Heartbroken Arrow

CHAPTER 5
REINCARNATION

In the wilderness, Fan Kuzhu wasn’t running, it was like he were flying, or fluttering, lightly jumping up and gently landing, his robe flapping in the wind, hair spread out, like he was wavering about in a dream, a dream set apart from the real world.

He had undergone very painful and conflicting rumination about what he should do. After a series of calamities and outrages his heart was not only cold and shivering, it was shattered and dripping blood. What kind of world was this, what kind of people were these? Emotions, relationships, morality and justice, conscience, all these unbearable trials, all these frail changes, brotherly affection, fellow disciple kinship, and the earnest love and affection between husband and wife? All of them suddenly changed in the span of an evening, and laying out the reasons, they were purely hideous. All for desire, for greed, for selfishness, all these demands added up to what? They all required his blood, his life, and no methods to reach these goals were spared, not one step yielded, not one bit of leniency—Actually, he was willing to give them all he had, turn it all over to them. He didn’t want any of these tangible things. He just wanted calm. Only calm could put him at peace. But he knew that would never do. His opponents would not give him the slightest amount of leeway. They had to drive him to his death because only when he was dead would they be able to feel at ease, only then could they cover their cruel criminal acts like it was a calm spring water with no ripples…

A man at least had the right to fight for his life, all the more so when that life was not at fault to begin with. Fan Kuzhu made a very difficult decision—he wasn’t getting revenge, he only hoped to survive. If he didn’t complete a few measures, then even this scant hope would be all for naught!

The pain of a fleshwound was temporary, but the torment of one’s mind and soul was endless. You couldn’t see it or touch it, but that emptiness, that loneliness, that endless fathomless roaming of the soul is what made one the most dispirited. These past few months, Fan Kuzhu had suffered it enough, tasted it enough. Granted, he had no reason to not die, but he he really lacked the zeal to keep on living…

He came to a brook and felt tired. He knelt down by the stream and scooped water in his hands and drank. The mountain stream water was cold and clear; in his mouth the cold pierced to the bottom of his heart. He sighed silently and took another drink. Did he have to once again get involved with the fickle affairs of the world?

Another reflection suddenly appeared in the rippling water. The person was standing still, and Fan Kuzhu, watching the image mirrored in the water was not a bit surprised. He didn’t get up from his kneeling position. He just gazed into the water a while, then finally opened his mouth and said in a low voice, “Little Sixth, is that you?”

He could just make out the figure who had been standing there for some time from a relatively higher position nod his head, then a thin voice, “Fourth Brother, please forgive me for only now coming to see you—”

Fan Kuzhu rose slowly and turned around and inclined his head slightly to look at him. It was a young man, neatly dressed, clear, fair face, a goodlooking young man.

Yes, it was Fan Kuzhu’s sixth brother, “Elegant Hawk” Qu Yunfan.

The corner of Fan Kuzhu’s mouth curled up in what would have to do for a smile. He mumbled, “It’s been a while, Little Sixth, how have you been?”

Qu Yunfan looked down at him, his expression worried and guilty. “A lot has changed in the past few months… Fourth Brother, I’m really sorry, I, I’m useless. I was unable to be of any help to you, but I, as well as First Brother and Third Brother, we’ve had difficulty controlling the situation…”

Fan Kuzhu said flatly, “I understand. So then you know what’s going on?”

Qu Yunfan hastened, “Fourth Brother, First Brother, Third Brother, and I are not in cahoots with them. We had no idea of what they were scheming. Only in the past two days have we gotten a clear grasp of what’s going on…”

Fan Kuzhu said, “Then, how did you all find out?”

Qu Yunfan swallowed. “There were some signs, some indications, some hints. Last night, Little Tong sent some men over to tell us not to get involved and indicated that this was a personal vendetta between you and them and that family scandals should not be publicized. They had their own way of settling things. Otherwise, Magic Wing Sect would be smashed to pieces, everything would be destroyed…”

Fan Kuzhu’s laugh was more like a convulsion. “You think the Magic Wing Sect will be able to continue on after this?”

Qu Yunfan fairly groaned, “First Brother told me in secret that I had to find you no matter what and give you his message.”

Fan Kuzhu said, “Go ahead. What instructions does First Brother have for me?”

Qu Yunfan’s voice was hoarse, even choked. “First Brother said that you must be off to distant parts. You should by no means clash with them head on but bear it for a time and protect yourself. First Brother said the sect’s hopes lie solely on you. If you live, the sect has a future; only then can it continue on. Without you, the Magic Wing Sect is finished. First Brother said he was weak and ill and old, probably not long for this world. Third Brother is reserved and not skilled enough, he can’t carry the load. I lack experience and knowledge, so I am even more unsuited for such a heavy responsibility. The Magic Wing Sect’s existence depends solely on you, Fourth Brother…”

Fan Kuzhu was extremely calm. “Little Sixth, when you say ‘them’, who are you referring to?”

Qu Yunfan said gravely, “Little Tong, Second Brother, and Fifth Brother. They also have won support from the Far West Sect and the Three Powers Gang. They’re not that important, but four days ago, I heard that Little Tong went to see ‘Golden Crown Majesty’ Yan Shouhe, and Yan clapped his chest and threw his support behind Little Tong, and now they are together all the time, waiting for you to come along and fall into their trap!”

Fan Kuzhu laughed, cold and bitter, and he felt a chill come over him head to toe. “Tong Li is really capable. Everyone he gets is more vicious than the last, each one stronger than the one before. I never knew he had such ability!”

Qu Yunfan said strenuously, “Fourth Brother, you’re the best disciple in our sect, your cultivation and skill is the most profound, but the enemy is too strong, you can’t fight them head on. I strongly suggest you take First Brother’s sincere advice and retreat for now. When a man seeks revenge, three years is not too long to wait…”

Fan Kuzhu said amiably, “I am grateful for the trouble First Brother has gone to, and I am perfectly fine with doing as he says. Little Sixth, the problem is how long do I have to stay away? How long will they let me escape? Those people decided long ago not to let me live. They’ve already arranged my ending. Every day that I’m not dead is like a thorn in their back; they won’t be able to sleep or eat peacefully. They won’t rest until they drive me to my death. The world might be big, but there is no place to shelter, and even if I curl up and go into hiding, there’s no guarantee there won’t come a time when they get me, and then it will be a fight to the death. Might as well fight it out now. Little Sixth, I’m not wrong, a person has the right to fight for his life. Such a tiny hope is surely not unfounded?”

Qu Yunfan hung his head, his voice choking back his emotion. “But Fourth Brother, your hope for success is too small… Please think about the continuation of the sect…”

Fan Kuzhu was as composed as before, not the least bit agitated. “A man has to face reality, Little Sixth. Fleeing especially can’t guarantee the sect’s survival. With a deathtrap in place, there’s maybe no hope to bring it back to life. Think about it, has the Magic Wing Sect continued to this day by cowering?”

Qu Yunfan’s eyes were wet. Disheartened, he said, “Fourth Brother, it seems… I can’t persuade you?”

Fan Kuzhu said seriously, “It’s not that you can’t persuade me, Little Sixth, it’s just that present circumstances can’t be resolved by those means. As a matter of fact, that method is not a solution at all!”

Qu Yunfan sighed, expressing his dejection. “Turns out First Brother guessed right. Fourth Brother, First Brother figured you wouldn’t heed his sincere advice…”

Fan Kuzhu smiled. “In any case, please pass on my gratitude to First Brother. With any luck I’ll see him again. If not, tell First Brother to take good care of himself.”

Qu Yunfan suddenly reached out and took down the blue cloth bundle slung over his shoulder. He raised it up, tears welling in his eyes. “On First Brother’s instructions, I solemnly present you, Fourth Brother, with the sect head’s authentic seal!”

Fan Kuzhu took a step back, jaw twitching. “Little Sixth, I can’t accept that.”

Qu Yunfan urged him in a low voice, “First Brother said this was the last and only opportunity. If Fourth Brother refused to accept the sect headship, the sect would have no one to lead it and would probably not be able to go on!”

Fan Kuzhu took a deep breath, gradually becoming more stern. “Little Sixth, listen carefully. If I don’t make it out of this alive, what good will it do to become the sect head? As long as First Brother is still alive, I can’t harbor such thoughts. Take the seal back and return it to First Brother, say I appreciate the offer but must decline.”

Qu Yunfan had no choice but to grudgingly hoist the bundle back on his shoulder. He looked at Fan Kuzhu, hesitating. “Fourth Brother, you’re walking into the tiger’s den, I, I…”

Fan Kuzhu waved his hand and said calmly, “Don’t feel guilty, Little Sixth. Even you, or First Brother and Third Brother all three of you, wouldn’t be of much help to me. I would just drag you into all this. For good or ill, I must do this on my own!”

Qu Yunfan wanted to say something, but he stopped himself and just hung his head in shame, rubbing his hands together restlessly—emotions and morality and justice were no doubt important, matters of life and death even more so. It was easy to talk calmly about going to someone’s aid, but when the time really came, how many fearless people were there who could really do it?

Fan Kuzhu was worldlywise, what was there that he couldn’t see through? He smiled faintly and asked, “Little Sixth, how did you know to wait for me here?”

Qu Yunfan said openly, “First Brother guessed you would be headed for Peng Mansion—and he learned of Little Tong’s whereabouts the day before yesterday—First Brother figured you probably wouldn’t take the main roads, and this mountain road is a shortcut. You and First Brother travelled along here a few times together in the past. He thought you’d likely pick this road, so he sent me to watch the pass and wait. I’ve been here all morning…”

Fan Kuzhu was silent for a time. “Fifth is dead, did you know that?”

Qu Yunfan gave a faint nod, his voice choked. “Someone at the crossroads outside Wang Family Market Town saw you and Fifth together and secretly informed Third Brother. First Brother then sent Third Brother over to check things out and he found Fifth’s body. Third Brother notified me about an hour after you arrived… Fourth Brother, did you do it?”

Fan Kuzhu said numbly, “No, it was Second Brother who murdered him!”

Qu Yunfan shuddered in surprise. “Heavens, what kind of world is this?”

Fan Kuzhu smiled cheerlessly. “I’ve asked myself that many times—Little Sixth, what kind of world is this?”

Qu Yunfan said haltingly, “But… But weren’t Second Brother and Fifth working together? How could he kill Fifth?”

Fan Kuzhu’s smile became even more tragic. “If Second Brother can resort to violence with me, and Little Tong can plot against me, why can’t they kill Fifth? Little Sixth, when one is drowned by desire there’s no hideous thing they can’t do, and let’s not even talk about friendship!”

Qu Yunfan vigorously wiped his sweaty palms on the front of his robe. His Adam’s apple jerked. “Little Tong made known last night Second Brother’s viewpoint. I never would have guessed you two had already met. Fourth Brother, where has Second Brother gone off to?”

Fan Kuzhu looked up at the gloomy sky and said emotionally, “I don’t know, but I can tell you he’s not much better off than Fifth. At most he has a few breaths left in him…”

Qu Yunfan didn’t dare ask more, he just stood there with his arms hanging down, looking at the toes of his shoes. The mood in the air was heavy and oppressive.

* * *

In the darkened village only a few faint yellow lamps provided some dim illumination. The rundown tavern was situated at the entrance of the village. A paper lantern hung askew outside. It was greasy but still provided a feeble light.

Not long after dark, oppressive silence reigned in and outside the village, punctuated by a few barking dogs here and there or an errant gust of wind, kicking up dust that drifted into the murk. It was a somber, desolate scene.

Fan Kuzhu sat inside the shop at the outermost of the three bamboo tables, a pitcher of wine on the table and a dish of stewed duck and a plate of chopped green onions. He quietly poured himself a cup of wine, the weight of his thoughts showing in his eyes and brow.

This place was only about five miles from Peng Mansion. He wanted to wait for a bit before heading over there. Wine warms the body and passes the time. He wasn’t afraid, but he felt utterly alone.

Loneliness was the most wounding of emotions, and the loneliness of a warrior was the most solemn and callous of them all, like a blade, cold and hard and sharp, like blood, dark red and resplendent, but with an air of disillusion about it, dazzling for a moment, booming for a split second, the sigh of his soul a warrior’s only solace…

Fan Kuzhu was feeling this now.

Someone was singing, a song with not many words, but they were drawn out and rising in intensity, the sound of his singing coming in from outside in the dark wilds as if it were surrounding the entire tavern.

“Yellow sand boundless, lake water clear, glittering green-eyed Celestial Scorpion Star…”

Fan Kuzhu didn’t move, didn’t look over. He raised his head and drained a cup of wine.

The lean and haggard shopkeep who looked like a hanging salt-cured chicken, stood behind the cook stove by the door, staring blankly out into the darkness outside, perplexed and uneasy, occasionally sneaking a peek at Fan Kuzhu to gauge his reaction.

Of course, Fan Kuzhu knew who was here. It was no surprise to him at all. What’s coming will come. And with all the sudden changes that had occurred over the past few months there was nothing that would surprise him anymore.

The song repeated three times, then stopped. Outside there was just the whistling of the evening breeze.

Fan Kuzhu stood up and dropped a small bit of silver on the table and strolled outside.

The shopkeep was about to say thanks, but for some reason the words got caught in his throat. He opened his mouth but only a croak came out, as if his vocal cords had suddenly become paralyzed…

The shopkeep didn’t know it, but actually it was not paralysis but an aura of death, an imperceptibly coalescing murderous intention in a man’s heart that affected others to the point that even their consciousness stiffened.

Fan Kuzhu hadn’t walked far when he saw two men standing under a stand of trees by the embankment. One of them he recognized as Celestial Scorpion Star Chai Jia.

Chai Jia stood steadfast, his green eyes twinkling.

Standing next to him was a lanky man about a head taller than the average man, wearing the same black robes as Chai Jia. He had an ordinary, unremarkable face. Aside from his height, his only distinguishing feature was his ears; they were big and fat and hung down almost to his shoulders. Those ears did not match the rest of him at all.

Fan Kuzhu came to a halt and looked at Chai Jia and smiled with a nod of his head.

Chai Jia politely returned the courtesy, though his sallow face was grim. “Fan Kuzhu, we meet again. I’m sure you know this meeting is no coincidence.”

Fan Kuzhu said calmly, “I know it’s no coincidence. In fact I was expecting it a bit sooner. I thought I’d run into to you some distance away from here.”

Chai Jia said indifferently, “There’s no rush, Fan Kuzhu. We all knew you would go to Peng Mansion and there are not many ways to get there. I sent men to every road to keep a lookout day and night. I was informed as soon as you appeared—Frankly, this assignment was something I did on behalf of Tong Li; it wasn’t his request or appointment. Remember I once told you that only I decide what I will do.”

Fan Kuzhu said, “Yes, that’s what you said.”

Chai Jia said, “I also told you, Fan Kuzhu, that I must get back what I lost, no matter how I have to do it.”

Fan Kuzhu smiled faintly. “You mean your face and self-respect?”

A trace of red light flashed across his green eyes and Chai Jia’s voice was more intense, “Fan Kuzhu, this is no laughing matter. It might be of no consequence to you because you have never lost those things. But one day when you are humilitated in that way, you will not be able to find peace!”

Fan Kuzhu shook his head and said sadly, “What I’ve lost is not just face and self-respect, Chai Jia. I have nothing, even less than you. If it wasn’t for a certain reason, I wouldn’t even want to go on living. Chai Jia, how can you understand what it means to lose heart, what it means to despair?”

Astonished, Chai Jia said, “Before you seemed to be in high spirits, with an heroic air about you. What happened in the last few days to make you so dispirited? Fan Kuzhu, you’re not one to resign yourself. Did something grievous happen to you since last time?”

Fan Kuzhu, forlorn, said, “The pain of living is endless and joys are short-lived. I’m bored of living, that’s all.”

Chai Jia hesitated, then muttered, “What should I do with such a depressed person?”

Fan Kuzhu smiled bitterly. “No need to worry about my frame of mind. Just do what you came here to do. Chai Jia, I bear my own grief, it has nothing to do with you. Besides, I am still resisting despite overwhelming pressure and fighting till the bitter end. My life is in my hands. I don’t need anyone’s pity!”

The tall man next to Chai Jia had been silent, but now he suddenly nodded over and over and said, “Good, now that’s a man!”

Chai Jia pointed to his companion. “Fan Kuzhu, let me introduce you to my First Brother, ‘Stallion Star’ Han Danlu.”

Fan Kuzhu cupped a hand over his fist. “Pleased to meet you.”

Han Danlu was exceedingly calm. “It’s getting late, let’s settle this here.”

Chai Jia said, “Senior Brother I have to trouble you to wait in reserve; let me get another taste of Fan Kuzhu’s masterstroke!”

Han Danlu said nothing but moved off a few steps to the side and held his head up with his hands clasped behind his back as if he were taking it easy. If someone who didn’t know saw this, they would think he was out admiring the moon.

When it came to vigor, Chai Jia was already the lacking one. He cautiously looked at his opponent and didn’t forget to ask, “This time, did you bring your weapon?”

Fan Kuzhu just stood rooted to his spot like a solitary stone, naturally exuding a staunch, lofty air, as if he were deep-rooted and would never be moved.

Chai Jia’s shout boomed like thunder and he leapt up angrily and slashed an arc through the air like a rainbow with his short-handled crescent moon sabre as he flew past, then again, two semicircle arcs coming down at Fan Kuzhu!

Rooted to the ground at first, in a flash he was hovering—Fan Kuzhu’s angle of motion just happening to be right between his opponent’s mingling slashes, his palm flashing repeatedly like the edge of a blade, forcing Chai Jia to lean to the side to avoid it and his dazzling, arcing slashes were shattered at once!

Chai Jia felt blisteringly hot as his crescent moon sabres clanged and sparks flew and whirled in the air toward Fan Kuzhu, flaring as he passed, the bright radiance suffused with murderous intent!

As a result, Fan Kuzhu’s form suddenly morphed, morphed into a kind of illusion, morphed into a wisp of smoke; you could see him but couldn’t touch him, rays of light following his figure, flitting up and down like a ghostly whirlwind suddenly taking flight. Chai Jia suddenly roared and shot forward, his crescent moon sabre flashing like billowing waves, surging in intensity indeterminately toward his opponent.

Fan Kuzhu shot straight up like a spinning top toward the sky, ascending rapidly before zipping back down, his feet like a sharp point—such a fast move looked illusory, as if he had not moved at all.

Heavy, sharp-cutting palm force squeezed between Fan Kuzhu’s rebound shooting force, but Chai Jia’s move was used up and before he could take a breath, his entire back was exposed to Fan Kuzhu’s attack!

At that moment, without any indication at all, the relentless oncoming force was suffused with a broiling heat enough to stifle one’s breath!

Fan Kuzhu bent over, his original bent posture suddenly becoming stiff and straight. His body seemed to be drawn by an invisible cord and she shot back the other way into the air, rising swiftly—he seemed to become abruptly weightless, abruptly transforming into a wisp of smoke that was lighter than air!

From one side appears a saving friend, obviously Stallion Star Han Danlu. Han Danlu saw Fan Kuzhu’s martial arts and was shocked. But shocked is one thing, he still had to keep on the attack. Without a sound he flew like a black cloud two staves at an angle, rising like a draogn leisurely coiling, palms blood-red through to the fingers carrying with them a thunderous gust of force, countless variations contained within that force, like a cascading waterfall enveloping Fan Kuzhu.

They came in contact for just a split second, but the changing situation seemed to have been predetermined—Fan Kuzhu shot back up into the air, and when Han Danlu’s Bloody Handprint attack was about to strike, he suddenly turned his body sideways, black cord held in his teeth, right hand grasping the other end of the cord. At some point, the resplendently goldenly radiant gold arrow had been nocked on the cord!

Han Danlu saw the nocked gold arrow, and the still-shaken Chai Jia saw it as well, saw the gold arrow clearly nocked on the cord. Han Danlu grunted turned back sharply to the side, because the gold arrow was stuck in the ground three spans behind him, having taken with it a hunk of cloth from his shoulder as big as the palm of one’s hand, before lodging into the ground!

He hadn’t heard the arrow whistling through the air, hadn’t seen its brilliant flash; as soon as he saw the arrow on the cord the arrow’s work was done. What kind of speed was this, what kind of skill?

Chai Jia unconsciously rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand. He thought Fan Kuzhu had two gold arrows, one nocked to the cord, the other stuck in the ground. How else could it have been so inconceivably fast? He didn’t believe Fan Kuzhu could stop time and swap space…

Han Danlu, standing ramrod straight, sighed faintly, completely quelled. He had been deeply affected by a trembling fear and an involuntary spasm as the gold arrow bushed past his shoulder. He had seen the arrow flying with his own eyes and could confirm that the man’s consummate, unprecedented skill was not magic, not sorcery but a high achievement forged through diligent practice.

And Han Danlu, of course, knew better than Chai Jia how much mercy and benevolence was contained in that arrow strike.

Ashen-faced, Chai Jia still had his doubts as he came forward. “First Brother, what was that? Why did you stop just like that? What kind of trick did Fan pull, throwing his gold arrow all around like that? You weren’t injured were you?”

Han Danlu sighed and said heavily, “Junior Brother Chai Jia, you’re one of the best of the nine senior disciples at Far West Sect, you’ve been favored with Master’s personal instruction for many years, you’ve roamed the jianghu for decades and have seen and been through a lot; your experience must be said to be vast. So I’m really surprised you have not realized what happened tonight!”

Embarrassed, Chai Jia said, “I see First Brother’s invincible might is not extinguished, helping me out and quickly coming to my aid with that swift counterattack. I was waiting for you to subdue the enemy, but how did it everything change so like that?”

Han Danlu pointed at the gold arrow stuck in the ground. “It’s merely that arrow, Junior Brother Chai.”

Chai Jia said, “So what? It didn’t harm a hair on your head, First Brother!”

Han Danlu shook his head with a wry smile. “You didn’t experience it so you don’t understand. Junior Brother Chai, that guy’s arrow could have pierced my heart or plunged through my skull, but it only caught a piece of cloth on my shoulder. If Fan Kuzhu had not been lenient and shown mercy, then if you ask me, the outcome for me would have been too horrible to look at!”

Chai Jia stared dumbly for a moment, as if he couldn’t believe it. He lowered his voice. “First Brother, you, you really couldn’t dodge his arrow?”

Han Danlu sighed. “Who doesn’t care about face? Who wouldn’t give it his all? If I could have dodged the arrow, would I have let it graze my shoulder and rip my clothes? Junior Brother Chai, in martial arts, defeat can be decided by the slightest hair of difference, and that tiny difference can be the difference between life and death. You train for years seeking to be just a half step faster. Seems our friend Fan Kuzhu has achieved that state sooner than us!”

Chai Jia thought it over, not wanting to admit it to himself. Then he grudgingly asked, “So… First Brother, what do we do now?”

Han Danlu’s eyes turned to Fan Kuzhu and said mildly, yet decisively, “Be thankful that no blood was shed. The mountains are high and the waters are long; we’ll see him again later.”

Dejected, Chai Jia went cold all over. “First Brother, you mean… you mean we have to hang our heads and admit defeat?”

Han Danlu gave him a black look and said harshly, “Junior Brother Chai, a man should know what’s good for him, when to advance and when to retreat. He ought to know kindness and forgiveness and leniency and not think only of himself. Brother Fan can openmindedly return good for evil, can we not even bear this inconvenience? There’s so much conflict in the jianghu, we should be reasonable, especially since you and Brother Fan never had any conflict with each other. Dissolving this quarrel would be the most charitable deed…”

Chai Jia gnashed his teeth, the green gleam in his eyes dimming to ashy gray.

“Brother Fan, kindness must be repaid in kind, your grace is our good fortune. Tonight you have shown us much mercy; my junior brother will of never forget it. On distand yellow sands, by the water’s edge, come see us when you have time and allow my junior brother to show you a token of his regard.”

Fan Kuzhu’s smile was full of emptiness, his appearance reflecting his inner haggardness and desolation. “Brother Han, it’s not that serious. I just hope you can understand my situation and swap ruthlessness for kindness. Some day we will look back on this as a pleasant event. As for a trip out to the desert, we’ll just have to see how things go…”

Han Danlu wanted to say something, but he just sighed and placed his palm to his chest and he and Chai Jia strolled away.

It was late at night, the cold wind whistling through the treetops. Even the solitary lantern at the shabby tavern at the village entrance had been extinguished, and all around was dark and quiet…