| Fan Fiction |
by Melanie
In Chapter 22, Sui Han, injured by the Master's Blood Shadow Palm, loses consciousness in the woods near the outskirts of the City of Hoi Yeung. There, two disciples from the Six Swords Manor, Yip Fung and his junior martial sister, Suen Ling Wan, rescue her. They soon discover that she is the person whom they have been looking for when they realize that she possesses a certain jade pendant, one that looks like a replica of their teacher's. The significance of the pendant and Sui Han's relationship to the Six Swords Manor shall be revealed in later chapters.
Unfortunately, before Yip Fung and Ling Wan are able to bring Sui Han to meet their teacher, Wong Hup Ming, they are attacked by Red Executioner, one of the members from a mysterious evil sect, led by an unidentified leader known as the Master (Chapters 28, 29, and 30). While Yip Fung and Ling Wan battle with Red Executioner, Sui Han awakens and wanders off. Since then, both Six Swords Manor disciples have been searching for her.
Meanwhile, Sui Han, after wandering off, first encounters Fei and Keung. Their original plan to bring her back to the Sun Moon Sect headquarters to seek the Sect Leader's help in healing Sui Han's Blood Shadow Palm injury is hindered when they discover Sui Han kidnapped by Blue Executioner at Jade Orchid Town. Fortunately, Lun rescues her. Both seek shelter from the snow in a nearby cave, but unknowingly activate a hidden trap door on the cave's wall. Both tumble down the dark tunnel into unknown territory.
The story continues from here.
Characters appearing in this chapter:
Bae Yong Joon---Yip Fung
Joyce Tang Lai Ming---Suen Ling Wan
Song Yun Ah---Tong Mei Si
Gilbert Lam Wai Sun---Lam Yik Lun
Annie Man Chung Han---So Sui Han
Kristy Yeung Gong Yu---Lam Suk Yu
NEAR THE BORDERS OF TONG VILLAGE
SEVERAL MILES AWAY FROM JADE ORCHID TOWN
NIGHTFALL
Through the bitterly cold, dark night, two figures trek slowly and steadily across the snow-covered land, with the tall man leading the way in silence and the slender woman trailing at a slower pace behind. A chill snakes its way across the quiet night, wrapping its icy tentacles firmly around the two humans. Ignoring the freezing weather, the man and woman continue their journey in stoic silence. To their right, a spark of firelight flickers brilliantly from a villager's home in Tong Village, a small farming community situated on the outskirts of the more populated and citified Jade Orchid Town.
Catching sight of that small, yet warm, flicker of firelight from the corner of his eyes, Yip Fung suddenly stops in his tracks, his right hand tightening unconsciously around his sheathed sword. As still as a stone statue, he remains glued to the ground, oblivious of the wind whipping furiously around him and the flurry of snowflakes landing onto his shoulders, soaking his long, fur cloak. Above, the dark clouds separate like a curtain, revealing the white, full moon behind, allowing its silvery rays to shine down directly onto the lone man, clearly outlining his handsome features.
Behind him, Ling Wan sighs, her expression filled with sympathy. "Senior Martial Brother, why don't you just go and visit her? We are here, right outside Tong Village, anyway. Why not just stop by and see her?"
Yip Fung remains silent, his features set in stone, a tiny muscle in his jaw ticking uncontrollably, the only sign that he heard Ling Wan's comment. For an indeterminable amount of time, he stands there, near the entrance of Tong Village, his heart galloping furiously, partly from uncertainty and partly from longing.
"Senior Martial Brother?" Ling Wan calls from behind. "Senior Martial Brother!" She calls out to him again, her voice tinged with exasperation. Trotting up to him, she folds her arms across her chest, her lips tightened into a firm line. "Just go and see her! We both know you have been thinking of her nonstop all these years. Since you are practically at her doorstep, why don't you just stop by and visit with her?"
"No." Yip Fung answers tersely. "Teacher wants us to look for the person who carries the jade pendant which matches his. We have finally found that person a few months ago unconscious in the woods in the outskirts of the City of Hoi Yeung. Too bad we were too busy dueling with that man in black with the red waist sash (Red Executioner) to notice that she had wandered off. Since we have received news that she is somewhere near Jade Orchid Town, we should just locate her immediately before she moves on to a different town again."
Ling Wan sighs again. "Stop giving yourself excuses! You WANT to see her! I have known you since we were children. We are like siblings! I KNOW you want to see her!"
Clenching his jaw, Fung walks determinedly past her and ignores her exclamations. Sighing loudly, as if reprimanding a wayward child, Ling Wan runs up and blocks his path, stretching her arms out. "What are you afraid of, Senior Martial Brother?! It is not your style to be this timid! Go see her! It will make you feel much better!"
"No." He replies, his frown fierce enough to scare to the bravest of souls.
However, since Ling Wan has known him since childhood and sees him as an older brother, she persists in her pestering. "Why in the world not? Why are you so afraid?" She shoots the question out. "Why?"
"Because she is my stepmother!" Fung finally hollers, his chest heaving with exertion, his fists clenched from the bitter irony and pain of having romantic feelings for his stepmother, of all people.
All around, snow continues to fall, like flecks of cotton, flittering gently in the air. The wind howls, each gust sounding like the blast from a cannon in the tense silence following Yip Fung's angry and painful exclamation.
Finally, Ling Wan speaks slowly, her voice calm and quiet. "She is not truly your stepmother, and you know it. For goodness sakes! She is younger than you are by several years! And your father, the old pervert, thankfully passed away a few days before the date of the wedding."
Shaking his head in frustration, Fung swallows painfully. "But she is nevertheless my stepmother in name. And no matter how much of a womanizer my father was, I have to respect the woman he was about to marry. The whole martial arts world knew of the wedding. My old man invited practically every sect and school to his wedding in an attempt to flaunt his marriage to the young and beautiful daughter of the Golden Lion Escort Agency!" Turning abruptly, he hurls his sword toward a nearby tree. The sword separates into six rotating blades midair before striking the old, sturdy tree with amazing speed. A series of explosions erupt, as the tree collapses to the snow, seconds before the six rotating blades return to Fung's hand.
Ling Wan stares silently at the man she has come to admire and love as a brother. "Are you telling me you would rather hide from her and from your feelings because you are afraid of what others will say?"
"If I pursue a romantic relationship with Mei Si, she will be forever shunned by the martial arts world. I don't care about my reputation, but I do care about hers. She has always been proud of her family's escort agency. Can you imagine the torture she will go through if her family name is soiled because of my selfishness?" Seeing Ling Wan about to interrupt him, Fung quickly turns away and speaks desolately. "Besides, I don't even know what her feelings are for me. Let's just go. We should find shelter and rest before continuing our search for that young woman (Sui Han) tomorrow morning." Briskly, he begins walking away.
Standing where he left her, Ling Wan frowns and finally shouts to her senior martial brother. "I didn't realize you are such a coward, Martial Brother."
Ahead, Yip Fung abruptly stops at her challenging words. Closing his eyes, he sighs in defeat and allows visions of his stepmother, the young woman he loves, to filter through his mind. In the silence of the night, he could hear her tinkling laughter, smell her alluring fragrance, see her delicate features. When he opens his eyes again, he sees Ling Wan standing in front of him, observing him with dark, solemn eyes.
"There's a cave up ahead." Ling Wan points to the shelter in the distance. "I will wait for you there." Jerking her head toward the direction of Tong Village, she encourages gently. "Go see her." With those parting words, she heads toward the cave, leaving Yip Fung alone.
TONG VILLAGE
OUTSIDE THE TONG FAMILY COTTAGE
The night grows colder, as icy currents of wind sweep mercilessly across the land, slashing ruthlessly at the sparse leaves clinging desperately to the tree branches and sending a family of four rabbits scurrying for cover. Near a dense grove of pine trees stands a small, single-room, wooden cottage, simply fashioned but sturdy and solid against the harsh winter. A few feet from the cottage, a young woman, delicate and slender, sits on a smooth, flat rock under one of the pine trees, cooing to the furry bunny cuddled protectively in her arms. Her flowing white gown, simple yet elegant, blends in with the snowy wonderland surrounding her. Above, glossy evergreen pine needles glimmer like tiny pinpoints of light when reflected off the silvery rays of the moon. A gust of wind sweeps by, bringing with it a flurry of snowflakes, which dance wildly in the air before landing onto the young woman's sleek, midnight black hair, lingering there gently like lacy blossoms.
Into this alluring scene walks a tall, proud man, his usually stern, handsome features softened by the tender look in his eyes as he quietly observes the young lady from behind the dense collection of pine trees. While she babbles softly to the bunny in her arms as if holding a serious conversation with the animal, he smiles slightly, his heart warming at the sight of his beloved.
Unaware of his presence, Tong Mei Si lifts the bunny to her face and nuzzles her nose against the animal's white fur. Returning the rabbit to her lap, she strokes its back lovingly. "Don't be afraid, little one. I will take care of your leg injury. You'll be hopping around again in no time."
Shivering slightly from the cold, she finally stands up and starts toward her cottage. Seeing her about to leave, Yip Fung shifts slightly from his hiding place, his boots making a scratching sound as it scrapes against a loose pebble on the stone path. Hearing the noise, the young woman stops suddenly.
With lightening speed, she whips out two short, straight silver daggers. As the daggers flash through the air like twin comets, a loud clang echoes through the silence as six rotating swords fly out to meet the daggers midair before hooking on to them. As the six swords rapidly return to the man behind the trees, bringing with them the twin daggers, the young woman flips through the air toward the grove of trees, her arms outstretched. Meeting him in a clash of palms, she then backflips three times in the air, staggering slightly from her encounter with such strong internal energy.
Assuming an attack position upon landing, Tong Mei Si demands, "Who are you? Reveal yourself!"
At her request, the tall man flips out from the grove of trees, her twin daggers and his sword clutched in his hand. "Second Mother, how are you?"
Recognizing the man's voice, Mei Si lowers her hands and ventures cautiously forward, her eyes gradually making out his tall silhouette in the darkness. "Fung? Is that you?" As she nears him, she breaks out into a brilliant smile, her eyes lighting up. "It is you!" She laughs joyously, before running up to him. Halting directly in front of him, she stares up at his familiar features, so handsome and stern. Yet, a touch of sadness and loneliness lingers in his eyes.
"I'm sorry for not revealing myself earlier, Second Mother, but you were so engrossed with your little furry friend that I did not want to disturb you." Yip Fung hands Mei Si's twin daggers back to her. As his fingers accidentally brush against hers, he frowns slightly at the quickening of his heartbeat.
Beaming at him, Mei Si regards him fondly. "Fung, you have changed so much since I have last seen you three years ago at the wedding gathering. You seem taller and more handsome!" She laughs softly, her voice like musical notes to his ears. "Look at me! Chattering up a storm! You must be tired and hungry. Why don't you come inside the cottage, and I will warm some food up for you."
She starts toward the cottage, but stops suddenly when she realizes that he remains rooted to the spot where she left him. "What's wrong? Why are you still standing there?" She calls out to him.
"Uh, nothing is wrong, Second Mother." Taking in deep breath, he follows her into the small cottage.
INSIDE THE COTTAGE
As they enter the cottage, a blast of warm air quickly embraces them. The simple room boasts a simple wooden table pushed up against the far wall. Two stools flank the table. A miniature clay stove stands a few feet from the table. Against the opposite wall, hidden partially behind a silk screen, is a bamboo bed. An old wash basin, ruthlessly scrubbed clean, sits on a medium height stone stand near the head of the bed.
"Please excuse the simple surroundings, Fung." Mei Si brings out the stool and gestures for him to sit. "What would you like to eat? I have some freshly made pork buns."
"Second Mother, there is no need to go through all the trouble. I have already eaten today."
"Nonsense! I have plenty of pork buns to go around. What kind of hostess would I be if I didn't offer you anything?" Pushing him gently toward the stool again, she turns around and bustles around the stove. Uncovering a woven basket of buns, she places three into a metal pot and lights up the stove. The single flame from the candle on the table flickers slowly, casting shadows onto her face, accentuating her elegant features, the delicate arch of her brows, the straight, slightly upturned nose, the red bowed lips. Her alabaster skin flushes prettily against the warmth of the fire under the stove.
Mesmerized by the lovely woman in front of him, Yip Fung simply stares at her, lost in his own thoughts. A small yelp from Mei Si brings him abruptly out of his reverie. Rushing up to her, he calls out, "What's wrong?" Seeing her clutching at her left hand, he immediately drops his sword onto the stone floor and grabs at her burned hand, forgetting about propriety. "You've hurt yourself!"
"Oh, it's just a very light burn! I'm fine." She points to the slightly red tinged skin on the back of her left hand. "Look, the skin isn't even broken."
As she begins to withdraw her hand, Fung grabs at it again, a stubborn expression on his face. "You've burned yourself!" He repeats himself, his heart silently aching from seeing her perfect skin marred with a bit of redness. He bends his head and blows softly on her hand, trying to alleviate the sting. Lifting his head, he finds her staring at him embarrassingly.
Quickly withdrawing her hand away, Mei Si backs away a few steps, her cheeks burning a crimson color. "I'm fine." She hides her hand behind her back. "Son...," she adds awkwardly.
Hearing her address him as her son, Fung's pupils suddenly dilate in fury. "Second Mother, aren't you lonely here?" He asks, his voice quiet and carefully controlled.
"Lonely?" Mei Si repeats. A tinge of sadness flickers fleetingly across her eyes as she smiles gently. "Your father died so unexpectedly of a heart attack right before the wedding. Shortly afterward, bandits killed my parents while they were on an escort mission. From then on, I have lived here alone for three years." Lost in her own thoughts, she walks over to the small window to stare out at the light flakes drifting down from the dark heavens. "I should be used to the quietness by now."
Silently, Fung comes to stand behind her by the window. "Second Mother, I am sorry. I should have visited you more often. I should have taken better care of you after my father's death."
Continuing to stare blankly out into the night, Mei Si sighs. "Don't be silly, Fung. I can look after myself. You have your own life to live. How would you expect to meet young ladies with your Second Mother tagging along?" She jokes, trying to lighten the mood. Turning around to look at him, she laughs. However, the teasing sparkle in her eyes dies down quickly when she notices the dark, smoldering look in Fung's eyes.
"You're a young woman, too, Second Mother." He counters seriously. Suddenly, with a burst of defiance, he grabs both of her hands, clutching them close to his heart. "Come with me, Second Mother. I will take care of you for the rest of your life."
"No!" Yanking her hands away from his warm grasp, she gasps at him. "What are you talking about? I am your mother!"
"No, you're not!" He raises his voice in anger. In a fit of fury, he pounds his right fist onto the wooden table, the strength behind the punch shattering the sturdy wood and causing the dishes stacked neatly on the table to crash to the floor. "YOU ARE NOT MY MOTHER! YOU HAVEN'T EVEN GONE THROUGH THE WEDDING CEREMONY WITH MY FATHER YET!"
Advancing toward her, he clutches at her shoulders, his eyes glazed with desire. "Mei Si, I love you. I have been in love with you the day my father brought you home to the Yip Mansion and introduced you as his future bride. Please let me take care of you, Mei Si. Please?"
SLAP!
The sting from her slap throbs painfully on his cheek. But the physical pain pales pitifully compared to the agony ripping through his heart. Fung's arms slowly drop back down to his sides. Tension, thick and suffocating, settles upon the room, as both man and woman stare at each other. Seconds and then minutes tick by, and yet the silence continues.
Suddenly, the door of the cottage swings open and Ling Wan bursts through, breathing heavily. "Senior Martial Brother! I think I've found that young woman we have been searching for! You know, the one with the jade pendant that matches the one Teacher is always carrying around?" She gestures excitedly. "I found two sets of damp clothing in that cave I was at while waiting for you to visit with Sister Mei Si! Next to one set of garments, I found THIS laying on top of a rock!" Dangling Sui Han's jade pendant triumphantly in front of Yip Fung's face, she exclaims happily. "Hurry! I will take you there! I think she fell down some tunnel I found behind a trap door on the cave's wall!"
Practically bursting at the seams with excitement, Ling Wan rushes back out the cottage. Noticing her senior martial brother still glued to the spot, she halts just out the cottage and gives him an exasperated glare. "Well, come on, you two! Hurry!"
Looking from Ling Wan to Mei Si, Yip Fung suddenly makes a decision. Grabbing Mei Si's hand firmly, he drags her along with him. "Come with me!"
Caught by surprise, Mei Si obediently follows along. After a short moment, however, she snaps out of her puzzled state and digs her heels into the ground, refusing to go any further. "No! I'm not going with you! What are you doing, dragging me around? I am your Second Mother!" She rages at him, shocked.
Ignoring her tirade, Fung bends at the waist and flings her over his shoulder like a sack of vegetables. Flipping into the air, he flies off, following close behind Ling Wan, heading toward the cave.
MEANWHILE...
AT THE CAVE
"Ahhhh!" Sui Han screams as she and Lun slide down the dark tunnel behind the trap door inside the cave. Wrapping her arms tightly around his waist, she closes her eyes in fright.
Beside her, Lun squints in an effort to see in the darkness. "Be careful, Sui Han! We're coming towards the end of the tunnel."
Just as he ends his statement, both burst out the end of the tunnel and crash onto a thick mat of straw. Landing in a tangle of arms and legs, both struggle to sit up. From the corner of the dark and dank cell, a female voice calls out in alarm. "Who is it?!"
Swiveling toward the voice, Lun stares into the darkness. He finally manages to make out the blurry outline of a slender young woman sitting cross-legged on the floor at the corner of the cell. "Suk Yu!" He calls out to his younger sister in surprise.
**********
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/
2/7/04