Zhan Zhao Adventures - Chapter Two (Part III)

Chapter Two: The Curtain of Twilight (Part III)

The two looked at each other and couldn't help but share a mutual smile. For some unknown reason, despite the pursuing forces outside, the howling storm, and the tense atmosphere weighing down on the mountain town, a faint warmth began to slowly envelop the dark little room, giving them a lingering sense of comfort.

 

However, too many doubts still plagued Huo Xiaodi's mind. He stared at the man and demanded, "Your martial arts are incredible! Why are you hiding from Little Shao?"

 

Right then, a flash of lightning illuminated the sky outside, momentarily casting a brilliant light on his inquisitive face. His slightly prominent front teeth gleamed exceptionally bright and white in the flash.

 

Zhan Rifei’s expression remained obscured by the darkness, but his voice carried a strange hint of curiosity. "Who is this 'Little Shao' you speak of, Brother Huo?"

 

Huo Xiaodi replied, "Shao Jizu, the one who was speaking in the courtyard just now! Don't tell me you don't know him? — Wait, if you don't know him, why are you hiding from him?"

 

Zhan Rifei murmured softly, "So, he is Shao Jizu. — Brother Huo, I have long heard tales of his illustrious reputation, but I have never met him in person. Since you call him 'Little Shao,' you must know him intimately?"

 

He naturally assumed that since Huo Xiaodi used such a casual nickname, the two must be well-acquainted. But if they were close, why was Huo Xiaodi hiding from him as well?

 

Huo Xiaodi said bitterly, "I know him, but that doesn't mean I’m his friend!" Pouting, he added, "Besides, what’s so great about Little Shao? The only reason people know him is because his ancestors' graves practically caught fire with good luck; his family must have burned countless bundles of high incense in their past lives."

 

Zhan Rifei replied, "Brother Huo, your martial arts are outstanding, and you were perfectly at ease when facing the experts of the Tang Clan's 'Wuning Hall' earlier. Judging by your tone, you don't seem to hold Commander Shao in high regard either. I am merely curious—did you perhaps offend him to force you to hide like this? Could Commander Shao's martial arts truly be that terrifying?" At this point, a thought struck him. "Or perhaps you haven't just offended him alone. Could it be—"

 

Huo Xiaodi curled his lip, his bright front teeth showing as he cut him off. "No need to flatter me. You're right, I haven't just offended Little Shao; I’ve already offended his master, the Prince of Xiangyang himself. Didn't you see the Prince's soldiers everywhere? They're clearly looking to cause trouble for me—they're even carrying around my portrait to show everyone!"

 

Recalling something, he involuntarily shuddered, then ground his teeth in rage. "That wretched Little Shao! I can't beat him in a straight fight, so my only option was to run. I never expected him to mobilize the entire forces of the Prince's Manor to hunt me down so relentlessly."

 

Zhan Rifei’s brow furrowed slightly as he softly repeated, "—They are carrying around your portrait?"

 

A trace of amusement gradually flooded his eyes, though it vanished instantly as another realization struck him—a detail that completely contradicted the current situation.

 

"Brother Huo, you claim to have offended Commander Shao and the Prince of Xiangyang. Yet, isn't Commander Shao scheduled to marry Miss Linglong of your esteemed manor in the coming days? It is said that the Prince of Xiangyang personally acted as the matchmaker, backed by an imperial decree from the Emperor himself. Why would you go out of your way to cause trouble for him? Aren't you afraid of incurring Master Huo’s wrath?"

 

Huo Xiaodi despised whenever anyone brought up this grand affair, which was already common knowledge throughout the martial world. He shook his head frantically, like a street peddler's rattle. "I’m causing trouble for him precisely because this marriage infuriates me! — Miss Linglong of our Linglong Manor is pure as jade and clear as ice. How could she possibly look kindly upon someone like Little Shao? Let alone the Prince of Xiangyang acting as matchmaker, even the Emperor himself won't do!"

 

His childish outburst caused Zhan Rifei to let out a soft chuckle. But his smile vanished immediately, followed by a suppressed, quiet cough in the dark. The brief conversation seemed to have drained his energy, and he slowly sank into a nearby chair. Lost in thought, his voice grew incredibly cautious.

 

"I have heard that Commander Shao is extraordinarily handsome, exceptionally talented in both civil and military arts, and enjoys a highly successful official career. The rumors in the jianghu suggest he and Miss Linglong are a match made in heaven. Furthermore, men and women must maintain proper distance, and Miss Linglong rarely leaves her chambers. How could you know that she disdains him?"

 

Huo Xiaodi’s expression shifted drastically, and he snapped exasperatedly, "You've never even met Little Shao, so how do you know if he's handsome or talented? Did you come out of the Linglong Manor, or did I? Even if it is the mandate of parents and the words of matchmakers, I just know our Miss Linglong doesn't like him! I can't swallow this insult, which is why I came to settle the score with him and vent our lady's frustrations."

 

Though the room was dark, he could faintly discern Zhan Rifei’s silent, knowing smile. The man clearly didn't believe a word, even if he didn't say it out loud.

 

An uncontrollable surge of anger flared up within Huo Xiaodi, and he blurted out, "I’m targeting him because our lady already has someone else in her heart! Let alone Little Shao, even Little Tang of the Tang Clan is completely wasting his time!"

 

He had held these words in for a very long time, and letting them out all at once brought him an indescribable sense of relief. However, the moment the words left his mouth, regret immediately washed over him. How could he carelessly reveal such secrets to a complete stranger? A faint blush crept onto his face, plunging him into awkward silence.

 

Seeing that the conversation had veered into the private affairs of others, Zhan Rifei knew it was inappropriate to pry further. Not wanting to worsen the youth's embarrassment, he simply offered a mild smile and closed his mouth.

 

Huo Xiaodi’s face remained flushed for only a moment before he recovered his composure. In the gloom, his large eyes glared at the man, maintaining his stubborn defiance. "What are you secretly smiling about?"

 

Blinking, he asked in quick succession, "Fine, I admit I can't beat Little Shao, but why were you hiding under the bed too? Don't tell me you've offended him as well, which is why you're on the run? Your martial arts are excellent; you were actually able to catch Ge Yunfei's ultimate fatal throw with a single hand. You could probably go toe-to-toe with him! Didn't you say you've never met him? Don't tell me you're terrified of him too."

 

A touch of self-deprecation and dry humor touched Zhan Rifei’s refined smile. "I fear you overestimating me, Brother Huo. Trading blows with such an opponent would surely be a thrilling affair. However, I have my own unspoken difficulties. As things stand now, a clash with him is entirely out of the question."

 

Seeing that Huo Xiaodi still refused to drop the matter, he smiled faintly and said, "Very well, to tell you the truth, I am just like you. I have not only offended Commander Shao, but I have also crossed the Prince of Xiangyang."

 

Huo Xiaodi instantly felt a deep sense of camaraderie. Nodding, he said, "In that case, I won't mock you. The people from the Xiangyang Prefecture are indeed a nightmare to deal with. If only you had seen Little Shao when he draws his sword—" He abruptly cut himself off. He had just arrogantly dismissed Shao Jizu as utterly worthless; discussing the brilliance of his swordsmanship now would only make him lose face.

 

Glancing at the man, he finally muttered reluctantly, "Still, even though you knew the Prince's pursuers were nearby, you still chose to step in and intercept Mu Xiuquan's strike for me. I haven't even thanked you properly yet."

 

Zhan Rifei countered, "But you also knew the pursuers were nearby, yet you still intervened to deflect a flying halberd that could have harmed innocent bystanders, and even saved a child who was about to perish at Ge Yunfei's hands. How could I not admire such righteousness? To offer thanks now would make us strangers, Brother Huo."

 

Huo Xiaodi couldn't help but brighten up at the words. Yet, his large eyes rolled as he pressed further, "But then again, how did you know Mu Xiuquan was planning to ambush me?"

 

Zhan Rifei let out a soft sigh. "The malice in the hearts of the jianghu is sometimes truly beyond imagination. Mu Xiuquan felt he had absolute cause to eliminate you. Since your lightness skill is unmatched, an ambush was his only viable option."

 

Huo Xiaodi scratched his head, still thoroughly perplexed. "I don't even know him, and I actually resolved a massive crisis for his Cloud-Rising Manor. Why would he show no gratitude and try to kill me instead?"

 

Zhan Rifei explained, "Simply because he had already recognized that you hail from the Linglong Manor. You carry the 'Yin-Yang Han' and possess that legendary 'Graceful Swan' lightness skill. Mu Xiuquan was a man of vast experience; he naturally deduced that you must be an esteemed youth of the Linglong Manor. Surely you understand the covert blood feud between the Linglong Manor and the Cloud-Rising Manor better than I do."

 

Huo Xiaodi murmured blankly, "A feud between the Linglong Manor and the Cloud-Rising Manor? Why has no one ever mentioned this to me?"

 

Zhan Rifei cast a strange look at him. The youth before him possessed peerless martial arts, yet his demeanor was completely innocent and naive, as if he knew absolutely nothing of the world's affairs. The Linglong Manor possessed immense renown; how could they allow such a boy to wander the jianghu alone?

 

Huo Xiaodi continued, "Even if I am from the Linglong Manor, grievances are better dissolved than knotted. Why couldn't he just accept the favor gracefully? Why did he absolutely have to kill me?"

 

Amused by his innocence, Zhan Rifei sighed. "If everyone in the jianghu shared your mindset, Brother Huo, there would be far fewer conflicts in this world."

 

He paused, then laid out the details. "Tonight, the third master of the Cloud-Rising Manor and his entire retinue perished at the hands of the Tang Clan's three grand assassins from the 'Wuning Hall.' This was already a crushing defeat for the Cloud-Rising Manor. Yet, you turned around and wiped out the leader of those three Tang assassins. Only by killing you could Mu Xiuquan reclaim his manor's honor and assert dominance over the Linglong Manor.

 

Furthermore, since you are aware of the 'Dragon-Tiger Registry,' the relationship between the Linglong Manor and the Tang Clan must be quite profound. To make matters worse, you appeared precisely at the scene of the treasure heist. This undoubtedly made him suspect that you intended to lay your hands on the very item the Cloud-Rising Manor desperately desires to possess.

 

Since a bitter grudge with the Linglong Manor was inevitable tonight whether he killed you or not, he figured he might as well eliminate you first. It would save them a great deal of trouble in their future war against your manor. That is why he had no choice but to kill you."

 

A peculiar look gradually filled Huo Xiaodi's large eyes. He remained silent for a long time before speaking. "So, when you secretly used Ge Yunfei's right halberd to execute Mu Xiuquan, your goal was to terrify Jiao Chaogui so he wouldn't cause trouble for me after Mu Xiuquan's death, correct?"

 

He shook his head slightly. "I’ve only heard people talk about how human hearts can be more venomous than snakes and scorpions, but today I actually witnessed it firsthand. Still, how did you manage to deduce all of this? Are you a roundworm living inside his stomach?"

 

By the end of his words, a bright smile returned to his face, as if he found the entire situation highly amusing. All his grievances vanished into thin air.

 

Zhan Rifei gently shook his head. A profound, unspeakable loneliness suddenly surfaced in his eyes.

 

"Though I have never met the man, I recognize his sword style. Spend enough time in the jianghu, and you see these things all too often. Brother Huo, Jiao Chaogui's Cloud-Rising Manor commands immense power. If he hadn't been overly arrogant tonight, bringing only Mu Xiuquan to secure the transport, and subsequently losing both his left and right hands, he would not have retreated so easily. The panic he displayed upon leaving was most likely an act.

 

The Cloud-Rising Manor boasts a forest of experts, and they have Ma Chaoxian backing them within the imperial court. This matter will certainly not end here. I fear your troubles will be endless from this day forward. Please exercise extreme caution in your future travels through the martial world."

 

Huo Xiaodi was taken aback. "What a cunning old fox!" Curling his lip, he scoffed, "So what if he has a backer in the imperial court? Is that supposed to be impressive? Do you think I don't have one?" His round face was filled with defiance. "Who is this Ma Chaoxian anyway? How could the Cloud-Rising Manor's backer possibly be stronger than mine?"