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A Calamity for All Living Things
《A Calamity for All Living Things》was a three-part story whose main premise was the cultivation of immortality.
In addition to the theme of positive self-improvement, it also held the princ.i.p.al of not tolerating evil, and promoted a tenacious and unyielding ideology. It had only started ten months ago. The author didn’t even partic.i.p.ate in popular net activities.
As a result, it was also known by a different name. It was called “Writings of a Buddhist Monk”.
During this period of time, many forums were entirely filled with the Ministry of Radio and Broadcasting’s positive teaching materials.
[Comment: It doesn’t violate any of the country’s policies. It can be said to be a model for web writing.]
[Comment: The main protagonist uses his intellect over his feelings. He is not a stallion (1) and isn’t overly sensational. Among novels, this is very uncommon.]
[Comment: He doesn’t have too much of a gold finger (2) and the scenes aren’t too shocking. The only drawback is that the relationships are a bit lacking in energy.]
Since it didn’t cross any of those lines, the storyline itself had to be compelling.
Five large sects existed side by side within Zhu Feng (3). Hidden in the shadows, conspirators extended their claws in order to devastate all living things.
Danger lurked on every side. Using a long-lost set of healing techniques, the main protagonist rescued everyone from the calamity, dispelled the misunderstandings of each faction, and uncovered the conspirators behind the scenes, thus unifying all the groups of cultivators in Zhu Feng.
He was worthy of praise. Jun Yan was neither a saint, nor a hypocrite. He neither killed everyone down to the last man, but he also wasn’t soft-hearted. However, he was rather conservative in respect to his private life. Although he had a.s.sociated with a few women, between them there were only hazy feelings. He avoided immorality, maintained his composure, and never crossed any boundaries.
[Tweet: The mult.i.tude of stallion writings continues to increase and circulate their writings. 《A Calamity for All Living Things》is like a clear stream; a completely new experience. ]
There wasn’t any pressure to post and it was suitable to be read by both men and women. Thus the novel became more and more popular. In the end it climbed up the front page of Nan Pin top postings, receiving thousands and thousands of views.
Wen Jing was also one of those many readers.
Returning on the road home at the end of the school day he accessed his cell phone and saw an update waiting for him. The hour-long bus ride was sufficient for him to carefully read it once through and then read it through again.
But it wasn’t enough.
As a fourteen year old middle school student growing up in an ordinary salary worker household, Wen Jing’s allowance was pitiful. He didn’t have the money to spend here and there, as a result he could only read this one novel.
He read very seldom and never commented, but no other person could compare with his knowledge of the story.
The writing was very good, all foreshadowing was carefully resolved. The only thing he couldn’t understand was that《A Calamity for All Living Things》was labelled ‘Dark’ (4). However, in the end, how was it dark?
Today was the grand conclusion to 《A Calamity for All Living Things》. Wen Jing hopped onto the bus and impatiently opened his cell phone. He wanted to know, in the end, who were the conspirators behind the scenes? Which girl would Jun Yan get together with? With luck, maybe at the end of the novel there would be a few lines not suited for younger readers.
After nearly a year’s worth of reading, he really wasn’t ready for it to finish.
Reading with intense focus, Wen Jing didn’t notice the sudden strong winds that had begun to blow outside. He unconsciously pulled his clothing tight, his view locked onto the screen of his cell phone.
The bus moved slowly but suddenly it began to rock violently. Wen Jing’s cell phone was flung to the ground and he cried out as he noticed what was going on around him.
“What’s going on?”
“What happened?”
In the violent shaking, Wen Jing blankly looked outward only to see the entire city sink into a panic. Pedestrians fell over each other as they ran. Falling to the ground, they shouted and continuously cried out for help.
At that time, a deafening sound suddenly exploded in his head. As if in slow motion, the bus with him in it uncontrollably flipped over. The squeezing pain from the collision covered his entire body. Suddenly, something hit the back of his head and Wen Jing blacked out.
After an unknown length of time, warm white rays of light filled his drifting consciousness.
A warm and shy voice whispered into his ear.
“Shifu (5) has already reached his limit, he will soon follow his disciples.”
The silhouettes of close relatives became clear in his mind and then gradually faded until they disappeared.
In the dimness, Wen Jing slowly followed a group of white b.a.l.l.s of light.
……in his final moments of life, he unexpectedly remembered that he had not yet read the grand finale of 《A Calamity for All Living Things》.
“Qing Xu sword sect was located on spirit grounds in southwest Zhu Feng. It had been in existence for a long time.
Several thousand years ago, an unknown number of skilled people climbed a mountain and gasped in amazement. In agreement, they attempted to seize this place, start a sect, and open a school. However, those who arrived in high spirits returned in disappointment. As it turns out, the beautiful main peak of the mountain range was occupied by a cyan python. All day long at the summit it absorbed sun and moon essence. Several thousand years later it obtained the ability to transform its form due to this cultivation. Although this python did not take human lives, its disposition was naughty and mischievous. It would play with the cultivators from the mountain and then run away after leaving them in a pitiful state. Everyone was dissatisfied with this and a.s.sembled to head out and ma.s.sacre this python. In the end, the python’s fierce nature was aroused and several people were bitten. Since then, the cultivators no longer dared to place a single foot on Xun Yang mountain.
Four thousand years later, an idle daoist (7) Qing XuZi (8) on his journey pa.s.sed this place. Climbing the mountain to take in the view, he met with this injured python.
Liking this python’s spiritual nature, he desired to subdue its heart. Not willing to hurt it, he captured the python seven times and released it another seven times. This beast, who was originally filled with hostility towards this Qing XuZi, bit him countless times. After seeing that he time and time again refused to retaliate, it unexpectedly became ashamed. Afterwards, feeling sentimental, and after being freed for the final time, it stopped at his feet and refused to leave. As a result Qing XuZi settled down on Xun Yang mountain and founded the Qing Xu sword sect. Two hundred years later, Qing XuZi and the python disappeared together.
Due to the long history, no one knew anymore what Qing XuZi looked like. Nowadays the sect consecrated their ancestral master’s portrait upon which was drawn the appearance of a clear and refined daoist of no more than thirty years wearing a cyan robe. At his side was coiled an immense divine python. It was an impressive picture.
Several hundred years later, the majority of disciple descendants had mediocre apt.i.tudes. Unexpectedly, they didn’t have a single person who could a.s.sume responsibility for the sect. Rebelling against Qing XuZi’s legacy, they began to fight over the remaining several inheritance ancient scrolls, devastating the sect. Among these, Hong XiuFeng was framed and compelled to run away. He took away with him Qing XuZi’s remaining two ancient scrolls.
At this time, foreign enemies who had been observing from a distance took advantage of this time of weakness and invaded the sect. Everyone in Qing Xu was completely disheartened. The eldest disciple daoist Ku Mu (9) promptly exited the mountain pa.s.s to fight. From then on, Qing Xu sword sect had its first nascent soul (10) cultivator. It was possible for the nascent soul to exit the human body and go on a mental journey thousands of miles away. Qing Xu sword sect’s reputation increased dramatically. No one would dare provoke it anymore.”
——taken from 《A Calamity for All Living Things》 Chapter One.
Wen Jing raised his head to look towards that not too distant place surrounded by dense fog. Several peaks lay in that direction. Tall and erect, they reached through the clouds. Thinking to himself, he seemed to recall a certain pa.s.sage.
It wasn’t that his memory was good, but that in those days while waiting for updates, he would frequently begin reading again from the first chapter.
Wen Jing looked up. A moist wind brushed his face and left faint traces of coolness.
On the horizon, dark clouds roiled. It was probably going to rain…..
From within the hut came the gentle voice of an old man: “Jing’er, hurry and come inside.”
“……ok.”
Wen Jing neatly tidied up the courtyard. Already, raindrops had began to fall here and there. Using his hands to shield his head, he returned step by step to the hut at a moderate pace.
It was important that his conduct be reasonable. He couldn’t be anxious or panicky. Even further he couldn’t allow his mind to be disordered. He had to stick to his role.
He should come, if possible, he should always come…..
A grey haired old man sat on one side of a table arranging a bowl and chopsticks: “Shut the door well and come and eat.”
“Ok.”
Wen Jing very slowly approached the front of the table.
His current name was Lu Jing. He was thirteen years old this year.
This good-natured old man arranging the bowl and chopsticks was his paternal grandfather, Lu YunFei.
Wen Jing closed the door. Using a ladle he scooped water out from a jar and used it to wash his hands. He sat up straight at the dining table, and asked while smiling: “Yeye, what delicious thing did you make today?”
The old man brushed his nose. Contented, his face wrinkled as he smiled: “You’re such a glutton.”
” Haha…..”
This scene of domestic bliss before his eyes was so realistic. It would almost make you believe that this was a mutually dependent grandpa and grandson, a poor but warm family.
If he hadn’t read 《A Calamity for All Living Things》, he would’ve believed this as well.
Authors notes:
The beginning history of 《A Calamity for All Living Things》 and the structure of each peak was drawn from 《Zhu Xian》, which was written a long time ago. The opening text of《Zhu Xian》was the inspiration for this entire chapter. Once the truth is exposed you will see the reason why and why it cannot be changed. I can only say that it is paying respect to 《Zhu Xian》(13). Half of the cultivation levels and worldviews are borrowed from 《A Record of a Mortal’s Journey to Immortality》 and the other half is fabrication.
TN notes:
1. Those heroes who somehow end up attracting and seducing hordes of random beautiful sometimes powerful women. *cough* Yun Che *cough*
2. Cheats. An unusually overpowered ability held only by the hero of a novel.
3. A country. (竹风) Meaning Bamboo wind
4. Just in case it’s unclear. He’s referring to the subject matter tags like the ones that are used in Novel Updates.
5. Master or teacher, somewhat similar to sensei, but usually kept for addressing one’s own teacher not just in martial arts but for any kind of skilled trade.
6. 清虚剑 Pure void sword
7. Hard to explain, but someone who follows the dao, sometimes called Taoist or Tao/Dao pract.i.tioner. A type of cultivator who follows Dao principles. Tao
8. I’m hoping this is his name and not describing where he’s from
9. Either this is a name, or somehow the topic switched to dead trees.
10. A particular level of cultivation, pops up a lot in regular cultivation novels. Main feature is having a type of spirit self that can separate from its body and go off and do things. On the higher side of the power scale. I’m also a.s.suming they’re saying he broke into this new level in the battle or something.
11. ‘er added as an affectionate suffix to a person’s name.
12. Paternal grandfather
13.  &  I went and read the first chapter of Zhu Xian and yeah, I can see the references. Not sure where the foreshadowing is.
So, since I wasn’t doing anything else, and no one (including myself) ever updates fast enough I decided to just go ahead and start a new project. The FFXIV expansion is still two weeks away anyway. I couldn’t find a single picture other than a doodle on the raws page. So unfortunately, there’s no eye candy. Speaking of eye candy, I found an amazingly appropriate fan art of Lan w.a.n.gji that totally fit Chapter 12… If I remember, I’ll link it in the comments once the translation catches up again.