Chapter 36
Book 4 Chap 2 – Chu Mohism’s Fu Du
Ji Yanran asked about Xiang Shaolong’s background and Prince Xinling hurriedly replied, "This is the No. 1 swordsman from the state of Zhao, Xiang Shaolong, remember that, Yanran."
Ji Yanran looked at Xiang Shaolong with a smile before turning her attention back to Han Fei. Although Xiang Shaolong breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that she has not ‘taken a liking’ to him, he can’t help but also feel dejected, as if hurt. What a dilemma.
Tan Bang went closer to Xiang Shaolong and whispered, "This is Ji Yanran’s rule, only she can ask a person’s name and status. I’ve been here more than 20 times but she has never asked who I am. Shaolong, you’ve already left an impression on her."
Xiang Shaolong felt a man’s pride surging up. He thought to himself that since he is not wooing her, why does he have to react to her moods but on seeing her only talking and laughing with Han Fei while the rest can only look on, he felt a sudden fury. Of course he felt a little left out and jealous as well so he stood up.
Prince Xinling was stunned, "Shaolong! What are you doing?"
Ji Yanran turned around and looked at him, a flash of light seems to pa.s.s her pretty eyes, obviously she only realized his perfect physique and outstanding aura now.
Xiang Shaolong pretended to be candid and said with a laugh, "Miss Ji is indeed a born beauty, it is my fortune to meet you, farewell!"
Ji Yanran was a little startled, then she seemed to understand his thinking and said with a slight smile, "How many days will Mister Xiang be staying in Daliang?"
Xiang Shaolong saw that she has no intention of making him stay at all and was secretly furious and felt a great loss of face but he pretended to be nonchalant and said simply, "Maybe a few more days!"
Prince Xinling and the rest had no choice but to stand up and leave with him.
On the way back to Xinling’s residence, Prince Xinling ranted in the carriage, "Shaolong do you know what a good opportunity you’ve missed? It’s rare that Ji Yanran is all smiles, for all you know she may play the zither and sing for the guests! Hai!" His words carry a great regret, obviously Ji Yanran’s singing and zither skills is extraordinary.
But what Xiang Shaolong is thinking of is the vicious look Xiao Weimou gave him when he left. This person is not one who has only brawns but no brains, and he has many capable men under him. He is indeed in a very dangerous position now.
After returning to Prince Xinling’s residence, he went to Lady Ya and she immediately pulled him into the room and said, "I’ve made contact with Wu Zhuo and Cheng Xu and told them your instructions. Wu Zhuo wants me to tell you: He doesn’t know if their spies in Daliang has been embroiled in Prince Xinling and Lord Longyang’s fights because of this matter, so they have been in hiding and refused to make contact with him. Now we can only rely on ourselves. He also said he’ll try to find a way to sneak into the city."
On hearing this Xiang Shaolong’s mood turned for the worse and he collapsed on Lady Ya’s rugs.
Lady Ya came up and helped remove his shoes, saying gently, "Ya’er has found the entrance to the underground tunnel, how are you going to reward me?"
Xiang Shaolong sat up in joy and pulled her into her arms. After giving her a good kiss on the lips, he said, "Lady is really capable!"
Lady Ya happily nibbled on his ears before telling him in detail the entrance to the tunnel. She sighed and continued, "Stealing ‘Lu Gong’s Secret Manual’ may not be difficult, but the difficult part is leaving the state of Wei and avoiding the pursuing soldiers. ‘Lu Gong’s Secret Manual’ is such an important item, Prince Xinling will surely check on it daily and once he find it gone, he’ll naturally think that we’re the ones who took it."
Xiang Shaolong also felt this to be a headache.
Right at this time Prince Xinling sent someone to summon him over immediately.
The guard led him to the inner hall which he had overheard Prince Xinling and his sister’s conversation the other night, and after they were all seated, Prince Xinling said seriously, "An Li has given his imperial edict, he wants you to send Zhao Qian into the Palace the day after. That night he will throw a feast to welcome you as the amba.s.sador."
Xiang Shaolong felt a lurk in his heart, he knows the crucial time is about to come.
Prince Xinling lowered his voice, "Lord Longyang will use the excuse to exchange pointers about swordplay to kill you. The person who will fight will certainly be that Xiao Weimou, in that way An Li and Lord Longyang need not be responsible because Xiao Weimou is a guest from the state of Qi."
Xiang Shaolong secretly lamented, if it’s a proper duel with Xiao Weimou, chances of him winning are really slim. Just based on arm strength alone, he’s already on the losing end.
Prince Xinling said quietly, "Lord Longyang hates you to the core right now, he’s definitely not going to let you leave Daliang alive and because he has the backing of the King, I’m afraid even I cannot protect you. Shaolong do you have any plans?"
Xiang Shaolong was secretly cursing Prince Xinling but he sighed and said, "What can I do? I can only take one step at a time."
Prince Xinling sized him up for a moment before taking a deep breath and said, "If Shaolong wants to avoid the calamity and at the same time enjoy endless riches, there is only one way. Do you want to know?"
Xiang Shaolong thought to himself, "It’s coming!" But he pretended to be attracted and said, "Please advice!"
Prince Xinling said, "It is to kill An Li that useless King and Lord Longyang."
Xiang Shaolong pretended to be shocked and exclaimed, "What?"
Prince Xinling said coldly, "A man must be vicious at times, since he’s merciless, I need not show any kindness. I have men around An Li as well and we can hide the weapons in the Palace. As soon as you kill An Li, my men can immediately take out the weapons and kill Lord Longyang and the rest. When I ascend the throne, and with your great help, we’ll take the opportunity when Qin is powerless to invade east to unify the 3 states. By then won’t the world be ours? You can kill Zhao Mu for revenge as well, or else it’ll be a dead end for you when you return to Zhao anyway."
The future he painted is indeed very attractive but Xiang Shaolong knows they’re all lies. He nodded his head, "This truly is the only way, but King An Li will certainly have personal bodyguards and I cannot carry my weapon openly, how can I kill him?"
Prince Xinling saw that he did not object at all, his eyes gleamed with excitement as he said, "I had planned to hide a dagger under your table, but it’s not that appropriate. Now that I guessed that Xiao Weimou will challenge you during the feast, then after you defeat Xiao Weimou, while accepting An Li’s congratulations, you can surprise and kill him. You can also create some chaos with your swordplay and we’ll have the chance to strike. At the same time my men will attack the Palace and we need not worry the plan will fail."
Xiang Shaolong thought what if I’m killed by Xiao Weimou instead? He had an idea, if he doesn’t take this chance to gain more advantages, he’d be a fool. So he said with a straight face, "As long as I have nothing to worry, Shaolong will give his life to you and try my best."
Prince Xinling furrowed his brow, "What do you mean by nothing to worry?"
Xiang Shaolong replied, "It’s Lady Ya and Zhao Qian, if they can leave Daliang, I will not have to worry and can do what needs to be done."
This is called blackmail. Of course he knows Prince Xinling cannot let Zhao Qian go but he’s not afraid of letting Lady Ya leave because the day after, whether the a.s.sa.s.sination is successful or not, he can still instruct his men to get Lady Ya back.
As expected Prince Xinling said, "Zhao Qian can never leave, because you have to send her to the Palace. As for Lady Ya? Since Shaolong has this request, I will certainly do my best."
Xiang Shaolong was relieved of half his load and said, "The King is not going to let Zhao Qian become the Crown Princess at all, then why is he still inviting her into the Palace?"
Prince Xinling sighed, "Shaolong you’re too naïve. An Li can easily let Zhao Qian die mysteriously, then announce to the world that she died of illness and send her body back to Zhao. The King of Zhao will not be able to do anything to him. This may be too extreme, but it’s the best plan An Li can come up with as a last resort."
Xiang Shaolong felt his whole body run cold on hearing this, which increased his determination to save the beauty.
Prince Xinling said, "As soon as you kill An Li, won’t all problems be solved?"
Xiang Shaolong shook his head, "That’s just the way I am, I do not wish