Once Tong Baixiong entered the chamber, he saw a scene which seemed slightly off.
Yang Lianting sat beside Dongfang Bubai, serving him food. The two of them were having a meal together. Dongfang Bubai, who had always been aloof and alienating, turned even stranger and crueler over the last few years, yet not only did he not reject their closeness, he was even smiling softly.
Tong Baixiong, a coarse ruffian, was unable to conceal his shock as he stood still at the door. Looking at the two men in the chamber, he had an indescribable hunch in his heart.
The atmosphere between the two of them seemed wrong.
Scratching the back of his head and coughing to clear his dry throat, Tong Baixiong straightened out his facial expression. He stepped forward, knelt on one knee before Dongfang Bubai, then cupped his fist and said, “Reporting to the Cult Master.”
Seeing him storm in so suddenly, Dongfang Bubai glanced at Yang Lianting and frowned faintly. His killing intent dissipated. Aware of Dongfang’s emotional changes, Yang Lianting’s heart could not help but soften. He sighed in his heart, reached out his hand to take hold of Dongfang’s hand, and tightened his grip to indicate that he was fine.
Tong Baixiong and Dongfang Bubai were friends since youth and as close as brothers. Dongfang may be indifferent yet he had always been exceptionally tolerant of him. Since taking over the cult master’s seat, there had been many occurrences just like this when he had stormed into the room without announcing himself. Keeping their life-long friendship in mind, Dongfang Bubai had never blamed him or treated him harshly.
However, today Dongfang Bubai felt unhappy. He feared that Yang Lianting would feel embarrassed if their relationship were to be exposed. Thinking of this, Yang Lianting’s heart softened even more. In his past life, he hadn’t gotten along well with Tong Baixiong. Mostly because the old man had excessively relied on his identity as the cult master’s elder brother. Tong Baixiong had always made things difficult for him, but he had remained highly loyal to Dongfang Bubai till the end. Yang Lianting’s words had caused his death in the past, but now he would never be as hostile and vengeful toward him as before.
Yang Lianting gently patted the back of Dongfang’s hand to indicate that he was fine. He looked at Tong Baixiong and stated, “Elder Tong, you still haven’t reported to the Cult Master.”
He had spoken for Dongfang, and while both of them felt that it was natural, Tong Baixiong felt offended. Raising his head, he shouted at Yang Lianting with a booming voice, “How bold!”
“Daring to interrupt while we are speaking.”
Currently, Yang Lianting was dressed in the Yellow Guard’s uniform. Even though the insignia of the Cult Master’s Personal Guard had been added, in Tong Baixiong’s opinion it wasn’t his turn to order him around.
Yang Lianting stayed silent, thinking of Dongfang Bubai and Tong Baixiong’s firm brotherhood he suppressed his rising rage. Holding Yang Lianting’s hand, Dongfang frowningly looked at Tong Baixiong, and calmly said, “Elder Tong, please don’t yell. This person is called Yang Lianting, when he speaks for me you should listen patiently.”
Tong Baixiong was shocked, “Cult Master, you’re confused! Do you know what you’re saying? Don’t be deceived by this evil villain!”
Dongfang had initially intended to tolerate Tong Baixiong’s rude outburst, but the instant he accused Yang Lianting of being a deceitful villain he felt displeased. He waved his wide sleeves, stood up and condescendingly looked at Tong Baixiong who still knelt on the ground. Pursing his lips, he coldly questioned, “Did you not listen to this Seat or does Elder Tong question this Seat’s decisions?”
Hearing his reprimand, Tong Baixiong’s tanned face abruptly flushed bright red in embarrassment.
Yang Lianting shook his head, sighed in his heart, and took a step forward. Standing beside Dongfang Bubai, he took his hand into his own and said in a soothing tone, “I’m alright Dongfang, I didn’t say anything, so what’re you getting angry for?”
“Elder Tong is just worried about you.”
Holding onto Dongfang’s hand, he helped him to sit down at the table and continued serving him his meal. Dongfang frowned faintly in fury, his expression frigid, but he tried to hold back his fury for Yang Lianting’s sake. Unwilling to make him feel faint displeasure, he did not reject his hold and sat down awkwardly.
Yang Lianting scooped a bowl of warm soup and placed it in front of Dongfang, yet before he could speak up, Tong Baixiong looked at them in disbelief as if struck by lightning. Suddenly he realized why, when he had first entered the room, something felt wrong. He stared at their holding hands, hastily stood up, rushed to Yang Lianting and speechlessly pointed at him for a long time. His eyes looked utterly enraged and disgusted.
His eyes were shocked, disgusted, contemptuous, and enraged.
Yang Lianting did not care and calmly accepted it all. Lightly pushing the bowl, he had placed in front of Dongfang, motioning him to drink while it was hot.
Seeing that Yang Lianting turned him a blind eye as if he had not seen him, Tong Baixiong huffed in anger and turned his head to look at Dongfang Bubai. He knelt on the floor and kowtowed heavily. “Cult Master, you mustn’t be confused!”
Dongfang’s hand movement paused slightly, his eyes glinted fiercely. He pursed his lips and ignored Tong Baixiong. Looking at Yang Lianting, the expression in his eyes was clear and bright, yet hidden beneath lay faint unease and anxiousness.
Yang Lianting sighed in his heart.
How could he not notice?
Dongfang was waiting for his decision.
If I admit to our relationship, Dongfang will never hesitate to confess alongside me. If I deny… he will make the same decision, he will never say a single word.
This person had always been like this, both in his present and past life. At first glance, he looked indifferent and alienating, yet he was very meticulous and always took him into consideration. He was afraid that he would turn his back on him the moment he committed a wrong.
In his past life, Dongfang had forced him down this path, thus Yang Lianting understood why he had been hesitant. In this life, he had obviously been the one who seduced him, yet he was still so apprehensive.
Tightly holding onto Dongfang Bubai’s hand, Yang Lianting raised his eyebrows lightly and looked directly at Tong Baixiong without avoiding his hostile eyes. He said in a deep voice, “Since Elder Tong has come today, I, Yang Lianting, have no intention to cover up our relationship. So, I’ll speak honestly.”
Glancing at Dongfang Bubai with deep and gentle black eyes, he frankly and openly told Tong Baixiong, “I am sincere toward Dongfang, and I am not afraid of any–”
“But, you’re both men!” Tong Baixiong interrupted in anger, “Who do you think you are, what right do you have to stand next to the Cult Master? He is the no. one martial artist in this world, and you? A villain who doesn’t know his place, who only clings to power and prestige!”
“Ridiculous!”
“Indeed, I, Yang Lianting, am awfully inferior to Dongfang, but I am willing to promise that he’ll be the only one in my life.”
He’ll be the only one.
Listening to him promise, Dongfang Bubai could not help but tremble and turn his head to stare at Yang Lianting in disbelief. Tong Baixiong still wanted to speak but Dongfang Bubai took a deep breath and straightened his back. Not looking at him at all, he coldly ordered, “Elder Tong, you should retreat.”
“Cult Master, you’re confused!”
“Retreat!”
His final outburst was exclaimed with brutal internal energy. The sudden wave of energy scraped his face like a pointed blade. Tong Baixiong clenched his fists and lowered his head for some time, then he gritted his teeth and stated, “This Subordinate shall retreat.” Before he left, he angrily glared at Yang Lianting. Once Tong Baixiong left, the room immediately quieted.
Dongfang Bubai looked at Yang Lianting for a long time.
Yang Lianting pretended not to see his inquiring gaze, instead he held his hand to help him take a seat. “A decent meal has been disturbed and the dishes are cold… Are you feeling full? If not, I’ll go to the kitchen and make you something new, alright?” He stood up but before he could take a step forward Dongfang Bubai lightly hugged him from behind.
Hesitant, uncertain, and anxious.
Trying his best to express himself, to hand himself over with a trusting and careful gesture.
“Lian di, what you said just now, is it true?”
What he just said?
The only one in my life.
Yang Lianting chuckled, then turned around to pat Dongfang Bubai’s back. Looking into his eyes, he nodded, “Of course, it’s true! I’ve thought about it seriously, you’ll be the only one in my entire life.”
“But I–”
But I’m not a woman. I can’t be intimate with you, can’t give birth for you. I’m not even… a man, just an incomplete abnormity that would make you disgusted.[17]
Dongfang Bubai swallowed dryly, but in the end he hesitated to speak his mind. Eyes dim, he avoided Yang Lianting’s line of sight and smiled faintly. Deliberately lowering his voice, he told him in a tone as cold as ice, “You know, being together with this Seat means that Elder Tong’s reaction will only be the beginning Not only the Holy Cult’s congregation, the Jianghu’s thousands of people will also scold you for having no shame.”
“Lian di, if you want to make a name for yourself, I am afraid that it will be difficult–”
“Well, I don’t care.”
Yang Lianting lowered his head downward and pressed a kiss on Dongfang Bubai’s forehead, he calmly promised him, “In this life, I don’t care about anything except you, Dongfang.”
He did not know if he had convinced Dongfang Bubai or not, but the two of them finally ate their meal in peace.
Yang Lianting had gone to take care of his tasks for the day, while Dongfang silently sat inside his chambers by himself, deep in thought. Eventually, he activated the mechanisms and entered his secret chamber.
In the large secret chamber, a hot spring bath was constructed by indigenous craftsmanship. After undressing expressionlessly, he slowly stepped into the hot spring. Once his whole body was submerged in steaming warm water, he looked downward at that place beneath the water surface.
He pursed his lips as if he were forcing himself. Time passed, he finally took a deep breath and slowly closed his eyes.
One day.
[1] Chilled to the bone (冰凉刺骨).
[2] Fig. torment (煎熬), lit. fried and boiled in oil.
[3] to lose face (丢人), ‘losing face’ is equivalent to losing the respect of others and avoiding this situation by ‘saving face’ is very important in Chinese culture. It is caused by embarrassment, disagreement or criticism.
[4] A reference to the proverbial principle ‘see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil’ often embodied by the three wise monkeys. In the Analects of Confucius the phrase ‘look not at what is contrary to propriety; listen not to what is contrary to propriety; speak not what is contrary to propriety; make no movement which is considered contrary to propriety’ may have inspired the three wise monkeys maxim. Wikipedia
[5] Demonic Cult (魔教) is a term used by the righteous sects.
[6] Reference to ch. 31: “Grandfather’s wrong. Everyone must study the Cult Master’s teachings and listen to what the Cult Master says.” - Tong Baixiong’s grandson
[7] Star of Calamity (天煞孤星) refers to a person who is fated to bring misfortune to those around him.
[8] In Wuxia novels, martial artists are just regular humans who can achieve superhuman fighting ability, so secluding themselves in a cave for a few weeks causes significant weight loss.
[9] One hour in modern timekeeping.
[10] ‘Cauldron of boiling oil’ is a reference to the 14th level of Diyu: the ‘Hell of Oil Cauldrons’ (油鍋獄) as mentioned in Journey to the West. After death, souls are taken to the various levels of Diyu to atone for the sins they committed when they were alive. Wikipedia
[11] To go down in history as a byword for infamy (遗臭万年), lit. to leave a stink for ten thousand years.
[12] Dongfang Bubai forces the congregation to take poison pills on a regular basis to ensure their loyalty. Swearing on the Three Corpse Brain Pill (三尸脑神丹) is the Holy Cult’s highest oath and can appease the addressee’s worries. Reference to ch. 30: “If I violate this oath, then the three corpse bugs will eat my brain to death.” - Ren Yingying.
[13] Seven-chi (七尺), lit. 7-chi = 2,33m, fig. a capable and imposing man.
[14] Able to support heaven and earth (顶天立地), fig. to be of indomitable spirit.
[15] Basic necessities of life (衣食住行), lit. food, clothing, shelter, and transportation.
[16] A gentleman should stay far from the kitchen (君子远庖厨也) is a quote from Mencius; fig. a nobleman who has seen a living animal cannot bear to see it die, hence he keeps away from the kitchen.
[17] Reference to ch. 36: “Do you remember Dongfang Bubai? He was just as crazy, don’t treat him like a normal person. [...] Dongfang Bubai lost his normal sex long ago.” - Ren Yingying after finding out the truth.