Chapter - 27 (27) (2/2)

Seeing the sudden appearance of worried look on her face, naturally Wei Xiaobao did not understand the reason, he still thought that it was because she saw the Tian Di Hui warriors' martial art was not weak, while her own martial art had not recovered, hence she felt it would be very difficult to deal with this situation. Thereupon he said, ”Shifu, please set your heart at ease, I have a way to save Zheng Gongzi's life.”

Ah Ke spat and said, ”You speak nonsense again. Zheng Gongzi is going to win in a flash, what life do you want to save?”

Just as she finished speaking, there was ripping noise, Zheng Keshuang's long gown was pulled and ripped. Zheng Keshuang was furious, he fought faster, but there was a series of continuous ripping noise; like the talon of an eagle Feng Jizhong's ten fingers ripped his long gown, his undergarment and trousers, piece by piece. But he used just enough strength so that Zheng Keshuang's flesh was not harmed.

Zheng Keshuang realized that with several more rips, he would be stark naked. In his fright he turned around trying to flee. Feng Jizhong bent his arms, both of his elbows were already stationed in front of Zheng Keshuang's chest. Zheng Keshuang hastily pulled back, while sending out a double-punch. Suddenly he felt his wrist tightened, Feng Jizhong's left hand grabbed his right hand, his right hand gripped Zheng Keshuang's left hand. In one fluid motion he twisted around, sending Zheng Keshuang's away. ”Catch this!” he shouted. Unexpectedly this throw had sent Zheng Keshuang's body seven, eight zhang away.

Priest Xuanzhen launched his qinggong to catch up, he raised his head and called out, ”Gao Xiongdi, your turn!”

Gao Yanchao leaped immediately. Fan Gang, Xu Tianchuan, Guan Anji, and the others thought it was fun; they all shouted and rushed to join the game. Priest Xuanzhen caught Zheng Keshuang and tossed him over, he fell just as Gao Yanchao rushed over. Gao Yanchao caught him and threw him several zhang away toward Xu Tianchuan.

These people's strength varied, some were stronger than the others, their qinggong also varied, some high, some low; when they threw Zheng Keshuang, some managed to throw him farther than the other, when they rushed to catch him, some could move faster than the other, yet Zheng Keshuang stayed in the air for several dozen zhang, and had never fallen to the ground. The Tian Di Hui warriors displayed what they were really good at; it was only now that they revealed their true skill.

Guan Anji's physical strength was amazing; he tossed Zheng Keshuang about four, five zhang high in the air, and when he fell, he gave Zheng Keshuang's back a push with both palms, two lines of force working together to send Zheng Keshuang high to the air, as if he was soaring to the clouds or riding in the fog.

Wei Xiaobao was watching with extreme delight; he clapped and laughed heartily. 'Bang!' Suddenly Ah Ke knocked the back of his head heavily with her knuckles. He was startled and quickly turned his head around. Ah Ke was frightened and angry at the same time; she anxiously said, ”They are going to kidnap him, you … quickly save him.”

Wei Xiaobao said, ”They have no enmity with Zheng Gongzi, Shifu said that they are just playing with him; why would you be worry?”

”No, they are not,” Ah Ke said, ”They are going to kidnap him, to demand ransom for one million taels.”

Wei Xiaobao said, ”There are lots of money in Zheng Gongzi's home. They can easily afford to pay three millions, four millions taels. One million taels is not a big deal.”

Ah Ke stomped her right foot heavily on the floor. ”Ay, don't you have eyes?” she said, ”These bandits will … will make him suffer extreme distress.”

Wei Xiaobao whispered in her ear, ”You want me to save him? It's not difficult, as long as you agree to be my wife.”

”Nonsense,” Ah Ke angrily said.

Looking up, she saw that after the last man caught Zheng Keshuang, he did not throw him up anymore; she heard someone calling out, ”Hey, quickly go get the money and come back to Mount Funiu to redeem him. We won't harm this fellow's life, we will only give him three hundred floggings. The money is here one day early, he will suffer three hundred less floggings. If you are ten days late, he will suffer three thousand more floggings.”

Ah Ke grabbed Wei Xiaobao's hand and anxiously said, ”Did you hear that? Did you hear that? They are going to give him three hundred floggings every day. From here to Taiwan is very far, they won't necessarily make it back in one month.”

Wei Xiaobao said, ”Three hundred floggings every day. Supposing they took two months, two months is 60 days, three times six is eighteen, it's only 1800 floggings …”

”Ay, you are wrong,” Ah Ke said, ”It's 18,000 floggings. You are really …”

Wei Xiaobao laughed and said, ”I am not good in counting. With 18,000 floggings, his 'pigu gong' [buttocks skill] can be trained to perfection.”

Ah Ke was extremely angry; she flung his hand and said, ”I won't pay you any attention.” In her anger and anxiety, she broke up crying.

”Alright, alright,” Wei Xiaobao said, ”Don't cry, I'll think of something. But my proposal just now, you must not go back on your words.”

”You quickly save him, we'll talk about it later,” Ah Ke said.

Wei Xiaobao knew that she was only blurting perfunctorily, she would never agree under any circumstances to really marry him; he said, ”I will go through water and tread on fire for you, I won't decline your request under any circumstances, but in the future you must not bully me again.”

”Yes, yes,” Ah Ke said, ”Quickly go, quickly go!” While saying that, her eyes had never met his, she kept her gaze on the distant Zheng Keshuang. She saw those bandits tied his hands behind his back, and put him onto the horseback; very soon they were going to take him away. In a moment of desperation, she put her hand on Wei Xiaobao's back and gave him a push.

Wei Xiaobao cursed in his heart, ”His granny, laozi met a beautiful girl, she always asks me to save her sweetheart. Laozi may be extremely skillful in becoming a fool [orig. 'yuan da tou' – someone with more money than sense]; perhaps my 'yuan da tou gong' is also trained to perfection.” Quickly he rushed forward and called out, ”Hey, hey Funiu Montain's big kings

[60], zaixia has something to say.”

The crowd of heroes was already waiting for him to bravely step forward; they turned around immediately. ”Xiao Xiongdi,” Gao Yanchao said, ”What is it that you want to say?”

”Why did you catch him?” Wei Xiaobao asked.

Gao Yanchao replied, ”The brethren in mountain fort is many, yet we lack provision. Today we temporarily detain him, because we want to borrow one million taels from his father.”

Wei Xiaobao said, ”One million taels, that's a small matter. Why don't I lend it to you?”

Gao Yanchao laughed aloud and said, ”Xiao Xiongdi, what is your honored surname and great given name? What makes you talk big like that?”

”My name is Wei Xiaobao,” Wei Xiaobao replied.

”Aiyo,” Gao Yanchao exclaimed; he cupped his fist and bowed, saying, ”Turns out it's the Little White Dragon Hero Wei [the word here is 'ying xiong', not 'da xia']. You killed the Number One Warrior of Manchuria Oboi, your name became famous throughout the world, we admire you very much. Today we can pay our respect to our revered model, it is indeed the blessing of three lifetimes.”

Fan Gang and the others respectfully bowed and saluted. Wei Xiaobao cupped his fist to return the salute while saying, ”I do not dare to accept the honor.”

Gao Yanchao said, ”In view of Hero Wei's great face, we'll let this fellow go. That one million taels we do not dare to ask anymore.”

Xu Tianchuan fetched two big silver yuanbao from his pocket and presented the money respectfully with both hands, saying, ”Hero Wei, if you do not have enough traveling expense along the way, here is a hundred taels, please accept it and use it first.”

”Thank you very much,” Wei Xiaobao said, while accepting the yuanbao. And then he turned around to give it to Ah Ke.

Not in a million years would Ah Ke expect this little vile creature's reputation was this resounding. When these devils and monsters big robbers heard him announcing his name, they acted as if they had met their superior. How could she know that this 'little vile creature' was indeed those 'big robbers' immediate superior? In order to please their superior, these 'big robbers' had deliberately redoubled their effort to flatter him, and thus had performed a good play. She was pleasantly surprised, thinking that finally Zheng Gongzi would escape from danger.

But she saw Feng Jizhong took a step forward and said, ”Wait a moment. Hero Wei, you killed Oboi, we extremely admire you. It's just that we do not know each other. How do we know that you are indeed Hero Wei and not someone pretending to be him, assuming the Senior's great name to come out and swindle us?”

”What you said makes sense,” Wei Xiaobao replied, ”What can I do so that Sire is convinced?”

Feng Jizhong said, ”Zaixia brazenly asks Hero Wei to give me direction with three moves. The Number One Warrior of Manchuria died in your hands, naturally Honored Sir's martial art skill is no small matter. Whether you are real or fake, once we test it we will find out.”

”Very well,” Wei Xiaobao said, ”We will only try the style, one touch and we stop.”

”Absolutely,” Feng Jizhong said, ”I am asking Hero Wei to be lenient, so that zaixia will not seriously hurt.”

Wei Xiaobao was secretly amused; he thought, ”Feng Dage usually does not like to talk; who would have thought that when playacting, he could emulate the actors very well.” Thereupon he said, ”Laoxiong needs not be polite, perhaps I am not your match.”

With left hand finger pointed out, light as a feather his right palm struck out; only after moving for half a chi, the palm suddenly circled around and struck down diagonally. It was precisely the move from Bo're Palm that Cheng Guan demonstrated, called the 'without color without shape'.

Feng Jizhong's had a vast knowledge and experience. ”Wonderful!” he called out, ”This is a masterstroke from Bo're Palm, called 'without color …' something.” Stretching out his hand to block, he threw his upper body backward to evade too far that he nearly fell down.

Actually, there was not even half a part of internal energy; Wei Xiaobao laughed and said, ”Sire is right. This move is called 'without color without shape'.” And then he raised his left hand and struck down diagonally from upper right corner to lower left. Suddenly his five fingers turned into a claw and moved down several times.

Feng Jizhong loudly shouted, ”Amazing! There is the 'Bo're Palm' divine skill, and then there is 'spirited vulture listening to the scripture'.” Assuming the horse stance, he pushed both palms slowly forward, the center of his palm lightly touched Wei Xiaobao's fingertips. Immediately he cried out, ”Ah!” and tumbled anxiously backward three times. While somersaulting, he secretly circulated his internal energy so that by the time he stood up, his entire face was red as if he had just drunk seventeen, eighteen bowls of strong wine. Hid body swayed several times, and then he fell sitting down. Shaking his head, he said, ”Can't … can't do it … no more fight. My utmost admiration! Hero Wei, thank you very much for sparing my life.”

Wei Xiaobao cupped his fist and said, ”Laoxiong deliberately yielded to me.” While saying that, he winked several times.

Feng Jizhong's appearance looked very real; he had a dejected expression, mixed with gratitude, on his face, but there was also a hint of heartfelt admiration.

Xu Tianchuan took a step forward and said, ”Hero Wei's martial art is astonishing, indeed your name is not in vain. Let ziaxia experience several moves.”

”Very well!” Wei Xiaobao said. Moving swiftly forward, his hands crossed each other, one hand swung to Xu Tianchuan's left chest, one hand seized his right flank. It was a move from Shaolin Pai's upper class martial art, 'picking flower qinna [grab and capture]'.

Xu Tianchuan saw the brilliance of this qinna technique, he could not help but admiring him in his heart, ”Wei Xiangzhu is extremely smart, as soon as he started learning martial art, his progress is amazingly quick.” He did not know that although Wei Xiaobao executed the style correctly, he did not have the slightest bit of internal strength, so that even if he was seized by him, he would not suffer any damage. Xu Tianchuan's stature was short and small, the type of martial art he was most adept was, coincidentally, the qinna. Immediately he unleashed his special skill and sparred with Wei Xiaobao.

After several moves, the hands of both men interlocked with each other. ”Ah!” Xu Tianchuan cried out, his right hand hung limply on his side, he was pretending that it was twisted out of joint. ”My utmost admiration,” he said, and took two steps backward. His left hand cradling his own right hand, lifted it up and pulled it out, as if he was fixing the joint. This fixing joint skill was also an upper class technique of qinna martial art. He performed the procedure with 'not one thread loose', his movement was clean and deft.

One after another Fan Gang, Priest Xuanzhen and Li Lishi stepped forward asking for a match. Wei Xiaobao kept using the upper-class styles that Cheng Guan taught him. In just three or four moves, or perhaps seven, eight moves, Fan Gang and the others were defeated.

In a loud and clear voice Gao Yanchao said, ”We have witnessed Hero Wei's brilliant moves today, indeed our horizons have been expanded. Xiaoren all are full of admiration. When Hero Wei pass by Funiu Mountain someday, please do not forget to go up the mountain and stay for several days.”

”Naturally I will receive the benefit of disturbing you,” Wei Xiaobao replied.

The group of heroes bowed with cupped fists, and led their horses away. They walked to the edge of the town before mounting their horses and galloped away. Unexpectedly they did not dare to mount their horses in front of Wei Xiaobao; it was a display of utmost respect.

Ah Ke finally submitted to him, ”Turns out this 'little vile creature' has superior martial art; every time he pretended he was beaten, he was simply yielding to me.”

Things had come to this, Zheng Keshuang had no choice but to come to Wei Xiaobao to express his thanks. Wei Xiaobao laughed and said, ”Zheng Gongzi does not need to be polite, I was simply lucky that I accidentally defeated them. Speaking about real martial art, I am far too inferior compared to Sire.”

He was speaking the truth, but to Zheng Keshuang's ears it was highly sarcastic; he could not stop his face from turning deep red.

That evening they arrived at Xian County to the south. After settling down in an inn, Jiu Nan dismissed Ah Ke and asked Wei Xiaobao, ”Those people who were playacting with you during the day, they are your friends, aren't they?”

Jiu Nan's insight was very keen; Feng Jizhong, Xu Tianchuan and the others putting on an act, they were able to deceive Zheng Keshuang and Ah Ke, but how could they deceive this martial art expert? Wei Xiaobao knew that his trickery was exposed; he laughed and said, ”They are not really my friends.”

Jiu Nan said, ”The martial art skill of every one of those people is quite established; how could they agree to accompany you playing that trick?”

Wei Xiaobao said with a laugh, ”Most likely they cannot bear to see Zheng Gongzi's arrogance, so they borrowed disciple to knock him down several notches.”

Jiu Nan thought that his answer was very reasonable. She asked, ”The way you executed those several moves of yours: Bo're Palm, Picking Flower Qinna, was not bad at all.”

Wei Xiaobao laughed and said, ”I was just putting on airs, the roar of a toothless tiger; totally useless.”

While they were talking, they heard the clamor of hooves beat, a large group of people had arrived at the inn. Someone with a loud voice said, ”One upper-level room, must be the best you have. The rest of us can accept whatever you have.”

As soon as Wei Xiaobao heard this, he was delighted, since he recognized the voice to be the Shaking-head Lion Wu Lishen of the Mu Palace. ”Shifu,” he asked, ”Are we going to kill Wu Sangui?”

Jiu Nan said, ”This time the injury I suffered was really not light. Although the injury is healed, my internal energy is not recovered yet. I must find a quiet and secluded place to recuperate several days before we can decide what we are going to do. Otherwise, if I meet some strong enemies again, I won't be able to fight, and will have to depend on your muddled and crazy techniques; our Iron Sword School's reputation won't look too good.” While saying that, she could not help but smiling.

”Yes, yes,” Wei Xiaobao said, ”Shifu's body is important.”

From this traveling sack he fetched some best quality Qiqiang Longjing tea leaves and soaked it inside a covered teacup. He said, ”In the future disciple will learn Shifu's martial art. When I meet the enemy, I can fight him justly and honorably. Shifu, I want to go to the market to see if there are any fresh vegetables.”

Going out of the room, he saw Ah Ke and Zheng Keshuang were walking side-by-side out of the inn; they looked very intimate with each other. Immediately a whiff of jealousy bubbling up in his chest, hence he followed behind them.

Ah Ke turned her head and said, ”Why are you following me?”

”I am not following you,” Wei Xiaobao said, ”I am going to buy vegetable for Shifu.”

”Alright,” Ah Ke said, ”Zheng Gongzi, let's go over there.” She pointed to a small hill west of the city walls.

Wei Xiaobao's jealousy flame was blazing; he said, ”Be careful, don't bump into some mountain's big kings, I can't come to rescue you.”

Ah Ke shot him a malicious look and said, ”Who needs your rescue?”

Zheng Keshuang knew Wei Xiaobao was mentioning the scandal involving him earlier, he was furious. ”Humph,” he snorted, and quickly left.

Wei Xiaobao followed these two people with his eyes. Suddenly he heard Ah Ke was giggling. In his fury, he reached out to pull his dagger, he wanted to pursue them and kill Zheng Keshuang. But after only two steps, he thought, ”If we fight for real, I am not those two people's match.” Therefore, he suppressed his anger and continued to the market to buy some kuomo mushroom, winter-picked mushroom, wooden-ear mushroom, and bean vermicelli, which he brought back to the inn.

Ah Ke and Zheng Keshuang had not returned. Imagining that those two people were discussing passion and talking about love in some secluded place, he could not suppress his anger and cursed silently. Suddenly someone lightly patted his shoulder and embraced him, while saying with a laugh, ”Wei Xiongdi, you are here!”

Wei Xiaobao turned his head around and saw that it was the Imperial Bodyguards Chief Dolong. He could not help but was ecstatic. ”What are you doing here?” he said with a laugh.

He saw behind Dolong there were about a dozen men, they were all Imperial Bodyguards, but were dressed in common soldiers' uniform. Seeing Wei Xiaobao, all of them were beaming with joy, but they did not go forward to greet him. Dolong said in a low voice, ”There are other people here, let's go to my room and talk.” Turned out these men were also staying at the same inn.

When they got to Dolong's room, one by one the Imperial Bodyguards came forward to pay their respect. Wei Xiaobao laughed and said, ”Enough, enough.” Taking out one-thousand-tael banknote, he laughed and said, ”Brothers, take this to buy some drink.”

The Imperial Bodyguards knew that this Deputy Chief was very liberal with money, each time they saw him, they would always enjoy some advantage. Immediately they happily expressed their thanks.

Dolong said in a low voice, ”Wei Xiongdi, ever since you met with danger on Mount Wutai, every day His Majesty was thinking about you, hence he sent us out to seek for you.”

Wei Xiaobao was very grateful; he stood up and said, ”Thank you for His Majesty's benevolence. But how can I dare to toil brothers' honorable selves?”

Dolong laughed and said, ”Actually, His Majesty did not send me out, he only sent fifteen Imperial Bodyguard brothers. But I volunteered myself. First, as your big brother I am anxious to find you; second, this is a good opportunity for me to get out of the Capital and have fun. This has been your brother's great fortune.” Everybody laughed.

Dolong continued, ”This time, it can be considered that we have set up a great merit. When we return to the Capital and His Majesty finds out and Wei Xiongdi has escaped from danger, he must be extremely delighted. We have made inquiries along the way, but did not hear any news about Wei Xiongdi. We heard about a group of traitors palling a rebellion instead, we heard that they are going to hold a large assemble at Hejian Prefecture to discuss business. So we came to investigate.”

”I am here also for this matter,” Wei Xiaobao said, ”I heard the assembly this time is called 'turtle-slaying assembly' or something like that.”

Dolong raised his thumb. ”Formidable, formidable,” he said, ”Nothing escape Wei Xiongdi's eyes.”

”What information have you gathered?” Wei Xiaobao asked.

Dolong said, ”Two brothers here sneaked into the assembly. They found out that they want to deal with Wu Sangui. Every province elected their own 'meng zhu'. We have several names of these 'meng zhu'.”

Wei Xiaobao 's heart was moved; he asked, ”Which ones?”

Dolong replied, ”Yunnan has Mu Jiansheng, Fujian has Taiwan rebel Zheng Jing's second son called Zheng Keshuang.” And then he mentioned several other alliance leaders' names.

Wei Xiaobao asked, ”Those Mu Jiansheng, Zheng Keshuang, and so on, do you know what they look like?”

Dolong replied, ”It was a dark at night, these two brothers could not see them clearly, they also did not dare to come too close.”

”Duo Dage [reminder: in Chinese 'Dolong' is Duo Long],” Wei Xiaobao said, ”When you return to the Capital, please report to His Majesty, tell him that his servant Wei Xiaobao is also investigating this matter. As soon as I have their appearance, I will go back to the Capital to present a memorial to the Emperor.”

”Yes, yes,” Dolong said, ”Wei Xiongdi is so loyal in working for the Emperor. This time you set up a great merit, His Majesty will surely reward you handsomely.”

Wei Xiaobao said, ”If there is any merit, won't that be for the benefit of our Imperial Bodyguards' face? Right now I have something that I'd like to ask brothers to toil for me.”

All the Imperial Bodyguards replied, ”Wei Fu Zongguan [deputy chief] sends us for an errand, we will definitely do.”

Wei Xiaobao said, ”This is a matter that annoys me the most. I have a good lady friend that is fooling around with a frivolous young fellow right now …”

He had just spoken to this point, fury had already filled the Imperial Bodyguards' breasts; they all opened their mouth, cussing and swearing, ”His granny, which fellow is so brazen, dare to make a move on Wei Fu Zongguan's girl? Let's go and kill this fellow.”

”You don't need to kill him,” Wei Xiaobao said, ”I only want you to beat him a little, to vent my anger. But this fellow is my friend, so I don't want you to beat him too severely either. Especially you must not touch that young lady.”

The Imperial Bodyguards laughed and said, ”Naturally we will pay particular attention to this. Wei Fu Zongguan's good lady friend, who dare to offend?”

Wei Xiaobao said, ”Those two people were heading west. As soon as you make your move, I will pretend to come out and save them by driving you away. I want you to yield to me so much that Xiongdi can show off in front of my beloved.”

The Imperial Bodyguards burst out in laughter; they all said, ”Wei Fu Zongguan's assignment this time is most amusing.”

Dolong said with a laugh, ”In doing this job, hey, every one of us has to be extra careful. If we reveal the horse' leg, Wei Fu Zongguan will not consider all of you as brothers anymore.”

The Imperial Bodyguards all laughed and said, ”For Wei Fu Zongguan's important matter, we will all go through water and tread on fire, how could we dare to shrink away?”

An imperial bodyguard said, ”Damn it, this fellow harasses Wei Fu Zongguan's good lady friend, it's just like he is harassing my own mother. Laozi will fight him to the death.” Everybody laughed.

”Quiet down,” Wei Xiaobao said, ”Don't let other people hear.”

Stroking their fists and rubbing their palms, the Imperial Bodyguards went out the room, laughing and giggling. Wei Xiaobao brought the vegetable to the kitchen, he gave five qian to the cook and instructed him to prepare exquisite vegetarian dish. And then he slowly walked to the western end of the town.

He only walked for a little more than a li when he heard shouting and cursing, and saw in the distance several dozen of people were fighting with weapons in their hands; it was a very noisy fight. He thought, ”This fellow is not bad, fighting alone against many enemies, unexpectedly he is able to stand.”

Unhurriedly he walked toward the fight, and could not help but was startled. He saw the Imperial Bodyguards were surrounding seven, eight people, engaging them in a fierce combat. The opponents had their backs against the city wall, they were trapped in a corner but were fighting fiercely. They were none other than Mu Jiansheng, Wu Lishen and several other people.

There was a young woman by Mu Jiansheng's side; his hands wielded a pair of sabers, he fought ferociously that his hair was in a mess. On top of the city wall there were a couple of people standing hand-in-hand, watching the fight below; they were precisely Ah Ke and Zheng Keshuang.

Wei Xiaobao was angry, but he was also amused; he thought, ”Damn it, they have the wrong people. They must have seen Mu Gongzi first, and saw that he has a young lady by his side; without distinguishing red-blue or black-white, they simply rushed to attack.”

He saw Dolong, holding a demon-head saber in his hand, was standing behind those people, supervising the fight. Immediately he walked over to him and said in a low voice, ”You have the wrong couple, it's those two on top of the city wall.” Finished speaking, he immediately walked away.

Dolong shouted, ”It's not right, hey, they are friends. The person who owes money is not you. Alright, everybody step back, let them go.” As soon as the Imperial Bodyguards heard it, they pulled back one after another.

Mu Jiansheng, Wu Lishen and the others were not many, they were not these people's match. Previously they thought that they had been recognized and that these Qing soldiers wanted to arrest them. Luckily they withdrew, which was exactly what they had been hoping for.

Wu Lishen caught a glimpse of Wei Xiaobao. ”Ashamed,” he groaned inwardly, ”This time we also receive Wei En Gong's [benefactor] help. Otherwise, it's not a big deal if I get killed, but if Xiao Gongye [young master/Duke] fell into the Tatars' hands, I can't redeem it with ten thousand deaths.” Since at that time it was inconvenient to acknowledge Wei Xiaobao, he hurried along with Mu Jiansheng and the others out of the city gate, and rushed northward.

Wei Xiaobao went up the city wall and asked Ah Ke, ”Shijie, why did they fight? Who are those people?”

Ah Ke pouted her little mouth and said, ”Who knows? Those soldiers were demanding some payment.”

Wei Xiaobao said, ”Let us quickly return to the inn, don't let Shifu be anxious over us.”

Ah Ke said, ”You go back first, I'll come soon afterward.”

She had just finished speaking, the numerous Imperial Bodyguards already rushed up the city wall. An Imperial Bodyguard pointed to Zheng Keshuang and shouted, ”It's him, this fellow is the one who owes me money.”

Wei Xiaobao said in a low voice, ”Zheng Gongzi, Shijie, let's go quickly. Tatar soldiers commit all kind of outrages, it will be very troublesome to provoke them.”

Ah Ke was also somewhat afraid, she said, ”Right, let's go.”

An Imperial Bodyguard rushed over; pointing to Zheng Keshuang he said, ”The night before last you were having fun spending money with young women in a brothel in Hejian Prefecture, you owed me ten thousand taels, quickly pay me back.”

”Rubbish,” Zheng Keshuang angrily said, ”Who went to the brothel? How can I owe you money?”

”You still deny it?” the Imperial Bodyguard said, ”The day before yesterday in the evening, you had two 'powdered heads' on your knees, what were their names again?”

Another Imperial Bodyguard said, ”The older one was called Ah Cui, the younger one was Hong Bao. You turned to the left and kissed and drank a mouthful of wine, then you turned to the right and caressed her cheek and drank another mouthful of wine, so loose and happy. Do you still deny it?”

Another Imperial Bodyguard said, ”With two 'powdered heads' in your arms you threw the dice with us, and lost two thousand taels. Eager to win your capital back, you borrowed from me three thousand taels, and borrowed from this laoxiong two thousand taels. Afterward you borrowed from him one thousand five hundred, and from him two thousand taels.”

Another man said, ”And from me you borrowed one thousand five hundred taels; altogether you owe us ten thousand taels of shiny white silver.”

Five men held out their hands together and said, ”Killing people you pay with your life, owing money you have to pay back. Quickly pay!”

Ah Ke recalled the scene at the brothel where she saw Wei Xiaobao was fooling around with the prostitutes, she also recalled a few days ago inside the haystack was groping and pinching her body; it seemed to her that these men were not faking it. Moreover, she remembered that the night before last was exactly the eve of the 'turtle-slaying assembly'. She recalled that Zheng Gongzi did not return to the inn until very late at night, and in the morning she saw him having a hangover; he said that certain hero and warrior invited him for a drink. He did drink all right, but it was not any hero or warrior, rather, it was the s1uts at the brothel. Thinking to this point, she could not stop tears from flowing down her face.

The Imperial Bodyguards had blocked Zheng Keshuang's escape route; they had him completely surrounded. Someone behind him reached out and grabbed the back of his neck. Zheng Keshuang was furious; his elbow struck backward, heavily he hit the pit of the man's stomach. The Imperial Bodyguard cried out and doubled up in pain. The rest of the Imperial Bodyguards closed in, giving him punches and kicks. Fighting one on one, these people were not Zheng Keshuang's match, but with seven, eight people attacking him at once, very soon he was sprawling on the ground.

Ah Ke anxiously called out, ”If you have something to say, let's talk. Don't hit people carelessly.” And she scrambled forward to help him.

”Hey, Big Miss

[61],” Dolong said, ”It has nothing to do with you; don't get involved with this muddle head.”

”Go away,” Ah Ke anxiously said; she reached out to push Dolong's shoulder away.

Dolong was a martial art master of the Imperial Palace, naturally his martial art skill was superb. With light brush of his left hand, he sent her tumbling several steps backward.

On the other side, the Imperial Bodyguards were punching and kicking, hacking and chopping Zheng Keshuang; they did not stop slapping Zheng Keshuang's face. Ah Ke anxiously attacked several moves, but with a chuckle Dolong easily parried her and pushed her farther and farther away from Zheng Keshuang. Dolong said with a laugh, ”Big Miss, this playboy is dining, wining, whoring and gambling; nothing that he did not do. Early morning today he still wanted to borrow five thousand taels from me, saying that he wanted to marry two 'powdered heads' and take them home to be his concubines. Why do you want to protect him?”

Ah Ke took several steps back and shouted anxiously, ”If you have something else to say … we can talk it over slowly.”

An Imperial Bodyguard laughed and said, ”If you tell him to pay back our money, naturally we won't beat him.” While saying that, 'whack!' he sent another punch on Zheng Keshuang's face; immediately blood flowing out of his nose.

Another Imperial Bodyguard pulled his saber and shouted, ”Let's cut his two ears first, and then we talk.” While saying that, he waved his saber in chopping motion, twice.

Ah Ke pulled Wei Xiaobao's hand, in her anxiety, she almost cried. ”What shall we do? What shall we do?” she said.

Wei Xiaobao said, ”Actually, I do have ten thousand taels; but I really don't want to give it to him so that he can gamble and visit prostitutes.”

”They are going to cut his ears,” Ah Ke said, ”Please lend the money to me then.”

Wei Xiaobao said, ”If Shijie wants to borrow money, I would lend you even a hundred thousand taels, let alone only ten thousand taels. But you will be my wife in the future, so it does not count as a debt. Just tell Zheng Gongzi to borrow from me.”

Ah Ke stomped her feet. ”Ay,” she said, ”You are really …” She called out, ”Hey, don't hit, we'll pay you back.”

The Imperial Bodyguards had hit enough, so they stopped, but they still held on to Zheng Keshuang and did not let him go.

Ah called out, ”Zheng Gongzi, my Shidi has the money, just borrow from him to pay them back.”

Zheng Keshuang was really angry that he almost passed out; but seeing the steel saber swaying back and fro in front of his face, he was afraid that they would really cut his ears. He became terrified and looked at Wei Xiaobao, imploring him with his eyes.

Ah Ke tugged at Wei Xiaobao's sleeve. ”Lend him,” she said in a low voice.

An Imperial Bodyguard said with a cold laugh, ”Ten thousand taels is not a small amount of money. Without any guarantee, how can he easily loan it to others? This fellow loves to borrow money the most, didn't we all fall into his trick?”

”If only this Miss is willing to be the guarantee,” another Imperial Bodyguard said, ”If this fellow did not pay back, then it will fall onto this Miss' responsibility to pay it back.”

The Imperial Bodyguard who had his saber raised said in a loud voice, ”Another family's Big Miss is neither a friend nor a relative to this stinky fellow, why would she be willing to be the guarantor? If the ten thousand taels is not paid back, what else can she do unless using her body to repay the debt by marrying this young rich kid?”

The Imperial Bodyguards roared with laughter. ”That's right,” they said, ”That is a brilliant idea.”

”Shijie,” Wei Xiaobao said in a low voice, ”It won't work. You heard them, won't it be too unfair to you?”

'Slap!' an Imperial Bodyguard heavily slapped Zheng Keshuang on his face again. His hands and feet were being held by these people, he was helpless to resist. An Imperial Bodyguard shouted, ”Just beat him severely, beat him to death, just consider the ten thousand taels is going down the drain. This is called 'the eyes do not see, the heart does not feel vexed'.” 'Slap! Slap!' he then slapped Zheng Keshuang several times.

Zheng Keshuang called out, ”Don't hit! Don't hit! Wei Xiongdi, if you have the money, please lend ten thousand taels to me. I … I guarantee that I will pay you back.”

Wei Xiaobao cast a sideway glance toward Ah Ke. ”Shijie,” he asked, ”Do you think I should lend it to him?”

With tears brimming on her eyes, Ah Ke sobbed, ”Lend … lend it to him.”

An Imperial Bodyguard on the side caught on to please Wei Xiaobao, he said with a loud voice, ”Big Miss is willing to be the guarantor. In the future Big Miss will marry the young rich gentleman, this stinky fellow is actually the matchmaker.”

Wei Xiaobao fished a pack of banknotes from his pocket, counted ten thousand taels, and was about to give it to Zheng Keshuang, but then he changed his mind and handed it over to Ah Ke instead. Ah Ke received it and said, ”Here's the money, please let him go.”

The Imperial Bodyguards all thought that Deputy Chief Wei said that he was going to fight to rescue others, but now he was using money to save others; they were not sure if it was what Wei Xiaobao had in mind, thereupon they were still holding on to Zheng Keshuang and did not let him go.

Wei Xiaobao said, ”Here is ten thousand taels, take it and divide it among yourselves. Damn it, just consider it a reward of your effort. You are all such muddleheaded son of a b1tch, quickly release him.”

As soon as the Imperial Bodyguards heard it, they were delighted. They understood that Wei Xiaobao intended to give them the ten thousand taels as their reward; hence they let Zheng Keshuang go immediately.

Ah Ke reached out to help him up and to give the money to him. Zheng Keshuang was extremely angry, he snatched the money away and without looking he handed it to an Imperial Bodyguard by his side.

Wei Xiaobao cursed, ”You are a bunch of sons of a b1tch, Tatars soldiers, you beat my friend like this, laozi will not let this matter rest.”

Ah Ke was afraid of prolonged dispute, she hastily said, ”Don't curse, let's go back.”

Wei Xiaobao said, ”I am furious just thinking about this, the debt has to be paid, and we have already paid it. But Zheng Gongzi has suffered the beatings, didn't he suffer it in vain?”

Dolong laughed aloud and said, ”This fellow has just shed away his 'poor star', but his lewdness is on the rise. Damn it, why do you always want to be near other family's Big Miss?” Reaching out, he grabbed the back of Zheng Keshuang's neck and lifted his body up. Turning him around in the air, he shouted, ”Let me throw you down the city wall, I want to see whether you will die or you will live.” Zheng Keshuang and Ah Ke screamed together.

Dolong dropped Zheng Keshuang heavily on the ground; he shouted, ”Later on I want you to leave this Miss far away. Other family's good Miss, if she is seen together with you, a boy who crazily visit prostitute and gamble excessively, who 'imitate the dog and steal chicken' [i.e. to dally with women], her reputation will be ruined. Let me tell you this: if in the future I ever see you by this Miss' side, laozi will definitely wring your dog head off your neck.” While saying that, his left hand grabbed the root of Zheng Keshuang's braid, he coiled Zheng Keshuang's braid twice around the palm of his right hand; and then he took a very deep breath, his chest swelled, the muscles on his arms and the back of his hands bulged out, with a loud roar his hands pulled apart, 'snap!' the braid broke into two.

Seeing a display of such a divine strength, the Imperial Bodyguards broke into thunderous applause. Dolong's natural strength was enormous, plus he trained the external, hard type of martial art. His arms had a thousand-catty power. Fortunately his left hand was holding the root of the braid, otherwise, since Zheng Keshuang's braid was fake, with one light pull it would be revealed that he was not obeying the imperial court's order, which was a major criminal offense for a subject of Qing Dynasty.

Dolong tossed the half braid away, his five fingers, which knuckles were as big as pestles, forked Zheng Keshuang's neck, followed by his left hand also grabbed the back of his neck. His hands slowly tightened, Zheng Keshuang's face slowly swollen red, until finally his tongue stuck out; very soon he would be choked to death. The dozen or so Imperial Bodyguards drew their weapons and positioned themselves around the two people, to prevent Ah Ke from stepping forward and rescue him.

Wei Xiaobao shouted, ”The money has been returned, you still want to kill him?” He charged forward, 'Bang!' and he sent a punch toward an Imperial Bodyguard's lower abdomen. ”Aiyo!” the Imperial Bodyguard cried out, and tumbled down, howling and screaming, flailing his hands and feet randomly, and was not able to crawl up no matter what.

With both fists Wei Xiaobao attacked Dolong using the move 'a pair of dragons fought over a pearl'. Dolong's two hands were holding Zheng Keshuang's neck, he could not parry, and thus was hit by the fists. The move 'a pair of dragons fought over a pearl' was originally intended to strike the enemy's temples ['sun' acupoints], but Dolong was big and tall, while Wei Xiaobao was short and small; his two fists were hitting Dolong's lower back.

Pretending to be angry, Dolong cursed, ”Dead little demon, laozi will choke you to death.” Letting Zheng Keshuang go, he fought with Wei Xiaobao.

Wei Xiaobao unleashed the martial art he learned from Hai Dafu and Cheng Guan. His movements were agile, each move each style was ingenious and very pleasing to the eye. Dolong's fists created strong gust of wind. He struck just a few cun from within Wei Xiaobao's side, suddenly he advanced swiftly and sent a ferocious kick. 'Crack!' the jujube tree by Wei Xiaobao's side was broken. The Imperial Bodyguards broke into loud cheers.

Witnessing Dolong's divine power, Ah Ke was afraid Wei Xiaobao would be beaten to death. ”Shidi,” she called out, ”Don't fight, let's go back.”

Wei Xiaobao was greatly delighted. ”She cares about me. In the end this little mother skin [xiao niang pi] is not without any conscience.”

Dolong sent another kick, sending a large rock on the ground flying away and falling down from the city wall. Wei Xiaobao moved faster and faster, 'whack!' his palm struck the opponent's abdomen. ”Ah!” Dolong cried out; he bent his knees and fell sitting down on the ground. ”Laozi won't give in, let's fight again,” he called out.

Springing up, his arms moved up and down rapidly. Wei Xiaobao leaned sideways to evade, Dolong's punch hit the city wall; instantly three pieces of large greenish black brick fell off. Amidst the flying dust, Wei Xiaobao sent a flying kick with his right leg; but before his toes even touched him, Dolong already roared as he slipped down from the city wall and fell onto the ground at the foot of the wall, and lay unmoving.

Wei Xiaobao was shocked; afraid that Dolong might really fell to his death, he bent over to look. Dolong raised his head and smiled, he winked and waved his hand, indicating that he was all right, and then immediately lay facing down on the ground. Wei Xiaobao finally felt relieved. The Imperial Bodyguards were shocked and frightened; they rushed down the city wall to look.

Wei Xiaobao pulled Ah Ke and said in a low voice, ”Quickly go, quickly go.” Like a wisp of smoke the three of them ran back to the inn.

Back at the inn, Jiu Nan notice unusual expression on Ah Ke's face, plus she was panting incessantly. ”What happened?” she asked.

Ah Ke replied, ”There were more than a dozen Tatar soldiers giving Zheng Gongzi some trouble, fortunately … fortunately Shidi overthrew the leader of those soldiers.”

Jiu Nan said, ”Do this for me: stay quietly in the inn, do not wander anywhere and create trouble.” Ah Ke lowered her head in compliance.

After a while, concerned over Zheng Keshuang's injury, she went to his room to pay a visit. She saw that his attendants had applied medicine on his wounds; he was asleep with the attendants accompanying him in the room.

Seeing her coming out of Zheng Keshuang's room, Wei Xiaobao was angry and upset at the same time. ”Why didn't I tell them to really cut this fellow's ears?” he mused, ”This little girl is always worrying wholeheartedly about this stinky fellow. Even if I cut this fellow's ears and poke his eyes blind, it seems that she will still consider him as her beloved treasure.” Despite of his sharp-witted and extensive knowledge, encountering this kind of matter of the heart between men and women, he was actually at his wits' end.

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