Red candles flickered all night, the spring scenery[14] boundless. He had never experienced such ecstasy in this life, so Yang Lianting nearly failed to restrain himself again. Though Dongfang Bubai was the world’s first and the master of a cult, he could not resist feeling tired and fell into a deep sleep.
Yang Lianting did not sleep.
He quietly gazed at Dongfang Bubai’s rare sleeping face.
Quiet and gentle.
Yang Lianting didn’t know for how long he gazed at him, he tenderly kissed his forehead, helped him shift into a comfortable position, then lifted the blanket and got out of bed by himself.
It was the Hour of the Ox.[15]
All was quiet and still, the night was pitch-black.
Yang Lianting stared into the dim and foggy night, his pair of eyes deep and dark. He breathed out faintly, then turned his head and glanced at the sleeping Dongfang Bubai.
Creak–
He adjusted his clothes, opened the doors, and walked out. In early spring, the winter cold had yet to recede and the air felt icy, chilling him to the bone. Yang Lianting, dressed entirely in black, was hidden by the vast darkness of the night.
Staring at the serene water surface, the murky water about to swallow him alive. He could not see what lay below. He breathed out a breath of cold air and lightly rubbed his red hands.
“I hope, once and for all–”
Otherwise, he had run out in vain in the middle of the night.
Thinking of the quietly sleeping Dongfang before he had left, Yang Lianting’s heart softened and he lightly chuckled, thinking that his current self was completely different from his past self. He adjusted his black robe and left aside his loving thoughts.
Yang Lianting narrowed his eyes and quickly strode towards the West Lake Water Dungeon.
“Who are you? How dare you trespass onto the sacred ground of the Sun Moon Holy Cult!” Noticing Yang Lianting abruptly appear, the Four Friends of Jiangnan, who had been guarding the Water Dungeon for years under orders of Dongfang Bubai, were instantly alerted.[16] They drew their unique weapons and vigilantly stared at Yang Lianting. They shouted, “Hurry up and surrender, or don’t blame us four for being impolite.”
“How bold!”
Yang Lianting’s expression remained unchanged, he glanced at the four people before him and coldly snorted. He took out the Blackwood Token from his sleeve and waved it in front of them. “I’m a personal guard of the Cult Master and have been ordered to come. Hurry and retreat!”
Seeing the cult master’s token, the Four Friends of Jiangnan shook in fear. They glanced at each other, hastily put away their weapons, bowed and apologized, “It turns out, you’re a personal guard of the Cult Master. We’re really sorry, us four don’t have eyes. May we know for what reason the Cult Master has ordered you to come so late at night?”
“The Cult Master’s divine insight must not be inquired about by those beneath.” Yang Lianting put the token in his sleeve and glanced at the four men, as he stated without explanation, “Take me to see Ren Woxing.”
Yang Lianting had been in charge of the Sun Moon Holy Cult in his past life and his power had been immense. At this moment, his cold and ruthless expression even scared the Four Friends of Jiangnan. Seeing them respectfully lead the way, Yang Lianting breathed a sigh of relief and slowly rubbed over the token he was holding in his hand beneath his sleeve.
He had stolen the Blackwood Token from Dongfang while he was sound asleep. Usually, Dongfang Bubai slept very lightly and was easily alerted. Only tonight would he be too tired to notice, so Yang Lianting had chosen to act. If not for his lack of options, he would’ve never come here on his wedding night.
Remembering Ren Woxing severely injuring and then killing Dongfang Bubai in the past, Yang Lianting only hoped he could take Ren Woxing’s life without a struggle. Clenching his fists he forcibly suppressed the killing intent surging in his heart.
Soon, he would solve the issue named Ren Woxing once and for all, then he would return and embrace the sleeping Dongfang. Thinking of Dongfang, Yang Lianting’s eyelids drooped and the hostility in his eyes faded faintly.
He would end the people who had hurt them.
Only then could he rest assured and happily grow old beside Dongfang Bubai.
The Four Friends of Jiangnan did not leave after opening the door to the underwater dungeon. They hesitated for a while, then said, “Brother Yang, you were sent by the Cult Master and must be aware that though Ren Woxing is securely imprisoned in the Water Dungeon, he can still use his immensely powerful Cosmic Absorption Art.[17] Please be careful and don’t get too close.”
Yang Lianting waved his hand to indicate that he was aware, “You all retreat.”
The Water Dungeon was dimly lit and only an oil lamp shone a flickering light on the damp stone walls. Yang Lianting walked in. Smelling the musty odor inside, he slightly frowned.
“Who’s there!”
Ren Woxing’s hands and feet were securely bound by chains, giving off a clanking sound. His voice was very loud and hoarse. Yang Lianting looked toward the sound, he saw a man bound to the wall who could not move, his hair and beard were disheveled and his face seemed like a stiff corpse. In the darkness, he looked somewhat creepy.
Yang Lianting was not afraid.
Staring at the man, who had taken his and Dongfang’s life, his breathing became heavy, his blood boiled, and his heart’s killing intent rose forcefully in an instant. He breathed out lightly and sneered.
“The man who came to take your life.”
“You want to kill me?”
It had been too long since Ren Woxing had last spoken, his voice sounded as if it were honed over sandpaper. He loudly and contemptuously laughed at Yang Lianting.
“Does Dongfang Bubai lack capable subordinates?”
“To kill me, he actually sent a nobody with low martial arts!”
“Kid, do you think I, your father, can’t casually kill you just because I’m locked up in this Water Dungeon?”
The iron chains clanked once Ren Woxing shifted slightly, he spat towards Yang Lianting, “Is the Invincible East dead?”
“Cult Master Ren is quite ambitious for his age.” Standing in place, Yang Lianting refused to be provoked. He stared down at Ren Woxing as if he were looking at a corpse. “Despite living a life worse than death, while locked up under the West Lake for so many years, despite your death being imminent, Former Cult Master Ren still has so much to say.”
“Hahaha, as if!”
“Dongfang Bubai, that old traitor! He pretends to be generous and benevolent, but behind his back he actually sent some kid to kill me.” Faintly narrowing his eyes, Ren Woxing stared at Yang Lianting. The dirty gray hair and beard concealing the cold light briefly flashing in his eyes. Despite being locked up in the Water Dungeon for years, he had never ceased practicing his powerful Cosmic Absorption Art. Yang Lianting was just standing too far away from him, but if he came a little closer, a little–
Ren Woxing coldly snorted, he thought that Dongfang Bubai was incredibly stupid to send such a waste to kill him.
“Come on, attack! I, your father, am waiting–”
Before he could finish, Ren Woxing’s expression changed in an instant once he noticed Yang Lianting’s actions.
“What are you doing!”
“What did you pour into the water!”
Gazing at the panicked and loudly yelling Ren Woxing, Yang Lianting chuckled. He knelt down at the entrance of the partially submerged cell and poured the entire packet of fine powder into the water.
The powder was Ping Yizhi’s poison.
Anyone who came into the slightest contact with it, would’ve to endure their entire body breaking apart and their wounds festering with pus, to endure their fair share of torture. After seven days of dreadful pain and unbearable torment, they would die.
Yang Lianting poured the entire packet into the water.
Ren Woxing wanted him to come over, so he could apply his Cosmic Absorption Art on him. Yang Lianting narrowed his pair of eyes. In his past life, he had clearly seen the cruel and insidious nature of the Cosmic Absorption Art with his own eyes. If Yang Lianting had approached him, despite his weak martial arts, Ren Woxing would’ve drained and absorbed his internal energy, thus reversing his blood flow and turning him into a corpse.
Ren Woxing–
The painful memories of the past rushed through his mind.
Yang Lianting patted his hands and slowly stood up.
“Cult Master Ren, no need to panic.”
“This Yang is aware his martial arts skills are inferior. If he were to fight you one on one, he fears that he would certainly be killed by you.”
“This is Ping Yizhi’s Broken Bone Powder.[18] Cult Master Ren has surely heard of it, no?”
Ren Woxing’s face changed instantly, and he madly shouted, “Dongfang Bubai you old traitor, you’ve waited all this time just to end me with such an underhanded method, in vain I’ve–”
“Ah!”
The poison acted rapidly. Ren Woxing’s limbs soaked in part in water, quickly began to break and fester. He could not restrain himself from crying out in pain. Glaring cruelly at Yang Lianting with bloodshot eyes, he yelled loudly, “Daring to harm me!”
Yang Lianting slowly shook his head as he stood at the cell’s entrance and silently watched Ren Woxing suffer.
“Cult Master Ren, you’re mistaken.”
“The person who wants to kill you isn’t Dongfang, but me.”
“You’ll endure the Broken Bone Powder’s torment, and after seven days your body’ll be covered in festering sores and perish in agony.”
“I’ve killed you, and next is Ren Yingying.”
Yang Lianting’s tone was cold and ruthless, before him blood flowed out of Ren Woxing’s festering injuries. The sight looked terrifying, as if hell lay before him. Yang Lianting pretended not to hear him and calmly looked at the sight to his feet.
“You!”
“Who are you!”
“What hatred do I have with you!”
“I’ll kill you! I’ll kill you with my own hands!”
Ren Woxing’s body felt horrendously painful, his iron chains clanked and clanged wildly, his eyes bloodshot red as he shouted “To kill me you dare to steal the cult master’s token from the old traitor! He’ll never spare you, he’ll never spare you!”
“Who are you!”
Yang Lianting chuckled.
“Cult Master Ren, you will never have the chance to kill me again in this lifetime.” Staring down at Ren Woxing suffer pain and torment worse than death, Yang Lianting exhaled and closed his eyes slowly. The dust finally settled and the biggest threat of their past life was eliminated. Yang Lianting truly was not in the mood to continue spending time needlessly with Ren Woxing.
It’s painful, it’s agonizing, right?
Cult Master Ren, there’s still seven days.
Enjoy.
Yang Lianting stretched out his hand to adjust his black robe. Hiding his face in the darkness he briefly glanced at Ren Woxing turned around and walked toward the underwater dungeon’s exit
I can’t wait to return.
He wanted to hug Dongfang, wanted to kiss him, wanted to hold him tightly in his arms. Only by holding him, would he feel that everything changed, that everything could be done anew.
Dongfang would not die, and he would not lose Dongfang.
Turning a deaf ear to Ren Woxing’s curses and cries of pain, resounding from behind him, Yang Lianting quickened his pace and opened the door to the Water Dungeon with a creak.
As soon as he opened the door he noticed the Four Friends of Jiangnan kneeling on the ground. Yang Lianting’s heart skipped a beat, once he raised his head he saw Dongfang Bubai, dressed in red, quietly looking at him. In the darkness, he could not make out Dongfang Bubai’s expression.
Heart distracted, thoughts in turmoil.
He initially thought that this person should not be exposed to tonight’s cold air, to the frigid winds blowing past. Suddenly, he had a bad premonition. Furrowing his brows, he stepped forward to hold his hand.
Dongfang avoided him.
Such a brief action, yet Yang Lianting felt like stepping off a ten thousand-zhang[19] high cliff, his heart sank.
“Yang Lianting, what are you doing?”
Dongfang Bubai’s voice was light, so light it vanished in the wind, and his face was so pale it seemed translucent.
“Yang Lianting, tell this Seat what you are doing.”
[2] Reference to ch. 31: ‘What was this heaven-shaking earth-shattering figure of the martial arts world doing in a woman’s quarters sewing!’ - Linghu Chong
[3] Traditional Chinese timekeeping splits one day into twelve dual-hours.
[4] Reference to Laughing in the Wind, the 2001 Mainland adaption, in which Yang Lianting likes to hold a white folding fan.
[5] Nanchong (男宠) is a derogatory term describing the male lover of an emperor, empress dowager, or high official, the term literally means ‘man doted upon.’ In contrast, luanchong (脔宠) is a derogatory term for the underage male lover of an adult superior, the term literally means ‘small meat doted upon.’ This translation uses ‘kept man’ for nanchong and ‘toy boy’ for luanchong.
[6] Traditional kinship (背离人伦 / 世俗伦常), human relations according to feudal ethics.
[7] Reference to ch. 36: Dongfang Bubai who, only holding a piece of embroidery needle, moved as fast as lightning.
[8] Forcibly suppress (讨伐), to subdue by armed forces / to wage a punitive expedition.
[9] Wulin General Assembly (武林大会), a convention held by the major good sects of the Wulin to form an alliance, usually to oppose a threatening evil sect.
[10] Outer disciple (外门弟子). In Wuxia novels, martial arts sects split their disciples into categories according to their aptitude and accomplishments. Outer disciples are the lowest ranked and do not have a master to personally guide them.
[11] Southern Mount Heng Sect (衡山派) is one of the five major sects that form the Sword Sect Alliance of the Five Mountains.
[12] Would you let me marry you? (你可愿意娶我). Dongfang Bubai uses the term qǔ (娶), which means ‘to marry/take a wife.’ In contrast, jiéhūn (结婚) is more gender neutral and simply means to marry/to get married.
[13] To accumulate merit (积德) or to do good when possible. Reference to ch. 37: “It can be said that a good person also gets a good repayment.” - Linghu Chong
[14] Lit. spring (春), fig. passion and desire.
[15] The Hour of the Ox is equivalent to 01:00-03:00.
[16] The Four Friends of Jiangnan (江南四友) are a group of four eccentric martial artists tasked with watching over Ren Woxing, they are talented in qin, qi, calligraphy and painting. Reference to ch 22: “We requested to be sent here, to be far away from Blackwood Cliff and not to be involved in other people’s affairs. So, we stayed by the West Lake, cherishing the arts.”
[17] The Cosmic Absorption Art (吸星大法) is Ren Woxing’s signature ability. Reference to ch. 31: Although the power of the Cosmic Absorption Art was profound, Dongfang Bubai’s movements were fast to the extreme, he was nearly impossible to catch. - Description of the final fight between the two.