"Greetings, young master Sun," Gou'er bowed. Sun Bole commented, "You've changed so much in a year, I almost didn't recognize you." Gou'er inwardly thought it was no wonder that other person hadn't recognized her either. Sun Bole's tone turned urgent. "Where is Mistress Lin?"
Sun Bole waited at the cave entrance. When Lin Chaoying emerged, still as frigid as ice and frost, she radiated a renewed vitality, her previous year's weariness completely gone. Was it only Wang Shixiong who could bring this about? Despite his simmering resentment, he stated his purpose, "You must know where Wang Shixiong is now."
Lin Chaoying replied, "He's in Luzhou, training new recruits." You should also know that the court and the army are locked in endless, pathetic debates over whether to launch a surprise attack on Shandong or maintain the advance into Shaanxi.
Sun Bole pressed further, "Do you know Mao Ya's whereabouts?" It had been two years since their parting at Lihewawa. Lin Chaoying shook her head.
How foolish of that utterly arrogant demon to inquire about your well-being every month or two! Sun Bole declared, "He is in Yangdi, Xuzhou, secretly establishing a warehouse to prepare military supplies for the Jin's next southward invasion."
Lin Chaoying watched him coldly, waiting for him to reveal his true intentions.
Sun Bole continued, "The Jin ruler, Yongweipuo San Zhongyi, has been appointed Grand Marshal to oversee Kaifeng Prefecture, unifying command of the Jin forces south of the Yellow River, aiming to suppress peace talks with war and coerce the Emperor into a new treaty. Within the Northern Expeditionary Army, the 'Northern Martial Corps,' comprised mainly of martial artists, plans to destroy this warehouse and crush the Jin's morale."
Lin Chaoying stated, "It seems we cannot avoid meeting."
Sun Bole asked, "Can you bear to see it?"
His "Golden Boy Swordplay," created in seclusion within the tomb, was aimed at avenging his brother; his brother, both publicly and privately, harbored a deep hatred for him and would surely fight with all his might. Truly unable to bear the thought of the two clashing, Lin Chaoying shook her head again.
"I will find a way to divert Wang Shixiong, and you should persuade Mao Ya to leave as well. He will listen to your words," Sun Bole added. "In truth, he knows very well that he is the only one left in the Demon Peaks following your grandmother's path and striving to fulfill her dying wish. The Jin court is already displeased with his arrogance stemming from their support, spreading rumors that he intends to 'usurp the Jin and restore the Tang.' You should advise him to resign and roam the jianghu. Regardless of Sun Bole's motives, Lin Chaoying agreed that she should try to persuade her brother to let go of his obsession and live anew, just as her grand-aunt had encouraged her. Sun Bole further explained, "I have requested leave from the Wei Wu Alliance citing a period of reclusive cultivation. This trip is a solo and secret endeavor." Lin Chaoying, feeling apprehensive, had no choice but to nod.
Gou'er was ordered to accommodate Sun Bole, who would spend the night in the stone chamber at the windy cave. Gou'er was grateful for his consistent care and affection for the young lady, and though she knew her request was excessive, she still ventured, "Young master, could you also persuade elder brother Shixiong to withdraw and for the young lady to retire to the Tomb of the Living Dead?" Sun Bole chuckled, "Rest assured, Wang Shixiong will retreat in due time. Who could endure the likes of Shi Weigeng and those greedy for profit?" A sound, faintly like an ape's cry, drifted through the air. Gou'er said, "Don't be alarmed, young master. Strange individuals may frequent this place, but they mean no harm. These are unfortunate souls afflicted by the poison from Jade Casket Valley." Since returning from Jinshan, she hadn't encountered Brother Gu and his companions, but based on the signs of disturbed items in the stone chamber and the occasional gust of wind-like sounds, she surmised that the ape-like man was still lingering in Cuihua Mountain. Therefore, she often left out clothing and food for him. She feared he might disturb Sun Bole that night, and with no other place to host him, she was sure Lin Chaoying would disapprove. Seeing Sun Bole's keen interest, Gou'er concisely recounted the events of the evening.
After listening, Sun Bole pondered and expounded, "That poison only robs one of reason and sensation. I surmise the man's original martial arts were imitative of apes. Which sect does he belong to? The notoriety of the 'Bait Wolf Hills' has spread even to the Central Plains. Hmph, daring to covet Chaoying! I must inform my brothers in the alliance. We will vow to capture the lecher and skin them both. That Brother Gu is undoubtedly one of the twin brothers from the Western Regions, the 'White Robed Invincibles,' and the elder brother at that. You should indeed avoid such venomous beings."
The next day, the three set off, traveling east day and night towards Yangdi. Lin Chaoying noted that they had covered more than four-fifths of the journey and that both had shown signs of fatigue while crossing the Lan River. Furthermore, it was already the third watch of the night, so she ordered them to rest in the woods.
Although it was the eleventh night, the moon offered no light, and the air was cold. While Sun Bole helped Gou'er gather dry branches, he heard that faint, ape-like whistling sound again. They had left Cuihua Mountain nine days ago, so it was clear the ape-like man had been following them. Could it be he was reluctant to part with the maid Gou'er? He still hadn't seen his true face, and was quite intrigued.
Seeing Sun Bole chuckling to himself, Gou'er sighed, lamenting that he still harbored improper thoughts about the young lady. Suddenly, a maiden's scream echoed. Gou'er and Sun Bole rushed over, discovering a slender girl being attacked by a shadowy figure moving like an ape. She struck with palms like surging waves and legs like swirling eddies. The shadowy figure was either flung far away or had wisely evaded, disappearing into the undergrowth with a faint rustle. The girl, her face full of astonishment, ignored Gou'er's solicitous inquiries and stared at Sun Bole for a moment, saying, "Sun Bole, it was fate to meet you."
Sun Bole strained to recall for a moment, then hesitantly asked, "Are you... someone from Fang Di's side in the Yangwu Gang?" "I am Yuefu, you were looking for Wang Chongyang, weren't you?" Yuefu said, stumbling slightly. Gou'er quickly went to support her. Yuefu smiled faintly, "My dear sister, your heart is so kind. Please take me back to apply medicine." She then took Gou'er's arm. Gou'er, unaccustomed to such closeness from a peer, happily led Yuefu back for treatment.
"The Yangwu Gang's dirty tricks, Huang Bushan faked his death!" Sun Bole cursed inwardly, then wondered, since he hadn't even informed Cong Yan or Rong Kuan, who else could have leaked his whereabouts to Shi Weigeng?
Yuefu, catching sight of Lin Chaoying sitting cross-legged with her eyes closed in the dim light, trembled uncontrollably within, perhaps daunted by her appearance or intimidated by her demeanor. Sun Bole piled up dry branches to start a fire, while Gou'er massaged Yuefu's leg and examined her. Yuefu said, "Good sister, what should I call you?" Gou'er replied, "Gou'er is me." Yuefu let out a giggle, amused by Gou'er imitating her and further charmed by her frankness and approachability. She then glanced at Lin Chaoying. Gou'er added, "My young lady's surname is Lin." After Sun Bole had lit the bonfire, he discreetly moved to a distance.
Yuefu, emboldened, secretly observed Lin Chaoying again. "She's not that beautiful, really. Her eyebrows are sharp, and her eye sockets are pointed. She's like a daughter of Yama who crawled out of purgatory. With my bright eyes and pearly teeth, my gentle spirit and grace, I could outshine her when competing before him. I dare to boast I'd win." Trusting her intuition, she addressed Lin Chaoying, "Are you the one who intends to take Brother Chongyang's head?"
Lin Chaoying did not reply. Instead, Gou'er quickly explained, "The young lady and elder brother Shixiong... that is, Wang Chongyang, have been through a great many things, and it's difficult to explain in a moment, but... rest assured." Yuefu scoffed. Is love determined by the amount of shared experiences? Gou'er inquired, "Are you also looking for elder brother Shixiong? For what reason?" Yuefu replied dreamily, "We are deeply bonded despite our short acquaintance. He promised to wait for me at Yingyi Temple for me to retrieve the antidote for 'Warrior in the Palm.' However, the Northern Expedition became urgent, and he had to leave. I then had to go and meet him." Kwai Shu Ge
"This is my ancestral grandmother's secret formula!" Gou'er exclaimed, "Is this poison easy to cure?"
Yuefu stated, "Do you know who my cousin is? He is the cleverest person in the world! He knows everything, understands everything, and is skilled in all matters. A mere minor poison, he would grasp it immediately upon hearing it and prepare the antidote." As she spoke, she took out a small celadon-glazed porcelain bottle from her懷 and showed it to Gou'er.
Gou'er joyfully said, "That's wonderful! The man who attacked you earlier, he's also an unfortunate soul poisoned by this. Could you show him some mercy and save him?" She then briefly recounted the matter of the ape-like man.
Yuefu listened thoughtfully and remarked, "Though you've never met him, you care for this person so much." Gou'er lowered her head and softly replied, "Consider it accumulating some merit." Yuefu responded, "After all, it is at Brother Chongyang's request, and I must wait until we meet for him to decide. His eyes then darted towards Lin Chaoying, who was no longer there. Yuefu muttered to herself, if she weren't so easily misled by paths, who would want to travel with such a peculiar woman?