CLX Book 6 Chapter 1 – Part 1

Chapter 1 – Ten-Thousand Good Fortune, Ten-Thousand Long-Life Garden

Chu Liuxiang liked women.

Women like Chu Liuxiang. _{Translated by foxs}

Therefore, wherever there was Chu Liuxiang, there could not possibly be no women.

When people asked him what his secret was to women, he always smiled. ——He could only smile, because he himself was really a bit baffled. He often came to know some wonderful women under some inexplicable circumstances.

When he got to know Shen ShanGu [see Book 1], Shen ShanGu had just jumped down from above the room, holding a sharp blade in her hand, intending to kill him. When he met Qiu Yusu [also Book 1, but it was Qiu Lingsu], Qiu Yusu was about to commit suicide.

In the desert without any water, he came to know Shi Guanyin [Book 2], but it was underwater that he came to know Yin Ji [Book 3].

When he got to know Gong Nanyan [Book 3], Gong Nanyan was sitting on his chair, drinking his wine; when he met Shi Suyun [Book 5, but it was Shi Xiuyun], Shi Suyun was lying in someone else’s arms.

He came to know Dong Sanniang [Book 4] at the place where stretching his hand in front of him, he could not see his fingers, and met Hua Zhenzhen by the side of a dead person [also Book 4].

When he met Princess Pipa [Book 2], Princess Pipa was taking a bath. When he met Jin Lingzhi [Book 4], it was he who was taking a bath. _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

Sometimes when he himself recalled about these things, he found it was amusing.

But no matter how you say it, the funniest, the most bizarre was the time when he got to know Ai Qing.

He came to know Ai Qing, only because Ai Qing farted.

Many people think that only men fart, perhaps because they have never seen women fart.

Actually, of course women fart too.

Women’s physiological structure is no different from men’s. When they have to fart, they may not be able to hold back it, because some farts come like Xue Yiren’s fast sword [Book 5], it disappeared without a trace, so that it was hard to guard against.

But on earth, there are a lot of things that are unfair. Men can fart anywhere, no matter how much, it won’t be such a big deal.

If a woman farts in a public place with numerous people, it is a desperately-serious big matter. Legend has it that once upon a time there was a woman who farted in public, and then when she returned home, she looked for a rope and hanged herself.

Although this kind of thing doesn’t happen often, you cannot but believe it.

Spring.

Wanfu Wanshou Yuan [Ten-Thousand Good Fortune, Ten-Thousand Long Life Garden Garden, see Book 4]. _{Translated by foxs}

Perhaps the spring in Wanfu Wanshou Yuan was much more beautiful than spring in any other place on earth, because even if other places also had such vast flower gardens, there would not be this many colorful flowers, even if there were so many flowers, there would not be so many people, even if there were so many people, they definitely would not be this elegant with graceful posture.

Especially on the seventh day of the third month.

Today was Jin Taifuren’s [again, see Book 4] eightieth birthday [the original Chinese characters, Da Shou, mean birthday marking the beginning of new decade of life for an older person, especially over 50 years old (e.g. 60th or 70th birthday)].

It could be said that Jin Taifuren was the most blessed Laotaitai [elderly lady (respectful)] in the world.

Even if others could live to her age, they would not have such glory, splendor, wealth and rank. Even if they had such glory, splendor, wealth and rank, they would not have as many children and grandchildren as she did. Even if they have so many children and grandchildren, they would not be like her, all her children and grandchildren could stand out among their peers [idiom].

Most importantly, not only Jin Taifuren had good fortune, she also knew how to live comfortably. Altogether Jin Taifuren had ten sons, nine daughters, eight sons-in-law, thirty-nine grandsons and granddaughters, plus twenty-eight grandchildren [via female line]. _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

Some of her sons and sons-in-law were zongbiaotou [chief of escort agency], some were zongbutou [chief constable], some were Bangzhu [gang leaders], and some were zhangmenren [headmaster]. It could be said that none was not a top martial art master in Jianghu.

Among them, there was only one who abandoned martial arts to cultivate literature, and already became Golden Horse Jade Hall [a place for ministers and scholars to discuss affairs, old metaphor of excellence in learning and wealth], his official position was extremely high. There was also one who was born of a military background, precisely the military general of the present dynasty whose military meritorious service was the most flourishing.

She had nine daughters, but only eight sons-in-law. Because one of her daughters shaved her hair to become a [Buddhist] nun, she entered Emei School and received the cassock and alms bowl [direct/favorite disciple] of Emei’s Ku’en Dashi [in Book 4, it was Ruoyin Dashi].

Most of her son’s daughters and daughter’s sons have also become famous and had some standing. [Note: I already mentioned in the past, Chinese pay very particular attention to relationships, there is a difference between grandchildren from the son’s line and daughter’s line.]

Her youngest granddaughter [son’s daughter] was Jin Lingzhi. _{Translated by foxs}

Jin Lingzhi met Chu Liuxiang and Hu Tiehua at the same time — they were taking a bath in a public bath when she suddenly broke in.

No one can deny that this was a very peculiar, very exciting beginning, but what they experienced together after they met was even more peculiar and exciting.

They once lay in coffins and drifted along on the ocean, they have also been in all black, no daylight [idiom] hell, waiting for death. They encountered mermaids fished up from the ocean using fishing nets, also encountered bat people who never saw light in all their lives.

In short, they were partners who went through life and death together, sharing trials and tribulations, so they have become good friends.

The friendship between Hu Tiehua and Jin Lingzhi was special and different even more.

Jin Taifuren’s eightieth birthday, naturally they simply had to come. What’s more, Hu Tiehua’s nose had already smelled the good wine that has been stored in Wanfu Wanshou Yuan for twenty years.

Jin Lingzhi insisted that they did not send any gift, as long as they promised one thing, ‘not drunk not allowed to leave’. Chu Liuxiang also wanted her to promise one thing, ‘she must not mention their names in front of other people.’

Hu Tiehua was very good in keeping promises. He has been drunk three times and still had not left.

They have been here since the third of the month, and now it was the seventh day of the month. More and more guests were coming, but almost none recognized Chu Liuxiang’s true face. _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

Jin Lingzhi was also very good in keeping promises. She did not reveal Chu Liuxiang’s identity in front of anyone.

Therefore, Chu Liuxiang could still roam around everywhere with ease. He was simply a bit dizzy from strolling around. This place was really too big and there were too many people.

At noon on the seventh, everybody had to go to the main hall to congratulate Jin Taifuren on her birthday, and then eat birthday noodles.

Even if Wanfu Wanshou Yuan were bigger, there was no way it could accommodate so many people; therefore, the guests simply had to be divided into three batches. Still, there were so many people in each batch.

Chu Liuxiang was in the third batch.

He was originally with Hu Tiehua, they walked out from the rear garden together, but halfway there, Hu Tiehua suddenly disappeared.

There were so many people, there was simply no way to find him.

Chu Liuxiang went alone. When he entered the main hall, there seemed to be fewer people. Some people already started to eat the birthday noodles; some girls even stole glances at him from between the two chopsticks. _{Translated by foxs}

Even if Chu Liuxiang was not Chu Liuxiang himself, he was still a very attractive man.

He could only hang his head low, his eyes looked at his nose, his nose looked at his heart, walking straight ahead following compass and set square to offer birthday felicitations.

He was not such a man who followed compass and set square [well-behaved], but Jin Taifuren was looking at him with a faint smile – Jin Lingzhi would never dare to lie in front of her [paternal] grandmother.

Since Jin Taifuren knew who he was, in front of such Laotaitai, Chu Liuxiang could only strive his hardest to act as if he was following compass and set square.

Under this Laotaitai’s gaze, he really felt a bit like his scalp was about to burst. Jin Taifuren looked at him as if she was looking at her future grandson-in-law.

Chu Liuxiang only hoped that she would not look at the wrong person. Hardening his scalp, he walked over bravely. Yet he sensed that there was someone walking beside him; moreover, it was a woman. Burst after burst of fragrance went straight to assail his nostrils.

He really wanted to turn his head to look. Right this moment, he suddenly heard a ‘pfff —‘ noise. _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

Apart from Chu Liuxiang, there were at least seventy or eighty other people who also heard the ‘pfff —‘ noise.

First, because in front of Jin Taifuren no one dared to be disrespectful, therefore, although there were many people in the birthday hall, it was not too noisy.

Second, because the sound was particularly loud.

Anyone who has farted before could immediately tell that it was the sound of a fart.

Everyone farted.

Other than being particularly loud, there was nothing special about the fart.

It’s just that it really shouldn’t be released at this time, it shouldn’t be released in this place, and it shouldn’t be released by Chu Liuxiang’s side even more.

Chu Liuxiang could not help glancing sideways, the person standing beside him was indeed a woman.

Not only this woman was very fragrant, she was also extremely beautiful and very young.

Chu Liuxiang sighed inwardly, because at this moment, there were seventy, eighty pairs of eyes looking at this direction, looking at him, their eyes carried a little bit of polite surprise, a little bit curiosity, and also a little bit of sneer. _{Translated by foxs}

Naturally Chu Liuxiang knew that this fart was not released by him, but if it was not him, then it must be released by this fragrant, beautiful and young girl.

How could a gentleman let such a beautiful young girl bore the stained reputation as the person who farted?

Especially when this girl was looking at him pitifully, asking him for help. Even if he was not a gentleman, he would step forward bravely.

Although Chu Liuxiang did not say ‘I farted’ in public, his face showed the expression  that he farted, moreover, everybody was able to see it.

When the girl looked at him, it was as if she was looking at the hero who rescued her from magnificent army with thousands of men and horses, mountains of daggers and seas of flame, facing dangers thru nine deaths and still alive [all are idioms].

If he could be looked at by a girl like this, a tiny little sacrifice like this could be considered nothing.

For such a beautiful girl, Chu Liuxiang had done no one knows how many more things that the sacrifice was even more disastrous than this time.

In order to rescue such a beautiful girl, even if you asked Chu Liuxiang to face three tigers and two lions all by himself, he would still courageously go.

The people that he dealt with were even ten times more terrifying than lions and tigers. _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

But he really did not have the courage to sit down and eat birthday noodles anymore. Now, there were at least forty, fifty pairs of eyes looking at him, among those, at least twenty pairs belonged to girls.

He used the fastest speed to offer his birthday wishes, and then immediately slipped out.

There were also many people in the courtyard, congregating in twos and threes, talking and laughing.

Most of these people were well-known figures in Wulin, Chu Liuxiang even knew some of them.

They did not recognize Chu Liuxiang, naturally they did not know what happened just now either, but Chu Liuxiang still felt a bit embarrassed. Farting in public place with numerous people was, after all, not a very honorable thing.

Therefore, as soon as someone looked at him, he immediately wanted to slip away.

From the front courtyard he slipped to the garden, and then from the garden he slipped to the back garden.

He suddenly detected that there was someone staring at him from behind.

Wherever he went, this person followed him, and when he stopped, this person also stopped. _{Translated by foxs}

Although he did not see this person, he already sensed it.

There was absolutely no one on earth who could watch Chu Liuxiang closely without him detecting it.

Chu Liuxiang deliberately pretended not to notice at all, he sauntered unhurriedly past the small bridge.

The small bridge was above the lotus pond, and there was a rockery by the lotus pond’s side.

He walked around behind the rockery, finally there was no one behind the rockery, but surprisingly this person still dared to follow him.

The footsteps were very light. People who did not know qinggong, their footsteps could not possibly be this light.

Chu Liuxiang suddenly turned around and saw her.

She was wearing a light blue-green spring garment with narrow sleeves, the style was quite fashionable, the top was inlaid with precious-stone blue flowers, combined with a slender, reaching the floor precious-stone blue pleated skirt.

Chu Liuxiang’s first impression of her was, “This girl really knows how to put on clothes, really understand how to match colors.” _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

Elegant and supple, she stood by the rockery, her head hung low, biting her lips, her pair of slender lily-white hands was gently twirling the edge of her long hair messed up by the spring breeze.

Chu Liuxiang’s second impression of her was, “This girl’s teeth and hands are very beautiful.”

Her face carried a faint blush, like the color of rose-tinted clouds at sunrise; the pupil of her pair of eyes, the black and white were distinct, like a shallow water – was sneaking a glance at Chu Liuxiang .

Chu Liuxiang’s third impression of her was, “This girl, from top to bottom, is beautiful.”

Actually, this was not the first time he saw her. She was the girl who was standing next to him in the birthday hall. It’s just that Chu Liuxiang did not look at her clearly just now.

In front of so many people, he was really embarrassed to look.

Now he could look.

To be able to enjoy such a beautiful girl in details like this, it was indeed some kind of great pleasure.

The girl’s face became even redder, suddenly she laughed, and said sweetly, “My name is Ai Qing.” The first thing she said, she already told him her name.

Chu Liuxiang never expected it, but he understood that if a girl was willing to say her name in front of a stranger, especially a man, at least it showed that she did not dislike this man. _{Translated by foxs}

Ai Qing lowered her head and said, “If it wasn’t for you, I … I would have died.”

Chu Liuxiang laughed.

Only because of a fart, she would have to die; this kind of fact was incomprehensible.

He could only laugh.

Ai Qing said again, “Your kindness in saving my life, although I do not dare to express my gratitude, I really don’t know how to repay you.” The more she spoke, the more serious she was.

Chu Liuxiang could only laugh, he said, “It’s just a small matter, how can we talk about kindness of saving live?”

Ai Qing said, “For you, it is a small matter, but for me, it is a gargantuan matter. You won’t let me to repay you, I … I …”

She suddenly looked up, her face showed a very determined expression, she said, “I have no choice but to die in front of you.” _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

Chu Liuxiang was stunned. Not even in his dream would he think that this matter was this serious.

Ai Qing seemed to be afraid that he still did not believe her, she added, “Although I am a woman, I also know that if one wants to stand firm Jianghu, one must be able to distinguish gratitude and grudges. I don’t like people owing me anything, and I never owe other people; if you don’t let me repay you, that means you are looking down on me. If one is looked down by other people, what’s the point of living?”

Originally she looked like she could not talk very much, she was very gentle and soft, and very shy, but these words were spoken very loud and clear, almost a little bit like the tone of a hoodlum’s voice.

Smiling wryly, Chu Liuxiang said, “How do you want to repay me?”

Ai Qing spoke solemnly, “Whatever you want me to repay you, I will agree.”

Her face blushed again, but her eyes were looking directly at Chu Liuxiang, and as she spoke there was an unspeakable allure in her voice.

For most of men, hearing this kind of words and seeing this kind of expression, they would definitely think that this girl was seducing them, because to some extent, unavoidably men would like to think that their love is reciprocated.

A man who did not understand her intention would be either frighteningly smart, or stupid as hell.

It was unclear whether Chu Liuxiang really did not understand, or he pretended not to understand. His hand stroking his nose, he suddenly said, “If you simply have to repay me, just give me five hundred taels of silver then.” _{Translated by foxs}

Ai Qing seemed to be jumping in fright, she said, “What did you say you want?”

Chu Liuxiang said, “Five hundred taels of silver; if you don’t have five hundred taels, half of it will be fine too.”

Ai Qing’s eyes grew wide, she said, “You don’t want anything else?”

Chu Liuxiang sighed and said, “I’m a poor man. I don’t lack anything but silver. Besides, if someone wanted to repay other people, what other better way is there than giving him silver!”

Ai Qing stared at him. At first she looked very astonished, then gradually became very disappointed, her bright red cheeks gradually turned a bit green, she suddenly let out a long sigh, and said, “I never thought that you are unexpectedly an idiot.”

Chu Liuxiang blinked and said, “Is it too little? Do you want me to ask for more?”

Ai Qing bit her lip, she said, “If a woman wants to repay a man, there is actually a better way; could it be that you don’t understand?”

Chu Liuxiang shook his head and said, “I don’t understand.” _{foxswuxia.wordpress.com}

Ai Qing stomped her feet and said, “All right, I’ll give you five hundred taels.”

Chu Liuxiang broke into a smile and said, “Thank you very much.”

Ai Qing said, “I don’t have it with me now. Tonight, the third watch of the night [11pm – 1am, midnight], I will deliver it here for you.”

Finished speaking, she turned around and left. After walking a few steps, she looked back and glowered at Chu Liuxiang, while saying hatefully, “What an idiot.”

Chu Liuxiang watched her rounding the rockery, finally he could not help laughing; his face seemed to appear that the more he thought, the more amused he was.

Other than him, surprisingly there was another person. The sound of laughter was like a silver bell, and it sounded as if it came from the rockery.

Chu Liuxiang was really shocked. He really did not expect that the rockery was hollow, and that there was someone hiding inside.

Someone stuck her head out of the rockery, still laughing non-stop.

---