“It’s really lively.” Dongfang Bubai looked at the crowd not too far away and turned his head to Yang Lianting, “It’s been a long time since I last saw such a scene.”
While they were talking, fireworks bloomed in the night sky. Yang Lianting turned his head to gaze at Dongfang Bubai’s face. The brilliant fireworks covering the sky were reflected in his pair of clear and limpid black eyes. The bright and clear light within his eyes was as beautiful as the shining stars reflected in the sea. Looking at the street’s lively crowd with his cold and hazy eyes, standing alone within countless people in his vivid red robe, for a moment Yang Lianting could not move his eyes away because of his mesmerizing beauty.
“If you like it here, I’ll accompany you to see the fireworks every year.” Yang Lianting took hold of Dongfang Bubai’s hand and pulled him forward, “Dongfang, there are many interesting events and vistas under the cliff that you don’t know of.”
“There’s a small town under Blackwood Cliff, where every spring the streets are filled with peach blossoms and where every autumn the trees’ colorful leaves fall. There’s also a place where every summer a bonfire festival is held–”
In his past life, he had liked liveliness. After he had confined Dongfang Bubai and single-handedly controlled the cult, he had always gone down the cliff for various reasons to avoid returning to that courtyard and sharing the bed with him. Back then he had been excessively extravagant and had toured the Jianghu’s most beautiful vistas and liveliest events.
Chief Steward Yang with boundless scenery in his hands.
Countless gorgeous women to accompany him and countless guards to escort him, spending money like dirt and drinking wine like water. But day after day he had turned increasingly irritable and easily enraged, had felt awfully empty inside. Thinking back he had tried every means and all methods to avoid being together with Dongfang Bubai, but in the end he could not hide from his own heart. Without him by his side, no matter how beautiful the vista or lively the event, it was futile.
Fortunately, he could accompany him to see all of them now.
Together.
“Lian di, did you never think about making accomplishments and a name for yourself in the Wulin?” Dongfang Bubai looked at him from the side, “You mentioned that you’re willing to live in seclusion with me, willing to wander the world with me–”
“But as a man, Lian di, now’s the best time to–”
“How can you be willing to–”
Furrowing his eyebrows, Dongfang Bubai appeared confused and explained, “Lian di, you truly don’t have to please me like this. I’m the Holy Cult’s Cult Master, just tell me, I’ll definitely give you everything you want, I’ll give you–”
That phrase again.
Yang Lianting could not avoid sighing silently and bitterly in his heart. He lightly shook Dongfang Bubai’s hand and assured, “Dongfang, I wanted to kill Ren Woxing and Ren Yingying, but now that the old thief’s dead I don’t have any other thoughts.”
“Besides–” Yang Lianting did not want to weigh Dongfang Bubai down on such a joyous event, so he gently smiled, lowered his head downward to close the distance between them, and said in a deep and low voice, “Blackwood Cliff’s little guard married the cult master, isn’t that quite the accomplishment and a way to make a name for myself?”
“Honestly, Dongfang, compared to the Emperor’s throne it’s much better being together with you.”[41] Looking into Dongfang’s eyes, Yang Lianting softly dragged the final sound. His tone was light and rising slightly, as if he were teasing him.
As he expected, Dongfang Bubai’s ears flushed red. He glared at Yang Lianting, abruptly turned his face away and stopped speaking.
“My dear Cult Master, please don’t think too much.” Taking his hand into his own, Yang Lianting tenderly stroked it, “I don’t want anything and I like my current profession. It’s great to only stay by your side, to touch you after reaching out.”
“If you truly want to give me everything, Dongfang, you only need to let me accompany you, let me stay by your side forever.”
Dongfang Bubai stood silent for a moment then looked at him and suddenly smiled brightly. Slowly shaking his head, he replied, “Lian di, I’m too narrow-minded.”
“Under Ren Woxing’s reign, I desperately wanted to improve my martial arts skills, to ascend to new hights, to sit on the supreme seat and take control over everyone’s life, even if it could cost me my own.”
“I thought that, as a man, I must make accomplishments and a name for myself to let my foes be terrified just by hearing my name. But later…” Dongfang Bubai paused, “In order to achieve my goal, I cultivated the Sunflower Manual and changed myself into this… neither human nor ghost.” Dongfang Bubai shallowly and lightly laughed, his voice sounding faint, “Ren Woxing may be dead, but the longer I sit on the cult master’s seat, the more I hate seeing others, the more I turn tyrannical and withdrawn.”
“Dongfang–” Listening to him speak, Yang Lianting’s heart ached. He wanted to interrupt him, but he stayed silent once he saw him shake his head.
Dongfang Bubai chuckled, his eyes shining a brilliant gold, his eyes setting off a thousand vast waves, within them none of the past’s inferiority or sensitivity. Rather, his eyes looked calm and peaceful beyond words, “Lian di, I don’t regret.”
“If I hadn’t cultivated the Sunflower Manual, I fear I’d never have met you, let alone fallen in love with you in this lifetime.”
Dongfang Bubai’s gaze fell on a couple walking amongst the crowd, his eyes revealing a faint trace of envy.
“Lian di, I’m glad to have met you.”
Yang Lianting had never thought that Dongfang Bubai would actually say such a thing one day. His chest rose and fell slightly. Taking a deep breath, he swept the man beside him into his arms, lowered his head and kissed Dongfang’s lips among the bustling crowd. People passed by as he deeply kissed his lips.
Past life’s muddled mind, this life’s return.
He neither wanted to make a name for himself nor harbor any grand ambitions, and he definitely did not want to squander the slightest drop of his heart’s blood. He just wanted to live a humble and ordinary life. His greatest desire and hope was none other than being able to remain beside this person in red, whom he had harmed and hurt, had let slip by before. For an entire lifetime, he truly longed to be as closely related and as mutually dependent as their lips and teeth.
“Mother, what’re these two uncles doing?” A childish voice sounded from the side, followed by a woman’s rebuke, “Why’re you running around again? I, your mother, said not to run around recklessly, you–” The woman was taken aback, the words stuck in her throat.
Dongfang Bubai reacted, he instantly pushed Yang Lianting away with a bright red face and fiercely glared at him, silently considering whether or not he should scold him for being rude. But if he scolded him… Dongfang Bubai gently pressed his hand on his own chest above his fluttering heart. Lately, Lian di had been acting more and more impudent, but he obviously did not… reject his impudence at all.
Although Yang Lianting was pushed away abruptly, he was still in a great mood. He touched his lips and coughed lightly but his eyes cooled once his line of sight fell on the woman who had interrupted their kiss. The woman was wearing a plain dress and her hair was combed into an orderly bun. Currently she stared at them ferociously, while covering the young boy’s curious eyes. Yang Lianting raised his eyebrow and took a step forward to take hold of Dongfang Bubai’s hand and stand before him.
“You’re an offense to public decency!” The woman stared at them and angrily criticized, “You two really don’t know shame, you dare to be this intimate in public! Really, you’re corrupting traditional customs!” Once these words were said Yang Lianting frowned and his expression instantly turned ugly in anger.
Dongfang Bubai’s expression looked even worse. For years, he had been in a high position. No one had ever dared to criticize or point their finger at him, dared to utter even a word of dissent. Besides, even if he did not care about being scolded, but that did not mean he did not care about Yang Lianting being humiliated.
This insignificant woman.
Dongfang Bubai narrowed his dark eyes, fierce killing intent glinting within, sharp silver embroidery needles emerging in his hand. Yang Lianting did not get angry but smiled lightly instead. Taking a deep breath, he patted Dongfang Bubai’s shoulder and hinted him not to hastily make a move. Noticing him obediently put away the silver needles after a light hmm, he stepped forward to stand before the woman.
The woman was just a rural villager while Yang Lianting was a tall and imposing man. Facing him, the woman inevitably felt slightly nervous but was unwilling to reveal her timidity. Putting her hands on her waist, she glared at him and said, “What’re you doing? You don’t allow others to say that you two offend public decency?”
“Of course not.” Yang Lianting smiled brightly and sincerely “Ma’am, please have a good look.” Raising his hand that tightly held onto Dongfang’s, their fingers interlocked, his voice turned gentle, “Standing beside me is my beloved. We worshiped each other and the heavens and earth thrice, whether he is a man or a woman, whether we offend public decency or not, it has nothing to do with you, no?”
“If we want to kiss in public, we’ll kiss in public. If we want to embrace in public, we’ll embrace in public.”
“I just want everyone beneath the heavens to know that we’re in love with each other, even if we’re against traditional kinship, so what?”
“You, you, you!” The woman was unable to speak a word of reproach, hearing his shameless and unconcealed opinion. Face turning red, eyes widening, after a moment she pulled along her son to turn around and leave.
The young boy, whose eyes were no longer covered, quietly glanced at Yang Lianting and then at Dongfang Bubai. His back facing his mother, he blinked his eyes and openly complimented, “Uncle, your wife looks better than my mother.”
Yang Lianting happily laughed out loud.
He had not been this bold and carefree for a long time. In his past life, he had done everything possible to conceal and evade his relationship with Dongfang Bubai that was deemed a taboo. Fearing that anyone who found out would point their finger and say they offended public decency. Now that he had been reborn, had finally figured out everything, how could he not be arrogant and willful? I love Dongfang and want to be together with him.
Offensive and disgraceful? A loss of face?
Yang Lianting snorted, he was fortunate enough to be loved by Dongfang Bubai, a banished immortal that others could neither reach nor touch even if they wanted to.
Even if he was denounced by ten thousand people, so what?
“Lian di, you really are–” Dongfang Bubai could not help but laugh proudly, laugh and laugh, but his eyes were faintly red. He only thought that their surroundings were too noisy, too raucous. At this moment, all his complex and chaotic thoughts faded and solely the man beside him remained. Yang Lianting who quietly gazed at him, devout and loving, calm and resolute. Looking into his pitch-black eyes, Dongfang Bubai felt that he could let go of everything as long as Yang Lianting would gaze at him like this.
Truly, even if I died, I would be willing.
Yang Lianting thought that the mood was great, so the two of them should continue their tenderness for a moment longer. But he had not imagined that during this rural firework festival they would come across a member of the Sun Moon Holy Cult.
“This Subordinate, Wang Cheng,[42] greets the Cult Master!”
The man wearing black martial clothes looked very surprised to meet Dongfang Bubai, his mind shaken. Instantly, he knelt on the ground and cupped his fist in respect despite the large crowd, “This Subordinate has finally found you!”
“Cult Master, right now the Holy Cult is in utter chaos!”
Unexpectedly meeting a member of the Sun Moon Holy Cult, Dongfang Bubai nodded lightly signaling him to rise. He slightly tilted his head upwards, his expression cooling faintly, instantly reverting back to the lofty and aloof Cult Master.
“What happened?”
Hearing his question, Wang Cheng opened his mouth to reply but before he spoke a word his line of sight fell on Yang Lianting standing off to the side. Complex and unclear emotions flashed in his eyes, he swallowed dryly and bowed his head silently.
Dongfang Bubai furrowed his eyebrows, feeling impatient.
“If you have a report to make, just state it directly.”
“Why are you hesitating?”
“Cult Master, this Subordinate has a confidential report–”
As soon as Yang Lianting heard his answer he smiled lightly. Nodding his head, he patted Dongfang Bubai’s hand, “Dongfang I’ll go take a look around. Once you’ve finished discussing, come and find me, alright?”
Dongfang Bubai frowned, “There’s nothing you must avoid.” Turning around he admonished Wang Cheng, “Daring to be this rude! You’re merely a subordinate to the Hall Master, have you not learnt the cult’s teachings? Is it up to you to decide who may listen to your report?” He did not have any patience for anyone other than Yang Lianting.
Despising Yang Lianting touched Dongfang Bubai’s reverse scale. Beneath his cold tone, killing intent raged. The red cloud-patterned moiré draped over his body rose in the wind like bright flames. As soon as the Cult Master spoke, Wang Chen fell to his knees and shivered in fear.
“Alright, alright. Dongfang, it’s no big deal. I’ll just go stroll around.” Yang Lianting looked at the fireworks blooming in the night sky, chuckled lightly and reminded, “Don’t forget what you promised me, don’t arbitrarily kill and commit evil. After you’re done talking, come find me.” He then silently raised his eyebrow at Wang Cheng, who was kneeling on the ground, and left them. Walking forward on his own.
Dongfang Bubai did not speak for a while. Glancing at Wang Cheng with an ugly expression, he finally said in a tone as cold as ice, “Let’s talk, while I wasn’t present, what happened atop the cliff?”
“Cult Master, rumors have it that you… you are… obsessed with that kept man… Yang Lianting.”
“The rumors have spread throughout the Jianghu!”
“Elder Tong is convinced that Yang Lianting is a treacherous villain, a spy sent by the so-called righteous sects, and during the upcoming Wulin General Assembly they’ll–”
“Cult Master–”
“Several Elders already left for that General Assembly. Even the Holy Maiden, I don’t know why, but even the Holy Maiden started preaching that the Cult Master has deviated from the True Path and instigated many cultists to rebel in secret!”
“Cult Master!” Wang Cheng, kneeling on the ground, loudly and heavily kowtowed to his cult master until his forehead bled. “Currently, those hypocrites from the Righteous Path oppose our Holy Cult. They plan to unify during that General Assembly and conduct a joint attack against our Holy Cult. Our external forces have already suffered heavy losses.”
“Cult Master, you must help us seek justice!”
“…”
After listening to everything Wang Cheng had to say, he then waved his wide sleeve and had him leave. Dongfang Bubai stood still for a long time and gazed into the distance.
Now everyone knew of his relationship with Yang Lianting.
Kept man.
Dongfang Bubai pursed his lips.
That term truly sounded degrading and offensive.
Walking in the direction Yang Lianting had left just now, he looked around but did not see him. Dongfang Bubai frowned and carefully scanned the crowd for his tall and straight figure.
Where had Lian di gone?
Tonight’s firework festival was attended by countless people, there was a constant hustle and bustle as people came and went. Although he had been delayed by half an hour because of talking to Wang Cheng, Lian di should not have gone too far. Dongfang Bubai continued to walk forward and search for his figure within the crowd at every step. The countless people coming and going pushed him back or squeezed him forward from time to time. He frowned deeply, took a deep breath to calm himself, but he could not prevent worry and anxiety from welling up in his heart.
He still had not found Yang Lianting.
Thinking back to Wang Cheng’s report, whether they were a wanderer of the Jianghu or a member of the congregation, at the moment everyone knew about his relationship with his kept man, with Yang Lianting. If so, does someone want to deal with him? Thinking of this possibility, Dongfang Bubai took another deep breath and clenched his hands beneath his sleeves into tight fists. He continued to walk forward but did not see his figure. Feeling incredibly anxious he slightly panicked but the crowd seemed to have a mind of its own. Everyone rushed forward and squeezed him along with them. Not knowing what lay ahead, involuntarily Dongfang Bubai followed the flow.
Once his anxiety and displeasure nearly reached its peak, he slowed his steps and his gaze fell on a familiar figure not too far away. Yang Lianting knelt by the river on one knee. Beside him there was a beautiful river lantern shaped like a lotus flower. The stars were shining high above and the candlelight gently swayed in the breeze. Many little paper lamps had been placed on top of the serenely flowing river, their countless flickering bright lights connecting into one, the dark river dazzling like the stars filling the whole sky. Yang Lianting’s hands did not stop moving. One after another, he placed lantern after lantern onto the murky river surface. Like a thousand rivers reflecting the moon, like the dim lights of floating fireflies among the pitch-black night, all of the lanterns were like the resplendent Silver River.[43]
Awestruck, Dongfang Bubai stood still in place, only able to look at the countless lotus lanterns[44] floating upon the river. Even the sounds of exclamation from around him sounded faintly dim. Yang Lianting seemed to sense his presence. Turning around, he met Dongfang Bubai’s eyes. Instantly, his pitch-black eyes lit up in splendid luster. Ten thousand peach blossoms blooming in his eyes, his fluid glance brimming with sincere affection, with deep and true love.
He stood up and walked toward Dongfang Bubai, after he had placed another lotus lantern on the water surface. Behind his tall back the myriad lanterns swayed atop the river, their mellow and gentle yellow lights like the myriad stars within the Silver River.
Standing before Dongfang Bubai, he smiled softly.
“Dongfang, I heard that, other than a firework display, during tonight’s festival river lanterns may be lit as well.”
“It’s said that if you have any dream or beloved in your heart, you can place a lantern on the water. The lantern will float along the river until the gods hear your prayer. I bought each and every river lantern sold on the street market then carefully placed them all on the water with my own hands.”
“Dongfang, I am truly sincere. Do you think the heavens will pity me and grant my wish? I prayed to the heavens, hoping that I may stay with you forever and never be separated from you.”
“No one has ever treated me like this.”
Dongfang Bubai lit a beautiful river lantern and placed it atop the serene water surface. Watching it swaying along the river, its flickering candlelight slowly drifting away.
Gazing into the distance, he said gently, “Lian di, no one has ever treated me as good as you.”
“I must’ve owed you in my past life. I brought you too much suffering.” Yang Lianting stretched out his hand to carefully put a loose strand of black hair behind Dongfang Bubai’s ear, slowly saying to him, “What I’ve owed you in my past life, I’ll pay you back double in this life.”
Dongfang Bubai laughed, “Lian di, if it’s truly as you say, no matter how much I suffered in my past life, if I gained this life’s sweetness in return it’s worth it.”
Seeing him smiling quietly and contentedly, Yang Lianting’s heart felt slightly bitter. Pausing, he swallowed dryly and wanted to reply but in the end he did not say anything.
The Dongfang Bubai of this life would neither be hurt nor be betrayed by him and be immersed in his love for a lifetime. This life, he would love him dearly and truly, would accompany him as they slowly grew old together. He would neither be forced to lower himself just to please him nor suffer painful torment. That person in red would no longer fall into despair from silently and endlessly waiting for him to return.
Very good, this life is very good as it is.
[1] Over two hours ago in modern timekeeping.
[2] Mandarin ducks (鸳鸯) are believed to be lifelong couples, unlike other species of ducks. Hence they are regarded as a symbol of conjugal affection and fidelity. Reference to ch. 31: In the pond by the hidden courtyard swim a pair of mandarin ducks.
[3] Huiming (慧明) is a senior monk of the Shaolin Temple. He has profound insight and a merciful yet money-grubbing character. Monk Huiming does not appear in Smiling Proud Wanderer. The Shaolin Temple is part of the Righteous Path, but is independent from the Sword Sect Alliance of the Five Mountains.
[4] Benefactor (施主) is a respectful term used by a Buddhist monk to address a believer or alms giver.
[5] Amitabha (阿弥陀佛) is known as the Buddha of Boundless Light. It is believed that people who sincerely call out his name will be welcomed into his Pure Land after they die. Because of this, Buddhist monks often chant 'Amitabha' as a greeting or blessing for others.
[6] Hidden virtue (阴德) is merit accumulated through charitable acts that are unknown to others.
[7] Karma (因果) is cosmic merit or demerit accumulated throughout one's life based on one's deeds. Karma can affect a character's daily life or bind certain characters together through karmic ties.
[8] Reference to ch. 31: “It was only due to your attachment to the one surnamed Yang, that we were able to break your concentration and injure you. Your martial arts are at an unimaginable level, there is no one worthy of the title ‘world’s first’ other than you. I truly have the utmost respect for you.” - Linghu Chong after defeating Dongfang Bubai.
[9] The Hall of Refined Kindness is the main hall (正殿) of the Holy Cult, where the cult master or the regent hold audiences and meet with the congregation.
[10] Purple ceremonial robes embroidered with pythons (紫衣蟒袍) were worn by high-ranking officials and royalty during the Ming Dynasty.
[11] Lit. to command others with facial expressions (颐指气使).
[12] Lit. gathering place for riffraff or lowlife (下三滥的地方).
[13] Half an hour in modern timekeeping.
[14] The boundless hells refers to Diyu (地狱), the realm of the dead or hell in Chinese mythology. It is loosely based on Buddhist and traditional Chinese beliefs. Diyu is typically depicted as a subterranean maze with various levels and chambers, to which souls are taken after death to atone for the sins they committed when they were alive. Wikipedia
[15] Hellfire punishment refers to Diyu’s punishment methods, for example the Hell of the Pit of Fire as mentioned in Journey to the West.
[16] Figurehead (架空), lit. framed air.
[17] The seven orifices (七窍) are the seven apertures of the human head: 2 eyes, 2 ears, 2 nostrils, 1 mouth.
[18] A kasaya (袈裟) is the robe of a fully ordained Buddhist monk.
[19] A khakkhara staff is a Buddhist monk’s staff, in Wuxia novels it is often used as a weapon.
[20] Great Master (大师) is a polite address for a Buddhist monk.
[21] Buddha (佛陀) means awakened or enlightened one. A Buddhist title for a person who has achieved perfect enlightenment and has escaped the cycle of reincarnation.
[22] Mala beads (禅珠) are a string of prayer beads used in Buddhism for spiritual practice.
[23] Mantra (曼特罗), a sacred utterance believed to have spiritual power and chanted to assist in meditation.
[24] This Poor Monk (贫僧) is a humble term of address used by Buddhist monks to refer to themselves.
[25] Severed soul (断魂), specifically severed hun soul. The hun is the soul which goes to heaven, as opposed to the pò (魄), which goes down to the earth with the body at death. Wikipedia
[26] Face reading, or physiognomy, is a method that predicts the fate of a person by reading their facial features.
[27] An eternal flame (长明灯) is a flame that burns for an indefinite time. The flame serves as a symbol of an enduring nature such as a religious belief. Wikipedia
[29] The Eight Sufferings (八苦) are a Buddhist concept and refer to eight kinds of universal suffering. They are the four sufferings of birth, aging, sickness, and death, plus the suffering of having to part from those whom one loves, the suffering of having to meet with those whom one hates, the suffering of being unable to obtain what one desires, and the suffering arising from the five components that constitute one’s body and mind.
[30] Lit. to return to the West (撒手西归), fig. to die. Translator’s note: Monk Huiming means that even the Invincible East is only mortal. The sun may rise in the East but it eventually sets in the West.
[31] Fig. all is empty (空花), lit. flowers and air. Sunyata, translated as emptiness or voidness, is a Buddhist concept. It is either a meditative state, a liberating existence, or the empty nature of reality. Wikipedia
[32] Translator’s note: Dongfang Bubai and Yang Lianting are antagonistic characters in Jin Yong’s Smiling, Proud Wanderer and are thus living in a fictional reality, an illusion.
[33] Translator’s note: This sentence is misleading, Yang Lianting doesn’t submit to Xiang Wentian because he can’t endure the pain anymore. In fact, he endures the pain of his leg bones being broken until they protrude out of his skin. Rather, Yang Lianting believes in Dongfang Bubai’s power, so Xiang Wentian later persuades him into leading them to him for a final confrontation: Yang Lianting smiled derisively, “Cult Master Dongfang is matchless in this world. It’s great that you all want to go to your death. Alright, I’ll lead you to him.”
[34] Reference to ch. 35: “That day we besieged Dongfang Bubai, while he was just holding one embroidery needle to fight against us. But the four of us, who are experts, had no way to resist him.” - Linghu Chong.
[35] Reference to ch. 31: Ren Yingying caught a glimpse of Yang Lianting sitting on the bed, focused intently on the battle, face full of concern. [...] Yang Lianting was indeed resilient, although the pain was unbearable, he managed to keep his mouth shut. But the first cry that Yang Lianting gave out before had already reached Dongfang Bubai’s ears. From the corner of his eyes, he saw Yingying beside the bed, slowly torturing Yang Lianting with her sword. [...] Linghu Chong and Ren Woxing saw the opportunity as both slashed their swords across Dongfang Bubai’s back and Xiang Wentian snapped his whip violently towards Yang Lianting’s head.
[36] Lit. mountains of blades and seas of flames (刀山火海), fig. extreme danger.
[37] Lit. nuisance or annoyance (劳什子).
[38] Lit. lips and teeth (唇齿相依), fig. to be closely related and mutually dependent.
[39] Fig. poisoned wine (鸩鸟), lit. Poisonfeather Birds. Zhenniao is a name given to poisonous birds that are said to have existed in ancient times. From its very veins to the tips of its feathers, the zhen's body is said to be tainted with an unparalleled poison. The zhen's feathers were often dipped into liquor to create a poisonous draught that was used to carry out assassinations. Wikipedia
[40] Sago cycad (铁树) is an ornamental plant with multiple palm-like leaves.
[41] Reference to ch. 31: “Being born a woman is definitely a hundred times better than being born as a rotten man. [...] If only I had the chance to switch places with you, forget about the leadership of the Sun Moon Holy Cult, I wouldn’t even want the Emperor’s throne.” - Dongfang Bubai to Ren Yingying.
[42] Wang Cheng (王诚) is one of the Ten Elders under Dongfang Bubai. Translator’s note: Wang Cheng, Wang Xu (the yellow guard who fought with Yang Lianting) and Wang Shi (the Head of the Purple Guard) share the same family name.
[43] Lit. the Silver River (银河), fig. the Milky Way.
[44] The lotus lantern is a prominent symbol in Chinese culture. The lotus is closely associated with the Buddhist dharma and is taken as a symbolic representation of purity. The lantern is supposed to symbolize good fortune. The Chinese lotus flower lantern is a craftwork item that combines the use of these two symbols. Image Translator’s note: The lian (莲) in Yang Lianting (杨莲亭) means Lotus. His name is a reference to Zhou Dunyi’s poem On Loving the Lotus (爱莲记) or to Du Gongzhan’s poem Lotus Of One Heart (咏同心芙蓉).