Dongfang Bubai slowly shook his head in denial, and his line of sight fell on Ren Yingying who stood before the both of them. His tone sounded light and lacked any emotion, as he denied the rumors. Ren Yingying who had her head lowered appeared as if she did not understand his meaning. However, from an angle that they couldn’t see, a hint of ridicule flashed through her eyes. She raised her head back up and appeared like a budding young lady once again, harmless and obedient.
“Uncle Dongfang, everyone in the Holy Cult knows by now.” The girl’s cheeks were blushing bright red, her pair of eyes even unintentionally glanced toward Yang Lianting, she really looked like a bashful young lady in love.
Seeing Ren Yingying’s infatuated glances Dongfang Bubai’s eyebrows creased faintly. Yang Lianting’s martial arts skill may be low yet he has an incredibly handsome appearance, he knows how to conduct himself, and he is strongly supported by me, the cult master. At present, Yang Lianting was well-known amongst the congregation. Ren Yingying was only in her early teens, atop the cliff most men were sword or staff wielding brutes.
So, liking Lian di–
The hands hidden under his sleeves were tightly clenched and the light in his eyes dimmed faintly. Before he could speak, Ren Yingying lowered her head demurely and curtseyed toward him, “Uncle Dongfang has taken good care of Yingying since she was a child. If Uncle Dongfang truly values Big Brother Yang–” Ren Yingying shyly lowered her head even further, “Yingying won’t go against Uncle Dongfang’s wishes.”
“Holy Maiden unexpectedly reveres the Cult Master so much even her lifelong event can be decided by him like it’s nothing.” Before Dongfang Bubai could reply, Yang Lianting stood up and walked before Ren Yingying. He still maintained the gentle and calm smile he usually showed the congregation, but his eyes that looked down at Ren Yingying were so deep and dark the emotions within were obscured, were so cold they chilled her to the bone.
The two looked at each other.
Ren Yingying could not help but shiver. But after a moment, her years of patience and scheming let her restrain the fear in her heart and return to normal. Dongfang Bubai had not noticed their confrontation. Seeing Ren Yingying obediently nod to all he said and treat him as her dear elder, seeing her stare at Yang Lianting with slight blame, he felt complex.
“Big Brother Yang, what’re you saying? Of course, Yingying listens to him. Other than Daddy Yingying is closest to her Uncle Dongfang.” The budding little girl before them looked beautiful and charming. Her expressions changing from frowns to smiles, she looked innocent and lovable.
Yang Lianting stood still and looked at her unable to suppress his killing intent. In his past life, in order to threaten Dongfang, Ren Yingying had stabbed him again and again, then had cruelly cut off one of his fingers. If he had not been taken hostage, with his skill Dongfang’s concentration wouldn’t have been disrupted and they ultimately wouldn’t have died without a burial place.
Memories of his past life flashed by, as a hated foe stood still in front of him, Yang Lianting who had never been a gentleman of noble and kind character, who had wanted to reunite with him after being reborn, hadn’t spared the time and energy to clean up those who had hurt them in the past.
He did not think that Ren Yingying would come over herself this morning. She had heard the groundless rumors spreading in the Holy Cult and now said that she wanted to marry him. In his past life, Ren Yingying had been a cold and calculating schemer and had held a deep grudge against Dongfang Bubai.
Pretending to be this demure and lovable young lady–
Yang Lianting breathed out and clenched his hands under his sleeves. Fearing that Dongfang would notice that he seemed off, he lowered his eyes slightly and concealed the hatred and killing intent rising in his chest.
Those who will hurt Dongfang.
I won’t spare a single one.
Yang Lianting quickly adjusted his emotions. Dongfang was sensitive and suspicious, he did not want him to think too much. He even smiled at Ren Yingying.
“Holy Maiden must find it ridiculous, this Subordinate is just a yellow guard with poor martial arts skill, though he is fortunate enough to be appreciated by the Cult Master himself, he is more than unworthy of the Holy Maiden.”
“Moreover, the Cult Master treats Holy Maiden like his own daughter and would never marry Holy Maiden off at will.”
“Yingying, you’re still young and shouldn’t pay any attention to these unfounded rumors.” Dongfang Bubai quietly glanced at Yang Lianting, then lightly lowered his black eyes. “If someone continues to sprout nonsense, this Seat won’t be merciful.”
Ren Yingying stood still and did not speak further, after some time she graciously curtsied and turned to leave. Her line of sight swept over Dongfang Bubai and Yang Lianting, as she turned to leave. The matter reported to me by the hidden forces planted in the cult by Uncle Xiang is true! They had heard that Dongfang Bubai treated Yang Lianting exceptionally well, that he had withdrawn all his servants and dark guards from attending to him. Using her marriage and lowering her status to come over today hadn’t been in vain. In her devastatingly beautiful pair of black eyes, cruelty and viciousness incomparable to her age glinted.
Ren Yingying raised her head and gazed at the blue sky above Blackwood Cliff, her lips curved into a triumphant smile.
After Ren Yingying had left, Dongfang Bubai looked at Yang Lianting. “Lian di, are you hiding something from me?”
“Of course not.” Yang Lianting shook his head, but regretted his action the next instant.
Listening to his denial Dongfang Bubai didn’t ask any further and simply nodded. His lowered eyelashes cast shadows over his thin cheeks, his expression clearly showed complete trust in him, but without knowing why Yang Lianting’s breath shortened and his heart skipped a beat.
Yang Lianting took a step forward and embraced this person into his arms. Dongfang Bubai did not resist and simply let him hold him. “Lian di, what’s wrong?”
“How can I bear to hide anything from you?” Yang Lianting softly assured. His lips were pulled into a smile but his eyes were dark and dim. His arms tightened their hold around him, wanting to hug Dongfang even closer to himself.
The closer he was, the more he felt real.
“Dongfang, I will never hide anything from you in this life.”
After I have solved these people who will harm you, I will tell you everything, alright?
“Yang Lianting, remember the promise you made to me.” He glanced at him, “I don’t know why you don’t like Yingying, but this is good as well. I don’t like the way she looks at you either.”
“If one day–” Dongfang Bubai paused and softened his voice, “If one day a young and beautiful girl likes you, you have to tell me too.”
“What young and beautiful girl?” Yang Lianting abruptly felt his heart soften and he could not help but laugh out loud. “Yang Lianting wants to be together with his beloved for a lifetime. How can he put some young and beautiful girl in his eyes?”
After chatting and laughing for a while the mood between the both of them returned to normal. Yang Lianting knew Dongfang was pretending not to care about him, pretending not to think too much. If Dongfang was unwilling to look further, he was happy to cooperate. He had just been reborn, he and Dongfang had just gotten together, and he had yet to atone for his crimes and make it up to him by starting anew.
It wasn’t like he had never thought of telling Dongfang Bubai everything but it was too early, way too early.
In this lifetime, even he himself was unable to face that awful Yang Lianting.
How can I tell Dongfang?
He did not know if it was due to Ren Yingying’s visit evoking the memories of the past that Yang Lianting had not remembered for a long time, but he slept extremely restlessly that night.
Yang Lianting dreamt that he died.
He dreamt that he died in that small and elegant secret house with the flower garden, he had built to imprison Dongfang in his past life. He dreamt that he died under the hand of Ren Yingying. After death, his soul floated out of his body.
He looked at that person in red, whose face was smeared with rouge and powder beyond recognition, who appeared like an old twisted monster. He looked at the Dongfang Bubai from the past, who gently placed him on the bed, took off his shoes and socks, and covered him with a brocade blanket, looked at the Dongfang Bubai who tightly held his corpse in his arms.
He noted that Dongfang Bubai’s eyes were red and his hands, which had killed countless people, were shaking uncontrollably. He had been seriously wounded by Ren Woxing, Xiang Wentian and Linghu Chong, he was covered in his own blood but did not care at all, as if he could only see him in his eyes.
“Lian di, don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid–”
Dongfang was covered in countless wounds, about to lose consciousness, but he still held onto Yang Lianting’s corpse and desperately transferred his remaining internal energy as if he did not want his own life. The energy violently flowed into his body through his palms, but his actions were of no use.
Yang Lianting’s soul floated above and gazed at this tragedy, even though he clearly knew he was dreaming he was still unable to restrain his grief. The energy only let his corpse spasm slightly; he desperately wanted to return Dongfang Bubai’s embrace, but his thoughts were of no use.
He watched Dongfang Bubai place his corpse down, watched him rush forward fiercely intending to take the lives of their foes, despite his own heavy injuries. However, noticing Ren Yingying dismember his corpse, Dongfang Bubai spat out a large mouthful of blood, his heart and soul disturbed. In an instant, Ren Woxing struck him in the chest.
The Invincible East, the world’s first martial artist, had never looked this cornered and panic-stricken, looked as if he had gone mad. Floating in the air Yang Lianting watched Dongfang Bubai who was covered in fresh blood, crawl to his corpse cun by cun,[36] watched as tears welled up in his eyes and large teardrops rolled down his cheeks. Never had he seen Dongfang Bubai cry bitterly like this before. No matter how many brothels he had frequented, no matter how much he had hurt him he had never cried so much. Holding onto his corpse, Dongfang Bubai cried his eyes out. His soul could even sense the devastating despair and sorrow he felt.
“Dongfang, don’t cry!” Yang Lianting tried to stretch out his hand to wipe away his tears, but his hand passed straight through Dongfang Bubai’s wounded body, he then helplessly watched as Ren Woxing, Xiang Wentian, and Linghu Chong encircled him.
Even in death Dongfang Bubai refused to let go of his corpse. He tightly held onto him, guarded him against the three enemies that attacked him until he was covered in blood, refused to let go of him even after their brains burst.[37]
His head hurt and heart ached. Even though he knew that this was merely a dream, but the dream felt so real that even his soul could not help but tremble.
“Lian di, Lian di?”
Once Dongfang Bubai’s voice sounded in his ears, did Yang Lianting slowly open his hazy eyes. Back drenched in cold sweat and panting heavily, it took a long time until he could clearly see Dongfang Bubai’s familiar face. In an instant he reached out and recklessly pulled him into his arms. Dongfang Bubai faintly frowned and wanted to resist out of habit, but after hesitating for a moment, he let Yang Lianting pull him to his bed.
“Yang Lianting, did you have a nightmare?”
“I heard your voice as I was sleeping.” Pursing his lips lightly Dongfang Bubai slowly stretched out his hand to try and imitate the actions he had read about in storybooks before. Pat after pat, he gently patted Yang Lianting’s back, wanting to comfort him. “What did you dream about?”
Yang Lianting felt like all his energy had been drained.
The dream had been too real, way too real.
The dream had been so real that he briefly thought the events prior to their deaths had happened like in this dream.[38] That person in red, like in his dream, might really have cried his eyes out and refused to let go of his corpse, suffered Ren Woxing’s humiliating actions after his death.[39]
He took a deep breath and tightly embraced Dongfang Bubai. The person in his arms had a fresh pinewood scent, looked truly beautiful despite his thin figure, and still appeared arrogant and aloof, free of powder and rouge. He was not the Dongfang Bubai who had died in despair a lifetime ago.
This is a new lifetime.
Yang Lianting’s throat felt dry and hoarse. He softly smiled at him and said, after calming down, “I just dreamt that I died.”
Before he could finish speaking, Dongfang tilted his head up to look at him and pursed his lips, he said, “It’s only a nightmare, don’t be afraid.”
“Yang Lianting, as long as this Seat is by your side… no one beneath the heavens will dare to hurt you.”
Yang Lianting looked at him and smiled.
“I dreamt that I died and then Cult Master cried bitterly.”
Dongfang Bubai frowned faintly, but before he could answer, Yang Lianting leaned over and placed his face in the nook of his neck. Like a beast, he sought his warmth and familiar scent.
“I dreamt that I saw you crying, crying bitterly while holding onto my dead body.”
“My heart hurt, as if someone had poured a bucket of boiling water over my heart’s deepest, softest place.”
“This Seat will not let you die.”
Dongfang Bubai looked at Yang Lianting, his black eyes calm and confident, proud and arrogant. His earlobes reddened faintly but he still tilted his chin up, looked at Yang Lianting and stated, word for word, a promise he would keep at all costs.
“I will not let you die, Yang Lianting.”
“Even if you die, you will not die before me.”[40]
Before he could finish speaking, Yang Lianting stopped him. Embracing Dongfang Bubai, his eyes fell on the dark misty night outside the window. Feeling the soothing warmth of the familiar person in his arms, he could not help but deeply sigh in his heart.
“Cult Master, in a few days it’ll be the beginning of spring.”
“It’s said that Jiangnan is beautiful in spring, this Subordinate would like to go south of the Yangzi to have a look.”
“You accompany me, alright?”
[1] Yichun Courtyard (宜春院), lit. Proper Spring Courtyard. The title is a reference to Yichun Fragrance (宜春香質), a Ming Dynasty novel about the immorality of homoseuxual relationships. Baidu
[2] To leap over the Dragon Gate (飞跃) is an idiom symbolizing a sudden uplifting in one's social status, usually through the imperial examination or marriage. Wikipedia
[3] Lit. to ride on the crest of success (春风得意), fig. to be proud of one’s success.
[4] Lit. to be unstained by dust (越发出尘), fig. to be above worldly affairs.
[5] Impressive bearing (气度不俗) or refined and elegant manners.
[6] A fine piece of craftsmanship (做工精细), lit. meticulous workmanship.
[7] Lit. red flowers and green willows (花红柳绿), fig. all the colors of spring (sex).
[8] Lit. to lead a drunken life and dream till death (醉生梦死), fig. to lead a befuddled existence, to be in a drunken stupor.
[11] Fairy (仙女), lit. female immortal.
[12] Yin is female and yang is male, a yin and yang person is someone who is both or neither.
[13] Lit. orioles and swallows (莺莺燕燕), fig. a lot of women swarming around a man.
[14] To report on the completion of a mission to a superior (复命).
[15] Lit. to have one’s heart set on returning home as swift as an arrow (归心似箭), fig. to be eager to return home.
[16] Lit. joyful occasion or fig. wedding (喜事).
[17] The Hour of the Pig is equivalent to 21:00-23:00.
[18] Lit. starry eyes and sword-like brows (星眉剑目), fig. righteous and heroic appearance of a man.
[19] Wishful thinking (痴心妄想), or to labor under a delusion / to obsessively fantasize about sth that cannot come true.
[20] Thingies or playthings (玩意儿).
[21] The first two lines of The Song of Beauty by Li Yannian. Translation credit goes to snowlight. Jia Ren Qu sung by Li Yugang.
[22] The second and third lines of The Song of Beauty by Li Yannian. The final two lines are: Oh, to never know such evils befalling the land. Yet such a beauty shall never again appear. Translation credit goes to snowlight.
[23] Husband arch. (相公), used by a wife to address her husband.
[24] Fig. to suffer in silence / to swallow an insult (忍气吞声).
[25] The heavens fall and the earth is rent (天崩地裂), fig. a major event occurs or to be rocked by disaster.
[26] Restrictions and regulations (条条框框), societal taboos.
[27] Lit. to govern from behind the curtain (垂帘听政), fig. to rule in place of the emperor / to secretly exert one’s influence.
[28] Fig. after me, the deluge (死后洪水滔天), lit. after death floods overflow the heavens. After me, the deluge is a nihilistic expression of indifference to whatever happens after one dies. Wikipedia.
[29] Lit. licentious woman (放荡女人).
[30] Lit. to drink flower wine (喝花酒), fig. drinking party with female entertainers.
[31] To hold power over life and death, reward and punishment of others (生杀予夺), describes a ruler’s control over his subjects.
[32] Ren Woxing is held captive in the Water Dungeon beneath the West Lake in Jiangnan. Reference to ch. 31: “So, in fact you were letting me retire in the lap of luxury in that dungeon under the West Lake. I should be thanking you instead then.” - Ren Woxing’s sarcastic reply to Dongfang Bubai.
[33] Lit. glory and splendor, riches and honor (荣华富贵), fig. high position and great wealth.
[34] Reference to ch. 22: “Dad, dad, how come when we drink wine at the Dragon Boat Festival every year, there’s always one person less?” - young Ren Yingying on Dongfang Bubai eliminating the cult’s senior figures.
[35] Casual and carefree / to be unconcerned (大大咧咧).
[36] A cun (寸) is equivalent to 3 ⅓ cm or around 1 inch.
[37] Reference to ch. 31: The corpse flew up and hit Yang Lianting’s head. Ren Woxing used all of his power in that one kick and as they clashed heads, both Dongfang Bubai and Yang Lianting’s heads burst open spilling their brain matters everywhere.
[38] Translator’s note: The nightmare is a mixture of Smiling Proud Wanderer’s ch. 30 and 31, and ep. 33 and 34 of Laughing in the Wind the 2001 Mainland adaption, in which Yang Lianting dies before Dongfang Bubai.
[39] Reference to ch. 31: Ren Woxing extended his hand and found out that Dongfang Bubai had indeed cut off his testicles. He laughed madly and said, “This Sunflower Manual would be good for eunuchs to practise.”
[40] Before has two meanings, Dongfang Bubai will die first and will die in front of Yang Lianting.