1
"Laurel, you and the young lady may stay," Apothecary Huang ordered.
Laurel Lu had of course recognized his Grandmaster, but, as he was dressed in the mask, he had not greeted him properly when he first entered the inn. Now, he bowed four times.
Harmony Yin also bowed. "Disciple of Eternal Spring of the Quanzhen Sect, Harmony Yin is honored to meet you, sir."
"I did not ask you to stay. Why are you still here?"
Apothecary Huang's tone took him aback. "I am a student of Eternal Spring—I am not a criminal."
"What do I care if you are a member of the Quanzhen Sect?" Huang grabbed the corner of a nearby table, pulled a chunk of wood from it and, without the slightest movement of his arm or hand, threw it at Harmony Yin. The young man tried to block with his whisk, only to realize at the last moment that the projectile was hurtling at him with the might of a metal staff. He felt the gush of air. As he tried desperately to evade it, his whisk swung round and hit him at the side of his lips at the same time as the wooden block. The pain was sharp. There was also something in his mouth. He spat and looked down into his bloody palm, only to find a few of his teeth. Shocked and frightened, he said no more.
"I am Apothecary Huang. Or you could call me the Black Apothecary. Now, tell me: what does the Quanzhen Sect want?"
Harmony Yin and Emerald Cheng were stunned.
Laurel Lu was similarly surprised. Perhaps the Grandmaster heard me fight with the Taoist, he thought. But what if he heard what I told the Kitchen God, too? The thought brought him out in a cold sweat. And what about Father…?
Rubbing his cheek, Harmony Yin mustered the strength to speak through the pain. "You are a master of the wulin, and yet your behavior is so capricious? The Six Heroes of the South are just that—heroes. Why do you harass them? Had my shifu not sent out a warning, would you have killed them already?"
"So, that's why I've not been able to find them," Apothecary Huang snarled. "You stinky Taoists have been meddling in business that does not concern you."
"If you desire to kill me, then do so!" Harmony Yin cried in agitation. "I am not afraid of you."
"Did you enjoy cursing me behind my back?" Apothecary Huang said coldly.
"I am not afraid to curse you to your face, you demon! You freak!"
Ever since he had first gained fame throughout the wulin, no one had ever dared insult Apothecary Huang directly in this manner. This young Taoist was the most unbridled, offensive man he had come across in more than a decade. Even after watching the way Apothecary Huang had dealt with Browbeater Hou, he dared to speak to him like this? Huang could not help but admire the young man's courage. It reminded him of himself, in his younger years. "Keep going, if you dare," he said, taking a step closer to the Taoist.
"I'm not scared, you monster!"
He will never get out of this alive, Laurel Lu thought. I must intervene.
"You brazen swine! How dare you insult my Grandmaster!" Laurel raised his saber and aimed it at Harmony Yin's shoulder. If he injured Harmony Yin first, perhaps Apothecary Huang's fury might abate long enough to allow the young Taoist to escape.
Harmony Yin leaped aside and then cried, "I am not scared of death, so I will curse until I am satisfied!"
Laurel Lu hefted his saber once more, just as Emerald Cheng raised her sword and shouted, "I, too, am a disciple of the Quanzhen. If you would kill him, then kill us both!"
This took Harmony Yin by surprise. "Excellent, Sister Cheng!"
They stood shoulder to shoulder, facing Apothecary Huang. Laurel Lu could no longer risk attacking Yin, for fear of hurting the lady.
"You certainly have guts and integrity—I admire these qualities in a man. I, Apothecary Huang, am indeed a demon and a heretic. You are not wrong, there. Besides, your shifu is my junior, so how could I lower myself to fight with you? Be off with you!" He reached out, grabbed the young man by the front of his robes and flung him outside.
As Harmony Yin flew through the air, he had time to imagine how hard a landing he faced. But—who would have guessed it?—he alighted perfectly, with both feet touching the ground at the same moment. Apothecary Huang must have thrown him in such a way as to ensure he would not be injured.
That was close! Harmony Yin thought to himself, in a daze. The old freak has been merciful. However much courage Yin had shown up to now, he was not going to go back inside that inn. With a stroke of his swollen cheek, he turned and left.
Emerald Cheng sheathed her sword and started for the door.
"Wait," said Apothecary Huang. He reached up and removed the mask. "Will you consent to be this young man's wife?" he said, pointing at Laurel Lu.
Emerald Cheng's snowy-white cheeks flushed a crimson red.
"Your martial brother was correct," Apothecary Huang continued. "I am a heretic, but who doesn't know that? People even call me the Heretic of the East. The thing I hate most in this world is hypocritical social conventions, especially the words of false sages. They are mere tools for duping idiots. Generation after generation falls into their trap, taking their nonsense for truths. It's laughable, really. I, Apothecary Huang, do not subscribe to such falsehoods. People may call me a demon and a heretic, and yet I have probably caused less injury to others than those bastards who talk day and night about righteousness and morality!"
Emerald Cheng's heart was beating wildly, but she said nothing. What did he want with her?
"Tell me," he continued. "You would like to marry my disciple's son, isn't that so? I like those with guts and backbone. That little Taoist cursed me behind my back, but, if he had knelt before me, polite and sniveling, I would have killed him. You defended him, despite the danger, which shows character. You would make a good match for this young man. Come on, answer me!"
Emerald Cheng wanted to say yes with all her heart, but she would not have dared to tell her own parents, let alone a stranger she was only meeting for the first time—and certainly not while Laurel Lu was standing beside them. Her cheeks flushed pink, like petals of a rose.
Laurel Lu hung his head.
Apothecary Huang's thoughts turned to Lotus and he sighed. "If you are both in love, I will give your union my blessing. But even parents cannot decide who their children should marry." Had he agreed to his beloved daughter's betrothal to Guo Jing, she would not be lying at the bottom of the ocean. The realization vexed him. "Laurel—speak up, boy—do you want to marry this young lady?"
"Grandmaster," he began with a stammer, "my only fear is that I am not good enough—"
"Not good enough!" Apothecary Huang interrupted. "As the son of my disciple, you are worthy of the Emperor's daughter!"
Laurel Lu could see that his Grandmaster's mood would worsen if he hesitated any longer. "I am most willing."
A rush of warmth filled Emerald Cheng's heart.
"Excellent," the Heretic said, turning to address her. "And what about you, miss?"
Without looking up, she answered, "My father must decide."
"Your father? Never mind him, nor the matchmaker. Let me make the decision. If your father doesn't like it, he can challenge me to a duel."
"Father only knows how to use a brush and abacus," Emerald Cheng said, a smile creeping across her lips. "He doesn't know any kung fu."
Apothecary Huang considered this for a moment. "Then we can battle with brush and abacus, that is fine with me! There is no one on this earth better at doing calculations than me. And can your father's calligraphy compare to mine? Now, give me your answer, girl. Will you marry him?"
Emerald Cheng was silent.
"Then it's a no. Very well, it is your choice. Old heretic that I am, I always keep my word. I never allow anyone to go back on a decision."
Emerald Cheng stole a glance at Laurel Lu and saw the anxiety on his face. Father adores me, she thought to herself. If I ask Auntie to talk to him and arrange for a matchmaker, Father will say yes. Why do I feel so flustered?
"Laurel," Apothecary Huang suddenly cried and rose to his feet, "you're coming with me. We are going to find the Six Freaks of the South. If you utter so much as a single word to this young lady ever again, I will cut out both your tongues."
Laurel Lu knew full well that his Grandmaster was capable of such an act. He turned to Emerald Cheng and bowed. "Miss, I am but a mediocre fighter, without talent or education. I live a wandering life and would not be an acceptable match for you. But I feel that fate has brought us together today…"
"There is no need to be humble, young sir. I … I am not…" Emerald Cheng trailed off.
The young man's heart skipped a beat. If only he could make her answer with a nod or a shake of her head. "Miss," he whispered, "if the man standing before you does not please you, please shake your head." The blood was pumping so violently through his body that he could barely look at her.
But Emerald Cheng did not move. Sensing a sliver of hope, Laurel Lu smiled and said, "If miss is willing to marry me, please nod."
But Emerald Cheng did not move.
Apothecary Huang was losing patience. "You neither shake nor nod your head. What does that mean?"
"If I do not shake my head," Emerald Cheng began hesitantly, "then it means … I nod my head." The words were spoken so quietly that only Apothecary Huang, whose hearing was enhanced by years of neigong training, could make them out.
He threw back his head and guffawed. "Wang Chongyang is a brave and valiant man. Who would have thought that he would end up with such a meek disciple! How funny. You both belong to the best schools in the wulin; it is a suitable match. Come, come, let me make it official today."
The two young people looked up at Apothecary Huang in amazement.
"Where's that girl, the fool?" he continued. "I want to ask her who her shifu is."
But the Qu girl was nowhere to be seen.
"Well, well, there is no hurry, I suppose. Laurel, you will marry Miss Cheng, here, today?"
"I am most grateful for my Grandmaster's magnanimity," Laurel Lu began, "but to marry in this lowly inn seems a little hasty…"
"You are a disciple of Peach Blossom Island. Don't tell me you abide by such ridiculous societal conventions? Come, now, you two, let me see you bow to the heavens." His tone was austere, and they did not dare go against him. Emerald Cheng knew she had no choice. Gracefully, she knelt before him.
"Now, bow to the earth … And your Grandmaster … Excellent. Excellent! And now, to each other."
Lotus and Guo Jing watched the pageant as Apothecary Huang barked his orders. They were surprised, to be sure, but also amused.
"Excellent. Now, go and get the candles for your first night together as man and wife," Apothecary Huang continued.
Stunned, Laurel Lu stared back at him. "Grandmaster!"
"What? You have already made your promises to the heavens and the earth. All that awaits, now, is the bridal chamber. You're both fighters of the wulin; you're not expecting brocade sheets, are you? This crumbling inn isn't good enough?"
This silenced the young man. In fact, his heart was pounding with anticipation. He promptly left and went to find a pair of red candles, some wine and a chicken. Then, together, the young couple prepared a meal for their Grandmaster.
2
Apothecary Huang fell into a long silence. His thoughts had turned to his daughter. Lotus watched and knew that he was thinking about her. Several times, she nearly threw open the door, but she was afraid he might force her to accompany him back to Peach Blossom Island. Besides, she could see no way her beloved could survive the encounter. These thoughts drove her hand away from the door.
Laurel and Emerald, meanwhile, glanced at their Grandmaster and then at each other. Their cheeks were flushed red with a mixture of happiness and embarrassment.
Gallant Ouyang was listening from his bed of straw. His stomach ached from hunger, and he barely dared to breathe for fear of attracting attention.
Gradually, the sky darkened. Emerald's heart was nearly beating out of her chest.
"Where's that silly girl?" she heard Apothecary Huang mutter. "Why hasn't she come back? Those traitors better not be giving her any trouble." Then he turned to Laurel Lu. "Why don't you light the candles now?"
"Yes, sir," Laurel Lu replied. He struck a flint and the wick flickered. There, by candlelight, he gazed at Sister Cheng's wisps of hair as they caressed her temples. Her cheeks were as white as fresh snow and, in her expression, he sensed a pleasing bashfulness. Words failed him. The insects outside hummed and the evening breeze blew through the bamboo thicket. Was this all real?
Apothecary Huang moved a wooden bench outside into the courtyard and lay down on it. Before long, his gentle snores filled the room. The young couple were frozen, they hardly dared move. They stayed like this until the candle burned down and, with a puff, the flame was out.
One of them ventured to speak, and, in the darkness, they sought each other out with their words. Lotus leaned in closer, trying to hear what they were saying. Suddenly, she felt Guo Jing's body tremble beside her. His breathing was quick. His qi had branched, she guessed, and quickly she gathered her inner energy to come to his aid.
After some time, his breathing began to return to normal, and once again she turned her attention to the couple on the other side of the wall. A shaft of moonlight had burst through the window. Laurel and Emerald were sitting side by side on one of the benches.
"Do you know what day it is today?" she heard Emerald whisper.
"The happiest of our lives," Laurel replied.
"Of course," Emerald said. "Today is the second day of the seventh lunar month," she continued. "My third aunt's birthday, on my mother's side."
Laurel smiled. "You must have a large family," he said. "How do you remember all those birthdays?"
Your wife comes from a large Baoying clan, Lotus thought. Aunts, uncles, nephews and nieces … It would wear you out trying to remember all those birthdays, Master of Roaming Cloud Manor.
Her thoughts drifted. If today was the second day of the seventh month, she realized, Guo Jing would need until the seventh to recover. The Beggar Clan was due to meet in Yuezhou on the fifteenth. Somehow, the timing was tight.
Just then, she heard a loud whistle from outside, followed by laughter and then the shaking of the roof tiles above.
"Old Venom!" Zhou Botong! "You have chased the Urchin all day and night from Lin'an to Jiaxing and back again, and still you cannot catch me. Victory is surely mine. What else is there to compete over?"
From Lin'an to Jiaxing and back, Lotus said to herself in astonishment. That's over five hundred li in the space of a day and a night!
"I will chase you to the ends of the earth," Viper's voice replied.
"Then let us have a competition. Who can run the fastest, and the longest? No breaks for eating, sleeping … not even shitting!"
"Why not? Let us see who will be the first to collapse from exhaustion."
"Old Venom, I said no shitting."
She heard the two men laughing in the distance. It sounded as if they were already a hundred feet hence.
Laurel Lu and Emerald Cheng looked at each other in shock, then joined hands and cautiously made their way toward the door.
If the Urchin and Old Venom are holding a martial contest, then her father would want to watch, Lotus thought to herself.
Sure enough, Laurel Lu said, "What about Grandmaster?"
"Over there," Emerald said, and pointed. "Three figures. The last one looks like your Grandmaster."
"Yes. Oh, they're already so far away. I wonder who the other two are? What a shame we will never know."
The Hoary Urchin is one thing, Lotus said to herself, but I wouldn't desire a meeting with Old Venom.
Laurel and Emerald assumed they were alone now, and their inhibitions began to melt away. Laurel placed his arm around his wife's waist and whispered, "My dear, what is your given name?"
"Guess," she replied with a smile.
"Little Kitten? Or else Little Puppy?"
"No," she said, and laughed. "My name is Caterpillar."
"Then I must hunt you down, Caterpillar!"
Emerald wriggled free and leaped over the table. Laurel laughed and gave chase. Giggling, they ran hither and thither around the inn.
The stars in the sky provided only the dimmest light, so Lotus was unable to see the young couple clearly, but their laughter was loud enough.
"Do you think he will manage to catch Sister Cheng?" Guo Jing whispered suddenly in Lotus's ear.
"Of course," she replied with a gentle chuckle.
"And then what?"
Lotus's heart skipped a beat. She did not know how to answer him. At that moment, the young couple collapsed onto one of the benches, Emerald locked in Laurel's arms. They started murmuring to one another.
Guo Jing's left hand was touching Lotus's right. She could feel his palm growing hotter, his body shaking from side to side. Fear for him gripped her heart. "Guo Jing, what's happening? Let's stop."
The laughter, the beautiful young maiden by his side. These devilish thoughts were dangerous to one who had suffered such injuries, especially while practicing Nine Yin breathing techniques. His blood was nearly at boiling point. He turned and reached for her shoulder. The feel of his burning palm and the rush of his hot breath startled Lotus.
"Be careful, Guo Jing," she breathed. "Steady your qi."
"I can't…" he panted. He was visibly shaken. "I … I…" He moved as if to stand.
"No, stay still!"
Guo Jing forced himself to stay seated and fought to control his breathing. But it felt as if his chest was about to burst. "Lotus, help me," he pleaded. Once more, he made as if to stand.
"Sit! If you move, I will lock your pressure points."
"Yes, do it. I can't control myself."
But if she sealed his points, Lotus realized, she would also be blocking his qi, and the last two days would be wasted. And yet, in this state, he was in mortal danger. She gritted her teeth and made a circle with her left arm, in a display of Orchid Touch technique. Then she struck at his Camphor Gate pressure point, located on the left side of his eleventh rib.
Just as her finger made contact, however, one of his muscles contracted, deflecting her touch. She tried again, but the same thing happened. When she reached to try once more, he grabbed her wrist.
Lotus looked into Guo Jing's eyes, now just visible in the first dawn light. They were bloodshot and red, as if on fire. He gripped her wrist tighter and seemed to mumble something incomprehensible. It was as if he had gone mad. Scared, Lotus jabbed her shoulder against his arm. The spikes of her Hedgehog Chainmail pricked his skin, and the pain sent a shock wave through him.
Just then, a rooster crowed. His mind was suddenly clear, as though he'd been struck by lightning. He dropped Lotus's wrist and looked back at her. His embarrassment was obvious.
Lotus saw beads of sweat pouring down his forehead. His cheeks were pale, and he looked exhausted. But she knew that he was safe.
"Guo Jing, we've already managed two days and two nights."
Slap! Guo Jing struck his cheek. "Stupid!" He was about to hit himself again, but Lotus stopped him and smiled.
"All is well. Remember Old Urchin? With all his years of training, he still couldn't resist my father's flute. You? You're injured. Don't blame yourself."
In the heat of the moment, they had forgotten to lower their voices. Laurel and Emerald were aware only of each other in their lovers' confusion, so they heard nothing.
But Gallant Ouyang, still lying in the corner, had picked up on it. Had he even recognized the young Huang girl's voice? He listened attentively, but there was no sound now.
As both legs had been crushed by the giant rock, he shifted his weight onto his hands and managed to "walk" himself out of his hiding place.
3
Laurel and Emerald were sitting side by side on a bench, his left arm draped over her shoulder. Just then, they heard a rustling from the area around the pile of firewood. They turned, only to see a man walking across the room on his hands. They jumped to their feet and drew their weapons.
Gallant Ouyang's weak state had only been made worse by the hours of hunger he had endured. The glint of a blade dazzled him, and he collapsed onto his stomach. Laurel Lu instantly registered the paleness of his cheeks. He rushed forward and helped the injured man up onto the bench, where he could lean against the table.
At that moment, Emerald let out a gasp of recognition. It was the awful man who had kidnapped her in Baoying.
Laurel could not miss the fear in her eyes. "Don't worry, his legs are broken."
"He's a bad man. I know him," Emerald replied.
Surprised, Laurel turned to look at the injured man just as he came to.
"Rice. I'm starving."
Emerald observed how sunken his cheeks had become. His eyes were dull. This was not the same man who had insulted and attacked her. Her heart was moved, perhaps because she was in love, and so she went to the kitchen to fetch him a bowl of rice.
Gallant ate it and immediately asked for another one. Upon finishing the second bowl, he felt his strength returning. He looked at Miss Cheng and felt a stirring in his loins. But then he remembered Lotus. "Where is Miss Huang?"
"Which Miss Huang?" Laurel asked.
"The daughter of the Lord of Peach Blossom Island, Apothecary Huang."
"Do you know my martial elder personally? I heard she is no longer of this world," Laurel said.
"Don't lie to me," Gallant sneered. "I just heard her speak." He placed his left hand against the table and suddenly flipped himself over it. The injury to his right arm already felt better.
Continuing on his hands, he circled the room. The voice had come from the eastern side, but there was no door to be found. There must be a hidden chamber, accessed from the cupboard, he surmised. He pulled the table toward it and then flipped himself up on top. From there, he opened the door. He was disappointed, however. Far from finding a secret passage, he saw only a few dirty shelves. Indeed, it was intolerably filthy. He looked carefully, and saw some handprints in the dust. And some more on a metal bowl. He reached out and grabbed it, but it was stuck. He tried twisting it loose, only for a door inside the cupboard to creak open.
Inside, Lotus and Guo Jing were sitting cross-legged, facing each other.
The sight of the young man with Lotus dampened his joy. In fact, he felt intensely jealous. "Are you training in here?" he said, after a short pause.
Lotus had been watching his movements and had known that they were soon going to be discovered. As the door to the cupboard was opened, she whispered in Guo Jing's ear: "I'll draw him in, you kill him with your Dragon-Subduing Palm."
"I don't have the strength."
Just as Lotus had been about to reply, the door to their secret chamber began to open.
Panicked, Lotus tried to come up with a plan. How can I get him to leave us alone, so that we might have another five days and nights?
Gallant Ouyang was normally wary of Guo Jing, but the young man's pale cheeks reminded him of his uncle's words in the Imperial Palace. If he ever found the boy in a weakened state, he should use Exploding Toad kung fu. If that did not kill him, it would at least leave him severely injured.
"Sister," he said, "why don't you come out? The air is very stuffy; you don't want to sit in there for any length of time." He reached out to take her sleeve.
With a whoosh, Lotus brought her stick down toward his head. It was one of the deadliest moves in all of Dog-Beating Cane technique and she had employed it with devastating speed. The rush of air as it came toward him was enough to force Gallant to move aside. But the staff was suddenly coming at him in a horizontal sweep. Startled, Gallant somersaulted over the table.
Had she been better positioned, Lotus could have followed with a Jab the Dog's Buttocks. It would have been a deadly move, but tricky to launch while sitting cross-legged, and she was unwilling to risk leaving Guo Jing alone.
Laurel and Emerald, meanwhile, watched in astonishment. By the time they realized who the two people inside were, Lotus had already launched her attack on Gallant.
Gallant spun out of his somersault and was heading toward the ground when he reached out, pushed both hands against the floor and rebounded back onto the table. Then he made a grab for Lotus.
Lotus had nowhere to go, and she was mindful that she could not exert too much inner strength herself, for fear of hurting Guo Jing. Even with no legs, Gallant was a stronger fighter than her. She was in trouble.
Laurel and Emerald drew their weapons and launched themselves at Gallant. He merely laughed, however, and struck out at Guo Jing's face with his palm. Unable to defend himself, Guo Jing closed his eyes and waited.
Lotus blocked with her staff; Gallant flipped his hand and grabbed the end of it. Lotus was no match for his strength, and so she was pulled with it. Fearing that her palm would lose contact with Guo Jing's, she let go of the Dog-Beating Cane. Instead, she reached into her robes, pulled out one of her throwing needles and hurled it at him.
He threw himself back, bending at the waist so that he was almost lying across the tabletop.
Laurel regarded him as if he was a piece of meat laid out for sacrifice. He raised his saber high and aimed at his neck. Gallant rolled right. The blade bit deep into the wood. Just then, Laurel heard the swish of another needle above his head. Suddenly, his back went numb. He was paralyzed down one side of his body, and someone was holding him, from behind, by the arm.
Emerald ran forward to help.
"Excellent!" cried Gallant as he grabbed the front of her robes.
Emerald swung her blade at his hand, jumping back at the same time, leaving a scrap of fabric in his grasp. Afraid, she nearly let go of her weapon. The blood drained from her cheeks and she retreated to the corner.
Still keeping hold of Laurel Lu, Gallant took a seat at the table and turned toward the cupboard. The door to the secret chamber was, once more, closed. A shudder went through him as he thought of how close Lotus's needle had come. The young girl was not an easy opponent. But he could toy with the Cheng girl loudly enough for Lotus and Guo Jing to overhear. They would be unable to concentrate on their practice, and he might be able to draw Lotus out into a less defensible position.
He turned to Emerald Cheng. "Miss Cheng, do you want this young man to live, or die?"
With her husband still in this man's grip, she knew it would be unwise to act rashly. "He has done you no wrong. Please, let him go. There is no acrimony between you. Were you not hungry, just a moment ago? Did I not bring you rice to eat?"
At this, Gallant laughed. "Two bowls of rice? Is that sufficient payment for a life? I'm sure you disciples of the Quanzhen Sect never imagined having to beg a hero from another school for mercy."
"He … He is a disciple of Peach Blossom Island. Don't hurt him."
"Who instructed him to come at me with his saber? Had I not been so quick, I would no longer have a head upon my neck. Don't threaten me with Peach Blossom Island. Lord Huang is my father-in-law."
Emerald stared back at him. She did not know if he was lying. "Then you are his martial elder. Let him go and he will plead your forgiveness."
"Ha! Since when was anything in life that easy? If you want me to let him go, you must first do as I tell you."
There was no mistaking the lascivious smirk on his face. His intentions were surely villainous. Emerald lowered her gaze and did not reply.
"Watch!" Gallant cried, then smashed his palm down on the corner of the table, cutting a piece from it as neatly as if he had used an axe.
Emerald was stunned. Not even my shifu is capable of something like that, she thought.
Gallant had been training under his uncle since he was a small boy, so it was no wonder that his martial skills had surpassed those of the Sage of Tranquility, who had only started her practice in adulthood.
Emerald's frightened expression boosted Gallant's confidence further. "You must do exactly as I say. Otherwise, I will perform the same move, but on his neck." Then he swung his palm in the air.
Emerald shivered and gasped.
"What do you say?"
Emerald nodded, reluctantly.
"Excellent. That's a good girl. Now, go over there and close the door."
Emerald did not move.
"What? You are not obeying?" His tone was furious.
Emerald trembled. She had no choice. She rose to her feet and went to close the door.
"You two were joined in matrimony last night, I witnessed it all. It was your wedding night, and yet neither of you undressed. I have never heard of such a couple in all my life. If you don't know how to be a good bride, let me teach you. Take off your clothes. All of them. If you leave so much as one thread of silk, I will send your husband to meet the heavens, and you will be known as a wanton young widow!"
Laurel was perfectly still. He was so furious, it felt as if his eyes might pop out of their sockets. He wanted to tell Emerald to run and not worry about him, but he could not make his lips move.
4
When gallant had grabbed Laurel, Lotus had taken the opportunity to pull the door to their chamber shut. Then she took out her dagger and waited. She listened in astonishment to what was going on in the next room. Had Gallant really asked Emerald to remove her clothing? She was indignant, and yet, she could not help but admit that there was something amusing about the situation. Such was her childish nature. She hated Gallant Ouyang, to be sure, but she was also curious to know whether the chaste Miss Cheng would strip naked.
"Where's the shame in taking your clothes off?" she heard Gallant say. "Were you not naked when you came from your mother's belly? What matters most to you? Your husband, or your pride?"
Emerald paused, then said, "Kill him, then!"
This was the last thing Gallant had been expecting her to say, and it took him by surprise. Then he saw her lift her sword to her neck. Quickly, he threw a Bone-Piercing Awl, knocking the blade to the ground.
Emerald was bending down to retrieve her sword when she heard a knock at the door.
"Innkeeper! Innkeeper!"
A woman's voice. Emerald sighed with relief. Maybe she can help. She grabbed her weapon and then leaped to open the door.
There, in the doorway, was a young woman in white. Her head was wrapped in white cloth and she had a sword attached at her waist. Her face was thin and pallid, but she was striking nonetheless.
"Please, come in," Emerald said quickly, hoping that, whoever she was, she had come to save them.
The young woman regarded Emerald's fine features, expensive clothes and the weapon in her hand, and was clearly surprised that she would happen upon such a person in a run-down inn, in a desolate village such as this.
"I have two coffins with me outside. May I bring them in?"
Emerald had no objections. Indeed, she would have let her bring in a hundred, perhaps even a thousand coffins. "Excellent," she said, instead.
Excellent? What an odd response, thought the young woman in white. Ordinarily, it was considered taboo to have coffins inside. Never mind. She turned and waved. Eight young men started to bring the black coffins inside.
The woman in white then turned and was surprised to see Gallant Ouyang. Instantly, her hand dropped to the hilt of her saber.
Gallant laughed. "It is our destiny to be together again. There's no avoiding it when the heavens have decided it must be so. It would be a great insult for us not to obey their command."
The woman in white was, of course, Mercy Mu, who had been captured by Gallant Ouyang in the past. After she parted with Yang Kang in Baoying, she cut her hair as a statement of her sorrow, before remembering that she had a duty to bring the bodies of Ironheart Yang and his wife back home. They must be buried together in Ox Village. Once her task was completed, she would devote her life to the Buddhist scriptures.
She had never set foot in Ox Village before and she found it almost entirely abandoned. The houses were barely standing. She had spotted the lone inn and decided to make inquiries there.
The last person she expected to see was Gallant Ouyang.
Was this finely dressed young woman his captive? Mercy had been hidden away in the coffin the day Gallant had attacked Miss Cheng, so they had never set eyes on each other. She could just as easily be one of his concubines. Mercy drew her sword.
A flutter of robes. A shadow flickered overhead.
Mercy jabbed her blade upward, but Gallant grasped it between his finger and thumb and pulled it, still in mid-air. He then reached for her wrist. Mercy tried to let go of her sword, but, in the split second before she could do so, her body was pulled up, landing alongside Gallant on top of the coffin that was now halfway through the door.
The four men carrying the coffin cried out and it crashed to the ground, landing on three of the men's feet.
Gallant pressed Mercy to his chest, while waving his dagger at the men. They screamed, before scrambling over the coffin and out of the door. The remaining men dropped the other coffin, and they too made a hasty escape, with no thought for the money owed them.
Now free from Gallant's grip, Laurel had fallen to the ground. Emerald rushed to help him to his feet. She had no idea what was happening, but she was determined to get out of the inn as fast as possible.
Still clutching Mercy, Gallant leaped toward the table. He grabbed Emerald by the belt and swept her into his grip, before locking both women's pressure points. He sat on the bench and cried, "Miss Huang! You must join us!"
5
At that moment, a shadow crossed the courtyard outside and, just as suddenly, a gentleman appeared at the door. It was Yang Kang.
He had fled Ox Village with the others, angry and humiliated by their treatment at the hands of Apothecary Huang. Nobody spoke of the shaming experience. Yang Kang had decided that, if he wanted revenge, he must first find Viper Ouyang, who was yet to return from the Imperial Palace.
He explained his thoughts to his father, Wanyan Honglie, and came back alone, stopping to watch and wait in the forest on the outskirts of the village.
That night, Zhou Botong, Viper Ouyang, and Apothecary Huang had come and gone so fast that Yang Kang had not been able to discern the meaning of their movements in the dark. Early the next morning, he watched as Mercy Mu arrived with the coffins. His heart thumping with excitement, he followed her to the inn and saw her go inside.
Shortly afterward, the porters came running from the building. What was happening in there? He approached silently and peered through a crack in the door. Apothecary Huang was nowhere to be seen, but he did catch sight of Mercy Mu in Gallant Ouyang's arms.
Gallant Ouyang saw the young man and called out, "Your Majesty. You're back!"
Yang Kang nodded.
Gallant noticed the strange look in his eyes and tried to comfort him. "All those years ago, Han Xin also humiliated himself by having to crawl between someone's legs. But great men do not break with a bit of bending and stretching. Wait for my uncle to return; he can exact retribution on Apothecary Huang on your behalf."
Once more, Yang Kang nodded. His gaze was fixed on Mercy Mu.
Gallant Ouyang smiled. "What do you say, young Prince—they are both beauties, are they not?"
Again, Yang Kang nodded. Gallant had not been present at the Duel for a Maiden, when the Prince and Mercy had first met, and therefore knew nothing of the connection between them.
At first, Yang Kang had not thought much of Mercy. But he had noticed her devotion to him and could not help but be moved by it. She was excessively charming and he had every intention of fulfilling his promise to wed her. To see her in Gallant's dastardly arms made his heart swell with hatred and jealousy, but somehow he managed to maintain his composure.
"There was a wedding here, last night," Gallant said with a smirk. "There is wine and chicken in the kitchen. Could I trouble the Prince to fetch it? I would like to drink a toast with you. These two beauties will then strip and dance for you."
"Wonderful," Yang Kang replied, and smiled.
Mercy had been secretly pleased to see Yang Kang, but when he failed to pay her any attention, fury began to boil within her. Now, as he went along with Gallant's plan to humiliate her, her heart turned to ice. As soon as she was free from Gallant's grip, she would slit her throat in front of the heartless Prince. Then, finally, she would escape the cruel indignities of this world.
She watched as he went to the kitchen, returned with the food and sat next to Gallant. Gallant poured two cups of wine and held them to Emerald and Mercy's mouths. "Drink first; it will help you with your performance."
Both young women were furious, but, with their acupressure points sealed, they were unable to turn away. They were each forced to swallow half a cup.
"Master Ouyang, I do admire your martial skills," Yang Kang began. "Let me toast your prowess before we enjoy the dancing."
Gallant received the cup from Yang Kang and downed its contents in one gulp. He then released the two women's pressure points, before casually placing his hands over the ones on their backs. "If you do as I say, you won't get hurt. In fact, I will make you very happy!" Then he turned to Yang Kang. "Your Majesty, I guarantee you will enjoy the performance. Choose one!"
"Why, thank you," Yang Kang replied.
Mercy pointed toward the coffins. "Yang Kang, do you know who lies inside those coffins?"
Yang Kang turned and saw that, on one coffin, a red piece of paper had been affixed, bearing the words, Here lies Ironheart Yang, a loyal patriot of the Great Song. A rush of cold blood entered his heart, but his face betrayed not a trace of it.
"Master Ouyang," he said, seemingly ignoring Mercy's question, "will you hold them tight? I would like to see who has the smallest feet—she will be my choice."
"Very clever!" Gallant said, and laughed. "I think this one has the smaller feet." He stroked Emerald on the chin. "I have a rather special talent. I need only look at a girl's face to know her body intimately, from head to toe."
"How impressive! May I bow to you and call you Master, so that you might teach me this special skill?" As he spoke, he bent down under the table.
Both Emerald and Mercy had secretly devised the same plan. As soon as he touched their feet, they would kick at the Great Sun point, on his temple.
"Master Ouyang," Yang Kang called from under the table, "have another cup, and then I will tell you if you guessed correctly."
"All right!" He reached for another cup with both hands.
Yang Kang glanced up from beneath the table and saw Gallant drinking, his head thrown back. Just then, he reached into his robes for the broken spearhead. Gathering all his strength to his arm, he thrust the point into Gallant's stomach, plunging it five inches into his flesh. Then he rolled back out from underneath the table.
Something had happened—Lotus, Mercy, Laurel, and Emerald all knew it, but they did not know exactly what. Gallant pushed the bench from under Mercy and Emerald, and threw his wine cup at the Prince. Yang Kang ducked, and the cup smashed into hundreds of small pieces. Gallant must have thrown it with extreme force.
Yang Kang rolled toward the door, but the coffins were blocking his way. He flipped onto his feet and saw Gallant standing on his hands, on top of the bench, his chest bent forward. He wore a strange smirk on his face, and his eyes were fixed on Yang Kang. Yang Kang felt a shiver go through him. He wanted nothing more than to escape, but his feet were rooted to the spot.
"I have been wandering for half my life, and yet, I am destined to die by the hand of a mere boy?" Gallant sneered. "Tell me, Prince, why did you kill me?"
Yang Kang leaped. Mid-air, he felt a gust of air behind him. A hand that felt cold, like a metal hook, caught him by the neck, forcing him to land next to Gallant on the bench.
"Won't you answer my question? You wish me to die in ignorance?" Gallant pressed again.
Gallant locked the pressure point on the back of Yang Kang's neck, paralyzing him. He would not get out of this alive.
"Very well," Yang Kang said with a cold smile. "I'll tell you. Do you know who she is?" he said, pointing at Mercy.
Gallant turned to the young woman, who was poised to strike with a dagger. Mercy was reluctant to intervene lest she accidentally hurt Yang Kang. Her face bore the same expression of concern that Emerald had shown for Laurel.
Gallant suddenly realized, and laughed. "She … She…" he began, but was cut off by a bout of coughing.
"We are betrothed. You have harassed her repeatedly. You tell me: should I let you go?"
"Indeed," Gallant managed to say, smiling. "Then we are going to hell together." With another splutter of coughing, he raised his palm as if to strike the top of Yang Kang's skull.
Mercy yelped and charged.
Yang Kang had closed his eyes, waiting for Gallant's strike. But nothing happened. He opened his eyes. Gallant's palm was still raised and ready, but his other hand had relaxed its grip on Yang Kang's neck. Yang Kang took his chance and leaped free.
Gallant collapsed on top of the coffin. He was no longer breathing.
Yang Kang and Mercy exchanged a glance before rushing toward each other. They held hands and stared at each other in silence. Neither knew where to start. They looked down at Gallant, fear still lodged in their hearts.
Emerald unlocked Laurel's pressure point and helped him to his feet. Laurel knew that Yang Kang was an envoy of the Jin. He had killed Gallant Ouyang, and therefore Laurel owed him a debt, but he could not treat an enemy of the Song as a friend. He cupped his hands and nodded, then took Emerald by the hand and left.
It had been the most extraordinary few hours, and they had only narrowly escaped death. Under the circumstances, it was only natural that they forgot Lotus and Guo Jing were sitting in the next room.
Yang Kang and Mercy's reunification pleased Lotus. He had saved Mercy from a terrible fate. Guo Jing, too, was surprised to see his sworn brother act so honorably. He exchanged glances with Lotus and they both smiled.
"I have brought the bodies of your parents home," they heard Mercy say to Yang Kang.
"I should have done that. What trouble you must have been through."
Mercy did not want to look back, so she focused on burial preparations for Ironheart Yang and his wife, Charity Bao.
Yang Kang reached down and pulled the spearhead from Gallant's abdomen. "We must bury him quickly. If his uncle finds out what happened, he will chase us to the ends of the earth."
Immediately, the young couple began to dig a hole behind the inn. Then they went into the village to find some people to help them carry the two coffins back to where the Yang cottage had once stood. It had been so many years since Ironheart Yang left the village that all those who remembered him had long since died. But the villagers were obliging and asked no questions.
By the time they had finished burying their dead, darkness had already swept across the sky. That night, Mercy slept in the home of one of the villagers, while Yang Kang bedded down at the inn.
6
Early the next morning, Mercy returned to the inn. As she approached, she could see Yang Kang pacing about inside, stamping his feet and mumbling to himself. She went in and asked him what the matter was.
"I should never have let those two go, yesterday. I should have killed them. Who knows where they have got to by now."
"Why?" Mercy asked, a little frightened.
"They saw me kill Gallant Ouyang. What if they tell someone?"
Mercy frowned. "Real men are brave and get things done. You shouldn't have killed him if you were going to worry so much."
Yang Kang did not reply. He was too busy trying to think of how he might find Laurel and Emerald and silence them forever.
"His uncle may be terrifying," Mercy began, "but we can go into hiding."
"My dear Mercy … I have another idea. I could make his uncle my master."
This caught Mercy's attention.
"The idea first came to me a while ago. But his school of martial arts has a very strict rule: only one student per generation. Now that his disciple is dead, however, he might consider taking me on." He seemed very proud of himself for coming up with this plan.
A cold shiver ran through Mercy's heart. "So, the reason you killed him," she said with a tremble in her voice, "was not to save me. You had another purpose, all along."
"You are too suspicious," Yang Kang said, and laughed. "I would do anything for you. Why, I would let myself be crushed into a thousand pieces."
"We can talk more about this later. What is your plan for the here and now? Are you willing to declare your allegiance to the Great Song? Or are you still determined to follow our enemy in the name of money and power?"
Her beauty was bewitching. But it displeased him to hear her articulate his inner thoughts. "Money? Power? Huh. What money and power do I possess? Yanjing has fallen to the Mongolians. The Jurchens have been defeated in battle after battle. The Great Jin will soon be no more."
The more he spoke, the more furious Mercy became. "The Jin's downfall is our dearest wish," she said sternly, "and yet you lament it? So what if the Great Jin is no more? Do you consider yourself Jurchen?"
"Why are we talking about this? I have missed you bitterly ever since you left." He approached her slowly and took her hand.
These words softened her, and she let him pull her gently closer. Her cheeks glowed a soft pink.
Yang Kang was about to put his arm around her when, suddenly, the screeching of birds filled the air. He rushed outside, looked up and saw a pair of white condors flying above. Yang Kang had seen another pair just like them the day his father, Wanyan Honglie, led the team of soldiers to kill Tolui. What were they doing here?
Mercy joined him outside. The birds were now circling above them.
There, under the shade of a nearby tree, they saw her. A young woman was sitting astride a magnificent horse, looking straight at them. She was dressed in Mongolian attire, wearing leather riding boots and carrying a whip. A bow was slung over her shoulder and a leather quiver hung from her belt.
The condors continued to screech a while longer, before flying off again, following the road out of the village. Before long, however, they were back, accompanied by the beating of hooves.
A cloud of dust rose on the horizon, out of which three riders emerged.
The birds are leading horses to the girl, Yang Kang thought.
A loud swishing sound caught their attention. An arrow. Yang Kang and Mercy watched as the Mongolian girl drew one of hers from the quiver and shot it up into the sky. The three riders heard it, whooped and spurred their horses on faster.
The girl kicked her horse and rode in the direction of the approaching riders. Once they had drawn to within ten meters of each other, they jumped from their saddles, joined hands in mid-air and landed together on the ground.
With such horsemanship, it is no wonder the Jin are being defeated by the Mongolians, Yang Kang thought. Even their young women are expert riders. As the new arrivals left their mounts in the courtyard and made for the inn door, Yang Kang led Mercy to the kitchen, where they could listen to what unfolded without being seen.
7
Lotus and Guo Jing had heard the screeching of condors and the pounding of hooves from inside the secret chamber. Moments later, they heard voices, as several people entered the inn.
Guo Jing sat up in surprise. How did she get here? How wonderful!
The Mongolian girl was none other than Khojin, the daughter of Genghis Khan to whom he had been betrothed. The other three riders were Tolui, Jebe, and Boroqul.
Lotus could not understand them, of course, but Guo Jing listened to their laughing and joking, his face green one moment and white the next. His initial delight quickly gave way to anxiety. My heart belongs to Lotus; I can't marry Khojin. But, if she has followed me all this way, how can I turn my back on a promise? What should I do?
"Guo Jing," Lotus whispered, "who is she? What are they saying? Why do you look so pale?"
Many times, Guo Jing had meant to tell Lotus, but every time the words had got as far as his lips, he had swallowed them back down again. Now she was asking him straight out, he could no longer conceal the truth from her. "She is the daughter of the Great Khan of the Mongolians. And we are promised to one another."
Shock registered on Lotus's face, and tears filled her eyes. "You … You … You're promised to each other? Why didn't you tell me?"
"I wanted to tell you, but I didn't want to upset you. And sometimes, well, I even forgot about it myself."
"She will be your wife one day. How could you forget such a thing?"
Guo Jing did not know how to answer this. "In my heart, I have always regarded her as a sister. I don't want to marry her."
A flicker of hope registered on her face.
"The Great Khan decided it," he went on. "I wasn't upset at the time, but neither did the thought please me. I merely thought, Whatever the Great Khan decides must be right. But, Lotus, how can I marry a woman who is not you? If I cannot marry you, I cannot go on living."
"Then what should we do?"
"I don't know."
Lotus sighed. "As long as you are true to me in your heart, then I don't mind if you marry her." She paused a moment, then continued, "Actually, don't marry her. I can't bear the idea of you and another woman together from morning till night, and I'm no good at controlling my temper. I might stick a blade in her heart, and then you would curse me till the end of your days. Let us not talk about this anymore. Concentrate on what they are saying."
Guo Jing pressed his ear to the small hole and heard Tolui and Khojin talking about all that had happened since they had left. It seemed that, after Lotus and Guo Jing took to the sea, the white condors had circled in the wind and rain looking for them. But, with nowhere to rest, they had given up and returned to land. They then flew north to find their other master, Khojin.
Khojin had been surprised by their return. She noticed one of the condors had a piece of cloth tied to one foot, upon which was scratched two Chinese characters. Unable to read this foreign script, she took it to some Han Chinese who were fighting alongside the Mongolians, and they translated the message for her: HELP. Concerned, she immediately rode south.
By this time, her father was fighting against the Jin. Each day brought new battles on both sides of the Great Wall. With the Great Khan's attention fixed on the enemy, it was easy for her to slip away.
The condors understood their master's intention and led her south. By day, they would fly ahead several hundred li, looking for Guo Jing, before returning and guiding Khojin on. This they did until they reached Lin'an, where, instead of finding Guo Jing, they came across Khojin's brother, Tolui, instead.
Tolui had continued his journey to Lin'an after Guo Jing had rescued him from Wanyan Honglie's attack in Baoying, to carry out his father's misson of convincing the Song to join forces with the Mongolians in an attack against the Jin. But the Song officials were at last enjoying peace and prosperity in their new capital, and they feared entering into yet more hostilities with the Jurchen forces. Every day of peace was a gift from the heavens above and the earth below. Why would they risk pulling the tiger's tail? The Song court barely deigned to receive him officially, and Tolui was housed in the guesthouse—an insult, indeed. It was pure luck that the Jin Prince had been captured by the Masters of Roaming Cloud Manor at Lake Tai, else Wanyan Kang would have delivered the order to the Song to kill Tolui.
News followed that the Mongolians were advancing at speed and that the Jin capital, Yanjing, had fallen. These tidings compelled the Song officials to change their attitude to Tolui, and he was suddenly addressed as the Fourth Prince of Mongolia. They flattered him and fawned on him. They even agreed to an alliance against the Jin. If they could win back what they had lost at the hands of the northern invaders, at little cost to themselves, then why not?
The ministers and officials rushed to prepare the agreement, but Tolui still smarted at their initial treatment of him. He signed it, nevertheless, and on the same day returned north. He was sent off with great fanfare, but Tolui had no stomach for their hollow rituals, and instead spurred his horse and galloped into the distance.
He had yet to make it beyond the outskirts of the city, however, when he spotted a pair of fine, white condors in the sky. Guo Jing is here!
To his surprise, however, he was instead greeted by his very own sister, Khojin.
"Have you seen your anda?" she asked, now, cutting off her brother's story.
Before Tolui could answer, a noise came from outside. The clanging of metal. Horses' hooves.
The Song escort, courteous to a fault, had finally caught up with him.
Yang Kang watched in silence from his hiding place. The Song men were carrying a large banner, upon which had been painted the words: WISHING THE FOURTH PRINCE OF MONGOLIA A SAFE RETURN NORTH.
A disquieting thought seized Yang Kang. Before he was captured on Lake Tai, he too had been regarded as an honored envoy. But, now, he was nobody. He had enjoyed the gilded life of royalty, lauded to the skies and waited on hand and foot. It was not easily relinquished.
Mercy Mu watched him coldly. She saw the wistful look on his face and, though she did not know what he was thinking, she could not easily forget that he had so willingly lived among the enemy, even after he had learned of his true heritage.
The leading officer of the Song escort entered the inn and bowed before Tolui. They exchanged a few words. Then the officer went outside again and cried to his men: "Go to each house and ask if they know the whereabouts of a gentleman named Guo Jing!"
The soldiers spread out at once. Before long, the sounds of clucking chickens and barking dogs filled the village. Men shouted. Women cried. Having failed to obtain the information they were looking for, the soldiers had started helping themselves to the villagers' belongings. How else were they to penalize them for their reticence?
From the kitchen where he and Mercy had taken shelter, Yang Kang watched the scene play out before them and an idea struck him. If the Song soldiers used this opportunity to steal from their own people, would it really be a betrayal if he befriended the Mongolians? I will go with the Fourth Prince north, and, on the way, I will kill him. It shouldn't be too difficult. Genghis Khan will assume it to be the work of the Song, and their alliance will be shattered before it has truly begun. It will be a great favor to the Jin.
He turned to Mercy and said, "Wait here." Then he went into the main room of the inn. The leading Song officer barked at him and tried to halt him with a hand. Yang Kang merely tossed him into a wall. The officer collapsed in a heap and lay still.
Tolui and Khojin were startled. Yang Kang now took up a position in the center of the room. He took the broken spearhead from his robes and raised it above his head, before bowing and placing it on the table. "Brother Guo Jing, Brother Guo Jing," he wailed. "What a miserable way to die. I will avenge you, Brother Guo Jing."
Neither Tolui nor Khojin understood Chinese, but they did understand Guo Jing's name. They turned to the Song officer, who was groggily getting back to his feet, and asked him to translate the young stranger's words.
Through tears, Yang Kang spoke: "I am the sworn brother of Guo Jing. A bastard killed him with this spearhead. A Song soldier. I think it came as an order from Chancellor Shi Miyuan."
The Song officer dutifully translated. Brother and sister listened, their faces falling. The other Mongolian riders, Jebe and Boroqul, recalled their friendship with the young Chinese boy who had grown up among them, and together they wept.
Yang Kang reminded them of how Guo Jing had defeated the Jin soldiers at Baoying, saving Tolui and the others in the process. At this, Tolui was fully convinced by the stranger's tale. How had their friend died and who had done the deed? Yang Kang told them his sworn brother was killed by a Song official by the name of Justice Duan. He knew the bastard's whereabouts and he was in fact on his way to seek revenge. It would be a difficult task to complete without help. He spoke with such feeling that the others had no doubt he was telling the truth.
Guo Jing listened from the secret chamber in deep frustration. He watched as Khojin drew her sword and held it to her neck.
"Sister!" Tolui rushed forward and grabbed the weapon. "You mustn't kill yourself. We must avenge Brother Guo's death instead."
It's working, Yang Kang thought with delight. He lowered his head and blinked out yet more tears. At that moment, he caught sight of the bamboo stick that Gallant had snatched from Lotus, lying on the ground. It was dark green and shone like crystal, a most unusual object. He went to retrieve it. Lotus watched in horror, but there was nothing she could do.
The soldiers returned with food and wine, though they found the Mongolians in no mood to eat. Instead, they urged Yang Kang to lead them to Guo Jing's killer. Yang Kang nodded and, still holding the bamboo staff, moved toward the door. He turned back and called to Mercy to join them, but she stayed put. This was not an opportunity Yang Kang could pass up, so he decided to leave without her. Affairs of the heart could wait.
8
"Didn't he kill justice Duan at roaming cloud manor?" Guo Jing whispered to Lotus.
"I don't understand it either. Wasn't he the one who stabbed you at the waterfall? He's a devious and wicked young man. What does he want?"
Just then, they heard a voice outside: "Unbridled heart I am not weighed, by either shame or glory … Ah! Miss Mu! What brings you here?" It was Eternal Spring Qiu Chuji.
Mercy had come outside to see if the soldiers had left. Before she could reply, Yang Kang appeared in the doorway. At once, he spotted his shifu. His heart started thumping wildly. There was nowhere for him to hide—they had been brought face-to-face. He had no choice but to kowtow and greet Qiu Chuji with customary deference.
Beside his Master stood Scarlet Sun Ma Yu, Jade Sun Wang Chuyi, the Sage of Tranquility Sun Bu'er, and another of Qiu Chuji's disciples, Harmony Yin.
After having had most of his teeth knocked out by Apothecary Huang the previous day, Harmony Yin had rushed back to Lin'an to report back to his Master. Qiu Chuji had listened in shock and anger; he wanted nothing more than to go and find the Lord of Peach Blossom Island at once. But Ma Yu had tried to dissuade him.
"Many years ago, Old Huang shared the same honor as our late Master," Qiu Chuji said. "Among us, only our martial brother Wang Chuyi has had the pleasure of meeting him, when they fought at Mount Hua. I have long admired the man and have no desire to fight him."
"I have heard that Apothecary Huang is of strange temperament," Ma Yu said. "And you can be quite rash and prone to outbursts yourself. I doubt that a meeting between you would go well. May I remind you that he spared Harmony's life. There was no obligation to do so."
But Qiu Chuji was insistent, and Ma Yu could not stop him. It just so happened, however, that all seven Masters of the Quanzhen Sect were in or around Lin'an, so letters were sent out summoning them to meet in Ox Village the next day.