The Nine Cauldrons

Teng Qing Shan was in the courtyard of the house that he rented in Yang Zhou city.

Teng Qing Shan sat cross-legged in the courtyard. The night was almost over. He opened his eyes almost at the same time as when the first sun light appeared in Yang Zhou city. His mind was peaceful like water; his spirit was gentle. He stood up, faced the sun, and took a deep breath; his face serene.

Then he started to practice the 12 styles in Xing Yi Quan. Xing Yi Quan was divided into dragon, tiger, eagle, monkey, horse, swallow, harrier, chicken, bear, bird, lizard, and snake... a total of 12 types. Teng’s Shi Zhan Dragon Arts, was like a water dragon walking in monstrous waves. His movement speed was so fast, like a spiral-shaped roller in the air; his fists like a diamond drill that suddenly pierced the air. Five dragons and Xing Yi Arts in “Diamond Fist” was almost a perfect combination.

When he practiced tiger Arts, his body was moving so quick, which made people feel like there was a phantom flash. First, he leaned his hands and feet on the ground, then he suddenly jumped out like a Tiger going down the mountain, generating a wave of slight howling. He put his left hand on his forehead, while his right hand moving quickly like a bullet, created sounds like firecracker explosions in the air. Left hand, then right hand...... alternately moving in the air, just like Tiger claws waiting to tear their prey into pieces at anytime. ......

When he finished his Arts, the sun rose.

He faced the sun. Teng Qing Shan watched the sunrise with determination like a firm rock, and could hardly be moved by anyone. Since his wife passed away Teng Qing Shan pursued only one thing, ‘Martial Arts’. This motivated Teng Qing Shan to work hard everyday to master Xing Yi Quan; giving him great insight to Xing Yi Quan.

“It has been three days, and I haven’t seen Qing Jiang yet!”- Teng Qing Shan scowled, then smiled, “But, Hand of Darkness’ ability is really lacking. It wasn’t until yesterday evening that they found my trail.”

Teng Qing Shan thought that with the distance between Yang Zhou and An Yi County, being only more than one hundred kilometers, the “Hand of Darkness” should’ve been able to find him in a day. In fact, not until the third day’s evening did them find his tracks. However, this was not so surprising, as the “Hand of Darkness” might think he travelled to a remote area after being detected by the guy in black... As a result, they must have looked for him elsewhere.

No one could ever have imagined that Teng Qing Shan was not afraid of death. He even dared to to stay in the city of Yang Zhou.

“For three consecutive days I haven’t see Qing Jiang. He is now a member of the special state department. He may have been delayed by an important issue.” Teng Qing Shan left his residence as usual, and took a taxi directly to the old Willow Teahouse.

Under normal circumstances, he would stay at Willow Teahouse in the morning, while in the afternoon he would stay at the Baiyun Café, where he could see his brother Qing Jiang’ s house.

****** Yang Zhou city, in the old town, at Willow Tea House.

“Sir, here you are. Come on in.” The Waiter was very familiar to Teng Qing Shan and he lead him to a place on the second floor near the window, “Sir, you still want soymilk, and dumplings right?” For three consecutive days he sat at the same place, and ate the same things though he hadn’t stayed there the whole morning. As such the waiter was very familiar with his favorite food and drinks.

Teng Qing Shan nodded: “Yes, thank you.” Then he turned around and directed at his Qing Jiang brother’s house. “Ah, these days, Qing Jiang didn’t come home, what happened?” Teng Qing Shan scowled. This was the fourth day he came here to observe, and after several days, his brother’s house became very familiar in his mind. Just with a glance, it was simple for him to discern whether the main gate was opened; if the window was opened, or if the curtain was pulled over.

Nothing had changed!

After a few days of observation, Teng Qing Shan realized there might be nobody living in Qing Jiang’s house.

“In the upcoming days, Magosawa “Sharpshooter” and Dole Goth Grove “Broken Body Aircraft” might come. I really hope to meet my brother before this battle.” said Teng Qing Shan from the bottom of his heart quietly.

”Sir, here is your soymilk and dumplings.”

The waiter brought up a bowl of dumplings and a huge glass of soymilk. Teng Qing Shan started eating his breakfast, and waited in silence.

...... ...... Breeze, a Range Rover was moving on the road of the old city of Yang Zhou. This domineering car was driven by a very delicate short haired beauty. The beauty who was driving this car, must be a very special one. Lots of people’s eyes lit up, and they felt so amazed.

Lin was driving the Land Rover, quietly moving forward.

She had already become accustomed to other people’s glances. Her face just expressed some loneliness right now.

“I thought I could never meet him, but finally fate let us meet ...... Teng Qing Shan, he seemed like a gust of wind. Unexpectedly he came, and brought a world full of colors to my life; but again just like a gust of wind, he quietly left me.” Lin’s cold eyes, suddenly stopped at a Tea House near the road- Willow Tea House

Willow Tea House in the city of Yang Zhou was not as well-known as Fuchun Tea House, but it was also considered a historical heritage, and the price was much lower in comparison.

Lin parked the Land Rover in the open space in front of the Tea House, and then entered this Willow Tea House.

“Ms. Lin.” As soon as the waiter saw Lin, he welcomed her,” Ms. Lin has not been here for a long time ah. ”

“I was on a trip. ” Lin Qing laughed, and moved upstairs...

Teng Qing Shan had just finished his breakfast, and was drinking tea while paying attention to his younger brother Qing Jiang’s house.

“Teng Qing Shan!” A slightly trembling voice sounded.

Teng Qing Shan hesitated a little bit. In Yang Zhou city, only few could recognize him. Teng Qing Shan doubtedly turned around and noticed a short haired lady dressed in black trousers and a white blouse standing near the stairs – Lin Qing! Catching Lin’s eyes, Teng Qing Shan’s calm heart was suddenly startled. Lin’s eyes were angry, anxious, and showing happiness together with madness. How can a pair of eyes contain so much emotion?

“Little cat......”

Teng Qing Shan recalled the time when he was twenty two years old. He and his wife “Cat” were then in Lebanon, the Middle East, performing some tasks. “Cat” was shot, so he took her clothes off to help remove the bullet. Her eyes at that time were like Lin’s eyes now.

Her eyes were just the same...... Angry, anxious, happy, and mad. He could find the same meaning in those eyes......!

From that time onwards, little Cat and him became lovers.

“Teng Qing Shan, didn’t you say that you need to go back home immediately? That your house was located in the mountains so I could not find it? Why are you still in Yang Zhou?” Lin sat opposite Teng Qing Shan and asked him. But then she realized Teng Qing Shan did not speak a single word, but just kept staring at her.

Gazing into her eyes!

Looking straight into a girl’s eyes was considered to be very rude behavior.

“What are you looking at?” Lin could not help wondering. However, she felt a tinge of happiness from the bottom of her heart. Teng Qing Shan “the wood” could have finally realized her charm.

“Your eyes, they look the same as my wife’s” Teng Qing Shan softly sighed, stopped looking at her, picked up his cup and took a sip of tea.

Lin was startled.

“Your wife?” Lin Qing was so angry, intending to accuse Teng Qing Shan of lying to her, but still felt totally shocked from hearing the word ‘wife’. “Haven’t you just graduated from University; haven’t you just walked away through the university’s doors? How can you have a wife?”

“University?” Teng Qing Shan shook his head, “I have never been to University. In fact, even these glasses are fake. It’s nothing more than camouflage”

“You, you ......” Lin’s mind was in complete chaos.

“I’m sorry for lying to you... Always lying to you. The fact that my house is located in the mountains was a lie; the fact that I have just graduated from university was also just a lie.” Teng Qing Shan smiled. ”Lin, I did have some really important issues that you shouldn’t get involved in. So I’ve been lying to you. It’s too complicated to explain everything. It would be best if you acted like you’ve never met me.”

Lin had felt Teng Qing Shan was very mysterious, it was because Teng Qing Shan at the northeast Da Xing’ An Mountain showed off such an amazing strength. Now, Lin even felt Teng Qing Shan was even more mysterious.”

“Treating you like I have never seen you before? “- Lin stared at Teng Qing Shan.

Teng Qing Shan nodded.

Lin felt Teng Qing Shan’s heart was cold. It seemed like he was trying to prevent others from getting to understand him!

“You’ve been lying to me; don’t you think you should compensate me?” Lin asked.

“Compensate?” Teng Qing Shan frowned.

“Are you busy today?” Lin asked. Teng Qing Shan nodded. “I want to spend this afternoon in the adjacent cafe.”

“Very well.” Lin smiled and nodded, “My requirements are not very hard. If you stay in this tea house I want to stay here with you. If you want to go to that cafe in the afternoon I can go with you. If you have guests I will not interfere in your conversations. I just want to spend a day with you. What do you think?”

Teng Qing Shan had some doubts, did she really want to spend a day with me?

If one insists on something the other is unable to stop it.

“Okay.” Teng Qing Shan nodded, while a smile appeared on Lin’s face.