A Dark Wind Blows

1

"TAKE UP YOUR WEAPONS, ANOTHER ARMY IS COMING! " WANYAN Hongxi cried.

Moments later, the scouts returned. "Ong Khan is here to welcome the Princes in person."

Temujin, Jamuka and Senggum rode out ahead.

From the clouds of dust an army emerged, led by Ong Khan. He drew close, rolled down from his horse and knelt before the Princes, flanked by his adopted sons Temujin and Jamuka. He was a heavyset man with a head of glittering silver hair. His robe was made from the finest black panther furs fastened with a gold belt.

Wanyan Honglie too dismounted and returned the gesture of respect, but Wanyan Hongxi remained in his saddle, deigning only to cup his fists in the most perfunctory manner.

"Your humble servant received advice of your treatment at the hands of the Naiman," Ong Khan began. "I hope Your Excellencies were not too affronted. I sent my men as fast as I could. Thankfully, with Your Excellencies' grace upon them, my three boys were able to prevail without my men."

Ong Khan then led the Wanyan brothers back to his ger . The inside walls were lined with leopard and fox furs and decorated with the most elegant furniture money could buy. Even his personal guards were better dressed than Temujin Khan himself. Horns were regularly sounded and could be heard for miles around. The Jin Princes had never witnessed such grandeur beyond the bounds of the Great Wall.

Once Ong Khan's new title had been bestowed, they settled down to a banquet of spectacular proportions. Female slaves danced late into the night and the celebrations became ever more raucous. Quite a contrast to the simple and somewhat rustic welcome provided by Temujin. Wanyan Hongxi in particular was enjoying the feast and had spotted two girls that took his fancy. Ideas began forming, but it did not occur to him to ask Ong Khan's permission.

The koumiss skins were now half empty. Wanyan Honglie turned to Ong Khan. "Your heroism is known across the steppe and even those of us from within the Great Wall have long admired your prowess. But I would like to meet some younger Mongolians of distinction."

"My adopted sons are the two greatest heroes we Mongols can claim," was Ong Khan's response. He smiled.

Senggum, a son born of Ong Khan's own loins, was sitting nearby and did not take kindly to this remark. He downed yet another cup of koumiss .

"What about your own son?" Wanyan Honglie asked, noticing Senggum's displeasure.

"He will succeed me upon my death, of course," Ong Khan said. "But in comparison to his adopted brothers? Jamuka is quick witted. Temujin is even more courageous. He rose to his current position with only the help of his own fortitude and valour. I ask you, who wouldn't want to serve such a fine man?"

"Is that to say Ong Khan's generals are not as impressive as Temujin's?" Wanyan Honglie continued.

Temujin noticed the Sixth Prince was trying to stir resentment among them. He prepared himself for the response.

Ong Khan stroked his beard and at first did not reply. He took another long swig from his koumiss skin.

"Not so long ago the Naiman came past this way and stole several thousand of my livestock. Had it not been for Temujin and his Four Great Generals, we would never have recovered them. He may not have many men under his command, but they are without exception all of singular bravery and skill. Your Excellency must have noticed this today."

Senggum's cheeks turned a deeper shade of scarlet and he slammed his golden cup down on the table.

"My current fortune has nothing to do with skill, but is merely a reflection of my adoptive father's generosity and attention," Temujin added hastily.

"Temujin's Four Great Generals? Who are they? I would like to meet them," Wanyan Honglie said, changing the subject.

"Why not summon them to our party?" Ong Khan asked Temujin. Temujin clapped his hands and, within moments, four men marched into the ger .

The first man was gentle-looking and pale in complexion, more of a scholar than a fighter. This was the master strategist Muqali. The second was of sturdy build, his eyes intense like a bird of prey. He was Temujin's good friend, Bogurchi. The third, Tolui's teacher Boroqul, was short but quick in movement. The last man was covered in scars from battle, his face a bloody red. This was the man who had saved Temujin's life all those years ago, Tchila'un. These were the founding commanders of the rising Mongol Empire, Temujin's Four Great Generals.

Wanyan Honglie could not help but admire them and toasted each in turn.

"Today there was a commander dressed in black who led the charge through the Naiman ranks. What is his name?" Wanyan Honglie said once the generals had finished their koumiss .

"I just recruited him, he is our newest squad leader," Temujin answered. "Everyone calls him Jebe."

"Then why not invite him to drink with us as well?"

Temujin obliged and issued the command.

Jebe entered the ger and performed the gestures of gratitude appropriate to his rank and invitation. But just as he was about to drink, Senggum interrupted him.

"How dare you, a mere squad leader, drink from my golden cup?"

Jebe held the cup against his lips, shaking with rage at such an insult. He glanced at Temujin.

For the sake of my adoptive father, I will overlook Senggum's rudeness, Temujin decided. "Bring it to me," he announced. "I am thirsty, I will drink it!" He took the cup from Jebe's hands and emptied it. Jebe gave Senggum a dirty look, turned and made for the door.

"Come back!" Senggum said, but Jebe ignored him and left.

"Brother Temujin may have his Four Great Generals, but I have something capable of besting them all, should I choose to use it." Senggum was growing ever more enraged that things were not turning out as he wished. Senggum and Temujin were no anda ; they were brothers only in the loosest sense.

"Really? And what is that? What force could be so potent?" Wanyan Hongxi's interest had been piqued.

"Come outside and I will show you," Senggum said.

"We are drinking, why stir up trouble?" Ong Khan said.

"I'm bored – let's go and take a look." Wanyan Hongxi stood up and walked out. He liked the idea of trouble. The others had no choice but to follow.

The soldiers had lit hundreds of fires and were gathered around them, celebrating. Seeing the Khans emerge, those on the western flank scrambled to their feet, sending a rumble echoing around the camp. Within moments they were lined up and had settled into perfect silence. These were Temujin's men. In contrast, Ong Khan's troops to the east were slow and disorganised. Titters could be heard as they joked among themselves.

Ong Khan's men may outnumber Temujin's, but they are far less disciplined, Wanyan Honglie concluded.

"More drink!" Temujin cried. He had noticed Jebe's pained expression in the glow of the fire. A large jug was brought to him. "Today's victory over the Naiman was the result of collective bravery," he announced.

"Because we are led by Ong Khan, Temujin Khan and Jamuka!" the men replied.

"But today, I saw one man whose bravery deserves special mention. He charged the enemy rear no less than three times. Dozens of men were felled by his bow. Who do I mean?"

"Squad Leader Jebe!" the soldiers answered again.

"No, not Squad Leader Jebe . . . Commander Jebe!"

For a moment there was silence, then the men began to cheer.

"Jebe is a great fighter! He deserves to be commander!"

"Bring me my helmet," Temujin said to Jelme. Jelme returned moments later and presented it to him.

"This is the helmet I wear into battle. This is the helmet I wear when I slay our enemies." Temujin lifted it high above his head for everyone to see. "Now, this warrior will drink from it."

He poured the jug's contents into the helmet. Bringing it up to his lips, he drank from it and then offered it to Jebe.

Jebe lowered his head in gratitude and knelt on one knee to receive the honour. He finished the remaining koumiss .

"Even the world's most precious diamond-studded golden cup could never compare to my Khan's helmet," he said quietly. Temujin smiled as Jebe passed it back to him and he put it back on his head.

Cheering erupted. Everyone in the camp already knew of Jebe's humiliation and even Ong Khan's retinue believed Senggum to have behaved badly.

Temujin is greatly revered, Wanyan Honglie said to himself as he watched events unfold. Jebe would gladly die a thousand times for him. Jin officials believe the north to be populated by ignorant barbarians, but it is obvious we have grossly underestimated these people.

"And what about this thing you possess that is capable of defeating Temujin's Four Great Generals?" Wanyan Hongxi said, leaning back in the tiger-pelt chair his servants had carried out for him.

"Your Excellency, are you prepared to see something very special?" Senggum replied. Ha! These Generals are nothing compared to my secret weapons, Senggum said to himself with a smile. "Where are my brother Temujin's Generals?"

The Generals came forward and bowed before their superiors. Senggum turned and whispered something to his most trusted servant, who nodded and then ran off. Soon after, two loud roars reverberated around the camp and a pair of giant golden, spotted leopards appeared from behind the ger . They stalked towards them in the darkness, their eyes glowing like jade lanterns. Terrified, Wanyan Hongxi gripped the handle of his sabre. Only when they came closer to the fires did he see that they were, in fact, being restrained by ropes held by two burly men. These men were solely charged with caring for Senggum's most prized possessions. The animals snarled and clawed, their muscles taut and ready. Wanyan Hongxi's heart convulsed and he wriggled in his seat. The men hardly seemed capable of holding back two such powerful beasts.

"Brother, if your Four Great Generals can subdue my leopards barehanded, then I will stand forever corrected," Senggum said, turning to Temujin.

Temujin's Generals were incensed. First you humiliate Jebe, now you degrade us? Are we mere wolves to be prodded and played with? Is it our duty to fight leopards?

Temujin could barely hide his displeasure. "I love these men as I love myself – why should I let them fight with leopards?"

"Is that so?" Senggum laughed. "Then why call them your Four Great Generals, or whatever their names are? Clearly they are cowards."

Tchila'un was particularly short of temper and could withstand these insults no longer. He stepped forward. "My Great Khan, they may laugh at us, but we cannot allow them to humiliate you. I will fight these beasts."

Wanyan Hongxi was delighted, so much so that he pulled a ruby ring from his finger and threw it on the ground. "Yours, if you win."

Tchila'un did not even look at the ring and instead prepared to charge. But Muqali pulled him back just in time. "We are famous across the steppe for having defeated so many of our enemies. But can a leopard command an army? Can a leopard ambush or surround a whole company of men?"

"Brother Senggum, this is yours. You win," Temujin said as he bent down, picked up the ring and gave it to Senggum. Senggum put the ring on one of his fingers, held it high and laughed. Ong Khan's men roared.

Jamuka said nothing, a frown carved across his brow. Temujin looked calm. The Four Great Generals returned to their men, bitterly embarrassed.

Wanyan Hongxi felt cheated. He asked for two female slaves and retired to his ger for the night.

2

THE NEXT MORNING TOLUI AND GUO JING WERE PLAYING IN the grasslands far from the main camp when they spotted a white rabbit up ahead. Tolui raised his small bow and arrow, aimed and hit it in the belly. The shot lacked power, however, and the rabbit ran away with the arrow still embedded in its fur. Howling, the two boys ran after it.

Before too long, the rabbit collapsed. The boys cried out in delight and were just about to retrieve the animal when a group of children emerged from a wooded area nearby. One boy of around twelve years of age made a grab for the creature, pulling out the arrow and throwing it to the ground. He then gave the boys a fierce look and ran away.

"Hey, I shot that rabbit. It's mine," Tolui shouted after him.

The boy turned around and came back. "Says who?"

"It's my arrow, isn't it?"

The older boy's eyebrows shot up and his eyes bulged. "This rabbit was my pet, you're lucky I'm not asking you to pay me back for killing it."

"You're lying, it's obviously wild," Tolui said.

The boy was furious. He stomped up to Tolui and shoved him. "Watch what you're saying. My grandpa is Ong Khan and my papa is Senggum. Do you know who they are? It's mine now, even if you did shoot it. What are you going to do?"

"And my father is Temujin!" Tolui said.

"Ha! So what? Your father is a coward. He's scared of both my grandpa and my papa!" This was Tusakha, Senggum's only son. Senggum had waited years and sired several daughters before at last fathering the long-awaited boy. Tusakha was the youngest and therefore most spoiled, and Senggum let him bully the other children. It had been years since Temujin, Ong Khan and Senggum had met, and the last time their sons played together they were but small children. As far as they were concerned, this was their first encounter.

"Says who? My father isn't scared of anyone!"

"When your mother was kidnapped, it was my grandpa and papa who retrieved her and gave her back to your father. Did you think I didn't know that? I'm taking your precious little rabbit. What are you going to do about it?"

Senggum had long been envious of Temujin's fame and he had been sure to let everyone know the part he had played in the recovery of Temujin's wife. His son had heard the story many times. Temujin, on the other hand, had always considered it an immense embarrassment and had never spoken of it to Tolui.

Tolui was so angry his cheeks turned purple. "You're a liar! I'm going to tell my father!" He turned and started walking away.

"So what?" Tusakha laughed. "Your father's Four Great Generals were so scared of my father's leopards last night that they couldn't move."

This only made Tolui even more furious and he could barely form the words to respond. "My father isn't scared of tigers, so why should he be scared of leopards? But there is no dignity in fighting wild animals."

Tusakha stepped up to the boy and slapped him across the face. "How dare you talk back to me? Don't you know who I am?"

Tolui was startled and his cheek throbbed. Tears collected in his eyes but he did not let the other boy see.

Guo Jing had been watching from the sidelines, silently boiling up inside with anger. He could stand it no longer. He lunged and rammed his head squarely into Tusakha's stomach, knocking him flat on his back.

Tolui clapped and then grabbed Guo Jing's hand. The boys ran.

"Kill them!" Tusakha screamed. Tusakha's friends ran after the two young boys and Tusakha followed close behind. They were older and Tolui and Guo Jing were quickly outmuscled. Within moments they had been pinned to the ground.

"Ready to surrender?" Tusakha spat, punching Guo Jing in the back. Guo Jing tried to wrestle the boy off him but Tusakha was too heavy. Tolui had two on top of him.

Just then the sound of horse bells was heard coming from beyond a sand dune and a small group of riders appeared. The first, a short, plump man on a golden steed, caught sight of the fight in the distance. "Excellent. A brawl."

As he rode closer for a better look he realised that it was two children being bullied by a gang of older boys. They were trapped, the punches came hard and their faces were swollen and bruised blue.

"Shame on you! Let them go!" he shouted.

"Mind your own business!" Tusakha yelled back, "Don't you know who my father is? I can do what I want and there's nothing you can do about it!"

"What a spoiled child. Let go of them!" The rest of the group rode up to join the first man.

"Third Brother," the woman in the group said. "Don't stick your nose in where it doesn't belong. Let's go."

"But look at them! What kind of fighting is this?"

It was the Seven Freaks of the South. They had followed Justice Duan's trail all the way up here to the northern steppe before losing him, and for six years now they had been roaming the grasslands in search of Skyfury Guo's wife, Lily Li, and the child she was assumed to have borne. Despite having learned Mongolian, they were no closer to finding them. The Seven Freaks were stubborn and competitive and they would never think to concede to Qiu Chuji before the eighteen years were up.

"Two against one, we can't allow that." Jade Han hopped down from her horse and pulled the two children sitting on Tolui from his back.

Thus freed, Tolui struggled to his feet. Tusakha hesitated for a moment and Guo Jing seized his chance, flipping over and crawling out from between Tusakha's legs. The two boys then started to run.

"Get them!" Tusakha yelled, leading the rest of his gang in pursuit.

Smiles spread across their faces as the Seven Freaks watched the little Mongolian children fighting and they were reminded of their own youthful misadventures.

"We have to go," Ke Zhen'e said. "The market will close soon and we must ask around today before everyone goes home."

Tusakha's gang of bullies had, by then, caught up with Tolui and Guo Jing.

"Now do you surrender?" Tusakha demanded. Tolui, still furious, shook his head fiercely.

"You asked for it!" The boys pounced on them again.

Suddenly, a flash of cold, silver light caught Zhu Cong's eye just as he was turning away. A small dagger had appeared in Guo Jing's hand.

"Now who's the coward?"

Lily Li had given Guo Jing the dagger Qiu Chuji had left them to protect him from evil spirits. Now he could put it to use against these bullies.

Tusakha's gang shrank back.

What an unusually bright blade, Zhu Cong thought, I should take a closer look. Zhu Cong had spent his entire life stealing from government treasuries and the vaults of the rich, so he was quite the expert in spotting objects of value. He pulled sharply at his horse's reins and turned back. There stood the young boy, dagger in hand. It flashed blue again in the sun. There could be no doubt, this was a weapon of rare quality. But how did it end up in the hands of a little boy? He looked at the children more closely and only then did he notice they were all wearing expensive shirts made from leopard skins, all except for the boy with the dagger. What Guo Jing lacked in fancy clothing he made up for with a golden crown nestled on top of his head. These children were clearly all members of influential, wealthy Mongol families. The boy must have stolen his father's favourite knife, Zhu Cong thought. No harm in taking from kings and aristocrats. Having made up his mind, he jumped down from his horse and approached the children, a sweet smile on his face.

"Come on now, stop fighting. Play nice." At that moment, he darted into the circle of children and grabbed the knife. Many years of training meant he could seize a blade with his bare hands. Only the best martial arts masters would be able to stop him; a small child like Guo Jing had no chance.

Having secured the dagger, Zhu Cong ran out and jumped back onto his horse. Laughing, he then jerked the reins and galloped off to catch up with the rest of the Seven Freaks.

"Well, today wasn't a total loss, I managed to snatch myself this little gem." He was still laughing.

"Second Brother, you're never going to grow out of that childish habit of yours, are you?" Laughing Buddha Zhang Asheng said.

"What little gem? Let me see." Gilden Quan was always curious. Zhu Cong threw the dagger at him.

A shard of blue light shot across the sky, breaking into a rainbow of colours. The Seven Freaks gasped in wonder.

"How beautiful!" Gilden Quan cried as the dagger flew towards him, a shiver shooting down his spine. He reached out and caught the dagger by the handle. He examined it more closely. There on the grip were carved two characters: Yang Kang . This is a Han name, he said to himself. How did a Han dagger end up here in Mongolia? Yang Kang? Yang Kang? I don't think I've ever heard of a martial arts master named Yang Kang. But why would this Yang Kang possess such an exceptional weapon if he was not a hero of the wulin ?

"Big Brother! Do you know anyone by the name of Yang Kang?"

"Yang Kang?" Ke Zhen'e searched his memory before shaking his head. "I've never heard the name before."

Yang "Vitality" Kang was the name Qiu Chuji had given the baby in Charity Bao's belly. Charity's husband Ironheart Yang and Skyfury Guo had swapped the daggers as a testimony to their brotherly bond and so it ended up here, in the hands of a small boy of the Mongolian steppes. Of course, the Seven Freaks were not to know all this.

"Qiu Chuji is looking for Ironheart Yang's widow. Could this Yang Kang have something to do with him?" Gilden Quan said.

"If we find Ironheart Yang's widow and take her to the Garden of the Eight Drunken Immortals, we've at least won half a victory over that old monk, I suppose." Zhu Cong smiled. After six years of searching, even such a far-fetched connection was too much to ignore.

"Let's go back and ask the boy," Jade Han suggested.

Ryder Han's horse was the fastest so he rode first, only to discover the boys still fighting. Once again, Tolui and Guo Jing were pinned to the ground. Ryder Han ordered the children to stop, but they ignored him. Growing impatient, he grabbed two and threw them to one side.

Now feeling intimidated, Tusakha pointed at Tolui and said, "You dogs come back tomorrow and we'll finish this then!"

"Fine. Tomorrow it is!" Tolui said as Tusakha led his gang away. As soon as he got home he would ask his brother Ogedai for help. Ogedai was his favourite sibling, as well as the strongest.

"Give it back!" Guo Jing reached out to Zhu Cong. His face was covered in blood.

"Fine," Zhu Cong waved the blade back and forth in front of Guo Jing's face. "But first you have to tell me where you got it."

"My mother gave it to me," Guo Jing said, wiping the blood from his nose with his sleeve. It was still bleeding.

"And who is your father?"

Guo Jing had never known his father and the question rendered him speechless. He could only shake his head in reply.

"Is your surname Yang?" Gilden Quan asked. Once again, Guo Jing shook his head. The child did not appear to be too sharp, the Seven Freaks reflected.

"Who is Yang Kang?" Zhu Cong probed further. Guo Jing shook his head.

Zhu Cong handed the dagger back to Guo Jing. Whatever anyone might say, the Seven Freaks were always true to their word.

"You can go home now." Jade Han fished out a handkerchief and gently wiped the blood from Guo Jing's face. "Don't go getting into any more fights. You're too small, you're no match for them yet."

The Seven Freaks then climbed back onto their horses. Guo Jing watched as they rode off to the east.

"Guo Jing, let's go home," Tolui said.

The Seven Freaks had already ridden some distance, but Ke Zhen'e caught the two magic words, faint though they were: Guo Jing . The name made his entire body shake. He jerked his horse around and galloped back to the children.

"Boy, is your last name Guo? You are Han Chinese, not Mongolian, is that right?"

"Yes," came Guo Jing's reply.

"What is your mother's name?"

"Ma," Guo Jing answered, which made Ke Zhen'e scratch his head.

"Can you take me to see her?"

"Ma isn't here."

"Sister, you ask him," Ke Zhen'e suggested, sensing hostility in Guo Jing's replies.

Jade Han hopped down from her horse. "What about your father?" Her voice was warm.

"My father was killed by bad people. When I grow up, I'm going to kill them and avenge him."

"What was your father's name?" Jade Han was so excited that her voice was trembling. But Guo Jing just shook his head.

"Who killed your father?" Ke Zhen'e cut in again.

"His . . . his name is Justice Duan."

Lily Li had lived these last years in the shadow of her fear, even out here on the steppe, and she had realised that her chances of ever returning to the south were remote at best. If something were to happen to her with her son still ignorant of who had killed his father, she would never forgive herself. So as soon as he was old enough to understand, she told him all about the bad man who had come riding into their village. But why had she not told Guo Jing Skyfury's name? Lily Li was an illiterate country girl and she had only ever referred to her husband by the traditional "Brother" as a sign of respect. She had never thought to ask his given name. Guo Jing, therefore, had only ever known his father as "Papa".

Justice Duan : the name stunned the Seven Freaks into silence, even when whispered so softly. Not even three bolts of lightning striking the ground at their feet could have shocked them more, and the sky was a most beautiful clear blue that day. It felt as if the earth were shaking and the wind had turned. After a brief pause, Jade Han cried out and grabbed at Zhang Asheng's shoulder in order to stop herself from collapsing. Zhang Asheng in turn started beating wildly at his chest. Gilden Quan threw his arms around Nan the Merciful's neck and Ryder Han did a back flip on his horse. Ke Zhen'e threw his head back and laughed, while Zhu Cong spun on the spot. Tolui and Guo Jing watched them, puzzled by such a funny sight.

It took some time for the Seven Freaks to settle.

"Merciful Bodhisattva, thank you, thank you!" Zhang Asheng dropped to his knees and prayed.

"Boy, let's sit down," Jade Han said to Guo Jing. But Tolui tugged at Guo Jing's sleeve. He was in a hurry to get home and speak to Ogedai, and he had a bad feeling about the seven strangers with their strange accents and even stranger behaviour. Yes, they had helped them scare off Tusakha and his friends, but now he wanted to leave.

"I have to go," Guo Jing said. He took hold of Tolui's hand and together they began to walk away.

"Hey! Hey! You can't go now. Your friend can go home by himself," Ryder Han said, a note of desperation in his voice.

Ryder Han's pockmarked face scared the two little children, and they started to run. He chased after them and was about to wrap his chubby fingers around the back of Guo Jing's neck when Zhu Cong stopped him.

"Brother, your manners!" Zhu Cong lightly slapped Ryder Han's hand. Zhu Cong then ran round in front of the two little children, picking up three stones from the ground. "I'm going to do some magic, do you boys want to see?"

Guo Jing and Tolui were curious enough to stop and watch.

Zhu Cong held out his right hand, placed the stones in the middle of his palm and clenched his hand into a fist. "Gone!" he said, opening it again. Indeed, it was empty. The boys were amazed. Zhu Cong then pointed at the hat perched on top of his head. "In there!" He then removed it, revealing the pebbles inside. Guo Jing and Tolui clapped their hands and squealed in delight.

Just then they heard the cries of a flock of wild geese making their way towards them in an arrow formation. This gave Zhu Cong an idea.

"Now my brother will show you a trick." He fished out a handkerchief, handed it to Tolui and pointed at Ke Zhen'e. "Blindfold him."

"Are we playing hide-and-seek?" Tolui asked hopefully, as he put the blindfold on Ke Zhen'e.

"No, better than that. He is going to shoot a wild goose out of the sky," Zhu Cong answered, producing a bow and an arrow.

"That's impossible. I don't believe you," Tolui said.

As they were talking, the wild geese flew straight overhead. Zhu Cong flicked his wrist and tossed the three stones in his hand into the sky. The stones shot straight upwards, startling the birds. The lead goose squawked and began turning the formation in another direction. Ke Zhen'e drew his bow as far back as it would go and released, hitting a goose square in the belly. The bird whistled to the ground and landed with a thud, the arrow still in its stomach.

Tolui and Guo Jing exploded into whoops and cheers. They ran over to retrieve the goose and brought it back to Ke Zhen'e.

"Remember those boys who ganged up on you? If you learn some martial arts you won't ever have to worry about them again," Zhu Cong said.

"We're going to fight them again tomorrow and I'm going to get my big brother to help," Tolui said.

"Get your big brother to help?" Zhu Cong scoffed. "Only weak children do that. I'll teach you some moves and I guarantee you will beat those boys tomorrow."

"Two against seven?"

"Yes."

"Teach me." Tolui was excited by the thought of beating Tusakha all by himself.

"How about you? Don't you want to learn too?" Zhu Cong asked Guo Jing, who was standing further away, looking hesitant.

"Ma told me I shouldn't fight. I don't want to make her angry."

"Little coward." Ryder Han smiled.

"If that's true, then why did you fight those boys just now?" Zhu Cong pressed.

"Because they started it."

"So what are you going to do when you come face to face with Justice Duan?" Ke Zhen'e said.

"I'm going to kill him!" Guo Jing's eyes flashed a fiery red.

"Your father was an expert in martial arts and yet Justice Duan still managed to kill him. How are you going to avenge your father if you don't learn?"

Ke Zhen'e's question silenced the young boy.

"You're going to have to," Jade Han concluded.

"See that mountain over there?" Zhu Cong pointed at a solitary peak to his left. "If you want to learn martial arts, then meet us up at the top tonight at midnight. But you must come by yourself. No-one else can know about this, apart from your little friend here. Do you think you're brave enough? Are you scared of ghosts?"

Guo Jing could not take his eyes away from Zhu Cong, but Tolui was growing impatient. "Teach me instead, I want to learn!"

Zhu Cong grabbed Tolui's wrist, hooked his left foot behind the boy, and moments later Tolui was on the ground.

"Why did you do that?" Tolui demanded as he climbed back to his feet.

"That was kung fu. Can you do it?" Zhu Cong smiled.

Tolui was a clever child and understood. Copying Zhu Cong, he pretended to trip an imaginary foe. "Teach me something else."

Zhu Cong faked a punch at Tolui's face. Tolui dodged to the left, but Zhu Cong had his right hand in position, waiting. There was no force behind the punch however, and it barely nudged Tolui's nose.

"Teach me something else!" Tolui was enjoying himself. Zhu Cong bent down and pushed his shoulder upwards into the little boy's stomach, sending him flying into the air. Gilden Quan jumped up, caught him and gently put him back on safe ground.

"Mister, teach me something else!"

"You'll be able to fight off most adults with just those three moves." Zhu Cong smiled. "That's enough." He turned to Guo Jing. "Can you do them?"

Guo Jing shook his head. The Seven Freaks were even more disappointed. Compared to his friend, Guo Jing seemed very slow indeed. Jade Han sighed, and rubbed at her reddened eyes.

"I say we stop wasting our energy," Gilden Quan said in their southern dialect, so Guo Jing and Tolui could not understand. "Why don't we take the mother and son back south and hand them over to Qiu Chuji? We may as well admit defeat."

"The boy doesn't have it in him, he has no natural understanding of kung fu," Zhu Cong agreed.

"He doesn't have an ounce of fight in him. I don't see how we could win," Ryder Han added.

"You can go home now," Jade Han said to the two children, waving them away. Tolui grabbed hold of Guo Jing's hand and they skipped happily off.

The Seven Freaks had spent six long, hard years searching the steppe for Guo Jing. Their joy at finding him had been fleeting in the extreme. Perhaps it would have been better if they had never found him.

Ryder Han beat the ground in frustration, whipping the sand into a whirlwind. The other Freaks tried to calm him, but he would not stop. Only Woodcutter Nan the Merciful was yet to speak.

"What are you thinking, Fourth Brother?" Ke Zhen'e asked.

"A fine boy," Woodcutter Nan replied.

"What do you mean?" Zhu Cong said.

"The boy. I wasn't so bright when I was young." Woodcutter Nan smiled.

Nan's words brought the others a glimmer of hope and their mood lifted.

"Yes, you're right! When has anyone ever called me smart?" Zhang Asheng added, looking across at Jade Han.

"Let's see if he comes tonight," Zhu Cong said.

"Not likely," Gilden Quan said. "I'm going to find out where he lives first."

He mounted his horse and trailed the boys, keeping his distance. He watched from afar and made note of which ger Guo Jing entered.

THAT NIGHT the Seven Freaks waited for Guo Jing on the deserted hilltop, watching the stars move through the sky. By quarter to ten, there was still no sign of the boy.

"Our reputation reaches from east to west." Ryder Han sighed. "But today we must concede defeat to that stinking Taoist."

"The Quanzhen Sect is resisting the Jurchen in the north, protecting the Chinese there," Zhu Cong said. "They are patriotic and virtuous. The Seven Masters are exceptional in all aspects of the martial arts, everyone in the wulin admires them, and Qiu Chuji is considered the foremost among them. Losing to him will not destroy our reputation. And in any case, we are saving an honourable patriot's line of descent. There will be praise once our friends in the south find out."

Zhu Cong's words brought comfort and the other Freaks nodded in agreement.

In the west, layer upon layer of thick black cloud was building. Above them the sky was still a clear, deep blue. An anxious gust of wind blew its way from the north-west and the moon hovered high above, ringed by a yellow halo.

"It looks like rain," Jade Han remarked. "He's not coming."

"Then we will go to him, tomorrow morning," Zhang Asheng said.

"The boy is allowed to be a bit dull, but we have problems if he's afraid of the dark. Aiya! " Ke Zhen'e shook his head.

"Look! What's that?" Ryder Han said, pointing deep into the bush. There, illuminated by the moonlight, were three strange-looking white objects.

Gilden Quan went to investigate. Three piles of neatly stacked human skulls!

"It must have been the children who arranged them like this . . . Wait, what's that? . . . Second Brother, come quick!"

His sudden change in tone unsettled the others. The Seven Freaks rushed over, all except Ke Zhen'e.

"Look at this!" Gilden Quan picked up one of the skulls and handed it to Zhu Cong. Zhu Cong inspected it and observed five holes in the cranium, into which he slotted his fingers and thumb. Almost a perfect fit. The gap for the thumb was too big and the one for his little finger a bit tight.

This was no child's toy.

Zhu Cong's face fell. He bent over and picked up two more skulls. These too had the same holes punched into them. Could someone have made these holes with their fingers? he asked himself. But surely no-one could break through bone with their fingers? The thought was terrifying.

"Were they made by some kind of man-eating mountain monster?" Jade Han asked.

"Yes, definitely a monster of sorts," Ryder Han said.

"But what monster would arrange the skulls in such neat piles?" Gilden Quan muttered to himself.

"How have they been arranged?" Ke Zhen'e joined them.

"In three pyramids, each consisting of nine skulls," Gilden Quan said.

"In three layers, am I right? Five on the bottom, then three, then one on top?"

"Yes," Gilden Quan said in surprise. "How did you know, Big Brother?"

"Two of you, take one hundred steps to the north-east and northwest. Quickly! What do you see?"

Master Ke was rarely rattled, but now he seemed acutely alarmed. The other Freaks did not waste a second. Splitting into two groups, they began counting steps in both directions. Before long Jade Han called out from the north-east, just as Gilden Quan shouted from the north-west.

"Skulls!"

"There are skulls here too!"

Ke Zhen'e flew over to Gilden Quan and hissed, "No-one make a sound. Our lives depend on it." He then rushed over to where Jade Han was standing and repeated his instructions. The Freaks were astounded.

"What is it? Monsters or human foes?" Zhang Asheng whispered.

"Two of the most violent beings that ever existed. They killed my brother."

The other Freaks rushed to join them, just in time to hear Ke Zhen'e's explanation. This elder brother, Ke Bixie the Talisman, was considered even more skilled than Ke Zhen'e, as the Freaks all knew. His killer must have been terrible in the extreme. The Seven Freaks kept no secrets from each other, but though they had learned of Ke Bixie's death before, this was the first time they had heard their brother mention any details of the circumstances behind it. Ke Zhen'e picked up a skull and felt for the holes. He slotted the fingers of his right hand into them.

"They managed it. They finally managed it," he mumbled, before turning to the others. "Are there three piles here too?"

"Yes," Jade Han said.

"Nine skulls in every pile?"

"One pile has nine, the other two eight." Jade Han again.

"Count the ones over there too."

Jade Han ran over, before returning moments later. "Seven in each pile. All newly decapitated. There's still flesh on the bone."

"Then they'll be back soon," Ke Zhen'e said quietly, handing the skull to Gilden Quan. "Replace this. Don't leave any sign that we were here."

Gilden Quan arranged everything as it had been and returned to Ke Zhen'e's side. Everyone was looking to their Big Brother, waiting for an explanation.

Ke Zhen'e turned his face up to the sky and the others watched as it twitched. "Copper and Iron Corpse."

"But aren't they dead?" Zhu Cong said in disbelief. "How can they still be alive?"

"I thought so too. But it looks as if they have been hiding here, practising their Nine Yin Skeleton Claw," Ke Zhen'e said. "Mount your horses and head south, as fast as you can. Don't come back for me. Keep riding for one thousand li and then wait for ten days. If I do not join you by the eleventh day, there is no need to wait any longer."

"Brother, what are you saying?" said Jade Han. "We have sworn an oath in blood to live and die together. How can you tell us to leave?"

"Go, go now." Ke Zhen'e waved them away. "We don't have time for this."

"What must you think of us? Are we such cowards that we'd leave you here alone?" Ryder Han was furious.

"The Seven Freaks fight and die together," Zhang Asheng cut in. "That's the way it has always been. What reason do we have to run?"

"These two possess incredible martial skill. Now that they've mastered the Nine Yin Skeleton Claw, we cannot prevail. To stay would be pointless."

Ke Zhen'e was a proud man who did not admit defeat easily, not even in the face of a great master such as Qiu Chuji. He always chose to fight. Copper and Iron Corpse must be endowed with a power beyond their comprehension.

"In that case, we'll all go," Gilden Quan said.

"They condemned me to a life of daily mourning," Ke Zhen'e said, his voice raw. "I must avenge my brother."

"Share your blessings and your hardships too will be shared," Woodcutter Nan replied.

Ke Zhen'e paused. His martial family valued loyalty above all else; to even suggest they leave without him must have offended them greatly, he realised. But they were putting themselves in great danger. "Fine. But you must be careful," he said. "They are married, Copper Corpse is the husband, Iron Corpse the wife. Together they are known as Twice Foul Dark Wind. They started practising the Nine Yin Skeleton Claw about two years ago, and, in doing so, killed many a fine warrior of the jianghu . My brother was invited to help stop them and he sent someone to ask me to join them. But we were looking for Lily Li. I didn't want to abandon our search, especially as we had just received new clues as to her whereabouts, and as they already had many great fighters for their cause, I decided that I was not needed. I never expected it to take us so long to find Guo Jing. I was told about my brother's fate at the hands of Twice Foul Dark Wind last spring and only then did I hear their story and learn of the real extent of their kung fu. I knew I would not be able to avenge my brother's death for some time, and fearing the consequences for my martial family, I decided not to tell you."

Ke Zhen'e paused. "Sixth Brother, take one hundred steps to the south and check if there is a coffin."

Gilden Quan counted his steps . . . Ninety-nine, one hundred. No coffin. He looked more carefully. There, poking through the dirt, was the corner of a stone slab. He tried pulling at it, but it would not budge. He turned and waved at the others, who rushed to join him. Zhang Asheng and Ryder Han stooped down and together they pulled and panted and at last loosened the lid. The Seven Freaks peered into the grave beneath. By the moonlight they could make out two bodies, dressed in Mongolian robes.

"Those demons will be back soon to use these bodies for practice. I'll lie in here and take them by surprise. You find places to hide nearby. Whatever you do, do not let them know you're here. Come out only when I'm in trouble and show them no mercy. It might not be the honourable way to fight, but they are too ruthless, too skilled. We will all be killed otherwise."

The Freaks nodded as he spoke, his voice quiet and steady.

"They notice everything, even the slightest disturbance or sign of something unusual. They can sense things from great distances."

Ke Zhen'e lay down in the grave. "Replace the cover, but leave a slit so I can breathe."

The Freaks gently shifted the slab back into place. Taking their weapons, they slid in among the trees and bushes and hid.

Jade Han had never seen her Big Brother like this before. She was as much intrigued as scared and made sure to hide close to Zhu Cong.

"Who are these people? Copper Corpse and Iron Corpse I mean," she whispered across to him.

"Two years ago, Ke Bixie sent a messenger to Master Ke, but he didn't want you all to find out so he asked me to go with him. He wasn't sure if the messenger was who he said he was. The man told us that Copper Corpse and his wife Iron Corpse were disciples of the Lord of Peach Blossom Island, out in the Eastern Sea."

"Peach Blossom Island? Then that means they're from Zhejiang, just like us?"

Zhu Cong nodded. "That's right. People say the Lord expelled them. They are skilled to be sure, but also cruel in the extreme. They come and go like ghosts. Our friends in the jianghu said they disappeared after killing Master Ke's brother. We all thought they must be dead. But they were hiding here in Mongolia all along."

"What are their real names?"

"Copper Corpse is otherwise known as Hurricane Chen. His cheeks are scorched brown, hence the name, his expression always deathly still."

"And Iron Corpse?"

"Her name is Cyclone Mei."

"Big Brother mentioned something called Nine Yin Skeleton Claw. What kind of kung fu is that?"

"I don't know, I've never heard of it either."

Jade Han glanced across at one of the skulls close by. Its black cavernous eye sockets were staring out at her. A shiver went through her and she turned. "Why didn't Big Brother tell us? Maybe . . ."

Before she could finish, Zhu Cong's hand clapped over her mouth and he pointed down the hill. Jade Han poked her head up from the bushes and saw a long shadow in the distance skimming across the sand.

I should have been keeping watch, not chatting, Jade Han said to herself.

Within moments the shadow had reached the foot of the hill. It belonged in fact to two figures moving at great speed, as if glued together.

"Such monstrous kung fu," Ryder Han said to himself.

The Freaks held their breath and waited for the smudge of black to climb towards them. Zhu Cong gripped his broken fan and Jade clutched her weapon, pushing the blade into the dirt so the moonlight would not catch it. The swishing sound of their feet reached them first. Their hearts were pounding and each second seemed to last forever. A north-westerly wind was picking up and the black clouds on the horizon rolled like mountains on the move, edging ever closer.

Moments later, all was silent. The footsteps had stopped. In the distance before them stood two silhouettes. One wore a leather cap as if in Mongol dress. Beside him, long ribbons of black hair fluttered in the wind.

There they are, Jade Han whispered to herself. Now let's see their skills.

The woman circled the man, slowly at first, her joints cracking as she moved. She began picking up speed and the crackle became an ever-quickening rhythmic accompaniment.

Her inner strength is quite something, Jade Han said to herself. No wonder Big Brother was so frightened.

Cyclone Mei thrust her palms out and back at rapid speed. Her elbows snapped and her hair stuck out like the bristles of a brush.

A chill ran to Jade Han's heart and the hairs on her body stood on end.

Then, without warning, Cyclone Mei's hand struck at the Mongol man's chest.

He can withstand such force? The Freaks watched in amazement as he fell backwards. But she had already spun behind him and hit him in the back. So she circled him, whipping up a wind around them, faster and harder. He made no sound. On the ninth strike, she leapt straight into the air and came down, head first, swiped his cap and plunged her hand through the top of his head.

Jade Han tried to scream but the terror silenced her.

The woman planted her feet and cackled. The man had collapsed into a heap on the dirt and did not move. Her fingers were smeared with blood and spots of brain. She stretched them out before her, examining them in the moonlight. She was still laughing. She turned and Jade Han caught sight of her face: gruesome but rather beautiful. It was a hideous smile.

This was not her husband, they realised. He was just for practice.

All was silent. She reached down and tore the clothes from the dead man's back. In the north, men wore thick leather coats against the cold, but she ripped it as if it were made of paper. She then pulled open the skin across his torso and removed his organs one by one, surveying them in the moonlight. The Freaks watched as she threw down the pulpy remains. In nine strikes of her hand she had turned his insides into a squelchy mess without breaking a single bone.

Jade Han drew her sword, inch by inch, and prepared to attack, but Zhu Cong stopped her. Iron Corpse is alone, he thought to himself, we might be able to overcome her, seven against one. But we have to fight them separately, Iron Corpse first. Her husband might be hiding somewhere close. Big Brother should take the lead.

A quick inspection of her progress; a smile: Cyclone Mei was satisfied. She sat down with her back to Jade Han and Zhu Cong, her face raised to the moon, and started breathing in long and steady breaths. They watched her body rise and fall.

If I were to use Lightning Ignites the Sky now, I could probably spike my sword right through her, Jade Han said to herself. But if I missed, I would ruin our whole plan. She trembled with indecision.

Zhu Cong was barely breathing. He became aware of a chill as sweat ran down his back. He looked up and noticed the black clouds in the west had spread out above them. The sky was a sheet of imperial green paper splashed with black ink. Lightning flashed a spotlight on them and fear caught in their hearts. Thunder echoed and the air was hot and sticky, as if the clouds had formed a heavy blanket over them.

After some time, Cyclone Mei rose to her feet and pulled the corpse to the grave where Ke Zhen'e was hiding. She reached for the stone cover.

The Freaks held tighter to their weapons, ready for what was to come.

Mei turned. A rustle of leaves. But the air was still. She looked up into the branches of a nearby tree and saw the shape of a human silhouetted against the moonlight.

A piercing howl, and she was up in the branches.

It was Ryder Han. His short stature allowed him to shelter among the foliage. Just the slightest shift of his feet had given away his hiding place. He pulled out his Golden Dragon whip and performed a move known as Black Dragon Fetches Water, directing all his force at Mei's wrist. But, to his surprise, she did not move to avoid it and instead grabbed hold of the other end. Ryder Han yanked with all his strength but this only pulled her closer. She struck out with a bolt of lightning energy. But a gust of wind buffeted her, and Ryder Han had released his weapon and flipped from the branch.

Mei followed close behind, her hand held like a claw aimed at his back.

A cold gust of air rushed at the back of his neck and he pushed forward. Woodcutter Nan was waiting beneath with Gilden Quan. Nan threw a bone-piercing awl and Gilden Quan shot a concealed arrow from his sleeve.

Mei deflected both projectiles with a flick of her middle finger and, with a loud tearing noise, ripped a piece from of Ryder Han's shirt. He tapped his foot, intent on shooting up into the air. But Mei had already landed in front of him.

"Who are you?" she cried. "Why are you here?" Her clawed fingers dug into his shoulders and he felt a searing pain as if ten iron spikes had been implanted into his flesh. He aimed a flying kick at Mei's abdomen. She blocked him with a chop, snapping a bone in his foot. He threw himself to the ground and rolled to safety.

Mei went to stamp on his lower back but a shoulder pole came gliding towards her and smashed against her ankle.

Mei lurched back, but within moments was surrounded. From the right came a scholar holding a metal fan and a young girl clutching a sword. From the left, two men, one sturdy with a butcher's knife and another gaunt and carrying some strange military weapon. Before her, a muscular peasant wielding the shoulder pole. And yet more footsteps. The man with the whip. She had no idea who they were, but there was no doubt they were of the wulin .

There are too many of them, Mei thought, I'd better kill them quickly. As long as that bastard of a husband of mine is safe. I'll start with the girl.

She leapt at Jade Han, her claws aimed straight at the young girl's face. Zhu Cong launched his iron fan at the Arching Pool vital point on the inside of Mei's elbow, but she was unaffected. She went again for Jade Han, who met the attack with a Mist Hangs Over the River, slicing her sword at Mei's arm. Mei flipped her wrist and reached for Jade Han's blade. Jade shrunk back, just as Zhu Cong struck once again at Mei's elbow. The move should have paralysed Mei's arm instantaneously, but instead Zhu Cong watched it extend towards him as she grabbed at his head.

Zhu Cong avoided her talons only at the last moment.

Doesn't she have any vital points? he asked himself, shaking.

Ryder Han found his whip and, brandishing their weapons, the Freaks closed in from all sides. But Mei's hands were as if made of steel and she countered each move with a scratch of her nails. The Freaks recalled the holes in the tops of the skulls and shrank back with fear. And it wasn't just her hands; the rest of her body seemed to be equally resistant to their attacks. Gilden Quan struck her twice in the back with his weights, but to no effect. She seemed only to fear Zhang Asheng's knife and Jade Han's sword. Gilden Quan was too slow and she tore a bloody piece of flesh from his arm.

As Zhu Cong was well aware, all practitioners of kung fu have at least one weak point, a spot so tender that all you have to do is touch it to kill them. But what about this witch? Where is hers?

His fan danced around her pressure points, first the Hundred Convergences on the crown of her head and the Ridge Spring on her throat, then the Spirit Gate on her abdomen and the Central Pivot in the middle of her back. Within seconds, he had tapped at least twelve, trying to ascertain which part of her body she was most protective of. That would be his answer.

Mei realised what he was doing. "You lowdown beggar," she shouted. "This old hag has been training for years. I have no weak point!"

She snatched Zhu's wrist, but he was quick, and before she could dig her nails into his arm he flipped his wrist over and placed his fan into her palm. "There's poison on that fan."

Mei froze and then dropped it. Zhu Cong pulled away. He examined the back of his hand. It was scored with five bloody stripes. A cold sweat crept across his body. This was going to be a long fight, he realised. Three Freaks were already injured. They would never overcome Copper and Iron Corpse together. He looked across at his martial brothers. Zhang Asheng, Ryder Han and Gilden Quan were sweaty and exhausted. Woodcutter Nan was more practised in neigong inner strength, however, and Jade Han looked as if she still had some energy.

But Cyclone Mei was just getting started.

Then, in the cold light of the moon, Zhu Cong spotted three piles of skulls to his left. A shiver travelled through him as an idea took hold. "Run! Save yourselves!" he shouted, as he rushed over to the grave where Ke Zhen'e was hiding. The Freaks began retreating towards him as they fought.

"You little bastards," Mei snarled. "I don't know which stinking hole you've crawled from. Kill me, just you try! But it's too late to get away now." She charged forward. Nan, Gilden Quan and Jade Han tried to engage her in combat, while the others tugged and heaved, at last managing to pull the stone aside.

Meanwhile, Mei had wrapped her arm around Nan's shoulder pole and was trying to scratch out his eyes.

Zhu Cong pointed at the sky and beckoned with his hand: "Come, we need you!" He seemed to be calling for help from the spirit world.

Mei's eyes followed the direction of Zhu Cong's fingers. But all she could see was a thick blanket of cloud covering half the moon. Was there anyone up there?

Nan ducked away.

"Seven paces ahead!" Zhu Cong shouted. Ke Zhen'e threw six poisoned devilnuts, two at head height, two towards her middle and two below the waist. Then, with a loud cry, he jumped out of the hole and the other Freaks charged. Mei screamed as two of the projectiles hit her in the eyes. She threw her head back so that they would not penetrate her skull and enter the brain. But within moments she was descended into a darkness from which she would never return.

She thrust her palms down, but Ke Zhen'e had dodged to one side and her hands thudded into the stone slab. Now even more enraged, she kicked at it, sending it flying. The Freaks watched on, keeping their distance.

Mei scrabbled around in her blindness, grabbing and scratching. Zhu Cong gestured to the others to keep back. She was a crazed tiger, a she-devil, pulling at trees, breaking branches, kicking up sand. The Freaks held their breath. She began to feel a tingling in her eyes. The poison. "Who are you?" she cried. "Tell me, so I know before I die."

Zhu Cong gestured at Ke Zhen'e to stay silent, but realised his brother would not be able to see.

"Cyclone Mei." Ke Zhen'e's voice was sharp like a shard of ice. "Do you remember a fellow kung fu master by the name of Flying Divine Dragon, Ke Bixie the Talisman? I am his brother, Ke Zhen'e, Suppressor of Evil."

A long cackle burst from Mei's throat. "I've never seen you before, old fellow! You come to avenge Flying Divine Dragon's death? With poisoned devilnuts?"

"That is correct."

Mei sighed and did not reply.

The moon had almost disappeared behind the clouds and the light that remained was dim and almost cold to the touch. They all felt it. Mei was still, as if turned to stone, whip in one hand, the other limp by her side. A grey light glinted from her long, sharp nails. A long, silver Python whip was coiled up like a snake on the ground before her. It was a powerful weapon, but she was yet to master it. It was her Nine Yin Skeleton Claw they feared. The wind beat at her hair so that it stood like spikes from her forehead.

Jade Han was positioned in front of her and watched as two streams of blood flowed from her eyes and down her neck.

"Brother!"

Zhu Cong and Gilden Quan shouted together. But Ke Zhen'e had already sensed the rush of air at his chest. He drove his staff into the dirt and flew up, landing in the top branches of a nearby tree. Mei's whip had not met its target and she was propelled forward. She wrapped herself around Ke Zhen'e's tree, lodging her nails into the bark.

The move had taken them all by surprise. Had their eldest martial brother reacted a moment later, he would have been skewered on her talons.

Mei responded with a strange and piercing howl that carried far on the wind.

She was calling her husband Copper Corpse for help, Zhu Cong realised. "Kill her!"

Summoning all his energy, he aimed at Mei's back. Zhang Ahsheng took a nearby stone and launched himself at her head.

Unlike Brother Ke, she was not used to relying on her hearing alone for defence. She heard a low-pitched rush of air as the stone came towards her, but she could not tell where it was coming from.

Zhu Cong's punch landed with a heavy thud and she screamed in pain. Zhu Cong continued, but Mei slashed her claws at him, forcing him back.

Just as the other Freaks closed in, a long howl, much like the one Mei had used only minutes before, arrived on the wind, and it cleaved through them. Another followed in quick succession, this time much closer.

"Copper Corpse!"

Jade ran to look down towards the plain below. A shadow was speeding towards them, screeching as it drew nearer.

Mei was now on the defensive, concentrating her internal energy on halting the spread of the poison through her body, while she waited for her husband.

Zhu Cong indicated to Gilden Quan that they should hide themselves in the bushes. Judging by his speed, Copper Corpse's skills were even more impressive than his wife's.

Just then Jade Han cried out. There, climbing the hill, was a smaller figure, moving much more slowly. It was a child.

Guo Jing.

She ran to fetch him.

Guo Jing was not very far away now, but Copper Corpse was gaining ground. Jade Han hesitated. She could not possibly take Copper Corpse on by herself. But nor could she leave the child. She ran faster and called down to Guo Jing, "Quickly, boy!"

Guo Jing looked up and yelped in delight, unaware of the danger coming from behind.

Zhang Asheng watched Jade Han as she ran further into danger. His heart convulsed and he could barely catch his breath. He had to protect her.

The other Freaks paused and watched the events unfolding further down the hill, weapons at the ready.

Jade Han reached Guo Jing and grabbed hold of his little hand. She turned back up the hill, but after only a few metres she felt his hand slip from hers. Guo Jing cried out. She swung round. Copper Corpse Hurricane Chen had seized him.

Jade Han tapped her foot and spun into a Nodding Phoenix, feigning a right at his armpit. She then moved sidewards, raised the tip of her sword and aimed at his eyes: the very height of Yue Maiden Sword technique.

Chen tucked the boy under his left arm and deflected the blade with his right elbow. He then thrust his palm in a Drive the Boat Downstream. Jade spun her weapon round, moved back and sliced it at him. But his arm seemed to grow by half a foot and, although she should have been far enough out of reach, his palm somehow struck her on the shoulder and she fell.

It was all over in seconds.

Copper Corpse moved closer, intent on clawing at Jade's head with his nails, strong enough to penetrate bone. Zhang Asheng was by now only a few metres away and he threw himself on top of her. Down came Copper Corpse's claw and ripped through Zhang Asheng's back.

Zhang Asheng howled and thrust his broadsword up at Chen, but Copper Corpse blocked it with his hand, knocking the weapon out of Zhang's grip. He then beat Zhang back down with his palm.

More Freaks charged forward. Only Ke Zhen'e held back.

"My dear harpy, are you alright?" Hurricane Chen called over.

"They blinded me!" Cyclone Mei growled back from where she was slumped against a tree. "Bastard husband of mine, if you let even one of these scoundrels go, I will kill you myself."

"Don't worry, old crone," Chen called back, "they won't get away from me alive. Are you in pain? Don't move." He made for Jade Han's head again; she escaped in a Lazy Donkey Roll. "You won't get away from me!" he shouted.

Zhang Asheng was flat on the ground, badly hurt and confused, but he sensed that his beloved Jade was yet again in danger. Gathering the last of his energy, he kicked out at Chen's hand. Chen plunged his fingers into Zhang's leg. The pain shot through him, but he straightened and flung his arms around Chen's waist. Copper Corpse grabbed hold of Zhang's neck and tried to throw him off. Fearing he would attack Jade again, Zhang refused to let go. Chen punched him in the head. Zhang fainted and his arms flopped.

Meanwhile Jade had clambered to her feet and now launched herself at Hurricane Chen in a twirling display of qinggong lightness kung fu.

"Fifth Brother, are you hurt?" she shouted as she spun.

The other Freaks were now close. Zhu Cong and Gilden Quan were first to lunge at Copper Corpse with their weapons.

Chen was surprised to see so many accomplished practitioners of the martial arts so far out here on the steppe. "Old hag!" he shouted. "Who are they?"

"They follow Flying Bat Ke Zhen'e, brother of Flying Divine Dragon."

"We've never met these dogs before, but they will die today." But Copper Corpse could not conceal his concern for his wife's injuries. "Dearest crone, is it serious? Will you make it?"

"Kill them quick," Mei snarled back. "I'm not dead yet."

But Chen could tell it was bad; the fact that she was not coming to his aid was sign enough.

Still, Ke Zhen'e held back.

Hurricane Chen threw Guo Jing aside and launched himself at Gilden Quan. But Gilden Quan ducked, grabbed Guo Jing and somersaulted out of Chen's way in a move known across the wulin as the Mischievous Cat Catches the Mouse. He executed the move perfectly, impressing even Chen.

Copper Corpse was cruel by his very nature, and the stronger his opponent, the more he wanted to make them suffer a painful death. Moreover, an attack on his wife was an attack on him. Twice Foul Dark Wind had trained in two of the wulin 's most dangerous techniques, the Nine Yin Skeleton Claw and Heartbreaker Palm, and Chen had mastered almost the full repertoire of both.

He howled and propelled himself into attack.

But Ryder Han too charged forward and at the very last moment rolled onto the ground, where he began striking at Chen's legs in a move known as Rolling Whip. Thus distracted, Chen felt a blow to his back from Nan's shoulder pole. He yelped, spun around and scratched back.

Nan did not have time to pull back his weapon, so he bent backwards into an Iron Bridge. He heard a cracking sound and watched in amazement as Hurricane Chen's arm extended at the elbow, his bony hands grazing the top of his brow. Near misses were common in fights among masters of the wulin . But just as he thought it had extended to its limit, Chen's arm reached for his forehead. How was he going to get out of this? Chen's palm was now just above Nan's face, his finger poised to puncture his skull.

Nan grabbed hold of Chen's wrist, just as Zhu Cong jumped up onto Copper Corpse's back, hooking his arm around Chen's neck and pulling tight.

Just then thunder reverberated around them and darkness unfolded across the desolate mountaintop as the last of the moon was blocked out by the clouds. Raindrops as big as soybeans started falling from the sky.

A terrible crunching sound and a rush of air followed the thunder; Nan's arm was broken in two and Zhu Cong had received a blow to the chest, sending him tumbling backwards. Copper Corpse panted, catching his breath.

"Everyone get back!" Ryder Han called through the darkness. "Seventh Sister, are you alright?"

"Shh," Jade silenced her brother as she moved closer.

"Second Brother, are you alright?" Ke Zhen'e was concerned by what he was hearing.

"We can't see anything," Gilden Quan replied. "It's pitch black."

The heavens are smiling on us! Ke Zhen'e said to himself, knowing this only played into his hands.

Three of the Freaks were injured. The situation had looked hopeless. But now, as the heavens cracked open, they held their breath and kept utterly still. Ke Zhen'e listened. He could hear a man gasping not ten steps away from him and he knew it was not one of his martial brothers. He reached for his poisoned devilnuts and raised his hand.

Six devilnuts flew in quick succession.

But Hurricane Chen sensed them coming and jumped, narrowly dodging all six. Now he knew where they were coming from. Silently he lunged forward, his claws ready. But Ke Zhen'e had leapt to the side and, from his new position, thrust his staff outwards. Fighting by night and day were all the same for him. Chen struck out in all directions. He could not tell if his aim was true.

Ryder Han, Jade Han and Gilden Quan, meanwhile, were fumbling in the dark, trying to help their brothers. Elder Brother Ke was in the most danger, of course, but they were no good to him. Through the pelting rain, they heard the swooshing of Chen's hands and Ke Zhen'e's iron staff. It felt like they had been fighting for hours. Then came two loud blows and a piercing howl; Copper Corpse had been hit.

A flash of lightning illuminated the scene.

"Brother, lightning, watch out!" Gilden Quan cried a warning.

But Hurricane Chen had orientated himself in that moment of clarity. He gathered his qi to his left shoulder, strode straight at Ke's staff and grasped hold of it, scratching at Ke with his other hand. Flying Bat Ke released his weapon and leapt backwards. Copper Corpse clenched his fist, reached and punched Ke's chest with the force of all his internal energy. Ke Zhen'e was blasted backwards and Chen threw the staff like a spear, roaring with pride. The thunder sounded a booming accompaniment.

Another double flash lit up the sky. Ryder Han saw the staff heading for his brother. He flicked his Golden Dragon whip and caught it.

"Now you, you dog!" Hurricane Chen cried, about to launch a flying kick. But Copper Corpse stumbled over something at his feet. He reached down with his claws and grabbed it: Guo Jing.

"Let me go!" the child shouted.

Chen snorted. Another flash of cold light.

Guo Jing looked up at the sallow face staring down at him, its eyes like hollow caverns. He pulled the dagger from his belt and plunged it through the man's bellybutton until the blade was fully engulfed by his flesh.

A cry cut through the thick air and Hurricane Chen fell backwards. Guo Jing had found Copper Corpse's chosen vulnerable spot, the point he always tried to protect in a fight. A plain fruit knife would have been enough to kill him, let alone Guo Jing's dagger. He had not thought to protect himself against a child. Their encounter at the foot of the hill had told him the boy was no expert in the martial arts. But it is as they say: the swimmer is the one to drown, the cart always breaks on flat ground. No-one could have foreseen that a master of the wulin such as Copper Corpse would die at the hands of a boy with no training whatsoever.

Guo Jing was still just as terrified and now stood to one side, his mind a muddle. He opened his mouth to cry, but no sound came out.

Mei had started running at the sound of her husband's pained cry. She stumbled, scrabbled and crawled to get to him. "My loving bastard, big brother, what happened?"

"I can't . . . Run, little sister." His voice was faint.

"I will avenge you." She spoke through clenched teeth.

"I don't want to leave you, little sister, dear wife. I . . . I can't look after you anymore. From now on, you must fight alone. Take care . . ."

And so Hurricane Chen rasped his last breaths and died.

Despite her distress, no tears fell down Mei's cheeks. She took her husband in her arms. "Dearest filthy dog, I don't want to leave you either. Don't go!"

Morning's first light was painting the sky a blue-grey. Now able to make out the faintest outlines around them, Ryder Han, Jade Han and Gilden Quan rushed in to attack.

Mei was blind and dizzy from the poison. Ke Zhen'e's iron devilnuts would have killed her long ago, were it not for the years Mei and her husband had spent learning Nine Yin Skeleton Claw, ingesting small quantities of arsenic to increase their internal strength, neutralising the more toxic elements through regularised breathing techniques. It was a ridiculous method to be sure, but it had at least given her a certain level of immunity, which served her well now.

Thus agitated, she put up her last defence, swift and fierce. The Freaks could not get near her.

Ryder Han was becoming increasingly impatient. Our reputation will be good only for sweeping the floor if anyone finds out the Freaks cannot overcome Cyclone Mei, blind and injured, he thought to himself. He kept changing the speed and direction of his whip and cracked it three times against her back. Jade Han noticed her stumble. She and Gilden Quan moved in.

Just as they thought they had her, an angry gale rose, thrashing up the dirt and gravel into a wild dance. The black clouds above once again cut out all remaining light.

The Freaks dropped to the ground and waited for the storm to pass.

IT TOOK hours for the rain to grow lighter and for cracks of sunlight to break through the clouds. Ryder Han scrambled to his feet and howled. Mei had disappeared, along with her husband's body. He looked around him; there, lying on the ground, his fellow Freaks were soaked through. He caught sight of Guo Jing's face peeping out from behind a nearby rock.

Three of the Freaks were unhurt and they started tending to their brothers. Nan the Merciful had broken an arm, but thankfully that was the extent of his injuries. Ke Zhen'e and Zhu Cong had managed to fight off Copper Corpse's attack with their inner strength, so they too were not too badly affected. But Zhang Asheng had been caught twice by the Nine Yin Skeleton Claw, as well as receiving a punch to the head. He was just about conscious, but his prospects looked bleak.

The Freaks were distraught, especially Jade Han. She had long known Zhang Asheng was in love with her. But she was a bold young woman more concerned with martial arts than immediate affairs of the heart and he had always laughed off his feelings. Thinking time was on their side, they had never admitted to each how they really felt. But now he was dying, and all because he had tried to protect her. Jade Han took Zhang Asheng into her arms and wept.

Zhang Asheng, normally so jovial, looked up at her and managed a smile. He opened his butcher's hands, large like fans, and stroked Jade Han's hair. "Don't cry," he said. "Sister, I'm fine."

"Fifth Brother," she said, choking on her tears, "let me be your wife."

Zhang Asheng laughed, overcome by a moment of the purest joy, but the pain was turning his vision hazy.

"Fifth Brother, don't worry, in my heart I am already wedded to you. I'll never marry anyone else, as long as I live. And once I die we will be together, forever."

"Sister, I have not taken care of you as I should have." Zhang was struggling to speak. "I don't deserve you."

"You took the very best care of me, I've always known that. I've always loved you."

Zhang Asheng smiled as if he had never smiled before.

With his eyes full of tears, Zhu Cong turned to Guo Jing. "Did you come to learn martial arts from us?"

"Yes."

"Then from now on you must do as we say."

Guo Jing nodded.

"We will be your shifus ," Zhu Cong said through his tears. "But your Fifth Shifu is about to return to the heavens, so go to him and pay your respects."

Guo Jing did not understand what Zhu Cong meant, but nevertheless he approached the injured man and kowtowed before him, making sure to tap his forehead against the ground several times.

Zhang Asheng forced a smile. "That's enough." He grimaced. "You're a good boy. I won't be able to teach you my skills, but that's just as well. They would have been no use to you. I'm big and clumsy and too lazy to practise. I relied on my strength. If only I'd put in more effort, I wouldn't be lying here today . . ." He was losing consciousness.

Jade Han put her ear to his lips and heard him whisper. "Teach him well. Don't let that stinking Taoist win."

"Don't you worry, the Seven Freaks never lose," she whispered.

Zhang Asheng chuckled one last time, closed his eyes and departed.

The Freaks were overcome with sadness. They had spent the last few years in each other's company, day in, day out, searching for Lily Li and her son. Now one of their brothers was lost, here, in a strange and cruel land. After the tears had run dry, they dug a grave and buried him. The sun was already high in the sky by the time they had covered his final resting place with a large rock to mark the site.

Gilden Quan and Ryder Han went looking for Cyclone Mei, but any footprints she might have left had been wiped away by the storm. They travelled for miles without finding any trace before returning to the hill.

"She can't have got far in the desert without being able to see," Zhu Cong said. "Big Brother hit her with his poisoned devilnuts; she's probably dead by now. Let's take the child home first and treat our wounds. Then those who were not hurt last night can take up the search."

The Freaks nodded, shed their last tears on their brother's grave and left.