Phork (translator): Chapter 1 translation has been done already BruteForceTL, you find link for the same at Novel Updates.
Jincheng was located in the northwest, not as serene and elegant as Jiangnan. Although it was already summer, when the long wind blew sand and gravel directly onto the face, it still stung the eyes.
Zhu Yanyin bought a gauze scarf from a street shop, followed the example of the locals and covered his head and face tightly, leaving only a slit for his eyes. He asked in a low voice, “When can we see the divine doctor?”
Zhao Mingchuan replied that he would have to wait another seven or eight days, or seventeen or eighteen days, or twenty-seven or twenty-eight days.
Zhu Yanyin: “…”
Zhao Mingchuan preached: “The whereabouts of Divine Doctor Jiang are uncertain, but since he promised to come to the Wulin Conference, he will definitely not break the promise. It just so happens that Jincheng has been busy recently, so let’s just go sightseeing and relax.”
As he was talking, another gust of wind howled through the city. The nearby bookstall didn’t have time to pack up, and a few sheets of paper were blown into the air, landing accurately on Zhu Yanyin’s face.
“Ah!” Zhu Xiaosui quickly helped him pull it off, looking at the ghostly creature with a green face and fangs with disgust, “What dirty thing is this.”
“The latest portrait of the leader of the Demon Cult.” The vendor rushed over to clean it up and introduced it with a smile on his face, “Would Young Master like one?”
Zhu Yanyin was surprised, “Does this thing also sell well?”
Zhao Mingchuan explained from the side: “The leader of the Wulin Alliance has issued a decree to the entire Jianghu. Any information about Chi Tian can be exchanged for a generous reward.”
Chi Tian was the demonic cult leader that everyone was aiming to suppress this time. It was rumored that his martial arts skills were highly advanced and sinister. However, the scope of his evil deeds was currently limited to only the northeast, where the people had not yet had the chance to witness how cruel he was. Thus, the people were not too afraid. Upon hearing about the generous reward from the Wulin Alliance, they became eager to inquire about the appearance of the target. The portraits of his appearance quickly sold out in batched, with people being afraid that if they saw the Demon Cult Leader and were unable to recognize him, they might miss out on the chance to make a fortune.
At this moment, the wind was blowing again. The vendor ran back to pick up the books that had fallen on the ground. Zhu Yanyin saw that he was wearing thin clothes and seemed to be living a hard life, so he asked Zhu Xiaosui to go help him, and ordered: “Ask how much all these martial arts books cost, buy them, and bring them back for me at the inn.”
When Zhu Xiaosui heard this, his eyebrows immediately drooped. Is Young Master had already lost his memory, why was he still buying such books? He reluctantly moved over, helped the vendor pack the books, and then asked like a rich man: “My Young Master wants to buy some books for fun, do you still have any in stock?”
“Yes, yes.” The vendor was very enthusiastic, “I wonder what book the Young Master is looking for?”
Zhu Xiaosui said, “Three mounds, five rites, eight cords, nine mounds.”
The vendor looked puzzled.
Zhu Xiaosui could only ask again, “What about 'Gongyang Zhuan' and 'Guliang Zhuan'? These should be included, right?”
The vendor pointed to the basket, “No, I only sell these.”
They were all related to martial arts, such as ‘Top Ten Unsolved Mysteries of Jianghu,’ ‘One Hundred Things Every Young Hero Must Know Upon Entering the Jianghu,’ and some self-published works from various sects, like ‘Success Path of the Head of Yellow Peaks Sect: Seeing Trouble as Opportunity.’ In short, each book was more flamboyant than the last.
Zhu Xiaosui’s hands trembled as he paid the money.
With the Wulin Convention fast approaching, martial artists could be seen wherever the eyes roamed. Zhu Yanyin didn’t want to stay alone in the inn, so he asked Zhao Mingchuan about some famous places in Jincheng, planning to stroll around and pass the time.
Zhu Xiaosui felt distressed as he made the bed for his master. He didn’t know when that divine doctor Jiang would arrive in Jincheng. Ah, people in the Jianghu, no matter how you think about them, they’re always rough and unreliable.
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.
***
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Jiang Shenglin’s conscience was still intact, and he felt that this shoddy piece of work was not suitable for deceiving people. So, he suggested, “How about I make some improvements?”
Li Sui pulled out a piece of rice paper, “It’s not like you’re painting a portrait of the Jiang family ancestors. There’s no need to be so meticulous.”
Jiang Shenglin: “…”
Forget it, I won’t get angry. Even if others get angry, I won’t. If I get sick from anger, there will be no one to take care of me.
In the hearts of the people of Jincheng, the image of the Demon Cult Leader could be compared to that of a notorious demon. This as all thanks to the seven or eight bookstores established by the Wan Ren Palace within the city. Just a few days ago, as soon as the Wulin alliance issued a hefty reward notice in the morning, by the afternoon, the portrait of Chi Tian had already spread across the entire city. Every household rushed to obtain one, and those who couldn’t get one even engaged in scuffles. Its popularity rivaled that of ‘The Ten Romantic Stories of Jianghu.’
Jiang Shenglin asked again: “When do you plan to leave for Xuecheng?”
“Next month,” Li Sui said, “you help me get a few more sets of medicine, just in case.”
“Medicine can be prescribed, but the Red Sky technique is too mysterious,” Jiang Shenglin spoke, stopping midway when he saw Li Sui seeming displeased. He changed the subject, “Even if your internal strength is profound and you can single-handedly handle seven or eight of them, you still have old injuries. Be cautious.”
“How should I be cautious?”
“Those Wulin Alliance people are also going to Xuecheng. Why not go with them?” Jiang Shenglin persuasively said, “It just so happens to be a good opportunity to let those people in the jianghu broaden their horizons.”
Li Sui picked up his sword, got up, and left the main hall.
Jiang Shenglin watched his departing figure and sighed deeply from the bottom of his heart.
***
In the afternoon, Second Master Zhu wandered around Jin City with his book boy.
The streets were crowded with people, numerous carriages, and even more horses. Zhu Xiaosui was afraid when he saw this bustling scene of the martial world. What was he afraid of? Afraid that his master would be once again stirred up by martial arts fantasies. So, he tightly held onto his master’s sleeve with one hand, muttering, “That’s enough, let’s go back.”
“The room is too stuffy,” Zhu Yanyin looked at a shop sign in front of him and praised, “Nice name, let’s go in and take a look.”
Zhu Xiaosui felt sad after hearing this. ‘Niu Dafa’s Weapon Emporium’; what’s good about this name? If you want to see a big sword, just say so.
Zhu Yanyin confidently walked in and pulled down the thin veil on his face. He looked handsome and elegant. Standing in the pitch-dark room, he practically had ‘I was born extremely rich’ written all over him. Several shop attendants rushed forward to greet and surround him, introducing various treasures to him.
Second Master Zhou heard what they said and felt intrigued, feeling that every weapon here held profound mysteries. He turned to look at the young book boy: Everyone seems so enthusiastic, should I buy some? After all, I have already come all the way.
Zhu Xiaosui: I am about to be so pissed.
Zhu Yanyin, in high spirits, picked some daggers and sleeve arrows, intending to bring them home as gifts or for display. His elder brother, when visiting Hu City, would buy two catties of lotus root cakes. But he, after all, was at the Wulin Conference, right? So, he sent Zhu Xiaosui to to pay for the items, while he continued to look around. While looking around, he came across a sword.
A red-black mysterious iron sword.
Leaning diagonally against the wall, wrapped in the lingering sunset, every mark on it seemed to be filled with tales of vicissitudes of life.
Beautiful!
Buy it!
As soon as Li Sui lifted the door curtain, he saw a thief trying to steal his sword.
“…”
Zhu Yanyin, untrained in martial arts and unfamiliar with manual labor, had trembling arms and weak strength. It took a lot of effort just to lift the sword.
“Hoo!”
Li Sui looked at him expressionlessly.
Zhu Yanyin was completely engrossed in the sword and didn’t notice a person in the dark. He just wanted to go to a brighter place to appreciate it carefully. When he stepped back, he didn’t notice a pit on the ground. Tripping, he almost fell into the arms of another person.
“Ah!” It was a young man in splendid brocade clothes, carrying a sword. As soon as he entered the shop, he was pushed back two steps, hastily dodging. He disdainfully exclaimed, “Where did this rough and uncultured fellow come from?”
Second Master Zhu, who had never before been referred to as ‘rough and uncultured’, was stunned and though, ‘Is you eyesight not working? Do I look uncultured to you?’ But after a second thought, since he had bumped into someone first, he intended to apologize. However, the other party had already walked past him with his entourage, picking up a package of daggers from the counter.
“…”
Zhu Yanyin had to speak, “Brother, these are all purchased by me.”
The well-dressed man looked him up and down with contempt, “You can’t even lift a sword, yet you want to compete with me for this Floating Sky Blue Sea Distant Mountains Empty Rain Dreamwalking Sword?”
Hearing this random name, Zhu Yanyin began to feel a headache. He didn’t even want the knife anymore, the name was too tacky for his liking. At this moment, Zhu Xiaosui happened to come out with the shop assistants, heard that others were looking down on his master, and felt dissatisfied. So, he pointed at the items and said loudly, “Just these, the ones we paid for earlier, pack them all up.”
The shop assistant, wearing a forced smile, approached to take the item away, but the well-dressed man refused and threw the sword on the counter with a loud ‘clang’, and said, “What can you offer? I’ll take it.”
“Hey, you!” Zhu Xiaosui wanted to argue, but Zhu Yanyin held him back and said calmly, “You paid the money, but what if this gentleman is willing to pay double? Can we stop the store owner from making money?”
The shop assistants were happy to let the two customers negotiate by themselves. The well-dressed man glanced at the daggers and throwing knives, scoffed, and said, “I’ll pay double.”
“I’ll pay triple,” Zhu Yanyin countered.
“You!” The well-dressed man’s temple throbbed.
“I’ll pay four times.”
“Five times.”
“… Six times!”
“Good!” Zhu Yanyin suddenly began to applaud enthusiastically.
The shop assistants, catching on, also joined in the applause.
Clap, clap, clap.
It was very lively.
The well-dressed man: “…”
His Adam’s apple rolled up and down, as he swallowed the words “good my ass.”
Young Master Zhu was wealthy, and previously, he selected only top-notch items. Six times the price was not a small sum. Although the shop assistant accepted the money from the well-dressed man, he wasn’t particularly pleased. He thought that after a while, someone would definitely be sent to reclaim it. Otherwise, who would be willing to endure such an impulsive loss? If they want it, fine, but there’s no need to angrily damage the shop.
Then Zhu Yanyin inquired, “Brother, with such generosity and style, I wonder which sect you come from?”
The well-dressed man ignored him.
But there was a fool among his entourage, “Our master is the young master of the Azure Wave Sect!”
The well-dressed man gritted his teeth, feeling increasingly irritated.
Sure enough, Zhu Yanyin immediately exclaimed to Zhu Xiaosui, “So, it’s the young master of the Azure Wave Sect. No wonder he spends lavishly. We’re new to the jianghu; today we have truly gained some insights.”
His voice was loud and clear, like a cicada. The well-dressed man was getting more and more annoyed, so he simply left the shop. Zhu Yanyin glanced outside, and Zhu Xiaosui understood immediately. He chased after him and loudly declared at the shop’s entrance, “The young master of the Azure Wave Sect spends generously, paying six times the silver to buy the Floating Sky Blue Sea Distant Mountains Empty Rain Dreamwalking Sword. It truly envies others!”
The common folks on the street didn’t quite understand what was going on. They only heard about six times the silver, thinking that some impressive treasure had been bought by the young master of Azure Wave Sect. They started cheering, expressing admiration, and marveling at his wealth.
Zhu Yanyin said, “Now, he shouldn’t come back to reclaim the money.”
“Yes, yes,” the assistant nodded. “Does the young master want to buy anything else?”
“I want this sword.” Zhu Yanyin pointed to the ground. “Deliver it directly to the inn.”
The assistant stretched his neck to take a look, and his face turned pale. Wasn’t this the Palace Master’s sword? Why was it here?
“We can’t sell this one, sir. Please choose another one!”
Zhu Yanyin was puzzled, “Why can’t it be sold?”
The assistant quickly ran behind the counter, put the sword in the cabinet, and said, “This also belongs to a guest, temporarily stored here.”
Zhu Yanyin was surprised, “You can actually lift it?”
The assistant said, “…I’m a blacksmith, I have strong arms.”
Zhu Yanyin responded with a sentence, feeling somewhat regretful inside because he genuinely liked that sword. He then carefully explained to the shop assistant, asking him to inquire whether the customer would be willing to sell the sword, or at least inquire where the sword was purchased.
The assistant responded perfunctory and reluctantly followed along, and after spending much effort, finally sent the two away. He stopped doing business and hurriedly closed the door. Originally, he intended to take the sword to the backyard and return it to the Palace Master. However, when he looked into the cabinet, there was no trace of the mysterious sword. As he lifted his head, only a dark figure passed by, almost becoming a gust of wind. He quickly knelt on one knee, sweat breaking out on his back, “This subordinate respectfully sees off the Palace Master.”
Phork: Hello, I will be taking up this novel! I am pretty new, so please tell if you feel like the notes I add for further reference are excessive or distracting. Hope you like it! If you find any errors or typos, please point out the same.
Looks very interesting ! Thanks for translatin💖💖💖💖
Thank you! Also, I forgot to mention it, but this is actually the second chapter of the novel, not the first! You can find the link for the first on Novel Updates
Couldn’t find the 1st ch(´;︵;`) but the second one is awesome …..now I wanna read the 1st ch but it won’t open….
Anyways waiting eagerly for the next one, I enjoyed it ❤️
Don’t worry! Now, I have posted the translation for first chapter too, so you can read it there! Also, I am almost done with the chapter 3 too, so you can expect it in a day or two.
Omg…this is so funny 🤣🤣 🤣…thank you for translating it…and yes, the notes are very much needed🌺
I just started reading from chap 1 and I’m liking it so far, thank you for translating. I think your translation is great and I really appreciate your notes!