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George, what is 'KA'? Ysabel, HPC, Komeng, Jaya, you are welcome. Lao Qianbei, Bocah, here it is. Xu Xiong, Akolaw, I have no idea what you guys are talking about. Sky, some of you are my faithful readers, and I just want you all to know that I appreciate that very much.

Book 6 Chapter 1 - Duke of Pushan's Decree
Translated by Foxs

There was a knock on the door. Xu Ziling, who was sitting in meditation on the bed, opened his eyes and called out, "Who is it?”

Kou Zhong pushed the door with hand and foot, and slipped inside. After closing the door, he still put his ear on the door to listen intently for quite a while before breathed a sigh of relief and walked over to sit on the bed. "I have just scouted the situation in the enemy camp,” he said proudly.

Xu Ziling was bewildered, "What enemy?” he asked.

Kou Zhong excitedly said, "For us, there are only two kinds of people in the world; those we know, and those we don't know. From those that we know, we can further divide into two categories: friends or enemy. Anybody who is not our friend ought to be categorized as our enemy. Do you think Yiqi Shan [referring to Xiang Yushan, see Book 3 Chapter 7] is our friend or not? Is Beautiful Shifu our friend? Of course not! Therefore, before it is crystal clear to us, they ought to be regarded as the enemies. Ergo, why can't I say that scouting their situation is scouting the situation in the enemy camp?”

Xu Ziling nearly burst out laughing. Painstakingly keeping a straight face, he said, "You either took the wrong medicine, or have gone insane. You were simply eavesdropping other people talking and already so excited that you talk without rhyme or reason.”

And then, he lightly patted Kou Zhong shoulder and lowered his voice, "What did you hear? it out! See if it worth my consideration.”

Kou Zhong giggled mysteriously and said, "I heard the sound of a female enemy panting.”

Xu Ziling scratched his head, "Female enemy panting?” he asked, "Is it Yun Yuzhen or Xiao Dajie? Those two appear to be the kind of women who love to pant.”

Kou Zhong slapped a thigh and cheered, but it was Xu Ziling's thigh. Roaring in laughter he swayed back and forth and said, "Women who love to pant, that's a good one. Only a lecher who's disguised as an upright gentleman like you could come out with that, making those who hear it could not refrain from having a ‘fleeting cloud, pouring rain' kind of reverie.”

Xu Ziling knitted his scimitar-shaped eyebrows as he rubbed the sore thigh Kou Zhong slapped. "This time this kid has really gone mad,” he muttered under his breath.

Kou Zhong scooted over that they were now sitting side by side. Wrapping his arm around Xu Ziling's shoulder, he said, "Just now I touched Beautiful Shifu.”

Xu Ziling was visibly shaken, "What did you touch?” he asked.

Kou Zhong boldly said, "Her slender lily-white hand.”

Xu Ziling scoffed, "And I thought it was someplace important. When she taught us the Bird-Crossing Technique, didn't she also touch my hand? Earlier she was letting you to kiss her, why did you run away in panic?”

Kou Zhong laughed aloud and said, "This is called now is now, then is then. This time it was this Shaoye who made the move, so it's a different matter altogether. After I touched her, she acted as if nothing had happened and went into hiding in her room, but when I focused my power to my ears, immediately I was able to hear that this female enemy unexpectedly was leaning against the door and panting. Obviously my sex appeal to her is just too strong.”

Xu Ziling was angry, "Sex appeal your granny!” he cursed, "Could this woman be a good person? The lesson you learned from Li Xiuning is not enough? Right now we are going to avenge Niang …”

Smiling mischievously Kou Zhong slapped his back and said, "No need to get angry. This Shaoye won't blame you for being shortsighted, because you didn't know that moving troops with chat and laughter is the highest realm of the military tactic. What's not good about bad woman? At least she has ample experience in that kind of thing that she will be able to give guidance to the upstart boys. That was the reason why I gave her the nickname Beautiful Shifu, so you see, I already had the foresight.”

But then he sighed and went on, "Actually, I was not happy because of her reaction, but I was happy for us, two brothers. Thinking about the first time we came across her, we were still frustrated and feeling inferior, but now not only I can touch her without getting scolded, I can also make her feel that I am a man qualified to touch her. Hence it is clear that we have earned our place in Jianghu.”

Xu Ziling muttered irresolutely, "You remind me of an immeasurably self-satisfied newly rich, or perhaps a snob who seeks governmental position and riches by hook or by crook.”

Kou Zhong forcefully slapped Xu Ziling's shoulder; he was in complete agreement, "This four-character saying ‘by hook or by crook' [Translator's note: most Chinese sayings/idiom have four characters] is very true. If not ‘by hook or by crook', if it was ‘with hands and feet tied', then there won't be enough people fighting. Because Li Mi understood ‘by hook or by crook', he became the Big Boss of the Wagang Army. Of course! My ‘by hook or by crook' is only directed toward the enemy.”

Xu Ziling sneered. "I am sorry,” he said, "My understanding of this four-character mantra is a bit different from Zhong Shao's. If we are talking about a friend, there won't be any ‘by hook or by crook'! Not only Zhai Rang was Li Mi's superior, he was his comrade-in-arms and benefactor. Now that's what I call by ‘hook or by crook'.”

With a wry smile Kou Zhong said, "The main reason you are mad at me is because I am colluding with the female enemy. Ay! One lifetime two brothers, I'll do whatever you think is good! Worst-case scenario Xiaodi [I, little brother] will have to find another Beautiful Shifu inside the women apartment at the Tian Xiang Lou [heavenly fragrance building], Miss Yu Ling. I hope my foresight is a bit keener this time.”

Xu Ziling punched Kou Zhong's thigh; he laughed and said, "You just want to make me laugh.”

Kou Zhong sighed; he said, "In this world, there is nothing that I, Kou Zhong, fear. The only thing I am afraid of is seeing Ling Shaoye get angry and refuse to laugh. Hey! I have always wanted to ask you this: do you think Li Dage can be considered our brother?”

Xu Ziling was taken aback, "I have never thought about it,” he said, "Why do you ask?”

Kou Zhong replied in a heavy voice, "We knew Su Jie at least one or two sichen [1 sichen = 2 hours] earlier than we knew Li Dage, hence we ought to be a bit closer to Su Jie. Given that Su Jie is such a good woman yet Li Jing did not know how to cherish and take a good care of her, I felt very uncomfortable.”

Xu Ziling was about to reply when Big Sister Xiao, whose looseness penetrated the bones, called them out, "Come to the main cabin, there's an important think we need to tell you!”

In the main cabin, everybody was sitting around the table. Other than Big Sister Xiao, Xiang Yushan and Susu, Yun Yuzhen also joined for the first time.

Xiang Yushan and Susu sat together; from time to time four eyes met in such an intimate manner.

Big Sister Xiao spoke up seriously, "Just received the latest news: Li Mi claimed that you killed his trusted lieutenant the ‘Flying Feather' Zheng Rong, as a result, he issued the ‘Duke of Pushan's Decree', vowing to cut off your heads. Whoever can capture you alive will not only receive a thousand taels of gold, but will also become his Junshi [military counselor, just like Shen Luoyan]. Whoever can present your heads to him will not only receive reward, but will also be promoted to be his great general.”

Xu Ziling and Kou Zhong looked at each other in dismay. Zheng Rong was killed by Liu Heita, yet the blame was put on their heads; in the end, it was just an excuse to kill them.

The person Susu feared the most was Li Mi; her countenance changed. "What should we do?” she asked.

With a cold laugh Kou Zhong said, "I am not afraid of him! He did not know how lucky he is I did not come to settle the debt with him, now he is taking advantage of us by putting the blame on us, two brothers.”

"Kou Xiong, please do not get angry,” Xiang Yushan hastily said, "Right now Li Mi's fame and power covers the world, drawing the hearts of millions of people. Since he blatantly issued a decree to kill you, it is clear that he will spare no effort to deal with you. After Yangzhou mission is completed, Xiaodi can make arrangement to have two Dage to lie low until the fuss dies down; you must never let your emotion affect your decision.”

Big Sister Xiao added, "Right now Li Mi has the greatest chance to become the Emperor, plus he knows to buy the hearts of the people; hence all the heroes of the world are looking up to him for leadership. Since he is offering heavy rewards, there must be a lot of people who will blindly follow him and give you trouble. Only an outstanding talent can recognize current trends; you hide for a while, nobody will dare to say that you are cowards.”

Looking at their hard-to-appease anger, Yun Yuzhen, who was rather familiar with their character, said, "Li Mi issuing the ‘Duke of Pushan's Decree' is really unwise, because you are alive and well a day longer, he could not get out of it a day longer too. The further it drags along, the heavier the damage to his reputation will be. It would be best if the two of you make appearances here and there from time to time; he will be like riding a tiger and cannot get off.”

Her remark was very effective. Kou Zhong immediately nodded and said, "All right! He wants to drive us away, we swear to fight him to the end, so that he will find it hard to sleep, and he will eat without tasting the food.”

Xiang Yushan laughed and said, "And plus two Dage's reputation will be flourishing even more. Even now there are people who place you on par with people like Ba Fenghan, Yang Xuyan, the ‘Passionate Prince' Hou Xibai and the others. They believe that outside the Four Powerful Clans, you are the most prominent rising stars.”

Kou Zhong was greatly delighted, "Where did Xiang Xiaoge [little big brother] hear it from?” he asked, "Did you disembark and listen to other people's talk?”

"Xiao Zhong!” Susu scolded him, "Can you watch your mouth?”

Xu Ziling sighed and said, "This kid is too excited today.”

Kou Zhong shot a sidelong glance toward Yun Yuzhen; he said with a chuckle, "Beautiful Shifu is very good to us, naturally her disciples are particularly happy.”

Yun Yuzhen's pretty face blush a little; she glowered at him in return.

Big Sister Xiao said, "While we have time, let's eat dinner first, and then we can discuss how we are going to deal with that muddleheaded ruler!”

Changing the topic, Kou Zhong asked, "What kind of person is Hou Xibai anyway? How come his nickname is so weird?”

Xiang Yushan laughed, "If you want to know clearly, you ought to ask Yun Bangzhu,” he said, "She has met Hou Xibai.”

A complicated look flitted across Yun Yuzhen elegant eyes; she said softly, "I don't want to talk about this person.”

Big Sister Xiao let out a cold snort, "What ‘passionate'?” she said, "Just being lenient everywhere, that's all! Funny thing is that he loves to seduce women. In fact, no one has ever heard him having a good relationship with women. This man's background is more mysterious than Yang Xuyan and Ba Fenghan.”

Going back to the topic at hand, she turned to Kou Zhong with slight edge on her voice, "Can we talk about proper business now?”

Xu Ziling answered for him, "Xiao Dajie, please speak.”

Big Sister Xiao cast Kou Zhong a sidelong glance; smiling mischievously, she said, "To convince Yang Guang, first of all, you have to fit his fancy; report only the good news, not the bad news.”

Xiang Yushan joined in, "Yang Guang's mood is extremely unstable, from time to time he wakes up from a dream, shouting and screaming about ghosts who died of injustice demanding his life. Even when he is laughing and looks so happy, he must not be provoked at all. If his underlings said something untoward and he happened to hear it, light punishment will be flogging, heavy punishment will be beheading. Therefore, everybody has to follow his tone and likes and dislikes in their talk.”

Susu asked, "How's his martial art skill? Is he formidable?”

Yun Yuzhen laughed and said, "His martial art came from Yang Jian, naturally he has some real skill. However, after wine and women nibbled away at his body and mind for so many years, how much weight left is kind of hard to say.”

Big Sister Xiao also coached the two boys on the court etiquette, and how to curry favor with Yang Guang. She stopped only when the maids came in bringing meat dishes for their dinner.

The overwhelmed Kou Zhong said, "This muddleheaded ruler is really difficult to serve.”

Susu reminded him, "Helping people must be through the end, later you must remember to do your best in treating Xiang Gongzi of his former ailment.”

Kou Zhong was actually unwilling, but he was helpless to refuse.

On the other hand, Xu Ziling readily agreed.

Xiang Yushan expressed ten thousand thanks for a thousand kindnesses.

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