Anyway back to the story. Just when I was impressed with Huang Fu Yun for correctly guessing the mystery behind the body swap and how she used the situation to her advantage, along came someone whom she is really no match for. And no, it is not Gong Sun Yun. Read on to find out more.
- Moonblossom -
Chapter 3 – Part 1 of 2
There is
only one word to describe the feeling when someone is trying to repay you – Great!
with exclamation mark!
Had she
known this earlier, she would have tried to save more people and asked each of
them for a repayment token before letting them go.
Luckily
she was someone who likes to overthink and has retrieved the jade pendant after
she has buried it. To prevent trouble if it was ever found on her, say by his enemies
if he has any, she has asked He Zai to shatter the pendant with his internal
strength as a precaution.
Ah, life
is really Great! This journey is comfortable if not outright luxurious, even
if she was technically in the midst of being chased out of the Central Plains. Cloud Manor had many disciples and was held
in high esteem by many pugilists in the Central Plains. Gentleman Xian Yun especially,
was very well regarded and his name is literally like a shiny piece of
gold. Thanks to him, she had no worries
on lodging, food or clothing. She
congratulated herself again for being the one who saved this gold nugget. The more she thought about it, the more she
felt that saving him was probably the best thing she has ever done.
To prevent
clashes, Gong Sun Yun has gotten them to travel on less frequently used routes.
Before they arrived at a resting spots, other Cloud Manor disciples would have
made prior arrangements to ensure a comfortable stay. If not for her strong willpower, she would
have happily sponged off Gentleman Xian Yun for the rest of her life.
“Do you
like Xian Yun?”
The
question came out of the blue and she nearly tripped. She looked in front where Gong Sun Yun was
standing. He was dressed in his customary white but he no longer gave off vibes
that got her confused with the beautiful Water Fairy, Luo Shen.
Thinking
that she did not hear the question, Che Yan Yan repeated. ““Do you like Xian
Yun?”
“Definitely
not.” That was the standard,
life-preserving answer.
Che Yan
Yan was suspicious. “You would deny it when
everyone – man, woman, old, and young - in the Central Plains like him? How could you not like him?”
Every man,
woman, old and young? Maybe that was in
response to his parental love! Still, she could only answer: “It must be
because my eyesight is poor.”
“It is
such a pity you do not like him.” snarked Che Yan Yan. “If I snatch your man, I think the feeling
would be very gratifying."
“Protector
Che may not take a fancy to the things I like.
But if you are able to snatch the man belonging to the No. 1 Beauty of
the pugilist world, I bet the feeling would be truly gratifying.”
“Who is
Deng Hai Tang to warrant a nickname like Hai Tang Fairy!?”
Wang Yun
was quick to nod her agreement. “No matter if it is carriage or looks,
Protector Che is the only one who truly deserves the title of ‘Fairy’!”
Che Yan
Yan was looking longingly at Gong Sun Yun, but her suspicions were roused by her
honeyed words. She returned her focus to
Wang Yun. “Huang Fu Yun, you really
confuse me sometimes. We are both from
the same sect but our characters are miles apart.”
“That is
so. As the saying goes, different
feathers do not flock together. Our
characters are different so we are not suitable to be friends, although I have
always kept abreast of the things you do.
You are bold… no, I mean your gutsy approach to things, tells me that
you are an intelligent heroine. You
should have seen through it long ago that I am not suited for life in the Sect. If given a chance, I would rather live
peacefully in some remote village and I hope Protector Che would consider this
and leave me a lifeline in future.”
Che Yan
Yan looked at her with disgust. “Our characters are indeed different. You seem so mousy and careful, but your mouth
will never let up in saying nice things to please Master. The worse part is, you can always guess what
Master is thinking. Huang Fu Yun, your
contradiction is the one thing I despise most about you! If you are interested to become the next Sect
Leader, you should be upfront about it. I would accept it if I ever lost. But you keep doing things in the sly while
denying that you want to snatch the master’s seat - for that I look down on
you!”
Wang Yun
lowered her gaze and fingered her jade flute.
She did not want to snatch anything, really…
Che Yan
Yan gave a cold snort and decided to chase after Gong Sun Yun. She just passed Wang Yun when she turned to
her again. “I have something to do tonight.
You and that Sky Slave of yours better stay far away from me. If you try to foil my plans, I will not let
you off!”
Che Yan
Yan left, leaving a confused Wang Yun behind.
She must be joking – just who was the one doing things in the sly now? It was obvious Che Yan Yan was trying to seduce…
umm, on second thoughts, should she send Che Yan Yan some aphrodisiac to
maintain friendly relations? But maybe Che
Yan Yan would prefer to use beauty instead of drugs to overcome Gong Sun Yun…
She looked
at deity-from-nine-heavens. For someone
who grew up in civilized society, he probably has never come across a woman who
wanted to seduce him. Would he be able
to survive the attack? She coughed to
cover up her wicked smile. In truth, she
would love to be a fly in the room when it happens. Unfortunately she has to abide by her
principle to see no evil, hear no evil….
Someone
came to her side and she smiled in greeting “Is Fifth Gentleman looking for
me?” Thanks to him, this journey has not
been boring. He Zai was a man of few words
but deity-from-nine-heavens and Fifth Gentleman were always gracious and friendly
despite their “escort”.
“It is
nothing, just time to take your pulse.”
Again? She raised her brows but she rolled up her sleeves
nonetheless.
She
thought his kungfu must be quite impressive to be able to walk and take her
pulse at the same time. Over the last
few days, she has managed to learn more about Cloud Manor and found that they
have many outstanding disciples. As for Fifth Gentleman and Gentleman Xian Yun,
their relationship was like real brothers but she was skeptical and felt that
no matter how close, someone would betray the other one day.
To pass
the time, she asked casually: “Fifth Gentleman, may I ask you a question?”
Gong Sun
Zhi has taken a liking her and he replied her warmly: “Miss Huang Fu may speak
her mind.”
“Well… I
heard some rumors that Gentleman Xian Yun once smiled at Protector Che?”
He froze
and she continued with a smile. “I am
not blind. Over the past few days, I have
noticed that while Fifth Gentleman smiles a lot, Gentleman Xian Yun never smiles. If his smile is so precious and yet he chose
to smile at her, it could only mean…”
Gong Sun
Zhi released her hand and strolled leisurely with her along the mountain
path. “Actually, the rumors are only
half correct. Xian Yun happened to be
around when Protector Che came to the Central Plains that day. When he heard the new arrival announced
herself as ‘Che Yan Yan’, he smiled.”
“That is
it?” She had thought the story would at least be
something along the lines like I-pledge-my-love-to-thee-with-three-smiles. And
wasn’t Che Yan Yan a tad too useless to fall for just a smile?
He
continued. “That happened two years ago.
They were standing quite far apart but who would guess Che Yan Yan would
see his smile … Actually, Xian Yun already has someone in his heart…” he broke
off and waited for her to ask further.
Endure,
she will endure. Usually, she would not
delve too deeply into casual talk for fear that curiosity will kill the
cat. Although she would love to hear
more, she has decided not to probe further.
Seeing no
response from her, Gong Sun Zhi continued speaking after a while. “Miss is already recovered but should still
rest more. Ay, traveling under the hot
sun is actually pretty damaging to your body.
Although its effect is not apparent in the short run, you would feel the
difference when you are older. According
to ….”
To Wang
Yun’s amazement, he continued his lecture from not paying attention in the
twenties, to organ failure at the seventies.
Is the weather too hot that this Gentleman is using her to while away
the time?
For the
sake of harmony, she continued to smile and listen. Endure, yes, endure. A true master in endurance is someone who
could smile even when she is covered with shit.
She would simply let the words enter from the left ear and exit from
right ear. There is nothing to it…
Half an
hour passed…. another half an hour passed…. her face started to twitch.
“… Let us
do this, I will write a prescription for
you tonight. If Miss Huang Fu is able to
take what I prescribed on a long term basis, I guarantee that you will look
thirty even when you are fifty or sixty.”
The only
reason she managed to hold on to her composure was because of her long practice
in the Art of Endurance. He merely
neutralized her poison once, surely there was no need for him to take care of
her for the rest of her life?
“Fifth
Gentleman is indeed… well-versed in medicine!”
He
accepted the praise at face value. “Everyone in Cloud Manor wants to live to a
hundred, so it is only right that I spend more effort to understand the
properties of different medicines.”
She
smiled. “Sometimes, it may not be a good thing to live so long.”
“How could
you say so? A person can only hope to
fulfill his dreams if he lives long enough.
Even if one has no aspirations, he can go look for one - the sky is vast
and one will surely find something. For
me, my goal in life is to let my brothers stay healthy even when they are
seventy or eighty. Just think, if you
are able to live a ripe old age with someone that you like, how wonderful would
that be…”
She was
wrong. She was really wrong.
Another
half an hour passed …. endure… she must endure even if her soul is starting to
leave her body…
“… of
course, nutrition is also effective. If
medication is coupled with good nutrition, I can guarantee you that no illness will
trouble you. Why not Miss come stay at
Cloud Manor? I can let Miss….”
Another
half an hour passed as he tried to persuade her to stay. Finally, the thread of her endurance snapped.
She took a deep breath and exclaimed
loudly: “Gentleman Xian Yun! I am sorry I did not catch you… please excuse me
Fifth Gentleman, I think your Gentleman is looking for me.” She marched unsteadily to Gong Sun Yun and ignored
the hateful looks thrown her way by Che Yan Yan.
“Miss
Yun?”
She gave
him a big smile as she reached his side: “Gentleman Xian Yun, may I trouble you
with something?”
“Miss Yun
could speak her mind.”
“As I was
walking, I thought I felt the presence of people shadowing us….” She knew that Che Yan Yan’s Sky Slaves were
following behind their group and would not appear unless summoned. “What I mean
is, there could be tigers or wolves on our trail. Could I trouble to you take a look?”
His lips started
to curve upwards but he managed to resist the urge to smile. “I think Miss worries too much.”
“Really?....
is Fifth Gentleman behind us?”
“He is
talking with Master He.”
She breathed
a sigh of relief. One can never judge a
book by its cover. Gong Sun Zhi is in
his twenties and looks gentle, refined.
But the moment he starts to talk, she does not think she has enough
endurance in the world for him.”
She
pretended to take a great interest in deity-from-nine-heavens and he helpfully
kept the conversation going. Both of them talked about anything and nothing until
she noticed Che Yan Yan has lagged behind.
However at this stage, she was beyond caring and would rather offend
Protector Che than face a long-winded, old coot masquerading as an upright,
young man.
“We will
be parting in another two days. Is Miss
Yun really going back to Bai Ming Sect?”
“That is a
given since I am a Protector… although the last ten years have been relatively
peaceful and mine is almost an empty title since Sect Leader is holding on the
actual power. Nonetheless I should
return.”
“I
remembered Miss sounded envious when you said I am like a free-floating cloud
high up in the skies. If there is
another place for you, would Miss be interested to leave Bai Ming Sect?”
This was
easier said than done, besides who on earth would have this ability? Even if there was a safe haven, there was no
such thing as a free lunch. Is Gong Sun
Yun trying to lure her away from Bai Ming Sect, or did he have another
motive? What was his intention? Cloud Manor was a neutral entity, was he
pointing an out for her simply because she has saved his life before?
She fingered
the two broken jade pieces in her sleeve.
When she has presented him with four broken pieces that day, he has
taken back two pieces while insisting that she keep the remaining two. Nature is indeed cyclical. Before, she has
lead him out of the Sky Forrest; now it was his turn to lead her out of the
Central Plains.
But what
will be, will be.
“Since you
are a historian yourself, Gentleman Xian Yun should somewhat understand how Bai
Ming Sect operates. Traditionally, both
Left and Right Protectors seldom see eye to eye and when one becomes the Sect
Leader, the other one will usually end up dead.
What do think will be the ending for me and Protector Che?”
At her
words, he stopped and looked at her. She
returned his look “Gentleman Xian Yun?”
He leaned
forward and whispered in her ear. “The Master’s successor has been decided a
long time ago, isn’t it so?”
The
Master’s successor has indeed been decided a long time ago.
It was
her.
Since she
was fifteen, she has understood this. No
matter where she flees, how she tries to act dumb, that seat has always been
waiting for her.
She
lowered her eyes and let the night wind play with her robes while the night
consumed bright red of her robes.
Chapter links:
tank u moonie :)
ReplyDeleteyes,,,i'm first, i've been on your site so many times a day just to see this....thanks so much....
ReplyDeleteAiya! I wonder how will this be a happy ending? Will WY became the sect leader and have her cake ( XY ) too? Or, will she leave bai ming sect to "sponge off" with neutral cloud manor's 1st gentlemn?
ReplyDeleteDying for more squeel and swoony to come! Thank you for your hard work moonbloossom *mwah*
- samie
Hehe, despite all of the Sect Leader's harassment, I always had a feeling he favored Huang Fu Yun more. She is the one who understands him. Che Yan Yan is too hot-tempered and reckless, and is more busy running around chasing men.
ReplyDeleteI don't know why HFY isn't more excited to be the next leader. Leading a demonic, evil sect filled with minions to serve you sounds like pretty kick-ass job. Like hell yeah, sign me up!
She only has 1 minion so if she became leader, I think she is going to have an uphill task. Somehow, from the way she seek 'refuge from a coffin', I think her kungfu is not v good.
Deletehahaha xian yun ,a gold nugget. i definitely like the girl. i laugh so hard. the way she think is really funny.
ReplyDeletei guess gong sun yun will never tell her that he likes her. he will wait till when? i am impatient. why could he just not take her and kiss her. guess he is too gentleman for that. so he will endure.
"should she send Che Yan Yan some aphrodisiac to maintain friendly relations?"
ReplyDeleteWang Yun why are you letting Che Yan Yan take your gold nugget? Drug Xian Yun yourself and keep the nugget! Hahaha only kidding ^_^"
On another note.. I'm guessing Gong Sun Zhi knows about Gong Sun Yun's affection for Wang Yun?
^^^Yes, looks like 5th knows. Oh! HZ travelled back, will he stay wt WY ? How will XY pursue her? Ask permission from evil sect leader and engage himself . . .that will be kick ass and squeal worthy!!!
Delete- samie
I'm pretty sure he knows xD I wouldn't be surprised if the two of them had plotted the whole ordeal— that Sun Zhi would bore HFY to death so she would run to Xian Yun for refuge.
DeleteHis secret weapon. That's why I was telling Melanie GSY is going to keep her squarely under his thumb. Everytime he lose an argument, I can imagine GSZ will come into the picture... and that will be the end of HFY.
DeleteThank you Mb for another swift translation. The picture you've chosen is very apt to the story. Caught myself smiling like a loony while reading this chapter.
ReplyDeleteXY and 5th gentleman are definitely together in this. They plotted well to push HFY to her limits until she is past caring with her next action. What a plan to get her close to XY. More please!!! (",)
Peachie
ty very much for translating!!
ReplyDeleteYeah, it was pretty obvious that she was already picked to be the leader since the right hand protector is a hotheaded fool. Great story so far, it's very exciting.
ReplyDelete