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

[HPC7595]

Thanks foxs

[Jayariyin]

Thanks, foxs.

[foxs]

Xiaohu, you are too easy. Ysabel, HPC, Jaya, you are welcome. Shirak, naughty, naughty … So far I managed to keep my words: ignore, but looks like you guys just can’t help it. All kidding aside, I feel that the word ‘gentleman’ does not mean the same anymore. We can still call a criminal a ‘gentleman’, but a man of noble character is different; i.e. noble and criminal are mutually exclusive. Patudo, exactly! I am glad I am not alone. Lance, I disagree, I always think that XZL is stronger. Just as Akolaw repeatedly mentioned: KZ’s pursuit is not martial arts. BTW, I hope when you said ‘commuting’, you were not driving, were you? Where I live, typing while driving has become illegal.

---

Shi Feixuan smiled and shook her head, “These vegetarian dishes have been going through many layers of refinement, the flavor is too strong, not as good as the natural taste of cucumber and Chinese cabbage; it has nothing to do with you. Just now I am taking two mouthfuls is already an exception. Furthermore, your table manners and your personality are like that, you are merely acting naturally; how could it be unsightly?”

Xu Ziling’s old face turned slightly red; embarrassed, he said, “You really know how to speak, ha! ‘Acting naturally’, isn’t that an elegant way of saying ‘wolfing down one’s food’?”

Slightly shrugging her shoulders, Shi Feixuan helplessly said, “If you are so paranoid, Feixuan can’t do anything about it.”

Two persons’ four eyes met, a wonderful feeling grew in their hearts, as if this meal of vegetarian dish has pulled the two closer, unlike previously where there was an impassable distance, or a dividing chasm – between them. Naturally Xu Ziling did not have any improper thought, although in his heart he warned himself not to have such an idea. He reminded himself that it was because they had a common big enemy that their relationship grew a bit closer.

Whether it was intentional or not, Shi Feixuan averted his penetrating gaze; she looked at the street resplendent in the bright sunshine. There were more people around, but still far from the usual hustle and bustle of the city.

Remembering something, Xu Ziling asked, “What is the actual reason that the Da Shi Temple’s monks slipped away that not a single one remains?”

Shi Feixuan broke into a giggle and said, “They are not slipping away; they are just staying temporarily at the neighboring monastery. That big pile of broken mud and shattered stones of last night, some people might have already come and swept them away even today.”

Xu Ziling could only stare blankly at her rare display of charming demeanor. Tongue-tied, he said, “In that case, they must be utterly broken-hearted because the Luohan statues were destroyed.”

As if nothing had happened, Shi Feixuan said, “All mortal matters have the beginning and the end, those who entered the gate of emptiness ought to have penetrating view on this. If they cannot see death from life, see rebirth from destruction, then they do not have the qualifications to speak about Buddhism; why should we worry about it?”

Revealing a thoughtful look, Xu Ziling’s tiger-eyes flashed with deep, unfathomable brilliant rays of wisdom. Nodding his head, he said, “Miss’ remark provides food for thought. Last night Hou Xiong told Xiaodi that the monks of the temple flee their monastery to avoid a formidable figure of the demonic school. I wonder a divine character of which side would this person be?”

Shi Feixuan replied, “It was only after entering Sichuan that I learned from Chuan Bang’s Bangzhu Fan Zhuo about this matter. This person ranks among the Eight Major Martial Art Masters of the Demonic Way, has always been extraordinarily low-key, his conducts secretive, and is the mortal enemy of the previous generation Zhuchi Da De shengseng [senior/holy monk Great Virtue]. Recently, it was unclear whether it was because he enjoyed great success in his demonic skill, he rushed back from the Western Region to challenge Da De; who would have thought that Da De had just passed away ten days earlier and had been cremated? Unexpectedly he vented his resentment on the disciples who do not know martial art, saying that if anybody stays in the temple, he will kill all living persons within ten li radius. In order to avoid calamity to the innocent villagers in the vicinity, the monks had no choice but to abandon the temple.”

Furious, Xu Ziling said, “This man is too insolent and overbearing! How could Bashu’s Wulin sit and watch, but remain indifferent?”

Shi Feixuan sighed and said, “It’s not that they are indifferent, but it’s difficult to interfere. Nobody is able to find and eliminate him, hence nobody can do anything about it. Oh! Perhaps Xu Xiong could lend me a hand.”

It was only then did Xu Ziling realize that he had walked straight into her trap. Previously he had just stated that he was not any hero who would save the world and be of help of common people. And now that he had righteous indignation filling his breast, it appeared that he was swearing that he would uphold righteousness. The contradiction in his heart was maddening. Smiling bitterly, he said, “You seem to be unwilling to let me off. If Miss Shi is willing to personally make your move, you would be able to catch any vicious, demonic people.”

A bit skeptical, Shi Feixuan said, “Since this person can be ranked among the Eight Major Martial Art Masters of the Demonic Way, how could it be that easy to take care of him? Were it not for him suffering defeat under the ‘Heavenly Saber’ Song Que’s hands and thus fleeing to the Western Regions, I don’t know how many more people in the Central Plains would be mutilated by him. This time he dared to return in a swirl of dust [idiom: to make a comeback], naturally he has enough confidence that he would surpass Song Que.”

Xu Ziling asked in heavy voice, “Is this person the ‘Mo Shi’ [demonic master] Zhao Deyan?”

Slightly startled, Shi Feixuan said, “You also knew that Zhao Deyan is a martial art master of the demonic school. But this person is not Zhao Deyan at all; rather, he is the ‘Tian Jun’ [heavenly lord] Xi Ying. It was because of this character ‘Tian’ [sky/heaven] that he violated Song Que’s taboo, and thus was chased by him for a thousand li, and nearly lost his life. It was probably a case of an evil man grinding an evil man!”

Xu Ziling blurted out laughing. “Looking at it this way, Song Que ought to be more overbearing than Xi Ying,” he said.

Shi Feixuan smiled and said, “Song Que is the older generation’s most famous handsome man in Wulin; he has always been arrogant, proud, considered everyone else beneath him, but he had never presumptuously killed the innocents. He is seductive in outward appearance, but burning hot in the inside. Moreover, he has enormous intimidating power toward the demonic schools; even Zhu Yuyan, Shi Zhixuan, and the likes would not easily provoke him. Were it not for his not-so-good predestined affinity, his reputation could not be below Ning Daoqi’s. Since his debut, Song Que has never been utterly defeated. Just by looking at how in the last twenty years no one dared to challenge him, we could infer his weight in Jianghu.”

Xu Ziling nodded and said, “No wonder you think so highly of Song Shidao; turned out his background is that strong.”

He was eating and talking at the same time, like a rolling wind destroying the clouds he single-handedly swept away all the vegetarian dishes on the table. Shi Feixuan happily topped off his teacup; she said, “Feixuan still have something I’d like to ask you, but it’s a bit difficult to say.”

Xu Ziling asked in surprise, “Do you want me to persuade Kou Zhong to wash his hands over the golden tray, and from now on retreat to the mountain?”

Stifling her laughter, Shi Feixuan said, “That ought to be the biggest barrier between us. But what I would like to say is not directly related to that; rather, I’d like to offer an advice. If you heed this advice, you won’t miss anything.”

Xu Ziling groaned inwardly, ‘Here we go again,’ but remaining indifferent, he said, “Right now, even if Xiaodi tell Miss that I do not wish to listen, Miss would still speak bluntly; am I right?”

Shi Feixuan sighed and said, “Can’t you not be so defensive? Feixuan only wish that the two of you would dispel your idea of entering Guanzhong to fetch the treasure. I don’t know how, but for some reason Li Shimin received the intelligence that very soon you are going to enter the pass. That is his territory. The Heavenly Policy Mansion has martial art masters as numerous as the clouds. If they ever discover your whereabouts, you can forget about leaving with your life intact. And it would be very difficult for Feixuan to intervene.”

Xu Ziling laughed calmly and said, “Thank you very much for Miss’ concerns. But toward life and death, Kou Zhong and I have never cared too much.”

Shi Feixuan calmly said, “Since that’s the case, Feixuan won’t say anything anymore.”

The originally harmonious atmosphere immediately vanished like scattering clouds, dispersing smoke.

Shi Feixuan spoke softly, “Miss Qingxuan currently stays at the Duzun Bao; would you let Feixuan keep you company for a while?”

How could Xu Ziling have the heart to firmly decline her softly spoken request? He had no choice but to agree.

Inwardly he thought that after seeing Shi Qingxuan, he would leave Sichuan immediately, and would not linger any longer.

“The first month [of the lunar year] Lichun [the Beginning of Spring, 1^st of the 24 solar terms] Yushui [Rain Water, 2^nd solar term] festival, the second month Jingzhe [Insects Awake, 3^rd solar term] Chunfen [Spring Equinox, 4^th solar term] first; the third month Qingming [Pure Brightness, Tomb Sweeping Day, 5^th solar term] Guyu [Grain Rain, 6^th solar term] arrives, the fourth month Lixia [Start of Summer, 7^th solar term] and Xiaoman [Lesser Full Grain, 8^th solar term].

The eleventh month Daxue [Great Snow, 21^st solar term] and Dongzhi [Winter Solstice, 22^nd solar term] Festival, the twelfth month Xiaohan [Lesser Cold, 23^rd solar term] and Dahan [Great Cold, 24^th solar term]; to the twelfth month the singing ends, the last year gone, the New Year comes.”

The melodious singing voice came from a fishing boat flitting pass; listening to it Kou Zhong was radiant with delight. Turning to Bu Tianzhi standing next to him, he said, “No wonder people always say that we need to snatch a moment of leisure in the midst of busyness. In the past few days, even though I heard someone singing, I rarely paid attention to the lyrics of the song, but now I listened without missing a word. It can clearly be seen that the heart could select and filter what the person hears and sees to fulfill his desire.”

It was originally a battleship, which, by removing all the battle equipment it carried, was transformed in a single shake to become a merchant ship traveling along the Great River.

Bu Tianzhi spoke in low voice, “Could it be that Shao Shuai still cannot forget your love toward the Song Family’s lady?”

Kou Zhong had never expected that he would ask such a direct question like that; his old face turning red, he cleared his throat and replied, “That is more or less one of the motivations behind this trip, but it is definitely not the only reason. Ha! Did you see those seabirds flying in such a neat formation? Hey! Is it near the ocean already?”

Bu Tianzhi took a deep breath and said, “I do smell the ocean. If we have tail wind, the day after tomorrow we ought to go ashore, and then after rushing for one more day, we could reach the Song Family.”

Kou Zhong said, “After going ashore, I might continue the journey alone, Zhi Shu need not wait for me. With Zhi Shu in Liangdou taking care of our headquarters, I will feel a bit more at ease.”

Bu Tianzhi knew he could not defy him, without any better option he simply agreed.

Kou Zhong asked, “Other than the Song Family, is there any local power in Lingnan?”

Bu Tianzhi replied, “Locally, other than the Song Family, there are three influential people, which are Panyu County’s Wang Zhongxuan, Longshui County’s Chen Zhifu, and Shi’an County’s Ouyang Qian. They are not chief of any gang or society, just the head of large and influential family for generations.”

Staring blankly, Kou Zhong said, “Ouyang Qian is a woman?”

Bu Tianzhi laughed and said, “She is a young and pretty, beautiful woman; a daughter who undertakes her father’s line of business. Within the Lingnan Wulin, her colorful name is rather outstanding, her hands really have real skill, I hear that she is not one to be trifled with.”

Kou Zhong sighed and said, “Our country indeed occupies a vast territory; if I did not travel so far down to the southern border, I am afraid for the rest of my life I would not know that there is such woman not to be trifled with. To govern the whole country is really not easy.”

Bu Tianzhi said, “If Song Que is willing to stand on Shao Shuai’s side, as long as he is willing to nod his head, I guarantee that all southern imperial leaders would surrender and pay their allegiance to Shao Shuai.”

Delighted, Kou Zhong said, “That is the reason I wanted to pay a visit to Song Que.”

Smiling wryly, Bu Tianzhi said, “The problem is that Song Que is a man who loves martial art above everything else. As luck would have it, Shao Shuai, your reputation as saber expert is also spread all over the world. You are dropping in just like this, the situation is highly unoptimistic.”

Shocked, Kou Zhong said, “I am not dropping in to challenge him; he, the Senior, can’t possibly use this style to receive me as his guest! Besides, I always have a good relationship with the Song Family.”

Bu Tianzhi sighed and said, “In Jianghu, Song Que is well-known as one who is not amenable to reason, someone who is difficult to get along with; moreover, he is not someone who would buy anybody else’s account. We are reaching the ocean! Would Shao Shuai like to go to the left, or do you want to go to the right?”

To the left was turning back into the East China Sea.

To the right was the direction to Lingnan.

In the end Bu Tianzhi could not help speaking out the burden in his heart, hoping that Kou Zhong would be willing to change his mind.

The Great River continuously widening up. A flock of water birds flew in V-formation over the ship’s bow. The wind and the waves clearly grew in intensity.

Kou Zhong had his gaze fixed on the junction between the ocean and the river ahead. Suddenly he reached out to grab Bu Tianzhi’s shoulder, and said with a wry smile, “Nobody knew me better than Zhi Shu. If I do not go to Lingnan, even if I die in battle in the future, I will not close my eyes contentedly.”

What else could Bu Tianzhi say?

Without any better option, he issued his order, instructing the ship, under full sail, to turn to the south, to sail speedily into the vast, boundless ocean.

[Ysabelkid]

Thanks foxs

[wangxiaohu]

Thanks foxs, this time, for being mean to me.. (T.T)

[Lance23]

On the train i value my and others lives text and drive bad combo

[shirak]

I'm sure Xi Ying also has some history with Yue Shan too. Most of the top 8 demonic masters (less You Niaojuan the junior) should have history with Yue Shan, Lu Miaozi, Bi Xiuxin and Song Que.

So Ziling should meet Qingxuan soon and start learning Yue Shan's skills, including Huan Ri Da Fa, and I guess he'll wear the mask and take on Yue Shan's identity to fight with Xi Ying (in order to protect the monks from persecution).

Anyway foxs, my take on translation is the same as top martial arts. Intent or yi is more important than techniques or zhao. So seriously, as long as a non-chinese literate reader grasps the meaning, it's fine.

[hungryhero]

Finally I catch up with the story. Thanks fox for your effort for us reader till now. I just hate this lady SFX. She is too clever and too care about the world. Show some love to XZL, please..

[Jayariyin]

Thanks, foxs.

[akolaw]

I always think that XZL is stronger. Just as Akolaw repeatedly mentioned: KZ’s pursuit is not martial arts.

A little thought of the two boys up to book 24.

first, about Xu, bk 1 chapter 1, already indicate Xu at 16 is an independent thinker, not a follower. from the chapter Xu say he want to be a hermit, Xu already let us know the reason, he is interested in developing his martial arts, he want to give more time into doing it, he is willing to sacrifice his worldly activity and connection to do it, in another word, he is taken martial arts as his spiritual path.

In Zen/Chan teaching we have fei ching su fa/ non living being spreading the teaching, in vajrayana teaching, we have everyone you meet are yidom and every sound you heard are dharma. the above are pointing to the status of mind of the awoke practitioner/yogi, while Xu see the bird and fish and lao han/arhat statue as giving out teaching is also a indication of his own spiritual achievement.

will touch on Kou later.

[Lance23]

After reading this book. It makes me want to read up on the condor heroes and other popular tv series adapted from the novels. The original work is so mich more detailed. Granted when they do the adaptations budget constraints etc forces them to merge certain characters together. You also lose out on interesting things like what the character is thinking.

[Lance23]

Sure they can have the characters thoughts by having the audience “hear” what the guy is thinking but that is usually limited. We also miss out on strategies that the characters are cooking up and how they improvise when sh*t hits the fan.

[foxs]

Ysabel, Jaya, you are welcome. Xiaohu, but I thought you were asking for it? Lance, if you don’t mind me asking, where are you? Commuting on trains? Does not sound too common on my side of the world. Shirak, just so you know, I am not translating the text word for word, plus this is a fictional story, not a historical text. Speaking about translation, a while back, during the Condor Trilogy project, someone pointed out that Yi Deng ought to be ‘Duke Duan’, not ‘Emperor Duan’. His argument was that there was already an emperor in China, so technically he could not be an emperor. However, everybody in the story called him ‘huang ye’ (emperor). So, should we call him ‘Duke Duan’ instead? Are we, as translators of fiction, at fault for ‘interpreting’ the text? John Minford came to mind. He is definitely a scholar, a professional translator; yet he took a lot of ‘liberty’ with the original text. I have not read Graham Shaw and Olivia Mok, or the new translation of ‘Eagle Shooting Hero’ that is supposed to be published around now. I don’t know what you guys think about their work? How about TV adaptation like Lance mentioned? They are certainly different than the original. Anyway, ‘nuff said. We are here to enjoy the story, not to bicker about a certain word. Hungry, Akolaw, thanks for dropping in. Since you are a big Huang Yi fan, perhaps you’ll enjoy this part. You know, perhaps I’ll copy his style, whenever I encounter a text that I am not sure, I’d just say, ‘it’s hard to describe’ …

---

Book 24 Chapter 13 – Ancient Castle Duzun

Duzun Bao was located in the northern suburbs of Chengdu, on the southern bank of Wansui [lit. ten-thousand years, i.e. long live (the king, etc.)] Pond, lying from south to north, like a miniature Imperial City.

The entire castle was made of stone bricks, giving the impression of a secured-city-protected-by-a-metal-wall-and-a-moat-of-boiling-water [idiom: well fortified].

When they reached the other end of the drawbridge spanning across the river protecting the castle, Shi Feixuan halted her steps and said, “Feixuan already completed my duty, Xu Xiong only needs to announce your name, someone will take Xu Xiong to see Miss Qingxuan.”

Taken aback, Xu Ziling asked, “You are not coming in with me?”

Acting a bit helpless, Shi Feixuan replied, “I am afraid Miss Qingxuan would not be so happy to see me, but please do not ask for the reason. Xu Xiong, please take a good care of yourself.”

Finished speaking, she laughed, tranquil and calm, before floating away. Xu Ziling stared blankly at her for a moment before walking across the drawbridge.

On the already open wide gate of the castle, someone was already waiting respectfully. A big man wearing gorgeous brocade clothes, around forty years old, respectful, solemn and courteous. After listening to the name and surname of the visitor, he introduced himself as the housekeeper [or butler] of Duzun Bao, Fang Yimin. He said, “Xu Gongzi has honored us by your presence; this is indeed our Duzun Bao’s privilege. This way, please.”

Although Xu Ziling felt that this whole thing was rather strange, he knew that Shi Feixuan could not possibly deceive him; thereupon he followed Fang Yimin to enter the castle gate.

Beyond the entrance was a stone screen wall [across the gate of a house (for privacy)]. Rounding the stone screen wall, there was a big and tall stone memorial arch, where there were four large characters, ‘Zhong Xin Li Yi’ [loyal, trustworthy, propriety, righteousness] written on it – connecting the gate with a perfectly straight stone-slab pathway. On both sides of the pathway were evergreen pine and cypress trees [symbolic: steadfast nobility]. The buildings were hidden among the trees; the ambience was that of serene and hidden in depth.

Fang Yimin smiled and said, “It was only this morning that our Baozhu [fort master] learned that Gongzi has honored Chengdu with your presence, while also heard that Ba Meng people have the heart to make things difficult for Gongzi; thereupon he immediately went to call on Ba Meng’s Feng Zhen to have a talk.”

Xu Ziling came to his senses as if he was startled from his dream; he said, “Xie Baozhu’s profound love and generous intention, Xu Ziling is very grateful.”

Fang Yimin took him across a stone bridge spanning over a clear stream winding from the northwest. Just ahead was a cluster of towering buildings right in the middle of Duzun Bao, with interlocking wooden brackets between the top of the columns and the crossbeams high in the air, full of paintings and carving.

Most of all, there were a pair of giant stone squatting lions – mighty and vivid, under the stone steps of the main hall, about a zhang tall, increasing the strong mystery and dignity of the main hall.

While walking, Fang Yimin said with laugh, “It should be us who are grateful. This way, please.”

Amazed, Xu Ziling followed by his side. Going around the main hall, they took the dirt pathway, along the winding road [orig. twisting and turning like a sheep’s intestine] leading toward the side garden. Both sides of the pathway were full of exotic flowers and rare herbs, brilliant and dazzling to the eyes under the bright sun, while providing delightful shade. “Why are you grateful to me?” he could not help asking.

Fang Yimin smiled mysteriously and spoke in low voice, “Very soon Gongzi will find out. Please forgive Xiaoren for not daring to disclose it in advance.”

The pathway ended. Ahead, the willow trees made the shade, the flowers gave the light [idiom: light at the end of the tunnel], another clearing appeared. Under the flowers and trees cupping their hands in salute [i.e. forming an arch], a tranquil, unique small two-story building, was located at this serene and elegant corner.

Raising his cupped hands in salute, Fang Yimin said, “Gongzi, please come into the small building to see Miss Qingxuan. Xiaoren takes my leave here.”

Just like that, he bowed and retreated toward the pathway, and disappeared around a curve.

Xu Ziling was dumbstruck; it was quite a while later that he came to his senses and walked over toward the small building.

Along the way, the most suspicious thing was that he never met anybody else of the castle. Were it not for Shi Feixuan personally taking him here, he would have suspected that Duzun Bao was setting up an ambush, or at least they harbored evil designs.

Upon reaching the steps at the front door of the small building, Xu Ziling raised his voice, saying, “Miss Shi, Xu Ziling is here to meet the appointment.”

Shi Qingxuan’s brimming-with-magnetic-force touching voice came from upstairs, “Come up here!”

Xu Ziling finally put his keyed-up mind down.

Frankly speaking, although he had 90% confidence that Shi Feixuan would not harm him, but due to past experience, especially with Shen Luoyan and Yun Yuzhen, two women, who bit the hand that fed them, inevitably he always felt a little uneasy.

The major premise of the struggle over the world was that father and son, older and younger brothers, all could become enemies; much less just friends as strangers coming together by chance.

Secretly he was ashamed for harboring suspicion toward Shi Feixuan. This fairy-like beauty deserved to be treated as someone outside the dust of the earth, she could not possibly be someone who drift with the waves and go with the flow [idiom: following the crowd blindly].

He went up the steps one by one.

The small reception hall downstairs was tidy, simple yet elegant, brimming with feminine, gentle and soft – atmosphere. The place where Shi Qingxuan stayed momentarily, quite naturally, ought to be the lady’s chamber of someone with status within the castle.

He saw a flight of stairs leading to the upper floor.

For some reason, suddenly Xu Ziling felt a little tense; perhaps because of the unusual atmosphere, or perhaps because this meeting was arranged by Shi Feixuan as the go-between [orig. one who threaded the needle].

Thinking about when he first arrived at Chengdu the previous night, the breathtaking, enchanted feeling where, under the lantern light illuminating the sky, Shi Qingxuan lifted half of the veil covering her face, he could not stop his heart from jumping a bit faster.

Xu Ziling took the steps upstairs. When he reached the second floor, immediately his breathing stopped, his heart was violently shaken.

Kou Zhong was standing alone by the ship’s railing on the port side, casting his gaze on the boundless expanse of the ocean.

A long forgotten memory was flashing through his mind at the speed of lightning or a spark of the flint.

He remembered when together with Xu Ziling, which was hard to differentiate between elder and younger brother with him, were racking their brains on how to steal a boatload of salt under Hai Sha Bang, the evil tiger’s paws, and escape into the ocean. Afterwards they encountered the wind and the waves, and were forced to abandon the salt to save their lives. The scene was still vivid in his mind, as if it had just happened not long ago.

Time is fleeting. His relationship with Song Yuzhi was just like that; in the blink of an eye they separated in sadness. This time he went to the Song Family to look for her, how would this unyielding, proud, coming from the South’s most illustrious aristocratic family, beauty react?

The most fascinating, as well as the most terrifying, aspect of one’s destiny was the vast, with no clear boundary, unpredictable development.

Before the Mid-Autumn Festival, his heart has never moved him to go across a thousand li to see Song Yuzhi. But now he was on his way to Lingnan. Who could have foreseen it beforehand?

All the reasons for his trip to Lingnan were only excuses for his longing to see ‘the one’s intended’ [usually female].

Ay! Kou Zhong sighed inwardly. Whether it was the pursuit of hegemony over the world, or the pursuit of love, he might just be someone who overestimated his own capabilities, like a moth throwing itself into the flame, a self-destruction hidden behind the brilliance of the light.

This moment Li Shimin was thrown far away at the back of his mind, yet there was no possibility for him to turn around. Before defeat in battle, before his death, he really wanted to see Song Yuzhi one more time.

Currently, it was his only cherished desire.

Shi Qingxuan was wearing double-lapel rounded collar, blue flower print women’s clothing; graceful, confident and at ease, sitting in front of the windowsill, fixing her eyes indifferently at him. Lucid and elegant beyond compare, her pretty face, without the least bit of cosmetics, exuded some kind of hard to describe sad, yet beautiful and tranquil, expression. Her natural good looks inviting in a sisterly way, lovely and touching. Her outline was so defined as if it was carved with a knife, brimming with a sense of beauty, which complimented her icy flesh and jade skin. Speaking about her lucid-and-elegant-like-a-fairy appearance, any one tread, one hair [idiom: an iota] addition or subtraction would destroy this moon-appearance, flowery-countenance, which could only come from the work of the gods in heaven.

Compared to her previous appearance with fake nose or rough, swarthy complexion, it could be said that her appearance this time was of a very different world.

Shi Qingxuan finally kept her promise to let Xu Ziling see her natural beauty in all its glory.

The blue flower print clothing she was wearing was of soft cloth; although it was a monochromatic print, there was a strong blue-white contrast that gave the impression of multitude of changes within the monochromatic world, a perfect blend of the contrast, an unusually unique color scheme.

Her admired-by-the-world jade flute was so casually resting on her knee. The brilliant sun penetrated the forest tree sprinkled its light into the window, turning into a halo, which enveloped her inside the shade of bright red clouds in heavenly heavy atmosphere, so moving that it made people holding their breath.

A hard to describe feeling welled up in Xu Ziling’s heart.

[Ysabelkid]

Thanks foxs

[wangxiaohu]

Thanks foxs... I thought the Ziling part this time ended with big cliffhanger, luckily it's not..

[Lance23]

Im in boston, ma we have an okay subway/train systme that we can travel around the greater boston area. We just buy monthly passes but it fets crowded during rush hour

[Lance23]

Some of the tvb adaptations they do the changes due to budget reasons. Here we go me going off topic again. They dont want to have to cast a ton of characters with back stories for each so we tend to see characters getting combined we lose the thoughts of characters. The adaptations just dont do justice for the original stories.

[shirak]

Very exciting that the story is finally moving towards developing the boys' love life!

[akolaw]

Kou in book 1 chapter 1 already indicate he is more outgoing, leadership, and a desire to be somebody.

the two were street boys and petty pickpockets, and Kou was dreaming to be prime ministers already, The two girls he falls for were daughters of lord of the four high house, these reflects girls with high lady aura attract him. (his wish to move upward in social class bury deep)

If not for the discriminative behavior of bystanders in the ship, the two boys may have already become Li's general, and not his threat, while Kou make his decision to go for the throne, this is his reaction for the event, not a dream that he have long for.

Xu had question whether can be a good emperor, and Kou admitted that if he won the world, he don't need to be the emperor, this show that he want to be a player, he want to live his life in full, but not attached to power or wealth, he just want to independent and live a heroic life. Kou of course want to get better in martial arts, but this is not his only passion.

Xu is out of mundane world while Kou is deep into mundane world, if both become da zong shi, one is the kind that live like a hermit or immortal, may have one of two disciple like grand master Ning, the other if not an emperor may build his own house and become a house lord, like heaven sabra Sung.

One may prefer Xu or Kou, depends on whether they are more in or out of the mundane world, but Sung had never been defeated, and nobody dare to challenge him in the past 20 years, who knows if Ning or Sung is better in martial arts, the same goes to the two boys.

[Jayariyin]

Thanks, foxs.