HEAVEN SWORD DRAGON SABRE Book 2 of 2

The Three Withered Pine Trees Sprouting Green Leaves Part 3

Raising his black rope up, Du E said, "The Ming Cult's Zhang Jiaozhu, the number one martial art expert in the world; how can the Hejian Shuang Sha [twin evils of Hejian] not know?"

"Ah!" the judge pen wielding Hao Mi exclaimed. He raised his pair of pens up and then walked out of the loop. The other seven followed him. The Shaolin monks were about to stop them, but those eight's martial art skill was considerably higher than the monks; side by side they proceeded going down the hill.

Du E and the others, three monks, had heard everything Xie Xun and Zhang Wuji said. They also knew that Zhang Wuji did not take advantage of their precarious situation, he simply stood on the side, did not help either side. When Bo Tai broke through their 'Jin Gang Fu Mo Quan' defensive line, based on the Twin Evils of Hejian's cruelty, the three monks would have lost their lives by now. The three monks laid down their black ropes, stood up, and put their palms together in respect. "Many thanks for Zhang Jiaozhu's benevolence," they said in chorus.

Zhang Wuji hastily returned the propriety and said, "Such an insignificant deed; is it worth mentioning?"

Du E said, "In today's business, although Lao Na would not allow Xie Xun to accompany Zhang Jiaozhu, but Zhang Jiaozhu has just saved our lives, Lao Na would be powerless to stop you from leaving. Only Lao Na, three martial brothers, have received order from our temple's Abbot to watch over Xie Xun. We have established a heavy oath before Buddha's presence, unless the three of us lose our lives, we will never let Xie Xun escape. This matter concerns our Sect's thousand years of glory or disgrace; we beg Zhang Jiaozhu to understand of our difficulty."

"Humph," Zhang Wuji snorted, but did not say anything.

Du E continued, "About the animosity of Lao Na losing an eye, we can consider it over today. If Zhang Jiaozhu wishes to rescue Xie Xun, you may come back anytime. As long as you can break Lao Na, three martial brothers' 'Jin Gang Fu Mo Quan', you can take Shi Wang [lion king] go. Zhang Jiaozhu may bring as many helpers as you wish. You can take turn fighting us, or you can fight us as a group; we, three martial brothers, will accept the challenge by ourselves. Before Zhang Jiaozhu's return, Lao Na, three brothers, will guard Xie Xun carefully. We will not let Yuan Zhen to insult him even for half a sentence, or harm a single strand of his hair."

Zhang Wuji cast a glance toward Xie Xun; in the dark night he saw the silhouette of his well-built form, his long hair draped over his neck and shoulders; he was standing with lowered head, as if his heart was full of remorse over the transgressions he committed in the past. He looked totally different from his impressive, invincible former self. Zhang Wuji felt tears forming in his eyes as he considered, "I can't defeat them today, and Yifu does not want to leave. I must bring [maternal] Grandfather, Yang Zuo Shi, Fan You Shi, and the others to help me fight. This three black rope formation is as impregnable as a copper wall or iron rampart. If Du Nan Dashi did not send me a palm attack, that Bo Tai would definitely not able to break through their defense line. Even with the help of Grandfather and the Left and Right Brightness Emissaries, there is no guarantee that we can break their formation. Ay, right now, all I can do is to deal with whatever comes my way using one step at a time." Thereupon he said, "Since that is the case, I will return to receive instructions from the Three Reverends." Turning around to embrace Xie Xun's waist he said, "Yifu, your child is leaving."

Xie Xun nodded. Gently stroking Zhang Wuji's hair he said, "You don't have to come back. I have made up my mind not to leave. Good Child, I hope in everything you will turn bad luck into good fortune. Don't let the hopes of your Father and Mother and myself down. Follow your Father's example; don't follow your Yifu's."

Zhang Wuji replied, "Both Father and Yifu are heroes and real men; upright warriors who do everything in the open. Both are Child's role models." As he said that, he bowed in respect. His shadow swayed and he flew out of the three pine trees circle. Raising his hands toward the Shaolin Temple's three monks, he launched his 'qing gong' and suddenly disappeared. They only heard his clear whistle, which in a very short time had reached about a 'li' [approx. 0.5 km] away.