Gentleman Free-Flowing Cloud Chapter 9.1

Chapter 9 Part 1 of 2   Early next morning.   Deng Hai Tang watched with surprise as He Zai removed his face paint.    Feeling her curiosity, he explained: “Since Miss has returned and Tian He Manor now knows about He Yue Hua being a Sky Slave, there is no need for me to hide anymore. All things will come to an end today and the least I can do is to face up to things with the looks I am born with.”   Jiang Wo Bo smiled as she played with her flute.  “Why do you seem to be preparing for martyrdom when we are not dying yet?”   He Zai chuckled. “Miss has mixed up your idioms again”   Che Yan Yan arrived at the dungeon to personally escort the prisoners and got a shock. “He Zai?”   Jiang Wo Bo tried to suppress her mirth as He Zai paid no heed to Che Yan Yan.  Now that she knew that a good-looking, gladiator-type of guy has been living right under her nose for the past ten years, did she feel any regret?  He Zai caught sight of her amusement and shot her a look to quell her mirth.   The three of them were given pills to suppress their strength before they were lead out. Their destination was the front hall where she saw ten over pugilists from the Central Plains had gathered.   He Zai was walking in front of her and blocked her from most people’s view.  Without turning back, he said in a low voice which only she could hear. “These in hall are renown wulin elders.  Those outside the hall are their disciples.  Seems like they are going to try the peaceful approach before fighting it out.”   She muttered a sound in response but continued thinking.  Besides the elders, she has spotted Tu Shan Long as well.  He was dressed in commoner’s garbs but there was an old man dressed in official robes standing beside him.  Once the imperial court got involved in jianghu matters, she knew that things would become sticky.  She was willing to bet that there were soldiers stationed outside the hall who would be ready to step in to suppress both sides if a big fight was to break up.   She guessed that many Bai Ming Sect disciples had been summoned back for the occasion as well, and all the chess pieces were now in place per Sect Leader’s wishes.

When He Zai gave a cold snort, Sect Leader Jiang spoke: “When everyone else has succumbed to chaos, Yun Er will be the only person who would remain calm.  I know you would never join the chaos until you have determine your strategy and decided on your next course of action.”   She smiled.  “Master indeed knows Yun Er well.”  She walked to the steps where He Zai had been forced to wear his slave bangle long ago.  As she stroked her flute, she asked thoughtfully.  “Master has been trying his best to test Yun Er all these years. Can I ask if today is the day you receive your answer?”   “What have you learnt when you fell off the cliff?”   She crocked her head. “Besides being lucky to escape with my life, I found that I have somehow ended up with some new-found family members who would require me to greet them in the morning and wish them goodnight everyday.”   At her reply, Gong Sun Yun broke into a grin.   The answer was obviously not what Sect Leader has expected to hear, so she continued. “Master’s explosion has opened my eyes, and I was suppose to learn that I can only rely on myself as even He Zai can forsake me for his blood brother.”   While He Zai gritted his teeth, Sect Leader nodded his head, satisfied.   Jiang Wo Bo continued her slow ascend up the steps.  When she reached Sect Leader, she leaned forward and spoke in low tones: “Seeing that Master has tried to force me out of hiding in such haste, can I assume you have reached the end of your rope?”   The eyes of the white-haired man were burning too brightly, like the last blaze of a candle that was about to be extinguished.  “Yun Er is so smart, you are worth the love I have showered upon you all these years.”   “Ay, I am not smart at all. Master has aged overnight ever since you have fatally injured yourself all those years back.  I have hoped to lie low until Master has passed on, yet you have hang on for much longer than expected, and here I am.”   She straightened. “The blow from Xian Yun was the last straw wasn’t it?”   Instead of feeling aggrieved, Sect Leader bursted out laughing.  “Precisely.”  His laughter was loud and carried his qi across the hall, stopping many pugilists in their tracks as they felt their intestines contract.   Jiang Wo Bo was the closest to him and she too felt the pain.  Fortunately, there were two pairs of hands who appeared behind her and lent her strength.     Endure!  No matter what comes today, she will endure it all!   Gong Sun Yun let out a long, flat whistle which curbed some of the effects of the jarring laughter.   Sect Leader coughed and looked at the expressionless Gong Sun Yun.  “Your internal qiis good.”   “Sect Leader Jiang is too generous with your praise.”   A corner of Sect Leader’s mouth twitched.  “If you are born twenty years earlier, I would have dueled with you.”   In the next breath, he continued. “Bai Ming Sect Left Protector Huang Fu Yun, accept my order.  From today onwards, you will become the thirty-first Sect Leader of Bai Ming Sect!”   His power carried his words clearly into everyone’s ears.   She stared at him for a long time, then turning around, she walked down the steps. She walked past Che Yan Yan who didn’t look too well, past a shell-shocked Tu San Lang, but she ignored them all.   “Yun Er, there is no one you can trust in this world.  I have trained you personally and I know how you think, especially He Zai, who must now be the chief thorn in your heart. If you leave today, Bai Ming Sect would be exterminated by the Orthodox Sect or become prisoners of the court, without a leader at its helm.  That would make you the biggest sinner in Bai Ming Sect history and there will forever be Bai Ming Sect disciples hunting you for revenge.  No matter where you go, you will never find refuge even in the Central Plains!”   All Bai Ming Sect disciples have turned their attention to her.  As she stepped out of the hall, she stopped and swept her glance at all who has gathered below the steps.   The main hall of Bai Ming Sect was situated at mid mountain.  From the entrance, she could see Tian Bi Cliff in the distance that reached high into the sky.  A wide gorge separated the path up the cliff and to people unfamiliar with the area, it would be impossible to ascend the cliff.   This was the first time in her life that she was in the limelight.  Perched on the steps, with everyone looking on, could this be considered her moment of fame?  What a pity that after today, she could no longer wander around the Central Plains without make-up.   Turning, she faced Sect Leader in the hall.  She knew he was about to die and that he wanted to pass her this mess before his last breath.  Had she not known that he was crazy, she would have thought that his ambition in life was to nurture people.  If she had fallen prey to hatred or disappointment when she fell off the cliff, she would have become the type of person whom Sect Leader truly wanted her to be.   She smiled and lifted both hands towards the Master’s seat.  “Huang Fu Yun accepts your order.”   “Miss!” He Zai could not help his protest as she made her announcement in front of everyone,   She did not pay him any heed and folded her hands behind her.  “From today onwards, Huang Fu Yun will become the thirty-first Sect Leader of Bai Ming Sect.  All disciples listen up.  Kneel and send off our Old Leader as he embarks on his last journey!”   Within and outside the hall, many disciples hesitated before putting down their weapons and knelt.

 

 

 

Chapter end