大唐双龙传 [Da Tang Shuang Long Zhuan] by Huang Yi

[徐中銳]

But this is about brotherhood, Xu Xiong said, so sisterhood is included.

Da Tang Shuang Long He Susu Zhuan :
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Susu’s voice was heard outside the door, “Xiao Ling! Are you awake?”

She's going to explain that the child she's carrying was conceived...

[Hongz]

Thanks foxs.

[Anh Nam]

Thanks foxs

[徐中銳]

Found this montage of Book covers as an encouragement for everyone :
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When originally published, readers can buy a Book per month (with the option of skipping [returning later to] plots and or characters that may not immediately interest them)...

Yeah, Susu holds stereotypically conventional viewpoints...

But there will be more interesting heroines to come, have patience

[whiteskwirl]

When originally published, readers can buy a Book per month (with the option of skipping [returning later to] plots and or characters that may not immediately interest them)...

This is still how Huang Yi's novels are published. With the novel he is currently writing, a new volume is released the first week of each month (he should finish this new novel by the end of the year, 20 volumes total).

Here is a picture of the first volume of that novel:

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[9Dragons]

"let the two boys gorging themselves." > gorge
"Xiao Zhong always love to do dangerous things" > loved
"we are not used to listen to anybody else’s order." > listening
"having acquired Xiao Xian as big supporter" > Xiao Xiang
"while still managed to kill" > managing
"we could have had him bag his food and leave before he finish it" > finished
"making her charming body trembled slightly" > tremble
"able to home on the hidden clue" > home in on
"each move could make the opponent struggled to cope" > struggle

Wow, Susu got married. I just can't help but think she was forced to due to circumstances from that incident... as in the baby does not belong to Xiang! So funny if Xiao Zhong had kicked beautiful shifu and stroked Xiao Ling by mistake under the table.

[徐中銳]

This is still how Huang Yi's novels are published. With the novel he is currently writing, a new volume is released the first week of each month (he should finish this new novel by the end of the year, 20 volumes total).

[Above] is a picture of the first volume of that novel

Yes, we may as well inform fellow readers now that 龍戰在野 is in fact the 3rd story that continues from 大唐雙龍傳

I recommend foxs to consider taking a break and not follow-on translating 日月當空 when he finishes...

And :
$this->handle_bbcode_img_match('http://www.readingtimes.com.tw/authors/timezone/images/books.gif') because...

[foxs]

Ysabel, Abhay, Sky, Jaya, Lao Qianbei, HPC, Hong, Anh, you are welcome. Xu Xiong, John (it's too difficult to type 'whiteskwirl' ) thanks for the info. Kowloon, thanks. I had wanted to post this last night, but had a good dinner and a beer at a German brewery with r_aribawono, and got back to the hotel quite late. Here's the end of Chapter 9.

---

After seated properly, Susu sighed and said, “Are you guys angry that Jiejie married Yushan? I don’t know why it happened but it did; even though I know that you don’t like him, but his character is actually very good.”

Xu Ziling smiled and said, “Jiejie is oversensitive. At first we did not like him just because there was a bit misunderstanding, that’s all! Afterwards we understood, the sky is already clear after the rain, and now we are happy that Jiejie has found a husband according to your wishes.”

Things have come to this, what else could he say?

He and Kou Zhong were different.

Kou Zhong did not like Xiang Yushan because he was unpleasant to the eye; but Xu Ziling did not have favorable impression toward him because he was too smooth and evasive worldly-wise.

Susu gloomily said, “Other than Yushan, Jiejie only has the two of you as my close relatives. But Jiejie knows that your aspiration is a thousand li away, and very soon you will leave me. Ay! Does it have to be like this? Why don’t you stay and nurture your career here?”

How could Xu Ziling tell Susu that Kou Zhong’s aspiration was to vie over the world and become the emperor? And that while he watched all these changes, his real hope was to roam the world like the wild crane in the clouds?

While he was at a loss on what to say, Susu went on, “Other than Li Mi and Dongming Pai, right now the number of people outside who want to get the ‘Duke Yang Treasure’ from you is really beyond counting, but you don’t give the least bit of thought to your own safety. Tell me, what should Jiejie do?”

Xu Ziling felt a big headache coming. Letting out a forced laugh, he said, “I am afraid the number of people who want to kill Ba Fenghan is no less than those who want to kill us, but isn’t he still pretty much alive and well? Can’t Jiejie not worry about us too much? Just assist your husband and educate the children [idiom] well, when we have spare time, we’d definitely come to visit you. Have you thought about your child’s name?”

Immediately Susu’s pretty eyes shone. She laughed and said, “Why don’t you think for me? See if you can come up with a good name.”

And then as if she suddenly remembered something else, she lowered her voice and said, “Does Xiao Zhong really like Yun Bangzhu?”

Xu Ziling found it was getting harder and harder to tell Susu the truth, because the fact was that Kou Zhong was only toying with Yun Yuzhen’s feeling, just like Yun Yuzhen used to toy with their emotions. You lied to me, I cheated on you, the one to emerge victor has yet to be seen.

Without any better option he replied vaguely, “I am not too clear about what happened between them.”

Susu knitted her beautiful eyebrows anxiously; she said, “Although Yun Bangzhu is very competent, she is not an honorable woman; she has a hopelessly muddled relationship with one of the Gongzi of the Dugu Clan, while she also has a secret affair with Hou Xibai. When you have a chance, go talk to Xiao Zhong! You are the only one he would listen to.”

While with his mouth Xu Ziling said yes, in his heart he could only smile bitterly. This sister of his had a very good intention, but her thought was just too naïve; she still thought Kou Zhong as a little child. While the real Kou Zhong in front of their eyes was not someone who could be pushed around by anyone, including Xu Ziling.

Meanwhile Kou Zhong pushed the door and came in. Seeing the two people inside, he immediately roared in laughter and said, “I thought Xiao Ling was still asleep, turns out he is already chatting with Su Jie who plays favorite. You are not talking about me, are you?”

Having a guilty conscience, Susu’s pretty face blushed; she was somewhat at a loss to know what to do.

Kou Zhong was astounded, “You are talking about me!” he said.

Xu Ziling sneered, “What if we talked about you?” he said, “Su Jie is very concerned about you, she is afraid you might fall into some bad guys’ trap.”

Kou Zhong immediately understood. Laughing involuntarily, he walked over to an empty chair and sat down. “Finally we, the three sister and brothers, meet again!” he said with a sigh.

With a slightly trembling voice Susu said, “Can you stay here for a few days longer? Just consider it Jiejie is beseeching you.”

Kou Zhong smiled wryly and said, “Tonight we are going by boat to Jiujiang. Supposing everything went well, we will be back in a few days.”

Susu was stunned, “What are you going to do at Jiujiang?” she asked, “Does Yushan know?”

Jiujiang was a strategic town at the confluence of Lake Poyang and Yangtze River. Currently it was under Lin Shihong’s power. Going downstream from Baling, it could be reached within two days’ time.

Naturally Xu Ziling was able to guess that Kou Zhong wanted to take the advantage while the salt goods was still on its way to accomplish the assassination mission of the unapproachable Ren Shaoming without making any noise.

If he could really kill Ren Shaoming and afterwards could escape safely, undoubtedly he would gain formidable renown to give him authority over the world.

And after gaining the reputation, naturally everything would go smoothly and easily [orig. what the heart wishes, the hand accomplishes].

Moreover, this way he could also crush Lin Shihong and Ren Shaoming’s alliance in dominating the south. Kou Zhong indeed had ‘rigorous schemes and deep foresight’.

If the South really fell into Kou Zhong’s hands, he would advance to Guanzhong and seize it, and then the various powers in the north could only clench their fists in envy.

Kou Zhong revealed a confident smile as he spoke softly, “At the end of the day I am doing this for Su Jie. Both Lin Shihong and Ren Shaoming could go to Jiujiang to formalize their alliance. If this matter is accomplished, their first order of business would be to forge ahead and take down Baling; therefore, this matter must be broken at the earliest possible time. It was Jiejie’s fujun [lit. husband lord] who told me, he also made the arrangement for us. Do you think he is aware of it or not?”

Susu’s countenance changed, “How could Yushan let you brave this danger?” she said, “No! I am going to talk to him.”

Xu Ziling pulled her tender lily-white hand, and said in all earnestness, “Jiejie please don’t worry, what Xiao Zhong said is right; if we don’t break Lin-Ren alliance earlier, the South will become a one-sided situation. Even the Song Clan who is far away south at Lingnan will be powerless to stand on their feet, let alone your Baling Bang.”

Xu Ziling very rarely parroted Kou Zhong. Although he knew that it was mainly for Susu’s sake, Kou Zhong was still very happy, “Xiao Ling is right!” he said excitedly, “Su Jie! Trust us! After cutting of Ren Shaoming’s stinky head, we will come back to accompany Jiejie for several days before heading north.”

Someone knocked the door. Xiang Yushan came in and said, “After breakfast, we will go to the Palace to see His Highness. Two Dage, what do you say?”

Under the escort of a dozen or so Xiang Yushan’s personal guards, Kou Zhong, along with Yun Yuzhen, Xiang Yushan and Xu Ziling, divided into two rows, galloped their horses out of the General Mansion toward the Imperial Palace, which was originally the Zongguan Mansion that the Liang Dynasty’s Emperor Xiao Xian rebuilt and refurbished.

Because Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling were so eager to see Susu the previous day, plus it was already evening, they did not pay any attention to the city’s scenery. It was only this morning that they found the city to be remarkable.

On the north, the city stood against the Yangtze River, on the west it bordered the large commercial hub of Dongting city. The scale was quite grand. The city was square-shaped, with the crossing main street as the central axis. The streets, alleys, and buildings were neat and orderly, most of the houses facing the street had covered veranda, which functioned as a shade in hot summer days and protection from rain during rainy season. Not only it provide convenience for the pedestrians, it also gave cozy and intimate feeling.

All houses had façade with decorative carved pattern, which showed that the residents were well off, everybody lived in peace and worked happily.

Because Baling Bang has always had close relationship with the Sui Dynasty, they enjoyed the domination over the county towns in the surrounding area. Xiao Xian himself was originally a local official, hence he enjoyed the support of the local rich families and members of the gentry.

Since Emperor Yang has died, it was only natural that Baling Bang took control over the local situation, while the county citizens were only too happy to celebrate; therefore, unlike the other gangs and societies who had to go through struggle and the fire of war, the county was able to preserve its strength, and has become the most advantageous condition for the Baling Bang’s newly founded Liang Dynasty in their contend for hegemony over the world.

Currently there were six big powers in the South.

The one with the most flourishing prestige was Du Fuwei and Fu Gongyou’s Jianghuai Army, which occupied Liyang and Danyang, two big strategic towns. But since for the time being they had to deal with the powers from the north, they had no time to expand southward.

Although Li Zitong occupied Jiangdu, but since Emperor Yang and the Sui Army made a mess of things, their strength suffered a huge setback, so that they appeared strong, but in reality was quite weak.

Shen Faxing’s Jiangnan Army was at the Southeast, but since the northwest route was blocked by Li Zitong and Du Fuwei, and the south was prominently under Guangdong’s Song Clan’s control, it was difficult for him to make any move.

Therefore, the conflict in the South has become the stage for the two big powers, Lin Shihong and Xiao Xian, who refused to concede to each other. Presently the balance of power was leaning toward Lin Shihong, simply because he had Tieqi Hui’s help. From this, it was clear that the ‘Green Dragon’ Ren Shaoming was a crucial factor in the southern arena.

Kou Zhong was able to see through this, hence he came to Song Yuzhi to strike a deal.

If it were any other condition, the Song Clan would not be interested.

This moment everybody was riding along a span of street lined with two-story buildings on both sides. Xu Ziling looked up to enjoy the richly ornamented, carved with fancy patterns, windows and eaves. While the bustling atmosphere of the city gave him an unspeakable feeling, there was another extremely familiar sensation that suddenly bubbled up in his heart.

The same sensation that he felt just before the ‘Shadow Assassin’ Yang Xuyan mounted a sneak attack.

That instant he knew that Yang Xuyan has arrived.

[HPC7595]

Thanks foxs

[Jayariyin]

Thanks, foxs.

[Ysabelkid]

Thanks foxs

[SkyWalker]

Thanks foxs.

[Laoren]

Thanks foxs. Here have another

[chualot]

thank you foxs.

[LuDongBin]

Thks foxs.

[徐中銳]

I've confessed before to being a romantic, preferring to know of the boy-girl relationships...

Well, tipped by a lady who knows my longing for a certain type of heroine—I've searched this character's name, for the past few days, throughout the original Chinese text of Da Tang using Google and Bing translators to read...

I'm saying this so as forfeit your assumption of my ignorance to who ends up with who, meaning I will stop speculating about...

Thankfully, there's a lot in Da Tang I'm still unaware of. Thus, am keenly committed to reading foxs' upcoming translations through to the last in order to know the details and appreciate everything better

Was it worth it ? Do I not mind spoilers ? Yes ; no. Love, can't wait...

Who's my type ? The unconventional, otherworldly, free spirits akin to :
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Photo from Iain McKell's The New Gypsies

[Abhay]

Thanks Foxs

[foxs]

HPC, Jaya, Ysabel, Sky, Chua, DongBin, Abhay, you are welcome. Lao Qianbei, although it was only virtual beer, I'll take it. Xu Xiong, who or what is New Gypsies? Never mind, I clicked on the link you provided, looks like it's photo collection of this Iain McKell fellow, so I don't think that girl is even identified.

---

Book 7 Chapter 10 – Street Assassination

Kou Zhong brashly, but with elegance, helped Yun Yuzhen climbed to her mount, and then he himself also flew up onto the horseback. Side by side they galloped together out of the General Mansion’s main gate.

“Beautiful Shifu,” he said with a laugh, “You look more and more beautiful!”

Yun Yuzhen lightly squeezed the horse’s belly; glowering at him, she said, “Since when did you pick up this bad habit of speaking in flowery language?”

Kou Zhong laughed involuntarily. He shook his head and sighed, while looking at the busy street ahead, full of carriages and pedestrians. “This is called ‘it is easier to change mountains and rivers than to alter one’s character’,” he said indifferently, “Fortunately, the disciple’s small fault in the eye of Beautiful Shifu might just be disciple’s strong point. Although on the surface Shifu looks sad, in reality you are delighted inwardly. Otherwise, your stern glance would not be so sweet and charming, so captivating.”

“Pfft,” Yun Yuzhen could not help laughing. “I don’t have this kind of inferior disciple who’s an expert in ‘infatuated with self’ skill,” she said crossly, “Henceforth you are expelled from my school, never to be readmitted.”

Kou Zhong turned his head around toward Xu Ziling and cried out, “Xiao Ling! We are being expelled from Beautiful Shifu’s school! Henceforth we can do whatever we please.”

Xu Ziling laughed and said, “Don’t bother me! I am enjoying the scenery of the city.”

Seeing Xu Ziling was unwilling to respond, Kou Zhong turned his attention to Yun Yuzhen and lowered his voice, “I can do whatever I please; Yun Bangzhu, are you scared?”

Yun Yuzhen boldly met his gaze. Giving him a coquettish glance, she said, “If I am scared, I won’t personally come with you to Jiujiang. In my eyes, you and Xiao Ling are big kids who will never grow up.”

Kou Zhong pretended to be surprised; he said, “Beautiful Shifu forgot that I have kissed you, I have also taken the liberty of running my hands and feet all over you.”

Yun Yuzhen’s pretty face immediately blushed. In great anger, but in a mosquito-like voice she said hatefully, “Are you forgetting that this is a big street? There are people all around us; shame on you for saying such a scoundrelly words.”

Seeing her embarrassment, Kou Zhong cheerfully said, “Enough provoking each other! Which man can incite such an intense reaction from Beautiful Shifu?”

While Yun Yuzhen was unable to ward off, the two of them reached the street with two-story buildings on both sides. Kou Zhong also felt the alarm went off in his heart.

The changes happened so suddenly.

One of the big, finely carved windows facing the street on the covered porch on the second floor of the building, which bottom was approximately two zhang from the ground, suddenly exploded into millions of wood fragments, each one was infused with powerful qi, shooting toward the caravan passing through the street below.

Xu Ziling and Kou Zhong, who were already on guard, were the first to react.

In the instant before Yang Xuyan made his move, Xu Ziling has already ascertained that this most terrifying assassin’s target this time was not them; rather, it was Xiang Yushan.

This was no doubt a carefully planned mission, not an operation that was executed at the spur of the moment, because they arrived at Baling just the previous night. Unless Yang Xuyan was some kind of an immortal, how could he know that they were going to pass by here and pay him a visit?

Xiang Yushan was an important figure within the Baling Bang. Just like Shen Luoyan of the Wagang Army, his main responsibility was intelligence.

Ever since its founding, Baling Bang has always been engaged in brothel business; the pleasure houses under its banner covered the whole nation, therefore, their news network was very fast and abundant, it could even be said that no other entity could surpass it. The reason Xiang Yushan was promoted to be a general was precisely because he was responsible for this critical task.

If he were assassinated, Baling Bang’s striking power would suffer a very heavy blow.

Xu Ziling did not dare to be negligence; while pulling the ‘Severing Jade’ dagger from inside his trouser leg, he shot up to meet Yang Xuyan midair. Like a thunderbolt Yang Xuyan’s sword flashed down amidst the rain of flying wood fragments, his target was Xiang Yushan.

As the alarm went off in his heart, Kou Zhong looked up and saw a blinding light. In that instant, based on previous experience, he knew that he was looking at Xu Ziling’s body, but his eyelids were subjected to the pressure from the sword’s qi, so that he was unable to see anything.

Were it not for he knew this deceitful trick, by this time any other person would definitely be thrown into panic. But Kou Zhong was cool-headed, like the moon in the well water. ‘Whoosh!’ The whip in his hand lashed out to the air, carrying with it a sharp whistling noise, ferociously whipping toward the source of the sword qi.

Xiang Yushan, Yun Yuzhen, and all the personal attendants were thrown into confusion. First of all, they were shot by the wood fragments, so that several attendants, who were comparatively weaker, had the qi protecting their body shattered so that they suffered a crushing defeat.

Those with outstanding power like Xiang Yushan and Yun Yuzhen, because their mounts were also being attacked that their legs buckled, they were thrown down in such a sorry state, so they could forget about launching a counterattack.

‘Ding!’

Xu Ziling’s ‘Jade Severing’ dagger parried the tip of Yang Xuyan’s ten-thousand jun [1 jun ~ 30 catties] lightning bolt sword strike.

Yang Xuyan’s sword immediately generated a stream of strange sucking force, so that not only Xu Ziling was complete unable to use his strength, the ‘Jade Severing’ dagger was nearly knocked off of his hand.

Apparently this world famous assassin had never expected anybody to be able to block his sure-kill sword strike. By the time he was about to follow-up with another killer strike, the tip of Kou Zhong’s whip has already arrived on his back.

Even with his skill level, Yang Xuyan was helpless to continue his attack toward Xu Ziling, while dealing with Kou Zhong’s killer move at the same time. Sighing inwardly, he suddenly soared into the air.

‘Swish! Swish! Swish!’

Just before he soared into the air, Xu Ziling suddenly launched three dagger strikes. Yang Xuyan met these three strikes head-on, while at the same time borrowing the reaction force to propel himself toward the broken window on the second floor.

Meanwhile Kou Zhong also pursued behind him, the long whip in his hand shot toward Yang Xuyan’s feet trying to coil it around his ankles. To Kou Zhong’s surprise however, with some unknown technique, Yang Xuyan suddenly threw his outer robe down; it descended upon Kou Zhong like a cloud.

While Xu Ziling was being forced to fall back to the ground, and Kou Zhong was shifting to the side to evade the enemy’s strange tactic, Yang Xuyan disappeared into the hole.

From the time the fight began until now, what everybody saw was Yang Xuyan’s ghost-like shadow; nobody was able to see his appearance.

It was only now did Xiang Yushan finally pulled his sword and shouted his order, “After him!” But he himself knew that relying on his astonishing qinggong, Yang Xuyan had already gone that not even his shadow could be found.

Xiao Xian, wearing the yellow royal robe, personally led his personal attendants to go out the door to receive them and lead them to the main hall. Finished listening to the thrilling narration of assassination attempt toward Xiang Yushan, he sighed and said, “Yushan’s good fortune is indeed flooding the heavens. If the two Xiao Xongdi were not by your side today, inevitably there would be more chance of misfortunes, less chance of good. It can clearly be seen that my Great Liang Dynasty bears the Heaven’s blessing, and no human power can alter it.”

This Emperor of the Great Liang’s physique was thick and solid; he looked formidable. His height nearly surpassed Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling, his age looked to be around thirty-five or thirty-six. Whether he was really enjoying the Heaven’s blessing or not, his entire being seemed to glow, his vigor seemed to illuminate other people. It was obvious that his qigong cultivation has reached first-class master’s level. Sooner or later he would be able to compete against Du Fuwei and the others in the struggle over the world.

An eternal smile seemed to freeze on his face. Perhaps this was due to the upturned corners of his mouth that made him looked friendly and cheerful. But if one was looking deep into his eyes, one would find some kind of calm and collected composure, as cold as ice and frost, which would make others feel the chill in the air.

This man was definitely not a simple, ambitious and ruthless character of the underworld.

Yun Yuzhen, who was walking behind him, was puzzled, “In the past, when Emperor Yang was still alive, it could be said that Yang Xuyan’s operation was under that muddleheaded ruler’s order; but nowadays, who is he working for?”

“Most likely Wang Shichong,” Xiang Yushan replied, “I heard that Wang Shichong’s daughter is an outstanding beauty [orig. national grace, divine fragrance], a beauty whom Yang Xuyan admires.”

Meanwhile the procession had reached the main hall. As soon as they stepped in, Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling were stunned.

They were expecting civil and military officers to line-up on either side, with imperial bodyguards standing around to protect them; who would have thought that not even half a guard was even seen in the main hall. The strange thing was that Xiao Xian took them straight passed the main hall, and into a small hall in the back, where two sets of rosewood table and chairs were arranged in a simple, yet elegant, royal atmosphere.

Even more surprising to the two boys was that Xiao Xian halted his steps, sighed, and said, “This dragon robe and crown is really annoying; so uncomfortable to wear.”

And then two attendants served him in taking off his hat and robe, revealing the scholar attire underneath, immediately giving Xiao Xian some kind of refined, scholarly look.

Noticing the two boys stared at him, dumbstruck, Xiao Xian burst into laughter and said, “I proclaimed myself Emperor because I was forced by the situation. If you don’t declare yourself Emperor, others would think that you lack ambitions; not only would they not be willing to attach themselves to you, they would not be afraid of you either. Therefore, in front of outsiders, I always put an act as the Emperor. But since Kou Xiao Xiong and Xu Xiao Xiong are one of our own, there is no need to do more than is required.”

Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling exchanged glances; they both were able to see the fear in each other’s heart. Xiao Xian was indeed not a simple man, his technique in winning others over was brilliant yet subtle; his amiable character attracted others’ favorable impression.

Xiao Xian smiled leisurely and said, “Come! Sit down first so we can continue chatting!”

Following his lead, Kou Zhong, Xu Ziling, Yun Yuzhen and Xiang Yushan sat themselves around the table.

[Laoren]

Thanks foxs. How I wish I could offer you real beer instead of virtual beer . How about a beer donation button????

[HPC7595]

Thanks foxs