Chapter Six: White Tiger Mountain (Part One)

When Gong Changjiu saw Gu Sicheng, he could not help but beam with joy. He hurried forward to greet him, exclaiming, “It is truly an honor for us to have you here at our mountain stronghold!” Gu Sicheng returned the courtesy with a bow and replied, “Chief Gong is too gracious. Your name resounds throughout the eastern frontier, and it is my good fortune to meet you at last.” Gong Changjiu shook his head modestly, saying, “I am ashamed, truly ashamed!” When he caught sight of Luo Kun standing nearby, Gong Changjiu’s eyes lit up. “This young brother has accompanied you as well—are you here to receive an arrow from me?” Luo Kun gave an embarrassed smile at these words.

Gong Changjiu then invited Gu Sicheng and Luo Kun into the Hall of Brotherhood. The hall was spacious enough to accommodate several hundred people, with a tiger-skin seat of honor at the center and rows of sturdy wooden chairs flanking it. Once their positions as guest and host were settled, Gong Changjiu turned to Gu Sicheng, bowing respectfully. “My bow has found no rival across the east, yet I did not expect you to catch my arrow barehanded. I am awed and humbled! To have you here is a rare privilege. I would be honored to count you as a friend.” Gu Sicheng gave a slight smile. “Chief Gong, you are too kind.” He went on, praising, “Your strength and skill with the bow truly live up to your title of ‘Mighty Bow King.’ In truth, catching your arrow cost me no small effort—it was sheer luck. Three years ago, I would not have dared try.” Gong Changjiu shook his head with a wry smile. “I am the one showing off before an expert.”

After several rounds of tea, the atmosphere grew warm and amicable. Gu Sicheng said, “There are a few things I hesitate to speak of—may I?” Gong Changjiu replied, “You are a man of great repute. It is my honor to know you; please, speak freely.” Gu Sicheng continued, “Chief Gong, your fame in the eastern frontier is well earned. Though you have lived the life of an outlaw, the deeds you accomplish are often just and chivalrous. Now you have amassed a fortune rivaling princes, command ten thousand men, and no one dares covet your position. Wealth and power must mean little to you. What puzzles me is that the ‘Twin Ginseng Kings,’ though rare treasures, are sought merely to exchange for riches and status. This, I imagine, has little appeal for you. Why then, make such a great effort, personally leading your men and determined to obtain them? Is it truly for your own use, to prolong your life, even at the cost of your reputation, resorting to murder to seize them?” At this, Gong Changjiu’s expression suddenly darkened, a shadow of sorrow clouding his face.

Du Jian, who stood to the side, interjected, “Master Gu, you may not know, but Chief Gong has his reasons—” Before Du Jian could finish, Gong Changjiu cut him off. “Let me explain to Master Gu myself.” He paused for a moment and sighed. “I was born in the Central Plains, but at twelve, I came to the eastern frontier. For survival, I fought and struggled among the outlaws. My life has held no great achievements; I have only one daughter, Ying’er, fourteen years old, my dearest treasure whom I love dearly. Two years ago, she fell ill with a strange sickness, and has since been unresponsive to everyone. In my grief, I have sought the best physicians, but to no avail—she lives only on thin rice gruel. After every cure failed, I knew that only some rare elixir might save her. Two months ago, the ‘Twin Ginseng Kings’ were unearthed at Mount Changbai. Ordinarily, I would not have cared about such a treasure. But knowing that the ginseng is a rare medicinal root, perhaps able to save my daughter, I spared no effort in seeking it, even to the point of killing—against my wishes. I nearly succeeded, only to lose it again unexpectedly. Heaven does not favor me; perhaps this is punishment for my many sins. But my poor child is innocent!” With these words, Gong Changjiu’s face was grave, and he fell silent for a long while.

Hearing this, Luo Kun was filled with remorse. He realized that the precious ginseng he had eaten by chance had been meant to save a life. Glancing at the others in the room, he wanted to confess that he had unknowingly picked up and consumed the root, but the fierce and ruthless looks of the chiefs around him made him choke the words back down. Gu Sicheng, now understanding the situation, sighed, “How deep the love of parents runs in this world!” Then, turning to Gong Changjiu, he said, “Chief Gong, I am no great healer, but I have studied medicine since childhood and know a little of herbs. Might I examine your daughter to see if there is any remedy yet?” Gong Changjiu was overjoyed. Knowing Gu Sicheng was a man of extraordinary skill, he rose and bowed in thanks. “If you can save my child, I will yield the chiefdom of all fifty-six strongholds in the east to you.” Gu Sicheng quickly stepped forward to help him up. “Chief Gong, such ceremony is unnecessary. I cannot promise success before seeing your daughter, but please introduce me to her.” Gong Changjiu replied, “You are newly arrived and have not yet rested. After tonight’s banquet, rest for the night, and we will consult tomorrow.” But Gu Sicheng insisted, “Chief Gong, when I encounter a difficult case, I grow anxious and cannot rest until I have tried. Let me see your daughter now, and rest afterward.” Gong Changjiu, seeing Gu Sicheng’s determination, was deeply grateful. “In that case, I must trouble you.”

Gong Changjiu then led Gu Sicheng out of the hall, followed by a group of attendants. They made their way to the rear of the mountain, where several hundred houses were scattered, orderly as a small town. The entire stronghold was well organized, with defenses at every strategic point—Gu Sicheng was quietly impressed. Entering a spacious courtyard and then a refined room, they found a young girl lying on a bed, seemingly asleep. Several maids who had been attending her withdrew with a bow as the party entered. Gong Changjiu gestured, “Master Gu, this is my daughter.” Gu Sicheng stepped forward and was startled; the girl’s face was bloodless and haggard, skin and bones, barely clinging to life, more dead than alive. Yet through her frailty lingered a trace of delicate beauty. Luo Kun, seeing this, gasped in pity. The other chiefs who had entered could not bear the sight and quietly left. Gong Changjiu’s face was heavy with sorrow, all his earlier bravado gone.

Gu Sicheng took the girl’s pulse and, after a careful examination, was secretly astonished. Her pulses were weak and scattered, her breath barely perceptible—a most perilous illness. After finishing, Gu Sicheng asked quietly, “Chief Gong, do you know how your daughter fell ill?” Gong Changjiu sighed. “Two summers ago, my daughter played with her maids behind the mountain all day. She returned drenched in sweat, clamoring for water, drank cold water, then fell asleep and never woke. Since then, she has been like this.” His voice broke with emotion. Gu Sicheng nodded, frowning. “So that is the cause.” Gong Changjiu asked anxiously, “Do you know what ails her? In two years, I have consulted countless doctors, all with different opinions. It has tormented me greatly.” Gu Sicheng sighed, “This is ‘heatstroke with loss of spirit.’ In the heat of summer, she suffered sunstroke, then drank cold water, causing heat and cold to clash, trapping evil within. The sickness invaded her organs and clouded her mind, leaving her insensible. Over time, her body wasted away, and her pulse is nearly gone—it is a dire condition.” Gong Changjiu, distraught, pleaded, “Can she be saved?” Gu Sicheng shook his head. “To tell the truth, if the illness had lasted less than three months, I might have hoped for a cure. But now, after so long, with her vitality depleted by unskilled treatments, there is little hope.” At this, Gong Changjiu was overcome with grief, tears shining in his eyes. He knelt and said, “I no longer trust anyone else. Please, do whatever you can. Even if it fails, I will hold no grudge—my daughter’s fate is her own.” Seeing this otherwise unyielding man moved to tears, Gu Sicheng felt compassion. He had originally intended to leave after meeting Gong Changjiu, but could not ignore a matter of life and death. After a moment’s thought, he said, “Very well. Such cases are rare; I will stay for a few months and do all I can.” He added, “From now on, all medicine and food for your daughter must be prescribed by me—none may act otherwise.” Gong Changjiu’s face lit up with hope. “Everything will be as you say.”

Gong Changjiu then led Gu Sicheng to the outer room, where Gu Sicheng wrote out a prescription of dozens of herbs. “Please send someone to fetch these,” he said. Gong Changjiu replied, “There’s no need to go down the mountain. To cure my daughter, I have gathered nearly every medicine available—take whatever you need from our storerooms.” Gu Sicheng was delighted. “That is most convenient.” He instructed, “Grind the herbs coarsely and place them in breathable cloth bags around your daughter’s bed and pillow. Change them every three days to ensure potency.” Gong Changjiu immediately gave orders for the medicine to be prepared. Gu Sicheng took two dark brown pills from his robe. “Have your servants dissolve these in warm water and give them to your daughter at midday over the next two days—do not miss the timing.” Gong Changjiu received the pills and instructed the maids accordingly. Gu Sicheng then wrote another prescription. “Boil these herbs into a thick syrup, mix with sugar water, and have her drink it frequently each day.” Gong Changjiu took the prescription. “I’ll have it done at once.” Gu Sicheng hesitated, then said, “I will personally prepare this medicine.” Gong Changjiu was deeply grateful. “Then please, visit the pharmacy.”

The other chiefs, witnessing Gu Sicheng’s diligence and caution, were filled with admiration and hope for the young mistress’s recovery. Luo Kun marveled to himself, “Master Gu is not only a martial expert but also a healer of such skill!”

They accompanied Gu Sicheng to a large wooden building. Gong Changjiu ordered the doors opened, and a strong medicinal aroma wafted out. Inside, over a dozen cabinets lined the walls, their contents meticulously labeled. Piles of sacks filled the floor—medicines purchased in haste. Gu Sicheng laughed, “With so many herbs, Chief Gong could open a grand pharmacy!” Gong Changjiu smiled ruefully. “To cure my daughter, I wished to bring every medicine in the world here. Alas, without an expert, they are all useless.” Gu Sicheng was secretly moved by his words.

Gong Changjiu ordered the steward of the pharmacy to assist Gu Sicheng. Among many herbs of the same kind, Gu Sicheng carefully selected only some, as if distinguishing between them. Soon, the medicines were ready. He handed the herbs to an attendant, instructing him in detail on how to boil them. The attendant left to carry out his orders. Gong Changjiu, deeply grateful, said, “Master, your benevolence is a blessing to the suffering. You have worked so hard—please, let us return to the hall for food and drink.” Gu Sicheng smiled in agreement, and they all returned to the Hall of Brotherhood.

From then on, Gu Sicheng and Luo Kun stayed at the Dragon Cloud Stronghold atop White Tiger Mountain. Gu Sicheng visited Ying’er daily to treat her. Luo Kun, having little to do, wandered the stronghold, always attended by servants at Chief Gong’s order. In the evenings, he practiced the breathing and energy techniques Gu Sicheng had taught him. After several days, he began to feel a response in his body and trained even harder.

More than half a month passed. One night, Luo Kun sat quietly in his room, practicing. The strange fullness he had once felt in his stomach had transformed into a new kind of inner energy, surging within him, spreading through his limbs, leaving him invigorated. He noticed his muscles twitching, forming lines across his body, and the energy seemed to swell, granting him boundless strength.

A month went by, and Ying’er’s condition improved: her cheeks regained color, her body returned to normal, but she still slept, unresponsive to the world. Seeing this progress, Gong Changjiu was overjoyed, treating Gu Sicheng with the highest honor, and the whole stronghold celebrated. Gu Sicheng was pleased as well, knowing her illness had turned a corner, and his confidence grew. Suddenly, he thought of someone: “If only Divine Needle Qiu Hailin were here, with his golden needles and skillful hands, perhaps the girl could be awakened sooner.” He took comfort in Luo Kun’s diligent practice.

Several days later, Luo Kun had mastered his inner energy, channeling it into his hands, with which he could strike trees and rocks with great force, and into his legs, which became even more powerful. His leaps and jumps were extraordinary—he could clear the courtyard fence as lightly as a swallow. Knowing he had made progress, he ran to Gu Sicheng, exclaiming, “Master Gu, I’ve gained such strength—it feels inexhaustible!” Gu Sicheng was delighted. “Excellent! I did not expect you to master your inner force so quickly. Let me test your strength.” With that, he struck out with his palm. Luo Kun, startled, closed his eyes and met the blow with all his power. There was a loud bang—Gu Sicheng staggered back several steps, his face pale, brow furrowed in pain. Luo Kun opened his eyes in surprise. “Master Gu, are you all right?” Gu Sicheng shook his head with a wry smile. “I… I’m fine.” The truth was, Gu Sicheng had only used thirty percent of his strength, fearing to harm Luo Kun, but Luo Kun’s full-force response was so powerful that it nearly sent Gu Sicheng flying. Only his firm stance saved him. Gu Sicheng was astonished: “That ginseng truly is miraculous, to enhance inner strength so!” Forcing a smile at Luo Kun’s concerned look, he said, “Don’t worry, I’m all right.” In fact, he had suffered an internal injury from the force of Luo Kun’s palm. After sending Luo Kun away, he swallowed a medicinal pill and sat cross-legged to heal. After two hours, he recovered, breathing a sigh of relief. “That boy is formidable! Had it been anyone else, they would have died on the spot. How fortunate! He is a promising pupil.” Several days later, Gu Sicheng’s injury healed, and seeing Luo Kun’s foundation was solid, he taught him a set of self-created sword techniques and several sequences of fists and kicks. Luo Kun trained diligently, progressing rapidly in martial arts. Gu Sicheng was secretly pleased, often entertaining an idea in his heart, though he kept it to himself, waiting for the right moment.