The Killing of Crows, Chapter 18: Let's Set Off (Part 3)
Updated: 2008-10-15 0:14:51 Word Count: 3718
Second update.
This should probably be called turning misfortune into blessing.
As Xiaoman rode her horse along the mountain road, she touched the gold and silver jewelry in her arms. She counted it; it totaled one hundred taels of silver, plus some jewelry. Although she wasn't as wealthy as before, it was still a considerable sum.
When she came down the mountain, she realized that she had been going the wrong way. Zhenzhou should be heading north, but she had been heading east. No wonder she couldn't get out of the mountains.
Sister Chen was very kind and led her around the whole village. They all came out to shovel the snow off the mountain path to the side so the horses wouldn't slip. They didn't leave until they had escorted her out of the forest.
The rest of the journey was not difficult. Xiao Man spurred her horse and galloped along, taking about half a day to reach Zhenzhou City before dark.
Her first priority was to go to the jewelry store and exchange all the jewelry she had for silver. She spent a long time negotiating with the shopkeeper about the wear and tear on the gems and pearls. In the end, she sold all the gems and got about a thousand taels of silver.
She's rich again, but this time she's holding onto her money securely and won't have to worry about it running away.
Xiao Man was satisfied and led her horse toward the inn. The helpful waiter immediately came over and tied the horse to the stable for her. Xiao Man was very proud of herself and went inside, making a big demand: "A top-class room."
Upon hearing that she wanted the top-class room, the innkeeper looked up from his ledger and glanced at her. He suddenly paused, staring at her for a long time with a furrowed brow before finally saying, "Yes, we do... but..."
Xiaoman was about to take out some silver from her bosom to give it to him when she suddenly noticed him staring at something behind her, seemingly comparing himself to her. She immediately turned around and saw a notice posted at the inn's entrance: Wanted! The notorious bandit—her face was painted on it! Damn it! That old man really did report her to the authorities!
Xiao Man was startled, but turned around with a smile. Utterly innocent, she exclaimed, "Wow, that bandit looks just like me! It's the first time I've ever seen someone who looks so much like me!"
The shopkeeper hesitated for a moment. Seemingly unconvinced that this delicate, thin girl could be a bandit, he said with a forced smile, "Yes, I find it strange too. She really does resemble you, young lady, but she doesn't seem as young..."
Xiao Man sighed: "In this world, why did I have to become a bandit? God help me, I hope the government doesn't cause me any trouble. I'm a respectable woman, I have nothing to do with bandits."
The innkeeper chuckled, "Yes, young lady, you seem so refined and gentle, you don't seem like a bad person. You want the top-class room, right?"
Xiao Man paid the money and immediately went upstairs to her room.
She was in deep trouble now—being put on a wanted list?! The shopkeeper's expression was suspicious; he might report her to the authorities. She couldn't stay any longer!
Xiaoman spread her bundle out on the bed, but after a long time, she still couldn't decide what to dress up as.
Dress up as a man... she doesn't have any men's clothes here. And given her appearance, unless someone is blind, even an idiot could tell it's fake. Dress up as an old woman... her hair is black!
Xiaoman paced back and forth in the room, as anxious as an ant on a hot plate. Turning around, she saw an old garment in her bundle, torn in several places and unpatched, its color a dull gray. Suddenly, an idea struck her.
After getting dressed, she opened the window and looked down. Sure enough, soldiers were coming this way. She grabbed the window frame and jumped down. Below was the stable, where her mount was leisurely grazing. Xiaoman patted its head and whispered, "Good boy, I can't take you with me. If you're really smart, wait for me outside the city."
She untied the reins, took out a needle, and pricked the horse's rump. The poor horse neighed in pain, took off running, and charged out of the street, causing screams of alarm.
Xiao Man carried her bundle and slipped out of the alley. When she was almost on the main street, she immediately bent over, grabbed a tree branch, and walked out shakily.
Upon seeing the tattered clothes, she had a sudden inspiration. She simply rubbed the clothes on the ground until they were filthy, then put them on, tousled her hair, and smeared mud and ash on her face to disguise herself as a beggar. A beggar, after all, is dirty and smelly, so naturally no one would suspect her.
Xiao Man, leaning on a tree branch, walked shakily to the entrance of the inn. Sure enough, a crowd had gathered below, all watching the spectacle. One of them said, "I heard that the wanted bandit this time is a girl! I really can't tell, she's quite pretty. She could be a courtesan, why would she be a bandit!"
Bah! Why should a woman have to become a prostitute when she's desperate?! These men's ideas are so boring.
Another person said, "The person came out; they probably missed them. That girl is cunning."
Xiao Man quickly stepped forward: "What's wrong? What's wrong? Have you caught the notorious bandit?"
When the men saw that she was a beggar, they quickly moved aside, shouting, "What are you doing?! Don't come any closer!"
Xiao Man stretched out her hand, choking back tears, and said, "Sir, please give me some silver... please have mercy..."
The man raised his fist as if to strike, and she quickly covered her head and ran away. After running for a while, seeing that there was nothing unusual around her, she leaned on her cane, sang a lotus flower ballad, and walked step by step toward the city gate.
Unexpectedly, the notorious bandit was discovered in the city, and more soldiers were deployed to guard the city gates. Entry and exit were strictly checked; everyone's bundles were opened and inspected, and even their shirts were removed to determine their gender. Xiaoman had no choice but to turn back. Looking around, unsure of what to do next, she could only continue singing her broken Lianhualuo as she wandered aimlessly.
She turned a corner, and ahead lay the main road to the east, where a security escort agency stood, said to be quite famous in the martial arts world. Xiaoman walked slowly towards it and, sure enough, saw an agency by the roadside, its light blue flag fluttering, and the guards at the entrance were very imposing and unlike any other. She huddled in a corner, pretending to rest, hoping to spot one or two familiar faces. During her trip to Mount No Return, there were about a hundred martial arts practitioners there; surely some would recognize her. Asking them to escort her out of the city should be possible.
She sat for a while. Sure enough, the gate of the security agency opened, and two people walked out, one of whom was wearing a black cloak with a thick, long braid trailing behind him. She was taken aback, and her heart began to pound.
It's Zexiu! What's he doing here?! Her whole body stiffened. Afraid he would recognize her, she shrank back, pretending to sleep, not daring to move.
How could she forget? This guy is a bounty hunter! He'll definitely see the notice, and if he comes to arrest her, she's doomed.
Zexiu exchanged a few words with the man, cupped his hands in a respectful bow, and turned to leave. Xiaoman, hearing the footsteps approaching, was so frightened that she quickly lowered her head and started playing in the mud. The footsteps grew closer, and her heart pounded faster and faster until he rushed past without even stopping. Only then did she breathe a sigh of relief. She didn't know whether to feel relieved or disappointed.
Thank goodness, he didn't recognize him. I guess no one would be interested in a beggar on the street.
She sat for a while longer. Only after confirming that Zexiu was far away did she slowly stand up and turn back. Passing a steamed bun stall, the freshly steamed buns were white and soft. She felt a sudden hunger pang in her stomach. Looking around, she grabbed two buns while the owner was packing them for someone else and ran. People were cursing and chasing after her, but she didn't care. Taking advantage of her lightness and speed, she weaved through the alleyways for a while. Sure enough, those people couldn't find her anymore and went back cursing.
Xiao Man chuckled to herself, picked up the two steamed buns, took a big bite, and almost cried from the heat. She looked around to make sure no one was there before sitting down on the ground and enjoying her meal. Just as she finished one bun, she heard footsteps behind her. She peeked out and saw Ze Xiu walking towards her with a dark expression.
Xiaoman grabbed the unfinished steamed bun, turned her face away, and ran. She saw a small alley, slipped into it in a flash, and wandered around inside. When she looked back and saw that no one was chasing her, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"That scared me to death," she muttered, stuffing the bun into her mouth. No longer daring to stay there, she strained her ears to listen. Seeing his footsteps moving forward, she turned and walked in the opposite direction. She hadn't taken two steps when she suddenly felt footsteps behind her. The hairs on her neck stood on end. Slowly turning around, she saw Zexiu leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, glaring at her.
She tried to run away, but her vest was suddenly grabbed. She screamed and almost dropped the bun in her mouth, but quickly caught it with her hand.
"You little brat who's always causing trouble!" Zexiu cursed, grabbed her vest, and walked away.
Xiaoman struggled frantically, but Zexiu grabbed her wrist, lifted her up by the waist, and carried her like a piglet. Xiaoman cried out, "I won't go to the government! I won't go!"
He said coldly, "Who said I was going to send you to the authorities!"
"Aren't you going to hand me over to the authorities?" She looked up at him with teary eyes and whispered, "But I'm said to be worth two hundred taels of silver. You really aren't going to hand me over?"
"Enough with the nonsense!"
"Really not sending it?"
Ze Xiu's forehead veins throbbed as he coldly said, "Let's go! To the government office!"
Xiao Man was so anxious that she squeaked and kicked her legs, but she couldn't move at all because he was holding her. After he walked a while, he suddenly pushed open a door, threw her inside, and then slammed the door shut.
Xiao Man fell to the ground, but it didn't hurt much. It turned out that there was a thick layer of fur on the ground. She scrambled to her feet and looked around. It was a typical house, but there was not much furniture. There was only a table in front of the window, and the only other thing was the thick layer of fur on the ground.
"Explain to me what good deed you did." Zexiu took off his boots, stood opposite her, tapped his fingers impatiently on the wall, and glared at her fiercely.
Xiao Man looked at him timidly, squeezed the bun in her hand, and then stuffed it into her mouth.
"You're not allowed to eat it." He frowned.
Xiao Man acted as if she hadn't heard anything, stuffed her mouth full of buns, and finally choked so hard that she let out a burp, clutching her throat with a pained expression.
Zexiu stormed into the inner room and brought her a cup of cold tea. Xiaoman took it and drank it all in one gulp, finally feeling relieved.
"Thank you... Wow, I almost choked to death." She touched her chest, feeling very fortunate.
"Tell me now." He snatched the cup and threw it on the table without any politeness.
The Killing of Crows, Chapter Nineteen: He He He (Part One)
Updated: 2008-10-15 13:46:22 Word Count: 4894
I'm so frustrated with the plot of these chapters; I've rewritten them at least five times.
So tired, so tired, tears streaming down my face.
First update.
Xiao Man sat cross-legged on the ground, looking around, and exclaimed, "Wow! This is the house you bought? There's nothing there, how can anyone live here?"
Zexiu glared at her: "Don't change the subject."
Xiao Man could only touch her nose and say, "Well... it's like this and that, I accidentally became a bandit... and then I was wanted by the authorities..."
"What do you mean by this or that?"
Why ask such detailed questions?! Helpless, Xiaoman had no choice but to recount how she met Sister Chen and the others, and how she taught them to make a fortune as bandits.
Zexiu looked at her with a half-smile: "You're quite capable, even managing to be a bandit. Do you know who you robbed?"
“Rich people,” Xiaoman answered seriously.
"He's a high-ranking official from the Southern Privy Council who has retired to his hometown. You're really bold to rob someone like that."
What's the difference? They're all rich anyway. Xiao Man turned her head away, pretending not to hear.
“Zhenzhou is cracking down hard lately. You’re not allowed to leave. We’ll talk about it after this period.” After saying that, Zexiu put on his boots and was about to leave.
Xiao Man asked curiously, "You really won't send me to the authorities?"
Zexiu stared at her intently and said calmly, "Do you think I would send you to the authorities?"
Xiao Man was a little embarrassed and said in a low voice, "That's not what I meant..."
Zexiu pushed open the door to leave, but when he turned back and saw her looking around furtively, he said coldly, "You know my methods. If you dare to run away and I catch you, I will definitely send you to the authorities this time."
Xiao Man had originally been thinking of running away, but after he said that, she was so frightened that she shrank back and could only nod repeatedly.
Zexiu looked at her intently. Suddenly, he whispered, "You... you've lost weight."
After saying that, he closed the door and disappeared.
Xiao Man was filled with mixed feelings—joy, sadness, embarrassment, and awkwardness. She truly hadn't expected to run into Ze Xiu here. She had thought she'd never see him again, and that if she did, he would pretend not to know her. But she was wrong. He had still helped her. A man on a bounty from the government harboring a criminal… Ugh, so annoying.
She collapsed onto the soft fur, rolling around with her head in her hands. A battle raged within her; one voice urged her to leave, another to stay. Finally, she grew exhausted. She pulled out her silver notes from her bosom and counted them one by one, until her eyelids grew heavy. She hastily stuffed the notes back in and closed her eyes, falling asleep.
When Zexiu returned home that evening, he found Xiaoman curled up asleep on the floor. She slept like a child, curled up, which was said to be a sign of inner fear and insecurity. He took off his boots, walked to the table, placed the beef dumplings he had bought on them, and gently lit the candle.
He sat against the wall, staring intently at her sleeping face, motionless. As darkness fell, the candlelight flickered slightly. Xiaoman turned over, and something lit up her ear, causing his eyebrows to twitch.
Xiaoman was awakened by a delicious aroma. She opened her eyes groggily, her mouth watering at the tempting smell. Instinctively, she turned her head and saw Zexiu sitting alone at the table, silently eating beef potstickers. She sat up abruptly, moved closer, and stared blankly at the oily and tempting potstickers, but dared not reach out to grab one.
"Go wash your hands; there's a washbasin in the inner room," he said casually.
Xiao Man readily complied and quickly slipped into the inner room, where half of the room was covered with furs, while the other half was covered with a screen, behind which was probably the bathing area, which was very clean. She scooped water from the water vat, washed her hands and face, and then ran out. Ze Xiu had already given her a pair of chopsticks and a bowl.