After the three sat down comfortably, the carriage started to move.
Boh Tan-ping was the first to break the silence.
He asked, "Tu Liong, now that you know the truth, how do you feel?" "Very painful." "Is it really that painful?" "Indeed." "If it hurts that much, why waste energy digging it up and hurting yourself further?" "Humans naturally seek trouble; they enjoy getting hurt... Master Boh, you once were sworn brothers with Cu Siau-thian. Now that you’ve revealed his secret, how do you feel?" "I had no choice. When someone is forced, they end up doing many things without considering the consequences."
The three sat in a row, with Boh Tan-ping in the middle. His hands rested on his lap, and he appeared very calm. However, his words carried an underlying meaning.
Tu Liong pondered for a moment, then asked, "Master Boh, is there something you wish to say?" "There’s nothing. I just want to inform you. I’ve always been like this; I dislike betraying others." "I know... you did it out of necessity. Just as you’re sitting calmly beside me now, you have no intention of escaping." Boh Tan-ping laughed bitterly, "Tu Liong, I believe you’ve planned everything from the start. I might as well be honest with you." "Master Boh, I suddenly understand what strategy you’re playing at." Boh Tan-ping snorted loudly.
"You’re both younger than me, and now the two of you are against me alone. You’re bound to have the upper hand. How could I dare scheme?" "What if it was one-on-one?" "If it was one-on-one, I’d surely have the upper hand. Tu Liong... we’ve sparred before, why ask this?" "When we face Cu Taiya, we’ll fight one-on-one. No wonder you’re following us so obediently now. It turns out you plan to use Cu Taiya’s strength to get you out of this mess, and then you’ll try to kill us. Is that right?"
Boh Tan-ping’s expression changed slightly.
"Now I think to prove your words, we don’t need to go to Cu Siau-thian anymore." "Oh... do you often change your mind so quickly?" "Hear me out first. You said you wanted to meet Cu Taiya to verify your claim, putting us both in a disadvantageous position. If your words were lies, I’d surely hurt Cu Taiya’s feelings. Therefore, I’ve decided not to meet him for now." "Then how will you release me?" "Master Boh," Tu Liong spoke methodically from the start, "I have one issue to clarify. I’ve said there are only three questions, so after answering them, I won’t ask further. In fact, my main purpose in seeking you today has already been put aside. Now, I’m handing you over to Wie Kie-hong. He wants to ask you about the whereabouts of his biological father."
"I’ve already told you, I don’t know..." "Under certain conditions, you’ll surely say if you know..."
Tu Liong promptly instructed the carriage driver to turn the carriage out of the west gate. Tu Liong intended to head to Sie-san.
"Tu Liong!" Boh Tan-ping spoke in a low voice. "Because Thiat-yan considers you young heroes, he instructed me not to harm you. All this time, I’ve had to endure your behavior repeatedly. Don’t think I’m afraid of you." "I know you’re not afraid of us, and we’re not afraid of anyone either." "Wie Kie-hong!" Boh Tan-ping turned his head to look in the opposite direction. "I don’t know what ultimately happened to your father, but if you mess with me, we might never meet again." Wie Kie-hong coldly said, "I only listen to Tu toako. Whatever he tells me to do, I will do." "Don’t you have your own stance and opinion?" "Of course, I have my own thoughts. My stance is to follow all Tu toako’s orders."
"Tu Liong!" Boh Tan-ping began to sound emotional, "You can’t force people too much..." "Master Boh... your words are too much. If I don’t force you, you won’t talk." "Tu Liong, will you push me to risk my life?" "Unfortunately, you only have one life." "I don’t believe you have the heart to kill someone." "If you dare, why wouldn’t I?"
Wie Kie-hong never interfered verbally. The small knife he held closely pressed against Boh Tan-ping. Although Boh Tan-ping was emotional, he knew he couldn’t do much; to risk himself meant losing his life. He wouldn’t let go easily.
"Wie Kie-hong," Boh Tan-ping started to retaliate, "I promise to help you find out about your father's whereabouts now. Give me one or two days to search for him, alright?" Wie Kie-hong didn’t respond. It was as if he didn’t hear him.
"Tu Liong! This kid only listens to you. Say something." Tu Liong coldly replied, "What’s the use of me talking to him? Talking to you is more useful... I know, eventually, you’ll speak." "If you kill me, I’ll still say those three words... I don’t know."
Not long after, the carriage stopped. They had arrived at Sie-san. Tu Liong looked grim. "Master Boh, you’d better comply. If you intend to escape, we’ll surely kill you."
On a festive day like this, few guests came and went. Tu Liong and Wie Kie-hong forced Boh Tan-ping to follow them. The knife Wie Kie-hong held closely pressed against his waist. If they happened to pass by someone, the knife wouldn’t be easily visible.
Every autumn, the leaves on the trees turn fiery red. Now the leaves appeared fresh and green. Wie Kie-hong and Tu Liong agreed to take Boh Tan-ping to the forest’s center to avoid passersby.
Tu Liong had planned ahead and brought a rope from the carriage. He then tied Boh Tan-ping to a tree trunk. Boh Tan-ping didn’t resist at all; perhaps he no longer had the courage to fight.
"Kie-hong, now you can ask about your biological father’s whereabouts." Boh Tan-ping shouted again, "I don’t know!" "Tu toako, you’ve heard it yourself. Even if we ask again, his answer will always be those three words." "Right."
Boh Tan-ping growled and clenched his jaw tightly. "If I say I don’t know, it means I truly don’t know." "Is the knife you’re holding just an ornament? If he says he doesn’t know, cut a bit of his flesh. Even if he’s strong, losing some flesh, we’ll see if he still says he doesn’t know. If he still says so, it means he really doesn’t know."
Wie Kie-hong looked at the knife he held. He seemed uncertain about what to do. It was clear he couldn’t act that way.
"Wie Kie-hong, do you want me to help ask him?" "Tu Liong!" Boh Tan-ping laughed coldly, "Your fox tail has finally shown. I used my saw sword to injure you, and you surely hold a grudge. That’s why you’re using Wie Kie-hong to exact revenge under the pretense of asking about Wie Ceng when your real intention is to hurt me. Isn’t that right?" "Kie-hong, do you believe what he says?" Tu Liong asked lightly. "Of course, I don’t believe it."
"Boh Tan-ping, your tactic failed once again. You intended to sow discord between Wie Kie-hong and me, but unfortunately, you don’t know how close our relationship is... Boh Tan-ping, now you’re very unlucky." Tu Liong tore Boh Tan-ping's upper garment with force. At the same time, he took the knife from Wie Kie-hong’s hand.
At this moment, someone suddenly entered the forest. Slowly but surely, this person walked toward the three of them. This person was Cu Siau-thian.
Cu Siau-thian stepped very slowly. At a glance, he appeared like someone who happened to pass by. Seeing three people in the forest, he walked closer to see what was happening.
"Kie-hong... do you see him?" Tu Liong whispered. "Mm..." Wie Kie-hong didn’t take his eyes off Cu Siau-thian. "Two against one, we can’t possibly lose to him." "Mm..." "What we should fear is if our hearts hesitate. Remember, don’t hesitate." "I understand."
At this point, Cu Siau-thian was already in front of them. Seeing Cu Siau-thian, Boh Tan-ping kept silent... Wie Kie-hong and Tu Liong just stared at him without speaking.
---
**
Glossary:**
1. **Tu Liong** - A character in the novel, likely a martial artist.
2. **Boh Tan-ping** - Another character, possibly with a complex relationship with Tu Liong.
3. **Cu Siau-thian** - A character who seems to have some authority or significance.
4. **Cu Taiya** - Possibly a person of importance or power, related to the situation.
5. **Wie Kie-hong** - A young martial artist, loyal to Tu Liong.
6. **Thiat-yan** - A character mentioned as considering Tu Liong and Wie Kie-hong as young heroes.
7. **Wie Ceng** - Wie Kie-hong’s biological father, whose whereabouts are unknown.
8. **Saw Sword** - A weapon possibly used by Boh Tan-ping.