The border of the Jin Province, ShanYuan Peaks, BieHe Sect.
Amidst the woods, river water gushed down a rugged waterfall, the sound of water deafening. A zither cultivator in white sat cross-legged, an ancient zither floating above his knees, like a banished immortal.
The strings of the zither strummed faintly. The instant that the melodious tune played, the rapid flow of water, the chirping of the summer cicadas— everything seemed to be partitioned outward. Even time stood still for a moment.
In this scene that’s akin to a landscape painting, the banished immortal, who had a countenance like jade and the figure of an emerald pine tree, raised his hand. The artful view suddenly plummeted from the clouds above to the mortal world below when he shouted loudly: “2-Shijie! Fish!”
BieHe Sect’s 2-Shijie, Shi MiaoMiao, instantly shot out of bushes half a person in height, the sleeves of her garments floating gracefully behind her. She held an ancient jade pipa in her hands. Her figure was graceful and elegant, as if an immortal fairy flying in the sky.
The strings of the pipa strummed, like crushing jade and casting pearls, gold and metal colliding. An invisible wave of sound exploded over the surface of the stream, creating blooming splashes of water. Several plump river fish jumped into the air, confused and disoriented. She swiftly and efficiently swept them into the net.
“Nice!” Holding the zither, Yu QingTang landed on the shore with bright eyes: “So fat! Finally we managed to catch those slippery fish demons. Can add food tonight!”
“In a few days, the mushrooms on the mountain can be picked as well. Unfortunately, the chicken that Master purchased ran off again. Otherwise, we can eat chicken stew with mushrooms……”
Yu QingTang casually placed the zither on his back and rolled up his sleeves to help her carry a large portion of the fish.
Even though their BieHe Sect was also a cultivation sect, they were low in numbers, no more than 20 people in their entire sect. Those that stayed all year round within the sect could basically be counted with one hand.
Since Yu QingTang joined the sect, rather than seeking immortality and finding the path of Dao to advance his ambitions, he spent more time studying how to gather food and improve the quality of his meals.
It’s also very fortunate that even though they were located remotely, there were mountains and rivers; food could be found everywhere.
Just looking at his daily activity, it’s probably very hard to imagine that he had transmigrated into a Long AoTian novel.
Holding the fish, Shi MiaoMiao gave a rather silly yet satisfied smile over their harvest: “Xiao-Shidi, your Song of Tranquility is getting more and more powerful, enchanting these fish into an utter daze……”
“Are you talking about the Song of Tranquility or the Song of Enthrallment?” Yu QingTang waved his hand: “They’re both thanks to the efforts of this zither.”
He pointed behind himself— the top-grade magic weapon on his back, the Dragon Heron Zither, was the only high-level magic item in their BieHe Sect.
Although due to some special reason, this zither couldn’t produce a lot of its power right now, it was still far better than others— as for why such a small obscure sect such as theirs would have a top-grade magic weapon……
Don’t ask, all you need to know is that it’s necessary for the plot.
After all, this isn’t exactly considered a normally created world. This is a world that existed within the book <<The Young Ruler of Gods: Unifying the Cultivation world>>. Most of the events and opportunities are set up to advance the story plot and provide the protagonist some benefits.
Naturally, there’s a reason relating to the protagonist that this zither is here.
Shi MiaoMiao completely did not notice that Yu QingTang had dazed off. With a face of envy, she looked at that zither: “Ai, sure enough the Master loves you the most, deciding to give the zither to you.”
She counted with her fingers: “Based on seniority, it should go to Da-Shijie; based on strength, it should go to 3-Shixiong; based on talent, it should go to 17-Shidi…..”
Yu QingTang looked at her with a somewhat benevolent expression— His 2-Shijie was great in all aspects, but way too straightforward and perhaps even slightly lacking in common sense.
He sighed and warned: “At least say these kinds of words behind my back.”
Shi MiaoMiao had a look of righteousness on her face: “No way.”
“Talking about others behind their backs, wouldn’t that make me a petty villain?”
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
Te HlcuKjcu: “……”
Aera ibbx ja atlr.
Vtl ZljbZljb rklamtfv j tjcv ab mjggs atf olrt: “Dea P’nf cfnfg rffc Zjrafg rtbk jcs ojnbglalrw abkjgvr sbe cbgwjiis, rb kts vlv tf revvfcis ulnf sbe atlr hlatfg atja vjs?”
Meggbklcu tfg ygbkr, rtf mbeivc’a tfiq yea uefrr klivis. Vevvfcis, tfg fsfr klvfcfv jr rtf aegcfv ab ibbx ja tlw: “Zjrafg vlvc’a vb rbwfatlcu ecobgulnjyif abkjgvr sbe, vlv tf?”
Yu QingTang: “……Hah.”
Making it sound like he’s got something going on with the Master or something.
“Don’t look so disbelieving!” Shi MiaoMiao used her empty hand to rub her chin: “Recall back then, right before Da-Shijie tricked you into crossdressing to participate in the Immortal Sects’ Unique Skills Competition for Women, didn’t she buy candy for you to eat everyday as well?”
Feeling certain unsightly and painful memories returning, Yu QingTang’s mouth twitched as he interrupted: “Stop!”
“Is there a possibility,” he reached out to rub the center of his brows, “that Master gave the zither to me because you play the pipa, Da-Shijie plays the guzheng, 3-Shidi plays the flute, 17-Shidi rely on his singing voice……”
He counted off on his fingers and finally pointed at himself: “Within our sect of 20 disciples, I’m the only one who studies the zither.”
Opening her mouth slightly, Shi MiaoMiao felt very surprised: “Oh that’s true!”
Saying this, she became doubtful again: “Why’s that?”
“Because when we joined the sect, Master said he is proficient in all 18 arts, but is most terrible at playing the zither, so he doesn’t recommend picking it.” Yu QingTang looked back with a smile: “As such, I picked the zither.”
Shi MiaoMiao said in reverence: “Taking the risk despite knowing the danger!”
“Oh, now that’s not the case.” Yu QingTang laughed dryly: “I just felt that since he played it terribly himself, if I can’t learn it well, I can’t exactly be blamed.”
Shi MiaoMiao: “……”
Swaying his head as he walked forward, Yu QingTang waved at her pretentiously: “Not to mention, this zither might not always follow me. Perhaps, it will find its fated person sooner or later.”
—Who let him be someone who has read the script?
He, Yu QingTang, was a side character that appears for no more than two chapters in this <<The Young Ruler of Gods: Unifying the Cultivation world>> novel. His only purpose was to gift this Dragon Heron Zither to one of Long AoTian’s harem, MiaoYin Xian.
According to the story line, the protagonist Long AoTian of this book traveled his way here to the borders of the Jin Province, fighting monsters and leveling up along the journey. Due to various coincidences, he encounters the saint priestess of the Heavenly Music Sect, MiaoYin Xian. Hitting it off instantly, they develop a deep relationship that surpasses the ordinary friendship of a man and woman.
During the development of any relationship, the process is always accompanied by various incidents of obscene catcalling, forceful assaults, and harassments.
Very unfortunate, this incident occurred right in front of the mountains of their BieHe Sect and Yu QingTang just happened to run into it.
Don’t mention it, but he’s actually pretty kind-hearted. Unable to stand watching a small villain bully others weaker than him, Yu QingTang acted righteously and lent support by playing the zither.
But a fire at the city gates brings disaster to the fish in the moat— when the heroes and villains exchange blows, bystanders are caught in the crossfire. Only he made a humiliating spectacle of himself getting thrown almost a mile away. In the end, he climbed up with a struggle to stuff the zither in MiaoYin Xian’s hands before fainting dead away.
Then, after this traitorous zither reached the hands of a beauty, it immediately exhibited its great prowess eagerly and even sleazily sucked her blood to recognize her as its owner directly, successfully hugging the Long AoTian’s big thighs.
Later on, the Proud Dragon Son of Heaven at least gave him some compensation, but according to Long AoTian’s principle of never losing out, Yu QingTang definitely didn’t get anything too beneficial.
As for what happened after that……
Probably as one of Long AoTian’s many followers scattered all over the world, he successfully lived to the grand finale.
Why ‘probably’? Because the author never mentioned him by name in the future.
Yu QingTang actually felt pretty pleased with this script. As long as he gave the zither away and avoided the whereabouts of Long AoTian’s fights, he could live a relatively carefree and simple life as a salted fish.
Come on, it’s super cool to fly in the sky, dash across the earth, and indulge in one’s cultivation obsession, alright?
He only wanted to finish his part as soon as possible without changing the direction of the original plot.
Thinking here, he felt some palpitations to his heart— Actually, he had already met the Proud Dragon Son of Heaven once a long time ago. This was not in the original story plot, so he didn’t know if it would have any impact.
Hopefully, this world can bring the plot back on track on its own.
Completely unaware of his thoughts, Shi MiaoMiao was still looking at the Dragon Heron Zither behind him. She asked: “Xiao-Shidi, is your storage ring broken?”
Yu QingTang returned from his thoughts: “No?”
Shi MiaoMiao thought it was strange: “Then why are you not putting away your zither?”
Yu QingTang raised his brow slightly. He had an elegant and immaculate outer appearance. Especially when he’s expressionless, his face was apathetic and distant like the countenance of a celestial being, very much akin to an earnest person, who’s noble and composed.
The prerequisite was that he didn’t speak.
“Because it’s handsome.”
The corners of Yu QingTang’s mouth curving upwards slightly as he left behind these sincere and simple words.
What a joke, he had transmigrated to cultivate immortality and this zither can float behind him automatically. It looked super! handsome!
Before he gave it away to the Proud Dragon Son of Heaven, couldn’t he show off a bit?!
Mouth opening slightly, Shi MiaoMiao watched with a dumbfounded look as he walked ahead, and hastily chased after him: “Wait for me!”
These words of hers seemed to have an echo, a shout that folded in layers.
After being a music cultivator for so many years, Yu QingTang didn’t make much progress in all other aspects, but was actually pretty sensitive to sound. He turned his head in confusion: “I seemed to have heard Da-Shijie’s voice.”
“Oh Tang!”
Sure enough, by the time he turned around, the Da-Shijie of BieHe Sect, Yue HuaNian, had already charged in front of him with an expression of panic on her face: “Something terrible happened!”
“That, that! That humanoid typhoon from the Qing Province is here!”
Yu QingTang was stunned: “Long AoTian? So quickly?”
Yue HuaNian had a look of confusion: “Who?”
Yu QingTang corrected himself guiltily: “Uh, I mean that budding young genius from the Qing Province……”
“Ye ChenYan!” Yue HuaNian hastily continued his words: “It’s him! He-he-he found his way here!”
“So quickly……” Yu QingTang was somewhat surprised. The story line did not write the day, month, or year, so he could only guess the approximate time based on the direction of the plot. Regarding when the Proud Dragon Son of Heaven was bringing MiaoYin Xian over to complete the story plot, he had no idea.
He turned his head and touched the Dragon Heron Zither regretfully and waved at Da-Shijie to indicate for her to not panic: “Don’t panic, I will go help.”
“Did he also bring a pretty female cultivator with him?”
He looked down at his entirely white outfit and mumbled internally, if he knew ahead of time that he was going to roll around on the ground, he’d have worn something that tolerated getting dirty better. This white outfit would be so troublesome to wash.
“What pretty female cultivator?” Yue HuaNian was even more bewildered: “What are you saying, Xiao-Shidi? He came by himself!”
This time it was Yu QingTang’s turn to open his eyes wide in astonishment: “Ah? He didn’t bring a pretty female cultivator? Then what did he bring?”
Yue HuaNian stared at him with heavy eyes: “A written marriage proposal.”
Yu QingTang: “……”
Cold sweat broke out on his forehead as he asked with a tremble: “W-wh-who’s he marrying?”
Yue HuaNian reached into her robe and took out a huge red marriage proposal, then spread it open in front of him.
“Ye ChenYan, the inner disciple of GuiYi Sect in the Qing Province, entrusts the leader of GuiYi Sect, Swordmaster TianYi, to be matchmaker today. The Elder of Whatever Peak, TianJi Zi, will ensure that the marriage……”
Yu QingTang skipped the row of greatly influential names and examined the main point directly— “…… seeks the hand in marriage of BieHe Sect’s Xiao-Shimei, Yu QingTang.”
Yu QingTang felt his vision turn dark: “…..”
It’s all over.
“Xiao-Shidi?” Almost afraid to scare him, Yue HuaNian cautiously gave him a poke.
Yu QingTang jumped up abruptly: “Not good, I have to run!”
He turned around and got ready to scramble. After running just two steps, he returned and shoved his zither into Da-Shijie’s hands: “Wait, you gave the zither to him! Say that I’m not home!”
Before he ran off once again, Yue HuaNian grabbed him by the fragile skin on the back of his neck and shook her head sadly: “There’s no use, Xiao-Shidi. His Master, TianJi Zi, can calculate one’s fate. He came here knowing you’d be home.”
Yu QingTang’s lips trembled. Yue HuaNian patted his dumb head pitifully: “Owing a love debt at such a young age—”
“Don’t panic, Shijie is here.”
Gesturing at the stupefied 2-Shijie with a twist of her chin, she said with a determined look on her face: “MiaoMiao, gather the disciples. We’re holding a sect meeting to discuss our long-term plans!”
The author has something to say:
Yu QingTang: Where’s the author? Please help me!
I love this novel already can’t wait for more chapters!! 😆
Ha! This is a great start. Trying to run off and caught by the back of the neck… I sense hijinks ahead?
It’s always the people who wanna be salted fish
Cute! That was a good first chapter. Thanks!! 💜
I’m quite confused about the order. So there’s 1-shijie, 2-shijie and 3-shidi, is the mc disciple 2.5? Is he a special student or something?
The order between Shijie and Shidi aren’t the same; 1-shijie would just mean oldest female disciple, and 1-shixiong would mean oldest male disciple so both rankings can co-exist at the same time
Sorry, but in this novel, that kind of ranking doesn’t exist. There are 20 disciples. The author has them numbered 1-20 xD I will try to edit my notes to make that clearer.
Hello Infinite-san~ I wonder if it is possible to ask for the disciple’s numbers to be ordinal style? Like 1st-, 2nd shijie and so on for a smoother reading experience?
The novel looks very interesting. Thanks for translating!
I’m sorry. You can read it however you like, but I’m going to just short-hand with a number because that’s how it’s read in Chinese and it’s faster for me to type it that way.
To make things even more confusing, the author is writing this novel from the MC’s point of view, so the writer uses Shijie in regular sentences. That’s why I was trying to emphasize with my note to disregard the Shijie, Shimei part and just focus on the number. The number indicates the disciple’s rank in the sect, and in this novel, is almost used as their names.
I’ll try to edit my note to make that clearer!
Oh i see. I must have misread which person was speaking. Thanks for the clarification!
The red flag for every transmigated person is when they think they can live as salted fish after you messed up with the plot in the benigging🤣
I’m looking forward for the next chapter and thanks for the translation.
I’m dead, it starts so well 🤣
Thank you for the translation! ❤
I already love this story i predict its going to be a very silly and fun ride.
Super excited for the new journey with You! o(≧∇≦o) Can’t wait ❤
HAHAHAH lol what a great start