Chapter 69

"This pair of man and woman are, at their core, both wretched souls—only two people like this can truly be of one heart and mind."

Zhang Yueshan said nothing either; clearly such feelings were foreign to him, and he could only slowly come to understand them.

……

"At this moment a man and woman lean against each other by the river—perhaps the last moment of peace."

"When Run'er laughed she looked just like a young girl, and she kept muttering: 'Don't you ever think you can shake me off in this lifetime. Even if you split me clean in two, I'll follow you as a ghost.'"

"Hei Bei Lao Liu gripped a blade in one hand and cradled Run'er in the other—this was perhaps the most peaceful dusk of his many years on the road."

"The next day, the party hurried along the riverbank. There was no road at all by the river—nothing but jagged, craggy strange rocks."

"A team of nine, with three burly fellows clearing the way at the front."

"Short blades were clipped to their sleeves, and long blades hung at their waists."

"Behind them came an old man, his face sharp and fierce, his frame rather short and small."

"The old man was well over sixty, yet his steps were still exceedingly brisk and vigorous."

"A dagger was tucked into his boot top—the blade hidden from sight, only the hilt showing outside."

"Coiled around the white-copper hilt was a gleaming, golden five-clawed golden dragon."

"That dagger is the symbol of power and status, the honor reserved for the Dragon Head alone!"

"With it in hand, one holds the power of life and death over tens of thousands!"

"Behind the old man came another three burly fellows, just like the first."

"The six of them guarded the old man front and rear. Though the riverbank terrain kept them from holding their usual formation, no matter how irregularly the stones were scattered, the six could skillfully keep the old man enclosed at their center."

"At the Dragon Head's waist was tucked a pistol, black and gleaming."

"Push a single button, and a full clip of twenty rounds can be emptied in the blink of an eye."

"Li Tangzhu followed at the rear of the party, and bringing up the very end was, naturally, Hei Bei Lao Liu."

"He was now lost in thought, the whole man looking somewhat gloomy and sullen."

"After the party had clambered over a heap of craggy strange rocks, a river bend appeared before them."

"The river bend was flat, covered entirely with pebbles large and small."

"In the cracks between the stones grew cluster after cluster of reeds, taller than a man—some sparse, some thick and dense!"

"This was the perfect place for an ambush!"

"Sure enough, Hei Bei Lao Liu at the rear of the party instantly picked up speed and surged forward!"

…….