Summary: The Wanderer Chronicles

Prologue

It is the year Zhengtong 3 (1438). [1] The Mongols have risen again [2]; Oirat, in the northwest, is expanding its borders. In no-man’s land to the north of Yanmen Pass, a horse and cart traverses the road, carrying an old man and a young, seven year-old girl, driven by two men, Xie Tianhua and Dulcet Tide Monk, who are brothers of the same Sect. The two men are quietly lamenting the death of a younger Sect Brother, Yun Cheng, who is the son of the old man, Yun Jing, and the father of the little girl, Yun Lei. Xie Tianhua and Dulcet Tide Monk, along with their disciples, were aiding the Yun family escape Oirat when they were ambushed by Oirat soldiers. They were taking the opportunity of a nation-wide celebration of the birth of the Khan’s heir, and hence a lax in security, to flee.

As they pause for a rest, Yun Jing tells his tragic story. Twenty years ago, he was sent as a diplomat to Oirat. He was welcomed by the Oirat Khan, but before anything could be discussed, a young twenty-odd year-old man of Han birth convinced the Khan to capture Yun Jing and enslave him as a shepherd. This young man is Zhang Cungzhou, who later becomes the Right Prime Minister of the Oirat court. During the first several years of bitter struggle, and with the hopes of being rescued fading with each year, Yun Jing wrote his Blood Testament in hopes that it would fall into the hands of his descendants. Soon after, Yun Jing’s son, Yun Cheng, sneaked into Oirat alone to find his father. Unfortunately, Yun Cheng was also captured and forced into herding. Father and son managed to have secret meetings, and under his father’s orders, Yun Cheng married a Mongol woman and fathered a son and a daughter. The son was given Yun Jing’s Blood Testament and sent to Yun Cheng’s elder Sect Brother for training. Yun Cheng made a second Blood Testament, which he gives to Yun Lei while telling his tale, commanding her to take vengeance on Zhang Cungzhou and all his descendants and to pass on this command to her descendants should any of Zhang’s heirs survive.

As the group resumes travelling, they are stopped by Tantai Mieming, who is Zhang Cungzhou’s most powerful warrior. Tantai Mieming is under orders from Zhang Cungzhou to entreat them to return to Oirat because of impending danger at Yanmen Pass. The escapees refuse; Yun Jing accuses Tantai Mieming of killing his son, which Tantai denies, saying it was the work of the Left Prime Minister’s men. During an ensuing scuffle, Xie Tianhua and Dulcet Tide Monk discover that Tantai Mieming is the disciple of a rival Sect. Tantai Mieming cuts short the fight and tells Yun Jing that Zhang Cungzhou regrets his past actions and hopes to keep Yun from harm with messages contained in three silk pouches. Yun Jing is still resistant, and Tantai Mieming leaves them. In spite of instructions to be opened at certain points, Yun Jing reads the contents of all three pouches, disclaiming them as lies. The first message read: “Return to Mongolia immediately. General Tantai will lead the way to ensure safety.” The second: “Time is running out. If the group that greets you at Yanmen Pass is not led by Zhou Jian, flee and leave Xie Tianhua and Dulcet Tide Monk to block the way. This way, you can escape from being beheaded.” The third is addressed to Xie Tianhua, but with his permission, Yun Jing reads it: “Should Official Yun be captured, take the enclosed pellet to Beijing and find Yu Qian to discuss how to deal with Wang Zhen. Yun Jing’s life depends on this.” While skeptical of Zhang’s intentions, Xie Tianhua and Dulcet Tide Monk are concerned because Wang Zhen is a corrupt eunuch in power at court. However, they press forward.

They arrive at Qi Li Pu, where the rest wait while Xie Tianhua goes to meet up with Zhou Jian. While waiting for Zhou Jian, Xie Tianhua is drugged and imprisoned; Zhou helps him escape, only briefly telling him that there is trouble and that explanations will follow. Meanwhile, an expectant Yun Jing is greeted by an entourage headed by a court official, who approaches and exclaims, “Traitor Yun Jing, kneel to accept the Royal Proclamation!” A startled Yun Jing refuses, but the official ignores this and proceeds to read the Proclamation, which convicts him of treason and condemns him to death by suicide.

Yun Jing demands to see the Proclamation, and a scuffle occurs between Dulcet Tide Monk and the guards; several guards are injured, and the others flee, sounding the horn. Yun Jing seizes the Proclamation and is dismayed to find that it is genuine. In his agony, he breaks his diplomat’s staff, drinks the poisoned wine, bleeds out, and dies; Dulcet Tide Monk does not stop him in time.

As the onslaught of soldiers arrive, Dulcet Tide Monk picks Yun Lei up and flees. In the ensuing chaos, Xie Tianhua and Zhou Jian finally arrive. They all flee north to no-man’s land. When they reach safety, Xie Tianhua expresses his concern that Zhou Jian has been implicated in the mess, to which Zhou replies that he has already resigned his post as General and has only been waiting for his successor’s arrival. After some debate, they agree that Wang Zhen must be the mastermind responsible for Yun Jing’s execution; Zhou Jian also reveals that Wang Zhen is in league with the Oirat Left Prime Minister and likely Zhang Cungzhou as well. The discussion concludes with Xie Tianhua departing for Oirat to kill Zhang Cungzhou and Dulcet Tide Monk responsible for bringing Yun Lei to his Sect Sister for safe-keeping and training. They agree to meet in this place in ten year’s time.


Footnotes:
[1] During the Dynastic Era of Chinese history, the method of documenting each year followed two systems: (a) a sixty-year cycle, and (b) the reign name of the ruling Emperor, where “year one” denoted the first year of reign.
[2] The founding Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang, defeated the Mongol rulers and reprised a Han-ruled country.



Chapter 1

Ten years later.

In no-man’s land, a Rebels’ Lodge is established, using a sun-and-moon double-banner as its emblem. It subsists by neither thieving nor stealing army provisions, although it often robs known corrupt officials. The Ming government and Oirat are both afraid of it. Its Chief is only known as the Old Golden Broadsword Thief.

A group of soldiers, led by Fang Qing, are commissioned to transport 40,000 taels of silver to Yanmen Pass. They meet a well-mannered scholar, who, with the help of confederates, proceeds to steal the chests of silver. Fang Qing is the only survivor, and, fearing persecution, tries to hang himself. He is saved by a youngster, who tells Fang Qing a plan to retrieve the lost chests. Fang Qing is told to go to the nearby valley and make a second attempt at hanging himself; he should thus meet up with a marvel. Fang Qing follows the advice and is saved by this marvel, who turns out to be a young girl. He begs her for help, and she agrees. They leave the valley and arrive at the mouth of a cave assumed to be where the chests are held. The young girl has a scuffle with the guards.



Chapter 2

The young girl wins the scuffle but is told that the chests have been moved; she asks to be taken to the leader of Golden Broadsword Lodge. She and Fang Qing are greeted by the Young Chief, the youngster who saved Fang from death the first time. The young girl asks for the return of the chests, and is told that she must first successfully remove the sun-and-moon double-banner from atop them. A fight ensuing between the Chief and the young girl ends with the Chief conceding defeat. He then gives the young girl a bamboo stick with a string of fur attached; the young girl suddenly collapses on the floor crying. The stick is the top piece of Yun Jing’s diplomatic staff. The Chief, who is, of course, Zhou Jian, then returns the chests to Fang Qing. Apparently, the stealing of the chests was Zhou Jian’s way of coercing Yun Lei to the Lodge.

After dinner and a formal introduction to his son, Shanmin, Zhou Jian asks Yun Lei to accompany him for a walk. He explains that the land has been cultivated for farming with the help of a man-made lake. Zhou Jian has received news that Ming soldiers plan to wreck dam to drain the lake, cause a mudslide, and flood the farmland.

Suddenly, two Oirat warriors appear and discuss their intention of first conquering the Lodge and then taking Yanmen Pass. Zhou Jian and Yun Lei go out and confront the two.



Chapter 3

One of the Oirat warriors is Tantai Mieming, and the other is a Mongol Khan. In the scuffle, Tantai Mieming discovers that Yun Lei is Yun Jing’s granddaughter. Zhou Jian and Yun Lei are unable to capture the Oirat warriors. However, while discussing the problem of the possible invasion of Ming soldiers, Zhou Jian tells Yun Lei that they will temporarily desist from their planned attack because of the return of the chests of silver: the Ming General of Yenman Pass now owes Zhou a favour.

Zhou Jian and Yun Lei then notice an injured man nearby, who tells them that he is the elder Sect Brother of Yun Zhong, Yun Lei’s elder brother, whom he says plans to go to Beijing to take the Official Military Examinations. The injured man also has letter from his Shifu, Dong Yue, for Zhou Jian; having now completed his mission, the injured man dies peacefully. Through Dong Yue’s letter, Zhou Jian and Yun Lei learn that the new Left Prime Minister of Oirat is Esen, who is plotting to attack China. Dong Yue also plans to go into Oirat to find news of Xie Tianhua, who has not been heard from since his quest to kill Zhang Cungzhou; Dong asks that his Sect Siblings Dulcet Tide Monk and Ye Yingying, Yun Lei’s Master, be notified so that they may go into Oirat together.

Yun Lei plans to go to Beijing to see her brother; under Zhou Shanmin’s tutelage, she learns about The Martial Realm (Jianghu) customs, phrases, alliances, and so on and is also advised to disguise herself as a boy. At their parting, Zhou Jian gives her a red Mongol warhorse, a purse of money and jewels for use on the road, and one of his double-banners to use in emergencies.

Yun Lei passes through Yanmen Pass into the gated city. Seeing a beautiful white horse in front of one of the restaurants, she goes in; as she is seated, she notices a well-dressed, drunken scholar, who is being closely eyed by two men. The two proceed to pick a fight with each other in an attempt to get closer to the scholar to rob him. Yun Lei intervenes and teaches them a lesson, commands them to return to their seats, and steals their money; the two are then kicked out of the restaurant naked when the waiter discovers that they can’t pay their bill. Yun Lei has a good laugh and a pleasant meal; when she asks for the bill, she is shocked to discover that her purse has disappeared. She panics, but before she suffers the fate of the two thieves, the scholar ambles over and offers to pay her bill.

Near sunset, Yun Lei tries to find a place to rest and comes across the scholar in an old abandoned temple. That night, the temple receives two sets of visitors: the first are a pair of Mongol warriors and the other masked thieves. Yun Lei fights off both sets but is puzzled by the unknown stranger who uses covert missiles to both aid and thwart her. Yun Lei returns to the temple to find that the scholar has slept through the whole thing. In a fit of mischief, she wakes him up. After their conversation turns heated, she leaves in a huff. Suddenly, she hears a sound and knows that the unknown stranger is still around, but she can’t get him or her to come out of hiding. Even more puzzling, she finds her missing purse on the ground.

During lunch the following morning, Yun Lei learns that an eminent Martial Realm (Jianghu) hero, Shi “Thunder” Ying, is celebrating his milestone 60th birthday. As the celebration is an open invitation to all and sundry, her curiosity brings her to his house, Black Stone Mansion. She overhears a rumour that Shi Ying plans to make this a double celebration by organizing an arranged marriage for his daughter via the method of a Kin-Forming Martial Contest.



Chapter 4

Shi Ying greets all gathered and says that his daughter, Shi Cuifeng will provide the entertainment by showing off her martial skills against the sons of Chief Sha, Isle-Lord Han, and Manse-Lord Lin. Shi Cuifeng defeats the sons of Han and Lin, and when it is Sha’s turn, he refuses to fight, claiming injury. The Sha father and son are about to leave when the son, Sha Wuji sees Yun Lei in the crowd and goes after ‘him’; Yun Lei discovers that he was one of the masked thieves. Shi Ying interrupts the fight and tells Shi Cuifeng to help Sha Wuji teach Yun Lei a lesson. Unfortunately, Yun Lei wins the fight and becomes Shi Cuifeng’s fiancé. Later that evening, Yun Lei discovers that Shi Ying is a professional jewel thief who makes a living by selling the stolen goods and using majority of the profits to benefit the poor.

That night, Yun Lei is woken up by cries to catch a thief. She finds the thief in Shi Ying’s study and, in spite of Shi’s orders to not get involved, chases the thief out of the mansion and into the forest, where the sudden appearance of a crowd led by the Sha father and son stops the thief. The Sha duo demand possession of the thief’s horse. The thief, who is the scholar, refuses and calls out for Yun Lei’s help.



Chapter 5

Yun Lei is forced out of hiding and fights. During the scuffle, scholar’s taunts reveal that he is the mystery covert missile-wielding stranger from the night outside the temple. He then joins in the fight, and, between Yun Lei and him, they defeat the enemy, although they allow them to escape with their lives.

The scholar and Yun Lei formally introduce themselves over a flask of wine. The scholar’s name is Zhang Danfeng. During their conversation, Zhang Danfeng shows Yun Lei a landscape painting that he’d just acquired (from Shi Ying’s house). Yun Lei doesn’t see what the big deal is but is too polite to comment. They then discover that they are headed toward the same destination, Beijing, so they traverse together.

Zhang Danfeng and Yun Lei settle at an inn for the night, but their sleep is interrupted by horse thieves, who lead them to the Jin Emperor’s Mausoleum, currently occupied by a strange pair of twins known as The Black and White Maha. When asked why they stole the horses, The Maha reply that they are helping Shi Ying teach a lesson for thieving; Zhang Danfeng retorts that they should mind their own business. A fight ensues between Zhang Danfeng and The Black and White Maha.



Chapter 6

While observing the fight, Yun Lei notices how similar yet complementary Zhang Danfeng’s sword style is to her own. She joins the fight and suggests to Zhange Danfeng that they employ the Interlacing Sword Technique, with which they use to win. The Black and White Maha concede defeat and give ownership of the Mausoleum to them. After The Maha leave, Yun Lei suddenly feels chest pains and coughs up blood. Zhang Danfeng knows her qi is injured and tries to help, but she refuses. He tells her that he knows her secret and convinces her to let go of gender taboos and let him help heal her. She agrees, and they find a hidden chamber to practice healing by meditation. Zhang Danfeng also makes a bargain with her: the treatment should only take three days, and as long as she diligently heals, he’ll tell her one story each day to let her know more about his background. Things are going well except for the interruption of sudden guests, including Shi Cuifeng and Zhou Shanmin, who start fighting over Shi’s misunderstanding that Zhou killed Yun Lei. Zhang Danfeng convinces Yun Lei that going out to see them will disrupt her healing. They overhear Zhou Shanmin telling Shi Cuifeng that he has already made contact with the Outlaw Alliance to send out the Alliance Arrow, whose issuer can command all factions of the Alliance, to capture Zhang Danfeng, whom he accuses of being an Oirat spy.



Chapter 7

When peace resumes, Zhang Danfeng begins his storytelling. Zhang Danfeng’s first story is about two Blood Brothers who became disciples of a Monk. As they were living in oppressive times, the brothers separately joined rebel forces planning revolts and quickly rose up the ranks. A power struggle between them ended in the elder Blood Brother’s defeat and subsequent execution; the elder Blood Brother’s descendants were forced to scatter to the four corners of the known world, and the younger Blood Brother became a tyrannical and oppressive Emperor. Yun Lei figures out that the story is about the rivalry between the Ming Dynasty founder, Zhu Yuanzhang, and Zhang Shicheng, but she privately ponders what this story has to do with Zhang Danfeng.

Another interruption occurs; this time, it is Shi Ying, whom Zhang Danfeng goes out to meet. Shi Ying asks to see Yun Lei, but Zhang Danfeng refuses his request, saying that he and Yun Lei will make the proper arrangements for the wedding. Shi Ying offers to be of assistance in any way, but Zhang Danfeng declines and tells him to leave. Yun Lei asks why he doesn’t ask Shi Ying to stop Zhou Shanmin’s plan to have him captured, and he replies that he doesn’t like asking for help.

The following day, Zhang Danfeng tells his second story about two countries, one stronger than the other. Because of the constant bullying by the stronger, the weaker country was determined to grow stronger and more powerful. The stronger country noticed these developments and sent a diplomat to test relations; sadly, the diplomat was trapped in the weaker country for twenty years. Zhang Danfeng cuts short his story when he notices that Yun Lei has turned deathly pale. Before they can sort things out, Tantai Mieming appears. Yun Lei lets out a scream; Zhang Danfeng uses the Stun-Meridian (Dianxue) Technique to prevent her from moving and goes out to speak with Tantai Mieming. Tantai Mieming urges him to return home, but Zhang Danfeng refuses. Tantai Mieming starts discussing politics, but Zhang Danfeng interrupts, and they go outside to talk.

Yun Lei manages to release herself from her paralysis. She examines Zhang Danfeng’s sword and discovers that it is the sword that belonged to Xie Tianhua. She reads the inscription on the jade accessory and realizes that Zhang Danfeng is Zhang Cungzhou’s son. When Zhang returns, Yun Lei fights him. Zhang Danfeng asks if she is Yun Jing’s grand-daughter and receives an affirmation. He tells her to kill him, but she can’t, and he leaves.



Chapter 8

Yun Lei is in a daze. Zhou Shanmin shows up again and tells her he’s discovered Zhang Danfeng’s identity, to which she replies she knows as well. Zhou Shanmin tells her of the Arrow, and they are preparing to leave when Shi Cuifeng appears. The three decide to spend the night in the Mausoleum. Yet another person appears in the form of Dulcet Tide Monk, who is still puzzling over his recent visit to Oirat to find news of Xie Tianhua. Dulcet Tide Monk discovered Tantai Mieming was out of the country and used the opportunity to kill Zhang Cungzhou, but he was prevented by Xie Tianhua. Xie Tianhua commanded Dulcet Tide Monk to leave, but helped him escape. Dulcet Tide Monk is convinced that Xie Tianhua has turned traitor but cannot understand why he was allowed to escape. During their discussion, Yun Lei finally figures out that Zhang Cungzhou is descended from Zhang Shicheng.

The conversation turns to Zhang Danfeng and Zhou Shanmin’s petition to the Outlaw Alliance. Dulcet Tide Monk reveals that Zhang Danfeng has been going to each recipient of the Arrow and telling them to meet him at the home of Bi “Startles Three Worlds” Daofan.



Chapter 9

Dulcet Tide Monk tells them that the Bi family has a strange rule: at age sixteen, all males must become a monk and travel the known world for ten years, then they must become beggars for another ten before being allowed to settle down and start a family. Bi Daofan is very skilled at wushu; he is called “Startles Three Worlds” because he is renowned among monks, beggars, and The Martial Realm (Jianghu). Zhou Shanmin is overjoyed to hear that Bi Daofan will be involved in the capture of Zhang Danfeng, and it is then revealed to Shi Cuifeng that a family feud exists between the Yun and Zhang families.

When they arrive at Bi Daofan’s home, many of the other members of the Outlaw Alliance have already gathered. Shi Cuifeng hands Bi Daofan a letter from her father; Bi reads it and doesn’t know what to do. He asks Shi Cuifeng and Yun Lei to accompany him to his study and requests that Dulcet Tide Monk manage Zhang Danfeng when he arrives. In the study, the situation is further complicated when he finds out about the Yun-Zhang family feud. In hopes of explaining his dilemma, he tells them a story. The story is about his ancestor, Bi Lingxu, who was the third disciple of Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhang Shicheng’s Monk Shifu, Peng Yingyu. During their plans to revolt against the Yuan government, Zhu Yuanzhang betrayed his Shifu to the Yuan army. Bi Lingxu rescued his Shifu, but before they could resume their plans of rebelling, Zhu Yuanzhang’s men defeated their fellow rebels. On his deathbed, Peng Yingyu told Bi Lingxu that he made a strategic map of all important military locations in China and asked Bi to give the map to Zhang Shicheng. Bi Lingxu succeeded and stayed to aid Zhang Shicheng. When told that Zhang Shicheng was to meet with Zhu Yuanzhang, Bi Lingxu urged Zhang to decline, but Zhang refused. Zhang Shicheng had a painter draw a landscape painting that was actually a map of the location of his buried treasure and his Shifu’s strategic map; the painting was given to his son, who fled with a loyal servant. Bi Daofan reveals that whoever possesses the painting and finds the treasure can challenge the Ming rulers for dominance of China; the painting is, of course, the one that Shi Ying had returned to Zhang Danfeng.

Zhang Danfeng arrives and asks to see Bi Daofan. Bi Daofan leads him into the garden, but much to everyone’s surprise, brings him to a pavilion in the middle of the man-made lake, where Zhang Danfeng shows him the painting, and they play a game of chess over glasses of wine. Bi Daofan concedes defeat and gives the painting back to Zhang Danfeng; Bi Daofan then challenges Zhang Danfeng to a fight, as according to Martial Realm (Jianghu) custom.



Chapter 10

After a friendly fight, Bi Daofan is satisfied with Zhang Danfeng’s abilities and claim of ownership of the painting and he lets him go. Everyone is shocked; Bi Daofan is confused until Zhou Shanmin tells Bi that Zhang Cungzhou is Oirat’s Right Prime Minister and that Zhang Danfeng came into China alone, probably to spy for Oirat. Now that he has the painting, he will probably recover the treasure to give to the Oirat Khan to help defeat the Ming. Bi Daofan laments his poor judgement of Zhang Danfeng.

Suddenly, Zhang Danfeng returns and tells them a large group of Ming soldiers and the Secret Police, led by Beijing’s Top Three Martial Elitists, Zhang Fengfu, Fan Zhong, and Guan Zhong, are heading toward Bi Daofan’s home. No one believes him, but many flee as a precaution. Zhang Fengfu and company indeed arrive, and a scuffle ensues. Bi Daofan manages to escape with his son on Zhang Danfeng’s horse, and Zhang and Yun Lei manage to block off the pursuing enemies long enough to climb to a mountain-top to safety; unfortunately, they are trapped: the Secret Police surround the area at the foot of the mountain.

Atop the mountain, Zhang Danfeng and Yun Lei have a long conversation about their family feud and his with the descendants of Zhu Yuanzhang. Yun Lei is unable to grant Zhang Danfeng’s hope that their family feud can be easily resolved, and after an awkward and uncomfortable night inside a makeshift shelter, they are forced to go down and face the Secret Police. Zhang Fengfu is awaiting them and tells them that they need only take possession of his sabre to escape persecution. Zhang Danfeng bargains with him, saying that if he and Yun Lei can beat Zhang Fengfu within five moves, they only want to be set free to go where they please. Yun Lei and Zhang Danfeng once again employ the Interlacing Sword Technique and beat Zhang Fengfu. Zhang Fengfu keeps his promise and lets them go.

When they are alone, Yun Lei tells Zhang Danfeng that they must part ways, and she runs off.

Chapter 21

Zhang Fengfu, Zhang Danfeng, and Yun Lei arrive in Beijing and meet with the army camped outside. They give news of the Battle of Tumu and of the Emperor’s capture. They then meet with Yu Qian and tell of the treasure and the strategic map. Zhang Danfeng encourages Yu Qian to appoint a temporary Emperor to raise the fighting spirit of the populace. Yu Qian follows this advice, disposes of Wang Zhen’s allies at court, and gathers many talents to protect the borders. Meanwhile, Tantai Mieming had made contact with Zhou Jian to form a plan for the Chinese to take back Yanmen Pass.

Esen fails to capture Beijing and is forced to retreat.

Yu Qian makes plans for a Peace Treaty between China and Oirat and to rescue the captured Emperor, now given the title Grand Emperor. He asks Zhang Danfeng and Yun Lei to go into Oirat to spy and to ask Zhang Cungzhou to help with the peace talks in order to curb Esen’s ambitions.



Chapter 22

On their way to Oirat, Zhang Danfeng and Yun Lei decide to visit Shi Ying, but find out that Shi and his daughter are at Chief Sha’s Lodge and that the Sha father and son have allied with Oirat. Zhang Danfeng and Yun Lei rescue the Shis, and Shi Cuifeng finally discovers Yun Lei’s secret. After a fit of anger, Shi Cuifeng forgives Yun Lei, and they become Blood Sisters. The party becomes a merry one when Zhou Shanmin arrives at the Sha Lodge, also with plans to rescue the Shis.



Chapter 23

Zhang Danfeng and Yun Lei continue onward to Oirat. They encounter an arguing Dulcet Tide Monk and Xie Tianhua. Dulcet Tide Monk is accusing Xie Tianhua of being a traitor, and a fight ensues, although it is interrupted when Yun Lei suddenly hears a sound and tells Zhang Danfeng to accompany her into the nearby Bamboo Forest – the sound is Ye Yingying’s distress signal.



Chapter 24

Inside the Forest, Ye Yingying is fighting with an old lady. When Xie Tianhua catches up, he and Ye Yingying use the Interlacing Sword Technique to win the fight.

With this interruption over, Zhang Danfeng and Yun Lei continue on their mission. They arrive at the Oirat capital and see the Zhang residence surrounded by soldiers. At lunch, Zhang Danfeng tells Yun Lei to find a safe place to stay and wait for him. As soon as Yun Lei is out of sight, a dinner invitation arrives from Esen.

At Esen’s, Zhang Danfeng learns that Esen had also invited his father to ask for his help in committing treason. As Zhang Cungzhou has not replied, he has been placed under house arrest. However, before Esen can force Zhang Danfeng to agree to the alliance, To Buqa joins them and Zhang Danfeng uses her arrival to get drunk and delay his reply. Esen allows Zhang Danfeng to be taken out to sleep off his drunkenness, knowing that neither father nor son can escape his clutches. He unwittingly reveals to a falsely drunken Zhang Danfeng that he has been spying on the Khan.



Chapter 25

Xie Tianhua finds Zhang Danfeng and is updated. Learning that Ye Yingying is also in the capital, Zhang Danfeng asks that they both go to the palace to protect the Khan. At the palace, Xie Tianhua and Ye Yingying chase away Esen’s two spies and tell them to pass along a message to Esen: they won’t interfere with his plans to be Khan, but he must give up his plans to invade China again.

Zhang Danfeng and Esen have another meeting. Zhang Danfeng also tells him to forget his plans of conquering China because of the danger that China may ally with the Oirat Khan to stop his treason. Zhang Danfeng also advises the release of the Grand Emperor and the negotiating of a Peace Treaty to prevent any future attacks from China. This way, Esen is guaranteed success in unifying Oirat. Zhang Danfeng further mollifies Esen by telling him that he plans to return to China with his father. Esen thinks this over and sees the logic: if he releases the Grand Emperor, he will not have China as an enemy, one that he cannot conquer; if he lets the Zhangs leave, there will be no change of an alliance forming between the Zhangs and the Oirat Khan and, therefore, less resistance to his plans of treason. Esen agrees.

Zhang Danfeng asks to see the Grand Emperor. When they meet, he tells the Grand Emperor of the rescue plans and makes him promise not to punish Yu Qian for appointing a new Emperor. The Grand Emperor agrees. In the midst of their conversation, Bi Daofan and Dulcet Tide Monk arrive. Bi Daofan wants to kill the Grand Emperor and Dulcet Tide Monk Esen. Zhang Danfeng manages to chase them away and tells the Grand Emperor to be patient.



Chapter 26

Zhang Danfeng goes to find Yun Lei but finds only a note asking him to meet her on Mount Bi Luo. Zhang Danfeng returns home first and sees that the soldiers have left. He reunites with his father and begs for forgiveness for shattering Zhang Cungzhou’s hope of reviving Great Zhou. After obtaining forgiveness, he asks his father to return with him to China, telling him of his bargain with Esen on his father’s behalf, but Zhang Cungzhou is only willing to resign as Right Prime Minister.

Dong Yue arrives and is introduced to Zhang Cungzhou; he is pleased to learn that both father and son are Chinese patriots. Dong Yue tells Zhang Danfeng of an invitation to meet with their Sect rival, Shangguan Tianye, Tantai Mieming’s Shifu. Zhang Danfeng tells him of his recent encounter with Dulcet Tide Monk, and Dong Yue promises to have a long talk with his Sect Brother.

After Dong Yue’s departure, father and son catch up with other news and their conversation naturally turns to the Yun-Zhang family feud. Zhang Danfeng tells his father that Yun Zhong has become a Ming Official, and Zhang Cungzhou hopes that the Ming Diplomat for the upcoming peace talks will be Yun Zhong.

Zhang Danfeng leaves to meet Yun Lei. Dong Yue is also on Mount Bi Luo and, after learning about their encounter with the old lady in the Bamboo Forest, tells them that she and his Shifu, Shuanji the Secluded have an unresolved quarrel.

Zhang Danfeng goes with Yun Lei to find her mother and on the way, they see The Black and White Maha fighting with Kang Chaohai. Apparently, besides the large cache of money and other valuables, Kang Chaohai had also stolen the Grand Emperor’s Imperial Seal. Zhang Danfeng asks The Maha to spare Kang Chaohai’s life but to abolish his martial arts abilities. The Maha then give the Seal to Zhang Danfeng for safekeeping.

After asking around, Yun Lei finally finds her mother, whose eyesight is now poor from all the tears she shed when she found Yun Cheng and Yun Lei missing ten years ago. Mother and daughter have a tearful reunion.

Yun Lei’s mother then yells for her father to come.



Chapter 27

It turns out that Yun Cheng was saved from death by falling into a tree. He was severely injured and, after learning of Yun Jing’s execution and wandering around for a few years, returned to Oirat and reunited with his wife.

When Yun Cheng notices Zhang Danfeng and asks to be introduced, Yun Lei is too shocked from recent events to move, so Zhang Danfeng introduces himself, apologizing for his family’s wrongdoings. Yun Cheng is furious and is about to attack Zhang Danfeng when Yun Lei stops him. Yun Cheng tells them both to leave. In agony, Yun Lei tears the outer layer of her outfit, which was the first one she put on during her stay in the Mausoleum after dropping her boyish disguise and one that Zhang Danfeng had said he particularly liked, takes her parents by both arms, and closes the door on Zhang Danfeng.

In dazed turmoil, Zhang Danfeng rides up the nearby Mount Tang Gu La and barges into a stone house atop the mountain. The owner comes out and subdues Zhang Danfeng with his Stun-Meridian (Dianxue) Technique. Zhang Danfeng faints. Checking his pulse, the owner, Shangguan Tianye, finds Zhang Danfeng unharmed, although in extreme tumult. Shangguan Tianye is curious by this and brings him into his study to rest.

When Zhang Danfeng awakes, still confused, he has an amusing conversation with Shangguan Tianye. He tells Shangguan Tianye about his “Little Brother” but confuses her history with that of Ye Yingying, who was forced by her Shifu to separate from Xie Tianhua and live an isolated existence atop Mount Xiao Han for twelve years, so when he says he is Shuanji the Secluded’s Sect Grandson, Shangguan Tianye doesn’t believe him. Shangguan Tianye in turn tells Zhang Danfeng a story about a thief and a swordsman who fought each other for the title of Greatest Martial Elitist and who fell in love with the same woman. The thief loved the woman, who loved the swordsman, who ignored her. The fight had no clear winner, and the thief and swordsman went their separate ways while the woman went off alone to lament her fate. Zhang Danfeng rebukes the swordsman for his coldness, not realizing that he is criticizing his Sect Grandfather.

When left alone, Zhang Danfeng rejoices in his finding of a soul-mate. Then, he overhears Shangguan Tianye admonishing two disciples for failing to beat two of Shuanji the Secluded’s disciples and refusing to consent to their marriage. Zhang Danfeng realizes who his soul-mate is and quietly reprimands Shangguan Tianye for being so cold-hearted.

Zhang Danfeng prepares to leave the house and meets Xie Tianhua and Ye Yingying, who have just arrived, at the door.



Chapter 28

Shangguan Tianye comes out and challenges Xie Tianhua and Ye Yingying. He is startled by the intricacy of their sword styles and the added power of the Interlacing Sword Technique. In order to challenge Shangguan Tianye, Shuanji the Secluded had poured all his knowledge and skills into developing these two sword styles, the fruits of his labour. On their own, they are powerful, but if combined using the Interlacing Sword Technique, their powers become unparalleled. It is because of the complementary nature of the two sword styles that Shuanji the Secluded refused to allow Xie Tianhua and Ye Yingying to become a couple: he didn’t want them to be influenced by each other’s sword styles but instead to practice them until they became second nature.

As the fight continues, Dulcet Tide Monk arrives with Bi Daofan and goes to apologize to Zhang Danfeng; Dong Yue had cleared up all misunderstandings. Yun Lei and her father also arrive, and there is a shocked but joyous meeting between Yun Cheng and Dulcet Tide Monk. Yun Lei and Zhang Danfeng join the fight. Dong Yue finally arrives and stops the fight, reprimanding his Sect juniors and sending greetings from his Shifu to Shangguan Tianye. Shangguan Tianye acknowledges but resumes the fight. The old lady from the Bamboo Forest also arrives, soon followed by Shuanji the Secluded, who stops the fight and commands his Sect subordinates to stand aside to await orders. As there is no clear winner in this fight, both Shuanji the Secluded and Shangguan Tianye retract their claim to the title of Greatest Martial Elitist and are quietly contemplating this amicable resolution to a thirty-year competition when a still-muddled Zhang Danfeng suddenly asks which of them is the thief and which the swordsman, shocking Xie Tianhua. The silence is broken, and Shuanji the Secluded once again concedes defeat and turns to go, but he is stopped by the old lady, who suggests that the three of them spend the remainder of their lives together discussing and investigating martial arts.

After agreeing to this, Shangguan Tianye settles Sect matters, allowing his two disciples to marry and appointing Tantai Mieming, who just arrived, as the new Sect Leader. Shuanji the Secluded also settles Sect matters, appointing Dong Yue the new Leader, granting Xie Tianhua and Ye Yingying’s marriage, telling his disciples to take care of Yun Cheng, and praising Zhang Danfeng’s martial prowess. The three Elders then depart.



Chapter 29

Tantai Mieming brings Zhang Danfeng out of his dazed state by asking why he cannot give up one girl when he can give up dreams of conquering an entire country. They leave together. On the road, they hear news of the Ming Diplomat’s impending arrival to Oirat and meet Zhou Shanmin and Shi Cuifeng, who tell them that the Ming Diplomat is Yun Zhong. Zhou Shanmin asks that they take careful measures to ensure that Yun Zhong arrives safely to Oirat, telling of similar measures being taken by his father.

Zhang Danfeng and Tantai Mieming arrive home and tell Zhang Cungzhou that they are to be part of the welcoming party for the Ming Diplomat’s arrival. They leave again to keep a watch on Yun Zhong and his entourage. Yun Zhong and his entourage are indeed attacked but, under Zhang Danfeng’s guidance, lead the attackers into a trap. They find the Sha father and son among the attackers and force them to admit that this was Esen’s plan to first kidnap Yun Zhong and then send a rescue team. This way, Esen could kill three birds with one stone: (1) the Ming Diplomat would lose face for both himself and China and owe Esen a favour; (2) the Ming Diplomat cannot make demands of Oirat; and (3) Esen can then make any demands he wants on his own and Oirat’s behalf.



Chapter 30

Yun Zhong arrives in the Oirat capital and, after formalities with the Khan, goes to meet with Esen, who is presiding over the Peace Talks. After an embarrassing greeting wherein Yun Zhong reveals that he is Yun Jing’s grandson, he tells Esen of the slight mishap en route with thieves and then presents Esen a personal gift in the form of two of his men that were part of the attack. Yun Zhong then gives Esen a draft of the Peace Treaty, which stipulates that: (1) both Oirat and China maintain their current borders; (2) Oirat and China will henceforth be equals and allies; (3) neither Oirat nor China will henceforth wage war against each other; and (4) the Grand Emperor is to be released. Esen is forced to ignore his own draft of the Peace Treaty, and, after a discussion with the Khan, the Treaty is signed with only one modification to its conditions: the Grand Emperor is to be brought back to China under the care of the Ming Diplomat.

Meanwhile, Zhang Danfeng had revealed to Yun Zhong that both his parents are alive and had returned home. Because Zhang Cungzhou has locked himself into his study and has hardly spoken a word to anyone, Zhang Danfeng doesn’t dare to leave the house to observe the Talks.

On the night before Zhang Danfeng and Tantai Mieming’s departure for China, for they will be leaving with Yun Zhong and the Grand Emperor, Zhang Danfeng is saying his farewells to his father when Tantai Mieming reports that the house has been surrounded by an army armed with cannons; Esen’s men demand that they surrender. Esen wants revenge on Zhang Danfeng for ruining his plans. His orders were overheard by his daughter, who goes to beg Yun Zhong for assistance. Yun Zhong organizes a rescue but is forced to remain behind to answer summons from the Grand Emperor.

To Buqa and Yun Zhong’s men arrive, but To Buqa’s demands that the army retreat are ignored. One of the cannons misfires when, after stabbing herself, she hangs onto it and wets the gunpowder with her shed blood.



Chapter 31

Meanwhile, Yun Zhong goes to see the Grand Emperor, who infuriates him by asking about petty things regarding proper departure etiquette. Apparently, Esen had sent a messenger to threaten the Grand Emperor and ordered him to prevent Yun Zhong from rescuing the Zhangs. Yun Zhong tells the Grand Emperor of the Zhangs’ plight and of Zhang Danfeng’s role in the success of the Peace Talks, and he is accused of being disrespectful. He stands his ground and retorts that the Grand Emperor should make plans with Yu Qian to send another diplomat to bring him home. The Grand Emperor yields and insists on accompanying Yun Zhong, in fear of being left behind in Oirat.

Yun Zhong arrives at the Zhang residence just as the cannon misfires. He embraces Zhang Danfeng, and the hatchet is buried. He is introduced to Zhang Cungzhou. The Grand Emperor tries to assert his authority at the scene but is finally subdued when Zhang Danfeng returns his Imperial Seal and tells him not to lose it again.

The sudden appearance of Yun Cheng and Yun Lei sends a shock to all gathered. Yun Cheng was staying at an inn in the capital when he heard that Yun Zhong went to the aid of the Zhangs. Zhang Danfeng tries to pull his father into the house, but Zhang Cungzhou stays put. He apologizes to Yun Cheng for his crimes and suddenly bleeds out by the ears. He had had death on his mind for some time and, after meeting Yun Zhong, had secretly imbibed poison, the same type that killed Yun Jing a decade ago.

After the tragic death of Zhang Cungzhou, Zhang Danfeng disappears, and the Grand Emperor returns safely to Beijing but is put under house arrest when his brother refuses to give up the throne. Yu Qian loses all his power at court, although he retains his titles.

Two months later, his hopes and dreams shattered, Zhang Danfeng is aimlessly wandering Southern China. He recalls his father’s final letter asking him to resolve the Yun-Zhang family feud. His thoughts turn once again to Yun Lei, and he is lamenting his fate when his daydream is interrupted by the appearance of a smiling Yun Lei, accompanied by her parents, her brother, and the Tantai cousins, who demands to know why he left her behind.

And so, the family feud is ended.

thank you!  i was overly ambitious about wanting to translate the whole book.  hit some snags (the big one being the size of the project!).  so, i produced a summary instead.

i like the book.  it's the only LYS book i've read from beginning to end--i've glanced over some parts of its sequel, i started yunhai but haven't finished, and i'm procrastinating about white-haired demoness--so i can't compare it to his other writings to say how good it is.  but in and of itself, i like the story.  the central characters are charming (zhang danfeng has this god-like reputation in the LYS verse much like LXH in the GL one), the historical background is interesting, and the supporting casts aren't boring and 2D for the most part.  plot-wise, can't say this is very original, but i've been told this is one of LYS's better works in terms of him tying loose ends--he has a tendency of introducing a host of secondary/tertiary characters that are plot devices: once they've served their purpose, they are never seen again, and often, their storylines are unfinished.  this is apparently quite annoying to most readers. 

it's been a few years since i've read the book, so while i'm happy to discuss it, you'll have to pardon me if i need to go back and re-read things because i've forgotten a lot of the details.  plus, i get confused between canon and adaptation canon (there are some very major changes made in the 1984 adaptation, especially near the end).  and i WILL NOT talk about the mainland adaptations at all. 

yes, please continue reading through the novels and sharing your thoughts! i agree that this novel deserves more recognition!

it has been 60 years since liang yusheng finished his first novel, but until now only 1 of his novel has been translated to english. No love for LYS? 

atumiwa what Admin says is the fact: LYS is harder to translate. take PZXYL for example: every chapter starts with a poem. poetry is one of the hardest forms to translate because chinese poetry is so compact, full of literary references and connotations--you lose the nuances in translation, along with the rhythm and rhyme scheme. LYS's novels are also very steeped in history, so a non-chinese reader who doesn't know chinese history would have a hard time. to properly translate LYS, you'd need a LOT of footnotes, which most readers hate.

oh that's why Indonesian translation omits the poetry part.
in Indonesia, i think nearly all Liang Yusheng's novels have been translated, at least 30+ (or 40+ including fake ones), but the translator use old spelling, which is very uncomfortable for me to read.
kyc, If you believe u can finish translating novel PZXYL, then do it, remember that demi gods and semi devils translation took 17 years, but if you are hesitant, then dont force youself.