Chapter - 4 Shocking Events In the Blizzard (4)

Guo Xiaotian and Yang Tiexin has just witnessed Qu San kill three men in succession while displaying a level of kungfu that neither one of them has ever seen before. Both of their hearts are racing, afraid to even breath too loudly, for both of them were thinking the same thing, "He just killed government officials, that is a huge crime. We don't stand a chance if he finds us here and want to kill us to keep this quiet."

Qu San turned around and slowly spoke out, "Brother Guo, Brother Yang, you can come out now!" Once the two of them got over the shock of it, they had no choice but to step out of the bushes, although both of them were holding their pitchforks rather tightly. Yang Tiexin snuck a look over at Guo Xiaotian and the pitchfork in his hand and took two extra steps. Qu San smiled, "Brother Yang, your Yang Family Lance Technique (Yang Jia Qiang Fa) can be used with a pitchfork, but your adopted brother uses a pair of short halberds and the pitchfork does not fit his skills, so you step up in front of him. Such righteousness, such friendship!" Yang Tiexin, hearing that Qu San spelled out exactly what he was thinking, suddenly felt very exposed and can't decide what to do. Qu San continued, "Brother Guo, let's say you had your double halberd in hand. Do you think the two of you together can beat me?"

Guo Xiaotian shook his head, "No, we can't. The two of us must have been blind, living together with you here for all those years and not even noticing that you knew kungfu, let alone a master."

Qu San shook his head and sighed, "I can't even use my legs, how can I be considered a master?" As if his spirits were waning, he continued, "Back then, would I have had so much trouble with several armed guards? Ay! I'm useless now! Useless!" Guo Xiaotian and Yang Tiexin glanced at each other, not sure how to or dare to respond. Qu San continued, "Would you two help out this cripple and bury these three bodies?" The two of them glanced at each other again, Yang Tiexin answered, "Alright!"

The two of them dug a big hole using their pitchforks and tossed the three bodies in. While they were moving the last body, Yang Tiexin notices that part of the black object was still sticking out of the back of the man's head. He gave it a good tug with his right arm and pulled it out. Turns out it an Eight Diagram made out of iron, he wiped the blood off on the body and handed it back to Qu San. {The Eight Diagram is 8 combination of three whole or broken lines used to in religious, mostly Taoist, ceremonies. The 8 combinations usually surround a ying-yang symbol. The flag of South Korea is very similiar except it has only 4 of the 8 diagrams.}

Qu San took the Eight Diagram and said, "So sorry for troubling you." He puts the Eight Diagram back into his pocket. He then laid the piece of cloth that used to be his bundle onto the ground and started to put the objects that is scattered on the ground back into it. Guo Xiaotian and Yang Tiexin finished putting dirt back into the hole, turning around, they see three rolled up painting on the floor as well as many other bright and shiny metals. Qu San leaves out a golden kettle and a golden cup out. After putting everything else back in the bundle, he held those two things up to Guo Xiaotian and Yang Tiexin, saying, "These things are stolen by me from the Royal Palace in Lin'an. The emperor has done enough wrong to the peasants, taking a little bit of what he stole from the peasants isn't really a crime. Consider these two things a present from me."

The two of them can't believe that he is actually brazen enough to break into the Royal Palace and steal. Neither one of the dared to accept his offer.

Qu San said in a stern voice, "Are you guys scared to accept? Or do you two not want to?" Guo Xiaotian replied, "The two of us did nothing to deserve such gifts and that's why we can't accept your gifts. As for what happened tonight, you don't have to worry about a thing brother, neither one of us is going to let this secret get out." Qu San replied, "Hmph! Why should I be worried about you two leaking this secret? I know all about you two and your backgrounds, or else why would I let you two leave here alive? Brother Guo, you are the descendent of Guo Sheng, one of the heroes of the Water Margins of Mt. Liang. You use the halberd skill that is taught in your family, only that it is short instead of long, and two instead of 1. Brother Yang, your ancestor is Yang Zaixing, one of the generals under the Beloved General Yue. You two are descendants of two patriotic heroes, when the Jin army conquered the North, you two began wandering in the martial world and became martial brothers. And then the two of you moved to Ox Village together. Am I right so far?"

The two of them sees that Qu San knows their past inside out, became even more shocked. All they could do was nod.

Qu San continued, "Guo Sheng and Yang Zaixin were both rebels before going over to the government's side to fight for the Great Sung Empire. So both of them have stolen from the thief that is the government. So tell me, are you two going to accept my presents or not?" Yang Tiexin thought to himself, "If I refuse, then it will surely offend him." So he took the presents from Qu San's hands and said, "We are very grateful for this. Thanks."

Qu San was pleased by this, he picked up the bundle and put it back onto his back, turning around he said, Time to go home." The three of them walked side-by-side out of the woods. Qu San said, "Caught a couple of prize pieces tonight, got two paintings by Emperor Dao Jun, and a sheet of his writing showing off his calligraphy as well. This fellow is no emperor, but his Red Green Plume and Thin Gold Form is indeed supreme in the world."

The other two men had no idea what in the world "Red Green Plume" or "Thin Gold Form" is, so all they did was nod in agreement. {Red Green Plume is a style of ancient Chinese painting featuring birds and animals with emphasize on the colors of red and green, obviously. Thin Gold Form is a style of calligraphy.}

After walking for a while, Yang Tiexin spoke up, "Earlier today you said that half of our Great Sung's land is lost in the hands of Emperor Dao Jun. So what is so good about his paintings or writings? Why would brother you go through such troubles and taking such a big risk to go into the Royal Palace to steal it?" Qu San smiled, "This is something that I guess you just won't understand." Guo Xiaotian spoke up as well, "If Emperor Dao Jun can be so good at painting and writing, he must be pretty smart. Pity that he does not concentrate on being a good ruler. When I was little my dad told me that a person, no matter what he does, must concentrate on doing one thing. If he tries to learn a little bit here, do something there, in the end he will get nothing accomplished."

Qu San answered, "For a normal person, this is true. But in this world there is someone who is a genius at everything. From language to kungfu; including writing, painting, music, and Go; from math to military tactics; even medicine, astrology, and the 5 elements; there is not a thing that he does not understand, not a thing that he does not excel in. It's just that you guys won't ever meet him." He looked up a the waning moon, and let out a long sigh.