Chapter - 28 Vegetation Surviving, Skull Casted In Iron (1/2)

You TanZhi saw Xiao Feng and his party travelled north, they did not turn back at all, only then was he certain that he won't die, he pondered: ”Why did that traitor not kill me? Hmmm, he look down on me, and thought that killing me will dirty his hands. He...he became some kind of Lord in Liao Empire, it would be even more difficult for me to take revenge from now on. But at least i found the whereabouts of this traitor.”

He lean down to pick up the quicklime bag, and went to look for the short-knife thrown aside by Xiao Feng's horsewhip, suddenly he saw an oilcloth bag within the left vegetation, it was the exact same bag retrieved by Xiao Feng from his bosom, he picked it up immediately and open the bag, inside was a book, he flipped the pages of the book, every page had curvy writings, he did not understand a single word from the writings. When Xiao Feng saw this oilcloth bag he was thinking of someone else, he was absent minded, when he put this Tendon-Changing Sutra back into his bosom he didn't secure it properly, when his horse jolted off, the book just dropped into the vegetation and he didn't realize it at all.

You TanZhi thought to himself: ”This is most probably Khitan text. The traitor carried this book with him personally, it must be something greatly valuable to him. I won't return it to him, let him worry about it, which is a good thing.” He felt a faint sense of satisfaction of revenge, he put the book back into the oilcloth bag and kept it in his bosom and then travelled south.

At an early age he learnt martial arts from his father, but he had a thin and frail body, and weak muscular strength, he was totally incompatible for the strong and fierce martial arts style of the You brothers, after learning martial arts for three years, his progress was minimal, he can't claim to be the son of a famous martial arts master with his level of skill. As he learn till he was 12 years old, You Ju was dishearten and he discussed with his brother You Ji. Both of them agreed: ”Our You family produced this kind of three-legged-cat skill, won't people laugh until they mouth become slanted? Moreover, if people know his the son and nephew of the Twin-You-Heroes of the JuXian manor, they won't hold back and use their full strength, they will kill him with a single stroke. It would be better to let him study literature so as to preserve him life.” Thus from the age of 12, You TanZhi stopped learning martial arts and You Ju hired a tutor to teach him how to study.

But he did not concentrate while studying, he was always imagining and day dreaming. His teacher said: ”Student Zhi, while learning, is it not a pleasure?” he replied: ”It depends on what you are learning, Father taught me boxing, i was happy while learning.” The teacher fumed: ”Confucius was referring to scholarly learning, life great undertaking, when did he referred to boxing and playing with spears?” You TanZhi replied: ”Fine, you curse my father and uncle, you say my father is not a good man because he box and play with spears, i will go tell my father.” And he eventually drove the teacher away in anger. This went on and he continually drove all his teachers away in anger, You Ju gave his son several beatings, but he became even more obstinate and mischievous after each beating. You Ju saw his son was unworthy, stubborn and difficult to teach, he was at a loss, he could only give a long sigh and pay no notice. Thus, You TanZhi is 18 years old now, although he came from a famous family, he was neither proficient in literature nor martial arts. His uncle and father committed suicide, his mother bangs her head on a pillar to die with her husband, he was alone and helpless, and wandered around aimlessly, all he ever thought was to seek Xiao Feng for revenge.

That day at the battle at JuXian manor, he hid behind a screen wall and observed the battle, he saw clearly Qiao Feng's appearance and shape, and heard that he was a Khitan, he was muddle-headed and just went searching north, along the way he saw a petty thief using quicklime to blind his enemy, he felt this was a good method, he copied him and made a quicklime package. He was loitering around the borders when the Khitans captured him during their raid, unexpectedly he met Xiao Feng, and he even manage to throw the quicklime package, it can be said his lucky to the extreme.

He pondered: ”Right now the most important thing is to escape as far as possible, don't let him capture me. I'll catch a poisonous snake or big centipede, then i will put it on his bed, when his sleeping the bugs will bite him to death. That young lady ... that young lady, alas, she ... she is so beautiful!”

As he thought of AhZi's appearance. His chest heated up for no reason, and his face felt like an oven, he pondered: ”I don't know when i will get to see her pale face, the delicate and elegant young lady.”

He hung his head and took big steps, after a while he overtook the group of captives released by Xiao Feng. Some of them invited him to travel with the group but he ignored them and travelled alone. After walking for 10 li, his stomach groaned in hunger, he look around for something to eat, but there was nothing except withered grass and snow on the grass plains, he pondered: ”If only i was a cow or sheep, i can eat the grass and drink the snow water, i will be so happy. En, but if i am a little lamb, other people will slaughter my mother and father, the 2 old lamb, and eat them, then should i take revenge? I cannot live under the same sky as my enemy, of course i have to take revenge. But how should i do it? Use my 2 horns to bang those people that killed my parents? But these people rear animals for the purpose of eating them, where is the logic in revenge?”

He was letting his imagination run wild, suddenly he heard the sound of horse's hoof, three Khitan soldiers came riding on horses, once they saw him, there was a rustle sound and they slip a lasso over his neck, they pulled and the rope tighten. You TanZhi could not maintain his footing and fell down, the soldiers drag him away. You TanZhi gave a few blood-curdling scream, immediately the rope around his neck tightens further and he could not scream anymore.

The Khitan soldiers were afraid the rope might strangle him to death, and they immediately slow the horse steps. You TanZhi struggled and got up from the ground, he loosen the lasso around his neck. A Khitan soldier gave a strong tug, You TanZhi staggered and almost fell down again. The three Khitan soldiers laughed at him. The soldier holding onto the ropes said a few words to You TanZhi. You TanZhi did not understand Khitan, he shook his head. The solider wave his hand and the horse move off again, but this time it did not gallop off quickly. You TanZhi was afraid of being strangled by the ropes and lose his breath, he walk two steps and run three steps to follow the soldiers.

He saw the three Khitan soldiers heading north, he was afraid: ”Qiao Feng only worded it nicely, he said he would release me, but in a blink of an eye he ordered his subordinates to capture me back, how will i survive?” After leaving home and heading north, all he ever thought of was revenge, he did not know the impossibility of the task, when he saw Xiao Feng, the tragic death of his parents muddled his head, with a burst of effort he thought of using quicklime to blind him, and then he will use the short-knife to stab him to death. But he failed on the first strike and lost his drive, he immediately thought of escaping but he got captured by Khitan soldiers again.

Originally when he was captured during the initial raid, he was mixed into the crowd, he only got hit once on his back by the back of a blade. But the situation now is vastly different, he staggered and collided with objects as he was dragged along, he was breathless, he fell down every ten steps, every time he falls, the lasso will leave another bloodstained line on the back of his neck. The Khitans did not stop for even a moment, they did not care about his safety and dragged him straight back into Nanjing city. When he entered the city, You TanZhi was drenched with blood, he prayed that he could simply die instead of suffering this misery.

The three Khitan soldiers travelled for a few li in the city, they dragged him before a huge house, You TanZhi saw the floor was covered with bluestone tiles, the pillars were thick and doors were high, he don't know where he was. After waiting for less than the time required to brew tea, the soldier holding the rope rode his horse and entered a huge courtyard, suddenly he gave a whistle, the horse gallop off quickly. You TanZhi did not expect this, the soldier went around the courtyard three times, the horse gallop faster and faster, around ten soldiers were cheering and spectating at the sides. You TanZhi thought: ”It seems they want to drag me around till i die!” his forehead, limbs and body collided with the bluestone floor, he was aching everywhere.

Among the laughter of the Khitan soldiers, there was a crisp laughter of a female mixed in. You TanZhi was drowsy, he faintly heard the female laugh and said: ”Ha ha, i am afraid this human-kite won't fly at all!” You TanZhi pondered: ”What human-kite?”

At this moment, the rope tighten around the back of his neck, his body rise up in the air, he finally understood, the soldier was galloping fast with the horse in order to lift him up in the air, he was treated like a kite to be played around.

His body was high up in the air, the back of his neck had already lost all feelings from the pain. His nose and mouth was buffeted by the wind, he had difficulties breathing, but he heard the woman clapped and laughed: ”Very good! Very good! The human-kite really flew!” You TanZhi looked towards the origin of the voice, the woman was wearing purple robe and was a beautiful young lady. Upon seeing her, his chest was excited, he don't know if it was due to happiness or sadness, as he flew around in the air, he was incapable of thinking.

The beautiful young lady is AhZi. When she saw Xiao Feng released You TanZhi, she was unhappy, after riding for a distance, she deliberately lagged behind and instructed her attendant to quietly capture You TanZhi, and they cannot reveal this matter to Xiao Feng. The followers all knew that Lord Xiao was very doting towards her, thus they accepted her orders, they pretended to adjusts the belt buckle of the horse's saddle, once Xiao Feng travelled far away, they turn back and pursued You TanZhi. When AhZi return to Nanjing, she waited at a temple far away from Xiao Feng's residence. When You TanZhi was successfully captured, she consulted the Khitan for any fresh ideas on torturing people. Someone suggested ”fly human-kite”. This idea appealed to AhZi, she ordered You TanZhi to be flown as kite and it unexpectedly worked.

Watching from below, AhZi found it interesting and she kept cheering, she said: ”Let me fly it!” she mounted the horse of the soldier and took over the rope, she said: ”Dismount!”

The soldier dismounted the horse and allowed AhZi to fly the ”human-kite”, AhZi pulled the rope and went a few rounds on the horse, she laughed loudly and cheered repeatedly: ”Interesting! Interesting!” but she had just recovered from a heavy injury, her hand was devoid of strength, once her wrist weakens, the rope sags and You TanZhi crash heavily on the bluestone floor with a ”Peng” sound, his forehead collide with a sharp edge of a rock, immediately the wound cave in and blood gush out. AhZi was extremely disappointed, she fumed: ”This stupid kid is so heavy!”

You TanZhi nearly fainted from the pain, as he listen to her complain about his weight, he wanted to explain but the pain was so bad that he can't say a single word, a Khitan soldier walk over and undid the ropes around his neck, another Khitan soldier tore of his clothes and randomly bandaged his wounds, fresh blood ooze continuously from his wounds, how can it be stopped?

AhZi said: ”His fine, his fine! Let's keep on playing, send him up again, as high up in the air as possible.” You TanZhi did not understand the Khitan language coming from her, but he saw her making gestures, pointing at his head, he knew it was something bad.

Sure enough, a solider picked up the rope, he looped the rope around his armpit and then around his body, he didn't loop around his neck to avoid strangling him, he gave a shout: ”Rise!” and sped off on his horse, he dragged You TanZhi on the ground for a few rounds and eventually You TanZhi flew into the air again. The soldier gradually released the rope and You TanZhi flew higher and higher.

The Khitan soldier abruptly loosen his grip, with a whizzing sound You TanZhi flew like an arrow that has been fired off a bow, he flew high up in the air. AhZi and the rest of the soldiers were cheering and applauding. You TanZhi was unwilling but his body only flew higher and higher, he thought in his heart: ”I will really die this time!”

The ascending thrust force gradually died off, he plunge straight down back to earth head-first, in a few more moment his head will smash against the bluestone floor, four Khitan soldiers simultaneously sent out their lasso, they wrap it round his waist and pull in all four direction. You TanZhi fainted immediately, but the force coming from all four directions suspended him in mid-air, his head was 3 feet off the ground. This manoeuvre is dangerous to the extreme, if one of the lassoes was sent out a bit slow, the force will not balance out, and You TanZhi's brain will definitely burst. The Khitan soldiers practiced this trick on the Song people, the captives all became human-kite, 8-9 out of 10 will smash head-first on the ground, although the ground on the grass plain is soft, plummeting down from height, even if their head did not crack open, they neck will also break, and they will die on the spot.

As everyone was celebrating, the four Khitan soldier released You TanZhi from the ropes. AhZi took out her silvers and rewarded every soldier with 5 silvers. The soldiers gave their thanks. They ask: ”Miss, you want to play something else?”

AhZi saw You TanZhi had already fainted, she don't know if his dead or alive, she exerted excessive force when flying the ”human-kite”, and now her chest hurts badly, she did not have any strength to carry on playing, she replied: ”Enough fun for today. Bring this kid to see me tomorrow if he survives, i think of something to wear him down. This person wants to plot against Lord Xiao, we can't let him die too easily.” The soldiers agreed in unison, they carried off the blood-soaked You TanZhi.

When You TanZhi woke up, he smell a mouldy odour, he open his eyes but all he could see was darkness, he first thought was: ”Am i dead?” immediately he felt pain all over his body, he was extremely thirsty. His voice was hoarse and he said: ”Water! Water!” but who will even care about him?

After calling out a few times, he felt drowsy and he fell asleep, suddenly he saw his uncle and father fighting with Qiao Feng, blood was flowing everywhere, he saw his mother cradling him in her arms, comforting him gently, asking him to be not afraid. He saw AhZi, her beautiful face, her bright eyes emitting a strange light. Her face suddenly narrowed into a triangle and became the head of a snake, sticking out its blood-red long-tongue, exposing its fangs as it bites him. You TanZhi struggled, but he can't move, the snake bite him on his hands, legs, neck, everywhere, the bite on his forehead was especially painful. He saw his flesh being bitten off, he wanted to scream but he couldn't......

He toss and turn around the whole night, he was tortured when he was awake, and now he felt pain and suffering in his dreams.

The next day, two Khitan soldiers hauled him off to see AhZi, he had high fever and it did not subside, he took a step and immediately collapsed. The two Khitan soldiers supported his left and right shoulder, they reproach him loudly and dragged him into a large house. You TanZhi pondered: ”Where are they dragging me? Am i going to be beheaded?” he was drowsy, he found it difficult to think properly, he pass by two set of doors and he stopped outside a hall. The two soldiers reported their arrival outside the hall, a female voice acknowledged from inside, they open the door to the hall and supported him in.

You TanZhi raise his head, there was a huge decorative carpet in the hall, sitting on a cushion at the end was a beautiful young girl, it was AhZi. Both her feet were resting on the carpet. When You TanZhi saw her snow white crystal-like feet, it was really like smooth jade, it was as soft as satin, his heart was thumping fiercely, his eye fixed firmly on her feet, the flesh on the back of her feet was transparent, several veins were faintly reflected, he really wants to stretch out his hand to touch it. The two Khitan soldiers released him. You TanZhi swayed left and right, and finally maintained his footing. His gaze did not leave AhZi's feet, he saw her ten toes nails are pale red, it was like ten flower petals.

AhZi looked at him, all she saw was an ugly dirty youth, his face was twisted, jaws protruding, but his eyes glowed with greedy flames. She immediately thought of an injured and hungry wolf, when she was at XingXiu Sea, she and her two martial-brothers would go hunting, she shot a hungry wolf, but she failed to kill it. That wolf suffered serious injuries and stared at her venomously, the expression was exactly the same as You TanZhi's gaze, the wolf wanted to pounce on her and bite her to death, although it can't jump it still bared a dense row of fangs, howling with anger, but You TanZhi is simply too weak, he doesn't resist at all, it really not interesting. Yesterday, he threw quicklime at Xiao Feng, and he refused to kneel, his manner and speech was stubborn, he refused money from Xiao Feng, AhZi liked it very much, she thought he must be a ferocious and powerful wild beast. She wants to torture him, she wants to cover him with injuries, and when his injured she want him to ferociously fight back and bite her, of course he cannot be allowed to succeed with his bite. But when she captured him and flew him as a ”human-kite”, this wild beast did not fight back, he gave a dead look, that was not fun at all. She frown and pondered: ”How should i torment him so that it will be fun?”

Suddenly, You TanZhi made two ”He He” sound, a burst of strength came out of nowhere, like a leopard he pounced towards AhZi, grabbing her calf, he lowered his head and kiss the back of her feet. AhZi had a huge shock, she screamed. Two Khitan soldiers and four slave girls serving AhZi shouted in unison and they rush forward to pull him away.

But You TanZhi firmly held onto her calf and refused to let go. The Khitan soldier gave a tug and AhZi was pulled off the cushion seat and she fell onto the carpet mat. The two soldiers was shock and angry, they dare not pull again, one soldier hit his back, the other soldier hit his face. The injuries on You TanZhi swelled, his fever had not yet subside, he was in a confused state, it was as if his crazy, he did not notice anything in front of him. He firmly held onto AhZi's feet.

AhZi felt his hot dry lips on her feet, she was frightened, but she also felt a strange itching sensation, she screamed: ”Ah Yo! His biting my toes.” She hurriedly said to the two soldiers: ”Quickly back off, this man is crazy, Ah Yo, do not let him bite my toes.” You TanZhi was biting her toes gently, although AhZi felt pain, she was more afraid that he might forcefully bite down, in her flurried state, she knew he cannot be stopped with brute force, she feared that if the soldiers carry on their beatings he will really bite down randomly.

The two soldiers did not have any ideas to handle him and they could only release him. AhZi cried: ”Stop biting, I'll spare your life, Ai Yo, i will release you.” Currently You TanZhi is in a deranged state, how would he register what she said? A Khitan soldier grabbed his sabre and withdrew it from the scabbard, he did not want to hesitate anymore and was going to chop it at You TanZhi's neck to cut off his head.

AhZi said: ”Hey! You are not a wild beast, why are you biting people? Quickly release you mouth, i will ask someone to tend to your wounds and release you back to Central Plains.” You TanZhi still ignored her, he did not exert strength in his bite and didn't injure her, his hands was gently fondling her feet, he was in a dream-like state, he became a human-kite again, flying high up into the clouds.

A Khitan soldier suddenly had a brainwave, he clutched You TanZhi's throat. When You TanZhi's throat was caught, his mouth open involuntary. AhZi quickly withdrew her leg and took out her toes from his mouth, she stood up, fearing that he might go crazy and start biting again, she hid her feet behind the cushions. Two Khitan soldiers caught hold of You TanZhi, they raise their fist and strike his chest repeatedly. After ten fists, he gave two ”Wa Wa” sounds and spurt a few mouthful of fresh blood, the blood stained the brightly-coloured carpet.

AhZi said: ”Stop, stop hitting!” After this thrilling experience, she felt this kid was pretty weird and interesting, she didn't want to kill him immediately. The Khitan soldiers stayed their hands and stopped hitting. AhZi sat cross-legged on the cushion, her pair of feet under her buttocks, she pondered: ”How should i torture him?”

AhZi look up and saw You TanZhi staring at her, she ask: ”Why are you staring at me?” You TanZhi had already disregarded his life, he replied: ”You are pretty, i like to look at you!” AhZi blushed and thought: ”This kid is really bold, he dare to say such frivolous stuff.”

But in her entire life, no one has complimented her beauty. When she learnt her skills at XingXiu Sect, her martial-brothers all treated her as a mischievous little girl; when she followed Xiao Feng, he was worried about whether she might cause trouble or if she will die from injury, he didn't care if she was ugly or pretty. You TanZhi spoke bluntly, it was obvious that his praise was honest and sincere, she was secretly overjoyed and pondered: ”I will keep him by my side and use him to pass time, that will be pretty good. But brother-in-law said to release him, if he knows i captured him again he will definitely be angry. I can hide the truth today but i can't hide it from him forever. What should i do so that brother-in-law will never know of this matter? I can stop other people from communicating with him but if brother-in-law suddenly comes over to visit me and sees him, what should i do?”

She thought for a moment, suddenly she had an idea: ”AhZhu is good at disguise, when she's disguised as father, brother-in-law did not even recognize her. I will give this boy a new appearance, than brother-in-law will surely no recognize him. But if his not willing, after i apply the make-up, he will simply wash it away and return back to his original appearance, won't it be useless?”

She wrinkled her brows, at once she had another idea, she clapped her hand and smiled: ”Great idea! Great idea! I will do it!” she spoke to the two Khitan soldiers. The soldiers had some queries and they consulted her again. AhZi gave more details in her explanation, she ordered a maid to retrieve 10 silvers and gave it to the soldiers. The soldiers accepted the silvers, gave a bow and hauled You TanZhi out of the hall.

You TanZhi shouted: ”I want to look at her, I want to look at this heartless pretty girl.” The Khitan soldiers and the maids did not understand Han language, they don't understand what he is shouting about.

AhZi smiled and look at his figure, she thought her idea was very clever and she was very proud of herself.

You TanZhi was thrown back into the dungeon. At dusk, someone brought a bowl of mutton and a few piece of rice-cake. You TanZhi's fever did not subside, he was sputtering nonsense loudly, the person was so scared that he put down the food and left immediately. You TanZhi did not realize he was hungry and thus he never touch the mutton or rice-cakes.

During the night, three Khitan suddenly came into his dungeon. You TanZhi was drowsy and mentally confuse, but he saw the expressions of these men were peculiar, it's obvious they harboured bad intentions. He vaguely knew something bad was about to happen, he struggled to stand up, wanting to escape. Two Khitan came forward and held him down, they flip his body so that his face is facing the sky. You TanZhi swore at them: ”Khitan dogs, go and die, i will cut you into a thousand pieces.” Suddenly, the third Khitan was holding onto a white object, it's like cotton, also like snow, he forceful press it against his face. The sensation was wet and cold, his brain cleared, but he was suffocating, he thought: ”So you want to seal my seven orifice, you want to suffocate me to death!”

But as he thought of this immediately he knew he guess wrongly, someone gave a few poke to his mouth and nose, he could still breathe, but he could not open his eyes, his face felt wet and greasy, someone was pinching his face, some wet stuff was applied on his face, it could also be mud paste. You TanZhi was in a daze and he thought: ”I wonder what kind of bizarre method these villains will employ to kill me?”

After a while, the mud layer on his face was gently peeled off by someone, You TanZhi open his eyes, he saw a face mould made out of wet flour, it was his face. The Khitan handled the mould carefully with both hands, he was afraid of damaging it. You TanZhi curse again: ”Stinking Liao dog, you will die without a resting place.” The three Khitans ignored him, they took the face mould and left.

You TanZhi suddenly remembered: ”Yes, they applied poison on my face, pretty soon, my face will rot, my skin and flesh will drop off, i will become a freak ... ” he became more afraid the more he thought about it, he pondered: ”Rather than being tortured to death, i should kill myself!” immediately he bang his head against the wall, ”Peng Peng” he bang three times. The prison guard heard the sound and rush in, he tied up his hands and feet, You TanZhi was half-dead and could only allowed himself to be restrained.

After several days, he did not felt any pain on his face, it didn't rot, but he was still determined to die, although his hungry, he did not eat any of the food delivered.

In the morning of the fourth day, the three Khitan men returned to his dungeon, they hauled him out. You TanZhi lonely and painful thoughts suddenly made way for sweet thoughts, he thought AhZi was summoning him for more torturing, although his body will suffer, but he could see her beautiful face, he cannot help but reveal a bitter smile.

The three Khitan took him across several alleys, they entered a dim stone house. He saw blazing charcoals at the side of the stone house, a muscular blacksmith was naked above the waist, he was standing next to a large anvil, holding onto a shiny black object, he was examining the object carefully. The three Khitan men hauled You TanZhi to the front of the blacksmith, two men held his hands, the other held his back. The blacksmith turned around, he studied his face and then look at the black object in his hands, he seems to be making some kind of comparison.

You TanZhi looked at the object in the blacksmith's hand, it was a mask made out of wrought iron, there are 4 holes for the mouth, nose and eyes. He thought to himself: ”Make this thing for what?” the blacksmith picked up the mask and covered You TanZhi's face. Naturally You TanZhi avoided it by turning his head away, but someone was pressing his head, he could not avoid, the mask covered his face. He felt a freezing sensation on his face, his skin was stuck onto the metal surface, but he found it odd, the mask fitted him perfectly, it seems to be custom-made.

You TanZhi felt odd for only an instant, immediately he understood, he felt a chill down his spine: ”AiYa, this mask is indeed custom-made. That day they applied wet-flour on my face, it's the mould for this face mask. They go through so much trouble to create this iron mask, what is their intention? Could it be ..... could it be .....” in his heart he knew the vicious intention of these Khitans, but he did not know the purpose, he dare not think anymore, he struggled to run away.

The blacksmith removed the mask from his face, he nod his head, his expression satisfied. He took a large iron plier and gripped the mask with it, he place the mask in the furnace and heat it until it turns red, his right hand picked up a metal hammer, ”Zheng Zheng Zheng” he starts striking, after striking the mask for a while, he stretch his hands and touch You TanZhi's cheekbone and forehead, his correcting the mask to fix the non-identical portions.

You TanZhi shouted: ”Damnable Liao dog, you commit evils that go against nature, you are so savage and wicked, God will bring calamity upon you, you will all die! You oxen and horses will drop dead, you babies will die premature!” he cursed and swear, but the Khitan didn't understand a single word. Suddenly the blacksmith turned around. He glared at You TanZhi with a venomous look, he raised the bright red metal plier and poke it towards his eyes. You TanZhi was so scared that he gave a loud shrill.

The blacksmith was just scaring him for fun, he laughed and retracted the plier, he took out a metal curve piece and tested it on the back of You TanZhi's head. Once adjustment was complete, the blacksmith baked the semi-circular iron cover and the mask in the furnance until it turns completely red, he spoke a few words loudly. The three Khitan lifted You TanZhi up, they place him horizontally on a table, his head facing upward. Two extra Khitan came forward to assist, they forcefully pulled his hair, his head can't move at all, these five men press down on his limbs, how can You TanZhi even move an inch?

The blacksmith use the plier to grip the red-hot mask, he stop for a while, waiting for the temperature to cool, he gave a shout and covered it on You TanZhi's face, white smoke rises, odour of burnt flesh dispersed in all directions, You TanZhi screamed and fainted. The five Khitan men flipped his body over, the blacksmith use the plier to grip the iron cover, he press it on the back of his head, the two semi-circular iron cover became an iron sphere, it covered his head. The iron cover is hot to the extreme, once it touches the skin, it will be burnt and be badly mutilated. The blacksmith is the finest ironworker in Yanjing, the two hemisphere combined together flawlessly.

It was as if he went through hell, he experienced being burnt and roasted by raging flames, You TanZhi did not recall the time, and he slowly regained consciousness, but he felt severe pain on his face and the back of his head, it was really hard to endure, and he fainted again. This went on and he fainted three times, and awoke three times, he shouted loudly but his voice is hoarse to the extreme, it didn't sound like human voice anymore.

He lie down and did not move at all, he clenched his teeth and forcefully endured the pain and suffering on his face and head. This went on for two hours, he finally lifted his hands and touch his face, he felt something hard and cold, he correctly guessed it, the iron mask had already covered his head, he was enraged, he pull and jerk the mask, but it was welded firmly at the edges, how can he even remove it? In his desperation and hopelessness, he cried out loudly.

He is still young, although he experienced such sufferings, but he managed to endure it and thus it does not seemed right to just seek death, after a few days, his wounds healed and his pain diminished, he knows he is starving. He smell the fragrant aroma of mutton and rice-cakes, he couldn't resist it and ate it. At this moment he had a clear understanding of the iron mask on his head, he knew the wrought iron mask had sealed his head perfectly, there's no way he can release it, initially he was angry and acted violently but he finally calmed down, he pondered: ”This dog traitor Qiao Feng, he covered my face with this iron mask, what is he intentions?”

He thought everything came from Xiao Feng's command, thus he did not suspect that it was AhZi's doing and the purpose of this mask is to hide his identity from Xiao Feng.

All these stuff are done by the captain of the room attendants, under AhZi's suggestion.

AhZi questioned the captain daily on the condition of You TanZhi after he was fitted with the iron mask, initially she was worried that he might die, and all the effort would be wasted, when she heard that he will survive, she was extremely happy. On this day she learnt that Xiao Feng was going to southern outskirts to inspect the troops, immediately she ordered the attendant to summon You TanZhi to the Beginning Fortune Palace. To make Xiao Feng happy, YeLu HongJi conferred AhZi as Beginning Fortune Princess, and this Beginning Fortune Palace was bestowed as her residence.

When AhZi saw You TanZhi's appearance, she cannot help but be overjoyed and it flared from the bottom of her heart, she thought: ”My method is effective. With this mask on, even if brother-in-law is standing right next to him, he will definitely not recognize him. ” You TanZhi walk forward a few steps, AhZi applauded and said: ”Attendant, this mask is well done, take another 50 silvers and reward the blacksmith!” the attendant replied: ”Yes! Thank you princess!”

You TanZhi peered out from the two eye-holes in the mask, he saw AhZi facial expression, there was boundless love and innocence, he listen to her sweet and melodious voice, he cannot help but stare at her blankly.

After wearing the mask, AhZi saw his appearance was strange, but she could still tell that he was staring fixedly at her, she ask: ”Silly boy, why are you staring at me?” You TanZhi said: ”I...i...i don't know. You...you look pretty.” AhZi smiled: ”After wearing this mask, does it feel comfortable?” You TanZhi replied bitterly: ”Do you think its comfortable?” AhZi giggled and said: ”I really don't know.” She saw that the mouth-hole for the mask is a narrow seam, it's just enough for him to drink and eat, if he wanted to eat meat, he have shred it to pieces before he can push it through the seam, but it's impossible for him to bite her legs again, she laughed: ”I put this mask on you so that you will never be able to bite me again.”

You TanZhi was overjoyed, he said: ”Does Miss want me ... want me ... to frequently stay by your side and serve you?” AhZhi said: ”Pei! You are a big bastard. If i keep you by my side, you will constantly think of stuff to harm me, how can i tolerate it?” You TanZhi replied: ”I ...... i ...... i will never harm you. My enemy is Qiao Feng.” AhZi said: ”You want to harm my brother-in-law? Isn't it equivalent to harming me? What is the difference?” as You TanZhi listened to her words, his heart soured, he was speechless.

AhZi smiled: ”You want to harm my brother-in-law, it's the same as climbing to heaven, impossible. Silly boy, do you want to die?” You TanZhi said: ”Naturally i don't want to die, but with this weird thing on my head, i don't resemble a human or ghost, there is no difference from dying.” AhZhi said: ”If you would rather die, good, i will fulfill your wish, but i will not let you die immediately. I'll first chop off your left hand.” She turns and said to the attendant beside her: ”Attendant, haul him out and chop off his left hand!” the attendant replied: ”Affirmative!” and he stretch out his hands to grab You TanZhi's arm.

You TanZhi was shock and cried: ”No, no! Miss, i don't want to die, please...please...please don't chop my hands.” AhZi gave a faint smile: ”Once i say something, it's difficult to to retract it, unless ... unless ... you kneel down and kowtow.”

You TanZhi had a slight hesitation and the attendant already dragged him two steps back. You TanZhi did not dare delay any longer, he soften his knees, knelt down and kowtow, the iron mask knocked against the grey bricks and produced a ”Dang” sound. AhZi smiles tenderly and said: ”Your kowtow sounds so nice, i have never heard it before, you kowtow a few more times for me to hear.”

You TanZhi is afterall a young master of a manor, although his poor in literature and martial arts, and the people at the manor all knows he is good for nothing, but You Ji died early and he only have one precious son, the young master have hundreds at his beck and call, he grew up being pampered, how can he endure this kind of humiliation? When he met Xiao Feng again for the first time, he was arrogant and rather die than surrender, but after receiving extreme bodily torture and mental trauma, his youthful heroic spirit had dissipated and vanished without a trace, as he listen to AhZi he immediately kowtow repeatedly, ”Dang Dang” sound rang out, this goddess-like lady praised that his kowtow sounds nice, he felt a faint sense of fondness in his heart.

AhZi gave a charming smile: ”Very good, from now on you will listen to me, if you have the slightest bit of defying my orders i will immediately chop off your arm, do you understand?” You TanZhi said: ”Yes, yes!” AhZi said: ”I made you wear this iron mask, do you know the reason? ” You TanZhi said: ”I don't know.” AhZi said: ”You are so stupid, I saved your life and you still didn't express your gratitude. Lord Xiao Feng wants to chop you into minced meat, you still don't know?” You TanZhi replied: ”He killed my father, naturally he cannot allow me to live.” AhZi said: ”He pretend to release you and then ordered someone to capture you back to turn you into minced meat. I saw you are not too bad, it's a pity to kill you and so i hid the truth from him and concealed you. But if Lord Xiao runs into you again, how will you survive? You will even drag me into this mess and implicate me.”

You TanZhi suddenly saw the light to the matter, he said: ”Ah, Miss you casted this mask and made me wear it, it's for my own good, you save my life. I ... I am exceedingly grateful, really ... I am really grateful.”

AhZi was fooling him, she managed to deceive him and gained his heartfelt appreciation, she was extremely proud and said: ”Now you know the reason, next time when you see Lord Xiao, you must not make any sound or else he will recognize you voice. If he recognize you voice, heng, heng! He will give a pull and tear you left arm off, he will give another jerk and tear your right arm off. Attendant, go fetch some Khitan attire and wash his body, his entire body reeks of blood, it smells so bad.” The attendant obeyed and led You TanZhi out.

After a while, the attendant returned with You TanZhi and had dressed him in Khitan attire. To make AhZi happy, the attendant deliberately dressed him in multicolored clothes, he looked neither male nor female, like a clown.

AhZi chuckled: ”I'll give you a name, called ...... called Iron Clown, you cannot refuse. Iron Clown!” You TanZhi quickly replied: ”Yes!”

AhZi is very happy, suddenly she remembered an issue and said: ”Attendant! DaShi country gifted a lion to us, correct? Ask the tamer to bring the lion over and summon 10 guards here.” The attendant obeyed and went out to relay the orders.

10 spear-wielding guards entered the Palace, they bowed and paid their respects to AhZhi, they turned around, 16 spear-head faced outward, protecting AhZi. Not long after they heard a lion roar, 8 strong-men carried a large metal cage and entered. A male lion is pacing around in the cage, yellow fur and long mane, shape claws and fangs, its expression powerful. The lion's tamer held a leather whip and led the men.

AhZi saw this lion is ferocious and terrifying, she is extremely happy and said: ”Iron Clown, you said you will obey anything i say, but i don't know if its true or false. I want to test you and see if you really obey anything i say.” You TanZhi replied: ”Yes!” he saw this lion and secretly had some misgivings, he did not understand the purpose, but listening to AhZi's words, his heart start beating rapidly. AhZi said: ”I don't know if the iron mask on your head is hard and sturdy enough, you go stick your head in the cage, let the lion give it a few bite and check if it can break the iron mask.”

You TanZhi had a huge shock, he said: ”This...this can't be tested. If the mask really breaks, then my head ...” AhZi said: ”What use are you? You are afraid of such small matters, a real man should not be afraid of dying. Furthermore, i think the mask will probably not break.” You TanZhi replied: ”Miss, you can't play around with such matters, even if the mask doesn't break, this beast will flatten the mask and my head ... ”AhZi chuckled: ”At most your head gets flatten. You are such a troublesome kid, you original appearance isn't good, if you head gets flatten it will be inside the mask, the rest of us can't see it at all, who cares whether your good looking or not.” You TanZhi quickly replied: ”I am not talking about whether i am good looking but ......” AhZi's expression became grave and said: ”You don't obey my words, fine, i am done with my assessment of you, you deliberately lie to me, i'll throw you into the cage and feed the lion!” she instructed the attendant using Khitan's language. The attendant replied: ”Affirmative!” and start dragging You TanZhi's arm.

You TanZhi pondered: ”If i get thrown into the cage, how can i even survive, it's better to just obey her words, stick my head into the cage and try my luck!” he shouted: ”Don't drag me in, don't drag me in! Miss, i will obey you!”

AhZi smiled and said: ”That's a good boy! Let me tell you, whatever i tell you next time, just do it immediately, stop giving excuses and make me angry. Attendant, give him 30 lashes.” The attendant replied: ”Affirmative!” and took the leather whip from the lion-tamer, with a ”Shua” sound, he lash it on You TanZhi's back. You TanZhi cried out in pain.

AhZi said: ”Iron Clown let me tell you, when i ask someone to hit you, i actually think highly of you. You making so much noise, you dislike me hitting you is that it?” You TanZhi replied: ”I like it very much, i thank Miss for bestowing kindness on me!” AhZhi said: ”Good, carry on hitting!” The attendant consecutively lash out 10 times, You TanZhi grit his teeth and endured, he didn't make a single sound, luckily he was wearing an iron mask and the whip avoided his head, he can endure lashings on his chest and back.

AhZi saw him endure silently, she felt it was boring and said: ”Iron Clown, you say you like me to call someone to beat you, correct?” You TanZhi replied: ”Yes!” AhZi said: ”Is your word true or false? Are you fabricating lies to deceive me? ” You TanZhi said:” It's true, i don't dare to lie to Miss.” AhZi said: ”Since you like it so much, why don't you laugh? Why don't you shout out and say that it feels good?” You TanZhi was scared out of his wits under her torture, he even forgot to be angry, and replied: ”Miss treats me very well, you ask someone to hit me, it feels good.” AhZi said: ”Excellent, let's try it again!”

With a ”Pai” sound, the whip lash out again, You TanZhi quickly said: ”Miss, thank you for saving my life, this whip feels good!” he was lashed for over 20 times in an instant, combined with the previous whipping, its already more than 30 lashes. AhZi wave her hand and said: ”Forget it, it's enough for today. Stick your head in the cage.”

You TanZhi bones ached he feel as if he want about to split apart, he limped beside the cage, grit his teeth and stuck his head between the iron bars. The lion saw him suddenly stick his head to provoke, it was startled and retreated two steps, it growled to show its authority.

AhZi cried out: ”Call the lion to bite, why is it not biting?” the lion tamer rebuke the beast a few times, the lion heard the orders, it pounced forward, opened its mouth and bite You TanZhi's head. There was a ”Zi Zi” sound, the lion's fang was grinding the iron mask. You TanZhi closed his eyes, he felt hot air entering the holes in the mask, he knew his head was in the lion's mouth, he felt severe pain from his forehead and back of his head. When the iron mask was first put on him, the red-hot metal burnt and roasted his head and face, after a few day scars begin to form and his wounds healed, but with this bite, all his injuries ruptured and the wounds open up again.

The lion exerted its strength and bite a few times, but it can't bite down, its fangs ached, it extended its right paw and clawed You TanZhi's shoulder. You TanZhi felt severe pain from his shoulder and cried out with an ”Ah” sound. The lion detected a loud noise within its mouth, it was shock, it opened its mouth to release the head and retreated to a corner in the cage.

The lion tamer rebuked loudly, he urged the lion to bite You TanZhi again. You TanZhi was furious he stretch out his hand to grab the back of the tamer's neck, he pushed and inserted the tamer's head into the cage. The lion tamer cried out loudly.

AhZi applauded and laughed: ”Very good, very good! No one is to interfere, let both of them fight it out among themselves.” The Khitan soldiers originally wanted to move You TanZhi's hand away, but after hearing AhZi's order, they stopped and did not move.

The lion tamer struggled with all his might. You TanZhi unruliness flare up, he simply refused to let go. The tamer can only seek help from the lion, he shouted: ”Bite, forcefully bite him!” the lion heard his urging, it roared and rush forward, the beast know its suppose to bite forcefully, but it don't know what to bite, two dense row of fangs clamped down, with a ”Kela” sound, the lion bite off half of the tamer's head, splattering brain pulp and fresh blood on the floor.

AhZi smiled and said: ”Iron Clown wins!” she ordered the soldiers to carry out the corpse and cage, she said to You TanZhi: ”That's the way, you made me happy, how should i reward you?” she place her finger at her cheek and pondered. You TanZhi replied: ”Miss, I do not want your reward, i just want you to promise me something.” AhZhi said: ”What thing?” You TanZhi said: ”I beg you to allow me to stay by your side and be your servant.” AhZi said: ”Be my servant? Why? En, i know it, you are waiting for opportunity, when Lord Xiao sees me, you will strike and harm him to avenge your parents.” You TanZhi said: ”No! No! It's definitely not like that.” AhZi said: ”You don't want your revenge?” You TanZhi said: ”I want. But firstly, i can't beat him. Secondly, i don't want to implicate you.”