Peipei was silent for half a day; she said, "It should be so. But I am afraid they won't be able to come. Right now Xu Ziling is injured by Yang Xuyan, whether he will live or die is still to be seen. Shen Luoyan is going all-out to search for them. Just now she passed on a message to me, telling me that if our Baling Bang dared to interfere, she would not be polite. Therefore, we simply must not stain our hands.”
When Kou Zhong and the others, three people, heard this, they looked at each other, their hearts sank.
Outside, Yun Niang griped, "This time we are going to be killed by Xiang Shaoye! Offending Wagang Army, how can we set out foot in Xingyang?”
Peipei said, "The only way is to cooperate nicely with Shen Luoyan. Just now I went out by myself to see whether Kou Zhong would show himself to meet with me. And now we have confirmation that he has not come, I will notify Shen Luoyan about this matter. If they did come, you have to try to detain them here; wait for my return and then we'll talk.”
Finished speaking, she went out of the room.
Now that the three people's last hope was dashed, after putting everything in the room to its original condition, they quietly left.
Using the heavy snow as a cover, with Kou Zhong carrying Susu on his back, they swiftly traversed several buildings, and reached the large garden of Xu Shiji's official residence.
After surveying the surroundings for a moment, Kou Zhong said, "According to Chen Laomou's instruction, Xu Shiji's office must be in one of the side rooms east and west of the main building. And Xingyang's city blueprint ought to be there as well.”
Xu Ziling said, "That will be easy to find out. Let's go!”
The three crossed the garden and headed toward the front courtyard.
By this time Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling's experience was already very rich; they knew when to come and when to leave, hence they stopped and proceeded accordingly. After avoiding several servants and maids of the mansion, they arrived at Xu Shiji's study, a room filled with scroll after scroll of documents.
Following Chen Laomou's method, they searched around speedily, thumbing through the documents, and returned them to their original conditions so that not a trace of sign would be found that they have been manipulated.
The number of documents in the room exceeded a thousand scrolls, therefore, this task was time consuming and laborious.
The entire Xu mansion appeared to be deserted, it wasn't clear whether all the martial art experts in the mansion were involved in the operation to hunt and arrest them.
The two boys focused their strength into their eyes, flipping over the left and uncovered the right in the dark, all the way until the first watch of the night [between 7-9pm] before finally Kou Zhong made a breakthrough.
The three huddled together, looking at a roll of drawings Kou Zhong spread over the table. Susu lighted an oil lamp on the table. Kou Zhong took off his outer garment to mask the lantern, so that the light would not leak out.
Xu Ziling turned to the third page from the bottom and called out happily, "This is it.”
It was the map of Xingyang City's underground sewer system, the drawing was very detailed, and it was well-annotated.
Kou Zhong pointed to a sewer at the south of the city and said, "This sewer is connected to the moat, the width reaches five chi [reminder: 1 chi is approx. 1 foot or 1/3m] enough for us to pass through.”
Xu Ziling pointed to the intersection between the sewer and the city wall river and said, "There must be a drainage fence or some kind of barrier installed here at the mouth of the sewer; we must bring a saw or some other tool to break out.”
Kou Zhong laughed and said, "That's easy, just leave it to me. Right now let me find the way first, you two hide in here, wait for me to come back.”
The three studied the map a bit longer. Susu dejectedly said, "I am not leaving! Such a long underwater passage, I will be suffocating to death.”
Kou Zhong giggled and said, "There is Xiao Zhong here, how can Jiejie have any problem? Last time Xiao Ling sucked Jiejie's mouth, this time it's my turn!”
Susu glowered at Kou Zhong, her pretty face turned red.
Xu Ziling admonished him, "Zhong Shao, how can you speak such frivolous words to Su Jie? Our sister-brother relation is clear and white; that time it was an emergency!”
Kou Zhong busily apologized to Susu. Sweeping his eyes around, he said, "You'd better hide inside that big wardrobe. I only need to take some of the contents out, it should have enough space for you to hide. Xiao Ling, use this opportunity to recuperate, Su Jie, try to get some sleep.”
By the time Xu Ziling awoke, Susu was still sleeping soundly in his bosom; her breathing was soft and even. He busily woke Susu up and whispered, "Someone's coming!”
Susu woke up with a start and turned around to bury her face into his bosom; she did not even dare to take even a half of loud breathing.
The door was opened, Shen Luoyan's voice was heard outside the wardrobe, "Shiji! Where is the city map?”
After a series of light rustling noise, there was a sound of a scroll being opened. Xu Shiji's voice said, "We have searched the entire southern part of the city, still we can't find those two kids. We must expand the scope, while at the same time sealed off the places we have searched, so that they cannot slip back in.”
Xu Ziling groaned inwardly.
Relying on his fantastic true qi, it shouldn't be difficult to evade these two people's eyes and ears. But Susu only knew punching and kicking skill; she did not know any first-class internal skill at all. When Shen and Xu, two people have calmed down, they would definitely be able to tell that there was something unusual inside the wardrobe.
Thinking to this point, he had a sudden inspiration; quickly he covered Susu's lips and slowly transferred his true qi into her mouth. As expected, Susu's external breathing stopped. A pure, based on internal-breathing qi flowed in and out; from external breathing turned into internal breathing.
Shen Luoyan and Xu Shiji discussed step-by-step method to search the entire city. While they were deciding on how to seal off the area, Shen Luoyan suddenly let out a tender cry; and then there was a sound of people kissing on the outside.
Shen Luoyan furiously said, "Don't do that! I am not in the mood.”
Xu Shiji let out a cold snort and said, "Not in the mood? When did you ever be in the mood? How long has it been since we had some kind of intimacy?”
Displeased, Shen Louyan backed off, "When Miss is not in the mood, that means the Miss is not in the mood. Could it be that Xu Ye is having some regret?”
Xu Shiji's tone softened somewhat. In an almost pleading tone he said, "Luoyan! You should know I am wholeheartedly devoted to you, don't let any outsider affect out deep affection to each other!”
Inside the wardrobe, Susu snaked her hand around to lightly pinch Xu Ziling's lower back, indicating that the ‘outsider' who affected their relationship ought to be him.
Shen Luoyan's voice turned icy-cold, "Don't talk nonsense,” she said, "What outsider, insider? How can it involve any third person? You, Xu Ye, have always been very romantic, whether you have me, one person, or not, what does it have to do with you? You can be wholeheartedly devoted to me, I am afraid that was only a joke!”
From slightly ashamed, Xu Shiji flew into rage, "Originally I did not want to say this, I have been playing along according to the situation [orig. find a stage, put on a comedy], and you know it. Why do you settle the score only now?”
After a short pause, he continued, "Ever since you came across that guy Ba Fenghan, his sweet speech and honeyed words swept you off your feet, so that you roamed around together with him all day long. Upon returning, you suddenly changed. Even Duke Mi asked me about you. Tell me, what should I tell Duke Mi?”
This time it was Xu Ziling's turn inside the wardrobe to feel awkward, but he was also greatly disgusted. Turned out Shen Luoyan came across Ba Fenghan, and perhaps they even went to bed together, otherwise Xu Shiji would not be that jealous.
On the other hand, Susu was greatly surprised, because when she thought that Xu Ziling was killed, her demeanor changed, how could now suddenly Ba Fenghan come into the picture?
She heard Shen Luoyan furiously said, "Your affair, I do not give a damn; my affair, I don't need you to care.”
Xu Shiji softened up; he sighed and said, "Not only Ba Fenghan is a foreigner, this time he came to the Central Plains, it is clearly to stir up the wind and the rain. Ever since he made a name in that sword duel, he has already defeated more than a dozen renowned masters in various regions. Pulling up a relationship with someone like him won't give us the slightest bit of advantage.”
Shen Luoyan was silent for half a day; suddenly she said, "Right now I am only thinking of how to get the roster back; if we let it falls into the government's hands, the repercussion is simply unthinkable! Let's go quickly.”
Only after the two people left that Xu Ziling and Susu finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Susu's raised her pretty face, with her breathing as fragrant as the orchid she said, "Xu Shiji's fear is misplaced!”
Xu Ziling let out a wry smile and said, "It's because Jiejie has not seen Ba Fenghan that you said so. Not only this man has superior martial art skill, his appearance exudes a very breathtaking charm. All he has to do was to make an appearance, and automatically everybody's eyes were drawn to him. Compared to him, I am really far too inferior.”
Susu was displeased, "I don't believe you,” she said, "It's just because you and Xiao Zhong are still young. But in time, Jiejie don't believe there are people who will overshadow your radiance. You just don't know it yet! In fact, every day you are still changing. Most of all, each one of you has your unique personality traits, even Jiejie's heart is being moved by you!”
Although the two of them were in such a close, intimate situation, there was no amorous thought in their hearts, only pure love between sister and brother.
Embarrassed, Xu Ziling said, "Jiejie must not laugh at me, how about getting some more sleep?”
Susu yielded; she nodded, and then like a docile little lamb she obediently buried herself in his bosom and closed her beautiful eyes, and fell asleep.
With Susu's alluring tender body in his embrace, myriads of thoughts were surging in Xu Ziling's mind. All of a sudden he was overwhelmed with the feeling that he was completely at a loss.
The first thing he had to consider was not how to deal with Yuwen Huaji to avenge Fu Junchuo, but rather how to arrange a place for the good Jiejie in his bosom to settle down.
The problem was that all along the two boys were unclear on the relationship between Li Jing and Susu.
Even if they found Li Jing, they might only make things worse.
It was the time when the soldiers mutinied and the troops rebelled, they would not feel at ease leaving Susu just anywhere.
On the other hand, taking her along would also be extremely dangerous to her, considering the two boys have become the target of a multitude of arrows.
While he was racking his brains until his head felt bloated, Kou Zhong came back.
By this moment the sky has brightened. Kou Zhong slipped into the wardrobe and dejectedly said, "This time we are doomed; turns out when the sewer reaches the exit, it is divided into a dozen passages so small that even a dog cannot pass through. We are wasting our effort, and have been rejoicing in vain.”
"Did you go down to check it?” Susu asked.
Kou Zhong nodded, "Of course I did,” he said, "I had just stolen another set of clothes to change. Ay!”
"No wonder you smell different!” Xu Ziling remarked.
Kou Zhong said, "While I was out, I also checked the situation of the city defense. There are Wagang Army troops everywhere, the city does not lack elevated lookout posts; leaving the city is merely lunatic ravings. Hey! Xiao Ling, are you better now?”
"Three more days before I am fully recovered,” Xu Ziling replied. And then he said, "I have an idea.”
"You are really smart,” Kou Zhong said in amazement, "I have already exhausted my brains. Speak up quickly, let us hear it.”
"It's that roster,” Xu Ziling replied, "For Wagang Army, this roster is a lot more important than some ‘Duke Yang Treasure Trove'. We can use it as our bargaining chip. What do you say?”
Kou Zhong pondered silently for half a day; finally he nodded his agreement and said, "Certainly it's the only way out in the middle of no way out. However, it would be best if we wait till you are fully recovered before going out to strike a deal with Shen Poniang, that way we will have a bit more assurance.”
Xu Ziling shrugged his shoulders, "We are not going to fight,” he said, "A bit sooner or a bit later won't make much difference. But according to the news we just heard, this morning Shen Luoyan may begin searching this area. If we strike the deal after we are found out, it won't have as much value.”
"All right!” Kou Zhong said, "I'll go find Shen Poniang then!”
Susu pulled him back, "Xiao Zhong!” she called, "Jiejie is very scared!”
Kou Zhong planted a light kiss on her cheek; he said with a giggle, "Jiejie, set your heart at ease! Whoever wants to deal with us, Yangzhou's Two Dragons, must bag the food they can't finish and take it away [Not sure about this, must be some idiom].”
And then it was Xu Ziling's turn to pull him back, and without missing a word, he told him everything he heard from Shen Luoyan and Xu Shiji's discussion about the hunt and arrest operation.
"Thank Heaven and thank the Earth!” Kou Zhong happily said, "This time they can forget of standing by my side at all!”
It was only then did he really leave.