Book 45 - Chapter 11 – Returning to Changan (1/2)
Due to the world was split up,on for years, in various regions, all hegemons and warlords developed their own unique method to deal with the enemy’s reconnaissance and infiltration Since it was i coh, while at the same time they must not let harmful characters to enter, how to strike a balance became a representation on how successful they implemented their policy [Reminder: in wuxia context, the ‘world’ (tian xia – lit under the heavens) always refers to China] Translated by foxs
Due to geographical and topographical superiority, in ter of Guanzhong had shown thecontrol of Chang’an, the House of Tang’s Li Fathened the Pass’ defense [Another re literally means ‘the Pass’, see also Book 30 Chapter 5] They put overnhold to enter the Pass, as well as along the ay of the Yellow River People anted to enter and leave the Pass, not only ister document, they also need to have travel approvals issued by the local authority of various regions Outsiders anted to enter Guanzhong to do business, ees, must obtain approval of their resettleent restrictions and strict regulations concerning relocation andthe official approval forged by Lei Jiuzhi’s ’s Treasure, which was originallySu in his escape atteer shi+p and safely entered the Pass After three ’an His beloved horse Ten-Thousand-Li Spots was left in Taolin, under care of Ren Jun and the others Revisiting old haunts, he was overcome with emotions, especially since he had just returned fro this real Chang’an of the Central Earth, he recalled the person [usually female] that already left far away; how could he not be sad and depressed!
Upon entering the city, he went straight to Hou Xibai’s Passionate Nest According to Lei Jiuzhi, when Hou Xibai was visiting hi advantage while shi+ Zhixuan was not around, he wanted to give Yang Xuyan bad luck, to see what kind of wonderful skill Yang Xuyan was able to train from the half volume of the Bu Si Yin Fa Even if Hou Xibai was not in, he could use the Passionate Nest to stay for a time
In an easy drive on a familiar path, he leaped over the rear courtyard wall and into the house, only to hear Hou Xibai’s voice singing, “Calauzed clothes and skirt; the gauzed clothes floating about, lightly hed aloud and said, “Who could possibly be more passionate than Hou Xibai?”
Hou Xibai swiftly flew out, grabbed both of his hands, and spoke in great delight, “Ziling’s honored self suddenly arrive, it really pleases Xiaodi beyond all expectation These past few days I keep hearing people talking about you and Ba Fenghan’s ht sides of the area beyond the Great Wall It ret that I did not attachlocal conditions and custo Where’s Shaoshuai?”
“Let’s go inside and talk!” Xu Ziling said Translated by foxs
Entering the hall and sitting down, Xu Ziling recounted their experience beyond the Great Wall in general all the way through, he also explained the purpose of his trip to Chang’an this tie that you ca Xuyan? Yet I see that you are singing and painting in a totally relaxedwryly, Hou Xibai responded, “I was just finding joy in sorrows I cooperated with you in dealing with Yang Xuyan, shi+ shi+ certainly regarded me as a traitor Just now you even told me that Zhu Yuyan is dead, shi+ shi+ succeeded in absorbing the dereatly advancing; it looks like Xiaodi’s tis of beautiful woenerations, what a for? Currently Xiaodi has beco’an after the Divine Doctor Mo; yesterday Li Yuan personally saw me to hire Xiaodi to paint a scroll of a hundred beauties of the i is done, even shi+ shi+ will not dare to lightlyXuyan”
Astonished, Xu Ziling said, “Why is Li Yuan this eneration, he’s still willing to treat Yang Xuyan well?”
“Maybe Ziling does not know it,” Hou Xibai replied, “But Li Yuan is a man who remembers old affection thewas extre to kill his barely re Xuyan already swore an oath that he would sever his relationshi+p with shi+ Zhixuan, and he deceived Li Yuan that he conferred the title of Sui Guo Gong [lit duke of Sui kingdoh it’s hard to avoid the battle between he and I, but presently each side has s toward the other, we have to temporarily act like river water does not interfere ater”
“I wish to see Qin wang,” Xu Ziling said
Hou Xibai replied, “On this, I can ements, plus we have to do it very soon, because currently Liyang is heavily besieged by Dou Jiande, who attacks night and day The Li Fao out of the Pass to help”
Frowning, Xu Ziling said, “Liyang has Li shi+ji and Li Shentong strongly defending their position, it shouldn’t be easy to capture?”
“It should be like that,” Hou Xibai replied, “But the fact is just the opposite The situation on Liyang’s side is critical According to what I heard, Li shi+ji and Li Shentong -the-ene his troops around the city to attack the neighboring Weihui, Li Shentong led his troops to ht that he fell into the a could only take about a dozen of his personal guards to escape Dou Jiande then took his forces back to attack Liyang Urgentback here like snowflakes”
And then, lowering his voice, he said, “Reportedly Zhong Shao has joined Dou Jiande’s ca’an, in which Xiaodi has the honor to take part At the Helian Fort, Rushi+ng Wolf Plain, Hualin, and Longquan, four battles, you guys have deht, so that at the top of the streets and the botto about it endlessly This ti hisshook his head and said, “Kou Zhong definitely won’t surrender and pay allegiance to Dou Jiande This ”
After a short pause, he continued, “There is one thing that I need your help with I wonder if Xibai Xiong could investigate for me whether there is a northeastern swords’an”
Hou Xibai asked clearly about Yin Xianhe’s age, distinctive features, and appearance And then he patted his chest and said, “For ate one person is surely as easy as a hand’s turn, you can leave it to ’an, there are a lot of people ant to sell their face [idio theood rest in here; in the study rooes all the way to the Crown Prince’s cha Palace, allusion to erotic picture], none is not available, Ziling won’t be lonely”
Hearing that, Xu Ziling did not knohether he should laugh or cry Shaking his head, he said, “I still need to go see Ji Qian, she -lost little sister”
Stunned, Hou Xibai said, “Unexpectedly there is such thing In what capacity are you going to see her? This pretty wouous; her relationshi+p with the Princeling Faction is even closer One thing goes wrong, I aht be uncovered by her, and that would attract disaster”
Xu Ziling smiled and said, “I have proper ht come back?”
Hou Xibai replied, “On that, I a’an is by talking only about the wind and the moon [ie petty talk], and never talk about politics It would be a bit safer if Ziling go to see Qin wang first before thinking about other things”
Xu Ziling finally accepted Hou Xibai’s advice After Hou Xibai left, he sat cross-legged in meditation on the chair, to relax the exhaustion of several days of nonstop traveling In the blink of an eye he entered the Man and Heaven intersect in senses realm, the true qi within his body mixed in harmony, he felt unspeakably comfortable and entirely free from worry
No one kne much ti to his senses, his e of an exceptional beauty appeared before his eyes
He was quite certain that the was not awakened by any noise or any changes in the airflow; rather, it came from some kind of mysterious and hard-to-describe subtle reaction that transcends normal senses And this was not the first time that it happened; there have been similar reactions before, but none was more distinct and clear than this tihost or a de into the hall
Xu Ziling sighed inwardly, knowing that he could not escape; he barely arrived in Chang’an and already his track was exposed He spoke gently, “Wanwan’s holy-self honors me with your presence, I wonder what is the reason you are looking for Xibai Xiong?”
Wanwan’s sweet voice spoke in pleasant surprise, “Unexpectedly it’s you, Ziling! This is really beyond my expectation This is the first ti htly startled, Wanwan already sat down on the chair opposite hi it, the day already faded away He entered the city in the afternoon, yet thisover the western hills, the hall was dusky, he had been sitting in meditation for over two sichen, his spirit has recovered completely
Two persons’ four eyeswas in both sides’ hearts
Although Wanas still wearing white clothes and was still barefooted, but Xu Ziling clearly felt that her temperament was vastly different from before; however, as for what exactly was the difference, he could not to pinpoint it He just felt that she was even more deep and hard to fathorasp and ratulations, you have finally achieved great success in Tian, her interest overflowing, she looked him up and down, but the tone of her voice was still as cold and detached and serene as always, she said, “I received shi+zun’s order to stay in Chang’an to cultivate the Dafa in secret, naturally there will be so, what about you? Haven’t you also ress? You did not need to turn your head around and already kneas me”
It did notwith, there was always a feeling that it went straight into the bottoreat attractive force