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He sneaked into the big atrium separating the front and middle sections and stopped in the darkness by the entrance where the lantern light could not reach. Focusing his power to his ears, he caught the conversation that the two men spoke in low voice, without missing a single word.

Chi Shengchun sighed and sighed, “I don’t know who leaked the news out, unexpectedly it entered Li Yuan’s ears, so that I have no room to advance or to retreat.”

Letting out a cold snort, Martial Uncle Xu said, “Could it be Dugu Clan people intentionally framing Shengchun up?”

Xu Ziling shivered inwardly, unexpectedly the Dugu Clan had some connection with Chi Shengchun? This matter was indeed beyond his expectation; fortunately, listening to the tone of Martial Uncle Xu’s voice, obviously the relationship between the two sides was without mutual trust, without sincere cooperation, otherwise, merely You Chuhong one person was enough to deal with them.

According to Kou Zhong, with You Chuhong’s power, after she received treatment from his needles, it was extremely possible that she would fully recover from her asthma, thereupon she might make breakthrough in her power. The You Laopo [wife/old granny] without asthma was really not a laughing matter.

Smiling wryly, Chi Shengchun said, “I don’t know. According to reason, they are willing to sell their stuffs to Shengchun, so Shengchun treat them well as my customer, helping to temporarily relieve them from their desperate situation in Chang’an, where their money is in short supply. Shengchun is their benefactor, not their enemy. By harming Shengchun like this, what good will it bring them? Their expenditures are enormous, plus they are eager to rebuild their former fame and power; aren’t they afraid that I might be unwilling to do business deal with them in the future?”

Xu Ziling understood, while at the same time he sighed inwardly.

The Dugu Clan was fleeing to Chang’an in panic, they could only carry some of their wealth and valuables. Their properties and wealth in Luoyang have been confiscated completely by Wang Shichong. Now they were residing in Chang’an, if they wanted to maintain their former lifestyle, they had no choice but to sell off the valuables they had in their hands, in order to purchase their necessities, as well as the capital they needed to do a business to make money.

Not that Xu Ziling was ‘rich’, but he did not worry about food and clothing; however, Chi Shengchun’s remark reminded him when he and Kou Zhong were little pickpockets in Yangzhou, without enough food to keep them full, without enough clothes to keep them warm, a hard to describe feeling welled up in his heart.

Were they happier then, or were they a bit happier now? Perhaps neither he nor Kou Zhong had a definite answer.

Martial Uncle Xu asked, “Who else knows that you, Shengchun have Zhan Ziqian’s ‘Han Lin Qing Yuan Tu’ scroll in your hands?”

Immediately Xu Ziling’s spirit was greatly aroused, ‘Lucky!’ he cried inwardly. Turned out the object that the Dugu Clan sold was precisely this treasure. But thinking about it, it seemed logical; only a family influential for generations, a big clan who held core power within the Sui imperial court for a long period of time like Dugu Clan would be able to obtain this unusual treasure, which, those who knew its value, none did not have his heart moved. Furthermore, it was possible that they led away a goat while passing by [idiom: to opportunistically pocket off someone else’s possessions and walk off] from the deposed emperor Yang Dong and brought it to Chang’an.

After muttering to himself irresolutely for half a day, Chi Shengchun said, “This kind of things, how could I talk randomly? Those who are in the know of this matter, other than the Dugu Clan people themselves, there is also the ‘Da Xian’ Hu Fo, because I wanted to rely on his, the Senior’s insight to verify the authenticity of this painting. To spend ten thousand taels of gold for a treasured painting, naturally Shengchun is unwilling to undertake lightly. However, I am convinced that Da Xian will definitely not disclose this matter, because I stated clearly that if the marriage is decided, then this treasure would be the betrothal gift.”

Xu Ziling has never thought that this ‘Han Lin Qing Yuan Tu’ had a complicated relationship with Hu Xiaoxian. Since the ‘Great Immortal’ Hu Fo was an expert in valuating ancient paintings, he himself ought to be a person who loved paintings like his own life like Hou Xibai. From this, it could be seen that Chi Shengchun considered his marriage to Hu Xiaoxian to be very important, hence he used coercion and gain as a lure, acting completely unscrupulous. It also made Xu Ziling feel the urgency of this matter even more. Jianghu has Jianghu rules. Once Hu Fo opened his golden mouth to agree to the marriage, even Hu Fo himself could not change his tune without adequate reasons.

Martial Uncle Xu agreed; he said, “Hu Fo is not that kind of people who talk randomly. Hu Fo only has one daughter, he has no successor, if he obtains you, Shengchun to become a member of his family, that would be the result of his cultivation over several lifetimes, divulging the existence of the treasured painting will only be harmful without any benefit to him.”

Chi Shengchun laughed lasciviously, “After tasting Shengchun, I guarantee that Hu Xiaoxian will understand what cultivation over several lifetimes is.”

This was the first time that Xu Ziling realized the seriousness of this matter, to the extent that he now fully understood the consequences of the failure.

Demonic school people had some secret method to charm and pleasure women in bed, perhaps Hu Xiaoxian still could not be considered dissolute girl or s1utty women, but all along she was not a decent maiden either. If Chi Shengchun used his trick to gain the upper hand, she might change from hate to love, both sides were happy, there would be a good chance that she might reveal Xu Ziling’s secret, and that would truly be having given away a bride, to lose one’s army on top of it [idiom: to suffer a double loss after trying to trick the enemy], or having his boat capsized in the ditch.

Laughing evilly, Martial Uncle Xu said, “What ability does Hu Xiaoxian have that she will be able to fly away from the hollow of Shengchun’s palm? Not to mention Zuwen and Li Yuanji are both the men that they, father and daughter, do not dare to offend. As for the ‘Han Lin Qing Yuan Tu’, Shengchun need not worry too much about Li Yuan, he only loves women and does not love painting and calligraphy, furthermore, he has to speak about the emperor’s elegant demeanor, Shengchun only needs to pretend that you don’t know, and then after two days you send the painting to Hu Fo as betrothal gift, let Hu Fo has a headache because of this; what does it have to do with you? Ha!”

Just by listening to his speech, one could tell that his man’s heart was extremely bad, he took joy in calamity and delight in disaster, putting the inferior everything-for-self-and-selfish-profit character of the demonic school people in full display.

Chi Shengchun sighed and said, “The problem is that this morning Li Yuan sent Liu Wenjing to come to talk to me, saying something like among the collection of the four families of the previous generation, Zhang Jieyu only lacks Zhan Ziqian’s authentic hand brush, the implication was that he wants Shengchun to be sensible and obediently present the treasure. Ay! Honestly, if I haven’t told Hu Fo that the painting is a betrothal gift, I would, without the slightest hesitation, take the painting to win Li Yuan’s favor, to let him curry the beauty’s favor. Presently, however, I have no room to advance or to retreat, afraid that Hu Fo might fly into a rage out of humiliation, and thereby use this matter as an excuse to decline the engagement. Shishu, please tell Shengchun what to do; it wearies me out that I don’t even feel like eating rice.”

It was only then did Xu Ziling understand well the crucial point of the ‘Han Lin Qing Yuan Tu’; no wonder Li Yuan mentioned this painting to Hou Xibai. Perhaps he wanted to use Hou Xibai’s mouth to force Chi Shengchun to present the treasure, who would have thought that Hou Xibai saw others go hunting, he was excited by memories of the thrill of the hunt [idiom], he wanted to take it for his own. Li Yuan waited several days, but Chi Shengchun has not made any movement, thereupon he could not help sending Liu Wenjing, with open saber, open spear, to raise his request to Chi Shengchun, harming Chi Shengchun that he did not have the heart for tea and rice, and fell into a dilemma.

Martial Uncle Xu suddenly understood. He said, “Turns out this matter has become so thorny, no wonder you are sitting here with sighing voice, wailing breath. Liu Wenjing already spoke up, if Shengchun does not immediately offer the painting, you will offend Liu Wenjing and Li Yuan at the same time. I’m afraid this matter will be extremely unfavorable to our grand plan.”

Chi Shengchun said, “Naturally Shengchun does not dare not to give Liu Wenjing any face publicly, therefore, I honestly told him about the painting as betrothal gift, hoping that he would say a couple of good words in front of Li Yuan, after the wedding is set, I will find a way to take it back from Hu Fo’s hands and present it to Li Yuan.”

Shaken, Martial Uncle Xu said, “That’s bad!”

Shocked, Chi Shengchun asked, “What’s the problem?”

Martial Uncle Xu sighed and said, “Of course there’s big problem. Whether in Chang’an or in Jianghu, ‘Da Xian’ Hu Fo is a person or virtue and prestige, Li Yuan is, after all, half a Jianghu man, he cannot completely disregard Jianghu rules. If Li Yuan, for the sake of his imperial concubine’s pleasure, forces Hu Fo, this kind of old uncle with such a status, to offer his only daughter’s betrothal gift, he would be despised by the Jianghu. Li Yuan loves to speak about face the most, how could he be willing to commit this kind of offending the public anger thing?”

Chi Shengchun was unable to respond.

Xu Ziling quietly returned to the middle section’s study room. Now, even if there was no request from Hou Xibai, he would spare no effort to steal the treasured painting, to escalate Chi Shengchun’s difficult problem from painful to deadly, to throw his troop disposition into chaos, not only to destroy his relationship with Li Yuan, but also to make Hu Fo resentful to him.

※ ※ ※

Kou Zhong was rushing at top speed along the vast wilderness blanketed by the starry sky above, heading to the west, leaving the battlefield farther and farther away, feeling that the bottom of his heart was at a loss.

Could it be that he had to helplessly let Wang Shichong lose Luoyang, so much so that he would also lose his engagement with Song Yuzhi, lose Song Que’s expectation and support, lose Bashu, even lose the entire struggle of contending for hegemony over the world?

His break-up with Wang Shichong would bring about adding-hail-to-the-snow blow to the heart of Wang Shichong’s troops, many high-ranking military officers of the Great Zheng, who originally did not have disloyalty, would now have to reconsider this matter from their own interest.

He was certain that Li Shimin would succeed in isolating Luoyang; it was just a matter of time. When Luoyang fell, his Shao Shuai Army’s survival will also be impacted.

With his current strength, it was impossible to snatch Jiangdu away from Li Ziting’s hands using open saber and open spear; he could only employ stratagem. If time permitted, he could use the Zhuhua Bang from the inside to crumble Li Zitong’s defensive power, which momentum appeared like rivers pouring away by the day [idiom: going from bad to worse].

Since he began to make up his mind to contend for hegemony over the world, he had never experienced all-plans-used-up-all-strength-exhausted like right now.

Li Shimin regarded him as his only formidable opponent. It was only this moment that he really understood that Li Shimin was indeed his greatest obstacle and threat.

He now just wanted to quickly find Xu Ziling, to confide with him the indecision, the resentment and indignation in his heart.

He did not lose his heart per se, although it was hard to avoid the sense of loss and frustration, but deep in his heart, his fighting spirit was still like a spark that gradually spread and started a prairie fire.

His struggle with Li Shimin could only be settled with one side defeated and dispersed.

※ ※ ※

Xu Ziling was hiding inside one of the cabinets for nearly the entire sichen, before he heard Chi Shengchun’s footsteps as he returned to the bedroom.

And then Chi Shengchun cried out in alarm. Xu Ziling did not need to look, he knew that Chi Shengchun had seen the letter that he put on the pillow. He feigned ‘Duan Ming’ Cao San’s signature on the letter.

It said, ‘To Chi Guanzhu [establishment master/owner]: temporarily borrow the ‘Han Lin Qing Yuan Tu’ in order to fulfill life-long wish. Cao San kowtows’, very few characters.

A gust of wind flew away.

Xu Ziling cheered inwardly, but he did not immediately push the cabinet door open and go out, because Chi Shengchun was a Jianghu veteran, he would not be stupid enough to immediately go see whether the treasured painting was really stolen. Only when he was sure that Cao San was not around would he really suspect whether Cao San really stole the treasure or not.

Focusing his power into his ears, he tracked Chi Shengchun’s movements. Sure enough, he sensed that Chi Shengchun was only searching everywhere in the two sections of the residence complex, which also showed the speed of his shenfa. The sound was getting farther away. Xu Ziling was still waiting patiently.

Less than half a day later, Chi Shengchun came back to the bedroom. This time that Martial Uncle Xu was coming with him.

Martial Uncle Xu spoke heavily, “Didn’t Cao San die? I have not heard anything about him for so many years, why did he come precisely this moment?”

Chi Shengchun’s agitated voice replied, “He is looking for death. He has the cheek to provoke me, I’ll f*ck his eighteen generations of ancestors. If he really dares to take my ‘Han Lin Qing Yuan Tu’, I don’t care if he hides to the ends of the earth, I will make him suffer enough from my supreme penalty until he die.”

Martial Uncle Xu said, “Less talking nonsense, checking the ‘Han Lin Qing Yuan Tu’ is the most important business now.”

The sound of cabinet door being pushed, followed by the revealing of the entrance to the underground room was heard. Hiding inside the other cabinet next to the cabinet where the entrance was located, Xu Ziling was greatly astonished; he mused whether the treasured painting was really hidden in some secret compartment inside the underground room, only he overlooked it?

Thinking further, he believed it could not be so; if there was any secret compartment, unless it was designed by Lu Miaozi himself, how could it be hidden from him?

From the underground room came Chi Shengchun’s laughter; he said, “Turns out he was just bragging; the ‘Han Lin Qing Yuan Tu’ is still safe and sound. His Niang’s! We were nearly deceived by this short-lived [duan ming] kid.”

And then he heard the sound of Chi Shengchun climbing back up and the cabinet door being closed.

Xu Ziling nearly lost his confidence, he wanted to rush out and snatch the treasured painting away. But then he immediately suppressed his impulse, because he realized something was not quite right.

Because he did not hear any unusual noise of the mechanism to open the secret compartment, furthermore, he did not hear any noise of a scroll of painting being opened to be examined. It did not make any sense.

The only explanation was that the two crafty scoundrels outside suspected that he was playing a trick on them, hence they wanted to beat him at his own game, by luring him out.

He heard the sound of the two men’s footsteps going away.

Suddenly the situation became a competition of strange scheming and endurance between the two sides. While Xu Ziling was doubting his judgment, the sound of footsteps came back.

Chi Shengchun’s voice was heard outside the door, “I have a very ominous feeling.”

Martial Uncle Xu said, “We have guessed wrong! Cao San did not come, otherwise his footprints would appear on the powder we sprinkled on the ground, plus we would be able to dig him out from the scent of the ‘ding xing fen’ [determining-shape powder].”

‘Close call!’ Xu Ziling cried inwardly. If just now he could not stop himself from coming out of the cabinet, he would certainly be fooled without realizing it.

Chi Shengchun spoke with trembling voice, “I want to go see it!”

Martial Uncle Xu said, “I will hold my troop disposition nearby for you. I don’t believe Cao San possesses such a great magical power, unexpectedly knowing where you hid the scroll of painting.”

“Sorry for troubling Shishu,” Chi Shengchun said.

Suddenly he blurted out laughing, saying, “It was because this scroll of painting is too important that we worry about personal gains and losses like this. Who does Cao San think he is? Even if the scroll of painting is delivered into his hands, he won’t have the ability to take the painting away alive.”

Martial Uncle Xu said, “It’s always better to be careful.”

The sound of footsteps moved away.

Xu Ziling pushed the cabinet door opened and flashed out. His feet did not touch the ground, he traversed the bedroom and flew out of the window.

From stealing, he had to change it into robbing. Although it was not ideal at all, but he had no other choice.

(Author’s note: in the previous book, the painter of Han Lin Tu was Guan Tong; it was indeed the author’s mistake, because Guan Tong was a figure after the Tang dynasty. Therefore, the creator the scroll is corrected to Zhan Ziqian. Ladies and Gentlemen the readers, please forgive me.)