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Thread: Guo Xiang (HSDS Ch 1&2 Translation)

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    Senior Member Athena's Avatar
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    Exclamation Guo Xiang (Translation HSDS CH 1& 2)

    Right! First of all to whom this may concern. I have complied to your wish to translate/summarize the first 2 chapters of "Heavenly Sword and Dragon Sabre."
    Mind you that there are a lot of poems, excerpts of scriptures in these 2 chapters. As I do not have a dictionary at hand, I translated the chapters roughly out off the cuff. I more or less conveyed the messages, meanings of the poems, etc. So if anyone thinks he/she can do a better job, please take over. <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">

    Chapter 1

    Pondering on the gentleman far far away

    The vast and mighty tour through Spring,
    is every year's winter yearning.
    The season of the pear blossom is nearing.

    The white jade brocade is without wrinkles and smells fragrantly and is mesmerizing.
    Snow is piling up on jade trees and jade petals.
    The quiet night is deep.
    The floating brightness is concealed through the clouds.
    A cold steep is enough to melt the moon.
    A dark silver fog illuminates heaven and earth.

    Her simple, natural but enchanting appearances mesmerizes me.
    Even greater were her will and spirit.
    She is like a bloom that exceeds other beautiful and fragrant flowers.
    Her noble spirit is clear and pure, her immortal ability lies high.
    She returns to the Jade palace and I can only see her from afar.

    The author of this poem, Free from Mediocrity, is a famous martial arts expert from the souther Song dynasty. The name of this expert was Qiu Chuji, also known as the Everlasting One. He is one of
    The Seven Masters of QuanZhen, and one of the most oustanding disciples of the Quanzhen School. Qiu Chuji wrote this poem after he met Xiao Longnu for the first time. She was a neighbour of Qiu for many years.
    At this time Qiu Chuji already passed away, and Xiao Longnu is the wife of the famous Condor Hero Yang Guo. Another girl was reciting this poem softly, in Henan province and on Mount Shaoshi. This young girl was about 18, 19 years old and was wearing a cream yellow robe, she was riding on a mule and was proceeding up the mountain pass. She was thinking:" Only someone like sister Long is fit for him."
    "Him" of course refers to Yang Guo.
    After some time she softly recited:"Union is bliss, parting is woe, Agony is boundless for a lovelorn. Sweet heart, give me word....
    Trails of clouds drifting forward, Amid mountains cupped with snow, Whither shall my lonesome shadow go?

    This girl carried a short sword and looked
    travel stained. She is a beautiful young girl that is supposed to be happy and untroubled but somehow she looks unhappy, melancholic.
    Her name is Guo Xiang, is the second daughter of the Great Hero Guo Jing and the famous Huang Rong. Her nickname is Little Eastern Heretic. With her mule and sword she has travelled a lot, her purpose was to forget her worries but her travelling only increased her sorrow.
    On Mount Shaoshi of Henan province were a set of large stone steps, these steps were constructed under the order of Emperor Gaozong of the Tang dynasty. It looked very impressive as Guo Xiang proceeded up the mountain. Before long she could see the monastery.
    She stared at the roof for a moment and and thought:"The Shaolin Monastery is said to be the origin of martial arts, but why aren't there any Shaolin experts among the Five Greats? Is it because the Shaolin experts knew there weren't a match for the other experts and were afraid to disgrace Shaolin and refused to go? Or was it because the monks had evolved beyond earthly matters and didn't want to scramble for power and fame.
    After a while she saw a large stone tablet, half of it was gone and the characters were unclear, Guo Xiang was thinking:"How come characters carved into stone can fade away through time, but my feelings carved in my heart become more and more stronger as time goes by."

    This tablet was bestowed by Emperor Taizong of the Tang dynasty. He praised the Shaolin monks for helping him to suppress the rebellions. The tablet states the military credits of the Shaolin monks for helping Emperor Taizong defeat the rebel general Wang Shichong, of which 13 monks were most famous. Only one monk became a general and the other 12 didn't want to become officials and Emperor TaiZong bestowed 12 purple kasayas. Guo Xiang was thinking:"During the Sui and Tang dynasty the Shaolin Monastery was already very famous for its' martial arts, and now after a few hundred years they must be even more formidable."

    When Guo Xiang parted with Yang Guo and Xiao Longnu at Mount Hua 3 years ago. She lost all contact with them and missed them a lot. So she told her parents that she wanted to roam a bit but in fact she wanted to hear some news about Yang Guo. She doesn't want to actually meet them, she is very contend if she can hear something about them. However they seem to have disappeared entirely, Guo Xiang has travelled from north to south and from west to east. She practically travelled through China but still there was no news on Yang Guo.

    She remembered that Yang Guo asked reverend Wuse to bring her a present on her 16th birthday. Wuse was a friend of Yang Guo and instructed someone to deliver Guo Xiang a present. Although she has never met him, she wants to know if he has any news about Yang Guo.
    She was pensive for some time till she heard some metalic noise and a voice chanting Buddhist scriptures:"Through love worry will arise. Through love fear will arise. If you can free yourself from love, all worries and fear will be gone."
    When Guo Xiang heard this, she was completely dazzled. And softly repeated those words. The metalic noise and the chanting were becoming distant.
    Guo Xiang said:"I must ask him, how I can free myself from love and how my worries and fear will disappear." She tied her mule to a tree and chased after the sound. Guo Xiang caught with the monk and was shocked to see the monk carrying two large iron buckets and he was chained on his hands, feet and neck causing him to produce a metalic sound as he walked. The buckets were filled with water and it showed that the monk must posses extraordinary strength.
    Guo Xiang spoke to the monk:"I have a few questions, please stop for awhile."
    The monk turned around and both Guo Xiang and the monk were surprised to see each other. The monk was Jueyuan, 3 years ago Guo Xiang met him on Mount Hua. Guo Xiang also knew that this monk was really pedantic, but had extremely powerful internal energy not inferior to any top martial arts expert of this time. She spoke to him:"Oh, it is you reverend Jueyuan. What happened to you?" JueYuan smiled and nodded but didn't speak he turned around and walked away again. Guo Xiang said:"It's me, Guo Xiang. Don't you recognize me anymore?"
    Jueyuan turned his head and smiled and nodded but didn't stop. Guo Xiang asked:"Who chained you? Why do they torture you?" Jueyuan raised his left hand and shook his hand in admonition, meaning do not ask.

    Guo Xiang wouldn't let this matter rest untill she got to the bottom of this. And wanted to run in front of Jueyuan but was not successful. Although Jueyuan was carrying 2 large buckets of water he was still very quick. Guo Xiang was amused and leapt up and wanted to grap one of the buckets, but she missed by an inch.
    Guo Xiang said:"You have very impressive abilities, but I must catch up with you."
    Jueyuan continued to walk and the metalic noise sounded rather melodic.
    Guo Xiang was having difficulty keeping up and she was really impressed and thought:"Both my father and mother praised this monk for his superior internal strength, at that time I wasn't totally convinced but now I know they were right."
    After awhile Jueyuan walked to the back of a small house and emptied the buckets of water in an old well. Guo Xiang asked:"What are you doing? Why are you emptying the water in this well?" Jueyuan remained calm and shook his head. Guo Xiang thought she understood now and smiled:"You're learning some sort of powerful martial arts, aren't you?" Jueyuan shook his head again. Guo Xiang was feeling a bit angry now and said:"I just heard you chanting, you're not dumb, why won't you answer me?" Jueyuan put his palms together and looked apologetic and carried the buckets and walked away again.
    Guo Xiang looked into the well and couldn't find anything strange about it and stared at Jueyuan's back and felt puzzled.
    She gave chase for awhile but soon she felt tired and rested on a rock. She was admiring the scene and felt very fresh afterwards. Guo Xiang was thinking:"I wonder where the pupil of this monk is. The pupil will probably tell me what is going here."
    She started going down again and wanted to find Zhang Junbao the pupil of Jueyuan. She walked for awhile and soon she heard that metalic sound again, Jueyuan came up again and Guo Xiang quickly hid and thought:"I'll spy on him and see what he is up to."
    The metalic sound was becoming clearer and she saw Jueyuan reading a book. She silently approached him and called out:"What are you reading?"

    <font size="1">[ April 20, 2003: Message edited by: Athena ]</font>
    Last edited by Suet Seung; 06-28-03 at 03:56 PM.
    So huge, so hopeless, to conceive
    As these that twice befell
    Parting is all we know of heaven
    And all we need of hell.

    Emily Dickinson (1830-1886)

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    Really nice that you're doing this. None of the TV series really devoted much time on the Guo Xiang, even though it's quite long(2 chapters out of 40). I guess it's really hard to find the extra actors. I really dislike the fact that the serials did not do justice to this section and the big showdown at Guang Ming Ding. Hopefully this will be remedied with a big-budget mainland production.

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    Senior Member Goofy's Avatar
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    Cool

    does this mean you are doing more chu liu heung again? <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

    Please... <IMG SRC="smilies/bow.gif" border="0">
    "History's third dimension is always fiction."
    -- The Glass Bead Game, Hermann Hesse

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    Senior Member Athena's Avatar
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    Arrow

    Thanks Meh! I know what you mean, I think the TVB 1986 version was the closest thing to it.

    Jueyuan was startled and cried out:"You gave me a scare, it's only you." Guo Xiang smiled:"You're not pretending to be a dumb anymore." Jueyuan looked slightly afraid and looked to the left and right and shook his hand.
    Guo Xiang asked:"What is wrong?"
    Before Jueyuan could answer, 2 monks in grey robes appeared out of the woods. One was very tall, the other one short. The tall monk sternly said to Jueyuan:"Jueyuan, you broke the rules by talking to an outsider and furthermore to a young girl. Come with us to see the elder of the Disciplinary Hall."
    Jueyuan looked crestfallen and nodded and started walking behind those 2 monks.
    Guo Xiang was angry and annoyed and sternly reproached:"What kind of rule forbids people from talking? I know this reverend and if I want to talk to him, it's no concern of you."
    The tall monk gave her an arrogant look and said:"For more than thousand years, the Shaolin Monastery doesn't allow women to enter. I suggest that Miss would leave before you get yourself in trouble."
    Guo Xiang became even more angry and said:"So what about women? Aren't women humans? And why do you pester reverend Jueyuan? How come is chained and you forbid him to talk to anyone?"
    The monk coldly replied:"These are the rules of our monastery, no one has the right to question not even the emperor. Miss, needn't bother."
    Guo Xiang angrily said:"Reverend Jueyuan is an honest good person, you're bullying him because he's a nice man. Where is reverend TianMing and the monks Wuse and Wuxiang?
    The 2 monks were shocked. Reverend Tianming is the abbot of Shaolin, Wuse is the elder of the Arhat Hall and Wuxiang is the elder of the Dharma Hall. The 3 of them are very respected, all the monks addres them as 'old abbot, elder of the Arhat Hall or elder of the Dharma Hall.'
    No one has dared to call out their names, and today these 2 monks hear this young girl calling out their names and creating a scene.
    These 2 monks are the pupils of the elder of the Disciplinary Hall, and received orders to keep an eye on Jueyuan. But now they see Guo Xiang interfering, the tall monk yelled:"If you don't leave now, we will not be friendly."
    Guo Xiang said:"Should I be afraid of you? Hurry up and free Jueyuan of his chains or else I will go to old monk Tianming."
    The short monk became angry now and saw Guo Xiangs' sword. He said:"Leave you weapon behind and we will not take actions against you. Leave now!"
    Guo Xiang removed her sword and held in her hands and scoffed:"Alright then, I will comply."
    The short monk grew up in the Shaolin monastery and heard his seniors say that
    Shaolin was the origin of all martial arts and no matter how respected or highly skilled martial arts experts never carried weapons to the Shaolin monastery. Although this young girl didn't actually reach the monastery but she was already on Shaolin premises. He thought this young girl was afraid and presented her sword so he reached out to grab the sword. However when his fingers touched the scabbard his felt a painfull tingling like being struck by lightning. He felt a strong force coming from the sword and pushing him backward. He couldn't maintain his stand and fell down, as he was standing on a slope he soon rolled down a few metres. With some difficulty he could stop himself from rolling anymore.
    The tall monk was shocked and angry and yelled out:"What all the nerves! How dare you come to ShaoLin to wreak havoc!" He turned his body and and advanced one step in front and his right fist aimed at Guo Xiang his left hand was put on the back of the fist causing two palms striking down. This was the 28th technique of "Dashing Shaolin" namely "Turning Over Split"
    Guo Xiang held on to her sword and pressed her sword with scabbard down to the monks' shouder. The monk held on to the sword.
    Jueyuan was very frantic and called out:"Stop! Don't fight!"
    The monk tried to pull the sword over, suddenly he felt a shock through his palm
    and both arms felt numb he cried:"No!" Guo Xiang swept her left leg and kicked him down the slope. He was somewhat more injured than the other monk, his face was bleeding.
    Guo Xiang was thinking:"I came to Shaolin to find some information on brother Yang, but now I'm engaged in a fight for no apparent reason."
    She saw Jueyuan looking sad, she pulled out her sword and cut the chains. Jueyuan was screaming:"No, you musn't!" for a few times. Guo Xiang cut three chains and said:"Those 2 wicked monks will go back for reinforcements. We must go now, where is your little disciple." Jueyuan kept shaking his hands. Suddenly a voice came from behing saying:"Thank you for caring Miss Guo, I'm right here."
    Guo Xiang turned around and saw a 16, 17 year old man standing there. He had think eyebrows and big eyes and was very tall. But still looked very young. She met him 3 years ago at Mount Hua, he was Zhang Junbao. He was taller this time compared to three years ago but he very much looked the same. Guo Xiang was very pleased and said:"Those nasty monks were bullying your teacher, we must go now." Jueyuan laughed wryly and shook his head and suggested that Guo Xiang should quickly leave now before trouble comes.
    Guo Xiang knows that there were an uncountable amount of Shaolin experts that were superior to her, but seeing this situation she couldn't leave this matter alone and she was worried that Shaolin experts would stop them. So she pulled Jueyuan in one hand and the other Zhang Junbao and told them:"Hurry up, we'll discuss everything when we leave this place." But the two of them just stood still.
    At this time 7, 8 monks with wooden rods came up the slope and yelled:"Who is that audacious girl? How dare she come to the Shaolin and behave atrociously!"
    Zhang Junbao called out:"Please don't be rude, this is......"
    Guo Xiang hurriedly said:"Don't say my name." She knew that she created a big scene today and perhaps this might even escalate so she didn't want to drag her parents into this. She added:"Let's go the other way! Don't mention my parents' name.
    But another 7, 8 monks came towards them. Guo Xiang saw that they were surrounded and raised her elegant eyebrows and said to JueYuan and Zhang:"The both of you are so fussy, you lack a hero spirit! Do you want to leave now?" Zhang JunBao said:"Master, Miss Guo has only good intentions..."
    At this point 4 monks came up the slope, although they didn't carry weapons but judging their body posture they were experts.
    Guo Xiang knew that using force would be futile so she just stood still and waited to see what would happen.

    The first monk walked up and spoke to Guo Xiang:"The elder of the LuoHan Hall ordered that the intruder was to lay down her weapon and was to be taken to the YiWei pavilion for questioning."
    Guo Xiang scoffed:"The monks of ShaoLin have mastered the air of government officials. All of you speak a bureaucratic tone! I'm wondering whether you're officials to the Song emperor or officials to the Mongolian emperor?"
    At this time, the entire northern territories of China were in hands of the Mongolians, the ShaoLin monastery fell under Mongolian jurisdiction. However the Mongolians were busy deploying their troops so they had no time to control any temples, monasteries. Everything in ShaoLin remained the same.
    The monk felt embarrassed by Guo Xiang's remarks and his face turned red and he felt that giving orders to outsiders was not very appropriate. He put his palms together and said:"May I enquire what business you have here, Benefactress. Would you please lay down your weapon and go to the YiWei pavilion where tea will be served and we have some questions we would like to ask."

    <font size="1">[ April 20, 2003: Message edited by: Athena ]</font>
    So huge, so hopeless, to conceive
    As these that twice befell
    Parting is all we know of heaven
    And all we need of hell.

    Emily Dickinson (1830-1886)

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    Senior Member Athena's Avatar
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    Guo Xiang heard his tone became a bit more friendly and thought this would be a good chance to stop and said:"I don't care if you let me enter or not. It's not like ShaoLin has any treasure and I'm not willing to benefit from it." She turns to Zhang JunBao and quietly asked:"Are coming or not?" Zhang JunBao shook his head and looked at his teacher saying his place is here. Guo Xiang loudly said:"Alright then, I will not interfere. I'm off." And started walking down the slope, the first monk moved away but 2 other monks blocked her. And said:"Lay down you sword!" Guo Xiang raised her eyebrows and put her hand on the hilt.
    The first monk explained:"We don't want to keep your weapon, we will return it when you leave Mount ShaoShi. This is our rule, please forgive us."
    Guo Xiang heard his tone was polite and thought:"If I don't leave my sword, there is bound to be a fight and alone I'm no match for these monks. But if I leave my sword, I will disgrace my parents, brother Yang, sister Long and my grandfather."
    She was still thinking, and suddenly a figure appeared in front of her and shouted:"You come here with a weapon, injured 2 of her disciples. What's the meaning of this?" And he formed a claw and grapped Guo Xiang' sword. If this monk didn't use force, Guo Xiang would surely hand over her sword after some consideration. She isn't liker her elder sister Guo Fu. Although she is straightforward, she is not rash. Seeing this disadvantage, she would have complied and discussed this matter with her parents and Huang YaoShi and come back for an explanation. But now this monk used force, how can she watch her sword being grapped away.
    The monk's grip was firm and he held on to the scabbard. He wanted to quickly disarm her. Because it would not be proper for a monk to be pulling and pushing with a pretty young girl. Guo Xiang couldn't hold on to the scabbard and pulled out her sword. The monk used his right hand to seize the scabbard but his 2 fingers on his left hand were cut off.
    The other monks were angry when they saw their martial arts brother wounded and picked up their wooden rods, cudgels and atttacked. Guo Xiang knew that she had no choice but to fight now and used "Descending Flower Swordsmanship" to defend herself.
    The Descending Flower Swordsmanship was derived from Huang YaoShi's Divine Descendign Flower Sword Palms. Although this swordsmanship is not as refined and excellent as the "Jade Flute Swordsmanship." It was still a special technique from the Peach Blossom Island. The monks saw green flashes surging, the sword dancing. Making it seem like flowers descending, in a few moments 2 monks were injured. But other monks took their places and soon Guo Xiang was completely surrounded. She wouldn't been overwhealmed if not for the fact that the monks were benevolent and not willing to harm her life. All their stances were to immobilize her and not to kill her, so they would lecture her and escort her away from here. Also all the monks saw that this young girl had learnt superior martial arts and they thought that she must be either the daughter of famous martial arts experts or at least the disciple of a skilled martial arts expert. So they didn't want to make any enemies so every stance was rather limited. Some monks went to notify the elder of the LuoHan Hall.
    So huge, so hopeless, to conceive
    As these that twice befell
    Parting is all we know of heaven
    And all we need of hell.

    Emily Dickinson (1830-1886)

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    Senior Member yannlc's Avatar
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    thank you so very much!!

    i have always wondered about guo xiang after watching her in condo heros and wondered whether there were further stories about her...what did she end up doing? did she become famous? what about her swordfighting...did she become an expert? what about her love for yang guo? was it resolved in the end?

    cheers

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    Senior Member Goofy's Avatar
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    Cool

    what are luohan and dahan? <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

    great job, athena.
    "History's third dimension is always fiction."
    -- The Glass Bead Game, Hermann Hesse

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    Senior Member Athena's Avatar
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    Lightbulb

    Goofy: LuoHan is an arhat (a Buddhist deity), LuoHan Hall is one of the many halls ShaoLin has. DaMo is the fouder of ShaoLin martial arts.

    Yannlc: Guo Xiang searched for Yang Guo for many years and when she became 40 years old. She realised this was futile and became a nun and founded the E Mei School. It was said that she became a respected, renowned martial arts expert. In my opinion in the time that Zhang SanFeng roamed the realm, Guo Xiang was the second best martial arts expert next to Zhang SanFeng.

    In the heat of the battle, an old tall monk came and observed the fight with a smile on his face. Two monks approached him and told him something.
    Guo Xiang was panting and her swordsmanship was becoming disorderly and she yelled out:"What origin of martial arts? 10 monks surrounding one person, what a way to win?"
    That old monk was the elder of the LuoHan Hall, reverend WuSe, when he heard this he said:"Stand back everyone!"
    All the monks jumped away. Reverend WuSe asked:"What is your name, Miss? And who is your father and teacher? What business do you have here at ShaoLin?"
    Guo Xiang was thinking:"I can't tell him my name. And I cannot reveal my reason in front of so many people. If my parents and brother Yang found out the mess I created they will be upset, the best thing to do is sneak away." She answered:"I can't tell you my name, I just came here to enjoy the scenery. I never guessed that the ShaoLin Monastery was even stricter than the imperial palace, with no reason your weapon will be confiscated. I would like to ask, did I enter the monastery? When Master DaMo taught ShaoLin martial arts he just wanted the monks to improve their conditions and concentrate on their meditation throught martial arts. But when ShaoLin became more and more famous, and their martial arts kept improving. Now the ShaoLin monks rely on martial arts to flaunt their superiorty. Well you can have my sword, and if you don't kill me everyone in the realm of martial arts will know what happened today."
    Guo Xiang is famous for being clever and fluent, this entire matter was actually her fault but with those words she rendered reverend WuSe speechless. She thought:"I don't want anyone to know about this, and it seems that ShaoLin doesn't want the outside world to know about this incident either. A group of 10 monks attacking a young girl will not do their reputation any good."
    She threw her sword on the ground and started walking away. Reverend WuSe walked up and used his sleeve to pick the sword and said:"Miss, I will return your sword and see you at respectfully."
    Guo Xiang smiled sweetly and said:"It seems that you're very reasonable. That's more like it. That's the style a martial arts expert should have."
    Seeming that she won, Guo Xiang just praised this old monk and reached out to get her sword back. When she wanted to pull back, she noticed it didn't move an inch. She used strength 3 times but in vain and she said:"You're deliberately displaying your martial arts." Suddenly her left hand curled up and softly wanted to brush against WuSe's two left cheek acupoints, namely 'TianDing and JuGu.'
    WuSe moved away and released his grip, Guo Xiang quickly seized her sword.
    WuSe said:" Very impressive "Whisking Acupoint Orchid Hand." May I ask how you adress the lord of the Peach Blossom Island?"
    Guo Xiang laughed:"The lord of the Peach Blossom Island? I call him old Eastern Herectic."
    Huang YaoShi is her maternal grandfather, he is a strange, eccentric man and he calls his granddaughter little Eastern Heretic and Guo Xiang calls him old Eastern Heretic. Huang YaoShi is not angry when he hears it and he is even happy when he hears it.
    WuSe was a robber in his early years. Although he has studied Zen for many years and has profounded Buddhis knowledge. But he still is very straightforward, otherwise he couldn't be friends with Yang Guo. Seeing that this little girl is not willing to tell him, he wants to test her and find out. He smiled and said:"Young Miss, if you can withstand 10 of my stances, I can guess your school."
    Guo Xiang asked:"What if you cannot?"
    WuSe laughed and said:"Well if you can withstand 10 of my stances, I will have to listen to you."
    Guo Xiang pointed at JueYuan and said:"I met this reverend JueYuan some years ago and I want to plead on his behalf. If I can withstand 10 of your stances you have to promise not to give him anymore trouble."
    WuSe was surprised, he knew that JueYuan was very pedantic and stayed in the Library and watched over the scriptures and never met any outsiders. How did he meet this young girl. WuSe said:"We never did give him any trouble. He is sitting out his punishment, that is not giving him trouble."
    Guo Xiang pouted and scoffed:"It seems to me that you just want to go back on your word."
    WuSe clapped his hands and said:"Very well, if I lose I will carry 3108 buckets of water for JueYuan. Watch out, here I come."
    Guo Xiang was thinking when she spoke to him:"This old monk seems to be a true expert. If he starts to attack first, I will have to try my best to defend myself and will reveal my parents' martial arts. The best thing to do is for me to attack first and try to gain the upperhand." When she heard him say "Watch out, here I come." she didn't give him time to attack first and raised her sword and aimed for his chest. This was a technique from the "Descending Flower Swordsmanship" namely "Thousands and Myriads of Purple and Red."
    The tip of the sword kept moving, not revealing to the opponent where the sword was aiming for.
    Guo Xiang yelled out:"The second stance!" the short sword turned around and came from bottom to top, this was called the "Celestial Gentry Topping Apart" which was a QuanZhen technique.
    WuSe said:"Good, QuanZhen swordtechnique."
    Guo Xiang said:" Not necessarily." Her short sword stabbed into the air and saw WuSe using an attack as a defense and using his fingers to grap her wrist. She was a bit afraid:"This old monk is very formidable, he can bare-handed attack under such a dangerous technique."
    Seeing his fingers were coming closer, her sword dazzled a few times and used a technique from the "Dog Beating Stick" namely "Mean Hound Blocking the Road."
    And this stance belonged to the Sealing Formula.
    Guo Xiang was close friends with the deceased leader of the Beggars Association Lu YouJiao, they occiasionly drank wine and played mora together. Sometimes Lu would demonstrate his martial arts, although the "Dog Beating Stick" is only permitted to be used and learnt by the leader of the Beggars Association, Guo Xiang could learn a few stances from Lu. Furthermore her mother Huang Rong and her brother-in-law were/ are leaders of the Beggars Association. So she has seen this style a lot and could trick people into believing that she knew this style although she didn't know the exact secret of it.
    WuSe's fingers just reached her wrist but he saw a bright light shining and the blade was coming towards his fingers in an excellently beautiful way. Almost cutting of his five fingers, luckily his martial arts were high and he could avoid the attack by pacing back 2 steps. But his left sleeve was split. WuSe looked terrified and cold sweat was breaking out.
    Guo Xiang was very amused and smiled:"What sword style is this?" In fact this wasn't a sword technique, she just used a stance from the "Dog Beating Stick" and used it as a sword stance. Because this style was magnificent, even Guo Xiang couldn't completely learn it, it was still capable to scare of this martial arts expert of ShaoLin.
    Guo Xiang thought:"If I learnt a few more stances from the "Dog Beating Stick" I could easily defeat this old monk.
    She didn't give WuSe time to catch his breath and advanced forward. Her sword was slightly raised and she floated towards him. Her posture looked like a floating fairy, the blade was pointing at WuSe's legs. This was called "A Small Orchard for Chrysanthemum" which belonged to the Jade Maiden Swordsmanship. Guo Xiang learnt this technique from Xiao LongNu.
    The Jade Swordsmanship was created by Lin ChaoYing, this style was not only swift and fierce but also refined, elegant and beautiful. All the monks never saw something that beautiful, they were all surprised and pleased. Because ShaoLin sword styles were firm and fierce, for example LuoHan and DaMo Swordsmanship. This Jade Maiden Swordsmanship was hardly known throughout the world of martial arts, the essence of it is the opposite of ShaoLin styles but when it comes to superiorty of the stances it is not above ShaoLin Swordsmanship.
    But this technique was absolutely beautiful and celestial.
    Even in Buddhist scriptures it is mentioned:"When the appearances are gracious and charming, when the manner is solemn, gentle and elegant.
    And behavious proper and gratyifing. The watcher will not be bored."
    Reverend WuSe was impressed by such a magnificent stance and hoped to see it more clearly so he moved away and waited till Guo Xiang attacked again.

    Guo Xiang's technique now was changing directions a few times from east to west and from west to east. Zhang JunBao was mesmerized by it and was surprised to recognize this stance as "Extend in all Directions." 3 years ago Yang Guo taught Zhang JunBao this technique and Guo Xiang was there to see it and now is using it. This was an original palm technique now she used it as a sword stance, the power of this stance was not that powerful anymore but it was a very strange sword stance and WuSe was a bit frightened by it.

    They reached the fifth stance now, and WuSe didn't have an idea who she was. In his younger years he roamed the world and gained a lot of martial arts experience and insight. And now he is the elder of the LuoHan Hall for more than 10 years and has examined all styles of different schools and compared to ShaoLin martial arts. So he was always very confident to recognize the martial arts of any expert within a few stances. His limit with Guo Xiang of 10 stances was already a very big margin. He never guessed that the parents, relatives, friends of Guo Xiang were all top martial arts experts and she learnt a few stances of each and everyone of them. Causing WuSe to be confused. WuSe now thought:"The only way for me now is to attack with strength, forcing to use her own martial arts to defend herself. If not I cannot even guess her school after a hundred stances."
    He turned around and used "Double Piercing Hands" and 2 fists aimed for Guo Xiang. She saw that his attack was
    fierce and didn't dare to block it and twisted her body and glided away from that attack. She remembered when Ying Gu fought against Yang Guo, Ying Gu used this style.
    So huge, so hopeless, to conceive
    As these that twice befell
    Parting is all we know of heaven
    And all we need of hell.

    Emily Dickinson (1830-1886)

  9. #9
    Senior Member Goofy's Avatar
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    I like this scene on GX the best. But to clarify my question - just wonder which hall holds what?

    Is wuse an archat hall master then?

    Which did the old monk zhang junbao located in??
    "History's third dimension is always fiction."
    -- The Glass Bead Game, Hermann Hesse

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    To Goofy: I'm not very sure what hall does what. But I do know that DaMo Hall is for the ShaoLin pupils with the best talent for martial arts. They are allowed to enter and examine/study martial arts. I think LuoHan Hall is for intermediate learners of martial arts. (Not sure on that:confused <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0"> WuSe is the head of the LuoHan (Arhat) Hall, and WuXiang the head of the DaMo Hall.
    But JueYuan is just a monk of ShaoLin who learnt any ShaoLin skills, but accidentally learnt Jiu Yang Zhen Jing. His status in the monastery is very low, he just keeps the Library of ShaoLin tidy. He is not the head of the ShaoLin Library, and Zhang JunBao is not an official ShaoLin pupil, he is just there to help out Jue Yuan in his chores and is not a monk.
    So huge, so hopeless, to conceive
    As these that twice befell
    Parting is all we know of heaven
    And all we need of hell.

    Emily Dickinson (1830-1886)

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    Senior Member Goofy's Avatar
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    thanks athena. <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

    sounds more logical that GX only wanted to hear about YG than to see him. Otherwise, why didn't she go to ancient tomb or the loveless valley???

    20 years are pretty long time to search for someone that she likely knew their locations. <IMG SRC="smilies/dizzy.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/confused.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/idea.gif" border="0">
    "History's third dimension is always fiction."
    -- The Glass Bead Game, Hermann Hesse

  12. #12
    Senior Member Athena's Avatar
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    To Goofy:I think perhaps that Yang and Xiao LongNu were not in the tomb at that time, otherwise Guo Xiang would have found them.

    WuSe praised:"Good movement! Try another stance."
    His left hand curled up like a flower, bending his left elbow in front of his chest and this was another ShaoLin fist stance.
    This stance completely sealed Guo Xiang. She turned around her sword and use the sword as her finger and displayed the "Yi Yang Finger". She learnt this technique from her martial arts brother Wu XiuWen. And she aimed for 3 of WuSe's acupoint of his wrist. Although she only learnt the mere basics of "Yi Yang Finger" this technique of sealing 3 acupoints in one go was one of the key points of "Yi Yang Finger."
    Reverend YiDeng's Yi Yang Finger was renowned through the world. WuSe recognized it and quickly changed stance.
    However if WuSe didn't change technique, and let Guo Xiang touch his 3 acupoints he would have known that her "Yi Yang Finger" was far from perfect.
    But in a fight he wasn't willing to risk his reputation and name for it.
    Guo Xiang smiled sweetly and said:"You recognize a powerful technique when you see it."
    WuSe grunted and used a stance called "Single Phoenix Glaring At the Sun". With this stance WuSe used both hands to knock out Guo Xiangs' sword.
    She knew that he wouldn't really harm her
    but was still frightened and used Zhou BoTong's Kong Ming Fist to counter it.
    This Kong Ming Fist was quite new to the martial arts realm so WuSe didn't recognize it and turned to another stance namely "Siding to the 7 Stars Flower." One of his palms was up the other down and pressed down on Guo Xiang. If she didn't use internal energy to block it, her hands would be snapped.
    Guo Xiang thought:"Do you really want to break my hands?" And used an Iron Palm technique to block this attack. She learnt this stance from Wu XiuWen's wife, WanYan Ping. This stance was created by the famous Qiu QianRen and this palm technique was known to be number one for being violent and fierce.
    WuSe was shocked to see a young girl using the Iron Palm technique and quickly withdrew his attack. First of all he didn't want to harm her, second he was quite afraid for ther Iron Palm technique.
    Guo Xiang smiled sweetly:"This is the tenth stance, guess what school I belong to?"
    And attacked WuSe with a simple ShaoLin Fist called "The Sea of Bitterness has no Bounds." This stance belonged to the LuoHan fist style and WuSe was both angry and amused to see this. And he quickly used another stance to block it and lift her up. This was called "Carry the Mountain and Leap over the Ocean."
    But when he did that he realised:"I'm only wanted to win her and cannot recognize her school. She used 10 different stances, what can I say. I surely can't say she belongs to ShaoLin."
    Guo Xiang was telling:"Let me go!" and something dropped out of her clothes. Guo Xiang yelled again:"Let me go, you old monk."
    WuSe was an enlightened monk, he believe all creatures were the same. He made no differences in men and women, he even treated animals with care. He said:"I'm old enough to be your grandfather. What are you afraid of?"
    He gentle flicked his arm and Guo Xiang landed a few metres further.
    He was about to admit defeat, when he saw 2 small dark iron figures of 2 Arhats and picked them up.
    Guo Xiang asked him:"Well, do you admit defeat?"
    WuSe looked very pleased and said:"Why should I admit defeat? Your father is the great hero Guo Jing, your mother is the heroine Huang Rong. Your grandfather is Lord Huang of the Peach Blossom Island. You're second Miss Guo Xiang. Your father learnt martial arts from the 7 Eccentrics of Jiang Nan, Peach Blossom Island, Northern Beggar and the QuanZhen School. No wonder Miss Guo has such profound knowledge of martial arts."
    Guo Xiang was stunned:"This old monk is very formidable, I used 10 different stances but he was still able to know who I was."
    WuSe smiled and said:"Miss Guo, I recognized you from these 2 Arhat statues, how is brother Yang?"
    Guo Xiang was shocked for a moment and said:"You must be reverend WuSe. You gave me these 2 Arhats as a present to me. The reason I came here was to find out some news of brother Yang and sister Long."
    WuSe said:"Many years ago, Master Yang came to our monastery and stayed for a few days. And when he left for XiangYang he asked me to help him. But I don't know where he is now."
    It seems that both Guo Xiang and WuSe didn't know where Yang Guo was.
    Guo Xiang was stunned for a moment and said:"Not even you know where he is now. I wonder who does know."
    Guo Xiang thanked him for his present.
    These 2 Arhats were made by a carpenter monk of ShaoLin. These 2 Arhats could display a set of LuoHan fist if you activate the mechanism. That's why Guo Xiang knew that ShaoLin fist.
    WuSe laughed and said:"Because of the rules of our monastery I cannot invite you stay, however I will walk you down. Please forgive us."
    Guo Xiang was pensive and said:"It doesn't matter, I asked what I came for anyway."
    WuSe said:"As for my Buddhist brother JueYuan I will explain later. You know what we will find a good inn and talk these things over by a good meal and some wine." Reverend WuSe was highly respected by the ShaoLin monks, and they were all puzzled to see him being so respectful towards a young girl.
    Guo Xiang said:"No need for that, I'm sorry that injured a few reverends. Please forgive for being rash. I will leave now and I hope to see you again."
    WuSe laughed and said:"I'm adamant, I will see you off. I'm sorry I couldn't attend to your 16th birthday that year. After burning down the supplies and the gunpowder of the Mongolian army I left without going to XiangYang.
    Guo Xiang knew he had good intentions, and like his straigtforward manner and was very eager to make friends with him and said:"Good."
    After the 2 of them walked for awhile and passed the Yi Wei pavilion. They heard a footsteps behind them when they turned around to look they saw Zhang JunBao.
    Guo Xiang smiled and said:"Brother Zhang, did you come to see me off too?"
    Zhang JunBao blushed and said:"Yes."
    Suddenly another monk ran towards WuSe looking rather hectic. WuSe frowned his eyebrows and said:"What are you so frantic?" That monk went to WuSe and said something very quietly. WuSe's face changed and said:"Really?"
    The monk said:"The abbot you asked master WuSe to return now and to discuss matter."
    Guo Xiang saw that WuSe looked worried and told him:"If you something to do now, feel free to go back. Real friends don't need all those formalities, we can always eat and drink another time."
    WuSe looked pleased and said:"No wonder Master Yang speaks highly of you. You're a true heroine, today you've made a friend."
    Guo Xiang smiled and said:"You're already friends with brother Yang. That makes you my friend too."
    The two parted and WuSe went back.
    Guo Xiang continued to walk down, Zhang JunBao didn't dare to walk next to her and kept 5 steps in between them.
    Guo Xiang asked:"Why do they punish your teacher?"
    Zhang JunBao said:"The rules of the monastery are very strict, if the monks break them they have to be punished."
    Guo Xiang asked:"What did your teacher do wrong, he's a very nice man."
    Zhang sighed:"It is all because of the Ni Jia Scripture that was lost."
    Guo Xiang said:"You mean the scripture that was stolen by Xiao XiangZi and Yin KeXing."
    Zhang said:"Yes, that day at Mount Hua I searched them and found nothing even with the help of Master Yang. After we left the mountain we couldn't find them anymore. We returned to the monastery and reported it to the abbot. Because that scripture was written by Master DaMo, the elder of the Disciplinary Hall blamed my teacher for not paying better attention to the scriptures and heavily punished him."
    Guo Xiang sighed:"This is blaming it one someone else. Why should reverend JueYuan be punished for it. Because of this they ordered your teacher to fill that well and forbade him to speak."
    Zhang said:"This is an old punishment of ShaoLin. According to the elders this punishment can also be seen as good form of self-cultivation."
    Guo Xiang laughed:"It seems I'm a busybody." Zhang quickly said:" We will always remember Miss Guo's help and intentions."
    Guo Xiang sighed and thought:"But someone has completely forgotten about me."
    After awhile they reached the place where Guo Xiang tight her mule and she said:"Brother Zhang, you needn't see me off anymore." Zhang JunBao looked reluctant to part and didn't know what to say to Guo Xiang.
    Guo Xiang took out her 2 Arhats and gave them to Zhang JunBao:"Here take it."
    Zhang JunBao didn't take it and said:"I...I.."
    Guo Xiang said:"I'm giving it to you, so take it." Zhang JunBao said:"I.....I...."
    Guo Xiang put them in his hands and mounted the mule.
    Suddenly someone called out:"Miss Guo, please wait."
    It was reverend WuSe, Guo Xiang thought:" This old monk was too formal."
    WuSe reached Guo Xiang in a few moments and told Zhang JunBao:"Return to the monastery, don't stroll about."
    Zhang JunBao said yes and stared at Guo Xiang for short while and quickly left.
    So huge, so hopeless, to conceive
    As these that twice befell
    Parting is all we know of heaven
    And all we need of hell.

    Emily Dickinson (1830-1886)

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    To Athena:

    Is Shaolin swordmanship better than Jade Maiden swordmanship?

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    To Wang: No, both were equally good. It really depends on the user. WuSe will certainly lose to Xiao LongNu or Lin ChaoYing. But the stances of the Jade Maiden swodsmanship are more beautiful than ShaoLin swordsmanship.
    So huge, so hopeless, to conceive
    As these that twice befell
    Parting is all we know of heaven
    And all we need of hell.

    Emily Dickinson (1830-1886)

  15. #15
    Senior Member Goofy's Avatar
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    One question here:

    The three old monks that appeared at the end of hsds were not in the gathering to meet with kun lun 3 saints right? How come? <IMG SRC="smilies/dizzy.gif" border="0">
    "History's third dimension is always fiction."
    -- The Glass Bead Game, Hermann Hesse

  16. #16
    Senior Member Goofy's Avatar
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    another question - how did wan yan ping learn the iron palm???
    "History's third dimension is always fiction."
    -- The Glass Bead Game, Hermann Hesse

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    Senior Member Athena's Avatar
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    Goofy: Do you mean those 3 old elders that were guarding Xie Xun? If you mean them, I can tell that at this point of the novel they were probably not born yet.
    WanYan Ping learnt Iron palm technique from a disciple of the Iron Palm Association. The iron palm Association under Qiu QianRen always had close connections with the Jim empire. They were traitors to the Song dynasty.
    So huge, so hopeless, to conceive
    As these that twice befell
    Parting is all we know of heaven
    And all we need of hell.

    Emily Dickinson (1830-1886)

  18. #18
    Senior Member Goofy's Avatar
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    athena. <IMG SRC="smilies/redface.gif" border="0"> My fault, I forgot that there are many years between the first chapters and real hsds time. <IMG SRC="smilies/blush.gif" border="0"> Thanks...
    "History's third dimension is always fiction."
    -- The Glass Bead Game, Hermann Hesse

  19. #19
    Senior Member Goofy's Avatar
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    what is zhao bo tong's kong ming fist like?
    <IMG SRC="smilies/help.gif" border="0">

    has it been mentioned in roch? when?
    "History's third dimension is always fiction."
    -- The Glass Bead Game, Hermann Hesse

  20. #20
    Senior Member Athena's Avatar
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    Goofy:Okay <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">

    WuSe waited till he was gone and took out a note and said:"Miss Guo, do you know who wrote this note?"
    Guo Xiang took the note and read it:

    "ShaoLin martial arts have been proclaimed to be invincible throughout China for many years. Ten days from now, The 3 Saints of KunLun will see all ShaoLin skills."

    The handwriting was very strong. Guo Xiang asked:"Who are these "The 3 Saints of KunLun," they sound very arrogant."
    WuSe said:"You don't know them." Guo Xiang shook her head and said:"No, I don't know them. I have heard my parents mentioned this name before."
    WuSe said:"That's the strange thing about it." Guo Xiang asked:"What is strange?"
    WuSe said:"Miss Guo, we are now friends and I will be honest with you. Do you know who brought this note?" Guo Xiang answered:"Probably a messanger from The 3 Saints of KunLun."
    WuSe said:"If it was, I'm not that surprised. ShaoLin has been the leading martial arts school in WuLin for hundreds of years. So many martial arts experts come here to challenge us, but we always treat our guests with courtesy. And we try to avoid fighting as good as possible, because if we battled every expert that came here for a fight we wouldn't have time for our cultivation."
    Guo Xiang nodded and said:"That's true."
    WuSe said:"However when the experts are here, and if we don't show them some special ability they will not be impressed. The LuoHan Hall is there to welcome these guests with this special treatment."
    Guo Xiang laughed and said:"So you're just here for the fights." WuSe smiled with a wry:"Normally WuLin persons, the disciples of the LuoHan Hall can deal with them, I don't need to fight them personally. But today when I saw that Miss Guo's martial arts were out of the ordinary I decided to see for myself."
    Guo Xiang smiled:"You have a very hight opinion of me."
    WuSe said:"Look at me, we're digressing. To tell you the truth, we found this note in the LuoHan Hall in the hands of the Dragon-Subdueing Arhat." Guo Xiang was surprised and asked:"Who put it there?" WuSe shook his head and said:"We don't know. There are hundreds of ShaoLin monks in the monastery, if someone sneaked in someone must have noticed that. And there are 8 disciples standing guard in the LuoHan Hall every day. Someone just found the note and quickly reported it to the abbot. Everyone found it strange and that's why I was called back so urgently."
    Guo Xiang now understood what he was getting it and said:"You think I'm in league with The 3 Saints of KunLun. I'm creating a diversion here while those 3 fellows enter the LuoHan Hall and leave the note."
    WuSe said:"After meeting you I found it impossible you would do something like that. But it was very coincidental that with your appearance a note is left behind in the LuoHan Hall. That's why the abbot and my martial arts brother WuXiang wrongly suspected you were involved in this."
    Guo Xiang said:"I don't know them, what are you afraid of? Ten days later if they dare to come, just accept the challenge."
    WuSe said:"Afraid, of course we're not afraid. I'm reassured now that they are not your friends."
    Guo Xiang knew WuSe's intentions were good, he was afraid that The 3 Saints were friends of her and was afraid that in a fight they might damage their friendship. She said:"If they come here and courteously want to examine martial arts with you. That's not a problem. Otherwise just teach them a lesson. Also the tone of the note was very arrogant, see all ShaoLin skills. Do they really want to see the 72 skills of ShaoLin?"
    Suddenly she thought of something and said:"Couldn't it be that there is a traitor amongst you and secretly put the note there." WuSe said:"We thought of this too, but that was impossible. Because the Arhat statue's hand was almost 10 metres tall. If someone was to jump up there his art of levitation should be superb. If there was a traitor he wouldn't have such good martial arts."
    Guo Xiang was very puzzled by this entire incident and was very interested to know the outcome of this duel. But she knew she would miss out on this fight because ShaoLin didn't allow women to enter.
    WuSe saw she was pensive and thought that she was thinking of a plan to help them and said:"ShaoLin has overcome many obstacles in these 1000 years and is still standing. If "The 3 Saints of KunLun" really want to pick a fight, we will try our best to battle them. Miss Guo, in less than a month, you'll hear whether these "3 Saints of KunLun" have defeated ShaoLin or not."
    At this point, he looked very energetic and brave.
    Guo Xiang smiled and said:"Don't forget about your cultivation? In less than a month I will await your good news."
    She mounter her mule again and smiled to WuSe.
    And then she rode off thinking of a plan not to miss out on this battle.

    After thinking for awhile:"Perhaps these "3 Saints of KunLun" are just some ordinary WuLin people. And will be easily defeated by the ShaoLin monks, if they only had half the skills of my mother, father, grandfather or brother Yang, this fight will be very interesting."
    When she thought of Yang Guo she became melancholic again. These 3 years of searching were in vain. The tomb on Mount ZhongNan was empty, no news in the Valley of No Love, The FengLing Ferry was deserted too. She thought:"What do I do when I find him? It will only increase my feelings for him and bring extra frustration. He left for a far away place, that was also good for me. Although I know everything I do is in vain, it can't stop me from thinking about him and trying to find him."

    She rode her mule and wandered a bit on Mount ShaoShi and was feeling melancholic.
    She heard music sounds, she was surprised to hear someone playing the zither. She learnt the arts of zither, chess, literature and painting from her mother. Although she learnt only the basics but she is intelligent enough to give her own unique perspective on matters. Frequently she discussed these arts with her mother. She tied her mule to a tree and walked towards the music.
    She heard the music was mixed by the singing of birds and it seemed that the birds were singing along. Guo Xiang thought:"According to mother there is a song called"Empty Mountain and Songs of Birds." But this song was lost for may ages, is it possible this is that song?"
    The music became more and more interesting. Guo Xiang was surprised and thought:"This man can lure birds with his music, this song must be "A hundred birds admiring the Phoenix." And thought if her grandfather was here, both of them could play this song together. Because Huang YaoShi's flute was unequalled at this time.
    The music became softer and the birds flew away and suddenly the music stopped. The man sighed and said he couldn't find a soulmate and drew his sword and started carving in the ground.
    Guo Xiang thought:"This man is both well versed in artistic fields and martial arts, let's see how his swordsmanship is."
    She saw that this man was drawing a chessboard with his sword and started playing chess (go) with himself.
    Guo Xiang thought:"This man is lonely too and can't find a soulmate either, so he's playing chess with himself."
    After awhile she saw that the man trapped himself in the western side of the chessboard and leaving the central open.
    Guo Xiang couldn't help herself and spoke:"Why do you take the western borders? While the central plains are open."
    The man saw what he did and took the central plains causing a draw. The man laughed and said:"Good, good!" and continued to play and realised that someone was present. He tossed his sword away and said:"Thank you for your help. May I ask who helped me?"
    Guo Xiang saw that he had a long face and dark eyes and was quite skinny. He was about 30 years old. She walked towards him and smiled:"I was very much enchanted by your music, Sir. And when I saw that you're losing to yourself I couldn't help pointing out. Please forgive me for my bluntness."
    The man was surprised to see a young girl and when he heard her talking about his music, he was very happy and said:"Miss, is a muscian too? Would you please play a piece for me?"
    Guo Xiang smiled and said:"My mother taught me some basics, compared to your divine music I'm very bad. But since I heard your song it's only natural that I return a song back. But you musn't laugh."
    The man said:"I wouldn't dare."
    And handed the zither to Guo Xiang.
    Guo Xiang saw that this zither was an antique. She started to play the zither and her playing was not very spectacular but the man was very happy and surprised.
    The song was about a hermit and he lived alone on a mountain and felt lonely. Because he didn't have a soulmate he looked sickly but his aspirations will be always be very high.
    The man heard his feelings in the music of Guo Xiang and was very grateful and when the music stopped and just stared into the blank.
    Guo Xiang gently put the zither on the ground and turned around and left again. Reciting the poem that matched this song.


    * Note I didn't translate the poems, songs in this part. It will take me too much time. Sorry!
    So huge, so hopeless, to conceive
    As these that twice befell
    Parting is all we know of heaven
    And all we need of hell.

    Emily Dickinson (1830-1886)

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