The Sage, the Swordsman and the Scholars

by Pierre Dimaculangan

  The rest of the Martial Scholars tensed in their seats.

  “Apparently, according to Fox, the emperor is ill. Both he and Wei believe it is most probably an induced illness to keep him from intervening in the unfolding conspiracy.” Zhang sighed deeply and looked up from the paper. “Now it seems that our last direct and reliable line of contact with the court is our counterparts at Hanlin Academy.”

  Headmaster Lu Guanying shook his head in disbelief yet he could not say that he was surprised. Murmurs and whispers filled the council chamber. “It appears that the Foreigners’ agenda is beginning to reveal itself. Clearly their foreign policy seeks to destabilize our civilization completely. For what ultimate purpose, this we must uncover.”

  Tian Qiu nodded in agreement. “It seems that the memory of the Treasure Fleet’s visit decades ago is still fresh in their memories. Perhaps this is some form of retribution.”

  “Wei Qiuyuan is correct. I think it is time. Those of us here in the council are to meet with the scholars at Hanlin Academy to make our presence known before the emperor. Hanlin Academy’s Chancellor Wu Chan will be able to make the proper arrangements for our maneuvers after our arrival. We must make haste to Beijing before the Pale Ones do any more damage, especially ones that may be irreparable. Revolution from within the capital is at hand,” declared Guanying, “and I am afraid, blood will be spilled.”

  Some days later, the League made arrangements for a trip to Beijing via the coast leaving their academy to the care of Senior Academicians. Not far from the harbors of Guangzhou, a fine ship was being loaded with preparations for an extensive voyage to the North. There, General He Jin and the men of his company oversaw the preparations for the Scholars’ very own warship the Phoenix Spirit. It was nowhere near the size of a massive treasure ship but it was of admirable proportions and was more than capable of sailing to the farthest reaches of the known world with ease and utmost efficiency. It was sleek and streamlined, built for speed and featured a wide deck that allowed for elevated combat platforms. Its sails of red silk would soar high –designed to tack into the wind with utmost efficiency.

  Thanks to the efforts of General Jin, the ship was being outfitted with new cannons and the latest developments in military technology. The ship was almost too good to believe. It was a true marvel of naval engineering and it was an object of great pride among the Scholars. They approached the ship with a sense of a renewed awe for the vessel. The ship’s handpicked crew moved about the ship and harbor making preparations to depart. They saluted the Scholars and the company of Academicians as they arrived.

  “She looks even more beautiful than the last time I saw her,” breathed Shang Jian as he gestured his greetings to the general. General He Jin reciprocated and nodded in agreement.

  “It was built with sophisticated techniques largely forgotten among shipwrights of late. This Fuchuan class warship is a classic. Only the finest ships within today’s Ming Navy could match the Phoenix Spirit’s in the open seas or in a river, take your pick. I have made some arrangements to have your ship refurbished with the best weaponry thanks to the contribution of an old friend,” said He Jin with a raised eyebrow. “He is quite a brilliant engineer…” he paused to look around and leaned towards the Scholars whispering “but just between you and me, he is a bit cracked and rather deaf. You would have to shout more often if you would like his attention. Explosions appear to be rather unfriendly to the ears.”

  The Scholars chuckled at his jest as a short man entered the scene. His hair and beard were wiry and rather unruly with the ends scorched to a near crisp. His face was dirty as if he had been working in a coal mine, lightly seared by black powder. He wore a foolish grin and walked with a stiff awkward gate as he approached Jin and the Scholars. “Gentlemen, I would like you to meet the benefactor and designer of your refurbished ship. Meet ‘Fung’, better known as Big Bang like, you know, an explosion… for obvious reasons,” said General Jin. The Scholars greeted him gladly.

  “A pleasure to meet you all!” exclaimed Big Bang enthusiastically. “Hope you like the new babies I put into your ship. Can’t wait to see it blow something up! Sixteen heavy iron cannons waiting to spit!” he giggled with a foolish grin. Everyone else just smiled and looked at each other awkwardly.

  “We need sixteen, huh? Most ships in the Ming Navy get a minimum standard of eight or ten!” commented Shang Jian. Big Bang and the rest of the ship’s crew proceeded making final preparations for their departure as the sun had begun to dip beneath the horizon.

  “I would like to thank you for all, comrades. Now, the League of Martial Scholars is one of the beacons of hope left in this country,” lamented the General. “I must take my leave and return to the garrison in Fujian to take care of unfinished military business. I must ensure the troops are combat ready should things turn sour in the empire,” he said with a frown and determined eyes.

  “Take good care, friend. We will see you again real soon,” said Zhen Shu.

  “May you have a safe passage to the North, friends. Sail far from the coast and go under cover of the morning fog and send my regards to the emperor. May Heaven help him,” advised He Jin. With that, he and his light company of commandos mounted up and proceeded to make their way out of the city.

  “The cloud line in the east meanders through the sky like a dragon and the stars are unveiled that we are able to see them in the light of the setting sun. Nature is on our side. A heavy fog will conceal our departure early in the morning,” said Tian Qiu, alluding to his knowledge of the Classics and the Book of Changes.

  “Let’s blaze a trail of fire to the capital!” Big Bang screamed maniacally.

  8 REVELATIONS

  IT WAS AT THE PROSPEROUS AND CHARMING town of Xidi at the foot of the majestic snowcapped mountains that an exiled monk and a wandering hermit sage decided to settle for the night. The light from the setting sun bathed the western face of the mountain cluster with yellow and orange, making the view from where the sage and the monk were standing quite spectacular and mystical.

  “Tell me again, why we have come to the Huangshan range?” Zuo Shilong asked respectfully.

  “I have come to meet an old friend… to commune in spirit so I may know Heaven’s will,” said Famin Jie softly. “We head for Celestial Peak, a few days march and climb. It would be well worth it. There are some things that I must attend to, questions that need to be put to rest.”

  “What is at the top of Celestial Peak?” asked Shilong wide-eyed and curious with childlike excitement. The two checked into an inn and sat down at one of the lobby tables to dine. Famin Jie looked at the monk and chuckled.

  “There is an old friend living in a Sanctuary in seclusion and relative obscurity somewhere on that mountain. Nobody, not even I really know his story but he possesses knowledge and wisdom lost to the ages. Funny enough, rumors have circulated that he has been around since the Han Dynasty! Naturally, I have yet to find any proof that could allow such a thing to be possible. Nevertheless, I am sure he can provide the answers to my questions,” he whispered to Shilong. “He almost never leaves the mountain.”

  “Yes, I think I can somewhat recall one of the abbots of my temple telling us a story of a lonely man at the top of the mountains in Huangshan though I am not sure if this man is the same one you speak of. It is said that he is acquainted with the heavens and that he is hundreds of years old, knowing the secrets to immortality. Not even witches and the sorcerers would dare to challenge him. There is no way that the story is true, is it? He is just a legend,” said Zuo Shilong in a skeptical tone of voice.

  Famin Jie was laughed heartily. “No, no he is quite real, that I can tell you with certainty. Putting aside embellishments, he is mysterious, yes, but very real and very wise. He is to be treated with the utmost respect and reverence if you wish to meet with him,” advised Famin Jie to Shilong. The monk agreed and together they ate their fill for the night and rested in preparation for their ascension to the Celestial Peak. Out from t
he small opening of the window, Zuo Shilong glanced at the mountains just beyond Xidi. Past the town’s charming lights and evening sounds, the mountains were bathed in moonlight and he could almost feel a yearning for that mountain as if what he had been searching for would be found within the Huangshan range. He did not know what to expect at Celestial Peak but the closure he needed would present itself to him sooner than he realized.

  When Zuo Shilong and Famin Jie had left Xidi, they came upon a horse-drawn four-wheeled carriage driven by a man with a most friendly disposition. He quickly befriended them and graciously volunteered to take them through the pass towards Huangshan. The man, whom they had just met, happened to be a descendant of the Menggu horsemen and frequented the northern regions of the Middle Kingdom and beyond. His name was Jirgal. He was quite the conversationalist.

  Explaining that he had been deemed an outcast among his kinsmen even those who lived in the empire and therefore made a living in the lower provinces conducting business in trade and courier services. Jirgal was a gentle and humorous man despite the story he shared of himself. He was not at all what one would stereotypically expect from a man of Menggu heritage.

  “It’s darn good to have company. You know I can go for days and even weeks without talking to anyone. I’d strike up an interesting topic of conversation with these two here pullin’ me wagon, but uh… they don’t say much,” he laughed.

  “I cannot imagine why,” said Zuo Shilong rolling his eyes.

  “Climbing Huangshan is no laughing matter. What makes Uncle and stick-wielding baldy want to go there anyway? Naught there but rumors and sightings of heaven knows what. Something has been stirring around the mountains,” he continued to say.

  “You are right something has been stirring in these parts and not just in our land. My friend and I are paying a visit to an old friend in search of some answers,” replied Famin Jie.

  “Wait, someone actually takes up residence there? That is incredible! Travelers and monks have been noticing strange things happening over that mountain,” cautioned Jirgal.

  “What do you mean ‘strange’ things have been happening?” inquired Zuo Shilong.

  Before Jirgal was able to answer, a large and terrible beast leaped from the brush in the distance. It had the appearance of an oversized ox with the ferocious features of a lion and it bellowed a boisterous, terrible noise that spouted what looked like sparks of ash and hot coal from its very mouth. The monster resembled a Nian, a legendary creature of myth not seen since the dawn of the imperial era almost two thousand years ago.

  Alarmed and very startled, the horses galloped to full speed and Jirgal was unable to regain control of them. The carriage shook and rattled with the acceleration as the Nian made chase.

  “Bad luck! You should’ve never asked that question, monk!” shouted Jirgal as he haplessly tumbled backwards into the carriage.

  “A demon fast approaches! We must kill it,” yelled Zuo Shilong. Famin Jie struggled to sit upright as the carriage careened through the rough and winding dirt road.

  “No… really? We should make friends with it and tell it nicely we do not taste very good,” Jirgal jested as he fought to regain his footing in the bouncing carriage. He fumbled through some crates searching for his old hunting bow which was conveniently stuffed under skins and furs. The horses raced forward through the rugged road but the Nian was slowly closing the distance enough for them to hear its rumbling, huffing, and puffing. The powerful creature dug its broad hooves into the ground kicking up dirt with every stride pushing every inch of muscle in its body to close the distance between it and its prey. The very impacts of its gallop echoed like war drums.

  Jirgal brought his bow to bear. “Maybe I can poke it in the eye or something,” he said fumbling to get his weapon ready. Jirgal raised his bow, drew an arrow and pulled it to maximum tension. He aimed for the Nian’s face and let the arrow loose. It flew fast and true but harmlessly combed through the Nian’s thick mane. He fired a second third and fourth shot all of which penetrated the beast’s thick hide and tough flesh reacting with no more than a mere flinch.

  The creature leaped right onto the carriage and tore through the wood twisting through the iron frame and axle. The harnesses of the horses snapped free and the carriage along with its passengers came crashing into a heap of wood and twisted metal debris.

  Zuo Shilong shook off the disorientation and fought to regain his footing. He grasped his staff and launched himself towards the monster, staff twirling in the air. The beast effortlessly swiped him away and tumbling into the ground unconscious. The beast redirected its attention toward the remaining two men as Jirgal drew the final arrow.

  Famin Jie rose to his feet and stood tall and calm before the monster which proceeded towards them step by step.

  “You are a creature of the depths and I rebuke you! You have no business here!” declared Famin Jie with an unexpected presence of command that made even Jirgal stop in his tracks.

  The creature briefly hesitated as if taken aback by Famin Jie’s stand but nevertheless continued forward planting one step with another step. The sage raised his hands and looked high into the heavens.

  “Leave us at once and go back into the darkness to await the eternal damnation that is fated for thee and thy masters. Thou hast no power to oppose the Will of Heaven, beast. Leave and be gone!” The earth trembled and a rumble echoed in the wind as Famin Jie’s mighty declaration burst forth upon the beast which, unable to face the truth in the rebuke, turned away and scrambled for the hills out of sight and far from Huangshan.

  Jirgal still sitting on the ground and gripping his bow was quite stunned and speechless at what he had just witnessed. He shook in his boots and did not realize he was holding his breath the whole time. He grabbed his own jaw and pushed it up closed.

  “That was,” he said catching his breath, “that was incredible! How did you— Where did the— why is— how??” he asked with his hands dug into his hair. “Are you supposed to be some sort of wizard?” Jirgal took two steps back while the events that had just taken place were beginning to register in his mind.

  “Nothing of the sort, my friend. On my own I am nothing. I am powerless. Shang Di has called me to this journey and so I know He will see me through it.” He looked up at the majestic mountains and then turned to gaze into the horizon behind. “A great conflict of our age is fast approaching. There will be great suffering. That creature was only a symptom of a greater disease. We must get to the Sanctuary to find out what is happening and why,” Famin Jie said anxiously.

  He approached Zuo Shilong who lay on the ground out cold. Famin laid hands upon him feeling for injuries then pressed several vital points in his body. This caused the monk to sit up and awaken with a start.

  “The creature, it is coming; we must flee!” he shouted in a panic as he spun his head around in search for any sign of the monster.

  “Fear not, friend. We are safe. The beast has fled to the hills,” said Famin Jie reassuringly. “Come now, we must head for the Sanctuary.”

  “The beast has left? What? How?” Zuo Shilong whimpered as he rubbed his aching head. Jirgal stood staring into the horizon in shock and awe still unable to fully comprehend what had just taken place.

  “That’s what I said. You should’ve seen it, monk. He just stood there and told the beast to take a hike and it just left! Your old friend here has got some recognized authority, eh?”

  “Huh?” said Zuo Shilong staring at Jirgal blankly.

  “Well, I just spoke the truth and the beast understood but could not handle it. Nothing too miraculous,” replied Famin Jie meekly. “I am truly sorry about your losses, my friend,” he said apologizing to Jirgal and surveying the wreckage. “There is no way we can repay you at the moment, but we would be delighted if you would accompany us to the Celestial Peak. There is much food and good shelter in our destination. It is the least we can do in exchange for your losses.”

  Jirgal looked around at the wreckage
and sighed. He holstered his bow and gathered what little he could salvage and fit them into one pack. He fastened his thick fur cap and looked to the mountains. “I might as well. No use in walking all the way to the next township or city from here. My horses can take care of themselves,” replied Jirgal.

  Zuo Shilong rubbed his bald head, still apparently unaware of what he had really missed while he was unconscious. He stood to his feet and flexed his joints.

  “Well, at least I did not break any bones. I have never seen such a creature in my life. I know of lions and tigers but never would I have thought such a beast like that exists,” he said surveying their surroundings.

  “It was massive. Do you think it will follow us here, teacher?”

  “I think not. It understands and knows it cannot touch us now. But I will tell you, I think it is the first of many. These encounters will only become more frequent in the days and weeks to come,” said Famin Jie. He did not have a hint of worry in his words. Zuo Shilong found that to be quite intriguing. A simple old man that did not worry or fear even after encountering such a creature was truly impressive and admirable. Jirgal gathered his belongings and picked up a walking stick.

  “I believe I’m just about ready for a good hike and climb into the mountains. Anything to get us as far away from monsters as possible. May Tengri help us,” he said, concernedly looking up at the tall, intimidating mountains. The trio proceeded onto the pass at Huangshan and traversed narrow and rocky paths that meandered between the peaks, fog, and steep terrain.