Chapter - 57 Two Killers In the Tempest (13) (2/2)

”Yes”, the child answered.

”Then you must obey us from now on.”

Guo Jing nodded his head.

”We, the seven brothers and sister will all be your Shifus,” continued Zhu Cong while wiping away his tears. ”But now, your fifth Shifu's spirit is going to leave us, kowtow and pay him homage.”

Guo Jing didn't know what precisely what 'spirit is going to leave us' meant, but he immediately obeyed, kowtowing and touching the ground with his forehead.

Zhang Ahsheng, his face white like linen, forced himself to smile. ”That is sufficient… Brave boy, I won't be able to teach you my knowledge… Ah, but if I did and even if you had learned what I know, it would not serve you very well. I am not naturally quick witted, and rather lazy about practicing… I relied on the little strength that I had… had I worked more, maybe I would not have met a sad end today…” He almost fainted and became even paler.

”Neither are you”, he said while panting, ”naturally gifted; it's absolutely necessary for you to put in a lot of effort. When you're tempted to be lazy, think about your Fifth Shifu and the state in which you see him…”

He wanted to continue, but didn't have any more strength.

Han Xiaoying lowered her ear to Zhang's mouth, and heard him barely say,

”Teach the child well… Don't let us lose to that cow-nose Taoist priest…”

”Be assured”, said Han Xiaoying, ”the 'Seven Freaks of Jiangnan' will not lose!

Zhang Ahsheng gave a small foolish laugh, closed his eyes, departed this world, and returned his soul.

The Six Freaks broke into sobs. Since they had become sworn brothers, a very strong bond united them. During the past years searching for Li Ping and her son, they had lived day and night together. And now, at this moment, one of them had tragically died in this foreign land. How could they not be overwhelmed with grief? After having cried themselves out, they dug a grave and buried Zhang Ahsheng. When they finished, they erected a big rock to mark the place of his grave. By then the sun had already risen.

Quan Jinfa and Han Baoju left to search for visible clues that could lead them to Mei Chaofeng. After the storm, the sand showed no traces of her passing and it was impossible to know where she had gone. They extended their search for several li around the mountain, but came up with nothing.

”In the steppe”, Zhu Cong said, ”I imagine that this blind… this woman can't go very far. The poisoned projectiles should have taken effect by now and she will probably die somewhere. Let's take the child back home first and take care of our injured. After that, Third and Sixth brother, and Seventh sister can continue the search.”

All agreed and shed some more tears while saying farewell at the grave of their deceased brother.