Spectres of the past.

Original translation by Rayon

Guo Jing placed Mei Chaofeng on his shoulders, according to her instructions, and hurried after the fleeing enemy. His body had a strong kung fu basis and Mei Chaofeng’s body was not heavy so even though she was on his shoulders, it did nothing to diminish his speed. He quickly leapt and Mei Chaofeng soared along with him.

Wanyan Kang was shocked to find Yang Tiexin there and then recognizing him, he cried: “It’s you!” Brandishing the iron spear, he quickly adopted the “Hang2 Bu4 Deng4 Hu3” (The Line of Step of Marching Tiger), followed by the “Chao2 Tian1 Yi1 Zhu4 Xiang1” (Facing Upwards to Burn a Joss Stick). The tip of the spear gleamed, going straight towards Yang Tiexin’s throat.

Bao Xiruo called out: “He’s your father, you… Don’t you see?” As she raised her head, she saw him flung against the wall, causing her to cry out. Wanyan Kang was shocked, quickly taking a step back, still holding the spear. Then, he glanced down to see his mother on the ground, her body covered with blood and her breathing shallow, making it difficult for him to see for sure if she was going to live or die. Remorse filled him and he was helpless for a while. Yang Tiexin then bent down and took his wife into his arms, carrying her towards the door and outside.

Wanyan Kang called out: “Put her down!” He then used the stance “The Lone Wild Goose Excels,” the spear moving like the wind and heading towards his chest.

Yang Tiexin heard the rushing sound behind him and quickly sent out his left hand to counter, able to stop the iron spearhead about five inches from its target. In the battlefield, the “Yang Family Marksmanship” was invincible and one move, the “Hui2 Ma3 Qiang1” (Turning the Spear on Horseback) was a unique skill passed from generation to generation. When Yang Tiexin used his left hand to grasp the spearhead, he was actually using some elements of the “Hui2 Ma3 Qiang1” but had to improvise a little. Originally, when he grasped the enemy’s weapon, he only needed to send out his right hand as the iron spear drew closer but because he was holding Bao Xiruo, he could only turn around and shout angrily: “This Yang Family Marksmanship is passed only to sons. A pity your shifu did not teach you this.”

Although Qiu Chuji’s kung fu was very high, he actually did not research deeper into the marksmanship. The Yang Family Marksmanship was native to Song Dynasty and was famous throughout Jiang Hu, but only 19 schools were direct descendants of the orthodox school. He knew the principles of the orthodox Yang Family Marksmanship and that same year when they fought in Ox Village, Yang Tiexin saw evidence of that but as for the unique skill that was passed on only from generation to generation, he obviously did not understand. That was why Wanyan Kang also did not completely absorb the move of the marksmanship.

The force applied by two people caused the iron spear which was already old, its handle already starting to decay, to break into pieces with a “ka” sound. Guo Jing jumped forward and shouted angrily: “You saw that he’s your father, why do you not kowtow?”

Wanyan Kang hesitated, unable to decide. Yang Tiexin then clutched his wife to him and ran out of the room. Mu Nianci was waiting for him outside, helping him and then both father and daughter leapt over the wall.

Guo Jing did not dare wait and also rushed out of the room. He was just about to head towards the wall to flee when suddenly, he sensed a rustle in the darkness, rushing towards his neck. He felt the force of the palm scratch the tip of his nose and on his face, he felt a severe pain like it was scraped by a knife. This person’s internal strength was fierce and moreover, there was barely a sound, taking one completely unawares. He could not stop himself from feeling shocked as he heard the person angrily shout: “Peasant boy, this old man has waited enough! Extend your neck and let this old man drink your blood!” It was precisely Immortal Ginseng Liang Ziweng.

Huang Rong heard Peng Lianhu exclaim that she was a disciple of the Twin Corpses of the Dark Winds. She laughed and said: “You lose!” Then, she turned around and sprinted towards the hall’s entrance.

Peng Lianhu quickly moved his body so that he was blocking the entrance as he shouted: “Since you are a disciple of the Twin Corpses of the Dark Winds, I won’t embarass you. But you must tell me, why did your shifu send you here?”

Huang Rong laughingly said: “You said that if in ten moves, you can’t recognize my sect, then you will let me leave. Old gentleman, why are you being such a rascal?”

Peng Lianhu got angry: “That final move, the “Ling2 Ao2 Bu4″ (Spirit Sea Turtle Step), didn’t the Twin Corpses of the Dark Winds teach you that?”

Huang Rong laughed: “I only saw the Twin Corpses of the Dark Winds a few times. Also, the level of their kung fu is so low, how can they match my shifu?”

Peng Lianhu said: “Your lying is useless.”

Huang Rong: “I have actually heard of the Twin Corpses of the Dark Winds. I know that these two people are dishonorable; they stop at no evil, cheat their elders; their shamelessness is known throughout wulin. How can Peng Zhaizhu compare me with these two obscene people?”

The crowd at first thought that she was just unwilling to tell the truth but when they heard her slander the Twin Corpses of the Dark Winds this way, they could not help looking at each other in blank dismay. Only then did they believe that she was in no way related to the Twin Corpses’ sect. Although some people still wanted to find out if she was lying, they all decided that no one would dare to insult their shifu in the presence of so many people.

Peng Lianhu stepped aside and said, “Young Miss, you win. Lao Peng admires you very much and wishes to know your name.”

Huang Rong smiled: “I don’t mind. I am called Rong Er.”

Peng Lianhu asked: “Your surname?”

Huang Rong: “I’ll be honest. I am surnamed neither Peng nor Sha.” At that point, everyone in the hall, outside of Tibetan Monk Ling Zhi and Ouyang Ke, had lost to her. Ling Zhi was suffering from an internal injury and could not fight at the moment. That left only Ouyang Ke as the only one who could temporarily stop her. The people all turned their gazes at him.

Ouyang Ke jogged forward, smiling pleasantly as he said: “This lowly one wants to go next and exchange moves with the young miss.”

Huang Rong glanced at the white clothes he was wearing and asked: “You are with those pretty girls of the Bai Tuoshan (White Camel Group)?”

Ouyang Ke smiled and said: “You have seen them? If you put all those girls together, they could not match even half of your beauty.”

Huang Rong’s face turned red when she heard his flattery though she was also pleased. She said: “Then you’ll help me with these old men who insist on being unreasonable.”

Ouyang Ke’s kung fu was high and with the support of his shifu’s younger brother, he was able to run amuck in the western region for many years. His lascivious nature caused him to spend all those years collecting beautiful women from different places, turning them into his concubines. To occupy their time, these concubines also studied kung fu and therefore, they were also his female disciples. When Prince Zhao summoned him to Yanjing, he brought 24 of his mistresses with him, dressing them up in white robes and mounting them on white camels. Because the concubines were many, they took turns riding while the others walked. Eight of them encountered on the road the Six Freaks of Chiangnan speaking with Guo Jing. They heard Zhu Cong talking about the precious Han Xie horse’s origin and intended to steal it and give it to Ouyang Ke as a gift but they failed in that attempt.

Ouyang Ke was very proud of his collection of concubines, knowing that they were the most beautiful women in the world and that not even the ladies of the imperial palaces of the Jin Dynasty and Song Country could compare to them. But who would have thought that he would meet Huang Rong in the Zhao Palace? He saw that her eyes were bright, her cheeks tender and though still very young, her body was graceful. Her beauty was unsurpassable that even his numerous mistresses could not compare to her. And when she displayed her exquisite martial arts skills, his heart fluttered. Now, he listened to her friendly voice, the soft and gentle words, feeling his heart burn and his bones go soft. He could not say a word.

Huang Rong: “I have to go. If they stop me, you will help me, won’t you?”

Ouyang Ke smiled: “If you want me to help you, then you must obey me as your teacher and stay with me forever.”

Huang Rong: “Even obeisance to the shifu does not mean staying with him forever!”

Ouyang Ke said: “My disciples are different. They’re all women so they follow me wherever I go. I only need to call and they will come.”

Huang Rong tossed her head, laughing as she said: “I do not believe.”

Ouyang Ke whistled and at once, 20 white-clad women appeared at the entrance. Whether they were fair or dark, fat or thin, all of them were wearing the same type of clothes, their carriage proud and their smiles seductive as they trained their eyes on Ouyang Ke. During the banquet earlier in the Fragrant Snow Hall, these mistresses served outside the wall. This is the first time Peng Lianhu and the others saw them and in their hearts, they were envious of his good fortune.

When Huang Rong challenged him into calling his mistresses, her intention was to cause a disorder in the hall, taking the opportunity to escape but who would have thought that Ouyang Ke would read her thoughts? He looked at the crowd, signaling them with his folding fan to stay in the entrance. Then, he cast a sidelong glance at Huang Rong, appearing casual and self-satisfied. The mistresses looked at Huang Rong steadily, some of them feeling inferior while others had only jealousy in their minds, knowing that the pretty girl had somehow caught the eye of the “shifu’s son.” They could not allow her to become another one of his “female disciples” because he might hereafter stop doting on them. These mistresses gathered around him tightly, making it difficult for Huang Rong to rush out through the door.

Seeing that the situation was not favorable, Huang Rong said: “You prefer a real fight. I have to obey you as my teacher which I’ve never done before. I don’t want to cause any embarassment.”

Ouyang Ke asked: “Is it possible that you don’t want to try?”

Huang Rong: “Alright.”

Ouyang Ke said: “Good, then come. Don’t be afraid. I won’t hit you back.”

Huang Rong: “How? If you don’t hit back, I’ll win, won’t I?”

Ouyang Ke smilingly said: “Even if you hit me, I’ll still like you. How can I hit you back?” The crowd snickered at his frivolous manner but they were also wondering, This young girl’s kung fu is not weak. Even if you are ten times stronger, how do you expect to defeat her? What magic are you going to use?

Huang Rong: “I don’t believe you’re really not going to hit back. I must tie up both your hands.”

Ouyang Ke then loosened the sash around his waist to give it to her. He folded his hands behind and walked towards her. Huang Rong saw that he was harmless but her mind continued to work. Although her face remained smiling, in her heart she was actually feeling more and more anxious as she paced back and forth for a while, thinking, I have to be careful with my steps. Thereupon, she received the sash and spread both her hands, pulling on opposite sides but the cloth was strong as though it was made of silk so that even though she used internal strength, she still could not destroy it. Immediately, she tied up both of his hands and smiled, saying: “How can we find out who loses or who wins?”

Ouyang Ke stretched out is right foot to the ground, leaving his left foot at the center, which left about three feet of distance in between. Still standing, he proceeded to move his foot against the brick floor, creating a sound like flowing water until he was able to make a complete circle, six feet in diameter. Creating

such a circle was no easy task, thus displaying his great internal strength. Sha Tongtian, Peng Lianhu and the others all looked on in admiration. Ouyang Ke stepped into the crcle and said: “Whoever steps out of the circle loses.”

Huang Rong: “And if we both leave the circle?”

Ouyang Ke said: “Then, I lose.”

Huang Rong: “If you lose, you won’t try to chase or stop me?”

Ouyang Ke replied: “Naturally. But if you leave the circle, then that would result in you becoming my little darling. Everyone here is witness to that.”

Huang Rong “Alright!”

She stepped into the circle, her left palm performing the “Hui2 Feng1 Fu2 Liu3” (Encircling the Wind to Stroke the Willow) and her right palm the “Xing1 He2 Zai4 Tian1” (River of Stars in the Sky). The left was light, the right was heavy, both hands exerting hard and soft forces. Ouyang Ke dodged slightly and both his shoulders were struck at the same time. Huang Rong encountered the force coming out of his body, startled to find that this Ouyang Ke’s internal strength was truly profound. Though he remained true to his word of not hitting back, he actually borrowed the force she used and used it as his own so that no matter how many times she hit him, he was always able to immediately retaliate. His hand remained motionless but Huang Rong was standing unsteadily, almost falling out of the circle. This was why she did not dare to attack for the moment as she paced inside the circle, saying: “If I go that doesn’t mean you won. You said before that if both of us left the circle, you lose.”

Ouyang Ke looked shocked as he watched Huang Rong jog out of the circle. She was afraid that a long delay might cause more complications so that she quickened her footsteps, her golden bangles sparkling and her flowing robes fluttering in the wind as she rushed towards the entrance.

Ouyang Ke shouted loudly: “I’ve been cheated!” He could only shout a warning but could not pursue. Sha Tongtian, Peng Lianhu, and the others saw how Huang Rong cleverly tricked Ouyang Ke and could not stop themselves from laughing loudly.

Huang Rong was just about to reach the entrance when a fierce sound could be heard coming from above and a large body suddenly dropped from nowhere. She moved sideways to avoid, suppressing her fear at this unknown thing. She saw that that person sitting down on a large round-backed wooden armchair was that tall Tibetan monk. He was wearing a red gown and even though he was seated, he was still able to tower over her. The skill with which he was able to leap high with the chair still stuck to his body was no ordinary feat. Huang Rong was just about to speak when she suddenly saw the Tibetan monk whip out a pair of cymbals from beneath his robes. He struck both hands, releasing a shocking, deafening sound, before opening it like a flower and sending both, one on top of the other, letting it fly fiercely towards her. The cymbals turned into a blur of shining metal, moving so fast like there were a dozen of them. She tried to fend it off but the cymbals suddenly turned into three. Startled, she turned only to find that the cymbals were drawing nearer. She dashed forward, parrying, before immediately fleeing away, then reversing, sending out a right palm towards the top cymbal while sending her left foot towards the two cymbals at the bottom. The two cymbals separated so that they were able to fly past. This fierce stance was unusual but the cymbals were able to avoid it and Ling Zhi then leapt forward. Ling Zhi executed his “Da4 Shou3 Yin4” (Big Hand Imprint) towards her. Huang Rong was hit, the blow sending her violently forward straight towards the center of the crowd.

Everyone shouted in alarm at the same time, seeing the young girl hit by Ling Zhi’s great palm, probably breaking several bones and causing severe internal injuries.

Ouyang Ke shouted: “Show mercy!” Was there enough time? He saw that Ling Zhi’s great palm struck her in the back but also saw that the hand was withdrawn immediately, its owner cursing loudly. Huang Rong used the force of his palm to run out of the hall. He heard her clear laughter as though she was not injured at all. He expected that Ling Zhi’s palm was strong but what he did not know was that before the palm could hit her, it was rapidly withdrawn so that the force behind the blow was diminished.

The crowd all watched in rapt attention when they heard Ling Zhi roar out again and again, his right palm dripping with blood. He lifted it and saw ten small punctures. His features changed as he remembered, shouting: “Soft hedgehog armor! Soft hedgehog armor!” His voice revealed his great surprise, his anger, and his pain.

Startled, Peng Lianhu asked: “This girl was wearing the soft hedgehog armor? That is the treasure of the Taohua Island (Peach Blossom Island)!”

Sha Tongtian wondered, How can someone her age get a hold of the soft hedgehog armor?

Missing Huang Rong, Ouyang Ke ran out of the entrance but he could barely see anything in the darkness. Not knowing where she was, he whistled for his mistresses and ordered them to track her down though in his heart, he was secretly relieved, It’s good that she was able to escape and did not get injured. Good or bad, I must have her hand.

Hou Tonghai asked: “Shi Ge (Elder Martial Brother), what is this soft hedgehog armor?”

Peng Lianhu snapped: “Have you seen a hedgehog?”

Hou Tonghai nodded: “Of course.”

Peng Lianhu replied: “Under her clothes next to the skin, she wears a set of soft armor. Though soft, this armor can withstand even the pierce of a sword or a spear. Moreover, it is covered with spines like that of a hedgehog. A single kick or punch will be enough to get you pricked!”

Hou Tonghai bit his tongue, thinking, It’s good that I wasn’t able to hit the smelly boy!

Sha Tongtian said: “I’ll get her back!”

Hou Tonghai looked at him and said: “Shi Ge, she… You can’t touch her body.”

Sha Tongtian: “Who asked for your opinion? I can still pull her hair.”

Hou Tonghai said: “Right, right, why didn’t I think of that? Shi Ge, you are truly intelligent.” And both apprentice brothers and Peng Lianhu at once gave chase.

By now, Prince Zhao Wanyan Honglie received the worried report from his son and learned that the princess was taken prisoner. Angered, both father and son, together with their personal guards left the palace to chase after the culprits. At the same time, Tang Zude led another group of armed guards to search for and arrest the intruder. Thus, the palace was on complete alert. Guo Jing ran into Liang Ziweng near the wall but how could he extend his neck like that and let him drink his blood? In his shock, he turned around and fled. He did not know which way was north or south so he decided to hide someplace. Liang Ziweng really wanted to drink his blood and would not slow down even a bit. It was a good thing that Guo Jing’s lightness kung fu was good otherwise, even though the night was dark, he would have been captured a long time ago. The light from the torch died and he could no longer see where he was going, only sensing that he had somehow stepped into a thorny area where the ground was rugged and rocky. More people were coming out of the palace, what time did Gou Jing have to deliberate? The thorny bristles cut through his legs but when he thought about Liang Ziweng biting his throat, he could not let the tiny thorns bother him. Not even a mountain or forest of swords could stop him.

Suddenly, he felt the ground beneath him give way, causing him to cry out as he started to drop, falling some 45 feet into an extremely deep cavern. While his body was in midair, he had already circulated his internal energy so that he would not lose his balance when he landed and prevent himself from getting injured. But who would have thought that his two feet would step on round stones? He lost his balance and fell down on his seat. His hands, which supported him, held one of these round stones. Fear shot through him when upon tracing these round stones with his fingers, he realized that these stones were actually the skeleton heads of dead persons. It looked as though this deep hole was where the corpses of dead people executed at the Zhao Palace were dumped. He heard Liang Ziweng call out from above: “Boy, come up here!”

Guo Jing thought, I’m not stupid enough to come up only to die! And with that, he raised his hand, feeling his way along and trying to feel the roof of the cave but he felt nothing. Thereupon, he moved forward to guard himself against Liang Ziweng who might follow him there and kill him. After shouting several curses, Liang Ziweng thought that perhaps Guo Jing could not come up and so he shouted angrily: “Even if you run all the way to hell, this old man will still come after you!” And taking a deep breath, he jumped down.

Greatly surprised, Guo Jing took several steps back only to find empty space behind him. He turned around, stretching both his arms out to feel the way. As he continued on, he discovered that it was a tunnel. Liang Ziweng also noticed the tunnel. His boldness was brought on by his high skill so that even though it was so dark that when he stretched his hand out, he could not even see his five fingers, he was not afraid that Guo Jing would be laying down a trap against him. He followed, only liking the situation more: This is just like seizing a turtle in a jar. This boy can’t get away again. How can I not drink his blood now?

Guo Jing was secretly worried: Tunnels always have a dead end! Liang Ziweng was laughing loudly, both arms spread as he traced the tunnel walls. He was not impatient and took his steps slowly, one at a time.

Guo Jing ran several feet forward when he realized that the tunnel had ended to reveal an earth room. Liang Ziweng also followed, laughing: “The peasant boy wants to run away but to where?”

Suddenly, from the left corner an eerie, raspy voice said: “Who acts unruly in here?”

The two of them never expected that someone lived in this black pit but they could not deny this sound, the voice though raspy actually rumbled like thunder to their ears. Guo Jing was frightened, his heart jumping madly while Liang Ziweng also could not restrain himself from feeling absolutely terrified. They heard the gloomy voice say: “Those who enter my cave are already rotting. Are you that impatient to die?” The voice now began to resemble that of a woman, speaking anxiously, her breathing heavy as though she had a contracted a serious illness.

When the two people discovered that the sound did not belong to any ghost, their fears subsided. Guo Jing listened to her words and hurried to explain: “I did not mean to come here, some people are after me…”

Before he could finish his words, Liang Ziweng was able to discern where he was. He dashed forward, stretching his hands out to take him. Guo Jing heard the rustle caused by his palm and hastily dodged. Liang Ziweng changed directions at once, forcing Guo Jing to dodge once more to the right. It was pitch dark so one could only grab thoughtlessly while the other could only hide blindly. Suddenly, there was a ripping sound. Liang Ziweng had taken hold of Guo Jing’s left sleeve.

The woman angrily said: “Who dares to seize a person here?”

Liang Ziweng scolded: “You disguise yourself like a crafty ghost. Are you trying to frighten me?”

The asthmatic woman began to breathe heavily as she said: “Hmph, the young fellow can come here and hide.”

Guo Jing had thought that the situation he was in was hopeless and critical in the extreme when he heard her saying this, without hesitation, he jumped as he felt five icy cold fingers touch his wrist. They were much stronger than him so that when he was pulled by her, his body was not able to resist from being thrown forwards and feeling himself growing numb. Gasping for breath, the woman said to Liang Ziweng: “You were able to grasp him adeptly which means your strength is not a trifle. You are from outside the mountain pass?”

Liang Ziweng was shocked, thinking, I cannot see even half of her hair, how is it possible she was able to recognize my martial arts? Is she capable of seeing things in the dark? This woman, she must be an old eccentric who’s used to being proud and strict! He did not dare to say anything careless or indiscreet and instead said pleasantly: “This lowly one who is an invited guest from Guan Dong is surnamed Liang. This boy stole something from me and I’m trying to get it back. I ask your excellency not to interfere.”

The woman said: “Ah, is the Ginseng Immortal Liang Ziweng trying to right a wrong? The other person seems unaware of it. I have no desire to interfere but when he rushed into my cave, the crime can already be pardoned. Lao Liang, you are a martial arts expert, how come you don’t understand the rules of wulin?”

Liang Ziweng was even more surprised and asked: “May I consult the name of your excellency?” The woman said: “I… I…”

Guo Jing felt the hand grasping his wrist shiver violently, the fingers slowly beginnning to loosen and he also heard her trying to keep down a groan as though she was in extreme pain. He asked: “You are sick?”

Liang Ziweng’s high kung fu allowed him to hear her groan and surmised that this person has lost her skills not from a sickness but from an injury which caused her to be greatly weakened. He immediately applied strength to his arm, sending both hands evenly to grasp Guo Jing’s chest. He managed to brush against his clothes, waiting for his fingers to grab hold when he suddenly felt a strong force meeting his wrists. Shocked, Liang Ziweng discovered that when he sent out his left hand, he managed to grab instead the enemy’s arm. The woman shouted angrily: “On guard!” A palm hit Liang Ziweng on his back. He leapt, the palm forcing him to take several steps back. Fortunately for him, his internal strength was good so that he was not injured.

Liang Ziweng said: “Hao3 zei2 po2! (Something like, you good mother-in-law of a thief! Po is sometimes used as a not-so polite term for old woman. The thief in question is Guo Jing.) You come here.” When that woman continued gasping for breath, remaining motionless, Liang Ziweng realized that she could not move the lower part of her body. His alarm and fear was immediately reduced and he began to slowly approach. He was just about to jump forward to attack when he suddenly felt something curl around his ankles. This thing was like a soft whip, silent, and came like electricity. Greatly alarmed, he quickly tried to resist it, but the whip was able to lift his body in a flash. He tried to aim a kick at the woman when a sound came as the top of his head hit the earthen wall.

His leg kung fu was of a high level, unmatched in wulin which caused him to enjoy more than 20 years of great prestige outside the mountain pass. This leg when executed was incomparably fierce. Who would have thought that before even the tip of his toe could arrive, he would suddenly sense his “Chong1Yang2 Xue2” (Flushing Out the Sun Hole) growing numb, causing him to immediately dodge in great alarm? This “Chong1Yang2 Xue2” was located five inches from the instep of the foot. If this vital point was sealed by the person, his whole leg would grow numb. Luckily, he was able to withdraw his foot quickly, avoiding it, but the action of anxiously kicking and then anxiously withdrawing has caused his knee to ache.

Liang Ziweng thought as he dodged, This person is in this dark cave but acts as though she is dwelling in a bright and sunny place, being able to accurately find my vital point, how can she not be a witch or a demon?

Realizing the critical situation he was in, he executed a half somersault to avoid, backhandedly sending out a palm in an effort to shake her off. He knew this stance was severe, the palm ten times stronger, and he thought that this person with asthma definitely would not have the internal strength to resist. However, he suddenly heard a loud cry as he felt the enemy’s arm heading violently towards him, its fingertips already making contact with his shoulder. Liang Ziweng’s left hand sensed the opponent’s ice-cold wrist, her body appearing as though it was not made of flesh and blood as it once more tried to attack. He immediately rolled away, rushing out in a hurry, even using his hands and foot to crawl out of the tunnel, panting heavily as he thought, I have lived for dozens of years but I have never encountered such a strange event where I don’t even know if she is a woman or a ghost! I must inform the prince about this matter. He hastily ran back to the Fragrant Snow Hall.

On the way, he thought: “I do not know if that creature is a woman ghost or female demon, but now that the stinky boy has fallen into her hands, she will naturally suck all the precious blood in his body dry. Would she act as if she was a polite guest of mine? Sigh, due to a strange combination of circumstances, I had met that stinky beggar. Then, having raised the snake and refined its blood, I had to run into that female ghost. I nearly lost my life in both encounters. Could the fabrication of the pill of longevity really be against the ways of Heaven, and envied by ghosts and deities, that I would fail on the verge of success?”

When Guo Jing heard him moving farther and farther away, he felt greatly relieved and fell on his knees, kowtowing to the woman as he said: “Junior politely thanks old senior for saving his life.”

That woman was able to match Liang Ziweng’s moves earlier but now she was exhausted, causing her asthma to play up. She coughed, wheezing as she said: “Why did Lao Liang want to kill you?”

Guo Jing: “Taoist Elder Wang was injured and needed medicine to treat his wounds. The disciple then came to the palace…” Suddenly, he thought, This person lives in the Zhao Palace, how do I know he’s not with Wanyan Honglie’s pa