Twin Heroes

Chapter 86

Princess Yao Yue’s head almost lowered.

Suddenly Xiao Yu’er said, “I really do not wish for you to die so horribly, as long as you promise me one thing, I’ll let you out immediately.”

Princess Yao Yue asked without thought, “What is it?” Once she said these words, she knew what Xiao Yu’er wants her to do.

Xiao Yu’er really said it, “As long as you tell me that secret, I will let you out immediately.”

Princess Yao Yue sighed, “You…. You can forget about it….”

Xiao Yu’er asked, “You are willing to die together with Wei Wu Ya? If anyone were to come in here in future, and found the two of you dead in the same room, what will they think.” He added with a laugh, “They will certainly say that, although Princess Yao Yue looks cold and haughty, but she actually had a secret lover, and the two of them actually came to this place for a rendezvous, and…”

He laughed and stopped, deliberately not continuing his sentence. Princess Yao Yue is already shaking.

Xiao Yu’er added, “Why don’t you consider it, I will let you out when you say it. Anyway I won’t have long to live after hearing this secret.”

Princess Yao Yue did not speak. At least she is not rejecting him now. Su Ying, who was next to Xiao Yu’er all this time, sighed and said, “At a time like this, why must you force her to reveal the secret? What good will it do you if she reveals it, it will only add to your troubles.”

Xiao Yu’er did not answer her, but asked her instead, “You should know that, between me and Hua Wu Que, one must die in the other’s hands. If he does not kill me, I have to kill him. But I do not believe that there is really such a thing as fate in this world, I must think of a way to change it, so I can only force her to reveal this secret. If I know why she insists that we duel, then I will have a way to solve it.”

Su Ying said quietly, “But… but isn’t your fate changed now! Now, you are unable to kill him, nor can he kill you, because you… you will die here.”

Xiao Yu’er replied, “Who said I will die here? I am born lucky, no matter what dangers I face, calamity will certain change into fortune when the time comes. I can bet with you, someone will certainly come and save me.”

Su Ying was silent for a moment before replying, “Actually Hua Wu Que will certainly think of a way to save you, but now, who knows what trouble he might be in himself, or else he would never have stopped.”

Xiao Yu’er clasped his palms and laughed, “That’s right, the people he is most likely to meet, will be Li Da Zui and the rest, because they have an appointment here, they will certainly come within these two days.”

Su Ying asked, “Then, do you think they will think of a way to come in and save you?”

Xiao Yu’er smiled bitterly, “Of course not, now I know that they keep thinking that I will join forces with others to deal with them, so they wish that I would die faster. But they think that Wei Wu Ya kept some treasures, and they will not give up unless they come in. I guess that they will be here in less than a day.”

Su Ying asked, “Do they have a way to come in?”

Xiao Yu’er replied, “With their capabilities, they will be able to come in even if the walls here are made of copper or steel.”

Su Ying finally smiled, “I hope that you won’t guess wrongly this time.” Before she could finish her words, sounds of clanging could be heard from outside.

Xiao Yu’er clasped his palms and chuckled, “You should trust me by now.”

Princess Yao Yue’s nervous disposition gradually calmed, and she was quietly adjusting the flow of her breathing, slowly going into meditation.

Xiao Yu’er said, “It seems that I have to tell her now that Hua Wu Que will be coming in soon.”

Su Ying’s eyes brightened, “That’s right, I will tell her first that Hua Wu Que is coming here, then tell her that if she refuses to disclose this secret, we will seal this place. I think even if she thinks this secret is important, it will never be as important as her own life.” Before the echoes of her voice have faded away, someone suddenly spoke behind them.

Princess Lian Xing said each word clearly, “You’re wrong, she really thinks this secret is more important than her life.” Although the words were spoken slowly and calmly, but to Xiao Yu’er and Su Ying’s ears, it sounded like a sudden bout of thunder. In the dim light, Princess Lian Xing’s face was as pale as paper. Princess Lian Xing continued, “Maybe if I have never been drunk it will be better.”

Her expression was still in a daze, as if she does not even know what she is talking about.

Xiao Yu’er’s eyes rolled, and suddenly smiled, “It seems like you’re feeling terrible, actually, it’s nothing shameful about being drunk. Everyday there are a least a few hundred thousand people who are drunk in this world, why should you feel bad? Did you think you have done anything? You fell asleep immediately after you were drunk, and only uttered a few words, it’s like you were dreaming.”

Princess Lian Xing slowly exhaled, and light slowly came back into her eyes, her pale face slowly gaining some color as well, and mumbled, “That’s right, I did have a dream, and it’s a very strange dream.”

Su Ying looked at him, full of admiration in her eyes, like she is really proud of him. Every girl will wish that her lover is generous, warm and kind. Although Xiao Yu’er had done some unscrupulous things in order to stay alive, but he does have a warm and kind heart towards others.

After a moment, Princess Lian Xing said slowly, “She can’t kill you now, let her off.” Her tone was very weird when she said this sentence, she was not being forceful in her request at all, but sounded more like an outsider trying to mediate.

Xiao Yu’er took a look at her, and without saying a single word, dragged Su Ying towards where the switch for the trap is. Princess Lian Xing did not follow at all.

They can’t help but to go down and have a look, but he did not expect Princess Yao Yue to really stay in the cave and not leave. Instead she sat down at the side of the wall. Princess Lian Xing stood far away, looking at her, lost in thought, the expression on her face a little startled, a little envious, and even a little jealous.

The more Xiao Yu’er sees it the stranger he felt. Although Princess Lian Xing’s expression was strange, Princess Yao Yue’s expression was stranger. Her face was neither red nor pale, but looked transparent. Under the light, it seems that every vein and every bone in her muscles can be seen clearly. This extremely beautiful face, has now become indescribably strange and frightening.

Su Ying exclaimed in alarm, “What is happening, could it be that she is… is already crazy?” Xiao Yu’er shook his head, and before he could speak, Princess Lian Xing had quietly retreated, standing there in a daze, not knowing what she could be thinking about. Su Ying and Xiao Yu’er were right in front of her, but she does not seem to have seen them.

Xiao Yu’er went forward to make conversation, saying “For a person’s face to turn transparent, it’s really rare, is this one of the martial arts you learn as well?”

He saw Princess Lian Xing’s expression and thought that she will never answer this question, but who would have expected that although Princess Lian Xing still did not take a look at him, but she replied slowly, “That’s right! The last stage of ‘Clear Jade Skill’ will cause this.”

Xiao Yu’er probed further, “Then, this martial arts must be very formidable?”

Princess Lian Xing replied, “There are altogether nine levels in this martial arts, and once one reaches level six, he can duel with the best martial arts exponent, if he reaches level eight, he will be invincible. Twenty years ago, we have already reached level eight. To master level eight of this martial arts, it would have needed at least thirty two years of hard work, but we only took twenty four years, and this speed of advance has already exceeded all those before us. We thought that we would need another four to five years to reach the last level.”

Xiao Yu’er knows that she has already been lured into conversation, so he did not speak further, but just waited quietly for her to continue. After a while, Princess Lian Xing really continued with a sigh, “Who would have expected that these twenty years, there is no improvement in our martial arts at all, as if we can only reach this level, unable to move on to the next level.”

Su Ying can’t help but ask, “But you… why can’t you reach it?”

Princess Lian Xing stared at Xiao Yu’er and did not speak for a long time, as if considering if she should answer this question, and Xiao Yu’er waited patiently. After another long wait, Princess Lian Xing finally heaved another long sigh and said slowly, “It’s because twenty four years ago, we had no distractions when we were practicing martial arts, but the last twenty years, we are like any other normal humans, we had troubles and pain, and no longer can we be as devoted as before.”

Xiao Yu’er was silent for a moment before mumbling, “Twenty years ago?…. twenty years ago….” He stopped his mumbling, Princess Lian Xing’s face slowly turned pale again, because she realized that Xiao Yu’er has guessed what is the troubles and pain that happened twenty years ago. Twenty years ago, isn’t that the first time they set eyes on Jiang Feng.

Su Ying suddenly asked, “Now… could it be that Princess Yao Yue has reached the ninth level now?”

Princess Lian Xing replied, “That’s right.” There was a trace of envy and jealousy in her eyes again, and she said calmly, “I really did not think that for twenty years she was unable to achieve it, but at a time like this, a place like this, I… I really am happy for her.”

Xiao Yu’er chewed his lips, and laughed, “I’m afraid it’s because I have helped her.”

Princess Lian Xing sighed, “I’m afraid that’s exactly the reason, because after you have trapped her there, it really removed any chance of survival. At a time like this, a person’s mind would have some unexpected change, maybe in that instant, she understood. Maybe she herself cannot imagine that she will have such an unexpected gain.”

The sounds of the rocks being moved outside are still ongoing. Listening to those chipping sounds, Xiao Yu’er does not know how he feel. If Princess Yao Yue is really invincible, his days ahead would be even more difficult.

Who would have expected that right at this time, the sounds suddenly stopped. Su Ying and Princess Lian Xing’s expression changed, and waited patiently for a long time, hoping that the sound would start again. But they were disappointed.

After a day, there is still no movement outside at all, and this day feels even longer than a million years. This time, even Xiao Yu’er is unable to guess what can make the Ten Evils stop. Now there is no hope for them at all.

Hua Wu Que did not find Tie Xin Lan at all. Tue Xin Lan seemed to have disappeared mysteriously.

With Hua Wu Que’s lightness skill, no matter which direction Tie Xin Lan had gone, he will certainly be able to catch up, but he searched the whole of Turtle Hill and can’t find even her shadow. By the time he returned dejectedly, Wei Wu Ya’s cave has already been sealed.

This change of event caused Hua Wu Que to be shocked and at a loss, he shouted madly but no one responded. Obviously the Floral Princesses and Xiao Yu’er have been sealed in the cave, or they would not have left without a word. Hua Wu Que only felt his limbs go numb, at a loss as to what to do.

By the time he borrowed a shovel and an axe from a woodcutter in the hills, the sun is slowly setting, and the light from the setting sun shone on the ground, the dusk seems to be bloody red.

He used all his strength and started to cut into the mountain. At the beginning, the rocks seem to be very weak beneath his shovel, but later it became harder and harder, as hard as steel.

He knows that his strength is slowly weakening, but he cannot stop. He does not even know what has happened in the cave, and he is almost going crazy. By now night is falling, in the boundless twilight, a shadow suddenly appeared. She did not speak, but just stood there quietly, looking at Hua Wu Que morosely. Although Hua Wu Que did not hear her voice, but his senses seemed to have detected something, and he slowly stopped working and quickly turned around.

Then, he became like this shadow, standing there in a daze, unable to move. Never did he imagine that the person standing in front of him now, is actually Tue Xin Lan, whom he was unable to find earlier. As he was searching for Tie Xin Lan all over the mountain earlier, his thoughts were like his steps, never stopping.

He thought of many things that he wanted to say to Tie Xin Lan. But now, although he is facing Tie Xin Lan, he can’t even speak a single sentence. Tie Xin Lan did not say anything either, and dare not even look directly at him, but quietly lowered her head, fiddling with her clothes that was blown up by the wind.

“You… where did you go earlier?”

Tie Xin Lan’s head lowered further and said, “I did not go anywhere, I’ve always been here.” The corners of Hua Wu Que’s lips moved, as if he wanted to smile, but did not.

Therefore he lowered his head as well and said, “So you did not go far at all, no wonder I couldn’t find you…”

Tie Xin Lan blinked her eyes and asked, “Did you see Wei Wu Ya earlier?”

Hua Wu Que replied, “I did not, there was no one in there at all, but I think Wei Wu Ya must have hidden himself and while they were caught off guard, sealed off all exits.”

Tie Xin Lan lowered her head and smiled, “It seems that you really have a suspicious nature.” Hua Wu Que can’t help but lower his head and smiled as well, and realized that he is still holding Tie Xin Lan’s hands. His heart skipped, and immediately wanted to release his hold.

But who would have expected that Tie Xin Lan would actually grab his hands unconsciously and said, “This cave has been sealed by your Teacher, it seems that she does not wish for others to go in again, I just hate myself… hate myself for not going in to take a look earlier.” Hua Wu Que only felt his heart beating very quickly. He heaved a long sigh and forced a smile, “Actually there’s nothing much to see inside.”

Tie Xin Lan replied, “I hear that Wei Wu Ya loved to collect treasures, there are many things which are rarely seen in this world, didn’t you see any?”

Hua Wu Que replied, “I did not see anything, maybe he took them all away.”

Tie Xin Lan said, “Maybe you did not take any notice at all.”

Hua Wu Que wanted to say something else, but suddenly realized that her eyes looked strange. Her eyes used to be clean and clear, it’s just that these past few days, it showed a hint of worry, making one’s heart break on seeing it. But now, her eyes seems extremely sharp, as cunning as a fox, and carried with it an evil air which made one’s hair stand.

In the darkness of the night, her figure and movement, her expression and face, is the same as Tie Xin lan, only this pair of eyes… This pair of eyes can never belong to Tie Xin Lan. Hua Wu Que felt a chill in his heart, and thought of retreating.

But it is too late by now!

Hua Wu Que felt his palms go numb, and the numbness spread to his limbs. With his last ounce of strength, he sliced over with a backhand, but this ‘Tie Xin Lan’ has already retreated twenty, thirty feet. He wanted to give chase, but he can no longer move his arms and legs.

‘Tie Xin Lan’ smiled, “Hua Wu Que oh Hua Wu Que, seems that you’re a lot worse than Xiao Yu’er. If it’s Xiao Yu’er, he would have seen through me before I speak my third sentence.”

A thought flashed through Hua Wu Que, and he suddenly remembered the name ‘Neither Man nor Woman’ Du Jiao Jiao, but now he could not even stand properly, and before he could utter a word, he collapsed.

Someone was heard laughing icily, “You need not be too smug, from what I see, your art of disguise is quite sloppy as well, didn’t he still see through it in the end?”

Du Jiao Jiao laughed, “That’s right, he did see through it in the end, but that’s just because I did not have the time to learn more about Tie Xin Lan’s look. I only studied her for an hour, if you can give me half a day’s time, this lad may not even be able to see through me during the day.”

Hua Wu Que has more or less guessed who these few people are, and also knows that now he has fallen in their hands, it’s like a fat sheep being sent to the slaughterhouse. But he was not worried about his own situation at all, because he knows that the situation the Floral Princesses and Tie Xin Lan is in must be more dangerous than his.

Li Da Zui walked over with a big laugh and looked Hua Wu Que up and down thoroughly, his tongue clicking.

After clicking his tongue a few tines, he mumbled, “Good, good, very good, such good meat, there may not be even one in ten thousand people. It’s just that it’s a little too thin, if it was stewed, there’ll be too little oil.”

As he spoke, he seemed to be salivating, and he reached out his hand, as if he is going to squeeze Hua Wu Que’s neck, like an old woman going to the market to buy chicken. Hua Wu Que was anxious and furious, but he could not stop him at all. Du Sha suddenly called out, “Stop!”

Li Da Zui’s arm retracted halfway and said with a laugh, “I am not killing him now, what does it matter that I’m only squeezing him a little?”

Du Sha said coldly, “This person can be considered one of the heroes of our time. I may not be able to win him in a fight, but at least I must treat him with courtesy. It doesn’t matter if you kill him, but you cannot humiliate him!”

Only now did Hua Wu Que hear something that is more befitting to a human, and can’t help but heave a long sigh and say, “Thank you.”

Hua Wu Que was silent for a moment before saying solemnly, “I am now in your hands, and have disregarded death, so I dare not ask for the word ‘respect’, it’s just that Tie Xin Lan…” He stared at Du Sha and said each word clearly, “Have Tie Xin Lan landed in your hands as well?” He did not ask anyone else, only Du Sha, because he can tell that among these five people, only this person with a murderous air will not lie.

Du Sha really replied, “Yes.”

Hua Wu Que still ignored the others, and only stared at Du Sha, “If you will let her go, I will die with no complains.”

Du Sha replied, “I don’t mind telling you, her father is my sworn friend, I wouldn’t make things difficult for her. Although Tie Zhan is considered one of the ‘Ten Evils’ but besides his proud character, if we consider only his deeds and his stout stature, he is definitely not below those people who consider themselves heroes…”

Hua Wu Que sighed, “Since you have said that, I am relieved. I would like to ask, my Teacher…”

He just said two sentences and Du Jiao Jiao interrupted with a smile, “You should put your mind at ease about this as well, they have been trapped by Wei Wu Ya in the cave, unless someone can borrow the mountain splitting axe from Ri Lian Valley, or else they can forget about coming out for the rest of their lives.”

Hua Wu Que felt his body turn cold, “Is this real?” Du Sha replied seriously, “I did not see them coming out.”

Hua Wu Que closed his eyes, no longer speaking.