Tang Dynasty Bandits

Chapter 133 The First Meeting of Two Heroes
“You are not a member of the Xihe Sword Sect.” After finding a place to sit down in the mountains, Zhu Wen said to Yang Xingmi.

As an acquaintance of the Taishan Sect, Zhu Wen knew some hidden caves with stone tables and stools inside. As for the pavilions in the mountains, they had long been occupied. Those who wanted to rest mostly had to sit on the ground.

Yang Xingmi's deep gaze swept across Tian Jun's face: "Your virtuous brother isn't a man either."

Zhu Wen grabbed Tian Jun's hand in front of Yang Xingmi: "Of course, she is a great beauty."

Yang Xingmi nodded: "She is much more beautiful than those vulgar women from the Five Schools."

Judging from his words, it seems that he has relegated even the universally acknowledged beauty of Chuo Ying to the category of ordinary, common women.

Zhu Wen could understand this mentality quite well. The other person was just like him—proud, handsome, and powerful. Such a young man judged beauty by far more than just looks.

As Zhu Wen once said to Lan Suting, "I just want to see a face so beautiful that I don't need to wear makeup. I can look in the mirror."

"I am a true disciple of Hidden Sword Manor." Yang Xingmi actually stated his identity and background directly.

Zhu Wen asked, "Isn't the true disciple of Hidden Sword Manor named Yang Xingmin?"

The words slipped out, and only then did I realize I had said something inappropriate.

Strangely enough, Zhu Wen didn't find anyone repulsive about this person who had once helped Shi Pu and wanted to take his life, and he didn't even think twice before speaking.

"Yang Xingmin is another name of mine."

"So, is Young Master Yang about to come out of seclusion?" Zhu Wen asked.

When Zhuge Liang emerged from the mountains, the world was astonished. Even if Yang Xingmi couldn't compare to Zhuge Liang, he was still an unparalleled hero.

"A wise man keeps his talents hidden until the right time to act," Yang Xingmi said casually, seemingly still waiting for the opportune moment.

But these words did not make Zhu Wen feel arrogant at all. On the contrary, he felt that this person's self-proclaimed status as King Zhuang of Chu and King Goujian of Yue was extraordinary.

After all, Zhu Wen himself had compared himself to Emperor Guangwu of Han and Emperor Taizong of Tang.

Shang Rang was the new leader of the Zhenyi Alliance, but he was clearly inferior to Yang Xingmi before him. As for Shi Pu, he was also a hero of the time, but compared to Yang Xingmi, he was like a common bird compared to a phoenix.

The Zhenyi Alliance ranks higher in the martial arts world than the Cangjian Manor, so even the six major sects in the world are probably not worthy of this young master Yang, whose temperament is like a sword drawn from its sheath.

Zhu Wen knew that the Hidden Sword Manor had two exceptionally outstanding disciples in this generation. If they all possessed such magnanimity and demeanor, it would truly astound the world.

"So, what business does Young Master Yang have with me, Zhu?" Zhu Wen did not reveal his sharp edge or confront the other party's innate sharp temperament, but simply asked frankly.

He couldn't sense any real hostility from the other person.

“If you can die at the hands of Shi Pu, then defeating Xue Shuai Qi Kerang will be a fluke.” Yang Xingmi did not directly answer Zhu Wen’s question: “The Battle of Muling Pass proved that Zhu Liangyu, the chief strategist of the Grass Army and a disciple of Huang Jutian, was not just a name without substance.”

Zhu Wen was pleased to receive Yang Xingmi's praise. Mutual appreciation among heroes is far more valuable than the flattery of a million ordinary people.

"So, what exciting stories will I see after Master Xingmi draws his sword?"

"I won't let Brother Zhu get bored." Yang Xingmi's voice was still cold and gloomy, but it did sound somewhat lonely: "Before that, Brother Zhu must survive, and live a long time."

With a swift movement, Tian Jun drew her spear and pointed it at Yang Xingmi's face: "Are you threatening Zhu Lang?"

The spear was only an inch away from Yang Xingmi's forehead.

It seemed like it could pierce his skull in an instant.

Yang Xingmi, however, directly brought his forehead towards the spearhead.

Tian Jun was shocked. Before she could react, a bloody mark appeared on Yang Xingmi's forehead.

He calmly wiped away the bloodstain with his hand: "Good weapon, very sharp."

Yang Xingmi's face wasn't particularly delicate, but his skin, as white as ice, combined with his highly sculpted features, created a captivating charm. A bloodstain on his forehead made him appear exceptionally handsome, like Erlang Shen descending to earth.

“Junmei, don’t worry, Young Master Yang has no ill intentions.” Zhu Wen smiled and said, “The reason he helped Shi Pu is because someone who can’t even handle Shi Pu is not worth his life or death.”

“Shi Pu is an old friend of mine, but I will not work for him,” Yang Xingmi said.

"Shi Pu is like a dry bone in a tomb, not worth mentioning." Zhu Wen completely disregarded Shi Pu, a young talent recognized by the world: "Even under the command of the Four Marshals, there is no one like Brother Yang. What merit or ability does Shi Pu have?"

Yang Xingmi remained silent, after all, Shi Pu was his friend. But judging from his expression, he tacitly agreed.

There was silence for a long time; it seemed that everything that needed to be said had already been said.

Zhu Wen disliked making small talk, and Yang Xingmi was clearly an even more taciturn person.

"It seems we've finished discussing what we needed to say," Zhu Wen said, rising to his feet.

Yang Xingmi nodded: "Farewell."

It was simple and straightforward. The two sides neither drank nor ate together, nor exchanged any gifts.

These two extraordinary individuals, meeting for the first time, need no formalities.

Zhu Wen understood that if Yang Xingmi were to become an enemy in the future, he would be the best opponent.

Both are men of exceptional wisdom and strategy, but talking to Yang Xingmi is much more comfortable than facing the "thief Wang Jian".

After Yang Xingmi left, Tian Jun was completely confused: "What are you talking about? Why wasn't he threatening you?"

Zhu Wen said, "Yang Xingmi came to warn me. He's afraid that if I die, I won't have the chance to compete with him for the throne."

He muttered to himself, "In the south there is a divine bird. When it does not sing, it is soaring to the heavens; when it does not fly, it is soaring to the sky. I look forward to the day when I will fight you."

Tian Jun was shocked: "The government troops have already suffered a crushing defeat, will there still be danger at the Five Peaks Incense Gathering?"

“If Yang Xingmi wanted me dead, he wouldn’t have come looking for me.” Zhu Wen seemed to trust this person he had just met quite a bit.

Perhaps this is what it means to have white hair that feels like new, and to feel like old friends upon first meeting.

Even if the two sides may become mortal enemies in the future.

"When Yang Xingmi revealed his identity to me, he was telling me that he disdained hiding in the shadows and being my opponent when information was unequal."

Yang Xingmi was undoubtedly a true swordsman and a proud young man with the heart of a martial artist.

Zhu Wen concluded decisively, "Then there must be others lurking in the shadows."

"I, Tian Si Niang, hate these rats in the gutter the most!" Tian Jun said through gritted teeth.

Upon hearing that Yang Xingmi acted out of good intentions, her dissatisfaction with him immediately turned into goodwill, while her hatred shifted to the unknown enemy.

"Rats will always show themselves eventually, just kill them," Zhu Wen said dismissively. "It's time for us to go see some singing and dancing."

Zhu Wen added, "Don't worry, in my eyes, none of those women are as beautiful as you, Jun-mei."

Tian Jun persisted, asking, "Where's Zhuoying?"

Zhu Wen frowned slightly, then replied, "Miss Zhuoying is graceful and charming, but she is just a friend, while you are the one I love."

This honest and unbiased answer pleased Tian Jun. She happily rubbed her cheek against Zhu Wen's face, like a docile big cat.

"It seems like you haven't showered for several days again." Zhu Wen's next words made Tian Jun want to punch him again.

"It's already autumn!" Tian Jun said irritably.

"No, I just thought of something. I remember when we first met, I asked you if your feet smelled easily because you have Hu (non-Han) blood."

Tian Jun gritted her teeth and clenched her fist, saying, "Of course I remember."

“This matter is very important,” Zhu Wen said. “Later I noticed that you sometimes smelled a bit strong, which was simply because you didn’t like to bathe. Half of you are Han Chinese, which means you don’t have the body odor of the Hu people.”

"Otherwise, if you didn't apply rose water to your armpits, you could probably knock someone out from the smell."

Before he could finish speaking, Zhu Wen felt a sharp pain in his calf, as if his bones were about to crack.

This time he couldn't dodge it because he never expected Tian Jun to move her legs instead of her hands.

The logic is simple: "Hands are like two doors, but you rely on your feet to fight" is a saying from the underworld. Tian Jun grew up in the army and has very little experience in the underworld. What's the use of a long weapon when you're kicking someone?
"Junior Sister, she..." Zhu Wen gritted his teeth, and instantly realized who had taught Tian Jun.

"That's right, serves you right for always bullying me." Tian Jun clapped her hands, her eyebrows dancing with excitement. It was the first time she'd gotten away with something so harsh from Zhu Wen, and she felt extremely satisfied.

Zhu Wen sighed helplessly, "But I was praising you. Think about it, your two friends, 'White Tiger' and 'Vermilion Bird,' don't they have to burn a lot of incense on their bodies, otherwise they'd smell terrible, and it's not just body odor, it's much stranger than body odor..."

Tian Jun thought about it again and realized that An Renyi and Mi Zhicheng, these two pure-blooded Hu people, were indeed like that.

At the time, I wondered why two grown men liked using spices so much, making them look effeminate.

"This has nothing to do with our current situation, does it?"

Zhu Wen shook his head and said mysteriously, "Regardless of whether it has anything to do with that rat, it is at least related to the success or failure of the Five Peaks Incense Gathering."

Tian Jun was initially ashamed of having been kicked by Zhu Wen, but Zhu Wen refused to tell her any specific plans, acting as if he had a "hidden plan," which annoyed her and made her want to kick him again when she had the chance.

But this time Zhu Wen was prepared. He grabbed her feet and pulled her into his arms. Tian Jun felt the man's strong and reliable chest and gentle embrace, and all her anger disappeared. She quietly leaned against Zhu Wen.

Zhu Wen embraced her, and together they gazed at the hazy starry sky from the cave entrance. A mountain breeze blew gently, creating a warm and tranquil atmosphere.

(End of this chapter)