What happened next was so fast that it was difficult for the eye to follow, but suddenly the two beggars screamed and collapsed, lifeless, and astonishingly, right on their foreheads were gaping wounds pierced by poisoned iron bracelets. It turned out that when she was attacked by the skinny beggar's sword earlier, Kwi Lan also knew that she was being attacked from behind with a secret weapon, so she flashed forward like lightning, grabbed the sword-wielding hand from the side, then yanked the body, using it to shield against the iron bracelet that was whistling toward her back, causing the secret weapon to strike the skinny beggar's forehead precisely.
As for the short beggar who had deceitfully released the secret weapon, before he could evade, he was "eaten" by his own secret weapon, which the youth, Kwi Lan's companion, had thrown back with a casual movement yet one that made the weapon strike extremely fast and embed itself into its owner's forehead. Now, only two men who were not beggars, companions of the clean-clothed beggar, remained, staring with wide eyes in shock. Both understood that the two young people possessed extremely high martial skill. The first man, whose face was covered in a thick beard, immediately stepped forward and bowed, raising both hands to his chest, and said,
"The skill of *Ji-wi* (The Two of You) is truly formidable and fills us with great admiration."
Kwi Lan merely smiled mockingly, but the youth laughed heartily without returning the man's salute.
"Heh-heh, I see that the two of you are not beggars. But you helped in a fight between beggars earlier. Do you now intend to seek revenge for the death of these two friends of yours?"
The Bearded Man shook his head.
"We are not involved in the affairs between them and *Ji-wi*, and I have seen how they sought their own death with their courage in resisting and looking down upon *Ji-wi*. Although we were their allies in the matter concerning the four members of the *Khong-sim Kai-pang* ragged-clothed beggars, we will not interfere in their affairs with *Ji-wi*."
"Waving your tongue is very easy," Kwi Lan said mockingly.
"You say you won't interfere, but who was it just now who joined in attacking me with a secret weapon when I was up in that tree?"
The Bearded Man's face turned red. Indeed, he had participated in attacking Kwi Lan earlier with his secret weapon, which was shaped like a star projectile. He bowed to the girl and said,
"Please forgive me, Miss. I thought you were a friend of the *Khong-sim Kai-pang* beggars."
"I don't care what you thought. Go on, attack me again with your secret weapon!" Kwi Lan snapped, smiling mockingly. The Bearded Man's expression changed.
"I... how dare I?"
"Dare or not, I don't care, you must. If you disobey, don't say I went too far."
This voice was full of menace, causing the heavily bearded face to turn pale. He stood exchanging glances with his companion. His companion seemed braver than the Bearded Man; his slightly squinted eyes glared at Kwi Lan, and he shouted,
"Miss, you are truly going too far! We are people of the *Thian-liong-pang*, not just anyone. If my *Suheng* yields to you, it is because he sees that you are still young, still half a child. After *Ouw-suheng* yields, why do you press him further? The moment he takes action, you will be in danger, and that would be a great pity, seeing you so young and beautiful."
"*Sute*, silence!" The Bearded Man admonished his junior martial brother. Kwi Lan was furious, but no one knew this because her smile grew sweeter.
"Ah, is that so? So you are formidable people of the *Thian-liong-pang*? What a coincidence. Hurry up, both of you, attack me with your secret weapons!"
The Bearded Man hesitated, but the Squint-Eyed Man said,
"*Suheng*, she's asking for a beating, what are you waiting for?"
While saying this, the Squint-Eyed Man pulled out two of his secret weapons, which were star projectiles. These secret weapons were made of steel, sharply pointed, and because they were round like a projectile, they could be thrown with great force. Seeing this, the Bearded Man, who was being pressured, also pulled out the same secret weapon, but only one.
"Come on, attack quickly, what are you waiting for?" Kwi Lan shouted, standing in a casual stance, even deliberately tilting her body and turning her back to the two men. While the Bearded Man hesitated and his angry junior martial brother waited for his senior's move, the youth burst into roaring laughter.
"Ha-ha-ha. I heard the great name of the *Thian-liong-pang* as a respected and feared association, one that has branches throughout the country, led by divine figures. But it turns out that its people are merely cowards who like to attack a girl deceitfully..."
"Hey, you rogue. Be quiet, this is none of your business!" Kwi Lan snapped, glaring at the youth.
The youth continued to laugh, but suddenly his eyes widened and his face showed shock when he saw how the two men used the opportunity while Kwi Lan was turned and speaking to him to attack with their secret weapons. The youth turned pale because he realized how formidable the attack was and how he himself, standing far away, had no time to prevent it. However, the shocked expression turned to joy, and his eyes shone with admiration when he heard the cries of pain from the two *Thian-liong-pang* members. The Squint-Eyed Man collapsed and died instantly because his temple and chest were struck by his own secret weapons, while the Bearded Man collapsed in pain but immediately jumped back up because only his thigh was wounded by his own secret weapon.
He stood with wide eyes, amazed and astonished. Indeed, the way the girl had dealt with the secret weapon attack was extraordinary. Even though she was looking away, Kwi Lan knew about the secret weapon attack. Without even turning around, she moved both her hands, snatching the Squint-Eyed Man's secret weapons, which came first toward his temple and chest, then, quick as lightning, she returned the two weapons toward their owner, hitting his temple and chest precisely. As for the star projectile released by the Bearded Man, it only aimed at her thigh, and not even directly in the center, so Kwi Lan also "retour"-ed the secret weapon, hitting the edge of the Bearded Man's thigh, causing a flesh wound. Wincing in pain, the Bearded Man bowed to Kwi Lan.
"Truly formidable and admirable. I admit defeat, and the death of my *Sute* was due to his carelessness. May I ask, what is the name of the valiant Miss?"
Kwi Lan had already moved her lips intending to answer, but suddenly the youth said,
"Hey, are your eyes blind? It's clear this Miss uses the name *Mutiara Hitam*, and you still ask?"
While saying this, the youth moved his feet once, and his body floated and landed near Kwi Lan with the lightness of a bird's movement. The Bearded Man looked on admiringly and smiled upon hearing those words. He guessed that the girl used the nickname *Mutiara Hitam* (Black Pearl) because the hilt of her sword was decorated with a large black pearl. He then bowed to the youth and asked,
"Thank you for the explanation, Young Master (*Kongcu*). May I know the name of *Kongcu*?"
"His name is *Si Berandal*, haven't you heard?" This voice came from Kwi Lan's mouth, intending to retaliate against the youth. However, *Si Berandal* merely laughed, then said to the *Thian-liong-pang* member.
"You are a man who doesn't know his place, daring to mess around in front of *Mutiara Hitam* and *Si Berandal*. You must be tired of living."
"I beg *Ji-wi* (The Two of You) to forgive us. Because we did not know you, we acted disrespectfully. I hope *Ji-wi* will consider our association and our leader and grant me forgiveness."
"If we didn't forgive you, do you think you would still be alive?" *Si Berandal* boasted.
"Come on, tell us who you are and what the *Thian-liong-pang*'s business is with those beggars, and why there was a fight with the *Khong-sim Kai-pang* beggars? And why did I hear that short beggar refer to *Bu-tek Siu-lam* as *Ciangbujin*?"
"My name is Ouw Kiu. Like all leaders and officers of the *Thian-liong-pang*, I am obedient and submissive to the orders of my superiors. My *Sute* Ouw Lun and I were tasked with delivering invitations to the leaders of the *Hek-coa Kai-pang*, to attend the inauguration of the new *Thian-liong-pang* leader next month. When we were about to return to Yen-an, we met three members of the *Hek-coa Kai-pang* confronting four members of the *Khong-sim Kai-pang* here. Of course, we helped the *Hek-coa Kai-pang* and mistakenly thought that *Ji-wi* were friends of the *Khong-sim Kai-pang* members."
"And about *Bu-tek Siu-lam*?" The youth pressed. Ouw Kiu did not answer; his face was pale.
"Ah, why ask so many questions about such a simple matter?" Kwi Lan criticized.
"That clown *Bu-tek Siu-lam* has clearly become the patron of the black faction beggar world. I want to meet that clown to give him a beating so he learns his lesson and stops letting his subordinates play dirty."
Ouw Kiu grew paler.
"I... I do not have enough standing to mention His great name. I only understand that He is a great figure who is highly respected by the *Thian-liong-pang*." His voice trembled slightly, and his eyes darted nervously left and right, full of apprehension.
"Enough, go and take your friend's corpse. Considering the *Thian-liong-pang*, we forgive you, and next month, if there are no obstacles, we will come to watch the festivities in Yen-an."
Ouw Kiu bowed, expressing his gratitude, then grabbed his *Sute*'s corpse and left the area with a limping gait.
Kwi Lan turned and immediately ran away from the spot as well. However, she hadn't gone far when she heard the sound of someone running behind her. When she glanced back and saw that it was the youth following her, Kwi Lan mobilized her *ginkang* and ran even faster. After running for quite a distance, she glanced back. It turned out the youth was still following behind her, separated by only three meters. Kwi Lan was annoyed and exerted all her strength, running as fast as flying. The youth also exerted his strength. They ran quickly for some time, covering tens of *li*.
Finally, the youth's voice was heard, his breath ragged.
"Whoa... this is tough. Hey, *Mutiara Hitam*, are you running away because you're afraid of me?"
If the youth had uttered anything else, Kwi Lan probably wouldn't have paid attention and would have kept running. But being called afraid was a major taboo for her, so she quickly slammed the brakes on her run, stopping abruptly, causing the youth who was sprinting behind her to almost collide with her if he hadn't quickly thrown himself aside and somersaulted twice. The youth's movement was very comical, yet also graceful and proved his extraordinary agility.
"Afraid? Who said I'm afraid of you?" Kwi Lan asked, staring intently, raising her chin and puffing out her chest, her stance challenging.
"Of course, I said it..." The youth stopped and regulated his slightly panting breath.
Glossary
- Kwi Lan: The name of the female protagonist, known for her high martial arts skill and sharp wit.
- Ji-wi: An honorific term meaning "The Two of You," used to address two people respectfully, often implying high status or skill.
- Khong-sim Kai-pang: A beggar sect mentioned in the story, associated with the "ragged-clothed" faction of beggars.
- Thian-liong-pang: A powerful martial arts association or gang with branches across the country, whose members are encountered by the protagonists.
- Suheng: A respectful term used by a martial arts student to address a Senior Martial Brother.
- Sute: A respectful term used by a martial arts student to address a Junior Martial Brother.
- Mutiara Hitam: The nickname or alias used by Kwi Lan, meaning "Black Pearl," likely derived from the decoration on her sword hilt.
- Kongcu: An honorific meaning "Young Master," used to address a young man of noble or high standing.
- Si Berandal: The nickname or alias used by Kwi Lan's male companion, meaning "The Scoundrel" or "The Rogue."
- Hek-coa Kai-pang: Another beggar sect mentioned, meaning "Black Snake Beggar Sect," which is allied with the Thian-liong-pang in this conflict.
- Ciangbujin: A title meaning "Leader" or "Head," referring to the highest authority figure of a sect or organization.
- Bu-tek Siu-lam: A powerful figure or clown mentioned as the patron (*cukong*) of the black faction beggar world, highly respected by the Thian-liong-pang.
- ginkang: Lightness skill or Qinggong, a martial arts technique allowing the practitioner to move with extreme speed and agility, often appearing to float or fly.
- li: A traditional Chinese unit of distance, roughly equivalent to 500 meters (or about a third of a mile).