He drew out the iron needle he always kept hidden and immediately thrust it into a vital acupoint of the nikoh.
He deliberately chose a non-lethal acupoint, one that would only incapacitate and paralyze.
He did not wish to bear the sin of killing a nikoh.
The nikoh fell with a sharp scream, but suddenly transformed into Thiat-yan.
Cu Siau-thian was stunned.
At first, he did not understand what had happened.
He cherished his only daughter dearly.
He could not comprehend what had truly transpired.
Suddenly, he realized the nikoh had hypnotized him into believing that Thiat-yan, whom he attacked, was the nikoh.
It could be said that he had crippled his own child with his own hands.
Cu Siau-thian's head felt like it was about to burst.
He widened his eyes in shock and collapsed weakly onto the floor.
The last thing he heard consciously were the words of the nikoh.
Even though the battle had not yet begun, Boh Tan-ping seemed already exhausted.
His face appeared slightly pale, and it seemed he was not fully concentrating on the fight. He was pondering something repeatedly.
His thoughts appeared to weigh heavily on his heart.
This was clearly reflected on his face.
Tu Liong immediately advanced to attack Boh Tan-ping.
A sharp little knife swiftly shot toward his chest.
Boh Tan-ping seemed a bit absent-minded.
Tu Liong's sudden shout brought him back to awareness.
He tried to swing his sawtooth sword to fend off the attack. "TRAAANG" A formidable warrior can still fight well even when preoccupied.
After Tu Liong's knife was deflected to the side, he immediately swung his sawtooth sword toward Tu Liong.
But he was already very tired.
His movements were no longer agile.
Tu Liong easily evaded his attack.
While Boh Tan-ping struggled to lift his heavy sawtooth sword, Tu Liong had already stepped forward and pressed his palm against his opponent's chest.
A tremendous pain immediately struck his chest.
Boh Tan-ping staggered back several steps.
He knew he could not continue fighting like this.
He quickly turned to Cu Siau-thian, seeking help.
But it seemed Cu Siau-thian paid him no mind.
He was turning his face away and looking at his own daughter, even though she was not being attacked by the nikoh.
Boh Tan-ping felt disappointed.
So disappointed that he failed to notice Tu Liong striking him again with his palm.
He was thrown back, crashing into the wall.
Tu Liong did not let him go that easily; in a moment, he was again upon him and spoke clearly into his ear.
"Why do you keep defending Cu Siau-thian?" He no longer cares for you; you were not born of him." After saying this, Tu Liong swung the knife in his hand toward Boh Tan-ping's neck.
The knife embedded itself in the wall, missing his neck's skin by just one centimeter.
This action was deliberate by Tu Liong.
He only looked deeply into Boh Tan-ping's eyes.
Boh Tan-ping slumped weakly.
Tu Liong immediately turned away, turned his body, and walked toward the white-browed killer.
Thoughts began to swirl inside Boh Tan-ping's head.
He was only half-conscious when he saw Tu Liong's severed hand.
He was confused when Cu Siau-thian stabbed his own child, disbelieving that the white-browed killer's head was pierced by a long sword.
Unfortunately, he witnessed all of this with his own eyes.
He could not possibly believe it.
Suddenly he felt weary of it all.
After all the heartbreaking screams, he heard the nikoh speak.
Cu Siau-thian's laughter boomed loudly, but Tu Liong paid it little attention.
The wound on his right shoulder still throbbed, but he no longer harbored much resentment toward Boh Tan-ping.
He knew that Boh Tan-ping was actually a good person.
He had proven his loyalty.
Throughout, he remained loyal to Cu Siau-thian, his former master.
"Too bad he can't change his perspective like I did," he thought to himself.
Even so, Tu Liong still intended to defeat Boh Tan-ping and make him realize the truth.
Finally, Cu Siau-thian's laughter ceased.
Everyone dashed to attack.
Tu Liong did not remain idle either.
He immediately darted toward Boh Tan-ping.
But to his surprise, Boh Tan-ping just stood there, unmoving.
It seemed he was daydreaming, lost in thought.
Even as Tu Liong's knife almost pierced his chest, he appeared to remain in a daze.
Tu Liong quickly shouted loudly to bring him back to reality.
Once aware again, Boh Tan-ping was startled to see Tu Liong so close.
He quickly swung his sawtooth sword, deflecting the knife racing toward his chest.
"TRAAANG" Tu Liong was grateful he regained consciousness just in time.
The sawtooth sword swirled and swung toward him again.
From his fierce battle with Boh Tan-ping, Tu Liong knew that Boh Tan-ping's martial arts were truly impressive.
But this time, the slashing of the sawtooth sword seemed reckless.
Tu Liong could easily dodge it.
He sidestepped to the left, stamped his foot, and launched a palm strike toward his chest.
Boh Tan-ping was clearly unprepared for this battle.
He was forced back several steps.
He turned to Cu Siau-thian, seeking help.
But Cu Siau-thian paid him no heed.
Tu Liong knew this was his golden opportunity to make Boh Tan-ping realize the truth.
He charged swiftly toward him.
Once again, his palm struck hard against his chest.
Boh Tan-ping was flung hard and slammed into the wall.
If Tu Liong truly wanted to kill him, he would already be dead by now.
"This is the moment," Tu Liong said in his heart.
He immediately dashed toward Boh Tan-ping, pinning him to the wall until he could not move.
Tu Liong spoke clearly into his ear.
"Why do you keep defending Cu Siau-thian?" He no longer cares for you; you were not born of him." After that, Tu Liong swung the knife in his hand toward Boh Tan-ping's neck.
The knife embedded itself in the wall, missing his neck's skin by just one centimeter.
Tu Liong gazed deeply into Boh Tan-ping's eyes.
Boh Tan-ping slumped weakly.
Tu Liong thought he had done all he could.
Whether he would turn over a new leaf or continue serving the wrong master was entirely up to Boh Tan-ping.
He immediately turned his face, turned his body, and walked toward the white-browed killer.
Wie Kie-hong was still very young.
Tu Liong was unsure if he could face the white-browed killer effectively.
Tu Liong could not remain idle.
He had to help him.
The white-browed killer had his back turned to him.
He seemed engaged in a fierce battle with Wie Kie-hong.
Wie Kie-hong seemed overwhelmed by him.
Until at one point, Wie Kie-hong made a fatal mistake.
He failed to recover his defenses after failing to attack the white-browed killer.
Tu Liong saw the white-browed killer swing his sword at the weakened defense.
Tu Liong knew that if he did not intervene immediately, Wie Kie-hong would surely lose his life.
Without hesitation, Tu Liong immediately dashed toward the white-browed killer, extending his left hand and gripping his shoulder.
He shouted loudly: "Kie-hong!! Be careful!!!" The white-browed killer looked startled.
He did not expect someone to be behind him.
The white-browed killer's concentration shattered for a moment.
Thanks to Tu Liong's help, Wie Kie-hong managed to evade the attack.
But suddenly, the white-browed killer spun around and immediately slashed Tu Liong's left shoulder, severing it.
A sharp pain pierced Tu Liong's shoulder.
He screamed loudly and staggered backward.
Fresh blood spurted everywhere.
He heard Wie Kie-hong shout at him.
"Tu Toako...!!!" After that, the white-browed killer also screamed with a very heart-wrenching voice.
Before losing consciousness, he still had time to hear the nikoh say: "Amitaba...
the net of fate is not tight, yet no one can pass through it." Wie Kie-hong's body still felt sore. His stamina had not recovered after fighting Boh Tan-ping at Uncle Tan's residence.
But at this moment, he paid it no mind.
His fiery heart and explosive emotions drove him to seek revenge on the white-browed killer as soon as possible.
Cu Siau-thian laughed long.
Wie Kie-hong had already prepared himself to attack the white-browed killer.
He ignored everything else.
His eyes remained fixed on his father's sword, now glowing a bright blue.
When the laughter ceased, Wie Kie-hong immediately let out a loud scream and dashed swiftly, attempting to slash the white-browed killer in half.
"HIAAAAAHHH!!!!" It seemed the white-browed killer was just as eager as he was.
Their swords clashed.
Repeated sword slashes occurred.
TRANG!!! TRANG!!! TRANG!!! TRANG!!! At first, the white-browed killer appeared to be pushed back.
Wie Kie-hong felt that the white-browed killer's martial arts were not as formidable as people claimed.
He could not understand how his father could have been killed by someone like this.
He then recalled all the people he had killed.
Hiong-ki, whom he admired, Hui Taiya, and his foster father Leng Souw-hiang.
All of these fueled his emotions further, but his mind grew more clouded.
His attacks became increasingly reckless.
Gradually, Wie Kie-hong's hands began to feel weary.
Wie Kie-hong realized he was not ready to face the white-browed killer.
He needed to rest for a moment to recover his strength.
But he could not retreat.
Retreating only meant death for him.
After several moves, the white-browed killer grinned menacingly.
---
**
Glossary of Terms:**
- **Nikoh:** A nun or a female priest in Chinese culture, often depicted in martial arts tales.
- **Thiat-yan:** Name of a character, possibly Cu Siau-thian's daughter.
- **Cu Siau-thian:** Name of a character, a father in the story.
- **Boh Tan-ping:** Name of a character, a warrior.
- **Tu Liong:** Name of a character, a martial artist.
- **Wie Kie-hong:** Name of a character, a young martial artist.
- **Pembunuh beralis putih:** "White-browed killer," an antagonist or adversary in the story.
- **Amitaba:** A Buddhist term often used in prayer or exclamation, similar to saying “Buddha be praised” or “Blessed Buddha.”