Qiang Jin Jiu (Author : Tang Jiuqing 唐酒卿)

Chapter 52 : Denouncement

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White snow fell in a flurry. The night was coming to an end.

Shen Zechuan could not stay any longer. Just as he was leaving, Xiao Chiye rose to his feet, took down the overcoat from the rack, and handed it to him.

"This blade of yours looks unfamiliar." Xiao Chiye bent over to pick up Yang Shan Xue. It felt light and handy in his hands. "New?"

Shen Zechuan nodded and faced the door as he put on the overcoat.

Xiao Chiye pressed the sword slightly out of its sheath with his thumb to reveal a cold glint. He said, "Excellent blade. What's its name?"

Shen Zechuan answered, "Yang Shan Xue."

"A lift of its head, and three mountains worth of snow it spouts; a spread of its mouth, and a hundred rivers it devours." Xiao Chiye returned the blade to its sheath and took a step forward and stuck to Shen Zechuan from behind. With practiced fingers, he put back Yang Shan Xue to the side of Shen Zechuan's waist. He lowered his head slightly and said, "It's not only pretty; even the name is pretty."

Shen Zechuan abruptly looked back, but Xiao Chiye beat him to it and grasped him by the waist to take him into his arms.

"How are you going to look at me after leaving here today?"

"However I ought to be looking at you." Shen Zechuan hurriedly turned his head back. It looked as if he was intimately rubbing their faces together.

"If you can't handle it, you can always ask your Second Young Master for help." Xiao Chiye's fingers roughly obtained a measurement as he smiled and said.

"The Second Young Master can barely fend for himself." Shen Zechuan said. "Seems more likely for you to ask me for help."

Xiao Chiye released him and said, "You are much thinner than the last time. If my guess is right, you are still taking medicine that can conceal your figure."

Shen Zechuan fastened his overcoat and said nothing.

"Let me offer you a word of advice," Xiao Chiye said, "That medicine hurts the body the more you take it. In a few years, it'll be your own body that will be wrecked."

Shen Zechuan sighed softly as he stopped by the door. "Your shifu has sharp eyes. He met me only once, and he could tell just by looking."

Xiao Chiye said, "You're willing to go to such an extent just for these matters?"

"My life and death hang in the balance at the mere whim of another, so naturally, I'd have to exercise caution in everything I do and pay due diligence everywhere I go." Shen Zechuan's hands were ice cold. He said, "I've practiced the Ji Clan boxing style for a long time. I wouldn't be able to deceive Ji Lei unless I resort to this."

Xiao Chiye said, "Ji Lei is already dead."

Shen Zechuan still smelled a little of wine. He said, "I've stopped taking the medicine."

After Shen Zechuan had left, Xiao Chiye stood in the blizzard as he recalled Zuo Qianqiu's words.

"This medicine comes from the East. Once taken, a person can fake illness to pull the wool over the eyes of others. It's not a problem if it's taken once or twice, but it could cause serious consequences if consumed for a long time. The damage is negligible if the toxin remains in the body for a short while, but it'll eventually act up in the future."

"Act up?"

Zuo Qianqiu fixed his gaze on the teacup in his hand and said, "Toxin accumulates to become a malady that harms. If he doesn't take good care of it, he might be rendered invalid when the time comes."