Chapter 8 – Concealed Murderous Intent

Two chunks of boulder hit the escaping ship’s stern at the same time, sending out burning debris exploding into the air. Strangely though, the ship leaned slightly to the left and swayed back to the right, but eventually it regained its balance, and was doing its best to run away in their direction.

Shaking his head, Kou Zhong said, “This ship’s finished! Their only way out is to pull toward the shore and flee for their lives.”

“They already lost that chance,” Xu Ziling responded, “Didn’t you see two of the pursuing ships split to the left and right to overtake them from both sides? It is precisely to block them from pulling toward the shore. These people are so ruthless; it looks like they want to kill to the last one. There must be a deep enmity and big hatred between them.”

While they were talking, their small sailboat already advanced some distance forward, so that the escaping ship, which was sailing downstream, was less than a li away.

The fire quickly spread to the mast, which was also the moment the escaping ship was sentenced to its death.

Grabbing his head, Kou Zhong said, “What should we do? Such a face-to-face direct encounter, eight or nine out of ten it will bring disaster to the fish in the moat [idiom: being implicated].”

Xu Ziling said with a sneer, “Didn’t you say that when we see injustice on the road, you would draw your saber to render assistance? Why shrink back as the time for battle approaches [idiom: getting cold feet]?”

Kou Zhong replied, “Problem is: how do we know it is really injustice?”

Xu Ziling smiled and said, “Therefore, we must hurry up to see if this is clearly a planned ambushing operation. The sun insignia on this ship belongs to certain person. Deploying the troops for the sake of one person, don’t you feel it strange?”

Turning his gaze onto the approaching ship, Kou Zhong spoke heavily, “Very strange! Ay! This time it’s really finished.”

‘Boom!’

One big rock hit the mast squarely. The mast broke immediately, sending the sail toppling down on the deck. The escaping ship was leaning over to the side. One after another the people on the ship threw themselves into the river to save their lives.

Xu Ziling said, “I am in charge of steering the boat, you are in charge of rescuing people, understand?”

Smiling wryly, Kou Zhong said, “Then who’s in charge of dealing with the rocks and the arrows?”

“Naturally also you,” Xu Ziling replied indifferently, “Watch out!”

With a twist of the rudder, the sailboat curved to the left to evade the capsizing ship, but it entered the space between the two pursuing ships.

Startled, both sides looked at each other.

Immediately Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling felt their scalp went numb. Under the illumination of the lanterns, shockingly they saw Yun Shuai [the Cloud Commander] of the Western Tujue appeared on the bridge of one of the two ships. Fortunately the other side only thought that the two boys were just passing through, plus they were anxious to pursue and attack the enemies falling into the river, therefore, they only waved the two boys to leave immediately.

Lowering his voice, Kou Zhong said, “What do you think we should do?”

Of course Xu Ziling knew that under this kind of circumstances, whether they would be able to save their own lives still remained to be seen, let alone saving other people’s life. Besides, as soon as someone appeared on the surface of the river, he would immediately be covered with arrows and sink back into the water; this matter did not involve any ‘luck’ at all.

Kou Zhong added, “Perhaps it was Yin Gui Pai ship.”

When he said those words, both sides brushed past each other.

It was not until the small sailboat left Yun Shuai’s side’s fleet far behind that the two boys heaved a sigh of relief. They both cried inwardly, ‘What a close call!’ Obviously the other party was Zhu Can’s men, who were providing support to Yun Shuai to attack an important figure of a certain side. Fortunately nobody recognized the two boys; otherwise they would be able to easily getting rid of them.

In this multitude-against-the-few, a wide-disparity situation [idiom from Mencius: heavily outnumbered], plus the enemy had Yun Shuai, a martial art master nearly of Bi Xuan’s level, all they could do was to join those people who went into the water to save their lives.

Looking back, Kou Zhong was puzzled, “What kind of person is Yun Shuai dealing with? This Persian guy is tall and handsome, his daughter shouldn’t be lacking in that department either.”

Xu Ziling said with a sigh, “This kid’s lusty heart is on the rise again!”

Upright and unafraid, Kou Zhong said, “Lusty heart, everybody has one. Huh?”

With a sudden gust of wind, someone swiftly flipped into the boat from the stern, and said with a long laugh, “Two Renxiong [dear friend], I trust you have been well since we last met. Xiaodi has similar sentiment with Shao Shuai, I wonder if Ziling Xiong also agree.”

Startled, the two boys looked over. Surprisingly it was Tuli Khan, who, although was drenched from head to toe, did not look the least bit in a sorry state. The Fu Ying Qiang [subduing-eagle spear], which name shook the area beyond the Wall, was hanging behind his back, with its tip protruding from his left shoulder. He was still carrying his majestic, calm demeanor.

Kou Zhong laughed aloud and said, “Turns out it is Tuli Laoxiong [old chap]. This time, can I say that we have rescued you?”

Tuli came to Xu Ziling’s other side. He looked back first, before looking up to the night sky and said, “I should say that the Heaven and you working together to rescue me. There is one thing Xiaodi would like to ask: within the Central Plains’ Wulin, there shouldn’t be anybody recognizing Yun Shuai; even Xiaodi has just begun to find out that he has come here, how could you recognize him in just one glance?”

Xu Ziling calmly replied, “Naturally there is cause and effect in this matter. But please let Zaixia ask Khan a question first: did Khan come here to pick up a certain Persian beauty and bring her back?”

Tuli was astonished, “You certainly possess great magical power,” he said, “Xiaodi believed that this matter was extremely confidential; who would have thought that unexpectedly it seems like everybody in the world already know about it. Surely man proposes but God disposes.”

Kou Zhong said, “How could we find out about it without any reason at all? We can talk about it later, but my guess is that we are not out of danger yet. When Yun Shuai fails to find Khan, he might turn around to give chase. Does Khan have any good ideas?”

Without even looking back, Xu Ziling said with a wry smile, “No need to guess! They’re coming after us!”

His scalp went numb, Kou Zhong turned his head around to look, and saw far behind the silhouette of a ship under lantern light. “This guy is indeed formidable,” he said, “He must have seen Khan holding on to the aft; otherwise, how could he turn around and pursue us this quickly?”

Tuli Khan sighed and said, “I am sorry for weighing two gentlemen down. Just let Xiaodi down, I’ll lead them away on land, gentlemen can continue your journey north.”

Frowning, Kou Zhong said, “Does Khan have enough confidence to defeat Yun Shuai?”

Tuli’s expression changed slightly. Although he had never fought hand to hand against Yun Shuai, he was well aware of his lightness skill, which was considered the pinnacle of the Western Region.

Xu Ziling also knew not to meddle in the struggle between the Eastern and Western Tujue, but seeing Tuli was now like a tiger falling behind on a flat plain, all alone and in miserable plight, he was overwhelmed with compassion. Moreover, knowing that Yun Shuai was cooperating with the extremely evil Zhu Can, those people could not possibly be any better than Tuli. Making up his mind, he said, “Let’s go ashore together! Those who have a head start always have a bit more advantage.”

Tuli’s imposing body trembled slightly, his eyes emitted a deep, complicated feeling.

The three men crouched on the edge of a mountain cliff, overlooking the wilderness extending as far as the eyes could see under the starry sky, watching for any sign of movement.

Appearing to be unable to hold back anymore, Tuli asked, “Just now the two of you ran all the way here, you have not exhausted your strength yet?”

Kou Zhong laughed and said, “Khan indeed have a bit of insight.”

Tuli blew out a mouthful of cold air and said, “No wonder Li Shimin is so afraid of the two gentlemen. It was not too long ago that I saw you, but gentlemen have given Xiaodi the impression that you two are new persons. Formerly I thought I was able to see clearly how deep or how shallow two gentlemen are, but now I am starting to realize that it was just a misperception due to my own overconfidence.”

Xu Ziling suddenly said, “The gratitude and grudges between Khan and Fenghan Xiong, we don’t care, but Khan always make us think of Fenghan and the heroes on horseback on the desert beyond the Great Wall. Therefore, we don’t understand why Khan cooperated with Yin Gui Pai to kidnap Lian Rou now; even more, we feel sorry for Khan’s reputation. Khan, please forgive me for speaking so bluntly.”

Kou Zhong also asked, “The men with Khan on the boat, are they Qian Duguan’s men?”

Tuli was listening attentively. At first he showed displeasure, but then he revealed a completely helpless expression. He sighed, shook his head, and then said, “If I told you that this was our Great Khan and Zhao Deyan’s idea, and that Xiaodi merely received the order to do it, two gentlemen must think that I am shirking responsibility. But the fact is, although on the surface I appear to have the authority, to have the power, it is precisely to deal with you, the highly risky Han people that a lot of things are beyond my control. Like me and Shimin Xiong are originally close friends who treat one another with absolute sincerity, but with current development, there’s possibility that one day we will face one another on the battlefield, making me wring my hands and sigh.”

Knitting his brows, Xu Ziling said, “Why do you have to meddle in Central Plains’ affair? Throughout history, there has never been any outside tribe able to set their foot on the Central Plains; at most they could only loot and afterwards meet the reprisals. If this vicious cycle continues, there will be no benefit to either side at all.”

Tuli was silent for half a day. Finally he spoke slowly, “This is precisely the problem. Have Ziling Xiong put yourself in someone else’s shoes and consider this matter from our perspective?”

Xu Ziling apologetically said, “Because Zaixia lacks knowledge of your distinguished country, it is very difficult to ponder over this matter from Khan’s perspective.”

Amazed, Tuli said, “Frankly speaking, this is not the first time I am talking about this matter. But only Ziling Xiong is willing to admi