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

Everyone Showing Off Their Abilities Part 1

Wang Chuyi went extremely quickly. In little time, they left the city. Some li further, they arrived at the foot of a hill. Eager to test the abilities of Guo Jing, the Taoist did not slow and ran more and more quickly.

At the time Guo Jing learned from Ma Yu to control his breath, he had climbed and descended a high mountain many times. Today, even after a heated battle, this race did not frighten him. Going against the wind, as snow fell heavily, Wang Chuyi sprang up the small hill, its sides covered with slipping snow. At the end, the slope became increasingly steep. But the progress of Guo Jing made him wonder: he advanced without being blown, as though his pulse did not accelerate, as if the ground were flat.

The Taoist, extremely surprised, released Guo Jing's arm:

"Your gongfu foundation is rather well established! How is it made that you are not able to beat him?"

Guo Jing had no answer and could only remain silent.

"Who is your Shifu?" Wang continued.

Guo Jing knew of the Taoist, since, at the top of cliff, he had received the order to play the part of Yin Zhiping, to mislead Mei Chaofeng. He remembered that Wang Chuyi was one of the martial brothers of Ma Yu. Therefore he did not hesitate to tell the truth, telling quickly how he had been taught by the Jiangnan Odd Seven, and also by Ma Yu.

"My senior brother gave you lessons!" Wang exclaimed, delighted. "He is formidable! Then I don't see why I should worry!"

Guo Jing's eyes widened, looking at him without understanding.

"This so-called Young Prince, Wanyan Kang," explained Wang, "is the disciple of my brother in arms Qiu Chuji. Did you know?

"Ah," Guo Jing was astonished. "I was unaware of it..."

Indeed, Ma Yu had taught to him some bases for the control of internal energy, as well as the qinggong technique called "Flight of the Golden Eagle", in order to enable him to climb the cliff. But he had never given him the least indication in battle technique or in weapons skills. This is why Guo Jing did not know any Quanzhen gongfu at all. By hearing the remarks of Wang Chuyi, he remembered his battle, that night, with the young Taoist Yin Zhiping, whose movements seemed to come from of the same style as those of this Wanyan Kang.

He believed that he had done wrong and bowed his head.

"I did not know," he said humbly, "that this Young Prince was a disciple of Master Qiu. I behaved out of order to him, please do not hold it against him..."

Wang Chuyi burst out laughing.

"Your righteousness and gentlemanly spirit suits me right to the heart. How could I reproach you? The rules in our Sect are extremely strict. If a disciple is at fault, he will be punished accordingly and justice will be done. This young boy was impudent and arrogant, I will ask Brother Qiu to punish him severely."

"If he agrees to marry this young lady, Mu," pleaded Guo Jing, "please agree to forgive him..."

Wang Chuyi shook the head without answering. He could see that Guo Jing had good heart, and that he forgave readily, and looked upon him with still more sympathy.

"Brother Qiu always hated evildoers, and especially Jin," he thought. "How did it come about that he agreed to take on a Jin prince for his disciple? The more so as the knowledge which it seems to have of our gongfu appears rather thorough. That means, obviously, that Brother Qiu devoted to him much time and energy! However, in his gongfu, one senses the pernicious influences of unorthodox and perverse schools. I'm totally mystified!"