Myrics chapter 5
Bai Shaoqing squinted whilst looking up at the blue sky.
In the middle of the third month of the lunar year, he had secretly returned to the Bai Manor. The Bai family had treated his mother badly, but she was not lacking in terms of clothing, food, and shelter. They had also sent two maids to add coal to the furnace for his blind mother. Just for this, it was worth letting Bai Shaoxin take advantage of him that time.
No one knew that he had gone back. Bai Shaoqing recognised the Bai Manor like the back of his hand, not to mention his qinggong couldn’t even be matched by Bai Moran now. Bats are flying animals, so naturally his qinggong was exceptional.
The ox cart stopped suddenly.
In the middle of the third month of the lunar year, he had secretly returned to the Bai Manor. The Bai family had treated his mother badly, but she was not lacking in terms of clothing, food, and shelter. They had also sent two maids to add coal to the furnace for his blind mother. Just for this, it was worth letting Bai Shaoxin take advantage of him that time.
No one knew that he had gone back. Bai Shaoqing recognised the Bai Manor like the back of his hand, not to mention his qinggong couldn’t even be matched by Bai Moran now. Bats are flying animals, so naturally his qinggong was exceptional.
The ox cart stopped suddenly.
“Gongzi, we need to split up here. My ox cart needs to take this road, as you are going up to Huashan, you need to go down that road.
“Thank you sir, this is the money as agreed for the trip.” Taking out a string of copper coins from his sleeves and throwing it to the old man, Bai Shaoqing slowly got down from the ox cart.
Cang Mountain Range was towering, with dense forest, there was a well-maintained road that led up the mountain. Not far away from the peak, there were also imposing gateway arches.
“It’s so lavish.” It didn’t matter if this was praise or sarcasm in these words, Bai Shaoqing’s voice was still gentle and pleasant to listen to.
“Thank you sir, this is the money as agreed for the trip.” Taking out a string of copper coins from his sleeves and throwing it to the old man, Bai Shaoqing slowly got down from the ox cart.
Cang Mountain Range was towering, with dense forest, there was a well-maintained road that led up the mountain. Not far away from the peak, there were also imposing gateway arches.
“It’s so lavish.” It didn’t matter if this was praise or sarcasm in these words, Bai Shaoqing’s voice was still gentle and pleasant to listen to.
He saw that the old man who was driving the cart was no longer in sight, and then glanced all around him, his figure suddenly moved, shooting into the forest like a bow and arrow.
Going up the mountain on the main road was too obvious, he had to avoid it.
After maintaining the movement for a while, his ribs suddenly began to ache. Bai Shaoqing frowned, holding his breath to not aggravate the wound.
The wound was new, as soon as he took off his robes, it was evident to see on his smooth as silk skin. Bai Shaoqing still remembered Hu Yanluo’s incredulous eyes as he struck out with his palm—the handsome young man who had just smiled softly at him would actually use the technique that he had only taught him the day before to kill him.
“You must know why I have done this, right?” Bai Shaoqing looked at him coldly, and spit out a mouthful of blood.
He was indeed worthy of being the outstanding talent that the Sect Leader of Kongtong Sect was willing to pass on the secret martial arts of their sect to. Given time, he would surely have become a first-rate master of Jianghu.
Unfortunately, he would not have this opportunity.
Bai Shaoqing replied to his own question: “Because I don’t like being suppressed by others.”
When he finished speaking, Hu Yanluo had already stopped breathing.
Hundreds of birds chirped in the forest, the disciples of the Huashan Sect who were patrolling the mountains did not detect Bai Shaoqing’s presence. He sneaked into the Huashan Sect like a rabbit, his dark but bright eyes darted around nimbly.
It was not difficult to find Fang Nihong’s place of residence, it was also not difficult to leave a note without being noticed, and it was even easier for Fang Nihong to sneak out quietly to meet him without telling anyone.
What thing in this world was easier than getting a woman who had already fallen in love with him to sneak out to meet him?
After only a short stay upon Huashan, Bai Shaoqing went down the mountain.
Going up the mountain on the main road was too obvious, he had to avoid it.
After maintaining the movement for a while, his ribs suddenly began to ache. Bai Shaoqing frowned, holding his breath to not aggravate the wound.
The wound was new, as soon as he took off his robes, it was evident to see on his smooth as silk skin. Bai Shaoqing still remembered Hu Yanluo’s incredulous eyes as he struck out with his palm—the handsome young man who had just smiled softly at him would actually use the technique that he had only taught him the day before to kill him.
“You must know why I have done this, right?” Bai Shaoqing looked at him coldly, and spit out a mouthful of blood.
He was indeed worthy of being the outstanding talent that the Sect Leader of Kongtong Sect was willing to pass on the secret martial arts of their sect to. Given time, he would surely have become a first-rate master of Jianghu.
Unfortunately, he would not have this opportunity.
Bai Shaoqing replied to his own question: “Because I don’t like being suppressed by others.”
When he finished speaking, Hu Yanluo had already stopped breathing.
Hundreds of birds chirped in the forest, the disciples of the Huashan Sect who were patrolling the mountains did not detect Bai Shaoqing’s presence. He sneaked into the Huashan Sect like a rabbit, his dark but bright eyes darted around nimbly.
It was not difficult to find Fang Nihong’s place of residence, it was also not difficult to leave a note without being noticed, and it was even easier for Fang Nihong to sneak out quietly to meet him without telling anyone.
What thing in this world was easier than getting a woman who had already fallen in love with him to sneak out to meet him?
After only a short stay upon Huashan, Bai Shaoqing went down the mountain.
After sunset, in a secluded place at the foot of the mountain, he had already set up a table with his zither. Bai Shaoqing slept comfortably for an afternoon, then freshened up in the stream, he looked up at the red clouds in the sky, and then turned and sat in front of the zither.
Fingers began to move whilst the strings trembled.
The cold sound of the zither was like a phoenix with wings, rising slowly into the sky, hovering without dispersing.
One piece was already over, Bai Shaoqing had a calm expression on his face, his eyebrows were straight and he was clear of mind.
He said lightly: “You’ve arrived?”
A figure dressed in pink and blue appeared from behind the tree, and a beautiful woman stepped out.
“How did you know I was here?”
“A zither player has a clear mind, I heard you stepping on the dead branches.”
Fang Nihong smiled sweetly: “You play the zither really well.”
“Really? Bai Shaoqing smiled slightly, then turned to her and smiled, before sighing, “Unfortunately, playing without accompaniment is like the loneliness adding to the melancholy.”
“How about I accompany you?”
Bai Shaoqing’s eyes lit up, as bright as stars, and said in surprise, “Fang gu-niang, are you able to dance?”
“I can’t.” Fang Nihong shook her head.
“Fang gu-niang is a good singer?”
“Haha, I’m tone-deaf, the other disciples usually cover their ears as soon as they hear me singing.”
His eyes, which were as bright as stars, darkened a bit. “Urmmm… Is Fang gu-niang playing with me right now?”
“You jerk! You’re just a moody scholar that knows how to dance and sing.” Fang Nihong stomped her feet, revealing her spoiled attitude. “I am standing here and listening to you playing the zither, isn’t that keeping you company? It is often said that it is hard to find a soulmate. You already have a soulmate and you are still not satisfied?”
“Yes, yes, Fang gu-niang is right.” Bai Shaoqing’s handsome face smiled in defeat, “Ancient music twists and turns, making one feel melancholic. If one could be born in ancient times, how good would that be?”
The slender fingers began to pluck once more, the gentle sound was mixed in with harsher tones, making them feel more fired up.
“Oh, what’s so good about the ancient people?”
“The ancient times had Zi Long and Guan Yu1Zi Long aka Zhao Yun and Guan Yu are legendary Chinese Generals back in the Three Kingdoms period, if one could meet them, how lucky would one be?”
Fingers began to move whilst the strings trembled.
The cold sound of the zither was like a phoenix with wings, rising slowly into the sky, hovering without dispersing.
One piece was already over, Bai Shaoqing had a calm expression on his face, his eyebrows were straight and he was clear of mind.
He said lightly: “You’ve arrived?”
A figure dressed in pink and blue appeared from behind the tree, and a beautiful woman stepped out.
“How did you know I was here?”
“A zither player has a clear mind, I heard you stepping on the dead branches.”
Fang Nihong smiled sweetly: “You play the zither really well.”
“Really? Bai Shaoqing smiled slightly, then turned to her and smiled, before sighing, “Unfortunately, playing without accompaniment is like the loneliness adding to the melancholy.”
“How about I accompany you?”
Bai Shaoqing’s eyes lit up, as bright as stars, and said in surprise, “Fang gu-niang, are you able to dance?”
“I can’t.” Fang Nihong shook her head.
“Fang gu-niang is a good singer?”
“Haha, I’m tone-deaf, the other disciples usually cover their ears as soon as they hear me singing.”
His eyes, which were as bright as stars, darkened a bit. “Urmmm… Is Fang gu-niang playing with me right now?”
“You jerk! You’re just a moody scholar that knows how to dance and sing.” Fang Nihong stomped her feet, revealing her spoiled attitude. “I am standing here and listening to you playing the zither, isn’t that keeping you company? It is often said that it is hard to find a soulmate. You already have a soulmate and you are still not satisfied?”
“Yes, yes, Fang gu-niang is right.” Bai Shaoqing’s handsome face smiled in defeat, “Ancient music twists and turns, making one feel melancholic. If one could be born in ancient times, how good would that be?”
The slender fingers began to pluck once more, the gentle sound was mixed in with harsher tones, making them feel more fired up.
“Oh, what’s so good about the ancient people?”
“The ancient times had Zi Long and Guan Yu1Zi Long aka Zhao Yun and Guan Yu are legendary Chinese Generals back in the Three Kingdoms period, if one could meet them, how lucky would one be?”
“Zhao Zilong and Guan Gong were heroes, but now there are also many heroes throughout Jianghu. Putting aside the Bai family’s laoye-zi, what about Feng Long? And, my father, the head of the Huashan Sect, is also a hero!” Fang Nihong sat beside Bai Shaoqing and retorted sharply.
“Fang gu-niang wants to have an intellectual debate with a scholar today?” Bai Shaoqing turned his head, grinned at her, and slowly said: “In ancient times, Gongsun da-niang2公孫大娘 lit. great aunt Gongsun was a famous sword-dancer during the Tang dynasty performed the most peerless and graceful sword dance.”
Fang Nihong applauded and laughed: “Speaking of sword dancing, you will really have to admit defeat.” Jumping from the ground, she drew out her sword and danced to the sound of the zither.
Her movements were light and graceful, delicate like a dancing dragon, fast and slow movements, light music matched with a graceful dance, allowing the enemy a decisive opportunity.
Bai Shaoqing was stunned and smiled heartily, suddenly picking his fingertips and plucking all four strings, immediately becoming majestically powerful, before ending within the five notes of the pentatonic scale.
With the sudden odd note, the piece was finished.
One set of the Huashan Sect Sword Technique had also finished at the same time. The sound of the zither and the sword strokes were in perfect harmony.
Fang Nihong flicked her wrist around with the sword, smiled at Bai Shaoqing, and said triumphantly: “Does my sword dance measure up to Gongsun da-niang?”
Bai Shaoqing did not answer, but the admiration in his eyes made Fang Nihong more filled with joy than anything else.
“Fang gu-niang, could you still continue to dance?”
“Naturally.”
“Maybe a different dance for a different piece?”
Fang Nihong raised her chin, “If you play a different piece, I will perform a different dance.”
“Okay!”
Bai Shaoqing began plucking the strings again, and the sound of the zither rang out once more.
Fang Nihong’s desire for victory had risen, and she had used twelve sets of Huashan swordsmanship in a row for twelve pieces of music. The last one was the Huashan sect’s secret sword technique —— Silent Magnificence.
The sound of the zither finally stopped.
Bai Shaoqing stood up, and walked over to Fang Nihong who was sweating profusely, he took out his handkerchief.
“Fang gu-niang, I admit defeat.” His youthful eyes were gentle and honest.
Fang Nihong had completely forgotten that she was arguing with him at this moment, and received the handkerchief in a daze.
“I am not a member of Wulin, and I’m not clear on the customs of Wulin. However, it seems that each sect of Wulin has their own secret technique that must not be seen by outsiders.” Bai Shaoqing said with a hint of panic in his voice, “The dance you just did, it wouldn’t be the sword technique that I shouldn’t have seen, right?”
“Fang gu-niang wants to have an intellectual debate with a scholar today?” Bai Shaoqing turned his head, grinned at her, and slowly said: “In ancient times, Gongsun da-niang2公孫大娘 lit. great aunt Gongsun was a famous sword-dancer during the Tang dynasty performed the most peerless and graceful sword dance.”
Fang Nihong applauded and laughed: “Speaking of sword dancing, you will really have to admit defeat.” Jumping from the ground, she drew out her sword and danced to the sound of the zither.
Her movements were light and graceful, delicate like a dancing dragon, fast and slow movements, light music matched with a graceful dance, allowing the enemy a decisive opportunity.
Bai Shaoqing was stunned and smiled heartily, suddenly picking his fingertips and plucking all four strings, immediately becoming majestically powerful, before ending within the five notes of the pentatonic scale.
With the sudden odd note, the piece was finished.
One set of the Huashan Sect Sword Technique had also finished at the same time. The sound of the zither and the sword strokes were in perfect harmony.
Fang Nihong flicked her wrist around with the sword, smiled at Bai Shaoqing, and said triumphantly: “Does my sword dance measure up to Gongsun da-niang?”
Bai Shaoqing did not answer, but the admiration in his eyes made Fang Nihong more filled with joy than anything else.
“Fang gu-niang, could you still continue to dance?”
“Naturally.”
“Maybe a different dance for a different piece?”
Fang Nihong raised her chin, “If you play a different piece, I will perform a different dance.”
“Okay!”
Bai Shaoqing began plucking the strings again, and the sound of the zither rang out once more.
Fang Nihong’s desire for victory had risen, and she had used twelve sets of Huashan swordsmanship in a row for twelve pieces of music. The last one was the Huashan sect’s secret sword technique —— Silent Magnificence.
The sound of the zither finally stopped.
Bai Shaoqing stood up, and walked over to Fang Nihong who was sweating profusely, he took out his handkerchief.
“Fang gu-niang, I admit defeat.” His youthful eyes were gentle and honest.
Fang Nihong had completely forgotten that she was arguing with him at this moment, and received the handkerchief in a daze.
“I am not a member of Wulin, and I’m not clear on the customs of Wulin. However, it seems that each sect of Wulin has their own secret technique that must not be seen by outsiders.” Bai Shaoqing said with a hint of panic in his voice, “The dance you just did, it wouldn’t be the sword technique that I shouldn’t have seen, right?”
Fang Nihong couldn’t help screaming secretly when she was reminded by Bai Shaoqing.
Oops! If father finds out, I’ll definitely be punished…
But when she looked up and saw Bai Shaoqing’s scholarly appearance, she was reassured.
“Don’t worry. Those are the most common moves seen in Wulin. Ordinary practitioners will also know how to throw out one or two of those moves. How can it be counted as our sect’s secret technique?” Fang Nihong’s mouth was slightly raised, exposing a cheeky smile that was like that of a child.
“Furthermore, it doesn’t matter even if it was Huashan Sect’s secret Sword Technique. I only performed it once, how could you learn it just like that? Da-shixiong is so talented, but it still took him more than half a month to learn one set! But, you must never tell anyone that I showed all of it to you, otherwise, I’ll be scolded by my mother and father for being careless.” She repeatedly warned Bai Shaoqing.
Bai Shaoqing nodded, “Don’t worry, I swear I will never tell anyone.”
“En, I believe you.”
The setting sun had already fallen, a beautiful pair of eyes were shiny and translucent, the silhouettes of the two people got closer and closer, with boundless thoughts, in the midst of the silence.
When their faces were about to touch, Bai Shaoqing suddenly shook, as if only then did he remembered men and women are distinguishable3男女有别 – nán nǚ yǒu bié – ancient phrase – means that there are certain etiquettes that men and women should adhere – in particular that they shouldn’t touch etc.
“It’s getting late, Fang gu-niang, you should go home.”
“I don’t want to leave.”
“That’s not a good idea. You and I are alone here, how could we be so improper?” Bai Shaoqing sighed, “I love and respect you, how could I bear to ruin your reputation?”
Fang Nihong was moved, looked at him for a long time, and then said softly: “Well…… do you have anything else to say to me?”
Bai Shaoqing sighed, turned and walked to the zither, bowed his head and clenched his fists.
“If I have earned the right to marry you in the future, I will naturally go up the mountain to propose marriage. If I do not succeed to earn that right, then today never happened, please forget about me!”
“Well… Well …” There was an inaudible sob. “Then I’ll wait for you to earn that right.”
She hid the handkerchief filled with warmth into her robes, Fang Nihong then picked up her sword, stared deeply at Bai Shaoqing’s back, and turned away to leave.
It was a pity that she left in such a hurry, that she was not able to see Bai Shaoqing’s limpid eyes, which hid a thread of satisfaction that his scheme had succeeded.
Three days later, Zhou Ruowen, the head disciple of the Huashan Sect, was ordered by his master to deliver a letter to Bai Manor, but he never returned to Huashan Sect.
His corpse was found lying near Bai Manor. The injuries that he had sustained were unexpectedly from Huashan Sect’s secret sword technique —— Silent Magnificence. And upon the corpse, there was a flat, dried bat, which had the three words “Ninth Heaven, Bat” written with a needle dipped in gold on its head.
The matter shook the entire Huashan Sect, and the Sect Leader ordered an investigation. Aside from being sad, Fang Nihong did not suspect in the slightest Bao Shaoqing, who she believed had never practiced martial arts. And naturally, in order for Bai Shaoqing to not have to suffer from any great injustice, she kept her lips tightly sealed regarding that night.
Oops! If father finds out, I’ll definitely be punished…
But when she looked up and saw Bai Shaoqing’s scholarly appearance, she was reassured.
“Don’t worry. Those are the most common moves seen in Wulin. Ordinary practitioners will also know how to throw out one or two of those moves. How can it be counted as our sect’s secret technique?” Fang Nihong’s mouth was slightly raised, exposing a cheeky smile that was like that of a child.
“Furthermore, it doesn’t matter even if it was Huashan Sect’s secret Sword Technique. I only performed it once, how could you learn it just like that? Da-shixiong is so talented, but it still took him more than half a month to learn one set! But, you must never tell anyone that I showed all of it to you, otherwise, I’ll be scolded by my mother and father for being careless.” She repeatedly warned Bai Shaoqing.
Bai Shaoqing nodded, “Don’t worry, I swear I will never tell anyone.”
“En, I believe you.”
The setting sun had already fallen, a beautiful pair of eyes were shiny and translucent, the silhouettes of the two people got closer and closer, with boundless thoughts, in the midst of the silence.
When their faces were about to touch, Bai Shaoqing suddenly shook, as if only then did he remembered men and women are distinguishable3男女有别 – nán nǚ yǒu bié – ancient phrase – means that there are certain etiquettes that men and women should adhere – in particular that they shouldn’t touch etc.
“It’s getting late, Fang gu-niang, you should go home.”
“I don’t want to leave.”
“That’s not a good idea. You and I are alone here, how could we be so improper?” Bai Shaoqing sighed, “I love and respect you, how could I bear to ruin your reputation?”
Fang Nihong was moved, looked at him for a long time, and then said softly: “Well…… do you have anything else to say to me?”
Bai Shaoqing sighed, turned and walked to the zither, bowed his head and clenched his fists.
“If I have earned the right to marry you in the future, I will naturally go up the mountain to propose marriage. If I do not succeed to earn that right, then today never happened, please forget about me!”
“Well… Well …” There was an inaudible sob. “Then I’ll wait for you to earn that right.”
She hid the handkerchief filled with warmth into her robes, Fang Nihong then picked up her sword, stared deeply at Bai Shaoqing’s back, and turned away to leave.
It was a pity that she left in such a hurry, that she was not able to see Bai Shaoqing’s limpid eyes, which hid a thread of satisfaction that his scheme had succeeded.
Three days later, Zhou Ruowen, the head disciple of the Huashan Sect, was ordered by his master to deliver a letter to Bai Manor, but he never returned to Huashan Sect.
His corpse was found lying near Bai Manor. The injuries that he had sustained were unexpectedly from Huashan Sect’s secret sword technique —— Silent Magnificence. And upon the corpse, there was a flat, dried bat, which had the three words “Ninth Heaven, Bat” written with a needle dipped in gold on its head.
The matter shook the entire Huashan Sect, and the Sect Leader ordered an investigation. Aside from being sad, Fang Nihong did not suspect in the slightest Bao Shaoqing, who she believed had never practiced martial arts. And naturally, in order for Bai Shaoqing to not have to suffer from any great injustice, she kept her lips tightly sealed regarding that night.
Translator Note:
Wtf? I was not expecting that the MC was the villain hahahahaha. I was highly misled by the synopsis for the live action – I also thought that Feng Long was the MC but I guess he’s the ML??
The only thing that slightly niggles me is how did she think he got a note into her room up in the mountain? Loool. And ‘I love you’ after a couple of encounters three months ago…. Let me just go throw up.
Wtf? I was not expecting that the MC was the villain hahahahaha. I was highly misled by the synopsis for the live action – I also thought that Feng Long was the MC but I guess he’s the ML??
The only thing that slightly niggles me is how did she think he got a note into her room up in the mountain? Loool. And ‘I love you’ after a couple of encounters three months ago…. Let me just go throw up.
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I hope that he will not die and transmigrates ! This angst is more interesting hehe!
Thank you for the translation 🙂
Oho a blackened mc? Love to see it! (･ิω･ิ)
I guess I should have caught on when it was said that the victims were all murdered with ‘their sects technique only amount to this’ because that was someone who had a bone to pick with the righteous sects
I mean it all seemed to point out to him being the Bat from the start. But also, the Bat seemed to be a pretty indiscriminate serial killer so you’re like…surely the MC isn’t evil. Either he’s not the killer or else the victims were somehow guilty of something terrible or whatnot. Except now it seems like we really have a villain MC on our hands :-)) This is great so far. I kinda hope he’s actually as evil as he appears right now. It would make this even more entertaining.
Ahhhh uhhh? Wow that was suprising
He killed zhou ruowen 😅 i liked him… Well 🤷🏻♀️
OK, I have to say that they misslead me in some way and I sad because of Zhou Ruowen, even if I know that he wasn’t important, but I liked him :<
Aaaand we will throw up together =.=