But most people knew more than Gui Yin did at the moment, so he wasn’t surprised.
He sized up Erlang for a moment before turning his focus back to the peanuts. “So, is there something happening in Qingshui Town?”
“Why do you ask?” Erlang asked, his expression the picture of surprise.
Gui Yin wanted to roll his eyes at Erlang’s exaggerated acting. The gradualness of the way his expressions formed made him appear very alien. However, Gui Yin politely pretended as if he didn’t notice and continued on with the conversation he started.
“You said you wouldn’t be around for a while because you had important business to attend to, yet you suddenly appeared here, in this little seaside town,” Gui Yin said. He glanced at Erlang. “It can’t be because you need my help again, so you decided to coincidentally bump into me here.”
Erlang let out a short laugh. He leaned forward, his gaze sweet. “Gui-xiong, I don’t believe in coincidences—I believe in fate.”
“Oh?”
“Life is more interesting that way, isn’t it? Saying that you and I were brought together by fate is much more romantic than saying we were brought together by coincidence,” Erlang said. He picked up a peanut and turned it slowly between his fingers before he tossed it into his mouth. He met Gui Yin’s eyes. “But to answer your question—no. I didn’t plan anything. This truly was fate.”
“Fate, huh?” Gui Yin echoed. He poured himself and then Erlang a cup of wine. “Then, since it’s fate that brought me to you, do you have anything you need me to help with?”
Erlang let out a long sigh as a pout took over his face. Gui Yin’s gaze lingered on him for a moment, before he looked away.
“Gui-xiong, I really didn’t mean for us to meet. And I definitely wouldn’t want to disturb your little getaway,” Erlang said. His pout became more prominent. “You must believe me.”
Gui Yin looked Erlang up and down. Finally, he smiled. “Erlang, then you must know this about me—I’m a person who relies heavily on my gut feeling.”
Erlang raised a brow to express his interest.
“And my gut feeling tells me that you and I,” Gui Yin’s smile widened, “were brought together for a reason.”
“You’re quite the romantic as well,” Erlang said.
“You misunderstand me.”
“Have I?” Erlang chuckled.
Erlang picked up his filled cup, turned it slightly in his hand, and gulped it down without appreciating the taste. The cup was placed back down with a light thump.
“Then, since I believe in fate and you believe in your gut feeling, how about we do this?”
“Hm?”
“Let’s take a stroll around town. See if we bump into anything that catches our eyes,” Erlang said.
“Do you have that much free time right now?” Gui Yin asked, amused.
Erlang sighed, knocking his knuckles against the table. “You’ve caught me. You’re right. I just have that much free time! I have nothing else to do and no one else to spend it with, so won’t you accompany me for a while, Gui-xiong?”
“It just so happens that I’m a very busy man.”
“And what might you be doing?”
“Drinking wine, sunbathing,” Gui Yin said, his voice full of righteousness.
“Then, may I buy your time?”
“I’m not cheap,” Gui Yin raised a brow.
“I’ll buy you lunch and dinner for the rest of your time here.”
“I’m eating dinner with my kids.”
“I’ll buy them dinner as well,” Erlang smiled. “Besides, your kids like me okay, don’t they?”
“They like the story you told; not you,” Gui Yin corrected.
“Then, I’ll just tell them more stories,” Erlang said. He leaned against the table. “Gui-xiong, it’s just a few days. Accompany me, hm?”
After the wine was finished, Gui Yin followed Erlang from the inn into the streets of Qingshui Town.
Gui Yin glanced down at the ground as they walked, interested in the way the water spilled between the streets. Despite being an old town, the architecture was not outdated either. Everything was built from stone and was sturdy enough to withstand a storm if it were to hit. Stalls lined the streets, selling wares or trinkets typical of this region. The fruit stalls were particularly popular during this time of day. There were even stalls that were set up to sell parts of beasts that the people had hunted.
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.
Sgijcu ufcais aeuufv Xel Tlc mibrfg ab tlw jr j ugbeq bo fivfgis kbwfc gertfv ys. Xel Tlc raewyifv rilutais jcv ifjcfv jujlcra Sgijcu’r mtfra, tlr ujhf ralii mbcmfcagjafv bc j rqfmlolm rajii.
“Gb sbe kjca ab ub rff?” Sgijcu jrxfv.
Xel Tlc cbvvfv. Lf ecmbcrmlberis tbbxfv tlr tjcv klat Sgijcu’r jcv aeuufv atf wjc bnfg ab atf rajii. Lf gfifjrfv Sgijcu jr rbbc jr atfs jgglnfv, tlr fsfr rqjgxilcu jr atfs rmjccfv atf bypfmar bc vlrqijs.
“Young man, you seem to be very interested in these little objects,” the middle-aged man mused.
Gui Yin looked up and smiled, not bothering to correct the man about his age. “Uncle, did you make all of these?”
“Ah, my brother did. His hands never stop moving, so he made these little metal bits and bobs,” the middle-aged man said, scratching his ear. “He said that he imitated some of the gears from the abandoned mechanical guards at the edge of town. They look nice, don’t they?”
“More than nice, they’re quite accurate,” Gui Yin murmured. “May I take a closer look?”
“Go ahead, go ahead.”
Gui Yin lifted one of the smaller gears and turned it around his fingers in the sun. The gears were small, yet each groove was meticulously crafted.
Gui Yin may be an inventor, but most of his work relied on spiritual energy. A lot of the more complex machines he wanted to design would require an intricate system of gears. Unfortunately, there was never anyone who could make gears small enough. The mechanical guards the middle-aged man mentioned were a group of robots designed about a hundred or so years before Gui Yin was born by a nameless mechanic. Just when Gui Yin began to rise in fame, the profession of mechanics began to slowly die out, as the common people began to rely more on spiritual stones and spiritual energy to power any machines they had.
However, people didn’t realize that if you could combine the genius of the mechanical structure and spiritual energy together, it would create technology that could do much greater things.
“Do you want to buy them?” Erlang asked.
Gui Yin shook his head. He looked at the middle-aged man. “Uncle, may I ask where your brother is?”
“My brother?” the middle-aged man appeared surprised. “He’s usually fishing by the river side over that way around this time of day. Could you be curious about these gears?”
Gui Yin nodded. “I’m…a bit of a crafter myself, but I haven’t found anyone who could create gears as intricate as these, so I’m quite interested.”
“Ah, I see! Well, if you would like to commission him, then you should bring this form along,” the middle-aged man said, reaching behind his stall and pulling out a form. He slipped it over the counter and smiled. “I’m sure he’ll be over the moon! People around this town only care about fishing—they don’t really care about blacksmiths.”
“Thank you,” Gui Yin said ecstatically.
Once they were away from the stall, Erlang spoke, “Is it that rare?”
“It is,” Gui Yin nodded. He met Erlang’s gaze. “Do you know about the teleportation array?”
“Of course, I do.”
“Well, have you ever seen one up close?”
“I’ve never taken a second look at it, no.”
Gui Yin lightly clicked his tongue. “You should if you get the chance. Then, you’ll realize that it’s a machine without machine’s parts.”
“A machine without machine’s parts?” Erlang raised a brow.
Gui Yin nodded. “Most of my inventions are crafted purely from arrays, spells, and spiritual energy. The little machines you may see cleaning a rich person’s home isn’t my doing, however they are animated by spells. If we’re getting technical, those things aren’t machines, but puppets.”
“Then, the boat you arrived in…”
“It’s just a boat animated by Qi and spells,” Gui Yin said. He paused and looked at Erlang quizzically.
Erlang smiled. “One of my servants happened to see you land.”
“I’ll believe you this once.”
“You should always believe me.”
“Anyway,” Gui Yin swiftly changed the subject, “if I can find someone who can make such intricate gears, I’ll be able to make many more things.”
Erlang nodded thoughtfully. “If what you need is a skill blacksmith, I could help.”
Gui Yin glanced at him. “I need someone who understands machinery as well. Just a regularly skilled blacksmith isn’t going to work. This fellow seems to have dissected and examined the mechanical guards before, so he should at least have a shred of understanding.”
Erlang hummed. He looked at Gui Yin’s side profile with a smile. “Gui-xiong, you’re quite knowledgeable in this area.”
“I’m very passionate about my hobbies.”
Erlang quietly followed Gui Yin until they found the blacksmith who was fishing by the river side. He stood off to the side and watched as Gui Yin spoke with him and explained his situation. When the man wanted to prostrate, Gui Yin quickly made him stand, saying something about how he didn’t deserve such extreme respect.
A small smile found its way to Erlang’s lips as the two men sat down and began to converse excitedly. His existence seemed to have blurred in with the shadows, forgotten until he caught their eye. He didn’t mind it this way, but when he thought about how Gui Yin had forgotten about him, the smile stopped reaching his eyes.
“My Liege.”
Erlang’s gaze remained concentrated on the back of Gui Yin’s head. “Hm?”
“We’ve spotted movement in the west. It seems they’ve started making their moves.”
“The west?” Erlang echoed. He looked down at his subordinate. “Tell A-Qiao to tail them. Make sure they don’t make it past Guanyin Tree.”
“Guanyin Tree?”
Erlang looked up. The subordinate at his feet disappeared in a flash, leaving just Erlang and Gui Yin alone again. Erlang smiled.
“Have you finished?”
“So, you are busy.”
“My people are only doing a bit of reconnaissance,” Erlang said. He shifted, guiding Gui Yin back down the dirty path. “I don’t necessarily have to lift a finger. Unless, Gui-xiong, you’re curious?”
“Are you willing to tell me if I’m curious?”
Erlang threw back his head and laughed. He looked at Gui Yin. “Between the two of us, there’s nothing I’m not willing to do. Even if you ask for my right arm, I will give it to you.”
Gui Yin’s eyes flickered down to his right arm. What was wrong with it that he’d be willing to give it up?
“Now, you don’t have to look too closely. I’ll feel shy,” Erlang said. He lifted his right arm, turned his hand a few times, before flexing his fingers. “How is it? Quite good looking, isn’t it? I can even do this.”
Erlang reached out, his fingers just barely touching the side of Gui Yin’s hand before he was slapped away.
“You’re changing the subject,” Gui Yin said.
“Ah, so you are curious!” Erlang’s eyes lit up. His right hand fell limply back to his side as his left hand moved to guide Gui Yin off the dirt path. “It’s not actually anything too important. A little thief stole something from the den of Yinfeng Valley, so I’m helping them get it back.”
Gui Yin frowned. He looked at Erlang abruptly. “Yinfeng Valley? The place where the ghost cultivators live?”
Erlang laughed. “Yes, that place.”
“You…you’re working for the ghost cultivators?” Gui Yin asked, his guard immediately up.
“Now, don’t look at me like that, Gui-xiong. Whatever made you think I wouldn’t work with ghost cultivators?” Erlang asked curiously. “Rumors drift around Jianghu that I’m a demonic cultivator, while others say I’m righteous. Some even say that I’m not even human. My allegiances have always been unclear and I, as a person, go wherever benefits me more.”
“Then, why do you think working with ghost cultivators would benefit you more?” Gui Yin asked cautiously.
“Mm…I just think they’d be useful in the future,” Erlang said. “You could say that I saw it in the stars.”
“You…saw it in the stars?”
“Mmhm! With this eye,” Erlang pointed to his right eye. His dimpled smile almost made his crazy statements sound reasonable. “Are you interested?”
“Interested…interested in what?” Gui Yin took a step back as Erlang leaned closer.
“Seeing the stars. I’ll show you.”
“I can just walk out in the middle of the night and look up. Who needs you to show me?” Gui Yin scoffed. He flourished his fan and glared at Erlang. “You’re getting more and more annoying.”
“I’ve been told that happens,” Erlang said.
Gui Yin turned on his heel and began to walk away.
“Gui-xiong, are you leaving me because I’m working with the ghost cultivators?” Erlang called out.
“Follow if you want. Stay if you don’t. I’m just heading back into the city.”
Erlang’s eyes lit up. He happily jogged to catch up to Gui Yin. He glanced over at the man and leaned down slightly, his breath hitting Gui Yin’s ear. “Gui-xiong, do you really not care?”
“Who am I to you that I should care?”
“Well, your people would usually pull out their sword and shout a bunch of useless words about how what I’m doing is wrong or evil,” Erlang said.
Gui Yin glanced at the man and looked away again with a soft huff. “I don’t know your reasons for fraternizing with ghost cultivators, but you said that you foresaw a future where they could be of use. This doesn’t mean you’re allying with them either, so I don’t think it’s an issue to make a big deal out of.”
Erlang fell silent.
The two men walked till they were back at the edge of the city. Gui Yin turned to Erlang to ask him where he wanted to eat, when the man suddenly laughed. Gui Yin paused, watching Erlang snicker into his hand and turn away to prevent Gui Yin from staring at him.
“What…why are you laughing?”
Erlang finally threw his head back. He clutched his stomach as he stumbled back slightly, his eyes narrowed with amusement as he looked at Gui Yin.
“I just knew I wasn’t wrong!” Erlang exclaimed. He excitedly gripped Gui Yin’s hand. His light brown eyes sparkled as they stared at Gui Yin. “You’re definitely my fated one.”
“Your…your what?” Gui Yin tried to pull his hand back, only to be tugged closer.
“I saw it in the stars,” Erlang said. “You and I are tied together by fate.”
This was Ancient China, but how come there was an astrology enthusiast right in front of him? Sure, Gui Yin had to admit, being able to see the future in the stars was indeed an ability some people in xianxia or wuxia or whatever, whatever, novels had, but if you told him Erlang had that ability…Gui Yin would simply say that you were farting from your mouth.
“Fate, huh?” Gui Yin forced a smile.
“You don’t believe me.”
“I think it’s more likely that you’ve taken a special interest in me and now you’re trying your best to chalk it up to fate and the stars,” Gui Yin said.
The hand that was trapped by Erlang was tenderly squeezed. “You’ll see. I’ve never been wrong about these things.”
He released Gui Yin and happily walked backwards, back into the town. “And who knows! Perhaps you and I have already known each other for a long, long time.”
Gui Yin scoffed lightly as he followed Erlang. The pair of them found their way to a restaurant nearby. The role of ordering food was placed onto Gui Yin’s head, while Erlang opted to just drink wine instead.
“Do you practice inedia?”
“I eat when I want to,” Erlang said. He glanced at Gui Yin and smiled. “Perhaps I’ll eat today.”
“Eat or not, I don’t mind,” Gui Yin shrugged. “What will you do after you catch the thief?”
“Mm, probably shake him a little. If what those ghost cultivators say are true, then I’ll turn him in. If it’s not, I’ll keep him by my side,” Erlang said.
Gui Yin hummed in understanding. Someone who could escape Yinfeng Valley and from the ghost cultivators for so long was someone worth keeping.
“I suppose you’ll be busy after this then,” Gui Yin said.
“I have time to spare,” Erlang said. He smiled over his cup as he watched Gui Yin. “Gui-xiong, are you that eager to get rid of me?”
“I wouldn’t say I want to get rid of you,” Gui Yin said. He glanced at Erlang and raised a brow. “You’re good eye candy to have around.”
“So, you do think I’m good looking,” Erlang said.
“I never said I didn’t,” Gui Yin said.
Erlang chuckled as he poured Gui Yin a cup of wine. “That’s good. You know, when you acted so coldly when we first met, I got a little nervous. I thought you were being like that because you didn’t like how I looked.”
“Who wouldn’t like how you look?” Gui Yin asked with a slight frown.
“Quite a few people. Some say that I’m…mm…too fierce,” Erlang said.
“I’m sure they say that for reasons aside from your appearance,” Gui Yin said.
“Like what?” Erlang asked, eyes widening in surprise. He placed his cup down and rested his chin against the palm of his hand. “Gui-xiong, I don’t know what you’ve heard from other people, but I’m a very nice person.”
“Nice people don’t have to tell others they’re nice multiple times in one day,” Gui Yin said.
Erlang chuckled. As he was about to reply, a sharp scream interrupted them. The scream came from outside, just a slight distance away from the entrance of the restaurant. A second later, another voice of a lower register followed up: “It’s a dead body!”
Erlang looked out the window and then slowly dragged his gaze back to Gui Yin. Seeing Gui Yin’s distant stare, he tilted his head. “What are you thinking?”
“Thinking…about how every time I’m with you, I run into some type of trouble.”
Thank you for the update ❤️💯
THANKS FOR READ
me after reading this chapter and seeing Erlang so happy and excited about fate concerning Gui Yin: “okie maybe it’s a bit romantic .3. (also Erlang has taken actions in ways to figure out Gui Yin, so cant say he’s been passive about it lolol)”
also Gui Yin in his own excitement unknowingly grabbing Erlang’s hand!! i know it must just be habit, having young disciples (and siblings in modern world) and all, but aaaahhhh still makes me watch with bated breath ovo
lmao it turns out Erlang’s definition of fate is actually “i saw you once and i will Make It Happen” /j 😭
Gui Yin’s very touchy feely. he has to round up his kids all the time 🙁 not to mention his flighty shidi and shimei…siblings…exes……he might bap you if you try to touch him first, but he’s used to touching others first–
thanks for reading!!
Its cute how they’re practically opposites in personality. Like how gui yin is assumed to be not fierce at first appearance but he is quite in personality and how erlang is thought to be fierce but he is quite a bubbly baby with gui yin lol.
Also im imagining erlang “my name is…” and gui yin “you want us to be lovers?”. I quite like it that gui yin is able to discern flirting but I wonder what he thinks about erlang’s “you are my fated one” statement. Like does he think the special interest is romantic or like the feeling of finding something interesting?
cough the answer to that question will actually be revealed a bit later in the story, so i’ll refrain from answering uwu THANKS FOR READING!
Hmmmm. Someone trying to claim him… hahahahahaha! Thanks for the update 🤣❤️
he’s trying his best LOL thanks for reading!!
aww, that’s cute ^﹏^
thank for the chapter!!
I was thinking so hard why his name sounds so familiar, so is this er’lang has something to do with our beloved san’lang? Giggles hua cheng’s elder brother? Or is it normal to call themselves as Lang while adding a number before it?
I hope I don’t come off as mean, but I would appreciate it if you didn’t link my writing to MXTX’s or any other author’s in this way. Also, yes, it is normal if the person has siblings (though, in this case, it was just made up). 郎 (“lang”) is just a term of endearment.