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On the surface, Chengdu looked to be as rich, beautiful, and flourishing as before. Xu Ziling put on Gong Chenchun mask. First, he went to the famous Wan Hua [alkane flower] Guest House at the Shang Lian Chi [upper lotus pond] Street, to find a good place for his horse. After making sure that nobody was following him, he went alone to look for Hou Xibai, who lived at Hua Lin [flower forest] Lane.

Based on Hou Xibai’s different-song-every-night lifestyle, if he really wanted to find Hou Xibai at this time of the day, he should have a better chance of finding him at the San Hua Lou [scattered flower (multi-story) building], which was equally famous with Chang’an’s Shang Lin Yuan – compared to looking for him at his house. However, he wholeheartedly wanted to scout the situation at Hou Xibai’s residence, to see if the enemy carried out strict surveillance on his little nest, thereupon he went there first.

How could it be easy to kill either him or Kou Zhong? Until today, whether it was the powerful Li Mi or Yuwen Huaji in the past, or the Tujue and the Li’s Tang, whose fame and power was the most flourishing at present, still no one could accomplish it.

Xiang Yushan was not a person who overestimate his capabilities at all, but he had no other choice but to seize the opportunity to kill Xu Ziling, because it closely related to the survival of the Xiang Family. In Xu Ziling’s estimate, Xiang Yushan’s method would not be far away from recruiting a large number of desperate criminals, using all kinds of contemptible and despicable method to prepare an ambush, by trying to catch him off guard and plotting against him.

This moment he stepped into a side lane, and suddenly he leaped up, while focusing all his attention, his ears listened to the eight directions, flying across buildings and through the houses, sneaking toward Hou’s residence.

He no longer had either the time or the mood to be in a tangle with Xiang Yushan; he might as well catch someone and question him via torture, to find out the enemy’s hiding place, and then using ten-thousand-jun­-thunderbolt method he would come for a display of severity immediately on taking office [idiom: initial show of strength], to eliminate the threat.

He flew up and crouched low on the back of the roof of a building overlooking Hou’s residence, which was only one lane away. Across the lane, Hou’s residence was lantern-dark-fire-black. He swept his gaze around, scrutinizing every single corner of Hou’s residence. After he was positive that no one was watching, he leaped into the residence. As expected, Hou Xibai was not home.

Inwardly Xu Ziling was greatly astonished, because unexpectedly he did not see anybody watching in secret. Could it be that Xiang Yushan already guessed that he was on guard, hence he gave up his plan? But Xu Ziling was an easy-going person, something that he did not understand, he did not want to think too much. While he was hesitating whether he ought to go to San Hua Lou to look for Hou Xibai, his heart was moved, he floated away.

Kou Zhong was lying down on his couch, he looked out through the small window by the bed. From his angle of view, he could see a small piece of the tranquil starry sky.

He deeply felt that if he wanted to prevail against the enemy, he must prevail over himself first. That day before the general assembly of the Battle of Cijian, it was because he figured out this point that he was able to recover his confidence and fighting spirit; although in the end he still suffered crushing defeat in Li Shimin’s out of the ordinary method and had to leave, but he was still able to shake hard the cowering-the-world-by-their-military-power Li Army in succession, so he was not inferior in any aspect.

Now the Shao Shuai Army’s situation was even worse than Wang Shichong’s. In the scheme-exhausted-strength-was-gone struggle for survival, if he did not bestir himself, who would have pity on his Shao Shuai Army?

Since his debut, he has always strived in adversity and had developed an unyielding fighting spirit. But planning is with man, accomplishing with heaven [idiom: Man proposes but God disposes]. The key to the success or failure of the stratagem and strategy that he came up with to deal with Li Zitong quite relied on a bit of luck. In case Li Zitong held back his troops without moving, he would be unable to find a solution.

However, toward his own plans, he was still full of confidence, because after many encounters, he already grasped clearly Li Zitong’s character as a person.

As long as he could guarantee that he could obtain Zhongli in his hands, then at least half of Jiangdu would fall into his hands.

How he hoped that Xu Ziling was by his side, then he could say all the worries that were on his mind as much as he liked, they could confide in each other. But now he could only bear it himself in silence, plus he still had to show complete confidence in front of his subordinates. This was precisely the distress of being the supreme leader.

Hou Xibai was sitting on the roof ridge of an abandoned house, he appeared to fuse together with the dim starry sky above, the sleeves of his clothes fluttering in the breeze as he gazed on the moon hanging in the middle of the sky. Xu Ziling came to his side, sat down, and said with a smile, “Xibai Xiong, I trust you have been well since we last met. If I did not guess that you lost the mood to go to the pleasure house, I would have lost the opportunity to see you tonight.”

Hou Xibai was shaken, he said, “Shi Shi ... ay ... Shi Shi ...”

Smiling bitterly, Xu Ziling said, “Your Shi Shi is not only alive and well, he even nearly took Xiaodi’s life.” Thereupon he narrated in details the situation where they suffered a crushing defeat.

Finished listening, Hou Xibai immediately became like a lively dragon and animated tiger, his entire being relaxed. He said, “I really don’t know whether I should be sad or happy. I slipped away back to Chengdu, it was because I did not dare to face the cruel reality. One side are my best brothers, the other side is, good or bad, Shizun [revered master] who singlehandedly cultivated me into a person who is worthy of respect.”

Xu Ziling understood, “But it’s good now!” he said, “It did not result in anybody’s death. We already missed the only chance to deal with your esteemed master, afterwards there will be only he coming to kill us while we are caught in absolutely passive situation.”

Hou Xibai sighed and said, “What’s good about it? Did Ziling just arrive in Chengdu?”

Xu Ziling nodded and said, “I am planning on setting out tomorrow morning to You Lin Xiao Zhu, does Xibai Xiong have any interest in coming along?”

Shaking his head, Hou Xibai replied, “Naturally I hope I can get close to Qingxuan, but it’s absolutely improper for me to go. If Qingxuan sees me, I might remind her of her hatred toward Shi Shi, the outcome will be hard to fathom.”

Xu Ziling agreed, he said, “Xibai Xiong’s words is not without any reason. I wonder if Xibai Xiong know where You Lin Xiao Zhu is?”

Hou Xibai replied, “You Lin Xiao Zhu is located inside a hidden small valley on the bank of Taiyang Xi [lit. sun creek] at the eastern foot of Fenghuang Shan [lit. phoenix mountain] on the north side of Chengdu. The scenery is very beautiful. I learned about the approximate location of the small building [Xiao Zhu] from Shi Shi’s own mouth. It was only after an investigative visit that I found out the little valley’s [Xiao Gu, see my previous note in Chapter 10 on Xiao Gu vs Xiao Zhu] location, but I did not have the guts to enter the valley to visit Qingxuan. I was afraid she would be displeased, but I was also afraid Shi Shi might be angered.”

Xu Ziling was puzzled, he said, “From what you said, your Shizun ought to be the only one who knows the location of the little house, but that day Yang Xuyan and An Long could impersonate your esteemed master by sending her a message, which lead to her bringing the Yin scroll to Chengdu.”

Revealing a grave expression, Hou Xibai spoke slowly, “I have thought about this problem; could it be that when Shi Shi’s character became evil, he revealed the small valley’s location to Yang Xuyan, in order to borrow his hands to get rid of his beloved daughter?”

Xu Ziling nodded and said, “That is very possible, otherwise, how could An Long dare to cooperate with Yang Xuyan to deal with Shi Qingxuan? But even so, why didn’t they go directly to the small valley to kill the person and seize away the scroll? Why did they need to take the roundabout way and use scheme?”

Hou Xibai said, “Killing the person is easy, but seizing away the scroll is challenging, since they did not know where the Yin scroll is hidden. Moreover, it’s not that they had no misgivings. If sometime later Shi Shi became sentimental, in his grief and indignation he might kill An Long and Yang Xuyan to avenge Qingxuan. Therefore, perhaps the two only dared to seize away the scroll but did not dare to harm Qingxuan. This is only my conjecture, as for the actual situation, we won’t know unless we grab An Long and torture him for confession. Would Ziling be interested?”

Xu Ziling remembered about An Pangzi warning him, he shook his head and said, “It’s important that I see Qingxuan tomorrow; it’s not suitable to have a new branch growing out of a knot. I hear that now the Han people under Xie Hui’s leadership and the other tribes, because of Song Que’s letter, are having disagreement, neither side is willing to concede.”

Hou Xibai was astonished, he asked, “This matter has not become public yet, Ziling had just arrived in Chengdu, unexpectedly you already know about this?”

Xu Ziling did not conceal it from him, he told him about Zheng Shiru.

Stunned, Hou Xibai said, “No wonder Ziling asked me about who else knows the location of You Lin Xiao Zhu. However, in my opinion, the other side only knew that you are coming to Chengdu, but they don’t know the little house’s location; otherwise, why would they beat the grass to scare the snake by sending men to follow your track?”

But then he blurted out laughing and said, “What makes the Xiang Family think that they can deal with you? They really overestimate their capabilities; they ought to pick a mirror and take a look inside.”

Xu Ziling shook his head and said, “Underestimating others can attract unforeseen disaster, just like we underestimated your esteemed master and encountered ashes on our nose. This man Xiang Yushan, although his martial art skill is nothing special, his mind is viciously calm, plus he understands me and Kou Zhong better than anybody else, just by looking at how he did not send anybody to watch your other Passionate Residence in Chengdu, you’ll know how very cautious he is.”

Staring blankly, Hou Xibai said, “You are right! In that case, tomorrow I will have to accompany you, no matter what. At most I will stay outside the valley to wait for you.”

Knitting his brows, Xu Ziling asked, “Are you afraid they are dealing with Qingxuan?”

Sneering, Hou Xibai said, “How could they have such guts? I am just afraid they might ambush you on the small path leading to the valley.”

And then he was severely shaken, “Not right!” he exclaimed.

Xu Ziling was worried about Shi Qingxuan, he jumped in fright and asked in horror, “What do you mean not right?”

Hou Xibai’s handsome countenance sank straight down, he said, “If the Xiang Family knew where the small valley is, the information must have come from Yang Xuyan. Yang Xuyan is a troop walking into danger; due to his worsening relationship with Shizun, he might borrow another person’s hands to make a gamble. The most ideal would be if Shi Shi hears about Qingxuan being harmed, and then his personality would split again. This possibility is extremely high, the small valley is a dangerous place, there is only one entrance, and it is the ideal location for an ambush.”

Xu Ziling’s countenance changed, he said, “Fortunately you reminded me. That is very likely, because behind the Xiang Family there is Zhao Deyan providing them support. If your Shi Shi encountered any mishaps, Zhao Deyan will no longer have any rival on his path in unifying the demonic school. Since we know that your Shi Shi’s only flaw is Qingxuan, Zhao Deyan and Yang Xuyan certainly understand it even better.”

Hou Xibai said, “This matter should not be delayed; if we rush over immediately, we should be able to reach the small valley by sunrise.”

The two did not dare to tarry, they left immediately.

The sky had not brightened yet, Kou Zhong urged his horse and carried the eagle, galloping to his heart’s content outside the city. Both his beloved horse and beloved eagle have become his closest companions on the battlefield, just like he had another pair of legs and a pair of eyes that looked down to observe the mother earth from high altitude; moreover, they were his most loyal comrade-in-arms.

He let Wuming circling freely high in the air. Wuming, which had received rigorous training, would only take food from his hands, hence he did not need to worry that the enemy would bait her with poison.

When he came back to the city, Xuan Yong and Luo Qifei met him outside the city.

Luo Qifei’s expression grave, he said, “Guancheng’s defending general Guo Qing finally surrendered to Li Shiji, cutting off Zheng Army connection to the Hulao and Zhengzhou front, putting Rongyang and Zhengzhou in critical situation.”

Kou Zhong’s countenance changed, he said, “Isn’t Guo Qing’s wife Wang Shichong’s niece? How come unexpectedly he surrendered without fighting?”

Xuan Yong said, “Li Shiji sent his top imperial strategic advisor to Guancheng with a letter advising Guo Qing to surrender, with analysis on the situation of the world, laying out the pros and cons. Finally Guo Qing was persuaded. His wife forcefully urged him but failed, in the end she committed suicide and died.”

Kou Zhong sighed. He said, “Hulao lost too fast! What move did Wang Xuanying take?”

Luo Qifei replied, “Wang Xuanying led his troops, intending to recover Guancheng, but Li Shiji deployed his troops to intercept them midway, the two armies refused to concede to each other, it looks like Wang Xuanying can only retreat without attacking.”

Kou Zhong was stunned, he said, “How could Wang Xuanying be Li Shiji’s match? Li Shiji only defends without attack, it must be to reduce casualties, because he is confident that after capturing Guancheng, without wasting a single soldier, a single troop, Rongyang and Zhengzhou will surrender, and thus Hulao will be isolated.”

“What do we do now?” Xuan Yong asked.

Kou Zhong struggled hard to arouse his spirit to digest this bad news; he spoke heavily, “Immediately notify Yang Gong to withdraw here. The travel must be in absolute secrecy, because his five thousand brothers will be the secret weapon for us to capture Zhongli, to be our wonder troops [reminder: troops appearing suddenly in ambush]. I guarantee it will give Li Zitong a big shock.”

Luo Qifei said, “We could utilize the Flywheel Boats to transport Yang Gong’s army by batches at night, it should be able to keep away people’s eyes and ears. Give me ten days, I should be able to put them in a safe, secret place nearby.”

“That should do it!” Kou Zhong said, “The false retreat must be commencing immediately, let Li Zitong think that seeing the turn of events is not too encouraging, we want to steal away. On this aspect, have you guys come up with a detailed plan?”

Smiling wryly, Xuan Yong said, “There are not too few of a plan, but too many. Shaoshuai urged us to go back and think, the result is that everybody came up with a plan, so now Shaoshuai must make decision.”

Kou Zhong felt big headache, musing inwardly that this must be the leader’s pain; however, on the surface he laughed aloud and said, “Let’s go back and hold a meeting immediately.”

Fenghuang Mountain is located northeast of Chengdu, west of Duofu Plain, the main peak towered more than a hundred zhang, the topography of the mountain magnificent and beautiful, gracefully winding for several dozen of li, all around were mountain peaks protruding here and there, surrounded by a range of hills. The main peak towered above the range of the hills, rising steeply from the ground, similar in shape and appearance as a phoenix spreading its wings, ready to fly, hence the elegant moniker ‘Phoenix Mountain’.

Passing through the Fenghuang Mountain walking to the south, the mountain was full of ancient trees, wild grass winding and withered, a stream was flowing from the northwest along the mountain ridge, toward the southeast. Maple trees grew all over on both sides. Since it was the depth of autumn, the maple leaves have changed color, so that red, orange and green were reflecting each other, bringing about a rich layer of colors, the scenery was extremely beautiful.

With Hou Xibai leading the way, Xu Ziling basked in the warmth of the early morning sun, crossing over the river and stream, flying at top speed along the branch and vein of Fenghuang Mountain, which pointed to the south.

Passing through the maple forest, boring through the gorge, the scenery suddenly changed. They only saw the deep and luxuriant forest, the pond and deep pool, high and low, following the topography of the mountain, connected by the rapids, the terrain of the mountain region was like layer upon layer of steps, high and low waterfalls overflowing with flying water flowing out swiftly, the sound of water was resounding, which appeared to be a place without any road, unexpectedly it was a place of charm and beauty, with willow trees making the shade in abundance, with searching-for-serenity-exploring-for-victory wonders.

Following the pond and deep pool and the topography of the mountain, the wild trees had twisted roots and intertwined joints, the moss and grass colored the flow bluish green, the running water either flowed out swiftly downward, or splashed up and flew down, the water hit the pile of rocks, forming countless streams, swirling and splashing, creating a touching bright image.

The two leaped over a stream of waterfall on top of a huge rock, a wide panorama suddenly opened up in front of their eyes, down below, as far as the eyes could see, was the primitive ancient forest. To their left was the Fenghuang Mountain Range extending as far as the eyes could see, with several ringed mountains binding them together; to their right was an ocean of trees, which extended to the flat wilderness.

Pointing to the mountain on the left, Hou Xibai said, “You Lin Xiao Zhu is inside the valley formed by a ring of mountains around it. Ziling should understand by now that in order to find this secret valley, I had to spent a lot of foot power.”

Xu Ziling mused inwardly that this was indeed a Peach Blossom Spring [a hidden land of peace and prosperity] to live in seclusion and to shun the world; it was both cut off from the rest of the world, and could stand aloof from worldly affairs. Nodding his head, he said, “Although I have received Qingxuan’s direction, without Xibai showing the way, I am sure I would grope around the wrong place.”

Hou Xibai sighed and said, “Therefore, if there is nobody giving directions, even if one is fully aware that You Lin Xiao Zhu is in the vicinity of Chengdu, one could forget about finding this place. I learned from Shi Shi that the little house was built at the tail of the Fenghuang Mountain; it was only after some effort that I found this place. Let’s go!”

The two slipped down the rock and entered the forest. Enormous ancient trees reached high into the sky, spirited animals and wonderful birds leaped and circled in the air among the leaves, overflowing with the excitement of life.

They walked swiftly among the trees, suddenly there was a wide clearing, where a small stone house was standing. Next to the house, there was a gravel path extended forward, turning to the left and bending to the right, meandering into the depth of the forest; they could not see the entrance of the small valley.

You Lin Xiao Zhu finally appeared before their eyes.

Were it not for he was worried about Shi Qingxuan, Xu Ziling would certainly go to look into the small building. This must be the place where the great expert in saber method of the generation, the ‘Overbearing Saber’ Yue Shan built his house to spend his last years. Recalling that since suffering a crushing defeat in the ‘Heavenly Saber’ Song Que’s hands he was depressed without any joy, carrying the frustration on his back, and died in blood enmity and disgrace, how could Xu Ziling not sigh with sorrow?

Hou Xibai moved toward the house’s – which was surrounded by the forest – side, and took a couple of glances through the window. Returning to Xu Ziling’s side, he carefully examined the traces on the small path, saying, “Qingxuan must have cleaned the hut often, inside is untainted by even a speck of dust. This should be Yue Shan’s residence, his grave should be near and not too far away. A mighty man of his generation like Yue Shan, in the end his bones are buried silently in this place. Riches and honor, fame and profit, nothing is more than this.”

Xu Ziling knew that he could not see any trace that someone was stepping on the path, hence he felt at ease and chatted with leisurely frame of mind.

Xu Ziling blurted out without thinking, “I wonder ... ay! Never mind!”

Hou Xibai suddenly understood, he said, “The person die, the lantern extinguished, everything is empty. Ziling wanted to know the place where Shimu’s [master’s wife] bones are buried. To the best of my knowledge, this is what Feixuan told me, when Shimu realized that her time was limited, she took Qingxuan to Da Shi Si [lit. Temple of Great Rock]. When she died, her remains was cremated, and her ashes was sent back to Ci Hang Jing Zhai, the Zhuchi [manager] of the Jingzhai originally wanted to take Qingxuan to be raised inside the Jingzhai, but Qingxuan refused. After she lived in the Da Shi Si for two years, she returned to the small valley to live in hiding here. Ay! I really don’t know how Qingxuan passed that period of time.”

Xu Ziling could not bear sighing with sorrow.

Hou Xibai said, “As far as I can see, there shouldn’t be any outsiders coming over, I will hide in here, Ziling, why don’t you go by yourself to see Qingxuan? If you want to stay a few more days, just come out here and let me know.”

Xu Ziling said, “After completing my mission of delivering the Tianzhu Xiao, I might talk a couple of sentences, and then leave immediately; I won’t let you, LaoGe waiting for a long time.”

Hou Xibai smiled and said, “Maybe she would like you to accompany her for a couple of days? Otherwise, why would she be willing to tell you the place she is living in seclusion? Coming here across a thousand mountains and ten thousand rivers, only talking a few sentences, won’t that be a waste?”

Xu Ziling shook his head with a bitter smile, and then he stepped forward.

Behind him, Hou Xibai called out, “Our worry is still there, Ziling better warn Qingxuan, tell her to guard against Yang Xuyan.”

Xu Ziling waved to indicate he heard him, and then he picked up his speed and disappeared into the forest path.

Finally the moment to see Shi Qingxuan again has come. He wondered whether she would still keep her distance and stay a thousand li away from him; if she still acted like that, appearing to be passionate but was actually heartless, should he break the karma, do everything in his power to win her over?

This was his last chance; should he strive for his future happiness, as well as hers?