CH 2.2

This person’s shenfa was fast, it was already very astonishing. He was able to use his pair of hands to clamp the tip of other people’s sword, it was even more astounding. But what shocked Chu Liuxiang was not these. Translated by foxs

The sword technique that Jin Lingzhi was using at the moment, if it was not the ‘Thirteen Styles of Cool Breeze’, it would not be shocking. However, the one she was using at this moment was precisely the ‘Thirteen Styles of Cool Breeze’.

This kind of swords technique’s changes, no one could fathom, even Chu Liuxiang could not guess the path of her sword, yet as soon as he made his move, this person already had her sword style under his control. How high his martial art skill was, it was simply inconceivable.

Only to see this person this person was tall and stood erect like jade, his light garment fluttering, and the smile on his face was more gentle and affectionate, so that as soon as people saw him, they would immediately generate favorable impression.

As soon as Chu Liuxiang and Hu Tiehua saw this person, they were shocked. They would never think that this person was unexpectedly the handsome young man Ding Feng, who sailed away on the same boat with Kumei Dashi last night!

When Jin Lingzhi saw Ding Feng, she also appeared to be shocked, immediately her countenance changed.

Yet Ding Feng smiled and said, “Long time no see, Jin Guniang’s sword technique has forged ahead vigorously. This move ‘Liu Xu Fei Xue’ [Willow Cotton Wadding Flying Snow] was executed flawlessly, full of divine qi, the intention at the front of the sword, I’m afraid that even Huanzhu Dashi [lit. grand master returning the pearl] would believe green coming out of the blue[1].” foxswuxia.wordpress.com

Huanzhu Dashi was precisely Jin Lingzhi’s seventh [paternal] aunt, and the ‘Willow Cotton Wadding Flying Snow’ was also a move in the sword technique handed down in a direct line from the founder of Emei. A few martial art practitioners watching from the side already nodding their head quietly, “No wonder this Guniang’s sword technique is so outstanding, turns out she is Emei Pai’s disciple.”

But Chu Liuxiang and Hu Tiehua knew that what Jin Lingzhi used just now was clearly the eighth style of the ‘Thirteen Styles of Cool Breeze’, the ‘Wind Moves a Thousand Bells’. At first glance, the ‘Wind Moves a Thousand Bells’ and the ‘Willow Cotton Wadding Flying Snow’ were indeed somewhat similar, but the subtle changes within were completely different!

Why did this young man deliberately make a deer out to be a horse [deliberate misrepresentation]?

Ding Feng spoke again, “These two friends, Zaixia knows them. Yet by hoping that Jin Guniang would look at Zaixia’s meager face, please let them go.” Translated by foxs

Although Jin Lingzhi’s face was full of anger, surprisingly she held her temper in check, she only spoke coldly, “They are thieves, could it be that you have such friends?”

Ding Feng laughed and said, “Guniang, this must be a misunderstanding.”

Laughing coldly, Jin Lingzhi said, “Misunderstanding? I saw it with my own eyes, how could it be a misunderstanding?”

Ding Feng said, “Although these two friends can’t compare to the ‘Wan Fu Wan Shou Yuan’ whose wealth is equal to that of an entire nation [idiom: extremely rich], yet they are also rich and powerful with resources worth millions. Pearl like the one in Guniang’s hand, although they don’t have too many in their homes, but there could not be too few. Zaixia can guarantee that the two gentlemen definitely are not thieves.”

This remark not only carried a very heavy weight, it was also considerably unpleasant to hear.

But surprisingly Jin Lingzhi’s anger still did not flare up, she was only angry at herself and put up a wooden expression.

Her nickname was the ‘Fire Phoenix’, her temper was indeed similar to that of raging inferno. Seeing this young man, surprisingly she was able to hold back her temper, it was hard to imagine even more.

The man with the saber hanging on his waist said, “Thank you Gongzi for speaking out for justice, otherwise …” foxswuxia.wordpress.com

The man in purple robe cut him off by laughing, he said, “This matter is actually nothing, it was all a big misunderstanding, and now it has been explained. Zaixia still want to arrange a drink tonight to offer an apology to Jin Guniang.”

Ding Feng laughed and said, “Excellent, excellent …”

The man in purple robe said, “I wonder if Jin Guniang is willing to do me the honor?”

‘Humph!’ Jin Lingzhi snorted, but before she could speak, Ding Feng already responded on her behalf, he said with a laugh, “Not only will Jin Guniang attend tonight, but these several friends here must also attend. Since we all meet here, it could be considered fate, why not get together?”

He suddenly turned to face Chu Liuxiang, smiled and said, “I wonder if these two Xiongtai [brothers, polite appellation for friend of the same age] feel the same way?”

Chu Liuxiang laughed and said, “As long as there is wine, even if I don’t go, my friend here will definitely drag me there.”

Hu Tiehua also laughed and said, “Not wrong the slightest bit, as long as there is wine to drink, even if after drinking I have to endure a few saber strikes, I simply have to go.” Translated by foxs

Ding Feng laughed and said, “Excellent, excellent …”

Suddenly they heard someone say, “Such a lively occasion, I wonder if I am invited?”

Standing in the crowd, this man was half a head taller than others, only because his legs were much longer than other people’s, he was precisely the man who just took a shower by the sink.

But naturally at this moment he has also put on clothes. His gorgeous clothes were definitely not inferior to the man in purple robe, his hand also carried a three-chi-square black leather suitcase, which looked extremely heavy, no one knew what was inside.

The man in purple robe’s eyes flashing, he laughed loudly and said, “If Xiongtai is willing to do me the honor, Zaixia can’t welcome you enough, where’s the logic in not inviting you?”

The man with the long legs laughed and said, “Since that’s the case, I’ll offer my thanks in advance, but I don’t know where the banquet will be?”

The man in purple robe said, “How about the ‘San He Lou’ [Three-Harmony Building (with more than one story)] right across the street?”

The man with the long legs said, “Very well, it’s a deal.”

With a smile on his face, he cast Chu Liuxiang a glance, and then walked out in large strides. foxswuxia.wordpress.com

Since there was no more fun to watch, everyone dispersed in confusion [idiom]. Jin Lingzhi left with Ding Feng. She did not seem to want to go with Ding Feng, but for some reason, unexpectedly she did not refuse.

It was not until everyone was gone that the man with the saber hanging on his waist spoke hatefully, “Dage [Big Brother, also means gang leader, boss], I really don’t understand how you could endure it just now? Even if that yatou [girl, servant girl, used deprecatingly, but sometimes also as a term of endearment] is the Jin Laotaipo’s [old woman (at times contemptuous)] granddaughter, could it be that we, brothers are men who are afraid of trouble?”

The man in purple robe sighed again, he spoke with a bitter smile, “Fortunately you did not do that … Do you know who he is?”

The man with the saber hanging on his waist said with a cold laugh, “Looking at his smug look, could it be that he is Chu Liuxiang?”

The man in purple robe’s countenance sank, he spoke word by word, “Not wrong the slightest bit, he is indeed Chu Liuxiang!”

The man with the saber hanging on his waist was stunned, he could no longer speak.

The man in purple robe was also staring blankly for half a day, a sinister smile appeared on the corner of his mouth, he muttered, “Chu Liuxiang, Chu Liuxiang, although we can’t deal with you, but inevitably there will be someone able to deal with you. If you can live for three more days, I consider you have real skill!”

As soon as Chu Liuxiang and Hu Tiehua turned a street corner, Hu Tiehua could not help asking, “Where’s that kid Zhang San?” Translated by foxs

Chu Liuxiang chuckled, he said, “I told him to slip away.”

Hu Tiehua laughed and said, “I really cannot think of how you get him to spit out that pearl. That kid is also strange, how could someone who refuses to obey suddenly obey you?”

Chu Liuxiang smiled but said nothing.

Hu Tiehua said, “But that trick of yours is unavoidably too awesome.”

Chu Liuxiang said, “You don’t recognize that man?”

Hu Tiehua said, “I know he recognizes you, so even though he suffered pent-up unspoken grievances, he did not dare to make a sound, but I’ve never seen him before, I only feel that he was rather pitiful.”

Chu Liuxiang said, “If you knew who he was, you wouldn’t pity him.”

Hu Tiehua said, “Oh?”

Chu Liuxiang said, “Have you ever heard that in the southeast sea there is a bunch of pirates, killing people and robbing goods, not shrinking from any crime?”

Hu Tiehua said, “Zi Jing Bang [Purple Whale Gang]?” foxswuxia.wordpress.com

“That’s right,” Chu Liuxiang said, “That man is Zi Jing Bangzhu [Gang Leader] Hai Kuotian! All along he very seldom moves about on land, hence the reason you haven’t seen him.”

Emotionally moved, Hu Tiehua said, “But this fellow’s [orig. manservant (derogatory term)] name, I have heard for a long time. Why didn’t you tell me? If I knew that he was Hai Kuotian, it would be strange indeed if that punch did not knock him flat.”

Chu Liuxiang laughed indifferently and said, “You will always have a chance in the future, so why worry?”

Hu Tiehua suddenly also laughed and said, “I heard that Hai Kuotian’s vision is the most accurate. As soon as he makes a move, he will surely return from a rewarding journey. It could be said that he is a first-class big robber, but today he was hard-pressed by you to wear the hat as a ‘thief’. When he goes back and think about it tonight, it will be strange indeed if he will be able to sleep.”

Chu Liuxiang laughed and said, “When he was naked, I did not recognize him, but as soon as he put on his clothes, I knew who he is. I already wanted to punish him, and today is my chance.”

Hu Tiehua said, “But why did you let him go again?”

Chu Liuxiang said, “I don’t want to beat the grass to scare the snake [idiom].”

Muttering to himself irresolutely, Hu Tiehua said, “If Hai Kuotian is the grass, who is the snake? … Ding Feng?” Translated by foxs

“That’s right,” Chu Liuxiang replied.

Hu Tiehua nodded, he said, “This person is indeed suspicious. He was originally on Kumei Dashi’s boat, but the boat sank, and he appeared here; he was originally going to pick up Kumei Dashi, but now Kumei Dashi is gone.”

Chu Liuxiang said, “That is also the first thing that I find strange.”

Hu Tiehua said, “Jin Lingzhi has nothing to do with Huashan Pai, but she mastered Huashan Pai’s secret that is not passed on to outsiders, the ‘Thirteen Styles of Cool Breeze’; moreover, she refused to admit it to the death.”

Chu Liuxiang said, “That is the second strange thing.”

Hu Tiehua said, “Originally, Jin Lingzhi is not afraid of heaven and earth, but when she saw Ding Feng, she seemed to be very docile. What is her relationship with Ding Feng?”

Chu Liuxiang said, “That is the strange thing number three.”

Hu Tiehua said, “Zi Jing have always moved about on sea, but Hai Kuotian suddenly appeared here; since Ding Feng was willing to lift a siege [helping someone out of trouble] for him, presumably he also has some relationship with him. How could they be related?”

Chu Liuxiang said, “That is the strange thing number four.” foxswuxia.wordpress.com

Hu Tiehua thought for a while and said, “As soon as he made his move, Ding Feng was able to clamp Jin Lingzhi’s sword, obviously he is very familiar with the sword path of the ‘Thirteen Styles of Cool Breeze’; how could he be familiar with Huashan’s sword technique?”

Chu Liuxiang said, “That is the strange thing number five.”

Hu Tiehua said, “He clearly knew that it was Huashan Pai’s ‘Thirteen Styles of Cool Breeze’, yet he insisted that it was Emei‘s ‘Willow Cotton Wadding Sword Technique’; obviously he was covering up for Jin Lingzhi. Why did he do that?”

Chu Liuxiang said, “That is the strange thing number six.”

Hu Tiehua said, “His pair of palms clamped the sword, he seemed to be using the ‘Big Clap’ of the Fusang Jiahe Valley, but his qinggong and shenfa seemed to be identical to the Blood Shadow Man’s movement of the past, plus he was so familiar with Huashan Pai’s sword technique; although this young man’s age is not much, he has such a high level of martial arts, moreover, he received instructions in skills from several schools not taught to outsiders, what is his origin?”

Chu Liuxiang said, “That is the strange thing number seven.”

Hu Tiehua stroked his nose, his nose was rubbed until it turned red.

Chu Liuxiang said, “What else?” Translated by foxs

Hu Tiehua heaved a sigh, he smiled wryly and said, “Within a day I encountered seven unexplainable strange things, could it be that is not enough?”

Chu Liuxiang laughed and said, “Have you ever thought about the relationship between these seven things?”

Hu Tiehua said, “My head has long been dizzy.”

Chu Liuxiang said, “There is actually only one thread in these seven things. Presumably Kumei Dashi went down the mountain to track down this thread.”

Hu Tiehua said, “Oh?”

Chu Liuxiang said, “The ‘Thirteen Styles of Cool Breeze’ is originally Huashan Pai’s secret that is not passed on to outsiders, but now at least two unrelated people know it. How could this secret be leaked? As the Huashan Pai’s Zhangmen, naturally Kumei Dashi cannot but care about it.”

Obtaining sudden understanding, Hu Tiehua said, “That’s right, Kumei Dashi went down the mountain is to investigate how the ‘Thirteen Styles of Cool Breeze’ and the secret xinfa could be known by outsiders. For the convenience of this operation, naturally she could not appear in her original identity.” foxswuxia.wordpress.com

Chu Liuxiang said, “The only ones who know the ‘Thirteen Styles of Cool Breeze’ and the secret xinfa handed down from generation to generation are Kumei Dashi and Gao Yanan. Naturally, Kumei Dashi herself will never reveal the secret …”

Hu Tiehua spoke resolutely, “Gao Yanan is definitely not such a person.”

Chu Liuxiang said, “Of course she is not such a person, so there is only one possibility in this matter.”

Hu Tiehua asked, “What possibility?”

Chu Liuxiang said, “The secret xinfa the ‘Thirteen Styles of Cool Breeze’ has been stolen.”

Hu Tiehua exhaled a long breath, he said, “That’s right, apart from this, how could Kumei Dashi leave the mountain so easily?”

Muttering to himself irresolutely, Chu Liuxiang said, “Since the ‘Thirteen Styles of Cool Breeze’ is Huashan Pai’s secret that is not passed on, the secret book of its xinfa must be kept extremely strictly …”

Hu Tiehua scrambled to say, “And I am afraid that the only person who has a way to steal it back is the ‘Dao Shuai’ [Bandit Chief] Chu Liuxiang.”

Smiling wryly, Chu Liuxiang said, “I don’t have such a big ability either.”

While also smiling wryly, Hu Tiehua said, “This matter seems to be similar to the theft of the ‘Tianyi Shenshui’ [Heavenly One Divine Water, see Book 1].”

Chu Liuxiang said, “At first glance, the two cases do seem to be somewhat similar, but they are actually completely different.” Translated by foxs

Hu Tiehua asked, “What’s the difference?”

Chu Liuxiang said, “Shen Shui Gong’s [Divine Water Palace] disciples are very numerous, the organization structure complex, but Huashan Pai is the most strict in selecting disciples, the number of disciples under Kumei Dashi’s tutelage is no more than seven.”

“That’s right,” Hu Tiehua said.

Chu Liuxiang said, “Shen Shui Gong’s ‘Tianyi Shenshui’ was originally kept by Shui Mu’s disciples, but the sword manual of the ‘Thirteen Styles of Cool Breeze’ must have been kept by Kumei Dashi herself …”

“That’s right,” Hu Tiehua said, “Stealing the ‘Thirteen Styles of Cool Breeze’ sword manual is indeed much more difficult than stealing the ‘Tianyi Shenshui’.”

Chu Liuxiang said, “From this, it can be seen that the person stealing this sword manual must be much more formidable than Wuhua who stole the ‘Tianyi Shenshui’.”

Hu Tiehua said, “Do you think this person could be … Ding Feng?”

Muttering to himself irresolutely, Chu Liuxiang said, “Even if it’s not Ding Feng, it must have something to do with Ding Feng.” foxswuxia.wordpress.com

He continued, “Kumei Dashi must have discovered some clues, hence she assumes that ‘Lan Taifuren’ identity to come to this city to meet with Ding Feng.”

Hu Tiehua said, “In that case, as long as she catches Ding Feng, wouldn’t she be able to inquire so that as the water recedes, the rocks appear?”

Chu Liuxiang chuckled and said, “Naturally Kumei Dashi can’t be as reckless as you are, naturally she knows that Ding Feng is at most only a small snake, and that there is also a big snake …”

Hu Tiehua said, “Who is the big snake?”

Chu Liuxiang said, “Up to now, that big snake is still hiding in the grass. Only by catching this big snake can we find out the secrets. Catching the small snake won’t do you any good.”

Hu Tiehua nodded thoughtfully and said, “Kumei Dashi‘s current approach must be to force that snake out from whichever pile of grass he is hiding in, therefore, she can’t act blindly without thinking.”

Chu Liuxiang laughed and said, “You finally understand.”

Hu Tiehue said, “But we …”

Cutting him off, Chu Liuxiang said, “We definitely cannot act blindly without thinking either, because this matter is not only related to Kumei Dashi, but also to many other people.”

Hu Tiehua said, “Oh?” Translated by foxs

Chu Liuxiang said, “In addition to Kumei Dashi, there must be many other people whose secrets have also fallen into this big snake’s hand, and those who are involved in this matter are very important figures even more.”

Hu Tiehua sighed and said, “That’s right, this matter is indeed much more bizarre and complicated than the theft case of the ‘Tianyi Shenshui’.”

Chu Liuxiang said, “The most important factor is that Wuhua stole the ‘Tianyi Shenshui’ only for his own use. This big snake stole other people’s secrets for the purpose of putting it on the market!”

Stunned, Hu Tiehua said, “Putting it on the market?”

Chu Liuxiang said, “Just think, how did Jin Lingzhi get the ‘Thirteen Styles of Cool Breeze’ secret xinfa handed down from generation to generation?”

Hu Tiehua could not help being emotionally moved, he said, “Could it be that you think she bought it from Ding Feng?”

“That’s right,” Chu Liuxiang said.

He went on, “Naturally this kind of business transaction is extremely secret. Ding Feng must have warned her not to show off her sword technique easily in front of others, but today, in her anxiety, she had used it.” foxswuxia.wordpress.com

Hu Tiehua suddenly understood, he said, “Therefore, when she saw Ding Feng, she was very nervous. Someone who is plainly cannot be bullied, unexpectedly restrained her anger, it must be because she knew that she was wrong.”

Chu Liuxiang said, “Precisely because of this that Ding Feng deliberately cover up for her.”

Hu Tiehua chuckled, he said, “Only too bad that no matter how he covered it up, he still could not hide it from others, also can’t hide it from us.”

Chu Liuxiang said, “Currently, Ding Feng still does not know who we are, he does not know our relationship with Huashan Pai, maybe he thought he still concealed it from us too.”

Hu Tiehua said, “But sooner or later he will know.”

Chu Liuxiang slowly said, “That’s right, sooner or later he will know, by that time …”

Hu Tiehua’s countenance changed, he said, “By that time, he will definitely kill us to shut our mouth, right?”

Chu Liuxiang laughed indifferently and said, “You indeed cannot be considered too dense.”

Laughing coldly, Hu Tiehua said, “Those who want to kill us are not limited to him, one person, but where are those people now?” Translated by foxs

Chu Liuxiang said, “Those people are those people, Ding Feng is Ding Feng!”

Hu Tiehua said, “So what about Ding Feng? Could it be that he is more formidable than Shi Guanyin, more formidable than Xue Yiren?”

Chu Liuxiang heaved a sigh, he said, “Ding Feng may not be enough to be afraid of, but that big snake …”

Hu Tiehua spoke loudly, “How come you elevate other people’s spirit but diminish your own prestige? … So what about that big snake? Could it be that it can swallow us into its belly?”

Chu Liuxiang spoke heavily, “Jiahe Valley’s ‘Big Clap’, Blood Shadow Man’s qinggong xinfa, they are already consummate skills that are rarely seen in Wulin, ‘Thirteen Styles of Cool Breeze’ need not be mentioned even more. They can combine and master these three all martial art skill, much less others? If one person can master the martial arts of several dozen schools, wouldn’t he be more terrifying than Shi Guanyin and the others?”

“Humph!” Hu Tiehua snorted.

Chu Liuxiang said, “Besides, to be able to learn these kinds of martial arts, how much skill does it take? From this, it can be seen that that big snake’s scheming and means must be not an ordinary human can reach.”

Laughing coldly, Hu Tiehua said, “Sinister and vicious people, we have seen not a few.” foxswuxia.wordpress.com

Chu Liuxiang chuckled, he said, “It’s not that I’m really afraid of them, but if we can be careful, it’s always better to be a bit more careful.”

Hu Tiehua coldly said, “If you are a bit more careful, you will soon become laotaipo [old woman, see above].”

Chu Liuxiang laughed and said, “Laotaipo always lives longer than others. If she was killed at the age of thirty-three, how could she become laotaipo?”

Hu Tiehua also laughed, he said, “Fancy that you still remember my age. Come to think about it, I, personally, can live to thirty-three years old, it is really not easy.”

He heaved a sigh, and then went on, “Actually, I also know that this matter is not easy to deal with. No matter who, as long as he is involved, to get away, I am afraid it will be very difficult.”

Chu Liuxiang said, “Now, the people involved in this matter, the ones I know, there are the Wanfu Wanshou Yuan, the Huashan Pai, and the Zi Jing Bang. The ones I don’t know, I don’t know how many more.”

Muttering to himself irresolutely, Hu Tiehua said, “Even if there are only these people, it is already extraordinary.”

Chu Liuxiang said, “Other than these, I know that there is at least one extraordinary person.”

“Who?” Hu Tiehua asked.

Chu Liuxiang said, “This person is behind us now.”

[1] Blue: Blue grass, can be used as a dye. The original meaning means that green is extracted from bluegrass, but the color is darker than blue; later, it means that students are better than teachers or future generations are better than predecessors; they are often used as predicates in sentences, with a positive meaning. (Baike.Baidu)