Chapter 6

A steel saber defeats an iron sword as the famed valiant crushes resolve.

High ridges succeed lofty peaks as a curious man reveals his skill.

The following day, Jiang Xiaohe woke very early and rode his horse again to the Xu Farmstead at the Junction Hamlet. When he arrived, he saw only Xu Lin the Xia of Langzhong dancing with a sword in the yard. He noticed Jiang Xiaohe, but didn’t say anything to him. Jiang Xiaohe tied his horse to a post and went to try again with the iron bar. He made three attempts in succession, all of which failed. On the last attempt, Jiang Xiaohe had used every last bit of the energy in his body and lifted the bar with both his hands. When he brought it more than two feet, past his elbows, he exerted more strength and it seemed as if he was going to raise it up. But then, he felt a pain in his chest as his vision went dark, and he threw up blood. When this happened, the Xia of Langzhong was still practicing his swordwork and was not watching him. Jiang Xiaohe felt all the strength leave his body and cast his eyes down, discouraged. When he saw his blood on the bar, he couldn’t help but cry! Thus he walked away slowly, untied his horse and led it out of the gate. He wiped his tears away as he spurred his horse on at an unhurried pace, all the way back to the east gate. He thought, I can’t live here any longer. Without being able to lift that iron bar, I don’t have the face to ask the Xia of Langzhong to be my master! I’ll rest a day and then leave! It doesn’t matter where I go! He went first to the front gate of the Fuli Security Firm. His body was exhausted and he hadn’t the energy to even get off his horse, so he called inside a couple times.

When Yang Xiantai came out of the office, Jiang Xiaohe asked, “Has Captain Jiao gone yet?” Yang Xiantai said, “He just left. He’s probably twenty or thirty miles gone by now. Did you need him for something, brother?” Jiang Xiaohe shook his head and replied languidly, “No, not really.” Yang Xiantai smiled, “Brother, how about you get off your horse and come inside for some fun? Afterwards, we can go to Beauties Lane again. There’s a girl who’s about your age; you should check her out. In the evening, Sir Seventh Chen will want to throw some dice with you!” Jiang Xiaohe shook his head, saying, “No, I’m not feeling too well right now. I’m going to back and rest a while. I’ll come find you later tonight!” He peeled his horse away and headed to the inn.

Just as he arrived at the front gate of the inn and before he’d dismounted his horse, he spotted several men running from across the street, all carrying wooden clubs. Jiang Xiaohe was startled as several men behind pushed him off his horse. Jiang Xiaohe knew that these men had been sent by Eighth Cheng to scheme against him, so he yelled curses at them anxiously as he crawled up. He made for his saber next to the saddle for the confrontation, but the men pressed him back down. The flurry of clubs came all at once, whack after whack, beating Xiaohe’s all over his body. At first, Xiaohe struggled, cursed and yelled wildly, but then because the blows from the clubs numbered too many, and especially because of those that struck his head, he grew stiff and his head started spinning. It was as if his body was suffering countless bites from poisonous snakes as he was gradually beaten into unconsciousness.

There was no longer traffic on this street though numerous people were watching from far away. However, because these attackers were sent here by Eighth Cheng and the victim was a child from out of town, no one dared to raise a hand to stop it. Though Jiang Xiaohe was laying on the ground unconscious, the crowd kept clubbing him without mercy. Whack, whack, the blows fell upon Jiang Xiaohe’s dead-seeming body.

Just then, a black horse came suddenly from the east. Everyone on the street knew the rider, for it was Xu Lin the Xia of Langzhong. The Xia of Langzhong waved his leather whip and cried out, “Stop this! Stop this!” When he arrived, most of the attackers stopped their clubbing, though a few didn’t know what was good them and continued striking. The Xia of Langzhong furiously pulled a sword from below his saddle and its glimmer frightened the men into scattering away. The Xia of Langzhong dismounted his horse and went to take a look at Jiang Xiaohe. He saw only this determined, tireless young hero, single-minded in wanting him to become his master, with his head covered in blood and his body in bruises, as if he were dead.

The Xia of Langzhong couldn’t help but feel compassion, so he called some people on the street over to take Jiang Xiaohe to his house at Junction Hamlet. Jiang Xiaohe’s entire boy ached and his head was a complete haze. They arrived at the Xu house, and under the care of Xu’s household servant, he received medicine for his most pressing injuries. He gradually regained consciousness, moaning with his eyes open a sliver. The Xia of Langzhong came and comforted him, “Don’t be rash and angry about what happened today. Nurse yourself back to health here at my place in peace. Wounds from clubs and sticks are easily healed. When you are well, I’ll go with you to settle this!” A faint, weak smile floated to Jiang Xiaohe’s lips. He wanted to speak, but he lacked the strength. He groaned a couple times and closed his eyes again.

Jiang Xiaohe nursed his injuries here. He didn’t know how many days had passed, but felt that the Xia of Langzhong checked up on him frequently and the servant of the Xu house served him attentively. Eventually, Xiaohe was able to stand, though his legs were still weak and he required the use of a wooden crutch to move, albeit slowly. By this point, the Xia of Langzhong did not come see him daily, though the servant didn’t lessen his attention one bit.

On the day that Jiang Xiaohe was able to toss aside his crutch, he strolled slowly in the yard and felt only a bit of soreness in his legs where his injuries had been. This yard was the same that had been used for martial training and Jiang Xiaohe was currently staying in the eastern house. As he walked, he saw again the three iron bars again at the base of the southern wall. He knew quite well that he couldn’t lift them up, but he was still a little bit eager to give it another shot. He made his way over and looked down at them, thinking to himself impatiently, I need to heal up quickly. I have to raise up this iron bar and get the Xia of Langzhong to accept me as disciple! The sound of horses hooves resounded as the Xia of Langzhong returned on his black horse, followed by three of his men, also mounted.

He dismounted as soon as he entered the yard, and when he saw Jiang Xiaohe, the Xia of Langzhong walked over and asked, “Are your wounds healed yet?” Jiang Xiaohe respectfully replied, “Almost!” The Xia of Langzhong asked Xiaohe to undo his shirt and pull up his pant legs. He examined the speckle of nearly-healed bruises on his body and nodded, “There’s no need to worry. Another ten days of rest and you’ll be able to run.” Just as he said this, another horse abruptly rode in from outside. The person on the horse was seven- or eighteen years old with the bearing of a hero. He wore silk clothing and carried a sword at his side.

The youth came down from his horse. The Xia of Langzhong nodded from him to come over and said to Jiang Xiaohe, “This is my son, Xu Yanyun. He’s been learning martial arts from me for ten years now and he’s almost done. When next you see Bao Kunlun or Long Zhiteng or any of the others, you can tell them that the Xia of Langzhong is not easily bullied. Even this son of mine could take on the disciples of the Kunlun School. Sooner or later, we father and son will call on them to settle the score!” When he said this, the Xia of Langzhong smirked at Jiang Xiaohe with no trace of happiness in his face. Jiang Xiaohe thought this extremely unusual and was about to voice a question, but the Xia of Langzhong had already marched through the small door with his son Xu Yanyun and returned to the inner residence. Jiang Xiaohe stared into space for a while and thought, The Xia of Langzhong’s been pretty good to me. Why has his attitude changed suddenly today, like he’s become indifferent towards me? I should ask him.

From then on, Jiang Xiaohe no longer saw the Xia of Langzhong. Sometimes, Xiaohe asked the servant who attended to him to invite the Xia of Langzhong over, but the Xia of Langzhong never came. After a few days, Jiang Xiaohe’s wounds had healed completely and he could walk as he did before. However, he hadn’t been able to see the Xia of Langzhong and couldn’t think of how he might have offended him, so he was both bewildered and anxious. This day, he told the servant seeing to him, “Tell Sir Xu that my wounds have all healed without any permanent damage. I can walk and run now. Please tell him to come see me. I have a few things I’d like to say to him.” The servant appeared to be a little troubled, but since Jiang Xiaohe was hurrying him, he could only say, “All right, I’ll go inside and look for our good sir. He may not be at home.” Jiang Xiaohe exhorted him further, “If he is home, tell him to come see me no matter what. I only have a few things to say to him.” The servant consented and left, heading toward the inner yard.

Jiang Xiaohe waited a while, but the Xia of Langzhong didn’t show up, so he paced nervously in his room. He thought, How strange! What kind of person is this Xu Lin the Xia of Langzhong? I did nothing to offend him. He saved my life that day and then had me heal up here. It seemed like he was treating me quite well, so why has he suddenly become so distant? Could it be that Eighth Cheng and those bad guys spoke poorly about me to him? But I, Jiang Xiaohe, am truly an open and honest man. Even if he has a problem with me, he should at least tell me why! After some more time had passed, the door opened and two people stepped in. One was the servant from before, holding onto Xiaohe’s possessions, saber included. Following behind was the Xia of Langzhong’s son, Xu Yanyun, wearing a long blue silk shirt. He was very polite as he clasped his fist upon entering, saying to Jiang Xiaohe, “Brother Jiang, you’re all well. It’s heartening. Truly heartening! These are your things, brother Jiang, and your silver taels are inside as well. My father brought them here for you from the inn. Now, brother Jiang, if you’d like to stay here another couple days, there’s no harm in that. Otherwise, please go on your way! We shall see each other another day!”

Jiang Xiaohe listened dumbstruck, but then clasped his fist as well, saying, “Is Sir Xu at home right now?” Xu Yanyun nodded, “He is.” His manner was very cold. Jiang Xiaohe said, “Since he’s at home, please ask him to come see me. I, Jiang Xiaohe, came from very far away to ask him to be my master. I can’t help that I’m unable to raise the iron bar, so I’ll go elsewhere to train. Whenever I am able to raise that iron bar is whenever I’ll come back. But he saved this life of mine, and I have been able to nurse my wounds well because I’ve troubled him here for so many days. I should see him and bow to him to thank him for the kindness of saving my life. Then, I have some other things I’d like to say to him before I leave!”

Xu Yanyun waved his hand and said, “There’s no need! We men of Jianghu help each other out. It was nothing, so you need not concern yourself, brother Jiang. You should hurry back to your Zhenba County! If you truly consider us father and son to be good friends, then in the future when we fight the Kunlun School, you keep yourself out of it.” He then sneered and said, “When you go back, you can tell Bao Zhenfei, Long Zhiteng, Long Zhiqi, Jia Zhiming, Ge Zhiqiang and the others that we father and son of the Xu house will go find them this autumn. Tell them to ready themselves!” When he finished, he turned around and left. Jiang Xiaohe anxiously hurried to him and held him back. He stamped his foot and said, “Brother Xu, I don’t understand these words of yours. I’m the son of a disciple of the Kunlun School, but they are my enemy!” Xu Yanyun pushed Jiang Xiaohe away and scoffed, “Bullshit!” Jiang Xiaohe was almost pushed over, but hurriedly followed Xu Yanyun outside and grabbed hold of him. He beat his chest and swore, “If I, Jiang Xiaohe, speak one falsehood, then let heaven and earth strike me down! When my daddy was murdered by the Long brothers, I herded pigs for old man Bao and suffered the humiliation of Bao Zhilin to no end. It was when I wounded the Long brothers that I had to flee. I wanted your dad to be my master so that I could learn martial arts and then go back and take revenge!”

Xu Yanyun’s demeanor loosened a little. He had turned around and was about to ask Jiang Xiaohe for more details when suddenly the Xia of Langzhong came out of the small door, holding two letters in his hand. Fury spread across his face, he said, “Don’t listen to his tricks. He’s one of Bao Kunlun’s men, sent here to scout out our condition, to find out how we’re going to deal with the Kunlun School!” When he drew near, he held the letters out at Jiang Xiaohe and said, “Had I not opened these two letters, I would have fallen for your lies. Go back now and tell your Kunlun School that I’m not afraid of them. When autumn briskness arrives, I’ll go to them in Ziyang and Zhenba to decide victory or defeat. If you have any conscience, when the time comes don’t help them, or else my sword will know no mercy!” Jiang Xiaohe looked confused, just as if he had been caught in the midst of fog. The anxiety blazed within him as he stamped his feet wildly, saying, “What are you talking about!? I can’t read. Who gave you these letters?” The Xia of Langzhong laughed and said, “You gave them to me! I found them in your belongings. Bao Zhilin of the Kunlun Security Firm in Hanzhong sent his disciple-brothers Zhang Zhiqi and Miao Zhiying to take these to Li Dacheng the Tiger of Emei to set him against me, so I would be pinned down here and unable to go and fight all of you!”

Jiang Xiaohe turned this over in his head before he figured it out. Gasping, he said, “Sir Xu, you’ve got me all wrong! Let me tell you where this letter really came from. After I’d fled from Zhenba, I jumped from an inn and stole a horse in Wanyuan County. That horse is the one you ride now. In Xuanhan County, I lost that horse in the middle of the night, while I was staying in a broken down temple. This horse was by nature fierce and killed the horse thief by throwing him off on the side of the road. I looked everywhere for it to no avail, and instead was taken to court unjustly. Later, when I escaped my chains, I encountered Wu Jinbiao the Black Panther, who brought me to Trunk Mountain. However, I didn’t want to become a bandit so when they descended the mountain to raid an escort caravan—I heard that the caravan was being protected by Bao Kunlun, but they left me on the mountain to look after the hideout—I seized the opportunity to take a few taels of silver and run away. When I was walking on the road late in the day, I met with two men chasing me on horses. I wounded one of them and took one of their horses. The travel bundle I have now was taken with that horse. There were some taels of silver in there and two letters. I can’t read, so I left them in there without looking at them. Sir Xu, it wasn’t until you said these things today that I realized the man I wounded that day was a disciple of the Kunlun School. Those two were escorts.”

The Xia of Langzhong listened to Jiang Xiaohe’s words and sunk deep into thought for a moment. Then, he said, “Are your words the truth?” Jiang Xiaohe said, “If I speak a lie, then let me die a horrible death! Bao Kunlun and the Long brothers murdered my father, so my mother remarried and took my little brother with her. I was left all alone, so I came to find a renowned master and learn martial arts, to prepare myself one day to return and take vengeance. Sir Xu, if you’re willing to pass your martial arts onto me, I’ll study for two years and leave. Of the Kunlun School, only Ma Zhixian and Lu Zhizhong are all right. The rest of them, I’ll kill them all!”

The Xia of Langzhong heard this, smiled coldly and took a couple steps back, asking bluntly, “Are you really in a hurry to find Bao Kunlun and the Long brothers to gain vengeance for your father?” Jiang Xiaohe shed mournful tears and said, “Of course. If I could learn martial arts today, I’d go tomorrow. I’ll do nothing else until I kill the Long brothers. I don’t even care that Eighth Cheng send people to beat me. That’s not important. What I can’t bear is the hatred I feel for those who killed my father!”

The Xia of Langzhong said, “Fine! Let’s go today, first to Ziyang, and then to Zhenba. You’ll get your revenge, and with them I’ll resolve once and for all who is victor and who is loser. Then, we’ll come back to Langzhong and I’ll pass my martial arts onto you!” Upon hearing this, Jiang Xiaohe went from crying to smiling. He was so happy he started jumping, saying, “Okay! Okay! Sir Xu, let’s go today, but how many people are you bringing with you?” The Xia of Langzhong shook his head and said, “We won’t bring anyone. We’ll go, just us two. When the time comes, you needn’t even raise your hand. Relying simply on my single sword, I guarantee you that Bao Kunlun will kneel to me. And as for his thirty-some disciples, if they’re not dead, they’ll be wounded!” Hearing the Xia of Langzhong saying this, Jiang Xiaohe couldn’t help but be a bit puzzled. Xu Yanyun’s fright drained the color from him. He stood in the way of his father, saying, “Father, why don’t you talk this over with brother Jiang more? Or perhaps I should come with you.” The Xia of Langzhong waved his hand and said, “You’re not going. I need you to stay here and look after the household.” Xu Yanyun sputtered, “But I’ve heard tell that Bao Kunlun’s disciples are legion, and that many of them have powerful martial arts. Father, How can you defeat them all by yourself?” Hearing this, the Xia of Langzhong immediately grew angry and rebuked him, “It’s not your concern! Since I’ve declared it, how can I then go back on my word?” Thus, he commanded his servants to prepare horses and went inside to put together travel items.

Jiang Xiaohe had brought his own things out from inside and though he was happy, he was also a bit apprehensive, thinking, Even if the Xia of Langzhong has powerful martial arts, how will he be able to beat all the men of the Kunlun School? Then he thought, The Xia of Langzhong’s willing to go all the way. How could it be that I can’t? Thus, he took courage and went into the stable. The villagers at the Xu house all looked worried, but none dared speak up. The servants prepared two horses: one was the black horse, and the other was tall of head with a large mane and entirely white as snow. It seemed stronger than the black horse.

After a short while, a servant came from the inner residence, carrying the Xia of Langzhong’s simple travel bag and sword, more than three feet long and in an iron scabbard. He put both on the white horse, so Jiang Xiaohe put his bundle and saber on the black one. A short time passed before the Xia of Langzhong came from the inner residence in high spirits, wearing a blue creased long robe and a pair of fish scale patterned shoes. A large straw hat hung on his back as he walked over cheerfully. Seeing the horses prepared, he said, “Let’s go!” A servant led the two horses as Xu Yanyun walked the two of them out with a crowd of villagers and servants. They took horsewhips and grabbed the saddles, mounting the horses. The people behind them said, “Safe travels, good sir!” The Xia of Langzhong just smiled and gave them a brief “Go back inside!” He waved the whip and pressed the horse forward.

Jiang Xiaohe followed closely and then turned around to clasp his fist toward Xu Yanyun and the others. The Xia of Langzhong didn’t even look back. When they left the village, he shook his whip lightly when he saw a path east, and they rode on with the white horse in front. After going a little more than ten miles, the city of Langzhong was no longer in sight. The Xia of Langzhong wore his large straw hat and continued east after finding a big road. Jiang Xiaohe’s black horse followed the white horse ahead closely, while he observed the Xia of Langzhong on his horse. He noticed that when they were still at home, he had the look of a rich man, but now he seemed dashing and uninhibited, like a man who had long traveled Jianghu. His finely-woven straw hat fit well with his striking creased robe, as well as his slightly red face and wide, lively eyes, and his sword clinked against his copper stirrups. This vigor truly was the envy of Jiang Xiaohe as he thought, In the end, a man with powerful martial arts traveling Jianghu has a boldness all his own. When we get to Ziyang and Zhenba County, the men of the Kunlun School wouldn’t dare look down on him after one look at him.

It was now drawing close to noon, and after the two rode over forty miles of road, they found a small town in which to stop for lunch. In a very small food stall, they ate very course rice and very unpalatable dishes, but Jiang Xiaohe watched as the Xia of Langzhong ate it all the same while not drinking a drop of wine. Jiang Xiaohe was originally going to drink some wine, but seeing the Xia of Langzhong thus, he was so ashamed that he didn’t dare even mention the word “wine.” After the Xia of Langzhong finished eating, he turned to Jiang Xiaohe with a smile, saying, “Let’s go!” After he paid for the meal, they both mounted their horses and continued east and north. On the road, they encountered escort wagons twice. When the escort wagons saw him, they stopped completely and all the escorts came down off the wagons, clasping their fists toward him, deferentially asking, “Sir Xu, where are you headed?” The Xia of Langzhong clasped his fist from atop his horse and smiled, saying, “I’m going east to take care of some small business.” The escort wagons waited until his horse had passed them before they dared carry on.

The weather was very hot, and not only did sweat cover Jiang Xiaohe’s head, but it had drenched his back as well. His black horse was also excessively headstrong. No matter how hard he pulled the reins, nothing could slow this horse, and though Jiang Xiaohe’s horse would often fly forward, it would never surpass the white horse in front of it. While Jiang Xiaohe huffed and puffed, the Xia of Langzhong was at ease, frequently looking back and smiling, hastening Xiaohe, saying, “Hurry up!” Jiang Xiaohe bridled his horse with great effort and rode forward. After another fifty or sixty miles, he saw a verdant mountain range ahead in the distance. The Xia of Langzhong spurred his horse on to lead the way toward the mountains. At this point, the travelers on the road grew sparser as the mountains ahead grew clearer and clearer. In a short while, they reached the foot of the mountains, and when they could see the entrance into them, the Xia of Langzhong suddenly stopped in his horse. Jiang Xiaohe was startled and hurried to rein in his horse as well, but it continued forward, almost throwing Jiang Xiaohe off its back.

He saw the Xia of Langzhong pull a very small folded hand cloth from his side and open it, revealing very small objects inside. The Xia of Langzhong turned around and said to Jiang Xiaohe, “Catch!” He hoisted his hand and Jiang Xiaohe quickly reached out to catch. When he did, he looked inside and saw a little bell made of crude gold with a string wrapped around the top. When he undid the string, he saw the crude gold glimmering in the sunlight. The Xia of Langzhong smiled in front of him, saying, “Tie it to your horse!” Jiang Xiaohe thought it novel and tied it to the front of his horse. By this time, the Xia of Langzhong had already finished tying his and it tinkled as he pressed his horse on into the mountain entrance. Jiang Xiaohe hurried after him. With the two horses wearing two golden bells and the horses’ hooves knocking on stone, in addition to the iron scabbard clanging against the copper stirrups, the sound rang out like a rhythm using the echoes in the valley and was pleasant to listen to. Jiang Xiaohe smiled as he rode his horse and become happier. He thought, The Xia of Langzhong is truly a great xia, plus he’s distinguished and unrestrained. If I didn’t ask him to be my master, it would really have wasted a life.

They followed the mountain road, winding their way twenty or thirty miles without encountering anyone. When they were about to exit the mountain, they saw seven or eight men ahead waiting for them. Jiang Xiaohe was secretly surprised, thinking, Oh no! Bandits! By the time they drew near, he noticed that none of them were carrying sabers. Instead, one of them was holding a pot of wine and cups. Upon the Xia of Langzhong’s approach, they all clasped their fists in respect. The large man who led them specifically wore a big coat that didn’t suit his frame. He heaped on the smiles and said, “Sir Xu! Where are you headed? It’s so very hot today, so please have a cup of wine! Or perhaps you’d like to come up the mountain and rest a while!” The Xia of Langzhong smiled and clasped his fist. He then waved his hand, conveying his thanks and that he mustn’t. Without uttering even one word, he gently urged his horse forward. Jiang Xiaohe followed along a half mile’s distance and looked back. The men were still standing by the entrance of the mountains watching them. The Xia of Langzhong turned and said to Jiang Xiaohe, “Take off that bell. Hang it again when we reach another mountain.”

It was then that Jiang Xiaohe understood. A golden bell was the Xia of Langzhong’s signifier. When the mountain bandits heard the bells ringing, they knew that the Xia of Langzhong was coming. Not only didn’t they dare to come down to raid, but in fact would offer wine and respect. Jiang Xiaohe now truly took the Xia of Langzhong to be divine. He thought, For a man to travel on Jianghu alone and reach a status such as this, how great must his skills be? If man like this went to Ziyang and Zhenba, how could I have been worried that he wouldn’t defeat the Long brothers and the old man Bao? However, I, Jiang Xiaohe can’t avenge the great wrong that was my father’s murder by myself, and instead am relying on another to do it for me. What kind of person does that make me? Even if I gained great skill, no one will ever be able to call me a hero! This made him miserable and justly indignant. He thought of arriving in Ziyang and seeing the Long brothers. Though the Xia of Langzhong was sure to hold him back and tell him not to attack, that just wouldn’t do! He hadn’t learned enough martial arts, and he was short and weak, but he wanted to face them first. He had to take vengeance for his father’s murder with his own hands! Thus, he grew impatient riding upon the road, pressing his horse to go faster.

The Xia of Langzhong seemed unwilling to let the black horse behind him to ride ahead of his white, so the faster the black horse went, the white one went even faster. They rode until dusk, having covered over 200 miles, and arrived at the edge of Nanjiang County. The Xia of Langzhong brought Jiang Xiaohe not to an inn, but to a village. In the village there were about a dozen large dogs following the two horses and barking wildly. After a short while, two villagers approached them and asked sternly, “Who goes there? Why have you entered the village without dismounting your horses?” The Xia of Langzhong proudly replied, “It is I, the one surnamed Xu!” When they heard his voice, their severe tone turned immediately to one of deference, saying, “So it’s Sir Xu! We didn’t imagine it would be you, good sir.” The Xia of Langzhong and Jiang Xiaohe both dismounted as one of the villagers hurried over to take their horses and shoo the dogs away, while the other respectfully welcomed the Xia of Langzhong and Jiang Xiaohe into a large courtyard where two village leaders received them and treated the Xia of Langzhong with absolute reverence.

The Xia of Langzhong was very gracious with them as well, as he referred to Jiang Xiaohe and introduced him to them, “This is my disciple.” Jiang Xiaohe heard this and felt honored by his words, acting quite generously himself. They were shown into the receiving room by the village leaders. It wasn’t until they entered that Jiang Xiaohe was able to see that both men were in their forties. One was round of face and stout of body with a thick black beard that covered his cheeks. The other was short with a brown face and the look of a frail intellectual. The Xia of Langzhong said to Jiang Xiaohe, “These two village leaders are uncle and nephew. That one is Yuan Yong the Purple-faced Lion, and this one is Yuan Zishao the Slender Hegemon. They are both men of renown in Northern Sichuan.” Jiang Xiaohe dared not belittle the two of them, so he treated them with great respect. The Yuan kinsmen paid close attention to Jiang Xiaohe, and asked the Xia of Langzhong when he’d accepted this disciple, since they’d not heard of him the last time they met. The Xia of Langzhong smiled, “He has asked me to become his master, but I have yet to teach him any martial arts. Tell them to prepare some food and I’ll slowly explain all the details to you.”

Thus, Yuan Zishao instructed a servant to prepare wine. Though the Yuan kinsmen poured some for the Xia of Langzhong, he refused to drink any. Jiang Xiaohe hadn’t drank any wine for days and seeing it now made him salivate, but since his master didn’t drink, how could the disciple dare to? So when Yuan Zishao sent a cup over to him with a smile, saying, “Brother, please drink. Your master won’t have anything to say about it.” Jiang Xiaohe stood up and respectfully declined, saying, “I don’t really drink.” When the wine cup made its way back to Yuan Zishao, he felt a tinge of regret. By now, the Xia of Langzhong had already related most of Jiang Xiaohe’s background to the Yuan kinsmen, and mentioned why he had come north this time, his plan to face the Kunlun School, first in Ziyang and then in Zhenba.