Wang Shixiong, paying respects at the tomb of Prince Tongyi, situated at the southern foot of Mount Lingyan, the final resting place of Han Shizhong and his four wives, including Liang Hongyu. He approached the divine path, lit incense before the monument, and reminisced about his encounters and the profound respect he shared with Marshal Han. He felt remorse for failing to fulfill the marshal's dying wishes: defending Chuzhou, now precariously positioned; launching a northern expedition, hindered by a peace-seeking court; and honoring his beloved, whose peace was also uncertain. He recalled the scent of hair and footsteps as silent as falling leaves. "Could you perhaps finish your devotions and then proceed with your actions elsewhere, to avoid disturbing the eternal slumber of these heroic souls?" Lin Chaoying appeared, remarking, "They are merely men who served the Zhao emperor." Wang Shixiong sternly retorted, "Does a marshal who defended the nation and protected the people his entire life not deserve reverence? Does a female general who, poisoned and with her intestines spilling out, wrapped them with a handkerchief and continued to fight, not deserve admiration?" Reprimanded twice, Lin Chaoying remained unfazed, instead feeling the sincerity of his emotions.
Facing her silent gaze, Wang Shixiong felt a flush of heat and quickly turned away. He heard her ask, "Liang Hongyu, a dancer by origin, did she leave behind any martial arts techniques derived from dance?" He shook his head, unaware, and replied, "I only heard Marshal Han mention his wife beating drums to repel the enemy, and some trivial matters of their lives."
Lin Chaoying commented, "I have heard of 'Beating Drums to Repel Jin Soldiers.' Hmph, to have his wife beat drums and wave flags from a ship's tower while he charged according to her commands, did he ever worry she wouldn't be able to bear it, or even be shot by Jin Wuzhu? And if she later impeached him for 'losing the opportunity and letting the enemy escape,' he would deserve it!" Wang Shixiong, who had never heard such a perspective, was momentarily speechless. Lin Chaoying inquired curiously, "What trivial matters did they share?" Wang Shixiong recounted how, after Liang Hongyu was killed, Han Shizhong painfully smashed her leftover bone flute to end his longing and focus on his career. Lin Chaoying disagreed, "Smashing her flute might prevent him from seeing things and thinking of her, but it also extinguished even the slightest chance of remembrance. How selfish! Wouldn't it be better to channel his longing into strength?"
Observing her eloquent demeanor...
"Is there anything else?"
Hearing her ask again, Wang Shixiong shared the story of Liang Hongyu complaining about Han Shizhong's "snoring like a tiger" and making him sleep in the military camp. Lin Chaoying remarked, "She clearly knew his wife mocked him for 'snoring like a tiger,' but it was simply out of fear that he would be needed to care for her if she fell ill in the night, disturbing his rest and hindering his defense of Chuzhou. How could he bear to obey and move to the military camp, leaving her alone to face her sickbed? Even if driven away, he should have waited outside the door, outside the home." Suddenly hearing Wang Shixiong's sigh, she realized she had spoken too much, more than she usually did in ten days.
Wang Shixiong consoled her, "The way couples interact varies; not only outsiders but even their own children find it hard to understand." Lin Chaoying felt as if a warm current flowed through her, saying, "My father passed away soon after I was born, and my mother fell ill and died five years later. I was raised by my maternal grandmother." Wang Shixiong's affection grew, and he said, "I apologize!" Lin Chaoying replied, "It's nothing, really. Children from Youxu Cave must leave their parents at the age of four to study under their masters. After marriage, couples are allowed to meet no more than five days a month, to ensure focus on their tasks." Wang Shixiong indignantly stated, "Severing humanity in such a way is no wonder it cultivates a group of cold and ruthless individuals. You should also consider whether you should continue to be an accomplice." Lin Chaoying sneered, "Those who hunted down the remnants of the Southern Tang for Zhao Guangyi back then, were they not accomplices?" Alas, let it be! It was time to act. "Go to the hillside five li to the south and await your death." With that, Lin Chaoying floated away like a dark cloud.
Having lost her parents at a young age and being forced to undergo brutal training and indoctrination with twisted logic, it was no wonder she was so eccentric and indifferent. Regardless of what the future held, she should be prevented from continuing her misdeeds. As soon as he crossed the grove, another move, "Bud Hidden in the Leaves," met him. Wang Shixiong advanced by retreating. Lin Chaoying had already anticipated this move and spun, her sword slashing towards his left shoulder and waist. Wang Shixiong, expecting a change in her formation, suddenly turned right and backward. Thus, their backs collided, and their shoulders touched. With her shoulder leaning against him, a smile sprang from the depths of Wang Shixiong's heart. Lin Chaoying, seeing this, was both ashamed and angry, and quickly launched a series of rapid attacks.
After fighting for about ten moves, Lin Chaoying realized that his strange moves had indeed exposed the weaknesses in the sword techniques of Youxu Cave. However, he did not seize the opportunity to attack; instead, his intention seemed to be guidance. This was more enjoyable and beneficial than fighting to the death in sparring with fellow disciples. Wang Shixiong was also pleased to find such an opponent for exchange. He suddenly remembered that he had invited Meng Han Guang to invite the directors and high-ranking officials from the Huainan East and West circuits and the Liangzhe East circuit of the Weiwu Alliance to come for the memorial ceremony. He intended to use this opportunity to discuss borrowing manpower and resources to alleviate the predicament in Chuzhou. If they encountered her, it would surely cause complications and conflict with her. Wang Shixiong had a change of heart, feigned a few thrusts, then drew a circle, jumped to a distance, and said, sheathing his sword and cupping his fists, "Since the outcome is not yet decided, let us stop here for today. We shall fight again in four days at the First Line of Sky in Lingyan Temple. Farewell!" Then, he quickly withdrew from the grove and leaped down the hillside.
Lin Chaoying stood frozen on the spot, not giving chase. You look down on me! You think I cannot kill you? Very well, I shall examine my ancestor's notes and see if there are any ingenious moves to take your head next time.
Lin Chaoying headed north towards the First Line of Sky, observing the environment to strategize for their decisive battle, aiming for a single blow to kill the enemy and complete her mission. While thinking, she reached Langgong Village. Seeing the sun setting, she found a cave to shelter and diligently practiced new moves. First, she reviewed his moves, then mimicked their rotations, and finally attempted to dismantle them with her own martial arts. Her mood was exhilarated. After practicing moves all night, she rested briefly, then took out Li Jincuo's notes, contemplating the latter part of the text on methods such as "finding the enemy's opening and exploiting their weakness."
While devising moves to subdue him, that rude and flirtatious smile suddenly appeared in her mind. She wanted to wave her hand and slap him angrily, but his face contorted into righteous indignation, as if scolding her for violating his rules in everything she did. Angrily, she turned to leave, but he blocked her at the cave entrance, glaring at her as she approached step by step, his lecherous face asking about her well-being. Ah, he actually rubbed my hand, and I had no power to resist? He pulled hard, and I fell uncontrollably into that chest that had washed away blood, that warmth... The renowned "First Person to Defend Chuzhou with Righteousness," how could he do such improper things? The dream abruptly ended as the morning light shone into the cave, marking another day.
Lin Chaoying emerged from the cave and walked to the cliff's edge, taking a deep breath of the fresh air. She was pleased that it was all just a dream, yet saddened that it was only a dream. Hearing the clip-clop of hooves, she looked down at the mountain path, and saw that the rider was none other than Wang Shixiong. Lin Chaoying, shocked and angry, used her lightness skill to pursue him. The horse's speed was not fast, and after a few leaps, she blocked his path.