After ten days, Bazar Batu's wound had completely healed. The short, peaceful respite was over. Yan Zhanjin and Chen Dandan made sure to remind Kuo Lok that they would be leaving the next day.
But Bazar Batu, now aware of the deal, had been observing them. He noticed that Yan Zhanjin and Chen Dandan often conferred in hushed tones, their conversations ending abruptly whenever he or Kuo Lok approached.
That night, sleep was impossible for Bazar Batu. He sat on the bed, his mind a whirlwind of doubt, replaying every secret meeting and whispered word. He couldn't shake the chilling feeling that Yan Zhanjin and Chen Dandan had a hidden agenda—a plan that neither he nor Kuo Lok knew about.
Lying on his daybed in the open room, Kuo Lok noticed that Bazar Batu was wide awake. He could see the faint motion of Bazar Batu's eyes and lips from across the room, a sign of a troubled mind.
"What's wrong?" Kuo Lok asked, his voice a soft whisper in the quiet night.
Bazar Batu turned to face him. "Lok gege," he began, his voice low with suspicion, "I have a bad feeling about those two disciples. They often talk privately, and they always go quiet when we get close."
Kuo Lok smiled gently. He reached out and lightly touched Bazar Batu's forehead. "Batu, if they wanted to hurt us, they would have already," he reassured. "I understand your concern, but sometimes to make a friend, you have to give them a chance."
Bazar Batu sighed, a quiet sound of fear and doubt. "Lok gege, are you not afraid they will betray us?"
Kuo Lok shook his head slowly. "I've done them no wrong. There's no quarrel between us. Why would they want to hurt me?"
"Sometimes," Bazar Batu said, his voice quiet, "people don't need a reason to hurt you."
A gentle smile touched Kuo Lok's lips. "Alright," he said. "If you ever feel they're a danger to us, you let me know, and I will reason with them."
"You?" Bazar Batu scoffed, a mixture of disbelief and affection in his voice. "Alright. I guess my big dummy has finally learned how to negotiate."
"I'll take that as a compliment," Kuo Lok replied softly. He leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to Bazar Batu's forehead. "Now go to sleep."
The next morning, after a quiet breakfast, the group left the bamboo hut and began their journey to the cliff. The air grew thinner and colder with every step. When they finally stood at the edge, a sheer drop into a seemingly bottomless abyss, a shiver ran down Yan Zhanjin and Chen Dandan's spines. The chasm yawned before them, a terrifying sight.
"You," Yan Zhanjin began, his voice barely a whisper, a heavy sigh escaping his lips. "You take Dandan first. Then come back for me. And finally, you can return for him."
"No, Lok gege," Bazar Batu said immediately, his voice clear and resolute. "Please, take Dandan first. Then come back for me, and you'll be the last one to cross."
"That's not what we agreed to," Yan Zhanjin snapped, his voice sharp with irritation.
"The deal is still valid," Bazar Batu shot back, his gaze firm. "Lok gege will still get both of you across. But what if you get to the other side and decide not to help pull us up? Do you think it's easy to go back and forth with his lightness foot agility? He would be exhausted." He looked Yan Zhanjin straight in the eye. "Take it or leave it. I don't mind staying here with Lok gege."
Yan Zhanjin's expression turned to one of genuine unease, and he looked at Chen Dandan for a silent opinion.
Chen Dandan met his gaze without hesitation. "Shixiong," she said, her voice calm and steady, "I'll make sure he comes back for you."
With Chen Dandan tightly clinging to his back, Kuo Lok stood on the precipice. A chilling gust of wind screamed from the bottomless abyss below, causing Chen Dandan to bury her face into his shoulder and clutch his neck even tighter.
"Chen guniang," Kuo Lok said calmly, his voice a steady anchor in the gale. "If you're afraid, please close your eyes." He then looked to Bazar Batu and Yan Zhanjin, his expression resolute. "I am ready."
Yan Zhanjin shoved the tombstone, and two hidden rock platforms shot out from the cliff face. Kuo Lok took a running leap onto the first platform, then propelled himself toward the second, a blur of motion against the sheer rock. He grabbed hold of the heavy chain and used it as a guide, expertly flying the rest of the way across the cliff. Once safely on the other side, he gently let Chen Dandan down. Without a moment's rest, he took off again, returning for Bazar Batu and swiftly carrying him across the terrifying chasm.
"Lok gege, take a break," Bazar Batu pleaded, his voice filled with concern.
"Don't worry," Kuo Lok said, his resolve unwavering. "I'll be alright." With that, he flew back across the chasm, landing with a soft thud on the other side.
Yan Zhanjin climbed onto Kuo Lok's back. "I'm ready," he said, his voice as steady as his gaze.
Chen Dandan shoved the tombstone, but it got stuck. With a grunt of effort, she pushed with all her strength, and with a grinding protest, the two stone platforms slowly stretched out. As Kuo Lok and Yan Zhanjin leaped onto them, a loud, ominous cracking sound echoed across the canyon. The far side of the platforms began to fracture, threatening to give way beneath their feet.
"What is that?" Chen Dandan gasped, her eyes wide with fear.
Below them, the small stone platform beneath Bazar Batu's feet began to fracture with a sickening groan. "Lok gege, hurry!" he screamed, his voice raw with terror.
Without a second's hesitation, Kuo Lok leaped onto the cracked platform, which groaned and began to splinter under his weight. He grabbed Yan Zhanjin's right shoulder, muttering, "Let go of my neck." Then, with a mighty heave, he tossed Yan Zhanjin upward. In mid-air, he landed a precise Dragon Palm strike on the sole of Yan Zhanjin's shoe, sending him flying onto the safety of the cliff top.
As Kuo Lok fell, the platform gave way.
Bazar Batu screamed, his voice a sound of pure agony. "Lok gege!" He lunged forward, trying to run toward the edge of the cliff, but Chen Dandan's hand shot out and held him back. "Let go of me!" he cried, struggling to break free.
Below them, Kuo Lok had managed to grab the heavy chain dangling from the cliff edge. The friction of his palms on the coarse metal seared his skin as he slid downward, the burning pain forcing a groan from his lips. He finally stopped, dangling precariously just above the void, his hands raw and bloody. Through the pain, he heard Bazar Batu's terrified shouts.
From above, Bazar Batu continued to cry and scream, his voice raw with fear. "Lok ge ge, can you hear me?!"
Driven by the sound of Bazar Batu's desperate voice, Kuo Lok slowly began to climb, his bloody hands clenched tightly around the cold chain.
Meanwhile, on the cliff top, Yan Zhanjin groaned in pain, slowly pushing himself to a sitting position. Chen Dandan immediately helped him to his feet. Together, they walked to the cliff's edge and stood beside Bazar Batu, looking down at the terrible sight of Kuo Lok's agonizing climb.
"He saved my life," Yan Zhanjin said, his voice quiet with shock. A wave of guilt washed over him, a painful reminder of his earlier doubts. His master had taught him to never trust martial artists, calling them selfish and inconsiderate. But Kuo Lok's selfless act had shattered that belief, leaving an indelible impression that challenged everything he had ever known.
Bazar Batu's sobs were punctuated by a raw cry of Kuo Lok's name. Then, a faint jingling sound made him stop. Through the morning mist, he saw the chain begin to climb, and a figure slowly emerge from the gray haze. Relief washed over him as he realized Kuo Lok was alive. Wiping away his tears, Bazar Batu quickly tore a thick vine from the hillside and threw it down ten meters.
As Kuo Lok reached the top of the chain, he saw the vine dangling just out of reach. He grabbed it, and Bazar Batu slowly began to pull him closer to the cliff face. Once he was within reach, Bazar Batu stretched out his hand, grabbing Kuo Lok's bloody wrist and pulling him up onto the safety of the cliff.
The moment he was on solid ground, Bazar Batu threw his arms around him, holding him in a tight, desperate embrace. "I thought you fell," he sobbed into his shoulder, the words a raw confession of his deepest fear.
Kuo Lok gently patted his shoulder. "Don't cry," he said softly. "A man..."
Bazar Batu interrupted him; his voice filled with a powerful defiance. "I know," he said, tears still streaming down his face. "A man bleeds but doesn't shed tears. I don't care what others say. This man will shed tears, and he refuses to bleed." He looked down at Kuo Lok's raw, bloody hands, his voice dropping to a gasp. "Are you hurt? Let me see."
He gently took Kuo Lok's hands in his.
"It's alright," Kuo Lok said, his voice quiet with dismissal.
"Let me see," Yan Zhanjin said, his voice flat. He took Kuo Lok's hands, examining the raw, bleeding skin. He set down his bag, pulled out a small bottle, and carefully poured a stream of white powder over the wounds. After wrapping them meticulously, he stood up. "It will heal in the next few days," he said.
He then retrieved another bottle, removed the stopper, and poured a single, dark pill into Bazar Batu's outstretched hand.
"What is this?" Bazar Batu asked, his brow furrowed with confusion.
"That," Yan Zhanjin replied, calmly tying his bag closed, "is the antidote to the poison you drank six days ago."
A wave of shock turned to fury in Bazar Batu's eyes. He clenched his fist around the pill. "You poisoned me?" he snarled, his voice trembling with rage. "How dare you!"
"This was just for prevention," Yan Zhanjin defended, his voice devoid of emotion. "You didn't trust me, and I didn't trust you either."
"But Lok gege just risked his life to save yours!" Bazar Batu countered, his voice raw with disbelief.
Yan Zhanjin didn't flinch. "I poisoned you before I knew that," he replied, a chilling smile touching his lips. "My master taught me from a young age that we should never trust outsiders." He gestured toward a nearby structure. "Let's go to that pavilion and rest. I have a story to tell you."
The four of them made their way to the old pavilion. As they settled down, Bazar Batu scowled. "It better be worth my time," he muttered, still holding a deep-seated suspicion.
"This will make you understand why my Shixiong poisoned you," Chen Dandan said, her voice quiet and grave, as she began the tale.
Yan Zhanjin then continued the story. "After the medical exam in the capital, my master, Chen Fa, was not chosen as a loyal doctor. Instead, an old physician from the Mu family was selected. On his way out of the palace, Shifu happened to bump into an old eunuch and his four guards. Without a word, the eunuch screamed at him and slapped him twice across the face. As he left, he dropped a small, unassuming bamboo tube. My Shifu immediately gave chase, calling out to him."
"Your Honor," Chen Fa called out, "please, wait a moment!"
"You uneducated peasant!" Sun Eunuch screamed, his face contorted in rage. "Do you know how late I already am?!" He reached into his sleeve for the small bamboo tube, his hand rummaging frantically. His face immediately paled with panic. "Guards!" he shrieked. "Find my small bamboo tube! Now!"
Chen Fa reached into his own sleeve to retrieve the object. "I just wanted to..." he began, but the memory of the slap from Sun Eunuch made his face burn with renewed humiliation. In a fit of cold anger, he pulled his hand back from his sleeve, clenched his jaw, and said nothing. He had wanted to teach the old man a lesson, and silence was a more powerful tool than words.
"What are you doing just standing there?" Sun Eunuch shrieked, his voice filled with frantic rage. "Get out of my sight!"
Chen Fa gave a subtle, cold smile. "I must thank Eunuch Sun for the lesson today," he said, his voice dripping with ironic politeness. "This humble peasant is taking his leave." With that, Chen Fa turned and walked away, leaving the eunuch and his four guards desperately searching for the bamboo tube, which was now safely tucked away in the left sleeve of his robe.
Back at his inn, Chen Fa returned to his room and, with a satisfied smile, opened the small bamboo tube. Inside, a piece of dry brown paper was folded neatly. He slowly reached in to take it out. As his fingers touched the surface, a cold dread crept over him—it was not paper at all, but a piece of brittle, dry human skin. The horror of the discovery made him drop it immediately.
The skin unraveled on the floor, revealing a map of mountains and rivers. He knelt, his mind racing, and slowly unfolded the gruesome map. Just then, he heard the pounding of feet running down the hallway. He rushed out of his room and grabbed a passing waiter.
"What's going on?" Chen Fa demanded.
"Sun Eunuch!" the waiter exclaimed, his eyes wide with fear. "He says a scholar who took the exam stole his treasure! He wants every scholar to gather in the main dining hall!" The waiter's gaze fell on Chen Fa, and he grabbed him firmly by the arm. "You're one of them!"
"Let me use the bathroom quickly," Chen Fa said, his voice deceptively calm. "I'll follow you right after."
"You must hurry," the waiter warned, his eyes darting toward the commotion in the hallway. "Sun Eunuch is not a patient person."
"I know," Chen Fa replied with a curt nod.
As soon as the waiter left, Chen Fa ran back into his room, grabbed his schoolbag, and headed for the back door. But it was too late—eight guards were already there, blocking his escape. He tried to find a place to hide, but the guards were already searching the inn room by room. With no other option, he slipped into the communal toilet, hiding inside one of the cubicles. The sound of boots grew louder as the guards began to check each cubicle one by one, the doors creaking open. With a shudder of revulsion and sheer desperation, Chen Fa had no choice but to climb down into the foul, disgusting toilet hole below.
Sitting in the quiet of the old pavilion, Bazar Batu was taken aback by Chen Fa's desperate courage. "He's truly brave," he said, his voice hushed. "I don't think I could ever do that."
"He had no other choice to save his life," Yan Zhanjin replied, his tone cold and detached. "Besides, I believe any of us would have done what my shifu did."
Bazar Batu frowned, his confusion evident. "But that still doesn't explain why you don't trust martial artists."
Chen Dandan took over the story. "My father said that many years ago, a martial artist came to him for a consultation. They exchanged ideas and knowledge. The martial artist taught my father his clan's Mu acupuncture techniques, and in return, my father taught him the use of many medicinal herbs."
"However," Yan Zhanjin continued, his voice dropping. "He came with a dark purpose. In his mind, he was never there to exchange ideas. He was there for the human skin map."
A look of dawning horror crossed Bazar Batu's face. "Doesn't that map sheepskin?" he asked, a sudden nausea rising in his throat. He felt his hands begin to itch with a terrible phantom sensation.
"No," Chen Dandan confirmed, her voice grave. "It's human skin."
The horrifying reality of it—the "old sheepskin" he had carried for days was actually human flesh—made Bazar Batu feel sick to his core. He stared at Yan Zhanjin, his voice a raw whisper. "Who is that martial artist?"
Yan Zhanjin looked at him, his expression cold and unwavering. "His name," he said, "is Cao Fengge."