Xu followed Chen's secret markings to Kaifeng and metthe heroes at the home of the local society leaderthere. The heroes were very happy to see that he wasall right, and a banquet was held to welcome him. Bythis time, Zhang Jin, 'Leopard' Wei and Xin Yan hadall recovered from their wounds. 'Melancholy Ghost'

　　Shi had not yet returned from the Muslim borderregions and the Twin Knights were still trying to findout what had happened to Wen.

　　Xu did not mention anything about Lady Zhou or Zhou Qito Lord Zhou. He was afraid that if questionedclosely, it would be difficult to word his answers.

　　And anyway, he thought, they will be here within aday. So he only told the heroes about what he hadheard of 'Scholar' Yu: that he was badly wounded andtravelling with a girl dressed as a boy. Theydiscussed the matter for a while but could not thinkwho the girl could be. They were all worried about hissafety, but Yu was quick-witted and they wereconfident he would be all right.

　　Early next morning, Zhou Qi arrived by herself and herfather and the others were delighted to see her. Aftergreetings were over, she said quietly to Xu: "Comewith me. I have something to say to you."He walked slowly after her. He thought she wanted toberate him for leavng them behind, but he was wrong.

　　"My mother won't come to see my father," Zhou Qiwhispered. "Think of something.""Well, ask your father to go to see her," said Xu,surprised.

　　"She still wouldn't be willing to see him. She goes onand on about the death of my brother, saying my fatherhas no conscience."Xu thought for a moment. "All right," he said finally.

　　"I have an idea." He quietly gave her instrucitons.

　　"Will it work?" she asked.

　　"Definitely. You'd better go immediately."Xu waited until she had left, then returned to sitwith the other heroes. When the appointed hourarrived, he quietly said to Lord Zhou: "I understandthe Bamboo Garden restaurant next to the Iron PagodaTemple is famous for its excellent wine. Let us go andtry it.""Good idea! I will be the host," replied Zhou, who wasalways interested in wine. "We can all go and drinkour fill.""The eyes and ears of officials are numerous in thiscity. It would not be a good idea for all of us togo," Xu replied. "Perhaps if just the Great Helmsmanand I accompanied you, what do you think?""All right," Zhou replied. "Once again, it is you thatthinks things out most carefully."After speaking to Chen, the three went directly to theIron Pagoda Temple. The Bamboo Garden was as good asits reputation. The three men talked, ate Yellow Rivercarp and drank wine until they were drunk.

　　Xu raised his cup to Zhou. "I drink to you, Lord Zhou,in honour of your being reunited today with yourdaughter," he said.

　　Zhou drank a mouthful and sighed.

　　"You are not happy," Xu continued. "Is it because IronGall Manor was burned to the ground?""Wealth is not a part of the flesh. Such a thing asIron Gall Manor is not worthy of regret," Zhoureplied.

　　"Well then, you must be thinking of your deceasedson?"Zhou said nothing but sighed once again.

　　"Seventh Brother, let us go," said Chen. "I've hadenough wine.

　　Xu ignored him. "Why did Lady Zhou leave home?" heasked.

　　"She blamed me for killing the child. Ah, where couldshe have run to, all alone? She loved him as much asher own life. I have truly failed her. I had nointention of killing him. It was just a slip of thehand in anger. Once we have rescued Master Wen, I willsearch to the farthest ends of the earth to find herand bring her back."As he spoke the door curtain parted and Lady Zhou andZhou Qi walked in.

　　"I heard what you said," said Lady Zhou. "I'm glad tosee you're willing to admit your mistake. I'm herenow, so there's no need to go looking for me."Zhou was so startled and delighted at the suddenappearance of his wife that he was momentarilyspeechless.

　　"Brother Chen, this is my mother," Zhou Qi said.

　　"Mother, this is Great Helmsman Chen of the Red FlowerSociety." The two greeted each other formally.

　　"Father, what a coincidence this is," the girl added.

　　"I had heard that the wine here was good and decidedto try it. Mother didn't want to come and I had todrag her along. Who would have guessed that you wouldbe here too?"They all laughed and drank, Zhou Qi was exuberantlyhappy, and without thinking, she began to talkelatedly about how Lead Escort Tong had been killedand the death of her brother and the burning of themanor avenged. Xu surruptitiously tried to stop her,but she took no notice.

　　"Brother Xu was very clever to think of a way to dealwith them," she exclaimed. "After all the Lead Ecortshad passed out, we jumped in through the window andsaved mother. Then he lifted Tong up and let me killthat villainous bandit myself."Zhou and Chen toasted Xu.

　　"You have saved my wife and taken revenge on mybehalf," Zhou said to him. "I am eternally gratefulyto you.""How did you two meet up on the way?" Chen asked, andXu faltered along for a few sentences trying toexplain.

　　"Damn! Damn!" Zhou Qi thought to herself in distress.

　　Her face flushed and an unintentional movement of herarm knocked her chopsticks and winecup to the ground.

　　The winecup smashed loudly, increasing herembarrassment.

　　Chen examined both their faces carefully, and whenthey had returned to the residence, he called Xu overto one side.

　　"Brother Xu, what is your opinion of Mistress Zhou?"he asked.

　　"Great Helmsman," Xu replied hurriedly. "Please don'tmention what she said in the restaurant to anyone. Sheis a good person and has a pure heart, but if otherpeople knew and added a touch of filth, we wouldn'tever be able to face Lord Zhou again.""I think Mistress Zhou is an extremely nice persontoo," Chen said. "How would you like me to be yourmatch-maker?""That's impossible," said Xu, jumping up. "How could Ibe good enough for her?""You must not be so modest. You are the 'KungfuMastermind', renowned throughout the fightingcommunity. Lord Zhou always speaks of you with thegreatest respect."Xu stood dumbfounded for a second.

　　"What do you think?" Chen repeated.

　　"Great Helmsman, you don't know. She doesn't like me.""How do you know?""She said so herself. She said she hated my peculiarways. We have been quarrelling and arguing ever sincewe met."Chen laughed. "So you're certain?""Great Helmaman, there's no point talking about it. Wecannot risk being turned down."Just then, a servant entered.

　　"Master Chen," he said. "Lord Zhou is outside andwishes to speak to you."Chen smiled at Xu and walked out of the room. He sawZhou pacing up and down the corridor with his handsbehind his back and quickly went up to him.

　　"Lord Zhou, you should have called for me. Was itnecessary to come personally?""It's not important," Zhou replied, and with a tug onChen's arm, led him into a reception room and satdown.

　　"I have something on my mind and want to ask yourhelp," he said. "My daugher is nineteen this year. Shehas been a good-for-nothing since she was born, butshe is basically a good and sincere person. Her faultsare the result of my teaching her something of themartial arts. She has wasted much time and still hasno husband." He hesitated a moment before continuing.

　　"Everyone respects your honourable Society's MasterXu. I would like to ask you to become a match-makerand arrange for my daughter's betrothal to him. But Iam afraid that with her bad temper, she would not begood enough."Chen was delighted. "Leave this matter completely inmy hands," he said. "You are the Taishan Mountain andNorth Star of the fighting community, Lord Zhou. It isa great honour for the Red Flower Society that you arewilling to give up your daughter to one of ourbrothers. I will go and see to it immediately."He ran to Xu's room and told him the news. Xu was sodelighted, his heart beat wildly.

　　"Well," Chen said. "Are you willing?""Why wouldn't I be willing?""I didn't expect that you'd be unwilling," Chenreplied with a smile. "But there is something else.

　　All of Lord Zhou's three sons are dead, and theyoungest died because of the Red Flower Society. Itlooks like the Zhou family line is finished. I wonderif you would be willing to make a concession andbecome not only his son-in-law, but his son as well?""You want me to become a member of the Zhou family?""Yes. The first of your future sons would be surnamedZhou, and the second Xu. It would be a small repaymentof our debt to Lord Zhou."Xu agreed. The two went round to Zhou's room and alsoasked Lady Zhou to come over. Unaware of what washappening, Zhou Qi followed her in. As soon as Zhousaw the expression on the faces of Chen and Xu, heknew the matter was decided.

　　"Daughter, go outside," he said with a smile.

　　"You are trying to deceive me about something," shereplied accusingly. "I won't have it!" But despite herwords, she turned and left.

　　Chen brought up his idea of Xu becoming a member ofthe Zhou clan, and Lady Zhou and her husband beamedwith delight.

　　"We are away from home and I don't have anythingworthy to present to you," Zhou said to Xu. "But laterI will teach you how to use the Iron Gallstones."Xu was overwhelmed. He had gained both a beautifulwife and a wise teacher, and he knelt down to kowtowin thanks.

　　As soon as the news leaked out, the other heroes cameto offer their congratulations. That night, a greatbanquet was held to celebrate, but Zhou Qi hid herselfand refused to come out.

　　During the drinking, 'Melancholy Ghost' Shi returnedfrom his journey to the Muslim regions withMuzhuolun's answer to Chen's letter.

　　Chen took the letter. Just then, 'Crocodile' Jiangraced in shouting: "The Yellow River's broken it'sbanks!"They clustered round and questioned him on the extentof the disaster.

　　"The river's already broken through at seven or eightpoints. In many places the roads are completelyimpassable," he replied.

　　They were all concerned about how the peasants werefaring. Furthermore, the Twin Knights had still notreturned to report on Wen's situation.

　　"Brothers, we have already waited here several days,"said Chen. "Conditions on the road ahead have probablychanged, and I am afraid the floods will have ruinedour plans. What do you all think we should do?""We can't wait any longer," Zhang Jin called out.

　　"Let's get on to Beijing quickly. Even if they areholding Fourth Brother in the Heavenly Prison, we'llstill get him out."The others voiced their agreement, and it was decidedto start out immediately. They thanked the localsociety chief and headed off eastwards.

　　While on the road, Chen opened and read Muzhuolun'sletter. In it, he thanked the Red Flower Society forits warning and said he had called his tribe togetherand was preparing for war, determined to fight theenemy to the end. The mood of the letter wastragically heroic and Chen's anxiety showed on hisface.

　　"Did Master Muzhuolun have anything else to say?" heasked Shi.

　　"He asked after Fourth Brother. When he heard we hadnot yet rescued him, he expressed great concern.""Did you meet Master Muzhuolun's family?" Chen asked.

　　"I met his wife, son and two daughters. You know theeldest daughter. She asked after your health."Chen hesitated. "She didn't say anything other thanthat?" he asked slowly.

　　Shi thought for a second. "Just before I left, thereappeared to be something else she wished to say to me,but she asked only about the details of our attempt torescue Fourth Brother."Chen was silent. He put his hand into his gown andfelt the dagger that Huo Qingtong had given him. Theblade was eight inches long, bright and dazzling, andthe handle was entwined with gold thread. Judging bythe amount that had been worn away, it was of greatantiquity. Huo Qingtong had said that a great secretwas supposed to be hidden in the sword. He hadexamined it closely over the past few days, but hadbeen unable to find anything unusual about it. Heturned and looked back westwards. The host of starswere shining brightly, and he wondered whether on thegreat flat desert, the same stars were now shining onHuo Qingtong.

　　They travelled all night, and when morning broke, theywere already close to the places where the YellowRiver had broken through. The great plain had turnedinto a vast lake. The fields and homes of people inlow-lying areas had long since been submerged. Manypeople were camping out in the open on the hilltops.

　　The heroes made their way round the flood, keeping tothe high ground and heading eastwards. Occasionally,they spotted a cluster of corpses bobbing along besidepieces of driftwood. That night, they lodged out inthe open, and the next day had to make a long detour.

　　Zhou Qi had been riding with Luo Bing the whole way,but suddenly she could restrain herself no longer. Shespurred her horse on and caught up with Xu.

　　"You're the one with all the ideas," she said. "Thinkof a way to save these people."During the two days since they had become engaged, thetwo had been too embarrassed to speak to each other.

　　Now, the first thing Zhou Qi did when she opened hermouth was to present him with a problem of mammothproportions.

　　"It's all very well to say that, but how can wepossibly help so many refugees?" he replied.

　　"Why would I come and ask you if I knew of a way?""First thing tomorrow I will te............