Chapter - 239 Joining Forces with Son to Capture the Leader (3)

Zhang WuJi thought, "From the looks of this letter, the Ming sect is very righteous. So the six sects really should not be causing trouble for the Ming sect." Only to read further,

" With my remaining powers, I will close off the remaining path to this room and die here with Cheng Kun. My wife can then escape with my map. Since only those who knows Qian Kun Da Nuo Yi has my energy, no one else can open this door at the 'Wu Wang' location. But anyone who later learns this can do so. Sincerely, Yang Ding Tian." The last line was filled with small words, "Although my name is Ding(top) Tian(sky), I couldn't learn much kung fu, nor could I brighten the sect, nor could I make my wife happy, I really am useless."

On the back of the letter is a map, detailing every single door and passageway. Zhang WuJi became ecstatic, said, "So Leader Yang wanted to die with Cheng Kun here, except he couldn't hold up long enough, dying first. But at least this means that we can now escape with this map." He found his location on the map, then checked for the exit. Unfortunately, the only exit route is the one Yuan Zhen blocked. So it's useless after all. Xiao Zhao said, "Don't worry about it, young master. Maybe there's another exit." She took the map and examined closely, but couldn't find anything else either. Zhang WuJi saw her disappointment, and said with a bitter smile, "Leader Yang mentioned that once one learns Qian Kun Da Nuo Yi, he can open the stone door. Yet only Left Guard Yang has learnt this technique, and only a tiny bit at that. Even if he's here, we're still probably stuck. Besides, I have no clue where this 'Wu Wan' position is."

Xiao Zhao said, "Wu Wan position? That's one location within the 'Fu Xi sixty-four Gua'*, Let's see, it should…" As she said this, she walked to an area in the northwest corner, then said, "It should be here."

*Note: I looked up the web for an hour on the explanation of this particular Gua. Suffice to say I got nothing useful. Honestly, I have no knowledge of Taoism. But it doesn't really matter too much.

Zhang WuJi said, "Really?" He picked up a big axe from the stack of weapons, went over to the area and wiped away the dust. A crease appeared, showing a door. He thought, "Although I don't know Qian Kun Da Nuo Yi, I do know Jiu Yang Shen Gong. My power might be enough." So he gathered his chi and his fists shot out, pushing the door. After a long time, the door still showed no signs of movement. No matter where he positions his hands and feet, how he applied his chi, the door won't budge. After becoming sore from all the pushing, he finally stopped.

Xiao Zhao said, "Young master Zhang, you don't need to keep trying. Let me go get the rest of the gunpowder." Zhang WuJi said excitedly, "Oh, I forgot about that!" The two people put the remaining gunpowder next to the door, then let it explode. Although it blew a huge hole, it still did not penetrate the door. Zhang WuJi finally gave up, held on to Xiao Zhao's hand and said tenderly, "Xiao Zhao, it's all my fault. It's because of me that you're stuck here."

Xiao Zhao's bright eyes stared closely at Zhang WuJi, "Young master Zhang, you should be scolding me instead. If I didn't take you here, then… then you wouldn't…" She cried when she got here, and used her sleeves to wipe away her tears. After a while, she began to smile through her tears, "Since we can't leave anyway, let's not worry too much. How about I sing you a song?" Zhang WuJi really isn't in the mood to listen to a song, but he couldn't bear to say no. So he smiled and said, "Ok!" Xiao Zhao sat by his side, and began to sing.

"Things in the world are hard to describe through logic, life filled with unexpected, for nothing will keep one's interest very long, there's danger within good fortune, good fortune within danger." When Zhang WuJi heard the last phrase, he couldn't help but think that this is how his life has been. He listened some more, hearing her soothing and clear voice. His worries became less and less, listening intently.

When Xiao Zhao was finished, Zhang WuJi said, "Xiao Zhao, your song was great. Who wrote the lines to this song?" Xiao Zhao smiled, "You're just kidding. What's so great about my singing? I just heard some other people sing it, and then started singing myself. So not even I know who wrote it." Zhang WuJi then started to hum a bit himself. Xiao Zhao said, "Do you really like it, or just pretending?" Zhang WuJi laughed, "Of course I really like it. Why would I pretend?" Xiao Zhao said, "Really? Ok. I'll sing another piece." She began to sing again, "Put away your worries, don't be so bitter, even if you're beautiful today, you will still be old some day, life has always been like this, who cares for money and fame."

"In the end, you still can't escape fate. Like flowing water, what goes around comes around."

These words are very deep and felt like spoken from personal experience, very inappropriate for a young girl like Xiao Zhao. Obviously, she memorized it from listening to someone else. Although Zhang WuJi is still young, he has been through so much already in his life. He thought about the "In the end, you can't escape fate." In the past, he has never cared much for life and death. Before, his death would never affect anyone else. Yet today, he not only pulled in this innocent girl to die with him, but also would die not knowing what would happen to the Ming sect, to the safety of Yang Xiao and Yang BuHui, the revenge of his godfather. Unlike previous occasions, he really didn't want to simply die at this moment. So he stood up and tried the door again. Yet no matter how hard he tries, the door still won't budge.

It's at this time that Xiao Zhao cut open her own finger again, spreading her blood onto the sheepskin, then said, "Young master Zhang, why don't you try learning this? Perhaps you're a genius, and can therefore learn this in a short time." Zhang WuJi smiled, "The old Ming sect leaders were all some of the best martial artists in the world, yet they couldn't even learn this in a short time. How could I compare to them?"

Xiao Zhao sang in a low voice, "Learning a little bit means a little bit more knowledge. Even if it is useless, it doesn't hurt to try." Zhang WuJi chuckled, took the sheepskin from Xiao Zhao, and started reading. Only to see all the text contains information on utilizing one's chi, to make them flow easily within your body. So he followed it, and quickly finished the first level without any trouble. Then he saw the sheepskin said, "This first level requires at least seven years for experts, lesser people require fourteen years." Zhang WuJi felt strange, wondering how this can be so.

He followed by reading the second level, and felt his inner chi flow easily through his body. Then he felt as if icy particles shot out of his ten fingers, finishing the level. Yet on the parchment, it said, "Experts require seven years, lesser people require fourteen years. If you can't finish in twenty one years, you should give up, or risk fire deviation." Zhang WuJi, surprised and happy, began to learn level three. This time the words have begun to fade. Just as he was about to cut his finger, Xiao Zhao dropped her blood onto the sheepskin first. Zhang WuJi followed the directions and quickly finished level three and four. When Xiao Zhao saw that half of his face is bright red, while the other half is green, she felt scared. Yet she saw that he still has much energy, as if nothing's going on. Then when he was learning the fifth level, his faces sometimes turn red and sometimes green. When it turns green, his face becomes cold as ice. When it becomes red, sweat poured down his face.