Chapter - 381 East And West are Forever APart Like Orion And Antares (15)

Zhang Wuji hesitated without answering. "Pei!" Zhao Min spat and said, "It is still questionable whether you will stay alive, yet you worry about Tartars. Tell me, which one is better, the Mongolians or the Persians?"

Zhou Zhiruo had always been silent, but now suddenly she opened her mouth, "Xiao Zhao loves Zhang Gongzi very much, she won't betray him."

"Didn't you see Zi Shan Long Wang coercing her?" Zhao Min said, "Xiao Zhao was not willing, but later the pressure was getting unbearable that in the end she relented, but still pretended to cry loudly."

By this time, the mast was only about a 'zhang' [about 10 feet or 3 meters] away from the water, the waves splashed and made everybody's face wet. Zhao Min suddenly laughed and said, "Zhang Gongzi, it is so neat that we are going to die together. That traitor Xiao Zhao, on the contrary, cannot die with us."

These words were spoken jokingly, but the meaning was deep. Zhang Wuji was really touched; he said in his heart, "I cannot take them all as my wives, but if I can die together with them, then my life is not in vain." He looked at Zhao Min, then looked at Zhou Zhiruo, and also looked at Yin Li in his embrace. Yin Li was still unconscious, while Zhao and Zhou two girls were blushing, with drops of water on their faces. They looked as beautiful as fresh flowers; if the Zhao girl could be likened to a rose, then the Zhou girl was an orchid. His heart was filled with warm and fuzzy feelings.

Suddenly, the Persians on a dozen or so ships shouted together. Zhang Wuji and the others were startled; they focused their eyes to look. They saw the people on each ship were kneeling down on the decks; they were bowing toward the big ship. On the big ship, all the Precious Tree Kings were also bowing toward someone sitting on a chair, whose features looked like Xiao Zhao's. Only the distance was too far that they were not able to see clearly.

Zhang Wuji and the others were alarmed and unsure of what trick these Persians were about to do. After shouting for a while, the Persians stood up, but the sound of shouting did not stop; however, the shout was obviously a shout of joy, as if they were happily celebrating something. A moment later, the small boat returned with Xiao Zhao on board, sitting majestically.

"Zhang Gongzi, everybody," she waved, "Let us go to the big ship. The Persian Ming Cult will not dare to harm you."

"Why?" Zhao Min asked.

"You will find out later," Xiao Zhao replied, "How could Xiao Zhao answer Zhang Gongzi if they still have ill intention toward you?"

"Xiao Zhao," suddenly Xie Xun asked, "Do you become the Persian Ming Cult's Jiaozhu?"

Xiao Zhao lowered her head without answering, but a moment later two drops of crystal-clear tears suddenly hang from her eyes. All of a sudden Zhang Wuji's ears buzzed, because he had guessed with 70, 80% certainty what was happening; his heart was grieved but also full of gratitude.

"Xiao Zhao," he said, "You did this because of me!" Xiao Zhao turned her head to the side, she did not dare to meet his eyes.

Xie Xun sighed and said, "To have a daughter like you, Taj-kis is truly worthy to bear the illustrious name of Zi Shan Long Wang. Wuji, let's go."

He was the first to jump into the small boat, followed by Zhou Zhiruo carrying Yin Li and Zhang Wuji with Zhao Min in his arms. The eight sailors immediately rowed the boat toward the big ship.

When they were still more than ten 'zhang's away from the big ship, the Precious Tree Kings had already bowed to welcome their Cult Leader.

As they came aboard the big ship, Xiao Zhao gave her orders and immediately several people respectfully presented them with towels and food, and they were led to a cabin to change their wet clothes.

Zhang Wuji saw his cabin was very spacious. The room was illuminated by pearl and jewels; and it was furnished with countless precious objects. He was just about to dry his body with a towel when suddenly with a creaking noise the door was opened and somebody came in. It was Xiao Zhao, with a set of short shirt and pants, and a long robe in her hands.

"Gongzi," she said, "Let me help you change your clothes."

Zhang Wuji's heart ached. "Xiao Zhao," he said, "You are the Central Cult's Jiaozhu. Technically, I am your subordinate. How can you do this anymore?"

"Gongzi," Xiao Zhao begged him, "This is for the last time. Hereafter, we will be separated by tens of thousands 'li's from east to west. Our time is limited. After this time, even if I want to serve you, I cannot."

Zhang Wuji was heartbroken; he had no choice but to let her help him change his clothes, button his shirt, and tie his belt, just like she used to do. She also took a comb and combed his hair, all the while tears were streaming down her cheeks. Zhang Wuji could not restrain himself much longer; he turned around and hugged her petite stature in his bosom.

"Ah," Xiao Zhao exclaimed softly, her body trembled slightly.

Zhang Wuji planted a deep kiss on her cherry lips. "Xiao Zhao," he said, "At first I thought you were betraying me; I had never expected you to treat me this good."

Xiao Zhao leaned her head on his broad chest. She whispered, "Gongzi, I did lie to you. My Mama was one of the Central Cult's three Holy Maidens. She received an order to come to the Central Earth to set up a merit, so that when she returns to Persia, she would take over the Jiaozhu position. Unexpectedly, after meeting my Father her feelings were difficult to suppress, hence she had no choice but to commit apostasy and marry my Father. Mama knew she was guilty of a capital crime; thereupon she passed on the Holy Maiden's seven-color gem ring to me, told me to go among the BrightnessPeak people and try to steal the Qian Kun Da Nuo Yi manual. Gongzi, I continuously concealed these things from you, but in my heart, I have never had any ill intention towards you. I would rather be your servant, serving you for the rest of my life, and never leave you, than being the Jiaozhu of the Persian Ming Cult. I have told you that haven't I? And you have promised you would let me do that, haven't you?"

Zhang Wuji nodded; he held her tender body and sat her on his knees, and he kissed her again and again. Her warm and soft lips were wet with tears; they tasted as sweet as honey, yet also bitter from pain.

Xiao Zhao continued, "I have memorized the Qian Kun Da Nuo Yi manual, but that was not because I wanted to betray you. I would never have divulged this information if the mountains were not exhausted and the rivers used up …"

"I know," Zhang Wuji softly said, "I understand everything now."

As if she was talking to herself, Xiao Zhao said in a soft voice, "When I was little, I often saw Mama was restless and frightened, day and night. She covered up her fine appearance by pretending to be an old and ugly granny. She would not allow me to be seen with her; she let another family raise me up, and would only see me every one or two years. Only now do I understand that she braved this great danger just to be married with my Father. Gongzi, if not for the situation we were in today, I would not be willing to be the empress of this whole world, let alone be a cult leader."

Speaking to this point, her cheeks were fiery red. Zhang Wuji felt the tender body in his embrace go warmer; his heart was moved, but suddenly Taj-kis' voice was heard from outside the door, "Xiao Zhao, if you cannot restrain your passion, you are endangering Zhang Gongzi's life."