9
The seven masters were quick to realize that, despite their considerable prowess, they would find in Apothecary Huang a formidable opponent. They had to be careful. Ma Yu, Qiu Chuji, Wang Chuyi, Sun Bu'er, and Harmony Yin would enter the village first, while Tan Chuduan, Liu Chuxuan, and Hao Datong waited on the outskirts.
Yet they found no sign of Apothecary Huang. Instead, they were greeted outside the inn by Yang Kang and Mercy Mu.
Qiu Chuji watched his disciple kowtow, then snorted and turned away.
"Master," Harmony Yin spoke, "this is where the Lord of Peach Blossom Island attacked me."
Ma Yu had scolded them for referring to him as the Old Heretic, so now they were all careful to use the more respectful title.
"All seven disciples of the Quanzhen Sect have come to pay their respects to Lord Huang," Qiu Chuji cried, his voice echoing around the courtyard.
"The Masters have come to the wrong place," Yang Kang said. "He's not here."
"What a shame." Qiu Chuji's tone was exasperated, and he even stamped his foot a little in annoyance. "What are you doing here?" he said finally, to his student.
Yang Kang was too scared to reply.
Khojin, meanwhile, was staring hard at Ma Yu. Suddenly, she ran forward. "You're the uncle with the three buns who helped me capture the white condors! They've grown up to be so big!" she said, stretching out her arms. She whistled and two huge white birds suddenly came into view and landed next to her.
"You too have come south," Ma Yu said with a smile.
"Sir, Guo Jing has been killed. You must avenge him!"
Ma Yu's body twitched. He translated what the young girl had said into Chinese. Qiu Chuji and Wang Chuyi were visibly shocked. They bombarded her with questions, but she merely pointed at Yang Kang. "He saw it happen with his own eyes—ask him."
Yang Kang had not known that Khojin knew Ma Yu. Now, he was scared to say too much, in case his story aroused suspicion, dashing his hopes of tricking the Mongolians. And yet, he could not lie to his Master and martial uncles. He turned to Tolui and Khojin and said, "Go ahead and wait for me outside the village. I need a few moments to speak with the Taoists."
Tolui listened as the Song officer translated what Yang Kang had said. He then nodded and led Khojin out of the village and on to the road north.
"Who killed Guo Jing?" Qiu Chuji barked. "Come on! Tell us."
Yang Kang paused for a moment to think. I was the one who killed him, but what should I say? Then it hit him. He could place the blame onto a master of the wulin, someone with the power and skill to kill Qiu Chuji in a fight. That way, his dilemma would be resolved.
"The Lord of Peach Blossom Island."
Apothecary Huang was known to be searching for the Six Freaks of the South, so it made perfect sense that he had killed their disciple. This explanation aroused no suspicion.
Qiu Chuji cursed the Old Heretic under his breath and swore that he would have revenge. Ma Yu and Wang Chuyi, in contrast, nursed their sadness in silence.
Just then, laughter echoed in the distance. A different voice followed, harsh like clashing cymbals, and then another, this one softer. They were some distance away, but everyone heard them clearly. Three men, on the outskirts of the village.
"That was Martial Uncle Zhou!" Ma Yu exclaimed in delight. "He's still alive!"
Three whistles came from the east. It sounded as if they were getting progressively farther away.
"The other two appear to be chasing Uncle Zhou," Wang Chuyi said.
"They must have excellent lightness kung fu, if they're able to keep up," Ma Yu said, a concerned look on his face. "I wonder who they could be. And why are they chasing him?" He shook his head.
The four Quanzhen Masters strained their ears as the voices faded into the distance.
"Perhaps Brother Tan and the others have managed to catch up and provide assistance," Sun Bu'er said hopefully.
"I doubt it," Qiu Chuji countered. "If only Unlce Zhou knew we were here, he might come back this way."
Lotus listened in amusement. My father and Old Venom are merely playing with the Urchin, not fighting. If they were, do you really think a gang of stinking cow muzzles like you would be a match for them?
She had listened with displeasure to Qiu Chuji's cursing of her father. And yet, she did not mind so much that Yang Kang had falsely accused him of killing Guo Jing, if only because her beloved was sitting beside her at that very moment.
Ma Yu gestured for everyone to go inside and sit down.
Qiu Chuji turned to his student and said suddenly, "Are we to call you Yang Kang, or Wanyan Kang, these days?"
Yang Kang saw the glint in his Master's eyes and noticed his jaw twitch with menace. If he said the wrong thing, he could be killed.
"Had it not been for the illumination of my Master and martial uncles Ma and Wang, I would have still believed myself to be Jurchen, and thus be a traitor to my own blood. Now, I go by the name Yang, of course. Last night, Sister Mu and I gave my mother and father the burial they deserve."
This pleased Qiu Chuji and his expression instantly became softer. Wang Chuyi's displeasure at Yang Kang's treatment of Mercy dissipated too, as he assumed the young man had resolved to honor his promise.
Yang Kang held out the broken spearhead he had used to kill Gallant Ouyang. "This is all that is left of my late father's belongings. I treasure it."
Qiu Chuji took it and stroked his fingers along the blade's edge. His heart was filled with sorrow. He sighed and said, "Nineteen years ago, I happened across your father and his friend, your uncle Skyfury Guo. The years have passed and now both have been returned to dust. It pains me to know that they are gone. That I was unable to save your parents will be my life's great regret."
Guo Jing listened, his heart overflowing with grief. Reverend Qiu still remembers my father, and yet I never got to see his face. At least Brother Yang got to meet his real father.
Qiu Chuji then returned the conversation to Guo Jing's supposed death, and Yang Kang could only continue to weave his web of lies. The three Quanzhen elders sighed as he spoke.
Yang Kang, meanwhile, was distracted by the thought that he had to catch up with Tolui and Khojin.
Wang Chuyi studied the young man, then looked over at Mercy Mu. "Are you two married?" he asked.
"Not yet," Yang Kang replied.
"You had better make the arrangements soon. Brother Qiu, how should it be handled?"
Lotus and Guo Jing exchanged glances. Were they about to witness yet another wedding?
Sister Mu is not as mild-mannered as Miss Cheng, Lotus thought. She might insist on a rematch, another Duel for the Maiden. This should be interesting.
"Let Master decide," she heard Yang Kang say, the delight clear in his voice.
"On one condition," Mercy Mu spoke up.
Qiu Chuji smiled faintly and said, "Please."
"The traitor Wanyan Honglie killed my adoptive father and Yang Kang's real father, Ironheart Yang. Before we can be married, Yang Kang must avenge his death."
"Excellent!" Qiu Chuji cried, and clapped his hands. "I couldn't have said it better myself. A perfect plan, wouldn't you agree, boy?"
Yang Kang hesitated. How should he answer?
Just then, a loud, gravelly voice came to their ears from outside. Someone was singing the lyrics to "Fallen Lotus Flower." They heard a high-pitched voice rasp in response, "Master, lady, take mercy on a poor beggar!"
Mercy listened. She thought the voice sounded familiar. She turned to see two beggars standing on the doorstep. One was fat, the other short and thin. Indeed, the second was so small, the first looked to be three times his size. There was something unusual in the way they held themselves. Indeed, they were so distinctive that Mercy instantly knew who they were. She had tended to their wounds at the age of thirteen. Count Seven Hong had spent three days teaching her a few tricks because she was of such tender heart.
She was about to rush forward to greet them when she noticed that they were staring at the bamboo staff in Yang Kang's hand. They looked at each other and nodded. They approached the young man, crossed their arms over their chests and bowed.
Ma Yu and the others noticed how brawny the beggars were beneath their rags, and that each carried eight hemp sacks on their back. Senior members of the Beggar Clan. They were men of rank; why did they show Yang Kang such respect?
The smaller one began, "We heard some among us say that the Clan chief's cane had been spotted in Lin'an. It is our honor to see it here. I wonder, what became of our old chief, Count Seven Hong?"
Yang Kang understood nothing. "Mmm," he replied, trying to hide his ignorance.
The men were taken aback, but remained respectful, such was the power bestowed by the Dog-Beating Cane upon whoever carried it.
"It is not long now until we gather at Yuezhou. Elders Lu and Jian headed west not seven days ago," the larger of the beggars said.
Yang Kang was even more confused. "Mmm," he said again.
"We have been delayed for some days, looking for the cane," the thin beggar continued. "We must hurry. If sir would care to start the journey today, we humbly offer our services to accompany you all the way."
Yang Kang saw his chance to get away from Qiu Chuji. He kowtowed before the Quanzhen Masters. "Humbly I beg the forgiveness of my elders, but I have an important matter to deal with."
Was Yang Kang connected to the Beggar Clan? They were the biggest secret society in the whole Empire, and their chief, Count Seven Hong, commanded a reputation equal to that of their late Master. This being the case, they could not possibly detain the young man and it would be impolite to ask the beggars any questions. As was the custom in the rivers and lakes, they merely paid the two men their respects.
The beggars were equally humble in their conduct toward the Quanzhen Masters. And, when Mercy Mu reminded them of how she had helped them, all those years ago, she too was invited to travel with Yang Kang.
Together, the four of them took their leave.
Qiu Chuji had observed his disciple's courteous treatment of Ironheart Yang's adopted daughter and his anger toward him subsided. Had this young man not been the son of a true patriot, he might have crippled him, such had been his fury. But perhaps the Duel for a Maiden had turned out well, after all. Perhaps the young man had learned his lesson and had renounced the riches of a life in the Jin court in favor of his father's good name. Was it possible that all those years of guidance on his part had not been in vain? He had to admit that the respectful way in which these two members of the Beggar Clan had spoken to him and his brothers did reflect well on the Quanzhen Sect. Indeed, his anger was giving way to something akin to pleasure. Gently, he twirled his long beard and watched as the young couple left.
10
That evening, they slept at the inn as they waited for the other masters of the Quanzhen Sect to join them. When there was no news for the whole of the next day, they began to feel anxious.
Just as midnight was drawing near, they heard a whistle from the edge of the village.
"Brother Hao is back!" Sun Bu'er said.
Ma Yu replied with his own, low-pitched whistle. Before long, a shadow flitted across the doorway and Hao Datong appeared.
This was the first time Lotus had ever laid eyes on Master Hao. She pressed her eye to the hole. It was the fifth day of the seventh month, and a new moon illuminated him. He was broad and tall, and carried himself with the air of a high-ranking official. The sleeves of his Taoist robes were cut short at the elbows. It was an unusual style, nothing like the clothing worn by the other Quanzhen Masters. In fact, Hao Datong had been the son of the wealthiest family in Shandong's Ninghai prefecture. He was highly educated and had made money from divination before joining their Master, Wang Chongyang, in his cave in the mountains. Wang Chongyang had taken off his own robe, torn the sleeves short and presented it to Hao. "Worry not for its lack of sleeves," he had said. "You will complete them yourself." Making use of the similarity between the word for sleeve in Chinese and the word for teaching, his meaning was that, no matter how intensely the master gave his instructions, it was up to the disciple to achieve the Way. Hao Datong had worn short sleeves ever since, in order to honor his Master.
"How is Master Zhou?" Qiu Chuji broke in impatiently. "Is he fighting, or is he clowning around?"
"I am ashamed to admit that I didn't manage to catch up with them," Hao Datong said, shaking his head. "I gave chase for some seven or eight li before I lost sight of them. Masters Tan and Liu were ahead of me, however. I carried on searching for them for a whole day and a night, but, alas, I could not find them anywhere."
"Brother Hao is tired," Ma Yu said. "Sit and rest."
Hao Datong positioned himself on the floor and crossed his legs. Then he began to circulate his qi.
"On my way back, I encountered six people by the Temple of the King of Zhou, who seemed to fit the description, given by Master Qiu, of the Six Freaks of the South. I approached them and discovered that my instincts were correct. They are on their way back from Peach Blossom Island."
"The Freaks are most courageous," Qiu Chuji said. "They went to Peach Blossom Island? No wonder we couldn't find them."
"Their leader, Great Hero Ke Zhen'e, said that they had offered to accompany their disciple Guo Jing to Peach Blossom Island to seek Apothecary Huang. But they could not find the young man so they went by themselves, only to find, to their surprise, that Huang was not there."
"They took a great risk! Indeed, they were very lucky the Heretic could not be found."
Guo Jing was relieved to hear his Masters were unharmed. By now, he and Lotus had been circulating their qi for five days and five nights, and he was almost completely recovered.
During the second watch of the sixth night, another whistle was heard from the east of the village.
"Brother Liu is back," Qiu Chuji said.
Moments later, Liu Chuxuan appeared outside, accompanied by an old man with long hair and a long beard. The old man was dressed in a short shirt made from arrowroot-cloth, and a simple pair of hemp shoes, and, in his hand, he carried a large cattail-leaf fan. He was smiling and talking as they entered. He glanced at the five Quanzhen Masters and nodded in their direction, as if greeting any ordinary man in the market.
"This is Master Qiu," Liu Chuxuan began, "also known as the Iron Palm Water Glider. We are most fortunate to come across him today."
Lotus had to hold back her laughter as she nudged Guo Jing with her elbow. Guo Jing grinned at her. They were both waiting to see what Qiu Qianren's latest swindle was going to be.
The Quanzhen Masters knew of Qiu Qianren, of course; he was well-known and respected throughout the wulin, so they addressed him with the customary courtesy. Qiu Qianren's tone, in contrast, was gruff and self-important.
"Has sir seen Master Zhou Botong?" Qiu Chuji asked, after a while.
"The Hoary Urchin? Apothecary Huang killed him years ago."
Shock ran through the room.
"How can that be?" Liu Chuxuan exclaimed. "I saw him only the day before yesterday. He was running so fast that I couldn't catch up with him."
This stumped Qiu Qianren, and all he could do was smile. His mind was spinning, trying to find an explanation.
"Brother Liu, did you get a good look at the two men who were chasing Master Zhou?" Qiu Chuji interrupted.
"One was dressed in white, the other in a long, dark green robe. They ran at great speed. I managed to glimpse the face of the one in green, and it was most curious indeed. Like that of a corpse."
Qiu Qianren had met Apothecary Huang at Roaming Cloud Manor, where he had been wearing green robes and a mask made of human skin. In fact, he had not known at the time that it was Apothecary Huang, but it all made sense now. "That's right! The one who killed the Urchin was dressed in long green robes. Apothecary Huang. Who else could have managed it? I was too late to stop it. Aiya, it was a most miserable death."
Qiu Qianren was known for his excellent kung fu skills, but the Quanzhen Masters were unaware of his other reputation as the most brazen swindler in all of the south. They were deeply aggrieved. Qiu Chuji slammed his hand against a table and decried Apothecary Huang in the most colorful terms.
Lotus was seething. Not because Qiu Qianren had started this silly rumor, but because Qiu Chuji was so quick to curse her father—and with such terrible fury.
"Brother Tan is faster than me; perhaps he caught up with them and saw how Master Zhou was killed?" Liu Chuxuan said.
"Brother Tan is yet to return," Sun Bu'er began. "I only fear that he too has suffered at the hands of that old villain…" Her voice trailed off, her expression grim.
Qiu Chuji drew his sword. "We must have our revenge!" he cried.
Afraid they might come across Master Zhou and his lie would be revealed, Qiu Qianren quickly added, "Apothecary Huang knows you are all here. He might arrive at any moment. The Old Heretic is evil, and I simply cannot allow his crimes to go unpunished a moment longer. Wait for me here."
As Qiu Qianren was their senior, they knew it would be inappropriate to defy the old Master's words. Also, they might miss the scoundrel if they went out looking for him. It would be better to wait for him here and conserve their energy.
Grateful, they bowed to Qiu Qianren and sent him on his way.
"Don't worry," Qiu Qianren said, with a wave of his hand, as he left. "I will bring the Old Heretic to justice, you will see!" At that, he drew the sword from his waist and, with a grunt, thrust it at his own belly.
The others cried out as the blade entered the old man's flesh. Qiu Qianren merely smiled, however.
"No blade can harm me. If the Old Heretic comes for you, don't fight him, lest you all be injured. Wait for me to return, and I will deal with him."
"We must avenge our martial uncle," Qiu Chuji replied, bristling.
Qiu Qianren sighed. "Fate, too, has decided it must be thus. But, if it is revenge you want, there is one thing you must remember."
"Please, enlighten us, sir," Ma Yu said.
Qiu Qianren's expression became very grave indeed. "If you see the Old Heretic, you must kill him at once. Do not bother trying to speak or reason with him, else you will lose your chance forever. This is very important!"
At this, he turned, the sword still stuck in his belly.
The others watched in amazement. In all their years, none of them had ever seen a blade enter the flesh in this way and yet cause no harm. The old man must have reached a level of martial skill none of them had witnessed before.
What they did not know, however, was that it was just another of Qiu Qianren's tricks. The sword was, in fact, made up of three sections. As soon as even the lightest of forces was applied to the tip of the blade, the first and second sections would retract into the third, which would, in turn, disappear into a seam in his waistband. To any onlooker, it appeared as though the blade had plunged into his abdomen.
And the reason for his tricks? Wanyan Honglie had employed him to sow enmity among the heroes of the south, so that, when the Jin made their attack, they would be too busy fighting among themselves to unite against a common enemy.
For the rest of that day, the Quanzhen Masters were restless. They could barely eat, and instead sat on the floor of the inn, practicing their breathing. Only Harmony Yin was able to sleep.
At around midnight, they heard the faintest sound of whistling coming from the northern end of the village. They jumped up. Within moments, they heard people outside.
"The enemy!" Ma Yu cried. "They have been chasing Brother Tan. Be careful, everyone."
Guo Jing was into his last night of breathing exercises; his internal and external injuries were almost healed. Not only that, but both he and Lotus had made great strides when it came to their neigong strength. These last hours were crucial. Lotus, however, was worried. If that is Papa outside, there will be a fight. But I am in no position to go out there and tell them the truth. What if my father injures the Quanzhen Masters? I am not so fond of them myself, but Guo Jing is devoted to Elder Ma, in particular. It will take a lot for him to resist helping them; he will feel it is his duty. And, if he does, all these days of training will be wasted. Indeed, if he cuts it short before completing all thirty-six revolutions, his life will be in danger.
"Guo Jing," she whispered, "promise me that, whatever happens, you won't go out. Not until we're done."
Guo Jing nodded, but it was plain to see he was deeply conflicted.
"Brother Tan!" Qiu Chuji called outside. "Assume the Heavenly Northern Dipper!"
Guo Jing's heart leaped. The Northern Dipper. Those words appeared several times in the Nine Yin Manual. It was an essential component in reaching the highest levels of martial learning. The textual explanation, however, was obscure, to say the least. Guo Jing had not understood it himself. He peered through the hole to watch.
Bang! The door flew open and the figure of a Taoist priest appeared in its place. His left foot just made it over the threshold before he was suddenly pulled back out again.
Qiu Chuji and Wang Chuyi leaped forward, sleeves fluttering, palms raised.
Thwack! Their palms struck the attacker. The two Quanzhen Masters jolted back, as did their opponent.
Tan Chuduan stepped into the room.
By the light of the moon, they took in his appearance. His hair was disheveled and two blotches of blood decorated his face. The long sword in his right hand had been snapped in half. He looked terrible.
He walked into the center of the room and, without saying anything, sat down and crossed his legs. His martial brothers immediately took up their positions.
11
"Reverend tan." a woman's voice from outside suddenly broke through the darkness. "Had it not been for your Brother Ma's presence, I would have delivered you to the heavens already. Why did you lead me here? Whose palms did I just encounter? Tell this old blind woman."
Despite the intense heat of the still summer's night, her raspy voice sent chills down the Taoists' backs. Silence descended, disturbed only by the constant hum of insects outside.
Suddenly, an awful cracking sound was heard. Guo Jing recognized it at once: Cyclone Mei's joints. She was about to attack.
"Some spend years in isolation," a soft voice began. It was Ma Yu. His tone was soothing.
"Cultivating only unkempt hair and eccentricity," another voice added. Guo Jing looked across at the Quanzhen's Second Master, Tan Chuduan. The muscles on his face were taut and his eyebrows thick and bushy. His body was similarly robust and athletic. He had worked as a blacksmith in his native Shandong before joining the Taoist sect and assuming the name Eternal Truth.
Their Third Master was, by contrast, thin and small. He reminded Guo Jing of a monkey. This was Eternal Life Liu Chuxuan. He took up the next lines: "Double Sun sits in the Crab Apple Pavilion." He was slight in stature, but his voice was surprisingly resonant.
"As the Spirit Immortal's boat floats on lotus leaves," Qiu Chuji continued.
"To the empty shell belongs all matter," Wang Chuyi added.
"Some men see before they are born." This was Infinite Peace Hao Datong.
"Laughing, I leave home and am free," Sun Bu'er said, before Ma Yu finished the poem: "As in West Lake the clouds are reflected and the Moon hangs high above me."
Cyclone Mei listened. Each voice was propelled by an incredible burst of qi. Are all seven Quanzhen Masters here? she asked herself, in shock. They can't be. Ma Yu is here, to be sure, but the other voices do not sound right.
Cyclone Mei had last encountered the Quanzhen Masters on top of a desolate cliff on the Mongolian steppe. Or, at least, that is what she thought. In fact, she had overheard Ma Yu and the Six Freaks pretending to be the Seven Immortals of the Quanzhen Sect.
"Reverend Ma," she called out. "Are you still well? It has been some time since we last met." Cyclone Mei may have had a reputation for cruelty, but she could not deny that Ma Yu had shown her mercy back in Mongolia.
Unable to find Zhou Botong, Tan Chuduan had given up on his search. On his way back to the inn, however, he came across Cyclone Mei. He knew that Twice Foul Dark Wind had turned to evil, but he was unaware of Hurricane Chen's death and that Cyclone Mei had been accepted back to Peach Blossom Island. He ran straight at her and attacked, only to find that he was no match for her. Luckily, Cyclone Mei had realized that he was a member of the Quanzhen Sect and refrained from hurting him, out of respect for Ma Yu. Instead, she let him go, and followed him to Ox Village.
"Why, I am very well, thank you!" Ma Yu exclaimed. "The Quanzhen Sect and Peach Blossom Island bear each other no ill will. Is your honored Master on his way?"
"Are you expecting my shifu?" Cyclone Mei replied, somewhat startled by his question.
"Vixen!" Qiu Chuji suddenly interjected. "Bring him to us, so that we might show him the almighty strength of the Quanzhen!"
"Who are you?" she snarled.
"My name is Qiu Chuji. Surely you have heard of me, harlot?"
The blind woman howled and cast herself in the direction of Qiu Chuji's voice. She held her left palm in defense, her right hand shaped in a claw.
How would Qiu Chuji hold off her attack? Guo Jing watched with bated breath. But the Taoist did not move, and remained seated on the floor. Oh no, Guo Jing just had time to say to himself, as Cyclone Mei's claw flew straight at Qiu Chuji's head.
Just then, Liu Chuxuan and Wang Chuyi sent out their palms, one from each side. Cyclone Mei swiped at both and blocked. But little did she realize that the two men had harnessed their internal strength in a complementary fashion, yin and yang, creating a force that sent her body up like a cannonball. She struck down with her right hand and flipped into a backward somersault, landing back at the threshold to the inn.
She was in shock. Whoever these men were, they were far more accomplished than the Taoists of the Quanzhen Sect. "Count Seven Hong? King Duan?" she cried out.
Qiu Chuji laughed. "Count Seven Hong? King Duan? We are the Masters of the Quanzhen."
This confused Cyclone Mei. If Master Tan had not been her match, how could his martial brothers be so much more powerful? Could there be such a gulf in skill within one school?
Guo Jing was also puzzled. Masters Liu and Wang were excellent fighters, to be sure, but how could they overcome Cyclone Mei so easily? The only masters he knew that should be capable of such a feat were Zhou Botong, Count Seven Hong, Apothecary Huang, and Viper Ouyang.
Cyclone Mei feared only her own Master. The more she was challenged, the more reckless she became. Ma Yu had been courteous and respectful. But Qiu Chuji had just been told that Apothecary Huang had killed Zhou Botong and Guo Jing. His hatred of Peach Blossom Island and all who belonged to it was lodged deep in his bones.
Cyclone Mei knew that she was outmatched, here, but she would not give up. She hesitated only a moment, before reaching into her robes and pulling out her White Python whip.
"Reverend Ma! Forgive me!"
"You flatter me," he replied.
"Draw your weapons!"
"There are seven of us," Wang Chuyi began, "and only one of you. And, on top of that, you are blind. The Quanzhen Sect cannot possibly use weapons against you—that would be a dishonor. We shall remain sitting. You may attack!"
"You will take my Python whip sitting?"
"You will die tonight, witch!" Qiu Chuji snarled. "Or are we here merely to exchange pleasantries?"
Cyclone Mei snorted. She flicked her wrist and her weapon uncoiled as if in slow motion. Its barbs sailed gracefully through the air.
Lotus was listening. Cyclone Mei's Python whip was notorious. How could the Quanzhen Masters take it sitting down? She pulled Guo Jing aside and pressed her eye against the hole.
The Quanzhen Masters were indeed sitting perfectly still. The Heavenly Northern Dipper! That was what Reverend Qiu had said, wasn't it?
Her father was an expert in the study of the stars. She had spent many a night sitting in her father's lap as he explained to her the constellations in the night sky. She looked again at where the Taoists were sitting, and immediately she understood.
Ma Yu assumed the Heavenly Pivot position, Tan Chuxuan the Heavenly Jade, Liu Chuxuan the Heavenly Pearl, and Qiu Chuji the Heavenly Power, thus together forming the head of the constellation. Wang Chuyi took the Jade Scales, Hao Datong the Manifest Sun, and Sun Bu'er the Shimmering Rays. These made up the handle of the Dipper.
Of all the stars that made up the Northern Dipper, the Heavenly Power was the dimmest. Yet it also connected the head with the handle, and was therefore the most important. Being the strongest fighter, Qiu Chuji took this position. In the handle, Wang Chuyi was most vital to the overall formation.
A flick of Cyclone Mei's wrist sent the whip unfurling in the direction of Sun Bu'er. The Sage of Tranquility had time to move out of the way, but she did not even try. Lotus followed the movement of the whip's silver barbs. As her eyes shifted onto Sun Bu'er, she noticed a skull embroidered on her robes. It looked like something Cyclone Mei would wear! But the Quanzhen were Taoism's greatest orthodox sect. What she did not know was that Wang Chongyang had drawn Sun Bu'er a skull when she became his disciple. It was supposed to remind her that life was short, death could come quick, and that all humans would one day be no more than dust and bones. The only way out of this cycle was to cultivate the Way. Sun Bu'er had the image sewn onto her clothes to remind her of her late Master and his wise counsel.
Just as the barbs reached to within a couple of inches of Sun Bu'er's embroidered skull, causing the air to shriek as they tore through it, they suddenly lurched back, as if startled. Quick as an arrow, the whip recoiled.
Indeed, it was so quick that Cyclone Mei felt only a tremble in her hand and a rush of air at her cheek. She ducked. The barbs flew over her head, gently brushing her hair.
That was close! She panted, flicked her wrist to bring the whip back under her control, then launched it again. This time, it lashed at Ma Yu and Qiu Chuji. Neither moved. Instead, Tan Chuduan and Wang Chuyi raised their hands and blocked.
Lotus watched the fight unfold. The Quanzhen Masters were each knocking the whip away with one hand, while they kept the other placed firmly on the shoulder of the person next to them. Then she realized: this was the same technique of passing qi between them that she and Guo Jing had been using for the last seven days and seven nights. They were combining the strength of seven into one. How could Cyclone Mei possibly prevail?
The Heavenly Northern Dipper was the Quanzhen's most accomplished and mysterious formation, and had been developed by their Master, Wang Chongyang. It combined the strength of all seven Masters, while allowing for infinite variations, making it perfect for battle. When an opponent launched an assault, the individual who was being attacked could remain still, relying on the other Quanzhen disciples to fend it off.
Panic was rising in Cyclone Mei. She could feel that her whip was being forced into a diminishing circle of movement, and, before long, she found herself unable to pull it back. If she were to let go, she might escape unharmed. But that would mean surrendering her weapon. How could she? It had taken her years of training to be able to fight with it like this.
She hesitated, and, in those moments, lost her chance. Now, the Northern Dipper formation was on the move, all seven stars in the constellation as one. Only the member in the Heavenly Power position could stop it. And it was too late for Cyclone Mei to retreat.
Liu Chuxuan's palm met the whip. Cyclone Mei was yanked forward. Pang! The walls shook. Tiles crashed to the floor in a cloud of dust.
Had she let go of the whip sooner, Cyclone could have escaped. But now she had been pulled closer in. She sent her palms out on both sides and met the force of Sun Bu'er and Wang Chuyi. Ma Yu and Hao Datong attacked from behind, forcing her to stumble yet another step forward. Somehow, she regained her footing, shrieking and kicking, knocking them back again.
"Excellent!" Qiu Chuji cried.
Qiu and Liu Chuxuan struck—one from the front, one from behind. Before Cyclone could plant her right foot, her left was kicking out at both men's palms. As she landed, however, she was sent forward yet another step. This drew her deeper into the formation. Her only hope of escape was to knock one of the masters out of position.
Lotus's heart was beating fast. By the light of the moon, she watched Cyclone Mei's long hair flapped like wings as she fought back. Her limbs leaped and pounced like tigers clawing at their prey.
The Quanzhen Masters remained in their sitting positions as they hit back at Cyclone Mei, never letting her out of the formation.
Cyclone Mei tried her Nine Yin Skeleton Claw and Heartbreaker Palm, but to no avail. Frustrated, she let out a strange and terrible wail.
The Quanzhen were now in a position where they could easily kill her, but they held back.
Now, at last, Lotus understood: They are using the fight to practice the formation! There were not many in the wulin who could resist it for so long. They are going to tire her to death.
She was only half right, however. They were indeed practicing, but they were Taoists. They did not believe in needless killing.
Lotus did not hold Cyclone Mei in high regard, but there was something affecting about seeing her being humiliated like this. Indeed, Lotus was starting to feel angry. Disgusted, she moved aside to let Guo Jing watch instead. Still, the sound of rushing air told her when the fight was intensifying and when it was abating. There was no sign of it coming to an end.
Guo Jing was puzzled. Why were the Quanzhen fighting while sitting down?
"It is called the Heavenly Northern Dipper formation," Lotus whispered. "It connects their inner strength. Do you see?"
Yes, the second part of the Nine Yin Manual made frequent mention of the Northern Dipper. He had memorized it, but had no idea of its meaning. Watching the Seven Masters, he understood. The more he saw, the more excited he became, and he started to scramble to his feet.
Lotus yanked him back before their palms lost contact. Guo Jing sat down again, and together they trembled in shock at how close they had come. And yet, he could not contain himself. He pressed his eye to the hole once more. The essence of the method was more or less clear to him, but he still did not know how to use it. The author of the Nine Yin Manual had been an expert in the Taoist canon. Wang Chongyang had developed the Heavenly Northern Dipper independently, but they were both rooted in the same ideas. The variations that Guo Jing was observing, therefore, corresponded more or less exactly with the descriptions in the Manual.
Cyclone Mei was in danger, he could tell, but the Quanzhen were also tiring.
Just then, a voice came from the door: "Brother Huang, do you want to go first, or shall I?"
It was Viper Ouyang! How long had he been outside? The Seven Masters were just as startled; they turned and saw two men standing side by side in the doorway, one wearing a long, dark green robe, while the other was dressed in white. It was the two men who had been seen chasing the Hoary Urchin the previous night.
Together, the Quanzhen Masters made a low whistling noise, stopped fighting and stood up.
"What a sight!" Apothecary Huang cried. "Seven Taoist dogs pitted against my one disciple. Brother Ouyang, if I were to teach them a lesson, would you think me a tyrant?"
"They were the ones to insult you first," Viper replied with a smile. "If you don't show them the error of their ways, they might never know the might of Peach Blossom Island."
Wang Chuyi had met the Heretic of the East and the Venom of the West at the summit of Mount Hua, all those years ago. He was about to step forward and greet them, when Apothecary Huang's palm suddenly came at him. Wang Chuyi staggered back, but he was too slow. With a loud slap, it connected with his cheek, and he fell.
"Resume formation!" Qiu Chuji cried.
Thwack, thwack, thwack, thwack!
Tan, Liu, Hao, and Sun were all struck.
Only Qiu Chuji spotted the smudge of dark green approach. He saw the palm sail toward him. Qiu Chuji flicked his sleeve, aiming for Apothecary Huang's chest.
Apothecary Huang felt a sharp pain. He had underestimated Qiu Chuji's strength. He placed one hand to his chest and grabbed Qiu Chuji's sleeve with the other, tugging and ripping it. Ma Yu and Wang Chuyi hit out, but Apothecary Huang had already leaped behind Hao Datong and kicked him, sending him rolling into a somersault.
Lotus had reclaimed her position at the hole. Her father's magnificent display pleased her no end. Were she not aware that Guo Jing still needed a few more hours before his recovery was complete, she would have jumped up and clapped.
"Wang Chongyang took these carbuncles for his disciples?" Viper Ouyang scoffed.
Qiu Chuji had never suffered such a humiliation in all his years in the wulin. "Return to your positions!" he kept shouting. But Apothecary Huang had already swept into a series of more than half a dozen quick-fire attacks. The Quanzhen Masters were struggling to hold him back and could not resume the formation. Instead, they drew their swords.
Two loud cracks echoed around the small inn. Huang had snapped Ma and Tan's weapons and cast them to the ground.
Qiu Chuji and Wang Chuyi continued to deploy the Quanzhen Sect's special sword technique, their power building. Apothecary Huang concentrated and launched his counterattack.
Ma Yu, meanwhile, ran back to his position and sent out a palm. This allowed the other six to scramble into formation.
With the Heavenly Northern Dipper re-formed, the dynamics of the fight quickly changed. Heavenly Power and Jade Scales attacked head-on, Heavenly Pearl and Manifest Sun sent out palms from left and right, while Shimmering Rays and Heavenly Jade circled round from behind.
Apothecary Huang struck out in all four directions at once.
"Brother Ouyang," he cried out, "I didn't know Wang Chongyang had such skills to pass on!" He knew he was in danger. The Quanzhen Masters each possessed immense power, and, when it was combined together, they were truly formidable. Apothecary Huang moved into his Cascading Peach Blossom Palm technique. His body spun gracefully as his hands danced through the air.
When Papa taught me Cascading Peach Blossom Palm, Lotus thought, he only explained to me the principle of five feints to one solid strike, or seven feints to one strike. He said it could be used to lure one's enemy into danger. I didn't realize the feints could be used to hurt or cause harm.
Lotus watched with bated breath, as did Viper Ouyang. He had had no idea Apothecary Huang possessed such levels of skill.
Cyclone Mei listened to the rush of moving air, enraptured, but also terrified.
"Huh!"
Then came a thud.
Harmony Yin had made himself dizzy trying to follow the fight, and was now lying passed out on the floor.
The Quanzhen Masters held their positions. One mistake and they would all be killed, bringing about the demise of the best part of their Sect.
Apothecary Huang, meanwhile, regretted not having delivered the decisive blow, only moments before. He had only his own merciful nature to blame, and now victory would not come easy. But he could not be allowed to lose. Each side was riding the tiger, there was no way down, now.
The roosters began to crow as the sun climbed above the horizon, casting its light into the dim room. Apothecary Huang had used thirteen different kung fu techniques and yet still he had not found a way to prevail.
Inside the secret chamber, Guo Jing and Lotus were coming to the end of their seven days and seven nights of breathing practice. Guo Jing was at peace, despite the earth-shattering fight still in progress on the other side of the wall. His eyes were closed as he focused on the movement of his qi, starting in his Tail Bone Gate at the sacrum, moving up to his kidneys and his spine, through two more passes to the Heavenly Pillar and the Jade Pillow, and finally to the Hundred Convergences at the crown of his head. There, it paused for a moment, before descending down his face to the Divine Courtyard, then on to the Magpie Bridge on the palate of his mouth, moving slowly through his chest, until it arrived at the Elixir Field in his lower abdomen, thus completing the thirty-sixth revolution of his breath.
Lotus observed his flushed cheeks. With a smile, she turned back to the spyhole, only to be startled by what she saw.
Slowly, her father's feet were moving through the positions of the Eight Trigrams. Lotus knew this was his last resort and most powerful move, one that he did not use lightly. This was a decisive moment that would have stark consequences—a matter of life and death.
The Quanzhen Masters gathered all their strength. Their robes were wet with sweat as they let out one united, almighty howl from the depths of their beings. Hot steam blew from the tops of their heads.
Viper Ouyang was watching intently. If only the Quanzhen Sect could injure Apothecary Huang, so that he might have one less opponent to worry about when the Greats met again on Mount Hua. But their victory was by no means assured. The Old Heretic is powerful indeed, he thought to himself.
Movements on both sides slowed as the fight reached its most critical stage. Its conclusion was mere moments away.
Apothecary Huang struck out at Sun Bu'er and Tan Chuduan simultaneously. They raised their hands to block, while Liu Chuxuan and Ma Yu moved to counter his attack.
Suddenly, Viper Ouyang howled. "I'm here, Brother Huang!" He squatted and thrust his palms at Tan's back.
A force powerful enough to move a mountain threw Tan forward.
"I don't want your help!" Apothecary Huang snarled.
Qiu Chuji and Wang Chuyi thrust with their swords. Huang flicked his sleeve and blocked with his free hand, simultaneously holding off Ma Yu and Hao Datong.
"Then I will help your enemy!" Viper Ouyang cried with an amused look on his face. He struck out at Apothecary Huang's back. He had only needed to use a third of his reserves of energy against Tan Chuduan, but now he put his full force behind his attack, a wellspring of power developed over a lifetime of neigong cultivation and practice. It was all part of a master plan: first, neutralize one of the Quanzhen seven, thus breaking the Northern Dipper formation; then, take Apothecary Huang out with one decisive blow.
I'm done for! Apothecary Huang thought.
He summoned the qi to his back, in order to hold off Viper's Exploding Toad kung fu.
Viper's move was ungainly, but he knew, with all that power behind it, he was sure to prevail.
But then a shadow flashed past him. Someone cried out, threw themselves between him and Old Huang, and took the blow.
Everyone jumped back. Panting, they were amazed to see who it was who had come to Apothecary Huang's rescue: Cyclone Mei.
Apothecary Huang turned slowly to face Viper and sneered. "Old Venom, you really are a snake!"
Viper Ouyang smiled, but knew he could not stay there a moment longer. If the Quanzhen Sect joined forces with Apothecary Huang and Cyclone Mei, he would never get out alive. He turned and launched himself out the door.
Ma Yu knelt down beside Tan Chuduan and was shocked to see how badly injured he was. His body lay at a strange angle. He picked him up, only for Tan's head to flop down to one side. Viper Ouyang had fractured his spine and broken his ribs. He was not long for this world. Tears, like summer rain, ran down Ma Yu's cheeks.
Qiu Chuji drew his sword.
"Old Huang," they heard Viper Ouyang cry out, clearly some distance away, now. "Don't forget: I helped you break Wang Chongyang's formation, and I taught your treacherous disciple a lesson, to boot! I'll leave what's left of these stinking Taoists to you. We shall meet again!"
Apothecary Huang snorted. Yet more of the Venom's poison. He was trying to put the blame for Tan's death on Huang's shoulders, thereby perpetuating the enmity between the Lord of Peach Blossom Island and the Quanzhen Sect. And yet, Huang made no attempt to clear the air with the Taoists. Instead, he reached out and helped Cyclone Mei to her feet. She spluttered and spat blood. To his regret, he knew she would not live.
By this point, Qiu Chuji had rushed out into the courtyard in pursuit of the Venom. But he did not know which way he had gone.
"Brother Qiu!" Ma Yu called after him. "Come back!" He did not want his martial brother to face Viper Ouyang alone.
Qiu Chuji's eyes were ablaze as he strode back inside. Then he raised his finger at Apothecary Huang. "What has the Quanzhen Sect done to deserve your malice? You are nothing but a demon. First you killed Master Zhou Botong, and now our martial brother. Why are you here?"
"Zhou Botong?" Apothecary Huang was startled by the accusation.
"You refuse to admit it?"
Apothecary Huang, Zhou Botong, and Viper Ouyang had raced each other for several hundred li, but no clear winner could be determined. Then, suddenly, Zhou Botong had remembered that he had left Count Seven Hong alone in the Imperial Palace. If the Beggar was discovered, his life would be in danger.
"I have some business I must attend to," he had called to the other two men. "I'm done with this little competition!"
They knew there was no arguing with the Hoary Urchin, so they let him leave—before Apothecary Huang could ask him about the fate of his beloved daughter.
Apothecary Huang and Viper Ouyang had decided, therefore, to return to Ox Village.
Qiu Chuji quivered with rage as Sun Bu'er held Tan Chuduan's limp body, sobbing loudly.
"I am departing," Tan Chuduan said quietly.
There had been a grave misunderstanding—Apothecary Huang knew this, now—but he considered it beneath him to try to explain the situation. Instead, he smiled coldly and watched as the Quanzhen Sect gathered around their martial brother, sitting cross-legged on the floor of the inn.
"The Way is found not in beads or brush. Nature's music comes not from the flute." Those were Tan Chuduan's last words before he closed his eyes and died.
The Quanzhen Masters lowered their heads to pray. Once finished, Ma Yu took Tan Chuduan's lifeless body in his arms and went outside. The others followed him. The Heavenly Northern Dipper formation was broken forever, and, without it, they could not prevail against Apothecary Huang. Revenge would have to wait for another day.