HEAVEN SWORD DRAGON SABRE Book 2 of 2

The Three Withered Pine Trees Sprouting Green Leaves Part 2

The yellow-faced old monk suddenly let out a clear whistle and said, "Zhang Jiaozhu, Lao Na's Buddhist name is Du E [lit. crossing distress]. This white-faced Shidi [younger martial brother] is Du Jie [lit. crossing calamity]. This black-faced Shidi is Du Nan [lit. crossing difficulty]. Since Yang Dingtian [his given name means 'top of the sky'] has died, our three people's deep hatred and great resentment must fall into the current Jiaozhu. Our martial nephews, Kong Jian and Kong Xing have died under your honorable Cult's hands. Since you dare to come over here, you must be a fearless man. As for the dozens of years gratitude and grudges, let our martial art skills be the judge."

Zhang Wuji said, "Junior [wan3 bei4] does not have any enmity against your precious Sect. I come here to rescue Yifu, Jin Mao Shi Wang Xie Daxia. Although Kong Jian Shen Seng [divine monk] accidentally perished under my Yifu's hands, the background story is rather complicated. As for Kong Xing Shen Seng's death, it has nothing to do with my humble Cult. The three of you cannot listen only to one side of the story. You must be able to discern right from wrong."

The white-faced old monk, Du Jie, said, "So according to you, who harmed Kong Xing?"

Zhang Wuji frowned and said, "According to Junior's understanding, Kong Xing Shen Seng died under the imperial family's Ruyang Palace's warrior."

"Who is the leader of the Ruyang Palace's warriors?" Du Jie asked.

"The daughter of the Ruyang Prince," Zhang Wuji replied, "Her Han name is Zhao Min."

"I heard from Yuan Zhen," Du Jie continued, "That this girl has joined hands with your honorable Cult. She has abandoned her royalty, abandoned her father, and defected to the Ming Cult. Is it true?" He was aggressively pressing on step by step.

Zhang Wuji did not have any choice but said, "That's right, she ... right now, she ... she has crossed from darkness to light."

In a loud voice Du Jie said, "The killer of Kong Jian is the Ming Cult's Jin Mao Shi Wang Xie Xun. The killer of Kong Xing is the Ming Cult's Zhao Min. This same Zhao Min has also broken into the Shaolin Temple, captured our Temple's disciples. The worst of it all, she went as far as engraving insulting words on our revered sixteen Luohan idols. If we add my Shixiong's [older martial brother] eyeball to those offenses, the three of us bear a hundred years of grievance. Zhang Jiaozhu, if we do not settle this debt with you, then with whom?"

Zhang Wuji heaved a deep sigh, thinking that since he had decided to shelter Zhao Min, her previous excessively wicked deeds could only be heaped on his head. In that blink of an eye, he suddenly understood his father's feelings when he committed suicide when confronted with his beloved wife's former crimes. He thought that as the settlement of Yang Jiaozhu and Yifu's enmity from the past until today, "Du Jie is right: If I do not undertake it, who would?" He stood straight up, sending his strength to his foot, and the bobbing tree branch he was standing up suddenly stayed still. In a loud voice he said, "Since the three honorable masters say so, Wanbei cannot run away from this responsibility. Then only Wanbei, one person, can accept all offenses. But as Yifu harming Kong Jian Shen Seng, there were innumerable difficulties surrounding that event. I am asking three honorable masters not to hold him accountable."

Du E said, "What do you depend on that you dare to plead for Xie Xun? Do you think we, three martial brothers, will not kill you?"

Zhang Wuji thought that as things had come this far, he must fight to the end; he said, "With one against three, Wanbei is definitely not your match. Which one of the three honorable masters will grant instruction to me?"

Du Jie said, "Fighting one to one, we cannot defeat you. This is about an enmity as deep as the sea, we don't have to follow Jianghu custom. Good devil head, come to receive your death. Amitabha Buddha!"