Chapter 9
Book 1 Chapter 9 – Never-ending hatred
Xiang Shaolong finally saw Master Wu at the side hall, this person who is not of the n.o.bility, but has the powers of a n.o.bility, controlling the economy of the state of Zhao, the extremely wealthy man who earned his fortunes from keeping livestock.
Xiang Shaolong has never seen a man more grand than him.
Just the crown on his head was encrusted with two rows of 12 glittering purple jewels of similar size.
This rich merchant is large and fat, like a mountain of flesh lying horizontally on the seat, in the arms of a beauty who was cleaning his ears. Another 4 females were carefully filing his fingernails and toenails. Such an ostentatious display, even the emperor may pale in comparison.
The yellow silk robe he wore was twined with dazzling pearls with an air of luxury, the belt around his waist was stunningly bright, with gold and silver pieces reflecting off one another.
He was on a raised platform, about 3 floors high, and below the platform there were 18 warriors standing in 2 rows. Any coward who witnesses such a display would have been scared out of his wits.
When Xiang Shaolong and Tao Fang knelt down to pay their respects, Master Wu sat up and dismissed his maids. His thin and long eyes opened, looking at Xiang Shaolong piercingly, and after sizing him for a moment, said with a cold snort, "Xiang Shaolong, why didn’t you accept Lian Jin’s challenge. Is it because you don’t live up to your reputation at all, but only relied on your commanding looks?"
Xiang Shaolong was shocked.
Tao Fang was about to speak up.
Master Wu gave a loud shout and raised his hand to signal Tao Fang to shut up. His face was already swollen with flesh, and now his features are all scrunched up even more tightly together in the middle of his face and he said with displeasure, "Lian Jin may be a valuable talent, but he’s still from the state of Wei, and not from our state. That’s why I specially ordered him to challenge you so that we Zhaos can show off our prowess. Now that you backed down from the challenge, what else do you have to say."
Xiang Shaolong was secretly cursing him, but he said without arrogance or servility, "What Shaolong learnt was for killing, and not for such games such as exchanging pointers."
Master Wu laughed icily, "What’s the difference between the two."
By now Xiang Shaolong has figured out the character of this rich merchant of livestock, and said haughtily, "The way to kill, is to use all methods, to be ruthless, to kill the enemy at all costs. But exchanging pointers in a duel, is just to see whose swordplay is more beautifully executed, it’s more a game than a battle, so naturally it’s another matter altogether."
Master Wu’s expression warmed slightly, but he was still not satisfied, and said each word clearly, "I can’t possibly ask you to kill a few of my men just like that, so how do I know if you’re really that capable?"
Xiang Shaolong’s eyes gleamed, and stared back at him without fear. He said with a slight smile, "Since Master has such expectations of me, I will have a duel with Lian Jin, but there must not be any rules on my methods of winning him."
Master Wu stared at him for a while before bursting out into laughter and said, "Very interesting child. His Majesty has always wished that a Zhao would be able to humiliate Lian Jin and help our state of Zhao regain some face. Fine! Then let me arrange a feast, if you can defeat Lian Jin in front of his Majesty, I’ll give Fang Tings.h.i.+ back to you."
Xiang Shaolong knelt down happily, secretly thinking that if he doesn’t beat Lian Jin up like how he thrashed Black Faced Deity, he’ll write his name Xiang Shaolong backwards.
Master Wu and Tao Fang looked at each other, extremely baffled at his joy and confidence.
Could it be that he really thinks that he can defeat the unparalleled Lian Jin?
They have just returned to the guest house and Xiang Shaolong was about to slip away to find Shu’er when he b.u.mped into Li Shan and two warriors who is quite close to him at the main door and they dragged him out to celebrate his return.
The 4 of them roamed the streets happily, flirting with the beauties they saw, thoroughly enjoying themselves.
Li Shan said with a laugh, "Handan’s beauties are famous for being easy to woo, with Brother Xiang’s capabilities, you only have to hook your fingers and I guarantee all the beauties will queue up for Brother Xiang to choose from."
The warrior called Han Dong added, "But Brother Xiang need not find women on the streets today, we’ve especially found some sweet ladies to accompany you."
Another warrior Zha Bei put his arms around his shoulder and said, "Don’t ever think that we’re finding some used goods as obligations. We’ve specially prepared for Brother Xiang the n.o.ble daughter of a high-ranking officer, who is outstandingly beautiful. She can only blame her father for antagonizing the Emperor, so she was demoted to become a prost.i.tute for officials. I guarantee that Brother Xiang will be satisfied."
Xiang Shaolong furrowed his brows when he heard that, and began to understand why Yuan Zong wanted to change this world. Ai! But how can he have the capability to fulfill his dream. What he can do is to give these ill fated women who has become prost.i.tutes a little more gentleness and love, and by the time he thought of that, he was already pushed into a grand mansion by the other three.
A skinny man of about 40 wearing a splendid outfit welcomed them, "Welcome Master Xiang, Sirs please come to the guest room on the second floor."
The 4 of them sat down on the rug in the room, and after the maids sent in wine and dishes, a procuress by the name of Hong Niangzi came is. Although she’s middle-aged, but she took great care in dolling up, and her figure is still well maintained. Coupled with her intoxicating style, she’s still able to stir some blood. On seeing such a handsome man like Xiang Shaolong, she was especially warm in her welcome and said with a coquettish smile, "The lady will be here immediately to accompany Master Xiang, would Master Li and the rest want to try someone fresh."
Li Shan and the rest agreed with a laugh and Hong Niangzi went out of the room with her plush hips swaying.
Xiang Shaolong secretly thought that it’s no wonder that prost.i.tution is the oldest occupation in the world, and it’s always the same method and atmosphere. But why is it that in the past when he was in the bars going after the beer ladies, he never felt his conscience p.r.i.c.king, but now he kept feeling this is not quite appropriate?
The sounds of jewelry clinking can be heard from the corridor outside, followed by the whiff of a fragrance and 3 pretty young ladies wearing a thin gauzes walked in with a smile. They sat in the arms of Li Shan and the rest, but were making eyes at Xiang Shaolong, obviously they were more interested in him.
By now Hong Niangzi has brought in a tall, slim and fair lady, who looked extremely pretty and bright, with a graceful air about her. Indeed she looked extremely pure.
Li Shan and the rest stared, looking greedily at the magnificent scenery beneath her thin veil of clothes.
Hong Niangzi laughed, "I did not lie to you, right? Good daughter, have you ever seen a better looking and loving man than Master Xiang?"
The beauty lowered her eyes sadly, refusing to lift her head up at all.
Xiang Shaolong couldn’t bear to see this and was about to say something when Hong Niangzi pushed her into her arms, sitting on his lap.
The thighs touching his, a wave of intoxication spread over him, and the well-proportioned body covered by a thin veil, seemingly revealing the luscious bosom, made Xiang Shaolong’s eyes blurry. He can’t help but hug her tiny waist and took a sniff of her face.
Su Nu lowered her head and did not speak.
Hong Niangzi made eyes at Xiang Shaolong, walked behind him and leaned over, pressing her bosom tightly into his back, going between the two of them and said softly, "Master Xiang is the lady’s first customer. If not for the fact that Master Li used the name of Master Wu, I wouldn’t have let this good girl accompany Master Xiang before her training is done. Because of this, if Su Nu has offended you in any way, Master Xiang please forgive her." And she left with a smile.
Xiang Shaolong looked at the lady’s slender fingers, listening to how Li Shan and the rest were teasing her, and he felt a rush of anger in his chest. He whispered gently into the Su Nu’s ears, "Don’t worry! I won’t be disrespectful towards you like them. We’ll just chat and drink, all right?"
Su Nu was stunned for a moment, and finally lifted her head up to look at this strange man who is being so intimate with her.
Xiang Shaolong smiled at her.
Su Nu blushed and immediately lowered her head, but she’s no longer so afraid. She can’t help but steal another glance at him, and her heart started beating wildly,