At night. A chu always gathered with his father in a secluded room. The room was somewhere in the Li family residence.
Ever since A chu started reading. His father always told him to memorize a book. Even his father did not hesitate to be harsh, if A chu neglected to memorize.
His father always said, "I'm sorry A chu. But all the contents of this book, will definitely be useful for you in the future."
At the time, A chu didn't understand what his father meant.
*****
Before he knew it. It's been almost two years since A Chu started his martial arts lessons with Ba Yun Xi. But after all this time, there was no improvement in A Chu. Even in the early months of his first year. A Chu became often sick.
Mr. Li became very worried about his son's condition. He immediately called the village doctor to check on A Chu's health condition. After feeling the pulse on A Chu's hand, the doctor was surprised and said,
"Strange, how can something like this happen?"
Seeing the doctor's puzzled attitude, Mr. Li immediately asked,
"A..what happened to my son?"
"Apparently, A Chu has been practicing internal energy incorrectly. His blood flow has become unstable and is causing him health problems," said Physician Zhu while shaking his head. He seemed very surprised by A Chu's condition,
"How could something like that happen, doctor? My son received special teaching from the warrior Ba Yun Xi. We already consider him as our own family," said Mr. Li incredulously.
"Hm... it's possible that A Chu has been practicing the instructions of swordsman Ba wrongly or... " Physician Zhu seemed to think for a moment. Then he said, "There's no way Swordsman Ba would intentionally teach A Chu the wrong knowledge, right?"
"That can't be the case doctor. How could there be a Master, who would want to mislead his own disciple," rebutted Mr. Li.
"Yes, it seems my guess was wrong" said Physician Zhu.
*****
A Chu's health condition gradually recovered to normal. In fact, he seemed to be getting more energetic by the day.
One afternoon in the courtyard of the house where A Chu used to practice. Mr. Li came over to Ba Yun Xi.
"How is my son doing? Is he talented in martial arts?" asked Mr. Li excitedly.
Ba Yun Xi seemed surprised by Mr. Li's sudden arrival. He immediately replied,
"Oh, Mr. Li. You've come at a very good time. I have some things to say regarding A Chu's martial arts lessons."
Ba Yun Xi immediately called A Chu and told him to stop practicing. Then he ordered A Chu, to rest inside the house.
Ba Yun Xi's face suddenly turned gloomy. After sighing. He began to say to Mr. Li,
"I'm sorry, Mr. Li. It seems that I am not talented in teaching students. It's been almost two years of training. But there seems to be no significant progress in A chu training." Ba Yun Xi explained, bowing his head. There was a look of disappointment on his face.
Mr. Li also looked disappointed with Ba Yun Xi's explanation.
"There is no need to think too much about it, Mr. Ba. Perhaps it is indeed my son who has no talent in practicing martial arts. After all, during these two years. My child's body has gradually become strong and healthy, and is no longer easily sick like before. This is something I should be grateful for."
Ba Yun Xi felt at ease, knowing that Mr. Li was not too disappointed with A Chu's results. Then he began to ask Mr. Li,
"Mr. Li, if I may ask. Is there anyone in your family tree who has practiced martial arts?"
Mr. Li seemed to be somewhat surprised by the question. He seemed to think for a moment. Then he replied,
"Our family is just an ordinary merchant family. Even my own servant has never learned martial arts."
Suddenly Mr. Li seemed to remember something.
"Ah, I remember. It seems like my sister-in-law and her husband who live in Yang Ciu city. Are a martial arts couple." said Mr. Li again.
*****
One night. In one of the rooms, in Mr. Li's residence.
"DAMMIT! I've searched almost every corner of this house. But I haven't found that thing yet."
There was someone's voice in the room. He was very upset. The whole room was very dark. Even the shadow of the person, it was hard to see.
Even so, that person seemed to have very sharp eyesight. Even in this kind of darkness. He was still able to feel and flip through the contents of a book.
When he wanted to pick up another book. His ears seemed to hear the sound of footsteps.
"Oh no! Someone is approaching. It looks like I'll have to stop for today. Out of the entire house, this reading room is the only one I haven't searched thoroughly."
He quickly put the book he was holding into the cupboard. After that. With very agile movements, he immediately jumped out of the window. His movements were very agile and practiced.
It wasn't long before the door to the room opened.
Mrs. Li stood at the door with a lamp.
"Husband, are you the one inside?"
After a long time, there was no answer from inside. Finally, Mrs. Li closed the door of the reading room and left the place. Inwardly she said,
"Strange, I seem to hear someone's voice from inside that room. Is it just me?"
That morning in his room. Mr. and Mrs. Li seemed to be negotiating something. Mr. Li's face looked uneasy. The two of them were discussing an important matter.
"I have a feeling. It seems that lately, our house has been frequented by unknown people. Almost every night they sneak into our house. Like they're looking for something." said Mr. Li.
"I feel it too, my husband. Once I woke up in the middle of the night. Because I was suddenly thirsty. When I was about to go to the kitchen. I heard a sound from the reading room. Like there was someone in it. But when I asked who was in there. There was no answer," said Mrs. Li. "Even when I went in, there was no one inside."
Mr. Li, who had been pacing in place. seemed to be thinking. Suddenly he seemed to remember something.
"Is it possible that he's after father's heirloom?"
Mrs. Li looked shocked. "It seems so my husband," Mrs. Li replied.
Mr. Li was stunned for a moment. Then he said,
"But this incident is a little confusing. Because I've never spoken a word about the book to anyone else."
After thinking for a long time. Mr. Li finally came to a decision. While watching his wife's face, he said,
"Alright! Tonight me and Chen. Will try to catch that person."
There was a look of concern on Mrs. Li's face,
"Be careful, husband."
*****
That night the air felt so soul-piercing. There was not a single star in the sky. Only the crescent moon shone brightly. The atmosphere was so quiet. Even a cricket was reluctant to make a sound.
Suddenly there was the sound of a second cricket. The time had passed midnight.
In a room filled with cabinets filled with books and books. Someone was busy flipping through the books one by one. It seemed like this person was looking for something really important.
Although the room was pitch black and there was no light at all. But this person could see clearly. It seemed that he had eyes that had been trained to see things in the dark.
The man moved from one cupboard to another. Sometimes he checked inside the desk. But it seemed that he still couldn't find what he was looking for. It seemed like the man was getting impatient. He began to search and shuffle through the bookshelves. It seemed that he didn't care about anything anymore.
Suddenly the room became brightly lit.
The door to the room suddenly opened. Standing outside the room was Mr. Li, clutching a lamp.
"Mr. Ba! What are you doing here in the middle of the night?" Mr. Li exclaimed.
Ba Yun Xi was actually very surprised. Because all of a sudden. In front of him stood Mr. Li and Chen. But the expression on his face did not show that.
"If I told you. I was looking for a book, to treat chickenpox. Would you believe me?"
"Te..of course A..I believe it," Mr. Li replied not smoothly.
"In that case. Why do you two look tense? After all, it's late at night. What are you carrying swords for?" asked Ba Yun Xi.
"We're looking for a criminal who has been secretly going in and out of this residence."
Ba Yun Xi's face suddenly turned grim.
"If I say so. That criminal is actually me. Would you believe me?"
Mr. Li and Chen looked shocked.
Seeing the expressions of the two people. Ba Yun XI suddenly laughed.
"Ha ha ha ha!"
Mr. Li and Chen wondered why Ba Yun Xi was suddenly laughing. In fact, the longer he laughed, the louder it became. Chen couldn't help but ask,
"What are you laughing at?"
Ba Yun Xi did not answer. Instead, he laughed even louder. This made Mr. Li and Chen even more astonished.
Ba Yun Xi's laughter suddenly stopped. He looked at Mr. Li with a sharp gaze. His face looked very cold.
"For these two years. I have tried to search every corner of this house, while pretending to be kind to this family. But I couldn't find it." then he sighed and continued. "I should have guessed. All this time, you've been carrying that book around with you."
Mr. Li and Chen were stunned, hearing Ba Yun Xi's words.
"So, all this time?"
Mr. Li looked devastated at Ba Yun Xi's words. Because all this time. He had considered Ba Yun Xi. Like a brother.
Ba Yun Xi laughed again.
"Everything that happened so far. was actually according to my plan. I pretended to be injured. Then the horde of criminals who attacked this house. It was on my orders. I did all that, just to gain the trust of this family. Especially from you."
Ba Yun Xi's patience was running out. His face turned fierce.
"NOW. HAND OVER THE HEIRLOOM QUICKLY!"
Ba Yun Xi lunged at Mr. Li with an extremely fast and skillful movement. His hand was about to grab Mr. Li's neck.
But suddenly. Chen stepped in front of Mr. Li. He drew a sword at Ba Yun Xi.
"Don't make me laugh," Ba Yun Xi snorted.
Ba Yun Xi easily managed to dodge Chen's sword thrust. He moved to the side and hit Chen with a hard kick of his right foot. It sent Chen's body flying out of the window.
After successfully getting rid of Chen. Ba Yun Xi went back to attacking Mr. Li.
Mr. Li who doesn't understand martial arts at all. Tried to draw his sword to defend himself. But the opponent's movements were very fast and precise. Ba Yun Xi suddenly grabbed his wrist.
Mr. Li felt his whole body go numb. The sword in his hand fell to the floor. Meanwhile, the lantern that Mr. Li was holding also slipped from his grasp.
Ba Yun Xi swiftly caught the lantern that almost fell to the floor, and put it on the table. Then he picked up Mr. Li's sword that had fallen earlier and pointed it at Mr. Li's neck.
"Hurry up and hand over the book! If you still love your life!" Ba Yun Xi snapped fiercely.
Even though the sword was sharp, it was already pressed against the skin of his neck. Mr. Li didn't seem to flinch in the slightest.
"Just kill me! And don't expect the book to fall into your hands."
"Alright! It seems like from the start, you would rather die. Rather than handing over the book to me."
The sword in Ba Yun Xi's hand had already started swinging. A few more moments. It seemed that Mr. Li's skull would soon separate from his body.
*****