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墨書 Inktalez
The three men led the elder to the Enze Gang. Upon seeing the elder's majestic demeanor, Lin Enzhe clasped his hands in greeting and said, "May I ask your esteemed name, old hero, and what brings you here?" The elder replied, "I am Xiong Yanbi, Deputy Minister of War."
Lin Enzhe and Miao Shuyan were taken aback; they had not expected the elder to be a high-ranking official. The couple quickly invited Xiong Yanbi to sit down. Xiong Yanbi removed a treasured sword from his waist and handed it to Lin Enzhe, asking, "Do you recognize this sword, Master Lin?"
Lin Enzhe noticed that this sword was identical to his own Xuanyu Sword, the only difference being that the hilt bore the inscription "Xuanning Sword." He recognized it as belonging to his senior brother, Yu Jiangong. Overcome with emotion, Lin Enzhe's tears flowed freely as he choked out, "This sword belongs to my senior brother Yu Jiangong. How did you come by it?"
Fourteen years ago, on a fateful night, Yu Jiangong, Han Ying, Xiong Yanbi, and Zu Dashow had been surrounded by enemies while attempting to break free. Yu Jiangong and Han Ying had made a desperate escape southward but were tragically captured. Xiong Yanbi and Zu Dashow attempted to flee north but were pursued to the edge of a cliff on Fuyun Mountain in Guangning County. Refusing to surrender, they jumped off the cliff, their lives saved by protruding branches. They hid in a small cave halfway down the mountain and covered the entrance with snow. Fortunately, the enemy did not discover their hiding place during their search.
After the enemy left, Xiong Yanbi and Zu Dashow dug their way out from under the snow and descended the mountain. When they returned to the battlefield near Lushan, they found it strewn with corpses and filled with sorrow. They located the bodies of Yu Jiangong and Han Ying and buried them together at the foot of Lushan. Upon returning to Ningyuan, they learned that Yu Jiangong's deputy Chen Tao had fled—revealed as a traitor who likely escaped to Namudali.
Xiong Yanbi thought of Yu Jiangong and Han Ying's child. For years he had searched for their son in vain. Then he remembered that Yu Jiangong had once mentioned to him that he was brothers with Lin Enzhe. Thus, he came to Jinling Enze Gang in hopes of finding any news about Yuning.
Seeing Lin Cheng and his siblings staring intently at Xiong Yanbi as he recounted these past events, Lin Enzhe said to them, "Cheng'er, Ning'er, Xiu'er, you should step aside for a moment." The three siblings obeyed and left the Mózhú Building.
Once alone with Xiong Yanbi, Lin Enzhe said, " lord Xiong, I must confess that my second son Lin Ning is indeed the biological child of Master Yu."
Upon hearing this revelation about Lin Ning being Yu Jiangong and Han Ying's child, Xiong Yanbi was deeply moved. He exclaimed excitedly, "No wonder this child's features bear some resemblance to my brother! I vowed at their graves to find their child. Heaven has opened its eyes today; I can finally fulfill my promise to their spirits."
Lin Enzhe pondered for a moment before replying, " lord Xiong, Ning'er is still unaware of his heritage; he is only fourteen and has not yet matured into adulthood. Perhaps we should wait before revealing this to him?"
Xiong Yanbi agreed, saying, "You are right, Master Lin. We can tell him when he is older. Now that I have found him, I would like to give him this Xuanning Sword left by his father as a keepsake."
"That would be wonderful," Lin Enzhe replied.
He instructed a servant to summon Lin Ning to Mózhú Building. When Xiong Yanbi saw Lin Ning arrive, he joyfully remarked, "Truly a tiger father does not raise a dog son! Just now on Jinling Street I exchanged over twenty moves with your son; at such a young age he possesses remarkable martial skills—truly rare! I would like to stay here for a few days and teach him my unique martial arts technique 'Unprecedented'."
Lin Enzhe said happily, "If my son could receive your true teachings, it would indeed be his fortune! Ning'er should thank lord Xiong!"
Lin Ning was overjoyed at the prospect of learning martial arts from Xiong Yanbi and bowed deeply three times in gratitude. Xiong Yanbi quickly helped him up and said, "I am sworn brothers with your father; thus we are very closely related—no need for such formalities! Since we are fated companions, I will gift you this treasured sword I have carried for many years as a memento."
Lin Ning was overwhelmed with joy as he accepted the Xuanning Sword from Xiong Yanbi with repeated thanks.
Seeing that it was getting late, Lin Enzhe arranged for accommodations for Xiong Yanbi.
The next morning after breakfast, Xiong Yanbi recited the techniques of 'Unprecedented' for Lin Ning. Being exceptionally bright and cherishing this rare opportunity greatly, Lin Ning memorized everything after just one teaching session. Then Xiong Yanbi demonstrated all thirty-six forms from the book.
Lin Ning practiced diligently and committed each move to memory. After completing his practice session of all thirty-six moves in front of Xiong Yanbi—who provided guidance throughout—Lin Ning managed to grasp what typically took others months or even longer within just one day.
Xiong Yanbi laughed heartily and said to Lin Enzhe: "Master Lin! I initially intended to stay longer; however your son is so intelligent that there’s no need for me to worry any further! The situation in the Borderlands is dire; Nurhaci has occupied Liaodong for many years now and dreams of breaking through Shengjing and Liaoyang—the tension grows by the day! I plan to leave Jinling early tomorrow morning and return to the Borderlands."
Lin Enzhe replied: " lord Xiong ’s concern for our country is truly admirable! However, could you please wait a few more days? I will have our disciples prepare some provisions as rewards for our Ming Dynasty soldiers."
Xiong Yanbi thought about how corruption ran rampant within the court; there were often cases of military funds being embezzled or misappropriated. Although tensions between Ming Dynasty and Jin were severe, funding allocated for Borderlands troops was limited; their supplies were insufficient. If he could receive assistance from Lin Enzhe it would be like finding coal in winter.
He immediately responded with gratitude: "I cannot thank you enough for your kindness, Master Lin! If that’s the case then I shall impose on you for a few more days."
On the morning of the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, Xiong Yanbi said to Lin Enzhe, "Master Lin, I have one more matter to discuss with you." Seeing this, Lin Enzhe instructed his servants to withdraw. Xiong Yanbi, with a serious expression, said to Lin Enzhe, "This matter is of great importance and concerns the fate of our Ming Dynasty. I have never mentioned it to anyone before. Master Lin, with your chivalrous spirit and renowned reputation, and as my sworn brother's disciple, I am naturally very reassured by you." Upon hearing Xiong Yanbi's earnest tone and serious demeanor, Lin Enzhe did not dare to be negligent. He clasped his hands and replied, "You flatter me, sir. The rise and fall of the world is a responsibility for every individual. We are willing to go through fire and water to preserve the Great Ming's territory." Xiong Yanbi nodded and continued, "According to reliable sources, Nurhaci has plundered a large amount of wealth from the people and hidden these treasures in a particularly concealed location. If we can find these treasures and use them as military supplies for our Ming Dynasty, it would truly be like adding wings to a tiger. I have inquired from various sources and heard some rumors that the location of the treasure is contained within a seven-character poem composed specifically for Nurhaci by Yehe's old woman Dong Ge. After Yehe's old woman passed away, Nurhaci was heartbroken and vowed to unify the Jurchen tribes so that Yehe's old woman could see his strength from the heavens. He treasured the poem given to him by Yehe's old woman, saying that only by placing priceless treasures at the location described in this poem could he comfort his endless longing for her. However, we currently have no way of knowing the content of this poem, so naturally we cannot ascertain the treasure's location." Although Lin Enzhe was in Jiangnan, he had heard of Nurhaci's emotional entanglement with Yehe's old woman Dong Ge. Lin Enzhe said, "We also do grain business with the people in the Borderlands; I think I can inquire among them to see if we can find a breakthrough regarding the treasure's location." Xiong Yanbi replied, "That would be excellent; I am most assured when Master Lin is handling matters."
Before long, it was already the fifth day of the Lunar New Year. Around ten o'clock that morning, a servant reported to Lin Enzhe that "the island master Hu Chuanmao from Yunshan Island has come to visit." Lin Enzhe was overjoyed and hurriedly instructed the servant to invite him in. It turned out that about three hundred nautical miles east of Jinling lies an island called Yunshan Island, home to over ten thousand residents. Lin Enzhe and island master Hu Chuanmao were business partners; Lin Enzhe primarily dealt in rice while Hu Chuanmao engaged in salt and seafood trade. Both were chivalrous individuals known for their benevolence; they had rescued countless disaster victims each year and had donated food supplies such as salt and grain to the Ming Dynasty army multiple times. With Xiong Yanbi's arrival, Lin Enzhe sent a message to Hu Chuanmao inviting him to discuss sending military supplies for the Ming army in the Borderlands.
Lin Enzhe and Miao Shuyan welcomed Hu Chuanmao at Mo Bamboo Tower along with three disciples and three children. The island master Hu Chuanmao appeared in a blue embroidered robe with a black fur-lined coat over it. Though he was middle-aged, he looked exceptionally handsome and astute. Beside him stood a gentle and beautiful young girl dressed in a light green floral dress that accentuated her graceful figure. Everyone's attention was immediately drawn to her. The girl had fair skin like congealed fat, a round face resembling a full moon, eyebrows like spring mountains, delicate eyes like phoenixes, smooth features like dragons, cherry lips like jade, rosy cheeks with elegance; her figure was graceful and ethereal like spring flowers reflecting on the moon or willows swaying in the wind. She exuded an enchanting aura akin to clear spring water that made one feel as if they were admiring exquisite flowers—refreshing and delightful. Unlike those women on Jinling’s streets who had painted eyes and heavy makeup, Lin Ning found himself captivated by her beauty. Noticing Lin Ning staring at her intently, the girl blushed slightly and lowered her head. Realizing he had lost composure at her expression, Lin Ning quickly reined in his fluttering heart. Hu Chuanmao took the girl's hand and introduced her loudly to everyone: "This is my daughter Xueing; today I brought her here to Jinling to bother my elder brother and sister-in-law for a few days." Miao Shuyan saw that Hu Xueyan was as beautiful as jade with a snow-like complexion and felt fondness growing in her heart. She quickly pulled Hu Xueyan close and asked about her well-being. Miao Shuyan asked how old Hu Xueyan was this year; Hu Xueyan replied with a voice as soft as silver bells: "In response to my aunt’s question, I am thirteen years old this year." At that moment, Lin Ning felt her voice was crystal clear like spring water—exquisite beyond words. He said to Hu Xueyan: "So you are our younger sister then! You are so lovely and extraordinary; you seem like an otherworldly fairy who doesn’t partake in mortal affairs. How about I compose a poem for you?" Hu Xueyan raised her eyebrows slightly with an expression of surprise and anticipation directed at Lin Ning. He felt warmth spreading through him like springtime—a feeling indescribably pleasant—and after gathering his thoughts, he began to recite:
Blue as clear and pure jade,
Green like floating blue and clean lotus leaves.
snow-white complexion and beautiful appearance flying colors,
Outer grace overflows from within orchid fragrance!
(End of Chapter 2)
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