Chapter 45

Next morning, Chen and Princess Fragrance awoke tofind the Twin Eagles gone, and were puzzled.

　　"Look, what's that?" Princess Fragrance askedsuddenly. Chen turned and saw several huge charactersdrawn on the sand: "Your evil deeds cannot beforgiven. You will have to die." The characters werefive foot square and looked as if they had been drawnwith the tip of a sword. Chen frowned, wondering whatthe message meant. Princess Fragrance could not readChinese and asked what is said.

　　"They had some other business and went on ahead," Chenreplied, not wishing to worry her.

　　"Sister's teacher and her husband are really nice..."Suddenly, she stopped in mid-sentence and jumped up.

　　"Listen!"Chen had also heard the distant, blood-curdling howl,and having lived in the northwest many years,instantly recognised it.

　　"There's a wolf pack coming," he said urgently. "Wemust go quickly!" They hurriedly packed up their tentsand provisions and galloped away just as the wolf packclosed in on them. Luckily, they were both ridingextremely fast horses and the pack was soon left farbehind. But the wolves had been hungry for a long timeand having glimpsed them, continued to track them,following the hoof prints in the sand.

　　After half a day of hard riding, they dismounted torest, but just as they had prepared a fire to cooksome food, the wolf howls neared once more, and theyhurriedly re-mounted, and rode off again. Only whendarkness had fallen and they estimated the wolf packto be at least thirty miles behind them did they stopand rest. Around midnight, the white horse began toneigh and kick about, waking Chen. The wolf pack wasclosing in once more. With no time to pack theirtents, they grabbed up their rations and water bagsand jumped onto the horses. They travelled a great arcthrough the desert, never managing to shake off thewolves. The chestnut horse could finally take no moreand dropped dead of exhaustion, and they had tocontinue with both of them on the white horse. Theextra weight slowed the horse down, and by the thirdday, it was no longer able to outrun the wolf pack.

　　They spotted a clump of bushes and small trees andwent over.

　　"We'll stop here and let the horse rest," said Chen,dismounting. With Princess Fragrance's help, he builta low circular wall of sand and placed some deadbranches on the top. When lit, the branches became aprotective ring of fire for themselves and the horseinside.

　　Not long after, the wolf pack raced up. Afraid of theflames, the wolves milled around outside the circlehowling, not daring to get too close.

　　"We'll wait for the horse to recover its strength andthen break out," said Chen.

　　"Do you think we'll be able to?""Of course," he replied. But he had no idea how.

　　Princess Fragrance saw how thin and emaciated thehungry wolves were. "The poor things," she said. "Iwonder how long it's been since they last ate?"Chen laughed shortly. The long, sharp fangs of thewolves gleamed through the flames, the salivadripping, drop by drop from their mouths onto thesand. They howled angrily, waiting from a slightopening in the flames through which they could leap.

　　Princess Fragrance knew the chance of them getting outalive was very slight. She moved closer to Chem andtook his hands.

　　"When I'm with you, I'm not afraid of anything," shesaid. "After we die, we will live happily together inheaven forever."Chen pulled her towards him and embraced her. Shesighed, and was just about to close her eyes, when shenoticed the flames were dying down in one section ofthe circle. She screamed and jumped over to add morebranches, but three wolves had already slipped inside.

　　Chen pulled her behind him. The white horse kicked itshind legs up and sent one wolf flying back out of thefiery circle. Chen grabbed another wolf by the scruffof its neck and slung it bodily at the third, a hugegrey beast which dodged out of the way, then openedits mouth and reared up on its hind legs to go forChen's throat. Chen picked up a burning branch andrammed it down the wolf's throat, and the animal leaptback out of the circle and rolled about on the groundin great pain.

　　Chen added more branches to the gap.

　　After a while, their reserves were getting low, andChen decided he would have to risk going to get morefrom some bushes about one hundred feet away.

　　"I'm going to get some more wood," he told PrincessFragrance, taking out his shield and Pearl Strings.

　　"Build up the fire a bit more until I get back."She nodded. "Be careful," she said, but did not addany more wood to the fire. She knew that the brancheskept the two of them alive, and that when the flameswere extinguished, they would be too.

　　Chen leapt out of the burning circle and raced offusing Lightness Kung Fu, fending off the wolves as hewent. The wolves surged at him, but in three leaps hewas already beside the bushes. He quickly collectedfirewood with one hand while protecting himself withthe shield in the other. Several dozen wolvessurrounded him, snarling fiercely, but the flashinghooks on his shield kept them at bay. He collected alarge pile of wood and was leaning over to tie thebranches up when a large wolf lunged forward. Heswirled the shield, and the animal died instantly. Butits carcass was caught on the hooks, and the otherwolves barked even more frantically as it swunglifelessly before them. He dislodged the body andflung it to one side, and the wolves charged forwardto rip it apart. He took advantage of this diversionto pick up the firewood and return into the ring offire.

　　Princess Fragrance ran forward and threw herself intohis arms. Chen smiled and embraced her, then threw thefirewood on the ground. As he looked up, he startedinvoluntarily: there was a third person in the circle,a large man whose clothes had been ripped to shreds bythe wolves. In his hand was a sword. His whole bodywas covered in blood, but his face was calm. It washis enemy, Zhang Zhaozhong.

　　The two gazed at each other silently.

　　"He must have seen the fire and run over this way,"said Princess Fragrance. "See how exhausted he looks."She poured a bowl of water from the water bag andhanded it to Zhang, who grabbed it and slurped it downin one draught. He wiped the blood and sweat from hisface with his sleeve, and Princess Fragrance gasped asshe suddenly recognised him as the Manchu officialChen had fought with.

　　Chen rapped his shield with the Pearl Strings. "Comeon!" he shouted.

　　Zhang's eyes glazed over and he fell forward onto hisface.

　　He had been tracking Chen and Princess Fragrance withPrince Herda when he had met the wolf pack. Herda hadbeen devoured, but with his superb kung fu, Zhang hadmanaged to escape after killing several dozen of theferocious creatures. He had fled across the desert fora day and a night, but finally his horse had droppeddead under him. He had no alternative but to continueon foot and kept going for another day without food orwater. Finally, he had spotted the flames in the fardistance and had fought his way over.

　　Princess Fragrance moved to help Zhang up, but Chenstopped her.

　　"This man is extremely dangerous. Don't fall for histricks," he warned. He waited for a while to make sureZhang really was unconscious before going closer.

　　Princess Fragrance wiped some cold water onto Zhang'sforehead, then poured lamb's milk into his mouth.

　　Zhang slowly revived, drank half a bowl of the milk,then fell back onto the ground, sound asleep.

　　Chen wondered what sort of devil's emissary haddelivered this traitor into his hands. Killing Zhangnow would be as easy as blowing away a speck of ash,but taking advantage of another's hardship was not amanly thing to do. What was more, Princess Fragrancewould certainly be unhappy to see him kill adefenceless man. He decided to spare Zhang once more.

　　In any case, he thought, Zhang would be a great helpin killing wolves. Perhaps the two of them togethercould save Princess Fragrance. He knew he would neverbe able to do it alone. He drank a few mouthfuls oflamb's milk, then closed his eyes to rest.

　　After a while, Zhang woke again. Princess Fragrancepassed a piece of dried mutton to him, and helped himto bandage several wolf bite wounds on his legs.

　　"Brother Zhang, all three of us are in great danger,"Chen said. "Let us temporarily put aside ourdifferences and cooperate."Zhang nodded. "Yes, if we fight now, we will all endup inside a wolf's stomach." Having rested for morethan two hours, his strength had partially returned,and he began to consider how he could kill Chen andescape with the girl.

　　Chen wracked his brain for a way out of their presentpredicament. He saw the many piles of wolf droppingsoutside the circle of fire, and remembered how HuoQingtong had used them to fuel signal fires. Using hisPearl Strings, he dragged some of the piles over,formed them into one heap and lit it. A thick pall ofsmoke rose straight up into the heavens.

　　Zhang shook his head. "Even if someone saw it, theywouldn't dare to come to help us," he said. "It wouldtake an army to chase away so many wolves."Chen also knew it would probably do no good, but itwas better than doing nothing.

　　The daylight faded, and the three gradually added morebranches to the ring of fire and took turns to sleep.

　　"He is a very bad man," Chen whispered to PrincessFragrance. "When I'm asleep, you must watch him withespecial care." She nodded.

　　Towards midnight, the moon rose and the wolves beganto howl mournfully, a sound which made their skincrawl. Early next morning, they saw the wolves werestill pacing around outside the ring with obviously nointention of leaving.

　　"The only thing that would draw these devils awaywould be a herd of wild camels passing nearby," saidChen. Suddenly they heard more wolf howls from thedistance.

　　"It looks like more of the devils are coming," Zhangsaid.

　　A cloud of dust arose, and three riders gallopedtowards them with several hundred wolves on theirheels. The wolves on that side of the ring of firespotted them too, and surged forward, encircling thethree riders, who fought them off frantically.

　　"Help them!" Princess Fragrance shouted.

　　"Let's go," Chen said to Zhang. They charged out ofthe ring, carving a path of blood through the wolfpack and led the three back into the circle. Theynoticed one of the horses was carrying a secondperson, apparently a Muslim girl, lying limply acrossthe saddle with her hands were tied behind her back.

　　The three riders jumped off their horses, and one ofthem pulled the girl down after him.

　　"Sister!" Princess Fragrance screamed, and threwherself onto the girl.

　　It was Huo Qingtong. She had run into the Three Devilsagain while searching for Chen and her sister and hadhad no strength to resist. Hahetai had wanted to killher immediately to avenge the death of their brother,but Gu overruled him saying they should take her backand kill her in front of their dead brother's grave.

　　They started heading back east, but after a day or so,they found themselves being chased by a wolf pack. Asthey fled, they happened to spot the column of blacksmoke started by Chen and rode towards it.

　　Huo Qingtong began to regain consciousness. PrincessFragrance looked at Chen beseechingly. "Tell them tolet my sister go," she implored.

　　Chen turned to Gu. "Who are you and why have youseized my friend?" he asked. Tang strode in front ofGu and coldly sized up Chen and Zhang.

　　"We thank you two gentlemen for saving us," he said.

　　"What are your names?"Before Chen could answer, Zhang said, "He is the GreatHelmsman of the Red Flower Society, Chen Jialuo." TheThree Devils started in shock.

　　"And you, sir?" Tang asked.

　　"I am Zhang Zhaozhong."Tang gasped. "It's the Fire Hand Judge. No wonderyou're both so capable." He told them his name andthose of his two colleagues.

　　Chen's anxiety immediately increased, and he wonderedagain how they were going to escape. With four toughopponents to deal with now, it would be even harderthan before.

　　"Let us forget our differences for the moment," hesaid. "Do any of you have any idea of how we mightescape?"The Three Devils looked at each other. "We wouldwelcome your suggestions, Master Chen," said Hahetai.

　　"If we face the wolves together, there is a chance wewill survive. If we fight amongst ourselves, they willeat us all." Tang and Hahetai nodded slightly, but Gujust glared at him angrily. "Therefore, I ask BrotherGu to immediately release my friend, following whichwe can together work out a plan to beat the wolves.""And what if I won't let her go?" Gu shouted back.

　　"Master Gu, if we start fighting, it doesn't matterwho wins or loses, we will all die. Pleasereconsider.""You'd better let her go," Tang whispered to him." Guhad gone to considerable trouble to capture HuoQingtong and he was extremely loath to give her upagain. "Brother, if you don't let her go, I won't beable to help you," Tang added.

　　Hahetai walked over and cut the bonds binding HuoQingtong. As Chen walked over to her, Huo Qingtongsuddenly shouted: "Watch out behind!" and he duckeddown just as a wolf swept over him. It charged atPrincess Fragrance, but Chen grabbed its tail andusing all his strength pulled it to a halt. The wolfwhipped its head round, snapping and snarling, andwith a single blow, Chen broke its neck. Another wolfleapt towards him, and he quickly drew his dagger andthrust it at the beast, a huge, cunning animal whichdodged the blade with ease.

　　Three more wolves jumped into the ring. Hahetaigrabbed one by the neck and slung it back out, Zhangcut the second in two with his sword, while Tangfought fiercely with the third. Hahetai stoked up thefire to stop other wolves from entering.

　　On the other side, Chen feinted with the dagger to theleft to throw his attacker off guard, then plunged theblade down towards its head. Unable to avoid thestroke, the wolf opened its huge mouth and bit hardonto the dagger. Chen pushed the blade in with allstrength, but despite the pain, it hung ondesperately. Chen tried to pull the dagger back outbut the beast refused to yield. Increasingly anxious,Chen mustered his strength once more and punched thewolf right between its eyes, smashing its skull. Thewolf fell back dead and the dagger came free, theblade glinting coldly as it reflected the flames.

　　But the dagger's blade was also still firmly lodgedbetween its teeth. They were all perplexed at this:

　　the dagger was obviously in Chen's hand and had notsnapped. Where had the blade in the wolf's mouth comefrom?

　　Chen bent over and tried to pull the blade out of thebeast's mouth, but although the wolf was dead, itsteeth was still clamped tightly shut. He used thedagger to slit open the wolf's jowls, and the musclesand tendons on its face collapsed, freeing the blade.

　　Chen examined it closely and saw that it was hollow,like a scabbard. He stuck the dagger blade inside, andfound it fitted perfectly. Huo Qingtong had said whenshe presented the dagger to him that it was said tocontain a great secret. If it had not been for thiswolf and its strong teeth, who would have guessed thatthere was a blade within the blade?

　　Princess Fragrance took the dagger from Chen andexamined it, marvelling at the design of the secondscabbard and the precision of the workmanship. Sheturned the hollow outer blade upside down and a smallwhite pellet rolled out. Chen and Huo Qingtong bentdown to get a closer look and saw it was a small ballof wax.

　　"Let's open it," Chen said. Huo Qingtong nodded. Hepicked the ball up and lightly squeezed it, crackingthe wax open, revealing a small piece of paper inside,which he spread out. On the paper was a map drawn asdensely as a spider's web.

　　Zhang had seen them discover the piece of paper, andglanced at it stealthily. But he was disappointed tofind it was covered in Muslim writing, which he couldnot understand.

　　Chen knew something of the Muslim written language,but he could not grasp the meaning of the classicalcharacters on the piece of paper and handed it over toHuo Qingtong. She examined it closely for a long time,then folded it up and placed it in her pocket.

　　"What does it say?" Chen asked. Huo Qingtong did notanswer, her head hung low.

　　Princess Fragrance knew her sister well and smiled.

　　"She is trying to work out a difficult problem. Don'tdisturb her," she said.

　　Huo Qingtong sat down on the ground and began to drawlines in the sand with her finger. She drew a diagramthen rubbed it out and drew another. After a while,she wrapped her arms around her knees, deep inthought.

　　"You are still weak. Don't overtax yourself," Chensaid to her. "You can work it out later. The importantthing now is to think of a plan for getting out ofhere.""I'm working on a way to escape these hungry wolvesand these human wolves as well," Huo Qingtong replied,pouting angrily at Zhang as she spoke. She continuedher meditations for a moment, then said to Chen:

　　"Please stand on a horse and look westwards. Tell meif you can see a mountain with a white peak."Chen led the white horse over and did as she said. Inthe distance, he spied a cluster of mountains, butcould see none with a white peak. He searchedcarefully for a minute longer then looked down at HuoQingtong and shook his head.

　　"According to the map, the Secret City should not befar from here, and we should be able to see the WhiteJade Peak."Chen jumped off the horse's back. "What secret city?"he asked.

　　"When I was young, I heard people talk about anancient city that was buried in this desert," shereplied. "The city was once extremely prosperous, butone day a great sand storm arose, and dunes as largeas mountains buried it. None of the city's residentsescaped." She turned to Princess Fragrance. "Sister,you know the story better than I do. You tell it.""There are many stories about the place, but no onehas ever seen the city with their own eyes. No," shecorrected herself. "Many people have been there, butfew have returned alive. It is said that there arehuge amounts of gold, silver and jewels there. Somepeople who have lost their way in the desert havefound their way into the city by chance and have beenoverwhelmed by the sight of such wealth. Theynaturally began to load the gold and jewels onto theircamels to take away with them. But no matter which waythey went, they found it impossible to get out of thecity.

　　"Why?" Chen asked.

　　"It's said that all the people of the city turned intoghosts when they were buried by the sand, and thatthey bewitch visitors who try to take valuables awaywith them. But if you put down the valuables, everysingle piece, then it's easy to find your way out.""I doubt if many people would be willing to do that,"said Chen.

　　"Yes. Seeing such riches, who wouldn't want to takesome? It is said that if you don't take anything, buteven leave a few extra taels of silver in one of thehouses, then the wells will spurt clear, fresh waterfor you to drink. The more silver you leave, the morefresh water there is."Chen laughed. "The ghosts of this secret city soundvery greedy.""Some members of our tribe who were badly in debt havegone to look for the city, but only those who didn'tfind it have ever come back," Princess Fragrancecontinued. "Once, a caravan crossing the desert cameacross a man who was half dead. He said he had enteredthe city, but had found himself going in circles whenhe tried to get out again. Finally, his strength gaveout and he collapsed, and the next thing he knew wasthe arrival of the caravan. The caravan leader askedhim to lead them to the city, but he refused. He saidhe wouldn't take one step into that haunted placeagain even if he received all the riches of the cityas a reward.""It doesn't necessarily have to be that these peoplewere bewitched by ghosts," said Chen. "If someonesuddenly came upon a huge amount of gold and jewels,it could affect their minds and make it difficult forthem to think clearly. But if they decided they didnot want the riches, it could clear their heads, andmake it easier to find the way out.""The map hidden in the scabbard shows the way to theSecret City," Huo Qingtong said quietly.

　　"Ah," exclaimed Chen, suddenly understanding.

　　"The map indicates that the city was built around ahigh snow-capped mountain." she continued. "From thelook of it, the mountain should not be too far fromhere. We should be able to see it. I cannot understandwhy we can't.""Sister, you're wasting your time," said PrincessFragrance. "Even if we could find the mountain, whatuse would it be?""We could escape into the city. There are houses andfortresses in the city and our chance of escaping thewolves would be much greater than here.""That's right!" Chen said. He stood on the horse'sback once more looking west. But all he could see wasa hazy white sky stretching to the horizon.

　　Zhang and the Three Devils could not understand a wordof what they said, but they watched suspiciously asChen stood on the back of his horse twice, andwondered what devilment he was up to.

　　Princess Fragrance took out some dry rations anddivided them up amongst all of them. As she sateating, she gazed out beyond the flames at thehorizon. Suddenly, she jumped up.

　　"Sister! Look!" Huo Qingtong followed the direction ofher hand and saw a black spot stationary in the sky.

　　"What is it?" she asked.

　　"It's an eagle," Princess Fragrance replied. "I saw itfly over from here. But how could it suddenly stop inmid-air?""Are you sure?""Yes, I clearly saw it fly across.""If the black spot isn't an eagle, what could it be?"asked Chen. "If it is an eagle, how could it remainmotionless in mid-air? It's very strange." The threewatched the spot for a while, then saw it move andbecome larger. A black eagle swept over their heads.

　　Princess Fragrance raised her hand to tidy her hair,which had been blown about by the wind. Chen looked ather snow-white skin and the white material of herdress next to it and realised the answer.

　　"Look at her hand!" he said excitedly to Huo Qingtong.

　　"Yes, her hands are very pretty," she repliedabsent-mindedly.

　　"Of course her hands are beautiful. But don't you see?

　　Because her skin is so white, it's difficult at aglance to tell where the hand begins and the dressends.""So?" asked Huo Qingtong, puzzled.

　　"The eagle was sitting on top of a white mountain!""Yes! You're right," Huo Qingtong exclaimed. "The skyover there is white, the same colour as the peak, sofrom a distance, it can't be seen.""Exactly," said Chen.

　　Princess Fragrance realised they were talking aboutthe Secret City. "How do we get there?" she asked.

　　"That is what we have to carefully work out," HuoQingtong replied. She pulled out the map again andstudied it carefully again for a while. "When the sunstarts to sink towards the west, we'll be able to tellif there's a mountain there or not by its shadow.""We mustn't give ourselves away," said Chen. "We don'twant the others to work out what we're doing.""Yes. Let's pretend we're talking about this wolf,"she suggested.

　　Chen pulled the wolf across and the three sat aroundit, now pulling out one of its hairs and examine itclosely, now opening its mouth to look at its teeth.

　　The sun gradually sank towards the west and themountain's shadow did indeed appear, stretching outlonger and longer across the desert like some giantlying down. Huo Qingtong drew a map on the ground,estimating the distances.

　　"From here to the mountain must be about twenty orthirty miles," she said, turning the wolf over.

　　Chen picked up one of its legs and played with itssharp claws. "If we had another horse apart from thewhite horse, the three of us could make that in onego.""So we have to think of some way to get them to allowus to go," Huo Qingtong replied.

　　"Yes." He picked up his dagger and slit open thewolf's stomach.

　　"What's so interesting about that dead wolf?" Zhangshouted, annoyed at not being able to understand whatthey were saying. "Are you discussing how to bury him,Master Chen?""We are discussing how to get out," Chen said. "Look,the wolf's stomach is completely empty.""Do you have a plan?" Zhang asked.

　　"When the firewood has all been burned and there is nomore to collect, then we are all going to die, is thatnot so?" Zhang and the Three Devils nodded. "But ifone of us were willing to sacrifice himself and rideout of the circle, the wolves would swarm after himlike bees from a hive. Once they were drawn off, theothers could escape.

　　"But what about the one who goes?" asked Zhang.

　　"If he comes across either the Manchu or Muslim armiesthen he will be all right. Otherwise he will die. Butit is better than us all dying here together.""It's not a bad idea," said Tang. "But who's going tolead the wolves away? It's certain death.""What do you suggest, Brother Tang?"Tang was silent. "Let's draw lots," Hahetai suggested.

　　"Whoever loses, goes.""Yes, let's draw lots," Zhang said eagerly. Chen hadwanted to offer himself and then break out with thesisters. But he could not suggest it without arousingtheir suspicions, so he said: "Just the five of uswill draw. Let us exempt the two girls.""We're all people," Gu protested. "Why should they beexempted?""How could we live down the shame of being saved by agirl?" said Hahetai. "I would prefer to die here.""I think that if we're going to draw lots, we shouldall draw," said Tang, wanting to lessen the chance ofhimself being chosen.

　　They all looked at Zhang, waiting to hear his opinion.

　　Zhang had already worked out a plan and knew he couldnot lose. Moreover, one of the girls was wanted by theEmperor and he fancied the other for himself.

　　"I will not allow a lady to save my life," he saidproudly.

　　"All right, then," said Gu. "We'll let them off.""I'll collect some sticks to use," said Tang, butZhang stopped him.

　　"No," he said. "It's too easy to cheat with sticks.

　　We'll use copper coins instead." He pulled a dozen orso coins from his pocket and selected five. "Four ofthese are Emperor Yong Zheng coins and the fifth isfrom the reign of Emperor Sun Zhi. Please examinethem. They are exactly the same size.""And whoever picks the Emperor Sun Zhi coin leads thewolves away," Tang added, as he carefully examined thecoins.

　　"Exactly," said Zhang. "Why not put them in your bagfor the draw, Brother Tang?" Tang did as he said.

　　"Now, who will go first?" Zhang asked. He looked at Guand saw his hands were shaking. "Brother Gu isafraid," he said with a smile. "Life and death aregoverned by fate. I will go first." He stretched hishand onto Tang's bag and pulled an Emperor Yong Zhengcoin out.

　　"Oh, what a pity!" he exclaimed. "I won't be able tobe the hero." He opened his first and showed the cointo the other four. The five coins were the same size,but the Emperor Sun Zhi coin was about eighty yearsolder than the others and therefore slightly smootherand thinner, although not enough to be immediatelyobvious.

　　Chen's turn was next, and to his disappointment hechose an Emperor Yong Zheng coin.

　　"Brother Gu, if you please," Zhang said. Gu drew hissword and flourished it threateningly.

　　"It's a trick!" he shouted. "You already decided thatit would be one of us three.""What do you mean, a trick?" Zhang demanded.

　　"They're your coins, and you had first choice. How dowe know you haven't marked them in some way?"Zhang's face went white. "Then what do you suggest,Brother Gu?""One of those Yong Zheng coins in your pocket islighter in colour than the others. Put that in withfour dark ones, and whoever picks the light one goes."Zhang hesitated for a second, then smiled. "Just asyou say. But I fear it will still be you who goes tofeed the wolves." He surreptitiously bent thelight-coloured coin slightly before placing it withthe others.

　　"If neither you nor I lose, I will fight youafterwards," Gu said threateningly.

　　"It will be my pleasure," replied Zhang. He put thefive coins in the bag. "You three gentlemen choosefirst, then myself and lastly Master Chen, is thatsatisfactory?"The Three Devils did not object. "Brother Hahetai, youfirst," said Tang.

　　Just as Hahetai put his hand in the bag, Huo Qingtongshouted out in Mongolian: "Don't take the bent one!"He started in fright. The first coin he felt wasindeed slightly bent. He chose another one and pulledit out: it was dark coloured.

　　Huo Qingtong had seen Zhang bend the coin, and hadwarned Hahetai because he was the most decent of theThree Devils.

　　Next was Gu's turn. Hahetai told him in the thick,unintelligable dialect of northeast China not to takethe bent coin. Gu and Tang both glanced angrily atZhang and pulled out dark coloured coins. Chen lookedquestioningly at Huo Qingtong.

　　"Don't take the bent one," Princess Fragrance said.

　　Chen knew Zhang would certainly take the unbent coin,thereby giving him both the light-coloured coin andthe chance to escape with the girls. But as Zhang puthis hand into Hahetai's bag, Chen saw Gu lookingcovertly at Huo Qingtong, and realised they wouldnever let him take the girls with him. Uncertain ofwhat to do and with no time left to think, he suddenlyblurted out: "Take the bent one! Leave the flat onefor me!"Zhang started in shock and drew his hand back. "Whatdo you mean, bent?" he demanded.

　　"One of the two coins in the bag has been bent by you.

　　I want the one that's not bent." He put his hand inthe bag and pulled out the dark coin. "You've causedyour own funeral," he said to Zhang with a smile.

　　Zhang's face went dark and he drew his sword. "We hadagreed that I would choose first," he said, and swungthe blade at Chen's neck. Chen ducked and thrust hisdagger at Zhang's stomach. The two fought closely fora moment. Suddenly, Zhang flung his sword at HuoQingtong. Chen was afraid she would be too weak tododge it and raced over to intercept the weapon. Butit was just a diversion. As Chen ran towards HuoQingtong, Zhang jumped over to Princess Fragrance andgrabbed her.

　　"Get out!" he shouted to Chen, who stopped in histracks and stared dumbly back at Zhang. "If you don'tget out, I'll throw her to the wolves!" He picked thegirl up and swung her about above his head. Chen heartpounded and his brain whirled in confusion.

　　"Ride out and lead the wolves away!" Zhang shoutedagain.

　　Chen knew Zhang would do what he said and so he slowlyuntied the white horse's reins and mounted up.

　　"I'll count to three. If you're not out of the circleby then, I'll let her go. One....two....three!" As hesaid three, the white horse bounded out of the ring.

　　Chen landed in the midst of the wolves, grabbed thefirst two that attacked him by the scruffs of theirnecks, then turned the horse round, soared back intothe ring of fire and flung them at Zhang.

　　With two such ferocious animals flying at him, Zhangwas forced to drop Princess Fragrance to protecthimself. Chen threw two of his chess pieces at him,scooped Princess Fragrance up, then leapt out of thecircle of fire once more with another horse closebehind: Huo Qingtong had taken advantage of the fightto cut the reins of a horse and mount up without theThree Devils noticing.

　　She and Chen waded through the wolf pack, slashingright and left with their weapons as if choppingvegetables, and in a moment, the two horses were outin the open and galloping off westwards with the wolfpack chasing behind. The horses were much faster thanthe wolves, and before long, they had left the packfar behind. But Chen knew the hard part would bestaying ahead of these tireless, hungry beasts.