Walking alone in silence on the open market street, Mu Dishi's icy cold eyes stared ahead at the road that would take him to Shaolin, but then a well-carved wooden comb caught his eye; he stopped in front of a vendor stall and looked down at the table full of combs, makeup, and hairpins.
"This young gongzi," the Vendor Lady prompted, her voice bright, "buy a comb as a gift."
Mu Dishi took out two coins, took the wooden comb from the young lady's hand, and tucked it inside his inner robe. He continued walking toward one of the Inns. This town is called Tiāndǐngfēng, located at the base of Shaolin Sect. As Mu Dishi walked on the street, he noticed a lot of different clans, Sects, and martial artists, their presence thick in the air.
Mu Dishi walked into an Inn, and the Innkeeper walked up to greet him, a welcoming smile on his face. "Sir, would you like to book a room, or just dine?"
"Both," Mu Dishi said, his voice flat.
"You are in luck," the Innkeeper said cheerfully. "There are only three rooms left."
"I'll dine in my room," Mu Dishi replied.
"No problem," the Innkeeper said. He waved at one of the waiters, "Take this young gongzi to his room."
Later on, that evening, Ma Jingguo, Kuo Changchang, the two female juniors, and the Yongs arrived at the Inn. As they were seated inside the main dining hall, Ma Jingguo noticed that there were a lot of people of different Sects and clans eating there, the air thick with hushed conversations and wary glances. Ma Jingguo sat quietly, eating with the group, as he listened to the people chattering around him, the fragmented sentences drifting over.
The first martial artist sitting inside the inn said, "I can't believe after so many years the Mu treasure map has resurfaced again."
The second martial artist said, "Don't you notice that there are more people participating this year? They are not here for the competition. They are here for the Mu treasure map."
The third martial artist said, "I doubt it..."
The second martial artist said, "I wonder who is going to defeat the last Mu survivor and claim that treasure map."
The first martial artist said, "Me too."
The fourth martial artist said, "I've heard that the four clans already plan for revenge."
The first martial artist asked, "Do you think Shaolin Sect will do anything to help?"
The third martial artist said, "We will have to wait and see if the last Mu survivor shows up."
Ma Jingguo looked inside the main dining hall, where there were more than a hundred people sitting and eating. He worried for Mu Dishi's safety. If all these martial artists were to fight against Mu Dishi, no matter how skillful he might be, he would not win against all of them.
Kuo Changchang looked at Ma Jingguo, who was not eating and was spacing out. She then said, her voice soft with concern, "A-Chen, are you okay?"
"Shijie, I am full..." Ma Jingguo said, forcing a smile.
"I've already booked the rooms in advance," Yong Gui said, interrupting gently. "You guys go rest, and tomorrow we will go up to Shaolin." He looked at Kuo Changchang. "Your father sent a letter stating that they are already in Shaolin."
"Thank you for letting me know, Senior Yong," Kuo Changchang said, relief touching her face.
Sitting alone inside his bedroom, Mu Dishi took out the wooden comb and put it on the table. He stared at the wooden comb, and it reminded him of when Ma Jingguo combed his hair for him, the memory a surprising warmth in the cold room. Ma Jingguo is the son of his enemies, but at the same time, Ma Jingguo is the only friend he has since the annihilation of his family.
Mu Dishi knew walking into Shaolin Sect meant he had a small chance of coming out alive. If the worst came, he would use 'Together in Hell'. He had mastered the Killer String techniques, and if he used 'Together in Hell', the one that died would be those who were surrounding him. He didn't want to kill anyone else other than his enemies, but he knew that many of the clans and Sects would be there for the Mu treasure map. He took out the Mu treasure map and placed it next to the comb.
Mu Dishi stared at it for a while and sighed, a sound of weary frustration. "Why do they want you so much?" He picked up the map. "Even when they get their hands on you, they will die at the end." He shook his head and put the treasure map inside his robe.
Early the next morning, Ma Jingguo, Kuo Changchang, and the two juniors followed the people of Sword Village up to Shaolin Sect. When they came into the meeting hall, the air already thick with tension, Ma Jingguo, Kuo Changchang, and the two juniors reunited with Kuo Jin Song, Kuo Ju, and Kuo Wenqian. Ma Jingguo, Kuo Changchang, and the two juniors went and stood with Kuo Wenqian, behind Kuo Jin Song and Kuo Ju.
Mo Ehuang, Wen Zen, Leung Xiaoli, Shui Cong, and Shui Jinhai, dressed in mourning clothes, were already there with the four Sects. There were also the injured disciples of Tianshan who stood behind Suo Baojing, Peng Boqin, and Suo Dongmei. Leaders and representatives from other major Sects like Emei, Kunlun, and Shaolin were also present, their expressions varying from grim anticipation to weary resignation.
Nun Chingmei said indifferently, her voice cutting through the murmuring crowd, "Everyone inside this room knew exactly why Mu Dishi came. I don't believe any of you will deny it. Maybe the younger generation might not know about it, but the four Sects and the four Clans knew very well what they were doing up in Mu Village."
Li Kong Bai said, his voice sharp with defensiveness, "Huangshan might have gone up Mu Village, but we have not killed a single person. I am not afraid to face Mu Dishi because my conscience is clear."
Nun Chingmei said, a cold smile touching her lips, "Leader Li, some people's conscience might not be as clear."
Suo Dongmei said, stepping forward, her voice sharp, "Nun Chingmei, it seems like you are targeting my father and my jiu jiu."
Nun Chingmei said, her gaze unwavering, "Miss Suo, I didn't say anyone's name."
Suo Baojing said, intervening smoothly, "Nun Chingmei, this is not the time to blame who is wrong and who is right."
Nun Chingmei protested, her voice rising, "Those that were wronged knew exactly who they are!"
Zu Minsheng said, his voice carrying a hint of malice, "Leader Yong, I've heard that Monk Hao survived Mu Dishi's revenge rampage."
Yong Taihua said, his voice tight with anger, "Leader Zu, my da ye has paid his debts to Mu Dishi."
Zu Minsheng asked, pushing, "Does Sword Village have a deal with Mu Dishi, that's why Monk Hao survived?"
Yong Taihua said, his voice sharp with warning, "Leader Zu, please mind your words."
Zu Minsheng said, a cruel glint in his eye, "Childe Yong, I was curious that the four clan leaders died horribly with seventy-one wounds, but somehow... Monk Hao survived."
Yong Caixia was angry at Zu Minsheng's comment. She said angrily, her voice ringing with defiance, "If Leader Zu wants to survive, perhaps maybe, you should become a monk, then destroy your internal energy, and care for the seventy-one graves like Hao da ye did!"
Yong Gui said, his voice calm but firm, stopping her, "Xia'er..." He looked at Zu Minsheng and said, "Er Shixiong, had cut off his own arm, stabbed himself eight times, but since he gave the Mu Villagers proper burial, Mu Dishi didn't take his life." He looked at Ma Jingguo. "Also, Sword Village has to thank Ah Chen for putting words to soften Mu Dishi's killing rage."
Peng Boqin said, his voice pragmatic, shifting the focus, "Since Mu Dishi is here to seek revenge, then we better be prepared for him."
Nun Chingmei said, her voice resolute, "Emei Sect will have nothing to do with Mu Dishi. Ten years ago, we did not participate in your so-called 'Shooting Down The Dragon Campaign', and today we will not participate in any killing of Mu Dishi. He is here to seek revenge for those who owed him a debt. Those who owed him a debt knew exactly who they are."
Tang Jianyu said, his voice measured, "Nun Chingmei is right... Back then, Kunlun Sect did not participate. If Mu Dishi is here to seek revenge on the four Sects' leaders only, then Kunlun Sect will not stop him unless he hurts other people... only then will Kunlun Sect step in."
Monk Ling said, his voice calm and compassionate, "Amitabha... this monk will try to reason with benefactor Mu to spare the lives of the four Sect Leaders."
Nun Chingmei laughed, a sharp, disbelieving sound, "Ha...ha...ha... This is exactly like back then! You so-called righteous Sects sit and talk about killing again! I don't see why we even need this discussion."
Mo Ehuang asked, her voice raw with grief and anger, "Nun Chingmei, do you think it is funny that my father died horribly?"
Nun Chingmei said, her gaze unwavering, "Karma... Have you heard of karma?"
Shui Cong was mad, so he stood up and said harshly, his voice tight with fury, "You are a nun! How can you even say such words? Disrespecting the dead!"
Nun Chingmei said, standing firm, "Because they are not innocent. They have innocent blood on their hands." She turned to the three Sects. "Such a shame... I don't have any more to say." She walked out of the meeting hall in rage.
Li Kong Bai looked angrily at Suo Baojing and Peng Boqin, his jaw clenched. "I will not continue with this discussion." He also walked out, his footsteps sharp.
Ma Jingguo was relieved that Nun Chingmei and Li Kong Bai would not participate with the other three Sects to fight with Mu Dishi.
"Nun Chingmei might be a hot head," Kuo Ju said, a thoughtful look on her face, "but she does have a point. If Mu Dishi is here for revenge, then there is not much we can do."
Yong Gui said, his voice calm but resolute, "My Er Shixiong has already paid his debt to Mu Dishi. Sword Village will stand and watch. Only if Mu Dishi hurts innocent bystanders, then Sword Village will aid."
"Father..." Yong Taihua protested.
"Your da ye made it clear," Yong Gui said, his voice final, "and we will follow his wishes."
Fu Susu asked, his voice sharp, addressing Kuo Jin Song, "How about you, Kuo shifu? Are you going to watch as Mu Dishi kills us?"
Kuo Ju said, answering before her husband, her voice level, "Leader Fu, there are four of you. Mu Dishi might not win against you all."
Fu Susu said, turning to her, his voice insistent, "Madam Kuo, back then Kuo shifu had helped us to get rid of Mu Dishi."
Kuo Ju asked, a challenging glint in her eye, "This time, you want my husband to fight Mu Dishi and get you another ten years?"
Fu Susu said, backpedaling slightly, "That is not what I meant. I just want to know where Kuo shifu stands."
Kuo Ju replied, her voice clear, "My husband will stand with righteousness. Let me ask everyone, those seeking revenge is between the two people, is that correct?"
Peng Boqin asked, his voice tight, "Madam Kuo mean you will stand and watch?"
Kuo Ju replied, her gaze unwavering, "Like Leader Tang says, if Mu Dishi hurts innocent bystanders, we will aid."
Kuo Jin Song said, his voice deep and authoritative, "My wife is correct. Back then, I've given you all ten years because I couldn't stand watching Mu Dishi kill the four of you. I will also reason with Mu Dishi if he can calm down his killing rage and choose forgiveness."
Suo Baojing said, his patience thin, "Since Kuo shifu has decided that way, then there is nothing here to talk about. If Kuo shifu and Madam Kuo want to stay, you are welcome. If not, we are going to discuss how to defeat Mu Dishi."
"We will take our leave," Kuo Ju said. She looked at Kuo Jin Song and her two daughters. "Let us go back and rest."
"We will also take our leave," Yong Gui said, gathering his group.
Sitting in a guest room, Yong Gui, Kuo Jin Song, Kuo Ju, and the five youth sat at a table, the tension from the meeting still lingering.
Yong Gui said, his voice serious, "Kuo shifu, when I saw Mu Dishi fight my disciples, his internal energy was stronger than ten years ago when he fought you."
Kuo Ju said, her expression grim, "Back then, when he was fifteen, he defeated the five clans and three Sects easily."
Yong Gui said, a note of foreboding in his voice, "Now, he has mastered the guzheng Killing Strings."
Kuo Changchang said, her voice hushed, recalling the horror, "I saw he used his strings. In a matter of seconds, he tore the two disciples apart."
Yong Gui said, his voice heavy, "Tomorrow when Mu Dishi comes, there will be bloodshed."
Kuo Ju said, her gaze troubled, "Those small Sects and clans will also be here to get the treasure map from Mu Dishi."
Ma Jingguo asked, his voice filled with sudden anxiety, "Shimu, will you help them take the treasure map from Mu Dishi?"
Kuo Ju replied, her voice uncertain, "Let's hope that none of those people want that treasure map."
Kuo Jin Song said, his voice weary, "I don't want to fight him if I don't have to."
Kuo Ju worried, because she knew her husband would try to stop Mu Dishi if small clans and Sects fought with Mu Dishi. She looked at Kuo Jin Song and said, her voice firm, a plea hidden within, "If you must, then get that treasure map and destroy it."
Ma Jingguo started to worry, because he knew his shifu and his shimu would try to stop Mu Dishi. If his shifu and his shimu both fought with Mu Dishi, he was afraid Mu Dishi would lose his life here in Shaolin Sect.