HEAVEN SWORD DRAGON SABRE Book 2 of 2

East And West Are Forever Apart Part 2

On MountWudang, Zhang Wuji had heard his Da Shifu [great master] mentioned the name Nine Yin Manual; so he knew that the founder of the Emei Pai, Guo Xiang Nuxia's [heroine] father, Guo Jing, and the 'Shen Diao Daxia' [Divine Eagle Great Hero] Yang Guo, both had mastered the martial arts from the Nine Yin Manual. But the skill contained in the Manual was very difficult; so that although Guo Xiang was Guo Jing's own daughter, she still had not learned it. Listening to Zhou Zhiruo's question he thought, "Could it be that the Emei Pai's founder has handed down parts of the skill contained in the Nine Yin Manual?"

Xie Xun replied, "People of old did say such thing, but nobody knows the fact. Based on what I heard from the seniors, if we had someone who masters this martial art join hands with Wuji, then they would be able to defeat the Persian Three Emissaries."

"Hmm," Zhou Zhiruo mumbled and no longer asked any questions.

"Miss Zhou," Zhao Min asked, "Do any of your Emei Pai people know this martial art?"

Zhou Zhiruo replied, "If Emei Pai knew this divine skill, Xian Shi [late/departed master] would not lose her life at the Wan An Temple."

Miejue Shitai passed away because of Zhao Min, so Zhao Zhiruo hated her to the bone. Although they were on the same boat through the wind and the rain, she had not talked to her even one sentence. This time Zhao Min asked her directly, she contradicted her immediately. Zhou Zhiruo was gentle by nature; her remark to Zhao Min was already the most rude she had talked to anybody in her entire life. Zhao Min was not angry; she simply smiled.

During this entire conversation, Zhang Wuji did not stop rowing the boat. Suddenly he looked at the distant and called out, "Look! Look! There is fire over there!"

Everybody followed his gaze and indeed they saw flashing light of fire on the horizon toward their northwest. Although Xie Xun was not able to see, he was as excited as everybody else; he took the wooden oar and helped to row the boat with all his strength.

That blazing fire looked near, but actually it was dozens of 'li's away on the surface of the ocean; both men had to row for most of the day before they got close to it. Zhang Wuji saw the fire was actually on a mountainous island, which was precisely the LingSheIsland. "We have arrived!" he said.

"Aiyo!" suddenly Xie Xun exclaimed, "Why is the LingSheIsland on fire? Did they burn Mrs. Han?"

'Thud' suddenly Xiao Zhao fell down on the boat.

Zhang Wuji was shocked; he leaped to help her up, but her eyes were tightly closed, looked like she passed out. He busily massaged her acupoint to wake her up. "Xiao Zhao," he called out, "What happened to you?"

With tears on her eyes Xiao Zhao said, "I heard somebody is being burned alive, I ... I ... I'm very scared."

"That was just Xie Laoye's guess," Zhang Wuji consoled her, "It might not be true. Besides, even if Mrs. Han has fallen into their hands, if we rush, we might still be able to catch up and save her."

Xiao Zhao grabbed his hand and earnestly said, "Gongzi, please, you have to save Mrs. Han's life."

"All of us will do our best," Zhang Wuji replied. He went back to the stern, picked up the oar, and exerting his strength, he rowed even faster.

Xiao Zhao also picked up an oar, and although her hands were trembling, she also furiously paddled the boat.

"Zhang Gongzi," suddenly Zhao Min said, "There are two things that I don't understand; I've been giving it a thought for a long time, but still cannot figure it out. I wonder if you could enlighten me."