Huang Rong had never actually met Li Mochou before. But scrutinizing the fly whisk [fu chen] on her waist belt, her piercing eyes and her outfit, she was quite sure that the woman was the notorious demoness who terrorized the Jianghu realm, Li Mochou.
At the time she gave birth to Guo Xiang, the Mongolian enemy was attacking and the situation was chaotic; sheâd had no chance to examine the babyâs face. Thatâs why, like being magnetized. she was drawn to look several times at the baby. Although the baby was still diminutive, it already showed signs of natural female beauty. With her cute features and ruddy complexion, she seemed well-fed and healthy looking. Huang Rong was pleasantly surprised, she almost shed tears. Polu, the baby she breast-fed herself, didnât look nearly that healthy.
After paying some silver, Li Mochou took the sack and left.
Huang Rong understood the urgency of the situation; without informing Guo Fu she gave chase. She thought: âThis poisonous female is terribly cruel. Should I try to use brute force, she might harm Xiangâer.â
After leaving the city, Li Mochou ran westwards. While following, Huang Rong thought: âLi Mochou is Guoâerâs Martial Uncle. Although they donât have a good relationship, after Fuâer cut-off Guoâerâs arm, we could say that the GuMu Pai (Ancient Tomb sect) and the Guo Family were bound in a feud. If this woman is going to meet Guoâer and Miss Long, I wonât be a match against all three of them together. Itâs wiser to force a one-to-one fight with her nowâ.
Li Mochou changed course to the South and entered the woods. Huang Rong accelerated, circling the woods and confronted the demoness. Seeing the sudden appearance of a beautiful woman, Li Mochou stopped short in surprise.
âIf Iâm not mistaken, Iâm facing âChi-lian xian-ziâ [Scarlet Serpent Deity] Taoist Elder Liâ, Huang Rong said with a smile. âIâm very pleased to meet you!â
Noticing the lithe and swift movements of the woman, the pale-yellow bamboo cane in her waist belt, Li Mochou at once put the sack down, she saluted smiling: âJunior has admired Mrs. Guoâs famous name for ages, I feel delighted to meet you now.â
At that time in the martial realm, the most famous female martial experts were Huang Rong and Li Mochou. âQing-jing san-renâ [Sage of Tranquility] Sun BuâEr was already famous before them but her wugong (martial arts) were inferior. Xiao LongnĂź was good enough wugong-wise but she was still too young and not experienced; she was barely known.
Both tigresses faced each other. One was the pampered daughter of the Eastern heretic Huang Yaoshi, wife of Da Xia (great hero) Guo Jing, Bang Zhu (clan chief) of Gai Bang (Beggar Clan), the other was the notorious cruel demoness armed with a fly whisk, âSoul Freezing Silver Needlesâ and âFive Poisons Divine Palmâ, three lethal skills which had caused much trembling and fear in the Jianghu realm.
Itâs the first time these two people have met, they scrutinized each other carefully, and each marveling about how unexpectedly beautiful the other was. But secretly each was on guard because surely each otherâs fame was based on real ability.
Mrs. Guo said with a smile: âTaoist Elder Li, junior has always revered you, donât be over politeâ.
Li Mochou answered: âMrs. Guo is chief of the Beggar Clan and a leading personality in the martial realm, junior regrets not having met you much sooner.â
After both sides exchanged the usual pleasantries, Huang Rong asked: âElder Li, the baby you carry is very sweet and cute. Whose baby is it?â As she said that, Huang Rong had already thought of ways to get the baby back before they began the duel.
âThis is very shaming for Gu Mu Paiâ [Ancient Tomb Sect], the demoness answered. âJunior has not been able to guide my shi mei (younger apprentice sister) on the right path. This is Long shi meiâs baby âŚ.â
Huang Rong was surprised. She couldnât guess why Li Mochou was lying.
But the demoness wasnât deliberately lying. She did believe the baby was Yang Guo and Xiao LongnĂźâs child. Because she was enraged that her shifu only taught the Jade Heart Manual to her shimei, she used this opportunity to mention her shimeiâs sins.
âI thought Miss Long a decent girlâ, Huang Rong said. âItâs unbelievable such a thing has happened. Whoâs the father?â
âThe father?â the demoness said. âHmmâŚItâs definitely shameful to mention! The father of this child is Yang Guo, my shimeiâs disciple.â Huang Rong, who was usually good at faking, couldnât help reddening, and anger swelled up.
But she only changed colour briefly and instantly her expression returned to normal. She said: âThat is deliberately creating trouble. But the baby is so cute. Elder Li, may I hug it?â She took an apple from her bosom and moved it to-and-fro in front of the baby. âGood child, your round face certainly resembles this apple.â
After stealing Guo Xiang, Li Mochou hid herself in the woods and happily played everyday with the baby. Each morning she would milk the leopard to feed the baby. Li Mochou had committed abundant crimes, but basically she wasnât cruel at heart. Because of rejected love, she hated the world and its inhabitants, she turned cruel. Since meeting the cute and sweet Guo Xiang, her inborn mother instinct was awakened. Often in the deep of the night she would think about the baby. Deep in her heart she was uncertain that she would agree, in case Xiao LongnĂź wanted to exchange the âJade Heart Manualâ for the baby.
As Huang Rong wanted to hug the baby, like all mothers, who were always pleased if their babies were praised, she also was happy and was ready to give in.
Huang Rongâs hands barely touched the babyâs clothes, she couldnât hide the loving expression on her face, the radiant expression of a loving mother who had thought of her missing child day and night without knowing its fate and whereabouts. Now the child in question was at arms length. Li Mochou noticed the look and thought: âIf she only wants to hug the baby, why that sudden change?â She hurriedly pulled back and leapt two zhangs backwards. She barely touched the ground as Huang Rong followed closing on her. Expecting an attack, Li Mochou heaved the sack at Huang Rongâs face.
Huang Rong leapt to evade, causing the rice and salt to scatter on the ground. Li Mochou, whisk in the hand, said with a smile: âMrs. Guo, do you intend to help Yang Guo get his child back?â
Huang Rong, reasoning the demoness to be suspicious already, now had decided to use force. She said smilingly: âI only want to hug that lovely child, you think too lowly of me.â
Li Mochou said: âGuo Familyâs renowned name shook the martial realm, junior admired it greatly. Today I have seen the display of skills; the fame is really not an empty one. But junior has to deal with another matter and must leave.â She was afraid that Guo Jing would appear, she turned and walked away.
Huang Rong leaped up and in midair drew her bamboo stick. The original âDog beating Stickâ was passed on to Lu Youjiao, the stick she had now was of the same length and weight but of a light-yellow colour. In midair she aimed at an Accupoint on Li Mochouâs back. Li Mochou angrily thought: âWe donât have any enmity for each other. Today weâve met for the first time, Iâve talked with due respect to you, why do you attack me without any reason at all?â She checked the stick with her whisk. Huang Rong attacked continuously with six or seven moves, forcing Li Mochou to the defensive. Li Mochouâs wugong was actually slightly below Huang Rongâs and further, she carried a baby, a few stances more and she was in great difficulty.