Vol 23 Chapter 12 (1/2)
Book 23 Chapter 12 - Dilemma
Back at Tingsong Villa, Fei Chun ca, the twoQuan and Kun Shan have left”
Xiang Shaolong has forgotten about these two ated: “Did they take any luggage with them?”
His hands relaxed by the side, Fei Chun respectfully replied: “Their belongings took up two carriages Mistress knows about it too”
Secretly acknowledging that the cleanup is now co is about to return to his roo, after the disband & Dance Troupe, can our band of brothers throw in our lot with you?”
Patting his shoulder, Xiang Shaolong advised: “The Song & Dance Troupe would not be disbanded You guys should do your best and support Second Mistress Touring the various States ishis sentence, he began to cli to the main hall
Fei Chun caught up to hi for you And there is Miss Xinyue too Oh, it nearly slippedfor Master Xiang in the East Hall He says it is a matter of life and death!”
Although he is nowmore troublesome instead He naturally went to look for Xiao Yuetan first
Standing in front of the , a dazed Xiao Yuetan was staring at the garden scenery beyond the ith his ar arrived at his back did he cal, I have a piece of terrible news for you”
Xiang Shaolong had a big shock and enquired: “What terrible news?”
Xiao Yuetan described: “Today, I disguised rate actually went to visit Guo Kai in secret They had a two hour discussion before he finally left”
His heart swelling with a sour feeling, Xiang Shaolong thought to himself: I do not offend others; yet others try to offendbetter and better Even Lord Longyang has been deceived by him He cannot be bothered and replied: “It doesn’thas arranged everything for me”
Turning his body around, Xiao Yuetan used his hands and grabbed both of Xiang Shaolong’s shoulders He seriously remarked: “How do you expect to leave? Both the river and roads have been blockaded by heavy snow Lord Longyang and Han Chuang are in it together Both of them are after your life!”
He continued: “The reason forAfter a short discussion, Han Chuang then left to look for Guo Kai What do you think they are up to?”
His face drained of colour, Xiang Shaolong stammered: “What?”
Xiao Yuetan sighed: “Shaolong, you are too trusting with your friends You must understand that when the interests of the Country and the glory or shame, life or death of their entire clan is concerned, every strand of relationshi+p will be cast aside To the people of the Three States (Han Zhao Wei), the three words Xiang Shaolong is equivalent to their Soul Reaper Only with your demise can they put their mind at ease”
Xiang Shaolong can feel his head turning numb If he does not leave, he would have to face Cao Cuidao’s Godly swordplay and handle other annoying issues
He decided: “I will leave by myself”
Xiao Yuetan disagreed: “You arerous”
Pausing, he continued: “I heard Cao Cuidao has issued a challenge to you Are you leaving and forsaking the duel?”
Xiang Shaolong bitterly laughed: “What else can I do? Elder Brother is well-informed indeed”
Xiao Yuatan warned: “It is not that I a this news, announcing this to the whole city andit difficult for you to avoid this battle Aye, did you ever think that if you had really slipped away, it would be significantly detri hoo ha over thisthe Qin military”
Xiang Shaolong was taken aback: “You are asking et killed?”
Xiao Yuetan reasoned: “Based on your current disposition, you will lose without a doubt But since he personally issued the challenge, he arded you as a worthy adversary”
Xiang Shaolong bitterly smiled: “It could be Lu Buho ordered Han Jie to invite hie to me”
Xiao Yuetan dis this because you do not understand Cao Cuidao There is no one in this world who can influence hi, he toured the land since he was young, looking for challengers to better hie of twenty five, he has yet to taste defeat and ultiained the admirable title of Sword Saint”
Xiang Shaolong was aht him?”
Xiao Yuetan officially articulated: “I alory of its military and swordsmen You can afford to lose but you cannot afford to run away froination Maybe you can persuade Cao Cuidao to liht to ten strokes That may perhaps create a in scenario and both parties canoffence”
Xiang Shaolong is highly enthusiastic and nodded: “Why don’t Iof Qi Of course I will be tactful about it andanybody to be hurt, etc”
After a ested: “Why don’t rite directly to Cao Cuidao? Since this old fella is unable to overco him and he may approve of this condition Moreover, if nobody else knows about this arrangee to successfully deflect ten strokes from him, everyone would have the impression that you are evenly nificantly without any side effects”
Xiang Shaolong secretly thought that Cao Cuidao may have studied and understood his sabre moves and it will not be a repeat of their first encounter when he could only defend without attacking He dejectedly ardless of speed, strength or skill, I am inferior to him”
Grabbing Xiang Shaolong’s shoulders and violently shaking hi Look atthat you will lose this duel, you can never return to Xianyang and see your wives and son As long as you can walk down Qixia College Stargazing Pavilion three days later with your life intact, you can leave Lin Zi that very night, returning back to Qin for an ultimate shoith Lu Buwei Otherwise, all your previous efforts would have coht”
His whole body breaking out in cold sweat, Xiang Shaolong was shocked into awakening His sharp eyes teey, he stared back at Xiao Yuetan and swore in a deep voice: “I got it Xiang Shaolong would not let Brother Xiao down I, Xiang Shaolong, will definitely return to Qin in one piece”
Xiao Yuetan released his grip on him and concluded: “I will proceed to draft the letter in your rooned it, I will personally deliver it to Cao Cuidao After that, we can only pray for his gallantry”
Xiang Shaolong arden of the rear courtyard With the area swept clean of snow, Feng Fei and the others are conducting an outdoor rehearsal Right now, Dong Shuzen is practicing the critical
Now that he is better at assessing a wo Fei, Dong Shuzen evokes a totally different aura
Unlike Feng Fei sloppy and diva attitude, Dong Shuzen carries an exquisite and enchanting aura that re upset or angry, she can still radiate an indescribable sensation of playfulness and passion It is truly captivating
As the courtesans are fully i Shaolong stepping into the garden Only Feng Fei approached his side and whispered: “Once Shuzen finish singing this song, Great General will then announce Feng Fei’s retire Fa Fei and be responsible for the perfore”
Xiang Shaolong was thunderstruck: “What?”
Chuckling with a ‘Pu Ci’, Feng Fei jested: “What is your what about? Didn’t you i to seduce me?”
Xiang Shaolong realizes that she is just fooling around and changed the topic: “Did Han Jie look for you?”
Feng Fei shot him a look and replied in a slow andthis issue He told atherand my case He even swore to Heaven & Earth that he would never let me down I am so confused by his promises and I am at a loss now”
Xiang Shaolong bitterly smiled: “As an outsider, it is i did swear that he no longer bears any uaranteed to safely escort you to wherever you wish to go”
Her petite fra Fei de and Han Chuang are both unreliable and at the sa on?”
By now, the song has reached its highest peak and the environment was packed with a joyful and celebratory at display of fireworks With the striking of the bell, the entire perfores of the spectacle continue to linger in one’s memory
Leading her fellow courtesans, Dong Shuzen ca and paying their respects in their shrill voice
Xiang Shaolong intensely felt that the bearing of the whole Song & Dance Troupe has ih fighting spirit and full of hope that the future is bright and can only get brighter
If he had left tonight without saying goodbye, it would severely impact theirand h morale
His phobia towards Cao Cuidao has been cast to the back of his brain
When Dong Shuzen stood up again, her eyes are filled with hot tears and gloith utratitude that no words can describe
At this juncture, a subordinate came to report that Yan General Xu Yizhe is here to seek an audience with him
Sighing to hi knows that another set of troubles await
Xu Yizhe came to visit hie is co and the others
It has been years since they last met and the wrinkles on his face have increased considerably, signaling a tor lifestyle
After exchange pleasantries, both uest This fa our hearts out to each other but to in the battlefield This is truly dreadful”
Xiang Shaolong can comprehend his emotions and enquired about Prince Dan’s situation
Xu Yizhe sighed: “With wolves and tigers as neighbours, who can enjoy a day of peace? Great General should be aware of Qi’s ambitions towards our territory This time round, we initially did not wish to send anyone over However, Guo Kai kept egging Prince Dan, pro that if we can support Tian Jian and suppress Tian Dan, it will result in a different outcoardless of whoever is in power, halting these ambitions is simply impossible”
Xiang Shaolong sighed to hiratitude and hatred themselves In the same year when he took the ti army has just been freshly defeated by Lian Po, who subsequently attacked all the way to the capital of Yan At that ti Zhao, forcing thee of the situation, Qi invade Yan and this time round, Chu came in to attack Qi from the back, as the Three States are unable to cope with Qi due to the fierce threat frohty Qin
The entire history of the Warring States is a record of large States conquering the smaller States Every State has its expansionary policy and increased its own strength by absorbing territory froth, they would be conquered by others to be used to increase the strength of others For exaer state than Qi, the people of Qi would be the ones feeling depressed now
Ever since their crushi+ng defeat at the hands of Zhao, Yan has been struggling at the brink of extinction If not for Prince Dan who sent Jingke to assassinate Xiao Pan in the later years, probably nobody would have a deep impression of Yan
Xu Yizhe added: “Prince Dan is currently based at Wu Yang, it is a developed city beside River Wu and it is nearer to the South border in preparation for any threats from Qi If Great General can spare the time, Prince Dan would love to meet his old buddy”
Xiang Shaolong bitterly laughed: “Now, I a alive and would not burden myself with other matters”
Xu Yizhe officially state: “Is Great General referring to the duel with Cao Cuidao? I a the flames fro with it We did send a few top swords to ruffle the feathers of Qi Unexpectedly, they could not even overco us some distress”
Xiang Shaolong is conscious that his present predica to discuss any further, he changed the topic: “When is Brother Xu going back to Yan?”
Xu Yizhe answered: “I had planned to leave the next ht noould only leave after witnessing Great General triumph over Cao Cuidao”
Xiang Shaolong shook his head: “Brother Xu is expecting too much from me”
Xu Yizhe was slightly stunned and queried: “Thedisillusioned?”
Xiang Shaolong obviously could not tell him he had experienced Cao Cuidao’s prowess before and could only ain