The Return of the Condor Heroes

Chapter 27 – Battle of wits and strength, Part 2

Chapter 27 – Battle of wits and strength, Part 2

As Yang Guo heard Guo Jing’s genuine words, he couldn’t bear the heartache, his eyes turning red.

Huang Rong said: “Day after day we’ve searched for him and we haven’t even seen his tracks. If something bad happened, there must have been a clue. Guo’er’s Wu Gong [martial arts] are beginning to rivaled ours. Despite a serious injury, it wouldn’t be a great obstacle.”

Guo Jing said: “I hope so. I will go bring back Fu’er. We can’t leave the matter like this.”

Huang Rong smiled, saying: “She has already ridden the little red horse out of town. Why would you bother going after her?”

Guo Jing replied: “It’s already past 3 AM; without Lu Da Ren’s [Your Excellency Lu] or my command emblem, who would dare open the city gate at night?”

Huang Rong sighed, saying: “Good, I’ll follow you then!” She reached out to take back her son Guo Polu.

Guo Jing handed the baby over, his face full of regret. He then said: “Rong’er, I’m so sorry. But after Fu’er has been punished, even though handicapped, she will change as she won’t have the advantage of…”

Huang Rong nodded: “That is so!” As her hands touched the baby swaddling cloth, they suddenly dropped down to Guo Jing’s sides. She used her family’s “Orchid Brushing Accupoints” (Lan Hua Fu Xue) skills to seal his pressure points, “ Deep Pool Liquid Accupoint” (Yuan Ye Xue) on his left arm and “Capital Gate Accupoint” (Jing Men Xue) on his right arm at the same time. These two points were under Guo Jing’s arms so that he couldn’t use his Wu Gong [martial arts]. If she didn’t use such a dirty tactic, how would she be able to seal his pressure points? When Huang Rong threw the baby to her husband, she had already planned all this. Tricked by his wife, Guo Jing collapsed painfully onto the bed, unable to move.

Huang Rong picked up the baby. She removed Guo Jing’s shoes, socks, and outer clothing, placing him nicely in bed. She put a pillow under his head, making sure he could rest comfortably, and then took the command emblem from his waist. Guo Jing looked at her, his eyes wide open, yet had no way to resist. Huang Rong put the baby next to him, leaving the two gentlemen lying together, and then covered them both with a cotton blanket, saying: “Jing ge ge, today I am temporarily to blame. As soon as I’ve seen Fu’er out of city, I will come back to personally cook for you several dishes, kowtow to you three times, and admit my crime.”

Having said that, Huang Rong lifted his body up, giving him a kiss on the cheek. Guo Jing had heard such a speech before, then realized that his wife, who was already a mother of three children, was being mischievous, and was not listening to her husband. He dumbfoundedly watched her pursing her lips and floating out of the door. Then he thought about his two sealed pressure points. She probably wouldn’t come back to release him, so he quickly used his internal energy to clear the pressure points. He wouldn’t be able to catch up with his daughter anyhow. And for that matter, he didn’t quite know whether to laugh or to cry.

Like most mothers Huang Rong was very concerned about her daughter’s well-being since her daughter had to cover an arduous and dangerous journey (the more beautiful the daughter, the more hazardous the journey) to Peach Blossom Island (Tao Hua Dao). That’s why, after leaving her husband and her baby, she went to her bedroom to fetch her ruan-wei-jia (Hedgehog protective suit), Peach Blossom Island’s most treasured object, which she wrapped and clasped under her arm before chasing after her daughter, using her qing gong (lightness kung fu).

As she approached the Nan Men (Southgate) she watched from afar how Guo Fu on the red horse was bickering loudly with the garrison commander. The officer behaved very courteously but strictly. Without being shown a ling-pai (command emblem) he dared not open the city gate; a violation of this rule and he would be sentenced to death. Huang Rong thought: “This blockhead daughter of mine has been overprotected all her life; never being confronted with any problems, she doesn’t try to solve difficulties using strategy, she can only shout angrily, which worsens the matter.” Huang Rong hurriedly approached, held the ling-pai (which she had snatched from Guo Jing’s waist belt) high and shouted: “This is the ling-pai of Honorable Lu! Please examine!”

As we know, the commanding general of Xiangyang was Lu Wende, although in practice it was Guo Jing who lead the city’s defense; officially he was only a ‘ke qing’ (guest minister) who ordered on behalf of Lu.

Seeing Mrs. Guo with the ling-pai, the officer, smiling, immediately commanded the city gate to be opened. He personally led his horse to Huang Rong and said: “Mrs. Guo, in case you need the horse of this junior officer, please take it”.

“Fine, I’ll borrow it.” Huang Rong said leaping on the horse.

After leaving Xiangyang, mother and daughter rode side by side. Several times Huang Rong wanted to bid farewell and ride back to Xiangyang, but each time she postponed it. So she accompanied her daughter further and further.

At that time, the region encompassing hundreds of li north of Xiangyang was already occupied by the Mongolian soldiers. Most of the Chinese had moved out. But the region south of Xiangyang was still dense with people although they lived in fear.

After about twenty li, dawn was setting in, Huang Rong and her daughter arrived at a small town, its shops and restaurants beginning to open.

“Fu’er”, the mother said, “Let’s have some breakfast before I return to Xiangyang.”

Guo Fu nodded with tears flowing down her cheeks. In her heart she already deeply regretted having cut off Yang Guo’s arm in anger, causing her now to be caught in such a horrible mess.

They went into a restaurant and ordered cooked beef and rice cakes. In a short time the meal was served but because they were depressed they didn’t have much of an appetite.

Huang Rong gave the wrapped up ruan-wei-jia with the advice to wear the protective vest later on when Guo Fu stayed in an inn. She gave advice and admonitions with Guo Fu listening and nodding several times, still weeping. Seeing her daughter in such a pitiful state Huang Rong actually felt very reluctant and sorry to leave her, but her duty as wife and mother forced her to return to Xiangyang.

Suddenly, looking westwards she caught a glimpse of a basket filled with big red apples in a fruit shop. “Before I bid farewell to Fu’er I’ll buy her some apples”, she thought.

“Fu’er”, she said rising, “You should force yourself to eat even though you don’t have any appetite. In times of war you never know at what time you can get food again. Wait a moment; I’ll buy you some fruit.” She went out to approach the fruit shop.