Chapter 018 “Wei Jin: I have another identity” (06/09)
“We have to think of a solution. After this, there will be many people from other sects coming one after another. With only these few disciples, I’m afraid that they won’t be able to manage things.” Xie Chenyang worried. “Maybe we should go down the mountain and hire a group of workers?”
Wei Jin did not answer his question, but touched the hilt of his sword. “Do you, perhaps, know my origin?”
Xie Chenyang: “Ah? Aren’t you an orphan?”
[Isn’t he?]
System: “I never said he was an orphan.”
Fortunately, Wei Jin’s expression management was very good; his face remained calm and tempered, without any indication of offense. Xie Chenyang tugged on his arm to sit down on the bed and curiously asked, “Could it be that you are a disciple of some hidden sect?”
“No.” Wei Jin unhooked his sword from his waist and placed it next to him. ”Xi Yang, do you believe me?”
“Of course I believe,” Xie Chenyang replied without hesitation.
Wei Jin lowered his eyes. “Wei Jin is the name I gave myself after I entered the Jianghu. I have another name.”
Xie Chenyang was curious.
Wei Jin slowly spoke, “Xia Zhang Yi.”1夏 Xià the Xia or Hsia dynasty c. 2000 BC; Xia of the Sixteen Kingdoms (407-432); surname Xia 章 zhāng chapter; section; clause; movement (of symphony); seal; badge; regulation; order 逸 yì to escape; leisurely; outstanding After he finished saying his name, he quietly stared at Xie Chenyang’s face.
Xie Chenyang’s face was normal. “That’s a pretty good name–”
System: “This dynasty is the reign of the Xia Clan. Xia Zhang Yi is the name of the second son of the current Grand Princess. In this world, there should be no one who would commit a taboo and share the same name as someone in the royal family.”
Xie Chenyang’s sentence stuttered: [Wasn’t he an ascetic swordsman? A miserable sort who only has a small hut on a mountain and his sword?”]
Wei Jin witnessed the sudden lull in his words and his eyes wavered, understanding that he had realized the truth. In a cold voice, he stated, “If you regret it, it’s still not too late.”
“Regret what?”
Meeting Xie Chenyang’s confused eyes, Wei Jin softened his voice. “My other identity is a member of the royal family.” Jianghu and the imperial court currently appeared to be staying out of each other’s way. But he knew that things were not that peaceful.
Xie Chenyang suddenly pounced on him. “I don’t care who you really are; there’s one thing that you can’t escape, and that’s being my lover, the Second Master of the Sabre Sect.”
System: “… ” That’s not exactly an articulate way of saying it.
Wei Jin: “…You get up.”
“I’m sorry.” Xie Chenyang lowered his head and kissed Wei Jin on the lips, two flames burning brightly in his affectionate eyes. “I want you.”
Wei Jin became speechless. When his belt was undone, he knew very well that this person on top of him had no internal strength, and he could easily push him away. But he didn’t.
When his calm face was gradually colored red, and his eyes were gradually glazed out of focus, Wei Jin admitted that he had already fallen in love.
—–
Xie Chenyang was sleeping soundly on the bed. Wei Jin, however, had gotten dressed and went to his study to write a letter. He sought out Ling Yi. “Send someone to deliver this letter to the Dust Out Restaurant in Weicheng and give it to the shopkeeper.”
Ling Yi took the letter. “Alright, don’t worry, Second Master Wei.”
Wei Jin made a faint response.
Ling Yi hesitated. “Second Master… are you unwell?”
“No problem, get going.” Wei Jin returned to his room with a self-conscious face, and seeing Xie Chenyang, who had taken up most of the bed, he pushed him inward before lying down.
—-
When Xie Chenyang woke up. the sun had not yet set. He rubbed his stomach: [Where’s Ah-Jin?]
System: “Outside practicing his sword.”
Xie Chenyang’s face instantly darkened. [He still has the energy to practice his sword?]
System: “He’s a strong martial artist after all…”
Xie Chenyang grumpily dressed up and opened the door, aggressively walking towards the man practicing in the courtyard.
The system advised, “He has high martial arts, and his internal force is also profound; his resilience would have to be stronger. Actually, he also slept with you for an hour or two before he went out to practice his sword… Calm down, don’t be impulsive.”
Tsk, a man’s honor.
The grumpiness in Xie Chenyang’s eyes disappeared when he saw Wei Jin lower his sword and look at him. Wei Jin gently flicked the sword to its scabbard, which was placed on the table. It accurately entered the scabbard.
“Awake?”
“Well”–Xie Chenyang touched his stomach–“I’m hungry.”
[I’ll settle things with him when I’m full!]
System: “…refueling?”2加油 / jiā yóu to add oil to top up with gas to refuel to accelerate abbr. for 加大油門|加大油门[jia1 da4 you2 men2] to step on the gas fig. to make an extra effort fig. to cheer sb on
Wei Jin wiped his sweat. “Sit and wait. I’ll do it.”
“You’ll do it?” Xie Chenyang watched his back as he slowly left. He sat down on a stone bench and praised, “His cooking skills must be as good as ever.”
Wei Jin made him a simple bowl of eggs and noodles. Xie Chenyang could smell it very well.
“You eat. I’ll go bathe and change.”
“Uh-huh.” Xie Chenyang picked up his chopsticks and buried his head in the noodles. He drank all the soup in one go and burped: [Even a bowl of noodles smells so fragrant; it’s worthy of my beloved!
System: “When you’re hungry, everything tastes good.”
[You do not understand–as long as it passes through the hands of your lover, it is all fragrant.]
The system went silent.
[Why don’t you say anything?]
[Eh? You guys should be organized, right? You’re not the only system, are you? Why don’t I give you a vacation and you can go to a marriage union?]
System: “No need.”
[Although you’re a flute3c4 the system specifically calls itself a 笛子 dí zi/ bamboo flute, and can’t do everything, it’s still possible to have a romantic relationship.]
System: “Host, you should wash the dishes. You’re not waiting for Wei Jin to wash them for you, are you?”
[No! I was planning to wash them myself.] Xie Chenyang got up with his dishes and headed to the kitchen.
After washing the dishes, he even took it upon himself to tidy up the kitchen.
By the time he returned to the yard, the sun had already set. Inside, he saw Ling Yi with a few people speaking to Wei Jin before he even got close. He stopped when he got closer.
[System, would you say it’s not a good idea for me to go directly over right now?]
System: “Aren’t you already here?”
Xie Chenyang: “… ” There’s still a few steps left, ah.
Wei Jin raised his eyes and looked at him, the coldness in his eyes dispersing at a speed visible to the naked eye. The few people standing behind Ling Yi were startled. “Xi Yang, come here.”
Xie Chenyang obediently walked to his side.
Wei Jin said softly, “These are the culinary masters I hired; in the future, the meals at the Sect will be handed over to them.”
As those people returned to their senses, they expressed their respect from the bottom of their hearts. “Subordinates have met with the Sect Master!”
Xie Chenyang acknowledged them with a smile and nodded. The leader, Xu Lao, happened to see his smiling face. His heart and liver trembled, and he thought, ‘No wonder the master’s heart is moved. Not to mention this face, one won’t be able to stand those seductive eyes, ah.’
The old man’s heart and liver couldn’t help but tremble. Sin, sin, sin. He hurriedly lowered his head and avoided those smiling eyes.
Wei Jin: “Ling Yi, take them with you and get them arranged.”
Ling Yi: “Alright. Then, Sect Master, Second Sect Master, we will withdraw first.”
Wei Jin nodded.
Only after they left did Wei Jin sit down. Xie Chenyang followed and sat beside him.
Wei Jin said, “There’s inadequate manpower in the Sabre Sect. May I make some arrangements?”
Xie Chenyang spoke without hesitation, “Of course, my Sect is your Sect!”
Wei Jin’s lips curled up in an imperceptible arc. “What if those I bring are a troupe of guards?”
Xie Chenyang’s eyes lit up. “That’s perfect. I was worried that if I hired ordinary people to stay for the reception, they wouldn’t have been able to handle any accidents.” Chivalrous warriors with martial arts skills were not easy to recruit; he had originally thought of recruiting a group of ordinary people to fill the ranks temporarily.
Wei Jin had a smile in his eyes. “You trust me that much? Not afraid that I will use this opportunity to insert myself into Wulin?”
Xie Chenyang clasped his heart. “I’m dying.”
Wei Jin: “!?” In a flash, he rose and grabbed his hand, his fingers placed on his wrist.4n Chinese medicine you measure a persons pulse at the wrist and it can tell you many things.
Xie Chenyang burst into laughter. “Don’t worry, I’m not sick. I was just mesmerized by your smile.”
Wei Jin’s hand stiffened. Xie Chenyang smoothly hugged his waist and pressed his face against it. “You should smile more often; when you smile, you look even more beautiful.”
Wei Jin laid his hand on Xie Chenyang’s head as his eyes brimmed with a sparkling smile. Unfortunately, the other man couldn’t see it.
Xie Chenyang rubbed against Wei Jin’s waist. “What kind of fabric are you wearing? It’s quite comfortable.”
Wei Jin: “…I’ll send you a few.”
“Wow, thanks!” Xie Chenyang abruptly stood up and scooped him up. “It’s getting dark; let’s go back to our room.”
Wei Jin wrapped one hand around his neck, his voice was cold. “I can walk by myself.”
“But I want to hold you.”
“…There’s no harm in it now, but when the guards come afterward, you must not do so.”
“Then we don’t need guards in our courtyard.”
“…”
“Ah-Jin, ah, don’t be an ice-cold swordsman, ah. When you smile it’s so pretty–don’t always have a taut face, you know?”
“…”
“In the future, if you make me angry, just smile. When I see your smile, I’m sure I won’t be angry anymore.”
“…”
“Rather, if you smile a little and tell me to die, I’m afraid I wouldn’t even hesitate.”
“Shut up.”
“Hahaha.”
Xie Chenyang brought the person into the room and closed the door with his back foot.
The system smacked its lips. “Is this a sudden awakening for you?”
[Ha? Awakening of what?]
System: “Why are you suddenly so good at flirting?”
[What flirting? I’m speaking from the heart. Okay, it’s getting dark; you get off the line.]
— The capital, a few cities away from the Famous Sabre Sect. —
— The Grand Princess’ Mansion. —
“Princess, a letter from the Second Gongzi.5Sons of kings who did not receive other titles were generically called Wangzi (王子, king’s son), and their children Wangsun (王孫, royal scion). Similarly, sons and grandsons of dukes and lords were called Gongzi (公子, duke’s son) and Gongsun (公孫, noble descendant). These honorifics occasionally became heritable titles, no longer indicating relation with the reigning king. Some clans even took them as lineage names. Gongzi eventually evolved into the generic honorific for all young gentry. Today it is either used as a flattering way to address an interlocutor’s son, or a pejorative term for a wealthy man. Wangzi, on the other hand, is used today as the generic translation for the sons of a foreign monarch. — wikipedia”
The Grand Princess, who was sitting under the bright candlelight and embroidering using a lamp, put down the small bib in her hand and held out her hand.
The maid respectfully handed her the letter.
The Grand Princess opened the letter, and after reading it from beginning to end without a word, she abruptly rose. “Is my eldest son available?”
The maid: “The Eldest Gongzi is at the Third Gongzi’s residence.”
When the Grand Princess arrived at his courtyard, her first and third sons were still chatting with each other.
The Third Gongzi’s elegant face was drunkenly red and tearful. “Big brother, ah…”
“Ahem!” The Grand Princess coughed lightly. The Eldest and Third Gongzis turned their heads to look at her.
The Eldest Gongzi’s face appeared calm: “Mother.”
The Third Gongzi wiped away the tears spilling from his eyes and said in embarrassment, “Mother, it’s so late at night. Why are you here?”
“I received a letter from the Second Gongzi.” She walked between them and sat down, holding out the letter. “After nine years, your brother, who was so intent on wandering the Jianghu that he had not returned home, has finally asked for help from his family.”
The Eldest and Third Gongzi were shocked and rushed forward to read the letter.
— The Sabre Sect. —
Xie Chenyang laid on his stomach in bed while Wei Jin, with his head bowed, applied medicine to the scratches on his back. Xie Chenyang asked as an afterthought, “Even if you’re the Grand Princess’s son, can you transfer guards?”
“Can.”
“Hiss.” Xie Chenyang sucked in a breath. “Be gentle!”
Wei Jin hummed a laugh with unclear implications.
Xie Chenyang grumbled, “You’re a martial arts practitioner; don’t you know how strong you are? Scratching so fiercely.”
Wei Jin sniffed; the hand that had been applying medicine pressed harder on one of his still bleeding scratches. Wei Jin said in a cold voice, “If you had shown some restraint, you wouldn’t have been scratched like this.”
Xie Chenyang was sheepish for a moment, then straightened up again. “It’s all because you’re too seductive! What’s up with smiling at me at a time like that!”
“Ah- Lighten up!”
Links
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_nobility
Translator corner
So, this is something I have been stewing over for a few chapters now. When Wei Jin is introduced he is wearing Indigo robes!Historically the pigment to produce Indigo dye has and still is very pricey. Between the cost of materials and labor generally only the very wealthy could afford Indigo clothes.
- “The Fabric of Civilization” by Virgina I. Postrel (Audible or Kindle) – Details the difficulty of obtaining and making of Indigo clothes
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LS8wuGu9CUo&pp=ygUTc28gZXhwZW5zaXZlIGluZGlnbw%3D%3D – 11min youtube video about how expensive it still is
Both are pretty intersting if you feel like giving them a chance.
Now our ML, Wei Jin, he is waltzing around the mountains in expensive a** robes without a care. This told me he was from a historically well-off family. His chosen name was also a form of foreshadowing!
Edited: Krone
Proofread: Choux_choux
