Book 45 - Chapter 5 – Satisfying Rival Demands
Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling echoing one another was actually the skill that they developed since they were mingling in Yangzhou in the past; finished playing hard, they played soft, giving the other side the opportunity to step down the stage and save some face. If the opposite side was forced until ‘if you take this step, there will be no death’ [not sure], no matter how reasonable you are, in the end the only way remaining is to solve it by force.
This moment Kou Zhong was playing old friend trick; he leaned closed to Xieli and spoke in low voice, “Great Khan, please don’t take offense. I hear it was you who invited Xiufang Dajia to Longquan, but the one who wants to change Longquan into ruins is also you. Xiufang Dajia is a person who loves to sing a song and pluck the zheng, not war [in Chinese, pluck the zither (tanzheng) and war (zhanzheng) rhyme], and I also respect and love Xiufang Dajia. Ha! Surely Great Khan does not wish for Xiufang Dajia to grieve to the point that she follows Old Bai’s trailing dust [fig. footsteps/course in life]?” Translated by foxs
Xieli revealed an angry, but also slightly awkward expression. Speaking in low voice, he said, “I will personally explain and apologize to her.”
At the last moment, all activities in the shooting range were temporarily suspended, all the generals were listening attentively to the two men’s exchange.
Kou Zhong said, “The best apology is to exchange weapons of war for gifts of jade and silk [idiom: to turn hostility into friendship]. In that case, tomorrow morning Xiaodi is going to take the boat to return to my home country, to see what I can do, for instance, not to allow Li kid to prevail over Luoyang, and so on. Great Khan is not going to send troops to help Wang Shichong defending Luoyang? Then leave it to Xiaodi to do it in your place!”
Xieli roared in laughter and said, “Shaoshuai is a very good lobbyist. Looking at Xiufang Dajia’s face, I, Xieli will make exception by conceding to you. Other than demolishing the city wall, the Sumo people must offer fifty thousand warhorses, a hundred thousand cows and sheep, twenty taels of gold, and lastly, the most important condition is Da Zuorong will be detained as a hostage. This is my lowest request; there is no possibility to concede.”
Hearing that, Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling looked at each other. How could the Sumo people be willing to hand over Da Zuorong? Even the two boys could not bear to treat such a weak child like this.
Laughing bitterly, Kou Zhong said, “Great Khan makes our life very difficult. After his death, Bai Ziting’s remains cannot be protected, it must be delivered to Great Khan to be dealt with, this is already causing incomparable resentment, indignation and humiliation to the Sumo people; therefore, they wish to preserve Old Bai’s bloodline. Da Zuorong is a child who does not know anything, Great Khan taking him away, the significance is only symbolic, but the substance is not too much; losing large quantities of warhorse, cows and sheep will immediately empty out Sumo’s state treasury, in eight years, ten years, they can forget about recovering, not taking into account the annual tribute. Can Great Khan give Xiaodi a little bit of face and let go of Da Zuorong?”
Letting out a stifled snort, Xieli said, “Your Central Earth has the Central Earth’s rules, our prairie has the prairie’s rules. It’s always when you enter a village, follow the local customs; there’s no custom that must be changed because of the guest. If you don’t believe me, just ask your brother Tuli, go consult Pusa or Gunatai brothers, or even Abaojia, Tiefuyou. Ask them whether I, Xieli taking Da Zuorong away, is excessive or intolerant. Humph! Those who oppose me, all the men will be killed, the women will be slave. This time it is exception within the exceptions; otherwise, how could our Tujue tribe establish our might in the prairie?”
Zhao Deyan spoke with a sinister smile, “Shaoshuai must not regard the fake Chang’an as the real Chang’an. Although Longquan is the Sumo people’s upper capital, in term of scale, it is actually far inferior to even Jingling. Plus Du Fuwei’s Jianghuai Army cannot be compared to us. Forcefully sticking out your head simply because of worries, even if Shaoshuai don’t give thought to yourself, you should think about Shaoshuai Army or Da Xiaojie.” Translated by foxs
Listening to that, Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling’s heart was on fire. While admittedly Xieli was unwilling to yield, Zhao Deyan was pushing the wave and adding to the billows, his words contained threat, he even implicated Zhai Jiao.
Kou Zhong spoke with solemn expression, “If Great Khan is willing to make an exception and make allowance, I, Kou Zhong, will be very grateful.”
Knitting his brows, Tonyukuk said, “Great Khan has been particularly lenient toward Shaoshuai, why don’t Shaoshuai go back and take your time in making a decision with the Sumo people. Give Great Khan an answer before dawn.”
Kou Zhong threw his head back in long laughter; heroic feeling gushing out, he said, “Why wait until daybreak? Right now I can immediately give Great Khan an affirmative answer.”
The murderous intent in Xieli’s pair of eyes flaring greatly, the lightning flashing, he nodded and said, “Very well! I, Xieli wash my ear and listen respectfully.”
Kou Zhong took three steps forward, his pair of eyes swept across the arrow targets setup at the other end of the open field, he calmly took out the Piercing Sun Bow from inside his outer robe, and exerted his strength to open it up. ‘Twang!’ when the bowstring straightened, he shouted, “Get me an arrow! You can’t rely on a verbal agreement [idiom: just because someone says so, doesn’t mean it’s true], let this arrow decide the City of Longquan’s fate.”
Behind him, a group of Tujue high-ranking military officers led by Xieli, along with several hundred Xieli’s personal guards lining up both sides of the field watching the archery, the Tujue warriors far and near preparing against the war, none was not attracted by his exceeding-all-expectations action, they all stared fiercely at him.
Xieli personally took an arrow from his attendant’s quiver and handed it over to Kou Zhong’s left hand stretched out behind him.
Without the slightest hesitation Kou Zhong took the arrow and put it on the bow, lightly and effortlessly he pulled the Piercing Sun Bow into a full moon.
Xieli and the others’ eyes were fixed on this famous folded bow, which had made countless Tujue warriors nursing a grievance; no one knows what they felt inside their hearts.
Across the arena, only Xu Ziling knew that Kou Zhong was going to shoot this arrow using vortex of energy, to blast the arrow target into smithereens, both to establish his might, also to state clearly his determination and standpoint of rather be a broken jade than an intact roof tile.
Under the tens of thousands watchful eyes, the bowstring exploded, the powerful arrow on the string shot out, at a naked-eye-difficult-to-see-clearly high speed, fast as lightning it traversed the hundred-pace distance. The moment it was about to hit the bullseye, suddenly it froze midair, because a wide and thick hand that seemed to appear from nothingness and from another world stretched out and pinched the arrowhead using two fingers, the thumb and index finger.
It was as if time suddenly stood still. Translated by foxs
‘Bang!’ the powerful arrow shattered into cun-size pieces.
Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling were astounded; they looked at each other, while the Tujue warriors burst into ear-splitting cheer.
Unexpectedly it was one of the three major grandmasters of the world, the ‘Wu Zun’ [martial art venerable] Bi Xuan. No one knew where he flashed out from! The instant just before the powerful arrow hit the target, with hard-to-believe speed and accuracy he pinched the arrowhead. Due to the powerful arrow was imbued with spiraling power, the two streams of energy collided, the long arrow vanished into the thin air.
Even with Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling’s Mount-Tai-collapsing-in-front-of-their-eyes-their-countenance-will-not-change cool-headedness, their countenance still changed.
They were both alarmed and shocked by Bi Xuan’s startling-heaven-and-earth-making-ghosts-and-deities-sob unfathomable skill of catching the arrow, but moreover, they did not expect Bi Xuan to come in person with the army. No wonder that Tuli was deliberately arriving late, while also greatly increased the variable of the coalition troops attacking Longquan.
Bi Xuan evidently did not expect that he would be unable to completely neutralize the true power inside the arrow, so that he failed to save the long arrow. Slightly stunned, he said, “Shaoshuai’s internal power has advanced one layer deeper. Congratulations.”
Greatly disappointed, Kou Zhong put the Piercing the Sun Bow away, he saluted and said, “I did not know Wu Zun has come in person, please forgive my guilt of being rude.”
‘Wu Zun’ Bi Xuan was still wearing the plain and simple wild hemp outer robe, but still possessed some kind of considering-himself-unexcelled-in-the-world, looking-disdainfully-out-of-the-corner-of-his-eyes-at-the-world lofty quality like the ‘Heavenly Saber’ Song Que. With two hands behind his back, he took a stride toward Kou Zhong’s side, with dragon-gait-tiger-step, walking slyly, with relaxed and free demeanor, but with grave and stern, deep and immeasurable expression in his eyes, as if nothing in heaven and earth could hide from him.
Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling exchanged a glance, they both had a very bad feeling. Reportedly, for over nearly several decades Bi Xuan has never participated in Tujue tribe war, but today he, the Senior came in person. Naturally it could not be as simple as he was merely watching from the side. Rather, it must be an operation to target them. What’s more, he had already warned the two boys to roll back into the Central Earth; therefore, his intention in coming could not be good.
With Bi Xuan here, immediately he brought changes to the situation, which were absolutely disadvantageous to them; they no longer had any confidence in the future development. Translated by foxs
Suddenly Bi Xuan walked across the five-hundred-pace distance; he appeared to be slow, but was actually fast, his being was brimming with a crafty, completely inexplicable feeling.
Far and near, all the warriors stood in solemn respect. To them, Bi Xuan was not only the supreme spiritual leader, but more than that, he was the martial art giant master that they worshipped like a deity.
There was only the sound of whistling night wind and the sound of crackling torches adorning the silence that suddenly arose.
Bi Xuan stopped about ten paces away from Kou Zhong. He smiled and said, “This person has a proposal that would satisfy rival demands, that would resolve the dispute between the Great Khan and Shaoshuai.”
Kou Zhong took a deep breath. Pressing down the fluctuating mood in his heart, he spoke seriously, “Wu Zun, please bestow instructions!”
Tranquil and calm and at ease, Bi Xuan said, “Military affairs is one kind of extreme form of politics, a bloodshed politics; once anybody resorts to military force, ultimately it can only be settled by life and death. The matter between countries is like this, the matter between persons is also like this, hence the strong is called the king. This time Bai Ziting and Funantuo stirred up dispute, their desire was to take and replace our tribe. If there were no Shaoshuai sticking out your head for them, their only ending would be extermination of the entire clan. Why not from the large-scale attack and defense battle, we change into life and death duel between two persons? If the victor is Shaoshuai’s side, we can make an exception by canceling the condition of taking Da Zuorong as a hostage. Shaoshuai, what do you think?”
Immediately Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling cried for their Niang in their hearts. If Bi Xuan personally made his move, no matter who they were going to deploy, he would only be throwing away his life in vain. They were deeply aware that Bi Xuan’s martial art skill was something that made Ba Fenghan decided to devote himself in training for one year before he was going to battle him again, evidently Ba Fenghan knew in his heart and saw clearly in his belly that he was still unable to defeat Bi Xuan.
Martial art skill of Bi Xuan’s level no longer has any weak point to be exploited.
Xieli and the others were also stunned, with Zhao Deyan, Tonyukuk, and so on, they you look at me I gaze at you.
Tonyukuk was Bi Xuan’s younger brother. Compared to Xieli and the others, it was more convenient for him to speak up. Clearing his throat, he said, “I am afraid this is in conflict with the agreement between us and Tuli Khan. Wu Zun, please note clearly.”
Bi Xuan glibly said, “Any agreement can be revised according to the situation. For example, Tuli has never thought that Shaoshuai would stand on the Sumo people’s side, he thought that by sending the troops to the east, he might help Shaoshuai venting his resentment.” Translated by foxs
And then with a deep and immeasurable flicker he looked around until his mighty and divine-splendored eyes were fixed on Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling. He smiled and said, “To make a long story short, this person will put a limit of ten moves. As long as Ba Fenghan could get through without dying, it will be like my previous suggestion. Does Great Khan have any other thought?”
Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling were both shocked and happy, the contradictions in their heart were frightening.
However, Xieli’s eyebrows were deeply knitted, he revealed a deep-in-thought look.
All around, the crowd stood in silence, waiting for Xieli’s response. All along he was the master of Tujue, Bi Xuan must obtain his approval before he could represent the Golden Wolf Army in a decisive battle against Ba Fenghan.
Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling exchanged a glance. They both knew the reason behind the other feeling terrified and happy at the same time.
Happy because Bi Xuan did offer a solution to the deadlock in the negotiations. Upon self-examination, the two boys knew that either one of them went down the arena, they were sure that they could withstand Bi Xuan’s ten moves, at worst they would only suffer a bit of internal injury. From this, the reason Bi Xuan was so sure that he could kill Ba Fenghan within ten moves was based on an error in judgment; he thought that Ba Fenghan was still suffering from serious internal injuries, he never thought that there was such amazing technique of healing in the world called the ‘Huan Ri Da Fa’, which made Ba Fenghan shed his mortal body and exchange his bones. Not only his internal injury was completely healed, he even rose one level in his martial art skill; he was no longer the same Ba Fenghan who was nearly slaughtered by Bi Xuan earlier.
Terrified because of Ba Fenghan’s forceful style. From what the two boys knew about him, they were certain that he would dash on bravely with no thought of personal safety, doing everything he could to exonerate the previous disgrace within these ten styles, which was completely different from trying to withstand the ten moves. He would used all moves to advance, and when that happened, no one would dare to be sure that life or death, victory or defeat, could be decided within ten moves.
Xieli’s concern was naturally Tuli. It could be inferred that the agreement between him and Tuli was that he must not harm Kou Zhong, Xu Ziling and Ba Fenghan. If Bi Xuan killed Ba Fenghan, it would be difficult for him to answer Tuli.
As expected, Xieli sighed and said, “Wu Zun, please don’t take offense, I still have a difficulty. I wonder if Shaoshuai has a better proposal.”
Inwardly Kou Zhong rained curses on Xieli’s craftiness. In short, he wanted to push the blame entirely on Kou Zhong. If he agreed, then it would be very difficult for Tuli to blame Xieli later. Translated by foxs
He turned to look at Xu Ziling, asking for help.
Smiling wryly, Xu Ziling said, “Can one of us take up the challenge on his behalf?”
Bi Xuan smiled and said, “Two gentlemen will have this opportunity one day, but it’s not going to be in this touching starlight-studded night.” Looking up to the sky, his pair of eyes emitted a profound emotion, he spoke slyly, “Because between the two gentlemen and I there is no hatred of murdering the disciple.”
Kou Zhong said, “Since it concerns human life, moreover, it is our close friend’s life, I wonder if we could talk a few words in private?”
Xieli nodded his agreement. Kou Zhong pulled Xu Ziling to the side. Using his internal energy he focused his voice into a thread, saying, “This is a real headache; what do we do?”
Having a headache, Xu Ziling said, “If we refuse on Old Ba’s behalf, I am afraid he would get rid of us in anger.”
Kou Zhong spoke resolutely, “I understand! Old Bi took the initiative by issuing the challenge, we practically don’t have any choice. Old Ba has no choice either.”
Upright and unafraid, he walked back and said, “We have decided to accept Wu Zun’s special favor, with only one additional condition, which is after Great Khan verifies Bai Ziting’s remains, we will be able to take his body back to Longquan for burial.”
Frank and straightforward, Xieli said, “Two gentlemen are men whom I, Xieli respect. This bit of face, I must give you, no matter what. We have a deal!”
The cheer exploded again, which spread widely across the Jingpo Plains.
Zong Xianghua’s flower countenance lost its color, she said, “How could we do this?”
Her reaction represented the mindsets of Longquan’s high-ranking military officers, because the ‘Martial Art Venerable’ Bi Xuan was synonymous to ‘unequalled in the prairie’. Since he set the ten-move limit, no one dared not to believe that he did not have that ability. In other words, Da Zuorong would be unable to escape the tragic fate of being taken prisoner by the Tujue Army.
Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling could not help feeling big headache as well; just now they already agreed to Bi Xuan, but after putting the words in full, they never thought about Longquan’s various generals’ reaction, which was actually reasonable.
Kesubie shook his head and said, “We would rather fight to the death and buried with the city. Four gentlemen have done utmost mental and physical efforts for us, our Sumo tribe will never forget. Ay! Xieli has never been willing to let those who oppose him off. Your brother Tuli is really scheming with the tiger for its skin.”
Ba Fenghan’s pair of tiger-eyes lit up, but surprisingly he did not speak.
Burst by burst the long wind brushed and rolled over the people negotiating on top of the city wall. Outside the city, the free wilderness was full of the enemies and their torches. The atmosphere was heavy. Translated by foxs
Xu Ziling’s heart was moved, he said, “Lady and gentlemen, please listen to Zaixia, if my brother Ba Fenghan is willing to agree that rescuing Da Zuorong back is his highest goal, this will be the best way to save the City of Longquan.”
Stunned, Zong Xianghua said, “But Bi Xuan has fought with Ba Xiong once, he ought to know very well and could see through Ba Xiong’s martial art way, hence the confidence that he could kill Ba Xiong within ten moves. How could this battle be fought? The stakes are high; four gentlemen, please don’t blame me for speaking candidly.”
Kesubie and more than a dozen high-ranking military officers nodded their head in agreement to Zong Xianghua’s view.
A hint of smile appeared on the corner of Ba Fenghan’s mouth, but he still did not say anything, giving up the impression of profound mystery.
Kou Zhong laughed cheerfully and said, “That is the most brilliant point. As long as Old Ba is willing to do just like Ling Shao said, he will surely be able to successfully cross the barrier and resolve this matter. In the future he will be able to distinguish life and death with Bi Xuan. Because the Ba Fenghan now is no longer the same Ba Fenghan who fought with Bi Xuan for the first time. He also knows very well and could see through Bi Xuan. Ha! You must continue to trust me. Just think about it! With my, Kou Zhong’s personal character, how could I push my own brother out of the city to throw away his life?”
Ba Fenghan laughed calmly and said, “No one knows me better than Xu Ziling and Kou Zhong. But have you ever thought that if I only hold on to the withstanding-ten-move mentality to go to battle, I might really be throwing away my life?”
Smiling apologetically, Kou Zhong said, “Of course it’s not that passive; rather, when you ought to attack you must attack, when you should defend you must defend. Relying on your, LaoGe’s Stealing the Heaven Sword, you will give Old Bi a nice surprise.”
Noticing Kesubie, Zong Xianghua, and the others’ skeptical expression, Xu Ziling spoke earnestly, “Rather than burning both jade and common stone, why not take a gamble? Last time Bi Xuan could not kill Ba Fenghan dead, this time there’s a ten-move limit, how could it be different?”
Ba Fenghan laughed aloud and said, “No matter what you think, the battle between Bi Xuan and I is already like an arrow on the bowstring, there is no other way to go but to be released.”
This was precisely Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling’s biggest worry. With Ba Fenghan’s temperament, there was practically no need to have the ten-move limit. Therefore, they must stressed that helping the Sumo to get away from despair was his ultimate goal, only then would they be willing to let him go out to battle.
Song Shidao was able to see the crucial point in this matter; he spoke to Zong Xianghua and the other Longquan’s high-ranking military officers, “The lives of Longquan’s more than a hundred thousand people are in your hands. I trust Shaoshuai and Ziling’s judgment. If you and I stand on the opposite side, you will miss the gargantuan golden opportunity of your distinguished tribe able to roll the dust in the future to start over.” Translated by foxs
Zong Xianghua came over to Ba Fenghan. Stretching out her slender jade hand, she spoke with grave expression, “Ba Xiong, please don’t take offense, I just want to know Ba Xiong’s condition.”
Kesubie and the others nodded and praised her, because according to rumor, Ba Fenghan has been heavily injured by Bi Xuan. If at the moment his internal injury has not been healed, there was no doubt that he would be defeated in this battle.
Ba Fenghan revealed a look of displeasure. When it seemed like he was about to refuse, Xu Ziling sighed and said, “LaoGe, can you look at Xiufang Dajia’s face and make exception just this once?”
Ba Fenghan was slightly startled. He looked at Xu Ziling, and then he turned his gaze to Kou Zhong. Smiling bitterly, he said, “You two certainly force me too much, but I am still happy in my heart.” Finished speaking he held out his hand to grasp Zong Xianghua’s hand.
Her tender body shook, Zong Xianghua said, “This is impossible, Ba Xiong unexpectedly does not show the slightest sign of internal injury.”
Kesubie came over and spoke in great astonishment, “Could it be that the rumor is wrong?”
Letting go of Zong Xianghua’s hand, Ba Fenghan sighed and said, “There is the first of the month, then there is the fifteenth.” He then grabbed Kesubie’s extended hand.
Kesubie immediately released his inner qi, only to feel Ba Fenghan’s hand was as firm as an iron hoop, the true qi within his body was deep and wide like the vast body of water and ocean, deep and immeasurable. Aghast, he said, “I understand!”
What he understood was not that Ba Fenghan was not injured in his decisive battle against Bi Xuan, but he understood the reason behind Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling’s strong advocacy that Ba Fenghan went out to battle.
Ba Fenghan smiled and said, “I did not expect Ke Xiang’s [(prime) minister] inner power to be this exquisite and pure.”
Kesubie pulled his hand back and withdrew.
Kou Zhong clapped his hands and said, “Ha! It’s decided then. Old Ba, please remember this ten-move limitation. If you continue to fight, we will make our move to wreck your being meddlesome.”
Ba Fenghan restraint his qi and said, “My good brother, indeed.”