Ch43 - Ill-feelings

He waited patiently until someone replied.

“It’s so late and you’re still not sleeping ah, Idol. What do you mean something’s wrong with the protagonist?”

Xie Zhiwei was furious that Gallant Outlaw sounded so clueless. Here he was exhausting himself to chase the plot while the author was easy and carefree. He didn’t even get what he hoped for after putting in all that work.

Why should he be the only one to shoulder the burden?!

Like dumping garbage, Xie Zhiwei spilled everything about Mu He’s performance in the past two days in one breath to Gallant Outlaw. The author took a long time to digest his words.

“Oh…so you’re saying, Qiu Chongyun really did become his aunt…”

Xie Zhiwei was irate. “Isn’t that so? His harem member’s even calling him ‘nephew’ now. You still think she’ll climb into his bed someday?”

Gallant Outlaw gave a dry laugh and asked, timidly, “That…the hero said he wanted to come back and see you in the future?”

Xie Zhiwei grew frantic at the words. “I’m hugging his thigh now to preserve my life, but it’ll just be courting death if I do it in the future. A soy sauce character like me spent all this effort to change my fate. If he kills me after blackening, even the original novel can’t do anything about it.”

“Idol, don’t panic yet, hah,” Gallant Outlaw consoled. “Staying near the hero means staying near to the plot. If he wants to seek you out, doesn’t that mean you’ve become an important character? Not only will you have more scenes, you’ll maintain your Presence Points too. That’s great, ah.”

“Give me a break,” Xie Zhiwei categorically refused. “Compared to living in fear of my life, I’d rather spend my days peacefully being soy sauce.”

Xie Zhiwei was famous for his love and obsession with acting, so Gallant Outlaw couldn’t believe him. “Really?”

“You can’t have both fish and bear paw; in order to do something, you have to sacrifice something else. To save my life, the only choice is to avoid the plot in the later stages of the novel. Can’t you think of some good solutions?”

The other side was silent.

Xie Zhiwei gave a cold laugh. “See, even an author like you can’t do anything.”

“Idol.” Gallant Outlaw cleared his throat and ventured cautiously, “I have a bold idea…”

—

Xie Zhiwei was still awake by daybreak, tossing and turning on the bed. After transmigrating here, he relied on the fact that he had ability to sleep well every night. But tonight’s conversation with Gallant Outlaw gave him insomnia for the first time. He turned over again and finally gave up, deciding to get out for a walk. He could always try again when he got sleepy.

As he turned, he noticed that that lamp in Mu He’s room was still lit. Is he staying up late to do homework? So studious? Xie Zhiwei was afraid of disturbing Mu He, so he used spiritual power to slowly float his way over. He even checked his surroundings in case the daoist novice on night duty mistook him for a ghost and hit him—which would be humiliating. Landing before the door, he peeked through the cracks and saw Mu He pillowed on his back over his quilt, fast asleep in the position of reading a book. In his hands was the manual that Xie Zhiwei had given him before.

Xie Zhiwei couldn’t help shaking his head. The hero’s still too inexperienced. He fell asleep just like this, wouldn’t he cry if someone stole his stuff? Using spiritual energy, he tugged the manual out of Mu He’s hands before stuffing it into his robes. He was about to leave after that but swept his gaze over the teen and found that his eyes were a little red and puffy. Xie Zhiwei stood in place for a while before sighing, lifting his hand, and using spiritual power to open a cabinet. From within he took out another thin quilt and soundlessly covered Mu He’s body.

Finally, he helped him extinguish the candles.

In the darkness, Mu He’s eyelids opened a crack just in time to see a thin figure drift by outside the window. His eyes opened fully without a hint of drowsiness, though his face remained expressionless. But one hand withdrew softly and lightly rubbed the quilt before clutching it fast. The grip was firm as if this was his most important object in the world.

—

The next morning, Xie Zhiwei left the house with dark circles under his eyes. Simultaneously, Mu He left his rooms as well, carrying a wood basin full of clothes. He looked up before ducking his head and bowing with the basin. “Shizun is so early.”

“It’s not early,” Xie Zhiwei pointed at the sun right above them before noticing Mu He was carrying last night’s clothes. “Did your clothes get dirty from the grass when walking back with Master last night?”

Mu He’s head sank even lower. “Yes, disciple will go wash them now.”

What’s so embarrassing about that? My clothes are dirty with lots of mud stains, but I’m not afraid to raise my head.

Xie Zhiwei asked, “Why not have the daoist novices help you wash?”

“Grass stains are hard to get out so disciple isn’t sure they can manage it. I’ll just do it myself.”

Xie Zhiwei nodded. “Makes sense, then go ahead.”

The hero was too delicate, but it was true that grass stains were difficult to clean. If those children didn’t do a good job, the clothes would be ruined. Still, although Mu He didn’t wear crow gray robes, his clothing hues were similar to grass so there was no need to be so exact. He turned to remind the boy, only to find the courtyard empty and the figure long gone.

—

Mu He didn’t turn back as he followed the stream into the depths of the bamboo grove. At last he raised his head to reveal his dark circles beneath his eyes that were even bigger than Xie Zhiwei’s. He placed the wooden basin next to the stream before taking out the pair of pants hidden at the very bottom. He stared at the patch of white by the crotch area for a long time before pressing it into the water.

Xie Zhiwei reviewed the various bad ideas Gallant Outlaw had suggested to him last night. Truthfully speaking, he had already lost faith in this unreliable author. Because he couldn’t decide what to do, it caused him anxiety and insomnia. Now it was daytime and he felt spiritless. He spent the next few days sporting more dark circles while wandering around Summit City, feeling light enough to float away.

There was a high open area located on the southeast of Summit City. Xie Ziwei thought the spot was quite good when he strolled there by chance. Sitting down, he faced south with the slope and its thorny bamboo grove behind him. In front of him was a first class stream flowing past, where sunlight penetrated to the bottom to reveal plenty of fish and shrimp. Four scenic words popped up in Xie Zhiwei’s brain: feng shui treasure land.

There was a weeping willow tree in the corner of the clearing filled with lush leaves and branches. Xie Zhiwei squinted at the sun before moving to sit in its shade. Just when he was about to doze off against the trunk, his senses grew alert.

“Stop hiding, come out.”

A figure slowly emerged from the bamboo grove while self-consciously rubbing his hands. “Shizun.”

Xie Zhiwei was helpless as he replied, “Running about again. Did you finish cultivating today?” So annoying, following me wherever I go. His own father’s still at the guesthouse but I don’t see him treating him warmly.

Looks like I have to consider Gallant Outlaw’s suggestions. If this goes on, I’ll really end up as his nanny dad.

“Disciple has already memorized all the exercise methods.” Mu He was very worried about Xie Zhiwei’s state. A cultivator who lived for centuries should have long surpassed an ordinary state of mind and body. How could his master be so preoccupied with matters of the heart that he developed dark circles beneath his eyes?

“Not enough. Familiarity and application is only skin deep,” Xie Zhiwei said before he couldn’t resist a yawn. He rubbed his forehead and said, “Master is only mortal and there are mistakes in what I write. Your vision needs to develop beyond the confines of the scroll.”

“Disciple will remember shizun’s teachings,” Mu He paused, then urged quietly, “Shizun, the sun is too poisonous. Why don’t you go back to Suihan Lodge for a good nap?”

Xie Zhiwei was about to get up when inspiration struck and he leaned back against the tree. “No need. Go to Heavenly Sun City and invite your youngest martial uncle here.”

Mu He privately rejected the idea of inviting Chu Zhishi, but he had no choice but to obey his master. Still, he couldn’t figure out why someone perfectly fine like shizun needed to call Chu Zhishi over. The man himself was surprised as well. Usually he was the one sticking to Xie Zhiwei instead of the other way around. So even though Mu He didn’t look that welcoming, he still rushed over with a grin.

Both of them were stunned once they entered the clearing. Beneath the willow tree was a grill made out of branches and a little daoist novice building a fire. Xie Zhiwei was wearing a rice hat to keep away the sun and holding a fishing rod over the stream. Nearby, two more daoist novices were laughing as they groped in the water. A few wooden barrels by the brook were already filled with lots of large snails and river shrimp, moving and mixing freshly in the liquid.

Hearing footsteps, Xie Zhiwei made a shushing motion at Chu Zhishi and Mu He before mouthing out, Don’t move.

Chu Zhishi smiled indifferently and was about to step forward when Mu He grabbed him. He looked back in astonishment and saw the keenly unfriendly look in those eyes. Chu Zhishi paused before his lips quirked up meaningfully. He slowly undid Mu He’s fingers on his sleeve and murmured, “Just what are your origins, kid?”

Mu He stopped pretending and just smiled coldly. “It has nothing to do with you.”

Chu Zhishi arched an eyebrow and wanted to speak, but Xie Zhiwei laughed and said, “It’s done.”

He and Mu He both looked back as if the face-off never happened. Xie Zhiwei pulled on his rod until a grass carp was sent tumbling onto the grass by his side. The novice in charge of the fire ran over and picked it up. It was about one chi long. Delighted, he exclaimed, “What a big fish, zhenren is so powerful.”

Xie Zhiwei couldn’t help but sigh with emotion. There were so many ways to kill time when one was unemployed. Ah, life…

When Mu He saw Xie Zhiwei stand up, he all but jogged to his side while echoing in his heart, Shizun really is so mighty.

Chu Zhishi just chuckled and went to sit under the tree canopy. “So second senior brother knows how to fish. From now on I’ll have the fortune to eat from you.”

Xie Zhiwei took off his hat and handed it to Mu He while laughing half-heartedly. “Fishing is not easy. Youngest junior brother, this fish can’t be eaten in vain.”

“In other words, second senior brother has a request for me? So you’re bribing me on purpose?” Chu Zhishi was lying comfortably in the shade, his head pillowed on his elbows. “Sure ah, but that’ll depend on the flavor of second senior brother’s fish. I’m a picky eater.”

Mu He glared at him before muttering to Xie Zhiwei, “Disciple can help shizun do what he wants.”

Xie Zhiwei patted his head with a grin. “Master is only jesting with him, but you took it seriously.” As he spoke, he started to walk casually towards the willow. Mu He watched his back and rubbed the place where he’d been patted before following along.

When will shizun put aside seniority to joke with me too?

Xie Zhiwei carefully excluded himself from barbecue matters afterwards. It was already a risk to go fishing; he couldn’t reveal too many habits different from the original host. But the season was perfect for this hobby. After grilling the fish and shrimp, one only needed to sprinkle some salt to make the flavor extra delicious. He sat in a corner, smelling the fragrance and seemingly indifferent to the items on the grilling rack. But inside his heart was lamenting. These are the sorrows of lofty figures removed from the mortal plane. I have to think up an excuse just to eat some meat.

Chu Zhishi was fiddling with snails while sharing gossip. “A few days ago something strange happened. The house where the mystery guest was living got a huge hole in its roof.”

Xie Zhiwei and Mu He exchanged glances but the latter pretended to be dumb and deaf as he went to fetch firewood.

Without changing his tone, Xie Zhiwei asked, “Something like that happened?”

Chu Zhishi didn’t even look up, his eyes seemingly glued to the grill. “I don’t know what’s so sacrosanct about that mystery guest. Even that old monk Du Sheng isn’t spilling a word. If I hadn’t heard the fuss that night after finding him for a chat, I wouldn’t have known it happened at all. I brought people to search all the way down the mountain but found nothing.”

“Your curiosity is too strong, maybe it was a false alarm?” Xie Zhiwei didn’t want Qiu Chongyun to go offline now. As long as the girl was still alive, there was still hopes of salvaging her love line.

Chu Zhishi picked up two jumbo shrimp and gave it a sniff before nodding in satisfaction. Then he glanced down the slope and saw Mu He bending down to pick up branches. He scooted closer to Xie Zhiwei and remarked, “Senior brother, your disciple’s not simple, ah.”

“How can you tell?”

“Is second senior brother playing dumb with me?” Chu Zhishi placed the shrimps in Xie Zhiwei’s hands and stared into his eyes. “Or do you think I’m stupid? We’re both elders of the sect with heavy responsibilities. What’s the big deal you have to hide?”

“How is senior brother supposed to feel about your words?” Xie Zhiwei sighed. “I’ve never harmed others and everything I do is for the sake of the daoist sect.”

Eyes hooded, he looked at the shrimp in his hands. His expression had the same helpless grief of being bullied by the Bai father and son duo.

Chu Zhishi’s flames withered at the sight. “I’m just curious, that’s all. But I’ve never doubted senior brother’s intentions. If you don’t want to say, I’ll just stop asking.”

Xie Zhiwei secretly exhaled. Thank goodness Chu Zhishi usually worries about Xie Zhiwei the most. It’d be hard to fool him otherwise. But his words were right—making the hero stronger meant that Chu Zhishi would hug a thicker thigh in the future. In the end, didn’t the daoist sect benefit from it all?

Cheese bro, in the future you won’t be able to thank me fast enough.

Xie Zhiwei was about to continue the conversation when Mu He strode over and dropped the firewood with a clatter. Glaring at Chu Zhishi, he demanded, “What did you say to shizun to make him look so troubled?”

Chu Zhishi looked up as his expression began to turn ugly. Xie Zhiwei was frantic—what’s going on here?! The hero was so hostile to Chu Zhishi when the man already suspected him. If this went on, how were the two supposed to be the golden combo of big bro-lil bro in the future?

Right now the two were eight poles apart. Even if they had no good impressions of each other, they shouldn’t have any conflicts of interests, ah.

Xie Zhiwei quickly got up and told Mu He, “Nothing, come eat shrimp.” As he spoke, he grabbed one and stuffed it in Mu He’s mouth.

Then he sucked in a cold breath.

The hero…should have a fish and shrimp allergy?

—

The author has something to say: I suddenly realized that Mu He gave his first time to his right hand…

Translator’s Note: *cough* Author, please…

Alas, we won’t find out Gallant Outlaw’s big idea until later. Hey hey, what do you think he suggested? :3