The Legend of the Condor Heroes Chapter 2 – Part 6

Zhu Cong walked at the rear of the party. As he passed Wanyan Honglie,¹ he tapped the prince’s shoulder with his fan and laughed, “Sold that woman you ran off with yet? How about selling her to me? Ha ha!” With that, he hurried down the stairs.

Though Zhu Cong had not known Wanyan Honglie’s identity at first, he had seen how the prince treated Bao Xiruo² at the inn and realised the two were not husband and wife. Hearing the man boast of his wealth, Zhu Cong had picked his purse of silver and gold as a small punishment. Now that he knew the fellow was a Jin commander, there would be no justice in heaven if he did not take his money.

Wanyan Honglie felt inside his robe, and sure enough the few ingots of gold and silver he had brought out with him had flown again. He thought that these men all possessed astonishing martial arts, so asking the short fat fellow to become his horse-riding instructor was out of the question. And if they were to discover that Madam Bao was with him, it would be a disaster of the first order. Fortunately, Qiu Chuji³ and the Seven Eccentrics had not yet resolved their misunderstanding. If he did not leave quickly, he would lose his life here as well. He rushed back to the inn, took Bao Xiruo, and fled north that very night, returning to the Jin Empire’s Central Capital, Daxing Prefecture.⁴

It so happened that on the day Qiu Chuji killed the traitor Wang Daoqian and made friends with Guo Xiaotian⁵ and Yang Tiexin⁶ at Niu Family Village, he had also slaughtered the Jin soldiers and yamen runners who came in pursuit of him, leaving not one alive. Well pleased, he had gone on to Lin’an⁷ and spent day after day enjoying the scenery on the lake. Geling,⁸ on the shores of West Lake, was the place where Ge Hong had refined his elixirs in the Jin Dynasty, a sacred site of the Daoist faith. Qiu Chuji would wander freely in the mornings, and in the afternoons cultivate his neigong⁹ at the Daoist temple on Geling, studying the Daoist canon.

One day, as he passed before Qinghefang, he suddenly saw several dozen imperial soldiers stumbling down the street in sorry state, their helms discarded, their armour trailing, their bows broken and their spears snapped, plainly the remnants of some defeated force. He found this strange, thinking, We are not at war with the Jin Empire just now, nor have I heard of any bandits or rebels in the neighbourhood. Where could these soldiers have suffered such a defeat? He asked people in the street, but none of them knew. His curiosity roused, he followed from a distance and watched the soldiers enter the camp of the Weiguo Sixth Command Post.¹⁰

That night, he slipped quietly into the command post, seized a soldier, dragged him into a side alley, and demanded an explanation. The soldier, roused from confused sleep with a sharp blade at his throat, dared not conceal a thing. He told Qiu Chuji everything about the affair at Niu Family Village, of the arrest ordered against Guo and Yang. Qiu Chuji cried out in anguish without end. The soldier told him that Guo Xiaotian had been struck down on the spot, that Yang Tiexin was gravely wounded and his whereabouts unknown, likely as good as dead. He added that the two men’s wives had indeed been captured alive, but on the way back, a band of horsemen had come charging out and there had been a confused fight, in which the imperial soldiers had suffered heavily. Qiu Chuji listened with mounting grief and fury, but considered that the low-ranking soldier was only following orders and had no say in the matter, so he did not vent his anger on the man. Instead, he asked, “Who is your commanding officer?” The soldier replied, “The commander, he… he… he’s surnamed Duan… his official name… his official name is Tiande.”¹¹ Qiu Chuji released the soldier and crept into the command post to find this Duan Tiande, but searched in vain.

At first light the next morning, a head was hung high on a pole before the command post, displayed as a public warning. Qiu Chuji looked and saw, to his horror, the head of his new friend Guo Xiaotian. Grief and rage consumed him. He thought, Qiu Chuji, oh, Qiu Chuji. These two friends were the sons of loyal and upright men. They kindly asked you to drink with them, and you have brought ruin and death upon their homes. If you do not avenge them, how can you call yourself a man? In his fury, he snatched up a stone and smashed it against the flagpole base before the command post, sending chips of rock flying.

At long last midnight came. He climbed the tall pole and took down Guo Xiaotian’s head. He carried it to the shores of West Lake, dug a grave, buried the head, and bowed several times. Tears fell as he prayed, “This humble Daoist promised to teach your descendants the martial arts. I have never broken my word in all my life. If I cannot train your heirs into heroes, I shall have no face to meet you two in the Yellow Springs.”¹² He considered his next moves. First, he must find Duan Tiande and kill him, avenging Guo and Yang. Then he must rescue the two men’s wives and see them safely settled. If Heaven was merciful and they bore posthumous sons, those children would carry on the line of two brave men.

For two nights running, he broke into the Weiguo Sixth Command Post, but failed to find Commander Duan Tiande. It seemed the man loved comfort and neglected military discipline, for he did not sleep in the barracks with his men. On the third day, at the hour of Chen,¹³ Qiu Chuji went directly to the gate of the command post and bellowed, “Where is Duan Tiande? Tell him to come out at once!”

Because of the theft of Guo Xiaotian’s head, Duan Tiande was in the barracks interrogating Guo Xiaotian’s wife, Li Ping,¹⁴ demanding she confess what dangerous and lawless friends her husband had kept. Suddenly, a tremendous commotion rose from outside the camp. He put his head out of the window and saw a tall Daoist, a fearsome, commanding figure, with a soldier gripped in each hand, sweeping and chopping with them so that the troops howled in dismay. An adjutant kept shouting, “Loose arrows!” But in their panic, some soldiers found their bows but could not find their arrows, while others had arrows but could not find their bows.

Duan Tiande flew into a rage. Drawing his waist dao, he charged straight out, roaring, “So you’re rebelling?” He slashed at Qiu Chuji’s waist. Qiu Chuji, seeing he was an officer, dropped the soldiers he held. He neither dodged nor blocked, but reached out with his left hand and seized Duan Tiande’s wrist. “Where is that cur Duan Tiande?” he demanded.

Pain shot through Duan Tiande’s hand, and his whole body went numb and weak. He said quickly, “Daoist sir, you want Commander Duan? He… he is drinking wine on a boat at West Lake. I don’t know if he’ll return today.” Qiu Chuji believed him and released his grip. Duan Tiande said to two soldiers, “Quick, take this Daoist sir to the lake to find Commander Duan.” The two soldiers had not yet understood, but Duan Tiande snapped, “Go on, go on, don’t make the Daoist sir angry.” Only then did the two soldiers catch on, and they turned and walked away. Qiu Chuji followed.

Duan Tiande did not dare stay a moment longer. He gathered a few soldiers, took Li Ping under guard, and rushed to the Xiongjie Eighth Command Post.¹⁵ The commander there was his bosom friend in wine and feasting. On hearing the news, the man was furious and was about to send troops to kill the wicked Daoist, when shouts rose from outside the camp. A report came that a Daoist had fought his way in. The soldiers who were to lead him to the lake must have been pressed too hard and had revealed where Duan Tiande often went.

Duan Tiande was a bird startled by the bow.¹⁶ Without another word, he took his escorts and Li Ping and fled, this time to the Quanjie Second Command Post outside the city walls.

That command post lay in a remote quarter, and Qiu Chuji could not find it at once. Duan Tiande’s frightened spirit settled somewhat. He thought of the Daoist charging through hundreds of soldiers with such terrible force, and a chill ran through him. His wrist began to throb, swelling higher and higher. He called for the camp’s bone-setter, who examined him and found two of the bones in his wrist broken. After splinting and salving, Duan Tiande dared not return home that night but stayed at the Quanjie Second Command Post. In the middle of the night, a commotion rose outside the camp. The sentry on duty had vanished.

Duan Tiande leapt up in alarm, knowing the sentry must have been carried off by the Daoist to be questioned. No matter where he hid among the military camps, the man would find him. He could not fight him, and he could not hide from him. What was he to do? The Daoist had seen his face, and it was him alone he was after. Though the camp was full of soldiers, they might not be enough to protect him. In his panic, he suddenly remembered that his uncle had become a monk at Yunqi Monastery,¹⁷ and was a master of formidable martial arts. Better to take refuge with him. He also thought that the Daoist was targeting him over the Guo Xiaotian affair. If he kept Li Ping close, he could use her as a hostage in an emergency, and the wicked Daoist would not dare act rashly. So he forced Li Ping into a soldier’s uniform and dragged her out the back gate of the camp. In the dark, they stumbled and lurched towards Yunqi Monastery.

His uncle had been ordained for many years, with the dharma name Kumu.¹⁸ He was the abbot of Yunqi Monastery. In his earlier life, he had been a military officer, and his martial arts came from the orthodox lineage of the Xianxia Ridge School,¹⁹ at the border of Zhejiang and Fujian, a branch of the Shaolin Order.²⁰ He had long despised Duan Tiande’s character and would have nothing to do with him. Seeing his nephew arrive in such a sorry state in the dead of night, he was greatly surprised and asked coldly, “What are you doing here?”

Duan Tiande knew his uncle had always hated the Jin troops. If he told the truth, admitting he had joined the Jin forces to hunt Guo and Yang, his uncle would likely kill him on the spot. So he had prepared a tale on the way. Seeing his uncle’s hostile expression, he immediately knelt and kowtowed, crying, “Your nephew has been bullied. I beg Uncle to set things right.”

Kumu said, “You are an officer at the camp. As long as you don’t bully other people, they thank heaven for it. Who would dare bully you?” Duan Tiande knew the more he blackened himself, the more believable he would seem. He kept saying, “Your nephew deserves to die, deserves to die. The other day, I and a few friends went to the pleasure quarters west of Qingleng Bridge to enjoy ourselves…” Kumu snorted through his nose, his face darkening greatly. In the Song Dynasty, brothels were called washe,²¹ or wazi, meaning “when they come, they gather like tiles, and when they go, they scatter like tiles,” suggesting how easily such crowds assembled and dispersed.

Duan Tiande continued, “I have a favoured courtesan who was singing and drinking with me that day, when suddenly a Daoist came in. He said her singing was so fine he must have her come and keep him company…” Kumu was displeased and said, “Nonsense! How would a man of religion go to such a low place?” Duan Tiande said, “Just so. I made fun of him then and there and told him to get out. But the Daoist was fierce. He cursed me, saying I would lose my head any day now, yet here I was making merry.” Kumu asked, “Lose your head?” Duan Tiande said, “He said the Jin troops would cross the river and march south any day now, and would slaughter every last one of our Great Song soldiers.”

Kumu flared up in anger. “He said that?” Duan Tiande said, “Yes. It was your nephew’s bad temper too. I argued with him, saying if the Jin troops do cross the river, we will fight to the death and may not lose.” This was very much to Kumu’s liking. He nodded again and again, thinking that since his nephew left the womb, this was the most sensible thing he had ever said. Seeing him nod, Duan Tiande was secretly pleased and continued, “We ended up fighting. Your nephew was no match for the wicked Daoist. He chased me all the way, and I had nowhere to hide, so I could only come to Uncle for help.” Kumu shook his head. “I am a monk. I will not involve myself in your quarrels over women.” Duan Tiande pleaded, “I only beg Uncle to save my life. I will never do it again.”

Kumu, remembering the old bond with his brother and angered by the Daoist’s insolent talk, said, “Very well. Stay a few days in the monastery’s guest quarters to avoid him. But no more nonsense.” Duan Tiande agreed repeatedly. Kumu sighed. “An officer, and so useless. If the Jin troops truly cross the river to attack, what will become of us? Ah, in those years, I…”

Li Ping, under Duan Tiande’s coercion and threats, listened to him lying shamelessly, but did not dare say a word.

That afternoon, at the hour of Shen,¹³ the monk in charge of guests rushed in to report to Kumu, “There’s a Daoist outside, shouting and roaring most fiercely, demanding again and again that Commander Duan… Commander Duan come out.”

Kumu sent for Duan Tiande. Duan Tiande said in alarm, “It’s him, that’s the one.” Kumu asked, “This Daoist is so fierce. What school is he from, what lineage?” Duan Tiande said, “He’s some wild Daoist from who knows where. His martial arts don’t seem all that remarkable, only his brute strength is somewhat unusual. Your nephew is useless and could not withstand him.” Kumu said, “Very well. I will meet him.” He went to the main hall.

Qiu Chuji was about to force his way into the inner hall, and the prior was doing his utmost to stop him, in vain. Kumu stepped forward and gave Qiu Chuji’s arm a light push, secretly putting neili²² into it to send the man out of the hall. But the push felt like striking a pile of cotton. Kumu knew it was bad and tried to withdraw his force, but it was too late. Against his will, he flew backwards. With a thud, his back struck the offering table. Several cracks sounded as half the table collapsed, the incense burner and candlesticks crashing to the floor.

Kumu was greatly shocked and called out, “Daoist Elder, you honour our humble temple with your presence. What is it you wish of us?” Qiu Chuji said, “I’ve come for a villain surnamed Duan.” Kumu, knowing he was no match for the man, said, “Men of religion take compassion as their foundation. Why must you lower yourself to the level of a layman, Daoist Elder?”

Qiu Chuji ignored him and strode into the hall. By then, Duan Tiande had taken Li Ping and hidden in a secret room. Yunqi Monastery enjoyed rich patronage, and it was the spring pilgrimage season. Devout men and women came in an unending stream from all quarters. It would not do to search the place by force. He gave a cold laugh and withdrew.

Duan Tiande emerged from hiding. Kumu said angrily, “Wild Daoist, you call him? If he hadn’t gone easy on me, this old life of mine would be gone already.” Duan Tiande said, “This wicked Daoist is most likely a Jin spy. Otherwise, why would he target a Great Song officer?” The guest monk returned and reported that the Daoist had gone. Kumu asked, “What did he say?” The monk said, “He said if our temple does not hand over that… that Commander Duan, he will not rest.”

Kumu glared at Duan Tiande and said, “There’s more to this than you’re telling me, and I can’t get to the bottom of it. But this Daoist’s martial prowess is truly too great. If you fall into his hands, you will not escape with your life in the end.” He pondered a long while, then said, “You cannot stay here any longer. My shidi,²³ Chan Master Jiaomu,²⁴ far surpasses me in neili. Only he might be able to withstand that Daoist. Go to him and take refuge.” Duan Tiande begged a letter from him and hired a boat that very night for Jiaxing,²⁵ to seek shelter with Great Master Jiaomu, the head monk of Fahua Monastery.²⁶

Footnotes

1. 完颜洪烈 — Wányán Hóngliè. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

2. 包惜弱 — Bāo Xīruò. Her name meaning “cherishing the weak”. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

3. 丘处机 — Qiū Chǔjī. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

4. 大兴府 — Dàxīng Fǔ. Literally Daxing Prefecture. The Central Capital of the Jin, in modern Beijing. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

5. 郭啸天 — Guō Xiàotiān. His name meaning “roaring at the sky”. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

6. 杨铁心 — Yáng Tiěxīn. His name meaning “iron heart”. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

7. 临安 — Lín’ān. Capital of Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1276) known for its cultural refinement and West Lake scenery. Modern day Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. See Wikipedia. ↩

8. 葛岭 — Gělǐng. A hill on the northern shore of West Lake, named for the fourth-century Daoist Ge Hong, who refined elixirs there. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

9. 内功 — nèigōng. Literally internal cultivation. The practice of developing neili through breathing and meditation. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

10. 威果第六指挥所 — Wēiguǒ Dì-Liù Zhǐhuī Suǒ. Literally Mighty and Resolute Sixth Command Post. A numbered unit of the Song army. ↩

11. 段天德 — Duàn Tiāndé. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

12. 黄泉 — huángquán. Literally yellow springs. The underworld of Chinese mythology, where the dead reside. ↩

13. 时辰 — shíchén. Traditional Chinese unit of time equal to two hours; the day was divided into twelve shichen. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩ ↩²

14. 李萍 — Lǐ Píng. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

15. 雄节第八指挥所 — Xióngjié Dì-Bā Zhǐhuī Suǒ. Literally Xiongjie Eighth Command Post. A Song military post. ↩

16. 惊弓之鸟 — Jīng gōng zhī niǎo. Literally a bird startled by the bow. From the Strategies of the Warring States, in which an archer brings down a wounded goose with only the twang of an empty bowstring; one made fearful by past hurt. ↩

17. 云栖寺 — Yúnqī Sì. Literally monastery where the clouds roost. A Buddhist monastery near West Lake in Hangzhou. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

18. 枯木大师 — Kūmù Dàshī. Literally Great Master Withered Tree. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

19. 仙霞派 — Xiānxiá Pài. Literally immortal rosy clouds school. Named for Xianxia Ridge (仙霞岭) on the Zhejiang–Fujian border; a branch of Shaolin. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

20. 少林派 — Shàolín Pài. The Shaolin Order, the martial lineage of Shaolin Monastery on Mount Song. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

21. 瓦舍 — wǎshè. Literally tile houses. The entertainment quarters of Song cities, with theatres, markets and brothels. ↩

22. 内力 — nèilì. Literally internal force. The kinetic manifestation of cultivated qi. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

23. 师弟 — shīdì. Male junior. Both apprenticed to the same shifu. Shī means teacher. Dì means younger brother. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

24. 焦木 — Jiāomù. Literally scorched wood. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

25. 嘉兴 — Jiāxīng. City to the northeast of Lin’an, in modern day Zhejiang Province. See Wikipedia. ↩

26. 法华寺 — Fǎhuá Sì. Literally Dharma Blossom Monastery. A Buddhist monastery in Jiaxing. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩