Chapter 94
Book 9 Chapter 8 – Ready to Kill
Shedding her depressed att.i.tude, Zhao Ya looked like a brand new person. She had regained her grace, beauty and energy. She smiled like a blossoming flower and her eyes were s.h.i.+ning and attractive. Xiang Shaolong and Teng Yi were fascinated and stared in disbelief.
Paying her respects from afar, she cooed: "Abundant health to Master Dong and Master Long. Zhao Ya sincerely pays her respects."
Xiang Shaolong and Teng Yi were embarra.s.sed by such a greeting. The beauty behaved like nothing has happened between Xiang Shaolong and herself. Charmingly, she sat beside the small table and presented sweetly: "As per Master Dong’s command, I am lucky to stay alive. Wonder if I can redeem my sins."
"Please report your accomplishments first and we shall judge them." Xiang Shaolong laughed.
Zhao Ya smiled coquettishly and looked at him enchantingly. She then proudly state: "There are two big accomplishments and two small accomplishments. Let Miss tell you one by one."
Teng Yi was amused and served her tea, guessing: "The first accomplishment should be the creation of Dong City Commander, right? This accomplishment alone is enough to redeem your mistakes."
Zhao Ya batted her eye lashes and praised: "With Brother Long’s appreciation, Zhao Ya’s worries are gone with the wind!"
Xiang Shaolong is full of happiness. Forgiveness is better than hatred and it serves more meaning and joy to life. Comparing the new Zhao Ya to the old is like comparing heaven and h.e.l.l. He chuckled: "Quickly report the rest of the accomplishments and see how much grace you deserve from me."
Zhao Ya’s face is s.h.i.+ning with delight and she gushed; "I have persuaded King Xiaocheng to recall Li Mu back to Handan City and combine forces against the traitor Zhao Mu. Does this count as a big accomplishment?" Teng Yi banged the table and lowered his voice: "In this case, everything is set. I will be surprised if Zhao Mu does not rebel at once."
Xiang Shaolong reached out and grabbed his hand tightly.
When Zhao Ya added her hand to join the two united hands, Xiang Shaolong laughed: "Such an accomplishment is enough for me to have amnesia and forget about Ya’er’s previous affairs."
"Ah!" Zhao Ya cried. Shy but happy, she shot him a look.
After the hands are withdrawn, Zhao Ya continued: "That woman (Empress Jing) really recommended Master Dong to King Xiaocheng. When the King came to ask my opinion, I kept praising your abilities and scored another goal."
Teng Yi and Shaolong stared at her in astonishment.
Like a carefree bird, Zhao Ya proudly detailed: "I told the King – If the Dong Horse Fanatic is the City Commander, he is still considered neutral. Zhao Mu will surely tempt him to his side. That Dong Horse Fanatic can pretend to ally with him and be our spy in Zhao Mu’s camp. We can investigate Zhao Mu through him and may gather evidence of his rebellion. When Li Mu is back, we can get rid of the traitor once and for all."
Both men were overjoyed and praised her to the skies.
This opportunity is unbelievable. With this, they can execute all their plans.
Zhao Ya seriously said: "Thanks for your praises, Master Xiang and Master Long." Teng Yi interrupted: "Have you forgotten I am Teng Yi? You can call me Second Brother!"
Zhao Ya is at the peak of Mount Happiness and sweetly greeted Teng Yi: "Second Brother!"
Xiang Shaolong warned: "Ya’er, if you carry on with your mood, it is as good as writing on your face that Xiang Shaolong is back."
Zhao Ya adorably glanced at him and rea.s.sured: "Master Dong need not worry. Princess knows what to do."
Teng Yi abruptly howled: "Why didn’t sister come and join us?"
Xiang Shaolong knew that she is eavesdropping. Zhao Ya was startled and look towards the back corridor.
Shan Rou was dressed in a luxurious long dress and swayed out in the most gorgeous manner. Her pet.i.te face remains tense and does not seemed happy about Xiang Shaolong’s renewed ties with Zhao Ya.
Zhao Ya became awkward.
Shan Rou was expressionless but she showed her authority by sitting right beside Xiang Shaolong.
Teng Yi quickly winked at Xiang Shaolong. Shaolong is well-prepared and smiled at Zhao Ya: "With Ya’er’s great plan, if we do find evidence of Zhao Mu and Tian Dan’s conspiracy, does Ya’er think King Xiaocheng would dare to go against Tian Dan?" Shan Rou let out a small cry and became more focused and looked at Zhao Ya.
Zhao Ya herself is considered quite a beauty as well. Except for her weak spot for Xiang Shaolong, she doesn’t give a [email protected]/* */ about anyone else, including Shan Rou. She purposely delayed: "We shall see what happens then. If the plot is successful, all the impossible might become possible."
Shan Rou is now on the losing end. She pinched vigorously Xiang Shaolong under the table and wanted him to intercede for her.
Teng Yi spoke up first: "Qi is stronger than Zhao. In addition, Tian Dan did not come alone on this trip. Over ten thousand elite Qi soldiers are camping outside the City wall. I think King Xiaocheng can only swallow his pride."
Zhao Ya explained: "Qi’s current success is brought about by Tian Dan. If this man is gone, Qi will no longer be a threat to us. However, the ten thousand soldiers led by the famous general Dan Chu will not be easy to handle. Tian Dan is also escorted by a troop of the finest soldiers. Even if you attack him personally, it will still be an uphill task."
Shan Rou coldly snorted: "We can create a new strategy and force him back to Qi. When he retreats, we will have an opportunity."
Xiang Shaolong prioritised: "This matter still requires some planning. First, we must gather evidence of Tian Dan’s and Zhao Mu’s conspiracy. The rest can wait."
Shan Rou was ecstatic: "Make sure you keep your promise!"
Xiang Shaolong chided: "You better be more respectful of Princess Ya so that she will help you in return."
Zhao Ya took the chance and said: "Master Dong is wrong. Madam Dong has been very respectful."
Shan Rou was embarra.s.sed and submissively agreed.
Xiang Shaolong was reminded of Le Cheng and asked about his funeral.
Teng Yi suddenly asked: "Is the Lu Gong secret manual in the hands of Guo Zhong?"
Zhao Ya protested: "Of course not! The manual is in my palace residence. Xiao Zhao and the rest are working hard to duplicate a copy. Once done, they will give the copy to Guo Zhong. But it all depends. If Guo Zhong seeks to leave Zhao, not only will he not get the manual, he will also not have a burial place."
Xiang Shaolong then realised why Xiao Zhao and her lovely friends are not around. He guessed that Li Yuan’s courts.h.i.+p of Zhao Ya is not to take revenge on him but for the manual. He blamed himself for not being sharp enough to notice this earlier. To Zhao Ya, he warned: "You must take more precautions. Tian Dan and Li Yuan would love to get their hands on the manual. Even Prince Xinling may have sent someone here to get the manual too. He hates you to the core. Oh! I better send some men to protect you."
Shan Rou volunteered: "Let us sisters take up this job!"
Shaolong was annoyed: "You only want a chance to a.s.sa.s.sinate Tian Dan!"
Shan Rou angrily retorted: "Am I such a narrow-minded person? You ingrate!"
When all three of them looked at her with suspicion, she cutely shrugged her shoulders and surrendered: "It is fine if no one believes me."
Xiang Shaolong stood up: "Before I become the City Commander, let me seek out Lord Longyang and see what he thinks. Ai! It will be unbecoming if I have recovered but did not visited him."
Shan Rou coldly laughed: "Do not let him bewitch you."
Xiang Shaolong coughed and stared at her with irritation.
Shan Rou covered her mouth and laughed in secret while Zhao Ya stood up as well and invited: "Ya’er is leaving too. Let me give you a lift!"
Lord Longyang was seated at a corner of the living room. The seat is covered with thick fur and propped up with a soft pillow. An exquisite embroidered blanket covering both his legs, Lord Longyang’s pale complexion greeted Xiang Shaolong as he was led in by an attendant. He softly greeted: "Forgive Lord for not paying my respects. Brother Dong is most courteous to come and visit me. Please come and sit beside me."
Xiang Shaolong looked at his four males attendants and was curious about their delicate bodies, clear complexions and a powdery smell.
Lord Longyang understood and apologised: "Brother Dong need not be puzzled. They are all great beauties dressed up as men!"
Xiang Shaolong was amazed. Does Lord Longyang like women too? This will be a thousand year old tabloid article.
After he was seated and had a drink of tea, the four cross dressers and ten over bodyguards left the room.
Lord Longyang looked deeply into Xiang Shaolong’s eyes. His own eyes full of grat.i.tude, he softly thanked: "Brother Dong saved my life. What can I do to repay you?" Xiang Shaolong wanted to say that the only way to thank me is not to get fresh with me anymore. Instead, he said: "I am only doing my best for a friend. It is nothing much. Is Lord getting better?" Cold rays flashed from the eyes of Lord Longyang as he hissed: "They will have to try harder to kill me."
Xiang Shaolong lowered his voice and directly asked: "Who could be the mastermind? A gentleman will revenge his sufferings. I will never let my enemies off."
Lord Longyang closed his eyes and kept quiet.
Xiang Shaolong was bothered: "Is Lord keeping a secret from me? Who is the person who waves us to enter the gorge?" Lord Longyang opened his eyes and plainly said: "He is named Xia Yue. He has been located by Zhao soldiers. Too bad his throat has been slit and he cannot say anything anymore."
Xiang Shaolong was shaken: "Devious indeed. Killing the witness and eliminating the evidence."
Lord Longyang smiled coldly: "Killing him brings no benefit. He was originally from Qi and has been with me for only two years. I appreciate his swordsmans.h.i.+p and thought he was honest and reliable. To think that he turned out to