Chapter Forty-Six: The Sacred Duel

In a secluded hollow of Guanyin Terrace on Mount Zhongnan, nestled among dense woods, the curved eaves and flying corners of a temple could just be glimpsed through the verdant canopy, its red walls hinting at serenity within. Before the temple, a mountain spring meandered gently by, the air alive with birdsong and the fragrance of blossoming flowers—a landscape so picturesque it seemed a sacred realm on earth.

Pushing open the temple doors, half-hidden beneath ancient trees, one stepped into the main hall, where several clay Buddhas smiled with gentle benevolence. Fresh fruit and incense were offered upon the altar, but there was not a single monk in sight.

Lu Liaoliao and Zhou Liuzai tossed a few copper coins into the merit box, then made their way around the main hall to the rear courtyard. There, the open ground was lush with rows of vegetables and melons. A monk in flowing white robes watered the garden with a ladle, his bearing unexpectedly ethereal.

“In such a tranquil and solemn Buddhist sanctuary, you’ve managed to turn it into a vegetable patch. Little monk, aren’t you afraid the Buddha will rain down thunderous wrath and collect your soul for this?” Lu Liaoliao called out boisterously.

“This sacred place is only sullied by shameless rogues like you,” the monk Wuhua retorted at once, his tone sour as soon as he saw Lu Liaoliao.

“Come on, Zhou Liuzai and I just gave a few coins as incense money. Do you monks not have a single friendly face?” Lu Liaoliao protested.

“There are hardly any worshippers here. I chose this place to live in seclusion. Your few coins make no difference,” Wuhua replied coldly.

“There aren’t any other monks here?” Lu Liaoliao seemed impervious to Wuhua’s indifference.

Wuhua shook his head.

“What about little nuns? There must be some charming, pity-inspiring young nuns around, surely?” Lu Liaoliao grinned mischievously.

Wuhua’s expression darkened at once, and he turned away, refusing to answer.

“Luoluo, Luoluo! Your brother Liaoliao has come all this way to see you. Aren’t you going to come out and serve us some tea?” Lu Liaoliao shamelessly shouted.

From the side hall, little nun Luoluo came trotting out, still in her plain robes, her shaven head shining. At the sight of Lu Liaoliao, she was at once delighted and apprehensive. In a soft voice, she said, “Brother Liaoliao, you’ve come. I’ll go make you some tea right away.”

Seeing how she walked, cradling her belly with care, Lu Liaoliao turned to Wuhua with envy in his eyes. “You’re quite the amorous monk, aren’t you? So soon, and Luoluo’s already expecting. Now your sister can rest easy—your family line won’t end with you.”

“My family affairs are none of your concern. Why have you come this time?” Wuhua kept his cold demeanor.

Lu Liaoliao glanced at Zhou Liuzai, waved him aside for privacy, and then said with concern, “Your sister promised to contact me once she reached Chang’an. It’s been so long, and there’s been not a word. How can I not be worried?”

“She’s with Yang Xing’er at the Celestial Pavilion in Pingkang Ward. Whether she contacts you or not is her business. It has nothing to do with me,” Wuhua replied, his sour expression unchanged.

With a loud smack, Lu Liaoliao strode over and rapped Wuhua hard on the head. “Since I entered your shabby temple, all you’ve done is scowl at me. Who helped you win over your little nun, eh? Now she’s even bearing your child, and that’s how you thank your benefactor? And what about me and your sister, what’s our relationship anyway? If I don’t teach you a lesson, you’ll forget all seniority and respect.”

“Lu Liaoliao, I warn you, you’re younger than me by a year or two. Keep hitting my head and see if I don’t lose my temper,” Wuhua said angrily.

“Lose your temper? What for? We’re family, aren’t we? Besides, I came to you for help on something important this time,” Lu Liaoliao hastened to get to the point.

Days passed. At the Taiyi Pool of Mount Zhongnan, a mountain lake ringed by lofty peaks, the water shimmered with emerald ripples, the scenery a perfect harmony of mountain and reflection. Yet on an open patch of the western shore, two groups stood facing each other with weapons drawn, fierce-eyed and tense, their attention far from nature’s beauty.

“Boss Hu, I understand why these so-called martial contests are held in remote places—so as to avoid the authorities. But why choose somewhere so scenic? That, I don’t get,” Lu Liaoliao asked quietly, eyeing a cave not far away.

“Dueling in the martial world is a sacred matter. Such places are chosen to leave behind legends, and, should one fall in battle, the resting place is at least beautiful,” Boss Hu, uncharacteristically, played the senior’s role.

Lu Liaoliao considered this and found it made some sense, so he nodded.

“Master, that colorless, scentless mind-numbing incense of yours has been burning a long while. Do you think anyone in the cave is still awake?” Boss Hu asked nervously.

“That should be enough. Come, let’s have a look,” Lu Liaoliao brushed himself off and strode toward the cave.

Inside, five guards from the Four Seas Trading Company lay sprawled across the ground. Lu Liaoliao nudged a crossbow underfoot, muttering, “So much for honorable duels. These men even brought military crossbows. Once these are drawn, the only option is surrender or death.”

While Lu Liaoliao complained, Boss Hu was already efficiently searching the guards, not leaving behind even a copper coin. Lu Liaoliao merely watched coldly.

“Heh, force of habit,” Boss Hu grinned, his hands never pausing.

“Good haul?” Lu Liaoliao asked, staring steadily.

“Just over twenty taels, turns out they’re not as rich as they seem,” Boss Hu pocketed the silver and coins.

“And?” Lu Liaoliao eyed Boss Hu’s money pouch.

“Seriously, master, you want a share of even this small change?” Boss Hu looked at him, incredulous.

“Finders keepers, don’t you agree? Besides, both you and Zhou Liuzai now carry more money than I do—how could I not take my share?” Lu Liaoliao grumbled.

“Second Madam is wonderful in every way, except she controls your purse strings too tightly,” Boss Hu handed over half the spoils, full of sympathy.

“Pack up these crossbows. We can’t leave them,” Lu Liaoliao ordered.

“Carrying these is illegal, master!” Boss Hu was startled.

“Don’t worry, I have a plan,” Lu Liaoliao waved it off.

Wrapping the crossbows in their clothes, each took a share and left to join Wuhua and Zhou Liuzai.

Outside another cave, Wuhua greeted them. “I thought it would take more effort, but once the incense was lit, they all collapsed without me lifting a finger.”

“Boss Hu, Zhou Liuzai, go in and tidy up; you know what to do. Once done, meet at Wuhua’s temple. The duel over there is almost done, I’ll go take a look,” Lu Liaoliao signaled Boss Hu.

A breeze swept the lake, bringing a refreshing coolness. Yet the two men dueling by the shore were still sweating, breathless—the contest had clearly drained them both.

In a flash, they clashed again, blades gleaming, sword and saber colliding, the onlookers tense with anticipation. The middle-aged Daoist, seizing the moment, leapt forward, his sword thrusting straight for the thin man’s chest with lightning speed and a fearless momentum.

The thin man twisted aside, avoiding his heart at the cost of his arm, and countered with a stab at the Daoist’s leg.

As the sword was about to pierce his arm, the Daoist pulled back his strength, the tip halting less than an inch from the man’s flesh. Meanwhile, the man’s saber hovered near the Daoist’s thigh.

“Haha! What a display—the waves bow to your might. My leg nearly fell to Chief Luo’s blade,” the Daoist laughed, sheathing his sword.

“If you hadn’t pulled back, Daoist, I doubt my arm would still be attached,” the hired fighter from the Four Seas Trading Company replied, equally impressed.

With mutual respect, they gestured to end the fight—a draw had been reached.

The other side had invited a master from the Shangqing Monastery, hoping to win by skill, but it was proving difficult. It looked as if only their own leader could settle this. Wang Qi, head of the Four Seas Trading Company, stroked his long beard, sword at his waist, and stepped forward with calm composure.

“For the final bout, allow me, Wang Qi of the Four Seas Trading Company, to personally challenge Chief Hu of the Azure Clouds Society,” he declared.

Hu Yun did not stand on ceremony. Lifting his smith’s hammer, he faced Wang Qi. “If I lose, the Azure Clouds Society will disband. If you lose, the Four Seas Trading Company will cease meddling in the West Market’s affairs. Enough talk—please!”

“Wait, wait!” Lu Liaoliao burst from the crowd behind the Azure Clouds Society.

“I thought you wouldn’t show up, just watching from the shadows. If you’re here to spectate, stay out of the way,” Hu Yun said, ready to shoo Lu Liaoliao aside.

Lu Liaoliao grinned. “Uncle, watching got me fired up—I’m itching to try. Would you let your nephew take your place in this duel, see what I’ve got?”

Hu Yun hesitated. This duel would decide the fate of his entire society—how could he entrust it lightly to Lu Liaoliao?

“Even if you doubt my skills, Uncle, surely you trust the drunken swordsman who taught me. I’ve learned a trick or two—let me go,” Lu Liaoliao pleaded with a wide smile.

Remembering Li Bai’s uncanny swordsmanship, Hu Yun scratched his head and nodded in resignation. “Alright, let your uncle see what you can do.”