The Transporters: Map of Conquest

Chapter 13

“Don’t play stupid with me!” Lai-Quan said harshly.

Tui-Yuk had lost her weapon and was now down. Lai-Quan smirked and dragged her over to Wen-Fuo and Chan-Hoi. She searched Chan-Hoi and took out a dart.

“Give me the map or I’m going to give you some scars.” She said holding one of Chan-Hoi’s darts on Tui-Yuk’s face. Lai-Quan wouldn’t actually scar Tui-Yuk but used this method because she knew a woman’s face was very important to a woman and Tui-Yuk would have to hand over the stone.

Tui-Yuk looked at Wen-Fuo and couldn’t imagine him ever loving her if her face was scarred. So she reached into her upper robe’s inner pocket to get the stone.

“Don’t!” Wen-Fuo yelled. “Don’t give it to them!” he yelled.

“You don’t care about me now! If my face was scarred you’d never love me!” she said ready to take the stone out.

“No!” Wen-Fuo yelled. “No matter what happens I will always love you.” He declared.

At that moment Tui-Yuk was about to burst into tears. Those words were so touching.

Lai-Quan and Chan-Hoi giggled at how romantic they sounded at that moment then realized they still had to get the map. “Hand it over.” Lai-Quan said harshly but not as cruel as the first time.

“Never!” Tui-Yuk yelled. “Even if you scar me, I will never give it to you.”

“Fine be that way.” Lai-Quan said shrugging her shoulders and taking the dart away.

Tui-Yuk was confused. Suddenly Lai-Quan froze her pressure points and reached into Tui-Yuk’s upper robe’s inner pocket. “You’ve already given me enough information as to where the map is.” She said with a grin.

“No!” Tui-Tuk yelled. “Give it back!” she demanded.

Chan-Hoi chuckled at his wife’s cleverness while still holding Wen-Fuo down. Lai-Quan looked and noticed it was a stone. “What’s this?” she asked giving it a strange look.

Chan-Hoi shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe the map is in it?” he said.

“Well she really objects to me taking this stone so I guess it might contain the map or be valuable.” She said thinking of the profit. “Is there anything else valuable?” she asked looking around the transport.

“Always thinking of money! We’re battling right now!” Chan-Hoi said mockingly.

“If I didn’t always think of money you’d be so broke right now you wouldn’t even have a cave to live in!” she yelled.

Chan-Hoi opened his eyes wide putting his hands to his waist. “You don’t need money to live in a cave!” he shouted.

Wen-Fuo realized they were preoccupied so he attacked them. He knocked Chan-Hoi off his balance. Lai-Quan caught her husband then the three of them started fighting.

During this time men from both Chan-Hoi’s clan and Lien-Din’s soldiers were attacking Man-Kiem, Sui-Ling and Sui-Ning. They fought vigorously to protect the transport and Ming-Jui. Dai-Kit was also fighting them.

Wa-Dang had jumped off the carriage and was helping Man-Luong. Man-Luong was fighting Tien-Fung while Wa-Dang was fighting Lien-Din.

Man-Luong and Tien-Fung both fought without swords. Man-Luong ducked as Tien-Fung sent a high punch at him. Man-Luong slide to the floor to kick him but he jumped back a few steps. Man-Luong lunged forward simultaneously kicking and punching rapidly. Tien-Fung blocked it and fell back. He realized that if he wanted to beat Man-Luong he had to use his strength. So Tien-Fung used his inner strength and sent a ball of particles at Man-Luong. Man-Luong dodged it jumping high into the air.

“An expert I see.” Man-Luong teased as he jumped in the air. He used his inner strength for his dragon punch sending Tien-Fung flying. “And that was only 10 percent of my strength.” he said boastfully.

Tien-Fung got up and used his specialty which was the phoenix kick. Man-Luong couldn’t dodge that in time and was knocked over but he still managed to smile.

“I’ve finally met a competitor!” Man-Luong said with a grin.

Now Man-Luong and Tien-Fung fought with more might and determination.

During which, Wa-Dang used her slash as her weapon. She whirled it and spun it before Lien-Din confusing her as to where she was actually going to attack. Lien-Din quickly lost trace and was punched in the chest. Lien-Din became angry and stood back up charging at Wa-Dang. Wa-Dang threw her slash straight at her.

Lien-Din jumped over her head landing behind Wa-Dang. She cut Wa-Dang’s arm. Wa-Dang fell back throwing her slash at Lien-Din trying to tie her up but Lien-Din was quicker. She dodged to her right. Heading for Wa-Dang who dodged to her left. The two girls rolled across each other’s path and continued to fight.

Ding-Luk snuck up to the carriage thinking Ming-Jui was in possession of the map. Man-Kiem, Sui-Ling and Sui-Ning tried their best to fight him off but his kung-fu was not easy to beat. He knocked Sui-Ling off her horse and kicked her away.

“Sui-Ling!” Sui-Ning screamed. She became angry and jumped off her horse to attack Ding-Luk. She used all her strength to fight him but she was no match for him. He knocked her out quickly and she fell to the floor.

Man-Kiem was fighting off a masked solider when this happened. He looked back to see both Sui-Ling and Sui-Ning injured so he quickly fought out of the crowd and ran to them. They were unconscious.

Dai-Kit was annoyed that Ding-Luk attacked two women so harshly. Even though he was a bandit he never hurt or killed anyone the way Ding-Luk did. He immediately started fighting Ding-Luk. The two of them fought a little until Din-Luk shoved him towards Man-Kiem and the masked soldiers.

Man-Kiem wanted to attack Ding-Luk but the masked soldiers surrounded him and Dai-Kit. They looked at each other strangely for a second then another group of people not from Chan-Hoi or Lien-Din’s group started attacking from behind.

This is when Law-Lan jumped in to help Man-Kiem. She had been following Lien-Din’s group and just noticed it was Man-Kiem’s people they were fighting. Man-Kiem smiled seeing her come to his aid.

Ding-Luk took this opportunity to jump onto the carriage. Ming-Jui observed that the masked soldiers and Chan-Hoi’s group were fighting each other. She concluded that they were from separate groups. Then she noticed another group that just came up from the horizon fighting Man-Kiem. There were now three groups attacking them. This was not good she thought to herself.

Just then Ding-Luk opened the carriage. Ming-Jui stared at him coldly looking at his jade. From the Jade she concluded that he was someone form the royal family because it had the word Wong carved on it.

He quickly lunged at her afraid that she would run away but she just sat there so he was able to easily capture her. He dragged her out to Man-Luong and Wa-Dang who were still fighting Tien-Fung and Lien-Din.

“Give us the stone or else.” Ding-Luk said holding his sword at Ming-Jui’s neck.

Man-Luong and Wa-Dang stopped fighting and looked at him holding Ming-Jui hostage. Ming-Jui smiled even though she was captured. “Why would you want a stone?” she asked him smirking.

“Give it to me or you die!” he said harshly.

Lien-Din walked over to Ding-Luk and gave him a disapproving look. Tien-Fung also joined them. Lien-Din and Tien-Fung didn’t do anything to help Ming-Jui. They felt this was an opportunity to get the stones. Furthermore they doubted that Ding-Luk would hurt Ming-Jui.

Man-Luong chuckled. “You already have the stone.” He replied.

The three of them were confused to his reply. “You’re holding the one carrying the stone.” Man-Luong said in a joking voice.

They all looked at Ming-Jui who laughed with Man-Luong’s joke. She noticed they were confused and pulled out the stone. “Is this what you want?” she asked them.

Lien-Din tried to grab it. Ming-Jui immediately threw it. The three of them lunged for the stone. Man-Luong ran to Ming-Jui’s side. “You okay?” he asked.

Ming-Jui smiled. “When am I not okay?” she teased.

Man-Luong quickly wrapped his arms around her waist. Wa-Dang was uncomfortable and didn’t know why he did this. But soon it was apparent when he carried Ming-Jui as he jumped towards Lien-Din, Tien-Fung and Ding-Luk.

Tien-Fung had caught the stone but Man-Luong quickly knocked it from his hands and Ming-Jui caught it. Now as Man-Luong fought the three he used 70% of his strength and threw Ming-Jui back and forth around him to protect her while he was at it.

Wa-Dang now understood that he wanted to protect Ming-Jui. She observed and noticed that Man-Luong and Ming-Jui were very in sync. It was as if they had practiced this or their mind and hearts were one. When Man-Luong needed her to be on the right she was on the right. When he needed her on the left she was on the left.

Meanwhile Man-Kiem and Law-Lan were losing their strength. This third group was overwhelming because they were already weak form fighting and the amount of people. They fought the third group until they were at the edge of the meadow. One of the masked warriors kicked him to the chest sending him flying off the cliff side. Law-Lan pounced forward to catch him but another masked warrior kicked her also and they both fell off the cliff together.

The third unknown group that attacked was starting to fight the transporters, Chan-Hoi’s clan and Lien-Din’s soldiers. Since Chan-Hoi and Lai-Quan already got a stone and they didn’t want more casualties, they decided to retreat. Dai-Kit was fighting near the carriage area still when he heard Chan-Hoi call for a retreat. Dai-Kit looked at Sui-Ling and Sui-Ning then grinned and ordered his men to bring them along.

Tui-Yuk and Wen-Fuo ignored Chan-Hoi’s retreat and ran to assist their transport guards against the third group of attackers but in between they were blocked by the masked warriors from the third group who pushed them to the other end of the meadow.

Finally the Third group fought up to Man-Luong’s area. Wa-Dang started fighting them off. The third group also started fighting Man-Luong, Lien-Din, Tien-Fung and Ding-Luk. Man-Luong was starting to lose hold of Ming-Jui.

During the struggle Ming-Jui was hit by one of the leaders of the third group. The stone flew out of her hands and Lien-Din caught it.

“Attack this third group only!” she ordered her men in a cracking voice to disguise it.

Now Lien-Din and Tien-Fung tried to help Wind & Rain transporter fight off this third group. Man-Luong gave them a strange look as he held onto Ming-Jui. Ming-Jui was badly injured because she was hit from behind and didn’t know kung-fu.

“Are you ok?” Man-Luong asked shaking Ming-Jui. Ming-Jui tried to smile. “Don’t tell me you’re okay!” he shouted at her because I know you’re not.”

“Then why did you ask?” she tried to joke even though she was weak but she still had her inner strength to keep her conscious.

Right then the same leader that hurt Ming-Jui attacked Man-Luong. Wa-Dang jumped into help him. “Take Ming-Jui and leave!” he said throwing Ming-Jui to Wa-Dang as he fought the Leader of the third group.

Tui-Yuk and Wen-Fuo were battling and being pushed further away from the transport. They were outnumbered and already hurt from their battle with Chan-Hoi and Lai-Quan. Next thing they knew another leaders of the third group knocked them both into the ocean shore that was about ½ a li away (3 li = 1 mile).

Wa-Dang tried to run away with Ming-Jui but she was being attack too. She lost hold of Ming-Jui who fell against the tree nearby. “Tell Man-Luong I’m safe.” She said to Wa-Dang as she started walking into the trees of the meadow.

Wa-Dang nodded. “I will. Go and make sure you’re safe.” she yelled as she fought off some warriors from the third group.

Ming-Jui tried to stay conscious as she walked into the meadow. She walked further and further for as long as her strength could take her. She was not trying to run away but she knew if Man-Luong didn’t think she was safe he wouldn’t be able to concentrate. She was barely conscious as she heard familiar voices. She walked faster but before she could say anything she fainted.

Man-Luong and Wa-Dang fought forcefully trying to get rid of everyone from this third group. Lien-Din and Tien-Fung were doing their best to help. Finally Man-Luong captured one of the leaders and forced everyone to leave of he would kill him. Tien-Fung also captured a leader and threatened to kill him. The third group started evacuating.

Man-Luong pulled off the masks of the leader and recognized him as Yip Hong. Tien-Fung pulled out the other mask and recognized it as Yip Bing. They were the sons of Yip Hung a third rank military leader in the royal courts. Yip Bing and Yip Hong were fully aware that Man-Luong knew who they were.

“Why did you attack us?” Man-Luong questioned.

“We’re just taking orders from above.” Yip Hong replied.

“Who sent you? The emperor or someone else?” he questioned angrily.

They refused to respond. “Kill us if you like, we can’t say anything more.” Yip Bing said.

Man-Luong glared at them angrily and said, “Get out of here!”

As soon as Ting-Fung realized they were okay. He turned to Lien-Din and they ran off. Their people retreated with them including Ding-Luk. Man-Luong ignored them running away as he went to look for Wa-Dang and Ming-Jui.

“Where is Ming-Jui?” he asked frantically.

“She took cover in the meadow.” Wa-Dang replied.

Man-Luong looked around, it was chaotic. Nobody was around. Wen-Fuo, Tui-Yuk, Man-Kiem, Sui-Ling, and Sui-Ning had all disappeared. Many of the transport guards were injured, some dead. “Let’s get.” Ming-Jui he said.

Man-Luong and Wa-Dang ran back and forth looking for Ming-Jui. They didn’t see her anywhere around. “Where is she!” Man-Luong screamed clutching Wa-Dang’s arms.

“I don’t know.” She replied frightened. “She ran into the trees a moment ago. I…I…” she stuttered lost for words.

“You let her run in there alone!” he hollered louder than the first time. “How could you!” he said looking around frantically.

“I… I… She… She… I…” Wa-Dang couldn’t say anymore. She felt too guilty even though it was not her fault and beyond her control.

“Ming-Jui doesn’t know any kung-fu!” he shouted throwing Wa-Dang out of his grasp.

She fell back onto the floor. Tears were streaking out of her eyes She felt bad for not carefully watching Ming-Jui but she felt even worse for causing the man she loved to show this much resentment towards her. She could feel his anger and his pain of losing Ming-Jui. She now understood his heart fully and completely. But still she couldn’t help loving him.

Man-Luong looked around once more after he yelled at Wa-Dang. He couldn’t find Ming-Jui so he came back to Wa-Dang. He noticed her in tears. He realized he was out of line and felt horrible.

“I’m sorry.” He said coming to help her up. “I shouldn’t have blamed you. It’s not your fault.” He said in a soothing voice.

“I know it was my fault, you have every right to be angry.” She sobbed.

He realized how much he hurt her. “No it’s not your fault. I was being irrational. You should be angry with me, I am the one that was wrong.” He says.

“No it’s me.” I’m sorry she says breaking into tears again.

Man-Luong pulled her into his arms to embrace her. “I’m sorry. I really am. I got out of line.” He apologized.

He knew Wa-Dang would do anything for him even if it meant sacrificing her own life. She would never let Ming-Jui out of her sight unless Ming-Jui herself ran off. He tried his best to comfort her.

Afterwards they ran back to the transport to fix everything and get everyone that was injured healed. They put everything back together and now had to find everyone and restore everything before they continued their journey. Now their journey was somewhat twisted into looking for everyone else and the stones.

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Lien-Din and Tien-Fung hurry out of the meadow back to Hang Chow. They arrive at one of the Inns and take shelter there. Lien-Din sends Ding-Luk and the masked warriors back to Kaifeng (the capital during the Song Dynasty) to report to her father about them retrieving the stone.

Tien-Fung uses his inner strength to crack open the stone. There is nothing between its sediments. Lien-Din and Tien-Fung give each other odd looks.

“I know my father put something in these stones!” Tien-Fung says as he crumbles the stones in his hands.

“Calm down. There must be a logical answer to this, unless all of my clues have deceived me.” Lien-Din thinks about it.

“No there’s no way that the map cannot be inside these stones. Why else would the transporters care so much about them!” Tien-Fung yells. All his strength and effort have been wasted if they have nothing from the stones right now.

Lien-Din touches the sediments. “Maybe this is a trick by the Transporters.” she suggests.

“I don’t think so.” Tien-Fung ponders for a while.

Lien-Din nods. “You know how clever Ming-Jui is. She wouldn’t have thrown the stone out of her hands that easily if this wasn’t a fake stone.” She says looking at the sediments once more.

Tien-Fung shakes his head. “It can’t be because the sediments my father used in making these stones were rare. Ming-Jui couldn’t have duplicated the making of these stones unless she found the exact same sediments.” He says.

“Don’t under estimate Ming-Jui’s intelligence.” Lien-Din advises

“But no matter how intelligent she is she cannot gather all the exact same sediments in a matter of days because they come from the west near India.”

“Well how would you explain this empty shell.” Lien-Din asks.

“All I can possibly guess is that these stones were made to deceive us. Is there a possibility there are more than three stones circling the world.”

“Only if your father made more than three stones.” Lien-Din says.

“Only person who knows that is my mother.” Tien-Fungs says.

Lien-Din nods. “Its time your mother came out with the truth.”

Tien-Fung shakes his head. “She would never tell me the truth.”

“Maybe you can force her to, after all you are her son, so you should know her best.” Lien-Din advises. Tien-Fung nods.

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Chan-Hoi and his clan gather back at their hideout at Wailing Cliff. His men gather around and Chan-Hoi cracks open the stone and to finds nothing in it either. The men suddenly become outraged.

Lai-Quan puts her hands up to calm the men down. “Listen men! Maybe there is something else to these stones. Maybe the stone itself is the map of conquest!”

“How will we ever know!” one man yelled.

“Yeah we cracked it already!” another man yelled.

Dai-Kit tried to calm the men down. “We still have a chance a long as we have all the pieces. Calm down men and I promise a hefty reward.” He said.

Chan-Hoi is puzzled by the empty stone. But since he doesn’t know the stone should contain the map he suggests. “We need to get the other stones from the transporters in order to connect them all.”

His men roared up in laughter. “Yes.” Lai-Quan says to agree with her husband. “We should gather up the men and attack the Transporters again for the remaining stones.”

The men roared up agreeing. Chan-Hoi and Lai-Quan look at each other oddly, even they weren’t sure what they said was true. They disperse the men and everyone returns to their chambers.

Lai-Quan returns to her chambers waiting for her husband. She is furious and has something to ask him. Chan-Hoi takes precaution entering the room.

Lai-Quan immediately pinches his ears and questions him, “So why did you bring that girl back here? Is she worth anything?” Lai-Quan asks.

Chan-Hoi struggles to get free and replies, “My dear wife, do you think I would drag that girl home if she wasn’t worth something.” He tries to cover up.

“Don’t lie to me! You don’t even know who the girl is or what her background is.”

“Look at her attire and hairstyle. It’s obvious she’s not a peasant. Any noble family can afford to pay a good ransom for her.” He suggests rubbing his ears.

“Then why isn’t she in a prison?” Lai-Quan questions with her hands over her hips.

“If she was in a prison she wouldn’t heal quickly so it wouldn’t be to our benefit.”

Lai-Quan slaps him with her whip. “Liar!” she yells.

He jumps from her. “Why don’t you believe me!” he pleads.

“Because you’re not trust worthy!” she yells. “You’re a man!”

During this time Ming-Jui wakes up and finds herself in Chan-Hoi’s hideout. At first she is alarmed but once she realizes its Chan-Hoi’s hideout she calm down. One of Chan-Hoi’s men went to notify him and Lai Quan.

Lai-Quan pushes Chan-Hoi out of the way and goes to check on Ming-Jui. Chan-Hoi follows. Ming-Jui sits up waiting for her host thinking it was Chan-Hoi but was surprised to see Lai-Quan.

“Who are you?” Lai-Quan questions bluntly.

Ming-Jui realizes that she can’t say she’s from Wind & Rain Transporters so she says, “My name is Yip Chui-May.” She replies taking the identity of Chui-May, the daughter of a 3rd ranked Official in the Royal Courts whose family lives in Hang Chow.

Lai-Qaun thinks about it and finds the name very familiar but can’t figure it out at the moment. “Are you worth anything?” Lai-Quan asked thinking she would lie.

“Of course I am, why would you save me if I weren’t?” Ming-Jui replies.

“I see, you’re smart enough to tell the truth.” Lai-Quan smirked. “Ok, I’ll give you a chance to live.” She said walking out.

Ming-Jui froze for a moment wondering who that was and why she was so callous. Then Chan-Hoi enters the room looking valiant, as if he was going to save her from something. Ming-Jui smiled seeing him look this way.

“Hello Lord Chan-Hoi.” She addresses him.

He blushed hearing her address him so highly but tries to keep his cool. “You remember me, I see.” He said standing fiercely in front of her as if he was a hero.

“Of course, how could I forget the man who once saved my husband and I.” She replied.

He nodded and asked, “So I heard your name was Yip Chui-May. What happened for you to get into this situation?”

Ming-Jui nodded. “I was robbed by bandits that were trying to rob a carriage in the meadow. I assume they thought I was part of the group and attacked me.” She replied

“I see. What a pity for that to happen. You should get some rest and we’ll send you home shortly.” He says with a grin.

“Thank you.” She replies.

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Chan-Hoi leaves Ming-Jui’s quarter’s to see his wife staring at him. He stops his valiant act and starts to run. Lai-Quan gets out her whip and chases him.

Chan-Hoi runs to the west pavilion made out of stone and jumps through it but Lai-Quan cracks her whip catching him in time. “Where do you think you’re going?” she asks.

“Oh my wife, please forgive me.” He begs

“So you know you’ve done something wring?” she asked with a smirk.

“Well not really but you think everything I do is wrong so I basically have to apologize to you every time I see you.” He teased and ran off since she let her guard down.

“Dam you!” She yelled as he jumped to the top of the pavilion and ran off. She was about to chase after him when she saw Dai-Kit walk past her.

“Where are you going?” she questions her little brother.

“I got medicine for those two girls we took back from the transport.” He answered.

“You and Chan-Hoi can only think of women. What is it with you men? She yelled angrily walking away to find her husband.

Dai-Kit shrugs and continues with two bandit guards to the dungeon where he kept Sui-Ling and Sui-Ning. Sui-Ling has waken up and looked around. Dai-Kit enters and she nudges Sui-Ning to wake up. Sui-Ning stirs a little but doesn’t wake up.

“What do you want?” Sui-Ling yells getting ready to fight him.

“I have medicine for you.” Dai-Kit replies motioning his guards to open up the dungeon.

Sui-Ling looks at him suspiciously. “Why should I believe it’s not poison?” she asked still armed and ready to fight him.

“If I wanted to kill you I would have done it in the meadow.” He replies entering to hand her the medicine with a grin on his face.

“I don’t believe you.” Sui-Ling replies flinging the bowl of hot herbal medicine. * * FEMALE CHARACTERS * *
Chung Ming Jui: Nnadia Chan
Lau Tui Yuk: Esther Kwan
Lien-Din: Noel/Vivian Leung
Wa-Dang: Fiona Leung
Sui-Ling: Charlene Choi
Sui-Ning: Gillian Chung
Lai-Quan: Rain Lau

* * MALE CHARACTER * *

Chung Wen Fuo: Roger Kwok
Wong Man-Kiem: Nicholas Tse
Wong Man Luong: Ekin Chueng
Tien-Fung: Leon Lai
Chan-Hoi: Dicky Cheung
Dai-Kit: Edison Chen

MINORS:

Ding-Luk: Mark Kwok

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The bowl was a wooden bowl so it fell to the floor without smashing but the hot liquid spilled all over Sui-Ning’s back. Sui-Ling immediately ran to her side. “I’m so sorry.” She cried trying to remove the hot herb with her clothing.

Dai-Kit immediately ordered the bandit guard to call upon the bandit doctor. He came closer to Sui-Ning and was shoved away by Sui-Ling. “Go away look what you’ve done!” she shouted.

“Me?” he said stunned. “You were the one that hit the bowl and caused it to spill.” He reminded her.

Sui-Ling ignored him but knew it was really her fault. She somehow couldn’t help blaming him for it, thinking if he didn’t bring them here she wouldn’t have flung the bowl and it wouldn’t have scorched Sui-Ning.

The doctor bandit came in and advised all the guards to go out. Sui-Ling refused to let him come near her so Dai-Kit froze her pressure points not letting her argue with him.

“You’re a lot cuter when you shut up!” he scolded her.

“Leave Sui-Ning alone!” she cried thinking something bad was going to happen.

The doctor bent down and took careful examination of Sui-Ning’s back while Sui-Ling still resisted Dai-Kit who now held her securely in his hands. After the doctor was finished her put Sui-Ning’s clothes back on her and left. Dai-Kit walked up to Sui-Ning and looked at her as he help lay her back down. She was beautiful.

Suddenly Sui-Ning woke up to find her back in pain and her clothes loosely on. She screams adjusts her clothes quickly and slaps Dai-Kit then starts to attack him. She felt violated not knowing what really happened. She noticed Sui-Ling’s pressure points frozen and quickly unfreezes them as she jumps to the wall kicks it and leaps towards Dai-Kit.

Dai-Kit was ready for her and catches her in his arms. She struggles to get out. Sui-Ling attacks him but he’s much stronger than them. He wraps another arm around her. “I could do whatever I like to you girls now.” He jokes.

“Let go!” they both shout stomping on his feet which made him let them go.

They attacked him again this time more fiercely. The girls team up and use what’s left of their strength to attack him and send him flying to the wall. They punch him in the stomach and then kick him to the side using all the strength they had left. Then make a run for it now that he’s down.

Dai-Kit gets up and realizes they’re trying to escape. He smiles cunningly and lets them. It was impossible for them to leave the vicinities of Wailing Cliff without a proper guide let alone leave the borders of the dungeon. They look around after they left the dungeon cell and realized they were surrounded by many bandits. They had used all their strength earlier and were not capable of fighting this many men.

He caught up to them. The girls put up their arms to fight but it looked hopeless. “Going somewhere?” Dai-Kit asked boastfully.

Chapter 14

Chung Ming Jui: Nnadia Chan
Lau Tui Yuk: Esther Kwan
Lien-Din: Noel/Vivian Leung
Wa-Dang: Fiona Leung
Sui-Ling: Charlene Choi
Sui-Ning: Gillian Chung
Lai-Quan: Rain Lau

* * MALE CHARACTER * *

Chung Wen Fuo: Roger Kwok
Wong Man-Kiem: Nicholas Tse
Wong Man Luong: Ekin Chueng
Tien-Fung: Leon Lai
Chan-Hoi: Dicky Cheung
Dai-Kit: Edison Chen

MINORS:

Ding-Luk: Mark Kwok
Yuen-Wu: Vincent Jiao
Yun Sam: Sean Lau Ching Wan

Law-Quen: Tavia Yeung
May May: Myolie Wu
Lu Sum: Amy Kwok Ai Ming
Chui-May: Amy Chan Sau Man

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Sui-Ling and Sui-Ning look around them then stared at each other. They were determined to get out of this alive no matter what it took. Dai-Kit stares at them. “Ready to give up?” he asked boastfully.

“NEVER!” the girls shouted trying their best to protect themselves and escape. They battled with Dai-Kit fiercely thinking their lives depended on it.

Sui-Ling kicked him in the shin while Sui-Ning kicked his face. Each time Dai-Kit dodged their attacks perfectly as if he knew their technique, one attacking the top while one attacks the bottom.

Dai-Kit catches Sui-Ling’s leg and holds it firmly. She struggles to get away. Sui-Ning jumps in and he catches hers to. “Very nice slender legs.” he said with a smirk.

The two girls kicked then jumped backwards which risked injury to their own backs just to get away from this humiliation. They fell back to the floor and jumped to attack other bandits as they tried to leave. They were able to knock down a few bandits that were weaker than them but their kung-fu strength was not enough to fight everyone off.

Dai-Kit watched in humor observing the determination these two possessed. He was impressed that they had so much willpower. Finally after a few minutes he jumped in to end this chaos. He quickly froze Sui-Ling and then jumped to Sui-Ning only to be punched in the right arm by her. He backed off a little then leaped forward and hit her twice in the chest then froze her pressure points also.

“Bring them to the dungeon.” He ordered his men as he started off to his room.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Meanwhile…..Dink-Luk was sent by Lien-Din Kaifeng but he sends off all the soldiers and sneaks away towards the Kwok residence and sneaks in. He is looking around frantically for something or someone.

May May notices a strange man lurking around the residence and becomes alarmed so she follows him. After a few minutes she recognizes him. He is the murder who threw the maid into the west lake a month ago. She gasps and hides as he seems to hear her.

Ding-Luk turns around suspiciously but doesn’t see anyone around. He continues and is more careful but May May notices he’s very familiar with the surroundings. She concluded that he was going to look for Law-Quen, so she follows to observe. He arrives at Law-Quen’s room and looks around quickly before he enters. May May takes note of all this and decides to inform Law-Lan.

Meanwhile Law-Quen was in her room singing and stitching embroidery. She gasped seeing him, “What are you doing here?” she asked shocked as she ran to her door and windows to shut them.

He stood there staring at her for a moment. She noticed nobody outside and quickly ran to his side hugging him and embracing him. He hugged her also. “How is my precious girl doing?” he asked smugly.

Law-Quen cries into his chest. “I haven’t been able to get the stone from Auntie Lau, please forgive me.” She cries.

Ding-Luk seems a bit irritated but reluctantly smiles. “It’s okay my love, I can wait a few days.” He says so she doesn’t think he’s trying to rush her even though he’s been waiting for over three months for the stones.

Law-Quen looks at him happy that he forgave her. “I promise I’ll get it for you very quickly.” She replied with a tear in her eye still.

He wiped it away and replied, “Make sure you actually get it this time, I don’t want to waste any more time killing more of the Kwok resident maids.” He said.

This reminded her of the incident a month ago when he had to kill one of her maids who found out about his plans of having Law-Quen try to steal the stone form Madam Lau. Supposedly Madam Lau’s favorite niece was Law-Quen so it would have been to his benefit to use her to steal the stone for him.

Law-Quen nods her head rapidly, “I’m sorry for that incident. I’ll try to get the stone immediately she says running off from the room.

He pulls her back. “Maybe later,” he says softly into her ears as he pulls her towards him. He kisses her tenderly and lays her down on the bed then pulls the curtains.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

During this time Lien-Din has snuck out of Tien-Fung’s residence and is now walking around the market place trying to find something entertaining to do as she awaits Tien-Fung’s news about the third stone. She picks up trinkets and gadgets laughing at how amusing they are. Because she was from royalty she rarely had the opportunity to go out of her home. Her father only allowed her out sometimes and he agreed to let her go on this mission only because she was stubborn about it.

She picked up a trinket and jingled it in front of her when she notices a pair of eyes following her. She drops the trinket back to the vendor and start walking faster to test the running skills of this mysterious follower. This person is definitely not slower than her, maybe faster than her. Her heart beats faster as she runs faster.

Who could be running after her she wonders to herself. Next thing you know she rams right into this mysterious follower. WHAM! BUMP! She looks up and prepares to fight but she’s too slow and the mysterious follower has grabbed her by the collar swinging her around.

“Let me go you brute!” she hollers struggling to get down from his grasp. She could tell now he’s a man but cannot see his face.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Yip Hong and Yip Bing fall to their knees begging their father, Yip Hung for forgiveness. They failed in their mission to retrieve the stones and are afraid of punishment from their Yip Hung, a 3rd ranked military officer in the royal courts.

“You have failed me mission after mission!” Yip Hung yelled pounding the table.

“We’re sorry father!” Man-Luong’s tactics were stronger than ours.” Yip Bing said.

“Wing & Rain had many allies.” Yip Hong said in their defense.

“You are both USELESS!” Yip Hung scolded them. “Can’t even get three stones!”

Yip Hong and Yip Bing crouched together on the floor in shame. Yip Chui-May their youngest and only sister walks into the room. She smirks walking over to her father, Yip Hung. “Calm down Daddy.” She pouts.

Her father looks at her and smiles. Chui-May walks over to her brothers and continues. “If you really want the stones you have to let me get it.” She declares with a grin.

Her brothers look at her with envy and jealousy. She has always been smarter than them and they knew if she was born a man their father would have probably entrusted her with everything, but they were glad she was a female.

Yip Bing immediately said, “But she’s a girl!”

“Yes father, what would people think if she was the lead of the attack?” Yip Hong added.

Yip Hung sneered at his sons, “It’s too late for that because you useless bastards can’t do anything right!” he said unsympathetically then he faced his daughter. “Tell me your plans Chui-May.” He asked earnestly.

Chui-May smiled. “If Wind & Rain transporters already know you’re after the stone we’re going to have trouble. The first thing we must do is finish them off.” She said grinning.

Yip Hung raised an eyebrow of curiosity. “How?” he asked his daughter.

Chui-May smiled, “We’ll use their people to attack them.” She replied then looked at her father. “Why do you want the stones?” she asked curiously because she never knew what the three stones were or why her father wanted them.

“They hold a secret that the emperor wants me to solve for him.” Yip Hung lied. He knew she wouldn’t help him if he told her his true plans. Chui-May was a righteous woman and would never agree to his plans. Sometimes he wondered why his daughter was so different from his sons. Although his daughter always tried to please him she also had a stubborn personality and refused to listen to anyone.

Chui-May nodded. “Ok father, expect good news from me soon.” She said walking out of the room. “I’m going to plan my tactics with Kuen-Wu.” She said joyfully at the name of her husband.

Her brothers immediately stopped her. “This is a secret mission from the emperor. You cannot possible tell Kuen-Wu about it!” Yip Bing said.

“He is not part of the Yip family.” Yip Hong added.

Chui-May stared at her brothers. “Kuen-Wu can help us and he is part of the family because he’s my husband!” she declared. Then she turned to her father. “I believe his intelligence and power within the royal soldiers can be beneficial in helping us succeed.” She added with confidence.

Her father nodded to agree with her. “As long as you believe he won’t ruin the secret because the emperor doesn’t want anyone to know about this plan.” He added.

“Don’t worry father, Kuen-Wu won’t disappoint you.” she said with a smile and left glaring at her brothers.

Her brother looked to their father with a worried face ready to add more rebuttals to his decision but Yip Hung put up his hands to halt them. After Chui-May left he had an evil glint to his eyes as he said, “Don’t worry, Kuen-Wu is very loyal to your younger sister. You should learn a thing or two from her.” he remarked.

“Yes father.” both Yip Bing and Yip Hong said simultaneously as they bowed.

“I have a feeling his help will come in handy, if not we can always kill him.” Yip Hung said laughing evilly. His sons laughed with him as they thought of the rewards of their father’s plans.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Now back with Lien-Din she gets an idea and takes one of the pins out of her hair poking her attacker with it. He drops her but she lands swiftly on her feet and arms as she rolls back then jumps forward to attack him. He blocks her punches then catches her hand.

“You don’t want me hurting you!” he says in a commanding tone.

Lien-Din stops fighting and looks at her attacker giggling. “Dai Guo! (Big brother)” she exclaims joyfully throwing her arms around him. “When did you come here?” she asked her brother then changes her expression to a pout. “Did father send you here to check on me?” she asked insulted.

He shakes his head at her. “I came here with your sister in law. She came to visit her father.” He explains giving her a disapproving look.

Lien-Din smiles again. “Did father receive news that we got the stone? Because if he did I need to correct the news and tell him the stones were fake.” She adds quickly.

Her brother looks at her confused. “What news? Who did you send to inform him of the news?” he asked.

“Ding-Luk of course!” Lien-Din exclaimed.

“He hasn’t come back yet.” He informed her.

“Not yet but he was supposed to come back home by now!” Lien-Din said angrily. “He’s probably being lazy!” she says.

“Maybe I missed him because I could have left before he came.” Her brother tries to say in Ding-Luk’s defense because he didn’t know what really happened. He was a very understanding man and thought there might have been some reason Ding-Luk didn’t get there to report yet.

“Well I guess you can tell father about the stones, I’m still working on the mission. I’ll come home after the mission” She said.

“Oh no you don’t. Father wants you home as soon as possible. I’m taking over the stone mission, but you can’t let your sister in law know. Father says it’s a secret mission.” He says sternly to her.

“But I…..” Lien-Din was cut off as her sister-in-law called and approached them.

“Lien-Din, Kuen-Wu!” she yelled noticing them from afar.

Lien-Din smiled mischievously. “If you don’t let me continue I might slip and tell A-So (sister-in-law) everything.” She whispered.

Kuen-Wu looked at his sister and gave in with a nod. He knew she was just stubborn enough to do such a thing. “Fine but you better keep quiet!” he added.

Lien-Din giggled triumphantly and walked with her brother, Kuen-Wu towards her sister-in-law, Chui-May.

“So you’ve found Lien-Din.” Chui-May said smiling at Lien-Din as they hugged each other. Lien-Din was very fond of her sister-in-law because she took care of her since the day she married her brother when Lien-Din was only 11 and now she was 19.

Chui-May shook her head at Lien-Din, “When I was your age I married your brother and settled down but here you are like a little demon always running around for your brother to find!” she scolded playfully because Kuen-Wu told her that he needed to find Lien-Din since she ran away to explore. He didn’t tell her about the stones.

Lien-Din straightened up from her sister-in-law’s embrace and pouted. “I don’t want to get settled down yet. I haven’t enjoyed my life to the fullest yet.”

“Are you sure it’s that or is it because you haven’t found the man you want to marry yet?” Chui-May questioned teasing her.

“A-So (sister-in-law)!” Lien-Din pouted embarrassed. Then for some odd reason Man-Luong popped up in her mind. She didn’t know why she was thinking of him all of a sudden but she couldn’t forget the warm embrace in his arms when she pretended to faint.

“Okay Chui-May stop teasing her let’s get something to eat because I’m starving.” Kuen-Wu said rubbing his belly.

“You’re always hungry.” Chui-May teased patting his belly. “I might even think you have another person in there.” She teased.

“Well if you want I can help get another person in your tummy,” he said wrapping his arms around her.

“Gross, you two this is a public area!” Lien-Din teased.

“Who said I couldn’t love my wife openly.” Kuen-Wu said.

“Come on let’s go get something to eat.” Chui-May said rather blushing as she held her husband’s hand and Lien-Din’s to lead them to a nearby restaurant.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

ANOTHER DAY…… In a small fishing village people are preparing nets and fishing equipment when a little boy screams, “LOOK OVER THERE!” as he points onto the ocean shore. A young woman comes to see what the little boy is pointing to and notices a man laying in the water. She rushes over to see if he’s okay then helps him up and takes him into her home she lives in with her father. She paces back and forth wondering why she even saved him. He better have money to repay her she thinks to herself.

During that same day in the same village, farther along the coast another body is found. This time it’s a young woman. A young man lifts her up and brings him to his home with his mother hoping when she wakes up she’ll compensate him with silver coins.

The fishing village is poor and their only hope for survival is on the fishing commerce but these past few years have become very harsh.

After being treated and waking up, Tui-Yuk notices she’s in a hut type home and looks around uneasily. She looks frantically around for Wen-Fuo but doesn’t see him and jumps off the bed to rush out of the hut but notices a young man and gets ready to attack him. The poor young man gets beaten by Tui-Yuk then notices he doesn’t seem to have kung-fu. She immediately stops to apologize.

“If I would have known you were going to beat me like that I would have never saved you.” he said getting up from the floor.

“I’m very sorry I was just worried that you were a bad person.” Tui-Yuk says.

“Well if I was bad I wouldn’t have saved you now would I?” he questioned rubbing his arm that he fell on to lessen the pain.

Tui-Yuk feels bad and tries to change the subject. “So what’s your name?” she asked.

“My name is Yun Sam, you can call me Sam.” He replied then asked, “How about you?”

“My name is Lau Tui-Yuk, but you can just call me Tui-Yuk.” She replied.

“You have a full name so you must be from a rich family.” He said with a grin hoping to get his reward soon.

Tui-Yuk frowned. “I’m sorry I have no money with me right now.”

“Not now but when you get home you can bring me some money, actually even better is if you write a note home and tell a servant to bring you some money.” He said.

“I don’t….” she paused.

“Don’t tell me you have no money!” he said like he was in agonizing pain. “I’m poor and can’t afford to take care of you if you can’t repay me! Oh no there goes a month supply of food just on your medicine I feed you earlier!” he cried in disappointment.

“No it’s just that I don’t know where I am in order to direct where to bring the money.” She replied feeling sorry for him.

“Oh is that all, Well you’re in Loc Yu Village!” he responded happily thinking he was going to be repaid soon.

Tui-Yuk nodded and tried to conceal her curiosity as to where Wen-Fuo and the others were and what’s going on now. She also wasn’t sure how to tell him she had no way of getting any money for him now that her residence was destroyed but she assumed she could just get it from Wind and Rain Transporters after she found Wen-Fuo.

“Did you also save a man about your age maybe shorter?” she asked anxiously.

“Nope just you.” he replied then a spark entered his eyes. “Will I get more money if I find him?” he asked hoping the answer was yes.

Tui-Yuk immediately became curious as to where Wen-Fuo might have been. They fell down the cliff together and both hit the crashing waves so he must be somewhere around unless he drowned! She thought and freight soon overwhelmed her.

“Hey you!” Sam poked her arm. “You seem lost and confused!” he said poking her arm again wondering what she was thinking.

“I’m sorry it’s just that he’s really important to me.” She replied.

“Oh your husband or something?” he asked with a mischievous grin. Then asked again. “Hey if I get more money for him I’ll look for him right now.” He said.

“If you find him I’ll give you as much money as you want.” Tui-Yuk replied.

Tui-Yuk reached into her hair for her gold hair pins but found them gone. “Where are my hair pins!” she asked.

Sam smiled and backed away. “I sold them for your medicine.” He replied. “Us poor villagers don’t have money for that.” He answered afraid Tui-Yuk was going to explode and beat him again for selling her gold hair pins his mother took from her hair.

“It’s okay I was just wondering because I wanted to give them to you to thank you for saving me.” She informed him.

“Well if that’s the case how about this jade?” he said holding out jade on a brownish colored cord.

Tui-Yuk immediately grabbed it. “I’m sorry this is an engagement gift. I cannot give it to you.” she said taking Man-Luong’s jade back. It wasn’t important to her but she knew she had to keep it because it was a symbol of her marriage engagement to Man-Luong that Man-Luong’s mother had given her mother. She couldn’t lose it at least not intentionally.

Sam shrugged and said, “Fine I’m sure you can get me more silver coins later on. I’ll go look for your husband now.” He says thinking that she was married.

An elderly lady walks in as he leaves. “Oh this is my mother call her Sam’s mother.” He said introducing his mother.

Of course Tui-Yuk was too polite and well mannered to do so and addressed her as Madam Yun, the correct formal way. “Good evening Madam Yun.” Tui-Yuk said bowing to show respect.

“Oh please us poor people don’t have much manners please don’t be too polite.” She said embarrassed to be addresses as such by a wealthy young maiden, which was what she thought Tui-Yuk was.

“For saving my life I have not been polite enough.” Tui-Yuk responds.

“Here take a seat and have something to eat.” Madam Yun advises her.

“I would like to go look for a friend of mine.” Tui-Yuk responds.

“Why don’t you get something to eat, I’ll look for your husband.” Sam responds.

“No I can’t rest until I find him.” Tui-Yuk says not correcting him because she really did think of Wen-Fuo as her husband.

Sam shrugs and allows her to come with him as they search frantically for Wen-Fuo during the wee hours of the evening.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Now on Wen-Fuo’s side…… He had also woke up but stares blankly at the ceiling. He looks at it as if he was confused then looks around. The young woman that saved him looks at him wondering what he was thinking.

“Are you okay?” she asked hoping she didn’t save some evil man.

Wen-Fuo stares at her then sits up like a lost child. “Jei Jei (big sister) who are you and why am I here?” he asked in a childish tone of voice as he rubbed his eyes.

The young woman’s jaw dropped. “Oh my gosh! I saved an idiot!” she said loudly.

Her father rushed in with a pitch fork. “What happened Sum, is something wrong?” her father asked thinking the man woke up and tried to violate his daughter.

“Father, he’s retarded!” Sum yelled. “We’ve wasted our money on medicine to save a retard!” she exclaimed.

“Hey I’m not a retard!” Wen-Fuo pouted in anger like a little kid. “My name is Chung Wen-Fuo and I’m 7 years old!” he yelled at them angrily.

Sum held onto her forehead. “Catch me father I’m going to faint!” she exclaimed falling into her father’s arm.

“Sum! Sum get up and stop this nonsense!” he commanded her.

Sum stood straight up realizing she shouldn’t overreact. Instead she should try to see if Wen-Fuo was worth anything. Even a retard might be worth some money, she thought. “Where are you from? Is your family rich?” she asked tugging on his shirt.

“Hey let go of me!” he shouted pushing her away. “I don’t like you, you’re mean!” he said sticking out his tongue.

“I’ll teach you a thing or two about being mean!” she said rolling up her shirt sleeve to hit him but she wasn’t planning on abusing him. It was just to vent out some frustration.

He immediately attacked her and sent her flying against the wall. Her father caught her in time and they looked at him bewildered. “Don’t mess with me! I’m from Wind and Rain Transporters, and I know Kung-Fu!” he declared standing on the bed in a fighting stance.

Sum’s father, Lu-Bin nodded his head. “If he’s from a transporting company that means his family must have some money. Let’s be nice to him.” He whispered to his daughter.

Sum nodded to agree. She wanted to get some money too and if being nice to him was what required she was willing to do it. She heard his stomach growl.

“Okay little boy,” she said nicely. “Come down and Jei Jei will feed you something to eat.” She said trying to win him over since he had the mind of a kid maybe he’ll be easy to deceive.

Wen-Fuo looked at her suspiciously then agreed to come down since he was feeling hungry. “Where’s my sister and Man-Luong?” he asked Sum.

“I think they’re at home. You can write them a letter and tell them you’re here later so they can pick you up.” She advised.

“Why am I here and who are you?” he asked walking with her to the table as her father went to get food.

“Your parents brought you here and told me take care of you because they have to transport something.” She tried to lie thinking they were a transport company.

Wen-Fuo nodded since his mentality was now that of a child he didn’t know how to be suspicious of Sum’s lies. He ate the food they served him not thinking about anything else while Tui-Yuk was going crazy looking for him in the freezing cold along the shores.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

During this time Man-Kiem wakes up feeling pain all over his body. He looks around and notices a female laying on top of him. He brushes her hair aside and notices its Law-Lan. A smile comes over his face but then he feels more pain as Law Lan stirs waking up. Suddenly she realizes that she’s laying right on top of Man-Kiem and her face is now leveled to his. They are staring at each other until man-Kiem flinches again in pain.

“I’m so sorry” she squeals getting up from him. “I didn’t know that I was hurting you.” she says checking to see if he was ok.

“I think I owed you in a past life because every time I see you I get hurt.” He joked.

Law-Lan couldn’t help smiling to his joke and playfully hit his shoulder. Man-Kiem screamed because the pain was exhilarating. “Oh my, I’m so sorry.” She said checking his arm.

“Its okay.” He said holding her hand. Again they gazed at each other. This time Man-Kiem leaned in to kiss her. She closed her eyes to let him.

BANG! A loud noise disrupted them. A nearby tree branch had fallen. Law-Lan immediately stood up feeling embarrassed. “I’ll go check if there is anything to eat around here.” She said.

“How about I go with you.” he said trying to get up then falling down again.

“You’re hurt just stay here.” she advised him.

“It’s dangerous if you go alone.” He says still struggling to get up.

“It’s more dangerous if I go with you, now stop worrying about me and sit down, or I’ll have to hurt you again.” She says playfully.

Man-Kiem sits down obediently happy that she’s worried for him and cares for him so much. Law-Lan on the other hand is also excited he cares for her and is blushing about the kiss they almost shared.

She goes off to search for food and he waits patiently as he looks around them. The fell off a cliff and now seem to be in a canyon of come sort. Maybe even a pit but that didn’t matter because he was sure they’d get out once he heals. He looked around for maybe a cave they could hid in then suddenly he felt more painful than before!

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

NEXT DAY….. Man-Luong is still searching for the remainders of the Transport Guards. Wa-Dang tries to help him as much as she could. Man-Luong is flustered trying to find everyone in the Transport especially Ming-Jui. He stands on the horizon looking off the cliff wondering what happened to everyone.

Wa-Dang approaches him. “How are you feeling?” she asked with deep concern.

“Tired but everything is getting together.” He says with a reluctant grin.

“You don’t have to pretend to smile in front of me.” Wa-Dang says with sympathy. “I know how you must feel, losing Ming-Jui, Tui-Yuk, Wen-Fuo, and Man-Kiem.” She said wondering if she forgot anything else.

Man-Luong shook his head. “I’m not that worried anymore.” He replied going back towards what was left of the transport.

Wa-Dang was confused as she followed him. “What do you mean?” she asked curiously.

“Well if I can’t find Ming-Jui or the other’s bodies I know they’re not dead.” He said trying to look on the better side of things so Wa-Dang wouldn’t worry about him. That was the thing about Man-Luong; he always tried to make people happy with jokes and fun that he sometimes forgot his own feelings.

Wa-Dang looked at him and nodded thinking he was right. According to her everything Man-Luong said or did was right except the fact that he won’t marry her.

“Anyways, we’ve found so many people from the transport and put everything together wonderfully.” He said to reassure her.

Wa-Dang nodded then wondered about something she never asked him before. “Man-Luong, you don’t need to answer me if you don’t want to but what are you transporting that so many people seem to want?”

Man-Luong smiled as he told her everything about the stone. He had no reason to hide it from her because he knew she loved him dearly and could trust her with the secret.

“Ming-Jui was able to open the stones, get the map out and put everything back together without anyone suspecting it was fake?” she asked not believing everything.

Man-Luong nodded. “Here let me show you.” he declared taking out two pieces of deer hid from his inner shirt. “According to Ming-Jui’s knowledge of the map it was made with deer hid, but we’re still missing another piece.” He informed her.

Wa-Dang looked at the pieces disbelievingly. “This is the Map of Conquest?” she asked.

Chapter 15

Chung Ming Jui: Nnadia Chan
Lau Tui Yuk: Esther Kwan
Lien-Din: Noel/Vivian Leung
Wa-Dang: Fiona Leung
Sui-Ling: Charlene Choi
Sui-Ning: Gillian Chung
Lai-Quan: Rain Lau

* * MALE CHARACTER * *

Chung Wen-Fuo: Roger Kwok
Wong Man-Kiem: Nicholas Tse
Wong Man Luong: Ekin Chueng
Tien-Fung: Leon Lai
Chan-Hoi: Dicky Cheung
Dai-Kit: Edison Chen

MINORS:

Ding-Luk: Mark Kwok
Yun Sam: Sean Lau Ching Wan

Law-Quen: Tavia Yeung
Lu Sum: Amy Kwok Ai Ming

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Man-Luong nodded his head. “Ming-Jui believes it is.” He said trusting her instincts.

“When was she able to get it out?” Wa-Dang asked taking another look at it. She couldn’t understand its squiggly lines at all and everything was confusing to her.

“The night you walked Ming-Jui to her room when we parted and I went with Tien-Fung.” He replied thinking about the night she showed up at his room.

Wa-Dang was uncomfortable knowing Ming-Jui was alone with him in the middle of the night. “But I walked Ming-Jui to her room that night how was she able to….” she asked but was cut off as Man-Luong continued.

“Ming-Jui, Tui-Yuk, Wen-Fuo and I met later that night.” Man-Luong replied knowing what she was thinking. He didn’t want her thoughts to spoil Ming-Jui’s chastity.

“Ming-Jui found out the secret to the stones was inside it. She realized the reason the stones were shaped oddly was because they were shaped together around the Map of Conquest which according to legend was ripped into three pieces. Everyone wanted the stones because the Map was in it. So to deceive everyone, Ming-Jui devised a way to get the map out and put the stones back together. ”

“How could you get pieces of the map out and still put the stone back together like nothing happened to it?” she asked. “Did you make fake stones after destroying the real ones?” she wondered.

“Ming-Jui investigated the sediments for days and found out these sediments came from the far west near India and there is no way of reproducing them.” He answered with a smirk. “So we had to break the stones. Wen-Fuo and I used our inner strength to break the stones and after getting out the pieces of the Map Ming-Jui used water to bond it together.”

“How does water keep it together? It’s not glue.” Wa-Dang asked disbelievingly.

“These sediments don’t need glue because they come from a soil that bonds together when water is added. In the first 10 minutes they’ll be very soft and flexible then after a few hours they solidify into a hard stone.” He explained.

He didn’t tell her the entire truth because Ming-Jui advised them all to keep the actual secret only between the four of them that night. They couldn’t even tell Man-Kiem.

Wa-Dang nodded. “Wow I can’t believe Ming-Jui was able to find all that out just by observing the stones.” She replied in amazement. “I would have never been able to do that. No wonder you love her so much.” She said.

Man-Luong smiled uneasily wondering about what she said. For first time in his life he questioned his feelings for Ming-Jui. She has been the only woman he can imagine spending his entire life with and the only one he wanted to share everything wonderful with. Both times she was missing it gave him more pain than any wound he’s had. His mind and heart never felt so lost. Did he love Ming-Jui all these years? He asked himself.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Meanwhile…Ming-Jui walked around the room in Chan-Hoi’s hideout. She wasn’t kept like a typical prisoner but allowed to walk around freely as long as she stayed in her quarters. Chan-Hoi came in to visit her followed by a servant of his who carried a tray of herbal medicine and breakfast.

“How are you today, Madam Chui-May ?” he asked then wondered if that was how to address a married woman. But still he tried to present himself as an honorable man.

Ming-Jui giggled to herself knowing he had addressed her incorrectly because he should have called her Madam Wong after Chui-May’s husband’s name but Ming-Jui didn’t bother to correct him. She was still using Chui-May’s identity. “Good morning, Sire Chan-Hoi.” She greeted him.

“Put the tray down.” He ordered his subordinate as if he was a very callous man. His servant set it down and left the room leaving only Ming-Jui and Chan-Hoi.

“Thank you for saving me. I feel much better now. How can I repay you for your kindness?” she asked genuinely wanting to repay him.

“Heroes like me don’t do anything to expect to be paid back.” He said making himself sound like a great hero. “We do things out of goodwill for the good of mankind.” He said as if he was very righteous.

Ming-Jui nodded. “How silly of I to think that you wanted compensation.” She said.

Chan-Hoi waved his hands in front of her face. “Don’t worry about it.” He said graciously then pointed at the herbal medicine on the table. “Here have some medicine so your wounds will heal faster.” He said valiantly.

Ming-Jui thanked him and took the medicine to drink. Chan-Hoi was still acting valiantly trying to look as if he was a heroic man to impress her because she was the first woman to say he was a hero that day his men had captured her and Tien-Fung.

After drinking the herbal medicine Ming-Jui looked back at Chan-Hoi. “When can I leave this place?” she asked curiously. She wanted to get out and reunite with Man-Luong and the others as quick as she could.

“When you’re better you could leave.” He responded. “Here now have some breakfast.”

The sudden thought of her leaving almost choked him but he tried to hide his expression. He was thinking about Lai-Quan killing him if he let Chui-May go without getting any money. He had to think quickly without jeopardizing his heroic image in front of Chui-May (Ming-Jui). But how was he able to do that? Then he figured he’d just rob another wealthy corrupt official’s residence after setting Ming-Jui free.

Lai-Quan was in the kitchen cleaning up breakfast and hit her head bumping into a wooden lever. “Who put this here!” she shouted scaring all of her servants. She sat down rubbing her head. “Dam these worker. Tell them to do something simple and they go putting things in the wrong places.” She said moving the lever.

“Master Chan-Hoi put it there,” one of the maids responded thinking it was better to be truthful than beaten later on.

“WHAT!” Lai-Quan asked shocked. “He NEVER comes into the kitchen!” she shouted.

“He was in here asking us to prepare something for the woman named Chui-May,” another responded afraid of Lai-Quan’s reaction but they wanted to be honest because they knew how spiteful she could be if angered.

“Has he been in here for the last few days?” Lai-Quan asked getting ready to roll up her sleeves. The maids nodded and huddled together thinking Lai-Quan was furious.

Lai-Quan turned to them and smiled evilly. “GET BACK TO WORK!” she yelled as she stormed out.

“So that’s what he’s been doing for the last few days.” She mumbled to herself walking towards (Ming-Jui) Chui-May’s room. Once she reached the entrance she saw Chan-Hoi leaving the room and hid to observe them. They were very polite and nice to each other. Chan-Hoi was smiling and acting heroic.

Lai-Quan rolled up her sleeves ready to pounce on him. “Why that little man thinks he’s going to get away with this and who does that woman thinks she is?” she asked furiously to herself as she approached him but then hid again.

Chan-Hoi turned away from Ming-Jui and walked away with a grin. Ming-Jui smiled entering her room thinking he was so funny acting valiant earlier. She was going to see more of this for the next few days she thought to herself.

Chan-Hoi walked past Lai-Quan and she grinned as a better punishment came up in her mind. After he was absolutely gone Lai-Quan walked up to Ming-Jui’s quarters and knocked on the door. Ming-Jui opened it politely smiling to Lai-Quan only to have Lai-Quan snap her whip. Ming-Jui stared at her sternly.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Man-Kiem wakes up besides a fire. He looks around wondering what happened last night after he started trembling. Law-Lan came around him to help him sit up. “Are you feeling better?” she asked.

“What happened to me last night?” he asked dumbfounded.

“The snake poison wasn’t entirely out of your body and added to all the wounds you had, I guess you fainted before I came back.” She replied.

Man-Kiem nodded. “Nothing severe?” he asked suspiciously.

“Nope.” She replied and handed him some fruits. “Here eat these. You haven’t eaten anything for two days.”

Man-Kiem took them. “Were you able to find a way out?” he asked her.

She shook her head. “All I know is we’re at the bottom of the cliff.”

“In a pit.” he said finishing up her sentence as he took a bite of the apple.

She nodded. “But I can’t find a way out, I didn’t have time because I was worried for you.” she said then blushed as she looked away.

Man-Kiem smiled proudly for a moment thinking Law-Lan was in love with him. He was sure of it. His heart also beat quickly hearing it. He reached for her hand. They were soft and warm. She let him hold her hand. He held it against his face and smiled. She smiled also knowing he was feeling the same thing she was.

After a brief moment Law-Lan asked, “When are you going to let go of my hand?”

“Never.” He replied softly. “I’m holding your hand for eternity.”

She smiled bashfully. “Are you sure you want to hold my hand?” she asked

He took her other hand in his. “Both your hands in mine for eternity.” He replied.

“If you hold both my hands with yours you can’t do anything with it.” She said. Her heart was beating quickly and she was very happy.

“I only want to hold yours forever.” He replied with certainty. His heart beat quickly also and he was unable to control his joy as he beamed smiling.

“Then if I catch you holding another woman’s hand?” She asked playfully.

He put his hand up to promise her. “I, Wong Man-Kiem swear Law-Lan’s hands are the only woman’s hand I hold from now till eternity or else I’ll cut them off and…” He said.
But Law-Lan covered his mouth. “I trust you, no need for a harsh promise.” She replied.

He smiled and pulled her closer to him. They embraced tightly falling in love with one another as they talked about their lives, their past, shared their dreams, and looked into their future together.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

LATER THAT AFTERNOON…… Sui-Ling and Sui-Ning are trying to find away to escape the dungeon but find it hopeless. “I can’t believe you let that scoundrel take off my clothing!” Sui-Ning yelled as she tried to pick the lock.

“It wasn’t my fault he froze my pressure point.” Sui-Ling said in her defense. “He was trying to have the doctor heal your back because I…..” Sui-Ling was going to say she spilled the hot herbal medicine but Sui-Ning had cut her off.

“I don’t care he has no rights to heal me even if I was bleeding to death!” Sui-Ning yelled feeling upset because she believed it was an invasion of her privacy from a bandit.

“I’m sorry.” Sui-Ling cried feeling guilty because she did spill the herbal medicine.

“It’s not your fault! It’s that bastards.” Sui-Ning replied. “Let’s concentrate on getting out of here so we can find Miss Ming-Jui and the rest of the Transport.” She advised.

Sui-Ling nodded and they concentrated on opening the locks. They were taught how to pick locks, gather herbs, and many other things in order to protect Ming-Jui. They were never perfect at everything but they knew the basic of everything they needed to know.

Meanwhile Dai-Kit was walking into the dungeon as he heard noises and wondered what they were doing. He peeked and saw them trying to escape. He wanted to play a little game with them so he waited for them to pick open the lock.

Sui-Ning succeeded and the girls shrieked but calmed down realizing if they made more noises they wouldn’t be able to escape. They snuck out carefully and even exited the dungeon undetected.

“Wow we got out here so safely!” Sui-Ling exclaimed bubbly and happily.

Sui-Ning put her hands over Sui-Ling’s mouth. “Be quiet or you’ll give us away.” She whispered then lead the way wondering if it was right.

“Are you sure this is the way?” Sui-Ling asked.

“I don’t know let’s just go this way and find out. Be quiet won’t you.” Sui-Ning said.

“Sorry.” Sui-Ling said quieting up.

They walked a little more and Dai-Kit even left clues for them to get to the exit of the hideout except he didn’t teach them how to get out of the traps set in the walkway exit.

Sui-Ning noticed many clues leading outside and followed them not suspecting anything. Sui-Ling followed her looking around becoming amused by little things such as flowers or sculptures.

“Stop being so amused!” Sui-Ning said rather annoyed. “We want to get out of here not stay here for the rest of our lives.” She scolded her.

“I’m sorry.” Sui-Ling said pouting.

“Sorry I shouldn’t be getting upset with you.” Sui-Ning felt bad.

Dai-Kit observed from afar and found Sui-Ling very cute. She was like a baby who saw the world with innocent eyes whereas Sui-Ning was a strong adept girl who saw the world with a naïve eye yet didn’t admit it. Dai-Kit chuckled think how they were both so adorable.

Wait he thought to himself. Why were such thoughts entering his mind! He originally only wanted to keep them as backup in case they needed to reattack the transporters. Get these silly thoughts out of your mind he told himself and continued observing them.

Finally Sui-Ning found the exit and grabbed Sui-Ling’s hand to lead her in. “Let’s go!” she exclaimed. Sui-Ling nodded happily to follow her.

Right when they entered dozens of arrows shot towards them! “AHHH!” they screamed.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

LUNCHTIME…. Tui-Yuk sat on the table poking at her food. She still hasn’t found Wen-Fuo and its been two days since they fell into the ocean. She was worried beyond belief. He couldn’t die she thought to herself. He just can’t she tried to convince herself.

“Why aren’t you eating?” Sam asked. “Don’t waste food, if you’re not eating I’ll eat it.” He said ready to grab her bowl away.

“Sam!” Madam Yun scolded. “Be polite to Tui-Yuk.” She said glaring at her son’s rudeness. “Please eat something my dear, you’ll need energy in order to find your husband.” She tried to persuade Tui-Yuk into eating.

Tui-Yuk nodded and started eating. She was still very worried for Wen-Fuo. Where was he? How was he doing? She wondered almost getting a migraine over it.

“After you eat, you can go fishing with me. Maybe you’ll fish up his body.” Sam said.

“SAM!” his mother scolded again thinking her son was so stupid to say such a thing.

Tui-Yuk glared at him evilly because of his comment.

“What I’m just trying to be helpful! What if he drowned and is now in the bottom of the sea! We can at least fish him out and give him a proper burial.” He said eating another piece of vegetable.

Tui-Yuk didn’t want to believe it but what ever hope she had to finding Wen-Fuo she had to try. “Fine,” She nodded reluctantly to agree with him.

“We have nothing left to eat so you must help me fish and help my mom around the house.” He added glaring back at her. They weren’t doing well with only pickled vegetables and congee to eat.

Tui-Yuk nodded understanding she was a burden on this family and feeling guilty for it. She must repay them somehow she thought to herself.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Meanwhile in another hut in Loc Yu Village…..Sum was glaring at Wen-Fuo as he scrubbed the floor. “Dam you!” she said softly to herself. “All these days and you can’t remember your address!” she said softly again.

Wen-Fuo stood up. “Can I eat now? I’m hungry.” He said patting his stomach.

“You’ll eat after you finish scrubbing the floor!” Sum yelled mad that she lost all her money buying him herbs and now had nothing left because he couldn’t remember his address. She couldn’t just throw him out. It’ll be too cruel but she was getting very upset taking care of him after losing the deposit money for the clothing a customer ordered.

Wen-Fuo pouted like a seven year old child and sat back on the floor scrubbing it. He couldn’t remember anything except that he was seven years old and he had a little sister. Every now and then he remembered practicing martial arts with a friend of his named Man-Luong that lived with him too because their parents owned a business together.

He continued to pout thinking Sum would give in to him because he remembered being spoiled but she glared at him some more. “Don’t think you’re going to get away with anything!” she scolded him.

“Sorry Jei Jei.” He said looking as if he was going to cry as he scrubbed the floor.

Sum felt bad because she didn’t mean to hurt him then said. “When you’re done you can eat then you can go fishing with me. You might like it.”

Wen-Fuo nodded happily. “Thank you Jei Jei!” he exclaimed and finished cleaning the floor. Sum smiled noticing him act like a kid. It was quite enjoyable.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

HOURS LATER….. Wen-Fuo followed Sum while Tui-Yuk accompanied Sam to the fishing boats on different shores of Loc Yu Village. They were so close yet so far apart. Tui-Yuk helped Sam as much as she could and Wen-Fuo was actually pretty handy in helping Sum because he was very strong.

Tui-Yuk looked at everything Sam fished up hoping it was not Wen-Fuo. “Well we don’t see any male bodies here so I guess your husband is safe for now.” He said

“Do you always have to say something mean!” she shouted at him.

“I didn’t say anything mean. I just….” He said but he was cut off.

“You think saying that he’s not in there would make me feel any better than saying he is in there!” she yelled. “Do you know how it feels to love someone and not know if they’re dead or alive!” she shouted.

“I… I…” he stuttered but once again Tui-Yuk cut him off.

“I can’t sleep! I can’t eat! I can’t even think because all I want is him here with me! Dead or alive!” She shouted at him as she fell to the floor of the fishing boat weeping.

“I’m sorry,” was all Sam could stutter out. He wanted to comfort her but he didn’t know how. He stood there watching her cry as felt bad for always saying the things he said.

He let her cry for a moment then tried to say something nice. “I’m sorry, why don’t we continue looking in the village tomorrow. If I found you maybe someone found him.” He suggested.

Tui-Yuk stopped crying and smiled. This was her last hope and she was glad he gave it to her. “Thank you.” she replied hopeful they would find Wen-Fuo tomorrow.

“No problem.” He replied scratching the back of his head as he noticed her smiling. He blushed because he thought she was really beautiful when she smiled.

Now on Wen-Fuo’s end he was catching a lot of fish for Sum. She was hardly able to catch as many fish as him when she went alone yet now her basket was so full she needed another one to get more. He toss the net like a pro and caught dozen of fishes at a time compared to her and her father who could only catch a few at a time because they were new fishers in the village.

“Wow, we’re going to make a lot of money in the market tomorrow!” she exclaimed happily noticing the abundant fish they had. “We’re also going to have a great fish feast tonight.” She exclaimed.

Wen-Fuo nodded. “Don’t worry Jei Jei, Wen-Fuo is here!” he stated as if he was some sort of superhero.

Sum laughed heartily as she gave him a towel to wipe the sweat from his brow. Wen-Fuo didn’t take the towel but moved forward for Sum to wipe it for him. His mentality was still that of a child and he was used to his mother babying him so he didn’t realize what he was doing. Sum leaned closer to wipe his brow for him as she shook her head at his childish ways.

“Thank you Jei Jei.” Wen-Fuo said as he danced around for her to watch.

Sum immediately cracked up seeing him dance like a girl on the small fishing boat. “Who taught you how to dance like that?” she asked laughing.

“Tui-Yuk taught me.” He replied with a grin.

Sum thought it was his sister since he mentioned he had a sister earlier. “Ok you better stop it or the boat is going to flip over.” Sum said still having a good laugh.

Wen-Fuo stopped dancing. “Ok Jei Jei, since you’re nice to me I’ll listen to you.” he said.

Sum shook her head and started rowing the boat back to shore. Wen-Fuo watched her struggle and said, “I’ll help you Jei Jei, I’m a big boy now and girl’s shouldn’t have to work so hard.” He said standing up to take the ore from her.

Sum smiled sitting down as she observed him rowing the boat back to shore. He was an idiot but he was funny and cute. Not only that but he was very helpful and gentleman like also. She smiled wondering if he was a normal gentleman or the way he was now before whatever it was that caused him to fall into the ocean.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Tien-Fung walked into his mother’s quarters looking around for the third stone. He searches everywhere he can think of for it. He’s sure his mother won’t give him the information he wants so he’ll just have to steal it for the time being.

“AHEM!” A voice said loudly behind him.

He hears it and recognizes it as his mother’s voice. “Mother, I… I was….”

Madam Lau cuts him off. “What are you looking for?” she questions suspiciously since this wasn’t the first time he searched her room for the stones.

“I was just looking for….” He starts to say but she cuts him off again because Law-Quen was with her.

“Law-Quen, please get me some herbal tea.” She told her niece. Law-Quen was always accompanying her because she was the quieter more obedient niece that stayed home unlike Law-Lan who never wanted to stay home.

“Yes Auntie Lau.” Law-Quen said as she left the room and looked back at Tien-Fung and Madam Lau curious to what they were going to talk about.

After Madam Lau believed she was gone, she turned to her son. “How many times do I have to tell you not to look for the stone!” she yelled furiously. “You are not capable of destroying our enemy at the moment!” she yelled harshly.

“Mother if you don’t let me know what truly happened in the past how can I ever get revenge for my father and the hundreds of people that died in our residence 8 years ago!”

“I will tell you when the time is right.”

“When will it be right? When I’m too old or before you die!” he hollered upset she has been keeping this secret from him for so long. He didn’t understand why she wouldn’t tell him.

Madam Lau slapped her son for the first time in his life. She’s always tried to protect him and not hurt him but what he said hurt her too much. She cried in pain for what she just did to him.

Tien-Fung stared at her disbelievingly and stormed out. He was not only mad at his mother but he was mad at himself for his comment. He loved his mother dearly and didn’t mean to say something so harsh to her but accidentally did out of anger.

Just then Law-Quen came back into the room followed by a maid with some herbal tea. “Where is cousin Tien-Fung going?” she asked Madam Lau.

Madam Lau shook her head and sat down holding her head not believing what she just did herself. She slapped her precious son, but she did it for his own good. She didn’t want him getting hurt because their enemy was someone she felt nobody could handle yet.

Law-Quen noticed her aunt’s pain and served her the tea. “Drink some tea it’ll help calm you down.” She suggested.

“Thank goodness you’re a good girl.” Madam Lau said shaking her head with disappointment at her own son.

Law-Quen smiled reluctantly. She herself wasn’t sure what kind of person she was. She just knew she fell in love with Ding-Luk and now even her body belonged to him so she needed to do everything he wanted her to.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Tien-Fung goes to FORTUNE INN which is where Lien-Din was staying to talk to her because he didn’t know who else to talk to at that moment.

“What brings you here?” Lien-Din asked with a friendly smile but then noticed how unhappy Tien-Fung was. “Are you ok?”

“I got into another argument with my mother about the stones but this time I was too harsh and she was too severe.” He responded bluntly.

Lien-Din nodded her head. “You’re always getting into disputes with your mother, just forget about it.” She tried to persuade him. “We’ll find another way to find out about the stones and how many there actually are.”

“Dam it!” Tien-Fung pounded the table. “Every time I want to know about the stones, she hides it from me. I don’t see the point.” He said still frustrated.

“She must have a reason, after all she’s your mother she just wants the best for you.”

“I know I just wished she’ll tell me that’s all.”

Just then a soldier came running into Lien-Din’s room. “Your graciousness.” He said bowing to her.

Lien-Din and Ting-Fung both looked at him. “What?” Lien-Din asked looking very serious now not like the little girl look she had with Tien-Fung earlier.

“We’ve searched everywhere for the whereabouts of Wind & Rain and found out that Man-Kiem fell off a cliff and died. Tui-Yuk and Wen-Fuo drowned to death. Man-Luong….” The soldier was saying but Lien-Din cut him off.

“How is he? What happened to him?” She asked popping up from her seat across from Tien-Fung where she was sitting calmly earlier.

Tien-Fun also became worried. “How about Ming-Jui? What happened to her?” he asked.

The soldier was alarmed and didn’t know how to answer their questions. “Ummm… Man-Luong is ok and gathering the transport together.” The soldier informed them. Lien-Din was relieved to here the news. “But…. But Ming-Jui… she… umm... she died too.” The soldier stuttered.

“WHAT?” Tien-Fung and Lien-Din asked then stared at each other not believing it.

Tien-Fung rushed out of the Inn. “Don’t tell my brother anything.” Lien-Din said before she rushed out. The soldier nodded in compliance.

“Where are you going?” Lien-Din asked running after Tien-Fung.

He didn’t respond but continued running towards the meadow canyon where they originally attacked the transporters. He couldn’t believe that Ming-Jui died. He refused to believe it as he ran to look for her. He knew she was still alive she must be.

They arrive at the meadow and Tien-Fung frantically searches for Ming-Jui. He wanted to find her. He had to or he’d go crazy. Lien-Din grabbed a hold of him. “STOP IT!” she yelled. “You can’t find her going crazy like this!” Lien din shouted.

Tien-Fung suddenly realized his hastiness. “I couldn’t help it.” He says. “I need to find her. I don’t believe she’s dead.” He says shoving her away for him as he looks for her.

“You’ve been looking around this meadow for the last few minutes if she’s here you’d seen her already!” Lien-Din says trying to rationalize. “Look you can see this whole meadow just standing where we are standing!” she points out and makes a circle coming back to them.

Tien-Fung follows her finger and realizes she’s right. “If she’s not in this meadow where would she be?” he asked.

“I don’t know.” Lien-Din pouts unable to give him an answer.

“Do you think someone saved her but your soldier reported her dead because they couldn’t find her body?” he asked hopeful that was the case.

“We can go back and ask him.” Lien-Din suggested.

They returned to FORTUNE INN where they questioned the solider again. The soldier fell to his knees afraid of punishment for saying something incorrect. “I don’t know where her body went but from our reports, we were told she was badly injured and Man-Luong left without her to continue his transport.” The soldier said.

Tien-Fung and Lien-Din thought about it. “Ming-Jui can’t be dead if Man-Luong is so calm about it.” Tien-Fung suggests thinking they were in love.

“I agree because they have a strong bond.” Lien-Din adds thinking they had a sibling bond. Unexpected the door of the room Lien-Din rented is thrown open. They both gasp at the person standing in front of them.

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