Da Tang Shuang Long Zhuan Volume 8 Chapter 5 part2

Highly interested, Kou Zhong asked, "What kind of weapon does she use?”

Yun Yuzhen shook her head and replied, "On the surface she is not carrying any weapon, and no one has ever heard she fought with anybody. It is said that whoever came across her was overwhelmed with respect and adoration; how could they have any heart to massacre her?”

"How did Shifu know so clearly?” Kou Zhong asked in astonishment, "Listening to your tone, you have not seen her either, have you?”

Yun Yuzhen's pretty eyes radiated sadness and hurt; she hung her head down dejectedly and said, "It was Hou Xibai who told me just before we parted, he is one of several people that Shi Feixuan look up to; he had once roamed Sanxia [three gorges of Yangtze River: Qutang, Wuxia and Xiling] with her, talking of the past and discussing the present. Ay!”

Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling exchanged some glances. They both felt Yun Yuzhen's regret and misery from parting with Hou Xibai.

Last time, when they mentioned Hou Xibai, she refused to answer; this time she spoke out calmly, apparently she was expressing her true feelings toward Kou Zhong, not wanting to arouse misunderstanding in the future.

By throwing herself toward Kou Zhong, quite possibly she wanted to use him to forget her sorrow with Hou Xibai.

Frowning, Xu Ziling said, "Could it be that in her presence, Hou Xibai did not have any feeling of inferiority?”

A tender feeling flashed through Yun Yuzhen's beautiful eyes as she said softly, "He is an outstanding person, so free and easy. His literary talent distinguished and accomplished, his insights profound; perhaps only he fits to be friend with Shi Feixuan.”

The two boys looked at each other in astonishment; it was only then did they understand Hou Xibai's position in Yun Yuzhen's heart. Although they had separated, she was still unable to extricate herself from this entanglement of the heart.

"Did Hou Xibai try to pursue Shi Feixuan?” Xu Ziling asked, "Who is he, actually? What is his background?”

"He is an enigmatic figure,” Yun Yuzhen replied, "No one knows his background or history, he seems to have unlimited the money in his purse, he is always able to visit any world famous courtesans anywhere. Himself is a proficient guqin player, and an adept composer. Because he is multi-talented, he is known as the ‘Passionate Prince'. It was because of my curiosity that I intentionally went to a pleasure house that Yushan has just opened to get to know him; who would have thought … ay … I don't want to talk about it.”

"Let's not talk about this aspect then,” Kou Zhong indifferently remarked, "How's his martial art skill? What kind of weapon does he use?”

Yun Yuzhen replied, "His martial art skill can only be described as deep and immeasurable. Since his debut less than five years ago, the number of flower-picking lascivious thieves who died under his hands is already over one hundred. The weapon he uses is a large folding fan with pictures of beautiful women on it, which he painted with his own hand. Each time he met a woman he admired, his folding fan would have one more portrait of that beautiful woman.”

Kou Zhong was amazed, "This kid can really be considered romantic,” he said.

Yun Yuzhen sighed. She said in anguish, "Can we not talk about him anymore?”

There was a knock on the door.

"Who is it?” Kou Zhong asked.

Song Yuzhi's voice came from the other side of the door, "Is Xu Gongzi free? I'd like to talk to him a little bit.”

Xu Ziling and Kou Zhong looked at each other in shock.

What could she possibly want that she wanted to talk privately with Xu Ziling?

Xu Ziling followed behind Song Yuzhi. Stepping out of the cabin, the river breeze assaulted their faces, rousing his spirit.

When Jukun Bang people who were on duty on the deck saw him, they all busily greeted ‘Xu Ye' [master], in a very respectful manner. Perhaps it was due to his rising prestige from killing Ren Shaoming.

Song Yuzhi walked in large strides toward the stern. Although her gait was not as graceful as Shen Luoyan's or Yun Yuzhen's, there was a delightful and refreshing feeling that invigorated those who saw her.

When she stopped at the stern, Xu Ziling also stopped by her side, but he kept silent.

Song Yuzhi let her long hair blown by the wind. With her hands resting on the railings, she sighed gloomily and said, "You don't like to talk, do you? Or you simply don't want to talk to me? You don't even ask me why I risk others' suspicion by talking with you out here.”

Xu Ziling kept his gaze on the vast river under the bright moonlight. Moored on the left bank in the distance were a dozen or so fishing boats, with a dim lantern light emanated from each one of them. When he thought about how each lantern light represented a warm home, his heart was overwhelmed with emotion.

Since they were little until now they were grown up, they always lacked a real home, and quite possibly they would never have one. So he was used to the feeling of not having a home.

Taking a deep breath of the river breeze, Xu Ziling spoke indifferently, "Miss Song, please speak freely.”

Song Yuzhi turned her pretty face to look at him. She smiled and said, "How could you and Kou Zhong become friends that are closer than brothers? Your personality is so different from each other.”

Xu Ziling met her gaze. Shrugging his shoulders, he replied, "This is called one wishes to give a beating, the other is willing to take a beating. Or perhaps when we were small we were a lot simpler, hence it did not take long to get used to and accept each other.”

Song Yuzhi's eyes brightened like the continuously twinkling stars in the sky, while her face had a faraway look as she reminisced her past. She spoke quietly and calmly, "Since childhood I have always been a tomboy, I loved to play with the boys of the family, and always considered myself one of them. My curiosity has always been bigger than the other kids. When I saw a mountain, I would ask what's beyond the mountain. When I saw a river, I wanted to know where the water is flowing to.”

Xu Ziling let out a hollow laugh, "I would never have guessed,” he said, "Why did Miss Song recall these childhood memories?”

Song Yuzhi knitted her brows and shook her head, "I don't understand it either,” she said, "Perhaps because I trust you? Whenever I come face-to-face with you, my mood feels particularly relaxed!”

Xu Ziling was stunned, "That is even more unexpected,” he said, "Miss Song and I have just met, why are you willing to put your trust me? Don't forget that Zhong Shao and I are partners; that's why people are calling us two kids or two little thieves.”

"Pfft!” Song Yuzhi burst out in laughter, which rarely happened. Casting a sidelong glance toward him, she said, "Your craftiness is actually not the least bit inferior to Kou Zhong, it's just that you are always collected and quiet, so that others are not aware of this side of your personality traits. But when I first saw you, I was able to immediately see that you are that kind of person, who is chivalrous by nature, who are always thoughtful toward others; that's why I am willing to put my trust in you, knowing that you won't lie to me.”

It was the very first time that Xu Ziling came into contact with her feminine, touching nature. After staring blankly for a moment, he smiled wryly and said, "Can we not talk about that question anymore?”

Looking up to the starry sky, Song Yuzhi slowly said, "Can you guess the question I wanted to ask you?”

Xu Ziling dejectedly nodded; he said with pained expression on his face, "No matter what he did, Kou Zhong is my good brother. If you ask me anything about him, how am I supposed to answer that?”

Song Yuzhi looked down at the sparkling water of the River reflecting the moon and the stars above. She spoke in heavy voice, "I just want to know the truth. Xu Ziling! Take your chivalrous heart out; tell me, Song Yuzhi, truthfully: Kou Zhong is only using me, isn't he?”

Seeing her gleaming eyes, as she stared at him, were shooting deep hatred, Xu Ziling smiled wryly and said, "Miss Song called me out this late at night to ask me such thing, even if tomorrow I do not tell that kid Kou Zhong that Miss' fragrant heart is in chaos, he will definitely have a way to extract the information from me by ‘glancing knock, sideways stroke' [i.e. in roundabout way].”

"So what if he knew?” Song Yuzhi calmly said, "He has already seen long ago that my mind is confused. That was the reason I wanted to know the truth, and you have already told me the answer.”

Xu Ziling was silent for quite a while. Finally he said gently, "When did I answer Miss's question?”

Song Yuzhi replied indifferently, "Your mouth did not say it, from the way you are not willing to help him dealing with me, how could Yuzhi not understand your heart?”

Xu Ziling sighed, "This is terrible,” he said, "That kid will definitely blame me to death!”

Song Yuzhi laughed in spite of herself, "You are really forthcoming!” she said, "Ay, I can't believe I can still laugh. Isn't this finding joy in my sorrows?”

Experiencing the gentle and lovely aspect of hers, Xu Ziling's heart welled up with compassion. He said tenderly, "Kou Zhong may be an astute and formidable person, someone who exploits any benefits he could get; but he is not a bad person at heart, his affection for others is particularly abundant. It's just that currently he is throwing himself, heart and soul, into his dream of contending for supremacy over the world, so that to him, everything else is secondary! Ay! Does that count as helping him?”

Song Yuzhi's beautiful eyes rippled with strange gleam. Shaking her head, she said, "No! You are just telling me the truth. Kou Zhong is definitely not a bad guy; on the contrary, he is very promising. In all aspects, he has the quality that I, Song Yuzhi, am looking for in my ideal husband. But I know that he isn't really committed to me; I was fully aware of it from the start. Ay! Even knowing that, why would I still be willing to come with him to Baling? If I firmly refused, there was nothing that Er Shu could do to me.”

Chapter end