Chapter - 528 Refusing to Acknowledge Zhang As Husband (5)

Bei Jinyi sighed and said, "Speaking about both behavior and martial art skill, this Song Shao Xia [young hero] could actually be considered a rare talent within the Wulin world. Only because of one silly youthful lust, he has fallen into such sin. Apparently our Zhang Men promised him that as soon as Zhang Wuji is killed to wash away the humiliation she experienced in her wedding day, she would marry him. Thereupon he agreed to join our Sect and asked our Zhang Men for advice in the marvelous martial art. During the Heroes Assembly the day before yesterday, Zhang Men suddenly declared herself as 'Mrs. Song'; by saying that she was the wife of this Song Shao Xia. At that time, all our Sect's disciples were utterly astonished. That same day our Zhang Men's prestige shook the crowd of heroes by subduing all Sects …"

Zhou Dian interrupted, "It was because our Jiaozhu was yielding to her intentionally; what a loud horn you are blowing!"

Bei Jinyi ignored him, she continued, "Although our Sect's disciples were very happy, when evening came, we still asked her where the 'Mrs. Song', three characters [Song Fu Ren] came from. Zhang Men exposed her right arm and sternly said, 'Everybody, come and see!' All of us saw with our own eyes the scarlet 'shou gong sha' on her arm, so we know that she has kept her chastity. Zhang Men said, 'It was expedient that I call myself Mrs Song for the time being. I need to make that kid Zhang Wuji angry, to disturb his mind so that I may seize victory over him. This kid's martial art is simply too remarkable, I definitely cannot defeat him. For the sake of our Sect's reputation, why should I care about my own?' She said that with determination and in loud voice as if she wanted everybody to hear it clearly. She also said, 'The disciples of this Sect, male or female, unless they are 'chu jia xiu dao' [those who leave home (to become Buddhist monks or nuns), and those who practice Daoism], are never forbidden from getting married. However, since our founder Guo Zu Shi's [lit. ancestor master], all highest and deepest martial art skills are imparted only to virgins who keep themselves pure. Each time a female disciple bows down to enter our school, Shifu will always plant 'shou gong sha' on our arms. Every year, on Guo Zu Shi birthday, Xian Shi [departed master] would perform inspection. That year Ji Shijie … it was …" Speaking to this point, she stammered and then stopped altogether.

Yin Liting and the others understood clearly, however, that Bei Jinyi was going to say that when Ji Xiaofu was violated by Yang Xiao, her 'shou gong sha' disappeared and that was how her disgrace was discovered by Miejue Shitai. Yin Liting and Yang Buhui were happily married, yet as he remembered Ji Xiaofu this time, he could not help from feeling deep sorrow in his heart. Involuntarily he cast a sidelong glance toward Yang Xiao and saw that Yang Xiao's eyes were brimming with tears as he turned his head away.

"Yin Liu Xia," Bei Jinyi said, "Our Zhang Men deliberately wanted to anger the Ming Cult's Zhang Wuji by taking advantage of this Song Shao Xia's endless infatuation toward our Zhang Men, in the end, it gave birth to many problems. I wish for Song Shao Xia's recovery, also for Yin Liu Xia to talk to Zhang Zhenren and Song Da Xia, so as to avoid further hostility between your precious Sect and ours."

Yin Liting nodded. "So that's how it is. My Shizhi was disobedient and he defied his superior, his death will not be regretted. He truly did bring shame to our humble Sect. I only wish he would die cleanly sooner." Yin Liting was softhearted by nature, but recalling Song Qingshu's grave offense by murdering Mo Shenggu, he was really repulsed by him.

While they were still talking, suddenly from a distant came a shrill scream; it sounded like Zhou Zhiruo's voice, full of shock and fear, as if she had met some extremely dangerous misfortune. Everybody was horrified; especially since it was in the middle of the day, the sun was shining brightly, with people everywhere all around them. Yet this scream was so hair rising, as if the person screaming suddenly saw an evil spirit appear before her very eyes. Almost like on cue, everybody turned their heads to the direction of the noise.

Zhang Wuji, Jing Hui, Bei Jinyi and the others rushed forward. Zhang Wuji was afraid Zhou Zhiruo might meet a powerful enemy, so he ran full speed ahead. After several jumps, he had already entered the forest. He saw a dark green shadow running wildly towards him, it was none other than Zhou Zhiruo.

Quickly Zhang Wuji met her and asked, "Zhiruo, what is it?"

Zhou Zhiruo cried out with a face full of terror, "Ghost, ghost! There's a ghost chasing me!" She threw herself to Zhang Wuji's chest, while trembling uncontrollably.

Seeing her so frightened as if her soul was leaving her, Zhang Wuji patted her shoulder gently. "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid; there is no ghost," he said consolingly, "What did you see?" He noticed that her clothes were tattered from running through the thick briar and her face was full of bloodstains. Half of the sleeve on her left arm was torn, exposing a snow-white, lotus-root colored arm. Sure enough, there was a red dot, as red as a coral or a red jade, the 'shou gong sha'.

Zhang Wuji was proficient in medicine. He knew that once this 'shou gong sha' was implanted under the skin, it would stay forever, unless the woman marries or loses her chastity. When listening to Jing Hui and Bei Jinyi previously, he was still half-believing and half-doubting. Now as he saw it with his own eyes, not even half a suspicion remained in his heart.

In that moment, myriads of thoughts filled his mind. "So her marriage with Song Qingshu was a fake. Why did she deceive me? Why did she deliberately want to anger me? Was it truly because of that 'Number One Martial Artist of the Present Age' title? Was it because she wanted to test my heart, whether I still have feelings toward her?" Just as quick, he remembered, "Zhang Wuji, oh, Zhang Wuji, Miss Zhou is the enemy who murdered your Biaomei. Whether she is a virgin or already married to someone else, what do you have to do with it?" Yet seeing how terrified Zhou Zhiruo was, he did not have a heart to push her away.

Zhou Zhiruo buried her face in Zhang Wuji's chest. She was aware of Zhang Wuji's broad and muscular body and smelled his masculine breath; gradually her fear subsided. "Wuji Gege," she said, "Is it you?"

"It is I," Zhang Wuji replied, "What did you see? Why were you terrified like that?"

Zhou Zhiruo was suddenly enveloped by fear again. 'Wah!' she broke into crying again; she sobbed uncontrollably on Zhang Wuji's shoulder with hot tears streaming down her cheeks.

By this time, Yang Xiao, Wei Yixiao, Jing Hui, Yin Liting and the others arrived one after another. Seeing this scene, they signaled each other with their eyes and withdrew quietly. Ming Cult, Wudang Pai and Emei Pai people were all still hoping in their hearts that Zhou Zhiruo will be reconciled with Zhang Wuji and they will become husband and wife. Admittedly, it was difficult for all these people to forget Zhao Min's offense in the past. In addition, Zhao Min was a Mongolian woman; if Zhang Wuji took her as his wife, they were afraid it would hinder their great mission.

After crying for a while, Zhou Zhiruo suddenly said, "Wuji Gege, is there somebody chasing me?"

"No," Zhang Wuji replied, "Who is chasing you? Is it the Xuanming Elders?"

"No! Not them!" Zhou Zhiruo said, "Have you looked clearly? Are you sure nobody … no, it was not a human … Are you sure nothing, whatever it is, pursuing me?"