Chapter Eighteen: Tang Yu

  The next morning, Gao Qiu got up early and rushed to the martial arts arena before Lu Zhishen and Lin Chong. When he arrived, he found that those old soldiers had gotten there even earlier than him, sweeping the grounds spotlessly clean and polishing their weapons until they shone brightly.

  The two military officers arrived early, but the two devilish instructors did not show up. The old soldiers were all smiling and laughing, finally getting a chance to show off in front of their superiors! They all gathered around, one saying that he had tidied up the training ground, another claiming that he had polished the knives and guns, and yet another producing a stack of towels, saying they were for the superior to wipe his sweat with.

  I had hoped that Commander Gao would crack a smile and offer some praise, but instead he furrowed his brow and turned away without saying a word. The other old soldiers were perplexed, when suddenly the commander picked up a piece of cotton cloth, and the old soldier who had presented it to him was overjoyed, thinking that the commander appreciated my contribution after all!

  However, the subsequent development made him extremely disappointed: the official took the cotton cloth, but did not wipe his face, and walked straight to the military equipment rack, rubbing various weapons back and forth with his hands, as if checking hygiene.

  The old soldier who wiped the military equipment immediately puffed out his chest and said to himself, "I've wiped all the military equipment on the rack several times, even the wolf-toothed club can reflect a person's shadow. Isn't that enough to satisfy the official?" However, he saw that after High Official had stroked the weapons, his eyebrows were furrowed even more tightly, but he didn't say a word. The old soldier was anxious and didn't know what wasn't meeting the official's expectations.

  Suddenly, a loud laughter came from outside the field, it was Lu Zhishen's big voice: "Good apprentice, just one day without practicing martial arts, today you arrived earlier than me, this child is teachable, haha!"

  As the laughter was transmitted, only to see the double eyebrows of the official suddenly raised, he picked up a gun and started wiping it vigorously with a cotton cloth, laughing and responding: "Master, the apprentice is just one day without practice, his whole body feels uncomfortable, and he is wiping the military equipment!"

  The old soldiers suddenly realized: it turned out that the government officials got up so early just to find an opportunity to show off!

  Lu Zhishen and Lin Chong stepped forward, seeing Gao Qiu holding a spear and wiping it vigorously. They were both very pleased, thinking that although this disciple had behaved improperly in the past and had a bad reputation, he was at least willing to learn martial arts, respect his teacher, and follow the right path. Hmm, maybe he can still be reformed.

  Two masters were delighted, and their work naturally became more energetic. However, as soon as the teacher focused his mind, his high strength began to go awry, and some of the small movements that he used to do with ease now felt like sand in his eyes, and his frustration grew. The suffering High Strength endured today was equivalent to the sum of several days, yet it was an unexpected turn of events.

  It was easy to get through the morning, but Gao Qiang only felt sore all over his body, as if hundreds of bones couldn't be put together. Every step he took was a great effort. Fortunately, he had been exercising physically for many days and at the age of 18, he still had plenty of energy. He barely made it to his own small courtyard and fell asleep soundly on the bed.

  This sleep didn't end until the sun's shadow fell to the west and red clouds filled the sky. As soon as she opened her eyes, she saw Xiaohuan holding a fan by her pillow, gently fanning her with a look of concern on her face.

  Gao Jian's face slightly smiled, just about to sit up, his muscles moved and ached, involuntarily letting out an "Ah". Xiao Huan hastily stretched out her hand to support him, startled saying: "Sir, is something uncomfortable?"

  He moved his limbs slightly, and apart from the muscle soreness, he didn't seem to have any sprains or strains. It seemed that Lin Chong and Lu Zhishen were strict in their supervision, but still had a sense of proportion, not just recklessly exerting themselves. He smiled and said: "Don't worry about me, I'm fine. Quickly go heat up a basin of water, I want to wash off the sweat and dust on my body. Also, help me call for dinner." As he spoke, his stomach growled in response, like thunder rumbling, as if the Temple of the Five Organs was protesting.

  Xiao Huan pursed her lips and said, "I understand. I'll go prepare the fragrant water for bathing now. However, there's one thing - in the front hall, there's a man surnamed Xu who came to invite Master to his home for wine. He didn't dare disturb him as he saw how exhausted Master was, sleeping so soundly, and has been waiting since noon until now."

  "Huh?" Gao Jiang thought for a moment, then remembered someone: "It's probably him, heh, looks like Lu Qian is quite efficient." He asked: "Is Lin Jiao and Lu Da still here?"

  Xiao Huan replied: "Lu Daishi went to Lin Jiaozhu's house for a drink in the afternoon, and this gentleman just missed him by a hair."

  Gao Qiang secretly rejoiced, since there was no one else around, Xu Ning's "Tang Dynasty" armor would surely be taken out for a look. In fact, Gao Qiang wasn't thinking of monopolizing the armor; he came from modern times and had little interest in these precious swords and armors, at most being somewhat curious, otherwise he wouldn't have casually taken off the precious sword at his waist to show someone.

  Since there's something good to watch, Gao Qiang is naturally in high spirits. He lets Xiao Huan go and invite Xu Ning to sit for a while, and he himself wants to take a bath and change clothes, and then go to his house to drink wine.

  Xiao Huan agreed to go herself and soon came back to report that the fragrant hot water was ready, asking Yanei to take a bath. It turned out that she knew Gao Qiang would need to bathe after waking up, so she had already prepared a basin of hot water earlier, and now it was just a matter of reheating it.

  After washing up, he changed into a new set of clothes, refreshed his spirit and looked radiant. When he came out, he saw Xu Ning sitting in the front hall, so he hurriedly smiled and went forward, saying: "Xu teacher, Gao Qiang only because of excessive labor in the morning, slept until now before waking up, didn't know that the teacher had arrived, waited for a long time, it's really a great offense."

  Xu Ning listened to his brother-in-law Tang Long's account the night before and was so shocked that he couldn't sleep all night. He knew that Gao Qiang would be practicing martial arts with Lu Zhishen and Lin Chong in the morning, so he waited until noon to come over. However, Gao Qiang practiced extra hard today and fell into a deep sleep as soon as he returned. Xu Ning sat in the front hall waiting, thinking about how he had deceived his superior, the county magistrate, and didn't know what consequences he would face, feeling anxious and uneasy. He drank cup after cup of tea, refilling it again and again, but it was already tasteless like plain water.

  Until the little concubine from the strong room came out to inform him that the official had gotten up, and after bathing he would come out to see him, Xu Ning's heart was slightly relieved. He thought that since the official was willing to go to his home for a drink, at most he would give away the treasured armor passed down through his family, but it wouldn't lead to any trouble. However, since the official was about to come out, this toilet became even more off-limits, and holding it in was extremely painful.

  At this moment, seeing Gao Qiang coming out, Xun Ning hurriedly stood up. Although his lower abdomen was aching, he showed the spirit of endurance and hard work of the military officers, suppressing the sourness and putting on a smile: "The official is practicing hard, Xun Ning is very respectful, specially prepared a table of wine at home, hoping that the official will honor him."

  Gao Jian's face was also filled with smiles: "Headmaster Xu is too polite, I'm honored to have the chance to drink with Headmaster Xu and learn a few routes of gunplay from him, it's truly a great fortune."

  Xu Ning saw the words and laughter of the official, slightly relieved in his heart, hurriedly wanting to lead the way forward, but Gao Gang insisted on walking together with him, after a few rounds of pushing and yielding, they finally walked out of the temple together shoulder to shoulder.

  Upon arriving at Xu Ning's home, Tang Long came out to greet them. The three of them entered the main hall together. Gao Qiang saw that a table of wine and dishes had already been set out, but there were only three sets of cups and chopsticks. He smiled and said: "Xu Laoshi, Old Brother Tang, we're just going to have a few drinks and chat, why do we need so much food?"

  He was speaking towards the house, Xu Tang and two people standing behind him, but did not hear a response. Gao Jiang was surprised in his heart, turned his head to look, and saw that Xu Ning and Tang Long were both kneeling on the ground, saying "Your Honor forgive our sins!"

  With a clear mind, he knew that it was himself who had let Lu Qian reveal Xu Ning's hidden card, but he pretended to be surprised and said: "Xu Jiao, Tang Lao, what does this mean? Quickly get up, if there is something you need, I will do my best." As he spoke, he went forward to support him.

  Xu Ning did not get up, but said: "If the official does not pardon me, Xu Ning will kneel forever and never rise."

  The bitterness lies in the fact that Gao Fang had not spoken up for himself, and Xu Ning found it difficult to bring it up. If he were to say that he had intentionally deceived the official and hidden the treasure for himself, then if the official were to turn against him, wouldn't he have no way out?

  After a sleepless night, he finally came up with an excuse: "That day, the official wanted to see the soft armor in Xu Ning's house. Xu Ning was ashamed and thought that the armor had been stolen by thieves, which would disappoint the official. Yesterday, my uncle suddenly remembered that when my wife's family made the armor, they actually made two pieces at the same time. One piece accompanied my humble wife as dowry to this place, while the other piece was hidden in the old house outside the city. Xu Ning then recalled and went to retrieve the armor early today, and now invites the official to take a look." As he spoke, Tang Long brought out a box.

  Gao's heart secretly laughed, Tang Longzu lived in Yan'an Prefecture, when was he outside Bianjing City with an old house? This statement is full of loopholes, if it were to be brought up in court, it would definitely be exposed. However, the sedan chair was carried by people, these are all superficial words, as long as everyone's face is saved, who has nothing better to do and go expose him?

  "Is this really the case? Well, I was unfortunate enough not to see the precious armor that day, and it's been a regret of mine. Who would have thought that I'd have this opportunity to take a look at it? My wish is fulfilled! I'm telling you, Xu Ning, since you know what's good for you, I won't make things difficult for you either. Let's just pretend nothing happened, and once I've taken a look at the armor, that's the end of it. I won't come to your yamen again to covet your belongings."

  Xu Ning was both surprised and delighted. He was pleased that the official was broad-minded and generous, and that this hurdle had been easily overcome. Moreover, since he had come alone, his own reputation as a master of the lost art would not be damaged even if he were to lose this time. On the other hand, he was worried because the official had recently developed an interest in martial arts and already possessed a precious sword. It was hard to guarantee that he wouldn't covet the precious armor when he saw it, and Xu Ning was unsure how to gauge the situation and decide whether or not to offer the armor with both hands. This was indeed a difficult puzzle to solve.

  Tang Long walked up and handed the box to Xun Ning, who took it and opened it. He pulled out a cluster of silver objects, shook them in his hand, and suddenly a piece of silver light fell down, revealing a backgammon board in front of him.

  The strong light made me dizzy, and I carefully took it over, only to feel that it was very light in my hand, weighing only about two or three kilograms. Judging from its structure, it seemed to be made of steel rings linked together, but there was something unclear in between, which I couldn't understand for the time being.

  Tang Long saw the official holding the armor and flipping it over, looking puzzled, clearly not understanding. He quickly stepped forward to explain. It turned out that Tang Long's father had been in charge of manufacturing military equipment in Yan'an Prefecture, and one year a hunter in the nearby mountains caught a strange beast with a pointed head and large body, which was difficult to harm with swords or guns, but was eventually drowned in water after being tied up with ropes. Tang Long's father heard about this and bought the corpse, using a sharp blade to cut it open from the neck down, and then peeled off the skin. He then used high-quality steel to repeatedly forge and temper the metal, creating small iron rings that were linked together, with the piece of skin lined up inside, thus creating this armor. As for the name of the armor, it was because someone said that the strange beast was a qilin from the Classic of Mountains and Seas, so it got the name "Sai Tangyuan".

  Gao Qiang listened to Tang Long's explanation while flipping the armor in his hand, thinking to himself what this thing is like compared to bulletproof vests?

  I'm exhausted!!!