Madame Guan helped Huo Qingtong down from the tree,and told her to swallow one of the Snow Ginseng pills.

　　She did so, and soon after, a wave of heat rose fromthe pit of her stomach, and she felt much better.

　　"You are very lucky," Madame Guan said. "With thesewonderful pills you will recover much quicker.""She wouldn't die even if she didn't take them," BaldVulture commented coldly.

　　"So you'd prefer her to suffer a bit longer, wouldyou?" his wife snapped back.

　　"If it was me, I'd die rather than take one of hispills. But you, you'd take one even if there wasnothing wrong with you."Madame Guan put the girl on her back, and startedwalking off north with Bald Vulture following behind,nattering ceaselessly.

　　They went to the old couple's home on PreciousMountain. Huo Qingtong took another pill, then sleptpeacefully, and felt much refreshed when she woke.

　　Madame Guan sat on the edge of the bed and asked herwhat she had been doing travelling alone and sickthrough the desert. Huo Qingtong told her about howthe Manchu army had been destroyed and how she had metthe Three Devils on the road, but did not say why shehad left the camp. Madame Guan, however, was animpatient person and pressed her. Huo Qingtongrespected her teacher more than anyone, and found itimpossible to deceive her.

　　"He...he has become friendly with my sister," shesobbed. "And when I gave the orders to the troopsbefore the battle, my father and everyone thought Iwas acting out of my own selfish interests."Madame Guan jumped up. "Is it that Great Helmsman Chenthat you gave the dagger to?" Huo Qingtong nodded.

　　"Then he's fickle-hearted and your sister has nosisterly feelings for you. They should both bekilled!""No, no..." Huo Qingtong replied hastily.

　　"I'll go and settle this for you," Madame Guandeclared fiercely and rushed out of the room, almostbumping into her husband who had come to find out whatthe shouting was about.

　　"Come with me!" Madame Guan cried. "There's twoheartless ingrates that need to be killed!""Right!" he replied, and ran out after her.

　　Huo Qingtong jumped off the bed, wanting to explain,but she collapsed on the ground, and by the time shehad recovered, they were already far away. She knewthat together they could easily beat Chen, and wasworried they actually would kill him and her sister.

　　So disregarding her weakness, she climbed onto herhorse and galloped off after them.

　　As they rode along, Madame Guan talked at length abouthow all the heartless men under heaven should bekilled.

　　"That dagger that she gave him is a pricelesstreasure," she said angrily. "She gave it in goodfaith, but what notice has he taken of it? None. Heignores her and then decides he likes her sisterinstead. He should be carved into a thousand pieces!""And how could her sister be so shameless as to stealhim away like that?" her husband added.

　　On the third day, the Twin Eagles spotted a dust cloudin the distance and saw two riders galloping from thesouth towards them.

　　"Ah!" Madame Guan exclaimed.

　　"What is it?" her husband asked, and then spottedChen. He moved to draw his sword.

　　"Not so fast," Madame Guan said. "Let's pretend weknow nothing and take them by surprise."Chen had also seen them and galloped over. Hedismounted and bowed before them.

　　"It is fortunate that we have met you," he said. "Haveyou seen Mistress Huo Qingtong?""No," Madame Guan replied, secretly furious at hisbrazen behaviour. "What's the matter?" Suddenly, hereyes opened wide as the other rider approached and shesaw it was an extremely beautiful girl.

　　"This is your sister's teacher," Chen said to PrincessFragrance. "Pay your respects to her." She dismountedand bowed before Madame Guan.

　　"My sister has often spoken of you both," she said,smiling. "Have you seen her?"Bald Vulture was stunned by her beauty and thought: nowonder he changed his mind. She's much more beautifulthan Huo Qingtong.

　　Madame Guan was incensed at their craftiness, but hervoice betrayed none of her feelings she asked againwhat was wrong. Chen told her.

　　"Let's go and look for her together," Madame Guansaid.

　　The four started out together heading north. Thatevening, they set up camp in the lee of a sand dune,and after dinner, sat around and talked. PrincessFragrance pulled a candle from her bag and lit it. TheTwin Eagles looked at Chen and the girl in thecandlelight, so young and good-looking, like figuresfrom a mural, and wondered how they could be so evil.

　　"Are you sure my sister is not in any danger?"Princess ............