The Legend of the Condor Heroes

Mu Yi remained silent, though he was thinking about another thing.

Wanyan Kang continued, "My father has gotten into trouble all because of me. The emperor even reprimanded him three months ago. If my father learns about this now, he will never agree the marriage. So I hope that Hero Mu keeps this secret tight."

Mu Yi turns furious, "If I listen to what you say then my daughter will suffer if she is with you since everything has to be kept under wraps.

Wanyan Kang replied, "I have everything planned out already, I will get some grand officials to ask for her hand in marriage, it must be a grand and joyous affair."

Mu Yi's faced suddenly paled and he said, "Please ask your mother to see me so that I can discuss this with her."

Wanyan Kang smiled and said, "How can my mother meet you?"

Mu Yi yelled, "If I don't get to meet your mother, I won't give in to you no matter what you come up with." With that, he picked up the jar of wine and threw it out.

Ever since Mu Nian Ci fought with Wanyan Kang, she already fell for him and was delighted after she heard his plan. But her father's sudden outburst changed everything and she didn't know whether she was surprised or dejected.

WanYan Kang flipped over and caught the wine jar in time before putting it back on the table and laughed, "I'm leaving!" before turning to go.

After hearing Wanyan Kang's words, Guo Jing felt that the former had his reasons and a very good plan, but who would expect Mu Yi to lose his temper. He thought, "I will try to convince him now." He was about to go out when Huang Rong pulled his sleeve and brought him out of the house.

They heard Wanyan Kang ask a servant, "Have you brought it?" The servant nodded and raised his arm to reveal a rabbit. Wanyan Kang took the rabbit from him and broke it's hind legs in a flash, before placing it in his pocket and hurrying off. Guo Jing and Huang Rong felt curious and followed behind him. After a while, they saw a small three-roomed hut. It was a normal hut like any other commoner's but stood out amongst the grand surroundings of the Zhao residence. The two felt very curious. They saw Wanyan Kang open the door and enter the hut. They tiptoed to the back of the house and peered into the window. They were sure that there was something secretive in the hut, which Wanyan Kang kept. However, they heard something they did not expect when he called out, "Mother!"

A woman's voice answered him. Wanyan Kang walked into the room, Huang Rong and Guo Jing saw a middle-aged woman sitting beside a table, gazing blankly into space. This woman looked no more than forty, had very delicate features but wore little powder on her face and very common robes.

Huang Rong thought, "This princess is indeed prettier than Miss Mu, but why does she dress so shabbily and live in such a hut? Has she fallen out of Prince Zhao's favor?"

Guo Jing was thinking about the same thing at first but later felt that it was nothing special. He thought, "She must be like Rong'er. She purposely dress up shabbily like a peasant for fun."

Wanyan Kang walked to her side, pulled her arm and said, "Mother, are you ill again?"

The woman sighed, "I was worrying for you."

Wanyan Kang leaned on her and giggled, "But your son is standing healthily in front of you."

The woman replied, "With swollen eyes and a broken nose? You call that fine? You are getting more and more naughty, it's alright if your father knows, but if your teacher learns about it, you'll be in hot soup."

Wanyan Kang giggled, "Mother, do you know who is the Taoist priest who came today?"

The woman asked, "Who?"

Wanyan Kang replied, "He is my teacher's martial brother, and is my elder. But I purposely pretend to be ignorant of that fact and called him Taoist this, Taoist that. He scowled and was furious but couldn't do anything." With that, he started laughing again.

The woman was alarmed and said, "Oh no! I've seen your teacher flare up before and he can kill people. It's really a frightening thought."

Wanyan Kang was curious and asked, "You've seen teacher kill before? When? Why did he kill people?"

The woman lifted her head and gazed at the light, as if she was somewhere far away and said gently, "That was a long time ago. Ah, I cannot remember anymore!"

Wanyan Kang did not probe further, instead he grinned smugly and said, "That Taoist Wang came to ask me how was I going to deal with the marriage and I told him that if he brought Miss Mu to me, I would listen to whatever he say."

The woman asked, "Have you asked your father permission? Has he agreed?"

Wanyan Kang smiled, "Mother, you are too honest. I asked my men to trick them into coming here and locked them up in the back cell earlier on. How does Taoist Wang expect to find them then?" Wanyan Kang was going through the events in an excited manner while Guo Jing was fuming outside.

Guo Jing thought, "To think that I actually thought that he had good intentions just now! Luckily Hero Mu is wise not to fall into his trap."

The woman answered exasperatedly, "How can you make fun of his daughter and lock them up? Hurry and release them now, and remember to apologize and give them some money."

Guo Jing nodded his head and thought, "That's more like it."

Wanyan Kang said, "Mother, you don't understand! These swordsmen don't care about money. If I release them and they go round telling people what happen, father will hear about it."

The woman became anxious, "Then do you want to lock them up forever?"

Wanyan Kang smiled, "I sweet talked them into going back to their village and let them stupidly wait for me forever." With that, he burst out laughing.

Guo Jing was shaking furiously at this time, he raised a palm towards the window frame and was about to yell out when he felt a soft and smooth palm cover his mouth and someone grab his left wrist. A gentle voice whispered into his ear, "Calm down."

Guo Jing recovered and turned towards Huang Rong with a faint smile before looking back into the room again.

Wanyan Kang continued, "That Mu fellow is really cunning, he doesn't take the bait. But let's see how long he can last if I lock him up for another couple of days."

His mother answered, "I've seen Miss Mu and I find her beautiful and talented. She is quite likeable. Why not I talk to your father and ask him to let you marry her, then everything will be solved."

Wanyan Kang laughed, "Mother, for the last time, we are royalty. How can I marry such a commoner? Father always tells me that he will arrange a respectable match for me. But it's a pity that we are the Wanyans."

The woman asked, "Why?"

Wanyan Kang replied, "If not, I can marry the princess and become the crown prince."

The woman sighed and said in a low voice, "How can you look down on poor commoners…do you really think that…"

Wanyan Kang laughed, "Mother, I have a joke for you. That Mu fellow says that he will only believe me if he meets up and discuss with you."

The woman replies, "I won't help you to lie and do such despicable things."