Chapter - 409 Being Driven Mad By Unredressed Mongol Injustice (9)

Zhang Wuji was scared out of his wits. He thought he did not use too much force in sealing the acupoints just now; certainly it was not a deadly attack, it would not even cause any minor injury. Could it be that Si Shibo [fourth martial (older) uncle] suffered an unmentionable illness, and the hit he suffered just now had caused it to break out? He broke out in cold sweats and hastily reached out to check Zhang Songxi's breath. Suddenly Zhang Songxi's left hand moved and pulled the fur covering his face.

Two people looked at each other in blank dismay. After a long time Zhang Songxi said, "Good Wuji, turns out … turns out … it is you. We have treated you with love in vain." His voice broke, his face was full of anger, tears streaming down, but it was unclear whether he was angry or grieved.

It turned out that he realized he was not the enemy's match and thought that he would die without seeing the enemy's face. If the Four Heroes of Wudang were defeated by an unknown enemy, they would die with their eyes still open. Therefore, first he faked death, and then pulled the fur covering the enemy's face.

First of all, Zhang Wuji was naïve, secondly, he cared about his Si Shibo very much, hence he had never guarded against him. At this moment, he felt worse than if he were put to death by the sword; he felt as if his soul had left him, and he was completely dumbfounded. He only stammered, "Si Shibo, it wasn't me, it wasn't me … Qi Shishu, it wasn't me … I did not harm him …"

Zhang Songxi laughed a bitter laugh and said, "Very good, very good. Hurry up and kill us all. Dage, Erge, Liudi [first brother, second brother and sixth brother, respectively], look clearly: this Tartar dog is not an outsider, he is none other than our beloved child, Wuji." Song Yuanqiao, Yu Lianzhou, and Yin Liting were immobilized; they only stared at Zhang Wuji in disbelief.

Zhang Wuji was completely at a loss; all he could think of was picking up a sword on the ground and slashing his own neck. Zhao Min suddenly called out, "Zhang Wuji, a real man can endure a momentary injustice; what's the big deal about it? Nothing in this world can be kept secret forever. You must find the ominous criminal who killed Mo Qixia and avenge his death then the Wudang Heroes' love to you won't be in vain."

Zhang Wuji's heart was stirred; he realized what she said was very reasonable. "What are we going to do now?" he asked, while walking toward her and massaged the acupoints on her back and waist to unseal them.

In a tender and consoling voice Zhao Min said, "Don't be so sad! You have so many experts within your Ming Cult; I am also not short of warriors with wisdom and ability. With our combined effort, we will capture the real criminal."

"Zhang Wuji!" Zhang Songxi called out, "If you still have any conscience, just kill us four people. I cannot bear to see you and this wicked witch showing affection to each other."

Zhang Wuji's face turned ashen, he had no idea how to respond. Zhao Min said, "We must save Han Lin'er first, then come back to find your Yifu, while investigating the real criminal who killed your Mo Qi Shu along the way, and looking for your Biaomei's murderer."

"Wh … what?" Zhang Wuji was taken by surprise.

Zhao Min coldly said, "Did you kill Mo Qixia? Why do your four martial uncles insist it was you? Did I kill Yin Li? Why do you insist it was me? Don't tell me you have the right to treat others unjustly and won't allow others to do the same to you?"

These words were like a thunder in a broad daylight, shaking Zhang Wuji's eardrums and straight into his heart. At this moment he realized, based on his personal experience that human affairs are often difficult to judge. Deep in his heart, he knew he was a victim of an ignorant grievance; he thought, "Could it be that Miss Zhao, she … she … is also going through the same thing that I do? Is she being wronged by others?"

"The acupoints you sealed on your four martial uncles; can they unseal them?" Zhao Min asked.

Zhang Wuji shook his head, "I was using the strange technique from the Sheng Huo Ling; Shibo and Shishu will not be able to unseal the acupoints themselves. But after 24 hours, the sealed acupoints will loosen themselves."

"Hmm," Zhao Min said, "In that case, let us take them to the cave before we leave. You cannot see them again before the real criminal is found."

"There are some wild beasts in that cave," Zhang Wuji said, "They will be ripped badly just like the roebuck and Mo Qishu's body."

Zhao Min sighed, "I can see that you are muddle-headed and cannot think straight. If one of them can move his upper body, and he has a sword in his hand, what wild beast can bother them?"

Zhang Wuji could only say, "That's right, that's right." Immediately he carried the Four Heroes of Wudang and set them behind a big rock to shelter them from the wind and the snow. The Four Heroes continuously shot abusive words at him. Zhang Wuji could only keep his mouth shut with tears on his eyes.

Zhao Min said, "The four of you are the Wulin experts, but are completely ignorant. If Mo Qixia was killed by Zhang Wuji, at this time he only needs to pick up a sword and kill you all to shut your mouths; how difficult is that? If he has the heart to kill Mo Qixia, do you think he will not have a heart to harm you, four people? If you keep shouting malicious talks, I, Zhao Min, will give each of you a slap in your face. I am a treacherous wicked witch; I am capable of doing what I say. At the Wan An Temple, it was because I looked at Zhang Gongzi's face that I treated you with respect. I cut the fingers of the experts from Shaolin, Kunlun, Emei, Huashan, and Kongtong, five Sects; but have I ever shown even half of disrespect toward the heroes of Wudang?"

Song Yuanqiao and the others looked at each other. They still believed Zhang Wuji killed Mo Shenggu, but they were afraid Zhao Min would really slap them. Real men could be killed but could not be disgraced; if this little witch did indeed give them a slap in their faces, they would suffer the disgrace for the rest of their lives. Hence, they shut their mouths immediately.

Zhao Min smiled faintly and said to Zhang Wuji, "Go get our mounts to take them to the cave."

Zhang Wuji hesitated before answering, "I can carry them."

Something clicked in Zhao Min's mind; she knew what he was thinking. With a cold laugh she said, "Even if your martial art skill is higher, do you think you can carry four people simultaneously? You are afraid as soon as you are away, I would harm your four martial uncles. You have never believed me. Fine, I'll go get the horses; you stay here to guard them."

Zhang Wuji blushed as what she said was right on target, but he really did not dare to leave the fate of his four martial uncles' lives in the hands of this temperamental, unpredictable girl. He simply said, "I'll be obliged if you'll go get the animals. I will stay here to guard the four martial uncles. How is your injury? Are you sure you can walk without any problem?"

Zhao Min laughed coldly and said, "Even if you were more attentive and had more good intentions, others still don't believe you. You are baring your heart and intestines, other people still think you have a wolf's heart and a dog's lungs." With her speech over, she turned around to fetch the horses.