5
The contest had taken a different turn by the time Guo Jing reached the courtyard. Having allowed the Taoists to close in on him, Apothecary Huang was now trying to get to the left of Ma Yu.
Clutching the golden dagger, Guo Jing readied himself to pounce the second the Heretic broke through.
Wang Chuyi whistled, then rushed forward, bringing Hao Datong and Sun Bu'er with him. Together, they curled to the left, making up the Dipper's handle, and wrapped Apothecary Huang back into the Taoists' midst.
He shifted his footing again and again, and, each time, he was brought back into the fold by Wang Chuyi, or by Qiu Chuji, who led the four positions that formed the scoop of the constellation. But the stubborn Heretic would not give up, aiming once more to get to the left of Ma Yu.
On the fourth attempt, Guo Jing finally realized what the Martial Great was striving for.
The position of the North Star.
GUO JING had first seen the Heavenly Northern Dipper in action in Ox Village, when the Quanzhen Masters were pitted against Cyclone Mei and Apothecary Huang. With no knowledge of astronomy, he had barely been able to keep up with what was going on, but, since then, as they observed the night skies together, Lotus had told him more about the seven stars that made up the constellation.
Now he knew how to find the North Star, by linking the Heavenly Jade and the Heavenly Pivot in the scoop of the Dipper and extending that line northward. He had also learned that the North Star's position was fixed—it was always in the same place, and the constellation rotated around it each night.
When he was held by the Beggar Clan on the Jun Hill islet in Dongting Lake, he had compared the stars shimmering in the sky to his memory of the Ox Village fight, and gained an insight into how the formation utilized the connection between the astral positions to amplify the power of an offensive or defensive move. He tested out his new understanding with success that night, when he was beset by swarms of angry beggars.
It went without saying that Apothecary Huang was not only a hundred times smarter than Guo Jing, he was also learned in astromancy and reckoning, as well as Yin Yang and the Five Elements—all of which informed the principles behind the Heavenly Northern Dipper. In Ox Village, he was not able to overcome the formation there and then, but since then he had replayed the confrontation in his head many times over, to look for fatal flaws.
While Guo Jing was eager to learn from Wang Chongyang's invention, the Heretic was only interested in defeating it. He had come to the conclusion that, if he could take the place of the North Star, the formation would disintegrate on its own. If the Taoists insisted on prolonging the fight, he could manipulate them from his position of power, and never be ousted, according to the eternal forces guiding the stars in the heavens.
THE TAOISTS too understood the implications of Apothecary Huang's bid to shoot past Ma Yu at the Heavenly Pivot position. They knew he had discovered the key to neutralizing the formation.
If Tan Chuduan were still alive, they would have been able to charge as one. They may not have been able to subdue the Lord of Peach Blossom Island, but they could have ensured he could never occupy the North Star. But instead the Heavenly Jade position was guarded by Ke Zhen'e and Harmony Yin. Not only were their martial skills inferior to Tan's, their understanding of the formation was also limited.
Ma Yu was conscious that this fight would not end well if they continued in this way, especially with Guo Jing standing by, poised to enter the fray. If they put Apothecary Huang in real danger, the young man would surely come to his father-in-law's aid. But how could they shirk the grave responsibility of avenging Zhou Botong and Tan Chuduan's deaths? Moreover, their late teacher Wang Chongyang was the Greatest Martial Master Under the Heavens. If six of his disciples could not overpower Apothecary Huang, they would be shredding, with their own hands, the hard-earned reputation of the Quanzhen Sect as the orthodox school of kung fu.
"I THOUGHT the students of Wang Chongyang would put up more of a fight," Apothecary Huang jeered as he charged at Sun Bu'er.
Woo-ooo-oosh! Three blistering cuts from his palm.
Ma Yu and Hao Datong thrust their swords at him in response. Huang swiveled away from the steel points with a slight twist of his torso.
He arced his palm at Sun Bu'er again.
Woo-ooo-oosh! Another three strikes at breakneck speed.
The Lord of Peach Blossom Island had found fame with the torrential way he rained down brisk attacks, relentless in their intricacy. Right this instant, Wang Chongyang could come back to life and Count Seven Hong could recover all his kung fu, and yet, were they in Sun Bu'er's shoes, both would struggle to evade the knife-edged fury of Apothecary Huang's palms.
The Taoist nun, needless to say, had no hope against this succession of quick-fire blows from such a formidable opponent. She raised her sword to protect her face, but the Heretic had already changed tactics. He swiped his foot left and right, one sniping strike after another, six times in total.
The Supreme East Wind. An unstoppable amalgamation of two of Peach Blossom Island most famed martial secrets: Cascading Peach Blossom Palm and Swirling Leaf Kick.
Six moves from one kung fu, then six from the other, whipping up a whirlwind onslaught that swirled ever faster as the sequence wore on. By the sixth set—after thirty-six moves altogether—even a first-rate martial artist would have inevitably taken a hit.
The Quanzhen monks closed ranks to come to their martial sister's aid, but, at high-pressured moments such as this, one small slip can jeopardize the whole enterprise.
Ke Zhen'e was half a beat too slow when his side of the Dipper closed in.
Snickering in triumph, Apothecary Huang slipped past the blind man. Immediately, there came a cry of aiyooo! that instantly began to fade away, as though the soul that uttered it had been snatched by a gust of wind.
The Heretic had grabbed Harmony Yin by the back of his robes and flung him high onto the roof of the Tower of Mist and Rain. And, now that he had at last forced a breach in the formation, he was not going to allow his opponents any respite or a chance to regroup.
Squaring his shoulders, he charged headlong into Ma Yu, expecting the Taoist to skip aside. But the most senior Master among the Quanzhen Seven stood his ground.
Holding his blade in a high guard, Ma extended the index and middle fingers of his left hand in the Sword Sign and speared them at Apothecary Huang, aiming for between his eyebrows, steady and firm with the strength of neigong.
The Heretic veered a little to the side.
"Impressive! You live up to your reputation as the foremost disciple of Immortal Wang."
Huang twisted around as he spoke, sweeping his foot at Hao Datong and sending the man flying backward in a somersault as his sword clattered to the ground. The Heretic snatched it up and plunged it toward the Taoist's heart.
Liu Chuxuan dived forward to intercept.
Steel clashed with steel.
"He may yet live." A burst of laughter exploded from Apothecary Huang, accompanied by a savage pulse of his wrist.
Pak! Both swords snapped at the foible.
A swirl of green. The Lord of Peach Blossom Island was making for the North Star.
THE TAOISTS knew there was no way to keep the formation intact. This day would mark the end of the Quanzhen Sect.
With a sigh, Ma Yu steeled himself to throw his sword down and yield, but, for some strange reason, the green whirl was heading his way again.
Someone else was standing in the North Star position.
Guo Jing!
Qiu Chuji was thrilled. He had seen how the young man had lunged at Apothecary Huang earlier, at the tavern, with no regard for his own life.
Ma Yu and Wang Chuyi, although unsettled by Guo Jing's intervention, had faith in the young man's pure heart. He would never do harm to anyone on the same side as his first shifu—even if he had a duty to help his father-in-law.
But panic mounted in the remaining Taoists. It was only natural that the son-in-law should side with his father. They resigned themselves to a brutal end.
Apothecary Huang, meanwhile, was at a loss. He had assumed that, if he broke the formation and took the North Star, the Quanzhen Masters would be forced to surrender and beg for mercy. It had never occurred to him that the North Star would be taken already.
The Taoists were still bearing down on him with their full force, so, without turning to look, he flung a backhand from Splitting Sky Palm at whoever it was who had secured the position he needed.
It was blocked.
Huang was startled. Who can this be? Only a handful of fighters can withstand such a blow. He fended me off with one hand and held his footing.
He glanced back. Guo Jing?
The Heretic reassessed the situation. He would need to deal with the boy at once, or the Quanzhen monks would steal up from behind and trap him in the formation again.
He chopped, hacked and thrust, each move more brutal and rapid than the last, but Guo Jing dispelled them with his neigong.
Next came a fierce strike lurking within a feint. He tried to draw Guo Jing into attacking him by showing a momentary weakness, but the boy maintained his defensive posture.
Guo Jing held the dagger sideways to guard his chest and drew his other hand slowly across his lower abdomen, deflecting the Heretic's two-pronged attack.
This considered response alarmed Apothecary Huang further. The busybodies from the Quanzhen Sect must have shared the secret to their formation with the lad, he concluded. That's the only way this blockhead would know about holding the North Star position. Yes, that must be it—he's joined forces with them to subdue me!
Not in his wildest dreams would the Heretic have guessed that the youth had worked out the essence of the Heavenly Northern Dipper formation all by himself, thanks to the Nine Yin Manual.
Guo Jing knew that, if he was to avenge his shifus, he would have to resolutely hold the North Star and resist the temptation to chase after the weaknesses Apothecary Huang might feign to lure him out of position. He steeled himself and focused his all his energy on keeping his feet firmly planted, as if nailed to the ground.
You've made up your mind, haven't you? To oppose me! Huh! the Heretic grumbled silently as he appraised the situation. Just know this—you're forcing me to incapacitate you. Well, as you wish, boy! I'm going to break free and I'll just have to brave Lotus's wrath.
Huang raised his left arm, tracing a neat arc. When he reached a spot seven inches in front of his chest, his right palm smacked against the back of his outstretched hand. Together, they flew toward Guo Jing's face—at double the strength.
If he refuses to move … Lotus will be miserable for life, the Heretic thought, wavering.
Guo Jing knew he could swerve to avoid this powerful blow, but it would mean giving up the North Star, and, if the Heretic got into position, nothing would compel him to give up his place. The young man tried to shut out the voice telling him that his neigong was not up to the task and that fighting in this bull-headed manner would cause nothing but harm to both parties. If he wanted revenge, he had no option, he could not budge, even if it meant serious injury or worse.
Tightening his jaw, he launched a Dragon in the Field and braced himself for impact.
"Move, foolish boy. Why do you stand against me?"
It was Apothecary Huang's voice, instead of his palms, that struck Guo Jing in the face. He's holding back from hurting me … The youth shook away the thought and kept his eyes locked on his mentors' murderer, the golden dagger raised.
The Quanzhen Taoists and Ke Zhen'e had resumed their formation. They were now closing in on Apothecary Huang from behind, biding their time, waiting for an opportunity to strike back.
"Lotus—where is she?"
The longer Apothecary Huang observed Guo Jing, the more unsettled he grew. Why did he have this dark cloud over him? Why such anger in his eyes? Could something have happened to …
"What did you do to her? Tell me!"
He was now looking out for every tiny change in the young man's bearing, noting how his jaw twitched and his knife hand was beginning to tremble.
"Why is your hand quivering? Why won't you speak?"
Images of his shifus' horrific deaths rose up to haunt Guo Jing once more. Grief and anger caused his body to shake and the rims of his eyes to redden.
Apothecary Huang understood from the boy's silent agitation that something was terribly wrong. He remembered how heartbroken Lotus had been when they had discovered Guo Jing's betrothal to the Mongolian Princess. Why was she not here with him, right now? Could she have offered up her life to lost love …
The Heretic flexed his toes and pounced.
Qiu Chuji charged, his sword whirling, as Wang Chuyi too swung his blade and Hao Datong thrust his palms, their combined efforts trapping Apothecary Huang between them. The full force of the Heavenly Northern Dipper was once more unleashed.
With a swipe of his palm, Guo Jing parried the brunt of the Heretic's lunge, and followed up with a stab of his dagger, swift and shrill, like a flash of lightning.
But Huang was undeterred. He redoubled his offensive, clawing at Guo Jing with a backhand slash, his aim precise and vicious.
Just as he was about to trap the young man's wrist, he sensed the sting of a sword buzzing over his back. He sheered away with a twist of his waist, turning to find that it was Wang Chuyi who had thwarted him, for his minute adjustment had robbed him of the chance to disarm Guo Jing by a mere two inches.
Guo Jing twirled the knife around, hacking, slicing.
The battle was now reaching boiling point. The Quanzhen Masters had joined the conflict intent on avenging the deaths of Zhou Botong and Tan Chuduan, but as it dragged on, and the Heretic time and again held back from hurting them, the Taoists felt their animosity draining away.
Apothecary Huang was also aware that a feud born of misapprehension had been brewing between him and the Six Freaks of the South since they had first set eyes on each other. The haughty man had considered it beneath his status as their martial senior to explain his position. Instead, he had planned to give the upstarts a good thrashing to instil some manners. Once they had been thoroughly trounced—and had admitted as much to themselves—he would clear the air once and for all.
Sun Bu'er and Harmony Yin would not be standing and breathing right now if he were not inclined to mercy. Yet, he had not factored Guo Jing's unforeseen appearance into his calculations, nor imagined that he would fight tooth and nail against him. The only possible reason for Guo Jing to act this way was that the young man had done Lotus wrong, that his insistence on honoring his word had shattered her heart, destroyed her will to live and caused her to …
Yes, that would explain everything. He would take the little rat alive and wring the truth out of him.
Meanwhile, with Harmony Yin still clambering down from the roof of the Tower of Mist and Rain, Ke Zhen'e was left to fend for himself. Neverthless, the Heavenly Northern Dipper was rolling staunchly forward, exerting more and more pressure on Apothecary Huang as Guo Jing kept him busy from the North Star.
The Heretic had tried several ways to shift Guo Jing—from outflanking him using his superior qinggong to shoving him aside with brute force—but the Taoists always came to the young man's assistance at the right moment. By the time Huang had dealt with the monks, Guo Jing was firmly in position once more.
As the fight wore on, Apothecary Huang started to feel increasingly cramped—he knew that, if he was not careful, he could find himself hemmed in before long.
He also had to admit that he felt a certain relief when Ma Yu shouted "Stop!" and pointed his sword to the heavens.
His martial siblings halted their advance, but remained on guard, maintaining their positions in the formation.
"Lord Huang, you are a grandmaster of the martial arts, and we mere students would never set out to cause you offense." Ma Yu spoke with humility. "Forgive us for using our numbers against you. Might we ask your opinion on how you propose to settle the blood debt we are owed for the deaths of Martial Uncle Zhou and Brother Tan?"
Apothecary Huang scoffed. "What is there to say? Deal your death blow! Kill Heretic Huang to secure the Quanzhen Sect's reputation. Isn't that what you want? Let me help you." Without shifting his feet or lifting his arm, he hacked at Ma Yu's face with his right hand.
Ma Yu slewed away, shocked that an attack of such complexity and ferocity could be launched with so little warning. It was the ultimate move in the Cascading Peach Blossom Palm, a single swipe of the arm that channeled a torrent of feints and firm strikes in infinite combinations. Huang had been honing this skill for a decade, hoping to use it to win the title of the Greatest Martial Master at the second Contest of Mount Hua. It was developed for use in a one-on-one duel, so he had not used it in the melee, but against Scarlet Sun Ma Yu alone, it could reach its full potential, and nothing the Taoist had learned in his decades of training could help him.
If Ma Yu had held still, he might have suffered only a glancing blow, but instead he swiveled squarely into a palm thrust aimed at his back. He raised his arm to block, only to find the Heretic's other hand inches from his chest.
My insides will be scrambled by his internal energy, Ma Yu said to himself, feeling no fear, only a strange resignation.
His martial brothers lunged with their swords, but it was too little too late. They were already steeling themselves to witness their eldest brother's death. Yet, at the last moment, Apothecary Huang pulled back, letting out a savage bark of laughter.
"I know you won't back down, even if I destroy you one by one. So, come, together, all of you. Do your worst!"
Snorting at the man's conceit, Liu Chuxuan threw a punch, which Wang Chuyi followed with a sweep of his sword. The Heavenly Northern Dipper was now in its seventeenth permutation, with Ma Yu next in line to thrust with his blade, but the Scarlet Sun Immortal took two steps back instead.
"No! Stop!" He signaled for his martial siblings to lower their weapons. "Lord Huang, we thank you for your clemency."
Apothecary Huang accepted the humble words with a nod.
"By rights, I should be dead," Ma Yu continued. "And since you have found the flaw in the formation created by our late Master, we should have the self-awareness to cast down our weapons and acknowledge our defeat, submitting ourselves to your will. However, since a blood feud binds our two martial branches, we have no choice but to seek redress. Once our task is fulfilled, I shall draw my sword across my neck and give my life to thank you, Lord Huang, for the mercy you have shown me."
The Heretic took a moment to consider Ma Yu's grave words, then waved them away. "Hard it is to untangle the knots of amity and enmity. There is no need to explain. Make your case with your sword."
The exchange presented Guo Jing with a quandary. Elder Ma and his brethren are here to avenge their martial uncle and brother, he said to himself, but Brother Zhou is alive and well, and Reverend Tan's death had nothing to do with Lord Huang. But, if I'm honest about what happened, the Reverends will step aside. Without them, First Shifu and I have no chance of taking our revenge. And yet, to keep that knowledge to myself, would make me the worst kind of scoundrel. My shifus told me many times: we can lose our heads, but never our sense of what's right.
So he decided to speak up. "Reverend Ma, Reverend Qiu, Reverend Wang," he cried. "Martial Uncle Zhou is well, and Reverend Tan was killed by Viper Ouyang."
"What do you mean?" Qiu Chuji asked.
Guo Jing recounted the events he witnessed from the secret room inside the desolated inn at Ox Village as he treated the injury he had sustained at Viper Ouyang's hands. Unlike Lotus, he was not gifted with words and in the art of storytelling, but he was able to explain with sufficient clarity how Qiu Qianzhang's lies had led to a fierce fight, how Viper Ouyang had ambushed Tan Chuduan, then Apothecary Huang, and how Cyclone Mei had sacrificed her life to protect her teacher.
The Quanzhen monks might have taken an active part in the events Guo Jing had just described, but their memory of them was rather different. Seeing the doubt on their faces, Guo Jing added, "I want nothing more than to tear this man's throat out with my teeth, yet I cannot withhold the truth from you."
Faced with the hatred still burning in Guo Jing's eyes, Apothecary Huang could not understand why the young man would speak on his behalf. "Why do you hate me so much?" he asked sharply. "And where's Lotus?"
Ke Zhen'e answered for his disciple. "You know full well what you've done. We may not be able to bring him to his knees," he called to Guo Jing as he swung his iron staff at Apothecary Huang, "but we'll die trying."
Tears burst forth as joy gushed through Guo Jing's heart—First Shifu has forgiven me!—then the gut-churning scenes from Peach Blossom Island came flooding back.
"Second Shifu and … they met such a gruesome fate…"
Apothecary Huang took hold of the end of Ke Zhen'e's staff, halting his attack, and turned to Guo Jing. "What do you mean? Zhu Cong and the others were enjoying themselves on my island. What are you saying, boy?"
Ke tugged with all his strength, but it had no effect whatsoever.
"Is that why you raise your fists and fill my ears with nonsense?" the Martial Great demanded.
"I know you killed my shifus! I know those hands of yours are covered in their blood!" Eyes wild, Guo Jing hacked down with the dagger, his bloodlust drowning all caution.
Apothecary Huang thrust Ke's staff into the knife's path.
Claaang! An explosion of sparks.
"Did anyone see me do it?"
"I buried my five shifus with these hands. I know what I've seen."
"Do you?" he sneered. "Very well. I, the Heretic, have always stood by my deeds. So, yes, you're right. I killed them!"
"No, Papa! You didn't! You didn't kill anybody! Don't claim what you didn't do!"
6
Everyone turned to Lotus, amazed that they had not noticed her entering the courtyard.
Guo Jing gaped at her, his heart torn in two.
Apothecary Huang let out a belly laugh. The vitriol he felt for Guo Jing was washed away by relief. "Come, my dear. Let Papa hug you," he said, spreading his arms wide.
They were the first kind words Lotus had heard since the carnage on Peach Blossom Island. She threw herself into her father's embrace.
"Pa, he's wronged you … and he—he's mean to me," she said between sobs.
Holding his daughter close, Apothecary Huang said, "For decades, pious fools have piled the wrongs of the world onto your pa. A handful more trespasses make no difference. The Freaks of the South were the nemesis of your martial sister Mei. Why should I not avenge her death?"
"Nooooo! No, no, no! It wasn't you. I know it wasn't you!"
"Has that clod been mistreating you?" A cold smile. "Pa will get you justice." He twirled his hand and—smack!—boxed Guo Jing on the ear. The slap was as swift as lightning, impossible to block.
In the split second it took Guo Jing to register the stinging heat on his cheek, the offending hand had already returned to caressing Lotus's hair. Guo Jing touched his fingers to his face, at a loss how to respond, for he knew the strike was just for show.
"Guo Jing, are you alright?" Ke had heard the smack and feared the worst.
"I'm fine."
"Don't listen to the demon and his evil spawn. I'm blind but I'm not deaf. I heard him with these ears. He snatched the steelyard from your sixth shifu and snapped it in two with his bare hands. Who else on Peach Blossom Island has the skill to do—?" Sensing movement from Guo Jing, Ke Zhen'e swung his Exorcist's Staff.
Apothecary Huang pushed Lotus to safety, sidestepped Guo Jing's attack and made a lunge for Ke's weapon in one fluid movement.
But, this time, the First Freak was prepared, slipping his staff out of his opponent's grasp. Master and disciple stood side by side, united against the Heretic. But, though Guo Jing had encountered many exceptional martial artists and learned some of the most powerful kung fu under the heavens, his skills still lagged far behind that of the Greats. After two dozen moves, he was already struggling, even with the help of his teacher.
Qiu Chuji was racked by indecision. Guo Jing and Ke Zhen'e had extended a helping hand in the Quanzhen Sect's time of need. Can we stand by and watch their blood be spilled? he asked himself. The answer was self-evident. They could ascertain if Martial Uncle Zhou was still alive after they had beaten the Heretic.
"Master Ke, please return to the formation," Qiu called.
By now, Harmony Yin had climbed down from the Tower, and he hurried over to stand protectively behind the Freak, sword drawn. Though his face was bruised and swollen, he did not appear to have suffered any serious injury.
Once more, the Heavenly Northern Dipper formation was on the move, closing in on Apothecary Huang and his daughter.
The Heretic was incensed. You stinking monks are determined to make an enemy of me, aren't you? Do they think numbers alone can intimidate me? Do they really suppose that I would hesitate to kill them if need be?
One glimpse of her father's face and Lotus's heart sank: He won't hold back now …
Apothecary Huang pounced, hurtling to the left of Ke Zhen'e, but his charge was blocked by Wang Chuyi and Ma Yu.
Meanwhile, Ke took the chance to swing his staff down at Lotus's shoulder, accompanied by a string of curses: "You sinful witch! You hag of hell! You harlot strumpet!"
Lotus, who never let anyone get the better of her in an argument, was consumed with a burning rage. "I dare you to call me more names!"
The Seven Freaks of the South were descended from butchers, innkeepers and other common folk of the marketplace; insults were a craft they had perfected since childhood. Emboldened by her challenge and fueled by hatred for anyone associated with Peach Blossom Island, Ke Zhen'e hurled yet more vulgar abuse her way.
Even Lotus's ready wit was no match for the Freak's profanities, and her sheltered upbringing meant she was largely unfamiliar with such obscenities. It often took a moment or two for her to feel the sting of Ke's words as they grew increasingly unwholesome.
"Fie! Call yourself a teacher? Such language befouls the lips!"
"I save pleasantries for good people. To a filthy whore, I speak foul!"
Lotus replied with the Dog Beater, jabbing it at the blind man's face. Ke Zhen'e answered with his Exorcist's Staff, but, after a brief exchange of cuts and parries, the bamboo cane was dragging the iron staff east and west with the aid of the Draw technique. Not only had Lotus taken control of Ke's weapon, she had also disrupted the Heavenly Northern Dipper by neutralizing the Heavenly Jade position occupied by the Freak.
Qiu Chuji flashed his sword, spearing its point into Lotus's back. But the young woman paid him no heed, confident that the Hedgehog Chainmail would protect her, instead unleashing three more moves from the Dog-Beating repertoire on Ke Zhen'e.
Qiu hesitated—What kind of man am I to lay hands on a girl thus?—leaving the hard-pressed Freak without support.
Taking advantage of his indecision, Lotus touched her weapon against Ke's and twirled her wrist, latching on to an outburst of energy from the Exorcist's Staff, then flicked her cane to the left. The metal pole shot out of Ke's hand and plunged into the lake.
Wang Chuyi planted himself in front of the sightless, defenseless old man, sword raised against the Dog-Beating Cane. He had seen many superb martial displays in his time, but nothing as effortless and effective as the one Lotus had just staged.
"First Shifu, let me take over. You need a rest," Guo Jing called, giving up his place at the North Star. Once he took over the Heavenly Jade position, the formation gained a new edge—and not merely from his kung fu, for he had by now outstripped the Quanzhen Masters, or his familiarity with the principles that underlined the Heavenly Northern Dipper. Guo Jing's presence at Heavenly Jade shifted the formation's driving force from Qiu Chuji's Heavenly Pearl to him, and this new focus, though it left the formation less secure than before, confounded the Heretic with its unfamiliarity. It would take him a good few moves to figure out its flaws, and, even with Lotus's help, he was beginning to struggle.
Guo Jing was fighting without a care for his life. He prowled forward, flanked by the Quanzhen disciples, who, though happy to lend their support, had no wish to maim or kill. Nevertheless, Apothecary Huang was feeling the pressure, flitting from danger time and again with the aid of his superb lightness qinggong.
Lotus regarded Guo Jing's demented onslaught in disbelief. Murderous bloodlust was clouding his normally friendly face. I don't know this Guo Jing, she thought, heartsick, and she threw herself in front of her father, arms flung wide.
"Kill me first!" she cried.
A cold glare as she was shoved out of his path. "Move!"
Is this how you treat me now? she lamented as she stumbled aside.
"BROTHER APOTHECARY, I'm here to help!" This greeting was followed by a harsh, metallic cackle.
The Quanzhen Masters knew it would be unwise to simply turn around, for they could find themselves trapped between the newcomer and their opponent. Working their way to the far side of Apothecary Huang in formation, they saw half a dozen men standing on the lakefront. In their midst, the wiry figure of Viper Ouyang, Venom of the West.
The Taoists howled at the sight of their brother's murderer.
"Guo Jing, let's have our reckoning with the Venom first!" Qiu Chuji cried, brandishing his sword and advancing on Viper Ouyang with his martial siblings in tow.
The young man did not hear the monk at all. He lunged at Apothecary Huang, exchanging five or six blows in a trice, then leaped back to catch his breath. Glaring at the Heretic, he lowered his shoulders and drew in his chest, ready for the next round.
Ke Zhen'e listened closely with his head cocked. He was waiting for a chance to lock his arms around Apothecary Huang so Guo Jing could finish him off.
Resigned to the fact that neither Guo Jing nor Ke Zhen'e would help them complete the formation, Qiu Chuji beckoned Harmony Yin to take the Heavenly Jade position. Once the novice was in place, Ma Yu quoted Tan Chuduan's final words:
"The Way is found not in beads or brush.
Nature's music comes not from the flute."
A storm of thrusting palms and slicing swords, fueled by grief and vengeance, whipped into Viper Ouyang.
The Venom's Serpent Staff darted left and right. The Taoists drew back. Viper recalled the formation's might from Ox Village and proceeded with caution, waiting for them to betray any weakness. It did not take long for him to gather that Harmony Yin's position was the least fortified. If he could get rid of the young monk, he would dominate the battle. Heartened, he focused his assault on the boy, while keeping an eye on the other fight.
Guo Jing and Apothecary Huang were now tussling at close quarters. Lotus was able to keep Ke Zhen'e at bay with the Dog-Beating Cane, but her pleas of "Stop!" and "Listen to me!" fell on deaf ears.
By now, Guo Jing had sheathed his dagger and was fighting with his bare palms. Thrusting, swiping, striking, an incessant bombardment. At first, Apothecary Huang held back for Lotus's sake, but he was soon irritated by the constant buzzing, and his responses grew harsh as his heart hardened.
One small mistake now would prove fatal. As panic began to rise up in her throat, Lotus noticed Count Seven Hong observing the fight from the first floor of the Tower of Mist and Rain.
"Shifu! Help! They'll listen to you!"
Count Seven had been an anxious onlooker, frustrated that he could do nothing thanks to his diminished kung fu. Lotus's cry gave him an idea. Perhaps the Old Heretic still considers me a friend …
He hauled himself up onto the balustrade and jumped, gliding down to land on the battlefield.
"Oi! Hark the Old Beggar!"
The reputation of the Divine Vagrant Nine Fingers still carried weight. The fighting ceased.
Viper Ouyang was shaken to the core by Count Seven's dramatic intervention. How had he managed to regain his kung fu?
Over the last couple of days, Count Seven had been using the secret method from the Nine Yin Manual to reconnect his Eight Extraordinary Meridians, and the results had been incredible—he had repaired one energy flow, and, with it, a third of his lightness qinggong. His internal strength in combat was still no more than that of a heavyset man new to the martial arts, but he could appear as fleet of foot as before. Even the hawk-eyed Viper was unable to tell that his sprightliness contained no substance at all.
Count Seven was gleeful to see that, in his weakened state, he still had the authority to command an audience, but what could he say to calm the Quanzhen monks and convince the Venom to retreat? He threw back his head and laughed. It was simply an act to buy some time, but his eyes alighted on the newly risen moon and …
Not quite a perfect circle yet …
"I can see some of the greatest fighters of the wulin before me," he said. "But now I realize you're just a bunch of rogues and knaves—you give your word as casually as you break wind."
Count Seven Hong was known for his forthright attitude, so no one took offense at his crude chastisement—he would not have offered it without good cause.
"We beg the Master to enlighten us." Ma Yu cupped his hands in respect and bowed.
"I heard there'd be a fight by the Tower of Mist and Rain on Moon Festival and decided to turn up early to have a nose around. And, since the crack of dawn, I've been treated to this constant shouting and banging—you lot running about with your soil-bucket formations and pissy urinal lineups, husbands beating wives, sons-in-law fighting fathers, screeching and shrieking like pigs to the slaughter. All day long and none of you thought about granting this Old Beggar a moment's peace—I was so looking forward to a nap after my mutton leg. Look up. Look! What day is it today?"
Indeed, the moon was not yet full—it was only the fourteenth of the eighth month. The mid-autumn contest with Tiger Peng and the others, who had yet to arrive, was not due to start until the next day.
"Master is right—we should not be causing a disturbance here," Qiu Chuji said. "Viper Ouyang, let's take this fight elsewhere."
The Venom smirked. "It would be my pleasure."
"The Quanzhen Sect is truly a mess without Wang Chongyang," Count Seven said to himself in a stage whisper, making sure everyone could hear his aside, before addressing the monks. "Let me share an uncomfortable truth. You can put five monks, a nun and a novice together, and they still won't be a match for our Old Venom. I don't owe Wang Chongyang any favors and I couldn't care less if his tawdry little followers are wiped out, but I do want to ask you one question: In what form will you take part in the contest tomorrow? Do you plan to fight as corpses?"
Of course, the Quanzhen Masters recognized that these jibes were a kindly reminder that they had no hope against Viper Ouyang, for they had just failed to best Apothecary Huang, who was his equal in reputation. And yet, how could they back down when they were seeking to avenge one of their own?
Count Seven had also been keeping an eye on his two disciples. Guo Jing was staring daggers at the Heretic, while Lotus was on the verge of tears. What could he say to smooth over this shambles?
When the Hoary Urchin gets here, he can keep everyone in a line with his kung fu, and I'll be able to say my piece, Count Seven said to himself, pinning his hopes on Zhou Botong's impish nature—after all, missing the fun of such a fight would be most out of character for that overgrown child.
"This Old Beggar is going to sleep now," he announced. "If I hear so much as a peep out of you lot, I'll consider it an act of war. Tomorrow night, you can turn the world upside down and I'll watch from up there. And don't expect me to lift a finger to help any of you.
"Ma Yu, Qiu Chuji, get your little brothers and sister in order, sit them down and start channeling your qi. What meager inner strength you can gather now will be to your benefit—clinging onto the Buddha's legs for help at the last minute is better than nothing at all.
"Guo Jing, Lotus, massage my legs."
"Brother Apothecary and I have scores to settle with the Quanzhen Sect," Viper Ouyang said to Count Seven. "We all know that the Divine Vagrant Nine Fingers' words are as immovable as a mountain. I shall let things pass today out of respect for you, but, tomorrow, you will have to abide by your word and stand aside." He wanted to make certain that the Beggar would not step in, now that he had miraculously regained his martial prowess.
Count Seven giggled inwardly at the Venom's wary tone. If only you knew! You could knock me down with your little finger right now.
"This Beggar's farts have more substance than your vows. As I've said, I won't help anybody, but are you so sure you'll come out on top?" Without waiting for an answer, Count Seven Hong flopped on the ground, lying flat and resting his head on his gourd of wine. "Kids, massage, chop-chop!"
The mutton leg in Count Seven's hand had long been reduced to a stick of bone, but the gourmand was unwilling to relinquish it, licking and sucking in search of the last morsels of flavor.
"The weather's going to turn." The Beggar eyed the thickening clouds on the horizon and the mist clinging to the water. He sucked in a few big gulps of air and shook his head. "Stifling! Brother Apothecary, you'll give your permission, won't you? These tired old legs could really do with a massage."
The Heretic smiled as Lotus sat down, gently hammering her martial teacher's thigh.
"Aaaahhhh, these old bones have never had such a treat…" He glared at Guo Jing. "Oi, silly lad, the Heretic hasn't broken your paws, has he?"
"Master," Guo Jing mumbled as he sat opposite Lotus, mirroring her motions.
Ke Zhen'e slumped against a willow tree by the water, his unseeing eyes fixed in the direction of Apothecary Huang, his head turning left and right as his nemesis paced up and down, his ears picking out the light scratching of his footsteps.
The Heretic paid no attention to the blind man, a vague smile hovering on his lips.
The Quanzhen Taoists followed Count Seven's advice and sat cross-legged on the ground, eyes lowered, brows relaxed, working on their internal energy while maintaining the layout of the Heavenly Northern Dipper formation.
Meanwhile, the Venom's snake herders had set up a table and chair for him on the ground floor of the Tower of Mist and Rain. The Martial Great sat with his back to the others, picking at the food and drink spread out before him and pondering what miracle had allowed Count Seven Hong to recover from the crippling injury he had dealt him.
The heat was suffocating. Insects zoomed hither and thither. The mist over the lake was turning milky.
"Oh, the ache in my joints. They're sensing a storm. If we can see the full moon tomorrow night, I'll cut these legs off."
The Beggar had been observing Guo Jing and Lotus. The young lovers let their eyes rest everywhere but on each other. For a man as straightforward as he, suppressing his curiosity was out of the question. He asked several times, but they both just ummed and ahhed, refusing to give him a straight answer.
"Brother Apothecary, does South Lake have another name?" he called.
"The Lake of Mandarin Ducks."
"How romantic! Now, why are you two lovebirds ignoring each other by this lake of lovebirds? And why aren't you—father to them both—stepping in to stop this silly business?"
Guo Jing leaped to his feet, glaring at Apothecary Huang. "He—he killed my five shifus. He's not my father."
"So?" Huang sneered. "There's still one Freak left, though the blind bat won't live another day—"
Ke Zhen'e lunged, but Guo Jing was faster. The Heretic raised his arm in retaliation. Their palms thudded together—pang!—and Guo Jing stumbled two steps back.
"Oi! Do you think this Old Beggar's words are empty farts?"
Still glowering at Apothecary Huang, Guo Jing stepped down obediently.
"Old Heretic, the Six Freaks of the South live by the moral code of xia. Why would you hurt good people? I must say, I don't like the sound of it."
"I slay as I see fit. What can you do about that?"
"Pa! You didn't do it. I know you didn't. Tell them the truth!"
Huang looked at his daughter. In the pale moonlight, her complexion seemed more sallow than the last time he had seen her. He was almost swayed by pity, until he met Guo Jing's glare and saw the thirst for blood on his young face. His heart stiffened.
"I killed them."
"Pa, why?" Lotus sobbed. "Why do you have to claim things you didn't do?"
"Have you forgotten that the world has always seen your pa as a heretic and a miscreant? How can someone like me ever do good? All the evil under the heavens is my doing."
"I admire your honest admission, Brother Apothecary." Viper Ouyang cackled, raised his cup in a toast and drank it dry. "And I have a gift for you."
The two men were several zhang apart, and yet one small flick of his wrist was enough to send a sizeable bundle flying through the air to reach the Heretic.
Apothecary Huang caught the parcel and immediately knew that he was holding a human head. He peeled back the layers of fabric and was confronted by an unfamiliar face. The square headscarf of a learned man. A wispy beard covered his chin … freshly harvested.
Viper cackled in delight. "I entered the city from the west this morning and rested my feet at a school. This stuffy bookman was droning on about loyal subjects and filial sons. He was so tiresome, I had to cut his head off to shut him up. You the Heretic, I the Venom, we hold the world in the same disdain."
Apothecary Huang regarded the martial Master with contempt and distaste. "I have nothing but the utmost respect for loyal subjects and filial sons." He dug a hole in the ground with his bare hands and laid the head to rest, bowing three times before the fresh grave.
"So, your name is an empty title—the Heretic is also bound by convention," Viper said with a mocking laugh.
"Loyalty, filial piety, benevolence and righteousness are principles, not conventions!"
Thunder cracked. Storm clouds obscured the sky. Drums echoed around the lake. The splash of oars. Half a dozen stately boats, glittering with red lanterns, heading their way. Standing proud on the prow were colossal signs reading Silence and Turn Away, warning all onlookers of the arrival of an official retinue.
Someone of high rank and great import was approaching the Tower.