"That"s right. It was so secret that not even you could be told. All that Master Yuan knows is that they are extremely important, but he does not know what they are. Just before Master Yu passed away, he said that after you became Great Helmsman, you should open the letter and make your plans accordingly. But I stupidly allowed myself to be captured and risked the whole enterprise. Great Helmsman, if you can"t get me out today, you must go to the Muslim regions as quickly as possible to see your teacher. You must not endanger the great cause of restoration just for my sake."
Wen was clearly relieved to have completed what he had to say.
He was about to add something when footsteps sounded in the corridor again. He signalled quickly with his hand, and Chen hid under the bed. Wen then draped himself over the side of bed with his head resting on the floor.
Zhang entered the cell, and under the faint light of the room"s single candle, saw Wen lying half on the floor as if dead. Shocked, he leapt forward and touched Wen"s back, but there was no reaction. He started to lift Wen"s body back onto the bed, but as he did so, Wen leapt up and attacked him. Zhang fell back in surprise, felt a sudden numbness in his lower abdomen, and knew he had been hit by someone waiting in ambush under the bed. He roared angrily, sidestepped two paces and suppressed his breathing to control the numbness. Chen, who was startled to see Zhang still standing, leapt out from beneath the bed and struck his face with his fists seven or eight times.
If he responded, Zhang knew his control would be lost and the paralysis in his abdomen would spread. He retreated as Chen"s foot flew up and struck another yuedao point. This time, he could not sustain his control. His whole body went limp and he fell to the ground.
Chen searched him and was extremely disappointed to find he did not have the Frozen Emerald sword with him. He pulled a piece of paper out of Zhang"s pocket and saw under the candlelight that it was a note from Commander Li asking Zhang to show his sword to an important official who was waiting to see it:this must have been the excuse Li had used to draw Zhang away. He guessed that Zhang had been anxious to get back to the dungeon to resume his guard duties and had left early without the sword.
Chen continued his search of Zhang"s body, and suddenly leapt up jubilantly.
"What is it?" Wen asked. Chen held his hand up and displayed a set of keys. He tried one on the manacles and they opened immediately.
Finally freed, Wen exercised his arms and legs as Chen took off his cape and hat.
"Put these on and get out quickly," he said.
"What about you?"
"I"ll wait here for a while. You get out."
Wen understood his meaning. "Great Helmsman, I am very grateful for your good intentions, but we cannot do it that way."
"Fourth Brother, you don"t understand. I am in no danger if I stay here." He told Wen about how the Emperor and he had sworn an oath to each other.
"It is still impossible,," Wen said.
Chen frowned. "I am the Great Helmsman. All members of the Red Flower Society must follow my orders, is that not correct?"
"Of course."
"Fine. Then this my order. Put these on quickly and get out. The brothers are outside waiting for you."
"This time I am forced to disobey your order," Wen said. "I would prefer to accept whatever penalty you decide upon."
They were deadlocked. Chen pursed his lips and then had an idea.
"Well, we"ll have to risk going out together then. Put on his clothes," he said pointing at Zhang.
"Excellent!