Half 1

The cups have been tall and historical, full of mellow, thirty-year outdated wine.

The green-clad, middle-aged man poured six cups.

Dragon Fifth stated, “You alone can accomplish a job set for 3 individuals. You also needs to be capable of drink the wine of three.”

Liu Changjie replied. “That is good wine. I might drink thirty cups!”

His alcohol tolerance was excessive, and he drank shortly.

And received drunk.

Individuals who have a excessive alcohol tolerance however drink shortly, can also get drunk simply.

Abruptly, he slipped off the bench as if it have been constituted of slick mud.

Dragon Fifth crouched subsequent to him and stared, as if he have been meditating.

The perfume of wine drifted all through the room, and out of doors it was very quiet.

After a really very long time, Dragon Fifth all of the sudden stated, “Ask.”

Lan Tianmeng instantly approached. Grabbing Liu Changjie by the hair, he poured half a pot of wine onto his face.

Generally wine makes drunk individuals sober.

“What’s your surname?” stated Lan Tianmeng. “What’s your given title?”

“I’m surnamed Liu. Given title Changjie.” It appeared Liu Changjie’s tongue was swollen to twice its regular dimension.

“The place did you develop up?”

“Jinan Prefecture, Yang Liu Village.” [1]

“Who taught you martial arts?”

“I taught myself.” Liu Changjie giggled. “Nobody is sweet sufficient to be my grasp, and I’ve the E-book of Heaven.”

This wasn’t all simply drunk speak.

On this planet, there have been many secret martial arts manuals that had been misplaced for ages, then have been all of the sudden found once more.

Lan Tianmeng continued: “Have you ever mastered all of the strategies of this martial artwork?”

“I’ve studied sufficient. I’m not silly.”

“Who despatched you right here?”

“I despatched myself. At first I used to be pondering of killing Dragon Fifth.” He all of the sudden smiled. “If I killed him, then I’d be probably the most well-known particular person below heaven.”

“It appears that evidently you’re unable to kill him, in any case.”

“I’m not silly.” Liu Changjie continued. “Being the second most well-known particular person below heaven is sweet too … He asks me to sit down, asks me to drink, he should additionally be capable of see my capability.”

Lan Tianmeng needed to proceed questioning him, however Dragon Fifh waved his hand. “That’s sufficient.”

“What ought to I do with him?”

Dragon Fifh’s face was as soon as once more full of a weary expression. “He’s utterly drunk,” he stated coldly.

Lan Tianmeng nodded, and all of the sudden punched Liu Changjie within the ribs.

Half 2

Starlight glittered and the total moon was like a big block of ice.

Liu Changjie was all of the sudden woken by a pointy ache, to seek out himself hanging like a wind chime from the eaves of the Heavenly Perfume pavilion.

The late night time wind of July carried a pointy chill.

The chilly wind reduce throughout his physique like a knife.

His garments have been ripped to shreds, so badly that it appeared like his bones have to be damaged. His mouth dripped with blood and with bile, bitter and bitter.

His physique was the identical, utterly coated with blood and vomit. He appeared like a stray canine that had simply been severely crushed.

The Heavenly Perfume Pavilion’s lamps had lengthy been extinguished, and the store throughout the road had shuttered its entrance entrance..

And Dragon Fifth?

Who knew his whereabouts? Nobody ever knew.

There was no mild. No individuals. No sound.

The lengthy avenue was full of trash, and within the darkness of the night time it appeared ugly, silly and damaged, identical to Liu Changjie as he hung from the eaves of the constructing.

Should you put your self up for promote, and obtain a extreme beating in return, what feeling would you’ve in your coronary heart?

Liu Changjie all of the sudden summoned all the ability in his physique to shout out, “Dragon Fifth, you son of a b*tch! You …”

He used each dangerous phrase he knew to curse Dragon Fifth as loudly as attainable. On this late, silent night time, anybody inside ten streets might clearly hear his curses.

Abruptly, the sound of clapping might be heard from very distant, and a laughing voice: “Nice cursing! Wonderful cursing! Actually f*cking wonderful cursing!”

The sound of laughing was accompanied by the sound of galloping horses. Three horses dashed urgently down the lengthy avenue, and got here to a sudden cease below the eaves of the constructing.

The chief of the small group appeared up at Liu Changjie and laughed. “It’s been a very long time since I’ve heard anybody keen to curse that son of b*tch. You merely should maintain cursing him. You positively can’t cease!”

He had eyebrows as thick as a sword, and a beard like a dragon’s. He had a wild look, however his eyes have been the eyes of a really clever particular person.

Liu Changjie stared at him and stated, “You want me cursing that son of a b*tch?”

The bearded fellow laughingly replied, “I like it!”

“Okay. Assist me down, and I’ll maintain cursing him.”

“I particularly got here that will help you down.”

“Oh?”

“After listening to your cursing, I got here instantly.”

“Why?” requested Liu Changjie.

With an air of pleasure, the bearded man stated, “As a result of aside from me, there’s nobody keen to assist somebody who Dragon Fifth hangs from the eaves.”

“You already know me?”

“I didn’t know you earlier than, however as of now, you’re my buddy.”

“Why?”

“As a result of as of now you might be Dragon Fifth’s enemy. Any enemy of Dragon Fifth is a buddy of mine.”

“Who’re you?”

“I’m Meng Fei,” responded the bearded man. [2]

“You’re Iron Guts “Meng Chang,” Meng Fei?”

The bearded man appeared up at him. “Right. I’m the Meng Fei who’s not afraid to die.”

Apart from individuals who don’t concern dying, who can be keen to oppose Dragon Fifth?

**

Liu Changjie sat there, feeling like a sticky rice dumpling, wound up tight, unable to launch his feelings. [2]

Meng Fei sat throughout the desk, taking a look at him. Abruptly he caught out his hand, thumb raised up, and stated, “Nice! Actually, a real man!”

Liu Changjie smiled bitterly. “Getting crushed up counts as being a real man?”

“Contemplating that you simply have been nearly crushed to dying by that son of a b*tch and nonetheless had the heart to curse him. Nicely, sure you’re positively a real man!” Meng Fei slammed his fist onto the desk. “I ought to crush these bastards to dying one after the other.”

“Why don’t you?” requested Liu Changjie.

Meng Fei sighed. “As a result of I’m not adequate.”

Liu Changjie laughed. “You not solely have guts, you’re trustworthy, too.”

“I don’t have another good qualities, besides that I’ve the heart to oppose Dragon Fifth.”

“It’s unusual.”

“What’s unusual?”

“Why hasn’t he come to kill you?”

Meng Fei laughed. “As a result of he desires to show his tolerance and present his wonderful benevolance. Let individuals know that he gained’t even deign to acknowledge an individual like me. He’s actually only a son of a b*tch.”

“Really,” stated Liu Changjie, “he can’t be a son of a b*tch, as a result of he can’t even examine to a canine.”

Meng Fei laughed. “Proper! Fully right! I’ve to drink to that!”

Laughing, he referred to as for wine and continued: “You possibly can get well right here out of your accidents. I’ve already ready two of one of the best kinds of medication for you.”

“One in all them is wine?” requested Liu Changjie.

Meng Fei laughed loudly. “Completely! It doesn’t matter who you might be, it’s at all times useful to have a cup of good wine.”

He checked out Liu Changjie and shook his head. “However below these circumstances, a cup of wine gained’t assist. You want a minimum of 300 cups to have any constructive impact.”

Liu Changjie couldn’t cease laughing. “Apart from wine, what different good medication is there?”

Meng Fei didn’t reply. He didn’t have to.

Folks had begun to convey wine into the room. Six ladies; six younger, stunning ladies.

Liu Changjie’s eyes lit up.

He cherished stunning ladies, and there was no technique to conceal it.

Meng Fei set free a loud chortle. “I’m positive you perceive. It doesn’t matter who you might be, it’s at all times useful to have an excellent lady.”

Liu Changjie laughed. “However below these circumstances, an excellent lady gained’t assist. In any case, six are wanted.”

Meng Fei checked out him after which set free a sigh. “You’re not solely trustworthy, you even have guts.

“Oh?”

“To take care of six stunning ladies might be tougher than coping with Dragon Fifth.”

**

Meng Fei was utterly right.

Wine and girls actually have been good for Liu Changjie. His accidents recovered much more quickly than imagined.

Meng Fei was utterly incorrect.

Liu Changjie might need issues coping with Dragon Fifth, however he was positively a grasp at coping with ladies.

He wasn’t simply good at it, he was knowledgeable.

At this level, Meng Fei and he have been good mates. They have been the happiest once they had ladies and wine at hand, and curses for Dragon Fifth on their lips.

And an viewers.

All of the individuals on this place have been enemies of Dragon Fifth. Solely individuals who had suffered losses at his hand, but escaped dying, can be invited by Meng Fei right here, to be entertained with the best wine and girls, then despatched away with journey bills coated.

The 2 characters within the nickname “Meng Chang” got here from this follow. As for the “Iron Guts” nickname, it merely meant that he didn’t concern dying. Solely individuals who didn’t concern dying would dare to oppose Dragon Fifth.

A lot wine was imbibed, and the cursing proceeded with vigor.

It was already late at night time [3]. Those that have been solely listening have been drained, however those that have been cursing Dragon Fifth have been full of vitality.

Ultimately, there have been solely two individuals left within the room, they usually had already drunk sufficient wine for ten individuals.

Liu Changjie all of the sudden requested Meng Fei, “Had been you additionally crushed up by him?”

Meng Fei shook his head. “By no means.”

“Did he kill your son? Steal your spouse?”

“No.”

“So why do you hate him a lot?”

“As a result of he’s a son of a b*tch.”

Liu Changjie was silent for a second. “Really, he isn’t actually a son of a b*tch.”

Meng Fei laughed. “I do know. He doesn’t even examine to canine.”

Liu Changjie was silent once more, however then laughed. “Really, he’s a bit of bit higher than canine.”

Meng Fei stared at him for a protracted second. Then he reluctantly agreed. “Perhaps a bit of higher. However on the most he’s solely a bit of higher.”

“No less than he’s a bit of smarter than a canine.”

Meng Fei agreed reluctantly. “There are positively some canine on the earth that aren’t as good as him.”

“In any case,” stated Liu Changjie, “An individual like ‘Lion King’ Lan Tianmeng is keen to be his lackey; it reveals that even when he isn’t an incredible particular person, he a minimum of is keen to deal with individuals properly typically. In any other case, nobody can be keen to work so arduous for him.”

“He didn’t deal with you properly,” stated Meng Fei coldly.

Liu Changjie sighed. “Really, it’s not an enormous shock. I’m only a stranger, and he had no thought who I used to be. How might he know whether or not or not I might actually assist him together with his job?”

Meng Fei all of the sudden slapped the desk and jumped up. Watching Liu Changjie, he shouted, “What’s that presupposed to imply!? He beat you half to dying, and also you’re all of the sudden speaking about going to work for him once more!?”

“I’m simply pondering,” stated Liu Changjie calmly. “Perhaps there was a purpose he handled me like that. He doesn’t appear to be a very unreasonable particular person.”

Meng Fei laughed coldly. “Don’t inform me you need to go see him once more, and ask him why he beat you?”

“That’s precisely what I’m saying.”

Meng Fei stared hatefully. “Go away!” he roared. “Get the hell out of right here! Go away via the again door. The quicker you get the hell out of right here, the higher!”

Liu Changjie stood up and headed towards the door behind the room.

The doorway was slim, and the door had been closed this complete time. On the opposite aspect was not a courtyard as anticipated, however as an alternative, an exquisitely adorned non-public room. There was no different door within the room, not even something that appeared like a door.

However, inside, there have been two individuals.

**

Dragon Fifth reclined on a leopard pores and skin sofa, resting with eyes closed. The green-robed, middle-aged man with white stockings stood over a small, crimson clay oven, warming wine. Lan Tianmeng was nowhere to be seen.

As quickly as Liu Changjie opened the door, he caught sight of them.

He was neither afraid nor startled. This astonishing flip of occasions appeared to come back as no shock to him.

Dragon Fifth opened his eyes and stared at him, and the corners of his mouth twisted right into a smile. “Now I do know why you’re not in the least well-known,” he stated.

Liu Changjie stood there listening.

“Training martial artwork requires a whole lot of effort and time,” Dragon Fifth continued with a smile. “And ladies are the identical. You’re good at each issues. How might you’ve time and vitality for the rest?”

Liu Changjie laughed. “There are even different issues I can do properly that you simply don’t learn about.”

“Equivalent to?”

“Ingesting.”

“You possibly can positively drink so much.”

“However, I don’t get drunk in a short time.”

“Oh?”

“In the present day I’ve had way more to drink than the day I met you. And right this moment I’m not in the least drunk.”

Dragon Fifth all of the sudden stopped laughing. A glance as sharp as a blade all of the sudden stuffed his eyes as he stared at Liu Changjie.

Liu Changjie stood there quietly, not avoiding his gaze.

“Sit,” stated Dragon Fifth. “Please, sit.”

Liu Changjie sat.

“It appears I’ve underestimated you,” stated Dragon Fifth.

“It’s not that you simply underestimated me. You didn’t belief me, that’s all.”

“You’re a stranger.”

“So that you wanted to research my background. See if I used to be telling the reality.”

“You actually aren’t silly,” stated Dragon Fifth.

“If what I stated was true, it’s nonetheless not too late to make use of me. If what I stated wasn’t true, then it’s nonetheless not too late to kill me. In any case, I’ve been in your grasp this complete time.”

“Oh?”

“Meng Fei saving me,” stated Liu Changjie, “was clearly organized by you. His arrival was far too coincidental.”

“What else are you aware?”

“I do know that an individual such as you would positively want just a few enemies like Meng Fei. Enemies can do issues for you that mates can’t do… In any case, they will hear about issues your mates would by no means hear about.”

Dragon Fifth sighed once more. “It appears you might be something however silly. You’re really fairly clever.”

Liu Changjie didn’t deny it.

Dragon Fifth continued, “Should you knew about my relationship with Meng Fei all alongside, then you could have additionally determined a very long time in the past to come back on the lookout for me.”

“If not, then why would I wait right here for thus lengthy?”

“So that you have been pretending to be drunk that day?”

“As I stated, my alcohol tolerance is admittedly excessive.”

“However,” stated Dragon Fifth icily, “you made one mistake.”

“You assume I shouldn’t have admitted that simply now?”

Dragon Fifth nodded his head. “A wise particular person wouldn’t solely faux to be drunk, they’d additionally faux to be confused. One particular person discovering out the reality about your deception can be an excessive amount of, and your life wouldn’t proceed for very lengthy.”

Liu Changjie laughed. “After all I’ve some good causes for telling you.”

“Like what?”

“You coming again for me signifies that you simply investigated me, came upon that what I stated was true, and are ready to make use of me.”

“Hold going.”

“The matter you needed Du Qi and the others to deal with, it was clearly one thing crucial. You positively wouldn’t need to use a confused drunkard to deal with it.”

“You’re attempting to persuade me that you’re able to serving to me accomplish this job, aren’t you?”

Liu Changjie nodded. “If you attain thirty years of age, in the event you haven’t achieved one thing to shock the heavens and rock the earth, you would possibly by no means be capable of.”

Dragon Fifth gazed at him, his pale white face coated with a smile. “Can you’ve just a few extra drinks with me?” he requested all of the sudden.

Half 3

The alcohol arrived, already heated.

Dragon Fifth lifted his cup slowly and stated, “It’s not typically that I drink wine, and never typically that I toast others. However right this moment, I have to toast you 3 times.”

Liu Changjie pressured himself to not let any form of excited or grateful expression seem in his eyes. It was positively not simple for Dragon Fifth to toast him like this.

Dragon Fifth drank the primary cup and smiled. “I drink to you as a result of I’m very comfortable. I really imagine you can accomplish this job.”

“I’ll dedicate myself to it completely.”

“This job… It’s not solely crucial, it’s additionally very harmful, and very confidential.” His expression as soon as once more was very severe. “The way in which I handled you that day … it wasn’t solely as a result of I didn’t belief you.”

Liu Changjie listened attentively.

Dragon Fifth continued, “I couldn’t let anybody know that you’re working for me. So I wanted everybody to imagine that we’re enemies, that you simply hate me to the bones.”

This was positively mutual deception, the trick of self-inflicted harm. [4]

Liu Changjie understood, however was not sure about one factor: “So even Lan Tianmeng doesn’t know all the main points?”

Dragon Fifth nodded. “The less individuals who know the main points, the much less hazard you may be in, and the better your probabilities of success.”

Liu Changjie all of the sudden realized that Dragon Fifth solely actually trusted two individuals: the green-robed middle-aged man with white stockings, and Meng Fei.

“I stated earlier than,” Dragon Fifth continued, “I don’t have mates, and I don’t have enemies.”

“Sure, you stated that earlier than.”

“Besides, it’s not true.” Dragon Fifth had a really unusual expression on his face. “I not solely have a buddy, I even have an enemy, and a spouse.”

Moved, Liu Changjie stated, “Who’re they?”

“Not they. Her.”

Liu Changjie didn’t perceive.

Dragon Fifth went on, “My buddy can also be my enemy, and in addition my spouse. They’re all the identical particular person.”

Liu Changjie was much more confused, and couldn’t assist however ask, “Who’s she?”

“Her title is Qiu Hengbo.”

Liu Changjie was shocked. “You imply Madam Autumn?” [5]

“You’ve heard of her?”

“I’m afraid there isn’t an individual in Jianghu who doesn’t know who she is.”

“Nevertheless,” stated Dragon Fifth coldly, “you positively didn’t know that she was my spouse.”

“Was?”

“Though we aren’t husband and spouse any extra, we’re nonetheless mates.”

“However …”

Dragon Fifth’s pale face had turned ashen. “Her hatred for me way back seeped to the very marrow of her bones. In truth, the explanation she married me was as a result of she hated me.”

But once more, Liu Changjie was confused, however he wasn’t keen to ask extra questions. When coping with individuals like Dragon Fifth, it was usually higher to not perceive an excessive amount of about their secrets and techniques.

Dragon Fifth had closed his mouth, and his eyes as properly. He didn’t appear keen transfer, not to mention say something additional. After a while had handed, he requested, “Have you ever seen my martial arts?”

“No.”

“Have you learnt how highly effective they’re?”

“I don’t.”

He closed his eyes once more after which slowly stretched out a hand.

It was pale white and really delicate.

His handcrafted a sluggish clawing gesture within the air.

Abruptly, miraculously, from inside the small crimson clay oven, a burning sizzling coal lifted up and flew into his hand.

His hand slowly closed over the red-hot coal.

Moments later, he unfold his hand to disclose nothing however gray ash.

“I’m not simply displaying off my martial arts,” Dragon Fifth stated coldly. “I’m illustrating two necessary factors.”

Liu Changjie requested no questions. He knew Dragon Fifth would make his level.

As anticipated, he went on. “Though I’ve mastered this sort of martial artwork, I nonetheless can’t deal with this matter myself.”

He gazed on the chilly ash in his palm. “The emotions we had for one another, are like this lifeless ash, unimaginable to rekindle.”

**

This was positively a wierd and attention-grabbing affair, and the 2 individuals concerned utterly the ultimate.

One was the best hero below heaven, the opposite was probably the most stunning and mysterious lady on the earth.

Though Liu Changjie didn’t know so much in regards to the world, he had way back heard legends of Madam Autumn.

There have been many legends.

And all of the tales about her have been identical to she herself, mysterious and delightful.

All of the heroes in Jianghu needed to put eyes on her. However nobody ever laid eyes on her.

Subsequently, many individuals had taken to calling her “Madam Lovesickness,” due to the numerous males who pined after her.

Who would ever have imagined that “Madam Lovesickness” would become Dragon Fifth’s spouse?

And who might fathom the thriller and strangeness of their relationship?

She was not solely his spouse, but in addition his buddy. However why was she his enemy?

They have been the perfect couple, and one would assume they’d love one another dearly. How might they ever divorce?

There have to be a posh and weird story concerned, and Liu Changjie was anxious to listen to extra.

However anybody who knew Dragon Fifth’s technique of communication knew that it was like he himself; as with a mystical dragon, in the event you caught sight of the pinnacle, the tail can be nowhere in sight.

Abruptly, he switched subjects. “It occurred a very long time in the past,” he stated indifferently. “Not very many individuals on the earth learn about it. In truth, nearly nobody. You don’t actually need to know the main points.”

Liu Changjie didn’t let his disappointment present. In any case, he was superb at controlling himself.

“You solely have to know one factor,” stated Dragon Fifth.

Liu Changjie sat listening.

“The particular person I need you to go take care of is her. I want you to go to her, and retrieve an object for me.”

“Retrieve?”

“If you wish to use the phrase steal,” stated Dragon Fifth coolly, “I assume there’s no hurt.”

Liu Changjie set free a breath. “Nicely, on the final, I have to know two extra issues.”

“Sure?”

“The place am I going? And what am I stealing?”

Dragon Fifth answered the second query first. “You can be stealing a field.”

He motioned together with his hand, and the green-robed man stepped ahead.

He positioned a field onto the desk. It was constituted of gold, and the highest was adorned with a fragile Dragon and Phoenix design, inlaid with jasper.

“It appears precisely like this,” stated Dragon Fifth.

Liu Changjie couldn’t maintain again. “What’s inside it?”

Dragon Fifth hesitated.”You don’t actually need to know,” he stated, “however I suppose it wouldn’t damage to inform you. Contained in the field is a bottle of drugs.”

Liu Changjie was stunned. “That’s it? Only a bottle of drugs?”

Dragon Fifth nodded. “Sure. However so far as I’m involved, that bottle of drugs is extra helpful than all of the riches on the earth.” He gazed sharply at Liu Changjie, and continued, “I’m positive you possibly can inform that I’m sick.”

After all Liu Changjie might inform. However, he additionally knew that this one sick particular person, by merely waving a hand, might have many of the wholesome individuals on the earth killed if he wished.

Seeing the expression on his face, Dragon Fifth laughed. “I do know what you’re pondering. There are various sick individuals on the earth, and amongst them, I’m probably the most scary. However when all is alleged and completed, sick continues to be sick.”

Liu Changjie hesitated for a second, then requested, “That one bottle of drugs can remedy your sickness?”

“Have you learnt the story of Hou Yi and Chang’e?” [6]

After taking pictures the 9 suns, Hou Yi visited the Western Paradise and beseeched the Queen of Heaven to provide him a bottle containing the elixir of immortality. Sadly, the elixir was stolen by Chang’e.

Though Chang’e attained immortality, the value she paid was an eternity of loneliness.

“Chang’e regretted stealing the elixir, and solely the deep inexperienced sea and blue heavens accompanied her in her loneliness.”

“Our story,” stated Dragon Fifth, “is similar as theirs.”

He didn’t say something extra, however Liu Changjie understood.

Maybe Dragon Fifth had some congenital situation, or maybe he had carried out hearth deviation when practising martial arts. In any case, he’d acquired some unusual sickness, and it tormented him like maggots gnawing on his bones.

Then lastly, he had acquired some form of mystical elixir that might remedy his illness, solely to have it stolen away by his spouse.

Subsequently, he had sought out somebody to assist take care of her. And naturally, he was additionally afraid of the knowledge leaking out.

Dragon Fifth’s gaze was mounted on a faraway place, and the expression on his face was both ache or loneliness.

May or not it’s that on this story, the lonely one was not Chang’e however Hou Yi?

Dragon Fifth regularly stated, “I do know that after she stole the medication, she had no regrets, and felt no loneliness. Actualy, she used that bottle to power me to do many issues I in any other case would by no means have completed.”

The ache and loneliness in his eyes had reworked right into a pernicious anger. “I have to not hesitate any longer. I have to retrieve that bottle of drugs!”

Liu Changjie couldn’t maintain again any longer. “The place is it?” he requested.

“Getting it, taking one thing so helpful proper out of her palms, shouldn’t be a easy matter.”

Liu Changjie knew this already.

“She hid the field in a small cave within the Qixia Mountains. Then she discovered seven skilled fighters, fugitives who had fled Jianghu and had no place to go, and employed them to protect the cave.”

Liu Changjie all of the sudden considered the person who might kill others quicker than lightning, “One Hand, Seven Assassins” Du Qi.

“Blocking the doorway of the key room within the cave is an iron gate weighing about 1,000 kilos.”

Liu Changjie all of the sudden considered the miraculous power of Shi Zhong.

“Inside the key room is a hidden door, and that’s the place the field is situated. To open the door, you could first choose seven locks. The locks have been crafted by probably the most expert and well-known craftsmen on the earth.”

Liu Changjie all of the sudden considered Gongsun Miao.

“Crucial factor to recollect, although, is that her residence is situated very near the cave. If the slightest alarm is raised, she might be there nearly instantly. And as soon as she arrives, nobody on the earth would be capable of take the field away.”

Liu Changjie set free a breath. He all of the sudden understood one thing crucial: Dragon Fifth wasn’t simply afraid of Madam Autumn due to the bottle of drugs she held hostage. No less than half his concern was due to her martial arts.

Her martial capability was clearly a minimum of that of Dragon Fifth’s.

“Fortunately,” continued Dragon Fifth, “she has a really ridiculous behavior: she sleeps every single day from eleven within the morning till one within the afternoon, and earlier than she sleeps she should cowl each inch of her physique with a particular honey oil of her personal manufacture.” The hateful expression as soon as once more returned to his face. “This follow takes a minimum of one hour every single day. Throughout that point, she locks herself in her room. Even when the heavens collapsed, she wouldn’t know.”

Liu Changjie lastly began to know why they ended up divorcing.

If he had a spouse who spouse spent an hour every single day on such a ridiculous follow, he wouldn’t be capable of take it both.

Most males on the earth most likely wouldn’t be capable of take this sort of customized. Anybody would assume that being pressured to sleep with a spouse coated in honey oil was a frightful factor.

Seeing the expression on Liu Changjie’s face, Dragon Fifth stated, “It truly is a disgusting factor. However that hour is the one probability you’ll have to make your transfer.”

“So,” stated Liu Changjie, “I’ll have one hour to kill the seven fugitives, carry the iron gate, choose the seven locks, seize the field, and escape a minimum of fifty miles away earlier than she will begin pursuing me.”

Dragon Fifth nodded. “As I stated, this actually is a job for 3 individuals.”

Liu Changjie sighed and laughed bitterly. “And it actually does require Du Qi, Shi Zhong and Gongsun Miao, all three of them.”

“However you already destroyed them,” replied Dragon Fifth icily. “I gained’t be capable of discover anybody like them ever once more.”

Liu Changjie understood how he felt. “So I positively should assist you to.”

“Are you sure you possibly can deal with it?”

“Probably not.”

Dragon Fifth’s eyes narrowed.

Liu Changjie continued calmly, “It doesn’t matter what I do in my life, I by no means begin out feeling assured.”

“However ultimately, you at all times accomplish every thing you got down to do.”

Liu Changjie laughed. “My insecurity is the explanation I’m so cautious and cautious.”

Dragon Fifth laughed. “Good. Excellent. I really like cautious and cautious individuals.”

“Sadly, I’m not likely positive what to do subsequent.”

“Why?”

“As a result of I nonetheless don’t know the place the cave is.”

Dragon Fifth laughed once more. Smiling, he waved a hand.

The green-robed middle-aged man stepped ahead and positioned a financial institution word onto the desk.

“That is price fifty-thousand items of silver. Take it, and go have some enjoyable for just a few days.”

Liu Changjie took it instantly.

“I solely hope you can spend all fifty-thousand inside ten days.”

“It gained’t be simple to spend all of it,” laughed Liu Changjie, “however I can discover some ladies to purchase homes for and the remainder I can lose playing.”

“These two plans are virtually the identical,” stated Dragon Fifth with an amused expression. “You shouldn’t have any downside spending the cash. Whoever takes this job, they should chill out a bit earlier than setting out. In any other case, they won’t be capable of deal with the difficulties later.”

“What difficulties?” stated Liu Changjie indifferently. “I’m not outdated and ineffective like Lan Tianmeng.”

Dragon Fifth laughed loudly.

The center-aged man checked out him, shocked. Nobody had ever seen him chortle so loudly earlier than.

However the laughing ended shortly, and as soon as once more his face was somber. “After the ten days are up, you gained’t have any extra probabilities to sleep with ladies or drink even a drop of wine.”

“I’ve the sensation that after ten days like this, I gained’t be keen on ladies in any respect for some time.”

“Good. Excellent. After the ten days, I’ll ship somebody to seek out you and take you to the cave.”

He all of the sudden seemed to be very weary once more. He waved a hand and stated, “You possibly can go now.”

Liu Changjie made to depart.

“What did you consider these six ladies outdoors?”

“They have been nice.”

“Should you really feel prefer it, there’s no hurt in taking them with you.”

“Are all the opposite ladies on the earth lifeless or one thing?”

“No.”

“If there are nonetheless different ladies on the earth, what do I want these six for?”

Half 4

Liu Changjie left.

As Dragon Fifth watched him go, the sharp expression as soon as once more shone in his face.

“What do you consider him?” he requested all of the sudden.

The green-robed, middle-aged man with white stockings stood tall and straight subsequent to the door. After a very long time, he responded, “He’s a really harmful particular person.”

He spoke each phrase very slowly, as if he had fastidiously deliberated earlier than opening his mouth.

“A blade can also be very harmful,” replied Dragon Fifth.

The green-robed man nodded. “A blade can be utilized to kill others, however it may well additionally reduce your individual hand.”

“And if the blade was in your hand?”

“I by no means reduce myself.”

Dragon Fifth laughed dully. “I wish to make use of harmful individuals, simply as you wish to make use of a swift blade.”

“I perceive.”

“I knew you’d…”

This time when he closed his eyes, he didn’t open them once more.

It appeared he had fallen asleep.

Liu Changjie was lengthy gone from Meng Fei’s residence.

**

He didn’t see Meng Fei, and he didn’t see the six ladies.

As he walked alongside, he didn’t even see the shadow of one other particular person. Meng Fei clearly didn’t actually wish to see individuals off, and Liu Changjie didn’t wish to be seen off.

He walked slowly alongside the street, wanting very calm and relaxed.

He appeared precisely like an individual ought to who has fifty-thousand items of silver to eliminate in ten days of enjoyable.

His solely downside was, what precisely was he going to do? How might he eliminate all the cash?

Anybody who had this downside wouldn’t really feel irritated.

Really, everybody likes to consider what they’d do if they’d this downside. In truth, individuals who don’t have fifty-thousand items of silver like to fantasize in regards to the chance.

Fifty thousand, and a ten loopy days of trip.

Any one who considered one thing like this may positively chortle themselves awake.

**

Hangzhou was a bustling metropolis.

And inside bustling cities, there naturally existed loads of playing and girls. And these have been two issues one might positively spend some huge cash on.

Particularly playing.

Liu Changjie first discovered a number of of the costliest ladies, then received actually drunk, after which went playing.

Getting actually drunk after which playing is like hitting your head towards an enormous rock; any successful that occurs is extraordinarily unusual.

However, unusual issues occur on a regular basis.

Liu Changjie unexpectedly gained, incomes one other fifty thousand!

At first, he determined to spend the fifty thousand on 5 ladies. However the subsequent day, he realized that every of the 5 ladies he’d discovered was extra annoying than the subsequent, extra ugly than the subsequent, a lot in order that they weren’t even price one thousand.

Lots of males are like this. Late at night time, they get drunk and discover a lady who’s as stunning as a goddess. Then, the subsequent morning, they all of the sudden discover that she’s modified.

So he fled the brothel as if he was working for his life, and instantly discovered one other. He received drunk, after which determined that he’d positively discovered the best place.

The ladies right here actually have been goddesses.

However the subsequent morning, he all of the sudden realized that the ladies right here have been much more annoying than the ladies from the primary place, much more ugly, so dangerous that he couldn’t even take a look at them.

Later, the Madam of the brothel would inform those that from the time she began working at age 12, till the time she grew to become the Madam, she had by no means encountered a extra heartless buyer as “that man surnamed Liu.”

He actually was a fickle particular person.

**

When Liu Changjie left the Heavenly Perfume Pavilion, it was already afternoon time.

He had simply spent eighty items of silver to order a desk stuffed with the restaurant’s complete line of “Eight Treasures” dishes. Then he requested the waiter to put the dishes on the desk and take a look at them. Afterwards, he paid 100 and twenty silver and left.

He didn’t eat one chew, he simply glanced on the dishes. In any case, it’s stated that wealthy individuals are typically like this; they order dishes and simply sit there watching others eat.

Fortunately, the earlier night time he misplaced a bit, however he nonetheless had greater than seventy thousand silver left.

He all of the sudden thought to himself that to spend fifty thousand in ten days wasn’t that simple a matter in any case.

Proper now spring was turning into summer season, the climate was fantastic, and the sunshine was as recent because the look of a virgin.

He determined to go out of the town once more. Perhaps the cool breezes of the town outskirts would assist him consider a technique to spend the cash.

He purchased two advantageous horses and a brand new carriage, then employed a powerful younger driver.

He spent a little or no little bit of effort together with one thousand 5 hundred silver. Generally cash actually did assist you to to save lots of time.

Exterior the town, he caught sight of the distant, inexperienced mountains, their mild curves identical to the breasts of a virgin.

He advised the motive force to convey the carriage to a cease beneath a willow tree. He received out and began to stroll alongside the lakeshore. A light-weight breeze blew alongside the floor of the lake; the rippling water appeared just like the navel of a virgin.

It appeared that something stunning brought on him to consider ladies. He laughed in his coronary heart.

He thought to himself, “I actually am a womanizer.”

As he began to assume alongside these strains, he all of the sudden caught web site of a girl ten occasions extra stunning than the daylight, the distant mountains, or the rippling lake.

The girl was standing in a small courtyard, feeding chickens, carrying inexperienced robes. The entrance flap of her garment was folded up and stuffed with rice; her plump, smooth mouth pursed as she made clucking sounds on the chickens.

He had by no means seen a extra beautiful and delicate mouth.

It was sizzling, and her clothes have been skinny, the collar loosened to disclose a fragile white neck. It will trigger anybody to consider different components of her physique. And that was to not point out her naked ft, which have been adorned solely with wood clogs.

“Her clogged ft as white as hoarfrost, no have to put on tabi socks.” [7]

Liu Changjie all of the sudden thought that whoever wrote these two strains of poetry actually didn’t perceive ladies. Who would ever use the phrase “hoarfrost” to explain a girl’s foot? A lot better to explain them as milky, like white jade, or as vivid as a freshly peeled boiled egg.

From inside the home all of the sudden emerged a person. He was older, and his face appeared hateful, particularly his eyes, which stared on the lady’s plump, spherical posterior. He all of the sudden stepped ahead and rubbed her rear finish, then tried to tug her into the home.

The girl chuckled and shook her head, pointing to the solar within the sky. She clearly was saying that it was too early, there was no purpose to be concerned.

The person was clearly her husband.

Fascinated with how the person would drag her into mattress as soon as it was darkish, Liu Changjie all of the sudden had an nearly uncontrollable urge to strike him sq. on the nostril.

Sadly for anybody who want to see such a scene, Liu Changjie was not such an irrational particular person. Even when he needed to strike somebody within the face in such a means, he wouldn’t use his fist.

He all of the sudden rushed again to the town, took all of the financial institution notes and exchanged them for silver ingots. Then he returned to the lake.

The girl wasn’t feeding the geese any extra. The couple have been already sitting on the gate. He was consuming tea, she was mending garments.

Her fingers have been lengthy and delicate, if she used them to stroke the physique of a person, the sensation would positively …

Liu Changjie couldn’t endure any longer. He knocked on the gate, and with out ready for a response, pushed it open and entered.

The person stood up, obvious. “Who’re you? What are you doing her?”

Liu Changjie laughed. “I’m surnamed Liu, and I got here right here simply to go to you two!”

“I don’t know you!”

Liu Changjie smiled, and produced one of many silver ingots. “However you realize these, don’t you?”

After all, everybody knew what they have been. The person’s eyes appeared to glaze over. “That’s silver. A silver ingot.”

“What number of ingots like this do you’ve?”

The person was speechless. He clearly didn’t have any silver ingots. The girl couldn’t assist however stroll over to look; her ft couldn’t cease.

Issues like ingots have an innate attractiveness, and even when they don’t suck individuals in bodily, they will positively dampen most peoples’ conscience.

Liu Changjie laughed. He waved his hand, and the motive force instantly produced 4 massive bins full of silver ingots, putting them within the courtyard.

“This right here is price fifty silver, and these bins altogether comprise one thousand 2 hundred ingots.”

The person’s eyes bulged. The girl’s face was crimson and he or she breathed raggedly, identical to a younger lady whose coronary heart raced as she caught web site of her first lover.

“Would you like these ingots?”

The person nodded instantly.

“Okay,” stated Liu Changjie. “If you’d like them, I’ll give them to you.”

The person’s eyes appeared about to come out of his head.

“You possibly can take two of the bins and go now,” stated Liu Changjie. “Go anyplace you need. The carriage will take you there, so long as you come in seven days.” Smiling, and looking out on the lady out of the nook of his eye, he continued, “The opposite bins, depart right here together with your spouse. They may all be right here for you once you return.”

The person’s face turned crimson, and sweat started dripping down his face. He appeared again at his spouse.

She wasn’t taking a look at him. Her two stunning eyes have been staring on the bins of silver.

The person caught out his tongue and licked his ruddy lips. He stammered, “You … you … what do you assume?”

She bit her lip, then all of the sudden turned her head and ran again into the home.

The person made to comply with, then stopped.

He had already been sucked in by the silver.

“You simply have to depart for seven days,” stated Liu Changjie all of the sudden. “Seven days aren’t a really very long time.”

The person grabbed an ingot from one of many bins and bit it, so arduous that his tooth nearly broke.

After all the silver was actual.

“You possibly can come again in seven days, and your spouse…”

The person didn’t look ahead to him to complete talking. Utilizing all of the power he might muster, he dragged a field of silver into the carriage with him.

The motive force helped him with the opposite field.

Panting, embracing the silver, the person stated, “Go! Get out of right here shortly! Go anyplace, so far as attainable!”

Liu Changjie laughed once more.

Because the carriage sped away, he lifted up the remaining two bins of silver and carried them slowly into the home. He closed the door and bolted it.

The door to the inside room was open, the door curtain half raised. The ladies sat on the mattress inside, biting her lip, her face as flush as a peach blossom.

Liu Changjie entered smiling. “What are you pondering?” he requested softly.

“I’m pondering that you simply’re actually a f*cking bastard. No person would consider one thing like this besides an individual such as you.”

Liu Changjie sighed, and laughed bitterly. “I simply made a wager with myself. If Hu Yue’er’s first sentence didn’t comprise the phrase ‘f*cking,’ I wouldn’t take a look at a girl for 3 months.”

[1] Liu Changjie’s dwelling village is “Yang Liu,” the identical Yang Liu he used when describing his title, which suggests “Willow and Poplar timber” and accommodates the identical “Liu” as his surname.

[2] Right here, sticky rice dumpling refers to zongzi, that are historically eaten throughout Dragonboat Pageant, and are wrapped in a bamboo leaf and tied up with string.

[3] The Chinese language narrative shouldn’t be very clear about how a lot time passes at Meng Fei’s throughout this half, however from info gleaned later, evidently it was a number of days. The night time it describes right here is after that.

[4] This half consists of two actually cool Chinese language phrases. The primary is 周瑜打黄盖 zhōuyú dǎ huáng gài, a narrative from the Three Kingdoms interval, the place Huang Gai lets himself be crushed by Normal Zhou Yu, to trick Cao Cao. That is a part of the Battle of Crimson Cliff part of the story. The opposite phrase is 苦肉计 kǔròujì, which can also be a part of the title of this chapter. It principally means to harm your self to win the boldness of the enemy.

[5] The phrase I am translating as Autumn really implies a bit of extra than simply Autumn. It is a phrase which means “limpid Autumn water,” typically used to explain a girl’s eyes (in response to the dictionary). However that is a bit of bit sophisticated so I am sticking with Autumn.

[6] I’m positive most individuals accustomed to Chinese language tradition will know one thing in regards to the story of Hou Yi and Chang’e. Right here’s hyperlinks to wikipedia articles on them in case you’re keen on studying extra in regards to the background. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hou_Yi http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chang_E

[7] The phrase “tabi” is definitely Japanese, referring to the kind of socks which have a separation between the massive toe and the opposite toes. These sort of socks existed in China too, however I’m undecided of another phrase for them in English aside from the Japanese phrase.