Chapter - 467 Graceful Movements of Three Pines In the Lush Green Forest (8)

Zhang Wuji cast a glance toward Xie Xun; in the dark night he saw the silhouette of his well-built form, his long hair draped over his neck and shoulders; he was standing with lowered head, as if his heart was full of remorse over the transgressions he committed in the past. He looked totally different from his impressive, invincible former self. Zhang Wuji felt tears forming in his eyes as he considered, "I can't defeat them today, and Yifu does not want to leave. I must bring [maternal] Grandfather, Yang Zuo Shi, Fan You Shi, and the others to help me fight. This three black rope formation is as impregnable as a copper wall or iron rampart. If Du Nan Dashi did not send me a palm attack, that Bo Tai would definitely not able to break through their defense line. Even with the help of Grandfather and the Left and Right Brightness Emissaries, there is no guarantee that we can break their formation. Ay, right now, all I can do is to deal with whatever comes my way using one step at a time." Thereupon he said, "Since that is the case, I will return to receive instructions from the Three Reverends." Turning around to embrace Xie Xun's waist he said, "Yifu, your child is leaving."

Xie Xun nodded. Gently stroking Zhang Wuji's hair he said, "You don't have to come back. I have made up my mind not to leave. Good Child, I hope in everything you will turn bad luck into good fortune. Don't let the hopes of your Father and Mother and myself down. Follow your Father's example; don't follow your Yifu's."

Zhang Wuji replied, "Both Father and Yifu are heroes and real men; upright warriors who do everything in the open. Both are Child's role models." As he said that, he bowed in respect. His shadow swayed and he flew out of the three pine trees circle. Raising his hands toward the Shaolin Temple's three monks, he launched his 'qing gong' and suddenly disappeared. They only heard his clear whistle, which in a very short time had reached about a 'li' [approx. 0.5 km] away.

The Shaolin monks standing on the peak of that hill looked at each other in astonishment. They had heard that the Zhang Jiaozhu of the Ming Cult possessed an outstanding martial art skill, but they had never expected his skill to be this divine.

Since his presence was no longer a secret, Zhang Wuji thought he might as well show his martial art skill. Perhaps the Shaolin monks would be scared and would treat Xie Xun nicely.

His whistle sound came out of his abundant 'qi'; it was a continuous whistle, which rose up above the noise of the thunderstorm. It sounded like a dragon roar as it flew through the sky. Putting his entire strength on his feet, he ran faster and faster, while his whistling was also getting louder and louder. Thousands of Shaolin monks were startled awake from their dreams. It was not until the whistle was far away they started to talk to one another. Kong Wen, Kong Zhi, and the others knew Zhang Wuji had arrived; which only served to increase their anxiety.

Zhang Wuji ran for several 'li's. Suddenly from behind a willow tree by the road side someone was calling out, "Hey!" Someone leaped out. It was Zhao Min.

Zhang Wuji stopped his whistle and halted his steps. Reaching out, he pulled her over, only to see that her whole body was dripping wet from the heavy rain; as she looked up, water streaming down from her face.

"Did you fight with the Shaolin Temple baldies?" Zhao Min asked.

"Yes," Zhang Wuji replied.

"How is Xie Daxia?" Zhao Min asked, "Did you see him?"

Zhang Wuji pulled her arm along, and while they were strolling in the heavy rain, he told her briefly what had happened just now.

Zhao Min hesitantly asked, "Did you ask him how he got captured?"

"I was only thinking of how to help him escape," Zhang Wuji replied, "I did not have time to mind other people's business."

Zhao Min sighed and no longer made any noise.

"You are not happy?" Zhang Wuji asked.

"To you, it is other people's business, to me, it is a very serious matter," Zhao Min replied, "All right, I'll wait for Xie Daxia to be rescued. I don't think it will be too late to ask him then. I am only afraid …"

"What are you afraid of?" Zhang Wuji asked, "Are you afraid we cannot save Yifu?"

"The Ming Cult is a lot stronger than the Shaolin Pai," Zhao Min said, "If you really want to rescue Xie Daxia, I am sure you will eventually succeed. I am only afraid that Xie Daxia is determined to die because of Kong Jian Shen Seng."

It was exactly what had been burdening Zhang Wuji's heart. "Do you think he is?" he asked.

"I hope he isn't," Zhao Min replied.

Two people walking and talking until they arrived at the Du couple's hut. Zhao Min laughed and said, "Your real identity has been exposed, you cannot hide from these two people anymore."

Zhang Wuji noticed that the door of the hut was half closed, so he reached out to open it. After shaking the rain water from his head and body he went in, but suddenly smelled a burst of blood. He was shocked and immediately pushed Zhao Min back out of the door with his left hand. From the dark someone's claw was reaching out. This claw was noiseless, without creating any wind, but it was shockingly fast. In a flash the fingers had reached Zhang Wuji's cheek. He did not have enough time to evade. His left foot flew up toward that person's chest. The attacker pulled back his hand and his elbow struck the 'huan tiao xue' [lit. 'jump-the-loop'] acupoint on Zhang Wuji's leg with an extremely fierce and ruthless move.

Zhang Wuji knew that as soon as pulled back his leg slightly, the enemy's left hand would immediately scoop out his pair of eyeballs. Therefore, he feigned a grab toward the enemy's hand, expecting the enemy to pull back his elbow, but unexpectedly his grab was successful. He took the enemy's left hand in his palm, but right at that moment, his 'huan tiao xue' went numb; he could not stand and was forced to kneel down on his right leg.

He was about to seize the opportunity by wrenching the enemy's wrist when he suddenly realized the hand in his palm was soft, warm and smooth. It was a woman's hand. His heart was stirred and he did not have the heart to treat her with a heavy hand. He lifted that person up and flung her outside. 'Stab', he felt a severe pain on his right shoulder as it was pierced by a knife.

As the enemy leaped out of the room, her palm struck toward Zhao Min's face. Zhang Wuji knew Zhao Min would not be able to block it and would be killed on the spot. Thereupon, enduring the pain, he leaped up and sent out his palm to parry. 'Bang' two palms collided. That person's body swayed, her feet staggered; but borrowing the momentum, she continued moving backward and ran several 'zhang's out, and then disappeared into the darkness.

"Who was that?" Zhao Min was still in shock.

"Hey," Zhang Wuji mumbled. He tried to light a fire, but the flint inside his pocket was soaked wet from the heavy rain; he could not start the fire. Afraid that the enemy's knife on his right shoulder was poisonous, he did not dare to pull it up.

"Light up the lamp," he said.

Zhao Min went to the kitchen to get a flint and lighted the oil lamp. She was shocked to see the short knife on his shoulder. Zhang Wuji saw that the blade of the knife was without poison.