THE SMILING PROUD WANDERER by Jin Yong

Music Score Part 3

Seeing his Master in a fight with someone so unexpectedly, and the opponent being the Head Master of the Qingcheng Sword School, Linghu Chong felt very excited. He could tell that his Master fought in a very relaxed and graceful way. Every time when Yu Canghai thrust his sword out, Yue Buqun would simply block it leisurely. When Yu Canghai circled behind his back, he didn't turn around, but only waved his sword to protect his back. Yu Canghai's sword attacks became faster and faster, yet Yue Buqun only defended and didn't attack back.

Linghu Chong watched on with great admiration. "Master's nickname is 'Gentleman Sword,' and he really is behaving like a polite, graceful, and elegant gentleman. Even when he is in a fight with someone, he didn't show any trace of violent brutality, none whatsoever." He watched some more and then thought, "Master is able to control his temper well because he has not only poise, but also outstanding Kung Fu skills."

Yue Buqun rarely got into fights with anyone. In normal days when Linghu Chong watched him fight, it would always be a demonstration fight with Master-Wife for the apprentices. Those were all fake fights. But this time it was a real one, so of course it was quite different from all the demonstration fights.

Linghu Chong could hear the whistles made by Yu Canghai's sword every time he thrust the sword out, clearly showing the great strength behind each sword attack. "I've always looked down upon the Qingcheng Sword School. But this short Taoist priest actually is a very tough opponent! Even if I were healthy, I still wouldn't last one minute fighting against him. The next time I meet him again, I'd better watch out for myself. The best thing to do would be keeping a safe distance from him." Linghu Chong told himself inwardly as he went on watching.

By then, Yu Canghai had accelerated his circling around Yue Buqun. It almost looked as if a purple shadow had surrounded Yue Buqun and was rotating around him. The noises of swords colliding into each other had become so dense that all the sounds echoed continuously, and making a long ringing sound.

Linghu Chong couldn't help but think, "If those dozens of attacks were aimed at me, I probably won't be able to block a single one, and would end up enjoying dozens of holes in my body. This short Taoist priest probably has even better Kung Fu than Tian Boguang."

Seeing that his Master still was not attacking back, he became worried. "That short Taoist Priest's sword skills are so stunning, I hope Master won't lose to him because of any small oversight."

Suddenly a loud "ring" echoed in the air, and Yu Canghai had slid back like a shooting arrow. He stopped at about a dozen feet away and stood there still; Linghu Chong didn't even catch a glimpse of him shoving his sword back to his sheath. Greatly astonished, Linghu Chong immediately glanced at his Master. Yue Buqun had also put his sword back into the sheath and just stood there quietly. The change happened in such an abrupt manner that Linghu Chong had no idea who had won and who had lost the fight. He wasn't even sure if anyone had been injured internally or not.

For a moment, the two just stood there quietly, then eventually Yu Canghai sneered coldly, "Very well! I am sure we will meet again!" After these words, he sprinted toward his right side without any further delay.

"Master Yu, wait!" Yue Buqun yelled loudly. "What about the Lin Couple?" He quickly chased after Yu Canghai following the same direction. Before their voices fainted down, the two had vanished from sight.

From the dialogue between the two, Linghu Chong could tell that his Master had won the fight with Yu Canghai. He couldn't help but feel great joy. But because of all his wounds and all the excitement, fatigue soon started to sink in, and he felt totally exhausted.