Blood Will Tell (Part Two)

It had to be admitted that Shi Xuedong's move was masterful. This was his way of telling Hu Xiaotian: not only did I bear you no grudge, I was magnanimous enough to make peace with you.

Hu Xiaotian truly did not want to become sworn brothers with this bastard, but under the circumstances, refusing would mean denying Shi Xuedong face, and denying Shi Xuedong face meant rejecting the Shi family. Had Shi Xuedong's father merely been a fifth-rank official, that would have been one thing, but his father held the Principal Third Rank and headed the Ministry of Personnel. His political standing in Great Kang was no lower than Hu Xiaotian's own father's. After turning it over in his mind, Hu Xiaotian realized he really could not refuse. He immediately put on a radiant smile. "Brother Shi, I'm just afraid you're far above my station!"

Shi Xuedong laughed. "What do you mean, above your station? Unless you're still holding something against me!"

Hu Xiaotian hastily shook his head. "Not at all! In fact, the moment I first saw you, Brother Shi, I felt an instant affinity. Tall and imposing, graceful as a jade tree in the wind, dashing and debonair-you truly are a dragon and phoenix among men. How could I not wish to befriend you?" Inwardly, however, he cursed, The bastard has nothing but a handsome shell and a bellyful of poison. No principles, no character-vile, filthy, despicable, shameless!

Shi Xuedong clasped Hu Xiaotian's hand, likewise looking as though he regretted not meeting him sooner. "Brother Hu, you're honest and upright, frank by nature, and swift to repay kindness and settle grudges. What I admire most is a real man like you, without pretense or hypocrisy!" Inside, hatred gnawed at him. You son of a bitch, you actually dared slap me! If I don't make you kneel and beg for mercy, calling me Grandpa a thousand times, I'll take your surname.

Outwardly, the two lavished compliments on each other, but each was pursuing his own calculations. Neither sincerely wanted to become sworn brothers with the other; they would have liked nothing better than to swallow each other whole and skin each other alive.

Shi Jingde was an old, crafty fox. Naturally, he did not believe these two youngsters sincerely wanted to become sworn brothers, but grudges were better untied than tied tighter. If they could make peace here and now, that would be a good thing. Shi Jingde smiled. "It's rare that you both share this wish. I'll serve as your witness."

Hu Xiaotian finally understood: he had mounted a tiger and could not get off. Like it or not, he had to keep riding. Shi Xuedong pulled him down to his knees, then immediately piled up earth for an incense burner and stuck blades of grass into it as incense. Shi Xuedong had disreputable friends all over the Capital City and had sworn brotherhood with goodness knew how many of them, so this was a well-traveled road for him. Together with Hu Xiaotian, he performed the eight bows of sworn brotherhood, declaring, "Today, I, Shi Xuedong, become sworn brothers with Hu Xiaotian. Though we could not be born in the same year, month, and day, may we die in the same year, month, and day." As he recited the oath, he glanced at Hu Xiaotian with a smile, thinking, If anyone dies, you'll die first. Sworn brothers? I'm just toying with you!

Hu Xiaotian thought, Die in the same year, month, and day as you? Pah! Your crimes are piled to the brim, and a man who keeps committing evil brings about his own destruction. Sooner or later, you'll meet a violent end. What the hell do I care whether you live or die? I'm being forced into this today. Heaven above, earth below! This doesn't count. He and I are not brothers! Hu Xiaotian said, "Today, I, Hu Xiaotian, become sworn brothers with Brother Shi. Henceforth, we shall be brothers of one heart. I will treat my elder brother well, and I trust that he will treat me twice as well. Should it be otherwise, may heaven strike with lightning, may five thunderbolts crash upon the crown, may ten thousand arrows pierce the heart, and may death come to a miserable end!"

Shi Xuedong heard every word clearly. Fuck, what do you mean, you'll treat me well and I have to treat you twice as well? Why should I? That vicious oath sounds as though it's aimed at me. However I listen to it, I'm the one losing out. You're one sly little bastard. He thought Hu Xiaotian was sly, but he was hardly any better himself. His original purpose in swearing brotherhood was to deceive Hu Xiaotian, not because he genuinely admired him. Shi Xuedong was no benevolent soul. He continued, "I will certainly treat my younger brother twice as well, and I trust that my younger brother will treat me twice as well. Should it be otherwise, may the intestines rupture and the belly rot, may sores bloom on the mouth and tongue, may pus seep from the entire body, and may life become worse than death!"

Hu Xiaotian cursed inwardly, Shi Xuedong, I really ought to fuck your uncle good and hard. Ruthless, poisonous bastard! A hundred times more poisonous than me. Then he remembered that Shi Xuedong's second uncle was standing right beside them. Even if Shi Jingde were willing, he certainly was not. He had really taken a huge loss today.

Neither Shi Xuedong nor Hu Xiaotian could bear to lose out. They exchanged vicious oaths, each actually cursing the other. Though venom poured from their mouths, their faces remained pictures of affection, and their hands stayed tightly clasped. The change in roles was astonishingly swift: in an instant, enemies had become brothers.

Even Shi Jingde found it rather hard to stomach. He sighed inwardly. They really are sons of high officials. Their political bloodlines are something else. Their combined ages did not even equal his, yet they had already mastered outward compliance and inward defiance, double-dealing, and honeyed mouths concealing swords in their bellies. With such talents, why were they frittering their days away? They ought to be officials.

Shi Xuedong seemed determined to carry his hypocrisy through to the bitter end, warmly inviting Hu Xiaotian to drink with him. In truth, this was only natural. Having become sworn brothers, they had to celebrate with a few cups of wine.

Hu Xiaotian merely said he had something to attend to at home and had to return; another day, he would play host and invite his elder brother for drinks. He declined because he did not trust Shi Xuedong at all. Who knows whether this bastard will poison the wine? Even if he doesn't dare poison it, we haven't drunk blood wine yet. What if he suggests drawing some blood and drinking that? Look at that face, worn out by wine and women. He might have syphilis or AIDS or something. I wouldn't drink his blood even if he gave it away!

Only after considerable effort did Hu Xiaotian manage to decline Shi Xuedong's enthusiastic invitation. He left the Wind and Rain Pavilion with his eight household servants.

Shi Xuedong waved his arm. "Brother, don't forget to come have a drink with me!"

Hu Xiaotian arranged his features into an expression of reluctant parting. "Brother, don't worry. As soon as I'm done, I'll give you a phone call!"

Shi Xuedong was utterly bewildered. A phone call? What was a phone call?

Hu Xiaotian also realized he had let something slip. He curled the middle three fingers of his right hand, extended his thumb and little finger, and held them beside his ear to mime making a phone call.

Shi Xuedong assumed this was some kind of farewell gesture and copied him, tracing the gourd from its outline. Once Hu Xiaotian had gone, the smile instantly vanished from his face, and a sinister killing intent gleamed in his eyes. In front of his second uncle, Shi Jingde, he ground his teeth and said, "If I don't avenge this humiliation, I swear I'm not a man!" A bolt of lightning flashed across the sky, followed by a series of rumbling thunderclaps. Shi Xuedong shrank his neck in fright. Surely not? We only just spoke of heaven striking us with lightning, and here it comes. Good fortune, good luck-some things really mustn't be said carelessly.

Hu Xiaotian also ducked his head. He did not go straight home, but first stopped at Easy Origin Hall. Yuan Shiqing had already brought the Fang father and daughter there to rest and recuperate for the time being. Fang Zhitang's condition had stabilized, and the bleeding had stopped completely, though his wound still hurt. Yuan Shiqing had prescribed a pain-relieving remedy and sent his apprentice to decoct it.

Fang Zhitang had already learned from Yuan Shiqing that he owed his escape from today's calamity entirely to Hu Xiaotian. When he saw Hu Xiaotian arrive, he struggled to get out of bed and kowtow to his benefactor. Hu Xiaotian hurried forward to stop him. "Your injury hasn't healed yet. You need to stay in bed and rest."

Fang Zhitang said, "Fang'er, hurry and kowtow to our benefactor for me."

The blind girl, Fang Fang, was about to kneel again when Hu Xiaotian said, "No need, no need. You already thanked me earlier. Besides, I didn't really do much." Seeing that Fang Zhitang had regained full clarity of mind, Hu Xiaotian felt relieved.

Yuan Shiqing watched from the side, thinking that everyone outside claimed Hu Xiaotian was an official's son who committed every imaginable wicked deed. Yet judging from the few occasions on which he had seen him, Hu Xiaotian put on very few airs despite his official-family background. Moreover, he treated ordinary people with considerable kindness. When Shi Xuedong had bullied the Fang father and daughter today, it was Hu Xiaotian who had stepped forward to rescue the pitiful pair. It seemed most rumors could not be trusted.

When Hu Xiaotian left, Yuan Shiqing escorted him all the way outside the main gate. Hu Xiaotian said, "I may be leaving town soon, so I won't be able to come remove the stitches myself. Sorry for the trouble, Master Yuan, but you'll have to do it yourself when the time comes." He had just taken a little time to teach Yuan Shiqing the proper method of removing stitches.

Yuan Shiqing nodded. "Rest assured, Young Master Hu. I've firmly committed all the steps you taught me to memory." In fact, removing stitches was quite simple, and he had more or less mastered it after watching once.

Hu Xiaotian smiled. "Good, so long as you remember." Recalling his promise to give Fang Zhitang and his daughter five taels of gold, he lowered his voice. "Once I have the gold ready, I'll send someone over with it. Please pass it on to the father and daughter for me."

Yuan Shiqing said with feeling, "Young master, you truly have a generous and compassionate heart."

Hu Xiaotian said, "I wouldn't call it compassion. I just have to keep my word. I haven't studied much ophthalmology, but from what I can see, Fang Fang has been blind for too long. I'm afraid there's little hope of recovery."

Yuan Shiqing nodded in full agreement. "That's what I said too, but Fang Zhitang is stubborn. She's his only daughter. Unless he finds the Heavenly Mystery Hall Master to examine her, he won't leave the Capital City."

Hu Xiaotian said, "A father's love is as steadfast as a mountain. It's only natural! I'll have someone bring the money as soon as possible. Please tell them that whatever the outcome of seeking treatment at the Heavenly Mystery Hall, they mustn't go back to singing in the streets for money."

Yuan Shiqing understood what Hu Xiaotian meant. He was worried that Shi Xuedong would hold today's incident against the Fang father and daughter and come looking for trouble again. His opinion of Hu Xiaotian rose considerably once more. Young as Hu Xiaotian was, he really did think things through thoroughly. Yuan Shiqing felt he bore some responsibility for what had happened today. After all, he had arranged the banquet, never expecting it to end so unhappily. He wanted to apologize to Hu Xiaotian, but did not know where to begin. While he hesitated, Hu Xiaotian had already departed with an airy step.