The Deer and The Cauldron

[KChill]

Wow, I had no idea the powder originated from Ouyang Feng. Learned something new again! Thanks for the translation, foxs!

Yup, another omission from Minford I wouldve loved to have known about before now.

[athlonkmf]

I beg to differ.

1. WXB was 12 – 13 when he entered the Imperial Palace.
2. Oboi’s death was within one year WXB entered the palace. When asked Hai Dafu on his age, WXB answered around 13. (Chapter 6)
3. It was middle summer or early autumn when WXB became Green Wood Hall Xiangzhu.
4. Its during the winter when the arc with Mu Family of Yunnan happens (Chapter 9). It was mentioned in Chapter 10 that WXB was still 13 – 14 at that period of time.
5. WXB set out to Mt Wutai in Chapter 15, which we all agreed happened within a few days or a week at most from Chapter 9.
6. Its about after 2 – 3 days of travel that WXB met SE. (Parting with FY & co, haunted house etc)
7. I estimate it took around a forthnight to arrive at Mt Wutai
8. He spent a week at most at Mt Wutai, although 2-3 days were more likely.
9. Again, another forthnight for the return trip
10. He then was captured and brought to Snake Island at Liaodong Peninsular. If WXB age did change at this point of time, its more likely 14 than 15. To make it 15, WXB should spent at least a year on Mt Wutai adventure.
11. The event with Wangwu
12. Only at Shaolin did the wheather was mentioned as changed from winter to spring.

I'd invite you to go back to the chapters and quote the mentioning of passed time. You seem to have ignored the quotes I've provided.

But nonetheless, I think we can agree that this:

WXB is a child. He's barely 13.

is incorrect. I'm willing to say he's not 16 but pretty close. barely 13 is stretching it.

I really don't think one or two years difference of opinion is worth debating. The important thing is he's been in so many positions of leadership already, he should be using that to try and impress her, it's obviously working for ZK. That childish, I'm entranced by you stuff isn't working.

I don't know. I think the subtle difference between 13 and 15 quite big... 13 is a kid, OK. But 15... That explains his obsession with Ah Ke a lot.

[Ace High]

I did not ignore the quotes you provided, only in my opinion you take the passage of time quite liberally.

We can by now safely say that he's 14 by the time he met Shuang'er, the old emporer, Fat Toutou, etc . So I'll check the time from that point on. Chapter 19.

A few days back WXB was already 13 but not yet 14.

According to you, now he was 14. For the sake of discussion I'll take that 14.

Shuang'er and the men immediately stopped fighting. Shuang'er was greatly puzzled, she did not expect this xianggong had already had young mistress. But at that time, marrying too early was prevalent, it was not uncommon for a fourteen, fifteen years old man to get married, it's just that Wei Xiaobao had never told her that he had a wife.

OK, SE confirms more or less that WXB's about to turn fifteen. Probably even fifteen when she met him.

According to you, now WXB is 15.

You are saying from the events at the Zhuang Residence until WXB returned back to Beijing from Mt Wutai took almost a year if not a full year.

That's highly improable since

a) WXB only stayed at Mt Wutai for about a week.
b) that would imply the travelling time between Beijing and Shanxi took half a year!

Its more likely it was around a month since WXB left the Imperial Palace.

Before he gets to leave the island. Since it took a month to get there, it'd take a month to go back

The boat ride was mentioned as several days, not a month. More than a couple of days but less than a week, much less a month. So we have travelling time of two weeks max.

How long did WXB spent his time on the Snake Island? I agree with you that for at least half a month.

That makes it around two months since WXB left the Imperial Palace.

14 years and 2 months old.

Even if he did spent half a year at Shaolin, that only made him 14 years and 8 months old.

Still not even 15.

[Grundle]

Foxs, yes you are right. Now that I think about what you said, it is definitely a female trait. I couldn't help but laugh when you mentioned it.

This update was thrilling. Great job as always.

[smurf120]

I really don't think one or two years difference of opinion is worth debating. The important thing is he's been in so many positions of leadership already, he should be using that to try and impress her, it's obviously working for ZK. That childish, I'm entranced by you stuff isn't working.

I agree about couple years of age not worth debating. WXB's educational/social progress is not of a normal teenager so its hard to compare him to one on a "normal" basis. I think that WXB has no trouble impressing "older generation" people and basically all men that he does not hate and he keeps secrets surprisingly well for being so mouthy. When it comes to girls, he seems to go by a different set of merits (mainly a playful, tricky personality), never actually trying to impress a girl but the girl simply finds out about his background later.

Fang Yi and Mu Jianping - never knew him to be more than a playful eunuch until they found out he is one of the leaders of Heaven Earth

Shang'er - finds out from 3rd Mistress that he killed Obei, WXB is forced to reveal his status as rebel

Zeng Yao - he won her over by losing at dice to her and letting everyone in her clan go

Jianning (the bratty princess) - she is most impressed by him beating on her....[nuff said]

Su Quan - he was funny and great way with words

Ah Ke - no comment

I think by nature WXB doesn't want to set any heroic expectations for the women in his life - accept and enjoy him as who he is, all his titles are passing [and pretty much accidental].

[tweety365]

WXB is not above using his titles and connections to impress women. It just seems the idea didn't cross his mind that women are impressed by looks, wealth, and power. He got 2 out of the 3 criteria and that ain't bad. Instead of wearing his heart on his sleeves and chasing after her like a love sick puppy, ignore her while flaunting his power and wealth. Find ways to make ZKS look bad, which isn't very hard to do.

[wandering]

i like how JY put these little tidbits in to tie all his different stories together.

thanks a lot foxs.

[SkyWalker]

Thanks foxs.

[Anh Nam]

Thanks Foxs

[crazee]

Thanks Fox, for the update again....

Well folks, I really admire you people who really digest and remember every point.....

As for me I remember only the main storyline.....it's a simple way to say I easily forget heh heh heh...
Honestly I do not really go into details like the timelines, the age and so on.... maybe it's because I'm just a silly forgetful old man.....

[foxs]

Camtay, Tweety, Wandering, Sky, Anh, you are welcome. Ali, I thought you could not wait and have finished reading Minford's? Crydee, true ... Pannonian, KChill, I did not expect Jin Yong would reference Condor Trilogy. Benjamin Button? Was he the guy who aged backward, from old to young? I don't get the connection. Ace, Athlon, I agree with Crazee, you guys are amazing ... you remember the details very well. Grundle, as Tweety said, 'beauty with lack of brain and bad martial art skill' (or something like that). Smurf, very good point. It was an eye opener for me too. Crazee, you have the quality of a 'xia' ... too modest.

Anyway, new chapter ...

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Chapter 27 – Someone heard a ghost crying on Yunnan’s sea, thorny gate provided another source of amusement.
(Translated by Foxs)

The nun in white was lost in thought for half a day. Seeing Wei Xiaobao approaching with a big grin on his face, she knew that he was the one who put poison on the Sutra. She sighed and said, “If not for your intelligence and quick-thinking, it would be difficult for me to escape losing my life in the enemy’s hand today. It would not be a big deal, I was more afraid I would be humiliated. Only, killing people is not something to be proud of, no need to be this happy.”

Wei Xiaobao quickly erased the smiling expression from his face. “Yes,” he replied.

The nun in white added, “This kind of sinister and ruthless method is not the way of prestigious house or upright sect’s disciples. In critical situation, you have no choice but to use it to deal with the villains, but from now on you must not use it recklessly.”

Wei Xiaobao complied again. He said, “Today was the first time I ever used that method. Frankly, my martial art skill is too lacking, I can’t fight a just and honorable fight with them; otherwise, a man must fight like a real man, victory must be achieved handsomely. How could I use such a fooling around method?”

The nun in white stared at him for half a day before asking, “You have been at Shaolin Temple, Qingliang Temple, for many days, could it be that the martial art master Shifu at the Temple did not teach you any martial art?”

Wei Xiaobao said, “Martial art, I have learned some. It’s a pity that junior did not learn the proper way; I only learn some superficial styles, but did not cultivate internal strength.”

The nun in white cast a glance toward Ah Ke before she asked, “And why is that?”

“There was not enough time to train,” Wei Xiaobao replied.

“What do you mean not enough time?” the nun in white asked.

Wei Xiaobao said, “Because disciple has offended Miss Ah Ke, she wanted to kill me. The situation was urgent, I had no choice but to carelessly learn some moves to protect my life.”

The nun in white nodded. She said, “Just now when you talked to those lamas, you repeatedly said that I am your Shifu; why is that?”

Wei Xiaobao blushed. Ah Ke interjected, “Shifu, he is harboring a bad thought, he wanted to do obeisance to you and take you as his master.”

The nun in white smiled and said, “Wanted to do obeisance to me and take me as his master cannot be considered a bad thought.”

“It’s not,” Ah Ke anxiously said. She knew that Wei Xiaobao’s real intention in wanting to do obeisance and take the nun in white as his master was so that he could entangle her all day every day, but of course she could not say it.

The nun in white said to Wei Xiaobao, “You have called me Shifu, naturally I cannot let you call in vain.”

Wei Xiaobao was greatly delighted; immediately he kneeled down and respectfully kowtowed eight times while calling out loudly, “Shifu.”

The nun in white smiled and said, “Now that you have entered my school, you must abide by the rule: you must not fool around.”

“Yes,” Wei Xiaobao replied, “To bad people disciple will fool around, but to good people will always follow the rule strictly.”

Ah Ke made faces to him and stuck out her tongue at him, while in her heart she was unspeakably angry. “This little vile creature has done obeisance to Shifu and be her disciple; from now on I can’t kill him anymore, will always be entangled by him. I can’t push her away, I can’t kick him, it’s a serious headache.”

The nun in white had been besieged by the six lamas, were it not for Wei Xiaobao’s help, she would not have the good fortune. Afterwards Sangjie and the other, seven lamas pursued her, she could only helplessly let herself be captured; her situation was indeed very dangerous. Although her age had surpassed four decades, her appearance was very beautiful. If she fell into these evil lamas’ hands, she was bound to suffer enormous humiliation. By the will of heavens this little kid was full of craft and cunning, and was able to eliminate the enemies one by one, and thus he had helped her preserving her purity; the gratitude in her heart was unspeakable. Seeing that Wei Xiaobao was cherishing the idea of having her as his master, she decided to agree; thinking that the little kid was naughty, loved to act willfully and make a scene, but that it should not make her worry. If he received her nurture and training, someday he might make a name for himself in Jianghu.

According to Wulin rule, since Wei Xiaobao had entered Chen Jinnan’s school, without Shifu’s permission he could not do obeisance and take somebody else as his master. However, he did not know all these rules; even if he did, right that moment he did not care. The nun in white had agreed to accept him into her school, now he could constantly see Ah Ke. Even if Kangxi abdicated his throne and gave it to him, he would not want to do it. He was very lazy in training martial art, he thought that most likely he would have to train hard under the nun in white, the headache would be inevitable. But as long as he could be with Ah Ke, more bitter matter would feel as sweet as syrup; therefore, he did the eight kowtows while bursting with joy, indeed he felt as if a treasured object has fallen from heaven just for him.

Seeing his delight, the nun in white thought he was happy to have found a brilliant master and henceforth would train hard to master the excellent martial art. If she knew his real intention, perhaps she would kick him until he rolled around eight times, and although she had just accepted him into her school, would expel him immediately.

Ah Ke’s little mouth flattened, she said, “Shifu, look at him this happy, he will really spoil our family.”

Wei Xiaobao said, “A martial art master whose skill is number one in the present age has accepted me as her disciple, naturally I am exceedingly happy.”

The nun in white smiled and said, “You must not talk nonsense about me as the number one martial art master of this age. Now that you have entered my school, you need to know your master’s Buddhist name. My Buddhist name is Jiu Nan [lit. nine difficulties/disaster]. Our school is called the Tie Jian Men [iron sword school]. Your Shizu [master ancestor] was a Taoist Priest, whose title was Mu [wood] at the top and Sang [mulberry] at the bottom; he has passed away. Although I am a Buddhist nun, my martial art skill actually belongs to Taoist branch.”

“Yes,” Wei Xiaobao said, “Disciple will remember.”

The nun in white Jiu Nan added, “Ah Ke, you and him, who is a bit older?”

“Naturally I am,” Ah Ke replied.

“I am older,” Wei Xiaobao said.

“Alright,” Jiu Nan said, “The two of you need not argue, whoever entered the school first is older. From now on there is no more ‘Miss Ah Ke’ or ‘little vile creature’; one is ‘Chen Shijie’, the other is ‘Wei Shidi’.”

With a loud voice Wei Xiaobao called, “Chen Shijie.”

“Humph,” Ah Ke snorted; in front of her Shifu, she did not dare to curse, but she cast him a malicious look.

“Ah Ke,” Jiu Nan said, “The minor matter of the past should not be taken to heart forever. This time Xiaobao has rendered some meritorious deed by saving you and me, two people. Even though he has offended you, he has done more than enough to redeem it.” Speaking to this point, she gently sighed, thinking, “This child is intelligent and sharp, it’s a pity he has met misfortune since he was young by being a eunuch.”

She continued, “Previously Xiaobao was bullied and humiliated by others, he was forced to be a eunuch. As his martial older sister, you must pity his wretched fate and look after him a little bit. This is actually better, there won’t be male-female division between the two of you, when you are together later on you must not have any misgivings. It’s much more convenient. However, you must not tell anybody about this.”

Ah Ke complied. Thinking that this little vile creature was a eunuch, his rudeness to her in the past was not too big of a deal; her anger somewhat subsided. Turning to Zheng Keshuang, she called out, “Zheng Gongzi, are you injured?”

Limping, Zheng Keshuang walked over; he said, “Not too bad, only my leg is twisted.” Thinking that previously he boasted by saying that he had more than enough force to cope with the lamas, while when things came to a head he failed miserably, and they had to rely on this little kid to repel the enemy, his face blushed with shame.

“Shifu,” Ah Ke said, “What should we do? Shall we still go to Hejian Prefecture?”

Jiu Nan hesitatingly said, “Going to Hejian Prefecture to take a look is fine, but we must guard against that Lama Sangjie returning. Right now I am unable to move freely.”

Wei Xiaobao said, “Shifu, you can stay here and take a rest, I’ll go find a large carriage.”

Wei Xiaobao could not find any carriage, but he bought an ox cart from a peasant family, and invited Jiu Nan and the others, three people, to ride on it, while he drove the cart slowly to continue their journey. Luckily Sangjie did not reappear.

When they reached another small town ahead, they abandoned the cart and hired two large carriages. Along the way Wei Xiaobao asked his Shifu to take several more ‘snow ginseng jade toad pills’. Jiu Nan’s internal energy was profound, with the efficacious medicine giving her a boost, her internal injury was healing really quickly.

After traveling for two days, they arrived at Hejian Prefecture at noon. After putting up at an inn, Zheng Keshuang went out to scout the area and hear the news. More than two hours later he came back dejectedly, saying that he inquired everywhere in the city, but unexpectedly no one knew anything about ‘Turtle-slaying Assembly’.

Jiu Nan asked, “Zheng Gongzi, from where did you hear about this ‘Turtle-slaying Assembly’?”

Zheng Keshuang replied, “The two River Heroes Feng Brothers, Feng Bupo and Feng Bucui asked Tian Di Hui to deliver a letter to Taiwan, inviting my Fu Wang [father king] to send an envoy to preside over the ‘Turtle-slaying General Assembly’. The letter says that the general assembly will be held on the fifteenth of this month at Hejian Prefecture. Today is the eleventh, so it is only four days away.”

Jiu Nan nodded. She slowly said, “The two brothers from the Feng Clan, aren’t they from Huashan Pai?” Lifting her head up, she looked outside the window, remembering the matter of many years ago.

Zheng Keshuang said, “Fu Wang sent me to preside over the general assembly; I presumed the Feng Clan brothers would definitely send people to wait for me respectfully in here, who would have thought … humph …” His expression showed that he was really angry.

Jiu Nan said, “Perhaps the Tatars have obtained the information and made some moves, hence the Feng Clan brothers changed the date and place.”

Zheng Keshuang resentfully said, “Even if that’s the case, they should notify me.”

While they were still talking, a waiter knocked the door and said, “Zheng Keguan [lit. ‘guest’ Zheng], there are people outside seeking an audience with you.” Zheng Keshuang was greatly delighted; hastily he went out.

A moment later, he hurriedly came back, saying, “The Feng Clan brothers have personally come here; they really apologized to me, saying that they knew that I brought more than twenty attendants, hence for the last several days they were waiting outside the city to welcome me, who would have thought that we have sneakily [orig. the gods unaware, the ghosts unconscious] entered the city? Right now they have prepared a big feast for us to wash the dust and welcome us. Would everybody please come with me?”

Jiu Nan shook her head and said, “Zheng Gongzi should go alone, and please do not mention anything about me being here.”

Zheng Keshuang was rather disappointed; he said, “Since Shitai is not willing to be disturbed, how about Miss Chen and Wei Xiongdi come with me?”

“They also do not need to go,” Jiu Nan replied, “On the day of the general assembly, we will all go together.” That night Zheng Keshuang returned to the inn completely drunk.

Around midnight, his more than twenty attendants also arrived at the inn, only everybody’s hands and feet were bandaged and tied with splints, making them did not look elegant at all.

Early morning the next day, Zheng Keshuang recounted what happened in the big banquet the previous night to Jiu Nan, Ah Ke and Wei Xiaobao. He said that the Feng Clan brothers were very respectful to him, they invited him to sit at the seat of honor, and did not stop praising the Zheng Clan for erecting the banner of righteousness, resisting the Manchurian Qing in Taiwan alone. Jiu Nan asked him who else had come to the feast.

Zheng Keshuang said, “There are already many people arrived here. In the past few days people are coming one after another. It was decided that we will have the general assembly at midnight of the fifteenth, at the Locust Tree Plain, eighteen li west of the city. The midnight assembly is to guard against the Qing Court’s ears and eyes. Actually the Feng Clan brothers are too cautious. With these many heroes and warriors assembled here, even if there is a large number of a Qing troop coming here, we will kill and have them completely routed.”

Jiu Nan asked in details the names of the heroes and warriors attending the meeting, but Zheng Keshuang was unable to come up with anything. He only said, “There were several hundred people eating and drinking together. Every one of the several dozen leaders came to propose a toast to me for Fu Wang’s sake. They all announced their school, sect, name and surname, but I am not able to recall that many names at once.”

Jiu Nan did not say anything; she mused, “This Zheng Gongzi has an attractive outward appearance in vain, he actually does not have any talent.”

After recuperating in the inn for several days, Jiu Nan’s injury was completely healed. She restrained Ah Ke and Wei Xiaobao from coming out and wandering aimlessly, to avoid meeting Wulin characters and creating some trouble. Zheng Keshuang, however, left the inn every day early in the morning, and did not return until very late at night. Every day there was Jianghu hero or warrior who invited him to a banquet.

[szfong]

Thanx for the update!!

[crazee]

Thank foxs, ... for the complement and of course the translated work.

It looks like XB is sucessful with his plan to be close to Ah Ke.
Just wonder if his rival...will learn that he is not an innocent small kid..... but a super power with mighty kungfu of a different kind...heh heh.

It just show that the Ke fellow is good for nothing...unable to even name a hero in the banquet. A real prince or leader would have some ability to remember people.

[tweety365]

It just show that the Ke fellow is good for nothing...unable to even name a hero in the banquet. A real prince or leader would have some ability to remember people.

That is why ZKS and Ah Ke are perfect for each other. Both have pretty exteriors, but nothing inside.

Thanks, foxs!

[Ace High]

It just show that the Ke fellow is good for nothing...unable to even name a hero in the banquet. A real prince or leader would have some ability to remember people.

WXB would certainly memorized those heros' names and faces, as he did with the members of Tian Di Hui and the Imperial Bodyguards.

[Gubrak]

Up to now XB has 3 shifu, 2 of them has superior martial art, but ...
Anyway, how long has XB left the Snake island, when the poison will react.

Thanks Foxs

[athlonkmf]

I did not ignore the quotes you provided, only in my opinion you take the passage of time quite liberally.



How long did WXB spent his time on the Snake Island? I agree with you that for at least half a month.

That makes it around two months since WXB left the Imperial Palace.

14 years and 2 months old.

Even if he did spent half a year at Shaolin, that only made him 14 years and 8 months old.

Still not even 15.

I'll come back to this later when I got the time to reread and create a timeline-infographic.

It just show that the Ke fellow is good for nothing...unable to even name a hero in the banquet. A real prince or leader would have some ability to remember people.

I think it means he just doesn't regard those heroes as important enough to remember. A trait of an royalty. Just like how he didn't respect his former shifu's because they're actually serving under his dad.

[SkyWalker]

Thanks foxs.

[smurf120]

WXB would certainly memorized those heros' names and faces, as he did with the members of Tian Di Hui and the Imperial Bodyguards.

I was going to mention that too. WXB tries to address every person (even people "under" his station) he meets by name even as a young eunuch in the palace with hundreds fawning over him.

Cheng Keshaung is making a terrible impression as representative of his "kingdom" in Taiwan coming home drunk every night and all his bodyguards getting into fights.

[Grundle]

I am hoping that Zheng Keshuang gets ever more arrogant and is then brought to a rude awakening when the heroes publicly recognize WXB as a Tian Di Hui leader and hero To see how fast he falls to earth would be worth it, and very amusing to boot.

Note: That isn't a spoiler, just what I am hoping will happen next.