Chapter 3 (2/2)
His words stunned everyone in the room.
Not only were Zhu LiaoDa and ShangGuan DingNing moved, but s.h.i.+ JiZhong and Guan Xing also showed surprise on their faces.
Zhu LiaoDa was the first to snap out of it. He then clapped and said, ”Indeed!”
ShangGuan DingNing said softly, ”But s.h.i.+shu may not agree.”
Zhu LiaoDa gave Fan JiJing's shoulder a slap with a laugh:, ”Now it's Song s.h.i.+shu asking third s.h.i.+di to investigate the case. Since he asked him to investigate, then how could he refuse to let him examine the remains?”
”s.h.i.+di.” Guan Xing's words were normally scant, but every sentence he spoke carried weight.
At the moment, Zhu LiaoDa did not dare to say anymore.
Guan Xing looked at Fan JiJing and said, ”This case is covered with layers of fogs, if you want to investigate it thoroughly, I'm afraid you'll encounter quite a few obstacles.”
Fan JiJing saluted [5] and said, ”I understand.”
Guan Xing only nodded. ”That's good.”
Zhu LiaoDa swept his eyes over them and said, ”People say that 'If brothers are of the same mind, their sharpness can cut through metal.' Although we are not biological brothers but mere s.h.i.+xiongdi, as long as we unite our minds and efforts, there is nothing that we can't do!”
s.h.i.+ JiZhong said frigidly, ”The only person appointed for the investigation is third s.h.i.+xiong.”
Zhu LiaoDa said, ”So what? Shouldn't we, as s.h.i.+xiongdi, help each other? Are you saying we should leave third s.h.i.+xiong to face the deadline alone a half month later?”
s.h.i.+ JiZhong said, ”You too are one of the suspects.”
”You,” Zhu LiaoDa almost lost his temper. However, as he glanced at Guan Xing who was standing next to him, he made some effort to suppress the anger and said, ”Weren't you the same?”
ShangGuan DingNing, seeing that Fan JiJing had been silently staring out of the window for a moment, came to his side and said softly, ”What is third s.h.i.+xiong looking at?”
Fan JiJing replied, ”I'm wondering what s.h.i.+shu will say to cousin.”
Although Hua HuaiXiu had finished his talk with Song BoLin quickly and settled into the room right next to Fan JiJing, he still didn't know what Song BoLin said to him.
Sitting on the side, Hua HuaiXiu was slowly brewing tea as he ordered disciples from the Jiuhua Sect to change the beddings into the ones he had brought.
Fan JiJing couldn't stop himself from asking, ”Cousin, why did you come to Jiuhua?”
Hua HuaiXiu answered without raising his eyelids: ”I felt like coming, so I came.”
”But hasn't Hua Family been urging you to go home?”
Hua HuaiXiu said, ”I have been back already.”
”This fast?” Fan JiJing was slightly shocked. According to what he knew, the Hua Family had exceptionally strict rules, and their clansmen are required to spend several months with their parents each year. Unless something important happened, it would be impossible for them to allow Hua HuaiXiu to leave right after he had gone back.
Hua HuaiXiu turned his head and looked at the Jiuhua disciples who were sweating from making the beds. He slightly raised his eyebrows, then stood up and said, ”Thank you everyone, I can take care of the rest myself.”
As if they had been given an amnesty, the Jiuhua disciples saluted one by one and then hastened to take their leave.
After they closed the door, Hua HuaiXiu sat back down and said, ”I ran away from home.”
Fan JiJing was stunned. ”Why?”
”To escape from marrying.”
”Was she the Song Guniang [6] that we met in Ankang City last time? I think she is very graceful and will make a good spouse.”
Hua HuaiXiu's hand, which was holding the teapot, paused for a moment before he steadily filled Fan JiJing's cup and asked, ”Oh? So you like.”
Fan JiJing shook his hand immediately and denied it. ”Of course not.”
”Not her.” Hua HuaiXiu pointed to the cup in front of him with his eyes. ”Have some tea.”
Fan JiJing picked up the cup without any suspicion and took a sip. His face crinkled at once. ”Tastes so bitter.”
Hua HuaiXiu laughed proudly. ”This is corptis [7]. Of course it would be bitter.”
Fan JiJing said, ”Why did you brew corptis?”
”It's for you,” replied Hua HuaiXiu with a smile, ”it’s good for your body.”
Fan JiJing stared at the liquid inside his cup with a face more bitter than the corptis.
Author's Notes:
Rankings of Last Generation:
1) Bu LouLian
2) Song BoLin
3) Bian Feng (Hasn't shown up yet)
4) Fan Ying (Fan JiJing's father)
5) Wu ChangBo
Rankings of Current Generation:
1) Guan Xing
2) Zhu LiaoDa
3) Fan JiJing
4) ShangGuan DingNing
5) s.h.i.+ JiZhong
Translation Notes
Dudou: Female underwear for ancient Chinese [back]
Seclusion: The original term is Biguan (闭关). Martial artists may choose to enter seclusion, which means they lock themselves inside a closed s.p.a.ce to prevent distractions from the outside world in order to focus on training their skills or mentality. [back]
Cousin: The original word biaoge (表哥) refers to elder cousin (male) from the mother's side. For the sake of length it will be referred to as 'cousin' in this story. [back]
The pa.s.sage was taken from Zhongyong or The Doctrine of the Mean. [back]
Referring to fist salutation (抱拳礼) which is often used by people who practice martial arts. [back]
Guniang: polite suffix for young girls, like Miss. [back]
Coptis Chinensis: herb that is used in Chinese medicine known for its bitterness. [back]
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