Prologue Chapter 48: The Scion in Distress — How Could He Merit the Willow-Branch Jade Dew?

The voice came from no less than ten-odd zhang away, yet to Lady Wang's and Murong Fu's ears it rang as near as a foot. Their faces changed at once. They heard Feng Boye and Bao Butong shout in unison and charge toward the sound. Murong Fu flashed to the door. In the moonlight a green shadow wavered; then a gray figure and a yellow figure shot past from either side — Deng Baichuan and Gongye Gan closing in from left and right.

Duan Yanqing planted his left crutch on the ground and swept his right crutch sideways, striking at Deng Baichuan and Gongye Gan together — chi-chi-chi, and in a breath he delivered seven killing blows. Deng Baichuan strained to hold; Gongye Gan could not, and fell back two paces. Bao Butong and Feng Boye whirled back to the attack. Duan Yanqing, one against four, still had leisure to spare and held the upper hand.

Murong Fu drew the long sword at his waist; a cold green light bloomed and he thrust at Duan Yanqing. Beset by five — and Murong Fu a master of the first rank — Duan Yanqing's crutch-shadow still floated, his strokes as fierce as ever.

In the days when Lady Wang and Duan Zhengchun were passion's prisoners, beneath flower and moon they had spoken not only of vows but of martial arts; Duan Zhengchun had demonstrated the One-Yang Finger and the Duan family swordplay. Now Lady Wang saw Duan Yanqing's moves were as Duan Lang's of old — how could she not be pierced with grief? She thought: Duan Lang is this man's captive; like as not he is nearby — why not seize the chance to rescue him? She would have slipped out behind the house to seek him, when suddenly Feng Boye gave a great cry.

They saw Feng Boye lying on the ground, Duan Yanqing's right crutch circling a foot above his body, never striking a vital point. When Murong Fu, Deng Baichuan and the rest thrust at Duan Yanqing, his crutch flicked all aside. The meaning was plain: had Duan Yanqing willed Feng Boye's death, it were easier than turning a hand — he was only sparing him for the moment.

Murong Fu leapt back. "Hold!" Deng Baichuan, Gongye Gan and Bao Butong sprang away together. Murong Fu said, "Master Duan, I thank you for your mercy. You and I bore no feud; from this day, the Murong clan of Suzhou yields to you."

Feng Boye cried, "A life of little Feng's is no great matter — but Young Master, do not yield on my account!" Duan Yanqing gave a gurgling laugh in his throat. "Little Feng is a true man!" and withdrew the crutch.

Feng Boye sprang up with a carp's flip and brought his saber down on Duan Yanqing's head. "Taste my blade!" Duan Yanqing raised his crutch; it stuck to the saber. Feng Boye felt a great force shake his palm; the saber flew from his grip, and pain shot through his waist — Duan Yanqing had flipped him a dozen zhang away with a crutch-blow to the middle.

The inner force passed from crutch to saber; ding-ding-dang-dang, the saber shattered into a dozen pieces that scattered. Murong Fu, Lady Wang and the rest leapt high and ducked low to avoid them, all aghast.

Murong Fu bowed. "Master Duan's divine skill surpasses the world; I am filled with admiration. Might we not turn foe to friend?"

Duan Yanqing said, "A moment since you spoke of setting Drunken Bees to harm me; now bested, what new design is this?"

Murong Fu said, "If you and I joined hands, great good would come of it. Prince Yanqing , you are the true heir of Dali's throne, the crown usurped by another — will you not strive to reclaim it?" Duan Yanqing's strange eyes slanted sidelong; he said in an icy voice, "What is that to you?" Murong Fu said, "You cannot be Dali's emperor without my aid." Duan Yanqing gave a cold laugh. "I doubt you wish me well. More like you'd slit my throat with a sword."

Murong Fu said, "I would help you to the Dali throne for my own sake. First, I hate that cur Duan Yu. On Mount Shaoshi he drove me near suicide and brought the Murongs near ruin in the martial world. I must have the boy's death; helping you win the throne vents my spleen. Second, once you are Dali's emperor, I shall need your aid in another matter."

Duan Yanqing knew Murong Fu cunning and shrewd, and ill-disposed toward him — yet he believed seven parts in ten. He had seen with his own eyes on Mount Shaoshi how Duan Yu's Six-Pulse Divine Sword humbled Murong Fu, and the memory disquieted him. Though he held Duan Zhengchun, he knew himself no match for Duan Yu's formless sword-qi; should they meet, he would surely die by it. His only counter was to threaten Duan Zhengchun and his wife, and contrive some way to master Duan Yu — but even that he trusted little. So he asked, "You are no match for Duan Yu — by what means will you master him?"

Murong Fu's face flushed faintly. "If force fails, use wit. In short, the boy Duan Yu shall be taken by me and handed to you." Duan Yanqing rejoiced — his greatest dread had been Duan Yu's prowess; Murong Fu taking him would remove his worst peril. Yet he feared a boast and a cheat, and said, "You say you can take Duan Yu — but empty words and empty thoughts are worth nothing."

Murong Fu smiled. "This Lady Wang is my aunt; the boy Duan Yu is already her captive. She would trade the boy for a certain man — and that is why we drew you here."

Lady Wang, who had been glancing about for Duan Zhengchun, turned at these words.

Duan Yanqing gurgled from throat and belly, "What man does the lady wish to trade for?"

Lady Wang's face flushed faintly. The man she thought of day and night, the only one in her heart, was Duan Zhengchun — yet a widow speaking her heart so openly before others sat ill with her, and she knew not how to answer.

Murong Fu said, "Duan Yu's father, Duan Zhengchun, once wronged my aunt most deeply — a hatred as deep as the sea. My aunt asks but one word of you: once you receive the abdication to Dali's throne, you shall deliver Duan Zhengchun to her; then kill or flay, oil or fire, all as she pleases."

Duan Yanqing laughed. He will be dead at my hand after he abdicates anyway — you doing it for me is best of all. Yet it came too easy; he feared a trap, and asked, "Young Master Murong, you say that after I am enthroned you will ask a favor — I would know first whether it lies within my power, lest I fail you and be false."

Murong Fu said, "Since Your Highness speaks so, I trust you ten thousandfold. Since we strike this great bargain, I need hide nothing. The Suzhou Murongs are descendants of the Great Yan imperial house; our ancestral charge is to restore Great Yan. My strength alone is thin. Once Your Highness sits as lord of Dali, I would borrow ten thousand troops and ample grain from the Dali throne, for the restoring of Great Yan."

That Murong Fu was a Great Yan scion, Duan Yanqing had guessed seven or eight parts when Murong Bo stayed Murong Fu's suicide on Mount Shaoshi; now Murong Fu laid bare so great a secret, proof of sincerity. He would restore Yan — thus making foes at once of Great Song and Great Liao. My little Dali, few people and thin lands, can scarce defend itself; how provoke great powers? And I, new to the throne with hearts unsettled, dare not stir war. Well — I shall pretend assent, and kill him then. 'Small of heart is no gentleman; — a man without ruth is no man.' He said, "Dali is small and poor; ten thousand men cannot be gathered in haste — but five thousand I shall surely place at your command. May Great Yan and Dali be forever brother-states bound by marriage."

Murong Fu bowed low, tears on his face. "If Murong Fu restores our ancestral realm, generation upon generation shall be Dali's shield; I dare not forget Your Majesty's great grace."

Duan Yanqing, hearing him call him "Your Majesty," rejoiced; and hearing his voice break with feeling, knew it true grief, and hastened to raise him. "Young Master, no need of ceremony. But where is the boy Duan Yu?"

Before Murong Fu answered, Lady Wang stepped forward. "That rogue Duan Zhengchun — where is he?" Murong Fu said, "Your Highness, pray bring your followers to my aunt's dwelling to rest. The boy Duan Yu is bound; I shall present him forthwith."

Duan Yanqing said gladly, "Excellent." Suddenly a shrill whistle issued from his belly.

Lady Wang started; hoofbeats sounded faint in the distance, wheels rumbled, several mule-carts came this way. Soon four riders and three great carts swept in from the road. Lady Wang flashed forward — certain Duan Zhengchun was within — and could not wait, but skimmed past two horses to lift the first cart's curtain.

Suddenly a broad-mouthed, small-eyed, big-eared bald head loomed before her. The man hissed, "What?" Lady Wang started back — it was the carter, whip in hand.

Duan Yanqing said, "Third Brother, this is Lady Wang; we go to her manor to rest. Bring the guests within as well." The carter was the Crocodile of the South Sea (, Yue Laosan).

The cart-curtain lifted; a man stepped down, tottering. Lady Wang saw his haggard face, his wrinkled silk robe — and it was her Duan Lang, thought of every day. Her heart ached; tears sprang. She rushed forward. "Duan… Duan… you… well!"

Duan Zhengchun heard the voice and started; turning, he paled. Among his many debts of love, Lady Wang was the hardest to reckon with. Qin Hongmian, Ruan Xingzhu and the rest were content to have him beside them; Lady Wang would cling and rage, fists and blades, demanding he kill his principal wife Dao Baifeng and wed her. How could he consent? When it grew unbearable he had slipped away without word. Little had he dreamed that at his most helpless, he should meet her.

Though Duan Zhengchun loved not solely, he was true to each lover. A chill upon him, he thought first of her, and cried, "Aluo, flee! This green-robed old man is a great villain — do not fall into his hands." He shifted to stand between Lady Wang and Duan Yanqing, urging, "Go! Go!" — though acupointed, he could scarce move, how defend her?

That one "Aluo," and the care in it, turned Lady Wang's wrath to tendrils of tenderness — yet before nephew and foe she could not show it. She gave a cold sniff. "The clay Buddha crosses the river and saves not itself. He is a great villain — are you a good man?" She turned to Duan Yanqing. "Your Highness, pray."

Duan Yanqing knew Duan Zhengchun's nature; seeing his look and manner, love without hate was plain, and Lady Wang's feeling, if aught of grievance, was more love than hate. Between these two the bond is no common thing — I must not be fooled. Fearless in his skill, he strode within.

This was the manor Lady Wang had bought to take Duan Zhengchun; large it was, with a great court beyond the gate, planted full of camellias, their shadows swaying moonlit — elegant and clean. Duan Zhengchun, seeing the camellia arrangement, knew it for the very garden where he and Lady Wang had dwelt as man and wife in Suzhou. His heart ached; he murmured, "So… so it is your dwelling." Lady Wang sneered, "You recognize it?" Duan Zhengchun said low, "I do. I could almost wish we had grown old together at Mantuo Villa in Suzhou…"

The Crocodile and Cloud-Midst Crane brought the other two carts' captives in. One cart held Dao Baifeng, Madam Zhong (Gan Baobao ), Qin Hongmian and Ruan Xingzhu — four women; the other held Fan Hua and two more Dali officials, and guests Cui Baiquan and Guo Yanzhi . All nine were acupointed by Duan Yanqing.

It emerged: Duan Zhengchun, having sent Ba TianShi and Zhu Danchen to escort Duan Yu to Western Xia for the marriage, soon received an edict from Emperor Baoding bidding him return at once to ascend the throne — Baoding himself would go to Tianlong Monastery to become a monk. The Dali royals deeply honored Buddhism; many sovereigns in later years had abdicated to the cloister. Duan Zhengchun, though saddened, thought it no strange thing, and brought Qin Hongmian and Ruan Xingzhu south slowly, meaning to settle the two women secretly in Dali city without his consort Dao Baifeng's knowledge. But Dao Baifeng and Gan Baobao came upon him one after another. Then came warning from the Lingjiu maidens: a deadly foe had laid traps along the road; beware. Duan Zhengchun and Fan Hua agreed the "deadly foe" could be none but Duan Yanqing — a man near impossible to fight; avoid him, and live. So they turned east. What he knew not: the warning came from Abi, by way of Lady Wang's maid — Abi knew one part, not the other. The trap was real, yet Lady Wang meant Duan Zhengchun no harm.

By turning east, Lady Wang's preparations fell upon Duan Yu, while Duan Zhengchun ran into Duan Yanqing's hands. At Twin-Phoenix Post , on the Red Sand Beach , Duan Zhengchun's party was wiped out; Gu Ducheng was flung into the river by the Crocodile and lost without trace; the rest were acupointed and brought south.

Murong Fu set Deng Baichuan and the other three to watch without, and himself played host, calling maids and servants to serve the guests.

Lady Wang gazed without blinking at Dao Baifeng, Gan Baobao, Qin Hongmian and Ruan Xingzhu — each fair in her way; though she felt no inferiority, to call them "vixens" and "sluts" sat ill, and a thought arose: even I pity them — how much more the old fool.

Duan Yu, next door, heard father and mother both arrived — and both in the great foe's hands — at once glad and fearful. Duan Yanqing said, "Lady Wang, once my great affair is done, Duan Zhengchun shall be yours to dispose of. But where is the boy Duan Yu?"

Lady Wang clapped thrice; two maids came to the door and bowed. "Bring the young Duan!"

Duan Yanqing sat, his left hand on Duan Zhengchun's right shoulder. He dreaded Duan Yu's Six-Pulse Sword; he feared Lady Wang and Murong Fu might free the boy to fight him, or that even in good faith the boy might escape — so he pressed Duan Zhengchun's shoulder, that Duan Yu, for his father's sake, dared not rage.

Footsteps; four maids bore Duan Yu in, laid him in the hall. His hands and feet were bound with ox-sinew, a hemp plug filled his mouth, a black cloth masked his eyes — none could tell if he lived or no.

The Princess Consort Dao Baifeng cried, "Yu'er!" and would have flown to him.

Lady Wang pushed her shoulder. "Sit still!"Dao Baifeng, acupointed and strengthless, fell back into the chair, helpless.

Lady Wang said, "The boy is drugged senseless — not dead. Prince Yanqing, you may verify; no mistake was made." Duan Yanqing nodded. "No mistake." Lady Wang knew her Drunken Bees' venom was fierce, but knew not that Duan Yu, having swallowed the Manggu Zhuha , had only swooned and soon recovered sense — bound and blind, he differed little from the insensate.

Duan Zhengchun forced a smile. "Aluo, what do you want with my Yu'er? He has not wronged you."

Lady Wang sniffed and would not answer — she would not show her attachment before others, nor could she bear harsh words to him.

Murong Fu feared her old love would ruin his design, and said, "Wronged you? He… he seduced my cousin Yuyan and stained her purity. Aunt, the boy deserves death ten times; no need wait for him to wake—" The words unfinished, Duan Zhengchun and Lady Wang cried together, "What? He… he and…"

Duan Zhengchun went white, turned to Lady Wang. "A girl — named Yuyan?" Lady Wang, whose temper was fiercest, had borne this long beyond her wont; now she could bear no more, and with a wail she wept, "It is you, this heartless, faithless rogue — you ruined me, and now your own daughter! Yuyan, Yuyan… she… she is your own flesh!" She whirled and kicked Duan Yu, cursing, "You beast worse than beast, this lost wretch — you spared not your own sister! I… I would carve you to pieces, mince you to pulp!"

She kicked and cried; all in the hall were aghast. Dao Baifeng, Qin Hongmian, Gan Baobao and Ruan Xingzhu knew Duan Zhengchun's ways at once — he and Lady Wang had lain together and bred a daughter called "Yuyan," yet Duan Yu had taken her to his heart. Qin Hongmian thought of her daughter Mu Wanqing; Gan Baobao of her daughter Zhong Ling — both embarrassed and ashamed. Duan Yanqing, Murong Fu and the rest, a thought, understood all.

Qin Hongmian cried, "You slut! That day my daughter and I came to Suzhou to kill you, and you hid, sending shrimp-soldiers to tangle us. Would I had killed you then — why come kicking?"

Lady Wang heeded nothing, but kicked Duan Yu.

The Crocodile saw his "master" on the ground and pushed Lady Wang's shoulder. "Ho — he is my master. Kick my master, you kick me. Call my master a beast, and am I not a beast? Shrew, I'll kra-k snap your white neck!" Duan Yanqing said, "Yue Laosan, no rudeness to Lady Wang! This Duan boy is a shameless knave who cozened you into calling him master; now is the time to be rid of him, lest you lose face in the rivers and lakes." The Crocodile said, "He is truly my master — no cozenry; how harm him?" and reached to loose Duan Yu's bonds. Duan Yanqing said, "Third, hear me — take your crocodile-shears and cut off the boy's head." The Crocodile shook his head. "Nay! Boss, today Yue Laosan heeds you not; I must save my master." He pulled — and snapped one sinew binding Duan Yu.

Duan Yanqing started: if Duan Yu were freed, his Six-Pulse Sword would let none stand against him; not only the great affair lost, but his own life endangered. In urgency he thrust his crutch, straight at the Crocodile's back; force spent, the steel passed through his chest.

The Crocodile felt pain front and back; a crutch protruded from his breast. Bewildered, he turned to Duan Yanqing, eyes full of question — why had Boss Duan struck him so? Duan Yanqing was by nature savage, chief of the Four Great Evils , and struck without mercy; yet he dreaded Duan Yu's Six-Pulse Sword above all, fearing the Crocodile would free him — so though he meant the Crocodile no death, his crutch found the vital spot. Seeing the Crocodile's look, a flicker of regret passed — but vanished; he withdrew the crutch and cried, "Fourth, bury him. This is the lesson of disobeying the boss."

The Crocodile cried once and fell; blood welled from two wounds; his eyes wide — truly dead unclosed. Cloud-Midst Crane dragged the corpse out. Though both were Four Great Evils, they had long been at odds; the Crocodile had thrice thwarted him, and he, weaker, had borne it — now seeing the boss kill him, he was glad.

All knew the Crocodile was Duan Yanqing's sworn ally, yet for a word he was slain — cruelty beyond compare; all looked on uneasily.

Duan Yu felt the Crocodile's hot blood on his face and neck, and thought of how, though "master" so long, he had given him naught, yet the Crocodile had thrice come to save him, and now died for him — and his heart grieved.

Duan Yanqing sneered, "Submit, and thrive; oppose, and perish!" and raised his crutch to stab Duan Yu's chest.

Suddenly a woman's voice said: "Outside Tianlong Monastery, beneath the bodhi tree; the beggar was ragged, Guanyin with long hair!"

At "Outside Tianlong Monastery" the crutch froze mid-air; hearing the four lines, it trembled and drew back. He turned — met Dao Baifeng's eyes, full of unspoken words. Duan Yanqing shook. "Guanyin… Bodhisattva…"

Dao Baifeng nodded. "You… do you know whose child this is?"

Duan Yanqing's mind swam; the scene blurred — as if returned to a moon-full night twenty-odd years past.

That day he had at last struggled back from the east to Dali, to Tianlong Monastery's gate. Beset on the Huguang road, he had slain all his foes yet been grievously wounded — legs broken, face ruined, throat cut so he could not speak. He was scarce human, foul and stinking, worms in his wounds, flies about him. But he was Dali's crown prince. His father the emperor had been slain by traitors; in the turmoil he had fled, and at last returned with skill attained. The present lord Duan Zhengming was his cousin; the true emperor was he, not Duan Zhengming. Yet he knew Duan Zhengming was beloved — all officials and people would side with the reigning emperor; should he appear, any would kill him to please the court. Once mighty, now wounded, he could not best a common soldier.

He dragged himself to Tianlong Monastery, his only hope that Venerable Ku Rong would do him justice. Ku Rong was his father's own brother, his uncle, and Duan Zhengming's grand-uncle; a saintly monk, and Tianlong the shield of the Duan royal temple, retreat of abdicated emperors. Dare he show himself in the city, he sought Ku Rong. But the monastery's guest-monk said Ku Rong sat in meditation, five days entered, and who knew if he would emerge in ten or fifteen; even if he did, he would see no outsider. He asked Duan Yanqing's business, to leave word or tell the abbot. To such a man-not-man, ghost-not-ghost stinking beggar, this was courtesy enough.

But how dare Duan Yanqing reveal himself? He crawled on elbows to a bodhi tree beside the monastery, to wait Ku Rong's emergence, thinking only: The monk says even if he emerges he sees none. Each moment here is danger; if any knew me… should I flee at once? Fever raged; wounds burned and itched; he thought, This torment — how endure? I should die, end it now. Yet he lacked even the will to live or die; he lay, too weak to stir, no courage to live, none to end it.

When the moon reached mid-sky, he saw a white-robed woman approach through the mist… White mist filled the wood; she came as if not touching earth, long hair down her back. Her face was from the moon, features dim, but her fairness struck him. She was like Guanyin herself. Surely the Bodhisattva descends to save this fallen emperor. The Son of Heaven has a hundred spirits' guard; Guanyin relieves the suffering — protect me to the throne, and I shall build you temples forever.

The woman came near and turned. He saw her profile, white without a trace of blood. She murmured softly:

"I gave you my whole heart, yet you set me not in it. One woman, then another — you cast behind you the vows we made before the Bodhisattva. I forgave you again and again, but no more. You wrong me, so I wrong you. You sought others behind my back, so I shall seek another. You Han men treat us Baiyi women as less than human — as cats and dogs, pigs and oxen — I… I will have my revenge; we Baiyi women shall not treat you Han men as human either."

Her words were light, all to herself, but full of deep wrath.

Duan Yanqing's heart chilled: She is no Guanyin — only a Baiyi woman wronged by a Han. The Baiyi were a great Dali people, their women fair and white far beyond the Han, but the men weak and few, often preyed upon. As she drew away, he thought: No — Baiyi women, famed for beauty, are not so goddess-fair; and her white robe is ice-gauze, such as Baiyi never wear. This is the Bodhisattva's very form — I must not miss her.

At the edge of life and death, only a Bodhisattva's appearance could save him; desperate, he clutched at it. As she faded, he crawled, crying "Bodhisattva save me!" — but his throat gave only a hoarse rasp.

The white-robed woman heard sound by the bodhi tree, turned, and saw a thing not man nor beast crawling in the dust — a beggar, bloodied and filthy. She stepped closer; saw wounds everywhere, each oozing blood and worms, stinking. Her heart was at its angriest — resolved to repay her husband's faithlessness and debase herself. She started to flee, then thought: I will find the ugliest, foulest, lowliest man on earth, and lie with him. You are a prince and general — I shall lie with a stinking beggar.

Without a word she loosened her silks and came to Duan Yanqing, gave herself into his arms, wrapped him with arms white as camellia petals… A thin cloud drifted and covered the moon, as if the moon beckoned the cloud to shield its eyes, unwilling to see so strange a sight: a noble lady giving her snow-white, tender body, like camellia petals, to a beggar covered in pus and blood.

Long after the white-robed woman left, Duan Yanqing was as in a dream — real or feigned? He still smelled her faint scent; he turned and saw the seven characters he had scratched in the earth: "You are Guanyin Bodhisattva"? He had written the seven words to ask her. The lady-Bodhisattva nodded. Suddenly drops fell on the earth beside the words — her tears, or Guanyin's willow-dew? He had heard Guanyin take female form to save those drowning in desire — the most compassionate. Surely the Bodhisattva's avatar, come to tell me not to despair. I am no common man — I am the true Son of Heaven. Else how?

At the brink of neither living nor dying, the long-haired white-robed Guanyin had given herself, and his spirit leapt; he believed heaven's mandate was his, that he would mount the throne, and the present peril could not stand. His faith firm, the world turned bright. At dawn, not waiting for Ku Rong, he knelt by the bodhi tree to thank Guanyin, broke two branches for crutches, and went.

He dared not linger in Dali, but went far south to wild and barren lands; healing, he trained his family arts. First five years he learned to walk by crutch, then turned the One-Yang Finger to steel; five more, to the two lakes, where he slew his foes' households to the last, his cruelty earning the name "Greatest Evil Under Heaven." Then he took Ye Erniang, the Crocodile and Cloud-Midst Crane as wings. He had crept back to Dali to reclaim the throne, but each time found Duan Zhengming's roots unshakable, and retreated. Most lately, playing chess against the Yellow-Browed Monk , victory near, Duan Yu had appeared and ruined him.

Now, as he raised his crutch to stab Duan Yu and end Duan Zhengming and Duan Zhengchun's line, the Princess Consort spoke those four lines: "Outside Tianlong Monastery, beneath the bodhi tree; the beggar was ragged, Guanyin with long hair."

Light as they were, to Duan Yanqing they were thunder. He saw the look on the Princess Consort's face, and thought only: Can it be… can it be… she is that Guanyin?

The Princess Consort slowly raised her hands, unbound her hair; ten thousand black strands fell to her shoulders, before her face — the very form of that night's bodhi-tree Guanyin. Duan Yanqing doubted no more: I thought her a Bodhisattva — and she is the Princess of Zhennan.

In truth, a few days later, his fever gone and mind clear, he had known the white-robed woman was human, not a Bodhisattva — but he would not let the dream die, telling himself, White-robed Guanyin, white-robed Guanyin! Now he knew the truth, and a great doubt rose: Why? Why did she look on me, a pus-covered ragged beggar? He bowed his head; drops fell on the earth — tears, or willow-dew? He looked up into the Princess Consort's tearful eyes, and his hard heart softened. He croaked, "You would have me spare your son's life?"

The Princess Consort shook her head, low: "He… about his neck is a small gold plaque, engraved with his birth-hour." Duan Yanqing wondered: You would not have me spare him, but look at some plaque — what means this?

Since learning the truth of that night, a reverence and gratitude toward the Princess Consort had risen unbidden. He reached with his crutch, first loosing her sealed acupoints, then bent to Duan Yu's neck; a fine gold chain, and at its end a small oblong gold plaque — one side "Long Life a Hundred Years," the other a line: "Born the 23rd day, 11th month, Guihai year, second year of Baoding ."

At "second year of Baoding," Duan Yanqing's heart turned: Second year of Baoding? I was besieged that February, wounded, came to Tianlong's gate. He… his birthday November, just ten months apart — ten months in the womb — he… he… he is my son?

His face, cut by several deep blade-wounds, showed no feeling — but in an instant it lost all color; his heart raced beyond words. He looked to the Princess Consort; she nodded slowly, whispering, "Retribution… retribution."

Duan Yanqing had never known love of man or woman, nor home's joy; suddenly to know a son of his own — joy beyond telling. All fame, honor, throne, were naught beside a son. He longed to shout and leap; clang, his crutch fell.

Then his head swam; his left hand went weak, clang again, the left crutch fell; in his breast a loud voice would cry: "I have a son!" A glance at Duan Zhengchun — bewildered, plainly understanding nothing. Duan Yanqing looked from Duan Zhengchun to Duan Yu: one square-faced, one sharp-faced, not alike; yet Duan Yu's fair looks were seven or eight parts his own young self. Pride beyond words: So what if you are Dali's emperor and I am not? I have a son; you have none. Again his head swam, the world darkened a mite — I am overjoyed, that is all.

Suddenly a thud — a man fell at the door: Cloud-Midst Crane. Duan Yanqing started, feared the worst, and with his left palm seized the air, meaning to draw the crutch by void-force — but the force would not come; the crutch did not move. More alarmed, he tried again with his right — still it did not move; he could not even draw breath. He knew, unaware, he had been drugged.

Murong Fu said, "Your Highness, in yonder room is one you are eager to see; pray step over." Duan Yanqing said, "Who? Bring him out." Murong Fu said, "He cannot walk; Your Highness must trouble yourself." Duan Yanqing understood at once: the drugging hand was Murong Fu's. Fearing his skill, Murong Fu dared not break openly, but made him walk to test his strength. I heard the Princess Consort and forgot all caution — and he struck. He said calmly, "Young Master Murong, my Dali Duan clan uses poison ill; you should have met my One-Yang Finger."

Murong Fu smiled. "Your Highness is a hero of the age — how common? This 'Sorrowful-Soughing Clear Wind' I took long ago from Western Xia, only tempered to lose its eye-stinging sting. Your Highness once served Western Xia's First-Rank Hall ; to treat you so is no breach of the Murong house's 'use their way upon them' ."

Duan Yanqing's heart sank. That year the First-Rank Hall's masters had felled countless beggar-gang with this very wind and taken them; later Helian Tieshu , the Crocodile and Cloud-Midst Crane themselves fell to it and were taken — saved only when he seized the antidote. The wall then bore "use their way upon them," naming the Suzhou Murongs as the poisoners; Murong Fu surely had it. He cursed his carelessness, closed his eyes, and strove to force the venom out.

Murong Fu said, "To undo the 'Sorrowful-Soughing Clear Wind,' force and breath are useless—" when Lady Wang cried, "Why have you drugged your aunt too? The antidote, quick!" Murong Fu said, "Aunt, I offended; yours first, by and by." Lady Wang raged, "By and by? Now, the antidote!" Murong Fu said, "Forgive me, Aunt — the antidote is not on me."

The Princess Consort's unsealed acupoints were soon felled again by the wind. Of all, only Murong Fu (who had taken the antidote beforehand) and Duan Yu (whom no poison touched) were unaffected.

But Duan Yu was in torment. He had heard Lady Wang say, "…you ruined me, and now your own daughter. Yuyan… she is your own flesh." His breath caught; he near fainted. When he heard, next room, of her affair with his father, dread had stirred — lest Wang Yuyan, like Mu Wanqing, were another sister. Now Lady Wang said it plain; how doubt? The world spun; bound and gagged, he would have raged and roared. Grief choked him; a knot of breath stuck in his chest, would not move; his limbs went cold, stiff. This is the deviation my uncle spoke of — the deeper the inner force, the fiercer its onset. How came I to deviate?

The cold reached his elbows and knees; first he feared, then thought: Yuyan is my sister; this love ends in smoke. What use is life? Better deviate, turn to dust and ash, know nothing, free of endless sorrow.

Duan Yanqing tried his breath three times; no effect, only more sickness; he sat silent, eyes closed.

Murong Fu said, "Your Highness, I have felled you, but mean no harm. Only consent to one thing, and I give the antidote with both hands, and kowtow apology." Most humble.

Duan Yanqing gave a cold laugh. "Old Duan has seen storms enough; he answers no man under duress."

Murong Fu said, "How dare I duress? All here are witnesses — I first apologize, then humbly beg one thing." He bent his knees and knelt, thud-thud-thud-thud, four loud kowtows, most deferential.

All were astonished. He held every life in his hand; even observing propriety to an elder, a deep bow sufficed — why kneel and knock head?

Duan Yanqing, too, wondered; but seeing such respect, his anger eased. "As says the proverb: courtesy to another hides a request. I dare not accept such rites; what is your bidding?" — and his tone grew polite.

Murong Fu said, "Your Highness knows my wish. To restore Great Yan is no day's work. Today I first uphold Your Highness to Dali's throne. You have no son; I beg you take me as adopted son. We two, of one heart, achieve the great thing — is that not perfect?" At "You have no son," Duan Yanqing glanced to the Princess Consort; their eyes met, a thousand words exchanged. He smiled and did not answer: That, moments ago, had been perfect — but now I know I have a son; how give you the throne?

Murong Fu said, "The Great Song realm came from the Later Zhou's Chai clan. When Guo Wei of Zhou had no heir, he took Chai Rong as son; Chai Rong, a mighty talent, strengthened Zhou — and the Guo line endured longer, a tale praised since. The precedent is near; may Your Highness regard it." Duan Yanqing said, "You would truly have me adopt you?"

Murong Fu said, "I would." Duan Yanqing thought, Drugged, I must feign assent; once cleared, I kill him. He said mildly, "Then you must take the surname Duan? Once Dali's emperor, the thought of restoring Yan must be put away; the Murongs end. Can you do all?" He knew Murong Fu schemed — once emperor, in years he would fill key posts with his own, purge Duan loyalists, resume "Murong," even rename Dali "Great Yan." He asked three hard things to seem reluctant, that Murong Fu trust him; too ready an assent would seem false.

Murong Fu hesitated — he had planned these very moves — but knowing too quick an answer seemed insincere, he paused, then said, "I am no unfilial forgetter of roots, but great deeds brook no small scruples; having bowed to Your Highness as father, I shall be true to the Duans, single-hearted."

Duan Yanqing laughed. "Excellent! Old as I am, wandering the rivers and lakes, wifeless and sonless, to gain a fine son in my late years gladdens my heart as never. My life's chief joy is this. Before Guanyin Bodhisattva, this disciple is grateful beyond tears; though ground to powder, I could not repay your white-robed Guanyin's grace." He wept; bowed, palms together, facing the Princess Consort.

The Princess Consort nodded, slow; her eyes never left her son on the floor.

Duan Yanqing's words were of his true son Duan Yu; none but the Princess Consort grasped the hidden meaning — all thought he had accepted Murong Fu as adopted son and heir, and his sincerity none could doubt. That the "Greatest Evil Under Heaven" wept openly none had ever seen.

Murong Fu said, "Your Highness is a martial elder; your word is bond. Father above, your son kowtows." He knelt again.

Suddenly a voice at the door: "No, no ! This must not be!"

The curtain lifted; in strode Bao Butong. Murong Fu rose, face changing. "Third Brother Bao, what say you?"

Bao Butong said, "Young Master is the true scion of Great Yan's Murong house — how take the surname Duan? Restoring Yan is hard, but we give our all. To succeed is best; to fail, still we are upright men of the world. For Young Master to bow to this man-not-man, ghost-not-ghost as adopted father — even if you win the throne, it is no glory; and a Murong to be Dali's emperor is hardest of all."

Murong Fu, angered at the insult but loath to rebuke a trusted man in his hour of need, said mildly, "Third Brother, much you do not yet understand; I shall explain by and by."

Bao Butong shook his head. "No, no! Young Master, dull as I am, I guess your intent. You would be Han Xin , bear the knee's insult a while for future soaring. You mean to take the Duan name, seize power, then resume Murong, even rename Dali 'Great Yan'; or send armies against Song and Liao to recover Yan's old lands. Your aim is good, but it makes you faithless, unfilial, unkind, unjust — ashamed before the world. I say, better no emperor at all."

Murong Fu flared, "Third Brother, how am I faithless, unfilial, unkind, unjust?"

Bao Butong said, "You turn to Dali, then rebel — unfaithful. You bow to Duan Yanqing, filial to Duan, unfilial to Murong; filial to Murong, unfilial to Duan. You slaughter courtiers — unkind. You—" A po sound — a palm struck his back; Murong Fu said coldly, "I betray friends for gain — that is unjust." The palm bore full soft-inner-force, on the Lingtai and Zhiyang acupoints — deadly. Bao Butong, never dreaming the master he had served since childhood would strike, spat blood and fell dead.

Deng Baichuan, Gongye Gan and Feng Boye had stood at the door; they thought Bao's words rash but right. Seeing Murong Fu strike him, they rushed in. Feng Boye held Bao's body. "Third Brother, Third Brother, what ails you?" Two lines of clear tears ran his cheeks; his breath was gone — dying of grief to the uttermost. Feng Boye said, "Third Brother, though breathless, you would ask the Young Master: 'Why strike me down?'" and glared at Murong Fu, hostile.

Deng Baichuan said, "Young Master, Third Brother loved to contradict — you knew from childhood. Had he been rude, a rebuke sufficed; why take his life?"

Murong Fu's true anger was not the rudeness, but that Bao had spoken his plot aloud — lest Duan Yanqing refuse to adopt him, or, adopting, forestall his Yan designs. In urgency he struck; else the crown within reach would fly. Hearing Deng and Feng, he thought, Caught between two, I must offend these two, not let Prince Yanqing suspect.

He said, "Third Brother's rudeness — what of it? He followed me years; would I kill for a few words? But my heart was true in bowing to Your Highness; he would sow discord between father and son — that I cannot suffer."

Feng Boye cried, "In Young Master's heart, Bao Butong, who risked life with you these dozen years, is worth less than a Duan Yanqing?" Murong Fu said, "Fourth Brother Feng, do not rage. I turn to Dali's Duan with whole heart, no other thought. Third Brother judged the gentleman with a petty mind — thus I struck." Gongye Gan said coldly, "Young Master's mind is fixed, past change?" Murong Fu said, "It is."

Deng, Gongye and Feng exchanged looks, nodded as one. Deng said, "Young Master, we four were no sworn brothers, but vowed to live and die together, closer than blood — you have long known." Murong Fu's brow rose; he said sternly, "Elder Deng would avenge Third Brother? The three of you together — Murong Fu fears not." Deng sighed, "We were ever the Murong house's men; how dare we offend? The ancients say: together stay, apart go. We three can serve you no more. Gentlemen part without ill words; may Young Master fare well."

Murong Fu saw the three about to leave — without a single trusted man in Dali, his work would suffer; he must keep them. "Elder Deng, Second Brother Gongye, Fourth Brother Feng — you know me; doubt not I would betray Duan. I bear you no grudge; why part? My late father treated you well, and you vowed to him to aid me — to leave is to break that vow."

Deng's face went iron-blue. "Speak not of the old master — this taking another as father, this surname-changing treason, how face him? We vowed to aid you restore Great Yan and glorify the Murongs — not to glorify Dali and the Duans." This left Murong Fu pale and red by turns, speechless.

The three bowed to the floor. "Farewell, Young Master!" Feng Boye bore Bao's corpse; they strode out, never looking back.

Murong Fu gave a dry laugh and said to Duan Yanqing, "Father, witness — these four were my men, years with me; for loyalty to Dali's Duan I slew one and drove off three. I enter Dali alone — proof of single heart, no other thought."

Duan Yanqing nodded. "Good, good! Most excellent."

Murong Fu said, "I shall now cure Father." He reached into his breast for a small porcelain vial; then thought, Once I undo the 'Sorrowful-Soughing Clear Wind,' I can never threaten him again. Henceforth I must please him, not scheme. His chief hate is the boy Duan Yu — I shall kill the boy first. He drew his sword. "Father, my first merit: kill the boy Duan Yu, end Duan Zhengchun's line, that he must pass the throne to you."

Duan Yu thought, Yuyan is my sister now; I wished to die already — your sword ends me well. He only sought swift death; his breath astray, he could not resist, but bared his neck.

Duan Zhengchun and the rest paled as Murong Fu turned his sword to Duan Yu. The Princess Consort cried out.

Duan Yanqing said, "Son, your filial care is fine — but the knave is detestable, has offended me oft. His uncle and father stole my throne, maimed me; I shall kill the cur myself, to slake my hate."

Murong Fu said, "Yes." He turned to return the sword to Duan Yanqing, then, "Ah, I am muddled — I should cure Father first." He sheathed, took the vial — and saw in Duan Yanqing's eyes a glint of triumph, as if signaling someone. He followed the glance: the Princess Consort nodded, her face grateful, joyful.

Murong Fu's suspicion rose — but he never dreamed Duan Yu was Duan Yanqing's and the Princess Consort's son; Duan Yanqing would sooner die than let another harm his precious boy, the throne mere dust beside. First he thought, Does Duan Yanqing secretly collude with Duan Zhengchun? They are Duan kin, cousins — 'strangers come not between kin.' Then, Best win his trust with merits. He turned to Duan Zhengchun. "Prince of Zhennan, once back in Dali, how long ere you take the throne, and after, how long ere you pass it to my father?"

Duan Zhengchun despised him, and said coldly, "My imperial brother's skill is deep; he shall reign thirty years at least. When he passes to me, I shall do my best for the people — thirty years at least. Sixty years on, my son Duan Yu is eighty; even if he reigns but twenty, that is eighty years hence…"

Murong Fu cried, "Nonsense! Who waits so long? Within a month you ascend; another month, abdicate to Prince Yanqing."

Duan Zhengchun understood well: Duan Yanqing and Murong Fu used him as the stair to Dali's throne; only after he passed it would they kill him, and dared not touch him now — yet Duan Yu was in deadly peril. He laughed. "My throne passes to my son Duan Yu. To pass it early — yes; to another — never."

Murong Fu raged, "Very well — I first kill the boy, and you pass it to his ghost!" and drew his sword again.

Duan Zhengchun laughed. "What am I, that you think me biddable? Kill my son, and would I still bend to you? Kill us all, if you will."

Murong Fu hesitated — to kill Duan Yu were one move, but Duan Zhengchun might in his grief cast away life, and then Duan Yanqing's throne fails, and Murong Fu's with it. Sword in hand, its green light on his white face, ghastly green, he turned to Duan Yanqing for word.

Duan Yanqing said, "This man is stubborn; if he kills himself, our plan fails. Well — the boy lives, in our hands; he shall not fly. Give me the antidote first."

Murong Fu said, "Yes!" but thought, Why that glance to the Princess Consort? Unsolved, I should not give the antidote — yet delay will anger him; what to do?

Just then Lady Wang cried, "Murong Fu, you said my antidote first — now you bow to a new father and coax this ugly thing! Mind I do not curse you prettily, he is no man but—" Murong Fu seized the opening. "Father, my aunt is headstrong; if she offends you, bear with her. Lest she speak rude again, I cure her first, then you." He held the vial to Lady Wang's nose.

Lady Wang smelled a foul stench, near vomited, would have cursed — but felt strength return to her limbs. Her eyes roved over Duan Zhengchun, the Princess Consort, and Qin, Ruan, Gan; suddenly jealousy broke all bounds. "Fu'er, kill these four thieving women for me, now!"

Murong Fu thought, Aunt said Duan Zhengchun is stubborn, yields to no threat — but his wives and lovers he values above his life. I shall use that. He went to Ruan Xingzhu, sword point at her breast, and asked Duan Zhengchun, "Prince of Zhennan, my aunt bids me kill her — your will?"

Duan Zhengchun, frantic but helpless, said to Lady Wang, "Aluo, henceforth I do as you bid — all you say. Must we be foes forever? You kill my women — then how can I ever care for you?" Lady Wang, though jealous to the bone, found his words fair; her old love for him had grown since they met. "Good nephew, wait — let me think."

Murong Fu said, "Prince, only consent to pass the throne to Prince Yanqing, and I save all your consorts, not a hair harmed." Duan Zhengchun gave a cold laugh, heedless.

Murong Fu thought, This man's amorous fame is known; plainly he loves beauty more than throne. To win his consent, strike at his women. He raised his sword, point at Ruan Xingzhu's breast. "Prince, a man's word is one. Nod, and I free all from the drug, feast apology, foe to friend — is that not fine? If you will not, my sword falls." Duan Zhengchun looked to Ruan Xingzhu; her lively eyes now held fear; his heart ached, but he thought, One word costs little — but this traitor, to please Yanqing, would kill Yu'er at once. He turned away.

Murong Fu called, "One — two —" Duan Zhengchun looked back at Ruan Xingzhu, tender beyond words, but helpless. Murong Fu cried, "Three — Prince, you truly will not?" Duan Zhengchun's mind was only of the day he first met Ruan Xingzhu — when a sharp cry; Murong Fu's sword entered her breast.

Lady Wang saw Duan Zhengchun's face twist, as if in his own pain; she cried, "Quick, save her! I did not bid you truly kill — only frighten the rogue!" Murong Fu shook his head — One more or less dead, what matters? — and pointed at Qin Hongmian. "Prince, famed for passion and honor, yet you will not speak a word to save your lover! One, two, three!" and chi, killed Qin Hongmian too.

Gan Baobao, pale with fright, yet steady, said, "Kill if you will; you shall not threaten the Prince. I am Zhong Wanchou's wife — what to me is the Prince? Do not shame the Zhong house of Wanqiu Valley ." Murong Fu sneered, "Who knows not Duan Zhengchun takes all — maid or widow, another's wife, all alike?" and killed Gan Baobao.

Lady Wang's heart sank; though she killed without blink, to see Murong Fu slay three of Duan Zhengchun's lovers in moments made her heart thump — she dared not meet Duan Zhengchun's eyes, could not imagine his face now.

Duan Zhengchun said softly, "Aluo, you and I were lovers, yet you never knew my heart. Of all the women in the world, I loved only you. I dallied, yes, but play-acting; none of them truly lodged in my heart. Your nephew killed three of my loves — what of it, so long as he harms not you?" Gentle words — but to Lady Wang they were terror; she knew Duan Zhengchun hated her, provoking Murong Fu to kill her and avenge the three. "Good nephew, believe him not!"

Murong Fu, half-doubting, turned his point naturally to Lady Wang's breast; blood dripped from the tip onto her robe's hem.

Lady Wang knew this nephew ruthless — for his throne-dream he would spare no aunt. If Duan Zhengchun kept showing care for her, Murong Fu would threaten with her life. She quavered, "Duan Lang, Duan Lang! Do you truly hate me to the bone, would see me dead?"

Duan Zhengchun saw fear in her eyes, sorrow on her face, and thought of old love; his heart softened, and he cursed, "You thieving hag, hog's-lard on your brain, drinking stale jealousy, killing my three beloved — were my limbs free I'd carve you to pieces! Murong Fu, stab her, why not? Why spare this stinking crone?" He knew the louder he cursed, the less Murong Fu would kill his aunt.

Lady Wang understood: his pretended love was to provoke Murong Fu to kill her; his curses now meant pardon. But she had dreamed of him these dozen years; suddenly reunited, her mind whirled. Three women lay dead; a bloody sword pointed at her breast; her thoughts blanked. She heard him curse — "thieving hag," "stinking crone" — so far from old vows and tender love; tears rolled. "Duan Lang, Duan Lang! Have you forgotten all you said? Not a thought for me? Duan Lang, my heart is still all for you. We parted so long; at last we meet — not one kind word? The daughter I bore you, Yuyan — have you seen her? Do you love her?"

Duan Zhengchun thought, Aluo's wits wander; one tender word and you die. He snapped, "You killed my three beloved — I hate you to the bone. We cut clean ten years since; I'd sooner kick you than not."

Lady Wang wept, "Duan Lang, Duan Lang!" and flung herself forward, onto the sword-tip.

Murong Fu, undecided, half-withdrew, half-not; a heartbeat's hesitation, and the sword entered her breast. He pulled free; blood spouted.

Lady Wang quavered, "Duan Lang, do you truly hate me so?"

Duan Zhengchun saw the wound mortal; tears ran his cheeks. "Aluo, I cursed to save your life. To meet again — such joy beyond words. How could I hate you? My heart for you is as the day I gave you a Mandala flower ." Lady Wang's lips curved; she whispered, "Good… I knew in your heart I lived always, never cast out. I too — never cast you out… You promised we would go to Mount Wuwang , to the stone cave where I lived with Mother as a child, and there dwell as man and wife, never out. Do you remember?" Duan Zhengchun said, "Aluo, I remember. We go tomorrow, to see your mother's jade statue." Lady Wang's face lit; she whispered, "That… that is good… on the stone wall, a sword's shadow, red and green, so fair — see, see, do you see it…" Her voice faded; her head tilted; she died.

Murong Fu said coldly, "Prince, your beloved women die one by one for you — would you have your principal consort die too?" and turned his point to the Princess Consort's breast.

Duan Yu, on the floor, heard Ruan Xingzhu, Qin Hongmian, Gan Baobao, Lady Wang fall one by one; Lady Wang's words of the Wuwang cave, the jade statue, the wall's sword-shadow — he had no leisure to ponder, only heard his mother's life threatened, and burned. He cried, "Harm not my mother! Harm not my mother!" — but the hemp plug allowed no sound; he strained, yet his inner breath blocked, he could not move a hair.

Murong Fu cried, "Prince, I count one, two, three — still refuse the throne to Prince Yanqing, and your consort dies for you." Duan Yu cried, "Harm not my mother!" and faintly Duan Yanqing said, "Hold — this needs long counsel." Murong Fu said, "Father, this matters hugely; if the Prince will not yield, our whole plan fails. One—" Duan Zhengchun said, "Would I yield, on one condition." Murong Fu said, "Yield or not — I brook no delay. Two — well?" Duan Zhengchun sighed, "I have sinned all my life; to die together is fitting." Murong Fu said, "Then you refuse? Three—"

At "three," Duan Zhengchun turned away, ignoring him; Murong Fu would have thrust at the Princess Consort when Duan Yanqing cried, "Hold!"

Murong Fu hesitated, turned to Duan Yanqing — and saw Duan Yu spring from the floor, head butting his belly. Murong Fu dodged, amazed: The boy, stung by Drunken Bees and poisoned by 'Sorrowful-Soughing Clear Wind' both — how leaps he?

What happened: Duan Yu, first hearing Wang Yuyan was his sister, had grieved, his breath astray; but hearing Murong Fu would kill his mother, he forgot Yuyan and deviation alike, and his breath returned to its true path. To train inner force is to hold a thought and guide the breath along the meridians; in deviation, struggling to pull the strayed breath back, the mind stays on the wrong path, and the more anxious, the further it strays. But when his only care was his mother's safety, the breath, free of thought, ran its natural course. At Murong Fu's "three," he forgot his bonds, leapt, and charged — and found he could move. He missed; his shoulder hit the table-edge; he strained his hands — the ox-sinew snapped.

His hands free, Murong Fu cursed, "Fine boy!" and struck with the Six-Pulse's "Shangyang Sword" . Murong Fu dodged, riposted. Duan Yu, blindfolded, gagged, could not speak — and could not see Murong Fu; he waved wildly, fearing Murong Fu reach his mother.

Murong Fu thought, He is free — I must kill him ere he sees. He struck "Great River Eastward Flows" , straight at Duan Yu's breast. Duan Yu waved and pointed; hearing the blade's whistle he dodged — pu, the tip entered his shoulder. He yelped, leapt; from the dry well he had also drawn Kumozhi's deep inner force, and easily sprang a zhang high, bang, his head cracked the beam. Mid-air he thought, I cannot see; only he can kill me, I cannot kill him — and cannot save mother and father.

He strained his feet; pa, the ankle-sinew snapped too. Duan Yu rejoiced: That day at the mill, he played the Xia 'General Li' — I dodged with the 'Lingbo Microstep' ; he could not touch me.

He touched ground, sidestepped, dodged a sword by inches. Duan Yanqing, Duan Zhengchun and the Princess Consort saw the green blade skim his belly — and all froze in dread; the dodge was beyond describing. Strange fortune: had he seen, and not used the Microstep, his untrained body could never have escaped so deadly a thrust.

Murong Fu's sword grew faster, yet never touched; ashamed and anxious, seeing Duan Yu not remove the blindfold, he thought Duan Yu flaunted, disdained him — If I cannot beat a blindfolded blind man, what face to live? His eyes near flamed; the green blade became a great green ball rolling through the hall, wrapping Duan Yu in a circle of death, every stroke fatal.

Duan Yanqing, the Princess Consort, Duan Zhengchun, Fan Hua, Hua Hegen , Cui Baiquan — the sword-light chilled them; hair fell from heads and faces, sleeves shredded.

Duan Yu weaved within, as if strolling a court, yet his heart raced: I only defend, cannot see — if he turns to mother or father, what then?

Murong Fu knew Duan Yu the true peril, cared not for the Princess Consort; a hundred strokes, no wound — The boy hears the blade's wind and dodges; I'll use 'Willow-Catkin Sword' , soundless, he cannot. He changed; a slow thrust. But Duan Yu's Microstep walks its own way, heedless of the foe's stroke — loud or silent, all one to him.

Duan Yanqing, wise enough to see the trick, was rattled by care; seeing Murong Fu slow his stroke and hide the whistle, he croaked, "Son, kill the boy quick — if he tears off the blindfold, we both die at his hand."

Murong Fu started: Fool, you warn him! And indeed, the word woke the dreamer; Duan Yu started, then tore the black cloth — sudden light, dazzling; a cold sword toward his face. He knew no skill, no wit to respond; baffled, his step broke — chi, his left leg was pierced, and he fell.

Murong Fu rejoiced, struck down. Duan Yu, on his side, returned a "Shaoze Sword" ; Murong Fu leapt back. Though blood poured from Duan Yu's leg, the Six-Pulse Sword raged; in moments Murong Fu flailed, undone. On Mount Shaoshi Murong Fu was no match; now Duan Yu, with Kumozhi's force, was worse. In a few moves, zheng, Murong Fu's sword flew up, stuck in the beam; po, his shoulder was gashed by sword-qi. He knew another moment and he died; he cried and leapt from the window, fleeing.

Duan Yu rose by a chair. "Mother, Father — unhurt?" The Princess Consort said, "Tear your robe, bind the wound." Duan Yu said, "No matter," and from Lady Wang's hand took the small vial; first let father and mother smell it, undoing the drug; then by his father's word used inner force to loose their sealed acupoints. The Princess Consort bound his wound.

Duan Zhengchun rose, drew the sword from the beam. Its blade bore the blood of Ruan Xingzhu, Qin Hongmian, Gan Baobao, Lady Wang — each had plighted eternal troth with him, known his flesh. Though fickle, with each he had been wholly true, would give heart and flesh. Four women lay dead; Lady Wang's head on Qin Hongmian's lap, Gan Baobao's body across Ruan Xingzhu's waist — each had tasted longing's pain for him, sorrow more than joy, and died for him. When Ruan Xingzhu fell, Duan Zhengchun had resolved to follow; now no other thought. Yu'er is grown, skilled in pen and sword; Dali shall not lack a wise lord — what do I leave undone? He said to the Princess Consort, "Madam, I wronged you. In my heart these women and you are alike — each my cherished treasure; my love for them was true, my love for you as true."

The Princess Consort cried, "Chun-ge, you… you must not—" and threw herself upon him.

Duan Yu, fighting to save his mother, had spent all; when Murong Fu fled, his wits returned, and he thought, I just deviated — how am I well? A chill; he went limp, curling, unable to stand.

A cry from the Princess Consort — Duan Zhengchun had driven the sword into his own breast. She pulled it free, pressed his wound, weeping, "Chun-ge, Chun-ge, though you had a thousand women, I love you the same. I was angry, yes — but that was love…" But his sword had found the heart; breath gone, he heard her not.

She turned the sword to her own breast — Duan Yu cried, "Mother!" — but the blade was long, her mind divided, and it slipped into her belly.

Duan Yu saw both parents stab themselves; soul fled; his legs vinegar-filled, sour and numb, he could not walk; he crawled, "Mother, Father, you…" The Princess Consort said, "Child, father and mother go; you… care for yourself…" Duan Yu wept, "Mother, you cannot die — Father, how is he?"

He held her head, would draw the sword, feared to hasten her end, dared not. She said, "Be like your uncle — a good emperor…" Suddenly Duan Yanqing said, "Give me the antidote; I will save your mother."

Duan Yu raged, "You thief! You took my father, caused his death — I have a blood-feud with you!" He rose, seized a steel crutch, would smite Duan Yanqing's head. The Princess Consort shrieked, "No!"

Duan Yu paused. "Mother, this is our great foe; I would avenge you and Father." She shrieked still, "No! You… you cannot commit this great sin!" Duan Yu, full of doubt, said, "I… cannot… commit this sin?" He clenched, cried, "I must kill the thief!" and raised the crutch. She said, "Bend low; I tell you."

He bent his ear to her lips; she whispered, "Child, this Duan Yanqing is your true father. Your father wronged me, and in wrath I did him wrong — and you were born. Your father never knew; he thought you his, but you are not. He is not your true father — this man is. You must not harm him, else… else you commit the sin of killing your father. I never liked this man, but… I cannot let you sin, lest you fall to Avici Hell , never reach the Western Paradise. I… I would not have told you, to spare your father's name — but I must…"

In less than an hour, thunderclap on thunderclap had left Duan Yu dumb. He held her, cried, "Mother, Mother, this is not true, not true!"

Duan Yanqing said, "Give me the antidote; save your mother." Duan Yu saw her breath fail; no leisure to think, he took the vial and cured Duan Yanqing.

Duan Yanqing's force returned; he took his crutch, chi-chi, sealed the points about her wound. She shook her head, "Touch me no more." To Duan Yu, "Child, I have words." He bent again.

She whispered, "This man and your father share surname and generation, but are no brothers. Your father's daughters — Miss Mu, Miss Wang, Miss Zhong — whom you love, marry. The Great Song may forbid same-surname marriage, but Dali cares not; only not true brother and sister. Take them all, if you will — is that not good? Do you… like it?"

Duan Yu's tears streamed; he thought not of liking.

She sighed, "Good child, that I could not see you in dragon-robes on the throne, a good… good little emperor — but I know you will be good…" Suddenly she pressed the sword-hilt; the blade passed through.

Duan Yu cried, "Mother!" and fell upon her; she slowly closed her eyes, a smile on her lips.

Duan Yu cried, "Mother…" when his back tingled, then waist, legs, shoulders — points sealed. A thin voice reached his ear: "I am your father Duan Yanqing; to spare the Prince of Zhennan's face, I speak to you by 'Sound-Transmission-into-Privacy' . You heard your mother's words?"

The Princess Consort's last two speeches, though soft, Duan Yanqing had heard entire, his drug cleared, his force restored — he knew she had revealed his son's birth.

Duan Yu cried, "I heard not, heard not! I want only my own father and mother." — saying "my own father and mother" was to admit he had heard.

Duan Yanqing flared, "You will not own me?" Duan Yu cried, "No! I believe not!" Duan Yanqing low, "Your life is in my hand; to kill you were easy. Yet you are my son — to disown your true father is great unfilial."

Duan Yu had no answer. He knew his mother's words true; but twenty-odd years he had called Duan Zhengchun father, who had been kind — how own a stranger? And his parents' deaths were Duan Yanqing's doing; to own his foe as father, never. He set his teeth, "Kill if you will; I shall never own you."

Duan Yanqing, angry and disappointed, thought, I have a son, yet he owns me not — as having none. His savage nature rose; he raised his crutch to Duan Yu's back — but at the touch of his robe, his heart softened; he sighed, A life of suffering, no kin on earth; at last a son — how kill him? Own me or not, he is my son. Then: Duan Zhengchun is dead; I cannot strive with Duan Zhengming. Yet Dali's throne returns to my son. Though no emperor, it is as if I were — my wish fulfilled.

Duan Yu cried, "Will you kill me? Then strike!"

Duan Yanqing loosed his sealed points, and by Sound-Transmission said, "I will not kill my own son! You will not own me — then kill me with the Six-Pulse Sword, avenge Duan Zhengchun and your mother." He bared his breast, awaiting Duan Yu's stroke. His heart filled with self-pity — since his wounding, this mood had ruled, vented in evil; now he felt his life all for naught, and to die by his son's hand were release.

Duan Yu wiped his tears, mind blank; he would kill this arch-fiend with the Six-Pulse Sword — but his mother's solemn words said the man was his true father. How strike?

Duan Yanqing waited; saw Duan Yu raise his hand and lower it, lower and raise, never decided. He said sternly, "A man of stature strikes or not — what is there to fear?"

Duan Yu set his teeth, drew back his hand. "Mother would not lie; I will not kill you."

Duan Yanqing laughed great joy — his son had owned him at last; he struck his crutches to earth and went, not a glance at the insensate Cloud-Midst Crane.

Duan Yu, hoping against hope, felt his parents' pulses, their breath — and knew no revival. He fell and wept.

After long weeping, a woman's voice behind: "Prince Duan, restrain your grief. We came too late; guilty of ten thousand deaths." He turned; at the door stood seven or eight women; the two foremost twin in looks — two of the Lingjiu Four , though which he knew not. Tears on his face, he sobbed, "My father, my mother — both slain!"

The two were Bamboo Sword and Chrysanthemum Sword . Bamboo said, "Prince, my master, learning your honored father was in peril, sent us with men to aid — but we were a step too slow." Chrysanthemum said, "Miss Wang Yuyan and the others, imprisoned in the dungeon, are rescued, safe — pray be at ease."

A whistling came from afar; Bamboo said, "Sister Mei and Sister Lan come too!" Soon hoofbeats; a dozen rode up; foremost, Plum Sword and Orchid Sword . They rushed in, saw the corpses, stamped and cried, "Alas! Alas!"

Plum bowed to Duan Yu. "My master bids me tell Prince Duan: one thing he did was utterly wrong, but he could not help it. He broke his word and is ashamed to meet you — he begs your pardon." Duan Yu, not knowing her meaning, choked, "We are sworn brothers ; what matter? My father and mother are dead — what idle thing should I mind?"

Now Fan Hua, Hua Hegen, Fu Sigui , Cui Baiquan and Guo Yanzhi had smelled the antidote, their acupoints loosed. Hua Hegen, seeing Cloud-Midst Crane still on the ground, struck off his head with one blow — the "Utterly Evil" Crane parted from body. Fan, Hua and the rest bowed to the Prince and Consort's remains, and wept aloud.

At dawn Fan Hua and the rest went for coffins. By noon the Zhu-Tian division of Lingjiu, with Wang Yuyan, Ba TianShi, Zhu Danchen, Mu Wanqing and Zhong Ling, arrived — they had been stung by Drunken Bees and only now woke.

Duan Yu, Fan Hua and the rest laid the dead in coffins. They were now within Dali's borders; Fan Hua sent word to the neighboring prefectures. The officials, hearing the Imperial Younger Brother the Prince of Zhennan and his consort had "died suddenly" in their jurisdiction, near fainted — certain of the charge "neglect of duty." But Fan the Minister reproved them not; they hastily gathered men to bear the coffins. The Lingjiu maidens, fearing further mishap, escorted Duan Yu to the Dali capital; Wang Yuyan and Ba TianShi woke on the way.

Word that the Prince of Zhennan had died on the road and the heir bore the coffin home had reached the capital. The Prince had served the state and was beloved; officials and people met them ten-odd li out, grief rending the city. Duan Yu, Hua Hegen, Ba TianShi and the rest entered the palace to report the death. Wang Yuyan, Plum Sword and the rest were lodged by Zhu Danchen at the guesthouse.

In the palace Duan Yu found Duan Zhengming's eyes swollen from weeping; he would have bowed, but Duan Zhengming cried, "Child, how… how came this?" and clasped him; uncle and nephew embraced.

Duan Yu hid nothing, telling all, even the Princess Consort's words; then bowed and wept, "If father was not my true sire, I am a bastard, and can no longer… dwell in Dali."

Duan Zhengming, aghast, sighed, "Retribution, retribution!" and raised him. "Child, of this only you and Duan Yanqing know; you need not have told me. But you spoke plain — proof of honesty. Your father and I had no sons; though you are a Duan, even if not, I would make you heir. This throne was Prince Yanqing's; I held it decades and was ashamed. Heaven's arrangement is best of all." He removed his yellow-satin cap — his head was shaved, twelve incense-scars on the crown.

Duan Yu started. "Uncle, you…" Duan Zhengming said, "That day at Tianlong Monastery against Kumozhi, my master shaved and ordained me — you saw." Duan Yu said, "Yes." Duan Zhengming said, "Entered the clergy, I should pass the throne to your father. But he was in the central plains; a realm cannot lack a sovereign a day, so by my master's order I held it. Your father died on the road; today I pass it to you."

Duan Yu was more amazed. "I am young and shallow — how bear the great seat? And my birth unclear; I… would retreat to the hills…"

Duan Zhengming cried, "Of your birth, speak no more! How did your father and mother treat you?"

Duan Yu wept, "Their grace is deep as sea, high as mountain."

Duan Zhengming said, "Then it is well. To repay them, guard their good name. To be emperor, remember two things: first, love the people; second, heed counsel. Your nature is kind; you will not oppress. Only when old, never trust your own cleverness to rashly change the realm, nor wage war on neighbors."

To be continued in Chapter 49.