Blood-Stained Love Chapter 15

"Lopek, the incident this afternoon occurred because of the fault of your own friends who attempted robbery, forcing us young people to intervene. We have no business with your association, nor do we know your leader. If he has business with us, tell him to come here and speak,"

He answered with an arrogant voice and a calm demeanor. The short, fat beggar elder suddenly laughed.

"Ha-ha-ha-ha, merely defeating four useless subordinates of ours, and already you are so arrogant. Ah, you are like fledglings just learning to fly, unaware of the height of the sky or the breadth of the ocean. Young man, our *Pangcu* summons you politely; I hope you understand and appreciate this patience. Do not force this old man to take action against naughty brats; I would be ashamed to do so."

The feeling in Lin Lin's chest seemed to explode upon hearing this extremely condescending remark. He leaped forward and snapped,

"Arrogant old beggar, do you think we fear you? Even if your *Pangcu* comes himself, we will not be afraid. We refuse to come, what will you do?"

"Ho-ho, truly like a frog in a coconut shell. Young people, do you come from the territory of the Hou-han Kingdom in Shan-si?"

"Indeed, we come from the Hou-han territory, and we are a race of *ho-han* (gallant people). Are you only just realizing this now?"

Lin Lin, who was quick-witted, replied, preempting his older brother who remained silent. The young man realized that if he allowed his younger sibling to continue stepping forward and acting, the situation would not improve, but rather become more chaotic. Thus, he quickly stepped forward to face the short elder.

"Lopek, know that we young people are merely passing through this area on our journey; we are not seeking trouble with anyone. It was only by chance this afternoon that we clashed with your people because they were the ones seeking trouble. We are only stopping here to spend the night; tomorrow we will leave this region. I hope you, old man, will settle this matter."

"Where are you headed?"

"To the Imperial Capital of the Sung Kingdom."

"Good. You come from the Hou-han territory and are headed to the Imperial Capital of the Sung Kingdom? Young man, come with us now to face our *Pangcu*."

Bu Sin grew angry. This beggar elder was too condescending. Even though there were a dozen beggars present, did he think the three of them were afraid?

"We will not go with you,"

He answered while drawing his sword, followed by Sian Eng and Lin Lin. The three young people were like three tigers showing their fangs, swords in hand, ready to face the mob. They felt not the slightest fear.

"Wah-wah, truly gallant,"

The elder said, then gave a signal to his companions.

"Capture them!"

Bu Sin spun his sword, threatening,

"Step back, all of you! Look at the sword!"

However, the elder had already charged him with his staff, and several other beggars with their staffs rushed Sian Eng and Lin Lin, who met them with their swords. A fierce battle erupted under the torchlight. The three swords of the young Kam family members flashed quickly, like streaks of lightning striking, and within a few moves, three attackers had fallen, screaming in pain. The short, fat beggar gave a command. Bu Sin, whose eyes were sharp, saw the beggars drawing bows and arrows. Dangerous, he thought.

"Eng-moi, Lin-moi, extinguish the torches with *am-gi* (hidden weapons)!"

He shouted, and his left hand already reached into his pocket, pulling out his secret weapon, the *piauw* (flying knife). His left hand moved quickly, two *piauw* flashed, and the screams of two torchbearers were heard; their hands were pierced by the *piauw*, and the torches they held fell, extinguished.

Lin Lin and Sian Eng also utilized their skill with their secret weapons—fine needles. In a short time, the torches collapsed and went out. Bu Sin used the opportunity provided by the darkness to signal his two younger siblings. They understood that if the battle continued and they were mobbed with arrows, they would surely be in danger. So, they quickly employed their *gin-kang*, spinning their swords to ward off every obstruction, and a few minutes later, they had left the place, fleeing into the darkness without knowing the direction. For more than two hours, they fled into a forest, and the situation grew darker because the dense tree leaves covered the sky above them.

"Ugh, how truly shameful,"

Lin Lin panted.

"We ran like three rabbits chased by tigers."

His voice clearly indicated his displeasure at this retreat, feeling annoyed and frustrated. Bu Sin and Sian Eng also stopped, wiping sweat with the edges of their sleeves.

"Wah, that was truly dangerous,"

Said Bu Sin.

"Lin-moi, you truly are as the beggar elder said, like a frog in a coconut shell, unaware of the height of the sky. If we hadn't quickly extinguished the torches and they had rained down arrows, do you think you would still be breathing right now?"

"Not necessarily, Sin-ko,"

Lin Lin retorted.

"We haven't lost yet, and even if we eventually died surrounded, at least my sword would have killed several opponents. At least a few enemy lives would accompany mine; dying would not be frustrating. Running away like this, however, is truly a great frustration."

Bu Sin merely smiled. He knew Lin Lin's naughty and extremely brave nature, and secretly worried that this adopted younger brother might cause trouble later on. Because the situation was extremely dark and they could not discern the path, the three young people climbed up a tree, forced to spend the night there like three cold monkeys. Lin Lin complained incessantly. However, because they were extremely tired, they managed to fall asleep in the tree and only woke up when the area was noisy with the chirping of birds welcoming the morning.

When Lin Lin and Sian Eng opened their eyes, they saw Bu Sin already sitting up, giving a sign with his index finger in front of his mouth, telling them to be silent, then pointing downwards. They looked, and their faces changed. Far below, about a hundred meters from the tree where they were hiding, an old tramp stood leaning on his staff. The elder was hunched, his hair disheveled, and he was blind in one eye. It was the beggar elder they had seen in front of the inn, the one Lin Lin had given a silver coin to, and who had then spat on the coin until it was dented. And kneeling before this elder were dozens of beggars, including the ones who had mobbed them last night; they knelt without daring to utter a sound. The hunched beggar elder was heard raging.

"You useless dogs!"

He was heard cursing while slamming his staff onto the ground.

"Hmph, I'd rather kill all of you and work alone. What's the point of having so many subordinates, more useless than a stupid dog?"

All the beggars shivered in fear and were heard begging for forgiveness, addressing the elder with the title *Ong-ya* (King). Bu Sin and his two siblings exchanged glances. Their faces were pale. It turned out that the hunched beggar elder was some kind of extremely influential Beggar King.

"Where are the members of the Pek-ho-kai-pang who caused the disturbance?"

Like four dogs, four beggars were seen crawling forward and kneeling before the elder. Bu Sin and his two siblings saw that these were the four beggars they had beaten up by the river in Wu-han city.

"Tch, these claim to be beggar members? Allowing themselves to be humiliated by young people. Cuh-cuh-cuh-cuh!"

The elder spat four times, and the four beggars fell backward, motionless after their bodies convulsed for a moment. They had died by the elder's spit!

"Let this be a lesson. If such a shameful thing happens again, I will kill every member of the Pek-ho-kai-pang. Where are the leaders of the Hui-houw-kai-pang (Flying Tiger Beggar's Gang), Hek-liong-kai-pang (Black Dragon), and Ang-hwa-kai-pang (Red Flower)? Step forward now!"

Three beggar elders were seen crawling forward and kneeling before the hunched elder.

"Pay attention now. You must show merit and devotion by assisting me. I need the hiding place of Hek-giam-lo. Search until you find it and report back to me. If possible, investigate where he is hiding the torn half of the small manual."

"Yes, Ong-ya. Your servant will mobilize all comrades in the *kai-pang*,"

They answered simultaneously in extremely humble voices.

"Enough, leave now. My stomach turns seeing you!"

The hunched elder grumbled, and like chased dogs, the dozens of beggars left, dragging the corpses of the four *Pek-ho-kai-pang* members. Bu Sin and his two siblings shuddered. Even Lin Lin, who was usually very composed, now looked pale. However, alongside this horror, Lin Lin felt intensely angry at the elder, whom he considered arrogant and cruel.

"A man like him must be eradicated, Sin-ko,"

He whispered.

"Ssttt..."

Bu Sin tried to stop him, but it was too late. The elder suddenly turned around and walked toward the large tree where the three of them were located. The elder did not look up at all, but chuckled as he said,

"I once valued the lives of three young people at one silver coin, but now they are worthless."

Suddenly, both his hands pushed, and...

"Kraaakkk!"

The tree trunk shattered, and the large tree collapsed. Bu Sin and his two siblings were not ordinary people, but witnessing this, they were extremely shocked. Quickly, they mustered their *gin-kang* and leaped down before they fell with the tree and were crushed by branches and twigs. As soon as their feet touched the ground, all three drew their swords, ready to face the powerful elder. They knew they would not be spared, but they were determined to fight to the death.

"Ho-ho-ha-hah, unaware of your own limits... unaware of your own limits..."