Smiling Proud Wanderer

[hhaung]

Fantastic translation! Many thanks to hhaung and pokit for tirelessly doing so much work!

You are all very welcome for my part in helping with the editing. I am enjoying Pokit's work as much as everyone else here.

Finally, if I may impose on the folks here, I'd like to ask about something that's been bugging me since I started lurking in these forums. Many who've read the novel seem to think LHC should be very carefree, joking and drinking all the time. I didn't get this impression from XAJH 2001, but I understand that's the result of various plot changes and acting decisions.

Still, I don't see how this could be more than a broad, broad generalization, i.e. a characterization that's somewhat off the mark. LHC spends - what? 90% of the book healing from some illness or hurt, about a third of that time terminally ill with no real hope of recovery, and pretty much the entire story being accused, rightly or wrongly, of fraternizing with the enemy, theft, rape, and murder. It... Well, it doesn't seem very realistic, psychologically speaking, for LHC to be worry-free and content with life.

Maybe I'm getting the wrong impression? Of the novel? Of the opinions of other forum members?

I agree with you in that it is impossible for LHC to have a worry-free and contented life.

My impression is that if it were anyone else in LHC's place (being wrong accused, terminally ill, losing one's love, etc), they would have been devastated or perhaps become very depressed. LHC coped with these very trying events and the low points of his life with humor and acceptance even when things are not at all hopeful. He didn't turn sour or angry or destructive. (Though, he did became briefly embittered in LPZ's grand-dad's place - Luoyang).

Perhaps, it's part nature and part coping strategy that he likes to enjoy life one moment at a time. He enjoys drinking, so he drinks. He is carefree in that he's not ambitious for power or money. He'd rather be happy than have too much responsibility. But even there, he's bowed down by so many obligations to people because he is deeply loyal, remembers people's kindness and is willing to sacrifice his life to help another.

He'd rather be free but in reality, he's not free at all because of his sense of responsibility for the people he loves.

[ChronoReverse]

In a way, LHC was just as passionate as the West Passion himself (Yang Guo). It's just that his feelings extend to more than just the romantic.

He is stirred up by heroic sentiments, moved by acts of kindness and indeed loyal to a fault to those whom he considers family. Even for those who aren't related to him, he greatly empathizes with and often goes out his way to help.

At the same time, he doesn't go around helping people. LHC isn't altruistic; he still wants to live his idyllic life (at this point with YLS). In this way, LHC is not, in any sense, a "Da Xia" (a great hero). He is the sympathetic protagonist and one who is likeable, but he is most certainly not Great.

[s4life]

I think he's even greater than other protagonists precisely because he's not a Da Xia...

In a way, LHC was just as passionate as the West Passion himself (Yang Guo). It's just that his feelings extend to more than just the romantic.

He is stirred up by heroic sentiments, moved by acts of kindness and indeed loyal to a fault to those whom he considers family. Even for those who aren't related to him, he greatly empathizes with and often goes out his way to help.

At the same time, he doesn't go around helping people. LHC isn't altruistic; he still wants to live his idyllic life (at this point with YLS). In this way, LHC is not, in any sense, a "Da Xia" (a great hero). He is the sympathetic protagonist and one who is likeable, but he is most certainly not Great.

[eliza bennet]

LHC is not carefree but he is not pessimistic either. Maybe we can call him "social". He likes to have people around, drink, eat and have merry conversations. I think he is very heroic but he is also very mischevious.

For instance he thought he was going to die and drank wine for hours with people. He dressed as an army officer and did a lot of funny talking and made the nuns laugh.

Even though he is on the verge of death, misunderstood, beaten, imprisoned, accused etc. LCH never looses his upbeat attitude.

Yes he is suffering a lot but doesn't lose his cheer.

[Yeade]

for sure LHC doesn't know how to let go and its pathetic, always want to find a way to return to his former sect and to be accepted by his as-s-**** YBQ-bastard two-face shifu and getting YLS love.

To be fair, YBQ was a father to LHC in all but blood. We are only shown the deterioration of their relationship and, though the extent of YBQ's ambitions and LHC's place in his calculations can't be dismissed, I think you'd have to be a bastard far more cold-hearted than even YBQ to raise a child as lively as LHC must have been for fifteen years and see nothing but a pawn. LHC and YLS, of course, have known each other since she was three. How many of us, really, would be able to cleanly forget all about our families if, say, we were disowned? IMO, that his shi niang was still affectionate and obviously cared for him made it all the harder for LHC to break ties with his foster family; he was forever hoping the rift could be mended.

Which brings me to another point. I think LHC's clinging to YBQ and YLS isn't simply out of love for them but a desire to return to a more innocent time, which he strongly associates with his father figure and foster-sister-turned-first-love. While I feel everyone here would agree that RYY is a much, much better match for LHC, loving her is, in a way, an end to all he's known before.

LHC coped with ... the low points of his life with humor and acceptance even when things are not at all hopeful. He didn't turn sour or angry or destructive.

Very true. I suppose I can't get over the fact that this resiliency of spirit and live-for-the-moment attitude is ultimately fatalistic. You're alive and healthy and happy one moment, dead the next, and if you were so destined, there's nothing you can do to escape your fate. A worldview common to many ancient cultures but being prevalent doesn't make it optimistic. ^^;;

[LHC] is carefree in that he's not ambitious for power or money. He'd rather be happy than have too much responsibility. But even there, he's bowed down by so many obligations to people because he is deeply loyal, remembers people's kindness and is willing to sacrifice his life to help another.

Well said! Power and responsibility seem to seek LHC, not the other way around, and when he suddenly finds himself in charge, everyone's probably better off if LHC plied his charisma and interpersonal skills to focus, motivate, and coordinate while delegating other duties to people who know what they're about (e.g. at Shaolin).

[LHC] is stirred up by heroic sentiments, moved by acts of kindness and indeed loyal to a fault to those whom he considers family. Even for those who aren't related to him, he greatly empathizes with and often goes out his way to help. At the same time, he doesn't go around helping people. LHC isn't altruistic...

Indeed. Probably why I find it easier to relate to LHC than many other wuxia heroes. A good person who, well, sometimes isn't.

Maybe we can call [LHC] "social". He likes to have people around, drink, eat and have merry conversations.

For some reason, I've always thought LHC is at heart a loner. Rather a loner who needs only family and a few close friends for company. Not that he doesn't get along well with larger groups of people. In fact, he's very naturally gifted in fitting in no matter what the situation and disarming all sorts of eccentric characters. Left to his own devices, though, as with power, he won't seek attention...? Hm. I wonder if even LHC really knows who he is. Or if he loses his sense of self the more he tries to be what people expect him to be. Assuming he had any concept of self to begin with.

[eliza bennet]

For some reason, I've always thought LHC is at heart a loner. Rather a loner who needs only family and a few close friends for company. Not that he doesn't get along well with larger groups of people. In fact, he's very naturally gifted in fitting in no matter what the situation and disarming all sorts of eccentric characters. Left to his own devices, though, as with power, he won't seek attention...?

Hmmm, being social and seeking attention are two different things imho. LHC loves to be around people and I think he is the most social of Jin Yong heroes (oh, him and WXB of course but WXB is not our usual wuxia hero now is he?).

[Yeade]

Hmmm, being social and seeking attention are two different things imho. LHC loves to be around people and I think he is the most social of Jin Yong heroes...

You have a point. Rather I've always thought that being social implies a certain preference for the company of others over being by yourself, and I get the impression that LHC simply doesn't care so long as he knows his family and close friends care for him and nobody's making trouble for him or folks he'd feel obligated to help. That is, he gets along like a house on fire with large parties of people, drinking and being merry, but he'd be just as content whiling away the day in a secluded bamboo grove with only an old granny and her retainer for company, practicing his zheng, meditating, or training by himself.

Besides, there's LHC's general avoidance of responsibility and how this might conflict with the demands of any social situation to consider.

[MysteriouX]

I really dont know, LWC seems more like someone who doesn't care what people (not his close family or friends though) think about him, rather have a carefree life just drinking and enjoying good food. I dont know if he really cares whether he is alone in the woods or socializing with a large group of people in a bar. But knowing him, he probably wont get along with people he would see as hypocrites or unjust (even if they are from good sects).

[Yeade]

I dont know if [LHC] really cares whether he is alone in the woods or socializing with a large group of people in a bar. But knowing him, he probably wont get along with people he would see as hypocrites or unjust...

Yeah, that was my feeling, too. He doesn't much care one way or the other, and so he doesn't quite fit my definition of a social person.

As for hypocrites and the unjust, LHC is such a live and let live sort of guy that I could see him being displeased and avoiding the company of such people but not really doing anything to correct them if they're not doing any harm. Raise a hand against him or his, though--his family and close friends more than himself--don't expect any mercy.

Really, I think LHC has a grasshopper mind but the heart of an ant. XD

He's easily amused and distracted. It isn't hard to satisfy him from moment to moment, and surface thoughts and feelings come and go without, apparently, having much impact on his general outlook on life. True changes of heart, however, are slow and ponderous, generally profound, and there's that near unshakeable loyalty.

Heh. If I'm not totally off the mark, I can see why LHC and DG9J would go well together. I've also been thinking more about YBQ's character, but I'll save that for later so I don't accidentally spoil the story for anyone. ^^;;

[pokit]

Chapter 27 Three Fights
(Translated by: Pokit; Edited by: Hhaung)

Linghu Chong leapt into the forest and went up a tree concealing himself among the tree's dense leaves. After a long time, the sound of those heroes gradually disappeared, and finally, everything was quiet. He thought everyone must have gone already when he slowly walked back to the tunnel's exit. As he expected, there was no one there. The exit of the tunnel was concealed by two large rocks and long grass. For someone who didn't know of the existence of this tunnel, even if he stood besides it, he probably still would not be able to discover it.

Linghu Chong quickly re-entered the tunnel and ran back to the temple. When he arrived at the Da Mo hall, he heard the sound of people talking from the front hall. It was the orthodox schools’ people carefully and slowly searching for traps. Linghu Chong gathered his power into both of his arms and pushed the statue of Da Mo back into its place. After putting the statue back, he considered, "Where can I go to eavesdrop on the gathering of the orthodox schools’ leaders to find out the whereabouts of Yingying? Shaolin temple has more than a thousand rooms and I don't even know which room they're going to use."

He remembered that day when Great Master Fangsheng led him to see the Abbot. Great Master Fangsheng took him to the Abbot’s mediation room, which he could still vaguely remember the direction to. He quickly went out of the Da Mo Hall and went on the path towards the back. But Shaolin temple had so many rooms that after going for a while, he was still unable to find the Abbot's meditation room.

He was in a sitting room at the side of a hall when he heard footsteps approaching. Linghu Chong quickly took a look around the hall and saw that there was nowhere for him to hide. But there was a wooden signage suspended on top of the hall with the gold letter writing of "Refreshing Realm". So he leapt up and hid behind the wooden signage. The footsteps gradually got nearer; and seven to eight people entered the hall.

One person said, "Those demons' skills are not bad. We surrounded them from all directions like an iron pail but they still escaped down the hill."

"It seems that there's a secret tunnel from the top of the mountain going all the way to the bottom. Otherwise, how could they have managed to escape?" Another person replied.

"I don't think there's any tunnel here. I've been in this temple for more than twenty years already, but I've never heard of any secret tunnel going down to the bottom of the mountain," another person added.

"It's called a secret. Of course not many people know about it," one of the earlier person said.

"I may have not known about it, but wouldn't our Abbot know? If there were a secret tunnel in this temple, my humble temple's Abbot would have ordered one of the schools to guard it. Why would we allow those demons to escape?" that Shaolin monk said.

All of a sudden, Linghu Chong heard one of the person shouted, "Who's there? Come out!"

Linghu Chong was greatly startled. "Did he discover my footprints?" Just as he was about to jump down, he suddenly heard the sound of laughter from behind a wooden signage on the east side of the hall. "Old man breathed too deeply and blew some dust down, and you guys actually saw it. Hey, you have very good vision." The voice was clear and loud. It was Xiang Wentian's voice.

Linghu Chong was surprised and happy at the same time. "So it's big brother Xiang hiding here. He held his breath really well. I've been here for so long but I didn't hear anything. If it wasn't for the dust falling down, that person wouldn't have perceived..."

Just then, his thoughts were interrupted by two "ta, ta" sounds. Two people had jumped down from the sides of that east signage at the same time. This was followed by three people crying out, "What..." "You..." "Who..." These three people only managed to utter one word before they were muted. Linghu Chong couldn't stand it anymore. He poked his head out to take a look. He saw two dark shadows flying around in the big hall, one person was Xiang Wentian, and the other person had a big and tall stature. He was Ren Woxing. These two people noiselessly struck out with their palms. With every palm strike, a person fell down on the floor. In a short time, eight people had fallen on the hall's floor. Among them, five people were facing the ground while the other three were facing up. Their eyes were wide open and they looked terrified. Their faces twitched once before they became motionless. It was obvious that they had died violently under the hands of these two people, Ren and Xiang.

Ren Woxing wiped his hands on the side of his body. "Ying'er, come down!"

[efflix]

oh wow...i didn't expect shaolin to be so ruthless in trying to kill all of the unorthodox people. but now the killing might start again. I assume Ying ying is free though from Ren Woxing's statement- maybe this is the time for a reunion :-D

I wonder what Ren Woxing thinks of Ren Yingying shutting herself in shaolin.

[Wellesley]

Thank you Pokit and hhaung for the translation. Reading the novel is even more interesting than watching the adaptation.

[Yeade]

i didn't expect shaolin to be so ruthless in trying to kill all of the unorthodox people.

Then why abandon the monastery? LHC's ragtag army could be met and fought on the slopes of the mountain without risking harm to Shaolin. Instead, FZ ordered everyone to withdraw and leave the monastery to the not-so-tender mercies of a generally undisciplined mob that would surely react badly once it became clear that a) RYY was nowhere to be found and b) the whole thing was a trap. Certainly, Shaolin came close to being burned down once or twice already, and Shaolin is a pretty hefty sacrifice for even the deaths of thousands of Demon Cult vassals.

A few points to consider:

1) The disciples wouldn't necessarily know the entire plan, if there is one.

2) Mo Da and CX know LHC's taken charge of the unorthodox forces marching on Shaolin, and they're both favorably inclined toward LHC. As is FZ. The question is whether FZ's gotten this information from Mo Da and/or CX and what he would do about it.

3) The people that attacked LHC et al. and prevented them from escaping Shaolin earlier were not monks. I, er, can't exactly remember any other descriptions besides that and the white headbands they wore, but I'm fairly certain they were not openly affiliated with any of the orthodox sects.

4) Finally, there are the murders of Dingxian and Dingyi. It's hard to imagine anyone from Shaolin killing the two, and thus the implication is that another party is making trouble without Shaolin's knowledge.

Conclusion: Wait and see. Undoubtedly events will become clearer once everyone's had a chance to hash things out in person. Or we can all skip right to suspecting Songshan and ZLC.

I wonder what Ren Woxing thinks of Ren Yingying shutting herself in shaolin.

Depends on whether you think RWX's still angry that LHC unceremoniously turned down his offer to be his glorious right hand in the Sun Moon Sect. If RWX's still interested in getting LHC's talents, he might encourage LHC and RYY to get closer, the tighter to bind LHC to him. He might also be pleased that LHC personally came to Shaolin to rescue his daughter. I suspect, like most fathers, he wants the punk boyfriend to prove himself deserving of his precious baby girl's affections. Heck, he might find it hilarious. Like so many of the Sacred Maiden's followers. Yingying, of course, would be at once most flattered and highly embarrassed.

All in all, I have to say these middle chapters (Hengshan, Shaolin, and the aftermath) are my favorites of the entire story. Thank you so much for translating, pokit and hhaung. God knows how long it'd have taken me if I had to wait for my Chinese to improve.

[SmokeyTheBear]

Thanks for the update!
Can't wait for the fight scenes soon to come!

[MysteriouX]

Ok as heads of Shaolin, the abbots would surely know of the secret passage. But why they did not place guards? I can only guess 1 reason, they didn't really want to have a massacre. Though the invaders were cornered, I believe that secret passage was left there as a room for escape.

[davidY]

Possibly three reasons:
1. THe statue guardians were so powerful, even LHC can not defeat it unless he has a good weapon.
2. It was so secret that they didn't want to reveal to lower disciples
3. They did not expect the invaders to find it. After all, it took the combined stupidities of the fairies to do it ^_^

[efflix]

Then why abandon the monastery? LHC's ragtag army could be met and fought on the slopes of the mountain without risking harm to Shaolin. Instead, FZ ordered everyone to withdraw and leave the monastery to the not-so-tender mercies of a generally undisciplined mob that would surely react badly once it became clear that a) RYY was nowhere to be found and b) the whole thing was a trap. Certainly, Shaolin came close to being burned down once or twice already, and Shaolin is a pretty hefty sacrifice for even the deaths of thousands of Demon Cult vassals.

A few points to consider:

1) The disciples wouldn't necessarily know the entire plan, if there is one.

2) Mo Da and CX know LHC's taken charge of the unorthodox forces marching on Shaolin, and they're both favorably inclined toward LHC. As is FZ. The question is whether FZ's gotten this information from Mo Da and/or CX and what he would do about it.

3) The people that attacked LHC et al. and prevented them from escaping Shaolin earlier were not monks. I, er, can't exactly remember any other descriptions besides that and the white headbands they wore, but I'm fairly certain they were not openly affiliated with any of the orthodox sects.

4) Finally, there are the murders of Dingxian and Dingyi. It's hard to imagine anyone from Shaolin killing the two, and thus the implication is that another party is making trouble without Shaolin's knowledge.

Right- I agree that there's something fishy going on. It seemed like Shaolin left in order to avoid bloodshed, but then the monks coming back and expressing anger about letting the unorthodox people leave without killing them made it seemed like that wasn't the case. anyways i am eagerly awaiting another update!

[Yeade]

It seemed like Shaolin left in order to avoid bloodshed, but then the monks coming back and expressing anger about letting the unorthodox people leave without killing them made it seemed like that wasn't the case.

I suppose FZ could've told the Shaolin disciples that the plan was to trap and kill the Demon Cult vassals in order to convince everyone to abandon the monastery without a fight while, really, he wanted to avoid fighting all together...? I, too, can't wait to read the rest of this chapter!

[pokit]

A person floated down from behind the eastern wooden signage appearing graceful and elegant. It was really Yingying, the person whom he had not seen for many days. She was wearing a coarse gown and her face was looking feeble. Linghu Chong felt giddy looking at her. He really wanted to leap down and meet her but Ren Woxing waved his hands a few times towards his hiding place.

Linghu Chong thought, "They arrived here first. So they naturally know that I'm hiding behind this wooden signage. Mr. Ren is telling me not to come out, what's his idea?"

But in an instant later, he understood Ren Woxing's idea. He saw a few people rushing through the door to come into the hall. With a glance, he saw his Master and Master-Wife along with the Shaolin Abbot Fangzheng and many other people. He didn't dare to look anymore and quickly pulled his head back behind the wooden signage. His heart skipped a beat as he thought, "Yingying and the rest of them had been surrounded. I... even if my body were grounded to dust and my bones broken to pieces, I have to help them escape from danger." He heard Great Master Fangzheng said, "Amituofo! You, three honourables, have very fierce palms. The female honourable had already departed Shaolin, why did you come back again? These two people must be Dark Wood Cliff's masters. Forgive old monk for not recognising."

"This person is Divine Sun Moon Sect's Chief Ren. I'm Xiang Wentian," Xiang Wentian introduced. The two of them had very high reputations. When Xiang Wentian mentioned their two names, many people in the hall exclaimed their surprise.

"So it's Chief Ren and Left Protector Xiang. I've been looking up to your names for a long time already. What lessons do you have to teach me by coming here?" Fangzheng said.

"Old man hadn't paid attention to worldly matters for a long time so I don't recognise many of the promising youths in Jianghu of this generation. I don't know who these little friends are," Ren Woxing said.

"Let old monk introduces them to you. This Taoist is Wudang School's headmaster, his name is Chongxu," Fangzheng said.

An elder spoke out, "Poor Taoist is perhaps a few years older than Mr. Ren. But when I took over the leadership of Wudang School, Mr. Ren had already retreated in secret from Wulin. Youth is youth but this word ‘promising’, you're flattering me, hehe."

When Linghu Chong heard this elder’s voice, he thought, "The voice of this Wudang School's leader sounds familiar." Another thought quickly followed. "Ayo! I met three people at the foot of Mount Wudang. One was carrying firewood, one was carrying vegetable, and the other one was an old man riding a donkey who possesses a wonderful sword art. So he's actually the headmaster of Wudang School." Suddenly, a good feeling rushed forth in his heart and his hands started to sweat. Wudang School and Shaolin School had been famous for several hundred years. One had soft movements and the other had hard movements, but each had their own specialties. Priest Chongxu's sword art was wonderful and esteemed. He was delighted when he suddenly learned that he had unexpectedly defeated Priest Chongxu.

He then heard Ren Woxing said, "This big leader Zuo, we've met before. Master Zuo, these last few years, your ‘Great Songyang Divine Palm’ must've improved by a lot, right?"

Linghu Chong was again startled. "So Songshan School's leader, martial uncle Zuo, is also here." He then heard a person said coldly, "I heard Mr. Ren was imprisoned by your own subordinate and was in hibernation for many years. Congratulations on coming out again. I haven't used this ‘Great Songyang Divine Palm’ for many years now. I'm afraid I've probably forgotten half of it."

Ren Woxing laughed. "How can Jianghu be that lonely? When old man was hidden away, there's no one else who can trade palms with brother Zuo. What a pity, what a pity."

"In Jianghu, there are many people with martial art equal to Mr. Ren, such as Great Master Fangzheng and Priest Chongxu. But we can't just go around asking for a lesson without any reason at all," Zuo Lengchan said.

"Very well. If there's some free time, let me try out your new moves."

"I'll certainly accompany you."

Hearing these two people speaking to each other, it was obvious that they had fought before. But who won or lost, they could not tell from just hearing what these two people were saying. Great Master Fangzheng continued with his introduction. "This person is Taishan School's headmaster, Priest Tianmen. This person is Huashan School's headmaster, Mr. Yue. This person is Madam Yue, back then she was known as Heroine Ning. Mr. Ren must have heard of her."

"I already know of Huashan School's Heroine Ning. But this Mr. Yue whatever, I've never heard of him before."

Linghu Chong was displeased. "My Master's name was known before Master-Wife's. If he said that he doesn't know them both then that's fine. But there's no one who only knows Heroine Ning but doesn’t know Mr. Yue. He was imprisoned under the West Lake for close to ten years. Before that time, my master's name was already known throughout the realm. It's obvious that he's doing this on purpose to provoke my Master."

Yue Buqun indifferently replied, "Junior's name is lowly. It would insult Mr. Ren's ears to hear my name."

"Mr. Yue, I'd like to ask you about a person. I don't know if you know of his whereabouts. I heard that he was formerly under your Huashan School," Ren Woxing said.

"Who's Mr. Ren asking for?"

"This person's martial art is extremely high. His conduct is also very rare in this world. My heart was blind before and was actually jealous of him so I kicked him out. But he actually felt like an old friend to me when I first met him. Now, I wholeheartedly want to betroth my darling daughter to him..."

When Linghu Chong heard him saying this, his heart started to thump loudly. He felt that something big was going to happen soon. He heard Ren Woxing continued, "This youth has passion and righteousness. When he heard that my darling daughter was being imprisoned in Shaolin temple, he led a few thousand heroes to come to Shaolin to greet his wife. But I don't know his whereabouts now and it's making me very anxious. It's for this reason that I'm asking you about it."

[efflix]

thanks pokit for the update!! i've been checking this compulsively and being inefficient at work because of it -_-.

but i wonder what ren woxing means to accomplish by doing this....hehe this part made me laugh