Anyone who knew about the history of China might have heard of the Black Ironclads. The elite armored cavalry that was instrumental in laying the foundations of the prosperous Tang Dynasty was famous for their trademark jet-black armor which became their namesake.
“But if this rider in jet-black armor is a ghost of the Black Ironclads, then these riders clad in fur clothing and curved scimitars can only be barbarians from ancient Turk!” But there was hardly time for me to think. Another black-armored rider appeared out of nowhere, brandishing his long saber as he stormed at us!
The side wing of the saber came dangerously close. Edelweiss and I immediately ducked, barely evading it by inches. Showing greater aptitude in dealing against mounted adversaries, Edelweiss immediately sprang from her crouched position like a tigress and pounced forward, drawing her golden dagger. The magical weapon sang as it escaped from its scabbard and sank its edge deep into
I was dumbfounded. "What did you say? Dragon's roar?" I spun to look at Edelweiss incredulously and she too, was staring at me; her large eyes egging me for an explanation. Then I realized even Zhu Mei's muted son was also staring strangely at me, hoping for an answer as well. I stared into a blank space, trying my best to remember as much of the details as I could. At length, I said, "Well... I don't know what happened myself. I saw how Edelweiss was injured and that made me very angry. Then I screamed suddenly. But it sounded like a normal scream to me. I wouldn't say it's that thunderous to the point that it's like a dragon's, to say the least..." Zhu Mei frowned at once. He placed down his cup and began thinking. I cast a confused look at the muted young man, who was mumbling incomprehensibly to himself as he was trying vainly to make several hand signs to communicate but I failed to understand him. Then I looked at Edelweiss, who was looking at me with a surprised
His face beamed suddenly as he reached the climax of his tale. He clenched his fists excitedly. "Finally, I found out how your father had restrained me using his Autumn Decline! You know how?!" I gave him a sideways glance and shook my head, indicating I do not. "It took me twenty years. I was out there, in the deep forest of the Canyon when it came to me out of the blue!" he said, immensely proud of himself, "My Windchaser magic allows me to control the ground and your father's technique allows him to control the air. Initially, I believed that as long as he's in the air, I'd not be controlled by him! Then I finally understood: whenever I run, there is always a tiny moment when both my feet are in the air! Your father had realized this when he saw me and he had been using this against me! Even before I landed, I had already fallen into your father's enchantment!" He slapped his thigh and exploded in roaring laughter. My head nodded slowly as I wondered,
And that was all that Shang Pei was willing to divulge, in spite of the obvious fact that both Zhu Mei and he knew more than they were willing to admit. We hurried back from Inner Mongolia to Wu Zhong and my first stop was home. I needed to ask Father what was going on. Naturally, he refused to divulge anything too. But that hardly dampened my thirst for answers. "Why did you not tell Godmother the truth about her sister? You knew what happened to her all along? And how did the Dragon-slaying Blade go missing when you were supposed to be watching it? And how could Master Six not realize that you had achieved full immortality?" Father threw me a sideways glance, his narrowed eyes studying me for a second before he took a puff of smoke from his cigarette. "Why are you asking all these suddenly?" I slammed a fist into the table. "Father! There are people hidden in the shadows whose eyes are fixated upon the lost Blade and you! They believed that the Blade is
"In those days, we use fishing poles to catch fish and a snare called Ti–Yes, the same Ti that means 'hoofs' in Chinese–to trap wild hares. To put it simply, it's just a basket that we leave in the water during daytime and by nightfall, we can easily expect to find any haul in the baskets," Mr. Zhang explained while drinking. This is the difference between university students of the past and college students like us today! They were actually imparted true knowledge while we were only trained to pass exams... The significance of their qualification could not be adequately equated with ours... Aunt Fen raised an arm and silence immediately fell upon us. "I suggest here's how we should go on. Let's split up into three groups. The first group will first start with the Bian family burial grounds. The next group will begin searching along the river for the highland where the dud was hidden. Coordinate with this Master Six and Chen Yixuan's route for a better cl
The development in Yahong Bridge in that era was not anyone could easily comprehend. The city today was but a mere shadow of its former glory, which could well be attributed to the auspicious aura given off by the Dragon-slaying Blade when it was kept by Bian Dashou there. But on the other hand, one had to give the old historian great credit for his detailed and meticulous work. Some of the records even documented various miscellaneous events. Merchant Dong Sixiang moved to rejoin his kin Dong Siyuan at Yahong Bridge after moving from Tonghua Village of Pujiang County in Zhejiang during the reign of Qianlong Emperor. He started a pawnbroker business and opened a shop named Xingshun Pawnshop. The Three Wang Brothers from Shanxi came to the town of Yahong Bridge during the reign of Daoguang Emperor, bringing with them printing methods and vinegar brewing technology, and they operated three stores named Jin Tai, Jin Yuan, and Jin Cheng. The Cao Clan from Hed
Just when we thought that Uncle Quan would only be another dead end, Mr. Zhang pounded the table with his fist suddenly! "I know the officials in your village!" He said at once, "Leave this to me. I'll organize an activity. I'm sure we'll succeed this time." He patted himself on the chest, looking absolutely confident. Then Aunt Fen, his supportive and sensible wife, added immediately, "Xiaojun (Nie Xiaojun) called me yesterday. He's coming to visit us with his family. He's the director of a hospital now. I'm sure I can get him to get a few of his men to organize a charity clinic event at the village for the old people there. Husband, arrange for some caterers to prepare food. The checkups would need the participants to have their stomachs empty before the event, so they'll be hungry and thirsty. I'll foot any medical bills if anyone needs immediate treatment. Let's make them all happy!" Her husband nodded and Aunt Fen looked at us, "The few of you will j
Before we could say anything else, a child's crying voice broke just outside. An old lady walked through the door and spoke to the old man, "Look at your grandchild! He is not coming off the electric car that he just got on outside! He's not listening no matter what I say!" Aunt Fen scrambled forward, saying, "We'll have ways for him to show himself, but we'll just need you to help calm him down when he comes!" She held out a key, "This is the key for the electric car outside." Before Master Six's eldest brother could yelp any protest or assent, a portly man walked through the door this time. When he saw Mr. Zhang and Aunt Fen, he immediately addressed them respectfully, "Master Zhang! Mrs. Zhang!" He took the key from her and muttered a quick "Thank you" before walking out. Next, we heard him saying outside, "Come on, son! There's no need to cry! Come, let Daddy take you for a ride!" So that man was this old man's grandson! He's also Mr. Zhang's business
I supposed there are times when, despite all our beliefs and convictions in our realities, we had to encounter something that would still amaze, astound and even boggle our minds. Just like what I was seeing. The white brilliance that engulfed me gave way to a view of a busy street, filled with people walking around me. But what was more unbelievable was that everything and everyone was ancient; the people were dressed in clothing articles that only belonged in medieval China and so were the architecture and buildings around me! "This is impossible?! Have I been hurled back to the past?!" I shook my head, as if vainly trying to reawake myself from a long and unbelievable dream, then I remembered Master Six's words before he sent me here. "Go see for yourself if you will. Only then, you'll know." "Has he really?!"As I reeled with trepidation the full comprehension of traveling through time, I broke into a stroll, ambling absentmindedly through the mob of p