Chapter 90
Book 9 Chapter 4 – The new city commander
Zhao Mu came to talk to Xiang Shaolong in the earliest hours of daylight. His eyes were lined with red veins and were flas.h.i.+ng with uncertainty. Obviously, he has lost his footing.
Xiang Shaolong is still in bed. Half-conscious, he struggled to stay awake. Holding his blanket, he enquired: "Why is Marquis’s complexion worse than myself?" Zhao Mu sat on his bed side was deep in thought. Finally, he replied in a deep voice: "How are your injuries?" Xiang Shaolong pretended to move his limbs with difficulty and act tough. He gave a bored answer: "It is just superficial wounds but I caught a bad chill. After lying for a whole day and night I am feeling much better."
Zhao Mu did not find anything suspicious. In fact, all those who survived Lord Longyang a.s.sa.s.sination are still bedridden. It would be strange if only Xiang Shaolong is walking around full of energy.
"Ai!" Zhao Mu cried. "Le Cheng ran into trouble last night!"
Shaken, Xiang Shaolong exclaimed: "What!?" Looking at Xiang Shaolong’s eyes wide open, Zhao Mu added: "Le Cheng was a.s.sa.s.sinated on his way home last night. Even his head was chopped off. Two hundred over personal armed escorts were either dead or heavily injured. Ai!"
Aghast, Xiang Shaolong questioned: "That Xiang Shaolong is really so powerful?" Zhao Mu coldly said: "The residents of the neighbouring houses did hear someone saying he is Xiang Shaolong himself. But all this attackers are masked and no one can really be sure of their ident.i.ty. After further investigations, we discovered another batch of soldiers was killed at the east wall, leaving only their climbing ropes. We did not find any footprints outside the city wall though."
Energized, Xiang Shaolong concluded: "In this case, Xiang Shaolong must be hiding in the city. Marquis must dig him out quickly."
Zhao Mu angrily shot back: "Do I need you to teach me to do this? The entire Handan City has been flipped over. Unless Xiang Shaolong and his men can burrow underground like rats, they will leave some traces. But we have yet to even detect his shadow. Can you explain to me what the he11 is going on?" Zhao Mu was in a bad mood and lost his usual courtesy towards this Dong Horse Fanatic.
Xiang Shaolong was laughing inside. Faking a thinking face, he asked after a while: "Who will be the new commander?" Zhao Mu responded: "Based on the current situation, it will be Cheng Dan!"
His face changing colours, Xiang Shaolong mused: "This is bad for us."
Zhao Mu recovered: "You finally understand. Le Cheng’s death only benefits King Xiaocheng and not Xiang Shaolong. If Xiang Shaolong wants to kill, it will be long before Le Cheng’s turn. King Xiaocheng has always been cruel. It could even be Zhao Ya’s instigation. If Xiang Shaolong can really come and go as he wishes, King Xiaocheng and I will be dead long ago."
Biting his teeth, Xiang Shaolong proposed: "The first mover gains the advantage. If Marquis can poison him through Zhao Queen, this will solve all our problems." Zhao Mu bitterly replied: "Do you think she is my subordinate? She will not be so stupid to be directly involved in the a.s.sa.s.sination. But if we manage to kill that muddle-headed King Xiaocheng, I have a way to control her. Ai! What should I do now?" Xiang Shaolong was delighted to comprehend the relations.h.i.+p between Zhao Mu and Zhao Queen – they were only making use of each other.
Zhao Mu saw that Xiang Shaolong is keeping very quiet and thought he is thinking about how to save them. He released a very long sigh before summarizing: "Some things cannot be rushed. It is my great fortune to have a nameless superman like you so I am not defeated yet. But without Le Cheng, my power will diminish greatly and Tian Dan will not be as friendly as usual."
Standing up, he finished "Rest well and heal your injuries first! I still have to visit other people and calm their nerves. You try to gather more news from Zhao Ya and see what other moves King Xiaocheng is planning."
Xiang Shaolong advised: "Marquis, please be careful of people changing sides. The mind is unfathomable. Things are not as easy as they always seem!"
Displeased, Zhao Mu said: "How can I not know this? I will contact you in the future."
After he left, Xiang Shaolong remained in bed and was filled with thoughts.
When the Tian sisters came in and helped him to wash up, Shan Rou skipped in energetically like a little girl. Grinning, she approached his back and used her shoulder to knock him lightly and proudly asked: "Who killed the biggest tiger?" "Another tigress, I admit my inferiority" came Xiang Shaolong’s irritated reply. He reached behind and held her closely against his own back, giving him much excitement.
Shan Rou was in her best mood and did not resist his mole5t. She curiously mentioned: "We only have ten over injuries; This is indeed miraculously. n.o.body will believe even if we say it. Why not we kill Tian Dan as well, then I will do whatever you wish. Zhao Zhi and I can be another pair of Tian sisters."
Both Tian sisters turned red-faced.
Xiang Shaolong could feel a headache coming. Changing the topic, he asked: "Where is your nice sister?" Shan Rou broke free from his back embrace and chirped: "Don’t change the topic! What kind of hero are you?" As she was combing his hair, Tian Zhen softly mentioned: "Miss Zhi is out gathering news. Aiyah!" She was pinched by Shan Rou.
Xiang Shaolong turned around and folded his sleeves shouting: "This is the first time I have seen such an unreasonable woman. Let me use my wild-horse-taming skill on you shrew! "
Jutting out her chest, Shan Rou faced him with her almond shaped eyes challenged: "You dare!"
Tian Zhen and Tian Feng knew that he is putting up a show and held their laughter while peeping.
Xiang Shaolong used his large palm and poked her face. Before she could retaliate, he withdrew and joked: "Sister has improved; now she only uses her hands and not her daggers."
Shan Rou giggled and bats her eyelid at him, showcasing her charm and adorability. Xiang Shaolong was aroused and wanted to give her a bear hug but Shan Rou slipped out of his grasp. Sliding to the door, she smiled departing: "You have not skilled enough to gain my favour. Go home and train for a few more years!" She disappeared laughing but the tinkle of her laughter remains in the air.
Xiang Shaolong was mad and gnashed his teeth. Tian Feng smilingly commented: "Miss Rou does carry a torch for Master Dong. She often chats with us about you."
Embracing their two waists, Xiang Shaolong softly asked: "What about the both of you?" Both girls squirmed in embarra.s.sment and lowered their heads.
The two similar looking girls with two different att.i.tudes have reignited the desire started by