Chapter 359 - The Heavy Sword of the Condor (16)

Translator: wuxiasociety

Convinced now, he suddenly heard on his east side the muffled sounds of an argument between two people. He could make out the voices were in fact Guo Jing and Huang Rong. Yang Guo was curious about the cause and thereupon tiptoed to search for where it originated. He found the room where the Guo couple were situated and eavesdropped outside their window.

All that was heard was Huang Rong yelling with rage: “Those two have plainly carried Xiang’er away to Passionless Valley to exchange for the antidote. How could you still go on and insist that Yang Guo is a good person? The child was just given birth two hours earlier and ended up in their hands. What chance does she have of surviving up to this point?” Those words dissolved into sobs.

Guo Jing said: “Guo’er is not that kind of person. Besides, time after time he’s saved our lives. If Xiang’er’s life could help him trade for his own life, then I’ll gladly accept it.” The sobs drowned out Huang Rong’s words: “You could do that, but I won’t…”

Then the sounds of a baby crying loudly interrupted the conversation in the room, the noise was loud and clear. Yang Guo wondered: “Did they somehow manage to snatch the baby girl back from the clutches of Li Mochou? Then why did she say: ‘What chance does she have of surviving up to this point’?” Holding his breath he raised his head against the window sill and looked around. He saw a baby cuddled safely in Huang Rong’s arms. It so happens that the baby was facing the window towards him, Yang Guo understood what he saw. He had a square-face with huge protruding ears, his skin was coarsely dark and covered with fine fuzz. He’d carried the female infant Guo Xiang for a long period of time, and remembered she was light skinned and petite with delicate features on her face. She’s the complete opposite to this plump baby. Huang Rong’s back faced the window, and quietly settled the baby down, and said: “It was nice when the siblings were together; you’d better find his sister and bring her back home.” Yang Guo only now comprehended that, from her womb, she gave birth to twins. She first gave birth to the baby girl Guo Xiang, and afterwards there arrived a male child. The moment her son entered this world, Xiao Longnü had already carried her daughter away.

Guo Jing wandered slowly and aimlessly around the room then said: “Rong’er, you usually recognize main principles. As soon as it involves matters of our children you lose your judgment. Can you not just put it to one side for the time being? At present the military affairs are in a state of urgency; how could I just leave Xiangyang and forget my responsibilities for an infant daughter?”

Huang Rong said: “I did say I wanted to look for her by myself, but you’ll never permit me to leave. Are you actually going to let our child die for no reason?

Guo Jing said: “You haven’t recovered yet, how can you go?”

Huang Rong turned on him with rage: “A father not wanting his daughter? It’s a hard lot being a mother, what do you expect me to do?”

Yang Guo had been together with them for many years on Peach Blossom Island, and remembered them as a loving couple. No major arguments were involved. Now that their faces grew red with anger, all words were equally matched. It seemed clear that they’ve quarreled over this matter on many occasions. Huang Rong cried and spoke at the same time, Guo Jing showed a taut face while randomly walked back and forth around the room.

After a while, Guo Jing said: “Even if she’s brought back, you’ll treat her in the same way as you did Fu’er, pampering her till she’s spoiled, she may as well count for nothing!”

Huang Rong loudly exclaimed: “What have you got against our Fu’er? She loves our daughter dearly, she may have been bit too reckless, but the reasons were quite understandable. If it was me, and Yang Guo insisted on taking my daughter, I’d even chop off his left arm for good measure.”

Guo Jing’s face contorted with anger and he bellowed out: “Rong’er, what are you talking about?” Raising his hand he heavily slammed the top of the table, ‘peng!’, scraps of wood flew all over the place. A practically rock-solid red wooden table was instantly broke in half by his strike. The baby boy was actually crying without knowing when to stop. When he heard the shout and the bang he automatically calmed down as a result of the fright he received.

Right at this moment, Yang Guo suddenly noticed a human silhouette below the window on the west side, also crouching down and quietly drawing back. Yang Guo thought: “So besides me, there’s another eavesdropper outside the room, but who could it be?” So he tiptoed behind that person, and noticed that her figure was elegant, it’s Guo Fu! The burning fury wasn’t extinguished, Yang Guo thought: “Great! I’ve been looking for you!” Then behind him the light that radiated from inside was gone – the lamps were out.

Then he heard Huang Rong angrily speak: “Get out, stop frightening the baby!”

Yang Guo knew Guo Jing was about to come out, and his eyes would be able to locate Yang Guo very easily. So he shifted himself behind the rockery, and then quickly made his way outside Guo Fu’s room. He launched himself high, and got himself on top of a tree, and concealed himself amongst the branches and leaves.

Within a moment, he saw Guo Fu return to her room. Then the voice of a woman said: “It’s past the second period of night, sleep well Miss!” Guo Fu grunted: “I will sleep when I am actually asleep! Get out.” The woman responded: “Very well.” Then he saw a maidservant leave the area.

After quite a while, he saw Guo Fu faintly heave a long sigh of relief. Yang Guo thought: “What is that sigh meant for? You’ve taken away my arm from me; now it’s your turn to lose an arm. But I’ll take it easy on you because you’re a woman, I won’t harm you for the moment. If I did, it’ll be just too easy. Such an act won’t conform to the ideals of a real man.” He paused in a moment of thought; he then came up with a strategy: “Alright then, I’ll call out loudly, to get Uncle Guo’s attention. Once I’ve defeated him, I’ll settle an old score with his daughter. As a man who’s got a clear conscience, no one will ever jest at my actions.” But then reconsidered again: “Uncle Guo’s martial arts are extraordinary, am I really able to triumph over him? I don’t think so! Will this mean I can’t take my revenge?” Recalling the way he lost his arm, the blood boiled up inside of him and his heart hardened. Just when he’s about to jump down from the tree, the sound of footsteps approached, and a person came striding his way.

He noticed the pace was stiff, the body was upright; it was none other than Guo Jing. He reached the outside of his daughter’s room, and gently knocked on the door, saying: “Fu’er, are you asleep yet?”

Guo Fu arose and replied: “It’s you father?” There was a hint of fear in her voice.

Yang Guo was surprised by this: “Is it possible that Uncle Guo knew I’ve arrived and so came to offer his daughter protection? Alright then! You’ll be my first opponent! If I lose to you, my life is yours to take.”

Guo Jing uttered an ‘ng’ sound. Guo Fu opened the door, raised her head and looked directly into her father’s eyes, and immediately hung her head.