IRON BLOODED HEART (Book 1 of Legend Of The Condor Heroes)

Decoy Deployment On the Cliff Part 4

"Help won't come," Temujin said. "Let's prepare ourselves to die on this hill." They heard, in the adversary's army, the jangle of the weapons and the neighs of horses; the attack was imminent.

"Great Khan," Guo Jing suddenly said, "my red horse is extremely fast. Take it and bring back help. In the mean time, we will remain here to face the enemy."

Temujin smiled and stretched his hand to caress the hair of the young man.

"If Temujin," he said, "was capable of abandoning his friends and his men to run away in fear for his life, he wouldn't be worthy of being your Khan!"

"That's true, Great Khan," Guo Jing acknowledged, "I was wrong..."

They hid themselves behind protective mounds of earth, ready to fire arrows at the attackers.

Shortly thereafter, three men left the enemy's ranks preceded by a yellow standard and moved forward. On the left was Senggum, on the right, Jamuka, and in the center, surprisingly, was the Sixth Prince of the Jin Empire, Wanyan Honglie! He was covered with armor, a golden helmet and had a shield of gold on his arm. He shouted, "Temujin, do you dare betray the Jin Empire?"

Jochi, Temujin's eldest son, shot an arrow at him, but a man in his escort seized it from the air with astounding speed.

"Capture Temujin!" Wanyan Honglie shouted. At these words, four men hurried up the hill. Their movements were a surprise to Guo Jing. He noted that the newcomers, who used a lightness technique, were experts in martial arts and weren't warriors of the plains. Arriving at mid-hill, they avoided with agility the rain of arrows that Jebe, Borchu and the others shot. "We have officers and brave men of great strength here," Guo Jing worried, "but they won't be a match for experts in martial arts! What can we do?"

One among them, clothed in black, bounded to the summit of the hill.

Ogedai tried to stop him, but the newcomer hit his neck with a dart and swung down with his saber at the injured man. However, as quick as lightning, a sword came down to hit his wrist with a great speed and precision. The movement so well executed that he was forced to move back three steps. Surprised, he saw a young man with a strong build standing in front of Ogedai. Not expecting to find an expert swordsman amongst Temujin's soldiers, he exclaimed, in Chinese, "Who are you? What is your name?"

"I am called Guo Jing!"

"I've never heard anyone speak of you! Surrender now!"

Guo Jing took a look around and saw that the three other attackers were on the summit of the hill and already engaged in an unarmed fight with Tchila'un, Borchu and the others. He struck again at the man with the saber who defended, then retaliated.

Just as Senggum's soldiers got ready to assault the hill, Muqali put his saber on the nape of Dukhsh's neck. "If you come," he shouted, "my blade will be without mercy!"

Senggum, very worried, turned toward Wanyan Honglie and said, "Lord Zhao, tell your men to come back, we will find another way! There's no reason to sacrifice my child!"

"Don't worry," Wanyan Honglie smiled and said, "Nothing will happen to him!" But in reality he wanted to force Temujin to kill Dukhsh and create a lasting hate between the two tribes.

Senggum's men didn't dare move, while those of the Prince were in a violent fight.

Guo Jing used the techniques of the 'Sword of the Yue Maiden' that Han Xiaoying had taught him. After several exchanges, he was faced with danger. His opponent's saber was powerful, his strength abundant and all his techniques were backed with internal energy so he was not a weak adversary. Guo Jing's long sword made swift movements and seemed to have turned into flashes of light. His sword tip was aimed at the critical places on his adversary and every technique was intended to harm his opponent. Guo Jing's opponent felt a bit overwhelmed by his fast attacks and became flustered.