Chapter 36

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Xiao-Huo, please take note!

Jiangnan’s summers were truly bothersome and woke Huo Linfeng up with its sweltering heat.

It felt stuffy through the gauze bed curtains, so Huo Linfeng brushed them aside and reached for his cup of cold water. Unexpectedly, the cup was empty. He rose to pour himself a cup of water, but the teapot was also empty.

Du Zheng had always been meticulous in his duties, so he never had such a situation where there was no water to drink. In addition, there wasn’t any water in the copper basin for him to clean his face either. The wooden tub wasn’t prepared for him to take a bath and even the large vat outside in the courtyard was void of water used to wash vegetables and water plants.

He turned to look at the clothing rack. It was empty without fresh clothes for him to change into. Huo Linfeng was quite astonished. He strolled over to the couch and sat down next to it, silently examining his servant, who was on strike.

Du Zheng was curled up on the couch. The morning sunlight spilled through the open windows, reflecting off the tears on his face. A night. He has been crying his eyes out for an entire night, leaving them swollen like peaches.

It has been ten years since he first entered the Marquis Manor as a servant at age fifteen. This was the first time he had even refused to work. His mind was in chaos, and his body wouldn’t listen to him. His heart plummeted into complete disarray from that one sentence: “Rong Luoyun and I are together.”

Young Master and Rong Luoyun are actually together……

When he stated he wanted to infiltrate the Extraordinary Palace, he still had his grand plan in mind, so how did eliminating bandits and eradicating evil turn into love and kisses? Even if Rong Luoyun wasn’t as the rumors say, even if he was a kindhearted person, couldn’t he just be a good friend, a brother, or a trusted confidant? How come they became lovers in one giant leap?

And moreover, on top of all this, the most crucial point, the crucial point…… the crucial point was that Rong Luoyun was also a man!

Du Zheng rolled around: “Young Master, I can’t think it through even after racking through my entire brain.” He wiped his tears, but a new batch came rolling down, “You didn’t like Bao Yue, Bi Zan, or Wan Sheng, yet you fell in love with a man?”

Huo Linfeng had also thought about this and replied: “Perhaps it’s because I like men that I don’t like Bao Yue, Bi Zan, and Wan Sheng.”

Du Zheng stared blankly: “Impossible! The army was full of men, but did you like any of them?!”

Huo Linfeng stared back. Indeed, the army had that many people, yet he didn’t like any. After thinking for a moment, he answered: “No need to nag about this anymore. Whether he’s a woman or a man, in any case, I only like this one person Rong Luoyun.”

This answer stabbed Du Zheng like a blade, nearly causing him to faint again. He dejectedly thought, if the Marquis knew Young Master was like this, I’m afraid he would lead his soldiers to kill his way here and raze the Extraordinary Palace to the ground.

And Madame, First Young Master……

The sun was already shining brightly by now. Huo Linfeng spoke resignedly: “Then, just take your time to think. I’ll go fetch water myself.”

Being loyal to the bones, even if Huo Linfeng fell in love with a horse, Du Zheng still did not have the heart to cause a fuss. “Young Master, just leave it to me.” He said with a sob before putting on his shoes to get to work.

Once he left the bedroom, his sobbing grew louder. It became a little muffled as he climbed down the stairs, but once he went out to the courtyard, he was absolutely bawling. Huo Linfeng heard this and felt a little empathetic. Soon, he began to ponder how he was to confess his identity to Rong Luoyun.

Before he confesses, he should soften the blow. Maybe throw some hints and paint “Huo Linfeng” in good light.

He freshened up and changed before sitting on his bamboo bed to continue pondering with his chin propped up in his hand. In the courtyard, Du Zheng was still miserably sweeping and washing clothes when he suddenly heard light footsteps.

Rong Luoyun came into the bamboo courtyard and greeted him: “Big Brother Du Zheng, good morning.”

He didn’t expect Du Zheng to have a strong reaction to this. Du Zheng directly stood to block him with an expression like he was going to die a heroic martyr. Even more unexpectedly, Du Zheng asked him: “Second Palace Lord…… are you and my didi together?”

Rong Luoyun said in surprise: “Du Zhong told you?” It surprised him how straightforward the other party was, causing his heart to ripple.

Once his shyness faded, he reassured: “Don’t worry, I will treat Du Zhong well.”

Upon these words, Du Zheng knelt down with a bang.

Rong Luoyun was startled: “What are you doing?”

Du Zheng sobbed: “Palace Lord, my didi hasn’t seen much of the world. He’s too naive and sincere, pure like white snow. He doesn’t understand love, nor has he ever experienced it. He has fallen into a pit of damnation. I’m begging Palace Lord to let him go!”

Pure, sincere, doesn’t understand love……

These words were full of grief, yet Rong Luoyun felt his heart bloom with happiness when he heard them. He felt the urge to see the other party right away and replied honestly: “Sorry. Forgive me, but this is difficult to accomplish.” He leaped off the ground with the tap of his foot and flew up to the second floor.

The bamboo house was silent, so he lightened his footsteps as he approached the bedroom. When he peeked in, that person was sitting on his bed, deep in thought. With his lowered eyebrows and thoughtful eyes, his confident aroma seemed to dwindle, replaced by a refined and gentle one. When Rong Luoyun was done spying, with his heart pounding, he bit his lip and suddenly flung himself into the room.

Huo Linfeng was currently thinking hard. When he saw a shadow flying over from the corner of his eye, he reached out his hand, grabbed it, and held it firmly.

With a roll, he pinned the person to the bed and got a closer look. “Why has Palace Lord come?”

Rong Luoyun asked back: “You’ve told your brother everything?”

Huo Linfeng let out a low chuckle: “I was too happy and couldn’t hold it in.”

This sentence also made Rong Luoyun extremely happy. He looped his arms around the other party’s neck: “It’s so calm in this house, so quiet it makes my heart flustered.” He had a belly full of evil tricks, all learned from this person in front of him, “Wouldn’t it be nice to have some noise?”

Huo Linfeng asked: “What noise do you want to listen to?”

Rong Luoyun thickened his skin: “The rocking of the bed, the rustling of clothes.”

How was this a mere sentence? It was a flaming torch, setting General Huo on fire, turning Jiangnan’s dampness into dry blazing firewood. The young master of the Marquis Manor nearly cursed out.

Huo Linfeng impatiently swooped down, only for Rong Luoyun to dodge and roll off the bed. Rong Luoyun’s eyes were full of glee. He said proudly: “Your gege said you were innocent and naive. Sure enough, you’re quite easy to tease.”

Huo Linfeng lost some face and defended: “This has nothing to do with innocence, but with liking. If I didn’t like Palace Lord, I definitely wouldn’t have fallen for the trick.” He tidied up his clothes in an attempt to pretend to be serious, “However, I won’t be deceived by the same trick twice. When Palace Lord acts pitifully, wanting love, I won’t give in.”

Rong Luoyun suddenly felt nervous: “Really?”

Seeing the other party wasn’t responding, he sat down on the side and gently grasped Huo Linfeng’s arm. “Are you angry?” His regret was hard to hide. He leaned over, pillowing on Huo Linfeng’s shoulder, “Then I won’t do that again.”

The other party still didn’t respond. He craned his neck to get closer, tickling the person’s neck with his warm breath.

“Du Zhong, I’m trying to beg for love right now.” With his voice as small as a mosquito, Rong Luoyun felt so sheepish he bit his tongue. He drew even closer and rubbed his lips on Huo Linfeng’s ear. With his voice like a mosquito who’s been struck by a Heart Tempering Palm: “Du Zhong, take some pity on me.”

His thin lips opened slightly, taking that earlobe in his mouth.

With a mind gone blank, Huo Linfeng turned over and covered those lips with his.

The bed did not sway. Only the beating of their hearts could be heard. General Huo’s words were thrown out the window along with his face and solemnness. He leaned over and half hugged the other party, seeking more intimacy.

When they separated, Rong Luoyun was slightly out of breath, licking away the saliva on his lips. He said softly: “Didn’t you say you won’t give in?”

Huo Linfeng replied, also softly: “I’m steady like a rock, but I’m so defenseless against your schemes.” His anger for the person next to him disappeared. When Rong Luoyun held his arm, he felt softhearted, when that person leaned on his shoulder, he bore with it and didn’t budge, but when Rong Luoyun moved to his ear, his rigidness started to crumble.

That sucking nearly made his soul fly away.

The room calmed down again. The two seemed to have an endless supply of teasing words. It was the hour of si* by the time Rong Luoyun finally announced why he had come. He stated that Duan Chenbi had instructed himself last night to get Huo Linfeng so they could accompany him for a stroll.

* hour of si – 9-11 am

Huo Linfeng nodded in agreement. Inside, he couldn’t help but think that this Great Hero Duan has quite the “interest” in himself. Does he suspect him or admire him? Huo Linfeng decided to just go with the flow and left the Thousand Opportunities Hall with Rong Luoyun.

The two drove a carriage to the Distant Gray Platform to pick up Duan Chenbi.

It was a sunny day without wind. The carriage was too stuffy to bear, yet this did not disturb Duan Chenbi. Once one’s martial arts grew extremely powerful, these things will no longer bother them, whether it be hot or cold. By circulating qi, he could regulate his body’s temperature.

But it was quite miserable for Rong Luoyun who accompanied him as a tour guide. His whole face was flushed and sweaty. He drank some water from his canteen to quench his thirst and asked: “We’ve gone around the whole city. Is there anywhere else Shifu would like to visit?”

Duan Chenbi replied: “Let’s go out of the city so you can cool down a little in the forest.”

Huo Linfeng drove the carriage out of the city and traveled a few li west into the dense woods. After ten li, they were in the depths of the mountain’s forest where the temperature gradually grew cooler. He found a small spring and stopped the carriage. Duan Chenbi lifted the curtain and looked around, satisfied with the location.

Besides them, this place had no signs of other people and concealed quite a few wild animals.

Huo Linfeng splashed some spring water to wash his face and tactfully went to feed the horse. They would not be coming here for no reason, so as the outsider, it’ll be better for him to mind his own thing. Unexpectedly, Duan Chenbi called to him: “Du Zhong, no need to be so distant.”

He could only comply: “I apologize if I disturb Great Hero Duan and Palace Lord.”

Duan Chenbi stroked his beard and laughed gently. He said to Rong Luoyun: “My disciple, practice one of your palms for me.”

Rong Luoyun moved farther away. He faced two moss-covered trees and steadied his body, drawing over a violent swirl of qi. The wind picked up. In a split second, two Soul Seizing Palms struck out and the two trees toppled with a bang.

After ten years of practice, he has reached a high understanding of this technique. Duan Chenbi said approvingly: “Today, Shifu will teach you the Rising Cloud Palm.”

Rong Luoyun was surprised: “Many thanks, Shifu!”

At this time, Duan Chenbi turned to Huo Linfeng: “Du Zhong, I heard you’ve saved my disciple’s life?”

Huo Linfeng replied: “It was within this subordinate’s duties.”

Duan Chenbi shook his head: “Unless it’s your family or beloved, how is it within your duties?” He had his own intentions, “Come learn the Rising Cloud Palm with my disciple. Are you willing?”

In the eyes of a martial artist, this sentence was like stumbling upon treasure on a casual stroll. Who would say no to treasure? Huo Linfeng suppressed his shock with difficulty and cupped his fist: “This subordinate is willing. Thank you, Great Hero Duan.”

Duan Chenbi smiled: “Don’t be so eager to thank me. I have one condition: choose one technique of your own and teach it to my disciple.”

Huo Linfeng was silent for a moment before agreeing readily. He glanced at Rong Luoyun, who happened to be looking at him. Their eyes locked together in this chilly forest. Duan Chenbi moved forwards, attempting to spread out in the forest densely covered in old trees.

“Can you two learn by staring at one another?”

Huo Linfeng and Rong Luoyun were greatly embarrassed and hastily retracted their gazes, only to see Duan Chenbi had already begun his demonstration.

Surrounded by trees, a majestic power condensed around his body. His internal energy was like a tempest, pushing the two back several steps. Leaves fell and twirled. The transparent air seemed to be rippling.

It was a palm, yet that power was not just confined in the palm. It resided in this person, in his whole being. Duan Chenbi closed his eyes and gathered qi in his hands. In a flash, more than ten surrounding trees were uprooted, leaving behind tremendous shaking.

Wild animals scurried away in fright and the birds unfolded their wings. The tranquil forest became chaotic.

After a long time, the dust finally settled…… Duan Chenbi’s breathing was still calm and steady.

“Shifu.” Rong Luoyun said dazedly, “Is there anyone in this world who can block your palm?”

Duan Chenbi said thoughtfully: “There is only one.”

Rong Luoyun asked: “Who?”

Duan Chenbi answered: “That person’s swordplay is unrivaled in this world. If he used all his strength in his moves, he would be able to withstand my Rising Cloud Palm.” As he spoke, his eyes moved slightly, landing on Huo Linfeng.

Huo Linfeng felt a pang of anxiety. That person was……

Duan Chenbi said: “The Marquis of Dingbei —— Huo Zhao.”

The author has something to say:

Xiao-Huo: I’m starting to panic. (There are three routes to take: 1. Go back and write a letter of resignation, with the reason being to return home to inherit the family business. 2. Give Saibei a long-distance call and ask if Huo Zhao knows Duan Chenbi. 3. Go to the Nameless Abode and sing Xiao-Rong a song: I’ll kiss you goodbye on an empty street [1]

If you enjoy reading Riling Up the Jianghu and would like to support the author (please do if you can!!), please consider purchasing the raws here (guide on JJWXC here). Thanks for reading!

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Notes

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