Everything seemed to stand still, including the passage of time, night and day, just like the dry desert without the slightest bit of life force in it.
The air temperature was constantly rising.
Such momentum was certainly horrifying to the extreme.
Ke Dazhi’s back suddenly arched slightly, the divine light in his eyes flared even brighter. While it looked like he was about to make his move, suddenly someone raised his voice and said, “Previously, during the palace courtyard competition, several times the moves Dazhi used were only limited to ‘ci sha jue fa’ [lit. secondary sand secret method]. This time you used several secrets at once to let us open wide our horizon. Is there any particular reason?”
Li Jiancheng, Li Yuanji, and everybody belonging to the Princelings and Imperial Concubines Factions, none did not rain curses inwardly. It was clear that whoever speaking was trying to help Xu Ziling’s disguise, Mo Wei.
Whether it was magnificent army with thousands of men and horses determining victory on the battlefield, or perhaps martial art masters standing in a face off contending for supremacy, both put emphasis on a spurt of energy.
Ke Dazhi was waiting for action after having accumulated his power; if he was interrupted, naturally re-launching the move would be affected.
Everybody looked toward the voice. The speaker was surprisingly sitting on the right side, around the main banquet table, the cabinet minister that Li Yuan doted on and trust, Feng Deyi.
None of the people on Li Shimin’s side was not greatly astonished. Feng Deyi has always had close relationship with Li Jiancheng; he could be considered a core figure of the Princelings Faction, why did he openly help the Heavenly Policy Mansion’s side like this?
Even after pondering over it a hundred times, Xu Ziling remain puzzled. No matter how much Feng Deyi cared about or had good impression toward him, he should not risk offending the Princelings and the Imperial Concubines Factions by helping him.
However, this was really not a decisive battle between life and death, only a competition in front of the palace court to learn from one another, so no one could really blame Feng Deyi. Even Li Yuan, who was supervising the battle, only smiled without saying anything, naturally other people did not dare to object even more.
Ke Dazhi only smiled calmly. He still maintained a strong momentum pressure. Without blinking at all his eyes were fixed at Xu Ziling, he replied in heavy voice, “With Mo Xiong, such a hard-to-come-by opponent, how could Dazhi dare to value the broom as one’s own [idiom: to attach value to something because it is one’s own]? Naturally I have to fight with all my strength.”
Immediately Li Jiancheng and the others cried ‘Superb!’ inwardly. On the surface Ke Dazhi’s remark was modest, but under the surface it was haughty and oppressing, implying that in the past the martial art masters of the Heavenly Policy Mansion still did not have enough qualifications to force him to fight with all his strength.
If this time he was able to beat Xu Ziling, then anybody would feel that the Heavenly Policy Mansion no longer had the ability to oppose him and be his match.
Xu Ziling spoke indifferently, “Thank you Ke Xiong for honoring me with your compliments; please bestow your move.”
Ke Dazhi’s tongue lashed out a spring thunder, he let out a sudden roar; the Sandstorm Saber, which he pulled behind his back, suddenly appeared in front of him like magic. Using an extremely abstruse and fantastic technique, his body following the saber, he struck toward Xu Ziling.
For the first time that night Kou Zhong was worried about Xu Ziling, while at the same time he felt Ke Dazhi’s profound, immeasurable depth. The reason he was forced to re-evaluate Ke Dazhi was that although he was distracted by having to respond to Feng Deyi’s remark, not only he was able to hold his momentum without any change, it also showed his strong will to fight and his unswerving determination, steadfast spirit; moreover, it also showed his deep, bottomless power.
Asking himself, Kou Zhong was not sure that he could reach this same state.
Bearing the brunt of the attack, Xu Ziling felt the opponent’s pressure even more clearly. He nearly wanted to abandon the long sword in his hand to use the image method that he was good at to block the three saber strikes that he already publicized beforehand.
But naturally he must not do so. Without any better option he pushed all distracting thoughts completely out of the sea of his mind. Secretly performing the Motionless Fundamental Method, he raised the entire power in his body to deal with the fierce and severe saber method coming at him, which the opponent launched using the scrolling sand technique.
The Sandstorm Saber drew an arc in the empty air, brimming with spinning and scrolling feeling, moving up and down like a wave with inexhaustible changes, ‘scrolling’ toward Xu Ziling.
Although it was officially one saber strike, it constituted of more than a dozen layers of continuous rolling waves; each rolling wave carried subtle changes within its timing and the angle of attack, delivering scroll after scroll of saber power, converging into a fierce and severe saber qi capable of covering the wall and cracking the rampart, its formidable power had no end.
Looking at this, Xu Ziling’s eyebrows were greatly knitted; just now he was able to hold his ground and not losing under Ke Dazhi’s rolling sand saber secret, he was relying entirely on his technique in deflecting force and borrowing qi. But Ke Dazhi obviously released this one saber strike focusing on his ‘key strength’; practically he could not deflect, he could not borrow. It was a brilliant trick to force him to use brute force against brute force.
The biggest headache was that when Ke Dazhi was waiting for action after having accumulated power earlier, he already had his intention and his qi locked on him. If he used his earlier method of dodging first and attacking later, he might be able to evade the first saber strike, but not the second. While his qi and intention were drawn, the opponent might seize the opportunity to strike in one move.
It was only now did he realize that Ke Dazhi’s reputation was not in vain; he certainly belonged to the rank of young martial art masters like Ba Fenghan, Yang Xuyan, Hou Xibai, and the likes.
Xu Ziling let out a low shout; fast as lightning he floated forward. The long sword in his hand curved outward first before meeting Ke Dazhi.
‘Dang!’
Like two streaks of lightning, the saber and the sword clashed.
The long sword broke upon contact with the saber.
More than half of the people in the hall cried out in alarm.
Li Jing raised his hand to strike the small copper bell in the middle of the table, but it was already too late to prevent the bloodshed that was about to happen.
After hacking and breaking the long sword, Ke Dazhi’s Sandstorm Saber headed directly toward the pit of Xu Ziling’s stomach.
While it looked like the saber, which carried the abundant advanced-courageously momentum, could not be withdrawn, Xu Ziling tossed the broken sword, but his thumb miraculously pressed on the saber blade.
‘Dang!’
The cease-fire bell rang.
Upon contact with the saber, Xu Ziling flew off like a kite with cut string and landed over a zhang away. When he touched the ground, he appeared to be staggering slightly before being able to stand steadily.
Ke Dazhi stopped his saber and withdrew. His pair of eyes emitted strange rays of light. Without blinking at all he looked at Xu Ziling, his eyes revealed a hint of astonished look, which he failed to hide.
It was only then did the people in the hall heave a sigh of relief.
Even Li Jiancheng himself did not wish to see the fierce general under his command, under this kind of festive-day-approaching event – made trouble by shedding blood and killing someone.
In the main hall the crow and peacock still made no sound, everybody was quietly waiting for Li Yuan’s decision.
Li Yuan personally started to clap and praise ‘Good!’ which immediately provoked the entire hall to echo with unending cheers and applause.
Letting out a long laugh, Li Yuan said, “Good! Good! Two Qing’s martial art competition is certainly brilliant beyond compare, making others gasping in amazement.”
Ke Dazhi and Xu Ziling went down on their knees to thank the Emperor’s favor.
Li Yuan swept the hall with his gaze. His fingers fiddled with his beard, he smiled cheerfully and said, “Ke Qing’s saber technique is surely unrivalled. Mo Qing’s sword technique is also out of the ordinary. It’s a pity your sword is just ordinary iron, which cannot take the brunt of the battle. Zhen hereby decrees the competition ends in a tie. Anybody has any objection?”
Naturally nobody dared to oppose the Great Tang Emperor cum the master of the Li Clan’s decision.
Li Yuan also said, “Furthermore, Qin Wang is to reward Ke Qing with ten taels of gold, Huangtaizi [crown prince] is to present Mo Qing with a treasured-sword.”
Xu Ziling and Ke Dazhi thanked the Emperor’s favor in chorus.
The people in the hall cheered and applauded.
It could be said that this was Li Yuan’s first attempt in the hope of quieting down the dispute between his two sons.
Kou Zhong leaned over and whispered in Shang Xiufang’s ear, “See you tomorrow!” before rising up to his full height. Under the masses’ gaze, he came to the middle of the hall, between the two men.
Li Yuan looked at him in astonishment. Kou Zhong kowtowed and reported, “If Xiaoren’s medical eyes are not mistaken, Mo Wei Zong Xiong [older brother of the same clan], because his sword was broken, he received internal injury, and must immediately seek quite place, where Xiaoren will personally use the needle to treat him. Otherwise it will cause no end of trouble. Huangshang, please note clearly.”
Deeply concerned, Li Yuan’s gaze fell on Xu Ziling. The latter cooperated seamlessly by saying, “Shen Yi’s insight is very accurate.”
Everybody in the hall exclaimed together in admiration. Looking from such a distance, yet he was able to see clearly that Xu Ziling received internal injury. Other than Kou Zhong, whose medical expertise was like the deity’s, who could have done that?
Wei Zhengxing, who was known as the Living Hua Tuo, nearly wanted to crawl under the table. The people on Li Jiancheng’s side did not know whether to laugh or to cry. Kou Zhong’s action was akin to indirectly pointed out that Xu Ziling’s disguise of Mo Wei was actually the big loser, and thus he was increasing Ke Dazhi’s prestige. However, if he cured the enemy, whose martial art skill was more or less on par with Ke Dazhi, it would indeed cause no end of trouble.
However, doctors have parents’ heart, plus Kou Zhong, who always appeared to be a clueless person, seemed to really do not understand the struggle between different factions in Chang’an. Even Li Jiancheng did not have the heart to blame him for being meddlesome.
Li Shimin rose up to his full height and said, “I will have to trouble Mo Shen Yi’s miraculous hands to take care of Mo Laoshi. I am asking Fu Huang to bestow your permission.”
In their heart and belly, Xu Ziling and Kou Zhong knew that Li Shimin has finally seen through the two boys’ real identity. After thanking the Emperor for his favor, they left in great hurry.
※ ※ ※
In Chang’an city, each and every home was decorated with lanterns and colored banners. The sound of firecrackers stopped here and started again somewhere else, echoing unendingly.
The two left the Imperial Palace, both had the relaxed feeling of the dragon returning to the ocean, the fierce tiger going back to the jungle. Squeezing themselves into the stream of people on the main street, they sensed even more the bustling atmosphere of the night on the Lunar New Year’s Eve.
The two largest colored lantern year-end night markets were held at East and West Markets, respectively. Most of the pedestrians on the street had these two markets as their destination. Groups of boys and girls marched together to enjoy themselves to the full, strolling along the streets, invoking the two boys’ memory of celebrating Lunar New Year back in Yangzhou.
Kou Zhong laughed and said, “We, two brothers, are finally able to swagger along Chang’an streets side by side. Things of the world are difficult to foresee; nothing can surpass this.”
Xu Ziling smiled and said, “While we still have half a sichen before our appointed time to meet with Hou Gongzi, would Mo Shen Yi be interested in visiting a local scenic spot?”
Kou Zhong knew that this was not as simple as merely a sightseeing visit; he cheerfully replied, “How could Xiaoren dare not to comply?”
Xu Ziling steered him in the direction of Yue Ma Bridge.
‘Bang! Bang!’
It was unclear who set them off, but a couple of fireworks shot to the sky and exploded one after another, creating garish and beautiful colored light patterns, fantastic and beautiful like a dream.
Kou Zhong sighed and said, “Since following Niang leaving Yangzhou, it seems like we have never celebrated the New Year. Therefore, tonight’s feeling is particularly strong.”
Xu Ziling laughed and said, “Are you thinking of your Zhizhi?”
Dejected, Kou Zhong replied, “You saw through me again. Last time Xiaodi suffered the torment of yearning heart, it was the Mid-autumn night where the round moon was shining bright, causing me to abandon everything and rush to Lingnan to look for her. I wonder if festive days are particularly hard because it stirs up the longing in our heart?”
Xu Ziling was reminded of the touching scene of coming upon Shi Qingxuan during another festival in Chengdu; he could not help sighing as well.
Kou Zhong reached out to put his hand on his broad shoulder and spoke in low voice, “Who are you thinking of?”
Xu Ziling changed the subject, “Everybody’s past is just a heavy burden, it would be best if we do not talk about it,” he said, “That kid, Ke Dazhi’s Sandstorm Saber Technique was quite something; do you have any confidence of beating him?”
Kou Zhong pondered silently for half a day. He finally said, “It’s very difficult to say. Just now when he was fighting against you, because it wasn’t a battle to distinguish life and death, there was still a bit of power left in reserve. If it were an all-out battle, it would be even more not easy to deal with.”
The Yue Ma Bridge was in sight, the streets were packed with boys and girls releasing fireworks and lighting up firecrackers; the atmosphere was very warm.
Kou Zhong went on, “If I had a chance to have an all-out battle against him, it would certainly be a pleasure in life.”
Xu Ziling suddenly halted his steps, “We’re here!” he said.
Kou Zhong swept his gaze around. He discovered that they were standing outside a temple complex’s main gate.
In term of scale, this temple was not big, but clearly the incense was burning vigorously in front of the temple. This moment the middle door was wide open, from which unending stream people who came to make a vow and pray for blessings was flowing. Looking inside, heads were surging, smoke and fire pervaded the air.
Shaken, Kou Zhong said, “This is Wu Lou Si [no-reveal temple, see also Book 31 Chapter 10], built during the eighth year of the Emperor’s reign; could it be related to the treasure-trove?”
Pulling him into the temple’s door, Xu Ziling said, “From the ingenuity of the temple complex’s architecture and layout, I have a feeling that there is a high possibility that this temple came from Lu Dashi’s design. If Xiaodi’s discerning eyes are unmistaken, the entrance to the Duke Yang’s Treasure ought to be somewhere inside this temple.”
Kou Zhong’s spirit was greatly aroused, but then he sighed and said, “I just hate that currently we are unable to move a single step. Tomorrow night we will come again to look for the path and step on the field.”
Xu Ziling agreed that under current circumstances, it would be impossible to find the passageway. He laughed and said, “Don’t say that I am not enough of a brother!”
Smiling apologetically, Kou Zhong said, “How could Xiaodi dare?”
In the meantime the two reached the white stone steps in front of the Hall of Great Strength. The sound of the monk chanting their prayers was coming from inside the hall; a religious ceremony ought to be in progress.
Kou Zhong said, “Do you want to get inside to get the feel on the interior structure? Based on your, Ling Shao’s insight, perhaps you would be able to tell if it is indeed Lu Dashi’s style.”
Xu Ziling laughed and said, “That is precisely Xiaodi’s intention.”
After some efforts, the two were finally able to squeeze into the hall’s door. Looking into the interior of the hall together, they saw a group of monks, with their backs toward the boys, standing facing the Buddha altar, tapping on the chime stones and praying to Buddha.
The monk presiding over this religious ceremony ought to be this temple’s Fangzhang [Abbot]; he stood facing the crowd of monks, both palms came together, the eyes looked at the nose, the nose looked at the heart, leading the crowd in chanting the sutras, carrying the appearance of a holy monk who had attained the Way.
Suddenly Xu Ziling’s tiger-body shook. He pulled Kou Zhong back and out.
Greatly astonished, Kou Zhong asked, “What’s the matter?”
Xu Ziling responded in low voice, “That Zhuchi [manager/host] is the ‘Demonic King’ Shi Zhixuan.”
“What?” Kou Zhong blurted out.
“That Zhuchi is Shi Zhixuan,” Xu Ziling affirmed, “Although he glued on beard on his face, even if he turned into ashes I would still recognize him.”
Kou Zhong spoke in great delight, “Your keen eyes are not going to go wrong. Plus this is only to be expected. Didn’t at one time Shi Zhixuan pay obeisance to the two of the Four Great Holy Monks and stole some Dharma supreme arts? Disguising himself as a holy monk is just like returning to his own profession. Ha! We are going to get to the soles of our feet this time [idiom: really very lucky, lit. while walking we kick some treasure (Courtesy of Akolaw)]. Were it not for him conducting the religious ceremony, we would not have the opportunity to see him.”
The two boys finally squeezed out of the temple door and headed toward the Yue Ma Bridge; they felt the jubilant atmosphere of the festive-day-coming-near in the city was growing. The pedestrians were ‘you bump me, I knock against you’, but nobody complained or got angry over this.
Kou Zhong went on, “Old Shi’s thinking is very thorough. If he came to live in seclusion to practice Buddhism, or perhaps saying that he wandered the four oceans, then he could go out and do the killing and burning, the shady business that offends the Heaven and reason.”
‘Bang! Bang! Bang!’
A group of children cast lighted firecrackers from the bridge into the Yong An Canal below. The more water bursts they created, the louder their shouts and cheers were.
It just happened that someone was leaving the impenetrable bridge railings, so that the two boys quickly took their place, to stand against the railing.
Kou Zhong followed Xu Ziling’s eyes looking at the half moon shining bright in the sky, “What are you thinking?” he asked.
Sighing lightly, Xu Ziling said, “I am calculating whether if we joined hands in surprise attack, we could take Shi Zhixuan’s old life.”
Intense murderous aura flashed through Kou Zhong’s eyes, but immediately he frowned and said, “You are more qualified than me to make the judgment. What exactly is Immortal Image Method?”
Xu Ziling replied honestly, “I still cannot fathom his foundation. The general idea is: it’s some kind of life and death conversion. When under attack, it could transform death to life; when attacking, it could use life as death, so that he could play the opponent in the palm of his hand. Himself will always be occupying invincible position. Although last night I used my entire treasured method [fabao, Buddha’s teaching, magic weapon] to the fullest, he still appeared as if he wasn’t affected at all. From this, you could imagine how formidable he is.”
“If you have to guess,” Kou Zhong asked, “How would Hou Xibai react if we killed Shi Zhixuan?”
“That is very difficult to guess,” Xu Ziling replied, “First of all, we must decide whether we really want to dispose of Shi Zhixuan. Other things, we could always think a bit later.”
Smiling wryly, Kou Zhong said, “If the entrance to the treasure-trove is really inside the Wu Lou Si, even if we did not want to dispose of him, we simply could not.”
Xu Ziling said, “If this is our decision, then tonight we must not deal with Yang Xuyan, to avoid beating the grass to scare the snake.”
Kou Zhong nodded in agreement.
It should be noted that until this moment, those who knew that they were already in Chang’an, other than Wanwan – would definitely not reveal their secret. However, if they made their move to deal with Yang Xuyan, Shi Zhixuan would definitely be on guard, so much so that he would suspect that Gao Zhandao and the others were related to the two boys.
Kou Zhong said, “But what about that Hou kid?”
“Let me talk with him,” Xu Ziling replied, “We are all friends, we should not hide anything. We’ll see how he reacts, and then decide what we are going to do.”
Kou Zhong patted his shoulder vigorously and spoke in determination, “Let’s do it this way. We’ll go see Hou kid first.”
The two were about to leave, a burst of fragrant wind assaulted their nostrils, followed by a sweet, familiar voice speaking behind them, “Excuse me, may I ask two Renxiong, what is so interesting inside the Wu Lou Si that amidst your busy schedule you still find the time to visit?”
Without needing to turn around, Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling knew who was coming. They could not help groaning inwardly.
A soft and touching female body squeezed into the space, which actually was not enough to accommodate anybody – between the two boys.
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