HEAVEN SWORD DRAGON SABRE - Book 1 Of 2

Who Sent An Iceberg To Heavenly Village Part 3

Yin SuSu was exhilarated, tried to get up. Zhang CuiShan quickly stopped her, said, "SuSu, what are you trying to do? You need to more rest." Yin SuSu said, "No, fifth brother. Let us kowtow to this elder, for his willingness to help our son."

Xie Xun shook his hand, said, "No need. Have you given this child a name yet?" Zhang CuiShan said, "No. Elder Xie, you're very knowledgeable. Perhaps you should name him!" Xie Xun said, "Ok. He needs to have a good name. Let me think..."

Yin SuSu thought, "It's so great that he actually loves this child. If he thought of the child as his own, then the child will be safe on this island. Even if Xie Xun gets mad, he still wont hurt his own son." So she said, "Elder Xie, I'd like to ask you, on behalf of the child, for a favor. I hope you'll agree to it." Xie Xun said, "What favor?"

Yin SuSu said, "That you accept this child as your godson! So as he grow up, he can treat you like his own father, and you can raise him as your son. Fifth brother, do you not think this is a good idea?" Zhang CuiShan knew the reasons for his wife's request, said, "That would be great! Elder Xie, please accept my wife's request."

Xie Xun said, "My own child was thrown to his death as a baby. Have you ever seen that?" Zhang CuiShan and Yin SuSu looked at each other. They thought that perhaps his insanity is settling back in. But considering his past, they didn't really blame him. Xie Xun then added, "If my son hadn't died, he'd be eighteen now. Had I taught him all my kung fu, humph, I doubt he'd be worse than your seven Wu Dang heroes." His voice carried both extreme pride and extreme sadness in that last sentence.

The three people stayed silent for a while, before Zhang CuiShan said, "Elder Xie, you really should accept him as your godson, and his surname will become 'Xie'." An expression of extreme joy skimmed through Xie Xun's face. He said, "Are you really willing to let his surname be 'Xie'? My son who passed away was called Xie WuJi." Zhang CuiShan said, "If you like, we'll call this child Xie WuJi."

In his joy, Xie Xun feared that Zhang CuiShan might take his words back, said, "If you gave your son to me, then what about you?" Zhang CuiShan said, "It doesn't matter what the child's surname is. We'll love him just the same. In the future, he'll be filial to his mother, father, and his godfather all equally. What do you think, SuSu?" Yin SuSu paused a moment, said, "I leave everything up to you. A child could only benefit from an extra person loving him."

Xie Xun bowed down, said, "I really wish to thank you. Let us clear all our past differences. Xie Xun had lost a son, but he now gained a son. When Xie WuJi becomes famous in the martial world, everyone would know that his father is Zhang CuiShan, his mother is Yin SuSu, and his godfather is 'Golden-Haired Lion King' Xie Xun."

Yin SuSu originally hesitated because she thought the name was bad luck, since the original Xie WuJi died as a child. But when she saw the joy on Xie Xun's face, she knew Xie Xun would treat this child as his own, a huge benefit to the child. For the happiness of her child, a mother can give up anything. So she held the baby in her arms, said, "Do you want to hold him?"

Xie Xun reached out his hand, and took the child from her arms. He was so happy he began to weep, and his arms quivered, said, "You... you should take him back. He might be too afraid of my look." Actually, how could a newly born child know anything about looks? Nonetheless, he did this only because of concern for the child. Yin SuSu said with a smile, "You can hold him for as long as you like. When he grows up, you can take him all over the place to play."

Xie Xun said, "Great, great..." When he heard the child cry, Xie Xun said, "He's hungry. Why don't you feed him. I'll go outside." Actually, considering his blindness, Yin SuSu wouldn't have cared if he stayed. But oddly enough, he has turned into a courteous gentleman.

Zhang CuiShan said, "Elder Xie..." Xie Xun said, "Hold on. We're one family now. You can't consider me an elder now. How about this, the three of us become sworn brothers and sisters. This will be good to the child too." Zhang CuiShan said, "But you are so much superior to us in ability. We're not worthy." Xie Xun said, "Humph, how could you be so wishy-washy? Fifth brother, fifth sister, are you going to call me big brother or not?" Yin SuSu said with a smile, "I'll call you big brother first. If he still call you 'elder' afterwards, then I'd be his elder too." Zhang CuiShan said, "In that case, I shall consent to big brother's request." Yin SuSu said, "After a few days, when I could get up. We can formally go through the ritual of bonding by bowing to the Heaven."

Xie Xun said, "A true man would never go back on his words. Since we've already verbally agreed, what's the need to bow to Heaven?" As he spoke, he left the cave. Only to hear him laugh loudly and heartily in the open field. Since meeting him, this is the first time Zhang and Yin had ever seen him happy.

* * *

From then on, the three of them concentrated on raising this child. Xie Xun was a hunter as a young man, which was the reason for his 'Golden-Haired Lion King' nickname. His ability to catch wild animals is second to none. Zhang CuiShan showed him around the island, giving him descriptions to all the places. After a while, Xie Xun became familiar with the geography of the island. From then on, Xie Xun helped out a great deal when it came to hunting animals.

The next few years passed peacefully. The child never got sick, and grew to be quite sturdy. Among the three people, Xie Xun was the most fond of the child. Sometimes when the child became overly mischievous, Zhang CuiShan and Yin SuSu would try to discipline him, but he would run behind Xie Xun for support. After a while, the child became reliant on Xie Xun to help him all the time. Zhang and Yin could only shake their head and laugh. They said that their big brother dote on his godson too much.

When WuJi turned four*, Yin SuSu taught him how to write. On his fifth birthday, Zhang CuiShan said, "Big brother. We can teach our child kung fu now. Why don't you teach him?" Xie Xun shook his head, said, "No. My kung fu is too difficult. He can't learn them yet at this age. You should teach him your Wu Dang's inner power. When he turns eight, I'll teach him my kung fu. After teaching him for two years, you can leave this island!"

*Note: In ancient China, a person's age starts at one when he's born. So Xie WuJi is only three years old in modern age-counting method. Take note of this, since otherwise you'll find that some conversations would otherwise not make sense.

Yin SuSu asked in surprise, "What do you mean? Are you saying we could return to mainland?"

Xie Xun said, "In this past few years, I've noticed the wind pattern on this island. Every year when the nights are the longest, the northern wind blew. Usually it blows nonstop for at least thirty or forty days. We can make a small raft, and put on a sail. If the Damnable Heaven doesn't interfere, you just might make it back to mainland." Yin SuSu said, "Wait, are you saying that you won't go back with us?" Xie Xun said, "With my blindness, what's the point for me to return to the mainland?" Yin SuSu said, "If you don't go, then how can we let you stay here alone? Our son won't either. Without his godfather, who will love and care for him?" Xie Xun sighed, said, "I'm grateful that I can take care of him for ten years. This Damnable Heaven always likes to piss me off. If this kid stays with me for too long, the bad luck might rub off on him." Yin SuSu shuddered, but thought that Xie Xun simply blurted it out mindlessly, so she didn't really thought much of it.

Zhang CuiShan only taught his son fundamental inner powers. He thought that on this island, his child only needs to be strong, and won't be fighting anyone. Although Xie Xun spoke about returning to the mainland, he never brought it up afterwards. Looks like he didn't really mean that.

In the eighth year, Xie Xun really did make WuJi to learn kung fu with him. When he taught WuJi, Xie Xun did not ask for Zhang and Yin to remain by their side. The couple followed the martial world's rules, and stayed away during those times. They didn't really bother to check on WuJi's progress, since they trust Xie Xun would teach WuJi his best.

There's not much to do on the island. So days and months passed like flowing water. Another year went by quickly.

Ever since WuJi's birth, Xie Xun had something more important to occupy his time then the Dragon Saber. So he ignored it. One night, Zhang CuiShan couldn't sleep. So he got out of bed to take a walk. He saw Xie Xun sitting on a rock under the moonlight, holding the Dragon Saber, deep in thought. Zhang CuiShan gasped, about to leave, when Xie Xun heard his footsteps. He said, "Fifth brother. It looks like this phrase 'Martial world's most venerable, Precious Saber Dragon Slaying' really is just an empty boast." Zhang CuiShan walked closer, said, "There are many rumors in the martial world. Considering big brother's intelligence, why would you be so keen on finding this saber's secret?" Xie Xun said, "You don't know the whole story. I heard the story of the Dragon Saber from the venerable Reverend Kong Jian of Shaolin."

Zhang CuiShan said, "Oh, Reverend Kong Jian. I heard he's Shaolin abbot's elder martial brother. He died a long time ago." Xie Xun nodded, said, "You're right. Kong Jian died, died in my hands." Zhang CuiShan was taken by surprise, as he remembered a saying in the martial world, "Shaolin's Divine Reverends, Jian-Wen-Zhi-Sheng", which referred to the four best martial artists in Shaolin, Kong Jian, Kong Wen, Kong Zhi, and Kong Sheng. Later he heard that Kong Jian died of natural causes. Looks like Xie Xun killed him instead.

Xie Xun sighed, said, "Kong Jian is a very stubborn person. He simply let me hit him, without retaliating. After punching him thirteen times, I finally killed him."

Zhang CuiShan was quite stunned, thought, "Only the top fighters could withstand just one punch from big brother. Yet this reverend could withstand thirteen punches. His body must be harder than steel."

Only to see a mournful expression on Xie Xun's face, as if he really regretted something. Zhang CuiShan figured that there must be an important story behind it. For the past eight years, Zhang CuiShan had much affection for his big brother. But within that affection hid a bit of fear. Afraid to bring up Xie Xun's sad past, Zhang CuiShan did not dare ask further.

Only to hear Xie Xun say, "There aren't many people in this world whom I respect. Although I've heard much of your master Zhang SanFeng, I've never had a chance to meet him. As for this Reverend Kong Jian, he's a very admirable person. His martial arts reputation is lower than his younger martial brothers Kong Zhi and Kong Sheng, but in my opinion, he's better than both."

Every time Zhang CuiShan heard Xie Xun speak about famous peoples of the world, Xie Xun either dismissed them, or cursed them. It's incredibly rare for him to ever compliment anyone. So Zhang CuiShan was quite surprised to hear Xie Xun speak so highly of Reverend Kong Jian. Zhang CuiShan said, "He must not travel around the world very much, which is why people don't know much about him."

Xie Xun looked into the sky, stared aimlessly, and as if speaking to himself, "Too bad, this venerable reverend allowed me to kill him with thirteen punches. Even though his kung fu is incredible, he's too stubborn. Had he fought me for real, I certainly would not have lived till today." Zhang CuiShan said, "Are you saying that the depth of his martial arts is more than your's?"

Xie Xun said, "I'm nothing compared to him. Not even close! It's the difference between night and day!" Both his voice and his expression showed his great respect for this man.

Zhang CuiShan was quite surprised, and didn't quite believe Xie Xun. He always thought that his master Zhang SanFeng's martial arts is unparalleled. But compared to Xie Xun, Zhang SanFeng is only somewhat better. If this Reverend Kong Jian really is much superior to Xie Xun, then would he also surpass master Zhang SanFeng? But Zhang CuiShan knew that his big brother never exaggerates with his compliments.