Chapter 51

Chapter 51

Hua Wu Que heard Xiao Yu’er mention that Murong Jiu had already been taken away by Jiang Yu Lang and can’t help but feel startled, “Miss Murong?…. Was Miss Murong with him as well?”

Xiao Yu’er asked, “You… you didn’t see her?”

Hua Wu Que was stumped, and replied “I only saw a girl next to him, but I didn’t think she would be Miss Murong. At that time I was only concerned about you, and the light here is so dim, I did not take a clear look at her face.”

Xuanyuan Sanguang suddenly slapped Xiao Yu’er’s shoulder and said, “But the girl who came out with you would slip away as well?”

Xiao Yu’er furrowed his brow, “That’s right! Why did she slip away as well? Could it be she’s afraid of seeing Hua Wu Que?”

Hua wu Que asked, “Who is this girl?”

Xiao Yu’er replied, “Her name is Tie Ping Gu…. Do you know her?”

“I’ve never even heard of this name.”

Xiao Yu’er tapped his head with his finger and mused, “Since you do not recognise her, why did she escape? I really cannot fathom…”

Tie Ping Gu really did have a reason, and her reason is extremely valid.

Hua Wu Que knew her originally, he have not heard of the name ‘Tie Ping Gu’, is because her name was not Tie Ping Gu then. Tie Ping Gu would naturally recognize Hua Wu Que.

Once she saw Hua Wu Que, her expression immediately changed and turned her head instantly, until she was sure that Hua Wu Que did not notice her did she slip away with the greatest speed.

By now it’s close to dusk, the setting sun lighting up the sky, reflecting on the lush green mountain, the slight breeze carried a fragrance. Tie Ping Gu took a deep breath, and could not describe how she felt.

For over ten years, this is the first time she got her freedom, the first time she could stand on her own. She can do whatever she wants, can go wherever she wants. But instead she does not know what to do. Jiang Yu Lang followed her and slipped out. He was originally happy when he saw Hua Wu Que, but he saw that the way Hua Wu Que looked at Xiao Yu’er had changed and immediately felt that things were not right.

Jiang Yu Lang also felt strange that Tie Ping Gu would slip away. Once Tie Ping Gu revealed her skills, Jiagn Yu Lang was even more surprised.

This young girls excellent lightness skill may be surprising, but the weirdest thing is in the way that she flew, with a uniquely dignified pose, which bears some semblance to Hua Wu Que’s extraordinary moves.

Jiang Yu Lang’s eyes immediately narrowed. He was surprised, bewildered, and with a roll of his eyes, he immediately dragged Murong Jiu and gave chase.

Jiang Yu Lang will never let any opportunity go, but he did not realize that, the praying mantis is hunting the cicada, but the canary is right behind. There were two more people following him.

By the time Xiao Yu’er, Hua Wu Que and Xuanyuan Sanguang came out, besides a few bodies, there was not a living being there.

Xiao Yu’er looked at the bodies and sighed, “These people may have been brought here by Jiang Yu Lang, but Jiang Yu Lang could abandon and not bother about them, but we…”

Xuanyuan Sanguang said, “You don’t have to bother about such things, burying the dead, is my expertise.”

Xiao Yu’er laughed, “Then what do you want me to do?”

Xuanyuan Sanguang sighed, “You have to make preparations to deal with someone you’ve never met before, the most poisonous, evil, nauseating and also the most headache inducing enemy.”

Xiao Yu’er asked, “Are you referring to that toothless (Wu Ya) lad!”

Xuanyuan Sanguang replied, “I am referring exactly to Wei Wu Ya.”

Xiao Yu’er said, “I did not kill those five people.”

Xuanyuan Sanguang retorted, “Do you think he’s very reasonable! As long as you have some brush against his men, he’ll never finish with you.”

Xiao Yu’er took a deep breath and said, “You’ve made this ‘toothless’ person out to be so formidable, who is he exactly!”

Xuanyuan Sanguang asked, “Have you heard of the name ‘Twelve Zodiacs’! He is the Rat in the Twelve Zodiacs…”

Xiao Yu’er guffawed, “I thought who you were referring to, so it’s the Twelve Zodiacs… I’ve also had my fair share of experiences with those in the Twelve Zodiacs, but they can’t seem to do anything to me.”

Xuanyuan Sanguang replied, “The reason why the Twelve Zodiacs became famous, is because of Wei Wu Ya. When they were at the peak of their fame, when people in the martial arts realm hear of the words ‘Twelve Zodiacs’, they won’t be able to sleep at night. At that time I’m afraid you were not even born.”

Xiao Yu’er laughed, “Looking at the way you say it, I’m lucky that I was not born early.”

Xuanyuan Sanguang continued, “Don’t talk about others, even us ‘Ten Evils’, even though we’re not afraid of anything, but when we hear the three words ‘Wei Wu Ya’, we’ll still get a headache for a few days.”

Only now was Xiao Yu’er moved, and said, “A character that can cause even the Ten Evils to have headaches, he must be of some calibre.”

Hua Wu Que suddenly said, “I’ve heard of this name as well.”

Xiao Yu’er laughed, “Could it be that Floral Palace is also having headaches over him.”

Hua Wu Que replied slowly, “When I left the Palace, my Teacher wants me to specially take note of two people, one of which is Wei Wu Ya.”

Xiao Yu’er asked, “What about the other one?”

Hua Wu Que replied with a bitter smile, “Another person is Yan Nan Tian, Hero Yan.”

Xiao Yu’er was silent for a moment before asking, “Where is he now?”

Xuanyuan Sanguang replied, “The Twelve Zodiacs could not raise their heads high these recent years, is because Wei Wu Ya suddenly disappeared ten over years ago. Some said he was injured by the Floral Palace Princess, so he went into hiding. Others said that he was practicing a mysterious form of martial arts, so he did not wish to see others….”

Xiao Yu’er asked, “Where do you think… he will hide himself?”

Xuanyuan Sanguang replied with a sigh, “If he wants to hide, I’m afraid even ghosts won’t be able to find him.”

Xiao yu’er furrowed his brows and mumbled, “Could it be that he’s hiding at Turtle Hill… the person those ‘Harm others without benefit to oneself’ brothers said before they died, could it be him…”

He suddenly slapped Xuanyuan Sanguang’s shoulders and asked with a smile, “After you bury the dead, what else are you thinking of doing?”

Xuanyuan Sanguang replied, “I actually wanted to find someone and have a gamble, but once I remember that Wei Wu Ya has appeared again, I’ve actually lost my interest for gambling.”

Xiao Yu’er said, “Then I shall trouble you to send the silver in the cave to Duan He Fei, and tell Duan He Fei who was the person who kept these silver.”

He continued with a smile, “It doesn’t matter if you return him the silver and then win it back from him. Duan He Fei loves to fight crickets, and loves to eat meat, if you gamble meat eating with him, he’ll certainly oblige.”

Even if Xuanyuan Sanguang wanted to decline, it’s too late. Before Xiao Yu’er had even finished his words, he’d already dragged Hua Wu Que and left like the wind.

Xuanyuan Sanguang could only shake his head and with a bitter laugh, said “Damn, it’s really not darn easy to reject what Jiang Xiao Yu ask you to do.”

As Xiao Yu’er walked, he related what had happened to him.

Naturally Hua Wu Que was surprised on hearing it, and even he does not know what plans this ‘Mr Copper’ has, and can’t help but start to feel suspicious about Mr Copper’s background.

When he related what had happened to him, Xiao Yu’er also felt surprise, and can’t help but ask, “Since Hero Yan will only let you off after I’ve been found, then why is it that you’re alone now? Where has he gone to?”

Hua Wu Que replied, “I don’t know why but these two days, I suddenly felt uneasy, as if some catastrophe is about to happen. I’ve never felt anything like this in my life.”

Xiao Yu’er laughed, “The one facing a catastrophe the last two days is me, why would you feel uneasy, that’s really weird.”

Hua Wu Que answered, “I guess Hero Yan also noticed that I was looking a little out of sorts, so he asked me what I wanted to do, and I told him I would like to come out for a walk… I had thought that Hero Yan would not agree, but who would have known that he actually did”

Xiao Yu’er asked hoarsely, “You want to go, and he just let you leave!”

“That’s right.”

Xiao Yu’er sighed, “Yan Nan Tian is really Yan Nan Tian, really different from that Mr Copper. To tell you the truth, to meet someone like him, is your great fortune.”

Hua Wu Que kept silent. When he respects someone in his heart, he won’t say it out, besides, the person whom he respects is Floral Palace’s enemy.”

Xiao Yu’er suddenly laughed, “But you’re truly a gentleman as well, that’s why he’s assured. If the person he met was me, I’m afraid he won’t let me off so easily too.”

Hua Wu Que smiled and asked, “Why do you think that you’re not a gentleman?”

Xiao Yu’er was silent for a moment, and said slowly, “Maybe because I’ve never seen a gentleman since I was young, I don’t even know what a gentleman is like, and by the time I see one or two gentleman, they always disappoint me…”

Hua Wu Que smiled, “Hero Yan is still waiting for me, you…”

Xiao Yu’er suddenly interrupted, “When you see him, don’t say that you’ve seen me, all right?”

Hua Wu Que was puzzled, “Why? Aren’t you coming with me to see him?”

Xiao Yu’er replied, “I… I was thinking of going to Turtle Hill, but he will certainly not allow me to go.”

Hua Wu Que was even more puzzled, “You want to go to Turtle Hill? Why?”

“I’m going to save some people.”

Hua Wu Que was stunned, “Could they be the Ten Evils? But they… but they….”

Xiao Yu’er said with a bitter smile, “They may not be good people, but I was brought up by them. It doesn’t matter if I don’t know about this matter, but since I know it now, I cannot not bother, besides… I want to find that Tie Ping Gu on the way as well. Her martial arts may be good, but she has never left her home, she won’t know the dangers of the world and could be tricked anytime. Since she saved me once, at least I have to save her once too…” He made a monkey face and laughed, “You must know, the feeling of owing a debt to a woman is never good.”

Tie Ping Gu also doesn’t know if it was the fragrance of cooking that lured her here, anyway, she had entered this small town, and realized that she is famished. Although she also ate something in that cave, but when a person has been hungry for two, three days, how could her hunger be satiated be easily. The table which the dishes were placed, were shining with a layer of grease under the light, more than ten green headed flies were flying around the table full of dishes.

This kind of place, usually even if there’s an eight men carriage carrying her here, Tie Ping Gu would not go in, but now, she’d crawl in even if she has to. The way Tie Ping Gu looks now, really does not resemble a good guest.

Her face is full of dirt and sweat, her hair messy like a bird’s nest, her clothes dirty and torn. Even if she does not look like a prisoner who has just escaped from her cell, she looks like an escaped mistress from a wealthy family. A pity that she is also like most of the other people in the world, who only saw the dirt on others, but never their own.

There were only three guests in the shop, all were staring at her with big eyes, but Tie Ping Gu could not fathom why these people were looking at her.

The shop staff finally walked over and said with a forced smile, “Would Miss like a bowl of noodles? Our shop’s Yangchun Noodles is half a catty (about 300g) per bowl.”

Tie Ping Gu took a deep breath and said, “Noodles, I’m not used to eating it. Give me a roasted chicken, a plate of fish fillets, a plate of fried potatoes, half a slab of ham with the skin removed and steamed, add a little rock sugar, a bowl of bamboo shoots and mushroom soup… oh, that’s right, give me some of those braised vegetables on the tray over there.”

These dishes, to her, were really quite ordinary. She already felt that she’s doing an injustice to herself. With her voracious appetite now, she almost could eat a horse.

But the three guests at the side, on hearing her say such a long string of dishes, burst out into laughter. Even the shop staff was staring with big round eyes and scratching his head.

Tie Ping Gu stared at him and said, “Why, don’t your shop even have these few dishes?”

The shop staff said slowly, “We have these dishes, but our shop also has a rule!”

Tie Ping Gu asked, “What rule?”

“Our shop survives on a small profit margin, we can’t afford to be owed money, so all guests who come will have to pay first.”

Tie Ping Gu was stunned. Why would she be carrying silver taels, she only knows that silver taels are dirty and heavy, she absolutely did not think that they would be so useful.

The shop staff smiled a superficial smile and said, “A meal has to be paid for, doesn’t Miss know this rule?”

The three guests at the side laughed loudly, and one of them said with a laugh, “Why don’t Miss come over this table here and eat with us. We may not have roasted chicken here, but there’s still half a duck head left, you can make do with it and take it with wine.”

Tie Ping Gu only wished that she had never been born, never walked into this ghastly place. She felt that although it feels bad sitting here, but walking out like that would be an even bigger loss of face, so much so that she is at a loss as to what to do next.

Jiang Yu Lang walked in right at this time, he has really chosen a great time.

He walked to Tie Ping Gu and bowed respectfully, in his hands he held ten over shiny yellow golden spindles, saying with a smile, “Uncle knows that Cousin had come out in a hurry and may not have brought enough money, so he asked me to send some pocket money over.”

The shop staff was immediately stunned, the three guests at the side were stunned as well.

The most stunned, naturally is Tie Ping Gu. Of course she recognizes Jiang Yu Lang as the bad egg that Xiao Yu’er was talking about, but she could not guess what this is all about.

She could only look on as Jiang Yu Lang sat next to her. Murong Jiu is like a puppet, smiling dazedly, sitting down with him dazedly. However that shop staff became very cute, bending his back, with a smile, sending dishes and wine. In an instant, the table was filled with food.

Jiang Yu Lang used the hot tea to wash Tie Ping Gu’s chopsticks and said with a smile, “This braised vegetable is quite fresh, Cousin why don’t you just make do and eat some first.”

Tie Ping Gu now suddenly has a ‘cousin’, and she really doesn’t know whether to be angry or to laugh. However, Jiang Yu Lang really understands a girl’s heart. When Tie Ping Gu was at her most embarrassed, he helped her regained her face, so how could Tie Ping Gu not feel gratitude. After the meal, Tie Ping Gu paid up grandly, and she can’t help but feel happy about it. But as for the remaining gold, she is embarrassed to take it.

She has not spoken a single word to Jiang Yu Lang, and is still ignoring him now, and walked out on her own. Since Jiang Xiao Yu dislike this person, then this person must be nothing good. Tie Ping Gu walked in front, Jiang Yu Lang followed behind. Tie Ping Gu finally can’t help but ask, “What else do you want?”

Jiang Yu Lang said with a smile, “I was only afraid that Miss would find it inconvenient wandering on your own, so I thought to offer some help to Miss.”

Tie Ping Gu replied, “You don’t have to bother about my affairs.” She may be saying it, but her heart has already been touched.

There were people walking up and down the streets, but none of whom she recognize. The lights in the distance were getting less and less, the darkness even scarier.

She really does not know where to go. She suddenly realized that if a person wants to live a carefree life in this world, it’s really not as easy as they imagined.

Jiang Yu Lang did not make any noise for a long time, could he have gone? Tie Ping Gu suddenly realized that she’s afraid that he will be gone.

She hurriedly turned her head, Jiang Yu Lang was still following behind her with a grin.

Although she heaved a sigh of relief in her heart, but yet she shouted, “Why are you still following me?”

Jiang Yu Lang said with a smile, “The sky is getting dark, doesn’t Miss want to take a rest?”

Tie Ping Gu chewed on her lips. She’s really tired, but where should she rest?

Jiang Yu Lang’s eyes shone, and he smiled, “Even if Miss does not wish me to follow you, at least let me help Miss find an inn.”

This time, Tie Ping Gu is unable to say anything to reject him.

But once an inn was found, Tie Ping Gu immediately closed the door solemnly, and said loudly, “You can leave now, the further the better.”

This time Jiang Yu Lang was actually very obedient. Tie Ping Gu waited for a while and did not hear anything from him and laid on the bed, heaving a sigh of relief.

She thought of Jiang Xiao yu, thought of Hua Wu Que, and thought of Jiang Yu Lang… why is Jiang Xiao Yu at odds with him? He doesn’t seem to be too bad a person. But Tie Ping Gu is really too tired, and she slept suddenly.

Once she woke up the second day, she immediately felt extremely hungry.

There were a few times Tie Ping Gu wanted to ask someone to send food, but she stopped herself each time. The more she wanted to bear with the hunger, the more she could not do it.

Suddenly she heard a waiter outside say with a smile, “Master Jiang has asked me to send Miss your breakfast, will Miss be eating now?”

After she’s eaten, Tie Ping Gu finally realized how scary she looks now. She wished she could throw the mirror on the table far away, her whole body feeling numb.

Right at this time, the waiter returned again. This time he carried many pieces of beautiful and soft new clothes, a set of exquisite combs, expensive rouges, soft shoes and socks. These things, can Tie Ping Gu reject them?

When Tie Ping Gu has changed into these clothes and cleaned herself up, Jiang Yu Lang’s voice appeared, “I wonder if I can come in?”

Now, Tie Ping Gu’s stomach is filled with food sent by him, on her body is the clothes and shoes sent by him, can she not let him come in?

By lunchtime that day, Jiang Yu Lang naturally had not left, and Tie Ping Gu no longer had to intention to ask him to leave. Now, she only feels that she really cannot do without him.

This naturally is also a small inn, and in the small dining hall of the small inn, there’s only the two of them. According to Jiang Yu Lang, “That Miss Murong is not feeling well, that’s why she’s not yet awake.”

Actually, Jiang Yu Lang had sealed her sleeping acupoint, and wrapped her up in her blanket. She may be just a puppet, but Jiang Yu Lang is also not willing for her to come and disturb them.

Naturally there won’t be any great dishes in a small inn, but Jiang Yu Lang still ordered a table of food, and two flasks of wine, and said with a smile, “If Miss does not object, I’ll like to have a little drink.”

Tie Ping Gu did not reply, but when the wine came, she snatched over the flask, poured a huge cup to the brim and drank it up in a gulp. She only felt a burning and hot sensation, spilling down her throat, so burning that she her tears almost flowed. When has she ever drank before.

Jiang Yu Lang was secretly laughing on seeing this but instead he said, “If Miss has not drank before, it’s best that you do not drink, if you were to become drunk…. Ai.” His face was a pretense of sincerity, as if he’s really concerned that Tie Ping Gu would become drunk. Actually he can’t wait for her to be dead drunk immediately.

Tie Ping Gu lifted her head and drank another cup, Jiang Yu Lang sat next to her sighing, but he was actually extremely happy.

After drinking a cup of wine, Tie Ping Gu only felt her whole body was warm and comfortable, and felt like flying. By the time she drank the fourth cup, she only felt that this ‘wine’ is really the best drink in the world, and did not think that’s it’s spicy or bitter. By her fifth cup, she had already forgotten all her troubles.

By now Jiang Yu Lang is really pouring the wine for her. Jiang Yu Lang smiled and said, “I did not expect Miss to be such a good drinker, come, let me offer Miss another toast.”

Tie Ping Gu drank another cup, and suddenly stared at Jiang Yu Lang, asking “Are you really a good person, or a bad person?”

Jiang Yu Lang replied with a slight smile, “Does Miss think that I look like a bad person?”

Tie Ping Gu furrowed her brows, “You don’t look like one, but… why did Jiang Xiao Yu said you’re nothing good.”

Jiang Yu Lang asked with a bitter smile, “Is Miss very well acquainted with him?”

Tie Ping Gu replied, “Not too bad…. Not really acquainted.”

“If Miss were to find out what he is like in future, you would understand… ai, that Miss Murong, if not for him, she would not have become like that.”

Tie Ping Gu was stunned for a while, and poured another cup and gulped it down.

Jiang Yu Lang smiled, “With such atmosphere, I really shouldn’t mention such troubling matters.”

Tie Ping Gu suddenly laughed foolishly, “That’s right, we should talk about happier things. What happy things do you have to say, say it quickly. I’ll drink a cup for every happy thing that you say.”

What talent does Jiang Yu Lang have, if he wants to talk about happy things, he won’t be able to finish even if he talked for three days and nights. He spoke about one matter after another, Tie Ping Gu drank one cup after another, laughing as she drank.

Later she was still laughing even when Jiang Yu Lang had stopped talking, and even later, she couldn’t even laugh if she wanted to. She slipped down from the chair, unable to get up.

Jiang Yu Lang’s eyes gleamed, and tested, “Can Miss still hear me?” Tie Ping Gu can’t even make a sound.

Jiang Yu Lang pulled her up from under the table and felt that her whole body is so limp as if there’s not a bone in her body. If Jiang Yu Lang wants her to go east, she’ll go east, if he wants her to go west, she’ll go west.

Suddenly someone laughed loudly, “Excellent planning indeed, Brother, I am really impressed.”

Jiang Yu Lang was startled and he put Tie Ping Gu down before he suddenly turned around. He saw two people, one tall and one short, walking in with booming laughter.