Chapter - 206 Cold Edge of the Flying Heaven-relying Longsword (2)

Yin Liting said, "We heard the Heavenly Eagle Cult and other Devil Cult's branches carried a massive operation to support the Brightness Peak, yet some others say that Zi Shan Long Wang and Qing Yi Fu Wang have also arrived."

Miejue Shitai was startled. "Zi Shan Long Wang has also arrived?" she asked.

The two of them were talking while walking side by side, with the Emei disciples followed from a distance; they did not dare to listen to these two people's discussion. After talking for a while, Yin Liting raised his cupped fists to take his leave, as he needed to make contact with the Huashan Pai.

"Yin Liuxia," Jing Xuan called out, "You have been busy running around; you must be hungry. Would you eat some light refreshments before continuing your journey?"

Yin Liting was not shy, he said, "In that case I will bother you."

The Emei heroines immediately took out the provisions; some piled sand and built fire to cook noodles in an iron pot. Their meals were simple, but they were very attentive in entertaining Yin Liting; naturally it was for the deceased Ji Xiaofu's sake. Yin Liting understood their intention; with moist eyes and choking voice he said, "Many thanks to you all, Shijie, Shimei."

Zhu'er had been waiting silently on the side, right now she suddenly said, "Yin Liuxia, may I inquire of you about somebody?"

With a bowl of noodle in his hand, Yin Liting turned his head around and said, "I wonder what the honored name of this Xiao Shimei is [little martial (younger) sister? And who is it you wish to inquire about? If I have the information, I will certainly share it with you." His manner was very cordial.

"I don't belong to the Emei Pai," Zhu'er said, "I am their prisoner."

At first Yin Liting thought she was Emei Pai's young disciple; hearing her said so, he could not help but be a bit surprised. But thinking that the girl was very frank, he asked pointedly, "Are you of the Devil Cult?"

"No," Zhu'er said, "I am a Devil Cult's enemy."

Yin Liting did not have time to ask her origin in details; to respect the host, he cast a questioning look at Jing Xuan.

Jing Xuan said, "What is it that you want to inquire of Yin Liuxia?"

Zhu'er said, "I want to inquire: is your honorable Shixiong, Zhang Cuishan, Zhang Wuxia [fifth hero Zhang] also come to the frontline's canyon bank?"

As soon as they heard this question, Yin Liting and Zhang Wuji were gob-smacked. "What do you want by inquiring about my Wu Shige?" Yin Liting asked.

With a blushing face Zhu'er replied in a low voice, "I only want to know if his son, Zhang Wuji, also came with him."

Zhang Wuji was even more startled. "She knows my real identity," he thought, "and is going to expose it to everybody."

"Are you telling the truth?" Yin Liting asked.

"I am sincerely inquiring of the Yin Liuxia," Zhu'er said, "How could I dare to deceive you?"

"My Wu Shige has passed away more than ten years ago," Yin Liting said, "The tree by his grave has arched over it. Could it be that Miss does not know it?"

Zhu'er sprang up with a start. "Ah," she exclaimed, "Turns out Zhang Wuxia has already passed away. So … he … he has become an orphan early on."

"Does Miss know my nephew Wuji?" Yin Liting asked.

Zhu'er said, "Five years ago, I met him once at the Butterfly Valley's Divine Doctor Hu Qingniu's house. I don't know where he is right now."

Yin Liting said, "Receiving my Master's instruction, I also went to the Butterfly Valley to find him, but Hu Qingniu, husband and wife had been killed, while Wuji disappeared without a trace. Afterwards, I went around seeking him, without finding any information about him. Ay, who would have thought … who would have thought …" Speaking to this point, his expression turned sad, and he did not continue.

"What?" Zhu'er hastily said, "What bad news did you hear?"

Yin Liting stared at her. "Why are you so concerned about him, Miss?" he asked, "That nephew of mine, Wuji, did he have kindness with you, or enmity?"

Zhu'er turned her gaze to a distant place; she quietly said, "I wanted him to come with me to the Lingshe Island [spirit snake] …"

"Lingshe Island?" Yin Liting cut her off, "What relation do you have with Jin Hua Popo [Golden Flower Granny] and Yin Ye Xiansheng [Mr. Silver Leaf]?"

Zhu'er did not answer, she continued as if she was talking to herself, "… not only he was not willing, he hit me, scolded me, and bit my palm bloody …" Her left hand gently stroke the back of her right hand, "… but … but … I am still thinking about him. I did not want to harm him, I wanted him to come to the Lingshe Island. Popo would teach him a martial art skill with which he could be healed of the cold poison of the Xuan Ming Shen Zhang [black/mysterious and dark/deep divine palm] in his body. Who would have thought that he was so vicious; he regarded other's good intentions as bad ones."

Zhang Wuji's mind was in turmoil; it was the first time he knew: "Turns out Zhu'er is Ah Li who grabbed me in the Butterfly Valley. The boyfriend who is always in her mind is me." Casting a sidelong glance, he saw her bumpy cheeks. Where did the beauty he saw on her face when they first met? But her eyes were like limpid autumn water; clear, pure and bright, just like he remembered it after all those years.

Miejue Shitai coldly said, "I hear her Shifu, Jin Hua Popo, also have some enmity with the Devil Cult. But Jin Hua Popo is certainly not an upright person, and this is not a good time for us to start a feud with her. For now, let's just detain her."

"Hm, so that's how it is," Yin Liting said, "Miss, you had good intentions toward my nephew Wuji, it's a pity that he was so unfortunate. I came across Wu Zhuangzhu [village/manor master] Wu Lie of the Zhu and Wu combined manor recently. I learned that more than five years ago, Wuji lost his footings and fell into a ten-thousand 'zhang' deep ravine; his body and bones did not survive. Ay, the love between his father and I was like hand and foot; who would have thought that the Emperor of Heaven did not bless a well-doer, such that even his only flesh and blood …" He had not finished speaking when with a thud Zhu'er fell backward as she lost consciousness.

Zhou Zhiruo quickly propped her up and massaged her chest for quite a while before Zhu'er regained consciousness. Zhang Wuji was extremely grieved seeing Yin Liting and Zhu'er heart-broken like this, yet he steeled himself to stay out of this matter. When he looked up, he saw that Zhou Zhiruo was staring at him with a questioning look, apparently she was wondering, "How come she does not recognize you?" Zhang Wuji realized that over the last several years, his stature and appearance had undergone huge changes. Zhou Zhiruo would not recognize him as well if he did not mention the Hanshui River boat affair first.

Biting her lips, Zhu'er asked, "Yin Liuxia, who harmed Zhang Wuji?"

"Nobody did," Yin Liting answered, "Wu Lie of the Zhu and Wu combined manor said that he personally witness Wuji lost his footing on his own and fell into the ravine. Wu Lie's sworn brother, 'One Pen Shaking the Heavens' Zhu Changling also fell and died together with him." Zhu'er heaved a deep sigh and sat back down dejectedly.