《The Legend of the Bat》


 CH 1.1

    Chapter 1 ¨C River Inferno


    Among the seven major sword sects in Wulin [martial arts world, lit. martial art forest], only Huashan¡¯s Zhangmenren [headmaster] was a woman. Since the ¡®Nanyang¡¯ [southern sun] Xu Shuzhen took over Huashan, their school has been controlled by women. Since then, although the talents under their school have gradually withered, they definitely did not degenerate, because these female Zhangmenren have all solemnly follow Xu Shuzhen¡¯s will [wishes of the deceased], they were extremely strict in selecting disciples, they would prefer to go without than accept shoddy option [idiom]. Translated by foxs


    When Huashan Pai was at its peak, the disciples under their school reached more than seven hundred, but when it was passed on to Yinyu Dashi [great master drinking rain], there were only seven disciples. Since then, the strictness of Yinyu Dashi in choosing disciples has been known all over the world.


    Kumei Dashi [dried plum] was the disciple of Yinyu Dashi [orig. the cassock and alms bowl of a Buddhist master passed on to the favorite disciple (Buddhism)]. According to rumors in Jianghu, once when she was a young girl, in order to enter Huashan school, Kumei Dashi braved the cold and ignored the snow, kneeling on top of Mount Hua for four days and four nights. By the time Yinyu Dashi accepted her, her whole body was already buried in the snow, her soul nearly returned without she was able to do anything about it.


    At than time, she was only thirteen.


    Seven years later, Yinyu Dashi traveled to the distant Nanhai [South China Sea], while Kumei stayed behind to take care of Huashan. In order to avenge the enmity of the former years, the ¡®Tai Yin Si Jian¡¯ [Four Swords of Great Moon (Daoism concept)] launched a large-scale attack, threatening to burn the Xuanyu Guan [Mysterious Jade Monastery] and wipe out the Huashan Pai completely. Kumei Dashi suffered thirty-nine injuries, both minor and major, but blood-soaked, she still fought the hard battle relentlessly. In the end, of the Tai Yin Si Jian, no one was able to go down the mountain alive. foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    Since this battle, Wulin people gave Kumei Dashi the title ¡®Tie Xian Gu¡¯ [Iron Fairy/Immortal (in Daoism)].


    Five years later, Qinghai¡¯s ¡®Leng Mian Luocha¡¯ [Cold-faced Rakshasa (demon in Buddhism)] sent a written war challenge for a decisive battle against Yinyu Dashi on the summit of Mount Tai.


    If Yinyu Dashi was defeated, Huashan Pai would be reduced to servitude under the Luocha Bang [Gang]. This battle concerned the success or failure, exist or perish, of the Huashan Pai, but at this time Yinyu Dashi was clearly suffering from fire deviation, yet Huashan could not avoid fighting, and thus Kumei had to fight on behalf of the master.


    She was fully aware that she was absolutely not the Leng Mian Luocha¡¯s match, so when she left, she already determined to die in such a way that the Leng Mian Luocha would also perish.


    Naturally Leng Mian Luocha did not consider her worthy in his eyes, so he let her to ¡®state the subject and draw the line¡¯. [Translator¡¯s note: actually, the text did not specify whether Leng Mian Luocha was male or female, I simply use ¡®he¡¯ and ¡®his¡¯ as general terms.] Translated by foxs


    Unexpectedly Kumei Dashi lighted up a big fire and boiled oil in a pot, calmly put her hand into the oil, while saying with a laugh, ¡°As long as Leng Mian Luocha also dares to do this, Huashan will admit defeat.¡±


    Immediately Leng Mian Luocha¡¯s countenance changed and he stomped away. Since then, he never entered the Central Plains even for one step, but Kumei Dashi¡®s left hand has also been burnt to charred bones by the boiling oil.


    This was the origin of the word ¡®dried plum¡¯, two characters [ku mei].


    After this battle, the ¡®Tie Xian Gu¡¯ Kumei Shitai¡¯s [Shitai is term of respect to address a Buddhist nun] name shook the Jianghu even more, so she took over the leadership of Huashan at the age of twenty-nine, and it has been thirty years since then.


    For thirty years, Huashan disciples have never seen a smile on her face.


    Kumei Dashi was such a person. If it was said that someone like her would grow her hair and return to normal life [leaving a monastic order], perhaps no one in Jianghu would believe it.


    But Chu Liuxiang could not but to believe, because it was a fact ¡­


    Dusk.


    The setting sun was reflected on the surging water of the river, the river was flowing to the east. On the river bay, there were five or six river boats moored on the dock, unexpectedly, there were also smokes rising in spirals from the boats, so that they like a tiny village on the river. foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    One of the river boats stood out, not only because the boat was brand new, but because the people on the boat were too attracting other people¡¯s attention.


    The window had a bamboo curtain hanging on it, the bamboo curtain was half rolled, the setting sun cast its light into the cabin. An old and gray-haired woman was sitting on a red sandalwood chair in the middle of the cabin.


    Her right hand held up a dragon crutch, her left hand was hidden inside her sleeve. Her withered and thin face was full of scars, half of her ears were missing, one of her eyes was also missing, while the remaining eye was half-open and half-closed. Between the opening and closing, bright light shot out. No matter who, no one dared to stare at her.


    Her face absolutely had no expression. She was sitting upright, the outline of her body, from top to bottom, was unmoving, just like a stone statue that has been sitting there since the ancient times.


    Her build was very petite, but there was some kind of an indescribable dignity around her. No matter who, as soon as they saw her, they would lower their voice.


    This old woman was already very attracting attention, to say nothing of the two extremely beautiful girls by her side, one was gentle and delicate, all along she was hanging her head low, as if she was too shy to see strangers. But the other had exuberant heroic spirit; others cast her a glance, she would at least stare at others twice. Translated by foxs


    A brand-new river boat, an unusually ugly old woman, extremely beautiful girls ¡­ No matter where they were, they would appear very eye-catching. Chu Liuxiang had already seen this fact from a distance.


    He wanted to get closer, but Hu Tiehua pulled him back, he said, ¡°Have you seen Kumei Dashi?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°I saw her once four years ago. That time I was accompanying Rong¡¯er and the others touring Mount Hua, I saw her from a distance.¡±


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°Do you still remember what she looked like?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang heaved a sigh, he said, ¡°You said it yourself, no matter who, anybody who saw her would never forget it.¡±


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°Then look again, isn¡¯t she sitting on the boat over there?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang stroked his nose, smiling wryly, he said, ¡°I just don¡¯t believe my eyes.¡±


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°I know your nose has a problem, could it be that your eyes also have a problem? This is actually good news.¡± foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    Chu Liuxiang¡¯s nose was stuffy, and Hu Tiehua always found it amusing, because he felt that finally there was at least one thing in him that was better than Chu Liuxiang.


    Muttering to himself irresolutely Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°I don¡¯t think she is really returning to normal life; I think she is just hiding from people¡¯s eyes and ears.¡±


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°Why would she want to hide from people¡¯s eyes and ears?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°Kumei Dashi surprisingly went down Mount Hua, naturally it is because of something big.¡±


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°This is a hellish [orig. seeing-ghost] place, what big thing might happen here? Not to mention Kumei Dashi¡®s character, it¡¯s not that you don¡¯t know; in all her life, who might she be afraid of? She is not like you, who always like to change your appearance and disguise yourself, as if you are ashamed to see people.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang had nothing to say. He looked at the girl whose face was full of heroic spirit, suddenly he laughed and said, ¡°I can¡¯t believe that Gao Yanan still looks the same, not only she is not aging, she looks even younger. Looks like people who don¡¯t have a load on their mind always age a bit slower.¡±


    Pulling his face, Hu Tiehua spoke coldly, ¡°In my opinion, she looks like an old woman; your eyes really have a problem.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang laughed and said, ¡°But my nose seems to be fine, otherwise I won¡¯t smell the sour smell of vinegar [in Chinese, vinegar = jealousy].¡±


    Right that moment, they suddenly saw a fast boat came rushing by. Translated by foxs


    There were only four people on the boat, two operating the oars, and two were standing at the bow facing the wind. Although only two people operating the oars, but the oars moved like flying. The long and narrow fast boat was like an arrow, in the blink of an eye, it already entered the river bay under the twilight sun. The man wearing black clothes at the bow slightly raised his cupped fist to greet, and then rushed onto Kumei Dashi¡®s riverboat.


    Although Chu Liuxiang¡¯s nose was not working well, Laotian [God, lit. old heaven] did not treat him unfairly, He gave him a good compensation, by letting his eyes and ears exceptionally sharp.


    Although he was standing far away, he could already see that the big man had a layer of water rust on his face. Obviously he was a friend who made his livelihood on the water all year round. Standing on the undulating speedboat, surprisingly he was as steady as standing on the level ground. This moment he unleashed his shenfa [pose or motion in martial art, lit. body method/technique], which showed that not only his water skill was not weak, but his qinggong [lightness skill] also has a strong foundation.


    Chu Liuxiang saw that as soon as he jumped onto the river boat, he asked in heavy voice, ¡°Did Laotaitai [old lady (respectful)] come here because you received to the invitation? We received order to come to welcome ¡­¡±


    As he spoke, he strode into the cabin. Speaking to this point, the word ¡®welcome¡¯ has not been uttered, Kumei Dashi¡®s crutches tapped, his person flew into the air like a kite with a broken string. He flew more than a dozen zhang, and ¡®Splosh!¡¯ he fell into the river. foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    Immediately the three men on the speedboat¡¯s countenance changed. The man operating the oars suddenly swung the long oars. The other big man wearing black on the bow spoke sternly, ¡°We, brothers came to receive you, could it be that we meet the wrong people?¡±


    Before he finished speaking, he suddenly saw a cold light flashing in front of his eyes, his ear felt cold. He could not help reaching out to feel it, instantly he became ashen-faced.


    In a flash of sword light, his ear was gone.


    But there was no one in front of him, only a dagger hanging on the waist of a young girl in dark-green clothes in the cabin seemed to have just been sheathed, and there seemed to be a cold laugh at the corner of her mouth.


    Kumei Dashi was still sitting there quietly, the girl in purple clothes by her side was still chanting a scroll of the Yellow Sutra for her, she practically did not even look up.


    In the cabin, smoke from the burning incense was rising in spirals, it was as quiet as a Buddhist Hall, as if nothing had happened ¨C the speedboat had been scared away; it went away much faster than when it came.


    Shaking his head, Hu Tiehua muttered, ¡°Such an old person, who could have thought that her temper is still that hot.¡± Translated by foxs


    Chu Liuxiang smiled and said, ¡°This is called ginger cassia¡¯s nature, the older the spicier.¡±


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°But Kumei Dashi¡®s boat is moored here, obviously she already had an appointment with those men in black.¡±


    ¡°Hmm,¡± Chu Liuxiang said.


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°Then since they came to pick her up according to the appointment, why did she drive them away?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang chuckled and said, ¡°It¡¯s just because those people are not polite to her. Although Kumei Dashi¡¯s cultivation is deep, she can¡¯t stand others being rude to her.¡±


    Shaking his head, Hu Tiehua laughed and said, ¡°Kumei Dashi¡¯s temper, everybody in Jianghu knows, yet those men clearly came asking for trouble. Such insensitive men, it¡¯s very rare to see.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°It¡¯s just because they did not know she was Kumei Dashi.¡±


    Knitting his brows, Hu Tiehua said, ¡°If those men did not even know who she is, how could they make an appointment to meet her here?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang chuckled and said, ¡°I¡¯m not an immortal, neither am I a roundworm in someone else¡¯s stomach. You ask me, whom should I ask?¡±


    Hu Tiehua pouted at him, he laughed coldly and said, ¡°Isn¡¯t Chu Xiang Shuai always ¡®omniscient, all-knowing¡¯? Turns out there are things that you don¡¯t know.¡± foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    Chu Liuxiang simply pretended not to hear him at all, he spoke leisurely, ¡°I haven¡¯t seen her for a few years, who could have thought that not only Gao Yanan is more beautiful, but who can marry such a girl as a wife would really be fortunate.¡±


    Pulling his face, Hu Tiehua said, ¡°Since you like her so much, I¡¯ll let you have her.¡±


    Blurted out laughing, Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°Could it be that she is yours? Turns out you ¡­¡±


    He did not finish his sentence, because he had discovered that the speedboat that had just left has come back, this moment it was rushing forward like an arrow.


    Standing on the bow of the boat was a tall like jade young man in light garment. The speedboat was sailing against the wind, but he was standing like he was nailed to the bow, completely unmoving.


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°Turns out they went away to call on rescuing troops. Looks like this person¡¯s lower body skill is not weak.¡±


    As the speedboat was coming near, its speed gradually decreased.


    They saw this young man in light garment¡¯s sleeves fluttered, not only his expression was very confident and at ease, his look was very handsome, his face carried an eternal smile. He cupped his fist from a distance and said, ¡°I wonder if this is Lan Taifuren¡¯s [old lady (title for the mother of a noble or an official)] boat?¡± Translated by foxs


    His voice was not loud, but was very clear and bright, even Chu Liuxiang could hear it clearly.


    Although Kumei Dashi was still sitting upright, unmoving, she gave a slight nod to Gao Yanan, who was dressed in dark green clothes with narrow sleeves. Gao Yanan then walked slowly to the bow, looked at the young man up and down, and said coldly, ¡°Who are you? What do you want?¡±


    The young man smiled apologetically and said, ¡°Disciple Ding Feng, coming here with the special purpose of welcoming your honored self. Just now my subordinates¡¯ etiquette was not satisfactory and were greatly offensive. I am asking for Lan Taifuren and two Guniang¡¯s forgiveness.¡±


    Not only did he speak tactfully and politely, but his smile was even more amiable.


    Unconsciously Gao Yanan¡¯s expression softened. The young man Ding Feng smiled apologetically again and spoke a few words, and Gao Yanan also answered a few words.


    These few words were very soft, so that even Chu Liuxiang could not hear them. Only to see Ding Feng already boarded the big boat, and respectfully greeted Kumei Dashi and wished her well.


    Kumei Dashi also nodded, the river boat left the shallow water, unexpectedly it sailed away in the night.


    Hu Tiehua tapped his nose with his fingertips, he muttered, ¡°How could Kumei Dashi become Lan Taifuren? This is very strange.¡± foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    Muttering to himself irresolutely, Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°It seems that these men in black made an appointment with Lan Taifuren, but for some reason, unexpectedly Kumei Dashi falsely adopted Lan Taifuren¡¯s identity to come to meet the appointment.¡±


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°Why would Kumei Dashi have to take someone else¡¯s identity? Isn¡¯t her own name big enough?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°Perhaps it is precisely because her reputation is too resounding that she has to take someone else¡¯s identity. But with Kumei Dashi¡¯s temperament, unexpectedly she did not hesitate to impersonate others to meet the appointment. This must be no trivial matter.¡±


    Frowning, Hu Tiehua said, ¡°I really can¡¯t figure out what kind of big matter this would be?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang¡¯s eyes flashed, he suddenly chuckled and said, ¡°Perhaps she came here to invite the groom [who will live with the bride¡¯s family] on behalf of Gao Yanan. This Ding Gongzi is young and handsome, his martial art skill is not weak, he is a good match for our pure and honest female swordsman.¡±


    Pulling his face, Hu Tiehua spoke coldly, ¡°Funny. You, this person, are extremely damn funny.¡± Translated by foxs


    People who live on the water also have their own way of life. At night, when they rest, drink, chat, and repair the net, as long as they could still pass their days, no one wanted to sail at night. Therefore, as soon as it was dark, if you want to hire a boat, it would not be easy at all.


    But Chu Liuxiang always had his own way.


    When Chu Liuxiang was hiring a boat, Hu Tiehua went as fast as possible to buy a large pot of wine.


    This man Hu Tiehua, he could have no money, no house, no women, or even no clothes to wear ¨C without any problem, but he definitely could not be without friends and without wine.


    The night was very quiet, and it was very dark.


    The night scene on the river was dreary and fuzzy, but it was unclear whether it was smoke? Or fog?


    Looking at the distance, Kumei Dashi¡®s boat has become only a dot of light and a shadow of half a sail, but it still sailed very fast. Chu Liuxiang and the others¡¯ light boat nearly sailed at full speed, before finally they were able to barely keep up.


    Hu Tiehua was sitting high on the bow, staring without blinking at the boat ahead. He drank the wine in large gulp after large gulp; surprisingly, he had not spoken for a long time.


    Chu Liuxiang had also been watching him for a long time, he suddenly muttered to herself, ¡°Strange, this person usually talks a lot, how come today he does not even say a word? Could it be that he has a load on his mind?¡± foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    Hu Tiehua wanted to pretend not to hear, but after holding back for a long time, he finally could not contain himself, he spoke loudly, ¡°I¡¯m very happy, who said I have a load on my mind?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°If you don¡¯t have a load on your mind, how come you are not speaking?¡±


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°My mouth is busy drinking, how could I have the time to talk?¡±


    He took another mouthful of wine, and then muttered, ¡°Strange, usually when you, this person see wine, even your own life you don¡¯t want; but today even a mouthful of wine you did not drink. Could there really be any ailment?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang chuckled and said, ¡°My mouth is busy talking, how could I have the time to drink?¡±


    Hu Tiehua suddenly put down the wine pot, turned his head around, stared at Chu Liuxiang and said, ¡°What exactly do you want to talk about? Speak up!¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°One day, after you managed to obtain two jars of good wine, you went to find the ¡®Fast Net¡¯ Zhang San, because the fish he grills is savory and tender, nothing better to accompany the wine, is that right?¡± Translated by foxs


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°Right.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°When you and he were sitting on the bow grilling fish and drinking wine, suddenly there was a boat passing by your side very fast. There were three people on the boat, and one of them was familiar to you, is that right?¡±


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°Right.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°The person you think looked familiar was precisely Gao Yanan. You haven¡¯t seen her for a long time, so you just wanted to say hello to her, but she did not seem to see you. You were thinking of coming on board her boat to inquire clearly, but you did not dare, because Kumei Dashi was on that boat. Although you are not afraid of the sky, not afraid of the earth, but Kumei Dashi, you absolutely do not dare to provoke, is that right?¡±


    This time, Hu Tiehua did not even feel like saying ¡®Right¡¯, he simply straightened his neck and poured the wine into his mouth.


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°Kumei Dashi has left the world and has never trodden on the world of the mortals [Buddhism] for more than 28 years. This time unexpectedly she came down the mountain; moreover, surprisingly she changed to wear a layperson¡¯s [the original home of a monk/nun] attire, so you were shocked, hence the reason you urgently went to look for me ¡­ is that right?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang answered his own question, ¡°Right.¡±


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°Since those were the things that I told you, why did you ask me again? You¡¯ve seen a ghost, haven¡¯t you?¡± foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    Chu Liuxiang laughed and said, ¡°I am telling you those things again, I just want to remind you of a few things.¡±


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°What thing?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°When Gao Yanan was married to you, even if you died, you were unwilling to take her as your wife. Now she ignores you, originally it is heaven¡¯s law and earth¡¯s principle [idiom: right and proper], it¡¯s just that ¡­¡±


    Hu Tiehua hurriedly said, ¡°It¡¯s just that men are all miserable wretches, and Hu Tiehua is an especially major miserable wretch even more, always thinking that the only good woman is the unobtainable one ¡­ right?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang laughed and said, ¡°Not the slightest bit incorrect.¡±


    Hu Tiehua pulled his face and said, ¡°These words, I don¡¯t know how many times you¡¯ve said it, no need for you to remind me again.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°What I want to remind you about is not that.¡±


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°What is it then?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°Although you are a miserable wretch, Gao Yanan still likes you. She intentionally did not pay you any attention, just because currently, she is going to do a very dangerous thing, so she doesn¡¯t want you to know.¡± Translated by foxs


    ¡°Why?¡± Hu Tiehua asked.


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°Because although you don¡¯t understand her, she understands you very well. If you know that she is in danger, you will naturally step forward bravely, hence she would rather let you be angry with her than to let you go to brave dangers for her.¡±


    Hu Tiehua was stunned; he stammered, ¡°In that case, could it be that she is doing this all for me?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°Of course it is for you, but what about you? What have you done for her?¡±


    He laughed coldly and said, ¡°You are only angry at her, you only drink your wine to drown your sorrows here, you only hope to get drunk quickly. So drunk that you pass out. No matter what happens to her, you don¡¯t want to see it.¡±


    Hu Tiehua suddenly sprang up, his left hand slapped his own ear, his right hand threw the wine pot into the middle of the river, his face flushed completely, he said, ¡°You, old stinky bug, are right, I am wrong, I¡¯m simply a big muddled egg [bastard] alive. Since I know that something big is going to happen before my eyes, even if I die of thirst, I must not drink.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang laughed, his countenance brightened, he said, ¡°Now, that is a good kid. No wonder Gao Yanan likes you. If she knew that you are willing to give up drinking for her, she must be very happy.¡± foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    Glaring at him, Hu Tiehua said, ¡°Who said I want to give up drinking? I just said that these several days, I should drink less, that¡¯s all ¡­ My head can be cut off, my blood can flow, but wine can¡¯t be lacking!¡±


    Chu Liuxiang laughed and said, ¡°Although you, this person, are lazy, filthy, love to drink, and love to fight, you are still a very adorable man. If I were a woman, I would definitely like you.¡±


    Hu Tiehua laughed and said, ¡°If you were a woman, and you liked me, I would have fled long ago, how could I still be sitting here?¡±


    In all their lives, Chu Liuxiang and Hu Tiehua have experienced no one knows how many dangers.


    Each time they knew that something big was happening, they definitely would try as much as possible to keep their minds clear-headed and their spirit relaxed, to let themselves, as much as possible, to have a laugh.


    They were able to live to this day, perhaps because no matter when and where, they could always laugh.


    No one knew when, but the boat ahead was slowing down, the distance between the two boats was gradually shortened. Although the fog was getting thicker, the silhouette of the big boat could clearly be seen.¡± Translated by foxs


    The people on the big boat, could they also be able to see a small boat on this side?


    Chu Liuxiang was about to tell his boat to go slower, to further widen the distance between the two boats, when he suddenly discovered that the big boat ahead had unexpectedly stopped, furthermore, it seemed that it was gradually sinking.


    Apparently Hu Tiehua saw it too, he said, ¡°Why are the lights on the boat ahead getting lower and lower? Is the boat sinking?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°That seems to be the case.¡±


    Hu Tiehua¡¯s countenance changed, he said, ¡°If the boat is sinking, how come Gao Yanan and the others did not make any movement?¡±


    By this time, the distance between the two boats was less than five zhang.


    Chu Liuxiang¡¯s figure suddenly swept up, somersaulted in the air, and leaped onto the bow of the big ship.


    The boat has already capsized, the cabin has been flooded.


    Kumei Dashi, Gao Yanan, the shy girl, the young man in black Ding Feng, and the boatman who sculled the boat were unexpectedly all gone. foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    The night scene was dreary and fuzzy, there was not a single shadow of anybody on the river.


    A gust of wind blew, unexpectedly Hu Tiehua could not help shivering, he spoke hoarsely, ¡°This boat is obviously a brand-new boat, how could it sink all of a sudden? Where did the people on the boat go? Could it be that they were all captured and devoured by water ghosts?¡±


    He originally wanted to make a joke, but before he finished speaking, he could not help shivering again, the hollow of his palms seemed to secrete cold sweats.


    He took a deep, deep breath, suddenly he realized that there was a strange stench brought by the river wind. He could not help asking, ¡°What is this smell? You ¡­¡±


    Chu Liuxiang practically did not smell anything, but found that there was a black and slick oily layer on the surface of the river, which surrounded both their small boat on this side and the sinking boat.


    Hu Tiehua¡¯s voice was interrupted by the sound of fast arrow splitting the air, only to see a flash of fire. A flaming arrow was shot from a distance into the middle of the river.


    And then, ¡®Bang!¡¯, in an instant, the entire river seemed to have been set on fire, turning it into a huge furnace.


    In the blink of an eye, Chu Liuxiang and the others, as well as their boat were engulfed in flames.

 CH 1.2

    The water was very hot!


    Chu Liuxiang and Hu Tiehua were soaking in the water, sweats were flowing from their heads. Translated by foxs


    But they felt very comfortable.


    Because this was not a burning river, just a big public bath.


    Hu Tiehua soaked a bath towel, wrung it half dry, and put it on his head. Closing his eyes, he heaved a deep sighed, and muttered to himself, ¡°It¡¯s also water, but the feeling of soaking here is not the same as soaking in river water. Just like people, some are smart, some are idiots.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang¡¯s eyes were also closed, he blurted out asking, ¡°Who¡¯s the idiot?¡±


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°You are the smart one, I am the idiot.¡±


    Blurted out laughing, Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°Why did you suddenly become this modest?¡±


    Hu Tiehua laughed and said, ¡°I originally did not want to admit it, but I cannot but to admit. If it wasn¡¯t for you, I¡¯d have been burnt a few times, how could I have the good fortune to come here to take a bath?¡± foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    He heaved a deep sigh again, before continuing, ¡°To be honest, at that time I was simply so scared that my mind went blank, I could not figure out how the water in the river was ignited. Furthermore, I never thought that under the fire was still water, if it wasn¡¯t for you pulling me, I really did not dare to jump down.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang chuckled, he said, ¡°Before the fire started, didn¡¯t you smell some kind of strange smell?¡±


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°Right ¡­ at that time I forgot that your nose does not work, I was going to ask you, by the time I remembered that you did not seem to have a nose at all, the fire started.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°Do you know what that smell is?¡±


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°If I knew, why would I ask you?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang spoke unhurriedly, ¡°People with noses would ask people without noses instead, that is really a strange thing.¡±


    Hu Tiehua chuckled, he said, ¡°Just now you did not let me be burned to death, it could be considered your bad luck. No matter how many times you rescued me, I would still scold you the same way.¡±


    Without letting Chu Liuxiang to speak, he hurriedly said, ¡°Since you have saved me this time, you have to tell me what smell it was.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang also chuckled and said, ¡°You, this person, are at least very frank ¡­ Although I did not smell anything, I saw it.¡± Translated by foxs


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°What did you see?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°Oil.¡±


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°Oil? What kind of oil?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°Exactly what kind of oil it was, I am not too clear myself, but I have heard before that there is some kind of black oil produced underground in the Tibetan border area. It is extremely flammable; moreover, once it was ignited, the intensity of the fire is uncontrollable.¡±


    Knitting his brows, Hu Tiehua said, ¡°That¡¯s right, I also felt that the smell is a bit like oil, but how could there be such black oil on the Chang Jiang [lit. long river, Yangtze River]?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°Naturally someone poured it down.¡±


    He continued, ¡°No matter what oil you pour into the water, the oil must float on the water, so it can still burn, but they forget that since the oil floats on the surface of the water, under the surface of the water, there must be no fire, as long as you have the guts to jump into the fire, you can still jump into the water.¡±


    Hu Tiehua laughed and said, ¡°If someone wants to burn you, this old stinky bug to death, it¡¯s really not easy.¡± foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    Chu Liuxiang laughed and said, ¡°But these people can transport the black oil from the Tibetan border here and dare to set the Great River on fire, it can clearly be seen that they are definitely not ordinary people. They must be organized, have power, have financial resources, and have very big guts.¡±


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°We unexpectedly could not see through that that young guy surnamed Ding has such great ability.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°The person who set the fire may be Ding Feng, but he definitely is not these people¡¯s leader ¡­ As for who the leader is, you don¡¯t have to ask me, because I don¡¯t know either.¡±


    Hu Tiehua frowned even deeper. Muttering to himself irresolutely, he said, ¡°When they found out that we were following their track, they did not hesitate to sink their new boat, they did not hesitate to set the river on fire to burn us to death ¡­ What are these people trying to do?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°I have already said that this must be a very astonishing big thing.¡±


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°But Kumei Dashi and Gao Yanan, could they be falling into their poisonous hands?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°Absolutely not.¡±


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°In that case, they have spent so much effort, could it be because they want to pick up Kumei Dashi and Gao Yanan?¡± Translated by foxs


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°Hey, maybe ¡­¡±


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°If they have malicious intentions towards Kumei Dashi, why would Kumei Dashi go with them? If they have no malicious intentions towards Kumei Dashi, why would they be so mysterious?¡±


    After asking that, he closed his eyes, as if he did not want listen to Chu Liuxiang¡¯s answer at all, because he knew that no one could answer those questions.


    This place was called ¡®Xiao Yao Chi¡¯ [free and unfettered pond], a public bathroom. The price was not cheaper than a separate, individual public bath, but soaking inside the piping hot big pool had a different tone and mood; while taking a bath, one could also enjoy the delight in chatting with friends, therefore, menfolk in Jiangsu and Zhejiang regions, whether rich or poor, liked to have morning tea before noon, and loved to soak here for one or two sichen in the afternoon.


    Of course, there were not only the two of them in the public bath, but through a thin layer of steam, no one could see the other¡¯s face clearly, not to mention that for most of the men, they came here for their own enjoyment and to relaxation, no one wanted to mind other people¡¯s business, while also did not want others to mind about their own business.


    On the other side of the public bath, there were two or three men washing their feet and rubbing their backs. Another man had finished soaking and was rinsing in front of the water tank on the side. foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    These few people did not seem to notice Chu Liuxiang, and Chu Liuxiang did not pay them any attention either. In this kind of place, everybody came together, stark naked, nobody could see the other side¡¯s status, whether it was an aristocrat [orig. king (prince) and marquis], a general or minister, or a famous scholar and very able person, once they stripped naked, they were no different from peddlers and carriers [common people/lower class].


    Chu Liuxiang loved to come to this kind of place very much. He found that only when one was stark naked and was soaking in the water would one be able to fully understand oneself, to clearly see oneself.


    There were also many big businessmen who like to come to such places to talk business, because they also discovered that when they meet each other naked, the heart to ridicule and cheat might decrease somewhat.


    In the corner over there, two men were talking in low voices, but it was unclear what they were talking about. One of them, Chu Liuxiang felt that he looked familiar, but momentarily he could not remember who it was.


    The man standing in front of the sink had finished rinsing, he walked out while wringing the towel.


    This man¡¯s two legs were very slender, very long, but his upper body was very thick and solid, his shoulders were very wide. He walks staggeringly, as if he might fall down any moment. Translated by foxs


    But in just one glance Chu Liuxiang was able to see that this man¡¯s qinggong was extremely high, but the weapon he used must be very heavy. Obviously, he was also a Wulin martial art master.


    Those with high qinggong, the weapon they used were mostly easy to carry, some even only carry secret projectiles. Men with high qinggong but using heavy weapon, there were really not many in Jianghu.


    A hint of smile appeared on the corner of Chu Liuxiang¡¯s mouth, as if he had already guessed who this person was.


    Soaking in the pool, watching other people¡¯s activities, analyzing other people¡¯s identities, guessing other people¡¯s origins, these were also among the many kinds of pleasures of taking a bath here.


    The long-legged man had just reached the door when a man suddenly rushed in.


    The man¡¯s expression was very nervous, as if he was being chased by a ghost. As soon as he rushed in, ¡®Splash!¡¯ he jumped into the pool.


    The water splashed all over, splashing Hu Tiehua¡¯s head that it was all wet.


    Hu Tiehua opened his eyes wide and was about to curse, but as soon as he saw this man, the anger across his whole face immediately turned into a smiling expression; cursing and laughing, he said, ¡°You daredevil, not on the river casting net, why did you come here? Could it be that you want to catch some fish in this muddy water?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang also laughed in spite of himself, he said, ¡°I think you should be more careful, don¡¯t get caught by his ¡®Fast Net¡¯.¡± foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    The man who rushed in from the outside turned out to be Zhang San, the ¡®Fast Net¡¯ whom Chu Liuxiang and Hu Tiehua had just talked about. Not only this man¡¯s water skill was high, the fish he grilled was good, but he was also sharp-witted and intelligent, able to talk really well, had various eyelids [not sure, perhaps an idiom], made a lot of friends, and naturally he had very strong yiqi [spirit of loyalty and self-sacrifice, code of brotherhood] toward his friends.


    This man was good all around, but he had one shortcoming.


    As soon as he saw a good pearl, his hands itched, he simply had to find a way to get it. Yellow gold, white silver, emerald and agate, all kinds of gems, nothing could move his heart.


    He only loved pearls, just like Hu Tiehua only saw good wine.


    But now, seeing Chu Liuxiang and Hu Tiehua, he seemed to be happier than seeing pearls. Raising his head, he let out a long, long sigh and said with a laugh, ¡°King Bodhisattva who helps those who suffer and rescue those in distress, I, Zhang San, am indeed blessed with great fortune; I meet noble people everywhere.¡±


    Hu Tiehua laughed and cursed, ¡°Looking at you without head, without mind, could it be that you have run into a ghost?¡±


    The ¡®Fast Net¡¯ Zhang San heaved a sigh; smiling wryly, he said, ¡°Running into a ghost might be a bit better instead, the one I ran into is really more vicious than a ghost.¡± Translated by foxs


    Knitting his brows, Hu Tiehua said, ¡°What kind of people more vicious than a ghost, I really want to see.¡±


    Zhang San said, ¡°You ¡­¡±


    He had just opened his mouth, suddenly a burst of clamoring noise came from the outside.


    The long-legged man had already walked out of the door, but now he suddenly came back.


    Only to hear a male¡¯s hoarse voice say, ¡°Guniang, you can¡¯t come to this place.¡±


    Another person said, ¡°Other people can come, why can¡¯t I come? Why can¡¯t I come?¡±


    The voice was urgent and fast, but dainty, sharp and clear, unexpectedly it sounded like a young girl¡¯s voice.


    The man anxiously said, ¡°This is the place where men bathe, Da Guniang [Big Miss], how can you come in?¡±


    The young girl said, ¡°You said I can¡¯t come in, but I insist on coming in, I simply must come in.¡± foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    She laughed coldly twice; raising her voice a little bit, she said, ¡°Stinky thief, you escaped here, you think this Guniang will not dare to come? Let me tell you, even if you escape to the Sen Luo Dian [(name of immortal) Palace Hall], Guniang will still chase you to see Yan Luo Wang [Yama, King of Hell].¡±


    Sticking out his tongue, Hu Tiehua blurted out laughing and said, ¡°This Xiao Bengniang [little girl, derogatory, with resentment, sarcasm, and helpless emotions (zhidao.google.com)] is really vicious ¡­¡±


    He cast Zhang San a glance, and found that Zhang San¡¯s face was completely pale with fright. Suddenly, he plunged his head into the hot and muddy bath water, unexpectedly he did not stick his head out again.


    Knitting his brows, Hu Tiehua laughed and said, ¡°With us here, what are you afraid of? Why do you need to drink other people¡¯s foot-washing water?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang also laughed.


    He always liked to meet interesting people, and the little girl [xiao bengniang, also subsequent occurrences] outside must be very interesting. He was hoping that she would really charge inside here.


    But what kind of woman dared to burst into a men¡¯s bathroom?


    The noise outside became more and more fierce, the bathroom attendant shouted loudly, ¡°You can¡¯t go in, you must not ¡­¡±


    Before he could finish speaking, a loud ¡®Slap!¡¯ was heard. Obviously the man was slapped so hard that he could not even open his mouth. Translated by foxs


    And then, two persons rushed in from the outside.


    Shockingly, they were really two women.


    No one would have thought that any woman would dare to burst into a men¡¯s bathing hall. The long-legged man shrank back, and jumped into the water again, and squatted down.


    They saw that this brazen woman was not only very young, but also extremely beautiful. The bridge of her nose straight, she had cherry mouth, her pair of eyes big and bright, there was no such bright star in the sky. The way she dressed was even more distinguished, she wore crimson arrow clothes embroidered with golden flowers and ink-black phoenix, a pair of powder-soled official boots, and matching trousers of the same color. On her head she wore purple-gold crown, around her waist she wore the same color purple-gold belt. Upon a quick glance, she looked remarkably alike a young master, children of the nobility, who had just returned from shoot arrows at the shooting range.


    But how could there be such a pretty man in the world?


    Following behind her was a fourteen, fifteen years old girl [orig. yatou, could mean servant girl], her round face looked like a leather balloon, even when she was not smiling, her eyes carried a 30% smiling expression. foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    Chu Liuxiang and Hu Tiehua looked at each other, they were both a little amused inwardly.


    They could see that on the girl¡¯s golden crown, there was originally a pearl; moreover, it must not be small, but now the pearl has disappeared.


    Where did the pearl go? The ¡®Fast Net¡¯ Zhang San, presumably this kid¡¯s ailment must have flared up again!


    But the ¡®Fast Net¡¯ Zhang San, not only his water skill was exquisite, his martial art skill on land was absolutely not weak either, his qinggong and secret projectile skill were definitely not ordinary. Why was he so afraid of this little girl?


    The girl in red¡¯s pair of big eyes went round and around, every man in the pool was stared by her for a moment. Being stared like that, Hu Tiehua¡¯s scalp itched.


    Soaking inside the pool, stark naked, being stared at by a young girl ¡ª¡ª it was indeed not a good feeling.


    That younger girl¡¯s face had already turned red. She hid behind the girl in red, as if she did not dare to look out, but from time to time she stole a glance this side at Chu Liuxiang.


    Chu Liuxiang found it very interesting.


    The girl in red suddenly spoke loudly, ¡°Just now, a man that looks like a monkey fled inside, did you guys see him?¡± Translated by foxs


    None of the men in the pool spoke.


    The girl in red glowered, she said, ¡°If you tell me, I will reward you heavily. If you dare to hide him, you need to be a bit more careful.¡±


    Hu Tiehua blinked and suddenly said, ¡°Is Guniang talking about a man who looks a bit like a monkey?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± the girl in red said, ¡°Did you see him?¡±


    Hu Tiehua spoke leisurely, ¡°If it was a man like that, I did indeed see one.¡±


    Under water, Zhang San¡¯s heart almost fell off his chest cavity, he really wished he could sew Hu Tiehua¡¯s mouth shut so that from now on he could never drink a drop of wine.


    Chu Liuxiang also thought it was very funny.


    Naturally he knew that Hu Tiehua was not someone who would sell out his friends, at most he just wanted to make Zhang San suffer some small pains and had a change of his ailment.


    The girl in red¡¯s eyes brightened, she said, ¡°Where is that man? Tell me first, if you do, I will reward you.¡± foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°What is the reward?¡±


    ¡°Humph!¡± The girl in red snorted and casually threw something into the water. Chu Liuxiang¡¯s sharp eyes could see that it unexpectedly it was a glistening yellow golden ingot.


    The way this little girl¡¯s spent money was not small at all. ¡°People who can toss gold ingots casually, naturally their background cannot be small.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang felt it was even more interesting.


    Hu Tiehua fished the gold ingot from the water, as if he still did not dare to believe that it was real. It was only after taking a closer look that his brows raised in delight, his eyes laughing [idiom], and said, ¡°Thank you, Guniang.¡±


    The girl in red said, ¡°Where is that man? Where is he?¡±


    Stroking his nose, Hu Tiehua spoke leisurely, ¡°That man ¡­¡±


    He also knew that this moment, every eye in the public bath was staring at him, every face carried a despising look. After all, a man who sells out his friends for an ingot of gold always provokes disgust.


    But Hu Tiehua still did not blush; without any sense of urgency at all, he slowly stretched out his hand and pointed to Chu Liuxiang¡¯s nose. Grinning, he said, ¡°The man is here, didn¡¯t Guniang see it?¡± Translated by foxs


    As soon as he said that, some people were stunned, some people could not help laughing out loud.


    Chu Liuxiang did not know whether to laugh or cry even more.


    The girl in red¡¯s face turned white with anger, she said angrily, ¡°You ¡­ dare to make fun of me!¡±


    Hu Tiehua laughed and said, ¡°How could Zaixia dare to make fun of Guniang, to babble? Guniang, please look at this man; don¡¯t you think that he looks remarkably alike a monkey ¡­ Could it be that the man Guniang is looking for is not him?¡±


    The girl in red cast Chu Liuxiang a glance, when she saw Chu Liuxiang¡¯s not-to-know-whether-to-laugh-or-to-cry expression, her eyes could not help emitting smiling expression.


    The younger girl had already covered her mouth, she was giggling incessantly.


    Hu Tiehua was even more proud of himself, he laughed and said, ¡°The man who looks like a monkey here, he is the only one. If Guniang is not looking for him, then Zaixia does not know who it is.¡±


    The girl in red¡¯s face sunk, obviously she did not know how to deal with this man.


    She was, after all, still young, such a thick-skinned man, she really had not seen any ¡­


    The younger girl cast Chu Liuxiang another glance, she could not help saying with a laugh, ¡°Guniang, we¡¯d better go.¡± foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    The girl in red suddenly hmphed, she spoke loudly, ¡°Why should I leave? Why must I?¡±


    She speaks hurriedly and quickly, often repeating a sentence twice, as if afraid that others could not hear her clearly. She spoke a sentence twice, compared to other people saying it once, it was not much slower.


    The younger girl said, ¡°That thief really does not seem to be here ¡­¡±


    The girl in red laughed coldly a couple of times, she said, ¡°Actually, I did not come here entirely to find him. In all the world, I¡¯ve seen all kind of places, only this kind of place I¡¯ve never been to before, so I decided to come here to have a look, to see who would dare to drive me out!¡±


    Stroking his palms together, Hu Tiehua laughed and said, ¡°True, living in the world, if one live like Guniang, only then will his life have a meaning. People like Guniang, Zaixia always admire the most.¡±


    ¡°Humph!¡± The girl in red snorted.


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°It¡¯s a pity that Guniang¡¯s guts is not big enough.¡± Translated by foxs


    Glowering at him, the girl in red said, stared, ¡°What did you say?¡±


    Grinning, Hu Tiehua said, ¡°If Guniang also dares to jump into this pool, then you will be considered as having the guts, having the ability.¡±

 CH 1.3

    The girl in red¡¯s face turned yellow with anger, suddenly stretching out her hand, she pulled the purple-gold belt around her waist, only to hear ¡®Qiang!¡¯, a bright and shiny, its light radiated all around ¨C long sword already appeared in her hand.


    This sword was thin and slender, precisely a flexible sword made of high-quality Burmese iron. It was usually hidden in the belt, to use it, one must shake it against the wind, it would stretch out straight.


    This kind of sword had the soft within the hard, and flexibility within the soft. In term of sword technique, if one did not have very deep level of mastery, using this kind of sword was really not easy.


    Inside the public bath, there were already two faces showing expressions of surprise, as if they could not believe that this arrogant and willful, nasty little girl [xiao bengniang] unexpectedly was able to use such a flexible sword.


    Only to see the tip of her feet tapped the ground, with a flash she leaped to the edge of the public bath, the sword slashed backhandedly, it chopped towards the top of Hu Tiehua¡¯s head.


    This sword strike was really fast, accurate, and ruthless.


    ¡°Aiyo!¡± Hu Tiehua cried out, his entire body sank into the water. Others only knew that he had been hit by the sword, who would have thought that half a day later, grinning, he stuck out his head from the middle of the pool. He laughed and said, ¡°I only wanted Guniang¡¯s ingot of gold, Guniang then want my life?¡± foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    The girl in red¡¯s eyes seemed to spurt fire, she spoke sternly, ¡°If you are a man, get out, get out!¡±


    Hu Tiehua heaved a sigh, he said, ¡°Of course I¡¯m a man, only too bad I am not wearing pants, how can I dare to come out?¡±


    The girl in red girl gritted her teeth, stomped her feet and said, ¡°All right, I¡¯ll wait for you outside, don¡¯t think that you can run away.¡±


    She was, after all, a woman, her face was a little red. After saying that, she left without looking back at all, looking like she was shaking with anger.


    The little girl [or servant girl] cast Chu Liuxiang a glance with a smile, she said, ¡°Your friend is joking too much, you should quickly prepare for his funeral!¡±


    Speaking the words ¡®prepare for his funeral¡¯, four characters [zhun bei hou shi] her face also sank. She turned around and walked out.


    Chu Liuxiang heaved a sigh, he muttered, ¡°Seems like she is not joking. I only have to spend two wen [classifier for coins] to buy a coffin.¡±


    Hu Tiehua laughed and said, ¡°I don¡¯t need a coffin, it would be best to burn me to ashes and pour it into a wine jar.¡± Translated by foxs


    Clearing his throat, he added, ¡°Actually, I did not deliberately want to make fun of her, but this little Miss is too vicious, too arrogant, too unreasonable, moreover, she is apt to lose her temper and wants to kill. If I don¡¯t teach her a lesson, what will happen in the future?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang spoke indifferently, ¡°I¡¯m afraid that not only you won¡¯t teach her a lesson, she will teach you a lesson instead.¡±


    The ¡®Fast Net¡¯ Zhang San suddenly stuck his head quietly out of the water, and quietly said, ¡°Not wrong the slightest bit. I¡¯ll say you¡¯d better disappear a bit quicker.¡±


    Glowering at him, Hu Tiehua said, ¡°Disappear? Why would I want to disappear? Do you think I¡¯m really afraid of that Xiao Bengniang?¡±


    Zhang San heaved a sigh, he said, ¡°Do you know who she is?¡±


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°Who is she? Could it be that she is the daughter of Wangmu Niangniang [the Queen Mother of the West]?¡±


    He went on to say, ¡°Looking at her sword technique, indeed she has received handed-down teachings of a master, her move is also very fast, but relying on this sword technique skill to bully people, I¡¯m afraid she is still lacking.¡±


    Zhang San said, ¡°Perhaps you can still provoke her up, but her [paternal] grandmother, you absolutely can¡¯t afford to offend.¡± foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°Who is her grandmother?¡±


    With no cause, no reason, the corners of Zhang San¡¯s eyes jumped twice, he spoke word by word, ¡°Her grandmother is Jin Taifuren [lit. Madame Gold, Taifuren is a title for the mother of a noble or an official] of ¡®Wan Fu Wan Shou Yuan¡¯ [lit. ten-thousand good fortune, ten-thousand long life garden], and she is Jin Taifuren¡¯s thirty-ninth granddaughter ¡®Huo Fenghuang¡¯ [Fire Phoenix] Jin Lingzhi.¡±


    Hu Tiehua was stunned.


    Hu Tiehua was a person who was unwilling to admit defeat even to his death, but this ¡®Jin Taifuren¡¯ was indeed someone he could not afford to offend ¨C¨C not only he could not afford to offend, but practically no one could afford it.


    Speaking about martial arts, Shi Guanyin, the ¡®Water Matriarch¡¯ Yin Ji, Xue Yiren [lit. man in bloody garment] ¡­ these people¡¯s martial art skill might be a bit higher than Jin Taifuren.


    But speaking about power, no one in Jianghu could compare to this Jin Taifuren.


    Altogether, Jin Taifuren had ten sons, nine daughters, eight sons-in-law, thirty-nine grandsons and granddaughters [sons¡¯ children], plus twenty-eight grandchildren [daughters¡¯ children]. Some of her sons and her daughters¡¯ husbands were difficult people [I think this is a typo, but not sure what it is], some were chief constables, some were Bangzhu [gang leaders], some were Zhangmenren [headmasters]. It could be said that none were not the top martial art masters of Jianghu. Translated by foxs


    Among them, there was only one who abandoned martial arts to cultivate literature, and already became Golden Horse Jade Hall [a place for ministers and scholars to discuss affairs, old metaphor of excellence in learning and wealth], his official position was extremely high. There was also one who was born of a military background, precisely the military general of the present dynasty whose military meritorious service was the most flourishing.


    She had nine daughters, but only eight sons-in-law. Because one of her daughters shaved her hair to become a [Buddhist] nun, she entered Emei School and received the cassock and alms bowl [direct/favorite disciple] of Emei¡¯s ¡®Ruoyin Dashi¡¯.


    Most of her grandchildren and granddaughters also made their names and established ten-thousand merits. The ¡®Fire Phoenix¡¯ Jin Lingzhi was the youngest, but was also the one Jin Laotaitai [old lady] most fond of.


    The most important thing was that Jin Laotaitai¡¯s family was well taught and did things right. The younger generation of the Jin Family were all on the right path, there was absolutely no one who broke the law and committed crimes. Therefore, when Jin Taifuren was mentioned in Jianghu, everybody respected her very much.


    Such a figure, who would want to provoke?


    Hu Tiehua was stunned for half a day, only then did he sigh. Glaring at Zhang San, he said, ¡°You already knew that she is Jin Laotaitai¡¯s granddaughter?¡±


    Zhang San nodded and said, ¡°Uh huh.¡± foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°But you still wanted to steal her pearls ¡­ Are you muddle-headed from eating fish, or going crazy from drinking wine?¡±


    Smiling bitterly, Zhang San said, ¡°Originally I did not dare to entertain this idea, but that pearl ¡­ ay! That pearl really shouldn¡¯t be worn on the head, I just had one look, and my soul flew away, unconsciously I made my move ¡­ ay! How would I know that she would dare to chase into the men¡¯s bath hall?¡±


    Only to hear the Fire Phoenix shouting loudly outside, ¡°You can¡¯t run anyway, why haven¡¯t you come out quickly?¡±


    Knitting his brows, Hu Tiehua said, ¡°This Guniang¡¯s temper is really hot.¡±


    He suddenly patted Chu Liuxiang on the shoulder, and said with an apologetic smile, ¡°I know that toward women, you always have the best way. This Guniang, only you can deal with her. It looks like I will have to ask you to throw yourself into the arena.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang chuckled, he spoke leisurely, ¡°I can¡¯t, I look like a monkey, as soon as a woman sees me, she will get angry.¡±


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°Who said you look like a monkey? Who said that? That man must have something wrong with his eyes. Can¡¯t he see that you are the most handsome, the most elegant man in the world?¡± Translated by foxs


    Chu Liuxiang closed his eyes, he did not open his mouth.


    Hu Tiehua laughed and said, ¡°Actually, this is also a good opportunity. Maybe in the future you will be Jin Laotaitai¡¯s grandson-in-law. As friends, we can also be infected with a little light.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang seemed to have fallen asleep, he did not hear a single word.


    Zhang San spoke quietly, ¡°Of the Thirty-Six Stratagems, fleeing is the best. I think, you¡¯d better ¡­¡±


    Hu Tiehua suddenly jumped up from the water, still dripping wet, he spoke loudly, ¡°I don¡¯t care if she is Jin Laotaitai¡¯s [Madame Gold] granddaughter, or Yin Laotaitai¡¯s [Madame Silver] granddaughter, she cannot be completely unreasonable; if she can¡¯t talk reason, no matter who she is, I can be more unreasonable than her.¡±


    Only then did Chu Liuxiang open his eyes, he spoke slowly and deliberately, ¡°No one has ever said that you are reasonable.¡±


    Hu Tiehua already wrapped a cloth towel around himself and rushed out.


    The people in the public bath immediately followed and jumped out; who wouldn¡¯t want to watch this lively scene?


    When the long-legged man passed by, he suddenly smiled at Chu Liuxiang.


    Chu Liuxiang also smiled at him. foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    The long-legged man said with a laugh, ¡°If I am guessing correctly, Zuncha [honored Sir] must be ¡­¡±


    He took a glance back, suddenly stopped talking, and then walked out with a smile.


    Walking out behind him was precisely the person that Chu Liuxiang felt very familiar.


    This person¡¯s face was as red as a cooked crab that was just out of the pot, it was unclear whether he was born like this, or was it red from the hot water of the pool? Or did it turn red after seeing Chu Liuxiang?


    From the beginning to the end he never glanced at Chu Liuxiang, but the man who was with him stole a few glances at Chu Liuxiang out of the corners of his eyes, but when Chu Liuxiang looked at him, he lowered his head and hurried out.


    The ¡®Fast Net¡¯ Zhang San spoke quietly, ¡°These two don¡¯t seem like good things, I seem to have seen them somewhere.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang seemed to be thinking about something, he spoke casually, ¡°Right, I seem to have seen them too.¡±


    Zhang San said, ¡°The man with long legs, his qinggong must be very high, his style is also very big, presumably he is a figure with great background, but I have never seen him.¡± Translated by foxs


    He chuckled, and then continued, ¡°People that I have not seen must be ones who rarely move about in Jianghu.¡±


    ¡°Mm hmm,¡± Chu Liuxiang said.


    Zhang San said, ¡°Although this place has a wharf, normally there are very few Wulin towering figures coming and going here. But today all of a sudden there are so many people coming here, it is indeed a curious occurrence.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang suddenly chuckled and said, ¡°You talked so much, you actually just want to hold me here to accompany you, isn¡¯t that right?¡±


    Zhang San blushed.


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°But people are fighting outside because of you, you should at least go out and have a look.¡±


    Zhang San said, ¡°All right, you want me go out then I¡¯ll go out. With you, I dare to go anywhere.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°Before you go out, don¡¯t forget to take the pearl hidden at the bottom of the pool with you.¡±


    Zhang San¡¯s face turned even redder; shaking his head, he sighed and said, ¡°No matter what I do, why can¡¯t I hide it from you ¡­¡±


    The door of Xiao Yao Chi was not big.


    The door of the bathroom could not be big, moreover, there must be a thick curtain hanging on it, to prevent the cold wind from the outside to blow inside and the hot steam from the inside to escape out. foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    Now, somehow the curtain has been lifted, outside the door was already crowded to bursting point with a large number of people.


    To have a Big Miss daring to burst into a men¡¯s public bath was already a shockingly big news, what¡¯s more, this Big Miss also picked up a long sword to kill someone.


    Very slowly Hu Tiehua put on his clothes. This time, contrary to expectation, the ¡®Fire Phoenix¡¯ Jin Lingzhi held down her anger, she was standing there with ashen face, as soon as anyone dared to look at her, she would stare back fiercely with that pair of big eyes of hers.


    Hu Tiehua slowly buttoned up, he said, ¡°Could it be that you really want my life?¡±


    Jin Lingzhi responded, ¡°Humph.¡±


    Hu Tiehua sighed and said, ¡°Such a young Xiao Bengniang, why is it that as soon as you have a falling out you immediately want to kill?¡±


    Glaring at him, Jin Lingzhi said, ¡°Those who should be killed, I will immediately kill. Why let him alive? Why let him alive?¡± Translated by foxs


    Hu Tiehua asked, ¡°How many people have you killed in total?¡±


    Jin Lingzhi replied, ¡°One thousand, ten thousand, no matter how many, it¡¯s none of your business.¡±


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°What if you can¡¯t kill me?¡±


    Gritting her teeth, Jin Lingzhi said, ¡°If I can¡¯t kill you, I will give you my head!¡±


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°I don¡¯t want your head either. If you can¡¯t kill me, I just hope that you will never kill again in the future. People in this world who really deserve to die are really not many.¡±


    Jin Lingzhi scolded, ¡°Fine ¨C¨C¡°


    As soon as the word came out, like a highly trained horse, the sword light stabbed toward Hu Tiehua¡¯s throat.


    Her sword technique was not only fast and ruthless, as soon as she made her move, it was a killer move that aimed to take people¡¯s life.


    Hu Tiehua¡¯s figure flashed, he dodged the attack.


    Jin Lingzhi glared at him, one sword strike was faster than the last, in the blink of an eye, she already sent out seventeen, eighteen sword strikes. The sword technique that female used were mostly ¡®light and agile¡¯, but her sword technique was ¡®hard and violent¡¯ all the way. They only heard the unending ¡®Chi! Chi!¡¯ sound of the sword blade splitting the air, even the people at the door moved far away to avoid it.


    Although this place was intended for the customers to change clothes, the space was not big. As far as Jin Lingzhi¡¯s sword could reach, there was almost no room for the opponent to dodge. foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    Too bad that the opponent she encountered was Hu Tiehua. If it were someone else, perhaps there would have been seventeen, eighteen more holes piercing through his body.


    In other things, Hu Tiehua may not be able to hold back his temper, but once he got into a fight with people, he became calm, just because his experience in battle was indeed extremely rich, indeed very few people would be able to surpass him in this regard; when other people fight, it was inevitable to be a little nervous, but to him, it would seem like a simple home-style meal [idiom: common occurrence].


    Even when he encountered an opponent whose martial art skill was much higher than his, he definitely would not be the least bit nervous. Therefore, changes that others could not see, he was able to see them all; styles that others could not dodge, he was able to dodge them all.


    Only to see his figure moving back and forth; Jin Lingzhi¡¯s sword was fast, he dodged even faster.


    As Jin Lingzhi stabbed out her nineteenth sword strike, she suddenly withdrew abruptly. Glaring at him, she said, ¡°Why did not you fight back?¡± Translated by foxs


    Hu Tiehua chuckled, he replied, ¡°It is you who wanted to kill me, I do not want to kill you at all!¡±


    Stomping her feet, Jin Lingzhi said, ¡°All right, I want to see if you still don¡¯t fight back, I want to see if you still don¡¯t fight back.¡±


    Her sword stabbed out, her sword technique suddenly changed.


    Up to this moment, although her move was quick and ruthless, her sword technique did not show anything special.


    The martial arts of ¡®Wan Fu Wan Shou Yuan¡¯ did not excel in sword technique, but this moment her sword technique changed, they saw the sword light was dense and extremely fine, like candied floss, like spinning cocoon, or like the water of the Yangtze River, in unceasing torrent. Not only the style was fantastic, it did not have any flaw at all.


    Even to people without any knowledge, they were able to see that this kind of sword technique was incomparably unusual.


    It should be noted that most sword techniques in the world had flaws. If there were no flaws, it must have been through many improvements by scholars with much intelligence and wisdom.


    But since many scholars with much intelligence and wisdom were willing to exhaust their intelligence to improve this set of sword technique, then in itself, this set of sword technique must be extraordinary.


    Hiding behind the door, the ¡®Fast Net¡¯ Zhang San spoke quietly, ¡°That looks like Emei Pai¡¯s ¡®Liu Xu Jianfa¡¯ [lit. willow cotton wadding sword technique].¡± foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± Chu Liuxiang said.


    Zhang San said, ¡°Her Qi Gu [seventh (paternal) aunt] is Emei Pai¡¯s Ruoyin Dashi¡¯s cassock and alms bowl disciple, presumably this set of sword technique was taught to her privately by her Qi Gu.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang nodded, but did not reply.


    Only to hear Jin Lingzhi shouted, ¡°All right, you are still not fighting back ¡­ If you can still not fight back, I¡¯ll consider you have the ability!¡±


    Amidst the shout, her sword technique changed again.


    The dense and extremely fine sword style suddenly became sparse.


    The sword qi that filled the sky also disappeared suddenly. Translated by foxs


    They saw her left hand horizontally across the eyebrows, the long sword slashed diagonally out, the sword light seemed to be there, but seemed to disappear at the same time, the movement seemed to be fast but also seemed to be slow, the sword path seemed to be real, but also seemed to be empty, the stye seemed to be changing, but did not change.


    This time, people without any knowledge were unable to see the ingenuity of this sword technique.


    Some people even thought that this Xiao Bengniang¡¯s heart grew timid, her strength exhausted.


    But when Chu Liuxiang saw her move, his face could not help revealing that inwardly he was emotionally moved.


    He has already seen that this move was precisely the first style of Huashan Pai¡¯s  sword technique ¡®Qingfeng Shisan Shi¡¯ [Thirteen Styles of Cool Breeze], the ¡®Qingfeng Xu Lai¡¯ [cool breeze coming gently].

 CH 2.1

    Chapter 2 ¨C The Secret Inside the Jade Belt


    The seven major schools and sects in Wulin were equally famous. Speaking about which, although ¡®Shaolin¡¯ and ¡®Wudang¡¯ were the top of the internal and external schools, actually, ¡®Kunlun¡¯, ¡®Diancang¡¯, ¡®Emei¡¯, ¡®Nanhai¡¯ and ¡®Huashan¡¯ also had their own unique expertise. Therefore, these seven schools and sects respected each other, but they definitely would not yield to each other. Translated by foxs


    It¡¯s just that when it comes to sword technique, no matter which school, no matter which sect, absolutely no one dared to compete against Huashan, just because this set of Huashan Pai¡¯s ¡®Thirteen Styles of Cool Breeze¡¯ was indeed elegant and wonderful beyond compare, absolutely no one could surpass. Even Kunlun¡¯s ¡®Feilong Da Jiu Shi¡¯ [Flying Dragon Big Nine Styles] was inferior to it.


    The beauty of the ¡®Thirteen Styles of Cool Breeze¡¯ lay in the two characters ¡®qing dan¡¯ [light and insipid], precisely paying particular attention to ¡®seemed to be there, but seemed to disappear at the same time, seemed to be real, but also seemed to be empty, seemed to be changing, but did not change.¡¯


    Precisely like antelope hanging its antlers, no footprints to be sought, since the opponent basically could not figure out this sword path and style, how could he dodge or parry?


    Gao Yanan claimed to have learned all the ¡®Thirteen Styles of Cool Breeze¡¯, but she only learned no more than nine styles.


    With the exception of Gao Yanan, Kumei Dashi has not taught any disciples the xin fa [lit. heart method; difficult to translate, basically it is the essence, the secret formula behind the martial art style] at all, naturally people outside Huashan Pai would have no way to learn it even more.


    But now, to their surprise, Jin Lingzhi unexpectedly used the move ¡®the cool breeze comes slowly¡¯, not only Chu Liuxiang was shocked and emotionally moved, Hu Tiehua jumped in fright even more. foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    Only to hear ¡®Chi!¡¯, the front piece of his clothes has been cut open by the sword, and the ice-cold sword blade streaked across very close to his skin and flesh, nearly taking his life!


    Based on Hu Tiehua¡¯s martial art skill, it was unlikely that he would not be able to evade this move, but he has seen Gao Yanan using the move ¡®the cool breeze comes slowly¡¯ nobody knew how many times.


    This one move, ¡®the cool breeze comes slowly¡¯ sword style, he had also learned it that he was able to imitate it close enough, only the spirit and marrow [idiom: the essence], he was not able to learn, no matter what.


    Naturally, Gao Yanan would never teach him the xinfa. How strict Kumei Dashi¡¯s school rules was, no one would have such big guts to teach their master¡¯s xinfa to other people in private.


    This moment Jin Lingzhi unexpectedly executed the move ¡®the cool breeze comes slowly¡¯, furthermore, the spirit was abundant, the qi sufficient, the intent was on the sword front, unexpectedly she seemed to have obtained the not-supposed-to-be-spread secret of ¡®Thirteen Styles of Cool Breeze¡¯! Translated by foxs


    If it were someone else, it should not be a problem, but Hu Tiehua knew how formidable it was, naturally it was hard to avoid being shocked. In his shock, his mind was greatly distracted, unexpectedly he nearly delivered his own life!


    Jin Lingzhi¡¯s first move went smoothly, she followed by stabbing out the second move. Only to see her move was light and insipid, the sword technique was wonderfully moving swiftly, like parting a flower and brushing a willow. Surprisingly, it was another move called ¡®Qingfeng Zhi Liu¡¯ [cool breeze pointing to the willow] of the ¡®Thirteen Styles of Cool Breeze¡¯!


    Right this moment, suddenly they saw a human shadow flashing, someone caught her wrist!


    This person was coming so fast, unbelievably fast.


    Jin Lingzhi had just caught a glimpse of this person¡¯s shadow from the corner of her eyes, she had just felt this person¡¯s presence, this person already lightly gripped the artery on her wrist.


    This person¡¯s move was amiable and not forceful, but somehow, as soon as Jin Lingzhi was grabbed by this one hand, she could not exert even a little bit of the strength in her entire body.


    Looking back in great shock, she discovered that this person was precisely the one who was also soaking in the bath just now, the one who was scolded as ¡®looking like a monkey¡¯, yet surprisingly he still had a smile on his face.


    Right now, he still had the same smile on his face. foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    Jin Lingzhi originally felt that that his smile was not annoying, but now she felt that not only his smile was annoying, but was also extremely hateful. She could not help shouting loudly, ¡°What do you want? Do you want to fight two against one? Shameless, shameless!¡±


    Chu Liuxiang waited for her to finish cursing before smiling and said, ¡°I just want to ask Guniang one thing.¡±


    Jin Lingzhi said loudly, ¡°I don¡¯t know you at all, why would you want to ask me anything?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang spoke indifferently, ¡°Since that is the case, there is no harm in Zaixia does not ask, it¡¯s just that ¡­¡±


    Speaking to this point, he really did not continue asking. Surprisingly he said he did not ask and he really did not ask.


    Jin Lingzhi waited for half a day, she could not hold back her temper, she could not help asking, ¡°It¡¯s just that what?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang chuckled, he said, ¡°What I wanted to ask, Guniang might also want to know.¡±


    Jin Lingzhi said, ¡°What do you want to ask?¡± Translated by foxs


    She did not even think about these words, she simply blurted out.


    Hu Tiehua was secretly amused; this old stinky bug really had a skill in dealing with girls, he once said, ¡°Girls are like people¡¯s shadows, if you chase after her, force her, she will forever be in front of you, but as soon as you turn around, she will come and fix her attention at you instead.¡± This remark seemed to be not the least bit false.


    Only to hear Chu Liuxiang spoke heavily, ¡°I just want to ask Guniang, the ¡®Qingfeng Shisan Shi¡¯ that Guniang used just now, where did you learn it from?¡±


    Jin Lingzhi¡¯s face suddenly changed, she spoke loudly, ¡°What ¡®Qingfeng Shisan Shi¡¯? When did I use ¡®Qingfeng Shisan Shi¡¯? You saw wrong, your eyes must be wrong.¡±


    It was just like a child stealing candy to eat, but was suddenly caught by an adult, he could only make a scene. Clearly his mouth was full of candy, yet he insisted that it was not so. Clearly knowing that the adult did not believe, he still hardened his scalp to deny.


    Who would have thought that Chu Liuxiang only chuckled, surprisingly he did not pursue by asking more questions.


    Jin Lingzhi¡¯s voice was even louder, opening her eyes wide, she said, ¡°I ask you, who do you think you are? I am eighty percent sure that you are also that thief¡¯s accomplice. Maybe you are the nest master [person who harbors criminals]; if you are tactful, quickly return my pearl!¡±


    Others did not ask her, she asked others instead. This is called ¡®Zhu Bajie [pig-like character in Journey to the West] strikes with a muckrake [idiom: to make bogus accusations against his victim]¡¯. Most people with ghost in their hearts [have secret motives/guilty conscience] would use this set pattern of behavior. foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    Chu Liuxiang was still without a word nor movement, still carrying a smile, he said, ¡°There is indeed a nest master, only ¡­ it¡¯s not me.¡±


    Jin Lingzhi said, ¡°If not you, then who?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°It¡¯s ¡­¡±


    He stretched out his hand and slowly drew a circle, making sure to pause his fingertip in front of everyone. When he passed in front of Hu Tiehua, Hu Tiehua cried inwardly, ¡°I¡¯m doomed.¡±


    Just now he said that Chu Liuxiang ¡®looked exactly like a monkey¡¯, he thought that this time Chu Liuxiang must retaliate, who would have thought that Chu Liuxiang¡¯s hand did not stop in front of him.


    The man with a face that looked like a cooked crab had already put on his clothes. He was wearing a purple satin robe with circles embroidery design, and a jade belt tied around his waist.


    His stature was extremely tall, when he was stark naked, he did not look too extraordinary. This moment he was wearing clothes, the red-purple satin robe matched his red-purple face, he looked really majestic and awe-inspiring, his style was grand. Several dozens of people inside and outside the door, no one could compare to him. Translated by foxs


    He had already wanted to leave, too bad there was a fight at the door, so the way out was blocked, he could not leave even if he wanted to, so he could only stand aside quietly to watch the excitement.


    It¡¯s just that he seemed to be afraid of Chu Liuxiang, so that all along he did not dare to look directly at Chu Liuxiang, only to hear to Chu Liuxiang dragging the word ¡®It¡¯s¡¯ for a long time, and only now did he say the word ¡®him¡¯.


    He found that everyone revealed a surprised and strange expressions on their faces, moreover, all their eyes were looking at him. He also felt a little strange, and could not help wanting to see who Chu Liuxiang¡¯s finger was pointing to.


    He could never have imagined that Chu Liuxiang¡¯s hand was pointing directly, not deviating at all, at his nose!


    Only to hear Chu Liuxiang spoke leisurely, ¡°He is not only the nest master, but also the mastermind. That pearl is hidden on him!¡±


    The purple-robed man¡¯s face immediately flushed redder than a crab¡¯s. Forcing out a hint of smile, he stammered, ¡°This ¡­ this friend really knows how to joke.¡±


    With a smile on his face, Chu Liuxiang spoke resolutely, ¡°This kind of thing is absolutely not a joke.¡±


    The man in purple robe laughed and said, ¡°Whether this Guniang¡¯s pearl is round or square, Zaixia has never even seen it yet, if Gexia is not joking, I don¡¯t know what it is.¡± foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    Obviously, this man was also a Jianghu veteran who had been through big wind, big waves. Suddenly startled, he could not help showing at-a-loss expression, but he immediately recovered his calm.


    Chu Liuxiang¡¯s gaze swept all around, he said, ¡°Gentlemen, have you seen square pearls? ¡­ If this friend said that he did not even know whether the pearl was round or square, not only he was joking, he is practically swindling a child.¡±


    Seeing the expressions on the other people¡¯s faces, the man in purple robe knew that everyone had been moved by these words. Even if he stayed calm, this moment he could not help feeling a bit anxious. Laughing coldly, he said, ¡°Gexia¡¯s spitting blood like this [idiom: venomous slander], what actually do you want? Fortunately, the facts are there, I don¡¯t need to offer any more explanation ¡­¡±


    As he spoke, he walked out, as if he was so angry that he wanted to storm off in a huff.


    Chu Liuxiang did not stop him, he just relaxed his grip on Jin Lingzhi¡¯s wrist.


    Only to see the sword light flashed, Jin Lingzhi already blocked the big man in purple robe¡¯s way out. Pointing the tip of the sword to his nose, she laughed coldly and said, ¡°Do you want to slip away? Where do you think you are going?¡± Translated by foxs


    The sword light was reflected on the big man in purple robe¡¯s face, his anger flared, he forced a laughter and said, ¡°Could it be that Guniang really believe him?¡±


    Jin Lingzhi said, ¡°I only ask you: did you or did you not steal the pearl?¡±


    Out of the corner of his eyes the man in purple robe cast Chu Liuxiang a glance, he said, ¡°If I say that this man stole the pearl, would Guniang believe me?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang spoke indifferently, ¡°If the pearl is on me, whether I stole it or not, it won¡¯t make any difference.¡±


    The man in purple robe seemed to have made up his mind, he laughed coldly and said, ¡°In that case, are you saying that the pearl is on me?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°That is not wrong the slightest bit.¡±


    The man in purple robe suddenly threw his head back in loud laughter, he said, ¡°A joke ¡­ this is really a big joke.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°If the pearl is found on you, it¡¯s not going to be a joke.¡±


    Before he finished speaking, the little [servant] girl shouted from the side, ¡°Right, only by doing a search will we know who is telling the truth? Who is telling a lie?¡±


    The man in purple robe¡¯s countenance changed, the man who came with him also could not help rushing over; backhandedly grabbing the saber hanging on his waist, he spoke sternly, ¡°You really want to search?¡± foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    The little girl¡¯s eyes brimming with smile, she said to Chu Liuxiang, ¡°As long as you don¡¯t feel guilty as a thief [idiom], what harm is there in searching?¡±


    The man¡¯s eyes grew big, it looked like he was about to draw the saber.


    But the man in purple robe pulled his hand instead, he hurriedly said, ¡°There is no harm if you want to search, but what if you can¡¯t find it?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°If I can¡¯t find it, just consider I stole it. If I can¡¯t compensate for the pearls, I¡¯ll pay it with my head.¡±


    The man in purple robe said, ¡°Gentlemen, you heard it, he said it himself.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang¡¯s countenance sank, he said, ¡°I always speak and keep my promise [idiom]; this fact, presumably you also know.¡±


    Unexpectedly the man in purple robe still did not dare to look directly at him; turning his head around, he said, ¡°All right, you may search!¡±


    The little girl laughed and said, ¡°Should he strip first before we search?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang laughed and said, ¡°That¡¯s not necessary, I know that the pearl is hidden in the jade belt he is wearing, as long as he takes off the jade belt, we can take a look.¡± Translated by foxs


    The man in purple robe¡¯s countenance changed again, he grabbed the jade belt tightly with both hands, and refused to loosen his grip again, as if he was afraid someone might snatch it away.


    The little girl said, ¡°Take it off! Could it be that you are scared?¡±


    The tip of Jin Lingzhi¡¯s sword flickered, she spoke sternly, ¡°You want to take it off or not, you must take it off!¡±


    All along Hu Tiehua has been watching from the side with a grin on his face, this moment he suddenly said, ¡°If he really dares not to take it off, I really admire his guts!¡±


    The man with the saber hanging on his waist wanted to fight again, but the man in purple robe stopped him again, he said loudly, ¡°All right, you want me to take it off, I¡¯ll take it off, but what you just said, you must not forget.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°Since that is the case, I will check it myself. This matter is very important, I only have one head ¡­ Gentlemen, don¡¯t you agree?¡±


    Although the crowd did not nod, their eyes already showed a look of agreement.


    The man in purple robe stomped his feet, finally he took off the jade belt and said, ¡°All right, take it!¡±


    This jade belt was really important to him, just now when he took a bath, he kept it close by his side, normally, he would not take it off whatever the case.


    But at this moment, under everybody¡¯s gaze, if he refused to take it off, wouldn¡¯t it appear that he was harboring some malice? Not to mention the tip of the sword in Jin Lingzhi¡¯s hand was less than one chi away from his face. What¡¯s more, he already knew who Chu Liuxiang was. foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    Fortunately, he knew that he had not even touched the pearl at all, and just now no one had touched his body, so he was not afraid that someone would plant it on him.


    When the jade belt was taken off, he seemed relieved instead. Looking askance at Chu Liuxiang, the corner of his mouth carried a cold laugh, as if Chu Liuxiang¡¯s head was already in his grab.


    He did not know that people who wanted Chu Liuxiang¡¯s head were far more than just he, one person, but until now, Chu Liuxiang¡¯s head was still sitting nicely on his neck.


    Everybody¡¯s eyes were staring at Chu Liuxiang¡¯s hand.


    They saw Chu Liuxiang took the jade belt in both hands and looked it over carefully for a few moments, and then suddenly he raised it high; when he pulled his hand, they heard unending ¡®Chi! Chi!¡¯ noise, unexpectedly dozens of cold stars shot out of the jade belt like a torrential rain; followed by a staccato of ¡®Pop! Pop! Pop!¡¯, dozens of cold stars all shot onto the roof, flickering with dim, bluish green rays of light.


    The secret projectiles were numerous and fast. Looking at the color, obviously they carried highly toxic seeing-blood-sealing-the-throat poison. When others fight against him, how could they think that there were secret projectiles hidden in his belt? Naturally it was impossible to guard against. Translated by foxs


    Although most of the people watching on the side were not Wulin people, but how formidable those weapons were, everybody could imagine, they all could not help turning pale.


    Jin Lingzhi spoke coldly, ¡°What a vicious secret projectile. People who create this kind of secret projectile, surely they can¡¯t be good people.¡±


    The man in purple robe¡¯s face changed again, he spoke defiantly, ¡°Whether the secret projectile is good or evil, it does not matter, as long as there is no pearl, then that¡¯s it.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°Gentlemen must have seen by now that this jade belt is hollow, the pearl is hidden inside ¡­ Now, please watch carefully ¡­¡±


    Both hands suddenly pulled, ¡®Boing!¡¯ the jade belt snapped, something was falling from the inside, and rolled to a halt on the ground.


    Those with quick eyes have already seen that the thing that fell from the jade belt was a shiny, mellow-and-full, dazzling-the-eyes pearl about the size of a longan!


    The man in purple robe almost fainted; inwardly, he was shocked, anxious, but also hurt. foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    Hurt because this ¡®Yu Dai Zang Zhen¡¯ [Hidden Needle in the Jade Belt] was extremely difficult to come by. In the past twenty years, nobody knew how many times it has saved his live, as well as helping him injuring many powerful enemies.


    The skilled craftsman who made this jade belt has been murdered by himself to prevent him from divulging the secret. Now that the jade belt has been destroyed, to make another one would definitely be impossible.


    Shocked, because he clearly did not steal the pearl, how could the pearl fall from inside the jade belt?


    Since the pearl was in his jade belt, he could not deny even if he wanted to. How could he not be anxious?


    Anxious, the man in purple robe roared furiously and wanted to grab the pearl.


    But another person was faster than him.


    Hu Tiehua stepped aside to block him, and sent a punch straight to his face. In his anxiety and anger, his mind was in chaos, unexpectedly he could not evade. Hu Tiehua¡¯s punch was hitting him on the shoulder.


    Only to hear ¡®Bang!¡¯, his person was struck that he staggered back seven, eight steps. If not for the man with the saber hanging on his waist holding him up, he would inevitably fall on his back. Translated by foxs


    But inwardly, Hu Tiehua himself was also shocked, naturally he understood the power of his own punch. Although he was only using forty-, fifty-percent of power in this punch, it would be enough to make a person sleep in bed for ten days to half a month. In Jianghu, the number of people able to withstand this punch was perhaps not too many.


    The man in purple robe received the punch, surprisingly it did not look like he was any worse, not to mention his secret projectiles, the poisonous bullets. Merely with his ability to take this strike, he was already a first-class martial art master in Wulin.


    The little girl already seized this opportunity to pick up the pearl and presented it over back to Jin Lingzhi.


    With a smile on his face, Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°I wonder if this pearl was the one Guniang lost?


    Ashen faced, Jin Lingzhi glowered at the man in purple robe, she spoke sternly, ¡°What else do you have to say?¡±


    The man in purple robe has not spoken, the man with the saber hanging on his waist could not bear it any longer, he shouted loudly, ¡°Even if Dayemen [big masters, self-centered show-off] took your pearl, what¡¯s the big deal! Even thousands and tens of thousands of taels of silver, if Dayemen want to take it we just take it, no one dares to bite off Dayemen¡¯s egg.¡± [Translator¡¯s note: after many years translating wuxia, I discovered that the Chinese have certain fascinations with ¡®bird¡¯ and ¡®egg¡¯, it seems like there are a lot of slangs and cuss words involving these two words.]


    Extremely angry, Jin Lingzhi laughed instead, she said with a cold laugh, ¡°Very well, your words are enough!¡± foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    Before her words were finished, her sword already stabbed out. Only to see sword light swiftly moving and flashing unpredictably.


    In her extreme anger, she was unable to restrain her emotions, surprisingly she used the ¡®Thirteen Styles of Cool Breeze¡¯ again.


    Chu Liuxiang and Hu Tiehua exchanged glances, they smiled knowingly.


    Right this moment, suddenly a figure flashed, someone was sweeping in at an angle from the door! This person came so fast!


    Jin Lingzhi¡¯s sword had already stabbed, but this man was unexpectedly faster than her sword.


    Only to hear ¡®Slap!¡¯, Jin Lingzhi¡¯s sword was unexpectedly caught between his two hands!


    Even Chu Liuxiang was shocked by this turn of events.

 CH 2.2

    This person¡¯s shenfa was fast, it was already very astonishing. He was able to use his pair of hands to clamp the tip of other people¡¯s sword, it was even more astounding. But what shocked Chu Liuxiang was not these. Translated by foxs


    The sword technique that Jin Lingzhi was using at the moment, if it was not the ¡®Thirteen Styles of Cool Breeze¡¯, it would not be shocking. However, the one she was using at this moment was precisely the ¡®Thirteen Styles of Cool Breeze¡¯.


    This kind of swords technique¡¯s changes, no one could fathom, even Chu Liuxiang could not guess the path of her sword, yet as soon as he made his move, this person already had her sword style under his control. How high his martial art skill was, it was simply inconceivable.


    Only to see this person this person was tall and stood erect like jade, his light garment fluttering, and the smile on his face was more gentle and affectionate, so that as soon as people saw him, they would immediately generate favorable impression.


    As soon as Chu Liuxiang and Hu Tiehua saw this person, they were shocked. They would never think that this person was unexpectedly the handsome young man Ding Feng, who sailed away on the same boat with Kumei Dashi last night!


    When Jin Lingzhi saw Ding Feng, she also appeared to be shocked, immediately her countenance changed.


    Yet Ding Feng smiled and said, ¡°Long time no see, Jin Guniang¡¯s sword technique has forged ahead vigorously. This move ¡®Liu Xu Fei Xue¡¯ [Willow Cotton Wadding Flying Snow] was executed flawlessly, full of divine qi, the intention at the front of the sword, I¡¯m afraid that even Huanzhu Dashi [lit. grand master returning the pearl] would believe green coming out of the blue[1].¡± foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    Huanzhu Dashi was precisely Jin Lingzhi¡¯s seventh [paternal] aunt, and the ¡®Willow Cotton Wadding Flying Snow¡¯ was also a move in the sword technique handed down in a direct line from the founder of Emei. A few martial art practitioners watching from the side already nodding their head quietly, ¡°No wonder this Guniang¡¯s sword technique is so outstanding, turns out she is Emei Pai¡¯s disciple.¡±


    But Chu Liuxiang and Hu Tiehua knew that what Jin Lingzhi used just now was clearly the eighth style of the ¡®Thirteen Styles of Cool Breeze¡¯, the ¡®Wind Moves a Thousand Bells¡¯. At first glance, the ¡®Wind Moves a Thousand Bells¡¯ and the ¡®Willow Cotton Wadding Flying Snow¡¯ were indeed somewhat similar, but the subtle changes within were completely different!


    Why did this young man deliberately make a deer out to be a horse [deliberate misrepresentation]?


    Ding Feng spoke again, ¡°These two friends, Zaixia knows them. Yet by hoping that Jin Guniang would look at Zaixia¡¯s meager face, please let them go.¡± Translated by foxs


    Although Jin Lingzhi¡¯s face was full of anger, surprisingly she held her temper in check, she only spoke coldly, ¡°They are thieves, could it be that you have such friends?¡±


    Ding Feng laughed and said, ¡°Guniang, this must be a misunderstanding.¡±


    Laughing coldly, Jin Lingzhi said, ¡°Misunderstanding? I saw it with my own eyes, how could it be a misunderstanding?¡±


    Ding Feng said, ¡°Although these two friends can¡¯t compare to the ¡®Wan Fu Wan Shou Yuan¡¯ whose wealth is equal to that of an entire nation [idiom: extremely rich], yet they are also rich and powerful with resources worth millions. Pearl like the one in Guniang¡¯s hand, although they don¡¯t have too many in their homes, but there could not be too few. Zaixia can guarantee that the two gentlemen definitely are not thieves.¡±


    This remark not only carried a very heavy weight, it was also considerably unpleasant to hear.


    But surprisingly Jin Lingzhi¡¯s anger still did not flare up, she was only angry at herself and put up a wooden expression.


    Her nickname was the ¡®Fire Phoenix¡¯, her temper was indeed similar to that of raging inferno. Seeing this young man, surprisingly she was able to hold back her temper, it was hard to imagine even more.


    The man with the saber hanging on his waist said, ¡°Thank you Gongzi for speaking out for justice, otherwise ¡­¡± foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    The man in purple robe cut him off by laughing, he said, ¡°This matter is actually nothing, it was all a big misunderstanding, and now it has been explained. Zaixia still want to arrange a drink tonight to offer an apology to Jin Guniang.¡±


    Ding Feng laughed and said, ¡°Excellent, excellent ¡­¡±


    The man in purple robe said, ¡°I wonder if Jin Guniang is willing to do me the honor?¡±


    ¡®Humph!¡¯ Jin Lingzhi snorted, but before she could speak, Ding Feng already responded on her behalf, he said with a laugh, ¡°Not only will Jin Guniang attend tonight, but these several friends here must also attend. Since we all meet here, it could be considered fate, why not get together?¡±


    He suddenly turned to face Chu Liuxiang, smiled and said, ¡°I wonder if these two Xiongtai [brothers, polite appellation for friend of the same age] feel the same way?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang laughed and said, ¡°As long as there is wine, even if I don¡¯t go, my friend here will definitely drag me there.¡±


    Hu Tiehua also laughed and said, ¡°Not wrong the slightest bit, as long as there is wine to drink, even if after drinking I have to endure a few saber strikes, I simply have to go.¡± Translated by foxs


    Ding Feng laughed and said, ¡°Excellent, excellent ¡­¡±


    Suddenly they heard someone say, ¡°Such a lively occasion, I wonder if I am invited?¡±


    Standing in the crowd, this man was half a head taller than others, only because his legs were much longer than other people¡¯s, he was precisely the man who just took a shower by the sink.


    But naturally at this moment he has also put on clothes. His gorgeous clothes were definitely not inferior to the man in purple robe, his hand also carried a three-chi-square black leather suitcase, which looked extremely heavy, no one knew what was inside.


    The man in purple robe¡¯s eyes flashing, he laughed loudly and said, ¡°If Xiongtai is willing to do me the honor, Zaixia can¡¯t welcome you enough, where¡¯s the logic in not inviting you?¡±


    The man with the long legs laughed and said, ¡°Since that¡¯s the case, I¡¯ll offer my thanks in advance, but I don¡¯t know where the banquet will be?¡±


    The man in purple robe said, ¡°How about the ¡®San He Lou¡¯ [Three-Harmony Building (with more than one story)] right across the street?¡±


    The man with the long legs said, ¡°Very well, it¡¯s a deal.¡±


    With a smile on his face, he cast Chu Liuxiang a glance, and then walked out in large strides. foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    Since there was no more fun to watch, everyone dispersed in confusion [idiom]. Jin Lingzhi left with Ding Feng. She did not seem to want to go with Ding Feng, but for some reason, unexpectedly she did not refuse.


    It was not until everyone was gone that the man with the saber hanging on his waist spoke hatefully, ¡°Dage [Big Brother, also means gang leader, boss], I really don¡¯t understand how you could endure it just now? Even if that yatou [girl, servant girl, used deprecatingly, but sometimes also as a term of endearment] is the Jin Laotaipo¡¯s [old woman (at times contemptuous)] granddaughter, could it be that we, brothers are men who are afraid of trouble?¡±


    The man in purple robe sighed again, he spoke with a bitter smile, ¡°Fortunately you did not do that ¡­ Do you know who he is?¡±


    The man with the saber hanging on his waist said with a cold laugh, ¡°Looking at his smug look, could it be that he is Chu Liuxiang?¡±


    The man in purple robe¡¯s countenance sank, he spoke word by word, ¡°Not wrong the slightest bit, he is indeed Chu Liuxiang!¡±


    The man with the saber hanging on his waist was stunned, he could no longer speak.


    The man in purple robe was also staring blankly for half a day, a sinister smile appeared on the corner of his mouth, he muttered, ¡°Chu Liuxiang, Chu Liuxiang, although we can¡¯t deal with you, but inevitably there will be someone able to deal with you. If you can live for three more days, I consider you have real skill!¡±


    As soon as Chu Liuxiang and Hu Tiehua turned a street corner, Hu Tiehua could not help asking, ¡°Where¡¯s that kid Zhang San?¡± Translated by foxs


    Chu Liuxiang chuckled, he said, ¡°I told him to slip away.¡±


    Hu Tiehua laughed and said, ¡°I really cannot think of how you get him to spit out that pearl. That kid is also strange, how could someone who refuses to obey suddenly obey you?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang smiled but said nothing.


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°But that trick of yours is unavoidably too awesome.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°You don¡¯t recognize that man?¡±


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°I know he recognizes you, so even though he suffered pent-up unspoken grievances, he did not dare to make a sound, but I¡¯ve never seen him before, I only feel that he was rather pitiful.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°If you knew who he was, you wouldn¡¯t pity him.¡±


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°Oh?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°Have you ever heard that in the southeast sea there is a bunch of pirates, killing people and robbing goods, not shrinking from any crime?¡±


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°Zi Jing Bang [Purple Whale Gang]?¡± foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°That man is Zi Jing Bangzhu [Gang Leader] Hai Kuotian! All along he very seldom moves about on land, hence the reason you haven¡¯t seen him.¡±


    Emotionally moved, Hu Tiehua said, ¡°But this fellow¡¯s [orig. manservant (derogatory term)] name, I have heard for a long time. Why didn¡¯t you tell me? If I knew that he was Hai Kuotian, it would be strange indeed if that punch did not knock him flat.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang laughed indifferently and said, ¡°You will always have a chance in the future, so why worry?¡±


    Hu Tiehua suddenly also laughed and said, ¡°I heard that Hai Kuotian¡¯s vision is the most accurate. As soon as he makes a move, he will surely return from a rewarding journey. It could be said that he is a first-class big robber, but today he was hard-pressed by you to wear the hat as a ¡®thief¡¯. When he goes back and think about it tonight, it will be strange indeed if he will be able to sleep.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang laughed and said, ¡°When he was naked, I did not recognize him, but as soon as he put on his clothes, I knew who he is. I already wanted to punish him, and today is my chance.¡±


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°But why did you let him go again?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°I don¡¯t want to beat the grass to scare the snake [idiom].¡±


    Muttering to himself irresolutely, Hu Tiehua said, ¡°If Hai Kuotian is the grass, who is the snake? ¡­ Ding Feng?¡± Translated by foxs


    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± Chu Liuxiang replied.


    Hu Tiehua nodded, he said, ¡°This person is indeed suspicious. He was originally on Kumei Dashi¡¯s boat, but the boat sank, and he appeared here; he was originally going to pick up Kumei Dashi, but now Kumei Dashi is gone.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°That is also the first thing that I find strange.¡±


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°Jin Lingzhi has nothing to do with Huashan Pai, but she mastered Huashan Pai¡¯s secret that is not passed on to outsiders, the ¡®Thirteen Styles of Cool Breeze¡¯; moreover, she refused to admit it to the death.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°That is the second strange thing.¡±


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°Originally, Jin Lingzhi is not afraid of heaven and earth, but when she saw Ding Feng, she seemed to be very docile. What is her relationship with Ding Feng?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°That is the strange thing number three.¡±


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°Zi Jing have always moved about on sea, but Hai Kuotian suddenly appeared here; since Ding Feng was willing to lift a siege [helping someone out of trouble] for him, presumably he also has some relationship with him. How could they be related?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°That is the strange thing number four.¡± foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    Hu Tiehua thought for a while and said, ¡°As soon as he made his move, Ding Feng was able to clamp Jin Lingzhi¡¯s sword, obviously he is very familiar with the sword path of the ¡®Thirteen Styles of Cool Breeze¡¯; how could he be familiar with Huashan¡¯s sword technique?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°That is the strange thing number five.¡±


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°He clearly knew that it was Huashan Pai¡¯s ¡®Thirteen Styles of Cool Breeze¡¯, yet he insisted that it was Emei¡®s ¡®Willow Cotton Wadding Sword Technique¡¯; obviously he was covering up for Jin Lingzhi. Why did he do that?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°That is the strange thing number six.¡±


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°His pair of palms clamped the sword, he seemed to be using the ¡®Big Clap¡¯ of the Fusang Jiahe Valley, but his qinggong and shenfa seemed to be identical to the Blood Shadow Man¡¯s movement of the past, plus he was so familiar with Huashan Pai¡¯s sword technique; although this young man¡¯s age is not much, he has such a high level of martial arts, moreover, he received instructions in skills from several schools not taught to outsiders, what is his origin?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°That is the strange thing number seven.¡±


    Hu Tiehua stroked his nose, his nose was rubbed until it turned red.


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°What else?¡± Translated by foxs


    Hu Tiehua heaved a sigh, he smiled wryly and said, ¡°Within a day I encountered seven unexplainable strange things, could it be that is not enough?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang laughed and said, ¡°Have you ever thought about the relationship between these seven things?¡±


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°My head has long been dizzy.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°There is actually only one thread in these seven things. Presumably Kumei Dashi went down the mountain to track down this thread.¡±


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°Oh?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°The ¡®Thirteen Styles of Cool Breeze¡¯ is originally Huashan Pai¡¯s secret that is not passed on to outsiders, but now at least two unrelated people know it. How could this secret be leaked? As the Huashan Pai¡¯s Zhangmen, naturally Kumei Dashi cannot but care about it.¡±


    Obtaining sudden understanding, Hu Tiehua said, ¡°That¡¯s right, Kumei Dashi went down the mountain is to investigate how the ¡®Thirteen Styles of Cool Breeze¡¯ and the secret xinfa could be known by outsiders. For the convenience of this operation, naturally she could not appear in her original identity.¡± foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°The only ones who know the ¡®Thirteen Styles of Cool Breeze¡¯ and the secret xinfa handed down from generation to generation are Kumei Dashi and Gao Yanan. Naturally, Kumei Dashi herself will never reveal the secret ¡­¡±


    Hu Tiehua spoke resolutely, ¡°Gao Yanan is definitely not such a person.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°Of course she is not such a person, so there is only one possibility in this matter.¡±


    Hu Tiehua asked, ¡°What possibility?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°The secret xinfa the ¡®Thirteen Styles of Cool Breeze¡¯ has been stolen.¡±


    Hu Tiehua exhaled a long breath, he said, ¡°That¡¯s right, apart from this, how could Kumei Dashi leave the mountain so easily?¡±


    Muttering to himself irresolutely, Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°Since the ¡®Thirteen Styles of Cool Breeze¡¯ is Huashan Pai¡¯s secret that is not passed on, the secret book of its xinfa must be kept extremely strictly ¡­¡±


    Hu Tiehua scrambled to say, ¡°And I am afraid that the only person who has a way to steal it back is the ¡®Dao Shuai¡¯ [Bandit Chief] Chu Liuxiang.¡±


    Smiling wryly, Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°I don¡¯t have such a big ability either.¡±


    While also smiling wryly, Hu Tiehua said, ¡°This matter seems to be similar to the theft of the ¡®Tianyi Shenshui¡¯ [Heavenly One Divine Water, see Book 1].¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°At first glance, the two cases do seem to be somewhat similar, but they are actually completely different.¡± Translated by foxs


    Hu Tiehua asked, ¡°What¡¯s the difference?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°Shen Shui Gong¡¯s [Divine Water Palace] disciples are very numerous, the organization structure complex, but Huashan Pai is the most strict in selecting disciples, the number of disciples under Kumei Dashi¡¯s tutelage is no more than seven.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± Hu Tiehua said.


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°Shen Shui Gong¡¯s ¡®Tianyi Shenshui¡¯ was originally kept by Shui Mu¡¯s disciples, but the sword manual of the ¡®Thirteen Styles of Cool Breeze¡¯ must have been kept by Kumei Dashi herself ¡­¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± Hu Tiehua said, ¡°Stealing the ¡®Thirteen Styles of Cool Breeze¡¯ sword manual is indeed much more difficult than stealing the ¡®Tianyi Shenshui¡¯.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°From this, it can be seen that the person stealing this sword manual must be much more formidable than Wuhua who stole the ¡®Tianyi Shenshui¡¯.¡±


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°Do you think this person could be ¡­ Ding Feng?¡±


    Muttering to himself irresolutely, Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°Even if it¡¯s not Ding Feng, it must have something to do with Ding Feng.¡± foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    He continued, ¡°Kumei Dashi must have discovered some clues, hence she assumes that ¡®Lan Taifuren¡¯ identity to come to this city to meet with Ding Feng.¡±


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°In that case, as long as she catches Ding Feng, wouldn¡¯t she be able to inquire so that as the water recedes, the rocks appear?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang chuckled and said, ¡°Naturally Kumei Dashi can¡¯t be as reckless as you are, naturally she knows that Ding Feng is at most only a small snake, and that there is also a big snake ¡­¡±


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°Who is the big snake?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°Up to now, that big snake is still hiding in the grass. Only by catching this big snake can we find out the secrets. Catching the small snake won¡¯t do you any good.¡±


    Hu Tiehua nodded thoughtfully and said, ¡°Kumei Dashi¡®s current approach must be to force that snake out from whichever pile of grass he is hiding in, therefore, she can¡¯t act blindly without thinking.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang laughed and said, ¡°You finally understand.¡±


    Hu Tiehue said, ¡°But we ¡­¡±


    Cutting him off, Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°We definitely cannot act blindly without thinking either, because this matter is not only related to Kumei Dashi, but also to many other people.¡±


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°Oh?¡± Translated by foxs


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°In addition to Kumei Dashi, there must be many other people whose secrets have also fallen into this big snake¡¯s hand, and those who are involved in this matter are very important figures even more.¡±


    Hu Tiehua sighed and said, ¡°That¡¯s right, this matter is indeed much more bizarre and complicated than the theft case of the ¡®Tianyi Shenshui¡¯.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°The most important factor is that Wuhua stole the ¡®Tianyi Shenshui¡¯ only for his own use. This big snake stole other people¡¯s secrets for the purpose of putting it on the market!¡±


    Stunned, Hu Tiehua said, ¡°Putting it on the market?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°Just think, how did Jin Lingzhi get the ¡®Thirteen Styles of Cool Breeze¡¯ secret xinfa handed down from generation to generation?¡±


    Hu Tiehua could not help being emotionally moved, he said, ¡°Could it be that you think she bought it from Ding Feng?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± Chu Liuxiang said.


    He went on, ¡°Naturally this kind of business transaction is extremely secret. Ding Feng must have warned her not to show off her sword technique easily in front of others, but today, in her anxiety, she had used it.¡± foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    Hu Tiehua suddenly understood, he said, ¡°Therefore, when she saw Ding Feng, she was very nervous. Someone who is plainly cannot be bullied, unexpectedly restrained her anger, it must be because she knew that she was wrong.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°Precisely because of this that Ding Feng deliberately cover up for her.¡±


    Hu Tiehua chuckled, he said, ¡°Only too bad that no matter how he covered it up, he still could not hide it from others, also can¡¯t hide it from us.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°Currently, Ding Feng still does not know who we are, he does not know our relationship with Huashan Pai, maybe he thought he still concealed it from us too.¡±


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°But sooner or later he will know.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang slowly said, ¡°That¡¯s right, sooner or later he will know, by that time ¡­¡±


    Hu Tiehua¡¯s countenance changed, he said, ¡°By that time, he will definitely kill us to shut our mouth, right?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang laughed indifferently and said, ¡°You indeed cannot be considered too dense.¡±


    Laughing coldly, Hu Tiehua said, ¡°Those who want to kill us are not limited to him, one person, but where are those people now?¡± Translated by foxs


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°Those people are those people, Ding Feng is Ding Feng!¡±


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°So what about Ding Feng? Could it be that he is more formidable than Shi Guanyin, more formidable than Xue Yiren?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang heaved a sigh, he said, ¡°Ding Feng may not be enough to be afraid of, but that big snake ¡­¡±


    Hu Tiehua spoke loudly, ¡°How come you elevate other people¡¯s spirit but diminish your own prestige? ¡­ So what about that big snake? Could it be that it can swallow us into its belly?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang spoke heavily, ¡°Jiahe Valley¡¯s ¡®Big Clap¡¯, Blood Shadow Man¡¯s qinggong xinfa, they are already consummate skills that are rarely seen in Wulin, ¡®Thirteen Styles of Cool Breeze¡¯ need not be mentioned even more. They can combine and master these three all martial art skill, much less others? If one person can master the martial arts of several dozen schools, wouldn¡¯t he be more terrifying than Shi Guanyin and the others?¡±


    ¡°Humph!¡± Hu Tiehua snorted.


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°Besides, to be able to learn these kinds of martial arts, how much skill does it take? From this, it can be seen that that big snake¡¯s scheming and means must be not an ordinary human can reach.¡±


    Laughing coldly, Hu Tiehua said, ¡°Sinister and vicious people, we have seen not a few.¡± foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    Chu Liuxiang chuckled, he said, ¡°It¡¯s not that I¡¯m really afraid of them, but if we can be careful, it¡¯s always better to be a bit more careful.¡±


    Hu Tiehua coldly said, ¡°If you are a bit more careful, you will soon become laotaipo [old woman, see above].¡±


    Chu Liuxiang laughed and said, ¡°Laotaipo always lives longer than others. If she was killed at the age of thirty-three, how could she become laotaipo?¡±


    Hu Tiehua also laughed, he said, ¡°Fancy that you still remember my age. Come to think about it, I, personally, can live to thirty-three years old, it is really not easy.¡±


    He heaved a sigh, and then went on, ¡°Actually, I also know that this matter is not easy to deal with. No matter who, as long as he is involved, to get away, I am afraid it will be very difficult.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°Now, the people involved in this matter, the ones I know, there are the Wanfu Wanshou Yuan, the Huashan Pai, and the Zi Jing Bang. The ones I don¡¯t know, I don¡¯t know how many more.¡±


    Muttering to himself irresolutely, Hu Tiehua said, ¡°Even if there are only these people, it is already extraordinary.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°Other than these, I know that there is at least one extraordinary person.¡±


    ¡°Who?¡± Hu Tiehua asked.


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°This person is behind us now.¡±


    [1] Blue: Blue grass, can be used as a dye. The original meaning means that green is extracted from bluegrass, but the color is darker than blue; later, it means that students are better than teachers or future generations are better than predecessors; they are often used as predicates in sentences, with a positive meaning. (Baike.Baidu)

 CH 2.3

    Hu Tiehua was startled. He turned around suddenly, and sure enough, he saw someone had been following them; he could also see that this person must have extraordinary background. Translated by foxs


    This was the road leading to the river bank, it was very far from the city.


    The roadside was overgrown with weeds, everywhere in the vast wilderness, there was no sign of human¡ªexcept for only one person.


    This man was wearing a very elegant soft satin robe, his hand was carrying a black leather suitcase. The clothes were brand new, but the leather suitcase was very shabby.


    His person was tall, his legs were even longer, and his skin was pale yellow, very strange yellow, as if he did not see sunshine all year round, or as if he was ill all the time.


    But his pair of eyes was very bright, which appeared completely incongruous with his face, as if Laotian [God, lit. Old Heaven] had specially borrowed someone else¡¯s pair of eyes and embedded them onto his face. foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    Hu Tiehua laughed. If someone else trailed them from behind, his temper would have flared early on, but toward this person he originally did not have any malice. This moment, with a smile on his face, he greeted from a distance, ¡°Riding the same boat crossing together, it is already brought together by fate, we could take a bath in the same pool, it is fate even more; why not come over so we all can have a chat?¡±


    The man laughed as well.


    Originally the distance between him and Hu Tiehua and the other was still very far, and he did not seem to be walking too fast, but in the blink of an eye, he had already walked three or four zhang, and in another blink of an eye, he was already in front of them.


    Chu Liuxiang blurted out in praise, ¡°Good qinggong!¡±


    The man chuckled, he said, ¡°Even if my qinggong is better, how could it compare to Chu Xiang Shuai?¡±


    With a smile on his face, Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°Gexia [your distinguish self/sire] recognizes me, but I don¡¯t recognize Gexia, wouldn¡¯t it be a bit unfair?¡±


    The man smiled slightly and said, ¡°When I say my name, two gentlemen definitely will not know.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°Gexia is too modest.¡±


    Hu Tiehua¡¯s face already sank, he said, ¡°It¡¯s not too modest, it¡¯s just that you are not willing to make friends with us, that¡¯s all.¡±


    The man hurriedly said, ¡°I¡¯m definitely not deliberately being modest, let alone not willing making friends with two gentlemen, it¡¯s just that ¡­¡±


    He chuckled, and then said, ¡°My surname is Gou [lit. hook], given name Zichang [lit. long]. Have two gentlemen heard it?¡± Translated by foxs


    Chu Liuxiang and Hu Tiehua were both stunned.


    ¡®Gou Zichang¡¯


    This name was indeed very strange. No matter who, anybody who has heard it once, it would be very rare if he would forget it. Not only have they never heard of this name, even the surname, it was very rarely heard.


    Gou Zichang laughed and said, ¡°Two gentlemen should know by now that I did not deliberately make random statement.¡±


    He went on to say, ¡°Actually, I, this person, have never known these two characters ¡®qian xu¡¯ [modesty]. With my martial art skill, I should have been very famous in Jianghu, however, I have never moved about in Jianghu at all, naturally two gentlemen could not possibly hear my name.¡±


    This man was indeed not humble at all, moreover, he was very straightforward.


    Hu Tiehua liked this kind of person the most, he laughed aloud and said, ¡°Very well, I am called Hu Tiehua. Since you know Chu Liuxiang, presumably you also know my name?¡± foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Gou Zichang said.


    Hu Tiehua could not laugh anymore.


    He suddenly felt that people who were too straightforward were also a bit not good.


    Fortunately, Gou Zichang already continued, ¡°But I can also see that with Hu Xiong¡¯s, your martial art skill¡¯s reputation in Jianghu, your name can¡¯t possibly be under Chu Xiang Shuai ¡­¡±


    Hu Tiehua could not help laughing, he said, ¡°You don¡¯t need to console me, I, this person, can¡¯t be considered too petty.¡±


    He glowered at Chu Liuxiang, pulled his face and said, ¡°But you don¡¯t have to be too proud of yourself either, even if I¡¯m not as famous as you, it¡¯s just because I drink more wine than you, I am drunk more times than you are, therefore, you steal the limelight from me.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang laughed and said, ¡°Yes, yes, yes, you drink more wine than me. Every time we drink, I drink one cup, you at least drink seventy, eighty cups.¡±


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°Although not as many as seventy or eighty cups, there are at least seven or eight cups. Every time I see you raise the cup, I think you are about to drink, who would have thought after you say a few words, you put it down again?¡±


    He pointed to Chu Liuxiang¡¯s nose and said, ¡°Your fault is that you talk too much and drink too little.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°Yes, yes, yes, there is no one in the world who can drink more than you do. You drink eight cups, I drink one, yet the one getting drunk first must be me.¡± Translated by foxs


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°That statement is not false the slightest bit.¡±


    Gou Zichang could not help laughing.


    He felt that these two were bickering like big kids, but he did not know that they had noticed a figure flashing in the wild grass by the roadside, so they deliberately bickered with each other.


    The figure hid behind a tree, unexpectedly Gou Zichang was completely oblivious.


    Hu Tiehua and Chu Liuxiang exchanged a glance, they both knew that although this Gou Zichang had high martial arts skills, he had too little experience in Jianghu. He said, ¡®I have never moved about in Jianghu at all¡¯, this statement was evidently not false.


    But since he had never moved about in Jianghu, how could he recognize Chu Liuxiang?


    By this time, the figure has flashed away and disappeared, his qinggong seemed to be extremely high. foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    Hu Tiehua signed Chu Liuxiang with his eyes, he said, ¡°Do you think he has heard anything important?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang laughed and said, ¡°Should not hear anything.¡±


    Gou Zichang coughed twice and hurriedly said, ¡°Not only have I never heard of Hu Xiong¡¯s great name, but even the Zhangmen [headmaster] of the seven major sects in the world today, I don¡¯t know their names.¡±


    Hu Tiehua blurted out laughing, he said, ¡°In that case, I feel much more comfortable.¡±


    Gou Zichang said, ¡°Of the heroes under the heavens today, I only know one person, and that is Chu Xiang Shuai.¡±


    Hu Tiehua asked, ¡°Is he really that famous?¡±


    Gou Zichang laughed and said, ¡°Only because I have a friend who often mentions Chu Xiang Shuai before me, even says that even if I practice for another thirty years, my qinggong will still not be half as good as Chu Xiang Shuai.¡±


    Hu Tiehua smiled and said, ¡°That is nothing more than your friend is tooting horn on his behalf.¡±


    Gou Zichang said, ¡°That friend of mine often said that Chu Xiang Shuai¡¯s kindness to him is as heavy as the mountain, this time when I came out, he exhorted me repeatedly that when I see Chu Xiang Shuai, I must, by all means, send best regards on his behalf. He was even afraid that I would not recognize Chu Xiang Shuai, hence when I left, he especially described Chu Xiang Shuai¡®s svelte in abundance.¡±


    He chuckled, and then continued, ¡°But when I saw Chu Xiang Shuai, I still could not recognize him immediately, just because ¡­¡± Translated by foxs


    Hu Tiehua laughed and continued for him, ¡°Just because at that time he was stark naked, just like a newborn baby. Naturally that friend of yours can¡¯t be a girl, how would he know what he looks like when he was naked?¡±


    Gou Zichang laughed and said, ¡°But as soon as I saw Chu Xiang Shuai¡®s actions, I immediately remembered; however ¡­ until now, I still can¡¯t figure out how that pearl got into the jade belt.¡±


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°That is no more than diversionary tactic of magic tricks, it¡¯s not strange at all. He must have learned it from the ¡®Four Hands¡¯ who lived by Tian Qiao [Heavenly Bridge] doing magic tricks. That¡¯s why he is also nicknamed ¡®Three Hands¡¯ [pickpocket]. Could it be that you have never heard about it?¡±


    Gou Zichang said, ¡°This ¡­ I have never heard my friend talked about it.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang laughed and said, ¡°This man has never grown ivory in his mouth. It¡¯s better for you to listen to him a bit less.¡± foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°Could it be that you have ivory growing in your mouth? Ivory is very valuable these days. No wonder some little girls [xiao bengniang] treat you as a living treasure.¡±


    Paying no attention to him, Chu Liuxiang asked, ¡°I wonder what is your honorable friend¡¯s respected surname and great given name? How did he know me?¡±


    Gou Zichang said, ¡°His name is Wang Erdai.¡± [both er and dai could mean stupid/a fool]


    Knitting his brows, Chu Liuxiang repeated, ¡°Wang Erdai?¡±


    Gou Zichang laughed and said, ¡°I also know that that must be a fake name, but a friend is a friend. As long as he is sincere with me, why should I care if he uses his real name or a fake surname?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang nodded, he did not ask any further.


    Others unwilling to say, he definitely would not ask too much.


    They were talking and walking at the same time, very soon they arrived at the riverbank.


    Burst after burst of fresh aroma of grilled fish wafted in the breeze.


    Hu Tiehua laughed and said, ¡°Zhang San, this kid finally understands good and bad, he already grilled the fish and is waiting to show appreciation to us.¡± Translated by foxs


    The ¡®Fast Net¡¯ Zhang San¡¯s boat was not big, and it was already very shabby.


    But both Chu Liuxiang and Hu Tiehua knew that Zhang San has spent countless heart¡¯s blood to build it. Every piece of wood and every nail on the boat has been through careful selection. Although it seemed to be shabby, it is actually incomparably strong. As long as he was sitting on this boat, no matter how big the wind and the waves they encountered, Chu Liuxiang definitely would not worry.


    He believed in Zhang San¡¯s ability, because his own boat was also built by Zhang San.


    There was a small red clay stove on the bow of the boat, next to the stove, there were more than a dozen jars of all kinds of shapes and sizes, big and small. Inside the jars were all kinds of different seasoning.


    The fire was not roaring at all, and Zhang San was grilling a fish on the fire with a small iron fork. While grilling, he used a small brush to braise the fish with different ingredients.


    He seemed to have put all his essence and spirit into the fish in his hand. Other people simply could not imagine that the ¡®Fast Net¡¯ Zhang San could focus and concentrate his attention like this.


    Chu Liuxiang and the others came, but Zhang San did not greet them.


    When he was grilling the fish, even if the sky fell, he would not care. No matter what happened, he simply had to wait until the fish was done. foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    He often said, ¡°Everyone can grill fish, but I grill better than others, just because I am more focus than others. These two characters ¡®zhuan xin¡¯ [focus] is my biggest secret in grilling fish.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang believed that no matter what people do, they should learn this secret from him.


    The aroma was getting stronger.


    Hu Tiehua could not help saying, ¡°I think your fish is probably already done.¡±


    Zhang San did not pay him any attention.


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°If you grill it some more, won¡¯t it be burnt?¡±


    Zhang San sighed and said, ¡°Being interrupted and distracted by you, the taste of this fish must be wrong. It is ready, you can eat it!¡±


    He delivered the fish, along with the iron fork ¨C over, and muttered, ¡°Impatient people, how could they eat good food?¡±


    Hu Tiehua laughed and said, ¡°But impatient people will at least have something to eat, better than standing on the side and drooling.¡±


    He was not being polite at all, sitting down cross-legged, he took a big bite.


    Only then did Zhang San stand up to greet the guest. He laughed and said, ¡°Just now this friend was almost knocked over by me in the public bath. I should have grilled the fish first to honor him ¡­ Why didn¡¯t you guys introduce me to him?¡±


    Gou Zichang said, ¡°My name is Gou Zichang, I don¡¯t eat fish; whenever I see fish, I feel full already.¡± Translated by foxs


    Zhang San was stunned, and then he roared in laughter and said, ¡°All right, all right, this friend speaks really direct and to the point. But people who don¡¯t eat fish don¡¯t need to be punished by standing ¡­ Come, please sit down, sit down. Although my boat is worn out, it has been washed very clean, there is absolutely no fishy smell.¡±


    His boat never had any chair, no matter who, anybody coming to his boat had to sit on the deck.


    Gou Zichang put down the black leather suitcase first, and then sat on the suitcase.


    Zhang San¡¯s eyes grew big, he stared at his leather suitcase ¨C¨C when the suitcase was put down, the entire boat seemed to rock, obviously it was astonishingly heavy.


    Gou Zichang laughed and said, ¡°Not that I dislike dirty, it¡¯s just that my legs are too long, sitting cross-legged is uncomfortable.¡±


    Zhang San did not seem to hear a word of what he said.


    Gou Zichang laughed and said, ¡°You must be guessing what¡¯s inside my suitcase, but you will never guess.¡± foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    Zhang San also felt a little embarrassed, he laughed and said, ¡°I know that at least what¡¯s in the suitcase can¡¯t be fish.¡±


    Gou Zichang¡¯s eyes flashing, he said with a smile, ¡°I can let you guess three times. If you can guess it, I will give the suitcase to you.¡±


    Zhang San laughed and said, ¡°I¡¯m not an immortal, how can I guess?¡±


    Although his mouth said that, he still could not help guessing, ¡°The heaviest object seems to be gold.¡±


    Gou Zichang shook his head, he said, ¡°No.¡±


    He suddenly chuckled again, and then went on, ¡°Even if all the gold on earth is piled up before me, I definitely will not give this suitcase to him.¡±


    Zhang San¡¯s eyes lit up, he said, ¡°This suitcase unexpectedly is so precious?¡±


    Gou Zichang said, ¡°In other people¡¯s eyes, it may be worthless, but in my eyes, it is more precious than life.¡±


    Zhang San heaved a sigh, he said, ¡°I admit that I can¡¯t guess.¡±


    He stared at Gou Zichang, and then sounded him out, ¡°Such a precious object, presumably you won¡¯t easily show it to other people?¡±


    Gou Zichang said, ¡°But sooner or later you will see it, so don¡¯t worry.¡± Translated by foxs


    He chuckled and then added, ¡°Impatient people, how could they see good things?¡±


    Although the fish was grilling slowly, it was grilled nonstop. Hu Tiehua already gobbled three, but his eyes were still wide open, as he stared at the one being roasted on the fire.


    Gou Zichang laughed and said, ¡°Tonight at San He Lou, there is still a table of good dishes waiting, why don¡¯t Hu Xiong save some space in your stomach?¡±


    Hu Tiehua laughed and said, ¡°You don¡¯t understand. How can there be anything on earth that can match the tastiness of Zhang San¡¯s grilled fish?¡±


    He closed his eyes, shook his head and said, ¡°I like to eat bear paw, I also like to eat fish. But if the fish is grilled by Zhang San, I would choose the fish over the bear paw.¡±


    Zhang San laughed in spite of himself, he said, ¡°I did not expect this person to have some knowledge.¡±


    Hu Tiehua spoke leisurely, ¡°Other knowledge, I don¡¯t have, but knowledge about eating, I have plenty. Even if Zhang San¡¯s grilled fish is not superior at all, I will eat it first and talk later. Being able to spit the fish bones from the mouth is better than flying ducks.¡± foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    Suddenly his eyes grew big again, he said, ¡°Do you think the dishes on the table tonight are delicious? If there is no poison in the dishes, then it would be strange indeed.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang suddenly said, ¡°Why is there an ant in this jar of vinegar? Could it be that you want to poison me too?¡±


    How could there be any centipede in the vinegar?


    Hu Tiehua was the first one unable to refrain from talking, but Chu Liuxiang waved his hand to tell him to shut up, and then he picked up the jar of vinegar and walked to the side of the boat.


    No one could guess what he was doing, only to see he poured the entire jar of vinegar down.


    ¡°What is wrong with this man?¡±


    Hu Tiehua had not said these words, he discovered that on the calm water of the river suddenly a burst of waves bubbled up, as if there was a big fish trashing around in the water.


    And then, a circular cylinder, just over three chi long, about the size of a small bowl in diameter, floated up from the water.


    The cylinder was made of silver, but it was so thin that it floated in the water.


    Hu Tiehua immediately understood, he said, ¡°Someone was hiding in the water and using this cylinder to eavesdrop?¡± Translated by foxs


    Chu Liuxiang nodded, he laughed and said, ¡°Now I am afraid he won¡¯t be able to hear any sound for a long time.¡±


    Underwater, one could not hear the sound above the water. Only by putting this special silver tube on the ear and extend it out of the surface of the water would the sound above the water be transmitted down via the silver tube.


    But he would never imagine that a bottle of vinegar would be poured down from above.


    Hu Tiehua laughed and said, ¡°Vinegar poured into the ear, although the feeling is not pleasant, but you still let that kid off too lightly. If it were me, I would definitely pour this can of chili oil down.¡±


    Zhang San heaved a sigh, he muttered, ¡°Without chili oil, it¡¯s still not a problem, but without vinegar, it is impossible to grill at all.¡±


    Gou Zichang was already emotionally moved, he could not help saying, ¡°Since Xiang Shuai already discovered someone eavesdropping underwater, why not catch him and ask who sent him?¡± foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    Chu Liuxiang chuckled indifferently and said, ¡°Asking him, it¡¯s absolutely impossible to learn anything, but even though I don¡¯t ask, I already know who sent him.¡±


    Gou Zichang asked, ¡°Who?¡±


    Before Chu Liuxiang could speak, suddenly they saw two fast horses galloping speedily along the river bank.


    The men on the horseback¡¯s equestrianism was exquisite, the horses were also choice horses, one out of a thousand, only this moment there was already foam forming at the corners of their mouth, obviously they have already galloped over a long distance.


    When passing by the boat, the men on the horseback seemed to speak a couple sentences.


    But the horses galloped too fast that in the blink of an eye they already rushed several dozen zhang. No one had such sharp hearing.


    Except for one person.


    Naturally Hu Tiehua knew who this person was, he asked, ¡°Old stinky bug, what did they say?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang replied, ¡°The man with the beard asked, ¡®Bangzhu [gang leader] is really on that boat?¡¯ The man without the beard said, ¡®I just hope ¡­¡¯¡±


    ¡°I just hope what?¡± Hu Tiehua asked.


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°I¡¯m very sorry, I can¡¯t hear the following words clearly.¡±


    Hu Tiehua shook his head and said, ¡°Turns out that your ears are not necessarily too divine.¡±


    But Gou Zichang was already stunned. Translated by foxs


    He simply could not figure out how Chu Liuxiang could hear the two people talking. Not only was he able hear them talking, he was even able to tell which one had beard and which one did not, even able to tell which one said what.


    Gou Zichang was simply in awe that he prostrated himself in admiration [idiom].


    Chu Liuxiang suddenly said again, ¡°Can you see where these two people came from?¡±


    Hu Tiehua and Zhang San scrambled to answer at the same time, ¡°Naturally from the ¡®Shi¡¯er Lianhuan Wu¡¯ [Twelve Linked Docks].¡±


    The two men looked at each other and laughed. Hu Tiehua continued, ¡°The strange thing is, how could Wu Laoda [eldest child/boss/leader of a group] come to the River?¡±


    Gou Zichang was stunned again, he could not help asking, ¡°What kind of place is the Shi¡¯er Lianhuan Wu?¡± foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    Hu Tiehua replied, said, ¡°The Twelve-Linked Docks is the headquarter of the ¡®Fengwei Bang¡¯ [Phoenix Tail Gang].¡±


    ¡°Fengwei Bang?¡± Gou Zichang asked,


    Hu Tiehua explained, ¡°Fengwei Bang is the largest gang in Jianghuai. It has a long history, nearly the same as Gai Bang [the Beggar Gang], moreover, their conduct is also similar to that of Gai Bang; they are very upright.¡±


    ¡°And who is Wu Laoda?¡± Gou Zichang asked.


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°Wu Laoda is Wu Weiyang, he is the Zongpiao Bazi [lit. chief ladle handle, basically ¡®boss¡¯, head honcho] of Fengwei Bang.¡±


    Zhang San added, ¡°Not only this man has extremely high martial art skill, but his conduct is also very honest, he could be regarded as a very good man with resounding reputation. If I see him, I will definitely invite him to eat grilled fish.¡±


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°You should know that to eat Zhang San¡¯s grilled fish is not easy at all. Shenlong Bang¡¯s [divine dragon gang] Yun Conglong has wanted it for many years, but he simply could not eat it.¡±


    Gou Zichang asked, ¡°Is that the Shenlong Bang of the Yangtze River?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± Zhang San replied, ¡°Shenlong Bang is located prominently on the Yangtze River for many years, no one dares to snatch their territory. It was due to his agreement with Shenlong Bang in the past that Wu Weiyang vowed never to come to the Yangtze River.¡± Translated by foxs


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°But he came today, that¡¯s why we feel strange.¡±


    Gou Zichang said, ¡°But ¡­ how do you know that the two riders must have come from the ¡®Twelve Linked Docks¡¯?¡±


    Hu Tiehua asked, ¡°Can you see what kind of clothes they are wearing?¡±


    Gou Zichang said, ¡°It seems to be blackish green clothes, but people who wear blackish green clothes are many!¡±


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°His belt is made of seven silk strips of different colors, which is the unique symbol of the ¡®Feng Wei Bang¡¯.¡±


    Gou Zichang was stunned for half a day, he heaved a deep, deep sigh, and said with a bitter smile, ¡°Your eyes are so fast ¡­¡±


    Zhang San spoke indifferently, ¡°To mingle in Jianghu, not only eyes must be fast, ears must be long too. Relying solely on strong martial art skill is definitely not enough ¡­¡±


    Suddenly they heard the sound of hoofbeats, two horses came running from upstream along the riverbank. foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    There was no one on the horseback.


    These two horses, one was spotted and one was white, even Gou Zichang could see that they just passed through here, yet now they were back along the same path, but how could the riders be gone? Gou Zichang suddenly leaped from the bow, swept across the air, and landed gently on the white horse¡¯s saddle, unexpectedly his hand was still carrying the black leather suitcase.


    Only to head someone praised by his ear, ¡°Good qinggong!¡±


    Turning his head around, he saw Hu Tiehua already sat on the spotted horse¡¯s saddle, looking at him with a grin on his face.


    The two looked at each other and laughed; they reined the horses at the same time.


    At this time, Chu Liuxiang slowly walked over, and said with laugh, ¡°The two gentlemen¡¯s qinggong are both very high, but Gou Xiong is a notch better.¡±


    Hu Tiehua laughed and said, ¡°Not wrong the slightest bit. He is carrying a suitcase weighing several dozen jin in his hand. Naturally he is at a disadvantage a lot more than me.¡±


    Surprisingly, Gou Zichang did not show any signs that he was very proud of himself. Flipping over to dismount, he said, ¡°Xiang Shuai is deeply hidden and did not reveal anything, your martial art skill must be even more deep and unmeasurable. It would be great if you could let me broaden my horizons.¡± Translated by foxs


    Hu Tiehua laughed and said, ¡°You think he is really deeply hidden and did not reveal anything? Let me tell you, he is just natural lazybones. If he could lie down, he would never sit; if he could walk, he would never run.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang laughed and said, ¡°If I could keep my mouth shut, I would never talk randomly.¡±


    Gou Zichang eyes flashing, he suddenly said, ¡°Does Xiang Shuai know why these two horses left and then came back? Where did the riders go?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°Gou Xiong must have already seen that perhaps they have encountered other people¡¯s poisonous hands [deadly blow/vicious attacks/treacherous assault]!¡±


    Emotionally moved, Hu Tiehua said, ¡°What did you guys see? How do you know they encountered other people¡¯s poisonous hands?¡±


    Gou Zichang pointed to the white horse¡¯s saddle and said, ¡°Look, the blood stains here are not dry yet, presumably the rider has met with some mishaps.¡±


    The saddle was indeed full of bloodstain, just like a dark red area.


    Hu Tiehua heaved a sigh, he said, ¡°You¡¯re not slow to learn, simply already like a Jianghu veteran.¡±


    Gou Zichang said with a wry smile, ¡°I just happened to be standing here that I found out about it, who would have thought that while talking and laughing, Xiang Shuai has already seen it.¡± foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    Chu Liuxiang spoke heavily, ¡°Wu Weiyang is like general who has no weak soldiers under him. These two men are both skilled in horsemanship, presumably their martial art skill is not weak either. The two horses came and went like this, it was just but a moment, they had already met poisonous hands ¡­¡±


    Hu Tiehua hurriedly said, ¡°Let¡¯s see if their bodies can still be found ¡­¡±


    Before he finished speaking, he already slapped the horse to go far away.

 CH 3.1

    Chapter 3 ¨C Speculation


    The wind on the river bank was strong, and the twilight was descending fast.


    Hu Tiehua galloped on the horse. Along the shore, not only were there no dead bodies, but not even a living person could be seen. Translated by foxs


    On the river, the number of boats was also very few.


    ¡°Not even the time to eat a meal had passed, those two horses left and came back. Obviously, they have not been gone too far before they were intercepted. How could their corpses have come this far?¡±


    Hu Tiehua finally realized this logic. Immediately he pulled the rein and turned the horse¡¯s head and beat it back. Not long after, he discovered Chu Liuxiang, Gou Zichang, and Zhang San were congregating by the shore, while surprisingly, the corpses of the two riders were at their feet.


    Hu Tiehua felt very strange; before he even leaped over to dismount, he already shouted, ¡°Good kids, turns out you already found them, yet you did not even call out a word to me, causing me trouble that I had to run around on a pointless trip.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang chuckled, he said, ¡°You haven¡¯t had a horse ride for a long time, I thought you wanted to take this opportunity to go for a ride and enjoy the scenery, how could I dare you interrupt your refined and elegant attitude of mind?¡±


    Hu Tiehua had no choice but to pretend that he had no idea what he was talking about; flying off the horse, he asked, ¡°Where did you find them?¡±


    Zhang San replied, ¡°Right here.¡± foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    ¡°Right here?¡± Hu Tiehua asked, ¡°Why didn¡¯t I see them?¡±


    Zhang San laughed and said, ¡°After you killed people, could it be that you leave the body on the road for others to see?¡±


    He shook his head and muttered, ¡°I can¡¯t believe that this person lives for more than thirty years old, and still has this kind of burning-butt temper.¡±


    Hu Tiehua shouted and said, ¡°Alright, alright, even you, this kid, also come to give me trouble. What thing are you? Next time you steal someone else¡¯s pearls, see whether I will take the blame for you?¡±


    He had just been taunted by Chu Liuxiang, and he could not find a place to vent his anger.


    Zhang San happened to be the punching bag that dropped by his door.


    Gou Zichang did not know their friendship, and he did not know that they bickered for no reason at all, it was just to relax their tensed nerves; rushing to lift the siege [to help someone out of trouble], he said, ¡°These two men¡¯s bodies were fished out of the water.¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡± Hu Tiehua said.


    Actually, he had already seen that the two corpses were dripping wet, so how could he not know that the corpses have been thrown into the river? Translated by foxs


    Gou Zichang went on, ¡°The murderer even stuffed their clothes with sand, so once they sank, they won¡¯t float again. Were it not for Xiang Shuai finding some blood stains on the ground, no one would have found them.¡±


    Hu Tiehua spoke indifferently, ¡°In that case, his ability is really not small, right?¡±


    Heaving a deep sigh, Gou Zichang said, ¡°Xiang Shuai¡®s vision is sharp, indeed not something that others could match.¡±


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°You must admire him a lot, right?¡±


    Gou Zichang said, ¡°Really admire very much.¡±


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°Do you want to learn from him?¡±


    Gou Zichang said, ¡°I hope that that is the case.¡±


    Hu Tiehua heaved a sigh, he said, ¡°Other people you don¡¯t want to learn from, why would you want to learn from him?¡±


    Gou Zichang chuckled, but did not answer.


    Suddenly they saw a streak of light blue-green fire soaring into the sky, and disappeared in a flash in the twilight. foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    By this time, it has not completely dark yet, the flame did not look too clear.


    But Gou Zichang¡¯s expression seemed to have changed a bit, he suddenly cupped his fist and said with a laugh, ¡°I still have something to do, so I have to go first. Xiang Shuai, Hu Xiong, see you at the San He Lou this evening.¡±


    Before he finished speaking, his figure already flashed away.


    Only to see his two long legs took a few steps, his person was already twenty or thirty zhang away, and in the blink of an eye his trace disappeared. Even if Hu Tiehua wanted to pull him back, it was already too late.


    Only after a long time Zhang San let out a long sigh and said, ¡°In my conscience, this person¡¯s qinggong is really not bad.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°Indeed not bad.¡±


    Zhang San said, ¡°Looking at his qinggong and shenfa, it seems that it is different from those of various schools and sects in the Central Earth.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°It¡¯s a bit different.¡±


    Zhang San said, ¡°This kind of qinggong and shenfa like his, have you seen it?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang shook his head, he smiled and said, ¡°The martial arts that I have not seen are a lot ¡­¡± Translated by foxs


    Hu Tiehua suddenly said, ¡°I¡¯ll say that not only his qinggong is not weak, his mapigong [lit. patting the horse¡¯s butt skill/flattery] is very brilliant as well.¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡± Chu Liuxiang said.


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°Do you think he really admires you?¡±


    He laughed coldly and continued, ¡°He deliberately pretended not to understand anything, deliberately patted your horse¡¯s butts, and curried for your favor. He must have plotted against you, I think you should be careful.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang chuckled, he said, ¡°Maybe he really admires me? Why should you be jealous [lit. eat vinegar]?¡±


    Hu Tiehua humphed, shook his head and said, ¡°Thousand times bore through, ten thousand times bore through; horse¡¯s fart does not bore through [¡®Anything gets through me except horse fart¡¯ (Courtesy of Sunnysnow during Eagle Shooting Hero translation project)]. This saying really not the least bit incorrect; however, ¡®not listening to the old man¡¯s words, bearing hardship is imminent¡¯¡¯. When you are falling into the trap, don¡¯t blame me for not forewarning you.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°I can only blame him for not patting your horse¡¯s butts, hence nothing looks pleasing to your eyes.¡±


    Zhang San also laughed, but immediately knitted his brows and said, ¡°But I think this person¡¯s whereabouts are also a bit suspicious, plus we don¡¯t know anything about the strange thing inside that suitcase of his, you should at least ask him about his origin.¡± foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    Chu Liuxiang spoke indifferently, ¡°We don¡¯t need to bother about that matter. Naturally, someone else is going to ask him.¡±


    Zhang San asked, ¡°Who?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang replied, ¡°Ding Feng!¡±


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°What if he doesn¡¯t come to the ¡®San He Lou¡¯ tonight?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang laughed and said, ¡°In his belly, there¡¯s no good wine and grilled fish, how could he let go of the opportunity to eat for free?¡±


    Hu Tiehua looked at the corpses on the ground, he asked, ¡°Did you find their fatal wounds?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang replied, ¡°On their left rib.¡±


    Hu Tiehua rolled the bodies over and took a look, only to see on the left rib, both bodies indeed had a wound the size of a copper coin, the blood had already drained.


    The wound has been washed white by the river water, it looked very deep.


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°This is an arrow wound.¡±


    ¡°Uh huh,¡± Chu Liuxiang responded. Translated by foxs


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°In this area, the water on both sides of the river is very shallow, they have to be at least ten zhang away from the shore to sail a boat.¡±


    Zhang San said, ¡°At least twenty zhang away.¡±


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°The killer shot an arrow from twenty zhang away, and he was able to penetrate their ribs and take their lives. This kind of hand strength is very rare.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°Indeed very rare.¡±


    Hu Tiehua said again, ¡°Looking at their wounds, obviously the arrowhead used was extra-large, the arrow must be heavy, presumably the bow used for shooting the arrow must also be a strong bow.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°The strong bow he used must be at least five hundred shi [lit. stone, unit of volume (dry), approx. equal to 100 liters].¡±


    Hu Tiehua said: ¡°In Jianghu, the number of people able to use such a powerful bow and big arrow is not many at all.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°Indeed very few people have such arm strength that they can pull a five-hundred-shi strong bow.¡±


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°Even if someone is able to pull this kind of strong bow, he might not necessarily have this kind of accuracy, able to take other people¡¯s lives from twenty zhang away, so much so that other people are unable to dodge.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± Chu Liuxiang said. foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    Hu Tiehua let out a long breath, he said, ¡°In that case, wouldn¡¯t this matter already be very obvious?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°Very obvious; I cannot think ¡­¡±


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°You still can¡¯t think of who that person is?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°I can¡¯t think of it.¡±


    Hu Tiehua could not help showing a smug look on his face, he said, ¡°Other than Wu Weiyang, who else?¡±


    Knitting his brows, Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°Are you saying that Wu Weiyang killed them?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± Hu Tiehua said, ¡°Wu Weiyang¡¯s arm strength is well known in the world, the one he uses is precisely a five-hundred-shi strong bow, the thirteen ¡®Phoenix Tail Arrows¡¯ in the quiver are one hundred shots, one hundred hits even more. In the past, in the decisive battle against the ¡®Shenlong Bang¡¯ [Divine Dragon Gang], although in the opening battle he lost five battles, but Wu Weiyang¡¯s thirteen arrows shot down the main sail of the thirteen Shenlong Bang¡¯s boats, also scared Shenlong Bang¡¯s heart and guts to tremble, otherwise Yun Conglong had great victory in his grasp and he still had enough remaining power, why would he be willing to make a non-aggression pact with the Fengwei Bang [Phoenix Tail Gang]?¡±


    He laughed and said, ¡°It was not only the accomplishment that Wu Weiyang most proud of in all his life, but also it created such a big sensation in Jianghu back then; could it be that you have forgotten?¡± Translated by foxs


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°I have not forgotten.¡±


    Hu Tiehua laughed heartily and said, ¡°Since you haven¡¯t forgotten, how come you cannot think that it was Wu Weiyang¡¯s handiwork? I think your head has been emptied out by wine and women in these past two years.¡±


    Hearing that, Zhang San stared blankly, he blurted out in praise, ¡°In these past two years, indeed Xiao Hu has really become much smarter!¡±


    Hu Tiehua was even more smug, he added, ¡°Also, Wu Weiyang must also know that the ¡®Fengwei Jian¡¯ [Phoenix Tail Arrow] he used was too conspicuous, so after killing them, he had to pull out the arrow and then destroy the corpses to wipe out any traces, so that people would not think that he was the assailant.¡±


    Rubbing his palms together, Zhang San said, ¡°Makes sense.¡±


    Hu Tiehua laughed and said, ¡°In this matter, there is only one thing that I cannot figure out.¡±


    ¡°What thing,¡± Zhang San asked. foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°Since these two are his subordinates, why did he kill them?¡±


    Muttering to himself irresolutely, Zhang San looked at Chu Liuxiang and asked, ¡°Do you know why he did it?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°I don¡¯t know anything, I only know that the person who killed them was definitely not Wu Weiyang!¡±


    Hu Tiehua cried out, he said, ¡°If not Wu Weiyang, then who did it? You, this person, why did your head suddenly turn into a block of wood?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°These two men were rushing all the way, it was because they wanted to overtake Wu Weiyang, right?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± Hu Tiehua replied, ¡°Only it¡¯s a pity that they did overtake him, otherwise they wouldn¡¯t have fallen under Wu Weiyang¡¯s poisonous hands.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang continued, ¡°Since they were running after Wu Weiyang, when they caught up with him, seeing Wu Weiyang, naturally they must stop and pay their respect, right?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± Hu Tiehua said.


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°When they stopped and paid their respect, they must be facing Wu Weiyang, right?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± Hu Tiehua said. Translated by foxs


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°Since they are facing Wu Weiyang, when Wu Weiyang shot the arrow, how could the arrow hit their left ribs?¡±


    Hu Tiehua was stunned, the smug look on his face disappeared immediately.


    Zhang San blurted out, ¡°Maybe the arrow Wu Weiyang shot could turn midway.¡±


    Hu Tiehua glared at him, as if he wanted to bite him.


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°Furthermore, Wu Weiyang has crisscrossed Jianghu for more than twenty years, he could be regarded as a first-class Jianghu veteran, if he really wanted to destroy the corpse and wipe out the traces, how could we discover it?¡±


    Zhang San laughed and said, ¡°Maybe he was drunk.¡±


    Hu Tiehua opened his eyes wide, ¡°Anything else?¡± he asked.


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°Also, the two horses were galloping forward. After the two men was wounded and fell off their horses, the two horses should have continued galloping forward, how could they suddenly turn back?¡±


    Zhang San laughed and said, ¡°Maybe these two horses are not vegetarian, they did not eat grass, but wanted to eat my grilled fish.¡±


    Hu Tiehua jumped up and shouted, ¡°Alright, alright, alright, you two are smarter than me, just tell me what¡¯s going on.¡± foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°The shooter must be someone hiding on the shore. The two men galloped all the way, they did not see anything, so they were caught off guard, hence the arrow he shot hit the left ribs.¡±


    ¡°Humph!¡± Hu Tiehua snorted.


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°Although this person used a big arrow, he may not necessarily use a strong bow, because the distance between them was not twenty zhang at all.¡±


    Zhang San said, ¡°Not only it was less than twenty zhang, it might be even less than two zhang. Within two zhang, the arrows I shoot will be very accurate too!¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°He did this in order to make us think it was Wu Weiyang¡¯s doing, hence he deliberately left some blood stains on the shore so that we could find these two men¡¯s bodies.¡±


    Zhang San said, ¡°He was even afraid that we would not search here, hence he deliberately released the two horses back, also deliberately left some blood stains on the saddle, is that right?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°That¡¯s right, otherwise these men were shot on the left ribs by an arrow, how could the blood drip onto the saddle?¡±


    Hu Tiehua no longer talked. Translated by foxs


    Zhang San said, ¡°But in this matter, there is also one thing that I cannot figure out.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang asked, ¡°What is it?¡±


    Zhang San said, ¡°He killed these two men, originally the gods did not know, the ghosts did not perceive, why did he want us to know?¡±


    Hu Tiehua held his tongue, but in the end he still could not help asking, ¡°Because he knew that we have seen these two men, so he was afraid that we would investigate.¡±


    Zhang San said, ¡°That reason barely makes sense, but even if these two men were really killed by Wu Weiyang, it is their ¡®Fengwei Bang¡¯ business, others cannot intervene, why would he want to frame Wu Weiyang?¡±


    Hu Tiehua was speechless again.


    Chu Liuxiang spoke slowly, ¡°They did this not because they were afraid that we would investigate, nor did they want to frame Wu Weiyang.¡±


    Zhang San asked, ¡°Why did they do it then?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°So that we know that Wu Weiyang is still alive.¡±


    Zhang San and Hu Tiehua looked at each other, obviously they did not understand what he was talking about. foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°If my guess is right, Wu Weiyang must have already died!¡±


    Emotionally moved, Zhang San said, ¡°You are saying Wu Laoda has also met their poisonous hands?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°But they don¡¯t want others to know, maybe there is another conspiracy, hence they did it this way. If we are convinced that these two men were really killed by Wu Weiyang, then naturally Wu Weiyang himself is not dead. Later on, if someone asks whether Wu Weiyang is dead or alive, we would definitely testify that Wu Weiyang is still alive!¡±


    He sighed and continued, ¡°These people¡¯s scheming is deep, their method poisonous, their planning thorough, indeed are very terrifying. The most terrifying thing is that until now, no one knows what they are plotting?¡±


    Zhang San stuck out his tongue, he laughed and said, ¡°Luckily they didn¡¯t see me clearly tonight ¡­¡±


    The candle flame on the bow had not gone out yet.


    Zhang San patted Hu Tiehua on the shoulder and said with a laugh, ¡°It¡¯s not too late yet, how about going to my boat to eat couple more fish?¡±


    Hu Tiehua laughed and said, ¡°Today I still want to save some stomach to eat those grandsons, I¡¯ll eat your grandson tomorrow.¡±


    Zhang San muttered, ¡°If you miss the opportunity today, I¡¯m afraid you won¡¯t be able to eat tomorrow ¡­¡± Translated by foxs


    He shook his head, heaved a sigh, and walked slowly onto the boat. Unexpectedly, he was singing. Listening carefully, he was unexpectedly singing, ¡°The breeze is dreary, turning the water cold, once the warrior leaves, he will never return ¡­¡±


    Hu Tiehua laughed and cursed, ¡°This kid is really a dog¡¯s mouth can¡¯t spit out ivory. I don¡¯t believe that at the ¡®San He Lou¡¯, someone is really able to take our lives.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang was silent for half a day, suddenly he laughed and said, ¡°I want to eat a couple of fish from him, this opportunity may really be not many ¡­¡±


    Suddenly they heard a soft cry, Zhang San had just walked into the cabin and backed out again. Although there was a look of surprise on his face, he still said with a laugh, ¡°On this boat of mine, I don¡¯t even have half a valuable thing. If friend wants to come and visit [as a customer], then I¡¯m really sorry.¡±


    Hu Tiehua cast a glanc at Chu Liuxiang, he broke into laughter and said, ¡°I never thought that the gentleman on the roof beam [fig. a thief] would also encounter a little thief today.¡±


    The two men swept over to the bow, indeed they discovered someone was curling up at the corner of the cabin.

 CH 3.2

    There was no light in the cabin, it was very dark, they could not see this person¡¯s face and figure clearly, they could only see a pair of eyes ¨C a pair of bright eyes. foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    No matter who, it was very rare to see such bright, such beautiful eyes, only too bad right now this pair of eyes was brimming with panic and fear, naturally it was far less touching than usual.


    Zhang San laughed and said, ¡°I don¡¯t have anything here, only a few worn out socks. If Guniang does not dislike the smell, please take it away, staying here won¡¯t do you any good.¡±


    The person in the cabin did not move, but did not leave either, unexpectedly it looked like she decided to stay here.


    Knitting his brows, Zhang San said, ¡°You still don¡¯t want to leave?¡±


    Very quickly the person in the cabin shook her head.


    Zhang San said, ¡°What on earth are you going to do here? Could it be that you simply must wait for me to blast you out?¡±


    He seemed to be wanting to really come in to chase her out, but Hu Tiehua pulled him back. Scowling at him, he said, ¡°Could it be that there is something wrong with you, this person?¡±


    Stumped for words, Zhang San said, ¡°Something¡¯s wrong? What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°If there is such a beautiful girl willing to honor me by coming to my house, it would still be not enough if I do everything I can to ask her to stay, how could I pull my face and drive her away?¡± Translated by foxs


    Laughing in spite of himself, Zhang San said, ¡°Did you hear that? Although I¡¯m a very good guy, this kid is a big pervert. I advise you to leave quickly, the sooner the better.¡±


    Other than fish and pearls, Zhang San had no interest in anything else.


    Who would have thought that the person in the cabin was still shaking her head?


    Hu Tiehua laughed and said, ¡°Guniang must not listen to him, I, this person, just like to make friends, that¡¯s all. As long as Guniang is happy, no matter how long you want stay here, I don¡¯t have any problem, I guarantee that he will not dare to be rude to you.¡±


    He thought that the person inside the cabin would be very grateful to him, who would have thought that this Miss unexpectedly seemed to be completely unable to differentiate good from bad, she gave him a fierce look instead.


    Right this instant, Hu Tiehua suddenly realized that this pair of eyes looked very familiar, as if he had seen them somewhere.


    Before he could speak, Chu Liuxiang already asked, ¡°Is it Jin Guniang?¡±


    Sure enough, the person inside the cabin nodded.


    Hu Tiehua also remembered, he blurted out, ¡°Right, it¡¯s that vicious girl. As soon as she became vicious, as soon as she opened her eyes, I recognized who she was. Zhang San ¡­¡± foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    He turned his head around to look for Zhang San, but Zhang San slipped away early on.


    Chu Liuxiang asked, ¡°Why did Jin Guniang come here?¡±


    Hu Tiehua¡¯s countenance sank, he snorted coldly and said, ¡°Someone as respectable as Jin Guniang, surprisingly you came here, this is indeed a curious occurrence. I wonder if you came here because you still want to take my life?¡±


    Jin Lingzhi blinked, the rim of her eyes unexpectedly appeared to be a little red.


    Surprisingly she also kept her temper in check.


    This tyrannical and overbearing Big Miss, unexpectedly this moment looked a bit pitiful.


    Immediately Hu Tiehua¡¯s heart softened.


    His heart was originally not too hard, especially when he saw a girl, it softened very quickly. He originally wanted to pull his face, who would have thought that the muscle on his face already refused to obey his command. He broke into a smile and said, ¡°Although there is nothing good here, but the grilled fish is not bad, as long as Jin Guniang does not get angry, anything can be discussed nicely.¡± Translated by foxs


    Jin Lingzhi blinked again, unexpectedly tears were streaming down her eyes.


    As soon as he saw a woman¡¯s tears, not only Hu Tiehua¡¯s heart went soft, his person also went soft; he spoke gently, ¡°If Jin Guniang is still angry with me, it¡¯s all right even if you beat me a few times to vent your anger.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang chuckled, he said, ¡°But I am afraid Jin Guniang is not here to look for you.¡±


    His eyes grew wide, Hu Tiehua said, ¡°Not looking for me, could it be that she is looking for you? What for?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang did not pay him any attention, he spoke heavily, ¡°Could it be that Jin Guniang met with some mishap?¡±


    Jin Lingzhi indeed nodded again.


    Hu Tiehua scrambled to say, ¡°Could it be that somebody dared to be rude to Jin Guniang?¡±


    Jin Lingzhi lowered her head, unexpectedly she seemed to be sobbing softly.


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°Could it be that Jin Guniang is not their opponent, hence you came here to hide?¡±


    Jin Lingzhi neither nodded nor shook her head, but her sob was even more sorrowful. foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    Exploding in anger, Hu Tiehua said, ¡°That kid¡¯s guts is indeed not small. Jin Guniang, with us here, you don¡¯t have to be afraid of anything ¡­¡±


    The more he spoke, the angrier he got.


    Seeing someone bullying a girl, once his anger flared out, it was simply out of control, he hatefully said, ¡°Where is that kid now? Take us to him!¡±


    Jin Lingzhi¡¯s body shrank back even farther, like a lamb that had been chased and had nowhere to run. After going through great difficulty to find a place to hide, how could she be willing to come out?


    Knitting his brows, Hu Tiehua said, ¡°Could it be that Jin Guniang is injured?¡±


    Jin Lingzhi¡¯s voice trembled, ¡°I ¡­¡±


    As soon as one word came out of her mouth, she could not help letting out a soft cry, as if the pain was unbearable.


    Emotionally moved, Hu Tiehua said, ¡°Where is your injury, let me see, is it all right?¡±


    His mouth was still speaking, he already entered the cabin head-on.


    The space inside the cabin was not big, moreover, it indeed had a very particular smell ¨C¨C most places where bachelors live have this kind of smell. Translated by foxs


    If a thousand-jin of gold [honorific: daughter] young lady like Jin Lingzhi was not hard-pressed, even if she had to pinch her nose, she would never have come here.


    Hu Tiehua sighed inwardly, he spoke gently, ¡°Although I¡¯m not a famous doctor, I can treat injuries; Jin Guniang, don¡¯t worry, let me see your condition, I am bound to find a way to heal it.¡±


    Jin Lingzhi struggled, she stretched out her legs, and spoke in a trembling voice, ¡°He ¡­ he wanted to kill me, one saber chop nearly cut off my leg.¡±


    Hu Tiehua gritted his teeth and said, ¡°Good kid, so heartless ¡­¡±


    The cabin was very dark, he squatted down, but still could not see clearly where the wound on Jin Lingzhi¡¯s leg was. Frowning, he said, ¡°Zhang San, don¡¯t you even have a lamp in this ghost place?¡±


    He wanted to feel the injury on her leg, who would have thought that he just stretched out his hand, Jin Lingzhi¡¯s severely injured leg suddenly became able to move. Not only it could move, it moved really fast, really powerful. Once the leg flew, it kicked Hu Tiehua¡¯s jianjing [shoulder (water) well] acupoint, and then the other leg kicked Hu Tiehua, sending him rolling out. She was using the authentic northern style mandarin duck kicks.


    Hu Tiehua could not even let out a cry of surprise, he was already under her control and was unable to move.


    Only to see a flash of sword light, a long sword had already pressed against his throat. foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    Jin Lingzhi¡¯s eyes glowered again, she spoke sternly, ¡°You pervert, how dare you touch my leg? Have you forgotten who I am?¡±


    Hu Tiehua sighed, he smiled bitterly and said, ¡°I haven¡¯t forgotten anything, I just forgot that you are a woman. A man who wants to help a woman is just asking for trouble. If he believes in a woman, he deserves to have bad luck!¡±


    Jin Lingzhi laughed coldly and said, ¡°What thing are you that I would ask you to help me. Even if everyone in the world is dead, I will not look for you.¡±


    She suddenly turned her head and shouted, ¡°Stand there and don¡¯t move, if you move, I will kill him first!¡±


    Actually, Chu Liuxiang practically did not move.


    By the time he realized something was wrong, thinking about making his move was already too late.


    Glowering at him, Jin Lingzhi said, ¡°I ask you, is this person your good friend?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang sighed, ¡°It seems that even if I don¡¯t want to admit it, I don¡¯t have any way to do that!¡±


    Jin Lingzhi said, ¡°Do you want him to live, or do you want him to die?¡± Translated by foxs


    Hu Tiehua hurriedly said, ¡°Of course he wants me to live. If I die, who will argue with him?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°If he dies, my life will be peaceful; only too bad that I, this person, have never passed my days in peace and security.¡±


    ¡°Very well,¡± Jin Lingzhi said, ¡°If you want to save him, go and find Zhang San first.¡±


    As soon as she finished speaking, Zhang San already appeared, he spoke with bitter face, ¡°I don¡¯t want him to die either. Among my friends, there is no idiot like him, to find such a person is not an easy task.¡±


    Hu Tiehua also cried out, ¡°Make up your mind, am I a pervert? Or an idiot?¡±


    Zhang San said, ¡°You are an idiot pervert, and a pervert idiot; one person can do two jobs.¡±


    Hu Tiehua laughed and said, ¡°If I can draw a salary, holding two jobs is not a bad thing.¡±


    Jin Lingzhi¡¯s eyes flickered, surprisingly she did not interrupt.


    Simply because listening to this exchange, she was really stunned.


    If it were someone else, falling into a situation like theirs, even if they did not tremble with fear, their faces turned deadly grey, they would inevitably frown with anxiety.


    Who would have thought that these men were still hee, hee, ha, ha and joking, as if they considered this kind of thing as simple home-style meal, practically they did not take it to heart. foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    Surprisingly, Hu Tiehua even laughed happily.


    As soon as Jin Lingzhi¡¯s hand tightened, the tip of the sword almost pierced Hu Tiehua¡¯s throat, she snarled, ¡°You guys think I do not dare to kill him, don¡¯t you?¡±


    Zhang San heaved a sigh, he muttered, ¡°Of course you dare, you dare to even charge into the place where men are taking a bath, what else is there in the world that you dare not do?¡±


    Jin Lingzhi said angrily, ¡°What are you mumbling about?¡±


    Smiling apologetically, Zhang San said, ¡°I said Jin Guniang is originally a towering figure among the women, what¡¯s so strange for you to kill someone? I only ask Guniang not to force me to jump into this river, I will bring everything here.¡±


    Rolling her eyes, Jin Lingzhi said, ¡°It¡¯s good that you understand; quickly jump into the water and take a bath.¡±


    Zhang San blurted out, ¡°What? Take a bath ¡­ Zaixia just took a bath half a month ago, now my body is still very clean.¡± Translated by foxs


    Jin Lingzhi spoke sternly, ¡°If you want to save his life, quickly jump down and stop talking nonsense.¡±


    Zhang San spoke with a miserable expression, ¡°But ¡­ but now it¡¯s cold, and this river is very dirty ¡­¡±


    Jin Lingzhi laughed coldly and said, ¡°If it¡¯s not dirty, I did not want you to jump.¡±


    Zhang San said, ¡°Wh ¡­ why?¡±


    Jin Lingzhi said, ¡°You made me smell the stench here for half a day, how can I easily let you go?¡±


    Zhang San said, ¡°But I never invited Guniang to come here.¡±


    Jin Lingzhi spoke angrily, ¡°Why don¡¯t you clean up this place?¡±


    Zhang San said, ¡°How do I know Guniang was coming?¡±


    Jin Lingzhi said, ¡°Never mind, never mind, I just ask you, are you going to jump? Are you not going to?¡±


    Zhang San heaved a sigh, he muttered, ¡°This Guniang is really completely unreasonable. I think her future husband will inevitably be infuriated to death by her.¡±


    Opening her eyes wide, Jin Lingzhi said, ¡°What are you muttering about?¡±


    Zhang San hurriedly smiled apologetically and said, ¡°I¡¯m just saying, Guniang¡¯s order, who would dare not to obey?¡± foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    With one hand pinching his nose, unexpectedly he really, ¡®Splash!¡¯ jumped into the river.


    But Jin Lingzhi¡¯s anger did not diminish at all, she glared at Chu Liuxiang and said, ¡°Now it¡¯s your turn.¡±


    Smiling wryly, Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°Could it be that Guniang also want me to jump and take a bath?¡±


    Laughing coldly, Jin Lingzhi said, ¡°You won¡¯t have that kind of convenience.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°What does Guniang want me to do?¡±


    Jin Lingzhi said, ¡°I just want you to get something for me. If you promise me, I¡¯ll let him go immediately.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang breathed a sigh of relief, he said, ¡°I wonder what is it that Guniang want me to get?¡±


    Jin Lingzhi said, ¡°Peach.¡± Translated by foxs


    Chu Liuxiang was stunned, ¡°Peach?¡± he asked, ¡°What peach?¡±


    Jin Lingzhi replied, ¡°Naturally peach to be eaten, could it be that you never even heard of peaches?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang laughed and said, ¡°Although now is not peach season, if Guniang insists on wanting it, you will definitely be able to get it.¡±


    Jin Lingzhi spoke leisurely, ¡°It¡¯s just that the peach I want is a little special.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang asked, ¡°What¡¯s so special?¡±


    He seemed to suddenly remember something, his countenance changed, he blurted out, ¡°What Guniang wants, could it be the Yu Pantao [Jade Flat Peach/the peaches of immortality kept by Xi Wangmu (Queen Mother of the West)] in the Jile Gong [Palace of Bliss (lit. extreme happiness)] of the Xingxiuhai [lit. sea of star constellation, Xingxiuhai Basin in Qinghai, more than 4000m above sea level, featuring numerous lakes large and small] in the western region?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± Jin Lingzhi said.


    Chu Liuxiang sucked in a mouthful of cold air, he smiled ruefully and said, ¡°The peach Guniang wants is indeed very special.¡±


    Jin Lingzhi spoke indifferently, ¡°If it¡¯s not special, I don¡¯t want it.¡±


    She went on, ¡°In half a month, it will be my [paternal] grandmother¡¯s eightieth birthday. My [older] brothers, [older] sisters, and uncles [lit. father¡¯s younger and older brothers, respectively] have all already prepared a special birthday gift, how could I not have one?¡± [Translator¡¯s note: the word for ¡®birthday gift¡¯ denotes a birthday present for an old person, lit. longevity gift.] foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    Chu Liuxiang sighed and said, ¡°If Guniang could give the Jade Peach from the Palace of Bliss as her birthday present, naturally it will be a remarkable birthday gift, it will definitely be able to surpass all the gifts given by others.¡±


    ¡°Precisely so,¡± Jin Lingzhi said, ¡°Rumors in Jianghu all say that this Yu Pantao is of the immortal seed from the Xitian¡¯s [Western Paradise] Wangmu Niangniang¡¯s [another name for Xi Wangmu] Pantao Yuan [donut peach garden]. If young people eat it, it nourishes their qi and maintains their youthful appearance, and keeps their youthfulness forever. If old people eat it, it will prolong their life, and live forever without growing old.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°Since that is the case, Guniang should know that this Yu Pantao will only bear fruits once every thirteen years; moreover ¡­¡±


    Jin Lingzhi cut him off, ¡°I have already inquired clearly, this year is precisely the time when the Pantao will bear fruits. Moreover, I don¡¯t want much, only four or five will suffice.¡±


    Hu Tiehua also heaved a sigh, he smiled wryly and said, ¡°You seem to think that your heart is very peaceful, but do you know how many fruits that Yu Pantao bear at a time?¡±


    ¡°Seven,¡± Jin Lingzhi replied. Translated by foxs


    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± Hu Tiehua said, ¡°That Yu Pantao only grew seven fruits in thirteen years, but you want others to give you four or five. Could it be that you think that the old freak in Jile Gong is the old stinky bug¡¯s son?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang sighed and said, ¡°Even if I am really his laozi [old man, father], I¡¯m afraid I wouldn¡¯t be able to get it either.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡± Jin Lingzhi asked.


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°Jile Gongzhu [master of the Palace of Bliss] Zhang Biqi¡¯s wife, Sun Bulao [lit. not old], loves beauty the most, and is most afraid of getting old. In the past, she swore a solemn oath that she would never let her husband see her face at that time.¡±


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°This Zhang Furen [madam] is a wise person. She knows that men are most afraid of seeing laotaipo [old women] ¨C when their wives grow old, out of ten husbands, I am afraid nine would have a change of heart.¡±


    Jin Lingzhi sighed softly, ¡°But everybody will grow old, no one can be an exception, right?¡±


    When a woman hears the word ¡®old¡¯, she can¡¯t help but worry. Although Jin Lingzhi¡¯s temper was like that of a man, she was not an exception.


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°What she meant by that remark was that when she was about to get old, she would die, then her husband would never see her old and frail.¡±


    Hu Tiehua chuckled, he said, ¡°Maybe that was not what she meant.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°Oh?¡± foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°Perhaps what she meant was that when she was getting old, she would kill her husband ¨C¨C only dead people would never have a change of heart, right?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°Actually, they, husband and wife are married couple very much in love. It could be said that they are the most loving couple in Wulin. No matter who dies first, I am afraid the other cannot continue living.¡±


    He went on to say, ¡°In the past, the Jile Gong¡¯s original name was ¡®Lichou Gong¡¯ [lit. Parting Sorrow (or pain of separation) Palace], and Lichou Gongzhu [palace master] Xuan Yuanye was also reckoned to be the first or second best Wulin martial art master at that time.¡±


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°I¡¯ve also heard of this man. It is said that he had innate divine power, unparalleled in the world at that time. The weapon he used weighed more than a hundred jin [catty, about ? kilogram], matchless under the heavens. Later, unexpectedly he suddenly disappeared for an unknown reason.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°At that time, Zhang Biqi was not yet thirty years old, he had just revealed the brilliance of youth in Jianghu. One day, he suddenly went to Xingxiuhai to challenge Xuan Yuanye for a duel. Moreover, he also made a bet, staking his and his wife¡¯s lives against Xuan Yuanye¡¯s Lichou Gong, because he heard that the Yu Pantao can make people stay young forever.¡± Translated by foxs


    Blurted out laughing, Hu Tiehua said, ¡°This bet is really a bit unfair, if Zhang Biqi won, not only he would take possession of Lichou Gong that is more gorgeous than the imperial palace, but his wife would also retain her youthfulness and not grow old; if Xuan Yuanye won, taking their, husband and wife¡¯s lives, what¡¯s the use? If I were Xuan Yuanye, I wouldn¡¯t make this bet against him.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°Although the bet is unfair, Xuan Yuanye crisscrossed the world without a rival, how could he consider this young man who was venturing from his thatched hut for the first time [idiom: novice] worthy in his eyes? He agreed immediately to decide victory or defeat in three rounds.¡±


    ¡°What three rounds?¡± Hu Tiehua asked.


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°One round was betting on weapons, one round on internal strength, and one round on secret projectiles and qinggong.¡±


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°Xuan Yuanye¡¯s weapon was powerful, it could be said that before, there was no ancient man, after, there was no incoming person. His inner power was profound, naturally not something that a young man in his twenties could match. It could be said that he already won at least two rounds.¡± foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°Xuan Yuanye himself must have thought so at the time. Who would have thought that Zhang Biqi not only had real handed-down teachings in martial arts skills, but was also extremely intelligent as a person. He has already come up with a weapon to control Xuan Yuanye¡¯s weapon.¡±


    ¡°What weapon?¡± Hu Tiehua asked.


    Chu Liuxiang replied, ¡°Xiaohun Suo [lit. vanishing/melting-away soul rope].¡±


    Knitting his brows, Hu Tiehua said, ¡°I have never heard of this kind of weapon.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°This kind of weapon was originally created by him, and the name was also chosen by him. Naturally, others have never heard of it.¡±


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°Actually, what kind of weapon was that?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°It was nothing more than just a long rope.¡±


    ¡°Rope?¡± Hu Tiehua said, ¡°How could a rope be used as a weapon? How could it hurt people?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°The rope he used was three zhang long, and he stood three zhang away to fight against Xuan Yuanye. Although Xuan Yuanye¡¯s weapon was heavy, it was unable to shake the rope in his hand to fly. Although the weapon Xuan Yuanye used was long, it was incapable to reach three zhang. His qinggong was originally higher than Xuan Yuanye¡¯s, so even if Xuan Yuanye wanted to press on toward him, he was simply unable to do so.¡±


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°But using the rope, how could he injure Xuan Yuanye? Wouldn¡¯t it mean he was already standing in the position where he could not win? Fighting against people, how could there be such a stupid method?¡±

 CH 3.3

    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°He did not want to win this round, his intention was just to consume Xuan Yuanye¡¯s inner power.¡± Translated by foxs


    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± Hu Tiehua said, ¡°Since Xuan Yuanye¡¯s weapon weighed more than a hundred jin, naturally in using it, he would have to expend a great deal of strength. Only, he was not a fool, he should also understand Zhang Biqi¡¯s intention. Since the weapon used by Zhang Biqi practically could not injure him, he practically did not need to waste his strength in making his move.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°That is precisely the problem; although Zhang Biqi did not want to beat Xuan Yuanye, Xuan Yuanye wholeheartedly wanted to beat Zhang Biqi.¡±


    Hu Tiehua heaved a sigh, he said, ¡°That¡¯s right, with Xuan Yuanye¡¯s position and status, naturally he did not want to end up in a draw against Zhang Biqi. As soon as he had the desire to seek victory, it would be hard to avoid being duped.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°Since Xuan Yuanye was determined to win, naturally he had to use his full strength. The battle between the two started early in the morning and continued until very late at night. Victory or defeat originally had not yet been decided, but Zhang Biqi suddenly admitted defeat, because he had seen that by that time Xuan Yuanye¡¯s true power had already been exhausted, he was nearly at the end of his strength!¡± foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°Since that was the case, why didn¡¯t he continue fighting? He might as well let Xuan Yuanye fell to the ground exhausted, wouldn¡¯t it be better?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°Simply because at that time Xuan Yuanye had already forced him into a dead-end valley, he already had no way to retreat. If he continued to fight, he would have nothing to gain; but since he had already admitted defeat, naturally Xuan Yuanye could not make his move anymore.¡±


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°Therefore, he took this opportunity to compete in the second round immediately, right?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± Chu Liuxiang said.


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°The second round must be competing inner power. At that time, Xuan Yuanye had already been fighting hard for a whole day and night, and he suffered a big loss first, I¡¯m afraid he was no longer his match.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°Then you are wrong. Xuan Yuanye¡¯s natural disposition was unusual and superior, his divine power was inexhaustible. Although his strength was exhausted, Zhang Biqi still did not have confidence of victory, hence their second round was secret projectiles and qinggong.¡±


    Frowning, Hu Tiehua said, ¡°Xuan Yuanye was not known for his secret projectiles and qinggong, I¡¯m afraid he was not Zhang Biqi¡¯s match.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°You¡¯re wrong again. The one making the move in the second round was not Zhang Biqi, but his Furen, Sun Bulao.¡± Translated by foxs


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°So these two unexpectedly used tag team tactic [orig. wheel battle]?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°Although Xuan Yuanye also knew that they were full of tricks, but he prides himself on being the number one martial art master in the world, he believed that he would win two rounds without a doubt, so he did not argue. With that kind of position and status, naturally once he gave his words, it would be like the wind, it can never be changed. Later on, by the time he discovered something was not right, he could not say that it did not count.¡±


    Hu Tiehua sighed and said, ¡°That¡¯s right, if someone wants to act as a hero, he will inevitably suffer a loss.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°Sun Bulao was known as the Lingbo Xianzi [Fairy], San Hua Tian Nu [the Goddess of Scattering Flowers]. How high her secret projectiles and qinggong, it nearly reached the inconceivable level. This round Xuan Yuanye would no doubt lose.¡±


    Hu Tiehua cast Chu Liuxiang a glance out of the corner of his eyes, he spoke leisurely, ¡°Even if qinggong is a bit higher than others, it could not be considered any real skill; it is just the skill used to run for one¡¯s life.¡±


    Even at such a time, he still could not forget to cast Chu Liuxiang a few stinky words.


    Chu Liuxiang paid him no attention, he continued, ¡°After two rounds, even if his divine power was inexhaustible, Xuan Yuanye has reached the limit of his strength, while Zhang Biqi¡¯s physical strength has completely recovered. The third round was less than two sichen, victory or defeat could already be seen.¡± foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    Laughing coldly, Hu Tiehua said, ¡°But even if Zhang Biqi won, it was not a glorious victory. I say this kind of full-of-tricks method, probably it was not him who came up with it.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang asked, ¡°How do you see it?¡±


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°This kind of method, only women can think of.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang chuckled, he said, ¡°But at that time, Zhang Biqi, husband and wife were, after all, Wulin houbei [younger generation, junior], no matter what method they used to score victory, Xuan Yuanye had nothing to say. He immediately surrendered Lichou Gong to the others, and henceforth he himself disappeared. To this day, it has been more than forty years, almost no one in Jianghu has heard about him again.¡±


    He went on to say, ¡°But since that battle, Zhang Biqi, husband and wife also rarely appeared in Jianghu. For nearly twenty years, they have disappeared from the world of mortals, the people of the later generation hardly ever heard their names.¡±


    Hu Tiehua spoke coldly, ¡°I¡¯m afraid they also know that the victory was not honorable; having a guilty conscience, they hide their faces from others.¡±


    The two men, you spoke a sentence, I spoke one word, they talked happy and excited; all along Jin Lingzhi unexpectedly did not interrupt them, just because these two¡¯s eloquence was superb, and they were telling a very fascinating Wulin tale, which was really exciting and complicated, each new high point replaced by another [idiom: one climax after another]. Listening to them, Jin Lingzhi was captivated.


    It wasn¡¯t until the two men finished talking that Jin Lingzhi came to her senses and spoke loudly, ¡°I came here not to listen to your stories. I¡¯m just asking you, do you agree or not?¡± Translated by foxs


    Smiling wryly, Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°I told this story just to let Guniang know how much Zhang Biqi, husband and wife cherished that Yu Pantao. They and I have never met before, not in the least have any relationship with each other, how could as soon as I want it I get it?¡±


    Jin Lingzhi said, ¡°I also know that you can¡¯t get it, but anything that you can¡¯t get, you can go steal it. Everybody in Jianghu knows that there is nothing in the world that the Dao Shuai Chu Liuxiang cannot steal, right?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°But Zhang Biqi, husband and wife have lived in Jile Gong for 40 years, how high their martial art skill is, presumably it is deep and unmeasurable. In the past 40 years, there have been many Jianghu people entertaining the idea to get their Yu Pantao, simply not a single one could come back alive.¡±


    He heaved a sigh, and then continued, ¡°Besides, Xingxiuhai is far away in the west extremities, ten thousand li remote, how could I rush there and rush back in just half a month? Guniang, aren¡¯t you just forcing me to do difficult thing?¡±


    Jin Lingzhi spoke loudly, ¡°That¡¯s right, I just want to force you to do difficult thing for me! If you don¡¯t agree, I¡¯ll kill him now!¡± foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    Closing his eyes, Hu Tiehua spoke with a bitter smile, ¡°Seems like you¡¯d better quickly buy a coffin for me. Buying a coffin is much more convenient than stealing peaches.¡±


    Laughing coldly, Jin Lingzhi said, ¡°You don¡¯t even need to buy a coffin. After I kill you, I will throw you into the river to feed ¡­¡±


    This sentence was not finished, suddenly they heard ¡®Boom!¡¯, unexpectedly the bottom of the boat split open into a big hole, the river water immediately gushed in like a fountain ¨C¨C the hull shook, Jin Lingzhi was suddenly caught off guard, her feet staggered, only to feel her wrist went numb, no one knew what hit her, she could no longer hold the sword in her hand.


    This sword suddenly came into Chu Liuxiang¡¯s hand.


    Amidst the river water surging up violently, unexpectedly someone emerged, it was precisely the ¡®Fast Net¡¯ Zhang San.


    Only to hear Zhang San laughed and said, ¡°Guniang has been here for a long time, presumably you have been drenched in the stench, come down and take a bath.¡±


    Amidst his laughter, he unexpectedly reached out to hug Jin Lingzhi¡¯s legs.


    Jin Lingzhi was so scared that her face turned pale.


    The cabin was obviously open, but surprisingly, she could not slip out, she just spoke loudly, ¡°You dare to touch me, you dare ¡­¡± Translated by foxs


    Zhang San could already see that she must not know any water skill, hence the reason she panicked like this. He laughed and said, ¡°On land, Guniang might be formidable, but in the water, you have to look at me.¡±


    Jin Lingzhi cried out in alarm, suddenly she felt a hand supporting her under her elbow, and then her person was lifted up and flew out of the cabin.


    Only to hear Chu Liuxiang¡¯s voice speaking with a laugh, ¡°Next time you want to take other people¡¯s lives, you must never listen to people telling stories ¡­¡±


    The boat was slowly sinking.


    Propping his cheeks, Zhang San squatted on the shore, looking with knitted eyebrows and worried expression, sighing incessantly, as if tears were about to fall.


    Although in his heart Hu Tiehua was indescribably grateful to him, his mouth deliberately said, ¡°If the old does not go, the new will not come, this boat was about to be written off anyway, sinking earlier would make a clean ending instead, what is it that you feel difficult to bear?¡± foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    Zhang San jumped up and shouted, ¡°A broken-down boat? You said mine was a broken-down boat? Such broken-down boats, how many do you have?¡±


    Hu Tiehua said with a laugh, ¡°Not a single one. Even if there is, I would have sunk it long ago, so that when I look at it, I won¡¯t get angry.¡±


    Zhang San threw his head back and let out a couple of loud laughter, he said, ¡°Alright, alright, alright, since Hu Xianggong [lord, master, young gentleman] said so, then not broken-down boats, presumably Hu Xianggong have at least ten or eight, how about I am asking Hu Xianggong to casually compensate me one?¡±


    Hu Tiehua spoke leisurely, ¡°The boat ought to be compensated, however, the person who ought to compensate your boat was originally here, only too bad ¡­¡±


    He squinted at Chu Liuxiang with the corners of his eyes, and continued coldly, ¡°Only too bad that that person has been let go by this playboy who have tender, protective feelings for the fairer sex [idiom, lit. pity the fragrance and cherish the jade].¡±


    Chu Liuxiang laughed, he said, ¡°I let her go, you are ten thousand times refuse to accept, but if I did not let her go, what are you going to do? Could it be that you can still bite her?¡±


    ¡°Not the least bit wrong,¡± Zhang San said, ¡°I¡¯ll say it¡¯s better to let her go. If she stayed here, a bit later she would shed a couple of teardrops, Hu Xianggong¡¯s heart would inevitably be moved again, once Hu Xianggong¡¯s heart softened, perhaps he would want to touch other people¡¯s thigh again, and then if other people¡¯s sword was pressed against his neck again, at that time, ay ¡­¡± Translated by foxs


    He took a deep, deep sigh, shook his head and said, ¡°Even if I want to rescue Hu Xianggong, I would not be able to find a second broken-down boat to sink.¡±


    Hu Tiehua also threw his head back and let out a couple of loud laughter, he said, ¡°Alright, alright, alright, you two ganging up together, you want to infuriate me to the death, right? Let me tell you, I¡¯m not angry at all; I feel into other people¡¯s trick once, there won¡¯t be the second time!¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡± Zhang San said, ¡°Could it be that it was the first time Hu Xianggong has been fooled by a woman?¡±


    Hu Tiehua was speechless, his nose seemed to be a little itchy, and he wanted to stroke it with his hand again. It was Chu Liuxiang¡¯s ailment, but he already mastered it like ¡®green stems from blue¡¯ [see footnote Chapter 2].


    Zhang San said, ¡°As far as I know, Hu Xianggong falling into a woman¡¯s trick, if not seven or eight hundred times, then at least three or five hundred times. Every time he was fooled, afterward he swore an oath to Heaven that next time he would learn from experience, but the next time he saw a beautiful woman, he still falls into her trick, never fails. Don¡¯t you think this is strange?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang laughed and said, ¡°In his previous life, he must have owed a lot of debts to women, which he continues to pay in this life, however ¡­ in good conscience, this time he fell into the trick, we can¡¯t really blame him.¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡± Zhang San said. foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°That Jin Guniang is capable of doing anything. If you say that she rode the horse into the building, crash her way through into men¡¯s bathhouse, or even say that she stripped naked and walked along the street, I would not feel strange, However, if you say that she would cheat and deceive people, then even I would never have thought about it.¡±


    Hu Tiehua heaved a sigh, he muttered, ¡°Although this old stinky bug also has a stinky mouth, sometimes at least he could say a few words of conscience. It was precisely because I never thought that she was such a person that I fell into her trick.¡±


    Zhang San said, ¡°That makes sense, but could it be that the one deceiving people just now was not her?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°I think, she did what she did just now, it must not be her own idea.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± Hu Tiehua said, ¡°She must have received other people¡¯s instruction, maybe she was threatened, otherwise ¡­¡±


    Zhang San said, ¡°Otherwise, she wouldn¡¯t have the heart to come and deceive our passionate big young master, right?¡±


    Without giving the others the chance to speak, he went on, ¡°But with a temper like hers, who could instruct her? Threaten her?¡± Translated by foxs


    Muttering to himself irresolutely, Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°Maybe she has some secret that other people hold in their hands.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± Hu Tiehua said, ¡°The person threatening her must be Ding Feng. You can tell by the way she looked when she saw Ding Feng.¡±


    Zhang San said, ¡°That¡¯s not necessarily true. She exercises forbearance toward that Ding Baozi [not sure if this is a typo, lit. abalone] in everything, perhaps it¡¯s just because she already had a crush on him. Women always yield somewhat toward the ones they are fond of. Just look at that Ding Baozi, not only is he young and handsome, distinguished and accomplished, confident and at ease, but also his speech appropriate to the occasion, well versed in letters and military technology. If I were a woman, when I saw him, any temper would absolutely not flare out.¡±


    Hu Tiehua was listening to him with blank expression on his face, suddenly he stood up, cupped his fist with a deep bow toward him, and said, ¡°Can I ask you one thing?¡±


    Zhang San could not help being stunned, he said, ¡°What do you want to ask me? Do you want to eat grilled fish?¡±


    Hu Tiehua heaved a sigh, he said, ¡°I beg you, don¡¯t try to anger me anymore, I really am unable to take it. When I get rich, I will definitely get you another boat to compensate you, and I will make sure that it will be just as broken-down as your boat.¡± foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    Zhang San could not help laughing, he muttered, ¡°This person is still speaking like a human, who would have thought that in the end he still spoke wrong words ¡­¡±


    He continued, ¡°If you guys say that she was actually threatened by Ding Feng, it may not be necessarily without any reason, but if what Ding Feng really wants is Chu Liuxiang¡¯s life, why take the trouble to ask him to steal that Yu Pantao?¡±


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°Don¡¯t you understand this? ¡­ This is called to kill with a borrowed knife stratagem!¡±


    ¡°To kill with a borrowed knife?¡± Zhang San said.


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°Ding Feng must have already been aware that the old stinky bug is not easy to deal with, so he asked him to steal the Yu Pantao. A place like that Jile Gong, how could people come and go freely? If the old stinky bug really go there, can he come back?¡±


    Clapping his hands, Zhang San said, ¡°That¡¯s right; I never thought that you could suddenly become this smart.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°What else?¡±


    ¡°What else?¡± Hu Tiehua asked.


    Chu Liuxiang laughed and said, ¡°Ding Feng is using a series of stratagems, other than the first stratagem, there¡¯s also the second stratagem. You are a smart person, how could you not see it?¡± Translated by foxs


    ¡°There is the second stratagem?¡± Hu Tiehua said, ¡°Which stratagem?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°It is the eighteenth stratagem of the thirty-six stratagems, called luring the tiger down the mountain.¡±


    ¡°Luring the tiger down the mountain?¡± Hu Tiehua repeated.


    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°There must be some shady business that he needs to do here; afraid that we might get in his way, he wants to send us far away to Xingxiuhai. Even if we can come back, it will be a matter of at least half a month later.¡±


    Hu Tiehua was silent for half a day. Shaking his head, he sighed and said, ¡°It seems that only people like you can see through people like Ding Feng¡¯s good scheme, I am indeed still far behind. This kind of sinister and deceitful thing, not only I cannot do it, I practically cannot even think about it.¡±


    Blurted out laughing, Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°But your skill in swearing is not bad at all, when you cursed at people, you don¡¯t use half a word of obscenity.¡±


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°I also learned this from you, could it be that you have forgotten?¡±


    Zhang San said, ¡°Talking back and forth, that Ding Feng indeed seems to be an extraordinary character.¡±


    Laughing coldly, Hu Tiehua said, ¡°What¡¯s so extraordinary?¡± foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    Zhang San said, ¡°He could calculate accurately that you would not guard against Jin Lingzhi, and that he could make Jin Lingzhi do this kind of thing. Based on this alone, he is extraordinary enough.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°It¡¯s just that calculating a thousand times, figuring out ten thousand times, he missed one thing.¡±


    ¡°Which one?¡± Zhang San asked.


    Chu Liuxiang said, ¡°He forgot that Jin Lingzhi was not such a person. No matter when, she could not help losing her Big Miss¡¯ temper, otherwise, how could she force you to take a bath in stinky water.¡±


    Zhang San laughed and said, ¡°Forcing me to take a bath is not a problem, but she should have never, ever listened to that story. If she was not so spellbound in listening to it, I broke such a big hole at the bottom of the boat, how could she not know at all?¡±

 CH 4

    Chapter 4 ¨C Harboring Sinister Design


    San He Lou [three harmonies building] naturally had ¡®lou¡¯ [reminder: a lou is a multi-story building], not only it had a second floor, there was also a loft above the second floor. Translated by foxs


    The loft was not big at all, it was just enough to hold a table of wine.


    The table of wine that Hai Kuotian reserved was precisely on this loft.


    When Hu Tiehua climbed up the loft, the first person he saw was unexpectedly Jin Lingzhi.


    Unexpectedly Jin Lingzhi still came.


    When Hu Tiehua saw her at the ¡®Xiao Yao Chi¡¯ [free and unfettered pool], she looked remarkably alike a vixen, not only that, she was a-bit-lunatic vixen.


    Inside that cabin on the boat, she changed; she became pitiful, like a little sheep. But in the blink of an eye, this little sheep turned into a fox, a tiger.


    Now, to his surprise, she changed again.


    She changed into a dress, which material was very grand, but not too fancy, the pearls and jade on her hair were neither too much nor too little.


    She was sitting upright, so proper and quiet, neither looked dazzling nor grungy, just what a thousand-jin [of gold, (honorific) daughter] young lady of aristocratic family, big mansion ¨C should look like. foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    Hu Tiehua sighed in secret, ¡°Women can really change. Some people say: A woman¡¯s heart is like the weather in the fifth month when the plum blossoms are blooming. The person who said this is really a genius.¡±


    The most brilliant thing was that when she saw Chu Liuxiang and Hu Tiehua, unexpectedly her expression did not change at all, as if nothing had happened.


    As if the person hiding inside the cabin just now was not her at all.


    Hu Tiehua could not help sighing again, ¡°If I were her, and she were me, when I see her, I¡¯m afraid I would have blushed and hid under the table. From this point of view, women¡¯s skins are indeed much thicker than men¡¯s.¡±


    But he did not know that if it was said that women¡¯s skins were thicker than men¡¯s, it was only because of a layer of cosmetic powder on their faces. Even if they blushed, it would be difficult for others to see.


    Some people also say: the older the woman, the thicker her skin is.


    While actually, it was simply because the older the woman, the more cosmetic powder she must apply on her face.


    The two seats to Jin Lingzhi¡¯s left side were vacant, apparently they were reserved for Chu Liuxiang and Hu Tiehua. On the banquet table, these two seats were the seats of honor. Translated by foxs


    But Hu Tiehua would rather sit on the ground than sit there.


    After all, having someone pressing her sword on his neck could not be considered something that he was proud of.


    Until now, Hu Tiehua¡¯s neck still hurt a little.


    On Jin Lingzhi¡¯s right sat an old man with grand appearance in a brocade robe, his hair and beard were already grizzled, but his pair of eyes were still shining brightly. When he looked around, it was sharp and majestic, so that other people did not dare to look closely.


    Anyone would be able to see that this person¡¯s background could not possible be small. The good thing about him was that he did not put too much airs. When he saw Hu Tiehua and the others came in, surprisingly he got up and saluted with a smile on his face.


    Hu Tiehua immediately returned the salute with a laugh.


    But for some reason, very quickly his smiling expression disappeared again.


    As soon as he came in, he felt that this old man looked very familiar, only in that instant he could not remember who it was. Until he saw the belt on the old man¡¯s cotton robe, and then he remembered. The belt was woven from seven strips of silk of different colors. foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    To his surprise, this old man was unexpectedly Wu Weiyang, the Zongpiao Bazi [big boss/head honcho] of the ¡®Fengwei Bang¡¯ [Phoenix Tail Gang], the ¡®Shen Jian She Ri¡¯ [Divine Arrow Shooting the Sun].


    Hu Tiehua could not help sneaking a glance at Chu Liuxiang, his meaning was obvious, ¡°Didn¡¯t you already calculate that Wu Weiyang is dead? Why is he still alive now?¡±


    To his surprise, Chu Liuxiang¡¯s countenance did not change, as if he had never said these words at all. Hu Tiehua often wondered, with such a thick skin how could he grow beard?


    Surprisingly, Gou Zichang also came. The one sitting next to Wu Weiyang was precisely him, and then Ding Feng, Hai Kuotian and the big man with the saber hanging on his waist.


    Sitting there, Gou Zichang was still half a head taller than the others.


    ¡°But although his legs are long, his upper body is not long.¡±


    Hu Tiehua was still wondering, Gou Zichang also stood up with a smile on his face. Only then did Hu Tiehua realize that he unexpectedly still sat down on the black leather suitcase, as if he was afraid someone would snatch it away.


    Only after being seated that Hu Tiehua realized that there was an empty seat next to him. He did not know who else was expected, but surprisingly, this person came later than them. Translated by foxs


    Ding Feng¡¯s smile was still so friendly; raising his cup, he said, ¡°Two gentlemen came late, should we punish you?¡±


    Chu Liuxiang laughed and said, ¡°You should, you should. I should be punished three cups first.¡±


    He really raised his cup and drained it in one gulp.


    Hu Tiehua also felt at ease.


    The wine that Chu Liuxiang drank could not possible be poisonous. As long as there was poison in the wine, it could not be hidden from Chu Liuxiang.


    Ding Feng laughed again and said, ¡°Chu Xiong already drank his, what about Hu Xiong?¡±


    Hu Tiehua laughed and said, ¡°If even he drank three cups, I have to drink at least six cups.¡±


    He simply poured six cups of wine into one big bowl, raised his neck and drank it.


    Ding Feng clapped his hands and said, ¡°Hu Xiong¡¯s drinking capacity is indeed very good, it is indeed a fully justified reputation.¡± foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°Turns out Gexia already recognized us.¡±


    Ding Feng smiled and said, ¡°Two gentlemen¡¯s great names, who doesn¡¯t know, which one does not recognize? If Zaixia say I don¡¯t know two gentlemen, wouldn¡¯t it be a lie?¡±


    Hu Tiehua glared at Hai Kuotian, he said, ¡°With Hai Bangzhu here, Gexia can recognize us, it¡¯s not strange. However, if I say that we also recognize Gexia, I¡¯m afraid it will be a bit strange, isn¡¯t that right?¡±


    Ding Feng said, ¡°That is indeed strange. Zaixia do not have such impressive great names like two gentlemen, and I rarely wander around in Jianghu, how could two gentlemen recognize Zaixia?¡±


    Hu Tiehua laughed and said, ¡°Strange things happen every year, but I clearly recognize you, do you believe me?¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡± Ding Feng said.


    Hu Tiehua said, ¡°Gexia¡¯s surname is Ding, your name is Feng ¡­¡±


    He has not finished speaking, Ding Feng¡¯s countenance changed a little. ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± he blurted out, ¡°Zaixia Ding Feng, but I wonder how did the two gentlemen know?¡±


    When he reported his surname and given name on Kumei Dashi¡¯s cabin, naturally he never expected that there were people on the shore eavesdropping. Translated by foxs


    Hu Tiehua was secretly amused, but on the surface he spoke seriously, ¡°Actually, Gexia¡¯s great name, we already knew for a long time. Gexia¡¯s business, we are also very clear. Otherwise, how could we come as soon as we are invited today?¡±


    It was as if a fist was suddenly stuffed inside Ding Feng¡¯s mouth, he was speechless for half a day.


    Weighing up his words and observe his facial expression [idiom: discerning what somebody thinks from his body language], Hu Tiehua threw his head back in laughter and said, ¡°If Ding Xiong thinks that your identity is very mysterious, you are unwilling for others to find out, then you can only blame me for talking too much; I should be punished with another six cups.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang laughed and said, ¡°This man¡¯s greatest ability is: no matter what you say, he can always find the opportunity to drink.¡±


    Ding Feng immediately followed suit, he laughed and said, ¡°Among us present, I¡¯m afraid there is one person that two gentlemen don¡¯t recognize.¡±


    Immediately the big man with the saber hanging on his waist stood up, cupped his fists and said, ¡°Zaixia Xiang Tianfei.¡±


    He only spoke these five words, and immediately sat down. All along his eyes never looked at Hu Tiehua and the other on this side. Obviously even until now, the bellyful of anger just now unexpectedly has not subsided. foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    Chu Liuxiang laughed and said, ¡°Nice to meet you, nice to meet you. The ¡®Haishang Gu Ying¡¯ [Lone Eagle on the Sea] Xiang Tianfei¡¯s great name, I¡¯m afraid only very few people don¡¯t know ¡­¡±


    Gou Zichang suddenly cut him off, he spoke indifferently, ¡°I don¡¯t know this name, I¡¯ve never heard of it before.


    Xiang Tianfei¡¯s countenance changed, he laughed coldly and said, ¡°What a coincidence, Gexia¡¯s great name, I¡¯ve never heard anybody mentioning it either.¡±


    Land base robbers could be roughly divided into several types, some worked together as a gang, some worked alone, some built their base on the mountains and proclaimed themselves kings, some roamed all over the place, some sit on certain location to share the spoils. On top of these, there was another kind, which was called solitary bandit.


    Solitary bandit¡¯s martial art skill was usually very high. One person coming and going alone, they did not want any assistant, because they thought that not only their movement would be more secretive, but also no one would fight against them over the share of the booty. Some of the martial art masters among them even really could accomplish the goal of ¡®traveling thousands of households during the day and robbing hundreds of households at night¡¯.


    As long as they managed to make a big business transaction, they would be able to enjoy it for a long time.


    But since solitary bandits were coming and going alone without any helpers, naturally the risks they took were relatively higher, hence most of them have several unique skills, which would be enough to meet a contingency. Translated by foxs


    There were also some who have extremely high qinggong; once they struck and failed, they could retreat completely. In short, someone who did not have enough confidence in his own martial art skill, would never dare to be a solitary bandit.


    When doing transaction at sea, the chances of being in danger were higher than on land, because when merchant ships were sailing on the sea, they must have enough preparation; moreover, the wind and the waves at sea were dangerous, definitely not something that one person could deal with. Therefore, most of the pirates operated in groups, there were very few solitary bandits.


    This ¡®Lone Eagle on the Sea¡¯ Xiang Tianfei was the one and only solitary bandit on the sea. Not only this person was highly skilled in martial arts, he was proficient in water skill; moreover, he also had a passion for sailing. One person, one sail, he floated and roamed the sea. If it was not a huge business, he would definitely not make his move.


    From east to west, merchant ships returning from a rewarding journey were often ransacked in the middle of the night. The gold, silver and jewels on board would be robbed clean, but the heavy silver currency [silver taels] remained untouched. At that time, even if the people on board had not seen who the perpetrator was, they must have guessed that it was the ¡®Lone Eagle at Sea¡¯ Xiang Tianfei¡¯s signature. Everybody could only resign that they were having bad luck. foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    Because by that time Xiang Tianfei would already have sailed far away, not leaving any trace. Looking for someone in the boundless sea was like looking for a needle in a haystack.


    Most solitary bandits¡¯ temperament was strange, they were arrogant and violent, very rarely had any friends; moreover, when they made their move, their hearts must be dark and their hands ruthless. Naturally this Xiang Tianfei was no exception.


    Compared with other solitary bandits, Xiang Tianfei had two good points. First, his hands very rarely harm people¡¯s lives, moreover, he always robbed only wealth, did not rob sex.


    Chu Liuxiang always felt that this person was not too bad.


    But this person¡¯s temper was extremely bad; once there was any disagreement, he seemed to be about to flip over the table and make his move.


    This time, Gou Zichang was very calm, unexpectedly his expression was still unmoving; he spoke indifferently, ¡°I am indeed a no-name small pawn, Gexia has never heard my name, it is not surprising at all. However, since Gexia is known as the ¡®Haishang Gu Ying¡¯, presumably your qinggong is extremely brilliant.¡±


    If others heard this remark, they would inevitably modestly express their thanks.


    But Xiang Tianfei merely said coldly, ¡°Speaking about qinggong, Zaixia can get by.¡±


    Gou Zichang roared in laughter and said, ¡°Alright, alright, alright, turns out Gexia is also a straightforward person, precisely a man after my own heart.¡± Translated by foxs


    He raised his cup and drained it in one gulp, and then slowly continued, ¡°I came out this time is to gain first-hand knowledge of qinggong masters in Jianghu. Since Gexia said so, I simply must ask guidance from Gexia.¡±


    Xiang Tianfei said. ¡°Ol¡¯ Xiang is available any time.¡±


    Gou Zichang laughed indifferently, he spoke leisurely, ¡°I don¡¯t think you need to wait long.¡±


    Hu Tiehua sniggered inwardly, ¡°I did not expect this Gou Zichang is also a character who likes to cause trouble, but for some reason, he clearly targeted Xiang Tianfei. Could it be that because he had just made his debut in Jianghu, he wants to find an opportunity to make his name?¡±


    Ding Feng suddenly laughed and said, ¡°Gou Xiong¡¯s qinggong must also be extremely brilliant?¡±


    Gou Zichang cast Xiang Tianfei a glance, he spoke indifferently, ¡°Speaking about qinggong, Zaixia can also get by.¡±


    Ding Feng said, ¡°If Gou Xiong really want to meet the qinggong master in Jianghu of the present day, today you really came to the right place.¡± foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    Gou Zichang said, ¡°Oh?¡±


    Ding Feng laughed and said, ¡°Gou Xiong has somebody before your eyes, his qinggong is unparalleled in the present age, if Gou Xiong did not ask him for advice, you really made this trip in vain.¡±


    Hu Tiehua cast Chu Liuxiang a glance, both knew in their hearts, ¡°This kid is sowing dissension.¡±


    Gou Zichang acted as if he did not understand, he laughed and said, ¡°Zaixia was about to ask Ding Xiong for advice as well.¡±


    Ding Feng laughed and said, ¡°Zaixia cannot be considered anybody; Gou Xiong must not misunderstand ¡­¡±


    Gou Zichang eyes flashing, he said, ¡°Could it be that Ding Xiong is not talking about yourself?¡±


    Ding Feng laughed heartily and said, ¡°Although Zaixia have a thick skin, I don¡¯t dare to apply gold leaf to the face of a statue [idiom: to extol oneself or someone else¡¯s virtues].¡±


    Gou Zichang said, ¡°In that case, who is Ding Xiong talking about?¡±


    But before Ding Feng could speak, Gou Zichang suddenly continued, ¡°If Ding Xiong is talking about Chu Xiang Shuai, then there is no need. Chu Xiang Shuai¡®s qinggong, I am indeed ashamed of being inferior [idiom]; but other people ¡­ hey, hey ¡­¡±


    He laughed dryly, ¡®Hey, hey¡¯ twice, and then continued, ¡°No matter who wants to give advice, I will accompany any time.¡± Translated by foxs


    By this remark, he made it clear without any doubt that he was standing on Chu Liuxiang¡¯s side.


    Although Hu Tiehua had a renewed favorable impression toward him, he could not help smiling bitterly in secret, thinking that this man was really venturing from his thatched hut for the first time, he had not experienced the ways of the world, he offended everybody on the table for no good reason. Fortunately, the last guest finally arrived at this time.


    They only heard a couple of noise on the staircase, his person had already arrived outside the door. The newcomer was obviously another qinggong master.


    Hu Tiehua was sitting opposite the door, so he was the first to see this person.


    This man¡¯s build was not tall, it could simply be said that he was slightly-built and withered, his face was a mixture of yellow and white spots, as if white ringworm had grown all over his face, his eyes were also bloodshot, completely without any expression.


    His appearance was not outstanding, the clothes he wore were very casual, so much so that it could be called a bit shabby. People who did know him would definitely feel strange, ¡°How could the Bangzhu of the grand Zi Jing Bang invite such a guest?¡±


    But Hu Tiehua recognized him. foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    This man was precisely the Yangtze River¡¯s ¡®Shenlong Bang¡¯ Zongbiao Bazi, Yun Conglong, Yun Er Ye [second master]. His water skill was extremely high, number one in Jiangnan [area south of Yangtze River]. It was said that one time he hid at the bottom of the river for three days and three nights, no one saw him taking a breath. The yellow and white spots on his face were not ringworm, but water rust.


    His pair of eyes was also bloodshot because he often looked at things underwater.


    The Yangtze River has the richest water conservancy and the highest number of boats, therefore, the number of incidents was also the highest. ¡®Shenlong Bang¡¯ dominated the Yangtze River, anything that happened in the Yangtze River area, no matter how big or small, ¡®Shenlong Bang¡¯ would reach out to take care of it one by one.


    To be able to sit on the golden chair [old-style wooden folding armchair, typically featuring a footrest, fig. position in a hierarchy] of the Gang Leader of the ¡®Divine Dragon Gang¡¯ was not an easy matter at all. Every day, nobody knew how many disputes he had to resolve, how many people he had to deal with.


    Although Yun Conglong himself was frugal, toward his friends he was very generous. When dealing with others, he was even more decent, indeed a character who changed according to the situation, and smooth and slick.


    But this moment, this smooth and slick Yun Bangzhu was ashen faced, completely without any smiling expression, his countenance seemed to be a little angry and flustered, unexpectedly it was as if he had completely changed to be another person.


    Could it be that within the ¡®Shenlong Bang¡¯, there was some extremely important and unexpected change happening?

 CH 5

    Chapter 5 ¨C The Dead Guest


    Four hot stir-fried dishes, four cold meats dishes, have not been removed yet, a dish of ¡®Reeves Shad [tenualosa reevesii] steamed in broth¡¯ has been put on the table. The dishes that Hai Kuotian ordered to entertain the guests could not possibly disappoint the guests. Translated by foxs


    The ¡®Reeves Shad steamed in broth¡¯ was San He Lou¡¯sQian Shifu¡¯s [master/qualified worker] signature dish. Hu Tiehua thought that although it was not as fresh and fragrant as Zhang San¡¯s grilled fish, it seemed to be smoother and more tender.


    But no matter how good the dish is, one can only appreciate it when one is in a good mood. If a person has a bellyful of uncomfortable feeling, even if the most famous dish from the number one famous chef in the world is placed in front of him, he would just eat without knowing how it taste.


    Right now, obviously everybody felt very uncomfortable.


    Ever since Yun Conglong sat down, he has been staring at Wu Weiyang with ashen face. Seeing such a face, who would be able to eat?


    Although because of territorial dispute the ¡®Divine Dragon Gang¡¯ and the ¡®Phoenix Tail Gang¡¯ fought bloody battles many times, it was already a matter of twenty years ago, it has long been a thing of the past.


    In recent years, people in Jianghu thought that the two gangs had reconciled for a long time, furthermore, it was rumored that Wu Weiyang and Yun Conglong were ¡®no discord, no concord¡¯ [lit. don¡¯t fight, won¡¯t make friends (idiom)], so now they became good friends.


    However, looking at today¡¯s situation, the two still seemed to be a pair of roosters in cockfight. foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    Hu Tiehua really could not figure out why Hai Kuotian invited both of them to be in one place? Could it be that he deliberately wanted to find an opportunity for these two to fight?


    Only to hear the sound of footsteps on the stairs, someone was coming upstairs. However, hearing the footsteps, it was obvious that there was more than one person.


    Knitting his brows, Ding Feng said, ¡°Could it be that Hai Bangzhu invited other guests?¡±


    Hai Kuotian¡¯s eyes flashing, he laughed and said, ¡°All the guests have arrived, if anyone else comes, I¡¯m afraid it¡¯s an uninvited guest.¡±


    Yun Conglong suddenly rose up to his full height, cupped his fist towards Hai Kuotian, and said, ¡°These two people are invited by Zaixia, forgive me for acting discourteously, hoping that Hai Bangzhu would not take offense!¡±


    Hai Kuotian said, ¡°Where¡¯s the logic in my taking offense? The more the merrier. The guests that Yun Bangzhu invited are Zaixia¡¯s honored guests, it¡¯s just that ¡­¡±


    He laughed aloud and continued, ¡°The rules must not be broken, those who come late still have to be punished by three cups.¡± Translated by foxs


    Glowering at Wu Weiyang again, Yun Conglong spoke coldly, ¡°Only too bad that these two men are people who can¡¯t even drink a drop of wine.¡±


    Hai Kuotian laughed and said, ¡°Whoever says he can¡¯t drink wine must be lying, people who really can¡¯t even drink a drop of wine, Zaixia have never seen any.¡±


    Hu Tiehua could not help laughing and said, ¡°People who really can¡¯t even drink a drop of wine, I am afraid are only dead people.¡±


    Yun Conglong¡¯s face turned ashen, his expression wooden, he spoke coldly, ¡°These two men are indeed dead people!¡±


    These people were surprisingly two dead people that I invited to accompany me!


    Could it be that he still disliked that today¡¯s occasion was too lively?


    Hai Kuotian¡¯s face was alternating between dark green and white, his expression was even more awkward, suddenly he threw his head back in loud laughter and said, ¡°Alright, alright, alright, any kind of guests, Zaixia have invited them all, but to be able to have dead guests honoring me with their presence, today is really the first time that I encounter. Yun Bangzhu really gives Zaixia careful thought, it finally allows Zaixia to open my eyes.¡±


    His countenance sank, he spoke sternly, ¡°But since you are invited by Yun Bangzhu, no matter whether you are dead or alive, please come in!¡±


    Yun Conglong did not seem to hear the bitterness in his words at all, his face was still expressionless, he cupped his fist and said, ¡°In that case, thank you, Hai Bangzhu!¡± foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    He walked out slowly and slowly raised the curtain on the door.


    Unexpectedly, there were indeed two men standing upright at the door.


    Dead people!


    Naturally, dead people could not go up the stairs by themselves, naturally there were two living people supporting them from behind. But when everyone saw these two dead people, no one paid any attention to the living people behind them.


    Only to see that these two dead men¡¯s entire body were dripping wet, their faces were swollen. Unexpectedly, they looked like two water ghosts that had just escaped from the underworld. That kind of appearance was indescribably malevolent and terrifying.


    Although the lantern lights in the room were very bright, but suddenly seeing such two dead people, everyone still could not help sucking in a mouthful of cold air.


    Hu Tiehua and Gou Zichang¡¯s countenance changed even more.


    These two dead people, unexpectedly they recognized them. Translated by foxs


    These two men both wore skintight black clothes with seven colored belts around their waists, unexpectedly they were the two corpses that Chu Liuxiang and the others fished out of the river a moment ago.


    Chu Liuxiang originally wanted to bury the two corpses, but Zhang San and Hu Tiehua thought that ¡®they¡¯ should be thrown back into the river.


    Zhang San believed that this matter would definitely have some changes in the future.


    He really did not guess wrong, this moment the two men were indeed fished out again.


    But these two men were obviously members of the ¡®Phoenix Tail Gang¡¯, why did Yun Conglong send them here?


    Hai Kuotian was indeed a character, this moment he already calmed down. Letting out a hollow laugh, he said, ¡®Since these two gentlemen are distinguished guests invited by Yun Bangzhu, Yun Bangzhu should introduce them to everyone.¡±


    Yun Conglong spoke coldly, ¡°Although gentlemen don¡¯t recognize these two men, Wu Bangzhu definitely does.¡±


    His eyes turned sharp like a blade he stared at Wu Weiyang, and spoke sternly, ¡°Does Wu Bangzhu know why they came here?¡±


    ¡°Please advise,¡± Wu Weiyang replied.


    Yun Conglong continued word by word, ¡°They demand their lives back from Wu Bangzhu!¡± foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    Dead people demanded their lives back, naturally no one would believe it. But every word Yun Conglong said was brimming with bitter resentment. Hearing that, even other people felt a chill run down their spines.


    The curtain at the door was raised, a gust of wind from outside the door blew in, the lantern lights flickered.


    The flickering lights shone on the two dead men¡¯s faces, the two faces unexpectedly seemed to move as well, so that their expression was even more indescribably mysterious and terrifying, unexpectedly it was as if they really wanted to choose someone to devour.


    Wu Weiyang could not help shrinking back; forcing out a laugh, he said, ¡°If Yun Bangzhu is joking, this joke must be a very bad joke.¡±


    Yun Conglong spoke coldly, ¡°The dead never joke.¡±


    He suddenly tore open the front piece of the dead men¡¯s garment, exposing the wounds on their left ribs. He hissed, ¡°Gentlemen are all big expert in Jianghu, I wonder if you could see through what kind of weapon caused their fatal wounds?¡±


    Everybody looked at each other in dismay, they kept silent, obviously no one wanted to get involved in this dispute. Translated by foxs


    Yun Conglong said, ¡°Even without Zaixia saying anything, gentlemen must have seen that this is the ¡®Shen Jian She Ri¡¯ [Divine Arrow Shooting the Sun] Wu Da Bangzhu¡¯s [big gang leader] masterpiece. The arrow pierced the bone and went straight to the heart. Wu Da Bangzhu¡¯s ¡®Feng Wei Jian¡¯ [Phoenix Tail Arrow] is indeed extremely brilliant, extremely formidable ¡­¡±


    He threw his head back and laughed coldly a few times, and then said, ¡°It¡¯s just that these two men¡¯s death is somewhat shady. Until their moment of death, they still did not know why Wu Da Bangzhu would lay such a poisonous hand on them!¡±


    Wu Weiyang spoke sternly, ¡°These two men were originally our Fengwei Bang¡¯s subordinates, even if I killed them, it is still Fengwei Bang¡¯s private matter, what does it have to do with Shenlong Bang¡¯s Yun Da Bangzhu?¡±


    This question was precisely the question in everybody¡¯s heart that they wanted to ask.


    Yun Conglong¡¯s face turned ashen, he said, ¡°The relationship between these two men and me, could it be that you don¡¯t know?¡±


    Wu Weiyang cut him off, he laughed coldly and said, ¡°Could it be that these two were spies you sent to the ¡®Fengwei Bang¡¯ as moles? Otherwise, how could they have anything to do with you?¡±


    Yun Conglong¡¯s face suddenly became even more terrifying, he stared at Wu Weiyang without blinking, as if he had never seen this person before.


    Seeing his expression, everyone understood in their hearts that the two dead ¡®Fengwei Bang¡¯ were indeed the spies he sent to go undercover. Somehow Wu Weiyang discovered it, so he killed them to shut their mouth ¡ª¡ª This speculation not only fit the situation, it was also completely reasonable. foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    Chu Liuxiang¡¯s previous speculation unexpectedly seemed to be completely wrong.


    Hu Tiehua cast a glance at Chu Liuxiang from the corner of her eyes, he leaned into his ear and spoke quietly, ¡°I beg you, in the future, can you think less of yourself being smart? By all means, please don¡¯t think of yourself as Zhuge Liang.¡±


    Chu Liuxiang did not even look ashamed at all, instead he smiled and said, ¡°If Zhuge Liang had been there at that time, he would definitely have the same thoughts as I did.¡±


    Hu Tiehua heaved a sigh, he shook his head and said, ¡°If Zhuge Liang was here, he would definitely be infuriated to death by you.¡±


    Only to see the muscles in the corners of Yun Conglong¡¯s eyes did not stop twitching, his eyes also revealed some kind of horrified expression, as if he suddenly remembered something extremely dreadful. His voice hoarse, he said, ¡°I understand, I completely understand.¡±


    Wu Weiyang spoke sternly, ¡°I also understand, but this is a matter between the two of us, how could we quarrel in front of Hai Bangzhu¡¯s banquet and interrupt these distinguished guests¡¯ interest in wine? If you have anything to say, let¡¯s talk outside!¡± Translated by foxs


    Yun Conglong hesitated, his eyes slowly swept across the crowd, when he saw Ding Feng, the horror and bitter resentment in his eyes deepened, suddenly he gritted his teeth and said, ¡°All right, you want to go out then let¡¯s go out!¡±


    Wu Weiyang suddenly rose up to his full height and said, ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡±


    Yun Conglong¡¯s eyes already moved to the two dead men at the door, he laughed in distress and said, ¡°But these two are my good brothers, whether they are dead or alive, since they are late, they should be punished with three cups of wine ¡ª¡ª these six cups of forfeit wine [drink as the result of having lost a bet], let me drink it on their behalf.¡±


    Wu Weiyang threw his head back in laughter, he said with a cold laugh, ¡°Did gentlemen hear that? Our Fengwei Bang subordinates and disciples are actually Yun Da Bangzhu¡¯s good brothers. This Yun Da Bangzhu¡¯s method is really extremely brilliant! Extremely formidable!¡±


    Yun Conglong¡¯s eyes went blank, unexpectedly it was as if he did not hear what he said at all. Returning to his seat in large strides, he poured six cups of wine, raised his cup by himself and said, ¡°Originally Ol¡¯ Yun wanted to drink a few cups with gentlemen, only a pity ¡­ this moment, it looks like that there is a ¡®fish bone stuck in my throat¡¯ [idiom: feeling obliged to speak out candidly], I can¡¯t even drink the wine, forgive me for my impropriety ¡­ forgive me ¡­¡± foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    ¡®Forgive me for my impropriety¡¯, his voice was suddenly brimming with desolation, therefore, although he used the saying ¡®fish bone stuck in one¡¯s throat¡¯, four characters [gu geng zai hou] extremely inappropriately and irrelevant, no one said anything.


    Only to see he quickly drank three cups of wine, picked up the chopsticks, and pinched the head of the ¡®Reeves Shad steamed in broth¡¯, and poked out the fish eyes on the fish head.


    Although fish eyes are bland and tasteless, some people think that they are the most delicious thing on fish. Hu Tiehua loved to have fish eyes to accompany his wine the most.


    Yun Conglong picked up the fish eyes, Hu Tiehua immediately regretted, why he did not pick out the fish eyes and eat them first just now, and now he let others took the advantage.


    People who love to eat always pay special attention when they see other people reaching out with their chopsticks; if they see others picking up the food that they themselves like, they will feel extremely uncomfortable even more.


    Who would have thought that Yun Conglong picked up the fish eyes, he only used his eyes to look at them, but did not put it in his mouth. After looking for a long time, suddenly the chopsticks slipped, the fish eye unexpectedly jumped straight, without deviating at all, into the soy sauce saucer in front of Wu Weiyang.


    Hu Tiehua already cried, ¡®What a pity,¡¯ a hundred times in his heart, he nearly wanted to point to Yun Conglong¡¯s nose and tell him loudly, ¡°This kind of food should be eaten with the mouth, not looked at with the eyes.¡± Translated by foxs


    By this time Yun Conglong had already finished his fifth cup of wine. When he drank the sixth cup, his throat seemed to be choked, suddenly he bent down at the waist and coughed incessantly.


    Chu Liuxiang¡¯s eyes flashing, he suddenly said, ¡°If Yun Bangzhu cannot bear to drink, let Zaixia drink this cup of wine for you.¡±


    Not only did Yun Conglong not refuse at all, he seemed to be very happy instead; he immediately said, ¡°Thank you very much, thank you very much, Zaixia feels a bit unable to continue drinking.¡±


    Hu Tiehua could not help feeling strange, ¡°Only drunkards will rush to drink for others. In drinking, this old stinky bug has always been the most astute, why is he scrambling for wine today?¡±


    When Chu Liuxiang received the wine cup, out of the corner of his eyes, he caught a glimpse of something that seemed to be inside the wine cup, but Chu Liuxiang seemed to be completely oblivious, he raised the cup and drain in one gulp.


    Hu Tiehua could not help wondering, ¡°Except for his nose, this old stinky bug is very alert, but today even his eyes are no longer effective?¡± foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    Only to hear Yun Conglong laughed aloud and said, ¡°Indeed Chu Xiang Shuai¡¯s name is not empty, you indeed have good wine capacity, and are a good friend.¡±


    While laughing loudly, he walked out; he seemed to be without any misgivings at all.


    The two dead men at the door immediately retreated to the sides, it was only then that everyone saw that there were indeed two men supporting them from behind. Both of them were wearing tight-fitting wetsuit, obviously they were ¡®Shenlong Bang¡¯ subordinates. Judging by their bearing and expressions, their position in the gang definitely was not low.


    The one on the right was comparatively older, his face was covered with water rust, his eyes were red. Obviously he has made a living on the water for a long time, and within the ¡®Divine Dragon Gang¡¯, he must have a long history.


    The one on the left was a young man with fair skin without any beard, although he was young, his eyes were bright, his martial art skill seemed to be a bit higher than his colleague.


    When Yun Conglong walked past in front of them, he suddenly halted his footsteps, as if he was about to say something, but Wu Weiyang was already behind him. Unexpectedly he stretched out his hand to push him on the back, and scolded lightly, ¡°At this point, you still don¡¯t want to go quickly?¡±


    Yun Conglong turned around and glared at him, unexpectedly he let out a long sigh and said, ¡°Now that we¡¯re here, what is your hurry?¡±


    Outside the loft, there was a tiny terrace. Translated by foxs


    Wu Weiyang and Yun Conglong stood on the terrace, but it was unclear what they were talking about, they only heard Wu Weiyang kept laughing coldly. After a long time, he suddenly scolded in low voice, saying, ¡°Talking too much won¡¯t do you any good, better see the martial art skill in your hands!¡±


    Yun Conglong laughed coldly and said, ¡°All right, do you think Ol¡¯ Yun is scared of you, this ¡­¡±


    The last part had not left his mouth, Wu Weiyang¡¯s palm already struck. The whistle of the palm wind was heard, unexpectedly the palm power was extremely strong, pressing on Yun Conglong that he did not have any chance to continue speaking.


    Hu Tiehua could not help standing up, he said, ¡°Are we really going to sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight in here?! I¡¯ll go out to persuade them and ask them to come back and drink two cups of wine, maybe their anger will disappear.¡±


    But Ding Feng laughed and said, ¡°Since Wu Bangzhu already said that this is their private matter, others have no way to dissuade them, plus why bother to be meddlesome ¡ª come, let Xiaodi [little brother, referring to self] toast Hu Xiong a cup.¡±


    Whether intentionally or unintentionally, he raised his wine cup and blocked Hu Tiehua¡¯s way.


    Other people proposing a toast, Hu Tiehua never refuse.


    He had just finished drinking this cup of wine when he heard Yun Conglong let out a miserable cry! foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    The cry was short.


    This time, not only Ding Feng no longer dissuade others, he was the first to rush out.


    By the time he rushed out, Yun Conglong had already fallen to the ground.


    The man with water rust across his whole face shouted wildly, saying, ¡°Good, the one surnamed Wu, I did not expect you have the impertinence to strike treacherously, I will stake everything against you!¡±


    He reached backhandedly to draw his saber and was about to charge.


    Who would have thought that the fair-skinned young man grabbed his arm and pulled him back, he spoke sternly, ¡°Sun Lao¡¯er [Ol¡¯ two/second], could it be that you forgot the letter that Bangzhu gave you?¡±


    Sun Lao¡¯er was stunned, he spoke hoarsely, ¡°The letter is here, it¡¯s just that ¡­¡±


    The fair-skinned young man said, ¡°Since you have the letter, you should remember what Bangzhu repeatedly told you ¡­¡±


    Raising his voice, he continued, ¡°Bangzhu said that no matter what happens to him, you must immediately open the letter he gave you and read out loud in public, there must be no delay. I remember this.¡± Translated by foxs


    Sun Lao¡¯er stared blankly for half a day. Finally he gritted his teeth and took out a letter from his pocket. His hands were constantly shaking, it took him nearly half a day to be able to open the envelope, and read it aloud, ¡°If this time Yu [I/me (archaic)] go and do not return within one month, pass on the Bangzhu position of our Bang to ¡­¡±


    He only read a few sentences, but reading to this point, his countenance suddenly changed drastically, his hands trembled more violently, ¡®clack, clack, clack!¡¯ his teeth chattered incessantly, unexpectedly he was unable to read another word.


    The fair-skinned young man frowned, suddenly he reached out to snatch the letter, and continued to read, ¡°If this time Yu go and do not return within one month, pass on the Bangzhu position of our Bang to Wu Weiyang of the ¡®Fengwei Bang¡®; henceforth the two gangs will merge. All affairs of the ¡®Shenlong Bang¡¯, no matter how big or small, are to be presided by Wu Bangzhu. All our Bang¡¯s disciples are to obey only Wu Bangzhu¡¯s orders, no dissent allowed. Anybody who disobeys will be killed without mercy!¡±


    Finished reading the letter in one breath, he could not stop his countenance from changing as well.


    When the others heard it, a mixture of alarm and surprise grew in their hearts: Wu Weiyang was obviously Yun Conglong¡¯s archenemy, why did Yun Conglong leave a will to pass on the Bangzhu position to him?


    Ding Feng suddenly spoke in heavy voice, ¡°Was this letter really written by Yun Bangzhu himself?¡± foxswuxia.wordpress.com


    Sun Lao¡¯er¡¯s forehead was dripping with cold sweat, his tears fell down like rain, he spoke hoarsely, ¡°It was indeed written by Bangzhu himself, which he personally handed over to me, but ¡­ but ¡­¡±


    Ding Feng heaved a sigh, he said, ¡°Since this is Yun Bangzhu¡¯s will, it seems that two gentlemen ought to pay your respect to the new Bangzhu!¡±


    Sun Lao¡¯er suddenly roared, he said, ¡°No way, I am ¡®Shenlong Bang¡¯ disciple, everybody considers Bangzhu as their father, he killed Yun Bangzhu, hence he has tied a cannot-live-under-the-same-sky enmity with our Bang¡¯s three thousand disciples, from top to bottom! If he wants to be our gang¡¯s Bangzhu, I, Sun Lao¡¯er, will be the first to refuse to accept!¡±


    The fair-skinned young man spoke sternly, ¡°But this is Bangzhu¡¯s will, how could you refuse to obey?¡±


    Sun Lao¡¯er eyes turned red, he shouted angrily, ¡°I don¡¯t care what you say, I will stake everything against him!¡±


    He broke free from the fair-skinned young man hand and brandished his saber to charge forward.


    The fair-skinned young man shouted loudly, ¡°Anybody who disobeys will be killed without mercy!¡± Translated by foxs


    The word ¡®mercy¡¯ came out, they saw a flash of the saber.


    The saber in the young man¡¯s hand already pierced Sun Lao¡¯er back.


    Sun Lao¡¯er let out a miserable cry, he turned around to look at the young man, his voice trembling, he said, ¡°You ¡­ you ¡­ how could you ¡­¡±


    Without being able to finish, he fell on his face.


    The fair-skinned young man stared blankly for half a day, suddenly he threw himself onto his dead body and cried bitterly in loud voice.