Chapter 26

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

So it doesn’t have anything to do with this chapter, but I had an epiphany <del>while procrastinating</del> and realized that the 少 (shao) in “Li Shao” is most likely an honorific, the shortened (and more familiar) form of “Young Master”, which makes 9000 times more sense. (I’ve been wondering this whole time why his name sounded so strange!!) All instances of this has been changed.

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Qin Yuemian often messed around together with those pack of scoundrels, so he was very familiar with matters involving beautiful people.

He asked, “Does Junior Brother Ah-Xiao have any impressions of Suoxin House[1]?”

Ye You made a guess, “Lady Tao is related to Suoxin House?”

“Yes, Suoxin House’s House Master is Lady Tao’s blood-related older sister,” Qin Yuemian said, “Suoxin House accepts only women, and the house itself has one rule, that one can’t fall in love. A few years ago, there was a disciple who secretly promised herself to another, so by all rights, she should’ve gotten punished. On this, Lady Tao disagreed with her sister, and while no one knows the exact course of events, in the end, Lady Tao left Suoxin House. That woman was released by the House Master, and now her children are even old enough to run.”

Ye You asked, “Suoxin House didn’t change its rule?”

“They didn’t change it,” Qin Yuemian said, “But some say that Lady Tao made a bet with her sister, to prove that intimate relationships between men and women won’t always lead to suffering. If she wins, then her sister will change the rule. But even now, this remains conjecture, as Lady Tao has never acknowledged it. In short, since that time, she has treated the world as her home and never returned to Suoxin House…”

Before his voice had even stopped, within the forest, the sound of the qin suddenly turned sharp, as if it could cut skin, even inducing some stabbing pain in the chest.

Wenren Heng got somewhat closer to his Junior Brother and told the other not to listen. Ye You didn’t need the reminder, as his body automatically reacted, using his internal energy as a shield. Meanwhile, the Alliance Leader raised his voice to report his name and the purpose for coming, and only then did the qin’s sound slow.

Everyone let out a breath and patted their chests.

Ye You asked, “Does she practice the Sound-Killing Technique[2]?”

Qin Yuemian nodded. “She learned it from her sister.”

Ye You was interested in feeling this person out so as to see if he can remember anything, so he ended up asking for her real name[3].

Qin Yuemian couldn’t help but wink at him. “This is also something no one knows. We all refer to her as Lady Tao. There have been many people who have asked her this before, and she always replied that only her future husband had the qualifications to know. Junior Brother Ah-Xiao, why not try asking?”

Wenren Heng gave him a look.

Qin Yuemian startled and hastily added, “But it’s probably too late if you go now. Everyone has guessed that Sect Master Ye already knows it.”

“…” Wenren Heng had some regrets about giving him that look.

In the next moment, a certain person suddenly gained an interest.

Ye You asked, “Why is that? I remember that she was willing to dance the Fengqi Dance for Sect Master Ye?”

“Yes, it’s said to be extremely beautiful. Only a mere glimpse of its graceful qualities will become an unforgettable experience for a lifetime.” Qin Yuemian clicked his tongue and said, “I really don’t know how Sect Master Ye did it. Anyway, I always thought that Lady Tao was moved by him, that she fell for him.”

Ye You repeated the words, “Moved by him?”

Qin Yuemian laughed and said, “Of course, if Sect Master Ye wants to seek someone’s favor, his tricks aren’t lacking. Oh, that’s right, it was originally right here at this Luohua Lake. You see that there are many peach trees growing over there, right?”

Ye You looked over, and past a few pines and cypresses were, sure enough, a row of peach trees by the lakeside. Only, it’s a pity that right now their flowering season was already over, so the beautiful scenery of blooming peach blossoms[4] was unable to be seen.

Just by listening, the scarred man knew what Qin Yuemian wanted to say and couldn’t help but interrupt with, “We’re almost there, so don’t let Lady Tao overhear.”

Ye You said, all smiles, “No problem, we can walk slower, and speak more quietly.”

The scarred man didn’t dare to say too much and surreptitiously looked at the Sect Master. Seeing that the other’s expression was the same as usual, even turning somewhat more tender, he couldn’t help but break out in cold sweat. He thought that the Sect Master was clearly not happy, so why wasn’t he trying to stop this conversation?

Wenren Heng never thought to stop this conversation because whenever this Junior Brother of his wanted to know something, he’d definitely think of a way to know it. But although he couldn’t stop it, he also didn’t want to say it himself.

At this time, Ye You was already beginning to ask about the matter with the peach blossoms. Upon learning that these were all newly planted later, he laughed and said, “It can’t be Sect Master Ye who planted them, right?”

Qin Yuemian said, “It’s not, but they’re here only because of Sect Master Ye.”

He pointed at the lakeside. “Can you see it? Within those peach trees are also some pear trees. Before, there were originally only pear trees. At that time, Sect Master Ye and Lady Tao met there, and for the sake of obtaining a beautiful person’s smile, he painted colors unto the falling pear blossom petals. All the petals that had fallen into the lake were painted, not a single one was white; he had dyed all of them pink, just like peach blossoms. It’s said that afterwards many others also tried but not a one succeeded. This is how incredible Sect Master Ye’s lightness skill is.”

Ye You thought about that scene.

Qin Yuemian continued with, “This lake was originally called Small Hut Lake[5], since there’s a small hut village nearby. Sect Master Ye said that such a beautiful place might as well be called Luohua — Falling Flowers — Lake[6]. After the matter was spread, everyone ended up calling it by this name, and some people even planted peach trees. Every spring, it now draws over many people, and now it’s become a lake for destined marriages.”

Ye You gave a laugh. “Oh, so as it turns out, Sect Master Ye has also done such an…”

Wenren Heng finally couldn’t help but look at his Junior Brother.

“…unconventional thing.” Ye You’s words had changed in his mouth from “incomparably worthwhile thing” into “unconventional”, with no idea what had compelled that change. Laughing again, he then tacked on, “Seeing how Lady Tao can make Sect Master Ye treat her this way, I must meet her at least once.”

Wenren Heng turned away, too tired to pay attention to the other.

Qin Yuemian was completely unaware of the tensions bubbling to the surface. He said, “What’s more, since Lady Tao likes watching the rain, Sect Master Ye even once extravagantly rented Qinlou’s Rain-watching Terrace for the sake of accompanying Lady Tao to watch the rain. At the time, it truly made many people envious to death.”

Ye You’s expression was somewhat subtle, and he couldn’t imagine himself ever doing things to such a degree for another person. He asked, “So it looks like this Sect Master Ye really likes Lady Tao?”

Qin Yuemian said, “It’s unclear. Both of them say that they’re only close friends, but even close friends aren’t like this, isn’t that right?”

Ye You laughed and said, “That’s true. What does Senior Brother think?”

I think you need to be taught a lesson. Wenren Heng raised his eyes and looked at the other, and in his gentle voice, not a single drop of anger could be heard. “This is something only the person in question knows. We’ve arrived. Let’s stop talking for now.”

Ye You observed his face for a moment and, not seeing anything wrong, listened obediently.

 

Within the woods was a pavilion, which had been built by people after Luohua Lake’s reputation had been established.

Right now, Lady Tao was in the pavilion practicing her qin.

She was wearing white clothes and a peach blossom hairpin atop her head. The image she gave off was picturesque, as if free from the constraints of the world, completely deserving of the title, “The Most Beautiful Person in Jiangnan”.

Just now, she had heard the noisy clamor of people along with a few excited “Lady Tao”s mixed in, so thinking she had been disturbed, she added some internal energy into her qin’s sound. Upon learning that it was the Alliance Leader’s party, she retracted her hostility.

Naturally, she was also clear on the major events that had recently occurred in Jianghu, and she politely nodded her head at them. “Alliance Leader, looking for that rare book has brought you here?”

The Alliance Leader felt somewhat like sighing.

Now, the entirety of Jianghu knew that they had gotten a map, and even the demonic faction had a few members secretly following along with them. Although matters were indeed very urgent, to such people like Lady Tao who were indifferent to worldly matters, she probably thought that they looked very silly. But there was no helping it. Both the Lantern-Extinguishing Poison and Pursued Until Scattered were extremely important matters, and they absolutely must be investigated until the end.

He said, “We’re simply passing through. Since the lady is here, we won’t disturb the lady any further.”

Lady Tao originally also didn’t want to yield the space to them, but at this time, she suddenly swept her eyes over and pinpointed Ye You among the crowd. Immediately, she said, “Wait.”

Everyone stopped.

The scarred man and those Elders saw that her gaze was in the direction of the Sect Master, and their hearts rose, afraid that a certain someone’s identity would be exposed and lead to a chaotic fight.

Lady Tao lifted her qin. “I just so happen to be leaving. If all of you want to avoid the rain, I’ll leave the pavilion to you.”

The Alliance Leader said, “But since it’s about to rain, wouldn’t it be better for the lady to wait before leaving?”

“It’s not necessary.” Lady Tao stepped out of the small pavilion and directly went in front of Wenren Heng and Ye You. The hearts of the scarred man and those Elders had risen all the way to their throats, and they were already making preparations for a fight when they heard, simply, “Sect Master Wenren, since we hadn’t finished our discussion about the qin’s score[7] last time, why don’t we talk about it now?”

The group collectively stared, wide-eyed.

Wenren Heng was very calm. Underneath everyone’s envious gazes, he laughed and made an “after you” gesture.

The two thereupon walked off, speaking as they went, quickly traveling a distance away from the small pavilion.

Even if Wenren Heng was irritated deep down by the presence of another, even going so far as to wish fervently for the opposing party to disappear right this instant, he still wouldn’t show a trace of it on his face. It simply manifested as a complete lack of interest in exchanging pleasantries with the other person. He thus went straight to the point, “Lady Tao, calling me out like this, do you have some business?”

Lady Tao asked, “What happened to him?”

Wenren Heng was surprised. “I don’t understand the lady’s meaning. Who is ‘him’ referring to?”

Lady Tao stared at him for a few moments and said, “Before, he wanted me to give him a certain thing. If you don’t know, then forget it.”

Wenren Heng politely said, “Yes, I hope the lady takes care[8].”

“…” Lady Tao stiffened. She thought that her suspicions from the past weren’t wrong, and that this person definitely bore some kind of hostility towards her. Although it wasn’t visible, it was still sometimes enough to choke people to death. She gave up on resisting, pulled out a bottle, and handed it over. “Give it to him then.”

This time, Wenren Heng didn’t play ignorant. Opening it, he sniffed and asked, “This is?”

“Suoxin House’s Concentration Dew[9],” Lady Tao said, “Young ladies often enjoy indulging in flights of fancy. The Concentration Dew is something Suoxin House devised to use for meditation. Last time he said he wanted a bottle. I also don’t know what he wants to do.”

Wenren Heng asked, “When was this? He didn’t say anything else?”

“On the third month. At the time, he said he was just about to go do something.” Lady Tao looked at her own qin and let out a faint sigh. “That person’s thoughts are too difficult to guess. If he has something he doesn’t want to say, then no matter how much someone asks, they’ll never get an answer. When I saw he didn’t say, I didn’t ask any further.”

Wenren Heng had a profound understanding of such things and made a sound in agreement.

Lady Tao said, “He also said that if in the future I saw you two together to just give it to you. What happened to him?”

Wenren Heng said, “He got a bit injured.”

Lady Tao immediately asked, worried, “Is it serious?”

“I’ll take good care of him,” Wenren Heng sidestepped the question and then burned the bridge after he crossed it, saying, “If this lady has nothing else, then I’ll go back now.”

Lady Tao was silent for a while. Before the other left, she said, “Sect Master Wenren, although I don’t know what exactly is the relationship between you two, I can tell that he’s always cared about matters pertaining to you.”

Wenren Heng watched as she walked far away and slowly stroked the porcelain bottle in his hands. As he walked back, he also considered her words, not daring to think too deeply — he and his Junior Brother had spent so many years together in their master’s sect, and many things happened during that time, so his Junior Brother would inevitably somewhat care about him. That’s a very normal thing. If he thought about it too much, then he’d be the one who’d end up with internal injuries.

But according to what Lady Tao said, his Junior Brother knew that the events taking place now would happen, and probably also anticipated his own memory loss, having already made the decision to give his amnesiac self to the other.

After thinking this through, the worries in Wenren Heng’s heart decreased by no small amount. That Junior Brother of his had always been clever; since he already laid out the chessboard, he probably already had a scheme prepared to resolve everything.

A short time later, the rain started falling pitter-patter down.

The female adventurers all went inside the small pavilion, while the men casually built a makeshift grass shelter to block the rain for a bit.

Elder Mei had stuck a goatee on her face and, on her body, wore some tattered hemp clothing, all the while holding a morning star[10] in her hands. She said, “I want to enter the pavilion.”

“…” The remaining Elders looked at her. “Endure it.”

Elder Mei said, face solemn, “I’m also a woman.”

The Elders were silent for a long while before feebly changing the subject, “…What’s that… Ah, that’s right, what was Lady Tao doing, seeking out Wenren Heng? Was their relationship really that good?”

“As if, who have you ever seen Wenren Heng worry about…” Elder Mei got caught by their changed subject and, after pausing a moment, added, “That’s right, he and the Sect Master have fought before. If we look at it this way, then wouldn’t that mean it’s even more likely there’s something between him and the Sect Master?”

The remaining people deeply felt that this made some sense, and they couldn’t help looking in the direction of Wenren Heng. Seeing this person carrying a shallow smile and conversing with the Sect Master, looking for all the world as if he was in a good mood, they felt that the more they looked, the more problems they had. And after a while, they started feeling like giving him a beating.

Ye You also found that his Senior Brother had become quite happy upon returning and so asked, “What did you two talk about?”

Wenren Heng’s face didn’t change. “Didn’t you hear it just now? We were talking about a book of qin scores.”

Ye You asked, “Which scores?”

Wenren Heng responded with, “A surviving page from a difficult to find book.”

Ye You maintained his suspicious attitude and tried asking a few more sentences, but upon discovering that they kept going around in circles, he shut up. Wenren Heng laughed and had his subordinates find an outer garment for the other to block the rain, and he accompanied the other in standing around. Ye You glanced at the color of the sky. “It probably won’t stop anytime soon.”

Wenren Heng said, “They’ve already started looking for boatmen. Spending a bit more money isn’t an issue.”

The map said that after passing through Luohua Lake, going all the way around would be quite a distance, so they might as well just directly take a boat. While the Alliance Leader helped everyone avoid the rain, he also sent a team to go look for boatmen in the nearby village, and the team would return before long.

For a while, Ye You listened to the swishing sound of the rain hitting the trees before suddenly asking, “Before, was there a mountain where we lived, and on the mountain, there was a road paved with flagstones that led directly to a pavilion?

Wenren Heng was faintly startled. “There was. You remembered it?”

Ye You shook his head. He simply remembered the dream that he previously had[11].

Right after losing his memory, the only dream he had during that time was of a verdant mountain and a small pavilion, with rain coming down outside just like this. He asked, “Before, did I go there often?”

Wenren Heng said, “Occasionally, you’d go there to read. After you fell ill, I’d bring you there every day to sit for a while.”

Ye You looked at him. “In the end, how did my illness get cured?”

Wenren Heng said, “They’ve returned.”

“…” Ye You internally thought that the way you changed the subject was really too obvious and lifted his head to look, finding that those who had gone to look for boatmen had indeed returned. Everyone then rushed to the river bank and got on the boats according to the Alliance Leader’s arrangement of groups.

As before, the female adventurers went first. As Manor Lord Wei’s daughter, Wei Jiangrou took the initiative to request to go last and let the other young ladies go in front of her. At first, Manor Lord Wei felt very gratified by this act, but reality quickly slapped him in the face, because the only reason his daughter did such a thing was to sit in the same boat as Wenren Heng.

Wei Jiangrou looked at the empty space in the boat and waved to Wenren Heng, “Brother Heng, you and Ah-Xiao come over. Ah-Xiao’s injured, so it’s better not to let him get rained on.”

Everyone in the surroundings all hurried to agree, urging Sir Ah-Xiao to go over, since after all the man looked far too miserable. Helplessly, Manor Lord Wei also spoke a sentence in support. Thus, Wenren Heng couldn’t refuse and brought the person on the boat. After not speaking with him for a long time, Wei Jiangrou felt her heart gradually warm as she watched him come over, and she immediately threw aside the “lantern” that she had used as an excuse, turning all her attention on his person.

Just as she was about to sit a bit closer, who knew that another person would get on the boat from the shore, directly crossing over where she was sitting, with not a single hint of politeness.

Wei Jiangrou, “…”

The Young Miracle Doctor became aware of someone staring at him, and he returned her gaze blankly.

Ye You’s policy was that a good man didn’t fight with women. So as to stop this little fool from being stared at until holes were burned in, he grabbed this person by the back collar and sat the other down next to him, patting the other’s shoulder to indicate that no questions should be asked. Afterwards, he feigned nonexistence, quietly looking at the surface of the lake, feeling the parts of his bandages that have gotten wet.

In a blink, Wenren Heng noticed his movements. “Is it uncomfortable?”

Ye You said, “It’s all right.”

Wenren Heng said, “Has it reached your injuries?”

Ye You said, “A little.”

Wenren Heng faintly furrowed his brows. He elegantly threw the Young Miracle Doctor back and sat in the other’s seat.

After a few short breaths, the Young Miracle Doctor was once again sitting face to face with Wei Jiangrou, even more at a loss.

Wei Jiangrou, “…”

Wenren Heng didn’t pay attention to them. He held his Junior Brother’s shoulder and had the other turn his back to face him, unraveling the bandages to look at the injuries. On the boat sat five or six female adventurers. Although they were all somewhat curious about the state of Sir Xiao’s injuries, they were all tactful enough upon seeing this scene that they didn’t look, instead softly talking amongst each other.

Wei Jiangrou bit her lips. Feeling unresigned, she rushed over, wanting to see what this person looked like at least. She asked, “How is Ah-Xiao? Nothing’s wrong, right…”

She had spoken only halfway when she suddenly came into contact with that villainous face. Her pupils contracted, and at once, she let out a sound, moving back half a step, looking at the other in astonishment. The others immediately turned to look at her. Fortunately, with Sir Xiao’s back to them, they didn’t know the specifics of what happened, believing that she had simply been frightened. They also felt somewhat disapproving, thinking that she was much too lacking in manners.

They couldn’t help but steal a glance at Wenren Heng’s expression.

Wenren Heng carefully helped his Junior Brother rewrap the bandages. Without lifting his head, he said, “He’s fine.”

It took Wei Jiangrou a long while to react and realize that this was a reply to her previous question. Pale-faced, she sat back down and, from then on, didn’t speak another word. Thus, after everyone had crossed the river, Wei Jiangyue found that his sister looked somewhat dazed and hastily asked, “What is it?”

Wei Jiangrou looked at him in despair, with a tearful expression. “I saw Ah-Xiao’s face…”

Wei Jiangyue startled and heard his sister, choked with sobs, adding, “Why does he look like that.” At the same time, that same face flashed through his mind, and feeling his heart soften, he patted his sister on the head, internally thinking that you ought to give up after this.

 

After coming ashore, everyone found a place to rest for one night. On the second day, they continued hurrying along the road, not stopping to rest.

During this time, Wenren Heng found the opportunity to give the Young Miracle Doctor the medicine that Lady Tao had gifted, asking if it would help his Junior Brother with his illness. After learning that apparently it did provide some help, Wenren Heng felt his heart ease a bit, more and more certain that his Junior Brother had made advance preparations.

Unwittingly, they also successfully completed the third piece of the map. After was the fourth piece of the map, and they followed the previously established way of drawing routes to continue their journey. When they came to the fifth piece, other than getting rid of the extraneous paths, they also had to go through a tunnel constructed by human hands.

Among the crowd, the well-traveled sized up both sides of the stone wall and were extremely suspicious that this was a dug-out tomb. Everyone immediately felt an intermittent chill in the air, afraid that a jiangshi[12] would suddenly jump out in front of them.

Luckily, this road wasn’t long. With their hearts in their mouths, they finally managed to get through it without injury. Everyone raised their heads and saw that in front of them was a valley encircled by a mountain range. Other than the tunnel, there were no other paths, and they couldn’t help but look at the Alliance Leader.

The Alliance Leader said, “The fifth piece ends right here.”

Everyone took a deep breath, hands tightly gripped into fists, and, with eyes shining, looked towards Academy Master Ge.

Academy Master Ge didn’t impede their efforts and pulled out the sixth piece of the map — the person who placed the book perhaps also considered that the person holding the last piece might send people ahead, thus only a few lines were written on there. The approximate meaning was that they’d reach the destination after climbing up to the top of a mountain, and this person would be waiting right there for them.

Everyone had bottled up an entire journey’s worth of anger. Upon hearing Academy Master Ge read out the sentence, “This old man will quietly wait for everyone’s imperial carriage,” they unconsciously moved their fists, internally thinking wait for us, we absolutely must give you a beating!

They felt as if their entire bodies had been energized, and after inquiring about the direction, they immediately began climbing the mountain.

After the mountain was a forest. After walking forward a hundred or so steps, they saw a small, stone-paved road, winding and stretching far off into the distance. They all felt that they’d definitely find that old fellow by following this road and so wanted to quickly hurry over, full of joy and expectation. But right at this time, they heard the faint sound of footsteps, and a person came walking over from a corner up ahead. They shouted, “Who?”

Everyone paused and collectively looked at him.

That person looked around forty, very slender, with somewhat pale cheeks, as if there was no vitality in his face. With the addition of his slanted eyes, he gave off a sinister and incisive feeling. Seeing a group of people suddenly appear, he immediately startled.

Within the crowd, a few people’s expressions changed. “It’s Blood-sucking Ghost[13]!”

“Ah, it’s Blood-sucking Ghost!”

“What, Blood-sucking Ghost?”

Ye You looked inquiringly at his Senior Brother.

Wenren Heng had long narrowed his eyes to look at his Junior Brother, not knowing what exactly this had to do with the other.

Ye You asked, “Who is this?”

Wenren Heng said, “Blood-sucking Ghost. It’s the one I previously told you about who absorbed the blood of young boys and girls. This is him.”

Ye You was astonished. “Didn’t you say he died?”

“At that time, he certainly did die,” Wenren Heng said and looked to the front.

The Manor Lord Wei who had taken the lead also rigidly looked at this person, feeling as if the old scar on his arm was suddenly throbbing with pain, disturbing him so much that even his expression seemed somewhat warped. Clenching his teeth, he said, “…You actually didn’t die?”

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[1] 鎖心樓 lit. Locked Heart House, or somesuch.

[2] 音殺之術 This is written in a way that makes me suspect this isn’t so much a technique/skill name as a common wuxia term, but since I’m not sure what else to call it, here, have my weirdly direct translation.

[3] Text actually says 芳名, which from what I can tell (via Baidu) is just a nicer way to refer to female names. But, from the next words that Qin Yuemian says, I suspect this is used since “Lady Tao” is probably a “stage name” she used during her time at Suoxin House, so in this case Ye You is specifically asking for her “real name”.

[4] Remember, the “Tao” in Lady Tao’s name literally means peach. (Peach blossoms are also often used as symbols of love in Chinese. So, uh, yeah.)

[5] 小窩棚湖 Since Qin Yuemian is explaining the meaning of this, I just translated it instead of pinyin’ing it.

[6] I wanted to keep some consistency here but also be clear about the meaning of the place, so I included both the pinyin and the English translation. I’ll go back to using exclusively pinyin after this.)

[7] 琴譜 (qinpu) Music sheets for the qin, if it’s not clear. Collected in book format.

[8] Oof, this is a difficult sentiment to convey in English. Wenren Heng actually just says, 姑娘慢走, which just literally translates to, “Lady, walk slowly.” But the 慢走 here is a (sort of) polite thing to say after people part. Kind of like a “Be careful on your way home” sort of thing. Basically, Wenren Heng is saying, “Bye,” in an almost polite way, but since he says it so abruptly it’s pretty obvious he’s being super insincere.

[9] 凝神露 The 凝神 here means something like “(with) deep/strong focus/attention”. 露 is dew/nectar. Since it’s the same 露 in Hundred-Grass Dew, I just translated it as dew.

[10] 狼牙棒 lit. wolf’s teeth club. Literally a club with spikes on it. Here’s a picture. A morning star is the closest English equivalent that I could find. (Morning stars are usually characterized by spiked balls, but you get the picture.) Not to be confused with flails! Which are basically spiked ball + chain.

[11] Whoa, what a Chekhov’s Gun. This is a reference to chapter one’s dream sequence, which I should probably TLC now that I’ve gotten my Chinese reading skills back (mostly), since I have a vague feeling I mangled it back then.

[12] 殭屍 A Chinese zombie-vampire. While it shares traits both with western zombies and vampires, it’s a unique creature all on its own, so I left it as pinyin. If you’ve ever watched Shaman King, these are the creatures that Tao Ren’s family controls.

[13] 吸血老鬼 This is actually essentially the Chinese word for vampire (with added 老 as an expletive), but I decided to just directly translate it since it’s being used as a title here. Also, I don’t think this matters to anyone but me, but the 吸 here is the same one used in the previous chapter’s “Absorbing and Plucking Skill”, and “sucking” is definitely a more accurate way to translate it, but I thought “Sucking and Plucking” sounded way too weird for a skill name. So I went with “absorbing” (and wrote “absorbing blood” instead of “sucking blood” for namedrop purposes). Of course, here “Blood-sucking” clearly sounds better than “Blood-absorbing” so I’m going with that, but now it’s become inevitably inconsistent. Oh well.

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My office is now closed for an indefinite amount of time because of COVID-19. You’d think this’d give me more time to translate, but instead I choose to trade away my newly acquired free time for more sleep. #priorities

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