Chapter 266
Book 24 Chapter 01 - The Victorious Hundred Battle Sabre
When they reached Jade Orchid Brothel, Zongsun Long father and son are already respectfully awaiting and br.i.m.m.i.n.g with brotherly affections. Compared to their initial encounter, it was a world of difference.
This time round, the banquet lounge and the setting is far better than before as Zongsun Long had reserved the most luxurious courtyard Jade Orchid Brothel can offer. It naturally included the companions.h.i.+p of their eight top courtesans, which Lan Gongyuan is obviously part of. Even Madam Orchid had been specially engaged to oversee their gathering.
Noticing Xiang Shaolong who has resumed his original appearance, Lan Gongyuan personally welcomed him. Hooking his arm and leading him to his seat, she leaned towards his ear and whispered: "The last time round, I knew I had hit my mark. Why are you still alive and kicking?"
Xiang Shaolong secretly thought that it was brilliant of her to use a casual remark to resolve their enmity into a round of flirting between a man and a woman. He smiled: "Why is Miss Yuan acting on the orders of Tian Dan? Is it because of Qi Yu?"
Lan Gongyuan plainly state: "As a citizen of Qi, Yuan Yuan must contribute my part to Great Qi. On a personal basis, I am full of admiration for Great General."
Right now, Zongsun Xuanhua who was seated at the second table burst out laughing: "Tonight, Yuan Yuan is experiencing a change of heart and is only concerned with whispering sweet nothings to Great General. Do you think you deserved to be punished with a cup of wine?"
After lightly pecking Xiang Shaolong on the cheek, Lan Gongyuan’s pretty eyes glanced sideways at Xie Ziyuan who is behaving intimately with another gorgeous courtesan. She laughed in reply like a blossoming flower: "The one who is experiencing a change of heart is somebody else. The person who should be punished is Official Xie instead of me."
Raising his wine cup and chuckling, Xie Ziyuan suggested: "Yes, yes, I deserved to be punished but Yuan Yuan cannot be spared too. However, she can sing instead of drink. Ha!"
Xiang Shaolong was greatly amused. Once he stepped into a brothel, Xie Ziyuan seems to be HIGH despite not taking any intoxicants and is behaving like a completely different person. Nonetheless, witnessing that he is not aroused by even a super beauty like Lan Gongyuan, Xiang Shaolong can deduce that he is just a playacting, harmless visitor and would never be addicted to l.u.s.t, alcohol or other vice activities.
With reference to the three Famous Courtesans, he does not have an inkling of fantasy towards Lan Gongyuan. The reason is probably his constant deep fear of suffering at her cruel hands. After all, her entire gang of troupe members and fellow conspirators has lost their lives in Xianyang because of him. It would be surprising if she does not bear any hatred towards him.
While he was immensely tempted by Feng Fei, he can feel his attraction for her dwindling after discovering her numerous lies and attempted murder.
On the other hand, the unique and aloof beauty s.h.i.+ Sufang has piqued his interest and curiosity.
Among the shrill laughter and cheers, everyone raised their cups and toasted one another.
Zongsun Long was seated opposite Xiang Shaolong and was surrounded by a bevy of beauties. After raising his cup and toasting Xiang Shaolong, he wondered: "Why is Second Prince late?"
As expected, no one could answer him. Xie Ziyuan recommended: "Why don’t we send someone to rush him?"
Zongsun Xuanhua immediately commanded a subordinate to handle this task. He then turned towards Xiang Shaolong: "I heard from Official Xie that Junior Martial Sister Rou will be sparring with Great General tomorrow. If Great General does not mind, can Xuanhua tag along and witness Great General’s amazing skills?"
Secretly annoyed at Xie Ziyuan’s big mouth, Xiang Shaolong has no grounds to object and could only reply: "My skills are mediocre and not befitting Brother Xuanhua’s proficiency."
Zongsun Long merrily guffawed: "Great General is too modest!"
In his mind, Xiang Shaolong is aware that Zongsun Xuanhua has ‘invited himself’ to personally a.s.sess his prowess and calculate the probability of him surviving his Master’s sword. If Xiang Shaolong is proven incapable, they (Zongsun family) would have to make other plans because if Xiang Shaolong is slain, all their grand plans would evaporate into thin air.
Leaning towards his ear again, Lan Gongyuan quizzed: "Has Great General met Grandmaster Cao before?"
Xiang Shaolong will not be truthful to her and shook his head. When he was about to say something, three men strode into their lounge in huge steps. One of them was astonis.h.i.+ngly Lan Gongyuan’s lover Qi Yu. The other two men are about the same age and were dressed in a warrior uniform and a scholar robes accordingly.
The warrior has a tall and burly frame that radiates with ferocity. With thick shoulders and neck, his face is pockmarked and his eyes are protruding. Coupled with a nose like a lion’s, he can be cla.s.sified as an ugly man. Despite all that, he exudes an intense masculine aura.
The man dressed as a scholar is skinny and tall, with eyes that betray his intelligence. He somewhat resembles Tian Dan, allowing Xiang Shaolong to easily conclude that he is Tian Dan’s son Tian Bang, causing him a certain amount of shock.
This does not seem like an appropriate place for him to show up.
Zongsun Long and the others fell into a daze, not knowing how to react.
The courtesans are already kneeling down and paying their respects.
Tian Bang took the lead and cupped his hands together as a sign of respect. To Xiang Shaolong, he grinned: "After learning that Great General is here, Tian Bang specially came to have a look for myself. I hope Great General would not hold it against me for barging in."
Xiang Shaolong stood up and returned his greetings. As he s.h.i.+fted his gaze to Qi Yu, the fella’s eyes flashed with a penetrating hatred. The corner of his mouth curling up to shape a cold smile, Qi Yu sn.i.g.g.e.red: "Seeing Brother Xiang after so many years, I hope you are doing well. I heard Lady (Zhao) Ya died in the foreign territory of Xianyang. This is truly lamentable."
(For some Chinese, it is considered inauspicious or bad to die in a ‘foreign’ place. Example: overseas, on the roads or even hospital. Many prefer to die at home. Somewhat linked to their ego that they have a home to die in and not die in the wilderness. Therefore, family members usually arrange for their bodies to be sent home before burial or cremation. For Zhao Ya, a Zhao royalty to die in Qin, can be interpreted that she is a jinx.)
Xiang Shaolong is conscious that he intentionally brought up Lady Ya, reminding him the agony of having a loved one s.n.a.t.c.hed away by another man. For a brief moment, his heart was p.r.i.c.king with pain. Xiang Shaolong forcefully smiled and did not answer him.
The warrior’s att.i.tude is even more conceited than the other two. Cupping his fists, he bellowed: "I am Ma Chenjia and I have always desired to witness a display of Great General’s swordsmans.h.i.+p. I wonder if I can have a taste of your brilliant skills before Great General’s duel with Grandmaster Cao?"
Zongsun Long father and son as well as Xie Ziyuan were instantly agitated. For Ma Chenjia to openly challenge Xiang Shaolong in this manner and demanding it to take place before Cao Cuidao’s appointment, not only did he fail to account for their presence, he is also hinting that Xiang Shaolong would certainly perish at the hands of Cao Cuidao. Nevertheless, given the present circ.u.mstances, it is difficult for them to intervene.
Zongsun Xuanhua himself is not a n.o.ble gentleman too. He secretly swore that once Xiang Shaolong rejected the challenge, he would stand up at once and issue his own challenge to Ma Chenjia, going all out to take his life. Zongsun Long, on the other hand, has made up his mind that even with Tian Dan sheltering Ma Chenjia, he would still get his henchmen to break both his legs.
Within the courtyard, the tension in the air is electrifying.
While living in the 21st Century, Xiang Shaolong is already a