HEAVEN SWORD DRAGON SABRE Book 2 of 2

Broken Marriage Of The Purple Dress King Part 1

When he was nearing the Dadou, Zhang Wuji thought that with the uproar at the Wan An Temple the previous night, a lot of the warriors working for the Prince of Ruyang would certainly recognize his face; hence it would be inconvenient for him to enter the city as he was. Thereupon he stopped by a farmer's house along the way to buy a set of old peasant clothes. He changed his clothes and wore a bamboo hat; he also blackened his face and hands using some soot and mud before he finally entered the city.

He returned toward the inn he was staying at the western side of the city, but did not enter the inn right away. He went around looking everywhere, and after ensuring that he saw nothing unusual he went into his room quick as a flash.

Xiao Zhao was sitting by the window; her hands were busy with needle and thread. She was startled to see someone enter the room; but her face broke into joyous smile just like a blooming flower in the spring after recognizing him. "Gongzi ye [young master], I thought it was a farmer breaking into the wrong room; turned out it was you," she said with a laugh.

Zhang Wuji also laughed. "What are you doing?" he asked, "Aren't you lonely?"

Xiao Zhao blushed; immediately she hid the clothes she was sewing behind her back. "I am learning to sew, but it is so bad," she said bashfully. Stuffing the clothes underneath her pillow, she rose up to pour some tea for Zhang Wuji. Seeing his black face she laughed and said, "Aren't you going to wash your face?"

"I put this on purpose," Zhang Wuji smiled, "I can't take it out yet." He took the teacup while pondering in his heart, "Miss Zhao wanted me to come with her fetching the Tulong Saber. As a real man I have to live up to my promise; I can't break it. Besides, I also want to take Yifu [foster father] to return to the 'zhong tu' [mainland, lit. middle/central earth]. Yifu was afraid that he made too many enemies in the 'zhong yuan' [Central Plains]; now that he is blind, he won't be able to deal with them. But right now the warriors of the Wulin world are united to fight the invaders; certainly personal grudges can be resolved. As long as he is with me, nobody will be able to harm a single hair of his head. The wind and the waves of the ocean are dangerous; this child Xiao Zhao cannot come with us. Mmm, I got it. I can ask Miss Zhao to settle Xiao Zhao in the Palace; it is certainly a lot safer than any other places."

Seeing him suddenly smile, Xiao Zhao asked, "Gongzi, what are you thinking?"

"I am going to a far, far away place," Zhang Wuji said, "It is not safe to take you along. I am thinking of taking you to a place where you can stay temporarily."

Xiao Zhao's face changed. "Gongzi ye," she said, "I am going with you. Xiao Zhao must attend to your need everyday."

"This is for your own good," Zhang Wuji tried to persuade her; "The place I am going is too far and too dangerous. I don't know when I am coming back."

Xiao Zhao said, "Inside that cave on the Brightness Peak I had made a resolution; wherever you go, I am going with you. Only if you kill me then you can get rid of me. Am I that disgusting that you do not want to be with me?"

"No, no," Zhang Wuji said, "You know I like you very much, but I don't want you to brave an unnecessary danger. As soon as I return, I'll immediately look for you."

Xiao Zhao shook her head, "As long as I am with you, I don't mind any danger. Gongzi, take me with you!"

Zhang Wuji grasped Xiao Zhao's hands and said, "Xiao Zhao, I am not going to lie to you; I have made a promise to Miss Zhao that I am going to accompany her overseas. On the ocean, the waves are so high that they reach the sky. I have to go since I don't have any choice, but for you, what good is it for you to brave this mighty danger?"