Faraway Wanderers - Chapter 24
Zhou Zishu couldn’t care less about the dog-against-dog fight going on. All he was interested in was finding a tavern to fill his empty wine jug, then finding a place to sleep it off until everything about the story of Hong’er splitting the mountain to save Bai Niangzi had vanished from his mind.
With a swift movement, Zhou Zishu managed to free himself from Cao Weining’s hold and explained, “We still need to take this child back to Uncle Zhao.”
Cao Weining slapped his forehead, realizing the urgency, “You’re right. How could I forget?”
He then turned to Zhang Chengling and looked at the unsuspecting boy with a hint of sadness. “It must have been hard for you, being so young. Just be more careful in the future.”
Zhang Chengling wasn’t familiar with him, so he could only nod in confusion. However, Wen Kexing quickly picked up on the situation and asked, “So, are they still arguing about the Liuli Armor? Could they possibly suspect Zhang’s family of…”
His voice trailed off as he glanced at Zhang Chengling.
Not considering them outsiders, Cao Weining candidly explained, “You all actually went out during such a critical time? Yesterday, when Feng Xiaofeng mentioned the Liuli Armor, it caused a huge commotion. It was only because of Gao Daxia and Master Cimu’s intervention that things didn’t escalate further. Many people had ulterior motives. Yu Qiufeng, the Huashan sect leader, was the first to accuse Zhao Jing of taking that piece of Liuli Armor, insinuating that it was the cause of his son’s tragic death.”
Cao Weining took a moment to recall the events, then continued in a plain tone, “Yu Qiufeng cried and pleaded for Zhao Jing, almost as though they had all come to Dongting Lake expressly to mourn. He was on the verge of losing his sanity. Factions like Emei, Kongtong, and Cangshan, who were normally on friendly terms with Huashan, all sided with Yu Qiufeng. They insisted on a proper explanation for the incident outside Zhao’s estate. Additionally, Feng Xiaofeng and his gang were there to stir up trouble, arguing nonstop. Eventually, it escalated into a physical brawl, with some people even demanding explanations from Gao Daxia about the sudden re-emergence of the Ghost Valley members and the true nature of Liuli Armor.”
Wen Kexing and Zhou Zishu both raised their eyebrows, seemingly impressed by how much Cao Weining had to say about the matter. However, they then realized that this usually talkative young man seemed to have become strangely coherent all of a sudden.
Cao Weining coughed and then admitted, “This was actually what my uncle told me. I didn’t quite understand most of it yesterday amidst all the chaos.”
No wonder it sounded like a recitation…
Zhou Zishu suddenly asked Zhang Chengling, “Do you know anything about this? First, your house was set on fire, then someone poisoned you with scorpions.”
Zhang Chengling stared blankly at him, shaking his head numbly.
Zhou Zishu rolled his eyes at the poor boy’s clueless expression, then addressed Cao Weining, “Please take Zhang back to Uncle Zhao. Thank you.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Zhou Zishu turned away, obviously disinterested in getting involved with the chaotic mess that was unfolding.
Zhang Chengling watched as Zhou Zishu strolled away, his eyes focusing on the latter’s retreating figure in silence.
A sudden touch on the top of his head made him look up only to see Wen Kexing grinning down at him. He awkwardly stuttered out, “Senior…”
Wen Kexing began, “Do you know why he’s clumsy around everyone else but is particularly impatient with you?”
Zhang Chengling lowered his head, mumbling in a small voice, “Probably because I’m too stupid…”
Laughing, Wen Kexing replied, “You’re just average dumb, not exceptionally so. His constant banter—and yet the obvious distance that he tries to maintain—indicates that he wants to be closer to you but is too shy to admit it. I think he’s just embarrassed.”
Zhang Chengling paused. “Really?”
With a teasing glint in his eyes, Wen Kexing continued to gaze at Zhou Zishu’s disappearing figure. “Well, who knows him better than his own parents? And in this world, the one who truly understands him is probably only me. Of course, I wouldn’t lie to you.”
Then, he came to realize something about Zhou Zishu—his concealed injuries, his masterful disguise, his habit of fading into the background, and his unrivaled martial arts. There was also the curious matter of how he seemed to have total command of even the most obscure stories from the martial world. The only possible explanation Wen Kexing could think of was ‘Tianchuang’.
But if it was really ‘Tianchuang’, then how did Zhou Zishu survive the infamous Qiushui Needle punishment?
After days of pondering, it dawned on Wen Kexing that the question was not how Zhou Zishu had survived, but how he knew how to counteract the Qiushui Needle.
Wen Kexing couldn’t help but smile at the realization. He was indeed in the presence of a very significant individual.
Before Zhang Chengling could even begin to digest all this, the somewhat clueless Cao Weining who had been listening in, sighed and said, “Even if you are both men, it’s rather unusual. But, a lifelong companion who understands you through your every word and gesture is far more joyful than any romantic relationship. What does gender even matter then?”
He continued to mumble to himself after, “As the saying goes, ‘What is love in this world, that it commands men to vow their lives for it?’ Even the deepest waters of the Peach Blossom Pool could not compare to…” He trailed off at this point, unable to recall the rest of the verse. It was embarrassing, but he tried to play it off and finally commented, “This Mr. Du Fu writes some profound poetry. A bit cryptic perhaps, but upon reflection, they do carry remarkable depth.”
Zhang Chengling and Wen Kexing exchanged a glance, their faces baring an odd expression as they watched Cao Weining.
After a while, Wen Kexing finally commented, “Indeed, the disciples of Qingfeng Sword Sect are both scholar and warrior. Truly admirable.”
Cao Weining, who was naturally sensitive, blushed a bit and said bashfully, “Nay, our master often reminds us that there’s no use for learning among those in the martial arts world. There’s no expectation for any of us to become a scholar. As long as we are not functionally illiterate, it’s good. Enhancing our martial arts skills is the ultimate motive. My limited knowledge is merely self-learned.”
Upon hearing this, Wen Kexing found the phrase ‘self-learned’ astonishingly apt.
They returned Zhang Chengling, who was still reeling from his discussion with Wen Kexing, back to Zhao Jing, who was at his wit’s end with anxiety. Zhao Jing hurriedly took Zhang Chengling back, bombarding him with questions. As Zhao Jing used his old tricks, Wen Kexing watched with a detached amusement. He was about to turn and leave when he suddenly sensed a gaze firmly locked onto him.
Wen Kexing paused his steps and turned his head to meet the cold gaze of the other man. This person who now allowed his aggressive intent to seep into his eyes looked ready to pounce at any moment, akin to a rabid dog. Noting that this same man was conversing politely with Cao Weining, Wen Kexing inferred that this must be his Uncle Master from Qingfeng Sword Sect, notorious scoundrel — Mo Huaikong.
As Mo Huaikong listened to Cao Weining’s babbling and followed his pointing finger toward Wen Kexing, he first found the man somewhat familiar. However, those deep, mysterious eyes sparked an alarming intuition in him, yet frustratingly, he couldn’t make anything out of it.
For a moment, he was taken aback. Then, he caught sight of Wen Kexing’s teasing smile, reacting in time to Cao Weining’s rambling about Wen Kexing’s deep connection with another man. He grimaced internally, finding this Wen figure distasteful from head to toe.
Turning to Cao Weining, he snapped, “Have you not said enough?”
Cao Weining, whose words were prematurely cut off, obediently shut his mouth. If it were up to him, he would have stitched his lips together.
Later that evening, Zhou Zishu, filled with food and wine, leaned idly against the railing of the tavern, sipping on freshly brewed wine. All of a sudden, there was a commotion. A man entered the tavern, whispers exchanged hastily with the people at the adjacent table. The group then settled their bill and left. Piquing his interest, Zhou Zishu intercepted a young man to ask, “What’s going on?”
“There’s news just in. The Gao Manor captured a demon from the Ghost Valley. They plan to make a public spectacle of it!”
Zhou Zishu frowned. The Gao Manor had managed to capture a demon from Qingzhu Peak? He no longer doubted the return of the ghosts to the martial world, for he had already encountered two himself. But what was this about Ghost Valley?
The demons living among humans were notorious and detestable criminals who sought refuge in Ghost Valley. Why would they risk exposure to return to the world above?
Could it be that the “Liuli Armor” harbored a colossal secret compelling enough for Ghost Valley to venture out, and for Gao Chong, a man of integrity, to enforce such secrecy? Were they using this absurd spectacle to divert public attention?
As Zhou Zishu mulled over it on his way out, he accidentally bumped into someone. “My apologies,” he muttered, looking up to find it to be the ascetic Ye Baiyi.
A thought crossed his mind— apparently, even this ascetic needed to eat?
Ye Baiyi assured him, “No harm done,” before adjusting his clothing and initiating the conversation, “I heard from a young brother of Qingfeng Sect about you, the one who escorted the heir of the Zhang family to Tai Lake. You must’ve seen me before. My name is Ye Baiyi.”
Ye Baiyi rarely engaged in discussions, preferring to keep to himself, which gave him an eerie aura of alienation.
Zhou Zishu was taken aback. He didn’t understand why this man would strike up a conversation with him out of the blue, so he responded with perfunctory courtesies.
However, Ye Baiyi paid him no heed. He continued to stare at Zhou Zishu with detached emptiness and suddenly remarked, “Aren’t you a peculiar one. Your energy is stagnant, and your demeanor grave, as if you’re on your deathbed. But why does a dying man like you exhibit such unyielding spirit? Truly bizarre.”
Zhou Zishu stood in silence, feeling that this man had most likely spent an excessive amount of time in the Changming Mountain and had, following his master, accumulated a certain level of ethereal aura to the point where his speech barely resembled that of a human.
Ye Baiyi contemplated momentarily before proceeding, “How long do you think you’ll live? Three more years? Two?”
Zhou Zishu found that this topic was leading them nowhere. He couldn’t agree nor disagree with Ye Baiyi. Thus, he responded with an awkward smile, “Brother Ye, you have quite the insight. It’s undoubtedly…”
However, Ye Baiyi seemed to have a filter in his ears, dismissing words that he was uninterested in. Not waiting for Zhou Zishu to finish his sentence, he interjected, “There are five signs when a mortal is about to die, all of which bring immense suffering. Yet, you still seem to live a carefree life of indulgence. Truly, one generation pushes the last. Who could have predicted that the martial arts world would see the likes of us?” As he ended his thought, he turned around to leave, completely ignoring Zhou Zishu.
Walking a fair distance, he seemingly remembered something and turned back to Zhou Zishu, “If you have some free time on your hands, you can always drop by and offer me a drink.”
As if inviting him for a drink equated to an enormous honor bestowed upon Zhou Zishu, he stood in bewilderment, without uttering a word.
He then joined the majority who went to the Gao Manor to view the legendary “demon”. Honestly, he didn’t notice anything distinctive, save for a menacing middle-aged man tied up and displayed to all. The public retaliation gave off the vibe of a street show. The claimed “demon,” only clad in shorts, vividly displayed an ominous tattoo of a ghost face on his waist, symbolizing his authenticity.
Just as Zhou Zishu was observing the man, a silent touch on his shoulder startled him. Wen Kexing had somehow popped up out of nowhere, flashing a charming smile at him, “I’ve spent the whole day looking for you. Where did you wander off to?”
Zhou Zishu chose not to respond. Instead, he gestured towards the man who was tied up, asking, “Do you believe this to be real or fake?”
“Hmm?” Wen Kexing followed Zhou Zishu’s line of sight and gave a cursory glance, rather dismissively replying, “Who would fake a ghost tattoo on one’s waist, condemning themselves to not being able to appear under the daylight? But, it’s also possible that this unfortunate fellow offended someone and was set up, exposed in public.”
While his words seemed flippant, Zhou Zishu was aware of certain things. For instance, the pigment used for the ghost face tattoo was ground from the leaves of yin si cao (Hell Spirit grass), a plant found only in Ghost Valley. Another fact: not everyone who entered Ghost Valley could transform into a demon and survive.
Likewise, not every soul of the deceased could be reincarnated or turn into a fierce ghost. For all they knew, some might just dissipate. Ghost Valley was a dreadful survival arena where humans preyed on each other, and ghosts bit one another—dominance by the strong over the weak was the only law that mattered there. To survive, one needed to maintain a guard against everyone. Owning this tattoo was the outcome of surpassing all others in the struggle for survival.
Zhou Zishu lost himself in thoughts, deeply scrutinizing the man displaying the tattoo. Just now, the surrounding crowd had turned into a hubbub. The Huashan Sect had already proposed to burn this man alive.
Abandoning that thought, he abruptly turned around, pushing through the crowd and walking away.
Translator Footnotes:
趙大俠 (Zhào dà xiá): In Chinese Jianghu (martial arts world), “dà xiá” is an honorary title for a hero. The phrase “Uncle Zhao” here is a respectful and affectionate term for an older male in Chinese culture, not necessarily a relative.
高大俠 (Gāo dà xiá): This refers to Gao Chong from the novel. In Chinese Jianghu (martial arts world), “dà xiá” is an honorary title for a hero.
慈睦大师 (Cí mù dà shī): Master Cimu is a high-ranking monk from a Buddhist temple in the novel. I don’t know why, but I find his name really weird to pronounce.
Tianchuang [天窗]: The Chinese name of an organization Zhou Zishu founded. Tian (天) can be read as “day / sky / heaven” and Chuang (窗) can be read as “shutter / window”. Together they can be read as “Skylight”
桃花潭水深千尺 (Táohuā tán shuǐ shēn qiān chǐ): This is the first line of a known poem by Tang Dynasty poet Zhang Ji. The line describes the depth of the Peach Blossom Pool. Here, Cao Weining incorrectly attributes the poem to another famous Tang Dynasty poet, Du Fu. LOL
清風劍派 (Qīngfēng jiàn pài): This translates to the “Qingfeng Sword Sect,” a significant martial arts sect in the novel.
Qiushui Needle: The Qi Qiao San Qiu Nails [七竅三秋釘] is a type of deadly martial arts weapon, used in a particular martial art’s technique with lethal consequences. It translates to ‘Seven Orifices and Three Autumns Nails’ which means that will make 7 holes in your body and after that, you’ll only live enough to see 3 autumns. I have no idea why the author decided to use a different name now… Let’s think it’s a nickname…
“What does gender even matter then?”: Shoot out to Cao Weining, King protector of the LGBTQ+ community!!! Uhuulll. Unfortunately, not the smartest King… but I love you anyway!
清風劍派 (Qīngfēng jiàn pài): It translates to the “Qingfeng Sword Sect,” a martial arts sect in the story.
鬼谷 (Guǐ gǔ): It translates to “Ghost Valley,” a notorious place in the story known to harbor evil entities. Sometimes I use Guigu, sometimes I use Ghost Valley. I honestly don’t know which one is better. Let me know in the comment what do you think.
琉璃甲 (Liúlí jiǎ): The term translates to ‘Liuli Armor,’ a significant artifact in the narrative. In the drama, they call it “Glazed Armor”, so if you saw this term once, know we are talking about the same thing.
长明山 (Changming Shan): It translates to “Changming Mountain,” a location in the story associated with Ye Baiyi.
阴司草 (Yin si cao): This translates to “Hell Spirit grass.” In the story, it is a unique plant found only in Ghost Valley and used for making the pigment for certain tattoos.
Storyteller One Shameless Bookworm's Words
Hi there! I'm "One Shameless Bookworm" who thrives on novels, especially Chinese BL ones! Please let me know what do you think about this novel in the comments section. Did you like my translation? Feel free to Buy Me a Milk Tea
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