Blood-Stained Love Chapter 24

Bu Sin and Sian Eng looked very disappointed and regretful. Sian Eng almost cried when she remembered how their journey was not only fruitless, but they had also lost Lin Lin. They hadn't found one older brother yet, and now they had lost a younger sister. Hearing the old master's answer, it seemed truly impossible to find someone who was in the capital city and participated in the examination fourteen years ago. Just as they were about to despair, the venerable old master comforted them, saying,

"There is still one way to find that person. Fourteen years ago, the one who served as the head examiner was Prince Suma Kong, who now resides in the city of An-sui. You should try to meet him and ask for his help, because I believe that prince has records of the examinees, and who knows, he might be able to provide information on the whereabouts of Liu Bu Song."

The siblings' faces changed, and they exchanged glances upon hearing these words. Prince Suma in An-sui? That was the family whose mansion they had visited, and where Lin Lin had vanished. It was also where It-gan Kai-ong and the formidable young man they heard called Suma-kongcu were located. This thought made them feel confused and tense, so Bu Sin immediately offered his thanks and asked to take his leave. After exiting the old master's house, Bu Sin took a deep breath.

"Must we go to that house? That extremely dangerous place? What if those who are there, especially It-gan Kai-ong, recognize us? Wouldn't that be the same as entering the dragon's and tiger's den?"

"Sin-ko, we have no enmity with them. If Prince Suma is the only person who can help us, why should we hesitate? It's better to try; who knows, the old prince might know where Elder Brother Bu Song is. If we don't ask him, who else can we ask? Even that venerable master couldn't help us, let alone anyone else."

"We indeed have no enmity with Prince Suma's family, but you must remember It-gan Kai-ong is there. We had trouble with the beggars once."

"Didn't he forgive us after Lin Lin gave him silver money? If he intended harm, he would have acted long ago."

Finally, Bu Sin made a decision and said,

"Very well, we will go to An-sui, ask and seek help from Prince Suma Kong. Whatever happens, we must face it, as it is our duty to fulfill Father's last request to find Elder Brother Bu Song. Come, Eng-moi, let us return to An-sui."

They stayed in the capital for only one night, and the next morning, they quickly resumed their journey back to An-sui. Upon arriving in An-sui several days later during the daytime, the two of them immediately headed toward the mansion they had become familiar with that one night, entering the spacious courtyard. Their hearts pounded nervously when the servant they asked to report to Prince Suma that they wished to meet him entered the large front door. Finally, the door opened, and their hearts were filled with shock and tension. The person who emerged was not an old prince, but a tall, sturdy, and handsome young man with a hooked nose and sharp eyes like an owl.

This was the young man they had seen that night, Suma-kongcu, or Suma Boan"

Sian Eng, especially, felt a tremor in her heart when she saw the young man's eyes gazing at her as if he wanted to swallow her whole, and his mouth, which hinted at cunning, was smiling. Behind this young man emerged more than a dozen tall, large men, who, at a glance, could be guessed to be guard soldiers due to their uniform clothing. Suma-kongcu gave a signal, and the dozen guards went back inside. Then, the young man returned the greeting of his two guests with a bow and said.

"According to the servant's report, the Lady and brother wish to meet Prince Suma. Coincidentally, Father is taking his afternoon nap, but if there is business, Ji-wi may discuss it with me, as all of Father's affairs have been delegated to me. What is the purpose of Ji-wi coming to meet Father?"

Since it was the same for Bu Sin whether it was Prince Suma or his son, as long as he could provide information about his older brother, he immediately spoke respectfully.

"Forgive us if we are disturbing your valuable time, Suma-kongcu. Our purpose in coming to meet Prince Suma is to request assistance, as we believe only Prince Suma can help us with this matter."

Suma Boan's face became friendly, but his gaze was full of scrutiny, and just like before, he briefly looked at the swords hanging at the waists and backs of the two young people.

"How strange, we have never met Ji-wi. What kind of assistance can we provide?"

"It is like this, Kongcu. We are searching for an examinee who was in the capital city and participated in the examination fourteen years ago. Since we received information that Prince Suma served as the head examiner at that time, we hope he would be willing to inform us if he knows the current whereabouts of that scholar."

"What is the name of that scholar? Fourteen years ago? Hmmm, perhaps it can be found in the book of records concerning the scholars."

"At that time, he registered his name as Liu Bu Song.."

"Bu Song..?"

Suma-kongcu looked extremely shocked, and his face instantly turned red, his eyes wide open.

"What is he to you?"

His question was no longer polite. Bu Sin and Sian Eng were startled by this change, but since they couldn't guess what caused Suma-kongcu to change so drastically, Bu Sin answered honestly,

"He is our older brother.."

"Excellent.."

Suma-kongcu leaped up and burst into roaring laughter.

"Ha-ha-ha-ha, Bu Song! You have sent your two siblings, excellent! The younger brother can substitute for your punishment, and the younger sister, hmmm... she is beautiful enough to pay for your humiliation. Ha-ha-ha!"

Suma-kongcu clapped his hands, and a dozen guards appeared very quickly.

"Arrest them!"

Bu Sin and Sian Eng were utterly shocked to see Suma-kongcu's attitude and hear this command. Without waiting any longer, they immediately leaped backward while drawing their swords. However, Suma Boan's movement was incredibly fast.

Like a swooping eagle, he charged at Bu Sin and Sian Eng, both his hands moving to attack. Bu Sin and Sian Eng hadn't had time to fully draw their swords, so they were forced to parry, as the attack was swift and extremely dangerous. Suma Boan's two hands met the parries of Bu Sin and Sian Eng. As a result, Bu Sin staggered backward, and Sian Eng tumbled down!

The siblings were greatly shocked. Sian Eng quickly tried to leap up, but a pressure point strike (totokan) delivered by Suma Boan's two fingers swiftly hit her vital meridian, rendering her unable to move. Laughing, Suma Boan snatched Sian Eng's body and carried her.

"Release my sister!"

Bu Sin roared, his now-drawn sword slashing toward Suma Boan. Bu Sin's swordsmanship was not weak. The sword shot out quickly, forcing Suma Boan to evade by leaping to the side. However, Bu Sin's sword continued to pursue him.

At that moment, the guards had surrounded Bu Sin, preventing the young man from helping his sister. Filled with surging anger, he was forced to spin his sword, engaging the dozen guards. Facing these guards, even though outnumbered, the prowess of Bu Sin's swordsmanship became apparent. In a moment, three guards fell wounded. The other guards became fearful. They had not expected the young man's swordsmanship to be so formidable. Now, they dared not approach closely. Seeing this, Suma Boan lost his patience. He laid Sian Eng's body down on a couch in the corner of the room, then leaped into the fray, roaring.

"Step back, you useless people, and watch how I capture this worm!"

The guards felt relieved. They quickly retreated while helping their three wounded comrades. As for Bu Sin, upon seeing Suma Boan, he immediately shouted loudly and charged forward. He intended to defeat the Kongcu so he could save his sister, whom he saw still lying on the couch, unable to move.

"Evil man of the Suma clan! What is our offense that you are making this arrest?"

"Ha-ha-ha, Bu Song, your older brother, is my great enemy. Surrender!"

"I will not surrender before death. Taste my sword!"

Suma Boan continued to laugh while dodging the sword strike. In the next instant, both his hands moved, thrusting and striking pressure points as a counter-attack. The prince's son faced Bu Sin with bare hands alone. Indeed, he was an extremely formidable ciang-hoat master, having inherited high-level martial arts from It-gan Kai-ong. Bu Sin was no match for him, because compared to the prince's son, Bu Sin's skill was still very low, several levels below.

It was not surprising that within a dozen moves, Bu Sin's right wrist was struck by a slanting hand chop, sending his sword flying far away. Then, before Bu Sin could save himself, he was struck down by a pressure point strike (totok) and was immediately tackled and restrained by the guards. Several guards, angry because the young man had wounded three of their comrades, rained down blows. Bu Sin certainly would have died if Suma Boan had not harshly scolded his men.

"Do not touch him! I myself will punish him. Hmph, you useless people, if you beat him to death, your lives will pay the price!"

However, Bu Sin did not die, only fainted.

Suma Boan looked toward the couch and was utterly shocked to see it empty. Sian Eng, the sweet beauty who had been struck by the pressure point attack and was unable to move, lying on the couch, was now nowhere to be seen—vanished from the spot without a trace!

"Damn it, where is she..?"

Suma Boan reached the couch in a single leap, his eyes bulging, his face pale when he saw an object stuck into the couch in place of the beautiful girl. This object was a small flag, its handle made of black wood stuck into the couch. The flag was triangular, with a black base and the image of Hek-giam-lo, the angel of death holding a scythe, embroidered with gold thread!

"Hek-giam-lo.."

Suma Boan whispered, then gritted his teeth.

"Hek-giam-lo is interfering again, damn it!"

But he realized it was impossible to chase that devil who had abducted his captive. He vented his anger on Bu Sin.

"Drag him into the back garden!"

The guards dragged Bu Sin's body—who had regained consciousness but was still helpless—to the back. Under Suma Boan's command, they erected two crossed beams, then tied Bu Sin's body onto the cross. Bu Sin was conscious and aware of the mortal danger threatening his life. Yet, he was a brave and formidable young man, not afraid in the slightest. With sharp eyes, he stared at Suma Boan, who stood before him, flanked by the guards.

"Man of the Suma clan!"