A Hero Born--The Definitive Edition by Jin Yong

Author:Jin Yong
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: St. Martin's Publishing Group

Temujin’s other men also began firing until they had flown up high and out of reach.

“A reward for whoever can bring one down!” Temujin cried.

Jebe wanted his student to show off his skills, so he gave his bow to Guo Jing and whispered, “Kneel down and aim for the neck.”

Guo Jing obeyed. He held the weighty bow in his left hand and drew back the arrow. Two black condors were flying wing to wing. He took aim and shot.

The bow bent like the moon, the arrow flashed like a meteor.

It pierced through the first condor’s neck and lodged itself into the abdomen of the second. Together, the birds fell to the ground. A roar came from the crowd and, frightened, the remaining birds dispersed.

“Present them to my father,” Khojin whispered in his ear.

He fetched the birds and ran over to the Khan’s horse, where he kneeled in the dirt, lifting them up before him.

The boy’s trick delighted Temujin. The birds had a wingspan of more than three meters and their feathers were hard like shards of metal. They were capable of seizing and making off with large sheep and even ponies. Tigers were known to keep their distance. To kill two with one arrow was a mighty feat indeed.

Temujin ordered one of his men to take the birds. “Good boy, you are most accomplished with the bow.”

“My shifu Jebe taught me.”

“A master known as God of the Bow, and a student to match.” Temujin smiled.

“Father,” Tolui said, “you promised a reward to whoever could shoot down a condor. My anda shot two! What will you give him?”

“He may have whatever his heart desires. What would you like, Guo Jing?”

“Anything?” Tolui asked in excitement. “Anything he wants?”

“Am I known for lying to children?”

Guo Jing had lived all these years under the Khan’s protection. He was liked by the whole tribe, especially for his pureness of heart. They had never treated him differently just because he was Chinese. They turned to the boy and waited for his reply.

“The Khan has always been good to me and my mother has everything she needs,” Guo Jing began. “No other reward is necessary.”

“You are filial indeed, thinking of your mother first. But what is it you want? There’s no need to be frightened—speak from your heart.”

Guo Jing paused and looked up at Temujin from where he was still kneeling. “I want for nothing, but I do ask the Khan for one thing, on behalf of another.”

“Yes?”

“The Khan’s grandson Tusakha is mean and cruel. Khojin will live a bitter life if she marries him. I beg the Khan not to betroth her to him.”

Temujin was surprised, but then burst into laughter. “Those are indeed the words of a child! How could I possibly go back on such an agreement? It was decided many years ago, I cannot renege on a promise. Come, come. I shall give you a reward.”

Temujin took a small knife from his belt and gave it to Guo Jing. His men clapped and gasped, jealous at such a gift.

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