Free Fox Volant of the Snowy Mountain by Jin Yong by Jin Yong Page B

Third a blow with his rod. Though they were partaking of their food and drinks together, in their minds they were scheming against each other. Tree alone was revelling in the feast, devouring chunk after chunk of meat and gulping down bowl after bowl of wine, whilst swearing dreadfully. He did not resemble a Buddhist monk in the least.
    After several rounds of toasting, a servant brought in a plateful of steaming hot buns. The Company had already tired themselves out for half a day and were starving. They were delighted to help themselves to the buns now but, just as they were about to reach out for some, there suddenly came a whirring sound from high above. They raised their heads and high up a missile went whistling across the sky. Its motion was arrested temporarily on reaching the highest point of its trajectory, then it exploded, scattering rays of light. The firework burst into a kaleidoscope of colours, dispersing gradually to settle into a form, its blurred outline depicting a winged fox.
    Thereupon Tree jumped up, crying, "Fox Volant of the Snowy Mountain is here."
    They all went pale. The man with the long neck paid Tree his respects, saying, "My Master is still away and the enemy has come all too soon. We count on the Great Master to take charge of matters here."
    "There is no need to worry," said Tree calmly. "I am here to take control. Just ask him to ascend."
    "I have something to say..." hesitated the man.
    "Say it out loud then," commanded Tree.
    "Fox Volant can never manage to climb this precipitously steep, snowy mountain. I would like the Great Master to go down and tell him that the Master is not home," said the man.
    "Go and heave him up here on the bamboo basket," shouted Tree. "I shall take care of the rest."
    "I am afraid he may frighten the wife of my Master after getting up the mountain. I will then be ashamed to meet my Master," explained the man.
    Tree's face darkened and he said, "You do not trust me to take care of Fox Volant; is that right?"
    The long-necked fellow immediately paid him further respects, saying, "I dare not harbour such thoughts."
    "You have only to let him come up here," commanded Tree.
    There was nothing the man could do but to give his consent. He whispered a few words into the ears of another servant, asking him to be on the alert to protect the wife of the Master.
    Tree saw all this. He chuckled, saying not a word. He then ordered the food to be taken away. They dispersed and sat down to take their tea. Presently, the long-necked fellow announced in a loud voice, "The guest has arrived!" The two big main doors were flung open with a crash.
    They stopped taking their tea and held their bowls in their hands. They looked fixedly in the direction of the portal and saw advancing through its centre two lads, side by side. They were of the same height, were about thirteen or fourteen years old and were clad in white sable robes. Each youngster had two plaits braided with red silk standing erect on his head. Each also carried a long sword on his back. They had fine features and were of charming bearing. They struck the others as being identical in their looks. There was no way of telling one from the other. The only difference was that the lad on the right carried his sword with its hilt aslant his right shoulder and the other lad with the hilt aslant his left shoulder. The latter also carried in his hands a case containing a visiting card.
    On finding that their visitors were only two young men in their teens, they could not contain their surprise. At the same time, they were also relieved. They had expected to meet Fox Volant of the Snowy Mountain, the cruellest of all villains. Instead they saw only two young men. When they had come closer, they could clearly see white pearls, one braided on each of the tiny plaits on their heads. The four pearls were about the size of a little finger, and were luminously radiant. Hawk, being Chief Escort of a convoy for delivering valuables, and