This is it. This is the very last chapter for Third Young Master. This is for all those who waited for so long.
After this, I'll go back and resume reviewing/revising ch. 8-38 for the unabridged thread.
Chapter 47
Not Caring About Fame and Fortune
He was blind.
A woman with her back facing the door was lying on the bed. It appeared she was sleeping and was sleeping soundly.
Murong Qiudi was not in this room; Xiaodi (little brother/young fellow) wasn’t either.
The pitiful blind man and that woman that was fond of sleeping…could it be that they were the one waiting for Xie Xiaofeng here?
However, he had never seen them before.
He had already stepped in but was about to step out. The blind man, on the other hand, called out to him.
Like most blind people, although this blind man could not see, his hearing was especially good.
He suddenly asked, “Is the person that came here the third young master of the Xie family?”
Xie Xiaofeng was shocked. He could not guess how this blind man knew it was him.
The face on the withered and haggard blind man was showing this extremely strange expression and asked a very strange question.
“Could it be that the Third Young Master does not recognize who I am?”
Xie Xiaofeng asked, “Why would I recognize you?”
The blind man replied, “If you take a really close look, you would definitely recognize.”
Xie Xiaofeng couldn’t help but stopped and took a really close look at him. He suddenly felt a chill through his body.
He did indeed recognize him.
This pitiful blind man was unexpectedly Zhu Yeqing, that Zhu Yeqing with eyes sharper than a poisonous snake!
* * *
Zhu Yeqing laughed, “I know you would definitely recognize me. You also should be able to guess how I became blind.”
His smile could send chills to anyone looking at it. “However, due to her kindness and blessing, she spared my life. She actually even married a woman to me.”
Xie Xiaofeng obviously knew who “she” was. However, he could not guess why Murong Qiudi did not kill him, nor why she would marry a woman to him.
Zhu Yeqing suddenly sighed and said, “No matter what, the wife that she married to me is truly a good wife. Even if I need to cut off my ears, I am still willing.”
His original vicious tone had become gentle. He reached his hands out, shook that woman, and said, “A guest came; you should pour the guest a cup of tea.”
She obediently sat up and came out of bed with her head down. She poured cold tea in an old and broken tea bowl and brought it over.
Immediately after Xie Xiaofeng took the tea bowl, he almost dropped it.
There were suddenly chills in his hand and chills all over his body which were colder than one when he recognized Zhu Yeqing.
He finally saw this woman’s face. Zhu Yeqing’s obedient wife unexpectedly was Wa Wa. The Wa Wa that he had caused untold misery to.
* * *
Xie Xiaofeng did not shout out because Wa Wa was begging him. She was begging with a pair of eyes that was about to cry. It was as if she as was begging him to not ask and to not speak. He did not understand why she would do this? Why she was willing to become her enemy’s wife?
However he did not open his mouth. He could never refuse this pitiful girl’s request.
Zhu Yeqing suddenly asked, “Isn’t my wife good? Isn’t she pretty?”
Xie Xiaofeng could still managed to control his voice and said, “Yes.”
Zhu Yeqing’s smile could even light up that withered and haggard face. He gently said, “Although I cannot see her face, I still know she must be pretty. Such a kind-hearted lady definitely would not be ugly.”
He did not know she was Wa Wa.
If he knew his kind and gentle wife was a woman that he had caused untold misery to, what would he do? Xie Xiaofeng did not want to think anymore, loudly asked, “Are you waiting for me here? Did ‘Madame’ ask you to wait for me?”
Zhu Yeqing nodded and he voice became cold, “She wants me to tell you she already left. It doesn’t matter whether you win or lose, dead or alive, she will never see you again.”
This was obviously not her true intention.
She only wanted him to stay behind only to show Xie Xiaofeng what kind of person he had become and what kind of wife he had married.
Zhu Yeqing suddenly said, “She originally wanted Xiaodi to stay here! However Xiaodi also left. He said he needed to go to Mount Tai.”
Xie Xiaofeng couldn’t help but asked, “To do what?”
Zhu Yeqing’s answer was simple and to the point. “To do whatever he likes.”
His voice became full of cynicism. “Because he does not have a celebrated family background, does not have parents or brothers, so he could only test his luck and pave his own road.”
Xie Xiaofeng did not say anymore. What needed to be said had already been said. He quietly stood up and quietly walked out the room.
He believed Wa Wa would definitely follow him. She had many things she needed to explain.
* * *
This was Wa Wa’s explanation — “When Murong Qiudi force me to marry him, I originally decided to die.
I only agreed to marry him only because I wanted to create a chance to kill him, to avenge my family.
However, in the end, I could not carry out the plan.
Because he is no longer the Zhu Yeqing that destroyed my family. He’s only a pitiful and useless blind man. Not only was he blind, the tendons on his legs had been severed.
One time, I originally was viciously committed to killing him. However the moment before I acted on it, he woke up due to a nightmare weeping. He was telling me all his evil deeds he had committed in the past.
From that moment on, I could no longer hate him.
Although from time to time I reminded myself to never forget the enmity I have with him. However my heart no longer harbor any hatred towards him, only pity and sympathy.
He often beg me while crying to not leave him. Without me, he would not even survive a single day.
He does not know that right now I can’t leave him either.
Because only beside him could I feel like a real woman.
He does not know about my past and would not look down on me. He definitely would not abandon me or slip out in the middle of the night while I am asleep.
Only with him by my side would I feel safe and blessed because I know he needs me.
For a woman, to be able to have a man that truly needs her is her biggest joy.
Perhaps you would never understand this type of feeling. However, not matter what you say, I will not leave him.”
What could Xie Xiaofeng say? He only said one word, other than this word he simply couldn’t think of what else to say.
He said, “Congratulations.”
* * *
Cold moonlight. New tomb. “Grave of Yan Shisan.”
These five simple words were carved on the granite tombstone, because no amount of words could describe his legendary and tragic life. This legendary swordsman was buried here. He had reached a height in swordsmanship in which no other man had tread before. Right now, like any other he was buried in the yellow earth.
* * *
The autumn wind was rustling. Xie Xiaofeng’s heart was similarly desolate. Tie Kaicheng had been looking at him. He suddenly asked, “Could he really die with no regrets?”
Xie Xiaofeng replied, “Yes.”
Tie Kaicheng asked, “You truly believe the poisonous dragon he killed, would not revive in you?”
Xie Xiaofeng replied, “Absolutely would not.”
Tie Kaicheng said, “But you already know all the transformations within his swordplay and saw his very last sword stance.”
Xie Xiaofeng said, “If we say there is still someone that can execute that sword move, the person is definitely me.”
Tie Kaicheng said, “It must be you.”
Xie Xiaofeng said, “But I can no longer use the sword again.”
Tie Kaicheng asked, “Why?”
Xie Xiaofeng did not reply back to him and simply stuck out his pair of hands from his sleeve. On his two hands, the thumbs had been cut off.
* * *
Without thumbs, you cannot hold a sword. For a person like Xie Xiaofeng, if he couldn’t hold a sword wouldn’t that be equivalent to death.
Tie Kaicheng’s expression changed. Xie Xiaofeng, on the other hand, laughed, “In the past I would never do this. I would rather die than do this.”
His laughter was not forced. “However, right now I thought this through. As long as a person can attain peace in his mind, no matter what the sacrifice is it’s worth it.” Tie Kaicheng was silent for a while as if he was letting his words soak in.
And yet he couldn’t help asked, “Could it be that even sacrificing your own life is worth it?”
Xie Xiaofeng replied, “I don’t know.”
His voice was mild and serene, “I only know if a person mind is not at peace, living is more painful than being dead.”
Of course he was qualified to say this, because he indeed had a painful experience. Also it was not known after however many tragic and painful experiences did he finally opened his heart and soul and found relief.
Seeing the serenity in his face, Tie Kaicheng finally sigh and mustered, “Right now where are you preparing to go?”
Xie Xiaofeng said, “I don’t even know. Perhaps I should finally go back home. However before I go back, I might even take a look everywhere, travel everywhere.”
He smiled again, “I am no longer the unparalleled swordsman in the world, the Xie Third Young Master. I am only an ordinary person, I no longer need to torture myself like he used to.”
What kind of person a man is? What kind of person a man wants to be? These are usually decided by the man himself.
He also asked Tie Kaicheng, “How about you? Where do you want to go?”
Tie Kaicheng muttered, “I also don’t know. Perhaps I should also go back home. However before I go back, I might even take a look everywhere, travel everywhere!”
Xie Xiaofeng smiled and said, “Very good then.”
* * *
The clear sunlight right now was shining in front of them on the beautiful mother earth.
* * *
This was a simple and plain town but it was a crucial path to Mount Tai. Although they said they would casually take a look and casually travel, they still ended up on this path. Sometimes the relation between men is like a kite that had been released, no matter how high or how far the kite flew it was still tied to a string.
It is just that this string is like that thread attached to that sword in the river water; other people usually can’t see it.
* * *
The little town also had an inn that was not considered too small or too big. This inn obviously also sold wine.
Tie Kaicheng asked, “Have you ever seen an inn that doesn’t sell wine?”
Xie Xiaofeng replied, “No.”
He smiled, “An inn that doesn’t sell wine is like frying vegetable without salt. Not only are you going against other people, you are going against yourself.”
The strange thing was this inn not only sold wine but also medicine.
The wind carrying the scent of medicine was much stronger than the scent of wine.
Tie Kaicheng asked, “Have you ever seen an inn that sells medicine?”
Xie Xiaofeng did not open his mouth and the innkeeper interrupted, “Our little inn does not sell medicine. It is only because in the past two days there’s a tenant who had fallen sick. His friend is preparing medicine for him.”
Tie Kaicheng asked, “He had a sudden sickness?”
The innkeeper sighed and said, “It is a sudden sickness. He looked perfectly fine one instance, and now sick to the point of near death.”
He suddenly realized he said something wrong, quickly smiled and explained, “However his sickness is definitely not contagious. The two of you could relax and lodge here.”
But a sudden sickness that put a person to near death is usually contagious.
A well experience traveler in Jianghu most definitely had this common knowledge. Tie Kaicheng knitted his brow, strolled to a window at the back and saw a young person fanning a medicine stove under the raft inside the courtyard. A person helping a friend prepare medicine usually did not carry a weapon. The person not only carried a sword but one of his hands was tightly gripping onto the sword as if he was prepared to guard against any sneak attack. Tie Kaicheng looked for half a day and suddenly called out, “Xiao Zhao.”
This person instantly jumped with sword out of its sheath. By the time he saw Tie Kaicheng, he finally let out a sigh of relief and smiled apologetically, “It’s the head escort chief.”
Tie Kaicheng pretend to not notice the nervousness on his face, smiled and said, “I am drinking wine outside. After you’re done making the medicine, come find us and let’s drink together.”
* * *
Xiao Zhao’s name was Zhao Qing62. He was originally a watchman in the Red Flag Escort Agency. However since little he was very progressive person, a few years he actually entered Huashan School. These were partly because of his effort and also partly because Tie Kaicheng's effort cultivating him.
He obviously could not refuse Tie Kaicheng’s invitation. He came very soon.
After two cups of wine, Tie Kaicheng finally asked, “Who is this friend of yours that’s ill?”
Zhao Qing said, “He’s one of my shixiong (martial older brother).” Tie Kaicheng asked, “What kind of sickness does he have?” Zhao Qing replied, “It’s a….a sudden sickness.” He was originally a frank and straightforward young person. Right now he seemed to be holding back his words; it was as if he has a secret he was unwilling to let other people know.
Tie Kaicheng was smiling and looking at him. Although he did not expose him, it made him feel worst than being exposed. His face was starting to turn red. He never had the habit of lying to the head escort chief. He wanted to tell the truth but unfortunately there was a stranger next to the head escort chief. Tie Kaicheng said, “Mister Xie is my friend. My friends will never betray their friends.”
Zhao Qing finally sighed and bitterly smiled, “My shixiong’s sickness was cause by an injury from a sword.”
A “sickness” that came from a sword injury was definitely a sudden sickness, and would most definitely be quick and serious.
Tie Kaicheng asked, “Which one of your shixiong is the one that’s sick?”
Zhao Qing replied, “it’s my Mei-dashixiong (eldest martial brother).”
Tie Kaicheng was visibly moved, “Is it that ‘God Sword With No Shadow’ Mei Changhua?”
He was indeed shocked. Mei Changhua was not only the head disciple of Huashan, he was also renowned swordsman in Jianghu.
With his swordsmanship, how did he become so “sick” under another’s sword?
Tie Kaicheng also asked, “Who made him sick?”
Zhao Qing said, “It’s a new disciple of Diancang who’s very young.”
Tie Kaicheng was even more shocked. The fame of Huashan swordplay was above that of Diancang. How could a new disciple of Diancang defeat the head disciple of Huashan?
Zhao Qing said, “We originally was supposed to go to a gathering in Huashan. We ran into him here and he suddenly had some friction with my dashixiong. He wanted to have an one on one duel with my dashixiong to decide victory or defeat.”
He was sighing and continued, “At the time we thought he was mad and was seeking death. Unbelievably…no one would believe dashixiong would be defeated by his swordplay.”
Tie Kaicheng asked, “The duel was decided under how many moves?”
Zhao Qing’s face was even more embarrassed. After a long hesitation, finally softly said, “Seemed like not even ten moves.”
A newly recruited Diancang disciple could actually defeat Mei Changhua in under ten moves.
Not only was this hard to believe, it was also embarrassing. No wonder Zhao Qing was holding back not wanting to say it.
Beside Mei Changhua had always been arrogant. He made many enemies in Jianghu. Obviously, he needed to be guarded against potential enemies looking for revenge.
Zhao Qing said, “However his swordplay did not seem to originate from Diancang, particularly his last move. Not only was it vicious and surprisingly crafty, it seemed careful and mature. It seemed like martial art that was at least ten years or more worth of painful training.”
Tie Kaicheng asked, “Do you think he might’ve joined the school with previous skill?”
Zhao Qing said, “Definitely.”
Xie Xiaofeng suddenly asked, “What kind of person is he?”
Zhao Qing said, “His age seems young but the things he does seemed seasoned. Although he said very little, but whatever he said he said it with moderation.”
After thinking about it, he said, “It seemed like he’s not the type to cause slight disagreement and fight. This must be a deliberate fight for him to establish his name in Jianghu.”
Xie Xiaofeng asked, “What is his name?”
Zhao Qing replied, “His surname is also Xie, Xie Xiaodi63.”
Xie Xiaodi, these three words suddenly became renowned throughout Jianghu.
In the short span of five days, he injured Mei Changhua, defeated Qin Duxiu, and even the number one expert amongst the later generation in Wudang, Ouyang Yunhe, was defeated by his sword. The rise of this youngster was like a miracle.
* * *
Night. There was a lamp and wine on the table.
Tie Kaicheng muttered to himself with the wine, suddenly smiled and said, “I guess right now you already know who Xie Xiaodi is.”
Xie Xiaofeng did not answer him directly, yet sighed and said, “I only know he must be anxious to become famous. Because only after becoming famous would he be able to get rid of the shadow in his heart.”
— What was his shadow?
— Was it his famous parent?
Or was it those long suppressed painful memories?
Tie Kaicheng said, “He deliberately cause trouble with the disciples of those famous school. I originally thought he was fighting to become the head of the alliance for Mount Tai.”
“However he did not do that.”
“Because he knew his prestige was not enough, so he still supported Li Zhenzhen to the seat of the alliance leader.”
“That was already two days ago. For today’s news, he had already took the new alliance leader, Li Zhenzhen, as his wife.”
Tie Kaicheng smiled and said, “Right now I finally know, he is far more brilliant than we thought.”
Li Zhenzhen was also an intelligent person; she knew their union would be mutually beneficial to both of them.
Tie Kaicheng said, “I always wonder what was Madame Murong's feeling after hearing about his news.”
Xie Xiaofeng also did not know.
He did not even know what was his feeling at the current moment.
Tie Kaicheng suddenly smiled and said, “Actually we should not worry about them. Every generation of Jianghu there are people like them that shows up. As they are struggling and fighting to climb up, they would use any mean possible. Once they established their fame, they would focus on doing that job well.”
Because they were all intelligent people, they would not easily destroy their hard earn fame and reputation. Perhaps it was because people like them that always exist in Jianghu, therefore balance was maintained. Because they will naturally maintained a check and balance amongst them. That kind of relationship is like the world needed tiger, leopard, lion, and fox; rats and mosquito; for there to be natural equilibrium.
Xie Xiaofeng suddenly sighed and said, “A youngster without a prominent family background and parents to rely on, is definitely hard to establish a name.”
Tie Kaicheng said, “However young people should have that kind of ambition. If he is constantly climbing up, no one would say he’s on the wrong path.”
Xie Xiaofeng said, “Yes.”
At the moment they finished talking, suddenly a group of youngsters rushed in and loudly asked, “Are you Xie Xiaofeng?”
Xie Xiaofeng nodded.
A youngster drew out his sword and pointed at him with a sword tip, “Draw you sword, let’s decide who’ll be the victor of a battle.”
Xie Xiaofeng said, “Although I am Xie Xiaofeng, I already do not use a sword.”
He let these youngsters see his hand.
The youngsters were not affected; their desire to achieve fame was too aggressive.
No matter what, Xie Xiaofeng was still Xie Xiaofeng. Whoever kill Xie Xiaofeng would become famous.
They suddenly drew their swords at the same time and aimed toward Xie Xiaofeng.
* * *
Although Xie Xiaofeng could not hold a sword, he still had a hand. His hand chopping on their maimen (pulse on their wrist) was like a sudden gust of wind blowing by.
Their swords immediately left their hands.
Xie Xiaofeng picked up the sword. He held the swords with his middle and index finger and snapped them into two halves.
Afterward he only said one word!
“Leave.”
They immediately left. They left faster then they came. Tie Kaicheng laughed.
They were young people; passionate with a fiery, hotheaded and impulsive, taking action without thinking of the consequence. However, Jianghu could never do without these youngsters. It was like the ocean could never do without fishes.
It was because of these young people, could Jianghu forever maintain its fresh excitement and colorful liveliness.
Tie Kaicheng asked, “You don’t blame them?”
Xie Xiaofeng replied, “I definitely do not blame them.”
Tie Kaicheng asked, “Is it because you know once they grow up, they would not do these things?”
Xie Xiaofeng replied, “Yes.”
After thinking about it, he said, “Other than this, obviously there is another reason.”
Tie Kaicheng asked, “What reason?”
Xie Xiaofeng said, “Because I am also a man of Jianghu.”
* * *
The people and life in Jianghu are like fallen leave in the wind and duckweed in the water. Although they do not have root, they have courage, uprightness, and loyalty. Although they are typically living in hardship, they don’t blame the heaven or fault men. Because at the same time, they have a rich, colorful, and beautiful life.
Xie Xiaofeng said, “There’s a saying you mustn’t forget.”
Tie Kaicheng said, “What saying?”
Xie Xiaofeng said, “Once you’ve became a man of Jianghu, you’ll always be a man of Jianghu.”
Tie Kaicheng said, “I also have a saying.”
Xie Xiaofeng asked, “What saying?”
Tie Kaicheng said, “Once you’ve become Xie Xiaofeng, you’ll always be Xie Xiaofeng.”
He smiled and slowly continued, “Even if you cannot hold a sword anymore, you are still Xie Xiaofeng.”
[END]
Footnote
62. Zhao Qing (赵清), surname Zhao, given name mean “clear/clean/pure”.
63. Xie Xiaodi (谢小荻), surname Xie, given name means “little” (xiao), “di” (荻) - same as the di in Murong Qiudi. Obviously, this also sounds similar to Xiaodi (小弟).