Xia ke xing: Chapter 10 onwards...Take 2

[Abhay]

Thanks...appreciate whatever help I can get to improve....

[Abhay]

Both these people said the same four characters together and made loud sound. Shi Potian was practicing at a distant place, still he heard so he approached both of them and asked: “father, mother, what is this ‘Command of reward and punishment’? Are they really so bad and wicked? I listened about them in Iron fork sect meeting and also in the Shan Qing temple; the Taoists mentioned it several times.”

Shi Qing didn’t answer him immediately and asked him: “Those people Zhang San and Li Si, you swore brotherhood with, did they knew that you are the chief of clan of eternal happiness?”
Shi Potian said: “they had not raised this matter so I didn’t tell them.”
Shi Qing said: “they and you betted on drinking that poisoned wine, how? Tell me in detail about it.”
Shi Potian told them: “that was poisoned wine? How haven't I been poisoned?”
He then told how he met Zhang San and Li Si, how they ate meat and drank wine and so on, from the beginning to end in detail.

After Shi Qing heard him he hesitated for half of the day, only then said: “Yu’er, there are some matter which you don’t understand, I will tell you so do not get afraid.” He continued and said: “Thirty years ago, in the martial arts world many big schools and big sect's heads received an invitation from Island of heroes in South China sea to eat ‘Eight meat gruel’ on eighth of the twelfth month.”
Shi Potian nodded and said: “yes, as soon as everybody hears about eating ‘eight meat gruel’ they get afraid. I did not know that was the truth? This ‘eight meat gruel’ is this extremely poisonous?”
Shi Qing said: “that nobody knows. These big schools, the big sect's heads received the bronze medal invitation ......”
Shi Potian interrupted to ask: “bronze medal invitation? Is that two bronze medals?”
Shi Qing said: “good, now you know about the bronze medals you took from Elder brother when he was unconscious. One has a sign engraving of a smiling face, that is `reward ' meaning friendly; On another sign is a angry facial features, that is `punishes wickedly '. These were delivered by two thin young people.”

Shi Potian said: “young?” He had guessed correctly that Shi Qing was talking about Zhang San and Li Si but he said young people.
Shi Qing said: “that was thirty years ago, obviously they were young at that time. Various schools and sect’s heads receive those people and the person of the bronze medal invitation and agreed to go to Island of heroes otherwise his school or sect’s was in imminent danger, whichever school or sect refused the invitation faced something really terrible.
The head of Qingcheng sect from western Sichuan, Taoist priest Renxu Shan received the medals, smiled at it and took the two bronze medals in the hand and utilized his internal energy to melt the two bronze medals in to one. He actually thought that he will show off his internal strength to frighten these two young fellows.
Who would have thought that just as he just pinched to destroy the bronze medals, these two youth struck with their four palms suddenly, strikes on his chest and immediately this master of Qingcheng sect died in a single strike!”
Shi Potian said: “Ahhh…so vicious!”

Shi Qing said: “the Qingcheng sect disciples rallied to attack on them, at that time these two young people martial-art was not at its peak, they snatched two swords immediately and killed three Taoist priests in a flash and ran away saying what kind of a people are in Qingcheng sect, what is the fame of the Taoist priest Renxu Shan, two nameless youth visited this place killed him and returned back. Within a half month this news spread like fire in the entire martial arts world.

Twenty days later, in west Yuzhou, a Sichuan escort house had given a big banquet and was celebrating for Old Master Diao Biaotou turning sixty years old, there were numerous guests. These two youths came there to hands over the bronze medal. Audiences were celebrating with the guest and were actually discussing this matter originally, as soon as they saw him; the public moved towards them in indignation, everybody went forward to besiege them. Unexpectedly these two youths calmly escaped.
Three days later, in that Sichuan escort house, there was no one alive in that escort office, the old master Diao Biaotou, the escorts….everyone, all thirty people died a violent death, they didn’t only killed them but also in addition the old and the weak women and children. On the escort office’s front door, two bronze medals were nailed.”
Shi Potian sighed and said: “I also saw two bronze medals nailed on the cabin door of that corpse ship which had flying fish sect people’s corpses on it, could not think ......Could not think that unexpectedly Yama had sent its envoys to them.”
*Yama – king of hell (normally he sends Yamdoots ...his envoys to take life, this is Indian mythology…don’t know what the Chinese say)

Shi Qing said: “as soon as news of this matter spread in the martial-arts world, everybody went to go to ask Shaolin temple to send Head abbot master Fang Zhang to take the lead to cope with them.
When they arrived at Shaolin Temple, the Buddhist priest said that abbot master had gone out and had not returned.
Everybody then went to Mount Wudang, looking for Wudang sect to send their Head Taoist priest Yu Cha, unexpectedly the Taoist priests in the Wudang were also distressed, they too also said that their Master had left unobserved.
As soon as the people thought it over, they understood that two of the present age martial arts world’s top experts are suddenly missing. If they are not hit by violent treachery of the envoys of Island of heroes, then definitely they are hiding to evade the calamity.

Immediately they looked for Elder Shan Ben of Mount Wutai and Taoist priest Ku Bai of Kunlun sect to invite the martial-arts world, each big school heads and discuss a plan to cope with these envoys and simultaneously look for the messenger's whereabouts.
But these two messengers mysteriously appear and disappear, when opposite party were prepared, they could not find these people’s shadow, but if they are even a bit negligent, then did not know what got them and people will find those bronze medals with their dead bodies.
These two people were good with the poison. When Elder Shan Ben and Taoist Ku Bai received the bronze medal, they destroyed it; at that time nothing happened but within a month successively caught a foul disease and died.

Only when people thought afterwards, then only they concluded that the martial-arts of Elder Shan Ben and Taoist Ku Bai was too high, so the two envoys of ‘command of reward and punishment’ used poison to kill as they couldn’t have killed them in a fair fight. Those two bronze medals had extremely different kind of highly lethal poison, when Elder Shan Ben and Taoist Ku Bai touched the bronze medals with their hands, the violent poison got to their upper body and finally acted later and they died.”
Shi Potian heard it and was absolutely terrified, he said: “I thought elder brother Zhang San and Li Si were righteous, unexpectedly ......unexpectedly they are such vicious people? They are harming these many school and sect’s head, but for what reason?”

[Han Solo]

The chinese mythology has it that the envoys send by the yama king have ox head and horse face to escort the souls to the underworld.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ox-Head_and_Horse-Face

Han Solo

[Abhay]

Shi Qing shook his head and said: “for thirty years, no one is able to find answer to this important matter. Shaolin temple head abbot
Master Fang Zhang and Wudang sect Head Taoist priest Yu Cha are still missing, many years later the news leaked in the martial-art world that indeed the these two masters really accepted the invitation and went to Island of heroes.
Shaolin Temple had numerous skilled fighters who can fight for days. On top of Mount Wudang there were too several fighters who were ready fight on single sign from Head Taoist priest Yu Cha.
Both these people were the best martial-arts experts in the realm of river and lakes and rarely met worthy opponents.
In addition to them the chief of Qingcheng sect Renxu Shan, Old master Diao Biaotou from west Sichuan escort house, Elder Shan Ben of Mount Wutai and Taoist priest Ku Bai of Kunlun sect were all other top martial arts world characters and all were either missing or dead. All these six senior masters have received the invitation from Island of heroes to eat ‘Eight meat gruel’.

These two envoys usually said: `your Excellency kindly consent your presence to Island of heroes, it will be a big honor for us, on so and so day of some month please meet us on Island of heroes to eat ‘Eight meat gruel’. That way they killed at least fourteen heads of sects who didn’t receive their invitation. In addition some thirty-seven people went to the feast on invitation. Of all those thirty-seven people, there is absolutely no trace of any of them or even any least bit of news.”
Shi Potian said: “Island of heroes in the South China Sea… what place is this? Why not to call together a lot of people and try to rescue those thirty-seven people?”

Shi Qing said: “’Island of heroes’ these three characters, everyone in the martial-art world have been looking for. The great sea navigator Old Yu hang too have never heard of it. Also no other person had ever heard of this place or island, looks like that there is really no such place or island, it is only those two youths talking nonsense. In past year after year, the juniors family member who experienced this calamity and several others have tried in vain but gradually it fades from the memory. Unexpectedly every ten years, these two bronze medal invitations again appear.”
Next time they came after ten years; this time again they have hit big, only within ten days, three schools who have refused to accept invitation to feast, the old and the young several hundred people were killed cleanly.
On the realm of rivers and lakes several groups of people are trying to get them but no one was successful yet. Emei sect sent three elders who called together thirty masters to ambush these two in the Henan; they were waiting at Red spear society for these two murderers to arrive.
From what I know these two envoys have unexpectedly avoided the red spear society, even did not step into the Henan Province boundary, but the bronze medal was still delivered everywhere else.
So long as one receives the bronze medal and complies to attend a meeting, his school or sect is safe, otherwise, no matter how you guard against them, they will always manage to wipe out the entire sect by violent treachery.”

“That year in Heilongjiang; Sha Bangzhu too received the bronze medal. He at that time readily agreed, later he secretly informed the time and place from where he was supposed to embark to the Red spear society. That day thirty masters rushed at the appointed time, but when the time comes nobody was there to greet them.”
“The people waited for several days, but actually got poisoned and started dying one after the one.
Sha Bangzhu got afraid, they all dispersed immediately, has not gotten to their home, on the road they then heard the news, not only his entire family is dead but also his entire sect has been exterminated by those two people. After this event, nobody dares to resist, receives the bronze medal, then tries to deceive them. That year altogether forty-eight people went by boat to proceed toward the Island of heroes and again no trace of any of them and also not a least bit of news. This is really the biggest catastrophe of martial-art world!”

Shi Potian just could not believe that but he himself had seen the flying fish sect people, all dead, numerous corpse in that ship Again he saw the entire Iron fork sect being annihilated, not only was he a witness but he only exterminated the iron fork sect people and have accidentally become a accomplice of Zhang San and Li Si.
Only listens to Shi Qing saying: “After another ten years passed, In Jiangxi, the Wuji sect received the first bronze medal invitation. One year ago, each big school and sect’s head had already discussed and decided that if one won’t enter the tiger's den, then won’t catch the tiger. They made up their mind that whatever the outcome everyone will accept the invitation and go to Island of heroes. If everybody works with one mind in a joint effort then they will definitely succeed.
The good and evil of the martial arts world all agreed to join hands against this public enemy. That year wherever they went to invite everyone accepted the bronze medal in one visit, and no one got injured. Altogether a total of fifty-three people received the invitation and all went to attend the meeting. These fifty-three heroic men, some of them had outstanding martial-art, some were excellent in strategies, after they went there was again no news or trace of them as though all of them vanished in thin air.

This Island of heroes is a calamity to the realm of river and lake.
All over the martial-art world, people are unexpectedly at a loss; fortunately the butcher arrives only each ten years. I have deep connection with Shan Qing temple. In the outside world, people actually use Xuan Su manor to identify us but your father and mother’s martial-art is originated from Shan Qing temple. Although our elder brother’s martial-art is high; but still lacks in comparison to these people.
In Shan Qing temple all the fellow-disciples and the apprentices still need him, but the martial-art of these Taoist is not good enough to…….”
Shi Potian asks: “Do they fear Island of heroes?”
Shi Qing moved gently and his complexion changed slightly in an awkward color, he hesitated and said: “Elder brother Tian Xu and other senior fellow disciples usually stand aloof from the world and had become Taoist priest to devote to god, they do not admire this martial arts world originally and all the unwarranted reputation. But if said that they feared the island of heroes then it won’t be wrong too, no matter what you are with numerical strength, in terms of martial-art skill these three characters ‘island of heroes’ will make even the bravest off all shiver. Who could have thought that Shan Qing temple has to conceal its strength to survive, actually it’s really difficult to run away this way.”

He sighed as he was saying these words.
Shi Potian asked: “father, mother, you went to head of Shan Qing temple to get those Bronze medals and you wanted to investigate this mystery of Island of heroes. In the past thirty years three batches of people with exceptional ability and martial-art skills had left for that island and no one actually returned. This matter is extremely difficult to manage, why were you insisting on it?”
Shi Qing said: “Obviously it extremely difficult, but we have to face the difficulties and danger to help people overcome this situation. It was our duty to help Shan Qing temple and help them in time of crisis, otherwise how can we face ourselves…it’s a matter of principle. I and your mothers thought that the God couldn’t help these evil people all the times; ultimately there luck will run off. Your parent’s martial-arts is nothing compared to Shaolin abbot Master Fan Zhang and Wudang head priest Yu Cha, certainly these people have very high martial-art skills, but evil cannot vanquish good for a long period of time. At the end good will prevail, perhaps God has chosen your parents to exterminate these people of Island of heroes.”

As he spoke these words Min Rou looked at him and both have same thought in their minds, they thought: “we are willing to give up our life to do this important matter, but it actually for you. You were a crafty and evil person, lascivious in nature, defied and bullied your teachers and superiors. It is for you that we two people cannot show our face in the martial-art world and don’t have the courage to see in the eyes of our friends and foes in the realm of rivers and lakes. That’s why we want to go to Island of heroes, if we are not up to the task and fail and deliver our life for this cause it would be a great merit for the martial arts world. Perhaps they will think of us and no longer investigates your offense.”
They wanted to save their son but obviously they couldn’t tell these things to Shi Potian.

[sainuu]

click to show/hide spoilers

it's sure that Shi Potian will go to the island of heroes and tackle the problem. i think the Shaolin abbot, Wudang priest were both captured in the island, but they are still alive . The island seems to be similar to the Divine Creator Temple(The flower guarding bell).
thanks for the translation.

[Abhay]

And that's the end of Parental love.....

Shi Potian hesitated for half of a day, said suddenly: “So my sworn brothers Zhang San and Li Si are the envoys of Island of heroes who give the bronze medals and invite people to eat ‘Eight meat gruel’?”
Shi Qing said: “certainly without doubt.”
Shi Potian said: “But they are not the evil people, why were they willing to swear brotherhood with me?”

Shi Qing could not help to restrain himself, smiled and said: “At that time they fell for you’re stupid talks and consented to swear brotherhood, somehow got entangled and could dodge. I am sure they must have called false witnesses, you cannot take that seriously.”
Shi Potian said: “what is false witness?”
Shi Qing said: “Zhang San and Li Si are not their actual name, in fact it is a fictious name, and they would have said Zhang San will die and Li Si will rot in hell all those kind of things, but if the name is false then obviously all the rest of promises and event are void.”
Shi Potian said: “so that's how it is!”
He remembers those two people and thought of them as evil people and was unable to restrain his sadness, but thought that its possible that his father’s deductions are not incorrect.
He said: “Fine, next time when I will see them, I will ask them and confirm it.”

Min Rou had kept silent by now, but she anxiously interrupted him and said: “Yu’er, if you see those people next time you should be extremely careful. These two people kill others without batting an eye, clearly they fight extremely skillfully, and are very good with strategies too, they can sneak attack, can use poison and are extremely ruthless and sinister.”
Shi Qing said: “Yu’er, you must remember your mother's words. Let alone you are so upright honest, people hundred times smarter than you have met these two envoys and found it difficult running away from their violent treachery. Speaking of keeping guard, it is virtually impossible to guard against these two, as soon as you see them next time, should immediately make a move and kill them immediately, one who strikes the first blow has the advantage, even though you might manage to kill person, still it would be great service to the martial arts world to even get rid of one big evil.”

Shi Potian said: “we swore brotherhood, they are my elder brothers, how can I kill those people.”
Shi Qing sighed, he no longer said anything and thought that he wants his son to kill his sworn brothers; this kind of words cannot be said loudly.
Min Rou said with a smile: “senior brother, you said that my Yu’er is uprightly honest. Our child has seriously changed; anyway he was clever from his childhood, isn’t it?”
Shi Qing nodded, said: “Yes, he was clever, but then some people have been trying to use him to keep off the disaster and to help overcome difficulties. Yu’er, you may know that clan of eternal happiness were making you their chief, what was their intention?”
Shi Potian was originally not that stupid. It’s only that he had his childhood with his mother in a out-of-the-way place on a barren hill. In his youth, thanks to Xie Yanke he was leaving again away from civilization on the skyscraping cliff, two people spoke rarely so he knew nothing about the worldly affairs and human sentiment.

At this moment when he listened to Shi Qing hinting about some matter and immediately realized, he said quickly: “they wanted me to be their chief so they can send me to the island of heroes, is it possible that ......Is it possible that wants me to be the scapegoat?”
Shi Qing sighed and said: “Actually one should not judge people before knowing the entire truth, who can measure the heart of a person in the realm of rivers and lakes. But if not so, Clan of eternal happiness have numerous people with outstanding ability, how can they appoint a youth their chief, a person who is not even well versed in worldly affairs?
I guess that Clan of eternal happiness has been quite prosperous in recent years, they might have calculated that this time they will be getting the bronze medal invitation from Island of heroes depending on their increasing reputation, they might have decided that they will receive the invitation but will instead look for a person from outside the sect of some unknown origin and will make him their chief, this way they will be able to survive these ‘Command of reward and punishment’.”

Shi Potian could not believe these and thought how it possible that people are unexpectedly so dangerous and vicious, but his father's thoughts too looked extremely fair and actually cannot help but believe him.
Min Rou also said: “Yu’er, the reputation of Clan of eternal happiness in the realm of rivers and lakes is not that good, although they insist that they had not done any evil but in fact they rely on their numerical advantage and superior skill to rob people and even commit murders if people don’t agree to support them.
Several people in the martial arts world really despise them. I think the actual chief of this sect is evil person and that’s why they have planned to rope in you as their chief and get away from the trap of ‘Command of reward punishment’, actually they arranged this plot, it’s not much of a surprise.”
Shi Qing said: “To ask an outsider to take the fall is the most obvious thing they will do. Yu’er is actually the most appropriate candidate. He has forgotten about the past events, he is ignorant about these dangerous disturbances in the martial-art world. It only that they did not expected that this little boy is from Xuan Su manor and son of Shi Qing and Min Rou. It was wishful thinking but we won’t let it happen.”

As he was speaking he pressed the sword hilt, looks in the east direction, which was precisely the way to clan of eternal happiness.”
Min Rou said: “It good that we already suspect their deceitful stratagem, but no need to worry about it yet. Yu’er has not yet received the bronze medal invitation, but senior brother what should we do now, what should be our next step?”
Shi Qing hesitated and said: “If we three people just go to Clan of eternal happiness and reveal this matter, not only they will get angry out of shame, maybe even resort to violence. We three people will be overwhelmed by sheer numbers; moreover several people in the martial arts world might make a testimony in their side, so again it will be difficult matter for Yu’er in future too.”
Min Rou said: “South of Yangtze River, in Songjiang District, government officer silver halberd Elder brother Yang Guang loves to make friends and he is also our good friend. We should visit him and might ask him to come along with us to Clan of eternal happiness in official capacity, this way we can visit and pay out respects too.”

Shi Qing said: “this idea is really good. In the area south of Yangtze river, we have several friends in the martial arts world too; at least they will give us husband and wife some face.”
The personal connection of the Shi couple was extremely good in the martial arts world, for 20 years they were generous in aiding other people, faced difficultly themselves to help other people overcome their difficulties, not only that they were always busy helping someone but never asked others for help for any matter. They were sure that if they need help, they will definetly find people to help them so they decided to leave for Songjiang

[Abhay]

The 14th chapter
The Guan Dong School

The family immediately left in the south-east direction for Songjiang. On the road they arrived at a small town, it was getting late and dark so the three decided to stay overnight in some inn. The Shi couple stayed in a big spacious room and Shi Potian stayed in a small room near courtyard.
Min Rou treasured her son and originally wanted him to take a good room too but all the good room were already filled apart from one so he took the small room.

In the evening Shi Potian sat cross-legged on the bed and did some breathing exercise. He really felt extremely good as though some warm energy is flowing inside his entire body. He felt the fresh air on his skin and liked it, suddenly looked at his palm in the light of lamp. The red spot and the blue clouds were very vague. He did not know that those two bottle gourds of poisoned liquor; most og it has increased his internal energy even more and also as he was practicing hard recently, he was able to sweep-out most of the poison out of his body, in his heart he was overjoyed.
As he was resting in the night, he heard a tapping sound in the window suddenly. Shi Potian stood up and asked in a low voice: “who is there?”
He only heard again three tap on his window, this time when he heard the taps he understood, his heart thumped violently and he asked: “Is it Ding dang?”
He heard the voice of Ding Dang in a very low voice: “Obviously, who else are hoping for?”

Shi Potian heard the sound of the Ding dang, he felt very happy and at the same time he was also got alarmed, he didn’t spoke for a while. He heard a slight sound as the window paper wore out, a finger came out from the extended window lattice, he put his ear firmly on the hole and heard Ding dang saying: “why don’t you open the window?”
Shi Potian calmed himself as he feared that his parents might listen her voice and might get alarmed, he did not dare to make any noise, shoves open the window gently. Ding dang jumped inside quickly, as soon as she saw him, she smiled and said: “Elder bother, do you think of me?”
Shi Potian said: “I ......I ......I ......”
Ding dang got angry and said: “good, you do not think me? You were only thinking that girl. You and that girl have bowed to heaven and earth and now you have taken a new bride.”

Shi Potian said: “when have I bowed to heaven and earth with her?”
Ding dang said with smile: “I saw with my own eyes, who else will I rely on? Good, I do not blame you, you are romantic in nature, and actually I like it. That girl likes it too?”
Shi Potian said: “I did not see her, when I returned to the cave, could not find her again.” He thought of A’Xiu and remembered her charming refined look, her loving meaningful glance, and hereafter actually didn’t saw her again felt sad in heart.
As soon as she heard it Ding dang laughed and said: “Bodhisattva blesses us, I hope you never see her again ever…forever.”
Shi Potian thought: “I must surely find A’Xiu again.”
He couldn’t say it in front of Ding dang so he immediately changed the topic and asked: “your grandfather? Is he good?”
Ding dang puts out her to turn him towards her and said in an angry voice: “you did not ask that I am good? Oh Devil!”
Originally Shi Potian was regulating the internal energy inside his body before she came; as soon as she caught him with her hands she felt a violent jolt in her hands.

Shi Potian said: “Ding dang listen, that day you threw me into the river, luckily I fell on that ship, or I would have drowned to death.”
He immediately thought how he fell beside A’Xiu and both of them were sleeping together. He again got concerned about her and thought: “where has A’Xiu gone? Why didn't she wait for me?”
These days whenever he was practicing martial-arts, occasionally he remembered A’Xiu, her face suddenly flashes in his mind and he forgot everything. In fact here was sitting with Ding dang still he was only thinking of A’Xiu and for a moment forgot that even Ding dang there or not.

Ding Dang said: “what I fell luckily on a ship? Obviously I threw you intentionally, don't tell me… you do not know that?”
Shi Potian felt ashamed and said: “In my heart I knew that you treat me well, what I meant to say but ......but I was a bit confused about the situation.”
As soon as Ding Dang heard that she smiled and said: “I and you are husband and wife, what are you confused about?”
Two people sit shoulder to shoulder in the side of the bed. Shi Potian smelled the light fragrance of orchid on the body of Ding dang; was unable to restrain himself and moved his hands but suddenly he thought of A’Xiu and felt that if she knew that I and Ding Dang are intimate then will certainly be angry.”
Originally He stretched out his right arm to hug Ding dang but then he retracted them before touching her.
Ding Dang said: “Elder brother, you tell me honestly, what is it? Is your new wife is more attractive?”

Shi Potian said: “what new wife are you talking about? Only you ......Only you are my wife.” As he was saying this he sighed and thought: “I am willing to give my life if A’Xiu is willing to be wife. Don’t know if get to see her again? Don’t know If she is willing to be my wife?”
Ding Dang grabbed his neck with her one hand and pulled in to kiss him on his lips. She puts out a hand on his head to pat his and said immediately: “I have only one wife, why are you unhappy about that? Also why are you sighing?”
Shi Potian knew that she had seen through him and got embarrassed, his face reddened all over, grasped her, did not know what is good, his mind was resisting but on the other hand couldn’t give up the this gentle taste, thought for a moment than hugged her but actually didn’t dare to kiss.

Ding dang was used to handle worldly affairs boldly but she too was a young girl and panicked, and couldn’t kiss Shi Potian. She was quite ashamed, and shrank her body to hide into the corner of bed.
Shi Potian hesitated for half of the day, called in a low voice said: “Ding Dang!”
Ding Dang didn’t pay any attention to him and said nothing. In his heart Shi Potian was only thinking of A’Xiu, suddenly he remember how A’Xiu was looking at him with that meaningful glance in the woods of Azure Mist Island, that day, he remembered how she was calling him “elder brother”, and in his heart he felt a wild joy as he realized that she was willing to be his wife.”
He immediately thought to go and look for her, he sighed and sat on the chair, bent over his desk and did nothing.
Ding Dang saw him not coming towards him felt relived and somewhat disappointed at the same time, thought: “Finally, I found him!”
Day after day were passing and I was not able to found him, I was getting concerned, but now in my heart as though I am feeling such infinite relief.

They sat that way till the dawn, Shi Potian on the chair and Ding Dang on the bed. They heard a gentle knock on a door, Min Rou called out from the other side of the door: “Yu’er, have you gotten up?”
Shi Potian immediately replied without thinking: “mother!”
He stood up and then looked at Ding Dang. He cannot help but felt embarrassed.
Min Rou said: “Open the door; I have few words to say!”
Shi Potian hesitated slightly and then said: “yes!”
Then he went to open the door.

[greyman]

I wonder what will happen when the shi couple realize that their son is not who they thought he was..will they immediately jump to the conclusion that he is an imposter? or that he is their second "missing" child?

ding dang is back...wonder how she will take to a morally righteous MIL/FIL

thx so much for the translation.. please keep it up!

[Abhay]

Ding dang too was very shy; she thought that she and Shi Potian were in the same room for entire night, although they had done nothing but still if other people saw it than they will obviously think otherwise.
What more is that the person coming in is her mother-in-law. She thought that he should simply jump out of the bed, shoves open the window, and jump to escape, but then she saw Shi Potian and remembered how difficult it was to find him and now after meeting him how can she leave without even saying good-bye, she even did not know when will they meet again. She gestured him to not open the door.
Shi Potian said in a low voice: “It is my mother, it doesn’t matter.”
His both hands bumped into the door bolt. Ding dang was greatly anxious, she thought: “For anyone else it doesn’t matter but it’s your mother so it is most important to me.”
She again thought of leaping through the window and run away.

She originally was not afraid of anyone but when it came to meeting her mother-in-law and that too in such awkward situation she cannot help but felt as though her whole body is giving off heat, she saw that Shi Potian had just pulled out the bolt to open the door. She was desperate, her left hand puts forth a move “the tiger fingernail” to attack his Lingtai acu-point, the right hand made a move “beautiful woman picks up the needle” to attack his Xuanshu acu-point.
Shi Potian only felt both acu-points in his body, slightly numb and aching and fainted, Ding Dang held his body and hid in the bottom of bed.
Min Rou was a veteran in martial-art world, she heard a light sound ‘Yi’ when Ding Dang struck Shi Potian and immediately knew something was wrong. She cherished her son’s life very much and didn’t wait and struck the door with her shoulder, the door bolt gave away in a single hit, she stepped inside and saw the open window, and her son was not in the room. She called out immediately: “Elder brother come quickly!”

Shi Qing rushed in quickly.
Min Rou said: “Yu’er ......someone has kidnapped him!”
As she was saying she moved for the window. Both people did say anything and simultaneously jumped out of the window. Both coming out of the window, one black one white, just likes two big birds swaying gracefully in the air, looked extremely elegant and wonderful.
Ding Dang saw them from the bottom of the bed and cannot help but to say: “Thank God”.

The Shi Qing couple were senior martial-art experts in the realm of rivers and lakes, originally it was not easy to get swindled so easily, but it all happen suddenly, as soon as Min Rou saw her beloved son not in the room and she had just heard from her, she lost her mind, she believed the first bad thoughts which came to her mind, she expected that someone with Snow mountain sect or from Clan of eternal happiness might be behind it. She burst opened the door the moment she heard that ‘Yi’ sound, it all happened in a very short period of time. As she came out she calculated that whoever was there he couldn’t take Yu’er out and room and disappear in air, definitely they are still in the room.
Shi Potian initially got startled when Ding dang locked his acu-point but his internal energy was extremely vigorous, he managed to open his acu-points immediately, but his body was being held by Ding Dang and actually didn’t wanted to make noise and alert his parents so he hesitated. Suddenly the Shi couple came back to the room jumping back from the window.
Under the bed some dust particle entered his nose, Shi Potian sneezed three times as he was being held by Ding dang he looked towards her, saw only her face still red looking extremely charming.
Shi Potian said: “these are my father and mother.”
Ding Dang said: “I already know! Yesterday I heard you calling them in the afternoon.”
Shi Potian said: “wait for my father and mother to come back, I will introduce you with the?”

Ding dang moved to one side and said: “I do not want it. Your parents despise my grandfather; also they will naturally despise me.”
Shi Potian was living with his parents for some time now, he listened to both these people style of speaking, and thought that both are extremely chivalrous, frank and upright people, however with Ding Busan it was different matter, he hesitated a bit and said: “how do you know that?”
Before the Shi couple could reply or say anything Ding dang said hurriedly to Shi Potian: “you come to my room, I have something to say.”
Shi Potian asked: “you also are staying in this inn?”
Ding Dang said with a smile: “will I want to grab my husband in midnight; obviously I have a place to sleep?”
As soon as she said these words she went through the window, passes through the courtyard, saw no one so pushed the gate to enter a small room.

Shi Potian followed her, did not see Ding Busan and felt relieved, he asked: “your grandfather?”
Ding Dang said: “I ran away, my grandfather is not with me.”
Shi Potian asked: “why?”
Ding Dang humphed and said: “I wanted to look for you; he didn’t agreed so I sneaked off.”
Shi Potian moved towards her and said: “Ding Dang, you were looking for me, it’s really good.”
Ding Dang said with smile: “I am really embarrassed about last night, are you fine with this situation?”
Shi Potian said with a smile: “you said that we are the husband and wife, what is there to get embarrassed.”
The complexion of her face changed and her face turned red.

They only heard some voices of people talking in the courtyard, Shi Qing said: “this is the money for room and food!”
The heard the sound of horse's hoof, the couple took the horse and left the place.
Shi Potian moved towards them for two steps, and then stood there for a moment, turned his head and asked Ding dang: “you know where the government office in Songjiang is?”
Ding dang relied with a smile: “It’s a big place, everyone knows about it?”
Shi Potian said: “father mother are going to the Songjiang District government office, they are looking for a person named silver halberd Yang Guang. I should go after them.”
He had met with Ding dang after some time so he didn’t want to leave her so early and bid good-bye.
As soon as Ding Dang understood his intention, she said: “this idiot does not know the road, the Songjiang District government office is in the southeast direction, I will make him to walk toward Northeast, farther he is from his parents, and more are the chances that we will not meet.”
Under her heart she felt assured and cannot help but smiled, her face blossomed like a flower. Shi Potian looked steadily at her for some time.

Ding dang said with a smile: “what are you looking at? Haven’t you seen me before?”
Shi Potian said: “Ding dang, you ......You are really attractive, you look really good compared to my mother.”
He also thought: “If I compare she and A’Xiu, who is more beautiful?”
Ding Dang laughed and said: “elder brother, you are also very attractive, you too look good compared to my grandfather.” She laughed aloud as she said.
As soon as two people were done with this idle talk, Shi Potian again got worried about his parents and said: “my parents didn’t ask me before leaving, I am worried about them, and I should go after them.”
Ding dang said: “good, you are really their filial son.”
She too paid the money for room and food and left the shop to go immediately.

[Abhay]

In the inn the storekeeper and the servants saw Shi Potian coming with the Shi couple and staying in the inn but now coming out of the room with this unmarried beautiful looking girl. They all expressed admiration for this young person and they were the talk of the town for the next ten days, what is their relation, is it a romantic relationship or they did they already knew each other, everyone discussed it diversely and each had their opinions on this matter.

Shi Potian and Ding dang came out of that town and travelled to the East, walked aound three miles, then arrived at a three-road junction. Ding dang took the road to the northeast direction.
Shi Potian expected that she knew the path and so walked side-by-side with her, he said: “my father and mother are riding very fast horses, if they are not eating while traveling and wait for me then we can’t overtake them.”
She purses her lips and said with a smile: “I expect that your parents are familiar to the Yang family of the Songjiang District, but I fear that even though your parents are such reputed people they might not recognize the road to that place?”
Shi Potian said: “my father and mother travel all over the world, how will they not recognize this road?”
Both people kept talking all the way. Shi Potian was living with his parents for some time now, they were teaching him and he had a better understanding of the worldly affairs now. When Ding Dang saw his talking in such a manner, she chuckled in her heart and thought: “After he got sick, he had forgotten many things of the past, but he only needed more time to recover. Once he remembers the martial-art world’s customs he won’t forget it again.

Both people arrived at a small town while traveling and stopped there to eat. They found a small hotel and entered lobby; saw nearly all the three tables were already occupied by other people. Two people were sitting in the corner on a very small table. That hotel originally was not really big, the servant were busy taking care of the meal for the people on three large table, and had no free time to pay attention to these two people.
She saw at least eighteen-nineteen people sitting on the large table, three of them were females; they were aged, looked ordinary but had pointed weapons clipped to their belts. They were talking in loud voices, drinking wine from large bowl and eating meat but were looking heroic from their appearance. She thought obviously these people are from martial-art world, not those petty government officials but chivalrous outlaws.”
She looked around but no one paid any attention towards them, she thought: “I and elder brother are travelling alone for the first time, we will share a table and eat food, such a opportunity comes once in a lifetime.” She felt really happy in her heart.

The servant did not come to attend them so she felt angry and was about to yell when she heard someone else shouting suddenly from behind: “Bring some liquor and meat, grandfather is really very hungry.”
As soon as Shi Potian listened to this sound, he found it familiar and turned around to see the old man shouting, he was actually Ding Busi. Shi Potian was startled and shouted hurriedly: “It is not good!”
Has turned his head and didn’t dare to look in his direction.
Ding Dang said in a low voice: “he is my grand-uncle, do not look at him, I will dress up and then return.” She didn’t wait for Shi Potian to reply and then slid quickly in to the back room.
Although Ding Busi saw that the all the tables were already occupied, actually there was place vacant nearby the table where Shi Potian was standing. On that table there was no tableware, did not have the cooked food, but that place was situated immediately in the middle of that bench, however as soon as Ding Busi pushed his left shoulder, one person got pushed aside.

That person got very angry and made an effort to push him, he thought in his heart that if he pushed this old man than he will fall on the other side. However he felt a strong counter force himself as he applied more pressure as if some fierce internal force was forcing him in other direction, he was unable to hold on and he slanted as though he will fell but Ding Busi caught his hand and pulled him, he said: “One should not be impolite, we can sit together!”
That person tried to pull away from him but also couldn’t, a big purple bulge appeared on his face, he understood Ding Busi is too good for him.

Ding Busi said: “Please accept my invitation! Please don’t be impolite.”
He took the wine bowl and drank from it directly. Others were using the chopsticks; he pinched a large amount of beef and ate it with gusto.
The people on the other three tables didn’t know him but they now knew that his martial-art is not weak. They thought as soon as he pushed that person fell but when pulled him that person couldn’t break free, this person is old but his background is not ordinary. Ding Busi drank more wine from the bowl and ate more meat; he shook his head and looked extremely happy. People on all the three tables, all the eighteen-nineteen people stopped eating and looked at him helplessly.
Ding Busi said: “you are not drinking?”
He snatched the liquor bowl from thin old man sitting in front of him and drank a large part of bowl, wiped his beard and said: “this wine has some acids; it is not good for you.”

That thin old man suppressed his anger and asked: “You’re Excellency, what is your honored name?”
Ding Busi said with a smile: “you did not know my name; actually you’re not good enough to know my name.”
That old man said: “we were earning out living in Guandong and have very little knowledge about the heroes inside the Great Wall. I’m called Liaodong crane Fan Yi.”
Ding Busi said with a smile: “You are such a dark and swarthy, no way someone can call you a white crane more likely a crow, why don’t you rename to Liaodong crow Fan Yi, actually that will be wonderful.”
As soon as Fan Yi heard it he got angry, pounds the table and shouted loudly: “we are strangers still I am showing you respect because of your white beard, I do not came here to argue with you. Back off or I will kill you just for amusement, grandpa!”
A middle-aged man from another table suddenly said: “is it possible that this old is helping clan of eternal happiness?”
Shi Potian heard “clan of eternal happiness” these three characters, in his heart he felt cold. He then saw Ding dang coming wearing a felt hat to cover her head, also wearing a simple gray cotton cloth, dressed up like a hotel servant. She came to the nearby table. Shi Potian found it pretty strange, he didn’t have any idea how she managed to get hold of these cloths.

She smiled faintly and said in a soft voice near his ear: “I selected it but actually the servant has borrowed these garments to me so fourth grandpa doesn’t recognize me.
Elder brother, let me wipe this on your face.”
As she said these words she smudged ash on his face with both her hands, his cheeks blackened immediately. Shi Potian was unable to withstand the filth and started to wipe his own face. Although there were several people in hotel but no one was actually looking at them. Everybody was looking at Ding Busi, who had time to pay attention to these two people playing tricks.

[Abhay]

guys, just fyi.... I am informing with heavy heart that I won't be able to continue this translation in near future, actually am getting married in two weeks (dunno why I am sad??)
Hopefully will be back by next month..c u all..til then god bless me!

[Han Solo]

Congratulations on your marriage.

Thanks a lot for the translations. As always, any translations are welcomed, and we appreciate the time taken by translators in helping us.

We need an interview with you- for instance, i don't even know if you are a male or a female?

Han Solo

[secretAZNman19]

Wow, congrats! thank you so much for the translations so far. I've really enjoyed reading xia ke xing

[disrupt]

guys, just fyi.... I am informing with heavy heart that I won't be able to continue this translation in near future, actually am getting married in two weeks (dunno why I am sad??)
Hopefully will be back by next month..c u all..til then god bless me!

God Bless you indeed. Congratulations!

[Jarnoxe]

Congratulations! And thank you again for your translation of this great story.

Best wishes

[aliderhamy]

God Bless me to :-)

thanks a lot for the translation so far Abhay... i hope u have a happy and easy going hunnymoon.

and i hope to see ur translations again when u return. i really enjoy reading this novel :-)

[Anok Cukai]

Congratulations is in order.
Wish you marital bliss.

[nisachar]

Thanks for all the translation. we enjoyed it very much
and congratulation!
we wish u very happy marital life.

If u can continues the translation, plz do so. in near future or after six month! whenever u can afford to do so.
we will be waiting

[raywang]

thank god someone has translated this. I been waiting for this for years!!

[sainuu]

Congratulations
We'll be waiting.