Gold Tiger King - Ch. 9

Dragon Breath Attack! Yen-shu vs. Houwang

Rated E Everyone

Long shadows were drawn up the hills and toward the town. The makeshift arena was bumpy and uneven. Yen-shu stood firm though not from resolve. He was paralyzed by the sight of Madame Houwang now transformed into an eight foot tall monkey woman. The hulking hag cackled at the sight.

“Your face says it all, boy.” Houwang’s voice was much deeper than her screeching laughter. “Even if you could defeat me, how do you expect to trick these people into believing you are the One?”

“I, uh…” Yen-shu looked around at the crowd leaning forward in anticipation. “I won’t.”

Out rung a chorus of gasps and murmurs. Houwang chortled menacingly.

“Because it’s no trick.”

The ring of spectators went silent.

Houwang froze in the middle of scratching her hairy chest. “Eh?”

“Behold.” Yen-shu took a deep breath and closed his eyes. “Ehem--behold! The power of the One.”

Yuyan snorted, folding her lips in and biting down to keep from laughing.

Yen-shu struck a new pose. This one was much more open and strange. His body faced sideways, knees bent and extremely far apart. His front arm was bent like a snake while his back stretched out like the wing of a crane. Losing balance, he overcompensated by throwing his torso forward. His back leg fell to a kneel, but Yen-shu kept a serious face. Occasionally, a brow would shoot up. Houwang scoffed and rolled her eyes.

Yen-shu looked to Yuyan in desperation. She nodded and stepped forward with a loud gasp.

“Before my very eyes I see the truth!” Yuyan pointed at Yen-shu with her jaw dropped comically low. “He is the One. That is the legendary Heaven S-Spirit...Stance!”

“Heaven Spirit?” the crowd mumbled. “Did you know of this?” “This must be true.” “Oh, uh, of course. Yes, yes. The legendary stance.” “It must be him, then.” “Are you sure?”

Yen-shu smiled at Yuyan. She winked in return.

“Oh please,” Houwang growled. “Don’t be fooled by this man’s guiles!”

“The truth will be revealed soon, Madame Houwang.” Yen-shu jerked his wrist around randomly. “I’ll allow you to have the first move.”

Houwang blew out violently from her broadly separated nostrils. “Very well.”

Yen-shu only had a moment to think. It was impossible for him to beat her with strength alone. Though he was smaller and faster, her new monkey form would most likely allow for her to be somewhat agile. His eyes darted to the parts of her dress that still dangled from her body. Would it be possible to knock her down?

But it was too late. Houwang had already leapt twenty feet into the air. With a wild battle cry, she hurdled toward the earth. Yen-shu found himself blanketed in her shadow. He dove out of the way. Houwang came down with a meteoric thud. Everyone on his side of the arena went flying. Yen-shu rolled out and twisted to face the monkey queen. His stance was now much more practical.

Another moment to think. Knocking her down wouldn’t end the fight. It surely wouldn’t convince the people he had some supernatural power. Yen-shu watched Houwang hoist herself up. Her recovery wasn’t the strongest. Maybe disorientation and some more theatrics would do the trick. Either way, it was time for trial and error.

Houwang rushed toward Yen-shu. He looked down, waiting for the opening in her legs. She threw back her giant fist for an overhead attack. Yen-shu sprinted forward and dropped into a slide. He popped up behind her and kicked the back of her knee. The monkey queen fell to a kneel!

The crowd cheered, Yuyan being the loudest as she clapped and sang praises.

Yen-shu leapt toward Houwang’s back. But she spun around. Houwang struck Yen-shu with the back of her hairy wrist. The audience screamed. Yen-shu soared across the grassy arena. He landed, sliding up to the feet of the crowd.

Houwang barked, “The true One would have never been touched.”

Yen-shu forced himself up, pursing his lips to cage his grunts. His head was spinning. With a heavy stomp, he stood up straight.

“What if I told you…” Yen-shu sniffed, wiping the blood from his mouth. “You never touched me.”

“Whaaaaa--?” the crowd exclaimed.

“Who do you think you’re kidding, deceiver?” Houwang spat.

“This body,” Yen-shu stretched his arms out, “Isn’t even my real self.”

“Huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuh?!” The crowd nearly fell on their backs.

“This is pathetic,” Houwang said. “Now you’re just spouting nonsense.”

Yen-shu let out an overly dramatic chuckle to hide his wincing. “Is it? The real me has already landed several attacks on you, Madame. It won’t be long before I trigger the damage with my final move.”

The hubbub amongst the crowd resumed. “His...final move?” “I wonder if it’s dangerous. Is he going to kill Madame Houwang?” “This is it. He really is the One.” “This is ridiculous.”

Yuyan valiantly shouted, “Prepare yourselves everyone!”

All eyes shot to the young lady.

“When the One performs his final move, we must shield our eyes or else we’ll go blind!”

“Will you shut it, girl!” Houwang roared. “My fellow followers of the true One, can’t you see how obvious this is? Don’t let yourselves be fooled by someone so meddling!”

“With all due respect, Madame,” Yen-shu said, “That'd be nothing new, thanks to you.”

Houwang looked around. Everyone was scowling at her or covering their mouths in surprise. One little boy already had his eyes shielded as he beamed all but toothless.

She turned back to face Yen-shu with a murderous glare. “So this is your plan? Exploit the stupidity of my fellow believers?”

“Did she just call us stupid?” “I think she means you.” “I’m so confused.” “Hey! More punching! Keep fighting!”

“Heh.” Houwang smirked. “I commend you. As offended as I am, your observation has likely won you their hearts.”

“Let’s finish this, shall we?” Yen-shu said.

“Yes. Let’s.”

Houwang squatted low. Raised both her arms up like clubs. Yen-shu’s eyes widened.

“Let’s see if your so-called final move can beat this.” Houwang slammed her fists into the ground.

The earth rumbled and cracked. A concussive blast cut across the arena toward Yen-shu. The people behind him were thrown back. What followed was like an ocean wave of rock and magma. Yen-shu turned to face the spectators around him.

“Get away!” he commanded.

The people scattered. Yen-shu leapt over Houwang’s attack. A thick cloud of dust billowed up, covering the whole area.

“Get ready for my final move!” Yen-shu yelled.

Yuyan cried out, “Shield your eyes, everyone!”

The crowd left standing slapped their hands onto their faces.

Yen-shu charged toward Houwang. Her monkey laugh tore through the sky as she bore her fangs. Yen-shu banked left to dodge Houwang swipe, grabbing a hanging piece of her dress. He ran circles around her. Once he was out of silk, he grabbed another loose piece.

“This is my famous typhoon technique,” Yen-shu mocked.

Houwang shrieked with anger. Before she knew it, she was all tied up in her own clothing.

Yen-shu dashed back to stand in front of her. “Looooong!”

“Keep them shut!” Yuyan repeated.

But the little boy who already had his eyes covered giggled as he peeked between his fingers.

“Qiiiiiii!” Yen-shu dragged out the name of his final move. “Gooooooong!”

The boy’s face lit up like the sun as he witnessed Yen-shu lunge at Houwang, palms forward. He struck the monkey queen’s torso, and she fell; a tree finely wrapped in fiery silk.

Yen-shu puffed out his chest as he said, “It’s alright now.”

The crowd opened their eyes. As the dust settled, they saw Yen-shu standing valiantly over Houwang.

With stars in his eyes, the boy whispered, “He really is the One.”

Everyone proceeded to bow.

“Oh, uh--” Yen-shu stuttered. “Please, everyone, return home. You are no longer slaves to Madame Houwang’s schemes.”

The older man from earlier came forward. “There must be something we can do to repay you, oh great One. What can we provide to help aid you in your travels to Shaolin?”

Yen-shu scratched the back of his head. “Directions.”

#

Dusk had fallen, and Yuyan led Shandian out of the stables to Yen-shu who waited at the northeastern entrance to the town.

“Are you sure you won’t stay the night?” Yuyan asked.

“You have been very kind to me,” Yen-shu said. “I wish I could, but I feel that I’d be dishonoring you all too much.”

“I know you must feel like you didn’t handle this right, lying to them all. But know that I think you were a very heroic trickster.”

“Well I wouldn’t have gotten far without your help. Thank you, Yuyan.”

“Of course, oh great One.”

Yen-shu chuckled warmly as he mounted Shandian. “I hope we meet again.”

Yuyan blushed. “As do I.”

Yen-shu looked beyond Yuyan to the crowd of believers and waved. They all said farewell and he grinned, claiming he’d return one day once he saved the realm. Their cheers drew the ire of the townsfolk who came out into the street growling and cursing. This, of course, led to an even greater commotion.

“So are you really going to Shaolin?” Yuyan said.

“Yes.” Yen-shu stared up into the night sky. “I’m going to learn kung fu. I don’t know why yet, but I know it’s my destiny. I can feel it.”

“Well, just try not to get lost.”

“It’s Song Mountain, right?”

“Yes. That’s the closest temple. There’s one to the south as well, but I assume you’d rather not take that journey.”

“Right. Song Mountain. Song Mountain. Just east of Luoyang.”

“Ha-ha, yes. Very good.”

“Alright then. When next we meet, I’ll be a true master of martial arts. Mark my words.”

Shandian clops forward.

“Wait!” Yuyan reaches out her hand, turning to make sure the crowd is still distracted. “What’s your real name?”

Yen-shu flashed a crooked smile. “Long Yen-shu.”

Just as he said it, a coiling breeze glided through the town. Yuyan watched as Yen-shu rode out under the twilight. And behind him followed a small, floating tail of blue willow leaves.

TO BE CONTINUED