The Return of the Condor Heroes Chapter 12 – Part 7

A storm of applause erupted from the hall and courtyard. Huang Rong turned and returned to her seat, leaning the bamboo staff beside her, leaving Huo Du standing there in utter discomfiture.

Though Huo Du’s martial learning was profound, he had absolutely no idea how Huang Rong had seized the staff. Can this woman work illusions? he wondered. Hearing the crowd’s jeers and seeing his master’s face darken like iron, he reasoned that such a beautiful young woman’s true abilities must be limited. He declared loudly, “Chief Huang, I have returned the staff to you. Now, please, let us spar. Surely you are not afraid?”

At these words, some in the crowd indeed thought that Huo Du had voluntarily returned the staff in order to request a match, rather than having it snatched away. Only those with the highest martial arts could see that Huang Rong had forcibly taken it.

Guo Fu was infuriated by his words. In all her life, she had never seen anyone dare to treat her mother with such disrespect. Shing, she drew her sword. Wu Xiuwen said, “Sister Fu, let me vent your anger for you.” Wu Dunru had the same thought. The two of them, without prior agreement, leapt into the centre of the hall together.

One said, “Our teacher’s wife is an honoured personage.” The other continued, “How could she lower herself to fight a barbarian like you?” The first added, “First, test yourself against these young masters’ skills.”

Huo Du saw that though they were young, their stances were steady and well-founded, they had clearly received instruction from a renowned master. He thought, We came today to display our might and humble these Han fighters. The more bouts, the better. But they outnumber us vastly. If this turns into a mass brawl, we will be in serious trouble. He therefore announced, “Heroes under heaven, hear me. These two wet-behind-the-ears children wish to fight me. If this prince raises his hand, I fear people will accuse me of bullying the young. But if I refuse, it will look as though I am afraid of two children. Let us agree to three matches. Whichever side wins two shall claim the alliance leadership. My bout with Chief Lu just now does not count. We begin anew. What do you all say?” These words were impeccably calculated to make him appear magnanimous.

Guo Jing and Huang Rong conferred quietly with the honoured guests. They felt the proposal was difficult to refuse. Among those present today, aside from Huang Rong, who could not fight, the three strongest were Guo Jing, Hao Datong, and Great Master Yideng’s fourth disciple, the Scholar, Zhu Ziliu. Zhu Ziliu was a high minister of Dali, not a man of the Song, but Dali and the Great Song were as close as lips and teeth and had also faced Mongol pressure in recent years. They were allies in a common cause. Besides, he was close friends with Guo Jing and Huang Rong and would certainly not refuse. They decided: Zhu Ziliu would fight the first match against Huo Du. Hao Datong the second against Darba, and Guo Jing would anchor the third, against the Golden Wheel National Preceptor.

Whether this formation could win was far from certain. If the Golden Wheel National Preceptor’s martial arts were truly supreme, so much so that even Guo Jing could not withstand him, they might lose all three matches. That would be utter defeat.

As the discussion continued without resolution, Huang Rong suddenly said, “I have a way to guarantee victory.”

Guo Jing was overjoyed and was about to ask when the sound of clashing metal rang out. huo huo. Everyone turned. The Wu brothers, each wielding a longsword, were already locked in combat with Huo Du and his single fan. Guo Jing and Huang Rong, along with Great Master Yideng’s disciples, the Hermit Fisherman of Diancang¹ and Zhu Ziliu, all watched intently, concerned for their disciples’ safety.

What had happened was this: the Wu brothers had heard Prince Huo Du’s insolent words, calling them wet-behind-the-ears children to their faces. With the girl of their hearts listening, how could they endure such loss of face? Besides, they had just seen their teacher’s wife snatch his staff as easily as reaching into a bag. They reasoned that although Huo Du had defeated Lu Youjiao, Lu Youjiao was simply too dull and useless, it was not that this man was truly formidable. They also thought that since they had received their teacher’s true transmission in martial arts, even if one of them alone could not beat him, the two of them together could not possibly lose. Ignoring all talk of three matches or four, like newborn calves unafraid of tigers, they exchanged a glance and attacked together with both swords.

Guo Jing’s martial arts were supreme, but he was not skilled at teaching disciples. He himself grasped the essence of advanced martial theory, yet when he tried to pass it on, his words always fell short of conveying the meaning. The Wu brothers’ natural gifts were mediocre, and what could they possibly have learned in just a few short years? Within a few exchanges, Huo Du had pinned down both of their swords, and they could barely move.

Huo Du saw that he was certain to gain the upper hand and paid no heed to the fact that he was fighting two against one. When Wu Xiuwen’s sword thrust toward him, he pressed his left index finger upward, catching the flat of the blade, while his fan swept in from the side and struck the blade at the waist. Zheng, the sword snapped in two.

The Wu brothers were horrified. Wu Xiuwen hastily leapt back. Wu Dunru, fearing for his brother, thrust his sword straight at Huo Du’s back to prevent him from pursuing. But Huo Du had anticipated this move. Without turning his head, he swept his fan backward, timing it perfectly to catch the back of the sword. He twisted his fingers twice. If Wu Dunru let his sword follow the fan’s rotation, his shoulder joint would dislocate. He had no choice but to release his grip and leap back. The sword flew straight up, its blade flashing several times in the candlelight before clattering to the ground.

The Wu brothers were shocked and furious, but even bare-handed, they were not afraid. Wu Dunru spread his left palm horizontally, assuming the stance of the Eighteen Palms of Dragon Subduing. Wu Xiuwen let his right hand hang down, index finger slightly crooked, if the enemy attacked, he would counter with the Yiyang Finger.

Huo Du saw the gravity of their stances and dared not treat them lightly. I have won enough, he thought. Better not push my luck and invite trouble. The Eighteen Palms of Dragon Subduing and the Yiyang Finger were both supreme martial arts. Though the Wu brothers’ skill was shallow, their postures were flawlessly correct. An ordinary person would see nothing remarkable, but in the eyes of an expert like Huo Du, they were not to be taken lightly. He gave a hearty laugh, clasped his fist, and said, “Please, return to your seats. We are only determining victory and defeat, not fighting to the death.” His tone had become considerably more polite.

The Wu brothers, their faces burning with shame, knew that fighting him bare-handed would probably only result in an even worse defeat. They retreated dejectedly to the side, but not to Guo Fu’s side.

Guo Fu rushed over and declared loudly, “Brothers Wu, the three of us will fight him together!” All eyes turned toward them. Guo Fu raised her sword in her right hand and waved with her left. “The three of us, fellow disciples, will fight him as one!”

Guo Jing barked, “Fu’er! Do not make trouble!”

Guo Fu feared her father above all else. She could only retreat a few steps, glaring angrily at Huo Du.

Huo Du saw how lovely and beautiful she was and nodded at her with a broad smile. Guo Fu shot him a fierce glare and turned her head away, ignoring him.

The Wu brothers had dreaded Guo Fu’s ridicule. Seeing her rush to defend them so wholeheartedly, they were deeply comforted, clearly, she cared for them.

Huo Du opened his fan and fanned himself a few times. “That match, naturally, does not count either. Hero Guo, our side’s three are my master, my shixiong, and this unworthy prince. My skills are the weakest, so I will fight the first match. Who from your side will step forward to instruct me? Victory and defeat, this is no game.”

Guo Jing had heard his wife say she had a sure path to victory. He knew her resourcefulness was boundless. Though he did not yet know what brilliant stratagem she had in mind, he was already confident. “Very well,” he declared loudly. “Three matches shall decide the outcome.”

Huo Du knew that the strongest on the opposing side was Guo Jing. His master was invincible under heaven and would certainly defeat him. Huang Rong had used that bizarre move to seize the staff, but judging by her delicate, frail appearance, in a real fight she might not be so formidable. The rest were beneath notice. He swept his gaze across the crowd and said, “If anyone has objections, speak now. Once victory and defeat are decided, everyone must obey the alliance leader’s commands.”

The heroes wanted to agree, but seeing how Huo Du had defeated Lu Youjiao and the Wu brothers in succession, all with apparent ease, as though he had strength to spare, and not knowing how much of his ability he had yet to reveal, no one dared answer. They all turned to look at Guo Jing and Huang Rong.

Huang Rong said, “You will fight the first match, your shixiong the second, and your master the third. That is fixed and unchangeable. Is that correct?”

Huo Du said, “Exactly.”

Huang Rong turned to those beside her and said quietly, “Victory is certain.”

Guo Jing asked, “How?”

Huang Rong said softly, “Now, use our inferior steed against their superior steed…” She said only these two lines, then looked at Zhu Ziliu.

Zhu Ziliu smiled and continued in a low voice, “Use our superior steed against their middle steed. Use our middle steed against their inferior steed. Once the three races are run, though Tian Ji² lost one and won two, he still took the king’s thousand pieces of gold.”³

Guo Jing stared blankly. He had no idea what they were talking about.

Huang Rong whispered in his ear, “You are well-versed in military strategy. How can you have forgotten the brilliant stratagem of the art of war’s founding ancestor, Sun Bin?”⁴

Guo Jing suddenly remembered. When he had been young and studying the Posthumous Writings of Duke Wu Mu,⁵ Huang Rong had told him this story: Tian Ji, a great general of the Qi kingdom, raced horses against the King of Qi, wagering a thousand pieces of gold. Sun Bin taught Tian Ji a method of certain victory, match his inferior horse against the king’s superior horse, his superior horse against the king’s middle horse, and his middle horse against the king’s inferior horse. The result: one loss and two wins, gaining a thousand gold. Huang Rong was clearly applying this same strategy.

Huang Rong said, “Brother Zhu, with your Yiyang Finger, defeating this Mongol prince should not be difficult.”

Zhu Ziliu had once served as prime minister of the Dali kingdom. He was a man of profound learning and surpassing intelligence. The martial arts of the Dali Duan⁶ school placed great emphasis on natural understanding. When Zhu Ziliu first entered the Southern Emperor’s tutelage, his martial arts had ranked last among the four great disciples. Fisherman, Woodcutter, Farmer, Scholar. Ten years later, he had risen to second place. By now, his martial arts far surpassed those of his three shixiong. Great Master Yideng treated all four disciples equally and taught them every art without reservation, but in the end, it was Zhu Ziliu who had absorbed the most, especially the Yiyang Finger, which he had trained to a state of transcendent mastery. At present, his martial arts were still inferior to Guo Jing, Ma Yu, and Qiu Chuji, but he had already surpassed Wang Chuyi⁷ and Hao Datong.

Hearing his wife’s words, Guo Jing immediately said, “But asking Perfected Hao to face the Golden Wheel National Preceptor, that is extremely dangerous. Victory or defeat is not the main concern. I only fear the enemy’s strikes will be too ruthless and vicious to withstand.” Guo Jing was straightforward and blunt. He did not bother to hide the fact that he considered himself the superior steed and Hao Datong the inferior, which was, admittedly, rather impolite.

But Hao Datong understood deeply that this contest bore on the fate of the nation. It was entirely different from ordinary contests for fame in the jianghu. If the Mongol National Preceptor seized the position of alliance leader of all heroes under heaven, the Han gallants would certainly never obey the commands of this “barbarian alliance leader”, but the Han fighters would not only lose face, their morale would shatter. It would be nearly impossible to unite them in alliance against the enemy and face the national crisis together. He declared with solemn determination, “There is no need to worry about that. As long as it benefits the nation, even if this old Taoist perishes at that monk’s hands, it counts for nothing.”

Huang Rong said, “If we win the first two of the three matches, the third need not even be fought.”

Guo Jing was overjoyed and voiced his agreement repeatedly.

Zhu Ziliu laughed. “I carry a heavy responsibility. If I cannot defeat this Mongol prince, the heroes under heaven will curse my name for all time.”

Huang Rong said, “No need to be modest. Please, take the field.”

Zhu Ziliu walked to the centre of the hall, clasped his fist toward Huo Du, and said, “For this first match, I will be the one to seek your instruction. My surname is Zhu, given name Ziliu. My lifelong pleasures are reciting poetry, composing couplets, practising calligraphy, and reading books. In martial arts, I am quite crude. I must ask for your generous guidance.” He bowed deeply and drew a writing brush from his sleeve, tracing a few empty circles in the air. He looked every inch the pedantic scholar.

Huo Du thought, It is precisely this kind of person who possesses the most profound martial arts. I absolutely must not underestimate him. He clasped his fist in salute. “This prince seeks instruction from you, senior. Please, draw your weapon.”

Zhu Ziliu said, “Lands of barbarians, untouched by the teachings of the sages, since you seek instruction, I shall naturally provide guidance.”

Huo Du was inwardly enraged. You insult my Mongol people. I will not spare you. He flicked open his fan and said, “This is my weapon. Do you use a sabre or a sword?”

Zhu Ziliu raised his brush and wrote the character for “brush”⁸ in the air. He laughed. “I have spent my life in the company of the brush. What weapon could I possibly use?”

Huo Du studied the brush intently. It was bamboo-shafted with a goat-hair tip, the point still carrying half an inch of ink. It was utterly unremarkable, nothing like the pure steel point-striking pens used in the jianghu. He was about to ask when a young woman in white walked in through the entrance.

She stood at the doorway of the hall, her gaze slowly sweeping across every face, as though searching for someone.

Footnotes

1. 点苍渔隐 – Diǎncāng Yúyǐn. Hermit Fisherman of Diancang; one of Great Master Yideng’s four disciples. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

2. Tian Ji (田忌). General of the Qi kingdom during the Warring States period, famous for winning a horse race against the King of Qi using Sun Bin’s strategy. ↩

3. Thousand Pieces of Gold (千金). Classical Chinese unit of wealth, also used metaphorically to mean “enormously valuable”. ↩

4. Sun Bin (孙膑). Legendary military strategist of the Warring States period, descendant of Sun Tzu. His strategy of matching inferior against superior, superior against middle, and middle against inferior horses is a classic example of tactical sacrifice for overall victory. ↩

5. Posthumous Writings of Duke Wu Mu (武穆遗书). Military treatise left by Yue Fei, the Song dynasty’s greatest patriot general. Guo Jing studied these writings in his youth. ↩

6. Duan Clan (段氏). Imperial clan of the Dali Kingdom, known for their hereditary martial arts, especially the Yiyang Finger. ↩

7. 王处一 – Wáng Chùyī. His name meaning “dwelling in oneness”. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

8. Brush (笔). Chinese writing brush, one of the Four Treasures of the Study. Zhu Ziliu uses it as both a calligraphy tool and a martial arts weapon. ↩