The Heavenly Sword & the Dragon Sabre Chapter 3 Part 9

Yu Lianzhou¹ assented, though his heart stirred with surprise. Yet he understood at once—his shifu’s² compassion and chivalrous spirit were boundless. The surnamed Yin guest had made it plain: should the slightest mishap occur along the way, he would slaughter every last soul in the Dragon Gate Armed Escort,³ down to the very chickens and dogs. Though this was merely an intimidating threat, the likes of Du Dajin⁴ and other capable hands had all departed on escort missions. Should the Armed Escort truly face some dire peril, there would be none left to mount a defence.

Zhang Cuishan⁵ said, “Shifu, this surnamed Du is an utter fool. Third Shixiong⁶ was reduced to this state because of him. If we do not trouble him over this matter, that is mercy enough—how can we possibly go and protect his family?”

Zhang Sanfeng⁷ shook his head but did not reply.

Song Yuanqiao⁸ said, “Fifth Shidi,⁹ how can your heart be so narrow? Escort Chief Du travelled a thousand li—for whose sake was that?”

Zhang Cuishan gave a cold laugh. “Was it not for those two thousand taels of gold? Did he harbour any good intentions toward Third Shixiong?”

At these words, Du Dajin’s face flushed scarlet. Yet when he searched his conscience, he had to admit that accepting this escort commission had indeed been for the handsome payment.

Song Yuanqiao rebuked him sharply, “Fifth Shidi, you are not to be rude to our guests. You have toiled half the day—go and rest!”

Within the Wudang Order,¹⁰ senior disciples wielded great authority. Song Yuanqiao was a man of stern propriety, and from Yu Lianzhou on down, all held him in the highest respect. When Zhang Cuishan heard this rebuke, he dared not utter another word, though his concern for Yu Daiyan’s¹¹ injuries kept him from retiring.

Song Yuanqiao continued, “Second Shidi, Shifu has commanded—you and Seventh Shidi shall set out this very night. The matter is urgent and brooks no delay.”

Yu Lianzhou and Mo Shenggu¹² acknowledged the order and went to gather their garments and weapons.

When Du Dajin saw that Yu and Mo were to hasten to Lin’an¹³ to protect his household, an indescribable feeling stirred in his breast. He cupped his fists toward Zhang Sanfeng and said, “Immortal Zhang, this junior’s affairs dare not trouble Heroes Yu and Mo. I shall take my leave.”

Song Yuanqiao said, “All of you shall lodge here tonight. We have certain matters to inquire about.”

His voice was level and measured, yet it carried an authority that brooked no refusal.

Du Dajin could only fall silent and seat himself to one side.

Yu Lianzhou and Mo Shenggu bade farewell to their shifu, cast lingering, reluctant glances at Yu Daiyan, and descended the mountain. Both hearts were heavy as stone, for they knew not whether this parting was but a brief separation or a final farewell—whether they would ever see Yu Daiyan again.

By now, the great hall had fallen utterly silent. Only Zhang Sanfeng’s deep, measured breathing could be heard, and from the crown of his head, hot vapour coiled and rose as though from a steaming pot. Perhaps half a shichen¹⁴ passed before Yu Daiyan suddenly let out a great cry that shook the very rafters.

Du Dajin started in alarm. Stealing a glance at Zhang Sanfeng, he saw the old master’s face betrayed neither joy nor sorrow, and could not guess whether Yu Daiyan’s cry portended good fortune or ill.

Zhang Sanfeng said slowly, “Songxi, Liting—carry Third Shidi to his chamber to rest.”

Zhang Songxi¹⁵ and Yin Liting¹⁶ bore Yu Daiyan into his room, then returned. Yin Liting could not restrain himself from asking, “Shifu, will Third Shixiong’s martial arts ever be restored?”

Zhang Sanfeng heaved a long sigh. After a lengthy pause, he said, “Whether he can preserve his life will not be known for another month. But with the sinews of his limbs severed and his bones shattered, there is no mending them. This life of his… this life of his…”

He trailed off, shaking his head in sorrow.

Yin Liting suddenly burst into tears, wailing aloud.

Zhang Cuishan leapt to his feet. His palm cracked across Du Dajin’s face before the man could react. The strike was swift as lightning—Du Dajin raised a hand to block, but his arm had scarcely risen before his cheek blazed with the impact. Zhang Cuishan’s fury could not be contained. His left elbow hooked round, driving toward Du Dajin’s kidney. This blow too came with blinding speed, yet Zhang Songxi’s palm shot out and pushed against Zhang Cuishan’s shoulder—just as swift—and the elbow strike fell wide of its mark. Du Dajin stumbled backward, and a gold ingot tumbled from his robe and clattered to the floor.

Zhang Cuishan’s foot flicked the ingot into the air; he caught it in his palm.

“Avaricious, faithless wretch,” he sneered. “Someone gifts you a single gold ingot, and you deliver my Third Shixiong to them to be tormented—”

His words broke off as his gaze fell upon the five finger-shaped impressions pressed deep into the gold. “Eldest Shixiong, this… this is the Shaolin Order’s¹⁷ Vajra Finger!”¹⁸

Song Yuanqiao took the ingot and examined it briefly before passing it to their shifu. Zhang Sanfeng turned the gold over and over in his hands, then exchanged a glance with Song Yuanqiao. Neither spoke.

Zhang Cuishan said loudly, “Shifu, this is the Shaolin Order’s Vajra Finger. No other school under heaven possesses this art. Is it not so? Is it not?”

In that instant, a flood of memories swept through Zhang Sanfeng’s mind: how in his youth he had served his shifu, the Chan Master Jueyuan,¹⁹ in the Shaolin Monastery’s²⁰ Scripture Pavilion; how he had matched palms with He Zudao²¹ the Three Kunlun Sages; how he had fled the pursuing Shaolin monks and sought refuge upon Mount Wudang.²² Decades of memories flickered through his thoughts like lightning. A distant look crossed his face.

From the marks upon the gold, this was unmistakably Shaolin’s Vajra Finger—Zhang Cuishan had spoken true. In all the world today, no other school possessed this art.

The techniques of the Wudang Order emphasised profound neili,²³ and did not cultivate such hard external skills as shattering metal and splitting stone. Other external schools might boast fearsome power in their palms, fists, arms, or legs—even in headbutts, elbow strikes, knee strikes, and kicks—yet when it came to finger strength, none could match this level of attainment.

Hearing Zhang Cuishan’s repeated questions, Zhang Sanfeng knew that if he spoke the truth, his disciples would never rest until they had settled accounts with the Shaolin Order. Thus would the two great pillars of the wulin,²⁴ the two paramount schools, be plunged into bitter strife.

Seeing his shifu lost in contemplation, Zhang Cuishan knew his suspicions were correct. He pressed on, “Shifu, is there any extraordinary master in the jianghu who could have cultivated this Vajra Finger power on his own?”

Zhang Sanfeng slowly shook his head. “The Shaolin Order has accumulated a thousand years of heritage to achieve such a pinnacle. This is no art that can be mastered in a single leap. Even the most brilliant genius could not create it from nothing.”

He paused, then continued, “In my youth, I dwelt within Shaolin Monastery, though I was never taught their martial arts. To this day, I do not understand how ordinary flesh and blood can be trained to such finger strength.”

A strange light suddenly blazed in Song Yuanqiao’s eyes. He declared, “Third Shidi’s sinews and bones were crushed by this very Vajra Finger.”

Yin Liting gasped, and fresh tears streamed down his face.

Du Dajin had heard it said that Yu Daiyan’s maimer was a disciple of the Shaolin Order, and his alarm only deepened. His jaw hung slack; only after a long moment did he stammer, “No… it cannot be. I trained at Shaolin Monastery for over ten years and never once saw this man with the mole on his face.”

Song Yuanqiao fixed him with an unwavering stare. His voice betrayed nothing. “Sixth Shidi, conduct Escort Chief Du and his men to the rear courtyard to rest. Prepare food and wine, and bid Old Wang attend to our guests with care.”

Yin Liting acknowledged the command and led Du Dajin’s party toward the rear courtyard. Du Dajin wished to explain himself further, yet under the circumstances, not a single word would come.

After settling the escort men, Yin Liting returned to Yu Daiyan’s chamber. He found his Third Shixiong lying with eyes wide and staring, vacant as an imbecile—nothing like the gallant, heroic figure he had once been. A wave of anguish washed over him.

“Third Shixiong,” he called out, then fled the room with tears streaming down his face. He rushed into the great hall, where Song Yuanqiao and the others sat before their shifu, and took his seat beside Zhang Cuishan.

Zhang Sanfeng gazed at the great scholar tree²⁵ in the courtyard, lost in thought. He shook his head. “This matter is most vexing. Songxi, what say you?”

Among the Seven Heroes of Wudang, Zhang Songxi was the most resourceful and shrewd. Though he habitually spoke little, his mind worked ceaselessly, and when he did speak, his words struck true. From the moment Zhang Cuishan had carried Yu Daiyan up the mountain, though his heart grieved, he had been turning over the circumstances in his mind. Now, hearing his shifu’s question, he said, “As your disciple sees it, the true villain is not the Shaolin Order, but the Dragon-Slaying Sabre.”²⁶

Zhang Cuishan and Yin Liting gasped in unison.

Song Yuanqiao said, “Fourth Shidi, you must have reasoned through this matter—speak your thoughts, that Shifu may judge.”

Zhang Songxi said, “Third Shixiong is steady and dependable, a true friend to all. He would never lightly make enemies. The notorious brigand he slew in the south was the lowest sort of scum, despised throughout the jianghu—the Shaolin Order would never seek vengeance for such a man. Third Shixiong’s sinews and bones were shattered—that was an external wound—but already in Lin’an Prefecture of Jiangnan, he had been struck by a deadly poison. As your disciple sees it, we must first travel to Lin’an to investigate: how was Third Shixiong poisoned, and who was responsible?”

Zhang Sanfeng nodded. “The poison in Daiyan’s body is exceedingly strange. I cannot yet determine what manner of toxin it is. There are seven small wounds in his palms and several needle-fine punctures about his waist and legs. In all the jianghu, I have never heard of any master who employs such vicious hidden weapons.”

Song Yuanqiao said, “This too is passing strange. By all reason, to fire such minute projectiles with such precision that Third Shidi could not evade them would require a master of the first order. Yet how could a true first-rate master stoop to coating his hidden weapons with such foul poison?”

All fell silent, each pondering which school, which sect might produce a wielder of such weapons. After a time, the five men looked at one another, yet none could name a single suspect.

Zhang Songxi said, “Why did the mole-faced man crush Third Shixiong’s sinews and bones? If he bore a grudge against Third Shixiong, a single palm strike would have slain him. If he wished to prolong his suffering, why not shatter his spine or break his ribs? The reason is plain—he was using torture to force a confession. And what did he seek to learn? As your disciple surmises, it must have been the Dragon-Slaying Sabre. Du Dajin told us that one of those six men asked, ‘Where is the Dragon-Slaying Sabre? Who holds it?’”

Yin Liting said, “‘Martial world supreme, the Dragon-Slaying Sabre. Commanding all beneath heaven, none dares disobey. Heavenly Sword undrawn, who can contend?’[^tulongyitian] These verses have been passed down for centuries. Can it be that in our time, the Dragon-Slaying Sabre has truly appeared?”

Zhang Sanfeng said, “Not centuries—at most seventy or eighty years. When I was young, I had never heard these words.”

Zhang Cuishan sprang to his feet. “Fourth Shixiong speaks true. The villain who harmed Third Shixiong must be in the Jiangnan region. Let us seek him out. But that Shaolin wretch struck with such ruthless cruelty—we cannot let him go unpunished either.”

Zhang Sanfeng turned to Song Yuanqiao. “Yuanqiao, what course do you advise?”

In recent years, Zhang Sanfeng had entrusted all affairs of the Wudang Order to Song Yuanqiao. This eldest disciple managed matters with impeccable order, long since sparing his shifu any concern. Hearing his shifu’s question, Song Yuanqiao rose and said with utmost respect, “Shifu, this matter concerns not only avenging Third Shidi’s grievous wrong, but also the standing of our school. Should we handle it with the slightest impropriety, I fear it may spark a great upheaval in the wulin. I beg Shifu to give us guidance.”

Zhang Sanfeng said, “Very well. You, Songxi, and Liting shall bear my letter to Mount Song²⁷ and pay respects to the abbot of Shaolin Monastery, the Venerable Kongwen.²⁸ Inform him of this affair and request his counsel. We need not involve ourselves further. Shaolin’s discipline is strict, and Abbot Kongwen commands great respect throughout the wulin. He will surely resolve this matter properly.”

Song Yuanqiao, Zhang Songxi, and Yin Liting rose together and acknowledged the command.

Zhang Songxi thought, If it were merely a matter of delivering a letter, Sixth Shidi alone would suffice. That Shifu commands Eldest Shixiong to go in person, and bids me accompany him, there must be deeper purpose—perhaps he anticipates that the Shaolin Monastery may close ranks and refuse to acknowledge the matter, and wishes us to act as circumstances require.

Indeed, Zhang Sanfeng continued, “The situation between our school and Shaolin is rather… peculiar. I am a fugitive from Shaolin Monastery. All these years, they have shown me some forbearance by not ascending Mount Wudang to drag me back—yet between our two schools, there has always been some friction.”

At this, he smiled faintly. “When you visit Shaolin, you must of course show proper respect to Abbot Kongwen, yet you must not diminish our school’s reputation or standing.”

The three disciples answered in unison.

Zhang Sanfeng turned to Zhang Cuishan. “Cuishan, you shall set out for Jiangnan tomorrow and conduct your investigation there. In all things, follow your Second Shixiong’s direction.”

Zhang Cuishan bowed his head in acknowledgment.

Zhang Sanfeng said, “Tonight’s birthday wine need not be drunk. One month hence, let us all gather here. If Daiyan does not survive… his martial brothers may at least see him one final time.”

His voice caught with sorrow. To think that after decades of renown throughout the wulin, in his ninetieth year, his beloved disciple should suffer such calamity. Yin Liting reached up to wipe his tears, but at last could not contain himself and wept aloud.

Zhang Sanfeng swept his sleeve. “All of you, go and rest.”

Song Yuanqiao said gently, “Shifu, Third Shidi has lived a life of chivalry and accumulated great merit. As the saying goes, fortune favours the worthy. Surely Heaven will not let him…”

But as he spoke, tears began to roll down his own cheeks. He knew that further words would only deepen his shifu’s grief, and so he bid goodnight along with his martial brothers and retired to his chamber.

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Author’s note

According to historical records, Zhang Sanfeng’s seven disciples were Song Yuanqiao, Yu Lianzhou, Yu Daiyan, Zhang Songxi, Zhang Cuishan, Yin Liheng, and Mo Shenggu. Yin Liheng’s name was likely derived from the Book of Changes²⁹ phrase “yuan heng li zhen.”³⁰ The first edition of this novel used the original name, but it does not match the naming pattern of the other six disciples, and many readers mistakenly wrote it as “Yin Hengli.” Therefore, based on visual similarity, the name has been changed to “Liting.” Additionally, according to research by Professor Liu Cunren³¹ of the Australian National University, there was indeed a martial artist named Zhang Songxi during the Ming Dynasty. This finding is preserved here for the record.

Footnotes

1. 俞莲舟 – Yú Liánzhōu. His name meaning “Lotus Boat.” Second of the Seven Heroes of Wudang. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

2. 师父 – Shīfu. Master or teacher; specifically, one’s personal martial arts instructor with whom one shares a lifelong bond of loyalty and obligation. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

3. 龙门镖局 – Lóngmén Biāojú. Literally Dragon Gate Armed Escort. An armed escort agency. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

4. 都大锦 – Dū Dàjǐn. His name meaning “Great Brocade.” See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

5. 张翠山 – Zhāng Cuìshān. His name meaning “Verdant Mountain.” Fifth disciple of Zhang Sanfeng and member of the Seven Heroes of Wudang. His epithet is the Silver Hook Iron Brush. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

6. 师兄 – shīxiōng. Male senior. A fellow disciple who entered training earlier, regardless of age. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

7. 张三丰 – Zhāng Sānfēng. His name meaning “Three Peaks.” Legendary founder of the Wudang Order and creator of taijiquan. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

8. 宋远桥 – Sòng Yuǎnqiáo. His name meaning “Distant Bridge.” Eldest of the Seven Heroes of Wudang. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

9. 师弟 – Shīdì. Male junior. Both of them were apprentice to the same master. Shī means teacher. Dì means younger brother. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

10. 武当派 – Wǔdāng Pài. Orthodox Daoist martial order founded by Zhang Sanfeng on Mount Wudang. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

11. 俞岱岩 – Yú Dàiyán. His name meaning “Lofty Cliff of Mount Dai.” Third disciple of Zhang Sanfeng. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

12. 莫声谷 – Mò Shēnggǔ. His name meaning “Silent Valley.” Seventh and youngest of the Seven Heroes of Wudang. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

13. 临安 – Lín’ān. Capital of the Southern Song Dynasty (1127–1276), known for its cultural refinement and West Lake scenery. Modern-day Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. See Wikipedia. ↩

14. 时辰 – shíchén. A unit of time in ancient China, equivalent to two hours. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

15. 张松溪 – Zhāng Sōngxī. His name meaning “Pine Creek.” Fourth of the Seven Heroes of Wudang. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

16. 殷梨亭 – Yīn Lítíng. His name meaning “Pear Pavilion.” Sixth of the Seven Heroes of Wudang. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

17. 少林派 – Shàolín Pài. The Shaolin Order, the martial arts tradition originating from Shaolin Monastery. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

18. 大力金刚指 – Dàlì Jīngāng Zhǐ. Literally Great Strength Vajra Finger. A Shaolin finger technique capable of crushing bones and severing sinews. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

19. 觉远 – Juéyuǎn. His name meaning “Awakened Distance” or “Far-reaching Enlightenment.” See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

20. 少林寺 – Shàolín Sì. Buddhist monastery in Henan Province, birthplace of Chinese martial arts and Chan Buddhism. See Wikipedia. ↩

21. 何足道 – Hé Zúdào. His name meaning “What Is There to Speak of?” or “Not Worth Mentioning.” See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

22. 武当山 – Wǔdāng Shān. Sacred Daoist mountain in Hubei Province, later home to the Wudang Order founded by Zhang Sanfeng. See Wikipedia. ↩

23. 内力 – nèilì. Inner strength. The kinetic manifestation of cultivated qi. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

24. 武林 – wǔlín. Literally martial forest. The broader community of martial artists and their collective traditions. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

25. 槐树 – huái shù. Literally scholar tree or Chinese pagoda tree. A species of tree native to China, often planted in temple courtyards and associated with longevity. ↩

26. 屠龙刀 – Túlóng Dāo. The Dragon-Slaying Sabre; literally dragon-slaying dao. A legendary blade and the supreme weapon of the jianghu. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

27. 嵩山 – Sōng Shān. Literally lofty mountain. One of the Five Sacred Mountains of China, located in Henan Province. See Wikipedia. ↩

28. 空闻 – Kōngwén. His name meaning “Empty Hearing.” Abbot of Shaolin Monastery. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

29. 易经 – Yì Jīng. The Book of Changes, an ancient Chinese divination and philosophy text. See Wikipedia. ↩

30. 元亨利贞 – yuán hēng lì zhēn. A phrase from the Book of Changes (易经), the four virtues of the hexagram Qian (乾): origination, prevalence, benefit, and steadfastness. ↩

31. 柳存仁 – Liǔ Cúnrén. Liu Cunren (1917–2009), scholar of Chinese literature and religion, professor at the Australian National University. See Wikipedia. ↩