Ku Ge’s countenance alternated between clear and dark; clearly, he could not make any decision. He was coming to seek revenge and settle the account, it was not driven by momentary impulse at all; rather, it was after giving it careful consideration, knowing that only by exploiting the unique situation of this shop, which front end was facing the street, its clay terrace on the backyard facing the river, he would be able to carry out his strategy of swarming out and using powerful arrows at close range to attack the enemy, to kill or injure martial art masters of Kou Zhong, Ba Fenghan, Xu Ziling’s caliber.
As for Liexia, he had never even heard about him, hence he did not take it to heart. This slight miscalculation on his part has caused him to be trapped into enemies in front and behind him situation. Furthermore, he started to feel that Liexia and his men were not ordinary people.
Ba Fenghan looked at Ku Ge; he seemed to be oblivious of the sparkling-like-crystal arrowheads pointing at him. Revealing an extremely grim smile, he spoke indifferently, “I have a proposal. Ku Ge, if you are a man, why don’t you have a one-on-one duel against Shaoshuai, to provide us with some entertainment before eating the grilled fish. If you, Wangzi Dianxia [your majesty son of a king] have the ability to kill Shaoshuai, Xiaodi and Ziling Xiong will immediately kill ourselves on the spot as a gift to you.”
Kou Zhong laughed aloud and said, “Fenghan Xiong has a very good idea. This is equivalent to each side sending one man to decide both sides’ life or death, victory or defeat. It’s so much more interesting.”
Ku Ge answered back sarcastically, “Even if in the Central Plains you are a local worm, in here you are no more than a dog that has fallen into dire straits. Beaten by Bi Xuan, you ran to this place with your tail between your legs, yet you still dare to show off. These sixty archers of mine, none is not a divine archer; moreover, they are a group of elite fighters, our best quality personnel. This time you are too careless in underestimating the enemy.”
Ba Fenghan spread out his hands and shook his head; he said with a sigh, “Xiaodi’s first battle against Bi Xuan indeed ended in defeat, but I am looking forward to the approaching second battle. If even Bi Xuan, Ol’ Ba is not scared of, who do think you, Ku Ge, are? You, Laoxiong, ought to know Ol’ Ba’s style, I have never been afraid of violating Buddhist monastic discipline against killing.”
Emotionally moved, Liexia said, “So Ba Xiong’s battle against Bi Xuan Kulbelen is not unfounded rumor at all.”
Xu Ziling pulled his gaze back from the beautiful scenery of the twilight in the sky and swept it across the Qidan warriors pulling the bowstrings; each opponent was very stable, without swaying the least bit. He could not help smiling as he said, “Why did Lie Xiong think it was an unfounded rumor? Is it because Old Ba is still alive and kicking?”
An astonished expression flashed through Liexia’s face, but it quickly disappeared. Obviously it was because Xu Ziling had seen through the load on his mind, and thus he was wary of Xu Ziling’s ability and wisdom. Nodding his head, he said, “Xu Xiong is guessing correctly. If Ba Xiong really had decisive battle against Bi Xuan, then Ba Xiong is the first opponent that Bi Xuan wanted to kill but he could not kill.”
This time it was Ku Ge’s turn to tremble inwardly. Although he heard the rumor, he only had vague knowledge that Bi Xuan had pursued to kill the three, but he did not know the details. Now that he heard from the persons involved with his own ears, he mused inwardly that if Bi Xuan was unable to kill Ba Fenghan, would he be able to do it?
Thinking to this point, his will to fight was reduced substantially. The feeling of more than a dozen arrows from higher position looking down threatening his back – was greatly intensified. He really hated this no-room-to-advance-or-to-retreat situation.
Ba Fenghan smiled wryly toward Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling, he said, “You see, Bi Xuan’s attitude is this fierce and severe and awe-inspiring; losing several times under his hands with the good fortune of not dying unexpectedly has become some kind of glory. His Niang! I am the first person that Old Bi killed but did not die!”
And then a deep, unfathomable lightning light exploded within his pair of eyes, he turned his eyes toward the eternally flowing water in the river, he spoke slowly, word by word, “Bi Xuan! You are going to pay the price that you cannot afford for your mistake. I finally know what you are made of.”
This remark was more formidable than any threat or intimidation. It heavily hit Ku Ge’s spirit and willpower. Ba Fenghan was no more a defeated general under Bi Xuan’s hands, but now he became the most terrifying swordsman with most qualifications to challenge Bi Xuan.
Finally a thought to retreat sprouted in Ku Ge’s mind.
Four men confronting sixty arrow tips, yet they were still able to talk and laugh as though nothing had happened. What spirit, what charm! Ku Ge could not help being convinced. The more than a dozen personal guards, martial art masters on his left and right were entirely the most valiant warriors within his tribe. Yet this moment every one stayed quiet out of fear; clearly they were intimidated by the four men’s imposing manner. They did not even dare to breathe loudly; how could they fought this battle?
Xu Ziling followed Ba Fenghan’s gaze, enjoying the beautiful open country scenery on the opposite bank under the setting sun low on the horizon, thinking that the prairie was indeed a place that could bewitch and turn people upside down. Its vastness could make people’s imagination run wild like the four legs of a horse. Thinking to this point, he suddenly felt disengagement from the battlefield, while enjoying some kind of indescribable serenity, the extraordinary situation all around became even clearer instead. He seemed to grasp everybody’s internal and external changes.
In that instant, Xu Ziling understood that he has finally entered the realm that he and Kou Zhong have been pursuing all along, the realm of the moon in the well.
Turning his gaze to Ku Ge, he said, “If Wangzi is willing to promise that you are not going to move the weapons of war anymore, have your men put away their bow and arrow first, and then I will guarantee safe passage for Wangzi to leave. Other things are simply nonsense.”
They were speaking entirely in Tujue language, so that all three sides understood clearly; their gaze could not help concentrating on Ku Ge, to see whether he would choose war or peace.
Suddenly bean-sized beads of sweat were starting to form on Ku Ge’s ashen face, from his forehead flowing down his cheeks, and finally dripping on the ground.
Anybody would know that in staking-in-all qi momentum faceoff, Ku Ge was defeated silly, his troop disposition was in a mess.
Ku Ge suddenly stomped his feet and roared, “Let’s go!” And then he turned around and walked away.
The crowd of Qidan warriors promptly put away their arrow, and hurriedly followed behind him in such a sorry state. In a flash they all disappeared clean and neat.
Liexia raise his cup and said, “Where’s the fish? Come! I salute three Dage one cup. Only today I understand what is called subduing the other’s troops without fighting.”
“Top quality warhorses, for sale at the price of half a sheet of sheepskin. Come and get it quickly, otherwise you’ll miss this opportunity. Buy a horse, get a free saddle!”
The three quickly disseminated the horses that they took from Huyan Jin’s men in an empty lot at the eastern end of Hualin. They explained that the horses originally belonged to horse thieves, but people were still so eager to buy.
Ba Fenghan led the way, while the two boys accompanied him on his left and right. Their three beloved colts were obediently following behind them.
This moment they have become such divine figures, their military successes were shining. How they scared away Ku Ge and his several dozens warriors has already passed on from layer upon layer of people, with each layer added washes of ink or color to a painting [idiom: to exaggerate/to embellish]. Hualin people, due to their ability to drive out Xieli, already regarded them as heroes; therefore, everywhere they went, there were cheers and applauses, and extreme politeness and respect. Although Kou and Xu, two boys were happy that they were no longer considered as Han dogs, they were pestered beyond endurance.
Ba Fenghan laughed and said, “It’s definitely Liexia, that kid, who’s playing ghost, doing everything he could to make us the focus of attention. It would be best if we could stake it all against all sides’ men and horses and defeat them entirely.”
Kou Zhong said, “It looks like our grand plan to buy new clothes has to be temporarily set aside. Leaving as quickly as possible seems to be the best move.”
Hualin after dark seemed to be a different scenery altogether. In the dozen or so clay buildings along the main street the lantern was dark, the fire black. The main street, which during the day the dust was rising, was deserted by both men and horses. On the contrary, bonfires sprouted out everywhere across the hilly country, the clamor reached to the sky. Some people even sat around the bonfire, singing and dancing. The atmosphere was full of exotic air. On top of that, the sheep were bleating, the cows were mooing, the camels braying and the horses neighing. The feeling was hard to describe.
The three turned into the dark main street, heading toward the northeast, away from Hualin, relaxed and leisurely.
Ba Fenghan said, “I wonder what did Ling Shao think about this man, Liexia?”
Xu Ziling replied, “This man is a bit like Shi Zhixuan, from head to toes he exuded demonic qi, and he is harboring unfathomable motives toward us. Therefore, Old Ba, you resolutely refused to work together with him, it is definitely a sensible act.”
Kou Zhong said, “If Zhu Yaofu is willing to speak, she could surely tell us what in the world Da Ming Zun Jiao really is. But now this kid, Liexia is giving me a headache; I wonder if the wolf-bandits are really like he said, i.e. Bai Ziting’s tool to grab some silver taels?”
“In this matter,” Ba Fenghan said, “I am sure that there will come a day when as the water recedes, the rocks appear. If what Liexia said turns out to be true, our eighty-thousand sheets of sheepskin will fall in.”
The sound of the water of the river lapping against the shore was coming from the left side. Under the beautiful scenery of star constellations filling the sky, from straight ahead two dark shadows were appearing; one tall, the other short, upright and unafraid standing in the middle of the street, blocking the road heading out of Hualin.
Kou Zhong looked with rapt attention, he laughed aloud and said, “Could it be Bielegunatai and Bugunatai brothers of Mengwu Shiwei?”
The man who is half a head taller than the other had a pair of axes hanging on his back, he was thick and solid, his body was well proportioned and perfect. His long hair was draped across his shoulders, his age could not be more than thirty years old. His face was full of beard, his outline was distinct and prominent, heroic, mighty, yet simple and unadorned. His entire body exuded overwhelming aggressiveness, like a big tree that could stand forever without falling over, unafraid of any storm, any wind and rain.
The shorter one was as robust as iron tower. His broad and thick shoulders made his entire body appeared to be rectangular. A cavalry saber was hanging on his waist, his eyes fierce and severe, but his hair was short, only about a cun long, stiff like iron needle, like a brush that was used to scrub pigs or horse’s mane. His appearance could not be considered handsome, but there was a valiant, heroic, mighty feeling, which attracted other people’s favorable impression.
The tall one responded in Tujue; he let out a long laughter and said, “Precisely us, brothers. I am Bielegunatai, coming with a specific purpose in mind to send my regards to the three gentlemen.”
The three continued until they were about five paces away from the two before stopping. Ba Fenghan spoke indifferently, “Ba Fenghan has heard two gentlemen’s name for a long time, today we can finally meet, you are indeed not disappointing.”
Bugunatai raised his thumb and spoke solemnly, “Good men. Relying on three men’s power, you resisted Xieli’s Golden Wolf Army at Helian Fort; if you are not heroes, I don’t know who is. Bugunatai is full of admiration.”
Bielegunatai joined in, “Although we have heard about Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling’s mighty power spreading all over the Central Earth, we still thought it was exaggerated rumors; who would have thought that two gentlemen had just arrived in the prairie, you immediately reversed the entire situation of the grassland, your might covered the land beyond the northern border. Such heroes and towering figures, we, two brothers admire wholeheartedly.”
The three were greatly surprised; they never thought that the two would be this polite and courteous, and truly pushed away evil spirit to the utmost.
Bugunatai said, “We came with a specific purpose in mind to welcome three gentlemen and to meet at our camp. We will all drink until daybreak; as for whether tomorrow we will be friends or foes, let that be tomorrow’s problem.”
Ba Fenghan’s heroic feeling surging, he agreed on behalf of the other two, “Please show the way.”
Bielegunatai brothers’ camp was far from Hualin, it was set up about half a li on the hilltop. There were more than seventy tents, nearly five hundred riders, none was not brave and good fighter. With such strength, plus the Bielegunatai brothers, if they had frontal confrontation, the side suffering losses would certainly be Xu Ziling, three men.
Nevertheless, they were undaunted at all; following the Bielegunatai brothers, they went straight toward the main tent at the heart of the camp.
The main tent was surrounded by a large area of empty space, with four campfire built on all four directions. In fact, everywhere in the camp, bonfires were blazing, men and horses went back and forth, filling the prairie with valiant, primitive flavor.
Following the Bielegunatai brothers, the three dismounted from their horses. Warriors with long hair draped across their shoulders swarmed in, competing to look at the three men’s air.
Bielegunatai waved his arm and spoke a few Shiwei words. The crowd of Shiwei warriors immediately burst into loud cheer, some even toss their helmets and hats into the air. The scene was blazing, making people’s blood boiling.
Bugunatai excitedly explained, “They are cheering for the three heroes driving away the Golden Wolf Army.”
They went inside the tent and sat down. Outside, the Shiwei warriors were still sitting, singing, and dancing around the campfire, their emotions were running high.
Bielegunatai fetched a sheepskin bag of cheese, he took a bit first, before handing it to Kou Zhong and said with a laugh, “Just now, due to misunderstanding, Shili offended Shaoshuai, I hereby apologize to you. Those two horses were my gift to her, but now I want you to take them to make amends.”
Kou Zhong felt awkward instead, “Those two horses … hey!” he stammered.
Bugunatai resolutely said, “Shaoshuai does not need to be concerned about that; if you want to settle the account, you ought to find the thief who stole the horses to settle the account.”
Xu Ziling started, “Shili Gongzhu, she …”
Bielegunatai cut him off, “Forget it! Women are like wild horses, they are unwilling to be tamed.”
With that said, the two guessed that because of the earlier problem with them, Shili had some disagreement with her future husband, and had left sulkily.
“What exactly is the relation between the three gentlemen and those Huihe people?” Bugunatai asked.
Ba Fenghan received the cheese, took a big bite, and praised it first, “How sweet!” before answering, “This man, it was the first time that we met him. He is harboring unfathomable motives, and we are not friends with him at all.”
And then he continued with serious expression, “I heard two gentlemen coming this time, it is to stop us from delivering the Five-Colored Stone to Longquan; I wonder if there is such thing?”
This moment someone served roasted sheep thigh, Bielegunatai took out a sharp knife and personally cut the meat. Handing the meat to the three, he smiled and said, “That is the rumor we spread out to fool people’s eyes and ears. The fact is that we are coming to the east this time, there is another plan, but the one we want to deal with is not three gentlemen but someone else. Humph! So what if Bai Ziting obtains the Five-Colored Stone? Tuli will be the first person not to let him off.”
Hearing that, the three looked at each other, while thinking inwardly how could it be so? They felt that these two brothers were not simple at all, they were not men who relied on pure weapons of war or valiant, fierce battles.
Greatly bewildered, Kou Zhong asked, “Who is the person that two gentlemen want to deal with?”
Bielegunatai nodded slightly toward Bugunatai. Immediately the murderous intent in Bugunatai’s pair of eyes flared greatly, as he spoke heavily, “The one we want to kill are Shen Mohuan and Mu Ling, who are known as Husband and Wife Team of Evil Thieves.”
Scratching his head, Kou Zhong said, “How can there be such a coincidence? We also want to take Shen Mohuan’s dog life. Why don’t two gentlemen tell us more on their wicked conduct, so that our intention to kill him will be strengthened?”
Bugunatai still thought that Kou Zhong wanted to kill Shen Mohuan because he intended to seize the Five-Colored Stone; unconcerned, he said, “We want to kill him, not because of personal grievances at all; rather, it is for the sake of our children and future generations.”
Stunned, Ba Fenghan said, “Unexpectedly it is that serious?”
Bielegunatai’s plain and simple, majestic and amazing face became as staunch as a rock, his pair of eyes lit up with unusual light, flashing brightly, yet he remained tranquil, “Can I interest three gentlemen in taking a stroll outside the camp?” he said.
The five men came to a small hill about a thousand paces outside the camp. Bielegunatai lifted his eyes to gaze at the magnificent starry sky, as if he was able to look deep into the end of the blue dome of heaven. He spoke slowly, “Currently, the struggle in the prairie is already developing into the struggle between the Eastern and Western Tujue, various divisions of Tiele, eight branches of Mohe, Tuyuhun, big tribal chiefs of Qidan, and the various tribes of our Shiwei. Those with a clear view of things know that if they do not want their family lost and their tribe perished, they must unite their inside divisions first. Therefore, even if the condition has not completely matured, Bai Ziting is forced to take a risk. Abaojia also has to form an alliance with Huyan Jin, whom he always despised in the past.”
Ba Fenghan, Kou Zhong, and Xu Ziling were mesmerized by his touching expression and his speech, which fully expressed the knowledge and experience in his bosom, thinking that this man was by no means a nobody.
Bugunatai spoke indifferently, “The most powerful among the various divisions of Tiele was originally Xue Yantuo. But if Pusa manages to ascend to the position of Sijin Shijian, Huihe, under leadership of this broadminded mighty talent with exceptionally good reputation, will definitely able to unify various divisions of Tiele.”
Bielegunatai suddenly asked, “What kind of person Li Shimin actually is? Why is Xieli so afraid of him?”
Coming over to his side, Kou Zhong cast his gaze toward the campfire over Hualin in the distance, and spoke with wry smile, “Frankly speaking, after arriving at the prairie, I already forgot about him. In short, just like Pusa to Tiele, Li Shimin is the most promising person to unify the Central Plains.”
Ba Fenghan said with a sigh, “Shaoshuai’s way in using words and dispatching characters is certainly exquisite beyond compare. One sentence and you explain the subtle meaning behind it all.”
Looking at Kou Zhong, Bielegunatai said, “Any nation, turning from decline to glory, must have heroes coming forth in large numbers. Looking at Kou Xiong and Xu Xiong, such incomparable geniuses, is precisely the omen that flourishing period is about to arrive. Once the Central Earth is unified, it will certainly be under big centralized unified empire. And the first to bear the brunt will definitely be the most powerful tribe in the prairie.”
Ba Fenghan nodded and said, “Whether the world [reminder: ‘tianxia’ (land under heaven) also refers to the whole China] will belong to Kou Zhong or Li Shimin, the first thing they do will be to look for Xieli to chop his head.”
Xu Ziling began to understand what he meant when he said ‘for the sake of our children and future generations’. This pair of brothers certainly stood tall and saw far, they made predictions and preparations for the vast-without-clear-boundary, unfathomable future, in order to avoid greed on the temporarily easy and comfortable life before their eyes, which planted the seed of calamity to the perished tribes of the future. It made him think, just like the two brothers, to have a clear view of the ups and downs of this matter.
Bugunatai smiled and said, “Anybody could surrender and transfer their allegiance, only Xieli cannot surrender. Once he surrenders, he will be done for. In the prairie, no one will be willing to obey him anymore. Therefore, the moment the Central Earth is unified will be the day he would abandon everything to go all-out to invade the Central Plains.”
Revealing a hint of bitter smile, Bielegunatai sighed and said, “We originally thought that no one in Central Earth is able to control Xieli’s Golden Wolf Army, who would have thought in the Helian Fort and Rushing Wolf Plains, two battles, Shaoshuai, in iron-clad fact, announced it to the entire prairie that Xieli is not unrivalled hegemon at all. Therefore, if Shaoshuai unifies the Central Plains, this side grows the other side disappears, it will be difficult for the Tujue to call themselves the mighty anymore.”
Kou Zhong nodded and said, “I understand! Therefore, you want to take advantage before a powerful empire appears in the Central Earth, to make adequate preparations to deal with the new situation in the prairie after Xieli’s Khanate collapses. Really formidable! Very few people have such a far-reaching view. The furthest thing I can see is the Little Chang’an becoming the capital of Longquan.”
Without restraint, Bielegunatai put his hands on Kou Zhong’s broad shoulders, and blurted out laughing, “Talking with Shaoshuai is definitely a joy in life. Shen Mohuan is colluding with Xieli, he is a traitor to our Shiwei people, everybody hates him to the bones. If we, two brothers, can behead this man, our prestige will immediately rise tremendously, and will naturally be able to unify Shiwei. At that time we will pledge allegiance to Shaoshuai, sending you tribute year after year, Shaoshuai can’t possibly treat us meagerly!”
Kou Zhong laughed aloud and said, “Good guy! Your plan is meticulous indeed; moving the troops executing the plan, there will come a day Mongolian people will raise abruptly in the prairie, sweeping across the six directions [north, south, east, west, up, down/the whole country/the universe /everything under the sun] on the foundation that two Laoxiong laid out.”
Ba Fenghan said, “In that case, wouldn’t it mean we are doing two gentlemen a big favor? Shen Mohuan’s sand-bandits always hide in the desert, coming and going like the wind, appearing and disappearing unpredictably like a spirit or a ghost, yet this time we lure him out of the desert, like a vicious fish out of the water; getting slaughtered will be their only allotted share.”
Bielegunatai smiled and said, “This is a one-in-a-thousand-year golden opportunity; therefore, we are hoping to work together with two gentlemen to chop his head.”
Frowning, Xu Ziling said, “This move of Laoxiong will most likely provoke the anger of Tiefuyou and Abaojia, who will stop at nothing to destroy us.”
Bugunatai spoke with a cold laugh, “In the prairie, we brothers only have misgivings against Bi Xuan, Xieli and Tuli, three men. We will do whatever we love to do, we don’t care what other people’s reaction will be.”
These words exuded intense sense of self-confidence and heroic spirit soaring into the sky. Since it came from the bottom of his heart, it did not feel too ear piercing.
Bielegunatai spoke indifferently, “Do not despise these five hundred brothers from our tribe who came with me. None of them is not carefully chosen one out a hundred, just like the ready-to-die warriors by Pusa’s side, even if the enemy has a thousand men ten thousand horses, we are absolutely not afraid.”
Kou Zhong spoke in Han language, “Ling Shao and Old Ba, what do you think?”
Shrugging his shoulders, Ba Fenghan replied, “There are so many kinds of game, this must be one of them, let the lord chooses.”
Xu Ziling did not say anything.
Kou Zhong reached back to draw Bielegunatai into his embrace; laughing out loud, he said, “Even if you are not the most formidable commander-in-chief, you must be the most outstanding lobbyist. From today onward, we are brothers and comrade-in-arms. If in the future I can unify the Central Plains, we will join hands to strike Xieli down, and bring about all-around peace and security to the prairies.”
A shooting star flashed by from the horizon, just like a vanishing dream, but it looked like the beginning of a dream even more.
