Xiaohu, hungry, no worries, at least Kou Zhong is out, no cliffhanger. DongBin, Sky, they wanted to kill the boys without any regard of who was helping whom, like Akolaw said. Ysabel, Jaya, Lao Qianbei, Morbiuz, you are welcome. Liem, I think they are leaving Luoyang soon. Short update today, expect the rest Sat.u.r.day.
Book 19 Chapter 3 - Reaping the Result of the Battle
Kou Zhong took a glance, and further affirmed the idea that it would be difficult for him to overcome the enemy with force. The two men soaring from this city gate to intercept him were wearing personal guard military uniform, but they wore helmet that covered the upper half of their faces. Obviously they did not want him to recognize their real appearance.
The man on the lower left had a sword in his hand, which he turned into countless sharp points dazzling the eyes, reflecting the rays of light of the torches and wind lanterns far and near, making it difficult to see his figure, but Kou Zhong was clear, without any doubt that he was the 'Shadow a.s.sa.s.sin' Yang Xuyan, whom he had personally fought before.
This man was indeed an amazing talent in using the sword; in terms of proficiency and power usage, he has reached the grand master level, plus his sword technique was exquisite. Just against him alone, Kou Zhong did not have any confidence of victory.
The other man wielded a strange-looking weapon. It looked like a spear but not exactly a spear, like a halberd but not exactly a halberd; perhaps like an illegitimate son of the union between a spear and a halberd, but its offensive power was overbearing, his martial art skill was definitely on par with Yang Xuyan's.
While Kou Zhong was calling for his Niang inwardly, seven more spears were thrown from the top of the wall toward his back.
Kou Zhong laughed aloud and said, "Xuyan Xiong, I trust you have been well since we last met!"
His body swayed left and right rapidly several times in the air, five spears flew pa.s.s closely left, right and above him, but unexpectedly he caught two in his armpits, the violent force helped him changing the direction of his fall, so that he flew over empty air forward, straight in the direction of the Yongtai Gate of the Imperial Palace.
Even with Yang Xuyan and Li Shentong's ability, they could only pounce on empty air.
When martial art masters fought against each other, they were actually fighting over this split second difference. By the time the two, applying their qi, landed back on the ground, Kou Zhong has already entered the Imperial Palace.
For a moment a large number of pursuing soldiers swarmed into the Yongtai Gate, so that the situation became chaotic. As a result, the two were unable to move freely instead, and thus they could only sit and waste a good opportunity.
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Xu Ziling changed into another set of clothes, bought a steel saber, and put on a mask, turning his appearance to that which the 'Henan Mad Scholar' Zheng s.h.i.+ru mistakenly thought as the vicious, heretical 'Overbearing Saber' Yue Shan of the previous generation. And then unhurriedly he strolled to the wine shop where he agreed that he would wait for Kou Zhong.
He was confident that Kou Zhong could survive and escape to see him here.
If Kou Zhong was dead, then Xu Ziling would stop at nothing to a.s.sa.s.sinate w.a.n.g s.h.i.+chong and Li s.h.i.+min to avenge him, and then he would go down south to pick up Susu, mother and son, entrust them to Zhai Jiao, and then alone, he would go find Yuwen Huaji to settle the debt.
Since they wanted to contend over the world, it was either you kill me or I kill you; n.o.body would have anything to complain.
Suddenly Xu Ziling's mind opened up, nothing occupying his heart.
He was born, and he would die, there was nothing to worry about.
Anything that ought to happen would happen.
This moment, a couple of Jianghu characters stepped into the wine shop. As they caught a glance at Xu Ziling, sitting alone on a table in the corner, first they looked stunned, and then their countenance changed greatly, they hurriedly backed out.
Noticing all these with the corner of his eye, Xu Ziling was baffled.
It should be noted that Yue Shan had not stepped foot in Jianghu for several decades; unless it was old martial art master of the same generation, there should be no one able to recognize him. Why would two men, about no more than thirty years old, who randomly rushed in, recognize 'him' in just one glance?
Upon further contemplation however, he understood immediately.
The news of Yue Shan's arrival in Luoyang must have spread from Zheng s.h.i.+ru's mouth, or perhaps he informed a certain personage of from a powerful local gang or society, and that person ordered his subordinated to pay attention to such particular figure, and thus such thing occurred.
But now that even Xu Ziling has become archenemy of w.a.n.g s.h.i.+chong and Li s.h.i.+min, why would he care about other people?
He just wanted to drink.
If Kou Zhong was really harmed, what kind of blow would that be for Xu Ziling?
When someone died, would he vanish like smoke in thin air, without leaving any trace, or would he be reincarnated as someone else?
Kou Zhong's familiar footsteps were approaching.
Xu Ziling looked up, but what entered into his vision was a personal guard in civilian clothes.
Kou Zhong's gait was unsteady, as he sat down dejectedly on the chair next to him. Hidden by the mask, Xu Ziling was unable to see his face, but naturally he knew that Kou Zhong has received serious injury.
After drinking a cup of wine, Kou Zhong hatefully said, "w.a.n.g s.h.i.+chong, the guy who should have been dead that day, unexpectedly joined hands with Li kid to deal with me, nearly took my old life away. Luckily I have an amazing skill of altering head and exchanging body, otherwise you wouldn't be able to see me anymore, unless you are willing to go to the underworld to look for me."
Xu Ziling reached out from under the table to grab Kou Zhong's hand, and quietly transmitted his true qi, while speaking indifferently, "Just now some people recognized me as the 'Overbearing Saber' Yue Shan, so this place is not suitable to tarry long. We also have to find a way to shake anybody trying to pursue us."
Taken aback, Kou Zhong said, "Yue Shan?"
Shrugging his shoulders, Xu Ziling replied, "What's so strange about that?"
And then, frowning, he said, "Your injury is so heavy, don't even think that you'll recover in one night, but that is only the internal injury; I am afraid the external will take two more days."
Immensely proud of himself, Kou Zhong said, "The only reason I was able to get away was I exploited Yang Xuyan's a.s.sumption that my energy was completely exhausted, plus I led w.a.n.g s.h.i.+chong's men from the Imperial City on a tour to the Palace City, running around for several li. The funniest thing was when I broke into Hougong [lit. rear palace, chambers of imperial concubines] and shouted that w.a.n.g s.h.i.+chong was going to kill Yang Dong, the entire Imperial Palace was immediately thrown into chaos, so I seized the opportunity to exchange clothes with a friendly and kind-hearted imperial guard, and slipped out of there. Ha! Aiyo!"
Displeased, Xu Ziling said, "Don't be happy too soon! What about Mr. Xu?"
Lowering his voice, Kou Zhong said, "Let's go! If this hatred is not avenged, I am not a gentleman; the man of the mountain has excellent plan."
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