The Heavenly Sword & the Dragon Sabre Chapter 8 Part 4

These words struck Zhang Cuishan’s ears like a thunderclap. Only now did he recall that years ago, Xie Xun had indeed once said he would remain on the island alone. But Xie Xun had never raised the matter again, and the couple had put it from their minds. Throughout the building of the raft, he had never once betrayed any intention of staying behind. That he should announce it now, at the very moment of departure, caught Zhang Cuishan entirely unprepared. He cried out, “Elder Brother, to live alone on this island in such loneliness and desolation—what good can come of it? Jump aboard the raft at once!” He seized Xie Xun’s arm and pulled with all his might. But Xie Xun stood as immovable as a great tree, its roots sunk deep into the earth. He did not stir a hair’s breadth.

Zhang Cuishan shouted, “Susu! Wuji! Come ashore! Elder Brother says he will not go with us!” Yin Susu and Wuji were equally stunned. Both leapt back onto the beach at once. Wuji said, “Godfather, why will you not go? If you stay, I stay too.”

In truth, Xie Xun could not bear to part from the three of them. Once they departed, they would never meet again in this life, and he would be left to endure his remaining years alone on a forsaken island—an existence worse than death. Yet he and Zhang Cuishan and Yin Susu were bound by the oath of brotherhood, and his devotion to them surpassed what he held for himself. His love for his godson Wuji ran deeper still than for a son of his own blood. He had pondered this for a long time. He knew he carried upon his back a mountain of blood debts. Throughout the jianghu, whether among the orthodox schools or the outlaws of the greenwood, untold numbers of people were bent upon destroying him. What was more, the Dragon Saber had fallen into his hands, and word of that could not be kept hidden forever. In former days he would have faced such threats without a tremor, but now his eyes were blind. He could not possibly withstand a concerted assault by scores of enemies, and Zhang Cuishan’s family would never stand idle while he was overwhelmed. Once conflict erupted, all four of them would perish together. The moment they set foot on the mainland, he doubted any of them would survive a year. But there was no need to burden Zhang Cuishan and Yin Susu with these calculations. He had waited until the final moment to declare his resolve.

Hearing the unguarded sincerity in Wuji’s words, Xie Xun gathered the boy into his arms and spoke gently. “Wuji, my good child, listen to your godfather. I am old, and my eyes are gone. I have grown accustomed to this place. Were I to return to China, everything would be strange and uncomfortable, and I would only be miserable.” Wuji said, “Once we are back, I will wait upon you every single day and never leave your side. Whatever you wish to eat or drink, I will bring it to you at once. Would that not be just the same?” Xie Xun shook his head. “It would not do. I am happier here.” Wuji said, “Then I am happier here too. Papa, Mama—let us all stay. It is better here.”

Yin Susu said, “Elder Brother, whatever misgivings weigh upon you, please speak them plainly. Let us discuss the matter and find a way together. To leave you here alone—that is something we will not do, no matter what.”

Xie Xun thought: These three love me deeply. To make them willingly abandon me and sail away—I could talk myself hoarse and still fail. How am I to persuade them to leave?

Zhang Cuishan said suddenly, “Elder Brother, you fear your enemies are too many and that they will bring harm upon us—is that not so? Once we four have returned to China, we shall find some secluded place and live in seclusion, keeping ourselves from the world. No one would have cause to trouble us. Best of all, we should go to Mount Wudang.¹ Who would ever think to look for the Golden-Maned Lion King² on Wudang Mountain?”

Xie Xun drew himself up proudly. “Your elder brother may have fallen upon hard times, but he has no need to shelter beneath Zhang Zhenren’s eaves.” Zhang Cuishan bitterly regretted the misstep and hastened to add, “Elder Brother’s martial arts are the equal of my shifu’s—what need is there for anyone’s protection? The borderlands of Xinjiang, the wastes of Tibet, the deserts beyond the northern frontier—where in all those vast expanses is there no place of peace? The four of us could live there in perfect freedom.”

Xie Xun said, “If it is a desolate place we want, where under heaven is more desolate than here? Are you going or not?”

Zhang Cuishan said, “If Elder Brother does not go, the three of us will not go either!” Yin Susu and Wuji echoed him in unison. “If you do not go, none of us will!”

Xie Xun sighed. “Very well. None of us shall go. After I am dead, it will not be too late for you to return.” Zhang Cuishan said, “Just so. We have lived here ten years already. What is the hurry?”

Xie Xun roared, “Once I am dead, surely you will have nothing left to linger for!” In the instant it took the three of them to register their shock, his hand shot out, and with a ringing hiss the Dragon Saber cleared its scabbard. He brought the blade sweeping toward his own throat.

Zhang Cuishan cried out in horror, “Do not hurt Wuji!” He knew his own martial arts were not sufficient to stay his sworn brother’s hand. In his desperation, he called upon Xie Xun not to harm Wuji. The words struck home. Xie Xun froze, the blade halting in mid-arc. “What did you say?”

Zhang Cuishan saw the finality of his resolve. His voice breaking, he said, “Since Elder Brother is determined, your younger brother takes his leave.” He sank to his knees and bowed several times. But Wuji’s voice rang out clear and steady. “Godfather, if you will not go, I will not go. If you take your own life, I will take mine. A true man’s word is as steadfast as a mountain. You draw the blade across your throat—I draw it across mine!”

Xie Xun bellowed, “Little rascal! What nonsense!” In a single motion he seized the boy by the back of his collar and hurled him onto the raft. Then, snatching and throwing in swift succession, he flung Zhang Cuishan and Yin Susu aboard as well. He shouted, “Fifth Brother! Fifth Sister! Wuji! Fair winds attend you. May you reach China safe and sound!” He added, “Wuji—once you return to China, you must call yourself Zhang Wuji. The name Xie Wuji must live only in your heart. You must never, ever speak it aloud.”

Wuji screamed, “Godfather! Godfather!” After a few cries, he broke down and wept without restraint.

Xie Xun raised the Dragon Saber and roared, “If any of you set foot on this shore again, the bond of brotherhood between us is severed!”

Zhang Cuishan and Yin Susu saw that his resolve was unshakeable and could not be turned. With tears streaming down their faces, they raised their hands in farewell. The current had already caught the raft and was drawing it slowly away from shore. They watched Xie Xun’s figure grow dim and small, shrinking by degrees into the distance. A long, long time passed before he vanished from sight entirely, and only then did the three of them turn away. Wuji lay in his mother’s arms, weeping until exhaustion claimed him at last and he fell into a deep, heavy sleep.

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The raft drifted upon the open sea. The north wind held true in the days that followed, bearing them steadily southward. On that vast and featureless expanse there was no way to reckon direction, but each day the sun rose to their left and set to their right, and each night the North Star glimmered behind them while the raft pressed onward. They knew they were drawing nearer to China with every passing day. In the first twenty-odd days, Zhang Cuishan feared the raft would strike an iceberg, and so he raised only a half-sail on the secondary mast. Their progress was slow but safe; even when they nudged against ice, it was only a gentle brush before the raft glided clear. Once they had left the icebergs far behind, he raised the full sail.

The north wind blew day and night without respite, and the raft’s speed increased several fold. It was spring, and to their great good fortune they encountered no storms. A safe return to their homeland now seemed seven or eight parts assured. Throughout these days, Zhang Cuishan and Yin Susu avoided all mention of Xie Xun, fearing it would grieve the boy.

Zhang Cuishan thought: The martial arts Elder Brother taught Wuji—whether they will be of any real use remains to be seen. Once Wuji reaches China, he will have to enter the Wudang School. With little else to fill the long days at sea, he began teaching Wuji the introductory fist and palm techniques of the Wudang School. His method of instruction was incomparably better than Xie Xun’s. Wudang’s foundational techniques were not at all difficult to begin with; a few explanations, a bit of guidance, and Wuji had them. Father and son sparred together on their little raft, trading moves back and forth.

One day, Yin Susu observed that the sea lay calm, the waves untroubled, and both sails bellied full as the raft drove due south. She could not help remarking, “Elder Brother is not only consummate in martial arts—his grasp of weather and geography is just as precise. He is a man of extraordinary gifts.”

Wuji said suddenly, “If the wind blows south for half the year and north for the other half, then next year we can sail back to Ice Fire Island and visit Godfather.”

Zhang Cuishan said happily, “Wuji has the right of it. When you are grown, we shall all sail north together…”

Yin Susu pointed abruptly to the south. “What is that?” On the distant horizon where water met sky, two dark specks were faintly visible. Zhang Cuishan started. “Surely not whales? If they ram the raft, we are done for.”

Yin Susu watched a while longer. “They are not whales. I see no spouts of water.” All three fixed their eyes upon the two dark shapes without blinking. More than an hour passed before Zhang Cuishan cried out joyfully, “Ships! They are ships!” He sprang to his feet so violently that he turned a somersault in the air. Not since Wuji’s birth had he done anything so boyish. Wuji roared with laughter and followed suit, turning two somersaults of his own.

After another hour and more of sailing, with the afternoon sun slanting low, the shapes resolved unmistakably into two great vessels. Yin Susu trembled slightly, and the colour drained from her face.

“Mama, what is wrong?” Wuji asked.

Yin Susu’s lips moved, but no words came. Zhang Cuishan took her hand, concern written across his face. Yin Susu sighed. “We have barely returned, and already we meet them.”

“Who?” Zhang Cuishan asked.

“Look at those sails,” Yin Susu said.

Zhang Cuishan peered intently. Upon the sail of the left-hand vessel was painted a great black eagle, wings outspread, its bearing fierce and imposing. He recalled the banner of the Heavenly Eagle Sect³ that he had seen at Wang Pan Island years ago, and his heart gave a jolt. “They are… Heavenly Eagle Sect?”

Yin Susu said quietly, “Yes. My father’s Heavenly Eagle Sect.”

In that instant, a tumult of thoughts flooded Zhang Cuishan’s mind. Susu’s father is the leader of the Heavenly Eagle Sect. By all accounts, that sect is wicked beyond redemption. When I meet my father-in-law, how am I to conduct myself? And what will Shifu say about this marriage? He felt Susu’s small hand trembling faintly within his own and knew that she, too, was beset by a thousand anxieties. He said at once, “Susu, our son is already this old. Between heaven and earth, nothing shall part us. What is there to fear?” Yin Susu drew a long breath and turned to him with a faint smile. “The vow I made, I shall remember always. I only hope I will not place you in a difficult position. In all things… for Wuji’s sake, please…” She trailed off.

Wuji had never laid eyes on a ship before and was staring at the two vessels, spellbound with curiosity. He paid his parents’ conversation no mind.

The raft drew gradually nearer. The two ships rode close together, pressed almost side to side. If their heading did not change, the raft would pass some hundred yards to the right of them.

Zhang Cuishan said, “Shall we hail them? We could ask after your father.” Yin Susu said, “No. Let us wait until we reach China. I will take you and Wuji to see my father then.” Zhang Cuishan said, “Very well.” Then he noticed the flash of blades aboard the nearer ship. Four or five figures appeared to be fighting. “The people on those ships are in the midst of a battle,” he said. Yin Susu studied the scene for a time, concern gathering on her face. “I wonder if my father is aboard.” Zhang Cuishan said, “Since we have crossed paths, we may as well go and take a look.” He hauled the sail crosswise and swung the stern rudder. The raft veered slightly to the left, heading toward the two vessels.

Even with the sail stretched taut, the raft moved achingly slowly. A long while passed before they drew alongside.

From the Heavenly Eagle Sect ship, a voice called out, “Honest business here! Bystanders, keep well clear!” Yin Susu raised her voice and cried, “The sacred flame blazes bright, its blessings upon the world! Sun and moon shine forth, and the Heavenly Eagle soars!”⁴ These were the secret code-phrases of the Heavenly Eagle Sect. She continued, “This is a Hall Master of the Central Altar. Which Altar burns incense and tends the flame?”

The man on the ship replied at once, his tone turning deeply respectful. “Heavenly Market Hall’s⁵ Hall Master Li, together with the Azure Dragon Altar’s⁶ Altar Master Cheng and the Divine Serpent Altar’s⁷ Altar Master Feng, offer their respects. Is this Hall Master Yin of the Grand Tenuity Hall?”⁸

Yin Susu called back clearly, “Purple Tenuity Hall’s⁹ Hall Master.”

At the words Purple Tenuity Hall’s Hall Master, the ship erupted into commotion. A moment later, more than a dozen voices cried out together, “Young Mistress Yin has returned! Young Mistress Yin has returned!”

Though Zhang Cuishan and Yin Susu had been married for ten years, he had never once heard her speak of the Heavenly Eagle Sect’s affairs, nor had he ever asked. Listening now to the exchange of code-phrases and titles, he learnt for the first time that she held the rank of Hall Master of the Purple Tenuity Hall. It appeared that the position of Hall Master stood above that of Altar Master. At Wang Pan Island, he had seen the martial prowess of the Black Tortoise¹⁰ and Vermilion Bird¹¹ Altar Masters; both had been superior to Yin Susu in skill. That she held the higher title of Hall Master was surely due to her status as the Sect Master’s daughter. This Hall Master Li of the Heavenly Market Hall was doubtless a formidable figure as well.

From the opposing ship, an aged voice spoke. “I hear that the honourable Sect Master’s daughter, Young Mistress Yin, has returned. Perhaps both sides might set aside their quarrel for the moment?” A second voice, high and ringing, answered, “Agreed! Everyone stand down.” At that, the clash of steel ceased all at once, and the combatants on both sides sprang apart.

Footnotes

1. 武当山 – Wǔdāng Shān. Sacred Daoist mountain in modern-day Hubei Province, seat of the Wudang School founded by Zhang Sanfeng. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

2. 金毛狮王 – Jīnmáo Shī Wáng. Literally golden-maned lion king. Xie Xun’s epithet and title as one of the Four Guardian Kings of the Ming Cult. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

3. 天鹰教 – Tiānyīng Jiào. The Heavenly Eagle Sect, a powerful heterodox faction founded and led by Yin Tianzheng, Yin Susu’s father. Originally a subordinate branch of the Ming Cult (明教 – Míng Jiào), it operated with considerable independence. The sect’s organizational structure is modelled on the Three Enclosures (三垣 – sān yuán) of Chinese astronomy, with three Halls (堂 – táng) ranked above several Altars (坛 – tán). See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

4. 圣火熊熊，普惠世人。日月光照，腾飞天鹰 – Shènghuǒ xiōngxiōng, pǔhuì shìrén. Rìyuè guāngzhào, téngfēi Tiānyīng. The secret recognition phrase (切口 – qièkǒu) of the Heavenly Eagle Sect, invoking the sacred flame of the Ming Cult’s Zoroastrian heritage and the sect’s eagle emblem. Its use identifies the speaker as an insider. ↩

5. 天市堂 – Tiānshì Táng. The Heavenly Market Hall, one of the three Halls of the Heavenly Eagle Sect, named after the Heavenly Market Enclosure (天市垣 – Tiānshì Yuán) of Chinese astronomy. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

6. 青龙坛 – Qīnglóng Tán. The Azure Dragon Altar, one of the Heavenly Eagle Sect’s subordinate divisions, named after the Azure Dragon, one of the Four Symbols of Chinese astronomy. ↩

7. 神蛇坛 – Shénshé Tán. The Divine Serpent Altar, another of the Heavenly Eagle Sect’s subordinate divisions. ↩

8. 太微堂 – Tàiwēi Táng. The Grand Tenuity Hall, one of the three Halls of the Heavenly Eagle Sect, named after the Grand Tenuity Enclosure (太微垣 – Tàiwēi Yuán) of Chinese astronomy. ↩

9. 紫微堂 – Zǐwēi Táng. The Purple Tenuity Hall, the foremost of the three Halls of the Heavenly Eagle Sect, named after the Purple Tenuity Enclosure (紫微垣 – Zǐwēi Yuán), the supreme enclosure of Chinese astronomy centred on the North Celestial Pole. Its Hall Master is Yin Susu. ↩

10. 玄武坛 – Xuánwǔ Tán. The Black Tortoise Altar, one of the Heavenly Eagle Sect’s subordinate divisions, named after the Black Tortoise, one of the Four Symbols of Chinese astronomy. ↩

11. 朱雀坛 – Zhūquè Tán. The Vermilion Bird Altar, one of the Heavenly Eagle Sect’s subordinate divisions, named after the Vermilion Bird, one of the Four Symbols of Chinese astronomy. ↩