Terminology

　　Thirty Six Stratagems: Was a set of Chinese essays used to discuss and ill.u.s.trate different tactics that could be applied in politics, governing people and war.

　　Dong Zhuo: This man was a top ranking general during the late Han dynasty. Thirsty for power this a.s.shole murdered the empress dowager and killed the child emperor.

　　Idiom: Tou Shu Ji Qi (投鼠忌器) hold back from shooting at a rat incase you may break vases means you shouldn’t fight against evil if innocent people will come to harm.

　　Dim Mak (Cantonese p.r.o.nunciation because I am too lazy to look up the Chinese equivalent). Bear with me here, this concept may be a bit hard to understand. Many of you guys would have heard of acupuncture. It is a traditional Chinese medicine practice that involves making you a human pin cus.h.i.+on. In the human body, there are pressure points that run throughout in lines. Most of these pressure points are nerve cl.u.s.ters. In Chinese medicine needles are accurately tapped into position to help channel energy.

　　Dim mak can be used in martial art too. If someone attacks the correct area, the blow can sap the energy out of someone. A highly skilled martial artist would work towards targeting specific nerve points to disable their opponent. One fine example you might be able to relate to: When you hit your funny bone, you sometimes experience a rush of energy that flows from your arm and into your arm and you’ll struggle to move your arm for some time. Another example, when you sit too long and you end up with body parts that have fallen asleep with pins-and-needles.

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　　Now that matters have escalated to this stage Miao Guang’s intentions were transparent. Upon hearing he was merely a ‘merit’ point she will earn set him trembling with anger. For the first time in his life, he wholeheartedly loathed a woman.

　　The caravan troop set off eastwards. Unbeknownst to the people of Xi Rei, Feng Ming had fallen into the enemy’s hands.

　　Miao Guang grinned ear to ear. ‘When brother sees King Ming, he is bound to be ecstatic!’

　　Feng Ming s.h.i.+vered. ‘Ruo Yan?’

　　The mention of Ruo Yan’s name triggered distasteful memories. Especially, the man’s overbearing gaze. Feng Ming trembled, wasn’t he better off dead than to be imprisoned by that man?

　　He held eye contact with the Princess but remained quiet. Meanwhile he secretly slipped his right hand behind his back to search between the folds of his belt.

　　His fingers met with the small dagger Rong Tian had acquired from the Empress’ treasures. Feng Ming was accustomed to carrying it around for protection. Today was the day he’d finally put it to use.

　　‘I’m afraid rather than joy, he will be furious with the Princess.’ He tightly gripped the knife in his hand. There was a glint in his eyes, he was full of determination.

　　He stayed calm, ‘Has the Princess heard of The Thirty-Six Stratagems?’ **   

　　Miao Guang knew it wasn’t in Feng Ming’s nature to plot against others. But with his intelligence, he would certainly have a few brilliant plans up his sleeve.

　　She loved entangling her mind with such matters, naturally her interest was perked. She wanted to hear about more cunning and outlandish tactics. ‘The Thirty-Six Stratagems?’ She repeated curiously.

　　‘That’s right, The Thirty-Six Stratagems was written by a genius. It is powerful enough to conquer every realm under the heavens. One of the most famous tactics is called the ‘honey trap’. Long ago there was an unscrupulous General who craved for power. His name was Dong Zhuo, under his command was an outstanding soldier called Lu Bu. The bond between them….’As Feng Ming spoke his words became softer, it sounded like he was overexerting his lungs.

　　Miao Guang eased closer so he didn’t need to strain his voice. The instance Miao Guang shortened their proximity he shook his head. ‘Oh, actually sc.r.a.p that, today’s lesson won’t be about the ‘honey trap’ but rather on ‘Tolerating a rat avoids broken vases.’ **

　　The volume of his voice increased then he abruptly jumped from his seat, brandis.h.i.+ng a knife in his hand. He seized the opening; she wasn’t so tough after all.

　　‘Don’t move!’ he barked.

　　Feng Ming had caught her off handed, the blade of the dagger rested on her delicate neck.

　　‘Quickly give the order to your men to turn back to Xi Rei. Otherwise I will kill you.’ he ordered sharply.

　　The thought that a naive person like Feng Ming would even carry a weapon never crossed her mind. She scolded herself for being careless. She should have had him searched. Her eyes peered down towards the pressure on her neck. The blade was very sharp indeed. She smiled faintly before shouting to her servants, ‘Stop the carriage.’

　　Outside the horses neighed in unison. The entire entourage was brought to a halt.

　　Feng Ming couldn’t contain his excitement. But he kept track of Miao Guang’s movements.

　　Not long after her servant’s voice could be heard, ‘What are master’s orders?’

　　‘Cai Si, come in.’ she beckoned unhurriedly.

　　Cai Si was the attendant who met and led Feng Ming from the marketplace. Cai Si had served under Ruo Yan directly for years, so he was astute and experienced. Ruo Yan had trusted him to oversee his sister and help her arrange the kidnapping. Once he stepped onto the carriage the situation was obvious at a glance.

　　Feng Ming had switched from the guest to the host. The Princess was now the captive. Cai Si was momentarily stunned before he persisted as normal. He cupped his hands and gestured a greeting, ‘Is the Princess well?’

　　Miao Guang rolled her eyes, ‘Not in the slightest way’.

　　The two were strangely cool-headed given the reversed scenario. It really lacked a tense atmosphere.

　　Feng Ming growled, ‘Return to Xi Rei or I’ll…’

　　Miao Guang interrupted him, ‘Cai Si, listen to my orders.’

　　‘As you bid!’ her attendant replied loudly. ‘I will adhere to your words.’

　　‘I’ve met with a difficult problem. I’m leaving everything in your care, continue our plan. Bear in mind to tell my brother, disregarding the cost I sacrificed everything to secure King Ming into his possession.’  Miao Guang’s voice was hard as iron, she turned to look at Feng Ming smugly..

　　‘King Ming, you can make your move now.’ She smiled.

　　Feng Ming was dumbfounded. There was a big disparity between the mindset of ancient and modern people. Their value on life and death was imbalanced.

　　Despite of Miao Guang’s readiness to throw away her life, Feng Ming gritted his teeth and threatened, ‘Don’t you dare think that I would spare your life!’

　　‘Miao Guang is willing to take the gamble.’ She chuckled.

　　‘You…’ he cursed.

　　‘You should go ahead and do it.’ The Princess displayed no sense of fear, in fact she pushed herself against Feng Ming’s blade urging him to finish her.

　　Feng Ming had never killed anyone in his life. When the blade grazed the Princess’s skin, droplets of warm blood spilled from her wounded flesh. Feng Ming released a frantic scream drawing the dagger away.

　　As soon as the dagger posed no threat to the Princess, Feng Ming felt a sudden burst of pain in his wrist. Enough to make him release his grasp on his only protection. The dagger dropped and made a loud ‘clang’ as it was caught by a porcelain tea tray.

　　A golden needle as fine as thread had penetrated his hand.

　　Like a fierce tiger pouncing on a meal, Cai Si moved at a lightning speed. He gave Feng Ming’s abdomen a reeling punch. Before Feng Ming could recover, he was quickly bound by rope.

　　When he woke his head was cloudy but he quickly realized his arms were tied behind him and they had placed him in the corner of the carriage. His stomach ached. Cai Si and Miao Guang sat to the side monitoring him with interest.

　　The Princess was toying with Rong Tian’s gift in her hands. She giggled with delight.

　　‘This must be the famed ‘leaf blade’. It is said the blade appears like a delicate sliver of a leaf yet it possesses the sharpest cutting edge with no equal. Even after killing a person the blade will not be stained. The King of Xi Rei treats King Ming with favor to award such a precious item.’

　　‘Humph!’ Feng Ming snorted.

　　‘Unfortunately, King Ming is too soft-hearted. You can’t even stand to raise your hand against the enemy.’

　　Miao Guang tilted her head to show Feng Ming her wound. ‘Next time remember not to make a small cut. You need to be more vigorous and thrust deeper.’

　　Feng Ming retorted coldly, ‘Rest a.s.sured Princess, Feng Ming will remember your exact words.’

　　‘Princess, we shouldn’t lower our guard we must keep him constrained.’ Cai Si advised.

　　‘There’s no need. As long as I use my needles on several crucial nerve points, he will be unable to move a finger. Afterwards, we will alter his appearance. We will exchange his clothing for mine. If anyone stops us along our journey I will claim that we are sisters. But my sister has been ill her entire life, she can’t speak nor is she able to move without a.s.sistance. It is such a pity.’  **

　　Miao Guang was one of the best masters in acupuncture points. However, she seldom employed her needles as a weapon so only a handful of  people knew of her lethal skill.

　　The carriage began to move again.

　　Sure enough, Miao Guang produced plenty more gold needles and positioned them into specific spots on Feng Ming’s body. After she was done, she forced Feng Ming to swallow several strange pills.

　　Feng Ming was helpless. He couldn’t put up much of a fight so he sat docilely as Miao Guang pushed and prodded him. As a result Feng Ming’s body went numb, he lacked the energy to prop himself up. When he opened his mouth to curse how shameless and despicable she was, he was shocked to find he had lost his voice.

　　‘King Ming, don’t be scared. The pills will only have a temporary effect on your vocal chords. For each day we remain within Xi Rei’s borders, you should compliantly take a dosage.’

　　Feng Ming was not happy and if looks could kill! However, his death glare quickly turned into one of shock.

　　Brazenly, Miao Guang begun to carefully strip off his clothes.

　　 ‘What a beautiful body, not to mention brother, even I am tempted by it!’

　　She continued to tease him as she helped him into his disguise. Later she ordered Cai Si to step outside and incinerate Feng Ming’s clothing.

　　Feng Ming sat blankly as Miao Guang meticulously applied make up on his face, it wasn’t long before she was finished.

　　Next she eased him up against a cus.h.i.+on and produced a bronze mirror so he could inspect her work.

　　‘Take a look, my older sister is absolutely stunning! If the King of Xi Rei was to lay eyes on you, he’d s.n.a.t.c.h you up and make you his Queen. But there is no need for concern! The King of Xi Rei must be scrambling within the city walls trying to locate his precious King Ming. Owing to the fact that he’d never antic.i.p.ate King Ming would stroll out of the city alone for a rendezvous.’ She clicked her tongue as she admired Feng Ming’s appearance.

　　Feng Ming studied his reflection and indeed Miao Guang’s words were truthful. Under a woman’s disguise he could easily bring a nation to his feet. As much as he was amazed, his heart was in panic. At this rate he’d be s.h.i.+pped out of Xi Rei without any hindrance.