A step into the past - 寻秦记 - by Huang Yi

[ChronoReverse]

Haha, Shan Rou is going to be pissed at XSL later.

[szfong]

In her heart, Shan Rou is actually a coward after getting married & having two kids... She forcibly brought XSL to the sword meet as "backup" & to intimidate Tian Dian's side which has Lu BuWei. She'll pretend to get mad at him of course, but she appreciates it, nonetheless...

[tweety365]

I don’t care for Shan Rou. I think she’s stubborn, rude, and mean. Most of time, she acted without thinking over the consequences and XSL had to bail her out of trouble. There is never a grateful word from her to XSL either. She mostly complained that he got in her way.

XSL should be conserving his energy before his big fight and she should know better than to drag him to this event. It’s very inconsiderate of her to publicly challenge Tian Dan within the presence her husband and XSL. Obviously, they won’t stand around and do nothing if she is in a difficult situation.

Thanks Justin! Hopefully, no big cliffhanger with the next update.

[balikpapan]

Errr.... smurf120 = female

Never hid that....

Picture, or we won't believe you.

[Icefrog]

another duel for XSL before the big one.
another round of thanks to Justin

[ycb5959]

XSL has challenged and defeated the top Zhao, Qin, Wei, Chu swordsmen - and even the top tier disciples of sword saint
He has also defeated the combined might of the various states.
He survived the feared Li Mu.
His 100 battles sword is known and feared.
The retired sword saint himself is interested enough to challenge XSL, thus giving the impression that XSL's skill is worth the sword saint's time.

I cannot imagine anyone (other than sword saint) daring to meet him in a duel...

Dan Chu, ah, Dan Chu...

[kohchun]

Picture, or we won't believe you.

Balikpapan ni gatal nyer.......

[rajmonarch]

XSL has challenged and defeated the top Zhao, Qin, Wei, Chu swordsmen - and even the top tier disciples of sword saint
He has also defeated the combined might of the various states.
He survived the feared Li Mu.
His 100 battles sword is known and feared.
The retired sword saint himself is interested enough to challenge XSL, thus giving the impression that XSL's skill is worth the sword saint's time.

I cannot imagine anyone (other than sword saint) daring to meet him in a duel...

Dan Chu, ah, Dan Chu...

Same thoughts ycb5959.... afterall Dan chu is on par with Xianhua. Knowing abt the outcome of XSL Vs Xianhua, i dnt think Dan Chu will have guts to accept this challange

[lwoo8]

Justin, thanks. It is ok I do not get to score any points. The reading part of your fantastic translation is what counts.

[szfong]

The King of Qi says no one is allowed to challenge XSL for a duel before he duels Cao Xiu Dao, but why couldn't he challenge Dan Chu, that wouldn't violate the King's orders? Since Dan Chu will most likely refuse to due XSL claimig the King's decree, couldn't XSL insist upon it? Like the way Tian Dan paid Ma Chen Gie to force a duel w/ XSL. Guess XSL is too gentlemanly to insist... Darn it....

[Gubrak]

I cannot imagine anyone (other than sword saint) daring to meet him in a duel...
.

I think, XSL is a having mercy person, unlike CQD, he almost never kills his opponent in a duel. Challenging XSL in a duel have no risk of lost life. So, every top swordman will get itch to try this hero.

[Gubrak]

This highlights that XSL has no companions. This sound like a setup for another betrayal.

I worry he is Xiao Yuetan .... ahhh.....

[Justin13]

Book 24 Chapter 08 Goodbye Kiss

Dan Chu lingered on the same spot, not exhibiting the slightest intention to enter the ring while Xiang Shaolong remained in his seat. By now, the crowds have shouted until their voices are hoarse. Witnessing this strange phenomenon, the rowdy calls gradually came to a stop and the parade square is now completely silent.

Exchanging glances with the exasperated Shan Rou who is still standing in the middle of the square, Xiang Shaolong grinned to himself.

Before he offered to take Shan Rou’s place, he already knew that Dan Chu would not dare to take him on.

This risk is not worthwhile for Dan Chu. Before leading his army to war victories and obtaining Hundred Battle Sabre, Xiang Shaolong is already a force to be reckoned with. The present Xiang Shaolong is definitely much more formidable, causing Dan Chu to lack the confidence in winning the fight. Moreover, Cao Cuidao will personally take him on tomorrow; there is no need to risk his life now.

As anticipated, Dan Chu politely state: “The Great King has issued a strict decree, forbidding anyone to duel with Great General. Grandmaster Cao is the only exception. How can I defy the decree?”

The spectators instantly jeered with disappointment.

Seated within vicinity of Tian Jian, Zongsun Long stood up and loudly roared: “Who dares to defy Great King’s decree!”

The crowd instantaneously subsided, feeling bizarre that Zongsun Long is the one showcasing his authority.

Shan Rou was pleased: “In this case, why don’t General Dan show me a thing or two!”

Dan Chu glanced pleadingly at Tian Jian.

Tian Jian understood his dilemma and laughed: “Everyone in Lin Zi stands in awe of Madam Rou’s swordsmanship. General Dan probably reacted in the spur of the moment. Although Great General has made his offer, the fight would be unlawful. Let’s annul this duel.”

These words are highly appropriate, hinting that Tian Bang is inferior to Shan Rou, preserving her prestige.

With this future King of Qi intervening, Shan Rou knows that the fight is over even before it begun. Shooting a vicious glare at Xiang Shaolong, she dejectedly returned to her seat.

Xiang Shaolong is aware that Shan Rou will not let him off. However, he is not worried at all because suffering under her fists and scolding is one of the happy events of life.

Xie Ziyuan glanced at him with gratitude in his eyes.

The Sword Meet progressed on and despite some duels, there was nothing worth cheering for the crowd. Before midday, it came to a close and nothing was further heard about Xu Shang’s supposed challenge.

At Qixia College, Xiang Shaolong joined Tian Jian, Tian Dan, Lu Buwei and the others for lunch. Xiang Shaolong could not endure it any longer and used this break to question Zongsun Xuanhua: “Why didn’t I see any emissaries from the other States? Didn’t Brother Xuanhua invite them?”

Zongsun Xuanhua behaved as if he is very intimate with Xiang Shaolong. In a hush-hush secretive manner, he replied: “Two days ago, our Great King held a meeting with the emissaries of the other States. Due to differences in opinion, the meeting ended on a distasteful note. Today, they must have intentionally given us the cold shoulder; otherwise, the Sword Meet would be much more lively.”

From his words, Xiang Shaolong was enlightened that their discussion must be concerning Qin resistance efforts. Since Qi is persisting in outdated methods of engagement, their negotiations with the other eastern States would surely end up in a deadlock.

He recalled that he himself was responsible for destroying two rounds of allied military campaigns. The first time, he employed a scheme. By releasing Wei Zhen back to his country and using him to arouse the Wei King’s suspicions of Prince Xinling, he was able to deceive the King of Wei into recalling Prince Xinling from the battlefield. Left leaderless, the coalition fell apart.

The second time, he personally led an army and defeated the allied forces soundly as they were en route to Xianyang, causing them to suffer heavy losses and eventually disintegrating.

In the eyes of the five eastern States, he can be considered their greatest enemy. No wonder Li Yuan and his other old buddies are turning their cannons on him, Xiang Shaolong.

Seated besides Tian Jian, Xiang Shaolong used this opportunity to tell him that Feng Fei’s performance tonight will be her last and farewell performance before she retires. He hopes that Tian Jian can make an official announcement regarding this occurrence.

Tian Jian suggested: “My royal father has the highest admiration for First Mistress’s performances. Getting him to announce it would be even better.”

Xiang Shaolong praised: “That would be really wonderful! After I offer my congratulations tonight, I will return home earlier to rest in preparation for the duel tomorrow night. Please confer my thanks to the Great King on my behalf.”

Tian Jian acknowledged and agreed to his requests.

Using this opening, Xiang Shaolong bid farewell and slipped away.

Back at Tingsong Villa, most of the Troupe members have entered the palace for the performance, leaving only a few maids and servants to watch over the premises. The ambience is now cold and uninviting.

Just as Xiang Shaolong was about to climb the stairs to the main hall, Yao Sheng caught up to him from the back, exclaiming: “Great General, your servant has something to report.”

Only now did Xiang Shaolong remember that he had instructed him to put Guo Kai and Han Chuang under surveillance. After he discovered Zongsun Long father and son secretly working with his enemies, and thinking that Yao Sheng is from Zongsun Family, he did not follow up with his progress.

Once the two men sat down at a corner, Yao Sheng narrated with a serious expression: “For the past two days, emissaries of the Three States, Chu and Yan were engaged in one meeting after another. The most frequent meetings occur between the two States of Zhao and Yan. After further investigation, my subordinates reported that swordsmen of both States have sneaked into Lin Zi City while posing as tourists or guests of the birthday celebrations.”

Xiang Shaolong asked his first question: “Did you tell Master Long or Brother Xuanhua about these information?”

Yao Sheng shook his head, declaring: “Young Master has given specific instructions, saying that as long as we are assigned to Great General, we need not report anything to them. Therefore, they have no idea about this.”

Xiang Shaolong praised: “Only people like you and your men who are familiar with Lin Zi and local issues are able to distinguish the real identities of these Yan and Zhao swordsmen.”

Suppressing his voice, Yao Sheng added: “Yesterday evening, Yan’s Xu Yizhe and Zhao’s Guo Kai went on a tour of Qixia College together. According to the observation of my stalkers, they seemed to be conducting some sort of site inspection.”

Xiang Shaolong was hit by realization: Could Guo Kai and company be so intelligent to correctly guess that he would make his getaway tomorrow and is therefore laying an ambush for him?

Of course that would only happen after the duel with Cao Cuidao.

For the sake of their own States, everyone is resorting to ruthless methods; even Xu Yizhe is of no exception. If they can somehow impersonate themselves as Qi swordsmen and murder Xiang Shaolong in the territory of Qi, it would be a miracle if Qin and Qi can avoid going to war.

Yao Sheng updated: “Is Great General aware that Grandmaster Cao has requested the Great King to issue an imperial decree, stating that no one is allowed to view or disturb the duel between him and Great General. As a result, before the end of the duel, everyone must stay within the city and even we are not allowed to step into the perimeter of Qixia College.”

In his mind, Xiang Shaolong grasped that while this is highly beneficial for him who is planning a getaway, it too, provides great convenience for anyone who is trying to ambush him.

Frowning, he interrogated: “Does the report include details such as where they make special stops or spent an extended period of time?”

Producing a geographical map of Qixia College and its surroundings, Yao Sheng painstaking and clearly indicated the travelling path of Guo Kai and Xu Yizhe, where they stopped and how long was each stop.

Xiang Shaolong was taken aback: “Your stalkers are truly meticulous!”

Yao Sheng cheerfully answered: “Your servant recognizes the importance of this matter and was personally involved in the stalking.”

From the bottom of his heart, Xiang Shaolong praised him and instructed him to keep this report strictly confidential.

Yao Sheng was hoping mad: “The people of Yan are scoundrels and it is so obvious to me that they are here with malicious agendas, trying to disrupt the friendly diplomacy between us and Qin. Why don’t Great General directly feedback this scheme to the Great King, beseeching him to send soldiers to protect Great General or specially allowing us to wait for Great General’s triumphant return at the bottom of Stargazing Platform?”

As Xiang Shaolong have other plans in mind, he would not accept his suggestion. Smiling as he patted his shoulder, Xiang Shaolong wondered: “They would not dare to make any moves within the vicinity of Qixia College. In my opinion, they would probably lay an ambush on the road back to the city. Both sides of the road are thick, snow-covered forests, making it a perfect ambush location. Can you prepare a fire rocket for me? When I am on my way back to the city, I will light the rocket and summon you guys to me.”

Agreeing that this is the best way out, Yao Sheng could not help but ask: “Isn’t Great General angry with them?”

Xiang Shaolong sighed: “Xu Yizhe and Guo Kai can be considered my acquaintances. Although we would surely meet on the battlefield one day, I hope I can avoid these petty clashes with them. Live and let live.”

With admiration written all over his face, Yao Sheng excused himself.

Sitting alone in the hall, his mind is once again filled with thoughts. Recovering from his short daze, he returned back to the rear courtyard.

As he strolled along, he can sense the cold and lonely aura of Tingsong Villa, feeling melancholic as it is now an empty nest with its occupants all gone.

But once he reminded himself that he is going back to Xianyang tomorrow night, his heart immediately warmed up and felt fuzzy instead.

Back home, he must do his best to comfort his pretty wives and lovely maids. Recalling that year when he was returning to Qin from Zhao, Ting Fangshi passed away while pining for him. He could not help but start to feel helpless and frustrated again.

[hirzy]

thanks for the updates

[Sunterjo]

1st,,,,,thanks Justin

[ChronoReverse]

So spoiled =)

[Icefrog]

thanks justin....

[ycb5959]

thanks for another update!

[balikpapan]

Thank you, Justin. Such a superb translation, feels like it's originally written in English.

Balikpapan ni gatal nyer.......

Hahaha... you get back to your cage there!

[Gubrak]

Thanks Justin