Book 24 Chapter 9 – Bizarre Changes Occurring A Hundred Times

The snipe and the clam fight each other, the fisherman reaps the benefit [Chinese idiom based on a fable[1] (Baike Baidu, in Chinese)].

Nobody could imagine that Wanwan would appear in this critical moment. And as soon as she made her move, she seized the ‘Immortal Print Scroll’.

Moreover, Xu Ziling secretly blamed himself for being careless. Nobody knew better than he that Wanwan has arrived in Chengdu, so how could she possibly miss the ‘Immortal Print Scroll’, a treasury of the demonic school?

Shi Zhixuan wanted to both unify the world and unify the demonic ways under his control; even if this huge ambition would never happen again, it definitely has not happened before. Since he created the ‘Immortal Print Scroll’, even Zhu Yuyan could not do anything to him. If there was a chance to know anything about secret of the ‘Immortal Print Scroll’ xinfa, it would only bring benefit without any harm. And the ‘Immortal Print Scroll’ in Shi Qingxuan’s hands offered precisely this unique and unmatched golden opportunity.

But this moment it was already too late to be sorry. Like a spirit snake Wanwan’s Tianmo Piaodai [demonic floating ribbon] rolled the Print Scroll, and ‘whoosh!’ like a serpent’s tongue it shrank back into her plain white sleeve and disappeared without any trace.

Xu Ziling had just flown over toward her, with both palms pressing down. This time he went all-out, like a tornado a vortex of energy rolled toward Wanwan.

Wanwan still had the time to cast an emotional glance at him, with hidden bitterness, secret grudge, and with affection in her eyes, as if she wanted to engrave his appearance in her mind. Her left sleeve brushed away carelessly, ‘Bang!’ it met Xu Ziling’s palm power head on.

Once again Xu Ziling was overcome with the terrifying feeling of being trapped inside the four walls of Tianmo energy. ‘Bad!’ he cried inwardly, knowing that he was acting out of his anger, and had lost his cool-headedness in that he was stupid enough to meet force with force. Hurriedly he withdrew most of his power and used his ability to take a breath at high speed while soaring in the air, to fly sideways to evade.

If Wanwan seized this opportunity to pursue and attack, it would be guaranteed that he could not escape alive.

Fortunately Yang Xuyan chose this moment to rush over, while producing fantastical dots of sword light filling the air, to attack Wanwan. Although Wanwan appeared to remain calm and unruffled in the midst of chaos, her pretty eyes showed that she was paying close attention to the attack. Her delicate feet moved rapidly within several chi radius on the ground, as if she was testing Yang Xuyan’s ability to deal with a contingency. At the same time she fixed her eyes on the strange spectacle of his fierce and severe sword qi passing through the Luohan statues standing in great number on both sides – forming a passageway, swiftly coming at her.

An Long and Hou Xibai rushed over from different parts of the hall as if in agreement, forming a pincer attack momentum. On the back there was still Lian Rou, but Shi Qingxuan was nowhere to be seen.

Xu Ziling was standing on the head of one of the revered Luohan statue, flexing his muscles and bones to neutralize Wanwan’s Tianmo energy. His vision encompassed the entire hall, so that he was able to grasp the whole situation immediately.

According to reason, after Wanwan obtained the treasure, she ought to slip away immediately, yet she did not. Xu Ziling understood the reason was because she saw that in his raging temper he became irrational and disregarded life and death to violently attack her. As a result, her murderous desire flared up, even if she could not kill the enemy in one move, she would at least inflict him a heavy internal injury from which he would never recover; therefore, she was willing to meet his attack head on and thus lost a golden opportunity to get away.

However, Wanwan also made mistake in that she miscalculated Xu Ziling’s ability; she thought that after a hard battle against Yang Xuyan, his power would certainly suffer substantial wear and tear, so that even if she failed to injure the enemy, it would still be easy for her to escape. Who would have thought that Xu Ziling had just gained understanding from the five hundred Luohan postures the wide-ranging and profound secret study of the Buddhism, and that his spirit, qi and essence had just reached its peak? On top of that, because of his unique ability to rapidly take a breather, combined with the ‘hua jin da fa’ [big method of transforming power] that he obtained from the ‘Secret to Long Life’ mixed with the Jade Annulus of He Clan, contrary to her expectation, he did not suffer the slightest degree of injury.

However, she was also shocked by Xu Ziling’s reaction that the true qi within her body was surging. By the time she finished circulating her qi to suppress it, the sword qi from Yang Xuyan’s Phantom Sword has already enveloped her, so that she lost the opportunity to take the treasure away.

If Yang Xuyan managed to entangle her, the other martial art masters in the hall would have one, at least half, a chance to take part in the battle, and then Wanwan would not be so sure if she could deal with them.

In that instant Wanwan raised her Tianmo Gong to the limit, while at the same time she coldly said, “An Long, it would be best if you do not meddle in this matter; otherwise, you will become our Yin Gui Pai’s mortal enemy.”

While still speaking, the Tianmo Piaodai from the gauze sleeve of her left hand, like a streak of lightning, ripped through the empty space along the Luohan alley, straight toward the tip of Yang Xuyan’s sword. Its accuracy was hard to believe.

Xu Ziling and the others gasped in amazement.

The floating ribbon split the sword encirclement that it splashed to all directions, several weak Luohan statues, out of a dozen or so, facing the alley immediately suffered the consequences; their hands broke their noses shattered, golden paint peeled and flew off.

Yang Xuyan’s sword movement was actually hard to tell between the real and the fake, but now it was as if the demonic technique of the Phantom Sword immediately changed back into its original form of regular blade from the mortal world, just before the floating ribbon struck the blade; it slightly returned to be ordinary blade that began to spit out a real stab.

‘Crack!’

The two energies collided, producing a crisp explosion.

Yang Xuyan was sent spinning backward, ‘Thump! Thump! Thump!’ only after three consecutive steps did he manage to steady his footing.

As Wanwan’s floating ribbon hit the tip of the blade, immediately it was shaken into a wave-like pattern, strange to the extreme. Her tender body was also violently shaken backward, a shadow of red blush flitted across her pretty face.

The floating ribbon shrank back into the gauzed sleeve.

An Long and Hou Xibai separately came in front and rear of Wanwan’s left side. The former spoke with evil laugh, “Xiao Yatou [little girl/servant girl (used deprecatingly, but sometimes also as a term of endearment), showing that he had neither respect nor fear toward Wanwan], why did you speak so seriously? Looking at your esteemed master’s face, so what if Ol’ An only become a spectator?”

Lian Rou moved far away behind Wanwan, and disappeared behind a Luohan statue.

Xu Ziling still did not see Shi Qingxuan’s fragrant trace. This woman’s conduct has always been hard to fathom; although he was a bit worried, but he was not anxious at all.

‘Qiang!’

Yang Xuyan’s Phantom Sword returned to its sheath. He swept his gaze around first, and then coldly said, “This scroll is completely useless for Da Xiaojie; if you are willing to return it to Zaixia, perhaps Zaixia can help Xiaojie accomplishing your heart’s desire.”

Hou Xibai blurted out laughing and said, “I never thought that unexpectedly my Yang Shixiong [senior martial brother] is a despicable person. He himself is unable to deal with Xu Xiong, he wants to borrow someone else’s hand, yet saying that he wanted to accomplish the beauty’s heart’s desire, while also wanted to have the secret scroll returned to him. One stone, three birds. Fancy that you can think of it.”

Inside his hood, Yang Xuyan’s eyes were flashing like lightning. He laughed aloud and said, “Xu Xiong must not be mistaken, thinking that the Passionate Prince is really passionate. He is only thinking of his own need, not at all concerned about your safety.”

Wanwan disdainfully said, “Wanwan has never discussed business transaction with someone who hide the head and show the tail, who do not dare to reveal his true appearance. Unless you, Yang Xuyan, throw away the hood covering your face, don’t even think that I will be interested in any proposal you are making.”

Yang Xuyan was greatly astonished; he cast a glance at An Long, not understanding why in such situation where there were enemies all around her, Wanwan did not hesitate to offend him at all?

An Long was actually sweeping his gaze around, looking for any traces of Shi Qingxuan. This woman’s martial art was handed-down personally by her mother; she was definitely not so simple.

Wanwan suddenly let out a faint sigh. First she cast a glance at Xu Ziling, who was still standing on a Luohan statue’s head, and then her eyes moved to An Long, who was standing on her left front side. Shaking her head slightly, she said, “I really don’t understand what ghost trick are you, An Long, playing, unexpectedly you did not hesitate to offend us, just for the sake of such a secret scroll containing xinfa that has no usefulness whatsoever for you; presumably you do not dare to set yourself against Shi Zhixuan on the basis of the Print Scroll? Speaking about conduct as human beings, you can’t possibly be stupid enough to seek amusement for no reason at all or for some empty matter. One small mistake, you will invite the disaster of provoking other people to come and kill you.”

[1] A clam was sitting out in the sun when suddenly a snipe flew down to peck at the clam. Suddenly the clam slammed the shell shut, gripping the snipe's beak in between. The snipe said, "If it doesn't rain today, and it doesn't rain tomorrow, I shall see a dead clam on the beach." The clam said, "If I don't open today, and I don't open up tomorrow, I shall see a dead snipe on the beach." While they were still grappling with each other, a fisherman passed by and netted them both. (Source: Wikipedia)

Book 24 Chapter 9 - Part 2

Ysabel, Jaya, Xiaohu, you are welcome. Shirak, I never would have come up with that kind of analysis. Akolaw, I thought the boys have reached AP due to their miraculous encounters? (j/k; for those of you not familiar with American high school, AP stands for Advanced Placement). Sky, I knew it!

It was not a polite remark at all, but An Long was still grinning evilly, and said without much concern, “Didn’t Ol’ An say that I will be the spectator on the wall? However, remembering friendship with your esteemed master, I cannot help offering a bit of advice: Yang Xuyan plus Hou Xibai equal to more than half of Shi Zhixuan; even if your esteemed master personally came, she would not have much advantage. It would be better for Xian Zhinu [worthy/virtuous niece] to hand over the Print Scroll. This is called wise and virtuous woman won’t suffer the loss in front of her eyes; am I right?”

Wanwan smiled and said, “No wonder Shizun [revered master] often said that it is difficult for An Long to become a great man, and can only fit to become stinky-copper unscrupulous businessman. Now you, two opposing sides, are equally matched in term of strength. If I helped one side, the other side would only end up nursing a grievance. An Long, tonight you have fully used the ‘Lotus Ring at the Center of the Sky’ twice, and thus you have become a strong crossbow; this is the right time to kill you. Perhaps Zhinu [niece] might become harsh and unreasonable by throwing the Print Scroll away, and then going all-out to take care of you. That will also be the joy of life.”

Finally An Long’s countenance changed; he was unable to say anything.

Wanwan cast her glance once again toward Xu Ziling, who was perching on high. Raising her sleeve to cover her mouth, she laughed tenderly and said, “Hey you, why are you standing up there eating the northwest wind? Why did your great beauty ignore you?”

Two sides, four men, you look at me, I look at you, but all were at a loss against her. Even though she was trapped in a difficult situation, this remarkably beautiful direct disciple of Yin Gui Pai was still able to exploit the tangled and complicated relationship among them, and still had full control of the situation in her hands.

Yang Xuyan’s eyes shone with deep and cold murderous aura; his hand gripping the sword hilt, he said, “In the end, you just want to carry the scroll and run away. Gentlemen, we might as well have a competition, let’s see who can wrestle the Print Scroll back from her fragrant gauzed sleeve; what do you think?”

This remark was tantamount to asking Xu Ziling and Hou Xibai’s opinion, whether all four of them ought to momentarily lay down the hostility between them to first eliminate Wanwan, and then relying of their strength to decide to whom the Print Scroll should belong to.

Xu Ziling hesitated in his heart.

Although he and Wanwan were archenemies with irreconcilable enmity, but to join hands with An Long, Yang Xuyan, these demonic people, to deal with her, would be less than glorious. However, for lack of better option, presently this was the only way. If not, if she managed to escape, nobody would be able to hold her down.

Among An Long and the others, not one was not a martial art master with enough power to contend against Wanwan one-on-one. Although nobody stated his position yet, but everybody’s spirit and mind were tightly locked onto Wanwan. As soon as she made a slightly different move, they might suddenly attack, because when martial art masters were standing in opposition to each other they would react to subtle changes of qi and intention. Therefore, this moment Wanwan was just like a ferocious beast trapped in a dead-end alley. Unless she was able to withstand the joint offensive of four men working together, she would never dare to act blindly without thinking.

Hou Xibai revealed a hint of bitter smile; casting a glance toward Xu Ziling, he sighed and said, “Ziling Xiong, what do you think? This seems to be the only way. Although what Hou Xibai hates the most is ruthlessly destroying the flower, I can’t think of any other feasible way.”

Xu Ziling’s tiger-eyes shone with sharp light; fixing his gaze on Wanwan, he said indifferently, “Right now I don’t know where Miss Shi is hiding. Supposing after we did a blood soaked and hard-fought struggle, we found that what’s written in the sheepskin scroll is only something like Thousand Character Classic [6th century poem used as a traditional reading primer] that the children learn, will it be worthwhile?”

Wanwan sighed softly and said, “Xu Ziling is the only true hero in here. Let me ask gentlemen, is it all right for Xiao Nuzi [little/young girl] to open the sheepskin scroll first and take a look? After confirming its authenticity, we will decide what to do next.”

“Hey, hey,” An Long laughed, “True hero is just another appellation that is more pleasant to hear than an idiot. I dare to guarantee with my head that this is the ‘Immortal Print Scroll’ that Shi Dage left behind at the secluded forest of the small valley. As for the reason behind it, please forgive Ol’ An since it is not convenient for me to disclose it.”

Wanwan’s pretty eyebrows lightly furrowed, she asked in surprise, “Your guarantee does not worth half a penny. It seems to me that your target is not the Print Scroll, but my life. This is indeed very strange, what benefit would it bring to Tian Lian Zong?”

The topic changed, everybody’s attention turned from the issue of joining hands to besiege Wanwan to whether the Print Scroll was real or fake.

‘Swish!’

Hou Xibai suddenly flashed his folding fan and lightly fanned himself. He smiled and said, “Since Long Shu has decided to watch with folded arms, and Princess Rou has hidden far away, Miss Wan may examine the scroll in peace, let Zaixia take the responsibility of protecting the flower. Ziling Xiong, what do you think?”

Xu Ziling calmly replied, “If An Long Laoshi [teacher] and Princess Rou do not make any move, Xiaodi will not make any move either.”

Wanwan shook her head and said, “Unless you, Ziling, give me your personal guarantee that you are going to protect Wanwan, I cannot possibly take this risk.”

Letting out a long laugh, Yang Xuyan said, “Why speak so much nonsense, wouldn’t it be better if Zaixia is asking to experience Yin Gui Pai’s Tianmo’s secret art? As for whether the three gentlemen want to take part, please do as you wish.”

While speaking, a burst of dense, severe, and icy-cold sword qi burst forth like tidal wave out of his body. Although he has not move the slightest bit, he has actually strived for the initiative. As soon as Wanwan, in her momentum to withstand it, showed a bit of leeway, he would immediately brandish his sword to attack.

He has gone all-out, yet Wanwan must focus all her attention to guard against An Long and Hou Xibai, two men, which, to Wanwan, was greatly disadvantageous.

“Hold on!” Hou Xibai shouted.

Everybody was taken aback, because if Yang Xuyan staked everything against Wanwan, it ought to give him a hundred benefits without a single harm.

Hou Xibai turned to An Long and said, “This matter is of great importance. Why aren’t Long Shu unwilling to explain clearly the reason you believe firmly that the sheepskin scroll inside Miss Wan’s sleeve really contain the ‘Immortal Print Method’?”

An Long’s eyes flashed with strange light; he spoke slowly, “If I confirm that this scroll is not a fake article, does Xianzhi [virtuous nephew] intend to make your move together with Yan Zhi [nephew]?”

Hou Xibai calmly replied, “Indeed there is this possibility. Of course, it depends on how much truth there is in Long Shu’s words.”

An Long let out a burst of long, shaking-the-hall, laugh and said, “This kind of sheepskin is definitely not an ordinary sheepskin; I tanned and manufactured it with my own hands, hence the color and luster are unusual, it will always look new even after a long time. I made it based on Shi Dage’s order; I, An Long, dare to swear by the incantation of Tian Lian Zong’s various ancestors that if I made even half a word of lies, let me never be reincarnated forever.”

Letting out a burst of tender laugh, Wanwan continued, “Now, even nujia is a bit convinced that this scroll thingy is the real article. Would you be interested in hearing my proposal of two ways to resolve the stalemate before your eyes?”

This remark was of wonderfully highest level and outstanding; even Hou Xibai, who was eager to give it a try – had to rein his horse and pulled the bridle back, and postponed his move.

Lian Rou’s voice came from the exit, “Please excuse Lian Rou from being drawn into the struggle within the demonic schools; nujia is taking my leave. If there is anything in the future, you must never count it on nujia’s account.”

The sound of the rustling sleeve went away in an instant.

Listening to this, Xu Ziling’s head swelled up, he still could not figure out her relationship with An Long and the others.

But this woman was as cunning as a fox; no one should take what she said too lightly. However, it was also possible that it was because she did not want to be Yin Gui Pai’s enemy, hence she shrank back as the time for battle approached.

Wanwan cheerfully said, “This is called ‘a wise man looks after his own hide’; in the end, she is smarter than you, An Long.”

Displeased, An Long said, “Didn’t you say that you have two ways to resolve the current stalemate?”

Wanwan raised up her demonic power to tightly suppress Yang Xuyan’s suffocating sword qi coming from about a zhang away. Calm and composed, she spoke softly, “The first solution is Wanwan turn the sheepskin scroll inside my sleeve into powder. This is called ‘once the main problem is solved, all troubles are solved’. Nobody has any reason to fight anymore.”

Yang Xuyan’s sword qi was immediately reduced by half.

If the sheepskin scroll was destroyed, the biggest loser was certainly not Wanwan, but one of either Hou Xibai or Yang Xuyan.

At most Wanwan only lost the opportunity to understand the Immortal Print method, while the two would lose the possibility to advance to become another Shi Zhixuan.

An Long sneered coldly and said, “If you were willing to do so, you would have destroyed the Print Scroll early on; there is no need to mention it only now.”

All along he has been fanning the flame to stir up trouble. And now no one doubted that he harbored evil intentions of destroying Wanwan.

Wanwan cast him a glace with disdain. Her jade countenance suddenly calmed down, returning to her usual nearly pure, faultless calm and unhurried expression. But once again the air all around her was suddenly infused with a terrifying feeling as if it might sink any moment. Although there was no wind, the white clothes on her body suddenly fluttered, her jet-black long hair was flying and dancing in the air as if it was blown by a gale. The scene was weird to the extreme.

Everybody was shivering in alarm; they were all amassing their energy, yet no one dared to make the first move.

Xu Ziling shouted coldly, “And what is the second solution?”

Wanwan’s face showed a hint of surreptitious smile that appeared to be there, but then appeared to be not there, as she spoke calmly, “The second solution is to give the Print Scroll to you.”

While speaking the last sentence, her gauzed sleeve rose up, the sheepskin scroll shot out of the sleeve, fast as lightning it flew toward Xu Ziling, who was standing on a Luohan’s head.

‘Qiang!’