Da Tang Shuang Long Zhuan Volume 7 Chapter 4 part1

Book 7 Chapter 4 - Meeting Face to Face on a Narrow Path

Gui Xiliang and Xing Rong were forced into a corner, with the latter was wounded in the left arm and blood was still trickling down from the wound; evidently they were at a disadvantageous position.

The other guests, as well as the waiters, were crowding the wall on the kitchen side; everybody appeared to be outraged, but nobody dared to speak up.

As soon as Kou and Xu, two boys entered the hall, two Rain Bamboo Hall disciples guarding the door pointed their finger at them and shouted, "You, two small fry, get lost! You have no place to speak up in here.”

Seeing an old friend injured, Xu Ziling let out a cold snort and strode forward.

A sword flashed; one of Rain Bamboo Hall men slashing his sword toward Xu Ziling's left shoulder.

Xu Ziling had not even reacted, Kou Zhong's leg flew out.

‘Bang!'

The man was kicked heavily that the sword flew off his hand and his body flew backward and crashed heavily on a chair; immediately the sound of splintering wood was heard.

Everybody in the hall was shocked.

The other five Rain Bamboo Hall men were scared out of their wits by Kou Zhong's display of prowess; they all retreated to one side, opening up a gap between the two sides, with each side has received disadvantage from the opponent.

Gui Xiliang and Xing Rong looked at Kou and Xu, two boys in disbelief.

Kou Zhong cupped his fist and said, "Gui Xiangzhu, how would you like subordinate to handle these renegades who dared to offend their superior?”

A strong and muscular man, who seemed to be the leader of these Rain Bamboo Hall men shouted, "What do you mean offending superior? I, Bai Rong, am a Rain Bamboo Hall Xiangzhu, under the order of Tangzhu [hall master] Luo Xian to invite Gui Xiangzhu to have a talk with us. You two are the ones who are offending your superior.”

Gui Xiliang looked at the enemy, who were still struggling to crawl up from the floor, and spoke in a heavy voice, "Do you need a blade to invite me to talk?”

Kou Zhong pointed his finger to Bai Rong and said with a laugh, "In this matter, Bai Xiangzhu is wrong. All right! How about we tie them up and wait for Luo Tangzhu to come and be the judge between us, to see who's right and who's wrong.”

Bai Rong gave an eye signal, immediately two of his men charged forward, brandishing their saber to hack on Kou Zhong.

This time Xu Ziling let out a cold snort and stepped in front of Kou Zhong. Slapping rapidly to the left and to the right, he pushed the two blades aside, and then taking a step forward he punched the two men's lower abdomen.

The two men were thrown back from the strike, and crashed onto Bai Rong, so that the three of them rolled down on the floor like a gourd, in a very sorry condition. The rest of their men stayed quiet out of fear, and even more scared to make any move.

Gui Xiliang and Xing Rong could only stare blankly with mouth agape. In just a short period of time he was already overwhelmed with a whole new level of respect toward these two boys.

Kou Zhong calmly clapped his hands and said, "Well? Do you want to create havoc at the Rain Bamboo Hall and take down Luo Da Tangzhu's [big/great hall master] power and prestige? If Gui Xiangzhu does not wish to go, just let us, the two small fry, do it for you.”

Gui Xiliang was silent; he signaled Xing Rong with his eyes, and then forcefully pulled Kou and Xu to the street and said, "Let's go back to Junshi Mansion first and talk about it.”

Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling knew that he was scared; they had no choice but to smile wryly and come with him.

Like most cities in Jiangnan, the river became the link between Jiangyin City and the four rural areas outside the city; the river also formed the skeleton of the town layout.

The houses along the river were whitewashed, the ones facing the water had their walls and windows reflecting the ripples, painting a fresh and clean artwork like scenery of the patchwork of waterways. Rows of water lanes interspersed with small bridges, small boats carrying people in beautiful silk dress; a touchingly beautiful spring scenery.

Junshi Mansion was originally the Jiangyin's provincial military governor mansion, it was located at the town center, the confluence of the river courses. Right in front of the main gate there was a big bridge spanning across the river lining the Junshi Mansion, so that the entire building complex looked even more imposing.

Comparatively speaking, the south was more calm and peaceful than the north. Due to the influx of northerners who fled to the south to avoid calamity, Jiangyin appeared to be even more bustling and flourishing.

In troubled times, it is easily understandable that the common people did not wish to see any changes within the Zhuhua Bang.

Even though Xu Ziling also did not wish to be drawn into this kind of power struggle and territorial dispute, he still felt that he ought to prevent Tieqi Hui, whose evil reputation has spread far and wide, from taking over Zhuhua Bang.

As Gui Xiliang was leading the two boys crossing the bridge, they came across trouble.

Mai Yunfei, another fragrant master who was in guard duty that day, who was also the head disciple of Military Adviser Shao Lingzhou, with a rather handsome and dignified look, as well as an arrogant and conceited individual, stared hard at Kou and Xu, two boys, and said, "Shifu's order, from now on, no stranger is allowed inside Junshi Mansion.”

Gui Xiliang suffered quite a loss of face in front of Kou Zhong, two people; but he was helpless. As a last attempt, he said, "These two were disciples of loyal martyr Yan Kuan, who in the past had bravely sacrificed his own life in Yangzhou. In recent years they roamed the Jianghu and have acquired good martial art skill. Just now they had beaten Rain Bamboo Hall's Bai Rong until he was in a sorry state; therefore, I was hoping to introduce them to Shao Junshi and recommend them for promotion.”

Mai Yunfei condescendingly swept his gaze over the two boys, assuming an understanding look, he shook his head and said, "You can do that tonight.”

Gui Xiliang helplessly pulled the two boys to the side and said, "Let me go inside to see Shao Junshi first, and then I'll come to get you two and take you in.”

Xing Rong groaning apologetically and said, "Mai Yunfei relies on his position as Shao Junshi's first disciple, plus he is Shao Lanfang's lover, so he has always been riding roughshod over people, especially to us, who used to be the late Bangzhu's attendants. Sooner or later we will have him fall head first.”

Gu Xiliang knew he was not Mai Yunfei's match, so pulling Xing Rong aside he said, "Don't talk nonsense, let's go in first and talk later. You two wait for us here.”

After the two men left, Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling walked over to the rocky beach of the river at end of the bridge; just like in the past, like a couple of marketplace rogues they sprawled on the beach facing the water.

Kou Zhong looked at Mai Yunfei, who was guarding at the other side of the bridge, and said with a laugh, "That scoundrel Xiliang's luck does not seem to be too good; originally he had the opportunity to achieve meteoric success in his career, but the Bangzhu was slaughtered by the muddleheaded ruler. And now he is up against Mai Yunfei, who's butting head with him in all aspects, so that even to get inside the Mansion he had his hands and feet blocked. I wonder why would he still want to be this kind of Xiangzhu?”

But then he turned excited as he said, "Shao Lanfang is the most famous beauty in our Zhuhua Bang; we might as well rob Mai Yunfei's most cherished possession, so that he would die of anger.”

Displeased, Xu Ziling said, "If you seduce somebody else's lover just for that reason, I will definitely not allow you to do that.”

Kou Zhong pulled Xu Ziling's shoulder and laughed apologetically, "I was just kidding!” he said, "Xiao Ling, don't take it too seriously.”

And then he changed the subject, "As a Xiangzhu plus the last disciple of the late Bangzhu, Xiliang's position is not low, on top of that he still has the support of the late Bangzhu's direct subordinates. Tell me, do you think he has a chance to be the new Bangzhu? Otherwise, Mai Yunfei would not squeeze him on purpose.”

Xu Ziling was lying down, supporting his body with his elbows, enjoying the afternoon sun; hearing Kou Zhong, he was taken aback. "Xiliang's skill is too shallow,” he said, "He is not qualified to be a gang leader, don't pull to the east and lead to the west, you are the one who wants to be the gang leader!”

Kou Zhong shook his head and said, "I really don't have that desire, plus it won't work. Right now Li Mi's power is flourishing, if I became Zhuhua Bang's Longtou [lit. dragonhead, i.e. big boss], there is good chance Zhuhua Bang won't last a few days. But if Xiliang became the new Bangzhu, he only needs to rely on us for support, and then there won't be any difference to me becoming the Bangzhu.”

Xu Ziling smiled wryly and said, "If you want Xiliang to be the Bangzhu, I am afraid you will have to slaughter the current Junshi and all his cronies clean; are you that formidable?”

Kou Zhong looked down on the river water under his feet; he muttered, "That is really a bit difficult, but it is not impossible at all. The most important thing is that Xiliang was the late Bangzhu's disciple. This guy used to be very gutsy, but perhaps he has been bullied for a long time that he lost his confidence. Hmm!”

Xu Ziling spoke in low voice, "That Mai Yunfei is coming!”

Kou Zhong looked without raising his head; he saw Mai Yunfei, leading four of his men, walking away from the head of the bridge, following the rocky path toward the beach where they sat. Kou Zhong laughed and said, "Probably he is angered by Xiliang?”

Before Xu Ziling had any chance to respond, Mai Yunfei had already shouted from the distance, "You, these two kids, are sitting and lying down in front of the Junshi Mansion like that; whatever next? Quickly go back to the Hall where you belong!”

Xu Ziling did not react at all, he was still enjoying the sun with his eyes closed.

Kou Zhong squinting his eyes looking at him and said, "Mai Xiangzhu, I was wondering if you are deaf, and did not hear Gui Xiangzhu ordering us to wait for him here? You quickly go back to the place you are supposed to guard.”

Mai Yunfei's countenance underwent a drastic change, while the four hunting dogs behind him rushed out to close in on the two boys on the riverbank; very imposing.

Kou Zhong laughed and said, "What? You want to fight?”

Mai Yunfei was so angry that his handsome face turned green; he gravely said, "Stand up!”

Still calm and unruffled Kou Zhong said, "Since you are not the Bangzhu, and you are not our grandpa, what makes you think you can order us around?”

Mai Yunfei could not hold back anymore. "Throw them into the river!” he bellowed.

Chapter end