The trees on the hillsides were dense and dark. It wasalready deep autumn and Heaven's Eye Mountain wascovered in fiery-red leaves and yellowing grass.

　　Lookouts sent word of the approach of Chen and hiscomrades and Zhang Jin and the other heroes came downto greet them.

　　Luo Bing was not among them, and Chen's heart missed abeat, afraid that something had happened to her.

　　"Where's Fourth Sister?" he asked. "And how areBrother Wen and Brother Yu?""They're fine," Zhang Jin replied. "Fourth Sister saidshe was going to get a present for Fourth Brother.

　　She's been away two days already. You didn't meet heron the road?"Chen shook his head. "What present?"Zhang Jin smiled. "I don't know. Fourth Brother'swounds have healed well, but he spends all his time inbed moping. Then Fourth Sister came up with this ideaof going to get him a present. I wonder who will loseout as a result?" The others laughed.

　　They made their way up the mountain and entered thecourtyard of a large mansion. Wen Tailai was lyingdejectedly on a rattan couch. They told him brieflyabout what had transpired and then went to the roomnext door to see 'Scholar' Yu.

　　As they stepped inside, they heard the sound ofsobbing. Chen walked over and pulled aside the bedcurtain to reveal Yu lying face-down on the bed, hisback shaking uncontrollably. Even girls like Luo Bingand Zhou Qi rarely cried, and they were shocked andembarrassed by his behaviour.

　　"Fourteenth Brother," Chen said quietly. "We've cometo see you. How do you feel? Are your wounds verypainful?"Yu stopped crying, but did not turn over. "GreatHelmsman, Brothers, thank you all for coming to seeme. Forgive me for not getting up to greet youproperly. My health has improved a lot over the pastfew days, but my face has been burnt so badly, it's sougly that I cannot face anyone."Zhou Qi smiled. "What does it matter if a man has burnmarks on his face?" she said. "Don't tell my you'reafraid you won't be able to find a girl willing tomarry you?" Some of the heroes laughed at her lack ofrestraint.

　　"Brother Yu," said Lu Feiqing. "Your face was burntwhile saving myself and Wen Tailai. When people hearof this act, do you think there is anyone who wouldnot proclaim you to be a hero? What need is there forsuch distress?""You are right, uncle," said Yu, and burst into tearsagain.

　　The heroes returned to the main hall. Chen and Xutalked together in low tones, then clapped their handsand the heroes stood up.

　　"Brothers," said Chen. "So far, things have gone verywell for us. But in the future, we will face eventougher problems. I will now give you yourassignments. Ninth Brother, Twelfth Brother, you twogo to Beijing and see what you can find out about theEmperor's plans and if he intends to break our pact.

　　This will be extremely difficult to execute. You mustboth exercise great caution." Wei and Shi nodded.

　　"Now, the Twin Knights," Chen continued. "Please go tothe Southwest and make contact with the fighters inSichuan, Yunnan and Guizhou provinces. Eighth Brother,you go to Anhui and Jiangsu provinces, Priest Wu Chento Hubei and Hunan. Thirteenth Brother and Brother Main Hangzhou will contact people in Zhejiang, Fujianand Jiangxi, while I would like to ask Master Lu todeal with Shandong and Henan. I would like Lord Zhou,Master Meng, Brother Xu and Mistress Zhou Qi to handlethe northwest provinces. Fourth Brother and FourteenthBrother will remain here convalescing with FourthSister and Tenth Brother to look after them. Xin Yanwill accompany me to the Muslim areas.

　　"I am not asking you to begin preparations for anuprising, but simply to improve relations with membersof the fighting community in all areas and to providea basis on which we can act later," he added.

　　"Absolute secrecy is essential, so do not revealanything to anyone no matter how close or respectedthey are.""We understand," they replied in unison.

　　"In exactly one year's time we will all gather inBeijing. By that time, Fourth Brother and FourteenthBrother will be fully recovered and we can begin thegreat task!"Cheers arose from the heroes. They followed Chen outof the hall, elated by the prospect of the future.

　　Only Zhang Jin, assigned by the Great Helmsman to stayat Heaven's Eye Mountain, was unhappy. Wen guessed histhoughts, and went over to speak to Chen.

　　"Great Helmsman, my wounds are almost healed, andalthough Fourteenth Brother's burns are serious, he isrecovering quickly," he said. "It is a bit much to askus to stay cooped up here for a year. The four of uswould like to accompany you to the Muslim regions. Thetrip would also help to take Fourteenth Brother's mindoff other things.""All right, we'll do it that way," Chen agreed. ZhangJin ran joyfully in to tell Yu the news.

　　Lord Zhou took Chen aside. "Great Helmsman," he said.

　　"The fact that we have discovered through Master Wenthat you and the Emperor are blood relations is amatter worthy of great rejoicing. I would like to addto it one more happy event. What do you think?""You wish to hold a wedding for Seventh Brother andMistress Zhou, is that right?""Exactly," Zhou replied, smiling.

　　Chen walked over to Zhou Qi, his face wreathed insmiles, and bowed before her. "Mistress,congratulations," he said.

　　She blushed deeply. "What do you mean?""I should call you Seventh Sister. Seventh Sister,congratulations!" He clapped his hands loudly and theheroes immediately fell silent.

　　"Just now, Lord Zhou told me he wants Mistress Zhou Qiand Seventh Brother to be married this evening. So wehave something else to celebrate!"The heroes cheered loudly and congratulated Lord Zhouand Xu. Zhou Qi hastily made for her bedroom inembarrassment.

　　"Tenth Brother!" Wei called to Zhang Jin. "Stop her.

　　Don't let the bride escape!" Zhang made as to grab herand Zhou Qi chopped out with her left hand to fend himoff.

　　"Help!" he cried in mock surprise, dodging to oneside. "The bride's attacking me!"A laugh escaped from her as she charged out of thehall.

　　Just then, there was the sound of bells outside andLuo Bing ran in carrying a large box.

　　"Oh good, everyone's here!" she cried. "What'shappened to make you all so happy?" She lookedenquiringly at Chen.

　　"Ask Seventh Brother," said Wei.

　　"What's happened, Brother Xu?" Luo Bing asked, but Xuwas speechless for a moment. "Mm? That's strange. Hasthe Kung Fu Mastermind gone silly?"'Crocodile' Jiang dodged behind Xu and held up histhumbs and made them bow to each other. "TheMastermind is getting married today," he said withglee.

　　"Oh, how awful, how awful!" ............