The Heavenly Sword & the Dragon Sabre Chapter 9 Part 3

Zhang Cuishan's expression was bleak. “Though my sworn brother has reformed, his hands are stained with so much blood... Second Brother, my mind is in turmoil. I don't know what to do.”

Yu Lianzhou said, “We fellow disciples got into conflict with the Tianying Order because of you. The Kunlun School got into conflict with the Tianying Order because of Gao and Jiang. The Jujing Guild and others got into conflict with the Tianying Order because their gang leader was killed. And then there are all the orthodox and unorthodox figures led by the Shaolin Order, all trying to force out Xie Xun’s whereabouts from the Tianying Order. Over these years, the two sides have fought five major battles and countless minor ones. Though the Tianying Order lost every major battle, your father-in-law somehow held on against the siege of all the heroes. He’s truly a remarkable man. Of course, the great sects like Shaolin, Wudang, and Emei, since the truth hasn’t been made clear and there are many hidden aspects, suspect the Tianying Order isn’t the true culprit, so they’ve left room for the other side in every encounter. But ordinary jianghu people have shown no mercy.”

“This time we received news that Altar Leader Li Tiansheng of the Tianying Order’s Tianshi Hall was taking a ship out to sea to search for Xie Xun, so we secretly followed, hoping to find some clues. Who knew that Altar Leader Li noticed something was wrong and refused to let us follow? The Kunlun School started fighting with them. If your raft hadn’t appeared at that moment, both sides would have suffered more losses.”

Zhang Cuishan was silent. He studied his shixiong¹ carefully and saw that his temples were streaked with white and his forehead had gained many wrinkles. “Second Brother, you’ve had a hard ten years. I survived a hundred deaths and finally get to see you again. I… I…”

Seeing his eyes moisten, Yu Lianzhou said, “The Seven Xia of Wudang reuniting is a great joy. Ever since Third Brother was injured and you disappeared, the jianghu has called us the Five Xia of Wudang. Hah, starting today, the Seven Xia restore their reputation…” But thinking that Yu Daiyan’s limbs were crippled, though the number seven was complete, they could never again roam the jianghu together as before, his heart filled with sorrow.

The sea-going ship sailed south for over ten days until it reached the mouth of the Yangtze River. The group transferred to a river boat and sailed westward upriver.

Zhang Cuishan and his wife changed out of their ragged fur and leather clothes. The two of them looked like a pair of jade figures from a fairy terrace, their elegance undiminished from before. Wuji was dressed in new clothes, his hair tied in two little pigtails with red cord, looking very lively and cute.

Yu Lianzhou, devoted to martial arts, had no wife or children. He was very fond of Wuji, but being stern by nature and silent, his manner remained cold. Wuji knew this cold-faced shibo² was actually very kind to him. Whenever he had free time, he would pester his shibo with questions. Born on the deserted island, he had never seen anything on land, and everything seemed fresh and novel to him. Yu Lianzhou surprisingly didn’t find it annoying. He often held the boy and sat at the bow of the boat, watching the river scenery. For every eight or ten questions Wuji asked, he would give one short answer.

One day, the river boat reached the foot of Tongguan Mountain in Tongling, Anhui. As evening approached, the boat moored at a small market town. The boatmen went ashore to buy meat and wine. Yu Lianzhou, Zhang Cuishan, and his wife were brewing tea and chatting in the cabin.

Wuji was playing alone at the bow when he saw an old beggar sitting on the dock playing with snakes. A green snake was coiled around his neck, and in his hands he manipulated a large black snake with white spots. The black snake would coil around his head, then slither across his back, very nimble indeed. Wuji had never seen snakes on Ice Fire Island and found it fascinating. The old beggar saw him and smiled, then flicked his finger. The black snake suddenly leaped up, did a somersault in the air, and landed coiled around his chest. Wuji was amazed and stared without blinking. The old beggar beckoned to him and made gestures, inviting him to come ashore, saying he had more tricks to show.

Wuji immediately walked up the gangplank to shore. The old beggar took a cloth bag from his back, opened the mouth, and smiled. “There’s something fun inside. Come take a look.” Wuji asked, “What is it?” The old beggar said, “Something very interesting. You’ll see when you look.” Wuji leaned over and peered into the bag, but it was too dark to see anything. He moved closer to get a better look, and suddenly the old beggar flipped his hands, pulling the bag over Wuji’s head. Wuji cried out, but his mouth was pressed shut through the cloth. Then his whole body was lifted up.

His muffled cry from inside the bag was faint, but Yu Lianzhou and Zhang Cuishan heard it. Though they were in the cabin at some distance, they immediately noticed something was wrong with the cry. Both rushed to the bow and saw Wuji had been captured by the old beggar.

They were about to leap ashore when the old beggar shouted sternly, “If you want to keep the child alive, don’t move.” He tore open Wuji’s back clothing and pressed the black snake’s mouth against the bare skin of his back.

By now Yin Susu had also rushed to the bow. Seeing her beloved son captured, she was frantic with rage and was about to fire her silver needles. Yu Lianzhou blocked her with both hands and shouted, “Don’t you dare!” He recognised this black snake as a “Qili Xing”, a famous venomous snake. The blacker the body, the more lethal the poison. This snake’s body was so black it gleamed, and the white spots on it sparkled. With its mouth wide open, four fangs bared, aimed at the tender flesh of Wuji’s back. One bite and Wuji would die instantly. Even if they killed the old beggar and got the antidote, it might not be in time. So Yu Lianzhou stayed calm and asked, “What do you want, targeting such a small child?”

The old beggar said, “Order your boatmen to raise anchor and move off five or six zhang³ from shore. Then I’ll talk to you.” Yu Lianzhou knew the man was afraid he would suddenly leap ashore. He knew that once the boat moved away, rescuing someone would be even harder. But with Wuji in his hands, he had to agree first. So he gripped the anchor chain, gave a slight shake with his arm, and a fifty-jin⁴ iron anchor flew up from the water.

The old beggar saw Yu Lianzhou’s arm barely move and the iron anchor already flew up. His skill was truly extraordinary. The old beggar’s expression changed slightly. Zhang Cuishan picked up a long pole, pushed against the shore, and the boat slowly retreated toward the middle of the river. The old beggar said, “Go back a bit more!” Zhang Cuishan said angrily, “Isn’t five or six zhang far enough?” The old beggar smiled. “With Yu the Second Xia’s skill in lifting the iron anchor like that, even at five or six zhang, I still can’t be at ease.” Zhang Cuishan had no choice but to push the boat back another zhang or so.

Yu Lianzhou cupped his fists. “May I ask your name?” The old beggar said, “I’m just a nameless nobody in the Beggars’ Guild. My lowly name isn’t worth dirtying Yu the Second Xia’s ears.” Yu Lianzhou saw he carried six cloth bags on his back, a six-bag disciple of the Beggars’ Guild, already quite high-ranking. How could he engage in such despicable behaviour? Besides, the Beggars’ Guild had always acted righteously. Their gang leader Shi Huolong was an upright man, famous in the jianghu. This was truly strange.

Yin Susu suddenly called out, “Has the Eastern River Wushan Guild joined the Beggars’ Guild? I don’t think the Beggars’ Guild has someone like you.” The old beggar said “Eh?” in surprise. Before he could answer, Yin Susu continued, “Third Brother He, what are you up to? If you harm even one hair on my child, I’ll chop you and your Mei Shijian into seventeen or twenty-eight pieces!”

The old beggar was startled. “Miss Yin really has sharp eyes, to recognise even someone as insignificant as me, He Laosan.” Yin Susu said angrily, “Get that snake away from him! Your little Wushan Guild, how dare you! You’ve provoked the Tianying Order.” He Laosan said, “Just one word from Miss Yin and He Laosan will return the young master immediately. Gang Leader Mei will personally come to apologise.” Yin Susu asked, “What word?”

He Laosan said, “Our Gang Leader Mei’s only son died at Xie Xun’s hands. Miss Yin must have heard. Gang Leader Mei begs Zhang Wuxia and Miss Yin… no, I misspoke. I should say Madam Zhang. The two of you, please show mercy and reveal that villain Xie Xun’s whereabouts. Our whole gang will be deeply grateful.” Yin Susu raised her elegant brows. “We don’t know.” He Laosan said, “Then we can only ask you two to help find out. We’ll take good care of the young master. Once you find Xie Xun’s location, Gang Leader Mei will personally return the young master.”

Yin Susu saw the snake’s fangs only inches from her son’s back. Her heart stirred, and she was about to tell them everything about Ice Fire Island. She glanced at her husband and saw his face set with determination. After ten years of marriage, she knew he valued loyalty above all. If she revealed Xie Xun’s location to save their son, and as a result her sworn brother died at someone’s hands, their marital bond would probably not survive. The words were on the tip of her tongue, but she held them back.

Zhang Cuishan said loudly, “Fine, take my son then. How can a man betray his friends? You think too little of the Seven Xia of Wudang.”

He Laosan was taken aback. He had thought that once Wuji was captured, Zhang Cuishan and his wife would have to reveal Xie Xun’s whereabouts. He never expected such a firm refusal. For a moment he didn’t know what to do. He said, “Yu the Second Xia, Xie Xun’s crimes are as high as a mountain. The Wudang Order upholds justice in the wulin, admired by all. Please persuade them.”

Yu Lianzhou said, “How to handle this matter, my fellow disciples and I are returning to Wudang to report to our master and await his instructions. At the Yellow Crane Tower heroes’ gathering in Wuchang, please invite your Gang Leader Mei and yourself to attend. Right and wrong will be settled there. First, release the child.”

Though he was six or seven zhang from shore, when he spoke these words he didn’t raise his voice at all. But He Laosan heard every word clearly, as if they were sitting face to face. He was secretly impressed, thinking, “The Seven Xia of Wudang truly live up to their reputation. This time we’ve risked everything for this, but how can a small Wushan Guild provoke both the Wudang Order and the Tianying Order? But Gang Leader Mei’s vengeance for his son’s death cannot go unavenged.” He bowed and said, “In that case, I’ve offended. I can only ask the young master to make a trip to Eastern River.”

Suddenly, Yin Susu pushed her palm hard against the back of a sailor standing at the rail, then kicked another sailor off with her left foot. The two sailors cried out and fell into the water with loud splashes.

Yin Susu shouted, “Oh no! Oh no! Fifth Brother, why are you hitting me?” She jumped and shouted at the bow. Yu Lianzhou and Zhang Cuishan were startled, not understanding why she was acting like this. He Laosan, watching from afar, was even more bewildered.

Yu Lianzhou understood with just a moment’s thought. Seeing He Laosan standing dumbfounded, he immediately drew his long jian and threw it with all his strength. With a whistling sound, the jian flew through the air and slashed past, cutting off the head of the “Qili Xing” venomous snake, and also cutting off the four fingers of He Laosan’s hand that was holding the snake.

The moment Yu Lianzhou’s jian left its sheath, Zhang Cuishan had already grabbed the rope at the top of the mast. He pushed off from the bow with both feet and swung through the air on the rope. He arrived only a moment after Yu Lianzhou’s jian. Before his feet touched ground, he leaned forward from mid-air. His left palm struck He Laosan with a bang, sending him tumbling head over heels. His right hand had already grabbed Wuji. He Laosan spat blood and collapsed, unable to stand.

The two sailors swam to shore, not understanding why Yin Susu was angry, not daring to return to the boat. Yin Susu called out cheerfully, “Please come back aboard, you two! I’m sorry for just now. Two liang of silver each for your trouble, please have a drink on me.”

The river boat sailed upriver against the wind, making slow progress. Zhang Cuishan, having been apart from his master and fellow disciples for ten years, was eager to see them. After reaching Anqing, he wanted to leave the boat and ride horses. Yu Lianzhou said, “Fifth Brother, it’s better to stay on the boat. Though we’ll be a few days later, sitting in the cabin means fewer incidents. These days in the jianghu, so many people want to ask about your sworn brother’s whereabouts.” Yin Susu said, “We’re travelling with Second Uncle. Would anyone dare block Yu the Second Xia?” Yu Lianzhou said, “The seven of us fellow disciples together, perhaps no one could stop us. But just the two of us, how can we match the endless stream of experts? Besides, we hope this matter can be resolved peacefully. Why make more enemies?” Zhang Cuishan nodded. “Second Brother is right.”

Footnotes

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

2. 师伯 – shībó. Senior lineage uncle. Shixiong or shijie of one’s shifu. Shī means teacher. Bó means father’s elder brother. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

3. 丈 – zhàng. Traditional Chinese unit of length, approximately 3.33 metres or 10.9 feet. ↩

4. 斤 – jīn. Traditional Chinese unit of weight, approximately 500 grams or 1.1 pounds. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩