Book 14 Chapter 10 – Various Strong Hoops

Liu Heita walked into the shop in large strides, straight toward the last table from the main door where the two men were sitting. Without any trace of politeness he pulled a chair and sat down, and nodded slightly at Ba Fenghan as his only acknowledgement and greeting, and then his eyes became like sharp and fierce like a hawk, as he stared at Xu Ziling without blinking and asked, “Did you do it?”

Xu Xiling felt there was absolutely no way he could lie to him; therefore, he smiled and said, “Smashed it!”

Liu Heita’s countenance dropped first, and then, against the two men’s expectation, a leisure smile appeared on the corner of his lips, just like sunshine suddenly appeared from behind a dark cloud to illuminate the earth, which very soon turned into a bright smile. Raising his thumb in praise, he laughed aloud and said, “You’ve got guts! I, Liu Heita, surrender to you!”

‘Bang!’

Liu Heita shouted, “Why haven’t Xiongdi poured me a cup of wine to send me off?”

Before Xu Ziling could move, Ba Fenghan already raised the wine pot and poured a cup full to the brim; he cheerfully said, “Liu Heita is indeed a good man, I, Ba Fenghan, toast you a cup.”

Filled with heroic spirit, the three raised their cups high and toasted each other in ardent mood.

Xu Ziling put down his empty cup and asked in astonishment, “Where is Liu Dage going?”

Liu Heita leaned comfortably onto the back of his chair, wiped the drips of wine from the corner of his mouth with his sleeve, and said in a low voice, “I have a military order with me; since the Jade Annulus of He Clan is already gone, I must immediately hasten back to Shoule to report to King of Xia. If you want to leave Luoyang, I can arrange everything.”

Ba Fenghan said, “Ziling only tell the truth to Liu Xiong; we still deny everything to outsiders, so I hope Liu Xiong would bear with us for a moment or two. Besides, now is not the time for us to leave Luoyang yet. Only after tonight will we be able to think about this problem.”

It was the case of a hero admiring another hero, hence the reason the proud and arrogant Ba Fenghan was showing no formalities toward Liu Heita.

Liu Heita expressed his understanding. He reached out to stop Xu Ziling pouring another cup for him. After a moment of hesitation he took out an antique and elegant looking jade pendant. Handing it over to Xu Ziling, he said, “I always meant to give this to your virtuous sister, just consider it a late congratulatory gift!”

Xu Ziling felt a stab of pain in his heart; he silently received the gift.

Liu Heita let out a long laughter, then turned around and left.

※ ※ ※

Kou Zhong arrived at the wine shop’s door and b.u.mped into Liu Heita head-on.

Greatly delighted, Kou Zhong pulled him aside and said in a low voice, “I was trying to find you.”

Liu Heita looked at Kou Zhong up and down, and asked in surprise, “How come while facing vicious wind and cloud your face still look like a spring breeze, and you look immensely pleased with yourself?”

Grabbing his head, Kou Zhong said, “The sky is falling we put to quilt over our head, when the boat gets to the pier-head, it will go straight with the current [i.e. everything will be all right]. Worrying will not do us his mother’s bird’s use. Hey! Do you want Li Mi to suffer big defeat or not?”

His heart moved, Liu Heita said, “Of course I want it very much. Our route south was cutoff by him. As long as we can inflict damage on him, we will spare no effort.”

Kou Zhong looked around. After the two pa.s.sers-by walked away, he leaned over to whisper on Liu Heita’s ear, “If you can bluff by pretending to go down south to join hands with w.a.n.g Shichong, it will force Li Mi to deploy his troops to Yanshi. I am sure Li Mi will be done for.”

Liu Heita was already clear about this situation, plus he was proficient in the art of war, hence he understood immediately. After repeatedly expressed his admiration, he frowned and said, “The problem lies in w.a.n.g Shichong; I am afraid he cannot grasp this golden opportunity and thus miss the whole point.”

Striking his chest, Kou Zhong guaranteed, “Liu Dage may set your heart at ease; I will guarantee it.”

Liu Heita nodded and said, “To us, this matter will only bring benefit without any harm, but you must be careful too. Li Mi’s intelligent is outstanding; one bad thing, and you will fall into his trap instead.”

With a card up his sleeve, Kou Zhong said, “A wise person reflecting a thousand times can still make a mistake. Li Mi can’t be the only one on earth who has all the luck.”

Liu Heita wanted to say anything, but then hesitated. Finally he patted Kou Zhong’s shoulder vigorously and swaggered away.

Kou Zhong was about to enter the wine shop to rendezvous with the other two when someone was calling his name from behind. Recognizing Song Yuzhi’s voice, he turned around.

Song Yuzhi was still a dozen of zhang away. Naturally she was afraid he might slip away, hence she used her inner power to focus her voice into a thread and sent it to Kou Zhong’s ears.

Surprisingly, she did not wear her usual attire of tight warrior outfit; instead, she wore light gauzed dress and silk trousers typical of southern women of n.o.ble families. Her hair was rolled up in a bun, hanging low at the back of her head, fixed by a hairpin that looked like a comb. Her manner of dressing was simple and elegant, grandeur and charming.

Kou Zhong suddenly realized that he had never for a moment taken any notice of her expression and the way she dressed up, like right now.

Concealed in her masculine charm was a lovely graceful bearing, which brought up her outstanding, as well as unique, beauty. In fact, she was not inferior in any respect to Li Xiuning.

But why was it when he had difficulty falling asleep deep in the night, the one in his mind was Li Xiuning rather than Song Yuzhi?

For a moment Kou Zhong’s mind was a jumble of emotions.

Fragrant scent a.s.sailed his nostrils. Song Yuzhi already arrived in front of him; her beautiful eyes shot an incomparably complex expression. Slightly angry, she said, “Kou Zhong, you are really muddleheaded. You went so far as to rush down this disaster filling the entire sky.”

Noticing that everybody on the street was looking at them, Kou Zhong pulled her sleeve and took her to a side alley, where he said with a laugh, “Turns out San Xiaojie [Third Miss] is so concerned about me!”

Song Yuzhi sighed. She gently shook his hand off, and looking deep into his eyes she said, “The one concerned about you is not me, but Er Ge [second older brother].”

Kou Zhong giggled and said, “That being the case, Song Er Gongzi ought to come looking for me; why would he trouble Song San Xiaojie’s honorable self?”

Song Yuzhi crossly cast a glance his direction, and then spoke in low voice, “You don’t know how much trouble you have caused. Lu Shu [uncle] is afraid Er Ge would be draw into your maelstrom and thus bring disaster into our Song Family, hence he strictly prohibited him from seeing you. Our house rule is strict, Er Ge had no choice but to return south. But on leaving he implored me to warn you.”

Facing a jade-beauty, listening to her talk, which sounded pa.s.sionate, but heartless at the same time, smelling the delicate fragrant from her hair and neck, which penetrated deeply into his heart, Kou Zhong spoke softly, “Yuzhi, don’t worry! I have a way to deal with the danger facing me. I can use it to achieve great endeavor, I know that not everything will be smooth sailing [orig. breeze is still, waves are quiet].”

Song Yuzhi showed a contradictory expression; after giving him a stern look, she lowered her small cicada head and said, “I really don’t know whether I should admire you or reprimand you severely. Although n.o.body said it yet, but everybody admires you from the bottom of their heart that you managed to achieve these impossible feats. But these are also the most unwise moves on your part. Are you really thinking of not handing out the treasured jade annulus no matter what?”

Kou Zhong smiled and said, “How could Yuzhi be sure that the Jade Annulus of He Clan is in our hands?”

Looking up, Song Yuzhi stared at him hatefully and said, “Kou Zhong, Xu Ziling, plus that Ba Fenghan, is there anything you guys do not dare to do? But this time your opponent is too strong! Even though Lu Shu has a very favorable impression toward you, he dares not interfering. Also, I have two things I want to warn you.”

Kou Zhong happily said, “Yuzhi must like me very much in your heart, isn’t that so?”

Song Yuzhi knitted her umber-black dyed eyebrows lightly and said in displeasure, “I am speaking about serious matters concerning your life or death, don’t try to change the subject into such a senseless thing, all right?”

Kou Zhong raised his arms as if he was surrendering; he said, “Yuzhi said it well, Zaixia is listening with respectful attention.”

Song Yuzhi rolled her eyes at him. Pressing her jade hand on his chest, her eyes suddenly shot razor-sharp look, as she calmly said, “As soon as I exert all my strength into the hollow of my palm, I guarantee your, Kou Zhong’s little life, will be gone. Aren’t you afraid?”

Kou Zhong replied nonchalantly, “If I have to die, I have to die! What is there to be afraid of?”

Astonished, Song Yuzhi said, “Do you think I can’t possibly kill you? Our Song Family has always had close relationship with Li Mi; maybe I’ll kill you for real.”

Kou Zhong looked down on her jade-palm pressed against the vital acupoint on his chest, her slender scallion-like jade-fingers; he was overwhelmed with a hard-to-describe emotion that felt as if it was going to melt his heart. He spoke tenderly, “Because other than Niang and Su Jie, you are the only woman that I, Kou Zhong, absolutely trust. Enough said!”

Song Yuzhi’s eyes changed. And then she sighed and leaned closer to him; her palm pressed onto his chest turned into the support she needed as her tender body nearly collapsed onto his. Whispering on his ear, she said, “Qu Ao already formed an alliance with Tujue’s martial art master; they vowed to kill the three of you. I just don’t know whether they are going to make their move before or after the zi hour.”

Kou Zhong looked down at her slender, milky-white jade-neck appearing from her collar; he had a strong urge to bite her, but because he was afraid to offend her, he fought hard not to recklessly rush into action. He spoke in heavy voice, “Are you referring to Tuoba Yu, martial brother and sister?”

Song Yuzhi replied, “Apart from them, there are also the ‘Tornado’, Tu Li, and a large number of martial art masters accompanying him, who have just arrived in Luoyang. Although Ba Fenghan is their primary target, they do not have any good opinion toward you either. Ay! What do you have that you can use to deal with them? The difference in strength is just too much.”

After racking his brains, Kou Zhong remembered Ba Fenghan had mentioned this person; he was a preeminent martial art master among the Tujue King’s clan, who had helped the Li Clan attack Kaizhong, and had good relationship with Li Shimin.

Chapter 10 - Part 2

Letting out a cold snort, he said, “He can’t be coming across a thousand mountains and ten thousand rivers to Luoyang just for Ba Fenghan. In my opinion, he came to the Central Palins to disturb the wind and stirred up the rain.”

“I don’t care the reason,” Song Yuzhi said, “The think I am most afraid of is that he is going to use you to establish his might. Presently the Tujue is very powerful, n.o.body wanted to have this kind of enemy. And don’t think that w.a.n.g Shichong is willing to protect you. He is actually a barbarian who came from Tujue. Do you understand me?”

Kou Zhong’s heart turned cold; he was speechless.

Song Yuzhi spoke softly, “The other man to watch for is Fu Qian. This man is both smart and brave, with a lofty quality of considering himself unexcelled in the world. This time he came to Central Plains definitely not to do some good deeds. He and w.a.n.g Bo must have close relationship; perhaps he will be dispatched to deal with you.”

It was only then did Kou Zhong remember the duel of the previous night; he asked in surprise, “Listening to the tone of your voice, it looks like last night that Fu kid and old man Qu Ao did not have any duel at all; what happened?”

Song Yuzhi replied, “When you were displaying your might last night, Fu Qian was already there. After you left, he took the initiative to change the stage; they agreed to have a decisive duel at Man Qing Yuan tomorrow night. Ay! With only a few words this man has established his status in the Central Plains and gained the upper hand by a show of strength; his method is out of the ordinary.”

Smiling ruefully, Kou Zhong said, “Now my head starts to hurt! Can Yuzhi give me a kiss to encourage my morale?”

Song Yuzhi moved away in shock, her pretty face blushed. Angrily she said, “Stop being carried away by your wishful thinking; it was because of my regard to Er Ge that I came to warn you, this shameful fellow.”

Giggling, Kou Zhong said, “Whatever. San Xiaojie’s kindness to me is as heavy as the mountain. I guarantee that after we are married, I will make you happy all day long.”

Song Yuzhi’s flowery countenance turned cold; she said indifferently, “We’ll talk later if you are still alive after tonight! Ay! I really don’t know whether you are a genius or an idiot, in just a short period of time you managed to offend so many overbearing enemies. That’s it! Yuzhi has nothing else to say, you do your best!”

Kou Zhong followed her with his eyes, and then he somersaulted over the roof to land in the courtyard of the wine shop.

He did not want to be stopped anymore.

※ ※ ※

Ba Fenghan sat on the table alone; he closed his eyes and sat still and did nothing.

Xu Ziling was in another corner; arranging a few chairs to make a temporary bed, he lay on his back and went to sleep. His breathing was deep and even.

Tonight’s fierce battle was inevitable. The two were trying hard to cultivate their power to maintain their optimal condition.

The main door opened a little, a shadow flashed; swift like a demon it stopped in front of Ba Fenghan’s chair.

Ba Fenghan opened his eyes. “Chunyu Wei,” he said in surprise, “What are you doing here alone?”

The charming and wild Chunyu Wei flashed a glance toward Xu Ziling, who was sleeping on the side. Knitting her brows, she asked, “Where’s Kou Zhong?”

Not to know whether to laugh or to cry, Ba Fenghan said, “You don’t seem to remember that we are big enemies.”

Standing akimbo, Chunyu Wei revealed an enchantingly sweet smile and said, “You are a hero! Could it be that as soon as you saw me coming alone you would seize this opportunity to make your move? Besides, I simply am not afraid of you. Oh! You have wine; give me a cup.”

Plopping her b.u.t.tocks on the chair opposite him, she grabbed the wine cup, and pushed it toward Ba Fenghan, hinting that he should pour the wine and serve her.

Ba Fenghan was helpless against her; he poured one cup full to the brim.

Chunyu Wei glanced left and right, and without the slightest care said, “Your rival in love is coming.”

Ba Fenghan remained cold and detached; he said in heavy voice, “So Tu Li has finally come!”

Chunyu Wei turned her attention back to his ancient-well-without-any-ripple like handsome face, and asked innocently, “Back in Tujue, didn’t you like to tie a red scarf around your head? How come you changed your habit? I like it better when you were wearing red scarf; you looked very attractive.”

Ba Fenghan put down his cup; laughing involuntarily, he said, “Back in Tujue, when did you ever see me? How do you know what I looked like? Whether I was attractive or terrifying?”

Chunyu Wei did not answer. Without saying anything she put the cup by her lips and sipped lightly. Staring at Xu Ziling, she asked, “Is he pretending to sleep? Or is he eavesdropping our secret talk?”

Ba Fenghan had a big headache dealing with this little sister; hence he simply ignored her.

Receiving no response, Chunyu Wei’s gaze returned to Ba Fenghan’s face, “Are you suddenly become a mute?” she asked in astonishment.

Ba Fenghan shrugged his shoulders with wry smile on his face.

Chunyu Wei also put down her cup. Leaning forward to make a show of being very much in earnest, she said, “Your old flame is also coming to the south with Tu Li. Rumor has it that she hates you to the bones; she wanted to see Tu Li cutting off your head with her own eyes.”

A sad look flitted through Ba Fenghan’s eyes. He sighed, but did not say anything.

Chunyu Wei angrily said, “If you don’t talk, I am going to carryout Master’s order, I’ll fight with you!”

Ba Fenghan’s eyes flashed with sharp light; he said coldly, “You’d better come back later for Kou Zhong.”

Chunyu Wei suddenly smiled sweetly and said, “How could I fight you alone? I just wanted to scare you off! How about if I apologize? Hee! Have Kou Zhong ever mentioned me in front of you?”

Displeased, Ba Fenghan said, “Kou Zhong has never talked about women with me.”

Chunyu Wei looked disappointed; standing up, she said hatefully, “Tell Kou Zhong, that heartless guy, for me that he ought to run as far away as possible from you. Otherwise, don’t blame me for turning my face against him and show no mercy.”

Furiously stomping her little feet, she stormed out like a tornado.

Ba Fenghan pushed his palm forward; the opened door closed up.

Right this moment, he heard Kou Zhong’s voice.