The Heavenly Sword & the Dragon Sabre – Chapter 36 – Part 7

Yang Xiao, Fan Yao and the rest had heard Zhang Wuji speak of the three monks' superb martial arts, and all were eager to witness it in person. Yin Tianzheng said, “Since the esteemed monks of Shaolin are set on testing their skills against us in martial arts, Order Leader, we who lack self-knowledge must perforce accept the challenge of the Shaolin Order's supreme arts. Fortunately, we come only to rescue Brother Xie. We are driven to it and have no choice. We would never dare cause trouble at Shaolin Monastery, which stands at the head of the wulin.¹“

Zhang Wuji had always held his wai gong’s words in the utmost respect. Thinking there was no better way, he said, “When our brothers heard me extol the three high monks’ matchless divine skill,² they said the three had sat in seclusion for decades, unknown to anyone in the wulin. Today we have the good fortune to meet them, and it is the honour of a lifetime.”

Kongzhi raised his hands in salutation and said, “Please!” He led the gathered heroes towards the mountain behind the monastery.

The Ming Order’s Flood Banner³ disciples, under the command of Banner Chief Tang Yang, had drawn up in formation at the foot of the mountain peak, their array most imposing. Kongwen and the rest pretended not to see them and climbed the peak directly. Kongwen and Kongzhi pressed their palms together and approached the pine trees, bowing low to report.

Du’e said, “Yang Dingtian’s grudge was settled last night, and the affair of the Arhat statue has also been put to rest today. Very good, very good. Order Leader Zhang, which of you shall come forward first?”

When Yang Xiao and the others saw that the three monks were short and lean, embedded in the pine trunks like three desiccated corpses, yet a few words from them made the valley reverberate, revealing neili of the most profound order, they could not help but start with awe.

Zhang Wuji thought to himself, Last night I fought the three alone and could not prevail. Today we have many men, but if we all rush in at once, we shall only get in each other’s way, and to rely on numbers would diminish our Order’s prestige. Too many would be clumsy, too few would not suffice. Three against three is the fairest arrangement. He said, “Last night I had the honour of witnessing the three high monks’ divine skill and was filled with admiration. I should not dare show my poor skills before you again. But Dharma King Xie⁴ bears towards me the grace of a father, and towards our brothers the bond of friendship. However unequal we may be, we cannot but attempt his rescue. I should like to ask two brothers of our Order to assist me, that we may face you three on equal terms.”

Du’e said mildly, “Order Leader Zhang need not be so modest. If your Order has another whose skills are a match for the Order Leader, then the two of you together could slay us three old bald ones. But if my guess is not amiss, a man of the Order Leader’s calibre has perhaps no peer left in the world. In that case, the more the merrier.”

Zhou Dian, Iron Crown Adept,⁵ and the rest exchanged glances, each thinking the old bald donkey was insufferably arrogant, treating every hero under heaven as though he did not exist. Yet his wording at least conceded that none could match the Order Leader’s skill, and to say no one in the world was his equal was comparatively civil. Zhou Dian opened his mouth to speak, but Cannot Tell was quicker, clapping a palm over it.

Zhang Wuji said, “Our Order is but a side gate and a deviant path,⁶ unworthy to stand alongside your noble factions, yet several centuries of foundation have bred some talent. I happen to hold the position of Order Leader, but in talent and martial skill, those in our Order who surpass me are far from few. Bat King Wei,⁷ pray present this card to the three high monks.” He took out a card on which were inscribed the names of all who had come to visit the mountain, beginning with Zhang Wuji, Yang Xiao, Fan Yao, Yin Tianzheng and Wei Yixiao.

Wei Yixiao knew the Order Leader wished him to display his peerless qinggong,⁸ so that the Shaolin monks would not underestimate the Ming Order. He bowed and accepted the card. Without straightening himself, without turning, he rebounded backwards like a wisp of smoke. The distance was over a hundred feet, yet he drifted in an instant to the space between the three pine trees. His palms flipped, and the card was delivered to Du’e.

When Du’e and the other two monks saw him arrive before them in the blink of an eye, his qinggong more exquisite than any they had ever witnessed — and that he had done it rebounding backwards, which beggared belief itself — they could not help but exclaim, “Superb qinggong!”

Every monk of Shaolin Monastery knew a good thing when he saw it, and a roar of approval went up at once. Though the Ming Order heroes all knew Wei Yixiao’s qinggong was extraordinary, this feat of rebounding backwards had been new even to them. Yet they could not praise their own man, and though each admired him in his heart, all remained silent. Only Zhou Dian clapped and cheered loudly.

Du’e inclined slightly and reached out to take the card. The moment his right hand’s five fingers touched it, Wei Yixiao’s whole body went numb as though struck by lightning. His chest heated, his limbs softened, and he nearly collapsed. Alarmed, he at once channelled neili to steady himself. Du’e had already taken the card, and the surge of neili transmitted through it vanished at once. Wei Yixiao’s complexion changed. He thought to himself, This blind old monk’s neili is truly unfathomable. Not daring to linger, he bowed and sidestepped, sliding across a stretch of tall grass back to Zhang Wuji’s side. This qinggong of Grass-Skimming Flight⁹ was in itself no secret art, but to practise it to such a degree that one seemed to float above the ground was a marvel beyond mere skill.

Kongwen, Kongzhi and the rest thought, This man’s qinggong has indeed reached a remarkable level. It speaks of instruction from a master, but also of native endowment. He appears born with a peculiar gift. Others, however they toil through a lifetime, could never reach such a realm.

Du’e said, “Order Leader Zhang says three of your Order shall enter the lists. Aside from the Order Leader and this Bat King Wei, who else shall grace us with his skill?”

Zhang Wuji said, “Bat King Wei has already sampled the elder’s neili divine skill. I should like to call upon our Order’s Bright Left and Right Messengers.”

Du’e’s thoughts stirred, This youth has a sharp eye. My transmitting neili through the card was but an instant’s work, yet he perceived it. What Bright Left and Right Messengers? Could they surpass this man surnamed Wei? He had sat in seclusion so long that Yang Xiao’s name had never reached him. As for Fan Yao, who had spent years concealed under a false name and face, others knew nothing of him either.

When Yang Xiao and Fan Yao heard the Order Leader name them, they at once stepped forward and bowed, saying, “We obey the Order Leader’s command.”

Zhang Wuji said, “The three high monks wield soft weapons.¹⁰ What weapons shall we use?” In ordinary combat Zhang Wuji, Yang Xiao and Fan Yao all fought bare-handed. Today, facing such opponents, they could not afford to disdain weapons. The three were adept in every method, and there was no weapon they could not wield. Zhang Wuji’s question was for their convenience.

Yang Xiao said, “As the Order Leader commands.”

Zhang Wuji considered briefly. Last night the Pair of Evils from the Riverlands attacked short against long and gained no small advantage. He took six Holy Fire Tablets¹¹ from his robe and gave four to Yang Xiao and Fan Yao, saying, “We came to Shaolin Monastery as visitors and dared not carry weapons. These are our Order’s most sacred relics. Make shift with them.” Yang Xiao and Fan Yao bowed and received them, awaiting further orders.

Kongzhi suddenly cried aloud, “Bitter Dhūta,¹² do you think the grudge we owe from Wan’an Monastery can simply be set aside? Come, come! Let me first test your skills. Today I have not taken the Ten-Fragrance Muscle-Softening Powder.¹³ Let us see whose skills are truly real.” The resentment he had bottled up since his imprisonment at Wan’an Monastery had found no outlet. Seeing Fan Yao, he had been doing his utmost to suppress his anger, but now he could contain it no longer.

Fan Yao smiled faintly and said, “I act under the Order Leader’s command to receive instruction from the three high monks. If the elder wishes to settle an old score, once this affair is done, if I am fortunate enough to survive, I shall attend upon you.”

Kongzhi took a jian from a disciple at his side and barked, “You who lack self-knowledge would face my three shishu. You will not escape without grievous injury. It seems I shall not have my revenge.”

Fan Yao laughed, “If I die at the hands of your shishu, the result is the same.”

Kongzhi sneered, “If the Ming Order has no one worth speaking of beyond yourself, then so be it.”

This was plainly a taunt. How could the Ming Order heroes not see it? Yet to swallow the insult would be to let the Shaolin Order think the lesser of them. By rank, next below Fan Yao stood the White-Browed Eagle King Yin Tianzheng. Zhang Wuji thought his wai gong too old to trouble and wished to ask his jiu jiu Yin Yewang to step forward instead. But Yin Tianzheng had already advanced a pace, saying, “Order Leader, your servant Yin Tianzheng requests the order.”

Zhang Wuji said, “Wai gong is advanced in years. I would rather ask jiu jiu—”

Yin Tianzheng said, “I may be old, but I am not older than these three high monks. If the Shaolin Order has venerable elders, does our Ming Order have no veterans?”

Zhang Wuji knew his wai gong’s martial arts ran deep, not behind Yang Xiao or Fan Yao, and far surpassing his jiu jiu’s. If Yin Tianzheng fought, their chances would improve. He said, “Very well. Right Messenger Fan, save your strength for the bout with Divine Monk Kongzhi. I shall ask wai gong to assist me.”

Yin Tianzheng said, “As you command!” He took the pair of Holy Fire Tablets from Fan Yao.

Abbot Kongwen said in a clear voice, “Three shishu, this old hero surnamed Yin is known in the jianghu as the White-Browed Eagle King. In years past he founded the Tianying Order single-handedly and stood against the six great factions. He is truly a hero and a brave man.¹⁴ This gentleman surnamed Yang has brought both neigong¹⁵ and waigong to the heights of perfection, a first-rank figure of the Ming Order. Not a few heroes of the Kunlun and Emei factions have fallen to his hand.”

Dujie gave a dry laugh and said, “A pleasure, a pleasure! Let us see what skill the disciples of Shaolin’s gate possess.” The three monks shook their black cords,¹⁶ which writhed like three ink dragons and formed three concentric rings.

Last night, when Zhang Wuji had fought the three monks, he could not see his hand before his face and had relied solely on the force channelled through their black cords to locate their weapons. Now it was the start of the hour of Wu.¹⁷ A bright sun lit the sky, and every wrinkle on the three monks’ faces was plain to see. He reversed the Holy Fire Tablets, clasped his fists and bowed, saying, “Forgive me!” He sidestepped and attacked.

Yang Xiao flew to the left. Yin Tianzheng gave a great shout, raising the Holy Fire Tablet in his right hand to strike down at Du’nan’s black cord. A metallic clang rang out as cord met tablet. The collision of these two strange weapons gave off a most peculiar sound. Both men’s arms jolted. Each thought, Formidable! They knew they had met foes seldom matched in a lifetime.

Zhang Wuji thought, The three monks’ black cords form a tight ring with narrow defences. Though we three join forces, we cannot break it in three or five hundred moves. Let us exhaust the three monks’ neili and search for a flaw. Seeing the black cords reaching towards him, he answered blow for blow with the Holy Fire Tablets in a contest of raw force.

They fought for the time it takes to eat a meal. Zhang Wuji and his two companions had pressed the cord ring back by some ten feet. Yet as the three monks’ ring contracted, their resistance grew stronger. Each step forward cost the attackers several times the effort of the last. Yang Xiao and Yin Tianzheng grew more and more alarmed. What had begun as three against three had, within half a shichen,¹⁸ become two against one, as Yang Xiao and Yin Tianzheng gradually could not hold their ground and joined forces against Du’nan, while Zhang Wuji single-handedly faced Du’e and Dujie.

Yin Tianzheng fought entirely in a hard and fierce style. Yang Xiao shifted between soft and hard, his changes beyond prediction. Of the six combatants, Yang Xiao’s martial arts were by far the most splendid to behold. The two Holy Fire Tablets spun and danced in his hands, now forming a jian, now a dao, now stabbing, striking, sweeping and hitting like a short spear, now tapping, thrusting, pressing and lifting like a judge’s brush.¹⁹ At times a dagger in his left hand and a water-piercer in his right, then suddenly a steel whip in his right and an iron ruler in his left. Even in the thick of battle he would strike the two tablets together to produce a hoarse clacking sound to unsettle his foes’ concentration. Within four hundred moves he had already shifted through twenty-two different weapons, each with two sets of techniques, forty-four in all.

Footnotes

1. 少林寺 – Shàolínsì. Shaolin Monastery, the ancient Buddhist monastery on Mount Song in Henan, head of the Shaolin Order. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

2. 高僧 – gāosēng. Lit. high monk. A term of respect for a monk of eminent virtue or skill. ↩

3. 洪水旗 – Hóngshuǐqí. The Flood Banner, one of the five lower divisions of the Ming Order. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

4. 法王 – fǎwáng. Dharma King. A high title in the Ming Order, here referring to Xie Xun, the Golden-Winged Dharma King. ↩

5. 铁冠道人 – Tiěguān Dàorén. Iron Crown Adept. A senior figure of the Ming Order. ↩

6. 旁门左道 – pángmén zuǒdào. Lit. side gates and deviant paths. A Buddhist term for unorthodox teachings, here used self-deprecatingly. ↩

7. 蝠王 – fúwáng. Bat King. The epithet of Wei Yixiao, one of the four Guardian Kings of the Ming Order. ↩

8. 轻功 – qīnggōng. Lit. light skill. The martial art of agility and levitation, enabling feats of speed, balance and apparent flight. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

9. 草上飞 – cǎoshàngfēi. Lit. Grass-Skimming Flight. A qinggong technique in which the practitioner seems to glide just above the grass. ↩

10. 软兵刃 – ruǎnbīngrèn. Soft weapons, such as cords, whips or chains, which bend and flex in use. ↩

11. 圣火令 – shènghuǒlìng. Holy Fire Tablets. The sacred relics of the Ming Order, twelve in number, inscribed with the Order’s martial arts. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

12. 苦头陀 – kǔtóutuó. Bitter Ascetic. The disguised name Fan Yao assumed while at Shaolin Monastery. ↩

13. 十香软筋散 – shíxiāng ruǎnjīnsàn. Ten-Fragrance Muscle-Softening Powder. A poison that saps a victim’s neili and renders him helpless. ↩

14. 英雄好汉 – yīngxióng hǎohàn. Heroes and brave men. A fixed doublet praising martial prowess and courage. ↩

15. 内功 – nèigōng. Internal cultivation, the training of neili. Distinct from neigong’s homophone 内家 (internal cultivation as a school of martial arts). See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

16. 黑索 – hēisuǒ. Black cords. The soft weapons wielded by the three Shaolin monks Du’e, Dujie and Du’nan. ↩

17. 午初 – wǔchū. The first half of the hour of Wu, roughly 11 am to noon. The day was divided into twelve shichen, each named for one of the Earthly Branches. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

18. 时辰 – shíchén. A traditional Chinese unit of time, equal to two hours. The day was divided into twelve shichen. ↩

19. 判官笔 – pànguānbǐ. Judge’s brush. A pair of short steel styluses wielded as weapons, thrusting and pressing at acupoints. ↩