THE SMILING PROUD WANDERER by Jin Yong

In Love Part 2

"In the last several days, why have you suddenly become so downhearted and completely lost the will to live? What happened? What caused the grievance? Last time when I checked your pulse at the town of Zhuxian, even though you were severely injured, I could still feel the vigorous flow in your heart arteries with thriving vitality. That was when I decided to extend your life for another one hundred days, so I could try my best to find a way to cure your bizarre injury within the one hundred days. At that time, I was not one hundred percent certain about the solution, and didn't have the need to explain everything to you. But why have you completely lost the thriving vitality?"

At that question, a strong feeling of sorrow instantly swelled up in Linghu Chong's heart as he thought to himself, "Before, when Master had suspected me of embezzling Little Lin's Evil-Resisting Sword Manuscript, it was still alright. With a clear conscience, I felt no qualms. Eventually doubts will clear up when facts are known. But...but even little apprentice sister began suspecting me, and thought of me as a worthless thief deep in her heart for the sake of Little Lin. That snuffed the last bit of life out of me. There would be no joy for me to continue living in this world."

But Ping One-Finger did not wait for him to answer and spoke again. "Your pulse is telling me that this, again, has something to do with the remorse of love. Can't you see that all women in the world have a detestable face and a dull tongue? It would be best if you can keep your distance from them. Only when you fail at avoiding them should you tolerate with utmost effort and deal with them courteously but without sincerity. Why are you so muddleheaded and longing for them day and night, instead? That's so very much wrong! Although, although that one...alas, I don't know what I should say about that!" At that word, he shook his head wearily.

"Your wife certainly has a detestable face and a dull tongue," Linghu Chong thought, "but it's not necessary that women in the world are all like that. It's so funny that you are using your own wife to generalize all women in the world. If little apprentice sister were to have a detestable face and a dull tongue..."

His thoughts were interrupted when Flower Fairy suddenly showed up at the entrance of the shack, each hand holding a large bowl filled with wine.

"Hey, Doctor Ping! Have you cured him yet?" Flower Fairy asked.

"He is incurable!" Ping One-Finger grunted, pulling a long face.

"Incurable?" Flower Fairy was taken by surprise. "Whacha gonna do then?" Turning toward Linghu Chong, he said, "Why don't you come out and drink with us then."

"Sure!" Linghu Chong replied.

"No, you won't! You stay here!" Ping One-Finger bellowed in a croaked voice.

That gave Flower Fairy a good fright. Turning on his wheels, he left in a hurry, splashing the bowls of wine all over himself.

"Young Master Linghu," Ping One-Finger spoke again, this time in a much calmer voice. "Even God himself would probably have a real hard time healing you completely. It is still possible to extend your life for several more months or even several more years, though. But you must listen to my advice. Firstly, you must abstain from wine. Secondly, you must stop being fanciful and fickle. Stay away from all women. You can't even fancy any woman, period. Thirdly, you must not get into fights with others. If you successfully abstain yourself from wine, women, and fights, then you can probably live a few years longer."

Linghu Chong suddenly broke into a loud laugher.

"What's so funny," Ping One-Finger snarled.

"When a man lives his life, he has got to enjoy himself carefree. If he couldn't even drink wine, fancy women, or defend himself when bullied, what good is he? He'd rather die before it's too late, to end it quickly."