The Legend of the Condor Heroes

"I don't mean to glorify the enemy nor to belittle us," Ma Yu said, "but Mei Chaofeng knows the essence of the Senior of Peach Blossom Island's teachings. Her 'Nine Yin White Bone Claw' is practically invincible, and the strokes of her 'Silver Whip of Two Zhangs' nearly unstoppable. If we unite our strength, we may not lose, but we certainly won't defeat her without suffering some harm."

"That woman is dangerously effective," Han Xiaoying said, "but we, the Six Freaks of Jiangnan, avow her an implacable hate."

"Someone told me," Ma Yu said, "that your Fifth brother, Zhang the Valiant Knight, as well as 'Divine Dragon soaring through the Sky', the valiant Ke, had both been killed by Chen Xuanfeng. But since you killed 'Copper Corpse', one could consider that the debt has been paid. As the Ancients say: 'It is better to unknot a hate than to tie it'. Mei Chaofeng is a lone woman, affected by a serious handicap, and deserves some pity…"

The Six stayed silent for some time.

"She's mastered this perverse and dangerous technique," Han Baoju said, "that will cause the deaths of innumerable innocents! Senior Taoist, even though you are moved by compassion, you can't let her go with impunity…"

"This time," Zhu Cong said, "she came looking for us and not the opposite…"

"And even if we avoid it this time," Quan Jinfa said, "if she wants to take vengeance on us, we will never be safe."

"I've thought of a small stratagem," Ma Yu said, "but it is necessary that the 'Six Valiant Heroes' be magnanimous and have mercy on this poor wretch. Let her have the possibility of redemption."

Zhu Cong didn't want to speak, letting Ke Zhen'E make the decision.

"We, the 'Seven Freaks of Jiangnan'," Ke said, "have a coarse and direct temperament. We only know how to fight the barbaric ones. If the Senior Taoist wants to show us a path, we would be very thankful. You only have to speak." From listening to Ma Yu, he understood that, during these past ten years, Mei Chaofeng had made considerable progress. It appeared that the Taoist was trying to save the life of 'Iron Corpse', but in reality he was trying to save the face of the Six Freaks. His real intention was to show them a way to escape the terrifying claws of Mei. The other Freaks thought that their Senior Brother had become merciful and were astonished.

"By showing mercy, Senior Brother Ke," Ma Yu said, "you will receive the blessings of the Heavens. There is something else that is very important. According to my inquiries, during these past ten years, Mei Chaofeng received more of the teachings of Huang Yaoshi [the Alchemist]."

"But they say," Zhu Cong wondered, "that the Twin Killers of the Dark Winds' were renegade disciples of the Peach Blossom Island Senior. How would Huang Yaoshi justify teaching her again?"

"This is what I also believed," Ma Yu said. "But according to the description of the fight you had, her kung fu was much lower than what she displays today. If she didn't receive the instruction of an illuminated Senior, it would be impossible for her, training alone, to arrive at her present level. If so, and if we kill 'Iron Corpse' today, we risk Huang's anger…"

Ke Zhen'E and Zhu Cong had already heard of the kung fu of Huang Yaoshi, often in such exaggerated terms that they had difficulty believing in the man's power. The Quanzhen Sect represented the orthodox martial arts. If Ma Yu felt fear regarding Huang, it was evidently something to take into account.

"The Senior Taoist thinks of everything," Zhu Cong said, "we can only be filled with admiration. Please make us part of your undoubtedly wise plan."

"This miserable plan," Ma Yu said, "may appear a little snobbish I'm afraid; I ask the Six Valiant Heroes not to laugh at it."

"The Senior Taoist is too modest." Zhu Cong said, "The reputations of the 'Seven Disciples' of Wang Chongyang are so well established that the admiration is general in the martial realm!" Zhu Cong felt a genuine respect for Ma Yu. Indeed, he would not hold such respect for Qiu Chuji, who was also one of the Seven Masters of Quanzhen.

"Thanks to the virtues of our deceased founder," Ma Yu said, "the seven martial brothers benefit from a small reputation in the world of martial arts. I think that Mei Chaofeng would not dare to come against us alone. This is why I thought of a ruse to make her leave, based on the belief in our vain reputation. This stratagem lacks nobility; but since our intention is good, the end justifies the means, and it won't harm the reputations of the Six Valiant Heroes." He then explained the deception. The Six Freaks found it rather depreciating. They thought to themselves that even though Mei Chaofeng had made great progress, and even if Huang Yaoshi came in person, what would they risk? At most they would lose their lives, as Zhang Ahsheng had ten years before. Ma Yu undertook to convince them. Finally the Six Freaks, out of respect for him and recognition for everything that he had done for Guo Jing, accepted.

After having sharing some refreshments, they moved towards the cliff. Ma Yu and Guo Jing undertook the climb ahead of them. The Six noticed that the Taoist didn't try to show off his skills as he slowly climbed behind Guo Jing. But his steps were firm and his movements displayed great stability, showing the power of his kung fu. "He is certainly not weaker than Qiu Chuji, so why is Qiu's reputation so great, whereas one hears practically nothing about Ma Yu? The explanation must be their difference in character…" Arriving at the top, Ma Yu and Guo Jing dropped long ropes, and then pulled the Six to the summit. There on the rocks they could examine the traces left by Mei Chaofeng's whip. They were stunned, and finally believed Ma Yu's words.

The eight sat down and waited. Night had fallen and it was already late. Han Baoju began to lose patience, "How come she's so late?"

"Quiet!" Ke Zhen'E urged, "There she is!"

They all listened carefully, without hearing anything. Only Ke Zhen'E, with his incredibly developed hearing, had discerned the footsteps of 'Iron Corpse' while she was still several li away. But she was coming. They saw, in the moonlight, a blurred black shadow that approached at a very quick pace. In the blink of an eye she'd reached the foot of the cliff and she began to climb with agility. Zhu Cong exchanged a glance with Quan Jinfa and Han Xiaoying; he saw that their faces were pale and full of anguish. He thought that his must look the same.

Very quickly, Mei Chaofeng reached the summit. She carried on her back someone who wasn't moving and they couldn't tell if the person was alive or already dead. Guo Jing had the impression that this person wore clothing that was familiar to him. He watched more attentively and recognized Hua Zheng's short black fox jacket. Alarmed, he was going to call out when Zhu Cong, with the quick eyes and fast moves, put his hand over his mouth, while saying in a high voice, "That vicious witch, Mei Chaofeng, if she falls into my hands, I, Qiu Chuji, won't let her escape!"

Surprised at hearing a voice on the summit, 'Iron Corpse' was even more astonished to hear the name of Qiu Chuji and her own. She hid behind a rock to listen to the conversation. Ma Yu and the Six Freaks clearly saw her intentions and, in spite of the tension, wanted to laugh. Only Guo Jing, worried about the safety of Hua Zheng, trembled with anguish.

"Mei Chaofeng arranged these skulls here," Han Baoju said, "she is certainly going to come, and we only have to wait for her."