Chapter 016 “Start the show”
— The back of the mountain. —
Ruan Zhou had long been prepared: the corresponding graves had been dug on the back mountain, the tombstones had been prepared, and the engraving master was on hand. Xie Chenyang led the remaining twenty-one disciples wearing the Sabre Sect’s disciple uniforms, as well as Wei Jin and Ah-Fo, with him.
Ruan Zhou: “We tried to collect as much of their bodies as possible.”
“Many thanks.” Gathering the bodies of a few hundred was not a simple task. “I, Leader of the Sabre Sect, will remember this favor from White Crane Valley.”
Ruan Zhou regarded him with a gentle smile. “Family doesn’t need to talk like this.”
Xie Chenyang: “…” In consideration of the fact that Ruan Zhou had done so much and there were so many people around, he didn’t immediately say anything.
After all the corpses were buried, the tombstones were carved, and they had paid their respects, it was already well past dusk. Wei Jin and Ah-Fo were kept as guests at the sect’s villa. The kitchen had already prepared the wine and food, and as soon as they descended the peak, they were served to them.
Ruan Zhou: “What’s Ah-Yang’s next plan?”
Xie Chenyang didn’t hesitate before stating, “I’m going to send out a hero’s invitation to invite all the Jianghu heroes to join me in a crusade against the Demonic Sect.” If he wanted to overthrow the Demonic Sect, he definitely couldn’t rely solely on these twenty or so people still left in his Sabre Sect.
“You can count on my White Crane Valley.”
—–
After having dinner, Xie Chenyang asked Ling Yi to arrange Ah-Fo’s place while he took Wei Jin back to his room.
Wei Jin: “My room…”
Xie Chenyang said in a serious manner, “I have important matters to discuss with you. Do you mind if we have a long talk and sleep with our feet touching tonight?”1抵足而眠 dǐ zú ér mián lit. to live and sleep together (idiom); fig. a close friendship Sleeping with feet touching each other (Chinese idiom) – Baidu
Wei Jin: “… ” So, is he talking all night long or just sleeping together?
Xie Chenyang pulled him to sit on the bed with him. “Does Wei Jin have a lover?”
“No.” The two were very close, and Wei Jin was a little self-conscious. “What exactly is the important thing you mentioned?”
“How familiar are you with the Demonic Sect?”
That was the important thing. Wei Jin had explored the Demonic Sect a few times, and had made a point to familiarize himself with it a bit. “The current master of the Demonic Sect…”
—-
Ah-Fo didn’t go to sleep that night either. Carrying a jug of wine, he approached Ling Yi. “Brother Ling, come, let’s have a few drinks.”
Ling Yi: “?”
Ah-Fo sat down with him on the stone table in the courtyard and drank several cups in a row before inquiring with a smile, “Tell me more about your Young Sect Leader and that Demonic Sect spy.”
He’d been friends with Wei Jin for many years, so he naturally saw how he unusually treated Xie Chenyang. For the sake of his good brother, he was determined to do a little digging ahead of time.
As soon as that person was mentioned, Ling Yi’s face didn’t look too good. “A villain; there’s nothing else to say.”
“Actually, when I was in my cell, I heard a lot from the disciples under your sect.” Ah-Fo shook the wine cup in his hand. “Do you think that Xi Yang still has thoughts about that person nowadays? If he meets him on the battlefield in the future…”
“My senior brother will never show any mercy!” Ling Yi gripped his wine cup tightly, his eyes filled with anger. “My senior brother was deceived by him! Now that he has learned of his true nature, and with so many of the Sect’s people dying because of him, there is no way my senior brother would forgive him!”
“So that’s how it is… Then is it possible for him to fall in love with someone else?”
“Before his great hatred is settled, my senior brother will never be able to linger over love!”
—-
Wei Jin’s voice was flat as he recounted all the things he knew about the Demonic Sect. “So…” He was about to summarize when his shoulder became heavy. Wei Jin turned his head and saw Xie Chenyang’s sleeping face resting on his shoulder. He should be really tired. Wei Jin’s eyes flickered as he helped him lie down, and as he was about to get up and leave, he was caught in a hug.
“Don’t leave. Stay with me and sleep a little longer.” Xie Chenyang’s voice was a little rough. He was still asleep, and it seemed as if he’d only spoken subconsciously.
Wei Jin, who was being held back in his arms, had a frosty look on his face. This subconsciousness, then, to whom was it directed?
He moved again to leave, and the force of Xie Chenyang’s grip strengthened. “Don’t move.”
Wei Jin suspected that the other man was pretending to be asleep, but his breathing and heartbeat were telling him that Xie Chenyang truly was still asleep. His strength was so great that he didn’t seem like a person who had lost his inner force and been reduced to an ordinary person.
Of course, Wei Jin would be able to shake him off if he were to use his inner force. But then Xie Chenyang would wake up. This man had been subjected to a great deal of change, and it was difficult for him to fall asleep…it was just a matter of concern. Wei Jin then closed his eyes.
——
Upon learning that Xie Chenyang and the other captured disciples of the Sabre Sect had all been rescued, Wei Wenbin was furious.
Demonic Sect Master Teng Xu felt offended by this as well. Unexpectedly, someone had sneaked in and rescued dozens of people while also killing many of their disciples who stood guard in the dungeon. Yet they never realized it until the people had all disappeared.
He immediately wanted to send people to eliminate the root of the problem2 Chinese Idiom {斩草除根 zhǎn cǎo chú gēn } to cut weeds and eliminate the roots (idiom); to destroy root and branch; to eliminate completely Cut the grass and uproot it means to uproot the grass so that it cannot grow again. It is a metaphor for completely eradicating the root of trouble and leaving no future trouble. It is a conjunctive verb structure and usually serves as the predicate or object in a sentence. —- Baidu. Wei Wenbin cautioned him, “After the attack on the Sabre Sect, the other Wulin orthodoxies must be on guard. If Xi Yang and the others have gone back to the Sabre Sect, they must have an ally to rely on… This subordinate suggests that we send some men to investigate first, rather than attacking straight away.”
Teng Xu looked at him slyly. “Then, this matter will be your responsibility.”
The facts proved Wei Wenbin’s suspicions right. The people they sent out to investigate were not even able to enter the Famous Sabre Sect. Instead, they were caught in a formation right outside.
One of the only people who escaped came to report back. “It’s someone from White Crane Valley.”
—–
When he woke up the next day, Ruan Zhou was informed by his disciples’ reports and smiled. “Did you let anyone out?”
“One was released.”
“Good, now they will not rashly reappear.” White Crane Valley’s formations had been passed down and refined over several generations, making it difficult for those not proficient in them to contend with them. This was also why White Crane Valley had maintained its foothold in Jianghu for so many years, and no one dared to bully them at will.
—-
Xie Chenyang woke up and sensed a figure embraced in his arms. Subconsciously, he rose and placed a kiss on his lover’s lips, letting out a languid greeting. “’Morning.”
Wei Jin coldly kicked him off the bed and sat up. “Who does Young Master Xi think I am?”
Who else would he be? That Demonic Sect bastard!? Now that the matter has passed, was there anything left to miss? No, could it be he thought he had developed this habit after he and Wei Wenbin spent time together? Xie Chenyang got up, a bit blindsided, and when he met Wei Jin’s cold gaze, his heart was stuffy. “I do not regard you as anyone else. You are you, ah.”
[I’m so miserable, ah. Why did I have to be caught up in this kind of dog blood drama?]
System: “…” Pretends that it didn’t exist.
Wei Jin got up and put on his boots, his lips firmly set. “If I remember correctly, we’ve known each other for only a few days.”
Xie Chenyang said sincerely, “It may be a few days to you, but for me it’s my whole life, ah.”
Without responding to him, Wei Jin moved past him and walked away without hesitation.
“Ah-Jin…”
“Young Master Xi had better address me by my full name.” The door to the room was firmly slid shut.
Xie Chenyang was a bit frustrated. “Even if his memories have disappeared, he shouldn’t have forgotten his love, right?”
System: “Ha.”
Xie Chenyang: “Are you mocking me?”
System: “Not at all, oh. As I see it, host, he should be regarding host as a scumbag now.”
Xie Chenyang: “???”
System: “In his opinion, you might be using him as Wei Wenbin’s replacement. It’s recommended that you take a step-by-step route, oh.”
Xie Chenyang was appalled. “Is he being foolish? How could Wei Wenbin compare to him?” Well, what could he do? Just continue to indulge him.
The system relayed its thoughts on their current situation and Wei Jin’s probable ideas to Xie Chenyang and concluded, “The host has to find a way to salvage his image. Otherwise, if you want to be together, there might be some twists and turns.”
Xie Chenyang was chagrined. “Do you have any suggestions?”
“Yes. I have different ways of correspondence, both fast and slow… As the host noted, memories are gone, but love won’t be, he won’t be indifferent to the host… Next…”
After listening to its several suggestions, Xie Chenyang was very moved. “System, you’re so good.”
System: “Just earning good karma.”
When he cleaned up and went out for breakfast, Xie Chenyang got the news that Wei Jin had already taken Ah-Fo to say his goodbyes. He didn’t immediately go looking for him, but instead assumed the role of the Sect Leader, and made arrangements for the remaining people and things.
Of the remaining twenty-one disciples in the Sabre Sect, only Ling Yi was a direct disciple of the former sect leader; eleven were disciples of the Elder of Dancing Sabre, specializing in sabre techniques, and the remaining nine were part of the Casting Sabre Elder’s group.
Although the originally plundered, chaotic mountain sect had been tidied up by White Crane Valley’s people, the weapons and treasures that had been claimed by the Demonic Sect could not be recovered at the moment.
The nine blade-casting disciples had a good rest, then went to clean up the blade-casting valley at the back of the mountain and started forging blades with the materials that’d been purchased by White Crane Valley’s people.
Ling Yi and the other disciples continued practicing their sword techniques daily.
It was only on the second day that Xie Chenyang was ready to go out and find Wei Jin. Ruan Zhou, who got the news, came after him as soon as he arrived at the gate. “Ah-Yang, we’ve set up a defense formation outside the sect. If you want to go out, then I can bring you.”
“No need. I’ll just go and be right back.”
Ruan Zhou watched as he stepped directly out of the gate, and just when he wanted to step forward to help him, he saw Xie Chenyang pass through the formation without any hassle.
A trace of curiosity flashed in Ruan Zhou’s eyes. Since when had he become so skilled at formations?
Xie Chenyang: It wasn’t him; it was all thanks to the system.
Through the guidance of the system, Xie Chenyang arrived at the hill behind the mountain sect.
In front of a wooden house, Wei Jin was practicing with his jian in his fitted practice clothes. His sword technique was exquisite, and his moves contained the power with which he could break all things with his sword.
Wei Jin stopped his blade when Xie Chenyang approached. He held it behind his back and adopted an aloof manner. “I don’t know what Young Lord Xi’s purpose is in his visit here?”
Xie Chenyang gave a small grin. “I’m the Sect Leader now…”
Wei Jin’s grip on the hilt of his sword tightened. “Congratulations.”
The words ‘Thank you’3同喜 tóng xǐ Thank you for your congratulations!; The same to you! (returning a compliment) almost came out of Xie Chenyang’s mouth. Remembering the system’s instructions, Xie Chenyang coughed lightly, walked past Wei Jin, stopping not too far away with his back to him, and softened his voice. “I have never acted incorrectly in my life, and the only time I did so, I brought about the disaster that destroyed my sect.”
Wei Jin stared at Xie Chenyang’s back as he stood upright; the forced indifference in his eyes faded a bit.
“I’ve prided myself on being a chivalrous and responsible person, but I was tricked because of it.” Xie Chenyang raised his head slightly to look at the sky.
[Is this forty-five degrees?]4Pop culture — *Look up at the sky and think about life. “Look up at the sky at 45 degrees” was first mentioned in Guo Jingming’s “Summer Solstice”. The original sentence is: When I looked up at the sky at a 45-degree angle, I don’t know where the star that had been shining at the other end of the sky had gone. It is extended to look up at the sky and think about life. 45° is an intermediate value between 90° and 0°. 0° refers to being too mediocre and not knowing how to look up, 90° refers to only looking up, and 45° refers to being neither humble nor arrogant, neither self-abased nor arrogant. In addition, looking up at the sky at a 45-degree angle also means that tears will not flow down, and tears will roll in the eyes to hide sadness, that is, there is thunder in the chest but the face is calm.* — Baidu asks
System: “…Don’t worry about this minor detail.”
[Is it?]
System: “It is.”
Xie Chenyang used the stoic and distressed tone he had practiced all night. “That night on my father’s birthday, I drank too much… That traitor brought me back to my room… and when I woke up we were in bed frankly… he was crying so much… I felt obliged to take responsibility for him.”
Wei Jin slowly sheathed his sword. “It was not your fault.”
“It was my fault,” Xie Chenyang said bitterly. “I hadn’t done anything with him, yet I couldn’t see through his poor acting skills and believed him. Ultimately, I ushered in this tragedy, and as a result, my parents and the several hundred or so people from my mountain’s sect became corpses.”
Wei Jin approached him. “It’s that Demonic Sect traitor’s dark heart to blame, not you.”
Xie Chenyang could feel him approaching, and following the words of the system that stated that he should not show him his face if his expressions were not correctly projected, he spun around and buried himself into the other man’s embrace, trembling slightly from excitement. “They–They must surely hate me for being the sinner of the Sabre Sect.”
Wei Jin felt the way his body trembled with pain; a touch of pity crossed his eyes. He reached out and gently stroked Xie Chengyang’s back. “They won’t blame you. You were also being deceived by his calculations; moreover, you’ll avenge their suffering, won’t you?”
Xie Chenyang felt Wei Jin’s tenderness and couldn’t help but reach out and wrap his arms around his waist, hoarsely saying, “Don’t you think that it was me who raised a tiger…?”
“No. Even without you, wouldn’t Wei Wenbin have collaborated with the Demonic Sect? I heard that he was already a disciple of the Blade Casting Elder at that time. Even without you, he would have found some other way… It was just a matter of time.”
“Are you saying that my Sabre Sect was always going to be destroyed?”
“…No.” Wei Jin had a bit of a headache. He wasn’t good at comforting people in the first place, and now it seemed like he had said the wrong thing? This person wouldn’t be so bullheaded5CN idiom 钻牛角尖 zuān niú jiǎo jiān lit. to penetrate into a bull’s horn (idiom); fig. to waste time on an insoluble or insignificant problem; to bash one’s head against a brick wall; a wild goose chase; a blind alley; to split hairs —Don’t get stuck in a rut – An analysis of “The Mouse in a Rut” by Liao Yulan The Mouse in the Horn By Jin Jiang The mouse got into a corner. It couldn’t get out, but it kept trying hard to get in. The horns said to it, “Friend, please back out. The further you go in, the narrower the road becomes.” The mouse said angrily: “Humph! I am a hero who never gives up. I will only move forward and never retreat!” “But you’re going the wrong way!” “Thank you,” the mouse insisted, “I have been living in a cave all my life, how can I be wrong?” Soon, this “hero” was suffocated to death in a dead end. -(Excerpt from Selected Chinese Fables of the 20th Century, Hubei Education Press ) Baidu as to do that, would he?
—-
Authors Note:
System: Feeling that you can do anything.
Edited: Krone
Proofread: Choux_choux
