Image via Wikipedia

Leaf and Silent Tongue Chapter 1

The chrysanthemum in the forest

A long time ago in a small village on the outskirts of a great city lay a small Shaolin Temple.  The Single drop of Dew temple in the village of Wanu.  Wanu was a proud village devoted to defense of the large city and the Emperor.  All male children from the village and several from surrounding villages were tasked with defending the great city.  Since all the males were warriors there was very little farming done and all the food was provided by the emperor in recognition and thanks for their devout service.

Two young men Zhu Yang Zhi, and Gang Do Wong have just become recognized as exceptional warriors.  Their master Yao Chan is bestowing new names on them to honor their accomplishments and celebrate their level of ascension.

These two trainees have brought great honor to our temple.   I had asked them to deliver a message to the Emperor’s nephew.  When they arrived at the home of the nephew, assassins had fought their way past the nephews body guards and had cornered him and his young wife and child in a back room.  Gang Do Wong immediately attacked the assassins even though he was outnumbered 10 to 1.   Zhu Yan Zhi ran to a nearby cottage and summoned help.  Zhu Yan Zhi did not wait for the reinforcements he had summoned while they grabbed their armor and weapons he returned with only a walking stick and proceeded to attack the assassins from a surprise angle.  His quick return certainly saved the life of the emperors nephew and the life of Gang Do Wong who fought bravely but was surrounded by the assassins. 

Gang Do Wong had disarmed one of the assassins and was holding the other nine at bay with a large pole arm when Zhu Yan Zhi returned striking two would be assassins from behind and knocking them unconscious.  Gang Do Wong followed his training and immediately struck out and killed one of the assassins who were distracted by Zhu Yan Zhi’s attack.  The Emperors nephew witnessed Gang Do Wong cut down 2 more assassins in the blink of an eye using what must have been a perfectly executed Eagle strike.   Now only outnumbered 4 to2 our brothers had the advantage.  Zhu Yan Zhi executed a superb Monkey claw snatching the eye from one of the attackers.   Gang Do Wong took advantage of the panic of the undisciplined foes and struck down the captain of the assassins with a single stab of the pole arm. The guards summoned by Zhu Yan Zhi then arrived and arrested the single standing assassin along with the two unconscious villains.  The Emperor’s nephew is very appreciative of these two messengers from our temple and sends a note expressing his gratitude to all of the instructors and warriors of our temple.  That two lowly Shaolin Trainees could stop 10 assassins is a great reflection on the work of all of our masters.