Lu Xiaofeng Book 6: The Phoenix Dances in the Nine Heavens (凤舞九天 Fengwu Jiutian)

[ycb5959]

Thanks again

Edit:

Great! 7 more chapters left!
[This time I am outfox by foxs - can't get to podium finish]

[Anh Nam]

Thanks foxs

[Clown Prince]

Thanks Foxs! You are as good as the Old Fox!

I see a lot of ASITP readers have 'sneaked' into this thread as well... hahaha.... at least it gives us something to look forward to as ASITP winds down... We will miss it! And we will miss Foxs translations for LXF if you just end at Book 6.... LOL....

[foxs]

Grey, Anh, you are welcome. Peter, I don't read Chinese either, so we are on the same boat ... (As I mentioned before, I rely heavily on the dictionary, good thing they have online text that I can copy and paste.) Gerald, readers are integral part of the translation project, so I always want to know all of you. I don't know if you follow Deer and Cauldron, but at one point I asked everybody to share a bit about themselves. Ycb, don't worry, you have a lot opportunity to be the first. Clown, I took offense on that 'old fox' comment ... Just kidding ... I hope you are referring to the good points and not the bad ones.

---

Chapter 16 – Back on the Island
(Translated by Foxs)

The Old Fox’s happiness did not last very long.

Because when they reached the place where they met the storm last time, Lu Xiaofeng got onto the little boat alone, bringing a bottle of fresh water and a pouch of dry rations, and rowed the boat away.

This time they did not meet any storm. Lu Xiaofeng decided to go alone, letting the little boat drifted on the wave.

He remembered when he was on the island, the little old man told him, “It was also because of this warm current that you could come here.”

Therefore, he continually put his hand into the water to feel the water temperature.

He had already tested the water 276 times, but the water was still cold, not warm at all.

He started to get anxious.

He started to doubt whether he could drift to the island following the current.

He started to regret, regretting the fact that he repeatedly forbade Sha Man from coming with him.

If Sha Man were by his side, why would he care about drifting on the current? Why would he care about where they were drifting? It would be best if they could drift to the end of the world, drift to a blessed country, drift to the legendary Penglai[1], the island of the immortals.

He longed to have Sha Man by his side.

The sun was so bright, the sea was so blue, the waves rocked the boat up and down, occasionally rippled into a flash of silver.

If Sha Man was by his side, this would be a very beautiful setting!

Sha Man! Sha Man! Did he really love Sha Man?

He laughed.

By this time, has the Old Fox’s ship returned to port?

Sha Man was on the Old Fox’s ship. Was she thinking about him too? Did she tell Xiao Yu that she missed him? Or probably she was joking around with Honest Monk?

Thinking about Honest Monk, Lu Xiaofeng sat up immediately.

What if Honest Monk was not really honest?

‘Slap! Slap!’ It was the sound of Lu Xiaofeng slapping himself left and right.

Could Honest Monk be dishonest? Perhaps he would swindle other people, but could Lu Xiaofeng doubt him? Didn’t he rescue Lu Xiaofeng and Sha Man?

Lu Xiaofeng raised his palm again, ready to give himself two more slaps, when suddenly he stopped his hand midair.

Because he saw a faint grey small dot ahead.

Lu Xiaofeng’s heart jumped. Was that the island he went last time?

Stars. The sky was full of stars. Twinkling stars. Bright and clear stars. Gazing at stars from the ocean was indeed a very pleasant thing.

Of course, if Sha Man was around, it would be even better.

However, Lu Xiaofeng had no regret at all.

Because, before sunrise, he had to be clear about one thing.

One thing pertaining to Yue Yang, pertaining to the Little Old Man, pertaining to Gong Jiu, pertaining to Beef Soup, pertaining to the missing treasure, pertaining to the 103 missing Wulin’s martial art masters.

When he was approaching the edge of solution to a problem, Lu Xiaofeng’s action has always been that of a man of character.

-- The issue at hand, he could not afford to put down.

-- The most important things was: he was able to be unruffled by sentiment, he was able to relinquish love.

It was the character of a real hero.

In the face of the enemy, if one was still wishy-washy, still reluctant to leave feelings and romantic love behind, one would definitely suffer defeat in the hands of the enemy.

Lu Xiaofeng had been undefeated.

Lu Xiaofeng would only talk about love when it’s time to talk about love. He only made love when it’s time to make love.

And now it’s time to analyze the situation of the enemy.

Therefore, although Sha Man was not by his side, Lu Xiaofeng did not have any regret.

He thought about the 103 missing people.

These 103 people must be on the island; however, they must have lost their ability to move.

When one can only drink a spoon of beef soup every day, can their hands and feet still have the strength to move?

Beef Soup treated them like that, for what reason?

Why didn’t she just go ahead and kill them?

Letting them struggling on whilst at the death’s door, what was her purpose?

He thought about that thirty-five million taels worth of gold, pearls and jewels.

What a huge sum!

Such a big robbery!

It was very clear that the mastermind behind this heist must be the Little Old Man.

Yue Yang was just a small pawn whose role was to escort the transport of the treasure. In his robbery, he was not a significant player.

There were only two significant players.

The Little Old Man and Gong Jiu.

The Little Old Man was the mastermind, Gong Jiu was the operator.

Relying on the cloud of martial art masters on the island, robbing this treasure was not a difficult matter at all.

However, the most important issue was not that.

The most important issue was: who killed Cui Cheng?

Lu Xiaofeng suddenly recalled something.

Something that the Little Old Man said.

-- There was only one way to kill.

-- After the killing, not only the killer must be able to get away, he must not leave any trace at all. Therefore, although there are many tools that can be used in murder, there is absolutely only one proper method to do it.

-- This not only required great skill, it also required an extremely precise planning, enormous intelligence and great patience.

Was the Little Old Man Cui Cheng’s killer?

He couldn’t be.

The Little Old Man did not need to act personally.

Was it Gong Jiu?

He ought to be. But … how did he kill Cui Cheng?

Outside Cui Cheng’s secret room, there were five layers of tightly guarded iron gates. Those with free access to his room were only Cheng Zhong and Xiao Hongzu.

Did Gong Jiu bribe Cheng Zhong and Xiao Hongzu?

It was possble.

But why did when they enter the secret room, Cheng Zhong and Xiao Hongzu were already dead?

They couldn’t possibly kill themselves!

Moreover, the four walls of the room were blocks of granite. Not only the iron doors were guarded day and night, they were fitted with large padlocks manufactured by famous craftsmen.

Such a tight security, who could enter and kill?

Even the Little Old Man could not enter!

Only one kind of men can go in!

The invisible men!

That’s right, an invisible man!

Lu Xiaofeng was excited! He knew that only the Little Old Man knew how these people can be invisible. Therefore, his first order of business tomorrow morning was to find the Little Old Man.

Right now, he only needed plenty of sleep.

The morning sun was rising.

Sunshine pierced Lu Xiaofeng’s eyes. He stood up, stretched out his muscles and bones, and felt that he had slept very well last night. This morning he was in great spirits.

He started by walking toward the vine-covered cliff. Pushing aside the vines, he entered the small path, and walked along the grassy ground.

Green grass, running water, everything was the same as the last time. Except one.

-- There was no Yue Yang meeting him this time. Not only there was no Yue Yang, he did not see not even a human shadow.

Quiet. Extraordinarily quiet.

Amidst the gurgling sound of water, Lu Xiaofeng could almost hear the sound of the grass growing and the flowers blooming.

“Quiet enough to hear the sound of the grass growing and the flowers blooming, isn’t it?”

Lu Xiaofeng jumped in fright.

---

[1] Penglai, one of the three fabled islands in Eastern sea, abode of immortals, fairyland.

[ycb5959]

thanks for the update.

[Clown Prince]

AS usual, have to settle for second again behind ycb...
thanks Foxs!

[foxs]

Ycb, Clown, you are welcome. Here's the end of Chapter 16.

---

He turned around and saw the person speaking.

Still with a round face, half-bald head, his face still had that kind of kind and gentle smile, his body still wore that kind of high-quality clothing.

-- The Little Old Man.

Lu Xiaofeng looked at the Little Old Man and said with a smile, “Do you always appear abruptly like that?”

The Little Old Man said, “Last time you were on this island and saw all those things; do you think that was very strange?”

“Extremely strange,” Lu Xiaofeng replied.

“Isn’t this island very mysterious?” the Little Old Man asked.

“Very mysterious,” Lu Xiaofeng replied.

“I am the master of this island,” the Little Old Man said.

“Therefore,” Lu Xiaofeng said, “By rights, you should be able to reveal the mystery?”

“Absolutely right,” the Little Old Man replied.

“This time I am back on the island, do you know what my purpose is?” Lu Xiaofeng asked.

“Of course I do,” the Little Old Man replied, “You have a lot of questions, and you need me to give you answers.”

“Will you give me the answers?” Lu Xiaofeng asked.

“What do you think?” the Little Old Man asked.

“You will,” Lu Xiaofeng said.

“Why?” the Little Old Man asked.

Lu Xiaofeng said, “Based on your martial art skill, based on your intelligence, you should not need to conceal anything.”

“You are very right,” the Little Old Man said, “But I also have another hope.”

“What hope?” Lu Xiaofeng asked.

“I hope this time you come back here to tell me one thing,” the Little Old Man said.

“What is it?” Lu Xiaofeng asked.

“That you agree to join me in this line of business,” the Little Old Man replied.

“Then I’ll have to disappoint you,” Lu Xiaofeng said.

“I know,” the Little Old Man said.

“How do you know?” Lu Xiaofeng asked.

The Little Old Man said, “Because you come back alone.”

“Oh?” Lu Xiaofeng said.

The Little Old Man said, “If you were willing to join me in this business, you would bring Sha Man back. But you did not.” With a slight disappointment on his face, he continued, “I hope that my disappointment is temporary.”

“In regard to your disappointment,” Lu Xiaofeng said, “I am so sorry that I cannot give you any promises.”

The Little Old Man nodded, “I know,” he said.

“You do?” Lu Xiaofeng asked.

The Little Old Man said, “Because you are not someone else, you are Lu Xiaofeng. Lu Xiaofeng always put his promise in the highest regard.”

In his heart Lu Xiaofeng was thrilled. If it were some other people appreciating him, he would not give it too much thought. But this incomparably extraordinary talent, the Little Old Man, said those words, how could Lu Xiaofeng not be happy?

The Little Old Man said, “You were able to escape Gong Jiu’s attack on the ship, I believe that your intelligent is absolutely higher than mine. I am convinced that in the case of those stolen treasure, you must already have a lot of clues.”

“I only know one thing,” Lu Xiaofeng said.

“Which one?” the Little Old Man asked.

“That you are the mastermind behind this heist,” Lu Xiaofeng replied, “Those missing treasures and the missing people are all on this island.”

“You’re only half-right,” the Little Old Man said.

“Which half?” Lu Xiaofeng asked.

“The first half,” the Little Old Man replied.

Lu Xiaofeng was shocked. “You mean, treasures and people are no longer on the island?” he said.

“That’s right,” the Little Old Man said.

“Gong Jiu already removed the treasures and the people back?” Lu Xiaofeng asked.

The Little Old Man said, “People, Gong Jiu has other ideas. Treasures, he can always spend it.”

“How can one person spend that much?” Lu Xiaofeng asked.

“Not one person, a lot of persons,” the Little Old Man replied.

Lu Xiaofeng suddenly realized, “No wonder there is no one remains in here,” he said, “Turns out they all left to spend the money.”

“Therefore,” the Little Old Man said, “In my mind, my ideal successor, there is only one.”

“Who?” Lu Xiaofeng asked.

“You!” the Little Old Man said.

“Why only me?” Lu Xiaofeng asked.

The Little Old Man replied, “Because they all won’t be content with solitude. People who love to eat, to drink, to play and to make commotion are very easy to fall under other people’s control.”

“Based on what you said,” Lu Xiaofeng said, “Aren’t those people ideal?”

“They are,” the Little Old Man replied, “But I also like solitude.”

“Because you can’t find people who meet your work ethic and be the leader of your people?” Lu Xiaofeng asked.

“And that’s why I like you very much,” the Little Old Man said.

Lu Xiaofeng smiled, but he did not respond.

“Concerning this heist, what questions do you have for me?” the Little Old Man asked.

Lu Xiaofeng said, “Based on your manpower and their martial art skills, I know that stealing these treasures was a piece of cake. Therefore, I only have one question I don’t have the answer.”

“What problem?” the Little Old Man asked.

“Cui Cheng’s death,” Lu Xiaofeng replied.

The Little Old Man laughed and said, “Do you remember what I told you about the invisible man?”

Lu Xiaofeng nodded. “What I mean is,” he said, “The man who killed Cui Cheng, how did he become invisible?”

The Little Old Man did not answer.

Lu Xiaofeng did not press either.

Lu Xiaofeng knew that people like the Little Old Man, if he was willing to tell the answer, he would not give it any consideration and would just answer it. If he was not willing to answer, no matter how you ask, he would not give you the answer.

Therefore, he stayed with the Little Old Man, drinking and chatting.

The boat slowly departed, Lu Xiaofeng stood on the aft, watching his clothes and sleeves fluttering in the sea breeze.

[ycb5959]

Thanks!!!! Didn't think you'd make it today

[Clown Prince]

Thanks Foxs!

Get some rest, willya, YCB? hahaha

[ycb5959]

Will probably retire from podium fights once ASITP is complete

Notwithstanding, I am loving these translated novels...

[Single Whip]

Thanks foxs. In Jin Yong, if the protagonist met a mysterious powerful figure who happened to like his potential, that protagonist will likely ended up learning some new high power skills. But given that this is GL, I guess that is unlikely.

I am looking forward to read how LXF will ultimately deal with Gong Jiu since martial art wise he seemed to be outmatched.

[ycb5959]

GL likes to have his characters talk in a long winded Q&A fashion.
Nice, the first time round. After a few similar scenes, I wished LXF would simply pierced the other guy with his divine fingers, instead of replying him.

[Jayariyin]

GL likes to have his characters talk in a long winded Q&A fashion.
Nice, the first time round. After a few similar scenes, I wished LXF would simply pierced the other guy with his divine fingers, instead of replying him.

I second the motion!

[foxs]

Ycb, Jaya, unfortunately this particular book has a lot of it. I don't recall the earlier books were written in this style. Clown, if you live in front of your computer ... Single Whip, I bet you it will be a one liner ...

---

Chapter 17 – Gong Jiu’s Conspiracy
(Translated by Foxs)

It was a sunny and clear day.

At first Lu Xiaofeng thought that the weather would turn unusually nasty. At the bottom of his heart he really hoped that the weather would turn nasty.

Because he was hoping that the Little Old Man’s premonition of ‘sinister outlook’ was pointing to the weather. The Little Old Man was well-versed in astronomy and geography; therefore, he thought the Little Old Man was pointing to the danger of the weather.

But the sky was as blue as the glassy sea.

If the Little Old Man was not pointing to the nasty weather, then he must be pointing to a sinister conspiracy waiting for Lu Xiaofeng on the main land.

It was enough to make Lu Xiaofeng anxious. Human’s heart has always been more difficult to deal with than the weather; especially if the heart you are going to deal with was a sinister heart.

The Little Old Man couldn’t possibly plot against him.

The one who wanted to beat Lu Xiaofeng was, undoubtedly, only one.

-- Gong Jiu.

The mysterious Gong Jiu.

When Lu Xiaofeng pondered over this big heist, he suspected that it was Gong Jiu who murdered Cui Cheng; but he could not figure out how Gong Jiu could go pass five iron gates and entered the secret chamber to kill Cui Cheng, Xiao Hongzhu and Cheng Zhong.

He did not bring it up in front of Ying Yan Laoqi, because he did not wish to beat the grass to scare the snake.

He simply must find out who Cui Cheng’s killer was. Besides, seeing the treasure did not equal to solving the case at all.

Although the beach was very small, the sand was white, find and soft. With the sun shining on it, the sand looked like snow.

Lu Xiaofeng expected to see someone on the beach. Someone waiting for him.

-- Sha Man.

Sha Man ought to wait for him on the beach, but why didn’t he see her shadow?

Although when he separated with Sha Man they did not have any agreement that she would be waiting for him here, Lu Xiaofeng really thought that Sha Man would wait for him here. And then together they would sit down on the beach, talking to each other’s ears, watching the fiery sun setting down below the water line, watching the clouds filling the sky, red with the reflection of the sun over the horizon. And then they would walk hand-in-hand to see Xiao Yu and Honest Monk together.

However, other than the waves gently lapping the shore, other than slight sea breeze brushing his skin, he did not see any trace of other human beings on the shore.

He did not even see a single pair of footprints.

-- Did Sha Man and the others meet some mishaps?

Lu Xiaofeng quickened his steps.

Beyond the beach, there was a giant dark brown boulder. This place was an exceptionally beautiful coastline. Yet Lu Xiaofeng was in no mood to enjoy it.

Walking past the long stretch of rocky beach, he reached an overhanging cliff. With a leap Lu Xiaofeng flew to the top of the cliff.

There was no trace of Sha Man at the top of the cliff.

-- Could it be that Sha Man is not anxious to see me?

-- Why wasn’t she waiting for my return here?

Lu Xiaofeng saw the wooden house where Honest Monk and the others were staying. But he did not dare to walk forward.

-- What if the house is already empty? What if …

Lu Xiaofeng halted his steps in front of the house, doubt arose in his heart.

The wooden door was closed, there was not the least bit of sound inside the house. With heavy steps Lu Xiaofeng forced his feet to move forward. Lu Xiaofeng’s hand stopped short of pushing the door open.

Finally he pushed the door open.

Lu Xiaofeng saw three people sitting inside.

Honest Monk, Sha Man, Xiao Yu.

The three of them also looked at Lu Xiaofeng, yet there was not the slightest bit of happiness on their faces.

-- Although they only parted for a few days, not even Sha Man was happy to see him back?

Suddenly Lu Xiaofeng’s heart was beating faster. ‘Thump! Thump!’

-- What had happpened?

Lu Xiaofeng’s questioning gaze swept their faces, finally his gaze stopped at Sha Man’s face.

Sha Man laughed. A wry laugh.

Lu Xiaofeng could not bear it anymore. “What happened to you?” he asked in loud voice, “Even if you don’t welcome me, you shouldn’t look at me with that kind of expression.”

Honest Monk stared at Lu Xiaofeng. “What do you want us to do?” he asked.

“At least you should have smiled at me,” Lu Xiaofeng replied, “You should have greeted me with some pleasant words.”

Honest Monk bared his teeth, giving Lu Xiaofeng a perfunctory smile, and then he laughed a bitter laugh and said, “How are you? Was the sea stormy?”

Lu Xiaofeng stared at Honest Monk. “Is that all?” he asked.

“That’s all,” Honest Monk replied.

Lu Xiaofeng raised his voice, “Don’t you all have anything else you want to say to me?”

Honest Monk, Sha Man, Xiao Yu, three people fixed their gaze at Lu Xiaofeng. “We do,” they said, almost in unison.

Lu Xiaofeng looked at Sha Man. “You first,” he said.

Sha Man said, “Do you know why I didn’t wait for you at the beach, nor did I wait for you at the cliff?”

“I was going to ask,” Lu Xiaofeng replied.

Sha Man said, “Because you are in trouble.”

“I am in trouble?” Lu Xiaofeng asked, “Trouble is my business, it has nothing to do with whether you came to meet me or not.”

“But it does,” Sha Man said.

“Tell me,” Lu Xiaofeng said.

Sha Man said, “First, you are in trouble, I am not in the mood.”

“And the second?” Lu Xiaofeng asked.

Sha Man said, “Just before you came, we were just discussing your trouble.”

“Sounds to me, my trouble is very big?” Lu Xiaofeng asked.

“Very big,” Xiao Yu replied, “It’s as big as something.”

“As big as what?” Lu Xiaofeng asked.

“With your head,” Xiao Yu replied.

“But my head is not that big,” Lu Xiaofeng said.

Xiao Yu said, “By the time you find out about your trouble, I guarantee your head will swell three times its current size.”

Lu Xiaofeng has started to feel that his head was swelling up.

Just then, Honest Monk suddenly popped up a question, “This time you came back to the island, you didn’t get any result, did you?”

Lu Xiaofeng looked at him with a strange expression on his eyes, “How did you know?” he asked.

Honest Monk said, “When you were on the island, something happened on the main land.”

“What is it?” Lu Xiaofeng asked.

Honest Monk said, “From those missing treasures, several most expensive pieces have been traded.”

“Oh?” Lu Xiaofeng said.

“Not only that,” Honest Monk continued, “Some people found Chen Ping, Li Dazhong, Sun Wutong …”

“Wait a minute! Wait a minute!” Lu Xiaofeng said, “Who are Chen Ping, Li Dazhong, Sun Wutong?”

“They were not anybody special,” Honest Monk replied, “Except that they happen to participate in the escorting of these missing treasures this time.”

“Are you saying that they have been found?” Lu Xiaofeng asked.

“It’s not that,” Honest Monk replied.

“It’s not?” Lu Xiaofeng asked.

Honest Monk said, “It’s not that they have been found, but they bodies have.”

“Bodies?” Lu Xiaofeng asked.

“I can’t say it’s their bodies either,” Honest Monk said, “Because when they were found, they could still say something.”

“Something?” Lu Xiaofeng asked, “What is it?”

“Something that will bring you endless trouble,” Honest Monk replied.

Lu Xiaofeng looked at Honest Monk, waiting for him to continue. But Honest Monk suddenly did not want to continue. Lu Xiaofeng looked at Xiao Yu.

Xiao Yu said, “Just before his death, Chen Ping said that the treasures were stolen by Lu Xiaofeng.”

Lu Xiaofeng was dumbstruck.

[ycb5959]

Thanks for the update

[Jayariyin]

Thanks, foxs.

This story does have unending questions.

[yan 16]

Thank you so much foxs

[Anh Nam]

Thanks foxs
I am finally back home.

[foxs]

Ycb, I don't know if you are still in front of your computer Sunday night. Jaya, I agree. Hoping for good answers (cross fingers). Yan, you are welcome. Anh, it's always good to be home, isn't it? I hope the hurricane season is over, or at least almost over. It's the end of September.

I have a personal request. Make that two. First, rumor has it that Justin has finished Xun Qin Ji. Anybody has a complete Word document and is willing to share with me? Please send me a pm, or if you already know my email, please send me an email. Second, a while back a couple of you recommended good free blogging site. I have a friend who would love to share her work as an amateur photographer on the web, and is asking me for advice. I know nothing since I do not blog. If any of you have any information, would you share it with me? Again, please pm or email me, so that it won't clutter this thread. (If you fail to send a pm, that might be because my inbox is full. Please try again after a day or two. I promise to monitor it closely.) Thank you very much in advance.

---

Sha Man said, “Li Dazhong also said the same thing.”

“And so did Sun Wutong,” Honest Monk added.

Xiao Yu said, “It is called ‘multitude of mouths will melt gold’ [i.e. if you throw enough mud, some of it will stick.]”

“Except my mouth,” Lu Xiaofeng said.

“Too bad they would never listen to your explanation,” Sha Man said.

“They?” Lu Xiaofeng asked, “Who’s ‘they’?”

“Troops,” Sha Man replied, “The martial art experts sent by Prince Taiping’s Heir Apparent.”

“To catch me?” Lu Xiaofeng asked.

“Catch you and bring you to trial,” Sha Man said.

Lu Xiaofeng said, “When those three, Chen Ping, Li Dazhong and Sun Wutong were found, were they together?”

“Not only they were not together, they were several hundred li apart from each other,” Sha Man said.

“It’s awful,” Lu Xiaofeng said.

“What’s awful?” Sha Man asked.

“Gong Jiu’s scheme,” Lu Xiaofeng replied.

“Are you sure this is Gong Jiu’s scheme?” Sha Man asked.

“That’s right,” Lu Xiaofeng said, “Because I have seen Chen Ping, Li Dazhong and those bunch of people on the island.”

Honest Monk suddenly stared at Lu Xiaofeng’s four eyebrows.

“What’s on my four eyebrows?” Lu Xiaofeng asked.

“I am afraid you have to shave two,” Honest Monk said.

“Why?” Lu Xiaofeng asked.

“Because,” Honest Monk said, “Everybody knows Lu Xiaofeng has four eyebrows. Everybody knows Lu Xiaofeng stole the treasure; hence everybody wants to arrest Lu Xiaofeng. If you still have four eyebrows, won’t the target become very obvious?”

Lu Xiaofeng stroked the two eyebrows above his lips. He said, “Shave it, huh? Won’t it be a pity?”

“I was not talking about those two,” Honest Monk said.

Lu Xiaofeng was stunned. “You want to shave my real eyebrows?” he asked.

“That way I guarantee no one would recognize you,” Honest Monk said.

“Why don’t you just kill me?” Lu Xiaofeng said.

“Why would I want to kill you?” Honest Monk asked.

“Because you wanted to shave my eyebrows,” Lu Xiaofeng replied.

“It was just an idea,” Honest Monk said.

“I think it would be best if you never mention it,” Lu Xiaofeng said.

“Then I won’t,” Honest Monk said.

Lu Xiaofeng held out his hand; he wanted to shake Honest Monk’s hand, while saying, “Friends!”

But Honest Monk pulled back his hand, “Good friends or old friends, you can’t shake my hand.”

“Why?” Lu Xiaofeng asked.

Honest Monk replied, “Because Monk’s hands are vegetarian-fed flesh, while your hands are meat-fed flesh.”

Lu Xiaofeng was dumbstruck.

“Pfft!” Xiao Yu and Sha Man stifled their laughter.

Lu Xiaofeng was going to pull his outstretched hand, but Honest Monk reached out and grabbed his hand.

“Why do you want to shake my hand now?” Lu Xiaofeng asked.

“I suddenly realize a truth,” Honest Monk replied, “When I was kid, I also ate meat, so my hands are also meat-fed flesh.”

Lu Xiaofeng’s expression made Xiao Yu and Sha Man roared in laughter.

Lu Xiaofeng shook Honest Monk’s hand and said, “Tell me, what should we do now?”

Honest Monk said, “There are things that we can see clearly, but are unable to understand. There are things that we can’t see, yet we can figure out the whys and wherefores [orig. ‘mountain has a connecting pulse throughout like a dragon’, an idiom from fengshui] of it. Therefore, I advise you to see someone.”

“Who?” Lu Xiaofeng asked.

“Your good friend,” Honest Monk replied.

“My good friend?” Lu Xiaofeng asked.

“Concerning this heist, we are like blind men although we can see,” Honest Monk said, “Therefore, I think a real blind man would be able to see it more clearly than we do.”

“Hua Manlou?” Lu Xiaofeng said.

“Hua Manlou!” Honest Monk said.

A building filled with fresh flowers[1].

When Lu Xiaofeng smelled the fragrance of the fresh flowers, immediately his heart was filled with warmth, just like the warmth of his friendship with Hua Manlou.

-- Is there any warmth on earth warmer that friendship?

Lu Xiaofeng remembered Sha Man.

-- Love? The feeling of love, it ought to be sweet. Warmth, it is absolutely the feeling of friendship.

Lu Xiaofeng was quite satisfied with his conclusion, so when he treaded on the stairs, his steps felt unusually light.

He was guessing that since his steps today were unusually light, hml’s sense of hearing ought not to detect his presence.

Therefore, with a cheerful voice he loudly greeted, “No need to guess, it’s me, Lu Xiaofeng!”

No response, no Hua Manlou’s frank and cheerful laughter either.

Lu Xiaofeng pushed the door open. The fresh flowers were still there, the fixtures and furnishing of the room was still as before.

Only one detail was different. The chair in front of the window did not have someone in it. Someone who loved life.

Twilight like this, beautiful weather like this, Hua Manlou ought to sit on the chair in front of the window; quietly listening to the sound of sunset, quietly enjoying the beauty of life. Why wasn’t he here?

Myriads of questions floating around Lu Xiaofeng’s mind. Where did Hua Manlou go? He sat on the chair in front of the window.

Sound of footsteps, coming suddenly from the stairs. Lu Xiaofeng did not move at all, even his breathing suddenly became very light.

-- Was it Hua Manlou?

He did not know, because he had never heard Hua Manlou’s footsteps when he was treading the stairs. Not that Hua Manlou never went upstairs or downstairs, but they were always going up and down the stairs together, chatting and joking; hence he basically has never paid any attention to the sound of Hua Manlou’s footsteps.

The footsteps were already in front of the door. The door opened. “Who’s there?”

It was Hua Manlou’s voice.

Lu Xiaofeng laughed. Hua Manlou was indeed Hua Manlou. Lu Xiaofeng was sitting motionless, yet he was able to sense someone in the room.

Lu Xiaofeng had no choice but to say, “I have no choice but admiring you.”

“You don’t need to admire me.”

“Why?”

“Because this is my way of survival.”

Lu Xiaofeng looked at his good friend, his face showed even more admiration.

“I just find it very strange,” Lu Xiaofeng said.

“What’s so strange?” Hua Manlou asked.

“This time of the day, yet you have just come in from the outside?” Lu Xiaofeng said.

“I can’t come in from the outside?” Hua Manlou said.

“Aren’t you always sitting on the chair at this time, enjoying a quiet evening?” Lu Xiaofeng said.

“There’s time when a man can change,” Hua Manlou said.

“You mean, you already changed your habit?” Lu Xiaofeng asked.

“That’s right,” Hua Manlou replied.

“Why?” Lu Xiaofeng asked.

“What about you?” Hua Manlou asked in return, “Why did you change your habit?”

“Me?” Lu Xiaofeng asked in surprise, “I have not changed.”

“You have not changed?” Hua Manlou asked.

“Why would I change?” Lu Xiaofeng said.

“You stole thirty-five million taels worth of gold, pearl and jewels,” Hua Manlou said.

“You also heard?” Lu Xiaofeng asked.

“That’s right,” Hua Manlou replied.

---

[1] The name ‘Hua Man Lou’ literally means ‘flowers filling the building’. ‘Lou’ refers to multi-story building.

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Thanks again