The Return of the Condor Heroes Chapter 3 – Part 5

The two Daoists exchanged a glance, then left the temple. Guo Jing noted their light, agile steps, they clearly possessed martial arts skill. He thought that since they were so close to Zhongnan Mountain, these two were likely members of Chongyang Palace. Both appeared to be around forty years of age and were probably disciples of the Seven Masters of Quanzhen.¹ Since retiring to Peach Blossom Island, Guo Jing had not exchanged news with Ma Yu² and the others, so he did not recognise any of the Quanzhen disciples. He only knew that the Quanzhen Order had been flourishing of late, with Ma Yu, Qiu Chuji, Wang Chuyi,³ and the others all having accepted many fine disciples, their reputation in wulin growing ever greater. They were known for championing righteousness, helping those in danger and relieving those in distress, having performed countless good deeds. In the jianghu,⁴ whether one was a martial artist or not, the name of the Quanzhen Order commanded deep respect. Guo Jing thought he would go up the mountain to pay his respects to Master Qiu and could travel together with these two Daoists.

He quickened his pace and hurried out of the temple gate, only to see the two Daoists already running swiftly over ten zhang ahead, constantly looking back. Guo Jing called out, “Fellow Daoists, please wait, I have a question.” His voice was loud and resonant, carrying far and wide, but the two Daoists did not stop. Instead, they walked even faster. Guo Jing wondered, “Could these two be deaf?” He exerted a little strength in his feet, and in a few bounds, he had circled around them and stood in front. He turned and said, “Greetings, fellow Daoists,” bowing with clasped hands.

The two Daoists, seeing how swift his movement technique was, looked alarmed. When they saw him bow, they assumed he was about to attack with neili and quickly dodged to the left and right, asking in unison, “What do you want?” Guo Jing said, “Are you two Daoists from Chongyang Palace on Zhongnan Mountain?” The thin Daoist said with a dark expression, “And what if we are?” Guo Jing said, “I am an old friend of Master Qiu, Perpetual Spring. I wish to go up the mountain to pay my respects and would be grateful for your guidance.” The other Daoist, short and stocky, sneered. “If you’ve got the guts, go up yourself. Out of the way!” With that, he suddenly swung his palm horizontally, the strike was remarkably swift. Guo Jing had no choice but to step aside to the right. But the thin Daoist and the short Daoist had trained their martial arts to work in seamless coordination, attacking separately and together. The thin Daoist followed with a palm strike from right to left, trapping Guo Jing between them. These two moves were called the “Great Gate-Closing Form,”⁵ a brilliant technique of the Quanzhen Order’s martial arts. How could Guo Jing not recognise it? He was baffled that the two Daoists, without asking any questions, would immediately use such heavy, injurious techniques. He neither neutralised nor dodged. There were two dull thuds as both palms struck his ribs.

Having taken these two strikes, Guo Jing now knew the depth of their skill. He judged that, based on their level, they were indeed disciples of the Seven Masters of Quanzhen, making them his peers in the martial generation. When their palms struck, he had already braced himself with neili, but he controlled the force with perfect precision, he took no damage himself, yet did not rebound the force to cause pain or swelling in their hands. He simply absorbed it as if nothing had happened.

The two Daoists had trained this ultimate technique for more than ten years, yet when it landed on their opponent, it felt like striking a sack of cotton, completely unresisting. They were shocked beyond measure. With a simultaneous cry, they both leapt up, all four feet flying towards Guo Jing’s chest in a ferocious kick. Guo Jing wondered to himself, “The disciples of Quanzhen are all men of the Way, warm and courteous. How can it be that these disciples attack people with fists and feet for no reason at all?” He saw them use the “Mandarin Duck Chain Kick”⁶ technique but still made no move, paying it no mind. A series of thuds followed as several dusty footprints appeared on his chest.

Each Daoist had kicked six times in succession, their toes feeling as though they were kicking a sandbag, soft and strangely comfortable. But seeing their opponent calm and composed, as if nothing had happened, their astonishment now exceeded even what they had felt before. They thought, “This scoundrel is this formidable? Even our shifu and shibo⁷ don’t have skill like this.” They studied Guo Jing carefully: thick brows, large eyes, an honest and simple expression, dressed in coarse cloth like an ordinary farmer, there was not the slightest hint of anything unusual about him. They stood frozen in place, unable to speak.

Yang Guo, seeing the two Daoists striking and kicking Guo Jing while Guo Jing did not retaliate, grew angry. He stepped forward and shouted, “You two stinking Daoists, why are you hitting my uncle?” Guo Jing quickly stopped him. “Guoer, hold your tongue. Come and pay respects to these two Daoist masters.” Yang Guo was confused. “Why should Uncle Guo be afraid of them for no reason?”

The two Daoists exchanged a glance, and with two ringing sounds, drew their swords. The short Daoist used “Probing the Sea to Slay the Dragon,”⁸ thrusting at Guo Jing’s lower body, while the other used “Cyclone Sweeping the Leaves,”⁹ slashing swiftly at Yang Guo’s right leg.

Guo Jing paid no attention to the sword aimed at himself, but seeing the thin Daoist’s vicious strike, he could not help growing angry. “This child has no grudge against you, why such a lethal move? Wouldn’t that sword cut his right leg clean off?” He shifted his body slightly, and with the edge of his left palm resting on the short Daoist’s sword hilt, he used “Following the Current to Push the Boat,”¹⁰ gently deflecting it to the left. The short Daoist’s sword involuntarily reversed direction and, with a clang, met the thin Daoist’s blade, deflecting his strike. This technique of using an enemy’s attack against another enemy was derived from the art of empty-hand against weapons. Even if ten or twenty opponents had attacked simultaneously, he could have used one enemy’s blade against another’s sword, one enemy’s spear against another’s whip, borrowing the enemy to strike the enemy, neutralising all attacks.

Both Daoists felt their wrists go numb and their tiger’s mouth¹¹ ache dully. They immediately leapt back at an angle, glaring at Guo Jing with a mixture of terror and grudging admiration. With a low whistle, they attacked again with both swords.

Guo Jing thought, “This is the foundational training for the Heavenly Dipper Big Dipper Formation.¹² Though it is advanced swordplay, there are only two of you, and your sword skills are not yet refined, what use is it?” Afraid that Yang Guo might be caught by their blades, he dodged both swords, reached out with his right arm to scoop up Yang Guo, and called out, “I am an old friend of Master Qiu. There’s no need for this game.” The thin Daoist said, “It wouldn’t help even if you claimed to be an old friend of Master Ma.” Guo Jing said, “Master Ma did indeed once teach me martial arts.” The short Daoist raged, “You scoundrel, spouting nonsense to mock us! I suppose our founder, Chongyang,¹³ also taught you martial arts?” He thrust his sword straight at Guo Jing’s chest.

Guo Jing could see plainly that these two were clearly Quanzhen disciples, yet they treated him as an enemy, and he had no idea why. His bonds with the Seven Masters of Quanzhen were extraordinary, and he also thought that since Yang Guo was going to study at Chongyang Palace, he could not afford to offend the palace’s Daoists. So he only dodged and evaded, never striking back.

The two Daoists, both frightened and alarmed, knew full well that their opponent’s martial arts far exceeded their own and that they could not land a hit. They exchanged a signal, and suddenly their sword techniques changed. With a series of swift thrusts, every strike was aimed at Yang Guo’s chest and back, each move a lethal, merciless technique. Seeing these utterly unrestrained sword strikes all directed at a mere child, Guo Jing could not help but grow angry. As the short Daoist’s sword came in fiercely, Guo Jing lowered his right arm to set Yang Guo down, then suddenly thrust out his hand. His index and middle fingers spread apart, he caught the blade flat between them, turned his wrist slightly inward, and drove his right elbow towards the opponent’s nose. The short Daoist pulled back with all his strength but could not withdraw his sword. He saw the elbow already upon him and knew that if it struck his face, he would be either dead or gravely injured. He had no choice but to release the sword and leap back.

By now, Guo Jing’s martial arts had reached the level of true mastery, every movement of hand or foot was executed with perfect precision. With a slight dip of his right hand’s two fingers, the sword flipped upright, its hilt rebounding upward. The thin Daoist was just thrusting his sword at Yang Guo’s neck when the blade was struck squarely by the rebounding hilt. With a sharp ring, his right arm went numb and his whole body shook violently. He could only release his sword and jump aside. The two men said in unison, “The lecher is too strong, let’s go!” They turned and fled.

Guo Jing had been called many things in his life, “fool,” “idiot,” “stinking thief,” “thieving scoundrel”, but the vile label of “lecher” was a first. Slightly puzzled, he scooped up Yang Guo and gave chase. Catching up behind the two Daoists, he tapped his right foot and soared over their heads. The moment his feet touched the ground, he turned and demanded, “What did you call me?”

The short Daoist was frightened but still stubborn. “If you’re not here hoping to marry that woman surnamed Long, what are you doing at Zhongnan Mountain?” The moment the words left his mouth, he retreated three steps, fearing Guo Jing might strike.

Guo Jing froze. He thought, “I’m hoping to marry some woman surnamed Long? Who is this woman surnamed Long? Why would I want to marry her? I’ve had Ronger for a long time, how could I marry anyone else?” He stood there, utterly bewildered. The two Daoists, seeing him dazed, seized the opportunity, darted past him, and fled up the mountain.

Yang Guo, seeing Guo Jing lost in thought, quietly slipped down to the ground and said, “Uncle Guo, the two stinking Daoists are gone.” Guo Jing came back to himself with a start. “Hm,” he said. “They said I want to marry some woman surnamed Long. Who is she?” Yang Guo said, “Your nephew doesn’t know either. Those two attacked without asking any questions, they must have mistaken you for someone else.” Guo Jing laughed at himself. “That must be it. Why didn’t I think of that? Let’s go up the mountain.”

Yang Guo picked up the two swords the Daoists had left behind. Guo Jing examined the hilts and saw three small characters clearly engraved: “Chongyang Palace.” The two of them continued up the mountain. After travelling for over a shichen,¹⁴ they reached the Golden Lotus Pavilion.¹⁵ Beyond that, the path grew treacherous, they picked their way over loose rocks and along cliff edges, winding upward. By the time they passed Sun and Moon Crag,¹⁶ the sky was growing dark. When they reached Child-Holding Crag,¹⁷ the new moon had already appeared on the horizon. The crag was strangely shaped, like a great rock formation of a woman holding a child. They rested for a moment. Guo Jing asked, “Guoer, are you tired?” Yang Guo shook his head. “Not tired.” Guo Jing said, “Good. Let’s keep going.”

Footnotes

1. 全真七子 – Quánzhēn Qī Zǐ. Seven Masters of Quanzhen, the seven personal disciples of Wang Chongyang: Ma Yu, Tan Chuduan, Liu Chuxuan, Qiu Chuji, Wang Chuyi, Hao Datong, and Sun Bu’er. ↩

2. 马钰 – Mǎ Yù. His name meaning “precious jade”. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

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

4. 江湖 – jiānghú. Literally rivers and lakes. Itinerant world beyond settled society and official reach, holding not only martial artists but the trades that travel with them, including pedlars, physicians, fortune-tellers, entertainers, boatmen, beggars, outlaws and the like. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

5. 大关门式 – Dà Guānmén Shì. Great Gate-Closing Form, a Quanzhen technique in which two practitioners coordinate to trap an opponent between them. ↩

6. 鸳鸯连环腿 – Yuānyāng Liánhuán Tuǐ. Mandarin Duck Chain Kick, a kicking technique named after mandarin ducks, symbols of inseparable pairs in Chinese culture. ↩

7. 师伯 – shībó. Senior lineage uncle. Shixiong or shijie of one’s shifu. Shī means teacher. Bó means father’s elder brother. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

8. 探海屠龙 – Tàn Hǎi Tú Lóng. Probing the Sea to Slay the Dragon, a sword technique aimed at the opponent’s lower body. ↩

9. 罡风扫叶 – Gāng Fēng Sǎo Yè. Cyclone Sweeping the Leaves, a horizontal sword slash named after the fierce winds of Daoist cosmology. ↩

10. 顺手推舟 – Shùnshǒu Tuī Zhōu. Following the Current to Push the Boat, a technique of redirecting an opponent’s force, named after the natural ease of pushing a boat downstream. ↩

11. 虎口 – hǔkǒu. Literally tiger’s mouth. Web of flesh between the thumb and forefinger. ↩

12. 天罡北斗阵 – Tiāngāng Běidǒu Zhèn. Quanzhen battle formation based on the Northern Dipper. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

13. 王重阳 – Wáng Chóngyáng. Historical founder of the Quanzhen Order of Daoism (1113–1170). In Jin Yong’s world he won the first Huashan Sword Summit and was the greatest martial artist of his era. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

14. 时辰 – shíchen. Traditional Chinese double hour; one twelfth of a day, equal to two modern hours. ↩

15. 金莲阁 – Jīnlián Gé. Golden Lotus Pavilion, a landmark on the path up Zhongnan Mountain. ↩

16. 日月岩 – Rìyuè Yán. Sun and Moon Crag, a rock formation on Zhongnan Mountain. ↩

17. 抱子岩 – Bàozi Yán. Child-Holding Crag, a rock formation on Zhongnan Mountain resembling a woman holding a child. ↩