Tu Liong listened intently. "Think about it. A person who has lost their sight, an old man suffering from severe injuries, then wants to hang himself... this is certainly difficult to do."
"Who is the perpetrator?" Tu Liong posed a new question.
"It's hard to say."
"Kie-hong, if you want to say something, just say it... it seems the culprit is already on your mind..."
"Who?"
"Only Cu Taiya might be involved in this."
"Tu toako, I've also considered that possibility, but I didn't dare to say it. I didn't dare to keep thinking about it."
"Why?"
"Because... it seems very unlikely. Thinking back to those years, those old friends were very close. They maintained a harmonious relationship. Hui Taiya was injured, his eyes couldn't see... how could Cu Taiya do such a thing in difficult times like this..."
"A killer's intention is not always to see their opponent dead; many kill so they themselves can continue living... Kie-hong, you've done the right thing by telling me. Don't worry, I can discern between good and bad, right and wrong."
Wie Kie-hong was at a loss for words and could only remain silent, watching his interlocutor.
"What about your conversation with Thiat-yan?"
"She said my father is still alive."
"Well, that's good news."
"But... but..."
"Why didn't you tell me directly?"
"She said my father is being forced by someone, he's nothing more than a living corpse, alive but as if dead..."
"Who did this?"
"She said it was Cu Siau-thian."
"Oh...?" This time, Tu Liong was shocked. "You mentioned earlier that Cu Siau-thian was the only one involved. But I think it might not be the case. If secretly there is someone like this, they must understand everything as if turning their hand over. They took the opportunity by killing Hui Taiya so that those who knew the situation might suspect Cu Taiya, making him the target of everyone's suspicion. This is also a possibility."
"Kie-hong, thank you for making me aware, for standing in my position. I hope your considerations become reality. Now, I want to return to Cu Taiya and have a decisive discussion. Maybe..."
"Don't you feel it's dangerous?"
"I know, if he can kill his own close friend, he can surely kill me too."
"If our assumptions are wrong, wouldn't it hurt Cu Taiya's feelings?"
"Kie-hong, your heart is truly noble. I will certainly find the right moment to discuss it, rest assured."
Wie Kie-hong couldn't say much more. The two parted ways.
Just as he walked a few steps away, suddenly Hiong-ki appeared before him. Now Wie Kie-hong also had a suspicion. He knew Hiong-ki's appearance wasn't just coincidental, his expression was very calm. Kie-hong simply nodded.
"What did Wie heng discuss with Tu Liong earlier?"
"I conveyed the words Hiong heng entrusted to me."
"How was his reaction?"
"Actually, Hiong heng didn't need to use me to inform him again. You two had discussed this issue before, your words have already made a big impact on him."
"Oh...?" Hiong-ki's words took a sharp turn. "Have you met Miss Thiat-yan?"
"Yes."
"What did you discuss?"
"The matter concerning my father... is Hiong heng very interested in all this?"
Hiong-ki wasn't so foolish as to not understand what Wie Kie-hong was getting at. He spoke softly, "It seems Wie heng has misunderstood me."
"I just feel Hiong heng's appearance is always timely, it doesn't seem coincidental."
"Sometime, Wie heng will surely understand. For now, I just want to say 'do not fully believe or disbelieve anyone's words'."
"Does this include your words?"
Hiong-ki just smiled, then clasped his hands together and departed.
Wie Kie-hong watched Hiong-ki's back until he disappeared from view. Only then did he turn away to leave.
0-0-0
Wie Kie-hong hired a carriage and went to San-poa alley to the residence of Bu Tiat-cui. It turned out the owner was home. To his sudden visit, Bu Tiat-cui seemed not surprised at all.
"Mr. Bu, I have a question you must answer honestly."
"Oh...?" Bu Tiat-cui's reaction was still very calm.
"Every question you answer, you'll get paid. That's why I've prepared a sum of money for you. Fifty foreign currency. It's not a small amount."
"I want to have that money."
"The question is very simple, who ordered you to keep the yellow leather suitcase?"
"I can't say."
"Why?"
"I just can't."
"Then I'll double the money, to a hundred, how about it?"
"Even if you give me a thousand foreign currency, I can't tell."
"You must at least give a reason."
"This is a matter of life and death. At that time, I also received money from someone else. They warned me, if I disclose this secret, I will die."
"If I say now, I'll kill you if you don't answer. Will you still keep silent?"
"You... you're joking."
Wie Kie-hong pulled out a knife and waved it in front of Bu Tiat-cui.
"If you don't answer my question, I will kill you. I'm serious."
Bu Tiat-cui's face immediately changed.
"I'll ask one last time. Who gave you the yellow leather suitcase to keep?"
Suddenly, Bu Tiat-cui leaped from his seat and ran out the door. But how could Bu Tiat-cui escape, once Wie Kie-hong reached out his right shoulder, he had already caught him.
Wie Kie-hong quickly moved behind Bu Tiat-cui, and the small knife he held was pressed against his cheek.
Bu Tiat-cui looked like a defendant. But unexpectedly, Bu Tiat-cui didn't just have a steel-like mouth but also quick wits. When Wie Kie-hong was behind him, Bu Tiat-cui's hand shot down, trying to grip the vital area between Wie Kie-hong's legs.
Fortunately, Wie Kie-hong realized this quickly. Because he was pressed against Bu Tiat-cui, he had to thrust his buttocks far so Bu Tiat-cui's grip missed.
Bu Tiat-cui knew this was his only chance to escape. He also thrust his buttocks and lowered his head. In a flash, he freed himself from Wie Kie-hong's embrace. He ran out again.
Unfortunately, he wasn't fast enough. Wie Kie-hong quickly extended his left hand and grabbed Bu Tiat-cui's left shoulder.
Once again, Bu Tiat-cui exhibited his skill in escaping difficult situations. Now Bu Tiat-cui was back to Wie Kie-hong. His right hand immediately lifted to his left shoulder, gripping Wie Kie-hong's hand. After gripping tightly, he dropped his shoulder and turned back. Bu Tiat-cui twisted Wie Kie-hong's left hand with force. Now they stood facing each other. Only Wie Kie-hong wasn't standing straight. He was slightly bent in pain.
Bu Tiat-cui wasted no time. His right leg immediately kicked Wie Kie-hong's right hand, which still held the knife. The knife flew out of Wie Kie-hong's hand and landed on the cabinet in the corner of the room.
"JLEEPP." The knife stuck firmly in the cabinet.
Once back on his feet, now it was Bu Tiat-cui's left leg that attacked. The leg swung toward Wie Kie-hong's face. Wie Kie-hong quickly used his right hand to grip the fast-approaching leg. Suddenly, Wie Kie-hong stood straight. He now had a positional advantage, as Bu Tiat-cui's left leg was in his grip. Quickly, he kicked his right foot toward Bu Tiat-cui. The kick hit his stomach squarely. Bu Tiat-cui screamed in pain and was thrown back.
Wie Kie-hong immediately ran to the cabinet to retrieve his knife. Just as his left hand touched the knife handle, it was gripped tightly by Bu Tiat-cui's right hand. Wie Kie-hong quickly threw his left hand to break Bu Tiat-cui's defense. Instantly, he punched with all his might toward his chest. But Bu Tiat-cui was no slower. His left hand quickly caught the punch firmly. Wie Kie-hong swung his right foot toward Bu Tiat-cui. Bu Tiat-cui released his grip on Wie Kie-hong's fist and with the same hand, blocked his foot hard. Wie Kie-hong's foot stung, and reflexively went back down.
This time, Bu Tiat-cui's left foot stepped forward. The palm that had blocked his foot slid quickly and hit his chest hard. Now it was Wie Kie-hong's turn to groan in pain.
Wie Kie-hong retreated several steps, staring at Bu Tiat-cui in disbelief. He didn't know his opponent could martial arts. He wouldn't believe it if he hadn't seen it himself.
Bu Tiat-cui stood in a Tai Chi stance. Wie Kie-hong didn't know how to handle it, but he couldn't stay silent. So he stepped forward and tried to attack him. His right hand quickly formed a fist flying towards his chest. Suddenly, Bu Tiat-cui's left hand reached out to meet the incoming fist, while his right hand lifted to ear level. After catching Wie Kie-hong's fist, he quickly pulled back his left hand, and his right palm flew forward and hit his chest.
Wie Kie-hong was shocked. But he didn't have time to stay shocked. Before Wie Kie-hong stopped from the force of the punch, Bu Tiat-cui had stepped his left foot forward. His right hand lifted to ear level again and immediately charged at Wie Kie-hong's chest.
Wie Kie-hong immediately lost his balance. He fell tumbling. Not only his chest hurt, but his body ached from hitting the floor. He quickly stood on his feet.
Bu Tiat-cui returned to the Tai Chi stance. He exhaled, having finished his attack. Wie Kie-hong knew he couldn't underestimate his opponent. Wie Kie-hong also assumed his fighting stance. After a moment, he lunged forward toward Bu Tiat-cui again. His fists flew rapidly.
Bu Tiat-cui remained calm. His hands, which were above his slightly bent thighs, quickly spun. All Wie Kie-hong's punches could be fended off well.
"In-jiu!!" Wie Kie-hong exclaimed in his heart. In-jiu (Cloud Hand) is one of the Tai Chi moves. Wie Kie-hong's concentration wavered slightly. Bu Tiat-cui quickly seized this opportunity to launch his next move. His body weight shifted to the left. His hands swung down and his body bent slightly. Suddenly, he stood straight again. His left and right hands each gripped Wie Kie-hong's left and right hands.
---
**
Glossary:**
- **Tu Liong**: A character in the story.
- **Kie-hong**: Another character in the story, referred to as Wie Kie-hong.
- **Cu Taiya**: A character potentially involved in a crime.
- **Hui Taiya**: A victim in the story who was blind and injured.
- **Thiat-yan**: A character who provides information about Kie-hong's father.
- **Cu Siau-thian**: Mentioned as the person responsible for Kie-hong's father's condition.
- **Hiong-ki**: A character who interacts with Wie Kie-hong.
- **Bu Tiat-cui**: A character who engages in a physical confrontation with Wie Kie-hong.
- **Tai Chi**: A form of martial arts.
- **In-jiu (Cloud Hand)**: A specific Tai Chi move.