The Heavenly Sword & the Dragon Sabre – Chapter 22 – Part 10

characters:

• name: “Zhang Wuji”
• name: “Yang Xiao”
• name: “Zhou Dian”
• name: “Iron Crown Adept”
• name: “Peng Yingyu”
• name: “Yang Dingtian”
• name: “Xie Xun”
• name: “Yang Buhui”
• name: “Leng Qian”
• name: “Cannot Tell”
• name: “Yin Tianzheng”
• name: “Wei Yixiao”
• name: “Xiaozhao” factions:
• name: “Ming Order”
• name: “Tianying Order”
• name: “Shenquan School”
• name: “Wushan Gang”
• name: “Six Great Factions”
• name: “Five Elements Banners”
• name: “Four Gates”
• name: “Sharp Metal Banner”
• name: “Giant Wood Banner”
• name: “Flood Banner”
• name: “Blaze Banner”
• name: “Thick Earth Banner”
• name: “Gate of Heaven”
• name: “Gate of Earth”
• name: “Gate of Wind”
• name: “Gate of Thunder”
• name: “Heaven Hall”
• name: “Ziwei Hall”
• name: “Tianshi Hall”
• name: “Azure Dragon Altar”
• name: “White Tiger Altar”
• name: “Black Tortoise Altar”
• name: “Vermilion Bird Altar”
• name: “Divine Snake Altar” skills: [] items:
• name: “Holy Fire Tablets”
• name: “Dragon-Slaying Dao”
• name: “black iron shackles” concepts:
• name: “blood oath”
• name: “neili” historical: []

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Zhang Wuji said, "The second matter is the more difficult. Our Order and the great schools of the Central Plains have nursed their enmity for many years. Disciples and brethren on both sides, kinsmen and close friends, have killed and been killed in turn. From this day forward, we shall let bygones be bygones and wash away all old grievances. We shall seek no further revenge upon the schools." When the assembly heard this, resentment stirred in every heart, and for a long while no one answered.

Zhou Dian said, “What if the schools come provoking trouble again?” Zhang Wuji said, “Then we shall adapt to circumstances. If the other side presses us time and again, we cannot stand helpless and await our end.” The Iron Crown Adept¹ said, “Very well! Our lives were saved by the Order Leader,² and whatever the Order Leader commands, that shall we do.” Peng Yingyu³ cried in a loud voice, “Brothers all: the schools of the Central Plains have killed many of our number, and we have killed many of theirs. If the two sides go on entangling in revenge, tit for tat, we shall only go on dying in greater numbers. The Order Leader² commands us to seek no more revenge, and that is for our own good.” The company thought this well said, and one and all they assented.

Zhang Wuji was greatly pleased. He clasped his fists and said, “Your broad-mindedness is a blessing for the wulin⁴ and a fortune for all the common folk.” He dispatched the commanders of the Five Elements Banners⁵ to release the captives they held from the Shenquan School⁶, the Wushan Gang⁷ and the other schools and gangs, declaring to them that the Ming Order⁸ would no longer count the schools and gangs of the Central Plains as enemies, and suffered all the captives to depart Bright Peak⁹ at their ease.

Zhang Wuji said, “The third matter proceeds from the last instructions of the former Order Leader.¹⁰ The late Order Leader Yang wrote in his farewell letter: whoever recovers the Holy Fire Tablets¹¹ shall succeed as the thirty-fourth-generation Order Leader, and after his passing the Order Leader’s seat shall be held in trust by Dharma King Xie.¹² We shall set out at once for the overseas lands and welcome home Dharma King Xie, that he may exercise the Order Leader’s office, and then devise means to search for the Holy Fire Tablets. At that hour I shall step down and yield the post to a worthier, and none of you shall raise further objection.”

When the assembly heard this, they could not help exchanging glances, each thinking the same: For decades we have been like dragons without a head, and at last we have gained an Order Leader both wise and brave, righteous and chivalrous. Dharma King Xie may be bold and resourceful, but his temper is violent. I fear he is no match for our young Order Leader in the end. What if some good-for-nothing of our Order picks up the Holy Fire Tablets by chance, must we have him for our leader then?

Yang Xiao¹³ said, “The late Order Leader Yang’s instructions were written these many decades ago, and the times then were very different from today. Dharma King Xie must certainly be sought and brought home, and the Holy Fire Tablets must certainly be sought, but to set another man as Order Leader would scarce persuade the faithful to contentment.”

Zhang Wuji held firm that the late Order Leader’s dying instructions must on no account be violated. The others could not prevail against him and reluctantly yielded, thinking to themselves: Dharma King Xie has likely been dead these many years, and the Holy Fire Tablets have been lost these near hundred years. Where is one to find them? Let us humour him for now, and if things change, we shall decide then.

These three great matters had been turning in Zhang Wuji’s mind these ten-odd days without ceasing, and now that he heard the company one and all assent, he was well pleased. He ordered oxen and sheep slaughtered, and with the company he swore a blood oath,¹⁴ that none should violate these three covenants.

Zhang Wuji said, “The first and most pressing matter before our Order is to go overseas and welcome home Dharma King Xie. This journey I must undertake in person. Which of you will go with me?” The entire assembly rose to their feet and said, “We are willing to follow the Order Leader and cross the seas together.”

Zhang Wuji had but newly taken up his heavy burden, and knew well that in wit and knowledge he was wanting. To deal with matters of great weight he must surely fall short. He spoke in low tones with Yang Xiao for a while, then said in a clear voice, “The party for the overseas journey need not be over-large, and besides there are many other great matters that demand attention. Very well, then: let Left Messenger Yang¹³ command the Four Gates of Heaven, Earth, Wind and Thunder¹⁵ and remain to garrison Bright Peak and rebuild the main altar. Let the commanders of the Sharp Metal, Giant Wood, Blaze and Thick Earth Banners⁵ go forth to every quarter and rally the scattered faithful of our Order, and proclaim to them the three covenants we have this day agreed. Let my waigong¹⁶ and my jiufu¹⁷ lead the Tianying Banner¹⁸ to ascertain whether any enemy yet schemes against our Order, and further to seek out the Bright Right Messenger and the Purple-Dress Dragon King. Let Great Master Peng Yingyu³ and Great Master Cannot Tell¹⁹ each repair to the dwelling-places of the leaders of the Six Great Factions²⁰ and make known our Order’s desire to end the war and cultivate peace. Even if we cannot turn enemies into friends, we must at least put a stop to the fighting. This is no easy task, but the two of you are marvellous in speech, and you will surely achieve a singular merit. As for the overseas journey to welcome home Dharma King Xie, I shall go in person, together with Bat King Wei Yixiao,²¹ the remaining three of the Five Unbound Adepts,²² and such of the Flood Banner²³ as are skilled in the waters.”

He now held the dignity of the Order Leader, and though his words were modest and courteous, every sentence was a stern command not to be gainsaid. Each man received his orders in reverent obedience.

Yang Buhui²⁴ said, “Father, I want to go overseas and see the great sea and the icebergs.” Yang Xiao smiled. “Ask the Order Leader yourself. I am not the one to decide.” Yang Buhui pursed her lips and said nothing.

Zhang Wuji smiled faintly, remembering how some years ago, when he had escorted Yang Buhui westward, she had pestered him all the way for stories, and he had told her of the marvellous sights on Ice and Fire Island, of the polar bears, the seals, the strange fish and every manner of exotic creature. Now she wished to go and see them with her own eyes. He said, “Sister Buhui, a sea voyage is fraught with peril. If you are not afraid, and your father is willing to let you go, then let Left Messenger Yang and you both come with me overseas.” Yang Buhui clapped her hands. “What have I to fear? Father, let us go with Wuji gege… Order Leader Wuji… Brother Order Leader, all of us!” Yang Xiao made no reply, but looked to Zhang Wuji and awaited his command.

Zhang Wuji said, “In that case, I must trouble Leng xiansheng²⁵ to remain at Bright Peak. The Four Gates of Heaven, Earth, Wind and Thunder shall be under Leng xiansheng’s command for the time being.” Leng Qian said, “Very well.” Zhou Dian clapped his hands and stamped his feet, crying, “Excellent, excellent!” Cannot Tell¹⁹ said, “Brother Zhou, what is excellent?” Zhou Dian said, “The Order Leader places such trust in Leng Qian, and that is face for us Five Unbound Adepts. Besides, the great sea stretches vast and empty, and who knows how many days and nights we shall sit aboard ship. With Left Messenger Yang and his daughter along, we shall have talk and laughter, and how merry that will be! If I want a bout of shouting and wrangling, Left Messenger Yang will serve as my opponent. But if we took Leng Qian along, it would only be one more dumb block of wood that knows how to eat.” The entire assembly roared with laughter. Leng Qian neither took offence nor so much as smiled, as if he had heard nothing at all.

That day the company ate their fill and made merry, then separated to rest. Zhang Wuji asked Yang Buhui to unfasten Xiaozhao’s²⁶ black iron shackles, but the key had been lost amid the charred timber and rubble of the fire, and try as they might, they could find it no where. Xiaozhao said faintly, “With these clinking chains on, the sound I make walking is rather pleasant. I would rather keep them on.” Zhang Wuji comforted her, “Xiaozhao, you stay quietly on Bright Peak. When I have brought back my yifu²⁷, I shall borrow his Dragon-Slaying Dao²⁸ and cut your shackles away. Be a good little sister and wait for me to come back.” This last sentence he spoke so soft that she alone could hear. Xiaozhao shook her head in sorrow, and made no answer.

At dawn the next day, Zhang Wuji led the company forth and took his leave of Leng Qian. Leng Qian said, “Order Leader, take care.” Zhang Wuji said, “Leng xiansheng keeps watch over the main altar. Many thanks for your trouble.” Leng Qian turned to Zhou Dian and said, “Take care. Strange fish. They’ll eat you.” Zhou Dian took his hand, deeply moved. Among the Five Unbound Adepts the bond was as between brothers, and Leng Qian had broken his silence today to speak these six words beyond all ordinary. He was indeed greatly afraid the strange fish of the sea would devour his brothers.

Leng Qian and the chiefs of the Four Gates escorted them all the way down Bright Peak, and there they parted. The men of the Sharp Metal, Giant Wood, Blaze and Thick Earth Banners and those of the Tianying Order followed the Order Leader and the Flood Banner towards the Central Plains. Zhang Wuji saw that Xiaozhao’s eyes were brimming with tears. He took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze, a silent token of comfort. He was truly loath to part from her.

Footnotes

1. 铁冠道人 – Tiěguàn Dàorén. Iron Crown Adept, the jianghu epithet of Zhang Zhong, one of the Five Unbound Adepts of the Ming Order. ↩

2. 教主 – jiàozhǔ. The Order Leader, head of a martial or religious Order. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩ ↩²

3. 彭莹玉 – Péng Yíngyù. The Peng the Monk, one of the Five Unbound Adepts of the Ming Order. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩ ↩²

4. 武林 – wǔlín. The martial forest; the community of martial artists and their factions. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

5. 五行旗 – Wǔxíng Qí. The Five Elements Banners of the Ming Order: the Sharp Metal, Giant Wood, Flood, Blaze and Thick Earth Banners, each commanding a division of the Order’s fighting men. ↩ ↩²

6. 神拳门 – Shénquán Mén. The Shenquan School, meaning “Divine Fist School.” ↩

7. 巫山帮 – Wūshān Bāng. The Wushan Gang, a regional martial faction. ↩

8. 明教 – Míng Jiào. The Ming Order, a revolutionary fire-worshipping cult whose teachings drew upon Manichaean and Zoroastrian tradition. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

9. 光明顶 – Guāngmíng Dǐng. Bright Peak, the headquarters of the Ming Order atop the Kunlun Mountains. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

10. 阳顶天 – Yáng Dǐngtiān. The former Order Leader of the Ming Order, whose death in qi deviation left the Order leaderless for many years. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

11. 圣火令 – Shènghuǒ Lìng. The Holy Fire Tablets, twelve golden tablets of the Ming Order, symbols of the Order Leader’s authority. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

12. 谢逊 – Xiè Xùn. The Golden-Haired Lion King, one of the Four Guardian Kings of the Ming Order and Zhang Wuji’s sworn father. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

13. 杨逍 – Yáng Xiāo. The Bright Left Messenger of the Ming Order and its acting leader before Zhang Wuji. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩ ↩²

14. 歃血为盟 – shà xuè wéi méng. A blood oath: the swearing of a solemn covenant, sealed by daubing the lips or hands with the blood of a sacrificed animal. ↩

15. 天地风雷四门 – Tiān Dì Fēng Léi Sì Mén. The Four Gates of Heaven, Earth, Wind and Thunder: the subdivision of the Ming Order’s faithful. The Gate of Heaven comprises the Central Plains’ male faithful; the Gate of Earth, the female; the Gate of Wind, monks and friars of the Buddhist and Daoist faiths; the Gate of Thunder, the faithful of the various peoples of the Western Regions. ↩

16. 外公 – wàigōng. Maternal grandfather. ↩

17. 舅父 – jiùfù. Maternal uncle, one’s mother’s brother. ↩

18. 天鹰教 – Tiānyīng Jiào. The Tianying Order, founded by Yin Tianzheng after his breach with the Ming Order. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

19. 说不得 – Shuōbùdé. The Monk with the Sack, one of the Five Unbound Adepts of the Ming Order. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩ ↩²

20. 六大派 – Liù Dà Pài. The Six Great Factions: Wudang Order, Emei Order, Shaolin Order, Kongtong School, Huashan School and Kunlun School. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

21. 韦一笑 – Wéi Yīxiào. The Green-Winged Bat King, one of the Four Guardian Kings of the Ming Order, famed for his qinggong. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

22. 五散人 – Wǔ Sǎnrén. The Five Unbound Adepts of the Ming Order: Leng Qian, Peng Yingyu, Zhou Dian, Zhang Zhong the Iron Crown Adept, and Cannot Tell. A sanren belongs to no sect, school or post; these five hold no office in the Order. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

23. 洪水旗 – Hóngshuǐ Qí. The Flood Banner, one of the Five Elements Banners of the Ming Order. ↩

24. 杨不悔 – Yáng Bùhuī. Daughter of Yang Xiao and Ji Xiaofu. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

25. 冷谦 – Lěng Qiān. The Cold-Faced Gentleman, first of the Five Unbound Adepts of the Ming Order. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

26. 小昭 – Xiǎozhāo. Daughter of Han Qianye and Daiqisi, serving as Yang Buhui’s maidservant in secret. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

27. 义父 – yìfù. Sworn father, the father one has pledged allegiance to by oath rather than blood. ↩

28. 屠龙刀 – Túlóng Dāo. The Dragon-Slaying Dao, one of the twin legends forged from the Heavy Iron Sword. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩