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This man looked about fifty, tall and thin, his waist and back perfectly straight, with short moustache that looked like a brush above his lips, his clear and handsome face carried harsh lines of someone who experienced long and arduous years in tempering himself; perhaps it was due to the melancholy wrinkles appeared on his face and around his eyes, which strengthen his appeal. His eyes were bright and shiny, as well as deep and solemn, inciting fear on those whom he was staring at. However, the perpetual smile hanging on his mouth seemed particularly out of place, making his overall appearance seemed extremely odd.

This expert composer, whose name was well known nationwide, the one acclaimed as the Number One Martial Art Master of Liaodong, Wang Bo, has come in person.

Kou Zhong and the others groaned inwardly. Not only because they felt that he totally did not believe them, but also because they knew he was not easy to be deceived.

His eyes looked like they could see through lies.

With a cold snort, You Chuhong said, “What the hell are you doing in Luoyang?”

Nodding slightly, Wang Bo said, “First of all, Wang Bo pays his respect to Hong Jie [older sister]. This time Shaodi [younger brother] came to Luoyang, at least half of the reasons pertain to Hong Jie.”

It was only then did everybody else know that not only these two knew each other, the relationship between them was not shallow either.

Giggling, Kou Zhong said, “While two Qianbei [senior, older generation] are having heart-to-heart chat talking about the past, why not allowing us, the younger generations, to go out to handle some private affairs, and come back later for advice?”

Wang Bo looked at Kou Zhong with astonishment, “You ought to be Kou Zhong!” he said, “Didn’t others say that you are both shrewd and cunning? Why is it that disaster is looming over your head and you still don’t know it?”

Ba Fenghan laughed aloud and said, “Less bullsh!t! If you want to fight then fight! The Jade Annulus of He Clan was stolen by us; if you want to stick your head out for Liao Kong, come and get it!”

Combined with earlier denial, which also came out of Ba Fenghan’s mouth, this ‘truth’ sounded more like it was spoken in anger, which was more effective than any ‘apology’.

Dugu Feng seemed to have a slightly better impression on Ba Fenghan; she scolded tenderly, “If you didn’t do it, don’t talk nonsense.”

Calmly Wang Bo sized up Ba Fenghan. It was half a day later that he finally said, “I don’t care if you steal the treasure or not, but just based on what you said just now, Ol’ Wang has to teach you a lesson.”

With repeated sneers, You Chuhong said, “In that case, this Old Woman has to see how much you progressed these past several years. You’d better not disappoint me.”

Wang Bo was surprised, “Have you fought with him?” he asked.

You Chuhong stomped her jasper staff on the ground, creating a deep, gloomy sound like a muffled thunder, shaking up the sole of everybody’s feet.

Kou Zhong, three men, were secretly dumbstruck; they were glad that while going all-out in battling her, they did not injure her by mistake.

After scanning the crowd with her eyes, the old woman nodded and said, “I believe the Jade Annulus of He Clan is not in your possession. First of all, based on your combined power, you don’t have the capability of stealing the treasure, hence it is more presumptuous to think that just one of you could do it. Secondly, you don’t look like fools, so you knew that stealing the Jade Annulus of He Clan must be useless; it will bring you more harm than good.”

Then her eyes opened; she looked up, revealing a pair of brightly lit pearl-like pupils. With a laugh that sounded like a screeching owl, she addressed the crowd, “You’d better leave Luoyang. Otherwise, next time you run into me, I am not going to be lenient for the sake of the Jade Annulus of He Clan like this time. Do you understand? Let’s go!”

Naturally the four men did not expect her to be this ‘understanding’, as soon as she said it, she was willing to put this matter down. They watched quietly as Dugu Feng helped You Chuhong disappeared beyond the shattered courtyard door.

Then four pair of eyes turned toward Wang Bo.

All they heard was a fluttering noise, and Wang Bo’s shadow had disappeared.

Coming and going without neither trace nor vestige, he was worthy to be called a martial art master whose name spread far and wide around the world.

The sun had moved above the western hill, casting its slanting light on the City of Luoyang.

Upright and unafraid, Xu Ziling and Ba Fenghan wandered side-by-side along the street, among the gradually thinning pedestrians.

The latter burst out laughing and said, “With Wang Bo’s ego, why did he slip away before fighting? According to reason, he can’t be afraid.”

“Of course not,” Xu Ziling replied, “This man’s prestige in Wulin has always been above Li Mi and Du Fuwei; although he can’t defeat the three of us fighting together, he surely has enough power to hold his ground or run away. In my opinion, it was because he heard that Yin Gui Pai might be involved that he hurried back to deal with it.”

Lowering his voice, Ba Fenghan said, “Yin Gui Pai definitely has to bear this black pot on their back! It would be more wonderful if we could find Yin Hui Pai people and confront them. And the best part is that Yin Gui Pai has all the reason to thwart Shi Feixuan’s good deeds. This Xu Xingzhi is indeed a genius; just with one word he is able to overturn the universe.”

Smiling ruefully, Xu Ziling said, “Lying with my eyes open wide is really unbearable! This kind of thing, once is enough, I don’t care to have the next time.”

Tranquil and calm, Ba Fenghan replied, “Two armies facing each other, how could one prevail over the other without resorting to some ‘misleading the enemy’ tactic? Are we going to admit straight out that we stole the treasure? It was not the first time that you told a lie anyway.”

Muttering irresolutely, Xu Ziling said, “Of course not for the first time, but previously the target of our lies was evil people and scoundrels. This time the target of our lies are martial art experts representing two righteous ways; hence I feel so uncomfortable.”

With a cold humph Ba Fenghan said, “Rules are made by men; so why can’t it be up to us to decide? Being led by the nose, how it make a good man under current situation?”

Shrugging, Xu Ziling said, “Things have come to this, the only thing we can do is not to do anything that will result in death, otherwise we would tie deep enmity that cannot be resolved.”

Ba Fenghan smiled and took the lead to cross a long street; he said, “Hence the reason this tactic of misleading the enemy can only be used for goodwill and not for evil intention. The goal is to reduce the likelihood of deadly battle.”

Xu Ziling sighed and said, “Just think about it that way then.”

Ba Fenghan pointed to a signboard hanging in front of a restaurant that said ‘River Luo Tavern’; he said, “This is it!”

He pushed the door and walked in.

At this time the tavern has not started dinner rush yet. Two waiters were wiping seventeen, eighteen tables inside the shop.

‘Pow!’

Ba Fenghan tossed an ingot of gold onto the table and shouted, “I reserve this shop tonight!”

Chapter 9 - Part 2

Shangshu Mansion.

Inside the secret chamber.

Wang Shichong slapped the table and shouted with praise, “Lucky that you thought about it. Just now I painstakingly thought but could not come up with any good plan. Because the more we are trying to hide it, the more it would appear conspicuous.”

Inwardly Kou Zhong cursed him as selfish and lacking yiqi, but on his face he put on a smiling expression, continued with laughing aloud and said, “Naturally my first consideration is for Wang Gong. Now, pushing the blame to Shangguan Long is ideal; this black pot ought to be put on Yin Gui Pai’s devil back, considering they are more veteran than we are. It is just right to ease the pain of us, three pure an innocent people.”

Among the three, Kou Zhong was not afraid of lying. Ba Fenghan disdained lying, but Xu Ziling simply did not want to lie. Just by looking at this respect, the character differences between the three were obvious.

Wang Shichong cast him a couple of glances and said with a nod, “Xiyi Xiong and I have reflected on this matter, and both of us agreed that if it was stolen by you, there will be many things that do not make sense. For example, after you were discovered and were driven away, how could you immediately turn back and eager to snatch it away? Plus where did the confidence come from that you let only one person to brave the danger? Moreover, you did not apply your inner power to alter your body shape, to such an extent that someone recognized you? And things like that.”

Kou Zhong sighed and said, “It’s all because Wang Gong understands reason. Even if we took that ghost jade, what can we use it for? Even if it were delivered to me, I would reject it. Besides, I would have to gamble my little life away. Ay! I wonder if Wang Gong has some information on Liao Kong or Shi Feixuan that you can pass on to me?”

Wang Shichong shook his head, “No news,” he said, “But Wang Bo came to talk to me. Although on the surface he was very polite, he pleaded me to urge you to hand over the Jade Annulus of He Clan, the fact is that he indirectly threatened me. Humph! What kind of person he thinks I, Wang Shichong, am? How could I be so easily intimidated?”

Inwardly, Kou Zhong was amused; he said, “Right now Wang Gong has no time to do other things, you might as well not get involved in this. I only have one favor I’d like to ask, is that Wang Gong would protect a friend of mine.”

Nodding his head, Wang Shichong said, “Are you referring to that man who came with you, Xu Xingzhi? That’s not a problem. If I can’t even do such a trivial thing, I, Wang Shichong, need not go out to see other people.”

Kou Zhong delightedly said, “In that case I am relieved!”

And then, lowering his voice he said, “Is it possible for Wang Gong to give him a part-time job in your government? This man is indeed a rare talent; in term of wisdom and scheming, he is even better than I am. After he becomes your staff, when others come to ask for him, you can give him sh!tty argument not to hand him over.”

Wang Shichong was skeptical, “I can talk with him,” he said, “If he is indeed a talent, I will retain him in my employment.”

Kou Zhong smiled and said, “He is a man you can trust. And with him dealing with Li Mi, I guarantee Wang Gong will win this battle. All right! I have to go. If I am still alive, I will come again tomorrow to pay a visit to Wang Gong!”

※ ※ ※

‘Clink!’

After a toast, the two drained their cups.

Xu Ziling sighed and said, “If this continues, we may turn into drunkards who only have passion for the wine.”

Ba Fenghan leaned back on his chair, his eyes scanned the not-a-soul-in-sight shop and the closed main door; he said, “We should not be drunk tonight. But while we don’t have anything to do, we can try to guess who will push the door and enter in next.”

Frowning, Xu Ziling said, “There are too many possibilities, can you really guess?”

Smiling, Ba Fenghan replied, “The highest possibility would be Zhong Shao. He ought to find a place for Xu Xingzhi, this very important chess piece!”

Before he finished speaking, the door was pushed open.

※ ※ ※

Kou Zhong had just left the Imperial City and turned into the main street. Two men, who have been following him, ran up to overtake him.

He was wondering why the other side could be this reckless and not afraid to reveal their own track when one of the shouted, “Dead Kou Zhong, you still haven’t stopped!”

Kou Zhong turned around in shock, and cried out involuntarily, “Miss!”

Turned out the two men were Zhai Rang’s daughter, Zhai Jiao, and Tu Shufang, who escorted her out of Xingyang in the past.

Zhai Jiao was dressed as a man, but she was definitely androgynous, making it hard to tell whether she was a male or a female. On the other hand, Tu Shufang was his old self, only there was some sign of wind and frost [i.e. hardship] on his face.

Without any trace of politeness, Zhai Jiao grabbed his arm and pulled him scrambling into a side street. “You, two kids, are quite famous!” she cursed, “No need to listen to my commands anymore.”

Perhaps it was because of Susu, but in Kou Zhong’s heart welled up a meeting-again-after-a-calamity and a hard-to-describe intimate feeling. Smiling wryly, he said, “How could your servant dare? Miss must be training hard day and night these past years, your grab nearly broke my arm bone.”

He also raised his hand in greeting toward Tu Shufang, who was watching on guard on the other side.

With a cold humph Zhai Jiao said, “Do I need you to tell me that? Without any real skill, how to get that traitor Li Mi, the renegade leader, onto the blade in my hand? Come this way!”

Letting him go, she slipped into a small alley to their left.

By this time the sky was gradually darkening, every house has started lighting their lanterns. But the alley was cold and cheerless, like an uninhabited place.

Unleashing their footwork, Kou Zhong and Tu Shufang followed closely behind her.

Zhai Jiao really did not brag, her skill now was clearly superior to before; although her lower back was thick and solid just like before, she was really nimble, she was able to jump vertically with ease.

Suddenly she leaped over a tall wall, and then passed through a house, leaped over a building, flying high and crouching low, and after rushing over for a time needed to drink a cup of hot tea, they reach a private house located at a scenic pedestrian lane by the canal on the northeast side of the city.

The three entered the reception hall and sat down. A pretty maid came out to serve fragrant tea.

Kou Zhong took a glance, and called out in delight, “Aren’t you Chuchu?”

The beautiful maid’s eyes turned red; with her small cicada head hanging down, she spoke faintly, “It’s hard to believe Kou Gongzi still remembers me!”

Kou Zhong recalled the happy memory of throwing snowballs with her at the Big Boss Mansion. Naturally he could not forget even more the sweet memory of that night when she came to his quarter and the intimacy that ensued [see Book 4 Chapters 10 & 11], which invoked in him the distant and fuzzy feeling that he had already forgotten.

He was about to reply, when Zhai Jiao rudely cut him off, “What I fear the most is seeing people cry. Chuchu, get lost! You are not allowed to set foot in the hall anymore!”

Chuchu jumped in fright; after casting a very sad look toward Kou Zhong, she hurriedly scampered into the inner hall.

Tu Shufang has been sizing up Kou Zhong with rapt attention; this moment he sighed and said, “Old acquaintance must not be forgotten. Xiao Zhong, you are now more understated, and did not flaunt yourself at all; no wonder your name shakes the eight points of the compass and you are able to criss-cross the world undefeated.”

Kou Zhong wanted to make some modest remarks when Zhai Jiao slapped her palm on the table, creating a loud ‘Bang!’.

The two men were startled; they turned their eyes at her.

Zhai Jiao’s huge, round and bulging eyes shot deep hatred; gnashing her teeth, she said, “I want to kill Li Mi to avenge Die; Kou Zhong, you must help me!”

Kou Zhong really wanted to tell her that whether he could survive the night was still a big question mark, but being swept by her brass-bell like eyes, his heart softened. Striking his chest, he said, “Of course, how could we be people without yiqi?”

Finished speaking, he was amused.

That day Zhai Rang bit the hand that feeds him, he did not withhold yiqi at all. But now, under the big yiqi banner, he, Kou Zhong, would have to avenge his death.

Sound of rustling wind.

While Kou Zhong was startled, a young man of about twenty-seven, twenty-eight, came in through the window. Standing in front of Zhai Jiao, he saluted and said, “Reporting to Miss: we have thrown off the pursuers.”

Zhai Jiao let out a stifled snort; she stood up first before saying, “This is Kou Zhong!”

The man smiled and said, “I have seen Kou Gongzi. I am Xuan Yong, Zhai Ye’s no-name disciple.”

Kou Zhong examined him carefully; this man looked imposing and dignified, there was a strange looking weapon hanging on his back, his build was like a fierce general who could take the head of the enemy’s chief in the middle of magnificent army with thousands of men and horses as easy as feeling one’s pocket and taking it out. Delighted, Kou Zhong promptly returned the propriety.

Noticing Kou Zhong’s curious look at the weapon on his back, Xuan Yong took it and handed it over to him, saying, “I got the inspiration for this weapon from a pitchfork. Originally pitchforks are used to defend the city; its length may reach up to five chi, specifically design to deal with the enemy who use cloud ladders to climb into the city. This one has horizontal steel blade mounted at the top of the pole, it can press against the enemy’s weapon, but can also be used to peck or pierce. Therefore, I named it ‘Bird Beak Strike’.”

Tu Shufang rose up to his full height; walking over toward the two men, he said, “Not only has Xuan Yong received Zhai Ye’s personal instruction, he has also created the thirty-six moves ‘Bird Beak Strike’ technique. That day, were it not for him, we would not be able to fight off the pursuing troops sent by Li Mi.”

Kou Zhong was about to speak when Zhai Jiao scolded, “The situation is urgent, you are still in the mood for chitchatting?”

The three helplessly sat down around the table.

Zhai Jiao pointed to the tip of Kou Zhong’s ear; she said, “You are well-known for being cunning; quickly tell me how we are going to kill Li Mi.”

Hearing that, Tu Shufang and Xuan Yong frowned deeply, but they did not dare to many any noise.

Kou Zhong did not know whether he should laugh or cry, but on the surface he put on serious expression as he said, “First of all, I want to understand the situation on Miss’ side.”

“What is there to tell you?” Zhai Jiao replied impatiently, “That day Die sent me to Dongping County to rely on help from Tai Shu [uncle]. Li Mi sent his troops to attack the city several times, but Xuan Yong beat him back every time. Until recently the old thief Li scored big victory over Yuwen Huaji, but on the contrary, Xuan Yong said that the opportunity to assassinate the old thief has arrived. Thereupon he selected a group of martial art expert and came to Luoyang to try our luck. Perhaps the old thief would sneakily come to Luoyang for the sake of the Jade Annulus of He Clan, and so I must make him leave without his life.”

Kou Zhong immediately had a whole new level of respect for Xuan Yong; he asked, “How did Xuan Xiong know that this time Li Mi’s victory was so tragic that it was tantamount to defeat?”

Although Xuan Yong could not be considered good-looking, he had appropriate outline and was pleasing to the eye, giving the impression that he had unswerving determination and he stood above the masses.

This moment he had his attention fixed at Kou Zhong; his eyes bright and lively, his thick eyebrows slightly slanting upwards, in contrast with his rather long nose and slightly higher cheekbones, and his wide mouth, which revealed a calm smile. All in all he made people feel that he had the air of a great general.

He methodically explained, “That old traitor Li Mi has never been able to wipe out all the people who have had connection with Zhai Ye from Wagang Army; therefore, I always know what happened to him like the back of my hands.”

Kou Zhong slapped the table and laughed aloud, “This time Li Mi will surely die!” he said.

Hearing that, the other three looked at each other with bewilderment; they were completely at a loss as why Kou Zhong said so.