Chapter - 479 All Over the World, No One Can be a Hero (4)

With a grieved countenance Kong Zhi turned around toward the group of Shaolin monks. "Ever since our ancestor Damo arrived from the west, for thousands of years our Temple has established a strong foundation in diligent cultivation of the teachings of Buddha and the most refined in maintaining monastic discipline. Although we train martial arts for self-defense and have been interacting with the brave warriors of the Jianghu, we have never dared to perform dishonorable deeds. Fangzhang Shixiong [martial brother Abbot] and I have long ago given up the worldly matters. How can we still feel any attachment to this red dust …" His gaze swept the faces of the monks. "This poisonous needle," he continued, "Who shot it out? A real man who dares to do it, must also have the courage to accept responsibility. Stand up and face me."

None of the several hundred monks opened his mouth; some of them muttered, "Amituofo, sin, sin!"

Zhang Wuji's heart was stirred, he recalled his parents' story how his mother Yin Susu had posed as his father, Zhang Cuishan, and used poisonous needles to kill Shaolin monks, and thus had caused his father to bear the grudge despite his innocence. But the silver needles of Tian Ying Jiao [Heavenly Eagle Cult] differed greatly from this steel needle, both in shape and in toxicity. The poison of the one taken from Chuan Gong Zhanglao's dead body looked like that of the western region's venomous insect 'xin yi tiao' [one heart beat]. It was called the 'xin yi tiao' because as the poison from the insect contacted the warm blood, the heart would beat only once, and then it would stop beating altogether.

Zhang Wuji knew that Shi Huolong was killed by Yuan Zhen; he also knew that hidden among the Shaolin monks were Yuan Zhen's henchmen. Consequently, the reason Chuan Gong Zhanglao was shot with the needle must be to close his mouth from mentioning Yuan Zhen's name. Only at that time everybody was looking at Chuan Gong Zhanglao, so nobody paid any attention on who shot the needle.

Zhang Bang Longtou shouted, "Tens of thousands Beggar Clan disciples all know who Shi Bangzhu's killer is. You want to kill others to close their mouths? Humph, humph! Only if you kill all Beggar Clan disciples under the Heaven! The murderer is a Buddhist monk, his name is Yuan Zhen …"

Zhang Bo Longtou suddenly leaped in front of his comrade; his iron bowl moved. 'Ding!' he caught a steel needle with the bowl. It was still unclear from which direction the steel needle was shot, but Zhang Bo Longtou had put all his concentration guarding from the side. As soon as he saw a bluish streak of light flickered under the sun, he lifted his iron bowl to catch it. If he was half a step late, Zhang Bang Longtou would certainly meet his violent death.

Kong Zhi's shadow circled around to the back of the nine Damo Hall monks. 'Bang!' He kicked the fourth old monk down, followed by a grab on that monk's collar. "Kong Ru," he said while lifting that monk up, "It turns out that it is you! You are also ganging up with Yuan Zhen?" His right hand pulled down the front lapel of Kong Ru's Buddhist robe. 'Rip!' the robe tore, revealing a small steel tube, with a small hole on the head of the tube, on his waist.

Suddenly it became clear to everybody: there must be a powerful spring inside this steel tube. That monk only needed to reach into his pocket, press the trigger and the poisonous needle would shoot out of the hole. He did not need to raise his hand or wave his arm to do this; therefore, even if one was facing him only a few feet apart, one would not necessarily be able to see him shooting the secret projectile.

In his grief and anger, Zhang Bang Longtou raised his iron staff and swept it down, crushing Kong Ru's brain out. Kong Ru was a peer of the Four Divine Monks; his martial art skill was on par with them, but he was seized by Kong Zhi and the acupoint on his back was sealed, so he could not move. As Zhang Bang Longtou's iron staff swept down, he was unable to evade. The crowd of warriors cried out in alarm together.

Kong Zhi was taken by surprise; he glowered at Zhang Bang Longtou, thinking, "You are too hot-headed; you did not even investigate clearly."

Amidst this confusion, suddenly from outside the field four Buddhist nuns wearing black robes walked in quick steps, each one had a whisk in her hand. In loud and clear voices they announced, "Emei Pai Zhangmen [sect leader] Zhou Zhiruo, leading the Emei disciples, pays her respect to Shaolin Temple's Kong Wen Fangzhang."

Kong Zhi laid down Kong Ru's body and replied, "Please come in." He welcomed the guests in a calm and composed manner. The remaining eight old monks of the Damo Hall followed behind him. It was as if they completely ignored the recent tragedy and it did not weigh on their mind at all.

After the four nuns paid their respects, they withdrew, turned around and left as swiftly as they came. The extraordinary thing about them was that these four women came and went as if they were one person; their footwork was light and graceful, as if they were floating leisurely, like passing clouds or flowing river, surging waves devoid of discreet steps.

As Zhang Wuji heard Zhou Zhiruo was coming, his face immediately turned red, and he stole a glance toward Zhao Min. At that exact same time, Zhao Min was also looking at him. Two people's gaze met. Zhao Min winked, it was as if she was smiling, but actually she was not. The corner of her mouth slanted down, as if in contempt; although it was not clear whether she was mocking Zhang Wuji, who was at a loss, or she was looking at Emei Pai' bluff with disdain.

Several 'zhang's behind Zhou Zhiruo, there were about twenty male disciples; they also wore black robes. Most of them had refined scholar-like features, unlike the masculine and imposing features common to those of Wulin characters. Each man's hands carried a wooden case of varying sizes, long and short. These hundred or so Emei disciples did not carry any weapon either on their bodies or their hands, obviously, the weapons were inside those boxes.

The crowd of warriors secretly praised, "The Emei Pai truly knows propriety; by not carrying weapons openly, they are showing deep respect toward the Shaolin Pai."

Zhang Wuji waited until they were seated before he walk toward Emei Pai's shelter and greet Zhou Zhiruo by cupping his fists. In bashful and ashamed voice he said, "Zhou Jiejie [elder sister Zhou], Zhang Wuji comes to apologize humbly."

More than ten Emei Pai female disciples stood up suddenly; their eyebrows were raised, their faces looked angry.

"I do not dare," Zhou Zhiruo returned the propriety. "Zhang Jiaozhu, why must you overly courteous? I am sure you are well since we part?" She looked completely calm, without any sign of either delight or anger.