Dongfang Bubai murmured, his voice so light it was blown away by the stormy wind. Yang Lianting had poor martial arts, his six senses were lacking, so he had not heard him. Knowing that he couldn’t be bold and impatient, he respectfully saluted, took his goods and tools, and was about to leave. He had walked a few steps, when he couldn’t help but turn his head and glance at the man standing on the edge of the cliff.
Dongfang was too thin.
He had known this since his previous life.
After that person had begun practicing the Sunflower Manual his temperament had turned ever more sensitive and suspicious, his mood had changed in the blink of an eye. From the elders to his servants, no one in the Holy Cult dared to offend him.
In the eyes of others he was served luxurious and extravagant meals each day, the cooks outdoing each other to please him, yet they did not know that he was an incredibly picky eater, disliking meat and fish. The cooks, who did not know his preferences, had never dared to say half a word more, so his body had gotten even thinner and thinner.
The red robe was violently fluttering in the wind, his thoughts imperceptible as he stood there by himself. Like a painting of a banished immortal, like he was about to be lifted up by the wind and silently float away.
Yang Lianting thought for a moment, clenched his fists, and stopped walking further.
“Cult Master.”
Hearing Yang Lianting’s voice, Dongfang Bubai’s eyebrows creased and he turned his head back, as if asking why he had not left. However before he could speak he saw Yang Lianting smile tenderly at him. “Cult Master, forgive this Subordinate for talking too much. It’s windy on this cliff. Cult Master, you shouldn’t stay too long, or the chill will enter your body and you might catch a cold.”
Yang Lianting said what he wanted to say, and no longer delayed his departure. He bowed, turned around, and left. Now standing by himself, Dongfang Bubai silently stood in place staring at his departing back, his lips drawn into a thin line. He intended to speak, but his throat felt blocked. Slender eyebrows creased, he snorted, “This Seat is the world’s first and won’t catch a cold.” He made a dismissive comment, yet in his mind Yang Lianting’s figure appeared.
Facing the sun, shrouded in its bright light, his strong features and handsome appearance dazzled Dongfang Bubai’s eyes; his warm and soft smile, his gaze without fear nor flattery, let him appear remarkably pleasing to the eye.
This insignificant guard with poor martial arts.
Truly, doesn’t look too bad.
The mellow taste of his wine still lingered in his mouth, while Dongfang Bubai sat on a barren tree growing out of a crevice in the cliffside. His vibrant red long robe swaying in the winds. His black eyes were serene yet the corners of his mouth were curved up into a rare smile.
Only the maids who served the Cult Master that day saw that he seemed to be in a good mood, he had even eaten more dishes than usual.
That night.
In Dongfang Bubai’s courtyard, a guest arrived.
Tong Baixiong was a rash and roguish person, a bold brute, but at this moment his rugged old face revealed faint reverence. Kneeling on the floor, in a deep voice Tong Baixiong said to the one hidden behind an embroidered screen.
“Greetings to the Cult Master, this Subordinate reports on the recent assassination attempt on the Cult Master.”
Dongfang Bubai was reclining on his bed, reading a book. In the flickering candlelight shadows fell on his long fingers as they turned page after page, his expression remaining tranquil as if he had not heard Tong Baixiong.
Having gotten used to his reclusive nature over the years, the man kneeling did not think much and kowtowed. Hands clasped into fists, teeth gritted together, he continued, “According to this Subordinate’s reliable sources, spies of the Righteous Path have infiltrated Blackwood Cliff.”
“But, this Subordinate… this Subordinate… hasn’t found out who the spies are.” Tong Baixiong was drenched in cold sweat, his body felt chilled to the bone. Although Dongfang Bubai was his sworn brother, since he began practicing that strange Sunflower Manual a few years ago, his temperament had turned moody and unpredictable. Even he, his sworn brother, could not tell what he was thinking. After Dongfang Bubai ascended the cult master’s throne and accumulated more and more authority Tong Baixiong could not help but harbor a little fear in his heart. Especially now that he was unable to complete his task and might fall out of his favor.
The long silence made him feel anxious only occasionally did he hear the crackling sound of burning candlewicks or the silent sound of Dongfang Bubai slowly turning another page, as he sat behind the embroidered screen.
He could not tell how much time passed.
Eventually, Dongfang Bubai gave a faint hum in response.
“Elder Tong, get up. This Seat knows.”
“Thanking the Cult Master for his mercy, this Subordinate is incompetent but will certainly uncover the one behind the scenes as soon as possible!” Tong Baixiong gritted his teeth and swore, anger burning in his eyes. In his opinion, those so-called sects of the Righteous Path were just a bunch of hypocritical villains who sought fame and reputation, and now they even dared to interfere in the Holy Cult, dared to assassinate the Cult Master.
“Right, there’s also Brother Yang, who blocked the arrow for you. While his martial arts are poor, I, Old Tong, think this kid’s loyal to you, Cult Master, and can be of great use. How about I, Old Tong, transfer him to my Hall under the cliff to train, maybe in the future he’ll earn merit for the Holy Cult–”
If Yang Lianting were to hear Tong Baixiong’s compliment, who knew what he would think in his heart. In his previous life, he had seen Tong Baixiong as a thorn in his eyes. That old man had been staunchly loyal to Dongfang Bubai, had been hostile to him, the treacherous villain, had been his biggest obstacle on his path to seizing the supreme power and boundless scenery of the Sun Moon Holy Cult.
In the end, he had Dongfang kill that man with his own hands.[31]
Unable to rest in peace.
A lifetime ago, Tong Baixiong and Yang Lianting had gotten along like fire and water yet it was reasonable for Tong Baixiong to praise him so much at present. After all, he might be an expert martial artist but he had a simple mind. In his heart the Invincible East was like a deity, he was dedicated to his sworn brother and loyal to the cult.
Seeing Yang Lianting’s deliberate adulation and his deceitful behavior towards Dongfang Bubai throughout his past life, Tong Baixiong naturally treated him with hostility.
Seeing Yang Lianting, an insignificant guard, disregard his own safety and rush forward to shield the Cult Master in this life, the jovial Tong Baixiong appreciated him.
Hearing his suggestion, Dongfang Bubai’s slender hand that was flipping through the book abruptly halted. Seemingly distracted, he did not respond immediately.
Tong Baixiong waited anxiously, feeling that something was off. He couldn’t avoid asking him again, “Cult Master, how about transferring that Yang Lianting down the cliff to train?”
“No.”
The clear and light voice of Dongfang Bubai resounded from behind the screen. Reclining on the bed, he closed the book in his hand and spoke slowly.
“Let him stay on Blackwood Cliff.”
Tong Baixiong furrowed his brows, not following Dongfang Bubai’s reasoning, “Cult Master, he’s such a loyal person. If he remains a mere yellow guard I’m afraid that it’d be quite a waste. Cult Master, you face a thousand changes–”
“Then, transfer him to this Seat as a personal guard.”
When Dongfang Bubai said this Tong Baixiong was stunned. “The Cult Master intends to–” Halfway through, Tong Baixiong finally reacted, clapped his hands together, and laughed out loud. “The Cult Master is wise! This is good, very good!”
“Guard Yang is loyal to the Cult Master, he’ll naturally be an excellent personal guard. Just his martial arts skill is too poor–” Tong Baixiong saluted Dongfang Bubai, and continued, “Someday, I’ll find one or two secret arts and properly train this kid.” Having said so, he bid farewell, and left happily.
Behind the screen, Dongfang Bubai casually placed the book aside. His eyes were clear and light, as he thought of something, only to slowly shake his head. Tong Baixiong’s suggestion was indeed an excellent opportunity for an ordinary yellow guard. It was rare for a guard to be transferred to one of the Twelve Halls, yet once his mind recalled Yang Lianting boldly smiling at him, Dongfang Bubai’s heart moved and the words he had wanted to say inadvertently changed.
The Personal Guard.
If he only considered his martial arts skill then Yang Lianting could not compare to his highly skilled personal and dark guards in the least yet thinking carefully since the wine he brewed tasted good, it made sense for him to be his personal guard.
Thus, due to a passing thought of Dongfang Bubai, the minor yellow guard Yang Lianting became a personal guard overnight.
“What did you say?”
Yang Lianting, not caring about respect nor seniority, grabbed Tong Baixiong’s arm. His eyes widening, hardly controlling his volume. Tong Baixiong, a member of a daring and reckless ‘evil’ cult, appreciated him and would not fuss about this detail. Rather Tong Baixiong misunderstood him, he encouragingly patted him on his shoulder and said in a deep tone, “Brother Yang, I initially intended to transfer you to my Wind and Thunder Hall and train you for a few years, but the Cult Master refused my proposal and let you be his personal guard. Brother Yang don’t be discouraged, there's nothing wrong with guarding beside the Cult Master.”
“If you win his favor, just a word will be enough to give you any position you want–”
Tong Baixiong had not finished, when Yang Lianting’s loud laugh interrupted his words. He felt overwhelmingly joyous and excited. In his past life, he had been transferred to Dongfang two years later; being able to be beside him in advance, how could he not be happy? Even Tong Baixiong looked pleasing to the eye at this time, he gladly bowed then cupped his fist at Tong Baixiong and hastily asked, “Elder Tong, will you go to the Cult Master’s courtyard now? This Subordinate will go and pack up–”
“Brother Yang, don’t worry.” Tong Baixiong sighed slightly, patted his shoulder and said, “There’re a few more things I need to explain to you.”
“I, Old Tong, and the Cult Master share a lifelong friendship, but over the last few years, since the Cult Master gained divine insight, he has become increasingly moody. The guards who’ve died under his hand number nearly hundred. I shouldn’t actually say this to you, but I’d like to remind you because you’ve risked your life to protect the Cult Master. So, be smart and don’t anger the Cult Master, you will not be able to keep your life otherwise. Don’t blame me, Old Tong for not warning you.” Tong Baixiong spoke in a gruff tone but his meaning was sincere.
Yang Lianting listened, although in his heart the information was nothing new, facing the old man he had killed in his past life he felt complicated. Sighing in his heart, he nodded at the one in front of him to signal that he had understood.
Once he was back in his room to pack up his few things, Yang Lianting exhaled slowly, shook his head, and chuckled.
“I’ve wronged you, Elder Tong.”
“Last lifetime, I, Yang Lianting, was a sinister villain. In this lifetime, I won’t wrong you again.”
As he quietly muttered to himself, he quickly packed together the things he owned, then went to the cult master’s residence; he may be a personal guard but he was not all too close to Dongfang Bubai himself. After all, as the congregation knew well, the Cult Master liked tranquility and hated disturbance. So, the Personal and Dark Guard were only a little closer to him, compared to the other cult members. Even if they lived in the same residence, the chances to meet were few, yet to Yang Lianting his new position was the gradual progress he sought.
Being led to his room by one of Dongfang Bubai’s maids, he could not help but ask, “The Cult Master?”
“The Cult Master, he… what’s he doing right now?”
The maid heard him abruptly ask and was startled, she looked toward the door, lowered her tone and replied, “Guard Yang, the Cult Master’s whereabouts isn’t something we servants can just casually discuss. The Cult Master’s ears are amazing. If he hears us talking behind his back, he’ll kill us!”
Obviously, what the maid said was true. In his previous life, because Dongfang Bubai’s temperament had been sensitive and sharp as she warned, if a servant said the wrong thing they would be killed without mercy. No wonder this maid was afraid of him. Yang Lianting felt a little helpless, pulling up the corners of his mouth to indicate that he understood. The maid stared at him and smiled, unable to move her eyes away for some time. Most of the men on Blackwood Cliff were rugged and carefree ruffians, thus their looks were bad.
Dongfang Bubai was as handsome as a banished immortal, yet his face was as frigid as a snow lotus.[32] He was alienating and aloof, was the high and mighty Cult Master, no one dared to steal more than a glance.
But Yang Lianting was different. He looked quite handsome, especially when he was smiling. His eyes were always profound and gentle, able to steal one’s soul. In her view, he was certainly a better choice than those alcoholic brutes who just knew how to shout and kill. The maid blushed, lowered her head, and opened her mouth to reluctantly say what he wanted to know.
“Sister Qingluo mentioned that the Cult Master headed to the rear courtyard to see the Seven Ladies tonight. But Guard Yang, you haven’t heard this from me–”
In a daze, he gave a perfunctory response as he sat on a chair in his room. After a long time he slowly breathed out a long sigh. He did not know why, yet his heart ached intensely and his facial expression unexpectedly turned ugly.
He went to the rare courtyard to grace the Seven Ladies.
How could I forget?
Before he had gotten together with him, in Dongfang Bubai’s rear courtyard, there had been seven tender and moving, charming and alluring ladies.
[1] Chief Steward (大总管) referred to either a manager working under a military governor or the head eunuch of the emperor. Wikipedia | Blackwood Cliff (黑木崖) is the headquarters of the cult Yang Lianting belongs to. Image
[2] Self-mutilation is a prerequisite for cultivating the Sunflower Manual (葵花宝典). Reference to ch. 22: “The Sunflower Manual is the most supreme martial arts secret. No one will be able to match you in the whole world after learning this martial art.” - Description of the martial arts manual.
[3] Immortal (仙) is a reference to ch. 31: The congregation thought that even though the Sun Moon Holy Cult had been in existence for hundreds of years, Dongfang Bubai had always been the Cult Master.
[4] Translation credit goes to Pokit and Bliss, who translated chapters 30 and 31 of Smiling, Proud Wanderer.
[5] Lian di (莲弟) lit. means Little Brother Lotus.
[6] 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.
[7] Linghu Chong (令狐冲) is the protagonist of Smiling, Proud Wanderer and Ren Yingying’s husband. In this novel he is only mentioned occasionally and doesn’t appear in person.
[8] Reference to ch. 31: “The pitch of that voice was sharp and high, but at the same time sounded coarse and rough.” - Linghu Chong’s thoughts on Dongfang Bubai’s voice.
[9] God (老天爷) lit. old/elder heavenly lord. The Jade Emperor in traditional mythology. Wikipedia
[10] Tong Baixiong (童百熊) is the Hall Master of the Wind and Thunder Hall and a close associate of the Cult Master. He and Dongfang Bubai share a lifelong friendship and are as close as brothers.
[11] Dongfang Bubai (东方不败) lit. means Invincible or Undefeated East. This translation switches between Dongfang Bubai as a name and Invincible East as a title.
[12] 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 internal and external energy. Immortal Mountain
[13] Holy Maiden (圣姑) is Ren Yingying’s title, she was ordained as the Holy Maiden by Dongfang Bubai. Reference to ch. 35: “Now that my father is the Cult Master, I instead don’t have the authority I used to have.” - Ren Yingying commenting on her loss of authority after her father kills Dongfang Bubai and takes back his position.
[15] Lit. mountains overturn the seas (山呼海贺), fig. great momentum.
[16] Internal Energy (内力) is cultivated energy within a martial artist's body. Utilizing it, a martial artist can accomplish superhuman feats of speed, agility, strength, endurance, etc. It can even be used to heal wounds and nullify poisons.
[17] This Seat (本座) is used by a person with high social status, such as a cult or sect master in Wuxia novels, to refer to themselves in third person. Repeated usage of the term shows that the user is proud of themselves.
[18] This Subordinate (属下) is used by a person with lower status than the addressee, such as a servant or guard, to refer to themselves in third person. It’s similar to ‘your humble servant’ in English.
[19] Ping Yizhi (平一指) is a morally gray physician affiliated with the Sun Moon Holy Cult.
[20] Lightness Skill, or qīnggōng, (轻功) is the ability to lighten the body and move with great agility and swiftness. At high proficiency, practitioners of this skill can run across water, leap to the top of trees or even glide through the air.
[21] The Blackwood Token is a reference to ch. 22: “The Cult Master’s Blackwood Token is here, it’s as if the Cult Master is here in person, this Subordinate heeds the order.” Image
[22] Traditional Chinese Medicine (中医) are medical knowledge, skills, and practices which were used in China for thousands of years prior to the arrival of Western medicine. The doctors in Wuxia novels often diagnose patients simply by reading their pulse, use needles to treat all kinds of illnesses, and prescribe herbs and elixirs to patients. This all comes from TCM.
[23] Wulin (武林), lit. Martial Forest, fig. refers to the community of martial artists within the Jianghu. The Wulin is typically controlled by an alliance formed by the righteous sects in order to uphold justice.
[24] Yang Lianting (杨莲亭) 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).
[25] di (弟) usually is a suffix for a younger male friend but during the Ming Dynasty it was also used for the younger ‘wife’ in a homosexual relationship. YouTube
[26] Hour of the Dog (戍时) 19:00-21:00. Traditional Chinese timekeeping split one day into twelve hours.
[27] Gold and silver, lit. yellow and white things (黄白之物).
[28] I, your father, or Laozi (老子) is an expression of anger or contempt.
[29] It’s cold/lonely at the top (高处不胜寒) is an idiom about the loneliness of a person in a high position, who does not have any close relationships.
[30] ‘Full cold’ leads to chilliness, cold limbs, and a desire to drink warm liquids. It is caused by an excess of yin. It is similar to ‘empty cold’ which arises from a deficiency in yang. Wikipedia
[31] Reference to ch. 30/31: Yang Lianting falsely assumes that Tong Baixiong betrayed Dongfang Bubai for Ren Woxing and eventually persuades Dongfang Bubai into killing him. “If you offended me, I could care less. But you offended my Lian di, and that is unforgivable.” - Dongfang Bubai to Tong Baixiong.
[32] A ‘snow lotus’ (雪莲) is a type of herb growing in high altitudes that looks like a lotus. Image