Eternal Spring Defeated

1

GALLANT OUYANG APPROACHED, FLANKED BY FOUR OF HIS concubines. He glanced in disdain at the shadowy mass of unkempt hair that was Cyclone Mei.

With a casual wave of his fan, he reached over Mei to grab Lotus.

Immediately, he felt a wave of enormous strength rush towards his chest, then saw her flashing claws. He jabbed his fan at her wrist, pivoting himself away from harm.

Cloth tearing, metal snapping, screams of pain.

He looked down and saw that the front of his robe was torn, his metal fan had been broken in two and all four of his women were slumped on the ground in a grey-red pool of blood and brain. Five holes were visible in their skulls, dug by a human hand.

He had never known an attack so fast and so brutal. The crone was still crumpled on the ground, and he concluded with slight relief that she could not walk, then launched into the Snow Mountain Camel Palm, a boxing technique passed down in his family.

Cyclone Mei flashed her talons. Each swipe tore the air with a whistle.

Now, Lotus thought, and tugged at Guo Jing's hand. They must run. But immediately she heard a howl of rage and felt fists flying at her from behind. She swerved to duck. Surprisingly, her attacker pulled back.

Browbeater Hou had remembered, just before his punch landed between Lotus's shoulder blades, that she was wearing the Hedgehog Chainmail. He most certainly did not want his hands pierced by the spiky steel shirt. He twisted away in time, but he was not able to arrest the momentum of the blow and his fist crashed into the three cysts on his forehead. He collapsed, yelping and bawling in pain.

The commotion brought Hector Sha, Greybeard Liang and Tiger Peng to the scene.

One look at Gallant Ouyang's tattered robe and the woman's claws, and Old Liang recognised the kung fu immediately. The demon in the cave! He lunged at her with a roar.

Sha and Peng watched from the sidelines, stunned by the woman's skill and ruthlessness. They were both thinking the same thing: Where on earth did this hag come from?

"She is Twice Foul Dark Wind!" Tiger Peng gasped.

Meanwhile, Browbeater Hou was on his feet and chasing Lotus, but he was neither fast nor agile enough to catch her. Lotus noticed that he was reaching for her head in an effort to avoid the Hedgehog Chainmail. She dived into a nearby patch of shrubbery and stuck her Emei Needles into her hair.

"I'm here!" She poked her head out through the vegetation.

"I'll get you this time!" He grasped at Lotus's hair.

"Brother, she's got spikes on her head too!"

Too late. Browbeater Hou stared at his bloody palms and started hopping about in pain.

"Shh!" Hector Sha silenced his martial brother and launched himself at Lotus.

Unable to move freely, Cyclone Mei was in danger of being overwhelmed by the joint attack of Greybeard Liang and Gallant Ouyang. With one arm fending off her opponents, she reached behind her and grabbed Guo Jing.

"Lift me up!"

Guo Jing could not understand the purpose of her instruction. But they were fighting on the same side, for the moment, so he did as she asked, wrapping his arms around her legs.

Mei blocked a palm strike from Gallant Ouyang with her left hand and clawed at Old Liang with her right.

"Make for the Ginseng Codger!"

At last, Guo Jing understood: she could not fight them off sitting down. He hoisted her onto his shoulders, lunging and retreating at her command. Cyclone Mei's slight frame meant that she was an easy load, and did not affect the speed or agility of his lightness kung fu.

Now a good three feet taller than her opponents, Cyclone Mei regained the upper hand. It gave her respite enough to question Guo Jing on the secrets to cultivating internal strength.

"What position should one take to train neigong?"

"Sitting cross-legged, with the Five Cores turned skywards."

"What are the Five Cores?"

"The centres of the palms, the soles of the feet, and the crown of the head."

Excited by this knowledge, she attacked with renewed strength. She clawed at Greybeard Liang's shoulder, drawing blood. The older man backed off. But, just as Guo Jing was about to give chase, he noticed that Hector Sha and Browbeater Hou were hounding Lotus.

"We shall get rid of those two first!" He charged at them.

Cyclone Mei thrust her left palm into Browbeater Hou's back. He ducked, certain that he was now beyond her reach. Yet, immediately, he felt himself being lifted up. Can she extend the length of her arm at will?

Petrified, he watched her right hand descend towards his head.

"I surrender!" he squeaked.

Hector Sha leapt up to block Cyclone Mei. Their wrists locked and their arms quivered in pain. Mei then felt a tremor in the air to her left and tossed Browbeater Hou in that direction.

Aiya! Tiger Peng was hoping to ambush Cyclone Mei using his secret throwing weapons, his Copper Coin Darts, but they hit Browbeater Hou instead, as he sailed through the air.

He'll be seriously hurt if he is dashed to the ground like that, Hector Sha said to himself. He dived forward and thrust his palm into his martial brother's waist.

Browbeater Hou flew up into the air like a paper kite, the momentum of Cyclone Mei's throw broken by his martial brother's intervention, but, as he summoned his qi to cushion his landing, he found he was unable to stop his flailing arms from swinging once more into the cysts on his forehead, and he yelped in pain.

It all happened in the blink of an eye – Cyclone Mei's throw and Hector Sha's desperate catch.

All the while, Tiger Peng continued to fling his coins at Cyclone Mei. Gallant Ouyang and Greybeard Liang had repositioned themselves to encircle her.

Cyclone Mei might have been blind, but her ears were as sharp as any eyes. She flicked her fingers in different directions and the clang of metal reverberated through the air. All of Tiger Peng's projectiles were redirected back at him and his three companions. This was the Divine Flick, the technique she had started to learn shortly before her dishonourable departure from Peach Blossom Island. The counterattack bought her enough time to question Guo Jing further on the training of inner strength.

"What is Garnering the Five Elements?"

"Wood of the Eastern Spirit, Gold of the Western Soul, Fire of the Southern Life Force, Water of the Northern Essence, Earth of the Central Mind."

I had it completely wrong, she said quietly to herself. "What about Harmonising the Four Forms?"

"Holding the spirit in the eyes, garnering the tone in the ears, tuning the breath in the nose, binding the energy in the tongue."

"Really? What about the Five Forces to the Origin?"

"Without seeing, gather the spirit in the liver; without hearing, pool the essence in the kidneys; without speaking, form the life force in the heart; without smelling, raise the soul in the lungs; without moving, hone the mind in the spleen."

These were secret formulas of Taoist neigong practice that Guo Jing had learned from Ma Yu.

One day, Guo Jing had said, "I feel like there is a warm little mouse running around inside my tummy." It was the first sign of his internal-energy flow being connected. The first step towards acquiring neigong.

Ma Yu was not able to tell Guo Jing on the spot, in simple, everyday terms, how he could guide this warm little mouse in his stomach, nor how it could connect and tap into the Conception Vessel and Governing Vessel meridians, the body's main rivers of energy. Nor did he wish to alter the formula of inner kung fu practice that had been passed on to him by his own mentor, aware of the damage a misguided energy flow, however slight, could wreak on the body. So he taught Guo Jing the only way he knew – the Quanzhen Sect's method of channelling internal energy – while holding back from explaining the complexities within. After all, they were not master and disciple.

Guo Jing had memorised the words, as per the kindly Taoist uncle's instruction. He never thought of asking their purpose or meaning. That had always been the way he learned kung fu, by committing to memory tenets given to him and not questioning when he did not understand. When he learned the move Black Tiger Steals the Heart, he knew that it was a right jab to the chest, and that he could never use it on his Seventh Shifu Jade Han. He never pondered on how the tiger stole the heart. The physical gesture alone was often more than his poor brain could cope with.

Though Guo Jing barely understood the meaning of the phrases he was repeating, he could answer Mei's questions without hesitation. He had no idea that the martial philosophy of Peach Blossom Island was different in every way from that of the Taoist tradition. He could not have guessed that Cyclone Mei had groped blindly for an interpretation of those phrases in the Nine Yin Manual for more than a decade, nor that her current paralysis had been caused by one of these wild guesses.

"What about Three Splendours Gather at the Crown?" This was the point at which everything began to go wrong.

"Essence into force, force into spirit—"

Cyclone Mei was now paying more attention to Guo Jing's words than to the fight. Her opponents, each of them a martial master with decades of combat experience, saw their opportunity. A palm strike from Gallant Ouyang hit her in the left shoulder, and one from Hector Sha met her ribcage from the right. Even with her body-toughening training, the pain shook her to the core.

Lotus Huang had hoped Cyclone Mei would keep her pursuers busy while she escaped with Guo Jing, but now he was her warhorse and they were stuck.

Under attack from all four sides, Mei was struggling.

"How did you offend so many martial masters? Where is Shifu?"

She really hoped he would arrive soon. Not only would he see her risking her life to help his daughter, but he would also dispatch her assailants with ease. But, then again, what punishment would he mete out for her?

"He'll be here any moment. These people can't touch a hair on your head, even if you fight them sitting down."

Lotus hoped that Mei would fall for the flattery and let Guo Jing go, but Mei was running out of tricks and she knew it. A small mistake now could cost her life. Moreover, she was being held aloft by a store of neigong knowledge contained within a young boy who also happened to be her husband's murderer. Nothing in the world could tempt her into letting him go.

Another dozen moves were exchanged. Cyclone Mei could feel the air rushing at her from both left and right. She flung her arms out sideways to deflect the blows.

Just then, Greybeard Liang leapt up and grabbed Mei by the hair. Lotus knew she had to step in and she thrust her palm at Liang's back. He twirled his right hand and locked onto Lotus's wrist, his left still gripping Mei's hair. But his attention was now divided and it gave Mei a small window of opportunity to strike. Her palm whipped up a gust into Old Liang's face. He had to let go to avoid it.

"Lying wench!" Tiger Peng shouted. "You are Twice Foul Dark Wind's disciple!"

"She's not my shifu! Not in a hundred years!" Lotus retorted. "It would be more accurate to say I'm her teacher."

The answer took Tiger Peng aback. It was obvious that the girl and Cyclone Mei shared the same martial fingerprint, but no member of the wulin would deny their shifu outright, to their face. Could she be telling the truth?

"Shoot the horse to take the rider!" Hector Sha called to his companions as he swept his right leg at Guo Jing.

If he gets hurt, I won't survive this fight! Cyclone Mei thought, and she lunged her claws at Hector Sha's foot. But the desperate move exposed her back to Gallant Ouyang. He immediately thrust his palm at her from behind.

Hearing his approach, Mei flicked her wrist and a sliver of glittering white unfurled in the air. White Python Whip. The four men ducked out of the weapon's reach.

We need to kill her quick! It was unlike Tiger Peng to show mercy – not for nothing was he known in the martial world as the Butcher of a Thousand Hands. We'll be in big trouble when her husband Copper Corpse appears.

News of Hurricane Chen's death had not reached the Central Plains, as neither Cyclone Mei nor the Freaks had spoken in the wulin about that night.

The unforgiving lash of the White Python Whip could maim anyone within four zhang, but Cyclone Mei was not facing common brawlers.

Now at a safe distance, Gallant Ouyang, Greybeard Liang, Hector Sha and Tiger Peng looked for a pattern in her moves.

Suddenly, Peng whistled through his fingers and rolled under the reach of the whip. Mei heard Guo Jing's yelp and extended her left arm with a downward strike. She needed Guo Jing to support her, and it was hard to focus on Tiger Peng while also keeping the other three Masters at bay.

Lotus Huang wanted to help, but she could not get near them. She could see that Mei was struggling to subdue Tiger Peng with one hand. The situation was turning very ugly for Guo Jing. She needed to act fast.

"Stop! Listen!" she shouted. Her words fell on deaf ears.

"Lotus, run! I'll find you!" Guo Jing called back.

"I'm not going anywhere without you!"

2

"STOP!"

This time, the voice came from the top of the palace wall. But mere words can never halt a fight, especially when no-one recognises the speaker. Lotus looked up and saw six disparate figures standing in a line. The diminutive, rotund one leapt down first, with a whip in hand. He was accompanied by a broad-chested man brandishing a shoulder pole.

"You can't run from us, libertine!" the first man cried.

Guo Jing knew the voice very well. "Third Shifu! Help me!"

After parting ways with Guo Jing near Kalgan, the Six Freaks of the South had tailed the eight women from White Camel Mount who they had overheard conspiring at the inn. That night, they had discovered that the women were part of Gallant Ouyang's retinue and their master planned to abduct a maiden for his harem. The Freaks could not stand by and do nothing in the face of such moral depravity.

The Freaks had spent more than a decade honing their martial skills in the arid landscape of Mongolia, teaching Guo Jing. Fighting six to one also gave them a distinct advantage against Gallant Ouyang when they challenged him. The eldest of the Freaks, Ke Zhen'e, the Suppressor of Evil, landed a blow on Gallant Ouyang with his metal staff, and Zhu Cong the Intelligent, the second of this martial brotherhood, fractured the little finger in Gallant Ouyang's left hand with his signature move Split Muscles Lock Bones. Two of Ouyang's female accomplices lost their lives to Woodcutter Nan and Gilden Quan, the fourth and the sixth of the Freaks. The Master of White Camel Mount had fled without his prize.

The Freaks escorted the frightened girl home and they began to track Gallant Ouyang. They knew none among them could beat the rake single-handed, so they stayed together as they searched. Sly though Gallant Ouyang might have been in his decision to take less-trodden paths, the physical appearance of his women – dressed completely in white and travelling on camels – meant they were always noticed. The Freaks were able to follow their trail by questioning innkeepers along the way, until they found themselves at the Prince of Zhao residence, the palace of the Sixth Prince of the Jin Empire, Wanyan Honglie.

Shocked and surprised to find Guo Jing here, Zhu Cong was the first to spot their disciple carrying Cyclone Mei on his shoulders!

Jade Han, the youngest of the Freaks, charged at Mei with her sword raised, and Gilden Quan rolled under Mei's dancing whip to get to Guo Jing.

Tiger Peng could not tell whether these new arrivals were friends or foes, as they were taking on both Gallant Ouyang and Cyclone Mei. He performed several somersaults of the Ground Boxing technique to distance himself from Mei's whip and bellowed, "Stop!"

His voice rang like a mighty bell, crashing and clanging in everyone's ears. Greybeard Liang and Hector Sha took a step back and paused their attack on Cyclone Mei.

"Third Brother, Seventh Sister, stop!" Ke Zhen'e ordered. He knew his martial siblings would not be able to subdue this man whose shout still echoed. Ryder Han, the rotund, bow-legged man Guo Jing called Third Shifu, backed away from Gallant Ouyang.

Gasping in pain, Cyclone Mei let her silver whip hang limp. Lotus moved closer and said in her sweetest voice, "You've done brilliantly. Father will be so pleased." At the same time, she gestured wildly at Guo Jing to throw Mei off.

"Essence into force, force into spirit, spirit into emptiness: such is the meaning of Three Splendours Gather at the Crown." Guo Jing summoned his qi and hurled Cyclone Mei from his shoulders as she pondered the cryptic explanation. He jumped back to put more distance between himself and the blind woman. But, before his feet could touch the ground, he found the White Python whip hurtling at his face, its hooks glistening under the stars.

Ryder Han let fly his whip with a backhand flick. As it curled over Mei's, a sharp tremor jolted his grip. The weapon flew out of his hand.

Still airborne, Cyclone Mei reached out, tapped the ground lightly with her hand to guide her descent, and landed gracefully.

The Seven Freaks of the South! She recognised Ke Zhen'e's voice as well as Jade Han's moves. Why did they have to come now? On any other day, she would have rejoiced at their arrival. I have been looking for them for so many years, she thought. But I am having trouble enough with these four others . . .

Once again, that fateful night came back to her. She knew what she had to do next. If I am fated to die today, I will take the Freaks down with me. As many of them as I can manage. The other four are of no matter.

She tightened her grip on the whip and listened. How come there are only six? Where's the seventh Freak? She did not know that Laughing Buddha Zhang Asheng, the fifth sibling, was killed by her husband in the same fight that took her sight and the love of her life.

No-one dared stray within the whip's reach. Silence sat heavy in the air until Zhu Cong broke it.

"Why were you helping that witch?" he whispered.

"They were trying to kill me. She saved me." Guo Jing's answer brought more confusion than clarity.

"Who are you?" Tiger Peng demanded. "Why did you break into the Prince's palace?"

"My name is Ke. We siblings seven are known on the jianghu as the Seven Freaks of the South."

"The Seven Heroes of the South – we have long admired your reputation." There was not a drop of sincerity in Tiger Peng's voice.

"Excellent! I have always wanted to see with my own eyes what the Freaks are made of." Hector Sha glowered.

The Seven Freaks of the South were a sore point for Sha. His four disciples had suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of Guo Jing not long ago, in Mongolia, in full view of both the Jin and the Mongolian armies, including his host, Prince Wanyan Honglie.

Hector Sha darted forward with a swerve of his body, swinging his palm at Woodcutter Nan's head with a whoosh. Nan thrust his shoulder pole into the ground and lifted his arms to block. Within a few moves, Nan was struggling. Jade Han rushed forward with her sword to aid her Fourth Brother, followed by Gilden Quan with his steelyard.

Howling, Tiger Peng lunged at Gilden Quan and snatched at his weapon. The Sixth Freak jolted backwards, a move that sent the steelyard's hook and counterweight flying at Peng. It was not a weapon Peng had ever seen in his decades roaming the martial world. With a Python Flip, he slipped past the projectiles.

"Is this thing, these weighing scales, your weapon?" Tiger Peng was incredulous.

"It's made for weighing pigs like you!" was Gilden Quan's comeback.

Tiger Peng pounced, thrusting his palms in quick succession. These powerful strikes sliced the air with a roar.

Gilden Quan ducked and dodged. He did not stand a chance against such a skilled fighter. Ryder Han came to his aid, swinging punches and launching kicks. Though competent in hand-to-hand combat, he had lost his Golden Dragon whip, the conduit of his most accomplished kung fu. Even fighting two to one, there were too many close calls for the Freaks.

The two eldest Freaks now stepped in. Brandishing his Exorcist's Staff, Ke Zhen'e joined Woodcutter Nan and Jade Han in resisting Hector Sha. Zhu Cong came to Gilden Quan and Ryder Han's aid, jabbing his oilpaper fan at Tiger Peng's vital pressure points. Their skill far exceeded that of their younger martial siblings. Now fighting three against one, Sha and Peng instantly lost their advantage.

Meanwhile, Lotus Huang was harrying Browbeater Hou once more. He was without a doubt the more skilled fighter, but he was too scared to strike, worried that he would get stung again by the spikes on her body and in her hair. Lotus took advantage of this and launched her armoured body at him.

"Take off your chainmail. Make it a fair fight!" Hou protested as he dodged.

"Well, cut off your cysts then. Otherwise, it's not going to be fair."

"They don't hurt anyone!"

"The sight of them makes me sick. And that's giving you an advantage! Come on, one, two, three, you cut them off and I'll remove my steel shirt."

"No!"

"You said you wanted to fight fair."

"I'm not falling for your tricks again!"

Gallant Ouyang had been watching from the sidelines, calculating his next move. Cyclone Mei isn't going anywhere in this crippled state; I can deal with her later. I'm going to show these six busybodies some real kung fu and cast them down to the underworld, he thought.

He leapt up and, suddenly, he was next to Ke Zhen'e. It was a lightness qinggong technique known as A Thousand Miles in One Breath.

"I'll show you martial prowess!" Gallant Ouyang slapped down at Ke Zhen'e with his right hand.

The eldest Freak twirled his staff to block, but Gallant Ouyang's attack morphed into a backhand strike from the left.

Ke Zhen'e ducked and swung his staff in a move known as Protector Adamantine Dharma. But, by now, Gallant Ouyang had moved on to attacking Woodcutter Nan. Darting east and west, he threw a deadly blow at each of the Freaks.

With the Freaks struggling against Gallant Ouyang, Greybeard Liang saw his opportunity. He charged at Guo Jing. Within a couple of moves, he had the young man by the front of his shirt and aimed a sweeping strike at his abdomen. Guo Jing sucked his tummy in and lurched back. His shirt ripped and the herbs he had stolen tumbled out. Recognising the scent, the Ginseng Immortal quickly gathered and stowed the packages, then launched his palms at Guo Jing once more.

Guo Jing managed to swerve away from Old Liang and ran to Cyclone Mei. "Help me!"

"Lift me up. We have nothing to fear from the Ginseng Codger." She still had many questions about Taoist neigong training, but she could sense Guo Jing was not going to let her sit on his shoulders again – instead, he ran past her, with Greybeard Liang hard on his heels.

Guo Jing was now within the reach of Cyclone Mei's whip; the time had come to take her revenge. She listened and flicked her wrist. The lash slithered towards its target.

All through her fight with Browbeater Hou, Lotus had kept an eye on Guo Jing. She had been too far away to help when he was grabbed by Greybeard Liang, but he was now racing in her direction and Cyclone Mei's whip was snaking towards him. Lotus launched herself forward and sailed into the path of the lash. The whip's thong coiled around her waist and then cast her high up into the air.

"You'd hurt me, Flora Mei?"

Oh no, Shifu will never forgive me now, Cyclone Mei realised with horror. What's done is done. I'll pull her to me and then decide what to do.

With another flick of her wrist, the lash swirled and set its load beside its owner.

Cyclone Mei untangled Lotus from the whip, expecting the hooks to have sunk deep into her flesh, yet only the outermost layer of her clothing was torn and it was curiously dry.

"My clothes! Ruined! You'd better replace them!"

She doesn't sound hurt. Now Cyclone Mei understood. Of course! Shifu had given her the Hedgehog Chainmail.

"Forgive me. I shall happily buy you a new dress to replace the one I have damaged."

Lotus beckoned Guo Jing over. They stood several paces from Mei, close enough to keep the Ginseng Codger away, but just out of her reach.

The Six Freaks of the South were now standing back-to-back in a circle, using all their martial knowledge to resist the attentions of Hector Sha, Tiger Peng, Gallant Ouyang and Browbeater Hou. The Freaks had developed this formation when they were in Mongolia, to keep themselves protected from an attack from the rear. Though the arrangement amplified their strength, there were still too many heart-stopping moments.

Ryder Han had suffered an injury to his shoulder, but he pushed through with gritted teeth. If the formation was broken, it would put everyone's life in danger.

Noticing this weak link, Tiger Peng launched a succession of his deadliest moves at Ryder Han.

Guo Jing sprinted over to help his Third Shifu, thrusting his palms at Tiger Peng's back in a Dispel the Clouds to Push the Moon. The martial Master sniggered at this feeble effort and had the young man scrambling for his life in just three moves.

Lotus did not have the skills to help Guo Jing, but perhaps she could create a distraction?

"Cyclone Mei –" she raised her voice – "you've stolen my father's Nine Yin Manual. Give it to me and I will bring it back to him."

Gallant Ouyang, Hector Sha, Tiger Peng and Greybeard Liang turned to Cyclone Mei with the same thought: the Manual! It's still in her hands! Once I kill her, it will be mine!

Instantly, their quarrel with the Freaks was entirely insignificant.

Mei realised what was coming. Once more, she created a circle of protection with her silver whip, keeping the four martial masters at bay. For the time being.

Lotus grabbed Guo Jing's hand. "Let's go!"

At that moment, a messenger from the palace arrived in their midst.

"Masters, my father requires your assistance in an important matter." A gold coronet perched on his head, askew. "My mother . . . has been abducted. Please hurry."

It was Wanyan Honglie's son, Wanyan Kang. He had been sent by the Prince, who, after a fruitless search for his Consort, remembered his martial guests and their extraordinary skills. The young man, who was around Guo Jing's age, had come upon the fight in such a distraught state, he did not notice that his father's guests were attacking his clandestine shifu.

The four men backed away reluctantly. It would be churlish to refuse the young Prince when his father had showered them with so many lavish gifts, but it was also difficult to let Cyclone Mei go when they were so close to getting their hands on the Nine Yin Manual.

And yet, even if they managed to take the Manual from Cyclone Mei now, they would then have to fight each other for it. Each man was quietly plotting a way to obtain the coveted martial tract, now that he was certain of its whereabouts.

Greybeard Liang glared at Guo Jing as he trudged after Wanyan Kang. The precious snake blood he had cultivated for more than a decade was still inside the boy's body, but he stood no chance against the Freaks and Cyclone Mei on his own.

"Hey, give me back the herbs!" Guo Jing called.

Old Liang flicked his wrist without looking back. A Bone-Piercing Needle whistled through the air, straight at Guo Jing's forehead.

In two quick moves, Zhu Cong knocked the Needle off course with the oilpaper fan in his right hand and caught it with his left. He sniffed its tip. "A Night and Noon Needle. Instantaneous death the moment it draws blood."

The Ginseng Immortal turned, surprised to hear his secret weapon identified so easily.

"Here you go, Master!" Zhu Cong presented the projectile in the middle of his left palm.

Greybeard Liang reached out and took back what was his, paying little attention to the filthy scholar, since he knew he could defeat him with ease. Zhu Cong waved his arm to flick away the dirt on Liang's left sleeve. The older man glowered and walked away.

Guo Jing was dejected. After everything he had been through this night, he had failed to get the herbs needed to purge the poison from Elder Wang's body. He was at a loss what to do.

"Let's go," said the eldest Freak, Ke Zhen'e, as he hopped onto the palace wall. His siblings and Guo Jing followed after him.

Lotus Huang also jumped up, but stayed some distance away from the Freaks. She made no move to greet them.

"Little sister, where's my shifu?" Cyclone Mei said.

"On Peach Blossom Island, of course!" Lotus giggled. "Why do you ask? Are you planning to visit him?"

Mei struggled to control her breathing. "You said he was coming," she gasped eventually.

"Oh, he will, once I tell him where you are."

No-one toys with Cyclone Mei! I'll grab this little rascal and drag the truth out of her. She wobbled to her feet and lunged.

In the past days, the more she tried to free her life energy, the more it became stuck. Yet, right now, in her rage, she forgot that she was paralysed from the waist down, and a wave of warmth surged to her heart. Her legs were hers once more.

Shocked by Cyclone Mei's sudden agility, Lotus leapt from the palace wall and disappeared into the streets and alleyways of the Jin capital.

I'm walking! Mei gasped. And yet, just as quickly, the numbness returned to her legs and they buckled. She collapsed on the ground and lost consciousness.

"What about her?" Jade Han, the youngest of the Freaks, asked.

If the Freaks wished to take her life now, it would be as easy as emptying their pockets. But it would be a dishonourable act.

"We promised Elder Ma to spare her life," Ke Zhen'e replied as he landed on the street outside the palace.

3

AS IRONHEART YANG CRADLED CHARITY BAO IN HIS ARMS, A bittersweet rush of emotions overcame him. Reunited at last, after so many years. But he did not have time for reflection. They needed to escape fast. Lifting her tenderly, he scaled the palace wall.

Ironheart's god-daughter, Mercy Mu, was waiting anxiously outside.

"Pa, why is the Consort . . .?" Mercy asked as she helped them down.

"She is your mother. We need to go."

"My mother?"

"Hush, I will explain later." Ironheart hurried on, with Charity still in his arms.

After they had covered some distance, Charity gradually began to grasp the whirlwind of events that had unfolded over this one night. In the dawn twilight, she could see that the man carrying her was the husband she had yearned for night and day for eighteen years.

She reached out to touch his face. "Am I dead?"

Sobs cracked Ironheart's voice: "We are both alive and well—"

The drumming of hooves cut him short. A company of riders bearing flickering torches was galloping in their direction.

"Get him! Don't let him go! He's taken Her Highness!" The soldiers of the vanguard held their sabres and spears high, ready for combat.

I have her in my arms again; I can die a happy man, Ironheart thought. He turned to Mercy. "Child, take your mother."

Scenes from Ox Village in Lin'an eighteen years ago came rushing back to Charity: Ironheart carrying her as they ran for their lives, the shouts and screams of the soldiers in pursuit. Eighteen years of separation, of heartbreak and disgrace.

It cannot happen again! Charity clung to her husband's neck. I will never let go.

The soldiers were almost upon them. I would rather die defending my love than abandon her again, Ironheart thought. He unwound Charity's arms from his neck and settled her with Mercy before running headlong into the pursuing force. He took out a foot soldier with a punch and snatched up the man's spear.

Now armed, he was ten times the fighter he had been empty-handed.

One thrust and Ironheart managed to unseat the captain of the Sixth Prince's personal guard from his horse.

Having lost their leader, the riders scattered. Relief washed over Ironheart. There were no skilled martial artists among them. But he was also disappointed. He had failed to grab any of their horses.

They pressed on. In the early-morning light, Charity noticed the blood on Ironheart's clothes.

"Are you hurt?"

The mere question sent stabs of pain down the backs of Ironheart's hands.

The ten holes dug by Wanyan Kang's ten fingers.

It had been two days since Yang fought the young Prince. He had refused to acknowledge Mercy as his betrothed, having won her hand in the Duel for a Maiden.

The wounds had started bleeding again. Ironheart had not felt any discomfort while fighting, but now he could barely lift his arms. Just as Charity was about to bandage his hands, soldiers could once more be heard behind them. The dust kicked up by their horses masked their numbers.

"No need." Ironheart sighed. "Run, my child! We will stay here."

"No! I'm staying with you," Mercy said.

"Is she your child?" Charity could not help but ask.

Ironheart was about to answer, but the soldiers were closing in. He turned and saw two Taoist monks heading in their direction. One had a kindly face framed by grey eyebrows and a long, grizzled beard. The other, younger-looking man, with dark hair, carried a sword on his back.

"Elder Qiu! How wonderful to see Your Reverence again!" Ironheart cried.

The Taoists were Scarlet Sun Ma Yu and Eternal Spring Qiu Chuji. They had arranged to meet their martial brother Jade Sun Wang Chuyi here, in Zhongdu, the capital of the Jin Empire, to discuss the contest with the Seven Freaks of the South.

Qiu Chuji's mastery of internal-strength kung fu had kept his features youthful. Even though it had been eighteen years since his encounter with Ironheart Yang, his face had hardly changed at all. The only sign of time's passing was the touch of grey at his temples.

Qiu Chuji studied Ironheart's features. He had never met this man before.

"Eighteen years ago, we drank and fought together in Ox Village in Lin'an. Does Your Reverence remember that day?" Ironheart asked.

"May I ask who . . .?"

"Your servant, Ironheart Yang." He fell to his knees and touched his forehead to the ground.

Qiu Chuji cupped his hands together to return the honour, but he was hesitant. This man had been scarred by injuries, harsh elements and destitution. He bore little resemblance to the young man Qiu met all those years ago.

The soldiers were almost upon them. There was no time for explanation. Ironheart Yang sprang into a Nodding Phoenix. The spear's red tassel fluttered, its tip flashed inches from Qiu Chuji's chest.

"Elder Qiu, you may have forgotten me, but you cannot have forgotten the Yang Family Spear," he said when the spear was once again at rest.

All at once, that snowy day came back to Qiu Chuji.

"Brother Yang, you're alive! Thank heaven and earth!"

Ironheart bowed in acknowledgement. "Help us, Your Reverence!"

Qiu Chuji glanced at the riders. "Brother Ma, I fear I might not be able to refrain from killing today. Please don't think ill of me."

"Scare them away, but, brother, do not kill," Ma Yu replied.

Qiu Chuji strode forward as the horses thundered towards them. This monk thrived on action. He stretched his arms out and, as the men drew level, he plucked two from their horses and threw them at another two soldiers close behind. The men collided and collapsed in a heap. He seized eight more riders at lightning speed and flung them at another eight, with perfect aim. Terrified, the rest of the company turned their horses and fled for their lives.

A man strode out of the dust. He was tall, stout, and bald as an egg.

"Who is this tawdry monk?"

The man shifted his stance. And then, in the blink of an eye, his feet were planted before Qiu Chuji, his palm striking out. Qiu Chuji raised his arm and blocked.

Their hands met.

Pang!

Both men stumbled back three paces.

Who is he? His strength surprised Qiu Chuji.

The man's arm throbbed. With an angry howl, he launched his fists once more. Qiu thrust out his palms in quick succession.

A dozen blows flew between them.

Five red lines were scored across the man's glossy bald pate. Hot and raw.

I can't take him down barehanded, Dragon King Hector Sha realised. He reached for the iron oar strapped to his back and swung with great force at Qiu Chuji's shoulder, in a move known as Su Qin Carries the Sword.

Qiu Chuji fought back using Bare Hand Seizes Blade technique. But the Dragon King had spent decades fighting with the oar, having killed fearsome tigers on land and giant eels in water. His mastery of this weapon was exceptional and he would not let go so easily.

Impressed, Qiu Chuji was about to ask for the man's name when a voice of rock-shattering hostility boomed out from his left.

"Which Elder of the Quanzhen Sect are you?"

Qiu Chuji leapt to the right, away from the speaker and his three fellows, who had just appeared on the scene. He had never met any of these men before.

"Your humble monk's surname is Qiu. May I ask your names?" He put his hands together in a gesture of respect.

No wonder the Taoist's fame precedes him. He certainly lives up to his reputation, Hector Sha thought. He glanced at his companions and he could tell they were thinking the same.

Tiger Peng might have just arrived, but his mind was already one step ahead: We injured Wang Chuyi the other day, so we are already enemies of the Quanzhen Sect. It matters not if we cross his martial brother Qiu Chuji now. If we defeat him today, then we will be famous across the wulin for crushing two of the strongest Quanzhen Masters.

"Attack!"

Hector Sha and his martial brother Browbeater Hou immediately sprang to action at Tiger Peng's battle cry.

Peng charged at Qiu Chuji with a pair of Scribe's Brushes, aiming at the monk's acupressure points – the Cloud Gate, by the collarbone, and the Great Luminance, under the navel. One jab at either spot could be fatal. He meant to kill.

What an unreasonable little man! Qiu Chuji thought as he drew his sword with a sha!

In a single move, the Taoist monk repelled all three of his assailants. The sword's point darted towards Tiger Peng's hand and its blade sliced at Hector Sha's waist, while the hilt swept close to Browbeater Hou's ribcage, right at the Camphor Gate.

Sha and Peng twisted their weapons mid-move to block. But Hou was forced to retreat – right into a kick up the backside from the Taoist. The Three-Horned Dragon fell face down, landing heavily on the cysts on his forehead.

Ignoring their companion's yelps of pain, Hector Sha and Tiger Peng rained down a torrent of blows on the monk. Greybeard Liang, though alarmed by the Taoist's skill, saw the chance to steal in and join the attack.

Watching Qiu Chuji flitting between his three opponents, Gallant Ouyang decided that he would be passing up a golden opportunity if he did not sneak in a death blow from behind. He pulled a feint with his left hand, then thrust the iron-ribbed folding fan in his right at three lethal pressure points on the Taoist monk's back – Kiln Path, Gate of the Soul and Central Pivot.

Qiu Chuji had nowhere to turn to evade the blow.

A movement in the corner of Gallant Ouyang's eye caught his attention. Out of nowhere, three fingers appeared on his fan. A powerful stream of inner strength coursed down the handle. Gallant Ouyang yanked his weapon away.

Ma Yu had intervened.

"Masters, may I ask your names?" His enunciation was soft, but he projected his voice with power. "Though we have never before met, surely we can reason out our misunderstanding, should there be one, without resorting to physical means?"

Each word knocked firm and clear into their eardrums, cutting through the noise of the fight. Hector Sha, Tiger Peng and Greybeard Liang jumped back to appraise the speaker.

"May I ask the Venerable Elder's title?" Gallant Ouyang spoke for the group.

"Your humble monk's surname is Ma."

"Oh, so we are in the presence of Scarlet Sun the Immortal. Pardon us, Elder Ma," Tiger Peng sneered.

"I dare not respond to such an honour, given my meagre knowledge," Ma Yu replied modestly.

Tiger Peng was confident that the five of them could defeat these two Taoists. If they could subdue three of their leading figures in days, they would never have to worry about being troubled by the Quanzhen Sect again. But what if their martial siblings were nearby? He looked around. Her Highness, a wizened peasant and a girl – they would be no bother.

He addressed Ma Yu: "We have long admired the Seven Masters of the Quanzhen Sect. Your fame and reputation reach far and wide in the wulin. We hope we will also have the honour of meeting the other five Masters today."

"We reside in different temples and rarely see each other." Ma Yu was a trusting and honest man. The notion that Tiger Peng was trying to find out if he had help nearby did not occur to him. "My brethren ought to be seeking the Way in seclusion, yet they often meddle in worldly affairs, gaining undeserved fame. They are making fools of themselves in the eyes of true heroes like yourself. Qiu Chuji and I are on our way to join our brother, Wang Chuyi, here in Zhongdu. It is serendipitous that we should all meet as we have done. There are many forms of martial arts, but we all strive for the same end. Much like the red lotus and its white roots, they are of the same plant. Why should we not be friends?"

Wonderful! Tiger Peng grinned. The monks aren't travelling with their martial brothers and they haven't seen Wang Chuyi yet. It won't be hard for the five of us to defeat the two of them!

"If Your Reverence doesn't find us too lowly to be troubled by our names, mine is Three – Three Black Cats." He tucked his Scribe's Brushes into his belt and walked towards Ma Yu.

This was unexpected. The Taoists were certain that this man would have a reputation in the wulin, but they had never heard such an odd name before.

"Elder Ma, the pleasure's all mine," Tiger Peng offered his right hand, palm facing downwards.

Ma Yu took the man's hand, assured by his smile that it was offered in friendship.

Tiger Peng tightened his grip.

So you're testing my skills, Ma Yu thought. Returning Peng's smile, he summoned his inner kung fu and propelled it into Tiger Peng's palm. A sharp pain ripped into Ma Yu's fingertips and he pulled back quickly.

Tiger Peng hopped away and roared with laughter.

The Taoist looked at his punctured fingertips. Five black holes, cut deep to the bone.

In the world of martial arts, offering a handshake was a common way of testing another's kung fu without exchanging blows. It was particularly useful at first meetings since it would be churlish to start swinging one's fists at a new martial acquaintance. These gestures of apparent goodwill often ended in broken bones, bruised palms and screams of pain, with the weaker party grovelling for mercy.

"What's wrong?" Qiu Chuji was alarmed by Ma Yu's change of countenance.

"The villain has poisoned me."

Tiger Peng had slipped on his secret weapon as he put away his Scribe's Brushes. Its fine steel pins were laced with a poison that could kill within ten hours of contact.

Qiu Chuji had not seen Ma Yu raise his hands against anyone for more than a decade. Yet Ma Yu moved straight into Palm of Treading Frost and Shattering Ice, the most fearsome technique of the Quanzhen Sect. Qiu joined in immediately – sha, sha, sha! – slicing his sword at Tiger Peng in three swift strokes.

But Tiger Peng was prepared. Once, twice, his Scribe's Brushes blocked and clashed with Qiu's sword. He even made a quick attack, but he had not reckoned with the monk's thrusting palms. The strikes from Qiu Chuji's left were as sharp as the blade in his right. He twisted his palm and hooked his fingers into a claw, trapping Peng's brush.

"Let go!" Qiu Chuji cried and tugged with his extraordinary internal strength. The sudden force numbed Peng's right arm, and yet he managed to cling on to the brush. Tightening his hold, Qiu plunged his sword forward. Peng had no choice but to let go, tumbling back to avoid being skewered. Qiu flung the brush away and launched into an uninterrupted wave of palm thrusts and sword slashes.

Stunned and sore, Tiger Peng had lost his fighting spirit along with his weapon. Gallant Ouyang and Browbeater Hou came to his rescue, but this fired Qiu Chuji up even more. He was now a storm of razor-edged palm and glittering sword, and showed no sign of fatigue, even though he was outnumbered three to one.

But Ma Yu was struggling. Hector Sha and Greybeard Liang were wearing him down with their relentless onslaught. Liang's weapon was a ginseng hoe. Hack, dig, swipe – he was full of unpredictable moves. Sha swung his iron oar with ferocious force.

The ring of defence Ma Yu was maintaining with his sword was getting smaller and smaller. He was panting now, he felt drained. He had been using his internal neigong to suppress the poison, but he also needed to channel energy to the blade in his left hand.

His right palm was swollen and a numbing itch was creeping up the arm. The poison was potent. Ma Yu knew he needed to act fast. The more he used his strength to fight, the faster his blood would pump the venom to his heart.

Steam rose from Ma Yu's head as though it were a pot on the boil. Qiu Chuji wanted to help, but he was unable to shake off his three opponents.

This scholar's moves are peculiar, Qiu Chuji thought. More sinister than Three Black Cat's. They seem familiar . . . Questions raced through his mind. He fights like our foe, Venom of the West. Did he train under him? Is the Venom back in the Central Plains? Is he here in the city, right now?

Qiu Chuji's focus wavered. He nearly took a hit.

Ironheart Yang could not stand by any longer. My kung fu is child's play next to theirs, but I cannot let them hold my enemies back while I run away with my family. He lifted the spear and lunged at Gallant Ouyang's blindside.

"No!" Qiu Chuji gasped. "You'll get—"

Gallant Ouyang leapt into the air. He kicked the spear with his left foot and let his right sink into Ironheart's chest. The spear split in two. Ironheart crashed to the ground.

4

A CLATTER OF HOOVES. ANOTHER COMPANY OF RIDERS WAS racing towards the fight. Leading the troop were the Sixth Prince of the Jin Empire, Wanyan Honglie, and his son, Wanyan Kang.

Wanyan Honglie spotted his Consort from afar and galloped ahead in delight. Yet, as he jumped off his horse, he was welcomed by the chill of steel. He lurched to the side, only narrowly avoiding the blade. A girl in red, standing beside his wife, clutched the sabre – Mercy Mu. His personal guard scrambled forward to restrain the young woman.

Wanyan Kang, meanwhile, had noticed his martial instructor Qiu Chuji.

"Stop! Stop! They're with us!" He had to call out several times before Tiger Peng and his fellow masters heeded his words. The Sixth Prince's personal guard also lowered their weapons.

He was dismayed to find his teacher here in the city, but Wanyan Kang walked up to the Taoist monk and bowed. "Shifu, allow me to make an introduction. These gentlemen are wulin masters invited here by my father."

With a slight incline of his head, Qiu Chuji went to check on Ma Yu.

His right palm was black. He rolled up Ma Yu's sleeve. The discolouration had reached as far as the elbow. Qiu Chuji was alarmed. How was the poison spreading so fast?

He turned to Tiger Peng. "Give us the antidote."

Tiger Peng did not want to cross the young Prince Wanyan Kang by refusing his mentor, but Ma Yu already had one foot in the grave.

The respite gave Ma Yu a chance to focus on containing the poison. He was able to use his internal strength to push the black blood back down his veins and towards his wrist.

Wanyan Kang now ran towards his mother. "Ma, we've found you!"

"I will never go back," Charity Bao declared.

"What are you talking about?"

"My husband – your father – is still alive. I will never leave his side again."

Shocked and incensed, Wanyan Honglie glanced at Greybeard Liang. Catching the signal, Liang flicked his right hand. Three Night and Noon Needles flew at Ironheart Yang.

Qiu Chuji caught the movement from the corner of his eye. They fly too fast. Ironheart won't have time to duck and I haven't got any secret weapons on me. He seized a nearby soldier and hurled the man into the Needles' path.

The guard screamed as all three projectiles disappeared into his flesh.

That was my ultimate skill, perfected over decades. Old Liang scowled. I've never missed my mark. I'll make him pay! He lunged at Qiu Chuji with a growl.

At this new turn of events, Tiger Peng decided to keep the antidote. The Prince only wants his Consort back, he thought. I'll get her for him. He reached for Charity Bao's arm.

Qiu Chuji twirled his sword, first twisting its sting at Tiger Peng, then slicing its tip at Greybeard Liang, forcing them back.

"Foolish child!" he barked. "You have called a villain 'Father' for eighteen years. The man who sired you stands here before you. Pay your respects!"

When his mother had told him about this man last night, Wanyan Kang had only half believed her. But now his shifu was confirming it, he was almost convinced. He looked at the rugged and bedraggled Ironheart Yang. Then he turned to the only father he had ever known, who stood regal and handsome.

Give up my wealth and finery to follow this beggar? No! Never! The young Prince knew where his heart lay.

"Shifu, don't listen to his lies. Bring Her Highness to us."

"You animal! You fool!" Qiu Chuji snapped.

The decision had been made for Tiger Peng. He had no obligation to save Ma Yu and could now attack Qiu Chuji without fear of repercussions from the two princes. He let rip his deadliest kung fu.

Wanyan Kang made no move to intervene. In fact, he was secretly hoping that Tiger Peng would kill Qiu Chuji so he would not be bothered by the old man again.

Blood splattered across Qiu Chuji's robe. Greybeard Liang had dug his ginseng hoe into the monk's right arm. A flash of joy lit up Wanyan Kang's face.

"You wolf-hearted beast!" Qiu Chuji shouted, enraged by his disciple's delight at his injury.

Ma Yu pulled a flare from his robe and lit it. A blue flame shot into the sky.

"The old monk's calling for help!" More determined than ever to eliminate the Taoists, Tiger Peng redoubled his onslaught.

Another blue flame answered, flying high above the rooftops.

"Brother Wang's nearby!" The signal energised Qiu Chuji. He switched the sword to his left hand. Bringing his right arm down and lifting his left, he launched a dozen of his deadliest moves in quick succession. His attackers were forced to back away.

Ma Yu pointed north-west. "That way!"

Ironheart Yang and Mercy Mu raised their weapons and rushed ahead with Charity Bao. Ma Yu followed closely behind. Qiu Chuji brought up the rear, brandishing his sword to keep their pursuers at bay.

Hector Sha tried several Shape Changing moves to break through Qiu Chuji's rapid swordplay, but it wove such a tight net of protection that he could not get close to the Consort.

It was not long before the group arrived at the inn where Wang Chuyi was staying. Where's Brother Wang? Why is he not here to help us? The answer appeared before Qiu Chuji's eyes. Wang Chuyi hobbled over, leaning on a wooden staff.

All three of the Quanzhen Sect's most powerful martial artists were injured.

"Give us Her Highness and we shall let you live!" Wanyan Honglie called.

"We don't need mercy from Jin dogs!" Qiu Chuji flashed his sword in defiance.

The Taoist might have been in a tight corner, but he was not going to give up. His blade slashed and stabbed with awesome force and infinite variation. Tiger Peng could not help but admire the man's skill and determination. At the same time, he was thrilled by his stroke of good fortune. He had been handed the chance to eliminate three Quanzhen Sect Masters in one morning.

Ironheart Yang realised death was certain. But, if he took action now, perhaps he could still save Elder Qiu's life. He took Charity Bao's hand and strode forward with his spear.

"Stop! This will end here. Now."

He turned the spear and plunged it into his heart.

With both hands, Charity Bao pulled the spear out and rested the butt against the ground. She turned to Wanyan Kang. "Son, will you not believe that he is your father?"

At which she threw herself down on the spearhead.

"Ma!"

Everyone stopped.

The spear was burrowed deep into Charity's chest. Crying loudly, Wanyan Kang rushed to his mother's limp body.

Qiu Chuji examined their wounds. There was nothing to be done.

"Brother Yang, do you have any unfinished business? Tell me. Whatever it may be, I will fulfil it for you. I . . . I'm sorry that I wasn't able to save you. I . . ." Qiu Chuji broke into sobs.

5

THIS WAS THE SCENE GUO JING AND THE SIX FREAKS OF THE South happened upon when they arrived at the inn in search of Wang Chuyi.

Recognising Hector Sha, Gallant Ouyang and the others from a distance, the Freaks immediately pulled out their weapons, ready to fight. But no-one paid these new arrivals any attention; they were transfixed by the tragedy unfolding before them.

As they approached, the Freaks were surprised to find Ma Yu and Qiu Chuji standing among this group, while Guo Jing broke into a run when he saw that the man lying in a pool of blood was Ironheart Yang.

"Uncle Yang! What happened to you?"

A faint smile appeared on Ironheart's face. "Your father and I made a pledge. If we had one boy and one girl, they would be married . . ." He gasped. "My god-daughter, I consider her as my own blood . . ." He looked towards Qiu Chuji. "Your Reverence, can you see that they are married? Then I . . . I can rest in peace."

"Let it trouble you not. I shall see it done," Qiu Chuji promised.

Lying next to Ironheart Yang, Charity Bao had been drifting in and out of consciousness. She clung to his arm, for fear that they would be separated again. At the mention of the marriage pledge, she summoned her last strength and took something from inside her blouse. "The token . . ."

Qiu Chuji took it from her hands. It was the dagger he had given Ironheart Yang eighteen years before. On the hilt was the name Guo Jing, carved by his own hand.

"I am so happy . . . together again . . . for eternity . . ." Charity exhaled for the last time. The serenity of her face gave no hint of her violent end.

"In the name of your late father . . . look after my daughter . . ." Ironheart choked the words out.

"I . . . I—" Guo Jing stammered.

"I shall take care of everything. Go, go in peace!" Qiu Chuji said softly.

Memories of when he first raised the Duel for a Maiden banner came back to Ironheart Yang. He had not in fact been seeking a suitor for Mercy, but searching for Skyfury Guo's offspring. Now, on this same day, he had been reunited with his beloved wife and had seen with his own eyes his sworn brother's son, all grown up. He had even settled a good future for his god-daughter. He had everything he had ever wanted from life. At that, he closed his eyes forever.

Through the grief, Guo Jing's heart was troubled by Ironheart's last words. How can I marry another? Lotus is devoted to me. Then it dawned on him. The Great Khan's daughter! I've forgotten all about Khojin! Her father has given her hand to me . . . What should I do?

Ever since Guo Jing left the steppe, he had often missed the company of Tolui – his anda sworn brother – but he had barely given a thought to Tolui's sister, his betrothed. The Freaks' thoughts turned to her immediately, but, out of respect, they held their tongues.

Wanyan Honglie had dispatched armies and hatched elaborate plots to win Charity Bao for himself, but she had never for one moment forgotten her husband. The Prince catered to her every whim and request. When she wanted the battered old things from her past life as a peasant, he sent soldiers to the south to gather every brick and tile. He had hoped his extravagant gestures would win her affection, but, in the end, he won nothing. As she lay dying, there was such joy, such sweetness. She had never shown such tenderness towards him in eighteen years of marriage. He might have been a prince, but, in her eyes, he was nobody; he could never compare to that simple country fellow. This was no place for a man with a broken heart. He turned back to the palace and his personal guard hastened after him.

Hector Sha and Tiger Peng knew they had lost the advantage now that the Freaks had arrived. They too followed the Prince.

"Not so hasty, Three Black Cats. The antidote!" Qiu Chuji stopped Tiger Peng.

Peng laughed nastily. "My name is Tiger Peng. They call me the Butcher of a Thousand Hands in the wulin. Has Elder Qiu mistaken me for someone else?"

That was a name Qiu Chuji had heard before, but the Taoist forced himself to overlook the jibe. Saving his martial brother was paramount.

"I care not if you have three legs or a thousand hands. You're not leaving until you've handed over the antidote."

A glint of metal. The green glow of Qiu Chuji's sword arced towards Tiger Peng. He pulled out his remaining Scribe's Brush to defend himself.

Zhu Cong, the second of the Freaks, had been observing Ma Yu since their arrival. The monk was sitting on the ground, using his internal-strength kung fu to propel his qi around his body in an attempt to slow the progress of the poison. His right hand was still completely black.

"Your Reverence, how did it happen?" Zhu Cong asked.

"I shook hands with Tiger Peng. He ambushed me with poisoned pins."

"Oh, did he, now?" Zhu Cong turned to Ke Zhen'e. "Big Brother, may I have a devilnut?"

The leader of the Freaks was unsure why his Second Brother wanted one of his secret weapons, but he trusted that he had a plan. Zhu Cong was named "the Intelligent" and "Quick Hands" precisely because of his quick wits and superb sleight of hand. He reached into his deerskin pouch to fetch a poisoned devilnut.

"I know how to help Elder Ma. Keep Tiger Peng and Qiu Chuji apart for me, please, Big Brother." Zhu Cong took the devilnut with care, then turned to Tiger Peng. "So, it is Butcher of a Thousand Hands, the mighty Tiger Peng! Oh, do stop this silly fight. We are all on the same side. Come, hear me out!"

Zhu Cong tugged at Ke Zhen'e and the two of them placed themselves between Tiger Peng and Qiu Chuji. Zhu Cong raised his oilpaper fan and Ke Zhen'e his metal staff.

Baffled by Zhu Cong's claim, the embattled men stepped back.

"The Seven Freaks of the South and Elder Eternal Spring Qiu Chuji crossed swords eighteen years ago. He injured five of us. But, then again, the fight also left the renowned Eternal Spring more dead than alive. We have yet to settle the score . . ." Zhu Cong turned to Qiu Chuji. "Am I right, Your Reverence?"

"What are you trying to say?" Qiu Chuji roared.

"But we are also guilty of treading on Hector Sha's toes. Our good-for-nothing disciple defeated four of his skilled students single-handedly. We've heard that the Butcher and the Dragon King are such close friends that they would die for each other. So, by that logic, by offending one, we have obviously also offended the other."

Tiger Peng sneered.

"Now, since there is bad blood between us and each of you individually, we are enemies to you both. Doesn't that put the two of you on the same side? So why are you fighting each other? And, Butcher Peng, since we both hold a grudge against Elder Qiu, doesn't that put us on the same side too? Come, let's be friends." Zhu Cong offered his hand.

What is this filthy scholar talking about? Tiger Peng put away his Scribe's Brush and slipped his secret weapon around his fingers. I won't fall for your trap. You can't trick the antidote from me. Wang Chuyi saved your disciple the other day. The Quanzhen Sect is clearly on the same side as the Freaks.

"Brother Zhu, beware!" Qiu Chuji exclaimed. Zhu Cong ignored the warning and kept his hand extended.

"Why not?" Tiger Peng took Zhu Cong's hand with a smirk.

Zhu Cong's little finger pulsed as the two hands joined. They both summoned their inner strength and the grip tightened.

A prick!

Tiger Peng yanked his hand away. Three holes. Much bigger than his pins. Black blood. Numb. Itchy. No pain at all. Lethal poison never hurts.

He had already lost all feeling in his hand. How had this happened? He looked up.

Zhu Cong was hiding behind Qiu Chuji, smirking. Then Tiger Peng noticed his secret weapon dangling from the filthy scholar's left hand, and, in his right, a black object shaped like a water chestnut, its sharp corners glistening.

Blood.

He lunged at Zhu Cong.

"What now?" Qiu Chuji growled, his sword poised for action. "Butcher Peng, this is our Big Brother's secret weapon. We care not whether you are a tiger, lion, leopard, dog or pig; within four hours all living creatures succumb to the poison." Zhu Cong beamed. "Luckily, you've got a thousand hands. My advice is to cut this one off. You'll still have nine hundred and ninety-nine left. But then you'll have to change your martial title . . ."

Beads of sweat dripped from Tiger Peng's brow. He could not feel his wrist now. Fear shut his ears to the insults.

"You have your poisoned pins and I have my devilnuts. Different poisons, different antidotes. If you want to keep your name, we should really be friends and make an exchange. We're on the same side, after all. How does that sound?"

Hector Sha cut in, "Good! Give us your antidote."

"Big Brother, give it to him."

Ke Zhen'e drew two small packets from an inside pocket in his shirt and Zhu Cong held them out for Hector Sha.

"Brother Zhu, take his antidote first," Qiu Chuji called.

Zhu Cong smiled. "When great men give their word, they keep it. I am sure he won't betray our trust."

Tiger Peng reached into his shirt with his left hand and colour drained from his face. "Where is it?"

"Enough of your tricks!" Qiu Chuji cried. "Brother Zhu, don't give it him!"

"Take it." Zhu Cong offered the packets. "The word of a gentleman is as true as a horseman's whip! We said we would give you the antidote. The Seven Masters of the Quanzhen Sect and the Seven Freaks of the South are men of their word."

Afraid that he would fall prey to Zhu Cong's quick hands, Hector Sha extended his iron oar. "The Seven Freaks of the South are renowned throughout the martial world," he began. "They would not ruin their reputation with fake antidotes, would they?"

"Of course not!"

No-one understood why the Second Freak was so trusting or why he did not press for the antidote.

Zhu Cong handed the devilnut back to Ke Zhen'e, then reached into the pocket inside his shirt. Slowly and deliberately, he drew out a host of objects. A handkerchief. Coin darts. Pieces of silver. A white snuff bottle.

Tiger Peng could not believe his eyes. Those are my things! How did he get them? He had no idea that Zhu Cong's left hand had brushed past his shirt and emptied his pockets as they shook hands.

Zhu Cong uncorked the snuff bottle. It had two compartments: one filled with a red powder, the other side with a grey powder. "How does it work?"

"Take the red. Grey's for the wound." His life at stake, Tiger Peng was no longer playing games.

"Fetch two bowls of water. Quickly."

Guo Jing ran into the inn, as ordered. He gave Ma Yu the bowl and helped him take the antidote before dressing his wound. Then he turned to Tiger Peng with the second bowl.

"That's for Elder Wang," Zhu Cong said.

Both Guo Jing and Wang Chuyi were surprised by the instruction, but they raised no objection.

"How do we apply your antidote?" Hector Sha asked.

"Not so hasty. A few more minutes won't kill him." Zhu Cong reached into his shirt once more and pulled out a dozen packets.

"The herbs for Elder Wang!" Guo Jing exclaimed. He unwrapped them and showed them to Wang Chuyi. "Your Reverence, I don't know which ones you need."

Wang Chuyi picked out the five herbs he needed to cleanse his body of the toxic injury he had sustained two nights before. He chewed them thoroughly before washing them down with water.

The packets of herbs reminded Greybeard Liang of his encounter with the Freaks in the palace. This dirty scholar dusted my sleeves after our fight. He must have stolen them then! Greybeard Liang raised his ginseng hoe. "Show us your weapon. Let's see who'd win in a proper fight."

"I would most certainly lose," Zhu Cong said with a smile.

"We haven't had the pleasure of your names yet," Qiu Chuji cut in.

Hector Sha introduced his companions one by one.

"All renowned names of the wulin! A victor has yet to emerge today, but both sides have already suffered injuries. Let's arrange a date to meet again," Qiu Chuji said.

"We would be sorely disappointed if we didn't get to meet all Seven Masters of the Quanzhen Sect," Tiger Peng replied. "As for the date and location, Elder Qiu, please name it and we will be there."

Qiu Chuji considered their situation. It would take a few months for Brother Ma and Brother Wang to fully recover. It would also take time to gather his martial siblings from different parts of the country.

"Let's meet in six months' time. On the night of Moon Festival," he proposed. "We can gaze at the full moon and discuss kung fu. How does that sound?"

"How poetic! We must find a suitably scenic location." Tiger Peng was turning the proposal over in his head. If all Seven Masters of the Quanzhen Sect turn up with the Seven Freaks of the South, we'll be greatly outnumbered. Yet, six months should give us the time to recruit other masters to our cause. And since we'll be travelling south with the Prince to look for General Yue Fei's final poems, we can hold this fight in that part of the country. Yes, that will work.

"What about the hometown of our Seven Heroes?" Peng said.

"Excellent! Let's meet at the Tower of Mist and Rain, in the South Lake of Jiaxing," Qiu Chuji replied. "You're very welcome to bring friends."

"We shall be there."

"So, we Freaks, being the locals, will have to foot the bill? What a cunning plan you two have cooked up!" Zhu Cong laughed. "Of all the poetic landscapes in China, it has to be Jiaxing."

By now, Tiger Peng could not feel his forearm, and the mere act of conversation took great effort on his part. Zhu Cong's rambling was trying his patience, but with his life in this filthy scholar's hands, he swallowed his pride and waited for further instructions.

"Well, well, it's not every day we get to play hosts to such distinguished masters of the martial world," Zhu Cong continued. "Butcher Peng, take the white one. Yellow's for the wound."

Tiger Peng swallowed the white powder immediately.

"For forty-nine days, you must not drink or copulate," Ke Zhen'e said. "It would be a great disappointment if you weren't there for Moon Festival."

"Thank you for your concern." Tiger Peng glowered as Hector Sha applied the antidote to his wound. They staggered back to the palace with Greybeard Liang and Gallant Ouyang.

WITH EVERYONE else from the palace gone, Wanyan Kang knelt before his mother's body and kowtowed four times. He turned to Qiu Chuji and repeated the action. He then stood up, dusted off his robe and went his own way.

"What was the meaning of that?" Qiu Chuji barked.

Wanyan Kang ignored the question and left without looking back. Qiu Chuji stared after his disciple for a long time, then he bowed deeply at the Freaks. "Without the Heroes' help, we would have died today. That ingrate is infinitely inferior to your Guo Jing. For those of us who practise the martial arts, what matters the most is to live according to the ethics and morals we uphold. Our martial skills are the least of our accomplishments. It is my lifelong shame to have called myself Wanyan Kang's teacher. We need not stage the contest at the Garden of the Eight Drunken Immortals on the twenty-fourth day of the third month, as we agreed eighteen years ago. Today, I admit defeat wholeheartedly. Let it be known in the jianghu that Qiu Chuji has been defeated by the Seven Heroes of the South and that he accepts his subjugation with humility. My martial brothers Ma Yu and Wang Chuyi, here, are my witnesses."

Ke Zhen'e replied with a few self-deprecating words of thanks. Qiu Chuji's earnest admission pleased the Freaks enormously. Eighteen years in the Mongolian desert, so far away from the mild weather and comforts of home, had paid off. And yet, it was a bittersweet victory. Oh, how they wished their Fifth Brother Zhang Asheng could have been with them now.

6

THE FREAKS HELPED MA YU AND WANG CHUYI INSIDE AND sent their Sixth Brother Gilden Quan, the Cloaked Master of the Market, to arrange Ironheart Yang and Charity Bao's coffins and burial.

Qiu Chuji did not feel right disturbing the weeping Mercy Mu, but he wanted to find out what had happened to Ironheart Yang since they had parted eighteen years ago.

"Young lady, where did you and your godfather live these last few years?" he asked eventually.

"Papa and I were always travelling. We have never stayed in one place for more than two weeks, ever since I can remember." She wiped her tears. "Papa said he was looking for . . . a young man by the name of Guo . . ." She lowered her head and her voice began to falter. Unmarried young women did not openly discuss men to whom they were not related.

Qiu Chuji glanced at Guo Jing and changed the subject to avoid causing Mercy further discomfort. "How did Ironheart come to be your godfather?"

"I was born in Lotus Pond Village in Lin'an. Papa lived with my family while he recovered from his injury at the hands of the Song soldiers. It was around that time that the plague took my parents and my brother. Papa raised me as his own and taught me kung fu. We travelled everywhere searching for Brother Guo under the banner . . . Duel . . . for a Maiden . . ." It took much courage for Mercy to overcome her embarrassment and get the last four words out loud.

"Your father's name was Yang, not Mu." Qiu Chuji shifted the topic to spare her. "You should take on his name."

"I am a Mu."

"You don't believe me?"

"Of course I believe you, but I would prefer to stay a Mu," she said, her voice now barely audible.

Qiu Chuji dropped the matter for now, thinking it was her grief that caused her obstinacy and she would soon come round to changing her family name to Yang. He had little idea that it was he who was lacking insight. Mercy had thought things through very carefully. Her hand and heart had been won by the man who had overpowered her in the Duel for a Maiden, and this young man, the young Prince Wanyan Kang, was her papa's true-born son. A Yang. How could she ever hope to marry him if they shared the same name?

Wang Chuyi began to stir, the medicine having revived him somewhat. He had been listening to Qiu Chuji and Mercy's exchange, but his mind kept circling back to the duel, two days before. "Miss Mu, you are much more skilled in the martial arts than your father. Why is that?"

"A master taught me for three days when I was thirteen, but I hardly learned a thing."

"What was his name?"

"I'm afraid I am sworn to secrecy."

Wang Chuyi replayed each of Mercy's moves from the fight with Wanyan Kang, but he could not figure out the origins of her kung fu.

"Brother Qiu, you have been teaching Wanyan Kang for . . . eight or nine years?"

"Nine and a half. I had no idea that in his heart he was such an ingrate!"

Deep in his own thoughts, Wang Chuyi did not seem to hear Qiu's answer.

Ke Zhen'e broke the silence. "Elder Qiu, how did you find Brother Yang's son?"

"It was a stroke of good fortune. After we parted ways eighteen years ago, I travelled far and wide searching for the two families. For years, I searched in vain, but I kept looking. One year, I went back to Ox Village and happened upon a company of soldiers in Brother Yang's home. They were packing and moving everything from the old farmstead. I followed them, listening out for scraps of information. It turned out they were no ordinary soldiers. They were part of the Prince of Zhao's private guard, no less, with orders to collect all personal effects from the house. Broken furniture, rusted spearheads, farm tools. It was all very curious, so I tracked them all the way here."

Now Guo Jing understood why Charity Bao's residence in the palace was so humble.

"I stole into the palace one night. I needed to see for myself why this Prince of Zhao, Wanyan Honglie, wanted these wretched old things so much that he would send his personal guard thousands of miles south across the border to bring them back. That was when I found out that his Consort was Yang's beloved wife, Charity Bao. I was going to put my sword through her for choosing the riches and titles of our country's invaders over the memory of her husband, a patriot. But, seeing her living in that shack amid the grandeur of the palace, cradling Brother Yang's old spearhead, her tears as fresh as the day he died, my heart softened. Her husband still occupied her mind. I also discovered that she had given birth to Ironheart's child and he was the young Prince Wanyan Kang; a few years later, when he was old enough, I went back to teach him kung fu."

"The young man never knew his true parentage?" Ke Zhen'e asked.

"I asked him several times in a roundabout way, but his fondness for wealth and power made me uneasy about his character and I never revealed his heritage. He always feigned obedience with sweet words when I lectured him about the ethics and morals we strive to uphold. If we had not agreed on this contest, I would not have wasted my time on him. I was hoping that, after the fight, regardless of the result, we would make peace. I would tell the boy the truth about his parentage, free Charity from that disgraceful place and find her a quiet home in which to settle down. I never imagined Brother Ironheart could still be alive, or that the pair would lose their lives in such a way as they did today."

Mercy hid her face in her hands and started sobbing again at the mention of her godfather's death.

Guo Jing then told them the story of how he found Ironheart Yang imprisoned in the palace the night before, and of Yang's reunion with Charity Bao. Though Charity had compromised her chastity by marrying Wanyan Honglie, the Freaks and the Taoists understood that she had done so only because she thought her husband was dead. It was not considered immoral for widows to remarry – in fact, it was not an uncommon practice – so no-one could fault her for that. And everyone was moved and humbled by her final act of devotion.

The conversation soon turned to the Moon Festival rendezvous. "There is nothing to worry about," Zhu Cong said. "The Seven Masters of the Quanzhen Sect will be there."

"But if they invite other masters of the wulin, we might be outnumbered." Ma Yu was always cautious.

"Who else could they invite? There aren't that many masters in this world!" Qiu Chuji cut in.

"Brother, your martial skills have brought fame and glory to the Sect, but you have yet to rein in the overconfidence of your youth. You know the saying well—"

"Above the sky is a loftier heaven, beyond the man a mightier body." Chuckling, Qiu Chuji supplied the phrase.

"Is that not true? The masters we met today were as skilled as us. We might not win if they bring help."

"You worry too much, brother. How could the Quanzhen Sect lose to such rogues and vagabonds?"

"The calamities of this world cannot always be foreseen. If our friends, the Six Heroes, here, had not stepped forth to help us today, we three would have lost the good name of our Quanzhen Sect, and that took us decades to acquire."

Honoured by Ma Yu's acknowledgement, Ke Zhen'e and Zhu Cong bowed in unison.

"Uncle Zhou was trained personally by our shifu," Ma Yu continued. "He was ten times more skilled than us, yet his desire to win and to be proved the strongest was the reason for his disappearance. It has been more than a decade, now. We should learn from this. Be humble and vigilant always."

Ma Yu's speech silenced Qiu Chuji. The Freaks had never heard of this Uncle Zhou. Clearly, this man had done something that was considered a blot on the Sect's name. Although curious, the Freaks maintained a tactful silence. Meanwhile, Wang Chuyi was still lost in thought. He had not spoken a word since his exchange with Mercy Mu.

Qiu Chuji glanced at Guo Jing and Mercy. "Brother Ke, your disciple is honourable and righteous. With him as a son-in-law, Ironheart would for certain find peace in his eternal rest."

Mercy blushed, bowed her head and stood up to leave the room. She was not comfortable with this talk of a marriage to Guo Jing. As she swept past him, Wang Chuyi stood up and thrust his palm at her right shoulder. He waited for Mercy to summon her inner strength to repel him. Just before her strength was fully gathered, he pushed. Mercy teetered and started to fall, face down. Wang Chuyi steadied her with a light touch on the left shoulder. Mercy was once again steady on her feet, standing upright. She stared at Wang Chuyi, wideeyed.

"Miss Mu, please forgive me. I was testing your kung fu. The master who taught you for those three days, he only has nine fingers and dresses like a beggar, am I right?"

"How did Your Reverence know?"

"The Divine Vagrant Nine Fingers is known for his whimsical ways. It is the greatest fortune to have received training from the Venerable Master Hong himself. My hearty congratulations."

"It's a pity he was only able to spare three days."

"For anyone else, those three days would amount to decades of hard work."

"If Your Reverence says so . . . Do you know where Master Hong might be found?"

"Well, the last time I saw him was more than twenty years ago, at the summit of Mount Hua."

At this, Mercy left the room in disappointment.

"Elder Wang, can you tell us more about this Venerable Master Hong?" Jade Han asked.

Wang Chuyi sat down with a smile, but it was Qiu Chuji who spoke first. "Perhaps you have heard these names? Heretic of the East, Venom of the West, King of the South, Beggar of the North and Central Divinity."

"Why, they are the greatest martial-arts masters of our age."

"Indeed."

"Master Hong is the Beggar of the North, I believe?" Ke Zhen'e asked.

"Yes. Our shifu, Immortal Wang, was Central Divinity," Wang Chuyi replied.

"Your betrothed was a student of the famous Divine Vagrant." Qiu Chuji turned to Guo Jing, laughing. "No-one who knew that would dream of making trouble with you."

Red with embarrassment, Guo Jing wanted to protest that Mercy Mu was not his betrothed, but he only managed to muster a few unintelligible grunts.

"Elder Wang, how did you recognise Mercy's style just by pushing against her shoulder?" Jade Han asked.

"Come here." Qiu Chuji beckoned Guo Jing closer. Instantly, the young man felt a hand pressing down on his own shoulder, weighty with the force of the monk's neigong. But, being a better fighter than Mercy Mu and having learned the same internal kung fu from Ma Yu, he was able to hold his ground and stay on his feet.

"Well done!" Qiu Chuji smiled and withdrew his inner strength. There was now nothing for Guo Jing's internal energy to push against. Qiu Chuji then gave him a nudge, tipping him backwards. Guo Jing instinctively extended his arm, pushed against the ground, and jumped right back onto his feet.

"Elder Qiu has just taught you a powerful move. Remember it well!" Zhu Cong teased amid a roomful of laughter.

Guo Jing nodded in earnest, unaware that he was the butt of the joke.

"Anyone trained in the martial arts would fall backwards," Qiu Chuji explained. "However, those trained in the Divine Vagrant's unique kung fu fall forward. His art is rooted in the firmness of his strength. The stronger the opponent, the stronger his moves become. He might have only taught Miss Mu for three days, but that was all the time she needed to learn the essence of his kung fu. She was not able to withstand Wang Chuyi's inner strength, but her training ensured that she did not succumb to it, but rather pushed into it. So, when she fell, she tipped forward, against the direction of the pressure."

Impressed by this martial insight, Zhu Cong asked, "Have you seen the Divine Vagrant in action, Elder Wang?"

"Yes, when our teacher sparred with the other masters at the summit of Mount Hua, more than two decades ago. Master Hong is as much a virtuoso of the martial arts as he is a connoisseur of food, but the summit of a mountain is not a place for gourmet meals, so you can imagine his discomfort. Instead, he treated discussions on martial-arts theory with our shifu and Apothecary Huang like banquets and fine wines. It was a real feast of knowledge and ideas. I was very fortunate to be waiting on my Master and was able to listen to the discussions. I'm still reaping the benefits."

"Apothecary Huang is the Heretic of the East?" Ke Zhen'e asked.

"Correct." Qiu Chuji turned to Guo Jing. "Though Brother Ma taught you for a time, it's lucky that he never took you on as a disciple. Otherwise, you would be a generation beneath your betrothed, in terms of seniority – that's no way to start a marriage!" He laughed heartily at his own joke.

"I'm not marrying her." Guo Jing's face turned bright red.

"What?"

"I'm not marrying her."

"Why?" Qiu Chuji stood up, clearly displeased.

Jade Han came to Guo Jing's rescue. "When we heard that Master Yang had a son, we took it that Guo Jing had gained a sworn brother rather than a bride-to-be. He has since accepted the title granted by Genghis Khan, the Prince of the Golden Blade, as his daughter's betrothed."

Glaring at Guo Jing, Qiu Chuji cried, "A common-born girl is no contest against a princess! You are determined to disregard the future your father settled for you, aren't you? You greedy ingrate! You're no better than Wanyan Kang!"

Guo Jing bowed deeply. "Your student has never met his father. My mother did not mention any last wish. I beg Your Reverence to enlighten me."

"I am always too rash." Qiu Chuji laughed ruefully, and then recounted how he had met Ironheart Yang and Skyfury Guo in Ox Village eighteen years before, and how the two men had made a pact. He also told Guo Jing of his search for the families after hearing that they had been attacked by soldiers, which led to his fight with the Freaks. They were supposed to settle the dispute with a martial contest between their respective disciples, Wanyan Kang and Guo Jing.

The young man sank to his knees. As a son, he should avenge his father; as a disciple, he should repay his shifus' kindness. Was one lifetime enough to do both?

"It is common for a man to have three or four wives," Jade Han said, in an effort to comfort him. "When you return to Mongolia, speak with the Great Khan. I am certain he will be understanding and there will be no need for you to break your word. I'll wager the Khan himself has more than a hundred."

"I'm not marrying Princess Khojin," Guo Jing announced.

"What?" It was Jade Han's turn to be surprised.

"I don't want her to be my wife."

"But you are so close, aren't you?"

"She is like a sister, a good friend. I don't want her to be my wife."

This pleased Qiu Chuji. "Good lad! Who cares about the Khan or the Princess? You should follow your father and Uncle Yang's wishes. Marry Miss Mu."

"I am not marrying Miss Mu either," he declared firmly, shaking his head.

"What is going on? Is your heart otherwise occupied?" Jade Han asked quietly, remembering the pretty girl in white she had seen in the palace. She had noticed the way Guo Jing looked at her and how she had come to his aid.

Guo Jing's face flushed bright red once more. After a prickly pause, his chin moved up and down, almost imperceptibly.

"Who?" Qiu Chuji and Ryder Han called out in unison.

Guo Jing opened and closed his mouth. No sound came out. Jade Han knew the boy was too embarrassed to be able to string two words together. "It's the girl in white, isn't it?"

"What girl in white?" Qiu Chuji snapped.

"I remember Cyclone Mei calling her 'little sister' and her father 'Shifu' . . ." Jade Han mumbled.

"Apothecary Huang's daughter?!" Ke Zhen'e exclaimed, jumping from his seat.

Jade Han took Guo Jing's hands. "Is her name Huang?"

"Yes."

She did not know what else to say.

"You want to marry someone associated with Cyclone Mei?" Ke Zhen'e spat the words out.

"Did her father give you her hand?" Zhu Cong asked.

"I have never met him and I don't know who he is."

"You have pledged yourselves to each other?"

Guo Jing gaped at his Second Shifu, unsure what the question meant.

Zhu Cong elaborated. "Did you say you would marry her? Did she promise to be your wife?"

"No, we did not say that." Guo Jing paused. "There's no need. We know in our hearts. We cannot be without each other."

"What do you mean?" It sounded ridiculous to Ryder Han, who had never been in love in his life. The words had a very different effect on his cousin Jade, however.

Guo Jing is just like Fifth Brother, she thought, as memories of Zhang Asheng came flooding back. He was in love with me, but he kept it a secret. He thought he wasn't good enough for me. If I had made my feelings known to him, we could have tasted true happiness before he died. But now, he is gone forever.

"Do you know that her father is a cold-blooded killer?" Zhu Cong warned. "Do you think he'll let you live when he finds out? Cyclone Mei has not mastered one-tenth of his repertoire and she is already such a terror. If he wants you dead, none of us can help you."

"Lotus is so nice . . . Her father can't be evil."

"Apothecary Huang is evil incarnate. Swear you will never see that she-demon again. Swear it!" Ryder Han roared.

The Freaks hated everything to do with Twice Foul Dark Wind, for they had killed their Fifth Brother Zhang Asheng; and they hated Apothecary Huang even more, for he was the source of their infernal kung fu. Without this monstrous Heretic of the East, Laughing Buddha Zhang Asheng would still be alive today.

Ryder Han took a step closer. "Say it. Say that you'll never see that she-demon again!"

Guo Jing did not know what to do. He loved and respected his teachers, and he had never gone against their wishes, but he knew what his heart was telling him. He fell on his knees in tears. "Shifus, if I'm not allowed to see Lotus, I will not survive three days."

"Have you no shame?" A melodic voice drifted in through the window.