The Bloody Battle of Xiangyang.

Yang Guo¹ had been about to draw his dagger when he heard someone lightly tap three times outside the window. He immediately closed his eyes and lay still.

Guo Jing² woke with a start. Sitting up, he asked, “Ronger? Is there urgent military news?” No sound came from outside. Guo Jing saw that Yang Guo was breathing evenly in deep sleep. He finally fell asleep, he thought. Better not wake him. Quietly, he climbed out of bed, pushed open the door, and found Huang Rong³ standing in the courtyard, beckoning him over. Guo Jing approached and asked in a low voice, “What is it?”

Huang Rong did not answer. She took his hand and led him to the rear courtyard. After glancing around to ensure no one was near, she said, “I heard your conversation with Guoer from outside the window. He bears ill intentions. Did you know?” Guo Jing was startled. “What ill intentions?” Huang Rong said, “From what he said, I could tell he has long suspected that the two of us killed his father.” Guo Jing said, “He may indeed have his suspicions, but I have already promised to tell him the full story of his father’s death.” Huang Rong said, “Do you truly mean to tell him everything, without holding anything back?” Guo Jing said, “His father died so terribly. I have always blamed myself. Brother Yang Kang⁴ strayed down the wrong path, but we never tried hard enough to guide him back, never did everything we could to save him.” Huang Rong gave a cold snort. “A man like that, what was there to save? I only regret not killing him sooner. If I had, how would your masters have died on Peach Blossom Island?”⁵ At the memory of that bitter tragedy, Guo Jing could not help but let out a long sigh.

Huang Rong said, “Brother Zhu told Fu’er to tell me that since Guoer arrived in Xiangyang, his manner has been rather strange. He also said you shared a bed with him. I was worried something might happen, so I have been keeping watch beneath your window. I think it would be best if you did not sleep in the same room with him. You must understand, the human heart is unfathomable. And his father… in the end, it was because he struck my shoulder with his palm that he died from the poison.” Guo Jing said, “But you cannot say you killed him.” Huang Rong said, “Since both of us wanted him dead, and he did die because of me, whether we struck the final blow ourselves makes little difference.” Guo Jing was silent for a long while. Then he said, “You are right. Then I had better not speak plainly to him. Ronger, you have been up half the night. Go back to your room and rest. After tonight, I will move to the military camp to sleep.”

: Yang Kang’s death. In The Legend of the Condor Heroes, Yang Kang struck Huang Rong’s soft armour, which was coated with poison from Ouyang Feng’s snake. The poison entered through his palm and killed him. Huang Rong’s argument here is that since she wore the armour knowing its deadly effect and both she and Guo Jing had resolved to kill Yang Kang, the distinction between direct and indirect responsibility is academic.

He knew his wife’s insight and wisdom surpassed his own a hundredfold. Though he did not believe Yang Guo harboured any malice toward him, if she said so, he would follow her counsel. Placing a hand at her waist to steady her, he walked slowly toward the inner hall, saying, “Guoer fought fiercely to reclaim the position of Wulin Alliance Chief.⁶ On matters of national importance, he distinguishes clearly between right and wrong. Twice he saved you and Fu’er, risking his own life without a thought for his safety. How can his father compare to such chivalrous spirit?” Huang Rong nodded. “A youth like that is truly rare. But there are two knots in his heart that cannot be untied. One is the cause of his father’s death. The other is his private bond with his shifu. Ai. I worked so hard to persuade Miss Long to leave him, but Guoer is endlessly resourceful. Somehow he found her again. Judging by the way shifu and disciple look at each other, nothing in the world could ever part them now.” Guo Jing was silent for a moment. Then he said, “Ronger, you are even more resourceful than Guoer. Think of some way, we must save him from going astray.”

Huang Rong sighed. “Never mind Guoer’s troubles. I do not even know what to do about our own young lady. Jing Gege, in my heart there is only you, and in your heart there is only me. But our daughter is nothing like her parents. She holds two young men in her heart at once, and cannot choose between the Wu brothers. What a dilemma for us as parents.”

: The Wu brothers. Wǔ Dūnrú (武敦儒) and Wǔ Xiūwén (武修文), sons of Wu Santong. Both are Guo Jing’s disciples and both are in love with Guo Fu.

Guo Jing escorted Huang Rong to her room. He waited until she was settled in bed, pulled the covers over her, then sat at the bedside, holding her hand, a smile on his face. In recent months, both had been consumed by matters of war and state. Husband and wife rarely had a quiet moment like this to sit together in peace. The two sat in silence, their hearts deeply content.

Huang Rong held her husband’s hand, gently rubbing the back of it against her cheek. In a soft voice, she said, “Jing Gege, give our second child a name.” Guo Jing laughed. “You know I am no good at this. You are teasing me again.” Huang Rong said, “You always say you are no good. Jing Gege, among all the men under heaven, truly there is not a second who can compare to you.” These words were spoken with deep, sincere tenderness.

Guo Jing bent down and gave his beloved wife a gentle kiss on the cheek. “If it is a boy, we shall call him Guo Polu.⁷ And if it is a girl?” He thought for a while, then shook his head with a smile. “I cannot think of anything. You give her a name.” Huang Rong said, “Daoist Master Qiu Chuji gave you the name ‘Jing’ so that you would never forget the shame of Jingkang.⁸ Now the Jin Kingdom has just fallen, but the iron hooves of the Mongols press upon our borders once more. This child was conceived in Xiangyang, let her be called Guo Xiang, so that one day she will remember she was born in this besieged city, amid the chaos of war.”⁹

Guo Jing said, “Good. I only hope this girl will not be as mischievous as her elder sister, still making her parents worry at such an age.” Huang Rong gave a faint smile. “If worrying could solve it, that would be one thing. But…” She sighed. “I do so hope it is a boy, so the Guo family line may continue.” Guo Jing stroked her hair. “Boy or girl, what difference does it make? Go to sleep now. No more fretting.” He tucked the covers snugly around her, blew out the candle, and returned to his room. Seeing Yang Guo still sleeping soundly, and hearing the third watch drum sound from the watchtower, he climbed into bed and slept.

Every word of the couple’s conversation in the rear courtyard. Yang Guo, concealed behind the screen door, had heard it all. After Guo Jing and Huang Rong entered the inner hall, Yang Guo remained standing, lost in thought, turning Huang Rong’s words over and over in his mind: “I only regret not killing him sooner… His father struck my shoulder with his palm and died from the poison… Both of us wanted him dead, and he did die because of me…” He thought, My father died because of those two. That is absolutely certain, there can be no further doubt. This Huang Rong is cunning beyond measure. She is already suspicious of me. If I do not strike tonight, I fear I will never have such a perfect opportunity again. He returned to the room and lay still, waiting for Guo Jing.

Guo Jing pulled the covers over himself. Hearing Yang Guo’s faint snores, he thought, The boy is sleeping so well right now. He laid his head gently on the pillow, careful not to wake him. A moment later, just as he was drifting off, he sensed Yang Guo slowly turn over. But even as he turned, the snoring continued. Guo Jing was puzzled. When anyone turns in their sleep, their snoring always stops. This child’s breathing is strange. Could his neili¹⁰ have gone awry during practice? That would be no small matter. It never occurred to him that Yang Guo was feigning sleep.

Yang Guo slowly turned over again. Seeing that Guo Jing remained unaware and was still emitting faint snores, he slipped out of bed. At first, he had thought to strike from within the bedding. But he felt that being so close was too dangerous, if Guo Jing struck back with a dying palm, he feared for his own life. He then considered sitting up before striking, but still dreaded the man’s martial prowess. He resolved to get out of bed first, drive the dagger into Guo Jing’s vital point, then immediately smash through the window and flee. Yet he also feared that if his snoring stopped, Guo Jing would sense something wrong in his sleep. And so, even as he climbed out of bed, he kept up the pretense of snoring.

This only confused Guo Jing further. He thought, Could this child be suffering from sleepwalking? If I call out now, the shock might cause his qi to rush backward into his dantian, he would suffer a qi deviation on the spot.¹¹ Guo Jing did not dare move a muscle. He listened intently, tracking every sound.

Yang Guo slowly drew the dagger from his robes. Holding it level with his chest in his right hand, he advanced step by step toward the bed. Suddenly, he raised his arm and gathered his strength. Just as he was about to thrust the blade forward, Guo Jing spoke: “Guoer, what nightmare are you having?”

Yang Guo was terrified beyond measure. He kicked off with both feet, spun around, and smashed through the window to escape. He was fast, but Guo Jing was faster. Before his feet touched the ground, he felt both arms tighten. Guo Jing had seized him. All hope drained from Yang Guo. He knew his martial arts were nowhere near a match for this man. Resistance was futile. He closed his eyes and said nothing.

Guo Jing carried him back into the room and placed him on the bed. He folded Yang Guo’s legs into the lotus position and let his hands fall before his dantian, the standard posture for Daoist qi cultivation. Yang Guo burned with hatred and fear. What cruel method will he use to torment me? Suddenly, he thought of Xiaolongnü¹². Drawing a deep breath, he prepared to shout at the top of his lungs: “Gugu¹³, I have been captured! Flee for your life!”

Guo Jing saw him suddenly inhale with rapid urgency and misunderstood even further, he thought Yang Guo’s neili had gone dangerously awry. At a critical moment like this, he must breathe slowly and steadily. Such violent inhaling and exhaling will do great harm. Hastily, Guo Jing pressed his palm against Yang Guo’s lower abdomen.

With Guo Jing’s profound neili pressing against his dantian, Yang Guo could not utter a sound. Worried sick about Xiaolongnü’s safety, his face flushed crimson with desperation. He struggled frantically, but with his dantian pinned down, his entire body was immobilised. He could not move at all.

Slowly, Guo Jing said, “Guoer, you have been training too intensely. As the saying goes, haste makes waste.¹⁴ Stop thrashing about. I will help you guide your qi back to its source.” Yang Guo froze, not understanding what he meant. Then he felt a warm current gradually flow from Guo Jing’s palm into his dantian, indescribably comfortable and soothing. He heard Guo Jing continue: “Exhale slowly. Let this warmth travel from the Shuifen acupoint to Jianli, pass through Juque and Jiuwei, then reach Yutang and Huagai.¹⁵ First, open the Conception Vessel. Do not worry about the other meridians for now.”

Hearing these words, and feeling Guo Jing using his neili to help open his meridians, Yang Guo understood nine-tenths of what was happening. He thought, Shame on me! He only thinks I have suffered a qi deviation, that I have lost control of myself. He secretly circulated his neili, deliberately sending it surging wildly in all directions, crashing and colliding as if beyond restraint. Concerned, Guo Jing increased the force from his palm, gathering Yang Guo’s rampaging qi into a single channel. Yang Guo, determined to make the act convincing, pushed his acting further. By now, his neili cultivation was far from shallow. With his qi rampaging through his body, Guo Jing had considerable difficulty subduing it. It took a full half-hour before he finally guided all the renegade energy back into proper flow.

By the end of this ordeal, Yang Guo was utterly drained, and Guo Jing was deeply fatigued as well. The two sat meditating together until dawn before they recovered. Guo Jing smiled faintly. “Guoer, are you all right now? I never imagined your neili had reached such a level. I nearly could not manage it.” Yang Guo knew that to save him, Guo Jing had not hesitated to expend enormous reserves of his own power. Deeply moved, he said, “Thank you for saving me, Uncle Guo. Last night, your nephew nearly crippled all four of his limbs.”

Guo Jing thought, In your delirium last night, you tried to stab me. It is fortunate you do not remember, otherwise, how ashamed you would be. Fearing Yang Guo would be mortified if he learned the truth, Guo Jing changed the subject. “Come with me outside the city. Let us inspect the defences on all four sides.” Yang Guo answered, “Yes!”

Each mounted a warhorse, and they rode out of the city side by side. Guo Jing said, “Guoer, the Quanzhen school’s inner arts are the orthodox foundation of all inner energy cultivation. Though progress is slow, it never goes astray. You may dabble in the martial arts of every school and sect, but for neili, it is best to focus on the Daoist path. Once the enemy retreats, we shall study it together in earnest.” Yang Guo said, “Last night’s incident, please do not breathe a word to Auntie Guo. If she finds out, she will laugh at me. She will say I learned crooked arts from Gugu and made Uncle Guo suffer for it.” Guo Jing said, “Of course I will not speak of it. In truth, Miss Long’s arts are not crooked at all. The problem was your own wandering thoughts, you failed to clear your mind and focus on the one.” Yang Guo knew that if Huang Rong ever learned of this, she would instantly see through the deception. Relieved that Guo Jing had agreed to keep silent, his heart settled.

The two men rode west of the city and came upon a small stream flowing out from the foothills. Guo Jing said, “This stream may be small, but it is immensely famous. It is called the Tan Stream.”¹⁶ Yang Guo exclaimed, “Ah! I have heard the tales of the Three Kingdoms, how Imperial Uncle Liu leaped across the Tan Stream on horseback. So this is where it happened.”¹⁷ Guo Jing said, “The horse Liu Bei rode that day was called Dilu. Horse-tamers said it would bring misfortune to its master. Who could have known that this very Dilu would leap across the stream, escaping the pursuing soldiers and saving Imperial Uncle Liu’s life?” At this point, he could not help thinking of Yang Guo’s father, Yang Kang. With a heavy sigh, he said, “In truth, all people in this world are like that horse Dilu. Do good, and you become good. Do evil, and you become evil. Good men and bad men, is there really any fixed distinction? The difference lies only in the turning of a single thought.”

Yang Guo’s heart jolted. He glanced sideways at Guo Jing and saw a deeply sorrowful expression on his face. Clearly, these were not words meant to mock him. He thought, What you say may be true, but what is good? What is evil? You and your wife secretly murdered my father, is that good? Such grand-sounding words. Shameless beyond belief. He admired Guo Jing in every respect, but whenever he thought of how his father had died at the hands of this couple, vicious thoughts could not help but surge through his chest.

The two rode on for a while, arriving at the summit of a small hill. They gazed into the distance from the cliff’s edge. The Han River flowed southward in mighty torrents. The countryside in all four directions was thick with refugees, men, women, and children, flooding toward Xiangyang. Guo Jing pointed his riding crop at the stream of humanity and said, “The Mongol troops must be intensifying their slaughter in the villages, driving our people from their homes. It is truly hateful.” Looking across the Han River toward the city of Fancheng on the opposite bank, he saw that it remained, for the moment, peaceful and undisturbed.

From the hill, they could see a stone tablet beside the road below. Carved upon it in large characters was a line of text: “Former Residence of Du Fu, Minister of Works of the Tang.”¹⁸ Yang Guo said, “Xiangyang is truly remarkable. So this great poet’s hometown is right here.”

Guo Jing raised his riding crop and chanted:

“Great city harder than iron, small city ten thousand zhang tall… Clouds line the battlements, not even birds can fly over. When the barbarians come, we need only defend, why worry about the western capital?… Through hardship, raise the long halberd, through all the ages, one man holds the pass.”¹⁹

Yang Guo, hearing the passionate fervour in his recitation, followed along: “When the barbarians come, we need only defend, why worry about the western capital? Through hardship, raise the long halberd, through all the ages, one man holds the pass. Uncle Guo, those lines are wonderful. Did Du Fu write them?” Guo Jing said, “Yes. A few days ago, your Auntie Guo and I were discussing the defence of Xiangyang, and she thought of this poem by Du Fu. She wrote it out for me. I love this poem, but my memory is poor. I have read it dozens of times and can only remember these few lines. Think about it, every educated man in China can compose poetry, yet through all the ages, Du Fu alone is acclaimed as the greatest. It is surely because his heart was filled with love for his country and his people.” Yang Guo said, “You said, ‘For country and for people, that is the mark of a true hero.’²⁰ So although the civil and military paths are different, the principle is the same.” Guo Jing was delighted that Yang Guo had grasped this point. “I do not understand the classics or essays at all,” he said. “But I believe that in this life, even if you are just a peddler or a foot soldier, as long as you have a heart that serves your country and your people, you are a true man, a genuine hero.”

Yang Guo asked, “Uncle Guo, do you think Xiangyang can hold?” Guo Jing was silent for a long time. He pointed to the lush, verdant hills and woods to the west and said, “The most remarkable figure in Xiangyang’s history, ancient or modern, is surely Zhuge Liang.²¹ Twenty li west of here lies Longzhong, where he once farmed and lived in seclusion. Zhuge Liang’s genius in governing the nation and bringing peace to the people, a simple man like me cannot grasp it. He once said he only knew to ‘serve with utmost devotion until the last breath, and only in death shall his duty end.’²² As for ultimate success or failure, even he could not see that far. When your Auntie Guo and I discuss whether Xiangyang can hold or not, in the end, we always come back to those same eight words: ‘Serve with utmost devotion until the last breath.’”

Even as they spoke, they suddenly saw the refugees at the city gate turn and flee backward. But the human tide behind them continued surging forward. In an instant, wails and shrieks filled the air outside Xiangyang, utter chaos. Guo Jing was alarmed. “Why are the gate guards not opening the gates to let the people in?” He spurred his horse and galloped forward, riding at full speed until he reached the city outskirts. There, he saw a line of guards with bows drawn, arrows aimed at the refugees. Guo Jing roared, “What are you doing? Open the gates!” The guard commander, seeing it was Guo Jing, hurriedly opened the gates and let him and Yang Guo enter. Guo Jing demanded, “These people are suffering slaughter at the hands of the Mongol soldiers. Why do you not let them in?” The commander said, “Grand Commandant Lü says there may be Mongol spies among the refugees. Under no circumstances can we let them in. The consequences would be severe.”

Guo Jing bellowed, “Even if there are one or two spies, how can you doom thousands of innocent people because of it? Open the gates, now!” Guo Jing had long defended the city and had repeatedly performed extraordinary deeds. His authority was well established. Though he held no official rank, the guards dared not disobey his orders. They opened the gates, while sending a messenger at top speed to report to the Pacification Commissioner, Lü Wenhuan.²³

The common people poured into the city, supporting the elderly and carrying the young. Just as the last of them were entering, a great cloud of dust rose in the distance. The Mongol army was attacking from the north. The Song soldiers scattered and took cover behind the battlements to defend. Below the city walls, at the front of the enemy force, came a large crowd of people in tattered clothes, clutching clubs and sticks, not a single real weapon among them. In ragged, disorderly ranks, they shouted in unison: “Do not shoot from the walls! We are all subjects of the Great Song!” Behind these commoners, however, lurked the elite Mongol cavalry in their iron armour.

Ever since the days of Genghis Khan, the Mongol army had always driven the enemy’s civilians ahead of them when attacking a city. If the defenders hesitated to shoot, the Mongol troops would follow right behind. This tactic slaughtered the enemy’s people while shaking the defenders’ morale, striking two targets with one blow. Brutal, vicious, and often devastatingly effective. Guo Jing had spent years in the Mongol military and knew this tactic intimately. Yet for all his knowledge, he could think of no good way to counter it. He watched as the Mongol elite troops, spears and sabres in hand, drove the Song civilians toward the city walls. The people pressed closer and closer. The first among them had already begun climbing the scaling ladders.

Lü Wenhuan, the Pacification Commissioner of Xiangyang, rode a grey horse as he inspected the four walls. Seeing the dire situation, he gave the order: “Defending the city comes first! Loose arrows!” The soldiers released a rain of arrows. Amid shrieks of agony, the civilians fell, pierced through. Those still alive turned and fled. A Mongol blade took off a head. A Mongol spear punched through a body. The soldiers herded the people back toward the city.

Yang Guo stood beside Guo Jing, watching this atrocity. Fury choked his throat. He heard Lü Wenhuan shout, “Loose!” He another volley of feathered arrows shot downward. Guo Jing roared, “You cannot do this! Do not kill the innocent by mistake!” Lü Wenhuan said, “In such a crisis, even if they are innocent, we have no choice but to kill them by mistake.” Guo Jing shouted, “No! How can the innocent be killed by mistake?”

A thought stirred in Yang Guo’s heart. He silently repeated the words: Do not kill the innocent by mistake! How can the innocent be killed by mistake?

Guo Jing called out, “Brothers of the Beggars’ Gang and all friends of the wulin, follow me!”⁶ He raced down from the city wall. Yang Guo followed. Guo Jing said, “You injured your qi training last night. You must not exert yourself today. Stay on the wall and watch over me.” Yang Guo had seen the Mongol soldiers butchering Han people as though they were pigs and dogs. He had intended to follow Guo Jing and cut a bloody swath through them. Hearing these words, he froze. He could not very well say that last night had not been a qi deviation at all. He had no choice but to return to the top of the wall.

Guo Jing led his men out through the west gate, charging forth in a wide arc to strike the Mongol flank. The Mongol troops herding the civilians immediately split off a force to engage them. The men Guo Jing led were mostly elite fighters of the Beggars’ Gang, with a smaller contingent of loyalist volunteers who had come from various regions. With a unified battle cry, they surged forward with reckless courage. The two forces clashed, and in moments, more than a hundred Mongol riders were cut down from their horses. But just as this Mongol battalion of a thousand began to waver, another thousand-man unit charged in from an angle, long sabres swinging, stabbing and hacking as they came. The Mongol army was forged through a hundred campaigns, fierce and battle-hardened. Though Guo Jing’s warriors all possessed martial skills, victory would not come easily. The civilians who had been driven toward the city saw that the Mongol soldiers were now fully occupied with combat and no longer forcing them forward. With a unified cry, they scattered in all directions.

Then, from the east, war horns blared. Hoofbeats thundered. Two more Mongol battalions of a thousand men each came charging at full speed. From the west, two more thousand-man units galloped in. Guo Jing and his men were surrounded at the centre.

From the city wall, Lü Wenhuan saw the terrifying might of the Mongol army. His heart and gall bladder nearly burst with terror. How could he possibly dare to split his forces and send a rescue?

Yang Guo stood on the wall, watching the battle, Guo Jing’s words turning over and over in his mind: Do not kill the innocent by mistake! How can the innocent be killed by mistake? He watched Guo Jing trapped in the tightening encirclement and thought, From the wall, they only had to keep shooting arrows. Kill a few civilians, and the Mongol soldiers would never have been able to attack. Uncle Guo is in danger now precisely because he refused to kill the innocent by mistake. These commoners, he has never met them, has no connection to them whatsoever. Yet he risks his life to save them. How could he have murdered my father?

His eyes followed the brutal slaughter below the walls, but the thoughts in his mind circled endlessly around this impossible puzzle: He and my father swore an oath of brotherhood. Their bond could not have been ordinary. And yet, in the end, he killed him. Could my father truly have been an irredeemably evil man? Since childhood, he had imagined his father as a man of chivalry and generosity, brave and righteous, the finest of men under heaven. To suddenly admit that his father was a villain, he simply could not do it. Yet in the deepest recesses of his heart, he had long felt, however dimly, that his father fell far, far short of Uncle Guo. In the past, whenever such a thought stirred, he would crush it at once. Now, he could no longer stop himself from confronting it.

Below the walls, battle cries shook the heavens. Guo Jing and his men charged left and right but could not break through the encirclement. Zhu Ziliu led a contingent of troops. The Wu brothers and Guo Fu²⁴ led another. Both groups wanted to ride out and reinforce him. But then the war horns blared with fresh urgency, four more Mongol thousand-man units surged toward the city gate. Khubilai’s generalship was indeed extraordinary. The moment the city gates opened to send reinforcements, these four elite units would pour through. Lü Wenhuan watched with his heart pounding and his flesh crawling. In a thunderous voice, he passed the order: “The gates must not be opened!” He stationed two hundred executioner guards beside the gate. Anyone who dared open it would be beheaded on the spot. General Wang Jian led the archers on the wall in ceaseless volleys.

Inside and outside the city, chaos reigned. Inside Yang Guo’s heart, too, a chaos of conflicting thoughts warred against each other. One moment, he hoped Guo Jing would perish in the chaos of battle. The next, he hoped he would slaughter his way through the enemy ranks. Suddenly, the Mongol formation wavered. Thousands of cavalrymen fell back like a receding tide. Guo Jing, long spear in hand, spurred his horse and burst through. Behind him, his warriors formed a tight square formation and fought their way forward. The formation was impeccably disciplined. Within moments, they had reached the city gate. Guo Jing wheeled his horse around and personally held the rear guard. His long spear rose and fell, in succession, seven or eight Mongol officers were knocked from their saddles. The Mongol soldiers did not dare press too close.

Lü Wenhuan relied on Guo Jing as the Great Wall itself.²⁵ Seeing him break free, his heart swelled with joy. He shouted, “Open the gate! But only a crack, do not open it wide!” The gate opened three or four chi, just enough for a single horse. The warriors streamed into the city one after another. A yellow banner waved among the Mongol ranks, and two cavalry units charged in from the left and right. Lü Wenhuan bellowed, “Hero Guo! Enter quickly! We cannot wait for the others!” But Guo Jing, seeing that not all his men had yet escaped, refused to enter the city ahead of them. Instead, he turned his horse and charged forward again, killing two of the foremost Mongol champions.

But an army in motion is like the tide. Guo Jing’s martial arts might be profound, but the strength of one man, how could it withstand the full force of an army? Zhu Ziliu, watching from the wall, saw the desperate situation. He dropped a long rope and called out, “Brother Guo! Grab hold!” Guo Jing looked back. The last Beggars’ Gang brother had entered the city, but a dozen Mongol soldiers had followed through the gate. The executioner guards at the gate fought them off while straining to close the doors. The iron gates, two chi thick, slowly ground shut. Guo Jing let out a great roar, drove his spear through a Mongol squad leader, then leaped into the air and seized the rope. Zhu Ziliu heaved with all his might. Guo Jing shot upward more than a zhang.

The Mongol commander of ten thousand overseeing the battle bellowed, “Shoot!” In an instant, a thousand crossbows fired as one. Guo Jing had anticipated this as he leaped. He tore off the hem of his robe. With his right hand gripping the rope and his left hand whirling the cloth before him like a great shield, he infused the robe with his neili and deflected every arrow. His warhorse, however, was struck by hundreds of shafts before the city gate, bristling like a hedgehog. Zhu Ziliu pulled hand over hand, raising Guo Jing higher and higher.

Guo Jing was still two zhang from the top of the wall when a tall, gaunt monk suddenly emerged from the Mongol ranks. He wore a yellow cassock. It was none other than the Golden Wheel Imperial Preceptor. He took an iron bow and a long arrow from a Mongol officer, drew the bowstring to its limit, and nocked the wolf-tooth eagle-feather shaft. He knew that both Guo Jing and Zhu Ziliu possessed profound martial skills. If he aimed at either man, the arrow would surely be deflected. He shifted his bow to the left, adjusted his aim, and released. The feathered arrow flew from the string, aimed at the midpoint of the rope. This move was viciously cunning. The arrow was more than a zhang away from either Guo Jing or Zhu Ziliu, neither could block it. Fearing the two might still devise some extraordinary countermeasure, the Imperial Preceptor fired two more arrows the moment the first left the string, one at Zhu Ziliu and one at Guo Jing. With a pa, the first arrow snapped the rope in two. The second and third arrows, carrying fierce momentum, continued toward their targets.

The rope severed, Guo Jing’s body dropped. The second arrow naturally missed him. Zhu Ziliu felt the rope go slack in his hand. “Not good!” he cried. The feathered shaft was already at his face. The arrow came with ferocious speed, clearly, the archer possessed profound neili. The wall was packed with men. Zhu Ziliu knew that if he ducked, the arrow would surely strike someone behind him. He extended two fingers of his left hand, gauged the arrow’s trajectory, and flicked the shaft. The arrow veered off at an angle and fell from the wall.

The moment Guo Jing felt the rope snap, alarm shot through him. Falling from the wall would not injure him, but surrounded by thousands upon thousands of soldiers, how could he possibly fight his way out? The enemy was already pressing close to the city gate. If his own side opened the gate to receive him, the enemy would certainly seize the opportunity to storm through. In the urgency of the moment, there was no time to deliberate. He planted his left foot against the city wall and his body vaulted upward more than a zhang. His right foot followed, touching the wall and propelling him another zhang higher. This profound technique, “Ascending Heaven’s Ladder,” was known to very few in the contemporary world.²⁶ Even among those who had trained in it, each step typically gained only two or three chi. In his youth, Guo Jing had followed Ma Yu in training the Golden Wild Goose Skill, using lightness arts to scale the cliffs of Mongolia.²⁷ Later, when he trained in the Ascending Heaven’s Ladder technique, his foundation in the Golden Wild Goose Skill made his base even more solid. Thus, stepping up the sheer, smooth city wall, he rose a full zhang with each stride. His martial prowess was truly staggering. In that instant, silence fell upon the walls and below them. Tens of thousands of eyes fixed upon him alone.

The Golden Wheel Imperial Preceptor was secretly aghast. He knew that the Ascending Heaven’s Ladder relied entirely on sustaining a single breath to leap upward. If anything disrupted that breath, causing him to lose it even slightly, the third step would fail. The Preceptor bent his bow, nocked an arrow, and shot once more at the centre of Guo Jing’s back.

The arrow flew like the wind. Soldiers on the walls and below shouted as one: “Do not shoot!” Both armies had witnessed Guo Jing’s astonishing martial skill, and every man felt admiration. All hoped he would reach the top of the wall. The Mongols had always revered heroes and champions. Though Guo Jing was an enemy, seeing someone shoot him treacherously from behind stirred indignation in every heart.

Guo Jing heard the fierce whistle of the arrow closing on his back and thought bitterly, It is over! He had no choice but to reach back and deflect the shaft. Tens of thousands of soldiers from both sides saw him as if he had grown eyes in the back of his head, even this treacherous arrow could not harm him. A thunderous cheer erupted. But amid that earth-shaking roar of acclaim, Guo Jing’s body dipped slightly downward. He was now mere chi from the top of the wall, but he could rise no further.

While the two armies clashed in furious combat, a battle of equal ferocity raged within Yang Guo’s heart. He watched Guo Jing in mortal danger, rising, falling, rising again, falling again. These two fluctuations took only the span of a moment, yet in that moment, Yang Guo’s thoughts had turned several times: He is the enemy who killed my father. Do I kill him or save him? When Guo Jing had nearly reached the top of the wall using the Ascending Heaven’s Ladder, Yang Guo had thought to strike him with a palm blast from above. Suspended in midair with nothing to brace against, Guo Jing would surely be gravely wounded and fall from the wall. But Yang Guo hesitated for just a moment, and the Imperial Preceptor’s arrow had already thwarted Guo Jing’s ascent. Yang Guo’s heart was a churning chaos. Suddenly, he seized the severed half of the rope in Zhu Ziliu’s hand with his left hand and threw himself from the wall. His right hand caught Guo Jing’s arm.

This sudden, bizarre turn of events, but Zhu Ziliu adapted with lightning speed. He immediately flexed both arms, first letting the rope dip slightly downward, then channelling power through both arms and whipping it overhead. Yang Guo and Guo Jing traced a great arc through the air, like two enormous birds soaring across the sky. Tens of thousands of soldiers above and below the wall stared, mouths agape, unable to close them.

Guo Jing, suspended in midair, thought, I have taken repeated attacks from this Tibetan monk without returning a single blow. Would that not mean I have lost to him? He saw the Golden Wheel Imperial Preceptor nock yet another arrow. The moment his left foot touched the top of the wall, Guo Jing snatched a bow and arrow from a guard’s hands. His ape-like arm extended and contracted. A long arrow flew, aimed directly at the Imperial Preceptor’s incoming shaft. The two arrows met in midair, and Guo Jing’s shaft split the Preceptor’s in two. The Imperial Preceptor had just frozen in shock when a fierce blast of wind arrived. With a resonant zheng, the iron bow in his hands shattered. It must be understood that the Imperial Preceptor and Guo Jing were roughly equal in martial arts. But Guo Jing had been trained since childhood in Mongolia by the divine archer Jebe.²⁸ Combined with his exquisite neili, his archery skill was unmatched under heaven. The Imperial Preceptor could only stare in disbelief, left far behind. Guo Jing had fired three arrows in rapid succession. The first split the enemy’s arrow. The second shattered his bow. The third, the third was aimed at Khubilai’s great banner.

That great banner, fluttering in the wind, had stood with majestic pride amid the thousands upon thousands of troops. Suddenly, an arrow struck, the banner cords snapped. Khubilai’s yellow standard slid down. Soldiers above and below the wall let out another unified roar.

Seeing Guo Jing’s awe-inspiring might and his own army’s flagging morale, Khubilai gave the order to withdraw.

Guo Jing stood upon the city wall and watched the Mongol army retreat in impeccable formation, those in front unhurried, those in the rear unafraid. He could not help but sigh deeply. The Mongol elite troops, he thought, are truly beyond the ability of our weak and weary Song army to match. His thoughts turning to matters of state, melancholy rose unbidden within him, and his heavy brows furrowed. Zhu Ziliu, Yang Guo, and the others had witnessed him display his might amid the enemy ranks, flaunt his martial prowess before a multitude, and yet show not the slightest trace of arrogance. Their admiration for him knew no bounds.

Khubilai withdrew his army several dozen li. Along the way, he silently pondered strategies to breach the city. With Guo Jing there, he thought, Xiangyang will indeed be hard to take. The Imperial Preceptor said, “Your Highness saw it with your own eyes. If that brat Yang Guo had not intervened to save him, Guo Jing would have lost his life today. Yang Guo’s martial arts are formidable, who would have thought he would prove so fickle?” Khubilai said, “Not so. I expect Yang Guo wishes to kill Guo Jing with his own hands, to avenge his father. He will not let another do the deed for him. From what I have seen, he is a man of soaring spirit and bold decisiveness, not some cunning, treacherous scoundrel.” The Imperial Preceptor disagreed but dared not argue. He merely said, “May it be as Your Highness predicts.”

The Mongol army retreated, and Xiangyang was delivered from peril. The Pacification Commissioner Lü Wenhuan was exultant. He once again laid out a grand banquet at the Marshal’s residence to celebrate the victory. This time, Yang Guo was also invited as an honoured guest at the head table. Everyone lavished praise upon him for the swiftness and courage with which he had thrown himself into danger to save Guo Jing, risking his life without hesitation. The Wu brothers sat at a side table in a corner. Seeing Yang Guo achieve such renown the moment he arrived, they could not help but feel jealousy gnawing at their hearts. They also feared that after this battle, Guo Jing, moved by the debt of gratitude for saving his life, would be all the more inclined to betroth his daughter to Yang Guo. The two brothers sat in silence, drinking their gloom away.

After the banquet, the party returned to Guo Jing’s residence. Huang Rong invited Yang Guo to the inner hall for a private meeting and praised him warmly. Yang Guo responded with modest thanks. Guo Jing said, “Guoer, you exerted yourself fiercely just now. Does your chest ache faintly?” He worried that after last night’s qi deviation, the intense effort on the wall might have injured Yang Guo’s internal organs.

Yang Guo, fearing that Huang Rong would press for details and see through the deception, hastily said, “It is nothing. Nothing at all.” He quickly changed the subject. “Uncle Guo, that technique of leaping up the city wall, that is truly unrivalled in the wulin.” Guo Jing smiled faintly. “I set that technique aside long ago. I have not practised it for several years, so it has grown rusty. That is why things went wrong.” In truth, if he had not used his true energy the previous night to help Yang Guo guard his dantian, thereby exhausting his vital power, then even with the Imperial Preceptor’s arrows to obstruct him, the Ascending Heaven’s Ladder would not have troubled him. But he naturally did not mention this. He only said, “Back then, Daoist Master Ma Yu of Danyang taught me the Golden Wild Goose Skill in Mongolia. That is the foundation of the Ascending Heaven’s Ladder. If you like it, I will teach you the technique in a few days.”²⁹

Huang Rong observed that Yang Guo’s expression was distracted, and that he often seemed lost in thought as he spoke. His courageous rescue of Guo Jing today had been witnessed by thousands, there could be no doubt of that. Yet she still could not set her mind at ease. She said, “Jing Gege, I am not feeling well tonight. Stay here and look after things.” Guo Jing nodded. To Yang Guo, he said, “Guoer, you have had a tiring day. Go back and rest early.”

Yang Guo took his leave of the two and returned alone to his room. He heard the second watch drum sound from the watchtower. Sitting at his desk, he stared at the candle flame flickering between brightness and darkness. A tumult of tangled thoughts rose within him. Suddenly, he heard a light tapping at the door. A woman’s voice spoke from outside: “Not asleep yet?” It was Xiaolongnü’s voice. Yang Guo was overjoyed. He leaped to his feet and opened the door. There stood Xiaolongnü in a pale green dress, graceful and lovely against the night. Yang Guo said, “Gugu, what is it?” Xiaolongnü smiled. “I wanted to come see you.” Yang Guo took her hand and said tenderly, “I was just thinking of you, too.”

Side by side, they strolled slowly toward the garden. Flowers and trees grew thick and fragrant. Xiaolongnü gazed at the half-moon overhead and said, “Must you kill him with your own hands? There is not much time left.” Yang Guo hurriedly whispered in her ear, “There are too many ears here. Do not speak of this.” Xiaolongnü stared at him with a dazed expression. “When the moon is full, that will be the end of the eighteen days.”

Yang Guo started in alarm. He counted on his fingers. Nine days had passed since they parted from Qiu Qianchi³⁰. If he did not kill Guo Jing and Huang Rong within the next day or two, he would not be able to return to Passionless Valley³¹ before the poison flared. He sighed quietly and sat down with Xiaolongnü on a Taihu rock. The two sat facing each other in silence. Tenderness deepened between them. Their spirits connected wordlessly, and they forgot entirely about vengeance, killing, and war.

After a long while, they suddenly heard footsteps beyond the rockery. Two people were approaching, separated by the flower thickets.

A young woman’s voice said, “If you keep pressuring me, I may as well take a sword and draw it across my own throat. That would spare me this slow, piecemeal suffering.” A young man’s voice, thick with anger, replied, “Hmph. You think I do not know you have two hearts? The moment that fellow Yang arrived in Xiangyang, he made a grand spectacle of himself before everyone. The words you spoke before, do you still hold them in your heart at all?” From the voices, it was clear: Guo Fu and Wu Xiuwen. Xiaolongnü made a mischievous face at Yang Guo, as if to say, Everywhere you go, you leave tangled threads of romance behind, causing no end of trouble for the young ladies. Yang Guo smiled and drew her closer, gently shaking his head to signal silence. He wanted to hear what the two would say.

Guo Fu, hearing Wu Xiuwen’s words, immediately flew into a rage. Raising her voice, she said, “If that is how it is, then everything we said before counts for nothing. I will go far, far away alone. I will never see Yang Guo again. And you and I, we will never see each other again, either.” The sound of rustling cloth followed. Wu Xiuwen must have grabbed Guo Fu’s sleeve, and she had shaken him off with force. The fury in her voice deepened. “What are you grabbing and pulling at? Whether he makes a spectacle of himself or not, what does that have to do with me? Even if my parents betroth me to him for life, I would rather die than consent. If Father presses me too hard, I will run far away. That Yang Guo, he has been arrogant and overbearing since childhood, always thinking he is something special. I have never held him in any regard. Father treats him like a treasure. Hmph. I say he is no good man.” Wu Xiuwen hastily said, “Yes, yes! I was blind with suspicion before. Fu Mei, please, do not be angry. If I ever do this again, may I die a wretched death and be reborn as a tortoise, a turtle, a bastard king of eight!”³² His voice brimmed with delight. Guo Fu let out a puchi of laughter.

Yang Guo and Xiaolongnü exchanged a smile. One smile meant, See? She tears me down like that. The other meant, So I was wrong before. The one I love is in my heart, but someone else holds another’s heart. From Guo Fu’s tone, it was clear that though she scolded Wu Xiuwen at one moment and toyed with his feelings at the next, twisting him around her finger, making him dizzy and disoriented, deep in her heart, she held genuine tenderness for him.

Wu Xiuwen said, “Your mother dotes on you most. Beg her day and night. Pester her without letting up. As long as she agrees not to marry you to that Yang, your father will have nothing to say.” Guo Fu said, “Hmph. What do you know? Father may listen to Mother’s words, but when it comes to important matters, Mother never goes against Father.” Wu Xiuwen sighed. “If only you were like that with me.”

A crisp pa rang out. Wu Xiuwen cried, “Ah!” in pain and said urgently, “Why are you hitting me again?” Guo Fu said, “Who told you to say cheap things? I will not marry Yang Guo, but that does not mean I will marry a little monkey like you.” Wu Xiuwen said, “Fine! Tonight, you have finally spoken your true heart. You will not be my wife, but you are willing to be my sister-in-law. I tell you, I tell you…” He was choking with rage and frustration. The words that followed could not come out.

Guo Fu’s voice suddenly turned gentle. “Little Wu Gege, you have been good to me, you have said it a thousand times, ten thousand times. Of course I know your heart is true. Your elder brother has never said it even once, but I know he, too, is hopelessly devoted to me. No matter whom I choose, one of you brothers will be heartbroken. You care for me, you cherish me, do you not know how difficult this is for me?”

Wu Dunru and Wu Xiuwen had lost their parents when they were young. The two brothers had always been deeply devoted to each other. But in recent years, both had fallen hopelessly in love with Guo Fu, and an unspoken rift had grown between them. Wu Xiuwen’s heart seized with anguish, and tears spilled down his cheeks. Guo Fu took out a handkerchief and tossed it to him. With a sigh, she said, “Little Wu Gege, we grew up together since we were small. I respect your elder brother, but when I talk with you, the words come more easily. Between you two brothers, I truly have no favourite. Today, you insist that I speak plainly. If you were me, what would you say?” Wu Xiuwen said, “I do not know. I can only tell you, if you marry someone else, I cannot go on living.”

Guo Fu said, “All right. No more talk tonight. Father was fighting for his life against the enemy today, and here we are in the garden, chattering about trivial things. If Father overheard us, everyone would lose face. Little Wu Gege, let me tell you, if you want to win my parents’ favour, why not distinguish yourself in battle? Hanging around me all day, will that not make my parents look down on you?” Wu Xiuwen leaped to his feet and said loudly, “You are right! I will go assassinate Khubilai and lift the siege of Xiangyang. Then, will you have me or not?” Guo Fu gave a radiant smile. “If you perform such a great deed, even if I wanted to refuse you, I probably could not. But how many guards surround Khubilai? The Golden Wheel Imperial Preceptor alone, even Father might not defeat him. Stop your wild fantasies and go to bed like a good boy.”

Wu Xiuwen gazed at Guo Fu’s lovely face with lingering reluctance. “Fine,” he said. “Then you should sleep early too.” He turned and walked a few steps, then suddenly stopped and looked back. “Fu Mei, will you dream tonight?” Guo Fu laughed. “How would I know?” Wu Xiuwen said, “If you do dream, what do you think you will dream about?” Guo Fu smiled slightly. “I will probably dream of a little monkey.” Wu Xiuwen was overjoyed. He bounced and skipped away.

Behind the flower thicket, Xiaolongnü and Yang Guo had listened to this endless lovers’ chatter. They smiled at each other. Both thought, One hopelessly entangled, the other uncertain. Compared to our single-minded devotion, love that does not fear death, the contentment and joy in our hearts must far surpass theirs.

After Wu Xiuwen left, Guo Fu sat alone on the stone bench, staring blankly at the moon. After a long silence, she let out a deep sigh. Suddenly, a figure emerged from behind the rockery opposite. “Fu Mei,” he said. “Why do you sigh?” It was Wu Dunru. Yang Guo and Xiaolongnü both started slightly. It seemed Wu Dunru had been quietly following behind ever since his brother and Guo Fu had entered the garden.

Guo Fu said with mild annoyance, “You are always so strange and shadowy. You heard everything I said to your brother, did you not?” Wu Dunru nodded. He stood facing Guo Fu, keeping his distance, but his eyes brimmed with yearning. The two faced each other in silence. After a long while, Guo Fu said, “What do you want to say to me?” Wu Dunru said, “Nothing. You already know without me saying it.” He slowly turned and slowly walked away.

Guo Fu watched Wu Dunru’s retreating figure. He passed behind the rockery and vanished into the distance without once looking back. She thought, Whether Big Wu or Little Wu, if only there were just one of them in this world. Would that not be best? She sighed deeply and returned alone to her room.

After she had gone, Yang Guo asked with a smile, “If you were her, which one would you marry?” Xiaolongnü tilted her head and thought for a moment. “I would marry you,” she said. Yang Guo laughed. “I do not count. Miss Guo does not like me at all. I meant, if you were her, between the two Wu brothers, which would you marry?” Xiaolongnü made a soft sound of consideration. She mentally compared the two Wus. At last, she said, “I would still marry you.” Yang Guo was both amused and deeply moved. He wrapped his arms around her and said tenderly, “Other people are so divided in their hearts. But my Gugu loves only me.”

They leaned against each other, hearts overflowing with joy, and sat like that until dawn.

As the morning sun climbed the eastern sky, the two still could not bear to part. Suddenly, a household servant hurried toward them. He bowed to both and said, “Uncle Guo requests Young Master Yang’s presence at once. There is an urgent matter.”

Yang Guo saw the servant’s anxious expression and knew something serious had happened. He took his leave of Xiaolongnü and followed the man toward the inner hall. The servant said, “I searched everywhere. So Young Master Yang was in the garden admiring the flowers.” Yang Guo said, “Has Uncle Guo been waiting long?” The servant lowered his voice. “The two Young Masters Wu suddenly vanished, no one knows where they went. Uncle Guo and Madam Guo are both extremely worried. Miss Guo has already wept several times!” Yang Guo understood at once. The Wu brothers, each trying to outdo the other for their shijie’s hand, both want to perform some extraordinary feat. They must have gone out of the city to assassinate Khubilai. He hurried into the inner hall. There sat Huang Rong in a loose robe, her expression haggard. Guo Jing paced back and forth without stopping. Guo Fu’s eyes were red, on the verge of tears. On the table lay two longswords.

The moment Guo Jing saw Yang Guo, he said, “Guoer, do you know what the Wu brothers have gone to the enemy camp to do?” Yang Guo glanced at Guo Fu and said, “Have the two Brother Wus gone to the enemy camp?” Guo Jing said, “Yes. Among you young brothers, there are no secrets. Did you notice any hint of this beforehand?” Yang Guo said, “Your nephew did not pay attention. Neither Brother Wu said anything to me. I expect the two Brother Wus saw that the siege could not be broken and grew anxious. They wanted to infiltrate the enemy camp and assassinate a Mongol commander. If they succeed, it would be an extraordinary deed indeed.” Guo Jing sighed and pointed at the two swords on the table. “Even if their intentions were not wrong, they were far too reckless. Their weapons have been confiscated and sent back.”

This was far beyond what Yang Guo had expected. He had long guessed that the Wu brothers’ mission would fail. With their level of martial skill and intelligence, how could they possibly gain any advantage against the Imperial Preceptor, Yin Kexi³³, Xiaoxiangzi, and the others? But he had not imagined that within just a few hours, their weapons would be returned. Guo Jing picked up a letter pinned beneath the twin swords and handed it to Yang Guo. He and Huang Rong exchanged a look, both shaking their heads. Yang Guo opened the letter. It read:

“A letter from the Great Lama Golden Wheel, First Protector of the Buddhist Faith of the Great Mongol Empire, presented before the honoured presence of Hero Guo of Xiangyang City: Last night, while hunting by night, I chanced to encounter your worthy disciples, the Wu brothers. It is often said that famous masters produce outstanding disciples, truly, this is no empty claim. This old monk has long admired Hero Guo’s bearing and has yearned in spirit for many years. At the Heroes’ Feast at Dasheng Pass some days ago, our meeting was too hurried for deep conversation. I therefore send this letter to respectfully invite Your Excellency to visit. Let us sit knee to knee in the military camp and share a cup of wine in fellowship. To receive your wise instruction would be a source of profound joy. The moment Your Excellency arrives, I shall order your worthy disciples to return and report their safety.”

The letter’s tone was humble and courteous, as though it merely invited Guo Jing for a conversation. But its meaning was clear: the Wu brothers were hostages. Only when Guo Jing arrived would they be released. Guo Jing waited for him to finish reading, then asked, “Well?”

Yang Guo had already calculated the situation: Auntie Guo’s wisdom surpasses mine tenfold. If I had a brilliant plan, would she not already know it? The only reason she has invited me here to discuss this is that she wants Gugu and me to accompany Uncle Guo to the enemy camp. Once Uncle Guo reaches the Mongol camp, even if the Imperial Preceptor, Xiaoxiangzi, and the others join forces, they may defeat him, but killing or capturing him will be another matter. With Gugu and me helping him, he will certainly find a way to escape. Then another thought followed: But if Gugu and I suddenly turn against him, first, it would catch him completely off guard. Second, the balance of power would become even more lopsided. Wounding him then would be as easy as flipping my hand. Even if I cannot bear to kill him myself, using the hands of the Imperial Preceptor and the others to take his life, would that not be perfect? He smiled faintly. “Uncle Guo, my shifu and I will accompany you. Auntie Guo has seen my shifu and me join swords to defeat the Golden Wheel Imperial Preceptor. If the three of us go together, the enemy may not be able to keep us.”

Guo Jing was overjoyed. Laughing, he said, “Aside from your Auntie Guo, no one can match your quick wits. That is exactly what your Auntie Guo had in mind.”

Yang Guo thought, Huang Rong, oh Huang Rong, wise all your life, but today you will stumble at my hands. He said, “There is no time to lose. Let us go now. my shifu and I will disguise ourselves as your personal page attendants. It will make your solo venture into the enemy camp appear all the more heroic.”

Guo Jing said, “Good!” He turned to Huang Rong. “Ronger, do not worry. With Guoer and Miss Long accompanying me, even if it is a dragon’s pool or a tiger’s den, the three of us will return safely.” He straightened his clothes and said, “Please invite Miss Long.”

Huang Rong shook her head. “No. I only meant for Guoer to go with you alone. Miss Long is a flower-like maiden. We cannot let her walk into danger. I want her to stay here and keep me company.”

Yang Guo froze, then understood at once. Auntie Guo is indeed on guard against me. She wants to keep Gugu here as a hostage, so I will not dare make any reckless moves. If I insist on Gugu coming along, it will only deepen her suspicion. He thought further, You think you can hold Gugu here? That may not be so easy. With Uncle Guo gone from Xiangyang, who in this city could defeat my wife? He said nothing.

Guo Jing, however, said, “Miss Long’s swordplay is exquisite. If she can come, she will be an enormous help.” In a languid tone, Huang Rong said, “Your Polu and Xiang’er will be born soon.³⁴ With Miss Long guarding us, I will feel much safer.” Guo Jing said hastily, “Yes, yes. I am truly muddled. Guoer, let us go.” Yang Guo said, “Let me tell Gugu.” Huang Rong said, “I will inform her later. You two, father and son, are just taking a trip to the enemy camp. You will be back in half a day. It is hardly a major affair.”

Yang Guo realised that in a battle of wits with Huang Rong, he was outmatched at every turn. But Guo Jing was honest and straightforward, certainly no match for him. Once they reached the Mongol camp, he would deal with Guo Jing, then return and rendezvous with Xiaolongnü. No problem. He made a few quick preparations and followed Guo Jing out of the city.

Guo Jing rode the Sweat-blood Ferghana Horse. Yang Guo rode the thin, yellow-maned horse. Both horses had extraordinary speed. In less than half an hour, they had reached the great Mongol encampment.

When Khubilai received word that Guo Jing had actually come, he was astonished and delighted. He immediately ordered that Guo Jing be invited into the command tent.

Guo Jing entered the great tent. At its centre sat a young prince, square-faced, large-eared, with deeply set eyes. Guo Jing started. This man looks exactly like his father, Tolui.³⁵ Memories of his youth, of the deep bond between him and Tolui, surged back. Now they were separated by the divide of life and death. Guo Jing’s eyes reddened, and he nearly wept.

Khubilai rose from his seat to welcome him. He bowed to the ground and said, “When my late father was alive, he often spoke of Uncle Guo Jing’s heroic righteousness. Your nephew has admired you endlessly. To see your honoured face today truly fulfills a lifelong wish.” Guo Jing returned the bow. “Tolui, my anda, and I were closer than flesh and blood.³⁶ When my mother and I took shelter under Genghis Khan’s banner in our youth, we relied greatly on your esteemed father’s care. Your father was in the prime of his life, like the sun at high noon. To think he would suddenly pass from this world, the thought wounds the spirit.” As he spoke, tears could not help but fall. Khubilai, seeing the sincerity of Guo Jing’s words and the depth of his emotion, was moved to sorrow as well. He introduced Xiaoxiangzi, Yin Kexi, and the others one by one, then invited Guo Jing to take the seat of honour.

Yang Guo stood in attendance behind Guo Jing, pretending not to know any of the others. The Imperial Preceptor and the rest did not understand the purpose of his visit. Seeing that he ignored everyone, they ignored him in return. Ma Guangzuo³⁷, however, boomed, “Brother Yang—” But before the word “brother” could fully leave his mouth, Yin Kexi pinched him viciously on the thigh. Ma Guangzuo yelped, “Ow! What are you doing?” Yin Kexi turned his head away and ignored him. Ma Guangzuo, not knowing who had pinched him, grumbled and cursed under his breath and forgot all about greeting Yang Guo.

After Guo Jing sat down and drank a bowl of fermented mare’s milk, he saw no sign of the Wu brothers. He was about to ask when Khubilai ordered his attendants, “Quickly, invite the two Young Masters Wu.” The guards acknowledged the order and escorted Wu Dunru and Wu Xiuwen into the tent. Both men’s hands and feet were bound tightly with ox sinew. The sinew binding their ankles was less than a chi long, making it impossible to take normal strides. They could only shuffle forward slowly. When the two Wus saw their shifu, their faces burned with shame. “Master!” they called, but neither dared lift his bowed head.

The two brothers, greedy for glory and reckless in their haste, had left without a word and created this enormous disaster. Guo Jing had been furious at first. But seeing their clothes torn and bloodstained, evidence of a fierce struggle before their capture, and seeing them bound in such humiliating fashion, his anger turned to pity. He thought, Reckless though they were, their hearts were still set on serving their country and their people. In a gentle voice, he said, “Those who study the martial arts must endure countless trials and many defeats in the course of a lifetime. This is nothing.”

Khubilai feigned anger at his attendants and berated them: “I ordered you to treat the two Young Masters Wu with proper hospitality. How dare you show such disrespect? Release them at once!” The attendants chorused their acknowledgment and reached to untie the bindings. But the ox sinew, having been soaked with water after being tied, had sunk deep into the flesh. It could not be undone quickly. Guo Jing rose from his seat and walked over. He grasped the ox sinew at Wu Dunru’s chest between his two hands and gently pulled outward. With a bo, the sinew snapped. He then tore off Wu Xiuwen’s bindings in the same manner. This feat looked light and effortless, as though it were nothing at all. In truth, it required the most profound neili to accomplish. Xiaoxiangzi, Nimo Star, Yin Kexi, and the others exchanged glances. Each silently marvelled at Guo Jing’s martial prowess. Khubilai said, “Bring wine quickly! We must apologise to the two Young Masters Wu.”

Guo Jing was already calculating: today’s visit could not possibly end peacefully. A fierce battle was certain to erupt before long. If the two Wus did not leave soon, he would be forced to divide his attention to protect them. He cupped his fists and bowed to everyone in all four directions. In a ringing voice, he said, “My unworthy disciples have acted with reckless impropriety. I thank Your Highness and all present for the lesson you have taught them.” Turning to the Wu brothers, he said, “Return first and inform your martial mother. Tell her I am meeting the son of an old friend and exchanging reminiscences. I will return shortly.” Wu Xiuwen said, “Master, you…” The previous night, his assassination attempt had failed and he had been captured by Xiaoxiangzi. He now knew that the enemy camp was indeed thick with masters. He could not help worrying about Guo Jing’s safety. Guo Jing waved his hand. “Go, quickly! Report to Commissioner Lü. Tell him to hold the city gates fast. No matter what happens, the gates must not be opened, lest the enemy seize the chance to attack.” These words were spoken with an air of divine authority, meant to make Khubilai and his men understand: even if something happened to him, Xiangyang would never surrender to the enemy.

The Wu brothers, seeing their shifu personally venture into danger to save them, were filled with both gratitude and remorse. They dared say no more. They bowed to their shifu and departed for the city on their own.

Khubilai said with a smile, “Your two worthy disciples came to assassinate your nephew. Uncle Guo surely did not know of this beforehand.” Guo Jing nodded. “I was not informed in advance. The young ones do not know the height of heaven or the thickness of the earth.³⁸ They were making mischief.” Khubilai said, “Indeed. I thought that since Uncle Guo and I share bonds spanning three generations, Uncle Guo, remembering the ties of old friendship, would never do such a thing.” Guo Jing’s expression turned stern. “That is not so. When public duty is at stake, private ties must yield. In former days, when my anda Tolui led his army to attack Qingzhou, I once resolved to assassinate my sworn brother to force the enemy’s retreat. It happened that Genghis Khan fell gravely ill and the Mongol army withdrew. Only thus was our bond of brotherhood preserved. The ancients placed righteousness above family, if even family can be sacrificed, how much more friends?”

These words were delivered with calm composure. The Imperial Preceptor, Yin Kexi, and the others exchanged startled looks. Yang Guo felt a jolt in his chest. Yes, assassinating sworn brothers has always been his specialty. I wonder what misstep my father made that brought this man’s lethal hand upon him. Guo Jing, oh Guo Jing, have you truly never committed a single wrong in your entire life? At this thought, a venomous hatred slowly rose once more within him.

Khubilai, however, showed not the slightest anger. Smiling, he said, “If that is so, Uncle Guo, why did you say your two worthy disciples were merely making mischief?” Guo Jing said, “Their training is incomplete and they do not know their own limits. To attempt an assassination so rashly, how could they possibly succeed? Their capture is a minor matter. But now you will be doubly on guard, and those who come after them to try again will find it all the more difficult.” Khubilai laughed heartily. He thought, I have long heard that Guo Jing is honest and simple, slow of speech. Who would have thought his words could cut so sharp? In truth, Guo Jing simply spoke whatever came to mind. Because his thoughts were clear and direct, his words carried force. The Imperial Preceptor and the others saw him, alone, unarmed, barehanded amid thousands upon thousands of Mongol troops, yet utterly fearless. This spirit alone was beyond any of them. They could not help but feel genuine admiration.

Khubilai, observing Guo Jing’s imposing presence, felt an involuntary fondness. If I could recruit this man to my cause, he thought, it would be worth more than taking ten Xiangyang cities. He said, “Uncle Guo, the Zhao-Song dynasty is without virtue. The ruler is muddled, the people are suffering, wicked ministers control the court, and the loyal and good are wronged. Am I not correct?” Guo Jing said, “You are not wrong. The Chunyou Emperor is a muddled and unprincipled ruler.³⁹ Chancellor Jia Sidao is a great traitorous minister.” Everyone was stunned. None had imagined he would so bluntly denounce the Song emperor and his ministers. Khubilai said, “Indeed. Uncle Guo is a great hero of this age. Why toil for a muddled ruler and treacherous ministers?”

Guo Jing rose to his feet. In a ringing voice, he said, “Though Guo is unworthy, how could I serve a muddled ruler and treacherous ministers? It is only that I burn with fury at the Mongol brutality, invading our territory, slaughtering our countrymen. The hot blood in Guo’s chest is shed for the millions upon millions of common people of our Divine Land.”⁴⁰

Khubilai slapped the table. “Well said! Let us all toast Uncle Guo.” He raised his bowl and drained the mare’s milk in one gulp. His attendants grew secretly anxious. They feared that Khubilai, mindful of the friendship between their forebears and moved by Guo Jing’s words, might actually let him go. If that happened, capturing him again would be nearly impossible. But seeing Khubilai raise his bowl, they had no choice but to drink along with him. Attendants refilled everyone’s bowls with wine.

Khubilai said, “In your noble nation, there was once an old master who said: ‘The people are most important, the altars of state come next, and the ruler is least.’⁴¹ These are truly words of reason. Consider: all under heaven belongs to all the people under heaven. Only the virtuous may possess it. Our Great Mongol Empire governs with clarity and peace. The common people live and work in contentment, each has his proper place. Our Great Khan could not bear to see the people of the Southern Dynasty trapped in deep water and scorching fire, with no one to rescue them from their suffering. Therefore, we console the people and punish the tyrant, marching south without begrudging the hardship. This purpose is no different from Uncle Guo’s own. We may say that heroes see things the same way. Come, let us drink another bowl together.” He raised his bowl and drained it once more.

The Imperial Preceptor and the others raised their bowls to their lips. Guo Jing swept his great sleeve outward. A blast of fierce wind followed. With a clattering crash, every wine bowl flew from the men’s hands and shattered on the ground. Guo Jing roared in fury: “Your Highness, you say ‘the people are most important.’ Those words are truer than you know. Since your Mongol soldiers invaded the Song, they have revelled in cruelty. White bones have become ruins. Rivers of blood have flowed. Countless families of our Great Song have been broken, homes destroyed, lives lost. How many lives have perished under your Mongol blades and spears? And you speak of consoling the people and punishing the tyrant, of rescuing the people from their suffering?”

This sleeve-sweep, though sudden and far beyond anyone’s expectations, had sent the wine bowls flying from the hands of the Imperial Preceptor and the others, each a master of peerless skill. Every face burned with humiliation. They rose as one, waiting only for Khubilai to give the word before attacking.

Khubilai tilted his head back and laughed to the heavens. “Uncle Guo is a hero without equal. Whenever my Mongol officers and soldiers speak of you, they cannot help but admire you. Today, seeing you with my own eyes, I know your reputation is well deserved. Your humble prince is unworthy. I dare not harm the bonds left by my late father. Today, let us only speak of old friendship and not of state affairs. What do you say?” Guo Jing cupped his fist in salute. “Tolui has a son of broad spirit and magnanimity, none of the Mongol princes can compare. One day, you will surely shoulder the heavy burdens of the state. I have good counsel to offer. Would you deign to hear it?” Khubilai said, “I am willing to receive Uncle’s instruction.”

Guo Jing placed his hands together formally and said, “Our Southern Dynasty is vast in territory and numerous in population. We honour moral integrity. Talented and noble men are found everywhere. From ancient times to the present, we have never knelt to foreign races. The Mongols may win victories on the battlefield for a time, but one day, you will surely be driven back to the deserts of the north. By then, your vital strength will be grievously wounded, and regret will come too late. I pray Your Highness will consider this carefully.” Khubilai laughed. “Thank you for your clear instruction.” Guo Jing heard the insincerity in those four words. “I take my leave,” he said. “Until we meet again.” Khubilai raised his hand in salute. “See our guest out.”

The Imperial Preceptor and the others stared at each other in disbelief. All thought the same thing: The fish has finally entered the net, how can we release the tiger back to the mountain? But Khubilai was courteously escorting Guo Jing out of the tent. It would be improper for them to attack.

Guo Jing strode out of the tent, thinking, This Khubilai conducts himself with extraordinary presence. He is a formidable adversary indeed. He shot Yang Guo a look and quickened his pace toward their horses.

Suddenly, eight burly Mongol warriors stepped out from the side. The foremost among them said, “Are you Guo Jing? On the walls of Xiangyang, you wounded many of our brothers. Today, you come to our Mongol camp to flaunt your might. The Prince may let you go, but we will not permit it.” With a shout, the eight men surged forward together, each using Mongol wrestling techniques. Sixteen hands grabbed for Guo Jing. It turned out that Khubilai had been unwilling to personally order Guo Jing’s capture and risk damaging the bonds of old friendship. But outside the tent, he had concealed troops. Only after bidding farewell would they seize him.

In the art of wrestling, the Mongols were unmatched under heaven. These eight men were the finest wrestlers in the entire Mongol army. Khubilai had specially stationed them outside the tent to capture Guo Jing. But Guo Jing had grown up in Mongolia. Riding, archery, and wrestling, he had mastered them all from childhood. Seeing the eight men close in, he extended both hands and swept his right leg in a hooking motion. In the span of a breath, four men were seized and hurled more than a zhang away. The other four were swept off their feet. He was using the authentic Mongol wrestling techniques, but with superior martial arts as his foundation, the power in his hands and feet was extraordinary beyond measure. How could those eight men possibly match him? Outside Khubilai’s command tent, a thousand-man personal guard unit was stationed. Every one of those thousand soldiers was an expert wrestler. They saw Guo Jing’s crisp, clean technique, using the Mongols’ own methods to throw eight of the army’s finest to the ground simultaneously. The speed was breathtaking, a divine skill none had ever witnessed. Without any prior agreement, they burst into a thunderous cheer.

Guo Jing clasped his fist toward the assembled troops, removed his hat, and turned in a circle. This was the Mongol wrestler’s gesture of thanks to the audience after a victory. The soldiers roared with even greater delight. The eight men scrambled to their feet and stared at Guo Jing in a daze, unsure whether to attack again or give up.

Guo Jing said to Yang Guo, “Let us go!” But now, war horns sounded from every direction, rising and falling in response to each other. Thousand-man cavalry units galloped back and forth on all sides. Khubilai had mobilised his forces and completely encircled Guo Jing and Yang Guo. Guo Jing was secretly alarmed. Even if the two of us had powers to pierce the heavens, how could we escape this ocean of soldiers? I never imagined Khubilai would mobilise such an enormous force just to deal with me alone. Fearing Yang Guo might lose his nerve, Guo Jing kept his expression calm. “Our horses are fast,” he said. “We charge straight through. First, seize two shields to protect the horses from random arrows.” Then, lowering his voice to a whisper in Yang Guo’s ear, he added, “First charge south, then wheel around and charge north.”

Yang Guo was puzzled. Xiangyang lies to the south. Why head north? Then he understood. Ah, yes. Khubilai’s forces will be concentrated to the south, blocking his escape back to Xiangyang. The north will be empty. First south, then north, catch them off guard, then break through. But how do I stop him?

The thought had barely formed when several figures shot out from Khubilai’s command tent. In a few bounds, they blocked the path. A droning wu-wu followed, a bronze wheel and an iron wheel flew toward the two horses. It was the Imperial Preceptor, acting to prevent their escape. Guo Jing saw the ferocious momentum of the incoming wheels and dared not catch them with his hands. He ducked his head and pressed down on the necks of both horses. The two horses dropped to their front knees. The bronze and iron wheels skimmed just over their heads, arced through the air, and returned to the Imperial Preceptor’s hands. In that brief delay, Nimo Star and Yin Kexi had already dashed before the two men. The Imperial Preceptor and Xiaoxiangzi followed close behind. The four surrounded them.

The Golden Wheel Imperial Preceptor, Xiaoxiangzi, and the others were all first-class masters. When fighting an opponent, they would never stoop to attacking in a group, that would degrade their status. But Guo Jing’s martial arts were simply too powerful. Moreover, each of them coveted the title of “Mongolia’s Foremost Warrior” and feared someone else would claim the honour first. White blades flashed. Yellow light dazzled. All four now held weapons in their hands. Yin Kexi gripped a golden soft whip inlaid with pearls and jade. Xiaoxiangzi held a rod that resembled a funeral staff. Nimo Star’s weapon was the strangest of all, a short whip of wrought iron in the shape of a spirit snake, coiling and uncoiling around his arm, slithering up and down as if alive. The Imperial Preceptor held a golden wheel. His original golden wheel had been seized by Yang Guo at the Heroes’ Feast of Dasheng Pass. Feeling that lacking a golden wheel ill befitted his name, he had ordered master craftsmen to forge a replacement, identical in shape and weight to the original.

Guo Jing assessed the four men’s running stances and the way they drew their weapons. Among the four, Yin Kexi appeared to be the weakest. Guo Jing immediately launched twin palms at Xiaoxiangzi’s face. Xiaoxiangzi raised his funeral staff, pointing the tip at Guo Jing’s palm. Guo Jing saw that the staff was wound with white cords and that a hemp rope trailed from its head, exactly like the mourning staff a filial son would carry at a funeral. This man’s martial arts are profound, he thought. His weapon is bizarre in appearance, it must have some special property. He pulled back his right hand in a move called “The Divine Dragon Swings Its Tail” and seized Yin Kexi’s golden whip. Yin Kexi tried to shake the whip free and strike back, but the tip was already in the enemy’s grasp. He immediately followed the force of Guo Jing’s pull, throwing his entire body at him. A gleaming dagger had appeared in his left hand. This was an attack that doubled as defence, the ultimate technique of the Eighteen Small Grasping Hands.

“Good!” Guo Jing cried. He employed grasping techniques with both hands simultaneously. His right hand maintained its grip on the golden whip while his left reached for the dagger. At this moment, his right hand contested the opponent’s right-hand weapon while his left contested the left-hand weapon, his arms crossed in an intersecting pattern. Yin Kexi had been utterly confident that this dagger thrust would force the enemy to release the golden whip to evade. How could he have imagined that Guo Jing could split his attacks, seeking to seize the dagger as well?

Just then, the Imperial Preceptor’s golden wheel and Xiaoxiangzi’s funeral staff struck simultaneously. Unable to wrench the golden whip free, Guo Jing bellowed and sent a wave of forceful energy coursing through the whip. Yin Kexi felt as though a massive iron hammer had slammed into his chest. Stars exploded before his eyes. With a wa, he vomited a mouthful of blood. Guo Jing released the golden whip and turned to parry. Yin Kexi knew his injury was not light. He slowly backed away, sat cross-legged on the ground, and circulated his qi through his dantian, fighting to hold back further bleeding. The Imperial Preceptor, Xiaoxiangzi, and Nimo Star, the three of them dared not advance rashly. Each guarded his position with utmost vigilance.

Guo Jing parried each move as it came, studying Xiaoxiangzi’s and Nimo Star’s strange weapons. The funeral staff was clearly forged of refined steel, but aside from its weight and solidity, he could discern nothing unusual about it at a glance. Nimo Star’s snake-shaped weapon, however, was deeply bizarre, it looked exactly like a venomous serpent with a triangular head. The snake’s body flexed and bent as though formed from countless tiny iron balls linked together. Both the head and tail were tipped with razor-sharp spikes. Most dangerous of all was the unpredictability: no one could tell when the snake’s body would curve, or which direction the head and tail would point. The iron snake short whip writhed in Nimo Star’s hands, now leaping and dancing upward, now coiling and rolling, shifting through a hundred transformations, sinuous and alive.

The four had exchanged only a few moves when a series of tiger-like roars rang out. A figure came striding toward them with enormous steps, towering and massive, like a mountain of flesh. It was Ma Guangzuo. He gripped a thick, heavy bronze staff, longer and thicker than any ordinary weapon. Standing behind Nimo Star, he brought the staff crashing down toward the crown of Guo Jing’s head. The four masters were locked in furious combat, each guarding his position without the slightest opening. Guo Jing’s palm winds, the Imperial Preceptor’s golden wheel, Xiaoxiangzi’s funeral staff, Nimo Star’s iron snake, they wove back and forth, forming a web of force. When Ma Guangzuo’s staff smashed down upon them, the combined force net of the four men rebounded it. Though there was no sound, the bronze staff shot back upward with tremendous recoil. Sensing something wrong, Ma Guangzuo bellowed and channelled power through both arms, forcing the staff to halt in midair with sheer brute strength. Even so, the tiger’s mouth of both hands split open, blood streaming freely. He roared, “Sorcery! Sorcery!” He poured on even more force, driving the staff down with even fiercer power.

Yang Guo, watching from the side, understood perfectly. He loved this simple, honest man’s nature and remembered how Ma Guangzuo had protected him several times before. Seeing that this staff strike would surely bring disaster, he shouted, “Ma Guangzuo! Watch the sword!” The Gentleman Sword thrust toward Ma Guangzuo’s back. Ma Guangzuo froze. His bronze staff halted in midair. “Brother Yang,” he said, baffled, “why are you fighting me?” Yang Guo cursed him: “You muddled fool! What are you blundering around here for? Get back, now!” His longsword quivered as he stabbed repeatedly, driving Ma Guangzuo into desperate retreat, stumbling backward. Yang Guo pressed the attack with swift thrusts, forcing him back step by step. Ma Guangzuo had long legs and huge feet, one of his steps equalled two of an ordinary man’s. After retreating more than ten steps, he was already far from Guo Jing and the others. Before his eyes, the sword-light flickered. He could barely defend himself, he had no spare thought to wonder why Yang Guo had suddenly turned ruthless against him.

After Ma Guangzuo had retreated several more steps, Yang Guo withdrew his sword and pointed it at the ground. In a low voice, he said, “Big Brother Ma, I just saved your life. Do you realise that?” Ma Guangzuo said loudly, “What?” Yang Guo whispered, “Keep your voice down. Do not let them hear.” Ma Guangzuo glared. “Why? I am not afraid of this Guo Jing.” These words were still spoken at full volume, for him, this was ordinary speech, but to anyone else, it sounded like shouting. Yang Guo said, “Fine. Then do not speak. Just listen.” Ma Guangzuo, to his credit, was obedient. He nodded. Yang Guo said, “That Guo Jing knows sorcery. The moment he chants a spell, he can take a man’s head. You had better get far away from here.” Ma Guangzuo’s eyes, like bronze bells, widened with half-belief, half-doubt.

Yang Guo genuinely wanted to save this man’s life. He knew that if he said Guo Jing’s martial arts were formidable, Ma Guangzuo would never accept defeat. But if he said Guo Jing knew sorcery, this simple man would probably believe it. He continued, “You swung your staff at his head. It never hit anything, yet it rebounded on its own. Is that not strange? That foreign jewellery seller, his martial arts are formidable. Yet Guo Jing wounded him in a single exchange. How?” Ma Guangzuo now believed seventy to eighty percent. He nodded again, then glanced toward the Imperial Preceptor, Xiaoxiangzi, and the others.

Yang Guo guessed what he was thinking. “That big monk knows how to draw talismans. He gave them to the corpse-demon and the black dwarf. With those talismans on their bodies, they do not fear the sorcery. Did the big monk give you one?” Ma Guangzuo said indignantly, “No, he did not.” Yang Guo said, “Exactly. That thieving bald donkey is no friend, he did not give me one either. Later, we will settle accounts with him.” Ma Guangzuo said loudly, “Right! Then what do we do?” Yang Guo said, “We stay out of it. The farther away, the better.” Ma Guangzuo said, “Brother Yang, you are a good man. Thank goodness you told me.” He put away his bronze staff and watched from a distance as Guo Jing and the other three fought.

Guo Jing was now employing the supreme martial art of the wulin, the Eighteen Palms of Dragon Subduing. The Imperial Preceptor and the other two pressed him tightly, thinking: No matter how profound his neili, palm force this fierce and unrelenting cannot last long. But they did not know that for nearly twenty years, Guo Jing had assiduously trained in the Nine Yin Manual. At first, his true power did not reveal itself. After several dozen moves, however, the force of the Eighteen Palms of Dragon Subduing began to fluctuate, now strong, now soft, now swallowing, now spitting. From the midst of ultimate hardness, the wondrous application of ultimate softness emerged. Using this to counter the weapons of three great masters, not only did he not fall behind in the slightest, but he seized openings to counterattack. The longer he fought, the more freely and effortlessly he moved.

Yang Guo watched from the side, astonished and filled with admiration. He, too, had trained in the Nine Yin Manual in the ancient tomb, but lacking a teacher’s guidance, he had never understood that the manual’s divine wonders could reach such heights. Using the manual’s principles to verify Guo Jing’s palm techniques, he suddenly grasped many profound truths of fist and palm theory. He silently memorised them, training in his mind. For a time, he forgot entirely the blood-deep vengeance he bore, forgot that his purpose was to deliver Guo Jing to his death.

The martial arts of the Golden Wheel Imperial Preceptor and Guo Jing were originally on the same level. Though Guo Jing had encountered many fortuitous opportunities, the Imperial Preceptor was twenty years his senior, which meant twenty additional years of cultivated power. If the two fought one on one, it would take more than a thousand moves to determine victory or defeat. With two first-class masters like Xiaoxiangzi and Nimo Star added to the Preceptor’s side, victory should have been easy. But the Eighteen Palms of Dragon Subduing were simply too overwhelming in power. Moreover, Guo Jing had woven into his palm techniques the formation principles of the Quanzhen Sect’s Big Dipper Formation. At the height of battle, his figure wove back and forth, one man seemed to transform into seven. And because he had wounded Yin Kexi at the very start, seizing the initiative and dominating the enemy’s spirit, his three opponents had first sought to protect themselves, not daring to attack with full force. Thus, even with three against one, the fight remained a stalemate.

After several dozen more exchanges, the Imperial Preceptor’s golden wheel gradually began to display its power, and Nimo Star’s iron snake grew steadily more aggressive. Guo Jing felt a secret agitation. If this tangled fight continues, I will eventually be unable to hold out. Guoer and that giant are fighting over there. The giant’s martial arts are mediocre. Guoer should have dealt with him by now. I must join up with Guoer quickly and find a way to escape together. The four men fought with total concentration. Not for an instant could any of them glance aside. Yang Guo and Ma Guangzuo were watching from more than ten zhang away, none of the four combatants could spare them any attention.

Suddenly, a strange shriek rang out. Xiaoxiangzi’s legs went rigid. He sprang several chi into the air and brought his funeral staff crashing down from above. Guo Jing sidestepped to evade. Abruptly, his vision darkened. A puff of black smoke sprayed from the tip of the funeral staff. A faint stench of rot and decay reached his nostrils. His head swam slightly. Not good! he thought. He realised the staff concealed some toxic substance. He immediately retreated. Xiaoxiangzi was astonished to see that Guo Jing, having clearly inhaled the lethal poison from his staff, had not collapsed. He leaped up a second time, swinging the venom-sand staff down from above once more.

Years ago, while training in the desolate mountains of Hunan, Xiaoxiangzi had once seen a toad crouching behind a broken coffin, spraying venomous sand from its mouth to poison a giant python. Taking inspiration from this, he had captured toads, extracted their venom, and refined it into toxic sand, which he concealed inside his funeral staff. A mechanism at the base of the staff allowed him to spray the poison sand with a press of his finger. When he leaped high to release it, the poison sand’s power increased. He had used this venom-sand staff against giant serpents and fierce beasts before, victims collapsed the moment they inhaled it. How could he have known that Guo Jing’s neili was so profound that he could forcibly resist this deadly poison?

The Imperial Preceptor and Nimo Star were right beside Guo Jing. Though they were not the primary targets, inhaling even a small amount made their chests churn with nausea. They hurriedly leaped away. Xiaoxiangzi had long since stuffed antidote into his nostrils. He charged straight through the black mist and swung his staff in pursuit. Guo Jing launched a palm strike. “The Dragon Appears in the Field”, at Xiaoxiangzi’s rigid knee. Xiaoxiangzi pulled back his staff to block. Before he could release more poison, the force of the palm pushed him floating backward five chi.

Guo Jing angled his body aside, but now Nimo Star’s iron snake was thrusting toward him. He struck out with “The Hidden Dragon Does Not Act.” Nimo Star hastily drew the iron snake across his chest, right hand gripping the tail, left hand gripping the head, to block. But the force of Guo Jing’s palm did not concentrate at his palm’s centre. Though his palm faced Nimo Star’s chest, the chest felt no force at all. Nimo Star, realising his block had met empty air, knew disaster was imminent. He felt the palm force already upon his face and abdomen. Fortunately, his short, small stature gave him quick reflexes. He threw himself to the ground and immediately rolled away in a series of compact somersaults, like a giant leather ball.

Seeing an opening, Guo Jing called, “Guoer! Let us go!” He leaped several strides toward open ground. The Golden Wheel Imperial Preceptor, seeing him break free of the encirclement, shot forward in pursuit. Behind Guo Jing, the Mongol soldiers were now only a few zhang away. More than ten long spears were aimed at his back. Guo Jing flexed both arms, knocking the spears aside, then seized two soldiers with his backhand and hurled them at the Imperial Preceptor, shouting, “Catch!” If the Imperial Preceptor reached out to catch them, the delay would let Guo Jing escape even farther. Instead, the Preceptor tilted his left shoulder and slammed into them. The two soldiers flew more than a zhang through the air. The golden wheel came smashing down toward Guo Jing’s back.

Guo Jing knew that if he turned to parry even a single move, the Preceptor would entangle him. After a few exchanges, Nimo Star and Xiaoxiangzi would rejoin the attack, and breaking free would cost enormous effort. He snatched two long spears and thrust them backward. His feet did not pause for an instant. It was as though he had grown eyes in his back, one spear stabbed at the Imperial Preceptor’s right shoulder, the other at his chest. Neither accuracy nor power diminished in the slightest. The Imperial Preceptor inwardly cheered. His golden wheel swept across. Ka-ka, both spears snapped. But when he looked, Guo Jing had already plunged into the Mongol ranks.

Hidden among the soldiers and horses, Guo Jing was as if he had entered a dense forest, far easier to escape than on open ground. In a few bounds, he reached the horse of a company commander. He pulled the man from the saddle, leaped onto the horse, and charged through the troops, now east, now west, until he broke out behind the formation. He spurred the horse to a gallop and let out a long whistle. The Sweat-blood Ferghana Horse, standing in the distance, heard its master’s call and came racing like the wind.

Yang Guo, watching from afar, suddenly saw the Ferghana Horse galloping toward Guo Jing. Not good! he thought. The moment Uncle Guo mounts that horse, even if Khubilai musters every elite soldier under heaven, he will never catch him. In his desperation, he suddenly cried out: “Aiyo! The pain is killing me!” He swayed and staggered as if about to collapse. Then, in a low voice, he said to Ma Guangzuo, “Do not speak. Get away, quickly! The farther, the better.” He had infused that shout with the force of his dantian. Even amid the chaos of thousands of troops, Guo Jing would surely hear it. Once Guo Jing heard and came to his rescue, if Ma Guangzuo were still standing nearby, a single palm might end his life. Ma Guangzuo was very good at following Yang Guo’s instructions. Though he did not understand the reason, he stretched his long legs and bolted toward the command tent.

Guo Jing heard Yang Guo’s cry and was indeed seized with alarm. Without waiting for the red horse to reach him, he immediately wheeled his mount around and charged back into the formation, racing toward where Yang Guo stood. The Imperial Preceptor’s mind turned, and he understood Yang Guo’s intent at once. He let Guo Jing pass by his side without hindrance, then turned and blocked the path of retreat.

Guo Jing galloped up before Yang Guo and cried urgently, “Guoer! What is wrong?” Yang Guo feigned a swaying stagger. “That giant was no match for me,” he said, “but somehow, when I exerted my true energy, my qi reversed course. The pain in my dantian is like a knife twisting.” This lie was completely seamless. Ma Guangzuo’s martial arts were mediocre. Guo Jing had already seen that much when the man swung his staff. If Yang Guo claimed Ma Guangzuo had wounded him, it would invite suspicion. But saying that his qi had gone awry from exertion, that could not be detected from any outward sign. Moreover, the previous night, Guo Jing had mistakenly believed Yang Guo had suffered a qi deviation during training. For an old injury to flare up now, amid fierce combat, that was perfectly natural. Guo Jing saw Yang Guo’s left hand pressing his lower abdomen, his forehead drenched in sweat. The injury was clearly serious. “Lie across my back,” Guo Jing said urgently. “I will carry you out.” Yang Guo feigned reluctance. “Uncle Guo, go quickly! Your nephew’s life is of no consequence. You are the pillar of Xiangyang. The entire city, soldiers and civilians alike, place their hopes in you.” Guo Jing said, “You came here for my sake. How could I abandon you? Quickly, climb on.”

Yang Guo still hesitated. Guo Jing crouched down on both legs and pulled Yang Guo onto his back. At that very moment, the horse he had seized was struck by a volley of arrows. With a long, mournful whinny, it collapsed and died. Guo Jing had faced countless deadly perils in his life. The more desperate the situation, the more he summoned his courage and responded with calm deliberation. “Guoer, do not be afraid,” he said. “We will certainly fight our way out.” He straightened to his full height and charged directly north.

By now, the Imperial Preceptor, Nimo Star, and Xiaoxiangzi had once again attacked from the front. Guo Jing saw that troops and horses were massing on all sides, the encirclement had tightened even further than before. Beneath the great banner before the command tent, Khubilai stood holding a wine bowl, watching the battle with a monk beside him, pointing and commenting. Victory seemed assured. His expression was utterly self-satisfied.

Guo Jing let out a great roar. Carrying Yang Guo on his back, he hurled himself toward Khubilai. In just three or four bounds, he was right before him. The personal guards to the left and right were terrified. More than ten of them raised long sabres and long spears to block his path. Guo Jing’s palm winds howled. Whoever stood before him was swept aside. One guard was knocked flying by the force of his palm. Only a few more strides, and Guo Jing’s palm force would reach Khubilai himself. The guards threw their lives away to block him, but how could they withstand Guo Jing’s divine ferocity? The Imperial Preceptor, seeing the danger, sent his golden wheel spinning toward the crown of Guo Jing’s head. Guo Jing ducked and let it pass. His feet did not slow in the slightest.

Yang Guo thought, If he captures Khubilai, the Mongols will be forced to release him, they would not dare risk their prince’s life. If I do not strike now, when will I? He hesitated for a brief moment. Then, amid the chaos, he suddenly remembered the promise he had made to Cheng Ying⁴². He asked once more: “Uncle Guo, was my father truly so monstrously evil that you had no choice but to kill him?” Guo Jing was stunned. At this moment, how could he spare any thought for such a question? He answered offhandedly, “He took a traitor as his father, betrayed his country, and harmed the people. Any man had the right to execute him.”

Yang Guo had now asked with absolute clarity. Not a shred of doubt remained. He raised the Gentleman Sword and prepared to plunge it into the back of Guo Jing’s neck. But Guo Jing was running at full speed. Yang Guo could feel waves of heat transmitted from Guo Jing’s back into his own abdomen and chest. Instantly, he remembered how, the night before last, Guo Jing had expended his true energy to help him regulate his qi and calm his breath. And now, now, Guo Jing could clearly have mounted the red horse and escaped the encirclement. He had come charging back into danger solely because he had heard Yang Guo’s cry for help. Yang Guo had never had a father. Whenever he faced peril, deep in his heart, he had always yearned for a father who would love him and protect him. At this moment, carried on Guo Jing’s back, an involuntary sense of filial devotion rose within him. He felt that Guo Jing was the father he had always longed for, a man who would give up everything to protect him. As for his biological father, that was nothing more than a vague, illusory concept. He had never seen the man’s face. He did not even know whether his father had ever loved him. For the sake of those five empty words. “avenge my father’s death”, should he really take his sword and kill this man who was carrying him on his back, fighting with all his might to save him, a man who was like a father to him?

Suddenly, a flash of white darted before his eyes. Xiaoxiangzi was swinging his funeral staff at the back of Guo Jing’s head. At that moment, Guo Jing was using his palm force to fend off the Imperial Preceptor’s golden wheel and Nimo Star’s iron snake simultaneously. Yang Guo, acting purely on instinct, raised his sword and parried the funeral staff. Staff and sword clashed. They exchanged several moves. Guo Jing called out, “Careful! The tip of his staff releases poison.” Xiaoxiangzi circled behind Yang Guo and thrust his staff at a vital acupoint on Yang Guo’s back. Yang Guo was still on Guo Jing’s back. He could neither easily turn his sword to block nor dodge. Guo Jing’s left palm struck backward. “The Divine Dragon Swings Its Tail.” With a peng, the palm met the staff. The impact made Xiaoxiangzi’s entire body burn. His deathly white face instantly flushed bright red.

At that very moment, Nimo Star rolled forward along the ground and thrust his iron snake upward. The snake’s head had already touched Guo Jing’s left flank. Seventy percent of Guo Jing’s neili was currently engaged against the Golden Wheel Imperial Preceptor. Thirty percent had just been used to blast away Xiaoxiangzi’s staff. He had no strength left to resist the iron snake. In this critical instant, his left flank suddenly retracted half a chi. He managed to evade the deadliest edge of the blow. But the iron snake’s head still pierced several cun into his side.

Guo Jing flexed his muscles. The flesh rebounded, blocking the iron snake from penetrating deeper. His left leg flew up and kicked Nimo Star into a somersault. Nimo Star had seen the iron snake pierce a vital point and was certain this blow would end Guo Jing’s life. The title of “Mongolia’s Foremost Warrior” was already his. Overjoyed, he had never imagined his enemy could produce such a desperate, victory-from-defeat technique. The kick landed squarely on his chest. With a kala, three ribs snapped simultaneously.

The Golden Wheel Imperial Preceptor seized the opening and drove his palm force forward with ferocious speed. Guo Jing’s left flank, his qi gate, had been breached. He could no longer resist. He felt an immense force, like a toppling mountain or an overturned sea, crushing toward him. If he met it head-on, he would surely die on the spot. He had no choice but to disperse the palm force and use more than twenty years of supreme neili to forcibly absorb the blow. His body swayed violently. With a wa, he vomited a mouthful of blood. His life hung by a thread, yet his thoughts still turned to Yang Guo. “Guoer!” he cried. “Quick, seize a horse! I will hold off the enemy for you!”

Yang Guo saw how Guo Jing fought with his last breath to save him. Hot blood surged through his chest. All thought of past grievances vanished. Uncle Guo’s righteousness reaches to the heavens, he thought. If I do not repay his life with my own, I am not worthy to walk this earth. He leaped from Guo Jing’s back and wove the Gentleman Sword into a whirlwind of sword-light, shielding Guo Jing. He fought like a mad tiger, every move a desperate gamble. Guo Jing said, “Guoer, leave me! Save yourself, that is what matters!” Yang Guo only said, “Uncle Guo, today I die together with you.” His sword-light blazed. He protected Guo Jing alone, entirely heedless of his own safety.

The Imperial Preceptor and Xiaoxiangzi raised their weapons and attacked Guo Jing together. Yang Guo’s sword moves were nimble and unpredictable, forcing the two men to keep their distance. Thousands upon thousands of Mongol cavalry surrounded them on all sides. Battle cries shook the heavens. All eyes watched the three men locked in desperate combat.

Guo Jing repeatedly urged Yang Guo to flee, but seeing how Yang Guo protected him without a thought for himself, he was torn between anxiety and gratitude. His internal injuries flared. He could hold on no longer. Both knees buckled, and he sank to the ground.

Nimo Star, despite his three broken ribs, gritted his teeth against the pain. Gripping his iron snake, he advanced slowly, intent on finishing Guo Jing. Yang Guo stabbed wildly several times, then bent down, hoisted Guo Jing onto his back, and charged outward with ferocious force. His martial arts were already inferior to the Imperial Preceptor’s. Now, carrying Guo Jing, how could he hold out? After several more exchanges, with a chi, the golden wheel sliced a long gash across his left arm.

杨过 – Yáng Guò. His name meaning “fault or transgression”; his courtesy name Gaizhi means “to correct it”. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩
郭靖 – Guō Jìng. His name meaning “tranquillity” or “pacification”. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩
黄蓉 – Huáng Róng. Her name meaning “lotus” or “hibiscus”. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩
杨康 – Yáng Kāng. His name meaning “health” or “peace”. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩
桃花岛 – Táohuā Dǎo. Huang Yaoshi’s island stronghold, continued from LOCH era. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩
武林 – wǔlín. Literally martial forest. Martial arts community and its schools and practitioners. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩ ↩²
郭破虏 – Guō Pòlǔ. Literally “Guo Destroys the Invaders.” The name reflects Guo Jing’s lifelong mission to resist foreign invasion. “Polu” echoes his own name “Jing” (靖, to pacify), which referred to the Jingkang Incident. ↩
靖康 – Jingkang. Era name for the period when the Jin Dynasty captured the Song capital Kaifeng and took Emperor Qinzong and Emperor Huizong prisoner (1127). This national humiliation is a recurring theme in the Condor Trilogy. Qiu Chuji named Guo Jing and Yang Kang to remind them of this shame. ↩
郭襄 – Guō Xiāng. Daughter of Guo Jing and Huang Rong. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩
内力 – nèilì. Literally internal force. Kinetic manifestation of cultivated qi. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩
走火入魔 – zǒuhuǒ rùmó. Dangerous condition in neili cultivation where qi flows incorrectly through the meridians, potentially causing paralysis, insanity, or death. ↩
小龙女 – Xiǎolóngnǚ. Literally little dragon maiden. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩
Gugu (姑姑) — Literally “paternal aunt,” but used here as a term of respectful address for a young woman of the older generation. Yang Guo uses this to address Xiaolongnü, his shifu. ↩
欲速则不达 – Haste makes waste. Classical Chinese saying from the Analects of Confucius, meaning that rushing leads to failure. ↩
任脉 – Rèn Mài. Conception Vessel, one of the Eight Extraordinary Meridians in neigong practice. ↩
檀溪 – Tán Xī. Stream near Xiangyang, famous from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Liu Bei’s horse Dilu made its legendary leap across this stream to escape Cai Mao’s pursuing soldiers. ↩
刘皇叔 – Imperial Uncle Liu. Liú Bèi (刘备), founder of the Shu Han kingdom during the Three Kingdoms period. He was referred to as “Imperial Uncle” because he claimed descent from the Han imperial line. ↩
Du Fu (杜甫). One of China’s greatest poets, of the Tang dynasty. His poem “Song of the Eight Immortal Drinkers” celebrates eight famous drinkers, including Zhang Xu. ↩
Du Fu’s “Tongguan Pass” poem. These lines are from Du Fu’s poem about defending the Tongguan Pass against the An Lushan rebels. Guo Jing sees parallels between that defence and the defence of Xiangyang. Lines describe fortifications so formidable that a single man could hold the pass against an army. ↩
为国为民，侠之大者 – “Serve the country, serve the people — this is what makes a true hero”. Wèi Guó Wèi Mín, Xiá zhī Dà Zhě. This is the single most famous line in the entire Condor Heroes trilogy and perhaps in all of Jin Yong’s work. It crystallises the novel’s moral philosophy: true heroism is not measured by martial prowess or personal vengeance, but by selfless devotion to one’s country and people. Chapter title “侠之大者” (What Makes a True Hero) derives directly from this line. It marks the pivotal moral turning point for Yang Guo and is the thematic heart of the entire novel. ↩
诸葛亮 – Zhūgě Liàng. (181–234 CE) Legendary prime minister and military strategist of the Shu Han kingdom during the Three Kingdoms period. ↩
鞠躬尽瘁，死而后已 – Jūgōng Jìncuì, Sǐ Ér Hòu Yǐ. Zhuge Liang’s most famous phrase, from his “Second Memorial on Sending Out the Troops.” It expresses the ideal of serving one’s cause with total commitment, regardless of outcome. ↩
安抚使 – Pacification Commissioner. Ānfǔ Shǐ. High-ranking military-civil administrative post in the Song Dynasty, responsible for the defence and governance of a region. Lü Wenhuan historically defended Xiangyang for six years before surrendering to the Mongols in 1273. ↩
郭芙 – Guō Fú. Her name meaning “lotus”. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩
Great Wall. Metaphor for a person who is the indispensable defender of the state, as the Great Wall was China’s ultimate defence against northern invaders. Lü Wenhuan’s reliance on Guo Jing foreshadows the city’s fate. ↩
上天梯 – Shàng Tiāntī. Advanced qinggong technique that allows the practitioner to run up vertical surfaces by stepping off them with explosive force. ↩
金雁功 – Jīnyàn Gōng. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩
哲别 – Zhébié. One of Genghis Khan’s greatest generals and the master archer who taught Guo Jing archery during his youth in Mongolia. “Jebe” means “arrow” in Mongolian. ↩
马钰 – Mǎ Yù. His name meaning “precious jade”. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩
裘千尺 – Qiú Qiānchǐ. Gongsun Zhi’s wife and Qiu Qianren’s younger sister; known as Iron Palm Lotus. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩
绝情谷 – Juéqíng Gǔ. Hidden valley ruled by Gongsun Zhi, known for its deadly Passion Flowers and the Passionless Divine Palm technique. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩
乌龟大王八 – Wūguī Dà Wángbā. Colourful Chinese insult. Tortoises and turtles are considered low and shameful creatures in Chinese folk culture. “King of eight” refers to the eight characters in a person’s birth chart — implying someone of thoroughly bad destiny. ↩
尹克西 – Yǐn Kèxī. His name meaning “overcome the west”. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩
Polu and Xiang’er. Huang Rong is pregnant with twins, and the names have already been decided: Guo Polu if a boy, Guo Xiang if a girl. Use of both names suggests she expects one of each, which is indeed what happens. ↩
拖雷 – Tolui. Tuōléi (c. 1191—1232). Fourth son of Genghis Khan and the father of Khubilai Khan. He was Guo Jing’s sworn brother (anda) in The Legend of the Condor Heroes. Tolui died relatively young, and Khubilai inherited his father’s military command. ↩
安答 – Anda. Āndá. Mongolian term for sworn brotherhood, a bond considered as sacred as blood kinship. Guo Jing and Tolui became anda as children in The Legend of the Condor Heroes. ↩
马光佐 – Mǎ Guāngzuò. His name meaning “bright assistance”. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩
不知天高地厚 – Bù Zhī Tiāngāo Dìhòu. Classical Chinese idiom meaning to be ignorant of one’s own limitations, to be recklessly overconfident. ↩
淳佑皇帝 – Chunyou Emperor. Emperor Lizong of Song (宋理宗), whose reign era was Chunyou. Historically, he reigned from 1224 to 1264, a period of Song decline. ↩
神州 – Shénzhōu. Poetic name for China, literally “Divine Land” or “Land of the Gods,” carrying deep cultural and patriotic connotations. ↩
民为贵，社稷次之，君为轻 – “The people are most important…”. From Mencius (《孟子》), one of the Four Books of Confucianism. This is one of the most radical statements in classical Chinese political philosophy, placing the welfare of the common people above the state and the ruler. Khubilai is deploying classical Chinese learning to argue that the Mongol conquest is legitimate. ↩
程英 – Chéng Yīng. Her name meaning “heroine” or “outstanding”. See Wuxia Wiki. ↩

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