That starry night, Dongfang Bubai lay beside Yang Lianting on the bed and spoke many, many words. Since he ascended to the cult master’s seat of the Sun Moon Holy Cult, he had not spoken so much. His voice sounded very light and intermittent as he told Yang Lianting about his experiences over the past few years. He told him about all those years he spent as a subordinate to Xiang Wentian,[12] how he had risen from an ordinary cult member to the Cult Master through painstaking effort. Slowly he told him about all the experiences he was forced to undergo until he was finally able to achieve his current position.
In his past life, Yang Lianting had never heard him talk about his experiences. Not because Dongfang Bubai had refused to tell him about them, but because he had never been willing to listen to him speak throughout his past life. So, in this life, he listened attentively. Dongfang comfortably leaned against him, while he listened to him slowly tell the stories of the past. Practicing his martial arts skills had been tough and exhausting, but he had not said a word of complaint to outsiders and gritted his teeth to hold on. Working under the evil and vicious Xiang Wentian, who had never trusted him, had fueled his ambition day by day, had made him yearn for the most powerful position in the cult day by day.
When Dongfang Bubai spoke about ruthlessly self-castrating himself with a blade to cultivate the Sunflower Manual, his voice audibly slowed down.[13] Pursing his lips, he was clearly hesitant to mention it, but he made up his mind to completely open himself to Yang Lianting. Eyes faintly red, acting as if nothing were off. In a light tone he said, “Back then I only thought about becoming the world’s first. I thought that if I cultivated the best martial art beneath the heavens, I would no longer be looked down upon, I would no longer suffer humiliation and contempt.”
“I truly thought the Sunflower Manual was great.”[14]
“Don’t you think I’m ridiculous?” Looking at Yang Lianting, he asked laughing hollowly. “Don’t you think I’m ridiculous? In order to achieve something this illusory, I could cut off a man’s most valued dignity. Don’t you think I’m ridiculous, or…” He swallowed dryly but did not continue speaking. Dongfang Bubai glanced at Yang Lianting and silently said in his heart, Don’t you think I’m pitiful? He sat atop the world with the highest authority in his hands and he was famed as the world’s first all throughout the Jianghu. Everyone looked upon him in reverence and dread, but he knew well that the instant he wielded that blade to castrate himself he had become the most pitiful person of all.
He did not dare to get close to others and he could not tolerate others getting close to him. It was cold and lonely at the very top while he possessed all, he had lost all.
Yang Lianting miraculously appeared after Dongfang Bubai had already closed off his heart, had shut himself within his own space. He did not fear him, he cared about him and only had him in his eyes. Even knowing his secret, he felt heartbroken for him rather than dread or disgust. Thinking of Yang Lianting’s ardor, the coldness in his eyes seemed to slowly melt. Pursing his pale lips, he finally looked at Yang Lianting and laughed out loud.
“Don’t you think I’m ridiculous?” He asked him once again. Before Yang Lianting could reply, Dongfang Bubai took a deep breath and shook his head. His bright and handsome face faintly revealed a rare childish clarity and confidence.
“I know you don’t.”
Facing such trusting eyes, Yang Lianting’s heart felt sour yet sweet. He laughed and reached out his hands to tightly embrace Dongfang Bubai. Smelling the familiar pine fragrance of the one in his arms, he said in a deep voice, “Yes, I don’t.”
“In this life, I’d never think so.”
Dongfang Bubai did not understand his implied meaning and was simply glad to hear him agree, he contentedly narrowed his eyes and did not speak further. The warm candlelight lit up their two figures quietly and peacefully embracing each other.
Yang Lianting suddenly broke their silence after a long time, “Dongfang?”
“Hmm.”
“From now on, how will you arrange the Seven Ladies?”
Once he asked this question, Dongfang Bubai pursed his lips out of habit and nervously glanced at Yang Lianting. Reluctance and resistance briefly flashed in his eyes, only to quickly change into firm determination.
“Lian di, if you’re unhappy, I’ll kill them.”
Yang Lianting looked at Dongfang Bubai’s face, not missing any subtle change in expression. He gently smiled and shook his head, “The Seven Ladies attended to you for many years on Blackwood Cliff. While they really shouldn’t have drugged you, they don’t deserve death for their actions. I think they’ve treated you sincerely all these years, there’s no need to kill them all.”
“I never loved them! Back then, back then, I–” Suddenly he felt anxious, his clear and elegant face blushing faint red. When had the famed Master of the Holy Cult ever been this tense?
Before he finished speaking, Yang Lianting laughed out loud. Mild laugh and honest eyes, the man held Dongfang Bubai in his arms and gently patted his shoulders. Falling into a daze, in his mind a scene of his past life emerged. In the rear courtyard, the fresh blood of the Seven Ladies covered the floor like rivers of blood.[15] Lightly exhaling, he said in a low voice, “I know, I know what you want to say.”
“I think that, since we’re already together, there’s no need to commit any more evil. Maybe if we accumulate more blessings, the heavens might treat us a little better.”
He soothed the nervous Dongfang Bubai, who finally calmed down. Listening to him speak he could not help but teasingly ask him, “Lian di, you actually believe in these imaginary matters?”
Yang Lianting’s eyes did not change, he slightly nodded and affirmed, “Of course I do.”
Hearing his reply, Dongfang Bubai shook his head with a sad expression and coldly said, “I don’t believe in them.” He did not explain why but Yang Lianting understood. He endured so much misery and suffering in the first half of his life. How can he believe in heaven’s blessing?
Deep in thought, suppressing the profound and unfathomable emotions surging within his pitch-black eyes. Dongfang Bubai did not believe in the heavens, but Yang Lianting felt immensely grateful to the heavens for giving him the chance to return and start anew.
“But Lian di, if you believe in these doctrines, it’s fine not to kill the Seven Ladies.” Dongfang Bubai pursed his lips, and said in a low voice, “Actually, I’m quite reluctant to kill them as well. They have attended to me all these years, perhaps not all of them are wholeheartedly devoted to me but they never did anything to truly hurt me. But I really think, Lian di, if you’re unhappy, I’ll kill them. It doesn’t matter if they die.”
Dongfang Bubai’s voice sounded crystal clear that night. He had spoken the truth, while he truly did not want to kill the Seven Ladies, he would kill them to reassure Yang Lianting’s heart.
This person.
Yang Lianting’s heart could not help but soften, he raised his hands and lightly stroked his shoulders. “Dongfang, if you don’t want to kill them, don’t kill them.”
“I believe you.”
They waited for the drug’s effect to completely dissipate and after taking a rest, the two of them headed to the rear courtyard side by side.
Currently, the atmosphere in the rear courtyard was tense to the extreme. Each of the women had an expression of desolation and distress. Drugging Dongfang Bubai to keep him for a single evening, to affectionately serve him for the night was already the last resort. They had gone through much difficulty, but not only had they failed to achieve their goal, they had even enraged him.
All of them were very aware that their husband was not only the Holy Cult’s Master, but also the Evil Demon dreaded by the entire Jianghu.
Once Yang Lianting and Dongfang Bubai appeared in front of the Seven Ladies together, Shishi knelt on the ground with a thud. Her eyes flushed red, she said “Husband, you already have someone you love and no longer care about the old affection for us Sisters. Please recall the many years we accompanied you and forgive us Sisters for being momentarily confused.”
“Shishi is the one at fault, is willing to atone with death–”
Slightly smiling, she calmly spoke as if her heart had died.
Yang Lianting stood beside Dongfang Bubai, looking at the woman kneeing on the floor from a distance. She undeniably had a beautiful and gentle countenance. Among the Seven Ladies, no matter who you compared her to, Lady Shishi was definitely the most outstanding. She was educated and reasonable, talented in the arts. Among the Seven Ladies, she was the one woman who truly and sincerely loved Dongfang Bubai.
Yang Lianting fell into a daze, remembering the bloody scene of his past life. Dongfang Bubai had killed these women with his own hands out of love for him.
Back then, Shishi had been kneeling as well but not as calmly as now. Forehead covered in dirt and blood, eyes firmly fixated on Dongfang Bubai, she had slowly crept to his side and grabbed the hem of his robes. Despite her pain, she had desperately tried to persuade him.
“Husband, that Yang Lianting doesn’t treat you sincerely, he doesn’t treat you sincerely! Husband, don’t be deceived by that treacherous villain!”
Sincere words, sound of blood.
Before she could finish speaking, Dongfang Bubai ruthlessly kicked her aside with his foot. During her final moments, Shishi looked toward Dongfang Bubai and said in a voice sounding like a broken string, “Husband, you’ll… be hurt by him…”
Yang Lianting had a guilty conscience. Back then, he had not known why Lady Shishi saw through him, saw his hesitation and avoidance toward Dongfang Bubai at a single glance. He had felt extremely guilty, but had not dared to tell Dongfang the truth.
Seeing Dongfang Bubai kill Shishi without any reluctance he had let out a sigh of relief in his heart and thought that Dongfang wholeheartedly believed in him. Thinking back, his actions may not mean that he doubted Shishi’s words, but that he had simply chosen to hurt himself without any reluctance.
Coming back to his senses, his gaze fell upon Shishi kneeling before them. This woman lived her life brightly and honestly. In fact, she reminded him of Dongfang Bubai a little.
Even in death, they never felt the faintest regret for loving the one they dearly loved.
Precisely because of this, Yang Lianting admired her a little. “Lady Shishi, if you are willing to leave, you may pack up your belongings and descend the cliff. Someone will send you off for your safety and you will receive enough property and land deeds to live comfortably for the rest of your life. The prepared deeds are enough for you and the other ladies.”
“If you aren’t willing to leave, you may continue to live here in the rear courtyard. I guarantee you will not lack any amenities or be slighted in the future, but your status as the Cult Master’s Lady…” Yang Lianting’s tone was mild, as he explained.
For a moment the Seven Ladies were taken aback and silently pondered in hesitation if they could trust his words. Only Shishi boldly raised her head and carefully looked at him, then shifted her line of sight to Dongfang Bubai. Remaining silent for a while she forced a smile and hoarsely asked a single question.
“Husband, is he your reason?”
No one other than Dongfang Bubai and Yang Lianting knew what Shishi meant. The two glanced at each other, Dongfang did not hesitate and honestly admitted, “Yes.”
Shishi’s face instantly paled, she fell to the floor in disbelief. “Husband, you must know that your actions will cause the entire Jianghu to…”
“I’ll bear all the blame and I’ll bear all the infamy.” Before Dongfang Bubai could reply, Yang Lianting preempted him. He took a step forward to stand in front of him, looked at Shishi and calmly said, “Lady Shishi, please rest assured.”
Shishi took a deep breath and slowly closed her eyes to calm herself. Once she opened them again they were still faintly red, but she smilingly looked at Yang Lianting.
She had a brilliant mind and a pure heart, how could she not foresee who would be spurned and cast aside if their relationship were revealed to the world one day?
Naturally, it was Yang Lianting who stood before her.
He dared to face all the curses and criticisms, he dared to risk losing his future for the sake of Dongfang Bubai.
Shishi smiled softly.
“How good.”
“How great…”
“Initially, Shishi wasn’t willing to leave Blackwood Cliff no matter what, but if it’s like this… she shall go down the cliff with her Sisters according to Guard Yang’s arrangements.”
The arrangements for the Seven Ladies went smoothly. Yang Lianting would not wrong them again and Dongfang Bubai was a kindhearted person. After all the arrangements had been made, Yang Lianting looked at Dongfang Bubai, who sat on the head seat in the rear courtyard, and hesitantly asked him a question.
“If Lady Shishi wept tears of blood and pleaded that I’m not your match because I’m a sinister and cunning traitor, who isn’t sincere to you in the slightest…”
“Cult Master, what would you do?”
Dongfang Bubai furrowed his eyebrows, turned toward Yang Lianting, and firmly shook his head without even thinking.
“I know who you are and what you’re like, there’s no need to be informed by an outsider.” He paused slightly, raised his head, and softly smiled at him. “However, Lian di, even if you really harbor sinister intentions, as long as you’re willing to stay beside me I will give you everything you want.”
Red robes, black hair.
Seeing the man gently smile at him without any reservations, Yang Lianting’s heart softened and his sore eyes reddened.
[1] Husband arch. (夫君).
[2] Reference to ch. 31: “After that, I was no longer attracted to women, I killed all seven concubines that I had with me, and … and I put all my affection and care towards Yang Lianting.” - Dongfang Bubai.
[3] Qianxun (千寻) is one of the Seven Ladies and favored by Dongfang Bubai. She is a gorgeous and ambitious woman. Qianxun is a reference to 1993's Swordsman 3.
[4] Marrying a woman and having a son to continue one’s lineage is a deeply rooted custom in Chinese culture, as such same-sex couples break up after a few years to get married and start a family. Even today, holding a symbolic marriage or obtaining a marriage certificate abroad is rare.
[5] Four hours in modern timekeeping.
[6] The lovers will finally become a family (有情人终成眷属), fig. all shall be well, the pair of lovers shall be together after hardship.
[7] Neigong (内功) or internal skill refers to breathing, meditation, and spiritual practice disciplines. Neigong emphasizes training the practitioner's body with their breath, known as the harmonization of the internal and external energy.
[8] Qigong Deviation, lit. to catch fire and be possessed by devils, (走火入魔) is a state wherein the cultivation base becomes dangerously unstable, causing internal damage to the body and symptoms of psychosis. People who succumb to their Internal Demons, who practice martial arts incorrectly, or who rashly use forbidden arts are all at risk of falling into this state. Immortal Mountain
[9] Lit. to drive a lightweight chariot on a familiar road (轻车熟路), fig. to do sth routinely and with ease, fig. to be an experienced ‘old driver.’
[10] Fig. torment (煎熬), lit. fried and boiled in oil.
[11] Reference to ch. 31: “Dongfang Bubai had indeed cut off his testicles.” There are two methods of castration, everything or just the lower part. In Dongfang Bubai’s case, it’s the latter. Wikipedia
[12] Xiang Wentian (向问天) is the Left Envoy of Light and a senior member of the cult. After Dongfang Bubai defeats Ren Woxing, he refuses to renounce his loyalty to Ren and hence becomes an outcast of the cult. “Cult Master went missing and Dongfang Bubai seized power. When I found out about this matter, I could only bear patiently.” - Xiang Wentian expresses his loyalty to Ren Woxing.
[13] Reference to ch. 35: “If you don’t castrate yourself first, once you practice it, you’ll immediately feel like you’re on fire and possessed by devils, you’ll die from qigong deviation.”
[14] Reference to ch. 31: “After I started practicing the Sunflower Manual did I realize what’s truly important in life, I then diligently improved my internal energy. Several years later, I finally understood the beauty of life, the myriad of all things.” - Dongfang Bubai’s comment on the Sunflower Manual’s greatness.
[15] Lit. rivers of blood (血流成河), fig. bloodshed / a large number of people are killed.