Chapter 52 Courage—Part Two
Lan WangJi stared straight ahead, “Nothing.”
Wei WuXian, “We’re already close, right? It’s so cold—you didn’t even bother to look at me. Are your legs really okay?”
Lan WangJi, “We are not close.”
Wei WuXian turned around and walked backward, determined to make Lan WangJi look him in the eye. “Don’t force yourself if you’re not feeling well. Is your leg hurt or broken? When did it happen?”
Just as he was about to say, “Want me to carry you?”, a fragrant breeze suddenly blew past his nose. Wei WuXian turned and looked to the side. His eyes immediately lit up.
Seeing her suddenly stop talking, Lan WangJi followed her gaze. He saw about six girls walking together. The girl in the middle was wearing a layer of chiffon over her pale red coat. Blown by the wind, the chiffon swayed. Her figure looked especially captivating from behind.
This was the figure that Wei WuXian saw.
One of the girls laughed, “ MianMian , your perfume is truly special. After I put it on, the bugs really stopped coming. It smells good too. I feel so much fresher after smelling it.”
The voice of the girl named MianMian was indeed soft and sweet. “This sachet contains chopped medicinal herbs. They have many benefits. I still have some left. Anyone want some?”
Wei WuXian swept over like a terrifying gust of wind, “MianMian, save me too.”
The girl was startled. She hadn’t expected to hear a stranger’s voice so suddenly. Turning around, she revealed a pale face with a slight frown as she asked, “Who are you? Why are you calling me MianMian?”
Wei WuXian grinned, “I heard them all call you MianMian, so I thought that was your name. What, isn’t it?”
Lan WangJi stared at them coldly. Seeing him do it again, Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes emphatically.
MianMian’s cheeks flushed, “You can’t call me that!”
Wei WuXian, “Why not? How about this: if you tell me your name, I won’t call you MianMian anymore. What do you think?”
MianMian, “Why should I tell you just because you asked? Before asking someone else’s name, you should tell me yours first, right?”
Wei WuXian, “Sure, if you want to know my name. Remember, my name is ‘YuanDao’.”
MianMian silently recited the name ‘YuanDao’ several times. She couldn’t remember if any young master from any sect had ever had such a name. However, judging by the young man’s demeanor and appearance, she sensed that he was no ordinary disciple. Seeing the teasing smile on Wei WuXian’s lips, she couldn’t figure out what was going on.
Suddenly, Lan WangJi’s low voice sounded from beside them, “Word play.”
She immediately realized that the words were taken from the poem line ‘ the limit that endlessly misses miles away ‘ and he was making fun of her. She stomped her feet in annoyance, “Who misses you? You have no face!”
The girls burst out laughing while chirping, “Wei WuXian, you really have no face!”
“I’ve never seen someone as annoying as you!”
“Let me tell you, he called…”
MianMian dragged them away and turned to leave, “Let’s go, let’s go! You can’t tell him.”
Wei WuXian shouted from behind, “You can go, but give me a sachet, okay?! Are you ignoring me? You won’t? Otherwise, I’ll find someone else and ask for your name. There must be someone out there who will tell me…”
Before he could finish, a perfume sachet flew out from in front of him. It landed right in the middle of his chest. With an ‘ouch’, Wei WuXian pretended his heart ached, twirling the sachet in his hand with the ribbons wrapped around his fingers. Even as he walked back to Lan WangJi, he was still twirling the sachet, grinning. Seeing Lan WangJi’s expression grow colder, he asked, “What? You’re looking at me like that again. Alright, where were we? Let’s continue. How about I carry you on my back?”
Lan WangJi looked at him calmly, “Are you being reckless with everyone?”
Wei WuXian thought for a moment, “I think so?”
Lan WangJi stared at the ground. After a moment, he replied, “Insolent!”
He said those two words through gritted teeth, filled with a strange hatred. He didn’t even feel worthy to look at Wei WuXian anymore. Lan WangJi tried his best to quicken his pace and walk faster. Seeing Wei WuXian forcing himself again, Wei WuXian hurried, “Alright. You don’t have to walk so fast. I’ll go.”
Combining three steps into two, he quickly chased after Jiang Cheng.
However, Jiang Cheng didn’t give him a good look either. He said threateningly, “You’re so ridiculous!”
Wei WuXian, “You’re not Lan Zhan or anything, so why are you saying such ridiculous things? Her face is worse now than it was before. What’s wrong with her leg?”
Jiang Cheng said sourly, “You still have time to pay attention to him? Why don’t you pay attention to yourself!? I don’t know what tricks that idiot Wen Chao is planning this time, making us search for a cave entrance in Dusk-Creek Mountain. Hopefully it won’t be like last time when he circled us around and used us as meat shields.”
One of the students beside them whispered, “Of course his face isn’t that great. Last month, Cloud Recesses was burned down. You didn’t know that, did you?”
Hearing this, Wei WuXian gasped, “Burned?!”
In the past few days, Jiang Cheng had heard too many stories like this, so he wasn’t as surprised as Wei WuXian, “By the people of the Wen Sect?”
The disciple: “You could say that. You could also say… the Lan Sect burned it all down themselves. The Wen Sect’s eldest son, Wen Xu , went to Gusu. He accused the Lan Sect leader of something and forced the Lan Sect people to burn down their own residence! The place was given beautiful names like cleansing the place to be reborn by the light of fire. Most of the Cloud Recess and the surrounding forest were burned to the ground. Just like that, the centuries-old paradise was destroyed. The Lan Sect leader was severely injured. We don’t even know if he’s still alive. Well, well…”
Wei WuXian, “Does Lan Zhan’s leg have anything to do with this?”
The disciple said, “Of course. The first place Wen Xu ordered to burn down was the Library Pavilion. He declared that he would teach anyone who refused to do so a lesson. Lan WangJi refused. He was attacked by Wen Xu’s men, and they broke one of his legs. His leg hasn’t even healed yet, and he’s dragged back here again. Who knows what they’re trying to do?!”
Wei WuXian thought carefully. Over the past few days, aside from being scolded by Wen Chao, Lan WangJi hadn’t really walked much. He’d always been standing or sitting, without saying a word. He was a person who valued good manners, so it was natural that he wouldn’t let anyone see his injured leg.
Seeing that Wei WuXian seemed to want to approach Lan WangJi again, Jiang Cheng pulled Wei WuXian away, “What’s wrong with you now?! How dare you provoke him? You’re really digging your own grave!”
Wei WuXian, “I won’t provoke him. Look at his leg. He’s been active for days—the injury must have gotten worse. It’s probably only now showing so clearly because he can’t hide it anymore. If he keeps walking like this, he’ll most likely never be able to use his leg again. I’ll carry him.”
Jiang Cheng pulled her even closer, “You don’t know her! Don’t you see how much she hates you? You’re going to carry her? She probably doesn’t even want you near her.”
Wei WuXian, “It’s fine if he hates me—I don’t. I’ll carry him on my back once I catch him. Could he strangle me to death while I’m on my back?”
Jiang Cheng warned, “We can’t even take care of ourselves; how do we have time to care about other people’s trivial matters?”
Wei WuXian, “Firstly, this isn’t a trivial matter. Secondly, things like this, sooner or later, someone will care!”
As the two were arguing in low voices, one of the Wen Sect servants came over and scolded, “Don’t talk to each other. Be careful!”
After the servants had come and gone, a beautiful girl approached them. Her name was Wang LingJiao . She was one of the servants Wen Chao kept by his side. However, how she served him was clear to everyone. She was once the servant of Wen Chao’s main wife. Due to her charming appearance, she climbed into Wen Chao’s bed after exchanging a few glances with her master. As one’s status rose, those around them also received blessings. In the cultivation world, a ‘YingchuanWang Sect’ had also emerged.
Because his spiritual power was weak, he couldn’t wield a high-grade sword, so he held a long stamping iron in his hand. All the servants of the Wen Sect possessed this kind of stamping iron. Without needing to be heated, it inflicted pain on anyone it touched.
Holding her, Wang LingJiao scolded haughtily, “Young Master Wen told you to find the entrance, so what are you all doing, whispering?”
At a time like this, even a mere servant who had earned her position by crawling into other people’s sheets could puff up with such arrogance in front of them. They were at a loss whether to laugh or frown.
Suddenly someone shouted from the side, “Found it!”
Wang LingJiao didn’t have time to pay attention to them anymore. After rushing over, she saw him and beamed, “Young Master Wen! They found it! The entrance!”
It was a hole in the ground, hidden quite deep under an ancient banyan tree with a trunk the size of three people’s arms. The first reason they couldn’t find it was because the entrance was rather small, not even five feet wide. The second reason was because thick, tangled roots and vines had woven a strong web, blocking the entrance. On top of it, there was also a layer of leaves and twigs, mud and rocks, making it almost invisible.
Brushing aside the rotting leaves and mud, cutting through the roots, a dark, scary hole was revealed.
The entrance led deep underground. The cold air hit everyone’s faces, sending shivers down their spines. There was no sound of a pebble being thrown inside. It was as if the pebble had sunk into the sea.
Wen Chao was very happy, “This must be it! Everyone hurry up, get down there!”
Jin ZiXuan couldn’t hold it in any longer. He said coldly, “You brought us here, saying we were going to hunt a wild beast. What kind of wild beast is that? Telling us beforehand will allow us to work together more efficiently, so we won’t be confused like last time.”
Wen Chao, “Tell you?”
He stood up, first pointing at Jin ZiXuan and then at himself, “How many times do I have to explain this for you to remember? Don’t misunderstand. You are merely cultivators serving me. I am the one giving the orders. I don’t need anyone else’s advice. I am the one leading the battle and commanding the troops. I am also the only one who can subdue that monster!”
He uttered the words ‘only one’ with great emphasis. His high-pitched voice and arrogant tone aroused both laughter and hatred among those listening. Wang LingJiao scolded, “Didn’t you hear what Young Master Wen said? Quickly go down there!”
Jin ZiXuan stood at the very front. Holding back his anger, he lifted the hem of his robe, grabbed one of the thickest vines, and jumped without hesitation into the endless pit.
This time, Wei WuXian felt a deep sense of his own feelings. Whatever creatures were haunting this cave, facing them would be far more comfortable than facing Wen Chao and the others. If he allowed these damn eyes to corrupt his vision any longer, he feared he would truly choose to perish alongside them!
The people who followed Jin ZiXuan entered the hole one by one.
Since the swords of the disciples who had been forcibly gathered had been confiscated, they could only crawl down slowly. Vines grew along the walls of the hole. They were quite sturdy, as thick as a child’s wrist. Holding on tightly to the vines, Wei WuXian silently calculated how deep they would go as he lowered himself at a leisurely pace.
His feet finally touched the ground after sliding down almost thirty feet.
Wen Chao shouted a few words from above. After confirming the safety of the underground, he flew down with ease, sword at his feet, Wang LingJiao in his arms. Soon, the disciples and servants also landed one by one.
Jiang Cheng whispered, “Hopefully, the prey he’s trying to hunt this time isn’t too difficult. I don’t know if there’s another way out here. If that ghoul or beast comes out from here, those long vines could snap in half, and we’d have a hard time escaping.”
The rest of the group was also thinking the same thing. They couldn’t help but stare at the small white dot that turned out to be the entrance. Everyone was worried.
Wen Chao jumped off his sword, “What are you doing just standing there? Do you need me to teach you? Go!”
The group of boys were chased into the depths of the cave.
Since they needed to scout the path ahead, Wen Chao ordered his servants to provide some torches. The ceiling of the cave was high and wide, beyond the reach of torchlight. Wei WuXian listened to the echoes. He sensed that the deeper they went, the more pronounced the echoes became. They were most likely already more than a hundred feet underground.
The people on the front lines remained alert. They had no idea how long it had been before they finally arrived in front of a deep pool of water.
Even though the pool is above ground, it still looks like a vast lake. The water is pitch-black and eerie. Rock islands of various sizes also jut out from the surface.
And there is no other way before them.
However, even though the path had ended, they still hadn’t found their nightly prey. They didn’t even know exactly what it was. Everyone’s hearts were filled with uncertainty, still rigidly maintaining their vigilance.
Having not yet seen the creature he had been waiting for, Wen Chao became irritated. After cursing a few times, he suddenly had an idea: “Find someone, hang them, and let them bleed to lure the creature out.”
Wild beasts are usually more bloodthirsty than anything else. They will definitely be attracted by the scent of blood and motionless humans hanging in the air!
Wang LingJie answered and immediately pointed to a girl. He asked, “What about her?”
The girl was the one who had distributed perfume sachets on their way here, ‘MianMian’. Suddenly being chosen, her mind went blank. Although Wang LingJiao’s choice seemed random, she had actually planned it for a long time. Most of the people the sect sent here were men. Therefore, Wen Chao couldn’t help but pay more attention to some of the girls, especially MianMian. She looked beautiful and had been bullied by Wen Chao several times, though she could only suffer in silence. However, Wang LingJiao had seen and hated everything.
MianMian realized that she was the one who was actually chosen. With a face full of fear, she staggered back a few steps. Seeing that this girl was Wang LingJiao’s choice, Wen Chao remembered that he had never had the chance to have her and felt a sense of pity, “This one? What about the others?”
Wang LingJiao looked hurt, “Why does it have to be someone else? I chose this one. Don’t tell me you’re going to miss him?”
She let out her flirtatiousness, and Wen Chao was overjoyed, half of his heart already melted. Then, turning to look at MianMian’s attire, he was certain that she wasn’t part of the sect clan. MianMian was at best a disciple, so she would be the perfect bait, because even if she left, the sect wouldn’t come bother her, “Nonsense. Why do you think I’ll miss her? Do whatever you want. It’s all up to JiaoJiao !”
MianMian knew that if she were hanged, she might not make it back alive. She tried to escape, but wherever she ran, people scattered around her. Just as Wei WuXian convulsed, Jiang Cheng held him down firmly. MianMian suddenly noticed two people still standing still. She immediately hid behind their backs, shivering.
The two of them were Jin ZiXuan and Lan WangJi.
When the Wen Sect servants who were about to tie up MianMian saw that the two had no intention of moving, they shouted, “Move!”
Lan WangJi remained silent with an indifferent attitude.
Seeing that the situation was not good, Wen Chao warned, “Why are you standing there? Don’t you understand human language? Or do you want to save the damsel in distress?”
Jin ZiXuan raised his eyebrows, “Enough? It’s not enough for people to be your meat shields, and now you want live, bloody humans to be your bait?!”
Wei WuXian found this rather surprising, So Jin ZiXuan did have courage.
Wen Chao pointed at them, “Are you rebelling against me? Let me warn you, I’ve tolerated you for a long time. Right now, hang that brat with your own hands! Otherwise, none of your sect can hope to return!”
Jin ZiXuan sneered and refused to move. Lan WangJi also appeared as if he hadn’t heard anything, so still that he looked like he was meditating.
However, one of the GusuLan Sect disciples beside him trembled at Wen Chao’s threat. He finally couldn’t hold himself back and rushed over, grabbing MianMian, and preparing to tie her up. Lan WangJi’s brows tensed. He immediately slapped the disciple aside.
Although he didn’t say anything, the look he gave the disciple was truly impressive. The meaning of that look was clear to everyone— it’s a shame that the GusuLan Sect has trained a disciple like you!
The disciple’s shoulders trembled as he slowly backed away, unable to meet the other’s gaze. Wei WuXian whispered to Jiang Cheng, “Uh-oh. Given Lan Zhan’s personality, this isn’t going to go well.”
Jiang Cheng also clenched his fists.
In such a situation, it is almost impossible to just take care of yourself and hope that no blood is lost!
Wen Chao was furious and shouted, “How dare you! Kill them!”
Several Wen Sect disciples drew their swords, charging toward Lan WangJi and Jin ZiXuan. ‘Essence-Melting Hand,’ Wen ZhuLiu, stood behind Wen Chao with his hands clasped behind his back. He never attacked, as if he felt no need to. He was right, seeing as the two youths were outgunned and outnumbered. Furthermore, after the past few days of constant movement, their condition was already quite poor, not to mention the injured Lan WangJi. They definitely wouldn’t be able to hold out for long. Watching his subordinates fight against the two, Wen Chao looked much better. He spat, “Getting back at me—what do you think you are? People like you deserve to be killed.”
A sneering voice came from the side, “That’s right. All those who oppress others and commit crimes using their clan’s power must be killed. Not only that, they must be beheaded and reviled by tens of thousands of people, so that future generations will be wary.”
Hearing this, Wen Chao turned around, “What did you say?”
Wei WuXian feigned surprise, “Need I repeat? Of course. All those who oppress others and commit crimes using their clan’s power must be killed. Not only that, they must be beheaded to be reviled by tens of thousands of people, so that future generations will be wary. Did you hear this time?”
Hearing this, Wen Zhuliu looked thoughtful as he glanced at Wei Wuxian. Wen Chao exploded, “How dare you say such absurd, outrageous, and pretentious words!”
Wei WuXian first raised the corner of his mouth as he said ‘pfft’, then immediately burst out laughing.
Under everyone’s shocked gazes, he burst out laughing, clutching Jiang Cheng’s shoulders as he said, “Absurd? Outrageous? I think it was you who did all that! Wen Chao, do you know who said those words? I bet you don’t, right? Let me tell you. These were said by the most, most, most famous cultivator in your sect, the founder of it all, Wen Mao. How dare you say that one of your ancestor’s words was absurd and outrageous? Very good, very good! Ahahahahaha…”
In the “Essence of the Wen Sect” that was shared, even the most mundane of small talk could be analyzed over and over again, its profound meaning lavishly displayed. Wei WuXian, let alone memorizing it thoroughly, felt disgusted just after flipping through the pages. However, he found Wen Mao’s quote quite ironic, so he easily memorized it.
Wen Chao’s face turned red and white. Wei WuXian added, “Oh yeah, what charges are there for those who insulted the Wen Sect’s renowned cultivators again? How should they be punished? I remember the punishment is execution, right? Alright, you can die now.”
Wen Chao couldn’t hold himself back any longer, drew his sword, and charged at Wei WuXian. After that, he dashed out of Wen ZhuLiu’s protective range.
Wen ZhuLiu had always been accustomed to defending against others’ attacks. He never expected Wen Chao to leave as he pleased. Faced with the sudden predicament, he was somehow unable to react in time. On the other hand, when Wei WuXian provoked Wen Chao, he was precisely waiting for the moment of uncontrollable rage. The smile on his lips remained unwavering as he struck with lightning speed. In an instant, he had seized the sword and turned the tide, defeating Wen Chao with just one move!
With one hand gripping Wen Chao, he jumped a few times and landed on one of the small islands above the pond, keeping his distance from Wen ZhuLiu. With the other hand, he pressed the sword to Wen Chao’s neck, warning, “Don’t move. If you’re not careful, I might draw blood from your Young Master Wen!”
Wen Chao shouted, “Stop moving! Stop moving!”
The disciples surrounding Lan WangJi and Jin ZiXuan finally stopped their attacks. Wei WuXian shouted, “Core-Fusing Hand, don’t move either! You know Sect Leader Wen’s temper. Your master is in my hands. If he loses even a drop of blood, no one here will have a hope of surviving, including you!”
Wen Zhuliu lowered his hand, as Wei Wuxian had expected. Seeing that the situation was under control, Wei Wuxian was about to speak when he suddenly felt the entire ground beneath him tremble.
He was immediately alert, “Jiang Cheng! Is this an earthquake?”
They were currently in an underground cave. If an earthquake or landslide occurred, it would be dire if their entrance was blocked or they were buried alive. However, Jiang Cheng replied, “No!”
But Wei WuXian felt the ground shaking even more. His sword nearly touched Wen Chao’s throat several times, making him scream. Jiang Cheng immediately shouted, “This isn’t an earthquake—it’s the thing beneath your feet that’s moving!”
Wei WuXian noticed it too. It wasn’t the ground that was shaking, but rather the small island he had landed on. Not only was it shaking, but the island was also rising. The area above the water’s surface was growing larger.
Finally, he realized. This wasn’t a small island, but a large creature hidden in the depths of the pool—he was currently standing on the shell behind the creature’s back!
Translator’s Notes
MianMian : Mian means ‘gentle’, but can also mean ‘relentless’.
Its endless borders yearn for miles away : Here, Wei WuXian is making a pun by referring to a famous poem about the vast grasslands. Mianmian refers to the endless borders of grass, while yuandao refers to ‘far distance’.
Wen Xu : Xu means ‘sunrise’.
Wang LingJiao : Wang is not only one of the most common surnames in China, but also one of the most unpoetic. Ling means “lively” or “spiritual,” while Jiao means refined. Combined, this name is quite “unsophisticated,” compared to the other names in the story.
JiaoJiao : This is Wang LingJiao’s nickname.