The Heavenly Sword & the Dragon Sabre – Chapter 38 – Part 4

Zhou Zhiruo waited a while longer, yet still no one stepped forward. The old monk from the Bodhidharma Hall advanced and, pressing his palms together, said, “The zhangmen of the Emei Order, Madam Song, has outmatched every hero here. Her gongfu¹ is first under heaven. Is there any hero who disputes this?” Zhou Dian² shouted, “I, Zhou Dian, dispute it!” The old monk said, “Then I invite Hero Zhou to enter the ring and contest the bout.” Zhou Dian said, “I can't beat her. What's there to contest?” The old monk said, “Since Hero Zhou acknowledges he is no match, then he concedes?” Zhou Dian said, “I acknowledge I'm no match, yet I still don't concede. Is that not allowed?” The old monk would not wrangle with him further and asked again, “Apart from this Hero Zhou, is there any other who disputes?” He asked three times in all, and Zhou Dian booed three times, yet no one else spoke up.

The old monk said, “Since no one enters the ring to contest, we shall abide by the agreement made at the Heroes Assembly in advance. The Golden-Haired Lion King Xie Xun³ shall be placed in the charge of the Emei Order’s Madam Song. Whoever holds the Dragon-Slaying Dao⁴ shall likewise surrender it, for Madam Song to keep. This is the verdict of the assembled heroes. None may gainsay it.”

Zhang Wuji was at that moment regulating his internal breath, stirring the Nine Yang zhenqi⁵ to heal his grievous wounds, gradually sinking into a state of reversion to the void and brightness. When he heard the old monk speak the words “The Golden-Haired Lion King Xie Xun shall be placed in the charge of the Emei Order’s Madam Song,” his heart lurched violently and he nearly spat another mouthful of blood.

Zhao Min sat beside him, wholly intent upon tending him. Seeing him suddenly tremble, his face draining of colour, she understood his thoughts and said softly, “Wuji gege, your sworn father placed in Sister Zhou’s hands is the best that could be. She could not bear to harm you just now, which shows her affection for you runs deep. She will never harm your sworn father. Put your mind at ease and heal your wounds.” Zhang Wuji reflected that she was right, and his heart eased somewhat.

The sun was now sinking behind the mountain, and the square was growing dark by degrees. The old monk spoke again: “The Golden-Haired Lion King Xie Xun is held in confinement behind the mountain. The day is late, and you must all be hungry. At first light tomorrow we shall gather again in this place, and I shall lead Madam Song to unbar the gate and release the prisoner. Then we shall witness Madam Song’s matchless gongfu once more.”

Yang Xiao, Fan Yao and the rest cast a glance at Zhao Min. Each thought the same: Just as you foretold. However strong Zhou Zhiruo’s gongfu, she cannot overcome the three old monks Du’e, Dunan and Dujie. I fear she is marching to her death, and in the end it is the Shaolin Order that will stand supreme.

By now Zhou Zhiruo had returned to the thatched hut. The Emei Order had cowed the heroes that day, and when the disciples saw their zhangmen return they were filled with reverent awe. Though the assembled heroes had watched Zhou Zhiruo seize the title of “foremost gongfu under heaven,” the great affairs were not yet settled. Each man harbourred his own calculations, and none descended the mountain.

The old monk said, “Every hero who has come to our monastery is a guest of the Shaolin Order. Should there be grudges or disputes among you, I beg you to consider our Order’s modest standing and forbear for the time being. Pray settle them not upon Mount Shaoshi,⁶ lest it be said you hold the Shaolin Order in contempt. After your evening meal, you are free to roam the front mountain at your leisure. The rear mountain is where our Order keeps its sutras and instructs its disciples. I ask each of you to respect this boundary and go no further.”

Fan Yao lifted Zhang Wuji in his arms and carried him back to the Ming Order’s thatched shelter. Though the palm-wounds Zhang Wuji had suffered were grave, he swallowed nine pills of the efficacious elixirs he had compounded in times past, then channelled his Nine Yang zhenqi to conduct the medicine through his body. By the second watch of the night⁷ he had vomited three mouthfuls of dark, stagnant blood, and the internal injuries were wholly cleared. Yang Xiao, Fan Yao, Yu Lianzhou and Yin Liting were equal parts astonished and overjoyed. They praised his neili⁸ cultivation as fathomlessly profound. An ordinary man who had suffered so grievous a wound, even tended by a master, would at the very least need a month or two of recuperation to clear the congestion and smooth the breath. Yet he had recovered within a handful of shichen.⁹ Had they not seen it with their own eyes, they would never have believed it.

Zhang Wuji ate two bowls of rice and rested a while, then rose to his feet and said, “I am going out for a short while.” Yin Liting said, “Your wounds have only just closed. Be careful in all things.” Zhang Wuji answered, “I will.” He saw that Zhao Min’s face was full of concern, and gave her a faint smile, as though to say, Do not worry.

He stepped out of the thatched shelter and looked up. A bright moon hung in the sky, with a scattering of sparse stars. He drew a long breath. The zhenqi flowed through his body, and his spirits revived. He went straight to the Shaolin Monastery and said to the monk who received guests, “I have business with the zhangmen of the Emei Order. I should be obliged if you would lead the way.”

The guest-receiving monk, seeing that it was the Ming Order’s cult leader, was quite alarmed and hastened to say with恭敬 reverence, “Yes, yes! This monk shall lead the way. Cult Leader Zhang, this way, please.” He guided him westward, and after they had walked perhaps a li¹⁰ he pointed to a cluster of small buildings.

The guest-receiving monk said, “The Emei Order are lodged over there. Monks and nuns must keep apart, and this monk dare not go near their quarters after dark.” He was deeply afraid that Zhang Wuji would go again to fight Zhou Zhiruo. Should the two foremost masters of the age come to blows, he himself, caught even inadvertently in the crossfire, would suffer for it. Zhang Wuji smiled and said, “If you were to return and speak of this, it would disturb others. Suppose I simply seal your acupoints¹¹ and leave you here to wait?” The guest-receiving monk said hastily, “This monk would never dare speak of it. Cult Leader Zhang, set your mind at ease.” He turned and hurried away.

Zhang Wuji walked slowly towards the small buildings. When he was still a hundred feet and more away, he saw two nuns dart towards him and block his path with drawn jian, crying, “Who goes there?” Zhang Wuji cupped his fists and said, “Zhang Wuji of the Ming Order. I seek an audience with your Order’s zhangmen, Madam Song.” The two nuns were shocked beyond measure. The elder of them said, “Cult Leader Zhang…… please wait a moment. I…… I shall report within.” Though she strove to steady herself, her voice trembled. She turned and had taken only a few steps before she drew out a bamboo whistle and blew it sharp.

That day the Emei Order had lifted their heads high before all the heroes of the world. Their zhangmen had defeated three of the age’s foremost masters and so terrified thousands of men that none had dared challenge her. But the Emei Order had also slain two elders of the Beggars’ Guild, bested two xias of the Wudang Order, and wounded the Ming Order’s cult leader. The number of men they had offended was considerable, and with Zhou Zhiruo having seized the title of “foremost gongfu under heaven,” more than one hero nursed resentment and jealousy. That night, in a dangerous position with formidable foes lurking on every side, their defences were set with the utmost care. The moment the nuns’ whistle sounded, more than twenty figures leapt forth from all directions, flashes of steel moving as the guards distributed themselves through the perimeter. Zhang Wuji took no notice. He folded his hands behind his back and stood still.

The nun entered the small building to report. After a while she returned and said, “Our zhangmen says: men and women must keep apart, and she cannot receive visitors after dark. She begs Cult Leader Zhang to return.” Zhang Wuji said, “I am somewhat skilled in the art of medicine and would offer treatment to young xia Song Qingshu.¹² I have no other purpose.” The nun started, then went in again to report. After a long while she came out and said, “The zhangmen requests your presence.”

Zhang Wuji patted his waist to show he carried no weapon, then followed the nun into the small building.

He saw Zhou Zhiruo seated to one side, her chin propped on her hand, gazing into space as though lost in thought. She did not turn at the sound of his entering. The nun poured a cup of clear tea, set it upon the table, and withdrew, closing the door softly behind her. There was no one else in the hall. A single white candle flickered, its light now bright, now dim, falling upon Zhou Zhiruo’s plain, dark-coloured robe. The scene was forlorn.

Zhang Wuji felt a pang of bitterness in his heart and said in a low voice, “How goes young xia Song’s wounds? Let me see him.”

Zhou Zhiruo still did not turn. She said coldly, “His skull is shattered. The wounds are very grave. He is not likely to survive. I do not know if he can last the night.” Zhang Wuji said, “You know my skill in medicine is not poor. I am willing to do my utmost to save him.” Zhou Zhiruo asked, “Why do you wish to save him?” Zhang Wuji started and said, “I have wronged you grievously and am ashamed beyond measure. Moreover, you showed mercy just now and spared my life. With young xia Song thus wounded, it is only right that I should do my utmost.” Zhou Zhiruo said, “You showed mercy first. How could I not know? If you can save Song dage’s life, how would you have me repay you?” Zhang Wuji said, “A life for a life. Spare my sworn father.” Zhou Zhiruo said, “Only that? Nothing more?” Zhang Wuji faltered, “I dare not ask for more……” Zhou Zhiruo pointed towards the inner chamber and said flatly, “He is in there.”

Zhang Wuji walked towards the door. The room within was pitch-dark, without so much as a lamp. He took up the candlestick and went in.

Zhou Zhiruo sat at the table, one hand propping her chin, and did not move.

Zhang Wuji drew aside the green gauze curtain. By candlelight he saw Song Qingshu with eyes bulging, his features contorted, his countenance ghastly to behold. His breathing was faint, and he had long since lost consciousness. Zhang Wuji felt his wrist pulse. It was chaotic, now racing, now sluggish. His skin was cold to the touch. Unless treatment was given at once, he would not survive the night. Zhang Wuji gently felt the bones of his skull and found that the frontal and occipital bones were fractured in four places altogether. He reflected how terrible was the force of Yu the Second Uncle’s¹³ twin fists. That strike of “Double Wind Piercing the Ears”¹⁴ had clearly not been delivered with ten parts of full neili. Yu Lianzhou had plainly spared consideration for his shibo¹⁵ Song Yuanqiao and held back. He let the curtain fall, set the candlestick upon the table, and sat down in a bamboo chair to consider a method of treatment. Song Qingshu’s wounds were mortal. To save his life, he had no confidence he could. “If I cannot save him and simply let him die, no one can blame me. If Zhiruo becomes a widow, could she and I take up where we left off?” At the thought, his heart gave a violent start.

He thought long and carefully for the space of a meal, then went out into the outer room and said, “Madam Song, whether Song shixiong’s¹⁶ life can be saved, I cannot say with certainty. Will you allow me to try?” Zhou Zhiruo said, “If you cannot save him, there is no second person in the world who can.” Zhang Wuji said, “Even if I save his life, his countenance and his gongfu will not return to what they were. His mind too has been shaken. I fear…… I fear speech itself will be difficult for him.” Zhou Zhiruo said, “You are no immortal, after all. I know you will do your utmost to save him, so that your conscience may be clear when you go to become a court prince-consort.”

Zhang Wuji’s heart trembled. He thought, In truth I do not wish to save him. But a physician’s heart is a parent’s heart, and to save a life was a habit rooted in him since childhood. Though he still cherished longing for Zhou Zhiruo, to deliberately withhold treatment from Song Qingshu violated the compassion and the xia’s heart with which he had been born. He returned to the inner chamber, drew back the thin quilt covering Song Qingshu, and struck eight acupoints. His ten fingers moved with gentle softness, and with a force that was now present, now absent, he coaxed each fractured fragment of skull back into place. Then from his robe he drew a small golden box, scooped out a ball of black ointment with his little finger, and rubbed it between his palms until it was smooth and even. Gently he spread it across the shattered bones of Song Qingshu’s skull. This black ointment was the Black Jade Intermittent Paste,¹⁷ the supreme bone-setting remedy of the Vajra School from the Western Regions. Long ago he had begged it from Zhao Min and used it to mend the broken limbs of Yu Daiyan and Yin Liting, and some had remained. Now the Nine Yang zhenqi from his palms flowed forth without ceasing, driving the medicine’s power into every fractured bone.

Footnotes

1. 功夫 – gōngfu. Martial cultivation; the skill and power wrought by long training. ↩

2. 周颠 – Zhōu Diān. The Lunatic. One of the Five Unbound Adepts of the Ming Order, known for his irreverent humour. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

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

4. 屠龙刀 – Túlóng Dāo. The Dragon-Slaying Dao. Legendary blade said to confer supremacy over the wulin. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

5. 真气 – zhēnqì. True qi. The refined qi distilled through neigong cultivation. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

6. 少室山 – Shǎoshì Shān. Mount Shaoshi, one of the twin peaks of Mount Song in Henan Province, upon which the Shaolin Monastery stands. ↩

7. 二更 – èr gēng. The second watch, roughly 9:00 to 11:00 at night in the traditional system of dividing the night into five watches. ↩

8. 内力 – nèilì. Internal power. The kinetic manifestation of qi cultivated through neigong. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

9. 时辰 – shíchén. A traditional unit of time equal to two hours; the day was divided into twelve shichen. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

10. 里 – lǐ. A traditional Chinese unit of distance, approximately a third of a mile or five hundred metres. ↩

11. 穴 – xué. Acupoints. The vital points along the jingmai through which qi flows. ↩

12. 宋青书 – Sòng Qīngshū. Son of Song Yuanqiao, eldest of the Seven Xias of Wudang. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

13. 俞二伯 – Yú Èr Bó. Yu Lianzhou, the second of Zhang Cuishan’s elder shixiong, addressed as “Second Uncle” by Zhang Wuji. ↩

14. 双风贯耳 – Shuāng Fēng Guàn Ěr. Lit. Double Wind Piercing the Ears. A Shaolin fist technique in which both fists arc inward to strike at the temples simultaneously. ↩

15. 师伯 – shībó. Senior lineage uncle. The shixiong of one’s shifu. Shī means teacher. Bó means father’s elder brother. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

16. 师兄 – shīxiōng. Male senior. Both apprenticed to the same shifu. Shī means teacher. Xiōng means older brother. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

17. 黑玉断续膏 – Hēi Yù Duàn Xù Gāo. Black Jade Intermittent Paste. The supreme bone-setting remedy of the Vajra School from the Western Regions, capable of reuniting severed bone. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩