As Kou Zhong was stepping out of the door, he ran into Chang He, who was taking Yuwen Bao, a high-ranking military officer under Li Yuanji’s command – to see him. Without any better option, he greeted the two men and invited them back into the small reception hall to have a chat. Inwardly he mused that with Yuwen Bao, he only had shallow predestined affinity during that evening feast at the Shang Lin Yuan; why would Yuwen Bao especially come to pay him a visit?

After drinking two mouthfuls of hot tea, Yuwen Bao said with a laugh, “Qi Wang asked Xiaodi to consult Xiansheng, what illness is Xiufang Dajia suffering?”

Kou Zhong was still unclear on the meaning behind this remark.

There were two possibilities: first, Li Yuanji was Shang Xiufang’s admirer, so he was concerned over everything that was going on with her, and wanting to see if he could offer anything to show how he was particularly attentive to her.

The other possibility was extremely worrisome, which was Li Yuanji clearly grasped that there was a period of time after he left Li Xiuning’s palace but before he came to Shang Lin Yuan, which could not be accounted for, and that was precisely the time where Kou Zhong appeared at the Persian Temple. Therefore, he sent Yuwen Bao to sound him out.

However, come to think about it, the second possibility was more unlikely, because by nature, Yuwen Bao was somewhat boorish, definitely not the best choice to do this kind of delicate job of sounding out other people’s opinion. If the one coming to see him were Mei Xun, the situation would be extremely far from good.

The fact was that Kou Zhong and Shang Xiufang never talked about treating any illnesses. Fortunately from Sha Chenggong’s mouth Kou Zhong knew that Shang Xiufang often complained about her migraine; therefore, it was unlikely that he would be dumbstruck and unable to reply, or perhaps carelessly supplying random answer.

Bracing himself, he said, “Xiufang Xiaojie is suffering from migraine. But after going through my needle treatment, she has seen a lot of improvement. Qi Wang certainly shows extraordinary concerns over Xiufang Xiaojie.”

Chang He laughed and said, “Presently, everybody in Chang’an, from top to bottom, who does not show utmost care toward our Shang Cainu [talented woman]?”

And then he turned to Yuwen Bao and said, “Your information is certainly fast and abundant. Last night Xiufang Dajia inviting Mo Shen Yi, only a few people sitting around the table heard it. Logically, they shouldn’t announce it publicly, yet it still cannot escape your ears.”

Yuwen Bao sighed and said, “Let me be frank with you; this morning after we pay Huangshang a New Year call, Xiaodi went with Qi Wang to Shang Lin Yuan, requesting to see Xiufang Dajia; who would have thought that her auntie stopped us, saying that Mo Shen Yi was treating Xiufang Dajia’s illness with the needles? As a result, we found the door closed in front of us. The new year has just started, we already hit the wall. Looks like our prospect is not too good.”

Kou Zhong cried ‘Great luck!’ inwardly; musing that turned out that was what happened. Because of the anniversary of her mother’s death, Shang Xiufang used him as a pretext to refuse any visit, and thus unintentionally stuck in the willow and did him a huge favor.

Just now when he was thinking of different possibilities, he was completely oblivious of this matter. If Li Yuanji performed in-depth investigation, surely he would find out that Shang Xiufang was only borrowing Kou Zhong to refuse visitors. At that time practically he was not at Shang Lin Yuan at all. However, Li Yuanji had no reason to doubt Shang Xiufang. Therefore, Kou Zhong has safely crossed this crisis.

Kou Zhong felt that luck was descending on him; right away his spirit was greatly aroused.

Frowning, Yuwen Bao said, “Migraine? This might be difficult for us. I wonder if Mo Shen Yi has a good suggestion, Qi Wang wanted to send some tonic, elixir, or the like – to Xiufang Dajia, to show his concern for her.”

Kou Zhong and Chang He suddenly saw the light. They understood now the reason behind Yuwen Bao’s mission to come to see Kou Zhong. But this time it was Kou Zhong’s turn to have headache; he had no idea what kind of medicine would cure migraine, so any suggestion would just be a joke.

Without any better option, he said, “Yuwen Xiong, please ask Qi Wang not to worry; leave this matter to me. Later Chang Daren and I will go to the pharmacy to buy enough famous and valuable medicinal ingredients and have them send it out to Qi Wang Mansion. This way, it would be more ideal, wouldn’t it?”

Greatly delighted, Yuwen Bao said, “With Mo Shen Yi personally, with heart and soul, with all your strength, choose the medicine, naturally it is the most ideal; Qi Wang will definitely be very grateful.”

And then lowering his voice he said, “Two gentlemen need not be frugal for Qi Wang’s sake; for Xiufang Dajia, spending any amount of money is not a problem.”

However, Kou Zhong was thinking about how to find a saving-star who would help him on what tonic or elixir to buy, while not letting Chang He know that Kou Zhong was a fake article.

If he had a choice, he would definitely not let Chang He come with him. Only too bad that today was the auspicious day of the beginning of Spring, all pharmacies were closed for business. Without Chang He, even buying one grain of lotus seed would be a problem.

Sighing inwardly, he mused that his good fortune seemed to be limited to big things; in small things, it did not seem to be too ideal.

※ ※ ※

He barely stepped out of the carriage, Xu Ziling immediately sensed that someone was lying in ambush behind the door of the main residence building, waiting for him to go through the door to launch their attack.

It was a private mansion located at Qu Chi Li [crooked/curved pond neighborhood] by the Qi Xia Gate south of the city. The façade was tasteful, the building gorgeous; if Madame Hong lived here, it would quite fit her status.

Two big men came out to meet him, saying, “Furen is in the main hall, waiting for Yong Ye.”

Xu Ziling secretly watched the two men; his judgment was that even in this kind of gang or society that dominated a region like Jingzhao Lian, these two could be considered martial art masters. Their skill was clearly a lot higher than the bodyguard or hired thug that usually escorted Madame Hong. Thereupon Xu Ziling could not help doubling his vigilance.

His mind was churning at the speed of light, he already grasped the current situation. He dared to say that Yang WenGan has personally come here to see whether he, a man whom Madame Hong recommended, was reliable. From this, it was clear that this matter was of great importance; it was extremely possible that it was related to the big conspiracy against the Li Clan. Otherwise, in this tense situation, Yang WenGan would not have any interest to see him, a mere professional gambler.

The men lying in ambush on the left and right behind the main entrance were used to test whether he was Xu Ziling or Kou Zhong in disguise. Currently nobody knew for sure what identity these two boys were assuming, so much so that they saw a bow reflected in a cup as a snake; therefore, whenever they encounter any stranger with tall and straight build, they would use all kinds of method to verify their identity.

Figuring out this key point, Xu Ziling took a deep breath, nodded his head, and said, “Please lead the way!”

The two big men exchanged a glance first before taking the lead stepping up the stone stairs, walking toward the entrance.

Xu Ziling secretly performed the Motionless Fundamental Image, discharging all distracting thoughts out of the sea of his brains. His lingtai [top of the head] was empty and clear, ready to deal with any sudden change.

Because if his judgment was wrong, the enemy would have ascertained that he was Xu Ziling, hence they used Madame Hong to lure him here to deal with him. In which case, other than trying to break the siege with all his strength, he basically did not have the second option.

Under this kind of situation, he would have to react in a very different way.

Based on his current martial art skill, he had full confidence that when the enemy mounted the sneak attack, in that instant he would be able to tell whether the enemy wanted to try him out, or they were already sure that he was either Xu Ziling or Kou Zhong and decided to kill him.

The two big men suddenly increased their speed. After crossing the doorstep, they promptly separated to the left and right; one of them even shouted loudly, “Yong Ye has arrived!”

From where Xu Ziling was standing, he could see Madame Hong sitting in an imperial tutor chair at the other end of the hall, directly opposite to the entrance, leisurely looking at him walking in.

Behind him, Li Zhen said, “Yong Ye, please come in!”

Murderous aura was pressing from both sides inside the door, but Xu Ziling was heaving a sigh of relief instead, because if the other side was positive that he was either Kou Zhong or Xu Ziling, the ambushing party would include Yang Xuyan.

With Yang Xuyan’s skill, how could they be so useless as to emit murderous aura even before they were making their move? He pretended not to notice anything as he strode over the door and entered in.

Saber light flashed repeatedly. Two sabers chopped from left and right, appearing to be full of power, but Xu Ziling knew that the other sides still had plenty of strength left.

On the surface, Xu Ziling pretended to be frightened; he acted as if he wanted to dodge, but cold blades were already pressing on his shoulders left and right, so that he was unable to move a single step.

These two ambushing sabers were sharp, fast and accurate, but if Xu Ziling countered with all his strength, it would be guaranteed that they would have ended disastrously.

Xu Ziling took this opportunity to hang his face down, for fear that they would see that his countenance did not change at all, while he cried out in alarm, “Don’t kill me!”

The two sabers moved away. And then with a peal of silver-bell like laughter, Madame Hong gracefully stood up and said, “Yong Xiong must not take offense; I only wanted to see the degree of Yong Xiong’s martial art skill’s brilliance.”

Straightening up his body, Xu Ziling resentfully said, “It’s pleasant to hear, but wasn’t it merely a display of power on first meeting? Forget it; don’t you think that I, Yong Qin, want to cooperate with you.”

Long laughter came from the direction of the inner hall; upright and unafraid Yang WenGan stepped out and said, “If Xiao Hong’s apology is still not enough, let me, Yang WenGan apologize to Yong Xiong. Testing Yong Xiong was entirely my idea, but behind it, there was a secret trouble that I had no choice but to do it; would Yong Xiong please forgive me?”

And then he shouted to his men, “You guys, get out!”

Xu Ziling inwardly heaved a sigh of relief, knowing that Yang WenGan has dispelled hid doubts toward him; naturally he seized this opportunity to step down from the stage, assuming the air of a nobody seeing important figure, trembling with fear, as he cleared his throat and said, “Turns out it’s Yang Lianzhu. Hey! Biren …”

Coming over to him, Yang WenGan smiled and said, “If Yong Xiong is willing to do me this favor, henceforth you are Yang WenGan’s friend. Yong Xiong’s trouble will be mine, Yang WenGan’s. Come! Let’s sit down and have some tea before talking about this.”

※ ※ ※

Returning to the secret nest, Xu Ziling noticed that Lei Jiuzhi was thinking hard on Kou Zhong’s behalf to make a list of items that Li Yuanji intended to give to Shang Xiufang as a present, thereupon he sat down on the other side of the round table.

Immensely proud of himself, Kou Zhong said, “I found out whom Hong Furen wants to deal with by laying out the fairy trap [see Book 32 Chapter 4: perfect trap that even immortal will fall into it (Courtesy of Akolaw)]!”

Stunned, Xu Ziling said, “I have just met Yang WenGan, we made arrangement that tonight we are going to start the gambling party in the VIP lounge of the Da Xian Hall of Ming Tang Wo, but I still don’t know who the target is; unexpectedly you do? You must have possessed great magical power.”

After listening to Kou Zhong’s explanation, Lei Jiuzhi said with a frown, “This does not make sense. Even if he loses money, there is no need to pay with firearm; besides, how is Sha Da Shao going to answer Sha Laoyezi?”

Kou Zhong said, “When I left just now, I made insinuation to the housekeeper Sha Fu, and found out that turns out Sha Laoyezi hates it when his oldest son going gambling, his second son visiting prostitute. Therefore, whenever they go gambling or visiting prostitute, they have to hide it from Sha Laoyezi.”

Xu Ziling said, “The Sha Family must have a Yin Gui Pai mole inside.”

Kou Zhong nodded and said, “I was thinking about this question as well. The reason Yin Gui Pai looks upon the Sha Family, not only because they are the richest family in Luoyang, but also because the Sha Family is the biggest weapon and firearm manufacturer in the north; who’d not want to have the Sha Family on their side?”

Xu Ziling said, “That year Ma Xuran and that amorous maid poisoned Xiao Jin, I am so sure that it was Yin Gui Pai’s plot, it’s just that we happened to spoil it. However, there must still be Yin Gui Pai people inside the Sha Family.”

Kou Zhong said, “Wan Yaonu easily saw through my disguise, I believe it was also because of the Yin Gui Pai demon in the Sha Family; otherwise, how did they know that the Sha Family has a batch of firearms being shipped from Luoyang to Guanzhong?”

Lei Jiuzhi said, “Since Yin Gui Pai possesses great magical power, why do they have to go through twists and turns to lay out the fairy trap to get the firearms from Sha Chengjiu? They only need to send their men to follow Sha Er Shao.”

Kou Zhong said, “The question is who would have the foreknowledge that the Sha Family might send Er Shaoye, who usually is idling about, to receive the firearm on the beginning of Spring day? Evidently the Sha Family is keeping this firearms shipment a top secret, because normally this kind of matter is handled by San Shaoye.”

Xu Ziling said, “I am afraid the fairy trap tonight will have to be cancelled.”

Kou Zhong agreed, “I am sure it will be canceled,” he said, “This shipment of firearms relates to the success or failure of the entire conspiracy. Yin Gui Pai’s spy definitely keeps a close watch of the movements of everybody in the Mansion. Sha Er Shao is leaving the city so abruptly, it would be strange indeed if he did not become the target that they must keep track.”

And then he said dejectedly, “My brain is not quick enough; I did not seize the opportunity to inquire where exactly the firearms are hidden.”

Muttering to himself irresolutely, Xu Ziling said, “This matter can be handed over to the Heavenly Policy Mansion’s people to handle; as long as we keep a close watch on Xiang Yushan, they’ll find out the whereabouts of those firearms.”

Kou Zhong whined, “If tonight we still cannot find the location of the treasure-trove, tomorrow morning we are going to withdraw from Chang’an.”

Xu Ziling and Lei Jiuzhi were stunned; they had never expected that Kou Zhong would be this decisive.

Smiling bitterly, Kou Zhong said, “I can’t give thought only to myself. Currently we seem to have no scare, no danger, but it’s just because the enemy is waiting for us to unearth the hidden treasure before they are making their move; nothing more than that!”

“Do you still want to deal with An Long?” Lei Jiuzhi asked.

Resolute and decisive [orig. chop the nail and slice the iron], Kou Zhong replied, “I already said that this is something that we absolutely must do. Even if I give up the world, the struggle against the demonic school still continues. Besides, this fellow An Long is always unpleasant to my eye; getting rid of him will purify people’s eyes and ears of defiling illusion.”

Lei Jiuzhi spread Gao Zhandao’s simple sketch of Le Quan Guan on the table.

Frowning, Kou Zhong said, “Are the bathhouses open for business in the Beginning of Spring day?”

Lei Jiuzhi replied, “Bei Li is the only place in the city where the shops are not closed on the Spring Festival day. Because pleasure houses and casinos do not stop doing business, all other shops related to their business also continue to be open. Ask Ziling! Right now Bei Li is even more prosperous than ordinary days!”

Kou Zhong gladly said, “In that case, An Long is facing imminent catastrophe. Ay! Is there a way to frame Yin Gui Pai?”

Xu Ziling and Lei Jiuzhi pondered quietly.

Nowadays, the three big shots of the demonic school were dealing with the same target, but individually, they were striving for different benefit.

Zhu Yuyan was hoping Lin Shihong could reveal his talent among the warlords vying for supremacy and unifies the world.

Shi Zhixuan wanted to help Yang Xuyan recover his power [or restore the past regime], and then he could be the person who controls him behind the scene.

On the surface, Zhao Deyan was working for the Eastern Tujue, but the bottom line was that he only wanted to draw support from the Tujue’s power, so that he himself could sit on the supreme throne of the world.

Therefore, there were conflict of interests and contradictions among them. If they could exploit this situation well to deepen their suspicion, Kou Zhong and the others could benefit from this.

Lei Jiuzhi broke the silence, “If you have to guess, after what have been happening these past few days, would Shi Zhixuan and Zhao Deyan be able to guess your identities?”

What happened these past few days were Xu Ziling, disguised as Mo Wei, battling Ke Dazhi, and then afterwards Kou Zhong, disguised as the Divine Doctor, helping him leaving the Palace and together they helped Hou Xibai stealing the Image Scroll, and finally Kou Zhong fell into the ambush at the Bosi Hu Si. Along the course of events, there were really a lot of flaws.

Kou Zhong said, “I can always be considered a bit lucky.” And then he narrated to Xu Ziling how Li Yuanji went to see Shang Xiufang, but Shang Xiufang used him as a pretext to decline any visitation. Then he said, “Li Yuanji shouldn’t be suspicious. For the time being, he is certain that I am not Kou Zhong. Ha! On top of that, Mo Wei went back to become Gong Chenchun, who left a letter and ran away. Even if anybody harbors suspicions, they would be lost in different directions and would be confused.”

Xu Ziling also said, “Just now Yang WenGan also tested me. Fortunately I saw through it in advance so that I did not expose any flaw. Now I can be considered half a Jingzhao Lian’s man already; other gangs and societies shouldn’t suspect me.”

“In that case,” Lei Jiuzhi said, “We shouldn’t worry about this aspect.”

His eyes fell onto Le Quan Guan’s layout sketch, he said, “Unless we wait for An Long to leave before making our move, or perhaps following him home, we are going to alarm other people.”

Turning to Kou Zhong, Xu Ziling said, “Good luck won’t always be on our side, we’d better leave An Long to me, while at the same time you intentionally show yourself publicly. This way nobody will have any more doubts toward you.”

Frowning, Kou Zhong said, “First of all, relying on you, Ling Shao, one person, do you have any confidence that you will be able to kill An Long? Secondly, if you undertake this task alone, Shi Zhixuan will still suspect me.”

Xu Ziling smiled and said, “The man of the mountain has a brilliant scheme, Shao Shuai, please set your heart at ease.”

Kou Zhong laughed and cursed; he said, “Good kid! Unexpectedly you know how to keep your listeners in suspense. There is one more thing that I nearly forget to tell you: just now when I came back to the Sha Mansion, Shen Luoyan was already waiting for me, she insists on seeing you by zi hour tonight [11pm-1am] outside the An Li west of Yong An Canal. I already exhausted my magic weapons to offer excuses for you, but she refused to even listen to me.”

Finished speaking he revealed a helpless facial expression.

Smiling wryly, Xu Ziling said, “It is certainly a good news; fancy that you were still able to giggle happily when telling it to me.”

Changing the subject, Kou Zhong said, “About Yun Shuai wanting to see Li kid, have you made the arrangement?

Xu Ziling replied, “There shouldn’t be any problem, Li Dage is going to pass on the information back soon. I am going to deal with An Long; I will leave this matter in Lei Dage’s hands.”

Kou Zhong said, “When you are going to kill An Long, I am going to deliver Li Yuanji’s courting-favor gift to the Qi Wang Mansion. Ay! I really don’t know what muddled medicine you have inside; it’s so mysterious.” And then his gaze fell upon Lei Jiuzhi.

Lei Jiuzhi spoke frankly, “Don’t look at me; you and I both don’t know anything about it.”

Rising to his full height, Xu Ziling said, “Kou Zhong, you must remember your own promise; if we can’t find the hidden treasure tonight, tomorrow not only we are going to leave Chang’an, you also have to give up your idea of contending for hegemony over the world. After disbanding Shao Shuai Army, together we will look for Yuwen Huaji to settle the debt, and then we’ll think about something else.”

Lei Jiuzhi hastily said, “Don’t forget our great endeavor to deal with Xiang Gui.”

Kou Zhong looked at Xu Ziling, and then he gazed at Lei Jiuzhi. Suddenly he roared in laughter and said, “I have a premonition that tonight we will be able to find clues to the hidden treasure at the Yue Ma Bridge; otherwise the Heaven is dead to me, Kou Zhong, for not letting me to become the emperor.”

Xu Ziling shook his head and laughed in spite of himself; he said, “After tonight, we will know for sure Laotianye’s intention for you.”

Finished speaking, he floated away.