Qiang Jin Jiu (Author : Tang Jiuqing 唐酒卿)

Chapter 83 : Scenery of Spring

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Overcast clouds shrouded the moon, giving rise to flickers of ghostly apparitions. The scraping sound of blades being unsheathed was just like the sound of silk being ripped apart in the wind, the tearing of which spelled the pressing sense of danger of an imminent peril. There were three taps of the bamboo fan in the hall. Shen Zechuan remained calm and composed as he held the pot to pour himself another cup of wine.

“You’re right.” Shen Zechuan picked up the wine cup. “We indeed have scores to settle tonight.”

Xi Hongxuan lowered his arms and watched with cool detachment as the crowd swarmed towards the hall. He said, “Clever as you are, if you had been willing to comply obediently with the arrangements, you wouldn’t have needed to suffer as much.”

“The moment you enter Qudu, you’re just like a caged bird in a pavilion, unmindful of the spreading blaze and danger ahead. You’re really an unfortunate and a fortunate one. Back then, you fought the waves for a fighting chance at life, and for that, I toast you.” As Shen Zechuan spoke, he slowly poured the wine over the ground. “You and I both understand the principle that those trapped in prior predicaments are also the ones most unlikely to be obedient—because people who obey, nine out of ten, will not hold out until Heaven opens its eyes and lends them a hand.”

“I fought against the battering of waves, and you are also fighting against the same. The lives of everyone in the world are worthless. Shen Zechuan, I toast you too! You survived in spite of all the torture and torment back then, but tonight, you are going to fail miserably, like a boat capsizing in a drain, haha!” Xi Hongxuan laughed derisively, then abruptly turned indifferent, “Between you and me, only one may live.”

“You’ve taken your bath and drank your wine.” Shen Zechuan tossed away the wine cup gently and rose to face the doors. He lifted his hand and grasped the hilt of Yang Shan Xue, his thumb pressing down against that white pearl as he laughed softly, “Do you really not intend to tell me Qi Huilian’s whereabouts before you go on your way?”

The flame in the courtyard abruptly intensified. Xi Hongxuan turned his head for a look; the residence was already up in flames. He bellowed, “Don’t bother contending with him! Whoever can take down his head, I’ll reward said person with two hundred taels of gold and silver!”

The doors and windows instantly broke apart as numerous shadows pounced like wolves. Shen Zechuan’s blade had already left its sheath. He took two steps forward, and blood went splattering along with the movement of his blade. The long blade that was Yang Shan Xue seemed to be forged from ice and cast of snow as its blade slit open men’s throats. It was so fast that there was not a stain of blood on the edge of the blade even as the blood droplets spattered over the windows’ paper.

Yang Shan Xue was the same as Langli Blade. They lay low in this Qudu collecting dust, restrained by their sheaths to become the waist ornaments of refined young masters. But give them the chance to be drawn out of their sheaths, and one would be able to catch a glimpse of the bloodthirsty savagery of the blades and their masters from those cold glints.

The tongue of flames came licking in a fury, and in a blink of an eye, half of the Xi’s Residence was engulfed in a sea of fire. Qiao Tianya leaped up the rooftop and dashed along the ridge to kick over the incoming killers with swift flying kicks before he hooked himself upside down and flipped atop the central hall. He stood on the roof and flashed Shen Zechuan’s gold lacquered authority token.

“The Imperial Bodyguards are investigating a case on imperial orders. The Xi Clan assembled more than a hundred gallant men from the martial fraternity for a private gathering right under the Son of Heaven’s nose. Our investigations have unearthed the presence of criminal fugitives and outlaws still at large among them. Xi Hongxuan’s intention is no small matter. For this, he ought to be executed!” Qiao Tianya said in a clear and loud voice. “This case pertains to the incident in which the Son of Heaven was placed in harm’s way. Anyone caught involved will be taken into custody at the imperial prison. The Red Cavalry has already surrounded Xi’s Residence. You people’d best surrender without a fight!”