A Hero Borm

by Jin Yong

  The cracking went on for some time before gradually slowing again and coming to a halt. She then rose to her feet and pulled something from her waist. A silver snake? Guo Jing watched in amazement as he realised it was a very long whip.

  His Third Shifu Ryder Han’s Golden Dragon whip barely reached six feet, whereas Mei’s must have been more than thirty feet long.

  She turned slowly. The light from the moon caught her extraordinary features, but she was a gruesome sight. She had her eyes closed and her hair drooped across her face.

  “Dear husband . . .” Her breathy whisper carried through the silence. “Do you miss me down there in the underworld?”

  She held the whip with both hands. A deep laugh rose from within her and the whip began to dance.

  It was a strange sight. She moved the whip slowly and he could hear no sound. A roll to one side, a flip to the other. Then she struck at a rock, shattering it. The rocks around her soon bore the scars. What was not clear in the dim light of the moon was that it was made from fishing-net rope plaited with copper and silver. Just then she struck at a stone and lifted it as if she had taken it in her palm. Guo Jing watched in astonishment. The whip then sailed through the air towards him, the dozen hooks fastened to it glinting in the moonlight.

  Guo Jing clutched at his dagger. As the hooks came closer, he instinctively raised his blade to meet them. But just as quickly, he felt a tingle in his arm and he was on the ground just as a flash of silver passed above him.

  It nearly went through my skull! Guo Jing thought to himself, cold with sweat. But the Taoist’s movements had been quick and Mei was unaware that they were hiding so close.

  She continued to practise a little longer before replacing the whip in her belt, performing some stretches and then making her way back down the cliff.

  Guo Jing clambered to his feet.

  “We’ll follow her and see what she’s up to,” the Taoist hissed. He caught Guo Jing by the belt and together they too slid down.

  Once at the bottom, they caught sight of Iron Corpse already some distance to the north. The Taoist hooked his arm around Guo Jing, who felt himself instantly a lot lighter, and they raced off at great speed across the steppe.

  THEY STALKED her across the desert until day’s first light started to appear in the east. The faint outlines of a camp made up of a dozen large gers appeared on the horizon. Mei disappeared into one of them.

  They accelerated, avoiding the lookouts on patrol, and stopped close to a large beige ger that blended into the desert sands. They crept in the dirt, lifted a small corner of the tent and peered in. Inside, they saw a man draw a blade. Just then he sliced it down on another man, who collapsed and, as he fell, he turned, so that he was facing Guo Jing and the Taoist.

  “It’s him! How come?” Guo Jing whispered, lifting the edge a little further. It was one of Temujin’s personal guard. The man with the sabre turned, and Guo Jing looked up at his face: Senggum, son of Ong Khan.

  Senggum wiped the blood from his blade on the sole of his shoe and spoke. “No more doubts now, huh?”

  “My brother Temujin is brave and resourceful,” answered another man, hidden from view. “I fear your plan will not be easy to execute.”

  Jamuka, Temujin’s sworn brother. Guo Jing recognised his voice.

  “If you love him, why not warn him?” Senggum sneered.

  “You too are my sworn brother,” Jamuka replied. “Your father has always treated me with kindness, I won’t betray you. What is more, Temujin hopes to swallow my army into his, I know this. Our oath of brotherhood is the only thing keeping me from breaking our alliance.”

  Are they plotting against Temujin? Guo Jing asked himself. How is this possible?

  “Who moves first, wins,” another man added. “If you let him attack, you’ll both be in trouble. If you triumph, all Temujin’s livestock, women and stores of treasure will go to Senggum. His men will be incorporated into Jamuka’s army and I will give Jamuka the title of ‘Queller of the North’.”

  This man had his back to Guo Jing, so he shuffled a little to one side in order to get a better look. He was swathed in expensively embroidered yellow brocade. The Sixth Prince of the Jin Empire.

  Jamuka seemed moved. “I will obey, as long as my adoptive father, Ong Khan, gives me the order.”

  “If my father doesn’t give the order, he will have offended the Jin Empire,” Senggum replied in obvious delight. “I will ask him. He would never refuse the Sixth Prince.”

  “Soon our soldiers will move south against the Song,” Wanyan Honglie said. “If each of you bring twenty thousand men and help with the invasion, there will be yet further rewards.”

  “People say the south is beautiful, the streets are paved with gold and the women are delicate like flowers,” Senggum said. “We would be delighted to go with the Prince and see for ourselves.”

  “That can certainly be arranged,” Wanyan Honglie said with a smile. “I only worry there will be too many beautiful women to choose between.”

  The ger erupted with laughter.

  “Tell me, how do you plan to deal with Temujin?” Wanyan Honglie paused, and then continued. “I initially asked him to help us invade the Song, but he refused me. He is clever, we mustn’t raise his suspicions. You must be especially careful.”

  Just then the Taoist tugged at Guo Jing’s sleeve. He turned and saw Cyclone Mei in the distance, her claws grasped around the figure of a man, as if interrogating him. Whatever she’s doing here, for now my shifus are not in harm’s way, Guo Jing thought to himself. First I must listen and find out what they are planning against the Khan.

  He crept back into position.

  “My son is betrothed to his daughter,” Senggum was saying, “and he sent this man to settle on a date for the union.” He pointed at the dead man. “I’ll send one of my men at once and invite him to speak with my father tomorrow. He will come alone. I will position my men along the road. That way, no matter if he has heads and legs for three men, he won’t get away.”

  “It is settled. Once we are rid of Temujin, we will raid his camp and kill them all.”

  Guo Jing was shaking with fury: how could anyone be so heartless as to plot against his own sworn brother? He leaned in to listen further, but felt the Taoist pull at his belt. He turned, and felt a rush of air at his ear as Iron Corpse swept past and on into the distance, a man dangling in her grasp.

  The Taoist took Guo Jing by the hand and together they left the camp.

  “She wanted to know where your shifus are,” the Taoist hissed. “We’ve got to move quickly.”

  They sped across the desert sand, using the best of their lightness technique. By the time they arrived at the camp, the sun was already reaching its highest point in the sky.

  The Taoist spoke. “I wanted to remain discreet, that is why I told you not to tell your shifus about me. But this is an emergency, such details are not important anymore. Go in and tell them that Ma ‘Treasure’ Yu of the Quanzhen Sect seeks an audience with the Six Heroes of the South.”

  This was the first time in two years of nightly meetings that Guo Jing had heard his name. He did not know who the man standing before him was, that his was a name revered all across the wulin, so he merely nodded. He ran to the ger, pulled back the cloth covering the doorway and called, “Master!”

  Suddenly something grabbed hold of both his wrists. He felt a sharp pain at the back of his knees and he fell to the floor. “Haaaaa!” He looked up and saw above him an iron club making its way towards his head. He turned and saw his First Shifu Ke Zhen’e. Terror chased all sense from his body and he was left unable to defend himself. He scrunched into a ball, closed his eyes and waited for the deadly blow. Just then weapons clashed above his head and a body landed on top of him.

  “Brother, no!”

  He opened his eyes and realised it was his Seventh Shifu Jade Han. She was protecting him, but her sword had been knocked away by Ke Zhen’e’s staff.

  “S
ister, you have always been too soft-hearted,” Ke sighed, his staff clattering as it dropped to the ground.

  Only then did Guo Jing see that it was Zhu Cong and Gilden Quan clutching his hands. His mind was a muddle.

  “And your neigong master?” Ke Zhen’e sneered.

  “Outside,” Guo Jing stammered. “We’ve come to talk with you, my shifus. Cyclone Mei has come back. And she’s looking for you. We followed her to Senggum’s ger.”

  The Freaks were astonished to hear that Cyclone Mei had come to confront them during the hours of daylight. They took their weapons and rushed outside.

  There, bowing before them, a Taoist with a long, wispy beard.

  Still clutching Guo Jing’s wrist, Zhu Cong turned to the boy. “What about the witch?” he spat.

  “We just saw her,” Guo Jing said.

  The Six Freaks looked at Ma Yu with suspicion.

  He took a step forward. “I have long heard of the valiant deeds of the Six Heroes of the South, and today I finally have the honour of making your acquaintance.”

  Zhu Cong nodded, his grip still tight on the boy. “Might I dare ask the Taoist’s name?”

  Realising he had not introduced him properly, Guo Jing cut in. “His name is Ma Yu, of the Quanzhen Sect.”

  The Six Freaks were taken aback. They knew of Ma Yu, of course, also known by his monastic name Scarlet Sun, the first disciple of Wang Chongyang who had assumed leadership of the Quanzhen Sect upon their Master’s death. Elder Eternal Spring Qiu Chuji was his younger martial brother. Ma Yu rarely made an appearance in the martial world, preferring to dedicate himself to meditation, so his brother Qiu was perhaps more famous. No-one had ever seen Ma Yu fight, so the level of his kung fu skills was unknown.

  “Elder Scarlet Sun of the Quanzhen Sect, please forgive us our impertinence. We did not know to whom he owed the honour,” Ke Zhen’e said. “What brings the Master so far north? Is it related to the contest your martial brother challenged us to in Jiaxing?”

  “My younger martial should be devoting himself to the Tao, but instead he likes to make bets and enter into duels,” Ma Yu replied. “This is a violation of the principle of wu wei, action through non-action, and it is not behaviour that behoves a monk. I have told him as much many times, but he will not listen. I have no intention of interfering in your contest, I make no enquiries in this regard as it has nothing to do with me. At most, I can acknowledge that you have entered into this arrangement in good faith, in the name of aiding patriots. No, I come not because of that. Two years ago I came across this young boy, and seeing that he was pure of heart I decided to teach him some techniques to strengthen his body and cultivate his mind, techniques by which followers of the Tao prolong life. This I did without asking permission from his shifus the Six Heroes, and for that I wish to express regret and request forgiveness. I have taught him no kung fu and never claimed him as my disciple. He is my young friend, that is all. I wish to make it clear that I have not broken any code of the wulin.”

  The Freaks were surprised, but had no reason to doubt his explanation. Zhu Cong and Gilden Quan let go of the boy’s wrists.

  “Boy, you were being taught by His Reverence Ma Yu?” Jade Han said, smiling and patting Guo Jing on the shoulder. “Why didn’t you tell us? We accused you without cause.”

  “He . . . he told me not to say,” Guo Jing stammered.

  “Boy, do not speak of His Reverence so casually, that is most disrespectful,” Jade Han said. Yet her expression told him she was not angry.

  “Yes, His Reverence Scarlet Sun,” Guo Jing said. For two years they had treated each other as equals, never using titles or formalities in word or conduct. Guo Jing had thought of him as his uncle, and Ma Yu had never been offended.

  “I am a cloud with no fixed plan or destination,” Ma Yu said. “I do not like to inform people of my wanderings. Please forgive my rudeness at having never visited, despite knowing the Six Heroes were close by.” He bowed.

  Ma Yu had held the Freaks in great esteem after learning the story of their journey north, but he also heard from Harmony Yin that Guo Jing was lacking in the foundations of neigong inner strength. He understood better than anyone else that adherence to the Tao demands selfless service to others and he was displeased in the extreme that his martial brother Qiu Chuji should leave such an important task as teaching a great patriot’s son to the Freaks of the South. But no matter how he tried to convince him of the inappropriateness of his methods, Qiu Chuji would not relent. So, without telling anyone, Ma Yu made the journey north to teach Guo Jing and help the Freaks prevail. Could he really have come across the boy just by chance out here on the vast expanse of the northern steppe? Why else would he dedicate two years to the task? Had it not been for Mei’s sudden appearance, he would have continued until satisfied that the boy possessed an adequate foundation in neigong, and then disappeared back south without anyone ever finding out, neither the Freaks of the South nor Qiu Chuji.

  The Freaks bowed, impressed by Ma Yu’s modest attitude. They saw in him a learned and virtuous man. The contrast with his rash and arrogant martial brother was plain to see.

  Just as they were about to enquire about Cyclone Mei, they were interrupted by the sound of hooves, followed by a group of horses clattering past on their way towards Temujin’s camp. Guo Jing knew them to be the messengers Senggum had sent to entrap the Khan and panic rose in him.

  “Eldest Master,” he said, turning to Ke Zhen’e, “I must go. I will be back soon.”

  Ke Zhen’e was still feeling guilty at having almost killed him minutes previously and his regard and love for the boy had only grown stronger. He did not want Guo Jing to encounter Mei out on the steppe by himself. “No, you must stay with us. You cannot leave.”

  Guo Jing wanted to explain his reasons, but Ke Zhen’e had already turned to Ma Yu and begun discussing their encounter all those years ago with Twice Foul Dark Wind, high up on the desolate mountain top. He was agitated – an unusual sight indeed. Master Ke was usually so composed. Yet Guo Jing decided not to interrupt. He would wait for a pause in the conversation to report what was happening over at Temujin’s ger.

  Just then a horse came galloping towards them. The rider was dressed in a short black fox-fur coat. Khojin. She stopped ten paces away and waved at Guo Jing. Guo Jing was afraid of incurring his Master’s wrath, so instead he motioned for her to come closer.

  Khojin’s eyes were red and swollen as if she had been crying. She approached, sniffling. “Pa wants me to marry that man . . . Tusakha.” Saying it out loud brought forth another round of tears.

  “You have to go back and tell the Khan that it’s a trap. Senggum and Jamuka are going to kill him!”

  “Are you sure?” Khojin replied in shock.

  “Absolutely sure. I heard them talking about it with the Sixth Prince. Go, quickly.”

  “I will!” Excited, she turned and sped back to the camp.

  How can she be happy that they want to kill her father? Guo Jing said to himself. She hopes she won’t have to marry Tusakha, he realised. He wanted to protect her, so the possibility that she might escape such a fate was to be welcomed. A smile spread across his face.

  Ma Yu’s words brought his attention back to more urgent matters.

  “It’s not that I wish to demean our collective capabilities,” he was saying, “but Cyclone Mei is the true successor to the Lord of Peach Blossom Island. She has studied the techniques of the Nine Yin Skeleton Claw to perfection, and her use of the whip is subtle and creative; I fear it may even be the White Python, which has not been popular in the wulin for more than a hundred years. Of course, I am not saying that with eight of us defeat is inevitable, but I fear we will have to suffer greivous losses if we are to be rid of her.”

  “Her kung fu is deadly indeed,” Jade Han said, “but the Seven Freaks of the South bear her a hate as deep as any ocean.”

  “I have heard it spoken in the wulin that your Fifth Brother Zhang and Flying Divine Dra
gon Ke Bixie were both killed by Copper Corpse. But as the Freaks in turn defeated him, it could be said that you have had your revenge. As the ancients said, it is easier to untie an enemy than to put him in knots. Mei is a widow now, blind and alone. Indeed, more than anything she deserves our pity.”

  The Freaks made no reply.

  After a pause of some time, Ryder Han spoke. “We don’t know how many die every year thanks to her sinister arts. Your Reverence, your compassion is admirable, but you cannot absolve evil or allow it to go unchallenged.”

  “She has come to us this time, we did not seek her out,” Zhu Cong said.

  “Even if we choose not to fight, we will never be safe so long as she wants revenge,” Gilden Quan added.

  “I do have a plan, but it requires forgiving hearts,” Ma Yu said. “A show of mercy. A chance for her to redeem her sins.”

  Zhu Cong decided to let his eldest brother Ke Zhen’e speak for them.

  “We, the Seven Freaks of the South, are coarse by nature and know only the power of physical force,” Ke Zhen’e said. “We would be eternally grateful if His Reverence could show us a more enlightened path. Please explain.”

  Ke Zhen’e had understood from the Taoist’s words that Mei’s kung fu had advanced over the last twelve years and he was trying to save them from humiliation as much as from her poisoned grip. The other Freaks, having yet to understand this, were astonished by what they thought was a change of heart from their Master, an inclination towards benevolence above all else.

  “Your charity will be rewarded by the heavens, valiant Brother Ke. Firstly, I would like to point out that Twice Foul Dark Wind were disciples of the Lord of Peach Blossom Island, Apothecary Huang the Alchemist. If he finds out we have killed Iron Corpse he will be most displeased and our problems will be manifold.”

  Apothecary Huang’s kung fu was often spoken of in such absurdly exaggerated tones that Ke Zhen’e and Zhu Cong found it hard to believe he could be as formidable as people said. Yet Ma Yu was the most senior living Taoist of the wulin’s greatest orthodox sect. If he feared him, then there must be truth to the rumours.