The three men changed their clothes, put on their masks, and then, upright and unafraid, they walked across the street toward the foreign guesthouse.
The streets were still in chaos as before, group after group of ferocious soldiers and confused citizens, their eyes revealed ominous glint, their hands carried weapons, went around everywhere looking for the three men’s trace, but it actually made things easy for them instead, since they need not worry that the soldiers would check them; because the enemy’s target was specific, they ignored the three men instead. In accordance with the plan they discussed, Du Xing was going to find three men to impersonate them, leaping over the city wall and escaping out of Longquan. When the enemy mistakenly believed that they were not in the city, they could then set their plan in motion. Translated by foxs
The three followed behind a group of people along a section of the Vermilion Bird Boulevard, and then turned into a side lane. “What do you think of Du Xing?” Ba Fenghan asked.
Spreading his arms, Kou Zhong replied, “I did not hear any flaw in what he said, because he did indeed have a big argument with Xu Kaishan. After we are done here, we’ll go look for Xu Kaishan to settle the account. There are also Liexia and Han Chao’an; we must not let any one of them get away. Humph!”
Xu Ziling looked at the foreign guesthouse across the street, which was the hotel where the Pingyao merchants stayed. It was difficult to see whether they had good or bad luck. The most ideal thing would be Ou Liangcai and the others already left the city, the worst-case scenario was if they were put in prison.
Ba Fenghan said, “Currently we have no other choice but to place our heavy bet on Du Xing. If he dares to deceive us, I will not let him get away.”
Kou Zhong said, “Don’t look at how his mouth is full of vulgar language, actually, there is a refined and extremely measured person within the vulgarity, moreover, he has a clear view of things. Unless he does not hesitate to give up the business empire that he built through untold hardship in Shanhai Pass, he must cooperate with us nicely and render meritorious service to pay for his crime. Ha!”
Fixing his gaze on the foreign guesthouse main gate, Xu Ziling said, “This time, the vanguard troops coming here are not the Tujue Wolf Army but Pusa’s Huihe elite troops; I wonder what kind of psychological impact will it have on Bai Ziting?”
Kou Zhong spoke cheerfully, “Ling Shao’s thought is very thorough. The impact can be categorized in several aspects. First of all, it’s the situation concerning Huihe’s original tribe. With Tuli’s full support, Xieli also gave him a nod of approval, plus with his prestige, which is like the sun in the middle of the sky due to the battle of Helian Fort, he regained what he lost in his original tribe; therefore, he is able to lead his troops coming to the west. This matter also represents Da Ming Zun Jiao’s losing their momentum in Huihe, which also substantially weaken Da Ming Zun Jiao’s influence on Bai Ziting.” foxswuxia.wordpress.com
Ba Fenghan sighed and said, “At long last Tuli is doing the right thing.”
Kou Zhong continued his analysis, “Secondly, Xieli and Tuli let Pusa leading the vanguard troops, it shows clearly that they wanted to increase the pressure on Bai Ziting, a sign that those who oppose Bai Ziting founding his kingdom are not limited to Tujue people, but other tribes in the prairie as well. If I were Bai Ziting, I wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight.”
This moment, Xu Ziling suddenly shouted, “Look!”
Hearing that, the other two turned their eyes toward the foreign guesthouse, only to see Guan Ping, flashing and hiding, exited the main gate, looking to the left and glancing to the right. Translated by foxs
The three quickly moved back to avoid his surreptitious gaze.
Kou Zhong happily said, “Ou Liangcai and the others must be unable to leave because the city gates are closed!”
Flashing out of the main gate, Guan Ping walked toward the south gate.
Kou Zhong made prompt decision, “Ling Shao and Old Ba go follow him, Xiaodi is going into the hotel to visit old friends.”
Guan Ping sat on a small boat that was hidden under the bridge and rowed it in the direction of the southwest part of Longquan City.
Xu Ziling was about to follow him along the riverbank, Ba Fenghan pulled his sleeve and said, “There’s another small boat under the bridge; taking waterway is always better than walking on land. Who would have guessed that we still have the interest to take a tour along the river?”
The two quickly get down to get on the boat. Xu Ziling took the paddle and quickly rowed the boat to tail Guan Ping ahead, which sometimes was in sight, other times was hidden. foxswuxia.wordpress.com
Guan Ping was in high alert; he constantly looked at the banks and also looked at them, obviously he was suspicious.
The two cried, ‘Bad!’ inwardly. Ba Fenghan spoke in low voice, “Looks like abandoning the boat and following him on land is a bit safer. Although the difficulties will double, it’s still better than following him with bright eyes, open guts, on the river, circling to the left and turning to the right.”
Xu Ziling leisurely operated the paddle; he smiled and said, “I dare to bet that he is going to Da Ming Zun Jiao’s nest, Xiao Hui Yuan [little Hui (tribe) garden]. This is the same waterway that Kou Zhong and I took the other day going to the Xiao Hui Yuan.”
This moment Guan Ping turned left, paddling into the north waterway. If he is taking this direction, then he definitely was not going to the Xiao Hui Yuan in the southwest.
Ba Fenghan already heard the story about Xiao Hui Yuan from the two boys. Laughing coldly, he said, “Good sly fellow, he wanted to test us!”
And then he frowned and said, “If Du Xing is telling the truth, Meiyan should be Funantuo’s woman, then she ought to be standing in opposition with Da Ming Zun Jiao; why would Meiyan’s man go to Xiao Hui Yuan?”
Xu Ziling did not follow Guan Ping into the same waterway, he went straight to the west. He said, “This matter is indeed puzzling. But Du Xing really does not know everything. Meiyan and Da Ming Zun Jiao’s real relationship, I am afraid even he did not know. Liexia said that Meiyan was once his woman, I think he did not lie, and his enmity toward Funantuo is also real.” Translated by foxs
Sheng Guang Si’s pagoda was towering ahead, a scene that recalled past memories in Xu Ziling’s heart, so that he could not help sighing.
Ba Fenghan asked in astonishment, “What’s the load in Ziling’s mind?”
Xu Ziling’s mind galloped through time and space, back to the touching and the melting-the-spirit-snapping-the-soul memory where he spent time with Shi Feixuan. Where could her fragrant footprint be now? Could it be she was on the way returning to the unknown-depth of the Jingzhai? Regarding the future, he no longer had any expectation and hope. Suddenly he also remembered the Tianzhu Xiao in his bosom that Shang Xiufang entrusted to him to deliver to Shi Qingxuan.
Shaking his head, he said, “Nothing! After our business is done here, are you going to come with us back to the Central Earth?”
Ba Fenghan was silent for half a day. Finally he spoke casually, “No! I want to see someone, and later on I am going to Luoyang to look for Kou Zhong.”
Staring blankly, Xu Ziling said, “Badai’er?”
Raising his consciousness, Kou Zhong circled around the foreign guesthouse one time through. After making sure that no enemy was watching, he climbed over the rear courtyard wall and entered in. He was still afraid that Bai Ziting might be so brilliant as to hide ambushing troops in here. He went through the buildings, halls, and rooms, one by one, to get clear understanding of the situation, until finally he was certain that the more than a dozen Pingyao merchants were gathered in the main hall, and then he pulled down his mask and entered via the backdoor into the hall, saying, “Gentlemen, I trust you have been well since we last met, Xiaodi is very pleased to see you all.” foxswuxia.wordpress.com
Ou Liangcai, Luo Yi, and the others were sitting facing each other, worrying about the city, anxious over their own fate. On top of that, the riot on the street quite frightened them that a third part of their soul scattered. Suddenly seeing Kou Zhong appearing, they were all pleasantly surprised.
Turned out this morning they waited until noon per their earlier agreement, but still did not see Kou Zhong, they knew in their hearts that the situation was far from good, hence they wanted to leave the city in haste. Who would have thought that all city gates were locked down, no one was allowed to enter or exit? Without any choice, they had to return to the guesthouse.
Kou Zhong sighed and said, “And now we must leave immediately, otherwise sooner or later Bai Ziting would come to pick you up. Currently he is losing his mind, he is full of evil tendencies, he will not let anything get away.”
Luo Yi sighed and said, “Shaoshuai has the ability to come and go at will, as soon as you said you wanted to go you can just go. But how are we going to leave?”
Kou Zhong said, “I am not asking you to come with me charging through the city gate, but I want to move you to safety first. I have a very capable friend in here, he will watch for an opportunity to send you to a safe place. Tomorrow you might be able to take a boat back to Shanhai Pass. I also have a solution for your debt. Don’t worry! I will protect you, no matter what.” Translated by foxs
The crowd was overjoyed at the unexpected good news. They hurriedly picked up their simple luggage, which had already been prepared properly for a long time.
Right this frightening moment, ‘Bang! Bang! Bang!’ Someone was banging on the outer courtyard door, making such an earth-shattering ruckus. Each bang was like a bolt of thunder striking the vital part in Kou Zhong and the others’ heart.
Three of the merchants’ knees went weak, they fell on their butts on the floor in horror.
Luo Yi and the others also had their countenance devoid of any color.
Gongqi’s shouting voice came, “This place has been heavily surrounded, get the hell out for me!”
Even with Kou Zhong’s valiant and confidence, he could not help breaking into cold sweat. He simply could not leave them here and escape alone. What should he do? Gongqi could be considered outstanding as well, unexpectedly he knew that Kou Zhong was here. foxswuxia.wordpress.com
Gongqi shouted again, “Still haven’t opened the door for me?”
Kou Zhong was greatly astonished; if Gongqi was coming to deal with him, he would definitely force the door open or leap over the wall to attack, to catch him off guard, how could he call for them to open the door?
Suddenly it dawned on him, Gongqi really did not know that he, Kou Zhong was in here; rather, he came to arrest Luo Yi and the others. Bright idea appeared in his mind, immediately his brain was churning.
Under the illumination of the setting sun, steam was curling up. Even on the eve of big war looming in the horizon, the river, the bridges, everywhere they looked, the scenery was still so enchanting. The water of the river, which has turned golden and bluish-green, was flowing lightly and quietly. The evening mist enveloping the hot springs, the rising steam shrouding the boat all around, following it along, created an ever-changing misty heaven and earth. After the thunderstorm, the sky was clear, with a smear of gorgeous rose-tinted clouds over the western horizon, blending perfectly with clump after clump of floating clouds rolling leisurely in the sky.
“Do you know why I parted company with Badai’er?” Ba Fenghan spoke indifferently.
Xu Ziling’s heart was touched. It was because Ba Fenghan was considering him as a close friend that he revealed the secret and the emotions buried deep in the bottom of his heart. Translated by foxs
Ba Fenghan revealed a brimming-with-helplessness and pained expression. Looking at the river, he sighed and said, “The biggest problem was that we belong to two different social classes, and have been destined like this since birth. Whether in terms of lifestyle, habit, way of thinking and life’s goal, we are as different as can be. At the beginning, we could still rely on our love to overcome the obstacle and break all taboos, the kind of hatred-turning-into-love, which was exciting and unruffled by sentiment, able to cover everything. However, when I could not make her to be like me, and she was also disappointed that I had not made the slightest change for her, the friction grew, until finally it developed to the point of hard to endure.”
Although Xu Ziling did not know what really happened between them, he could imagine that for such a noble woman like Badai’er, who was born in aristocratic Tujue family, being carried in Ba Fenghan’s – who had revenge in mind – arms, and was taken prisoner, both her body and mind, such an imbalance in her way of thinking, which made her betraying her social class and throwing herself to Ba Fenghan, certainly put her under a huge pressure.
Smiling bitterly, Ba Fenghan said, “That morning she left on her own. When she left, I pretended to be asleep. And she knew that I was pretending to be asleep, yet I did not ask her to stay. This was the reason she hates me to the bones. The past can no longer be restored; furthermore, we cannot revive old dreams. Over the last few years, I have become increasingly indifferent to the feeling between men and women, unlike in the past. However, in my heart, I still have sincere remorse toward her. For many years I had been unwilling to think; I did not dare to think even more. But on top of Helian Fort’s wall, when I was face-to-face with death, I suddenly realized that upon examining my heart and thought, this is the only matter of regret. At that time I already made up my mind, if I luckily did not die, I would see her one time, to express the remorse in my heart to her.”
Knitting his brows, Xu Ziling said, “But what she wants is probably not your confession or apology.” foxswuxia.wordpress.com
The boat slowly stopped under the bridge. Xiao Hui Yuan appeared at the far left in the depth of the rose-tinted fog. Any boat approaching the pier behind the Garden would definitely not escape their watch.
Ba Fenghan said, “She might. No one understands me better than she; also no one loves me deeper than she. As long as she knows that she is the only woman in my, Ba Fenghan’s heart, and she still is even today, she might let me go. Ay! My Niang!”
A small boat emerged from the mist on the other side of Xiao Hui Yuan, and was slowly approaching.
Kou Zhong made prompt decision; he said to Luo Yi and the others, “Don’t be afraid! They definitely won’t dare to harm you, I will even come with you into the prison.”
Finished speaking, he rushed toward the door, while taking out his mask and put it on. Fortunately, in order to avoid other people’s eyes and ears, he had hidden his saber and bow inside his outer robe. Unless the other side did a body search, he would not have to worry that they might find the weapons. He was hoping that in this moment of soldier’s mutiny and troops rebelling, the other side might be careless and would not maintain their usual cautious style.
As he reached the plaza between the outer courtyard gate and the main hall, he suddenly remembered something. Crying ‘Bad!’ inwardly, he was about to get the other mask to change, when ‘Bang!’ the door bolt broke, the outer courtyard gate was smashed open. Translated by foxs
Wearing the ugly divine doctor mask, Kou Zhong pretended to have his legs turned soft, he fell on his knees and changed his voice, pretending to lose his head in fear, he blurted out, “Daren, please spare my life! Daren, please spare my life!”
The demonic, fiendish Gongqi, accompanied by a large number of Sumo soldiers crowding around him, burst in. His eyes revealing ominous glint, he stared at Kou Zhong sitting on the ground, and shouted coldly, “Go in and search! Don’t leave out even half a person.”
Like wolves and tigers, the warriors swarmed around Kou Zhong and rushed like a tide into the main hall.
Gongqi, with six or seven attendants by his side, walked over to Kou Zhong; staring fiercely at him, he said, “What’s your name?”
A man, who looked like a civil officer, by his side, took out a scroll from his bosom and open it up to look at it.
Kou Zhong groaned inwardly; he did not expect the other side to be this meticulous, unexpectedly they checked for identities. How could he reveal his original identity? With no other choice, he braced himself and said, “Xiaoren is Guan Ping! Daren, please spare my life!” while thinking inwardly about how to put this muddled-egg to death in one fell swoop with the most fierce and severe means.
The civil officer nodded and said, “His name is on the list.”
But the ominous glint in Gongqi’s eyes was flaring even greater, his hand pressed on the saber’s hilt, he looked coldly at Kou Zhong and said, “I seem to have seen you somewhere.” foxswuxia.wordpress.com
Kou Zhong’s entire body relaxed. At least this group of people, Gongqi included, did not know that Guan Ping was Meiyan’s man and that he was working for Bai Ziting. Evidently Longquan was in a great mess, the way they handled their business was a lot less efficient than before.
He replied in trembling voice, “This is the first time Xiaoren saw Daren; I wonder if we met on the street?”
Gongqi seemed to remember that time he saw him from across the street; it dispelled his doubt instead. No longer looking at him, he cast his gaze toward the main hall, where one of his men rushed out and reported, “There are only sixteen men, one is missing.”
Gongqi coldly pointed to Kou Zhong and said, “Have you counted this gutless fellow?”
The man was stunned; losing his spirit, he spoke in terror, “Jiangjun Daren, please forgive me, Xiaoren is being careless.”
Kou Zhong was delighted inwardly. Funantuo’s death, the loss of Little Longquan, and Pusa’s vanguard troops pressing down on their territory have definitely rattled the heart of Longquan Army, so that from top to bottom, everybody was losing their mind, hence this kind of joke happened. Naturally this kind situation would make his operation a lot easier. Translated by foxs
Gongqi was furious, “Idiot!” he bellowed, “Quickly take the prisoners back to the palace and put them in prison.”
The two men focused their eyes to look, and both were stunned.
On the boat was not Guan Ping at all, but the chief of Da Ming Zun Jiao’s Five Bright Sons, Liexia.
Xu Ziling applied his power to move the boat backward, to avoid being seen by the other side.
Liexia moored the boat on the dock, and then he left the boat and went ashore.
The two men waited for a moment, but they still did not see Guan Ping’s boat appearing.
Ba Fenghan sighed and said, “Du Xing did not lie, Guan Ping practically did not go to Xiao Hui Yuan, so we might miss the chance to find Meiyan. But knowing that she is still in this area of the city could greatly narrow the range of the search for her.”
“Shall we go back to rendezvous with Kou Zhong?” Xu Ziling asked.
Ba Fenghan shook his head and said, “This is called since they have come, we should make them comfortable [idiom], also if it’s wrong, it’s wrong [idiom]. Last night this kid, Liexia wanted to take your life, how can we let him easily and comfortably and leisurely keep on living.” foxswuxia.wordpress.com
Frowning, Xu Ziling said, “But we do not know the strength inside the Garden at all; moreover, if we make a disturbance, it won’t be beneficial to us.”
Ba Fenghan cast his gaze toward the faint lights, which could be seen over the south wall at the back of the Xiao Hui Yuan. Smiling, he said, “This place, whether to fight or to escape, is very convenient. Besides, the bigger the disturbance the better. The most marvelous would be if the soldiers of the whole city are flocking to this place. But in my opinion, Da Ming Zun Jiao absolutely do not wish to alarm Bai Ziting, because they are not willing that we find out their relationship with Bai Ziting, to say nothing of we have not yet torn our face.”
Remembering Duan Yucheng, Xu Ziling sighed inwardly. Ba Fenghan’s style was surly and unreasoning, one thing went wrong he would immediately move the saber, move the sword. As his last resort, he said, “If Xu Kaishan is inside, I am afraid it will be difficult for us to get away.”
Astonished, Ba Fenghan said, “How could Ziling be afraid of anybody? Is there another reason?”
Smiling wryly, Xu Ziling told him about Duan Yucheng.
Blurted out laughing, Ba Fenghan said, “So what’s the problem if we kill less people? Let’s go!” Translated by foxs
The boat pulled out from under the bridge and glided toward the dock outside the back garden of the Xiao Hui Yuan.
Ba Fenghan pulled down his mask, he said with a laugh, “Each time I put on the mask, I cannot help exclaiming in admiration toward Lu Miaozi’s miraculous hands’ snatching-the-heavens craftsmanship.”
Lu Miaozi’s voice and features appeared at the bottom of Xu Ziling’s heart, he could not help remembering Shang Xiuxun’s touching demeanor when she was eating the culinary delicacy. A hundred and one emotions in his heart, he followed Ba Fenghan’s lead by taking off his mask.
Suddenly alarm went off in the two men’s heart, they turned their head to look. A speedboat was rushing over; there was a man and a woman on the boat.
Both sides looked at each other from a distance, and both sides were shocked.
The man was actually the Right Deputy under Bai Ziting’s command, Kesubie, the woman was the Imperial Bodyguard Chief Zong Xianghua. The two persons came to Xiao Hui Yuan at a critical time where Longquan was caught in deep water and scorching fire, naturally there must be an important thing to discuss with the leaderships of Da Ming Zun Jiao.
Ba Fenghan and Xu Ziling cried ‘Not good!’ inwardly. Very quickly the speedboat was only three zhang away. foxswuxia.wordpress.com
Xu Ziling sighed inwardly and moored his boat next to Liexia’s boat.
Zong Xianghua and Kesubie’s speedboat was approaching rapidly. The former’s hand was pressing on her sword’s hilt, her pretty eyebrows were thick with frost, but the expression emitted by her pair of eyes was not pure hatred; rather, it was quite a complicated emotion.
Ba Fenghan slyly said, “Lady and gentleman, how are you?”
Extraordinarily, Kesubie did not reveal any hostility; he slowly moored the speedboat next to their boat. Smiling bitterly, he said, “Gentlemen ought to know better than anybody else how we are?”
