Chapter - 337 Inn In a Deserted Village (12) (1/2)
The two beggars had always admired the Quanzhen Seven Masters; knowing they were Yang Kang's masters, they were more modest, kept referring themselves as 'wan bei' [juniors]. Mu Nianci talked about past events, the two beggars became more affectionate. Since she already had some connection with the Beggar Clan, she was also invited to the Yuezhou assembly. Mu Nianci wanted very much to travel with Yang Kang, so she immediately nodded her head.
Qiu Chuji was originally very angry with Yang Kang and wanted to cripple him to take his martial art skill away, but remembering the deceased Yang Tiexin he did not have the heart to do so. Now, first, he saw that Yang Kang treated Mu Nianci in an intimate manner, that simple 'joust to find a spouse' affair turned out good after all; second, Yang Kang seemed to learn good lesson from life experiences, he was willing to forfeit riches and honor, took the surname Yang as his own, so Qiu Chuji's loving care in teaching and giving him guidance was not in vain; third, these two high-level Beggar Clan disciple seemed to respect him very much, it certainly would bring glory and honor to the Quanzhen Sect. Therefore, the fury in his heart was replaced immediately into delight. He gently twirled the end of his long moustache and watched Yang and Mu two people's backs with a smile on his face.
That very evening Ma Yu and the others slept in the inn, waiting for Tan Chuduan three people to return. But all day the next day they did not hear anything about them; four people started to get anxious. Near midnight they heard a long whistle from outside the village. ”Hao Shige came back!” Sun Bu'er said. Ma Yu returned the call with a low whistle. Not too long afterwards a shadow flashed by the door and Hao Datong flew in.
Huang Rong had never seen this person, she pressed her eye into the small hole to take a look. It was the fifth day of the seventh month, the crescent moon shone its light through the window opening. Under the moonlight she saw this man was big and tall, his appearance looked like that of a government official. His Taoist robe had short sleeves, stopped at the elbow; it looked different than the ones Ma Yu and the others wore. Turned out before he became a priest he was a head of Shandong's Ninghai sub-prefecture's rich family; highly educated, even managed to sell his divination skill. Later on he bowed to Wang Chongyang at the 'yan xia dong' [smoky red clouds cave] and took him as his master. Wang Chongyang took out his own robe, cut the sleeves and gave the robe to Hao Datong; saying, ”Don't worry that it is without sleeves, you will complete it yourself.”
The word 'xiu' [sleeve] was similar to the word 'shou' [to teach/to instruct/to award/to give]; the meaning was, no matter how much the master gives instructions, there will always be more to learn; whether the disciple enlightened or not, it depends on his own comprehension. He remembered his Master's kindness very well, so afterwards he always wore the half-sleeved Taoist robe.
Qiu Chuji was the most impatient, ”How is Zhou Shishu?” he asked, ”Is he playing around with others, or is he fighting them?”
Hao Datong shook his head. ”I am ashamed,” he said, ”Xiao Di's [little brother] skill is superficial, I only managed to pursue them for seven, eight 'li's before Zhou Shishu's and the others' shadows disappeared. Tan Shige and Liu Shige were still ahead of Xiao Di. Xiao Di was powerless; I tried to look for them one whole day and one whole night but did not have the slightest clue on where they were.”
Ma Yu nodded his head, ”Hao Shidi [younger martial brother] is tired. Sit down and take some rest.” Hao Datong sat cross-legged. He circulated his 'qi' around his body one time, then he said, ”On my way back at the 'zhou wang miao' [Temple of King Zhou (dynasty)] Xiao Di saw six people. Their appearance matches Qiu Shige's description of the Six Freaks of Jiangnan. Thus Xiao Di came over to talk with them, and indeed it was them.”
Qiu Chuji was delighted, ”The Six Freaks are very bold,” he said, ”They unexpectedly went to the Peach Blossom Island. No wonder we could not find them.”
Hao Datong said, ”The head of the Six Freaks, Ke Zhen'e, Ke Daxia [great hero Ke] said that they had an agreement to see Huang Yaoshi, therefore, they went to the Peach Blossom Island to keep their promise; who would have thought that Huang Yaoshi was not on the island. They heard Xiao Di mention Qiu Shixiong and the others are here, they said they are going to pay us a visit a little later.”
Guo Jing heard that his six masters were well, his heart was greatly comforted. By this time he had trained for five days and five nights, most of his injury has been healed.