Book 1 Chapter 8 – In so much pain, wishing for death

Yuwen Huaji’s forceful voice came from the right shore, “I wonder which honorable person from the Song Clan presides over this fleet of ships, please pull toward the shore and halt the ships, let Yuwen Huaji get on board to send my regards.”

Inside the cabin, Fu Junchuo and the two boys looked at each other. They did not expect Yuwen Huaji would catch up with them this quickly.

This moment the four large ships were heading toward the left shore instead; obviously they were afraid Yuwen Huaji would fly toward their ship, or perhaps he would use arrows to attack from the distance.

From the bow Song Lu’s laughter soared to the sky, “Yuwen Daren, I trust you have been well since we last met. Song Lu pays his respect.”

While spurring his horse to pursue the ship, Yuwen Huaji laughed and replied, “Turns out it’s the Silver Beard with a Silver Dragon Cane, Song Xiong, now everything will be alright. Would Song Xiong please have your fleet pull toward the shore first, so that Xiongdi [brother, referring to self] can tell you the details?”

Song Lu laughed and said, “Yuwen Xiong flattered Xiaodi [little brother, referring to self] too much. If Yuwen Daren were in Xiaodi’s shoes, suddenly saw martial art masters from the Capital flocked in in the middle of the night, telling us to stop along the river, while Xiaodi’s ships are loaded with valuable goods, for the sake of safety, how could I not inquire clearly first the purpose of Yuwen Daren’s visit?”

Yuwen Huaji was extremely shrewd, he did not get angry at all; he said cheerfully, “That’s easy. This time this officer [referring to self] received the Sage’s [referring to the Emperor] order to capture three offenders to the throne. Reportedly the Fourth Gongzi has paid the bills of these offenders at a restaurant in Danyang, and later on he even invited them to come aboard his ship. I wonder if there is indeed such thing?”

Without even thinking Song Lu replied, “Someone must be trying to frame us up. Would Yuwen Daren please return and report to the Holy Sage that if I, Song Lu, see these offenders, I will personally capture them to bring them to justice, I will send them under escort to the Capital. It’s late! The Ol’ Song is going back to his cabin to sleep.”

Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling did not expect Song Lu to hold yi qi [spirit of loyalty and self-sacrifice, code of brotherhood] like this. Without the slightest hesitation he simply refused to hand them over to him; they did not even hear him asking whether the offender was male or female, he simply asked Yuwen Huaji to return to the Capital. Hence they knew that he would not betray them. Such character indeed deserved to be called a hero and a warrior.

Yuwen Huaji threw his head back and laughed aloud, “Song Xiong is quick to act and quick to speak. In this case Xiaodi won’t hide anything from you. Although for the time being Song Xiong can enjoy your peace, you will only invite endless trouble in the future. Furthermore, this officer can push the blame to your Song Clan. When the Sage’s dragon heart is angry, I am afraid Song Xiong and your family won’t feel better either.”

Song Lu said, “Yuwen Daren always loves to exaggerate, but you forget that mouth also grows on other people’s faces. Hearing Daren inflicts misfortune to my humble family, there will be another story in the Jianghu. It seems to me Yuwen Xiong’s consideration is less than thorough.”

Yuwen Huaji seemed to be listening with great delight; he laughed until he was out of breath and said, “In that case, this officer will not rush back to the Capital just yet. I will quietly wait Song Xiong’s honorable self at the Weeping Ghost Gorge ahead, where the river is comparatively narrower, so that we can talk a bit more conveniently, no need for us, brothers, to shout until our voices hoarse.”

Again Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling’s countenance changed. Fu Junchuo suddenly stood up and said, “I, Fu Junchuo, have received enough kindness from Han people, I will not implicate other people anymore. Come, let’s go.”

The two boys haven’t even had the chance to hear Song Lu’s response when Fu Junchuo grabbed their belts and broke out through the window. Like a big bird they flitted across the surface of the river over four zhang or so distance toward the left riverbank.

Song Lu’s surprised cry and Yuwen Huaji’s angry roar could be heard almost simultaneously before the three people entered the forest.

The wind cut through Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling’s ear as Fu Junchuo took them soaring like a cloud or like riding on the mi