Twin Heroes

Chapter 30

The Luo brothers were stunned, and pointing towards the loft, asked “Is Brother not sleeping upstairs tonight?”

Xiao Yu’er walked out the door, turned his head around and smiled, “There’s a spider up there, I can’t sleep there, it’s better that I come back tomorrow… if there’s news of Jiang Yulang, you must not forget to find out more for me.”

Luo Jiu stared at his retreating back, and mumbled “Spider? Spider… you think this guy has a problem?”

Luo San replied, “He does have an irritating problem. He is just feigning ignorance, we must be careful not to have our plan backfire, and instead of making use of him, end up being made use of instead.”

Luo Jiu chuckled, “This guy may be devious, but how does he fare when compared to us?”

Luo San laughed loudly, “There may be many bad people in the world, but who can be compared to us?”

By then, it is already very late into the night. The Luo brother’s residence was already quite remote, and by now there is not a trace of anyone. Xiao Yu’er walked two rounds along the street.

He saw that the nearby surroundings were mostly single story houses, and besides that little loft, there was only a building about fifty to sixty feet towards the east, which were taller then the other houses.

Xiao Yu’er strolled over, turned the corner, and walked another round. He waited until the lamps in this building were all extinguished before lightly vaulting over, and crouched down in a dark area behind the ridge.

In the sky, the moon was bright and the stars were few. On the ground, there were no sounds or noises. Looking afar, the window of that loft was half opened, and the lamp dim. Murong Jiu was sitting near the lamp, her hand cradling her cheek, lost in thought.

Suddenly, the faint sound of clothes rustling in the wind was heard, and a person clad in black was climbing over the roofs like a ghost. He bent over the roof, and was gazing towards the direction of the loft.

Xiao Yu’er secretly gloated, “Just as I expected, he’s really here.”

Murong Jiu was lost in thought over there, that person was also lost in his stare over here, and did not realize that there was someone at the side looking at him.

His pair of dark eyes gleamed in the night, and besides this pair of eyes, the rest of his body was in darkness.

This person is Black Spider.

His usually lively eyes, now looked as if it was covered by fog… a look of melancholy. He stared in a daze, lying quietly under the starlight, not caring that the dew is soaking through his clothes.

Xiao Yu’er suddenly chortled, and said “Such stars such night, for whom are you standing in the night in the wind and dew?”

Before he has finished speaking, Black Spider is already in front of him, quietly chiding, “Who?”

Xiao Yu’er smiled, “Who else but me?”

The look in Black Spider’s eyes changed as fast as lightning, and he finally relaxed and said, “You again!”

Xiao Yu’er smiled, “It’s less than fifty feet between the two places, why don’t you fly over?”

Black Spider laughed, “I… How can it be that I am here because of her?”

Although his face was hidden, his voice obviously sounded awkward.

However, Xiao Yu’er did not divulge his real intentions, instead he smiled and asked, “If you’re not here for her, then for who?”

Black Spider replied, “Naturally it’s for the two Luo Brothers.”

Xiao Yu’er smiled, “Oh, is that so?”

Black Spider continued, “The background of these two brothers is a mystery, their actions odd. I have been secretly observing them for two… three months, for the purpose of revealing their secret.”

Xiao Yu’er asked, “The matters of the Luo brothers, is it worth you looking into it?”

Black Spider replied with an icy smile, “In Jiang Hu, it doesn’t matter if one is from the orthodox or unorthodox sect, it doesn’t matter if one is good or evil, because all are targets that the Luo brothers want to harm. These two actually wants to instigate a bloodbath among all those in Wu Lin, so that they can reap the benefits. So far, there have been countless people who died under their hands.”

Xiao Yu’er exclaimed, “Oh!”

Black Spider continued, “Do you know about the clash between Bo Hai gang and Huang Hai gang two months ago? The fight between Lao Shan gang and Kuai Dao sect a month ago? These two bloody battles were all instigated by the two brothers!”

Xiao Yu’er queried, “If that is the case, why have you not struck?”

Black Spider explained, “Firstly it’s because I could not get hold of any evidence, secondly all those whom they have harmed are rogues, thirdly I thought about exposing their background before I strike.”

“Who do you reckon them to be?” Xiao Yu’er asked.

Black Spider replied, “I initially suspected them to be one of the ‘Ten Evils’, later… after investigation, I realize that these two people were not among the ‘Ten Evils’.”

Xiao Yu’er laughed, “Maybe not… but… in that case, you are not here because of that lady.”

Black Spider was silent for a moment, before replying “Maybe not completely unrelated.”

Xiao Yu’er asked, “Do you know who she is?”

Black Spider sighed, “I only know that she is a pitiable girl, who has unluckily fallen into the hands of this evil person.”

“Which is why you want to protect her?”

“I will protect all pitiable people in the world.”

Xiao Yu’er asked, “If that is the case, why don’t you save her and take her away?”

Black Spider’s bright eyes suddenly dimmed, and answered with a big laugh, “Do you know what kind of life I am leading?... I am constantly on the move, with no definite place to stay. I have a meal without knowing where my next meal will be, I live past tonight but do not know if I will live past tomorrow. I have no home when I am alive, and I won’t even know where I will be when I die.”

Xiao Yu’er asked, “With your skills, you could have lived a comfortable life, right?”

Black Spider replied, “But I have already chosen this way of life, so I can only live it, even if I wish to change now, it is impossible… even if I do not wish to live like this now, others will not allow…” Clenching his fists, he continued hoarsely, “She must never live a life like this!”

Xiao Yu’er replied with a faint smile, “As long as you like her, and she likes you, no matter how difficult life is, it will still be a happy one.”

Black Spider’s eyes reflected a sad gleam, and he laughed wretchedly “Who said I like her! A person like me, is not fit to like anyone! And can’t…”

Xiao Yu’er sighed, “I initially thought that even your blood is cold, but now… now then I realize that you’re actually an emotional person!”

Black Spider stood up suddenly, and admonished “You’re so young, what do you know. Don’t talk about it anymore.”

Xiao Yu’er grinned “You don’t have to be so fierce even if one has uncovered what is in your heart.”

Black Spider stared at him for a moment before suddenly bursting into laughter, and holding his hand, said “I have again made a friend recently. I’ve bought two flasks of wine today and cooked a pot of meat, what do you say about me inviting you as well for a meal?”

Xiao Yu’er smiled, “Fine, a person who can be your friend, must be very interesting.”

After flying for a while, Xiao Yu’er was still lagging behind Black Spider.

Black Spider turned his head around and laughed, “Your skills have improved greatly recently.”

Xiao Yu’er smiled in reply, “I’m flattered.”

Black Spider continued, “The other friend I made, is also well versed in academics and martial arts, and very knowledgeable, you will be very happy to see him as well.”

Xiao Yu’er queried, “Oh! What’s his name.”

Black Spider smiled, “Talented people are not necessary famous. He’s surnamed Gu, called Yue Yan, and although he is an unknown, be he is more than a million times better than those famous people.”

As they spoke, they have already left the city, and in front of them was a forest, with a dim light flickering among the trees. As they walked nearer, they could see an abandoned ancestral hall.

The light came from the abandoned ancestral hall.

Upon reaching, they caught a whiff of the aroma of cooked meat.

Xiao Yu’er commented, “It seems like besides being accomplished in academics and martial arts, your friend is also a very good chef.”

Black Spider replied, “The wanderers in Jiang Hu, besides the occasional good meal, what other enjoyment can we have?”

The two of them entered the woods, and saw a blazing fire in the ancestral hall, a large metal pot hung over the fire, the fragrant meat bubbling in the pot. At the side of the pot, bowls and chopsticks were laid out, and the bowl was filled with wine, but there was no one in sight.

Black Spider glanced around, and shouted “Brother Gu… Brother Gu, I’ve brought you a friend, come out quickly to see us.”

Xiao yu’er laughed, “Seems like your habit of being a Big Brother just cannot be changed.”

Black Spider called out for quite some time, but there was still no response. He walked out to look around, and could not find anyone, so he just sat down and laughed, “This Brother Gu of mine has a sharp butt, he can never sit still. I don’t even know where he is gallivanting now, so we don’t have to stand on ceremony either, let’s eat first.”

Xiao Yu’er has already picked up his chopsticks, and smiled “Suits me fine.”

However, he only ate a piece of meat, and put his chopsticks down, his mouth not moving, and it seems like he has not swallowed the meat. On the other hand, Black Spider had already eaten seven… eight pieces.

By the tenth piece, he washed the meat down with a large mouthful of wine. Only then did he lift his head to look at Xiao Yu’er, and said with a wide grin “The meat is fresh and tender, and it’s really delicious, why aren’t you moving your chopsticks?”

Instead, Xiao Yu’er spit the meat out from his mouth onto the floor, saying “This meat can’t be eaten.”

Black Spider’s face darkened, and asked “Why can’t it be eaten? The meat is not stolen.”

Xiao Yu’er suddenly laughed and asked “Do you know what meat is this?”

Black Spider let out a gasp, and immediately spit out the meat that he had just put in his mouth, and asked hoarsely, “What did you say?”

Xiao Yu’er continued, “To tell you the truth, I grew up in the “Valley of Evil”. If this meat is not carved from a freshly dead body, I will eat my nose.”

He was waiting for Black Spider to puke out the meat he had eaten, but instead Black Spider laughed loudly, “Going by what you said, could it be Li Dazui who cooked this meat?”

“Maybe it is him.”

Black Spider mused, “Hmm, that’s right, Gu Yue Yan… could it be that this ‘Gu Yue Yan’ means ‘nonsense’. He has told me earlier that he is ‘nonsense’ but I only thought of it now.” (The Chinese characters Gu and Yue joined together form the word Hu. Yan means language. Hu Yan means nonsense.)

Xiao Yu’er asked “You don’t feel nauseous!”

Black Spider smiled, “Since I’ve already eaten it, there’s no use in puking it out.”

“You can still laugh?”

Black Spider laughed, “To be able to make friends with a person like Li Da Zui, is indeed an interesting experience. Regardless of whether he is good or evil, he is quite a character, and there are not many like him in Jiang Hu.”

Xiao Yu’er can’t help but secretly admire him! “This person is really frank, not like those nauseating pretentious people at all.”

He said out loud, “But this ‘Mr Nonsense’ may not necessary be Li Da Zui.”

“Who else could he be if not Li Da Zui?”

Xiao Yu’er continued, “I know of someone else, who pretended to be Li Da Zui. Maybe he wanted you to eat human flesh, and then throw up all over the floor. As long as you are tricked, he will be happy…”

As he spoke, he suddenly paused, and whispered “Maybe he not only wants you to throw up, maybe he has another evil plan.”

With a whoosh, Black Spider pulled his mask down and asked icily “The friend outside! Since you are here, why don’t you come in?”

Xiao Yu’er’s ears may be sharp, but Black Spider’s ears are not bad either! He has not finished his words, when a body flew into the ancestral hall from outside.

In the flickering firelight, this person has a slender build, with clothes even redder than fire, and her gleaming eyes was filled with fury. This person turned out to be Little Fairy.

Little Fairy actually came to this abandoned ancestral hall in the middle of the night, and although Xiao Yu’er was surprised, he maintained a calm composure and sat there.

Black Spider obviously did not expect the intruder to be a young, pretty lady, and was shocked still, but Little Fairy did not even pay any heed to the both of them.

She waved the sword in her hand. Using the slim tip of the sword to upturn the heavy pot, she spilled the meat in the pot all over the floor, and saw a flash of gold. There’s actually a lady’s gold hairpiece in the pot.

Little Fairy immediately screamed, and another person ran in from outside. This person is Yan Ren Yu. Little Fairy collapsed into him, and cried out, “Wan’er’s hairpiece… Wan’er’s hairpiece is really in the pot.”

Yan Ren Yu’s large eyes stared angrily at Xiao Yu’er and roared, “Tell me! What is in this pot?”

Xiao Yu’er has really never seen this effeminate youth so fierce before, and knows that he must be really furious, and understand that the person cooked in the pot must be related to them.

However, Xiao Yu’er could not figure out how they managed to find their way here, and how they knew there is a gold hairpiece in the pot. He felt suspicious, yet asked with a smile, “What do you say is in the pot?”

Yan Ren Yu’s face reddened, but could not utter a word.

They heard someone speak slowly, “There are so many types of meat in the world, why must the two of you eat human meat. Eating the same species, don’t tell me the two of you are worst than beasts?”

This person maybe scolding them, but not a single vulgarity was spoken, and his tone was calm, as if he is chatting with them.

Following the voice, two people walked over slowly, and although there was wrath in their eyes, their expression was composed, and they are Nangong Liu and Qin Jian.

Xiao Yu’er was still grinning and asked, “You say that we are eating human flesh, but how did you know, unless someone told on us?”

Before Qin Jian could reply, Little Fairy had rushed forward, stamping her foot and scolding “Naturally someone will squeal on you. Who can abide you doing something that even heaven would not tolerate.”

Nangong Liu said calmly, “A smart and adorable girl like Wan’er, men should treasure her, but the two of you cooked and ate her, isn’t it a vulgar thing to do.”

Little Fiary can’t help but shout, “Who do you bother saying so much to people like that…”

Nangong Liu maintained his composure and asked, “Now that things have come to this, what does the two of you have to say.”

Black Spider suddenly stood up and said loudly, “I have something to say…”

Qin Jian’s eyes flashed, and asked “Are you the fabled Black Spider in Jiang Hu.”

“I am!”

Qin Jian furrowed his brows and said, “Seems like the rumors in Jiang Hu cannot be believed. I did not expect Black Spider to be someone like you.”

Black Spider shouted, “Rumors in Jiang Hu may not be believed, but carried tales should not be heard all the more. Let me ask you, unless the person cooked the meat personally, how else would he know that the hairpiece is in the pot.”

Qin Jian and Nangong Liu glanced at each other, and Nangong Liu calmly replied, “You mean, this could be a trap set by others shift the blame onto you?”

“Naturally”

Nangong Liu slowly nodded his head, “This sounds reasonable.”

Little Fairy stamped her foot and asked “Second Brother, you can let them go, but I cannot. Is it not possible that someone secretly saw them killing and cooking the meat, and then told on them.”

Nangong Liu agreed, “That is also a possibility.”

Little Fairy shouted, “If Wan’er could be killed and eaten by them, then Ninth (Jiu) Sister naturally would be… would be…” She suddenly chocked on her words, unable to continue.

Qin Jian’s shining eyes bored down on Xiao Yu’er and Black Spider, and spoke with a grave voice, “This matter may be uncertain, but if the two of you cannot produce any evidence of your innocence, I’m afraid I will have to ask the two of you to return with me today.”

Black Spider laughed coldly, “You’re sure polite in your speech. I don’t mind going back with you, but you must also show me proof, on what basis do you want me to go with you.”

Little Fairy yelled, “Isn’t this gold hairpiece proof! You’re still denying it?”

Black Spider stared at her, and he has not begun speaking when Xiao Yu’er suddenly chuckled, “Since when have I denied it.”

Little Fiary’s sword was drawn in preparation to strike, and on hearing what he said, was shocked still, and asked “You admit it?”

Xiao Yu’er grinned at Little Fairy, “The Sister Jiu you mentioned, does she have large eyes, pale face, about eighteen, nineteen years old, and usually like to wear a pale green top?”

Little Fairy’s voice faltered, “You… You… what have you done to her?”

Xiao Yu’er laughed out loud, “What I have done to her, need I still say?”

Black Spider was startled and replied, “This guy is crazy, and sprouting nonsense.”

Xiao Yu’er smirked, “This is no big deal, what are you afraid of?”

No matter how composed Nangong Liu and Qin Jian were, their expression changed unconsciously as well.

Little Fairy jumped up, “Listen, listen… he admitted it himself!”

She was crying and screaming, but did not forget to strike, with a ‘whoosh’, her sword struck out like a poisonous snake. On the other side, Yan Ren Yu’s eyes were reddened, and with a roar, struck out with three fists.

These three fists and one sword, are naturally aimed towards Xiao Yu’er’s fatal points. The sword like lighting, the fists like thunder, attacked from the left and right, without giving him a chance to retaliate.