Chapter 89
Book 9 Chapter 3: Opportunity to kill at night
Tian Dan entered his bedroom and on his left and right is his bodyguard Liu Zhong Xia and Liu Zhong s.h.i.+ brothers. He walked straight to the bedside and intimately asked: "How is Brother Dong doing?" Tian Dan has a natural dominating spirit and Xiang Shaolong raised his awareness and monitored his words carefully. Nodding to his as a gesture of acknowledgement, he replied: "I am up to my neck in work and is also enjoying the pleasures of wine and women. After a little soak in the river, I caught this resulting fever. Ai! Chancellor Tian, please have a seat!"
Tian Dan smiled and corrected: "I love to talk while standing. Hei! Brother Dong’s eyes are full of energy, how can you be immersed in women? You must have over exert physically and purposely caught a chill!"
Xiang Shaolong knew he cannot pretend in front of this man. He grumbled: "I guess so!"
Scrutinizing him for a while, Tian Dan simply asked: "Are Brother Dong’s followers all personally trained by you?" From his words, Xiang Shaolong deduced that when he was trying to force his way at the city gates with King Xiaocheng dissuading him, Tian Dan must have been present and observed the entire situation. He was alarmed that Tian Dan is now suspicious of him. He pretend to be unaffected and answered: "To raise horses, you must first prevent your horses from being stolen. The south is full of barbarians so I trained them every day to prepare for this threat."
After a moment’s thought, Tian Dan nodded: "If Brother Dong can train my Qi soldiers to be as elite and unafraid of death like yours, Qin would not pose a threat." Xiang Shaolong relaxed as Tian Dan is only identifying his real strength and he admired his foresight.
His biggest strength lies in bringing the special forces concept into this ancient age.
And this strength was identified by Tian Dan in an instance.
After exchanging looks, Xiang Shaolong closed his eyes for a while before opening them again. Looking straight at Tian Dan’s suspicious gaze, he shot: "I understand your intentions. Chancellor Tian, please give Mister some time." Tian Dan was amazed by his forthright and direct answer. Stunned, he joyfully praised: "I acknowledge Brother Dong as a sentimental man with strong emotions. Otherwise, you would not have risked your life saving Lord Longyang. If it was anyone else, they would save their own skin first."
Xiang Shaolong pretended to be under some pain and his eyebrows frowned. Shaking his head, he said: "My mind is blank at the point in time. All I know is we are on the same boat and should face danger together."
Tian Dan eyes shone and he asked in a deep voice: "According to Lord Longyang, Brother Dong had a premonition of the incoming danger. How did Brother Dong foretell the future?"
Under his penetrating gaze, Xiang Shaolong was very uncomfortable and wished he could leave immediately. Pretending to be tired, he simply answered: "I have been with horses longer than anyone. I may have picked up their sensitivity to surroundings. Before every natural disaster or extreme change in weather, all birds, animals and insects are known to exhibit strange behaviour."
After all, Xiang Shaolong is not a criminal. He cannot interrogate him nonstop.
Tian Dan commented: "Brother Dong is an extraordinary talent. The a.s.sa.s.sin must have been very unlucky to run into Brother Dong, resulting in his failure. The Chu King may have overlooked your capabilities but how would Lord Chunshen Huang He (Zhao Mu’s dad, Li Yuan’s master) let you go?"
Xiang Shaolong was shaken. This man possesses the highest intellect. If he is let slips any detail, he may be blackmailed by him. He joked: "Lord Chunshen may not even remember how I look; what is there not to let go? I am tired of the Chu people and have no wish to bring them up anymore."
It is Tian Dan’s turn to admire Xiang Shaolong’s prowess. His ambiguous reply makes him even more mysterious and intelligent. Nodding, he agreed: "The people of Chu are short sighted and only look for short term gains. They refuse to learn from their mistakes and are not worth mentioning. But if Chu is led by Li Yuan one day, what are the changes Brother Dong can foresee?" Xiang Shaolong gave a cold snort and hissed: "Li Yuan is a ungrateful and narrow-minded brat. He indulges in wine and women and got his position through dubious means. What can he possibly accomplish?" Electricity seemed to shoot out from Tian Dan’s eyes and land squarely on his face. He could not help laughing: "Brother Dong is truly someone of great judgement; how can I believe you are just an ordinary horse breeder!"
Xiang Shaolong’s entire spine is freezing cold. Giving a dry cough, he humbly said: "Chancellor Tian is exaggerating."
Tian Dan officially said: "If Brother Dong knows the ways of the world, he should not remain in this declining state of Zhao. He should have better aspirations and set his sights high and far. Brother Dong is a smart man and should understand what I mean."
Xiang Shaolong knows that he is naturally referring to himself. He felt great relief and eased himself on his pillow. He released a huge sigh and kept his silence.
Tian Dan may be eloquent and highly persuasive but he is still helpless at Xiang Shaolong’s silence. Giving in, he implored: "What is holding Brother Dong’s tongue?" Xiang Shaolong pretending to be in discomfort and forced himself to sit up. He supported himself by the bed rest and cried: "It is my dad’s dying wishes that I return to Zhao to farm animals. Everything is fated and I usually don’t give a [email protected]/* */ about things. Chancellor Tian and I have a great affinity for each other and I am thankful for our acquaintance. I need time to ponder this over and I hope Chancellor Tian can appreciate my predicament."
He is so blunt that Tian Dan can no longer force him to make a stand. He took a deep breath and surprisingly shot: "The a.s.sa.s.sin is not related to Xiang Shaolong!"
Xiang Shaolong was startled. Acting stupid, he asked: "How did Chancellor Tian know?" Tian Dan stepped forward by a step and patted his shoulder lightly. He smiled: "I wish for a day when Brother Dong will visit me in Qi. I will give Mister the grandest treatment. Please rest well! When you recover in a few days, I hope to tour your farm."
Evading Xiang Shaolong’s question and leaving like that, Tian Dan got Xiang Shaolong filled with questions about what he has accomplished in such a visit.
At dinnertime, everyone is heavily burdened about the upcoming a.s.sa.s.sination and atmosphere is very depressing.
Zhao Zhi took a few bites and laid down her chopsticks, watching Xiang Shaolong eating with a good appet.i.te.
Jing Jun is the only excited individual. He egged Zhao Zhi: "Sister Zhi! If you are not full, you will not have energy!" Zhao Zhi quietly replied: "I am not hungry!"
Shan Rou scolded softly: "Useless girl. We are not the victims so why are you so nervous!" At this moment, Tian Zhen and Tian Feng came over to pour wine for everyone. Wu Zhuo halted: "No drinking tonight!" He turned to Xiang Shaolong and laughed: "Lord Longyang sent two big caskets of wine. One is medicated wine; the other is tonic wine. Ha! I think third brother is in for a good time."
Xiang Shaolong is troubled with Lord Longyang’s grat.i.tude and concern and could not say a word. Shan Rou coldly snorted: "Letting him die would be a clean break. You had to go and save his life and got into a whole bunch of nonsense."
Irritated, Zhao Zhi chided: "Sister!"
Shan Rou shot her a look and demeaned: "You are only good as a noisemaker."
Xiang Shaolong could only face Wu Zhuo and Jing Jun and smiled.
Shan Rou patted her little tummy and stretched her body. In a hoa.r.s.e and harsh voice, she demanded: "I want a piece of the action tonight. Your wife is going for a quick nap. You better prepare a set of those climbing tools for me. I want the best quality."
Everyone was dazzled by her mannerisms. She headed back to sleep as she said and one of the Tian sisters hastily escorted her back.
Zhao Zhi was shaking as she tried to apologise: "Dear Masters have a broad mind to fit your status. Please do not blame Sister Rou. She..." Xiang Shaolong laughing interrupted: "Zhi Zhi rest easy. No one will really blame her."
Wu Zhuo nodded in agreement: "Definitely an experienced first cla.s.s a.s.sa.s.sin. She knows that it is crucial to rest and relax before any action. We must learn from her." At this time, Wu Guo led Pu Bu and his buddy Liu Chao in. Waiting for their news in agony, everyone was elated to see them.
After pouring out his sorrows over their earlier parting, Liu Chao started speaking: "After I got word from Pu Bu, I