The Deer and The Cauldron

[tweety365]

So far, I really like this Xiao Junzhu. She sounds so cute.
Too bad JY didn't give much character development to WXB's wives.

Thanks, foxs!

[aliderhamy]

WXB is such a rascal.

Actually, I feel like this scene played out exactly like some of the TV adaptations (if you can can imagine WXB using sing song voices and teasing tones).

Was better; but hes still spitting in things

[tweety365]

Was better; but hes still spitting in things

Like WXB had mentioned, be glad it is just his spits and not pee
That is showing his respect for the Mu ancestor?

What makes this scene darker than in the tv series is WXB's thought process. Mentally cursing an innocent little girl is wrong, but this is from the view point of a kid brought up in a very rough environment. I don't like it, but I can understand why.

[stanman]

Stan, I did not say that I do not like WXB as a protagonist, I simply said that he is an 'anti-hero'.

Sorry foxs, my comments weren't directed at you. They were intended to continue the discussion in the previous posts by ali and sky. I should've quoted the posts I was referring to.

Thanks for the update. Reading now!

[JoeLee]

haha, ya WXB is quite the rascal. Thanks foxs! loving the story...

[SkyWalker]

Thanks for the update foxs.

[Ace High]

Like WXB had mentioned, be glad it is just his spits and not pee
That is showing his respect for the Mu ancestor?

What makes this scene darker than in the tv series is WXB's thought process. Mentally cursing an innocent little girl is wrong, but this is from the view point of a kid brought up in a very rough environment. I don't like it, but I can understand why.

although she's innocent, she's still an enemy

[aliderhamy]

although she's innocent, she's still an enemy

She not an enemy... Mu palace are just another bunch of rebels... not evil.. not a real enemy...

there is just a stupid misunderstanding fueled by a bunch of old men taking advantage of WXB noobness and bad habits.

[Ace High]

She not an enemy... Mu palace are just another bunch of rebels... not evil.. not a real enemy...

there is just a stupid misunderstanding fueled by a bunch of old men taking advantage of WXB noobness and bad habits.

Even though both of them are rebels with the same aim, it does not automatically make them allies. At this part of the story, the Green Wood Hall and the Mu Palace are enemies.

A member of Green Wood Hall killed a Mu Palace retainer. Two Mu Palace's retainer heavily injured a member of Green Wood Hall.

A member of Green Wood Hall was kidnapped by the Mu Palace, Green Wood Hall kidnapped a member of the Mu Palace.

[foxs]

Smurf, since I have never seen any adaptation, I wouldn't know anything. Tweety & Ali, I agree with Ace, at this point of the story, WXB regarded Mu Palace as the 'enemy', and as I said before, WXB happened to believe at anything is permissible in war. Too bad for Xiao Junzhu. Stan, apology not accepted, since it is not necessary. I am not THAT sensitive, I am happy that you join the discussion. My apology for sounding defensive. JoeLee and Sky, you are welcome.
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When he arrived at the gate of the Prince Kang’s mansion, he saw on either side of the main gate stood two rows of imperial bodyguards, all wearing bright brocade uniform, with either a sword or a saber hanging from their waists. They looked so elegant and imposing; the mansion was a lot more heavily-guarded compared to Wei Xiaobao’s first visit. Obviously because of ‘Oboi’s followers’ had broken into the Palace, the security was elevated.

Wei Xiaobao had just stepped in the main gate, Prince Kang had already rushed out to greet him, half squatting, he embraced Wei Xiaobao's waist. "Gui Xiongdi," he said with a laugh, "I haven't seen you for many days, you are growing taller and taller, and look more handsome than ever."

Wei Xiaobao laughed and said, "Wangye, how are you?" [lit. 'are you good?' read on, you'll see ...]

Prince Kang laughed and said, "What's so good? You did not come to play at my house too often. It would be good if I get to see you more, it is not good if I rarely see you."

Wei Xiaobao laughed and said, "Wangye has ordered me to come, that's exactly what I've been looking for."

"I will hold you accountable of what you've just said," Prince Kang said, "I am thinking of asking His Majesty to grant you some vacation, so that we can drink wine and watch the opera, to do as we please for ten days, eight days. I am just afraid His Majesty cannot do without you for even a day." He took Wei Xiaobao's hand, and the two of them walked in side by side. All the imperial bodyguards bowed to salute.

Wei Xiaobao was greatly delighted. Although people were flattering him in the Palace, he was only an eunuch after all, where could he find such an opportunity to walk hand in hand with a prince like this?

When they reached the middle gate, two Manchurian high-ranking officials came out to greet them. One was the newly-appointed Commander of the Inner Imperial Bodyguards, Dolong, usually it was known as the Shiwei Zongguan [Imperial Bodyguard chief manager]. The other was Wei Xiaobao's sworn brother, Songgotu. Songgotu sprang forward and embraced Wei Xiaobao; he laughed heartily and said, "I heard Wangye was inviting you, so I invited myself too, so the tow of us brothers can enjoy the excitement together." The Shiwei Zongguan Dolong also come forward to fawn on him.

As soon as the four of them set their feet on the veranda in front of the main hall, the musicians played a happy tune. Wei Xiaobao had never received such a grand reception like this, he was radiant with delight, and almost could not stop himself from dancing with joy right then and there. When they reached the second hall, more than twenty officers had already standing in the atrium to welcome them. All these people were high-ranking officials: government ministers, vice ministers, generals, commanders of imperial family's personal guards, and so on. Songgotu introduced them one by one to Wei Xiaobao.

A court eunuch entered in a hurry, after doing his obeisance, he reported, "Wangye, Ping Xi Wang's Heir Apparent[13] has arrived."

Prince Kang laughed and said, "Very good! Gui Xiongdi, just sit back and relax, I am going out to welcome the guest." Then he turned around and left.

"Ping Xi Wang's Heir Apparent?" Wei Xiaobao mused, "Could it be Wu Sangui's son? What is he doing here?"

Songgotu leaned over, he laughed softly next to Wei Xiaobao's ear and said, "Good Xiongdi, congratulations, today you are going to get rich."

Wei Xiaobao laughed and said, "It depends on my gambling luck."

Songgotu said with a laugh, "I am sure your gambling luck is good. Other than getting rich on the gambling table, there is another sure way of getting lucky."

"What's that?" Wei Xiaobao asked.

Songgotu whispered on his ear, "Wu Sangui sends his son to pay tribute, all high-ranking official of the imperial court will not be neglected."

"Oh," Wei Xiaobao said, "Wu Sangui sends his son to pay tribute. But I am not a high-ranking official of the imperial court."

"You are a high-ranking official in the Palace," Songgotu said, "Your prestige is a lot higher than a high-ranking official of the imperial court. Wu Sangui's son, Wu Yingxiong is very astute and competent, he is very sensible." Lowering his voice, he said, "Regardless of what Wu Yingxiong presents to you later, you must not show that you like it, just say lightly, 'The heir came to Beijing, you must have a tiring journey.' If you see that you like the present, nothing will follow it. If you look indifferent, he will think that you do not like the gift, you consider it too little; then tomorrow he will return with big gift to make up for it."

Wei Xiaobao laughed aloud; he said in low voice, "So that's how you knock the bamboo pole."

Songgotu said in low voice, "It's foolish not to knock Yunnan's bamboo pole loudly. His old man [laozi] has been sitting on Yunnan and Guizhou, two provinces; I don't know how much fat and wealth of the people he has extorted. If we don't help him spend it, first, we are being unfair to his old man, second, we are being unfair to the common people of Yunnan and Guizhou!"

Wei Xiaobao laughed, "Exactly!" he said.

While they were talking, Prince Kang accompanied Wu Yingxiong come into the hall. This Ping Xi Wang's Heir Apparent was about twenty four, twenty five years old, very handsome, walking with vigorous and nimble steps, carrying an air of the son of a general family. Prince Kang pulled Wei Xiaobao over first; he said, "Xiao Wangye, this is Gui Gong-gong, the Lord of Ten Thousand Years' most capable Gong-gong. The capture of Oboi at the Upper Study Room was mostly this Gui Gong-gong's great merit."

The number of eyes and ears Wu Sangui had sent to Beijing was really numerous. Anything that happened in the Capital, big and small, was duly reported by express courier to Kunming. Kangxi personally capturing Oboi was a first class news in the last several years, naturally Wu Yingxiong knew all the details early on. In fact, Wu Sangui had had a discussion with him, he felt that by successfully eradicating an important power without batting an eyelid, the Emperor had shown his heroic spirit despite his young age. He was afraid that his days as a feudal court official in the future would not be too good. This time Wu Yingxiong came to Beijing on his father's order to pay his respect to the Son of Heaven, he brought a large number of gifts to bribe the senior ministers, but his main purpose was to observe Kangxi's character and conducts, as well as to find out what kind of person was his most trusted minister.

Coming to Prince Kang's mansion to pay a visit today, he did not expect to see Kangxi's most favorite eunuch; he could not help but was greatly delighted. Busily he reached out with both hands to grab Wei Xiaobao's right hand and shook it repeatedly, while saying, "Gui Gong-gong, I ... zaixia ... [book note: he started by saying 'I', but felt it was not respectful enough; then he thought of saying 'junior' (lit. 'later generation'), but the other party was too young. If he said 'Xiongdi', he felt he did not know him too well; if he said 'humble officer', the opposite party was not a high-ranking official of the imperial court, while he would also held the opposite party at a much higher position than himself. So in the end he decided to simply use a common Jianghu term to address oneself.] in Yunnan has heard Gong-gong's great name. When speaking with other people, Fu Wang[14] always praises His Majesty's wisdom and decisiveness; he is indeed the brilliant master, the Son of Heaven. He also says that with the holy Son of Heaven on the throne, even such a young Gong-gong as yourself is able to set up this great merit, earning the admiration of others. Fu Wang instructed zaixia to prepare gifts to show respect to Gong-gong. It's just that according to the Great Qing law, it is inappropriate for an external official to make friends with internal officers; although zaixia has the time and the desire, I do not dare to rashly seek an audience with Gui Gong-gong. Today Kang Wangye has bestowed this good opportunity, truly my delight is unbearable." He was very articulate, his words were very pleasant to listen to.

Hearing that even such a great personality like Wu Sangui, who was ten thousands li away, unexpectedly had also heard about his name, Wei Xiaobao could not help but was very flattered. Luckily he was used to hearing this kind of flattery, so he was prepared on how to deal with it. "We are only servants," he said indifferently, "We merely work according to His Majesty's imperial orders. It's nothing more than, one, do not fear hardship, two, do not fear death; what great merit worth mentioning? Xiao Wangye has flattered me too much." While in his heart he thought, "Songgotu Gege has an incredible foresight; sure enough, as soon as this little traitor see me, he mentioned the word 'gift' right away."

Wu Yingxiong was a guest from afar, he was also the Ping Xi Wang's Heir Apparent, so Prince Kang pushed him to sit on the seat of honor; and he asked Wei Xiaobao to sit on the next seat. There were a lot of high-ranking officials around the banquet table, government ministers and generals, each one was a dignitary. Although Wei Xiaobao was brassy, he did not dare to sit on the second seat; he declined repeatedly. Prince Kang laughed and said, “Gui Xiongdi, you are the man by His Majesty’s side, everybody reveres you in good faith to show love and respect toward His Majesty, you do not need to be polite.” While saying that, he pushed Wei Xiaobao to sit on the chair.

By this time, Songgotu had been promoted to be the Great Learning Scholar of the Dynastic History Ministry, his rank was above everybody else, so he sat next to Wei Xiaobao. The rest of the civil and military high official sat next to each other according to their rank. Wei Xiaobao had a sudden thought, “Damn it! When the patrons of the Lovely Spring Courtyard were having a dinner party with the singsong girls, Mama would always sit behind the guests, while passing along several pieces of cake and pastry to me. Often times those turtle bastards caught me and threw me out. At that time I always thought that when laozi has become rich, I will come back to the Lovely Spring Courtyard to have a dinner party with the singsong girls; I would call the old procuress, the turtle bastards and the girls to accompany me drinking. Who would have thought that today I have a prince, an heir apparent, government ministers and generals to accompany me drinking? Too bad the Lovely Spring Courtyard’s old procuress and the turtle bastards cannot see laozi in this spirited appearance.”

Everybody sat down to drink. The sixteen escorts Wu Yingxiong brought with him were standing by the long window. They watched attentively at the people toasting each other and eating the dishes around the banquet table, as well as the servants delivering food and serving the wine; every action and each movement did not escape their steady gaze. Wei Xiaobao had to think for a while before he suddenly understood, “Right, they must be the martial art experts from the Ping Xi Wang’s palace, who come here to protect Wu Yingxiong, for fear that someone might assassinate or poison him. I am afraid Mu Palace people are already waiting outside. It would be great if there is a fierce battle later. I want to see if Mu Palace people will win, or Wu Sangui’s men more formidable.” His belly was filled with the desire to take pleasure in others’ misfortunes; he hoped that both sides would fight an exciting battle, until both sides suffer.

Prince Kang himself was aware of this situation, but being the host, he felt it was inappropriate to say anything. The Shiwei Zongguan Dolong was a martial art expert, he was also a straightforward man; after drinking several cups of wine, he said, “Xiao Wangye, these dozen or so escorts you bring must have been chosen from a thousand, those selected must be martial art experts.”

Wu Yingxiong laughed and said, “What martial art do they have? They are just personal bodyguards in Fu Wang’s Palace; they have been following Xiongdi, they know Xiongdi’s temperament very well, so when I go out, I seek people I can use for my convenience. That’s all.”

Dolong laughed and said, “Xiao Wangye is too modest. Just look at those two, their Taiyang[15] acupoints are bulging high, their internal energy must have reached 90% proficiency. Looking at those two, their face and neck muscles are sturdy, they must have been trained in hard, external type of martial art. And those gentlemen with shiny faces and big pigtails hanging on the back of their heads, most likely those are fake. If you tell them to take out their caps, I bet they are bald." Wu Yingxiong smiled, but did not say anything.

Songgotu laughed and said, "I only know Dolong Zongguan has superior martial art, I did not realize you have another skill, telling fortune by reading people's facial features."

Dolong laughed and said, "Suo Daren may not know this. When Ping Xi Wang was stationed in Liaodong peninsula, many military officers under his banner belonged to the Jin Ding School[16] of Jinzhou. Disciples of Jin Ding School train a very formidable type of martial art with their heads. When they have trained to proficiency, their faces shiny, and they do not have a single strand of hair on the top of their heads."

Prince Kang laughed and said, "I wonder if it is possible to ask the Heir Apparent to tell these honored escorts to take off their caps, let everybody see if Dolong Zongguan's speculation is accurate or not?"

Wu Yingxiong said, "Dolong Zongguan's vision is like a torch, how can he be inaccurate? Indeed these several personal bodyguards have trained Jin Ding School martial art, but their skill has not reached proficiency yet, they still have quite a number of hair on their heads. If I ask them to take off their caps, they will be disgraced in public. I wish gentlemen officials will excuse us." Everybody laughed heartily, but since Wu Yingxiong was unwilling to comply, it was inappropriate for them to force him.

Wei Xiaobao could not avert his gaze from those people, his heart was unbearable itching, "I wonder how much hair that tall leader has? It looks like that thin man's martial art skill is rather lacking, perhaps he has a lot of hair." Suddenly he remembered something, "Ha!" he laughed.

With a smile Prince Kang asked, "Gui Xiongdi, what's so funny? Why don't you tell us?"

Wei Xiaobao said with a laugh, "I am thinking that the shifu from Jin Ding School must be very amiable; they won't fight with other people too much, even more so with people from their own school."

"How can you tell?" Prince Kang asked.

Wei Xiaobao laughed and said, "When they get angry, they would stare at each other, then they would take their caps off. You count the hair on my head, I count the hair on your head; the one has less hair must have higher skill, the one with more hair will be forced to concede." Everybody roared in laughter; they all said that Wei Xiaobao's idea was very amusing. Wei Xiaobao continued, "Presumably all Jin Ding School's shifu carry an abacus, otherwise it would be rather inconvenient to count the hair on their heads." Everybody burst out in laughter again.

A government minister was drinking a cup of wine, the wine had not entered his throat, when he heard Wei Xiaobao, the wine in his mouth spurt out; because he was afraid to spurt on the table and thus looked lacking in manners, he lowered his head and let the wine spurt onto the front of his own clothes, while coughing incessantly.

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[13] Orig. 世子 (Shi Zi) - descendant son, crown prince; obviously, I can't use 'crown prince', while another option 'successor' sounds rather strange. As much as I do not wish to use Minford's term, I have to admit that in this case his choice of word is the best; therefore, I will also use 'heir apparent'.

[14] Father King.

[15] ‘Sun acupoint’, located on the temples.

[16] Lit. 'golden crown of the head' school.

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HELP!!!! A large number of texts is missing from Qiqi.com. Can anybody recommend another site I can get the text from? I have the book, but translating from hardcopy (book) will take me a lot longer. In the meantime, I will be forced to take a break, unless ... can anybody help me translating the missing part? Contact me if you can.

[myko85]

thank you for the update fox! This is much better than the milford translation.

[SkyWalker]

Thanks for the post foxs.

WXB comment about the hair was hilarious! LOL

[Ace High]

HELP!!!! A large number of texts is missing from Qiqi.com. Can anybody recommend another site I can get the text from? I have the book, but translating from hardcopy (book) will take me a lot longer. In the meantime, I will be forced to take a break, unless ... can anybody help me translating the missing part? Contact me if you can.

jyjh.net.cn/jyqj/20/mydoc010.htm

[foxs]

myko and Sky, you are welcome.

I have good news, and I have bad news ... The good news is: the link suggested by Ace High has the missing text. Thanks. I'll start working later today. Pannonian, thanks for sending me another link. The bad news is: I am not sure I can finish this part at the regular schedule. So if I can't post tomorrow, just bear with me, I will post it as soon as I can.

[foxs]

Sorry for the delay and for shorter update. I was busy over the weekend and did not have time to translate. Unfortunately, as I mentioned a few days ago, I will be busy for the next several weeks. Will try my best.
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“Kang Wangye,” Dolong said, “Since that servant Oboi’s clique disturbed your mansion the last time, I heard that these past several months you have gathered not a few of martial art masters.”

Prince Kang slowly stroke his beard with his right hand, his face showed that he was very pleased with himself. He slowly said, “Indeed martial art masters with prestige and real skill are not easy to find. Those willing to be hired by government authorities are mostly second or third class personnel.” Pausing for a moment he continued, “On the whole Xiao Wang[17] eagerly seek people of talent; in addition to offering a large sum of money, I have to help them handle several matters, only then did I manage to invite several real top martial art masters. It’s just that they have to be well-served daily, so it takes a lot of effort. Ha ha, ha ha!”

Dolong said, “Wangye’s secret in engaging very able persons, may you teach me?”

Prince Kang smiled and said, “Dolong Zongguan is himself a martial art master, why do you need to hire martial art masters?”

“Thank you Wangye for your compliment,” Dolong said, “I remember that year when we had a competition among our Manchu military commanders at the presence of senior ranking officers, presided personally by the Prince Regent, Wangye and Xiao Jiang[18] had obtained the Regent’s commendation. I heard this time the surviving members of Oboi’s clique came to stir up trouble, Wangye did not stop shooting arrows and personally killed over twenty members of the rebel party.”

Prince Kang smiled, but did not say anything. That day he did shoot some arrows and killed two Tian Di Hui members, ‘over twenty’ was obviously exaggeration by a factor of ten.

Wei Xiaobao said, “I saw this matter with my own eyes. That time my ears only heard the random whishing sound of the arrows, while in front of me people shouting, ‘Aiyo, aiyo!’ and behind me people shouting, ‘Good shot, good shot!’”

A civil minister did not understand the meaning behind Wei Xiaobao’s words, he asked, “Gui Gong-gong, what do you mean by in front people shouting, ‘Aiyo!’ and behind people shouting, ‘Good shot!’?”

Wei Xiaobao said, “Kang Wangye’s archery skill is ‘one hundred shots, one hundred hits’. In front, the people hit by the arrows shouted, ‘Aiyo!’, behind were our own men, praising, ‘Good shot!’. But there were several times more ‘Good shot!’ than the ‘Aiyo!’ does Da Ren know the reason?”

The minister twisted his beard with his finger, he said, “Presumably the number of people on our side was several times greater than that of the rebel party.”

“This time Da Ren has guessed incorrectly,” Wei Xiaobao said, “At that time the rebel party was carrying out a large-scale assault, Kang Wangye was using the few to defeat the many; there were more people on the enemy’s side. But some members of the rebel party were shot by Kang Wangye on the throat, so when the cry ‘Aiyo!’ reached the throat, it could not come out. Also, Kang Wangye shot arrows like a deity, among the rebel party, there were many who admired him from the bottom of their hearts, so they could not refrain from shouting, ‘Good shot!’ They knew they should not shout, but they just couldn’t bear not to.”

The minister repeatedly nodded his head. “So that’s how it is,” he said.

Wu Yingxiong raised his cup and said, “Kang Wangye’s divine archery, junior extremely admires it. I toast Wangye for a cup.” Everybody raised their cups and drank to toast him.

Prince Kang was delighted, he thought, “This kid Xiao Guizi knows the facts and can find appropriate response to delicate situation, no wonder His Majesty likes him.”

“Wangye,” Dolong said, “You have hired that many Wulin masters in your Palace, how about inviting them out to let everybody look at them?”

Prince Kang had wanted to show off, so he instructed his chamberlain, “Prepare two more banquet tables over here, invite Shenzhao Shangren[19] and the others to come out and join the banquet.”

Not too long afterwards, more than twenty people came out from the rear hall, led by a man wearing large red kasaya, a fat and tall Buddhist monk. Prince Kang stood up; he laughed and said, “Friends, let us drink a cup!” Seeing Prince Kang stood up, all the guests around the table also stood up to welcome the newcomers.

The one called Shenzhao Shangren clasped his palms together and said with a laugh, “We don’t dare, we don’t dare! All Da Ren, please sit down.” His voice was like resounding bell. Just by this demonstration of chi, it was obvious that his internal energy cultivation was very profound. As for the rest of the men, some were tall, some were short, some were handsome, some were ugly. They sat around the two banquet tables.

Apart from possessing a good martial art skill, Dolong was also an impatient man; without waiting for the men to finish their first round of drink, he said, “Wangye, Xiao Jiang can see that each of these Wulin masters of your Palace has a majestic appearance, they look formidable, their martial art skill must be extremely high; is it possible to ask these friends to display their skill? Ping Xi Wang's Heir Apparent and Gui Gong-gong are guests of honor whose presence is hard to come by, I presume they would also like to see the skill of Prince Kang Mansion’s people.”

Wei Xiaobao was the first to echo his words. Wu Yingxiong clapped his hands and cheered. The rest of the guests also said, “Absolutely, absolutely!”

Prince Kang laughed and said, “Friends, all these honored guests want to see your skill, I wonder if you'd like to spar with each other.”

From the martial art masters’ banquet table on the left a middle-aged man suddenly stood up; with a loud and clear voice he said, “I only know that Kang Wangye loves talented people, that’s why I came here to hire myself to him; who would have thought that he only regards us as the Jianghu people who sell our skill? If all Da Ren want to see juggling monkey, tight-rope walker, why don’t you go to the Bridge of Heaven? I am taking my leave!” While saying that, he raised his left hand and smashed it down on the back of his chair. ‘Crash!’ the back of the chair broke. He walked out toward the door in big strides. Everybody’s face changed.

A thin and small old man, who was sitting on the same table as the man, suddenly flashed by and cut off in front of him. “Lang Shifu,” the old man said, “What you say is too preposterous. Wangye courteously and respectfully asking us to offer our skill, if Lang Shifu is willing to display your skill, no doubt it is very good; but if you are unwilling, Wangye can’t possibly force you. In the Palace you make a racket, destroying the Palace’s property, even if in his magnanimity Wangye did not hold you responsible, but for the rest of us, brothers, where should we put our face?"

The man surnamed Lang laughed coldly and said, "Everybody has his own ambitions. Tao Shifu loves to show your skill in the Prince's mansion, feel free to play as much as you want. Xiongdi cannot accompany you too much." While saying that he took another step forward.

The old man surnamed Tao said, "If you really want to go, you need to kowtow and say goodbye to Wangye. If Wangye give you a nod, then you can leave."

The man surnamed Lang said with a cold laugh, "I didn't sell my body as a slave in the Prince's mansion, my two feet grew on my own body, I can go whenever I want to go, why do you care?" Finished speaking, he walked forward.

Unexpectedly, the old man surnamed Tao did not move; seeing the one surnamed Lang was about to bump into him, he reached out to grab his left arm, while saying, "Who knows? Perhaps I will be forced to care."

The one surnamed Lang bent his left arm downward, then suddenly jerked it upward, striking toward the old man surnamed Tao's waist. The one surnamed Tao's right leg flew up to kick the pit of his stomach. The one surnamed Lang's right hand swiftly moved toward the back of old man Tao's right leg, which by this time was high in the air. Seizing this opportunity, he pushed out, sending the old man surnamed Tao falling backward with his face up. Luckily he was quite nimble, propping himself with his right hand, he leaped back up. Although he did not fall flat on his back, he had already made a fool of himself, his old face turned entirely red. "Hey, hey," the man surnamed Lang laughed coldly, and bolted toward the door.

Suddenly a thin man appeared on the door of the hall, which was originally empty. The thin man cupped his fist and said, "Lang Xiong, please return."

The one surnamed Lang was moving so fast that he could not control his own momentum and crashed into the man's body. The thin man did not evade, the two of them crashed into each other. The one surnamed Lang staggered three steps backwards. He took two steps sideways to the left, but suddenly turned to the right as he dashed toward the long window on the right. As he reached the threshold, the thin man had already blocked in front of him. The one surnamed Lang knew how formidable the thin man was when he collided against him, so he did not dare to have another collision. Hastily he held his steps; his chest was no more than two cun away from the thin man's chest, the tip of his nose had already touched the thin man's nose. The thin man did not move at all, he did not even blink. The one surnamed Lang swiftly dodged to the left, but as soon as he regained his footing, the thin man was blocking in front of him.

The one surnamed Lang was furious, 'whoosh!' he sent a punch toward the thin man's face. The two of them stood very close to each other, plus the punch was sent with tremendous strength. The thin man did not lean sideways, he simply lowered his head. But he raised his right palm in front of his face. 'Slap!' the punch hit the center of his palm. He bent his palm slightly, the one surnamed Lang was pushed that he had to take several steps backward. The people in the hall cheered; they all praised, "Good skill!"

The one surnamed Lang looked awkward; he was unable to leave, but to go forward and fight, he realized his martial art skill was far too inferior to the opponent. Momentarily he was at a loss of what to do.

The thin man cupped his fist and said, "Lang Xiong please sit down. Wangye instructed us to spar with each other; didn't the two of us just have a spar with each other?" Finished speaking, he immediately walked back and sat on his original seat, on the banquet table to the right. Everybody applauded again. The one surnamed Lang, with ashamed look across his face, sat down with his head hung low.

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[17]‘little king’ – referring to self.

[18]‘little general’ – referring to self.

[19]Shenzhao means ‘divine illumination/reflection’, Shangren (lit. upper/above person) is a term of respect to address a Buddhist monk.

[Single Whip]

Thanks for the update Foxs.
WXB can be such a smooth talker when he wants to. I wonder why he wasn't being more diplomatic at the Mu residence in earlier chapter.

[SkyWalker]

Thanks for the update foxs.

[tweety365]

Thanks for the update, foxs. Don't worry about how frequently you can update. I am just glad you're translating and sharing with us.

[Ace High]

“I remember that year when we had a competition among our Manchu military commanders at the presence of senior ranking officers, presided personally by the Regent Prince, Wangye and Xiao Jiang[18] had obtained the Regent’s commendation.

I suggest Prince Regent

[smurf120]

Thanks for the update Foxs.
WXB can be such a smooth talker when he wants to. I wonder why he wasn't being more diplomatic at the Mu residence in earlier chapter.

WXB is young yet, besides he was terrified of the folks at Mu residence. At the Kang palace he is treated as the most highly respected guest and representative of the court - so his manners came out to play.

I also see this is foreshadowing of his duel personality/loyalities since he acts/speaks one way with the wulin people and another way with royalty.