Zhu Yanyin didn’t expect that after waking up from his faint, he would suddenly be connected with the number one martial artist in the jianghu. His emotions were quite complex— feeling both excited and uneasy at the same time. Zhao Mingchuan recounted some of the true and false rumors circulating in the city to him. For instance, within the Wanren Palace, Li Sui’s residence is known as the “Swallow’s Return Hall“. Swallow’s Return—ponder on that, think about it carefully.
Zhu Yanyin hesitated, “Is it related to me?”
Zhao Mingchuan affirmed, “Everyone is saying so.”
Otherwise, why not call it Eagle's Return, Vulture's Return, or Peng's Return? Instead, it’s specifically Swallow’s Return? Swallows are delicate and exquisite, a small bird that seems unrelated to the majestic Wanren Palace. However, with the sudden appearance of the refined and exquisite Second Young Master of the Zhu family in Jiangnan, the situation suddenly has a reasonable explanation! It’s likely that because Young Master Zhu suffered a serious injury in Jiangnan, and Master Li in the northwest must have been yearning intensely. This might be the reason why, in the middle of the night, he put on his clothes, picked up a pen, and personally wrote the characters ‘Swallow’s Return.’ Just thinking about this delicate sentiment is deeply moving.
Zhu Yanyin: Wait a moment, isn’t this a bit far-fetched?
He truthfully explained, “The phrase ‘Yan Hui’ has many meanings, like ‘Yan Hui in Wu Yuan, wind and snow, dreams break in Qiantang, moon full of the building.’ Perhaps Master Li likes this melancholy mood.”
However, Zhao Mingchuan didn’t believe it. Lord Li didn’t seem like someone who enjoyed melancholic poetry; he only enjoyed making others melancholic.
Zhu Yanyin remained doubtful: “But I really don’t remember anything, and when I was at the old residence in Jiangnan, everyone said I had nothing to do with the jianghu.”
Zhao Mingchuan looked at him silently. In the dimly lit room, with candles swaying in the wind, shadows also danced. This scene was familiar to the Second Young Master, and if it appeared in a short story, someone would be about to be killed the next moment. So, he became nervous, and when he was nervous, he started to think randomly. He began to wonder if his family had concealed something. Perhaps he had indeed had a relationship with Palace Master Li. Otherwise, why would there be so many lifelike rumors outside?
In the lobby of the inn, there were still many people, waiting for… actually, they didn’t know what they were waiting for. But since there was someone here highly regarded by Master Li and Jiang Shenglin, the opportunity to cling on couldn’t be easily missed. After all, who could predict when such good fortune might come. Therefore, even though the innkeeper had increased the price of tea tenfold, everyone still insisted on continuing their stalls.
Zhu Yanyin stood on the second floor, took a look downstairs, and was stunned, “Are they all waiting for me?”
There was a familiar face in the crowd, with boxes of supplements stacked almost into a small mountain; it was Tan Shuqiu. He was sent by his father to visit because of the incident at the Phoenix Terrace yesterday. Rumors were already circulating in the city that he was acquainted with Zhu Yanyin. So at this moment, no one dared to provoke trouble. They even gave him a comfortable seat.
Zhao Mingchuan followed Zhu Yanyin’s gaze, “That’s from the Azure Wave Sect.”
“I’ve had dealings with him twice,” Zhu Yanyin asked, “Is the Azure Wave Sect influential?”
Zhao Mingchuan answered, “Not really.”
The sect leader, Tan Dadao, was originally a restaurant owner. He was good at chopping ducks but not at chopping people. Azure Wave Sect’s current status in the jianghu was mainly due to their duck blood vermicelli soup rather than their martial arts prowess. As for Tan Shuqiu, he was a half-joke in the jianghu, always wanting to befriend the sons and daughters of major sects. However, he often ended up being teased, arrogant and overbearing in front of the weak, yet timid and cowardly in front of the strong, just a wealthy family’s pampered fool.
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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Zhao Mingchuan shook his head, “No, people from Wanren Palace don’t like to show up in public gatherings in the jianghu. They usually meet in private at midnight.”
Because of this statement, Zhu Yanyin barely slept the whole night. On the one hand, he felt that there might be a misunderstanding. How could he have any connection to the jianghu? On the other hand, he couldn’t be sure about such matters. What if Lord Li suddenly broke in with a burning knife the next moment, inviting him to move to Wanren Palace immediately? Would it seem too naive to agree immediately, or should he first show some reluctance and then accept the invitation? Outside the window, the wind and sand howled incessantly, and someone was playing a xun, making a tuneless, mournful sound—such was the story of jianghu.
Oslcu bc atf yfv, Vfmbcv Zjrafg Ite, ktb tbqfv ab tjnf j yla bo j rabgs tlwrfio, atbeuta atlr jcv atja, oeii bo jcalmlqjalbc. Po ilcfr ogbw j gbwjcalm vgjwj kfgf ab yf ybggbkfv, la’r ilxf yflcu lc j uefratberf ecvfg atf wbbciluta, klat atf klcv ufcais yibklcu atgbeut atf tjio-bqfc klcvbk, ralgglcu atf rtjvbkr bo oibkfgr bc atf kjii. Pa ofia ilxf j tjcvrbwf wjc kjr jybea ab jgglnf.
But, in the end, the handsome man never arrived, and the people from jianghu in the hall were the only ones left.
Zhu Yanyin couldn’t hold on any longer. With drooping eyelids, he wrapped himself in the blanket and fell asleep, full of sorrow, in the morning light.
…
In Wanren Palace, just as Li Sui stepped out of the Yan Hui Hall, Jiang Shenglin handed over a bowl, saying, “Eat.”
Having known each other for many years, Li Sui was used to the occasional new medicine concocted by the other. Without even looking, he took the bowl and drank it in one go, but he frowned, “Sweet?”
Jiang Shenglin replied, “Exactly, it’s Yanwo Red Date Stew, made with Donkey-hide Gelatin.”
Jiang Shenglin added, “All sent by Second Master Zhu yesterday. I think these things are not bad, and they happen to nourish you after your recent fatigue.”
Li Sui remembered those satin-wrapped, seemingly bridal scarlet gift boxes, and his stomach twisted uncomfortably.
Jiang Shenglin placed the empty bowl aside. “All the jianghu sects are gathered at the Manzuo Inn, waiting to meet Zhu Yanyin. Even Alliance Leader Wan sent an invitation, inviting him to discuss the crusade against the demonic cult.”
Wan Zhuyun, the leader of the Wulin Alliance, was a smooth-talking old fellow. Although his martial arts skills barely made it into the top twenty, he excelled in interpersonal relationships and held great prestige. Normally, someone of his stature wouldn’t bother with Zhu Yanyin. The fact that he sent an invitation clearly indicated that the ultimate goal was Li Sui.
Jiang Shenglin advised, “The martial arts alliance shows sincerity. You might as well go along with it.”
After all, everyone aimed to crusade against the demonic cult, and collective strength was better than solitary efforts. Moreover, Li Sui still had old injuries, and since Chi Tian had injured him once, it wasn’t certain that he wouldn’t do it again. Thinking about it made Jiang Shenglin uneasy.
Li Sui didn’t respond to his advice but asked, “Are the demonic cult members also staying at the inn?”
“Yes. Currently, the inn is filled with martial arts sects, and they dare not approach. It shows that their martial arts skills are not low.”
“Leave them be,” Li Sui instructed. “They might be useful when we go to Xue City in the future.”
Jiang Shenglin nodded, reminding, “However, we will have to take that person from the Zhu family with us. Otherwise, he might be in danger.”
A wealthy young master from Jiangnan, first accidentally hitting his head, then getting involved in jianghu turmoil—it was indeed unfortunate. So, during the next day’s examination, instead of asking him to go to the Xuanlin Pagoda, Jiang Shenglin personally went to Manzuo Inn with a medicine boy. This further confirmed Zhu Yanyin’s extraordinary identity as a big shot.
Zhu Yanyin, who had been lively for the past two days, especially after receiving the invitation from the Martial Arts Alliance, became even more restless. He even felt like spraying out his internal energy when he burped and tried to practice qinggong by standing on the bed.
“Young Master,” Zhu Xiaosui knocked on the door.
Zhu Yanyin agilely lay back in bed, weakly cradling his chest to avoid further nagging. “What’s the matter?”
“Divine Doctor Jiang has came,” Zhu Xiaosui said.
Zhu Yanyin’s eyes were eager, almost as if he wanted to burn two holes in the approaching physician. He was very hopeful that the doctor would speak some mysterious and cryptic jargon. Unfortunately, Jiang Shenglin was completely focused on the examination, taking his pulse without any intention of performing a cooperative act.
Zhao Mingchuan asked, “How is the injury?”
“No major issues,” Jiang Shenglin said. “By stimulating the acupoints with silver needles, supplemented with medication, it might help restore memory. However, the treatment is time-consuming, ranging from half a year to three to five years, or even longer, it’s hard to predict.”
Zhu Xiaosui promptly invited, “Would the esteemed physician be willing to return to Jiangnan with us?”
Jiang Shenglin shook his head. “I’m afraid not. I have promised Lord Wan to go to Xue City in the northeast with him.”
Zhu Xiaosui heard this and became anxious. “As long as the young master’s injuries can be healed, my master is willing to offer a reward of ten thousand taels of gold, a thousand buckets of pearls, a hundred rolls of brocade, ten pairs of jade pendants, and as for the fields and houses in Jiangnan, the sweat-blooded steeds from the north, and various precious medicinal herbs bestowed by the imperial court, you can have as much as you want. Please, sir, reconsider!”
Jiang Shenglin listened and felt slightly dizzy. The wealthiest man in Jiangnan indeed had a lot of money.
How about reaching an agreement and having Young Master Zhu buy the demonic cult?
Zhu Yanyin continued to watch him eagerly.
Jiang Shenglin, being cautious with his words, maintained a tight-lipped tone, “Although I cannot go to Jiangnan, Young Master Zhu can come to Xue City.”
Zhu Yanyin was surprised, “Me? Come to Xue City?”
Zhu Xiaosui, on guard, thought, No, this won’t do!
However, whether it could be done or not wasn’t up to him, a mere servant. Since Jiang Shenglin had to go to Xue City, and Zhu Yanyin’s injury couldn’t be delayed, both matters coincided on the same path.
Zhu Yanyin had no objections. He was even a bit excited. Taking advantage of Zhu Xiaosui going to fetch medicine, he seized the opportunity to ask the physician why he was chosen for the first examination and if there was any hidden past or insider information. Had we met before?
Jiang Shenglin looked at his sincere eyes, remembered the absurd rumors from Wanren Palace, felt his conscience condemned once again, and spoke gently, “We haven’t met before, but the Zhu family in Jiangnan has a great reputation. Naturally, I wanted to get to know the Second Young Master sooner.”
Zhu Yanyin clearly didn’t believe this polite excuse and continued to ask, “Do I have any skills?”
“You don’t.”
Zhu Yanyin’s Adam’s apple rolled, and he circled around, saying, “The leader of the Martial Arts Alliance has already sent me an invitation. Can someone without skills participate in martial arts matters?”
“Of course,” Jiang Shenglin said.
“The esteemed physician doesn’t know me, and isn’t familiar with Master Li either. How can you be sure that I don’t know Master Li?”
“…”
Zhu Yanyin was triumphant, feeling the satisfying sensation of hitting the truth. Riding on this momentum, he continued, “So what is the relationship between Master Li and me?”
Jiang Shenglin thought, currently, there really is no relationship between you two.
However, to expedite the eradication of the demonic cult, there might need to be some forced connection in the future.
Phork: My face is frozen, my fingers are frozen, and my brain is also frozen. I don’t know how long I will be able to survive in this arctic chamber. The jianghu rumors seem to be going strong! Zhu Yanyin waiting for his knight in shining armor to come accompany him at midnight, only to be disappointed in the end…Will he be able to find his love? Or will he forever be destined to remain as a jianghu-obsessed food? Find out more in the next episode of Jianghu Name Da!
Dear Translator, after 6 chapters, I have finally realized that your name isn’t “Phork Chop,” like I’ve been reading it as this whole time. I am devastated. 😭
Thank you for the chapter!
Oh no hahaha. Thankfully you got it right now!
Oh my god. I thought so too 😂
And so the love is on it’s way to the blooming 😅…thank you for the chapter 🌺