Mandarin Duck Blades – Part 11

Zhou Weixin¹ responded at once, removing the short Yang blade² from Xiao Zhonghui’s³ waist. Zhuo Tianxiong⁴ said, “Xiao Banhe’s name is renowned through the jianghu,⁵ and it’s his fiftieth birthday today. With his mansion full of martial experts, do you dare retrieve that long Yuan blade,⁶ Weixin?”

Zhou Weixin replied: “With shibo⁷ backing me up, I would venture even into a dragon’s pool or tiger’s den. As the jianghu saying goes, ‘A wide road is good for racing horses, a tall tree provides is good for providing shade.’”

Zhuo Tianxiong snorted and laughed, “How pathetic! Always relying on your shibo!”

Throughout his life, he had prided himself on his unmatched skills, having scarce met a worthy opponent. But after his defeat by Yuan Guannan⁸ and Xiao Zhonghui’s Wedded Blade Style,⁹ his confidence faltered. This chance encounter with Xiao Zhonghui made him think that while the couple was formidable with their coordinated blades, now that he had captured one of them, only Yuan Guannan alone would be no cause for concern. Moreover, with Xiao Zhonghui in his hands, no matter how many experts the Xiao mansion housed, Xiao Banhe would have no choice but to surrender the long Yuan blade in obedience.

Zhuo Tianxiong, holding Xiao Zhonghui captive, informed the county magistrate’s office, and then headed to the Xiao mansion with Zhou Weixin and the other escorts.¹⁰

Upon receiving the calling card¹¹ bearing the three characters “Zhuo Tianxiong”, Xiao Banhe tensed visibly and called out, “Usher him with haste!”

Within moments, Zhuo Tianxiong strode into the hall with his head held high. Xiao Banhe rushed forward to greet him, only to see his daughter with her hands tied behind her back and a man holding the short Yang blade against her back.

Though Xiao Banhe¹² was shaken with alarm, he betrayed not the slightest emotion, maintaining a smile as he said, “It’s only a humble man’s unworthy birthday, to what do I owe the honour of the Imperial Guard gracing us with his presence?”

Having long heard of Xiao Banhe’s reputation in the capital, Zhuo Tianxiong now beheld the man himself—his imposing figure and full beard indeed matching his famed presence. He extended his right hand and said, “It’s Xiao daxia’s¹³ esteemed birthday celebration. I, your humble brother, am late in offering my congratulations. I beg your forgiveness.”

Xiao Banhe smiled and said, “Think nothing of it.”

He reached out and grasped the hand. As both men exerted their strength, their arms trembled and each felt numbness through half their body. In this test of skill, they proved evenly matched. Mutual respect kindled between them, and they entered the birthday hall arm in arm.

Of the two, Zhuo Tianxiong was the more astonished. He was known in the wulin¹⁴ for his Thirty Heaven-shaking Palms¹⁵ and the Eighteen Whips of Huyan.¹⁶ The Thirty Palms could only be matched by the Hunyuan Qi,¹⁷ and it was precisely the skill Xiao Banhe had just used. But Unified Origin Energy could only be cultivated by those who maintained celibacy, and would disappear after marriage, regardless of gender. The training was arduous, yet its power could be lost very easily, making it rare in the wulin.

Before coming to the Xiao mansion, he had already gathered intelligence that revealed Xiao Banhe had a wife and a concubine, and his daughter was already of marriageable age. How could he still possess the Hunyuan Qi that required virginity? It was a great anomaly in martial arts studies.

Seeing Xiao Zhonghui held captive, Yuan Guannan was anxious and concerned. He slipped through the crowd in a wide arc to position himself behind the escorts, poised to seize any chance for rescue. But nothing escaped Zhuo Tianxiong’s formidable sight. He had already tracked the movement and barked: “Yuan fellow, you stay right there!”

Turning to Zhou Weixin, he said, “If anyone makes a move, put your blade through the girl!”

Zhou Weixin replied, “Yes. As the jianghu saying goes, ‘Among the strong there are always stronger ones, and among the villains…’”

He trailed off, the words “will be ground by other villains” dying in his throat as he realised the impropriety of the proverb.

Yuan Guannan, terrified that these people would harm Xiao Zhonghui, dared not take a single step forward.

Zhuo Tianxiong said, “Xiao daxia, I shall not conceal my purpose here. Your humble brother’s visit to your mansion today is firstly to pay my respects on your birthday, and secondly to exchange a priceless treasure for another valuable one.”

Xiao Banhe replied, “My meager wits fail to grasp the meaning of milord’s words.”

Zhuo Tianxiong rolled his eyes and smiled, “The priceless treasure is your precious daughter, and the valuable item is that long Yuan blade. Your humble brother bears no grudge against you, Xiao daxia. I only wish to complete my duty before the Emperor and protect the lives and families of all these brothers. I hope Xiao daxia would be magnanimous and help me.”

Saying that, he clasped his hands in respect. Although his words sounded humble, his manner dripped with arrogance.

Xiao Banhe pressed his hand against the back of his chair, shattering it with a crack. He laughed as he said, “Lord Zhuo is held in high esteem within the wulin. Why are you so muddleheaded today? Not only is the Mandarin Duck Blade not in my possession, this young lady is also not my daughter. How could someone who practices the Hunyuan Qi that requires virginity possibly father children?”

As he spoke, he swept his sleeve, sending a fierce gust of wind shooting forth. Zhuo Tianxiong twisted sideways to dodge, thinking to himself, “There’s no mistaking it. This is definitely the celibate-cultivated Hunyuan Qi.”

Xiao Zhonghui had been heartbroken upon learning that Yuan Guannan was her brother. Seeing her father deny their relationship to save her, she could not help but cry out, “Father!”

At that moment, shouts came from outside, “Don’t let the rebel Xiao Yi¹⁸ escape!”

Amid the commotion of people and horses, numerous soldiers had arrived beyond the mansion gates. Several servants from the Xiao household rushed in, panicked and distraught, calling out, “Master—terrible news! Countless imperial soldiers… soldiers have blocked the gates and surrounded us.”

Upon hearing the words “Don’t let the rebel Xiao Yi escape,” Zhuo Tianxiong’s mind with sudden comprehension. He shouted, “Ha! What Xiao Banhe? You’re actually the rebel that the Emperor has been hunting for the past sixteen years.”

Just then, at the main entrance, shadows flickered as four imperial guards darted in. The one in the lead called out: “Big Brother Zhuo, he’s the rebel Xiao Yi. Why haven’t you apprehended him yet?”

Xiao Banhe laughed heartily and said, “After sixteen years of disguise, I finally return to my true self as Xiao Yi.”

He wiped his hand across his face and left everyone stunned into silence. Though the hall had been thrown into complete chaos, for a moment, all eyes were fixed on Xiao Banhe’s face, and not a sound could be heard.

Between heartbeats, Xiao Banhe’s appearance transformed to everyone’s bewilderment. His once full beard vanished with a swipe of his hand, his chin became bare in an instant with not a single whisker left. Even plucking out the hair by the roots would not have been so clean nor so fast.

Just then, Yuan Guannan’s page boy came running from the inner hall carrying two book baskets, saying, “Young sir, make haste and leave!”

Sudden inspiration struck Yuan Guannan and he grabbed a book from one of the baskets, shaking and flinging it outward. Golden light shimmered as dozens of thin gold leaves fluttered through the air. How could the escorts and imperial soldiers resist the sight of gleaming gold, especially when the gold leaves drifted right before them? Everyone reached out to grab them.

Yuan Guannan showered tattered books at Zhou Weixin, filling the hall with gold leaves that fluttered like dancing butterflies. Zhou Weixin was fixated on not losing the Mandarin Duck Blade, thinking, As the jianghu saying goes, ‘Even scoundrels teach their sons to beware of easy gains.’

He watched the gold leaves drift toward him, yet he did not reach for them. Yuan Guannan channelled his energy into his hand and flung a book weighing several jin¹⁹ filled with gold that struck Zhou’s face with a resounding slap.

Zhou Weixin cried out and staggered. Yuan Guannan propelled himself forward with both feet, lunging at him. Zhuo Tianxiong moved to block him with a horizontal palm strike, but felt a sudden fierce gust of air at his flank as Xiao Banhe struck with his Hunyuan Qi. Well aware of the danger it posed, Zhuo Tianxiong had no choice but to counter with his own palm. Two internal powers collided with explosive force, sending both men stumbling two steps backwards. Just then, Yuan Guannan’s left hand wielded his blade to keep Zhou Weixin disoriented while his right hand unsealed Xiao Zhonghui’s acupoints.

Among the guests, a small group retreated to stay away from the conflict, but the majority were Xiao Banhe’s close friends who engaged the imperial guards, escort agency men, and soldiers with their brandished weapons or bare hands.

Xiao Zhonghui, who had been bottling up her anger, bore down on Zhou Weixin. Extending her left hand diagonally and her right hand hooking back, she landed a resounding slap to his face. Twisting his wrist, she seized the short Yang blade from his hand. Yuan Guannan called out in joy, “Hui-mei!²⁰ Gentle breeze guides precious jade down the celestial tower!”²¹

Xiao Zhonghui’s eyes reddened as she thought, How can I still wield this wretched Wedded Blade Style with you?

She surveyed her surroundings. Her father was locked in combat with Zhuo Tianxiong, their palms dancing as they fought to a standstill. Everyone else had engaged an opponent, but two Qing guards were forcing Madams Yuan and Yang to retreat as their situation grew increasingly perilous. Yuan Guannan called out, “Hui-mei, quick, save Mother!”

They combined their blades to execute “Twin phoenixes sing to the jade flute tune,”²² and a guard crumpled to the ground with a grievous shoulder wound. They followed with “Today’s bride with countenance like jade,”²³ and the hilt of Xiao Zhonghui’s blade struck another guard’s cheekbone, knocking him unconscious.

The love birds working their blades in unison to use the Wedded Blade Style, they became unassailable. Wherever the pair advanced together, imperial guards and escorts fell wounded. Before they had used even half of the seventy-two moves of the blade style, their enemies were fleeing through the doors. However, this set of blade technique had a peculiarity: while it was easy to wound opponents, it was extremely difficult to kill them. The wounds inflicted were never in vital areas, suggesting that the married couple who had created this blade style were kindhearted and reluctant to take lives, thus each deadly move left the enemies a margin of survival.

As the battle wore on, only Zhuo Tianxiong remained as he continued his stubborn resistance. Yuan Guannan and Xiao Zhonghui’s blades flashed toward him, one attacking his left shoulder, while the other slashing at his right leg. Zhuo Tianxiong pulled a steel whip from his waist and parried with a clang, knocking the tip off Xiao Zhonghui’s short Yang blade.

The move “Joy binds creeping vines to the tall tree”²⁴ was of such divine ingenuity. As Yuan Guannan’s long blade flashed through the air with a clean hiss, it sliced deep into Zhuo Tianxiong’s lower leg, cutting to the bone and drawing a stream of crimson blood.

With a serious wound to his lower leg, Zhuo Tianxiong dared not linger in battle. He struck a palm toward Xiao Zhonghui, and as she leaned sideways to dodge, he pushed off with both feet and darted into the courtyard before bounding onto the roof. Yuan and Xiao could have intercepted him with their blades using the move “Peerless hero makes a gallant groom,”²⁵ but with the tip of Xiao Zhonghui’s blade broken, the move was no longer effective.

Seeing that despite the hall in complete disarray, they were fortunate to suffer only seven or eight injuries with no lives lost, Xiao Banhe boomed, “My good friends, though the soldiers have retreated for now, they will surely return soon. This place is no longer safe. Let us withdraw quickly to Zhongtiao Mountains²⁶ and make further plans there.”

The crowd roared their approval.

Xiao Banhe led his family to gather their valuables before setting fire to the mansion. As the flames rose to the sky and the city fell into chaos, they charged through the east gate and headed straight for Zhongtiao Mountains.

Footnotes

1. 周威信 – Zhoū Weīxìn. ↩

2. 鸯刀 – yāngdāo. Yang is the female mandarin duck and is the name of the shorter of the Mandarin Duck Blades. ↩

3. 萧中慧 – Xiāo Zhōnghuì. ↩

4. 卓天雄 – Zhuó Tiānxióng. ↩

5. 江湖 – jiānghú. The world of martial arts. A sub-society involving all who are related to the martial arts scene. What is jianghu? ↩

6. 鸳刀 – yuāndāo. Yuan is the male mandarin duck, and is the name of the the longer of the Mandarin Duck Blades. ↩

7. 师伯 – shībó. Elder fellow disciple, of one’s shifu. Shi means teacher. Bo literally means elder uncle.This places the person on the same generation as one’s shifu. ↩

8. 袁冠南 – Yuán Guānnán. ↩

9. 夫妻刀法 – fūqī dāofǎ. Literally the married couple’s dao style. Often mistranslated as the Couple’s Blade Style and losing the specific marital reference. It also refers to how the moves are designed to complement each other. ↩

10. 镖师 – Biāoshī. Professional armed escorts employed by escort agencies. ↩

11. 名刺 – míngcì. A calling card was a formal written introduction bearing one’s name and sometimes title, used in traditional China when visiting someone of status. ↩

12. 萧半和 – Xiāo Bànhé. ↩

13. 大侠 – dàxiá. Title of great respect in the martial world, denoting a xia of exceptional martial prowess who upholds justice and righteousness. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

14. 武林 – wǔlín. Literally martial forest. It refers to the martial arts community within the jianghu. These are people who practice martial arts. ↩

15. 震天三十掌 – zhèntiān sānshí zhǎng. Literally Thirty Heaven-shaking Palms. ↩

16. 呼延十八鞭 – Hūyán shíbā biān. Literally Huyan’s Eighteen Whips. Martial arts technique named after Huyan Zan, a military general in the early years of the Northern Song Dynasty. See Wikipedia. ↩

17. 混元气 – hùn yuánqì. Literally primordial energy. Hunyuan is the chaotic origin energy representing the undifferentiated unity of pre-creation. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

18. 萧义 – Xiāo Yì. ↩

19. 斤 – jīn. Chinese unit of weight, approximately 500 grams or 1.1 pounds, translated as catty in the past. See Wikiepdia. ↩

20. 妹 – mèi. Literally younger sister. Here, it’s used as a term of endearment. ↩

21. 清风引珮下瑶台 – qīng fēng yǐn pèi xià yáo tái. Literally fresh breeze guiding a jade pendant down a celestial tower. It evokes a scene of a gentle breeze guiding a noble lady wearing jade ornaments from a celestial tower. The phrase is an elegant classical phrase from ancient Chinese poetry. ↩

22. 碧箫声里双鸣凤 – bì xiāo shēng lǐ shuāng míng fèng. Literally two phoenixes singing amidst the sound of jade flute . There are several symbolism here: jade flute represents refinement and harmony, phoenix pair symbolises marital bliss and the image of them singing together means perfect matrimonial harmony. ↩

23. 今朝有女颜如玉 – jīn zhāo yǒu nǚ yán rú yù. Literally today, there is a maiden with face like jade. The phrase echoes classical Chinese poetry where comparisons to jade were the highest praise for beauty. The use of today makes it immediate, suggesting the moment of marriage. ↩

24. 喜结丝萝在乔木 – xǐ jié sī luó zài qiáo mù. Literally joy bound by climbing vine on a tall tree. The beautiful metaphor comes from Chinese poetry where climbing vines and tall tree represents a perfect marriage. The imagery symbolises the natural joining of two beings in mutual support and growth. ↩

25. 英雄无双风流婿 – yīng xióng wú shuāng fēng liú xù. Literally matchless hero a gallant groom. The phrase combines martial prowess with romantic refinement. In particular, the term 风流 (fēngliú) suggests cultural sophistication, romantic accomplishment, and natural grace. ↩

26. 中条山 – Zhōngtiáo shān. Mountain range in Shanxi Province. See Wikipedia. ↩