Chapter 3 – Burning-Channels Poison Powder

Hou Xibai spoke heavily, “This kind of poison powder came from my humble school’s ‘Five-Poison Book’. In term of toxicity, compared to the other poisons listed in the book, the difference is difficult to gauge, it could only be effective for one kind of people.”

“What kind of people?” Xu Ziling asked in astonishment.

Hou Xibai replied, “Precisely those who do not know martial art and whose body is in poor health; it has magical effect particularly against women. The person poisoned, because of the imbalance in his passages of qi, his immune system against the disease is substantially reduced.”

It was only then did Xu Ziling understand why Hou Xibai said Yang Xuyan was despicable, because the poison he was refining was going to be used to deal with weak women who did not know martial art.

Hou Xibai has always been a lover of flowers; naturally he could not stand by idly and watch.

Just like Shi Feixuan said, Hou Xibai was a different species within the demonic school. Although the difference between the orthodox and demonic was a bit difficult to tell, his desire to cherish women evolved from his sincere heart, and on this, his words and action were consistent with each other.

After pondering quietly, he said, “This kind of poison powder must have certain extremely unique characteristic; otherwise, it would not be worthy to be listed within your honorable sect’s ‘Five-Poison Book’.”

Impressed, Hou Xibai said, “Ziling’s guess is spot on. It does not matter which poison, but anybody being poisoned will more or less display certain symptoms of poisoning. Only this Fen Jing San [burning-channels (medicinal) powder] not only colorless and odorless, but also because it simply indirectly affect the victim’s health, moreover the process is long and slow, even first-class physicians would be incapable to detect that the patient has been poisoned. Ay! I wonder who is Yang Xuyan going to harm?”

Smiling wryly, Xu Ziling said, “Unless we catch Yang Xuyan and force his confession, I am afraid we will never find out the answer.”

Hou Xibai suddenly asked, “Have you ever heard of Jingzhao Lian’s Yang WenGan?”

Without thinking, Xu Ziling nearly blurted out that he almost fought with him, but if he did that, he would reveal this ‘Yue Shan’ identity; therefore, he only nodded to indicate that he has.

Hou Xibai said, “If my guess is correct, Yang WenGan ought to belong to the old dynasty’s imperial family, just like Yang Xuyan. On the surface he and Yang Xuyan appear to be standing together on Li Jiancheng’s Princelings Faction’s side, but he is actually conspiring against Yang Xuyan in the dark.”

Xu Ziling agreed with his analysis, but because it was not suitable for him to stay too long, he said, “Can we agree on when we can meet again, and then explore the possibilities on how we can seize the Image Scroll from Yang Xuyan’s hands?”

Hou Xibai understood his situation; after agreeing on a good way to get in touch with each other, Xu Ziling hurriedly left. After leaving some secret marks for Kou Zhong in the city, he returned to Xing Chang Long at the East Market. Bu Ting, Tian Santang, and the others were gathered at the rear hall, anxiously waiting for him.

After listening to Xu Ziling narrating his meeting with Li Yuan earlier that day, Bu Jie cursed, “We always thought that Feng Deyi is Li Jiancheng’s man, but looking at how he protected Mo Laoshi, the inside story seems to be quite intriguing. This matter must be reported to Duan Jiangjun [general].”

Bu Ting’s highest concern was about Xing Chang Long; he asked, “Did Huangshang say anything about Xing Chang Long?”

Xu Ziling honestly shook his head and said, “Because I came from Bashu, Huangshang only asked some matters related to that place!”

Tian Santang said in heavy voice, “In my opinion, Feng Deyi only wanted to use Mo Laoshi. Looking from this point of view, it is still possible that he is working for Li Jiancheng.”

Xu Ziling shook his head and said, “Before seeing Huangshang, I already made it clear to him about my position that I am loyal to Xing Chang Long; yet Feng Daren was still threading the needle to let me see Huangshang, the intention seemed to be so that the people from Li Jiancheng’s side would not dare to touch me anymore. The situation does not seem to match what Tian Ye was inferring.”

Bu Jie, Bu Ting and the others were emotionally moved; they greatly appreciated Xu Ziling’s ‘loyalty’. Although Xing Chang Long could be greatly beneficial to Xu Ziling, but, in addition to wealth, Feng Deyi could give Xu Ziling the power that most people coveted, yet unexpectedly Xu Ziling was not moved. It was a clear display of his rarely seen personal integrity.

With this turn of events, the atmosphere quickly turned harmonious, all suspicions were gone. Bu Jie cheerfully said, “Tonight we are going to Shang Lin Yuan [upper forest garden] to have fun, we won’t go home until we are drunk, so that Mo Laoshi can enjoy Chang’an’s phoenix [could be a typo, perhaps it should be ‘wind’], flower, snow, and moon.”

Xiao Xiuming and Xie Jiarong, two men, cheered loudly. Knowing that refusing would be unreasonable, although unwilling, Xu Ziling had no choice but to agree.

Evidently Tian Santang was an old hand in roaming the world of the wind and the moon [i.e. romance]; he laughed and said, “It would be best if Er Shu book Shang Lin Yuan’s prettiest Hong Ahgu [or: popular (paternal) aunt (or ladies)]; otherwise, if they are inferior to Chengdu’s San Hua Lou [scattering-flower building], how could we save our face?”

When speaking about this aspect, the men relaxed and abandoned restraint.

Bu Jie proudly said, “I, Bu Jie, dare to guarantee Mo Laoshi’s satisfaction.”

His thoughts wandering far away, Bu Ting said, “I hear Shang Xiufang is currently staying at the Shang Lin Yuan; if we could invite her to sing a song for us, our lives would be without any regret.”

Bu Jie’s face revealed difficult expression; he said, “Shang Xiufang’s status is way above everybody else’s; I am afraid only Qin Wang’s invitation would move her heart.”

Tian Santang said, “Even if we could move her heart into accepting the invitation, we shouldn’t think about doing it. Chang’an’s beauty, who would not want to personally enjoy their fragrance? But in this troubled times, it is not suitable for us to do anything that would incite other people’s jealousy.” And then he changed the subject by asking Xu Ziling to describe the two ministers, who, along with Feng Deyi and Pei Ji, accompanied the Emperor when Xu Ziling was seeing Li Yuan.

After listening to Xu Ziling describing their appearance, Bu Jie said, “The one called Shu Da must be Chen Shuda; the fat guy must be Xiao Yu. Xiao Pangzi [Fatty] was Yang Guang’s wife’s maternal uncle. In the old Sui Dynasty, he was an intimate friend of the Emperor. Apart from Liu Wenjing, he was one of the several members of the Emperor’s inner ministerial circle, which Mo Xiansheng had seen them all.”

Suddenly someone came to report that Duan Zhixuan has arrived. While everybody was greatly surprised, Duan Zhixuan hurriedly came in and said, “Qin Wang wishes to see Ting Shidi [younger martial brother] and Mo Laoshi.”

Instantly Xu Ziling felt the chill on his spine; would he be able to deceive Li Shimin’s sharp eyes?

Finished listening to the ‘nonsense’ that Kou Zhong told Zhang Jieyu, immediately Li Jiancheng’s countenance sank; he coldly asked, “How much confidence does Mo Xiansheng have that you could cure Niangniang’s illness?”

Inwardly Kou Zhong cursed Li Jiancheng’s cold and dubious heart; he said inwardly, ‘Laozi don’t have even the slightest confidence; how about you, Jiancheng kid, help me fart?’ However, with his mouth he said, “If I could prepare the elixir according to the secret recipe that has been handed down from generation to generation in my family, I guarantee that as soon as Niangniang takes the medicine, the illness will be gone, and forever will not contract the disease anymore.”

Deeply concerned, Chang He asked, “How much time will Mo Xiansheng need to prepare the elixir