Chapter - 63 Who Sends an Ice Barge to Your Birthplace (8)

Zhang CuiShan only taught his son fundamental inner powers. He thought that on this island, his child only needs to be strong, and won't be fighting anyone. Although Xie Xun spoke about returning to the mainland, he never brought it up afterwards. Looks like he didn't really mean that.

In the eighth year, Xie Xun really did make WuJi to learn kung fu with him. When he taught WuJi, Xie Xun did not ask for Zhang and Yin to remain by their side. The couple followed the martial world's rules, and stayed away during those times. They didn't really bother to check on WuJi's progress, since they trust Xie Xun would teach WuJi his best.

There's not much to do on the island. So days and months passed like flowing water. Another year went by quickly.

Ever since WuJi's birth, Xie Xun had something more important to occupy his time then the Dragon Saber. So he ignored it. One night, Zhang CuiShan couldn't sleep. So he got out of bed to take a walk. He saw Xie Xun sitting on a rock under the moonlight, holding the Dragon Saber, deep in thought. Zhang CuiShan gasped, about to leave, when Xie Xun heard his footsteps. He said, "Fifth brother. It looks like this phrase 'Martial world's most venerable, Precious Saber Dragon Slaying' really is just an empty boast." Zhang CuiShan walked closer, said, "There are many rumors in the martial world. Considering big brother's intelligence, why would you be so keen on finding this saber's secret?" Xie Xun said, "You don't know the whole story. I heard the story of the Dragon Saber from the venerable Reverend Kong Jian of Shaolin."

Zhang CuiShan said, "Oh, Reverend Kong Jian. I heard he's Shaolin abbot's elder martial brother. He died a long time ago." Xie Xun nodded, said, "You're right. Kong Jian died, died in my hands." Zhang CuiShan was taken by surprise, as he remembered a saying in the martial world, "Shaolin's Divine Reverends, Jian-Wen-Zhi-Sheng", which referred to the four best martial artists in Shaolin, Kong Jian, Kong Wen, Kong Zhi, and Kong Sheng. Later he heard that Kong Jian died of natural causes. Looks like Xie Xun killed him instead.

Xie Xun sighed, said, "Kong Jian is a very stubborn person. He simply let me hit him, without retaliating. After punching him thirteen times, I finally killed him."

Zhang CuiShan was quite stunned, thought, "Only the top fighters could withstand just one punch from big brother. Yet this reverend could withstand thirteen punches. His body must be harder than steel."

Only to see a mournful expression on Xie Xun's face, as if he really regretted something. Zhang CuiShan figured that there must be an important story behind it. For the past eight years, Zhang CuiShan had much affection for his big brother. But within that affection hid a bit of fear. Afraid to bring up Xie Xun's sad past, Zhang CuiShan did not dare ask further.

Only to hear Xie Xun say, "There aren't many people in this world whom I respect. Although I've heard much of your master Zhang SanFeng, I've never had a chance to meet him. As for this Reverend Kong Jian, he's a very admirable person. His martial arts reputation is lower than his younger martial brothers Kong Zhi and Kong Sheng, but in my opinion, he's better than both."

Every time Zhang CuiShan heard Xie Xun speak about famous peoples of the world, Xie Xun either dismissed them, or cursed them. It's incredibly rare for him to ever compliment anyone. So Zhang CuiShan was quite surprised to hear Xie Xun speak so highly of Reverend Kong Jian. Zhang CuiShan said, "He must not travel around the world very much, which is why people don't know much about him."

Xie Xun looked into the sky, stared aimlessly, and as if speaking to himself, "Too bad, this venerable reverend allowed me to kill him with thirteen punches. Even though his kung fu is incredible, he's too stubborn. Had he fought me for real, I certainly would not have lived till today." Zhang CuiShan said, "Are you saying that the depth of his martial arts is more than yours?"

Xie Xun said, "I'm nothing compared to him. Not even close! It's the difference between night and day!" Both his voice and his expression showed his great respect for this man.

Zhang CuiShan was quite surprised, and didn't quite believe Xie Xun. He always thought that his master Zhang SanFeng's martial arts is unparalleled. But compared to Xie Xun, Zhang SanFeng is only somewhat better. If this Reverend Kong Jian really is much superior to Xie Xun, then would he also surpass master Zhang SanFeng? But Zhang CuiShan knew that his big brother never exaggerates with his compliments.

Xie Xun seemed to have read his mind, said, "You don't believe me? Fine, go wake up WuJi. I want to tell a story to him." Zhang CuiShan didn't want to wake up a child in the middle of the night, especially for just a story. But since this is his big brother order, he couldn't disobey. Zhang CuiShan walked back to wake up his son. WuJi yelled 'Great!" when he heard that his godfather wanted to tell a story. This instantly woke up Yin SuSu. So the three of them went outside together.

Xie Xun said, "Son, soon you'll return to the mainland…" WuJi asked, "What do you mean by 'return to the mainland'?"

Xie Xun held up his hand, telling WuJi to not interrupt him, and continued, "Should you somehow die in the sea, or end up elsewhere, then this will all be pointless. But should you end up back in mainland, I must tell you some things. There are many, many people in this world who are evil and devious. You should not trust anyone. For other than your parents, everyone could try to hurt you. Unfortunately, no one told me this when I was young. Actually, even if someone did, I wouldn't have believed him.

"At the age of ten, by simply a coincidence, I became the disciple of a person with powerful martial arts. My relationship with my master was like father and son. Fifth brother, at that time, my reverence for my master was no less than your reverence for yours. At the age of twenty-three, I finished my training and left. I went to the western regions, and met a bunch of pretty important people. Since we really hit it off, they considered me on of their brothers. Fifth sister, your father White-Browed Eagle King met me at that time. Afterwards, I married and had a son. My family live happily."

"When I was twenty-eight, my master came by my house to stay for a while. I was absolutely thrilled. My family treated him as one of our own. When my master had some spare time, he gave me some pointers on kung fu. Who'd have thought that this renowned kung fu expert would be a wolf in sheep's clothing? On the fifteenth day of the seventh month, after we had a lot of alcohol, he suddenly tried to rape my wife…"

Zhang CuiShan and Yin SuSu both gasped in disbelief, for it's unheard of for a master to rape his disciple's wife. It might be one of the most horrible deeds a person could possibly commit.

Xie Xun continued, "When my wife cried out for help, my father forced himself into the room. After getting caught in the act, my master killed my father, and then killed my mother. Then to my infant child Xie WuJi…"

When WuJi heard his name, he asked, "Xie WuJi?"

Zhang CuiShan scolded him, "Don't interrupt! Just listen." Xie Xun said, "Yes, that son of mine is also called Xie WuJi. My master grabbed him, and threw him down, turning him into a bloody pulp."