Chapter - 274 Visitors Drunk On Magical Lotus In the Green Willow Manor (6)

The white rainbow [oxymoron, I know, but how do you translate 白 虹 ?] stood up to fly,

Green serpent roared inside the box,

Murderous frost at the edge of the blade,

The round moon just about to reach its apex.

Sword can tear the dragon on the outer sky,

Sword can charge against the sun,

Sword can slit the demon's abdomen,

Sword can cut away the treacherous minister's head.

Hiding to ward off the demon's enchantment,

Do not frighten the consort.

Keep the sword to behead the scaly dragon,

Do not test it to strike the street dog.

At the end of the poem there was a small inscription, "Testing the precious Yitian Sword in the night, it was truly a treasured thing. I wrote the poem 'shuo jian' [lit. speaking about sword] in praise of it. Bianliang Zhao Min."

That Miss Zhao, Zhao Min smiled and said, "Zhang Jiaozhu's father was well-known as the 'yin gou tie hua' [Silver Hook Iron Stroke], a calligraphy expert. Zhang Jiaozhu received your educational background from your family, 'xiao nuzi' earnestly wants to see a poem from your hand."

Upon hearing this Zhang Wuji's face turned red; he lost his father when he was ten and had not learned penmanship from him. Afterwards he only learned medicine and martial art, so it could be said that his writing skill was superficial. "If Miss wants me to write," he said, "That is the same as requesting my death. My late father departed too early; I haven't learned anything from my father. I am really ashamed."

While they were talking the Manor servants had already served tea. They noticed that inside the sky blue porcelain cups there were green and tender Longjing [city in Jilin] tea leaves floating around. A delicate fragrant greeted their nostrils. The warriors felt strange; this place was separated thousands of 'li's from Jiangnan, how could there be fresh Longjing tea leaves? In all aspects this Miss carried a mysterious aura around her.

Zhao Min was the first to take the cup with both hands and took a sip before inviting everybody else to do the same. She said, "You have journeyed far, our village is simple and slow, so please forgive our lack of hospitality. Everybody please follow me to have some refreshments." She stood up and led them passed a porch and a courtyard, toward a big garden. This garden was littered with unadorned mountain rocks and a plain creek pond in the middle; there were not too many flowers and plants, but the overall impression was elegance. Zhang Wuji did not have deep understanding of landscape architecture, but Yang Xiao silently nodded his head in approval. He thought the master of the garden was certainly not an uncouth person; inwardly he was full of admiration.

In the pavilion in the middle of the pond two banquet tables had already been prepared. Zhao Min invited Zhang Wuji and his entourage to take a seat. Zhao Yishang, Qian Erbai and the other Divine Archer Eight Heroes took the rest of the Ming Cult people to have their meals at another hall on the side. Yin Liting was unable to get up, so Yang Buhui attended to him in yet another room.

Zhao Min poured a big bowl of wine and took it in one gulp; she said, "This is the eighteen years old 'nu zhen chen' [old chaste maiden (or spinster)] wine from Shaoxing; please take a taste and tell me what you think?"

Although Yang Xiao, Wei Yixiao, Yin Tianzheng, and the others truly believed that this Miss was a young generation chivalrous heroine, they were still very careful. They looked at the wine pot and the wine cups and did not see anything unusual; besides, Miss Zhao had taken the first cup, so they chased their suspicion away and ate and drank with ease of mind.

Ming Cult originally had a religious rule so-called 'shi2 cai4 shi4 mo2' [meat dish are a matter of the devil]; prohibiting them to consume alcohol and meat. But after their altar was moved to the Mount Kunlun this prohibition against alcohol and meat was removed. In the Western Region fresh vegetables were hard to come by; they were more expensive than meat. Plus the climate was bitter cold; without cattle and sheep fat it was difficult to fight the cold using internal energy alone.

Around the pavilion, on the bank of the pond, there were seven, eight flower trees; they looked like 'shui xian' [lit. water deity; narcissus?] but not as big. The flowers were white; the fragrance was light and elegant. So close to this refreshing fragrance, drinking the good wine, the gentle breeze carried the flower scent; the warriors' hearts were really carefree. That Miss Zhao was really cordial, she was very knowledgeable of stories and news of the Wulin world of the Central Plains; many of those were not known even to Yin Tianzheng father and son. Toward Shaolin, Emei, Kunlun, and the other sects' martial arts she did not say too much, but she placed the highest regards toward Zhang Sanfeng and the Wudang Seven Heroes. She also heaped praises toward Ming Cult's leaders' martial art. She was seemingly talking without giving it too much thought; but each praise and every admiration were right on target. The guests were delighted and full of admiration toward her; but when asked which martial art school she belongs to, Zhao Min only smiled without giving any answer, and then she changed the topic.

The wine had gone several rounds. Zhao Min always drank her cup dry. She was very open-minded. Every time a new dish arrive, she always moved her chopsticks and be the first to eat the dish. Her face was starting to exude a reddish glow from the wine; she looked even more beautiful. A beautiful woman would either be refined and elegant, or tender and glamorous; but this Miss Zhao, in her extreme beauty she also carried a third part boldness, a third part heroic attitude, while maintained her elegance. Plus, she also carried an air of authority, which gained other people's respect and made them not dare to stare at her intently.

Zhang Wuji said, "Miss Zhao, our Ming Cult is most grateful for your hospitality. I have a question I'd like to ask, but I do not dare to utter it."

"Zhang Jiaozhu," Zhao Min replied, "Why are you acting like you are an outsider? Isn't there a saying in the Jianghu world, 'within four sides of the ocean, everybody is a brother'? If you do not think I am unworthy, just consider 'xiao mei' [little sister, she was referring to herself] your friend. Whatever it is you want to know, I will do my best to answer it."

Zhang Wuji said, "If that is the case, then I'd like to ask: where did Miss acquire this Yitian Sword from?"

Zhao Min showed a faint smile; she loosened the Yitian Sword from her waist and placed it on the table. "Ever since Xiao Mei met with all of you, your eyes have never left this sword. I wonder if you care to tell me the reason behind it."