Chapter - 39 Pale Shoulder As Though Adorned By Beautiful Plum Blossoms (4)

That young woman said, "What does my life have to do with you?" Zhang CuiShan said, "I must repay you for sending my third brother back." That young woman said coldly, "Oh, you're just trying to repay a debt. Looks like if I hadn't sent back your third brother, you would've just watched me die."

Zhang CuiShan froze a second, and then said, "Not necessarily so." Only to see her body began to shake, signs of the poison spreading. He quickly said, "Hurry! Roll up your sleeves. Do you really have a death wish?" That young woman said while biting her teeth, "If you don't admit that you're wrong, then I won't let you help me." Her face was naturally pale, and under such conditions she looked so very fragile, arousing Zhang CuiShan's compassion.

He sighed, and then said, "Fine. Let's just say I was wrong. Those people all deserved to die." That young woman said, "Not good enough. What's with this whole 'let's just say I'm wrong' deal? And why did you sight? Wrong is wrong. Say it with some conviction."

In this moment of life and death, Zhang CuiShan can't possibly fuss over such small details. So he yelled, "With the Heaven above and River below listening, I, Zhang CuiShan today wholeheartedly apologize to Yin… Yin…" As he said this, he stuttered. That young woman said, "Yin SuSu." Zhang CuiShan continued, "to Yin SuSu and seek her forgiveness."

Yin SuSu, delighted at his apology, smiled gleefully. Suddenly, her legs gave out on her, and fell back onto a chair. Zhang CuiShan quickly took out a pill of 'Heaven's Heart Antidote' for her to swallow. Then he grabbed her arm and asked, "How do you feel?" Yin SuSu said, "My chest is burning up inside. Why did it take you so long to apologize? If I die, it will be all your fault."

In this circumstance, Zhang CuiShan could only sooth her with gentle words, "Everything's fine. Don't worry. Just relax your whole body, and don't try to use any energy. Pretend as if you're asleep." Yin SuSu glanced at him and said, "I'll just pretend as if I'm dead."

Zhang CuiShan thought to himself, "My gosh, she's so unruly even at this moment. I can't imagine what kind of anguish her future husband would suffer in her hands." As he thought this, he found his heartbeat quickened, and his head feverish. Afraid that Yin SuSu might see through his thoughts, Zhang CuiShan glanced at her, only to see her cheeks bright red, with bashfulness mixed with frailty. When their eyes met, both quickly turned their eyes away.

Yin SuSu suddenly said quietly, "Fifth Brother Zhang, I was very rude, and even hit you. Please… please don't be offended."

When Zhang CuiShan heard her change from calling him 'Fifth Hero Zhang' to 'Fifth Brother Zhang', his heart began to beat quickly. After he took a deep breath, Zhang CuiShan composed himself, exerting his inner chi to his hands, which held Yin SuSu's arm around the poisoned darts.

After a while, thick steam came from the top of his head, signs that he's utilizing his full power. Yin SuSu was grateful in her heart, and knew that this is a critical juncture, refrained from speaking as to not break his concentration. Suddenly, a Plum Flower Dart from her arm shot out, and black blood sprung out from the wound, turning into red blood a while later. The second dart quickly followed.

At this moment, he heard someone yell from outside, "Is Miss Yin here? Red Sparrow Branch Leader requests a presence." Zhang CuiShan needed to concentrate, and ignored him. He then heard the boatman yell, "There's a thug on the boat. Leader Chang, please come here quick!" The first voice yelled, "Thug, if you hurt a single hair on Miss Yin's head, you'll die a painful death." This person's voice boomed across the river, its sound carried a threatening tone.

Yin SuSu opened her eyes and smiled weakly towards Zhang CuiShan, as if to express an apology. Since her right hand hit her arm at the location of the third Plum Flower Dart, it sank deeper than the other two. Even after three attempts, Zhang CuiShan could not get it out. He then felt another boat nearing, and someone walking onto this boat. But with all his concentration on this last dart, Zhang CuiShan ignored all this.

That person came into the cabin, and saw Zhang CuiShan's hands holding tightly onto Yin SuSu's arm. Obviously he would not believe that Zhang CuiShan's actually trying to heal her. In his hastiness, that person's palm shot out at Zhang CuiShan's back, while yelling, "Still wouldn't release your hands, thug?"

Zhang CuiShan didn't have time to get away, so he simply took a deep breath, and with a loud pop, this palm hit squarely on his back. Zhang CuiShan knew the intricacies of Wu Dang inner power, so he simply stayed still, channeling the force of the blow through his body. Immediately, the third Plum Flower Dart popped out, landing on the floor nearby.

The person who hit Zhang CuiShan was about to follow up with a second blow, but when he saw the dart he immediately stopped, said, "Miss Yin, Are you… are you injured?" When he saw black blood pouring out her arm, he realized that he mistook this gentleman's intentions, and felt guilty. Considering the power of his palm, he thought that Zhang CuiShan's life was probably in danger. So he quickly took out some medicine for Zhang CuiShan to take.

Zhang CuiShan shook his head, and once the blood pouring out turned to red, released his hands. He turned around and smiled, "That was one powerful blow." That person stood in shock. He thought of how he had killed so many powerful fighters with his palm. Yet this young gentleman could take the full brunt of his attack and act as if nothing happened. He said, "You… you…" He looked at Zhang CuiShan's face, and immediately went to grab his wrist and check his condition. Zhang CuiShan thought, "Why don't I play a joke on him?" Then proceeded to gather his chi and stopped his heartbeat. When that person checked his pulse and found none, he was simply appalled, not knowing what to think.

Zhang CuiShan took the handkerchief Yin SuSu just handed him, and used it to cover her wounds, then said, "Most of the poison had been flushed out. You should recover easily with the aid of common antidotes." Yin SuSu said, "Thank you." She then turned to that other person and said with a solemn expression, "Branch Leader Chang. Meet Fifth Hero Zhang of Wu Dang." That person fell back a step, bowed, and said, "Oh, so it's the fifth hero of the 'Seven Heroes of Wu Dang'. No wonder your inner power is so amazing. My name is Chang JinPeng. Sorry for my rudeness."

Zhang CuiShan looked at this fifty-some year old man, with tight muscles all over his body, looking very strong. He returned with a bow.

Chang JinPeng turned towards Yin SuSu and paid his respects. Yin SuSu nodded, but didn't seem to care much for this man. Only to hear Chang JinPeng say, "Branch Leader Bai had already contacted the Sea Sand Sect, the Huge Whale Clan, and the Divine Fist Sect. The meeting time for showing the saber is tomorrow morning on QianTang river's WangPan island. If my lady's not feeling well, I can send you back home to Lin An. Branch Leader Bai alone should suffice taking care of these people."

Yin SuSu said, "Humph… Sea Sand Sect, Huge Whale Clan, Divine Fist Sect… Is the head of the Divine Fish Sect Guo SanQuan going to be there too?" Chang JinPeng said, "I heard he personally led his twelve best students." Yin SuSu said, "Although he's quite famous, Guo SanQuan's ability is nowhere near that of Branch Leader Bai. Anyone else important that I should be aware of?" Chang JinPeng said, "I heard two young swordsman from the Kun Lun sect will be there. They said that they want to see the Dragon… Dragon…" He paused here for a moment, and glanced at Zhang CuiShan. Yin SuSu said coldly, "They want to see the Dragon Saber, right? Their hands might become itchy…" When Zhang CuiShan heard the words 'Dragon Saber', his ears perked up. Only to hear Yin SuSu continue, "We can't underestimate these Kun Lun swordsman. My injury's no big deal. Let me see, how about we also go to the meeting. Perhaps Branch Leader Bai could use our help." She turned around and said to Zhang CuiShan, "Fifth Hero Zhang. We should part now. I'll go ahead on Branch Leader Chang's boat. You can take my boat back to Lin An city. After all, there's no reason for Wu Dang to get into all this."