CLX Book 5 Chapter 9 – Part 1

Chapter 9 – People of Talent Appreciate One Another

Now, Chu Liuxiang only had one question remained. _{Translated by foxs}

Since Shi Yin did not die, how could Zuo Mingzhu borrow her soul and came back to life?

Zuo Mingzhu’s death was originally absolutely true, it was not fake at all.

Zhang Jianzhai, a famous doctor of this generation, should at least be able to tell whether someone was alive or dead. Since he already came to conclusion that Zuo Mingzhu was dead, there was absolutely no reason for her to come back to life.

This question was indeed difficult to explain, but surprisingly Chu Liuxiang was not anxious the slightest bit, it seemed that unexpectedly he already had a well thought out plan in mind.

Xiao Tuzi wanted to treat him to drink tofu pudding [lit. tofu brains, douhua] and eat baked sesame seed-coated cake and deep-fried breadsticks, so he went.

‘Treating guests’ was a very pleasant matter. To be able to invite guests was much more pleasant than to be invited by other people. The most amazing thing was that the poorer the people, the more they like to treat guests.

Xiao Tuzi was extremely happy, he practically wanted to bring out all the baked sesame seed-coated cake and deep-fried breadsticks, along with all tofu pudding out of this small shop, he incessantly persuaded Chu Liuxiang to eat more.

By this time, the sky was still not bright, a faint trace of fish maw white was barely appearing on the east.

Chu Liuxiang was drinking the second bowl of tofu pudding when Xiao Huoshen and Xiao Mazi came looking for them. The two men’s countenance looked very anxious, as if they appeared to be very nervous. _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

Xiao Mazi even kept looking back, as if he was afraid someone followed their tracks.

As soon as Xiao Huoshen sat down, he spoke in low voice, “Two big things happened last night.”

“Oh?” Chu Liuxiang said, “What things?”

Xiao Huoshen said, “Both things happened in Xue Jia Zhuang …”

Xiao Mazi hurriedly said, “Several treasured swords in Xue Yiren’s collection unexpectedly disappeared.”

Xiao Huoshen said, “In Xue Jia Zhuang, even the cooks have some skill in sword technique, it could be said that the servants [(old) servant hired to keep guard, run errands, etc.] protecting the courtyard, not one is not martial art master. This person unexpectedly can go in and out freely, moreover, he even stole away the swords in Xue Yiren’s collection. Forget about anything else, merely his qinggong and his guts are already no small matter.”

His mouth was talking about these things, his eyes were spinning around on Chu Liuxiang’s face. _{Translated by foxs}

Chu Liuxiang chuckled, he said, “That’s right, the number of people with this kind of qinggong is indeed not many, but this matter, I already knew …”

Xiao Huoshen was stunned, even his breathing stopped.

Xiao Mazi stammered, “Xiang … Xiang Shuai, how did you know?”

Chu Liuxiang spoke unhurriedly, “The first person who knew about the theft of the sword is naturally the person who stole it …”

He deliberately stopped speaking, only to see that both Xiao Huoshen and Xiao Mazi’s countenance already turned pale; not only that, they were exchanging glances surreptitiously, obviously they were of the firm opinion that Chu Liuxiang was the person who stole the swords.

Only then did Chu Liuxiang smile and continued, “But I know about this matter, it was Xue Yiren himself who told me about it.”

Xiao Mazi breathed a sigh of relief, he said, “No wonder Xiang Shuai knew about it earlier than we did.”

Chu Liuxiang said, “What about the second matter?”

Xiao Huoshen’s voice went even lower, he said, “An assassin came to Xue Jia Zhuang last night.”

Chu Liuxiang also felt a bit surprised, knitting his brows, he said, “Assassin? Who was the target of the assassination?” _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

Xiao Huoshen replied, “Xue Yiren.”

Chu Liuxiang slowly raised his hand, unconsciously he stroked his nose again.

Xiao Huoshen said, “Xue Yiren is known as the number one swordsman in the world, surprisingly someone dares to assassinate him. This person’s guts are indeed bigger than a tiger’s.”

While he talking, he could not help casting furtive glances at Chu Liuxiang.

Chu Liuxiang could not help laughing and said, “Since you think this person is me, why don’t you say it out loud?”

Xiao Huoshen blushed, he giggled and said, “I heard from Xue Jia Zhuang’s people that forty or fifty of them not only failed to catch this assassin, but they could not even see this person’s figure and appearance face clearly. They only smelled a faint fragrance. Therefore, I thought … I thought …”

Chu Liuxiang smiled and said, “What did you think?”

Xiao Huoshen laughed an embarrassed laugh and said, “Other than Chu Xiang Shuai, I really cannot think of a second person with such high qinggong, such big guts.”

Chu Liuxiang heaved a sigh, smiling wryly, he said, “Forget about you cannot figure it out, even I cannot figure it out.” _{Translated by foxs}

Xiao Mazi said, “Now Xue Yiren is certain that these two things were committed by Xiang Shuai, hence since the third watch of the night, he already sent several groups of people separately to look for Xiang Shuai, they even prepare an ambush at the Zhi Bei Shanzhuang over there.”

Xiao Huoshen said, “And any place that is a bit big everywhere inside and outside the city. If Xiang Shuai don’t think of a way quickly, I’m afraid sooner or later you will be found by them.”

Xiao Tuzi suddenly slapped the table, he said loudly, “Think of a way? What way? Could it be that you want Xiang Shuai to hide, you want Xiang Shuai to run away?”

Xiao Huoshen’s countenance sank, he scolded, “Shut up … Xiang Shuai, although Xue Yiren did not really take in disciples, but servants [see above] in his family have obtained his direct teaching, their sword technique is not weak. In Xue Jia Zhuang, from top to bottom, altogether there are seventy, eighty swords, even the currently dominating-this-era Huangshan Pai does not dare to fight them head-on, Xiang Shuai, is it worth the trouble to fight them over this idle annoyance?”

Chu Liuxiang smiled and said, “Many thanks for your good intention, but too bad things have come to this, even if I want to run away, I can’t.”

Suddenly they heard someone laughed coldly and said, “You can still be considered smart. If at this point you can still run away, that will be strange indeed.”

The place that sold tofu pudding was a bamboo shack built on a street corner. As soon as these words were finished, there was a ‘whoosh!’, the roof of the bamboo shack was suddenly raised up. _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

More than a dozen men in black tight warrior outfit jumped down at the same time, every single one had a dark-green steel sword in their palms, their skill was indeed not weak.

Xiao Huoshen’s countenance immediately changed, he reached backhandedly to pick up the long wooden bench and threw it out. Although the wooden bench was not heavy, the throwing force was not small.

Who would have thought that the leader of the men in black lightly picked with the tip of his sword, immediately the long wooden bench was pushed back, unexpectedly the incoming momentum was stronger than the outgoing momentum, it almost fell on Xiao Huoshen’s body.

All the tofu pudding bowls on the table were thrown and shattered to pieces.

The man in black shouted angrily, “Xiao Huoshen, we regard you as a friend and ask you to make some inquiries on Chu Liuxiang. You don’t want to tell us, that’s fine, who would have thought that you unexpectedly eat-inside-but-clings-to-the-outside, and betrayed us here with the one surnamed Chu instead.”

Amidst the angry shouts, two or three swords already stabbed towards Xiao Huoshen. _{Translated by foxs}

Chu Liuxiang suddenly stood up and came over, these several men were shocked, they could not help taking two steps back. Who would have thought that Chu Liuxiang was just patting Xiao Tuzi on the shoulder, and said with a smile, “The tofu pudding was really good, I must come to have it one more time before I leave.”

Although Xiao Tuzi’s countenance turned pale with fright, he still laughed and said, “All right, I’ll still treat you next time.”

Chu Liuxiang laughed and said, “Next time should be my turn.”

Xiao Tuzi said, “No, no, no, I can only afford tofu pudding, if you want to treat me, you must invite me to drink wine.”

They went back and forth, unexpectedly it appeared that they did not consider these black-clothed swordsmen to be worthy in their eyes at all.

The leader of the men in black shouted angrily, he sent out a stab, fast as lightning.

The rest of the men also brandished their swords and rushed to attack. Not only were these men’s sword technique fast, they coordination in attacking was also very ingenious. Merely this sword strike, other people already found it difficult to ward off.

Only to hear a burst of ‘qiang lang lang’, swords and swords collided with each other. Surrounded in the middle of sword lights, unclear what shenfa he was using, unexpectedly Chu Liuxiang suddenly disappeared.

The leader of the men in black was shocked, he retreated, and turned his sword around to protect himself. _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

Only to hear a burst of laughter coming down from above the bamboo shack. Turned out, no one knew since when, but Chu Liuxiang was already flying to the top of the bamboo shack, he was looking at them with a smile on his face, and spoke leisurely, “You are still not my match, just take me to see Xue Da Zhuangzhu.”

The men in black shouted one after another, they wanted to pounce up, but their leader shouted to stop them. This man’s pair of eyes also had very awe-inspiring manner; he stared at Chu Liuxiang and said, “You dare to see our family’s Zhuangzhu?”

Chu Liuxiang laughed and said, “Why not? Could it be that he can eat people?”

The sky already brightened.

Chu Liuxiang leisurely walked in front, his face looked radiant, his expression also very cheerful. Looking at his appearance, no one would have guessed that he had not slept all night, furthermore, that those men following behind him might stab a big hole on his back at any time.

Following behind him, there were more and more people; people from various other streets have gathered in one place, everybody was talking to each other in low voices, nobody understood how this guy surnamed Chu had such big guts, surprisingly he dared to come with them back home, some people even thought that this man must be just like their Er Zhuanzhu [second village master], there was something wrong in his head. _{Translated by foxs}

Xiao Huoshen, Xiao Tuzi and Xiao Mazi, three men also followed from a distance. Seeing Chu Liuxiang’s leisurely demeanor, they could not guess what he was planning, but they could not help squeezing the cold sweat on their palms.

Xue Jia Zhuang was no different from a dragon’s pool and a tiger’s den, Xue Yiren’s sword was even more scarier than a dragon or a tiger. Chu Liuxiang went there this time, could he come out alive?

While walking, Xiao Huoshen made signals with his hands, thereupon beggars from four sides, eight directions also gathered together, so that more and more people followed behind him.

Walking at the very front was a very handsome, very confident and at ease man. Right behind him was a group of vicious-looking swordsmen, and finally, at the end of the procession was a group of beggars.

The procession was really grandiose, it was extremely good to behold. Luckily the sky had just brightened, there were not many pedestrians on the street, and the shops on both sides had not opened their doors yet.

When they arrived at Xue Jia Zhuang, Xue Yiren did not come out to meet them, but was sitting on a very comfortable chair, he sat under the shade of the tree in the back garden, closing his eyes to raise his spirit.

This number one swordsman in the world was indeed worthy to be called a great expert in Jianghu. ‘Waiting at one’s ease for the exhausted enemy’, these four characters [yi yi dai lao], no one knew more clearly than he. _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

He has heard many stories about Chu Liuxiang. In the legends of Jianghu, ‘Chu Xiang Shuai’ has practically been described as a mythological character.

Although he did not really believe in these legends, but the ‘Wonder Monk’ Wuhua, Nan Gaoyun [sic. I don’t remember this character, could it be NanGong Ling?], Shi Guanyin, and even the ‘Water Matriarch’ Yin Ji, have all been defeated under Chu Liuxiang’s hands. These matters could not be fake, regardless of how Chu Liuxiang scored a victory, but victory is victory, it is not something that can be replaced by other things.

Xue Yiren never had the slightest bit of despise toward Chu Liuxiang. This moment, in his heart he was even a bit excited, as well as a bit nervous.

It was a feeling that he had not felt for many years; therefore, this moment he surely had to stay calm, waiting until Chu Liuxiang was in front of him before he would open his eyes.

Chu Liuxiang was looking at him and smiling.

Xue Yiren said, “You have come.”

Chu Liuxiang said, “I have come.”

Xue Yiren asked, “Has your injury healed?” _{Translated by foxs}

Chu Liuxiang said, “Thanks to your lucky influence [polite reply to health inquiries], I am much better.”

Xue Yiren said, “Very good.”

He did not ask any more questions, he did not say another word, he simply stood up and waved his hand, immediately someone by his side presented him with a sword with both hands.

The sword was very long, it seemed to be three to four cun longer than the ones commonly used in Jianghu. The sword was already left its sheath, it had no tassel at all, his sword was not for decoration, neither was it for good looks.

His sword was for killing!

The iron blue-green sword was emitting a faint dark green light. Although Chu Liuxiang was standing a few chi away, he could already feel the dense chill emanating from the sword.

Chu Liuxiang said, “Good sword! Now that is a real sharp weapon.”

Xue Yiren did not take the sword at all, he spoke indifferently, “What weapon are you going to use?”

Chu Liuxiang did not answer this question, but he swept his gaze in four directions.

The men in black tight warrior outfit and a blade hanging on their waist – have surrounded the back garden. _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

Chu Liuxiang said, “Don’t you think it’s too crowded here?”

Xue Yiren spoke coldly, “In all my life, fighting hand to hand against other people, Ol’ Xue has never taken advantage of the power of other people’s single finger.”

Chu Liuxiang said, “I also know that they definitely will not dare to make a move, but they are all your subordinates; with them on the side, even if they don’t make a move, they still make me feel threatened.”

He chuckled, and then continued, “I haven’t slept all night, fighting hand to hand against you at this time, I already lost the right time; this is your garden, you are very familiar with every bush, every tree in here, fighting hand to hand against you in this place, I already lost the favorable location. If I also lose the people coordination, in this battle, no need for you to make your move, I already lost, without a doubt.”

Xue Yiren fixed his gaze at him coldly, although his eyes were cold, but he already revealed a hint of deep respect. This was the special respect that a great expert had toward another great expert.

The two men looked at each other, in their hearts, they both already had understanding toward each other.

Xue Yiren suddenly waved his hand and said, “Withdraw. Without my order, no one is allowed to enter this place.” _{Translated by foxs}

Chu Liuxiang said, “Thank you.”

His countenance gradually turned grave. In these two words, ‘thank you’ [duo xie, thank you very much] there was absolutely no sarcasm. Although he has said ‘thank you’ many times in his life, not even once did he say it so cautiously, because he knew that when Xue Yiren made his subordinates to withdraw, he was also showing some kind of respect toward him.

Even if this battle would determine life and death, this respect also deserved his appreciation.

The respect received from an enemy is always more rare and precious, as well as more touching – than if it was received from a friend.

Xue Yiren picked up the sword.

He fixed his gaze on this sword for a very long time before raising his head and said in heavy voice, “Take your weapon.”

Chu Liuxiang spoke slowly, “A month ago, I fought hand to hand against Shuai Yifan, Shuai Laoqianbei by the Huqiu Jian Chi [tiger hill sword lake, see book 3]. The weapon I used that time was just a supple branch.”

Xue Yiren looked at him coldly, waiting for him to continue. _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

Chu Liuxiang said, “At that time, I already told Shuai Laoqianbei that martial art masters vying against each other, the way to score a victory is not on how sharp the weapon is. I used a branch to meet the enemy head-on, not only I did not suffer losses, I occupied the advantageous position instead.”

Xue Yiren knitted his brows, as if he did not understand how a tree branch could occupy the advantageous position over a sharp sword, but he did not express his thought.

Chu Liuxiang then continued, “Because I used a soft branch against a sharp sword, it will definitely affect Shuai Laoqianbei’s psyche. Based on his status, he definitely would not want to take advantage of me with a bladed weapon, therefore, when he made his move, he would have misgivings.”

Xue Yiren unwittingly nodded his head.

Chu Liuxiang said, “Not occupying the advantageous position means suffer losses; for example, if I used the move ‘Fenghuang Zhanchi’ [Phoenix Spreading Its Wings] to attack his upper body, he should have used the move ‘Changhong Jingtian’ [Long Rainbow Across the Sky] to counter my weapon, but recalling that the weapon I used was just a branch, he definitely would not want to use this move, thereupon I seized the decisive opportunity right the instant when he changed his styles.”

He smiled slightly and then continued, “Martial art masters facing the enemy, they are just like two countries at war, every cun of territory must be fought for. If there is any misgiving, it would be hard to avoid defeat in this battle.” _{Translated by foxs}

Xue Yiren’s eyes revealed praise again, he spoke indifferently, “I’m not Shuai Yifan.”

Chu Liuxiang said, “That’s right, in all respects, Shuai Yifan’s sword technique did not deviate from established standard, but your, Qianbei’s sword technique is all about ‘scoring a victory’. The difference between the two is precisely like an amateur actor [in Chinese opera] who perform on stage to while the time away versus a real actor who perform on stage to eke a living. Although their mastery does not differ much, there will still be high-low difference in their skills.”

Xue Yiren unconsciously nodded his head again, he said, “You are absolutely right.”

Chu Liuxiang said, “Therefore, I’m not going to fight hand to hand against Qianbei using a branch.”

Xue Yiren asked, “What are you going to use?”

Chu Liuxiang said, “I’m going to use this pair of hands.”

Knitting his brows, Xue Yiren said, “You unexpectedly want to meet my sharp sword head-on using the flesh of your palms?”

Chu Liuxiang said, “Qianbei’s sword, its sharpness is without equal. Qianbei’s sword technique is unstoppable even more. No matter what weapon Zaixia uses, I definitely will not able to resist. What’s more, Qianbei’s move is fast, it is matchless under the heavens even more. Even if I could find one kind of sharp weapon similar to this sword, Qianbei making a move, it will still be too late for me to parry.”

Xue Yiren’s eyes unwittingly revealed a look of delight and proud of himself. ‘Qian chuan wan chuan, ma pi bu chuan’ [lit. thousand times bore through, ten thousand times bore through; horse’s fart does not bore through – meaning “Anything gets through me except horse fart” (Courtesy of Sunnysnow during the Eagle Shooting Hero translation project)]. A praise is, after all, something that everybody loves to hear. _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

What’s more, these words came from Fragrant Commander Chu’s mouth.

When Chu Liuxiang was talking, he kept paying attention to the expression on his face. He continued slowly, “Therefore, I fight hand to hand against Qianbei, I definitely am not going to block and parry, greedy for meritorious deed and advance anxiously, I only want to evade using with my small and exquisite shenfa. Without a bladed weapon in hands, the load I am carrying is a bit lighter instead; the lighter the load, the faster the shenfa.”

He chuckled again, and then continued, “Not concealing anything from Qianbei, were it not for I do not dare to act discourteously in Qianbei’s presence, I would have taken off all these clothes.”

Xue Yiren was silent for half a day, then he slowly said, “Since that is the case, wouldn’t you be trapping yourself in a ‘not winning’ position?”

Chu Liuxiang said, “But ‘not defeated’ is already ‘winning’; I only hope to seek victory amidst the ‘not defeated’ position.”

Xue Yiren’s eyes flashing, he said, “Do you have confidence that you won’t be defeated?”

Chu Liuxiang laughed indifferently, he said, “When Zaixia fought hand to hand against ‘Shui Mu’ Yin Ji, how could I have the slightest bit of confidence?”

Xue Yiren laughed aloud, but the laughter stopped abruptly, he said sternly, “Very well, just be ready to evade then.”

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