Chapter 13

Parsed with an automated reader. The content accuracy is not guranteed.

So I was informed that apparently 魔頭 is actually not a wuxia term and actually does just mean monster/villain! So all instances of “Demonic Head” has been changed to either “monster” or “villain”, depending on the context. Thanks, penhappy!

EDIT: I’m also changing all instances of “Sect Master Ge” to “Academy Master Ge”. Reasons will be given at the beginning of the next chapter.

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From the beginning, Ye You and Wenren Heng thought that the poisoner wanted to attract people to Suzhou, though they weren’t clear about the opposing party’s true intentions. But now, they knew.

Wenren Heng said, “Dingtian Academy and the Wang family residence are separated by only a river, and you also have a good relationship spanning many years. When the Wang family residence was full, some of the men moved out to live in an inn or to Dingtian Academy itself. And since those friends brought their own friends along, recently there must be many people living there.” After he finished explaining, he looked at Academy Master Ge and asked, “Academy Master Ge, you previously gave the suggestion to move everyone to the Wang family’s other residence. Besides suggesting it for the sake of Elder Wang, you were also trying to get people out of Suzhou, right?”

Academy Master Ge stiffened. After a short moment, as if unloading a great burden from his shoulders, he gave a soft sigh. “I’m not worthy of Sect Master Wenren.”

That certainly counted as admitting to it.

But, speaking up to this point had already made it very clear.

Dingtian Academy was quite strong. Although they weren’t counted amongst Jianghu’s top ten, they were easily within the top twenty. Ordinarily, sneaking in and stealing something would be very difficult, but if a big incident was manufactured and outsiders were set inside Dingtian Academy in order to introduce chaos, then the matter would become simpler by many degrees.

Although the Wang family had already left Jianghu, Elder Wang still commanded ample respect, so he was the most suitable person for the role. When the time came and everyone’s attention was on the Wang family, the poisoner could sneak into the Academy to search or perhaps even find an opportunity to live in the Academy itself.

When Ye You saw written on that strip of paper that Dingtian Academy had encountered thieves, he was finally able to guess this additional layer.

Of course simply guessing correctly wasn’t enough. They also had to find a way to enrage Elder Wang so that he’d show his face and clear up the circumstances. The poisoner naturally could not show up with evidence to confront Elder Wang, and following the matter last time, the Wang family residence had increased its patrols, so it became much too inconvenient to post any more announcements. The longer this situation lasted, the more unfavorable the circumstances, so that person would wait only a few more days for nightfall to take another risk and show his hand. But unfortunately he was obstructed by Academy Master Ge.

Wenren Heng asked, “You didn’t catch him?”

Academy Master Ge said, “He escaped.”

Manor Lord Wei looked at Academy Master Ge. His usual friendly expression seemed to have a trace of heaviness. Wearing an air of dignity somewhat like that of a high-ranking personage, he asked, “You knew from the beginning?”

Academy Master Ge shook his head. “I simply had some suspicions but no evidence.”

Wenren Heng slowly stroked his tea cup. He didn’t speak again, simply waiting for Manor Lord Wei’s reaction.

Since Academy Master Ge was the elder, even if everything about the matter became clear, if he wouldn’t admit to it no matter what and even said the words, “Outsiders shouldn’t be troubled with family matters,” then as the younger, there was nothing Wenren Heng could do. But with Manor Lord Wei here, things would turn out differently.

That year, during the “Demon Slaughter” incident, it was Manor Lord Wei and Pavilion Master Ding who brought their own groups to encircle that monster. Having suffered heavy losses and injuries, they were the ones most clear about the might of the Lantern-Extinguishing Poison. Now that this Lantern-Extinguishing Poison had reappeared in Jianghu, Manor Lord Wei would use any means possible to capture the other party and interrogate them, regardless of what reasons that person could have had — this was also a reason why he had invited Manor Lord Wei.

Manor Lord Wei eased some of the tension out of his tone. “Since you have suspicions, you should know what they want to steal. If it’s convenient, bring it out and use it as bait. If it’s not, we can think of another method. But you have to tell us about every one of your enemies or about all those you suspect of having some relation to this.”

Academy Master Ge was silent for a moment before saying, “I was simply afraid that you wouldn’t believe me if I spoke up. Some days ago, my son found a rare martial arts book on the bottom of a cliff by chance…” He hesitated. Lowering his voice until it was hoarse, he said, “It… It was Pursued Until Scattered[1].”

The moment these words were said, both Manor Lord Wei and Wenren Heng’s expressions changed. Even Ye You’s heart skipped a beat from out of nowhere, but he suppressed it and, as he was used to, looked to his Senior Brother.

Wenren Heng didn’t explain, simply patted his hand in a placating gesture. Ye You took it to mean that clarification was something that would have to wait until later. At this point, Manor Lord Wei spoke with a grave expression, “You’re sure?”

Academy Master Ge said, “There were those exact three words written on it. It’s only that the contents were strange. If you want me to explain it properly, you might as well follow me back to look.”

Manor Lord Wei immediately stood up, but just as he soon as he started following closely, he quickly came to a halt.

Having been in a high position for a long time, he had to look at things with even more penetrating clarity. He said, “For this matter, it’s not all right if I’m the only one going. That year, I did participate in the ‘Demon Slaughter’ and also came into contact with the Lantern-Extinguishing Poison. What’s more, I have sect members with the strength to infiltrate Dingtian Academy. And even besides me, right now, nearly all of the people living here have that same capability. This might not be nice to hear, but it’s even possible for the Wang family head himself to send a thief while outwardly calling to catch one.”

Academy Master Ge didn’t respond, but in his heart he agreed.

These past few days, he had also been considering these circumstances, so he had been hesitating over whether to speak or not.

Wenren Heng said, “Does Uncle Wei want to call everyone over?”

Manor Lord Wei said, “Right now, everyone is suspicious. If we keep this matter quiet, investigating secretly, we will alleviate only our own suspicions early. So we might as well all go, and it’ll be easier to observe if anyone has any problems.”

Academy Master Ge said, “Let’s all go, no matter who it is. I just so happen to want that person to see what I have in my hands.”

Since he had already said it like this, Wenren Heng and the others naturally didn’t have any complaints.

Thus, the four men managed to call everyone all together and relayed their conjectures once all the way through. The expressions of Pavilion Master Ding and the Alliance Leader and their men also changed. Most of them also participated in the “Demon Slaughter”. They couldn’t be more clear what Pursued Until Scattered symbolized.

During this time, Wenren Heng took the opportunity to clear up his Junior Brother’s confusion. “I’ve previously told you that that monster had murdered three entire clans for the sake of a rare book. That book was Pursued Until Scattered.”

Ye You’s heart gave a thump. Wearing a tranquil expression, he simply made a sound in acknowledgement.

The group didn’t tarry, making straight for Dingtian Academy the moment they stepped outside, leaving the surrounding people of Jianghu looking on, endlessly flabbergasted. After everyone saw that they had walked faraway, they started whispering in one another’s ears, gossiping. Everyone thought that something big had happened, as evident by the grave expressions on those elders’ faces.

The Elders of the Demonic Sect were also huddled secretly in a nearby place, looking on.

They had been waiting for days already, and they had finally waited long enough for that person to come out. They took the opportunity to observe carefully for a moment, seeing the resemblance to their Sect Master more and more.

Elder Mei said, “From the direction, they seem to be heading to Dingtian Academy?”

“Seems like it.”

Elder Mei said, “That’s good. Let’s go.”

“Go where?”

Elder Mei rolled her eyes. Before she could even respond, another Elder answered instead, “Are you stupid? The Wang family has special circumstances, so we haven’t been able to get into their residence for a while. But how could we be unable to get into Dingtian Academy?”

“That’s right… Wait, no! How dare you call me stupid!”

“Stop arguing. Let’s first think about how to get in.”

Elder Miao said, “Let me.”

The others, “…”

 

Dingtian Academy and ordinary Academies weren’t that different. The difference was that it occupied a larger space, with a large training ground.

Here, besides those who love books, they were all also martial artists, and their martial skill wasn’t weak. It was a rare sect within Jianghu where all disciples were versed in both pen and sword, and smart people were available by the handful. People said that when scholars meet soldiers, the scholars couldn’t explain their reasoning even if they had them[2], but with Dingtian Academy, when they couldn’t explain their reasoning, they would roll up their sleeves early and immediately grab for their weapons. As a whole, they were very powerful.

Wenren Heng and the others went straight to the study, waiting for Academy Master Ge to bring the rare book.

They came in a state of unrest[3], but before they had even reached the Academy, they had gradually calmed. Manor Lord Wei returned to his usual smiling countenance. He swept his eyes over that Ding who had stolen the seat he originally wanted, and before Academy Master Ge left the room, he even had the mood to ask with a laugh, “Ah, is that thing a book of sword techniques[4]?”

Academy Master Ge stared before remembering that Pavilion Master Ding was from a swordsmanship background. Realizing that there were some clear insinuations of problems being made here, he broke out in cold sweat. Pavilion Master Ding laughed coldly and said, “You don’t need to respond to him. That year when fighting that monster, someone was short two maneuvers compared to me. Now, if he doesn’t take any opportunity available to flaunt his eloquence, he’ll feel uncomfortable.”

“When people get old, their memory really starts to go. Why don’t I remember anyone being short two maneuvers from you.” Manor Lord Wei was all smiles. “I only remember someone’s precious sword breaking and afterwards that person hugging that sword while practically in tears. Ah, that memory…”

Pavilion Master Ding’s eyes turned ice-cold, and, not for the first time, he thought of chopping this fatty into bits.

Academy Master Ge’s entire forehead was dripping with cold sweat, and, as quickly as he could, he ran away.

The other elders’ faces all looked wretched, feeling as if they shouldn’t be opening their eyes to watch. They drank tea and pretended not to notice the two arguing. These two’s ages combined added up to over one hundred years, but they still have not resolved even a single one of their fights. When they were young, they had fought about this exact thing for many years, and now they’ve raised this old issue to fight about it all over again.

The Alliance Leader had a headache. “That’s enough. Both of you stop talking.”

Since he was chosen by Wudang and Shaolin, both Wei and Ding were willing to let him save face, and so both stopped speaking.

Academy Master Ge returned very quickly carrying an exquisite wooden box in his hands. In front of everyone, he opened it and took out a book with a black cover and red bindings. On the front of the book was three words, Pursued Until Scattered.

This was the book that everyone dreamed of obtaining that year, so famous that it had almost become legend. No matter how calm the elders present were, at this moment, they still couldn’t help but stand. Manor Lord Wei also dimmed his smile and, with a slightly solemn look at the book, asked Academy Master Ge, “You said earlier that the contents were strange. How strange?”

Academy Master Ge reached over and opened the book. On the first page was written some sentiments, inscribed with the name “Chou Guo”. Everyone had not yet made the items out when Academy Master Ge flipped to the next page. On the second page was written: Pursued Until Scattered’s first style, Cavalry Crossing Origin[5].

Everyone inwardly drew a breath. Reading quickly until the end, they read only the latter half: Start with both legs, step forward with the toes, draw energy from the dantian, spread both knees as support, relax the posture[6], keep the head level[7], bend the waist, make fists on the side, palms facing upwards, and that is Cavalry Crossing Origin.

There was one elder who hesitantly asked, “What’s so strange?”

Wenren Heng laughed but didn’t speak.

Ye You wasn’t so considerate. Laughing, he explained, “Responding to elder, it’s the horse stance[8].”

Everyone, “…”

Everyone stared at that paper, desperately wanting to see a flower in its pages.

Academy Master Ge bitterly laughed and turned another page. On it was the second style, “Water and Fire Stance”, written about very prolifically but, when summarized, was just incessantly punching in the horse stance, simply changing from fist to fist over and over.

Academy Master Ge continued turning pages. The following pages were all simple fundamental martial skills that even a child could do. The whole book was filled to the brim with an air of, “I’m just playing you.”

Everyone was silent.

“This is what I mean by strange.” Academy Master Ge looked around the room once and unhurriedly said, “But this matter isn’t so simple. Everyone, listen to me carefully explain.”

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[1] 《追成散》Names!! My arch-nemesis!! Anyone who can think of a more poetic name for this book, please tell me. I’m taking the meaning of the title as something like, “[Something] that has been Scattered(/Dispersed) following a Completed Pursuit.” But, uh, if that’s wrong, obviously I would appreciate if someone told me. Names are super effective against me ;A;//

[2] 秀才遇到兵有理說不清 This is a Chinese saying that essentially means that there’s no point in arguing with certain people because they’re not going to listen no matter what you say. It’s usually just shortened to the beginning 秀才遇到兵 (“like a scholar meeting a soldier”).

[3] 大風大浪 lit. big winds and big waves. Not really an idiom so much as a common way to describe upheaval.

[4] 劍譜 A book containing skills of a certain sword-style, I think. Couldn’t really think of a succinct way to word this.

[5] 橫馬過原 ashlwejrwe I assume this is what the style is called?? I went way ham on this. The original is kind of (?) like, “Horizontal Horse [Going] Past the Origin(al)”. I think. Maybe.

[6] 含胸拔背 It’s apparently this posture. A sort of sitting meditation pose, I guess?

[7] 虛靈頂勁 A taichi thing. I read the entire baike baidu page and I’m still not sure if I got this right lmao.

[8] 馬步 A foundational martial art stance for most sects. There’s a wiki page of it. So, uh, like a 101, everyone knows it, “martial arts for dummies” thing.

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askrhwrwe When I reached the bits at the end, I legit felt like crying. I will never complain about the other bits of this ever again. Just… never make me translate a martial arts skill book again please.

I also previously translated the book mentioned here as a “scroll” but that’s been fixed. I didn’t realize that scrolls were actually from a much older time period. Just goes to show that I should stop purposely trying to be so old-timey about all this.

/lies down. If the next chapter isn’t easy, I’m going to riot. Please be all Demonic Sect Elders’ shenanigans all the time!!

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