The Heavenly Sword & the Dragon Sabre – Chapter 30 – Part 2

Zhao Min laughed, “Old sir, back then you fell head over heels for that Persian beauty, didn't you? No need to be shy, just tell us the truth.”

Xie Xun shook his head. “No. I was newly married then, deeply in love with my wife, and she was already carrying a child. How could my thoughts have wandered elsewhere?”

Zhao Min gave a soft “Oh,” privately regretting her slip. She knew Xie Xun’s wife and child had both been murdered by Cheng Kun, and her careless words had reopened the wound. Hastening to change the subject, she said, “That’s right, that’s right! No wonder Madam Han said that when she married Silver Leaf,¹ everyone on Bright Peak opposed it. Only the Order Leader and you still treated her well. It seems the Order Leader’s wife was not only a beauty, but fierce enough to keep her husband thoroughly in line.”

Xie Xun said, “Order Leader Yang was generous and chivalrous. Daiqisi was young enough to be his daughter, and the leader of the Persian Ming Order had entrusted her to his care. Order Leader Yang treated her with every courtesy, and his conscience was clear. He had no other thoughts. The Order Leader’s wife was the shimei of Cheng Kun,² my shifu, my shigu.³ The Order Leader held her in the greatest affection.” Though the hatred Cheng Kun’s murder of his family had planted in his heart grew deeper with every passing year, when he mentioned Cheng Kun’s name he dismissed it in a single careless phrase, not even addressing him directly, as though speaking of someone no different from any other man.

Zhao Min said, “Bitter Ascetic Fan Yao was said to have been a handsome man in his youth. He must have been quite taken with Daiqisi?”

Xie Xun nodded. “That was love at first sight, and it ended as an ache that cut to the bone. But how was Brother Fan alone in this? Any man who set eyes on Daiqisi’s beauty and felt his heart unmoved must have been a rare exception. The Ming Order’s rules were severe, however, and every man held himself in check. Those who harboured longing for Daiqisi were all unmarried. Yet Daiqisi was cold as ice and frost to every man, granting not the slightest warmth in word or glance. Whoever showed her even a hint of affection was certain to be scolded raw, until he slunk away in shame with no face left to show anyone. Lady Yang was minded to play matchmaker, hoping to wed her to Fan Yao. Daiqisi refused out of hand. When the matter was pressed, she drew her jian before the entire assembly and swore an oath that she would never marry, and that if anyone forced the issue she would sooner die. After that, everyone’s heart cooled.

“A year passed. Then one day a man arrived from Spirit Snake Island⁴ overseas, calling himself Han, with the given name Qianye.⁵ He was the son of an old enemy of Order Leader Yang, and he had come to Bright Peak to avenge his father. When the brothers saw this young man of unremarkable appearance dare to climb Bright Peak alone and challenge Order Leader Yang, they laughed aloud. Yet Order Leader Yang received him with the solemn courtesy due an honoured guest, and held a great banquet in his honour. After the feast he explained the matter to the brothers. It seemed the young man’s father had been a renowned hero of the Central Plains. Years ago, Order Leader Yang and his father had taken offence at a single ill-chosen word and come to blows. With a single strike of the Great Nine Heavens Hand,⁶ Order Leader Yang had wounded his father so gravely that the man fell to his knees and could not rise. His father had declared then that he would have his revenge, but knowing his own martial arts could advance no further, he would send either his son or his daughter in time. Order Leader Yang had replied that whether son or daughter, he would yield three moves. The man had answered that the moves need not be yielded, but the manner of the contest must be chosen by his children. Order Leader Yang had agreed there and then. More than ten years had passed, and Order Leader Yang had long since put the matter from his mind. Yet here this man surnamed Han had sent his son.

“Everyone thought: the well-wisher comes not; he who comes is no well-wisher.⁷ This man has dared to climb Bright Peak alone, so he must possess extraordinary skill. Yet Order Leader Yang’s martial arts were so lofty that he might as well be invincible under heaven. Save for Zhang Sanfeng the Perfected One⁸ of the Wudang Order, none could be certain of defeating him even in a single exchange. How many years could this Han fellow have on him? Even if three or five attacked together, Order Leader Yang would not trouble himself. Their only worry was what impossible condition he might demand.

“The next day, this Han Qianye stated the old agreement before the assembly, first pinning Order Leader Yang to his word so he could not break it, then naming his terms. He would enter the Bishui Cold Pool⁹ together with Order Leader Yang, and there settle the contest.

“When he spoke those words, everyone was stunned. The Bishui Cold Pool was cold to the bone. Even in the height of summer no one dared plunge into it, and now it was the depths of winter. Order Leader Yang’s martial arts were lofty, but he could not swim. Once he entered that pool, he need not fight. He would freeze to death or drown. In the Holy Fire Hall that day, the assembled heroes cried out in reproach.”

Zhang Wuji said, “That was a hard condition indeed. A man’s word, once given, cannot be recalled. Order Leader Yang had promised that man of old that his children might choose the manner of the contest. This Senior Han¹⁰ had chosen a water-battle. By right, Order Leader Yang could not refuse.” Zhao Min clasped his hand and squeezed it gently, smiling softly. “Indeed. A man’s word, once given, cannot be recalled. How could the leader of the Ming Order break his pledge and lose face before all the jianghu?¹¹ Whatever one has promised, one must see it through.”

She was speaking of Zhang Wuji, reminding him once more of the oath between them. How could Xie Xun know that? He went on: “That is so. That day Han Qianye said aloud, ‘I have come to Bright Peak alone, with no hope of leaving alive. The heroes here may hack me to pieces, and none beyond the Ming Order will ever know. I am but a nameless nobody. What harm in killing one such man? If you would kill me, come and try.’ When the others heard this, they could say no more.

“Order Leader Yang considered for a long while, then said, ‘Brother Han, I did indeed make a pact with your honoured father. A true man is open and aboveboard. In this contest, I am the one who has lost. Name your terms, and I shall abide by them.’ Han Qianye turned his wrist and drew forth a dagger that glittered bright. He pressed it against his own heart and said, ‘This dagger was my late father’s heirloom. I ask only that Order Leader Yang kowtow three times before it.’ When the heroes heard that, fury rose in every breast. The leader of the Ming Order. How could he suffer such humiliation? Yet since Order Leader Yang had acknowledged defeat, by the customs of the jianghu he must submit to the victor’s disposal. The situation was plain enough: Han Qianye had come this day prepared to die. Once Order Leader Yang had kowtowed, he would immediately plunge the dagger into his own heart rather than perish at the hands of the Ming Order’s heroes.

“In an instant, the great hall fell utterly silent. The Bright Left and Right Messengers, the Two Carefree Immortals,¹² White-Browed Eagle King Yin my Second Brother, the monk Peng Yingyu and the rest, all men of resource and counsel. Yet faced with this dilemma, none had a single plan to offer. Han Qianye’s purpose was plain: to drive Order Leader Yang to his death, avenging his father’s humiliation of that day, and then to kill himself. Just as the crisis reached its darkest point, Daiqisi suddenly stepped forward from the crowd and said to Order Leader Yang, ‘Father, he has been blessed with a fine son. Have you not been blessed with a fine daughter? This Han ye has come to avenge his father. I shall take his blows in Father’s place. One generation to one generation. Let us not confuse the order.’ Everyone was taken aback, How does she call Order Leader Yang ‘Father’? But at once they understood, She is posing as the Order Leader’s daughter to break the deadlock. Yet they thought, Look at her, so delicate, so frail she might break in a gust of wind. Can she even know martial arts? And even if she does, they cannot be high. As for fighting in the Bishui Cold Pool, that is quite out of the question.

“Before Order Leader Yang could answer, Han Qianye sneered, ‘If the young lady wishes to take her father’s place, that is acceptable. But if she loses, I shall still require Order Leader Yang to kowtow three times before my late father’s dagger.’ He saw Daiqisi as lovely and frail. How could he take her seriously? Daiqisi said, ‘And if you lose?’ Han Qianye said, ‘Kill me or carve me up. I leave it to you.’ Daiqisi said, ‘Good! Let us go to the Bishui Cold Pool!’ With that she turned and led the way. Order Leader Yang waved his hand urgently. ‘No! You shall not involve yourself in this.’ Daiqisi said, ‘Father, do not worry.’ Then she bowed gracefully. That single bow counted as taking Order Leader Yang as her adopted father. Order Leader Yang saw she seemed confident, and since there was no other way, he could only accept her proposal. The company made their way together to the north face of the mountain and the Bishui Cold Pool. The north wind was blowing hard. Merely to stand at the pool’s edge was to feel the cold pierce the flesh, and those whose neili¹³ was not strong found it hard to endure. The pool water had long since frozen thick. Looking down, it was a dark green that plunged beyond sight.

“Order Leader Yang could not bear that Daiqisi should die for his sake. He straightened and said, ‘Good daughter, I am grateful for your kindness. I shall receive Brother Han’s strokes myself.’ With that he shrugged off his outer robe and drew a single dao. He had made up his mind to leap into the pool and never rise again. Daiqisi gave a faint smile. ‘Father, your daughter grew up by the sea, and she knows the water well.’ Drawing her jian, she leapt into the pool, landed upon the ice, and with the point of her jian traced a circle two feet across. She stepped her left foot onto it, and with a soft crack the round ice gave way, and her body sank with it into the pool.

“The wind off the sea was blowing cold, stirring everyone’s robes. As Xie Xun spoke, his voice slowed. “The scene by the Bishui Cold Pool that day, I recall it now as though it were yesterday. Daiqisi wore a pale violet robe. When she stood upon the ice, she was truly like an immortal of the rippling waves.¹⁴ Then, without a sound, she broke through the ice and vanished into the pool. Every hero watching was struck with wonder. When Han Qianye saw the skill with which she entered the water, the arrogance on his face vanished at once. Clutching his dagger, he leapt in after her.

“The Bishui Cold Pool was a deep, dark green. From above one could not see the two of them fighting, only the water shifting and churning. After a while the churning ceased, but soon the water began to surge again. The Ming Order heroes were deeply anxious. The two had been below so long. How could anyone remain underwater for that duration? A moment later, a strand of dark-red blood seeped up through the green water. Their alarm grew. Had Daiqisi been hurt? Suddenly, with a great splash, Han Qianye burst up from the hole in the ice, gasping for breath. Seeing him surface first, everyone cried out in alarm: ‘Where is Daiqisi? Where is Daiqisi?’ His hands were empty. His dagger was buried in his right breast, and a long gash ran down each cheek.

“Before anyone could recover, Daiqisi shot from the pool like a flying fish, her jian guarding her body. She turned lightly in the air and alighted on the ice. The heroes raised a great cheer. Order Leader Yang stepped forward and seized her hand, too overjoyed to speak. No one had imagined that so tender and lovely a girl could possess such skill beneath the water. Daiqisi glanced towards Han Qianye and said, ‘Father, this man’s skill is not poor. In consideration of his filial devotion in avenging his father, will Father pardon his offence against the Order Leader?’ Order Leader Yang naturally agreed, and had men tend to his wounds.

“That night a great feast was held on Bright Peak, and everyone said Daiqisi had done the Ming Order a mighty service. Had she not stepped forward to break the deadlock, Order Leader Yang’s lifelong reputation would have been swept away. Duties were then assigned. Lady Yang bestowed upon her the title of Purple-Robed Dragon King,¹⁵ ranking her alongside the Eagle King, the Lion King, and the Bat King. We three kings willingly placed her at the head of the four. This single feat of hers eclipsed all the merit we three had earned. Afterwards, when we four Dharma Protectors addressed each other as siblings, she called me her ‘Third Brother Xie.’

“Yet who could have foreseen that the outcome of that battle at the Bishui Cold Pool would confound all expectation? Han Qianye had lost, yet somehow he had won Daiqisi’s heart. She visited his wounds each day, and by his sick-bed, pity turned to love, and love took root. When Han Qianye recovered, Daiqisi suddenly informed the Order Leader that she wished to marry the man. When the news reached the brothers, some were stricken with grief, some burning with rage. This Han Qianye had that day driven the entire Ming Order, from the Order Leader down, to the wall. How could the Order’s Dharma Protector wed such a man? Some of the rougher brothers insulted him to his face. Daiqisi’s temper was fierce. She stood in the hall’s doorway with her jian drawn and said in a clear voice, ‘My adopted father, Order Leader Yang, has granted this marriage. From this day forth, Han Qianye is my husband. Whoever insults my husband, let him try the Purple-Robed Dragon King’s jian!’ Seeing the matter was settled, the brothers could only disperse in bitter resentment.

“Many of the brothers did not even attend the wedding. Only Order Leader Yang and I, grateful for her service in breaking the deadlock, exerted ourselves to smooth the way, so that the marriage passed without incident. Han Qianye wished to join the Ming Order, but too many opposed it, and Order Leader Yang would not override the brothers’ wishes. Not long after, Order Leader Yang and his wife vanished without trace, and Bright Peak was in turmoil. While everyone was searching for them, Bitter Ascetic Fan Yao, he, chanced to see Lady Han Daiqisi emerging from the secret passage.”

Zhang Wuji started. “She emerged from the secret passage?”

Xie Xun said, “Just so. The Ming Order’s rules were strict. Only the Order Leader himself might enter that passage. Fan Yao was shocked and angry, and confronted her at once. Lady Han said, ‘I have committed a grave offence against the Order. Kill me or carve me up. I leave it to you.’ That night the heroes held a great assembly, and Lady Han would say no more than those few words. When they asked why she had entered the secret passage, she said she would not lie, nor would she reveal the truth. When they asked where Order Leader Yang had gone, she said she knew nothing at all. As for entering the passage in secret, one person’s deed was one person’s burden. Further words were pointless. By custom she should have cut her own throat or severed a limb in penance, but Fan Yao still harboured old affection and did his utmost to shield her, and I spoke in her favour as well. The brothers at last resolved to confine her for ten years as punishment for her fault. Yet Daiqisi said, ‘Order Leader Yang is not here. No one has authority over me.’”

Footnotes

1. 银叶先生 – Yín Yè Xiānshēng. Silver Leaf, the title of Daiqisi’s husband Han Qianye’s father. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

2. 成昆 – Chéng Kūn. Xie Xun’s shifu, who murdered his entire family. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

3. 师姑 – shīgū. The shimei of one’s shifu. Shī means teacher. Gū means father’s younger sister. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

4. 灵蛇岛 – Língshé Dǎo. Spirit Snake Island, an island off the coast where Han Qianye resided. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

5. 韩千叶 – Hán Qiānyè. Son of Order Leader Yang’s old rival; he challenged the Order Leader to a duel in the Bishui Cold Pool and was defeated by Daiqisi, whom he later married. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

6. 大九天手 – Dà Jiǔtiān Shǒu. Literally Great Nine Heavens Hand. A palm technique of fearsome power used by Order Leader Yang. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

7. A Chinese proverb: 善者不来，来者不善 – the well-wisher does not come; he who comes is no well-wisher. One who arrives uninvited to a dangerous place comes prepared. ↩

8. 真人 – zhēnrén. Literally “true person.” An honorific title for an exalted Daoist master. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

9. 碧水寒潭 – Bìshuǐ Hán Tán. The Bishui Cold Pool, a deep mountain pool on the north face of Bright Peak, whose waters remain icy even in summer. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

10. 韩千叶前辈 – Han Qianye, a senior of the previous generation. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

11. 江湖 – jiānghú. Literally rivers and lakes. The itinerant world beyond settled society and official reach, holding not only martial artists but the trades that travel with them. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

12. 逍遥二仙 – Xiāoyáo Èr Xiān. The Two Carefree Immortals, Yang Xiao and Fan Yao, who served as the Ming Order’s Bright Left and Bright Right Messengers. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

13. 内力 – nèilì. Internal force; the kinetic manifestation of qi cultivated through neigong. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

14. 凌波仙子 – Língbō Xiānzǐ. Immortal of the Rippling Waves. An epithet evoking a figure who moves across water as though it were solid ground. ↩

15. 紫衫龙王 – Zǐshān Lóngwáng. Purple-Robed Dragon King. The title bestowed on Daiqisi, ranking her first among the Ming Order’s four Dharma Protector Kings. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩