Thanks for leaving us hanging Jean!
arrrrgggggghhhhh that is the sound of a cliff hanger. I can almost hear the ssadistic snicker of lady Jean and it sounds like this heh heh heh heh
it's a public holiday tomorrow, so gonna be a loooong weekend.
And you guys are gonna hate me coz....
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Strange calls were heard from the sides of the road and just as Xiang Shaolong was still wondering what’s happening, the imperial guards surrounding the imperial carriage all fell from their horses, followed by the horrible sound of a heavy object crashing towards the carriage at a shocking speed. The driver of the carriage had his head totally severed by some strange, horrible weapon and fell off the carriage. The eight horses which were pulling the carriage all fell in a pool of blood.
The outside walls of the carriage shattered and splintered, the sound shocking.
There was immediate chaos amongst the crowd as everyone tried to escape in all directions. Cries and screams filled the air and it was difficult to differentiate who is the enemy.
Xiang Shaolong roared as he pulled out his precious sword and charged forward.
A few people jumped out from the sides of the road.
With a ‘whoosh’, one of them used a heavy metal bar to smash the door open. By now the nearest imperial guard to the imperial carriage who’s not yet dead or injured is at least ten steps away.
“Argh!” one of the men who tried to dash up the carriage was struck in front with an arrow and fell to the floor.
All the warriors fired their arrows. The attackers were all shot dead but two of them managed to somersault backwards and slipped into the woods, avoiding the arrows.
Xiang Shaolong and his men went to surround the area.
More than a dozen shadows escaped from two sides, running towards River Wei.
Amidst the sounds of hooves and cries, the guards ran after them.
Xiang Shaolong ran up to the side of the smashed carriage door and shouted, “Calm the masses!” Xiang Shaolong took a look inside the carriage.
Only to see Jing Shan extend his deathly pale face as he stuttered, “Luckily there were the steel slabs. Otherwise I’ll be dead.”
Xiang Shaolong took a better look, and saw more than a dozen round metal wheels scattered on the ground, their edges thin and sharp as they shone but by now all of them have a broken edge.
He took another look at the 30 odd imperial guards lying in pools of blood around the carriage, all of whom died instantly. The scene was frightening with broken pieces of armor scattered around the road.
Such circular wheels that were thrown with the hands are even more fatal than bows and arrows, such that even armors are of no protection.
Another look at the walls of the carriage. The wood was splintered, revealing the steel plates that had become warped. He can’t help but suck in an icy breath.
Two of the circular wheels managed to fly into the carriage and sliced open Jing Shan’s armor when they rebounded. Luckily it was only a minor wound.
The entourage stopped.
The frightened masses were gathered to a corner, far away from the crime scene. Wu Guo was in charge over there to check if there are any assassins hiding amongst the masses.
Xiao Pan and the rest came up to Xiang Shaolong and after seeing the horrible aftermath, they were all fearfully astounded.
By now Lord Changwen’s men came to report that the assassins jumped into the river and swam across to the opposite bank. They only managed to kill three of them.
Xiang Shaolong jumped off his horse to check on the assassins who were killed. All of them were struck by at least three arrows and died on the spot. There’re no further clues that are worth pursuing.
Wan Chi, Wang Lin, Lao Ai, Lu Buwei and the other officials hurriedly rushed forward and on seeing Jing Shan walking out from within the carriage, were all dumbfounded.
Xiao Pan removed his helmet and revealed himself. His expression was icy as he ordered Guan Zhongxie, “Search the city immediately. If there are still assassins inside the city, you can say goodbye to your position as Commander of the City Guards.”
His gaze fell upon the corpse filled ground and said sadly, “Give them a grand burial and compensation!” He could not bear to witness any more of this and nudged his horse towards the grounds for the Spring rites.
Although a great assassination tragedy has happened, most of the people are not aware of what happened and the atmosphere is still lively.
When Xiao Pan, Zhu Ji, Lu Buwei and the rest of the officials ascended the platform for the rites, the sound of drums were heard and the tens of thousands of common folk gathered on the bank of the river all knelt down and chorused, “Long live your Majesty.”
Teng Yi and Jing Jun gave orders to the Calvary as they were left in charge of maintaining order.
Ever since the reforms of Shangyang, amongst the seven states of the warring kingdoms, the people of Qin are the most law-abiding and obedient. Even in such a situation, everything is done in an orderly fashion.
Because of what happened earlier, Xiang Shaolong and the rest were worried that there are still assassins hiding among the crowd so they erected a human barrier, segregating everyone a safe distance away.
The fog thickened again, seemingly frozen on the river and refusing to disperse, which lets one feel that nature can be such a mystery.
Xiang Shaolong who was standing below the platform kept an eye on the expressions of Du Bi and Pu Hu, who were standing on the platform. Although they looked normal, they occasionally let slip small movements which betrayed their uneasiness. He knows that they are feeling lost now that the assassination attempt has failed.
Xiao Pan took over the torch and lighted the kindling in the giant cauldron. The fiery flame shot heavenward as the smoke filled the air, into the fog.
The whole place was solemnly silent.
Xiao Pan opened the ritual script and started reading aloud.
He stood erect, with a solemn air and indeed has the regal bearing of a ruler of the world.
At this point in time Teng Yi came up to Xiang Shaolong and said quietly, “I heard that even Xiaoshan almost lost his life. I didn’t expect the assassins to be so formidable.
Xiang Shaolong was still shaken as he replied, “If the target is me, even I would not be able to survive. Who would have expected that they would have such frightening weapons.”
Teng Yi stared at River Wei, which was covered with a layer of smoke and fog, the opposite bank is now totally indiscernible by now. Teng Yi gave him a nudge and said, “Coming!”
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MuahahAHHAHAHAHAHA
(PS: I don't go heh heh heh, I go the full evil sardonic laugh... MuahaHAHAhahaHAHA)
Last edited by Jean; 04-20-11 at 10:50 PM.
jjjjjjjjjjjeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaannnnnnnn nnnnnn!!!!!!!!!!!nnnnnnnnooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!
"The mystery of life isn't a problem to solve, but a reality to experience."
-Reverend Mother Gaius Helen Mohiam to Paul Atreides
Tks Jean.....
Second, guys. Second!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Last edited by kohchun; 04-20-11 at 11:08 PM. Reason: Beaten by Yongbifan by a few seconds. DANG IT!
ok. this cliffhanger is not as bad as the last one...unless another assassination attack is about to happen. i hope the black dragon scene will be worth all the build-up, and not just a chance for XSL and Xiao Pan to gloat and look important.
Wow! What a great Easter present, Jean!
Love you to bits for this!
Thanks Jean. I happen to love the cliffhangers!
Ohh.. FFS!!!
Note to myself:
- check update more often.
- fumingly mad at a cut off story is not good for your old heart.
Anyway, always e-love you for this amusing translation, Jean. May you have a nice and relaxing weekend ahead.
ps: Happy Easter to anyone who celebrate!
Thanks Jean and have a great long weekend! Try not to leave us hanging for too long ok?
Jean - i could have sworn seeing your avatar wink at me when i opened up the page! great update!
May the easter eggs that you find be filled with chocolates and all things nice. Remember girls are sugar and spice and all things nice. So be kind and laugh a little but not Mua ha ha ha. You got us on this one. Mucho Mucho thanks not only for the update but the cliff hangers too.
to continue....
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Xiang Shaolong could not see anything at all initially but after his warning, his eyes sought out the surroundings and indeed realized that something seems to be stirring up the river as it bubbled with ferocity.
Those standing near the bank began to realize something strange is happening and they all started pointing in astonishment.
Lu Buwei and the rest, who were on the platform, were all dumbfounded, looking quizzically at the river.
The crowd standing further back all stepped forward to have a closer look.
The voice of Xiao Pan’s reading the rites was slowly covered by the shouts of the crowd.
A black, curved dragon’s tail emerged about five feet from the water amongst the fog before it smashed back into the water ferociously and water droplets flew up into the air, seemingly clearing the heavy fog.
Xiang and Teng did not expect Ji Yanran to come up with this move. This moving animal, when compared to the ‘dead dragon’ used during the rehearsal, is as different as heaven and earth. Everyone was shocked.
The crowd on the banks and the leaders and officials on the platform were all shell-shocked. Cries of wonderment rose up.
There are even some who were so frightened that their legs have turned to jelly and they collapsed to the ground.
The imperial guards were still shaken by what happened earlier and they hurriedly surrounded Xiao Pan, some of them even pulling out their weapons.
Xiao Pan stopped them with a shout, “A mystical creature have emerged from the waters, do not act rashly. Anyone who disobeys will be beheaded.”
Of course Lord Changwen and the rest immediately stopped the guards to avoid another ‘tragedy’ from happening. The river is now calm again.
Tens of thousands of people all held their breath as they stared at the river.
Suddenly there were cries of alarm as deep in the fog, a black dragon head revealed its mystical presence again, creating waves as it bobbed on the water. It took some time before sinking back into the water again.
Xiang Shaolong and the rest shouted in chorus, “The birth of the Black Dragon, Heaven has bestowed a mythical creature upon Great Qin and we have the support of the River God.”
Lord Changping took the lead and knelt down first. The rest of the people followed him and knelt as well. Even Lu Buwei, Guan Zhongxie and the rest were influenced by the air of excitement and knelt down as well.
For about 5 miles along the riverbank, it was filled with people offering their prayers towards the river.
In the end only Xiao Pan remained standing on the platform alone, lifting his hands up in the air as he faced the river, his stance certainly standing out from the crowd.
As the thousands held their breath, the Black Dragon appeared again.
The gigantic dragon head emerged just a few feet away, directly in front of Xiao Pan before sinking down again. This happened three times. The whole dragon rose out of the water, more than a hundred feet long, it’s tail constantly slapping on the water. Everyone who saw it was terrified.
The black dragon suddenly let rip an earth shattering roar. Although Xiang Shaolong and the rest knows very well that this is the effect of many men shouting at the same time, they can’t help but be impressed with the realistic effect.
Fire suddenly shot out of the black dragon’s eyes as its head bobbed three times towards Xiao Pan, as if it is bowing to him before going back into the water.
Wang Chi took the opportunity to shout, “A magical creature has blessed our sovereign, long live our Majesty.”
The crowd regained their senses as they cried out in unison, “Long live the Black Dragon, long live our Majesty!” The cheers waved and ebbed like the water on the river, echoing across the valley as thousands of people became excited and the atmosphere became extremely lively.
The black dragon did not appear again. Lu Buwei, Guan Zhongxie, Du Bi, Pu Hu, Lao Ai all looked at one another in astonishment, not knowing how they should consider this strange and frightening event that just happened right in front of their eyes.
Striking while the iron is hot, everyone was celebrating the fact that the black dragon has blessed their king. On Xiao Pan’s way back to the palace, Ji Yanran disguised herself as a messenger and blocked Xiao Pan’s path to offer him Zou Yan’s ‘Complete Book of Five Virtues’.
This dramatic scene of blocking the path to offer a book caused another stir and by now the emotions of the officials and the common people is uncontrollable.
Groups of court officials and generals went to the palace on their own accord to visit Xiao Pan as they pledged their loyalty. Firecrackers can be heard everywhere in Xianyang City.
The people were dancing and singing on the streets as they made their way to the palace to pay their respects.
Taking Xiang Shaolong’s suggestion, Xiao Pan opened up the training grounds in the palace to the public and even came out three times to receive the people’s adulation. Naturally security was extremely tight as well.
Lu Buwei and Lao Ai were caught off guard and although they harbored some suspicions, there was nothing they can do.
The appearance of black dragon is ten times more formidable than ten copies of “Spring and Autumn Annals of Lu”. Xiao Pan’s reputation suddenly soared to the highest point that was previously unheard of.
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Number 1
thanks jean
Ali Derhamy