Chapter Eighty-Two: The True Identity of Zhang Tianbao

“Yes, the Six Meridian Divine Sword! It’s said this sword technique originated from Nanzhao, created by a family with the surname Duan. Haven’t you heard of it? And the Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms, the Dog Beating Staff Technique, the Prajna Palm, the Flower-Picking Hand, the Lion’s Roar, the Single Yang Finger, the Solitary Nine Swords, the Demon-Repelling Sword Technique, the Sunflower Manual…!” Yun Hao’s little mouth rattled off a string of names, while Zhang Tianbao listened as if he were hearing tales from another world. He had never heard of such martial arts before, but judging by the names, each one seemed like a peerless skill. Who was this child? How did he know so much?

“The most formidable one is the Divine Flicking Technique. With a single flick of a finger, holding a tiny pebble, one could shoot down the flies buzzing in the room! And then there’s Tai Chi, which emphasizes using the opponent’s force against them. When mastered, not even a leaf can touch you, nor can mosquitoes or flies land on your body…” Yun Hao’s mouth continued to chatter incessantly, and Zhang Tianbao’s mind was completely overwhelmed, buzzing with confusion.

“Uh… I think I’ve heard of some, but I haven’t been taught such things yet. I’m still new to the arts,” Zhang Tianbao stammered, clearly not yet recovered from his bewilderment.

“Zhang Tianbao, stop lying to me. You’ve never been to Shaolin Temple, and you’ve never studied martial arts there,” Yun Hao finished treating one of Zhang Tianbao’s feet and began carefully wiping the other with alcohol.

“Who are you, really?” Zhang Tianbao’s eyes suddenly sharpened, every muscle in his body tensed. A murderous aura surged from his soles to the top of his head. Yun Hao immediately sensed the thick killing intent; this man truly seemed ready to kill him.

“I told you, I’m just a physician, an official doctor in the Duke of Tang’s household. In fact, all of this, you told me yourself. Don’t look at me like that—if you kill me, who will take care of your brother’s mother, who will care for Nun Nun? Surely that’s your own mother, and your own child, isn’t it…?”

“I’m asking you a question!” The murderous aura paused, but did not diminish.

“Thinking of killing the doctor before you’re even healed, huh! You’ve got some nerve. Looks like your secrets are quite deep. First, judging by the timing, Shaolin Temple shouldn’t even have a monk named Jue Yuan yet. Second, none of those martial arts exist at Shaolin; all those names were invented by a storyteller named Jin.”

“My time learning the arts—”

“No more excuses!” Yun Hao raised his hand to stop Zhang Tianbao. This brute was simply not suited for deception; his words stumbled and his expression was like someone constipated, only a fool would believe him.

“Let me guess! Judging by your manner, your mother is indeed your brother’s mother, and Nun Nun is your brother’s child. That much is true. But your claim of learning martial arts at Shaolin is a bit of a stretch.”

“How did you figure that out?” Zhang Tianbao spoke and immediately wished he could slap himself. An eight-foot-tall man, outwitted by a child!

“It’s all from the scars on your body. The marks on your head—monks have nine scars, three horizontal and three vertical. But look at yours, messy and irregular. Is that how monks have their scars? And that’s why you grew your hair out, though not for long. Meaning your offense is recent.

Your background is even clearer from your arms. Your chest and belly are intact, but your arms are covered in scars, clearly burn marks. I happen to know of a profession where people often burn their arms. Tell me, am I right?” Yun Hao looked up at Zhang Tianbao.

Zhang Tianbao’s muscles bulged, every hair on his body standing on end. He looked like a tiger ready to pounce, his eyes fierce upon Yun Hao, as if he might leap and tear him apart at any moment.

“Your expression tells me I’m right. Your arms are burned because you’re a blacksmith. Sparks fly, your chest and belly protected, but your arms take the damage. Perhaps the scars on your head also came from molten steel.”

“Aren’t you afraid I’ll kill you to keep you silent? Sometimes, the clever don’t live long.” His head was swollen like a pig’s, but his murderous air was that of a tiger.

“I’m not afraid, because I can help you survive. I won’t harm you, and I want to keep this friendship. If I ever fall on hard times, I’ll come find you.” The killing intent eased slightly, but did not disappear.

“You really believe I’ll make something of myself?” Zhang Tianbao asked, puzzled.

“You call yourself ‘laozi,’ which shows a certain swagger, not everyone has that. In chaotic times, people like you—daring and decisive—are the ones who rise. The world is about to descend into turmoil, and I believe in you.”

Zhang Tianbao was even more bewildered, never expecting a child to have more faith in his future than he did himself, certain he would achieve greatness.

“How will you save me? Though you’re a physician in the Duke of Tang’s household, you can’t compare to Wang Wei!” Zhang Tianbao decided to change the subject, afraid he’d be led astray by the child.

“Don’t you want me to guess what trouble you’re in? You’re so nervous, it must be something big, otherwise—”

“Don’t push me, or I’ll strangle you!” Zhang Tianbao issued his sternest warning.

“Alright, alright, I won’t guess. Let’s talk about getting you out. You killed Rolling Dragon, witnessed by many; no one can overturn your conviction. But there are many ways to kill—yours I call accidental homicide.

Say, a group humiliates your mother, you panic and stab someone to death—accidental homicide! In broad daylight, with many witnesses. Rolling Dragon’s men threatened your aunt with knives, tried to stone you as well. You acted in self-defense, killed Rolling Dragon in a moment of passion—this is accidental homicide. With a thousand eyes watching, even Wang Wei must accept it.

According to the laws of Sui, murder is punishable by beheading. But accidental homicide only warrants exile. The key is—”

“The key is whether someone will step forward to help me.”

“I am that person. I can ask the Duke of Tang to intervene. Everyone knows Wang Wei and Gao Junya, the two deputy governors, are trusted by the emperor, sent to Jin Yang to keep the Duke of Tang in check. This is a perfect opportunity to curb their arrogance. The Duke of Tang will be eager to help! So…”

“So I’ll survive, and the punishment will be changed from beheading to exile?”

“Yes, exactly. From execution to banishment. Wherever you end up, as long as you live, there’s hope.”

“Little brother, whoever you are, I, Yuchi Gong, owe you a debt!”

Yuchi Gong, Yuchi Jingde…! Damn, Zhang Tianbao turned out to be Yuchi Gong!