6
BACK AT ROAMING CLOUD MANOR, GUO JING AND LOTUS Huang spent their days sightseeing around Lake Tai and their evenings discussing painting and literature with Squire Lu.
"We should tell Squire Lu about Cyclone Mei." Guo Jing knew her arrival would bring carnage to the manor. "We can persuade him to let Wanyan Kang go, to save everyone on the estate."
Lotus shook her head. "There's something rotten about Wanyan Kang. He won't change if he's let off the hook so easily."
In truth, Lotus cared little about Wanyan Kang's rotten nature. As the disciple of two great evils – Qiu Chuji and Cyclone Mei – he could never be any good. Yet she was counting on him as Mercy Mu's betrothed, so no busybody could make Guo Jing marry that poor orphan. And, to fulfil that role, Wanyan Kang would have to mend his ways.
"What do we do when Cyclone Mei arrives?" Guo Jing had his mind on more pressing matters.
"We can try out Count Seven's moves!"
Knowing Lotus's temperament, Guo Jing knew nothing he could say would persuade her to warn Squire Lu. He promised himself he would do anything in his power to help their host.
Three days after Mercy's midnight break-in, while Lotus and Guo Jing were having their morning conversation with Squire Lu, Laurel rushed into the study with a strange look on his face. A servant hurried after him, carrying a wooden tray covered in a green cloth.
"Pa, this was delivered to the manor just now," Laurel Lu said, unveiling the object on the tray.
A skull. Five holes in the crown. The emblem of Cyclone Mei.
"Who . . .? Who brought it?" The blood had drained from Squire Lu's face.
"We don't know. I have already sent men to find the messenger, but we've had no luck yet," Laurel Lu replied, shaken by his father's reaction. "It was dropped off like an ordinary delivery. There was nothing unusual about the box or the bearer. The servants thought it was a gift, so they tipped the man and sent it to the bookkeeper's office to be logged. Do you know what it means, Pa?"
Squire Lu pushed himself up from his seat to examine the skull. His fingers slotted smoothly into the holes.
"Are they made by a human hand?" Laurel Lu could not imagine anyone with such strength.
Squire Lu nodded, but did not speak for a long time. "Pack up the valuables at once and escort your mother to our northern mansion in Wuxi. Order the captains and their men to stay in their camps for the next three days. No matter what happens at Roaming Cloud Manor, they must not interfere. Hurry!"
"Why, Pa?"
Squire Lu ignored the question and turned to his guests with a wry smile. "Alas, your stay here is cut short. I had hoped that we might have longer together. However, I have, over time, made two fearsome enemies and they will soon be here to take their revenge . . . A disaster is about to befall Roaming Cloud Manor. If I survive, we shall meet again, but the likelihood is very slim . . ." He trailed off and addressed the pageboy instead. "Fetch fifty taels of gold."
Laurel Lu knew better than to ask questions, and slipped away to carry out his father's orders, followed by the pageboy.
When the servant returned with a tray of gold sycee ingots, Squire Lu said to Guo Jing, "Brother Guo and the young lady are a match made in the heavens. Please accept this humble gift for the day you become man and wife."
Lotus blushed, dying to ask Squire Lu when he had first seen through her disguise and how he had worked out that the two of them were yet to marry. However, she knew it would be rude to interrupt her host at this moment, and kept quiet.
Not versed in the etiquette of ritual refusal, Guo Jing thanked his host and accepted the generous gift.
Squire Lu picked up a porcelain bottle from his desk and carefully tipped dozens of small crimson pills onto a piece of soft parchment paper. "I acquired a little medical knowledge from my gracious teacher. These pills took some effort to make. They can improve your health and extend your years. A small token to celebrate our friendship."
They had a delicate fragrance that Lotus knew well. She had helped her father make them, collecting the morning dew from petals of nine different flowers and pairing it with the rarest and most precious medicinal herbs. She remembered how each step in the process could only be performed during a particular season and at a specific time of day. This was a truly lavish gift.
"The Dew of Nine Flowers is very hard to come by. This is too great an honour," Lotus said.
"My lady knows about them?" Surprise flashed across Squire Lu's face.
"I was a sickly child and was once given three such pills. Their effect was exceptional."
Squire Lu put the pills back in the bottle and sealed it tight. Then, taking great care, he wrapped it twice in tin paper. They were clearly very precious to him. "I have little use for them. Please accept this gift."
It was obvious Squire Lu was not expecting to survive his encounter with Cyclone Mei. Lotus accepted the pills with gratitude.
"A boat will be ready to take you across the lake at once. No matter what you encounter along the way, you must not turn back."
Guo Jing was about to offer his help, but, after one look at Lotus, he swallowed his words and nodded.
"Might I ask sir an impertinent question?" Lotus said.
"Please."
"I surmise that you are not confident that you can subdue your enemies, and yet you also have no intention of taking refuge. I am not sure I understand."
"They are the source of my misery." Squire Lu sighed and pointed at his legs. "This is their bequest. But my suffering is insignificant compared to the wrong they have done my mentor. And this is the offence I must avenge. I shall defy them unto death. I doubt I will overcome them, but I hope my demise will also be theirs. And that is the only way I can repay the immense kindness Shifu has shown me."
Why does he keep saying "them"? Does he not know Copper Corpse Hurricane Chen is dead? How did he get tangled up with Twice Foul Dark Wind? Though curious, Lotus kept these questions to herself.
Laurel Lu re-entered the study and made his report quietly. "Captain Zhang, Captain Gu, Captain Wang and Captain Tan refuse to leave the manor. They said they would sooner lose their heads for insubordination than desert Roaming Cloud Manor in its hour of need."
Squire Lu smiled at the pirates' devotion. "Son, see our guests out safely, and quickly."
Guo Jing and Lotus bid their host farewell and followed Laurel Lu out of the manor. Ulaan and their other horse were already waiting on the boat.
"Shall we go aboard?" Guo Jing whispered.
"Yes, and then we will turn back."
Just as they were about to step aboard, Lotus saw a man striding towards them along the waterfront, balancing a large vat on his head. She pointed at him.
Grizzled and bearded, the man wore a summer shirt woven from arrowroot and held a palm-leaf fan in his hand. The vessel on his head was wrought iron, and must have weighed hundreds of jin. However, his steps were light and nimble, and he hurried past them without as much as a glance in their direction.
Once he was several paces past their boat, the man swayed casually and water sloshed over his head. An iron tub full of water! Laurel Lu was astonished. That surely doubled its weight. He must be a martial master. Otherwise, how could he walk with such an enormous weight, as if it were nothing?
Could he be Papa's enemy? Ignoring the danger, Laurel Lu went after the stranger.
Guo Jing caught Lotus's eye and followed Laurel Lu. He remembered his shifus telling him about the fight with Qiu Chuji at the Garden of the Eight Drunken Immortals, and the wine-filled bronze censer they had hurled around to test each other's strength.
This tub is bigger than the one my shifus told me about. Could this man be more skilled than Elder Eternal Spring? Guo Jing was impressed.
The man carried the load for another li, to where a stream fed the lake, its banks scattered with untended graves. Laurel Lu knew there was no bridge in the vicinity and wondered which way he would turn.
An incredible sight stopped all three in their tracks. The man walked straight into the water and crossed the stream. Only his feet were submerged. His body was as steady as if he were walking on land. He set down the vat on the far bank and returned in the same way – treading on water!
Lotus had heard of many martial sects and kung fu moves, but nothing of what she was witnessing now. Walking on water was a mythical skill in the wulin. It was impossible. But she had just seen it with her own eyes. This man must be an extraordinary master.
The man addressed Laurel Lu. "You must be Young Squire Lu, leader of the Lake Tai pirates."
"Might I ask the Elder's name?" Laurel Lu bowed.
He stroked his beard and laughed. "And our young friends over there. Do come over here!"
Laurel Lu turned and, to his surprise, found Guo Jing and Lotus Huang kowtowing to the stranger, not three paces from where he himself stood. He had never imagined that his father's guests were skilled in lightness kung fu and could move so fast in near total silence.
"You're too polite." The older man waved the homage away, but was clearly pleased. He addressed the pirate leader once more. "Is there somewhere we can sit and talk?"
"Does the Elder know my father?" Laurel Lu asked warily.
"I haven't had the pleasure of making his acquaintance yet."
"My father received an unusual gift today. Does the Elder know anything about it?" The young man wanted to gauge whether this stranger had anything to do with his father's enemies.
"What was it?"
"A skull with five holes in the crown."
"How peculiar! Could someone be playing a trick on your esteemed father?"
If he was Papa's enemy, he wouldn't need to lie. With kung fu of that level, he could have easily come straight to our main gate, Laurel Lu reasoned. With a master like him on our side, we won't have to fear whoever sent the skull.
He relaxed visibly and said with warmth, "It would be my honour to serve the Elder tea at our humble estate."
The stranger considered the invitation before nodding. "Our young friends are from the manor too?"
"They are my father's friends," Laurel Lu replied deferentially. He invited his guest to lead the way.
The man took no further notice of Guo Jing and Lotus. When they arrived at Roaming Cloud Manor, Laurel Lu settled everyone in the front hall before hurrying inside to inform his father.
A few moments later, Squire Lu was carried by two servants into the room on a bamboo chair. He cupped his hands in respect. "We are honoured that the Elder has deigned to grace our humble manor with his presence."
"There is no need for ceremony, Squire Lu." The man inclined his head fractionally in acknowledgement.
"Might I ask the Elder's name?"
"My family name is Qiu, the given name is Qianren."
"The Master is honoured as Iron Palm Water Glider in the jianghu." Squire Lu sounded surprised.
The man smiled. "I thought my name had long been forgotten."
Squire Lu knew that Qiu Qianren led the Iron Palm Gang and wielded great influence over Hunan and Sichuan, in the south and south-west of China. Many years ago, this Master of the martial world had put up his sword and become a recluse. Young people of the wulin today would not have heard of this great man.
"Might I ask what important business brings Master Qiu to this part of the country?" Squire Lu had many more questions, but he did not want to appear impertinent, so he added, "If I could be of service, I would most certainly oblige."
"My business here is too trivial to trouble you with." Qiu Qianren smiled and stroked his beard. "Suffice to say that I am not finished with the martial world just yet . . . Indeed, with your leave, I would find a quiet spot to practise in now. We shall speak at length this evening."
Although Qiu Qianren had signalled the conversation was over, Squire Lu persisted with one last question. "Did Master Qiu come across Twice Foul Dark Wind on his way here?"
"Oh, are that infernal pair still alive?"
Smiling with relief, Squire Lu said, "Son, please show Master Qiu to my study." The martial Master nodded in farewell and followed Laurel Lu out of the hall.
"I am happy you are back. Master Qiu's martial training is far beyond the reach of us mere mortals. With him among us, I do not fear my enemies. You will be safe if you stay in your room," Squire Lu said to Guo Jing and Lotus.
He recalled that Qiu Qianren was invited to the Contest at Mount Hua to fight the Five Greats – Heretic of the East, Venom of the West, King of the South, Beggar of the North and Central Divinity. Though Iron Palm Water Glider did not take part, he must have been a martial master of the very highest level just to receive an invitation. The idea that such a man was here as his guest was a great comfort to Squire Lu.
"Oh, but we'd love to watch the fight!" Lotus said.
"I worry my enemies might bring help and I'd be too preoccupied to look after you. I would not wish any harm to befall you." After a pause, Squire Lu continued, though perhaps speaking more to reassure himself, "However, with Master Qiu here, we shall have nothing to fear. Please make sure you stay by my side at all times."
"I love kung fu fights." Lotus clapped her hands together. "Your exchange with the little Jin Prince was thrilling!"
"My enemies taught that young man, but they are far stronger. That is why I was so concerned."
"Really?"
"Miss Huang, perhaps you do not quite understand martial matters. Remember how he hurt my son? That very same kung fu dug the holes in the skull you saw this morning."
"So the martial arts are just like painting and calligraphy? Where one can tell at a glance which school and style a work belongs to?" Lotus was playing the innocent, as ever. "Like how we can tell from Wang Xianzhi's calligraphy that he studied under his father, Wang Xizhi, who was taught by Madam Wei, who in turn learned from Zhong Yao?"
"Indeed, my lady is most perceptive. However, these enemies of mine are ruthless and brutal. The comparison may offend our great calligraphers."
Lotus smiled and took Guo Jing's hand. "Shall we pay the whitebeard a visit and see what he's doing?"
"We mustn't disturb the Master." Squire Lu tried to stop her politely.
"We'll be as quiet as a mouse!" Giggling, she headed for the study, hand in hand with Guo Jing.
Confined to his chair, Squire Lu called after Lotus, "The Master might get upset if you watch him train, without an invitation."
The servants scrambled to lift their master's chair and hurried after the mischievous couple. By the time Squire Lu had caught up with Lotus and Guo Jing, their faces were already pressed up close to one of the study windows, peering through the holes they had made in the window paper.
Hearing the servants' approach, Lotus signalled them to stay quiet and beckoned Squire Lu to come over.
If she continues in her wilful ways, Qiu Qianren will know we're spying on him. I'd better indulge her, Squire Lu thought, and so he gestured at his servants. They lifted him off the chair and steadied him as he walked over to the window on tiptoes. Lotus stepped back to let him look in on the remarkable scene that had so transfixed her and Guo Jing.
The martial Master sat cross-legged, with his eyes half closed. A stream of smoke billowed from his mouth.
Squire Lu remembered his shifu telling him about the most advanced kung fu from different martial branches and styles, but he had never heard of this technique. But he should not be snooping on his guest, and he tugged at Guo Jing's sleeve. The young man understood at once. Straightening up, he took Lotus's hand and returned to the hall with his host.
Lotus giggled. "The whitebeard is great fun! He has a fire burning in his belly!"
"It seems he was practising an extremely potent inner-strength technique."
"Can he breathe fire?" Lotus found Qiu Qianren's kung fu truly mystifying.
"What Master Qiu was doing is no conjurer's trick."
Lotus's antics gave Squire Lu an idea. He sent his son to the pirate captains with a new command: Waylay any martial heroes sailing on the lake or travelling on nearby roads and invite them to the manor. He also ordered his household to throw open the main gate and stand by to welcome guests.
That evening, the main hall of Roaming Cloud Manor was bright as day. Dozens of enormous candles illuminated the round banqueting table in the middle of the room. Laurel Lu personally led Qiu Qianren to the best seat at the table. Guo Jing and Lotus Huang were each shown to a secondary place of honour, while Squire Lu and his son took their seats last.
After a few rounds of wine and a gentle discussion about the area surrounding the manor, Qiu Qianren cleared his throat and said, "Squire Lu, you must be an exceptional martial artist to lead the pirates of Lake Tai. Could I persuade you to show us a few moves?"
"I have long been indisposed and what little I learned is long out of practice."
"Who is your shifu? Perhaps I know him."
Squire Lu heaved a sigh and did not speak for a long time. "I was young, and through my ignorance I was brought down by another. Master, pardon my silence, I do not wish to tarnish my teacher's reputation."
That's why he hides his martial knowledge from us. Papa was thrown out by his shifu! Laurel Lu now understood. Whatever happened back then, it must be a most painful memory. If the Jin dog hadn't injured me, Papa would have never revealed that he knew any martial arts at all.
"My friend, you are in your prime and a leader of a formidable company of men, no less. You should seize life in your hand and do something worthy of your standing," Qiu Qianren said, paying no attention to Squire Lu's reticence and resignation. "It will ease the grievances you have suffered. Your martial elders must certainly regret their behaviour towards you."
"I am crippled, Master. I appreciate your kind advice. I might have the will, but my body will not stretch to great deeds."
"You are too modest. I see a bright path ahead of you."
"Please point the way, Master."
With a cryptic smile, Qiu Qianren turned his attention to the feast. Squire Lu knew his probings must relate to the matter that had enticed the martial Master back to the jianghu after more than a decade. Only etiquette held his curiosity in check. It would be unmannerly to question his guest and social senior outright.
"I am certain the man who built Roaming Cloud Manor's great reputation was a disciple of the most esteemed martial master of the wulin," Qiu Qianren said, breaking a long silence.
"My son manages the affairs of the manor. He studied under Abbot Withered Wood of Cloudy Perch Temple in Lin'an."
"Ah, Withered Wood of the Immortal Cloud Sect. This Shaolin branch has passable kung fu. Perhaps the Young Squire would care to show this old man a few moves?"
Laurel Lu stood up and bowed. "I humbly seek your guidance, Master." He knew a few words of advice from this martial great would bring a lifetime of benefits.
The young man positioned himself in the centre of the hall and settled into the opening stance of the Tiger Taming Arhat Fist, a kung fu he was most proud of. His punches roared with force, his kicks flew like shadows. The power and precision of the moves were testament not just to his talent, but also to the skill of his teacher.
Suddenly, he howled like a tiger and the candles flickered. The elaborate sequence of punches had whipped up a draught in the hall. The servants glanced at each other, trembling in fear.
Leaping, turning, rolling, pouncing, he prowled and growled like a tiger on the hunt. Then he held his left palm upright over his chest in the Tathagata Buddha's Mudra, his thumb curled and the rest of the fingers straight and pointing upwards. The predator sprang. The monk struck. The animal's snarls weakened as the arhat's blows quickened.
He hurled his fist down. Thwack! A floor tile fractured at the impact. He then flattened his palm to the ground and thrust, extending himself to his full height with mighty force. His left palm pushed skywards and his right foot kicked high, steady as a sculpture of he who attained nirvana.
Laurel Lu held the pose for some time before drawing his strength back into his core, to thunderous cheers from Guo Jing and Lotus Huang. He cupped his hands over his chest and bowed deeply at Qiu Qianren. The old man smiled but said nothing.
"I hope my son did not embarrass himself." It was Squire Lu who broke the silence.
"The young man has shown us an excellent exercise for strengthening the body, but it is useless in combat."
The bluntness of Qiu Qianren's words took everyone by surprise. Squire Lu replied humbly, "We should be most grateful if Master would illuminate the Way."
The martial Master left the table and wandered into the courtyard, without another word.
Guo Jing, meanwhile, was scratching his head. How could it be useless? Laurel Lu may not be a master, but he has a strong grasp of his branch of kung fu.
When Qiu Qianren returned, he held a brick in each hand. He closed his fingers around them. With very little effort on his part, they crumbled into small pieces. Then he clenched his fists. What was left of the bricks disintegrated into powder. Two handfuls of dust poured down onto the table.
Yet another type of kung fu no-one had ever seen before.
After demonstrating this incredible move, Qiu Qianren pulled open the front of his shirt, swept the dust inside, then went out again to empty it in the courtyard.
"It is impressive, shattering a tile with a punch," the martial Master said when he had finished cleaning up. "But your opponents aren't going to stand still and wait for your attack. If they have more developed inner strength, then all the power in your strike will rebound onto you and cause you grave injury. So, for your skill to be of any use, you need to be able to crush stone into dust."
Laurel Lu nodded at the profundity of the words.
"There are many who attempt to learn the martial arts," Qiu Qianren continued, "but only a small handful manage to master true kung fu."
"Who are these masters?" Lotus Huang asked.
"The Heretic of the East, the Venom of the West, the King of the South, the Beggar of the North and Central Divinity are regarded as the greatest martial masters of our time. Central Divinity Wang Chongyang possessed superior internal energy, whereas the other four have their unique strengths and weaknesses. If one comes to understand their individual shortcomings, it would not be so difficult to overpower them."
The only person in the hall not astonished by this claim was Laurel Lu, as he had never heard of the Five Greats. Lotus, though impressed by the older man's display, would not let a slight on her father slip by so easily. "Master, you should confront these Five Greats to make your name!"
"Central Divinity has passed away now. I had affairs of my own to tend to that year when they held the Contest of Mount Hua," Qiu Qianren said. "That is why the Taoist monk was named the Greatest Martial Master Under the Heavens.
"At that time, the five of them were fighting over some martial tract called the Nine Yin Manual. Whoever had the strongest kung fu would take custody of the book. After seven days and seven nights, Eastern Heretic, Western Venom, Southern King and Northern Beggar all admitted defeat.
"Apparently, before Wang Chongyang died, he passed the Manual to his martial brother Zhou Botong. But the Heretic of the East, Apothecary Huang, defeated this Zhou Botong and took the Manual for himself. I am not certain what happened after that."
Lotus and Guo Jing looked at each other. This was the first time they had heard the Manual's complex history. Their minds turned to the next thieves to steal the Manual, Twice Foul Dark Wind.
"Since the Elder's kung fu is the greatest, the Manual should belong to you!" Lotus said, with a provocative giggle.
"I am not interested in taking up arms over a book," Qiu Qianren replied. "Now that Wang Chongyang is gone, we are left with four masters who are just about equal. I know they have all been working hard to gain the supreme title for themselves in the intervening years. The second contest will be quite an event."
"When will it be held?"
"The contest takes place every twenty-five years, so the next one is in a couple of years' time. It looks like it will be us old hands again. There's no-one new to take on the mantle. Our art is dying. Each generation is less capable than the last." Qiu Qianren sighed and shook his head.
"Can you take us with you to the next contest, please? I love sparring matches."
"There's much more to it than that. Titles have little meaning when you have one foot in the grave. But we live in a time of great change. I would be neglecting my duty as a martial man and putting tens of thousands of lives at risk if I hid my knowledge to preserve the peaceful anonymity I have been enjoying." He paused and turned to Squire Lu, gesturing at Guo Jing and Lotus. "Our young friends, here, have no dealing in the jianghu. It is for the best if they know nothing of this."
"Squire Lu would not keep such things from a good friend." Lotus smiled sweetly.
The Master of Roaming Cloud Manor silently cursed Lotus's sharp wit and quick tongue. For she was right. It would be an affront to the rules of hospitality to deny one's guests.
"Please do not speak of this matter to anyone." Qiu Qianren was ready to explain the reason of his visit.
"Allow us to bid you good night," Guo Jing stood up and took Lotus's hand. He did not feel comfortable being party to the conversation against Qiu's wishes.
"You are a friend of Squire Lu, so you are no stranger to me." Qiu Qianren placed his hand on Guo Jing's shoulder. "Please sit."
Guo Jing was surprised by how light the push was. He held back his inner strength and sat down obediently.
The martial Master got to his feet and raised his cup before he spoke. "Are you aware that the Great Song will face its sorest trials within half a year?"
Laurel Lu gestured at the household staff to step out of the hall, while the servers retreated out of earshot, though they remained on hand to assist the diners.
"I have confirmed intelligence that within six months the full force of the Jin army will march south. The Great Song will certainly lose the remnants of its realm. This is its fate," Qiu Qianren declared.
"Master Qiu, we must inform the Song court immediately," Guo Jing exclaimed.
"What do you know of such matters, young man?" He shot a look of disdain at Guo Jing. "Informing the Song court would only intensify the misery of the coming battle."
No-one could quite grasp the logic behind his words.
"I have thought long and hard," Qiu Qianren continued. "There is only one way to keep our beautiful land from being razed and plundered. It is the only path open to us if we are to protect our people so they can live in peace and prosperity.
"This is the cause of my journey to Jiangnan, to the heartlands of the south. I have heard that my esteemed hosts have taken the young Prince of the Great Jin Empire, as well as Commander Duan of the warden's office, captive. Why don't we invite them to join us?"
Squire Lu sent for his prisoners, though he could not help but wonder how Qiu Qianren knew about them and what he wanted with a traitor and an enemy prince.
Once the captives were brought to the hall, Squire Lu ordered their shackles to be removed and assigned them the least prominent seats at the table, though he did not send for cups or cutlery.
"Your Highness," Qiu Qianren said in greeting to a sallow-looking Wanyan Kang. He merely glanced at the terrified Commander Duan, a bearded man in his fifties.
The Jin Prince nodded in acknowledgement, but he was more concerned by Guo Jing's presence. What is he doing here? He did not know Guo Jing had seen his fight with Laurel Lu, and he did not recognise Lotus Huang in her disguise. He kept his expression neutral, and Guo Jing, in turn, made no move to greet him.
"This manor houses riches and honour beyond imagination," Qiu Qianren said cryptically.
"You hold me in too high esteem, Master. I am but a ruffian living a simple life," Squire Lu said, with guarded courtesy. His guest's familiarity with the Jin ambassador was making him feel uneasy.
"Death and destruction are inevitable as the Jin army moves south," Qiu Qianren continued. "I have travelled here to bring the heroes of the south together, so we can rise up in unison to find a way to forestall the horrors of war."
"We martial men are trained to serve our country and to deliver our people from their plight. My loyalty to our land never found an avenue of expression, thanks to our muddled and corrupt court. But now, the chance to fulfil our duty to our country is worth more than earthly wealth or rank." Squire Lu spoke with barely contained fervour. "I implore the Master to point the way."
Stroking his beard, Qiu Qianren smiled at Squire Lu's impassioned words, but a servant rushed in before he could reply.
"Captain Zhang is outside with six extraordinary heroes he met on the lake."
"Invite them in."
Have Twice Foul Dark Wind brought help? Squire Lu's face darkened at the thought.