Chapter - 325 Shocking And Dreadful (9)

Hitting thin air, Nimoxing cried out 'Oh', these two Taoists weren't weaklings and he was slightly surprised. He used his left crutch as a support and then attacked with his right crutch, blocking the Taoists path. The two of them unsheathed their swords and attacked from both sides, trying to force him back and make a path for an escape.

Though Nimoxing's martial arts were stronger than that of Zhen and Zhao, he had lost his legs only just recently and had yet to fully recover. Fighting with his crutches against the two would require at least one crutch to remain on the ground at all times. A few stances later, he could no longer keep it up. Fawang walked forward slowly and saw Zhao Zhijing's sword going for Nimoxing's chest. Nimoxing raised his crutch to block the attack and as he did so, Zhen Zhibing went for his right side. This stance was extremely vicious, Nimoxing had to abandon his crutch and push back if he wanted to avoid it. Fawang took a stride forward and met with Nimoxing's flying body; Fawang supported him with his left arm and then placed his right hand on Nimoxing's arm. Nimoxing's crutch and Zhao Zhijing's sword had yet to separate at this point. Fawang transferred his internal energy through the crutch. Zhao Zhijing felt his arm shaking violently and half his upper body began to grow hot, a 'dang' sound was heard as he dropped his sword.

Nimoxing's internal energy was lacking but his changes in stance were extremely swift. As soon as he saw Zhao Zhijing's sword fall from his hands, he immediately swung his crutch towards Zhen Zhibing and trapped his sword. Fawang touched Nimoxing's arm once again. Zhen Zhibing saw what had happened to Zhao Zhijing previously so he immediately circulated his internal energy to counter the attack. Fawang's internal energy had both softness and hardness within, after a 'kala' sound, the sword broke, leaving Zhen Zhibing with a broken sword in his hand. Fawang lowered Nimoxing to the ground lightly and then stretched out his hands, placing them on the shoulders of the two. He smiled, "Why come to arms with strangers? With your martial arts, you two must be first class fighters of the central plains, why don't we sit down and have a chat?"

There didn't seem to be any malicious intent in his movements but once his hands touched them, the two could not move. All they felt was a force like a thousand jin (500kg / 1kg=2.2lbs) pressing down on their shoulders. All they could do was try to circulate their internal energy to resist the force; how could they even reply? If they opened their mouths, their internal energy would disperse and their bones from their shoulder to their waist would surely be crushed.

The soldiers who rushed in had by now completely surrounded them. The leader of the pack was a Noyan and he recognized Fawang, who was the First Protector of Mongolia and commanded great respect from Khubilai. He immediately went up to Fawang and bowed, "Your eminence, these two Taoists stole our horses and beat up our soldiers, thank you for your eminence's help…" Before he finished, he glanced over at Zhen Zhibing a few times and suddenly asked, "Is this the person Zhen Zhibing?"

Zhen Zhibing nodded but he did not recognize this man.

Fawang loosened his grip on the two and reduced the force he was exerting and thought, "These two Taoists are only forty years of age or so yet their internal energy is so pure."

The Mongolian Noyan said, "Does Master Zhen not recognize me? Nineteen years ago, we were eating roast lamb in the desert, I'm Sa Duo."

Zhen Zhibing looked at him carefully and said with delight, "Oh, yes, that's right! I didn't recognize you with that beard!"

Sa Duo smiled, "I've ridden thousands of li (1 li = 0.5km) all over the lands; all my hair has gone white yet you haven't changed much. No wonder Genghis Khan claimed practicing Taoists are immortal." He turned to Fawang and said, "Your eminence, this Taoist has visited the Western regions in the past, he was a guest of Genghis Khan, it could be said that he's one of us." Fawang nodded and released his hands from their shoulders.

Years ago, Genghis Khan had invited Qiu Chuji to Western regions to see him, hoping he could learn the secrets of immortality. Qiu Chuji traveled thousands of li and took nineteen disciples with him. Zhen Zhibing was his senior student so he of course was within the group. Genghis Khan sent two hundred men to accompany Qiu Chuji and his disciples. Sa Duo was just a lowly soldier at that time and he was within that group; that is why he was able to recognize Zhen Zhibing. He had fought for over twenty years and his deeds were rewarded with a promotion to the position of Noyan. He was delighted with this unexpected meeting with Zhen Zhibing. He had great respect for Zhen Zhibing and laughed off what happened with the horses. Sa Duo asked him about the well being of Qiu Chuji and the others that were on the expedition, and as he talked the past, his pride became visible.

Fawang had also heard about Qiu Chuji before and knew that he was Quanzhen's best fighter. He saw that Zhen Zhibing's and Zhao Zhijing's martial arts weren't bad and thought that the reputation of the Quanzhen is deserved. We were lucky that he was able to strike first and take the initiative, otherwise, had a fight really broken out, it would take him at least twenty or thirty stances to beat them.

Suddenly there was a blur at the door and a girl in white entered. Fawang, Nimoxing, Zhen Zhibing and Zhao Zhijing were all alarmed to see that this girl was Xiao Longnu. Only Nimoxing had no fear of her and said, "The Passionless Valley's bride, greetings!"

Xiao Longnu nodded slightly and then sat down in the corner at a small table. She ignored everyone and quietly ordered some mushroom noodles from a waiter.

The faces of Zhen and Zhao were white one minute and green the next; both of them were agitated. Fawang was afraid that Yang Guo would soon arrive; there was nothing that he feared in the world except those two's 'Pure Heart of Jade Maiden' swordplay. The three of them were occupied with their thoughts and ate without saying a word. Zhen and Zhao were full a long time ago but if they suddenly went quiet, the others would be suspicious of them, so they ate without stopping so as to occupy their mouths.

Sa Duo however was in a joyous mood, he asked, "Master Zhen, have you ever seen our Fourth Prince?"

Zhen Zhibing shook his head.

Sa Dou continued, "Khubilai is the Fourth Prince son of the Fourth Prince Tou Lei. He is wise and compassionate and he has the respect of everyone in the camp. I was just on my way to report to him; if you two have nothing to do, why not come along and meet him?"

Zhen Zhibing shook his head with other things on his mind. Zhao Zhijing suddenly had a thought and asked, "Reverend, are you going to see the Fourth Prince as well?"

Fawang said, "Yes! The prince is a real man of the world, you two must meet him."

Zhao Zhijing said with joy, "Good, we'll go with you and Sa Dou." He patted Zhen Zhibing's leg beneath the table and made a signal with his eyes to him.

Sa Duo said with delight "Good…very good!"

Zhen Zhibing's intelligence is normally higher than that of Zhao Zhijing but as soon as he saw Xiao Longnu, he had drifted off into his own world. Only after a long while did he get Zhao Zhijing's plan. He wanted to rely on Fawang's protection to escape from Xiao Longnu.