EARTHLY DRAGON, SOARING PALM Page 8

  The monk in gold frowned at this but not in a manner indicating anger.

  As he said nothing, the Yarlese figured he had confounded his adversary enough to continue. “I did in fact come across this child between here and the second gorge. I felt the chances there was more than one child wandering this mountainside were remote which is why I felt assured enough to return. One more point worth making is the group who were accosting this youth were also in the process of subduing a white clad young hero. Could this be the person who you were expecting to accompany the child?”

  Wangchuk Drup knew nothing of Xun Da’s encounter with Han Liang and the others at the First Gorge and had only laid eyes on him as he was coming back down the mountain from his first visit with the Eight Guardians. Therefore, in the context of what was just said to him by the Fourth Guardian, he naturally assumed that this young hero was another Earthly Dragon disciple sent to retrieve the runaway youth.

  The three monks glanced at each other. “Perhaps, it was him,” the Nameless Monk said before returning his attention to the other side of the gorge. “Young boy, what is the name of the person who brought you here?”

  At this point the slender monk in red, who up until now had said nothing, gently interrupted. “Perhaps, First Brother, we should bring the child over here before we begin our inquiries. He looks tired and hungry.”

  “Fifth Strengthless Monk is correct,” the Artless Monk suggested without delay.

  With a slight nod from the Nameless Monk, the Artless Monk shot up into the air and traversed the twenty meter gorge leaving nothing but a flash of golden yellow in his wake. Wangchuk Drup took a half step back before placing his left hand on Bai Feng's right shoulder and subtly unsealing his acupoints. Before Bai Feng knew it, the Artless Monk was standing to his left bearing a friendly smile. “Thank you for bringing him,” he said to the Yarlese. “We'll take him from here. Goodbye.”

  Wangchuk Drup’s face grew indignant. “You don't honestly think I'm going to just turn on my heels after risking life and limb to return your wayward disciple. I’m of course not looking for a reward but I'm afraid my honour will not allow me to tolerate such discourtesy.”

  “Wayward disciple?” the Artless Monk replied. “This boy is not our disciple.”

  “But,” Wangchuk Drup glanced at Bai Feng only to see the beginnings of a sly smile. Realising, he was duped by the kid, his anger only rose. Looking back at the Fourth Guardian, he rasped, “Okay, so he lied to me about being your disciple. I still brought someone here who you wish to see. Correct? Shouldn't that be regarded?”

  The Artless Monk glanced up and down at the imposing figure of Wangchuk Drup. “The Earthly Dragon Sect means no insult,” he said. “It's just that we have very strict rules on who can enter our temple. Surely, you don't demand exceptional treatment merely because you assisted us in a matter where no assistance was requested.”

  Wangchuk Drup balked at this. “It looks like the honour and prestige of Earthly Mountain has been grossly overrated, when its famed Fourth Guardian treats well wishers so poorly.”

  “Liar!”

  Everyone turned to see Xun Da exiting the forest, his previously pristine clothing looking the worse for wear. Bai Feng spotted blood stains around his rib area and couldn't restrain his fear. “Xun Da, you're hurt!”

  Xun Da looked down at his wound as if only realising it and said with his usual calm smile. “No need to panic Feng'er. I'm fine. I'm just ashamed I couldn't prevent this person and his band of scoundrels from snatching you and attempting to pass off this fraud to the eminent monks of Earthly Mountain.”

  The Artless Monk smiled kindly. “You're too polite young Xun Da. I'm sure you did your best.” The meaning behind the Artless Monk’s words was clear. Xun Da has behaved politely while others have not and what's more, Xun Da’s version of events has been accepted at face value leaving only one way to interpret Wangchuk Drup’s account.

  Wangchuk Drup had heard enough and stepped between Xun Da and Bai Feng. “Do you really expect me to stand here and suffer slander from a whippersnapper like you?” With a flip of his right hand, the Yarlese’s frame sank almost imperceptibly while his palm thrusted straight for Xun Da’s chest. The speed was frightening to Bai Feng but Xun Da had anticipated it and, pointing his right shoulder towards Wangchuk Drup, he allowed that formidable palm to slide past his chest harmlessly. The speed of the interaction and power of the palm strike made Xun Da's white gown billow and as Wangchuk Drup moved within his grasp, Xun Da swiped his right arm along the inside of Wangchuk Drup’s striking hand sucking it towards him as he swept. Suddenly, Xun Da re-squared his shoulders and sent a sinking left palm strike of his own straight into the incoming Wangchuk Drup. Xun Da knew that his strike, with the added collision force from the pull, would fell even the largest of opponents for their own weight was now being used against them. His face registered more than slight surprise, therefore, when the Yarlese merely sank further into his stance, simultaneously resisting the pull and absorbing Xun Da’s strike.

  Xun Da was an experienced fighter and he was more than a one-on-one match for each of Wangchuk Drup’s travelling companions. Even against six of them, he still managed to escape. As such, he wasn't expecting this adversary to be as strong as he was. He guessed he would be the strongest of his group but it was clear now that this Yarlese was way beyond the others. As his strength rebounded from Wangchuk Drup’s unmoving frame, a dangerous smirk appeared around the edges of his adversary's face.

  Before Xun Da could centre himself, Wangchuk Drup’s right leg came thrusting forward and, as Xun Da frantically retracted his waist, the kicking leg abruptly changed course, shooting downwards and planting the soul of his enormous foot onto Xun Da's ankle. With a twist of his torso, Wangchuk Drup suddenly smashed an elbow towards the left temple of Xun Da's protruding head. There was no doubt in anyone's mind, it was meant to be a killer blow.

  In a flash of golden yellow, the Artless Monk inserted himself between elbow and head at the last moment, meeting the incoming elbow with the underside of his forearm. A fraction of a second later, that forearm flipped into an inverted position guiding Wangchuk Drup’s elbow into a harmless three quarter circle turn. The Yarlese's right side was now exposed and a low lying palm, the kind of which would split rock, exploded against his ribcage.

  Wangchuk Drup felt as though his entire insides were shook by an earthquake and while he managed to stay on his feet and twist back into a defensive position, he staggered back ten paces. His normal dark complexion paled and he felt blood bubbling in his mouth.

  “Forgive my lack of manners, but we will not tolerate such ruthlessness towards guests. Particularly from someone who has been asked to leave twice already. Gather yourself and go.” The Artless Monk turned away to finally greet Xun Da when he sensed an energy burst forth from where Wangchuk Drup was standing.

  Xun Da was still facing the Yarlese when he saw the dark coiling object with bright silver hooks extending straight for the Artless Monk’s back.

  The Yarlese had roamed the western Wulin unbeaten for many years now and had even taken on disciples. Although he had long mastered the art of the Dragon Beard Hook and had added an ingenious series of adaptations to the form his teachers passed onto him, he felt it was beneath him to ever use weapons in a fight. The fact was he had yet to meet his match in unarmed combat and, although his whipping skill made him an even more fearsome adversary, he honestly believed he would never need to rely on it. But now, all of a sudden, here in this remote part of the world where no outsider had tread in decades, he had been soundly beaten. Worse still, after dominating his talent with one palm strike, this monk had then dismissively turned his back on him. Wangchuk Drup was like a mad bull and could only think about vengeance no matter what the cost. He reached within his gown and felt the coarse hairs of his precious Dragon Hook and with the force of a solid spear, pierced the air with its length.

  The Artless Monk had felt the Yarlese’s power when h
e intercepted his elbow with his forearm earlier so he knew he was no ordinary master but he was nonetheless several levels beneath him and the other Eight Guardians. Of course, he was ready for a sneak attack but the degree of skill which Wangchuk Drup used to wield his long pointed whip was frightening and forced the Artless Monk to concentrate his full attention into his response. With a flick of his sleeve he sent a powerful wave of energy back towards the screaming whip in an effort to slow its advance. Strictly speaking, he wasn't supposed to use his internal energy in a contest but as his hands hadn't actually touched the whip, he felt he wasn't breaking any rules.

  Bai Feng and Xun Da watched helplessly as the Artless Monk was blown backwards all the way to edge of the cliff. His heels dug into the ground and only stopped sliding when he was mere millimetres from the edge. Despite propelling him backwards with its force, the whip had still not made physical contact with the Fourth Guardians’ palms. At the last fraction of a second, the latter rotated his right forearm into a reverse knife-hand and allowed the hooks of the whip to graze past the skin of his palm. As the hooks cleared his hand, he snapped that hand closed and caught the rope tightly.

  The powerful tug pulled the Yarlese forward but, being already prepared for that tug, Wangchuk Drup added enough slack to the whip so that the Artless Monk would fall backwards into the gorge. As it turned out, the Artless Monk had anticipated Wangchuk Drup’s anticipation and, letting go of the rope completely, he propelled himself towards his opponent who was presently feigning imbalance. Feigning or not, the Yarlese’s head was forward and the Artless Monk brought his palms down on top of it with tremendous force. Feeling like he was being folded in two, Wangchuk Drup collapsed in a heap.

  The Fourth Monk knelt down to examine the weapon which had so nearly defeated him, disgusted he had to dodge a sneak attack here on Earthly Mountain. He quickly immobilised the unconscious Wangchuk Drup by sealing a series of pressure points before looking up at Xun Da. “What do you know of this person?”

  “Nothing at all, Fourth Guardian. I stumbled across his group when I arrived at the First Gorge. It turns out I was more than lucky. His companions are able fighters but nothing compared to him. I could outlast most of them even when they teamed up but this monk would surely beat me in only a handful of moves. Alas, I'm not nearly as prepared as I thought.”

  Xun Da's face turned deeply regretful as he bowed in front of the Fourth Guardian. “Junior has utterly failed his master in the task he entrusted me with and I'm in no position to request acceptance to your temple. Please accept my apologies. I'll go now and clear up the rest of his rabble on my way back. Perhaps in time, my master might see fit to make another petition on my behalf. For now, I am ashamed.”

  The Artless Monk stood up with a kind expression and responded without any artifice. “Why must you berate yourself? You've brought this child here safely and you acquitted yourself admirably in the process. You simply came upon a real master who had some nefarious ideas concerning our sect. To refuse to accept imperfection is to trap your mind.”

  Xun Da had heard these words before but for Bai Feng, it was like a revelation. “Right!” the boy exclaimed to nobody in particular. “This is exactly what I’ve been saying over and over. Success in fighting is nothing to want or not want. Look at how Xun Da fought against those warriors and with that giant monk! It was extraordinary, that’s all he should be looking to achieve. The result doesn’t matter!” Bai Feng's words trailed off as he wandered around the cliffside mumbling to nobody in particular and re-enacting the fight.

  Knowing Bai Feng’s character as he did, Xun Da merely smiled but the Artless Monk stood in shock. His head tilted downwards, peering at this impish little boy who stood lecturing to the wind, defying centuries of culture.

  “What is your name boy? How old are you?”

  “My name is Bai Feng. I come from the other side of the southeast mountains and I’m twelve years of age at the end of this month.”

  “Seems impossible to come across this kind of wisdom in someone so young,” the Artless Monk muttered half to himself and half to Xun Da.

  “I agree,” replied Xun Da quietly. “I’ve only known him half a day and yet, it was immediately clear why my master ordered me to bring him here.”

  Turning back towards Bai Feng, the Artless Monk asked, “In your life, who has instructed you, in kung fu or otherwise?”

  Bai Feng thought for a second and then shrugged, “Nobody other than the monks at the Lowly Sea Sect but they were pacifists so they didn’t teach me any kung fu.”

  “Hmm,” the Artless Monk muttered as if recognising that sect’s name. “You better come back with me and meet my elders. They’ll know better what to do with you. As for you Xun Da, you’ve committed your task well but you’re not quite ready to join us. Have a safe journey.” The Artless Monk, nodded to the young warrior and grasped the hand of Bai Feng who began to plead with him to allow Xun Da accompany him.

  Bai Feng knew nothing of what was going on and had recently been separated from his two travelling companions. Now he was being split up from someone who just risked his life to save him. Confused and irritable, he tried to shake free from the Artless Monk’s soft but firm hold. “No. I won’t go until I know what’s happening and until you agree to take Xun Da too.”

  The Artless Monk's face became kind and, as he let go of Bai Feng's hand, he sent a palm flying toward Xun Da. Xun Da was clearly incapable of withstanding this but he attempted a block nonetheless. The Artless Monk’s palm abruptly stopped a hair's breadth from Xun Da's chest. Contrary to the relief Bai Feng expected Xun Da to show, the young hero’s face was a picture of frustration.

  Never looking away from Bai Feng, The Artless Monk’s expression remained kind. “Do you know why he failed just now?” he asked the increasingly confused Bai Feng.

  “How is he supposed to compare with you? If he could handle your attack, he wouldn't be seeking your tutelage in the first place, would he?” Bai Feng was desperately trying to make sense of the last twenty four hours, all to no avail.

  The Artless Monk’s kind expression persisted. Kneeling down in front of Bai Feng, he spoke calmly. “That's not why he failed. Look at his face—the frustration on it.” Bai Feng had seen it already and didn't want to embarrass Xun Da any further.

  His point made, the Fourth Guardian stood up and walked to the edge of the cliff as if waiting for Bai Feng to decide.

  But to the boy, a decision wasn't forthcoming. First, he needed to understand what was happening.

  Sensing his deep uncertainty, Xun Da crouched beside him and placed a caring hand on his shoulder. “Feng'er, we only met yesterday but I feel like we have become fast friends. You're very young, possibly too young to understand why you're here exactly. Believe it or not, I'm also very young to be here. I'm hoping that's the only reason I've failed the senior monk’s test today and hopefully I'll get a chance to come back again. My master predicted this would be the case. However, he was certain you were ready.”

  "Your master?" Bai Feng was shocked. "That vagabond guy? I've never even met him.”

  Xun Da stifled his laughter at Bai Feng's casual description of his esteemed master but then became suddenly serious. “You have indeed met him. Shortly after you left home you crossed paths with him and he was deeply impressed by what he saw in you. It was he who told me to bring you here.”

  Bai Feng strained to think of the various characters he'd encountered since he ran away from the monastery but couldn't think of anyone as profoundly skilled as Xun Da's master was supposed to be. He was also wondering what the connection between the Majestic Vagabond and Earthly Mountain was.

  Xun Da could see his mind turning over. “I know it's a lot to figure out. What about this? Do you trust me?”

  Bai Feng looked at the young man kneeling in front of him. He didn't possess the same aura of brilliance the Artless Monk bore but he looked every bit the hero. He remembered how Xun Da had emerged from nowhere and routed tha
t ugly warlord fellow and his companions—and how he had earned Li Jing and Wu Chen's respect. Then suddenly, he remembered Xun Da's eyes in the forest before all hell broke loose. He remembered thinking he was a ghost. But now in the cold light of dawn after Xun Da had saved him yet again and after seeing how respectably this martial senior had treated him, he was sure. Xun Da was his friend.

  Tears welled in his eyes. “Yes, I do.”

  “Good,” Xun Da said, not untouched. “Then trust me when I tell you that you should go with this kind monk and learn everything he and his guardian brothers have to teach you. This is not an opportunity you want to miss. And believe me; we’ll see each other again.” With that Xun Da stood, saluted the monk, and gave Bai Feng one last smile. Without another word he left the gorge to return to where he came from.

  Bai Feng watched him leave. After a long pause, he turned to the Artless Monk. “Are you going to teach me to fight? Because, I promised myself I would never learn.”

  The Artless Monk nodded approvingly. “Learning to fight is not what you need to guard against. Wanting to fight is.” Concern crossed the monk’s face. “Does that confuse you too?”

  Bai Feng put his finger to his head as if he was considering the question. A moment or two later, he replied assuredly, “No, it doesn't.”

  “Wonderful,” the monk replied. “Yes, wonderful.”

  Ten Years of Planning

  It was a typical day of gusts and grit on the flat unforgiving plains of the western desert. Wangchuk Drup had risen early that morning. He had been staying on the western border of the Liu Empire for two weeks now in preparation for the arrival of the Qui forces. Since his humiliation at the hands of the Fourth Guardian, he had trained painstakingly for ten years under the tutelage of a new master who had added profoundly to his skill. His Yarlese basis in meditation had married unpredictably with his new Shifu’s artform resulting in an extraordinary degree of power that even his master had grown wary of. Wangchuk Drup knew this most recent assignment, ostensibly a reward by that master, was in reality an attempt to manoeuvre him into a vulnerable position. In fact, he counted on it.