Xu Ziling and Kou Zhong felt as if they were returning to the long-forgotten childhood years, where they were turning back to two big kids, with Little Lingzhong, who had just learned to walk, crawling around the floor mat giggling and frolicking, playing in extreme delight.

This moment they no longer had the air of martial art masters contending for supremacy over the world; they bent their heads pretending to be an ox, pretending to be a horse, just to make Little Lingzhong happy. Watching from the side, Chuchu and various servants were pushing the wave and adding to the billows [idiom: adding fuel to the fire], the sound of laughter filled the inner hall.

Suddenly Ren Jun came back to report, pulling the two boys back to the real world. The three went outside the door to speak.

Ren Jun said, “I wonder if two masters’ information is inaccurate, I went to investigate everywhere in the whole city, and still cannot find any business awaiting any consignment from Da Dao She. There is also no information that Da Dao She is going to deliver any goods to Leshou.”

The two cast a glance to each other; they both knew that ‘Guan Ping’ had played a trick on them. However, were it not for Guan Ping was lying to them saying that he was going to pass through Leshou, they would not have come on board his convenient boat and sail with the current; furthermore, they would not have become his scapegoats.

Kou Zhong asked for details in Ren Jun’s investigation, to make sure that he did not overlook anything. Turning to Xu Ziling, he resentfully said, “Let’s consider that Guan Ping still has a bit of luck for now, but if he really is going to Shanhai Pass, we will have the opportunity to look for him and give him bad luck.”

Muttering to himself irresolutely, Xu Ziling said, “Supposing what he said is all crazy nonsense, I am afraid we won’t be able to even touch his shadow.”

Dejected, Kou Zhong said, “Cun Yi Gong’s Ou Liangcai and Ri Sheng Hang’s Luo Yi are both honest businessmen and good men; how could we have the heart to just stare without doing anything while they are being insidiously harmed by evil traitors?”

Listening to them, Ren Jun was enthralled. He said, “Is it possible for two Ye’er to tell me everything in details? Perhaps Xiaozi [this kid, referring to self] can think of something else.”

Thereupon Xu Ziling explained everything one time through.

Ren Jun’s assertion was, “It’s not like Du Xing’s style at all; I am sure Guan Ping was talking rubbish. Ri Sheng Hang’s dye is famous throughout the world, but various kingdoms outside the Great Wall have their own unique dying method; there is no reason why they wanted to purchase the goods by paying high prices over a long and difficult trek from the Central Plains.”

Shaken, Kou Zhong said, “I have guessed so! It must be Bai Ziting. He wholeheartedly wanted to learn the Central Plains’ culture, plus the ceremony of founding the kingdom is at hand, naturally he needs a batch of authentic Huaxia [old name for China] goods in time.”

Xu Ziling laughed and said, “If that’s the case, even if Guan Ping had a bad luck, he still has to protect himself, to guard against someone killing him en route and swallowing the goods, and make a lot of profit by doing business with Bai Ziting himself.”

“Killing the man and swallowing the goods?” Ren Jun said, “No matter how reckless Meiyan Furen is, she will not dare to make her move inside the Pass. Therefore, as long as two Ye’er can reach Shanhai Pass one step ahead of them, you will definitely be able to intercept them.”

The two thought that it highly made sense, so they had the weight off their mind.

Such a big escort company with branches all over the world like Da Dao She, they must have friendly relations with gangs, societies, schools and sects in all parts of the country. Even if they had an accident, they would have enough resources to investigate clearly; only if the perpetrator was someone from outside the Pass and it happened in unfamiliar places would they be unable to arrest although they devoted their efforts to do so.

No matter from which angle they considered this matter, Guan Ping should wait until they were out of the Pass before he would dare to make his move.

Suddenly remembering something, Kou Zhong asked Ren Jun, “Is Han language popular outside the Pass?”

Ren Jun shook his head and said, “Not many people know Han language, much less proficient in it. On the contrary, everybody knows a few Tujue words.”

The two felt big headache. If they set foot outside the Pass, wouldn’t it mean that not only they become mute, they were practically deaf as well?

Ren Jun said, “Ye’er, don’t worry. Xiaozi is from Yulin [prefecture, Shaanxi]; when I speak Tujue, even Tujue people cannot tell that I am an outsider speaking the local language. As long as two Ye’er speak with Da Xiaojie a bit, Xiaozi can come along to serve Ye’er as translator.”

Xu Ziling said, “Xiao Jun [little Jun] coming with us should not be a problem, but you are only coming to Shanhai Pass. Along the way, you become our Tujue language Shifu, teaching us to understand Tujue language; I hope it’s not too difficult to learn?”

Although Ren Jun did not fully achieve his goal, but being able to accompany the two boys for nearly half a month, he was already pleased beyond his expectations. Hurriedly he said that he definitely did not dare to be their Shifu.

Kou Zhong grabbed him by the shoulder and looked at the saber hanging on his waist, and said with a smile, “You are using saber, aren’t you? How about doing a couple of moves for us to see?”

Ren Jun knew that the two had the intention to give him directions; wild with joy, he hurriedly went to the spacious and empty courtyard in front of the building. Reverent and respectful, he bowed to salute the two, and then pulling out his saber, he demonstrated a couple of moves. For a short while the saber wind was whistling, evolving into the saturation realm where the person and the saber were fusing together, marvelous and pleasant to the eyes.

Saber light stopped suddenly. Ren Jun prostrated himself on the ground and deferentially said, “Two Ye’er, please give pointers to Xiaozi.”

Kou Zhong helped him up and asked Xu Ziling, “Ling Shao, what do you think?”

The refined light in his pair of eyes flickering, Xu Ziling sized Ren Jun up; nodding his head, he said, “In terms of substance, quality, talent, and passion, everything is the choicest top of the top. Although presently it’s only a piece of unpolished gem, as long as it is carved and polished, it will become a fine jade, definitely a talent that can be built.”

He rarely spoke like this, relying on his seniority in talking toward someone in the position lower than himself. Only Kou Zhong understood the reason behind his seriousness.

Kou Zhong shouted, “The moment you, Ren Jun reached Shanhai Pass, you will be a different Ren Jun. Furthermore, you will have a chance to ascend to the throne of the northern territory’s number one saber master. But do you know why we want to build you like that?”

Ren Jun was already listening with his heart and head burning hot as if he was on fire; copious hot tears were filing his eye socket, he shook his head.

Kou Zhong smiled and said, “Because we want to train a genuine martial art master to protect Da Xiaojie throughout her life, lest she get hurt again.”

Beyond his control, Ren Jun’s hot tears burst out of the eye socket, because his lifelong dream has finally had a chance to become a solid reality.

The three started on their journey that very night. Zhai Jiao presented the two with Tujue treasured horses, extremely divine spirited horses, but toward their new masters, they were rather untamed and not docile at all. From time to time they were acting out, wanting to throw them off their back. But what kind of people Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling were? No matter how the horses nearly give it their all, they were still sitting effortlessly on the horseback.

Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling had spent a period of time at the Flying Horse Ranch. Living near Buddhist monk temple, one knew how to recite Buddhist scripture, much less inside the Buddhist monk temple. When the hard was over, the soft arrived. By daybreak they left the official road and came to a stream, where they let the horse to drink while they themselves scrubbed their coat, using the soft way to win over the horses’ heart. Ren Jun also took this opportunity to teach them Tujue spoken language.

The two boys were good scholars, erudite and had good memory. Ren Jun only needed to speak a few times, they were able to remember firmly; the accent and intonation were grasped accurately without error, making Ren Jun gasp with admiration.

Kou Zhong loved to serve the horse so much to part with it, he spoke earnestly to Xu Ziling, “These are two treasured-horses, fine steeds that we own after Bai’er and Hui’er [see Book 4 Chapter 5]. What should we name them?”

Xu Ziling remembered their beloved horses that died tragically under Yuwen Wudi’s hands, an intense rage welled up in his heart. He decided that he would do everything in his power to protect the Tujue steed before his eyes; they would be good companion for the journey ahead. He smiled and asked, “Does Shaoshuai have a good suggestion?”

Kou Zhong replied, “People are most afraid to change bad name. Horses’ name also cannot be lightly changed; I need to think about it carefully first.”

Xu Ziling sized up Kou Zhong’s jet-black fine horse with rapt attention, and did not see a single strand of different-colored hair; he spoke indifferently, “Devising the battle plan in a tent, decisive battle is thousand li distant; isn’t that your, Kou Shaoshuai’s dream? Why don’t you name your horse ‘Qian Li Meng’ [Thousand-li Dream]?”

Kou Zhong was slightly startled. Ren Jun by his side clapped and praised, “Ling Ye’s imaginative power is so quick, it’s definitely the crown of the world. This name is not only thought provoking, it also implies the meaning of a thousand-li daily travel. Certainly there is no better name than this.”

Laughing involuntarily, Xu Ziling said, “Xiao Jun, perhaps because you have not been in contact with us for long that you did not know we do not like to be praised. Speaking about quick imaginative power, even if I patted the horse’s bottom [to urge it to run faster], I cannot chase after the ‘Passionate Prince’ Hou Xibai.”

Kou Zhong sighed and said, “Even I also wanted to pat your horse’s bottom [i.e. boot-licking]. All right! I’ll use the name ‘Thousand-li Dream’ for my darling horse.”

Ren Jun could not help adding, “There will be a day Shaoshuai’s dream will become reality; were it not for Shaoshuai making your move, who would be able to greatly defeat Li Mi, that mother thief?”

Kou Zhong laughed and said, “This is your last time to pat the horse’s bottom, we want to learn your his mother’s Tujue language; we don’t have time to listen to patting-the-horse’s-bottom words.” [Note: in Chinese, ‘language’ and ‘word’ are the same character.]

Turning to Xu Ziling, he said, “Speaking about changing names, mine are Xiao Jing, Xiao Ning; yours are Mo Wei, Mo Yixin. Each one implies far more than your aspiration to travel ten thousand li far into foreign land, the road should also be measured by ten thousand li. Although your horse is mainly brown, but you could see hidden within it strange patterns; how about calling it ‘Wan Li Ban’ [Ten-thousand-li Spots]?”

Ren Jun did not dare to speak, he was afraid to be referred to as horse butt’s patter [i.e. bootlicker].

Xu Ziling thought deeply for half a day before agreeing, “All right! From now on, my well-behaved horse will be called ‘Ten-thousand-li Spots’. I hope that when I am returning to the Central Plains after a year, ‘Thousand-li Dream’ and ‘Ten-thousand-li Spots’ will have a chance to meet again. The person exists, the horse exists.”

Kou Zhong’s heroic feeling rising vigorously, he rose to his full height and shouted loudly, “Ren Jun!”

Ren Jun hastily sprang up and responded loudly, “Xiaozi’s here!”

Throwing his head back, Kou Zhong let out a long laugh. Suddenly he sent out a palm strike sweeping across Ren Jun. Naturally Ren Jun never expected that he would attack. Even if he guarded against the attack in full alert, he might not necessarily be able to block, much less he was caught off guard. Immediately he was thrown sideways and fell flat on his back in utter defeat.

As if nothing happened, Kou Zhong led the three horses to the green meadow by the stream to eat grass.

Feeling completely foolish, Ren Jun crawled up. Xu Ziling signaled him, hinting that he ought to run after Kou Zhong to hear what he had to say.

Ren Jun was an astute person, otherwise he would not have risen above the others while he had just turned twenty, deeply won Zhai Jiao’s favor that she doted on and trust him and put him in an important position. Naturally he understood that Kou Zhong was about to impart martial skill to him. Hastily running after Kou Zhong, he listened respectfully with head hung low.

Standing with his hands behind his back, without even looking back, Kou Zhong said, “Do you know why just now you did not have the slightest bit of power to block my attack so that you became a rolling gourd?”

Polite and modest, Ren Jun replied, “Because Xiaozi’s martial art skill too low, naturally cannot stand Zhong Ye’s one strike.”

Kou Zhong shook his head and said, “Your saber technique actually can be considered not bad. If I wanted to put you in order, I am afraid I won’t be able to do it in one or half move.”

Scratching his head, Ren Jun said, “Then it must be because Xiaozi was not ready at all, I did not expect Zhong Ye would suddenly test me.”

Kou Zhong suddenly spun around like a whirlwind, his tiger-eyes flashing brightly, he said, “If that is the answer, you will never reach the realm of true martial art master all your life.”

Xu Ziling came to Ren Jun’s side and said with a smile, “The most important thing in martial art training is xinfa. Our xinfa is called the Moon in the Well. Any time, any moment, we have to be like the clear water in the well, reflecting the movement of the sun and the moon, as well as any magical changes outside of the world. Therefore, there is practically no possibility of sudden and violent attack or sneak attack, because no changes can be hidden from us.”

Ren Jun sucked in a mouthful of cold air, but then he immediately spoke with longing in his voice, “If I, Ren Jun, can achieve this kind of divine state, even if I had to die, I would do so willingly.”

Kou Zhong’s expression suddenly turned gentle; putting his hand on the overwhelmed-by-favor-from-superior Ren Jun’s shoulder, he spoke gently, “The water in the well, no victory, no defeat, no life no death, it has both passion and ruthlessness, it simply reflects any his mother’s thing that it sees. If you understand it then you understand it. If you don’t understand it then you don’t understand. It is entirely depending on yourself, no one can help you. We can only take the responsibility to give you directions and train you.”

Xu Ziling said, “Now, taking advantage of the time while the horses are resting, we will use the Long Life qi to open and expand the meridians in your entire body. This will not make your power to advance greatly, but it will guarantee the potential of your ascending to an even higher level.”

Ren Jun’s entire body shook severely, he prostrated himself on the ground, and spoke with a trembling voice, “Obtaining such training from two Ye’er, Xiaozi will definitely not fail what two Ye’er entrust to me in the future.”

And that was how the days of the journey were passed.

Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling put aside all worries. Other than sleeping, they spent the rest of their time entirely to study Tujue language and equestrian archery, plus giving pointers on Ren Jun’s martial art training.

When they shot the powerful arrow imbued by their true qi, it could penetrate a solid tree trunk. In just a ten-day period, they had mastered the horseback archery skill that they could shoot from any angle, use the fastest technique, continuously put up the arrows on the bow and release them, none did not hit the target, so that the nearly three hundred highest quality powerful arrows that they carried with them were nearly exhausted, hence they had no choice but to change strategy from traveling on the wild, mountainous country to going to a big city to procure a supply of arrows.

Ren Jun was an old horse who knew the way home; he knew that in the capital of Gao Kaidao’s Yan Kingdom, Yuyang [see Book 37 Chapter 4], there was a famous bow and arrow craftsman, who was known as Jian Dashi [lit. Great Master Arrow], specializing in manufacturing bows and fabricating arrows for people who were willing to pay the high price.

This gentleman was also an imperial craftsman appointed by the Gao Kaidao himself; however, Gao Kaidao was not an outspoken and straightforward person, plus Jian Dashi loved to linger on the pleasure quarters and did not hesitate to stake a thousand pieces of gold on one throw [idiom: extravagant], hence he needed another source of extra income and secretly struck business deal with gangs and societies people to supply them with bows and arrows.

By this time the two boys were fascinated with their newfound skill of equestrian archery, thinking inwardly that they might as well replace their bows. Since the other party earned the right to be called Great Master, he ought to have a skill or two. Therefore, they were completely in favor toward Ren Jun’s proposal.

Under the two boys putting their heart and soul into induce and instruct, Ren Jun’s saber technique moved forwards in large strides, stepping over one day, a thousand li [idiom: rapid progress]. Three men, each lost himself in training, the journey was not lonely at all.

Treated well by Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling, the Thousand-li Dream and Ten-thousand-li Spots established deep emotional relationship with the two boys, the two colts were sensitive and had good understanding of the two boys’ intention; riding on the horses’ back, they had a familiar feeling like the horses were their own flesh and blood.

Zhai Jiao opened up a branch in Yuyang, specializing in sheepskin wholesale, the manager, Xing Wenxiu, was Zhai Rang’s former subordinate, around thirty years old, although his martial art skill was so-so, he was very smart; in a few years he had established crucial relationship with Yuyang’s government officials, merchants, and various gangs and sects. He was getting on very well in the region. Hearing that Kou and Xu, two men’s great selves were honoring him with their presence, he hurriedly received them wholeheartedly, inviting them to stay in his magnificent mansion at the southern part of the city.

The three entered the city at dusk. During the dust-washing banquet that night, accompanying them on the banquet table were Xing Wenxiu’s left and right capable assistants Zhuang Hong and Liu Datian, also Zhai Rang’s former subordinates, valiant generals in the battlefield under his personal command in the olden days.

After three rounds of wine, Xing Wenxiu asked, “Zhong Ye and Ling Ye’s visit to Yuyang this time, will you visit Yan Wang [King of Yan]?”

Kou Zhong did not have any plan to see Gao Kaidao. Knitting his brows, he said, “Isn’t Gao Kaidao a Tujue’s hunting dog? Tujue people and us are like water and fire; seeing him will only bring harm without any benefit.”

Xing Wenxiu said, “That was then and this is now. Currently Tujue’s Tuli and Xieli are attacking each other, both refuse to concede to the other, Gao Kaidao no longer needs to look at the Tujue’s countenance to act. According to the information I received, Gao Kaidao is considering his position and movements from this moment on. Two Daye’s names shook the world, perhaps you could form a contract of alliance with him. This is indeed a rare opportunity.”

Recalling Zhang Jinshu, Kou Zhong shook his head and said, “One day the battle between the Li Clan and Liu Wuzhou, Song JinGang is not concluded, Gao Kaidao should not make reckless decision. If the winning side is the Li Family, perhaps Gao Kaidao will surrender to the Li Family; but if the victor is Liu and Song, he will have no choice but to obediently become the Tujue people’s hunting dog. No matter what, it won’t be my, Kou Zhong’s turn.”

Zhuang Hong slapped the table and said with a sigh, “Shaoshuai’s view is accurate and thorough; how could we not think through this matter deeply?”

Nodding his head, Xu Ziling said, “It’s better not to see Gao Kaidao, to avoid a new branch grows out of a knot. We came to Yuyang this time, other than to pay a visit and send our regards to gentlemen, we also wish to replenish our supply of some excellent quality strong bows and powerful arrows, so that we could retrieve Da Xiaojie’s sheepskin goods from Du Xing’s hands.”

Xing Wenxiu said, “That’s not a problem, we have a batch of readily available bows and arrows, all are highest quality goods.”

Lowering his voice, Ren Jun said, “What the two Ye’er have in mind was bows and arrows manufactured personally by Jian Dashi, not any ordinary highest quality goods.”

Xing Wenxiu cheerfully said, “All of our bows and arrows are bought at high price from Jian Dashi; how about I send someone to get them so that two Daye can have a look?”

Liu Datian shook his head and said, “Although our arrows and darts are not bad, they are entirely made by Jian Dashi’s apprentices. Compared to the ones that Jian Dashi personally select the material and put his hands to refine it, whether in term of durability or precision, there is still a great distance. I hear that throughout his life, Jian Dashi only made seven divine bows that he is very proud of. And now only two remain in his hands, the ‘Piercing the Sun’ and the ‘Shooting the Moon’, which he regards as personal collection. Someone bid a thousand taels of gold, he still refused to part with his cherished possession.”

Greatly delighted, Kou Zhong said, “Just by hearing the name, I know it’s not an ordinary article; I want these two.”

Xing Wenxiu and the others were dumbstruck and unable to reply.

Greatly displeased, Xu Ziling said, “Let’s not talk about you do not have thousand taels of gold, even if you have more silver taels than that, the other party may not necessarily want to sell. Are you going to use force to rob other people?”

Revealing a difficult expression, Xing Wenxiu said, “Jian Dashi has a strange temper; he does not care about anybody, including Gao Kaidao. Hey! I wonder if Zhong Ye can put up with it a bit and look at our inventory first?”

His pair of eyes lit up, Kou Zhong said, “I definitely want to play with these Piercing the Sun and Shooting the Moon, to see what these divine bows look like. This matter is up to us to find a way, Xing Laoxiong only need to make arrangement for us to meet Jian Dashi, to let us persuade him. If it does not work then we’ll forget about it, tomorrow morning we’ll be on our way.”

Zhuang Hong looked at the sky outside the window, he said, “To see Jian Dashi at this time, you need to go to Bai Hua Yuan [hundred flowers park]. He is infatuated by Bai Hua Yuan’s charming ladies. If he does not go there, he absolutely cannot sleep.”

Thinking about their pleasure-house luck, inwardly both Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling were feeling the situation was far from good; but the words have already left the mouth, plus they really wanted to have two a bit more decent good bows. Since they did not want and did not wish to take back their words, Kou Zhong smiled bitterly and said, “We have no choice but to see how’s our luck this time, right? Ling Shao?”