Chapter 23 — The Contest
劍問蒼天 · Page 2 of 8
Zhang Qingyue endured the pain and said, "This wretched monkey does nothing but hit people, and you call it clever?"
ZENG: "Don't let its plain looks deceive you. For that alone—that spiritual nature of its—it is among the rarest of spirit creatures. Look there, between its eyes, above its brow—don't you see a tiny vertical line?"
Zhang Qingyue turned its head and looked closely. Sure enough, beneath the gray fur there was now a faint vertical mark of paler color, one that could never be seen without careful scrutiny. He could not help saying to Zeng, "You can see something that small? Impressive, truly impressive!"
ZENG: "Don't underestimate it. I once read in the 'Spirit Beasts' chapter of the *Records of Gods, Demons, and Wonders* (Note 2) that the Three-Eyed Spirit Monkey is a creature of rare spiritual power. In its youth it looks no different from an ordinary monkey, but when grown, the third spirit eye on its brow opens, and its spiritual nature unfolds greatly. Not only can it comprehend the immortal arts of the Five Elements, it can see things a thousand *li* away. They say the 'thousand-li eye' of the old tales refers to none other than the Three-Eyed Spirit Monkey."
Zhang Qingyue lifted the monkey Xiaohui down and held it before his eyes for a careful look, unable for a moment to believe that this monkey, which had lived with him two years, was really such a distinguished creature. Yet look as he might, it looked like nothing but a thoroughly ordinary—and rather plump—monkey. It was heavy in his hands, too, as if after a single night on Jietian Peak it had put on a few more catties.
The monkey Xiaohui wondered why everyone today kept staring at it without cease, and set up a ceaseless shrill "chit-chit-chit-chit," much aggrieved. Zhang Qingyue made a face at it and tossed it casually onto Da Huang's back. Da Huang started and sprang away, only relaxing once it saw that it was Xiaohui. Xiaohui waved its arms and legs at Zhang Qingyue as if to make a show of defiance, and kept up its screeching some time before stopping. Then it leaned against Da Huang, and a moment later its attention was caught by the fleas in Da Huang's coat.
Zeng Shuyan looked at Xiaohui with envy, then turned back to Zhang Qingyue: "Junior Brother Zhang, have you also come to Jietian Peak for the Seven Peaks Martial Contest?"
Zhang Qingyue nodded. "And you, Senior Brother Zeng?"
ZENG: "Me too. In yesterday's drawing I got number thirty-three. I wonder what number you drew—surely it wouldn't be so coincidental that we're each other's opponent today?"
Zhang Qingyue laughed too. "I'm number one."
ZENG: "So you're that disciple from Dazhu Peak yesterday?"
Zhang Qingyue flushed and nodded.
ZENG: "Your luck is truly good." He calculated in his head, then said, "We wouldn't meet until the final round. That seems a very tall order."
Zhang Qingyue laughed. "With my meager cultivation? The first round—heh, I'll be eliminated in the second round quick enough. What would I dare dream of?"
ZENG: "Then I'm afraid I won't even make it past the first round."
The two looked at each other and burst out laughing. They chatted a while longer, until from somewhere in the distance came Song Dayi's shout: "Xiaofan, time to eat!"
Zhang Qingyue called back from afar, said a couple of words to Zeng Shuyan, and ran over, with Da Huang following behind carrying Xiaohui. When he reached Song Dayi, the two walked on together, and Song Dayi said, "Who were you talking with over there just now?"
Zhang Qingyue said, "Oh, I just met a senior brother from Fenghui Peak. He said his name was Zeng Shuyan."
Song Dayi seemed startled. "Zeng Shuyan?"
Zhang Qingyue said in surprise, "What is it, First Senior Brother?"