OT, I noticed that nowadays there are new stories being translated. I don't have time to browse yet, but I am asking your advice, if I want to start reading something, which one would you recommend? I have never read xianxia before, I don't even know if this is my cup of tea or not, but I don't want to be narrow-minded as well. I am currently reading Deathblade's Seven Star, Whiteskwirl's Flower Moon (both are wuxia), and Lingson's Virtual World (I don't even know the genre, I don't even play RPG, and most of the time I don't understand what the author was talking about, but I found it intriguing ... ).
Book 5 Chapter 4 - Stealth Dragon Turns Into Phoenix
After Xu Ziling left, Kou Zhong's attention was focused on the front courtyard, with the idea of as soon as there was any unusual movement, he would immediately meow like a cat to alert Xu Ziling to flee.
Looking at Xu Ziling's full confidence as he pushed the door and went in, Kou Zhong also thought that this matter would be easy and effortless. He was even thinking that when they left the town the next day, he wanted to ‘lead away a goat in passing', and steal the roster a second time, to inflict damage to Shen Luoyan by giving something to be anxious about.
This kind of cold and ruthless woman [orig. completely lacking any feeling or sense of justice], even if she killed him, she would not let even half a sigh for him. Kou Zhong could not help thinking about Li Xiuning, and found out that her impression in his heart has been diluted considerably, unlike previously, where it was wind-around-his-dream and bound-his-soul kind of profound feeling.
Right this moment, from the second story of the small building in front of him suddenly came the noise of clashing qi and rousing battle. Kou Zhong was shocked. No longer cared whether people would see him or not, he raised his saber and rushed upstairs.
‘Bang!' Following the sound of falling weapon, Xu Ziling's back crashed onto the large window of Shen Luoyan's private chamber, carrying with it a splash of blood, and continued dropping down.
In that split second Kou Zhong recalled Xu Ziling's remark, ‘If Xu Ziling is injured, would he, Kou Zhong, still be able to maintain the ‘moon in the well' mental state?'
Like a ghost dark shadow flashed out to pursue the falling Xu Ziling, with one palm hacked down, splitting the air. Obviously his intention was to kill.
Kou Zhong forced himself not to think about what fate befell Xu Ziling; he quickly focused his mind and threw the saber in his hand out toward the enemy, while he himself swiftly flew toward Xu Ziling's body, and shouted, "Help! Thief!”
It was the full display of the superiority of Kou Zhong's cunning and quick-wits. He knew that since the opponent was able to badly injure Xu Ziling in such a short period of time, he, Kou Zhong, was definitely not able to stop the enemy. The only way was to alert the people in Shen Luoyan's residence, to give the enemy, whose movements were so stealthy, a little bit of concern.
Of course, there was always the possibility that this person was the hidden troop planted by Shen Luoyan herself; however, seeing how this person also wanted to keep his movement a secret, that possibility was not too great. In the twinkling of an eye Kou Zhong already drew up a strategy, which sole purpose was to save Xu Ziling's little life.
That person apparently had never expected he would come across such a vicious opponent like Kou Zhong; because based on his astonishing sense of hearing, any movement in the flower garden should not be able to escape his detection. Yet the fact was that not until Kou Zhong shot his big saber did he realize his presence.
Actually, it was also one of the reasons the intention to kill Xu Ziling emerged in his heart. It was not until Xu Ziling pushed the door and entered the second floor did his senses detect his presence. Thereby he came to himself with a start that this kid was anything but.
He was actually not a narrow-minded or someone who was jealous of others more talented than he was, it's just that he misunderstood Xu Ziling as Shen Luoyan's man. Hence he tried with everything he had to kill Xu Ziling.
This person was precisely the world-famous ‘Shadow Assassin' Yang Xuyan. In this mission he was hiding in Shen Luoyan's private chamber, the main purpose was to assassinate Shen Luoyan, so that when the Sui Army deal a blow to the Wagang Army's old nest later on, they would gain the upper hand. However, because he saw Xu Ziling's profound expertise, his assassination target changed. So it was obvious that he thought highly of Xu Ziling.
Like a flash of lightning the long saber shot toward his flank just below his ribs. The saber's blade emitted a dense, cold qi, which completely enveloped his body even before it reached him. With Yang Xuyan's ability, he still had no choice but to postpone pursuing Xu Ziling and killing him, and had to use his entire strength to deal with this attack.
While midair, suddenly his body twisted, surprisingly he was able to catch the long saber. In the meantime, Kou Zhong already arrived at the spot where Xu Ziling was about to land, and was able to catch him.
Yang Xuyan let out a cold snort and threw the long saber he caught straight toward Kou Zhong's back. Based on the force he exerted, he was confident this saber would skewer both men.
Without even thinking Kou Zhong pushed the ground with his toes, and still hugging Xu Ziling, who by this time was drenched in his own blood and has fell into a coma, he rolled toward a nearby underbrush, and thus missing the lightning fast shooting saber by a hairbreadth.
Yang Xuyan was about to continue pursuing the two boys when from all around he heard sound of flapping sleeves and rustling clothes against the wind. After a short contemplation, he realized that he would not be able to kill Kou Zhong in one or two short moves, thereupon he sighed; unleashing his qinggong he soared into the air.
Kou Zhong brought Xu Ziling rolling toward the other end of the underbrush. As he jumped up and about to flee, he suddenly came face to face with the most difficult decision he had to take in his whole life.
If he ran back to the woodshed where Susu was hiding, he was sure they could not escape everybody's eyes and ears, plus Xu Ziling would not receive the medical treatment he so desperately needed and might die from his heavy wounds.
But if he ran away immediately, Susu would be isolated and without help, and it would be very easy for the enemy to find her.
What should he do?
Shen Luoyan's tender voice was heard from above, "Who dares to cause trouble?” Followed by the sound of clashing weapons in succession, and a miserable grunt!
Kou Zhong felt pain so deep that he nearly cried. Clenching his teeth, he brought Xu Ziling toward the outer wall and leaped out. Sounds of shouting and yelling immediately followed him, but he was simply unable to deal with anything else.
Kou Zhong ripped open Xu Ziling's outer garments, and what he saw was the pierced roster.
This place was the storeroom at the rear courtyard of a residential building nearby, which scale was comparable to Shen Luoyan's. After evading the pursuing troops, Kou Zhong brought Xu Ziling to hide in here.
Kou Zhong cried out inwardly for their luck; were it not for the roster blocking the sharp and powerful sword qi, perhaps Xu Ziling had already breathed his last.
He laid Xu Ziling on the grass; his eyes closed, his face pale as death, but surprisingly his breathing was still unusually even and soft, not urgent and harsh. Kou Zhong set the roster aside, tore his own clothes, and upon careful examination, he found that Xu Ziling's wound has already closed up and no more seeping blood.
Feeling relieved, Kou Zhong pressed his palms against Xu Ziling's, and quietly transferred his true qi into Xu Ziling's body, hoping to help him recover faster.
After nobody knows how long, Xu Ziling breathed out a mouthful of air, and regained his consciousness; his face was also back to its original color.
Kou Zhong was greatly delighted; he could not hold tears of joy from streaming down his face as he exclaimed sorrowfully, "Xiao Ling! Xiao Ling! You scared me to death!”
Xu Ziling opened his eyes. Aghast, he asked, "What is this place?”
Kou Zhong busily explained. Xu Ziling's countenance changed, "How could you leave Su Jie alone in there?”
Kou Zhong mumbled, "I had no choice but to do it. Don't worry! You stay here and rest, I will get Su Jie and bring her here.”
Xu Ziling was upset, "Then what are you waiting for? Su Jie's guts is so small, she must be really frightened.”
Kou Zhong reached out to pat Xu Ziling's cheeks. Out of habit he reached behind his back to fetch his long saber, but naturally he was only touching the empty scabbard, and immediately remembered that he did not have the treasure with which he could protect his body anymore.
He was just about to leave, Xu Ziling suddenly called him back. The blood drained from his face; he said, "No need to go!”
Kou Zhong was stunned.
Xu Ziling sighed and said, "Based on Shen Luoyan's astuteness, from the short halberd I left behind upstairs, she would immediately know that it was our doing. But when she saw that only the two of us escaping, how could she not guess that Su Jie must be somewhere in the vicinity? Therefore, I guarantee 100% that by now Su Jie has already fallen into her hands.”
"What should we do then?” Kou Zhong dejectedly asked.
Xu Ziling struggled to sit up; he said, "Just help me circulating my qi, by daybreak we will go together to Shen Luoyan to get Su Jie back.”
‘Bang! Bang! Bang!' The brass ring was banged against the main gate of Shen Luoyan's mansion. And then Kou Zhong's voice followed, "Lovely wife Luoyan, your husband Zhong Shaoye is back!”
Not too long afterwards, the main gate opened; surprisingly enough, only Shen Luoyan, one person, gracefully stood at the door, her jade countenance was as cold as the ice and snow outside, as she glowered at the giggling Kou Zhong.
Naturally Kou Zhong knew that the other people were preparing an inescapable net, so that even if he grew wings he still could not fly away.
Shen Luoyan coldly said, "Hand the roster over first, and then we can talk about other things.”
Only from this one sentence Kou Zhong knew that Susu had indeed fallen into Shen Luoyan's hands; otherwise, how could she be that sure that the roster was in their hands?
Kou Zhong shook his head and said with a sigh, "Were it not for Xiao Ling blocking that guy from last night's sword for you, you, beautiful woman, would have been dead. And now as soon as we met you already show no trace of politeness. Ay! A beauty like you looking down on a man like me, that is normal. But someone completely lacking any feeling or sense of justice like you, that is certainly unprecedented and never be duplicated!”
Shen Luoyan's countenance returned to normal. "Chi!” a giggle escape her mouth as she said, "I am really at a loss on how to catch you, these two little demons; unexpectedly you had an idea of hiding in my place. All right! Hand the roster back to me, Nujia will return your Su Jie back to you, I will also give you free rein to leave town. As for what happen in the future, you'll just have to rely on your good fortune.”
Kou Zhong laughed and said, "Shen Beauty, you really know how to crack a joke; you knew that since Xiao Ling is injured, we can't go very far. Ha! Let me tell you the truth: Xiao Ling is all right. Look! Isn't that him standing behind you?”
Shen Luoyan sighed, "Please don't put on an act,” she said, "Xiao Ling left a large pool of blood, you aren't deceiving anybody. Based on the ‘Shadow Assassin' Yang Xuyan's skill, if hit by his piercing blow and did not die, he could be considered the first!”
Kou Zhong cheered inwardly; it was precisely the remark he was expecting.