Book 18 Chapter 1 – A Remark Startling Four Tables

The tip of the whips collided, producing a sharp and clear noise.

In the midst of Wang Bo’s long laughter, his left sleeve shot a section of long whip, about a zhang or so, which seemed to have been knocked out by the opponent’s reaction force that it turned into a nine-bend, ten-section long snake, but the fluctuation amplitude defied common sense; because based on the power he demonstrated just now, he ought to be able to defeat Yuchi Jingde quite comfortably.

But what happened was that this young martial art master’s Gui Zang Whip appeared to generate rainbow-like vitality; it coiled back like a vicious dragon biting the opponent.

Another sudden change.

Wang Bo swiftly traversed sideways. Delicate like a human finger the Ding Shi Whip moved forward in high speed, which was difficult to see with naked eye, in spiraling motion; like a spark from a flint it wrapped itself around the Gui Zang Whip, and swiftly pulled back. Not only he evaded the attack of the tip of the whip, he was able to pull the opponent’s whip taut.

Simultaneously, another piece of Ding Xing [sic] Whip [not sure if this is a typo, or the left and right whips had different names. Ding Xing means ‘determining the nature (of something negative, e.g. error or crime)’] bored out of his sleeve, slipped down to the floor first, and then slid toward the opponent, and when it was about five chi away from the enemy’s feet, like a viper rising its head with tongue sticking out, fast as lightning it jabbed Yuchi Jingde’s lower abdomen.

This kind of finesse, where he was able to control the thin and flexible long whip, as if it were alive, following his heart’s desire, indeed made people gasp in amazement. This time even Li Shimin had his countenance changed slightly. Wang Bo’s skill was really high, his strength powerful, indeed his name was not in vain.

But Yuchi Jingde remained calm without any fear; lightning fast he slid sideways and backwards, taking advantage of the tension of the whips entangled each other, he made a half circle with Wang Bo as the center of rotation, and then, to everybody’s surprise, he charged swiftly toward Wang Bo.

Due to the whiplash, the two entangled whips immediately moved in a wave-like motion with an ever-increasing amplitude.

Wang Bo let out a cold humph.

He had transmitted his inner power via the whip to attack the enemy for more than dozen times, to jolt the enemy so his blood and qi would surge over. But Yuchi Jingde’s level of strength exceeded his expectation, so that a murderous intent rose up in his heart.

Over time, there would come a day where Yuchi Jingde would surpass him to become the Whip King of the new generation.

The right hand Ding Xing Whip retracted into his sleeve.

Wang Bo lowered his waist in a horse stance. The Ding Shi Whip trembled again, the qi traveled to the tip of the whip, which Yuchi Jingde immediately ‘pushed’ back. By the time Wang Bo rushed his power to make a kill, Yuchi Jingde’s Gui Zang Whip followed his backward momentum, suddenly it separated from Wang Bo’s whip, coiled back into a more than a dozen loops, which he held tight in his hand, while he himself happened to withdraw to Rong Fengxiang’s side.

Cupping his fist in salute, he said, “Wanggong’s whip technique is indeed unrivalled in Jianghu, there is nothing better under the heavens. Jingde reaped not a shallow benefit tonight; his future success is really bestowed by Wanggong.”

Inwardly Wang Bo cried, ‘What a pity!’ but on the surface he assumed a magnanimous, generous in spirit, appearance. Pulling the whip back into his sleeve, he chuckled and said, “The rear waves of the Yangtze River drive on those before; Ol’ Wang is getting on in year!”

Amidst the thunderous applause, Rong Fengxiang assumed his status as the host, politely he ushered the two back toward their banquet tables.

Meanwhile, Hou Xibai took this moment to go to the garden outside.

Rong Jiaojiao, Dong Shuni, and the other younger generations crowded Rong Fengxiang’s table to offer their toast on the elderly gentleman whose birthday was being celebrated today. The jubilant and warm atmosphere replaced the earlier whip wind and palm shadow scene.

After a round of toasts, Rong Fengxiang, surrounded by the younger generations, walked over to the front two halls to socialize with the other guests.

※ ※ ※

Zheng Shiru, still separated by Kou Zhong, was showing off his talent and passion to Shang Xiufang. But he was indeed an erudite and multi-talented man. From talking about singing, literature, such as bianwen[1], scriptures, classical Chinese poems, poetry, books, poetic essays, to music and dancing, all kinds of theatrical arts, wine-drinking game, craft and art, to musical lyrics creation, the rising of chuanqi [fiction short stories of the Tang and Song dynasties], narrative poem’s growth, he was able to discuss without extra trouble, to explain in vivid details and insight.

Although Kou Zhong harbored enmity toward him, for instance, due to his close relationship with Yin Gui Pai, he could not but admit that in terms of knowledge and experience, he was more established than Bai Lao Fuzi [see Book 1 Chapter 1], which was, to Kou Zhong, of the grand professor level.

Much to his surprise, Shang Xiufang’s repartee was not inferior in any sense to the opposite party; evidently her knowledge in all aspects was no less than this ‘Henan Mad Scholar’ Zheng Shiru, who whether intentionally or otherwise, threw the questions out in the open, and thus letting all the ladies around the table to participate in the discussion. The atmosphere was getting even more blazing.

Yet Kou Zhong was unable to express himself even