Chapter 35
Book 4 Chap 1 – Fierce Beauty
Ji Yanran’s abode is made from white stone, hidden amongst the flowers and trees and it’s style was ancient and exquisite, like a building in heaven and those staying inside were beautiful fairies.
Walking up the stone steps to the building, inside the door there was an exquisite stand for the guests to put their cloaks and weapons. 2 pretty maids were already waiting there to serve them.
Tan Bang went close to Xiang Shaolong’s ears and whispered, "Learned lady Ji does not like people to bring swords into her abode."
Xiang Shaolong nodded his head to show his understanding and thought to himself that this Learned lady Ji is really putting on airs. She obviously knows that an esteemed guest like Prince Xinling has arrived but she was still napping and her maids dared not wake her up as well. Furthermore, she refused to let anyone enter with weapons. But he thought about it again and felt that her haughty att.i.tude is well done as well, because truthfully, he has to admit that men are cheap. The more difficult it is to get the woman, the more precious she will be. Even now he is thirsting to find out how truly beautiful she is.
The 2 pretty maids seems especially taken with Xiang Shaolong as they served him meticulously, carefully dusting off the dirt and dust on his clothes before presenting him.
After all the various work was done, the 4 entered the hall.
They had just walked past the door when a loud and crisp voice shouted next to Xiang Shaolong, "Esteemed guests have arrived! Esteemed guests have arrived!"
Xiang Shaolong was taken unawares and totally startled. He looked towards the voice and can’t help but laugh, because it’s a talking parrot perched on a stand.
The 2 pretty maids obviously doted on it and they smiled daintily as they fed this interesting animal.
Xiang Shaolong glanced around.
The large hall was elegantly decorated but the most unique part is that there are no rugs, just a few square tables and mats. The hall was filled with strange bonsai, as if they have moved part of the garden outside into here.
On one of the huge walls hung a large painting of a beautiful woman, wearing light and thin clothes, looking quietly elegant, just like the talent and elegance exuded by the mistress here.
Of the group of 4 tables in the hall, 3 groups were filled and there were 2 to 6 people in each group. All of them talked softly, as if afraid to awaken the mistress from her nap.
Prince Xinling led them and walked into the hall and immediately more than half the people stood up and pay their respects to this second in command in Wei. Obviously it was the first time the rest of the people had seen him, and only when they realized who he is, they hurriedly stood up and paid their respects as well.
With one look Xiang Shaolong took notice of a few of the people.
Especially the group of 4 near the window on the left side. 3 of them were dressed in warrior’s clothes and have an outstanding aura, but what stirred his notice was the ferocity they exuded. Especially one of the large sized men who is built like a mountain and a little taller than Xiang Shaolong. His limbs were extremely thick, his long hair touching his shoulder, wearing a silver decorative piece on his forehead. His face was wide, his back broad, his eyes large like copper bells with a look of viciousness and slyness. He looks majestic and his whole body exuded an evil and shocking charisma.
The 2 warriors beside him were both fierce and vicious looking but next to him, they immediately paled in comparison. The strangest thing is the hands of the 3 of them all bore scars of being burnt by fire.
Another who took his notice was the group of 6 men on the right dressed as scholars. One of them was tall with a refined look, the deep eyes s.h.i.+mmering with intellect, looking like an immortal.
There was only 2 people in the last group, the shorter one with an average look and from his clothes, one can tell that he is not a Wei. One wonders which country he could have come from, but for someone who can come here and see Ji Yanran, he is naturally a person of a certain status.
Prince Xinling first greeted the group of 6 on the right, and spoke to the refined looking man, "We were just talking about Mister Zou, and did not expect to see you so soon." He waved at Xiang Shaolong and said, "Shaolong, come over and meet this extremely gifted man with foresight Mister Zou Yan."
Xiang Shaolong thought to himself, so this is the philosopher who is famed because of his ‘Sayings of the 5 merits’. He was about to come forward and offer his respects when a loud and thick voice from the left rang out, "Master Wuji, may I ask if this is the Imperial Protector from the state of Zhao, Brother Xiang Shaolong?"
Xiang Shaolong was secretly startled and looked towards the voice. The person who spoke was the warrior who looked like the devil reincarnated.
Obviously Prince Xinling does not recognize this person and asked in surprise, "This gentleman is…"
The Wei who looks like the person who introduced these 3 warriors here to meet Ji Yanran stepped forward and said respectfully, "Feng Zhisen is a guest under Lord Longyang, pays his respect to Sir. This person whose intellect and bravery is known throughout the state of Qi is Mister Xiao Weimou, the warrior on the right is called Ning Chong, the one on the left if Zheng Lei. They are all famous warriors in Qi and Mister Wei’s personal fighters."
Prince Xinling and Xiang Shaolong were both equally shocked, they did not expect this ferocious man would chase him so closely. Since he is now openly going after him in Daliang, he must be up to something nefarious. Obviously he is under the protection of Lord Longyang and has the backing of the King of Wei, no wonder he dares to be so rude here.
Just as Xiang Shaolong feels a huge headache coming on, Xiao Weimou took a huge step forward and after paying his respects to Prince Xinling, turned towards Xiang Shaolong, extended his hand and said, "I’ve long heard that Brother Xiang’s swordsmans.h.i.+p is outstanding, if there’s a chance I must exchange pointers with you."
Xiang Shaolong knows that he wants to compete with him on strength and has no choice but to extend his own hand as well.
The corners of Xiao Weimou’s mouth curved up into a cold smile as he used his strength to shake his hand. For a moment Xiang Shaolong felt as if his hands has been clasped with an iron manacle that is still being tightened.
Xiang Shaolong was secretly startled. Although he can still manage to fend him off, he still felt the pain in his hands as if the bones are cracking and he knows that his opponent’s arm strength is definitely better than his.
Luckily he has a higher tolerance than ordinary men and did not embarra.s.s himself in public. He even managed a smile and said, "Has Mister Wei just had an accident with fire, why do your hands look as if they have been burnt?"
A mad fury flashed past Xiao Weimou’s eyes and he increased the pressure in his arms and said icily, "It’s just some silly act by some low down person. It’s nothing much, besides, such childish pranks can only last for a moment. Sooner or later I will crush him to pieces."
Such an explosive atmosphere, even Zou Yan and the rest can clearly feel that something unpleasant had happened between the 2 of them.
Xiang Shaolong bitterly withstood his startling arm strength.
Xiao Weimou had wanted to crush his fingers to pieces immediately so that he will no longer be able to use the sword. But after testing Xiang Shaolong’s strength, he knows that he would not be able to achieve his ideal effect, so with a cold laugh, he released his hand and went back.
His 2 subordinates stared at Xiang Shaolong with deep hatred. Obviously that fire had burned them quite badly.
Prince Xinling signaled to Xiang Shaolong with a look and introduced the Weis next to Zou Yan, who are all famous men or senior officials. Obviously Zou Yan is very popular with the Weis.
After the round of introductions, Prince Xinling’s gaze rested on the last group of Weis and said with a smile, "This is the first time I’ve seen Mister Zhang Fengchang here." He looked at the person who is of average built next to him, and besides his intelligent eyes, the rest of him looks average and asked, "This gentleman is…"
Zhang Fengchang laughed, "This is Master Han Fei from the state of Han. I’m here all thanks to him today,