CLX Book 4 Chapter 6

Chapter 6 – The White Candle

While Hu Tiehua and Zhang San were bickering over here, Chu Liuxiang and Ding Feng have been paying attention to the movement on the boat over there.

Although that boat was bigger than the melon skin boat that Zhang San took, it was not too big. There were only two men on board. Other than the strange man wearing a big hat and grey robe on the bow, there was a boatman sculling at the stern, who was precisely the one bringing the chest of gold to the bow just now. _{Translated by foxs}

At this time, he was taking three more chests to the bow. The strange man in the big gray robe was giving him instructions in a low voice, while he just kept nodding his head, without saying a word as if he was a mute.

The distance between the two boats was still about five, six zhang.

Hai Kuotian and Ding Feng did not order their men to put down the rope ladder. Obviously they wanted to test the two men, to see how they were going to handle the four chests of gold. Only to see the boatman was tying up the four chests together, also picked up a piece of long rope, and swung it vigorously, producing ‘whoop, whoop’ gust of wind. Obviously there was a metal object tied to the end of the rope, like a small iron anchor.

They heard a ‘Whoosh!’, the long rope suddenly flew out across the sky, followed by another ‘Pop!’ sound, the iron anchor embedded itself into the bow of the big ship, surprisingly it penetrated the wood quite deep.

The boatman pulled hard again to see if the hold was strong enough, and then tied the other end of the long rope to the crossbar at the bow of the small boat.

Hai Kuotian chuckled, he said, “Looks like they are going to walk over this rope.”

Ding Feng spoke indifferently, “I just hope they don’t fall into the water.”

Hai Kuotian laughed and said, “If they really fell, it would be interesting, but the trouble is that we still have to fish them up.” _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

Actually, tight-rope walking was not a high-level qinggong at all. Even street performers [note: the original character indicates female] who roamed Jianghu could walk three to five zhang on the rope.

But at this moment, both Ding Feng and Hai Kuotian could see that although the man in grey robe’s imposing manner was not small, his martial art skill was not high, if he was able to walk over by himself he would be considered lucky. Perhaps his subordinate, the boatman would have to be carried over using the rope; whether he still had enough strength after lifting the four chests became even more of a question.

As soon as the rope was tied, the man in grey robe really flew up and leaped. With two ups and downs, he swept across the four or five zhang distance. When he leaped again, his figure appeared a bit unstable, one mouthful of true qi did not seem to be depleted yet.

Even Chu Liuxiang’s clenched fist was sweating for this man, he worried that he would fall into the water. Only to hear a ‘Crash!’, he surprisingly landed on the bow of the ship like a bag of stones falling from the air, shaking the boat that the lantern hanging on the cabin door was swaying incessantly. _{Translated by foxs}

It appeared that not only this man’s internal strength was not deep, his qinggong was not very good either. Such a person, surprisingly he dared to bring four chests of gold onto the Gang Leader of the Purple Whale Gang’s boat, his guts was indeed not small.

With his hands behind his back, his face was all smiles, Hai Kuotian looked at him like he was looking at a fat sheep dropping by his door.

Chu Liuxiang heaved a sigh, he said inwardly, “This time, this renxiong [brother, generic term] really ‘coming on board the pirate ship’.”

‘Coming on board the pirate ship’ was originally a common saying in the north, it simply described a person who threw himself into a tiger’s den. At this moment, being used to describe this person, it was really an appropriate and perfect saying.

Grinning from ear to ear, Hai Kuotian said, “Turns out Gexia is also a Wulin master.”

Hanging his head low, the man in grey robe replied with gasping breath, “I’m old, I’m old, I’m useless.”

Hai Kuotian said, “There is someone else on the boat over there, I wonder if he is Gexia’s traveling companion?”

The man in grey robe said, “That’s the young disciple, let Zaixia tell him to come here to pay his respect to Hai Bangzhu.”

Hai Kuotian laughed and said, “Well said, well said. Presumably ling gao tu’s [your honorable brilliant student] skills are also very brilliant.” _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

Surprisingly, the man in grey robe did not make modest remarks, he just called out loudly, “Bai Lazhu [lit. white candle], you also come here, take care of those four chests.”

He shook his head, and then laughed and said, “This disciple of mine, since he was little he has always had a temper like a candle; you don’t ignite him, he won’t light up. I have been used to calling him ‘White Candle’ since he was a child, but I am hoping gentlemen won’t laugh at us.”

Gou Zixhang could not help saying, “Shall I go over and help him?”

Although he wanted to take this opportunity to show off his qinggong, it was out of good intentions.

Who would have thought the man in grey robe shook his head and said, “That’s not necessary, he can walk over by himself.”

Hai Kuotian laughed again. The master nearly fell into the water, how could the disciple cross over?

Only to see the ‘White Candle’ had already picked up the wooden beam on the boat, tied the four chests separately to both ends, carried them using a shoulder pole, and suddenly flew and leaped onto the long rope. _{Translated by foxs}

Everybody’s heart dropped, thinking that even if he could stand now, the rope would definitely snap.

The four chests of gold altogether weighed at least a few hundred jin [catties], to carry them on his shoulders was already not easy, to say nothing of he had to unleash his qinggong while carrying it.”

Who would have thought that this ‘White Candle’ was able to pick it up and walked on the rope like walking on flat ground.

Hai Kuotian could not laugh anymore.

Gou Zixhang also looked wide-eyed. He was very proud of his ultimate qinggong; if he were to carry four chests and cross the taut rope for six to seven zhang, it would definitely not pose any difficulty to him. But if he had to walk that slowly, he simply could not do it. This ‘tightrope walking’ qinggong, the slower it is, the harder it will be.

Only to hear the man in grey robe let out a soft cry, one of Bai Lazhu’s feet stepped on the empty air, both the man and the chests looked like they were about to fall into the water. Who would have thought that a shadow flashed, no one knew how, but he was already standing nicely on the bow –– Turned out just now he was just showing off his skills for everyone to see.

Originally no one paid him any attention, but this moment they could not help giving him a few more glances. And then, everyone knew why he was called the ‘White Candle’. _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

His skin was very white. Under the light, it looked almost transparent, the blood vessels and the bones inside could be seen. Although this kind of white skin was morbid, it also carried some kind of indescribably strange charm.

His facial features [orig. five sense organs: nose, eyes, lips, tongue, ears] were very ordinary, his eyes and brows were also very delicate and pretty, but there was some kind of frightened and slow and simple expression, like a child who has just suffered some kind of great fright.

The clothes he wore on his body were originally, without a doubt, also white, but now it was so dirty that it was impossible to tell what color they were.

[The following was from ‘different’ source:] Originally, it would be very difficult for this kind of person to generate good impression in other people’s heart, yet for some reason, Chu Liuxiang did not have a bad impression toward him. Looking at Bai Lazhu, Chu Liuxiang felt like he was looking at a child in shabby clothes that has just received a beating from his parents; there was only a feeling of pity without any disgust.

Toward his master, however, now everybody had to change their view. They only saw his wide-brimmed hat that was covering nearly his entire face. But as soon as they entered the cabin, under the illumination of the lanterns, no one would be able to hide his entire face anymore, hence now everybody was able to see part of his exposed face. _{Translated by foxs}

Although the exposed part was just a small part of his face, one look was more than enough, immediately others would shiver, as if a snake had just slithered along their spine.

It was indeed difficult to describe this weird face. It could be said that it looked like an exploded steamed bun in the steamer, or like a burst boiled egg in the pot, like a cracked-open pomegranate, or a rotten tomato. No one could find a nose or a mouth on this extraordinary face.

The part where the nose was supposed to be, there were only two holes, from which came a hissing noise as he was breathing, like the sound of hissing of a serpent.

The part where the mouth was supposed to be, there was only a clump of shriveled red meat; each time he spoke, this clump of meat opened up, revealing a few teeth behind the fissure of the red meat.

Normally Chu Liuxiang was a very composed person who could hide his emotion well. But now, seeing this bizarre appearance, he could not help feeling emotionally moved, so that he could not bear to look at him more than a glance.

Fortunately, this man was self-conscious as well, as soon as he entered the cabin, he headed toward the darkest corner and sat there. His disciple, Bai Lazhu followed closely behind. His fists were tightly clenched, as if he was ready to fight any moment.

Chu Liuxiang knew that anybody dared to be rude to his master, Bai Lazhu’s fists would make their move right away. He was convinced that not many people would be able to withstand Bai Lazhu’s one punch. _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

Master and disciple were equally peculiar, so that Hu Tiehua and Zhang San, who normally loved to talk, were as if their mouth was stuffed.

In the end, Ding Feng was the first to open his mouth. He laughed – whatever he was going to say, he never forgot to laugh first – and then said, “Today we are going to sail together, this is called brought together by fate. I wonder what are your honorable surnames and great given names, would you mind letting us know?”

Naturally he was talking to the man in grey robe, yet his eyes were fixed on the pot of wine on the table. After all, this pot of wine was a lot more pleasant to the eyes compared to the man in grey robe’s face.

The man in grey robe replied, “Zaixia Gongsun Jieyu [jieyu means remnants after a disaster] alias Shang Can [disabled/maimed/crippled/(of objects) damaged].”

He heaved a deep sigh, and then continued, “Naturally gentlemen will be able to think that Zaixia’s name is very apt, I am indeed a survivor of a disaster, and naturally I am a wounded and maimed person [shang in itself means wound/injury, while can means spoiled/broken].”

Actually, without his explanation, everybody could guess that this man must have undergone an extremely tragic life experience; that he was able to live until now, it was indeed not easy, because it would be unthinkable for anybody to be born with such a dreadful appearance. _{Translated by foxs}

Ding Feng laughed and said, “How high your disciple’s martial art skill is, it is indeed rarely seen in Jianghu; we all admire …”

The man in grey robe, who professed to be Gongsun Jieyu, interrupted him, “He is called Bai Lazhu, no other name, no friends either.”

Muttering to himself irresolutely, Ding Feng laughed and said, “A few friends here are all renowned Wulin heroes, let Zaixia introduce them to Xiansheng [Mister].”

Suddenly heaving a deep sigh, Gongsun Jieyu said, “Although ignorant, Zaixia knows myself. Anybody with eyes would naturally be appalled and would want to stay far away from me. Therefore, for the last dozens of years, I never hope to make friends with anybody. This time, as long as I have a place to sit, it would be enough for me to feel deeply grateful.”

He stated categorically that he did not wish to make friends with anybody, he did not even wish to know their names. Under this kind of circumstances, even the eloquent Ding Feng could do nothing.

Suddenly Xiang Tianfei stood up, cupped his fist and spoke loudly, “Thank you very much, thank you very much!”

“What do you thank me for?” Gongsun Jieyu asked.

Laughing coldly, Xiang Tianfei said, “I thank you because you do not want to make friends with me. If you did, it would be troublesome indeed.”

Instead of getting angry, Gongsun Jieyu responded indifferently, “That’s right, Zaixia do not wish to be troublesome to anybody.” _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

Actually, even if he was angry, no one would be able to see anyway.

Hai Kuotian said, “If Gongsun Xiansheng does not wish to be disturbed, let Zaixia prepare a quiet room for you, only …” He raised his wine cup and went on, “You must give me a chance to fulfil my responsibility as the host. Let’s eat first.”

“That’s right,” Xiang Tianfei said with a sneer, “Even if you don’t want to make friends, you still need to eat.”

Bai Lazhu suddenly spoke, “Are you the host here?”

“No,” Xiang Tianfei replied.

“Very well,” Bai Lazhu said, “I’ll eat.”

Immediately he picked up the pot of wine on the table and poured it into his mouth. In an instant, more than half a pot of wine entered his belly. This pot was very big, it was almost like a jar of wine. Although Hai Kuotian already poured some into the cups a while ago, there were still be at least four or five catties of wine remained.

After consuming that much of wine, Bai Lazhu’s countenance did not change at all, it looked like he would be able to drink much more. _{Translated by foxs}

Instantly Hu Tiehua’s eyes grew big, he laughed aloud and said, “I never thought there would be an excellent drinker here. Good, very good!”

Those who love to drink usually also love to see fellow drinkers, moreover, those with good wine capacity.

However, Bai Lazhu acted as if he had no time to listen to Hu Tiehua’s babble, both of his hands moved fast, in the blink of an eye, a large dish of braised pork that had just been delivered to the table was gone.

This dish of braised pork was originally enough to feed ten people, there were at least three or four catties of meat. Nobody expected this young man to have such a big appetite, considering his build was not much bigger than anybody else.

Hu Tiehua laughed heartily and said, “Good! What an amazing young hero!”

“Humph,” Xiang Tianfei snorted and said, “If a glutton can be considered a hero, this world will be full of heroes.”

Bai Lazhu acted as if he did not hear Xiang Tianfei’s remark at all. He slowly stepped out of the cabin, it was not until he was outside that he turned around and spoke word by word while glowering at Xiang Tianfei, “You, come out!”

Xiang Tianfei’s countenance changed slightly, but he laughed coldly and said, “You want me out, I will come out, who’s scared of you anyway?”

Originally Hai Kuotian wanted to stop them, but Ding Feng signaled him with his eyes not to meddle. _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

Gongsun Jieyu sighed and said, “I already told you, my disciple has a candle temper; you don’t ignite him, he won’t light up, once he is ignited, he will burn. Now you see it for yourself.”

Gou Zichang said, “The one surnamed Xiang indeed has some kind of ailment, he is looking for a fight all day long. Fancy that now someone is going to teach him a lesson.”

Hu Tiehua laughed and said, “As long as I can watch a lively show, I don’t care who is going to be taught a lesson.”

Therefore, everybody also went out of the cabin. Only to see Bai Lazhu, completely ignoring Xiang Tianfei, walked toward the bow.

By this time, the ship has not yet started to sail, the boat in which they came was still floating on the river. Reaching out, Bai Lazhu pulled the anchor embedded on the bow of the ship. With one shout, the boat suddenly flew up into the air. When Bai Lazhu pulled the rope, the boat flew straight toward him like an arrow. Although the boat was not big, even the smallest boat would be able to crush anybody to death. Moreover, the boat was flying down from the air, the momentum was no less than thousands of jun. Hearing the gust of wind, two sailors standing on the bow immediately ran away in fright. _{Translated by foxs}

Everybody thought that this time Bai Lazhu would be crushed to death by the boat; even if he did not die, he would be at least gravely injured. Who would have thought that he squatted and caught the boat squarely in his arms.

Everyone could not help cheering, “Good!”

Bai Lazhu’s countenance did not change at all, his breathing did not become heavy either. Carrying the boat over his head, he walked over toward the edge of the deck and lowered the boat slowly into the water. Only then did he turned back and spoke to Xiang Tianfei, “Don’t talk too much.”

Xiang Tianfei’s countenance alternated between dark green and red. Stomping his feet, he headed toward the stern. He pushed the helmsman aside and took the helm himself. Fixing his gaze toward the distance dark river ahead, he no longer turned his head anywhere else.

Henceforth, no one saw him entering the cabin, no one heard him saying another word …

In the meantime, the wine pot on the table has been refilled. Bai Lazhu slowly reentered the cabin. He picked up the pot, aimed the pot to his mouth, and in another instant he drank the entire pot again. Only then he returned to the corner and stood behind Gongsun Jieyu. His face still showed a frightened, slow and simple little boy’s expression.

Hu Tiehua raised his thumb and praised loudly, “Old stinky bug, did you see that? Now, that is what we call drinking wine. Your way of drinking can only be called licking wine.” _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

He shook his head, and then added, “Not even licking, it could only be called sniffing the wine.”

Suddenly Jin Lingzhi shouted, “Pour six pots of wine!”

No one knew to whom she was talking to, but Zhang San immediately responded, “Receive the order.”

Actually, he himself had no idea where the wine was being stored. Also, on this boat, he practically did not need to pour the wine himself. Yet he still took the empty pot out while muttering to himself, “I was bought for more than ten thousand taels of silver, yet she only wants me to pour wine, I wonder if she does not suffer too much loss?”

Hu Tiehua sneered and said, “Don’t worry, she will use you later, you just wait!”

Jin Lingzhi glowered at him, but did not say anything. Zhang San had also walked away.

A moment later, six pots of wine were ready on the table.

Jin Lingzhi said, “You drink four pots, I drink two.”

No one knew to whom she was speaking to, but everybody’s gaze was turned toward Hu Tiehua. _{Translated by foxs}

Stroking his nose, Hu Tiehua laughed and said, “Jin Guniang is talking to me?” His style in stroking his nose seemed to be even more elegant than Chu Liuxiang himself.

“I’m afraid so,” Ding Feng responded with a laugh, because Jin Lingzhi only snorted but did not say anything.

Looking at the four pots of wine in front of him, Hu Tiehua muttered, “If one pot contains five catties, four pots equal to twenty catties. Even if I drank it all without being drunk, I wonder if it will fit into my belly?”

Zhang San spoke leisurely, “If you did not have such a big belly, how could you blow that much air?”

Hu Tiehua said, “Looks like this man’s patting-the-horse’s-butt skill is very high, what a good slave!”

Glowering at him, Jin Lingzhi said, “Are you going to drink, or are you just blowing air? Are you going to drink or not?”

Hu Tiehua said, “I will, naturally I am going to drink, but this is not the right time.”

Zhang San laughed and said, “You are drinking wine, not getting married. Could it be that you have to select an auspicious date first?”

Not paying him any attention, Hu Tiehua laughed and said, “My way of drinking wine is called ‘death upon exposure to light’. Now is very late at night, as soon as it is dawn, I won’t drink even a drop.” _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

“Until when do you want to wait?” Jin Lingzhi asked.

Hu Tiehua replied, “Tomorrow, after dark …”

Laughing coldly, Jin Lingzhi said, “Very well, tomorrow it is. It’s not like you will be able to escape anyway.”

Casting a glance toward Ding Feng, Hu Tiehua spoke indifferently, “Now that we all are here, perhaps no one wants to leave, isn’t that right?”

Ding Feng did not respond, Gongsun Jieyu spoke instead, “We will eventually leave, only when and where and how, no one knows.”

Hai Kuotian’s boat had two decks. The lower deck was where the seventeen sailors sleep, also doubling as the ship hold. It was dark and stuffy.

The upper deck was the dining room where they ate. Beyond this were four cabins. At that time, this boat would be considered a big and luxurious ship.

Gongsun Jieyu and Bai Lazhu occupied one cabin, Jin Lingzhi had a cabin all for herself, Gou Zichang and Ding Feng had to share one cabin. In the last cabin, Chu Liuxiang, Hu Tiehua and Zhang San, three men had no choice but to share it.

Since the cabins were occupied by the guests, as the host, Hai Kuotian had to set up a temporary bed in the forward cabin. _{Translated by foxs}

This moment Hu Tiehua was sitting on the pillow, barefooted, while glowering at Zhang San. As soon as he entered the cabin, the first thing Hu Tiehua did was to take off his boots and socks.

According to him, everybody ought to stay bare foot often to air their feet. As for whether they need to wash their feet or not, it was a secondary matter.

Pinching his nose, Zhang San said with a frown, “Looks like having a faulty nose also have some other benefit, at least you won’t have to smell other people’s stinky feet.”

Glowering at him, Hu Tiehua said, “You think my feet are stinky?”

Zhang San said, “Stinky feet is nothing, your feet are not only stinky, they smelled weird.”

Hu Tiehua said, “If I were to spend twelve thousand taels of silver to buy a slave, even if I put my feet in front of his nose, he is not going to say my feet are stinky, right?”

Zhang San laughed and said, “That’s right. For rich people, even their fart will smell good, not to mention their feet?”

Hu Tiehua said, “In that case, why don’t you go smelling your rich mistress’ feet?”

Zhang San spoke leisurely, “I actually wanted to go, but I’m afraid someone might be jealous.” _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

Hu Tiehua spoke angrily, “Jealous, who’s jealous? Say it!”

Zhang San did not pay him any attention, instead, he stuck his ear to the wooden wall of the cabin.

These cabins were separated by wooden partition, the cabin next door was occupied by Gongsun Jieyu and Bai Lazhu.

Laughing coldly, Hu Tiehua said, “A slave indeed has slave mentality, patting his boss’ horse’s butts, eavesdropping other people’s conversation, currying favor from superior, these are all slaves’ special skills.”

Zhang San still did not pay him any attention, the expression on his face was actually very strange. One moment he furrowed his brows, another moment he smiled, and then shaking his head incessantly, and then nodding his head. He acted like a theater goer listening to a captivating opera.

What exactly was happening inside the room next door? What were the two men talking about?

Hu Tiehua could not bear anymore, he asked quietly, “What did you hear?”

Zhang San did not seem to hear, he kept listening with rapt attention. _{Translated by foxs}

Hu Tiehua endured it a moment longer. Finally he could not bear it anymore and stuck his ear to the wooden partition.

The cabin next door was as quiet as a tomb, there was no sound at all.

Frowning, Hu Tiehua said, “How come I don’t hear anything?”

Chu Liuxiang laughed and said, “There is no sound to begin with, if you could hear something, that would be strange indeed.”