by Mingmei Yip
Teng Xiong suggested that we explore. She called out to the coolies, "We'll stroll around and come back in half an hour."
The skinny one yelled back, "Master, don't take longer than that, for we want to get you there before the sun sets."
"Don't worry; we'll be back on time."
Teng Xiong broke two thick branches to use for walking sticks. To test their sturdiness, she swung them in the air then hit them on the ground, making a pleasant, swishing sound.
Then, when we were ready to set out, I suddenly remembered something. "Wait, Teng Xiong," I said, "I left my qin in the sedan chair."
"Better just leave it there; it'll be too heavy to carry."
Since I didn't want to tell her how "valuable" my qin was, I made up an excuse. "I want to play a nature piece for you under the trees. Besides, I don't want to take any chance that the coolies move things around and break it."
"All right, then I'll carry it for you."
We took the qin and began our journey into the woods. It was as if we'd stepped into a dream. The autumn breeze was chillingly fresh, the sun soothing like a gentle massaging hand, and the fra grance of the ancient trees intoxicating. Slinging my qin in its brocade cover over her shoulder, Teng Xiong looked like a refined, handsome scholar who had walked out from an ancient landscape painting. Watching her silhouette made me sad. If only she were a real man!
We walked silently, each immersed in the moment. From time to time, I'd stoop to pick up something-a mottled leaf, a gracefully shaped stone, a twig in the form of a calligraphic stroke. The lyrics of the qin piece "Ode to Ancient Time" poured out from my lips:
When I finished, Teng Xiong said, "Precious Orchid, your singing is beautiful, but the song is so sad."
"But aren't most Chinese poems sad?"
"It's true. Because life is sad," she murmured, seemingly lost in thought. "So we should enjoy life to the full while we have the chance." She took my hand and lifted it to her lips.
We continued to walk until we reached a small opening, in the middle of which towered a ginkgo tree with heavy limbs, its yellow leaves like golden rain.
Teng Xiong went up to touch the trunk and examine its bark. "Come, Precious Orchid; take a look."
I hurried up to look. "It must be a hundred years old!"
"No, a thousand. This tree has witnessed the rise and fall of dynasties and the lives and deaths of the great and the humble: sages teaching, travelers losing their way, birds making their nests, lovers pledging their vows, monks entering nirvana. Too bad it can't talk, otherwise I'm sure it could entertain us with more stories than the Romance of the Three Kingdoms." She went on, her voice turning sentimental, "I hope our love can last as long as this tree."
I didn't respond. Although I was very fond of Teng Xiong, I didn't think I felt the kind of love for her that I'd feel for a man. But since I'd never fallen in love with a man, how would I know what that kind of love felt like?
Fearing that she'd ask me to pledge love in front of the ancient tree, I tried to distract her. "Teng Xiong, don't you think it's a good idea to play the qin under this tree?"
She nodded, then carefully took down the instrument from her shoulder and peeled off its brocade cover. This time I played "Dialogue Between the Fisherman and the Woodcutter." I imagined Teng Xiong the woodcutter and I the fisherman who, after meeting in the forest, ate grilled fish, drank wine, and discussed philosophy.
In the midst of the forest and attuned to the spirit of the mountain, I played one qin piece after another: "The Drunken Fisherman"; "Three Variations on the Plum Blossom"; "Lament Behind the Long Gate"; then finally "Remembering an Old Friend."
I sighed when my fingers finally lifted off from the instrument, then told Teng Xiong about Pearl.
After I finished, she said, "I'm so sorry. I wish I'd had the chance to meet her." She searched my face. "I'm sure your sister Pearl was as lovely and talented as you are."
"More."
"That I cannot believe. Precious Orchid, you're just being modest." She squinted at me. "I'm sure you know the phrase `turquoise arises from the blue but surpasses the blue'?"
I smiled. This famous phrase was used to describe a student who surpassed his teacher. A pause, then I decided to play one more piece-"Elegant Orchid." Handed down from the Tang dynasty over one thousand years ago, this was perfect to play under the ancient tree.
I was still immersed in the purity of the music when suddenly Teng Xiong exclaimed, "Oh Heaven, we've stayed here for too long!"
Quickly I slipped my qin back into its case. Teng Xiong snatched it from me, took my hand, and we started to run.
"You think the coolies are still waiting for us?"
"I think so, since I haven't paid them yet," she said, the qin bumping against her back.
"Oh no, but Master Drifting Cloud already did! I saw him pay the coolies!"
"Oh my, then I'm pretty sure they're gone," she pulled me along, "and all our clothes and everything else!"
Now I noticed the weather had turned quite chilly and the sun was almost gone. "If they've left, what are we going to do?"
"I don't know. I can't think right now, but we'll see."
But we didn't. For an hour later, we were still groping in the forest. I realized that the worst had happened-we were lost.
Exhausted from running, walking, and worrying, we finally sat down on a rock to rest. We felt tired and hungry, but there was nothing to drink nor eat. All the food had been left in the sedan chairs.
I covered my face and cried. Teng Xiong put her arm around my shoulder.
"Teng Xiong, I'm scared! " I nestled hard against her.
"It's my fault, I should have kept track of time." She looked around. "I think we'll have to look for shelter and spend the night here."
"But we might freeze to death, or be eaten alive by a tiger! And there might be snakes, I don't want to be bitten!"
She held me tighter. "Precious Orchid, don't panic. We'll just have to be very careful. Then when morning comes, I'm sure we'll be able to figure a way out."
24
The Bandits
ight was draining quickly from the sky and outlines of the imountains had grown dim like pale, smeared ink. We continued to stumble through the thickening mist looking for a place to rest, anything.
Then we spotted a dark object partly hidden in the shrubbery. Teng Xiong suggested, "Precious Orchid, let's go and take a look."
When we drew closer, we realized it was a huge bronze bell turned a deep green and covered with ancient characters.
Teng Xiong traced the inscription with her finger, "Look, Precious Orchid, it was donated to honor a high monk who lived.. . one hundred and twenty years. So maybe it will bring us longevity, too. "
"Please, Teng Xiong, it's getting dark, and I'm scared!"
"Don't worry. The bell must mean there's a temple somewhere near here."
I looked around but didn't see a roof or a pagoda's tip. "Then where is the temple?"
"Be patient, it must be close by, hidden by mist or trees. Now let's-" She suddenly stopped, then spoke in a whisper. "Listen."
I strained my ears, then murmured back to her. "I think I hear footsteps."
"Me, too," she paused, her voice tense, "and they're getting closer."
"That's good, should we shout to them for help?"
Teng Xiong slapped a hand tightly against my mouth. "No! Precious Orchid. We have no idea who these people are, they may be monks ... or they may be bandits."
"Oh my heaven, then what are we going to do?"
Before Teng Xiong had a chance to respond, we heard laughter and loud curses drifting from behind the bushes.
Teng Xiong said in a heated whisper, "Now I'm sure they're bandits."
Just then I spotted shadows flickering here and there within the foliage.
Teng Xiong's suppressed whisper rose again right next to my ear. "It's too late to run now. We'd better hide. Maybe we can get inside the bell. Here, help me try to lift
it up." She laid the qin on the ground, then we got our fingers around the rim of the bell and, as if suddenly aided by some supernatural power, managed to lift it above the ground.
Teng Xiong hissed, "Get in, quick!"
I hesitated.
She crawled under the bell and reached out for me. I tried to grab the qin but my hand slipped. The bell fell with a loud clatter.
Inside the bell, Teng Xiong's voice sounded urgent yet muted. "Let's lift it again, quick! "
But too late. I saw two huge heads poking out from a nearby bush.
I picked up the qin and started to sprint.
Trees and bushes flew past me. Instead of golden lotuses blossoming under my dainty steps, now twigs, sands, and small stones were crushed under the soles of my brutalized feet. The air slapped hard against my cheeks. Low branches tore at my arms until I felt blood trickling down my skin. The qin kept drumming against my back, bruising my ribs. Then, to my horror, it slipped off my shoulder and crashed onto the ground.
I let out a sharp cry and kept running. But alas, in a moment, I was grabbed from behind. Though I tried to kick and chop, two muscular arms locked around me so tightly that my martial art prowess was as lost as my qin. I screamed and screamed.
To my surprise, instead of pressing his hand over my mouth, the bandit burst into laughter. Meanwhile his companion moved in front of me and scrutinized me hard and long. He had a strangely evil-looking face with sharp bones sticking in all directions under taut skin. When he spoke, his voice came out high-pitched like a young girl's. I almost laughed despite my alarming situation.
"Even if you scream until your lungs burst, do you think in this no-man's-land your lover boy will hear and come to your rescue?"
Then the one grasping me from behind said, his voice harsh and mean, "What's a pretty girl like you doing here alone in the woods, eh?" With one arm still tight around me, he grabbed my hair and wrenched my head back to stare hard at me. I could see bulging eyes as big as copper coins above a full, rumpled beard.
My mouth remained tightly shut. At least they hadn't spotted Teng Xiong.
Sharp-Bones hollered, "Search her!"
From behind, Bulge-Eyes rubbed, squeezed, and pressed all over me, lingering on my breasts and yin place, "Fuck, nothing, this bitch has nothing!"
Sharp-Bones threw me a sharp, questioning look. "Nothing?"
"Yes. Absolutely nothing. No money, no jewelry."
A long silence. Then Sharp-Bones piped up again, his eyes aiming licentious glances at me while his crude hand caressed his equally crude face. "Hmmm, but she has something better than money and jewelry. Ha! Ha! Ha!"
Bulge-Eyes joined him in laughing. "You're damn right."
Having said that, he threw me onto the ground, tore open my top, and yanked my pants down. As Sharp-Bones laughed, BulgeEyes dropped his own filthy pants and clambered on top of me.
I screamed, this time not to fake pleasure, but from pain, anger, revulsion.
Bulge-Eyes slapped my face and banged my body onto the ground. I screamed louder, flailing my limbs under his bulky torso. He hit again, his hand thrusting as hard as his filthy stalk. I lay on the ground, paralyzed, unable to stop his slime from pouring into me.
Sharp-Bones watched with knowing nods and an evil smile.
After Bulge-Eyes' stalk turned soft, he pulled up his pants and hollered to his comrade. "Now your turn!"
Just as Sharp-Bones was about to pull down his pants, we heard the sound of footsteps rustling on leaves. Bulge-Eyes with one huge hand pinned me to the ground, while his other was held tightly against my mouth.
Thank heaven, it must be Teng Xiong! But how did she have the strength to lift up the bell all by herself?
The two bandits were now straining their ears and eyes, heads turning to follow the sound.
Then all of a sudden, a face thrust itself out from a bush. The evil duo let go of me, then snatched out knives and flicked them open. The sharp blades glittered like elongated eyes blinking in hell.
Although the moonlight was dimmed by the mist, I could still make out a pair of alert eyes taking in the scene. I snatched up my shredded clothes to cover my nakedness while a cry escaped from my mouth and rolled out into the darkness. I tried to stand up, but my feet wobbled and my muscles throbbed so hard that I collapsed back onto the ground. The two bandits ignored me.
Sharp-Bones hollered to the stranger in his woman's voice, "You've just come to see your own death, you fuck-seeded bastard!"
Bulge-Eyes spat, "Or you want to have a share of this slut, you embryo-fucked son of a bitch!"
To my disbelief, instead of turning away and running for his life, the man stepped forward. He wore a black top and pants and his hair was hidden under a black scarf. The lantern in his hand cast an eerie, yellowish light, illuminating his face, which was unexpectedly smooth and intelligent.
When he spoke, his voice was calm and low, "I'm afraid you two will have to let this lady go."
Sharp-Bones burst into a shrill laugh. "Ha! Ha! Ha! Don't tell me you feel no desire for such a beauty! What are you, a turtle egg or a eunuch?"
The young man's expression turned grave, his voice now even lower. "As I said, you must let her go."
"Ha! Little bastard," Sharp-Bones spat, "what's your rank? Don't you tell us what to do!"
The two exchanged a meaningful glance. Then Sharp-Bones said to his comrade, "Should we teach this eunuch a lesson?"
"Sure."
"Wait a minute." The young man spoke again in his calm voice. "Let me first ask you a question."
Sharp-Bones scratched his pointed head and roared with laughter. "A question? What's the matter with you, now trying to play scholar instead of bastard?"
Seemingly undisturbed, the young man replied, "Can you two read? "
Bulge-Eyes looked amused. "Ha, Ha, do we need to?" He swung the weapon in his hand. "We have our knives!"
Sharp-Bones chimed in with a licentious sneer, shaking his hips. "And our stalks! Ha, ha, ha!"
Suddenly the young man flipped open a scroll. I strained my eyes and saw a mystical diagram with tiger, sword, dragon, and rows of unintelligible calligraphy.
The two bandits, probably illiterate, looked puzzled.
Just then the young man snatched out a horn and started to blow, the ear-splitting sound spreading in myriad directions. With the harsh buzz still resonating in the air, he dropped the horn and took out a small bell which he started to shake vigorously, while his mouth muttered some unintelligible phrases. Next he flashed something long and soft-a dragon-headed whip! It flicked and snapped in the air like an attacking snake. Finally, as if in a magic show, he drew out a long sword, split the scroll into two, and with his lantern set it on fire. I let out a gasp.
The two bandits looked stunned; big beads of perspiration oozed from their creased foreheads. Their faces shone red in the glaring fire. Their mouths, hanging open, emitted no word.
The most extraordinary sight was yet to come. Now the fire sprang into the shape of a huge tiger and, with full force, leaped toward the twosome.
The two bandits held their heads and screamed as if they had just been brought before the King of Hell. Instantly, they vanished into the darkness.
Instead of chasing after them, the young man started to walk toward me, then stopped when he was about ten feet away. He spoke, his voice now gentle yet cautious. "Miss, are you all right?"
I was still too stunned to respond.
"I won't hurt you. Do you want me to help you up?"
I shook my head and he turned around-so I could pull on my clothes. I sighed inside. Did he imagine that my body had never been touched nor even seen by a man? But he must know that I'd just been raped.
Tears rolled down my cheeks. My hands clumsily buttoned up my tattered top while my eyes studied the back of this stranger who had just witnessed my unsightly nudity and saved my life.
He asked softly, "Have you finished?"
"Yes," I said, my voice emptied o
f strength.
Now he turned around and I got a closer look at his face; his eyes seemed compassionate. Approaching slowly, he said, "I want to help you, but you have to tell me how."
He was tall. I looked up and blurted out, "My friend is trapped in a bell!"
"A bell, where?"
"I believe it's somewhere not far from here, but I'm not sure. I ran a long way before the bandits caught me."
He looked at me with great concern. "I'm so sorry; I hope they didn't-"
"But they did." I swallowed hard. "I mean one of them . . ." Despite my recent catastrophe, I noticed that I was the one who had been raped but he was the one who seemed more upset.
A long, awkward silence. Finally he spoke. "I think you better look for your friend now before it's too late. I'll help."
I told him I also needed to look for my musical instrument, which I'd discarded during my flight.
He took a good look at me. "Do you think you can walk now?"
Again I felt pain all over. Suddenly I realized that with my torn clothes, disheveled hair, and bruises on my face, I must look like a hag!
