The Heavenly Sword & the Dragon Sabre – Chapter 15 – Part 6

Madam Zhu asked in tedious detail about this Young Master Zhang. Yao Qingquan knew only that he had suffered a grave wound and could not say where he was being treated. He seemed to be no more than ten years old, and Yao Qingquan supposed that Zhang Sanfeng the Perfected One[^zhenren] would surely pass on to him some supreme and peerless art, and that he might one day become zhangmen[^zhangmen] of the Wudang Order. Zhu Changling and his wife knelt and gave thanks to Heaven, rejoicing that the Zhang family had an heir. Yao Qingquan said, "Eldest Brother asked me to bring to Benefactor Zhang a thousand-year ginseng king, Tianshan snow lotus, a jade lion paperweight, a blackened-steel dagger, and other such items. I have left them all on Wudang Mountain and asked Song daxia[^song-daxia] to pass them to Young Master Zhang." Zhu Changling said, "That is for the best, that is for the best!" Then he turned to his daughter and said, "Tell Brother Zhang how our family came by so great a debt of gratitude."

Zhu Jiuzhen took Zhang Wuji by the hand and led him to her father’s study. She pointed to a large hanging scroll on the wall. At the right end of the scroll were inscribed seven characters: “The Painting of Benefactor Zhang Cuishan’s Grace.”¹ Zhang Wuji had never been inside Zhu Changling’s study before. Now he saw his father’s courtesy name and his vision blurred with tears. The painting showed a stretch of open wilderness. A young, handsome warrior held a silver hook in his left hand and an iron brush in his right, locked in desperate combat with five ferocious foes. Zhang Wuji knew at once that the man was his own father. Though the features were not an exact likeness, he could see something of himself in those brows and eyes. Two men lay on the ground. One was Zhu Changling, the other Yao Qingquan. Two more lay headless. In the lower left corner a young woman was painted, her face full of fear. It was Madam Zhu, holding a baby girl in her arms. Zhang Wuji looked more closely and saw a small dark mole beside the baby’s mouth. That could only be Zhu Jiuzhen herself. The paper of the scroll had faded to a pale yellow. It had been painted at least ten years ago.

Zhu Jiuzhen pointed to the painting and explained. It seemed that not long after her birth, Zhu Changling, fleeing from a powerful enemy, had taken his family westwards. But even on the road the pursuers had caught up with them. His two shidi fell to the enemy’s blades, and he himself and Yao Qingquan were struck down. The enemies were about to finish them when, by chance, Zhang Cuishan passed that way. He stepped in without hesitation and drove the attackers off, saving the lives of the entire family. By reckoning the dates, this must have been before Zhang Cuishan set out for Ice Fire Island.

When Zhu Jiuzhen had finished this account, her manner grew sombre. She said, “We live in seclusion, and news of Benefactor Zhang’s return from overseas did not reach us until last year. Father had sworn never to set foot in the Central Plains again, so he asked Second Uncle Yao to carry valuable gifts to Wudang Mountain as a token of our regard. But who would have thought…” She broke off as a page boy entered and asked her to attend the mourning hall.

Zhu Jiuzhen hurried back to her room, changed into plain white mourning clothes, and went with Zhang Wuji to the rear hall. Two memorial tablets had been set up, with tall white candles burning. One tablet read: “The Spirit of Our Benefactor, Zhang Cuishan the daxia.” The other read: “The Spirit of Madam Zhang, née Yin.” Zhu Changling and his wife and Yao Qingquan knelt and bowed in mourning, weeping bitterly. Zhang Wuji knelt and bowed beside Zhu Jiuzhen.

Zhu Changling stroked his head and said, his voice choking, “Little Brother, very good, very good. This Zhang daxia was a generous and noble man, a match for any in the world. Though you are no kin of his and had never met him, it is only right that you pay your respects.”

In that moment Zhang Wuji could not bring himself to reveal that he was this “Benefactor Zhang’s” own son. He thought, Second Uncle Yao heard wrong. He says I am only ten or so. Even if I told them the truth now, they would not believe me.

Suddenly Yao Qingquan said, “Eldest Brother, that Master Xie…” Zhu Changling coughed and shot him a look. Yao Qingquan understood at once and said, “What shall we do about the condolence money? Shall we hold a funeral service for our benefactor?” Zhu Changling said, “See to it as you think fit.” Zhang Wuji thought, You plainly said “Master Xie,” then changed it to “condolence money.” Master Xie… Master Xie… Could he mean my sworn father?

That night he thought of his dead father and mother, and of his sworn father living out his days on that desolate island in the far north. His thoughts surged and shifted, and how could he sleep?

The next morning he heard light footsteps and caught a faint fragrance. Zhu Jiuzhen came in carrying a basin of water for him to wash. Zhang Wuji started and said, “Sister Zhen, how… how can you…” Zhu Jiuzhen said, “All the servants and maids have gone. What harm is there in my helping you for once?” Zhang Wuji was more astonished still and asked, “Why… why have they all gone?”

Zhu Jiuzhen said, “Father sent them away last night. He gave each of them a sum of silver and told them to go home to their families, because it is too dangerous here.” She paused, then said, “After you have washed, Father has something to tell you.”

Zhang Wuji washed his face in haste. Zhu Jiuzhen combed his hair, and the two of them went together to Zhu Changling’s study. The great house, which had once held seventy or eighty servants and maids, was now cold and empty. Not a soul remained.

Zhu Changling saw them enter and said, “Brother Zhang, I admire your noble heart and your courage as a xia.² I had hoped to keep you in our home for ten years or more, but circumstances have changed suddenly and force us to part. I hope you will not hold it against me.” He held out a tray. On it lay twelve ingots of gold, twelve ingots of silver, and a short jian for self-defence. He said, “This is a small token from my wife, my daughter, and myself. Please accept it, Brother Zhang. If I survive, we shall meet again…” His voice broke and his throat closed, and he could say no more.

Zhang Wuji stepped aside and said, standing tall, “Uncle Zhu, though I am young and unskilled, I am not one who clings to life and flees from danger. If your household faces peril, I cannot simply walk away. Even if I can be of no help to you and Sister Zhen, I should stay and share your fortunes, in life and death together.” Zhu Changling pleaded with him again and again, but Zhang Wuji would not listen.

Zhu Changling sighed. “Ah, a child does not understand danger. I shall have to tell you the truth. But first you must swear a solemn oath: you will not reveal what I tell you to a second person, nor ask me a single question beyond what I choose to say.”

Zhang Wuji knelt on the ground and said in a clear voice, “Heaven above, if I reveal to any other person what Uncle Zhu tells me, or pry with idle questions, may I be torn apart by a thousand blades and my name be ruined for ever.”

Zhu Changling raised him to his feet, peered out of the window, then leapt onto the roof and checked that no one lurked nearby. Only then did he return to the study. He bent close to Zhang Wuji’s ear and whispered, “What I am about to tell you, keep it in your heart alone. Do not say a word to me, lest the walls have ears.” Zhang Wuji nodded.

Zhu Changling whispered, “Yesterday, when Second Brother Yao brought news of Benefactor Zhang’s death, he also brought another man. The man’s surname is Xie and his given name is Xun. His epithet is the Golden Haired Lion King.”³ Zhang Wuji was shaken to the core. His body trembled.

Zhu Changling went on, “This Xie daxia was bound to Benefactor Zhang by sworn brotherhood. He has made bitter enemies of every faction and School under heaven. Benefactor Zhang and his wife took their own lives rather than reveal their sworn brother’s whereabouts. Xie daxia somehow returned to the Central Plains and began to avenge Benefactor Zhang, killing many of his enemies. But even a hero cannot stand against overwhelming numbers, and at last he was gravely wounded. Second Brother Yao used his wits to spirit him away and bring him here. The pursuers will be upon us at any moment. Our enemies are too numerous and powerful. We could never withstand them. I am spending my life to repay a debt. I am prepared to die for Xie daxia. But you have no tie to him whatsoever. Why throw your life away here? Brother Zhang, I have said all I can. Go now, quickly! When the enemy arrives, jade and stone will be crushed together. If you delay a moment longer, it will be too late.”

Zhang Wuji listened with his heart on fire. He was seized by equal tides of shock and joy. He had never dreamed his sworn father had come so near. He opened his mouth to ask, “Where is he…” Zhu Changling’s hand shot out and clapped over his lips. He whispered in his ear, “Not a word. The enemy’s reach is boundless. One careless word and Xie daxia’s life is forfeit. Have you already forgotten the oath you swore just now?” Zhang Wuji nodded. Zhu Changling said, “I have told you everything, Brother Zhang. Young as you are, I have treated you as a true friend and held nothing back. You must leave at once.” Zhang Wuji said, “Now that you have told me, I am all the more unwilling to go.”

Zhu Changling was silent for a long time. At last he gave a deep sigh and said with sudden resolve, “Very well! From this moment we share life and death together. There is no need for more words. But we must act at once. There is not a moment to lose.” The three of them, Zhu Changling, Zhu Jiuzhen, and Zhang Wuji, rushed out through the main gate. Madam Zhu and Yao Qingquan were already waiting outside, several bundles at their feet, as if prepared for a long journey. Zhang Wuji looked everywhere, but there was no sign of his sworn father.

Zhu Changling shook the huozhezi⁴ alight and lit a torch from it. He set the main gate ablaze. In moments the flames shot skyward, racing along every eave and beam, for the hundreds of rooms of the great estate had already been drenched in fire oil. In the Western Regions, about the Tianshan and Kunlun Mountains, fire oil springs have abounded since ancient times. Oil gushes from the earth like water, and a single ladle will kindle a cooking fire. The Zhu estate’s grand halls and fine rooms stretched for a li or so⁵ With the fire oil to feed them, the flames consumed everything swiftly.

Zhang Wuji watched the carved beams and painted rafters curl and blacken in the roaring blaze. His heart was full of gratitude. Uncle Zhu’s life’s store, the labour of countless years, reduced to ash in a single night, all for my father and my sworn father. Men of such honour are rare in the world.

That night the four of them, Zhu Changling and his wife, Zhu Jiuzhen, and Zhang Wuji, took shelter in a mountain cave. Zhu Changling’s five most trusted disciples stood guard outside with weapons drawn, led by Yao Qingquan. The fire raged on until the third day before it at last died down. Fortunately the enemy had not yet heard and arrived.

On the evening of the third day, Zhu Changling led his wife, his daughter, his disciples, Yao Qingquan, and Zhang Wuji deeper into the cave. They passed through a long, pitch-black tunnel and came at last to several underground stone chambers. The chambers were well stocked with food, water, and other provisions, though the air was close and stifling.

Zhu Jiuzhen saw Zhang Wuji wiping sweat from his brow and laughed. “Wuji-di, can you guess why it is so hot here? Do you know where we are?” The acrid stench of soot filled Zhang Wuji’s nostrils, and at once he understood. “Ah, we are directly beneath the old estate.” Zhu Jiuzhen smiled. “You are clever.”

Zhang Wuji admired Zhu Changling’s foresight all the more. When the enemy came in force, they would find the Zhu estate burned to the last tile and search far and wide. They would never guess that Xie Xun was hiding beneath the very ashes. He saw that at the far end of the stone chamber a heavy iron door stood sealed shut. His sworn father must be hidden behind it. Though he longed to see Xie Xun and pour out all that had passed between them, he knew that every step was fraught with danger. If even Zhu Changling dared not go to speak with him, how could he act on his own whim? If he spoiled the great plan, his own life would be a small price, but if the lives of his sworn father and the entire Zhu family were lost because of him, what sin would that not be?

Footnotes

1. 张公翠山恩德图 – Zhāng Gōng Cuìshān Éndé Tú. Literally “The Painting of Benefactor Zhang Cuishan’s Grace.” A scroll commissioned by Zhu Changling to commemorate Zhang Cuishan’s rescue of his family. ↩

2. 侠 – xiá. A martial artist who upholds righteousness and protects the weak. The ideal of the jianghu. ↩

3. 谢逊 – Xiè Xùn. One of the Four Guardian Kings of the Ming Order, known as the Golden Haired Lion King. Zhang Wuji’s sworn father. ↩

4. 火折子 – huǒzhézi. A tinder tube: rolled paper or fibre treated with saltpetre, kept smouldering in a tube and revived with a puff of breath. ↩

5. 里 – lǐ. Approximately one-third of a mile or 500 metres. A unit of distance retained in the jianghu. ↩