"I am Pinto Ban Hok Seng-jin, the hermit of Fen-ho Valley!" said the short, plump tosu carrying a sword on his back.
"And I am Sin Gi Tosu, the hermit from Thai-hang-san!" said the tall, robust man holding a white-furred staff.
Once again, Tiong Li paid his respects. "As I said earlier, my name is Tan Tiong Li and this is my friend, The Siang Hwi. We have never rebelled and... no need to continue! The three of us have already heard that you have joined the rebels, led by the rebel Gak Liu!"
"It's true that I'm friends with the warrior Gak Liu and his brothers. However, Gak Liu is the son of the late General Gak Hui and is not a rebel, but a fighter!"
"Hmph, we know Gak Hui as a loyal hero who died for the Emperor. We all respect him. However, his son Gak Liu doesn't follow in his father's footsteps. He instigates people to become rebels," said Sin Gi Tosu, the tall man, waving his staff.
"Sam-wi to-tiang is mistaken. Gak Liu is not a rebel at all! He fights fiercely against the Kin government, working hard to expel the Kin invaders from our homeland."
"But he opposes and often clashes with Sung troops, killing many Sung soldiers. Is that not rebellion?" asked Im Seng Cu.
"To-tiang is mistaken. Prime Minister Jin Kui deeply despises the heroic fighters. Jin Kui often sends troops to exterminate the fighters, so of course, the fighters defend themselves. It's Prime Minister Jin Kui who incites the Emperor and labels the fighters as rebels. If the united fighters intended to oppose the weak Sung Kingdom, they would have succeeded long ago. The fighters are not rebels, but true patriots who want to expel the invaders from our homeland! Unfortunately, the Emperor did not listen to the late General Gak Hui's advice to attack the Kin people. He even listened to Prime Minister Jin Kui who wanted peace and alliance with the invaders."
"Sian-cai, you speak well, young man!" said the short and plump Ban Hok Seng-jin.
"What about the Mestika Golok Naga that was stolen from the royal treasure house? Wasn't that also the act of the fighters? Doesn't that mean rebellion?"
"That false news was also spread by Prime Minister Jin Kui as a slander. The real thief of the treasure sword was a Kin commander named Wu Chu. I personally snatched the treasure sword back from Commander Wu Chu, but unfortunately, the sword was seized by a martial arts figure who wanted to use it against the Kin troops. And now I am trying to snatch it back," Tiong Li replied confidently.
"Ho-ho, you're ready to answer all questions. Very good! And how will you answer if we ask about the death of Prince Kian Cu, who was killed by those five rebels, young man?"
"Sam-wi To-tiang, know that Prince Kian Cu went hunting with the fighters at the Emperor's command, even donating generously to the fighters. Then when the prince left the fighters, warrior Gak Liu himself sent five of his comrades to escort him. It was later found that all five of them died, as did the prince. How could they have killed the prince who had become their good friend? This is completely illogical. There must be another party that killed the prince, then killed the five guards, then spread the rumor that the five fighters killed the prince. I hope sam-wi to-tiang will consider this fairly and not just listen to one side."
The three tosu were confused and looked at each other, full of doubt and hesitation. All the explanations given by the young man fluently and confidently made them feel uncertain. All these answers contained a high possibility of truth! These three are the elders who were persuaded by Kui To Cin-jin, and they want to fight selflessly to defend the Sung Kingdom. They do not expect rewards for their services, nor do they think about personal interests. Everything is done with one goal, to defend the Sung Kingdom and eliminate the rebels who disrupt the Sung Kingdom. However, now they get answers that are completely different from what they heard from Kui To Cin-jin and Prime Minister Jin Kui.
"What do you think, Im Seng Cu?" Ban Hok Seng-jln asked his companion.
"Sian-cai...! This young man's explanation makes sense. I am confused about this matter," replied the one asked. Sin Gi Tosu also said while sighing deeply, "I, too, am unsure because I heard that Prime Minister Jin Kui is extremely cunning and disliked by other loyal ministers. However, his power is so great that no minister dares to defy him."
"Sian-cai, were we the ones deceived?" asked Ban Hok Seng-jin. "Kui To Cin-jin doesn't serve the Emperor, but Prime Minister Jin Kui. This alone already caused my disappointment. I thought he served the Emperor."
"Wise Sam-wi To-tiang," said Tiong Li. "I hope sam-wi will think with the fairest judgment. Jin Kui is a bootlicker who has been able to control the Emperor, but he is not a good official. He's the one who's in alliance with the Kin people. I even suspect he's the one who ordered someone to kidnap Princess Sung Hia ng Bwee to be presented to Kin Commander Wu C hu. Fortunately, I was able to rescue the princess who had been kidnapped twice. And why does Prime Minister Jin Kui hate the fighters? First, because the fighters oppose the Kin people who are his allies, and secondly, his notorious and extremely cruel son, Jin Kiat, killed by warrior Gak Liu. That's why Jin Kui always chases the fighters and labels them as rebels to be exterminated."
The three tosu nodded. They are wise men who are easily enlightened, and once they realize their mistakes, they can instantly change their attitudes. Unlike most of us, when we realize our mistakes, our minds try to defend those mistakes, find excuses and blame others to cover up our own errors.
"Sian-cai...! Ban Hok Seng-ji n and Sin Gi Tosu, we three are old men who think like children, easily persuaded and easily fooled. We were deceived by Kui To Cin-jin who seems to have caught Jin Kui's disease and become a bootlicker. Tan Tio ng Li, thank you. We realize our mistakes. However, we have come from a very long distance and we have heard about your skills. It would be a waste of our journey if we haven't tested your skills. Come on, let's play a little, I want to prove what I've heard about you!"
Tiong Li frowned. "Totiang, is that necessary? We are not enemies and have no business with each other. We learn martial arts to defend truth and justice, not to attack each other among the like-minded. Aren't you also defending truth and justice?"
"Ha-ha-ha, have you forgotten the customs of the martial arts world? It doesn't count as getting acquainted until we know each other's martial arts skills. This is not a fight, just a test of skill."
Tiong Li sighed deeply. He understood the customs of martial arts enthusiasts who love to know others through their martial arts.
"All right, to-tiang. If that's what totiang wants." The tall, skinny tosu swung his staff. Im Seng Cu was indeed an expert with his staff, which had made him a famous martial arts elder. "Young man, use your weapon to counter my staff!"
"I'm sorry, to-tiang. I have no weapon other than these hands and feet. Let me face to-tiang's staff with my hands and feet. Well, I'm ready, to-tiang!" Tiong Li said, striking a stance in front of the tosu.
Im Seng Cu frowned. How could he fight a young man with bare hands with his staff? But since he had heard about Tiong Li's skill, he was eager to test it.
"All right, you wanted it this way, not me. Now, take this attack!"
His staff struck fiercely and swiftly, sending a series of blows towards three points on Tiong Li's shoulder and chest. The youth didn't underestimate his opponent and had guessed that the tosu would be extremely skilled, so he had been on guard since the beginning. When the opponent attacked, he used the Jauw-sang-hui body-avoiding technique and played the highly skilled Ngo-heng-lian-hoan-kun martial art. His body flickered and couldn't be touched by the tip of the staff. Im Seng Cu was shocked when he saw the youth's body flickering like a shadow and suddenly, the young man's hand slapped towards his wrist and his foot followed with a swift and strong sweep! He quickly pulled back his arm and leapt high into the air, then swung his staff and attacked even more ferociously because he realized that the youth was very strong.
Tiong Li was also surprised. The staff was powerful. Its tip seemed to become dozens of sticks, all threatening his vital points. The rapid blows forced him to use his fast movements, dodging and occasionally blocking the staff with his arm.
"Dukkk.!"
When the staff met Tiong Li's left arm blocking it, the tosu was shocked again because he felt his both arms holding the staff vibrating violently. This wasn't surprising because Tiong Li had exerted Jian-kin-lat force when blocking. However, the old man manipulated his staff in a special way and suddenly it poked Tiong Li's shoulder! Tiong Li had no chance to dodge or block, so he quickly exerted the I-kiong-hoan-hiat technique.
"Tukkk!"
Glossary:
- Pinto: A respectful way to address oneself in old Chinese dialect, similar to "this humble one".
- Tosu: A respectful term for a mature man, similar to "uncle" in English.
- Sin Gi Tosu: Name of a character, literally means "Hermit of Thai-hang-san".
- Tiong Li: Name of a character, the protagonist.
- Gak Liu: Name of a character, a rebel leader.
- Jin Kui: Name of a character, Prime Minister.
- Mestika Golok Naga: Name of a treasure sword, literally means "Dragon's Jewel Sword".
- Sam-wi To-tiang: A respectful way to address the elders in old Chinese dialect, similar to "respected elders".
- Sian-cai: A respectful way to address oneself in old Chinese dialect, used by elders, similar to "this old man".
- Tan Tio ng Li: A respectful way to address a young man, used by elders.
- Jauw-sang-hui: A martial art technique, literally means "avoiding body technique".
- Ngo-heng-lian-hoan-kun: A martial art technique, literally means "five constants lotus circle palm".
- Jian-kin-lat: A martial art technique, literally means "hard golden power".
- I-kiong-hoan-hiat: A martial art technique, literally means "one strength returning breath".