Fantasy Novel: Paradise

Hotel    24

【二十三】The Last Stand: Anderson’s Desperate Gamble

83

Ghost Night Hound returned from scouting the enemy.

Ghost Night Hound cupped his fists and said, “Reporting to you, Chief and Grand Mage. After conducting a thorough reconnaissance, I found no trace of the Imperial Guards anywhere around Lake Lucerne.”

Anderson frowned in puzzlement. “That’s strange. Where the hell did those vultures go?”

Ruff said, “Forget about the Imperial Guards for now. We’ll head straight to Paradise Hotel and take control of the place. We can find out the entrance to the Sky Castle by questioning the prisoners.”

Anderson asked anxiously, “Mage, could the Imperial Guards be waiting for us around the hotel?”

Ruff said, “Master, there’s no point worrying about that anymore. Even if there’s a dragon’s den or tiger’s lair waiting for us ahead, we have no other choice. We still have to grit our teeth and go in.”

Anderson made up his mind. “All right! Ghost Night Hound, assemble the troops. Tonight, we’ll make a direct assault on Paradise Hotel.”

84

The battered remnants of Anderson’s Black Bat Army arrived around Paradise Hotel.

Ruff ordered, “Ghost Night Hound, take a squad of demons and seal off the area around the hotel. Don’t let anyone approach.”

Ghost Night Hound cupped his fists and accepted the order. “Yes, Mage.”

Ruff accompanied Anderson and several close bodyguards to the hotel entrance. When Wilson saw Anderson and Ruff, he was deeply shocked, but he remained calm. He turned toward the lobby desk and discreetly signaled Robert and Lin Xiaoyang.

Anderson and his men entered the hotel lobby. Only Lin Xiaoyang, Wilson, Huang Lihua, Xie Huijun, Robert, and several hotel staff members were inside.

Anderson sat down in a lobby chair and shouted, “Niece Maria, I’ve come all this way to see you. Come out and meet me. Don’t cower inside your castle.”

Wilson cautiously replied, “Grand Duke, what brings you to our little hotel today?”

Anderson angrily snapped, “What are you supposed to be? Nothing but one of Maria’s lackeys. Go call your master and tell her to come out!”

Huang Lihua stepped forward, cupped his fists, and bowed. “Duke, why are you so angry? Let me invite everyone to enjoy a meal. Just tell me what you’d like to eat.”

The moment Anderson saw Huang Lihua, his anger flared. “Huang Lihua, you traitor! I trusted you completely, and yet you conspired with the enemy and secretly betrayed me. Just wait and see how I deal with you!”

Huang Lihua gave a bitter smile. “Boss, your crimes are beyond redemption. You have slaughtered innocent creatures and brought shame upon the Dark World. Although I am merely a painter, I understand that everyone bears responsibility for the survival or destruction of the Dark World.”

Anderson waved his hand angrily. “Bah! Stop running your mouth. Taking your life would be easier than crushing an ant. Get out of my way and call your master out to see me.”

At that moment, Father John and Adorno walked in through the entrance. Adorno was carrying Ghost Night Hound’s severed head.

Grand Mage Ruff folded his arms and glared coldly at Father John, blocking the doorway.

Father John gave Adorno a discreet signal. Adorno tossed Ghost Night Hound’s blood-covered head to one of the guards standing beside Anderson.

Fear appeared on the guards’ faces.

Ruff said coldly, “You’re the infamous Father John, the man who forced George and Jack into one death and one departure, aren’t you?”

Father John said, “That’s right. Mage Ruff, you have a sharp eye. I know you turned love into hatred because you could not be with Princess Maria, and that is why you pledged yourself to the Duke. If you still refuse to wake up today, don’t blame me for showing you no mercy.”

Ruff looked somewhat surprised. “The Princess told you about that, didn’t she? Everyone has their own path. There’s no need to say more. Show me what you can do.”

Anderson asked suspiciously, “Wait! Mage, is what this foul-mouthed priest just said true?”

“Master, at this critical moment, don’t listen to his nonsense and fall for the enemy’s attempt to drive a wedge between us.”

Ruff did not want his old wounds stirred up, and he fell for the enemy’s provocation. He immediately unleashed his magic and began fighting Father John.

Father John had heard Princess Maria say that Ruff was an extremely powerful mage, so he did not dare let his guard down. He also brought out his best abilities and fought Ruff with all his strength.

Ruff had practiced magic for hundreds of years, and his attacks were indeed extremely fierce. Father John gradually found himself unable to withstand them.

At that moment, Lin Xiaoyang quickly stepped forward and joined the battle.

“Father, let me help you,” Lin Xiaoyang said.

Father John shouted, “Xiaoyang, be careful. This man is no ordinary opponent.”

When Ruff saw that Lin Xiaoyang was holding nothing but a white poplar branch, he stopped and lowered his hands.

Ruff sneered disdainfully. “Ignorant boy, do you think this is child’s play?”

“Whether it is child’s play or not, you’ll find out after we exchange a few moves!” Lin Xiaoyang said.

He swung the branch in his hand. His movements appeared extremely gentle and slow, yet the pure Yang energy within his body gradually began to emerge.

Apart from Father John and Anderson, no one present could recognize what was really happening. What Lin Xiaoyang was using was the Chinese martial art known as Tai Chi Sword.

Father John said, “When did this kid learn the Wudang School’s Tai Chi Sword? This is going to be interesting!”

Anderson thought to himself, “How could this young man possess such a powerful pure Yang energy? The only person I’ve ever seen with this kind of energy was David.”

Anderson cautiously asked, “Young man, who are you?”

Lin Xiaoyang continued attacking as he sneered, “I’m your nemesis, David!”

When Anderson heard those words, he became certain that this young man was David.

“Ruff, he’s David. Be careful!” Anderson warned.

When Ruff heard his master’s warning, memories of David stealing the woman he loved flashed rapidly through his mind, igniting the hatred that had been festering in his heart for hundreds of years.

“David, today we’ll settle all our old and new grudges right here!”

Ruff turned and launched a fierce attack against Lin Xiaoyang. But Ruff ultimately did not understand the profound principles of Chinese martial arts. His sharp attacks could not break through the strange sword techniques of that white poplar branch.

Duke Anderson likewise could neither understand nor see through Lin Xiaoyang’s sword techniques. All he could tell was that the movements seemed slow yet were actually fast, and seemed gentle yet were actually powerful.

No matter how Ruff attacked, the white poplar branch in the young man’s hand seemed like a magic wand, instantly neutralizing every move Ruff made.

At that moment, Xie Huijun stepped out from behind the front desk.

“Ruff, think back. You used to take me up the hillside to pick wildflowers and chase butterflies…”

The moment Ruff heard her words, he suddenly retreated several steps and jumped out of the fighting circle in astonishment.

“You’re Maria.”

Xie Huijun said, “If Maria is still in your heart, then stop your magic.”

“Impossible! You’re Annie.”

Ruff lunged forward and, using his ability to shift his form and create afterimages, seized Huijun’s right hand and instantly dragged her away.

When Lin Xiaoyang saw Xie Huijun fall into Ruff’s hands, he cried out anxiously, “Monster, don’t you dare hurt Huijun!”

Lin Xiaoyang switched to another sword technique and shouted the name of the move, “Sword-Sweeping Stance!”

He leaped forward and attacked.

At this moment, Father John could not understand what school or style of swordsmanship this was. The only thing he could determine was that it was unmistakably Chinese in style. Every move deliberately exposed an opening, relying on offense rather than defense and seeking victory through danger.

“Thrusting Sword Stance!”

The white poplar branch in Lin Xiaoyang’s hand repeatedly stabbed at several vital points on Ruff’s body, forcing Ruff to use every ounce of his ability to defend himself.

“You foul-mouthed brat, what kind of wicked sorcery are you using?” Ruff cursed.

His hands moved frantically, blocking left and right, and he did not dare stop for even a moment. He was gradually becoming unable to pay attention to Xie Huijun.

Seeing his opportunity, Father John swung the human-bone cross in his hand and used Wing Chun techniques, intensifying his attacks against Ruff’s lower body in an attempt to pull Xie Huijun free.

But Anderson suddenly launched a surprise attack from behind.

When Father John sensed a sinister gust of wind approaching from behind, he twisted and leaped away, but Anderson’s pipe still struck him in the back and lower spine. A wave of excruciating pain shot through his entire body.

Father John immediately jumped out of the fighting circle, feeling as though the blood throughout his body were flowing backward, while his face turned pale and ashen.

Anderson immediately attacked Xie Huijun. His pipe struck directly against the crown of Huijun’s head.

Huijun let out a scream and collapsed to the floor. Several streams of blood flowed from beneath her long hair.

Seeing Huijun brutally attacked, Lin Xiaoyang was overcome with grief and rage.

“Breaking Sword Stance!”

Lin Xiaoyang charged directly at Anderson. The white poplar branch stabbed toward Anderson’s chest. Anderson hurriedly raised his pipe to block the attack, but the branch shattered the pipe into several pieces.

Anderson recoiled several steps in shock and temporarily stopped attacking.

Ruff was equally horrified by what he had witnessed and also temporarily stopped.

Lin Xiaoyang picked up Huijun and cried out desperately, “Huijun! Huijun! Stay with me! Huijun!”

Anderson gasped and called for a halt.

“Wait! Young man, you truly possess extraordinary abilities. I, the Duke, do not want to take advantage of someone in distress, nor do I intend to wipe you out completely. I desperately need talented people like you, and I want to make a deal with you.”

Father John, who had been sitting aside to regulate his breathing and recover his strength, suddenly stood up and shouted, “Xiaoyang, absolutely do not make a deal with a demon!”

Anderson shouted angrily, “Shut up! You foul-mouthed priest. You’re about to die, and you still have to interfere!”

After rebuking Father John, Anderson turned around and faced Lin Xiaoyang with a friendly expression.

“Young man, listen to me. I don’t care whether you are David or his successor. Right now, I am the only one who can save the woman you love. Let’s make this trade. What do you say?”

At that moment, Huijun summoned the last of her strength and spoke.

“Xiaoyang, send this demon back to hell.”

After saying this, Xie Huijun vomited a mouthful of blood, closed her eyes, and stopped breathing.

Lin Xiaoyang burst into tears. He handed Huijun to Adorno and turned toward Ruff and Anderson.

“Anderson, David has returned!”

Lin Xiaoyang then slowly recited the sword formula.

“Ninth Technique of the Nine Swords of Dugu—Nine Dragons Soaring into Heaven!”

Lin Xiaoyang immediately leaped into the air and transformed into nine flying dragons that encircled Duke Anderson.

Anderson had never seen the Eastern flying dragons before. The sight before him terrified him so completely that he lost all sense of composure and wildly waved his arms.

But the more he waved them, the shorter they became, as sections of his arms were sliced off and fell to the ground.

Mage Ruff and the guards stared in stunned horror. Not one of them dared step forward to help.

A moment later, Anderson had been cut down until he looked like a tumbling doll, with his arms and legs completely severed from his body.

At that moment, Father John threw the human-bone cross toward Xiaoyang.

“Use my sacred weapon. Deliver the fatal blow to Anderson and send him back to hell.”

Lin Xiaoyang reached out and caught the human-bone cross in midair. He drove it into Anderson’s heart.

Anderson let out a terrible scream. His mouth twisted and his eyes distorted. His body gradually contorted and deformed, while pieces of flesh peeled away.

A wisp of smoke escaped from his body, but Lin Xiaoyang reached out and seized it.

“I’ve caught your original spirit, Duke. I will always be your nemesis: David.”

At that moment, Xie Huijun, who was lying in Adorno’s arms, suddenly opened her eyes and walked toward Ruff.

Huijun raised her hand and swept it across her face. Her appearance instantly changed.

She was indeed the beautiful and graceful Princess Maria.

When Ruff suddenly saw Maria, he was deeply shaken.

“You—you’re Maria? You really are Maria!”

Maria opened her arms tenderly.

“Ruff, it’s me. I’ve come to take you away from here.”

Ruff rushed toward Maria, and the two embraced passionately.

When several of Anderson’s guards saw this, they realized that the battle was lost. They turned around and tried to leave.

Father John stood in the doorway with his arms folded across his chest and blocked their way, glaring fiercely at them.

“Anyone who wants to leave will have to leave their life behind.”

The guards looked at one another and gradually lowered their weapons.

Guard A cupped his fists and bowed.

“We are willing to surrender! Please give us a chance to live.”

Lin Xiaoyang stopped Maria and asked, “Princess, Princess, what about Huijun? Where is my Huijun?”

Maria looked at Xiaoyang.

“Huijun has returned to the side of the Lord Jesus. Xiaoyang, let her go. Huijun wants to see you live happily.”

Tears glistened in Lin Xiaoyang’s eyes. He bit his lower lip tightly, his expression filled with sorrow.

Maria said, “Ruff, my dear friend, come back to the castle with me.”

Princess Maria took Ruff’s arm, and the two transformed into a pair of colorful butterflies and flew out the door.

85

In Room 504, Father John was bare-chested and sitting cross-legged on the bed, receiving a massage treatment from Lin Xiaoyang using his internal energy.

Father John asked, “Xiaoyang, during last night’s fierce battle with that old thief Anderson, I could understand your use of Tai Chi Sword. But later, when you shouted out the name of the Nine Swords of Dugu, I really couldn’t make heads or tails of it…”

Lin Xiaoyang opened a drawer, took out two comic books, and handed them over with a smile.

“Father, take a look through them. Then you’ll understand.”

“Oh? Let me see…” Father John took the comic books curiously and flipped through several pages.

Father John laughed happily.

“Hahaha! So you learned all this from these two comic books.”

Lin Xiaoyang said, “Not entirely. They inspired me and gave me an endless stream of ideas.”

Chen John said incredulously, “This is truly something I’ve never heard of before!”

Lin Xiaoyang said, “Actually, I also incorporated the brush techniques of painting and calligraphy into it. So later on, even I couldn’t figure out where all those endless sword moves were coming from.”

Chen John said, “Watching you wield a poplar branch as if it were a long sword reminded me of a saying in Chinese swordsmanship: ‘A blunt sword has no sharp edge; the greatest skill appears effortless.’”

Lin Xiaoyang smiled and said, “Exactly. And there’s another one to add to it: ‘No fixed moves in the heart, yet sword forms in the hand.’”

Just then, someone pushed the door open, and a beautiful figure appeared.

Lin Xiaoyang exclaimed, “Min-hua!” The surprise was written all over his face as he rose and went forward to greet her.

“Big Brother Xiaoyang, Min-hua is back for a vacation!” Huang Min-hua said. She had grown her hair long, and her delicate oval face looked especially charming.

Lin Xiaoyang gazed at Min-hua with deep affection. “Welcome back, Min-hua.”

Huang Lihua followed her into the room and deliberately cleared his throat twice to signal Chen John.

Huang Min-hua said, “Grandpa told me, more or less, what happened at the hotel.”

Huang Lihua smiled and said, “Father, let’s go to the lobby and have some coffee. There’s no point in staying here and being a third wheel.”

Chen John smiled as he stood up and put on his shirt. “The old man is right. After being apart for so long, the young couple must have plenty of intimate things to say to each other. Let’s go to the lobby and have some coffee. Coffee, huh!”

The two exchanged knowing smiles and left together.

Lin Xiaoyang opened his arms, and Min-hua stepped forward and embraced him tenderly.

Lin Xiaoyang said, “Min-hua! I’ve missed you so much…”

Huang Min-hua said, “Big Brother, on the train ride back, Sister Hui-jun came to me in a dream.”

Lin Xiaoyang asked tenderly, “What did Hui-jun say to you?”

“Sister Hui-jun told me to be the most faithful model in your paintings for the rest of my life,” Huang Min-hua said. Afterward, she gently closed her eyes and raised her chin. Xiaoyang gave her a long, deeply affectionate kiss.