Yang Lianting tightly clenched his hands into fists and his nails pierced into the flesh. Feeling a raging fire burning in his heart, he stared at the person in front of him, his breathing heavy. Yang Lianting was not a reckless or impulsive person and after having been reborn his character turned mellow and restrained, yet these changes seemed to have never occurred once he encountered any matter related to Dongfang Bubai.
He could neither tolerate others talking nor even thinking of Dongfang Bubai like this, could not tolerate others mentioning him in such a vulgar and obscene tone.
Yang Lianting’s fists trembled and knuckles cracked audibly, his veins visibly protruding in anger. He forced himself to slowly close his eyes and take a deep breath. However he was unable to restrain memories of his past life from flooding his mind.
On the day of their deaths, Linghu Chong had recklessly and viciously humiliated Dongfang Bubai’s appearance.
“Old twisted monster.”
“You shameless old man who dresses up like women.”[20]
Linghu Chong’s insults had directly stabbed Dongfang Bubai like a sharp blade. Instantly his powdered face had drained of all blood and turned green, revealing the shame and disgrace he had hidden deep in his heart.
Back then he too had been enraged but Ren Yingying’s move prevented him from saying a word in retort. He had desperately wanted to console him, wanted to kill that Linghu Chong for his sake. In that instant he had realized that he could not stand others saying even half a bad word to him. Gazing into Dongfang’s red eyes brimming with tears, he had forgotten his body’s pain and in a daze had felt faintly regretful. Until death, when their heads collided and their brains burst.
Unfortunately, it had been too late.
The dreadful memory fragments flowed past his eyes. Yang Lianting exhaled, forcibly calmed down his turbulent mood, and looked at the person who had just spoken.
The yellow guard was called Wang Xu. He had been caught off guard by Yang Lianting’s attack. The wound did merely look serious but blood surged into his head in extreme anger.
“You dare to hit me?”
Helped by others to stand up, Wang Xu’s eyes were hatefully burning with faint killing intent. Among the entire Yellow Guard he was powerful enough to rank in the top five and he was quite generous to his cronies. Knowing there were a handful of people supporting him, his self-confidence swelled greatly. Attacked by Yang Lianting in front of so many people and abruptly falling to the floor, his face swollen and in pain, how could he not be mad? On Blackwood Cliff the teachings were strict but the strong did prey on the weak as well. If one or two insignificant pawns die… Wang Xu guessed that punishment would be lax and because the repercussions were negligible, he immediately thought of killing his attacker. However when his eyes fell on Yang Lianting’s face he frowned, then his eyes lit up as if he thought of something.
“You seem a little familiar.”
“Brother, isn’t he… that Yang Lianting? You know, the one who was hit by the Cult Master’s palm strike.”
“The trash who failed kissing up the Cult Master’s ass.”
“Yeah, haha.”
The group surrounding Wang Xu coarsely laughed out loud, while Yang Lianting stood still and remained silent. In their eyes his silence was a sign of cowardice and hesitation.
“I just heard my Brothers mention you but why do I feel a tad unconvinced?” Wang Xu lifted his hand and rubbed his bleeding head that felt raw and painful from the hit, with a contorted smile he approached Yang Lianting step by step.
“A person like you dares to think he’ll catch the Cult Master’s eye–” Wang Xu spat on the floor directly at Yang Lianting’s feet and pumped his fist. His insults increasingly vicious, “Brothers, is this trash worthy of the Cult Master?”
“No!”
The crowd of yellow guards watched in excitement, laughing loudly. Wanderers of the Jianghu placed great importance on the virtues of loyalty and righteousness but from moment to moment their importance changed. Yang Lianting was at a disadvantage, while Wang Xu’s deep roots meant that no one wanted to offend him. Naturally, everyone in the dining hall went along with him and watched the good show.
“If you kneel down and kowtow to me three times in apology, once I, Wang Xu, gain the Cult Master’s favor, maybe he’ll give me face[21] and leave you a bite to eat.”
“Yang Lianting, now all of Blackwood Cliff knows that you fell out of favor, yet you still dare to come over and offend me.” Wang Xu approached and fiercely said “Hurry up! Kneel down, after three kowtows I’ll forgive you for offending me today.”
Yang Lianting remained silent until Wang Xu said he would be favored by the Cult Master one day, the dim lights in his black eyes faintly flickered. He raised his head, looked at him, and said softly, “You don’t deserve to stay by his side.”
Wang Xu was taken aback, he had not heard him clearly, but after meeting his eyes he felt the humiliation of being hit again.
“You say I’m not worthy?”
“And you are?”
The next instant, his fist hit Yang Lianting’s face. Wang Xu’s martial arts were truly much stronger than Yang Lianting’s.
In his past life, the Invincible East had personally stated that Yang Lianting had poor roots and bones, had no fate with martial arts due to his physique, could never become a first- nor second-class expert.
Yang Lianting needed to vent.
Unable to discern the turbulent thoughts in his mind, nor the raging emotions in his heart. Eyes bloodshot, he only and simply wanted to fiercely vent all his anger. Fist brutally hitting flesh.
He closed his eyes.
Yet he could still clearly see Dongfang Bubai’s familiar face before his eyes, a garish face that had been smeared with powder and rouge beyond recognition, a face that had looked at him with limpid and gentle eyes.
Eyes brimming with heartbreaking loneliness.
He had deserted and isolated him in the past, yet he could not tolerate others talking about him.
Wang Xu dared to slight him and dared to lewdly insult him, even if they were merely words, he couldn’t tolerate a single one. Blood dripped down the corners of his mouth and his nose bridge was crooked, yet his heart raged with fury for Dongfang Bubai.
I can’t tolerate others insulting him.
His martial arts skills were worse than his opponent’s, yet he was crazed and desperate for a fight, was willing to fight against him until the very end. Spitting out a mouthful of blood, he could barely support his body to stand up straight.
For a moment Wang Xu cowered. Originally the brawl would not threaten his life but Yang Lianting looked madly eager for a fight despite his injuries. He could not help but feel scared, then frowned and took a step back.
Yang Lianting came over.
“What’re you doing? I, your father, let you off before but you still–” Wang Xu abruptly stopped speaking.
Yang Lianting panted heavily, spat out a large new mouthful of blood, slowly dropped his eyes on Wang Xu’s face, raised his hand, grabbed his neck, and fiercely chocked him.
Glancing at the onlookers surrounding them, he then curved his lips and smiled lightly. He stared right into Wang Xu’s eyes and stated, word for word, “The Cult Master isn’t someone scum like you can think about.”
“If I hear you talking about the Cult Master behind my back again,” Yang Lianting laughed out loud abruptly, tightened the grip around his neck, and briefly regained the cruel and ruthless appearance of Chief Steward Yang from a lifetime ago. “I, your father, have the means to make you incapable of thinking about all those nasty and disgusting things in this life!”
Suffocating, Wang Xu tried to free his burning throat, yet his anger stagnated. The words on his bloody lips, once he met Yang Lianting’s eyes, were spoken weakly and timidly, “You… when did you hear me talking behind, behind…”
He did not dare speak any further. Wang Xu clearly knew the severity of his words and he had merely been bold enough to say them while being in high spirits after drinking. He wouldn’t dare to repeat them now. Wang Xu pretended to be tough but his heart actually felt a little afraid of Yang Lianting whose martial skills were inferior to his own. Until Yang Lianting loosened the hold around his neck and turned to leave under the many guards’ gaze did he recover his usual appearance and spat on the floor.
Yang Lianting walked out the doors of the dining hall, lightly rubbing his horribly bruised and bloody face. Tilting his head up he gazed at the blindingly dazzling sun in the blue sky far above his head and softly sighed. He had been impulsive but in that one moment all his reason and restraint had crumbled beneath waves of rage, leaving only one thought in his mind.
I won’t allow anyone, in any form, to insult Dongfang.
That person–
Suddenly his heart skipped a beat, the rims of his eyes burned intensely and his hoarse throat was caught in an unrelenting grip. Uncontrollable delicate sorrow spread from within his heart.
He had hit Wang Xu.
He had threatened Wang Xu.
He had vented all his anger on him.
He did not allow anyone to think about him behind his back.
He did not allow anyone to insult him behind his back.
Yang Lianting had fought fiercely with Wang Xu, whose fist had hit him, punch after punch, but he had not cowered. Closing his eyes, he could still clearly feel the pain.
I don’t want Dongfang to be hurt by others.
But obviously.
In his past life, from beginning to end.
The one who hurt Dongfang the most was me.
Yang Lianting breathed out lightly and slowly closed his red eyes. Fortunately, he had been reborn and could atone for all his crimes in this lifetime.
Likely because of his brawl with Wang Xu, the other guards hardly spoke to him over the next few days. He did not know if Wang Xu had pulled a few strings behind his back, but someone seemed to target him. The dirty and tiring work, all the work that no one wanted to do was pushed to him.
That day, although Yang Lianting prevailed, no one felt that he had gained the upper hand. Who should be alienated and who should be pleased could be seen at a mere glance. Besides, every guard knew that nearly half of Yang Lianting’s life had been lost under the Cult Master’s palm strike. Who cares about the life or death of a person disliked by the Cult Master? Naturally, Yang Lianting lead a very difficult life on Blackwood Cliff.
One night.
Dongfang Bubai who had practiced until the seventh layer of the Sunflower Manual’s martial art, slowly shut the thin booklet, opened his eyes, and stood up.
Counting the days, he had been in seclusion for slightly over half a month’s time. The days had passed, but he had always felt as if something were missing. When he practiced qigong,[22] the qi in his veins had been surging slightly and unable to flow evenly. Only after he habitually reached out to grab the heated wine jug beside him and instead found the stone table cold and empty, did he realize who he missed.
Yang Lianting’s face emerged in his mind.
Dongfang Bubai furrowed his brows and pursed his lips.
Unable to clearly discern the feelings hidden deep in his heart he habitually resisted the strange and delicate feelings that were disturbing his inner calm.
Unable to concentrate, he waved his hands to open the heavy stone doors of the chamber and used his qinggong to fly out. He did not disturb anyone. Late at night, Blackwood Cliff was very quiet. Most of the cultists were off duty.
Enveloped by pitch-black darkness, only the light buzzing of insects and the rustling wind could be heard faintly. Initially, he had headed back to his own residence but when he was about to return, not knowing why, his feet froze and changed direction.
Towards Yang Lianting’s room.
With a creak, the door opened.
Dongfang Bubai’s face was frigid, yet his heart wanted to see how that man, who liked attending to him every day, was doing. Hidden under his red sleeve, he even held a bottle of the famed Golden Sore Medicine.[23] Dongfang Bubai snorted softly and knit his brows, his face still aloof and alienating. Before seclusion–
Did his injuries caused by my palm strike heal or not?
Looking over, he found Yang Lianting’s room empty. Frown deepening, he stood still feeling slightly bewildered. Raising his head, he then called out into the air. In an instant, a man dressed in black appeared out of thin air and respectfully knelt before his feet, “Congratulations to the Cult Master for leaving seclusion.[24] This Subordinate is at the Cult Master’s command.”
Dongfang Bubai paused and pointed at the room with a blank expression, “Where’s this Seat’s personal guard, did he run off?”
[1] Cultivation (修炼) , to practice austerities or asceticism.
[2] The reputation of eunuchs during the Ming Dynasty was controversial, for example bureaucrat-scholars always depicted eunuchs negatively as greedy, evil, cunning and duplicitous. Castration broke with conventional moral rules. A son who could not have a male heir to carry on the family name contradicted Confucian ideology. Wikipedia
[3] Shishi (诗诗) is the leader of the Seven Ladies and Dongfang Bubai's most favored concubine. She is a refined and gentle woman, in love with Dongfang Bubai. Shishi is a reference to 1992's Swordsman 2.
[5] Two hours in modern timekeeping.
[6] In Chinese, third person distinguishes between he (他) and she (她) but they are both pronounced tā.
[7] to call the wind and (summon) the rain (呼风唤雨) means to exercise great power or to stir up trouble.
[8] Lit. to be covered in cuts and bruises (遍体鳞伤), fig. to be seriously injured.
[9] Translator’s note: I don’t know how accurate this number is, but Dongfang Bubai was imprisoned in the courtyard for at least three years and likely lived there for even longer. Reference to ch. 31: “You haven’t spoken for three years, and all the Brothers in the cult are getting suspicious.” - Tong Baixiong to Dongfang Bubai.
[10] Qi (气) is the vital energy that exists in all things.
[11] Confucianism requires those of lower status to offer food/gifts/etc. politely clasped in both hands to their superiors.
[12] In the midst of the storm (风头), to be in the limelight or to be in the center of a conflict.
[13] Fig. wife (娘子), lit. daughter-in-law.
[14] Sang Sanniang (桑三娘) is a senior in the cult who defected to Dongfang Bubai's side when Ren Woxing was usurped.
[15] Reference to ch. 6: The ultimate reason why the righteous sects formed an alliance was to unite together and fight against the Demonic Cult, which had many followers and did not lack highly skilled fighters. Although the righteous sects had unique skills of their own, they still failed to defeat the Demonic Cult. Furthermore, the Demonic Cult’s Master, the Invincible East, held the title of ‘world’s first’ and had never lost a fight.
[16] Lit. divine insight (神功), fig. epiphanies helpful for cultivation.
[17] Zuo Lengchan (左冷禅) is the ambitious and ruthless leader of the Mount Song Sect and the Alliance Chief of the Sword Sect Alliance of the Five Mountains. Reference to ch. 32: “Dongfang Bubai and Zuo Lengchan actually have the same goal, ‘Long live the Cult Master, unify the Jianghu!’” - Linghu Chong
[18] Liturgy (教中大会) lit. cult convention.
[19] Tùzi (兔子) lit. rabbit/bunny and slang for gay men and male prostitutes.
[20] References to ch. 31, translation credit goes to Pokit and Bliss. “What I resent the most is you shameless old man who dresses up like women.” [...] “Although that Lord Yang of yours is quite handsome, it’s a pity and quite disturbing that he likes withered old weeds, coming here to…” - Linghu Chong’s comments on Yang Lianting and Dongfang Bubai’s relationship. Note that his Lord Yang or Yang Jūn is a reference to Longyang Jūn, an official and kept man of the King of Wei during the Warring States Period. Wikipedia
[21] In Chinese culture, ‘face’ is respect, reputation or acknowledgement. In public, ‘giving face’ means not pointing out someone’s flaws, speaking highly of them, or agreeing with their point of view.
[22] Qigong or qi circulation (行气) is the act of controlling qi to flow from the dantian, through the meridians, and back into the dantian in a cycle.
[23] Golden Sore Medicine (金疮药) is an ointment for cuts and bruises, and a staple of Wuxia novels.
[24] To leave seclusion (出关) lit. to emerge from a stronghold at a pass.