Half 1

Du Qi’s hand rested on the desk, lined by a big straw hat.

It was his left hand.

Nobody knew why his hand was beneath the hat.

**

After all, Du Qi had a couple of hand. In his proper hand he held a bit of onerous bread. His physique and the chunk of bread have been very comparable; dry, chilly and onerous.

He sat in a restaurant referred to as Heavenly Perfume.

Meals and wine have been on the desk in entrance of him.

Nonetheless, he didn’t contact them, didn’t even take a drink. He solely slowly gnawed on the onerous piece of bread that he had introduced.

Du Qi was a cautious particular person, and he didn’t need anybody to listen to that he had been poisoned to demise in a restaurant.

In accordance with his calculations, at the very least 770 individuals in Jianghu wished to kill him. And but, he nonetheless lived. [1]

It was night, earlier than nightfall.

Exterior within the busy streets, a galloping horse appeared. It sped down the road, knocking over individuals, vendor stalls, and wheelbarrows earlier than stopping in entrance of the restaurant.

The particular person on the horse was lean and supple, and had an extended sword hanging from his waist. As quickly as he noticed the signal “Heavenly Perfume,” he leaped from the saddle, physique spinning, and flew up into the restaurant.

The restaurant burst into commotion, however Du Qi remained immobile.

When the massive, sword-bearing man caught sight of him, his muscle tissues visibly tightened; he set free an extended breath earlier than striding ahead.

He didn’t greet Du Qi. As a substitute, he leaned ahead and lifted up the hat that was on the desk, only a bit. He seemed beneath for only a second, and his ruddy face all of the sudden grew to become pale. “Sure,” he muttered, “it’s you.”

Du Qi didn’t transfer, didn’t even open his mouth.

The person drew his sword, which glinted as he slashed at his left hand.

Two bloody fingers dropped onto the desk, a pinky finger and a hoop finger.

Chilly sweat dripped like rain down the person’s pale white face, and with a hoarse whisper he stated, “Is that this sufficient?”

Du Qi didn’t transfer, didn’t even open his mouth.

The massive man gritted his tooth and once more raised his sword.

This time, a bloody hand fell onto the desk. “Is that this sufficient?” he requested.

Du Qi lastly checked out him, then nodded his head and stated, “Go.”

The person’s face was contorted with ache; nonetheless he set free an extended breath and stated, “Thanks very a lot.”

With out one other phrase, he staggered out of the restaurant.

The massive man’s actions carried nice power, and his martial arts have been clearly very excessive. How might it probably be that after merely wanting beneath Du Qi’s hat, he was keen to chop off his personal hand after which supply thanks?

What secret lay beneath this hat?

Nobody knew.

**

It was nightfall.

Two individuals hurried into the restaurant. They wore silk outfits and seemed like lords of some type.

Catching sight of them, many individuals within the restaurant stood and bowed, confronted full of reverence.

Inside 250 miles, there have been few individuals who didn’t acknowledge the “Golden Whip, Silver Blade, Duan Clan Elites,” Duan Jie and Duan Ying. Even fewer individuals would danger being rude to them.

The Duan brothers didn’t greet anybody, not even Du Qi. They merely approached the desk and seemed beneath the hat. Their faces paled.

Exchanging a look, they stated, “Sure, it’s him.”

Duan Jie positioned his palms at his sides, bowed and stated, “Welcome, sir. Do you have got any directions?”

Du Qi didn’t transfer, didn’t even open his mouth.

As a result of he didn’t transfer, the Duan Clan Elites additionally dared not transfer, and have been pressured to face there awkwardly.

Two extra individuals entered the restaurant. They have been “Jinx Sword” Fang Kuan and “Invincible Iron Fist” Tie Zhong Da. Identical to the Duan brothers, they lifted up the straw hat and seemed beneath, then instantly bowed and requested “Do you have got any directions?”

There have been no directions, so that they too stood silently. With no directions given, nobody would dare depart.

These individuals have been all mighty heroes of the martial world, why, after merely wanting beneath the hat for a second, would they show such concern and veneration? [2]

May it’s that beneath the hat was hid some horrible magic?

**

It was after nightfall.

Lanterns illuminated the restaurant.

The lantern mild shone on the faces of Fang Kuan and the others, which dripped with sweat. Chilly sweat.

No directions had been given by Du Qi, so one may assume they’d be comfortable.

However taking a look at their expressions, it appeared they anticipated one thing horrible to occur at any second.

Night time had fallen, and the celebrities have been out.

Exterior of the restaurant, within the darkness, there all of the sudden arose the sound of a whistling bamboo flute, piercing and shrill, just like the wail of a ghost.

The facial expressions of Fang Kuan and the others modified but once more, their pupils contracting.

Du Qi didn’t transfer. Subsequently, they didn’t transfer.

All of a sudden, a booming sound erupted from the rooftop, and 4 holes appeared.

4 individuals floated down, strapping males, every over seven toes tall and bare-chested, their blood-red pants gathered on the ankles and secured on the waist by shining gold belts. Strapped to their belts have been strangely-shaped machetes, hilts crafted from shining gold.

These 4 muscular males landed on the ground as evenly as cotton, and immediately assumed positions guarding the 4 corners of the restaurant.

Their expressions have been nervous, and of their eyes might be seen an indescribable concern.

On the identical second that everybody within the restaurant laid eyes on the boys, there all of the sudden appeared one other particular person.

This man wore a golden crown and a brocaded golden silk gown. His waist was encircled by a golden belt, upon which was hanging a golden machete. His ivory-colored face was as spherical because the moon.

Despite the fact that the Duan Clan Elites and Fang Kuan have been sharp-eyed martial arts masters, they have been unable to see how this particular person had entered the restaurant, whether or not it was down from the roof or in by way of the home windows.

Nonetheless, they did know who he was.

The South Sea Millionaire, Golden Crown King of the Golden Mountain, Prince Wu Ji.

Even when one hadn’t seen him earlier than, a take a look at his clothes and spectacular air must be sufficient to in a position to deduce his identification.

Du Qi didn’t transfer, didn’t even take a look at him.

Prince Wu Ji stepped ahead, lifted up the hat, and seemed beneath. He set free a breath and stated, “Sure, it’s you.”

At first his expression had been very nervous, however now he wore a cushty smile. He all of the sudden unclasped his extensive golden belt and from inside produced eighteen clean, glowing pearls.

Prince Wu Ji positioned the pearls on the desk, surrounded by the belt, and with a smiling bow stated, “Is that this sufficient?”

Du Qi didn’t transfer, didn’t even open his mouth.

Within the darkness, the sound of the bamboo flute grew to become an increasing number of pressing, nearer and nearer.

Prince Wu Ji’s smile appeared pressured as he took the golden crown off his head, a crown trimmed with eighteen items of verdant jasper.

He positioned the crown on the desk and stated, “Is that this sufficient?”

Du Qi didn’t transfer, didn’t even open his mouth.

Prince Wu Ji threw down his golden machete, and urgently barked, “Is that this sufficient?”

Du Qi didn’t transfer.

Forehead furrowed, Prince Wu Ji stated, “What extra would you like?”

Du Qi all of the sudden stated, “I need the thumb of your proper hand!”

With the thumb reduce off, the correct hand might neither wield a blade nor throw daggers!

Prince Wu Ji’s face distorted.

The whistling of the bamboo was much more pressing, much more close to; the sound was like needles piercing the ear.

Prince Wu Ji gritted his tooth, prolonged his proper hand and caught out the thumb, then snapped, “Blade!”

One of many strapping, shirtless fellows within the nook drew his blade. There was a flash of gold because it flew throughout the room after which spun again into the person’s hand.

A bloody thumb landed onto the desk.

Prince Wu Ji’s face was inexperienced. “Is that this sufficient?”

Du Qi lastly nodded his head and checked out him, “What would you like?”

Prince Wu Ji stated, “I need you to kill somebody.”

“Kill who?”

“The Ghost King.”

“Yin Tao?” requested Du Qi.

“Sure.”

Du Qi stated nothing extra, and didn’t transfer.

Fang Kuan, Tie Zhong Da, the Duan Clan Elites stood by pale-faced.

The identify “Ghost King” Yin Tao was in itself sufficient to shake their souls.

All of a sudden the blowing bamboo became the sound of a mourning lady, or a blind particular person enjoying music within the night time.

In a low voice, Prince Wu Ji stated, “Extinguish the lamps!”

The restaurant was brightly lit by at the very least twenty lamps.

The 4 bare-chested males waved in unison, and a golden mild shone because the power from their blades flew about, extinguishing the lamps right away.

Darkness crammed the restaurant, however all of the sudden, dozens of lanterns sprang to life outdoors.

The lamplight was a sickly inexperienced coloration, floating on the wind quietly like foxfire.

Prince Wu Ji gasped: “The Ghost King is right here!”

**

The night time wind reduce sharply and the sickly inexperienced lamplight shone on the individuals current. All of them had terrified, distorted expressions on their face, as in the event that they have been souls just lately expelled from the depths of hell.

Throughout the lingering, mournful whistling of the bamboo, there all of the sudden burst forth a chilly, evil chuckle. “Right! I’ve arrived!”

Lengthy haired, with a face like wax, the Ghost King wore an extended, white linen gown and was tall and skinny like bamboo. He flew into the room and stood there swaying forwards and backwards eerily.

His eyes have been a diseased inexperienced coloration, they usually flashed as he stared at Prince Wu Ji. With a sinister chuckle, he stated, “I already instructed you, you’re lifeless!”

Prince Wu Ji laughed coldy. “Truly, you might be lifeless!”

“Me?”

“You shouldn’t have come right here,” Prince Wu Ji replied. “Now that you’ve got, you’re lifeless!”

“Who right here might probably kill me?”

“Not me,” Prince Wu Ji admitted.

“Properly then? Who?”

“Him!”

“Him” was Du Qi, after all.

Du Qi nonetheless hadn’t moved, even his expression hadn’t modified.

Ghost King Yin Tao’s sickly inexperienced eyes stared at him. “You’ll be able to kill me?”

The reply was easy: “Sure!”

Yin Tao laughed loudly. “What are you going to kill me with? Don’t inform me you’re going to make use of that crappy hat!”

Du Qi didn’t say a phrase. He simply stretched out his proper hand, and slowly lifted up the straw hat.

**

What was beneath the hat?

There was nothing beneath it, besides a hand.

A left hand.

The hand was lengthy, with seven fingers.

**

It was a tough hand, like a seaside rock that since historic occasions has been pounded by the ocean waves.

When he noticed the hand, Ghost King Yin Tao all of the sudden seemed like he himself had seen a ghost. “7 Killers!”

Du Qi didn’t transfer, didn’t open his mouth.

Yin Tao stated, “I didn’t come on the lookout for you. It will be greatest so that you can thoughts your individual enterprise.”

“It’s my enterprise.”

“What would you like?” requested Yin Tao.

“So that you can depart!” replied Du Qi.

Yin Tao’s foot twitched. “High quality. As a result of it is you, I’ll depart.”

“Depart behind your head, then you possibly can go!”

Yin Tao’s pupil’s contracted. “My head is true right here, why don’t you come and take it?

“Why don’t you ship it me?” replied Du Qi.

Yin Tao laughed a shrill chuckle.

As he laughed that shrill chuckle, his physique flew towards Du Qi like a specter.

Forward of his physique shot twelve pulsing inexperienced flashes of sunshine.

Du Qi waved the straw hat, and the inexperienced lantern mild that beforehand crammed the air all of the sudden disappeared. At this precise second, an extended, jade-green sword appeared in Yin Tao’s hand, stabbing towards Du Qi.

The sword flew by way of the air, with weird slashing actions, however solely the glinting of the inexperienced deal with was seen, making it unimaginable to see the precise path from which the blade stabbed.

And but, Du Qi’s hand had already clawed ahead.

Throughout the sickly inexperienced shine generated by Ghost King’s assault, there was an extended, grey, seven-fingered hand, clawing up.

The sword’s shadow spun, and the hand’s form modified in sort. The hand attacked, seven strikes in a row, and all of the sudden a “ding” sounded out, whereupon the flashing of the sword disappeared. The sword in Ying Tao’s hand was now half a sword.

The sword mild flashed once more, heading towards Du Qi’s hand.

However Du Qi had already despatched the damaged half of the sword flying again; it was embedded deeply in Ying Tao’s throat.

The pace of the sword was indescribable. The motion of the hand was additionally unimaginable to see clearly.

The bystanders solely heard a depressing gurgling, and the sound of Ying Tao dropping to the bottom.

There was no sound, no mild.

Exterior the restaurant, the lanterns have been all extinguished, and there was darkness in every single place.

A deathly silence, a deathly darkness.

Even the sound of respiration was absent.

After a time period, Prince Wu Ji’s voice might be heard: “Thanks very a lot.”

Du Qi stated, “Depart. And take Ying Tao with you!”

“Sure.”

After that, the sounds of footsteps might be heard hurrying down and out of the restaurant.

Du Qi’s voice once more spoke out, “You 4 depart, too. Depart your weapons behind.”

“Sure!” The 4 males responded in unison, dropping their weapons onto the desk. A whip, two blades, and the Jinx sword.

“Bear in mind,” Du Qi stated, “subsequent time you convey weapons into my presence, you’ll die.”

Nobody spoke a phrase. The 4 males left quietly.

It was silent once more within the darkness. After a time period, the sunshine of a lantern sprang forth.

The lantern was within the hand of an individual who had beforehand been consuming alone within the restaurant. All the opposite prospects had departed, he had not.

He seemed to be an amiable, middle-adged man with a pleasant smile. He checked out Du Qi. “One hand, seven killers,” he stated. “It actually lives as much as its repute.”

Du Qi ignored him, not even taking a look at him. As a substitute, he took the weapons and treasures from the desk and positioned them right into a hemp bag, then slowly made to depart.

“Please, keep a bit,” referred to as the middle-aged man.

Du Qi turned his head. “Who’re you?”

In a humble voice, the person replied, “I’m your humble servant, Wu Bu’ke.”

Du Qi laughed coldly. “Are you additionally seeking to die right now?”

Wu Bu’ke responded, “I’ve orders to ship a message to you.”

“What message?”

“There’s somebody who desires to fulfill Grasp Du.”

With an ice-cold voice, Du Qi stated, “It doesn’t matter who desires to see me, they need to are available in particular person.”

“However, this particular person …”

“They will come to see me. You go inform them this, and in addition inform them one of the best factor is to come back crawling. In any other case they’ll depart crawling.”

With out one other phrase, he started strolling down the steps.

Wu Bu’ke was nonetheless smiling. With the identical humble voice he stated, “I’ll undoubtedly take Grasp Du’s message again to Lord Dragon Fifth.” [5]

Du Qi all of the sudden stopped and turned his head once more, and there was emotion on his stony face. “Dragon Fifth? The Dragon Fifth from San Xiang?”

Wu Bu’ke smiled and stated, “Is there another Dragon Fifth?”

Du Qi replied, “The place is he?”

“He’ll be on the Heavenly Perfume Pavilion in Hangzhou, on July 15.”

Du Qi’s face was lined with a really unusual expression, and he all of the sudden stated. “Okay, I’ll be there.”

Half 2

Gongsun Miao’s palms have been undoubtedly not on the desk.

His palms very not often left the within of his sleeves, as he was loath to let others see them.

Particularly the correct hand.

**

Gongsun Miao’s voice was not very sturdy. He seemed like an peculiar particular person, and wore peculiar garments.

This was intentional, as he didn’t need to appeal to consideration.

However the particular person sitting throughout from him was fairly reverse; he attracted numerous consideration. The clothes he wore was of the best high quality, clearly customized tailor-made. The ring on his finger was value at the very least a thousand items of silver and was constructed from Han Dynasty jade. His hat was trimmed with pearls the scale of lychee [6] fruits.

It wasn’t simply his apparel that attracted consideration. He was terribly skinny, with an unusually small head and a big, aquiline nostril. As such, his mates referred to as him “Huge Nosed Hu.” Individuals who weren’t his pal referred to as him “Huge Nosed Canine.”

Truly, his nostril was fairly much like a canine’s, as he had the flexibility to scent issues that the common particular person couldn’t scent.

This time, he had caught the scent of one thing not often seen on this planet, a priceless luminescent pearl.

His voice was very low, his mouth practically touching Gongsun Miao’s ear as he spoke. “You’ve by no means seen this luminescent pearl, so you possibly can’t think about how great it’s.”

Gongsun Miao’s lips twisted, “I don’t even need to give it some thought.”

Huge Nosed Hu stated, “When it’s darkish, it doesn’t simply glow, it glows brightly! If in case you have it in a darkish room, you don’t even want a lamp.”

“I don’t learn,” stated Gongsun Miao coldly. “And if I did, I would favor to make use of a lamp. Oil and candles aren’t precisely costly.”

Huge Nosed Hu’s face had a bitter expression as he stated, “But when I don’t get my palms on that pearl, I feel I’m going to die.”

“That’s your concern. If you need it, simply go and get it.”

“You realize I can’t get it,” stated Huge Nosed Hu bitterly. “The pearl is hidden in an impregnable fortress. Solely you can get in. And as for the iron secure it’s saved in, solely you can choose the lock. Apart from you, there’s nobody on this planet who might probably get it.”

“Nobody else?”

“We’ve been mates for thirty years, appropriate?”

“Right.”

“Are you actually keen to see me lifeless on the aspect of the highway?”

“After all not.”

“Then you definately undoubtedly have to assist me steal the pearl.”

Gongsun Miao was silent for some time, earlier than all of the sudden pulling his proper hand out from his sleeve. “Have you ever ever seen my hand?”

There have been solely two fingers on his hand. The center, ring, and pinkie fingers had all been reduce off.

Gongsun Miao stated, “Have you learnt how my pinkie finger was reduce off?”

Huge Nosed Hu shook his head.

Gongsun Miao continued, “Three years in the past, I stood in entrance of my mother and father and spouse and reduce it off, a logo of my vow to by no means steal once more.”

Huge Nosed Hu waited for him to proceed.

“However sooner or later, I caught sight of eight lovely horses carved from white jade. My palms began itching, and that night time I couldn’t assist however take the eight white jade horses.”

Huge Nosed Hu stated, “I’ve seen these horses earlier than.”

“My mother and father and spouse noticed them too,” Gongsun Miao responded. “They didn’t say a single phrase. The subsequent day they started packing all their belongings to depart. They stated they’d by no means once more have dealings with me.”

“So to get them to come back again, you chop off your ring finger?”

Gongsun Miao nodded his head. “At the moment, I firmly resolved to by no means steal once more. However …”

Two years after that, he stole once more.

That point, what he stole was an unlimited fortunate Bok Choy statue, carved from a single piece of white jade. After catching sight of it, he considered it day and night time, and couldn’t sleep for a number of days. In the long run, he couldn’t bear it anymore and stole it.

“Stealing is a type of illness,” Gongsun Miao stated bitterly. “Catching it’s extra horrifying that catching smallpox.”

Huge Nosed Hu poured some wine into Gongsun Miao’s cup.

Gongsun Miao glumly continued, “My mom’s well being was not superb; when she discovered that my previous illness had resurfaced, she grew to become so upset that she handed away. My spouse was so offended that she bit my center finger off in a single chunk and swallowed it, blood and all.”

“In order that’s why you solely have two fingers left in your hand,” stated Huge Nosed Hu.

Gongsun Miao set free an extended sigh and slowly positioned his hand again inside his sleeve.

Huge Nosed Hu stated, “However, though you solely have two fingers in your hand, it’s nonetheless extra dexterous than all the opposite five-fingered palms on this planet. In the event you don’t use it ever once more, wouldn’t that be an enormous disgrace?”

“We’ve been mates for thirty years, and also you’ve saved my life earlier than. However I additionally know that you simply owe an enormous debt to somebody, and the creditor calls for the pearl as compensation of the debt. He is aware of that you’ll come search for me that will help you, and instructed you that in the event you don’t get the pearl, your life might be forfeit.” He sighed once more. “I do know all these items, however I nonetheless can’t assist you to.”

Huge Nosed Hu replied, “You’ve actually made up your thoughts this time, haven’t you?”

Gongsun Miao nodded. “Apart from stealing, I might do something for you.”

Huge Nosed Hu all of the sudden stood up. “Okay,” he stated, “let’s go.”

“Go the place?”

“I received’t ask you to steal it. However, there’s no hurt in simply going to take a look, proper?”

**

The wall was fifty toes tall and 5 toes thick, and the highest was lined with flowering crops.

Only a few individuals might surmount this wall. However for Gongsun Miao, it will be straightforward.

Huge Nosed Hu stated, “You’ll be able to actually recover from?”

“If it was twenty toes taller,” he replied calmly, “it will nonetheless be no downside.”

“The pearl is stored inside a room referred to as the ‘Iron Library.’ Apart from the individuals guarding the door, nobody else is inside, as a result of it’s assumed that nobody can recover from the wall.”

Gongsun Miao couldn’t assist from asking: “Are the partitions actually constructed from iron?”

Huge Nosed Hu nodded. “There are home windows within the wall, however they’re just one foot extensive and 9 inches tall. On the most, you can stick your head by way of.”

Gongsun Miao laughed. “It’s large enough for me.”

In any case, his bone-shifting method was one of many martial world’s long-lost arts.

Huge Nosed Hu stated, “After getting inside, you’ll nonetheless should open the iron secure earlier than you can get the luminescent pearl. It’s stated that the secure’s lock was personally designed by the Tangram Child. The one secret’s stored by the grasp of the home, and nobody is aware of the place he’ll conceal the important thing from day after day.”

Gongsun Miao calmly replied, “Simply because the lock was created by the Tangram Child, it doesn’t imply that it will probably’t be picked.”

“You imply you’ve picked it earlier than?”

“No. However there isn’t a lock on this planet that I can’t choose. This I do know.”

Huge Nosed Hu checked out him and laughed.

“You don’t consider me?” requested Gongsun Miao.

Huge Nosed Hu laughed once more. “I consider. I actually do consider. I feel we have to get out of right here.”

“Why do we have to go?” It appeared like Gongsun Miao didn’t need to depart.

Huge Nosed Hu sighed. “As a result of in the event you get the impulse, you’ll undoubtedly go in to steal the pearl. In the event you couldn’t get into the room, or couldn’t choose the lock, you would need to come out empty-handed. It will be an enormous embarrassment, and it will be my fault.”

Gongsun Miao laughed coldly. “Making an attempt to goad me into doing it received’t work. I don’t fall for these sorts of methods.”

“I’m not attempting to goad you,” stated Huge Nosed Hu. “I’m simply attempting to get you to depart.”

“After all I’m going to depart. I’m not going to face on this darkish alley all night time am I?”

Persevering with to chuckle coldly, he walked ahead a couple of steps, then all of the sudden stopped. “You wait right here for me. I’ll be again in a single hour on the most.”

The phrases barely out of his mouth, he had already flown twenty toes into the air and landed on the aspect of the wall. Climbing up like a gecko, he reached the highest in a flash, then disappeared.

Huge Nosed Hu face had a happy smirk on it. Previous mates at all times know the weaknesses of previous mates.

Despite the fact that he was happy with himself, it was nonetheless troublesome to attend.

He had simply begun to really feel fearful when all of the sudden from the highest of the wall might be seen the flash of a human determine. Gongsun Miao floated down and landed in entrance of him.

“Did you get it?” Huge Nosed Hu requested excitedly. He was nervous.

Gongsun Miao didn’t open his mouth, as an alternative grabbed Huge Nosed Hu and ran, making a number of turns earlier than stopping within the darkness of a small alley.

“I knew you wouldn’t be capable of get it,” Huge Nostril Hu sighed.

Gongsun Miao glared at him after which all of the sudden opened his mouth. He didn’t spit out a single phrase, however quite, a really massive pearl.

A glowing, luminescent pearl.

The sunshine was each tender like moonlight, and glittering like starlight. The complete alley was full of its brightness.

Huge Nosed Hu’s face flushed with pleasure as he grabbed the pearl and shoved it into his garment. Regardless of being hid in his clothes, its mild was nonetheless seen on their faces.

All of a sudden, somebody laughed within the darkness. “Very good. Gongsun Miao’s palms actually are unparalleled.”

The particular person stepped out of the shadows. He seemed to be an peculiar, middle-aged man, with a cheerful smile on his face.

Huge Nosed Hu noticed him, and his face modified. He moved ahead, the pearl grasped in his two palms. His throat tight, he stated, “The merchandise is already in hand. Can my debt be thought-about paid?”

It turned out this was the creditor, and but surprisingly, he didn’t appear anxious to gather his debt. The truth is he didn’t even look on the luminescent pearl.

May it’s that what he wished wasn’t the pearl in spite of everything?

What did he need?

“I’m Wu Bu’ke,” he stated humbly, smiling at Gongsun Miao. “The debt was my solely choice to have an opportunity to see Mr. Gongsun’s marvelous palms at work. Truly, the debt is an insignificant matter. I neither need nor want it.”

Gongsun Miao’s face fell. “Then what precisely would you like?”

Wu Bu’ke stated, “I used to be particularly despatched right here to ask you to go meet somebody.”

“Sadly, I’ve no need to see anybody. I’m very shy.”

Wu Bu’ke laughed. “Nobody who meets Lord Dragon Fifth must really feel shy. He by no means forces anybody do something troublesome, and he by no means says something to embarrass anybody.”

Gongsun Miao had already begun to stroll off. He stopped and turned his head. “Lord Dragon Fifth? You imply Dragon Fifth from San Xiang?”

Wu Bu’ke laughed once more. “Don’t inform me there’s one other Dragon Fifth on this planet?”

Gongsun Miao’s face had an odd expression. It was onerous to inform whether or not it was amazement, pleasure, or dread.

“Lord Dragon Fifth desires to fulfill me?”

“Very a lot so.”

“However he is sort of a divine dragon from heaven. Nobody is aware of his whereabouts. How might I probably discover him?”

“You don’t have to go on the lookout for him. He’ll be on the Heavenly Perfume Pavilion in Hangzhou, on July 15.”

Gongsun Miao didn’t want to contemplate for even a second. He instantly stated, “Okay, I’ll be there.”

Half 3

Shi Zhong stretched out his hand and picked up a handful of peanuts. [3]

When different individuals grabbed a handful of peanuts, they’d seize about thirty. When Shi Zhong grabbed a handful, it contained seventy.

His hand was thrice bigger than the common particular person’s hand.

On the peanut vendor’s stand was an indication that learn: “5-Spice Peanuts, two cash per handful.”

He threw thirty cash onto the stand and grabbed fifteen handfuls of peanuts. Quickly the stand was nearly fully empty.

The younger woman promoting peanuts began to cry.

Shi Zhong laughed and dumped all of the peanuts onto the bottom, then strode off.

He didn’t actually wish to eat peanuts, however he favored making different individuals cry.

He appeared to have the ability to trigger mischief at any time, unable to permit others to stay peacefully.

On the “Mysterious Sublimity Temple” on the highest of a close-by mountain, there was a particularly heavy bronze ritual cauldron. It was stated that it weighed 1000’s of kilos, and that dozens of the strongest males round couldn’t consider a way to maneuver it.

One early morning, everybody was shocked to seek out the large bronze cauldron within the precise center of the road.

Clearly, the cauldron didn’t transfer itself.

In the entire world, if there was anybody who might transfer the cauldron, it needed to be Shi Zhong.

Subsequently, everybody went on the lookout for him.

With such an enormous cauldron in the midst of the road, it was unimaginable for horses and carts to go by way of, and enterprise was at a standstill.

The individuals begged Shi Zhong to take the cauldron again.

He ignored them.

Solely after everybody started beseeching with tears did he lastly chuckle loudly and step out onto the road. Greedy the cauldron together with his monumental palms, he set free a loud breath and shouted, “Heave!”

He lifted the enormously heavy cauldron into the air as if it have been a feather.

At that precise second, a voice from the group stated, “Shi Zhong, Lord Dragon Fifth is on the lookout for you.”

Shi Zhong instantly flung the cauldron to the bottom, and, seemingly oblivious to anything, walked ahead ten steps. Wanting round, he stated, “Properly, the place is he?”

“He’ll be on the Heavenly Perfume Pavilion in Hangzhou, on July 15.”

Half 4

It was July fifteenth, and the moon was full.

On the Heavenly Perfume Pavilion in Hangzhou, it was enterprise as traditional. It was nearly time for the dinner rush, but there wasn’t an empty desk to be discovered.

However right now was completely different. Each desk was full, each upstairs and downstairs, but all the purchasers have been strangers; the standard clientele have been all refused entry.

The truth is, even Heavenly Perfume’s greatest buyer, Hangzhou Metropolis’s famend Grasp Ma, couldn’t get a desk.

Grasp Ma’s face was flushed, and he was about to lose his mood. When Grasp Ma misplaced his mood, it was undoubtedly not gratifying.

Heavenly Perfume’s proprietor hurried ahead and bowed respectfully with palms clasped. Apologizing profusely, he promised to offer a complimentary meal comprised of one of the best dishes, in addition to 50 recent bushy crabs, delivered on to Grasp Ma’s residence. Then he leaned ahead and quietly whispered into Grasp’s Ma’s ear.

Grasp Ma’s forehead furrowed, and with out a phrase, he spun round and left, adopted by his retinue.

The proprietor had simply set free a sigh of aid when one other group of individuals arrived. It was the Hangzhou 10,000 Victories Armed Escort Company’s “10,00 Victories Golden Blade” Zheng Fanggang, accompanied by a bunch of armed escorts. They wore colourful garments and rode highly effective horses.

Head Escort Zhang was not as cheap as Grasp Ma. “If all of the tables are full, make some individuals depart.”

He waved his hand dismissively on the proprietor as he ready to go up the steps to the second flooring.

On the steps all of the sudden appeared two individuals, blocking his means.

They have been younger males, delicate wanting, nearly fairly, carrying white stockings. Their hair was pitch black, unadorned by any form of hat, and really lengthy. Their waists have been cinched by skinny, silver belts.

How sudden that folks could be keen to dam the trail of Head Escort Zhang!

The ten,000 Victories Armed Escort Company’s most extremely ranked fighter, “Iron Palm” Solar Ping, was the primary to step ahead. “Do you need to die?” he snapped.

One of many youths, who wore a inexperienced coloured gown, smiled and stated, “No, we don’t need to die.”

Solar Ping responded, “In the event you don’t need to die, then get out of the way in which so these nice masters can enter.”

“They can’t enter.”

“Have you learnt who they’re?”

“No, I don’t.” The green-robed youth continued to smile. “I solely know that right now, it doesn’t matter in case you are a terrific grasp, a standard grasp, or an apprentice, one of the best factor for you is to remain away.”

“And what if the nice masters demand to enter?” Solar Ping replied angrily.

“In the event that they the 1st step foot onto the steps,” the younger man stated calmly, “the residing masters will rapidly turn into lifeless masters.”

Solar Ping howled and leaped ahead, his “iron palm” already stretched out.

His 5 fingers have been flat as they shot ahead. His iron sand palm method was clearly fairly distinctive; the hand transfer extraordinarily quick.

It shot ahead, the wind generated by the palm highly effective, and sharp as a blade.

The green-robed youth smiled. All of a sudden, his hand shot ahead as effectively, chopping at Solar Ping’s wrist.

Solar Ping had begun making his identify at 17 years of age, climbing the ranks from provoke to full escort and profitable tons of of fights within the course of. He was no idiot. Because it turned out, his preliminary transfer was a feint! His stance modified as his wrist dropped, and his hand shot towards the green-robed youth’s stomach.

This was the lethal strike of a killer; he clearly didn’t shy from taking lives.

However the green-robed youth’s transfer was sooner. Virtually the identical on the spot that his hand shot ahead, his two fingers had already reached Solar Ping’s throat.

With a puffing sound, the 2 fingers stabbed like swords into the jugular.

Solar Ping’s eyes bulged, and the muscle tissues in his physique convulsed. His physique appeared to lose management of itself as tears, mucus, saliva, blood, urine, even fecal matter oozed out from each orifice. He made no depressing sounds as one may count on; he merely collapsed to the bottom.

The green-robed youth slowly pulled out a snow-white handkerchief, and thoroughly wiped the blood from his hand. He didn’t solid a single glace at Solar Ping.

The armed escorts stared blankly, wanting about to vomit.

That they had all killed earlier than, and had all seen individuals be killed, however seeing this, their stomachs shrank. Just a few couldn’t endure, and emptied their stomachs.

The younger man slowly folded up the handkerchief. “You continue to haven’t left but?” he requested blandly.

His martial arts have been horrifying, but when they left now, how might the ten,000 Victories Armed Escort Company ever present their faces in Jianghu once more? From amidst the armed escorts, there have been already two who have been on the point of leap ahead and combat.

Earlier than stepping a foot onto the steps, they’d already positioned one foot within the grave.

Zheng Fanggang stretched out his hand and blocked their means.

He’d seen one thing very peculiar.

Despite the fact that the restaurant was full of strangers, there was one thing all of them shared in widespread.

Not a single particular person wore a hat of any sort, and everybody’s hair was tied by a slender, silver-colored ribbon.

There was blood splashed all around the stairs, however not a single buyer had turned a head to look.

Zheng Fanggang’s breathed was pressured has he stated in a low voice, “Buddy, could I ask, what’s your honorable identify? The place are you from?”

The green-robed youth smiled, “You don’t have to know. Realizing only one factor is sufficient for you.”

“What’s that?”

“Exterior the restaurant are the leaders of the Seven Nice Sword Faculties, and the heads of the 5 Nice Martial Sects. However even they will solely stand outdoors. In the event that they take a single step inside, they’ll die.”

Zheng Fanggang’s face twisted. “Why?”

“As a result of,” replied the green-robed youth, “there’s somebody inside who’s ready to deal with some visitors. Apart from these three visitors, he doesn’t need to see anybody else.”

Zheng Fanggang couldn’t assist however ask, “Who is that this particular person?”

“You shouldn’t have to ask that query. You need to be capable of determine it out by yourself.”

Zheng Fanggang’s face grew to become pale white. “Don’t inform me it’s … him?” he requested hoarsely.

The younger man nodded. “Sure, it’s.”

Zheng Fanggang turned to depart, accompanied by the armed escorts.

As they walked off, one of many escorts quietly requested, “Who’s it?”

Zheng Fanggang didn’t reply at first. He set free an extended sigh, and eventually stated, “He lives among the many clouds in heaven, and he’s the best hero on this planet.”

Half 5

He sat within the higher flooring of the restaurant in a chic non-public room, on a large bench.

His face was pale white, his physique skinny and haggard, and in his eyes he carried an unspeakable exhaustion.

He seemed to be not solely drained, but additionally bodily weak, even sick. Regardless of the warmth of the day, the bench he sat on was lined with a colourful, noticed leopard fur, and his legs have been hid by a blanket of Persian felt. It was unimaginable to inform what materials the felt was constructed from, nevertheless it glowed with a silvery mild.

He himself appeared to lack any little bit of well being or coloration in any way, and in reality appeared to have some form of power sickness. It seemed as if he was weary of life, and that he had fully misplaced hope and religion in his personal existence.

Standing tall and majestic behind him was a person with silver hair and a ruddy face, aged, however seemingly as highly effective as a deity. This man was clearly within the winter of his life, but his physique appeared to be full of the power of a fierce predatory cat. His eyes shined with a brilliance that might shock an individual’s soul, and would forestall most individuals from even daring to look in them.

But, his angle towards the sickly younger man was extraordinarily respectful. Anybody who witnessed this stage of respect would by no means guess that in former years he had subdued all beneath heaven, and had stared down his nostril in disdain at Jianghu. Together with his one-hundred pound iron hammer, he’d swept by way of the southern seven and northern six provinces, and defeated all the best of the outlaws. He had turn into one of many biggest masters of the martial world, had survived 100 battles with out a single defeat. He was the “Lion King” Lan Tianmeng.

As well as, there was one other man within the room, robed in inexperienced, with white stockings, face expressionless. A middle-aged man with graying temples, he was at present getting ready tea for the sickly youth.

His each transfer was made with excessive precision, as if he was afraid of constructing the slightest mistake.

The tea that got here out of the teapot was scalding scorching; he held the teacup with each palms, fastidiously tasting the tea to test its temperature. He continued to carry the cup till the tea had cooled some.

The sick younger man accepted the tea, and thoroughly took a sip.

His palms have been devoid of coloration, the fingers lengthy and delicate, and it appeared as if even holding a cup of tea was an exertion.

And but, he was the best hero beneath the heavens, Dragon Fifth.

**

There was nobody else within the room, and nobody entered.

Dragon Fifth set free a lightweight sigh and stated, “I haven’t waited for anybody in at the very least 5 or 6 years.”

“Right,” stated Lan Tianmeng.

“And but right now I’ve been ready for over an hour.”

“Right.”

“Final time I needed to wait, I feel it was for Justice of the Peace Qian.”

“And he received’t be making anybody wait ever once more.”

Dragon Fifth sighed evenly. “He died very miserably.”

Nobody would anticipate a lifeless particular person.

Lan Tianmeng stated, “Sooner or later, nobody will anticipate Du Qi and the others, both.”

“That could be a matter for the longer term.”

“For now, they will’t die?”

“They will’t.”

“You completely should use them to deal with this matter?”

Dragon Fifth nodded his head and stated no extra. It appeared he had determined that an excessive amount of had been stated, that he was too drained. He wasn’t an individual of many phrases.

He was additionally the kind of person who was keen to pay attention, however didn’t want to hear an excessive amount of. If he wasn’t keen to open his mouth, different individuals often shut theirs.

The faint aroma of tea crammed the room. Exterior was very quiet. Despite the fact that there have been greater than twenty tables full of individuals, not one phrase might be heard.

The just lately changed room curtain, now product of inexperienced cloth, all of the sudden parted, and a waiter entered. He wore a short-sleeved blue jacket and his hair hung down. Clasped in his palms was a lidded, blue and white porcelain vessel.

Lan Tianmei frowned and stated, “Get out of right here.”

The waiter didn’t depart. In a humble voice he stated, “I’m right here to serve some meals.”

“Who requested you to serve meals?” stated Lan Tianmei angrily. “The visitors aren’t right here but.”

The waiter all of the sudden laughed, then calmly stated, “I’m sorry to say the three visitors received’t be coming.”

Inside Dragon Fifth’s weary eyes all of the sudden shone forth an expression as sharp as a blade. He stared on the younger man’s face.

His face was spherical, with a honest smile, and though there have been wrinkles on the corners of his eyes, his eyes have been nonetheless younger. They carried a youthful innocence and purity.

Anybody might see that he was a soft-hearted particular person with an excellent mood, an individual who favored to make mates, and who cared for kids.

Any lady who married a person like this might not endure in any respect, and would by no means have any regrets.

Dragon Fifth starred at him, and after some time, slowly requested, “You’re saying the visitors aren’t coming?”

The waiter nodded. “They undoubtedly received’t be coming.”

“How are you aware?”

The waiter didn’t reply. As a substitute, he positioned one hand on the blue and white porcelain bowl, set it down fastidiously on the desk, after which slowly lifted off the lid.

Dragon Fifth’s pupils all of the sudden shrank, and an odd smile appeared on his lips. “This seems like a terrific dish,” he stated slowly.

The waiter smiled. “It’s not only a nice dish, it’s an costly one.”

Dragon Fifth needed to agree. “Positively extraordinarily costly.”

This dish really couldn’t be eaten. Within the bowl was neither mountain pheasant and bear claw soup, nor shark fin soup, nor humpback grouper stew, however as an alternative… three palms.

Three human palms!

**

The three palms have been neatly arrayed inside the blue and white porcelain bowl. One very massive hand, and two others, a left and a proper hand.

The massive hand was bigger than the common particular person’s hand by thrice. The left hand had two further fingers, and the correct hand was lacking three.

In all the world, there was no dish that might comprise any ingredient as costly as these three palms. Even when the dish was full of jasper and gold and pearls, it nonetheless could be missing. The truth is, nobody might actually estimate the worth of those three palms.

Dragon Fifth clearly acknowledged the three palms. He couldn’t assist however quietly sigh, “It seems they actually received’t be coming.”

The waiter smiled. “However, I’ve come.”

“You?”

“Despite the fact that they haven’t come, my coming is identical factor.”

“Oh?”

The waiter stated, “They undoubtedly weren’t mates of yours.”

“I don’t have mates,” responded Dragon Fifth, coldly.

His eyelids drooped. He seemed to be very drained and lonely.

The waiter appeared to know the temper he was in and stated, “Properly, in the event you don’t have mates, then you need to not have enemies, both.”

Dragon Fifth checked out him once more. “You aren’t silly.”

“In the event you invited them right here, it have to be to perform some nice job.”

“You actually aren’t silly!”

The waiter laughed. “So, right here I’m. No matter they might do, I can do too.”

“What these three might accomplish collectively, you possibly can accomplish alone?”

“I’ve been on the lookout for one thing to do.”

“Splitting mild and catching shadows, one hand seven killers.” Dragon Fifth gazed on the left hand within the bowl. “Have you learnt how many individuals this hand killed? Have you learnt how rapidly he might kill individuals?”

“No, I don’t.”

“The Miracle Hand Thief, nothing will be hidden safely.” Dragon Fifth mounted his gaze on the correct hand, which was lacking three fingers. “Have you learnt what number of uncommon treasures this hand stole? Have you learnt how nimble and dexterous it was?”

“No.”

“The Large Spirit Palm, energy to raise a thousand kilos.” Dragon Fifth glanced once more on the third hand. “Have you learnt how mystically sturdy this hand was?”

“No, I don’t.”

Dragon Fifth laughed coldly. “You don’t know something, and but you assume you possibly can accomplish what these three might?”

“I solely know one factor.”

“What’s that?”

The waiter’s calm reply was, “I do know that my palms are outdoors of this bowl, and people three are inside!”

Dragon Fifth head lifted, and he gazed on the waiter. “Is it due to you that their palms are contained in the bowl?”

The waiter laughed once more. “If one desires to promote one thing, they need to first present one thing for the shopper to take a look at.”

Dragon Fifth’s eyes shined sharply once more. “What do you need to promote?”

“Myself.”

“Who’re you?”

“I’m surnamed Liu, as in willow tree.” It was an odd surname. “My given identify is Changjie. ‘Chang’ as in lengthy, ‘jie’ as in avenue.” [4]

“Liu Changjie!” exclaimed Dragon Fifth. “What an odd identify.”

“Many individuals have requested me why I picked such an odd identify,” stated Liu Changjie. “It’s as a result of I like lengthy streets.” He continued, laughing, “I at all times thought, if I might be a really lengthy avenue, lined on each side with willow timber, with all forms of outlets on both aspect, then day by day, all various kinds of individuals would stroll on my physique; younger women, married ladies, little children, even previous grandmothers…”

His eyes seemed to be that of a kid imagining some fantasy scene, an odd and delightful fantasy. “Every single day I might watch these individuals strolling fortunately throughout my physique, chatting beneath the willow timber, shopping for issues within the outlets. Wouldn’t that be such an attention-grabbing factor? Rather more attention-grabbing than being an individual.”

Dragon Fifth laughed.

For the primary time a smile fell throughout his face, and he laughed. “You’re a very attention-grabbing particular person.” As quickly because the sentence was out of his mouth, his smile disappeared. “Assist me kill this very attention-grabbing particular person!”

Lan Tianmeng had been standing like a rock behind him, however as quickly because the phrase “kill” was spoken, he leapt into motion.

The moment his hand stretched out, his total countenance modified to that of a fierce male lion. Besides, he was sooner and extra nimble than a lion.

His physique spun, and he was in entrance of Liu Changjie, the 5 fingers of his left hand curled right into a claw, placing towards the chest.

Anybody might see that this assault might rip aside an individual’s chest and tear out their coronary heart and lungs.

Liu Changjie sidestepped, avoiding the claw. His motion was ingenious and very quick.

Surprisingly, Lan Tianmeng had anticipated this evasive maneuver. The 5 fingers of his proper hand straightened, and a “hand blade” chopped down, slicing towards the artery on the correct aspect of Liu Changjie’s neck.

This second transfer was not solely deadly, it had by no means been evaded by a single enemy.

After the age of 40, “Lion King” Lan Tianmeng had not often used this second stance when in search of to kill an enemy.

The ability of Liu Changjie’s defensive transfer was depleted, there was no means for him to exert any extra effort defensively, and no means for him to vary his motion.

The Lion King was certain he wouldn’t want to make use of the third stance to finish the kill.

He undoubtedly didn’t want to make use of the third stance. As a result of he all of the sudden seen that Liu Changjie’s hand was beneath his arm. If he continued to cut down, his arm would undoubtedly strike Liu Changjie’s hand. The elbow joint was tender and brittle, and if Liu Changjie’s finger, hooked like a phoenix eye, struck the elbow, the joint could be shattered.

He wouldn’t courtroom that sort of hazard. His hand stopped in mid-air, and in that precise second, Liu Changjie dashed out of the room.

Lan Tianmeng didn’t make a follow-up assault, as a result of Dragon Fifth had already stretched out his hand to forestall him, and stated, “Come again in.”

When Liu Changjie entered the room once more, Lan Tianmeng was once more standing like a rock behind Dragon Fifth. The green-robed, middle-aged man with white stockings stood within the far nook of the room, not shifting a muscle.

“You stated I’m a really attention-grabbing particular person. This world doesn’t have very many attention-grabbing individuals in it.” Liu Changjie sounded very bitter. “Why do you need to kill me?”

“Generally I like to inform lies,” stated Dragon Fifth, “however I don’t wish to be lied to.”

“Who lied to you?”

“You probably did!”

Liu Changjie laughed. “Generally I like to listen to lies, however I by no means inform them.”

“The identify ‘Liu Changjie,’” stated Dragon Fifth. “I’ve by no means heard it earlier than.”

“I’ve by no means actually been a well-known particular person.”

“Du Qi, Gongsun Miao, Shi Zhong. They’re all well-known names, and also you defeated them.”

“So, you assume that I must be well-known?”

“I feel that you’re mendacity.”

Liu Changjie laughed. “I’m thirty years previous this yr. If I used to be in search of fame, I might be lifeless on the ground proper now.”

Dragon Fifth gazed at him, and a smiling expression might be seen in his eyes. He understood what Liu Changjie meant.

Searching for fame took numerous onerous work; working towards martial arts additionally took numerous onerous phrase. Not very many individuals might do each issues on the identical time.

Liu Changjie didn’t seem like a particularly clever particular person, so he might solely choose one of many two choices.

He had chosen to observe martial arts. Subsequently, he was not well-known, however nonetheless alive.

His phrases weren’t essentially straightforward to know, however Dragon Fifth understood them, so he lifted a finger and gestured on the chair in entrance of him. “Sit down.”

Not very many individuals acquired the prospect to take a seat in entrance of Dragon Fifth.

Liu Changjie didn’t sit down. “Are you on the point of kill me?”

Dragon Fifth stated, “Fascinating individuals are not widespread, and helpful individuals even much less widespread. But you might be each.”

Liu Changjie laughed. “So that you’re on the point of purchase me?”

“You actually need to promote your self?”

“I’m not a well-known particular person,” Liu Changjie replied. “And I’ve nothing else I can promote. However when an individual reaches thirty years of age, it’s onerous to keep away from the need to take pleasure in life.”

“For individuals such as you, there must be many alternatives to promote your self, why did you come on the lookout for me?”

“As a result of I’m not silly. As a result of the value I need may be very excessive. As a result of I do know you possibly can afford the value. As a result of …”

“These three causes are sufficient!” interrupted Dragon Fifth.

“However these three causes aren’t a very powerful.”

“Oh?”

“A very powerful is that I not solely need to make a big sum of money, I additionally need to accomplish one thing nice. If somebody desires Du Qi and the others to perform some job, that job is clearly crucial.”

On Dragon Fifth’s pale white face, there as soon as once more appeared a smile. He lifted his hand and stated, “Please, sit.”

This time, Liu Changjie sat down.

Dragon Fifth stated, “Deliver wine.”

[1] Jianghu actually means “lakes and rivers”, and is the sub-community of China wherein Wuxia tales are set. Jianghu is made up principally of martial artists who’re often congregated in sects, clans, disciplines and numerous colleges of martial arts. It is usually inhabited by others comparable to nobles, thieves, beggars, clergymen, healers, retailers and craftsmen.

[2] The martial world refers back to the group of martial artist inside Jianghu

[3] Shi Zhong’s identify in chinese language is 石重 shí zhòng. The primary character means stone or rock, and the second charater means heavy, so his identify actually might be translated as “heavy stone.”

[4] His identify 柳长街 might be actually translated as Lengthy Road Liu.