Black Pearl Chapter 18

"Aih, it seems *Nona* also enjoys joking. How can one wander the world before being born?"

"Why couldn't I, if you yourself have been wandering since birth? Surely you'll spin a tale that as soon as you were born, you knew how to laugh, how to run fast, and how to... boast?"

"Ha-ha-ha-ha. That's hilarious."

The youth burst into laughter, and Kwi Lan couldn't help but laugh too, imagining how skilled the youth must have been at boasting right after birth.

"I am not lying, *Nona*. Of course, I wasn't wandering alone, but with my Father. I was brought along on his travels and since then, we have never stopped wandering. But never mind that, there is nothing interesting to tell. It is better if I tell you about that figure. Bu-tek Siu-lam is a great figure who is truly *sakti* (powerful). There is no *kang-ouw* figure who doesn't tremble upon hearing this name, even though he only arrived a few years ago from the west side of the Himalaya Mountains. Besides being powerful, he is also extremely strange, such that no one can guess whether he is a true man or a woman."

"Hee...? Why is that?"

Kwi Lan began to take interest. Since she had been confined in an underground palace since childhood, and then in a forest that no one dared to enter, her knowledge of the *kang-ouw* world was naturally very limited, especially concerning such strange figures. Seeing Kwi Lan's interest, the youth became excited to tell his story.

"He has the physique of a tall, sturdy, and handsome man; his face is extremely good-looking, and his hair flows down in beautiful waves. However, his mannerisms and speech are like those of a very flirtatious woman, and his weapon is a huge, terrifying pair of scissors. Judging by his movements and demeanor, he is one hundred percent female, but looking at his physique and face, he is a man. This fact alone is frightening, let alone witnessing his cruelty, which makes one's hair stand on end. He once massacred over two hundred white faction beggars during a large meeting, cutting and slicing their bodies with his scissors. Since then, he has become the patriarch of the black faction beggars. Many white faction figures and *pendekar* have tried to eliminate him, but they only ended up becoming victims. Because of this power, no one dares to bother him anymore, and he is a major figure nominated to become the leader of the black world should there be another election, alongside other figures."

Kwi Lan frowned. She never imagined there could be someone so formidable. She had previously thought that only her aunt, Kam Sian Eng, was the most formidable person in the world. Who knew, this youth himself was already formidable, even though she hadn't tested him, yet this youth was clearly terrified when recounting the power of Bu-tek Siu-lam.

"Hmph, regardless, I am not afraid of him,"

Kwi Lan said.

"What about Thian-liong-pang? Is their leader as formidable as that flirtatious man?"

The youth laughed.

"Ihh, why are you laughing?"

"Hearing you call Bu-tek Siu-lam a flirtatious man."

"You yourself said he was flirtatious."

"How can a man be flirtatious? No man is flirtatious; only women are flirtatious."

"Not all women are necessarily flirtatious. There are many flirtatious men, among them... you!"

"Wah, wah, attacking again. You are truly quick to anger, *Nona*. My apologies. What I meant was that Bu-tek Siu-lam acts flirtatious like a woman, so he is neither man nor woman. He is a *banci*."

"A *banci*? What is a *banci*...?"

"A *banci* is a *wadam*."

"A *wadam*? What is that?"

"A *wadam* is a *wandu*."

"A *wandu*? I don't understand."

The youth sighed deeply, then shook his head.

"You don't have much understanding, *Nona*. A *banci*, *wadam*, or *wandu* is a person who is neither man nor woman, but who can also be a man or be called a woman."

Kwi Lan's head spun hearing this. Her brow furrowed, and her eyes flashed with anger.

"You scoundrel, if you are playing games with me, hmph... I will refuse to listen to you anymore!"

"Eh, eh, wait a moment. I am not playing games, *Nona*. A *banci* is a person with a man's body but a woman's character, or vice versa. It is indeed difficult to explain, because I myself do not know exactly why it is so, but that is the reality. You asked earlier about Thian-liong-pang? Its leader is also a famous person possessing great martial skill, and that is not the only reason Thian-liong-pang is respected, but also because of the large number of members and the many high-skilled leaders. It is rumored that no less than twelve chief disciples of Thian-liong-pang are extremely formidable, and if their strength were combined, even Bu-tek Siu-lam himself would probably not dare to trifle with them. Their center is in Yen-an, and I don't know what that Bearded Man meant earlier by the ceremony for appointing a new leader. Perhaps the old leader is stepping down, to be replaced by his most senior disciple. That event must be extremely interesting and attended by all the figures of the black world, which is why I really want to visit Yen-an, together with... *Nona*, if *Nona*... dares."

"Of course, I dare!"

Kwi Lan leaped up while gripping the hilt of her sword.

"So *Nona* wants to...?"

The youth smiled broadly and was extremely delighted. Kwi Lan realized her reaction and sat back down,

"Whether I want to or not, later. But the point is, I dare. Now tell me, besides the flirtatious man..."

She stopped and glared, but the youth did not laugh this time.

"...besides him, who else are the great figures in the world now?"

"There are many figures in the black world, but they are figures who were formerly under the Thian-te Liok-koai, who have now vanished from the face of the earth. As for figures who could be compared to Bu-tek Siu-lam, there are very few. I have only heard that there are demonic figures nicknamed Thai-lek Kauw-ong, an old *hwesio* (monk) who is rumored to possess demonic power. There is also one nicknamed Sin-cam Khoa-ong, who likes to kill people without reason and without blinking. The fourth person is Siauw-bin Lo-mo. It is rumored that these four figures now rule the four corners of the black world. However, I myself have never met any of them."

"Hmph, if they are evil, why do they need to possess such great skill? Is there no one who opposes and defeats them?"

"I do not know clearly, only that it is rumored too many brave men and *pendekar* have fallen at their hands."

"Brave men? *Pendekar*? What kind of people are they?"

The youth widened his eyes. Earlier, upon hearing that this girl knew nothing about the black world, he had assumed she must be a disciple of a powerful white world figure who had just descended from the mountains. But hearing this question, he was truly astonished. If she didn't understand the black world and the white world, then which faction did this girl belong to?

"How can *Nona* not understand this? *Pendekar* are people who oppose evil, people from the white world who always strive to eradicate the black world. I believe that *Nona's* own teacher must be a great figure, a noble *Locianpwe* from the white world."

Kwi Lan shook her head.

"My teacher is not from the white world, nor the black world. I don't know what world he is from. Tell me, who are the most formidable figures in the white world?"

The youth still had not recovered from his astonishment, but he suppressed this feeling and replied,

"Among the powerful *pendekar*, there are also many who are peak figures, but I, being young, have only heard of a few. First and foremost is Suling Emas..."

"Suling Emas? I asked for the person's name, not his flute. Who cares if it's made of gold, silver, or brass?"

"Suling Emas is his nickname. His real name, like other great *kang-ouw* figures, who knows?"

"Who is Suling Emas? What kind of person is he and how formidable is he?"

The youth raised his thumb upwards.

"I myself have not had the fortune to meet Suling Emas, but I have often heard his name from the *Locianpwe*. His martial skill is as high as the sky; it is even rumored that Thian Te Liok-koai, the six martial arts patriarchs, were destroyed by the actions of Suling Emas. His flute, which is made of gold, defeats every kind of weapon in this world."

"Where does he live?"

"No one knows. Just like the four figures of the black world, many figures in the white world consist of strange people whose whereabouts are difficult to ascertain, but who can appear at any time in the most unexpected places. I would not be surprised if right now, around us, there are figures from both the black world and the white world. Their actions are full of secrets."

Hearing this, Kwi Lan unconsciously glanced left and right, but the surroundings were silent.

"And who else besides Suling Emas?"

"Among the white faction beggars, they mention the name Yu Kang Tianglo, a beggar figure whose martial arts skill is extremely formidable. His weapon is only a small rattan staff, yet its efficacy is no less than any treasured sword. Of course, those two are only two among many others. Especially if we consider the great sects like Siauw-lim-pai, Bu-tong-pai, Go-bi-pai, Kun-lun-pai, which surely have many skilled people. Not to mention in the south, it is rumored that the Agama Beng-kauw in the Nan-co State is led by extremely powerful people. However, among all the powerful people, both in the white and black worlds, none seem able to match the level of the noble and respected elder Bu Kek Siansu..."

Speaking up to this point, the youth bowed his body as if to pay respect to the name he had just mentioned.

"Bu Kek Siansu? Who is he...?"

Kwi Lan became even more interested. If none of the great figures mentioned could match the level of this elder, then this elder must truly be an extraordinary human being.

"Forgive me, *Nona*. I dare not casually mention his respected name. However, I have a song that, according to my *Suhu*, was created by Him. Would you like to hear a flute song?"

While saying this, the youth reached behind his shirt and, like a magician, pulled out a bamboo flute. Kwi Lan was secretly astonished and wondered what else might be inside this conjurer youth's shirt. Then, seeing the flute, she asked,

"Don't tell me you yourself are nicknamed Suling Emas."

The youth laughed.

"Ah, *Nona*, don't joke. Do I look like a man over fifty years old? Furthermore, this flute of mine is ordinary bamboo, yellow bamboo, not gold at all, even if it is the same color yellow. Listen carefully, because this song is no ordinary song, but a magnificent song created by a divine human."