Chapter Nineteen: Memories of the Past

Xu Qianfan said, "I am ashamed. Yan Fengjiao's lightness skill is superb—only Han Qinghua could keep up with her. My lightness skill never matched Senior Brother Han's, and with my injuries, I was even slower. I lost track of them after a short pursuit. At first, I could still hear the sounds of their fighting and chasing, but later, even those faded. Following the traces of broken grass and branches, I tracked them for over forty miles through the mountains, only to find that the path ended at a sheer precipice, unfathomably deep. On the cliff, I found fragments of Senior Brother Han's clothing and that witch's dagger. It seems that, caught in their struggle and unable to see the way, they both lost their footing and fell to their deaths.

"After we killed the Netherworld Fiend, my master and the other brothers arrived. We hired local mountain folk to descend the cliff with ropes, hoping to recover Senior Brother Han's remains. But apart from his sword, there was nothing else at the bottom. The villagers said that the ravine was full of tigers and leopards—likely, his body was devoured.

"My poor master, already aged and weary, faced the pain of losing a disciple after such a fierce battle. How could he bear it? To comfort him, a few of us brothers renamed the Sword Recognition Hall, where disciples are trained, to the Qinghua Pavilion. Yet, even with this, my master passed away within a year of returning to Kongtong Mountain, his spirit broken. The Kongtong Sect was greatly diminished, and only I have struggled to keep it alive. Alas, how tragic, how sorrowful."

Du Xunqi said, "Master Xu, there is no need for such modesty. In those days, you and Han Qinghua and Lin Tieqiao were known as the Three Heroes of Kongtong. It's only that you spent most of your time on Kongtong Mountain managing affairs for your master, unlike Han Qinghua, who roamed the martial world, and Lin Tieqiao, who died young. Thus, only Han Qinghua's name was widely heard, while yours and Lin Tieqiao's went unmentioned."

Xu Qianfan waved his hand. "Let us not speak of the Three Heroes of Kongtong. Senior Brother Han's allegiance is now uncertain, Junior Brother Lin met a mysterious end ten years ago, his killer still unknown; only I remain, and I am hardly worthy. Speaking of this brings sorrow to my heart. That title was well-deserved for Senior Brother Han and Junior Brother Lin, but not for me. My swordsmanship could only ever trail behind theirs—I was not their equal." He paused, then called to the seventeen-year-old girl behind him, "Qingli, come here and greet your uncles. In the future, you will need their guidance in the martial world."

The young disciple, delicate and lively, immediately stepped forward and paid her respects to the assembly. "Lin Qingli greets all uncles." Xu Qianfan continued, "This child is the orphan left by my Junior Brother Lin. She was only seven or eight when it happened. Since then, I have kept her by my side, fearing any misfortune might sever Lin's last bloodline. Fortunately, she is clever and, I believe, will achieve much in martial arts, which will comfort my late brother's spirit." He wiped the corner of his eye with his sleeve, then rose to bow deeply to the gathering. "As for my Senior Brother Han, his involvement with that witch may have hidden motives. If he realizes his mistakes and repents, I, Xu, am willing to bare my back and plead with the martial world on his behalf. I ask you all, for the sake of his tragic background and my master's grief-driven death, to show him some mercy. But if he remains enthralled and unrepentant, then I have no choice but to sever all ties and join you in bringing him to justice!"

The crowd thundered, "Well spoken! Master Xu is impartial in public and private matters, loyal and righteous—a model for us all!"

Xiang Lianfu muttered, "Something's not right, not right." Du Xunqi asked, "Brother Xiang, what seems wrong to you?" A brash fellow shouted, "Escort Chief Xiang, are you saying Master Xu is lying?" Xiang Lianfu quickly waved his hands, "I wouldn't dare!" Du Xunqi waited for the commotion to subside, then said, "Brother Xiang, please tell us what troubles you." Xiang Lianfu stepped forward. "Master Xu, may I ask your age?" Xu Qianfan replied, "I am fifty years old this year." Xiang Lianfu pressed, "Then why do you call Han Qinghua your senior brother?" Xu Qianfan explained, "In the Kongtong Sect, seniority is determined by age, not by time of entry. Thus, it’s not unusual for a junior brother to have joined before his senior, or even to surpass him in martial arts." Xiang Lianfu continued, "Then, may I ask, how old is Han Qinghua?" Xu replied, "He is a year older than I, fifty-one. I am certain of this." Xiang Lianfu thought for a moment, then exclaimed, "That can't be! The Han Qinghua I met was a man in his thirties!"

A collective gasp rose from the crowd. Was someone impersonating the Ghost Sword Han Qinghua to commit robbery? If so, the matter was simple; the threats about returning for the sacred armor in three months were mere bluffs. Surely, no one would return to court death. Thus, coming to the Zhu residence's aid was merely a favor for Master Zhu, who was known for his generosity—everyone would be well rewarded. The crowd’s spirits lifted, many who had dreaded facing the infamous Ghost Sword and White Snake now felt relieved, regretting only that they hadn’t refused the invitation sooner. Now, hearing of an imposter, their anxieties dissipated. Some beat their chests and lamented, "I’ve long wanted to meet the legendary Ghost Sword from twenty years ago, only to find it’s a petty thief in disguise! What a shame!" Others bitterly regretted being born too late to cross swords with the real Ghost Sword. If Xu Qianfan hadn’t been present, harsher words would surely have been spoken.

The abbot Yuanhui of Guizhou’s Demon-Subduing Monastery said coldly, "There is no need for discouragement, heroes. I am certain the two will come. Since they dare to invoke the name of the Immortal Crane Sect, they are certainly not mere nobodies. Consider this: if they robbed the escort convoy, what need was there to announce their return? Why leave their tokens? Clearly, they are confident! Perhaps the Immortal Crane Sect seeks to make a name for itself in Jiangnan’s martial world through this challenge!" The warriors shouted, "No need to worry, abbot! Whoever they are, we’ll knock their teeth out and make sure they never show their faces in Jiangnan again!"

Xu Qianfan remarked wryly, "Xu Dali of the Fortune Escort Agency is known as 'Heaven-Scratcher,' his Shaolin Eagle Claw skill dominates Hexi Road. The Black and White Fiends of Ganzhou, the Flying Yasha Stone the Fourth from Suzhou, and Little Li Yuanba of Liangzhou, all fell to his hands. If any of you were to face Xu Dali, what chance would you have? Surely, you know your own abilities. Yet, Xu Dali lasted only a dozen moves under this man's sword. His swordsmanship is likely on par with the Ghost Sword of old. You would do well to exercise caution."

At these words, the heroes immediately fell silent, their bravado extinguished.

Du Xunqi, who had been deep in thought, finally spoke. "Master Xu, Abbot Yuanhui. Judging by age, the two should differ by more than twenty years—impossible. Brother Xiang mentioned that the White Snake is also a young woman, but by rights, she should be in her forties. How can she be so young? I realized just now that both use the Netherworld Bloodfiend Art. Master Xu, you saw the Netherworld Fiend yourself at Broken Sword Valley—what did he look like?"

Xu Qianfan replied, "Though the Netherworld Fiend was over seventy then, his figure and face appeared little more than thirty. He looked every bit the elegant young scholar." Suddenly, he exclaimed, "Are you saying the Bloodfiend Art truly grants eternal youth?" "Indeed," Du Xunqi replied, "In the martial world, it's known as the Netherworld Bloodfiend Art, but the Netherworld Fiend's own sect called it the 'Immortal Longevity Method.' In my youth, I heard the Shaolin master Tanzing say that this technique defies nature, steals life from heaven, and absorbs the blood of others, violating the natural order and human morality. Prolonged practice leads to inescapable damnation. In my arrogance, I thought it was just a monk's empty words. I regret not asking for further guidance then. Later, when the Netherworld Fiend in the southwest claimed his art could grant eternal youth, I assumed it was a ruse, that he had some youth impersonate him to fool the villagers. But after Broken Sword Valley, I realized: voices and faces can be imitated, but martial skill cannot. Unfortunately, the Fiend and his followers were wiped out, and Master Tanzing of Shaolin had already passed away, so there was no way to learn more."

At a corner table, Abbess Hongyun of the Lotus Sect sat with her female disciples, silent until the Bloodfiend Art's power to preserve youth was mentioned. At once, the girls began whispering in awe, but Abbess Hongyun sternly rebuked them in a low voice, "Your cultivation is lacking! How can you be so easily tempted? Such filthy arts are not for women to pursue! All beauty is but flesh and blood over bone—an empty shell." Du Xunqi chuckled inwardly, "You scold your disciples for lacking discipline, but are you so pure yourself? Your words betray anger—surely a breach of the precepts, though you do not realize it."

After a long silence, Xu Qianfan said gloomily, "It seems the Ghost Sword and White Snake are not dead—they have returned."

In the hall, all fell silent, more than a few now filled with regret.