EASTERN HERETIC, WESTERN POISON (Book 2 of Legend Of The Condor Heroes)

The Three Tests Part 4

Guo Jing kept tapping his bamboo stick, always off-tempo: sometimes faster, sometimes slower; sometimes he drove the tempo faster, sometimes he dragged the tempo slower. On several occasion the music from the flute almost could not hold its steady rhythm and was almost dragged to follow the bamboo stick's erratic tempo. Huang Yaoshi was not the only one who was astounded, Hong Qigong and Ouyang Feng also felt something strange was going on.

Actually Guo Jing remembered listening to the battle among three people earlier: the flute, the zither and the whistle. He noticed that the sounds were fighting each other systematically, like battle strategy in a war. He did not have the slightest degree of comprehension toward music theory, but listening to Huang Yaoshi's flute he wanted to try to battle that sound; thus he struck the bamboo erratically to disrupt the melody.

He tapped the bamboo stick against an old bamboo tree, creating a loud 'bonk, bonk' sound. The sound made Huang Yaoshi felt like he was inside a hot furnace and the fire was glowing white, forcing the flute to surrender and follow the erratic tempo of the bamboo.

Huang Yaoshi's spirit was roused; he thought that this kid unexpectedly possessed this kind of ability. The flute sound changed again, this time it turned faster and slower seemingly having infinite variations. Ouyang Ke only stopped to listen for a moment, but he could not resist lifting his bamboo stick and brandishing it erratically in the air. Ouyang Feng heaved a sigh and quickly pulled his nephew hand, pressing the main artery on his wrist. Then he took out a silk handkerchief, torn it into two parts and stopped Ouyang Ke's ears. After a while Ouyang Ke started to calm down and Ouyang Feng let his hand go.

Since her childhood Huang Rong had used to listen to her father's 'jade-colored tidal wave song'; once Huang Yaoshi even explained in detail every variation there was. Their minds, father and daughter's were like one; so this song did not affect her at all, but she was fully aware that her father's flute carried an enormous supernatural power; therefore, she worried that Guo Jing would not able to defend himself.

This song simulated the vastness of the ocean with its thousands of miles waves, coming slowly from afar, then come crashing down the shores. The wave was foamy white, high as a mountain; but in the tide the fish leaped and the whale floated; while above the water seagulls flew. A moment later the water turned wild, like a flock of devils were stirring it up; the weather turned cold, with icebergs came floating by. Another moment it turned hot, extremely hot that the sea was rippling and bubbling like boiling water. The next moment, just as quick, the sea became calm and the surface was smooth as a mirror. The water flowed strongly, yet quietly, but beneath the surface there laid a very strong current threatening those who unwittingly brave enough to enter and challenge its power. Such was the complexities of the song.

Guo Jing sat cross-legged on the ground, he was exerting the Quan Zhen Sect's internal energy to suppress his turmoil heart and refresh his spirit while resisting the temptation of the flute sound; at the same time he kept tapping the bamboo stick disrupting the flute sound.

When Huang Yaoshi, Hong Qigong and Ouyang Feng were battling each other with sound earlier, they were on offensive and defensive alternately. They had to guard their own heart and mind while looking for an opportunity to launch a counterattack, trying to subdue the other's hearts and minds. Guo Jing's internal energy was far inferior to those three; he was only able to put on a strong defensive line, without being able to launch a counterattack; but Huang Yaoshi was also not able to penetrate his defense either.

After half a day, the volume of the flute gradually decreased, make it difficult to be heard. Guo Jing stopped the bamboo tapping to listen. Unexpectedly to him, this was the moment Huang Yaoshi was waiting for; the softer the sound, the stronger the energy it carried. Because Guo Jing was listening attentively, his heart began to follow the beat of the flute. If it happened to other people, they would fell into the trap and would not be able to escape; but Guo Jing was different. He had learned the left/right mutual hands combat; he was capable of dividing his mind. So he used his left hand to take the shoe from his left foot to knock on the bamboo. "Knock! Knock! Knock!" again, disrupting the flute sound.

Huang Yaoshi was startled, "This kid possesses some extraordinary skills, truly cannot be underestimated." He started to walk around according to the Eight Diagram while his mouth continued blowing.

Both of Guo Jing's hands were striking the bamboo pole in an erratic tempo incongruous with the flute rhythm. These two hands of his were like two people joined forces to defend against Huang Yaoshi's attack. "Bonk, bonk, bonk! Knock, knock, knock!" His defensive power was doubled.

Hong Qigong and Ouyang Feng were quietly focusing their own attention and energy to guard against the internal energy battle between these two people. Even though one party was only on the defensive, but they did not dare to carelessly ignore the offensive energy from the flute.

The flute sound was suddenly turning high and low; ever changing, strange yet wonderful. Suddenly Guo Jing felt a burst of cold air flying in, carried by the flute sound. He felt like his body was wrapped by a thick layer of ice, which sent him shivering profusely.

The flute sound gently climbed up the hill, getting more and more intense. Guo Jing felt cold to his bone. He struggled hard to divert his mind into thinking about a burning sun in the sky, or touching an iron exposed to the heat of the day, or holding a burning coal in his hand, or that he was entering a very hot stove; in short, all kinds of heat inducing thought. He succeeded. Huang Yaoshi saw Guo Jing's left side was blue, shivering from the cold, while his right side was red, sweltering from the heat.

Huang Yaoshi was secretly amazed. Once again he changed the flute sound, now the winter had passed, and the summer came around. Guo Jing struggled hard to resist, but his clapping tempo started to follow the flute rhythm. Huang Yaoshi said in his heart, "If this kid keep on resisting like this – even though he is still young, he won't be able to withstand hot and cold successively; he will suffer a severe illness in the future." The flute sound turned graceful, dispersed into the forest, and stopped.

Guo Jing exhaled a long breath, stood up and staggered; nearly fell again to the ground. Only after taking several deep breaths did he manage to steady himself. He knew Huang Yaoshi was showing mercy; so he stepped forward, bowed and thanked him. "Thank you very much for showing mercy, Island Master Huang," he said, "Disciple is very grateful."

Huang Rong noticed Guo Jing's left hand was still holding his shoe; could not stifled her laugh, "Brother Jing, put your shoe back," she said.

"Yes," Guo Jing replied, finally put the shoe back on his left foot.

A thought suddenly came into Huang Yaoshi's mind, "This kid is so young, yet his martial art is actually quite profound. Could it be that he was just pretending to be a fool, but in reality is a very intelligent person? If that's the case, what would hinder me if I want to give my daughter to her?" A faint smile appeared on his face and he said, "You are very good, why do you still call me Island Master Huang?" Obviously he was saying that since Guo Jing had won two out of three tests, then Guo Jing should call him 'Father-in-law'.

Who would have thought that Guo Jing was really did not have any clue what he was talking about, so he only stammered, "I ... I ..." his eyes looked at Huang Rong; asking for help. Huang Rong was in the seventh heaven; she bent her right thumb, signaling Guo Jing he should kowtow. Guo Jing understood this signal, so he bent his knees and kowtowed four times to Huang Yaoshi, but he still did not open his mouth to speak.

Huang Yaoshi smiled and asked, "What do you kowtow to me for?"

"Rong'er told me to," Guo Jing honestly answered.

Huang Yaoshi silently sighed, "A dumb kid is a dumb kid," he thought. Extending his hand he took the silk handkerchiefs from Ouyang Ke's ears, and gave his decision. "Regarding internal energy, Guo Xianzhi is stronger; but my test subject was music knowledge, in which Ouyang Xianzhi is much better ... Let's just say that the second test was a draw. I am going to present the third subject, let two Xianzhis decide victory or defeat."

Ouyang Feng knew his nephew had lost, but he did not expect Huang Yaoshi would give him favor, so he quickly replied, "True, true! Let them compete one more time."

Hong Qigong was upset but didn't say anything, he thought, "The girl is your own daughter, and others can't meddle in if you want to give her to that rotten playboy. I always want to fight you, but right now it is difficult for my two fists to fight your four hands. Wait till I ask Emperor Duan to help me. We'll see ..."

Huang Yaoshi produced a thin book with red silk cover from his bosom and said, "My wife and I only have this one daughter. Unfortunately she had died prematurely. Today Feng Xiong and Qi Xiong are both here to ask her hand in marriage. If my wife were here, I am sure she would be very delighted ..." Listening to her father speak, Huang Rong's eyes turned red. Huang Yaoshi continued, "This book was written by my wife, the same year she passed away. It was the fruit of her hard work. I am going to let both Xianzhis to read it, then recite it back from memory. Whoever manage to recite the most will be betrothed to my daughter." He caught a sight of Hong Qigong had a slight cold smile on his face, but he continued on, "Actually, Guo Xianzhi had won by one subject, but this book has impacted my life tremendously; my wife died because of it. Now I silently wish her soul in heaven would personally choose our son-in-law; that she would bless the Xianzhi to win."

Hong Qigong could not hold his patience much longer, he shouted loud and clear, "Old Heretic Huang! Who want to listen to your crummy ghost story? You knew perfectly well my disciple is a dummy; does not know book or poetry, yet you insist on testing him on that very subject, then frightening him with your died young wife. You are shameless!" He brushed his long sleeve and turned his body to walk away.

Huang Yaoshi sneered, "Qi Xiong, if you come to the Peach Blossom Island to flaunt your power, you still need to practice for several more years," he coldly said.

Hong Qigong stopped dead on his track, "What?" he raised his eyebrows, "You want to fight me?" he asked.

"You don't understand 'wu xing qi men' [lit. five ways strange/wonderful gates, don't know the correct translation] techniques," Huang Yaoshi replied, "If not by my permission, don't even think of leaving this island alive."

Hong Qigong was angry, "I am going to burn down your stinky trees and flower bushes!"

"If you have the ability, go ahead and try!" Huang Yaoshi coldly challenged.

Guo Jing saw those two were about to fight, he also knew that the Peach Blossom Island was really not to be trifled with; he was afraid his master would fall into an enemy trap on the island. Quickly he stepped forward and said, "Island Master Huang, Shifu, let disciple and big brother Ouyang compete in this book memorization contest. Disciple is really stupid, if I lose, I lose." But in his heart he was thinking, "I'll wait till Shifu is save, then Rong'er and I will jump into the sea, we will swim as far as our strength would take us; then we will die together in the sea."

"Great!" Hong Qigong said mockingly, "You just can't wait to lose face, can you? Be my guest, then! Be my guest." His thought was, 'if you are going to lose anyway, why compete?' so he intended to take his disciples along, three people just walked away to the seashore, snatched a boat and sailed away from the island. Who would have thought that the stupid disciple of his could not act according to the circumstance? He had no alternatives but conceded.

"Be a good girl and sit quietly; and don't you have any weird ideas," Huang Yaoshi told his daughter.