Chapter - 275 Visitors Drunk On Magical Lotus In the Green Willow Manor (7)

Zhang Wuji replied, "Frankly, this sword originally belonged to Mie Jue Shitai, the Sect Leader of Emei Sect. The number of my brethrens from the Ming Cult who perished under this sword was not a few. Even I almost died from this sword's stab on my chest. That was the reason we pay a close attention to this sword."

"Zhang Jiaozhu's divine ability is matchless," Zhao Min said, "I heard by using 'qian kun da nuo yi' you were able to snatch this sword from Mie Jue Shitai's hand. How could you be injured by this sword? I also heard the one injured Zhang Jiaoshu with this sword was a young female disciple of the Emei Sect; her martial art was only so-so. Xiao Mei really does not understand why it happened." With raised eyebrows she looked at Zhang Wuji's face intently; her mouth showed a faint smile, yet she was not smiling.

Zhang Wuji blushed profusely. "How did she know this clearly?" he thought. He said "the other side came too suddenly, I was not paying attention and let it slip."

Zhao Min smiled and said, "That Zhou Zhiruo, Zhou Jiejie [older sister Zhou] is very beautiful, is she not?"

Zhang Wuji blushed even redder, "Miss is teasing me," he said. He picked up the wine cup with both hands, trying to drink it in one gulp to hide his embarrassment, but unexpectedly his left hand slightly trembled and he spilled a few drops of wine on the sleeve of his clothes.

Zhao Min smiled and said, "Xiao Mei cannot bear the wine power, I am afraid if I drink some more I will breach the etiquette; I wouldn't know the seriousness of what comes out of my mouth. I am going inside to change my clothes and will be back right away. Please all of you continue eating and drinking, no need to be polite." She stood up, cupped her fists, turned around and went out of the pavilion, and disappeared beyond the willow and flower trees on the other side of the pond. The Yitian sword was left lying on the table, she did not take it with her. The Manor servants continuously served food and wine.

The Ming Cult people stopped eating. They waited for quite a long time but Zhao Min had not returned. Zhou Dian said, "She left her precious sword here, obviously she trusts us." While speaking he lifted up the sword with one hand. "Ah!" he suddenly exclaimed, "How come it is so light?" Grabbing the hilt he drew the sword from its sheathe. Everybody rose up from their seats in astonishment. Where is the Yitian sword, which could cut metal and slice jade, with its matchless sharpness? The sword in Zhou Dian's hand was just a wooden sword. Immediately everybody smelt a faint incense-like fragrance, and saw that the sword's blade was light yellow, for the sword was made of sandalwood.

For a moment Zhou Dian was at a loss; pushing the sword back to its sheathe he mumbled, "Yang … Left Emissary Yang, this … what kind of trick is this?" Although he loved to argue with Yang Xiao daily, but actually deep down in his heart he admired Yang Xiao's vast knowledge and experience. This time facing a mystery he could not help but asking Yang Xiao for direction.

Yang Xiao's face was serious, in a low voice he said, "Jiaozhu, I am 90% sure that this Miss Zhao harbors ill intention. This moment we are in danger, I think we'd better leave as soon as we can."

"Why would we be afraid of her?" Zhou Dian asked, "We are numerous. Even if she is making her move, do you think she can eradicate us completely?"

Yang Xiao said, "Since entering this Green Willow Manor everywhere I looked I felt something strange. It feels right yet not exactly right; it feels wrong yet not exactly wrong. I can't pinpoint what it is. Why should we stay in this place? We don't have any specific reason anyway."

"What the Left Emissary Yang said is right," Zhang Wuji nodded his head, "We have had our meals; it's time for us to leave." Then he stood up.

Tie guan dao ren [the Iron Hat Taoist Priest] said, "What about the Yitian Sword? Aren't you going to inquire, Jiaozhu?"

Peng Yingyu said, "In my humble opinion, this Miss Zhao has a suspicious intention; she won't stop until she reached her goal. Even if we don't look for her; she will definitely look for us."

"That's right," Zhang Wuji said, "We have our own tasks to accomplish, there is no need to seek a new burden. We'll wait for the enemy to exhaust himself; we'll talk about it once we understand more."

Everybody left the pavilion on the pond; returning to the main hall they told the servant to notify the lady that they were grateful for the feast and it was time for them to leave.

Zhao Min came out in a hurry; she was wearing a light yellow silk gown. She looked natural yet elegant; her glowing countenance was stunningly beautiful. "We have just met, why are you leaving?" she asked, "Is it because 'xiao nuzi's hospitality is too simple and slow?"

Zhang Wuji said, "We are very grateful over Miss' hospitality, how could you say 'simple and slow'? We have businesses to attend and cannot tarry too long. We'll meet again someday and we'll ask for more of your advice."

The corner of Zhao Min's mouth showed a faint smile, yet she was not smiling. She sent the guests off the village. The Divine Archers Eight Heroes stood on the either side of the road, bowing respectfully to send the guests off. The Ming Cult people cupped their fists, and without saying anything sped away. As they left the Green Willow Manor on all directions they saw open field, with nobody in sight.

Zhou Dian loudly said, "This Miss Zhao does not necessarily harbor ill intentions to us. Perhaps she was just playing a joke to Jiaozhu with that wooden sword. Even if that little girl wants to create trouble, what could she do? Left Emissary Yang, this time you were wrong!"

Yang Xiao hesitated before answering, "Whatever it is, I can't say; but I feel uncomfortable."

Zhou Dian laughed and said, "After the battle of the Brightness Peak the famous Left Emissary Yang has turned into a coward … Aiyo!" He swayed and fell from his horse.

Shuo Bude was the closest to him; he busily jumped down his horse to help Zhou Dian up. "Zhou Xiong [brother Zhou], what happened?" he asked.

Zhou Dian laughed and said, "No … nothing. I guess I drank too much wine so I am dizzy now."

As the word 'dizzy' came out of his mouth, everybody looked at each other. Turned out as they sped way from the Green Willow Manor, everybody felt slight dizziness. Only they thought it was because of the wine, so they did not give it too much thought. But not only Zhou Dian's martial art skill was high, his drinking capacity was also strong; how could a few bowls of wine make him so dizzy that he fell down from his horse? Surely something was amiss.

Zhang Wuji looked up and tried to remember Wang Nangu's Book of Poison, which poison was colorless, tasteless and odorless; but could make people dizzy. He could not think of anything. But he ate and drank the same dishes and the same wine, yet why did he not feel anything different? Suddenly something flashed in his mind like a lightning bolt; he remembered something and was extremely shocked. He shouted, "Everybody who ate at the pavilion on the pond, get down from your horses and sit down cross-legged; right now! Whatever happened, do not circulate your 'qi' [breathing, in term of internal energy cultivation]." He also issued an order, "Brothers of Five-Element Flags and Heavenly Eagle Flag, spread out to all directions and encircle the leaders. Whoever is trying to get near can be immediately killed!"