Chapter 66
Book 6 Chap 10 – Meeting on a narrow road
Zhao Ya rode her horse exuberantly and the rest of them had to chase after her. After pa.s.sing through the large plain outside the city, Zhao Ya left the official path and rode towards the rolling hills at the northeast.
The landscape began to change as the gra.s.s changed into strange rocks and stones as they traveled along waterfalls and dangerous cliffs, with clouds and fog surrounding them, creating an extremely beautiful scene.
After pa.s.sing through a mountain, they came to a valley with cliff walls reaching into the clouds on both sides and the clear sky is just a line in the horizon.
Zhao Ya slowed down in front and just as Xiang Shaolong was about to chase up with her, Teng Yi came alongside him and said quietly, "Shaolong! If you talk to Zhao Ya with that earlier expression and tone, she’ll find out sooner or later."
Xiang Shaolong was extremely startled and knows that Teng Yi can see things more clearly as a bystander. He turned back to look and saw that Wu Zhuo has engaged Xie Fa into talking about the surroundings and won’t be able to hear their conversation so he quickly asked for advice.
Teng Yi replied, "Dong Kuang is famed for being someone who only knows how to rear horses and is totally unrefined in other areas, so you can do as you deem fit!"
Xiang Shaolong was enlightened and became quiet.
They reached the end of the valley and the scene in front was refres.h.i.+ng with the trees pointing towards the sky and the rays of sunlight filtering through the layers of thick green leaves with rainbow hues, so indescribably beautiful.
Streams were crisscrossing amongst the trees and rocks, the sounds of the water crisp and clear and it feels as if they’ve come to a place that is not of this earth, intoxicating their senses.
Zhao Ya seems very familiar with this place and led them to a small hilltop and they could immediately see their surroundings.
Xiang Shaolong reined his horse as he came alongside Zhao Ya and looked around. He realized that where they are standing is the center of a huge plain and with unique looking cliffs in the distance. The grounds were deep green with abundant water and gra.s.s with a fragrance in the air and he can’t help but chortle, "D.amn his grandmother, how does Lady know of such a splendid place?"
Zhao Ya heard such coa.r.s.e language from him and her delicate brows frowned but she did not answer him.
Teng Yi and the rest came to their side as well and they all expressed their agreement. Xie Fa said, "This place is called Hidden Army Valley and the only entrance is the line in here earlier. When our Great Zhao’s King Wuling was at war with Rong Di in the past, he had once hidden his army in here and won the battle. Since then this place was named Hidden Army Valley. Does Mister Dong think this place suitable?"
Xiang Shaolong was secretly thinking to himself how would he know if it’s suitable so he hurriedly made an eye at Wu Zhuo, the husbandry expert.
Wu Zhuo nodded his head slightly to indicate his agreement.
Xiang Shaolong pretended to look over the surroundings before he complimented with a sigh, "Ah! It’s really d.amn f*king good!"
Teng Yi and Wu Zhuo were secretly feeling hilarious but to Xie Fa and Lady Ya the words were jarring on their ears.
Xiang Shaolong controlled his urge to laugh and said, "Once I see something good, I can’t control myself but exclaim the words f*king a few times. This is such a wonderful place, isn’t it even more f*king good?"
Xie Fa was overjoyed, "So does this mean that Mister is going to choose this valley as your farm?"
At this time Zhao Ya looked towards Xiang Shaolong.
Xiang Shaolong deliberately stared hard at her perky bosoms before nodding, "Yup! I really like the looks of this place. From this day onwards, this Hidden Army Valley will be the place where I set up my first farm. d.a.m.n his grandmother! I didn’t expect to find a location so smoothly."
Zhao Ya saw the way he behaved and talked was extremely uncouth and thought that this is the real him and was secretly unhappy. She said coldly, "Since Mister Dong has found the ideal farm, can we go back now?"
Xiang Shaolong deliberately looked at her sleazily and said, "I still have to inspect the water source, soil and gra.s.s here carefully. d.a.m.n, why is Lady in such a hurry to go back?"
Zhao Ya was even more annoyed to hear how rude and foul-mouthed he was and replied with irritation, "I have other appointments, how would I have time to accompany Mister longer?"
She was secretly thinking that she must have been blinded because ever since she returned to her residence last night, she kept thinking of this person and could not sleep, which is why she came looking for him as soon as day broke. But this is good too, this person may have Xiang Shaolong’s build, but his looks are a thousand miles apart so in this case, she can give up.
Ever since Xiang Shaolong, she no longer wishes to be entangled by feelings.
Xiang Shaolong thought he might as well go all the way and let Zhao Ya give up all hope on him so he asked with a strange smile, "I wonder who is the person who can make Lady in such a hurry to return?"
Zhao Ya could not tolerate it any longer and said angrily, "That is my business and has nothing to do with you at all." She pulled her horse’s reins and turned and galloped towards the plains.
Xie Fa was so shocked that he hurriedly sent half of his men to escort her back to the city.
Xiang Shaolong felt gleeful.
As long as he can hurt her, he’ll feel a sense of happiness.
Although she still has some feelings left for him, but if she had succeeded in harming him the last time, he would be a pile of bones by now so between them there is no more relation to speak of.
After he made a pretense of surveying the place, they went back to their residences at dusk.
Zhao Mu’s men are already waiting for him to invite him to the Marquis Residence for a feast.
After Xiang Shaolong bathed and changed, he went alone with them to the Marquis Residence for the feast.
Zhao Mu was overjoyed to see him come and as it’s still early, he took him to the inner hall for a secret discussion. Before he started on the main point, he laughed and said, "I heard that you thoroughly infuriated Zhao Ya. Why? You’re not interested in that s.lut at all? Now she is at a point where it’s the easiest to hook up with."
Xiang Shaolong was secretly cursing Zhao Mu and at the same time hating Zhao Ya for cheapening herself as he replied, "I was afraid she is King Xiaocheng’s spy, how would I dare to dally with her?"
Zhao Mu was obviously very impressed with his sense of caution as he clapped his shoulder and said closely, "Who else would know better than me whether she’s a spy? If you’re interested in her, I can make arrangements for you."
Xiang Shaolong was secretly lamenting so he quickly changed the topic, "Has Marquis thought over that matter yet?"
Zhao Mu was immediately energetic and totally forgot about Zhao Ya as he said with a serious look, "Almost everyone in Handan now is my trusted aide, we just have to get rid of a few people and I will be able to sit on the King of Zhao’s throne comfortably."
Xiang Shaolong replied with a smile, "The first 2 to be killed should be Lian Po and Li Mu!"
Zhao Mu complimented him, "With a talent like you helping me, need I fear my great career will fail? But there are a lot of formidable fighters around these 2, I’m afraid it’ll be very difficult to strike."
Xiang Shaolong replied calmly, "If it’s easy, you would have struck long ago. Leave this matter to me, as long as I can obtain accurate information on them, I’ll certainly succeed with one strike. I heard that they are now not in Handan so it’s best if there’s a way to call them back, then I will ask my men to set up a trap and get rid of them cleanly."
Zhao Mu looked at him with suspicion, "You’re really that confident? The 2 of them have a few thousand personal guards, they’re not easy to deal with."
Xiang Shaolong replied, "No one is better than me at the art of a.s.sa.s.sination, please be a.s.sured."
How could Zhao Mu possibly believe his one sided talk so he said somberly, "We need to plan this in detail. You better set up the farm first and lay your foundation. With me speaking on your behalf to King Xiaocheng, things will certainly run smoothly."
Xiang Shaolong was secretly finding this funny. He said those words to let Zhao Mu understand for himself that this thing cannot be rushed and now that his goal is reached, of course he’s not so stupid as to keep pus.h.i.+ng it so he nodded his head and said respectfully, "I will listen wholly to your orders, this is also his Highness’s instructions."
Zhao Mu saw that he was so obedient and was secretly glad and said with a smile, "King Xiaocheng now has a very good impression of you but remember that you must hurry up on the farm. Ha! This move of yours really struck the Zhao’s fatal point because they are most anxious to have a savior like you now."
Xiang Shaolong replied, "I have already chosen a place for the farm and will start on it immediately tomorrow." Zhao Mu stood up and said, "Come! The others should have arrived, besides a few of the most influential people in Handan, I have also invited the envoys from the various states who came because of Lord Dongzhou’s matter. Make use of this opportunity to meet them!"
Xiang Shaolong knows that he has now become Zhao Mu’s trusted confidante, that’s why he is treating him so nicely so he stood up and followed him into the main building of the Marquis residence.
The two of them strolled past the corridors side by side and all the servants and maids knelt down to pay their respects on seeing them.
When they walked past the big garden which was right in the middle of the Marquis residence, a group of about 100 dance courtesans were practicing dancing. For a moment the mixture of fragrance, clothes, hair, and dainty voices can make one overwhelmed.
Xiang Shaolong has sharp eyes and was surprised to find that the teacher who was directing their dance is actually Zhao Zhi and he can’t help but looked at her in shock.
The training did not stop because Zhao Mu is pa.s.sing by. Zhao Zhi obviously saw Zhao Mu but pretended not to notice him and kept on giving out orders to make the pretty dancers dance. The colorful costumes dazzle under the illumination of the lanterns.
Zhao Mu whispered in Xiang Shaolong’s