1097Please respect copyright.PENANAZTIEiHsPyV
Lung Chang is led by the Monk to a small wooden room where an old man is sitting on a mat and is praying before a small statue of Buddha.1097Please respect copyright.PENANA91HMjG5Z0T
1097Please respect copyright.PENANA5zOzVGABXY
"Abbot!", the Monk says. "Young Hero Chong is here."1097Please respect copyright.PENANADg5oUZNfTe
1097Please respect copyright.PENANA3dnxnRDJKj
He then turns towards Lung Chang and says: "This is Abbot Yongyu of Shaolin."1097Please respect copyright.PENANAL6Z4ogiIxM
1097Please respect copyright.PENANAEp00x3nBTh
Lung Chang bows before the Abbot. "Chong Guozhi pays respect to Elder Yongyu!"1097Please respect copyright.PENANATrL4xeVmhX
1097Please respect copyright.PENANAG6pgJNy5SR
The Abbot just laughs and says: "Please, Young Hero, rise up."1097Please respect copyright.PENANAHbevYdO3rZ
1097Please respect copyright.PENANAF5WhxLvR4o
"Elder, I do not deserve the title of hero."1097Please respect copyright.PENANAasyWdTjFXq
1097Please respect copyright.PENANAo2KEVUIuW5
"You do." He then points at the Monk. "Brother Lingfeng taught you 'Buddha's Palms' because he sensed that you are a good and upright person and that you will do great and heroic deeds for your nation."1097Please respect copyright.PENANAik3aYGwVzz
1097Please respect copyright.PENANAaJLJlbDSbd
"So, that is the name of the Palm technique.", Lung Chang thought. He then replied: "I cannot thank you enough for your teaching. However, I have to leave this Temple. Please do no be offended by this. I really wish I could stay here, but I have to complete some tasks first."1097Please respect copyright.PENANAuIuRTJb1O6
1097Please respect copyright.PENANApGpN9PHLeL
"Of course. How could we be offended by your request?"1097Please respect copyright.PENANAI4KIGxA6v3
1097Please respect copyright.PENANALvdvDafUjg
"Thank you."1097Please respect copyright.PENANAgAvPx9b240
1097Please respect copyright.PENANAlgPETJSgNT
Lung Chang bows and is ready to leave when Lingfeng stops him. "Please, Young Hero, do not leave immediately. My Master wants to ask you a question first."1097Please respect copyright.PENANAoSdXiVjjml
1097Please respect copyright.PENANA1yWIo8GfAQ
"Of course."1097Please respect copyright.PENANAjRDgPemN0R
1097Please respect copyright.PENANA6oQKZ9G9pl
"Young Hero, how did you manage to obtain the 'Deadly Jade Sword' of Priest Yue Li?", the Abbot asks.1097Please respect copyright.PENANAdSQgoIn620
1097Please respect copyright.PENANABNlzERCXRD
"I have already told brother Lingfeng that I am a disciple of Wudang Sect and the Priest gave it to me."1097Please respect copyright.PENANA80BTQRXCRC
1097Please respect copyright.PENANA58Qkzzb7FG
"Oh? I see. Forgive me for inquiring you."1097Please respect copyright.PENANAZ38TeVQ9TE
1097Please respect copyright.PENANA3nXmr2V05v
"I am not offended at all. If you have any more questions, please ask them."1097Please respect copyright.PENANAF8FYJeGy3n
1097Please respect copyright.PENANAgEyH4G4hCu
"I do not have any more questions. You can leave.". The Abbot gets up from his mat, pulls out a sword from his Buddhist gown and gives it to Lung Chang. "Here is your sword. Keep it well. It is an important treasure of Wudang. However, before you leave, I would like to ask you to go and see Miss Yang. She wants to thank you for saving her and her mother."1097Please respect copyright.PENANAysaYfAHKxM
1097Please respect copyright.PENANAgd6a77Lxb3
"I bid you farewell."1097Please respect copyright.PENANArSEzeqA1H0
1097Please respect copyright.PENANAZWwdRbSabe
Lung Chang leaves the room and heads towards the room where Miss Yang and her mother are staying. He knocks the wooden door and waits for a few seconds before Yang Liqiu opens the door. When the young woman sees Lung Chang, she cannot hide her happiness.1097Please respect copyright.PENANA6LFWqhc0K3
1097Please respect copyright.PENANA2rzYOyuqGP
"Young Hero, please come in!"1097Please respect copyright.PENANAyU0qgMuZpz
1097Please respect copyright.PENANA2a9dGYVXHe
Lung Chang enters the room, but he does not see Liqiu's mother.1097Please respect copyright.PENANAspU91cxQAR
1097Please respect copyright.PENANADdJOmEMr0B
"My mother is practicing her Swordplay outside. She told me to thank you for your help and to give you this."1097Please respect copyright.PENANA4LrmVVjTUy
1097Please respect copyright.PENANA3GdYL6oJms
Liqiu pulls out a golden knife decorated with gems and hands it over to Lung Chang. "This knife can cut through everything. It will be very useful to you."1097Please respect copyright.PENANAwcja00yG0M
1097Please respect copyright.PENANAQl7dDsQy2c
"Miss, I cannot accept this gift. In fact, I should be the one to thank you, since you saved me."1097Please respect copyright.PENANAJe2GKca8Bo
1097Please respect copyright.PENANAWEPSJh8QWM
"Please, accept this gift. I will be offended if you do not accept it."1097Please respect copyright.PENANAih7G0cM76w
1097Please respect copyright.PENANA4wcvHkmzgt
"Alright. I shall accept this knife. I thank you."1097Please respect copyright.PENANAcnfmSw7P0g
1097Please respect copyright.PENANASq49Hw1dZr
Lung Chang bows and leaves the room. He does not look back, as he does not wish to show that he has shed tears. He quickly wipes his tears and leaves. This act of Yang Liqiu had touched Lung Chang. For almost a year, he had met no friends and was all alone. He was treated as an outcast, as an enemy of the Martial Arts World. But now, someone actually treated him well. Miss Yang and her mother took him to the Shaolin Temple and looked after him. They thanked him again and again and gave him this precious treasure. Lung Chang felt that he was not alone and had some friends. But now, he has to leave and will be alone again.1097Please respect copyright.PENANA2F22eNTuKe
1097Please respect copyright.PENANA5FDF62ZK9L
Meanwhile, in Luchow, a man hurries into the city on horseback. The white horse he is riding is tall and strong. And the man who is riding the horse is none other than Piao Zhen, former brother in arms of Lung Chang and Sect Leader of the Kunlun Sect. His horse gallops into the city with great speed, knocking off citizens who walk in the streets, until he reaches the Office of the Magistrate.1097Please respect copyright.PENANA51whAfeGgl
1097Please respect copyright.PENANAchZzamjEXX
The entrance to the Office is guarded by four soldiers. The soldiers wear an armor that is made from a multitude of small pieces of steel shaped like the Chinese character for the word "mountain" (山). The pieces are interlocked and riveted to a cloth backing. The armor effectively covers the torso, shoulders and thighs while remaining comfortable and flexible enough to allow movement.1097Please respect copyright.PENANATF4zPY13N8
1097Please respect copyright.PENANAAizBeHykTK
The soldiers stop Piao Zhen and one of them asks: "Do you have an Official Seal?"1097Please respect copyright.PENANAo2zKP3nEiw
1097Please respect copyright.PENANArmHYQcIA2F
"No.", Piao Zhen replies. "But please tell Magistrate Chao that Piao Zhen wants to talk to him."1097Please respect copyright.PENANA7i3BMlyBm2
1097Please respect copyright.PENANAM3rrtlb2Oh
The soldier grunted. "Who do you think you are? Get out of here before I beat you up!"1097Please respect copyright.PENANAkczkNhBkla
1097Please respect copyright.PENANAzVVmdV5BHz
"Ha! If you fight against me, you will not last even three moves."1097Please respect copyright.PENANAsjBnEhxNbB
1097Please respect copyright.PENANAiENtH7UjDr
The soldier pulls out a sword and charges at Piao Zhen. Piao Zhen dodges the sword and with a swift move strikes out quickly at his opponent's eyes with the index and middle fingers of his right hand. He gouges out the soldier's eyes and blood runs like river on the man's face. He then kicks the man's chest with a powerful back kick which kills him.1097Please respect copyright.PENANAn1vQE8HFg3
1097Please respect copyright.PENANAt2RWyyPqEB
Piao Zhen laughs. "I told you that you would not last even three moves, but you did not listen to me. Well, this is what happens to arrogant people.". He then turns at the other three soldiers, who have been scared out of their wits. "Now, will you please fulfill my request?"1097Please respect copyright.PENANAlG3g721p6w
1097Please respect copyright.PENANA2GeofV50pp
"Yes, sir!", one of the soldiers replies and runs into the Office. A few minutes later, the Magistrate comes out of the Office with ten soldiers accompanying him and greets Piao Zhen. The Magistrate wears a red full-length robe with side slits beginning below the waist. There are side panels at the slits to conceal the undergarments and the robe is wide sleeved and has a belt. The Magistrate also wears a black hat with two wing-like flaps of thin, oval shaped boards on each side, indicating his status as an Official.1097Please respect copyright.PENANAbdL5LyGPuL
1097Please respect copyright.PENANAx87VMSjrgC
The Magistrate bows slightly before Piao Zhen and says: "Magistrate Chao of Luchow pays his respect to the esteemed Sect Leader Piao Zhen of the Kunlun Sect.". He then shouts: "Men, take those three soldiers who guarded the entrance and dared to offend Mr. Piao and behead them!"1097Please respect copyright.PENANAS78jFmiFJh
1097Please respect copyright.PENANACpzcEJO2AH
The three soldiers cry and plead for mercy, but their comrades follow the orders of Chao and take them to be beheaded, leaving Magistrate Chao and Piao Zhen alone.1097Please respect copyright.PENANAcl2PJdQvDz
1097Please respect copyright.PENANACH2y2Kx3tz
"Master Piao, I am terribly sorry for this incident."1097Please respect copyright.PENANA1fhQjZ88Sb
1097Please respect copyright.PENANAwOvabgT40W
"It's alright. Shall we go to you office to discuss?"1097Please respect copyright.PENANArDjZ6E4pAP
1097Please respect copyright.PENANA7meHwzlNdh
"Of course."1097Please respect copyright.PENANAu2U6OzIklh
1097Please respect copyright.PENANAHRTJOqdEEH
The two men enter into the Office and into a small room, that is nevertheless all gild. Even the desk of the Magistrate is golden. It shows the wealth and corruption of the Magistrate who overtaxes the people in order to live a luxurious life. The two men sit on two mats made from the best silk in the entire Ming Empire.1097Please respect copyright.PENANALV6K3GGwwH
1097Please respect copyright.PENANAeJTwWQYJB7
"Brother Chao, I hate long speeches, so let's come to the point.", Piao Zhen says smilingly. "Have you got the map?"1097Please respect copyright.PENANAN3AX3fYuTq
1097Please respect copyright.PENANAamWyyU3cKn
"Well....". Chao's face is sweating with cold sweat, showing his anxiousness.1097Please respect copyright.PENANAVr0jLQ95Hu
1097Please respect copyright.PENANA7leu7Wzjtx
"Well what?"1097Please respect copyright.PENANAfzB6Ych6Qz
1097Please respect copyright.PENANAOnhshoVkwx
"I managed to get it but.... but... it was stolen."1097Please respect copyright.PENANAbc9d0Z6u9V
1097Please respect copyright.PENANAzzBS0OXYDM
"How?!"1097Please respect copyright.PENANAuBZVVHMbVA
1097Please respect copyright.PENANAmQ95EbIE04
"Well, the carriage which transferred the map here was attacked on it's way to the city by bandits and-"1097Please respect copyright.PENANAahtT7RC3aY
1097Please respect copyright.PENANAXorPsQrHmH
Before he can finish his sentence, Piao Zhen's right hand shoots out and grabs his neck.1097Please respect copyright.PENANAuRcaEgRjjM
1097Please respect copyright.PENANAqqtWQcD56n
"Find me the map now or you will not live for too long."1097Please respect copyright.PENANAc08j2Y77Es
1097Please respect copyright.PENANAzWBFXLzC0c
Piao Zhen leaves the room and Magistrate Chao, who breaths with great difficulty, shouts "Colonel Li, come here!".1097Please respect copyright.PENANAEilzA89zHv
1097Please respect copyright.PENANAbolMbTy0Yp
A tall fat man wearing a military armour similar to the one worn by the soldiers enters the room and bows before the Magistrate. "Colonel Li respectfully awaits orders from Magistrate Chao."1097Please respect copyright.PENANASEWOm178R8
1097Please respect copyright.PENANAglIejVHwe1
"I want you to retake the map stolen by the bandits. You must complete your task in three days. I do not know how you will manage it, but if you fail, you shall be beheaded!"1097Please respect copyright.PENANAnrAlD5sn6X
1097Please respect copyright.PENANAnKtPdLin6l
"Rest assured, sir! I will complete my task!"1097Please respect copyright.PENANAH1DnW1hrSG
1097Please respect copyright.PENANACnnGxx5xuH
Colonel Li goes to the barracks and takes 40 soldiers with him. He then orders the soldiers to search around for any suspicious persons and to find information about the location of the bandits. The soldiers find the chance to use the excuse of "investigating" to loot all the shops in the city and commit murders, rapes and other despicable acts. One of those companies of soldiers enters the 'Tavern of Lu', the most famous tavern in the city. The six soldiers who enter the Tavern shout: "Everyone do not move! We are investigating an act of robbery and so we need your cooperation."1097Please respect copyright.PENANA9aEjc22s1a
1097Please respect copyright.PENANAJtgXct3u4c
The costumers are all scared and anxious, except for a young woman sitting on the left corner of the shop. That woman is Wu Lan, daughter of Wu Ma, brother of the deceased Chief of Huashan Sect, Master Wu Kang. After she had failed in her attempt to kill Lung Chang, she went further South to meet with her father. On her way South, she stopped at this Tavern to have a meal.1097Please respect copyright.PENANAAMaI9l6NYX
1097Please respect copyright.PENANAmeDLrjPHsm
The soldiers, seeing the Lan, come towards her. One of them smiles at her and says: "Pretty lady, why do you not come with us to have some fun?". The other soldiers laugh heartily, but Lan just walks away. The soldier grabs her arm and pulls her towards him, but she kicks him on the belly with a back kick and pulls out her sword.1097Please respect copyright.PENANAnFMkJutXyC
1097Please respect copyright.PENANAjmr9wnCmhu
The soldier, despite being kicked, laughs and comments: "I like girls like you.". He and his comrades pull out their swords and charge at her. Lan, although furious with the soldiers, decides to retreat by a few steps; in a fight, no matter how angry you are, you must never act rashly.1097Please respect copyright.PENANAtfeEx3iOLz
1097Please respect copyright.PENANApWCXV912Zg
The soldiers surround her and one of them charges at her. She uses her sword to block the soldier's sword and a "clang" is heard. Although the power of the soldier is great, the internal energy of Lan is even greater and so the soldier is pushed back. She then somersaults and thrusts her sword directly towards an other soldier's throat. She pierces the throat and blood is spurted out from the throat. Two other soldiers charge against her, but Lan uses her lightness Kung Fu to retreat by a few steps. She then grabs one of the Tavern's wooden chairs and throws it at the two soldiers. Although the first dodges the chair, the second is hit by it and falls on the ground. The soldier who dodged the chair tries to run away, but Lan somersaults and kicks his stomach, causing him to vomit blood.1097Please respect copyright.PENANAlGyfwfCK5B
1097Please respect copyright.PENANAV7D0peFmwr
Although she has killed one soldier and injured seriously an other, she still has to face four more soldiers. It is then when the shout of a man is heard: "Stop it!". The soldiers turn round and look at the man who shouted at them: Piao Zhen. After the execution of the three soldiers who dared to offend Piao Zhen, the soldiers of Magistrate Chao do not dare to disobey Piao Zhen's orders and run away.1097Please respect copyright.PENANAdoPvG2cca3
1097Please respect copyright.PENANA9xl5FRKTBv
Piao Zhen approaches Lan, who is surprised to see how eagerly the soldiers obeyed this young and well dressed man.1097Please respect copyright.PENANAhmkghMNn6E
1097Please respect copyright.PENANA3M705xCHzk
"Miss, I am Piao Zhen, Sect Leader of the Kunlun Sect. May I know your esteemed name?"1097Please respect copyright.PENANAzcWlVev31X
1097Please respect copyright.PENANAHl0OHg17VT
"Oh...I see. You are the 'Gentleman Swordsman' Piao Zhen. It is of no surprise that the soldiers fled when they saw you. My name is Lan."1097Please respect copyright.PENANAf5iMjckWSs
1097Please respect copyright.PENANA5yHZ9f3Lwc
"What about your family name?"1097Please respect copyright.PENANAhYJENqm9Jd
1097Please respect copyright.PENANArRW27K568a
"Is there any reason to ask so many questions?"1097Please respect copyright.PENANAmyreO39dd8
1097Please respect copyright.PENANAewY1VBAySV
Piao Zhen blushes. "No. I am just amazed with your skills. Miss Lan, where are you heading to?"1097Please respect copyright.PENANAa0cI823HpF
1097Please respect copyright.PENANA1q7uIJMk10
"Wherever I want!"1097Please respect copyright.PENANAOKqj2htsLQ
1097Please respect copyright.PENANA3VVsxotJCT
Lan is very annoyed with Piao Zhen bothering her with his constant questions and with her fiery temper, she cannot hide her annoyance any longer.1097Please respect copyright.PENANANxYAwsjP2w
1097Please respect copyright.PENANAIi5BYSSgTk
"I am sorry if I have offended you. But, I would like to ask you some more questions."1097Please respect copyright.PENANA6Z2r5z5h3g
1097Please respect copyright.PENANA9ifyksmAIj
Lan just ignores him and walks away, but Piao Zhen somersaults and lands before her, stopping her from leaving.1097Please respect copyright.PENANAVT7CK6nFYx
1097Please respect copyright.PENANAh0oPG9PZ1X
"So the Gentleman swordsman is in fact bullying women? What a great hero indeed!"1097Please respect copyright.PENANAAZ0W72samW
1097Please respect copyright.PENANA3zVvcQhnU2
Piao Zhen remains calm despite Lan's mockery.1097Please respect copyright.PENANATzGw1c6TdK
1097Please respect copyright.PENANAX6uogeym8v
"Miss, you have misunderstood me."1097Please respect copyright.PENANA69FGcmaou1
1097Please respect copyright.PENANALaPpGsdle0
"Oh, really?"1097Please respect copyright.PENANA3foI6KD4PM
1097Please respect copyright.PENANAoEaDy0cH9R
"Yes. I just want to exterminate the bandits of this area."1097Please respect copyright.PENANAdDoln30sUT
1097Please respect copyright.PENANAgMmCmLtuRs
"And what has this to do with me?!"1097Please respect copyright.PENANAt8r03RVU48
1097Please respect copyright.PENANAhu3k6TLGJt
"You are very highly skilled and you do not want to reveal your family name, so I believe that you are in cahoots with the bandits."1097Please respect copyright.PENANAvg54Zou4Is
1097Please respect copyright.PENANAZtHRldyRze
"How dare you?!". Although Lan could easily have gotten out of trouble just by telling Piao Zhen of her family name, her fiery temper overtakes her and she slaps him. Piao Zhen just laughs.1097Please respect copyright.PENANAEwNc4ml3LG
1097Please respect copyright.PENANA2rgTq1SG2z
"Miss, please come with me to the Office of Magistrate Chao or I will have to offend you."1097Please respect copyright.PENANAO3y89H9U2F
1097Please respect copyright.PENANAH8aJen6qka
"You dare?"1097Please respect copyright.PENANAWlpBeR4oY3
1097Please respect copyright.PENANA3p8ZmgT5CL
"Of course I do."1097Please respect copyright.PENANAswBaCD1nwj
1097Please respect copyright.PENANAfpcEofiMbt
Lan charges forward with her sword against Piao Zhen. The move was so fast that the costumers watching the fight did not realized what happened until a few seconds later. However, Piao Zhen is a very highly skilled pugilist, despite his young age, and so he quickly stretches out his hand and easily grabs the sword by the hilt. He then seal Lan's Vital Points, temporary paralyzing her.1097Please respect copyright.PENANATCz9J7FSic
1097Please respect copyright.PENANAm1HPddLKu3
He bows slightly before her and says: "Miss, I am sorry to have offended you, but I must end the suffering of the civilians and end the plague of the bandits in this region."1097Please respect copyright.PENANAhrLvJjJr8Q
1097Please respect copyright.PENANAm7IwrqCZvq
Suddenly, a tall and handsome bearded man with naked muscular torso and wearing only black trousers, shouts: "It is not the bandits who plague the city. It is the corrupt Magistrate and his soldiers!". All of the costumers applaud him.1097Please respect copyright.PENANAPxkXnWSV4t
1097Please respect copyright.PENANADpiZpw8NOU
"And may I know your esteemed name, sir?", Piao Zhen calmly asks. He does not want to cause a fight without knowing the identity of his enemy.1097Please respect copyright.PENANA10RdxgXOT8
1097Please respect copyright.PENANAMYth1b4JzD
"My name is Hong Long (Red Dragon) and I am leader of the 'bandits'."1097Please respect copyright.PENANADWkIdtQygg
1097Please respect copyright.PENANAn9d3GgENKz
"So, you stole the map!?"1097Please respect copyright.PENANAC5ONGnlUoP
1097Please respect copyright.PENANAUAMhP9oixq
Although Piao Zhen is normally calm and never gets angry, this time his anxiousness to find the map overtakes him.1097Please respect copyright.PENANAkShFG1WOlT
1097Please respect copyright.PENANAs1DhYnqe3y
"What use is this map to you?"1097Please respect copyright.PENANAfz4sEEaInw
1097Please respect copyright.PENANAgE6aD2A2gW
Piao Zhen thinks for a few seconds and does not reply, not wanting to reveal the true reasons he wants the map.1097Please respect copyright.PENANAL8zdfC7nit
1097Please respect copyright.PENANARuBBSVTgfg
Hong Long says: "What use does a hero like you has of a map showing the locations of all armies in the Ming Empire?"1097Please respect copyright.PENANAojNOUjTHX2
1097Please respect copyright.PENANABgHEm3jhLG
Piao Zhen knows that if he does not react quickly, his plans will fail. He strikes out with his palms, but the man dodges the attack and punches his right fist on Piao Zhen's left cheek. Piao Zhen vomits blood and Hong Long unseals Lan's Vital Points. Piao Zhen is ready to continue the fight, but Hong Long grabs Lan and uses his Lightness Kung Fu to run away. Hong Long's Lightness skill was unlike anything Piao Zhen had seen before; Hong Long run so fast that Piao Zgeb did not even realize that he had moved until many seconds later. Piao Zhen tries to follow them, but his lightness Kung Fu is not on par with Hong Long's. He will have to find an other way to catch that 'bandit'.1097Please respect copyright.PENANAjrpLvEeA6Y
1097Please respect copyright.PENANASstowoCAUv
Meanwhile, ten soldiers arrive at the Tavern, notified by the sound of fighting. Seeing Piao Zhen, they all bow before him. One of them says: "Master Piao, do you have any orders?"1097Please respect copyright.PENANArpumYTHSvB
1097Please respect copyright.PENANAv3hpTRLxmH
"Yes. Rush into the Tavern and execute everyone."1097Please respect copyright.PENANAXrwrM0GUm6
1097Please respect copyright.PENANAOsPHkiXLDn
Those who were in the Tavern heard too many things about the contents of the map and Piao Zhen cannot take the risk of letting them leave and spread the story about the map. So, the soldiers charge into the Tavern and massacre everyone. They also find the chance to loot the place. Why Piao Zhen wants to get this map? Who is Hong Long? 1097Please respect copyright.PENANAeGYJ6d7JV7