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  CHARACTERS

  As they appear in this, the third volume of

  Legends of the Condor Heroes: A Snake Lies Waiting

  MAIN CHARACTERS

  Guo Jing, son of Skyfury Guo and Lily Li. He grows up with his mother in Mongolia, where they are looked after by Genghis Khan. He is now on his first journey to the Central Plains, the native land of his parents.

  Lotus Huang, daughter of Apothecary Huang, she is witty and mischievous, a skilled martial artist and extremely fast learner. She befriends Guo Jing early on in his travels, and they now journey together and share many adventures.

  THE JIN EMPIRE

  Wanyan Honglie, Sixth Prince, also known as Prince of Zhao, has made conquering the Song his personal mission, in order to secure his reputation and legacy among his own people. He is an astute tactician, using rivalries and jealousies within the Song court and the wulin to his own advantage.

  Wanyan Kang was raised as the son of the Sixth Prince of the Jin Empire, but only discovers the identity of his biological father at the age of eighteen. Rather than a Jurchen prince, he is in fact Yang Kang, son of Ironheart Yang, one of Song China’s greatest patriots.

  Consort to the Sixth Prince is Charity Bao, who is in fact wife of Chinese patriot Ironheart Yang and mother to Yang Kang.

  FOLLOWERS OF THE SIXTH PRINCE OF THE JIN EMPIRE

  Gallant Ouyang, Master of White Camel Mount in the Kunlun Range, known as the nephew to one of the Five Greats, Viper Ouyang, Venom of the West.

  The Dragon King Hector Sha controls the Yellow River with his four apprentices, whose lack of skill infuriates their Master, despite the fact that it is most likely his foul temper that has prevented them from learning anything more than their rather basic moves.

  Browbeater Hou, the Three-Horned Dragon, so named for the three cysts on his forehead.

  Graybeard Liang, also known as Old Liang, the Ginseng Immortal and, more disparagingly, the Ginseng Codger. He comes from the Mount of Eternal Snow (Changbai Mountains) up in the northeast, close to the current border with Korea, where he has practiced kung fu for many years as a hermit, as well as mixing special medicinal concoctions with the aim of prolonging life and gaining strength.

  Lama Supreme Wisdom Lobsang Choden Rinpoche, from Kokonor, now known as Qinghai. He is famed for his Five Finger Blade kung fu.

  Tiger Peng the Outlaw, Butcher of a Thousand Hands, has command of much of the mountainous region surrounding the Jin capital Zhongdu, which would later become Peking.

  SUBJECTS OF THE SONG EMPIRE

  Ironheart Yang, descendent of Triumph Yang, one-time rebel turned patriot who served under General Yue Fei. He practices the Yang Family Spear, a technique passed from father to son.

  Married to Charity Bao, daughter of a country scholar from Red Plum Village.

  Yang Kang, son of Ironheart Yang and Charity Bao, sworn as brother to Guo Jing while both are still in their mothers’ bellies.

  Mercy Mu, goddaughter of Ironheart Yang, takes part in martial contests her godfather stages to find her a suitable husband and is defeated by Wanyan Kang.

  THE MONGOLIANS

  Tolui, fourth son of Genghis Khan Temujin, and Guo Jing’s sworn brother.

  Khojin, one of Genghis Khan’s many daughters whose names are mostly lost to history, betrothed by her father to Guo Jing.

  Jebe, whose name means “arrow” and “Divine Archer” in Mongolian, is a general under Genghis Khan and known for his great skill with the bow and arrow. He has taught Guo Jing archery and wrestling.

  Boroqul, one of Genghis Khan’s Four Great Generals.

  THE SIX FREAKS OF THE SOUTH

  Also known as the Six Heroes of the South when being addressed respectfully by other characters. They refer to themselves as a martial family, despite being of no blood relation. They used to be known as the Seven Freaks before the death of Zhang Asheng, also known as the Laughing Buddha.

  Ke Zhen’e, Suppressor of Evil, also known as Flying Bat. The oldest of the Freaks, he is often referred to as Big Brother. Blinded in a fight, his preferred weapon is his flying devilnuts, iron projectiles made in the shape of a kind of water chestnut native to China.

  Quick Hands Zhu Cong the Intelligent is known for his quick thinking and even quicker sleight of hand. His dirty scholar’s dress and broken oilpaper fan, really made from iron, belie his real martial skill. He is particularly knowledgeable in acupressure points, using them to disable his opponents in a fight.

  Ryder Han, Protector of the Steeds, only three foot in height but a formidable fighter and an expert horseman. His weapon of choice is a whip.

  Woodcutter Nan the Merciful, known for his kind, if not shy, nature, fights with an iron-tipped shoulder pole.

  Gilden Quan the Prosperous, Cloaked Master of the Market, is a master of the rules of the marketplace and always looking for a good deal. He fights with a set of scales.

  Jade Han, Maiden of the Yue Sword, is the youngest of the group and the only female. She is trained in the Yue Sword, a technique particular to the region surrounding Jiaxing and developed when the Kingdom of Yue was at war with the Kingdom of Wu in the fifth century B.C.

  THE FIVE GREATS

  Considered the five greatest martial artists after a contest was held on Mount Hua. Only four are mentioned in this third book in the series:

  The Eastern Heretic Apothecary Huang, a loner and radical who practices his unorthodox martial arts on Peach Blossom Island along with his wife and six students. He holds traditions and their accompanying morals in contempt and believes only in true love and honor. His eccentricity and heretical views make others suspicious of him, an image he himself cultivates.

  Double Sun Wang Chongyang, also known as Central Divinity, is the founder of the Quanzhen Sect in the Zhongnan Mountains, with the aim of training Taoists in the martial arts so that they might defend the Song against the Jurchen invasion. A real historical figure, he lived from A.D. 1113 to 1170.

  The Northern Beggar Count Seven Hong, sometimes referred to as the Divine Vagrant Nine Fingers, is the Chief of the Beggar Clan and commands all the beggars in the Song and Jin Empires. He is respected for his sense of righteousness, but few know his whereabouts as he likes to roam the jianghu alone. He is also known for his great love for exceptional cooking.

  The Western Venom Viper Ouyang, known as uncle to Gallant Ouyang, is a master in taming venomous snakes and using poison. He draws inspiration from the deadly creatures he keeps in his martial practice and rarely sets foot in the Central Plains.

  PEACH BLOSSOM ISLAND

  Twice Foul Dark Wind were apprentices of Apothecary Huang. They fled Peach Blossom Island and eloped after stealing the Nine Yin Manual. Husband Hurricane Chen, known as Copper Corpse, and wife, Iron Corpse Cyclone Mei, are masters of the Nine Yin Skeleton Claw. They killed Ke Zhen’e’s brother, Ke Bixie the Talisman.

  They have four martial siblings: an e
lder martial brother, Tempest Qu, and three younger martial brothers, Zephyr Lu, Galeforce Wu, and Doldrum Feng.

  THE QUANZHEN TAOIST SECT

  A real branch of Taoism, whose name means “Way of Complete Perfection.”

  The Seven Immortals, students of Wang Chongyang, are in fact real historical figures:

  Scarlet Sun Ma Yu, the oldest of the Immortals, teaches internal kung fu, based on breathing techniques.

  Eternal Truth Tan Chuduan had been a blacksmith in their native Shandong before becoming a Taoist monk.

  Eternal Life Liu Chuxuan is the third student of Wang Chongyang.

  Eternal Spring Qiu Chuji befriends Ironheart Yang and Skyfury Guo at the beginning of the series and vows to protect their unborn offspring. To this end, he devises a martial contest with the Seven Freaks of the South. He becomes teacher to Yang Kang.

  Jade Sun Wang Chuyi, the Iron Foot Immortal, befriends Guo Jing after hearing of Qiu Chuji’s contest with the Seven Freaks of the South.

  Infinite Peace Hao Datong had been the son of a wealthy family in Shandong before joining the Quanzhen Sect.

  Sage of Tranquility Sun Bu’er is the only female of the Sect, and was married to Ma Yu before both found their spiritual calling.

  Not one of the Seven Immortals, Zhou Botong the Hoary Urchin, sworn brother and student of Wang Chongyang, is in fact their martial uncle and a lay member of the Quanzhen Sect.

  Harmony Yin is one of Qiu Chuji’s students. He first met Guo Jing on the steppe of Mongolia when he was sent by his Master to test Guo Jing’s developing martial skills.

  Emerald Cheng, daughter of a wealthy family in Baoying, is Sun Bu’er’s martial disciple. She was attacked by Gallant Ouyang, but was rescued by Guo Jing and Lotus Huang, and has since felt undying gratitude to her saviors.

  THE BEGGAR CLAN

  The Beggar Clan is a fictional group that has nevertheless appeared in countless works of martial-arts literature. Despite having members all over China, its strength lies mostly in the north—territories already annexed by the Jin Empire at the beginning of this novel.

  Beneath Chief Count Seven Hong, one of the Five Martial Greats, are the Four Elders, each in charge of Clan affairs in a different part of China: Surefoot Lu, Elder of the West; Jian, Elder of the East; Liang; and Peng.

  IRON PALM GANG

  Led by Iron Palm Water Glider Qiu Qianren, the Iron Palm Gang are known for their greed and willingness to collaborate with the enemy for strategic gain. Despite his terrible moral reputation, Qiu is regarded as a great fighter. And yet, others suspect these skills to be nothing more than a result of sleight of hand and treachery.

  ROAMING CLOUD MANOR

  On the shore of Lake Tai is Roaming Cloud Manor, a grand estate with an unusual layout. Its master is Squire Lu, a cultured man who has lost the use of his legs, and his son Laurel Lu is in charge of the everyday running of the household.

  CHAPTER ONE

  THE FAKE MANUAL

  1

  Count Seven, Zhou Botong, and Guo Jing rushed out of the cabin and were shocked to find the water already up to their shins. They ran for the mast and shimmied up it. Count Seven snatched a couple of deaf and mute sailors along the way, pushing them up in front of him. From up high, they looked down and watched as the water churned, rushing over the deck and filling the boat. It was all happening so fast, they did not know what to do.

  “Old Beggar,” Zhou Botong called to Count Seven, “Heretic Huang is quite remarkable. How did he build this boat?”

  “I don’t know!” Count Seven replied. “Guo Jing, hold tight to the mast. Don’t let go.”

  Guo Jing was about to answer when a loud crack echoed around them. The boat was breaking in two! The sailors lost their grip and fell into the raging water.

  Zhou Botong went after them, turning somersaults in the air as he fell.

  “Old Urchin!” Count Seven Hong called. “Do you even know how to swim?”

  At that moment, Zhou Botong’s head popped up from beneath the water. “I’ll have to give it a try…” he said, and laughed.

  The wind was roaring so loudly, they could barely hear each other. The mast was leaning at such an angle that it would surely soon be touching the water.

  “Boy!” Count Seven called out to Guo Jing. “The mast is joined to the hull. We need to snap it. Come on!” Together, they struck at the center of the long wooden pole. It may have been honed from one solid trunk, but how could it withstand the combined forces of Count Seven Hong and Guo Jing? After a few sound blows, it let out a loud crack and relented. They held tight as what remained of the mast fell into the sea below.

  They were leagues away from Peach Blossom Island. In every direction, waves rose as high as mountains and there was no land in sight. Count Seven was secretly worried. Without food or fresh water, and with no prospect of being rescued by a passing ship, they would be dead within days. Their martial skills were worthless, out at sea. He gazed into the distance. No sign of Viper Ouyang’s boat. Just then, laughter interrupted his thoughts. Zhou Botong.

  “Lad,” Count Seven said, “let’s go fetch him.” With one hand clutching the mast, they each used their other to paddle in the direction of the sound. The waves towered above them and, for every few feet they moved forward, they were quickly pulled back nearly the same distance.

  “We’re coming!” Using his internal strength, Count Seven projected his voice over the sound of the roaring water between them and the Urchin.

  Zhou Botong’s reply came back to them: “I’m now a sea urchin, pickled in brine!”

  Guo Jing could not help but laugh. The old man was still able to make jokes in a situation like this? He certainly deserved his nickname. They were still separated by a hundred feet of billowing sea, but Guo Jing and the Old Beggar raged against the waves and slowly managed to edge closer to their friend.

  Once close, they saw their friend had tied planks of wood to his feet with some rope from the rigging and was treading the water using his lightness kung fu. The water was getting the better of him, however. He may have looked as if he was bobbing leisurely on the surface, but in fact it was an incredibly tiring way to traverse it. And yet the Urchin looked as if he was enjoying himself, seemingly unaware of the severity of their plight.

  Guo Jing looked around. The boat had vanished, its crew buried at sea.

  “Aiyo!” Zhou Botong suddenly called out. “The Old Sea Urchin might be about to meet a terrible end.” The fear in his voice was unmistakable.

  “What is it?” Count Seven and Guo Jing cried in unison.

  “Sharks! A school of sharks!” Zhou waved his hand toward the distance.

  Guo Jing had been raised in the Mongolian desert; he knew nothing of sharks or how fierce they were, but the change in Count Seven’s countenance was enough to make him wonder what manner of monster they must be that they should frighten two such mighty men of the wulin.

  Count Seven gathered his qi to his hand and snapped the end of the mast clean off. He then divided this end piece in half, to make two large cudgels. Just then, a sound pierced the air and a shark’s head appeared amid the spray, its rows of razor-sharp teeth glistening in the sunlight, before disappearing back under just as quickly.

  Count Seven threw one of his makeshift weapons toward Guo Jing. “Aim for the head!”

  Guo Jing reached into the front of his robes and felt for his blade. “I have a dagger!” he cried, hurling the wooden cudgel as hard as he could toward Zhou Botong, who reached out and caught it.

  By now, there were four, maybe five sharks circling around the Urchin. They appeared to be waiting for the right moment to strike. Zhou bent at the waist, howled in defiance and struck one of the sharks on the head. The others smelt blood, and pounced.

  Guo Jing watched as the water seethed and bubbled. It looked like there were thousands of them. Then, with a flash of long, sharp teeth, a lump of flesh was ripped from the dead shark. At that moment, Guo Jing thought he felt something br
ush against his foot. He pulled back and the water beneath him roiled. A shark. Clutching the mast, Guo Jing ducked to his right and thrust down with the dagger. The blade sliced a deep gash in the top of the animal’s head. Blood bubbled in the water and a set of teeth came snapping.

  The three men were all masters of the martial arts, and so did what they knew best: they fought. Each strike caused death or injury, but the men remained unhurt. The smell of blood drew more sharks out and, within moments, all that was left of their dead brethren was bones. The sight of it made the three martial heroes tremble, despite their combined bravery and skill. There were so many sharks, it felt as if they would never be done with them, but there was no time to let thoughts wander when the fight required their every ounce of strength. They thrust and jabbed, and within two hours they had killed over two hundred of the majestic animals. Mist clung to the water as the sun started to slip toward the horizon.

  “Old Beggar, Brother Guo,” Zhou Botong called out, “once the sun has set, we’ll be fed to the sharks, chunk by chunk. Let’s have a bet as to who’ll be the first course.”

  “And would that count as losing or winning?” Count Seven asked.

  “Winning, of course,” Zhou replied.

  “In that case, I’d rather lose,” Count Seven said. He launched a Dragon Whips Tail and struck the back of his hand against a shark, sending all two hundred jin of rippling muscle into the air, where it spun twice before crashing back into the sea to lie floating, its white belly up to the dusky sky.

  “Wonderful palm technique!” Zhou Botong cried. “I will call you Master if you teach me this Shark-Subduing Palm. And yet, we don’t have time. Old Beggar, why don’t we exchange a few blows?”