; her legs softened, with a 'Gudong' sound she fell down. Child Elder exerted strength in her pair of hands, she slowly crawled towards Li QiuShui; before her 

soldiers arrived to save her she want to strangle her to death. 

Suddenly she heard faint dripping sounds of water; its seemed water was dripping down from the stone steps. Li QiuShui and XuZhu also heard the sound of dripping water, they turned their heads at the same time and looked; indeed water was dripping down the stone steps. The three of them are baffled: "Where did this water come from?"

The ice storehouse was getting brighter and brighter, the gurgling sound of water, the dripping of water unexpectedly transformed into a stream of water; it flow downed the stone steps. The ball of fire at the first level was roaring, but no one came in. At once Li QiuShui realized the truth, she could not help but say: "The fire burns...the cotton...in the cloth-sack." As it turned out, the area near the entrance was piled full of cloth-sacks, the cloth-sacks contained cotton to prevent external heat from entering, thus the ice chunks did not melt. Unexpectedly when Li QiuShui was hit by Child Elder's fist, the torch dislodged from her hand and flew out, it landed on the cloth-sacks and burned the cotton, the ice chunks melted and turned into water, which streamed and flowed downwards. 

The flame flourished, more water flowed downwards, the gurgling sound of water was getting louder. After a while the water accumulated in the third level was around 1-chi high. Water flowed down endlessly from the stone steps, more and more water accumulated, slowly the water reached their waists. 

Li QiuShui sighed and said: "Martial sister, you and me, both sides suffered a defeat, nobody can live, you...you unseal Meng Lang's acupoints, let him...go out." The three of them were well aware of the situation, the water in the ice storehouse would slowly rise up, they would definitely drown. 

Child Elder sneered: "I carry out my own affairs, why do I even need your advice? 

Originally I wanted to unseal his acupoints, but since you try to be the good person, then I don't want to unseal his acupoints anymore. Little monk, you die because of her words, are you aware of it?" She turned her body and slowly crawled up the stone steps. If she climbed a few more steps she would be able to personally witness Li QiuShui drown. Although she would still die eventually, but as long as she witnessed Li QiuShui die, her revenge could be considered complete. 

Li QiuShui saw her slowly climb up, the ice cold water had already reach her chest. The internal energy in her body surged around, it was incomparably painful, she hoped the ice water would rise up faster; it was better to drown then to suffer the agony of a thousand worms biting her; it was 100 times better to drown then to endure a thousand needles drilling into her as her martial arts dispersed.

Suddenly Child Elder cried out, she tumbled and rolled down; with a 'Putong' sound, water splashed in every direction, she dropped straight into the pool of water. As it turned out, her injuries were too serious, her limbs lacked strength, she climbed 7-8 steps up the stone steps, an ice cube the size of a fist flowed down along with the water, by lucky coincidence it heavily struck her right knee, Child Elder couldn't stabilize her body and tumbled. As she fell down, she just so happened to land on XuZhu's body, she bounced off and landed on Li QiuShui's right side. As the water accumulated, unexpectedly the three of them were squeezed and bundled together. 

Child Elder's stature was much smaller than XuZhu and Li QiuShui, the water had reached Li QiuShui's chest but it had already reached Child Elder's neck. Child Elder also suffered bitter pain as her martial arts disperse, she pondered: "No matter what, this **** has to die before me." She wanted to injure her, however 

in between them was XuZhu; moreover she couldn't even move her arm a few inches. She saw XuZhu's shoulder was touching Li QiuShui's shoulder, she suddenly had an idea, she said: "Little monk, you must not channel your internal energy to resist, otherwise you will bring about your own demise." She did not wait for his reply, she channeled her internal energy and sent it towards XuZhu. Child Elder was fully aware that this act was accelerating her death, the more she exhausted her internal energy the faster she would die; but if she did not do this, she would surely be the first one to die once the water rose up.

Li QiuShui suffered a severe shock in her body, she detected Child Elder's internal energy was attacking her; immediately she channeled her internal energy and counter-attacked. 

XuZhu was in-between them, initially he felt a hot stream of energy from Child Elder's arm, immediately after he felt another stream of hot energy from Li QiuShui's shoulder. In a split second, the two streams of energy collided within his body, the collision was fierce and violent. Child Elder and Li QiuShui’s internal energy were comparable with each other; after sustaining heavy injuries, there was still not much difference between them, it was difficult to determine who is stronger or weaker. Their internal energy clashed with each other; deadlocked in a stalemate, the internal energy stopped within XuZhu's body, nobody could attack each other. However, XuZhu suffered the most. Luckily Wuyazi had imparted 70 years of internal energy to him. Among the three fellow martial brother and sisters, Wuyazi possessed the highest internal energy; although XuZhu was distressed under the attack from two sides, he did not die. 

Child Elder noticed water was gradually rising, it moved from her neck to her chin, and again from her chin to her lower lip. She urge her internal energy and channeled it endlessly; she wanted to quickly kill off her love rival. 

Unfortunately Li QiuShui's internal energy also flowed was endlessly, evidently she was not likely to exhaust it any time soon. But water kept on gushing, Child Elder felt something cold in her mouth, a burst of cold water entered her mouth. She was startled, her body involuntarily rose up, she couldn't stabilize herself; unexpectedly she floated on the water. She was missing one leg, obviously it was much easier for her to float compared to ordinary people. She escaped by the skin of her teeth, she lie down flat on the water surface, the back of her head submerged in the water, she only exposed her mouth and nose to breathe. At once she calm down and considered: "The water rises and I will move higher. Unexpectedly I lost a leg and gained unfair advantage in the water.” She kept on sending internal energy to her hand. 

XuZhu groaned loudly, he shouted: "’Sigh’, martial aunt, martial great aunt, even if both of you carry on fighting it is still hard to determine the winner, but nephew will really be killed." But Child Elder and Li QiuShui were too deep in the duel. The duel had turned into a contest of internal energy, the most dangerous aspect in the fight between two experts, whoever gave up first would lose her life immediately. Moreover both of them were aware that regardless of the result of the contest, they would still die eventually, thus they kept fighting to see who would die first. Both of them were proud and arrogant, their hatred had accumulated for over ten years; who was willing to give up? In addition as they transmitted their internal energy out, although they are getting weaker and weaker, the pain and suffering they experienced due to the scattering of energy was reduced. 

After the time taken to eat a meal, water had risen up to Li QiuShui's mouth, she couldn't swim, she didn't dare to copy Child Elder and float on the water surface. At once she stopped breathing, she utilized her ‘Turtle Breathing Skill’ and competed with her enemy, water flowed past her eyes, eyebrows, forehead, but she still transmitted her deep and profound internal energy endlessly. 'Gudu', 'Gudu', 'Gudu', XuZhu drank three mouthfuls of iced water, he shouted loudly: "Aiyo, I… cannot... ‘Gudu’... ‘Gudu’... I... ‘Gudu’..." He was panic-stricken; suddenly his vision turned dark, he couldn't see anything. He hastily shut his mouth, he breathed through his nose; as he inhaled he felt the air in his chest was incomparably stale. As it turned out, the ice storehouse was sealed, there was no ventilation, the cotton had burned for a long time, the fresh outside air could not enter; the fire couldn’t burn smoothly and had extinguished itself. XuZhu and Child Elder had difficulties breathing, on the contrary Li QiuShui is still utilizing her ‘Turtle Breathing Skill' thus she did not detect anything. 

Although the fire was extinguished, iced water still flowed down endlessly. XuZhu felt the iced water move past his lips, his philtrum (the vertical groove between the base of the nose and the border of the upper lip), gradually it reached up to his nostrils, he pondered: "I am dying, I am dying!" However the internal energy of Child Elder and Li QiuShui still transmitted endlessly from his left and right.

XuZhu felt the room was abnormally stuffy, his energy surged forward, it seemed as if his five viscera (intestines) and six bowels swapped positions. The iced water was a hair’s breadth away from his nostrils, if it rose up a bit more he wouldn't be able to breathe anymore. Moreover his acupoints were sealed, he couldn't raise his neck. But it was really strange, after a long time, unexpectedly the iced water did not rise up anymore. Since the fire on the cotton had been extinguished, the ice chunks did not melt anymore. After a while, XuZhu felt stinging pain on his philtrum, immediately after, the pain spread to his chin, and then to his neck. As it turned out, the ice storehouse was full of ice chunks, it was extremely cold, when the ice water flowed down they slowly turned back to ice again; unexpectedly the three of them were frozen in ice.

The ice condensed and solidified, Child Elder and Li QiuShui were isolated from each other, their internal energy no long transmitted into XuZhu. However as a result, more than half of their internal energy was sealed within XuZhu's body, the energy clashed and collided with each other, it was getting more and more violent. XuZhu felt his skin was about to burst and crack, although he was stuck within solid ice, he couldn’t bear the boiling heat.

He didn't know how much time had passed, suddenly his body vibrated, unexpectedly the two streams of hot energy merged together with the energy originally within his body and became one. He did not need to guide it, the energy automatically rushed to all his meridians and acupoints. As it turned out, Child Elder and Li QiuShui’s internal energy were locked in a stalemate, there was no place for it to drain out; eventually it merged together with the internal energy of Wuyazi. The internal energy of the three originated from the same sect, there was no difference in nature, it was extremely easy to merge. When the three energies became one, the power was abundant and unstoppable; wherever the energy went the sealed acupoints would immediately open up.

In an instant, XuZhu felt his body was free and comfortable. He shook his hands lightly, there was a burst of 'Kala' sounds, the solid ice surrounding him immediately broke up, he pondered: "I wonder what happened to martial aunt and martial great aunt, I have to save both of them and go out." He stretched out his hands and groped around, he felt solid ice everywhere, both of them were already encased within the ice. XuZhu was panic-stricken, there was no time to think, he grabbed both of them. One arm carrying each person, he carried both of them along with the ice and walked to the first level of the ice storehouse. He pushed open the two heavy wooden doors, he felt a burst of clean fresh air, he only inhaled once and felt indescribable joy. The moon was glowing brightly in the sky, the 

shadows of flowers could be seen on the ground, it was very late at night.

He felt happy and thought: "Escaping the imperial palace in the dark is much easier." He carried two blocks of ice and rushed to the edge of the wall, he gathered his energy and jumped up. Unexpectedly his body kept rising up, he was one zhang higher than the top of the wall, however the rising force still did not end. XuZhu had not expected the internal energy within his body to have such wonderful power, he was afraid he might rise up higher and higher, he shouted 'Ah'.

Four imperial guards happened to be patrolling outside the palace's walls, they heard someone shout and quickly rushed forward to check. They saw two crystal blocks sandwiching a gray shadow, it jumped over the wall and moved away, they honestly didn't know what kind of monster it was. The four guards stared stupidly, the three monsters zoomed and entered the forest outside the palace's walls. The four guards yelled out and chased, but where was the trace of the monsters? The four guards suspected it must have been some supernatural being, they debated endlessly, some said it was a mountain spirit, some claimed it was a flower demon.

*************

When XuZhu got out of the imperial palace he took large strides and rushed quickly. The road was made of green flagstone, houses packed tightly together on either side of the road. He didn't dare to linger, he kept running west. After running for a while he arrived at the city wall, he gathered his energy and jump up the wall, he flipped over the wall and ran away. The soldier guarding the top of the wall felt his vision blur, but he did not spot anything.

XuZhu rushed towards a desolate area 10 li away from the city, there were no houses in the area. He finally stopped and put down the two ice blocks, he considered: "I have to remove the ice surrounding them as soon as possible." He found a nearby brook and submerged the two ice blocks into the water. Under the moonlight, he saw Child Elder's mouth and nose exposed outside the ice block, but her eyes were shut tightly; he didn't know if she was dead or alive. Ice fragments on the two ice blocks were washed away by the water, XuZhu held onto them and kept peeling. He removed the solid ice surrounding their bodies, afterwards he raised both of them out of the brook and touched their foreheads; Unexpectedly they were still quite warm, he felt really happy, he placed both of them far apart, he was afraid that once they woke up they would start fighting again.

Half a day passed, the sky gradually turned bright, XuZhu sat down and rested. The sun rose from the east, the birds on the tree start chirping. Child Elder who was sitting under the northern tree gave a 'Yi' sound, Li QiuShui who was sitting under the southern tree gave an 'Ah' sound; unexpectedly both of them woke up at the same time.

XuZhu was extremely happy, he leapt up and stood between them. He pressED his hands together and said: "Martial great aunt, martial aunt, the three of us narrowly escaped and survived, you must not fight again!" 

Child Elder said: "No, how can I give up if that **** is not dead?" 

Li QiuShui said: "The hatred is deep as ocean, I won't rest until she dies." 

XuZhu waved both his hands randomly and said: "Absolutely not, absolutely not!"

Li QiuShui pushed off from the ground and threw herself towards Child Elder. Child Elder circulated both her hands, she concentrated her strength and waited for the opportunity to strike. Unexpectedly as Li QiuShui extended her waist to stand up, she immediately turned soft and collapsed. As for Child Elder, she couldn't form a circle with her arms, she leaned against the tree and panted heavily.

XuZhu saw both of them had no strength to fight, he was elated and said: "Good, both of you rest here, I will find something for you to eat." He saw Child Elder and Li QiuShui had sat down cross-legged, their palms and feet facing the sky, their posture identical. He knew these two martial sisters were channeling their internal energy, whoever could gather enough strength to launch the first strike and the opposing side would have no way to resist. Seeing such a situation, XuZhu didn't dare to move away from them. He looked at Child Elder and looked at Li QiuShui, their faces full of wrinkles, their appearances haggard and withered, he reflected: "Martial great aunt is already 96 years old, martial aunt is at least 80 years old. Both of them so old already, unexpectedly both of them are so short-sighted, such bad temper."

He wrung his clothes to squeeze out the water, suddenly there was a 'Pa' sound, an object fell on the ground; it was the portrait given to him by Wuyazi. The painting was drawn on tough silk fabric, it was undamaged even after getting soaked. XuZhu spread the painting on a rock to let the sun dry it. The painting was somewhat fuzzy after getting soaked in water, he felt somewhat pity.

Li QiuShui heard the sound, she opened her eyes slightly and saw the painting, she shouted in a shrill voice: "Bring it here and let me see! It’s a painting of me correct? Wonderful, I don't believe martial brother would draw a portrait of that lowly *****."

Child Elder shouted: "Don't let her see! I want to kill her personally. If that **** gets angered to death, won't she get off too lightly?"

Li QiuShui laughed out loud and said: "I already saw it, martial brother drew a portrait of me. You refuse to let me see the painting, evidently the person in the painting is not you. Martial brother is gifted in painting, how can he draw a midget like you who doesn't resemble a human or ghost? He is not drawing Zhong Kui (vanquisher of ghosts and evil beings) to catch ghost, why would he even draw you?"

At that time, although Child Elder's stature was small, her appearance was extremely beautiful; Wuyazi was in love with her. Child Elder practiced ‘Eternal Youth Never Aging Skill’, she could preserve her appearance and never age, forever maintaining her looks. At the age of 26 years-old, she could use her divine skill to alter her undersize illness (dwarfism). At that time her martial sister Li QiuShui was 18 years-old, she fell in love with Wuyazi. She was jealous of Child Elder, thus at the critical juncture of Child Elder's training, Li QiuShui shouted loudly behind Child Elder, Child Elder was startled and fire-deviated; her internal energy diverted from the main path and it was difficult for her to recover. She could never grow up, henceforth the two of them became mortal enemies. Currently Child Elder listened to Li QiuShui mention the greatest regret in her life, she could not help but shout furiously: "Treacherous ****, I...I...I...." with a 'Wa' sound she spurted a mouthful of fresh blood, she almost fainted.

Li QiuShui sneered and mocked her: "Just admit defeat? If we really fight...." Suddenly she cough repeatedly.

XuZhu knew both of them are weary and exhausted, they are about to collapse from exhaustion, he advised them: "Martial great aunt, martial aunt, it is best if both of you rest for a while, don't tax yourself anymore." 

Child Elder said angrily: "Won't do!"

At this moment, the sound of jingling bells suddenly came from southwest, the sound was from a camel bell, it was crisp and melodious. When Child Elder heard it her expression was happy, her spirit rose, she took out a short black-tube from her bosom and said: "Shoot this tube into the air." Li QiuShui’s cough was getting more and more anxious. XuZhu didn't understand the reason, he lodged the small tube on his middle finger and shot it upwards; a sharp whistling sound emitted from the tube. Currently XuZhu's finger strength was extremely powerful and extraordinary, the small tube flew straight into the sky, it entered the clouds and couldn't be seen anymore, however it made endless 'Wu Wu' sound. XuZhu was alarmed, he said inwardly: "Not good, martial great aunt's small-tube is a signal. She is summoning her people over to deal with martial aunt." He quickly rushed towards Li QiuShui, he bent down and whispered: "Martial aunt, martial great aunt's helpers are coming, I will carry you and run away."

But Li QiuShui closed her eyes, her head drooping, her coughing had ceased, her body was motionless. XuZhu had a huge shock, he stretched out his hand to check her breath, she had stopped breathing. XuZhu cried out in fear: "Martial aunt, martial aunt!" He shook her shoulder lightly, he wanted to wake her up, unexpectedly Li QiuShui collapsed. As soon as as he touched her, her body hunched and lie down on the ground, she was dead.

Child Elder laughed heartily and said: "Good, good, good! Little **** got frightened to death, haha, my revenge is complete, this treacherous **** finally died before me, haha, haha...." It was difficult for her to breathe in her excited state, she spurted a huge mouthful of blood.

The 'Wu Wu' sound was high and low, the small black tube finally dropped down from midair, XuZhu stretched out his hand and caught it. As he was about to look at Child Elder he heard the urgent sound of hooves, the sound was mixed with the jingling of bells. XuZhu turned his head and looked at the source of the sound, he saw ten camels speeding towards him. The riders of the camels were all wearing a light-green cloak, they rushed over from a distance, it was just like a green cloud. He heard several female voices: "Honorable Master, subordinates arrived late, we are guilty and deserve a thousand deaths!"

The ten camels drew close, XuZhu saw all the riders were female, the front of their cloaks were embroidered with a black vulture, its appearance fierce. When the female riders saw Child Elder all of them leapt off the camels and quickly moved close, they prostrated themselves in front of Child Elder. Leading this group of females was an old woman, she was around 50-60 years-old; as for the rest some were old and some were young, some were around 40 years-old while some are 17-18 years-old, all of them extremely respectful towards Child Elder. They lie prostrate on the ground and didn't dare to look at her.

Child Elder snorted and said angrily: "All of you think I am dead, correct? Nobody cares about this old woman. Nobody is there to control you, everyone must be very free and leisurely, undisciplined and out of control." 

While she was speaking the old woman in front of her kowtowed repeatedly and said: "I don't dare." 

Child Elder said: "What don't you dare? If you really care about granny, how come there is....there is so few people here?" 

The old woman said: "Reporting to Honorable Master, ever since Honorable Master left the palace, all your subordinates are extremely anxious...." 

Child Elder said angrily: "Farting, farting!" 

The old woman said: "Yes, yes!" 

Child Elder was even more furious and shouted: "Since you know it’s just farts, then how dare....how dare you fart in front of me?" The old woman didn't dare to speak, she kowtowed repeatedly.

Child Elder said: "All of you are anxious, then what happened? How come you didn't rush down the mountain to search for me immediately?" 

The old woman said: "Yes! Subordinate's Nine Heaven Nine Divisions immediately went down the mountain, we separated to search for Honorable Master. Subordinate's Clear Heaven Division headed east to respectfully welcome Honorable Master, Sun Heaven Division headed southeast, Scarlet Heaven Division headed south, Vermillion Heaven Division headed southwest, Perfect Heaven Division headed west, Serene Heaven Division headed northwest, Mysterious Heaven Division headed north, Phoenix Heaven Division headed northeast, Great Heaven Division guarded the palace. Subordinate is incompetent, I arrived late, I deserve to die, I deserve to die!" When she finish speaking she kowtowed repeatedly.

Child Elder said: "All your clothes are tattered and torn, these three months, you must have suffered quite a bit while travelling." The old woman heard her words contained hints of praise, at once her face revealed a happy expression and said: "For the sake of Honorable Master we will spare no effort, even if we have to go through fire and tread on water we will do it willingly. This little bit of suffering, it’s subordinate's duty." 

Child Elder said: "I did not complete my training, I suddenly bump into that treacherous ****, she cut off one of my leg, I almost died. Luckily my martial nephew XuZhu rescued me, the dangers and hardships within are complicated and not easy to express."

The group of green-cloaked females turned their bodies simultaneously, they kowtowed to XuZhu and said: "The great kindness and virtue of Mister, it’s difficult to repay even if our bodies are torn and bones crushed." 

XuZhu could not help but feel bewildered seeing so many females kowtow in front 

of him, he quickly said: "I don't deserve it, I don't deserve it!" He also knelt down to return the courtesy. 

Child Elder shout loudly: "XuZhu, stand up! All of them are my slave servants, how can you forget your status?" 

XuZhu said a few more 'I don't deserve it' and finally stood up.

Child Elder said to XuZhu: "That treacherous **** snatched the gem ring, go over and take it back." 

XuZhu said: "Yes." He walked towards Li QiuShui and removed the gem ring from her middle finger. Originally this gem ring was given to him by Wuyazi, he did not feel disturbed when he removed it from Li QiuShui's finger. 

Child Elder said: "You are the Sect Leader of Carefree Sect, the ‘Life-Death Talisman’, ‘Plum Breaking Hands Of Heavenly Mountain’, ‘Six Solar Palm Of Heavenly Mountain’, I have already imparted all these martial arts to you. From now on you are the Master of Misty Peak’s Vulture Palace, Vulture Palace.....the slave servants of Nine Heaven Nine Divisions of Vulture Palace, their life and death are all under your control." XuZhu had a huge shock, he quickly said: "Martial great aunt, martial great aunt, you absolutely cannot do this." Child Elder said angrily: "What absolutely cannot do this? These slave servants from Nine Heaven Nine Divisions are incompetent, they didn't welcome me as soon as possible, I suffered in the cloth-sack, unexpectedly I was humiliated by Wu LaoDa and those bastards, eventually I lost a leg and nearly died....." 

The female servants all trembled in fright, they kowtowed and said: "We deserve to die, Honorable Master please show mercy!" 

Child Elder said to XuZhu: "The servants from Clear Heaven Division finally found me, their punishment can be reduced a little. As for the servants for the other 

eight divisions, break their hands or legs, you can do whatever you want to them." 

The female servants kowtowed and said: "Many thanks to Honorable Master." 

Child Elder shouted loudly: "How come you didn't kowtow and give thanks to your new Master?" 

The female servants quickly kowtowed and give thanks to XuZhu. XuZhu waved his hands randomly and said: "Forget it, forget it! How can I be your Master?"

Child Elder said: "Although my life is nearly over, but I witnessed the death of that treacherous ****, I also found a successor for my entire lifetime of martial arts, I can finally die contented. Unexpectedly you refuse to accept my request?" 

XuZhu said: "This....I really cannot do it." 

Child Elder laughed out loud, she smiled and said: "The lady in your dreams, you want to see her? Do you agree to become the Master of Vulture Palace?" XuZhu heard her mention 'the lady in your dreams', his entire body was shaking, he could not refuse, he blushed and nodded his head. Child Elder said happily: "Very good! Bring that portrait over here, let me tear it up personally. When I have no more worries, I will direct you to find the lady in your dreams."

XuZhu fetched the portrait. Child Elder took the portrait, she looked at it under the sunlight, suddenly she cried out in surprise, her expression was shock yet happy. She examined it carefully again, she burst into loud laughter and shouted: "It’s not her, it’s not her! Haha, haha, haha!" While laughing, two streams of tears rolled down her cheeks, her neck soften, her head lowered, she did not speak anymore.

XuZhu was startled, he stretched out his hands to support her, but her bones were like cotton, she curled up and shrunk, unexpectedly she had died.

The group of green-cloaked females surrounded her, they wept loudly, they were extremely mournful. All these women were rescued by Child Elder under extremely dangerous or distressing circumstances, although Child Elder was very strict, they were very grateful towards her.

XuZhu recalled how he had stayed closely beside Child Elder for the past three months, how she imparted to him numerous martial arts, although her temper was perverse, she treated him extremely well, now she died with a laugh. He was really sad, he lie prostrate on the ground and cried.

Suddenly he heard a soft and sorrowful voice behind him: "Hei hei, martial sister, in the end you still died before me, so who won?" 

The voice was from Li QiuShui, XuZhu had a huge shock, he marveled: "How come the dead person can revive?" He quickly leapt up and turned around, Li QiuShui was sitting upright and leaning against a tree, she said: "Martial nephew, bring that portrait over and let me see, how come elder sister cried and laughed before dying?"

XuZhu pried open Child Elder's fingers lightly, he took the portrait and looked at it, the portrait was drenched and dried in the sun, the brush strokes were vague and fuzzy, however the beautiful woman in the painting still lookeed like Wang YuYan, her eyes and smile, it was really difficult to describe her elegance, XuZhu's heart was moved: "The general facial appearance of this beautiful woman is quite similar to martial aunt." He walked towards Li QiuShui and gave the painting to her.

Li QiuShui took the painting, she glanced sideways at the group of females, laughed indifferently and said: "Your Master fought a fierce duel with me, in the end she is no match for me, all of you are like fireflies; you dare to compete with the sun and moon for light?"

XuZhu turned around, the group of females were holding their sword hilts, their expressions full of grief and hate, evidently they want to kill Li QiuShui to avenge Child Elder; however because they never received the orders from their new Master, they didn't dare to act rashly.

XuZhu said: "Martial aunt, you, you....." 

Li QiuShui said: "Your martial great aunt's martials arts are very good, but sometimes she is not very meticulous. How can I hope to resist if her helpers arrive here? Naturally I have to fake death, hei hei, in the end she died before me. Her bones and tendons are broken, her martial arts shattered, she can't fake this method of dying." 

XuZhu said: "Previously during the fierce battle in the ice storehouse, martial great aunt also faked death and trick martial aunt, both of you are equally matched."

Li QiuShui sighed and said: "In your heart, you are slightly biased towards your martial great aunt." She unfolded the painting, she looked at it for a short period of time, however her expression changed greatly, her pair of hands trembled, the painting also trembled. Li QiuShui said softly: "It’s her, it’s her, it’s her! Haha, haha, haha!" Her voice was full of pain and sorrow.

XuZhu could not help but feel sad for her, he asked: "Martial aunt, what happened?" He pondered: "One of them said, it’s not her, the other said, it’s her; but who is this person?"

Li QiuShui stared at the beautiful woman in the painting for a long time, she said: "Take a look, there is a dimple beside the corner of her mouth, there is a small mole below her nose, correct?" 

XuZhu looked at the beautiful woman in the painting, he nodded his head and said: "Correct!" 

Li QiuShui said dimly: "She is my younger sister!" 

XuZhu was baffled, he said: "Your younger sister?" 

Li QiuShui said: "My younger sister's appearance is similar to mine, but she has a dimple, I don't have it, she has a small mole below her nose, I also don't have it." XuZhu grunted in agreement. Li QiuShui said: "Martial sister said martial brother drew a portrait of her, he kept it close at all times, I never believe her, but…but...but I never expected the person to be my younger sister. How...how...how did this painting come about?"

At once XuZhu narrated how Wuyazi gave this painting to him before he died, how he had to go to Dali's Limitless Mountain (Mt. Wuliang) to find someone to teach him martial arts, how Child Elder reacted angrily when she saw the painting, he narrated everything.

Li QiuShui gave a long sigh and said: "When martial sister saw this painting for the first time, she assumed the woman in the painting is me. Firstly our appearance is indeed similar, secondly martial brother is fond of me, moreover....moreover when I fought with martial sister, my younger sister was only 11 years-old, martial sister would never suspect her, she never noticed the dimple and mole. But a person will grow up, an 11-year-old girl will turn into a 18-19 year-old lady. When martial sister was about to die she finally noticed the person in the painting is my younger sister, it is not me, thus she said three times: ‘it’s not her’. Alas, younger sister, you are good, you are good, you are good!" She was in a daze and tears rolled down her face.

XuZhu pondered: "As it turns out martial great aunt and martial aunt are devoted to my master, but my master had someone else in his heart. I wonder if 

martial aunt's little sister is still living in this world? Master ordered me to use the painting to find a teacher to learn martial arts, as it turns out he is under the impression that the person in the painting is martial aunt." He inquired: "Martial aunt, did previously you live at Dali's Limitless Mountain?"

Li QiuShui nodded her head, she gazed at a distant place, she seemed to be thinking about the past, her thoughts wandering far away, she said slowly: "Previous your master and I lived in a stone cave beside 'Sword Lake' at Dali's Limitless Mountain, our lives free and unfettered, happy and joyous, it was better than being immortal. I bore him an adorable daughter. The two of us collected martial arts manuals of all the sects and schools, we hoped to create a wonderful skill that is all-encompassing and universal. One day, he found a huge piece of precious jade, he carved a statue of me, when the statue was complete, he look at the statue everyday, entranced. Henceforth he did not pay much attention to me anymore. I talked to him but he often gave me irrelevant answers, sometimes he even ignored me, his attention was completely focused on the statue. Your master's craftsmanship is extremely brilliant, the jade statue is truly beautiful, but ultimately the statue is dead. Moreover the statue is based on my appearance, I am obviously right beside him, so how come he ignored me, he just stared foolishly at the statue, how come his gaze is full of love when he looked at the statue? What is the reason?" She mumbled to herself, she questioned herself, she seemed to forget that XuZhu was standing beside her.

After a while, Li QiuShui said softly: "Martial brother, you are exceedingly smart and intelligent, but you are also exceedingly foolish. Why did you fall in love with the statue you crafted, but why did you not love your martial sister, who can talk, who can laugh, who can move, who can love you? In your heart, you treat the statue as my younger sister, correct? I was jealous of the statue, I had a big argument with you, I sought out many handsome and elegant youngsters, I flirted with them in front of you, thus you left in rage and never came back again. Martial brother, in reality you don't need to be angry, I killed all those handsome elegant youngsters, they are at the bottom of the lake, do you know it?"

She looked at the painting again and said: "Martial brother, when did you draw this painting? You only know you are drawing me, thus you asked your disciple to bring this painting to Limitless Mountain (Mt. Wuliang) to find me. But unwittingly you drew my younger sister, you are not even aware of it, correct? All along you assumed the person in the painting is me. Martial brother, in your heart, you truly love my younger sister, why are you so infatuated with the jade statue? Why? Now I finally understand."

XuZhu reflected: "Buddha said: 'While alive, it’s difficult to escape from greed, anger and delusion, the three poisons. Martial great aunt, master, martial aunt, the three of them are exceptionally powerful people, but they are entangled within the three poisons; regardless of their supreme martial arts the pain and suffering in their heart is no different from ordinary folks."

Li QiuShui turned her head and looked at XuZhu, she said: "Worthy nephew, I had some love affair with Ding ChunQiu. Originally martial brother was not aware of it, your martial great aunt leaked out this secret to him, the affair was exposed. I cooperated with Ding ChunQiu and knocked him off the cliff, at that time I really had no other alternative, your master condemned me to death, he wanted to kill me to vent his anger, I would die if I didn't retaliate. But I am not heartless, I did not deal the finishing blow, although he was close to death, I pulled Ding ChunQiu away and left; I did not kill your master. Afterwards I went to Western Xia, I became the imperial concubine, an entire lifetime of wealth and glory. Your martial great aunt sought me out, she used a knife to carve the words ‘well’ (井) on my face, however at that time my son succeeded the throne and became emperor...."

"When your master accepted you as his disciple, did he mention me? Did he think of me? Was he happy for the past few years? In reality, I am not really fond of Ding ChunQiu, in fact I don't like him at all. I chased him away, is your master aware of it? I put a suicide note at the statue in Limitless Cave, in the writings I instructed to kill off all disciples of Carefree Sect, the purpose is to kill Ding ChunQiu and all of his disciples, is your master aware of it? If he knows, he will certainly be happy, he will know that till the day I die, in my heart I only love him....." 

Li QiuShui shook her head, she sighed and said: "’Sigh’, I don't want to talk about it anymore, I can't even manage my own affairs....." Suddenly she shouted in a shrill voice: "Martial sister, both of us are pitiful creatures, even for martial brother, till the day he died he still didn't know who he truly loved...he was under the impression that he loves me, that is good! Haha, haha, haha!" She laughed three times, her body relaxed and collapsed on the ground. 

XuZhu bent over to check, but she was bleeding from her mouth and nose, she stopped breathing and died; it seemed her death was not fake this time. XuZhu looked at the two corpses, he don't know what to do. 

The old woman from Clear Heaven Division said: "Honorable Master, should we transport old Honorable Master’s remains back to Vulture Palace and bury her? I respectfully invite Honorable Master to give your orders." 

XuZhu said: "That should be the case." He pointed at Li QiuShui's corpse and said: "This...this person is the martial sister of your Honorable Master, although she had some feud with your Honorable Master, but...but the feud is resolved when she died, in my opinion....in my opinion....why don't we transport her back as well and bury her? What do you think?" 

The old woman bow and said: "I sincerely comply with your orders." XuZhu felt extremely comforted, he was afraid that these green-cloaked females hated Li QiuShui and they would refuse to transport her body back for burial, maybe they would even mutilate her corpse to vent their anger; unexpectedly they did not voice the slightest bit of objection. XuZhu was not aware that the group of females under the command of Child Elder were incomparably loyal and revered their Master, they didn't dare to defy the slightest bit of instruction, since XuZhu was their new Master, naturally his words were law, they will do whatever he says. 

The old woman commanded the group of females, they wrapped the two corpses with felt and put them on the camels, afterwards they respectfully invited XuZhu to mount a camel. XuZhu said a few humble words, since the matter had already reached such a state he was obliged to personally witness the burial of the two corpses, afterwards he would return back to Shaolin Temple and admit his crimes. He asked for the old woman's name, the old woman said: "My husband’s family is surnamed Yu, old Honorable Master calls me 'Little Yu', Honorable Master can call me whatever you like." Child Elder was over 90 years-old, naturally she could call her 'Little Yu', but XuZhu could not address her like this, he said: "Grandma Yu, my religious name is XuZhu, we should address each other as equals, what Honorable Master, I really don't deserve it." 

Grandma Yu prostrated on the ground, her tears streaming, she said: "Honorable Master please have mercy! Honorable Master can beat me and kill me, slave servant is willing to accept it, I beg Honorable Master, please don't chase slave servant out of Vulture Palace." 

XuZhu said in alarm: "Quickly get up, why would I beat you or kill you?" He quickly helped her up. 

The rest of the females all knelt down and begged: "Honorable Master please have mercy!" XuZhu was greatly amazed, he quickly asked the reason. As it turns out, when Child Elder was extremely angry her speech would be unusually polite and courteous, the receiving party would undoubtedly suffer terrible tragedy, their pain indescribable. The reason was the same as with Wu LaoDa and the various Cave-Lords and Island-Lords, when the people sent by Child Elder beat them and abused them they would throw a feast and celebrate as they had avoided disaster. Currently, XuZhu was very polite and courteous towards Grandma Yu, thus the group of females assumed he was about to mete out heavy punishment. XuZhu comforted and reassured them repeatedly, however the group of females was still anxious and worried. 

XuZhu mounted a camel, however the group of females simply refused to mount the camels, they pulled the camels and followed behind him. XuZhu said: "We have to return to Vulture Palace as soon as possible, if not when the weather turns warm, I am afraid...I am afraid there might be some changes to the remains of your Honorable Master." The group of females didn't dare to go against his orders, however they mounted the camels and followed him from a great distance. XuZhu wanted to inquire about the situation at Vulture Palace, unexpectedly it was not convenient for him to do so.

**********

The party travelled west for five days, while en-route they encountered a sentry scout from Vermillion Heaven Division. Grandma Yu issued a signal, the sentry rode back to notify, soon after the group of females from Vermillion Heaven Division arrived, all of them wearing purple garments, they moved to the remains of Child Elder and cried to pay their respects, afterwards they paid their respects to their new Master. The chief of Vermillion Heaven Division was surnamed Shi, she was around 30 years of age, XuZhu addressed her as 'Sister Shi'. He was afraid the group of females might get anxious again, thus he don't dare to be courteous or polite with his words anymore, he only consoled them with a few words, he said their journey must have been exhausting. The group of females was elated, they gave thanks simultaneously. XuZhu didn't dare to mention words like ' we should address each other as equals', he simply said he disliked people calling him 'Honorable Master', they could simply call him 'Owner'. The group of females bowed and complied with his orders. 

They travelled west for several days, the Clear Heaven Division and Vermillion Heaven Division dispatch their riders and summon back the Scarlet Heaven Division, Sun Heaven Division, Mysterious Heaven Division, Serene Heaven Division and Phoenix Heaven Division, only Perfect Heaven Division had yet to receive news as they were too far west in their search for Child Elder. There was not a single man at Vulture Palace, XuZhu was travelling with several hundred females, he felt really embarrassed. Fortunately the females were extremely respectful towards him, none of them dared to speak with him unless he had something to inquire, this made things much easier for him.

One day, while travelling, a green-clothed female suddenly rode back swiftly, she was a sentry rider from Sun Heaven Division who was scouting ahead; she waved her green flag, indicating that there is some unforeseen event in front. She rode to the chief of her division and reported the matter quickly.

The chief of Sun Heaven Division was around 20 years of age, she was called Fu MinYi; once she finished listening to the report she immediately dismounted and ran towards XuZhu and said: "Reporting to Owner: My sentry rider scouted ahead, the slaves from 36 Caves and 72 Islands, they seized the opportunity when old Honorable Master was in trouble; unexpectedly they have the guts to revolt, currently they are attacking the Palace. Great Heaven Division is guarding the path up Misty Peak, those bunch of demons can't get their way, however the sisters sent by Great Heaven Division to ask for assistance are injured by those demons."

XuZhu already knew of the intentions of the Island-Lords and Cave-Lords to revolt. He assumed that since they couldn't capture Child Elder, with Taoist BuPing having died by his hands, and Wu LaoDa having sustained serious injuries, thus they lacked a powerful figure to take the lead and they would eventually retreat and scatter. Unexpectedly the matter is four months old and they still gathered together to attack Misty Peak. He had grown up in Shaolin Temple since childhood, he had never left the Temple, thus he was unfamiliar with worldly affairs, he really didn't know how to handle this kind of major event. He muttered to himself: "This....this....."

He heard the sound of horse hooves, two horse riders were rushing over, leading in front was another sentry rider from Sun Heaven Division, the second horse carried a yellow-clothed female, her entire body covered with blood, her left arm was chopped off by someone. Fu MinYi's expression was sorrowful and indignant, she said: "Owner, this is the chief of Great Heaven Division, sister Cheng, I am afraid she won't live." The female who is surnamed Cheng had fainted, the group of females quickly staunched her bleeding to save her; her breathing was weak and faint, she was about to die.

XuZhu looked at her injury, Mr. Intelligent Su XingHe had taught him how to treat such an injury before; at once he urged the camel and rushed forward, he flicked his middle finger in succession, he sealed off the acupoints near the severed arm, the bleeding stop immediately. When he flick his finger the sixth time, he executed a move taught by Child Elder, 'Star Pill Jumping Dice', a stream of ‘Pure Energy of Northern Darkness’ entered her 'ZhongFu' acupoint. The female cried out loudly and woke up, she shouted: "All sisters, quick, quick, quickly provide support to Misty Peak, we....we can't resist anymore!"

XuZhu executed this technique and flicked his finger at empty air. He was not trying to show off his divine skills, but merely because the female was a young lady in her prime. Although he was not a monk anymore, he still adhered strictly to Buddhist regulations and kept a distance from women; he don't dare to stretch out his hands to touch her body. Unexpectedly under his numerous flickings the end result was simply miraculous. Currently his body possessed the internal energy of Child Elder, Wuyazi and Li QiuShui, the three great masters from Carefree Sec; his internal energy wass truly no small matter.

All the females had complied with the orders of Child Elder, they treated XuZhu as their new Master. However XuZhu was too young, his words and actions were rather foolish and stupid, in their heart they really don't know how to respect him. Moreover 80-90% of the females at Vulture Palace had suffered great humiliations from men, they were either abandoned by men or had their families wiped out, under the influence of the perverse Child Elder, they always regarded men as vipers or ferocious beasts. At this moment, they witnessed XuZhu execute his moves and recognized them as martial arts of Vulture Palace, moreover his internal energy was extremely pure, unexpectedly it was far superior compared with their old Honorable Master. The group of females were extremely shocked, they cheered in unison, all of them prostrated on the ground as if by prior agreement. XuZhu said in alarm: "What is this? Quickly get up, get up."

Someone said to the female surnamed Cheng: "Honorable Master became an immortal, this youngster is the benefactor of Honorable Master, he is also her successor, he is the new Master of Vulture Palace." 

The female was called Cheng QingShuang, she struggled to dismount her horse, she kowtowed to XuZhu and said: "I thank Honorable Master for saving me, please... please... Honorable Master please save our sisters at Misty Peak. Everyone has endured for ten days, we are heavily outnumbered, we are really in extremely...extremely critical condition." When she finished speaking she lay prostrate on the ground, she couldn't even raise her head.

XuZhu quickly said: "Sister Shi, quickly help her up. Grandma Yu, you...what do you think we should do?"

Grandma Yu had travelled with this new owner for over ten days, she was well aware that he was honest and naïve; he was unfamiliar with worldly affair. She said: "Informing Owner, if we go to Misty Peak now it will require two days of travel, Owner can order slave servant to command my division, we will immediately rush ahead to provide assistance. Owner will lead the rest of our sisters and arrive soon after. When Owner arrives those demons will naturally disintegrate and vanish, there is no need to worry."

XuZhu nodded his head, but he still felt the matter was a bit inappropriate, he didn't know how to comment for the moment.

Grandma Yu turned her head and said to Fu MinYi: "Sister Fu, Owner will display his skill and those bunch of demons will be frightened off, but the cassock he is wearing is not spectacular enough. You are the divine seamstress of our Palace, quickly make a new cassock for Owner!" Fu MinYi said: "Precisely! Sister is also thinking about the same thing."

XuZhu was startled, he was worried about urgent matters, how come they were making a cassock now? It was really the outlook of a married women. However these females were indeed married women, their views were precisely those of married women.

The group of females was all gazing at XuZhu, waiting for his orders. XuZhu lowered his head, the monk's robe he was wearing was tattered and filthy; he hadn't wash it for four months, it was extremely smelly and hard to bear. He was instructed by his master since childhood, he had to study the Five Aggregates of emptiness, he could not hanker after clothes and food, thus he did not care about such matters at all; but now Grandma Yu mentioned the matter, he also noticed his female subordinates were wearing gorgeous clothes, he could not help but feel ashamed. Moreover he was not a monk anymore but he was still wearing a monk’s robe, it was really not acceptable. In reality, the females already treated him as their owner; why would they make fun of his clothes? The group of females looked at his expression and his eyes, to see whether he was happy or angry, what his intentions were; however XuZhu was feeling ashamed and inferior, his expression was bashful.

Grandma Yu waited for some time, she inquired again: "Owner, slave servant will move on ahead first, what do you think?"

XuZhu said: "Let us go together, saving people is important. My clothes are simply too filthy, later I...I will go wash, to avoid letting you all smell its stench...." He urged his camel and rushed on ahead first. The group of females felt the same anger and hatred towards their enemies, they urged their mounts and followed him. Camels could run longer, while sprinting its speed exceeded a horse, the party rushed for 10 li and finally stopped to rest; they lit a fire to prepare meals.

Grandma Yu pointed at a mountain peak in the northwest corner, she said to XuZhu: "Owner, that is Misty Peak. The mountain peak is shrouded in mist throughout the year, when you look at it from far it is faint and indistinct, thus it is known as Misty Peak." 

XuZhu said: "It seems we are still very far off, the sooner we arrive the better, we should travel throughout the night as well." 

The group of females said: "Yes! Many thanks to Owner for your concern for the slave servants of Great Heaven Division." After finishing their meals, they mounted the camels and travelled again; when they reached the base of Misty Peak it was already the dawn of second day.

Fu MinYi clasped a multi-colored object and walked towards XuZhu, she bowed and said: "Slave servant skill is crude and lowly, I invite Owner to reward me by wearing it." 

XuZhu said curiously: "What is that?" He received the object and shook it open, it was a men's robe; it was patched together using many strips of brocade, red, yellow, green, purple, black, all kinds of brocade stripes, it was luxurious and elegant. As it turned out, Fu MinYi cut some cloth off the cloaks of the group of females, she made a robe for XuZhu.

XuZhu was shocked yet happy, he said: "Lady Fu you are indeed worthy of being called ‘Divine Seamstress', while riding on a camel unexpectedly you can make such beautiful clothes." At once he removed his monk’s robe and wore the new robe, it fit him perfectly; the cuff and collar was made of gray mink fur, the mink fur was also cut off from the female clothes. Although XuZhu was ugly, but when he wore the luxurious robe at once his vigor was displayed prominently, everyone cheered. XuZhu’s expression was timid and bashful, he don't know what to do.

At this time, the party had arrived at the intersection of the route up to Misty Peak. Cheng QingShuang had already narrated the situation while en route, when she got down the peak the enemy had already occupied Broken Soul Cliff, they had lost 11 out of the 18 natural strongholds at Misty Peak; the Great Heaven Division had lost more than half of its group, the situation was extremely dangerous and critical. XuZhu saw the base of the peak was quiet, there was no one nearby, a few blades of green grass sprouted in the white snowy ground. If he did not receive information in advance how could he imagine that this tranquil place contained endless killings and death. The group of females was worried, they were concerned about the safety of their fellow sisters of Great Heaven Division.

Sister Shi pulled out her saber and shouted loudly: "Out of the nine Heavens of Misty Peak, eight Heaven Divisions went down the peak, only one division remained to guard; those thieves took advantage of the situation and attacked, they are extremely shameless. Owner, please give your orders, everyone will rush up the peak and fight those thieves to the death!" She was extremely agitated and angry. 

However Grandma Yu said: "Sister Shi don't be impatient, the enemy is powerful, Great Heaven Division fully relied on the 18 natural strongholds, that is why they can endure for so long. Now we are at the base of the peak, the enemy turn into the host, they occupy the high ground and have the advantage....." 

Sister Shi said: "Then in your opinion what should we do?" 

Grandma Yu said: "We should remain calm and silent, quietly go up the peak, the longer the enemy takes to detect us the better."

XuZhu nodded his head and said: "Grandma Yu is correct." Since he already said it, nobody dared to have other ideas.

The eight divisions arranged into troops, they quietly moved up the mountain. As they moved up the peak, their level of lightness martial arts became apparent immediately. XuZhu looked at Grandma Yu, Sister Shi, Fu MinYi and the other division chiefs, although they were women, their footwork was solid and nimble, he reflected: "Sure enough, there are no poor soldiers under a good general, the divisions under martial great aunt are all truly capable."

They moved past various strongholds, but the areas were littered with broken sabers and swords, marks on trees and crushed rocks, they could deduce that when the enemy passed by, fierce and tragic battles broke out. They moved past Broken Soul Cliff, Broken Bone Cliff, 100 Zhang Cave and arrived at Heaven Connecting Bridge, however the metal chain bridge between the two cliffs was cut off by some precious saber. The two cliffs were separated by 5 zhang, it was extremely difficult to cross over.

The group of females were overwhelmed with shock, they pondered: "Could it be the sisters from Great Heaven Division all sacrificed themselves in this disaster?" The group of females knew the Heaven Connecting Bridge was an unavoidable route that links to two strongholds, 100 Zhang Cave and Immortal Worry Gate; although it was called a bridge but it was just an iron chain that stretched across two cliffs, underneath was a deep ravine. Those who arrive at Vulture Palace must naturally be martial art experts, it was not difficult for them to step on the chain and cross over. When Cheng QingShuang went down the peak, the enemy had only attacked as far as Broken Soul Cliff, they were far away from Heaven Connecting Bridge. Moreover the Great Heaven Division was well prepared, they sent people to guard the iron chain, when the enemy arrived they would release the lock in the middle of the iron chain, the iron chain would separate into two parts. The ravine was 5 zhang wide, it was difficult for a person to jump across even if he possessed an extremely high level of lightness martial arts. Currently, the group of females noticed that the iron chain was 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 attacked the bridge.

Sister Shi brandished her Willow-leaf Saber, the saber wind made a 'HuHu' sound, she shouted: "Grandma Yu, quickly think of an idea on how to cross over." 

Grandma Yu said: "En, how to cross, it is really not easy...."

She did not complete her sentence, suddenly they heard two miserable 'Ah Ah' cries from the opposite mountain; it was a female voice. The blood of the group of females were boiling, they knew their sisters from Great Heaven Division had encountered the enemy; they wished they could sprout wings and fly over to fight the enemy till death; but no matter how they shouted or cursed, their wailing unending, they still couldn't fly and cross over the stronghold.

End Of Chapter 37

Annotation: Buddhists believe that life is full of pain and suffering, they cannot break away from it: the main source of trouble is in "three poison" (Trini Akusalamulani), they are also known as "three evil", namely, "greed" (Ragah), "anger" (Dosah), "delusion" (Mohah). "Greed" is desire and craving, the desire for all kinds of material or mental wants, love, pursuit of fame and profit or power, etc; "Anger" is hatred and hostility, detest and complain, losing hope, causing harm, injuring others, mentally torturing others, loathing others, jealousy, taking joy in other people's misfortune, etc; "Delusion" is the lack of realization, making mistake, absurd thoughts, hallucination and fantasy, having false opinion, "delusion" is the being of idiocy and not the being of infatuation. A Buddhist sometimes address "non-Buddhist" as "ignorant common man", it stems from a type of benevolence as they believe they should not act hostile against members of another religion, the reason is merely because they have yet to understand Buddhist doctrine, they don't understand the truth, thus those who have yet to understand the truth is known as "deluded". The common understanding of Chinese scholars with regards to "delusion" of the "three poison", is that it refers to infatuation, being infatuated with, the mistake arose because both phrase share the same word in Chinese writings. In Buddhist doctrine, being infatuated with, having attachment, cannot forget and constantly keeping in mind, difficulty in freeing oneself, its the same as Duan Yu's feelings towards Wang YuYan, within the "three poison" its classified as "greed", its not considered "delusion". But human can be "infatuated" or "lovesick", the reason is because they "make mistakes" and they "don't understand the truth", thus there is no much difference between the two sides. The word "greed" in Chinese writings refers to excessive desire to acquire more than one needs; The word "greed" in Buddhist doctrine is the same but it also include reasonable compensation, for example, passing exam, earning money in business, etc, the reward you obtain is to satisfy your "greed".

Buddhist believes that out of the "three poison", "delusion" is most difficult to eliminate, the reason is because if one's heart have no "delusion", then one will have "correct insight", "correct thoughts", one will have true understanding of the "ultimate essence of being", one can then sever their roots of stupidity and gain roots of benefit, this will give rise to "three wholesome thinking" (breaking away, no rage, no harm), and henceforth gain wisdom, one can then get rid of "greed" and "anger". "Delusion" in Buddhist doctrine is translated in English as "delusion, ignorance, false thinking, without the right understanding, without the right thoughts". Its not difficult to get rid of "anger", its extremely difficult to get rid of "greed", but if one can get rid of "delusion", then they can achieve supreme enlightenment or nirvana, they will see the truth in Buddhism. Thus "not understanding Buddhism" is one of life's "eight difficulties", its similar to being born deaf, mute and blind.

- End Of Chapter 37 -