CLX Book 3 Chapter 80

Chapter 80 – You Die, I Live

Liu Wumei cast him a glance, her eyes were full of look of contempt, as if she was saying, “Just relying on you, Hu Tiehua, 10,000 of you can’t beat him, one person.”

But she did not say it out loud, she only sighed and said, “Although I did not dare to see him, the situation forced me that I don’t have any choice but to see him.”

Hu Tiehua could not help but ask, “In the end, did you see him?” _{Translated by foxs}

“I did,” Liu Wumei said.

Hu Tiehua said, “Can he neutralize your poison?”

Liu Wumei said, “Of course he can neutralize it, but he has a condition.”

Hu Tiehua asked, “What condition?”

Liu Wumei sighed and said, “Any other conditions he did not want, he just asked me for one thing.”

Hu Tiehua was already nervous, because he already had a vague guess of what that person wanted. But he still could not help asking, “What is he asking for?”

Liu Wumei said word by word, “What he wants is Chu Liuxiang’s head.”

As these words were spoken, everybody was stunned.

After a long time, Hu Tiehua looked at Chu Liuxiang and said with a laugh, “What exactly is the treasure in your head, why is it that those who want your head are so many?” _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

Liu Wumei lowered her head, she spoke slowly, “Between you and I, there is no grievance, no enmity. Originally I could not bear to kill you for such a thing, but that person said, my poisoning is too deep, I have at most only two or three months to live; within these two or three months, if I can’t bring along your head when I go to see him, I would have to prepare for my funeral immediately.”

Chu Liuxiang could not help rubbing his nose, he asked, “How long has it been now?”

Liu Wumei said, “It’s been two months.”

Chu Liuxiang said, “What that person said, is it trustworthy?”

Liu Wumei said, “If you knew who he was, you would never doubt his words.”

Hu Tiehua laughed coldly and said, “I never thought that unexpectedly you are such a person who is afraid of death.”

Liu Wumei burst into tears, she spoke with a trembling voice, “I’m not afraid of death, I’m just … just …”

Hu Tiehua said, “Just what?”

Li Yuhan suddenly hissed, “She is doing it just for me, she cannot bear to die and leave me alone, now do you understand?”

Chu Liuxiang heaved a sigh, he said, “I understand.” _{Translated by foxs}

Li Yuhan roared, “You should know now that she is not Shi Guanyin’s spy, much less anybody else’s spy. She wants your life, it’s merely to save her own, nothing more.”

Chu Liuxiang said, “Look out for yourself, or heaven and earth will combine to destroy you. This point, I definitely do not blame her, she was doing what she was supposed to do.”

Li Yuhan did not seem to expect that he would speak up on Liu Wumei’s behalf instead. After staring blankly for half a day, he spoke hoarsely, “Since that’s the case, you might as well help her accomplish her wish!”

Chu Liuxiang spoke leisurely, “I just said look out for yourself, or heaven and earth will combine to destroy you. Therefore, although I really want to help her, but at least I must plan for myself first.”

Fixing his gaze on Li Yuhan, he smiled and said, “If you must cut off your own head to help others, would you be willing to?”

Li Yuhan’s pale face already turned red, he said angrily, “You don’t have any choice but to help her.”

“Oh?” Chu Liuxiang said.

Li Yuhan said, “If you don’t want to die, I will take the five people’s lives. You can’t bear to watch them, five people to die for you, right?” _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

Chu Liuxiang said, “If you kill them, you, husband and wife …”

Lin Yuhan roared, “We, husband and wife don’t want to live anyway.”

Chu Liuxiang sighed and said, “It seems like you guys are indeed infatuated with each other. For your wife’s sake, unexpectedly you would not hesitate to do such a thing … But why don’t you just kill me with this Rainstorm Pear Blossom Nails?”

Gritting his teeth, Li Yuhan hissed, “I have no confidence in killing you, this is my last bet, I definitely must not take risks.”

Chu Liuxiang smiled and said, “At least what you said is the truth.”

Li Yuhan said, “Now that everything that needs to be said has been said, it is useless for you to drag on. I will give you a moment to think about it. When I count to five, if you don’t die, they will die.”

Chu Liuxiang heaved a sigh, he muttered, “Count to five …? Why don’t you just count to three? Wouldn’t that be much more exciting?”

Ashen faced, Li Yuhan said, “One.”

His voice was hoarse with tension, he stuttered twice before saying the word ‘One’. Because he knew that if Chu Liuxiang refused to die, then not only Hu Tiehua, Su Rongrong, Li Hongxiu, Song Tian’er, and Hei Zhenzhu would all die, they, husband and wife, could forget about keeping on living. _{Translated by foxs}

And now, Chu Liuxiang did not look like he wanted to die.

Li Yuhan spoke hoarsely, “Two.”

Surprisingly, Chu Liuxiang smiled.

Li Yuhan really did not want to see this smile, so he just stared at Su Rongrong and the others. He naturally knew that absolutely no one would say, “Chu Liuxiang, why don’t you die? Let us live, we are all the people closest to you, if you die for us, the whole world will praise you.”

He did not want them to say such things at all, he wanted them to say, “Chu Liuxiang, you must not die! Let us die! We are all insignificant people, it doesn’t matter if we die.”

He also hoped that they would say, “We can die for you, and we will die with our eyes closed, hoping that you won’t forget us. Every spring and autumn, the anniversary of our death, you can burn incense sticks in front of our grave, we will be perfectly satisfied.”

Because he knew that if they said these words, it would definitely create a heroic, sad, and ecstatic mood and atmosphere.

He also knew that Chu Liuxiang was a very affectionate person, he would definitely be moved by such words, so much so that his hot blood would surge forward and he would not be able to control himself. _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

By then, even if he did not want to die, he would die.

But Su Rongrong and the others did not say anything, they just stood there quietly, waiting quietly, neither sad nor excited.

Li Yuhan was both surprised and disappointed. These people unexpectedly did not even have a hint of sadness. Could it be that they were not human with flesh and blood?

Li Yuhan was so nervous that he could not even say the word ‘three’.

Chu Liuxiang suddenly smiled and said, “I just understand two things now.”

Li Yuhan blurted out asking, “What things?”

Chu Liuxiang said, “I just understand now that the younger generation of ‘Yong Cui Shanzhuang’ really cannot do bad things, because not only you do not know how to do bad things, you don’t even know how to scare people.”

He smiled and continued, “If you want to make others afraid of you, you yourself must not be afraid. If you yourself are afraid first, how could other people be afraid of you?”

Hu Tiehua roared in laughter and said, “That’s right, it is like someone who knows how to tell jokes, he himself absolutely must not laugh, if he himself laughs first, then no matter how funny the joke he is telling, other people will not find it funny.”

Li Yuhan said angrily, “You think …” _{Translated by foxs}

Chu Liuxiang practically did not let him speak, cutting him off, he said, “Younger generation of family influential for generations like you guys, there is also one biggest shortcoming.”

Li Yuhan nearly could not help asking, “What shortcoming?”

But in the end he did not ask, he roared wildly instead, “Four.”

Chu Liuxiang practically did not pay him any attention, he spoke leisurely, “Your biggest shortcoming is that your Jianghu experience is too little, because you practically do not need to struggle, to strive in Jianghu by yourself. Since the day you were born, your status is destined to be a bit higher than other people. Therefore, inevitably most of you are a bit arrogant [orig. the eye can see nothing worthwhile all around (idiom)], therefore, it is also inevitable that you will be careless.”

He suddenly pointed to the Rainstorm Pear Blossom Nails in Li Yuhan’s hand and said, “For example, this Rainstorm Pear Blossom Nails, it is now your life-saving protective talisman, you, husband and wife, are depending on it for everything, but have you checked it beforehand to see whether its spring mechanism is faulty or not? To see if the box is empty or not?”

It was as if Li Yuhan was suddenly being whipped, he shouted hoarsely, “The Rainstorm Pear Blossom Nails have always been foolproof …” _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

Chu Liuxiang said, “There is nothing in the world that can never go wrong. Even the sun could be swallowed by the TianGou [lit. celestial dog] star. How could this Rainstorm Pear Blossom Nails be absolutely foolproof? Maybe it suddenly rusted inside? Maybe a few bugs suddenly got in and plugged its nail holes.”

Beads of sweat appeared even on Li Yuhan’s nose, and his hands were shaking even more severely.

Chu Liuxiang spoke indifferently, “Besides, even if it’s really foolproof, it’s useless because it’s simply empty. When we dealt with the ‘Heaven’s Net Earth’s Snare’ husband and wife last night, we shot all the pear blossom nails inside.”

Li Yuhan suddenly laughed aloud.

He howled with laughter and said, “You think I’m a two-year-old child, and you can knock me down with just these few words of yours? To tell you the truth, I don’t believe a single word of what you said.”

Although in his mouth he was this staunch, the fact was that in his heart he has been swayed, because a person with confidence would never laugh like this. This kind of laugh must be to hide the uneasiness in his heart.

Chu Liuxiang spoke leisurely, “If you don’t believe it, why don’t you see it yourself?”

Li Yuhan roared, “I don’t need to see it, I simply don’t need.” _{Translated by foxs}

When he said, ‘don’t need’, his eyes could not help but look up at the shiny silver box, his hands also could not help fumbling on it.

Actually, whether the box was empty or not, he practically could not see, let alone feel it. He was just nervous and could not control himself.

Right the instant his eyes and hands began to move, Chu Liuxiang suddenly darted like an arrow, like a flash of lightning – over.

Li Yuhan was startled and angry at the same time, but he could not dodge in time. Although his reactions and movements were very fast, but no one could move faster than Chu Liuxiang. By the time he realized that he had been duped, Chu Liuxiang had already raised his hand.

Amidst the struggle, nobody knew whose hand touched the spring mechanism of the pear blossom nails, they only heard a ‘Bang!’, together with silver light like lightning – bursting out, followed by a series of ‘Pop! Pop! Pop!’, all the twenty-seven Rainstorm Pear Blossom Nails shot toward the roof, unexpectedly all embedded themselves into the stone.

All the essence, spirit and power in Li Yuhan’s entire body seemed to be also shot out together with the Rainstorm Pear Blossom Nails, his entire person seemed to suddenly collapse. _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

‘Dang!’ the box of pear blossom nails also fell to the ground.

All of this happened in an instant, the sound of the pear blossom nails being shot out, the sound of the nails entered the stone, and the sound of the nail box falling to the ground, everything was heard almost at the same time.

And then, there was dead silence.

They saw Chu Liuxiang holding Li Yuhan’s right hand with his left hand, and his right elbow was pressed on Li Yuhan’s left flank, but Li Yuhan seemed to have lost his soul. His eyes did not look at Chu Liuxiang, neither did he look at other people, he only looked at the twenty-seven pear blossom nails embedded into the stone with blank expression.

And then, two streams of tears slowly flowed down from the corners of his eyes.

Originally Liu Wumei seemed to want to rush towards Chu Liuxiang, but she had just taken the first step, and then suddenly stopped.

She did not even cast a glance at Chu Liuxiang either, she was only staring blankly at Li Yuhan, her beautiful eyes were brimming with melancholy, brimming with grief, also brimming with unspeakable affection.

She did not shed tears, but that expression showing in her eyes was even more sorrowful than tears. _{Translated by foxs}

Chu Liuxiang succeeded in one strike, Hu Tiehua, Su Rongrong and the others were naturally extremely happy, but no one made any sound to cheer, so much so that no one spoke.

Everyone seemed to be moved by the affection of these husband and wife, they could not bear to provoke them anymore, because while admittedly what they did was hateful, but their bitter experience was indeed pitiful.

Song Tian’er covered her eyes, suddenly she began to sob softly.

No one can ever predict when girls will cry, because they may cry for anything anytime, anywhere.

They could shed tears for love, but also cry for hatred [or regret], they could shed tears for something beautiful, but they could also cry for some ugly things.

They could shed tears for sadness, but they could also cry for joy.

So much so that they could shed tears for nothing.

But Song Tian’er’s tears were obviously sincere. She seemed to have forgotten that these husband and wife were their enemies that just a moment ago, they even wanted to kill her.

She cried so sadly that people could not help thinking that she would rather cut off Chu Liuxiang’s head to save these husband and wife’s lives. _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

Unexpectedly, Li Hongxiu, Su Rongrong, and Hei Zhenzhu’s eyes gradually became moist as well.

Hu Tiehua heaved a sigh, he muttered, “Women, women … women are really wonderful.”

Chu Liuxiang smiled bitterly and said, “When they cry like this, even I can’t help thinking that it’s me, Chu Liuxiang who should die.”

Li Hongxiu suddenly said, “You … what are you going to do to them?”

Muttering to himself irresolutely, Chu Liuxiang spoke slowly, “They have already tried to kill me seven times.”

Li Hongxiu said, “But in the future they definitely will not harm you again.”

Su Rongrong spoke softly, “I just heard them say that they only want to find a place where no one is there, passing these few months in peace and quiet, you … you should help them accomplish their desire!”

Hei Zhenzhu said, “That’s right, you should let them go!”

Chu Liuxiang looked at Hu Tiehua, he said, “What do you think?”

Hu Tiehua said, “Must not let …”

He had not finished speaking, Song Tian’er sprang up, stomped her feet and said, “Why can’t you let them go?” _{Translated by foxs}

Li Hongxiu said, “You, this person, how could you be so heartless?”

Hu Tiehua heaved a deep sigh, he said, “If we let them go now, it would be like killing them, because Liu Wumei will not live long. If she dies, will Li Yuhan still live?”

Su Rongrong and the others were all stunned.

Li Hongxiu said, “You … could it be that you want to save them?”

Hu Tiehua sighed and said, “If they killed Chu Liuxiang, they would be my enemies, but now they did not kill Chu Liuxiang at all, plus they have saved my life, so they are not only my friends, but also my benefactors.”

He stuck out his chest, and said loudly, “Could it be that I, Hu Tiehua, will watch the benefactor who saved my life be poisoned and die?”

Song Tian’er suddenly hugged him, she turned her tears into laughter, and said with a tender laughter, “You are indeed a good person.”

The smiling face of her sweet laughter was less than a cun away from Hu Tiehua’s face.

Hu Tiehua groaned and said, “If you still hug me and not let me go, I will become a bad person.” _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

Song Tian’er release her hands, her face was a bit red, but the tears on her cheeks had not yet dried, it looked like a red apple with dewdrops on it.

Laughing heartily, Hu Tiehua walked to the iron bars and said, “If you tell me who the person who can save you is, we can help you asking for the antidote from him. If he refuses to give it, hey hey … it would be strange indeed if I don’t beat his head.”

Li Yuhan was still staring blankly at the silver nails embedded in the roof like silver stars.

Liu Wumei was still staring blankly at Li Yuhan.

Unexpectedly the husband and wife did not seem to hear what he was saying.

Su Rongrong spoke gently, “Tell us, as long as you tell us, they will definitely have a way to get the antidote for you.”

Li Hongxiu reached out from behind the bars to grab Liu Wumei’s hand, she said, “No matter how difficult it is, Chu Liuxiang will have a way to accomplish it.”

Finally, Liu Wumei’s eyes burst into tears, she spoke sadly, “You guys are really too kind, your kindness to me, I’m afraid I won’t be able to repay in this life.”

Li Hongxiu laughed and said, “If you tell us, we can just consider it as payment.”

Liu Wumei suddenly shook off her hand and spoke hoarsely, “I cannot tell you.”

Li Hongxiu asked, “Why?” _{Translated by foxs}

Liu Wumei burst into tears and said, “Because if I tell you, not only it will be useless, it will harm you instead. Now … now I really cannot bear to harm you anymore.”

Li Hongxiu said, “Could it be that you afraid that when they will go to look for the antidote for you, they will be killed by that person?”

“Uh huh,” Liu Wumei said.

Li Hongxiu laughed and said, “You underestimate them rather too much.”

Song Tian’er stomped her feet and said, “Could it be that until now you still don’t believe that they have quite the ability?”

Liu Wumei smiled in distress, she said, “If there is someone who could snatch the antidote from that person’s hand, I would not have painfully wanted to kill Chu Liuxiang. Think about it, since I can ask Shuai Yifan, Xiao Yu Jian [jade sword], and ‘Tian Luo Di Wang’ [Heaven’s Net Earth’s Snare], these people to harm Chu Liuxiang, naturally I can also ask them to find a cure for me. Why didn’t I do that?”

Knitting his eyebrows, Hu Tiehua said, “Relying on those Wulin Qianbei, could it be that you cannot snatch the antidote from that person’s hand?” _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

Liu Wumei sadly said, “Even if they go together, they will all die in that person’s hands.”

Hu Tiehua really jumped in fright; emotionally moved, he said, “You said that that person could unexpectedly kill all these people, Shuai Yifan, Xiao Yu Jian and ‘Tian Luo Di Wang’?”

Liu Wumei said, “That’s right.”

Hu Tiehua stared blankly for half a day, he muttered, “Is there really such a person in the world? I really can’t believe it.”