Originally translated by Darkaos on 12/24/12. Reviewed and partially re-translated by kaister.
Chapter 38
Condemned in Speeches and in Writings
Shi Jingmo asked, “You can also kill people using a pen?”
Xie Xiaofeng asked, “You don’t believe it?”
Shi Jingmo said, “I…”
Xie Xiaofeng said, “The table over there has pen and ink. Why don’t you go over there and try it?”
Shi Jingmo asked, “How do I try?”
Xie Xiaofeng replied, “All you need to do is write three words, you would be able to condemned that person to death.”
Shi Jingmo asked, “Which three words?”
Xie Xiaofeng answered, “That person’s name.”
Shi Jingmo lifted his head and looked at him shockingly. Until now, he finally realized this near-death person standing right before him was carrying a mysterious and dreadful energy; at anytime, anywhere could do thing no other people could do.
Xie Xiaofeng said, “Quickly, go write it. After you finish writing, seal it and hand it to me. I guarantee no one here will reveal your secret.”
Shi Jingmo finally stood up, walked over there, and lifted the pen.
The energy from this person did not allow him to refuse, nor dare to refuse. The words of this person were also difficult to not believe.
* * *
The tightly sealed envelope was already in Xie Xiaofeng’s hand. Inside there was only one sheet of paper, one name.
Xie Xiaofeng said, “Aside from you, I assured you no one right now know whose name is written in this letter.”
Shi Jingmo nodded. His pale white face was twisted due to the nervousness and excitement. He couldn’t help but ask, “From now on what?”
Xie Xiaofeng replied, “From now on, only one person would be able to see this name.”
Shi Jingmo asked, “Which person?”
Xie Xiaofeng replied, “A person that could absolutely help you keep your secret.”
He turned his body and faced the Kid. “Of course, you had already figured out that this person is you!”
The Kid said, “Yes.”
Xie Xiaofeng said, “Once you see this person’s name, this person obviously will not be able to live long.”
The Kid said, “Yes.”
Xie Xiaofeng said, “He obviously will die of an accident.”
The Kid said, “Yes.”
He held out his hand and accepted the letter in Xie Xiaofeng’s hand. His hand was just as steady as Xie Xiaofeng’s.
For everyone here, it wasn’t sure whether their face was of respect or fear.
One envelope, one sheet of paper, one name, in one moment had already determined the life and death of one person!
Who exactly were they? Why did they possess such authority?
Shi Jingmo’s forehead was dripping cold sweat like beans. He suddenly rushed over and snatched the letter in the Kid’s hand. He crumbled it, shoved it in his mouth, chewed it, swallowed it down, and then suddenly started vomiting non-stop.
Xie Xaiofeng was coldly looking at him but did not stop him.
The Kid’s face was even emotionless. Until his vomiting stopped, Xie Xiaofeng blandly asked, “You can’t bear letting him die?”
Shi Jingmo shook his head profusely; tears and sweats were pouring out at the same time.
Xie Xiaofeng asked, “Since you hated him to the bone, why can’t you bear letting him die?”
Shi Jingmo asked, “I…I…”
Xie Xiaofeng said, “There are still papers over there. I can still give you one more chance!”
Shi Jingmo was shaking his head with his might. “I really don’t want him to die, really don’t want to!”
Xie Xiaofeng laughed. “It turns out your hatred for him is not as deep as you thought.”
He was smiling. He helped up the Shi Jingmo that was nearly completely stupefied on the ground. “No matter what, you had that chance to kill him but you let him go. Once you thought of this, you will feel more comfortable in your heart.”
* * *
The room was very dim, yet his face seemed to be shining.
Everyone was involuntarily looking at him. The expressions on their faces were of respect and no longer fear.
— One letter, one sheet of paper, one name, and in one matter to resolve the hatred and enmity in one person’s heart.
— Who exactly is he? Why does he have such mystical power?
* * *
The cups were filled with wine again. Everyone silently raised their cups, and drank it all down. Everyone understood who this cup was for — perhaps only three days, in these three days, what else will he do?
Xie Xiaofeng took a deep long sigh. He was laughing gleefully. Regarding all of this, he was very satisfied.
He loved good wines, and love other people’s respect toward him. These two were something he had abandoned for a long time. Yet, they were gradually warming his whole body up.
“What ought to leave, will leave eventually.”
He looked at these people. “Right now do you have anything that would make me stay here?”
The Kid raised his cup again, drank it in one gulp, and then spoke one word at a time. “No, of course not.”
* * *
Everyone raised his or her cups again. After drinking these cups, everyone was looking at Xie Xiaofeng.
Only Jian Chuanxue kept his head down. He suddenly asked, “Right now, is it already time for you to leave?”
Xie Xiaofeng replied, “Yes.”
He stood up, walked over, and grabbed Jian Chuanxue’s shoulder. “Let’s leave together.”
Jian Chuanxue finally raised his head. “Leave together? You want me to go with you?”
Xie Xiaofeng said, “Go feast and drink wholeheartedly, uninhibitedly go to prostitutes, and gamble wildly.”
Jian Chuanxue, “And then?”
Xie Xiaofeng said, “And then I’ll go die. You can come back and be your gentleman.”
Jian Chuanxue did not even think any further. He immediately stood up.
“Okay, let’s go.”
Watching them walked out side-by-side, every one knew Xie Xiaofeng’s parting this time would lead to his absolute death.
How about Jian Chuanxue? Would he still come back to be his gentleman?
* * *
They had already left the door. Jian Chuanxue suddenly stopped. “Right now, we still can’t leave yet.”
Xie Xiaofeng asked, “Why?”
Jian Chuanxue replied, “Because you are the third young master of the Xie family, Xie Xiaofeng.”
This was not considered a reason.
So Jian Chuanxue clarified, “Everyone here know the swordplay of the third young master of the Xie family is a swordplay without equal in the world and yet no one has witness it before.”
Xie Xiaofeng acknowledged this. His fame was well known in the world, yet very few had ever witnessed his swordplays.
Jian Chuanxue said, “If the Third Young Master died, who else would be able to witness the Third Young Master’s swordplay?”
No one, of course none.
Jian Chuanxue said, “Everyone came here through long journey. What they wanted to see was not the Third Young Master’s sickness, but the Third Young Master’s sword. The Third Young Master in every case should not let everyone go back with fruitless effort and carry a life long regret.”
These were truthful words. The Third Young Master’s sickness was not something good to see, what was good to see was the Third Young Master’s sword.
Xie Xiaofeng laughed.
He smiled and turned around. “Is there any sword here?”
* * *
There were swords here, of course there were.
* * *
There was sword. It was not a classic sword, nor a famous sword. It was a good sword. It was a good sword that was heavily refined and forged with extremely fine steel. Whether a sword could become a classic sword or a famous sword usually depends on who is using it. A sword in the hand of its true master is a superb sword. A sword, even if it’s a famous sword, that’s not in the hand of its true master will be a sword that’s hard to handle and a sword that’ll be lead to its ruin and burial. In such case, not only would its name not be preserved through the ages, it would be difficult to prevent its destruction.162
Wouldn’t the fate of a person be the same?
* * *
Once the sword left its sheath, it transformed into a splendid light; an arch of magnificence, brilliance, splendor, and beauty.
The brilliance was flickering, the changes was high above; light as a cloud, and in fleeting motions. Everyone felt that this brilliant light was close to them; yet, no one could determine exactly where it was. Its transformation had practically surpassed the utmost limit of human capability, had practically made it hard for anyone to believe.
However, it was indeed here; furthermore, it was everywhere. But just when everyone was pretty much certain of its existence, it suddenly disappeared again.
Appeared like a miracle, disappeared like a miracle.
* * *
All of its motions and variations, in one moment, was completed and had ended. It was like a meteor and like a flash of lighting, but it was a miracle much closer than a meteor or lightning. Because the power that initiated these changes actually came from a single person.
A normal looking person with flesh and blood.
Once the light of the sword fully disappeared, the sword was still here but the person was gone.
* * *
The sword was on a beam.
Everyone was foolishly looking at the sword. Not sure how long had passed until one person finally took a deep sigh.
“He will not die.”
“Why?”
“Because this world always has people like him.”
“Why?”
“Because no matter where he goes to, he would always remain in our heart.”
* * *
Night.
Brilliant lamp was just lighted. The light was like daytime.
They were both a bit drunk. Jian Chuanxue was even more drunk. He mumbled, “Those people must’ve thought it was very strange, and why I would suddenly thought of doing all these things. I had always been a good child.”
Xie Xiaofeng asked, “Are you a human?”
Jian Chuanxue replied, “Of course.”
Xie Xiaofeng said, “As long as you’re a person, it doesn’t matter what type of person, it’s always easier to learn how to be bad than how to be good. Especially in regard to eat, drink, prostitution, and gambling; you don’t even need to learn these things.”
Jian Chuanxue immediately agreed. “It seems everyone innately know about these things.”
Xie Xiaofeng said, “But to truly master these subjects is not easy.”
Jian Chuanxue asked, “And you?”
Xie Xiaofeng replied, “I’m an expert.”
Jian Chuanxue asked, “Where is the expert planning to bring me to next?”
Xie Xiaofeng answered, “To get money.”
Jian Chuanxue asked, “An expert needs to spend money to do these things?”
Xie Xiaofeng replied, “It’s because I am an expert, I need to spend money. In fact I’ll spend much more than other.”
Jian Chuanxue asked, “Why?”
Xie Xiaofeng replied, “Because these are money wasting matters. If you are worry about spending, you might as well go back home and take care of children.”
* * *
These are indeed words spoken by experts; only true experts will understand the principle behind this. Wanting to have fun to the fullest, at the same time haggling over every ounce, skimpy and petty on the inside; these are true pests of the party. Because even if they saved a few pennies, in other people’s eye they aren’t even worth a penny.
Experts also have their own distress. Their biggest distress is one word — money; because spending money is far easier than getting money. However, this didn’t seem to trouble Xie Xiaofeng at all. He brought Jian Chuanxue and wandered all over the place. Suddenly wandered to a general store with a tattered shop front. No matter how you look at it, it didn’t seem like a place with money.
In the general store there was a blurred vision, half-deaf half-blind old man. Simply looking at him, he didn’t seem like a person with money.
Jian Chuanxue thought it was very strange!
— Since we don’t intend to buy oil, don’t intend to buy vinegar, what are we doing here?
Xie Xiaofeng already walked over. He walked next to the old man and spoke a few words next to his ear.
The old man’s expression immediately changed and looked like a mouse suddenly being surrounded by eight cats.
Suddenly he brought Xie Xiaofeng with him and entered a small doorway at the back with a cloth curtain hanging over it.
Jian Chuanxue could only wait outside.
Luckily Xie Xiaofeng came out rather quickly. Once he came out, he asked, “Is thirty thousand taels of silver enough for us to spend?”
Thirty thousands taels of silver?
Where did thirty thousands taels of silver came from?
How could a small tattered general store all of a sudden have thirty thousand taels of silver?
Jian Chuanxue simply had no way of believing. But Xie Xiaofeng did indeed have thirty thousand taels of silver.
The old man did not come out yet. Jian Chuanxue couldn’t help but ask, “What kind of place is this exactly?”
Xie Xiaofeng replied, “It is, of course, a good place.”
He smiled and added, “A place with money is usually a good place.”
Jian Chuanxue asked, “How can a place like this have money?”
Xie Xiaofeng replied, “The meat of a bun is not on the top. Whether a person has money or not, you can not determine this based on the appearance.”
Jian Chuanxue asked, “That old man has money?”
Xie Xiaofeng replied, “Not only does he have money, he is potentially the wealthiest within eight hundred miles here.”
Jian Chuanxue asked, “Then why does he have to live like this?”
Xie Xiaofeng said, “Because he is willing to live like this, therefore he has money.”
Jian Chuanxue asked, “Since he is not willing to spend money himself, how could he for no reason give you thirty thousand taels of silver?”
Xie Xiaofeng replied, “I, of course, have my method.”
Jian Chuanxue blinked his eyes. He lowered his voice and asked, “What method? Is it dog eat dog?”
Xie Xiaofeng laughed. He only laughed and did not say a word.
Jian Chuanxue was even more curious. He couldn’t help but ask, “Don’t tell me that old man is a great pirate of this land?”
Xie Xiaofeng smiled and said, “These are not the things you should be asking.”
Jian Chuanxue asked, “What should I be asking right now?”
Xie Xiaofeng replied, “Ask me where I am taking you to spend money on.”
Jian Chuanxue also laughed.
No matter what, spending money is something that makes people happy.
He immediately asked, “Where are we planning to go spend money at?”
Xie Xiaofeng did not speak yet. That old man stuck his head out of the cloth door and siad, “Right here.”
* * *
This place was a small worn down general store. Even if they purchase every item here, it wouldn’t be more than five hundred taels.
Jian Chuanxue, of course, asked, “This is also a place to spend money?”
The old man squinted his eyes and sized him up. His head retreated back in, as if he couldn’t even be bother to speak to him.
Xie Xiaofeng already laughed. “If this place did not have anywhere to spend money on, then where did that thirty thousand taels of silver come from?”
These words made sense. Still it was hard for Jian Chuanxue not to be skeptical. “This place has women?”
Xie Xiaofeng replied, “Not only has women, this place has the best women within eight hundred miles.”
Jian Chuanxue asked, “Within eight hundred miles, the best wines are also here?”
Xie Xiaofeng replied, “Here.”
Jian Chuanxue asked, “How do you know?”
Xie Xiaofeng replied, “Because I’m an expert.”
* * *
The back of the variety store was a doorway, a small and narrow doorway with an old worn cloth door over it.
Where were the wines?
Where were the women? Could it be that they were all inside that small doorway with the shabby cotton cloth curtain?
Jian Chuanxue wanted to open that curtain to take a look. Before the curtain was opened and before the head came back out, there was this fragrant aroma.
A smell to die for.
And then he suddenly fainted.
* * *
When he woke up, Xie Xiaofeng was already drinking wine. He was not drinking alone. There were many women accompanying him to drink.
Though not sure whether the wine were the best, but the women were pretty good, extremely good.
Jian Chuanxue staggeringly stood up, staggeringly walked over, and first grabbed a cup of wine and drank it completely.
It was, sure enough, great wine.
The girls were all watching him, laughing. Their laughs made them even more beautiful.
Jian Chuanxue looked at them and then looked at Xie Xiaofeng again. “Did you smell that fragrance at first?”
Xie Xiaofeng said, “No.”
Jian Chuanxue asked, “I smelled it, why didn’t you?”
[End of Chapter 38]
Footnote
162. I have to admit, I’m not 100% on this section. The text is literally word-by-words with same punctuation:
“Sword can get its owner, sword wins, get its famed sword can not get its owner, sword grasp, sword ruin, sword sinks, thus can not leave name for thousand ages, even not able protect its body.”
Just a few notes — “its owner” is really its rightful/real owner, I translated as its true master. Although the word is not given in the text, based on context it’s implied. I translated “sword wins”/jiansheng to “a superb sword” though sheng=“victory” it could also mean superior because the victor is the superior one. I’m throw off by “get its famed sword”/deqimingjian but I interpret that section as “even a famed sword without its owner” which I’m pretty certain that’s what it’s saying. However, that front portion is really confusing to me. I don’t understand what “sword grasp”/jianzhi actually means. I recognize the word “zhi” from guzhi which means “stubborn” or lit. “refuse to grasp”. So with along that same line of thought, I translated “sword grasp” to “sword hard to grasp”. I am the least confident in this translation and will not be surprised if it’s completely wrong.
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Notes
Heavily re-translated but here are some worthy notes.
• When XXF was talking to the Kid about the name, one of the names and one of yeses was missing.
• Attempted to retranslate the sword section.
• It's "he will not die" NOT "he will die".
• I retranslated the sword section and I’m not confident I got it right.
• About the old man, it's 800 mile NOT 8 miles.