Black Pearl Chapter 13

The old beggar in tattered clothes, who had a mole beneath his nose, was heard taking a long breath. Although these eight people were struck by pressure points and unable to move, only their limbs were stiff; the rest of their bodies were not, so they could still speak.

"We three old fogeys have indeed acted carelessly, failing to recognize people and unable to distinguish friend from foe. Losing these hands is only fitting..."

"Kouwnio, please be willing to forgive them. They must have thought that I was the one who killed their brother here, when in fact he... he is... Tang Sun, my husband..."

"Hmph... Kwi Lan, release them."

Sian Eng nodded her head toward the three beggars in tattered clothes. As an extremely diligent and clever disciple, Kwi Lan had naturally read and studied the contents of the *Im-yang-tiam-hoat* manual, a treasure book from the *Siauw-lim-pai* that was previously stolen by *Tok-siauw-kwi* and fell into Sian Eng's hands. And of course, she could also release the effects of this pressure point technique. She approached the three old men, and with her right index finger, she struck the pressure point behind their navels, while her left hand did not forget to slap the back of their heads. Actually, this slap to the back of the head had nothing to do with releasing the pressure points, but being a mischievous child, she wanted to vent her annoyance at the three old beggar men on this occasion.

These three old men were startled again. They were high-level martial arts experts and knew much about the intricacies of *Tiam-hiat-hoat* (Pressure Point Technique). However, in their entire lives, this was the first time they knew of a pressure point technique whose release required slapping the head. They grew even more terrified of Sian Eng, and quickly used their left hands to strike their right arms, stopping the blood flow so that the blood pouring out of their severed wrists ceased. Then, they looked at Sian Eng for a moment, and the old beggar with the mole immediately bowed, followed by his two companions, and asked,

"We three from the *Khong-sim Kai-pang* have received guidance from Kouwnio (Miss). We hope that another time we will be able to repay this kindness. Would Kouwnio kindly inform us of your esteemed name and residence."

Sian Eng smiled, a cold, hair-raising smile. Her voice was soft and melodious, yet it also contained a chilling, terrifying aura when she said,

"I am Kam Sian Eng and I live in this forest. If you are not satisfied, you may send the leader of the *Khong-sim Kai-pang* to come. Now, leave."

The three old beggars bowed, then approached Tang Sun's corpse to retrieve it. Bi Li stepped forward to stop them, but Sian Eng harshly rebuked her,

"Sister Bi Li, step back."

Bi Li was extremely startled and immediately jumped back, her face pale and tears streaming down as she watched her husband's corpse being carried away by the three old beggar men. These three looked at Bi Li briefly with pitying eyes, then sighed and left the place with long strides, carrying Tang Sun's corpse.

The five old beggars in clean clothes were initially shocked and worried upon hearing that the *Khong-sim Kai-pang* member who was killed was the husband of the veiled woman. However, seeing Bi Li's attitude and hearing the harsh command of the veiled woman who claimed the name Kam Sian Eng, they felt relieved. It was clear that even though the second woman had a *Khong-sim Kai-pang* member as a husband, this strange, powerful woman was not at all friendly with the *Khong-sim Kai-pang*. Although their bodies were still stiff and unable to move, the oldest beggar among them, whose nose was crooked like an owl's beak, spoke humbly,

"We beg your utmost forgiveness, esteemed *Cianpwe*. Due to ignorance and lack of recognition, we five *boanpwe* dared to presumptuously enter *Cianpwe*'s territory. Please understand that we five *boanpwe* are leaders of the *Hek-peng Kai-pang* (Black Eagle Beggar Sect), which is still under the protection of the esteemed *Bu-tek Siu-lam*. Therefore, we five *boanpwe* hope that *Cianpwe* will kindly show respect for the face of *Ciangbujin* (Great Leader) *Bu-tek Siu-lam* to forgive and release us five *boanpwe*."

Sian Eng furrowed her brow. She secretly felt amused hearing how the five old men called her *Cianpwe*, a title for high-ranking figures in the martial world, and referred to themselves as *boanpwe*, an extremely self-deprecating posture. However, she was surprised to hear the name *Bu-tek Siu-lam* (Unmatched Handsome Man). Who was that? She had isolated herself for too long and hadn't seen the changes in the *kang-ouw* world, nor recognized its new figures.

"Who is this person titled *Bu-tek Siu-lam*?"

She asked unintentionally, as the question in her heart burst out through her lips.

The five old beggars in clean clothes exchanged glances with surprise and disappointment. Could there truly be someone in the *kang-ouw* world who hadn't heard the name *Bu-tek Siu-lam*? And this strange woman was so powerful. But perhaps she hadn't entered the *kang-ouw* world yet. Because of this, Crooked Nose immediately spoke, deliberately exaggerating the great name of *Bu-tek Siu-lam* to create a deep impression.

"He is the highest figure in the *kang-ouw* world, who came from the Western world. All clean-clothed beggar sects are under his protection, and *boanpwe* is certain that he will eventually become the great leader of all *kai-pang*. Also, in the selection of the greatest figures to choose the champion who is *Thian-he-te-it* (Number One Under Heaven), which will be held at the peak of *Cheng-liong-san* on New Year's Eve, it is certain that *Ciangbujin Bu-tek Siu-lam* will emerge as the champion, the grandmaster among all patriarchs. But... ah, unless... *Cianpwe* also participates in that championship, the situation will become much more lively."

Crooked Nose added this when he saw the face behind the veil looked displeased.

"I don't care about any *Bu-tek Siu-lam*. You five were presumptuous enough to attack me, daring to look down on me. Therefore, you may only leave if you are willing to gouge out one of your eyeballs."

The five beggars were stunned, and their faces turned pale. Cold sweat flowed out, soaking their foreheads and necks. Gouge out an eyeball? Who would agree? One hand had already been severed, now an eye was demanded. What kind of *bocengli* (outrageous) rule was this? This strange woman was not afraid of *Bu-tek Siu-lam*, meaning she hadn't met him. If she hadn't met him, it wasn't certain that this woman was truly powerful. It seemed she only possessed a strange *Tiam-hiat-hoat* technique, which was why they fell victim to the pressure points before they could move much or see the level of skill of the veiled woman. Since there was no other way to avoid the threat of eye-gouging, Crooked Nose then spoke, his tone deliberately mocking.

"As people of the *kang-ouw*, we know that the law is that the strong win and the defeated must submit. It is a pity that we do not feel defeated, only rendered helpless by a sneak attack. As figures of the *Hek-peng Kai-pang*, we rely on the safety of our lives on the tip of a sword. Who knew that before we even had a chance to draw our swords, we would suffer such humiliation. When struck by pressure points like this, we don't even have the right to speak. Even a snot-nosed child could do whatever they wished to us."

Crooked Nose's tactic worked very well. Sian Eng's face turned red, and as her body moved, a white shadow flashed. The tip of her sleeve swept out, and the five old men felt a pressure point strike behind their navels, which restored their bodies to normal. Simultaneously, all five drew their swords and moved in a circle, surrounding the veiled woman. Sian Eng, standing in the center, surrounded, merely watched without changing her posture or turning her head. Only her pair of eyes behind the black veil glanced left and right, then her teeth flashed white as she said,

"You are free. Swords have been drawn. Why aren't you quickly gouging out your right eyes? What are you waiting for?"

This hurtful remark served as a command for the five old beggar men to launch a fierce attack. Sian Eng was surrounded, and the five men attacked simultaneously. Five swords, with lightning thrusts and slashes, aimed at her body. Suddenly, a cackling laugh was heard, and the five beggars were startled when they saw a white shadow dart quickly from the center of the encirclement. And indeed, when they looked, the tips of their swords only hit empty space, and their five swords nearly clashed with each other. They quickly turned, and Sian Eng was already standing with her hands on her hips to their left, smiling mockingly.

The Crooked Nose beggar, who stood closest, quickly lunged at her with his sword, followed by his companions who were no longer encircling her. This was what Sian Eng wanted: for the five attackers to assault her one after another, not simultaneously as before. As soon as Crooked Nose's sword swept toward her, she moved her arm strangely. The sword came thrusting, and a terrifying scream was heard, followed by the collapse of the Crooked Nose beggar's body. Sian Eng did not stop there. Her body continued to move forward, and screams of pain followed one after another until finally, the other four beggars also collapsed. It only took a few dozen seconds. The five beggars themselves didn't truly know what happened. When they suddenly attacked, their swords reversed and gouged out their own eyes, their right eyes.

Now Sian Eng stood tall, looking at the five beggars who were crawling up, groaning in pain. Their right hands were severed at the wrist. Earlier, they had used their left hands to wield their swords, but who would have thought that, in a strange manner, the powerful woman had caused their swords to reverse and gouge out their own right eyeballs with their own weapons. After they managed to stand, the five severely wounded old beggars stood looking at Sian Eng with their single eyes, gazing with full anger and hatred.

"Leave, if you don't want to die."

Sian Eng said coldly. The five old men desperately wanted to charge and risk their lives. But now they understood that they were completely powerless against this strange woman. Crooked Nose, wincing in pain, said,

"Akan kami laporkan bahwa engkau menantang ciang bujin kami Bu-tek Siu-lam"

"We will report that you have challenged our *Ciangbujin Bu-tek Siu-lam*."

"Boleh. Suruh dia datang kesini, akan kubuntungi kedua tangannya dan ku congkel keluar kedua biji matanya"

"Fine. Tell him to come here, and I will sever both his hands and gouge out both his eyeballs."

Sian Eng snapped. The five men were shocked. This woman was truly insane, daring to utter such words against the god-like *Bu-tek Siu-lam*.

"Tunggulah dan kalau memang berani, datanglah kelak dipuncak Cheng-liong-san"

"Wait and see, and if you are truly brave, come to the peak of *Cheng-liong-san* later."

Sian Eng merely smiled and watched the five men leave, wincing in pain. After the area became quiet, only then did Sian Eng turn to Bi Li and snap,