Chapter 18: CH 18

Translator: transcendentwings

Editor: teaff 

Xu Xingzhi stumbled back into the room and almost knocked over a vase upon entering due to his blurred vision.

As he supported the vase, the intermittent images before Xu Xingzhi’s eyes gradually became more coherent.

However, since Xu Xingzhi was pretty much used to this kind of dizziness now, he didn’t faint this time around.

Xu Xingzhi gasped violently as he leaned against the base of the wall. Before his eyes, a thick and expansive fog churned and swirled about until a clear scene replaced it. 

A street washed by the summer rain surfaced in front of his eyes.

From the way it was illuminated by vibrant and colorful lanterns, what looked like a brothel stood on the side of the street across from the teahouse. Inside this small brothel, there was a woman playing a mournful song on the pipa. The notes were mixed with the sound of the autumn rain, melancholic to the extreme.

There were barely any people roaming on the streets and only  a single lonely cabbage rolled across the crossroads.

A deaf old man who sold candied haws squatted under the eaves of the teahouse to avoid the rain. Besides him there was a post of straw stuck full of bright candied haws that weren’t sold.

The teahouse shopkeep hurried out to shoo him away: “Shoo, go, go away, can’t you see that there are honored guests here? If you offend them, you’ll lose the blessings of your next life!”

The old man couldn’t hear his words and only understood that he was chasing him away, so he simply got up and planned to leave as per usual.

Xu Xingzhi, who was sitting by the window, saw this scene beyond the diamond window lattice. The corner of his lips ticked upwards as he called out to address them: “Shopkeep, I want to invite that old man in for a cup of tea, make an exception ba.”

After saying so, he tossed a string of coins onto the table. The cacophony of the coins made the shopkeeper’s eyes turn green with greed. 

He rushed into the screen of rain in a hurry and held the old man back. Only after a long period of gesturing about, was he able to invite the old man in with his unctuous fawning.

Jiu Zhideng, who was sitting with Xu Xingzhi at the same table, poured another cup of tea from his own teacup and held it out for the old man silently. Then, he took out a portion of their food rations that were wrapped in tender lotus leaves and handed it over to the old man as well.

The old man thanked him repeatedly, but Jiu Zhideng’s expression remained unchanged. He just nodded slightly then got up and went back to his table.

Xu Xingzhi was in the middle of discussing something with Meng Chongguang, seeing that Jiu Zhideng returned, he pulled him to sit down, pointed to the opposite side, and asked: “You two, listen, does that girl play the pipa well?” 

Jiu Zhideng’s expression was cold: “. . . Good enough.”

Meng Chongguang, on the side, grinned at Xu Xingzhi with a smile in his eyes: “Not as well as Shixiong.”

Jiu Zhideng glanced at Meng Chongguang and didn’t say anything.

Xu Xingzhi whipped out a bank note from his palm as if he were performing a magic trick: “Once this matter is resolved, should Shixiong bring you in to have some fun?” 

Jiu Zhideng immediately flushed, as he pursed his lips and shook his head: “Shixiong, that’s a place of fireworks, it’s improper. . .”

Meng Chongguang rested his cheeks in his palms, and interrupted Jiu Zhideng with a heartless smirk: “Okay, as long as it’s with Shixiong, Chongguang is happy wherever we go.”

The young girl who was seated with them coughed softly and warned: “. . . Shixiong.”

The young girl was dressed in Fengling Mountain’s robes. She was very beautiful and there were no flaws on her face. She had snow white skin and black hair, a sculpted beauty. And for a woman who was fortunate enough to be born with such exquisite features, it was hard not to be finicky so the girl naturally couldn’t act contrary to her image as her sternly raised brow inevitably seemed more austere: “Listening to your tone, could it be that Shixiong frequents those sorts of places often?” 

Before Xu Xingzhi could speak, Zhou Beinan, who was next to him, obtusely interrupted with a sentence: “. . . Don’t listen to him speak nonsense. He wouldn’t dare enter those sorts of brothels and pleasure establishments. Dragging all of you in is just a way to bluster his courage.”

Xu Xingzhi: “Don’t ruin my reputation in front of my shidi and shimei ah.”

Zhou Beinan didn’t bother sparing him a glance and informed the girl: “Last time when I went to Shouyang Mountain with your Xu-shixiong to arrest those exiled ghostly cultivators. After the matter was resolved, he said he would take me to those money squandering establishments to broaden my horizons. He spoke like he’d frequented such places before, but in the end when the lady tugged at the sash around his waist, he wimped out, stammering no, no, don’t, the wife back at home is about to give birth. Then he grabbed a hold of me, turned around, and ran away with his tail between his legs.”

Xu Xingzhi: “. . . Fatty Zhou, I think you want to die.” 

Zhou Beinan wasn’t afraid of him at all: “Just say whether it’s true or not ba.”

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Hearing Zhou Beinan’s words, Meng Chongguang and Jiu Zhideng breathed a sigh of relief in unison. After sensing each other’s demeanor, they exchanged a glance, and then quickly turned their eyes away simultaneously. 

In the end, the one who ended this topic of conversation was Wen Xuechen, who sat at a table alone.

He tapped against his cup and commanded Zhou Beinan and Xu Xingzhi: “You two, cease your bickering.”

Compared with the other shops that were closing their doors for the day as they saw off their sparse amount of patrons, this small teahouse was still oddly lively.

Several of the tables in the main hall were occupied by disciples adorned in the various colors of the four sects. Xu Xingzhi took Meng Chongguang, Jiu Zhideng, and his shimei Yuan Ruzhou to sit at one table, Zhou Beinan and his sister Zhou Xian sat at another, Qu Chi brought along three or four Danyang Peak disciples as well, only Wen Xuechen sat at a table alone, drinking in solitude. 

The two Qingliang Valley disciples that tagged along, Lu Yujiu included, all obediently sat at a separate table, behaving properly and didn’t dare to overstep the slightest.

In addition to the disciples of the four sects, a beautiful and slender, tender-looking boy was seated at Qu Chi’s table, sobbing nonstop. Qu Chi coaxed him gently, but he kept weeping and crying, making others feel heartbroken for him.

Xu Xingzhi turned to look at him: “Qu Chi, are you capable or not ah, are you able to get an answer out of him?”

Qu Chi was also a little helpless: “We’ll take it slowly, no need to rush.” 

He took the child’s cold and soft little hand into his and asked kindly: “Did you see where the people who kidnapped your older brother went, can you tell us?”

The child was preoccupied with wailing and his eyes were thoroughly red. He wanted to speak, but was so nervous that he couldn’t say a word.

Qu Chi placed his hand on the back of the child’s head and rubbed it gently: “I know you were frightened, but don’t be afraid. Now that we are by your side, absolutely nothing will happen. Don’t worry.”

The child was at a loss. His pale lips parted slightly, but he continued to remain silent. 

Xu Xingzhi knocked on the table: “Ruzhou, you try.”

Yuan Ruzhou had been sneaking looks at Xu Xingzhi ever since earlier. She had a peachy complexion and was usually very good with her words, but when Xu Xingzhi cast his gaze over, she just leaned back with her sword in her arms and coldly raised her chin, replying: “Yes, Shixiong.”

When she stood up, Yuan Ruzhou secretly pressed the back of her hand to her boiling hot cheeks as she shot a look at Zhou Xian.

Zhou Xian took note of Yuan Ruzhou’s little girl expression, and after snickering, she also stood up. 

Women should be more adept at coaxing children, especially beautiful women as they had an inherent advantage.

That is what Xu Xingzhi thought, but the child was unappeased. Seeing Yuan Ruzhou and Zhou Xian both draw close to him, he was so frightened that he hid underneath the table.

Yuan Ruzhou halted her steps with a baffled look on her face.

The teahouse owner, who stood off to the side, shook his head and explained for the kid: “I’ve seen this child a few times before. Their theater troupe performs near Dawu Mountain all-year round. I heard that the hostess of the troupe is a shrewd woman who punishes these young apprentices like she had some sort of grudge with them in their past life. Sometimes in the middle of the night I can hear the tortured little ones crying, mewling like kittens. It’s heartbreaking. As such, that hag gained the title of “Gui Jian Chou”. . .” 

Speaking up to here, he shrugged: “This time the entire troupe has been kidnapped by ghosts, so I guess that hag has really gone to see the ghosts lou.”

After hearing such a story, it wasn’t difficult for those present to guess that the child was afraid of women because he was severely bullied by the hostess of the troupe.

Yuan Ruzhou and Zhou Xian had no choice but to retreat.

Returning to the table, Yuan Ruzhou whispered a complaint: “How can that woman treat children like that, really inhumane. It serves her right for the ghostly cultivators to take her away.” 

Xu Xingzhi coughed lightly, signaling Yuan Ruzhou to stop talking.

The baby-faced Lu Yujiu buried his head very low and didn’t dare to say a word.

Ever since Mingya Country fell to ruin, the ghostly cultivators who hadn’t been caught were scattered all over. Two days ago, a group of exiled ghostly cultivators took away the entire theater troupe who had settled in a temple near Dawu Mountain. Only this little boy, who had hidden behind the Buddha statue, was lucky enough to escape.

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Everyone knew that two days had already passed so these members of the troupe were most likely either treated as cultivation furnaces or used to make medicinal pellets. They probably had no hope of survival now. 

However, seeking the ghostly cultivator’s hideout and catching them all was a mission that they still must carry out. Yet only this lucky child might know of their whereabouts, but even with their best efforts, he still hadn’t spoken.

Qu Chi felt a bit helpless and directed Zhou Beinan: “Beinan, you give it a try ba.”

Zhou Beinan was clear about his capabilities and waved in refusal: “Don’t bother, I certainly don’t know how to coax children. When I hear children cry, I also want to cry along with them.”

Qu Chi  turned his attention to Wen Xuechen. 

Wen Xuechen had a headache from all of the noise and was currently massaging his temples in his wheelchair. Hearing this, he merely glanced over and the child directly burst into tears, wailing and shouting: “Mon, Monster. . . Wu— White hair. . .”

Wen Xuechen: “. . .”

Xu Xingzhi and Zhou Beinan both exerted so much effort holding back their laughter that their shoulders began to tremble.

Qu Chi coughed lightly and in the midst of the turmoil, he caught sight of the old man who was sitting against the wall devouring the rations, with a light sweep of his gaze and finally thought of a good solution: “I’ll buy some candied haws for you, so don’t cry anymore, okay?” 

However, he soon realized something and turned to Xu Xingzhi: “Xingzhi, I didn’t bring any money with me when I came out this time, may I borrow some?”

Xu Xingzhi held his teacup and raised one finger: “Sure ah. One hundred spirit stones.”

Qu Chi: “. . .”

“It’s not being deducted from Danyang Peak’s Palace, don’t you have any in your personal warehouse ah?” Xu Xingzhi withdrew his hand, “One hundred spirit stones, less than that and I won’t hand it over.” 

Wen Xuechen couldn’t stand it any longer: “Xingzhi, don’t bully Qu Chi.”

Xu Xingzhi wasn’t polite at all: “Wen-baimao, on this trip of ours, I paid for the tea, can’t I ask for recompense?”

Zhou Beinan was always blunt: “That kid’s crying ah. It’s only a few coppers, don’t you have any sympathy?”

Xu Xingzhi patted Meng Chongguang on the head: “Everyone knows how to cry. Chongguang, you cry too.” 

Meng Chongguang instantly squeezed out a couple of tears obediently.

Jiu Zhideng, who usually remained silent, also spoke up on behalf of Xu Xingzhi: “. . . Zhou-gongzi, Shixiong isn’t someone who isn’t empathetic. . .”

“Does your Fengling Mountain not follow regulations and respect your seniors?” Wen Xuechen interrupted Jiu Zhideng sternly before Jiu Zhideng finished, “We are talking, you are a mid-level disciple, why are you cutting in?”

The expression on Jiu Zhideng’s face froze, as he respectfully replied: “. . . Yes, this disciple knows his wrongdoings.” 

Xu Xingzhi’s habit of protecting his little ones immediately acted up: “Wen-baimao, what are you yelling at my family’s Xiao-Deng for? Show off your prestige to your Qingliang Valley disciples, our Fengling Mountain isn’t as strict as your Qingliang Valley.”

Seeing that the atmosphere was taking a turn for the worse, the good-tempered Qu Chi swiftly intervened to smooth things over: “Okay, okay, don’t quarrel, one hundred spirit stones is one hundred spirit stones ba.”

Completing the transaction, Xu Xingzhi took the initiative to stand up. He pulled out the stool and took a few coppers out of his money pouch then crouched down and placed them in front of the old man selling candied haws. Choosing a large stick of candied haws with a ripe red color from the straw stand, he stuffed it into Qu Chi’s hand, and didn’t forget to remind him: “It’s noted on the account ah, you can’t repudiate.”

Soon after, he turned the teahouse stool that had a backrest around and straddled it while dragging the child in front of himself: “You’re not allowed to cry anymore.” 

The kid sniffed, his face pale.

Xu Xingzhi cut straight to the chase and questioned bluntly: “Among the people who were kidnapped, there must be one who is your blood-related sibling.”

After the child heard this, he raised his head, and his tears flowed more freely.

Confirming the conjecture in his heart, Xu Xingzhi leaned on the back of the chair, tilting it until one side was no longer resting on the ground and rocked back and forth: “Is it your parents? Your older sister?” 

And then the child actually started to speak normally, with a tender and thin voice, unlike that of a boy and more like that of an unfortunate little girl: “. . . It’s my blood-related older brother, who was sent to the theater troupe along with me by our parents to learn the arts since we were young. . .”

Xu Xingzhi stated: “I will help you get your brother’s body back, so can you stop crying?”

Qu Chi was surprised: “. . . Xingzhi, when you speak, don’t be. . .”

Xu Xingzhi raised his index finger, signaling Qu Chi to keep quiet. 

The child, however, listened to Xu Xingzhi’s words and used both hands to cover his mouth as he tried his best to suppress his sobs, holding back until he hiccupped.

Seeing this, Xu Xingzhi solidified the speculations in his heart.

This child should’ve witnessed the scene of his older brother’s death with his own eyes and already knew that his brother wouldn’t be able to return alive.

Therefore, Qu Chi’s many attempts at comfort earlier were of little use to him. 

Telling him that he can retrieve his brother’s corpse was much more effective for this child than empty words of comfort.

Xu Xingzhi ruffled his messy long hair like he was petting a puppy: “Good boy. Now tell me, where did that group of monsters you saw run off to.”

The child sniffled loudly, stretched out his hand to dip it into the cup of tea on the table and drew a mountain.

Zhou Xian was astounded and glanced at Yuan Ruzhou who puffed out her chest slightly, her face full of pride. 

Meng Chongguang and Jiu Zhideng also had a worshipful gaze.

“Dawu Mountain?” Looking at the child’s sketch, Xu Xingzhi asked, “They hid on Dawu Mountain?”

The child shook his head and dragged the line of water on the table outwards towards the west.

Qu Chi who was holding the candied haw was suddenly enlightened: “. . . It’s Baima Peak?” 

The child nodded vigorously and stuttered a little: “I saw, saw them go there, I don’t know, if they are still there now.”

Zhou Beinan was also astonished that they were able to get the result they wanted so quickly: “Xu Xingzhi, aren’t you quite capable ah.”

“That goes without saying, I’m Xu Xingzhi ah.” Xu Xingzhi accepted the compliment shamelessly and patted the child’s head again, inquiring, “Little one, what’s your name?”

The child didn’t answer and just glanced at Qu Chi with tears glistening in his eyes first. 

Qu Chi knowingly passed the stick of candied haws covered in golden candy syrup over with a smile on his face and a look of encouragement.

Qu Chi’s consolation was entirely ineffective, at least in the eyes of these companions before him, but the child was still the most attached to Qu Chi.

After a while, he bit into the tip of the coat of candy on the candied haws and whispered: “. . . My name is Tao Xian.”

The author has something to say: 

Up next, three chapters of memories have made a reservation.

Xu-shixiong’s fatherly power is off the charts.

Author's Chapter Summary:

Initial meeting, bargaining, candied haws 

The translator has something to say: QAQ, the candied haws was the start of it all and Xu Xingzhi handles children so well

Also so sorry for posting this so late! The previous chapter has also been edited and slight changes have been made to grammar, but nothing major!

The editor has something to say: N-th Day of requesting the author to let my child Qu Chi eat real candy.

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