Black Pearl Chapter 27

What is your accountability to the Thian-liong-pang? I see how the Thian-liong-pang has transformed into a wicked demonic association, staining the name of us Hou-han patriots. Initially, seeing your son-in-law, Siangkoan Bu, who was gallant and capable of leading the Thian-liong-pang onto the right path, I still patiently watched your actions. However, after Siangkoan Bu died, you and your disciples have become increasingly rampant, committing heinous crimes, dragging the clean name of the Thian-liong-pang as a gathering place for Hou-han patriots into an association of scoundrels and criminals."

Hearing these words, Ma Kiu leaped up, followed by his eleven martial brothers.

"Hmph, man surnamed Ciam. You were indeed a figure in the Thian-liong-pang before, but by your own will, you chose to withdraw, so if it weren't for our Suhu, the Thian-liong-pang would surely have disbanded and been humiliated by others. Now the Thian-liong-pang has become a great association, respected by people in the world of *kangouw*, and you dare to come here acting insolently toward Suhu? Are you tired of living?"

"Ciam-sicu, considering that you are still a former leader of the Thian-liong-pang and remembering our past relationship, I shall forgive your harsh words just now."

Sin-seng Losu was heard speaking calmly.

"However, tell me why you came here immediately cursing and raging? Haven't my subordinates already informed you and extended an invitation?"

"I do not care about the ceremony for the new leader's appointment, as long as the Thian-liong-pang is led onto the right path. However, I am chasing Ci-lan Sai-kong, the accursed Flower Picker Villain, who has kidnapped a dozen girls. Who would have thought, he kidnapped those twelve girls to deliver them here. Go on, deny it if you can. Didn't that bastard Sai-kong deliver them here as a contribution? Is this the character of the current Thian-liong-pang leaders? This low and depraved?"

"Heh-heh, Ciam-sicu. Whatever people offer, if it is a contribution, it is not good to refuse it. Refusing it means insulting and disrespecting the good intentions of others. Indeed, we have accepted Ci-lan Sai-kong's contribution. However, if you desire them, let me give them to you,"

The Thian-liong-pang Leader spoke again, full of patience.

He was not actually afraid of the man surnamed Ciam, but yielded out of consideration for their past connection. This Ciam Goan was formerly one of the leaders of the Thian-liong-pang and was known to be active and loyal to the association. Only ten years ago, due to increasing dislike for the actions of the new leadership, he withdrew and never interfered with the Thian-liong-pang. Only now did he suddenly appear and rage, seeing how the flower-picking villain he was chasing delivered the kidnapped girls as a contribution to the Thian-liong-pang leadership.

"Sin-seng Losu. You still possess a sense of shame, that is good. Quickly release those twelve girls, and furthermore, I will no longer interfere with the affairs of the Thian-liong-pang, because from this moment on, I swear I will never be willing to step foot on this floor again."

Hearing these words, Sin-seng Losu turned toward his twelve disciples. His attitude clearly intended to yield, and the movement of his face was an order for his disciples to free the twelve girls contributed by Ci-lan Sai-kong.

In their hearts, Ma Kiu and his younger martial brothers felt deeply resentful and angry. They did indeed like beautiful women, but it was very easy for them to obtain beautiful women, whether by relying on money, position, or skill, and naturally, they were not so adamant about keeping the twelve girls. However, Ciam Goan's attitude greatly belittled them, and if they yielded, they would feel ashamed before the guests. Besides, they also knew that their master yielded only because he remembered that Ciam Goan was a former leader of the Thian-liong-pang. Regarding skill, although Ciam Goan was quite formidable, they were not afraid to face him. Because of this, Ma Kiu hesitated to agree with his master's yielding attitude. At that moment, a loud burst of laughter was heard, and Ci-lan Sai-kong leaped up to face Ciam Goan. Standing with his hands on his hips, the tall, large man laughed and said.

"Hwah-ha-ha-ha, you skinny worm who talks big and arrogantly. You say you were chasing and looking for *pinceng*? Those twelve stalks of flowers were contributed by *pinceng* to the twelve gallant men of the Thian-liong-pang, and since *pinceng* is still in this place, they remain *pinceng*'s responsibility."

"Good. I was indeed going to kill you, *jai-hwa-cat*!"

Ciam Goan roared angrily.

This former Hou-han figure did not care about the other guests because his rage had boiled over. What made him so angry was not just seeing the lecherous villain who kidnapped young girls, but primarily seeing how the Thian-liong-pang, which was once the hope of the Hou-han patriots to rebuild the fallen kingdom, had now clearly deviated and become a nest for cruel, accursed criminals. Thus, with overflowing anger, he drew his sword and immediately lunged at Sai-kong with a lightning thrust toward the chest. It must be known that Ciam Goan was the only son of the late Ciam-ciangkun, a general of the Hou-han Kingdom, and in terms of swordsmanship,

He had been trained by his uncle, his mother's younger brother, also a general, namely General Giam Siong, who was a renowned expert. His swordsmanship originated from the Kun-lun-pai sword art, thus prioritizing speed of movement and change. Hearing the whistling sound of the sword wind and seeing this rapid attack, Ci-lan Sai-kong did not dare to look down upon it. Shouting loudly, he leaped backward while flicking his wide sleeve with his left hand, while his right hand drew out a thin, gleaming saber, sharp enough to shine.

The tip of the sword in Ciam Goan's hand came again with a thrust toward the neck. Now Ci-lan Sai-kong moved his saber to parry while exerting his internal energy. This Sai-kong was an expert in *gwa-kang* (external energy), so his strength was immense. A loud clang was heard when the two weapons clashed. Ciam Goan was secretly startled. Fortunately, he had anticipated the opponent's great strength, so he had exerted *Iwee-kang*, and when his sword was parried, he was able to meet hard force with soft force. In this way, although parried hard, his sword did not fly off but stuck to the saber, preventing the danger of it being dropped or damaged.

While Sai-kong was surprised because his hard parry failed to knock the opponent's sword down, Ciam Goan had already made his sword slide and, with a diagonal movement, the sword swept toward the opponent's right arm. This was the Kun-lun sword technique move named *Hun-in-toan-san* (Transverse Cloud Severing Mountain), extremely dangerous because it attacked not another part of the body but the right arm holding the saber. The ferocity of this move was that the sword would continuously repeat its movement, slashing from right to left and vice versa, without giving the opponent a chance to counterattack. Its speed relied on the movement of the wrist, making it incredibly fast, and the attacked opponent would surely become confused.

The same happened to Ci-lan Sai-kong. Seeing the opponent's sword slashing toward his right arm, he was startled and quickly pulled back his right arm while spinning his saber, ready to retaliate. But how surprised he was when the sword that had passed to his left now reversed with lightning speed and slashed again toward his waist! He did not expect the opponent could repeat the attack so quickly, so he moved his saber to parry. Yet, Ciam Goan could still continuously link his attacks; as soon as it was parried, the sword reversed and slid with a slash from the side, and likewise if it was dodged, causing Sai-kong to experience a chain attack that made him busy saving himself. However, Ci-lan Sai-kong was also not a weak person. Besides having a high foundation in martial arts, he was also rich in combat experience. This is why, facing the extremely formidable *Hun-in-toan-san* attack, he was not lacking in ideas.

Seeing how the opponent's sword always slashed from right to left and vice versa, targeting the area from the waist up, he suddenly let out a loud shout, and his body fell and rolled onto the ground. He did not just roll to save himself, but also rolled to approach the opponent, and his saber swept from below, slashing at the opponent's legs and sometimes thrusting toward the abdomen. This was *Tee-tong-to* (Rolling Saber Art), which was extremely dangerous. Immediately the situation changed. If Ciam Goan was previously the attacker and pressurer with the *Hun-in-toan-san* move, now the Flower Picker Villain was pressing with *Tee-tong-to*. Ciam Goan became very busy, having to leap here and there, his sword protecting the lower part of his body, the area most difficult to protect with a sword.

"Wow, how lively,"

Hauw Lam said with a cheerful face.

"If he's not careful, the man surnamed Ciam will surely be in trouble."

"Impossible,"

Kwi Lan refuted.

"Even if his swordsmanship is just child's play, he is at least better than that bearded man."

Hauw Lam glanced at the girl. Was this girl too arrogant, or was her skill truly so high that she considered Ciam Goan's swordsmanship, clearly sourced from Kun-lun techniques, to be child's play?

"I don't mean in the match against that Sai-kong. Against him, I don't think he will lose because I see that Sai-kong only looks strong on the outside, but inside he is already rotten like an old tree; his breath is almost spent. What I worry about are the people of the Thian-liong-pang. Just look at the attitude of those Twelve Dragons, and I doubt Ciam Goan will be able to leave this place safely."

Now Kwi Lan felt surprised. She said nothing, but her heart was intrigued. She was not as experienced as Hauw Lam; she did not know the nature of *kang-ouw* people.

Meanwhile, the match between the two became more intense. Ci-lan Sai-kong no longer used *Tee-tong-to* because after dozens of moves performed without result, he became exhausted himself. Indeed, although *Tee-tong-to* was formidable and dangerous to the opponent, performing it required great stamina and long breath. As for Ci-lan Sai-kong, although well-trained and experienced, just as Hauw Lam had said earlier, he was internally weak. This Sai-kong was a slave to lust, a man who constantly indulged his desires, so naturally, his internal strength became weak, and how could he endure against someone tenacious and strong like Ciam Goan? Now sweat was soaking his face and neck; his breathing began to pant like someone chased by a ghost.

Seeing the opponent's condition, Ciam Goan then pressed and attacked with the move *Seng-siok-hut-si* (Summer Fan-Waving). This move was extremely fierce, like the movement of a fan in the hand, even more aggressive than the *Hun-in-toan-san* move earlier. Three times Sai-kong dodged and parried, the fourth time when the sword tip aimed at his left rib, he quickly performed the move *Hwai-tiong-po-gwat* (Embracing the Moon Before the Chest) to protect his ribs with his saber while his left hand moved to strike the opponent's chest. But who would have thought, Ciam Goan had changed the movement of his sword; he did not proceed with the rib strike but rotated his sword to the right and..

"Crakkkk"

Sai-kong's left arm was severed at the elbow.