| Fan Fiction |
by Melanie
After the Koo brothers' attack on the Lam family, Lam Suk Yu, in an attempt to protect her injured brother, Lam Yik Wah, falls down the steep canyon, becoming blind in the process. Rescued by Yeung Lap Chun, she remains at his bamboo cottage at the outskirts of the city of Lam On.
While waiting for Sui Han to return to the Golden Phoenix Inn, Chi Chi, disguised as a man to evade the Koo brothers, accidentally runs into Cheng Sai Chung, Sui Han's good friend from her village. Sai Chung, previously thought to be killed by mountain bandits many years ago, was actually rescued by former Royal Physician Chun Ying. Treated like a grandson by Chun Ying, Sai Chung happily lives a peaceful life helping out at Chun Ying's Wind Rain Restaurant across the street from the Golden Phoenix Inn. While delivering chicken porridge to a customer at the Golden Phoenix Inn, where Chi Chi happens to be staying, he accidentally spills porridge on Chi Chi and incurs her wrath.
Meanwhile, Sui Han, after being injured by the Master's Blood Shadow Palm, is rescued by two mysterious strangers, Yip Fung and Suen Ling Wan. However, as her rescuers fight against Red Executioner, one of the Master's subordinates, Sui Han wanders off, trying to rush back to the Golden Phoenix Inn to meet up with Chi Chi.
The story continues from this point on…
Characters appearing in this chapter:
Annie Man Chung Han---So Sui Han
Gigi Lai Chi---Lam Chi Chi
Benny Chan Ho Man---Koo Yat Keung
Kevin Cheng Ka Wing---Cheng Sai Chung
Ekin Cheng Yee Kin---Yeung Lap Chun
Kristy Yeung Gong Yu---Lam Suk Yu
Bae Yong Joon---Yip Fung
Joyce Tang Lai Ming---Suen Ling Wan
Marco Ngai Chun Kit---Ng Sam Lung a.k.a. Red Executioner
MEANWHILE…
IN A FIELD, SEVERAL MILES FROM GOLDEN PHOENIX INN
Sui Han shuffles unsteadily, her legs bruised from multiple fall injuries as she attempts to hurry back to the Golden Phoenix Inn to meet up with Chi Chi. Gulping in a painful breath of air, she clutches at her right shoulder, her hand covering the wound she received from the Master earlier on when she tried to save the innocent infant.
The bloody and tattered material of her gown near the wound area flaps with each step she takes, revealing tender flesh underneath…flesh that bares the red imprint of the Master's deadly poisonous Blood Shadow Palm.
Stumbling forward a few more steps, Sui Han cries out in pain. Unable to endure the agony anymore, she collapses to her knees, the gritty earth and sharp rocks penetrating through the protective covering of her long gown, biting into the tender flesh of her knees. Kneeling on the ground, she stares up at the dark heavens. The storm is finally over, and the gray clouds part to reveal the bright, luminescent rays of the moon. Squinting at the bright light, Sui Han begins to hyperventilate from the pain piercing through her injured shoulder all the way to her heart.
Above, the stars glimmer and wink at the lone woman below, as if teasing and playing with her. Blinking in confusion, Sui Han's vision begins to blur. The last thing she remembers before fainting from the Blood Shadow Palm's poison is the glorious sight of millions of tiny, multi-colored pinpoints of lights flashing against a velvety black backdrop…
MEANWHILE…
BACK AT THE GOLDEN PHOENIX INN
Chi Chi tears down the stairs of the inn, running as quickly as she can away from Keung, who has returned to the inn just in time to see Chi Chi come out of Lun's inn room.
Chasing after her, Keung demands, "Lam Chi Chi! You stop right there!"
Glancing back at her captor for a split second, Chi Chi, her eyes bulging out, emits a terrified squeak. "Eek!" Quickly racing down the staircase, she dodges the old inn proprietor standing near the entrance, scrubbing the inn door during the late hours of the night because he is unable to fall asleep. Whisking by the old gentleman, Chi Chi yells at him apologetically, "Sorry, Old Uncle! I am in a hurry!"
Standing at the inn entrance in shock, the elderly innkeeper stares at Chi Chi's rapidly retreating back in confusion. "These youngsters these days…" He mumbles to himself. "They just don't seem to understand that life should be taken slowly and every moment should be savored." Sighing at the folly of the youth, he turns back to his task of rubbing at the doorframe, quite proud of the glistening finish on his inn door.
Just then, Keung leaps down the staircase. Flashing by the innkeeper without a word, he continues his chase after Chi Chi. Again confused, the old man looks up from his task and scratches his head. "Hmph! These young ones! Running around at the late hours of the night playing hide-and-go-seek instead of being proper children and sleeping peacefully in their beds! Scandalous!" He hisses huffily before giving up on scrubbing the doors and decides to head back to bed before he gets run over by a few more insomniac youths.
OUTSIDE ON THE STREETS
Chi Chi looks around frantically, trying to find an ideal spot to hide from Keung. Glancing back quickly, she spies Keung a few feet behind. Gasping, she races down the deserted street, running as fast as she could.
Just one block down, Cheng Sai Chung hurries happily down the street, carrying on his shoulders a large wooden rod with two large buckets of steaming chicken porridge hanging from both ends. Whistling with good humor, he grins as he thinks of his good fortune tonight. After running into that strange young man (Chi Chi disguised as a man) earlier that night at the Golden Phoenix Inn and spilling all of his porridge, he quickly cleaned himself up and tiptoed down the inn stairs, not daring to make any noise for fear that the unreasonable young man would emerge from his room and slap him silly again.
As he was about to leave the inn, he ran into a wealthy merchant dining in the lobby, who extravagantly ordered two large buckets of porridge for his six wives and nine children. Excited at the immense revenue this sale would bring in, Sai Chung stuttered with gratitude, "Thank for your business, kind Sir!" Smiling widely, he dusted off his hands and grabbed the merchant's hand, shaking it fervently. "I will immediately go back to Wind Rain Restaurant and prepare the porridge for you, Sir!"
Grumbling irately at Sai Chung, the middle-aged merchant shook his hand off and waved away the handsome, yet simply dressed, Sai Chung. "All right, all right, boy. Just go and make that porridge and have it ready by two hours past midnight tonight. My wives like to have a late night snack at that time."
"Oh yes, certainly, sir." Sai Chung promised the merchant courteously. He did not mind the merchant's rudeness. After all, he had always been a good natured young man, perfectly satisfied with living a simple life and helping his "Grandfather" Chun Ying (former Royal Physician Chun Ying), who had saved his life and nursed him back to health many years ago and had given him shelter.
The merchant nodded and then gulped down a large bowl of red wine, the liquid dripping down his double chin before landing onto his royal blue gown, soaking the fine, silk material. Ignoring the mess he had made, the merchant shifted his tremendous weight on the stool, staring up at Sai Chung. "Why are you still here, boy? Be gone." He waved at Sai Chung condescendingly.
Now, thinking back to that encounter with the merchant earlier on, Sai Chung grins widely, joyful at the thought of being able to earn additional coins to help out the Wind Rain Restaurant. He mumbles to himself thoughtfully, "Maybe if I am able to save enough money, I could go back to my old village and visit Sui Han! I wonder how she is right now." As he walks quickly along the street toward the Golden Phoenix Inn to deliver his porridge to the merchant, he suddenly saddens at another thought. "It has been so many years. Will Sui Han even remember her Big Brother Sai Chung?" He wonders to himself. Deep in thought, Sai Chung does not see a petite figure dressed in a man's long white gown dash toward him until it is too late.
Running at full speed ahead to avoid recapture by Koo Yat Keung, Chi Chi shoots around the corner and collides right into Sai Chung. Both reel backward from the impact, and Sai Chung's two buckets of steaming chicken porridge splatter onto the street. Sitting amid the sticky mess, both people stare at each other, stunned.
Being the first to recover from her momentary shock, Chi Chi points an accusing finger at Sai Chung. "It's you again!" Swiping the sticky mess off her sleeve and the front of her gown, Chi Chi scrambles up and stomps her foot. "I won't have it! Look what you did to my gown AGAIN!"
Seeing Chi Chi charge toward him with her fists raised, Sai Chung hurriedly scurries up and retreats. Unfortunately, he clumsily slips on the slippery split porridge, thus slowing his flight.
Catching up to her nemesis, Chi Chi launches herself at him, pulling his hair with all her might. "I'll teach you to mess up my gown TWICE!" Throwing little jabs at him with her petite hands, Chi Chi continues her attack on Sai Chung relentlessly.
Desperately trying to defend himself by raising his hands up to protect his face, Sai Chung coughs with each punch. "Please, Sir! I don't mean to dirty your gown again! It is an accident!"
"Hmph!" Chi Chi ignores the poor man's pleas and continues her assault. Pummeling his stomach, she simultaneously stomps on his foot. "Hmph!" Extremely peeved, she tries to choke Sai Chung, shaking him until his teeth rattle.
"Sir, sir! I promise to buy you a new gown!" Sai Chung tries to reason with the distraught "young man."
Suddenly, from behind, a discreet cough stops Chi Chi's assault on Sai Chung. Glancing backward, Chi Chi, with both of her hands still wrapped around Sai Chung's neck, stares wide eyed at the amused Keung, who is leaning casually against the stone wall, his arms crossed.
"You're quite a tigress, aren't you?" He asks nonchalantly. Approaching Chi Chi and the confused Sai Chung, Keung commands, "All right, that's enough fun for one night." Reaching out to grab Chi Chi's hand, he tries pulling her back toward the Golden Phoenix Inn. "It's time for you to go back to your room to await my older brother's return." As Chi Chi struggles against his grasp, he warns her, "And don't try anything funny with me again, or I won't be as nice the next time."
Trying to shake loose, Chi Chi looks around frantically, searching for an escape. As her eyes fall on Sai Chung, an idea pops into her head. Looking toward the befuddled Sai Chung beseechingly, Chi Chi calls out. "Help me! This man is evil! He wants to kill me because my sister refuses to marry him!" She lies outright.
Paying no heed to her antics, Keung continues to drag her back toward the Golden Phoenix Inn.
Meanwhile, Sai Chung, too trusting and always eager to help a person in need, runs after Keung. "Hey, Mister! Let that young man go! Just because his sister doesn't wish to marry you doesn't mean you have the right to hurt the innocent!"
Ignoring Sai Chung, Keung continues walking with Chi Chi in tow.
Barging straight at Keung, Sai Chung rams right into him, his tremendous strength surprising the other man. Even though Sai Chung does not have any martial arts training, his many years of farming and hard labor have given him tremendous strength and endurance.
Caught by surprise, Keung is forced to let go of Chi Chi's arm as he reels backward from Sai Chung's push. Angered, he attacks Sai Chung. Brandishing his sword forward, Keung thrusts it toward Sai Chung's throat.
Using his survival instincts, Sai Chung moves his body sideways, avoiding the sword. Kicking out at his opponent, Sai Chung charges forward and rams his body forcefully into the other man. With brute force, he knocks Keung into the ground. As both crash to the ground, Sai Chung yells out at Chi Chi. "Run!"
Nodding, Chi Chi dashes off. Mid way down the street, Chi Chi glances back at the two struggling men, her eyes looking at Sai Chung worriedly. "What if he gets killed?" Chi Chi mumbles to herself. In the background, Chi Chi hears Sai Chung urging her to run. Gnawing her lower lip with guilt, Chi Chi changes directions and runs back to the two men. Leaping into the fight, Chi Chi whips out her fan and slices the air next to Keung's face, forcing him to back away from Sai Chung. Exchanging several moves with him, Chi Chi tries to ward him off as best as she could. However, she knows she is no match for Koo Yat Keung's skills.
As Keung's blade pierces the thin paper of her fan, Chi Chi snaps her fan shut and twists it one hundred eighty degrees, hoping to dislodge her opponent's sword. Smiling amusingly at her attempt, Keung twists his wrist slightly, tilting the blade of his sword upward and taking Chi Chi's fan with him. As the white fan flips in the air, Keung slices at the papery material, causing a rain of white confetti to shower down on the three people.
Sensing defeat, Chi Chi rushes toward Sai Chung. Grabbing his hand, she pulls him down the street. "Hurry! Let's go!" Surveying the area frantically, Chi Chi points toward the direction of the woods. "The forest would be a perfect place to hide." She whispers to Sai Chung urgently.
Tearing down the street, Chi Chi and Sai Chung race toward the forest with Keung hot on their trail…
MEANWHILE THAT SAME NIGHT…
IN THE BAMBOO FOREST NEAR THE OUTSKIRTS OF THE CITY OF LAM ON
IN THE GUEST ROOM OF THE BAMBOO COTTAGE
The dark clouds above separate like a curtain to reveal a crescent moon, which glows bright and luminescent, its shiny fingers reaching through the partially opened window of Yeung Lap Chun's austere bamboo cottage and pooling into a silvery puddle on the stone floor. Outside, a gentle breeze sends the bamboo leaves quivering, creating a calm, soothing melody that blends into the silence of the night.
Lap Chun sits on a stool in the shadows by the bed as he keeps constant vigil over his delicate guest, Lam Suk Yu. Every so often, he would lean forward and check her pulse, a frown wrinkling his brow as he traces the thready beat of her life. On the bed, Suk Yu shifts restlessly, as she struggles to surface from the sea of blackness that surrounds her.
Suk Yu moans softly as she slowly opens her eyes, blinking in confusion. "Ahhh… What happened?"
Lap Chun startles a little at her voice and quickly moves to her side as he helps to prop her up. "Miss, how are you feeling?"
Her mind still cloudy with shock, Suk Yu stares blankly ahead, feeling incredibly lonely in this frighteningly dark world. Turning toward the direction of Lap Chun's voice, her sightless eyes stare straight ahead. "My vision… Will I be blind forever?"
Pausing, Lap Chun replies cautiously, not wanting to upset her and yet not wishing to give her too much hope. "I think the loss of your vision may be temporary and may be due to the injuries from your fall. Don't worry, I have some medicinal knowledge. I will try my best to heal your injuries, and hopefully, as you recover, your eyesight will return.
Suk Yu remains silent, as she absorbs the significance of Lap Chun's words. Still in shock, she stares blankly ahead, as tears collect in her eyes.
Suk Yu, blinking back her tears bravely, looks around, listening intently to her surroundings. "Is it nighttime? I hear an owl."
Lap Chun smiles gently. "Yes, your ears are very sensitive. It is two hours past midnight." Then, remembering that he has not yet formally introduced himself, Lap Chun clears his throat. "I am Yeung Lap Chun. I guess I qualify as a hermit who lives here in this bamboo forest by himself." He chuckles lightly at himself.
Suk Yu smiles slightly, trying to keep herself from thinking hopeless thoughts. "You saved me?"
"Yes, I found you at the bottom of a canyon. You were seriously injured and remained unconscious for days." Lap Chun hesitates, before continuing. "Miss, if I may ask, who are you?" Before Suk Yu is able to answer, he quickly explains himself. "Forgive me for my rudeness, but your injuries were almost fatal if you were left at the bottom of that cliff for another day. Whoever has injured you must have wanted you dead pretty badly…"
Suk Yu remains silent for a few minutes, debating whether or not to divulge her identity to her rescuer. Since he saved her, she feels obligated to be honest with him. However, given her family's prominent position in the martial arts world, her parents have made many lasting friends, but have also acquired many dangerous foes throughout their twenty odd years as leaders of the martial arts sects. Since she has always been cautioned to reveal her identity to only those whom she trusts explicitly, Suk Yu now hesitates to tell her true identity to Lap Chun, who is still technically a stranger.
Not wanting to rouse Lap Chun's suspicions, Suk Yu quickly modifies her name. "Err, my name is…" Thinking of the white crescent moon glowing outside the window, Suk Yu hurriedly states, "My name is Bak Yuet Yee (White Moon)."
Lap Chun smiles at his guest. "Yuet Yee? What a fitting name to compliment a maiden as graceful and luminous as the moon itself…" He murmurs to himself. Unfortunately, his deep voice, though quiet, rings loudly in the silence of the bamboo cottage.
Hearing his words, Suk Yu blushes uncomfortably, unsure of how to respond to his compliment.
Lap Chun clears his throat awkwardly, coughing in an attempt to cover up his mistake. "Umm…why don't you rest for a while? Don't worry. We will figure out a way to restore your eyesight in the morning."
Suk Yu nods and lies back down on the bed, closing her eyes, hoping to block out the worries of her blindness and her family's safety from her mind for the time being.
BACK IN THE FOREST IN THE OUTSKIRTS OF THE CITY OF HOI YEUNG
Red Executioner flies toward Yip Fung and Suen Ling Wan. Yip Fung spins in the air, shooting vertically upward before switching directions and descending down onto Red Executioner, his blade glimmering in the moonlight as the tip rapidly approaches the top of Red Executioner's head. Quickly counterattacking, Red Executioner crosses his flexible sword with Yip Fung's. At the same time, Yip Fung's younger martial sister, Suen Ling Wan, attacks from the side. Forced to stop Ling Wan's weapon, Red Executioner sandwiches the tip of her blade between his left index and middle fingers.
All three combatants release surges of internal energy via their weapons, their swords quivering from the bursts of energy. As the struggle continues, an orange glow surrounds the three, who are locked in battle. The circle of energy eventually proves too intense, sending all three combatants hurtling backward, away from the strong energy field. Backflipping in the air several times before landing on the ground, Yip Fung faces Red Executioner with his martial sister by his side.
Holding her sword once again in attack position, Ling Wan gives Red Executioner an antagonistic glare. "Senior Martial Brother, allow me to rid the world of this scum who preys on innocent children." Before she is able to charge forward, Yip Fung raises a hand to detain her.
Placing a hand on his younger martial sister's shoulder, Yip Fung cautions her. "Junior Martial Sister, wait. You are tired from taking care of that Miss we rescued earlier tonight (referring to Sui Han). I will take care of this assassin."
Red Executioner stares at Yip Fung, his eyes shining darkly above the black handkerchief shielding the lower part of his face. Finally, he speaks in a cold voice. "If I were you, I would drop the hero act and mind your own business."
Unconcerned with Red Executioner's words, Yip Fung calmly takes out a blue cloth and slowly wipes his blade until it shimmers in the night.
With eyes trained on each other, Yip Fung and Red Executioner flip toward each other. As he approaches within a feet of the enemy, Yip Fung suddenly executes a series of lightening fast sword stances similar to those displayed by Wong Hup Ming earlier in the night. As Red Executioner watches in amazement, Yip Fung's sword multiplies into three blades, and then three blades into six swords, all connected at the hilt.
As the six swords flash in the moonlight, Red Executioner's eyes widen with alarm. "Six swords attacking as one…" He whispers to himself. "You must belong to the Six Swords Manor. But it's impossible! According to rumors, that school has been annihilated over twenty years ago!"
Sensing danger for himself if his opponents are indeed from the Six Swords Manor, Red Executioner wisely aborts his attack and leaps up into the heavy foliage, his dark clad figure blending into the night.
As Ling Wan makes a move to pursue the escaping Red Executioner, Yip Fung holds up one of his hands. "Let him go, Junior Martial Sister. The young lady we saved earlier is seriously injured. Judging from the red palm print on her shoulder, she has sustained a possibly fatal wound. We need to bring her to teacher immediately."
Nodding in agreement, Ling Wan rushes back to the area where they deposited Sui Han. Seeing no sign of her, Ling Wan bursts out in surprise. "Senior Martial Brother! She is not here!"
Running up behind Ling Wan, Yip Fung stares at the empty spot where he left Sui Han, a worried look on his face. "We must find her immediately. After so many years of searching, we have finally found her. If we let her get away, teacher will never forgive us."
With those words, Sui Han's rescuers flip into the air, vanishing into the night…
**********
If you enjoy this story, please also read my other story, Legendary Book of Sun-Moon Swordplay - The Prequel. Thank you.
http://www.winglin.net/fanfic/legendprequel/
9/19/03