CLX Book 4 Chapter 21 – Part 1

Chapter 21 – In Literature, There Is No Number Two, In Martial Arts, There Is No Number One

The sun was tilting to the west. _{Translated by foxs}

But the sunshine was still dazzling. The waves were beating against the reefs, stirring up a series of silvery-white foam.

Five or seven seagulls were circling low above the resplendent blue ocean under the resplendent blue sky.

When one had just come out of the darkness and suddenly see the sunshine, they could not help closing their eyes, and letting their eyelids receive the warm caress of the sunshine first, before they were able to accept this heart-pounding bright light!

Everyone could not help taking a deep, deep breath.

The air tasted sweet in their lungs.

Everybody’s mood suddenly brightened.

Now, although they were still in a danger spot, but as long as there was light, then there would be hope.

There was an excited expression on everyone’s face!

Everybody but ‘her’.

‘She’ was hiding in the shadow behind the rock, her body curled up, but she was still unwilling to take off the black cloth covering her face. _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

Unexpectedly she seemed to be afraid of sunshine. Could it be that she could no longer receive the light?

Hu Tiehua stared at her, suddenly he laughed coldly and said, “If a person has not done anything wrong, why should he hide and does not dare to see others?”

Zhang San said, “Who are you talking about?”

Hu Tiehua said coldly, “Who I am talking about, I am sure you know!”

Zhang San laughed again, he said, “Turns out you are jealous [lit. eating vinegar], but what you eat is dry vinegar and flying vinegar.” [Sorry, no idea what dry and flying vinegar mean.]

Hu Tiehua said, “You are releasing fart, dry fart, flying fart.”

Zhang San roared in laughter and said, “Turns out farts can fly too? This is very rarely seen; how about you release one and let me see?”

Hu Tiehua said, “You can’t see it, it’s already in your mouth.”

Everybody who heard him could not help laughing, only she was sobbing softly.

Hu Tiehua laughed coldly and said, “Cry loudly if you want to cry, laugh loudly if you want to laugh, only this way, live will be meaningful.” _{Translated by foxs}

Zhang San said, “You’d better speak a bit more politely.”

Hu Tiehua said, “I said what I said, it’s none of your fart business.”

Zhang San heaved a sigh, he muttered, “Turns out you are also a blind bat.”

Hu Tiehua said angrily, “What did you say?”

Zhang San said, “You should have seen early on who this Guniang is; even if you could not see, you should have figured it out.”

He heaved sighed again, and said, “Now I know that the most terrifying emotion on earth is not hate, but love. Because only if there is love, will there be jealousy. Not only it could turn people into idiots and lunatics, but also turn people blind.”

Hu Tiehua was really stunned, his eyes were still ‘staring’ at her.

“Dong Sanniang!”

Hu Tiehua’s face was red all the way to the root of his ears, he stammered, “I was wrong again … I’m really a damned big muddled egg.”

He often made mistakes, but every time he always admitted his mistakes.

This was precisely his greatest strength.

Therefore, most people felt that he was very adorable. _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

Smiling wryly, Zhang San said, “Anyone who does something wrong must receive a scolding; the strange thing is that only you, this kid, doing something wrong, other people are not even willing to scold you!”

Hu Tiehua did not seem to hear what he was saying at all, he muttered, “If the person who lit the fire was not her, who could it be?”

Zhang San said, “On that, I really don’t know either … Could it be that it was unexpectedly Hua Zhenzhen?”

All along Gao Yanan did not say anything, she was just staring at Hu Tiehua coldly.

Hu Tiehua seemed to have forgotten her.

By this moment, indeed a lot of things had happened, no one would pay any attention to other people.

What’s more, ‘jealousy’ can indeed blind people’s eyes and cloud their minds.

At this moment, Gao Yanan suddenly said, “Definitely not Hua Zhenzhen.”

Zhang San said, “But …”

Gao Yanan did not let him speak, she went on, “She is the murderer, how could she turn to help us?” _{Translated by foxs}

It was only now that Zhang San seized the opportunity to finish what he wanted to ask, he said, “But where is Hua Zhenzhen’s person?”

Gao Yanan spoke hatefully, “She must still be hiding somewhere, waiting to harm someone.”

Zhang San was silent for half a day, he said, “Could it be Jin Guniang?”

Hu Tiehua said, “Not her either, she doesn’t have such a high martial art skill.”

Zhang San said, “But her person has disappeared too.”

Hu Tiehua suddenly sprang up and said, “I’ll go in and have a look.”

Zhang San asked, “Are you looking for her?”

Hu Tiehua shouted loudly, “You think I only remember women? Old stinky bug is inside alone, not only he has to deal with Yuan Suiyun, but also deal with Hua Zhenzhen, how can I keep staying here?”

Hu Tiehua already rushed in.

Even if he was fully aware that it was the underworld, he would still rush in.

Gao Yanan heaved a sigh, she spoke grimly, “Toward others, he does not show much interest, toward Chu Liuxiang, why is he particularly different?” _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

Zhang San said, “Because if Chu Liuxiang knew that he was in danger inside, he would also disregard everything and rush in.”

He also heaved a sigh, he said, “These two are really good friends, I’ve never seen friends like them before.”

Gao Yanan said, “Sometimes I don’t understand. Obviously there is not the slightest bit similarity in their temperaments, how did they become such good friends? Could it be that this is called destiny will make enemies meet [idiom, often said about lovers who have a disagreement]?”

Zhang San laughed, he said, “In normal times, they indeed look like enemies, anytime and anywhere they are like you badmouth me a couple sentences, I badmouth you a couple sentences; but once something happens, you can immediately see their friendship!”

Gao Yanan spoke sweetly, “I’ll say you are more or less the same as they.”

Zhang San’s smile suddenly turned into a bitter smile, he said, “But right now I’m still sitting comfortably in the sun here.”

Gao Yanan said, “That is because Chu Liuxiang has entrusted you with many things here. Someone entrusted you with something, you are loyal to him, this is a genuine good friend.” _{Translated by foxs}

Fixing his gaze at her, Zhang San sighed and said, “It seems that you are also worthy to be called their good friend.”

Gao Yanan’s eyes seemed to reveal some kind of hidden bitterness, secret grudge; she said slowly, “Not only are we good friends, we are also old friends.”

Gao Yanan was indeed an old friend of Hu Tiehua and Chu Liuxiang.

Although a lover, a new one is better, but friends, it is always old ones are better.

Zhang San was silent for a long time, and then continued, “If the one who lit the fire was not Hua Zhenzhen, neither was it Jin Lingzhi, then who could it be?”

Gao Yanan said, “I can’t figure it out either.”

Zhang San’s forehead emitted sweats again, he said, “From beginning to end, I practically did not see anybody, but I know there must be somebody …”

He wiped his sweat and muttered, “Could it be that no one can see that person?”

A human has flesh and blood, as long as they are human, others can see him.

On earth, there is absolutely no such thing as invisible human.

The only invisible things are apparition, are ghosts!

Gao Yanan cast her gaze to the ocean, she spoke slowly, “If there is really an invisible ghost inside, they … they …” _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

She did not finish her sentence, because even she herself did not dare to continue.

The crowd of heroes had been standing far away on one side, this moment suddenly several people came over.

One of them said, “We are coming in to have a look too!”

Another man said, “Chu Xiang Shuai has done a lot for us, we definitely cannot not get involved.”

But Gao Yanan shook her head, she said, “I think … it would be better for gentlemen to stay here.”

One man asked, “Why?”

Gao Yanan muttered to herself irresolutely, suddenly she asked, “I wonder if gentlemen have any fire starters on you?”

The same man replied, “No, anything that can lit fire, as soon as we went ashore, they searched and confiscated it.”

A skinny, withered, white-haired old man sighed and continued, “Even Laoxiu’s [lit. old rotten] fire paper to lit water smoke [shredded tobacco for water pipes], they were unwilling to let go, much less anything else.” _{Translated by foxs}

The old man’s hands were yellow and thin, like a dead wood, his teeth were blackened from smoking, he was highly addicted to tobacco. In the past two days, his addiction was suspended; it was all right when no one mention the word ‘smoke’, but as soon as someone mentioned it, his adam’s apple rolled up and down, his mouth felt dry and bitter, it was simply more unbearable than having no food.

Suddenly Gao Yanan also heaved a sigh, she said, “Wang Laoyezi [polite appellation for an elderly male] is a person of virtue and prestige, why didn’t you stay at home to enjoy a comfortable retirement, but insisted on coming here to be mistreated and suffer hardship? Is it worth the trouble?”

The white-haired old man’s countenance changed, he coughed dryly twice and said, “Guniang, how did you recognize Laoxiu?”

Gao Yanan spoke indifferently, “The Ying Zhua Men [Eagle Claw School] has been famous in Wulin for seventy years, even if Jianghu people do not recognize Wang Laoyezi, just by looking at Wang Laoyezi’s pair of hands, they should be able to guess.”

This old man was precisely the number one martial art master of the Eagle Claw School of Huaixi [lit. west river], the ‘Jiu Xian Yun Long’ [lit. nine existing cloud dragon] Wang Tianshou. Twenty years ago, he passed on the Zhangmen [headmaster] position to his nephew [brother’s son] Wang Weijie. For the past few years, he very seldom moved about the Jianghu. There were not many people who have seen his true face, no one expected that he would appear in here.

Everybody could not help turning their heads to give him a few glances. _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

Wang Tianshou was stunned for half a day, and then he cleared his throat twice, and said, “Guniang is young, but your eyesight is really not bad, really not bad.”

Only after seeing this situation that Zhang San realized that although these people were all Wulin figures, they did not know each other. They usually dominated their own territory, there were really not many opportunities to meet each other.

But when Yuan Suiyun planned the list of guests, evidently he spent a lot of effort not to invite people who knew each other to come here at the same time, to avoid someone might recognize someone else’s voice.

Wang Tianshou had not expected his identity to be exposed by a young and tender Xiao Bengniang [little girl, see Chapter 1], he secretly blamed himself for talking too much.

While he was looking for an opportunity to go a bit farther way, suddenly a big man with a purple face and dragon beard [orig. qiu, young dragon with horn] came out from among the crowd and walked over straight to him. His pair of sharp eyes staring straight at him, he spoke heavily, “Turns out that ‘Zhu Xiansheng’ is Wang Tianshou, Wang Laoyezi. No wonder Bianfu Gongzi was exceptionally polite toward ‘Zhu Xiansheng’.”

Wang Tianshou’s countenance changed again, he spoke sternly, “Who exactly is Gexia?” _{Translated by foxs}

The man with purple face laughed coldly and said, “Wang Laoyezi need not ask who Zaixia is, Zaixia just wanted to ask for advice …”

Gao Yanan suddenly laughed and said, “All in all, Wang Laoyezi has not moved about in Jianghu for a long time that you don’t even recognize the extraordinary image of the number one hero [strong and courageous person] of the Guandong Road, the ‘Zi Mian Shashen’ [Purple-faced Demon God] Wei Sanye [third master].”

Wang Tianshou threw his head back in loud laughter, he said, “Turns out it is Wei Xinglong, Wei Sanye, I’ve really long looked forward to meeting you …”

His laughter suddenly stopped, his pair of dim old eyes immediately became radiant, he also stared at Wei Xinglong and said coldly, “I have heard for a long time that Wei Sanye has had bumper harvest for many years, and presently he is the proprietor of two big racecourses [orig. horse field, could also mean horse ranch], has beautiful concubines, everyone in Jianghu is envious, but why instead of staying in the gentle and soft hometown enjoying a comfortable retirement, you also come here to be mistreated and suffer hardship?”

Wei Xinglong’s countenance also changed, he said, “This is Zaixia’s personal matter, it has nothing to do …”

Cutting him off, Wang Tianshou said, “Personal matter? I am afraid the reason for Wei Sanye‘s coming here is because of the xinfa of the sword formula Gu Daoren‘s ‘Seven by Seven, Forty-Nine Hands Hui Feng Wu Liu Jian’ [see last chapter].”

These words came out, the crowd of heroes could not help but let out an ‘Oh!’ exclamation, all eyes were fixed on the saber scar by Wei Xinglong’s remaining left eye. _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

This saber scar stretched from the corner of the eye to the root of the ear, although it was long, but it was not too deep. Wei Xinglong was born with an extraordinary image, his face was like purple blood, if no one pointed it out, it would be difficult for others to see this saber scar.

But the origin of this saber scar was known to everyone.

In the past, Taoist Gu of Mount Ba created the ‘Seven by Seven, Forty-Nine Hands Returning Wind, Dancing Willow Sword; relying on the sword, he wandered the world, his sword technique was so high that it was matchless in the present age.

In all his life, he only accepted one disciple, but it was a lay disciple [one who did not become priest/monk], surnamed Liu, given name Yinsong. Although his swordsmanship was not as ethereal and reaching the apex as Taoist Gu, his moral standing was noble and virtuous, as well as well-respected in Jianghu for a long time.

Liu Yinsong has never had any enmity with anybody in all his life, only once when he went to collect herbal medicine outside the Pass, he encountered injustice along the way, and injured a solitary bandit, who not only robbed money, but also robbed sex.

This solitary bandit was precisely Wei Xinglong. _{Translated by foxs}

The saber scar on his face was precisely left by Liu Yinsong.

It was said that he once swore a heavy oath in front of Liu Yinsong, saying that henceforth he would definitely wash his heart and renew his face [idiom: turning over a new leaf], to start a new life, hence Liu Yinsong put down his sword to show mercy, and spared his life.

Hence the reason this solitary bandit changed shape in a single shake [fig. to take on a new lease of life] and became the owner of racecourse [or horse ranch].

If he really has reformed and started afresh, why did he come here?

As soon as Wang Tianshou said these words, everyone’s mind immediately became as bright as snow.

“Turned out Wei Xinglong’s reform and start afresh was entirely fake.”

“Turned out he still wanted to seek Liu Yinsong for a revenge, but he was afraid of Liu Yinsong’s swordsmanship. He came here this time because he wanted to obtain the secret of ‘Hui Feng Wu Liu Jian’.”

Towering figures of Wulin paid particular attention to happiness and enmity, but this kind of despicable lowly person who said something without meaning it, everybody looked down upon him.

Everybody’s eyes stared at Wei Xinglong, but their eyes revealed a disdainful expression. _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

Wei Xinglong’s face became even more purple. Gritting his teeth, he said, “Even if I came here for the Bashan Sword Technique, so what? What about you?”

Laughing coldly, Wang Tianshou said, “What about me?”

His face seemed to have turned pale.

Wei Xinglong said, “Secretly learning other people’s martial arts, and then find people to take revenge; although this cannot be considered a skill, but at least it is much better than those who only want to poison people in secret, and then put the blame on the Tang family.”

Wang Tianshou said angrily, “Who are you talking about?”

Wei Xinglong ignored him, he swept his gaze across the crowd of heroes, and said, “I wonder if gentlemen know who is the number one big hero [yingxiong], big towering figure [haojie] in the world today?”

“There is no second place in literature, no first place in martial arts.”

These eight characters ‘Number One Big Hero in the World’ [Tian Xia Di Yi Wei Da Ying Xiong] were originally what everybody wanted to add to their own names, but if they really added these to themselves, it would cause endless disasters.

Just because no matter who had these eight-character title, there would be people who refuse to accept, they would exhaust thousand ways, a hundred plans [idiom: by every possible means] to snatch these eight-character title before he would be satisfied. _{Translated by foxs}

For the last several hundreds of years, famous heroes [Xia] came forth in large numbers in Jianghu, no one knows how many big heroes, big towering figures have done so many great things that lingered in people’s mouth. [Translator’s note: I just want to show that in these sections, one English word ‘hero’ is actually derived from several different Chinese words.]

But so far, there was not even one person who could add the title ‘Number One in the World’, these several characters to his name that everybody was willing to accept wholeheartedly.

When Wei Xinglong asked this question, everybody looked at each other in dismay, they could not guess who he was talking about.

Some people cast a glance at Gao Yanan, Zhang San, and said, “Could it be Chu Xiang Shuai?”

Wei Xinglong said, “Chu Xiang Shuai is anxious to help others resolve difficulties [idiom], he robs the palace to help the poor, no one knows how many people have benefited from him. In martial arts he is resourceful, it does not need to be mentioned, naturally he is a big hero, a great towering figure; it’s just that …”

He took a deep, deep breath, and continued, “These four characters ‘Tian Xia Di Yi’ [number one in the world], Chu Xiang Shuai may not necessarily be able to assume.”

Those few people immediately shouted, “If even Chu Xiang Shuai cannot assume it, then who can?” _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

A few more people said, “Chu Xiang Shuai swept across the Great Desert and defeated Shi Guanyin, explored ‘Shenshui Gong’ [Divine Water Palace] alone, and fought with ‘Shuimu’ [Water Matriarch] Yin Ji from land to water, and from water to land; what a hero! What a heroic spirit! Other than Chu Xiang Shuai, who else could do such an earth-shattering big thing?”

Several people said, “Forget about everything else, merely on this Bat Island this time, Chu Xiang Shuai‘s conducts and deeds, who does not admire? Who on earth can compare to him?”

Wei Xinglong heaved a sigh, he said, “Chu Xiang Shuai, naturally Zaixia admires him very much, but I was talking about …”

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