Gan Nineteenth Sister Chapter 1 – Part 2

In his alarm, Kong Song barely glimpsed that the opponent’s foot held something unusual when he was already impaled through the throat by a blade concealed in the tip of Ruan Xing’s shoe. Blood sprayed forth as his body lifted into the air like a bird, slicing backwards into the lake. The jade-green surface split open deeply, swallowing the man whole—only the faintest ripple stirred.

The boat master, that crippled old man, having witnessed this hair-raising sequence of events, had long since been frightened out of his wits. Staring at the three fiends upon the boat, he could not utter a word, only curling up on the deck like a man in convulsion.

The red-clothed Ruan Xing in this moment seemed to recover his original composure. Standing upon the heaving boat, he examined the sword in his hands. He even maintained that same sword-holding posture before suddenly flinging both hands outward. The long sword shot through the air, piercing clouds and climbing high until the naked eye could barely discern it, then arcing downward to plunge into the lake.

Under the two white-clothed men’s control, the boat changed direction, heading towards the vast, misty centre of the lake.

The sky gradually darkened.

Wind blew, clouds scattered. The dark grey vault of heaven was adorned with a trail of stars—a silver river mirroring the distant fishing fires across Lake Dongting’s¹ shore.

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For some, anticipation is more painful than death itself.

Death rarely parts from night, and night forever seems to harbour evil. Thus, when night arrived silently and stealthily, each person felt a suffocating sense of oppression. People’s faces had long lost their smiles. They seemed already to smell death’s approach, so when their gazes met, they saw only wooden puppets, long deprived of their inner vitality.

Duan Nanxi² the Drunken Eight Immortals[^zuibaxian] sat as though intoxicated by strong wine, staring blankly in his chair, his mind utterly blank. In his hand he clutched tightly that hidden weapon—the Twin-Branched Arrow.[^lianzhijian]

The discovery of this hidden weapon had set all surviving Yueyang School disciples on high alert—it was no less than the tolling of a death knell. Everyone was dispirited, awaiting the arrival of the Grim Reaper.

A bell rang from a distant temple. The reverberating tones seemed to revive these several people.

The hall lay pitch black. With all four windows shuttered, one truly could not see one’s own hand before one’s face.

Duan Nanxi stood in surprise, calling out sharply, “Light the lamp.”

The lamplight brightened at that very moment. Yin Jianping,³ lamp in hand, was just walking in from the corridor. The light illuminated his open, spirited countenance—that bearing capable of challenging death itself—which rather shamed the elder Duan Nanxi.

The lamplight flooded the great hall. Five people—one old, four young—suddenly seeing light, seemed to retrieve something in that brightness. Yin Jianping set down the lamp, along with the tray in his hands. Upon the tray sat a large platter of steamed buns and several mantou.⁴

Seeing this, the vigilant ones studied his face more carefully, suddenly realising what had occurred. Everyone was shocked.

Duan Nanxi stammered, “You… went out?”

Yin Jianping nodded, “The kitchen has long been cold. There’s nothing proper to eat. This disciple thought the hall master and three shixiong⁵ had not eaten all day, so I went out to purchase some food.”

Duan Nanxi released a speechless sigh, nodding slightly, “You were most thoughtful after all.”

He had already reached for a steamed bun and taken a bite when the three disciples seemed suddenly to realise their hunger. Each helped himself, and like a whirlwind devouring remnant clouds, they consumed everything in moments.

Duan Nanxi suddenly looked at Yin Jianping, “Are you not eating?”

“This disciple has already eaten.”

“You’ve already… eaten?”

“Yes,” Yin Jianping replied, “This disciple ate at a small shop by the lake.”

“This means…” Duan Nanxi seemed suddenly to realise something, staring with both eyes wide, “Did you discover anything?”

Yin Jianping nodded, “This disciple discovered many things… however, it would be better if the hall master did not hear them.”

“No, no!” Duan Nanxi said with composure, “Speak freely. Alas, at this juncture, what is there that cannot be said? Come, sit down and tell us.”

Yin Jianping nodded and sat, yet for a moment did not know how to begin.

Duan Nanxi asked, “Did you discover traces of the enemy?”

“Correct!” Yin Jianping answered, “Additionally, I also discovered…”

“Discovered what?” Duan Nanxi asked urgently.

“I also discovered several corpses.”

Saying this, he sighed lightly and slowly lowered his head.

“Corpses?” Duan Nanxi’s expression changed slightly. He froze for a moment before forcing composure, “Do not speak in riddles. Speak plainly!”

Yin Jianping smiled bitterly, “This disciple found Hall Master Xie’s body in the snow outside. His venerable self was killed by a sharp weapon piercing heart and lungs.”

“Xie shidi⁶?…” Duan Nanxi’s voice suddenly went hoarse, “He… is dead?”

Yin Jianping slowly nodded once and continued, “Not far from Hall Master Xie’s body, on a hillside, this disciple also found the bodies of Fang Gang⁷ shixiong and Liu Yong shixiong.⁸ They too died with horrific expressions—truly unbearable to witness.”

Duan Nanxi sat down in a daze, “All three of them dead!”

“No!” Yin Jianping shook his head numbly, “Not just those three… there are also…”

Everyone’s expression froze, four pairs of eyes piercing towards him like swords.

“You mean?…” Duan Nanxi stumbled over his tongue, “Kong shidi and the others… surely they haven’t also met with misfortune?”

Yin Jianping smiled bitterly, “I fear that is the case…”

“You… you speak nonsense!” Duan Nanxi’s eyes widened, “Unless you witnessed it with your own eyes?”

Yin Jianping shook his head, “No, this disciple only heard it when buying steamed buns at the small shop—the shop owner, Old Jiang, told me.”

“What did he say?”

“Old Jiang said that in the centre of the lake, they discovered three bodies…”

Duan Nanxi sprang to his feet. Yin Jianping’s words were cut short. The three young disciples were all shocked and dismayed.

Yin Jianping sighed, “Please, hall master, compose yourself so this disciple can continue.”

Duan Nanxi slowly sat down, biting his teeth, “Speak!”

Yin Jianping continued, “According to the shop owner Old Jiang, the three deceased—one old, two young—were fishermen who had rested at his shop and bought a bag of tobacco leaves before departing. This disciple calculated the timing—it coincides exactly with when Hall Master Kong and the two shixiong left. Therefore I dared make such a conjecture.”

Duan Nanxi sat stunned as a wooden puppet, two lines of tears streaming down. The three disciples also hung their heads, weeping silently.

“It’s finished!” After a long while, Duan Nanxi finally released a mournful sigh, “Yueyang School’s seven generations of heritage… here it ends completely…”

One of the disciples, Sheng Xiaochuan⁹ the Iron Fist, suddenly stepped forward, “Please give the order, hall master. Let us all sally forth and fight them to the death!”

The one speaking, Sheng Xiaochuan, had a leopard’s head and ringed eyes—clearly a Zhang Fei type.¹⁰ Beyond him, the other two disciples were Zhang Songming,¹¹ black-faced with prominent cheekbones, and Guo Boxiong,¹² with unkempt hair and towering build. Including Yin Jianping, these four youths were presently all that remained of Yueyang School’s disciples.

Hearing Sheng Xiaochuan the Iron Fist’s words, Duan Nanxi the Drunken Eight Immortals looked at him and laughed coldly, “To do so would merely be momentary bravado—utterly useless.”

Another disciple, Guo Boxiong, said, “What does the hall master intend? The sky has already darkened. If we’re to leave, now is the time.”

Duan Nanxi glanced at Yin Jianping beside him, “Perhaps Jianping speaks rightly—better to remain still than to move. Let us observe and respond to changes as they come.”

The three disciples—Sheng, Guo, and Zhang—exchanged glances, clearly disapproving, yet constrained by sect regulations dared say nothing.

Duan Nanxi said coldly, “If Jianping speaks truly, the enemy has clearly laid heaven’s net and earth’s snare¹³ by both water and land. Whichever direction we break through, we cannot escape their notice. Far better to counter movement with stillness.”

The black-faced disciple Zhang Songming asked, “What does the hall master mean by ‘counter movement with stillness’?”

Duan Nanxi’s five fingers drummed upon the table in turn. Suddenly, as though hearing some sound, his expression sharpened.

Yin Jianping also heard the sound, asking with slight alarm, “Someone is coming.”

Each was already a startled bird—how could they bear such fright? Their faces changed colour in succession.

Duan Nanxi barked sharply, “Extinguish the lamp!”

Yin Jianping bent and puffed the flame out in one breath. Instantly the entire hall plunged into darkness. Each person, relying only on prior awareness, sensed the others’ positions. After a while, once their eyes adapted, they could vaguely make out one another’s forms.

Listening intently, they heard nothing—only the wind tapping persistently against the mulberry-paper windows.

Duan Nanxi released a light breath, “Perhaps we heard wrongly.”

His eyes turned to Zhang Songming standing at the outermost position, “Songming, go outside and look. If anything seems amiss, return immediately and report.”

Zhang Songming responded, executing a swift movement. Pressing against the door panel, he listened, then opened the door and slipped outside.

The courtyard was filled with accumulated snow. Several stands of bamboo swayed in the wind, rustling. Row upon row of towering snow pines stood like unmoving human silhouettes—the very flavour of startling at the wind and crying at the call of cranes.¹⁴ Zhang Songming steadied his heart and looked about. Against the white snow’s reflection, this courtyard could be surveyed clearly at a glance—not a single person in sight. His courage grew somewhat. He reversed his grip, drawing the long sword from his back into his hand. His body bent low, and arrow-like he shot towards the front wall, then drifted down into the front courtyard.

He caught a whiff of an unusual fragrance.

At first sniff, it resembled the autumn osmanthus scent. By the time he identified that the fragrance was far more concentrated than sweet osmanthus, his body already felt wrong. The first sensation was that listless, powerless feeling—he desperately wished there were a bed before him where he could immediately lie down and rest. This sensation intensified. In moments, each step became difficult. Unable to help himself, his knees went soft and he crumpled into the snow.

What happened next shocked him even more.

The instant he sat down, his eyes beheld something strange.

He saw that vermillion-lacquered pavilion in the front courtyard—not that the pavilion itself was unusual, but rather the several people within it.

Within a thin veil of smoke, what first caught his eye was a lamp hanging from the pavilion pillar—that lamp with its water-red glass shade. Through the crystal-clear glass shade, the light cast such a red glow that the several people in the pavilion all appeared tinged with crimson.

A young maiden, aged about nineteen or twenty, sat sidelong at the edge of a stone table. A long silver-coloured cloak draped lightly from her left shoulder, exposing the right half of her body, revealing graceful curves. Combined with her flower-like face and moon-like beauty, one might at first glance mistake her for a celestial fairy from the Jade Terrace, Chang’e from the moon. Under the water-red lamplight’s reflection, she possessed an even more mysterious, hazy beauty.

A wisp of light smoke, like gauze, like mist, drifted from a slender-necked jade vase upon the stone table, curling upward. Once released, it immediately spread like clouds and fog. That osmanthus-like fragrance emanated precisely from this.

Besides that beautiful maiden, three other people occupied the pavilion. Two tall men wearing large bamboo hats stood behind the maiden to left and right. The remaining person stood to one side before the maiden. This person’s standing posture carried an indescribable rigidity, like a corpse. Dressed all in red with a red cap, and carrying that bamboo horse-whip, he looked for all the world like a clown from the opera stage.

Zhang Songming’s gaze had scarcely touched upon this person when he broke into a cold sweat. He recognised him as that red-clothed attendant Ruan Xing who had accompanied the sedan chair that day. The man’s body rose like smoke into the sky. In a single bound he stood before Zhang Songming. Following the red-clothed man’s heaven-descending momentum, the azure bamboo horse-whip in his hand drove deep into Zhang Songming’s chest. Poor Zhang Songming had no time even to speak a word. Under the opponent’s heart-piercing strike, blood sprayed forth as he died on the spot.

The young lady in the pavilion seemed not to have expected that the red-clothed Ruan Xing would strike so swiftly. She called out softly, “Wait!”—but a step too late.

The red-clothed Ruan Xing’s body pivoted, swift as a whirlwind, returning to the pavilion. He bowed to request instructions, “What orders does Young Maiden have?”

The silver-cloaked maiden’s slender eyebrows twitched slightly as she chided softly, “Your temper is too hasty. I wanted to question him.”

Ruan Xing bowed and asked, “Did Young Maiden wish to probe Yueyang School’s true strength?”

The silver-cloaked maiden nodded lightly, “Precisely so.”

Ruan Xing laughed, “Miss, set your mind at ease. By now, most of Yueyang School’s members are dead. In this subordinate’s view, Young Maiden can drive straight in—there will be no further obstruction.”

A smile spread across the silver-cloaked maiden’s face. She slowly rose from the stone bench, “Is that so? I don’t think it’s certain. Though Li Tiexin is certainly dead, that old one may yet live.”

Ruan Xing said, “Does Young Maiden refer to old Xian Bing?”

“Of course him!” The silver-cloaked maiden’s eyes wove with cold light, “The others need not concern us.”

Ruan Xing replied, “Miss’s concern is not misplaced… but even if that old wretch still lives, likely no capable men remain at his side. Need I say that Young Maiden has come in person—this subordinate alone could dispatch him with ease.”

The maiden’s deep-set eyes rolled at him. The red-clothed Ruan Xing immediately realised his error, stepped back, and bowed to receive instruction.

The silver-cloaked maiden extended a white hand, lightly brushing her long hair, shaking off a few snowflakes. Those black-and-white-distinct eyes slanted towards the red-clothed Ruan Xing as she hummed coldly.

“Ruan Xing! Have you forgotten how Young Maiden cautioned you before departure?”

The red-clothed Ruan Xing started, cupping his fists, “This subordinate dares not!”

The silver-cloaked maiden swept her long hair behind her, “This journey, we cannot afford mistakes. Better to exercise caution.”

Ruan Xing replied, “Yes!”

The silver-cloaked maiden asked, “The ambushes I ordered you to prepare—are they all arranged?”

Ruan Xing answered, “South, north, and west—all three directions have been set with checkpoints as Young Maiden commanded, with Seven-Step Severed Intestine Red¹⁵ laid out. If anyone from Yueyang School still lives, we guarantee they cannot venture a single step.”

“How could none remain alive?” Nodding towards the corpse on the ground, she said sweetly, “Didn’t this person just come out alive? In my view, at least two or three still live. Come, let us go inside and see.”

The red-clothed Ruan Xing assented immediately, stepping forward to remove that red glass-shaded lamp from the pavilion pillar, leading the way. The party of four followed the stone-slab path leading to the second courtyard, passing through a moon-gate, heading straight towards the hall standing in the courtyard.

Snow lay everywhere in the courtyard. The four people’s footsteps grew lighter still—one could hear not the slightest sound. About three zhang from the great hall, the silver-cloaked maiden halted. She nodded slightly, signalling Ruan Xing not to proceed further. The four stood motionless before the hall’s front entrance. Ruan Xing was about to speak when the silver-cloaked maiden gently shook her hand at him. She turned her face, listening intently.

“I was not mistaken,” she said slowly, “There are still living people inside.”

Ruan Xing said, “Allow this subordinate to enter and investigate.”

The maiden replied, “Why bother?”

She smiled slightly, continuing, “We need only two Soul-Severing Pills¹⁶ to force them out to their deaths.”

The red-clothed Ruan Xing’s face brightened, “Young Maiden thinks most thoroughly.”

Saying this, he immediately donned a pair of specially-made gloves, opened his leather pouch, and extracted a bamboo tube. From within he poured out two pellets the size of sparrow eggs, white in colour. The moment these two white pills emerged, they began hissing, releasing white smoke that scattered through the air.

The silver-cloaked maiden seemed to possess special poison-resistance skills and remained unafraid, yet she instinctively stepped back. The red-clothed Ruan Xing and the two hat-wearing men had already placed antidote pills in their mouths beforehand, and now swiftly held their breath. Ruan Xing hesitated not at all. His feet tapped lightly, shifting his body more than a zhang away. With a flick of his hand, he launched the two white Soul-Severing Pills like hidden weapons.

Thup, thup.

They whispered through the mulberry-paper windows, piercing into the great hall.

In an instant, violent coughing erupted from within. Close behind, two human figures shot out like swallows piercing beams, bursting through the windows. Upon landing, they revealed two panicked young faces—Guo Boxiong and Sheng Xiaochuan. The two had broken through the windows only because they could not resist the invading poison in their bodies. Sheng Xiaochuan roared first, flinging a throwing knife straight at the red-clothed Ruan Xing holding the lamp.

Cold light flashed, striking Ruan Xing’s face dead-on, though the position deviated slightly. Amid the trembling blade’s cold gleam, the knife’s tip bit coldly into Ruan Xing’s teeth and deflected back towards the knife’s thrower, Sheng Xiaochuan. The latter swung his sword in reverse with a sharp clang, knocking the throwing knife aside. Before he could shift position, those two large-hatted white-clothed men had already arrived before him. Sheng Xiaochuan, in desperate fury and pain, struck with all his might.

The dishevelled Guo Boxiong involuntarily released a roar, pivoting and changing stance. Angling his body, he raised his sword to hack at the approaching hat-wearing man. Unfortunately, the enemy’s side was far too strong. Setting aside that silver-cloaked maiden Gan Nineteenth Sister’s¹⁷ supernatural skills, even her red-clothed attendant Ruan Xing and several disciples all possessed shocking abilities. Take these two white-clothed, hat-wearing men—observing their striking hands, eyes, body, and footwork, all demonstrated deep mastery, far from ordinary fighters.

The two swords from Sheng Xiaochuan and Guo Boxiong constituted desperate strikes, naturally bearing considerable force. However, the two white-clothed men’s evasive body techniques had received superior instruction. The instant the white blades closed upon them, both seemed simultaneously to employ a marvellous evasive technique. After a swift dodge, both swords struck empty air.

Before Sheng and Guo could launch their second killing moves, the two white-clothed men had already pressed close, wind-like and wave-like, shadow following form. Almost simultaneously, two powerful hands plunged deep into the backs of Sheng and Guo.

Withdrawing hands, blood sprayed.

The two disciples staggered forward several steps, collapsed in succession to the snowy ground, and immediately met the Yellow Springs.¹⁸

A heavy stench of blood filled the air. The two white-clothed men withdrew simultaneously, floating lightly back to the silver-cloaked maiden’s left and right. One advance, one retreat, swift as a whirlwind—the appearance left not a trace, even less resembling bare-handed killing in an instant.

Through that torn paper window, one could see everything happening outside. For Duan Nanxi the Drunken Eight Immortals, it was torment like sitting on needles.

He was employing a breath-holding skill, reducing his breathing to thread-thin, using neigong’s breath regulation to replace respiration, forcing himself to endure the present ordeal. Even so, beads of sweat had appeared on his forehead, his body swaying constantly, as though ready to collapse at any moment.

By comparison, Yin Jianping sitting opposite him seemed far more composed. Strangely, from his vicinity emanated a peculiar invisible force, so that when the poisonous smoke approached him, it naturally repelled, close as a hand’s breadth yet infinitely distant—not a hair’s breadth could penetrate. He saw everything occurring outside most clearly. He paid particular attention to that silver-cloaked maiden’s presence, surmising she must be that legendary Gan Nineteenth Sister.

Her martial prowess had long been made evident by the Jade Dragon Sword¹⁹ left by the zhangmen. Therefore he would absolutely not rashly go out to his death. After deep internal analysis, he formed a plan and no longer maintained silence. He slowly stood, walking towards Duan Nanxi.

“You… are still alive?…” Duan Nanxi rasped, “I… always underestimated you… Either way is a dead end, Jianping! Let us kill our way out and fight that girl to the death!”

Yin Jianping pressed a finger to his lips, whispering, “Hall master, speak softly.”

Duan Nanxi froze, saying nothing.

In the darkness, Yin Jianping brought his face close.

“If the hall master does that, then there truly will be only a dead end.”

“A dead end?” Duan Nanxi’s face showed a trace of desolation. He rasped, “Do you think we can still walk out of Yueyang School alive? No… you’re too naive. That’s impossible.”

Yin Jianping’s gaze remained on the window, “If the hall master will cooperate, there should still be a chance to live.”

Duan Nanxi seemed to revive somewhat.

Yin Jianping said quietly, “Why do you think, hall master, that the enemy has delayed entering the great hall?”

Duan Nanxi froze, shaking his head to indicate ignorance.

Yin Jianping continued, “Because they believe Old Master Xian still lives.”

“Oh!” Duan Nanxi released a soft sigh, nodding, “That makes sense. However, even if the old master still lived, I fear he would be powerless.”

Yin Jianping said, “Though that young lady possesses peerless martial skills, she harbours some wariness towards Old Master Xian. Though her martial arts suffice to overcome the old master, she dares not be overconfident.”

Duan Nanxi nodded, “Mm, and so?”

Yin Jianping glanced outside, speaking softly, “Therefore, the hall master need only imitate the old master’s manner and speak a few words to that young lady to achieve a delaying effect.”

Duan Nanxi smiled bitterly and shook his head, “To delay… what use is delay?”

Yin Jianping replied, “Most useful. This disciple believes that besides that young lady, the remaining several people are not this disciple’s match. If the hall master assists from the side, we should manage to break through.”

Duan Nanxi startled, staring, “You… so you entered our school with martial skills already mastered?”

Yin Jianping said, “Precisely so. Hall master, regarding this matter, this disciple shall explain and request punishment in detail after we escape safely. At present it would be unwise to say more. Please, hall master, show understanding.”

Duan Nanxi studied him with amazement, slowly nodding, “No wonder the old master showed you… such special favour … Speak, child! To be honest, I… haven’t a single idea.”

Yin Jianping said, “The hall master should immediately speak, using what the old master said whilst living to expose that young lady’s background. If we gain a moment’s peace, we’ll have a chance to live.”

Duan Nanxi sighed, slowly nodding, “Very well.”

His words had scarcely ended when red light flickered outside the window. Through the half-open window, they saw the opposing party of four, guided by that red glass-shaded lamp, slowly approaching. Duan Nanxi froze. Yin Jianping immediately gave him an obvious signal. He then involuntarily released a cold laugh. This cold laugh made the four outside halt abruptly.

The red-clothed Ruan Xing called out loudly, “Who’s there? Xian Bing, you old wretch—are you truly not yet dead?”

Duan Nanxi laughed coldly, “Who are you to spout such wild words before this old man—so rude and insolent?”

The red-clothed Ruan Xing glanced at the silver-cloaked maiden, his face showing rare surprise. He laughed coldly, “Xian Bing! So it really is you. Besides you, who else is in the great hall?”

Duan Nanxi replied, “Besides this old man, no one else.”

His words barely finished when the silver-cloaked maiden smiled slightly, “Xian Bing, do you think I’ll believe you? I distinctly heard murmuring voices inside—judging by this, there should be at least one more person. Who might that be?”

Duan Nanxi’s heart lurched, yet being worldly-wise, he could readily improvise. After a slight pause, he sighed, “The young lady’s hearing is exceptional. She has indeed inherited her shifu’s²⁰ true teachings. Are you the one who calls herself Gan Nineteenth Sister? Why show such disrespect to this old man?”

The silver-cloaked maiden laughed coldly, “Correct, I am Gan Nineteenth Sister. Old Xian, given your past deeds, I’m being quite courteous already.”

Duan Nanxi sighed, “This means Shui Hongshao²¹ truly is… your shifu?”

Gan Nineteenth Sister smiled, “You understand now? Too late!”

Duan and Yin, though in the dark corner of the hall, could perceive everything outside. As Gan Nineteenth Sister’s words fell, she stepped forward.

Duan Nanxi called hastily, “Miss, halt.”

Gan Nineteenth Sister steadied herself, replying coldly, “Xian Bing, what more have you to say?”

Duan Nanxi asked, “I only ask… your shifu, Shui Hongshao—is she well?”

Saying this, he released a desolate sigh. Though the sigh was performed, it blended with his own tragic circumstances, emerging from genuine feeling, wrenching the heart and stirring great sympathy.

Gan Nineteenth Sister paused, “At this point… why ask such things?”

Duan Nanxi replied, “All people possess compassion… moreover, your shifu and I, in former years, were more than casual acquaintances. These years, I…”

“Say no more!” Gan Nineteenth Sister interrupted, “I came today to take your life. What use are these words? If you think I’ll show you mercy, you’re gravely mistaken.”

“Young Maiden speaks wrongly,” Duan Nanxi said slowly, “Miss, observe—my entire Yueyang School, over ten lives, from young disciples to gate-watching elders, none escaped calamity. How could this old man harbour thoughts of lucky escape? Miss… you’re so young, yet you commit such slaughter. Don’t you feel it excessive?”

Gan Nineteenth Sister laughed suddenly.

Though separated by considerable distance, the two inside could see the beautiful smile on her face.

“Old Xian, you’re mistaken. ‘The sweet well runs dry, the bitter plum survives’—the same applies to people.”

“This old man would hear the details.”

“Then I’ll tell you,” Gan Nineteenth Sister spoke fluently, “Take my shifu, for instance. If she had always maintained her original manner, trusting no man, showing no mercy, how could she have suffered that later calamity? This proves one cannot harbour kindness. Kill or be killed—once you strike, you must eliminate root and branch, leave them completely dead, not a blade of grass remaining.”

These words emerging from a rough man or martial brute would be one thing, but from Gan Nineteenth Sister, this rare beauty, they struck with alarm, commanding sidelong glances.

Duan Nanxi snorted coldly through his nose.

“What, Old Xian, do you disagree?” She said coldly, “Years ago, if my shifu hadn’t been deceived by your honeyed words, how could she have been harmed by you, ending thus?”

Duan Nanxi laughed coldly, “These words should come from this old man instead.”

“Speak!”

“If this old man had been as ruthless as Young Maiden is today,” Duan Nanxi said coldly, “then when the underground passage burned at Phoenix Mountain, I wouldn’t have opened one end, allowing your shifu to escape, thus sowing today’s sect-destroying calamity…”

Gan Nineteenth Sister’s delicate frame trembled, “Xian Bing, you dare say such things? You erred—your error lay in acting half-heartedly. Do you know why my shifu hates you so?”

Duan Nanxi said gravely, “This old man would hear the details.”

Gan Nineteenth Sister’s face rose with cold frost, “Then I’ll tell you. For forty years, what my shifu could never forget was that you shouldn’t have opened that passage then, shouldn’t have saved her.”

Duan Nanxi, recalling Xian Bing’s deathbed account, understood immediately and sighed, “What Young Maiden refers to is your shifu’s former beauty?”

Gan Nineteenth Sister smiled coldly, “You understand, then.”

Saying this, her expression darkened, “Ruan Xing, attend!”

The red-clothed Ruan Xing stepped sideways forward, “What orders, Miss?”

Gan Nineteenth Sister commanded, “Go inside and fetch Old Xian’s head for me. Do not fail.”

Ruan Xing responded loudly, “As you command!”

“Wait!” Duan Nanxi interjected, “Young Maiden Gan, do you think dispatching a mere servant can take this old man’s Six-Kui Yang head?²² You underestimate me greatly.”

The red-clothed Ruan Xing sneered, “Heh heh, Old Xian! Death stares you in the face, yet you dare such arrogance? I’ll immediately show you my power!”

Finishing, he raised his bamboo staff horizontally, about to attack the great hall, when Duan Nanxi’s sinister laughter interrupted him.

The laughter ceased, Duan Nanxi murmured, “Servant, you might try. If you truly dare invade this hall, this old man guarantees your corpse within five paces.”

The red-clothed Ruan Xing froze, laughing coldly as he rallied, “Ruan doesn’t believe it. I’ll test it now.”

He raised his staff across his chest a second time, about to leap forward, when Gan Nineteenth Sister halted him.

“Wait!” She laughed coldly, “Ruan Xing, be patient. Since matters stand thus, I’ll enter myself.”

Saying this, she removed her silver cloak, revealing identical silver martial attire beneath. Her waist was slender, her figure jade-upright. Hair flying in the night wind, she resembled a tree facing the breeze—a naturally beautiful young lady indeed.

“No need!” Duan Nanxi sighed, “Take your people and withdraw five zhang. After half a cup of tea’s time, return for my head.”

Gan Nineteenth Sister smiled faintly, “I had precisely this intention. Since you’ve spoken it yourself, excellent. We’ll do exactly that. Within half a cup of tea, we’ll collect your corpse.”

Finishing, she waved slightly. Together with her three companions, she withdrew simultaneously five zhang distant.

Inside the great hall, Duan and Yin watched most clearly. The two occupied a dark corner, further concealed by a screen—outsiders could not perceive them.

This hall, besides one corridor connecting to the rear courtyard’s alchemy chamber, faced open ground on three sides. For anyone attempting to escape under Gan Nineteenth Sister’s surveillance—that would be fantasy indeed.

Duan Nanxi, impersonating Xian Bing, had temporarily driven back the formidable enemy, yet the present peril remained unresolved.

He turned to Yin Jianping with a bitter smile, murmuring, “You think this suffices? Alas, difficult indeed!”

Yin Jianping’s eyes flashed with intelligence. He stood, whispering, “The hall master’s measures were excellent. Time is short, we must not delay. Let us go.”

Duan Nanxi assented, about to rise, when his legs went soft and he sat down again.

“Oh!” His face turned ghastly pale, saying weakly, “I forgot…”

“Hall master, what… happened?”

“I forgot…” Duan Nanxi smiled miserably, “I originally employed breath-holding skills to avoid the poison… but just now, speaking with the enemy… unknowingly, I was invaded by the hall’s residual toxins… my life is likely forfeit.”

Yin Jianping froze, mournfully lowering his head. He had always been exceptionally clever, yet never anticipated this oversight. Because he himself possessed an anti-poison jade pendant, he’d neglected the poison’s continued presence. Hearing this, he felt half-paralysed. Know that throughout Yueyang School, besides Duan Nanxi before him, not one living person remained! Though Yin Jianping had pledged himself to Xian Bing on the latter’s deathbed, willing to be Yueyang School’s loyal disciple, in truth he could not be counted among their direct line. He was determined to preserve this high-ranking Hall Master Duan alive, thus maintaining some rallying force for Yueyang School.

Yet this hope now seemed about to perish.

Duan Nanxi smiled bitterly, “Child… this is fate, destiny… Yueyang School was fated for this calamity… Mm, I nearly forgot.”

His hand touched the iron case secured to his back—he recalled the school’s founding treasure, the Iron Case Secret Manual!²³

Duan Nanxi breathed weakly, “Though the old master ordered me to give you this case, truthfully… I couldn’t agree then. It seems… the old master acted rightly. I must admire his divine foresight… perhaps you truly can escape alive… who knows.”

Patting the case once, he smiled bitterly, continuing, “You take it.”

Yin Jianping said coldly, “Though the hall master is poisoned, the toxicity appears shallow. Perhaps the poison has long dispersed, its remnants insufficient to kill.”

Duan Nanxi merely shook his head, his face unspeakably tragic.

Yin Jianping crouched down, “Regardless, I cannot abandon the hall master alone. Come, let this disciple carry you. We leave now.”

Duan Nanxi sighed lightly, “You still won’t give up… very well, we’ll try.”

Saying this, he struggled to stand, leaning onto Yin Jianping’s back.

Yin Jianping hastily used a silk sash to secure him, then stood. Glancing about briefly, he picked up from the table that Jade Dragon Sword left by the zhangmen. His form flickered, already floating to the door’s side.

Standing at the great hall’s rear entrance, he peered out. All seemed quiet, no human shadow visible. Gan Nineteenth Sister’s party of four remained at the front, unmoving.

A dark cloud drifted slowly across the sky. The courtyard grew even more pitch-black.

Seizing this momentary opportunity, Yin Jianping flashed out. His body technique was extraordinarily nimble, his qinggong²⁴ exceptional. In a few bounds, he reached a great banyan tree.

Cold wind whistled. Night grew darker still.

Yin Jianping’s body turned again. Using the “Chasing Stars and Moon” footwork, in three or four leaps he had floated into the third courtyard.

This courtyard was far smaller than the first two. On one side stood two rows of buildings serving as disciple quarters. On the other side rose Yueyang School’s ancestral temple. The school’s newly-added vengeful spirits were enshrined within. During this period of fresh mourning, both zhangmen and all fellow disciples’ spirit tablets were placed in the temple. Two eternal lamps on the altar flickered with pale, cold light.

Yin Jianping floated lightly to the temple entrance, halting three zhang distant.

The temple’s two door panels hung half-open, half-closed, creaking faintly. An old plaque hung beneath the eaves, swallowing and exhaling the night wind, whistling softly—adding another measure of nocturnal dread. Yin Jianping stood door-side, considering whether to enter and bid farewell to the ancestral temple. A trace of unusual sensation made him feel impending danger. He gripped tightly the Jade Dragon Sword’s hilt.

Behind him, Duan Nanxi beheld his school’s ancestral shrine, his heart rising with peculiar grief.

He breathed, “Enter and look.”

Yin Jianping assented softly. His toes touched ground. He arrived at the door’s edge. His palm whooshed through the air and that panel swung wide. The instant the door opened, a cold gleam dropped from inside the door’s flank, carrying a sharp blade-wind sound.

A white-clothed man, employing swift swordplay, struck his killing technique. Unfortunately, his calculation erred, causing this stroke to miss its mark, thereby exposing his position. Yin Jianping’s alertness had allowed him to evade a fierce killing move. Grasping this instantaneous opportunity to close distance, whilst the white-clothed opponent was alarmed and bewildered, before he could withdraw and change technique, Yin Jianping had already unleashed his killing move. The Jade Dragon Sword, amid a soft dragon’s cry, flashed from its scabbard. Due to the concentrated deadly poison on the blade, it appeared entirely black, without the slightest gleam.

Footnotes

1. 洞庭 – Dòngtíng. Lake Dongting, one of China’s largest freshwater lakes, located in Hunan Province. ↩

2. 段南溪 – Duàn Nánxī. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

3. 尹剑平 – Yǐn Jiànpíng. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

4. 馒头 – mántou. Steamed buns, a staple food in northern China. ↩

5. 师兄 – shīxiōng. Male senior fellow disciple under the same shifu. Shī means teacher. Xīong means older brother. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

6. 师弟 – Shīdì. Male junior fellow disciple within the same martial arts school. Shi means teacher. Dì means younger brother. Junior under the same master. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

7. 方刚 – Fāng Gāng. ↩

8. 刘咏 – Liú Yǒng. ↩

9. 盛小川 – Shèng Xiǎochuān. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

10. Reference to Zhang Fei, a legendary warrior from the Three Kingdoms period known for his fierce temperament and formidable combat prowess. ↩

11. 张松明 – Zhāng Sōngmíng. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

12. 郭搏雄 – Guō Bóxióng. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

13. 天罗地网 – tiānluó dìwǎng. Literally “heaven’s net and earth’s snare,” an idiom meaning an inescapable trap. ↩

14. 风声鹤唳 – fēngshēng hèlì. An idiom meaning to be so frightened that every sound seems like a threat, literally “startling at the wind and crying at the call of cranes.” ↩

15. 七步断肠红 – qībù duànchánghóng. Literally “Seven-Step Severed Intestine Red,” a deadly poison that kills within seven steps. ↩

16. 断魂丸 – duànhún wán. Literally “Soul-Severing Pills,” toxic projectiles. ↩

17. 甘十九妹 – Gān Shíjiǔ Mèi. Her name meaning “Nineteenth Sister,” indicating she is the nineteenth child. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

18. 黄泉 – huángquán. The underworld or realm of the dead in Chinese mythology. ↩

19. 玉龙剑 – yùlóng jiàn. Literally jade dragon sword. A legendary blade left by the zhangmen. ↩

20. 师父 – shīfu. Master or teacher in martial arts. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

21. 水红芍 – Shuǐ Hóngsháo. A character name, literally “Water Red Peony.” ↩

22. 六魁阳首 – liù kuí yáng shǒu. A martial arts term, possibly referring to a special head or crown chakra cultivation. ↩

23. 铁匣秘笈 – tiěxiá mìjí. Literally “Iron Case Secret Manual.” ↩

24. 轻功 – qīnggōng. Lightness skill, a martial art technique allowing practitioners to move with supernatural speed and agility. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩