THE SMILING PROUD WANDERER by Jin Yong

Learning Music Part 3

"Did you think you can get yourself off the hook so easily just by swearing a casual oath? We are talking about a serious matter concerning a secret martial arts manuscript here. Did you think everyone is plain stupid?" Wang Jiajun grinned.

"So what's your idea then?" Linghu Chong asked while forcing himself to stay calm.

"Please pardon our boldness, but we'd like to make a body search on you, brother Linghu," Wang Jiaju suggested. He paused for a second and then added with a smirk, "That day when brother Linghu was seized by those seven punks and couldn't move a muscle, they could have searched all over you, couldn't they?"

"You want to make a body search on me? Humph! Are you saying that I am a thief?" Linghu Chong mocked with a sneer.

"We dare not!" Wang Jiajun replied. "Since you stated that you never took the 'Evil-Resisting Sword Art,' why be afraid to let us search you? Once we do a body search on you and there isn't any sword manuscript on you, you would be cleared from suspicion. Wouldn't you want that?"

"Fine! Why don't you go get apprentice brother Lin and apprentice sister Yue, so the two of them can be witnesses?" Linghu Chong nodded his agreement.

But Wang Jiajun didn't like the idea at all, fearing that as soon as he walked away and left his brother alone with Linghu Chong, Linghu Chong would be able to overpower his brother with ease. But if both of them went together, then of course Linghu Chong would hide the "Evil-Resisting Sword Manuscript" and they would have no chance of finding it ever again. So he rejected.

"The search would still be the same. If you aren't afraid of the search, why use so many excuses?"

Linghu Chong thought to himself, "I agree to let you search my body only because I want to prove my innocence in front of the Master, Master-Wife, and little apprentice sister, the three of them. Whether you believe me or not, what do I care? There's no way I am going to let your filthy claws touch my body if little apprentice sister weren't here." So he shook his head slowly.

"Just the two of you? I am afraid you are not worthy of searching me!"

The more Linghu Chong objected to the search, the more the two Wang brothers were convinced that the "Evil-Resisting Sword Manuscript" was hidden on Linghu Chong's body. If they were able to find the "Evil-Resisting Sword Manuscript," then firstly, they would look really good in front of their father and uncle, and secondly, they've heard that the "Evil-Resisting Sword Manuscript" contained superior sword art techniques, and since they were the ones who found it, Cousin Lin would have no choice but to let them borrow the manuscript and take a look at it. Wang Jiajun had seen with his own eyes the other day that Linghu Chong couldn't even defend himself when the several rascals subdued him and gave him a good beating. He concluded that Linghu Chong must be only good with sword techniques, but not hand combat techniques. It would be a perfect opportunity right now when Linghu Chong had no sword in his hands. So he threw a meaningful glance at his brother before speaking to Linghu Chong again.

"Brother Linghu, better not refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit. It's not going to be a pleasant scene if we get on the wrong side of each other."

With those words, the two brothers closed in on Linghu Chong.

Suddenly, Wang Jiaju squared his shoulders and charged forward. Linghu Chong raised his arm to block. "Hey, you hit me!" Wang Jiaju yelled out loud as he locked Linghu Chong's wrist and then pushed down with his elbow. Knowing that Linghu Chong is the Head Apprentice of the Huashan Sword School, not someone to be overlooked, he applied the joint manipulation techniques of the Wang Family with all his strength.