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Novel Excerpts - Qi Jian Xia Tian Shan (iii)

Author: Liang Yu Sheng

Original Language: Chinese

Portions in Comic Sans MS typeface are hastily skimmed over.
 

Chapter 3: Divine Eulalia

After Mao Wan Lian and Yi Lan Zhu had left, the whole Qingliang Temple was turned upside-down. Second-in-command Zhang Cheng Bin, bringing a hundred guards, ransacked every nook and corner, bent on capturing Zhang Hua Zhao who was hiding somewhere.

After fainting, Zhao Hua Zhao suddenly felt something cold pouring onto his face. On opening his eyes, he saw a well-dressed young man sprinkling water at him. It was indeed Nalan Rong Ruo. Peering about, he noticed he was in an elegant chamber, the incense was burning, and the walls were fully decorated with the paintings and calligraphies. He struggled to get up, but was too limp. Nalan Rong Ruo grinned, “Great, you have awakened. Do not move about, you have had a serious hemorrhage that was just staunched.”

Glancing over at Nalan Rong Ruo, Zhang Hua Zhao was extremely perplexed, he could only thank him. Outside, the guards were searching the vicinity, hollering. Nalan Rong Ruo pulled the blanket over Zhang Hua Zhao’s head, and said authoritatively, “What’s up?”

Zhang Cheng Bin, noticing that the person inside the study was Nalan Rong Ruo, quickly ordered his men, “Your humble subordinate is searching for an escaped convict, and doesn’t wish to alarm Master.” Nalan Rong Ruo smiled coldly, gesticulated, “Please, come on in. This place is specially meant for hiding criminals! Conduct a thorough search!” Zhang Hua Zhao had a cold sweat.

Zhang Cheng Bin, having served as an imperial bodyguard for years, understood fully well that Nalan Rong Ruo was the apple of the emperor’s eye. On hearing his speech, not matter how dauntless he was, did not have the audacity to enter. Nalan Rong Ruo again smiled aloofly, “Why aren’t you coming in? Resting on my bed is a criminal!” A guard cocked his head, peered inside, “Since Sir instructed us to search, we shall oblige. It does seem to me that someone is lying on the bed.” Nalan Rong Ruo’s mien changed, Zhang Cheng Bin immediately gave a slap to the foolish guard’s face, and barked, “You dare antagonize Mr Nalan? Get out, all of you!” The guard murmured, “Fine, fine, what’s the big deal.” Nalan Rong Ruo slammed the door shut, Zhang Cheng Bin stood outside, apologizing profusely. Nalan Rong Ruo, paying no attention to him, unrolled the blanket slightly, Zhang Hua Zhao was perspiring all over his head, though he was feeling much relieved now.

… -- skips -- …

Emperor Kangxi entered the chamber with his right-hand man Yan Cong Tian. The old monk felt something was amiss, for never had Kangxi disclosed his identity in the presence of another person in his past few visits. Kangxi said, “Father, he was your former imperial bodyguard, I have especially sent him here to serve you.”

Yan Chong Tian approached the old monk to lift him up, his eyes bloodshot, and face filled with murderous intent. The old monk looked up and yelled, “What are you up to?” No matter what, Sunzhi had once been an emperor, and while he had already renounced his crown, he still possesed an imperious disposition. Yan Chong Tian loosened his grip and cold chills ran down his spine, trembling. The old monk, losing support, dropped onto his bed. Kangxi bemoaned, “Shouldn’t you… you be more attentive to the former emperor?” Yan Chong Tian, regaining his composure, bent down and once again, extended his arms towards the old monk; With his eyes shut, and followed by a quick chop of his saber, all that was heard was the old monk moaning, “Xuanye (Kangxi), what a fine person you are!”

Yan Chong Tian stood up, he felt sharp cramps in his muscles. Glancing at Kangxi, he also appeared to have just recovered from a major illness. After a slight pause, Kangxi sighed, “Well done, come with me.”

Yan Chong Tian returned to the neighbour chamber with Kangxi. Kangxi took out a bottle of wine, poured the pale green content into a cup and handed it to Yang Chong Tian, “Drink up to help suppress the trauma.” Cold sweats trickled down as Yan Chong Tian recalled what happened to Wu Mei Chun. He hesitated, dared not accept the cup. Kangxi smiled, “The mission has been accomplished, let’s drink to our hearts’ content.” And he finished the whole cup, and refilling it with the pale green wine, smiled. “From now on, you’re my most trusted aide. From tomorrow onwards, you’ll be the chief commander of Forbidden Palace Guards, and also be awarded the title of Grand Tutor. Keep up your good work.” Yan Chong Tian was jubilant beyond words, his face was all lit up. He kowtowed a few times to the emperor, took the cup and emptied it.

All of sudden, a laughter emanated from outside. There was an abrupt change in Kangxi’s mien, Yan Chong Tian jumped out and saw a grey figure on the rooftop. He was gliding on the crystal roof tiles, fast as a bird. Yan Chong Tian’s skill was the best among the imperial guards, his skills were in no way inferior to Chu Zhao Nan. Like a swallow, he leaped onto the crystalline roof tiles. The man slowed down and seemed to be taunting him purposely. Yan Chong Tian reached out his arm to clutch at him, imposing as an eagle. The man grabbed Yan Chong Tian’s arm and twisted it effortlessly, Yan Chong Tian felt as if he was being tightly clamped by a pair of pincers and was utterly startled. He had had many years of practice in Eagle Claw Skill, yet was unable to summon any strength to execute it at all. The man cried, “Yan Chong Tian, didn’t you know that you already have one foot in the grave? Yet you still have the mood to fight. You have consumed poisoned wine. Stop at once, let me see if you could be treated.” Yan Chong Tian became nervous, he could feel his head swimming, while before his eyes were fluttering stars and swirling sky, his legs went wobbly, he fell and rolled down. The man in grey darted like an arrow, grabbed hold of Yan Chong Tian by the collar, hauled him back and pressed him onto the floor. Then he took out a silver needle and inserted it into the Tianqu acupoint along his backbone. Yan Chong Tian groaned in pain. The man in grey turned his body over, and with a strong pinch, caused Yan Chong Tian’s mouth to be opened. Before Yan Chong Tian could say anything, the man in grey forced three jade-green pills down his throat, gave him a few shakes, and enquired, “How do you feel now?” Yan Chong Tian nodded his head, “Thank you.” While his body was still somewhat numb, he felt better. The three pills were made from Snow Lotuses, which grew solely on the never-melting ice of Mt Tian peaks, and other rare medicines. It could counter all poisons. The man in grey said, “Come with me, I’ll get someone to give you a complete treatment. Otherwise, you might lose your life.”

… -- skips -- …

Before the lama could finish his line, a man in grey and a Manchu officer approached. Yi Lan Zhu let off a cry of “Wow!” and ran towards them, her face brimming with joy, as if meeting some close relative.

Yi Lan Zhu was quick, but Fu Qing Zhu was even quicker. With a flutter of his robes, like a solitary crane in the sky, he soared past Yu Lan Zhu and landed lightly in front of the two people. He extended his arm to nab the Manchu officer, “So, you’ve come here? Officer?” The man in grey shifted forward, his hand caught hold of Fu Qing Zhu, “Let’s not be so formal.” Fu Qing Zhu felt his hand had come into contact with a dry twig, he hastily moved his hand away like a halberd, and thrust his two fingers at the Jing acupoint on the man’s left shoulder. The man in grey, neither dodging nor blocking, let Fu Qing Zhu’s two fingers press upon him. Appearing completely unaffected, the man in grey grinned lackadaisically, “Elder, please don’t joke with me.” He inched back slightly and put his palms together and saluted, “Your junior greets you!” Fu Qing Zhu dared not be tardy and immediately put his palms together and returned with a bow. Two streams of palm-wind met and collided invisibly against each other. Fu Qing Zhu was jolted back by three, four steps, while the man swayed slightly, almost tripping.

By then, Yi Lan Zhu had caught up with them and, standing in between the two, introduced the stranger to Fu Qing Zhu “Uncle Fu, this is Divine Eulalia of Mt Tian Ling Mo Feng!.” And then she turned towards Ling Mo Feng, “This is Wuji Sect’s elder Fu Qing Zhu.” Ling Mo Feng bleated “Ah, ha!” and spoke, “So you’re the miracle healer Mr Fu. Pardon my rudeness.” He quickly saluted again, this time sending real greetings, with no palm-force.

Fu Qing Zhu, on hearing Ling Mo Feng address him as miracle healer, inferred that what he admired was his skills as a physician rather than his kungfu, smiled back slightly and thought, “Your kungfu might be slightly better than mine, but it’s hard to believe you’d be able to defeat Chu Zhao Nan within a few strikes.” Little did he know the real reason behind Ling Mo Feng’s easy victory: Chu Zhao Nan, on seeing his Mt Tian skills, was greatly astonished, and, in his panic, was struck by a palm from Ling Mo Feng. As such, when Fu Qing Zhu met Chu Zhao Nan again, he felt as though Chu Zhao Nan’s skills had deteriorated considerably.

When Fu Qing Zhu and company returned, someone had already informed the rest. Wu Yuan Ying and Han Zhi Bang went out to receive them. Han Zhi Bang was ecstatic beyond words to see Ling Mo Feng and yelled, “What a rare guest!” Ling Mo Feng said, “Chief Han, how should I know that you’ve sent men to look for me? Before they could find me, I have found you already.” Han Zhi Bang smiled effusively, “I am no longer the chief, allow me to introduce you to our new chief.” And he eagerly pulled him along, and screamed, “Miss Liu, I have brought Divine Eulalia of Mt Tian here. You have to come out!” He turned to Ling Mo Feng, “Our new chief is a heroine among the women, other than you, she’s the only one I respect most.”

Before he had finished, Liu You Fang, accompanied by Monk Tong Ming, came out. Monk Tong Ming took huge steps forward and hollered, “Who’s Divine Eulalia of Mt Tian, I wish to meet him first.” Ling Mo Feng smiled, and stretched out his hand, Monk Tong Ming grabbed it forcefully, thinking, “Let’s see how great Divine Eulalia of Mt Tian is.” Ling Mo Feng, seeming to understand his intention, grinned, “Don’t use so much strength.” As Monk Tong Ming held Ling Mo Feng’s hand, he felt that it was soft as if there were no bones, just like clasping a bunch of cotton, there was nowhere he could exert his force on. Just as he was having his doubts, the “cotton” suddenly transformed into an “iron rod”, and Monk Tong Ming’s hand was in excruciating pain. He let go immediately, “Fantastic kungfu, I salute you.”

Liu You Fang smiled, “Stop making troubles, Tong Ming!” Her voice was still very gentle, yet this gentleness seemed to be like a stone being thrown into the sea of Ling Mo Feng’s heart.

Ling Mo Feng was struck by a sudden jolt in his heart, yet he put on languorous and proud façade, “So, this is Cloud Tapestry Sword Liu You Fang? Congratulations on your new appointment as the chief.” Subsequently he smiled, “Spring in the month of March is the best season in the Southern Region. Why did Chief Liu come all the way from Henan to Northwest? Don’t tell me it’s merely for the sake of the vermin Duo Duo?” Liu You Fang was somewhat taken aback, thinking that this person wasn’t very polite. She smiled against her will, “Hero Ling, did you mean that we shouldn’t have come?” Ling Mo Feng replied, “How would I dare say this? But why fuss over mobilizing the entire force just to get at Duo Duo? Merely assassinating one or two persons won’t help in restoring the Han rule.”

Monk Tong Ming was displeased, “We, Lord Lu’s former subordinates, were rounded up by the Manchu army in Jiangnan, so we’ve come north to establish our foothold. It was by chance that we ran into Duo Duo. Is Hero Ling belittling us because of this” Ling Mo Feng smiled, “I dare not. But to achieve something big, it’s best to return to the south.” Fu Qing Zhu, realising that there was more than meet the eyes, asked, “Why?” Ling Mo Feng pointed at the lama in red, “He has brought some classified information. Let’s go in and discuss it. But before that, could you please heal this friend?” pointing at Yan Chong Tian.

So, Ling Mo Feng revealed of Wu San Gui’s plan to rebel. Fu Qing Zhu taught Yan Chong Tian some meditation techniques to expel the poison. At that time, 300 Manchu soldiers under the command of Zhang Cheng Bin, who was ordered by Prince Duo Duo, came to investigate Wu Manor. To prevent being discovered, two of Han Zhi Bang's men, Hua Zi Shan and Yang Yi Wei, secretly goaded Yan Chong Tian to go out to meet Zhang Cheng Bin. Stopped by the higher ranking Yan Chong Tian, and being unaware of the latest event, Zhang Cheng Bin called off the search. However, being disrupted at the most crucial moment, Yan Chong Tian died. All these came under the watchful eyes of Liu You Fang, who did not expose Hua Zi Shan and Yang Yi Wei, for while they were not very honourable, at least they saved everyone. Fearing that the Manchus might come again, the group decided to part temporarily. Fu Qing Zhu and Mao Wan Lian would head for Sichuan. Liu You Fang and Han Zhi Bang would travel to Yunnan to keep tabs on Wu San Gui. Yi Lan Zhu volunteered to stay behind singly and try to rescue Zhang Hua Zhao.

 

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