CLX Book 4 Chapter 13 – Part 1

Chapter 13 – The Bright Lantern on the Sea

Where there are lights, but no dry land, then there must be ship. _{Translated by foxs}

This dot of light was indeed a star, a saving star!

Everybody exhausted their strength to row towards the light. Although the wind was strong and the waves were big, but this moment, in their eyes, everything was considered as nothing.

The lantern light was getting brighter, getting closer.

They were rowing even faster, until gradually the voices of people on board could be heard.

Chu Liuxiang cast a glance at Bai Lie, he spoke heavily, “As long as one is not dead, no matter what the situation is, one must endure it –– I always think this is the most basic requirement to conduct oneself.”

Ying Wanli said, “That’s right, whatever it is, Chu Xiang Shuai said it best. Not only do people have no right to kill others, they have no right to kill themselves either!”

The boat was very big. Everyone on board behaved very politely, they dressed very cleanly, and they spoke very courteously.

As soon as Chu Liuxiang stepped on the boat, he felt that this boat was very special.

Because in his impression, most of the sailors at sea were crude and dirty. At sea, fresh water was even more precious than wine, so naturally the opportunities to take a bath were not many.

Although the storm was approaching, everyone on board was still very calm, very composed, toward Chu Liuxiang and the others they were even more refined and courteous. _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

Anyone could see that they must have been well trained. From them, it could also be seen that the master of the boat must be very extraordinary.

Very quickly Chu Liuxiang was able to confirm that his guess was not wrong.

Only the master of this boat was a bit younger than he thought, a very delicate, very refined young man. Although he was dressed gorgeously, it was not over the top.

The clear notes of the qin fluttered on the deck.

Via the window on a distance, Chu Liuxiang and the others could see a young man playing the qin. Since Wu Hua’s death, Chu Liuxiang had not heard such a pleasant qin sound for a very long time.

But before they reached the cabin door, the sound of qin stopped abruptly

The young man was already standing at the door welcoming them with a smile on his face.

His smile was gentle and soft, as well as cordial, but in his pair of eyes, there was an indescribable sense of emptiness, loneliness, and desolate expression. He raised his cupped fist from a distance toward Chu Liuxiang and the others, and said with a smile, “Good guests coming from afar, cannot welcome from afar, please forgive me, please forgive me.” _{Translated by foxs}

Hu Tiehua was originally walking in front of Chu Liuxiang, but he did not speak!

Because he knew that although normally Chu Liuxiang spoke a bit outrageously like him, but meeting someone who was refined and cultured, he could also speak very politely with very cultured words.

It was not that Hu Tiehua did not know how to speak cultured words, it’s just that he did not feel like doing it, that’s all.

As expected, Chu Liuxiang also raised his cupped fist, and said with a smile, “Surviving a calamity, indebted for being rescued, able to find a place where we could take shelter, it is already a joy beyond expectation, if Zhuren [master/host] is this overcourteous, Zaixia [plural] will not know how to respond even more.”

The young man raised his cupped fist again and said, “I don’t dare. To be able to offer meager service to gentlemen a little bit, it is already a providential good luck, if Gexia is this overcourteous, Zaixia will have no place to stand.”

Chu Liuxiang also raised his cupped fist again and said, “Just now I heard the wonderful tune, it’s like listening to heavenly music, I only regret that we came at an unfortune time that we disturbed Zhuren’s refined and elegant attitude of mind.”

The young man laughed and said, “By saying that, Gexia must also have wonderful understanding of music; when you have a bit of time, I will definitely ask for guidance.” _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

Hu Tiehua was tired, hungry, and thirsty, plus out of the corner of his eyes he caught sight of a pot of wine on the table inside the cabin, he was itching to go in a bit earlier, find a comfortable chair, sit down, and have a couple of cups.

Yet Chu Liuxiang was clearly speaking a lot of polite, cultured words over there; listening to it, he was already impatient early on. This moment he could not help interjecting, “Wonderful, wonderful, there is wine next to the qin, and there is qin next to the wine, not only it is extremely cultured, to be able to listen to the elegant music earlier, there is indeed no greater delight than this.”

What he was thinking in his heart was clearly ‘drinking fine wine earlier’, but his mouth plainly spoke ‘listening to the elegant music earlier’; surprisingly, he also said it in a very polite and cultured manner.

Only too bad other people could still hear clearly what he really meant.

Chu Liuxiang could not help laughing, he said, “My humble friend not only has a good understanding of music, but he is also a renowned expert in wine tasting …”

Hu Tiehua glowered at him, he interrupted, “To be honest, although Zaixia’s ears do not have qin, my eyes already have wine.”

The young man could not help laughing as well, he said, “Hearing the singing to a strig accompaniment [referring to teaching the people Confucian values by means of song in ancient times], how could one not know your valued advice? Hu Daxia is also a hero in strong wine, Zaixia have already heard of it for a long time.” _{Translated by foxs}

Hu Tiehua was about to laugh, but he was stunned. “You recognize me?” he blurted out.

The young man said, “I regret for not having the great honor to meet you.”

Hu Tiehua asked, “How do you know my surname is Hu?”

The young man laughed indifferently and said, “Bright-colored butterfly’s pair of flying wings, the fragrance of flowers set the world in movement –– able to walk arm-in-arm with Chu Xiang Shuai, who else but the hudiehua [Butterfly Flower, Iris tectorum, different characters from the ‘hu tie’ of Hu Tiehua’s name] Hu Daxia?”

Chu Liuxiang was also stunned.

Hu Tiehua said, “Turns out the one you recognize is not me, but the old …”

The young man said, “Xiang Shuai’s great name, I have admired for a long time, only I regret that all along my karma has been stingy.”

Hu Tiehua spoke in amazement, “You have never seen him, how do you know that he is Chu Liuxiang?”

Instead of answering this question directly, the young man smiled and said, “The wind is strong, the waves high, and the sea is turbulent, gentlemen presumably cannot stand firmly. The side of this boat is about two zhang away from the water. When coming up in one jump, inevitably upon landing your feet would create sound.”

Hu Tiehua said, “That’s right; on land, a jump of two zhang is nothing, but on water it is entirely different.” _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

The young man said, “But when the six gentlemen got on the boat just now, Zaixia only heard the sound of five gentlemen’s feet. Jumping up two zhang on water, yet able to land without any sound, qinggong this high, no one in the present age can match.”

He chuckled, and then continued, “Chu Xiang Shuai’s qinggong is unmatched in the world, it is an undisputable matter …”

Hu Tiehua rushed to say, “But how do you know that that person is him, that he is Chu Liuxiang?”

The young man laughed and said, “A lone boat on the raging sea, the storm is looming; after this catastrophe, still able to talk and laugh as though nothing had happened, confident and at ease as former times, setting his eyes on the world, other than Chu Xiang Shuai, how many more are there?”

He turned to Chu Liuxiang, raised his cupped fist three times and said, “Therefore, Zaixia dared to presume, hoping that Xiang Shuai would not be offended.”

Hu Tiehua could only open his eyes wide, unable to say anything. _{Translated by foxs}

This young man was indeed a very extraordinary character, much more brilliant than he had imagined.

Wine, mellow and beautiful.

Three cups of mellow wine would be enough to satisfy hunger.

After five cups went down his belly, Hu Tiehua already felt a little tipsy, he talked more — when a person is tired and hungry, his drinking capacity is already much worse than usual.

At this time, everybody had already introduced themselves. Only Ying Wanli still said his name was ‘Gongsun Jieyu’. After being a constable for several decades, his suspicious nature was inevitably getting particularly heavy.

This may be because they see more thieves than good people, therefore, no matter who, he would always have thirty-percent suspicion that that person would tell more lies than the truth.

The young man laughed and said, “Turns out gentlemen are all famous people, I am honored by your presence, it is truly the splendor of my humble place.”

Hu Tiehua interjected, “If someone like Gexia is a nameless figure, I will be the first not to believe it.”

Ying Wanli immediately also laughed and said, “Zaixia was just wanting to ask Zhuren’s venerable surname.”

The young man said, “My humble surname is Yuan, given name Suiyun [lit. follows the cloud]. The Yuan character from ‘yuanlai’ [lit. turns out].” _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

Hu Tiehua laughed and said, “This surname is very rare.”

Ying Wanli said, “I wonder where the xianxiang [lit. fairyland, honorific: your homeland] is?”

Yuan Suiyun replied, “Guan Zhi.”

Ying Wanli’s eyes flashing, he said, “The Yuan Clan of Guanzhong, its reputation is resounding, ‘Wuzheng Shanzhuang’ [lit. no strive mansion/villa] has its origin from the old, it could be called the number one family influential for generations in Wulin, but I wonder how would Gexia call Yuan Dongyuan, Yuan Lao Zhuangzhu [old mansion master]?”

Yuan Suiyun said, “He is precisely Jiafu [my father (polite)].”

As soon as he said those words, everyone was stunned, even Chu Liuxiang’s face could not help revealing astonishment, as if he had just heard the most astonishing, the strangest thing.

Three hundred years ago, Yuan Qinggu built the ‘Wuzheng Shanzhuang’ west of Taiyuan. These two characters ‘no strife’ was not a self-declared name, rather, it was a laudatory title given by the Wulin towering figures under the heavens. _{Translated by foxs}

Just because in those days, no one in the world wanted to strife against him even for a day.

Since then, ‘no strife’ famous heroes emerged in large numbers, God knows how many large-scale and shocking major events have happened in Jianghu!

Ying Wanli’s remark about ‘the number one family influential for generations in Wulin’, these six characters [wu lin di yi shi jia], was not simply a flattering remark.

In the past fifty years, although the ‘Wuzheng Shanzhuang’ has not produced any astonishing matters, the prestige of the past 300 years still remained. When Wulin people mentioned the name ‘Wuzheng Shanzhuang’, they still had much respect.

The current Shanzhuang Zhuren [the master/owner of the mansion/villa], Yuan Dongyuan’s natural disposition was simple and indifferent, he very rarely appeared in Jianghu, and never fought against others even more. Although some people said that he was ‘deeply hidden without revealing anything, his martial art skill deep and unmeasurable [idiom]’, but some people also said that he was ‘born weak, unable to train martial arts, he was just a gifted scholar in drinking technique who entertained himself with literature and wine …’”

But no matter what people said, Yuan Lao Zhuangzhu’s status in Jianghu was still extremely high. No matter how big a dispute, as long as Yuan Lao Zhuangzhu said a word, it could immediately be resolved.

Even Xue Yiren, who was known as the ‘number one swordsman’, at the time when he was at his peak, the time when he was able to cause trouble the most, did not dare to go to the ‘Wuzheng Shanzhuang’ to flaunt his talents. _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

Yuan Dongyuan originally regretted for not having any offspring, until he was in his later years, he obtained a son when he was in his fifties. How deeply he doted on his son and how profound he put his hopes on him, naturally it need not be mentioned.

This Yuan Shao Zhuangzhu [young mansion master] did not disappoint either.

Everyone in the Jianghu knew that Yuan Suiyun Shao Zhuangzhu was a ‘child prodigy’; when he grew up, he was well versed in letters and military technology [idiom: master of pen and sword], and of great talent, moreover, cultured and refined, his moral character honest and sincere.

When Wulin qianbei [older generation, seniors] mentioned this Yuan Shao Zhuangzhu, although their mouth praised without ceasing, in their heart they secretly sympathized and felt that it was a great pity ––

Just because when he was three years old he suffered a serious illness, and his pair of eyes lost his eyesight, he was a blind man!

Yuan Suiyun was unexpectedly blind.

The person who recognized Chu Liuxiang at a glance, unexpectedly he was blind?

Everybody could only stare blankly. _{Translated by foxs}

They all had eyes, moreover, their eyesight was very well, but they had talked to him for such a long time, not only none could see that he was blind, they simply did not even think that he was blind.

His demeanor was so serene, he walked so steadily, when pouring wine for others, he never spilled a drop, and other people’s identities, he could see through in just one glance.

Who would have thought that he was blind!

Only then did everyone finally understand why his eyes always looked so hollow and desolate.

In addition to sighing in admiration, they could not help feeling sorry.

His talent was so outstanding, his appearance was so handsome, and he was born in the number one family influential for generations in Wulin, he was truly the favored son of heaven. Originally, he should have no regrets in this life, yet Laotian [Ol’ Heaven] clearly made him into a blind man.

Could it be that Tian Gong [lord of heaven] was also jealous of talents? That He did not wish to see such a man with no deficiency, no regret on the earth?

Hu Tiehua could not help downing three more cups of wine.

While admittedly he would drink when he had concern in his heart, but when he had no concern, he would drink a few more cups. _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

Yuan Suiyun laughed indifferently and said, “Great guests from all directions are honoring me with your presence, yet just now Zaixia did not welcome you from afar. But by this moment gentlemen must have already forgiven me for being rude.”

Although it was just a polite remark, it made people who hear it feel a bit uncomfortable.

Responding to this remark was even more difficult, everybody was waiting for someone else to speak.

Hu Tiehua suddenly said, “Those things you determined just now, could it be that you hear them all using your ears?”

“Precisely,” Yuan Suiyun said.

Hu Tiehua heaved a sigh, he said, “Although Yuan Gongzi’s eyesight is inconvenient, you are much stronger than of us, people who have ears.”

He finished this sentence in three sections, simply because while speaking, he drank three more cups.

While admittedly if among those sitting on the table there was someone he loathed he must drink to vent his anger, if among those sitting on the table there was someone he really admired, he must also drink two cups. _{Translated by foxs}

Ying Wanli also suddenly spoke, with a smile on his face, he said, “Zaixia originally thought that the Nine-City Constable Ying Wanli’s hearing ability is sharp, it is already no one can reach. Only after seeing Gongzi today that I realized that there are people beyond people, there is a sky beyond the sky [idiom: in the wider world there are people more talented than oneself].”

Yuan Suiyun said, “I don’t dare. Could it be that Gexia know Ying Laoqianbei?”

Surprisingly Ying Wanli was able to keep his voice and his face unmoving, he said, “No more than predestined affinity to meet a few times.”

Yuan Suiyun chuckled and said, “Ying Laoqianbei’s ‘Bai Yi Shen Er’ [Divine Ears in White Clothes] are unprecedented and never to be duplicated, Zaixia have long wanted to ask for advice. If there is a chance in the future, I would like to trouble Gexia to introduce us.”

Ying Wanli’s eyes flashing, he spoke slowly, “If there is a chance in the future, Zaixia will definitely make the effort.”

On the surface, the conversation between the two seemed to be mere meaningless chitchat, it seemed that Ying Wanli was deliberately making unnecessary complication to cover up his identity.

But for some reason, Chu Liuxiang felt that there seemed to be a hidden dagger in this exchange, and that both sides were harboring ulterior motives.

It’s just that momentarily Chu Liuxiang was not able to figure out what kind of scheme was brewing in these two men’s hearts. _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

Changing the subject, Yuan Suiyun suddenly asked, “Zhang San Xiong is undoubtedly a hero on the water, and reportedly Xiang Shuai has also taken floating residence on the sea for a long time. Based on the two gentlemen’s ability, how could there be some perils of the sea?”

Zhang San and Chu Liuxiang have not responded, Hu Tiehua already rushed to say, “If the boat was going to sink, what can these two do?”

Yuan Suiyun said, “There was no storm at sea in the past two days, how could gentlemen’s boat suddenly sink?”

Stroking his nose, Hu Tiehua said, “If we knew why it sank, we could not possibly let it sink.”

This answer was indeed very brilliant, answering and not answering were nearly entirely the same. Except for people like Hu Tiehua, no one would be able to speak this kind of thing.

Yuan Suiyun laughed, he nodded his head slowly and said, “That’s right, in the event of a catastrophe, how much beyond expectation it would be, no one can really predict.” _{Translated by foxs}

Hu Tiehua suddenly discovered that this man had another good point –– no matter what other people said, he seemed to think that it made sense.

The boat began to rock.

Obviously the storm was coming.

Ying Wanli suddenly asked again, “Yuan Gongzi has been living in Guanzhong for a long time, why go faraway into the sea?”

Muttering to himself irresolutely, Yuan Suiyun replied, “Toward other people, Zaixia would say that I am in the mood to tour the ocean, wanting to come here to see the magnificence of the sea and sky, but in gentlemen’s presence, how could Zaixia dare to tell a lie?”

Hu Tiehua interjected, “Yuan Gongzi is an honest gentleman, everyone can already see it.”

Yuan Suiyun said, “I don’t dare … It’s just that, don’t speak dark [hidden/secret] words in front of bright [opposite of dark, open] people, the purpose of Zaixia’s trip this time, I’m afraid it is the same as gentlemen’s.”

Emotionally moved, Ying Wanli said, “Oh? Yuan Gongzi knows where Zaixia [plural] are going?”

Yuan Suiyun chuckled, he said, “In the past two days, crowns and hats [ancient government officials – Baike.Baidu] have gathered on the sea, all outstanding heroes have arrived, perhaps all are going to the same place.” _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

Ying Wanli’s eyes flashing, he asked, “And what place is that?”

Yuan Suiyun laughed and said, “We have tacit understanding with each other, why does Gexia insist that Zaixia must answer?”

Hu Tiehua rushed to say, “Is it the Bat Island known as the ‘Spending-Gold Cave on the Sea’?”

Yuan Suiyun clapped his hands and said, “In the end, it is still Hu Daxia who’s quick to move, quick to speak.”

Greatly delighted, Hu Tiehua said, “Wonderful, wonderful … We could just hitch a ride on Yuan Gongzi’s boat, it will save us a lot of trouble.”

When this man saw someone pleasing to his eyes, his belly could not even hide half a sentence.

Zhang San could not help glaring at him, he spoke coldly, “You should not be happy yet, whether Yuan Gongzi is willing to let use travel on the same boat with him is still not certain.”

Hu Tiehua said, “I think Yuan Gongzi is also a hospitable person, he definitely will not chase us off the boat.” _{Translated by foxs}

Yuan Suiyun clapped his hands and said with a laugh, “Zaixia and gentlemen are strangers coming together by chance [idiom], I never expected that I would be able to meet an intimate friend with such yiqi [spirit of loyalty and self-sacrifice, code of brotherhood] like Hu Daxia.”

He raised his cup again and said, “Please … gentlemen, please.”

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