Chapter - 79 Endless Joy At the Reunion of the Seven Swordsmen (5)

Suddenly, Yin SuSu pushed a boatman from behind, and kicked another boatman. Both of them let out a yell, and fell into the water. Yin SuSu screamed, "Oww! Fifth brother, why did you hit me?" and started to shout and jump wildly. Yu LianZhou and Zhang CuiShan both stood there stunned, not knowing what to make of her behavior. Old Man He was even more surprised, as he stared intently from afar.

It only took an instant for Yu LianZhou to realize what's going on. Seeing Old Man He watching Yin SuSu attentively, he quickly drew out his sword, and threw it out with his inner power. The sword flew across the air. It sliced the poisonous black snake into two, and even cut off the four fingers holding the snake. At the same moment, Zhang CuiShan grabbed onto a rope hung on the ship's mast. Pushing off with his feet on the ship, Zhang CuiShan swung toward the shore. He arrived just a bit later than Yu LianZhou's sword. Before landing, Zhang CuiShan shifted his upper body forward, and the left palm shot out, striking Old Man He back a few meters. At the same time, his right hand grabbed onto WuJi.

Old Man He lied on the ground, unable to get back up again.

The two boatmen in the water didn't know why Yin SuSu was enraged. They were afraid to return. Yin SuSu chuckled and said, "You can come up now. Allow me to apologize. Here's a tael of silver each."

They continued the journey up the river. Zhang CuiShan was in a hurry to see his master and fellow brothers. So he wanted to switch to horses upon reaching An Qing city. But Yu LianZhou said, "Fifth brother. I think its better to stay on the boat. It might take longer, but it's certainly safer. After all, who in the martial world doesn't want your sworn brother's location?" Yin SuSu said, "Surely no one would dare block Second Hero Yu's path." Yu LianZhou said, "If we seven brothers were together, I would be confident. But with just fifth brother and myself, there are no guarantees. Besides, we don't want to stir things up even more." Zhang CuiShan nodded, said, "You are right, second brother."

A few days later, they've arrived at the city of Wu Xue, in Hu Bei province. This night, the boatmen anchored the boat, and prepared for sleep. Yu LianZhou suddenly heard horses galloping by the shore. He looked out, only to see two riders turn around at the dock, heading back to the city. Yu LianZhou only saw the riders' backs, but could tell that both knew kung fu. He turned and said to Zhang CuiShan, "It's not safe to remain here. Let's leave immediately." Zhang CuiShan said, "Ok!" He deeply appreciated his second brother's suggestion. The Seven Heroes of Wu Dang all have incredible kung fu, and do only righteous deeds. Generally, only people run from them, and not the other way around. In recent years, Yu LianZhou's reputation had grown tremendously, exceeding even the likes of Kong Dong and Kun Lun leaders. He must really care for Zhang CuiShan's family to run from these riders.

Yu LianZhou went to the head boatman, gave him three taels of silver. Then asked him to set sail immediately. Although the boatmen are tired, three taels of silver is just way too much money to pass up. The boatmen immediately pulled up the anchor, and left the dock.

The moon shined brightly in the sky, while a gentle breeze blew through the boat. WuJi had gone to sleep already. Yu LianZhou and the Zhang couple sat outside, enjoying the scenery.

Zhang CuiShan said, "Our master's about to have his one hundredth birthday. I'm so glad that I can see this momentous event." Yin SuSu said, "Too bad we're in such a hurry. Otherwise, we really should have prepared a present."

Yu LianZhou said, "Sister-in-law, do you know who's my master's favorite disciple?" Yin SuSu said, "His favorite disciple? Obviously you, second brother-in-law." Yu LianZhou said with a smile, "That's a pretty insincere statement. You knew the true answer, but purposely gave the wrong one. Among us seven brothers, the one master cares for the most, is your handsome husband." Yin SuSu heart warmed. She shook her head and said, "I don't believe you."

Yu LianZhou said, "We seven brothers each have our own strengths. Eldest brother has profound comprehension of the Book of Changes. He's humble and forward thinking. Third brother's is the best at accomplishing tasks. He never failed any job master gave him. Fourth brother is the cleverest. Sixth brother is a master of the sword. Seventh brother has been concentrating on hard techniques. Soon, he'd have the best combination of inner power and outer strength, soft and hard molded into one." Yin SuSu said, "What about you?" Yu LianZhou said, "My aptitude is too low, and therefore lack a strong point. You could say that I practice master's kung fu more meticulously than others." Yin SuSu smiled and said, "You have the best kung fu among the Seven Heroes of Wu Dang. But you're too modest to say it."

Zhang CuiShan said, "Among us, second brother always had been the best at kung fu. Ten years apart, now I'm even further behind second brother. After missing out on ten years of teachings, I'm definitely the lowest ranked among us brothers."

Yu LianZhou said, "But among us, only you are skilled at both kung fu and academics. Sister-in-law, I'll let you in on a secret. Five years ago, at master's ninety-fifth birthday, we held a banquet to celebrate. During the banquet, master suddenly frowned. He said, 'Among my seven disciples, the one with the best comprehension, the only one who is knowledgeable in academics and in martial arts, is CuiShan. I had hoped that he would be the disciple to carry on my legacy. But alas, fate had decided otherwise. Five years of disappearance does not bode well for his fortune.' You tell me, sister-in-law, does master like fifth brother the most?"

Yin SuSu's face brightened like a flower. Zhang CuiShan felt deep gratitude, and tears came out of his eyes.

Yu LianZhou said, "So the best present for master, quite frankly, is the safe return of fifth brother."

At this moment, they suddenly heard horses galloping on the shore. The sound went from east to west, quite loud in the silent night, a total of four horses. The three of them glanced at each other. They knew that these riders are likely seeking them out. Although they didn't want trouble, none of them are scared of anyone. So they simply ignored these riders.

Yu LianZhou said, "When I came down the mountain this time, master was meditating in seclusion. Hopefully, he'll be finished by the time we get back." Yin SuSu said, "My father once told me, he only respected two people in life. One is Leader Yang of the Ming Sect. One is your master Taoist Zhang. My dad didn't even respect the Shaolin's four divine reverends all that much. Considering your master's old age and unparalleled martial arts ability, why would he still need to meditate in seclusion? Is he trying to obtain eternal life?" Yu LianZhou said, "No. Master's studying martial arts." Yin SuSu said in shock, "He's martial arts ability is already unparalleled. What's the point of further studying martial arts? Is there actually someone who's his adversary?"