Chapter - 78 Endless Joy At the Reunion of the Seven Swordsmen (4)

After sailing southward for about ten days, they arrived at the mouth of the Yangtze River. They switched to riding a riverboat, and rode up the river. Zhang CuiShan and Yin SuSu changed into robes, looked no less amazing than ten years before. WuJi wore a new shirt, and a new pair of pants. He looked very cute with two pigtails tied on his head.

Yu LianZhou spent his whole life on martial arts, never married or have kids. So he was very fond of WuJi. But due to his aloofness, Yu LianZhou's face remained cold. However, WuJi knew this cold-faced uncle is quite nice to him. When he has spare time, WuJi would ask Yu LianZhou all sorts of questions. Grown up on a deserted island, WuJi knew almost nothing about the mainland, and found everything interesting. Yu LianZhou didn't find WuJi annoying, and often hold him up on the front of the boat, to observe the river scenery. WuJi would ask nine or ten questions, and he'd just give a short answer to one.

This day the boat arrived at the foot of the Tong Guan Mountain, in the An Hwei province. At dusk, the boat docked at a nearby town. The boatmen left the boat to go buy food. Zhang CuiShan, Yin SuSu, and Yu LianZhou stayed on the boat to chat.

WuJi played by himself at the head of the boat. He saw an old beggar on the dock, sitting on the ground and playing with a snake. A green snake rested on his head, while a black snake danced on his hands. That black snake quickly jumped onto his head and slithered its way down the man's back. WuJi had never seen a snake on the Fire-Ice Island. So he found it very interesting. When that old beggar saw him, he smiled, and flicked his finger. That black snake suddenly jumped up, did a flip in midair, and dropped into the beggar's chest pocket. WuJi stared intently. That old beggar gestured at him, hinting that he has more tricks should WuJi get closer.

WuJi quickly jumped off the ship toward him. The old beggar took out a sack, opened it up, and said, "There's something really fun inside. You want to see?" WuJi said, "What's inside?" That old beggar said, "It's very interesting. Take a look and you'll see." WuJi put his head close to look, but still couldn't see anything. He moved even closer, when that old beggar suddenly flipped his hands, covering WuJi's head in the sack. WuJi let out an 'Ah', but the old man quickly covered his mouth. Afterwards, WuJi felt his whole body being lifted up.

WuJi's scream within the sack was hardly loud. But both Yu LianZhou and Zhang CuiShan heard him. They were quite far away, sitting inside the cabin. But upon the scream, they immediately rushed out to the front of the boat. Only to see the old beggar holding WuJi.

The two was about to jump off the boat, when that old beggar yelled, "If you value the child's life, then stay where you are." As he spoke, he tore off a piece of WuJi's shirt, and put that black snake next to WuJi's skin.

By now Yin SuSu also arrived. In a hurry to save WuJi, she immediately tried to throw the silver needles. But Yu LianZhou stopped her and said, "No!" He recognized that this black snake is called 'Shadow Star', a very famous breed of poisonous snake. The shinier its body, the more poisonous it is. This black snake shined brightly. Its mouth opened, aimed at WuJi's skin. Due the poison's potency, WuJi would die immediately if bitten. Even if the old man has the antidote, it would still be too late. Yu LianZhou's expression remained unchanged, and said, "May I ask. Why you are holding this child?"

That old beggar said, "Ask your boatman to immediately lift anchor, and move the boat out at least sixteen meters. Then we can talk." Yu LianZhou knew the old man was guarding against a rescue attempt. Should the boat leave shore, it would be much harder to rescue WuJi. But at this moment, he had no other choice. Yu LianZhou picked up the anchor-chain. With a light flip of the wrist, a sixty-some pound anchor came out of the water.

When the old beggar saw this scene, he was astonished at Yu LianZhou's inner power, and shuddered. Zhang CuiShan picked up the barge pole, pointed at the shore, and the boat backed away from the dock. That old beggar said, "Back off a little more!" Zhang CuiShan said calmly, "Isn't this more than sixteen meters?" That old beggar said, "After seeing Second Hero Yu's anchor-raising talent, I'd feel safer if you back off some more." Zhang CuiShan could only move the boat back some more.

Yu LianZhou said, "May I ask your name?" That old beggar said, "I'm a nobody in the Beggar's Clan. There's no need to clutter Second Hero Yu's ears with my name." Seeing six pouches on his chest, Yu LianZhou thought that this must be a six-pouch member within the Beggar's Clan. That's a fairly high rank. Why would he do something like this? Besides, the Beggar's Clan is a righteous clan, and its leader Shi HuoLong is quite renowned. This whole thing doesn't make sense.

Yin SuSu suddenly yelled, "Since when did Witch Mountain Clan join the Beggar's Clan? How come I didn't know?" That old beggar gasped, but didn't respond. Yin SuSu added, "Old Man He, what on earth are you doing? If you hurt a single hair on my son's body, I'll chop your Mei ShiJian into tiny pieces!"

That old beggar trembled, said, "Miss Yin really has incredible vision, and recognize me. I am simply following Leader Mei's orders, to welcome your son." Yin SuSu said angrily, "Move the snake away! The nerve of you Witch Mountain Clan. You dare offend the Heavenly Eagle Sect?" Old Man He said, "I only wish an answer from Miss Yin, and will then immediately release your son afterwards." Yin SuSu said, "What's your question?"

Old Man He said, "Leader Mei's only son died in Xie Xun's hands. Something I'm sure you've heard. Leader Mei wishes to ask Fifth Hero Zhang and Miss Yin… sorry, my mistake. I should call you Mrs. Zhang. If the two can give the location of Xie Xun, everyone in my clan will thank you."

Yin SuSu's eyebrows rose up, then said, "We don't know the answer." Old Man He said, "Then I wish you could find the answer for me. In the meantime, we'll take good care of your son. When you've found Xie Xun's location, Leader Mei will personally return your son."

Seeing the snake slithering next to her son's skin, Yin SuSu stirred. She wanted to give him the answer. But as she turned her head toward Zhang CuiShan, Yin SuSu saw her husband's determined expression. After ten year of marriage, she knew that Zhang CuiShan values loyalty and honor above all else. Should she reveal Xie Xun's location, and cause his death, their marriage could very well break apart. So at the last moment, Yin SuSu stopped herself.

Zhang CuiShan said loudly, "Fine. Then go ahead and take my son. Do I look like someone who would betray his friends? Surely you didn't expect that from the Seven Heroes of Wu Dang."

Old Man He froze. He figured that with WuJi in his hands, Zhang CuiShan and his wife would surely divulge Xie Xun's location. Who'd have thought that Zhang CuiShan would not be moved at all? Unsure of his next move, Old Man He said, "Second Hero Yu, Xie Xun's crimes can fill a whole mountain. I know Wu Dang Sect is righteous. Surely you could help me on this matter."

Yu LianZhou said, "But first, w must seek our master's advice. Then we plan to host a gathering at Wu Chang City's Yellow Crane Restaurant. Leader Mai is welcome there. At this gathering, we will have an answer."