Chapter - 501 A Gentleman is Gullible Because of His Righteous Conduct (10) (1/2)

Early morning on the sixth day of the fifth month, the bells inside the Shaolin Temple rang, calling the crowd of heroes to gather again in the field. This time, the old monk of the Damo Hall did not even ask for Kong Zhi's permission. He stood in the middle of the field and said in a loud and clear voice, ”All heroes, greetings! In the martial art competition yesterday, the Emei Pai Sect Leader, Mrs. Song's skill was proven to surpass everybody else's. We invite Mrs. Song to the back of the mountain to break the guard and get Jin Mao Shi Wang Xie Xun out. Lao Seng [old monk – referring to self] will show the way.” Finished speaking, he proceeded walking toward the back of the mountain.

Emei Pai's eight senior female disciples promptly followed him, with Zhou Zhiruo and the rest of Emei disciples close on their heels. The rest of the heroes followed after them. Zhang Wuji noticed that Zhou Zhiruo wore similar clothes to the ones she wore the previous day, not mourning clothes, so he knew Song Qingshu had not died yet.

”Critical moment has passed,” Zhang Wuji thought, ”He will live.”

As the crowd of heroes went up to the peak of the hill, they saw that the three eminent monks were still sitting cross-legged under the pine trees.

The old monk of the Damo Hall said, ”Jin Mao Shi Wang is held captive in the underground dungeon in between the three green pine trees. Guarding the dungeon are our Sect's three elders. Mrs. Song's martial art skill is unrivalled under the heavens. She only needs to defeat our Sect's three elders then she can open the dungeon and take the prisoner away. The rest of us will have the opportunity to admire Mrs. Song's skill once again.”

Seeing Zhang Wuji's indeterminate expression, Yang Xiao said quietly by his ear, ”Jiaozhu, don't worry. Wei Fu Wang and Shuo Bude are leading the Five-Element Banners to surround the peak. If Emei Pai is unwilling to hand Xie Shi Wang over, we will have to use force.”

Frowning, Zhang Wuji said, ”That means we are breaking the general assembly's rules and breaking good faith.”

”I am only afraid Mrs. Song would place a sword on Xie Shi Wang's neck,” Yang Xiao said, ”And then many innocent bystanders would be hurt. Breaking good faith or not, we simply can't deal with this crowd alone.”

Zhao Min quietly said, ”Xie Shi Wang's enemies are numerous. We must guard against sneak attacks, someone launching secret projectile from among the crowd.”

Yang Xiao said, ”Fan You Shi, Priest Tie Guan, Zhou Xiong [brother Zhou] Peng Dashi [reverend Peng], four people are taking their positions on the four corners, guarding against sneak attacks.”

In a low voice Zhao Min said, ”It would be better if someone launched a secret projectile. We may seize the opportunity amidst the chaos to snatch Xie Shi Wang. The world heroes could not blame us for breaking good faith. However, if all is quiet … something has to happen … Hmm, Yang Zuo Shi, have someone in disguise secretly launch an attack toward Xie Shi Wang to stir up the water, and then in the midst of trouble we snatch him away.”

Yang Xiao laughed. ”This is a wonderful idea,” he said, and then immediately left to find someone to execute the plan.

Zhang Wuji realized they were not being straightforward and upright; but in order to save his Yifu, they were left with no other choice but to act decisively. In his heart, he could not stop feeling grateful toward Zhao Min. He thought, ”In the face of critical situation, Min Mei and Yang Zuo Shi both have the ability to act decisive. It is very seldom that they had to stop and discuss matters at length, and lose a good opportunity. I don't have that ability.”

In the meantime, he heard that Zhou Zhiruo was saying, ”Since the three eminent monks are Shaolin Pai's elders, your martial art skill must be very profound. If I fought you with one against three, not only it will be unfair, it will also be disrespectful of me.”